The .xv. Bookes of P. Ouidius Naso entytuled Metamorphosis, translated oute of Latin into English meeter, by Arthur Golding ... A worke very pleasaunt and delectable |
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| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIIII. |
| XV. |
 | The .xv. Bookes of P. Ouidius Naso |  |
To the ryght Honorable and his singular good Lord, Robert Erle of Leycester, Baron of Denbygh, knyght of the most noble order of the Garter. &c. Arthur Golding Gent. wisheth continuance of health, with prosperous estate and felicitie.
At
length my chariot wheele about the mark hath found the way,
And at their weery racce end my breathlesse horses stay.
The woork is brought too end by which the author did account
(And rightly) with eternall fame aboue the starres too mount.
For whatsoeuer hath bene writ of auncient tyme in greeke
By sundry men dispersedly, and in the latin eeke,
Of this same dark Philosophie of turned shapes, the same
Hath Ouid into one whole masse in this booke brought in frame.
Fowre kynd of things in this his worke the Poet dooth conteyne.
That nothing vnder heauen dooth ay in stedfast state remayne.
And next that nothing perisheth: but that eche substance takes
Another shape than that it had. Of theis twoo points he makes
The proof by shewing through his woorke the wonderfull exchaunge
Of Goddes, men, beasts, and elements, too sundry shapes right straunge,
Beginning with creation of the world, and man of slyme,
And so proceeding with the turnes that happened till his tyme.
Then sheweth he the soule of man from dying to be free,
By samples of the noblemen, who for their vertues bee
Accounted and canonized for Goddes by heathen men,
And by the peynes of Lymbo lake, and blysfull state agen
Of spirits in th' Elysian feelds. And though that of theis three
He make discourse dispersedly: yit specially they bee
Discussed in the latter booke in that oration where
He bringeth in Pythagoras disswading men from feare
Of death, and preaching abstinence from flesh of liuing things.
But as for that opinion which Pythagoras there brings
Of soules remouing out of beasts too men, and out of men
Too birdes and beasts both wyld and tame, both too and fro agen:
It is not too be vnderstand of that same soule whereby
Wee are endewd with reason and discretion from on hie:
But of that soule or lyfe the which brute beasts as well as wee
Enioy. Three sortes of lyfe or soule (for so they termed bee)
Are found in things. The first giues powre too thryue, encrease & grow,
And this in senselesse herbes and trees and shrubs itself dooth show.
The second giueth powre too moue and vse of senses fyue,
And this remaynes in brutish beasts, and keepeth them alyue.
Both theis are mortall, as the which receyued of the aire
By force of Phebus, after death doo thither eft repayre.
The third giues vnderstanding, wit, and reason: and the same
Is it alonly which with vs of soule dooth beare the name.
And as the second dooth conteine the first: euen so the third
Conteyneth both the other twaine. And neyther beast, nor bird,
Nor fish, nor herb, nor tree, nor shrub, nor any earthly wyght
(Saue only man) can of the same partake the heauenly myght.
I graunt that when our breath dooth from our bodies go away,
It dooth eftsoones returne too ayre: and of that ayre there may
Both bird and beast participate, and wee of theirs likewyse.
For whyle wee liue, (the thing itself appeereth to our eyes)
Bothe they and wee draw all one breath. But for too deeme or say
Our noble soule (which is dunne and permanent for ay)
Is common too vs with the beasts, I think it nothing lesse
Than for too bee a poynt of him that wisdome dooth professe.
Of this I am ryght well assurde there is no Christen Wyght
That can by fondnesse be so farre seduced from the ryght.
And finally hee dooth proceede in shewing that not all
That beare the name of men (how strong, feerce, stout, bold, hardy, tall,
How wyse, fayre, rych, or hyghly borne, how much renownd by fame,
So ere they bee, although on earth of Goddes they beare the name)
Are for too be accounted men: but such as vnder awe
Of reasons rule continually doo liue in vertues law:
And that the rest doo differ nought from beasts, but rather bee
Much woorse than beasts, bicause they doo abace theyr owne degree.
To naturall philosophye the formest three perteyne,
The fowrth too morall: and in all are pitthye, apt and playne
Instructions which import the prayse of vertues, and the shame
Of vices, with the due rewardes of eyther of the same.
And at their weery racce end my breathlesse horses stay.
The woork is brought too end by which the author did account
(And rightly) with eternall fame aboue the starres too mount.
For whatsoeuer hath bene writ of auncient tyme in greeke
By sundry men dispersedly, and in the latin eeke,
Of this same dark Philosophie of turned shapes, the same
Hath Ouid into one whole masse in this booke brought in frame.
Fowre kynd of things in this his worke the Poet dooth conteyne.
That nothing vnder heauen dooth ay in stedfast state remayne.
And next that nothing perisheth: but that eche substance takes
Another shape than that it had. Of theis twoo points he makes
The proof by shewing through his woorke the wonderfull exchaunge
Of Goddes, men, beasts, and elements, too sundry shapes right straunge,
Beginning with creation of the world, and man of slyme,
And so proceeding with the turnes that happened till his tyme.
Then sheweth he the soule of man from dying to be free,
By samples of the noblemen, who for their vertues bee
Accounted and canonized for Goddes by heathen men,
And by the peynes of Lymbo lake, and blysfull state agen
Of spirits in th' Elysian feelds. And though that of theis three
He make discourse dispersedly: yit specially they bee
Discussed in the latter booke in that oration where
He bringeth in Pythagoras disswading men from feare
Of death, and preaching abstinence from flesh of liuing things.
But as for that opinion which Pythagoras there brings
Of soules remouing out of beasts too men, and out of men
Too birdes and beasts both wyld and tame, both too and fro agen:
It is not too be vnderstand of that same soule whereby
Wee are endewd with reason and discretion from on hie:
But of that soule or lyfe the which brute beasts as well as wee
Enioy. Three sortes of lyfe or soule (for so they termed bee)
Are found in things. The first giues powre too thryue, encrease & grow,
And this in senselesse herbes and trees and shrubs itself dooth show.
The second giueth powre too moue and vse of senses fyue,
And this remaynes in brutish beasts, and keepeth them alyue.
Both theis are mortall, as the which receyued of the aire
By force of Phebus, after death doo thither eft repayre.
The third giues vnderstanding, wit, and reason: and the same
Is it alonly which with vs of soule dooth beare the name.
Conteyneth both the other twaine. And neyther beast, nor bird,
Nor fish, nor herb, nor tree, nor shrub, nor any earthly wyght
(Saue only man) can of the same partake the heauenly myght.
I graunt that when our breath dooth from our bodies go away,
It dooth eftsoones returne too ayre: and of that ayre there may
Both bird and beast participate, and wee of theirs likewyse.
For whyle wee liue, (the thing itself appeereth to our eyes)
Bothe they and wee draw all one breath. But for too deeme or say
Our noble soule (which is dunne and permanent for ay)
Is common too vs with the beasts, I think it nothing lesse
Than for too bee a poynt of him that wisdome dooth professe.
Of this I am ryght well assurde there is no Christen Wyght
That can by fondnesse be so farre seduced from the ryght.
And finally hee dooth proceede in shewing that not all
That beare the name of men (how strong, feerce, stout, bold, hardy, tall,
How wyse, fayre, rych, or hyghly borne, how much renownd by fame,
So ere they bee, although on earth of Goddes they beare the name)
Are for too be accounted men: but such as vnder awe
Of reasons rule continually doo liue in vertues law:
And that the rest doo differ nought from beasts, but rather bee
Much woorse than beasts, bicause they doo abace theyr owne degree.
To naturall philosophye the formest three perteyne,
The fowrth too morall: and in all are pitthye, apt and playne
Instructions which import the prayse of vertues, and the shame
Of vices, with the due rewardes of eyther of the same.
As for example, in the tale of Daphnee turnd too Bay,
A myrror of virginitie appeere vntoo vs may,
Which yeelding nayther vntoo feare, nor force, nor flatterye,
Doth purchace euerlasting fame and immortalitye.
A myrror of virginitie appeere vntoo vs may,
Which yeelding nayther vntoo feare, nor force, nor flatterye,
Doth purchace euerlasting fame and immortalitye.
In Phaetons fable vntoo syght the Poet dooth expresse
The natures of ambition blynd, and youthfull wilfulnesse.
The end whereof is miserie, and bringeth at the last
Repentance when it is to late that all redresse is past.
And how the weaknesse and the want of wit in magistrate
Confoundeth both his common weale and eeke his owne estate.
This fable also dooth aduyse all parents and all such
As bring vp youth, too take good heede of cockering them too much.
It further dooth commende the meane: and willeth too beware
Of rash and hasty promises which most pernicious are,
And not too bee performed: and in fine it playnly showes
What sorrow too the parents and too all the kinred growes
By disobedience of the chyld: and in the chyld is ment
The disobedient subiect that ageinst his prince is bent.
The transformations of the Crow and Rauen doo declare
That Clawbacks and Colcariers ought wysely too beware
Of whom, too whom, and what they speake. For sore against his will
Can any freendly hart abyde too heare reported ill
The partie whom he fauoureth. This tale dooth eeke bewray
The rage of wrath and ielozie too haue no kynd of stay:
And that lyght credit too reportes in no wyse should be giuen.
For feare that men too late too iust repentance should bee driuen.
The fable of Ocyroce by all such folk is told
As are in serching things too come too curious and too bold.
A very good example is describde in Battus tale
For couetous people which for gayne doo set theyr toongs too sale.
The natures of ambition blynd, and youthfull wilfulnesse.
The end whereof is miserie, and bringeth at the last
Repentance when it is to late that all redresse is past.
And how the weaknesse and the want of wit in magistrate
Confoundeth both his common weale and eeke his owne estate.
This fable also dooth aduyse all parents and all such
As bring vp youth, too take good heede of cockering them too much.
It further dooth commende the meane: and willeth too beware
Of rash and hasty promises which most pernicious are,
And not too bee performed: and in fine it playnly showes
What sorrow too the parents and too all the kinred growes
By disobedience of the chyld: and in the chyld is ment
The disobedient subiect that ageinst his prince is bent.
The transformations of the Crow and Rauen doo declare
That Clawbacks and Colcariers ought wysely too beware
Of whom, too whom, and what they speake. For sore against his will
Can any freendly hart abyde too heare reported ill
The partie whom he fauoureth. This tale dooth eeke bewray
And that lyght credit too reportes in no wyse should be giuen.
For feare that men too late too iust repentance should bee driuen.
The fable of Ocyroce by all such folk is told
As are in serching things too come too curious and too bold.
A very good example is describde in Battus tale
For couetous people which for gayne doo set theyr toongs too sale.
All such as doo in flattring freaks, and hawks, and hownds delyght,
And dyce, and cards, and for too spend the tyme both day and nyght
In foule excesse of chamberworke, or too much meate and drink:
Uppon the piteous storie of Acteon ought too think.
For theis and theyr adherents vsde excessiue are in deede
The dogs that dayly doo deuour theyr followers on with speede.
Tyresias willes inferior folk in any wyse too shun
Too iudge betweene their betters least in perill they doo run.
Narcissus is of scornfulnesse and pryde a myrror cleere,
Where beawties fading vanitie most playnly may appeere.
And Echo in the selfsame tale dooth kyndly represent
The lewd behauiour of a bawd, and his due punishment.
And dyce, and cards, and for too spend the tyme both day and nyght
In foule excesse of chamberworke, or too much meate and drink:
Uppon the piteous storie of Acteon ought too think.
For theis and theyr adherents vsde excessiue are in deede
The dogs that dayly doo deuour theyr followers on with speede.
Tyresias willes inferior folk in any wyse too shun
Too iudge betweene their betters least in perill they doo run.
Narcissus is of scornfulnesse and pryde a myrror cleere,
Where beawties fading vanitie most playnly may appeere.
And Echo in the selfsame tale dooth kyndly represent
The lewd behauiour of a bawd, and his due punishment.
The piteous tale of Pyramus and Thisbee doth conteine
The headie force of frentick loue whose end is wo and payne.
The snares of Mars and Uenus shew that tyme will bring too lyght
The secret sinnes that folk commit in corners or by nyght.
Hermaphrodite and Salmacis declare that idlenesse
Is cheefest nurce and cherisher of all volupteousnesse,
And that voluptuous lyfe breedes sin: which linking all toogither
Make men too bee effeminate, vnweeldy, weake and lither.
The headie force of frentick loue whose end is wo and payne.
The snares of Mars and Uenus shew that tyme will bring too lyght
The secret sinnes that folk commit in corners or by nyght.
Hermaphrodite and Salmacis declare that idlenesse
Is cheefest nurce and cherisher of all volupteousnesse,
And that voluptuous lyfe breedes sin: which linking all toogither
Make men too bee effeminate, vnweeldy, weake and lither.
Rich Piers daughters turnd too Pies doo openly declare,
That none so bold too vaunt themselues as blindest bayardes are.
The Muses playnly doo declare ageine a toother syde,
That whereas cheefest wisdom is, most meeldnesse dooth abyde.
That none so bold too vaunt themselues as blindest bayardes are.
The Muses playnly doo declare ageine a toother syde,
That whereas cheefest wisdom is, most meeldnesse dooth abyde.
Arachnee may example bee that folk should not contend
Ageinst their betters, nor persist in error too the end.
So dooth the tale of Niobee and of her children: and
The transformation of the Carles that dwelt in Lycie land,
Toogither with the fleaing of piper Marsies skin.
The first doo also show that long it is ere God begin
Too pay vs for our faults, and that he warnes vs oft before
Too leaue our folly: but at length his vengeance striketh sore.
And therfore that no wyght should striue with God in word nor thought
Nor deede. But pryde and fond desyre of prayse haue euer wrought
Confusion too the parties which accompt of them doo make.
For some of such a nature bee that if they once doo take
Opinion (be it ryght or wrong) they rather will agree
To dye, than seeme to take a foyle: so obstinate they bee.
The tale of Tereus, Philomele, and Prognee dooth conteyne
That folke are blynd in thyngs that too their proper weale perteyne.
And that the man in whom the fyre of furious lust dooth reigne
Dooth run too mischeefe like a horse that getteth loose the reyne.
It also shewes the cruell wreake of women in their wrath
And that no hainous mischiefe long delay of vengeance hath.
And lastly that distresse doth driue a man too looke about
And seeke all corners of his wits, what way too wind him out.
Ageinst their betters, nor persist in error too the end.
So dooth the tale of Niobee and of her children: and
The transformation of the Carles that dwelt in Lycie land,
Toogither with the fleaing of piper Marsies skin.
The first doo also show that long it is ere God begin
Too pay vs for our faults, and that he warnes vs oft before
Too leaue our folly: but at length his vengeance striketh sore.
And therfore that no wyght should striue with God in word nor thought
Nor deede. But pryde and fond desyre of prayse haue euer wrought
Confusion too the parties which accompt of them doo make.
For some of such a nature bee that if they once doo take
Opinion (be it ryght or wrong) they rather will agree
To dye, than seeme to take a foyle: so obstinate they bee.
The tale of Tereus, Philomele, and Prognee dooth conteyne
That folke are blynd in thyngs that too their proper weale perteyne.
And that the man in whom the fyre of furious lust dooth reigne
Dooth run too mischeefe like a horse that getteth loose the reyne.
And that no hainous mischiefe long delay of vengeance hath.
And lastly that distresse doth driue a man too looke about
And seeke all corners of his wits, what way too wind him out.
The good successe of Iason in the land of Colchos, and
The dooings of Medea since, doo giue too vnderstand
That nothing is so hard but peyne and trauell doo it win,
For fortune euer fauoreth such as boldly doo begin:
That women both in helping and in hurting haue no match
When they too eyther bend their wits: and how that for too catch
An honest meener vnder fayre pretence of frendship, is
An easie matter. Also there is warning giuen of this,
That men should neuer hastely giue care too fugitiues,
Nor into handes of sorcerers commit their state or lyues.
It shewes in fine of stepmoothers the deadly hate in part,
And vengeaunce most vnnaturall that was in moothers hart.
The deedes of Theseus are a spurre too prowesse, and a glasse
How princes sonnes and noblemen their youthfull yeeres should passe.
King Minos shewes that kings in hand no wrongfull wars should take,
And what prouision for the same they should before hand make.
King Aeacus giues also there example how that kings
Should keepe their promise and their leages aboue all other things.
His graue description of the plage and end thereof, expresse
The wrath of God on man for sin: and how that nerethelesse
He dooth vs spare and multiply ageine for goodmens sakes.
The whole discourse of Cephalus and Procris mention makes
That maried folke should warely shunne the vyce of iealozie
And of suspicion should auoyd all causes vtterly.
Reprouing by the way all such as causelesse doo misdeeme
The chaste and giltlesse for the deedes of those that faultie seeme.
The dooings of Medea since, doo giue too vnderstand
That nothing is so hard but peyne and trauell doo it win,
For fortune euer fauoreth such as boldly doo begin:
That women both in helping and in hurting haue no match
When they too eyther bend their wits: and how that for too catch
An honest meener vnder fayre pretence of frendship, is
An easie matter. Also there is warning giuen of this,
That men should neuer hastely giue care too fugitiues,
Nor into handes of sorcerers commit their state or lyues.
It shewes in fine of stepmoothers the deadly hate in part,
And vengeaunce most vnnaturall that was in moothers hart.
The deedes of Theseus are a spurre too prowesse, and a glasse
How princes sonnes and noblemen their youthfull yeeres should passe.
King Minos shewes that kings in hand no wrongfull wars should take,
And what prouision for the same they should before hand make.
King Aeacus giues also there example how that kings
Should keepe their promise and their leages aboue all other things.
His graue description of the plage and end thereof, expresse
The wrath of God on man for sin: and how that nerethelesse
He dooth vs spare and multiply ageine for goodmens sakes.
The whole discourse of Cephalus and Procris mention makes
That maried folke should warely shunne the vyce of iealozie
And of suspicion should auoyd all causes vtterly.
Reprouing by the way all such as causelesse doo misdeeme
The chaste and giltlesse for the deedes of those that faultie seeme.
The storie of the daughter of king Nisus setteth out
What wicked lust driues folk vntoo too bring their wills about.
And of a rightuous iudge is giuen example in the same,
Who for no meede nor frendship will consent too any blame.
Wee may perceyue in Dedalus how euery man by kynd
Desyres too bee at libertie, and with an earnest mynd
Dooth seeke too see his natiue soyle, and how that streight distresse
Dooth make men wyse, and sharpes their wits to fynd their own redresse.
Wee also lerne by Icarus how good it is too bee
In meane estate and not too clymb too hygh, but too agree
Too wholsome counsell: for the hyre of disobedience is
Repentance when it is too late for thinking things amisse.
And Partrich telles that excellence in any thing procures
Men enuie, euen among those frendes whom nature most assures.
Philemon and his feere are rules of godly pacient lyfe,
Of sparing thrift, and mutuall loue betweene the man and wyfe,
Of due obedience, of the feare of God, and of reward
For good or euill vsage shewd too wandring straungers ward.
In Erisicthon dooth appeere a lyuely image both
Of wickednesse and crueltie which any Wyght may lothe,
And of the hyre that longs theretoo. He sheweth also playne
That whereas prodigalitie and gluttony dooth reigne,
A world of riches and of goods are euer with the least
Too satisfye the appetite and eye of such a beast
What wicked lust driues folk vntoo too bring their wills about.
And of a rightuous iudge is giuen example in the same,
Who for no meede nor frendship will consent too any blame.
Wee may perceyue in Dedalus how euery man by kynd
Desyres too bee at libertie, and with an earnest mynd
Dooth seeke too see his natiue soyle, and how that streight distresse
Dooth make men wyse, and sharpes their wits to fynd their own redresse.
Wee also lerne by Icarus how good it is too bee
In meane estate and not too clymb too hygh, but too agree
Too wholsome counsell: for the hyre of disobedience is
Repentance when it is too late for thinking things amisse.
And Partrich telles that excellence in any thing procures
Men enuie, euen among those frendes whom nature most assures.
Philemon and his feere are rules of godly pacient lyfe,
Of sparing thrift, and mutuall loue betweene the man and wyfe,
Of due obedience, of the feare of God, and of reward
For good or euill vsage shewd too wandring straungers ward.
In Erisicthon dooth appeere a lyuely image both
And of the hyre that longs theretoo. He sheweth also playne
That whereas prodigalitie and gluttony dooth reigne,
A world of riches and of goods are euer with the least
Too satisfye the appetite and eye of such a beast
In Hercules and Acheloyes encounters is set out
The nature and behauiour of twoo wooers that be stout.
Wherein the Poet couertly taunts such as beeing bace
Too seeke by forged pedegrees too seeme of noble race.
Who when they doo perceyue no truth vppon their syde too stand,
Instead of reason and of ryght vse force and myght of hand.
This fable also signifies that valiantnesse of hart
Consisteth not in woords, but deedes: and that all slyght and Art
Giue place too prowesse. Furthermore in Nessus wee may see
What breach of promise commeth too, and how that such as bee
Unable for too wreake theyr harmes by force, doo oft deuyse
Too wreake themselues by pollicie in farre more cruell wise.
And Deyanira dooth declare the force of iealozie
Deceyued through too lyght beleef and fond simplicitie.
The processe following peinteth out true manlynesse of hart
Which yeeldeth neyther vntoo death, too sorrow, greef, nor smart.
And finally it shewes that such as liue in true renowne
Of vertue heere, haue after death an euerlasting crowne
Of glorie. Cawne and Byblis are examples contrarie:
The Mayd of most outrageous lust, the man of chastitie.
The nature and behauiour of twoo wooers that be stout.
Wherein the Poet couertly taunts such as beeing bace
Too seeke by forged pedegrees too seeme of noble race.
Who when they doo perceyue no truth vppon their syde too stand,
Instead of reason and of ryght vse force and myght of hand.
This fable also signifies that valiantnesse of hart
Consisteth not in woords, but deedes: and that all slyght and Art
Giue place too prowesse. Furthermore in Nessus wee may see
What breach of promise commeth too, and how that such as bee
Unable for too wreake theyr harmes by force, doo oft deuyse
Too wreake themselues by pollicie in farre more cruell wise.
And Deyanira dooth declare the force of iealozie
Deceyued through too lyght beleef and fond simplicitie.
The processe following peinteth out true manlynesse of hart
Which yeeldeth neyther vntoo death, too sorrow, greef, nor smart.
And finally it shewes that such as liue in true renowne
Of vertue heere, haue after death an euerlasting crowne
Of glorie. Cawne and Byblis are examples contrarie:
The Mayd of most outrageous lust, the man of chastitie.
The tenth booke cheefly dooth containe one kynd of argument
Reprouing most prodigious lusts of such as haue bene bent
Too incest most vnnaturall. And in the latter end
It sheweth in Hippomenes how greatly folk offend,
That are ingrate for benefits which God or man bestow
Uppon them in the time of neede. Moreouer it dooth show
That beawty (will they nill they) aye dooth men in daūger throw:
And that it is a foolyshnesse too stryue ageinst the thing
Which God before determineth too passe in tyme too bring.
And last of all Adonis death dooth shew that manhod striues
Against forewarning though men see the perill of theyr lyues.
Reprouing most prodigious lusts of such as haue bene bent
Too incest most vnnaturall. And in the latter end
It sheweth in Hippomenes how greatly folk offend,
That are ingrate for benefits which God or man bestow
Uppon them in the time of neede. Moreouer it dooth show
That beawty (will they nill they) aye dooth men in daūger throw:
And that it is a foolyshnesse too stryue ageinst the thing
Which God before determineth too passe in tyme too bring.
And last of all Adonis death dooth shew that manhod striues
Against forewarning though men see the perill of theyr lyues.
The death of Orphey sheweth Gods iust vengeance on the vyle
And wicked sort which horribly with incest them defyle.
In Midas of a couetous wretch the image wee may see
Whose riches iustly too himself a hellish torment bee,
And of a foole whom neyther proof nor warning can amend,
Untill he feele the shame and smart that folly doth him send.
His Barbour represents all blabs which seeme with chyld too bee
Untill that they haue blaazd abrode the things they heare or see.
In Ceyx and Alcyone appeeres most constant loue,
Such as betweene the men and wyfe too bee it dooth behoue.
This Ceyx also is a lyght of princely courtesie
And bountie toward such whom neede compelleth for too flye.
His viage also dooth declare how vainly men are led,
Too vtter perill through fond toyes and fansies in their head.
For Idols doubtfull oracles and soothsayres prophecies
Doo nothing else but make fooles fayne and blynd their bleared eyes.
Dedalions daughter warnes too vse the toong with modestee
And not too vaunt with such as are their betters in degree.
And wicked sort which horribly with incest them defyle.
In Midas of a couetous wretch the image wee may see
Whose riches iustly too himself a hellish torment bee,
And of a foole whom neyther proof nor warning can amend,
Untill he feele the shame and smart that folly doth him send.
His Barbour represents all blabs which seeme with chyld too bee
Untill that they haue blaazd abrode the things they heare or see.
In Ceyx and Alcyone appeeres most constant loue,
Such as betweene the men and wyfe too bee it dooth behoue.
This Ceyx also is a lyght of princely courtesie
And bountie toward such whom neede compelleth for too flye.
His viage also dooth declare how vainly men are led,
For Idols doubtfull oracles and soothsayres prophecies
Doo nothing else but make fooles fayne and blynd their bleared eyes.
Dedalions daughter warnes too vse the toong with modestee
And not too vaunt with such as are their betters in degree.
The seege of Troy, the death of men, the razing of the citie,
And slaughter of king Priams stock without remors of pitie,
Which in the xij. and xiij. bookes bee written, doo declare
How heynous wilfull periurie and filthie whoredome are
In syght of God. The frentick fray betweene the Lapithes and
The Centaures is a note wherby is giuen too vnderstand
The beastly rage of drunkennesse.
And slaughter of king Priams stock without remors of pitie,
Which in the xij. and xiij. bookes bee written, doo declare
How heynous wilfull periurie and filthie whoredome are
In syght of God. The frentick fray betweene the Lapithes and
The Centaures is a note wherby is giuen too vnderstand
The beastly rage of drunkennesse.
Ulysses dooth expresse
The image of discretion, wit, and great aduisednesse.
And Aiax on the other syde doth represent a man
Stout, headie, irefull, hault of mynd, and such a one as can
Abyde too suffer no repulse. And both of them declare
How couetous of glorie and reward mens natures are.
And finally it sheweth playne that wisdome dooth preuayle
In all attempts and purposes when strength of hand dooth fayle
The death of fayre Polyxena dooth shew a princely mynd
And firme regard of honor rare engraft in woman kynd.
And Polymnestor king of Thrace dooth shew himself to bee
A glasse for wretched couetous folke wherein themselues to see
This storie further witnesseth that murther crieth ay
For vengeance, and itself one tyme or other dooth bewray.
The tale of Gyant Polypheme doth euidently proue
That nothing is so feerce and wyld, which yeeldeth not to loue.
And in the person of the self same Gyant is set out
The rude and homely wooing of a country cloyne and lout.
The image of discretion, wit, and great aduisednesse.
And Aiax on the other syde doth represent a man
Stout, headie, irefull, hault of mynd, and such a one as can
Abyde too suffer no repulse. And both of them declare
How couetous of glorie and reward mens natures are.
And finally it sheweth playne that wisdome dooth preuayle
In all attempts and purposes when strength of hand dooth fayle
The death of fayre Polyxena dooth shew a princely mynd
And firme regard of honor rare engraft in woman kynd.
And Polymnestor king of Thrace dooth shew himself to bee
A glasse for wretched couetous folke wherein themselues to see
This storie further witnesseth that murther crieth ay
For vengeance, and itself one tyme or other dooth bewray.
The tale of Gyant Polypheme doth euidently proue
That nothing is so feerce and wyld, which yeeldeth not to loue.
And in the person of the self same Gyant is set out
The rude and homely wooing of a country cloyne and lout.
The tale of Apes reproues the vyce of wilfull periurie,
And willeth people too beware they vse not for too lye.
Aeneas going downe too hell dooth shew that vertue may
In saufty trauell where it will, and nothing can it stay.
The length of lyfe in Sybill dooth declare it is but vayne
Too wish long lyfe, syth length of lyfe is also length of payne.
The grecian Achemenides dooth lerne vs how we ought
Bee thankfull for the benefits that any man hath wrought.
And in this Achemenides the Poet dooth expresse
The image of exceeding feare in daunger and distresse.
What else are Circes witchcrafts and enchauntments than the vyle
And filthy pleasures of the flesh which doo our soules defyle?
And what is else herbe Moly than the gift of stayednesse
And temperance which dooth all fowle concupiscence represse?
The tale of Anaxaretee willes dames of hygh degree
Too vse their louers courteously how meane so ere they bee.
And Iphis lernes inferior folkes too fondly not too set
Their loue on such as are too hygh for their estate too get.
And willeth people too beware they vse not for too lye.
Aeneas going downe too hell dooth shew that vertue may
In saufty trauell where it will, and nothing can it stay.
The length of lyfe in Sybill dooth declare it is but vayne
Too wish long lyfe, syth length of lyfe is also length of payne.
The grecian Achemenides dooth lerne vs how we ought
Bee thankfull for the benefits that any man hath wrought.
And in this Achemenides the Poet dooth expresse
The image of exceeding feare in daunger and distresse.
What else are Circes witchcrafts and enchauntments than the vyle
And filthy pleasures of the flesh which doo our soules defyle?
And what is else herbe Moly than the gift of stayednesse
And temperance which dooth all fowle concupiscence represse?
The tale of Anaxaretee willes dames of hygh degree
Too vse their louers courteously how meane so ere they bee.
And Iphis lernes inferior folkes too fondly not too set
Their loue on such as are too hygh for their estate too get.
Alemons sonne declares that men should willingly obay
What God commaundes, and not vppon exceptions seeme to stay.
For he will find the meanes too bring the purpose well about,
And in their most necessitie dispatch them saufly out
Of daunger. The oration of Pithagoras implyes
A sum of all the former woorke. What person can deuyse
A notabler example of true loue and godlynesse
Too ones owne natyue countryward than Cippus dooth expresse?
The turning to a blazing starre of Iulius Cesar showes,
That fame and immortalitie of vertuous dooing growes.
And lastly by examples of Augustus and a few
Of other noble princes sonnes the author there dooth shew
That noblemen and gentlemen shoulde stryue too passe the fame
And vertues of their aunceters, or else too match the same.
Theis fables out of euery booke I haue interpreted,
Too shew how they and all the rest may stand a man in sted.
Not adding ouer curiously the meening of them all,
For that were labor infinite, and tediousnesse not small
Bothe vntoo your good Lordship and the rest that should them reede
Who well myght think I did the bounds of modestie exceede,
If I this one epistle should with matters ouercharge
Which scarce a booke of many quyres can well conteyne at large.
And whereas in interpreting theis few I attribute
The things too one, which heathen men to many Gods impute,
Concerning mercy, wrath for sin, and other gifts of grace:
Described for examples sake in proper tyme and place.
Let no man maruell at the same. For though that they as blynd
Through vnbeleefe, and led astray through error euen of kynd,
Knew not the true eternall God, or if they did him know,
Yit did they not acknowledge him, but vaynly did bestow
The honor of the maker on the creature: yit it dooth
Behoue all vs (who ryghtly are instructed in the sooth)
Too thinke and say that God alone is he that rules all things
And worketh all in all, as lord of lords and king of kings,
With whom there are none other Gods that any sway may beare,
No fatall law too bynd him by, no fortune for too feare.
For Gods, and fate, and fortune are the termes of heathennesse,
If men vsurp them in the sense that Paynims doo expresse.
But if wee will reduce their sense too ryght of Christian law,
Too signifie three other things theis termes wee well may draw.
By Gods wee vnderstand all such as God hath plaast in cheef
Estate to punish sin, and for the godly folkes releef.
By fate the order which is set and stablished in things
By Gods eternall will and word, which in due season brings
All matters too their falling out. Which falling out or end
(Bicause our curious reason is too weake too comprehend
The cause and order of the same, and dooth behold it fall
Unwares too vs) by name of chaunce or fortune wee it call.
If any man will say theis things may better lerned bee
Out of diuine philosophie or scripture, I agree
That nothing may in worthinesse with holy writ compare.
Howbeeit so farre foorth as things no whit impeachment are
Too vertue and too godlynesse but furtherers of the same,
I trust wee may them saufly vse without desert of blame.
And yet there are (and those not of the rude and vulgar sort.
But such as haue of godlynesse and lerning good report)
That thinke the Poets tooke their first occasion of theis things
From holy writ as from the well from whence all wisdome springs.
What man is he but would suppose the author of this booke
The first foundation of his woorke from Moyses wryghtings tooke?
Not only in effect he dooth with Genesis agree,
But also in the order of creacion, saue that hee
Makes no distinction of the dayes. For what is else at all
That shapelesse, rude, and pestred heape which Chaos he dooth call,
Than euen that vniuersall masse of things which God did make
In one whole lump before that ech their proper place did take.
Of which the Byble saith that in the first beginning God
Made heauen and earth: the earth was waste, and darknesse yit abod
Uppon the deepe: which holy wordes declare vntoo vs playne
That fyre, ayre, water, and the earth did vndistinct remayne
In one grosse bodie at the first.
What God commaundes, and not vppon exceptions seeme to stay.
And in their most necessitie dispatch them saufly out
Of daunger. The oration of Pithagoras implyes
A sum of all the former woorke. What person can deuyse
A notabler example of true loue and godlynesse
Too ones owne natyue countryward than Cippus dooth expresse?
The turning to a blazing starre of Iulius Cesar showes,
That fame and immortalitie of vertuous dooing growes.
And lastly by examples of Augustus and a few
Of other noble princes sonnes the author there dooth shew
That noblemen and gentlemen shoulde stryue too passe the fame
And vertues of their aunceters, or else too match the same.
Theis fables out of euery booke I haue interpreted,
Too shew how they and all the rest may stand a man in sted.
Not adding ouer curiously the meening of them all,
For that were labor infinite, and tediousnesse not small
Bothe vntoo your good Lordship and the rest that should them reede
Who well myght think I did the bounds of modestie exceede,
If I this one epistle should with matters ouercharge
Which scarce a booke of many quyres can well conteyne at large.
And whereas in interpreting theis few I attribute
The things too one, which heathen men to many Gods impute,
Concerning mercy, wrath for sin, and other gifts of grace:
Described for examples sake in proper tyme and place.
Let no man maruell at the same. For though that they as blynd
Through vnbeleefe, and led astray through error euen of kynd,
Knew not the true eternall God, or if they did him know,
Yit did they not acknowledge him, but vaynly did bestow
The honor of the maker on the creature: yit it dooth
Behoue all vs (who ryghtly are instructed in the sooth)
Too thinke and say that God alone is he that rules all things
And worketh all in all, as lord of lords and king of kings,
With whom there are none other Gods that any sway may beare,
No fatall law too bynd him by, no fortune for too feare.
For Gods, and fate, and fortune are the termes of heathennesse,
If men vsurp them in the sense that Paynims doo expresse.
But if wee will reduce their sense too ryght of Christian law,
Too signifie three other things theis termes wee well may draw.
By Gods wee vnderstand all such as God hath plaast in cheef
Estate to punish sin, and for the godly folkes releef.
By fate the order which is set and stablished in things
By Gods eternall will and word, which in due season brings
All matters too their falling out. Which falling out or end
(Bicause our curious reason is too weake too comprehend
The cause and order of the same, and dooth behold it fall
Unwares too vs) by name of chaunce or fortune wee it call.
If any man will say theis things may better lerned bee
Out of diuine philosophie or scripture, I agree
That nothing may in worthinesse with holy writ compare.
Too vertue and too godlynesse but furtherers of the same,
I trust wee may them saufly vse without desert of blame.
And yet there are (and those not of the rude and vulgar sort.
But such as haue of godlynesse and lerning good report)
That thinke the Poets tooke their first occasion of theis things
From holy writ as from the well from whence all wisdome springs.
What man is he but would suppose the author of this booke
The first foundation of his woorke from Moyses wryghtings tooke?
Not only in effect he dooth with Genesis agree,
But also in the order of creacion, saue that hee
Makes no distinction of the dayes. For what is else at all
That shapelesse, rude, and pestred heape which Chaos he dooth call,
Than euen that vniuersall masse of things which God did make
In one whole lump before that ech their proper place did take.
Of which the Byble saith that in the first beginning God
Made heauen and earth: the earth was waste, and darknesse yit abod
Uppon the deepe: which holy wordes declare vntoo vs playne
That fyre, ayre, water, and the earth did vndistinct remayne
In one grosse bodie at the first.
For God the father that
Made all things, framing out the world according too the plat,
Conceyued euerlastingly in mynd, made first of all
Both heauen and earth vncorporall and such as could not fall
As obiects vnder sense of sight: and also aire lykewyse,
And emptynesse: and for theis twaine apt termes he did deuyse.
He called ayer darknesse: for the ayre by kynd is darke.
And emptynesse by name of depth full aptly he did marke:
For emptynesse is deepe and waste by nature. Ouermore
He formed also bodylesse (as other things before)
The natures both of water and of spirit. And in fyne
The lyght: which beeing made too bee a patterne most diuine
Whereby too forme the fixed starres and wandring planets seuen,
With all the lyghts that afterward should beawtifie the heauen,
Was made by God both bodylesse and of so pure a kynd,
As that it could alonly bee perceyued by the mynd.
To thys effect are Philos words. And certainly this same
Is it that Poets in their worke confused Chaos name.
Not that Gods woorkes at any tyme were pact confusedly
Toogither: but bicause no place nor outward shape whereby
To shew them too the feeble sense of mans deceytfull syght
Was yit appointed vntoo things, vntill that by his myght
And wondrous wisdome God in tyme set open too the eye
The things that he before all tyme had euerlastingly
Decreed by his prouidence. But let vs further see
How Ouids scantlings with the whole true patterne doo agree.
The first day by his mighty word (sayth Moyses) God made lyght,
The second day the firmament, which heauen or welkin hyght.
The third day he did part the earth from sea and made it drie,
Commaunding it too beare all kynd of frutes abundantly.
The fowrth day he did make the lyghts of heauen to shyne from hye,
And stablished a law in them too rule their courses by.
The fifth day he did make the whales and fishes of the deepe,
With all the birds and fethered fowles that in the aire doo keepe.
The sixth day God made euery beast both wyld and tame, and woormes
That creepe on ground according too their seuerall kynds and foormes.
And in the image of himself he formed man of clay
Too bee the Lord of all his woorkes the very selfsame day,
This is the sum of Moyses woords. And Ouid (whether it were
By following of the text aright, or that his mynd did beare
Him witnesse that there are no Gods but one) dooth playne vphold
That God (although he knew him not) was he that did vnfold
The former Chaos, putting it in forme and facion new,
As may appeere by theis his woordes which vnderneath ensew.
This stryfe did God and nature breake and set in order dew.
The earth from heauen the sea from earth he parted orderly,
And from the thicke and foggie aire he tooke the lyghtsome skye.
In theis few lynes he comprehends the whole effect of that
Which God did woork the first three dayes about this noble plat.
And then by distributions he entreateth by and by
More largely of the selfsame things, and paynts them out too eye
With all their bounds and furniture: And whereas wee doo fynd
The terme of nature ioynd with God: (according too the mynd
Of lerned men) by ioyning so, is ment none other thing,
But God the Lord of nature who did all in order bring.
The distributions beeing doone right lernedly, anon
Too shew the other three dayes workes he thus proceedeth on.
The heauenly soyle too Goddes and starres and planets first he gaue
The waters next both fresh and salt he let the fishes haue.
The suttle ayre to flickering fowles and birds he hath assignd,
The earth too beasts both wyld and tame of sundry sorts and kynd.
Thus partly in the outward phrase, but more in verie deede,
He seemes according too the sense of scripture too proceede.
And when he commes to speake of man, he dooth not vainly say
(As sum haue written) that he was before all tyme for ay,
Ne mencioneth mo Gods than one in making him. But thus
He both in sentence and in sense his meening dooth discusse.
Howbeeit yit of all this whyle the creature wanting was
Farre more diuine, of nobler mynd, which should the resdew passe
In depth of knowledge, reason, wit and hygh capacitee,
And which of all the resdew should the Lord and ruler bee.
Then eyther he that made the world and things in order set,
Of heauenly seede engendred man: or else the earth as yet
Yoong, lusty, fresh, and in her flowre, and parted from the skye
But late before, the seedes thereof as yit hild inwardly.
The which Prometheus tempring streyght with water of the spring,
Did make in likenesse to the Goddes that gouerne euery thing.
What other thing meenes Ouid heere by terme of heauenly seede,
Than mans immortall sowle, which is diuine, and commes in deede
From heauen, and was inspyrde by God, as Moyses sheweth playne?
And whereas of Prometheus he seemes too adde a vayne
Deuyce, as though he ment that he had formed man of clay,
Although it bee a tale put in for pleasure by the way:
Yit by thinterpretation of the name we well may gather,
He did include a misterie and secret meening rather.
This woord Prometheus signifies a person sage and wyse,
Of great foresyght, who headily will nothing enterpryse.
It was the name of one that first did images inuent:
Of whom the Poets doo report that hee too heauen vp went,
And there stole fyre, through which he made his images alyue:
And therfore that he formed men the Paynims did contryue.
Now when the Poet red perchaunce that God almyghty by
His prouidence and by his woord (which euerlastingly
Is ay his wisdome) made the world, and also man to beare
His image, and too bee the lord of all the things that were
Erst made, and that he shaped him of earth or slymy clay:
Hee tooke occasion in the way of fabling for too say
That wyse Prometheus tempring earth with water of the spring,
Did forme it lyke the Gods aboue that gouerne euery thing.
Thus may Prometheus seeme too bee theternall woord of God,
His wisdom, and his prouidence which formed man of clod.
And where all other things behold the ground with groueling eye:
He gaue too man a stately looke replete with maiesty:
And willd him too behold the heauen with countnance cast on hye,
Too mark and vnderstand what things are in the starrie skye.
In theis same woordes, both parts of man the Poet dooth expresse
As in a glasse, and giueth vs instruction too addresse
Our selues too know our owne estate: as that wee bee not borne
Too follow lust, or serue the paunch lyke brutish beasts forlorne,
But for too lyft our eyes as well of body as of mynd
Too heauen as too our natiue soyle from whence wee haue by kynd
Our better part: and by the sight thereof too lerne too know
And knowledge him that dwelleth there: and wholly too bestow
Our care and trauell too the prayse and glorie of his name
Who for the sakes of mortall men created first the same.
Moreouer by the golden age what other thing is ment,
Than Adams tyme in Paradyse, who beeing innocent
Did lead a blist and happy lyfe vntill that thurrough sin
He fell from God? From which tyme foorth all sorrow did begin.
The earth accursed for his sake, did neuer after more
Yeeld foode without great toyle. Both heate and cold did vexe him sore.
Disease of body, care of mynd, with hunger, thirst and neede,
Feare, hope, ioy, greefe, and trouble, fell on him and on his seede.
And this is termd the siluer age. Next which there did succeede
The brazen age, when malice first in peoples harts did breede,
Which neuer ceased growing till it did so farre outrage,
That nothing but destruction could the heate thereof asswage
For why mens stomackes wexing hard as steele ageinst their God,
Prouoked him from day too day too strike them with his rod.
Prowd Gyants also did aryse that with presumptuous wills
Heapt wrong on wrong, and sin on sin lyke howge and lofty hilles
Whereby they stroue too clymb too heauen and God from thence too draw,
In scorning of his holy woord and breaking natures law.
For which anon ensewd the flood which ouerflowed all
The whole round earth and drowned quyght all creatures great and smal,
Excepting feaw that God did saue as seede whereof should grow
Another ofspring. All these things the Poet heere dooth show
In colour, altring both the names of persons, tyme and place.
For where according too the truth of scripture in this cace,
The vniuersall flood did fall but sixteene hundred yeeres
And six and fifty after the creation (as appeeres
By reckening of the ages of the fathers) vnder Noy,
With whom seuen other persons mo like saufgard did enioy
Within the arke, which at the end of one whole yeere did stay
Uppon the hilles of Armenie: The Poet following ay
The fables of the glorying Greekes (who shamelessely did take
The prayse of all things too themselues) in fablyng wyse dooth make
It happen in Deucalions tyme, who reignd in Thessaly
Eyght hundred winters since Noyes flood or therevpon well nye,
Bicause that in the reigne of him a myghty flood did fall,
That drownde the greater part of Greece, townes, cattell, folk, and all,
Saue feaw that by the help of boats atteyned vntoo him,
And too the highest of the forkt Parnasos top did swim.
And for bycause that hee and his were driuen a whyle to dwell
Among the stonny hilles and rocks vntil the water fell,
The Poets herevpon did take occasion for too feyne,
That he and Pyrrha did repayre mankynd of stones ageyne.
So in the sixth booke afterward Amphions harp is sayd
The first foundation of the walles of Thebee too haue layd,
Bycause that by his eloquence and iustice (which are ment
By true accord of harmonie and musicall consent)
He gathered intoo Thebee towne, and in due order knit
The people that disperst and rude in hilles and rocks did sit.
So Orphey in the tenth booke is reported too delyght
The sauage beasts, and for too hold the fleeting birds from flyght,
Too moue the senselesse stones, and stay swift riuers, and too make
The trees too follow after him and for his musick sake
Too yeeld him shadow where he went. By which is signifyde
That in his doctrine such a force and sweetnesse was implyde,
That such as were most wyld, stowre, feerce, hard, witlesse, rude, and bent
Ageinst good order, were by him perswaded too relent,
And for too bee conformable too liue in reuerent awe
Like neybours in a common weale by iustyce vnder law.
Considring then of things before reherst the whole effect,
I trust there is already shewd sufficient too detect
That Poets tooke the ground of all their cheefest fables out
Of scripture: which they shadowing with their gloses went about
Too turne the truth too toyes and lyes. And of the selfsame rate
Are also theis: Their Phlegeton, their Styx, their blisfull state
Of spirits in th' Elysian feelds. Of which the former twayne
Seeme counterfetted of the place where damned soules remaine,
Which wee call hell. The third dooth seeme too fetch his pedegree
From Paradyse which scripture shewes a place of blisse too bee.
If Poets then with leesings and with fables shadowed so
The certeine truth, what letteth vs too plucke those visers fro
Their doings, and too bring ageine the darkened truth too lyght,
That all men may behold thereof the cleernesse shining bryght?
The readers therefore earnestly admonisht are too bee
Too seeke a further meening than the letter giues too see.
The trauell rane in that behalf although it haue sum payne
Yit makes it double recompence with pleasure and with gayne.
With pleasure, for varietie and straungenesse of the things,
With gaine, for good instruction which the vnderstanding brings.
And if they happening for too meete with any wanton woord
Or matter lewd, according as the person dooth auoord
In whom the euill is describde, doo feele their myndes thereby
Prouokte too vyce and wantonnesse, (as nature commonly
Is prone to euill) let them thus imagin in their mynd.
Behold, by sent of reason and by perfect syght I fynd
A Panther heere, whose peinted cote with yellow spots like gold
And pleasant smell allure myne eyes and senses too behold.
But well I know his face is grim and feerce, which he dooth hyde
Too this intent, that whyle I thus stand gazing on his hyde,
He may deuour mee vnbewares. Ne let them more offend
At vices in this present woork in lyuely colours pend,
Than if that in a chrystall glasse fowle images they found,
Resembling folkes fowle visages that stand about it round.
For sure theis fables are not put in wryghting too thentent
Too further or allure too vyce: but rather this is ment,
That men beholding what they bee when vyce dooth reigne in stead
Of vertue, should not let their lewd affections haue the head.
For as there is no creature more diuine than man as long
As reason hath the souereintie and standeth firme and strong:
So is there none more beastly, vyle, and deuelish, than is hee,
If reason giuing ouer, by affection mated bee.
The vse of this same booke therfore is this: that euery man
(Endeuoring for too know himself as neerly as he can,)
(As though he in a chariot sate well ordered,) should direct
His mynd by reason in the way of vertue, and correct
His feerce affections with the bit of temprance, least perchaunce
They taking bridle in the teeth lyke wilfull iades doo praunce
Away, and headlong carie him to euery filthy pit
Of vyce, and drinking of the same defyle his soule with it:
Or else doo headlong harrie him vppon the rockes of sin,
And ouerthrowing forcibly the chariot he sits in,
Doo teare him woorse than euer was Hippolytus the sonne
Of Theseus when he went about his fathers wrath too shun.
This worthie worke in which of good examples are so many,
This Ortyard of Alcimous in which there wants not any
Herb, tree, or frute that may mans vse for health or pleasure serue,
This plenteous horne of Acheloy which iustly dooth deserue
Too beare the name of treasorie of knowledge, I present
Too your good Lordship once ageine not as a member rent
Or parted from the resdew of the body any more:
But fully now accomplished, desiring you therfore
Too let your noble courtesie and fauor counteruayle
My faults where Art or eloquence on my behalf dooth fayle.
For sure the marke whereat I shoote is neyther wreathes of bay,
Nor name of Poet, no nor meede: but cheefly that it may
Bee lyked well of you and all the wise and lerned sort,
And next that euery wyght that shall haue pleasure for to sport
Him in this gardeine, may as well beare wholsome frute away
As only on the pleasant flowres his rechlesse senses stay.
But why seeme I theis doubts too cast, as if that he who tooke
With fauor and with gentlenesse a parcell of the booke
Would not likewyse accept the whole? or euen as if that they
Who doo excell in wisdome and in lerning, would not wey
A wyse and lerned woorke aryght? or else as if that I
Ought ay too haue a speciall care how all men doo apply
My dooings too their owne behoof? as of the former twayne
I haue great hope and confidence: so would I also fayne
The other should according too good meening find successe:
If otherwyse, the fault is theyrs not myne they must confesse.
And therefore breefly too conclude, I turne ageine too thee
O noble Erle of Leycester, whose lyfe God graunt may bee
As long in honor, helth and welth as auncient Nestors was,
Or rather as Tithonussis: that all such students as
Doo trauell too enrich our toong with knowledge heretofore
Not common too our vulgar speech, may dayly more and more
Proceede through thy good furtherance and fauor in the same.
Too all mens profit and delyght, and thy eternall fame.
And that (which is a greater thing) our natyue country may
Long tyme enioy thy counsell and thy trauell too her stay.
Made all things, framing out the world according too the plat,
Conceyued euerlastingly in mynd, made first of all
Both heauen and earth vncorporall and such as could not fall
As obiects vnder sense of sight: and also aire lykewyse,
And emptynesse: and for theis twaine apt termes he did deuyse.
He called ayer darknesse: for the ayre by kynd is darke.
And emptynesse by name of depth full aptly he did marke:
For emptynesse is deepe and waste by nature. Ouermore
He formed also bodylesse (as other things before)
The natures both of water and of spirit. And in fyne
The lyght: which beeing made too bee a patterne most diuine
Whereby too forme the fixed starres and wandring planets seuen,
With all the lyghts that afterward should beawtifie the heauen,
Was made by God both bodylesse and of so pure a kynd,
As that it could alonly bee perceyued by the mynd.
To thys effect are Philos words. And certainly this same
Is it that Poets in their worke confused Chaos name.
Not that Gods woorkes at any tyme were pact confusedly
Toogither: but bicause no place nor outward shape whereby
To shew them too the feeble sense of mans deceytfull syght
Was yit appointed vntoo things, vntill that by his myght
And wondrous wisdome God in tyme set open too the eye
The things that he before all tyme had euerlastingly
Decreed by his prouidence. But let vs further see
How Ouids scantlings with the whole true patterne doo agree.
The first day by his mighty word (sayth Moyses) God made lyght,
The second day the firmament, which heauen or welkin hyght.
The third day he did part the earth from sea and made it drie,
Commaunding it too beare all kynd of frutes abundantly.
And stablished a law in them too rule their courses by.
The fifth day he did make the whales and fishes of the deepe,
With all the birds and fethered fowles that in the aire doo keepe.
The sixth day God made euery beast both wyld and tame, and woormes
That creepe on ground according too their seuerall kynds and foormes.
And in the image of himself he formed man of clay
Too bee the Lord of all his woorkes the very selfsame day,
This is the sum of Moyses woords. And Ouid (whether it were
By following of the text aright, or that his mynd did beare
Him witnesse that there are no Gods but one) dooth playne vphold
That God (although he knew him not) was he that did vnfold
The former Chaos, putting it in forme and facion new,
As may appeere by theis his woordes which vnderneath ensew.
This stryfe did God and nature breake and set in order dew.
The earth from heauen the sea from earth he parted orderly,
And from the thicke and foggie aire he tooke the lyghtsome skye.
In theis few lynes he comprehends the whole effect of that
Which God did woork the first three dayes about this noble plat.
And then by distributions he entreateth by and by
More largely of the selfsame things, and paynts them out too eye
With all their bounds and furniture: And whereas wee doo fynd
The terme of nature ioynd with God: (according too the mynd
Of lerned men) by ioyning so, is ment none other thing,
But God the Lord of nature who did all in order bring.
The distributions beeing doone right lernedly, anon
Too shew the other three dayes workes he thus proceedeth on.
The heauenly soyle too Goddes and starres and planets first he gaue
The waters next both fresh and salt he let the fishes haue.
The suttle ayre to flickering fowles and birds he hath assignd,
The earth too beasts both wyld and tame of sundry sorts and kynd.
Thus partly in the outward phrase, but more in verie deede,
He seemes according too the sense of scripture too proceede.
And when he commes to speake of man, he dooth not vainly say
(As sum haue written) that he was before all tyme for ay,
Ne mencioneth mo Gods than one in making him. But thus
He both in sentence and in sense his meening dooth discusse.
Howbeeit yit of all this whyle the creature wanting was
Farre more diuine, of nobler mynd, which should the resdew passe
In depth of knowledge, reason, wit and hygh capacitee,
And which of all the resdew should the Lord and ruler bee.
Then eyther he that made the world and things in order set,
Of heauenly seede engendred man: or else the earth as yet
Yoong, lusty, fresh, and in her flowre, and parted from the skye
But late before, the seedes thereof as yit hild inwardly.
The which Prometheus tempring streyght with water of the spring,
Did make in likenesse to the Goddes that gouerne euery thing.
What other thing meenes Ouid heere by terme of heauenly seede,
Than mans immortall sowle, which is diuine, and commes in deede
And whereas of Prometheus he seemes too adde a vayne
Deuyce, as though he ment that he had formed man of clay,
Although it bee a tale put in for pleasure by the way:
Yit by thinterpretation of the name we well may gather,
He did include a misterie and secret meening rather.
This woord Prometheus signifies a person sage and wyse,
Of great foresyght, who headily will nothing enterpryse.
It was the name of one that first did images inuent:
Of whom the Poets doo report that hee too heauen vp went,
And there stole fyre, through which he made his images alyue:
And therfore that he formed men the Paynims did contryue.
Now when the Poet red perchaunce that God almyghty by
His prouidence and by his woord (which euerlastingly
Is ay his wisdome) made the world, and also man to beare
His image, and too bee the lord of all the things that were
Erst made, and that he shaped him of earth or slymy clay:
Hee tooke occasion in the way of fabling for too say
That wyse Prometheus tempring earth with water of the spring,
Did forme it lyke the Gods aboue that gouerne euery thing.
Thus may Prometheus seeme too bee theternall woord of God,
His wisdom, and his prouidence which formed man of clod.
And where all other things behold the ground with groueling eye:
He gaue too man a stately looke replete with maiesty:
And willd him too behold the heauen with countnance cast on hye,
Too mark and vnderstand what things are in the starrie skye.
In theis same woordes, both parts of man the Poet dooth expresse
As in a glasse, and giueth vs instruction too addresse
Our selues too know our owne estate: as that wee bee not borne
Too follow lust, or serue the paunch lyke brutish beasts forlorne,
But for too lyft our eyes as well of body as of mynd
Too heauen as too our natiue soyle from whence wee haue by kynd
Our better part: and by the sight thereof too lerne too know
And knowledge him that dwelleth there: and wholly too bestow
Our care and trauell too the prayse and glorie of his name
Who for the sakes of mortall men created first the same.
Moreouer by the golden age what other thing is ment,
Than Adams tyme in Paradyse, who beeing innocent
Did lead a blist and happy lyfe vntill that thurrough sin
He fell from God? From which tyme foorth all sorrow did begin.
The earth accursed for his sake, did neuer after more
Yeeld foode without great toyle. Both heate and cold did vexe him sore.
Disease of body, care of mynd, with hunger, thirst and neede,
Feare, hope, ioy, greefe, and trouble, fell on him and on his seede.
And this is termd the siluer age. Next which there did succeede
The brazen age, when malice first in peoples harts did breede,
Which neuer ceased growing till it did so farre outrage,
That nothing but destruction could the heate thereof asswage
For why mens stomackes wexing hard as steele ageinst their God,
Prowd Gyants also did aryse that with presumptuous wills
Heapt wrong on wrong, and sin on sin lyke howge and lofty hilles
Whereby they stroue too clymb too heauen and God from thence too draw,
In scorning of his holy woord and breaking natures law.
For which anon ensewd the flood which ouerflowed all
The whole round earth and drowned quyght all creatures great and smal,
Excepting feaw that God did saue as seede whereof should grow
Another ofspring. All these things the Poet heere dooth show
In colour, altring both the names of persons, tyme and place.
For where according too the truth of scripture in this cace,
The vniuersall flood did fall but sixteene hundred yeeres
And six and fifty after the creation (as appeeres
By reckening of the ages of the fathers) vnder Noy,
With whom seuen other persons mo like saufgard did enioy
Within the arke, which at the end of one whole yeere did stay
Uppon the hilles of Armenie: The Poet following ay
The fables of the glorying Greekes (who shamelessely did take
The prayse of all things too themselues) in fablyng wyse dooth make
It happen in Deucalions tyme, who reignd in Thessaly
Eyght hundred winters since Noyes flood or therevpon well nye,
Bicause that in the reigne of him a myghty flood did fall,
That drownde the greater part of Greece, townes, cattell, folk, and all,
Saue feaw that by the help of boats atteyned vntoo him,
And too the highest of the forkt Parnasos top did swim.
And for bycause that hee and his were driuen a whyle to dwell
Among the stonny hilles and rocks vntil the water fell,
The Poets herevpon did take occasion for too feyne,
That he and Pyrrha did repayre mankynd of stones ageyne.
So in the sixth booke afterward Amphions harp is sayd
The first foundation of the walles of Thebee too haue layd,
Bycause that by his eloquence and iustice (which are ment
By true accord of harmonie and musicall consent)
He gathered intoo Thebee towne, and in due order knit
The people that disperst and rude in hilles and rocks did sit.
So Orphey in the tenth booke is reported too delyght
The sauage beasts, and for too hold the fleeting birds from flyght,
Too moue the senselesse stones, and stay swift riuers, and too make
The trees too follow after him and for his musick sake
Too yeeld him shadow where he went. By which is signifyde
That in his doctrine such a force and sweetnesse was implyde,
That such as were most wyld, stowre, feerce, hard, witlesse, rude, and bent
Ageinst good order, were by him perswaded too relent,
And for too bee conformable too liue in reuerent awe
Like neybours in a common weale by iustyce vnder law.
Considring then of things before reherst the whole effect,
I trust there is already shewd sufficient too detect
That Poets tooke the ground of all their cheefest fables out
Of scripture: which they shadowing with their gloses went about
Are also theis: Their Phlegeton, their Styx, their blisfull state
Of spirits in th' Elysian feelds. Of which the former twayne
Seeme counterfetted of the place where damned soules remaine,
Which wee call hell. The third dooth seeme too fetch his pedegree
From Paradyse which scripture shewes a place of blisse too bee.
If Poets then with leesings and with fables shadowed so
The certeine truth, what letteth vs too plucke those visers fro
Their doings, and too bring ageine the darkened truth too lyght,
That all men may behold thereof the cleernesse shining bryght?
The readers therefore earnestly admonisht are too bee
Too seeke a further meening than the letter giues too see.
The trauell rane in that behalf although it haue sum payne
Yit makes it double recompence with pleasure and with gayne.
With pleasure, for varietie and straungenesse of the things,
With gaine, for good instruction which the vnderstanding brings.
And if they happening for too meete with any wanton woord
Or matter lewd, according as the person dooth auoord
In whom the euill is describde, doo feele their myndes thereby
Prouokte too vyce and wantonnesse, (as nature commonly
Is prone to euill) let them thus imagin in their mynd.
Behold, by sent of reason and by perfect syght I fynd
A Panther heere, whose peinted cote with yellow spots like gold
And pleasant smell allure myne eyes and senses too behold.
But well I know his face is grim and feerce, which he dooth hyde
Too this intent, that whyle I thus stand gazing on his hyde,
He may deuour mee vnbewares. Ne let them more offend
At vices in this present woork in lyuely colours pend,
Than if that in a chrystall glasse fowle images they found,
Resembling folkes fowle visages that stand about it round.
For sure theis fables are not put in wryghting too thentent
Too further or allure too vyce: but rather this is ment,
That men beholding what they bee when vyce dooth reigne in stead
Of vertue, should not let their lewd affections haue the head.
For as there is no creature more diuine than man as long
As reason hath the souereintie and standeth firme and strong:
So is there none more beastly, vyle, and deuelish, than is hee,
If reason giuing ouer, by affection mated bee.
The vse of this same booke therfore is this: that euery man
(Endeuoring for too know himself as neerly as he can,)
(As though he in a chariot sate well ordered,) should direct
His mynd by reason in the way of vertue, and correct
His feerce affections with the bit of temprance, least perchaunce
They taking bridle in the teeth lyke wilfull iades doo praunce
Away, and headlong carie him to euery filthy pit
Of vyce, and drinking of the same defyle his soule with it:
Or else doo headlong harrie him vppon the rockes of sin,
And ouerthrowing forcibly the chariot he sits in,
Doo teare him woorse than euer was Hippolytus the sonne
This worthie worke in which of good examples are so many,
This Ortyard of Alcimous in which there wants not any
Herb, tree, or frute that may mans vse for health or pleasure serue,
This plenteous horne of Acheloy which iustly dooth deserue
Too beare the name of treasorie of knowledge, I present
Too your good Lordship once ageine not as a member rent
Or parted from the resdew of the body any more:
But fully now accomplished, desiring you therfore
Too let your noble courtesie and fauor counteruayle
My faults where Art or eloquence on my behalf dooth fayle.
For sure the marke whereat I shoote is neyther wreathes of bay,
Nor name of Poet, no nor meede: but cheefly that it may
Bee lyked well of you and all the wise and lerned sort,
And next that euery wyght that shall haue pleasure for to sport
Him in this gardeine, may as well beare wholsome frute away
As only on the pleasant flowres his rechlesse senses stay.
But why seeme I theis doubts too cast, as if that he who tooke
With fauor and with gentlenesse a parcell of the booke
Would not likewyse accept the whole? or euen as if that they
Who doo excell in wisdome and in lerning, would not wey
A wyse and lerned woorke aryght? or else as if that I
Ought ay too haue a speciall care how all men doo apply
My dooings too their owne behoof? as of the former twayne
I haue great hope and confidence: so would I also fayne
The other should according too good meening find successe:
If otherwyse, the fault is theyrs not myne they must confesse.
And therefore breefly too conclude, I turne ageine too thee
O noble Erle of Leycester, whose lyfe God graunt may bee
As long in honor, helth and welth as auncient Nestors was,
Or rather as Tithonussis: that all such students as
Doo trauell too enrich our toong with knowledge heretofore
Not common too our vulgar speech, may dayly more and more
Proceede through thy good furtherance and fauor in the same.
Too all mens profit and delyght, and thy eternall fame.
And that (which is a greater thing) our natyue country may
Long tyme enioy thy counsell and thy trauell too her stay.
At Barwicke the .xx. of Aprill .1567. Your good L. most humbly too commaund Arthur Golding.
Too the Reader.
I would not wish the simple sort offended for too bee,When in this booke the heathen names of feyned Godds they see.
The trewe and euerliuing God the Paynims did not knowe:
Which caused them the name of Godds on creatures too bestow.
For nature beeing once corrupt and knowledge blynded quyght
By Adams fall, those little seedes and sparkes of heauenly lyght
That did as yit remayne in man, endeuering foorth too burst
And wanting grace and powre too growe too that they were at furst,
Too superstition did decline: and draue the fearefull mynd,
Straunge woorshippes of the liuing God in creatures for too fynd.
The which by custome taking roote, and growing so too strength,
Through Sathans help possest the hartes of all the world at length.
Some woorshipt al the hoste of heauen: some deadmens ghostes & bones:
Sum wicked feends: sum wormes & fowles, herbes, fishes, trees & stones.
The fyre, the ayre, the sea, the land, and euery roonning brooke,
Eche queachie groue, eche cragged cliffe the name of Godhead tooke.
The nyght and day, the fleeting howres, the seasons of the yeere,
And euery straunge and monstruous thing, for Godds mistaken weere.
There was no vertue, no nor vice: there was no gift of mynd
Or bodye, but some God thertoo or Goddesse was assignde.
Of health and sicknesse, lyfe and death, of needinesse and wealth,
Of peace and warre, of loue and hate, of murder, craft and stealth,
Of bread and wyne, of slouthfull sleepe, and of theyr solemne games,
And euery other tryfling toy theyr Goddes did beare the names.
And looke how euery man was bent too goodnesse or too ill,
He did surmyse his foolish Goddes enclyning too his will.
For God perceyuing mannes peruers and wicked will too sinne
Did giue him ouer too his lust too sinke or swim therin.
By meanes wherof it came too passe (as in this booke yee see)
That all theyr Goddes with whoordome, theft, or murder blotted bee.
Which argues them too bee no Goddes, but woorser in effect
Than they whoose open poonnishment theyr dooings dooth detect.
Whoo seeing Ioue whom heathen folke doo arme with triple fyre
In shape of Eagle, bull or swan too winne his foule desyre?
By Venus husband purposely too trappe him warely set?
Whoo seeing Saturne eating vp the children he begate?
Or Venus dalying wantonly with euery lustie mate?
Whoo seeing Iuno play the scold? or Phœbus moorne and rew
For losse of her whom in his rage through iealous moode he slew?
Or else the suttle Mercurie that beares the charmed rod
Conueying neate and hyding them would take him for a God?
For if theis faultes in mortall men doo iustly merit blame,
What greater madnesse can there bee than too impute the same
Too Goddes, whoose natures ought too bee most perfect, pure and bright,
Most vertuous, holly, chaast, and wyse, most full of grace and lyght?
But as there is no Christen man that can surmyse in mynd
That theis or other such are Goddes which are no Goddes by kynd:
So would too God there were not now of christen men profest,
That worshipt in theyr deedes theis Godds whose names they doo detest.
Whoose lawes wee keepe his thralles wee bee, and he our God indeede,
So long is Christ our God as wee in christen lyfe proceede.
But if wee yeeld too fleshlye lust, too lucre, or too wrath,
Or if that Enuy, Gluttony, or Pryde the maystry hath.
Or any other kynd of sinne the thing the which wee serue,
Too bee accounted for our God most iustly dooth deserue.
Then must wee thinke the learned men that did theis names frequent,
Some further things and purposes by those deuises ment.
By Ioue and Iuno vnderstand all states of princely port:
By Ops and Saturne auncient folke that are of elder sort:
By Phœbus yoong and lusty brutes of hand and courage stout:
By Mars the valeant men of warre that loue too feight it out:
By Pallas and the famous troupe of all the Muses nyne,
Such folke as in the sciences and vertuous artes doo shyne.
By Mercurie the suttle sort that vse too filch and lye,
With theeues, and Merchants whoo too gayne theyr trauell doo applye.
By Bacchus all the meaner trades and handycraftes are ment:
By Venus such as of the fleshe too filthie lust are bent.
By Neptune such as keepe the seas: By Phebe maydens chast,
And Pilgrims such as wandringly theyr tyme in trauell waste.
By Vulcane smythes and such as woorke in yron, tynne or lead.
By Hecat witches, Coniurers, and Necromancers reede:
With all such vayne and deulish artes as superstition breede.
By Satyres, Syluanes, Nymphes and Faunes with other such besyde,
The playne and simple country folke that euery where abyde.
I know theis names too other thinges oft may and must agree
In declaration of the which I will not tedious bee.
But leaue them too the Readers will too take in sundry wyse,
As matter rysing giueth cause constructions too deuyse.
Now when thou readst of God or man, in stone, in beast, or tree
It is a myrrour for thy self thyne owne estate too see.
For vnder feyned names of Goddes it was the Poets guyse,
The vice and faultes of all estates too taunt in couert wyse.
And likewyse too extoll with prayse such things as doo deserue.
Obseruing alwayes comlynesse from which they doo not swarue.
And as the persone greater is of birth, renowne or fame,
The greater euer is his laud, or fouler is his shame.
For if the States that on the earth the roome of God supply,
Declyne from vertue vntoo vice and liue disorderly,
Too Eagles, Tygres, Bulles, and Beares, and other figures straunge
Bothe too theyr people and themselues most hurtfull doo they chaunge,
And when the people giue themselues too filthie life and synne,
What other kinde of shape thereby than filthie can they winne?
So was Licaon made a Woolfe: and Ioue became a Bull:
The tone for vsing crueltie, the toother for his trull.
So was Elpenor and his mates transformed intoo swyne,
For following of theyr filthie lust in women and in wyne.
Not that they lost theyr manly shape as too the outward showe.
But for that in their brutish brestes most beastly lustes did growe.
For why this lumpe of flesh and bones this bodie is not wee.
Wee are a thing which earthly eyes denyed are too see.
Our soule is wee endewd by God with reason from aboue:
Our bodie is but as our house, in which wee woorke and moue.
Tone part is common too vs all, with God of heauen himself:
The toother common with the beastes, a vyle and stinking pelf.
Fraylie, filthie, weake, and borne too dye as made of earthly drosse.
Now looke how long this clod of clay too reason dooth obey,
So long for men by iust desert account our selues wee may.
But if wee suffer fleshly lustes as lawlesse Lordes too reigne,
Than are we beastes, wee are no men, wee haue our name in vaine.
And if wee be so drownd in vice that feeling once bee gone,
Then may it well of vs bee sayd, wee are a block or stone.
This surely did the Poets meene when in such sundry wyse
The pleasant tales of turned shapes they studyed too deuyse.
There purpose was too profite men, and also too delyght
And so too handle euery thing as best might like the sight.
For as the Image portrayd out in simple whight and blacke
(Though well proportiond, trew and faire) if comly colours lacke,
Delyghteth not the eye so much, nor yet contentes the mynde
So much as that that shadowed is with colours in his kynde:
Euen so a playne and naked tale or storie simply told
(Although the matter bee in deede of valewe more than gold)
Makes not the hearer so attent too print it in his hart,
As when the thing is well declarde, with pleasant termes and art.
All which the Poets knew right well: and for the greater grace,
As Persian kings did neuer go abrode with open face,
But with some lawne or silken skarf, for reuerence of theyr state:
Euen so they following in their woorkes the selfsame trade and rate,
Did vnder couert names and termes theyr doctrines so emplye,
As that it is ryght darke and hard theyr meening too espye.
But beeing found it is more sweete and makes the mynd more glad,
Than if a man of tryed gold a treasure gayned had.
For as the body hath his ioy in pleasant smelles and syghts:
Euen so in knowledge and in artes the mynd as much delights.
Wherof aboundant hoordes and heapes in Poets packed beene
So hid that (sauing vntoo fewe) they are not too bee seene.
And therfore whooso dooth attempt the Poets woorkes too reede,
Must bring with him a stayed head and iudgement too proceede.
For as there bee most wholsome hestes and precepts too bee found,
So are theyr rockes and shallowe shelues too ronne the ship a ground.
Dooth take occasion by and by like vices too ensew.
Another beeing more seuere than wisdome dooth requyre,
Beeholding vice (too outward shewe) exalted in desyre,
Condemneth by and by the booke and him that did it make.
And willes it too be burnd with fyre for lewd example sake.
These persons ouershoote themselues, and other folkes deceyue:
Not able of the authors mynd the meening too conceyue.
The Authors purpose is too paint and set before our eyes
The lyuely Image of the thoughts that in our stomackes ryse.
Eche vice and vertue seemes too speake and argue too our face,
With such perswasions as they haue theyr dooinges too embrace.
And if a wicked persone seeme his vices too exalt,
Esteeme not him that wrate the woorke in such defaultes too halt.
But rather with an vpryght eye consyder well thy thought:
See if corrupted nature haue the like within thee wrought.
Marke what affection dooth perswade in euery kynd of matter.
Iudge if that euen in heynous crymes thy fancy doo not flatter.
And were it not for dread of lawe or dread of God aboue,
Most men (I feare) would doo the things that fond affections moue.
Then take theis woorkes as fragrant flowers most full of pleasant iuce.
The which the Bee conueying home may put too wholsome vse:
And which the spyder sucking on too poyson may conuert,
Through venym spred in all her limbes and natiue in her hart.
For too the pure and Godly mynd, are all things pure and cleene,
And vntoo such as are corrupt the best corrupted beene:
Lyke as the fynest meates and drinkes that can bee made by art
In sickly folkes too nourishment of sicknesse doo conuert.
And therefore not regarding such whose dyet is so fyne
That nothing can digest with them onlesse it bee deuine,
Nor such as too theyr proper harme doo wrest and wring awrye
The thinges that too a good intent are written pleasantly,
Through Ouids woorke of turned shapes I haue with peinfull pace
Past on vntill I had atteynd the end of all my race.
And now I haue him made so well acquainted with our toong
As that he may in English verse as in his owne bee soong.
Too match myne author, who in that all other dooth surmount:
Yit (gentle Reader) doo I trust my trauell in this cace
May purchase fauour in thy sight my dooings too embrace:
Considring what a sea of goodes and Iewelles thou shalt fynd,
Not more delyghtfull too the eare than frutefull too the mynd.
For this doo lerned persons deeme, of Ouids present woorke:
That in no one of all his bookes the which he wrate, doo lurke
Mo darke and secret misteries, mo counselles wyse and sage,
Mo good ensamples, mo reprooues of vyce in youth and age,
Mo fyne inuentions too delight, mo matters clerkly knit,
No nor more straunge varietie too shew a lerned wit.
The high, the lowe: the riche, the poore: the mayster, and the slaue:
The mayd, the wife: the man, the chyld: the simple and the braue:
The yoong, the old: the good, the bad: the warriour strong and stout:
The wyse, the foole: the countrie cloyne: the lerned and the lout:
And euery other liuing wight shall in this mirrour see
His whole estate, thoughtes, woordes and deedes expresly shewd too bee.
Whereof if more particular examples thou doo craue,
In reading the Epistle through thou shalt thy longing haue.
Moreouer thou mayst fynd herein descriptions of the tymes:
With constellacions of the starres and planettes in theyr clymes:
The Sites of Countries, Cities, hilles, seas, forestes, playnes and floods:
The natures both of fowles, beastes, wormes, herbes, mettals, stones & woods,
And finally what euer thing is straunge and delectable,
The same conueyed shall you fynd most featly in some fable.
And euen as in a cheyne eche linke within another wynds,
And both with that that went before and that that followes binds:
So euery tale within this booke dooth seeme too take his ground
Of that that was reherst before, and enters in the bound
Of that that folowes after it: and euery one giues light
Too other: so that whoo so meenes too vnderstand them ryght,
Must haue a care as well too know the thing that went before,
As that the which he presently desyres too see so sore.
Now too thintent that none haue cause heereafter too complaine
Of mee as setter out of things that are but light and vaine,
The liuely setting forth of things described in this booke,
I giue him counsell too absteine vntill he bee more strong,
And for too vse Vlysses feat ageinst the Meremayds song.
Or if he needes will heere and see and wilfully agree
(Through cause misconstrued) vntoo vice allured for too bee,
Then let him also marke the peine that dooth therof ensue,
And hold himself content with that that too his fault is due.
FINIS.
1
The .xv. Bookes of P. Ouidius Naso, entytuled Metamorphosis, translated oute of Latin into English meeter
The first booke of Ouids Metamorphosis, translated into Englyshe Meter.
Of
shapes transformde to bodies straunge, I purpose to entreate,
Ye gods vouchsafe (for you are they yt wrought this wōdrous feate)
To further this mine enterprise. And from the world begunne,
Graunt that my verse may to my time, his course directly runne.
Ye gods vouchsafe (for you are they yt wrought this wōdrous feate)
To further this mine enterprise. And from the world begunne,
Graunt that my verse may to my time, his course directly runne.
Before the Sea and Lande were made, and Heauen that all doth hide.
In all the worlde one onely face of nature did abide,
Which Chaos hight, a huge rude heape, and nothing else but euen
A heauie lump and clottred clod of seedes togither driuen,
Of things at strife among themselues, for want of order due.
No sunne as yet with lightsome beames the shapelesse world did vew.
No Moone in growing did repayre hir hornes with borowed light.
Nor yet the earth amiddes the ayre did hang by wondrous slight
Iust peysed by hir proper weight. Nor winding in and out
Did Amphitrytee with hir armes embrace the earth about.
For where was earth, was sea and ayre, so was the earth vnstable.
The ayre all darke, the sea likewise to beare a ship vnable.
No kinde of thing had proper shape, but ech confounded other.
For in one selfe same bodie stroue, the hote and colde togither.
The moyst with drie, the soft with hard, the light with things of weight.
This strife did God and Nature breake, and set in order streight.
The earth from heauen, the sea from earth, he parted orderly,
And from the thicke and foggie ayre, he tooke the lightsome skie.
Which when he once vnfolded had, and seuered from the blinde
And clodded heape. He setting eche from other did them binde
In endlesse friendship to agree. The fire most pure and bright,
The substance of the heauen it selfe, bicause it was so light
Did mount aloft, and set it selfe in highest place of all.
The second roume of right to ayre, for lightnesse did befall.
The earth more grosse drew down with it eche weighty kinde of matter,
And set it selfe in lowest place. Againe, the wauing water
Did lastly chalenge for his place, the vtmost coast and bound,
Of all the compasse of the earth, to close the stedfast ground.
Now when he in this foresaid wise (what God so ere he was)
Had broke and into members put this rude confused masse,
Then first bicause in euery part, the earth should equall bee,
He made it like a mighty ball, in compasse as we see.
And here and there he cast in seas, to whome he gaue a lawe:
To swell with euery blast of winde, and euery stormie flawe.
And with their waues continually to beate vpon the shore,
Of all the earth within their boundes enclosde by them afore.
Moreouer, Springs and mighty Meeres and Lakes he did augment,
And flowing streames of crooked brookes in winding bankes he pent.
Of which the earth doth drinke vp some, and some with restlesse race,
Do seeke the sea: where finding scope of larger roume and space,
In steade of bankes, they beate on shores. He did cōmaund the plaine
And champion groundes to stretch out wide: and valleys to remaine
Aye vnderneath: and eke the woods to hide them decently
With tender leaues: and stonie hilles to lift themselues on hie.
And as two Zones doe cut the Heauen vpon the righter side,
And other twaine vpon the left likewise the same deuide,
The middle in outragious heat exceeding all the rest:
Euen so likewise through great foresight to God it seemed best,
The earth encluded in the same should so deuided bee,
As with the number of the Heauen, hir Zones might full agree.
Of which the middle Zone in heate, the vtmost twaine in colde
Exceede so farre, that there to dwell no creature dare be bolde.
Betweene these two so great extremes, two other Zones are fixt,
Where temprature of heate and colde indifferently is mixt.
Now ouer this doth hang the Ayre, which as it is more sleightie
Than earth or water: so againe than fire it is more weightie.
There hath he placed mist and cloudes, and for to feare mens mindes,
The thunder and the lightning eke; with colde and blustring windes.
But yet the maker of the worlde permitteth not alway,
The windes to vse the ayre at will. For at this present day,
Though ech from other placed be in sundry coasts aside:
The violence of their boystrous blasts, things scarsly can abide.
They so turmoyle as though they would the world in pieces rende,
So cruell is those brothers wrath when that they doe contende.
And therefore to the morning graye, the Realme of Nabathie,
To Persis and to other lands and countries that doe lie
Farre vnderneath the Morning starre, did Eurus take his flight
Likewise the setting of the Sunne, and shutting in of night
Belong to Zephyr. And the blasts of blustring Boreas raigne,
In Scythia and in other landes set vnder Charles his waine.
And vnto Auster doth belong the coast of all the South,
Who beareth shoures and rotten mistes, continuall in his month.
Aboue all these he set aloft the cleare and lightsome skie,
Without all dregs of earthly filth or grossenesse vtterlie.
The boundes of things were scarsly yet by him thus pointed out,
But that appeared in the heauen, starres glistring all about,
Which in the said confused heape had hidden bene before,
And to thintent with liuely things eche Region for to store.
The heauenly soyle, to Gods and Starres and Planets first he gaue.
The waters next both fresh and salt he let the fishes haue.
The suttle ayre to flickring fowles and birdes he hath assignde.
The earth to beasts both wilde and tame him of sundrie sort and kinde.
Howbeit yet of all this while, the creature wanting was,
Farre more deuine, of nobler minde, which should the residue passe
In depth of knowledge, reason, wit, and high capacitie,
And which of all the residue should the Lord and ruler bee.
Then eyther he that made the worlde, and things in order set,
Of heauenly seede engendred Man: or else the earth as yet
Yong, lustie, fresh, and in hir floures, and parted from the skie,
But late before, the seede thereof as yet held inwardlie.
The which Prometheus tempring straight with water of the spring,
Did make in likenesse to the Gods that gouerne euerie thing.
And where all other beasts behold the ground with groueling eie,
He gaue to Man a stately looke replete with maiestie.
And willde him to behold the Heauen wyth countnance cast on hie,
To marke and vnderstand what things were in the starrie skie:
And thus the earth which late before had neyther shape nor hew,
Did take the noble shape of man, and was transfoormed new.
In all the worlde one onely face of nature did abide,
Which Chaos hight, a huge rude heape, and nothing else but euen
A heauie lump and clottred clod of seedes togither driuen,
Of things at strife among themselues, for want of order due.
No sunne as yet with lightsome beames the shapelesse world did vew.
No Moone in growing did repayre hir hornes with borowed light.
Nor yet the earth amiddes the ayre did hang by wondrous slight
Iust peysed by hir proper weight. Nor winding in and out
Did Amphitrytee with hir armes embrace the earth about.
For where was earth, was sea and ayre, so was the earth vnstable.
The ayre all darke, the sea likewise to beare a ship vnable.
No kinde of thing had proper shape, but ech confounded other.
For in one selfe same bodie stroue, the hote and colde togither.
The moyst with drie, the soft with hard, the light with things of weight.
This strife did God and Nature breake, and set in order streight.
The earth from heauen, the sea from earth, he parted orderly,
And from the thicke and foggie ayre, he tooke the lightsome skie.
Which when he once vnfolded had, and seuered from the blinde
And clodded heape. He setting eche from other did them binde
In endlesse friendship to agree. The fire most pure and bright,
The substance of the heauen it selfe, bicause it was so light
Did mount aloft, and set it selfe in highest place of all.
The second roume of right to ayre, for lightnesse did befall.
The earth more grosse drew down with it eche weighty kinde of matter,
And set it selfe in lowest place. Againe, the wauing water
Did lastly chalenge for his place, the vtmost coast and bound,
Of all the compasse of the earth, to close the stedfast ground.
Now when he in this foresaid wise (what God so ere he was)
[1]
Then first bicause in euery part, the earth should equall bee,
He made it like a mighty ball, in compasse as we see.
And here and there he cast in seas, to whome he gaue a lawe:
To swell with euery blast of winde, and euery stormie flawe.
And with their waues continually to beate vpon the shore,
Of all the earth within their boundes enclosde by them afore.
Moreouer, Springs and mighty Meeres and Lakes he did augment,
And flowing streames of crooked brookes in winding bankes he pent.
Of which the earth doth drinke vp some, and some with restlesse race,
Do seeke the sea: where finding scope of larger roume and space,
In steade of bankes, they beate on shores. He did cōmaund the plaine
And champion groundes to stretch out wide: and valleys to remaine
Aye vnderneath: and eke the woods to hide them decently
With tender leaues: and stonie hilles to lift themselues on hie.
And as two Zones doe cut the Heauen vpon the righter side,
And other twaine vpon the left likewise the same deuide,
The middle in outragious heat exceeding all the rest:
Euen so likewise through great foresight to God it seemed best,
The earth encluded in the same should so deuided bee,
As with the number of the Heauen, hir Zones might full agree.
Of which the middle Zone in heate, the vtmost twaine in colde
Exceede so farre, that there to dwell no creature dare be bolde.
Betweene these two so great extremes, two other Zones are fixt,
Where temprature of heate and colde indifferently is mixt.
Now ouer this doth hang the Ayre, which as it is more sleightie
Than earth or water: so againe than fire it is more weightie.
There hath he placed mist and cloudes, and for to feare mens mindes,
The thunder and the lightning eke; with colde and blustring windes.
But yet the maker of the worlde permitteth not alway,
The windes to vse the ayre at will. For at this present day,
Though ech from other placed be in sundry coasts aside:
The violence of their boystrous blasts, things scarsly can abide.
They so turmoyle as though they would the world in pieces rende,
So cruell is those brothers wrath when that they doe contende.
And therefore to the morning graye, the Realme of Nabathie,
To Persis and to other lands and countries that doe lie
2
Likewise the setting of the Sunne, and shutting in of night
Belong to Zephyr. And the blasts of blustring Boreas raigne,
In Scythia and in other landes set vnder Charles his waine.
And vnto Auster doth belong the coast of all the South,
Who beareth shoures and rotten mistes, continuall in his month.
Aboue all these he set aloft the cleare and lightsome skie,
Without all dregs of earthly filth or grossenesse vtterlie.
The boundes of things were scarsly yet by him thus pointed out,
But that appeared in the heauen, starres glistring all about,
Which in the said confused heape had hidden bene before,
And to thintent with liuely things eche Region for to store.
The heauenly soyle, to Gods and Starres and Planets first he gaue.
The waters next both fresh and salt he let the fishes haue.
The suttle ayre to flickring fowles and birdes he hath assignde.
The earth to beasts both wilde and tame him of sundrie sort and kinde.
Howbeit yet of all this while, the creature wanting was,
Farre more deuine, of nobler minde, which should the residue passe
In depth of knowledge, reason, wit, and high capacitie,
And which of all the residue should the Lord and ruler bee.
Then eyther he that made the worlde, and things in order set,
Of heauenly seede engendred Man: or else the earth as yet
Yong, lustie, fresh, and in hir floures, and parted from the skie,
But late before, the seede thereof as yet held inwardlie.
The which Prometheus tempring straight with water of the spring,
Did make in likenesse to the Gods that gouerne euerie thing.
And where all other beasts behold the ground with groueling eie,
He gaue to Man a stately looke replete with maiestie.
And willde him to behold the Heauen wyth countnance cast on hie,
To marke and vnderstand what things were in the starrie skie:
And thus the earth which late before had neyther shape nor hew,
Did take the noble shape of man, and was transfoormed new.
Then sprang vp first the golden age, which of it selfe maintainde,
The truth and right of euery thing vnforst and vuconstrainde.
There was no feare of punishment, there was no threatning lawe
In brazen tables nayled vp, to keepe the folke in awe.
There was no man would crouch or creepe to Iudge with cap in hand,
They liued safe without a Iudge, in euerie Realme and lande.
The loftie Pynetree was not hewen from mountaines where it stood,
In seeking straunge and forren landes, to roue vpon the flood.
Men knew none other countries yet, than where themselues did keepe:
There was no towne enclosed yet, with walles and diches deepe.
No horne nor trumpet was in vse, no sword nor helmet worne,
The worlde was suche, that souldiers helpe might easly be forborne.
The fertile earth as yet was free, vntoucht of spade or plough,
And yet it yeelded of it selfe of euery things inough.
And men themselues contented well with plaine and simple foode,
That on the earth of natures gift without their trauell stoode,
Did liue by Raspis, heppes & hawes, by cornelles, plummes and cherries,
By sloes and apples, nuttes and peares, and lothsome bramble berries,
And by the acornes dropt on ground, from Ioues brode tree in fielde.
The Springtime lasted all the yeare, and Zephyr with his milde
And gentle blast did cherish things that grew of owne accorde,
The ground vntilde, all kinde of fruits did plenteously auorde.
No mucke nor tillage was bestowde on leane and barren land,
To make the corne of better head, and ranker for to stand.
Thē streames ran milke, then streames ran wine, & yellow honny flowde
From ech greene tree whereon the rayes of firie Phebus glowde.
The truth and right of euery thing vnforst and vuconstrainde.
There was no feare of punishment, there was no threatning lawe
In brazen tables nayled vp, to keepe the folke in awe.
There was no man would crouch or creepe to Iudge with cap in hand,
[2]
The loftie Pynetree was not hewen from mountaines where it stood,
In seeking straunge and forren landes, to roue vpon the flood.
Men knew none other countries yet, than where themselues did keepe:
There was no towne enclosed yet, with walles and diches deepe.
No horne nor trumpet was in vse, no sword nor helmet worne,
The worlde was suche, that souldiers helpe might easly be forborne.
The fertile earth as yet was free, vntoucht of spade or plough,
And yet it yeelded of it selfe of euery things inough.
And men themselues contented well with plaine and simple foode,
That on the earth of natures gift without their trauell stoode,
Did liue by Raspis, heppes & hawes, by cornelles, plummes and cherries,
By sloes and apples, nuttes and peares, and lothsome bramble berries,
And by the acornes dropt on ground, from Ioues brode tree in fielde.
The Springtime lasted all the yeare, and Zephyr with his milde
And gentle blast did cherish things that grew of owne accorde,
The ground vntilde, all kinde of fruits did plenteously auorde.
No mucke nor tillage was bestowde on leane and barren land,
To make the corne of better head, and ranker for to stand.
Thē streames ran milke, then streames ran wine, & yellow honny flowde
From ech greene tree whereon the rayes of firie Phebus glowde.
But when that into Lymbo once Saturnus being thrust,
The rule and charge of all the worlde was vnder Ioue vniust,
And that the siluer age came in, more somewhat base than golde,
More precious yet than freckled brasse, immediatly the olde
And auncient Spring did Ioue abridge, and made therof anon,
Foure seasons: Winter, Sommer, Spring, and Autumne of and on.
Then first of all began the ayre with feruent heate to swelt.
Then Isycles hung roping downe: then for the colde was felt
Men gan to shroud themselues in house. their houses were the thickes,
And bushie queaches, hollow caues, or hardels made of stickes.
Then first of all were furrowes drawne, and corne was cast in ground.
The simple Oxe with sorie sighes, to heauie yoke was bound.
The rule and charge of all the worlde was vnder Ioue vniust,
And that the siluer age came in, more somewhat base than golde,
More precious yet than freckled brasse, immediatly the olde
And auncient Spring did Ioue abridge, and made therof anon,
Foure seasons: Winter, Sommer, Spring, and Autumne of and on.
Then first of all began the ayre with feruent heate to swelt.
Then Isycles hung roping downe: then for the colde was felt
Men gan to shroud themselues in house. their houses were the thickes,
And bushie queaches, hollow caues, or hardels made of stickes.
Then first of all were furrowes drawne, and corne was cast in ground.
The simple Oxe with sorie sighes, to heauie yoke was bound.
Next after this succeded streight, the third and brazen age:
More hard of nature, somewhat bent to cruell warres and rage.
But yet not wholy past all grace. Of yron is the last
In no part good and tractable as former ages past.
For when that of this wicked Age once opened was the veyne
Therein all mischief rushed forth. then Fayth and Truth were faine
And honest shame to hide their heades: for whom stept stoutly in,
Craft, Treason, Uiolence, Enuie, Pride and wicked Lust to win.
The shipman hoyst his sailes to wind, whose names he did not knowe:
And shippes that erst in toppes of hilles and mountaines had ygrowe,
Did leape and daunce on vncouth waues: and men began to bound,
With dowles and diches drawen in length the free and fertile ground,
Which was as common as the Ayre and light of Sunne before.
Not onely corne and other fruites, for sustnance and for store,
Were now exacted of the Earth: but eft thy gan to digge,
And in the bowels of the ground vnsaciably to rigge.
For Riches coucht and hidden deepe, in places nere to Hell,
The spurres and stirrers vnto vice, and foes to doing well.
Then hurtfull yron came abrode, then came forth yellow golde,
More hurtfull than the yron farre, then came forth battle bolde,
That feightes with bothe, and shakes his sword in cruell bloudy hand.
Men liue by rauine and by stelth: the wandring guest doth stand
In daunger of his host: the host in daunger of his guest:
And fathers of their sonne in lawes: yea seldome time doth rest,
Betweene borne brothers such accord and loue as ought to bee.
The goodman seekes the goodwiues death, and his againe seekes shee.
The stepdames fell their husbandes sonnes, with poyson do assayle.
To see their fathers liue so long the children doe bewayle.
All godlynesse lies vnder foote. And Ladie Astrey last
Of heauenly vertues, from this earth in slaughter drowned past.
More hard of nature, somewhat bent to cruell warres and rage.
But yet not wholy past all grace. Of yron is the last
In no part good and tractable as former ages past.
3
Therein all mischief rushed forth. then Fayth and Truth were faine
And honest shame to hide their heades: for whom stept stoutly in,
Craft, Treason, Uiolence, Enuie, Pride and wicked Lust to win.
The shipman hoyst his sailes to wind, whose names he did not knowe:
And shippes that erst in toppes of hilles and mountaines had ygrowe,
Did leape and daunce on vncouth waues: and men began to bound,
With dowles and diches drawen in length the free and fertile ground,
Which was as common as the Ayre and light of Sunne before.
Not onely corne and other fruites, for sustnance and for store,
Were now exacted of the Earth: but eft thy gan to digge,
And in the bowels of the ground vnsaciably to rigge.
For Riches coucht and hidden deepe, in places nere to Hell,
The spurres and stirrers vnto vice, and foes to doing well.
Then hurtfull yron came abrode, then came forth yellow golde,
More hurtfull than the yron farre, then came forth battle bolde,
That feightes with bothe, and shakes his sword in cruell bloudy hand.
Men liue by rauine and by stelth: the wandring guest doth stand
In daunger of his host: the host in daunger of his guest:
And fathers of their sonne in lawes: yea seldome time doth rest,
Betweene borne brothers such accord and loue as ought to bee.
The goodman seekes the goodwiues death, and his againe seekes shee.
The stepdames fell their husbandes sonnes, with poyson do assayle.
To see their fathers liue so long the children doe bewayle.
All godlynesse lies vnder foote. And Ladie Astrey last
Of heauenly vertues, from this earth in slaughter drowned past.
And to thintent the earth alone thus should not be opprest,
And heauen aboue in slouthfull ease and carelesse quiet rest,
Men say that Giantes went about the Realme of Heauen to win
To place themselues to raigne as Gods and lawlesse Lordes therein.
And hill on hill they heaped vp aloft vnto the skie,
Till God almighty from the Heauen did let his thunder flie.
The dint whereof the ayrie tops of high Olympus brake,
And pressed Pelion violently from vnder Ossa strake.
When whelmed in their wicked worke those cursed Caitiues lay,
The Earth their mother tooke their bloud yet warme and (as they say)
Did giue it life. And for bicause some ympes should still remaine
Of that same stocke, she gaue it shape and limmes of men againe.
This ofspring eke against the Gods did beare a natiue spight,
In slaughter and in doing wrong was all their whole delight.
Their deedes declared them of bloud engendred for to bee.
The which as soone as Saturns sonne from Heauen aloft did see,
He fetcht a sigh, and therwithall reuoluing in his thought
The shamefull act which at a feast Lycaon late had wrought,
As yet vnknowne or blowne abrode: He gan thereat to storme
And stomacke like an angry Ioue. And therfore to reforme
Such haynous actes, he sommonde streight his Court of Parliament,
Whereto resorted all the Gods that had their sommons sent.
Highe in the Welkin is a way apparant to the sight.
In starrie nights, which of his passing whitenesse milkie hight:
It is the streete that to the Court and Princely Pallace leades,
Of mightie Ioue whose thunderclaps eche liuing creature dreades.
On both the sides of this same waye do stand in stately port
The sumptuous houses of the Pieres. For all the common sort
Dwell scattring here and there abrode: the face of all the skie,
The houses of the chiefe estates and Princes doe supplie.
And sure and if I may be bolde to speake my fancie free
I take this place of all the Heauen the Pallace for to bee.
Now when the Goddes assembled were, and eche had tane his place,
Ioue standing vp aloft and leaning on his yuorie Mace,
Right dreadfully his bushie lockes did thrise or four times shake.
Wherewith he made both Sea and Land & Heauen it self to quake,
And afterward in wrathfull wordes his angrie minde thus brake.
And heauen aboue in slouthfull ease and carelesse quiet rest,
Men say that Giantes went about the Realme of Heauen to win
To place themselues to raigne as Gods and lawlesse Lordes therein.
And hill on hill they heaped vp aloft vnto the skie,
Till God almighty from the Heauen did let his thunder flie.
The dint whereof the ayrie tops of high Olympus brake,
And pressed Pelion violently from vnder Ossa strake.
When whelmed in their wicked worke those cursed Caitiues lay,
The Earth their mother tooke their bloud yet warme and (as they say)
Did giue it life. And for bicause some ympes should still remaine
[3]
This ofspring eke against the Gods did beare a natiue spight,
In slaughter and in doing wrong was all their whole delight.
Their deedes declared them of bloud engendred for to bee.
The which as soone as Saturns sonne from Heauen aloft did see,
He fetcht a sigh, and therwithall reuoluing in his thought
The shamefull act which at a feast Lycaon late had wrought,
As yet vnknowne or blowne abrode: He gan thereat to storme
And stomacke like an angry Ioue. And therfore to reforme
Such haynous actes, he sommonde streight his Court of Parliament,
Whereto resorted all the Gods that had their sommons sent.
Highe in the Welkin is a way apparant to the sight.
In starrie nights, which of his passing whitenesse milkie hight:
It is the streete that to the Court and Princely Pallace leades,
Of mightie Ioue whose thunderclaps eche liuing creature dreades.
On both the sides of this same waye do stand in stately port
The sumptuous houses of the Pieres. For all the common sort
Dwell scattring here and there abrode: the face of all the skie,
The houses of the chiefe estates and Princes doe supplie.
And sure and if I may be bolde to speake my fancie free
I take this place of all the Heauen the Pallace for to bee.
Now when the Goddes assembled were, and eche had tane his place,
Ioue standing vp aloft and leaning on his yuorie Mace,
Right dreadfully his bushie lockes did thrise or four times shake.
Wherewith he made both Sea and Land & Heauen it self to quake,
And afterward in wrathfull wordes his angrie minde thus brake.
I neuer was in greater care nor more perplexitie,
How to maintaine my soueraigne state and Princelie royaltie,
When with their hundreth handes a piece the Adderfooted rout,
Did practise for to conquere Heauen and for to cast vs out.
For though it were a cruell foe: yet did that warre depende
Upon one ground, and in one stocke it had his finall ende.
But now as farre as any sea about the worlde doth winde,
I must destroy both man and beast and all the mortall kinde.
I sweare by Styxes hideous streames that run within the ground,
All other meanes must first be sought: but when there can be found
No helpe to heale a festred sore, it must away be cut,
Least that the partes that yet are sound, in daunger should be put.
We haue a number in the worlde that mans estate surmount,
Of such whom for their priuate Gods the countrie folkes account,
As Satyres, Faunes, and sundry Nymphes, with Siluanes eke beside,
That in the woods and hillie grounds continually abide.
Whome into Heauen since that as yet we vouch not safe to take,
And of the honour of this place copartners for to make,
Such landes as to inhabite in, we erst to them assignde,
That they should still enioye the same, It is my will and minde?
But can you thinke that they in rest and safetie shall remaine?
When proud Lycaon laye in waite by secret meanes and traine:
To haue confounded me your Lorde, who in my hand doe beare
The dreadfull thunder, and of whome euen you doe stand in feare?
How to maintaine my soueraigne state and Princelie royaltie,
When with their hundreth handes a piece the Adderfooted rout,
Did practise for to conquere Heauen and for to cast vs out.
For though it were a cruell foe: yet did that warre depende
Upon one ground, and in one stocke it had his finall ende.
But now as farre as any sea about the worlde doth winde,
I must destroy both man and beast and all the mortall kinde.
I sweare by Styxes hideous streames that run within the ground,
All other meanes must first be sought: but when there can be found
No helpe to heale a festred sore, it must away be cut,
4
We haue a number in the worlde that mans estate surmount,
Of such whom for their priuate Gods the countrie folkes account,
As Satyres, Faunes, and sundry Nymphes, with Siluanes eke beside,
That in the woods and hillie grounds continually abide.
Whome into Heauen since that as yet we vouch not safe to take,
And of the honour of this place copartners for to make,
Such landes as to inhabite in, we erst to them assignde,
That they should still enioye the same, It is my will and minde?
But can you thinke that they in rest and safetie shall remaine?
When proud Lycaon laye in waite by secret meanes and traine:
To haue confounded me your Lorde, who in my hand doe beare
The dreadfull thunder, and of whome euen you doe stand in feare?
The house was moued at his words and earnestly requirde,
The man that had so traiterously against their Lord conspirde.
Euen so when Rebels did arise to stroy the Romane name,
By shedding of our Cesars bloud, the horror of the same,
Did pierce the heartes of all mankinde, and made the world to quake.
Whose feruent zeale in thy behalfe (O August) thou did take,
As thankfully as Ioue doth heare the louing care of his.
Who beckning to them with his hand, forbiddeth them to hisse.
And therewithall through all the house attentiue silence is.
Assoone as that his maiestie all muttring had alayde,
He brake the silence once againe, and thus vnto them sayde.
The man that had so traiterously against their Lord conspirde.
Euen so when Rebels did arise to stroy the Romane name,
By shedding of our Cesars bloud, the horror of the same,
Did pierce the heartes of all mankinde, and made the world to quake.
Whose feruent zeale in thy behalfe (O August) thou did take,
As thankfully as Ioue doth heare the louing care of his.
Who beckning to them with his hand, forbiddeth them to hisse.
And therewithall through all the house attentiue silence is.
Assoone as that his maiestie all muttring had alayde,
He brake the silence once againe, and thus vnto them sayde.
Let passe this carefull thought of yours: for he that did offende,
Hath dearely bought the wicked Act, the which he did entende.
Yet shall you heare what was his fault and vengeance for the same.
A foule report and infamie vnto our hearing came,
Of mischiefe vsed in those times: which wishing all vntrew
I did descend in shape of man, th' infamed Earth to vew.
It were a processe ouerlong to tell you of the sinne,
That did abound in euery place where as I entred in.
The brute was lesser than the truth, and partiall in report.
The dreadfull dennes of Menalus where sauage beastes resort
And Cyllen had I ouerpast, with all the Pynetrees hie,
Of cold Lyceus, and from thence I entred by and by
The herbroughlesse and cruell house of late Th' arcadian King,
Such time as twilight on the Earth dim darknesse gan to bring.
I gaue a signe that God was come, and streight the common sort
Deuoutly prayde, whereat Lycaon first did make a sport
And after said by open proufe, ere long I minde to see,
If that this wight a mighty God or mortall creature bee.
The truth shall trie it selfe: he ment (the sequele did declare)
To steale vpon me in the night, and kyll me vnbeware.
And yet he was not so content: but went and cut the throte,
Of one that laye in hostage there, which was an Epyrote:
And part of him he did to rost, and part he did to stewe.
Which when it came vpon the borde, forthwith I ouerthrew,
The house with iust reuenging fire vpon the owners hed.
Who seeing that, slipt out of doores amazde for feare, and fled
Into the wilde and desert woods, where being all alone,
As he endeuorde (but in vaine) to speake and make his mone,
He fell a howling: wherewithall for verie rage and moode
He ran me quite out of his wits and waxed furious woode.
Still practising his wonted lust of slaughter on the poore
And sielie cattle, thirsting still for bloud as heretofore.
His garments turnde to shackie haire, his armes to rugged pawes:
So is he made a rauening Wolfe: whose shape expressely drawes
To that the which he was before: his skinne is horie graye,
His looke still grim with glaring eyes, and euery kinde of waye,
His cruell heart in outward shape doth well it selfe bewraye.
Thus was one house destroyed quite. but that one house alone
Deserueth not to be destroyde, in all the Earth is none,
But that such vice doth raigne therein, as that ye would beleue,
That all had sworne and solde themselues to mischiefe vs to greue.
And therefore as they all offende: so am I fully bent,
That all forthwith (as they deserue) shall haue due punishment.
Hath dearely bought the wicked Act, the which he did entende.
Yet shall you heare what was his fault and vengeance for the same.
A foule report and infamie vnto our hearing came,
Of mischiefe vsed in those times: which wishing all vntrew
I did descend in shape of man, th' infamed Earth to vew.
It were a processe ouerlong to tell you of the sinne,
That did abound in euery place where as I entred in.
The brute was lesser than the truth, and partiall in report.
The dreadfull dennes of Menalus where sauage beastes resort
And Cyllen had I ouerpast, with all the Pynetrees hie,
Of cold Lyceus, and from thence I entred by and by
The herbroughlesse and cruell house of late Th' arcadian King,
[4]
I gaue a signe that God was come, and streight the common sort
Deuoutly prayde, whereat Lycaon first did make a sport
And after said by open proufe, ere long I minde to see,
If that this wight a mighty God or mortall creature bee.
The truth shall trie it selfe: he ment (the sequele did declare)
To steale vpon me in the night, and kyll me vnbeware.
And yet he was not so content: but went and cut the throte,
Of one that laye in hostage there, which was an Epyrote:
And part of him he did to rost, and part he did to stewe.
Which when it came vpon the borde, forthwith I ouerthrew,
The house with iust reuenging fire vpon the owners hed.
Who seeing that, slipt out of doores amazde for feare, and fled
Into the wilde and desert woods, where being all alone,
As he endeuorde (but in vaine) to speake and make his mone,
He fell a howling: wherewithall for verie rage and moode
He ran me quite out of his wits and waxed furious woode.
Still practising his wonted lust of slaughter on the poore
And sielie cattle, thirsting still for bloud as heretofore.
His garments turnde to shackie haire, his armes to rugged pawes:
So is he made a rauening Wolfe: whose shape expressely drawes
To that the which he was before: his skinne is horie graye,
His looke still grim with glaring eyes, and euery kinde of waye,
His cruell heart in outward shape doth well it selfe bewraye.
Thus was one house destroyed quite. but that one house alone
Deserueth not to be destroyde, in all the Earth is none,
But that such vice doth raigne therein, as that ye would beleue,
That all had sworne and solde themselues to mischiefe vs to greue.
And therefore as they all offende: so am I fully bent,
That all forthwith (as they deserue) shall haue due punishment.
These wordes of Ioue some of the Gods did openly approue,
And with their sayings more to wrath his angry courage moue.
And some did giue assent by signes. Yet did it grieue them all
That such destruction vtterly on all mankinde should fall.
Demaunding what he purposed with all the Earth to doe,
When that he had all mortall men so cleane destroyde, and whoe
On holie Altars afterward should offer frankinsence,
And whother that he were in minde to leaue the Earth fro thence
To sauage beastes to wast and spoyle, bicause of mans offence.
And with their sayings more to wrath his angry courage moue.
And some did giue assent by signes. Yet did it grieue them all
That such destruction vtterly on all mankinde should fall.
Demaunding what he purposed with all the Earth to doe,
When that he had all mortall men so cleane destroyde, and whoe
On holie Altars afterward should offer frankinsence,
5
To sauage beastes to wast and spoyle, bicause of mans offence.
The king of Gods bade cease their thought & questions in that case,
And cast the care thereof on him. within a little space,
He promist for to frame a newe, an other kinde of men
By wondrous meanes, vnlike the first to fill the world agen.
And now his lightning had he thought on all the earth to throw.
But that he feared least the flames perhaps so hie should grow
As for to set the Heauen on fire, and burne vp all the skie.
He did remember furthermore how that by destinie,
A certaine time should one day come, wherein both Sea and Lond
And Heauen it selfe shoulde feele the force of Vulcans scorching brond.
So that the huge and goodly worke of all the worlde so wide
Should go to wrecke, for doubt whereof forthwith he laide aside
His weapons that the Cyclops made, intending to correct,
Mans trespasse by a punishment contrary in effect.
And namely with incessant showres from heauen ypoured downe,
He did determine with himselfe, the mortall kinde to drowne.
And cast the care thereof on him. within a little space,
He promist for to frame a newe, an other kinde of men
By wondrous meanes, vnlike the first to fill the world agen.
And now his lightning had he thought on all the earth to throw.
But that he feared least the flames perhaps so hie should grow
As for to set the Heauen on fire, and burne vp all the skie.
He did remember furthermore how that by destinie,
A certaine time should one day come, wherein both Sea and Lond
And Heauen it selfe shoulde feele the force of Vulcans scorching brond.
So that the huge and goodly worke of all the worlde so wide
Should go to wrecke, for doubt whereof forthwith he laide aside
His weapons that the Cyclops made, intending to correct,
Mans trespasse by a punishment contrary in effect.
And namely with incessant showres from heauen ypoured downe,
He did determine with himselfe, the mortall kinde to drowne.
In Aeölus prison by and by he fettred Boreas fast,
With al such winds as chase ye cloudes or breake thē with their blast,
And set at large the Southerne winde: who straight with watry wings
And dreadfull face as blacke as pitch, forth out of prison flings.
His beard hung full of hideous stormes, all dankish was his head,
With water streaming downe his haire that on his shoulders shead.
His vgly forehead wrinkled was with foggie mistes full thicke,
And on his fethers and his breast a stilling dew did sticke.
Assoone as he betweene his hands the hanging cloudes had crusht,
With ratling noyse adowne from heauen the raine full sadly gusht.
The Rainbow Iunos messenger bedect in sundrie hue,
To maintaine moysture in the cloudes, great waters thither drue:
The corne was beaten to the grounde, the Tilmans hope of gaine,
For which he toyled all the yeare, lay drowned in the raine.
Ioues indignation and his wrath began to grow so hot.
That for to quench the rage thereof, his Heauen suffisde not.
His brother Neptune with his waues was faine to doe him ease:
Who straight assembling all the streames, that fall into the seas,
Said to them standing in his house: Sirs get you home apace,
(You must not looke to haue me vse, long preaching in this case.)
Poure out your foree (for so is neede) your heads ech one vnpende,
And from your open springs, your streames with flowing waters sende.
He had no sooner said the word, but that returning backe,
Eche one of them vnlosde his spring, and let his waters slacke.
And to the Sea with flowing streames yswolne aboue their bankes,
One rolling in anothers necke, they rushed forth by rankes.
Himselfe with his threetyned Mace, did lend the earth a blow,
That made it shake and open wayes for waters forth to flow.
The flouds at randon where they list, through all the fields did stray,
Men, beastes, trees, corne, & with their gods, were Churches washt away.
If any house were built so strong, against their force to stonde
Yet did the water hide the top: and turrets in that ponde
Were ouerwhelmde: no difference was betweene the sea and ground,
For all was sea: there was no shore nor landing to be found.
Some climbed vp to tops of hils, and some rowde to and fro
In Botes, where they not long before, to plough and Cart did go,
One ouer corne and tops of townes, whome waues did ouerwhelme,
Doth saile in ship, an other sittes a fishing in an Elme.
In meddowes greene were Anchors cast (so fortune did prouide)
And crooked ships did shadow vynes, the which the floud did hide.
And where but tother day before did feede the hungry Cote,
The vgly Seales and Porkepisces now to and fro did flote.
The Seanymphes wondred vnder waues the townes and groues to see,
And Dolphines playd among the tops and boughes of euery tree.
The grim and greedy Wolfe did swim among the siely sheepe,
The Lion and the Tyger fierce were borne vpon the deepe.
It booted not the foming Boare his crooked tuskes to whet,
The running Hart coulde in the streame by swiftnesse nothing get.
The fleeting fowles long hauing sought for land to rest vpon,
Into the Sea with werie wings were driuen to fall anon.
Th' outragious swelling of the Sea the lesser hillockes drownde,
Unwonted waues on highest tops of mountaines did rebownde.
The greatest part of men were drownde, and such as scapte the floode,
Forlorne with fasting ouerlong did die for want of foode.
Against the fieldes of Aonie and Atticke lies a lande,
That Phocis hight, a fertile ground while that it was a lande:
But at that time a part of Sea, and euen a champion fielde,
Of sodaine waters which the floud by forced rage did yeelde.
Where as a hill with forked top the which Parnasus hight,
Doth pierce the cloudes and to the starres doth raise his head vpright.
When at this hill (for yet the Sea had whelmed all beside)
Deucalion and his bedfellow, without all other guide,
Arriued in a little Barke immediatly they went,
And to the Nymphes of Corycus with full deuout intent
Did honor due, and to the Gods to whome that famous hill
Was sacred, and to Themis eke in whose most holie will
Consisted then the Oracles. In all the world so rounde:
A better nor more righteous man could neuer yet be founde
Than was Deucalion, nor againe a woman mayde nor wife,
That feared God so much as shee, nor led so good a life.
With al such winds as chase ye cloudes or breake thē with their blast,
And set at large the Southerne winde: who straight with watry wings
And dreadfull face as blacke as pitch, forth out of prison flings.
His beard hung full of hideous stormes, all dankish was his head,
With water streaming downe his haire that on his shoulders shead.
His vgly forehead wrinkled was with foggie mistes full thicke,
And on his fethers and his breast a stilling dew did sticke.
Assoone as he betweene his hands the hanging cloudes had crusht,
With ratling noyse adowne from heauen the raine full sadly gusht.
The Rainbow Iunos messenger bedect in sundrie hue,
To maintaine moysture in the cloudes, great waters thither drue:
The corne was beaten to the grounde, the Tilmans hope of gaine,
For which he toyled all the yeare, lay drowned in the raine.
Ioues indignation and his wrath began to grow so hot.
That for to quench the rage thereof, his Heauen suffisde not.
His brother Neptune with his waues was faine to doe him ease:
Who straight assembling all the streames, that fall into the seas,
Said to them standing in his house: Sirs get you home apace,
[5]
Poure out your foree (for so is neede) your heads ech one vnpende,
And from your open springs, your streames with flowing waters sende.
He had no sooner said the word, but that returning backe,
Eche one of them vnlosde his spring, and let his waters slacke.
And to the Sea with flowing streames yswolne aboue their bankes,
One rolling in anothers necke, they rushed forth by rankes.
Himselfe with his threetyned Mace, did lend the earth a blow,
That made it shake and open wayes for waters forth to flow.
The flouds at randon where they list, through all the fields did stray,
Men, beastes, trees, corne, & with their gods, were Churches washt away.
If any house were built so strong, against their force to stonde
Yet did the water hide the top: and turrets in that ponde
Were ouerwhelmde: no difference was betweene the sea and ground,
For all was sea: there was no shore nor landing to be found.
Some climbed vp to tops of hils, and some rowde to and fro
In Botes, where they not long before, to plough and Cart did go,
One ouer corne and tops of townes, whome waues did ouerwhelme,
Doth saile in ship, an other sittes a fishing in an Elme.
In meddowes greene were Anchors cast (so fortune did prouide)
And crooked ships did shadow vynes, the which the floud did hide.
And where but tother day before did feede the hungry Cote,
The vgly Seales and Porkepisces now to and fro did flote.
The Seanymphes wondred vnder waues the townes and groues to see,
And Dolphines playd among the tops and boughes of euery tree.
The grim and greedy Wolfe did swim among the siely sheepe,
The Lion and the Tyger fierce were borne vpon the deepe.
It booted not the foming Boare his crooked tuskes to whet,
The running Hart coulde in the streame by swiftnesse nothing get.
The fleeting fowles long hauing sought for land to rest vpon,
Into the Sea with werie wings were driuen to fall anon.
Th' outragious swelling of the Sea the lesser hillockes drownde,
Unwonted waues on highest tops of mountaines did rebownde.
The greatest part of men were drownde, and such as scapte the floode,
Forlorne with fasting ouerlong did die for want of foode.
Against the fieldes of Aonie and Atticke lies a lande,
That Phocis hight, a fertile ground while that it was a lande:
6
Of sodaine waters which the floud by forced rage did yeelde.
Where as a hill with forked top the which Parnasus hight,
Doth pierce the cloudes and to the starres doth raise his head vpright.
When at this hill (for yet the Sea had whelmed all beside)
Deucalion and his bedfellow, without all other guide,
Arriued in a little Barke immediatly they went,
And to the Nymphes of Corycus with full deuout intent
Did honor due, and to the Gods to whome that famous hill
Was sacred, and to Themis eke in whose most holie will
Consisted then the Oracles. In all the world so rounde:
A better nor more righteous man could neuer yet be founde
Than was Deucalion, nor againe a woman mayde nor wife,
That feared God so much as shee, nor led so good a life.
When Ioue behelde how all the worlde stoode lyke a plash of raine,
And of so many thousand men and women did remaine
But one of eche, howbeit those both iust and both deuout,
He brake the Cloudes, and did commaund that Boreas with his stout
And sturdie blasts should chase the floud, that Earth might see the skie
And Heauen the Earth: the Seas also began immediatly
Their raging furie for to cease. Their ruler laide awaye
His dreadfull Mace, and with his wordes their woodnesse did alaye.
He called Tryton to him straight his trumpetter, who stoode
In purple robe on shoulder cast, aloft vpon the floode.
And bade him take his sounding Trumpe and out of hand to blow
Retreat, that all the streames might heare, and rease from thence to flow.
He tooke his Trumpet in his hand, hys Trumpet was a shell
Of some great Whelke or other fishe, in facion like a Bell
That gathered narrow to the mouth, and as it did descende.
Did waxe more wide and writhen still, downe to the nether ende:
When that this Trumpe amid the Sea was set to Trytons mouth,
He blew so loude that all the streames both East, West, North & South,
Might easly heare him blow retreate, and all that heard the sounde
Immediatly began to ebbe and draw within their bounde.
Then gan the Sea to haue a shore, and brookes to finde a banke,
And swelling streames of flowing flouds within hir chanels sanke.
Then hils did rise aboue the waues that had them ouerflow,
And as the waters did decrease the ground did seeme to grow.
And after long and tedious time the trees did shew their tops
All bare, saue that vpon the boughes the mud did hang in knops.
The worlde restored was againe, which though Deucalion ioyde
Then to beholde: yet forbicause he saw the earth was voyde
And silent like a wildernesse, with sad and weeping eyes
And ruthfull voyce he then did speake to Pyrrha in this wise.
And of so many thousand men and women did remaine
But one of eche, howbeit those both iust and both deuout,
He brake the Cloudes, and did commaund that Boreas with his stout
And sturdie blasts should chase the floud, that Earth might see the skie
And Heauen the Earth: the Seas also began immediatly
Their raging furie for to cease. Their ruler laide awaye
His dreadfull Mace, and with his wordes their woodnesse did alaye.
He called Tryton to him straight his trumpetter, who stoode
In purple robe on shoulder cast, aloft vpon the floode.
And bade him take his sounding Trumpe and out of hand to blow
Retreat, that all the streames might heare, and rease from thence to flow.
He tooke his Trumpet in his hand, hys Trumpet was a shell
Of some great Whelke or other fishe, in facion like a Bell
That gathered narrow to the mouth, and as it did descende.
Did waxe more wide and writhen still, downe to the nether ende:
When that this Trumpe amid the Sea was set to Trytons mouth,
He blew so loude that all the streames both East, West, North & South,
Might easly heare him blow retreate, and all that heard the sounde
Immediatly began to ebbe and draw within their bounde.
Then gan the Sea to haue a shore, and brookes to finde a banke,
And swelling streames of flowing flouds within hir chanels sanke.
Then hils did rise aboue the waues that had them ouerflow,
[6]
And after long and tedious time the trees did shew their tops
All bare, saue that vpon the boughes the mud did hang in knops.
The worlde restored was againe, which though Deucalion ioyde
Then to beholde: yet forbicause he saw the earth was voyde
And silent like a wildernesse, with sad and weeping eyes
And ruthfull voyce he then did speake to Pyrrha in this wise.
O sister, O my louing spouse, O sielie woman left,
As onely remnant of thy sexe that water hath bereft.
Whome Nature first by right of birth hath linked to me fast
In that we brothers children bene: and secondly the chast
And stedfast bond of lawfull bed: and lastly now of all,
The present perils of the time that latelye did befall.
On all the Earth from East to West where Phebus shewes his face
There is no moe but thou and I of all the mortall race.
The Sea hath swallowed all the rest: and scarsly are we sure,
That our two liues from dreadfull death in safetie shall endure.
For euen as yet the duskie cloudes doe make my heart adrad.
Alas poore wretched sielie soule, what heart wouldst thou haue had?
To beare these heauie happes, if chaunce had let thee scape alone?
Who should haue bene thy cōfort then? who should haue rewd thy mone?
Now trust me truly louing wife had thou as now bene drownde,
I would haue followed after thee and in the sea bene fownde.
Would God I could my fathers Arte, of claye to facion men
And giue them life that people might frequent the world agen.
Mankinde (alas) doth onely now wythin vs two consist,
As mouldes whereby to facion men. For so the Gods doe lyst.
As onely remnant of thy sexe that water hath bereft.
Whome Nature first by right of birth hath linked to me fast
In that we brothers children bene: and secondly the chast
And stedfast bond of lawfull bed: and lastly now of all,
The present perils of the time that latelye did befall.
On all the Earth from East to West where Phebus shewes his face
There is no moe but thou and I of all the mortall race.
The Sea hath swallowed all the rest: and scarsly are we sure,
That our two liues from dreadfull death in safetie shall endure.
For euen as yet the duskie cloudes doe make my heart adrad.
Alas poore wretched sielie soule, what heart wouldst thou haue had?
To beare these heauie happes, if chaunce had let thee scape alone?
Who should haue bene thy cōfort then? who should haue rewd thy mone?
Now trust me truly louing wife had thou as now bene drownde,
I would haue followed after thee and in the sea bene fownde.
Would God I could my fathers Arte, of claye to facion men
And giue them life that people might frequent the world agen.
Mankinde (alas) doth onely now wythin vs two consist,
As mouldes whereby to facion men. For so the Gods doe lyst.
And with these words the bitter teares did trickle down their cheeke,
Untill at length betweene themselues they did agree to seeke
To God by prayer for his grace, and to demaund his ayde
By aunswere of his Oracle. wherein they nothing stayde.
But to Cephisus sadly went, whose streame as at that time
Began to run within his bankes though thicke with muddie slime,
Whose sacred liquor straight they tooke and sprinkled with the same
Their heads and clothes: and afterward to Themis chappell came,
The roofe whereof with cindrie mosse was almost ouergrowne.
For since the time the raging floud, the worlde had ouerflowne,
No creature came within the Churche: so that the Altars stood
Without one sparke of holie fyre or any sticke of wood.
Assoone as that this couple came within the chappell doore,
They fell downe flat vpon the ground, and trembling kist the floore.
And sayde: if prayer that proceedes from humble heart and minde
May in the presence of the Gods, such grace and fauor finde
As to appease their worthie wrath, then vouch thou safe to tell
(O gentle Themis) how the losse that on our kinde befell,
May now eftsoones recouered be, and helpe vs to repaire
The world, which drowned vnder waues doth lie in great dispaire.
The Goddesse moued with their sute, this answere did them make:
Depart you hence: Go hille your heads, and let your garmentes slake,
And both of you your Graundames bones behind your shoulders cast.
They stoode amazed at these wordes, tyll Pyrrha at the last,
Refusing to obey the hest the whych the Goddesse gaue,
Brake silence, and with trembling cheere did meekely pardon craue.
For sure she saide she was afraide hir Graundames ghost to hurt
By taking vp hir buried bones to throw them in the durt.
And with the aunswere here vpon eftsoones in hand they go,
The doubtfull wordes wherof they scan and canuas to and fro.
Which done, Prometheus sonne began by counsell wise and sage
His cousin germanes fearfulnesse thus gently to asswage.
Well, eyther in these doubtfull words is hid some misterie,
Whereof the Gods permit vs not the meaning to espie,
Or questionlesse and if the sence of inward sentence deeme
Like as the tenour of the words apparantly doe seeme,
It is no breach of godlynesse to doe as God doth bid.
I take our Graundame for the earth, the stones within hir hid
I take for bones, these are the bones the which are meaned here.
Though Titans daughter at this wise coniecture of hir fere
Were somewhat moued, yet none of both did stedfast credit geue,
So hardly could they in their heartes the heauenly hestes beleue.
But what and if they made a proufe? what harme could come therby?
They went their wayes and veild their heades, and did their cotes vntie.
And at their backes did throw the stones by name of bones foretolde.
The stones (who would beleue the thing, but that the time of olde
Reportes it for a stedfast truth?) of nature tough and harde,
Began to warre both soft and smothe: and shortly afterwarde
To winne therwith a better shape: and as they did encrease,
A mylder nature in them grew, and rudenesse gan to cease.
For at the first their shape was such, as in a certaine sort
Resembled man, but of the right and perfect shape came short.
Euen like to Marble ymages new drawne and roughly wrought,
Before the Caruer by his Arte to purpose hath them brought.
Such partes of them where any iuice or moysture did abound,
Or else were earthie, turned to flesh: and such as were so sound,
And harde as would not bow nor bende did turne to bones: againe
The part that was a veyne before, doth still his name retaine.
Thus by the mightie powre of God ere lenger time was past,
The mankinde was restorde by stones, the which a man did cast.
And likewise also by the stones the which a woman threw,
The womankinde repayred was and made againe of new.
Of these are we the crooked ympes, and stonie race in deede,
Bewraying by our toyling life, from whence we doe proceede.
Untill at length betweene themselues they did agree to seeke
To God by prayer for his grace, and to demaund his ayde
By aunswere of his Oracle. wherein they nothing stayde.
But to Cephisus sadly went, whose streame as at that time
Began to run within his bankes though thicke with muddie slime,
Whose sacred liquor straight they tooke and sprinkled with the same
Their heads and clothes: and afterward to Themis chappell came,
The roofe whereof with cindrie mosse was almost ouergrowne.
For since the time the raging floud, the worlde had ouerflowne,
7
Without one sparke of holie fyre or any sticke of wood.
Assoone as that this couple came within the chappell doore,
They fell downe flat vpon the ground, and trembling kist the floore.
And sayde: if prayer that proceedes from humble heart and minde
May in the presence of the Gods, such grace and fauor finde
As to appease their worthie wrath, then vouch thou safe to tell
(O gentle Themis) how the losse that on our kinde befell,
May now eftsoones recouered be, and helpe vs to repaire
The world, which drowned vnder waues doth lie in great dispaire.
The Goddesse moued with their sute, this answere did them make:
Depart you hence: Go hille your heads, and let your garmentes slake,
And both of you your Graundames bones behind your shoulders cast.
They stoode amazed at these wordes, tyll Pyrrha at the last,
Refusing to obey the hest the whych the Goddesse gaue,
Brake silence, and with trembling cheere did meekely pardon craue.
For sure she saide she was afraide hir Graundames ghost to hurt
By taking vp hir buried bones to throw them in the durt.
And with the aunswere here vpon eftsoones in hand they go,
The doubtfull wordes wherof they scan and canuas to and fro.
Which done, Prometheus sonne began by counsell wise and sage
His cousin germanes fearfulnesse thus gently to asswage.
Well, eyther in these doubtfull words is hid some misterie,
Whereof the Gods permit vs not the meaning to espie,
Or questionlesse and if the sence of inward sentence deeme
Like as the tenour of the words apparantly doe seeme,
It is no breach of godlynesse to doe as God doth bid.
I take our Graundame for the earth, the stones within hir hid
I take for bones, these are the bones the which are meaned here.
Though Titans daughter at this wise coniecture of hir fere
Were somewhat moued, yet none of both did stedfast credit geue,
So hardly could they in their heartes the heauenly hestes beleue.
But what and if they made a proufe? what harme could come therby?
They went their wayes and veild their heades, and did their cotes vntie.
And at their backes did throw the stones by name of bones foretolde.
The stones (who would beleue the thing, but that the time of olde
Reportes it for a stedfast truth?) of nature tough and harde,
[8]
To winne therwith a better shape: and as they did encrease,
A mylder nature in them grew, and rudenesse gan to cease.
For at the first their shape was such, as in a certaine sort
Resembled man, but of the right and perfect shape came short.
Euen like to Marble ymages new drawne and roughly wrought,
Before the Caruer by his Arte to purpose hath them brought.
Such partes of them where any iuice or moysture did abound,
Or else were earthie, turned to flesh: and such as were so sound,
And harde as would not bow nor bende did turne to bones: againe
The part that was a veyne before, doth still his name retaine.
Thus by the mightie powre of God ere lenger time was past,
The mankinde was restorde by stones, the which a man did cast.
And likewise also by the stones the which a woman threw,
The womankinde repayred was and made againe of new.
Of these are we the crooked ympes, and stonie race in deede,
Bewraying by our toyling life, from whence we doe proceede.
The lustie earth of owne accorde soone after forth did bring,
According to their sundrie shapes eche other liuing thing.
Assoone as that the moysture once caught heate against the Sunne,
And that the fat and slimie mud in moorish groundes begunne,
To swell through warmth of Phebus beames, and that the fruitfull seede
Of things well cherisht in the fat and liuely soyle in deede,
As in their mothers wombe, began in length of time to grow,
To one or other kinde of shape wherein themselues to show.
Euen so when that seuen mouthed Nile the watrie fieldes forsooke,
And to his auncient chanell eft his bridled streames betooke.
So that the Sunne did heate the mud, the which he left behinde,
The husbandmen that tilde the ground, among the cloddes did finde,
Of sundrie creatures sundrie shapes: of which they spied some,
Euen in the instant of their birth but newly then begonne.
And some vnperfect wanting brest or shoulders in such wise,
That in one bodie oftentimes appeared to the eyes
One halfe thereof aliue to be, and all the rest beside
Both voyde of life and seemely shape, starke earth to still abide.
For when that moysture with the heate is tempred equally,
They doe conceyue: and of them twaine engender by and by
All kinde of things. For though that fire with water aye debateth
Yet moysture mixt with equall heate all liuing things createth.
And so those discordes in their kinde, one striuing with the other,
In generation doe agree and make one perfect mother.
And therfore when the mirie earth bespred with slimie mud,
Brought ouer all but late before by violence of the flud,
Caught heate by warmnesse of the Sunne, and culmenesse of the skie,
Things out of number in the worlde, forthwith it did applie.
Whereof in part the like before in former times had bene,
And some so straunge and ougly shapes as neuer erst were sene.
In that she did such Monsters breede, was greatly to hir woe,
But yet thou ougly Python wert engendred by hir thoe.
A terror to the new made folke, which neuer erst had knowne
So foule a Dragon in their life, so monstrously foregrowne,
So great a ground thy poyson paunch did vnderneath thee hide.
The God of shooting who no where before that present tide
Those kinde of weapons put in vre, but at the speckled Deare,
Or at the Roes so wight of foote, a thousand shaftes well neare,
Did on that hideous serpent spende, of which there was not one,
But forced forth the venimd bloud along his sides to gone.
So that his quiuer almost voyde, he nailde him to the grounde,
And did him nobly at the last by force of shot confounde.
And least that time might of this worke deface the worthy fame,
He did ordeyne in minde thereof a great and solemne game,
Which of the serpent that he slue of Pythians bare the name.
Where who so could the maistrie winne in feates of strength or sleight
Of hande or foote or rolling wheele, might claime to haue of right,
An Oken garland fresh and braue. There was not any wheare
As yet a Bay, by meanes whereof was Phebus faine to weare
The leaues of euery pleasant tree about his golden heare.
According to their sundrie shapes eche other liuing thing.
Assoone as that the moysture once caught heate against the Sunne,
And that the fat and slimie mud in moorish groundes begunne,
To swell through warmth of Phebus beames, and that the fruitfull seede
Of things well cherisht in the fat and liuely soyle in deede,
As in their mothers wombe, began in length of time to grow,
To one or other kinde of shape wherein themselues to show.
Euen so when that seuen mouthed Nile the watrie fieldes forsooke,
And to his auncient chanell eft his bridled streames betooke.
So that the Sunne did heate the mud, the which he left behinde,
The husbandmen that tilde the ground, among the cloddes did finde,
Of sundrie creatures sundrie shapes: of which they spied some,
Euen in the instant of their birth but newly then begonne.
And some vnperfect wanting brest or shoulders in such wise,
That in one bodie oftentimes appeared to the eyes
One halfe thereof aliue to be, and all the rest beside
Both voyde of life and seemely shape, starke earth to still abide.
For when that moysture with the heate is tempred equally,
They doe conceyue: and of them twaine engender by and by
8
Yet moysture mixt with equall heate all liuing things createth.
And so those discordes in their kinde, one striuing with the other,
In generation doe agree and make one perfect mother.
And therfore when the mirie earth bespred with slimie mud,
Brought ouer all but late before by violence of the flud,
Caught heate by warmnesse of the Sunne, and culmenesse of the skie,
Things out of number in the worlde, forthwith it did applie.
Whereof in part the like before in former times had bene,
And some so straunge and ougly shapes as neuer erst were sene.
In that she did such Monsters breede, was greatly to hir woe,
But yet thou ougly Python wert engendred by hir thoe.
A terror to the new made folke, which neuer erst had knowne
So foule a Dragon in their life, so monstrously foregrowne,
So great a ground thy poyson paunch did vnderneath thee hide.
The God of shooting who no where before that present tide
Those kinde of weapons put in vre, but at the speckled Deare,
Or at the Roes so wight of foote, a thousand shaftes well neare,
Did on that hideous serpent spende, of which there was not one,
But forced forth the venimd bloud along his sides to gone.
So that his quiuer almost voyde, he nailde him to the grounde,
And did him nobly at the last by force of shot confounde.
And least that time might of this worke deface the worthy fame,
He did ordeyne in minde thereof a great and solemne game,
Which of the serpent that he slue of Pythians bare the name.
Where who so could the maistrie winne in feates of strength or sleight
Of hande or foote or rolling wheele, might claime to haue of right,
An Oken garland fresh and braue. There was not any wheare
As yet a Bay, by meanes whereof was Phebus faine to weare
The leaues of euery pleasant tree about his golden heare.
Peneian Daphne was the first where Phebus set his loue,
Which not blind chaunce but Cupids fierce & cruel wrath did moue.
The Delian God but late before surprisde with passing pride:
For killing of the monstrous worme, the God of loue espide,
With bowe in hand already bent and letting arrowes go:
To whome he sayd, and what hast thou thou wanton baby so
With warlike weapons for to toy? It were a better sight,
To see this kinde of furniture on our two shoulders bright:
Who when we list with stedfast hand both man and beast can wound,
Who tother day wyth arrowes keene, haue nayled to the ground,
The serpent Python so forswolne, whose filthie wombe did hide
So many acres of the grounde in which he did abide.
Content thy selfe sonne, sorie loues to kindle with thy brand,
For these our prayses to attaine thou must not take in hand.
To him quoth Venus sonne againe, well Phebus I agree
Thy bow to shoote at euery beast, and so shall mine at thee.
And looke how far that vnder God eche beast is put by kinde,
So much thy glorie lesse than ours in shooting shalt thou finde.
This saide, with drift of fethered wings in broken ayre he flue,
And to the forkt and shadie top of Mount Parnasus drue.
There from hys quiuer full of shafts two arrowes did he take
Of sundrie workes: tone causeth Loue, the tother doth it slake.
That causeth loue, is all of golde with point full sharpe and bright,
That chaseth loue is blunt, whose steele with leaden head is dight.
The God this fixed in the Nymph Peneis for the nones
The tother perst Apollos heart and ouerraft his bones.
Immediately in smoldring heate of Loue the tone did swelt,
Againe the tother in hir heart no sparke nor motion felt.
In woods and forrests is hir ioy, the sauage beasts to chase,
And as the price of all hir paine to take the skinne and case.
Unwedded Phebe doth she haunt and follow as hir guide,
Unordred doe hir tresses waue scarce in a fillet tide.
Full many a wooer sought hir loue, she lothing all the rout,
Impacient and without a man walkes all the woods about.
And as for Hymen, or for loue, and wedlocke often sought
She tooke no care, they were the furthest end of all hir thought.
Hir father many a time and oft would saye, my daughter deere
Thow owest me a sonneinlaw to be thy lawfull feere.
Hir father many a time and oft would say my daughter deere,
Of Nephewes thou my debtour art, their Graundsires heart to cheere.
She hating as a haynous crime the bonde of bridely bed
Demurely casting downe hir eyes, and blushing somwhat red,
Did folde about hir fathers necke with fauning armes: and sed,
Deare father graunt me while I liue my maidenhead for to haue,
As to Diana here tofore hir father freely gaue.
Thy father (Daphne) could consent to that thou doest require,
But that thy beautie and thy forme impugne thy chaste desire:
So that thy will and his consent are nothing in this case,
By reason of the beautie bright that shineth in thy face.
Apollo loues and longs to haue this Daphne to his Feere,
And as he longs he hopes, but his foredoomes doe fayle him there.
And as light hame when corne is reapt, or hedges burne with brandes,
That passers by when day drawes neere throwe loosely fro their handes,
So into flames the God is gone and burneth in his brest
And feedes his vaine and barraine loue in hoping for the best.
Hir haire vnkembd about hir necke downe flaring did he see
O Lord and were they trimd (quoth he) how seemely would she bee?
He sees hir eyes as bright as fire the starres to represent,
He sees hir mouth which to haue seene he holdes him not content.
Hir lillie armes mid part and more aboue the elbow bare,
Hir handes, hir fingers and hir wrystes, him thought of beautie rare.
And sure he thought such other parts as garments then did hyde,
Excelled greatly all the rest the which he had espyed.
But swifter than the whyrling winde shee flees and will not stay,
To giue the hearing to these wordes the which he had to say.
Which not blind chaunce but Cupids fierce & cruel wrath did moue.
The Delian God but late before surprisde with passing pride:
For killing of the monstrous worme, the God of loue espide,
With bowe in hand already bent and letting arrowes go:
To whome he sayd, and what hast thou thou wanton baby so
With warlike weapons for to toy? It were a better sight,
[9]
Who when we list with stedfast hand both man and beast can wound,
Who tother day wyth arrowes keene, haue nayled to the ground,
The serpent Python so forswolne, whose filthie wombe did hide
So many acres of the grounde in which he did abide.
Content thy selfe sonne, sorie loues to kindle with thy brand,
For these our prayses to attaine thou must not take in hand.
To him quoth Venus sonne againe, well Phebus I agree
Thy bow to shoote at euery beast, and so shall mine at thee.
And looke how far that vnder God eche beast is put by kinde,
So much thy glorie lesse than ours in shooting shalt thou finde.
This saide, with drift of fethered wings in broken ayre he flue,
And to the forkt and shadie top of Mount Parnasus drue.
There from hys quiuer full of shafts two arrowes did he take
Of sundrie workes: tone causeth Loue, the tother doth it slake.
That causeth loue, is all of golde with point full sharpe and bright,
That chaseth loue is blunt, whose steele with leaden head is dight.
The God this fixed in the Nymph Peneis for the nones
The tother perst Apollos heart and ouerraft his bones.
Immediately in smoldring heate of Loue the tone did swelt,
Againe the tother in hir heart no sparke nor motion felt.
In woods and forrests is hir ioy, the sauage beasts to chase,
And as the price of all hir paine to take the skinne and case.
Unwedded Phebe doth she haunt and follow as hir guide,
Unordred doe hir tresses waue scarce in a fillet tide.
Full many a wooer sought hir loue, she lothing all the rout,
Impacient and without a man walkes all the woods about.
And as for Hymen, or for loue, and wedlocke often sought
She tooke no care, they were the furthest end of all hir thought.
Hir father many a time and oft would saye, my daughter deere
Thow owest me a sonneinlaw to be thy lawfull feere.
Hir father many a time and oft would say my daughter deere,
Of Nephewes thou my debtour art, their Graundsires heart to cheere.
She hating as a haynous crime the bonde of bridely bed
Demurely casting downe hir eyes, and blushing somwhat red,
Did folde about hir fathers necke with fauning armes: and sed,
Deare father graunt me while I liue my maidenhead for to haue,
9
Thy father (Daphne) could consent to that thou doest require,
But that thy beautie and thy forme impugne thy chaste desire:
So that thy will and his consent are nothing in this case,
By reason of the beautie bright that shineth in thy face.
Apollo loues and longs to haue this Daphne to his Feere,
And as he longs he hopes, but his foredoomes doe fayle him there.
And as light hame when corne is reapt, or hedges burne with brandes,
That passers by when day drawes neere throwe loosely fro their handes,
So into flames the God is gone and burneth in his brest
And feedes his vaine and barraine loue in hoping for the best.
Hir haire vnkembd about hir necke downe flaring did he see
O Lord and were they trimd (quoth he) how seemely would she bee?
He sees hir eyes as bright as fire the starres to represent,
He sees hir mouth which to haue seene he holdes him not content.
Hir lillie armes mid part and more aboue the elbow bare,
Hir handes, hir fingers and hir wrystes, him thought of beautie rare.
And sure he thought such other parts as garments then did hyde,
Excelled greatly all the rest the which he had espyed.
But swifter than the whyrling winde shee flees and will not stay,
To giue the hearing to these wordes the which he had to say.
I pray thee Nymph Penæis stay I chase not as a fo:
Stay Nymph: the Lambes so flee ye Wolues, the Stags ye Lions so.
With flittring feathers sielie Doues so from the Gossehauke flie,
And euery creature from his foe. Loue is the cause that I
Do followe thee: alas alas how would it grieue my heart,
To see thee fall among the briers, and that the bloud should start,
Out of thy tender legges, I wretch the causer of thy smart,
The place is rough to which thou runst, take leysure I thee pray,
Abate thy flight, and I my selfe my running pace will stay.
Yet would I wishe thee take aduise, and wisely for to viewe
What one he is that for thy grace in humble wise doth sewe.
I am not one that dwelles among the hilles and stonie rockes,
I am no sheepehearde with a Curre, attending on the flockes:
I am no Carle nor countrie Clowne, nor neathearde taking charge
Of cattle grazing here and there within this Forrest large.
Thou doest not know poore simple soule, God wote thou dost not knowe,
From whome thou fleest. For If thou knew, thou wouldste not flee me so.
In Delphos is my chiefe abode, my Temples also stande
At Glaros and at Patara within the Lycian lande.
And in the Ile of Tenedos the people honour mee.
The king of Gods himselfe is knowne my father for to bee.
By me is knowne that was, that is, and that that shall ensue,
By mee men learne to sundrie tunes to frame sweete ditties true.
In shooting haue I stedfast hand, but sured hand had hee
That made this wound within my heart that heretofore was free.
Of Phisicke and of surgerie I found the Artes for neede
The powre of euerie herbe and plant doth of my gift proceede.
Nowe wo is me that neare an herbe can heale the hurt of loue
And that the Artes that others helpe their Lord doth helpelesse proue.
Stay Nymph: the Lambes so flee ye Wolues, the Stags ye Lions so.
With flittring feathers sielie Doues so from the Gossehauke flie,
And euery creature from his foe. Loue is the cause that I
Do followe thee: alas alas how would it grieue my heart,
To see thee fall among the briers, and that the bloud should start,
Out of thy tender legges, I wretch the causer of thy smart,
The place is rough to which thou runst, take leysure I thee pray,
Abate thy flight, and I my selfe my running pace will stay.
Yet would I wishe thee take aduise, and wisely for to viewe
What one he is that for thy grace in humble wise doth sewe.
I am not one that dwelles among the hilles and stonie rockes,
I am no sheepehearde with a Curre, attending on the flockes:
I am no Carle nor countrie Clowne, nor neathearde taking charge
Of cattle grazing here and there within this Forrest large.
Thou doest not know poore simple soule, God wote thou dost not knowe,
[9]
In Delphos is my chiefe abode, my Temples also stande
At Glaros and at Patara within the Lycian lande.
And in the Ile of Tenedos the people honour mee.
The king of Gods himselfe is knowne my father for to bee.
By me is knowne that was, that is, and that that shall ensue,
By mee men learne to sundrie tunes to frame sweete ditties true.
In shooting haue I stedfast hand, but sured hand had hee
That made this wound within my heart that heretofore was free.
Of Phisicke and of surgerie I found the Artes for neede
The powre of euerie herbe and plant doth of my gift proceede.
Nowe wo is me that neare an herbe can heale the hurt of loue
And that the Artes that others helpe their Lord doth helpelesse proue.
As Phœbus would haue spoken more, away Penæis stale
With fearefull steppes, and left him in the midst of all his tale.
And as she ran the meeting windes hir garments backewarde blue,
So that hir naked skinne apearde behinde hir as she flue,
Hir goodly yellowe golden haire that hanged loose and slacke,
With euery puffe of ayre did waue and tosse behinde hir backe.
Hir running made hir seeme more fayre, the youthfull God therefore
Coulde not abyde to waste his wordes in dalyance any more.
But as his loue aduysed him he gan to mende his pace,
And with the better foote before the fleeing Nymph to chace.
And euen as when the greedie Grewnde doth course the sielie Hare,
Amiddes the plaine and champion fielde without all couert bare,
Both twaine of them doe straine themselues and lay on footemanship,
Who may best runne with all his force the tother to outstrip,
The tone for safetie of his lyfe, the tother for his pray,
The Grewnde aye prest with open mouth to beare the Hare away,
Thrusts forth his snoute and gyrdeth out and at hir loynes doth snatch,
As though he would at euerie stride betweene his teeth hir latch:
Againe in doubt of being caught the Hare aye shrinking slips,
Upon the sodaine from his Iawes, and from betweene his lips:
So farde Apollo and the Mayde: hope made Apollo swift,
And feare did make the Mayden fleete deuising how to shift.
Howebeit he that did pursue of both the swifter went,
As furthred by the feathred wings that Cupid had him lent.
So that he would not let hir rest, but preased at hir heele
So neere that through hir scattred haire she might his breathing feele.
But when she sawe hir breath was gone and strength began to fayle,
The colour faded in hir cheekes, and ginning for to quayle,
Shee looked to Penæus streame and sayde nowe Father dere,
And if you streames haue powre of Gods then help your daughter here.
O let the earth deuour me quicke, on which I seeme to fayre,
Or else this shape which is my harme by chaunging straight appayre.
This piteous prayer scarce sed: hir sinewes waxed starke,
And therewithall about hir breast did grow a tender barke.
Hir haire was turned into leaues, hir armes in boughes did growe,
Hir feete that were ere while so swift, now rooted were as slowe.
Hir crowne became the toppe, and thus of that she earst had beene,
Remayned nothing in the worlde, but beautie fresh and greene.
Which when that Phœbus did beholde (affection did so moue)
The tree to which his loue was turnde he coulde no lesse but loue.
And as he softly layde his hande vpon the tender plant,
Within the barke newe ouergrowne he felt hir heart yet pant.
And in his armes embracing fast hir boughes and braunches lythe,
He proferde kisses to the tree, the tree did from him writhe.
Well (quoth Apollo) though my Feere and spouse thou can not bee,
Assuredly from this tyme forth yet shalt thou be my tree.
Thou shalt adorne my golden lookes, and eke my pleasant Harpe,
Thou shalt adorne my Quyuer full of shaftes and arrowes sharpe.
Thou shalt adorne the valiant knyghts and royall Emperours:
When for their noble feates of armes like mightie conquerours,
Triumphantly with stately pompe vp to the Capitoll,
They shall ascende with solemne traine that doe their deedes extoll.
Before Augustus Pallace doore full duely shalt thou warde,
The Oke amid the Pallace yarde aye faythfully to garde,
And as my heade is neuer poulde nor neuer more without
A seemely bushe of youthfull haire that spreadeth rounde about,
Euen so this honour giue I thee continually to haue
Thy braunches clad from time to tyme with leaues both fresh & braue.
Now when that Pean of this talke had fully made an ende,
The Lawrell to his iust request did seeme to condescende,
By bowing of hir newe made boughes and tender braunches downe,
and wagging of hir seemely toppe, as if it it were hir crowne.
With fearefull steppes, and left him in the midst of all his tale.
And as she ran the meeting windes hir garments backewarde blue,
So that hir naked skinne apearde behinde hir as she flue,
Hir goodly yellowe golden haire that hanged loose and slacke,
With euery puffe of ayre did waue and tosse behinde hir backe.
Hir running made hir seeme more fayre, the youthfull God therefore
Coulde not abyde to waste his wordes in dalyance any more.
But as his loue aduysed him he gan to mende his pace,
And with the better foote before the fleeing Nymph to chace.
And euen as when the greedie Grewnde doth course the sielie Hare,
Amiddes the plaine and champion fielde without all couert bare,
Both twaine of them doe straine themselues and lay on footemanship,
Who may best runne with all his force the tother to outstrip,
The tone for safetie of his lyfe, the tother for his pray,
The Grewnde aye prest with open mouth to beare the Hare away,
Thrusts forth his snoute and gyrdeth out and at hir loynes doth snatch,
As though he would at euerie stride betweene his teeth hir latch:
Againe in doubt of being caught the Hare aye shrinking slips,
Upon the sodaine from his Iawes, and from betweene his lips:
So farde Apollo and the Mayde: hope made Apollo swift,
And feare did make the Mayden fleete deuising how to shift.
Howebeit he that did pursue of both the swifter went,
As furthred by the feathred wings that Cupid had him lent.
10
So neere that through hir scattred haire she might his breathing feele.
But when she sawe hir breath was gone and strength began to fayle,
The colour faded in hir cheekes, and ginning for to quayle,
Shee looked to Penæus streame and sayde nowe Father dere,
And if you streames haue powre of Gods then help your daughter here.
O let the earth deuour me quicke, on which I seeme to fayre,
Or else this shape which is my harme by chaunging straight appayre.
This piteous prayer scarce sed: hir sinewes waxed starke,
And therewithall about hir breast did grow a tender barke.
Hir haire was turned into leaues, hir armes in boughes did growe,
Hir feete that were ere while so swift, now rooted were as slowe.
Hir crowne became the toppe, and thus of that she earst had beene,
Remayned nothing in the worlde, but beautie fresh and greene.
Which when that Phœbus did beholde (affection did so moue)
The tree to which his loue was turnde he coulde no lesse but loue.
And as he softly layde his hande vpon the tender plant,
Within the barke newe ouergrowne he felt hir heart yet pant.
And in his armes embracing fast hir boughes and braunches lythe,
He proferde kisses to the tree, the tree did from him writhe.
Well (quoth Apollo) though my Feere and spouse thou can not bee,
Assuredly from this tyme forth yet shalt thou be my tree.
Thou shalt adorne my golden lookes, and eke my pleasant Harpe,
Thou shalt adorne my Quyuer full of shaftes and arrowes sharpe.
Thou shalt adorne the valiant knyghts and royall Emperours:
When for their noble feates of armes like mightie conquerours,
Triumphantly with stately pompe vp to the Capitoll,
They shall ascende with solemne traine that doe their deedes extoll.
Before Augustus Pallace doore full duely shalt thou warde,
The Oke amid the Pallace yarde aye faythfully to garde,
And as my heade is neuer poulde nor neuer more without
A seemely bushe of youthfull haire that spreadeth rounde about,
Euen so this honour giue I thee continually to haue
Thy braunches clad from time to tyme with leaues both fresh & braue.
Now when that Pean of this talke had fully made an ende,
The Lawrell to his iust request did seeme to condescende,
By bowing of hir newe made boughes and tender braunches downe,
[10]
There is a lande in Thessalie enclosd on euery syde
With wooddie hilles, that Timpe hight, through mid where of doth glide
Penæus gushing full of froth from foote of Pindus hye.
Which with his headlong falling downe doth cast vp violently,
A mistie steame lyke flakes of smoke, besprinckling all about
The toppes of trees on eyther side, and makes a roaring out
That may be heard a great way off. This is the fixed seate,
This is the house and dwelling place and chamber of the greate
And mightie Ryuer: Here he sittes in Court of Peeble stone,
And ministers iustice to the waues and to the Nymphes eche one,
That in the Brookes and waters dwell. Now hither did resorte,
(Not knowing if they might reioyce and vnto mirth exhort
Or comfort him) his Countrie Brookes, Sperchius well beseene,
With sedgie heade and shadie bankes of Poplars fresh and greene.
Enipeus restlesse swift and quicke, olde father Apidane,
Amphrisus with his gentle streame, and Aeas clad with cane:
With dyuers other Ryuers moe, which hauing runne their race,
Into the Sea their wearie waues doe lead with restlesse pace.
From hence the carefull Inachus absentes him selfe alone.
Who in a corner of his caue with doolefull teares and mone,
Augments the waters of his streame, bewayling piteously
His daughter Iö lately lost. He knewe not certainly
And if she were a liue or deade. But for he had hir sought,
And coulde not finde hir any where, assuredly he thought
She did not liue aboue the molde, ne drewe the vitall breath:
Misgiuing worser in his minde, if ought be worse than death.
With wooddie hilles, that Timpe hight, through mid where of doth glide
Penæus gushing full of froth from foote of Pindus hye.
Which with his headlong falling downe doth cast vp violently,
A mistie steame lyke flakes of smoke, besprinckling all about
The toppes of trees on eyther side, and makes a roaring out
That may be heard a great way off. This is the fixed seate,
This is the house and dwelling place and chamber of the greate
And mightie Ryuer: Here he sittes in Court of Peeble stone,
And ministers iustice to the waues and to the Nymphes eche one,
That in the Brookes and waters dwell. Now hither did resorte,
(Not knowing if they might reioyce and vnto mirth exhort
Or comfort him) his Countrie Brookes, Sperchius well beseene,
With sedgie heade and shadie bankes of Poplars fresh and greene.
Enipeus restlesse swift and quicke, olde father Apidane,
Amphrisus with his gentle streame, and Aeas clad with cane:
With dyuers other Ryuers moe, which hauing runne their race,
Into the Sea their wearie waues doe lead with restlesse pace.
From hence the carefull Inachus absentes him selfe alone.
Who in a corner of his caue with doolefull teares and mone,
Augments the waters of his streame, bewayling piteously
His daughter Iö lately lost. He knewe not certainly
And if she were a liue or deade. But for he had hir sought,
And coulde not finde hir any where, assuredly he thought
She did not liue aboue the molde, ne drewe the vitall breath:
Misgiuing worser in his minde, if ought be worse than death.
It fortunde on a certaine day that Ioue espide this Mayde
Come running from hir fathers streame alone: to whome he sayde:
O Damsell worthie Ioue himselfe like one day for to make
Some happie person whome thou list vnto thy bed to take.
I pray thee let vs shroude our selues in shadowe here togither,
Of this or that (he poynted both) it makes no matter whither,
Untill the whotest of the day and Noone be ouerpast.
And if for feare of sauage beastes perchaunce thou be agast
To wander in the Woods alone, thou shalt not neede to feare,
A God shall bee thy guide to saue thee harmelesse euery where.
And not a God of meaner sort, but euen the same that hath
The heauenly scepter in his hande, who in my dreadfull wrath,
Do dart downe thunder wandringly: and therefore make no hast
To runne away. She ranne apace, and had alreadie past
The Fen of Lerna and the field of Lincey set with trees:
When Ioue intending now in vaine no lenger tyme to leese,
Upon the Countrie all about did bring a foggie mist,
And caught the Mayden whome poore foole he vsed as he list.
Come running from hir fathers streame alone: to whome he sayde:
O Damsell worthie Ioue himselfe like one day for to make
Some happie person whome thou list vnto thy bed to take.
I pray thee let vs shroude our selues in shadowe here togither,
Of this or that (he poynted both) it makes no matter whither,
Untill the whotest of the day and Noone be ouerpast.
And if for feare of sauage beastes perchaunce thou be agast
To wander in the Woods alone, thou shalt not neede to feare,
A God shall bee thy guide to saue thee harmelesse euery where.
11
The heauenly scepter in his hande, who in my dreadfull wrath,
Do dart downe thunder wandringly: and therefore make no hast
To runne away. She ranne apace, and had alreadie past
The Fen of Lerna and the field of Lincey set with trees:
When Ioue intending now in vaine no lenger tyme to leese,
Upon the Countrie all about did bring a foggie mist,
And caught the Mayden whome poore foole he vsed as he list.
Queene Iuno looking downe that while vpon the open field,
When in so fayre a day such mistes and darkenesse she behelde,
Dyd maruell much, for well she knewe those mistes ascended not
From any Ryuer, moorishe ground, or other dankishe plot.
She lookt about hir for hir Ioue as one that was acquainted
With such escapes and with the deede had often him attainted.
Whome when she founde not in the heauen, onlesse I gesse amisse,
Some wrong agaynst me (quoth she) now my husbande working is.
And with that worde she left the Heauen, and downe to earth shee came,
Commaunding all the mistes away. But Ioue foresees the same,
And to a Cow as white as milke his Leman he conuayes.
She was a goodly Hecfar sure: and Iuno did hir prayse,
Although (God wot) she thought it not, and curiously she sought,
Where she was bred? whose Cow she was, who had hir thither brought?
As though she had not knowne the truth. Hir husband by and by
(Bycause she should not search to neare) deuisde a cleanly lie,
And tolde hir that the Cow was bred euen nowe out of the grounde.
Then Iuno who hir husbands shift at fingers endes had founde,
Desirde to haue the Cow of gift. What should he doe as tho?
Great cruelnesse it were to yeelde his Louer to hir fo.
And not to giue would breede mistrust. As fast as shame prouoked,
So fast agayne a tother side his Loue his minde reuoked.
So much that Loue was at the poynt to put all shame to flight.
But that he feared if he should denie a gift so light,
As was a Cowe to hir that was his sister and his wyfe,
Might make hir thinke it was no Cow, & breede perchaunce some strife.
When in so fayre a day such mistes and darkenesse she behelde,
Dyd maruell much, for well she knewe those mistes ascended not
From any Ryuer, moorishe ground, or other dankishe plot.
She lookt about hir for hir Ioue as one that was acquainted
With such escapes and with the deede had often him attainted.
Whome when she founde not in the heauen, onlesse I gesse amisse,
Some wrong agaynst me (quoth she) now my husbande working is.
And with that worde she left the Heauen, and downe to earth shee came,
Commaunding all the mistes away. But Ioue foresees the same,
And to a Cow as white as milke his Leman he conuayes.
She was a goodly Hecfar sure: and Iuno did hir prayse,
Although (God wot) she thought it not, and curiously she sought,
Where she was bred? whose Cow she was, who had hir thither brought?
As though she had not knowne the truth. Hir husband by and by
(Bycause she should not search to neare) deuisde a cleanly lie,
And tolde hir that the Cow was bred euen nowe out of the grounde.
Then Iuno who hir husbands shift at fingers endes had founde,
Desirde to haue the Cow of gift. What should he doe as tho?
Great cruelnesse it were to yeelde his Louer to hir fo.
And not to giue would breede mistrust. As fast as shame prouoked,
So fast agayne a tother side his Loue his minde reuoked.
So much that Loue was at the poynt to put all shame to flight.
But that he feared if he should denie a gift so light,
As was a Cowe to hir that was his sister and his wyfe,
Might make hir thinke it was no Cow, & breede perchaunce some strife.
Now when that Iuno had by gift hir husbands Leman got,
Yet altogether out of feare and carelesse was she not.
She had him in a ielousie and thoughtfull was she still.
For doubt he should inuent some meanes to steale hir from hir: till
To Argus olde Aristors sonne she put hir for to keepe,
This Argus had an hundreth eyes: of which by turne did sleepe
Alwayes a couple, and the rest did duely watch and warde,
And of the charge they tooke in hande had euer good regarde,
What way so euer Argus stood with face, with backe, or side,
To Iö warde, before his eyes did Iö still abide.
All day he let hir graze abroade, the Sunne once vnder ground,
He shut hir vp and by the necke with wrythen With hir bound.
With croppes of trees and bitter weedes now was she dayly fed,
And in the stead of costly couch and good soft featherbed,
She sate a nightes vpon the ground, and on such ground whereas
Was not sometime so much as grasse: and oftentymes she was
Compeld to drinke of muddie pittes: and when she did deuise,
To Argus for to lift hir handes in meeke and humble wise,
She sawe she had no handes at all: and when she did assay
To make complaint, she lowed out, which did hir so affray,
That oft she started at the noyse, & would haue runne away.
Unto hir father Inachs banckes she also did resorte,
Where many a tyme and oft before she had beene wont to sporte.
Now when she looked in the streame, and sawe hir horned hed,
She was agast and from hir selfe would all in hast haue fled.
The Nymphes hir sisters knewe hir not nor yet hir owne deare father,
Yet followed she both him and them, and suffred them the rather
To touch and stroke hir where they list, as one that preaced still
To set hir selfe to wonder at and gaze vpon their fill.
The good olde Inach pulze vp grasse and to hir straight it beares.
She as she kyst and lickt his handes did shed forth dreerie teares.
And had she had hir speach at will to vtter forth hir thought,
She would haue tolde hir name and chaunce and him of helpe besought.
But for bicause she could not speake, she printed in the sande,
Two letters with hir foote, whereby was giuen to vnderstande
The sorrowfull chaunging of hir shape. Which seene straight cryed out
Hir father Inach wo is me, and clasping hir about
Hir white and seemely Hecfars necke and christal hornes both twaine,
He shricked out full piteously, Now wo is me again.
Alas art thou my daughter deare, whome through the worlde I sought
And could not finde? and now by chaunce art to my presence brought?
My sorrow certesse lesser farre a thousande folde had beene
If neuer had I seene thee more, than thus to haue thee seene.
Thou standst as dombe and to my wordes no answere can thou giue,
But from the bottom of thy heart full sorie sighes dost driue
As tokens of thine inwarde griefe, and doolefully dost mooe
Unto my talke, the onely thing least in thy powre to dooe.
But I mistrusting nothing lesse than this so great mischaunce.
By some great mariage earnestly did seeke thee to aduaunce,
In hope some yssue to haue seene betweene my sonne and thee.
But now thou must a husband haue among the Heirds I see,
And eke thine issue must be such as other cattels bee.
Oh that I were a mortall wight as other creatures are,
For then might death in length of time quite rid mee of this care,
But now bycause I am a God, and fate doth death denie,
There is no helpe but that my griefe must last eternallie.
Yet altogether out of feare and carelesse was she not.
She had him in a ielousie and thoughtfull was she still.
[11]
To Argus olde Aristors sonne she put hir for to keepe,
This Argus had an hundreth eyes: of which by turne did sleepe
Alwayes a couple, and the rest did duely watch and warde,
And of the charge they tooke in hande had euer good regarde,
What way so euer Argus stood with face, with backe, or side,
To Iö warde, before his eyes did Iö still abide.
All day he let hir graze abroade, the Sunne once vnder ground,
He shut hir vp and by the necke with wrythen With hir bound.
With croppes of trees and bitter weedes now was she dayly fed,
And in the stead of costly couch and good soft featherbed,
She sate a nightes vpon the ground, and on such ground whereas
Was not sometime so much as grasse: and oftentymes she was
Compeld to drinke of muddie pittes: and when she did deuise,
To Argus for to lift hir handes in meeke and humble wise,
She sawe she had no handes at all: and when she did assay
To make complaint, she lowed out, which did hir so affray,
That oft she started at the noyse, & would haue runne away.
Unto hir father Inachs banckes she also did resorte,
Where many a tyme and oft before she had beene wont to sporte.
Now when she looked in the streame, and sawe hir horned hed,
She was agast and from hir selfe would all in hast haue fled.
The Nymphes hir sisters knewe hir not nor yet hir owne deare father,
Yet followed she both him and them, and suffred them the rather
To touch and stroke hir where they list, as one that preaced still
To set hir selfe to wonder at and gaze vpon their fill.
The good olde Inach pulze vp grasse and to hir straight it beares.
She as she kyst and lickt his handes did shed forth dreerie teares.
And had she had hir speach at will to vtter forth hir thought,
She would haue tolde hir name and chaunce and him of helpe besought.
But for bicause she could not speake, she printed in the sande,
Two letters with hir foote, whereby was giuen to vnderstande
The sorrowfull chaunging of hir shape. Which seene straight cryed out
Hir father Inach wo is me, and clasping hir about
Hir white and seemely Hecfars necke and christal hornes both twaine,
He shricked out full piteously, Now wo is me again.
Alas art thou my daughter deare, whome through the worlde I sought
12
My sorrow certesse lesser farre a thousande folde had beene
If neuer had I seene thee more, than thus to haue thee seene.
Thou standst as dombe and to my wordes no answere can thou giue,
But from the bottom of thy heart full sorie sighes dost driue
As tokens of thine inwarde griefe, and doolefully dost mooe
Unto my talke, the onely thing least in thy powre to dooe.
But I mistrusting nothing lesse than this so great mischaunce.
By some great mariage earnestly did seeke thee to aduaunce,
In hope some yssue to haue seene betweene my sonne and thee.
But now thou must a husband haue among the Heirds I see,
And eke thine issue must be such as other cattels bee.
Oh that I were a mortall wight as other creatures are,
For then might death in length of time quite rid mee of this care,
But now bycause I am a God, and fate doth death denie,
There is no helpe but that my griefe must last eternallie.
As Inach made this piteous mone quicke sighted Argus draue
His daughter into further fieldes to which he could not haue
Accesse, and he himselfe a loof did get him to a hill,
From whence he sitting at his ease viewd euerie way at will.
Now could no lenger Ioue abide his Louer so forlorne,
And therevpon he cald his sonne that Maia had him borne,
Commaunding Argus should be kild. He made no long abod,
But tyde his feathers to his feete, and tooke his charmed rod.
(With which he bringeth things a sleepe, and fetcheth soules from Hell)
And put his Hat vpon his head: and when that all was well
He leaped from his fathers towres, and downe to earth he flue
And there both Hat and winges also he lightly from him thrue.
Retayning nothing but his staffe, the which he closely helde
Betweene his elbowe and his side, and through the common fielde
Went plodding lyke some good plaine soule that had some flocke to feede.
And as he went he pyped still vpon an Oten Reede.
Queene Iunos Heirdman farre in loue with this straunge melodie.
Bespake him thus: Good fellow mine, I pray thee heartely
Come sitte downe by me on this hill, for better seede I knowe
Thou shalt not finde in all these fieldes, and (as the thing doth showe)
It is a coole and shadowie plot, for sheepeheirds verie fitte
Downe by his elbow by and by did Atlas nephew sit.
And for to passe the tyme withall for seeming ouerlong,
He helde him talke of this and that, and now and than among,
He playd vpon his merrie Pipe to cause his watching eyes
To fall a sleepe. Poore Argus did the best he could deuise
To ouercome the pleasant nappes: and though that some did sleepe,
Yet of his eyes the greater part he made their watch to keepe.
And after other talke he askt (for lately was it founde)
Who was the founder of that Pype that did so sweetely sounde.
His daughter into further fieldes to which he could not haue
Accesse, and he himselfe a loof did get him to a hill,
From whence he sitting at his ease viewd euerie way at will.
Now could no lenger Ioue abide his Louer so forlorne,
And therevpon he cald his sonne that Maia had him borne,
Commaunding Argus should be kild. He made no long abod,
But tyde his feathers to his feete, and tooke his charmed rod.
(With which he bringeth things a sleepe, and fetcheth soules from Hell)
And put his Hat vpon his head: and when that all was well
He leaped from his fathers towres, and downe to earth he flue
And there both Hat and winges also he lightly from him thrue.
Retayning nothing but his staffe, the which he closely helde
Betweene his elbowe and his side, and through the common fielde
Went plodding lyke some good plaine soule that had some flocke to feede.
And as he went he pyped still vpon an Oten Reede.
Queene Iunos Heirdman farre in loue with this straunge melodie.
Bespake him thus: Good fellow mine, I pray thee heartely
Come sitte downe by me on this hill, for better seede I knowe
Thou shalt not finde in all these fieldes, and (as the thing doth showe)
It is a coole and shadowie plot, for sheepeheirds verie fitte
[12]
And for to passe the tyme withall for seeming ouerlong,
He helde him talke of this and that, and now and than among,
He playd vpon his merrie Pipe to cause his watching eyes
To fall a sleepe. Poore Argus did the best he could deuise
To ouercome the pleasant nappes: and though that some did sleepe,
Yet of his eyes the greater part he made their watch to keepe.
And after other talke he askt (for lately was it founde)
Who was the founder of that Pype that did so sweetely sounde.
Then sayde the God, there dwelt sometime a Nymph of noble fame
Among the hilles of Arcadie, that Syrinx had to name.
Of all the Nymphes of Nonacris and Fairie farre and neere,
In beautie and in parsonage thys Ladie had no peere.
Full often had she giuen the slippe both to the Satyrs quicke
And other Gods that dwell in Woods, and in the Forrests thicke,
Or in the fruitfull fieldes abrode. It was hir whole desire
To follow chaste Dianas guise in Maydenhead and attire.
Whome she did counterfaite so nighe, that such as did hir see
Might at a blush haue taken hir, Diana for to bee,
But that the Nymph did in hir hande a bowe of Eornell holde,
Whereas Diana euermore did beare a bowe of golde.
And yet she did deceyue folke so. Upon a certaine day
God Pan with garland on his heade of Pinetree, sawe hir stray
From Mount Lyceus all alone, and thus to hir did say.
Unto a Gods request, O Nymph, voucesafe thou to agree
That doth desire thy wedded spouse and husband for to bee.
Among the hilles of Arcadie, that Syrinx had to name.
Of all the Nymphes of Nonacris and Fairie farre and neere,
In beautie and in parsonage thys Ladie had no peere.
Full often had she giuen the slippe both to the Satyrs quicke
And other Gods that dwell in Woods, and in the Forrests thicke,
Or in the fruitfull fieldes abrode. It was hir whole desire
To follow chaste Dianas guise in Maydenhead and attire.
Whome she did counterfaite so nighe, that such as did hir see
Might at a blush haue taken hir, Diana for to bee,
But that the Nymph did in hir hande a bowe of Eornell holde,
Whereas Diana euermore did beare a bowe of golde.
And yet she did deceyue folke so. Upon a certaine day
God Pan with garland on his heade of Pinetree, sawe hir stray
From Mount Lyceus all alone, and thus to hir did say.
Unto a Gods request, O Nymph, voucesafe thou to agree
That doth desire thy wedded spouse and husband for to bee.
There was yet more behinde to tell: as how that Syrinx fled,
Through waylesse woods and gaue no eare to that that Pan had sed,
Untill she to the gentle streame of sandie Ladon came,
Where, for bicause it was so deepe, she could not passe the same,
She piteously to chaunge hir shape the water Nymphes besought:
And how when Pan betweene his armes, to catch ye Nymph had thought,
In steade of hir he caught the Reedes newe growne vpon the brooke,
And as he sighed, with his breath the Reedes he softly shooke
Which made a still and mourning noyse, with straungnesse of the which
And sweetenesse of the feeble sounde the God delighted mich,
Saide certesse Syrinx for thy sake it is my full intent,
To make my comfort of these Reedes wherein thou doest lament:
And how that there of sundrie Reedes with wax together knit,
He made the Pipe which of hir name the Greekes call Syrinx yet.
Through waylesse woods and gaue no eare to that that Pan had sed,
Untill she to the gentle streame of sandie Ladon came,
Where, for bicause it was so deepe, she could not passe the same,
She piteously to chaunge hir shape the water Nymphes besought:
And how when Pan betweene his armes, to catch ye Nymph had thought,
In steade of hir he caught the Reedes newe growne vpon the brooke,
And as he sighed, with his breath the Reedes he softly shooke
Which made a still and mourning noyse, with straungnesse of the which
And sweetenesse of the feeble sounde the God delighted mich,
Saide certesse Syrinx for thy sake it is my full intent,
13
And how that there of sundrie Reedes with wax together knit,
He made the Pipe which of hir name the Greekes call Syrinx yet.
But as Cyllemus would haue tolde this tale, he cast his sight
On Argus, and beholde his eyes had bid him all good night.
There was not one that did not sleepe, and fast he gan to nodde,
Immediately he ceast his talke, and with his charmed rodde,
So stroked all his heauie eyes that earnestly they slept.
Then with his Woodknife by and by he lightly to him stept,
And lent him such a perlous blowe, where as the shoulders grue
Unto the necke, that straight his heade quite from the bodie flue.
Then tombling downe the headlong hill his bloudie coarse he sent,
That all the way by which he rolde was stayned and besprent.
There liste thou Argus vnder foote, with all thy hundreth lights,
And all the light is cleane extinct that was within those sights.
One endelesse night thy hundred eyes hath nowe bereft for aye,
Yet would not Iuno suffer so hir Heirdmans eyes decay:
But in hir painted Peacocks tayle and feathers did them set,
Where they remayne lyke precious stones and glaring eyes as yet.
On Argus, and beholde his eyes had bid him all good night.
There was not one that did not sleepe, and fast he gan to nodde,
Immediately he ceast his talke, and with his charmed rodde,
So stroked all his heauie eyes that earnestly they slept.
Then with his Woodknife by and by he lightly to him stept,
And lent him such a perlous blowe, where as the shoulders grue
Unto the necke, that straight his heade quite from the bodie flue.
Then tombling downe the headlong hill his bloudie coarse he sent,
That all the way by which he rolde was stayned and besprent.
There liste thou Argus vnder foote, with all thy hundreth lights,
And all the light is cleane extinct that was within those sights.
One endelesse night thy hundred eyes hath nowe bereft for aye,
Yet would not Iuno suffer so hir Heirdmans eyes decay:
But in hir painted Peacocks tayle and feathers did them set,
Where they remayne lyke precious stones and glaring eyes as yet.
She tooke his death in great dispight and as hir rage did moue,
Determinde for to wreeke hir wrath vpon hir husbandes Loue.
Forthwith she cast before hir eyes right straunge and vgly sightes,
Compelling hir to thinke she sawe some Fiendes or wicked sprightes.
And in hir heart such secret prickes and piercing stings she gaue hir,
As though the worlde from place to place with restlesse sorrow draue hir.
Thou Nylus wert assignd to stay hir paynes and trauelles past,
To which as soone as Iö came with much a doe at last,
With wearie knockles on thy brim she kneeled sadly downe,
And stretching foorth hir faire long necke and christall horned crowne,
Such kinde of countnaunce as she had she lifted to the skie,
And there with sighing sobbes and teares and lowing doolefully
Did seeme to make hir mone to Ioue, desiring him to make
Some ende of those hir troublous stormes endured for his sake.
He tooke his wife about the necke, and sweetely kissing prayde,
That Iös penance yet at length might by hir graunt be stayde.
Thou shalt not neede to feare (quoth he) that euer she shall grieue thee
From this day forth. And in this case the better to beleue mee,
The Stygian waters of my wordes vnparciall witnesse beene.
Determinde for to wreeke hir wrath vpon hir husbandes Loue.
Forthwith she cast before hir eyes right straunge and vgly sightes,
Compelling hir to thinke she sawe some Fiendes or wicked sprightes.
And in hir heart such secret prickes and piercing stings she gaue hir,
As though the worlde from place to place with restlesse sorrow draue hir.
Thou Nylus wert assignd to stay hir paynes and trauelles past,
To which as soone as Iö came with much a doe at last,
With wearie knockles on thy brim she kneeled sadly downe,
And stretching foorth hir faire long necke and christall horned crowne,
Such kinde of countnaunce as she had she lifted to the skie,
And there with sighing sobbes and teares and lowing doolefully
Did seeme to make hir mone to Ioue, desiring him to make
Some ende of those hir troublous stormes endured for his sake.
He tooke his wife about the necke, and sweetely kissing prayde,
That Iös penance yet at length might by hir graunt be stayde.
Thou shalt not neede to feare (quoth he) that euer she shall grieue thee
From this day forth. And in this case the better to beleue mee,
[13]
Assoone as Iuno was appeasde, immediately was seene
That Iö tooke hir natiue shape in which she first was borne,
And eke became the selfe same thing the which she was beforne.
For by and by she cast away hir rough and hairie hyde,
In steede whereof a soft smouth skinne with tender fleshe did byde.
Hir hornes sank down, hir eies and mouth were brought in lesser roome,
Hir handes, hir shoulders, and hir armes in place againe did come.
Hir clouen Clees to fingers fiue againe reduced were,
On which the nayles lyke pollisht Gemmes did shine full bright & clere.
In fine, no likenesse of a Cow saue whitenesse did remaine
So pure and perfect as no snowe was able it to staine.
She vaunst hir selfe vpon hir feete which then was brought to two.
And though she gladly would haue spoke: yet durst she not so do,
Without good heede, for feare she should haue lowed like a Cow.
And therefore softly with hir selfe she gan to practise how
Distinctly to pronounce hir wordes that intermitted were.
Now as a Goddesse is she had in honour euerie where,
Among the folke that dwell by Nyle yclad in linnen weede.
Of her in tyme came Epaphus begotten of the seede
of myghtie Ioue. This noble ympe nowe ioyntly with his mother,
Through all the Cities of that lande haue temples tone with toother.
That Iö tooke hir natiue shape in which she first was borne,
And eke became the selfe same thing the which she was beforne.
For by and by she cast away hir rough and hairie hyde,
In steede whereof a soft smouth skinne with tender fleshe did byde.
Hir hornes sank down, hir eies and mouth were brought in lesser roome,
Hir handes, hir shoulders, and hir armes in place againe did come.
Hir clouen Clees to fingers fiue againe reduced were,
On which the nayles lyke pollisht Gemmes did shine full bright & clere.
In fine, no likenesse of a Cow saue whitenesse did remaine
So pure and perfect as no snowe was able it to staine.
She vaunst hir selfe vpon hir feete which then was brought to two.
And though she gladly would haue spoke: yet durst she not so do,
Without good heede, for feare she should haue lowed like a Cow.
And therefore softly with hir selfe she gan to practise how
Distinctly to pronounce hir wordes that intermitted were.
Now as a Goddesse is she had in honour euerie where,
Among the folke that dwell by Nyle yclad in linnen weede.
Of her in tyme came Epaphus begotten of the seede
of myghtie Ioue. This noble ympe nowe ioyntly with his mother,
Through all the Cities of that lande haue temples tone with toother.
There was his match in heart and yeares the lustie Phaëton,
A stalworth stripling strong and stout the golden Phœbus sonne.
Whome making proude and stately vauntes of his so noble race,
And vnto him in that respect in nothing giuing place,
The sonne of Iö coulde not beare: but sayde vnto him thus.
No maruell though thou be so proude and full of wordes ywus.
For euerie fonde and trifling tale the which thy mother makes
Thy gyddie wit and hairebrainde heade forthwith for gospell takes.
Well, vaunt thy selfe of Phœbus still, for when the truth is seene,
Thou shalt perceyue that fathers name a forged thing to beene.
At this reproch did Phaëton wax as red as any fire:
Howbeit for the present tyme did shame represse his ire.
Unto his mother Clymen straight he goeth to detect
The spitefull wordes that Epaphus against him did obiect.
Yea mother (quoth he) and which ought your greater griefe to bee,
I who at other tymes of talke was wont to be so free
And stoute, had neere a worde to say, I was ashamde to take
So fowle a foyle: the more because I could none answere make.
But if I be of heauenly race exacted as ye say,
Then shewe some token of that highe and noble byrth I pray.
And vouche me for to be of heauen. With that he gently cast
His armes about his mothers necke, and clasping hir full fast,
Besought hir as she loude his life, and as she loude the lyfe
Of Merops, and had kept hir selfe as vndefiled wyfe,
And as she wished welthily his sisters to bestowe,
She would some token giue whereby his rightfull Sire to knowe
It is a doubtfull matter whither Clymen moued more
With this hir Phaëtons earnest sute exacting it so sore,
Or with the slaunder of the brute layde to hir charge before,
Did holde vp both hir handes to heauen, and looking on the Sunne,
My right deare childe I safely sweare (quoth she to Phaëton)
That of this starre the which so bright doth glister in thine eye:
Of this same Sunne that cheares the world with light indifferently
Wert thou begot: and if I fayne, then with my heart I pray,
That neuer may I see him more vnto my dying day.
But if thou haue so great desire thy father for to knowe,
Thou shalt not neede in that behalfe much labour to bestowe.
The place from whence he doth arise adioyneth to our lande.
And if thou thinke thy heart will serue, then go and vnderstande
The truth of him. When Phaëton heard his mother saying so,
He gan to leape and skip for ioye. He fed his fansie tho,
Upon the Heauen and heauenly things: and so with willing minde,
From Aethiop first his natiue home, and afterwarde through Inde
Set vnderneath the morning starre he went so long, till as
He founde me where his fathers house and dayly rising was.
A stalworth stripling strong and stout the golden Phœbus sonne.
Whome making proude and stately vauntes of his so noble race,
And vnto him in that respect in nothing giuing place,
The sonne of Iö coulde not beare: but sayde vnto him thus.
No maruell though thou be so proude and full of wordes ywus.
For euerie fonde and trifling tale the which thy mother makes
Thy gyddie wit and hairebrainde heade forthwith for gospell takes.
Well, vaunt thy selfe of Phœbus still, for when the truth is seene,
Thou shalt perceyue that fathers name a forged thing to beene.
At this reproch did Phaëton wax as red as any fire:
Howbeit for the present tyme did shame represse his ire.
Unto his mother Clymen straight he goeth to detect
The spitefull wordes that Epaphus against him did obiect.
Yea mother (quoth he) and which ought your greater griefe to bee,
14
And stoute, had neere a worde to say, I was ashamde to take
So fowle a foyle: the more because I could none answere make.
But if I be of heauenly race exacted as ye say,
Then shewe some token of that highe and noble byrth I pray.
And vouche me for to be of heauen. With that he gently cast
His armes about his mothers necke, and clasping hir full fast,
Besought hir as she loude his life, and as she loude the lyfe
Of Merops, and had kept hir selfe as vndefiled wyfe,
And as she wished welthily his sisters to bestowe,
She would some token giue whereby his rightfull Sire to knowe
It is a doubtfull matter whither Clymen moued more
With this hir Phaëtons earnest sute exacting it so sore,
Or with the slaunder of the brute layde to hir charge before,
Did holde vp both hir handes to heauen, and looking on the Sunne,
My right deare childe I safely sweare (quoth she to Phaëton)
That of this starre the which so bright doth glister in thine eye:
Of this same Sunne that cheares the world with light indifferently
Wert thou begot: and if I fayne, then with my heart I pray,
That neuer may I see him more vnto my dying day.
But if thou haue so great desire thy father for to knowe,
Thou shalt not neede in that behalfe much labour to bestowe.
The place from whence he doth arise adioyneth to our lande.
And if thou thinke thy heart will serue, then go and vnderstande
The truth of him. When Phaëton heard his mother saying so,
He gan to leape and skip for ioye. He fed his fansie tho,
Upon the Heauen and heauenly things: and so with willing minde,
From Aethiop first his natiue home, and afterwarde through Inde
Set vnderneath the morning starre he went so long, till as
He founde me where his fathers house and dayly rising was.
Finis primi Libri.
[14]
THE SECONDE BOOKE of Ouids Metamorphosis.
The
Princely Pallace of the Sunne stood gorgeous to beholde
On stately Pillars builded high of yellow burnisht golde,
Beset with sparckling Carbuncles that like to fire did shine.
The roofe was framed curiously of Yuorie pure and fine.
The two doore leaues of siluer cleare a radiant light did cast:
But yet the cunning workemanship of things therein farre past
The stuffe wherof the doores were made. For there a perfect plat,
Had Vulcane drawne of all the worlde: Both of the sourges that
Embrace the earth with winding waues, and of the stedfast ground,
And of the heauen it selfe also that both encloseth round.
And first and formest in the Sea the Gods thereof did stande
Loude sounding Tryton with his shirle & writhen Trumpe in hande:
Unstable Protevv chaunging aye his figure and his hue,
From shape to shape a thousande sithes as list him to renue:
Aëgeon leaning boystrously on backes of mightie Whales
And Doris with hir daughters all: of which some cut the wales
With splaied armes, some sate on rockes and dride their goodly haire,
And some did ryde vppon the backes of fishes here and theare.
Not one in all poyntes fully lyke an other coulde ye see,
Nor verie farre vnlike, but such as sisters ought to bee.
The Earth had townes, men, beasts & Woods with sundrie trees & rods,
And running Ryuers with their Nymphes and other countrie Gods.
Directly ouer all these same the plat of heauen was pight,
Upon the two doore leaues, the signes of all the Zodiak bright,
Indifferently six on the left and six vpon the right.
When Clymens sonne had climbed vp at length with weerie pace,
And set his foote within his doubted fathers dwelling place,
Immediately he preaced forth to put him selfe in sight,
And stoode aloofe. For neere at hande he could not bide the light.
In purple Robe and royall Throne of Emeraudes freshe and greene
Did Phœbus sitte, and on eche hande stoode wayting well beseene,
Dayes, Monthes, yeares, ages, seasons, times, & eke the equall houres.
There stoode the springtime with a crowne of fresh and fragrant floures.
There wayted Sommer naked starke all saue a wheaten Hat:
And Autumne smerde with treading grapes late at the pressing Fat.
And lastly quaking for the colde, stood Winter all forlorne,
With rugged heade as white as Doue, and garments all to torne.
Forladen with the Isycles that dangled vp and downe
Uppon his gray and hoarie bearde and snowie frozen crowne.
The Sunne thus sitting in the middes did cast his piercing eye,
(With which full lightly when he list he all thinges doth espye)
Upon his childe that stood aloofe agast and trembling sore
At sight of such vnwoonted things, and thus bespake him thore.
O noble ympe, O Phaëton which art not such (I see)
Of whome thy father should haue cause ashamed for to bee:
Why hast thou traueld to my court? what is thy will with mee?
Then answerde he, of all the worlde O onely perfect light,
O Father Phœbus, (if I may vsurpe that name of right,
And that my mother for to saue hir selfe from worldely shame,
Hyde not hir fault with false pretence and colour of thy name)
Some signe apparant graunt whereby I my be knowne thy Sonne,
And let mee hang no more in doubt. He had no sooner donne,
But that his father putting off the bright and fierie beames
That glistred rounde about his heade like cleare and golden streames,
Commaunded him to draw him neere, and him embracing sayde:
To take mee for thy rightfull Sire thou neede not be afrayde.
Thy mother Clymen of a truth from falshood standeth free.
And for to put thee out of doubt aske what thou wilt of mee,
And I will giue thee thy desire, the Lake whereby of olde
We Gods do sweare (the which mine eyes did neuer yet beeholde)
Beare witnesse with thee of my graunt: he scarce this tale had tolde,
But that the foolish Phaëton straight for a day did craue
The guyding of his winged Steedes, and Chariot for to haue.
Then did his Father by and by forethinke him of his oth.
And shaking twentie tymes his heade, as one that was full wroth,
Beespake him thus: thy wordes haue made me rashly to consent
To that which shortly both of vs (I feare mee) shall repent.
Oh that I might retract my graunt, my sonne I doe protest
I would denie thee nothing else saue this thy fond request.
I may disswade, there lyes herein more perill than thou weene:
The things the which thou doest desire of great importance beene:
More than thy weakenesse well can wielde, a charge (as well appeares)
Of greater weight, than may agree with these thy tender yeares.
Thy state is mortall, weake and frayle, the thing thou doest desire
Is such, whereto no mortall man is able to aspire.
Yea foolish boy thou doest desire (and all for want of wit)
A greater charge than any God coulde euer haue as yet.
For were there any of them all so ouerseene and blinde.
To take vpon him this my charge, full quickly should he finde
That none but I could sit vpon the fierie Axeltree.
No not euen he that rules this wast and endlesse space we see
Not he that darts with dreadfull hande the thunder from the Skie,
Shall driue this chare. And yet what thing in all the world perdie
Is able to compare with Ioue? Now first the morning way
Lyes steepe vpright, so that the steedes in coolest of the day
And beeing fresh haue much a doe to climbe against the Hyll.
Amiddes the heauen the gastly heigth augmenteth terror still.
My heart doth waxe as colde yse full many a tyme and oft
For feare to see the Sea and land from that same place aloft.
The Euening way doth fall plump downe requiring strength to guide
That Tethis who doth harbrowgh mee within hir sourges wide
Doth stand in feare least from the heauē I headlong down should slide
Besides all this the Heauen aye swimmes and wheeles about full swift
And with his rolling dryues the starres their proper course to shift.
Yet doe I keepe my natiue course against this brunt so stout,
Not giuing place as others doe: but boldely bearing out
The force and swiftnesse of that heauen that whyrleth so about.
Admit thou had my winged Steedes and Chariot in thine hande:
What couldste thou doe? dost thinke thy selfe well able to withstande
The swiftnesse of the whyrled Pooles? but that their brunt and sway
(Yea doe the best and worst thou can) shall beare thee quite away?
Perchaunce thou dost imaginee there some townes of Gods to finde,
With groues and Temples richt with giftes as is among mankinde.
Thou art deceyude vtterly: thou shalt not finde it so.
By blinde bywayes and vgly shapes of monsters must thou go.
And though thou knewe the way so well as that thou could not stray,
Betweene the dreadful bulles sharp hornes yet must thou make thy way.
Agaynst the cruell Bowe the which the Aemonian archer drawes:
Against the ramping Lyon armde with greedie teeth and pawes:
Against the Scorpion stretching farre his fell and venymd clawes:
And eke the Crab that casteth forth his crooked clees awrie
Not in such sort as th' other doth, and yet as dreadfully.
Againe thou neyther hast the powre nor yet the skill I knowe
My lustie coursers for to guide that from their nosetrilles throwe
And from their mouthes the fierie breath that breedeth in their brest.
For scarcely will they suffer mee who knowes their nature best
When that their cruell courages begin to catch a heate.
That hardely should I deale with them, but that I know the seate.
But least my gift should to thy griefe and vtter perill tend
My Sonne beware and (whyle thou mayst) thy fonde request amend.
Bycause thou woulde be knowne to bee my childe thou seemst to craue
A certaine signe: what surer signe I pray thee canst thou haue?
Than this my feare so fatherly the which I haue of thee?
Which proueth me most certainly thy father for to bee?
Beholde and marke my countenaunce? O would to God thy sight
Coulde pierce within my wofull brest, to see the heauie plight,
And heapes of cares within my heart. Looke through the worlde so round
Of all the wealth and goodes therein: if ought there may be found
In Heauen or Earth or in the Sea, aske what thou lykest best,
And sure it shall not be denide. This onely one request
That thou hast made I heartely beseech thee to relent,
Which for to tearme the thing aright is euen a punishment,
And not an honour as thou thinkest: my Phaëton thou dost craue
In stead of honour euen a scourge and punishment for to haue.
Thou fondling thou, what dost thou meane with fawning armes about
My necke thus flattringly to hang? Thou needest not to dout.
I haue alreadie sworne by Styx, aske what thou wilt of mee
And thou shalt haue. Yet let thy next wish somewhat wiser bee.
On stately Pillars builded high of yellow burnisht golde,
Beset with sparckling Carbuncles that like to fire did shine.
The roofe was framed curiously of Yuorie pure and fine.
The two doore leaues of siluer cleare a radiant light did cast:
But yet the cunning workemanship of things therein farre past
The stuffe wherof the doores were made. For there a perfect plat,
Had Vulcane drawne of all the worlde: Both of the sourges that
Embrace the earth with winding waues, and of the stedfast ground,
And of the heauen it selfe also that both encloseth round.
And first and formest in the Sea the Gods thereof did stande
Loude sounding Tryton with his shirle & writhen Trumpe in hande:
Unstable Protevv chaunging aye his figure and his hue,
From shape to shape a thousande sithes as list him to renue:
Aëgeon leaning boystrously on backes of mightie Whales
And Doris with hir daughters all: of which some cut the wales
With splaied armes, some sate on rockes and dride their goodly haire,
And some did ryde vppon the backes of fishes here and theare.
Not one in all poyntes fully lyke an other coulde ye see,
Nor verie farre vnlike, but such as sisters ought to bee.
The Earth had townes, men, beasts & Woods with sundrie trees & rods,
And running Ryuers with their Nymphes and other countrie Gods.
Directly ouer all these same the plat of heauen was pight,
Upon the two doore leaues, the signes of all the Zodiak bright,
Indifferently six on the left and six vpon the right.
When Clymens sonne had climbed vp at length with weerie pace,
And set his foote within his doubted fathers dwelling place,
Immediately he preaced forth to put him selfe in sight,
And stoode aloofe. For neere at hande he could not bide the light.
In purple Robe and royall Throne of Emeraudes freshe and greene
Did Phœbus sitte, and on eche hande stoode wayting well beseene,
Dayes, Monthes, yeares, ages, seasons, times, & eke the equall houres.
There stoode the springtime with a crowne of fresh and fragrant floures.
15
And Autumne smerde with treading grapes late at the pressing Fat.
And lastly quaking for the colde, stood Winter all forlorne,
With rugged heade as white as Doue, and garments all to torne.
Forladen with the Isycles that dangled vp and downe
Uppon his gray and hoarie bearde and snowie frozen crowne.
The Sunne thus sitting in the middes did cast his piercing eye,
(With which full lightly when he list he all thinges doth espye)
Upon his childe that stood aloofe agast and trembling sore
At sight of such vnwoonted things, and thus bespake him thore.
O noble ympe, O Phaëton which art not such (I see)
Of whome thy father should haue cause ashamed for to bee:
Why hast thou traueld to my court? what is thy will with mee?
Then answerde he, of all the worlde O onely perfect light,
O Father Phœbus, (if I may vsurpe that name of right,
And that my mother for to saue hir selfe from worldely shame,
Hyde not hir fault with false pretence and colour of thy name)
Some signe apparant graunt whereby I my be knowne thy Sonne,
And let mee hang no more in doubt. He had no sooner donne,
But that his father putting off the bright and fierie beames
That glistred rounde about his heade like cleare and golden streames,
Commaunded him to draw him neere, and him embracing sayde:
To take mee for thy rightfull Sire thou neede not be afrayde.
Thy mother Clymen of a truth from falshood standeth free.
And for to put thee out of doubt aske what thou wilt of mee,
And I will giue thee thy desire, the Lake whereby of olde
We Gods do sweare (the which mine eyes did neuer yet beeholde)
Beare witnesse with thee of my graunt: he scarce this tale had tolde,
But that the foolish Phaëton straight for a day did craue
The guyding of his winged Steedes, and Chariot for to haue.
Then did his Father by and by forethinke him of his oth.
And shaking twentie tymes his heade, as one that was full wroth,
Beespake him thus: thy wordes haue made me rashly to consent
To that which shortly both of vs (I feare mee) shall repent.
Oh that I might retract my graunt, my sonne I doe protest
I would denie thee nothing else saue this thy fond request.
I may disswade, there lyes herein more perill than thou weene:
[15]
More than thy weakenesse well can wielde, a charge (as well appeares)
Of greater weight, than may agree with these thy tender yeares.
Thy state is mortall, weake and frayle, the thing thou doest desire
Is such, whereto no mortall man is able to aspire.
Yea foolish boy thou doest desire (and all for want of wit)
A greater charge than any God coulde euer haue as yet.
For were there any of them all so ouerseene and blinde.
To take vpon him this my charge, full quickly should he finde
That none but I could sit vpon the fierie Axeltree.
No not euen he that rules this wast and endlesse space we see
Not he that darts with dreadfull hande the thunder from the Skie,
Shall driue this chare. And yet what thing in all the world perdie
Is able to compare with Ioue? Now first the morning way
Lyes steepe vpright, so that the steedes in coolest of the day
And beeing fresh haue much a doe to climbe against the Hyll.
Amiddes the heauen the gastly heigth augmenteth terror still.
My heart doth waxe as colde yse full many a tyme and oft
For feare to see the Sea and land from that same place aloft.
The Euening way doth fall plump downe requiring strength to guide
That Tethis who doth harbrowgh mee within hir sourges wide
Doth stand in feare least from the heauē I headlong down should slide
Besides all this the Heauen aye swimmes and wheeles about full swift
And with his rolling dryues the starres their proper course to shift.
Yet doe I keepe my natiue course against this brunt so stout,
Not giuing place as others doe: but boldely bearing out
The force and swiftnesse of that heauen that whyrleth so about.
Admit thou had my winged Steedes and Chariot in thine hande:
What couldste thou doe? dost thinke thy selfe well able to withstande
The swiftnesse of the whyrled Pooles? but that their brunt and sway
(Yea doe the best and worst thou can) shall beare thee quite away?
Perchaunce thou dost imaginee there some townes of Gods to finde,
With groues and Temples richt with giftes as is among mankinde.
Thou art deceyude vtterly: thou shalt not finde it so.
By blinde bywayes and vgly shapes of monsters must thou go.
And though thou knewe the way so well as that thou could not stray,
Betweene the dreadful bulles sharp hornes yet must thou make thy way.
16
Against the ramping Lyon armde with greedie teeth and pawes:
Against the Scorpion stretching farre his fell and venymd clawes:
And eke the Crab that casteth forth his crooked clees awrie
Not in such sort as th' other doth, and yet as dreadfully.
Againe thou neyther hast the powre nor yet the skill I knowe
My lustie coursers for to guide that from their nosetrilles throwe
And from their mouthes the fierie breath that breedeth in their brest.
For scarcely will they suffer mee who knowes their nature best
When that their cruell courages begin to catch a heate.
That hardely should I deale with them, but that I know the seate.
But least my gift should to thy griefe and vtter perill tend
My Sonne beware and (whyle thou mayst) thy fonde request amend.
Bycause thou woulde be knowne to bee my childe thou seemst to craue
A certaine signe: what surer signe I pray thee canst thou haue?
Than this my feare so fatherly the which I haue of thee?
Which proueth me most certainly thy father for to bee?
Beholde and marke my countenaunce? O would to God thy sight
Coulde pierce within my wofull brest, to see the heauie plight,
And heapes of cares within my heart. Looke through the worlde so round
Of all the wealth and goodes therein: if ought there may be found
In Heauen or Earth or in the Sea, aske what thou lykest best,
And sure it shall not be denide. This onely one request
That thou hast made I heartely beseech thee to relent,
Which for to tearme the thing aright is euen a punishment,
And not an honour as thou thinkest: my Phaëton thou dost craue
In stead of honour euen a scourge and punishment for to haue.
Thou fondling thou, what dost thou meane with fawning armes about
My necke thus flattringly to hang? Thou needest not to dout.
I haue alreadie sworne by Styx, aske what thou wilt of mee
And thou shalt haue. Yet let thy next wish somewhat wiser bee.
Thus ended his aduertisment: and yet the wilfull Lad
Withstood his counsell vrging still the promisse that he had,
Desiring for to haue the chare as if he had beene mad.
His father hauing made delay as long as he could shift,
Did lead him where his Chariot stood, which was of Vulcans gift.
The Axeltree was massie golde, the Bucke was massie golde,
The vtmost fellies of the wheeles, and where the tree was rolde.
The spokes were all of syluer bright, the Chrysolites and Gemmes
That stood vppon the Collars, Trace, and hounces in their hemmes
Did cast a sheere and glimmering light, as Phœbus shone thereon.
Now while the lustie Phaëton stood gazing here vpon,
And wondered at the workemanship of euerie thing: beeholde
The earely morning in the East beegan mee to vnfolde
Hir purple Gates, and shewde hir house bedeckt with Roses red.
The twinckling starres withdrew which by the morning star are led:
Who as the Captaine of that Host that hath no peere nor match,
Dooth leaue his standing last of all within that heauenly watch.
Now when his Father sawe the worlde thus glister red and trim,
And that his waning sisters hornes began to waxen dim,
He bad the fetherfooted howres go harnesse in his horse.
The Goddesses with might and mayne themselues thereto enforce.
His fierifoming Steedes full fed with iuice of Ambrosie
They take from Maunger trimly dight: and to their heades doe tie
Strong reyned bits: and to the Charyot doe them well appoint.
Then Phœbus did with heauenly salue his Phaëtons heade annoint,
That scorching fire coulde nothing hurt: which done, vpon his haire
He put the fresh and golden rayes himselfe was wont to weare.
And then as one whose heart misgaue the sorrowes drawing fast,
With sorie sighes he thus bespake his retchlesse sonne at last.
Withstood his counsell vrging still the promisse that he had,
Desiring for to haue the chare as if he had beene mad.
His father hauing made delay as long as he could shift,
Did lead him where his Chariot stood, which was of Vulcans gift.
The Axeltree was massie golde, the Bucke was massie golde,
[16]
The spokes were all of syluer bright, the Chrysolites and Gemmes
That stood vppon the Collars, Trace, and hounces in their hemmes
Did cast a sheere and glimmering light, as Phœbus shone thereon.
Now while the lustie Phaëton stood gazing here vpon,
And wondered at the workemanship of euerie thing: beeholde
The earely morning in the East beegan mee to vnfolde
Hir purple Gates, and shewde hir house bedeckt with Roses red.
The twinckling starres withdrew which by the morning star are led:
Who as the Captaine of that Host that hath no peere nor match,
Dooth leaue his standing last of all within that heauenly watch.
Now when his Father sawe the worlde thus glister red and trim,
And that his waning sisters hornes began to waxen dim,
He bad the fetherfooted howres go harnesse in his horse.
The Goddesses with might and mayne themselues thereto enforce.
His fierifoming Steedes full fed with iuice of Ambrosie
They take from Maunger trimly dight: and to their heades doe tie
Strong reyned bits: and to the Charyot doe them well appoint.
Then Phœbus did with heauenly salue his Phaëtons heade annoint,
That scorching fire coulde nothing hurt: which done, vpon his haire
He put the fresh and golden rayes himselfe was wont to weare.
And then as one whose heart misgaue the sorrowes drawing fast,
With sorie sighes he thus bespake his retchlesse sonne at last.
(And if thou canst) at least yet this thy fathers lore obay:
Sonne, spare the whip, & reyne them hard, they run so swift away
As that thou shalt haue much a doe their fleeing course to stay
Directly through the Zones all fiue beware thou doe not ride,
A brode byway cut out a skew that bendeth on the side,
Contaynde within the bondes of three the midmost Zones doth lie:
Which from the grisely Northren beare, & Southren Pole doth flie.
Keepe on this way: my Charyot rakes thou plainely shalt espie
And to thintent that heauen and earth may well the heate endure,
Driue neyther ouer high nor yet too lowe. For be thou sure,
And if thou mount aboue thy boundes, the starres thou burnest cleane.
Againe beneath thou burnst the Earth: most safetie is the meane.
And least perchaunce thou ouermuch the right hand way should take,
And so misfortune should thee driue vpon the writhen Snake,
Or else by taking ouermuche vpon the lefter hand.
Unto the Aultar thou be driuen that doth against it stand:
Indifferently betweene them both I wish thee for to ride.
The rest I put to fortunes will, who be thy friendly guide,
And better for thee than thy selfe as in this case prouide.
Whiles that I prattle here with thee, behold the dankish night
Beyond all Spaine hir vtmost bound is passed out of sight.
We may no lenger tariance make: my wonted light is cald,
The Morning with hir countnance cleare the darknesse hath appald.
Take raine in hand, or if thy minde by counsell altred bee,
Refuse to meddle with my Wayne: and while thou yet art free,
And doste at ease within my house in safegarde well remaine,
Of this thine vnaduised wish not feeling yet the paine,
Let me alone with giuing still the world his wonted light,
And thou thereof as heretofore enioy the harmelesse sight.
Sonne, spare the whip, & reyne them hard, they run so swift away
As that thou shalt haue much a doe their fleeing course to stay
Directly through the Zones all fiue beware thou doe not ride,
A brode byway cut out a skew that bendeth on the side,
Contaynde within the bondes of three the midmost Zones doth lie:
Which from the grisely Northren beare, & Southren Pole doth flie.
Keepe on this way: my Charyot rakes thou plainely shalt espie
And to thintent that heauen and earth may well the heate endure,
Driue neyther ouer high nor yet too lowe. For be thou sure,
And if thou mount aboue thy boundes, the starres thou burnest cleane.
Againe beneath thou burnst the Earth: most safetie is the meane.
And least perchaunce thou ouermuch the right hand way should take,
And so misfortune should thee driue vpon the writhen Snake,
17
Unto the Aultar thou be driuen that doth against it stand:
Indifferently betweene them both I wish thee for to ride.
The rest I put to fortunes will, who be thy friendly guide,
And better for thee than thy selfe as in this case prouide.
Whiles that I prattle here with thee, behold the dankish night
Beyond all Spaine hir vtmost bound is passed out of sight.
We may no lenger tariance make: my wonted light is cald,
The Morning with hir countnance cleare the darknesse hath appald.
Take raine in hand, or if thy minde by counsell altred bee,
Refuse to meddle with my Wayne: and while thou yet art free,
And doste at ease within my house in safegarde well remaine,
Of this thine vnaduised wish not feeling yet the paine,
Let me alone with giuing still the world his wonted light,
And thou thereof as heretofore enioy the harmelesse sight.
Thus much in vaine: for Phaeton both yong in yeares and wit,
Into the Chariot lightly lept, and vauncing him in it.
Was not a litle proud that he the brydle gotten had.
He thankt his father whom it grieude to see his childe so mad.
While Phebus and his rechelesse sonne were entertalking this,
Aeöus, Aethon, Phlegon, and the firie Pyrois
The restlesse horses of the Sunne began to ney so hie
Wyth flaming breath, that all the heauen might heare them perfectly.
And with their houes they mainly beate vpon the lattisde grate.
The which when Tethis (knowing nought of this hir cousins fate)
Had put aside, and giuen the steedes the free and open scope
Of all the compasse of the Skie within the heauenly Cope:
They girded forth, and cutting through the Cloudes that let their race.
With splayed wings they ouerflew the Easterne winde a pace.
The burthen was so lyght as that the Genets felt it not.
The wonted weight was from the Waine, the which they well did wot.
For like as ships amids the Seas that scant of ballace haue,
Doe reele and totter with the wynde, and yeeld to euery waue:
Euen so the Waine for want of weight it erst was wont to beare,
Did hoyse aloft and scayle and reele, as though it empty were.
Which when the Cartware did perceyue, they left the beaten way
And taking bridle in the teeth began to run astray.
The rider was so sore agast, he knew no vse of Reyne,
Nor yet his way: and though he had, yet had it ben in vayne,
Bicause he wanted powre to rule the horses and the Wayne.
Into the Chariot lightly lept, and vauncing him in it.
Was not a litle proud that he the brydle gotten had.
He thankt his father whom it grieude to see his childe so mad.
While Phebus and his rechelesse sonne were entertalking this,
Aeöus, Aethon, Phlegon, and the firie Pyrois
The restlesse horses of the Sunne began to ney so hie
Wyth flaming breath, that all the heauen might heare them perfectly.
And with their houes they mainly beate vpon the lattisde grate.
The which when Tethis (knowing nought of this hir cousins fate)
Had put aside, and giuen the steedes the free and open scope
Of all the compasse of the Skie within the heauenly Cope:
They girded forth, and cutting through the Cloudes that let their race.
With splayed wings they ouerflew the Easterne winde a pace.
The burthen was so lyght as that the Genets felt it not.
The wonted weight was from the Waine, the which they well did wot.
For like as ships amids the Seas that scant of ballace haue,
Doe reele and totter with the wynde, and yeeld to euery waue:
Euen so the Waine for want of weight it erst was wont to beare,
Did hoyse aloft and scayle and reele, as though it empty were.
Which when the Cartware did perceyue, they left the beaten way
And taking bridle in the teeth began to run astray.
[17]
Nor yet his way: and though he had, yet had it ben in vayne,
Bicause he wanted powre to rule the horses and the Wayne.
Then first did sweat cold Charles his Wain through force of Phebus rayes
And in the Sea forbidden him to diue in vaine assayes.
The Serpent at the frozen Pole both colde and slow by kinde,
Through heat waxt wroth, and stird about a cooler place to finde.
And thou Bootes though thou be but slow of footemanship,
Yet wert thou faine (as Fame reports) about thy Waine to skip.
Now when vnhappy Phaeton from top of all the Skie
Behelde the Earth that vnderneath a great way off did lie.
He waxed pale for sodaine feare, his ioynts and sinewes quooke,
The greatnesse of the glistring light his eyesight from him tooke.
Now wisht he that he neuer had his fathers horses see
It yrkt him that he thus had sought to learne his piedegre.
It grieude him that he had preuailde in gaining his request.
To haue bene counted Merops sonne he thought it now the best.
Thus thinking was he headlong driuen, as when a ship is borne
by blustring windes, hir saileclothes rent, hir sterne in pieces torne,
And tacling brust, the which the Pilote trusting all to prayre
Abandons wholy to the Sea and fortune of the ayre.
What should he doe? much of the heauen he passed had behinde
And more he saw before: both whiche he measurde in his minde,
Eft looking forward to the West which to approch as then
Might not betide, and to the East eft looking backe agen.
He wist not what was best to doe, his wittes were rauisht so.
For neither could he hold the Reynes, nor yet durst let them go.
And of his horses names was none that he remembred tho.
Straunge vncoth Monsters did he see dispersed here and there
And dreadfull shapes of vgly beasts that in the Welkin were.
There is a certaine place in which the hidious Scorpion throwes
His armes in compasse far abrode, much like a couple of bowes,
With writhen tayle and clasping cles, whose poyson limmes doe stretch
On euery side, that of two signes they full the roume doe retch,
Whome when the Lad beheld all moyst with blacke and lothly swet,
With sharpe and nedlepointed sting as though he seemde to thret,
He was so sore astraught for feare, he let the bridels slacke.
Which when the horses felt lie lose vpon their sweating backe,
At rouers straight throughout the Ayre by wayes vnknowne they ran
Whereas they neuer came before since that the worlde began,
For looke what way their lawlesse rage by chaunce and fortune drue.
Without controlment or restraint that way they freely flue
Among the starres that fixed are within the firmament
They snatcht the Chariot here and there. One while they coursing went
Upon the top of all the skie: anon againe full round
They troll me downe to lower wayes and nearer to the ground.
So that the Moone was in a Maze to see hir brothers Waine
Run vnder hirs: the singed cloudes began to smoke amaine.
Eche ground the higher that it was and nearer to the Skie.
The sooner was it set on fire, and made therewith so drie.
That euery where it gan to chinke. The Medes and Pastures greene
Did seare away: and with the leaues, the trees were burned cleene.
The parched corne did yeelde wherewith to worke his owne decaie.
And in the Sea forbidden him to diue in vaine assayes.
The Serpent at the frozen Pole both colde and slow by kinde,
Through heat waxt wroth, and stird about a cooler place to finde.
And thou Bootes though thou be but slow of footemanship,
Yet wert thou faine (as Fame reports) about thy Waine to skip.
Now when vnhappy Phaeton from top of all the Skie
Behelde the Earth that vnderneath a great way off did lie.
He waxed pale for sodaine feare, his ioynts and sinewes quooke,
The greatnesse of the glistring light his eyesight from him tooke.
Now wisht he that he neuer had his fathers horses see
It yrkt him that he thus had sought to learne his piedegre.
It grieude him that he had preuailde in gaining his request.
To haue bene counted Merops sonne he thought it now the best.
Thus thinking was he headlong driuen, as when a ship is borne
by blustring windes, hir saileclothes rent, hir sterne in pieces torne,
And tacling brust, the which the Pilote trusting all to prayre
Abandons wholy to the Sea and fortune of the ayre.
What should he doe? much of the heauen he passed had behinde
And more he saw before: both whiche he measurde in his minde,
Eft looking forward to the West which to approch as then
Might not betide, and to the East eft looking backe agen.
He wist not what was best to doe, his wittes were rauisht so.
For neither could he hold the Reynes, nor yet durst let them go.
And of his horses names was none that he remembred tho.
Straunge vncoth Monsters did he see dispersed here and there
And dreadfull shapes of vgly beasts that in the Welkin were.
There is a certaine place in which the hidious Scorpion throwes
His armes in compasse far abrode, much like a couple of bowes,
With writhen tayle and clasping cles, whose poyson limmes doe stretch
On euery side, that of two signes they full the roume doe retch,
Whome when the Lad beheld all moyst with blacke and lothly swet,
With sharpe and nedlepointed sting as though he seemde to thret,
He was so sore astraught for feare, he let the bridels slacke.
18
At rouers straight throughout the Ayre by wayes vnknowne they ran
Whereas they neuer came before since that the worlde began,
For looke what way their lawlesse rage by chaunce and fortune drue.
Without controlment or restraint that way they freely flue
Among the starres that fixed are within the firmament
They snatcht the Chariot here and there. One while they coursing went
Upon the top of all the skie: anon againe full round
They troll me downe to lower wayes and nearer to the ground.
So that the Moone was in a Maze to see hir brothers Waine
Run vnder hirs: the singed cloudes began to smoke amaine.
Eche ground the higher that it was and nearer to the Skie.
The sooner was it set on fire, and made therewith so drie.
That euery where it gan to chinke. The Medes and Pastures greene
Did seare away: and with the leaues, the trees were burned cleene.
The parched corne did yeelde wherewith to worke his owne decaie.
Tushe these are trifles. Mightie townes did perish that same daie.
Whose countries with their folke were burnt: and forests ful of wood
Were turnde to ashes with the rocks & mountains where they stood.
Then Athe, Cilician, Taure and Tinele and Oeta flamed hie,
And Ide erst full of flowing springs was then made vtter drie.
The learned virgins daily haunt, the sacred Helicon
And Thracian Hemus (not as yet surnamde Oeagrion,)
Did smoke both twaine: and Aetna hote of nature aye before,
Encreast by force of Phebus flame now raged ten times more.
The forkt Parnasus, Eryx, Cynth, and Othrys then did swelt
And all the snow of Rhodope did at that present melt.
The like outrage Mount Dindymus, and Mime and Micale felt.
Cytheron borne to sacred vse with Osse, and Pindus hie
And Olymp greater than them both did burne excessiuely.
The passing colde that Scithie had defended not the same
But that the barren Caucasus was partner of this flame.
And so were eke the Airie Alpes and Appennyne beside,
For all the Cloudes continually their snowie tops doe hide.
Then wheresoeuer Phaeton did chaunce to cast his vew,
The world was all on flaming fire. The breath the which he drew,
Came smooking from his scalding mouth as from a seething pot.
His Chariot also vnder him began to waxe red hot.
He could no lenger dure the sparkes and cinder flyeng out,
Againe the culme and smouldring smoke did wrap him round about.
The pitchie darkenesse of the which so wholy had him hent
As that he wist not where he was nor yet which way he went.
The winged horses forcibly did draw him where they wolde.
The Aethiopians at that time (as men for truth vpholde)
(The bloud by force of that same heate drawne to the outer part
And there adust from that time forth) became so blacke and swart.
The moysture was so dried vp in Lybie land that time
That altogither drie and scorcht continueth yet that Clyme.
The Nymphes wt haire about their eares bewayld their springs & lakes
Beötia for hir Dyrces losse great lamentation makes.
For Amimone Argos wept, and Corinth for the spring
Pyrene, at whose sacred streame the Muses vsde to sing.
The Riuers further from the place were not in better case.
For Tanais in his deepest streame did boyle and steme apace.
Old Penevv and Caycus of the countrie Teuthranie,
And swift Ismenos in their bankes by like misfortune frie.
Then burnde the Psophian Erymanth: and (which should burne ageine)
The Troian Xanthus and Lycormas with his yellow veine.
Meander playing in his bankes aye winding to and fro.
Migdonian Melas with his waues as blacke as any slo.
Eurotas running by the foote of Tenare boyled tho.
Then sod Euphrates cutting through the middes of Babilon
Then sod Orontes, and the Scithian swift Thermodoon.
Then Ganges, Colchian Phasis, and the noble Istre
Alpheus and Sperchins bankes with flaming fire did glistre.
The golde that Tagus streame did beare in the chanell melt.
Amid Cayster of this fire the raging heat was felt.
Among the quieres of singing Swannes that with their pleasant lay
Along the bankes of Lidian brakes from place to place did stray.
And Nyle for feare did run away into the furthest Clyme
Of all the world, and hid his heade, which to this present tyme
Is yet vnfound: his mouthes all seuen cleane voyde of water beene.
Like seuen great valleys where (saue dust) could nothing else be seene.
By like misfortune Hebrus dride and Strymon both of Thrace.
The Westerne Riuers Rhine and Rhone and Po were in like case:
And Tyber vnto whome the Goddes a faithfull promise gaue
Of all the world the Monarchie and soueraigne state to haue.
The ground did cranie euerie where and light did pierce to hell
And made afraide the King and Queene that in that Realme doe dwell.
The Sea did shrinke and where as waues did late before remaine,
Became a Champion field of dust and euen a sandy plaine.
The hilles erst hid farre vnder waues like Ilelandes did appeare
So that the scattred Cyclades for the time augmented were.
The fishes drew them to the deepes: the Dolphines durst not play
Aboue the water as before, the Seales and Porkpis lay
With bellies vpward on the waues starke dead, and fame doth go
That Nereus with his wife and daughters all were faine as tho
To diue within the scalding waues. Thrise Neptune did aduaunce
His armes aboue the scalding Sea with sturdy countenaunce:
And thrise for hotenesse of the Ayre, was faine himselfe to hide.
But yet the Earth the Nurce of things enclosde on euery side
(Betweene the waters of the Sea and Springs that now had hidden
Themselues within their Mothers wombe) for all the paine abidden,
Up to the necke put forth hir head and casting vp hir hand,
Betweene hir forehead and the sunne as panting she did stand
With dreadfull quaking all that was, she fearfully did shake,
And shrinking somewhat lower downe with sacred voyce thus spake.
Whose countries with their folke were burnt: and forests ful of wood
Were turnde to ashes with the rocks & mountains where they stood.
Then Athe, Cilician, Taure and Tinele and Oeta flamed hie,
And Ide erst full of flowing springs was then made vtter drie.
The learned virgins daily haunt, the sacred Helicon
And Thracian Hemus (not as yet surnamde Oeagrion,)
Did smoke both twaine: and Aetna hote of nature aye before,
Encreast by force of Phebus flame now raged ten times more.
The forkt Parnasus, Eryx, Cynth, and Othrys then did swelt
And all the snow of Rhodope did at that present melt.
The like outrage Mount Dindymus, and Mime and Micale felt.
Cytheron borne to sacred vse with Osse, and Pindus hie
And Olymp greater than them both did burne excessiuely.
The passing colde that Scithie had defended not the same
But that the barren Caucasus was partner of this flame.
And so were eke the Airie Alpes and Appennyne beside,
For all the Cloudes continually their snowie tops doe hide.
Then wheresoeuer Phaeton did chaunce to cast his vew,
The world was all on flaming fire. The breath the which he drew,
Came smooking from his scalding mouth as from a seething pot.
[18]
He could no lenger dure the sparkes and cinder flyeng out,
Againe the culme and smouldring smoke did wrap him round about.
The pitchie darkenesse of the which so wholy had him hent
As that he wist not where he was nor yet which way he went.
The winged horses forcibly did draw him where they wolde.
The Aethiopians at that time (as men for truth vpholde)
(The bloud by force of that same heate drawne to the outer part
And there adust from that time forth) became so blacke and swart.
The moysture was so dried vp in Lybie land that time
That altogither drie and scorcht continueth yet that Clyme.
The Nymphes wt haire about their eares bewayld their springs & lakes
Beötia for hir Dyrces losse great lamentation makes.
For Amimone Argos wept, and Corinth for the spring
Pyrene, at whose sacred streame the Muses vsde to sing.
The Riuers further from the place were not in better case.
For Tanais in his deepest streame did boyle and steme apace.
Old Penevv and Caycus of the countrie Teuthranie,
And swift Ismenos in their bankes by like misfortune frie.
Then burnde the Psophian Erymanth: and (which should burne ageine)
The Troian Xanthus and Lycormas with his yellow veine.
Meander playing in his bankes aye winding to and fro.
Migdonian Melas with his waues as blacke as any slo.
Eurotas running by the foote of Tenare boyled tho.
Then sod Euphrates cutting through the middes of Babilon
Then sod Orontes, and the Scithian swift Thermodoon.
Then Ganges, Colchian Phasis, and the noble Istre
Alpheus and Sperchins bankes with flaming fire did glistre.
The golde that Tagus streame did beare in the chanell melt.
Amid Cayster of this fire the raging heat was felt.
Among the quieres of singing Swannes that with their pleasant lay
Along the bankes of Lidian brakes from place to place did stray.
And Nyle for feare did run away into the furthest Clyme
Of all the world, and hid his heade, which to this present tyme
Is yet vnfound: his mouthes all seuen cleane voyde of water beene.
Like seuen great valleys where (saue dust) could nothing else be seene.
By like misfortune Hebrus dride and Strymon both of Thrace.
19
And Tyber vnto whome the Goddes a faithfull promise gaue
Of all the world the Monarchie and soueraigne state to haue.
The ground did cranie euerie where and light did pierce to hell
And made afraide the King and Queene that in that Realme doe dwell.
The Sea did shrinke and where as waues did late before remaine,
Became a Champion field of dust and euen a sandy plaine.
The hilles erst hid farre vnder waues like Ilelandes did appeare
So that the scattred Cyclades for the time augmented were.
The fishes drew them to the deepes: the Dolphines durst not play
Aboue the water as before, the Seales and Porkpis lay
With bellies vpward on the waues starke dead, and fame doth go
That Nereus with his wife and daughters all were faine as tho
To diue within the scalding waues. Thrise Neptune did aduaunce
His armes aboue the scalding Sea with sturdy countenaunce:
And thrise for hotenesse of the Ayre, was faine himselfe to hide.
But yet the Earth the Nurce of things enclosde on euery side
(Betweene the waters of the Sea and Springs that now had hidden
Themselues within their Mothers wombe) for all the paine abidden,
Up to the necke put forth hir head and casting vp hir hand,
Betweene hir forehead and the sunne as panting she did stand
With dreadfull quaking all that was, she fearfully did shake,
And shrinking somewhat lower downe with sacred voyce thus spake.
O King of Gods and if this be thy will and my desart,
Why doste thou stay with deadly dint thy thunder downe to dart?
And if that needes I perish must through force of firie flame,
Let thy celestiall fire O God I pray thee doe the same.
A comfort shall it be to haue thee Author of my death.
I scarce haue powre to speak these words (the smoke had stopt hir breath)
Behold my singed haire: behold my dim and bleared eye,
See how about my scorched face the scalding embers flie.
Is this the guerdon wherewithall ye quite my fruitfulnesse?
Is this the honor that ye gaue me for my plenteousnesse
And dutie done with true intent? for suffring of the plough
To draw deepe woundes vpon my backe and rakes to rend me through?
For that I ouer all the yeare continually am wrought?
For giuing foder to the beasts and cattell all for nought?
For yeelding corne and other foode wherewith to keepe mankinde?
And that to honor you withall sweete frankinsence I finde?
But put the case that my desert destruction duely craue,
What hath thy brother: what the Seas deserued for to haue?
Why doe the Seas his lotted part thus ebbe and fall so low,
Withdrawing from thy Skie to which it ought most neare to grow?
But if thou neyther doste regarde thy brother, neyther mee,
At least haue mercy on thy heauen, looke round about and see
How both the Poles begin to smoke which if the fire appall
To vtter ruine (be thou sure) thy pallace needes must fall.
Behold how Atlas ginnes to faint. His shoulders though full strong,
Unneth are able to vphold the sparkling Extree long.
If Sea and Land doe go to wrecke, and heauen it selfe doe burne
To olde confused Chaos then of force we must returne.
Put to thy helping hand therfore to saue the little left
If ought remaine before that all be quite and cleane bereft.
Why doste thou stay with deadly dint thy thunder downe to dart?
And if that needes I perish must through force of firie flame,
Let thy celestiall fire O God I pray thee doe the same.
A comfort shall it be to haue thee Author of my death.
I scarce haue powre to speak these words (the smoke had stopt hir breath)
Behold my singed haire: behold my dim and bleared eye,
See how about my scorched face the scalding embers flie.
Is this the guerdon wherewithall ye quite my fruitfulnesse?
Is this the honor that ye gaue me for my plenteousnesse
And dutie done with true intent? for suffring of the plough
To draw deepe woundes vpon my backe and rakes to rend me through?
For that I ouer all the yeare continually am wrought?
For giuing foder to the beasts and cattell all for nought?
[19]
And that to honor you withall sweete frankinsence I finde?
But put the case that my desert destruction duely craue,
What hath thy brother: what the Seas deserued for to haue?
Why doe the Seas his lotted part thus ebbe and fall so low,
Withdrawing from thy Skie to which it ought most neare to grow?
But if thou neyther doste regarde thy brother, neyther mee,
At least haue mercy on thy heauen, looke round about and see
How both the Poles begin to smoke which if the fire appall
To vtter ruine (be thou sure) thy pallace needes must fall.
Behold how Atlas ginnes to faint. His shoulders though full strong,
Unneth are able to vphold the sparkling Extree long.
If Sea and Land doe go to wrecke, and heauen it selfe doe burne
To olde confused Chaos then of force we must returne.
Put to thy helping hand therfore to saue the little left
If ought remaine before that all be quite and cleane bereft.
When ended was this piteous plaint, the Earth did hold hir peace
She could no lenger dure the heate but was compelde to cease.
Into hir bosome by and by she shrunke hir cinged heade
More nearer to the Stygnan caues, and ghostes of persones deade.
The Sire of Heauen protesting all the Gods and him also
That lent the Chariot to his child, that all of force must go
To hauocke if he helped not, went to the highest part
And top of all the Heauen from whence his custome was to dart,
His thunder and his lightning downe. But neyther did remaine
A Cloude wherewith to shade the Earth, nor yet a showre of raine.
Then with a dreadfull thunderclap vp to his eare he bent
His fist, and at the Wagoner a flash of lightning sent,
Which strake his bodie from the life and threw it ouer wheele
And so with fire he quenched fire. The Steedes did also reele
Upon their knees, and starting vp sprang violently, one here,
And there another, that they brast in pieces all their gere.
They threw the Collars from their neckes, and breaking quite a sunder
The Trace and Harnesse flang away: here lay the bridles: yonder
The Extree plucked from the Naues: and in another place
The sheuered spokes of broken wheeles: and so at euery pace
The pieces of the Chariot torne lay strowed here and there
But Phaeton (fire yet blasing stil among his yellow haire)
Shot headlong downe, and glid along the Region of the Ayre
Like to starre in Winter nights (the wether cleare and fayre)
Which though it doe not fall in deede, yet falleth to our sight.
Whome almost in another world and from his countrie quite
The Riuer Padus did receyue, and quencht his burning head.
The water Nymphes of Italie did take his carkasse dead
And buried it yet smoking still, with Ioues threeforked flame.
And wrate this Epitaph in the stone that lay vpon the same.
Here lies the lusty Phaeton which tooke in hand to guide
His fathers Chariot, from the which although he chaunst to slide:
Yet that he gaue a proud attempt it cannot be denide.
She could no lenger dure the heate but was compelde to cease.
Into hir bosome by and by she shrunke hir cinged heade
More nearer to the Stygnan caues, and ghostes of persones deade.
The Sire of Heauen protesting all the Gods and him also
That lent the Chariot to his child, that all of force must go
To hauocke if he helped not, went to the highest part
And top of all the Heauen from whence his custome was to dart,
His thunder and his lightning downe. But neyther did remaine
A Cloude wherewith to shade the Earth, nor yet a showre of raine.
Then with a dreadfull thunderclap vp to his eare he bent
His fist, and at the Wagoner a flash of lightning sent,
Which strake his bodie from the life and threw it ouer wheele
And so with fire he quenched fire. The Steedes did also reele
Upon their knees, and starting vp sprang violently, one here,
And there another, that they brast in pieces all their gere.
They threw the Collars from their neckes, and breaking quite a sunder
The Trace and Harnesse flang away: here lay the bridles: yonder
The Extree plucked from the Naues: and in another place
The sheuered spokes of broken wheeles: and so at euery pace
The pieces of the Chariot torne lay strowed here and there
20
Shot headlong downe, and glid along the Region of the Ayre
Like to starre in Winter nights (the wether cleare and fayre)
Which though it doe not fall in deede, yet falleth to our sight.
Whome almost in another world and from his countrie quite
The Riuer Padus did receyue, and quencht his burning head.
The water Nymphes of Italie did take his carkasse dead
And buried it yet smoking still, with Ioues threeforked flame.
And wrate this Epitaph in the stone that lay vpon the same.
Here lies the lusty Phaeton which tooke in hand to guide
His fathers Chariot, from the which although he chaunst to slide:
Yet that he gaue a proud attempt it cannot be denide.
Wyth ruthfull cheere and heauie heart his father made great mone.
And would not shew himselfe abrode, but mournd at home alone.
And if it be to be beleued, as bruted is by fame.
A day did passe without the Sunne. The brightnesse of the flame
Gaue light: and so vnto some kinde of vse that mischiefe came.
But Clymen hauing spoke, as much as mothers vsually,
Are wonted in such wretched case, discomfortablely,
And halfe beside hir selfe for wo, with torne and scratched brest,
Sercht through the vniuersall world, from East to furthest West,
First seeking for hir sonnes dead coarse, and after for his bones.
She found them by a forren streame, entumbled vnder stones.
There fell she groueling on his graue, and reading there his name,
Shed tears thereon, and layd hir breast all bare vpon the same.
The daughters also of the Sunne no lesse than did their mother,
Bewaild in vaine with flouds of teares, the fortune of their brother:
And beating piteously their breasts, incessantly did call
The buried Phaeton day and night, who heard them not at all,
About whose tumbe they prostrate lay. Foure times the Moone had filde
The Circle of hir ioyned hornes, and yet the sisters hilde
Their custome of lamenting still: (for now continuall vse
had made it custome.) Of the which the eldest Phaetuse
About to kneele vpon the ground, complaynde hir feete were nom.
To whome as fayre Lampetie was rising for to com,
Hir feete were held with sodaine rootes. The third about to teare
Hir ruffled lockes, filde both hir handes with leaues in steade of heare.
One wept to see hir legges made wood: another did repine
To see hir armes become long boughes. And shortly to define,
While thus they wondred at themselues, a tender barke began
To grow about their thighes and loynes, which shortly ouerran
Their bellies, brestes, and shoulders eke, and hands successiuely,
That nothing (saue their mouthes) remainde, aye calling piteously
Upon the wofull mothers helpe. What could the mother doe?
But runne now here now there, as force of nature drue hir to?
And deale hir kisses while she might? she was not so content:
But tare their tender braunches downe: and from the sliuers went
Red drops of bloud as from a wound. The daughter that was rent
Cride spare vs mother spare I pray, for in the shape of tree
The bodies and the flesh of vs your daughters wounded bee.
And now farewell. That word once said, the barke grew ouer all.
Now from these trees flow gummy teares that Amber men doe call.
Which hardened with the heate of sunne as from the boughs they fal.
The trickling Riuer doth receyue, and sendes as things of price
To decke the daintie Dames of Rome and make them fine and nice.
And would not shew himselfe abrode, but mournd at home alone.
And if it be to be beleued, as bruted is by fame.
A day did passe without the Sunne. The brightnesse of the flame
Gaue light: and so vnto some kinde of vse that mischiefe came.
But Clymen hauing spoke, as much as mothers vsually,
Are wonted in such wretched case, discomfortablely,
And halfe beside hir selfe for wo, with torne and scratched brest,
Sercht through the vniuersall world, from East to furthest West,
First seeking for hir sonnes dead coarse, and after for his bones.
She found them by a forren streame, entumbled vnder stones.
There fell she groueling on his graue, and reading there his name,
Shed tears thereon, and layd hir breast all bare vpon the same.
The daughters also of the Sunne no lesse than did their mother,
Bewaild in vaine with flouds of teares, the fortune of their brother:
And beating piteously their breasts, incessantly did call
The buried Phaeton day and night, who heard them not at all,
About whose tumbe they prostrate lay. Foure times the Moone had filde
The Circle of hir ioyned hornes, and yet the sisters hilde
Their custome of lamenting still: (for now continuall vse
had made it custome.) Of the which the eldest Phaetuse
About to kneele vpon the ground, complaynde hir feete were nom.
To whome as fayre Lampetie was rising for to com,
Hir feete were held with sodaine rootes. The third about to teare
Hir ruffled lockes, filde both hir handes with leaues in steade of heare.
[20]
To see hir armes become long boughes. And shortly to define,
While thus they wondred at themselues, a tender barke began
To grow about their thighes and loynes, which shortly ouerran
Their bellies, brestes, and shoulders eke, and hands successiuely,
That nothing (saue their mouthes) remainde, aye calling piteously
Upon the wofull mothers helpe. What could the mother doe?
But runne now here now there, as force of nature drue hir to?
And deale hir kisses while she might? she was not so content:
But tare their tender braunches downe: and from the sliuers went
Red drops of bloud as from a wound. The daughter that was rent
Cride spare vs mother spare I pray, for in the shape of tree
The bodies and the flesh of vs your daughters wounded bee.
And now farewell. That word once said, the barke grew ouer all.
Now from these trees flow gummy teares that Amber men doe call.
Which hardened with the heate of sunne as from the boughs they fal.
The trickling Riuer doth receyue, and sendes as things of price
To decke the daintie Dames of Rome and make them fine and nice.
Now present at this monstruous hap was Cygnus Steriels son
Who being by the mothers side a kinne to Phaeton
Was in condicion more a kinne. He leauing vp his charge.
(For in the land of Ligurie his Kingdome stretched large)
Went mourning all alone the bankes and pleasant streame of Po
Among the trees encreased by the sisters late age.
Annon his voyce became more small and shrill than for a man.
Gray fethers muffled in his face: his necke in length began
Far from his shoulders for to stretche: and furthermore there goes
A fine red string a crosse the ioyntes in knitting of his toes:
With fethers closed are his sides: and on his mouth there grew
A brode blunt byll: and finally was Cygnus made a new
and vncoth fowle that hight a Swan, who neither to the winde,
The Ayre, nor Ioue betakes himselfe, as one that bare in minde
The wrongfull fire sent late against his cousin Phaeton.
In Lakes and Riuers is his ioy: the fire he aye doth shon.
And chooseth him the contrary continually to won.
Who being by the mothers side a kinne to Phaeton
Was in condicion more a kinne. He leauing vp his charge.
(For in the land of Ligurie his Kingdome stretched large)
Went mourning all alone the bankes and pleasant streame of Po
Among the trees encreased by the sisters late age.
Annon his voyce became more small and shrill than for a man.
Gray fethers muffled in his face: his necke in length began
Far from his shoulders for to stretche: and furthermore there goes
A fine red string a crosse the ioyntes in knitting of his toes:
With fethers closed are his sides: and on his mouth there grew
A brode blunt byll: and finally was Cygnus made a new
and vncoth fowle that hight a Swan, who neither to the winde,
The Ayre, nor Ioue betakes himselfe, as one that bare in minde
The wrongfull fire sent late against his cousin Phaeton.
In Lakes and Riuers is his ioy: the fire he aye doth shon.
And chooseth him the contrary continually to won.
Forlorne and altogether voyde of that same bodie shene
Was Phaetons father in that while which erst had in him bene,
Like as he looketh in Theclypse. He hates the yrkesome light,
He hates him selfe, he hates the day, and settes his whole delight
In making sorrow for his sonne, and in his griefe doth storme
And chaufe denying to the worlde his dutie to performe.
My lot (quoth he) hath had inough of this vnquiet state
From first beginning of the worlde. It yrkes me (though too late)
Of restlesse toyles and thankelesse paines. Let who so will for me
Go driue the Chariot in the which the light should caried be.
If none dare take the charge in hand, and all the Gods persist
As insufficient, he himselfe go driue it if he list.
That at the least by venturing our bridles for to guide
His lightning making childlesse Sires he once may lay aside.
By that time that he hath assayde the vnappalled force
That doth remaine and rest within my firie footed horse,
I trow he shall by tried proufe be able for to tell
How that he did not merit death that could not rule them well.
The Goddes stoode all about the Sunne thus storming in his rage
Beseching him in humble wise his sorrow to asswage.
And that he would not on the world continuall darkenesse bring,
Ioue eke excusde him of the fire the which he chaunst to sling.
And with entreatance mingled threates as did become a King.
Then Phebus gathered vp his steedes that yet for feare did run
Like flaighted fiendes, and in his moode without respect begun
To beate his whipstocke on their pates and lash them on the sides.
It was no neede to bid him chaufe. for euer as he rides
He still vpbraides them with his sonne, and layes them on the hides.
Was Phaetons father in that while which erst had in him bene,
21
He hates him selfe, he hates the day, and settes his whole delight
In making sorrow for his sonne, and in his griefe doth storme
And chaufe denying to the worlde his dutie to performe.
My lot (quoth he) hath had inough of this vnquiet state
From first beginning of the worlde. It yrkes me (though too late)
Of restlesse toyles and thankelesse paines. Let who so will for me
Go driue the Chariot in the which the light should caried be.
If none dare take the charge in hand, and all the Gods persist
As insufficient, he himselfe go driue it if he list.
That at the least by venturing our bridles for to guide
His lightning making childlesse Sires he once may lay aside.
By that time that he hath assayde the vnappalled force
That doth remaine and rest within my firie footed horse,
I trow he shall by tried proufe be able for to tell
How that he did not merit death that could not rule them well.
The Goddes stoode all about the Sunne thus storming in his rage
Beseching him in humble wise his sorrow to asswage.
And that he would not on the world continuall darkenesse bring,
Ioue eke excusde him of the fire the which he chaunst to sling.
And with entreatance mingled threates as did become a King.
Then Phebus gathered vp his steedes that yet for feare did run
Like flaighted fiendes, and in his moode without respect begun
To beate his whipstocke on their pates and lash them on the sides.
It was no neede to bid him chaufe. for euer as he rides
He still vpbraides them with his sonne, and layes them on the hides.
And Ioue almighty went about the walles of heauen to trie,
If ought were perisht with the fire, which when he did espie
Continuing in their former state, all strong and safe and sound,
He went to vew the workes of men, and things vpon the ground.
Yet for his land of Arcadie he tooke most care and charge.
The Springs and streames that durst not run he set againe at large.
He clad the earth with grasse, the trees with leaues both fresh and grene
Commaunding woods to spring againe that erst had burned bene.
Now as he often went and came it was his chaunce to light
Upon a Nymph of Nonacris whose forme and beautie bright
Did set his heart on flaming fire. She vsed not to spinne
Nor yet to curle hir frisled haire with bodkin or with pinne.
A garment with a buckled belt fast girded did she weare
And in a white and slender Call slight trussed was hir heare.
Sometime a dart sometime a bow she vsed for to beare.
She was a knight of Phebes troope. There came not at the mount
Of Menalus of whome Diana made so great account.
But fauor neuer lasteth long. The Sunne had gone that day
A good way past the poynt of Noone: when werie of hir way
She drue to shadowe in a wood that neuer had bene cut.
Here off hir shoulder by and by hir quiuer did she put.
And hung hir bow vnbent aside, and coucht hir on the ground
Hir quiuer vnderneth hir head. whom when that Ioue had found
Alone and wearie sure (he said) my wife shall neuer know
Of this escape, and if she do, I know the worst I trow.
She can but chide, shall feare of chiding make me to forslow?
He counterfeiteth Phebe streight in countnance and aray.
And says O virgine of my troope, where didst thou hunt to day?
The Damsell started from the ground and said hayle Goddesse deare,
Of greater worth than Ioue (I thinke) though Ioue himselfe did heare.
Ioue heard hir well and smylde thereat, it made his heart reioyce
To heare the Nymph preferre him thus before himselfe in choyce.
He fell to kissing: which was such as out of square might seeme,
And in such sort as that a mayde coulde nothing lesse beseeme.
And as she would haue told what woods she ranged had for game,
He tooke hir fast betweene his armes, and not without his shame,
Bewrayed plainly what he was and wherefore that he came
The wench against him stroue as much as any woman could
I would that Iuno had it seene. for then I know thou would
not take the deede so heynously: with all hir might she stroue.
But what poore wench or who aliue could vanquish mighty Ioue?
Ioue hauing sped flue straight to heauen. She hateth in hir hart
The guiltlesse fields and wood where Ioue had playd that naughty part,
Awaye she goes in such a griefe as that she had welnie,
Forgot hir quiuer with hir shaftes and bow that hanged by,
Dictynna garded with hir traine and proude of killing Deere,
In raunging ouer Menalus espying cald hir neere.
The Damsell hearing Phebe call did run away amaine,
She feared least in Phebes shape that Ioue had come againe,
But when she saw the troope of Nymphes that garded hir about,
She thought there was no more deceyt, and came among the rout.
Oh Lord how hard a matter ist for guiltie hearts to shift?
And kepe their countnance? frō the ground hir eyes scarce durst she lift.
She prankes not by hir mistresse side, she preases not to bee
The foremost of the companie, as when she erst was free.
She standeth muët: and by chaunging of hir colour ay.
The treading of hir shooe awrie she plainely doth bewray,
Diana might haue founde the fault but that she was a May.
A thousand tokens did appeare apparant to the eye,
By which the Nymphes themselues (they say) hir fault did well espie.
Nine times the Moone full to the worlde had shewde hir horned face
When fainting through hir brothers flames and hunting in the chace,
She found a coole and shadie lawnde through midst whereof she spide
A shallow brooke with trickling streame on grauell bottom glide.
And liking well the pleasant place, vpon the vpper brim
She dipt hir foote, and finding there the water coole and trim,
Away (she sayd) with standers by: and let vs bath vs here.
Then Parrhasis cast downe hir head with sad and bashfull chere.
The rest did strip them to their skinnes. she only sought delay,
Untill that would or would she not hir clothes were pluckt away.
Then with hir naked body straight hir crime was brought to light.
Which yll ashamde as with hir hands she would haue hid from sight,
Fie beast (quoth Cynthia) get thee hence thou shalt not here defile
This sacred Spring, and from hir traine she did hir quite exile.
If ought were perisht with the fire, which when he did espie
Continuing in their former state, all strong and safe and sound,
He went to vew the workes of men, and things vpon the ground.
Yet for his land of Arcadie he tooke most care and charge.
The Springs and streames that durst not run he set againe at large.
He clad the earth with grasse, the trees with leaues both fresh and grene
Commaunding woods to spring againe that erst had burned bene.
Now as he often went and came it was his chaunce to light
Upon a Nymph of Nonacris whose forme and beautie bright
Did set his heart on flaming fire. She vsed not to spinne
[21]
A garment with a buckled belt fast girded did she weare
And in a white and slender Call slight trussed was hir heare.
Sometime a dart sometime a bow she vsed for to beare.
She was a knight of Phebes troope. There came not at the mount
Of Menalus of whome Diana made so great account.
But fauor neuer lasteth long. The Sunne had gone that day
A good way past the poynt of Noone: when werie of hir way
She drue to shadowe in a wood that neuer had bene cut.
Here off hir shoulder by and by hir quiuer did she put.
And hung hir bow vnbent aside, and coucht hir on the ground
Hir quiuer vnderneth hir head. whom when that Ioue had found
Alone and wearie sure (he said) my wife shall neuer know
Of this escape, and if she do, I know the worst I trow.
She can but chide, shall feare of chiding make me to forslow?
He counterfeiteth Phebe streight in countnance and aray.
And says O virgine of my troope, where didst thou hunt to day?
The Damsell started from the ground and said hayle Goddesse deare,
Of greater worth than Ioue (I thinke) though Ioue himselfe did heare.
Ioue heard hir well and smylde thereat, it made his heart reioyce
To heare the Nymph preferre him thus before himselfe in choyce.
He fell to kissing: which was such as out of square might seeme,
And in such sort as that a mayde coulde nothing lesse beseeme.
And as she would haue told what woods she ranged had for game,
He tooke hir fast betweene his armes, and not without his shame,
Bewrayed plainly what he was and wherefore that he came
The wench against him stroue as much as any woman could
I would that Iuno had it seene. for then I know thou would
not take the deede so heynously: with all hir might she stroue.
But what poore wench or who aliue could vanquish mighty Ioue?
Ioue hauing sped flue straight to heauen. She hateth in hir hart
The guiltlesse fields and wood where Ioue had playd that naughty part,
Awaye she goes in such a griefe as that she had welnie,
Forgot hir quiuer with hir shaftes and bow that hanged by,
Dictynna garded with hir traine and proude of killing Deere,
In raunging ouer Menalus espying cald hir neere.
The Damsell hearing Phebe call did run away amaine,
22
But when she saw the troope of Nymphes that garded hir about,
She thought there was no more deceyt, and came among the rout.
Oh Lord how hard a matter ist for guiltie hearts to shift?
And kepe their countnance? frō the ground hir eyes scarce durst she lift.
She prankes not by hir mistresse side, she preases not to bee
The foremost of the companie, as when she erst was free.
She standeth muët: and by chaunging of hir colour ay.
The treading of hir shooe awrie she plainely doth bewray,
Diana might haue founde the fault but that she was a May.
A thousand tokens did appeare apparant to the eye,
By which the Nymphes themselues (they say) hir fault did well espie.
Nine times the Moone full to the worlde had shewde hir horned face
When fainting through hir brothers flames and hunting in the chace,
She found a coole and shadie lawnde through midst whereof she spide
A shallow brooke with trickling streame on grauell bottom glide.
And liking well the pleasant place, vpon the vpper brim
She dipt hir foote, and finding there the water coole and trim,
Away (she sayd) with standers by: and let vs bath vs here.
Then Parrhasis cast downe hir head with sad and bashfull chere.
The rest did strip them to their skinnes. she only sought delay,
Untill that would or would she not hir clothes were pluckt away.
Then with hir naked body straight hir crime was brought to light.
Which yll ashamde as with hir hands she would haue hid from sight,
Fie beast (quoth Cynthia) get thee hence thou shalt not here defile
This sacred Spring, and from hir traine she did hir quite exile.
The Matrone of the thundring Ioue had incling of the fact,
Delaying till conuenient time the punishment to exact.
There is no cause of further stay. To spight hir heart withall,
Hir husbands Leman bare a boy that Arcas men did call.
On whome she casting lowring looke with fell and cruell minde
Saide: was there, arrant strumpet thou, none other shift to finde?
But that thou needes must be with barne? that all the world must see
My husbandes open shame and thine in doing wrong to mee?
But neyther vnto heauen nor hell this trespasse shalt thou beare.
I will bereue thee of thy shape through pride whereof thou were
So hardy to entyce my Feere. Immediatly with that
She raught hir by the foretop fast and fiercely threw hir flat
Against the grounde. The wretched wench hir armes vp mekely cast,
Hir armes began with griefly haire to waxe all rugged fast.
Hir handes gan warpe and into pawes ylfauordly to grow.
And for to serue in stede of feete. The lippes that late ago
Did like the mightie Ioue so well, with side and flaring flaps
Became a wide deformed mouth, and further least perhaps
Hir prayers and hir humble wordes might cause hir to relent:
She did bereue hir of hir speach. In steade whereof there went
An yrefull horce and dreadfull voyce out from a threatning throte:
But yet the selfe same minde that was before she turnde hir cote,
Was in hir still in shape of Beare. the griefe whereof she showes
by thrusting forth continuall sighes, and vp she gastly throwes
Such kinde of handes as then remainde vnto the starrie Skie.
And forbicause she could not speake she thought Ioue inwardly
To be vnthankfull. Oh how oft she daring not abide,
Alone among the desert woods, full many a time and tide,
Would stalke before hir house in grounds that were hir owne erewhile?
How oft oh did she in the hilles the barking houndes beguile?
And in the lawndes where she hir selfe had chased erst hir game,
Now flie hirselfe to saue hir life when hunters sought the same?
Full oft at sight of other beastes she hid hir head for feare,
Forgetting what she was hir selfe. for though she were a Beare,
Yet when she spied other Beares she quooke for verie paine:
And feared Wolues although hir Sire among them did remaine.
Delaying till conuenient time the punishment to exact.
There is no cause of further stay. To spight hir heart withall,
Hir husbands Leman bare a boy that Arcas men did call.
On whome she casting lowring looke with fell and cruell minde
Saide: was there, arrant strumpet thou, none other shift to finde?
But that thou needes must be with barne? that all the world must see
My husbandes open shame and thine in doing wrong to mee?
But neyther vnto heauen nor hell this trespasse shalt thou beare.
I will bereue thee of thy shape through pride whereof thou were
So hardy to entyce my Feere. Immediatly with that
[22]
Against the grounde. The wretched wench hir armes vp mekely cast,
Hir armes began with griefly haire to waxe all rugged fast.
Hir handes gan warpe and into pawes ylfauordly to grow.
And for to serue in stede of feete. The lippes that late ago
Did like the mightie Ioue so well, with side and flaring flaps
Became a wide deformed mouth, and further least perhaps
Hir prayers and hir humble wordes might cause hir to relent:
She did bereue hir of hir speach. In steade whereof there went
An yrefull horce and dreadfull voyce out from a threatning throte:
But yet the selfe same minde that was before she turnde hir cote,
Was in hir still in shape of Beare. the griefe whereof she showes
by thrusting forth continuall sighes, and vp she gastly throwes
Such kinde of handes as then remainde vnto the starrie Skie.
And forbicause she could not speake she thought Ioue inwardly
To be vnthankfull. Oh how oft she daring not abide,
Alone among the desert woods, full many a time and tide,
Would stalke before hir house in grounds that were hir owne erewhile?
How oft oh did she in the hilles the barking houndes beguile?
And in the lawndes where she hir selfe had chased erst hir game,
Now flie hirselfe to saue hir life when hunters sought the same?
Full oft at sight of other beastes she hid hir head for feare,
Forgetting what she was hir selfe. for though she were a Beare,
Yet when she spied other Beares she quooke for verie paine:
And feared Wolues although hir Sire among them did remaine.
Beholde Lycaons daughters sonne that Archas had to name
About the age of fiftene yeares within the forrest came
Of Erymanth, not knowing ought of this his mothers case.
There after pitching of his toyles, as he the stagges did chase,
Upon his mother sodenly it was his chaunce to light,
Who for desire to see hir sonne did stay hirselfe from flight.
And wistly on him cast hir looke as one that did him know.
But he not knowing what she was began his heeles to show.
And when he saw hir still persist in staring on his face,
He was afrayde, and from hir sight withdrew himselfe a pace,
But when he coulde not so be rid, he tooke an armed pike,
In full intent hir through the heart with deadly wound to strike.
But God almighty held his hand, and lifting both away
Did disapoint the wicked Act. For straight he did conuay
Them through the Ayre with whirling windes to top of all the skie,
And there did make them neighbour starres about the Pole on hie.
About the age of fiftene yeares within the forrest came
Of Erymanth, not knowing ought of this his mothers case.
There after pitching of his toyles, as he the stagges did chase,
Upon his mother sodenly it was his chaunce to light,
Who for desire to see hir sonne did stay hirselfe from flight.
And wistly on him cast hir looke as one that did him know.
But he not knowing what she was began his heeles to show.
And when he saw hir still persist in staring on his face,
He was afrayde, and from hir sight withdrew himselfe a pace,
But when he coulde not so be rid, he tooke an armed pike,
In full intent hir through the heart with deadly wound to strike.
23
Did disapoint the wicked Act. For straight he did conuay
Them through the Ayre with whirling windes to top of all the skie,
And there did make them neighbour starres about the Pole on hie.
When Iuno shining in the heauen hir husbands minion found,
She swelde for spight: and downe she comes to watry Tethys round
And vnto olde Oceanus, whome euen the Gods aloft
Did reuerence for their iust deserts full many a time and oft
To whome demaunding hir the cause: And aske ye (quoth she) why
That I which am the Queene of Goddes come hither from the sky?
Good cause there is I warrant you. Another holdes my roome.
For neuer trust me while I liue, if when the night is coome,
And ouercasteth all the world with shadie darknesse whole,
Ye see not in the heigth of heauen hard by the Northren Pole
Whereas the vtmost circle runnes about the Axeltree
In shortest circuit, gloriously enstalled for to bee
In shape of starres the stinging woundes that make me yll apayde.
Now is there (trow ye) any cause why folke should be afrayde
To do to Iuno what they list? or dread hir wrathfull mood?
Which only by my working harme doe turne my foes to good?
O what a mightie act is done? how passing is my powre?
I haue bereft hir womans shape, and at this present howre
She is become a Goddesse. Loe this is the scourge so sowre
Wherewith I strike mine enimies. Loe here is all the spight
That I can doe: this is the ende of all my wondrous might.
No force. I would he should (for me) hir natiue shape restore,
And take away hir brutish shape, Like as he hath before
Done by his Paramour that fine and proper piece
Of Argos whom he made a Cow, I meane Phoronevvs Niece.
Why makes he not a full deuorce from me? and in my stead
Straight take his Sweetheart to his wife, and coll hir in my bed?
He can not doe a better deede (I thinke) than for to take
Lycaon to his fatherinlaw. But if that you doe make
Accompt of me your foster childe, then graunt that for my sake,
The Oxen and the wicked Waine of starres in number seuen,
For whoredome sake but late ago receyued into heauen,
May neuer diue within your waues. Ne let that strumpet vyle
By bathing of hir filthie limmes your waters pure defile.
She swelde for spight: and downe she comes to watry Tethys round
And vnto olde Oceanus, whome euen the Gods aloft
Did reuerence for their iust deserts full many a time and oft
To whome demaunding hir the cause: And aske ye (quoth she) why
That I which am the Queene of Goddes come hither from the sky?
Good cause there is I warrant you. Another holdes my roome.
For neuer trust me while I liue, if when the night is coome,
And ouercasteth all the world with shadie darknesse whole,
Ye see not in the heigth of heauen hard by the Northren Pole
Whereas the vtmost circle runnes about the Axeltree
In shortest circuit, gloriously enstalled for to bee
In shape of starres the stinging woundes that make me yll apayde.
Now is there (trow ye) any cause why folke should be afrayde
To do to Iuno what they list? or dread hir wrathfull mood?
Which only by my working harme doe turne my foes to good?
O what a mightie act is done? how passing is my powre?
I haue bereft hir womans shape, and at this present howre
She is become a Goddesse. Loe this is the scourge so sowre
Wherewith I strike mine enimies. Loe here is all the spight
That I can doe: this is the ende of all my wondrous might.
No force. I would he should (for me) hir natiue shape restore,
And take away hir brutish shape, Like as he hath before
Done by his Paramour that fine and proper piece
Of Argos whom he made a Cow, I meane Phoronevvs Niece.
Why makes he not a full deuorce from me? and in my stead
Straight take his Sweetheart to his wife, and coll hir in my bed?
He can not doe a better deede (I thinke) than for to take
Lycaon to his fatherinlaw. But if that you doe make
Accompt of me your foster childe, then graunt that for my sake,
The Oxen and the wicked Waine of starres in number seuen,
For whoredome sake but late ago receyued into heauen,
May neuer diue within your waues. Ne let that strumpet vyle
[23]
The Gods did graunt hir hir request: & straight to heauen she flue,
In hādsome Chariot through the Ayre. which painted peacocks drue
As well beset with blasing eyes late tane from Argus hed,
As thou thou prating Rauen white by nature being bred,
Hadst on thy fethers iustly late a coly colour spred.
For this same birde in auncient time had fethers faire and whight
As euer was the driuen snow, or siluer cleare and bright.
He might haue well comparde himselfe in beautie with the Doues
That haue no blemish, or the Swan that running water loues:
Or with the Geese that afterward should with their gagling out
Preserue the Romaine Capitoll beset with foes about.
His tongue was cause of all his harme, his tatling tongue did make
His colour which before was white, became so foule and blake.
Coronis of Larissa was the fairest maide of face,
In all the land of Thessalie. Shee stoode in Phebus grace
As long as that she kept hir chast, or at the least as long
As that she scaped vnespide in doing Phebus wrong.
But at the last Apollos birde hir priuie packing spide.
Whome no entreatance could persuade but that he swiftly hide
Him to his maister, to bewray the doings of his loue.
Now as he flue, the pratling Crow hir wings apace did moue:
And ouertaking fell in talke and was inquisitiue
For what intent and to what place he did so swiftly driue.
And when she heard the cause thereof, she said: now trust me sure,
This message on the whiche thou goste no goodnesse will procure.
And therefore hearken what I say: disdaine thou not at all,
To take some warning by thy friende in things that may befall.
Consider what I erst haue bene and what thou seest me now:
And what hath bene the ground hereof. I boldly dare auow,
That thou shalt finde my faithfulnesse imputed for a crime.
For Pallas in a wicker chest had hid vpon a time
A childe calde Ericthonius, whome neuer woman bare,
And tooke it vnto Maidens three that Cecrops daughters were.
Not telling them what was within, but gaue them charge to keepe
The Casket shut, and for no cause within the same to peepe.
I standing close among the leaues vpon an Elme on hie,
Did marke their doings and their wordes, and there I did espie
How Pandrosos and Herse kept their promise faithfully.
Aglauros calles them Cowardes both, and makes no more a doe,
But takes the Casket in hir hand and doth the knots vndooe.
And there they saw a childe whose partes beneath were like a Snake.
Straight to the Goddesse of this deede a iust report I make.
For which she gaue me this reward that neuer might I more,
Accompt hir for my Lady and my Mistresse as before.
And in my roume she put the fowle that flies not but by night.
A warning vnto other birdes my lucke should be of right
To holde their tongues for being shent. But you will say perchaunce.
I came vnsent for of my selfe, she did me not aduaunce.
I dare well say though Pallas now my heauie Mistresse stand.
Yet if perhaps ye should demaund the question at hir hand,
As sore displeased as she is, she would not this denie:
But that she chose me first hir selfe to beare hir companie.
For (well I know) my father was a Prince of noble fame,
Of Phocis King by long discent, Coronevv was his name:
(I was his darling and his ioy, and many a welthie Piere
(I would not haue you thinke disdaine) did seeke me for their Fere.
My forme and beautie did me hurt. For as I leysurely
Went ietting vp and downe the shore vpon the grauell drie.
As yet I customably doe the God that rules the Seas
Espying me fell straight in loue. And when he saw none ease
In sute, but losse of wordes and time, he offred violence,
And after me he runnes apace. I skudde as fast fro thence,
From sand to shore from shore to sand, still playing Foxe to hole,
Untill I was so tirde that he had almost got the gole.
Then cald I out on God and man. But (as it did appeare)
There was no man so neare at hand that could my crying heare.
A Uirgin Goddesse pitied me bicause I was a mayde:
And at the vtter plunge and pinche did send me present ayde.
I cast mine armes to heauē, mine armes waxt light with fethers black
I went about to cast in hast my garments from my back,
And all was fethers. In my skinne the rooted fethers stack,
I was about with violent hand to strike my naked breast,
But nether had I hand nor breast that naked more did reast.
I ran, but of my feete as erst remained not the print.
Me thought I glided on the ground. Anon with sodaine dint,
I rose and houered in the Ayre. And from that instant time
Did wait on Pallas faithfully without offence or crime.
But what auailes all this to me, and if that in my place
The wicked wretch Nyctyminee (who late for lacke of grace
Was turned to an odious birde) to honor called bee?
I pray thee didst thou neuer heare how false Nyctyminee
(A thing all ouer Lesbos knowne) defilde hir fathers couch?
The beast is now become a birde. whose lewdnesse doth so touch
And pricke hir guiltie conscience, that she dares not come in sight,
Nor shewe hirselfe abrode a dayes. but fleeteth in the night
For shame least folke should see hir fault. and euery other birde
Doth in the Ayre and Iuie toddes with wondring at hir girde.
A mischiefe take thy tatling tongue the Rauen answerde tho.
Thy vaine forspeaking moues me not. And so he forth did go
And tels his Lorde Apollo how he saw Coronis lie
Wyth Isthyis a Gentleman that dwelt in Thessalie.
In hādsome Chariot through the Ayre. which painted peacocks drue
As well beset with blasing eyes late tane from Argus hed,
As thou thou prating Rauen white by nature being bred,
Hadst on thy fethers iustly late a coly colour spred.
For this same birde in auncient time had fethers faire and whight
As euer was the driuen snow, or siluer cleare and bright.
He might haue well comparde himselfe in beautie with the Doues
That haue no blemish, or the Swan that running water loues:
Or with the Geese that afterward should with their gagling out
Preserue the Romaine Capitoll beset with foes about.
His tongue was cause of all his harme, his tatling tongue did make
His colour which before was white, became so foule and blake.
Coronis of Larissa was the fairest maide of face,
In all the land of Thessalie. Shee stoode in Phebus grace
As long as that she kept hir chast, or at the least as long
As that she scaped vnespide in doing Phebus wrong.
But at the last Apollos birde hir priuie packing spide.
Whome no entreatance could persuade but that he swiftly hide
Him to his maister, to bewray the doings of his loue.
Now as he flue, the pratling Crow hir wings apace did moue:
And ouertaking fell in talke and was inquisitiue
For what intent and to what place he did so swiftly driue.
And when she heard the cause thereof, she said: now trust me sure,
This message on the whiche thou goste no goodnesse will procure.
And therefore hearken what I say: disdaine thou not at all,
To take some warning by thy friende in things that may befall.
Consider what I erst haue bene and what thou seest me now:
And what hath bene the ground hereof. I boldly dare auow,
That thou shalt finde my faithfulnesse imputed for a crime.
For Pallas in a wicker chest had hid vpon a time
A childe calde Ericthonius, whome neuer woman bare,
And tooke it vnto Maidens three that Cecrops daughters were.
Not telling them what was within, but gaue them charge to keepe
The Casket shut, and for no cause within the same to peepe.
I standing close among the leaues vpon an Elme on hie,
24
How Pandrosos and Herse kept their promise faithfully.
Aglauros calles them Cowardes both, and makes no more a doe,
But takes the Casket in hir hand and doth the knots vndooe.
And there they saw a childe whose partes beneath were like a Snake.
Straight to the Goddesse of this deede a iust report I make.
For which she gaue me this reward that neuer might I more,
Accompt hir for my Lady and my Mistresse as before.
And in my roume she put the fowle that flies not but by night.
A warning vnto other birdes my lucke should be of right
To holde their tongues for being shent. But you will say perchaunce.
I came vnsent for of my selfe, she did me not aduaunce.
I dare well say though Pallas now my heauie Mistresse stand.
Yet if perhaps ye should demaund the question at hir hand,
As sore displeased as she is, she would not this denie:
But that she chose me first hir selfe to beare hir companie.
For (well I know) my father was a Prince of noble fame,
Of Phocis King by long discent, Coronevv was his name:
(I was his darling and his ioy, and many a welthie Piere
(I would not haue you thinke disdaine) did seeke me for their Fere.
My forme and beautie did me hurt. For as I leysurely
Went ietting vp and downe the shore vpon the grauell drie.
As yet I customably doe the God that rules the Seas
Espying me fell straight in loue. And when he saw none ease
In sute, but losse of wordes and time, he offred violence,
And after me he runnes apace. I skudde as fast fro thence,
From sand to shore from shore to sand, still playing Foxe to hole,
Untill I was so tirde that he had almost got the gole.
Then cald I out on God and man. But (as it did appeare)
There was no man so neare at hand that could my crying heare.
A Uirgin Goddesse pitied me bicause I was a mayde:
And at the vtter plunge and pinche did send me present ayde.
I cast mine armes to heauē, mine armes waxt light with fethers black
I went about to cast in hast my garments from my back,
And all was fethers. In my skinne the rooted fethers stack,
I was about with violent hand to strike my naked breast,
But nether had I hand nor breast that naked more did reast.
[24]
Me thought I glided on the ground. Anon with sodaine dint,
I rose and houered in the Ayre. And from that instant time
Did wait on Pallas faithfully without offence or crime.
But what auailes all this to me, and if that in my place
The wicked wretch Nyctyminee (who late for lacke of grace
Was turned to an odious birde) to honor called bee?
I pray thee didst thou neuer heare how false Nyctyminee
(A thing all ouer Lesbos knowne) defilde hir fathers couch?
The beast is now become a birde. whose lewdnesse doth so touch
And pricke hir guiltie conscience, that she dares not come in sight,
Nor shewe hirselfe abrode a dayes. but fleeteth in the night
For shame least folke should see hir fault. and euery other birde
Doth in the Ayre and Iuie toddes with wondring at hir girde.
A mischiefe take thy tatling tongue the Rauen answerde tho.
Thy vaine forspeaking moues me not. And so he forth did go
And tels his Lorde Apollo how he saw Coronis lie
Wyth Isthyis a Gentleman that dwelt in Thessalie.
When Phebus heard his louers fault, he fiersly gan to frowne,
And cast his garlond from his head, and threw his viall downe.
His colour chaungde, his face lookt pale, and as the rage of yre
That boyled in his belking breast had set his heart on fyre,
He caught me vp his wonted tooles, and bent his golden bow,
And by and by with deadly stripe of vnauoyded blow
Strake through the breast the which his owne had toucht so oft afore.
She wounded gaue a piteous shrike, and (drawing from the sore
The deadly Dart the which the bloud pursuing after fast
Upon hir white and tender limmes a scarlet colour cast)
Saide Phebus well, thou might haue wreakt this trespasse on my head
And yet forborne me till the time I had bene brought a bed.
Now in one body by thy meanes a couple shall be dead.
Thus muche she saide: and with the bloud hir life did fade away.
The bodie being voyde of soule became as colde as clay.
Than all too late, alas too late gan Phebus to repent
That of his louer he had tane so cruell punishment.
He blames himselfe for giuing eare so vnaduisedly.
He blames himselfe in that he tooke it so outragiously.
He hates and bannes his faithfull birde bicause he did enforme
Him of his louers naughtinesse that made him so to storme.
He hates his bow, he hates his shaft that rashly from it went:
And eke he hates his hasty hands by whom the bow was bent.
He takes hir vp betweene his armes endeuoring all too late
By plaister made of precious herbes to stay hir helplesse fate.
But when he saw there was no shift: but that she needes must burne,
And that the solemne sacred fire was prest to serue the turne,
Then from the bottome of his heart full sorie sighes he fet,
(For heauenly powres with watrie teares their cheekes may neuer wet)
In case as when a Cow beholdes the cruell butcher stand
With launcing Axe embrewd with bloud and lifting vp his hand
Aloft to snatch hir sucking Calfe that hangeth by the heeles
And of the Axe the deadly dint vpon his forehead feeles.
Howbeit after sweete perfumes bestowde vpon hir corse
And much embracing, hauing sore bewailde hir wrong diuorse,
He followed to the place assignde hir bodie for to burne.
There coulde he not abide to see his seede to ashes turne.
But tooke the baby from hir wombe and from the firie flame,
And vnto double Chyrons den conueyed straight the same.
The Rauen hoping for his truth to be rewarded well,
He maketh blacke, forbidding him with whiter birdes to dwell.
And cast his garlond from his head, and threw his viall downe.
His colour chaungde, his face lookt pale, and as the rage of yre
That boyled in his belking breast had set his heart on fyre,
He caught me vp his wonted tooles, and bent his golden bow,
And by and by with deadly stripe of vnauoyded blow
Strake through the breast the which his owne had toucht so oft afore.
She wounded gaue a piteous shrike, and (drawing from the sore
The deadly Dart the which the bloud pursuing after fast
Upon hir white and tender limmes a scarlet colour cast)
Saide Phebus well, thou might haue wreakt this trespasse on my head
And yet forborne me till the time I had bene brought a bed.
Now in one body by thy meanes a couple shall be dead.
Thus muche she saide: and with the bloud hir life did fade away.
The bodie being voyde of soule became as colde as clay.
Than all too late, alas too late gan Phebus to repent
That of his louer he had tane so cruell punishment.
He blames himselfe for giuing eare so vnaduisedly.
He blames himselfe in that he tooke it so outragiously.
25
Him of his louers naughtinesse that made him so to storme.
He hates his bow, he hates his shaft that rashly from it went:
And eke he hates his hasty hands by whom the bow was bent.
He takes hir vp betweene his armes endeuoring all too late
By plaister made of precious herbes to stay hir helplesse fate.
But when he saw there was no shift: but that she needes must burne,
And that the solemne sacred fire was prest to serue the turne,
Then from the bottome of his heart full sorie sighes he fet,
(For heauenly powres with watrie teares their cheekes may neuer wet)
In case as when a Cow beholdes the cruell butcher stand
With launcing Axe embrewd with bloud and lifting vp his hand
Aloft to snatch hir sucking Calfe that hangeth by the heeles
And of the Axe the deadly dint vpon his forehead feeles.
Howbeit after sweete perfumes bestowde vpon hir corse
And much embracing, hauing sore bewailde hir wrong diuorse,
He followed to the place assignde hir bodie for to burne.
There coulde he not abide to see his seede to ashes turne.
But tooke the baby from hir wombe and from the firie flame,
And vnto double Chyrons den conueyed straight the same.
The Rauen hoping for his truth to be rewarded well,
He maketh blacke, forbidding him with whiter birdes to dwell.
The Centaure Chyron in the while was glad of Phebus boy,
And as the burthen brought some care the honor brought him ioy.
Upon a time with golden lockes about hir shoulders spred,
A daughter of the Centaurs (whome a certaine Nymph had bred
About the brooke Caycus bankes) that hight Ocyroe
Came thither. This same fayre yong Nymph could not contented be
To learne the craft of Surgerie as perfect as hir Sire,
But that to learne the secret doomes of Fate she must aspire.
And therfore when the furious rage of frenzie had hir cought,
And that the spright of Prophecie enflamed had hir thought,
She lookt vpon the childe and saide: sweete babe the Gods thee make
A man, for all the world shall fare the better for thy sake.
All sores and sicknesse shalt thou cure: thy powre shall eke be syche,
To make the dead aliue again. For doing of the whiche
Against the pleasure of the Gods, thy Graundsire shall thee strike
So with his fire, that neuer more thou shalt performe the like.
And of a God a bludlesse corse, and of a corse (full straunge)
Thou shalt become a God againe, and twice thy nature chaunge.
And thou my father liefe and deare, who now by destinie,
Art borne to liue for euermore and neuer for to die,
Shalt suffer such outragious paine throughout thy members all,
By wounding of a venimde dart that on thy foote shall fall,
That oft thou shalt desire to die, and in the latter end
The fatall dames shall breake thy threede and thy desire thee send.
There was yet more behinde to tell, when sodenly she set
A sore deepe sigh, and downe hir cheekes the teares did trickle wet.
Mine owne misfortune (quoth she) now hath ouertake me sure.
I cannot vtter any more, for words waxe out of vre
My cunning was not worth so much as that it should procure
The wrath of God. I feele by proufe far better had it bene:
If that the chaunce of things to come I neuer had forseene.
For now my natiue shape withdrawes. Me thinkes I haue delight
To feede on grasse and fling in fieldes: I feele my selfe so light.
I am transformed to a Mare like other of my kinne.
But wherfore should this brutish shape all ouer wholy winne?
Considering that although both horse and man my father bee:
Yet is his better part a man as plainly is to see.
The latter ende of this complaint was fumbled in such wise,
As what she meant the standers by could scarcely well deuise.
Anon she neyther semde to speake nor fully for to ney,
But like to one that counterfeites in sport the Mare to play.
Within a while she neyed plaine, and downe hir armes were pight,
Upon the ground all clad with haire, and bare hir bodie right.
Hir fingers ioyned all in one, at ende whereof did grow
In stede of nayles a round tough hoofe of welked horne bylow.
Hir head and necke shot forth in length, hir kirtle trayne became
A faire long taile. Hir flaring haire was made a hanging Mane.
And as hir natiue shape and voyce most monstrously did passe,
So by the vncoth name of Mare she after termed was.
And as the burthen brought some care the honor brought him ioy.
Upon a time with golden lockes about hir shoulders spred,
A daughter of the Centaurs (whome a certaine Nymph had bred
About the brooke Caycus bankes) that hight Ocyroe
Came thither. This same fayre yong Nymph could not contented be
To learne the craft of Surgerie as perfect as hir Sire,
But that to learne the secret doomes of Fate she must aspire.
And therfore when the furious rage of frenzie had hir cought,
And that the spright of Prophecie enflamed had hir thought,
She lookt vpon the childe and saide: sweete babe the Gods thee make
A man, for all the world shall fare the better for thy sake.
All sores and sicknesse shalt thou cure: thy powre shall eke be syche,
To make the dead aliue again. For doing of the whiche
Against the pleasure of the Gods, thy Graundsire shall thee strike
[25]
And of a God a bludlesse corse, and of a corse (full straunge)
Thou shalt become a God againe, and twice thy nature chaunge.
And thou my father liefe and deare, who now by destinie,
Art borne to liue for euermore and neuer for to die,
Shalt suffer such outragious paine throughout thy members all,
By wounding of a venimde dart that on thy foote shall fall,
That oft thou shalt desire to die, and in the latter end
The fatall dames shall breake thy threede and thy desire thee send.
There was yet more behinde to tell, when sodenly she set
A sore deepe sigh, and downe hir cheekes the teares did trickle wet.
Mine owne misfortune (quoth she) now hath ouertake me sure.
I cannot vtter any more, for words waxe out of vre
My cunning was not worth so much as that it should procure
The wrath of God. I feele by proufe far better had it bene:
If that the chaunce of things to come I neuer had forseene.
For now my natiue shape withdrawes. Me thinkes I haue delight
To feede on grasse and fling in fieldes: I feele my selfe so light.
I am transformed to a Mare like other of my kinne.
But wherfore should this brutish shape all ouer wholy winne?
Considering that although both horse and man my father bee:
Yet is his better part a man as plainly is to see.
The latter ende of this complaint was fumbled in such wise,
As what she meant the standers by could scarcely well deuise.
Anon she neyther semde to speake nor fully for to ney,
But like to one that counterfeites in sport the Mare to play.
Within a while she neyed plaine, and downe hir armes were pight,
Upon the ground all clad with haire, and bare hir bodie right.
Hir fingers ioyned all in one, at ende whereof did grow
In stede of nayles a round tough hoofe of welked horne bylow.
Hir head and necke shot forth in length, hir kirtle trayne became
A faire long taile. Hir flaring haire was made a hanging Mane.
And as hir natiue shape and voyce most monstrously did passe,
So by the vncoth name of Mare she after termed was.
The Centaure Chyron wept hereat: and piteously dismaide
Did call on thee (although in vaine) thou Delphian God for ayde.
For neyther lay it in thy hande to breake Ioues mighty hest,
And though it had, yet in thy state as then thou did not rest.
In Elis did thou then abide and in Messene lande.
It was the time when vnder shape of shepehierde with a wande
Of Olyue and a pipe of reedes thou kept Admetus sheepe.
Now in this time that (saue of Loue) thou tooke none other keepe,
And madste thee merrie with thy pipe, the glistring Maias sonne
By chaunce abrode the fields of Pyle spide certaine cattle runne
Without a hierde, the which he stole and closely did them hide
Among the woods. This pretie slight no earthly creature spide,
Saue one old churle that Battus hight. This Battus had the charge
Of welthie Neleus feeding groundes, and all his pastures large,
And kept a race of goodly Mares. Of him he was afraide.
And least by him his priuie theft should chaunce to be bewraide,
He tooke a bribe to stop his mouth, and thus vnto him saide.
My friend I pray thee if perchaunce that any man enquire
This cattell say thou saw them not. And take thou for thy hire
This faire yong Bullocke. Tother tooke the Bullocke at his hand,
And shewing him a certaine stone that lay vpon the lande
Sayd, go thy way: Assoone this stone thy doings shall bewray,
As I shall doe. So Mercurie did seeme to go his way.
Annon he commes me backe againe, and altred both in speche
And outward shape, saide Countrieman Ich heartely bezeche,
And if thou zawest any Kie come royling through this grounde,
Or driuen away, tell what he was and where they may be vownde.
And I chill gethee vor thy paine an Hecfar an hir match.
The Carle perceyuing double gaine, and greedy for to catch,
Sayde: vnder yonsame hill they were, and vnder yonsame hill
Cham zure they are, and with his hand he poynted therevntill.
At that Mercurius laughing saide: false knaue: and doste bewray
Me to my selfe? doste thou bewray me to my selfe I say?
And with that word strayt to a stone he turnde his double heart,
In which the slaunder yet remaines without the stones desart.
Did call on thee (although in vaine) thou Delphian God for ayde.
For neyther lay it in thy hande to breake Ioues mighty hest,
26
In Elis did thou then abide and in Messene lande.
It was the time when vnder shape of shepehierde with a wande
Of Olyue and a pipe of reedes thou kept Admetus sheepe.
Now in this time that (saue of Loue) thou tooke none other keepe,
And madste thee merrie with thy pipe, the glistring Maias sonne
By chaunce abrode the fields of Pyle spide certaine cattle runne
Without a hierde, the which he stole and closely did them hide
Among the woods. This pretie slight no earthly creature spide,
Saue one old churle that Battus hight. This Battus had the charge
Of welthie Neleus feeding groundes, and all his pastures large,
And kept a race of goodly Mares. Of him he was afraide.
And least by him his priuie theft should chaunce to be bewraide,
He tooke a bribe to stop his mouth, and thus vnto him saide.
My friend I pray thee if perchaunce that any man enquire
This cattell say thou saw them not. And take thou for thy hire
This faire yong Bullocke. Tother tooke the Bullocke at his hand,
And shewing him a certaine stone that lay vpon the lande
Sayd, go thy way: Assoone this stone thy doings shall bewray,
As I shall doe. So Mercurie did seeme to go his way.
Annon he commes me backe againe, and altred both in speche
And outward shape, saide Countrieman Ich heartely bezeche,
And if thou zawest any Kie come royling through this grounde,
Or driuen away, tell what he was and where they may be vownde.
And I chill gethee vor thy paine an Hecfar an hir match.
The Carle perceyuing double gaine, and greedy for to catch,
Sayde: vnder yonsame hill they were, and vnder yonsame hill
Cham zure they are, and with his hand he poynted therevntill.
At that Mercurius laughing saide: false knaue: and doste bewray
Me to my selfe? doste thou bewray me to my selfe I say?
And with that word strayt to a stone he turnde his double heart,
In which the slaunder yet remaines without the stones desart.
The Bearer of the charmed Rod the suttle Mercurie
This done arose with wauing wings and from that place did flie.
And as he houered in the Ayre he viewde the fieldes bylow
Of Atticke and the towne it selfe with all the trees that grow
In Lycey where the learned Clarkes did wholsome preceptes show.
By chaunce the verie selfe same day the virgins of the towne
Of olde and auncient custome bare in baskets on their crowne
Beset with garlands fresh and gay and strowde with flowres sweete
To Pallas towre such sacrifice as was of custome meete.
The winged God beholding them returning in a troupe
Continued not directly forth, but gan me downe to stoupe.
And fetch a wyndlasse round about. And as the hungry Kite
Beholding vnto sacrifice a Bullocke redie dight,
Doth sore about his wished pray desirous for to snatche
But that he dareth not for such as stand about and watch:
So Mercurie with nimble wings doth keepe a lower gate
About Mineruas loftie towres in round and wheeling rate.
This done arose with wauing wings and from that place did flie.
And as he houered in the Ayre he viewde the fieldes bylow
Of Atticke and the towne it selfe with all the trees that grow
In Lycey where the learned Clarkes did wholsome preceptes show.
[26]
Of olde and auncient custome bare in baskets on their crowne
Beset with garlands fresh and gay and strowde with flowres sweete
To Pallas towre such sacrifice as was of custome meete.
The winged God beholding them returning in a troupe
Continued not directly forth, but gan me downe to stoupe.
And fetch a wyndlasse round about. And as the hungry Kite
Beholding vnto sacrifice a Bullocke redie dight,
Doth sore about his wished pray desirous for to snatche
But that he dareth not for such as stand about and watch:
So Mercurie with nimble wings doth keepe a lower gate
About Mineruas loftie towres in round and wheeling rate.
As far as doth the Morning starre in cleare and streaming light
Excell all other starres in heauen: as far also as bright
Dame Phebe dimmes the Morning starre, so far did Herses face
Staine all the Ladies of hir troupe: she was the verie grace
And beautie of that solemne pompe, and all that traine so fayre.
Ioues sonne was rauisht with the sight, and hanging in the ayre
Began to swelt within himselfe, in case as when the poulder
Hath driuen the Pellet from the Gunne, the Pellet ginnes to smoulder:
And in his flying waxe more hote. In smoking brest he shrowdes
His flames not brought frō heauen aboue but caught beneath the clouds.
He leaues his iorney toward heauen and takes another race
Not minding any lenger time to hide his present case.
So great a trust and confidence his beautie to him gaue
Which though it seemed of it selfe sufficient force to haue.
Yet was he curious for to make himselfe more fine and braue.
He kembd his head and strokt his beard, and pried on euery side
To see that in his furniture no wrinkle might be spide.
And forbicause his Cloke was fringde and garded brode with golde,
He cast it on his shoulder vp most seemely to beholde.
He takes in hand his charmed rod that bringeth things asleepe
And wakes them when he list againe. And lastly taketh keepe
That on his faire welformed feete his golden shooes sit cleene,
And that all other things thereto well correspondent beene.
Excell all other starres in heauen: as far also as bright
Dame Phebe dimmes the Morning starre, so far did Herses face
Staine all the Ladies of hir troupe: she was the verie grace
And beautie of that solemne pompe, and all that traine so fayre.
Ioues sonne was rauisht with the sight, and hanging in the ayre
Began to swelt within himselfe, in case as when the poulder
Hath driuen the Pellet from the Gunne, the Pellet ginnes to smoulder:
And in his flying waxe more hote. In smoking brest he shrowdes
His flames not brought frō heauen aboue but caught beneath the clouds.
He leaues his iorney toward heauen and takes another race
Not minding any lenger time to hide his present case.
So great a trust and confidence his beautie to him gaue
Which though it seemed of it selfe sufficient force to haue.
Yet was he curious for to make himselfe more fine and braue.
He kembd his head and strokt his beard, and pried on euery side
To see that in his furniture no wrinkle might be spide.
And forbicause his Cloke was fringde and garded brode with golde,
He cast it on his shoulder vp most seemely to beholde.
He takes in hand his charmed rod that bringeth things asleepe
And wakes them when he list againe. And lastly taketh keepe
That on his faire welformed feete his golden shooes sit cleene,
And that all other things thereto well correspondent beene.
In Cecrops Court were Chambers three set far from all resort
With yuorie beddes all furnished in far most royall sort.
Of which Aglauros had the left and Pandrose had the right,
And Herse had the middlemost. She that Aglauros hight
First markt the comming of the God, and asking him his name
Demaunded him for what entent and cause he thither came.
Pleiones Nephew Maias sonne did make hir aunswere thus.
I am my fathers messenger his pleasure to discusse
To mortall folke and hellish fiendes as list him to commaund.
My father is the mightie Ioue. To that thou doste demaund
I will not feyne a false excuse. I aske no more but graunt
To keepe thy sisters counsell close, and for to be the Aunt
Of such the issue as on hir my chaunce shalbe to get.
Thy sister Herse is the cause that hath me hither fet.
I pray thee beare thou with my loue that is so firmely set.
Aglauros cast on Mercurie hir scornfull eyes aside,
With which against Mineruas will hir secretes late she spide,
Demaunding him in recompence a mighty masse of Golde:
And would not let him enter in vntil the same were tolde.
The warlike Goddesse cast on hir a sterne and cruell looke,
And fetched such a cutting sigh that forcibly it shooke
Both brest and brestplate, wherewithall it came vnto hir thought
How that Aglauros late ago against hir will had wrought
In looking on the Lemman childe contrarie to hir othe,
The whiche she tooke hir in the chest. for which she waxed wrothe.
Againe she saw hir cancred heart maliciously repine
Against hir sister and the God. And furthermore in fine
How that the golde which Mercurie had giuen hir for hir meede,
Would make hir both in welth and pride all others to exceede.
With yuorie beddes all furnished in far most royall sort.
27
And Herse had the middlemost. She that Aglauros hight
First markt the comming of the God, and asking him his name
Demaunded him for what entent and cause he thither came.
Pleiones Nephew Maias sonne did make hir aunswere thus.
I am my fathers messenger his pleasure to discusse
To mortall folke and hellish fiendes as list him to commaund.
My father is the mightie Ioue. To that thou doste demaund
I will not feyne a false excuse. I aske no more but graunt
To keepe thy sisters counsell close, and for to be the Aunt
Of such the issue as on hir my chaunce shalbe to get.
Thy sister Herse is the cause that hath me hither fet.
I pray thee beare thou with my loue that is so firmely set.
Aglauros cast on Mercurie hir scornfull eyes aside,
With which against Mineruas will hir secretes late she spide,
Demaunding him in recompence a mighty masse of Golde:
And would not let him enter in vntil the same were tolde.
The warlike Goddesse cast on hir a sterne and cruell looke,
And fetched such a cutting sigh that forcibly it shooke
Both brest and brestplate, wherewithall it came vnto hir thought
How that Aglauros late ago against hir will had wrought
In looking on the Lemman childe contrarie to hir othe,
The whiche she tooke hir in the chest. for which she waxed wrothe.
Againe she saw hir cancred heart maliciously repine
Against hir sister and the God. And furthermore in fine
How that the golde which Mercurie had giuen hir for hir meede,
Would make hir both in welth and pride all others to exceede.
She goes me straight to Enuies house, a foule and irksome caue
Replete with blacke and lothly filth and stinking like a graue.
It standeth in a hollow dale where neyther light of Sunne
Nor blast of any winde or Ayre may for the deepenesse come.
A dreyrie sad and dolefull den ay full of slouthfull colde
As which ay dimd with smoldring smoke doth neuer fire beholde,
When Pallas that same manly Maide approched nere this plot,
She staide without, for to the house in enter might she not.
And with hir Iauelin point did giue a push against the doore.
The doore flue open by and by and fell me in the floore.
There saw she Enuie sit within fast gnawing on the flesh
Of Snakes and Todes the filthie foode that keepes hir vices fresh.
It lothde hir to beholde the sight. Anon the Elfe arose
And left the gnawed Adders flesh, and slouthfully she goes
With lumpish leysure like a Snayle, and when she saw the face
Of Pallas and hir faire attire adournde with heauenly grace,
She gaue a sigh a sorie sigh from bottome of hir heart.
Hir lippes were pale, hir cheekes were wan, and all hir face was swart:
Hir bodie leane as any Rake. She looked eke a skew.
Hir teeth were surde with filth and drosse, hir gums were waryish blew,
The working of hir festered gall had made hir stomacke greene
And all bevenimde was hir tongue. No sleepe hir eyes had seene.
Continuall Carke and cankred care did keepe hir waking still:
Of laughter (saue at others harmes) the Helhound can no skill.
It is against hir will that men haue any good successe.
And if they haue, she frettes and fumes within hir minde no lesse
Than if hir selfe had taken harme. In seeking to annoy:
And worke distresse to other folke, hir selfe she doth destroy.
Thus is she torment to hir selfe. Though Pallas did hir hate,
Yet spake she briefly these few wordes to hir without hir gate.
Infect thou with thy venim one of Cecrops daughters three,
It is Aglauros whome I meane, for so it needes must bee.
This said, she pight hir speare in ground, and tooke hir rise thereon.
And winding from that wicked wight did take hir flight anon.
Replete with blacke and lothly filth and stinking like a graue.
It standeth in a hollow dale where neyther light of Sunne
Nor blast of any winde or Ayre may for the deepenesse come.
A dreyrie sad and dolefull den ay full of slouthfull colde
As which ay dimd with smoldring smoke doth neuer fire beholde,
When Pallas that same manly Maide approched nere this plot,
She staide without, for to the house in enter might she not.
And with hir Iauelin point did giue a push against the doore.
The doore flue open by and by and fell me in the floore.
[27]
Of Snakes and Todes the filthie foode that keepes hir vices fresh.
It lothde hir to beholde the sight. Anon the Elfe arose
And left the gnawed Adders flesh, and slouthfully she goes
With lumpish leysure like a Snayle, and when she saw the face
Of Pallas and hir faire attire adournde with heauenly grace,
She gaue a sigh a sorie sigh from bottome of hir heart.
Hir lippes were pale, hir cheekes were wan, and all hir face was swart:
Hir bodie leane as any Rake. She looked eke a skew.
Hir teeth were surde with filth and drosse, hir gums were waryish blew,
The working of hir festered gall had made hir stomacke greene
And all bevenimde was hir tongue. No sleepe hir eyes had seene.
Continuall Carke and cankred care did keepe hir waking still:
Of laughter (saue at others harmes) the Helhound can no skill.
It is against hir will that men haue any good successe.
And if they haue, she frettes and fumes within hir minde no lesse
Than if hir selfe had taken harme. In seeking to annoy:
And worke distresse to other folke, hir selfe she doth destroy.
Thus is she torment to hir selfe. Though Pallas did hir hate,
Yet spake she briefly these few wordes to hir without hir gate.
Infect thou with thy venim one of Cecrops daughters three,
It is Aglauros whome I meane, for so it needes must bee.
This said, she pight hir speare in ground, and tooke hir rise thereon.
And winding from that wicked wight did take hir flight anon.
The Caitife cast hir eye aside, and seeing Pallas gon,
Began to mumble with hir selfe the Diuels Paternoster.
And fretting at hir good successe, began to blow and bluster.
She takes a crooked staffe in hand bewreathde with knubbed prickes,
And couered with a coly cloude, where euer that she stickes
Hir filthie feete, she tramples downe and seares both grasse and corne:
That all the fresh and fragrant fieldes seeme vtterly forlorne.
And with hir staffe she tippeth of the highest poppie heades.
Such poyson also euery where vngraciously she sheades,
That euery Cottage where she comes, and euery Towne and Citie
Doe take infection at hir breath. At length (the more is pitie)
She found the faire Athenian towne that flowed freshly then
In feastfull peace and ioyfull welth and learned witts of men.
And forbicause she nothing saw that might prouoke to weepe,
It was a corsie to hir heart hir hatefull teares to keepe.
Now when she came within the Court, she went without delay,
Directly to the lodgings where King Cecrops daughters lay,
There did she as Minerua bad. she laide hir scuruie fist
besmerde with venim and with filth vpon Aglauros brist,
The whiche she fillde with hooked thornes: and breathing on hir face
Did shead the poyson in hir bones: which spred it selfe apace,
As blacke as euer virgin pitch through Lungs and Lights and all.
And to thintent that cause of griefe abundantly should fall,
She placed ay before hir eyes hir sisters happie chaunce
In being wedded to the God, and made the God to glaunce
Continually in heauenly shape before hir wounded thought.
And all these things she painted out. which in conclusion wrought
Such corsies in Aglauros brest that sighing day and night
She gnawde and fretted in hir selfe for very cancred spight.
And like a wretche she wastes hir selfe with restlesse care and pine
Like as the yse whereon the Sunne with glimering light doth shine.
Hir sister Herses good successe doth make hir heart to yerne.
In case as when that fire is put to greenefeld wood or fearne
Whych giueth neyther light nor heate, but smulders quite away:
Sometime she minded to hir Sire hir sister to bewray.
Who (well she knew) would yll abide so lewde a part to play.
And oft she thought with wilfull hande to brust hir fatall threede,
Bicause she woulde not see the thing that made hir heart to bleede.
At last she sate hir in the doore and leaned to a post.
To let the God from entring in. To whome now hauing lost
Much talke and gentle wordes in vayne, she said: Sir leaue I pray
For hence I will not (be you sure) onlesse you go away.
I take thee at thy word (quoth he) and therewithall he pusht
His rod against the barred doore, and wide it open rusht.
She making proffer for to rise, did feele so great a waight
Through all hir limmes, that for hir life she could not stretch hir straight.
She stroue to set hirself vpright: but striuing booted not.
Hir hamstrings and hir knees were stiffe, a chilling colde had got
In at hir nayles, through all hir limmes. and eke hir veynes began
For want of bloud and liuely heate, to waxe both pale and wan.
And as the freting Fistula forgrowne and past all cure
Runnes in the flesh from place to place, and makes the sound and pure
As bad or worser than the rest, euen so the cold of death,
Strake to hir heart, and closde hir veines, and lastly stopt hir breath:
She made no profer for to speake, and though she had done so
It had bene vaine. For way was none for language forth to go.
Hir throte congealed into stone: hir mouth became hard stone,
And like an image sate she still, hir bloud was clearely gone.
The which the venim of hir heart so fowly did infect,
That euer after all the stone with freckled spots was spect.
Began to mumble with hir selfe the Diuels Paternoster.
And fretting at hir good successe, began to blow and bluster.
She takes a crooked staffe in hand bewreathde with knubbed prickes,
And couered with a coly cloude, where euer that she stickes
Hir filthie feete, she tramples downe and seares both grasse and corne:
That all the fresh and fragrant fieldes seeme vtterly forlorne.
And with hir staffe she tippeth of the highest poppie heades.
Such poyson also euery where vngraciously she sheades,
That euery Cottage where she comes, and euery Towne and Citie
Doe take infection at hir breath. At length (the more is pitie)
She found the faire Athenian towne that flowed freshly then
In feastfull peace and ioyfull welth and learned witts of men.
28
It was a corsie to hir heart hir hatefull teares to keepe.
Now when she came within the Court, she went without delay,
Directly to the lodgings where King Cecrops daughters lay,
There did she as Minerua bad. she laide hir scuruie fist
besmerde with venim and with filth vpon Aglauros brist,
The whiche she fillde with hooked thornes: and breathing on hir face
Did shead the poyson in hir bones: which spred it selfe apace,
As blacke as euer virgin pitch through Lungs and Lights and all.
And to thintent that cause of griefe abundantly should fall,
She placed ay before hir eyes hir sisters happie chaunce
In being wedded to the God, and made the God to glaunce
Continually in heauenly shape before hir wounded thought.
And all these things she painted out. which in conclusion wrought
Such corsies in Aglauros brest that sighing day and night
She gnawde and fretted in hir selfe for very cancred spight.
And like a wretche she wastes hir selfe with restlesse care and pine
Like as the yse whereon the Sunne with glimering light doth shine.
Hir sister Herses good successe doth make hir heart to yerne.
In case as when that fire is put to greenefeld wood or fearne
Whych giueth neyther light nor heate, but smulders quite away:
Sometime she minded to hir Sire hir sister to bewray.
Who (well she knew) would yll abide so lewde a part to play.
And oft she thought with wilfull hande to brust hir fatall threede,
Bicause she woulde not see the thing that made hir heart to bleede.
At last she sate hir in the doore and leaned to a post.
To let the God from entring in. To whome now hauing lost
Much talke and gentle wordes in vayne, she said: Sir leaue I pray
For hence I will not (be you sure) onlesse you go away.
I take thee at thy word (quoth he) and therewithall he pusht
His rod against the barred doore, and wide it open rusht.
She making proffer for to rise, did feele so great a waight
Through all hir limmes, that for hir life she could not stretch hir straight.
She stroue to set hirself vpright: but striuing booted not.
Hir hamstrings and hir knees were stiffe, a chilling colde had got
In at hir nayles, through all hir limmes. and eke hir veynes began
For want of bloud and liuely heate, to waxe both pale and wan.
[28]
Runnes in the flesh from place to place, and makes the sound and pure
As bad or worser than the rest, euen so the cold of death,
Strake to hir heart, and closde hir veines, and lastly stopt hir breath:
She made no profer for to speake, and though she had done so
It had bene vaine. For way was none for language forth to go.
Hir throte congealed into stone: hir mouth became hard stone,
And like an image sate she still, hir bloud was clearely gone.
The which the venim of hir heart so fowly did infect,
That euer after all the stone with freckled spots was spect.
When Mercurie had punisht thus Aglauros spightfull tung
And cancred heart immediatly from Pallas towne he flung.
And flying vp with flittering wings did pierce to heauen aboue.
His father calde him straight aside (but shewing not his loue)
Said: sonne, my trustie messenger and worker of my will
Make no delay but out of hand flie downe in hast vntill
The land that on the left side lookes vpon thy mothers light.
Yonsame where standeth on the coast the towne that Sidon hight.
The King hath there a heirde of Neate that on the Mountaines feede,
Go take and driue them to the sea with all conuenient speede.
He had no sooner said the word but that the heirde begun
Driuen from the mountaine to the shore appointed for to run.
Whereas the daughter of the King was wonted to resort
With other Ladies of the Court there for to play and sport.
Betweene the state of Maiestie and loue is set such oddes,
As that they can not dwell in one. The Sire and King of Goddes
Whose hand is armd with triplefire, who only with his frowne
Makes Sea and Land and Heauen to quake, doth lay his scepter downe
With all the graue and stately port belonging therevnto:
And putting on the shape of Bull (as other cattell doe)
Goes lowing gently vp and downe among them in the field
The fairest beast to looke vpon that euer man beheld.
For why? his colour was as white as any winters snow
Before that eyther trampling feete or Southerne winde it thow.
His necke was brawnd with rolles of flesh, and from his chest before,
A dangling dewlap hung me downe good halfe a foote and more.
His hornes were small, but yet so fine as that ye would haue thought
They had bene made by cunning hand or out of waxe bene wrought.
More cleare they were a hundreth fold than is the Christall stone
In all his forehead fearfull frowne or wrinkle there was none.
No fierce, no grim, nor griesly looke as other cattle haue.
But altogether so demure as friendship seemde to craue.
Agenors daughter marueld much so tame a beast to see,
But yet to touche him at the first too bolde she durst not bee.
Annon she reaches to his mouth hir hand with herbes and flowres.
The louing beast was glad thereof and neither frownes nor lowres.
But till the hoped ioy might come with glad and fauning cheare
He lickes hir hands and scarce ah scarce the resdue he forbeare.
Sometime he friskes and skippes about and showes hir sport at hand
Annon he layes his snowie side against the golden sand.
So feare by little driuen away, he offred eft his brest
To stroke and coy, and eft his hornes with flowers to be drest.
At last Europa knowing not (for so the Maide was calde)
On whome she venturde for to ride, was nerawhit appalde
To set hir selfe vpon his backe. Then by and by the God
From maine drie land to maine moyst Sea gan leysurly to plod.
At first he did but dip his feete within the outmost waue,
And backe againe, then further in another plunge he gaue.
And so still further till at the last he had his wished pray
Amid the deepe where was no meanes to scape with life away.
The Ladie quaking all for feare with rufull countnance cast,
Ay toward shore from whence she came, held with hir right hand fast
One of his hornes: and with the left did stay vpon his backe.
The weather flaskt and whisked vp hir garments beeing slacke.
And cancred heart immediatly from Pallas towne he flung.
And flying vp with flittering wings did pierce to heauen aboue.
His father calde him straight aside (but shewing not his loue)
Said: sonne, my trustie messenger and worker of my will
Make no delay but out of hand flie downe in hast vntill
The land that on the left side lookes vpon thy mothers light.
Yonsame where standeth on the coast the towne that Sidon hight.
The King hath there a heirde of Neate that on the Mountaines feede,
Go take and driue them to the sea with all conuenient speede.
He had no sooner said the word but that the heirde begun
Driuen from the mountaine to the shore appointed for to run.
Whereas the daughter of the King was wonted to resort
With other Ladies of the Court there for to play and sport.
Betweene the state of Maiestie and loue is set such oddes,
As that they can not dwell in one. The Sire and King of Goddes
Whose hand is armd with triplefire, who only with his frowne
Makes Sea and Land and Heauen to quake, doth lay his scepter downe
With all the graue and stately port belonging therevnto:
And putting on the shape of Bull (as other cattell doe)
Goes lowing gently vp and downe among them in the field
The fairest beast to looke vpon that euer man beheld.
For why? his colour was as white as any winters snow
Before that eyther trampling feete or Southerne winde it thow.
His necke was brawnd with rolles of flesh, and from his chest before,
A dangling dewlap hung me downe good halfe a foote and more.
His hornes were small, but yet so fine as that ye would haue thought
29
More cleare they were a hundreth fold than is the Christall stone
In all his forehead fearfull frowne or wrinkle there was none.
No fierce, no grim, nor griesly looke as other cattle haue.
But altogether so demure as friendship seemde to craue.
Agenors daughter marueld much so tame a beast to see,
But yet to touche him at the first too bolde she durst not bee.
Annon she reaches to his mouth hir hand with herbes and flowres.
The louing beast was glad thereof and neither frownes nor lowres.
But till the hoped ioy might come with glad and fauning cheare
He lickes hir hands and scarce ah scarce the resdue he forbeare.
Sometime he friskes and skippes about and showes hir sport at hand
Annon he layes his snowie side against the golden sand.
So feare by little driuen away, he offred eft his brest
To stroke and coy, and eft his hornes with flowers to be drest.
At last Europa knowing not (for so the Maide was calde)
On whome she venturde for to ride, was nerawhit appalde
To set hir selfe vpon his backe. Then by and by the God
From maine drie land to maine moyst Sea gan leysurly to plod.
At first he did but dip his feete within the outmost waue,
And backe againe, then further in another plunge he gaue.
And so still further till at the last he had his wished pray
Amid the deepe where was no meanes to scape with life away.
The Ladie quaking all for feare with rufull countnance cast,
Ay toward shore from whence she came, held with hir right hand fast
One of his hornes: and with the left did stay vpon his backe.
The weather flaskt and whisked vp hir garments beeing slacke.
Finis secundi Libri.
30
THE THIRD BOOKE of Ouids Metamorphosis.
The
God now hauing laide aside his borrowed shape of Bull,
Had in his likenesse shewde himself: And with his pretie trull
Tane landing in the Ile of Crete. When in that while hir Sire
Not knowing where she was become, sent after to enquire
Hir brother Cadmus, charging him his sister home to bring.
Or neuer for to come againe: wherein he did a thing,
For which he might both iustly kinde and cruell called bee.
When Cadmus ouer all the world had sought, (for who is hee
That can detect the thefts of Ioue?) and no where could hir see.
Then as an outlaw (to auoyde his fathers wrongfull yre)
He went to Phebus Oracle most humbly to desire
His heauenly counsell, where he would assigne him place to dwell.
An Hecfar all alone in field (quoth Phebus) marke hir well,
which neuer bare the pinching yoke, nor drew the plough as yit,
Shall meete thee. follow after hir, and where thou seest hir sit,
There builde a towne, and let thereof Beotia be the name.
Downe from Parnasus stately top scarce fully Cadmus came,
When royling softly in the vale before the herde alone
He saw an Hecfar on whose necke of seruage print was none.
He followde after leysurly as hir that was his guide,
And thanked Phebus in his heart that did so well prouide.
Now had he past Cephisus forde, and eke the pleasant groundes,
About the Citie Panope conteinde within those boundes.
The Hecfar staide, and lifting vp hir forehead to the skie
Full seemely for to looke vpon with hornes like braunches hie
Did with hir lowing fill the Ayre: and casting backe hir eie
Upon the rest that came aloofe, as softly as she could
Kneelde downe and laide hir hairie side against the grassie mould.
Then Cadmus gaue Apollo thankes, and falling flat bylow
Did kisse the ground and haile the fields which yet he did not know.
He was about to sacrifice to Ioue the Heauenly King,
And bad his seruants goe and fetch him water of the spring.
Had in his likenesse shewde himself: And with his pretie trull
Tane landing in the Ile of Crete. When in that while hir Sire
Not knowing where she was become, sent after to enquire
Hir brother Cadmus, charging him his sister home to bring.
Or neuer for to come againe: wherein he did a thing,
For which he might both iustly kinde and cruell called bee.
When Cadmus ouer all the world had sought, (for who is hee
That can detect the thefts of Ioue?) and no where could hir see.
Then as an outlaw (to auoyde his fathers wrongfull yre)
He went to Phebus Oracle most humbly to desire
His heauenly counsell, where he would assigne him place to dwell.
An Hecfar all alone in field (quoth Phebus) marke hir well,
which neuer bare the pinching yoke, nor drew the plough as yit,
Shall meete thee. follow after hir, and where thou seest hir sit,
There builde a towne, and let thereof Beotia be the name.
Downe from Parnasus stately top scarce fully Cadmus came,
When royling softly in the vale before the herde alone
He saw an Hecfar on whose necke of seruage print was none.
He followde after leysurly as hir that was his guide,
And thanked Phebus in his heart that did so well prouide.
Now had he past Cephisus forde, and eke the pleasant groundes,
About the Citie Panope conteinde within those boundes.
The Hecfar staide, and lifting vp hir forehead to the skie
Full seemely for to looke vpon with hornes like braunches hie
Did with hir lowing fill the Ayre: and casting backe hir eie
Upon the rest that came aloofe, as softly as she could
Kneelde downe and laide hir hairie side against the grassie mould.
Then Cadmus gaue Apollo thankes, and falling flat bylow
Did kisse the ground and haile the fields which yet he did not know.
He was about to sacrifice to Ioue the Heauenly King,
And bad his seruants goe and fetch him water of the spring.
An olde forgrowne vnfelled wood stoode neare at hand thereby,
And in the middes a queachie plot with Sedge and Oysiers hie.
Where courbde about with peble stone in likenesse of a bow
There was a spring with siluer streames that forth thereof did flow.
Here lurked in his lowring den God Mars his griesly Snake
With golden scales and firie eyes beswolne with poyson blake.
Three spirting tongues, three rowes of teeth within his head did sticke.
No sooner had the Tirian folke set foote within this thicke
And queachie plot, and deped downe their bucket in the well,
But that to buscle in his den began this Serpent fell.
And peering with a marble head right horribly to hisse.
The Tirians let their pitchers slip for sodaine feare of this.
And waxing pale as any clay, like folke amazde and flaight,
Stoode trembling like an Aspen leafe. The specled serpent straight
Commes trailing out in wauing linkes, and knottie rolles of scales,
And bending into bunchie boughts his bodie forth he hales.
And lifting vp aboue the wast himselfe vnto the Skie,
He ouerlooketh all the wood, as huge and big welnie
As is the Snake that in the Heauen about the Nordren Pole
Deuides the Beares. He makes no stay but deales his dreadfull dole
Among the Tirians. Whether they did take them to their tooles,
Or to their heeles, or that their feare did make them stand like fooles,
And helpe themselues by none of both, he snapt vp some aliue,
And swept in others with his taile, and some he did depriue
Of life with rankenesse of his breath, and other some againe
He stings and poysons vnto death till all at last were slaine.
And in the middes a queachie plot with Sedge and Oysiers hie.
[30]
There was a spring with siluer streames that forth thereof did flow.
Here lurked in his lowring den God Mars his griesly Snake
With golden scales and firie eyes beswolne with poyson blake.
Three spirting tongues, three rowes of teeth within his head did sticke.
No sooner had the Tirian folke set foote within this thicke
And queachie plot, and deped downe their bucket in the well,
But that to buscle in his den began this Serpent fell.
And peering with a marble head right horribly to hisse.
The Tirians let their pitchers slip for sodaine feare of this.
And waxing pale as any clay, like folke amazde and flaight,
Stoode trembling like an Aspen leafe. The specled serpent straight
Commes trailing out in wauing linkes, and knottie rolles of scales,
And bending into bunchie boughts his bodie forth he hales.
And lifting vp aboue the wast himselfe vnto the Skie,
He ouerlooketh all the wood, as huge and big welnie
As is the Snake that in the Heauen about the Nordren Pole
Deuides the Beares. He makes no stay but deales his dreadfull dole
Among the Tirians. Whether they did take them to their tooles,
Or to their heeles, or that their feare did make them stand like fooles,
And helpe themselues by none of both, he snapt vp some aliue,
And swept in others with his taile, and some he did depriue
Of life with rankenesse of his breath, and other some againe
He stings and poysons vnto death till all at last were slaine.
Now when the Sunne was at his heigth and shadowes waxed short,
And Cadmus saw his companie make tarience in that sort,
He marueld what should be their let, and went to seeke them out.
His harnesse was a Lions skin that wrapped him about.
His weapons were a long strong speare with head of yron tride,
And eke a light and piercing Dart. And therevnto beside
Worth all the weapons in the world a stout and valiant hart.
When Cadmus came within the wood and saw about that part
His men lie slaine vpon the ground, and eke their cruell fo
Of bodie huge stand ouer them, and licking with his blo
And blasting tongue their sorie woundes, well trustie friendes (quoth he)
I eyther of your piteous deathes will streight reuenger be,
Or else will die my selfe therefore. With that he raughting fast
A mightie Milstone, at the Snake with all his might it cast.
The stone with such exceding force and violence forth was driuen,
As of a fort the bulwarkes strong and walles it would haue riuen.
And yet it did the Snake no harme: his scales as hard and tough
As if they had bene plates of mayle did fence him well inough,
So that the stone rebounded backe against his freckled slough.
But yet his hardnesse saude him not against the piercing dart.
For hitting right betweene the scales that yeelded in that part
Whereas the ioynts doe knit the backe, it thirled through the skin,
And pierced to his filthy mawe and greedy guts within.
He fierce with wrath wrings backe his head, and looking on the stripe
The Iaueling steale that sticked out, betwene his teeth doth gripe.
The which with wresting to and fro at length he forth did winde,
Saue that he left the head thereof among his bones behinde.
When of his courage through the wound more kindled was the ire,
His throteboll swelde with puffed veines, his eyes gan sparkle fire.
There stoode about his smeared chaps a lothly foming froth.
His skaled brest ploughes vp the ground, the stinking breath that goth
Out from his blacke and hellish mouth infectes the herbes full fowle.
Sometime he windes himselfe in knots as round as any Bowle.
Sometime he stretcheth out in length as straight as any beame.
Anon againe with violent brunt he rusheth like a streame
Encreast by rage of latefalne raine, and with his mightie sway
Beares downe the wood before his breast that standeth in his way.
Agenors sonne retiring backe doth with his Lions spoyle
Defend him from his fierce assaults, and makes him to recoyle
Aye holding at the weapons point. The Serpent waxing wood
Doth crashe the steele betwene his teeth, and bites it till the blood
Dropt mixt with poyson from his mouth, did die the greene grasse blacke
But yet the wound was verie light bicause he writhed backe
And puld his head still from the stroke: and made the stripe to die
By giuing way, vntill that Cadmus following irefully
The stroke, with all his powre and might did through ye throte him riue,
And naylde him to an Oke behind the which he eke did cliue.
The Serpents waight did make the tree to bend. It grieude the tree
His bodie of the Serpents taile thus scourged for to bee.
And Cadmus saw his companie make tarience in that sort,
He marueld what should be their let, and went to seeke them out.
His harnesse was a Lions skin that wrapped him about.
His weapons were a long strong speare with head of yron tride,
And eke a light and piercing Dart. And therevnto beside
Worth all the weapons in the world a stout and valiant hart.
When Cadmus came within the wood and saw about that part
His men lie slaine vpon the ground, and eke their cruell fo
Of bodie huge stand ouer them, and licking with his blo
And blasting tongue their sorie woundes, well trustie friendes (quoth he)
I eyther of your piteous deathes will streight reuenger be,
Or else will die my selfe therefore. With that he raughting fast
31
The stone with such exceding force and violence forth was driuen,
As of a fort the bulwarkes strong and walles it would haue riuen.
And yet it did the Snake no harme: his scales as hard and tough
As if they had bene plates of mayle did fence him well inough,
So that the stone rebounded backe against his freckled slough.
But yet his hardnesse saude him not against the piercing dart.
For hitting right betweene the scales that yeelded in that part
Whereas the ioynts doe knit the backe, it thirled through the skin,
And pierced to his filthy mawe and greedy guts within.
He fierce with wrath wrings backe his head, and looking on the stripe
The Iaueling steale that sticked out, betwene his teeth doth gripe.
The which with wresting to and fro at length he forth did winde,
Saue that he left the head thereof among his bones behinde.
When of his courage through the wound more kindled was the ire,
His throteboll swelde with puffed veines, his eyes gan sparkle fire.
There stoode about his smeared chaps a lothly foming froth.
His skaled brest ploughes vp the ground, the stinking breath that goth
Out from his blacke and hellish mouth infectes the herbes full fowle.
Sometime he windes himselfe in knots as round as any Bowle.
Sometime he stretcheth out in length as straight as any beame.
Anon againe with violent brunt he rusheth like a streame
Encreast by rage of latefalne raine, and with his mightie sway
Beares downe the wood before his breast that standeth in his way.
Agenors sonne retiring backe doth with his Lions spoyle
Defend him from his fierce assaults, and makes him to recoyle
Aye holding at the weapons point. The Serpent waxing wood
Doth crashe the steele betwene his teeth, and bites it till the blood
Dropt mixt with poyson from his mouth, did die the greene grasse blacke
But yet the wound was verie light bicause he writhed backe
And puld his head still from the stroke: and made the stripe to die
By giuing way, vntill that Cadmus following irefully
The stroke, with all his powre and might did through ye throte him riue,
And naylde him to an Oke behind the which he eke did cliue.
The Serpents waight did make the tree to bend. It grieude the tree
His bodie of the Serpents taile thus scourged for to bee.
[31]
While Cadmus wondred at the hugenesse of the vanquisht foe
Upon the sodaine came a voyce: from whence he could not know.
But sure he was he heard the voyce. Which said, Agenors sonne
What gazest thus vpon this Snake? the time will one day come
That thou thy selfe shalt be a Snake. He pale and wan for feare,
Had lost his speach: and ruffled vp stiffe staring stood his heare.
Behold (mans helper at his neede) Dame Pallas gliding through
The vacant Ayre was straight at hand, and bade him take a plough
And cast the Serpents teeth in ground, as of the which should spring
Another people out of hand. He did in euery thing
As Pallas bade, he tooke a plough, and earde a forrow low
And sowde the Serpents teeth whereof the foresaid folke should grow.
Anon (a wondrous thing to tell) the clods began to moue,
And from the forrow first of all the pikes appearde aboue,
Next rose vp helmes with fethered crests, and then the Poldrens bright,
Successiuely the Curets whole, and all the armor right.
Thus grew vp men like corne in field in rankes of battle ray
With shields and weapons in their hands to feight the field that day.
Euen so when stages are attirde against some solemne game,
With clothes of Arras gorgeously, in drawing vp the same
The faces of the ymages doe first of all them showe,
And then by peecemeale all the rest in order seemes to grow,
Untill at last they stand out full vpon their feete bylow.
Upon the sodaine came a voyce: from whence he could not know.
But sure he was he heard the voyce. Which said, Agenors sonne
What gazest thus vpon this Snake? the time will one day come
That thou thy selfe shalt be a Snake. He pale and wan for feare,
Had lost his speach: and ruffled vp stiffe staring stood his heare.
Behold (mans helper at his neede) Dame Pallas gliding through
The vacant Ayre was straight at hand, and bade him take a plough
And cast the Serpents teeth in ground, as of the which should spring
Another people out of hand. He did in euery thing
As Pallas bade, he tooke a plough, and earde a forrow low
And sowde the Serpents teeth whereof the foresaid folke should grow.
Anon (a wondrous thing to tell) the clods began to moue,
And from the forrow first of all the pikes appearde aboue,
Next rose vp helmes with fethered crests, and then the Poldrens bright,
Successiuely the Curets whole, and all the armor right.
Thus grew vp men like corne in field in rankes of battle ray
With shields and weapons in their hands to feight the field that day.
Euen so when stages are attirde against some solemne game,
With clothes of Arras gorgeously, in drawing vp the same
The faces of the ymages doe first of all them showe,
And then by peecemeale all the rest in order seemes to grow,
Untill at last they stand out full vpon their feete bylow.
Afrighted at this new found foes gan Cadmus for to take
Him to his weapons by and by resistance for to make.
Stay, stay thy selfe (cride one of them that late before were bred
Out of the ground) and meddle not with ciuill warres. This sed,
One of the brothers of that brood with launcing sworde he slue.
Another sent a dart at him, the which him ouerthrue.
The third did straight as much for him and made him yeelde the breath,
(The which he had receyude but now) by stroke of forced death.
Likewise outraged all the rest vntill that one by one
By mutuall stroke of ciuill warre dispatched euerychone,
This broode of brothers all behewen and weltred in their blood,
Lay sprawling on their mothers womb the ground where erst they stood,
Saue only fiue that did remaine. Of whom Echion led
By Pallas counsell, threw away the helmet from his head,
And with his brothers gan to treat attonement for to make.
The which at length (by Pallas helpe) so good successe did take,
That faithfull friendship was confirmd and hand in hand was plight.
These afterward did well assist the noble Tyrian knight,
In building of the famous towne that Phebus had behight.
Him to his weapons by and by resistance for to make.
Stay, stay thy selfe (cride one of them that late before were bred
Out of the ground) and meddle not with ciuill warres. This sed,
One of the brothers of that brood with launcing sworde he slue.
Another sent a dart at him, the which him ouerthrue.
The third did straight as much for him and made him yeelde the breath,
(The which he had receyude but now) by stroke of forced death.
Likewise outraged all the rest vntill that one by one
By mutuall stroke of ciuill warre dispatched euerychone,
This broode of brothers all behewen and weltred in their blood,
Lay sprawling on their mothers womb the ground where erst they stood,
Saue only fiue that did remaine. Of whom Echion led
By Pallas counsell, threw away the helmet from his head,
32
The which at length (by Pallas helpe) so good successe did take,
That faithfull friendship was confirmd and hand in hand was plight.
These afterward did well assist the noble Tyrian knight,
In building of the famous towne that Phebus had behight.
Now Thebes stoode in good estate, now Cadmus might thou say
That when thy father banisht thee it was a luckie day.
To ioyne aliance both with Mars and Venus was thy chaunce,
Whose daughter thou hadst tane to wife, who did thee much aduaunce,
Not only through hir high renowne, but through a noble race
Of sonnes and daughters that she bare: whose children in like case
It was thy fortune for to see all men and women growne.
But ay the ende of euery thing must marked be and knowne.
For none the name of blessednesse deserueth for to haue
Onlesse the tenor of his life last blessed to his graue.
Among so many prosprous happes that flowde with good successe,
Thine eldest Nephew was a cause of care and sore distresse.
Whose head was armde with palmed hornes, whose own hoūds in ye wood
Did pull their master to the ground and fill them with his bloud.
But if you sift the matter well, ye shall not finde desart
But cruell fortune to haue bene the cause of this his smart.
For who could doe with ouersight? great slaughter had bene made
Of sundrie sortes of sauage beastes one morning: and the shade
Of things was waxed verie short. It was the time of day
That mid betweene the East and West the Sunne doth seeme to stay.
When as the Thebane stripling thus bespake his companie,
Still raunging in the waylesse woods some further game to spie.
Our weapons and our toyles are moist and staind with bloud of Deare:
This day hath done inough as by our quarrie may appeare.
Assoone as with hir scarlet wheeles next morning bringeth light,
We will about our worke againe. But now Hiperion bright
Is in the middes of Heauen, and seares the fieldes with firie rayes.
Take vp your toyles, and cease your worke, and let vs go our wayes.
They did euen so, and ceast their worke. There was a valley thicke
With Pinaple and Cipresse trees that armed be with pricke.
Gargaphie hight this shadie plot, it was a sacred place
To chast Diana and the Nymphes that wayted on hir grace.
Within the furthest end thereof there was a pleasant Bowre
So vaulted with the leauie trees the Sunne had there no powre:
Not made by hand nor mans deuise: and yet no man aliue,
A trimmer piece of worke than that could for his life contriue.
With flint and Pommy was it wallde by nature halfe about,
And on the right side of the same full freshly flowed out
A liuely spring with Christall streame: whereof the vpper brim
Was greene with grasse and matted herbes that smelled verie trim.
When Phebe felt hir selfe waxe faint, of following of hir game,
It was hir custome for to come and bath hir in the same.
That day she hauing timely left hir hunting in the chace,
Was entred with hir troupe of Nymphes within this pleasant place.
She tooke hir quiuer and hir bow the which she had vnbent,
And eke hir Iauelin to a Nymph that serued that intent.
Another Nymph to take hir clothes among hir traine she chose,
Two losde hir buskins from hir legges and pulled of hir hose.
The Thebane Ladie Crocale more cunning than the rest
Did trusse hir tresses handsomly which hung behind vndrest.
And yet hir owne hung wauing still. Then Niphe nete and cleene
With Hiale glistring like the grash in beautie fresh and sheene,
And Rhanis clearer of hir skin than are the rainie drops,
And little bibling Phyale, and Pseke that pretie Mops,
Powrde water into vessels large to washe their Ladie with.
Now while she keepes this wont, behold, by wandring in the frith
He wist not whither (hauing staid his pastime till the morrow)
Comes Cadmus Nephew to this thicke: and entring in with sorrow
(Such was his cursed cruell fate) saw Phebe where she washt.
The Damsels at the sight of man quite out of countnance dasht,
(Bicause they euerichone were bare and naked to the quicke)
Did beate their handes against their breasts, and cast out such a shricke,
That all the wood did ring thereof: and clinging to their dame
Did all they could to hide both hir and eke themselues fro shame.
But Phebe was of personage so comly and so tall,
That by the middle of hir necke she ouerpeerd them all.
Such colour as appeares in Heauen by Phebus broken rayes
Directly shining on the Cloudes, or such as is alwayes
The colour of the Morning Cloudes before the Sunne doth show,
Such sanguine colour in the face of Phœbe gan to glowe
There standing naked in his sight. Who though she had hir gard
Of Nymphes about hir: yet she turnde hir bodie from him ward.
And casting back an angrie looke, like as she would haue sent
An arrow at him had she had hir bow there readie bent.
So raught she water in hir hande and for to wreake the spight
Besprinckled all the heade and face of this vnluckie Knight,
And thus forespake the heauie lot that shoulde vpon him light.
Now make thy vaunt among thy Mates, thou sawste Diana bare.
Tell if thou can: I giue thee leaue: tell heardly: doe not spare.
This done she makes no further threates, but by and by doth spread
A payre of liuely olde Harts hornes vpon his sprinckled head.
She sharpes his eares, she makes his necke both slender, long and lanke,
She turnes his fingers into feete, his armes to spindle shanke.
She wrappes him in a hairie hyde beset with speckled spottes,
And planteth in him fearefulnesse. And so away he trottes.
Full greatly wondring to him selfe what made him in that cace
To be so wight and swift of foote. But when he saw his face
And horned temples in the brooke, he would haue cryde alas,
But as for then no kinde of speach out of his lippes could passe.
He sight and brayde: for that was then the speach that did remaine,
And downe the eyes that were not his, his bitter teares did raine.
No part remayned (saue his minde) of that he earst had beene.
What should he doe? turne home againe to Cadmus and the Queene?
Or hyde himselfe among the Woods? Of this he was afrayd,
And of the tother ill ashamde. While doubting thus he stayd.
That when thy father banisht thee it was a luckie day.
To ioyne aliance both with Mars and Venus was thy chaunce,
Whose daughter thou hadst tane to wife, who did thee much aduaunce,
Not only through hir high renowne, but through a noble race
Of sonnes and daughters that she bare: whose children in like case
It was thy fortune for to see all men and women growne.
But ay the ende of euery thing must marked be and knowne.
For none the name of blessednesse deserueth for to haue
Onlesse the tenor of his life last blessed to his graue.
Among so many prosprous happes that flowde with good successe,
Thine eldest Nephew was a cause of care and sore distresse.
Whose head was armde with palmed hornes, whose own hoūds in ye wood
Did pull their master to the ground and fill them with his bloud.
But if you sift the matter well, ye shall not finde desart
But cruell fortune to haue bene the cause of this his smart.
For who could doe with ouersight? great slaughter had bene made
Of sundrie sortes of sauage beastes one morning: and the shade
Of things was waxed verie short. It was the time of day
That mid betweene the East and West the Sunne doth seeme to stay.
When as the Thebane stripling thus bespake his companie,
Still raunging in the waylesse woods some further game to spie.
Our weapons and our toyles are moist and staind with bloud of Deare:
This day hath done inough as by our quarrie may appeare.
Assoone as with hir scarlet wheeles next morning bringeth light,
We will about our worke againe. But now Hiperion bright
Is in the middes of Heauen, and seares the fieldes with firie rayes.
Take vp your toyles, and cease your worke, and let vs go our wayes.
They did euen so, and ceast their worke. There was a valley thicke
With Pinaple and Cipresse trees that armed be with pricke.
Gargaphie hight this shadie plot, it was a sacred place
To chast Diana and the Nymphes that wayted on hir grace.
[32]
So vaulted with the leauie trees the Sunne had there no powre:
Not made by hand nor mans deuise: and yet no man aliue,
A trimmer piece of worke than that could for his life contriue.
With flint and Pommy was it wallde by nature halfe about,
And on the right side of the same full freshly flowed out
A liuely spring with Christall streame: whereof the vpper brim
Was greene with grasse and matted herbes that smelled verie trim.
When Phebe felt hir selfe waxe faint, of following of hir game,
It was hir custome for to come and bath hir in the same.
That day she hauing timely left hir hunting in the chace,
Was entred with hir troupe of Nymphes within this pleasant place.
She tooke hir quiuer and hir bow the which she had vnbent,
And eke hir Iauelin to a Nymph that serued that intent.
Another Nymph to take hir clothes among hir traine she chose,
Two losde hir buskins from hir legges and pulled of hir hose.
The Thebane Ladie Crocale more cunning than the rest
Did trusse hir tresses handsomly which hung behind vndrest.
And yet hir owne hung wauing still. Then Niphe nete and cleene
With Hiale glistring like the grash in beautie fresh and sheene,
And Rhanis clearer of hir skin than are the rainie drops,
And little bibling Phyale, and Pseke that pretie Mops,
Powrde water into vessels large to washe their Ladie with.
Now while she keepes this wont, behold, by wandring in the frith
He wist not whither (hauing staid his pastime till the morrow)
Comes Cadmus Nephew to this thicke: and entring in with sorrow
(Such was his cursed cruell fate) saw Phebe where she washt.
The Damsels at the sight of man quite out of countnance dasht,
(Bicause they euerichone were bare and naked to the quicke)
Did beate their handes against their breasts, and cast out such a shricke,
That all the wood did ring thereof: and clinging to their dame
Did all they could to hide both hir and eke themselues fro shame.
But Phebe was of personage so comly and so tall,
That by the middle of hir necke she ouerpeerd them all.
Such colour as appeares in Heauen by Phebus broken rayes
Directly shining on the Cloudes, or such as is alwayes
The colour of the Morning Cloudes before the Sunne doth show,
33
There standing naked in his sight. Who though she had hir gard
Of Nymphes about hir: yet she turnde hir bodie from him ward.
And casting back an angrie looke, like as she would haue sent
An arrow at him had she had hir bow there readie bent.
So raught she water in hir hande and for to wreake the spight
Besprinckled all the heade and face of this vnluckie Knight,
And thus forespake the heauie lot that shoulde vpon him light.
Now make thy vaunt among thy Mates, thou sawste Diana bare.
Tell if thou can: I giue thee leaue: tell heardly: doe not spare.
This done she makes no further threates, but by and by doth spread
A payre of liuely olde Harts hornes vpon his sprinckled head.
She sharpes his eares, she makes his necke both slender, long and lanke,
She turnes his fingers into feete, his armes to spindle shanke.
She wrappes him in a hairie hyde beset with speckled spottes,
And planteth in him fearefulnesse. And so away he trottes.
Full greatly wondring to him selfe what made him in that cace
To be so wight and swift of foote. But when he saw his face
And horned temples in the brooke, he would haue cryde alas,
But as for then no kinde of speach out of his lippes could passe.
He sight and brayde: for that was then the speach that did remaine,
And downe the eyes that were not his, his bitter teares did raine.
No part remayned (saue his minde) of that he earst had beene.
What should he doe? turne home againe to Cadmus and the Queene?
Or hyde himselfe among the Woods? Of this he was afrayd,
And of the tother ill ashamde. While doubting thus he stayd.
His houndes espyde him where he was, and Blackfoote first of all
And Stalker speciall good of sent began aloud to call.
This latter was a hounde of Crete, the other was of Spart.
Then all the kenell fell in round, and euerie for his part,
Dyd follow freshly in the chase more swifter than the winde,
Spy, Eateal, Scalecliffe, three good houndes comne all of Arcas kinde.
Strong Kilbucke, currish Sauage, Spring, and Hunter fresh of smell,
And Lightfoote who to lead a chase did beare away the bell.
Fierce Woodman hurte not long ago in hunting of a Bore,
And Shepeheird woont to follow sheepe and neate to fielde afore.
And Laund a fell and eger bitch that had a Wolfe to Syre:
Another brach callde Greedigut with two hir Puppies by her.
And Ladon gant as any Greewnd a hownd in Sycion bred,
Blab, Fleetewood, Patch whose flecked skin wt sundrie spots was spred:
Wight, Bowman, Royster, beautie faire and white as winters snow,
And Tawnie full of duskie haires that ouer all did grow,
With lustie Ruffler passing all the resdue there in strength,
And Tempest best of footemanshipe in holding out at length.
And Cole and Swift, and little Woolfe, as wight as any other.
Accompanide with a Ciprian hound that was his natiue brother,
And Snatch amid whose forehead stoode a starre as white as snowe,
The resdue being all as blacke and slicke as any Crowe.
And shaggie Rugge with other twaine that had a Syre of Crete,
And Dam of Sparta: Tone of them callde Iollyboy, a great
And large flewd hound: the tother Chorle who euer gnoorring went,
And Ringwood with a shyrle loude mouth the which he freely spent.
With diuers mo whose names to tell it were but losse of tyme.
This fellowes ouer hill and dale in hope of pray doe clyme,
Through thicke and thin and craggie cliffes where was no way to go,
He flyes through groundes where oftentymes he chased had ere tho.
Euen from his owne folke is he faine (alas) to flee away.
He strayned oftentymes to speake, and was about to say.
I am Acteon: know your Lorde and Mayster sirs I pray.
But vse of wordes and speach did want to vtter forth his minde.
Their crie did ring through all the Wood redoubled with the winde,
First Slo did pinch him by the haunch, and next came Kildeere in,
And Hylbred fastned on his shoulder, bote him through the skinne.
These came forth later than the rest, but coasting thwart a hill,
They did gainecope him as he came, and helde their Master still
Untill that all the rest came in, and fastned on him to.
No part of him was free from wound. He could none other do
But sigh, and in the shape of Hart with voyce as Hartes are woont,
(For voyce of man was none now left to helpe him at the brunt)
By braying shew his secret grief among the Mountaynes hie,
And kneeling sadly on his knees with dreerie teares in eye,
As one by humbling of himselfe that mercy seemde to craue,
With piteous looke in stead of handes his head about to waue.
Not knowing that it was their Lord, the huntsmen cheere their hounds
With wonted noyse and for Acteon looke about the grounds.
They hallow who could lowdest crie still calling him by name,
As though he were not there, and much his absence they do blame
In that he came not to the fall, but slackt to see the game.
As often as they named him he sadly shooke his head,
And faine he would haue beene away thence in some other stead.
But there he was. And well he could haue found in heart to see
His dogges fell deedes, so that to feele in place he had not bee.
They hem him in on euerie side, and in the shape of Stagge,
With greedie teeth and griping pawes their Lord in peeces dragge.
So fierce was cruell Phœbes wrath, it could not be alayde,
Till of his fault by bitter death the raunsome he had payde.
And Stalker speciall good of sent began aloud to call.
This latter was a hounde of Crete, the other was of Spart.
Then all the kenell fell in round, and euerie for his part,
Dyd follow freshly in the chase more swifter than the winde,
Spy, Eateal, Scalecliffe, three good houndes comne all of Arcas kinde.
Strong Kilbucke, currish Sauage, Spring, and Hunter fresh of smell,
And Lightfoote who to lead a chase did beare away the bell.
Fierce Woodman hurte not long ago in hunting of a Bore,
And Shepeheird woont to follow sheepe and neate to fielde afore.
And Laund a fell and eger bitch that had a Wolfe to Syre:
[33]
And Ladon gant as any Greewnd a hownd in Sycion bred,
Blab, Fleetewood, Patch whose flecked skin wt sundrie spots was spred:
Wight, Bowman, Royster, beautie faire and white as winters snow,
And Tawnie full of duskie haires that ouer all did grow,
With lustie Ruffler passing all the resdue there in strength,
And Tempest best of footemanshipe in holding out at length.
And Cole and Swift, and little Woolfe, as wight as any other.
Accompanide with a Ciprian hound that was his natiue brother,
And Snatch amid whose forehead stoode a starre as white as snowe,
The resdue being all as blacke and slicke as any Crowe.
And shaggie Rugge with other twaine that had a Syre of Crete,
And Dam of Sparta: Tone of them callde Iollyboy, a great
And large flewd hound: the tother Chorle who euer gnoorring went,
And Ringwood with a shyrle loude mouth the which he freely spent.
With diuers mo whose names to tell it were but losse of tyme.
This fellowes ouer hill and dale in hope of pray doe clyme,
Through thicke and thin and craggie cliffes where was no way to go,
He flyes through groundes where oftentymes he chased had ere tho.
Euen from his owne folke is he faine (alas) to flee away.
He strayned oftentymes to speake, and was about to say.
I am Acteon: know your Lorde and Mayster sirs I pray.
But vse of wordes and speach did want to vtter forth his minde.
Their crie did ring through all the Wood redoubled with the winde,
First Slo did pinch him by the haunch, and next came Kildeere in,
And Hylbred fastned on his shoulder, bote him through the skinne.
These came forth later than the rest, but coasting thwart a hill,
They did gainecope him as he came, and helde their Master still
Untill that all the rest came in, and fastned on him to.
No part of him was free from wound. He could none other do
But sigh, and in the shape of Hart with voyce as Hartes are woont,
(For voyce of man was none now left to helpe him at the brunt)
By braying shew his secret grief among the Mountaynes hie,
And kneeling sadly on his knees with dreerie teares in eye,
As one by humbling of himselfe that mercy seemde to craue,
With piteous looke in stead of handes his head about to waue.
Not knowing that it was their Lord, the huntsmen cheere their hounds
34
They hallow who could lowdest crie still calling him by name,
As though he were not there, and much his absence they do blame
In that he came not to the fall, but slackt to see the game.
As often as they named him he sadly shooke his head,
And faine he would haue beene away thence in some other stead.
But there he was. And well he could haue found in heart to see
His dogges fell deedes, so that to feele in place he had not bee.
They hem him in on euerie side, and in the shape of Stagge,
With greedie teeth and griping pawes their Lord in peeces dragge.
So fierce was cruell Phœbes wrath, it could not be alayde,
Till of his fault by bitter death the raunsome he had payde.
Much muttring was vpō this fact. Some thought there was extēded
A great deale more extremitie than neded. Some commended
Dianas doing: saying that it was but worthely
For safegarde of hir womanhod. Eche partie did applie
Good reasons to defende their case. Alone the wife of Ioue,
Of lyking or misliking it not all so greatly stroue,
As secretly reioyst in heart that such a plague was light
On Cadmus linage: turning all the malice and the spight
Conceyued earst against the wench that Ioue had fet fro Tyre,
Upon the kinred of the wench, and for to fierce hir ire,
Another thing cleane ouerthwart there commeth in the nicke:
The Ladie Semell great with childe by Ioue as then was quicke.
Hereat she gan to freat and fume, and for to ease hir heart,
Which else would burst, she fell in hande with scolding out hir part.
A great deale more extremitie than neded. Some commended
Dianas doing: saying that it was but worthely
For safegarde of hir womanhod. Eche partie did applie
Good reasons to defende their case. Alone the wife of Ioue,
Of lyking or misliking it not all so greatly stroue,
As secretly reioyst in heart that such a plague was light
On Cadmus linage: turning all the malice and the spight
Conceyued earst against the wench that Ioue had fet fro Tyre,
Upon the kinred of the wench, and for to fierce hir ire,
Another thing cleane ouerthwart there commeth in the nicke:
The Ladie Semell great with childe by Ioue as then was quicke.
Hereat she gan to freat and fume, and for to ease hir heart,
Which else would burst, she fell in hande with scolding out hir part.
And what a goodyeare haue I woon by scolding erst? (she sed)
It is that arrant queane hirselfe, against whose wicked hed
I must assay to giue assault: and if (as men me call)
I be that Iuno who in heauen beare greatest swing of all,
If in my hande I worthie bee to holde the royall Mace,
And if I be the Queene of heauen and soueraigne of this place,
Or wife and sister vnto Ioue, (his sister well I know:
But as for wife that name is vayne, I serue but for a show,
To couer other priuie skapes) I will confound that Whore.
Now (with a mischiefe) is she bagd and beareth out before,
Hir open shame to all the world? and shortly hopes to bee
The mother of a sonne by Ioue, the which hath hapt to mee.
Not passing once in all my time, so sore she doth presume
Upon hir beautie. But I trowe hir hope shall soone consume.
For neuer let me counted be for Saturns daughter more,
If by hir owne deare darling Ioue on whome she trustes so sore,
I sende hir not to Styxes streame. This ended vp she rose
And couered in golden cloud to Semelles house she goes.
And ere she sent away the cloud, she takes an olde wyues shape
With hoarie haire and riueled skinne, with slow and crooked gate.
As though she had the Palsey had hir feeble limmes did shake,
And eke she foltred in the mouth as often as she spake.
She seemde olde Beldame Beroe of Epidaure to bee,
This Ladie Semelles Nourse as right as though it had beene shee.
It is that arrant queane hirselfe, against whose wicked hed
I must assay to giue assault: and if (as men me call)
I be that Iuno who in heauen beare greatest swing of all,
If in my hande I worthie bee to holde the royall Mace,
And if I be the Queene of heauen and soueraigne of this place,
Or wife and sister vnto Ioue, (his sister well I know:
But as for wife that name is vayne, I serue but for a show,
To couer other priuie skapes) I will confound that Whore.
Now (with a mischiefe) is she bagd and beareth out before,
Hir open shame to all the world? and shortly hopes to bee
[34]
Not passing once in all my time, so sore she doth presume
Upon hir beautie. But I trowe hir hope shall soone consume.
For neuer let me counted be for Saturns daughter more,
If by hir owne deare darling Ioue on whome she trustes so sore,
I sende hir not to Styxes streame. This ended vp she rose
And couered in golden cloud to Semelles house she goes.
And ere she sent away the cloud, she takes an olde wyues shape
With hoarie haire and riueled skinne, with slow and crooked gate.
As though she had the Palsey had hir feeble limmes did shake,
And eke she foltred in the mouth as often as she spake.
She seemde olde Beldame Beroe of Epidaure to bee,
This Ladie Semelles Nourse as right as though it had beene shee.
So when that after mickle talke of purpose ministred
Ioues name was vpned: by and by she gaue a sigh and sed,
I wish with all my heart that Ioue bee cause to thee of this.
But daughter deare I dreade the worst, I feare it be amisse.
For manie Uarlets vnder name of Gods to serue their lust,
Haue into vndefiled beddes themselues full often thrust.
And though it bene the mightie Ioue yet doth not that suffize,
Onlesse he also make the same apparant to our eyes.
And if it be euen verie hee, I say it doth behoue,
He proue it by some open signe and token of his loue.
And therefore pray him for to graunt that looke in what degree,
What order, fashion, sort and state he vse to companie
With mightie Iuno, in the same in euerie poynt and cace,
To all intents and purposes he thee likewise embrace,
And that he also bring with him his bright threeforked Mace:
Ioues name was vpned: by and by she gaue a sigh and sed,
I wish with all my heart that Ioue bee cause to thee of this.
But daughter deare I dreade the worst, I feare it be amisse.
For manie Uarlets vnder name of Gods to serue their lust,
Haue into vndefiled beddes themselues full often thrust.
And though it bene the mightie Ioue yet doth not that suffize,
Onlesse he also make the same apparant to our eyes.
And if it be euen verie hee, I say it doth behoue,
He proue it by some open signe and token of his loue.
And therefore pray him for to graunt that looke in what degree,
What order, fashion, sort and state he vse to companie
With mightie Iuno, in the same in euerie poynt and cace,
To all intents and purposes he thee likewise embrace,
And that he also bring with him his bright threeforked Mace:
With such instructions Iuno had enformed Cadmus Neece:
And she poore sielie simple soule immediately on this
Requested Ioue to graunt a boone the which she did not name.
Aske what thou wilt sweete heart (quoth he) thou shalt not misse the same,
And for to make thee sure hereof, the grisely Stygian Lake,
Which is the feare and God of Gods beare witnesse for thy sake.
She ioying in hir owne mischaunce, not hauing any powre
To rule hir selfe, but making speede to hast hir fatall howre,
In which she through hir Louers helpe should worke hir owne decay,
Sayd: Such as Iuno findeth you when you and she doe play,
The games of Venus, such I pray thee shew thy selfe to mee
In euerie case. The God would faine haue stopt hir mouth. But shee
Had made such hast that out it was. Which made him sigh full sore,
For neyther she could then vnwish the thing she wisht before,
Nor he reuoke his solemne oth. Wherefore with sorie heart
And heauie countnance by and by to Heauen he doth depart.
And makes to follow after him with looke full grim and stoure
The flakie clouds all grisly blacke, as when they threat a shoure.
To which he added mixt with winde a fierce and flashing flame,
With drie and dreadfull thunderclaps and lightning to the same
Of deadly vnauoyded dynt. And yet as much as may
He goes about his vehement force and fiercenesse to allay.
He doth not arme him with the fire with which he did remoue
The Giant with the hundreth handes Typhoëus from aboue:
It was too cruell and too sore to vse against his Loue.
The Cyclops made an other kinde of lightning farre more light,
Wherein they put much lesse of fire, lesse fiercenesse, lesser might.
It hight in Heauen the seconde Mace. Ioue armes himselfe with this
And enters into Cadmus house where Semelles chamber is.
She being mortall was too weake and feeble to withstande
Such troublous tumultes of the Heauens: and therefore out of hande
Was burned in hir Louers armes. But yet he tooke away
His infant from the mothers wombe vnperfect as it lay,
And (if a man may credit it) did in his thigh it sowe,
Where byding out the mothers tyme it did to ripenesse growe.
And when the time of birth was come his Aunt the Ladie Ine
Did nourse him for a while by stealth and kept him trym and fine.
The Nymphes of Nysa afterwarde did in their bowres him hide,
And brought him vp with Milke till tyme he might abrode be spyde.
And she poore sielie simple soule immediately on this
Requested Ioue to graunt a boone the which she did not name.
Aske what thou wilt sweete heart (quoth he) thou shalt not misse the same,
And for to make thee sure hereof, the grisely Stygian Lake,
Which is the feare and God of Gods beare witnesse for thy sake.
She ioying in hir owne mischaunce, not hauing any powre
To rule hir selfe, but making speede to hast hir fatall howre,
In which she through hir Louers helpe should worke hir owne decay,
35
The games of Venus, such I pray thee shew thy selfe to mee
In euerie case. The God would faine haue stopt hir mouth. But shee
Had made such hast that out it was. Which made him sigh full sore,
For neyther she could then vnwish the thing she wisht before,
Nor he reuoke his solemne oth. Wherefore with sorie heart
And heauie countnance by and by to Heauen he doth depart.
And makes to follow after him with looke full grim and stoure
The flakie clouds all grisly blacke, as when they threat a shoure.
To which he added mixt with winde a fierce and flashing flame,
With drie and dreadfull thunderclaps and lightning to the same
Of deadly vnauoyded dynt. And yet as much as may
He goes about his vehement force and fiercenesse to allay.
He doth not arme him with the fire with which he did remoue
The Giant with the hundreth handes Typhoëus from aboue:
It was too cruell and too sore to vse against his Loue.
The Cyclops made an other kinde of lightning farre more light,
Wherein they put much lesse of fire, lesse fiercenesse, lesser might.
It hight in Heauen the seconde Mace. Ioue armes himselfe with this
And enters into Cadmus house where Semelles chamber is.
She being mortall was too weake and feeble to withstande
Such troublous tumultes of the Heauens: and therefore out of hande
Was burned in hir Louers armes. But yet he tooke away
His infant from the mothers wombe vnperfect as it lay,
And (if a man may credit it) did in his thigh it sowe,
Where byding out the mothers tyme it did to ripenesse growe.
And when the time of birth was come his Aunt the Ladie Ine
Did nourse him for a while by stealth and kept him trym and fine.
The Nymphes of Nysa afterwarde did in their bowres him hide,
And brought him vp with Milke till tyme he might abrode be spyde.
Now while these things were done on earth, and that by fatal doome
The twice borne Bacchus had a tyme to mannes estate to come,
They say that Ioue disposde to myrth as he and Iuno sate
A drinking Nectar after meate in sport and pleasant rate,
Did fall a ieasting with his wife, and saide: a greater pleasure
In Venus games ye women haue than men beyonde all measure.
She answerde no. To trie the truth, they both of them agree
The wise Tyresias in this case indifferent Iudge to bee,
Who both the man and womans ioyes by tryall vnderstood.
For finding once two mightie Snakes engendring in a Wood,
He strake them ouerthwart the backs, by meanes whereof beholde
(As straunge a thing to be of truth as euer yet was tolde)
He being made a woman straight, seuen winter liued so.
The eight he finding them againe did say vnto them tho:
And if to strike ye haue such powre as for to turne their shape
That are the giuers of the stripe, before you hence escape,
One stripe now will I lende you more. He strake them as beforne
And straight returnd his former shape in which he first was borne.
Tyresias therefore being tane to iudge this iesting strife,
Gaue sentence on the side of Ioue. The which the Queene his wife
Did take a great deale more to heart than needed, and in spight
To wreake hir teene vpon hir Iudge, bereft him of his sight.
But Ioue (for to the Gods it is vnleefull to vndoe
The things which other of the Gods by any meanes haue doe)
Did giue him sight in things to come for losse of sight of eye,
And so his grieuous punishment with honour did supplie.
By meanes whereof within a while in Citie, fielde, and towne
Through all the coast of Aöny was bruted his renowne.
And folke to haue their fortunes read that dayly did resorte
Were aunswerde so as none of them could giue him misreporte.
The twice borne Bacchus had a tyme to mannes estate to come,
They say that Ioue disposde to myrth as he and Iuno sate
A drinking Nectar after meate in sport and pleasant rate,
Did fall a ieasting with his wife, and saide: a greater pleasure
In Venus games ye women haue than men beyonde all measure.
[35]
The wise Tyresias in this case indifferent Iudge to bee,
Who both the man and womans ioyes by tryall vnderstood.
For finding once two mightie Snakes engendring in a Wood,
He strake them ouerthwart the backs, by meanes whereof beholde
(As straunge a thing to be of truth as euer yet was tolde)
He being made a woman straight, seuen winter liued so.
The eight he finding them againe did say vnto them tho:
And if to strike ye haue such powre as for to turne their shape
That are the giuers of the stripe, before you hence escape,
One stripe now will I lende you more. He strake them as beforne
And straight returnd his former shape in which he first was borne.
Tyresias therefore being tane to iudge this iesting strife,
Gaue sentence on the side of Ioue. The which the Queene his wife
Did take a great deale more to heart than needed, and in spight
To wreake hir teene vpon hir Iudge, bereft him of his sight.
But Ioue (for to the Gods it is vnleefull to vndoe
The things which other of the Gods by any meanes haue doe)
Did giue him sight in things to come for losse of sight of eye,
And so his grieuous punishment with honour did supplie.
By meanes whereof within a while in Citie, fielde, and towne
Through all the coast of Aöny was bruted his renowne.
And folke to haue their fortunes read that dayly did resorte
Were aunswerde so as none of them could giue him misreporte.
The first that of his soothfast wordes had proufe in all the Realme
Was freckled Lyriop, whom sometime surprised in his streame,
The floud Cephisus did enforce. This Lady bare a sonne
Whose beautie at his verie birth might iustly loue haue wonne.
Narcissus did she call his name. Of whome the Prophet sage
Demaunded if the childe should liue to many yeares of age.
Made aunswere, yea full long, so that him selfe he doe not know.
The Soothsayers wordes seemde long but vaine, vntill the end did show
His saying to be true in deede by straungenesse of the rage,
And straungenesse of the kinde of death that did abridge his age.
For when yeares three times fiue and one he fully lyued had,
So that he seemde to stande beetwene the state of man and Lad,
The hearts of dyuers trim yong men his beautie gan to moue
And many a Ladie fresh and faire was taken in his loue.
But in that grace of Natures gift such passing pride did raigne,
That to be toucht of man or Mayde he wholy did disdaine.
A babling Nymph that Echo hight: who hearing others talke,
By no meanes can restraine hir tongue but that it needes must walke,
Nor of hir selfe hath powre to ginne to speake to any wight,
Espyde him dryuing into toyles the fearefull stagges of flight.
This Echo was a body then and not an onely voyce.
Yet of hir speach she had that time no more than now the choyce.
That is to say of many wordes the latter to repeate.
The cause thereof was Iunos wrath. For when that with the feate
She might haue often taken Ioue in daliance with his Dames,
And that by stealth and vnbewares in middes of all his games.
This elfe would with hir tatling talke deteine hir by the way,
Untill that Ioue had wrought his will and they were fled away.
The which when Iuno did perceyue, she said with wrathfull mood,
This tongue that hath deluded me shall doe thee little good,
For of thy speach but simple vse hereafter shalt thou haue.
The deede it selfe did straight confirme the threatnings that she gaue.
Yet Echo of the former talke doth double oft the ende
And backe againe with iust report the wordes earst spoken sende.
Was freckled Lyriop, whom sometime surprised in his streame,
The floud Cephisus did enforce. This Lady bare a sonne
Whose beautie at his verie birth might iustly loue haue wonne.
Narcissus did she call his name. Of whome the Prophet sage
Demaunded if the childe should liue to many yeares of age.
Made aunswere, yea full long, so that him selfe he doe not know.
The Soothsayers wordes seemde long but vaine, vntill the end did show
His saying to be true in deede by straungenesse of the rage,
And straungenesse of the kinde of death that did abridge his age.
For when yeares three times fiue and one he fully lyued had,
36
The hearts of dyuers trim yong men his beautie gan to moue
And many a Ladie fresh and faire was taken in his loue.
But in that grace of Natures gift such passing pride did raigne,
That to be toucht of man or Mayde he wholy did disdaine.
A babling Nymph that Echo hight: who hearing others talke,
By no meanes can restraine hir tongue but that it needes must walke,
Nor of hir selfe hath powre to ginne to speake to any wight,
Espyde him dryuing into toyles the fearefull stagges of flight.
This Echo was a body then and not an onely voyce.
Yet of hir speach she had that time no more than now the choyce.
That is to say of many wordes the latter to repeate.
The cause thereof was Iunos wrath. For when that with the feate
She might haue often taken Ioue in daliance with his Dames,
And that by stealth and vnbewares in middes of all his games.
This elfe would with hir tatling talke deteine hir by the way,
Untill that Ioue had wrought his will and they were fled away.
The which when Iuno did perceyue, she said with wrathfull mood,
This tongue that hath deluded me shall doe thee little good,
For of thy speach but simple vse hereafter shalt thou haue.
The deede it selfe did straight confirme the threatnings that she gaue.
Yet Echo of the former talke doth double oft the ende
And backe againe with iust report the wordes earst spoken sende.
Now when she sawe Narcists stray about the Forrest wyde,
She waxed warme and step for step fast after him she hyde.
The more she followed after him and neerer that she came,
The whoter euer did she waxe as neerer to hir flame.
Lyke as the liuely Brimstone doth which dipt about a match,
And put but softly to the fire, the flame doth lightly catch.
O Lord how often woulde she faine (if nature would haue let)
Entreated him with gentle wordes some fauour for to get?
But nature would not suffer hir nor giue hir leaue to ginne.
Yet (so farre forth as she by graunt at natures hande could winne)
Ay readie with attentiue eare she harkens for some sounde,
Whereto she might replie hir wordes, from which she is not bounde.
By chaunce the stripling being strayde from all his companie,
Sayde: is there any body nie? straight Echo answerde: I.
Amazde he castes his eye aside, and looketh round about,
And come (that all the Forrest roong) aloud he calleth out.
And come (sayth she:) he looketh backe, and seeing no man followe,
Why fliste, he cryeth once againe: and she the same doth hallowe,
He still persistes and wondring much what kinde of thing it was
From which that answering voyce by turne so duely seemde to passe,
Said: let vs ioyne. She (by hir will desirous to haue said,
In fayth with none more willingly at any time or stead)
Said: let vs ioyne. And standing somewhat in hir owne conceit,
Upon these wordes she left the Wood, and forth she yeedeth streit,
To coll the louely necke for which she longed had so much,
He runnes his way and will not be imbraced of no such.
And sayth: I first will die ere thou shalt take of me thy pleasure.
She aunswerde nothing else thereto, but take of me thy pleasure.
Now when she saw hir selfe thus mockt, she gate hir to the Woods,
And hid hir head for verie shame among the leaues and buddes.
And euer sence she lyues alone in dennes and hollow Caues.
Yet stacke hir loue still to hir heart, through which she dayly raues
The more for sorrowe of repulse. Through restlesse carke and care
Hir bodie pynes to skinne and bone, and waxeth wonderous bare.
The bloud doth vanish into ayre from out of all hir veynes,
And nought is left but voyce and bones: the voyce yet still remaynes:
Hir bones they say were turnde to stones. From thence she lurking still
In Woods, will neuer shewe hir head in field nor yet on hill.
Yet is she heard of euery man: it is hir onely sound,
And nothing else that doth remayne aliue aboue the ground.
Thus had he mockt this wretched Nymph and many mo beside,
That in the waters, Woods and groues, or Mountaynes did abyde
Thus had he mocked many men. Of which one miscontent
To see himselfe deluded so, his handes to Heauen vp bent,
And sayd: I pray to God he may once feele fierce Cupids fire
As I doe now, and yet not ioy the things he doth desire.
The Goddesse Ramnuse (who doth wreake on wicked people take)
Assented to his iust request for ruth and pities sake.
She waxed warme and step for step fast after him she hyde.
The more she followed after him and neerer that she came,
The whoter euer did she waxe as neerer to hir flame.
Lyke as the liuely Brimstone doth which dipt about a match,
And put but softly to the fire, the flame doth lightly catch.
O Lord how often woulde she faine (if nature would haue let)
Entreated him with gentle wordes some fauour for to get?
But nature would not suffer hir nor giue hir leaue to ginne.
Yet (so farre forth as she by graunt at natures hande could winne)
Ay readie with attentiue eare she harkens for some sounde,
Whereto she might replie hir wordes, from which she is not bounde.
[36]
Sayde: is there any body nie? straight Echo answerde: I.
Amazde he castes his eye aside, and looketh round about,
And come (that all the Forrest roong) aloud he calleth out.
And come (sayth she:) he looketh backe, and seeing no man followe,
Why fliste, he cryeth once againe: and she the same doth hallowe,
He still persistes and wondring much what kinde of thing it was
From which that answering voyce by turne so duely seemde to passe,
Said: let vs ioyne. She (by hir will desirous to haue said,
In fayth with none more willingly at any time or stead)
Said: let vs ioyne. And standing somewhat in hir owne conceit,
Upon these wordes she left the Wood, and forth she yeedeth streit,
To coll the louely necke for which she longed had so much,
He runnes his way and will not be imbraced of no such.
And sayth: I first will die ere thou shalt take of me thy pleasure.
She aunswerde nothing else thereto, but take of me thy pleasure.
Now when she saw hir selfe thus mockt, she gate hir to the Woods,
And hid hir head for verie shame among the leaues and buddes.
And euer sence she lyues alone in dennes and hollow Caues.
Yet stacke hir loue still to hir heart, through which she dayly raues
The more for sorrowe of repulse. Through restlesse carke and care
Hir bodie pynes to skinne and bone, and waxeth wonderous bare.
The bloud doth vanish into ayre from out of all hir veynes,
And nought is left but voyce and bones: the voyce yet still remaynes:
Hir bones they say were turnde to stones. From thence she lurking still
In Woods, will neuer shewe hir head in field nor yet on hill.
Yet is she heard of euery man: it is hir onely sound,
And nothing else that doth remayne aliue aboue the ground.
Thus had he mockt this wretched Nymph and many mo beside,
That in the waters, Woods and groues, or Mountaynes did abyde
Thus had he mocked many men. Of which one miscontent
To see himselfe deluded so, his handes to Heauen vp bent,
And sayd: I pray to God he may once feele fierce Cupids fire
As I doe now, and yet not ioy the things he doth desire.
The Goddesse Ramnuse (who doth wreake on wicked people take)
Assented to his iust request for ruth and pities sake.
37
There was a spring withouten mudde as siluer cleare and still,
Which neyther sheepeheirds, nor the Goates that fed vpon the hill,
Nor other cattell troubled had, nor sauage beast had styrd,
Nor braunch nor sticke, nor leafe of tree, nor any foule nor byrd.
The moysture fed and kept aye fresh the grasse that grew about,
And with their leaues the trees did keepe the heate of Phœbus out.
The stripling wearie with the heate and hunting in the chace,
And much delighted with the spring and coolenesse of the place,
Did lay him downe vpon the brim: and as he stooped lowe
To staunche his thurst, another thurst of worse effect did growe.
For as he dranke, he chaunst to spie the Image of his face,
The which he did immediately with feruent loue embrace.
He feedes a hope without cause why. For like a foolishe noddie
He thinkes the shadow that he sees, to be a liuely boddie.
Astraughted like an ymage made of Marble stone he lyes,
There gazing on his shadowe still with fixed staring eyes.
Stretcht all along vpon the ground, it doth him good to see
His ardant eyes which like two starres full bright and shyning bee.
And eke his fingars, fingars such as Bacchus might beseeme,
And haire that one might worthely Apollos haire it deeme.
His beardlesse chinne and yuorie necke, and eke the perfect grace
Of white and red indifferently bepainted in his face.
All these he woondreth to beholde, for which (as I doe gather)
Himselfe was to be woondred at, or to be pitied rather.
He is enamored of himselfe for want of taking heede.
And where he lykes another thing, he lykes himselfe in deede.
He is the partie whome he wooes, and suter that doth wooe,
He is the flame that settes on fire, and thing that burneth tooe.
O Lord how often did he kisse that false deceitfull thing?
How often did he thrust his armes midway into the spring?
To haue embraste the necke he saw and could not catch himselfe?
He knowes not what it was he sawe. And yet the foolish elfe
Doth burne in ardent loue thereof. The verie selfe same thing
That doth bewitch and blinde his eyes, encreaseth all his sting.
Thou fondling thou, why doest thou raught the fickle image so?
The thing thou seekest is not there. And if a side thou go:
The thing thou louest straight is gone. It is none other matter
That thou doest see, than of thy selfe the shadow in the water.
The thing is nothing of it selfe: with thee it doth abide,
With thee it would departe if thou withdrew thy selfe aside.
Which neyther sheepeheirds, nor the Goates that fed vpon the hill,
Nor other cattell troubled had, nor sauage beast had styrd,
Nor braunch nor sticke, nor leafe of tree, nor any foule nor byrd.
The moysture fed and kept aye fresh the grasse that grew about,
And with their leaues the trees did keepe the heate of Phœbus out.
The stripling wearie with the heate and hunting in the chace,
And much delighted with the spring and coolenesse of the place,
Did lay him downe vpon the brim: and as he stooped lowe
To staunche his thurst, another thurst of worse effect did growe.
For as he dranke, he chaunst to spie the Image of his face,
The which he did immediately with feruent loue embrace.
He feedes a hope without cause why. For like a foolishe noddie
He thinkes the shadow that he sees, to be a liuely boddie.
Astraughted like an ymage made of Marble stone he lyes,
There gazing on his shadowe still with fixed staring eyes.
Stretcht all along vpon the ground, it doth him good to see
His ardant eyes which like two starres full bright and shyning bee.
And eke his fingars, fingars such as Bacchus might beseeme,
And haire that one might worthely Apollos haire it deeme.
His beardlesse chinne and yuorie necke, and eke the perfect grace
Of white and red indifferently bepainted in his face.
All these he woondreth to beholde, for which (as I doe gather)
Himselfe was to be woondred at, or to be pitied rather.
He is enamored of himselfe for want of taking heede.
And where he lykes another thing, he lykes himselfe in deede.
He is the partie whome he wooes, and suter that doth wooe,
He is the flame that settes on fire, and thing that burneth tooe.
O Lord how often did he kisse that false deceitfull thing?
How often did he thrust his armes midway into the spring?
To haue embraste the necke he saw and could not catch himselfe?
He knowes not what it was he sawe. And yet the foolish elfe
Doth burne in ardent loue thereof. The verie selfe same thing
That doth bewitch and blinde his eyes, encreaseth all his sting.
Thou fondling thou, why doest thou raught the fickle image so?
The thing thou seekest is not there. And if a side thou go:
[37]
That thou doest see, than of thy selfe the shadow in the water.
The thing is nothing of it selfe: with thee it doth abide,
With thee it would departe if thou withdrew thy selfe aside.
No care of meate could draw him thence, nor yet desire of rest.
But lying flat against the ground, and leaning on his brest,
With greedie eyes he gazeth still vppon the falced face,
And through his sight is wrought his bane. Yet for a little space
He turnes and settes himselfe vpright, and holding vp his hands
With piteous voyce vnto the wood that round about him stands,
Cryes out and ses: alas ye Woods, and was there euer any?
That looude so cruelly as I? you know: for vnto many
A place of harbrough haue you beene, and fort of refuge strong.
Can you remember any one in all your tyme so long?
That hath so pinde away as I? I see and am full faine,
Howbeit that I like and see I can not yet attaine:
So great a blindnesse in my heart through doting loue doth raigne.
And for to spight me more withall, it is no iourney farre,
No drenching Sea, no Mountaine hie, no wall, no locke, no barre,
It is but euen a little droppe that keepes vs two a sunder.
He would be had. For looke how oft I kisse the water vnder,
So oft againe with vpwarde mouth he riseth towarde mee.
A man would thinke to touch at least I should yet able bee.
It is a trifle in respect that lettes vs of our loue.
What wight soeuer that thou art come hither vp aboue.
O pierlesse piece, why dost thou mee thy louer thus delude?
Or whither fliste thou of thy friende thus earnestly pursude?
I wis I neyther am so fowle nor yet so growne in yeares
That in this wise thou shouldst me shoon. To haue me to their Feeres,
The Nymphes themselues haue sude ere this. And yet (as should appeere)
Thou dost pretende some kinde of hope of friendship by thy cheere.
For when I stretch mine armes to thee, thou stretchest thine likewise.
And if I smile thou smilest too: And when that from mine eyes
The teares doe drop, I well perceyue the water stands in thine.
Like gesture also dost thou make to euerie becke of mine.
And as by mouing of thy sweete and louely lippes I weene,
Thou speakest words although mine eares conceiue not what they beene
It is my selfe I well perceyue, it is mine Image sure,
That in this sort deluding me, this furie doth procure.
I am inamored of my selfe, I doe both set on fire,
And am the same that swelteth too, through impotent desire.
What shall I doe? be woode or wo? whome shall I wo therefore?
The thing I seeke is in my selfe, my plentie makes me poore.
O would to God I for a while might from my bodie part.
This wish is straunge to heare a Louer wrapped all in smart,
To wish away the thing the which he loueth as his heart.
My sorrowe takes away my strength. I haue not long to liue,
But in the floure of youth must die. To die it doth not grieue.
For that by death shall come the ende of all my griefe and paine
I would this yongling whome I loue might lenger life obtaine:
For in one soule shall now decay we stedfast Louers twaine.
But lying flat against the ground, and leaning on his brest,
With greedie eyes he gazeth still vppon the falced face,
And through his sight is wrought his bane. Yet for a little space
He turnes and settes himselfe vpright, and holding vp his hands
With piteous voyce vnto the wood that round about him stands,
Cryes out and ses: alas ye Woods, and was there euer any?
That looude so cruelly as I? you know: for vnto many
A place of harbrough haue you beene, and fort of refuge strong.
Can you remember any one in all your tyme so long?
That hath so pinde away as I? I see and am full faine,
Howbeit that I like and see I can not yet attaine:
So great a blindnesse in my heart through doting loue doth raigne.
And for to spight me more withall, it is no iourney farre,
No drenching Sea, no Mountaine hie, no wall, no locke, no barre,
It is but euen a little droppe that keepes vs two a sunder.
He would be had. For looke how oft I kisse the water vnder,
So oft againe with vpwarde mouth he riseth towarde mee.
A man would thinke to touch at least I should yet able bee.
It is a trifle in respect that lettes vs of our loue.
What wight soeuer that thou art come hither vp aboue.
O pierlesse piece, why dost thou mee thy louer thus delude?
Or whither fliste thou of thy friende thus earnestly pursude?
I wis I neyther am so fowle nor yet so growne in yeares
That in this wise thou shouldst me shoon. To haue me to their Feeres,
The Nymphes themselues haue sude ere this. And yet (as should appeere)
Thou dost pretende some kinde of hope of friendship by thy cheere.
For when I stretch mine armes to thee, thou stretchest thine likewise.
And if I smile thou smilest too: And when that from mine eyes
The teares doe drop, I well perceyue the water stands in thine.
Like gesture also dost thou make to euerie becke of mine.
And as by mouing of thy sweete and louely lippes I weene,
38
It is my selfe I well perceyue, it is mine Image sure,
That in this sort deluding me, this furie doth procure.
I am inamored of my selfe, I doe both set on fire,
And am the same that swelteth too, through impotent desire.
What shall I doe? be woode or wo? whome shall I wo therefore?
The thing I seeke is in my selfe, my plentie makes me poore.
O would to God I for a while might from my bodie part.
This wish is straunge to heare a Louer wrapped all in smart,
To wish away the thing the which he loueth as his heart.
My sorrowe takes away my strength. I haue not long to liue,
But in the floure of youth must die. To die it doth not grieue.
For that by death shall come the ende of all my griefe and paine
I would this yongling whome I loue might lenger life obtaine:
For in one soule shall now decay we stedfast Louers twaine.
This saide in rage he turnes againe vnto the forsaide shade,
And roses the water with the teares and sloubring that he made,
That through his troubling of the Well his ymage gan to fade.
Which when he sawe to vanish so, Oh whither dost thou flie?
Abide I pray thee heartely, aloud he gan to crie.
Forsake me not so cruelly that loueth thee so deere,
But giue me leaue a little while my dazled eyes to cheere
With sight of that which for to touch is vtterly denide,
Thereby to feede my wretched rage and furie for a tide.
As in this wise he made his mone, he stripped off his cote
And with his fist outragiously his naked stomacke smote.
A ruddie colour where he smote rose on his stomacke sheere,
Lyke Apples which doe partly white and striped red appeere.
Or as the clusters ere the grapes to ripenesse fully come:
An Orient purple here and there beginnes to grow on some.
Which things assoone as in the spring he did beholde againe,
He could no longer beare it out. But fainting straight for paine,
As lith and supple waxe doth melt against the burning flame,
Or morning dewe against the Sunne that glareth on the same:
Euen so by piecemale being spent and wasted through desire,
Did he consume and melt away with Cupids secret fire.
His liuely hue of white and red, his cheerefulnesse and strength
And all the things that lyked him did wanze away at length.
So that in fine remayned not the bodie which of late
The wretched Echo loued so. Who when she sawe his state,
Although in heart she angrie were, and mindefull of his pride,
Yet ruing his vnhappie case, as often as he cride
Alas, she cride alas likewise with shirle redoubled sound.
And when he beate his breast, or strake his feete against the ground,
She made like noyse of clapping too. These are the woordes that last
Out of his lippes beholding still his woonted ymage past.
Alas sweete boy beloude in vaine, farewell. And by and by
With sighing sound the selfe same wordes the Echo did reply.
With that he layde his wearie head against the grassie place
And death did cloze his gazing eyes that woondred at the grace
And beautie which did late adorne their Masters heauenly face.
And afterward when into Hell receyued was his spright
He goes me to the Well of Styx, and there both day and night
Standes tooting on his shadow still as fondely as before
The water Nymphes his sisters wept and wayled for him sore
And on his bodie strowde their haire clipt off and shorne therefore.
The Woodnymphes also did lament. And Echo did rebound
To euery sorrowfull noyse of theirs with like lamenting sound.
The fire was made to burne the corse, and waxen Tapers light.
A Herce to lay the bodie on with solemne pompe was dight.
But as for bodie none remaind: In stead thereof they found
A yellow floure with milke white leaues new sprong vpon the ground.
And roses the water with the teares and sloubring that he made,
That through his troubling of the Well his ymage gan to fade.
Which when he sawe to vanish so, Oh whither dost thou flie?
Abide I pray thee heartely, aloud he gan to crie.
Forsake me not so cruelly that loueth thee so deere,
But giue me leaue a little while my dazled eyes to cheere
With sight of that which for to touch is vtterly denide,
Thereby to feede my wretched rage and furie for a tide.
As in this wise he made his mone, he stripped off his cote
And with his fist outragiously his naked stomacke smote.
A ruddie colour where he smote rose on his stomacke sheere,
Lyke Apples which doe partly white and striped red appeere.
Or as the clusters ere the grapes to ripenesse fully come:
An Orient purple here and there beginnes to grow on some.
Which things assoone as in the spring he did beholde againe,
He could no longer beare it out. But fainting straight for paine,
As lith and supple waxe doth melt against the burning flame,
Or morning dewe against the Sunne that glareth on the same:
Euen so by piecemale being spent and wasted through desire,
Did he consume and melt away with Cupids secret fire.
[38]
And all the things that lyked him did wanze away at length.
So that in fine remayned not the bodie which of late
The wretched Echo loued so. Who when she sawe his state,
Although in heart she angrie were, and mindefull of his pride,
Yet ruing his vnhappie case, as often as he cride
Alas, she cride alas likewise with shirle redoubled sound.
And when he beate his breast, or strake his feete against the ground,
She made like noyse of clapping too. These are the woordes that last
Out of his lippes beholding still his woonted ymage past.
Alas sweete boy beloude in vaine, farewell. And by and by
With sighing sound the selfe same wordes the Echo did reply.
With that he layde his wearie head against the grassie place
And death did cloze his gazing eyes that woondred at the grace
And beautie which did late adorne their Masters heauenly face.
And afterward when into Hell receyued was his spright
He goes me to the Well of Styx, and there both day and night
Standes tooting on his shadow still as fondely as before
The water Nymphes his sisters wept and wayled for him sore
And on his bodie strowde their haire clipt off and shorne therefore.
The Woodnymphes also did lament. And Echo did rebound
To euery sorrowfull noyse of theirs with like lamenting sound.
The fire was made to burne the corse, and waxen Tapers light.
A Herce to lay the bodie on with solemne pompe was dight.
But as for bodie none remaind: In stead thereof they found
A yellow floure with milke white leaues new sprong vpon the ground.
This matter all Achaia through did spreade the Prophets fame:
That euery where of iust desert renowmed was his name.
But Penthey olde Echions sonne (who proudely did disdaine
Both God and man) did laughe to scorne the Prophets words as vaine,
Upbrading him most spitefully with loosing of his sight,
And with the fact for which he lost fruition of this light.
The good olde father (for these wordes his pacience much did moue)
Saide O how happie shouldest thou be and blessed from aboue,
If thou wert blinde as well as I, so that thou might not see
The sacred rytes of Bacchus band? For sure the time will bee,
And that full shortely (as I gesse) that hither shall resort
Another Bacchus Semelles sonne, whome if thou not support
With pompe and honour like a God, thy carcasse shall be tattred,
And in a thousand places eke about the Woods be scattred.
And for to reade thee what they are that shall perfourme the deede,
It is thy mother and thine Auntes that thus shall make thee bleede.
I know it shall so come to passe, for why thou shalt disdaine,
To honour Bacchus as a God: and then thou shalt with paine
Feele how that blinded as I am I sawe for thee too much.
As olde Tiresias did pronounce these wordes and other such,
Echions sonne did trouble him. His wordes proue true in deede,
For as the Prophet did forespeake so fell it out with speede.
Anon this newefound Bacchus commes: the woods and fieldes rebound,
With noyse of shouts and howling out, and such confused sound.
The folke runne flocking out by heapes, men, Mayds and wiues togither
The noble men and rascall sorte ran gadding also thither.
The Orgies of this vnknowne God full fondely to performe,
The which when Penthey did perceyue, he gan to rage and storme.
That euery where of iust desert renowmed was his name.
But Penthey olde Echions sonne (who proudely did disdaine
Both God and man) did laughe to scorne the Prophets words as vaine,
Upbrading him most spitefully with loosing of his sight,
And with the fact for which he lost fruition of this light.
The good olde father (for these wordes his pacience much did moue)
Saide O how happie shouldest thou be and blessed from aboue,
If thou wert blinde as well as I, so that thou might not see
The sacred rytes of Bacchus band? For sure the time will bee,
39
Another Bacchus Semelles sonne, whome if thou not support
With pompe and honour like a God, thy carcasse shall be tattred,
And in a thousand places eke about the Woods be scattred.
And for to reade thee what they are that shall perfourme the deede,
It is thy mother and thine Auntes that thus shall make thee bleede.
I know it shall so come to passe, for why thou shalt disdaine,
To honour Bacchus as a God: and then thou shalt with paine
Feele how that blinded as I am I sawe for thee too much.
As olde Tiresias did pronounce these wordes and other such,
Echions sonne did trouble him. His wordes proue true in deede,
For as the Prophet did forespeake so fell it out with speede.
Anon this newefound Bacchus commes: the woods and fieldes rebound,
With noyse of shouts and howling out, and such confused sound.
The folke runne flocking out by heapes, men, Mayds and wiues togither
The noble men and rascall sorte ran gadding also thither.
The Orgies of this vnknowne God full fondely to performe,
The which when Penthey did perceyue, he gan to rage and storme.
And sayde vnto them. O ye ympes of Mars his snake by kinde
What ayleth you? what fiend of hell doth thus enrage your minde?
Hath tinking sound of pottes and pannes? hath noyse of crooked horne?
Haue fonde illusions such a force? that them whome heretoforne
No arming sworde? no bloudie trumpe? no men in battail ray
Coulde cause to shrinke? no sheepish shriekes of simple women fray?
And dronken woodnesse wrought by wine? & roughts of filthie freakes?
And sound of toying timpanes dauntes? & quite their courage breakes?
Shall I at you yee auncient men which from the towne of Tyre?
To bring your housholde Gods by Sea, in safetie did aspyre?
And setled them within this place the which ye nowe doe yeelde
In bondage quite without all force and fighting in the fielde?
Or woonder at you yonger sorte approching vnto mee
More neare in courage and in yeares? whome meete it were to see
With speare and not with thirse in hande? with glittring helme on hed,
And not with leaues? Now call to minde of whome ye all are bred,
And take the stomackes of that Snake, which being one alone,
Right stoutly in his owne defence confounded many one.
He for his harbrough and his spring his lyfe did nobly spend.
Doe you no more but take a heart your Countie to defende.
He put to death right valeant Knightes. Your battaile is with such
As are but Meicocks in effect: and yet ye doe so much
In conquering them, that by the deede the olde renowne ye saue,
Which from your fathers by discent this present time ye haue.
If fatall destnies doe forbid that Thebæ long shall stande,
Would God that men with Canon shot might raze it out of hande.
Would God the noyse of fire and sworde did in our hearing sound.
For then in this our wretchednesse there could no fault be found.
Then might we iustly waile our case that all the world might see
Wee should not neede of sheading teares ashamed for to bee.
But now our towne is taken by a naked beardelesse boy,
Who doth not in the feates of armes nor horse nor armour ioy.
But for to moyst his haire with Mirrhe, and put on garlands gay,
And in soft Purple silke and golde his bodie to aray.
But put to you your helping hand and straight without delay
I will compell him poynt by poynt his lewdnesse to bewray,
Both in vsurping Ioues high name in making him his sonne
And forging of these Ceremonies lately now begonne.
Hath King Atrisius heart inough this fondling for to hate?
That makes himselfe to be a God? and for to shit the gate
Of Argus at his comming there? and shall this rouer make
King Penthey and the noble towne of Thebæ thus to quake?
Go quickly sirs (these wordes he spake vnto his seruaunts) go
And bring the Captaine hither bound with speede, why stay ye so?
What ayleth you? what fiend of hell doth thus enrage your minde?
Hath tinking sound of pottes and pannes? hath noyse of crooked horne?
Haue fonde illusions such a force? that them whome heretoforne
No arming sworde? no bloudie trumpe? no men in battail ray
Coulde cause to shrinke? no sheepish shriekes of simple women fray?
And dronken woodnesse wrought by wine? & roughts of filthie freakes?
And sound of toying timpanes dauntes? & quite their courage breakes?
Shall I at you yee auncient men which from the towne of Tyre?
To bring your housholde Gods by Sea, in safetie did aspyre?
And setled them within this place the which ye nowe doe yeelde
In bondage quite without all force and fighting in the fielde?
Or woonder at you yonger sorte approching vnto mee
More neare in courage and in yeares? whome meete it were to see
With speare and not with thirse in hande? with glittring helme on hed,
And not with leaues? Now call to minde of whome ye all are bred,
And take the stomackes of that Snake, which being one alone,
Right stoutly in his owne defence confounded many one.
He for his harbrough and his spring his lyfe did nobly spend.
[39]
He put to death right valeant Knightes. Your battaile is with such
As are but Meicocks in effect: and yet ye doe so much
In conquering them, that by the deede the olde renowne ye saue,
Which from your fathers by discent this present time ye haue.
If fatall destnies doe forbid that Thebæ long shall stande,
Would God that men with Canon shot might raze it out of hande.
Would God the noyse of fire and sworde did in our hearing sound.
For then in this our wretchednesse there could no fault be found.
Then might we iustly waile our case that all the world might see
Wee should not neede of sheading teares ashamed for to bee.
But now our towne is taken by a naked beardelesse boy,
Who doth not in the feates of armes nor horse nor armour ioy.
But for to moyst his haire with Mirrhe, and put on garlands gay,
And in soft Purple silke and golde his bodie to aray.
But put to you your helping hand and straight without delay
I will compell him poynt by poynt his lewdnesse to bewray,
Both in vsurping Ioues high name in making him his sonne
And forging of these Ceremonies lately now begonne.
Hath King Atrisius heart inough this fondling for to hate?
That makes himselfe to be a God? and for to shit the gate
Of Argus at his comming there? and shall this rouer make
King Penthey and the noble towne of Thebæ thus to quake?
Go quickly sirs (these wordes he spake vnto his seruaunts) go
And bring the Captaine hither bound with speede, why stay ye so?
His Grandsire Cadmus, Athamas and others of his kinne
Reproued him by gentle meanes but nothing could they winne:
The more intreatance that they made the fiercer was he still:
The more his friendes did go about to breake him of his will.
The more they did prouoke his wrath, and set his rage on fire:
They made him worse in that they sought to bridle his desire.
So haue I seene a brooke ere this, where nothing let the streame,
Runne smooth with little noyse or none, but where as any beame
Or cragged stones did let his course, and make him for to stay:
It went more fiercely from the stoppe with fomie wroth away.
Beholde all bloudie come his men, and straight he them demaunded
Where Bacchus was, and why they had not done as he commaunded?
Sir (aunswerde they) we saw him not, but this same fellow heere
A chiefe companion in his traine and worker in this geere,
Wee tooke by force: And therewithall presented to their Lord
A certaine man of Tirrhene lande, his handes fast bound with cord,
Whome they, frequenting Bacchus rites had found but late before.
A grim and cruell looke which yre did make to seeme more sore,
Did Penthey cast vpon the man. And though he scarcely stayd
From putting him to tormentes strait. O wretched man (he sayde)
Who by thy worthie death shalt be a sample vnto other,
Declare to me the names of thee, thy father and thy mother.
And in what Countrie thou wert borne, and what hath caused thee,
Of these straunge rites and sacrifice, a follower for to bee.
Reproued him by gentle meanes but nothing could they winne:
The more intreatance that they made the fiercer was he still:
The more his friendes did go about to breake him of his will.
The more they did prouoke his wrath, and set his rage on fire:
They made him worse in that they sought to bridle his desire.
So haue I seene a brooke ere this, where nothing let the streame,
Runne smooth with little noyse or none, but where as any beame
Or cragged stones did let his course, and make him for to stay:
It went more fiercely from the stoppe with fomie wroth away.
Beholde all bloudie come his men, and straight he them demaunded
Where Bacchus was, and why they had not done as he commaunded?
40
A chiefe companion in his traine and worker in this geere,
Wee tooke by force: And therewithall presented to their Lord
A certaine man of Tirrhene lande, his handes fast bound with cord,
Whome they, frequenting Bacchus rites had found but late before.
A grim and cruell looke which yre did make to seeme more sore,
Did Penthey cast vpon the man. And though he scarcely stayd
From putting him to tormentes strait. O wretched man (he sayde)
Who by thy worthie death shalt be a sample vnto other,
Declare to me the names of thee, thy father and thy mother.
And in what Countrie thou wert borne, and what hath caused thee,
Of these straunge rites and sacrifice, a follower for to bee.
He voyd of feare made aunswere thus. Acetis is my name:
Of Parentes but of lowe degree in Lidy land I came.
No ground for painfull Oxe to till, no sheepe to beare me wooll
My father left me: no nor horse, nor Asse, nor Cow nor Booll.
God wote he was but poore himselfe, With line and bayted hooke
The frisking fishes in the pooles vpon his Reede he tooke
His handes did serue in steade of landes, his substance was his craft.
Nowe haue I made you true accompt of all that he me laft,
As well of ryches as of trades, in which I was his heire
And successour. For when that death bereft him vse of aire,
Saue water he me nothing left. It is the thing alone
Which for my lawfull heritage I clayme, and other none.
Soone after I (bicause that loth I was to ay abide
In that poore state) did learne a ship by cunning hande to guide,
And for to know the raynie signe, that hight th' Olenien Gote
Which with hir milke did nourish Ioue. And also I did note
The Pleiads and the Hiads moyst, and eke the siely Plough
With all the dwellings of the winds that make the Seas so rough.
And eke such Hauens as are meete to harbrough vessels in:
With euerie starre and heauenly signe that guides to shipmen bin.
Now as by chaunce I late ago did toward Dilos sayle,
I came on coast of Scios Ile, and seeing day to fayle,
Tooke harbrough there and went a lande. Assoone as that the night
Was spent, and morning can to peere with ruddie glaring light,
I rose and bad my companie fresh water fetch aboord.
And pointing them the way that led directly to the foorde,
I went me to a little hill, and viewed round about
To see what weather we were lyke to haue eresetting out.
Which done, I cald my watermen and all my Mates togither,
And willde them all to go a boord my selfe first going thither.
Loe here we are (Opheltes sayd) (he was the Maysters Mate)
And (as he thought) a bootie found in desert fields a late,
He dragd a boy vpon his hande that for his beautie sheene,
A mayden rather than a boy appeared for to beene.
This childe, as one forelade with wine, and dreint with drousie sleepe
Did reele, as though he scarcely coulde himselfe from falling keepe.
I markt his countnance, weede and pace, no inckling could I see,
By which I might coniecture him a mortall wight to bee.
I thought, and to my fellowes sayd: what God I can not tell
But in this bodie that we see some Godhead sure doth dwell.
What God so euer that thou art, thy fauour to vs showe,
And in our labours vs assist, and pardone these also.
Pray for thy selfe and not for vs (quoth Dictys by and by.)
A nimbler fellow for to climbe vpon the Mast on hie
And by the Cable downe to slide, there was not in our keele.
Swart Melanth patrone of the shippe did like his saying weele.
So also did Alcimedon: and so did Libys to,
And blacke Epopeus eke whose charge it did belong vnto
To see the Rowers at their tymes their dueties duely do.
And so did all the rest of them: so sore mennes eyes were blinded
Where couetousenesse of filthie gaine is more than reason minded.
Well sirs (quoth I) but by your leaue ye shall not haue it so,
I will not suffer sacriledge within this shippe to go.
For I haue here the most to doe. And with that worde I stept
Uppon the Hatches, all the rest from entrance to haue kept.
The rankest Ruffian of the rout that Lycab had to name,
(Who for a murder being late driuen out of Tuscane came
To me for succor) waxed woode, and with his sturdie fist
Did giue me such a churlish blow bycause I did resist,
That ouer boord he had me sent, but that with much ado
I caught the tackling in my hand and helde me fast thereto:
The wicked Uarlets had a sport to see me handled so.
Then Bacchus (for it Bacchus was) as though he had but tho,
Bene waked with their noyse from sleepe, and that his drousie braine
Discharged of the wine, begon to gather sence againe)
Said: what a doe? what noyse is this? how came I here I pray?
Sirs tell me whether you doe meane to carie me away.
Feare not my boy (the Patrone sayd) no more but tell me where
Thou doest desire to go a lande, and we will set thee there.
To Naxus ward (quoth Bacchus tho) set ship vpon the fome.
There would I haue harbrough take, for Naxus is my home.
Like periurde Caitifs by the Sea and all the Gods thereof,
They falsly sware it should be so, and therewithall in scoffe
They bade me hoyse vp saile and go. Upon the righter hand
I cast about to fetch the winde, for so did Naxus stand.
What meanst? art mad? Opheltes cride, and therewithall begun
A feare of loosing of their pray through euery man to run.
The greater part with head and hand a signe did to me make,
And some did whisper in mine eare the left hand way to take.
I was amazde and said take charge henceforth who will for me:
For of your craft and wickednesse I will no furthrer be.
Then fell they to reuiling me, and all the rout gan grudge:
Of which Ethalion said in scorne: by like in you Sir snudge
Consistes the sauegard of vs all. and wyth that word he takes
My roume, and leauing Naxus quite to other countries makes.
The God then dalying with these mates, as though he had at last
Begon to smell their suttle craft, out of the foredecke cast
His eye vpon the Sea: and then as though he seemde to weepe,
Sayd: sirs to bring me on this coast ye doe not promise keepe.
I see that this is not the land the which I did request.
For what occasion in this sort deserue I to be drest?
What commendation can you win, or praise thereby receyue?
If men a Lad, if many one ye compasse to deceyue?
I wept and sobbed all this while, the wicked villaines laught,
And rowed forth with might & maine, as though they had bene straught.
Now euen by him (for sure than he in all the worlde so wide
There is no God more neare at hand at euery time and tide.)
I sweare vnto you that the things the which I shall declare,
Like as they seeme incredible, euen so most true they are.
The ship stoode still amid the Sea as in a dustie docke.
They wondring at this miracle, and making but a mocke,
Persist in beating with their Ores, and on with all their sayles.
To make their Galley to remoue, no Art nor labor fayles.
But Iuie troubled so their Ores that forth they could not row:
And both with Beries and with leaues their sailes did ouergrow
And he himselfe with clustred grapes about his temples round,
Did shake a Iaueling in his hand that round about was bound
With leaues of Uines: and at his feete there seemed for to couch
Of Tygers, Lynx, and Panthers shapes most ougly for to touch.
I cannot tell you whether feare or woodnesse were the cause,
But euery person leapth vp and from his labor drawes.
And there one Medon first of all began to waxen blacke,
And hauing lost his former shape did take a courbed backe.
What Monster shall we haue of thee (quoth Licab) and with that
This Licabs chappes did waxen wide, his nosethrils waxed flat,
His skin waxt tough, and scales thereon began anon to grow.
And Libis as he went about the Ores away to throw,
Perceiued how his hands did shrinke and were become so short,
That now for finnes and not for hands he might them well report.
Another as he would haue claspt his arme about the corde:
Had nere an arme, and so bemaimd in bodie, ouer boord
He leapeth downe among the waues, and forked is his tayle
As are the hornes of Phebes face when halfe hir light doth fayle.
They leape about and sprinkle vp much water on the ship,
One while they swim aboue, and downe againe anon they slip.
They fetch their friskes as in a daunce, and wantonly they writhe
Now here now there among the waues their bodies bane and lithe.
And with their wide and hollow nose the water in they snuffe,
And by their noses out againe as fast they doe it puffe.
Of twentie persons (for our ship so many men did beare)
I only did remaine nigh straught and trembling still for feare.
The God could scarce recomfort me, and yet he said go too,
Feare not but saile to Dia ward. His will I gladly doe.
And so assoone as I came there with right deuout intent,
His Chaplaine I became. And thus his Orgies I frequent.
Of Parentes but of lowe degree in Lidy land I came.
No ground for painfull Oxe to till, no sheepe to beare me wooll
My father left me: no nor horse, nor Asse, nor Cow nor Booll.
God wote he was but poore himselfe, With line and bayted hooke
The frisking fishes in the pooles vpon his Reede he tooke
His handes did serue in steade of landes, his substance was his craft.
Nowe haue I made you true accompt of all that he me laft,
As well of ryches as of trades, in which I was his heire
And successour. For when that death bereft him vse of aire,
Saue water he me nothing left. It is the thing alone
Which for my lawfull heritage I clayme, and other none.
Soone after I (bicause that loth I was to ay abide
In that poore state) did learne a ship by cunning hande to guide,
And for to know the raynie signe, that hight th' Olenien Gote
Which with hir milke did nourish Ioue. And also I did note
The Pleiads and the Hiads moyst, and eke the siely Plough
With all the dwellings of the winds that make the Seas so rough.
And eke such Hauens as are meete to harbrough vessels in:
With euerie starre and heauenly signe that guides to shipmen bin.
Now as by chaunce I late ago did toward Dilos sayle,
I came on coast of Scios Ile, and seeing day to fayle,
Tooke harbrough there and went a lande. Assoone as that the night
Was spent, and morning can to peere with ruddie glaring light,
I rose and bad my companie fresh water fetch aboord.
[40]
I went me to a little hill, and viewed round about
To see what weather we were lyke to haue eresetting out.
Which done, I cald my watermen and all my Mates togither,
And willde them all to go a boord my selfe first going thither.
Loe here we are (Opheltes sayd) (he was the Maysters Mate)
And (as he thought) a bootie found in desert fields a late,
He dragd a boy vpon his hande that for his beautie sheene,
A mayden rather than a boy appeared for to beene.
This childe, as one forelade with wine, and dreint with drousie sleepe
Did reele, as though he scarcely coulde himselfe from falling keepe.
I markt his countnance, weede and pace, no inckling could I see,
By which I might coniecture him a mortall wight to bee.
I thought, and to my fellowes sayd: what God I can not tell
But in this bodie that we see some Godhead sure doth dwell.
What God so euer that thou art, thy fauour to vs showe,
And in our labours vs assist, and pardone these also.
Pray for thy selfe and not for vs (quoth Dictys by and by.)
A nimbler fellow for to climbe vpon the Mast on hie
And by the Cable downe to slide, there was not in our keele.
Swart Melanth patrone of the shippe did like his saying weele.
So also did Alcimedon: and so did Libys to,
And blacke Epopeus eke whose charge it did belong vnto
To see the Rowers at their tymes their dueties duely do.
And so did all the rest of them: so sore mennes eyes were blinded
Where couetousenesse of filthie gaine is more than reason minded.
Well sirs (quoth I) but by your leaue ye shall not haue it so,
I will not suffer sacriledge within this shippe to go.
For I haue here the most to doe. And with that worde I stept
Uppon the Hatches, all the rest from entrance to haue kept.
The rankest Ruffian of the rout that Lycab had to name,
(Who for a murder being late driuen out of Tuscane came
To me for succor) waxed woode, and with his sturdie fist
Did giue me such a churlish blow bycause I did resist,
That ouer boord he had me sent, but that with much ado
I caught the tackling in my hand and helde me fast thereto:
The wicked Uarlets had a sport to see me handled so.
41
Bene waked with their noyse from sleepe, and that his drousie braine
Discharged of the wine, begon to gather sence againe)
Said: what a doe? what noyse is this? how came I here I pray?
Sirs tell me whether you doe meane to carie me away.
Feare not my boy (the Patrone sayd) no more but tell me where
Thou doest desire to go a lande, and we will set thee there.
To Naxus ward (quoth Bacchus tho) set ship vpon the fome.
There would I haue harbrough take, for Naxus is my home.
Like periurde Caitifs by the Sea and all the Gods thereof,
They falsly sware it should be so, and therewithall in scoffe
They bade me hoyse vp saile and go. Upon the righter hand
I cast about to fetch the winde, for so did Naxus stand.
What meanst? art mad? Opheltes cride, and therewithall begun
A feare of loosing of their pray through euery man to run.
The greater part with head and hand a signe did to me make,
And some did whisper in mine eare the left hand way to take.
I was amazde and said take charge henceforth who will for me:
For of your craft and wickednesse I will no furthrer be.
Then fell they to reuiling me, and all the rout gan grudge:
Of which Ethalion said in scorne: by like in you Sir snudge
Consistes the sauegard of vs all. and wyth that word he takes
My roume, and leauing Naxus quite to other countries makes.
The God then dalying with these mates, as though he had at last
Begon to smell their suttle craft, out of the foredecke cast
His eye vpon the Sea: and then as though he seemde to weepe,
Sayd: sirs to bring me on this coast ye doe not promise keepe.
I see that this is not the land the which I did request.
For what occasion in this sort deserue I to be drest?
What commendation can you win, or praise thereby receyue?
If men a Lad, if many one ye compasse to deceyue?
I wept and sobbed all this while, the wicked villaines laught,
And rowed forth with might & maine, as though they had bene straught.
Now euen by him (for sure than he in all the worlde so wide
There is no God more neare at hand at euery time and tide.)
I sweare vnto you that the things the which I shall declare,
Like as they seeme incredible, euen so most true they are.
[41]
They wondring at this miracle, and making but a mocke,
Persist in beating with their Ores, and on with all their sayles.
To make their Galley to remoue, no Art nor labor fayles.
But Iuie troubled so their Ores that forth they could not row:
And both with Beries and with leaues their sailes did ouergrow
And he himselfe with clustred grapes about his temples round,
Did shake a Iaueling in his hand that round about was bound
With leaues of Uines: and at his feete there seemed for to couch
Of Tygers, Lynx, and Panthers shapes most ougly for to touch.
I cannot tell you whether feare or woodnesse were the cause,
But euery person leapth vp and from his labor drawes.
And there one Medon first of all began to waxen blacke,
And hauing lost his former shape did take a courbed backe.
What Monster shall we haue of thee (quoth Licab) and with that
This Licabs chappes did waxen wide, his nosethrils waxed flat,
His skin waxt tough, and scales thereon began anon to grow.
And Libis as he went about the Ores away to throw,
Perceiued how his hands did shrinke and were become so short,
That now for finnes and not for hands he might them well report.
Another as he would haue claspt his arme about the corde:
Had nere an arme, and so bemaimd in bodie, ouer boord
He leapeth downe among the waues, and forked is his tayle
As are the hornes of Phebes face when halfe hir light doth fayle.
They leape about and sprinkle vp much water on the ship,
One while they swim aboue, and downe againe anon they slip.
They fetch their friskes as in a daunce, and wantonly they writhe
Now here now there among the waues their bodies bane and lithe.
And with their wide and hollow nose the water in they snuffe,
And by their noses out againe as fast they doe it puffe.
Of twentie persons (for our ship so many men did beare)
I only did remaine nigh straught and trembling still for feare.
The God could scarce recomfort me, and yet he said go too,
Feare not but saile to Dia ward. His will I gladly doe.
And so assoone as I came there with right deuout intent,
His Chaplaine I became. And thus his Orgies I frequent.
Thou makste a processe verie long (quoth Penthey) to thintent
That (choler being coolde by time) mine anger might relent.
But Sirs (he spake it to his men) go take him by and by,
With cruell torments out of hand goe cause him for to die.
Immediatly they led away Acetes out of sight,
And put him into prison strong from which there was no flight.
But while the cruell instruments of death as sword and fire
Were in preparing wherewithall t'accomplish Pentheys yre,
It is reported that the doores did of their owne accorde
Burst open and his chaines fall off. And yet this cruell Lorde
Persisteth fiercer than before, not bidding others go
But goes himselfe vnto the hill Cytheron, which as tho
To Bacchus being consecrate did ring of chaunted songs,
And other loud confused sounds of Bacchus drunken throngs.
And euen as when the bloudie Trumpe doth to the battell sound,
The lustie horse streight neying out bestirres him on the ground,
And taketh courage therevpon t'assaile his emnie proud:
Euen so when Penthey heard a farre the noyse and howling loud
That Bacchus franticke folke did make, it set his heart on fire,
And kindled fiercer than before the sparks of settled ire.
42
But Sirs (he spake it to his men) go take him by and by,
With cruell torments out of hand goe cause him for to die.
Immediatly they led away Acetes out of sight,
And put him into prison strong from which there was no flight.
But while the cruell instruments of death as sword and fire
Were in preparing wherewithall t'accomplish Pentheys yre,
It is reported that the doores did of their owne accorde
Burst open and his chaines fall off. And yet this cruell Lorde
Persisteth fiercer than before, not bidding others go
But goes himselfe vnto the hill Cytheron, which as tho
To Bacchus being consecrate did ring of chaunted songs,
And other loud confused sounds of Bacchus drunken throngs.
And euen as when the bloudie Trumpe doth to the battell sound,
The lustie horse streight neying out bestirres him on the ground,
And taketh courage therevpon t'assaile his emnie proud:
Euen so when Penthey heard a farre the noyse and howling loud
That Bacchus franticke folke did make, it set his heart on fire,
And kindled fiercer than before the sparks of settled ire.
There is a goodly plaine about the middle of the hill,
Enuirond in with Woods, where men may view eche way at will.
Here looking on these holie rites with lewde prophaned eyes
King Pentheys mother first of all hir foresaid sonne espies,
And like a Bedlem first of all she doth vpon him runne,
And with hir Iaueling furiously she first doth wound hir sonne.
Come hither sisters come she cries, here is that mighty Bore,
Here is the Bore that stroyes our fieldes, him will I strike therefore.
With that they fall vpon him all as though they had bene mad,
And clustring all vpon a heape fast after him they gad.
He quakes and shakes: his words are now become more meeke and colde:
He now condemnes his owne default, and sayes he was too bolde.
And wounded as he was he cries helpe Aunt Autonoë,
Now for Acteons blessed soule some mercie show to me.
She wist not who Acteon was, but rent without delay
His right hand off: and Ino tare his tother hand away.
To lift vnto his mother tho the wretch had nere an arme:
But shewing hir his maimed corse, and woundes yet bleeding warme,
O mother see he sayes: with that Agauë howleth out:
And writhed with hir necke awrie, and shooke hir haire about.
And holding from his bodie torne his head in bloudie hands,
She cries: O fellowes in this deede our noble conquest stands.
No sooner could the winde haue blowen the rotten leaues fro trees,
When Winters frost hath bitten them, then did the hands of these
Most wicked women Pentheys limmes from one another teare.
The Thebanes being now by this example brought in feare,
Frequent this newfound sacrifice, and with sweete frankinsence
God Bacchus Altars lode with gifts in euery place doe cense.
Enuirond in with Woods, where men may view eche way at will.
Here looking on these holie rites with lewde prophaned eyes
King Pentheys mother first of all hir foresaid sonne espies,
And like a Bedlem first of all she doth vpon him runne,
And with hir Iaueling furiously she first doth wound hir sonne.
Come hither sisters come she cries, here is that mighty Bore,
Here is the Bore that stroyes our fieldes, him will I strike therefore.
With that they fall vpon him all as though they had bene mad,
And clustring all vpon a heape fast after him they gad.
He quakes and shakes: his words are now become more meeke and colde:
He now condemnes his owne default, and sayes he was too bolde.
And wounded as he was he cries helpe Aunt Autonoë,
Now for Acteons blessed soule some mercie show to me.
She wist not who Acteon was, but rent without delay
His right hand off: and Ino tare his tother hand away.
To lift vnto his mother tho the wretch had nere an arme:
But shewing hir his maimed corse, and woundes yet bleeding warme,
[42]
And writhed with hir necke awrie, and shooke hir haire about.
And holding from his bodie torne his head in bloudie hands,
She cries: O fellowes in this deede our noble conquest stands.
No sooner could the winde haue blowen the rotten leaues fro trees,
When Winters frost hath bitten them, then did the hands of these
Most wicked women Pentheys limmes from one another teare.
The Thebanes being now by this example brought in feare,
Frequent this newfound sacrifice, and with sweete frankinsence
God Bacchus Altars lode with gifts in euery place doe cense.
Finis tertij Libri.
THE FOVRTH BOOKE of Ouids Metamorphosis.
Yet
would not stout Alcithoë Duke Mineus daughter bow
The Orgies of this newfound God in conscience to allow
But still she stiffly doth denie that Bacchus is the sonne
Of Ioue: and in this heresie hir sisters with hir runne.
The Priest had bidden holiday, and that as well the Maide
As Mistresse (for the time aside all other businesse layde)
In Buckskin cotes, with tresses loose, and garlondes on their heare,
Should in their hands the leauie speares (surnamed Thyrsis) beare.
Foretelling them that if they did the Goddes commaundement breake,
He would with sore and grieuous plagues his wrath vpon them wreake.
The women straight both yong and olde doe therevnto obay.
Their yarne, their baskets, and their flax vnsponne aside they lay,
And burne to Bacchus frankinsence. Whome solemly they call
By all the names and titles high that may to him befall.
As Bromius, and Lyeus eke, begotten of the flame,
Twice borne, the sole and only childe that of two mothers came.
Unshorne Thyoney, Niseus, Leneus, and the setter
Of Uines, whose pleasant liquor makes all tables fare the better.
Nyctileus and th' Elelean Sire, Iacchus, Euan eke,
With diuers other glorious names that through the land of Greke
To thee O Liber wonted are to attributed bee.
Thy youthfull yeares can neuer wast: there dwelleth ay in thee
A childhod tender, fresh and faire: In Heauen we doe thee see
Surmounting euery other thing in beautie and in grace
And when thou standste without thy hornes thou hast a Maidens face.
To thee obeyeth all the East as far as Ganges goes,
Which doth the scorched land of Inde with tawnie folke enclose.
Lycurgus with his twibill sharpe, and Penthey who of pride
Thy Godhead and thy mightie power rebelliously denide,
Thou right redowted didst confounde: Thou into Sea didst send
The Tyrrhene shipmen. Thou with bittes the sturdy neckes doste bend
Of spotted Lynxes: Throngs of Frowes and Satyres on thee tend,
And that olde Hag that with a staffe his staggering limmes doth stay
Scarce able on his Asse to sit for reeling euery way.
Thou commest not in any place but that is hearde the noyse
Of gagling womens tatling tongues and showting out of boyes.
With sound of Timbrels, Tabors, Pipes, and Brazen pannes and pots
Confusedly among the rout that in thine Orgies trots.
The Thebane women for thy grace and fauour humbly sue,
And (as the Priest did bid) frequent thy rites with reuerence due.
Alonly Mineus daughters bent of wilfulnesse, with working
Quite out of time to breake the feast, are in their houses lurking:
And there doe fall to spinning yarne, or weauing in the frame,
And kepe their maidens to their worke. Of which one pleasant dame
As she with nimble hand did draw hir slender threede and fine,
Said: whyle that others idelly doe serue the God of wine,
Let vs that serue a better Sainct Minerua, finde some talke
To ease our labor while our handes about our profite walke.
And for to make the time seeme shorte, let eche of vs recite,
(As euery bodies turne shall come) some tale that may delight.
Hir saying likte the rest so well that all consent therein,
And therevpon they pray that first the eldest would begin.
She had such store and choyce of tales she wist not which to tell.
She doubted if she might declare the fortune that befell
To Dircetes of Babilon whome now with scaly hide
In altred shape the Philistine beleueth to abide
In watrie Pooles: or rather how hir daughter taking wings
In shape of Doue on toppes of towres in age now sadly sings:
Or how a certaine water Nymph by witchcraft and by charmes
Conuerted into fishes dumbe, of yongmen many swarmes,
Untill that of the selfe same sauce hir selfe did tast at last:
Or how the tree that vsde to beare fruite white in ages past,
Doth now beare fruite in maner blacke, by sprincling vp of blood.
This tale (bicause it was not stale nor common) seemed good
To hir to tell: and therevpon she in this wise begun
Hir vnsie hand still drawing out the flaxen threede she spun.
The Orgies of this newfound God in conscience to allow
But still she stiffly doth denie that Bacchus is the sonne
Of Ioue: and in this heresie hir sisters with hir runne.
The Priest had bidden holiday, and that as well the Maide
As Mistresse (for the time aside all other businesse layde)
In Buckskin cotes, with tresses loose, and garlondes on their heare,
Should in their hands the leauie speares (surnamed Thyrsis) beare.
Foretelling them that if they did the Goddes commaundement breake,
He would with sore and grieuous plagues his wrath vpon them wreake.
The women straight both yong and olde doe therevnto obay.
Their yarne, their baskets, and their flax vnsponne aside they lay,
And burne to Bacchus frankinsence. Whome solemly they call
By all the names and titles high that may to him befall.
43
Twice borne, the sole and only childe that of two mothers came.
Unshorne Thyoney, Niseus, Leneus, and the setter
Of Uines, whose pleasant liquor makes all tables fare the better.
Nyctileus and th' Elelean Sire, Iacchus, Euan eke,
With diuers other glorious names that through the land of Greke
To thee O Liber wonted are to attributed bee.
Thy youthfull yeares can neuer wast: there dwelleth ay in thee
A childhod tender, fresh and faire: In Heauen we doe thee see
Surmounting euery other thing in beautie and in grace
And when thou standste without thy hornes thou hast a Maidens face.
To thee obeyeth all the East as far as Ganges goes,
Which doth the scorched land of Inde with tawnie folke enclose.
Lycurgus with his twibill sharpe, and Penthey who of pride
Thy Godhead and thy mightie power rebelliously denide,
Thou right redowted didst confounde: Thou into Sea didst send
The Tyrrhene shipmen. Thou with bittes the sturdy neckes doste bend
Of spotted Lynxes: Throngs of Frowes and Satyres on thee tend,
And that olde Hag that with a staffe his staggering limmes doth stay
Scarce able on his Asse to sit for reeling euery way.
Thou commest not in any place but that is hearde the noyse
Of gagling womens tatling tongues and showting out of boyes.
With sound of Timbrels, Tabors, Pipes, and Brazen pannes and pots
Confusedly among the rout that in thine Orgies trots.
The Thebane women for thy grace and fauour humbly sue,
And (as the Priest did bid) frequent thy rites with reuerence due.
Alonly Mineus daughters bent of wilfulnesse, with working
Quite out of time to breake the feast, are in their houses lurking:
And there doe fall to spinning yarne, or weauing in the frame,
And kepe their maidens to their worke. Of which one pleasant dame
As she with nimble hand did draw hir slender threede and fine,
Said: whyle that others idelly doe serue the God of wine,
Let vs that serue a better Sainct Minerua, finde some talke
To ease our labor while our handes about our profite walke.
And for to make the time seeme shorte, let eche of vs recite,
(As euery bodies turne shall come) some tale that may delight.
Hir saying likte the rest so well that all consent therein,
[43]
She had such store and choyce of tales she wist not which to tell.
She doubted if she might declare the fortune that befell
To Dircetes of Babilon whome now with scaly hide
In altred shape the Philistine beleueth to abide
In watrie Pooles: or rather how hir daughter taking wings
In shape of Doue on toppes of towres in age now sadly sings:
Or how a certaine water Nymph by witchcraft and by charmes
Conuerted into fishes dumbe, of yongmen many swarmes,
Untill that of the selfe same sauce hir selfe did tast at last:
Or how the tree that vsde to beare fruite white in ages past,
Doth now beare fruite in maner blacke, by sprincling vp of blood.
This tale (bicause it was not stale nor common) seemed good
To hir to tell: and therevpon she in this wise begun
Hir vnsie hand still drawing out the flaxen threede she spun.
Within the towne (of whose huge walles so monstrous high & thicke
The fame is giuen Semyramis for making them of bricke)
Dwelt hard together two yong folke in houses ioynde so nere
That vnder all one roofe well nie both twaine conueyed were.
The name of him was Pyramus, and Thisbe calde was she.
So faire a man in all the East was none aliue as he,
Nor nere a woman maide nor wife in beautie like to hir.
This neighbrod bred acquaintance first, this neyghbrod first did stirre
The secret sparkes, this neighbrod first an entrance in did showe,
For loue to come to that to which it afterward did growe.
And if that right had taken place they had bene man and wife,
But still their Parents went about to let which (for their life)
They could not let. For both their heartes with equall flame did burne.
No man was priuie to their thoughts. And for to serue their turne
In steade of talke they vsed signes. the closelier they supprest
The fire of loue, the fiercer still it raged in their brest.
The wall that parted house from house had riuen therein a crany
Which shronke at making of the wall. this fault not markt of any
Of many hundred yeares before (what doth not loue espie.)
These louers first of all found out, and made a way whereby
To talke togither secretly, and through the same did goe
Their louing whisprings verie light and safely to and fro.
Now as at one side Pyramus and Thisbe on the tother
Stoode often drawing one of them the pleasant breath from other
O thou enuious wall (they sayd) why letst thou louers thus?
What matter were it if that thou permitted both of vs
In armes eche other to embrace? Or if thou thinke that this
Were ouermuch, yet mightest thou at least make roume to kisse.
And yet thou shalt not finde vs churles: we thinke our selues in det
For this same piece of courtesie, in vouching safe to let
Our sayings to our friendly eares thus freely come and goe,
Thus hauing where they stoode in vaine complayned of their woe,
When night drew nere, they bade adew and eche gaue kisses sweete
Unto the parget on their side, the which did neuer meete.
Next morning with hir cherefull light had driuen the starres aside
And Phebus with his burning beames the dewie grasse had dride.
These louers at their wonted place by foreappointment met.
Where after much complaint and mone they couenanted to get
Away from such as watched them, and in the Euening late
To steale out of their fathers house and eke the Citie gate.
And to thentent that in the fieldes they strayde not vp and downe
They did agree at Ninus Tumb to meete without the towne,
And tarie vnderneath a tree that by the same did grow
Which was a faire high Mulberie with fruite as white as snow,
Hard by a coole and trickling spring. This bargaine pleasde them both
And so daylight (which to their thought away but slowly goth)
Did in the Ocean fall to rest, and night from thence doth rise.
Assoone as darkenesse once was come, straight Thisbe did deuise
A shift to wind hir out of doores, that none that were within
Perceyued hir: And muffling hir with clothes about hir chin,
That no man might discerne hir face, to Ninus Tumb she came
Unto the tree, and sat hir downe there vnderneath the same.
Loue made hir bold. But see the chaūce, there comes besmerde with blood,
About the chappes a Lionesse all foming from the wood
From slaughter lately made of Kine to staunch hir bloudie thurst
With water of the foresaid spring. Whome Thisbe spying furst
A farre by moonelight, therevpon with fearfull steppes gan flie,
And in a darke and yrkesome caue did hide hirselfe thereby.
And as she fled away for hast she let hir mantle fall
The whych for feare she left behind not looking backe at all.
Now when the cruell Lionesse hir thurst had stanched well,
In going to the Wood she found the slender weede that fell
From Thisbe, which with bloudie teeth in pieces she did teare
The night was somewhat further spent ere Pyramus came there
Who seeing in the suttle sande the print of Lions paw,
Waxt pale for feare. But when also the bloudie cloke he saw
All rent and torne, one night (he sayd) shall louers two confounde,
Of which long life deserued she of all that liue on ground.
My soule deserues of this mischaunce the perill for to beare.
I wretch haue bene the death of thee, which to this place of feare
Did cause thee in the night to come, and came not here before.
My wicked limmes and wretched guttes with cruell teeth therfore
Deuour ye O ye Lions all that in this rocke doe dwell.
But Cowardes vse to wish for death. The slender weede that fell
From Thisbe vp he takes, and streight doth beare it to the tree,
Which was appointed erst the place of meeting for to bee.
And when he had bewept and kist the garment which he knew,
Receyue thou my bloud too (quoth he.) and therewithall he drew
His sworde, the which among his guttes he thrust, and by and by
Did draw it from the bleeding wound beginning for to die,
And cast himselfe vpon his backe, the bloud did spin on hie
As when a Conduite pipe is crackt, the water bursting out
Doth shote it selfe a great way off and pierce the Ayre about.
The leaues that were vpon the tree besprincled with his blood
Were died blacke. The roote also bestained as it stoode,
A deepe darke purple colour straight vpon the Berries cast.
Anon scarce ridded of hir feare with which she was agast,
For doubt of disapointing him commes Thisbe forth in hast,
And for hir louer lookes about, reioycing for to tell
How hardly she had scapt that night the daunger that befell.
And as she knew right well the place and facion of the tree
(As whych she saw so late before): euen so when she did see
The colour of the Berries turnde, she was vncertaine whither
It were the tree at which they both agreed to meete togither.
While in this doubtfull stounde she stoode, she cast hir eye aside
And there beweltred in his bloud hir louer she espide
Lie sprawling with his dying limmes: at which she started backe,
And looked pale as any Box, a shuddring through hir stracke,
Euen like the Sea which sodenly with whissing noyse doth moue,
When with a little blast of winde it is but toucht aboue.
But when approching nearer him she knew it was hir loue.
She beate hir brest, she shricked out, she tare hir golden heares,
And taking him betweene hir armes did wash his wounds with teares,
She meynt hir weeping with his bloud, and kissing all his face
(Which now became as colde as yse) she cride in wofull case
Alas what chaunce my Pyramus hath parted thee and mee?
Make aunswere O my Pyramus: It is thy Thisb, euen shee
Whome thou doste loue most heartely that speaketh vnto thee.
Giue eare and rayse thy heauie heade. He hearing Thisbes name,
Lift vp his dying eyes and hauing seene hir closde the same.
But when she knew hir mantle there and saw his scabberd lie
Without the swoorde: Unhappy man thy loue hath made thee die:
Thy loue (she said) hath made thee slea thy selfe. This hand of mine
Is strong inough to doe the like. My loue no lesse than thine
Shall giue me force to worke my wound. I will pursue the dead.
And wretched woman as I am, it shall of me be sed
That like as of thy death I was the only cause and blame,
So am I thy companion eke and partner in the same,
For death which only coulde alas a sunder part vs twaine,
Shall neuer so disseuer vs but we will meete againe.
And you the Parentes of vs both, most wretched folke alyue,
Let this request that I shall make in both our names byliue
Entreate you to permit that we whome chaste and stedfast loue
And whome euen death hath ioynde in one, may as it doth behoue
In one graue be together layd. And thou vnhappie tree
Which shroudest now the corse of one, and shalt anon through mee
Shroude two, of this same slaughter holde the sicker signes for ay
Blacke be the colour of thy fruite and mourning like alway,
Such as the murder of vs twaine may euermore bewray.
This said, she tooke the sword yet warme with slaughter of hir loue
And setting it beneath hir brest, did to hir heart it shoue.
Hir prayer with the Gods and with their Parentes tooke effect,
For when the frute is throughly ripe, the Berrie is bespect
With colour tending to a blacke. And that which after fire
Remained, rested in one Tumbe as Thisbe did desire.
The fame is giuen Semyramis for making them of bricke)
Dwelt hard together two yong folke in houses ioynde so nere
That vnder all one roofe well nie both twaine conueyed were.
The name of him was Pyramus, and Thisbe calde was she.
So faire a man in all the East was none aliue as he,
Nor nere a woman maide nor wife in beautie like to hir.
This neighbrod bred acquaintance first, this neyghbrod first did stirre
The secret sparkes, this neighbrod first an entrance in did showe,
For loue to come to that to which it afterward did growe.
And if that right had taken place they had bene man and wife,
But still their Parents went about to let which (for their life)
They could not let. For both their heartes with equall flame did burne.
No man was priuie to their thoughts. And for to serue their turne
In steade of talke they vsed signes. the closelier they supprest
The fire of loue, the fiercer still it raged in their brest.
The wall that parted house from house had riuen therein a crany
Which shronke at making of the wall. this fault not markt of any
Of many hundred yeares before (what doth not loue espie.)
These louers first of all found out, and made a way whereby
To talke togither secretly, and through the same did goe
Their louing whisprings verie light and safely to and fro.
44
Stoode often drawing one of them the pleasant breath from other
O thou enuious wall (they sayd) why letst thou louers thus?
What matter were it if that thou permitted both of vs
In armes eche other to embrace? Or if thou thinke that this
Were ouermuch, yet mightest thou at least make roume to kisse.
And yet thou shalt not finde vs churles: we thinke our selues in det
For this same piece of courtesie, in vouching safe to let
Our sayings to our friendly eares thus freely come and goe,
Thus hauing where they stoode in vaine complayned of their woe,
When night drew nere, they bade adew and eche gaue kisses sweete
Unto the parget on their side, the which did neuer meete.
Next morning with hir cherefull light had driuen the starres aside
And Phebus with his burning beames the dewie grasse had dride.
These louers at their wonted place by foreappointment met.
Where after much complaint and mone they couenanted to get
Away from such as watched them, and in the Euening late
To steale out of their fathers house and eke the Citie gate.
And to thentent that in the fieldes they strayde not vp and downe
They did agree at Ninus Tumb to meete without the towne,
And tarie vnderneath a tree that by the same did grow
Which was a faire high Mulberie with fruite as white as snow,
Hard by a coole and trickling spring. This bargaine pleasde them both
And so daylight (which to their thought away but slowly goth)
Did in the Ocean fall to rest, and night from thence doth rise.
Assoone as darkenesse once was come, straight Thisbe did deuise
A shift to wind hir out of doores, that none that were within
Perceyued hir: And muffling hir with clothes about hir chin,
That no man might discerne hir face, to Ninus Tumb she came
Unto the tree, and sat hir downe there vnderneath the same.
Loue made hir bold. But see the chaūce, there comes besmerde with blood,
About the chappes a Lionesse all foming from the wood
From slaughter lately made of Kine to staunch hir bloudie thurst
With water of the foresaid spring. Whome Thisbe spying furst
A farre by moonelight, therevpon with fearfull steppes gan flie,
And in a darke and yrkesome caue did hide hirselfe thereby.
And as she fled away for hast she let hir mantle fall
[44]
Now when the cruell Lionesse hir thurst had stanched well,
In going to the Wood she found the slender weede that fell
From Thisbe, which with bloudie teeth in pieces she did teare
The night was somewhat further spent ere Pyramus came there
Who seeing in the suttle sande the print of Lions paw,
Waxt pale for feare. But when also the bloudie cloke he saw
All rent and torne, one night (he sayd) shall louers two confounde,
Of which long life deserued she of all that liue on ground.
My soule deserues of this mischaunce the perill for to beare.
I wretch haue bene the death of thee, which to this place of feare
Did cause thee in the night to come, and came not here before.
My wicked limmes and wretched guttes with cruell teeth therfore
Deuour ye O ye Lions all that in this rocke doe dwell.
But Cowardes vse to wish for death. The slender weede that fell
From Thisbe vp he takes, and streight doth beare it to the tree,
Which was appointed erst the place of meeting for to bee.
And when he had bewept and kist the garment which he knew,
Receyue thou my bloud too (quoth he.) and therewithall he drew
His sworde, the which among his guttes he thrust, and by and by
Did draw it from the bleeding wound beginning for to die,
And cast himselfe vpon his backe, the bloud did spin on hie
As when a Conduite pipe is crackt, the water bursting out
Doth shote it selfe a great way off and pierce the Ayre about.
The leaues that were vpon the tree besprincled with his blood
Were died blacke. The roote also bestained as it stoode,
A deepe darke purple colour straight vpon the Berries cast.
Anon scarce ridded of hir feare with which she was agast,
For doubt of disapointing him commes Thisbe forth in hast,
And for hir louer lookes about, reioycing for to tell
How hardly she had scapt that night the daunger that befell.
And as she knew right well the place and facion of the tree
(As whych she saw so late before): euen so when she did see
The colour of the Berries turnde, she was vncertaine whither
It were the tree at which they both agreed to meete togither.
While in this doubtfull stounde she stoode, she cast hir eye aside
And there beweltred in his bloud hir louer she espide
45
And looked pale as any Box, a shuddring through hir stracke,
Euen like the Sea which sodenly with whissing noyse doth moue,
When with a little blast of winde it is but toucht aboue.
But when approching nearer him she knew it was hir loue.
She beate hir brest, she shricked out, she tare hir golden heares,
And taking him betweene hir armes did wash his wounds with teares,
She meynt hir weeping with his bloud, and kissing all his face
(Which now became as colde as yse) she cride in wofull case
Alas what chaunce my Pyramus hath parted thee and mee?
Make aunswere O my Pyramus: It is thy Thisb, euen shee
Whome thou doste loue most heartely that speaketh vnto thee.
Giue eare and rayse thy heauie heade. He hearing Thisbes name,
Lift vp his dying eyes and hauing seene hir closde the same.
But when she knew hir mantle there and saw his scabberd lie
Without the swoorde: Unhappy man thy loue hath made thee die:
Thy loue (she said) hath made thee slea thy selfe. This hand of mine
Is strong inough to doe the like. My loue no lesse than thine
Shall giue me force to worke my wound. I will pursue the dead.
And wretched woman as I am, it shall of me be sed
That like as of thy death I was the only cause and blame,
So am I thy companion eke and partner in the same,
For death which only coulde alas a sunder part vs twaine,
Shall neuer so disseuer vs but we will meete againe.
And you the Parentes of vs both, most wretched folke alyue,
Let this request that I shall make in both our names byliue
Entreate you to permit that we whome chaste and stedfast loue
And whome euen death hath ioynde in one, may as it doth behoue
In one graue be together layd. And thou vnhappie tree
Which shroudest now the corse of one, and shalt anon through mee
Shroude two, of this same slaughter holde the sicker signes for ay
Blacke be the colour of thy fruite and mourning like alway,
Such as the murder of vs twaine may euermore bewray.
This said, she tooke the sword yet warme with slaughter of hir loue
And setting it beneath hir brest, did to hir heart it shoue.
Hir prayer with the Gods and with their Parentes tooke effect,
For when the frute is throughly ripe, the Berrie is bespect
[45]
Remained, rested in one Tumbe as Thisbe did desire.
This tale thus tolde a little space of pawsing was betwist,
And then began Leucothoë thus, hir sisters being whist.
This Sunne that with his streaming light al worldly things doth cheare
Was tane in loue. of Phebus loues now list and you shall heare.
It is reported that this God did first of all espie,
(For euerie thing in Heauen and Earth is open to his eie)
How Venus with the warlike Mars aduoutrie did commit.
It grieued him to see the fact and so discouered it,
He shewed hir husband Iunos sonne th' aduoutrie and the place
In which this priuie scape was done. Who was in such a case
That heart and hand and all did faile in working for a space.
Anon he featly forgde a net of Wire so fine and slight,
That neyther knot nor nooze therein apparant was to sight.
This piece of worke was much more fine than any handwarpe oofe
Or that whereby the Spider hanges in sliding from the roofe.
And furthermore the suttlenesse and slight thereof was such.
It followed euery little pull and closde with euery touch,
And so he set it handsomly about the haunted couch.
Now when that Venus and hir mate were met in bed togither
Hir husband by his newfound snare before conuayed thither
Did snarle them both togither fast in middes of all theyr play
And setting ope the Iuorie doores, callde all the Gods streight way,
To see them: they with shame inough fast lockt togither lay,
A certaine God among the rest disposed for to sport
Did wish that he himselfe also were shamed in that sort.
The resdue laught and so in heauen there was no talke a while,
But of this Pageant how the Smith the louers did beguile.
And then began Leucothoë thus, hir sisters being whist.
This Sunne that with his streaming light al worldly things doth cheare
Was tane in loue. of Phebus loues now list and you shall heare.
It is reported that this God did first of all espie,
(For euerie thing in Heauen and Earth is open to his eie)
How Venus with the warlike Mars aduoutrie did commit.
It grieued him to see the fact and so discouered it,
He shewed hir husband Iunos sonne th' aduoutrie and the place
In which this priuie scape was done. Who was in such a case
That heart and hand and all did faile in working for a space.
Anon he featly forgde a net of Wire so fine and slight,
That neyther knot nor nooze therein apparant was to sight.
This piece of worke was much more fine than any handwarpe oofe
Or that whereby the Spider hanges in sliding from the roofe.
And furthermore the suttlenesse and slight thereof was such.
It followed euery little pull and closde with euery touch,
And so he set it handsomly about the haunted couch.
Now when that Venus and hir mate were met in bed togither
Hir husband by his newfound snare before conuayed thither
Did snarle them both togither fast in middes of all theyr play
And setting ope the Iuorie doores, callde all the Gods streight way,
To see them: they with shame inough fast lockt togither lay,
A certaine God among the rest disposed for to sport
Did wish that he himselfe also were shamed in that sort.
The resdue laught and so in heauen there was no talke a while,
But of this Pageant how the Smith the louers did beguile.
Dame Venus highly stomacking this great displeasure, thought
To be reuenged on the part by whome the spight was wrought.
And like as he hir secret loues and meetings had bewrayd.
So she with wound of raging loue his guerdon to him payd.
What now auayles (Hyperions sonne) thy forme and beautie bright?
What now auayle thy glistring eyes with cleare and piercing sight?
For thou that with thy gleames art wont all countries for to burne,
Art burnt thy selfe with other gleames that serue not for thy turne.
And thou that oughtst thy cherefull looke on all things for to show
Alonly on Leucothoë doste now the same bestow.
Thou fastnest on that Maide alone the eyes that thou doste owe
To all the worlde. Sometime more rathe thou risest in the East,
Sometime againe thou makste it late before thou fall to reast.
And for desire to looke on hir, thou often doste prolong
Our winter nightes. And in thy light thou faylest eke among.
The fancie of thy faultie minde infectes thy feeble sight,
And so thou makste mens hearts afrayde by daunting of thy light,
Thou looxte not pale bycause the globe of Phebe is betweene
The Earth and thee: but loue doth cause this colour to be seene.
Thou louest this Leucothoë so far aboue all other,
That neyther now for Clymené, for Rhodos, nor the mother
Of Circé, nor for Clytië (who at that present tyde
Reiected from thy companie did for thy loue abide
Most grieuous torments in hir heart: thou seemest for to care.
Thou mindest hir so much that all the rest forgotten are.
Hir mother was Eurynome of all the fragrant clime
Of Arabie esteemde the flowre of beautie in hir time.
But when hir daughter came to age the daughter past the mother
As far in beautie, as before the mother past all other.
Hir father was king Orchamus and rulde the publike weale
Of Persey, counted by descent the .vij. from auncient Bele.
Far vnderneath the Westerne clyme of Hesperus doe runne
The pastures of the firie steedes that draw the golden Sunne.
There are they fed with Ambrosie in stead of grasse all night
Which doth refresh their werie limmes and keepeth them in plight
To beare their dailie labor out: now while the steedes there take
Their heauenly foode and night by turne his timely course doth make,
The God disguised in the shape of Queene Eurynome
Doth prease within the chamber doore of faire Leucothoë
His louer, whome amid .xij. Maides he found by candlelight
Yet spinning on hir little Rocke, and went me to hir right.
And kissing hir as mothers vse to kisse their daughters deare,
Saide Maydes withdraw your selues a while and sit not listning here.
I haue a secret thing to talke. The Maides auoyde eche one.
The God then being with his loue in chamber all alone,
Said: I am he that metes the yeare, that all things doe beholde,
By whome the Earth doth all things see, the Eye of all the worlde.
Trust me I am in loue with thee. The Ladie was so nipt
With sodaine feare that from hir hands both rocke and spindle slipt
Hir feare became hir wondrous well. he made no mo delayes,
But turned to his proper shape and tooke hys glistring rayes.
The damsell being sore abasht at this so straunge a sight,
And ouercome with sodaine feare to see the God so bright,
Did make no outcrie nor no noyse, but helde hir pacience still,
And suffred him by forced powre his pleasure to fulfill.
To be reuenged on the part by whome the spight was wrought.
And like as he hir secret loues and meetings had bewrayd.
So she with wound of raging loue his guerdon to him payd.
What now auayles (Hyperions sonne) thy forme and beautie bright?
What now auayle thy glistring eyes with cleare and piercing sight?
For thou that with thy gleames art wont all countries for to burne,
Art burnt thy selfe with other gleames that serue not for thy turne.
46
Alonly on Leucothoë doste now the same bestow.
Thou fastnest on that Maide alone the eyes that thou doste owe
To all the worlde. Sometime more rathe thou risest in the East,
Sometime againe thou makste it late before thou fall to reast.
And for desire to looke on hir, thou often doste prolong
Our winter nightes. And in thy light thou faylest eke among.
The fancie of thy faultie minde infectes thy feeble sight,
And so thou makste mens hearts afrayde by daunting of thy light,
Thou looxte not pale bycause the globe of Phebe is betweene
The Earth and thee: but loue doth cause this colour to be seene.
Thou louest this Leucothoë so far aboue all other,
That neyther now for Clymené, for Rhodos, nor the mother
Of Circé, nor for Clytië (who at that present tyde
Reiected from thy companie did for thy loue abide
Most grieuous torments in hir heart: thou seemest for to care.
Thou mindest hir so much that all the rest forgotten are.
Hir mother was Eurynome of all the fragrant clime
Of Arabie esteemde the flowre of beautie in hir time.
But when hir daughter came to age the daughter past the mother
As far in beautie, as before the mother past all other.
Hir father was king Orchamus and rulde the publike weale
Of Persey, counted by descent the .vij. from auncient Bele.
Far vnderneath the Westerne clyme of Hesperus doe runne
The pastures of the firie steedes that draw the golden Sunne.
There are they fed with Ambrosie in stead of grasse all night
Which doth refresh their werie limmes and keepeth them in plight
To beare their dailie labor out: now while the steedes there take
Their heauenly foode and night by turne his timely course doth make,
The God disguised in the shape of Queene Eurynome
Doth prease within the chamber doore of faire Leucothoë
His louer, whome amid .xij. Maides he found by candlelight
Yet spinning on hir little Rocke, and went me to hir right.
And kissing hir as mothers vse to kisse their daughters deare,
Saide Maydes withdraw your selues a while and sit not listning here.
I haue a secret thing to talke. The Maides auoyde eche one.
The God then being with his loue in chamber all alone,
[46]
By whome the Earth doth all things see, the Eye of all the worlde.
Trust me I am in loue with thee. The Ladie was so nipt
With sodaine feare that from hir hands both rocke and spindle slipt
Hir feare became hir wondrous well. he made no mo delayes,
But turned to his proper shape and tooke hys glistring rayes.
The damsell being sore abasht at this so straunge a sight,
And ouercome with sodaine feare to see the God so bright,
Did make no outcrie nor no noyse, but helde hir pacience still,
And suffred him by forced powre his pleasure to fulfill.
Hereat did Clytie sore repine. For she beyond all measure
Was then enamoured of the Sunne: & stung with this displeasure
That he another Leman had, for verie spight and yre
She playes the blab, and doth defame Leucothoë to hir Syre.
He cruell and vnmercifull would no excuse accept,
But holding vp hir handes to heauen when tenderly she wept,
And said it was the Sunne that did the deede against hir will:
Yet like a sauage beast full bent his daughter for to spill,
He put hir deepe in delued ground, and on hir bodie laide
A huge great heape of heauie sand. The Sunne full yll appaide
Did with his beames disperse the sand and made an open way
To bring thy buried face to light, but such a weight there lay
Upon thee, that thou couldst not raise thine hand aloft againe,
And so a corse both voide of bloud and life thou didst remaine.
There neuer chaunst since Phaetons fire a thing that grieude so sore
The ruler of the winged steedes as this did. And therfore
He did attempt if by the force and vertue of his ray
He might againe to liuely heate hir frozen limmes conuay.
But forasmuch as destenie so great attempts denies,
He sprincles both the corse it selfe and place wherein it lyes
With fragrant Nectar. And therewith bewayling much his chaunce
Sayd: yet aboue the starrie skie thou shalt thy selfe aduaunce.
Anon the body in this heauenly liquor steeped well
Did melt, and moisted all the earth with sweete and pleasant smell.
And by and by first taking roote among the cloddes within
By little and by little did with growing top begin
A pretie spirke of Frankinsence aboue the Tumbe to win.
Was then enamoured of the Sunne: & stung with this displeasure
That he another Leman had, for verie spight and yre
She playes the blab, and doth defame Leucothoë to hir Syre.
He cruell and vnmercifull would no excuse accept,
But holding vp hir handes to heauen when tenderly she wept,
And said it was the Sunne that did the deede against hir will:
Yet like a sauage beast full bent his daughter for to spill,
He put hir deepe in delued ground, and on hir bodie laide
A huge great heape of heauie sand. The Sunne full yll appaide
Did with his beames disperse the sand and made an open way
To bring thy buried face to light, but such a weight there lay
Upon thee, that thou couldst not raise thine hand aloft againe,
And so a corse both voide of bloud and life thou didst remaine.
There neuer chaunst since Phaetons fire a thing that grieude so sore
The ruler of the winged steedes as this did. And therfore
He did attempt if by the force and vertue of his ray
He might againe to liuely heate hir frozen limmes conuay.
But forasmuch as destenie so great attempts denies,
He sprincles both the corse it selfe and place wherein it lyes
With fragrant Nectar. And therewith bewayling much his chaunce
Sayd: yet aboue the starrie skie thou shalt thy selfe aduaunce.
Anon the body in this heauenly liquor steeped well
Did melt, and moisted all the earth with sweete and pleasant smell.
And by and by first taking roote among the cloddes within
By little and by little did with growing top begin
A pretie spirke of Frankinsence aboue the Tumbe to win.
47
Although that Clytie might excuse hir sorrow by hir loue
And seeme that so to play the blab hir sorrow did hir moue,
Yet would the Author of the light resort to hir no more
But did withholde the pleasant sportes of Venus vsde before.
The Nymph not able of hir selfe the franticke fume to stay.
With restlesse care and pensiuenesse did pine hir selfe away.
Bareheaded on the bare cold ground with flaring haire vnkempt
She sate abrode both night and day: and clearly did exempt
Hirselfe by space of thrise three dayes from sustnance and repast
Saue only dewe and saue hir teares with which she brake hir fast.
And in that while she neuer rose but stared on the Sunne
And euer turnde hir face to his as he his corse did runne.
Hir limmes stacke fast within the ground, and all hir vpper part
Did to a pale ashcolourd herbe cleane voyde of bloud conuart.
The floure whereof part red part white beshadowed with a blew
Most like a Uiolet in the shape hir countnance ouergrew.
And now (though fastned with a roote) she turnes hir to the Sunne
And keepes (in shape of herbe) the loue with which she first begunne.
And seeme that so to play the blab hir sorrow did hir moue,
Yet would the Author of the light resort to hir no more
But did withholde the pleasant sportes of Venus vsde before.
The Nymph not able of hir selfe the franticke fume to stay.
With restlesse care and pensiuenesse did pine hir selfe away.
Bareheaded on the bare cold ground with flaring haire vnkempt
She sate abrode both night and day: and clearly did exempt
Hirselfe by space of thrise three dayes from sustnance and repast
Saue only dewe and saue hir teares with which she brake hir fast.
And in that while she neuer rose but stared on the Sunne
And euer turnde hir face to his as he his corse did runne.
Hir limmes stacke fast within the ground, and all hir vpper part
Did to a pale ashcolourd herbe cleane voyde of bloud conuart.
The floure whereof part red part white beshadowed with a blew
Most like a Uiolet in the shape hir countnance ouergrew.
And now (though fastned with a roote) she turnes hir to the Sunne
And keepes (in shape of herbe) the loue with which she first begunne.
She made an ende: and at hir tale all wondred: some denide
Hir saying to be possible: and other some replide
That such as are in deede true Gods may all things worke at will:
But Bacchus is not any such. Thys arguing once made still.
To tell hir tale as others had Alcithoes turne was come.
Who with hir shettle shooting through hir web within the Loome,
Said: Of the shepeheird Daplynis loue of Ida whom erewhile
A iealouse Nymph (bicause he did with Lemans hir beguile)
For anger turned to a stone (such furie loue doth sende:)
I will not speake: it is to knowe: ne yet I doe entende
To tell how Scython variably digressing from his kinde,
Was sometime woman, sometime man, as liked best his minde.
And Celmus also wyll I passe, who for bicause he cloong
Most faithfully to Iupiter when Iupiter was yoong,
Is now become an Adamant. So will I passe this howre
To shew you how the Curets were engendred of a showre:
Or how that Crocus and his loue faire Smylar turned were
To little flowres. with pleasant newes your mindes now will I chere.
Learne why the fountaine Salmacis diffamed is of yore,
Why with his waters ouerstrong it weakeneth men so sore
That whoso bathes him there commes thence a perfect man no more.
The operation of this Well is knowne to euery wight.
But few can tell the cause thereof, the which I will recite.
Hir saying to be possible: and other some replide
That such as are in deede true Gods may all things worke at will:
But Bacchus is not any such. Thys arguing once made still.
To tell hir tale as others had Alcithoes turne was come.
Who with hir shettle shooting through hir web within the Loome,
Said: Of the shepeheird Daplynis loue of Ida whom erewhile
A iealouse Nymph (bicause he did with Lemans hir beguile)
For anger turned to a stone (such furie loue doth sende:)
I will not speake: it is to knowe: ne yet I doe entende
To tell how Scython variably digressing from his kinde,
Was sometime woman, sometime man, as liked best his minde.
And Celmus also wyll I passe, who for bicause he cloong
Most faithfully to Iupiter when Iupiter was yoong,
Is now become an Adamant. So will I passe this howre
To shew you how the Curets were engendred of a showre:
Or how that Crocus and his loue faire Smylar turned were
To little flowres. with pleasant newes your mindes now will I chere.
Learne why the fountaine Salmacis diffamed is of yore,
[47]
That whoso bathes him there commes thence a perfect man no more.
The operation of this Well is knowne to euery wight.
But few can tell the cause thereof, the which I will recite.
The waternymphes did nurce a sonne of Mercuries in Ide
Begot on Venus, in whose face such beautie did abide,
As well therein his father both and mother might be knowne,
Of whome he also tooke his name. Assoone as he was growne
To fiftene yeares of age, he left the Countrie where he dwelt
And Ida that had fostered him. The pleasure that he felt
To trauell Countries, and to see straunge riuers with the state
Of forren landes, all painfulnesse of trauell did abate.
He trauelde through the lande of Lycie to Carie that doth bound
Next vnto Lycia. There he saw a Poole which to the ground
Was Christall cleare. No fennie sedge, no barren reeke, no reede
Nor rush with pricking poynt was there, nor other moorish weede.
The water was so pure and shere a man might well haue seene
And numbred all the grauell stones that in the bottome beene.
The vtmost borders from the brim enuirond were with clowres
Beclad with herbes ay fresh and greene and pleasant smelling flowres.
A Nymph did haunt this goodly Poole: but such a Nymph as neyther
To hunt, to run, nor yet to shoote, had any kinde of pleasure.
Of all the Waterfairies she alonly was vnknowne
To swift Diana. As the brute of fame abrode hath blowne,
Hir sisters oftentimes would say: take lightsome Dart or bow,
And in some painefull exercise thine ydle time bestow.
But neuer could they hir persuade to runne to shoote or hunt,
Or any other exercise as Phebes knightes are wont.
Sometime hir faire welformed limbes she batheth in hir spring:
Sometime she downe hir golden haire with Boxen combe doth bring.
And at the water as a glasse she taketh counsell ay
How euery thing becommeth hir. Erewhile in fine aray
On soft sweete hearbes or soft greene leaues hir selfe she nicely layes:
Erewhile againe a gathering flowres from place to place she strayes.
And (as it chaunst) the selfe same time she was a sorting gayes.
To make a Poisie, when she first the yongman did espie,
And in beholding him desirde to haue his companie.
But though she thought she stoode on thornes vntill she went to him:
Yet went she not before she had bedect hir neat and trim,
And pride and peerd vpon hir clothes that nothing sat awrie.
And framde hir countnance as might seeme most amrous to the eie.
Begot on Venus, in whose face such beautie did abide,
As well therein his father both and mother might be knowne,
Of whome he also tooke his name. Assoone as he was growne
To fiftene yeares of age, he left the Countrie where he dwelt
And Ida that had fostered him. The pleasure that he felt
To trauell Countries, and to see straunge riuers with the state
Of forren landes, all painfulnesse of trauell did abate.
He trauelde through the lande of Lycie to Carie that doth bound
Next vnto Lycia. There he saw a Poole which to the ground
Was Christall cleare. No fennie sedge, no barren reeke, no reede
Nor rush with pricking poynt was there, nor other moorish weede.
The water was so pure and shere a man might well haue seene
And numbred all the grauell stones that in the bottome beene.
The vtmost borders from the brim enuirond were with clowres
Beclad with herbes ay fresh and greene and pleasant smelling flowres.
A Nymph did haunt this goodly Poole: but such a Nymph as neyther
To hunt, to run, nor yet to shoote, had any kinde of pleasure.
Of all the Waterfairies she alonly was vnknowne
To swift Diana. As the brute of fame abrode hath blowne,
Hir sisters oftentimes would say: take lightsome Dart or bow,
And in some painefull exercise thine ydle time bestow.
But neuer could they hir persuade to runne to shoote or hunt,
Or any other exercise as Phebes knightes are wont.
Sometime hir faire welformed limbes she batheth in hir spring:
Sometime she downe hir golden haire with Boxen combe doth bring.
And at the water as a glasse she taketh counsell ay
How euery thing becommeth hir. Erewhile in fine aray
On soft sweete hearbes or soft greene leaues hir selfe she nicely layes:
Erewhile againe a gathering flowres from place to place she strayes.
And (as it chaunst) the selfe same time she was a sorting gayes.
To make a Poisie, when she first the yongman did espie,
And in beholding him desirde to haue his companie.
48
Yet went she not before she had bedect hir neat and trim,
And pride and peerd vpon hir clothes that nothing sat awrie.
And framde hir countnance as might seeme most amrous to the eie.
Which done she thus begon: O childe most worthie for to bee
Estemde and taken for a God, if (as thou seemste to mee)
Thou be a God, to Cupids name thy beautie doth agree.
Or if thou be a mortall wight, right happie folke are they,
By whome thou camste into this worlde, right happy is (I say)
Thy mother and thy sister too (if any bee:) good hap
That woman had that was thy Nurce and gaue thy mouth hir pap.
But farre aboue all other, far more blist than these is shee
Whome thou vouchsafest for thy wife and bedfellow for to bee.
Now if thou haue alredy one, let me by stelth obtaine
That which shall pleasure both of vs. Or if thou doe remaine
A Maiden free from wedlocke bonde, let me then be thy spouse,
And let vs in the bridelie bed our selues togither rouse.
Estemde and taken for a God, if (as thou seemste to mee)
Thou be a God, to Cupids name thy beautie doth agree.
Or if thou be a mortall wight, right happie folke are they,
By whome thou camste into this worlde, right happy is (I say)
Thy mother and thy sister too (if any bee:) good hap
That woman had that was thy Nurce and gaue thy mouth hir pap.
But farre aboue all other, far more blist than these is shee
Whome thou vouchsafest for thy wife and bedfellow for to bee.
Now if thou haue alredy one, let me by stelth obtaine
That which shall pleasure both of vs. Or if thou doe remaine
A Maiden free from wedlocke bonde, let me then be thy spouse,
And let vs in the bridelie bed our selues togither rouse.
This sed, the Nymph did hold hir peace, and therewithall the boy
Waxt red: he wist not what loue was: and sure it was a ioy
To see it how exceeding well his blushing him became.
For in his face the colour fresh appeared like the same
That is in Apples which doe hang vpon the Sunnie side:
Or Iuorie shadowed with a red: or such as is espide
Of white and scarlet colours mixt appearing in the Moone
When folke in vaine with sounding brasse would ease vnto hir done.
When at the last the Nymph desirde most instantly but this;
As to his sister brotherly to giue hir there a kisse.
And therewithall was clasping him about the Iuorie necke:
Leaue of (quoth he) or I am gone and leaue thee at a becke
With all thy trickes. Then Salmacis began to be afraide,
And to your pleasure leaue I free this place my friend she sayde.
Wyth that she turnes hir backe as though she would haue gone hir way:
But euermore she looketh backe, and (closely as she may)
She hides hir in a bushie queach, where kneeling on hir knee
She alwayes hath hir eye on him. He as a childe and free,
And thinking not that any wight had watched what he did
Romes vp and downe the pleasant Mede: and by and by amid
The flattring waues he dippes his feete, no more but first the sole
And to the ancles afterward both feete he plungeth whole.
And for to make the matter short, he tooke so great delight
In coolenesse of the pleasant spring, that streight he stripped quight
His garments from his tender skin. When Salmacis behilde
His naked beautie, such strong pangs so ardently hir hilde,
That vtterly she was astraught. And euen as Phebus beames
Against a myrrour pure and clere rebound with broken gleames:
Euen so hir eys did sparcle fire. Scarce could she tarience make:
Scarce could she any time delay hir pleasure for to take:
She wolde haue run, and in hir armes embraced him streight way:
She was so far beside hir selfe, that scarsly could she stay.
He clapping with his hollow hands against his naked sides,
Into the water lithe and baine with armes displayde glydes.
And rowing with his hands and legges swimmes in the water cleare:
Through which his bodie faire and white doth glistringly appeare,
As if a man an Iuorie Image or a Lillie white
Should ouerlay or close with glasse that were most pure and bright.
Waxt red: he wist not what loue was: and sure it was a ioy
To see it how exceeding well his blushing him became.
For in his face the colour fresh appeared like the same
That is in Apples which doe hang vpon the Sunnie side:
Or Iuorie shadowed with a red: or such as is espide
Of white and scarlet colours mixt appearing in the Moone
When folke in vaine with sounding brasse would ease vnto hir done.
When at the last the Nymph desirde most instantly but this;
As to his sister brotherly to giue hir there a kisse.
And therewithall was clasping him about the Iuorie necke:
Leaue of (quoth he) or I am gone and leaue thee at a becke
With all thy trickes. Then Salmacis began to be afraide,
And to your pleasure leaue I free this place my friend she sayde.
Wyth that she turnes hir backe as though she would haue gone hir way:
But euermore she looketh backe, and (closely as she may)
She hides hir in a bushie queach, where kneeling on hir knee
She alwayes hath hir eye on him. He as a childe and free,
And thinking not that any wight had watched what he did
Romes vp and downe the pleasant Mede: and by and by amid
[48]
And to the ancles afterward both feete he plungeth whole.
And for to make the matter short, he tooke so great delight
In coolenesse of the pleasant spring, that streight he stripped quight
His garments from his tender skin. When Salmacis behilde
His naked beautie, such strong pangs so ardently hir hilde,
That vtterly she was astraught. And euen as Phebus beames
Against a myrrour pure and clere rebound with broken gleames:
Euen so hir eys did sparcle fire. Scarce could she tarience make:
Scarce could she any time delay hir pleasure for to take:
She wolde haue run, and in hir armes embraced him streight way:
She was so far beside hir selfe, that scarsly could she stay.
He clapping with his hollow hands against his naked sides,
Into the water lithe and baine with armes displayde glydes.
And rowing with his hands and legges swimmes in the water cleare:
Through which his bodie faire and white doth glistringly appeare,
As if a man an Iuorie Image or a Lillie white
Should ouerlay or close with glasse that were most pure and bright.
The price is won (cride Salmacis aloud) he is mine owne.
And therewithall in all post hast she hauing lightly throwne
Hir garments off, flew to the Poole and cast hir thereinto
And caught him fast betweene hir armes, for ought that he could doe:
Yea maugre all his wrestling and his struggling to and fro,
She held him still, and kissed him a hundred times and mo.
And willde he nillde he with hir handes she toucht his naked brest:
And now on this side now on that (for all he did resist
And striue to wrest him from hir gripes) she clung vnto him fast:
And wound about him like a Snake which snatched vp in hast,
And being by the Prince of Birdes borne lightly vp aloft,
Doth writhe hir selfe about his necke and griping talants oft:
And cast hir taile about his wings displayed in the winde:
Or like as Iuie runnes on trees about the vtter rinde:
Or as the Crabfish hauing caught his enmy in the Seas,
Doth claspe him in on euery side with all his crooked cleas.
And therewithall in all post hast she hauing lightly throwne
Hir garments off, flew to the Poole and cast hir thereinto
And caught him fast betweene hir armes, for ought that he could doe:
Yea maugre all his wrestling and his struggling to and fro,
She held him still, and kissed him a hundred times and mo.
And willde he nillde he with hir handes she toucht his naked brest:
And now on this side now on that (for all he did resist
And striue to wrest him from hir gripes) she clung vnto him fast:
And wound about him like a Snake which snatched vp in hast,
And being by the Prince of Birdes borne lightly vp aloft,
Doth writhe hir selfe about his necke and griping talants oft:
And cast hir taile about his wings displayed in the winde:
Or like as Iuie runnes on trees about the vtter rinde:
Or as the Crabfish hauing caught his enmy in the Seas,
Doth claspe him in on euery side with all his crooked cleas.
But Atlas Nephew still persistes, and vtterly denies
The Nymph to haue hir hoped sport: she vrges him likewise.
And pressing him with all hir weight, fast cleauing to him still,
Striue, struggle, wrest and writhe (she said) thou froward boy thy fill:
Doe what thou canst thou shalt not scape. Ye Goddes of Heauen agree
That this same wilfull boy and I may neuer parted bee.
The Gods were pliant to hir boone. The bodies of them twaine
Were mixt and ioyned both in one. To both them did remaine
One countnance: like as if a man should in one barke beholde
Two twigges both growing into one and still togither holde.
Euen so when through hir hugging and hir grasping of the tother
The members of them mingled were and fastned both togither,
They were not any lenger two: but (as it were) a toy
Of double shape. Ye could not say it was a perfect boy,
Nor perfect wench: it seemed both and none of both to beene
Now when Hermaphroditus saw how in the water sheene
To which he entred in a man, his limmes were weakened so
That out fro thence but halfe a man he was compelde to go.
He lifteth vp his hands and said (but not with manly reere)
O noble father Mercurie, and Venus mother deere.
This one petition graunt your son which both your names doth beare,
That whoso commes within this Well may so be weakened there,
That of a man but halfe a man he may fro thence retire.
Both Parentes moued with the chaunce did stablish this desire
The which their doubleshaped sonne had made: and therevpon
Infected with an vnknowne strength the sacred spring anon.
The Nymph to haue hir hoped sport: she vrges him likewise.
And pressing him with all hir weight, fast cleauing to him still,
44
Doe what thou canst thou shalt not scape. Ye Goddes of Heauen agree
That this same wilfull boy and I may neuer parted bee.
The Gods were pliant to hir boone. The bodies of them twaine
Were mixt and ioyned both in one. To both them did remaine
One countnance: like as if a man should in one barke beholde
Two twigges both growing into one and still togither holde.
Euen so when through hir hugging and hir grasping of the tother
The members of them mingled were and fastned both togither,
They were not any lenger two: but (as it were) a toy
Of double shape. Ye could not say it was a perfect boy,
Nor perfect wench: it seemed both and none of both to beene
Now when Hermaphroditus saw how in the water sheene
To which he entred in a man, his limmes were weakened so
That out fro thence but halfe a man he was compelde to go.
He lifteth vp his hands and said (but not with manly reere)
O noble father Mercurie, and Venus mother deere.
This one petition graunt your son which both your names doth beare,
That whoso commes within this Well may so be weakened there,
That of a man but halfe a man he may fro thence retire.
Both Parentes moued with the chaunce did stablish this desire
The which their doubleshaped sonne had made: and therevpon
Infected with an vnknowne strength the sacred spring anon.
Their tales did ende and Mineus daughters still their businesse plie
In spight of Bacchus whose high feast they breake contemptuously.
When on the sodaine (seeing nought) they heard about them round
Of tubbish Timbrels perfectly a hoarse and iarring sound.
With shraming shalmes and gingling belles. and furthermore they felt
A cent of Saffron and of Myrrhe that verie hotly smelt.
And (which a man would ill beleue) the web they had begun
Immediatly waxt fresh and greene, the flaxe the which they spun
Did flourish full of Iuie leaues. And part thereof did run
Abrode in Uines. The threede it selfe in braunches forth did spring.
Yong burgeous full of clustred grapes their Distaues forth did bring.
And as the web they wrought was dide a deepe darke purple hew,
Euen so vpon the painted grapes the selfe same colour grew.
The day was spent, and now was come the time which neyther night
Nor day, but euen the bound of both a man may terme of right.
The house at sodaine seemde to shake, and all about it shine
With burning lampes, and glittering fires to flash before their eyen.
And likenesses of ougly beastes with gastfull noyses yeld.
For feare whereof in smokie holes the sisters were compeld
To hide their heades, one here and there another, for to shun
The glistring light. And while they thus in corners blindly run,
Upon their little pretie limmes a fine crispe filme there goes,
And slender finnes in stead of handes their shortned armes enclose.
But how they lost their former shape of certaintie to know
The darknesse would not suffer them. No feathers on them grow,
And yet with shere and velume wings they houer from the ground
And when they goe about to speake they make but little sound,
According as their bodies giue, bewayling their despight
By chirping shirlly to themselues. In houses they delight
And not in woods: detesting day they flitter towards night:
Wherethrough they of the Euening late in Latin take their name,
And we in English language Backes or Reermice call the same.
In spight of Bacchus whose high feast they breake contemptuously.
When on the sodaine (seeing nought) they heard about them round
Of tubbish Timbrels perfectly a hoarse and iarring sound.
With shraming shalmes and gingling belles. and furthermore they felt
A cent of Saffron and of Myrrhe that verie hotly smelt.
And (which a man would ill beleue) the web they had begun
Immediatly waxt fresh and greene, the flaxe the which they spun
Did flourish full of Iuie leaues. And part thereof did run
Abrode in Uines. The threede it selfe in braunches forth did spring.
Yong burgeous full of clustred grapes their Distaues forth did bring.
And as the web they wrought was dide a deepe darke purple hew,
Euen so vpon the painted grapes the selfe same colour grew.
The day was spent, and now was come the time which neyther night
[44]
The house at sodaine seemde to shake, and all about it shine
With burning lampes, and glittering fires to flash before their eyen.
And likenesses of ougly beastes with gastfull noyses yeld.
For feare whereof in smokie holes the sisters were compeld
To hide their heades, one here and there another, for to shun
The glistring light. And while they thus in corners blindly run,
Upon their little pretie limmes a fine crispe filme there goes,
And slender finnes in stead of handes their shortned armes enclose.
But how they lost their former shape of certaintie to know
The darknesse would not suffer them. No feathers on them grow,
And yet with shere and velume wings they houer from the ground
And when they goe about to speake they make but little sound,
According as their bodies giue, bewayling their despight
By chirping shirlly to themselues. In houses they delight
And not in woods: detesting day they flitter towards night:
Wherethrough they of the Euening late in Latin take their name,
And we in English language Backes or Reermice call the same.
Then Bacchus name was reuerenced through all the Theban coast.
And Ino of hir Nephewes powre made euery where great boast.
Of Cadmus daughters she alone no sorowes tasted had,
Saue only that hir sisters haps perchaunce had made hir sad.
Now Iuno noting how she waxt both proud and full of scorne,
As well by reason of the sonnes and daughters she had borne,
As also that she was aduaunst by mariage in that towne
To Athamas King Aeolus sonne a Prince of great renowne,
But chiefly that hir sisters sonne who nourced was by hir
Was then exalted for a God: began thereat to stir,
And freating at it in hirselfe said: coulde this harlots burd
Transforme the Lydian watermen, and drowne thee in the foord?
And make the mother teare the guttes in pieces of hir sonne?
And Mineus al three daughters clad with wings, bicause they sponne
Whiles others howling vp and down like frantick folke did ronne?
And can I Iuno nothing else saue sundrie woes bewaile?
Is that sufficient? can my powre no more than so auaile?
He teaches me what way to worke. A man may take (I see)
Example at his enmies hand the wiser for to bee.
He shewes inough and ouermuch the force of furious wrath
By Pentheys death: why should not Ine be taught to tread the path
The which hir sisters heretofore and kinred troden hath?
And Ino of hir Nephewes powre made euery where great boast.
Of Cadmus daughters she alone no sorowes tasted had,
Saue only that hir sisters haps perchaunce had made hir sad.
Now Iuno noting how she waxt both proud and full of scorne,
As well by reason of the sonnes and daughters she had borne,
As also that she was aduaunst by mariage in that towne
To Athamas King Aeolus sonne a Prince of great renowne,
But chiefly that hir sisters sonne who nourced was by hir
Was then exalted for a God: began thereat to stir,
And freating at it in hirselfe said: coulde this harlots burd
Transforme the Lydian watermen, and drowne thee in the foord?
And make the mother teare the guttes in pieces of hir sonne?
And Mineus al three daughters clad with wings, bicause they sponne
Whiles others howling vp and down like frantick folke did ronne?
And can I Iuno nothing else saue sundrie woes bewaile?
Is that sufficient? can my powre no more than so auaile?
He teaches me what way to worke. A man may take (I see)
Example at his enmies hand the wiser for to bee.
50
By Pentheys death: why should not Ine be taught to tread the path
The which hir sisters heretofore and kinred troden hath?
There is a steepe and irksome way obscure with shadow fell
Of balefull yewgh, all sad and still, that leadeth downe to hell.
The foggie Styx doth breath vp mistes: and downe this way doe waue
The ghostes of persons lately dead and buried in the graue.
Continuall colde and gastly feare possesse this queachie plot
On eyther side: the siely Ghost new parted knoweth not
The way that doth directly leade him to the Stygian Citie
Or where blacke Pluto keepes his Court that neuer sheweth pitie.
A thousand wayes, a thousand gates that alwayes open stand,
This Citie hath: and as the Sea the streames of all the lande
Doth swallow in his gredie gulfe, and yet is neuer full:
Euen so that place deuoureth still and hideth in his gull
The soules and ghostes of all the world: and though that nere so many
Come thither, yet the place is voyd as if there were not any.
The ghostes without flesh, bloud, or bones, there wander to and fro.
Of which some haunt the iudgement place: and other come and go
To Plutos Court: and some frequent the former trades and Artes
The which they vsed in their life: and some abide the smartes
And torments for their wickednesse and other yll desartes.
Of balefull yewgh, all sad and still, that leadeth downe to hell.
The foggie Styx doth breath vp mistes: and downe this way doe waue
The ghostes of persons lately dead and buried in the graue.
Continuall colde and gastly feare possesse this queachie plot
On eyther side: the siely Ghost new parted knoweth not
The way that doth directly leade him to the Stygian Citie
Or where blacke Pluto keepes his Court that neuer sheweth pitie.
A thousand wayes, a thousand gates that alwayes open stand,
This Citie hath: and as the Sea the streames of all the lande
Doth swallow in his gredie gulfe, and yet is neuer full:
Euen so that place deuoureth still and hideth in his gull
The soules and ghostes of all the world: and though that nere so many
Come thither, yet the place is voyd as if there were not any.
The ghostes without flesh, bloud, or bones, there wander to and fro.
Of which some haunt the iudgement place: and other come and go
To Plutos Court: and some frequent the former trades and Artes
The which they vsed in their life: and some abide the smartes
And torments for their wickednesse and other yll desartes.
So cruell hate and spightfull wrath did boyle in Iunos brest,
That in the high and noble Court of Heauen she coulde not rest:
But that she needes must hither come: whose feete no sooner toucht
The thresholde, but it gan to quake. And Cerberus erst coucht
Start sternely vp with three fell heades which barked all togither.
She callde the daughters of the night the cruell furies thither:
They sate a kembing foule blacke Snakes from of their filthie heare
Before the dungeon doore, the place where Caitiues punisht were,
The which was made of Adamant. when in the darke in part
They knew Queene Iuno, by and by vpon their feete they start.
There Titius stretched out (at least) nine acres full in length,
Did with with his bowels feede a Grype that tare them out by strength.
The water fled from Tantalus that toucht his neather lip,
And Apples hanging ouer him did euer from him slip.
There also labored Sisyphus that draue against the hill
A rolling stone that from the top came tumbling downeward still.
Ixion on his restlesse wheele to which his limmes were bound
Did flie and follow both at once in turning euer round.
And Danaus daughters forbicause they did their cousins kill,
Drew water into running tubbes which euermore did spill.
That in the high and noble Court of Heauen she coulde not rest:
But that she needes must hither come: whose feete no sooner toucht
The thresholde, but it gan to quake. And Cerberus erst coucht
Start sternely vp with three fell heades which barked all togither.
She callde the daughters of the night the cruell furies thither:
They sate a kembing foule blacke Snakes from of their filthie heare
Before the dungeon doore, the place where Caitiues punisht were,
The which was made of Adamant. when in the darke in part
They knew Queene Iuno, by and by vpon their feete they start.
There Titius stretched out (at least) nine acres full in length,
Did with with his bowels feede a Grype that tare them out by strength.
The water fled from Tantalus that toucht his neather lip,
And Apples hanging ouer him did euer from him slip.
There also labored Sisyphus that draue against the hill
[50]
Ixion on his restlesse wheele to which his limmes were bound
Did flie and follow both at once in turning euer round.
And Danaus daughters forbicause they did their cousins kill,
Drew water into running tubbes which euermore did spill.
When Iuno with a louring looke had vewde them all throughout,
And on Ixion specially before the other rout,
She turnes from him to Sisyphus, and with an angry cheere
Sayes: wherefore should this man endure continuall penance here?
And Athamas his brother reigne in welth and pleasure free?
Who through his pride hath ay disdainde my husband Ioue and mee.
And therewithall she poured out th' occasion of hir hate,
And why she came and what she would. She would that Cadmus state
Should with the ruine of his house be brought to swyft decay.
And that to mischiefe Athamas the Fiendes should force some way,
She biddes, she prayes, she promises, and all is with a breth.
And moues the furies earnestly: and as these things she seth,
The hatefull Hag Tisiphone with horie ruffled heare,
Remouing from hir face the Snakes that loosely dangled there,
Sayd thus: Madame there is no neede long circumstance to make.
Suppose your will already done. This lothsome place forsake,
And to the holsome Ayre of heauen your selfe agayne retire.
Queene Iuno went right glad away with graunt of hir desire.
And as she woulde haue entred heauen, the Ladie Iris came
And purged hir with streaming drops. Anon vpon the same
The furious Fiende Tisiphone doth cloth hir out of band
In garment streaming gorie bloud, and taketh in hir hand
A burning Cresset steepte in bloud, and girdeth hir about
with wreathed Snakes and so goes forth. And at hir going out,
Feare, terror, griefe and pensiuenesse for companie she tooke,
And also madnesse with his slaight, and gastly staring looke.
And on Ixion specially before the other rout,
She turnes from him to Sisyphus, and with an angry cheere
Sayes: wherefore should this man endure continuall penance here?
And Athamas his brother reigne in welth and pleasure free?
Who through his pride hath ay disdainde my husband Ioue and mee.
And therewithall she poured out th' occasion of hir hate,
And why she came and what she would. She would that Cadmus state
Should with the ruine of his house be brought to swyft decay.
And that to mischiefe Athamas the Fiendes should force some way,
She biddes, she prayes, she promises, and all is with a breth.
And moues the furies earnestly: and as these things she seth,
The hatefull Hag Tisiphone with horie ruffled heare,
Remouing from hir face the Snakes that loosely dangled there,
Sayd thus: Madame there is no neede long circumstance to make.
Suppose your will already done. This lothsome place forsake,
And to the holsome Ayre of heauen your selfe agayne retire.
Queene Iuno went right glad away with graunt of hir desire.
And as she woulde haue entred heauen, the Ladie Iris came
And purged hir with streaming drops. Anon vpon the same
The furious Fiende Tisiphone doth cloth hir out of band
In garment streaming gorie bloud, and taketh in hir hand
A burning Cresset steepte in bloud, and girdeth hir about
with wreathed Snakes and so goes forth. And at hir going out,
Feare, terror, griefe and pensiuenesse for companie she tooke,
And also madnesse with his slaight, and gastly staring looke.
Within the house of Athamas no sooner foote she set,
But that the postes began to quake and doores looke blacke as Iet.
The sonne withdrew him, Athamas and eke his wife were cast
With ougly sightes in such a feare, that out of doores agast
They would haue fled. There stoode the Fiend, and stopt their passage out,
And splaying forth hir filthie armes beknit with Snakes about,
Did tosse and waue hir hatefull head. The swarme of scaled snakes
Did make an irksome noyse to heare as she hir tresses shakes.
About hir shoulders some did craule: some trayling downe hir brest
Did hisse and spit out poyson greene, and spirt with tongues infest.
But that the postes began to quake and doores looke blacke as Iet.
The sonne withdrew him, Athamas and eke his wife were cast
With ougly sightes in such a feare, that out of doores agast
They would haue fled. There stoode the Fiend, and stopt their passage out,
And splaying forth hir filthie armes beknit with Snakes about,
51
Did make an irksome noyse to heare as she hir tresses shakes.
About hir shoulders some did craule: some trayling downe hir brest
Did hisse and spit out poyson greene, and spirt with tongues infest.
Then from amyd hir haire two snakes with venymd hand she drew
Of which shee one at Athamas and one at Ino threw.
The snakes did craule about their breasts, inspiring in their heart
Most grieuous motions of the minde: the bodie had no smart
Of any wound: it was the minde that felt the cruell stings.
A poyson made in Syrup wise, shee also with hir brings.
The filthie fame of Cerberus, the casting of the Snake
Echidna, bred among the Fennes about the Stygian Lake:
Desirde of gadding foorth abroad: forgetfulnesse of minde:
Delight in mischiefe: woodnesse: teares: and purpose whole inclinde:
To cruell murther: all the which shee did together grinde:
And mingling them with new shed bloud had boyled them in brasse,
And stird them with a Hemblock stalke, Now whyle that Athamas
And Ino stood and quakte for feare, this poyson ranke and fell
Shee tourned into both their breastes and made their heartes to swell.
Then whisking often round about hir head hir balefull brand,
Shee made it soone by gathering winde to kindle in hir hand.
Thus as it were in triumph wise accomplishing hir hest,
To Duskie Plutos emptie Realme shee gettes hir home to rest,
And putteth of the snarled Snakes that girded in hir brest.
Of which shee one at Athamas and one at Ino threw.
The snakes did craule about their breasts, inspiring in their heart
Most grieuous motions of the minde: the bodie had no smart
Of any wound: it was the minde that felt the cruell stings.
A poyson made in Syrup wise, shee also with hir brings.
The filthie fame of Cerberus, the casting of the Snake
Echidna, bred among the Fennes about the Stygian Lake:
Desirde of gadding foorth abroad: forgetfulnesse of minde:
Delight in mischiefe: woodnesse: teares: and purpose whole inclinde:
To cruell murther: all the which shee did together grinde:
And mingling them with new shed bloud had boyled them in brasse,
And stird them with a Hemblock stalke, Now whyle that Athamas
And Ino stood and quakte for feare, this poyson ranke and fell
Shee tourned into both their breastes and made their heartes to swell.
Then whisking often round about hir head hir balefull brand,
Shee made it soone by gathering winde to kindle in hir hand.
Thus as it were in triumph wise accomplishing hir hest,
To Duskie Plutos emptie Realme shee gettes hir home to rest,
And putteth of the snarled Snakes that girded in hir brest.
Immediatly King Aeolus sonne stark madde comes crying out,
Through all the court what meane yee Sirs? why go yee not about
To pitch our toyles within this chach. I sawe euen nowe here ran
A Lyon with hir two yong whelpes. And there withall he gan
To chase his wyfe as if in deede shee had a Lyon beene
And lyke a Bedlem boystouslie he snatcheth from betweene
The mothers armes his little babe Lœarchus smyling on him
And reaching foorth his preatie armes & floong him fiercely from him
A twice or thrice as from a slyng: and dasht his tender head
Against a hard and rugged stone vntill he sawe him dead.
The wretched mother (whither griefe did moue hir therevnto
Or that the poyson spred within did force hir so to doe)
Hould out frantikly with scattered haire about hir eares
And with hir little Melicert whome hastely shee heares
In naked armes she cryeth out hoe Bacchus. At the name
Of Bacchus Iuno gan to laugh and scorning sayde in game,
This guerden loe thy foster child requiteth for the same.
There hangs a rocke about the Sea the foote whereof is eate
So hollow with the saltish waues which on the same doe beate.
That like a house it keepeth off the moysting showers of rayne
The toppe is rough and shootes his front amiddes the open mayne.
Dame Ino (madnesse made hir strong) did climb this cliffe anon
And healong downe (without regarde of hurt that hoong thereon)
Did throwe hir burden and hir selfe, the water where shee dasht
In sprincling vpwarde glisterd red. But Venus sore abasht
At this hir Neeces great mischaunce without offence or fault,
Hir Uncle gently thus bespake. O ruler of the hault
And swelling Seas, O noble Neptune whose dominion large
Extendeth to the Heauen, whereof the mightie Ioue hath charge,
The thing is great for which I sew. But shewe thou for my sake
Some mercie on my wretched friends whome in thine endlesse lake
Thou seeest tossed to and fro. Admit thou them among
Thy Goddes. Of right euen here to mee some fauour doth belong
At least wise if amid the Sea engendred erst I were
Of Froth, as of the which yet still my pleasaunt name I beare.
Neptunus graunted hir request, and by and by bereft them
Of all that euer mortall was. In sted whereof he left them
A hault and stately maiestie: and altring them in hew
With shape and names most meete for Goddes he did them both endew.
Leucothoë was the mothers name, Palemon was the sonne.
Through all the court what meane yee Sirs? why go yee not about
To pitch our toyles within this chach. I sawe euen nowe here ran
A Lyon with hir two yong whelpes. And there withall he gan
To chase his wyfe as if in deede shee had a Lyon beene
And lyke a Bedlem boystouslie he snatcheth from betweene
The mothers armes his little babe Lœarchus smyling on him
And reaching foorth his preatie armes & floong him fiercely from him
A twice or thrice as from a slyng: and dasht his tender head
Against a hard and rugged stone vntill he sawe him dead.
The wretched mother (whither griefe did moue hir therevnto
Or that the poyson spred within did force hir so to doe)
Hould out frantikly with scattered haire about hir eares
[51]
In naked armes she cryeth out hoe Bacchus. At the name
Of Bacchus Iuno gan to laugh and scorning sayde in game,
This guerden loe thy foster child requiteth for the same.
There hangs a rocke about the Sea the foote whereof is eate
So hollow with the saltish waues which on the same doe beate.
That like a house it keepeth off the moysting showers of rayne
The toppe is rough and shootes his front amiddes the open mayne.
Dame Ino (madnesse made hir strong) did climb this cliffe anon
And healong downe (without regarde of hurt that hoong thereon)
Did throwe hir burden and hir selfe, the water where shee dasht
In sprincling vpwarde glisterd red. But Venus sore abasht
At this hir Neeces great mischaunce without offence or fault,
Hir Uncle gently thus bespake. O ruler of the hault
And swelling Seas, O noble Neptune whose dominion large
Extendeth to the Heauen, whereof the mightie Ioue hath charge,
The thing is great for which I sew. But shewe thou for my sake
Some mercie on my wretched friends whome in thine endlesse lake
Thou seeest tossed to and fro. Admit thou them among
Thy Goddes. Of right euen here to mee some fauour doth belong
At least wise if amid the Sea engendred erst I were
Of Froth, as of the which yet still my pleasaunt name I beare.
Neptunus graunted hir request, and by and by bereft them
Of all that euer mortall was. In sted whereof he left them
A hault and stately maiestie: and altring them in hew
With shape and names most meete for Goddes he did them both endew.
Leucothoë was the mothers name, Palemon was the sonne.
The Thebane Ladies following hir as fast as they could runne,
Did of hir feete perceiue the print vpon the vtter stone.
And taking it for certaine signe that both were dead and gone,
In making mone for Cadmus house, they wrang their hands and tare
Their haire, and rent their clothes, and railde on Iuno out of square,
As nothing iust, but more outragious farre than did behoue
In so reuenging of his selfe vpon hir husbands loue.
The Goddesse Iuno could not beare their railing. And in faith
You also will I make to be as witnesses (she sayth)
Of my outragious crueltie. And so shee did in deede.
For shee that loued Ino best was following hir with speede
Into the Sea. But as shee would hir selfe haue downeward cast.
Shee could not stirre, but to the rock as nailed sticked fast.
The second as shee knockt hir breast, did feele hir armes wax stiffe.
Another as shee stretched out hir hands vpon the cliffe,
Was made a stone, and there stoode still ay stretching forth hir hands
Into the water as before. And as an other standes
A tearing of hir ruffled lockes, hir fingers hardened were
And fastned to hir frisled toppe still tearing of hir heare,
And looke what gesture eche of them was taken in that tide,
Euen in the same transformde to stones, they fastned did abide.
And some were altered into birds which Cadmies called bee
And in that goolfe with flittering wings still to and fro doe flee.
Did of hir feete perceiue the print vpon the vtter stone.
And taking it for certaine signe that both were dead and gone,
In making mone for Cadmus house, they wrang their hands and tare
Their haire, and rent their clothes, and railde on Iuno out of square,
As nothing iust, but more outragious farre than did behoue
In so reuenging of his selfe vpon hir husbands loue.
The Goddesse Iuno could not beare their railing. And in faith
You also will I make to be as witnesses (she sayth)
Of my outragious crueltie. And so shee did in deede.
52
Into the Sea. But as shee would hir selfe haue downeward cast.
Shee could not stirre, but to the rock as nailed sticked fast.
The second as shee knockt hir breast, did feele hir armes wax stiffe.
Another as shee stretched out hir hands vpon the cliffe,
Was made a stone, and there stoode still ay stretching forth hir hands
Into the water as before. And as an other standes
A tearing of hir ruffled lockes, hir fingers hardened were
And fastned to hir frisled toppe still tearing of hir heare,
And looke what gesture eche of them was taken in that tide,
Euen in the same transformde to stones, they fastned did abide.
And some were altered into birds which Cadmies called bee
And in that goolfe with flittering wings still to and fro doe flee.
Nought knoweth Cadmus that his daughter and hir little childe
Admitted were among the Goddes that rule the surges wilde.
Compellde with griefe and great mishappes that had ensewd togither,
And straunge foretokens often seene since first his comming thither,
He vtterly forsakes his towne the which he builded had,
As though the fortune of the place so hardly him bestad,
And not his owne. And fleeting long like pilgrims, at the last
Upon the coast of Illirie his wife and he were cast.
Where ny forpind with cares and yeares, while of the chaunces past
Upon their house, and of their toyles and former trauails tane
They sadly talkt betweene themselues, was my speare head the bane
Of that same ougly Snake of Mars (quoth Cadmus) when I fled
From Sidon? or did I his teeth in ploughed pasture spred?
If for the death of him the Goddes so cruell vengeaunce take,
Drawen out in length vpon my wombe then traile I like a snake.
He had no sooner sayde the worde but that he gan to glide.
Upon his belly like a Snake. And on his hardened side
He felt the scales new budding out, the which was wholy fret
With speccled droppes of blacke and gray as thicke as could be set.
He falleth groueling on his breast, and both his shankes doe growe
In one round spindle Bodkinwise with sharpned point below.
His armes as yet remayned still: his armes that did remayne,
He stretched out, and sayde with teares that plentuously did raine
A downe his face, which yet did keepe the natiue fashion sownd,
Come hither wyfe, come hither wight most wretched on the ground,
And whyle that ought of mee remaynes vouchsafe to touche the same.
Come take mee by the hand as long as hand may haue his name,
Before this snakish shape doe whole my body ouer runne.
He would haue spoken more when sodainely his tongue begunne
To split in two and speache did fayle: and as he did attempt
To make his mone, he hist: for nature now had cleane exempt
All other speach. His wretched wyfe hir naked stomack beete:
And cryde, what meaneth this? deare Cadmus where are now thy feete?
Where are thy shoulders and thy handes? thy hew and manly face?
With all the other things that did thy princely person grace?
Which nowe I ouerpasse. But why yee Goddes doe you delay?
My bodie into lyke misshape of Serpent to conuay?
When this was spoken, Cadmus lickt his wyfe about the lippes:
And (as a place with which he was acquaynted well) he slippes
Into hir boosome, louingly embracing hir, and cast
Himselfe about hir necke, as oft he had in tyme forepast.
Such as were there (their folke were there) were slaighted at the sight,
For by and by they sawe their neckes did glister slicke and bright.
And on their snakish heades grew crests: and finally they both
Were into verie Dragons tournd, and foorth together goth
Lone trayling by the tothers side, vntill they gaynd a wood,
The which direct against the place where as they were then stood.
And now remembring what they were themselues in tymes forepast,
They neyther shonne nor hurten men with stinging nor with blast.
Admitted were among the Goddes that rule the surges wilde.
Compellde with griefe and great mishappes that had ensewd togither,
And straunge foretokens often seene since first his comming thither,
He vtterly forsakes his towne the which he builded had,
As though the fortune of the place so hardly him bestad,
And not his owne. And fleeting long like pilgrims, at the last
Upon the coast of Illirie his wife and he were cast.
Where ny forpind with cares and yeares, while of the chaunces past
Upon their house, and of their toyles and former trauails tane
They sadly talkt betweene themselues, was my speare head the bane
Of that same ougly Snake of Mars (quoth Cadmus) when I fled
From Sidon? or did I his teeth in ploughed pasture spred?
If for the death of him the Goddes so cruell vengeaunce take,
Drawen out in length vpon my wombe then traile I like a snake.
He had no sooner sayde the worde but that he gan to glide.
Upon his belly like a Snake. And on his hardened side
He felt the scales new budding out, the which was wholy fret
With speccled droppes of blacke and gray as thicke as could be set.
He falleth groueling on his breast, and both his shankes doe growe
In one round spindle Bodkinwise with sharpned point below.
His armes as yet remayned still: his armes that did remayne,
He stretched out, and sayde with teares that plentuously did raine
A downe his face, which yet did keepe the natiue fashion sownd,
[52]
And whyle that ought of mee remaynes vouchsafe to touche the same.
Come take mee by the hand as long as hand may haue his name,
Before this snakish shape doe whole my body ouer runne.
He would haue spoken more when sodainely his tongue begunne
To split in two and speache did fayle: and as he did attempt
To make his mone, he hist: for nature now had cleane exempt
All other speach. His wretched wyfe hir naked stomack beete:
And cryde, what meaneth this? deare Cadmus where are now thy feete?
Where are thy shoulders and thy handes? thy hew and manly face?
With all the other things that did thy princely person grace?
Which nowe I ouerpasse. But why yee Goddes doe you delay?
My bodie into lyke misshape of Serpent to conuay?
When this was spoken, Cadmus lickt his wyfe about the lippes:
And (as a place with which he was acquaynted well) he slippes
Into hir boosome, louingly embracing hir, and cast
Himselfe about hir necke, as oft he had in tyme forepast.
Such as were there (their folke were there) were slaighted at the sight,
For by and by they sawe their neckes did glister slicke and bright.
And on their snakish heades grew crests: and finally they both
Were into verie Dragons tournd, and foorth together goth
Lone trayling by the tothers side, vntill they gaynd a wood,
The which direct against the place where as they were then stood.
And now remembring what they were themselues in tymes forepast,
They neyther shonne nor hurten men with stinging nor with blast.
But yet a comfort to them both in this their altred hew
Became that noble impe of theirs that Indie did subdew,
Whom al Achaia worshipped with temples builded new.
All only Acrise Abas sonne (though of the selfe same stocke)
Remaind, who out of Argos walles vnkindly did him locke.
And moued wilfull warre against his Godhead: thinking that
There was not any race of Goddes for he beleued not
That Persey was the sonne of Ioue: or that he was conceyued
By Danae of golden shower through which shee was deceiued.
But yet ere long (such present force hath truth) he doth repent
As well his great impietie against God Bacchus meant,
As also that he did disdaine his Nephew for to knowe.
But Bacchus now full gloriously himselfe in Heauen doth showe.
And Persey bearing in his hand the monster Gorgons head,
That famous spoyle which here and there with snakish haire was spread,
Doth beat the ayre with wauyng wings. And as he ouerflew
The Lybicke sandes, the droppes of bloud that from the head did sew
Of Gorgon being new cut off, vpon the ground did fal.
Which taking them (and as it were conceyuing therwithall,)
Engendred sundrie Snakes and wormes: by meanes wherof that clyme
Did swarme with Serpents euer since, euen to this present tyme.
Became that noble impe of theirs that Indie did subdew,
Whom al Achaia worshipped with temples builded new.
All only Acrise Abas sonne (though of the selfe same stocke)
Remaind, who out of Argos walles vnkindly did him locke.
And moued wilfull warre against his Godhead: thinking that
There was not any race of Goddes for he beleued not
That Persey was the sonne of Ioue: or that he was conceyued
By Danae of golden shower through which shee was deceiued.
But yet ere long (such present force hath truth) he doth repent
As well his great impietie against God Bacchus meant,
As also that he did disdaine his Nephew for to knowe.
53
And Persey bearing in his hand the monster Gorgons head,
That famous spoyle which here and there with snakish haire was spread,
Doth beat the ayre with wauyng wings. And as he ouerflew
The Lybicke sandes, the droppes of bloud that from the head did sew
Of Gorgon being new cut off, vpon the ground did fal.
Which taking them (and as it were conceyuing therwithall,)
Engendred sundrie Snakes and wormes: by meanes wherof that clyme
Did swarme with Serpents euer since, euen to this present tyme.
From thence he lyke a watrie cloud was caried with the weather,
Through all the heauen, now here, now there as light as any feather.
And from aloft he viewes the earth that vnderneath doth lie,
And swiftly ouer all the worlde doth in conclusion flie,
Three times the chilling beares, three times ye crabbes fel cleas he saw:
Oft times to Weast, oftimes to East did driue him many a flaw.
Now at such time as vnto rest the sonne began to drawe,
Bicause he did not thinke it good to be abroad all night,
Within King Atlas western Realme he ceased from his flight,
Requesting that a little space of rest enioy he might,
Untill such tyme as Lucifer should bring the morning gray,
And morning bring the lightsome Sunne that guides the cherefull day.
This Atlas Iapets Nephewe, was a man that did excell
In stature euerie other wight that in the worlde did dwell.
The vtmost coast of all the earth and all that Sea wherein
The tyred steedes and wearied Wayne of Phœbus diued bin,
Were in subiection to this King. A thousande flockes of sheepe,
A thousand heirdes of Rother beastes he in his fields did keepe:
And not a neighbor did anoy his ground by dwelling nie.
To him the wandring Persey thus his language did applie.
If high renowne of royall race thy noble heart may moue,
I am the sonne of Ioue himselfe: or if thou more approue
The valiant deedes and hault exploytes, thou shalt perceiue in mee
Such doings as deserue with prayse extolled for to bee.
I pray thee of thy courtesie receiue mee as thy guest,
And let mee only for this night within thy palace rest.
King Atlas called straight to minde an auncient prophesie
Made by Parnassian Themys, which this sentence did implie.
The time shall one day Atlas come in which thy golden tree
Shall of hir fayre and precious fruite dispoyld and robbed bee.
And he shall be the sonne of Ioue that shall enioy the pray.
For feare hereof he did enclose his Orchard euerie way.
With mightie hilles, and put an ougly Dragon in the same
To keepe it. Further he forbad that any straunger came
Within his Realme, and to this knight he sayde presumtuouslie:
Auoyd my land, onlesse thou wilt by vtter perill trie
That all thy glorious actes whereof thou doest so loudly lie
And Ioue thy father be too farre to helpe thee at thy neede.
To these his wordes he added force, add went about in deede
To driue him out by strength of hand. To speake was losse of winde
For neyther could intreating faire nor stoutnesse tourne his minde.
Well then (quoth Persey) sith thou doest mine honour set so light,
Take here a present: and with that he turnes away his sight,
And from his left side drewe mee out Medusas lothly head.
As huge and big as Atlas was he tourned in that stead
Into a mountaine: Into trees his beard and locks did passe:
His hands and shoulders made the ridge: that part which lately was
His head, became the highest top of all the hill: his bones
Were turnd to stones: and therewithall he grew mee all at ones
Beyond all measure vp in heigth (For so God thought it best)
So farre that Heauen with all the starres did on his shoulders rest.
Through all the heauen, now here, now there as light as any feather.
And from aloft he viewes the earth that vnderneath doth lie,
And swiftly ouer all the worlde doth in conclusion flie,
Three times the chilling beares, three times ye crabbes fel cleas he saw:
Oft times to Weast, oftimes to East did driue him many a flaw.
Now at such time as vnto rest the sonne began to drawe,
Bicause he did not thinke it good to be abroad all night,
Within King Atlas western Realme he ceased from his flight,
Requesting that a little space of rest enioy he might,
Untill such tyme as Lucifer should bring the morning gray,
And morning bring the lightsome Sunne that guides the cherefull day.
This Atlas Iapets Nephewe, was a man that did excell
In stature euerie other wight that in the worlde did dwell.
The vtmost coast of all the earth and all that Sea wherein
The tyred steedes and wearied Wayne of Phœbus diued bin,
Were in subiection to this King. A thousande flockes of sheepe,
A thousand heirdes of Rother beastes he in his fields did keepe:
And not a neighbor did anoy his ground by dwelling nie.
To him the wandring Persey thus his language did applie.
If high renowne of royall race thy noble heart may moue,
I am the sonne of Ioue himselfe: or if thou more approue
The valiant deedes and hault exploytes, thou shalt perceiue in mee
Such doings as deserue with prayse extolled for to bee.
I pray thee of thy courtesie receiue mee as thy guest,
And let mee only for this night within thy palace rest.
King Atlas called straight to minde an auncient prophesie
Made by Parnassian Themys, which this sentence did implie.
[53]
Shall of hir fayre and precious fruite dispoyld and robbed bee.
And he shall be the sonne of Ioue that shall enioy the pray.
For feare hereof he did enclose his Orchard euerie way.
With mightie hilles, and put an ougly Dragon in the same
To keepe it. Further he forbad that any straunger came
Within his Realme, and to this knight he sayde presumtuouslie:
Auoyd my land, onlesse thou wilt by vtter perill trie
That all thy glorious actes whereof thou doest so loudly lie
And Ioue thy father be too farre to helpe thee at thy neede.
To these his wordes he added force, add went about in deede
To driue him out by strength of hand. To speake was losse of winde
For neyther could intreating faire nor stoutnesse tourne his minde.
Well then (quoth Persey) sith thou doest mine honour set so light,
Take here a present: and with that he turnes away his sight,
And from his left side drewe mee out Medusas lothly head.
As huge and big as Atlas was he tourned in that stead
Into a mountaine: Into trees his beard and locks did passe:
His hands and shoulders made the ridge: that part which lately was
His head, became the highest top of all the hill: his bones
Were turnd to stones: and therewithall he grew mee all at ones
Beyond all measure vp in heigth (For so God thought it best)
So farre that Heauen with all the starres did on his shoulders rest.
In endlesse prison by that time had Aëolus lockt the wind
And now the cheerely morning starre that putteth folke in mind
To rise about their daylie worke shone brightly in the skie.
Then Persey vnto both his feete did streight his feathers tie
And girt his Woodknife to his side, and from the earth did stie.
And leauing nations nomberlesse beneath him euerie way
At last vpon King Cepheyes fields in Aethiop did he stay.
Where cleane against all right and law by Ioues commaundement
Andromad for hir mothers tongue did suffer punishment.
Whome to a rocke by both the armes when fastned hee had seene,
He would haue thought of Marble stone shee had some image beene,
But that hir tresses to and fro the whisking winde did blowe,
And trickling teares warme from hir eyes a downe hir cheeks did flow
Unwares hereat gan secret sparkes within his breast to glow.
His wits were straught at sight thereof and rauisht in such wise,
That how to houer with his wings he scarsly could deuise.
Assoone as he had stayd himselfe, O Ladie faire (quoth hee)
Not worthie of such bands as these, but such wherewith we see
Togither, knit in lawfull bed the earnest louers bee
I pray thee tell mee what thy selfe and what this lande is named
And wherefore thou dost weare these Chains? the Ladie ill ashamed
Was at the sodaine striken domb: and lyke a fearfull maid
Shee durst not speake vnto a man. Had not hir handes beene staid
She would haue hid hir bashfull face. Howbeit as she might
With great abundance of hir teares shee stopped vp hir sight
But when that Persey oftentimes was earnestly in hand
To learne the matter, for bicause shee woulde not seeme to stand
In stubborne silence of hir faultes, shee tolde him what the land
And what she hight: and how hir mother for hir beauties sake
Through pride did vnaduisedly too much vpon hir take.
And ere shee full had made an ende, the water gan to rore:
An ougly monster from the deepe was making to the shore
Which bare the Sea before his breast. The Uirgin shrieked out.
Hir father and hir mother both stood mourning thereabout,
In wretched ease both twaine, but not so wretched as the maid
Who wrongly for hir mothers fault the bitter raunsome paid.
They brought not with them any help: but (as the time and cace
Requird) they wept and wrang their hands, and streightly did embrace
Hir bodie fastened to the rock. Then Persey them bespake,
And sayde: the time may serue too long this sorrow for to make:
But time of helpe must eyther now or neuer else be take
Now if I Persey sonne of hir whome in hir fathers towre
The mightie Ioue begat with childe in shape of golden showre,
Who cut off ougly Gorgons head bespred with snakish heare,
And in the ayre durst trust these winges my body for to beare,
Perchaunce should saue your daughters life, I think ye should as then
Accept mee for your sonne in lawe before all other men.
To these great thewes (by the help of God) I purpose for to adde
A iust desert in helping hir that is so hard bestadde.
I couenaunt with you by my force and manhod for to saue hir,
Conditionly that to my wife in recompence I haue hir.
And now the cheerely morning starre that putteth folke in mind
To rise about their daylie worke shone brightly in the skie.
Then Persey vnto both his feete did streight his feathers tie
And girt his Woodknife to his side, and from the earth did stie.
And leauing nations nomberlesse beneath him euerie way
At last vpon King Cepheyes fields in Aethiop did he stay.
Where cleane against all right and law by Ioues commaundement
Andromad for hir mothers tongue did suffer punishment.
Whome to a rocke by both the armes when fastned hee had seene,
He would haue thought of Marble stone shee had some image beene,
But that hir tresses to and fro the whisking winde did blowe,
And trickling teares warme from hir eyes a downe hir cheeks did flow
Unwares hereat gan secret sparkes within his breast to glow.
54
That how to houer with his wings he scarsly could deuise.
Assoone as he had stayd himselfe, O Ladie faire (quoth hee)
Not worthie of such bands as these, but such wherewith we see
Togither, knit in lawfull bed the earnest louers bee
I pray thee tell mee what thy selfe and what this lande is named
And wherefore thou dost weare these Chains? the Ladie ill ashamed
Was at the sodaine striken domb: and lyke a fearfull maid
Shee durst not speake vnto a man. Had not hir handes beene staid
She would haue hid hir bashfull face. Howbeit as she might
With great abundance of hir teares shee stopped vp hir sight
But when that Persey oftentimes was earnestly in hand
To learne the matter, for bicause shee woulde not seeme to stand
In stubborne silence of hir faultes, shee tolde him what the land
And what she hight: and how hir mother for hir beauties sake
Through pride did vnaduisedly too much vpon hir take.
And ere shee full had made an ende, the water gan to rore:
An ougly monster from the deepe was making to the shore
Which bare the Sea before his breast. The Uirgin shrieked out.
Hir father and hir mother both stood mourning thereabout,
In wretched ease both twaine, but not so wretched as the maid
Who wrongly for hir mothers fault the bitter raunsome paid.
They brought not with them any help: but (as the time and cace
Requird) they wept and wrang their hands, and streightly did embrace
Hir bodie fastened to the rock. Then Persey them bespake,
And sayde: the time may serue too long this sorrow for to make:
But time of helpe must eyther now or neuer else be take
Now if I Persey sonne of hir whome in hir fathers towre
The mightie Ioue begat with childe in shape of golden showre,
Who cut off ougly Gorgons head bespred with snakish heare,
And in the ayre durst trust these winges my body for to beare,
Perchaunce should saue your daughters life, I think ye should as then
Accept mee for your sonne in lawe before all other men.
To these great thewes (by the help of God) I purpose for to adde
A iust desert in helping hir that is so hard bestadde.
I couenaunt with you by my force and manhod for to saue hir,
Conditionly that to my wife in recompence I haue hir.
[54]
Hir parents tooke his offer streight: for who would sticke thereat
And praid him faire, and promisde him that for performing that
They would endow him with the ryght of al their Realme beeside.
Like as a Gally with hir nose doth cut the waters wide,
Enforced by the sweating armes of Rowers wyth the tide
Euen so the monster with his brest did beare the waues aside,
And was now come as neere the rocke as well a man myght sling
Amid the pure and vacant aire a pellet from a sling.
When on the sodaine Persey pusht his foote against the ground,
And stied vpward to the clouds his shadow did rebound
Upon the sea: the beast ran fierce vpon the passing shade.
And as an Egle when he sees a Dragon in a glade
Lie beaking of his blewish backe against the sunnie rayes,
Doth cease vpon him vnbeware, and with his talants layes
Sure holde vpon his scalie necke least writhing back his head
His cruell teeth might doe him harme: So Persey in that stead
Discending downe the ayre a maine with all his force and might
Did cease vpon the monsters backe: and vnderneath the right
Finne hard vnto the verie hilt his hooked sworde did smight.
The monster being wounded sore did sometime leape aloft,
And sometime vnder water diue, bestirring him full oft
As doth a chaufed Boare beset with barking Dogges about.
But Persey with his lightsome wings still keeping him without
The monsters reach, with hooked sword doth sometime hew his back
Where as the hollow scales giue way: and sometime he doth hacke
The ribbes on both his maled sides: and sometime he doth wound
His spindle tayle where into fish it growes most smal and round.
The Whale at Persey from his mouth such waues of water cast,
Bemixed with the purple bloud, that all bedreint at last
His feathers verie heauie were: and doubting any more
To trust his wings now waxing wet, he straight began to sore
Up to a rocke which in the calme aboue the water stood:
But in the tempest euermore was hidden with the flood.
And leaning therevnto and with his left hand holding iust
The top thereof a dozen times his weapon he did thrust
Among his guttes. The ioyfull noyse and clapping of their hands
The which were made for loosening of Andromad from hir bands,
Fillde all the coast and heauen it selfe. The parents of the Maide
Cassiope and Cepheus were glad and well appayde:
And calling him their sonne in law confessed him to bee
The helpe and sauegarde of their house. Andromade the fee
And cause of Perseys enterprise from bondes now beyng free,
He washed his victorious hands. And least the Snakie heade
With lying on the grauell hard should catch some harme, he spred
Soft leaues and certaine tender twigs that in the water grew,
And laid Medusas head thereon: the twigs yet being new
And quicke and full of iuicie pith full lightly to them drew
The nature of this monstrous head. for both the leafe and bough
Full straungely at the touch thereof became both hard and tough.
The Seanymphes tride this wondrous fact in diuers other roddes
And were full glad to see the chaunge, bicause there was no oddes
Of leaues or twigs or of the seedes new shaken from the coddes.
For still like nature euer since is in our Corall founde:
That looke how soone it toucheth Ayre it waxeth hard and sounde.
And that which vnder water was a sticke, aboue is stone,
Three altars to as many Gods he makes of Turfe anon.
Upon the left hand Mercuries: Mineruas on the right:
And in the middle Iupiters: to Pallas he did dight
A Cow: a Calfe to Mercurie: a Bull to royall Ioue.
Forthwith he tooke Andromade the price for which he stroue
Endowed with hir fathers Realme. For now the God of Loue
And Hymen vnto mariage his minde in hast did moue.
Great fires were made of sweete perfumes, and curious garlandes hung
About the house, which euery where of mirthfull musicke rung
The gladsome signe of merie mindes. The Pallace gates were set
Wide open. none from comming in were by the Porters let.
All Noblemen and Gentlemen that were of any port
To this same great and royall feast of Cephey did resort.
And praid him faire, and promisde him that for performing that
They would endow him with the ryght of al their Realme beeside.
Like as a Gally with hir nose doth cut the waters wide,
Enforced by the sweating armes of Rowers wyth the tide
Euen so the monster with his brest did beare the waues aside,
And was now come as neere the rocke as well a man myght sling
Amid the pure and vacant aire a pellet from a sling.
When on the sodaine Persey pusht his foote against the ground,
And stied vpward to the clouds his shadow did rebound
Upon the sea: the beast ran fierce vpon the passing shade.
And as an Egle when he sees a Dragon in a glade
Lie beaking of his blewish backe against the sunnie rayes,
Doth cease vpon him vnbeware, and with his talants layes
Sure holde vpon his scalie necke least writhing back his head
His cruell teeth might doe him harme: So Persey in that stead
Discending downe the ayre a maine with all his force and might
Did cease vpon the monsters backe: and vnderneath the right
Finne hard vnto the verie hilt his hooked sworde did smight.
The monster being wounded sore did sometime leape aloft,
And sometime vnder water diue, bestirring him full oft
As doth a chaufed Boare beset with barking Dogges about.
But Persey with his lightsome wings still keeping him without
The monsters reach, with hooked sword doth sometime hew his back
Where as the hollow scales giue way: and sometime he doth hacke
The ribbes on both his maled sides: and sometime he doth wound
His spindle tayle where into fish it growes most smal and round.
The Whale at Persey from his mouth such waues of water cast,
Bemixed with the purple bloud, that all bedreint at last
His feathers verie heauie were: and doubting any more
To trust his wings now waxing wet, he straight began to sore
Up to a rocke which in the calme aboue the water stood:
But in the tempest euermore was hidden with the flood.
And leaning therevnto and with his left hand holding iust
The top thereof a dozen times his weapon he did thrust
Among his guttes. The ioyfull noyse and clapping of their hands
The which were made for loosening of Andromad from hir bands,
46
Cassiope and Cepheus were glad and well appayde:
And calling him their sonne in law confessed him to bee
The helpe and sauegarde of their house. Andromade the fee
And cause of Perseys enterprise from bondes now beyng free,
He washed his victorious hands. And least the Snakie heade
With lying on the grauell hard should catch some harme, he spred
Soft leaues and certaine tender twigs that in the water grew,
And laid Medusas head thereon: the twigs yet being new
And quicke and full of iuicie pith full lightly to them drew
The nature of this monstrous head. for both the leafe and bough
Full straungely at the touch thereof became both hard and tough.
The Seanymphes tride this wondrous fact in diuers other roddes
And were full glad to see the chaunge, bicause there was no oddes
Of leaues or twigs or of the seedes new shaken from the coddes.
For still like nature euer since is in our Corall founde:
That looke how soone it toucheth Ayre it waxeth hard and sounde.
And that which vnder water was a sticke, aboue is stone,
Three altars to as many Gods he makes of Turfe anon.
Upon the left hand Mercuries: Mineruas on the right:
And in the middle Iupiters: to Pallas he did dight
A Cow: a Calfe to Mercurie: a Bull to royall Ioue.
Forthwith he tooke Andromade the price for which he stroue
Endowed with hir fathers Realme. For now the God of Loue
And Hymen vnto mariage his minde in hast did moue.
Great fires were made of sweete perfumes, and curious garlandes hung
About the house, which euery where of mirthfull musicke rung
The gladsome signe of merie mindes. The Pallace gates were set
Wide open. none from comming in were by the Porters let.
All Noblemen and Gentlemen that were of any port
To this same great and royall feast of Cephey did resort.
When hauing taken their repast as well of meate as wine
Their hearts began to pleasant mirth by leysure to encline,
The valiant Persey of the folke and facions of the land
Began to be inquisitiue. One Lincide out of hand
The rites and maners of the folke did doe him t'vnderstand.
Which done he sayd: O worthie knight I pray thee tell vs by
What force or wile thou gotst the head with haires of Adders slie.
Then Persey tolde how vnderneath colde Atlas lay a plaine
So fenced in on euery side with mountaines high, that vaine
Were any force to win the same. In entrance of the which
Two daughters of King Phorcis dwelt whose chaunce and hap was such
That one eye serued both their turnes: whereof by wilie slight
And stealth in putting forth his hand he did bereue them quight,
As they from tone to tother were deliuering of the same.
From whence by long blind crooked wayes vnhandsomly he came
Through gastly groues by ragged cliffes vnto the drerie place
Whereas the Gorgons dwelt: and there he saw (a wretched case)
The shapes as well of men as beasts lie scattered euerie where
In open fields and common wayes, the which transformed were
From liuing things to stones at sight of foule Medusas heare
But yet that he through brightnesse of his monstrous brazen shield
The which he in his left hand bare, Medusas face beheld.
And while that in a sound dead sleepe were all hir Snakes and she,
He softly pared of hir head: and how that he did see
Swift Pegasus the winged horse and eke his brother grow
Out of their mothers new shed bloud. Moreouer he did show
A long discourse of all his happes and not so long as trew:
As namely of what Seas and landes the coasts he ouerflew,
And eke what starres with stying wings he in the while did vew.
But yet his tale was at an ende ere any lookt therefore.
Their hearts began to pleasant mirth by leysure to encline,
The valiant Persey of the folke and facions of the land
Began to be inquisitiue. One Lincide out of hand
The rites and maners of the folke did doe him t'vnderstand.
Which done he sayd: O worthie knight I pray thee tell vs by
[46]
Then Persey tolde how vnderneath colde Atlas lay a plaine
So fenced in on euery side with mountaines high, that vaine
Were any force to win the same. In entrance of the which
Two daughters of King Phorcis dwelt whose chaunce and hap was such
That one eye serued both their turnes: whereof by wilie slight
And stealth in putting forth his hand he did bereue them quight,
As they from tone to tother were deliuering of the same.
From whence by long blind crooked wayes vnhandsomly he came
Through gastly groues by ragged cliffes vnto the drerie place
Whereas the Gorgons dwelt: and there he saw (a wretched case)
The shapes as well of men as beasts lie scattered euerie where
In open fields and common wayes, the which transformed were
From liuing things to stones at sight of foule Medusas heare
But yet that he through brightnesse of his monstrous brazen shield
The which he in his left hand bare, Medusas face beheld.
And while that in a sound dead sleepe were all hir Snakes and she,
He softly pared of hir head: and how that he did see
Swift Pegasus the winged horse and eke his brother grow
Out of their mothers new shed bloud. Moreouer he did show
A long discourse of all his happes and not so long as trew:
As namely of what Seas and landes the coasts he ouerflew,
And eke what starres with stying wings he in the while did vew.
But yet his tale was at an ende ere any lookt therefore.
Upon occasion by and by of wordes reherst before
There was a certaine noble man demaunded him wherefore
Shee only of the sisters three haire mixt with Adders bore.
Sir (aunswerde Persey) sith you aske a matter worth report
I graunt to tell you your demaunde. she both in comly port
and beautie, euery other wight surmounted in such sort,
That many suters vnto hir did earnestly resort.
And though that whole from top to toe most bewtifull she were,
In all hir bodie was no part more goodly than hir heare.
I know some parties yet aliue, that say they did hir see.
It is reported how she should abusde by Neptune bee
In Pallas Church: frō which fowle facte Ioues daughter turnde hir eye,
And with hir Target hid hir face from such a villanie.
And least it should vnpunisht be, she turnde hir seemely heare
To lothly Snakes: the which (the more to put hir foes in feare)
Before hir brest continually she in hir shield doth beare.
There was a certaine noble man demaunded him wherefore
Shee only of the sisters three haire mixt with Adders bore.
Sir (aunswerde Persey) sith you aske a matter worth report
I graunt to tell you your demaunde. she both in comly port
and beautie, euery other wight surmounted in such sort,
That many suters vnto hir did earnestly resort.
And though that whole from top to toe most bewtifull she were,
In all hir bodie was no part more goodly than hir heare.
I know some parties yet aliue, that say they did hir see.
It is reported how she should abusde by Neptune bee
In Pallas Church: frō which fowle facte Ioues daughter turnde hir eye,
And with hir Target hid hir face from such a villanie.
56
To lothly Snakes: the which (the more to put hir foes in feare)
Before hir brest continually she in hir shield doth beare.
Finis quarti Libri.
THE FYFT BOOKE of Ouids Metamorphosis.
Now while that Danaes noble sonne was telling of these things
Amid a throng of Cepheys Lordes, through al the Pallace rings
A noyse of people nothing like the sound of such as sing
At wedding feastes, but like the rore of such as tidings bring
Of cruell warre. This sodaine chaunge from feasting vnto fray
Might well be likened to the Sea: whych standing at a stay
The woodnesse of the windes makes rough by raising of the waue.
King Cepheys brother Phyney was the man that rashly gaue
The first occasion of this fray. Who shaking in hys hand
A Dart of Ash with head of steele, sayd loe: loe here I stand
To chalenge thee that wrongfully my rauisht spouse doste holde,
Thy wings nor yet thy forged Dad in shape of feyned golde
Shall now not saue thee from my hands. As with that word he bent
His arme aloft, the foresaid Dart at Persey to haue sent
What doste thou brother (Cephey cride) what madnesse moues thy minde
To doe so foule a deede? is this the friendship he shall finde
Among vs for his good deserts? And wilt thou needes requite
The sauing of thy Neeces life with such a foule despight?
Whome Persey hath not from thee tane: but (if thou be aduisde)
But Neptunes heauie wrath bicause his Seanymphes were despisde
But horned Hammon: but the beast which from the Sea arriued
On my deare bowels for to feede. That time wert thou depriued
Of thy betroothed, when hir life vpon the losing stoode:
Onlesse perchaunce to see hir lost it woulde haue done thee good,
And easde thy heart to see me sad. And may it not suffice
That thou didst see hir to the rocke fast bound before thine eyes
And didst not helpe hir beyng both hir husband and hir Eame?
Onlesse thou grudge that any man should come within my Realme
To saue hir life? and seeke to rob him of his iust rewarde?
Which if thou thinke to be so great, thou shouldst haue had regarde
Before, to fetch it from the rocke to which thou sawste it bound,
I pray thee brother seeing that by him meanes is found
That in mine age without my childe I go not to the grounde,
Permit him to enioy the price for which we did compounde,
And which he hath by due desert of purchase deerely bought.
For brother let it neuer sinke nor enter in thy thought
That I set more by him than thee: but this may well be sed
I rather had to giue hir him than see my daughter dead.
He gaue him not a worde againe: But looked eft on him,
And eft on Persey irefully with countnance stoure and grim,
Not knowing which were best to hit: And after little stay
He shooke his Dart, and flung it forth with all the powre and sway
That Anger gaue at Perseys head. But harme it did him none,
It sticked in the Bedsteddes head that Persey sate vpon.
Amid a throng of Cepheys Lordes, through al the Pallace rings
A noyse of people nothing like the sound of such as sing
At wedding feastes, but like the rore of such as tidings bring
Of cruell warre. This sodaine chaunge from feasting vnto fray
Might well be likened to the Sea: whych standing at a stay
The woodnesse of the windes makes rough by raising of the waue.
King Cepheys brother Phyney was the man that rashly gaue
The first occasion of this fray. Who shaking in hys hand
A Dart of Ash with head of steele, sayd loe: loe here I stand
To chalenge thee that wrongfully my rauisht spouse doste holde,
Thy wings nor yet thy forged Dad in shape of feyned golde
Shall now not saue thee from my hands. As with that word he bent
His arme aloft, the foresaid Dart at Persey to haue sent
What doste thou brother (Cephey cride) what madnesse moues thy minde
To doe so foule a deede? is this the friendship he shall finde
Among vs for his good deserts? And wilt thou needes requite
[56]
Whome Persey hath not from thee tane: but (if thou be aduisde)
But Neptunes heauie wrath bicause his Seanymphes were despisde
But horned Hammon: but the beast which from the Sea arriued
On my deare bowels for to feede. That time wert thou depriued
Of thy betroothed, when hir life vpon the losing stoode:
Onlesse perchaunce to see hir lost it woulde haue done thee good,
And easde thy heart to see me sad. And may it not suffice
That thou didst see hir to the rocke fast bound before thine eyes
And didst not helpe hir beyng both hir husband and hir Eame?
Onlesse thou grudge that any man should come within my Realme
To saue hir life? and seeke to rob him of his iust rewarde?
Which if thou thinke to be so great, thou shouldst haue had regarde
Before, to fetch it from the rocke to which thou sawste it bound,
I pray thee brother seeing that by him meanes is found
That in mine age without my childe I go not to the grounde,
Permit him to enioy the price for which we did compounde,
And which he hath by due desert of purchase deerely bought.
For brother let it neuer sinke nor enter in thy thought
That I set more by him than thee: but this may well be sed
I rather had to giue hir him than see my daughter dead.
He gaue him not a worde againe: But looked eft on him,
And eft on Persey irefully with countnance stoure and grim,
Not knowing which were best to hit: And after little stay
He shooke his Dart, and flung it forth with all the powre and sway
That Anger gaue at Perseys head. But harme it did him none,
It sticked in the Bedsteddes head that Persey sate vpon.
Then Persey sternely starting vp and pulling out the Dart
Did throw it at his foe agayne, and therewithall his hart
Had cliuen a sunder, had he not behinde an Altar start.
The Altar (more the pitie was) did saue the wicked wight.
Yet threw he not the Dart in vaine: it hit one Rhetus right
Amid the foreheade: who therewith sanke downe, and when the steele
Was plucked out, he sprawlde about and spurned with his heele,
And all berayd the boorde with bloud. Then all the other rout
As fierce as fire flang Dartes: and some there were that cried out
That Cephey with his sonne in lawe was worthy for to die.
But he had wound him out of doores protesting solemly
As he was iust and faithfull Prince, and swearing eke by all
The Gods of Hospitalitie, that that same broyle did fall
Full sore against his will. At hand was warlie Pallas streight
And shadowed Persey with hir shielde, and gaue him heart in feight.
There was one Atys borne in Inde, (of faire Lymniace
The Riuer Ganges daughter thought the issue for to be,)
Of passing beautie which with rich aray he did augment.
He ware that day a scarlet Cloke, about the which there went
A garde of golde: a cheyne of golde he ware about his necke:
And eke his haire perfumde with Myrrhe a costly crowne did decke.
Full sixtene yeares he was of age: such cunning skill he coulde
In darting, as to hit his marke farre distant when he would.
Yet how to handle Bow and shaftes much better did he know.
Now as he was about that time to bende his horned Bowe,
Did throw it at his foe agayne, and therewithall his hart
Had cliuen a sunder, had he not behinde an Altar start.
The Altar (more the pitie was) did saue the wicked wight.
Yet threw he not the Dart in vaine: it hit one Rhetus right
Amid the foreheade: who therewith sanke downe, and when the steele
Was plucked out, he sprawlde about and spurned with his heele,
And all berayd the boorde with bloud. Then all the other rout
As fierce as fire flang Dartes: and some there were that cried out
That Cephey with his sonne in lawe was worthy for to die.
57
As he was iust and faithfull Prince, and swearing eke by all
The Gods of Hospitalitie, that that same broyle did fall
Full sore against his will. At hand was warlie Pallas streight
And shadowed Persey with hir shielde, and gaue him heart in feight.
There was one Atys borne in Inde, (of faire Lymniace
The Riuer Ganges daughter thought the issue for to be,)
Of passing beautie which with rich aray he did augment.
He ware that day a scarlet Cloke, about the which there went
A garde of golde: a cheyne of golde he ware about his necke:
And eke his haire perfumde with Myrrhe a costly crowne did decke.
Full sixtene yeares he was of age: such cunning skill he coulde
In darting, as to hit his marke farre distant when he would.
Yet how to handle Bow and shaftes much better did he know.
Now as he was about that time to bende his horned Bowe,
A firebrand Persey raught that did vpon the Aultar smoke,
And dasht him ouertwhart the face with such a violent stroke,
That all bebattred was his head the bones a sunder broke.
When Lycabas of Assur lande his moste assured friend
And deare companion being no dissembler of his miend
Which most entierly did him loue, behelde him on the ground
Lie weltring with disfigurde face, and through that grieuous wound
Nowgasping out his parting ghost, his death he did lament,
And taking hastly vp the Bow that Atys erst had bent,
Encounter thou with me (he saide) thou shalt not long enioy
Thy triumphing in brauerie thus, for killing of this boy,
By which thou getst more spight than praise. All this was scarsly sed,
But that the arrow from the string went streyned to the head.
Howbeit Persey (as it hapt) so warely did it shunne,
As that it in his coteplights hung. then to him did he runne
With Harpe in his hand bestaind with grim Medusas blood,
And thrust him through the brest therwith he quothing as he stood
Did looke about where Atys lay with dim and dazeling eyes,
Now wauing vnder endlesse night: and downe by him he lies,
And for to comfort him withall togither with him dies.
Behold through gredie haste to feight one Phorbas Methions son
A Svveuite: and of Lybie lande one callde Amphimedon
By fortune sliding in the blood with which the ground was wet,
Fell downe: and as they woulde haue rose, Perseus fauchon met
With both of them. Amphimedon vpon the ribbes he smote,
And with the like celeritie he cut me Phorbas throte.
But vnto Erith Actors sonne that in his hand did holde
A brode browne Bill, with his short sword he durst not be too bolde
To make approch. With both his handes a great and massie cup
Embost with cunning portrayture aloft he taketh vp,
And sendes it at him. He spewes vp red bloud: and falling downe
Upon his backe, against the ground doth knocke his dying crowne.
Then downe he Polydemon throwes extract of royall race
And Abaris the Scithian, and Clytus in like case.
And Elice with his vnshorne lockes, and also Phlegias,
And Lycet olde Sperchesies sonne, with diuers other mo,
That on the heapes of corses slaine he treades as he doth go.
And dasht him ouertwhart the face with such a violent stroke,
That all bebattred was his head the bones a sunder broke.
When Lycabas of Assur lande his moste assured friend
And deare companion being no dissembler of his miend
Which most entierly did him loue, behelde him on the ground
Lie weltring with disfigurde face, and through that grieuous wound
Nowgasping out his parting ghost, his death he did lament,
And taking hastly vp the Bow that Atys erst had bent,
Encounter thou with me (he saide) thou shalt not long enioy
Thy triumphing in brauerie thus, for killing of this boy,
By which thou getst more spight than praise. All this was scarsly sed,
But that the arrow from the string went streyned to the head.
Howbeit Persey (as it hapt) so warely did it shunne,
As that it in his coteplights hung. then to him did he runne
With Harpe in his hand bestaind with grim Medusas blood,
And thrust him through the brest therwith he quothing as he stood
Did looke about where Atys lay with dim and dazeling eyes,
Now wauing vnder endlesse night: and downe by him he lies,
And for to comfort him withall togither with him dies.
Behold through gredie haste to feight one Phorbas Methions son
A Svveuite: and of Lybie lande one callde Amphimedon
[57]
Fell downe: and as they woulde haue rose, Perseus fauchon met
With both of them. Amphimedon vpon the ribbes he smote,
And with the like celeritie he cut me Phorbas throte.
But vnto Erith Actors sonne that in his hand did holde
A brode browne Bill, with his short sword he durst not be too bolde
To make approch. With both his handes a great and massie cup
Embost with cunning portrayture aloft he taketh vp,
And sendes it at him. He spewes vp red bloud: and falling downe
Upon his backe, against the ground doth knocke his dying crowne.
Then downe he Polydemon throwes extract of royall race
And Abaris the Scithian, and Clytus in like case.
And Elice with his vnshorne lockes, and also Phlegias,
And Lycet olde Sperchesies sonne, with diuers other mo,
That on the heapes of corses slaine he treades as he doth go.
And Phyney daring not presume to meete his foe at hand,
Did cast a Dart: which hapt to light on Idas who did stand
Aloofe as neuter (though in vaine) not medling with the Fray.
Who casting backe a frowning looke at Phyney, thus did say.
Sith whether that I will or no compeld I am perforce
To take a part, haue Phyney here him whome thou doste enforce
To be thy foe, and with this wound my wrongfull wound requite.
But as he from his body pullde the Dart, with all his might
To throw it at his foe againe, his limmes so feebled were
With losse of bloud, that downe he fell and could not after steare.
There also lay Odites slaine the chiefe in all the land
Next to King Cephey, put to death by force of Clymens hand.
Protenor was by Hypsey killde, and Lyncide did as much
For Hypsey. In the throng there was an auncient man and such
a one as loued righteousnesse and greatly feared God:
Emathion called was his name: whome sith his yeares forbod
To put on armes, he feights with tongue, inueying earnestly
Against that wicked war the which he banned bitterly.
As on the Altar he himselfe with quiuering handes did stay,
One Cromis tipped of his head: his head cut off streight way
Upon the Altar fell, and there his tongue not fully dead,
Did bable still the banning wordes the which it erst had sed,
And breathed forth his fainting ghost among the burning brandes.
Did cast a Dart: which hapt to light on Idas who did stand
Aloofe as neuter (though in vaine) not medling with the Fray.
Who casting backe a frowning looke at Phyney, thus did say.
Sith whether that I will or no compeld I am perforce
To take a part, haue Phyney here him whome thou doste enforce
To be thy foe, and with this wound my wrongfull wound requite.
But as he from his body pullde the Dart, with all his might
To throw it at his foe againe, his limmes so feebled were
With losse of bloud, that downe he fell and could not after steare.
There also lay Odites slaine the chiefe in all the land
Next to King Cephey, put to death by force of Clymens hand.
Protenor was by Hypsey killde, and Lyncide did as much
For Hypsey. In the throng there was an auncient man and such
a one as loued righteousnesse and greatly feared God:
Emathion called was his name: whome sith his yeares forbod
To put on armes, he feights with tongue, inueying earnestly
Against that wicked war the which he banned bitterly.
As on the Altar he himselfe with quiuering handes did stay,
One Cromis tipped of his head: his head cut off streight way
Upon the Altar fell, and there his tongue not fully dead,
Did bable still the banning wordes the which it erst had sed,
58
Then Brote & Hammon brothers, twins, stout chāpions of their hāds
In wrestling Pierlesse (if so be that wrestling could sustaine
The furious force of slicing swordes) were both by Phyney slaine.
And so was Alphit Ceres Priest that ware vpon his crowne
A stately Miter faire and white with Tables hanging downe.
Thou also Iapets sonne for such affaires as these vnmeete
But meete to tune thine instrument with voyce and Ditie sweete
The worke of peace, wert thither callde th' assemblie to reioyce
And for to set the mariage forth with pleasant singing voyce.
As with his Uiall in his hand he stoode a good way off,
There commeth to him Petalus and sayes in way of scoffe:
Go sing the resdue to the ghostes about the Stygian Lake,
And in the left side of his heade his dagger poynt he strake.
He sanke downe deade with fingers still yet warbling on the string
And so mischaunce knit vp with wo the song that he did sing.
But fierce Lycormas could not beare to see him murdred so
Without reuengement. Up he caught a mightie Leauer tho
That wonted was to barre the doore a right side of the house
And therewithall to Petalus he lendeth such a souse
Full in the noddle of the necke, that like a snetched Oxe
Streight tūbling downe, against the ground his groueling face he knox.
And Pelates a Garamant attempted to haue caught
The left doore barre: but as thereat with stretched hand he raught,
One Coryt sonne of Marmarus did with a Iauelin stricke
Him through the hand, that to the wood fast nayled did it sticke.
As Pelates stoode fastned thus, one Abas goard his side:
He could not fall, but hanging still vpon the poste there dide
Fast nayled by the hand. And there was ouerthrowne a Knight
Of Perseyes band callde Melaney, and one that Dorill hight
A man of greatest landes in all the Realme of Nasamone.
That occupide so large a grounde as Dorill was there none,
Nor none that had such store of corne. there came a Dart a skew
And lighted in his Coddes the place where present death doth sew.
When Alcion of Barcey he that gaue this deadly wound
Beheld him yesking forth his ghost and falling to the ground
With watrie eyes the white turnde vp: content thy selfe he said
With that same litle plot of grounde whereon thy corse is layde,
In steade of all the large fat fieldes which late thou didst possesse.
And with that word he left him dead. Perseus to redresse
This slaughter and this spightfull taunt, streight snatched out the Dart
That sticked in the fresh warme wound, and with an angrie hart
Did send it at the throwers head: the Dart did split his nose
Euen in the middes, and at his necke againe the head out goes:
So that it peered both the wayes. Whiles fortune doth support
And further Persey thus, he killes (but yet in sundrie sort)
Two brothers by the mother: tone callde Clytie tother Dane.
For on a Dart through both his thighes did Clytie take his bane:
And Danus with another Dart was striken in the mouth.
There died also Celadon a Gypsie of the South:
And so did bastard Astrey too, whose mother was a Iew:
And sage Ethion well foreseene in things that should ensew,
But vtterly beguilde as then by Birdes that aukly flew.
King Cepheyes harnessebearer callde Thoactes lost his life,
And Agyrt whom for murdring late his father with a knife
The worlde spake shame off. Nathelesse much more remainde behinde
Than was dispatched of of hand: for all were full in minde
To murder one. the wicked throng had sworne to spend their blood
Against the right, and such a man as had deserued good.
A totherside (although in vaine) of mere affection stood
The Father and the Motherinlaw, and eke the heauie bride,
Who filled with their piteous playnt the Court on euerie side.
But now the clattring of the swordes and harnesse at that tide
With grieuous grones and sighes of such as wounded were or dide,
Did raise vp such a cruell rore that nothing could be heard.
For fierce Bellona so renewde the battell afterward,
That all the house did swim in blood. Duke Phyney with a rout
Of moe than a thousand men enuirond round about
The valiant Persey all alone. The Dartes of Phyneys bande
Came thicker than the Winters hayle doth fall vpon the lande,
By both his sides his eyes and eares. He warely therevpon
Withdrawes, and leanes his backe against a huge great arche of stone:
And being safe behind, he settes his face against his foe
Withstanding all their fierce assaultes. There did assaile him thoe
Upon the left side Molpheus a Prince of Choanie,
And on the right Ethemon borne hard by in Arabie.
Like as the Tyger when he heares the lowing out of Neate
In sundrie Medes, enforced sore through abstinence from meate,
Would faine be doing with them both, and can not tell at which
Were best to giue aduenture first: So Persey who did itch
To be at host with both of them, and doubtfull whether side
To turne him on, the right or left, vpon aduantage spide
Did wound me Molphey on the leg, and from him quight him draue.
He was contented with his flight: for why Ethemon gaue
No respite to him to pursue: but like a franticke man
Through egernesse to wounde his necke, without regarding whan
Or how to strike for haste, he burst his brittle sworde in twaine
Against the Arche: the poynt whereof rebounding backe againe,
Did hit himselfe vpon the throte. Howbeit that same wound
Was vnsufficient for to sende Ethemon to the ground.
He trembled holding vp his handes for mercie, but in vaine.
For Persey thrust him through the heart with Hermes hooked skaine.
In wrestling Pierlesse (if so be that wrestling could sustaine
The furious force of slicing swordes) were both by Phyney slaine.
And so was Alphit Ceres Priest that ware vpon his crowne
A stately Miter faire and white with Tables hanging downe.
Thou also Iapets sonne for such affaires as these vnmeete
But meete to tune thine instrument with voyce and Ditie sweete
The worke of peace, wert thither callde th' assemblie to reioyce
And for to set the mariage forth with pleasant singing voyce.
As with his Uiall in his hand he stoode a good way off,
There commeth to him Petalus and sayes in way of scoffe:
Go sing the resdue to the ghostes about the Stygian Lake,
And in the left side of his heade his dagger poynt he strake.
He sanke downe deade with fingers still yet warbling on the string
And so mischaunce knit vp with wo the song that he did sing.
But fierce Lycormas could not beare to see him murdred so
Without reuengement. Up he caught a mightie Leauer tho
That wonted was to barre the doore a right side of the house
And therewithall to Petalus he lendeth such a souse
Full in the noddle of the necke, that like a snetched Oxe
Streight tūbling downe, against the ground his groueling face he knox.
And Pelates a Garamant attempted to haue caught
The left doore barre: but as thereat with stretched hand he raught,
One Coryt sonne of Marmarus did with a Iauelin stricke
Him through the hand, that to the wood fast nayled did it sticke.
As Pelates stoode fastned thus, one Abas goard his side:
He could not fall, but hanging still vpon the poste there dide
Fast nayled by the hand. And there was ouerthrowne a Knight
Of Perseyes band callde Melaney, and one that Dorill hight
A man of greatest landes in all the Realme of Nasamone.
That occupide so large a grounde as Dorill was there none,
Nor none that had such store of corne. there came a Dart a skew
And lighted in his Coddes the place where present death doth sew.
When Alcion of Barcey he that gaue this deadly wound
Beheld him yesking forth his ghost and falling to the ground
With watrie eyes the white turnde vp: content thy selfe he said
[58]
In steade of all the large fat fieldes which late thou didst possesse.
And with that word he left him dead. Perseus to redresse
This slaughter and this spightfull taunt, streight snatched out the Dart
That sticked in the fresh warme wound, and with an angrie hart
Did send it at the throwers head: the Dart did split his nose
Euen in the middes, and at his necke againe the head out goes:
So that it peered both the wayes. Whiles fortune doth support
And further Persey thus, he killes (but yet in sundrie sort)
Two brothers by the mother: tone callde Clytie tother Dane.
For on a Dart through both his thighes did Clytie take his bane:
And Danus with another Dart was striken in the mouth.
There died also Celadon a Gypsie of the South:
And so did bastard Astrey too, whose mother was a Iew:
And sage Ethion well foreseene in things that should ensew,
But vtterly beguilde as then by Birdes that aukly flew.
King Cepheyes harnessebearer callde Thoactes lost his life,
And Agyrt whom for murdring late his father with a knife
The worlde spake shame off. Nathelesse much more remainde behinde
Than was dispatched of of hand: for all were full in minde
To murder one. the wicked throng had sworne to spend their blood
Against the right, and such a man as had deserued good.
A totherside (although in vaine) of mere affection stood
The Father and the Motherinlaw, and eke the heauie bride,
Who filled with their piteous playnt the Court on euerie side.
But now the clattring of the swordes and harnesse at that tide
With grieuous grones and sighes of such as wounded were or dide,
Did raise vp such a cruell rore that nothing could be heard.
For fierce Bellona so renewde the battell afterward,
That all the house did swim in blood. Duke Phyney with a rout
Of moe than a thousand men enuirond round about
The valiant Persey all alone. The Dartes of Phyneys bande
Came thicker than the Winters hayle doth fall vpon the lande,
By both his sides his eyes and eares. He warely therevpon
Withdrawes, and leanes his backe against a huge great arche of stone:
And being safe behind, he settes his face against his foe
Withstanding all their fierce assaultes. There did assaile him thoe
59
And on the right Ethemon borne hard by in Arabie.
Like as the Tyger when he heares the lowing out of Neate
In sundrie Medes, enforced sore through abstinence from meate,
Would faine be doing with them both, and can not tell at which
Were best to giue aduenture first: So Persey who did itch
To be at host with both of them, and doubtfull whether side
To turne him on, the right or left, vpon aduantage spide
Did wound me Molphey on the leg, and from him quight him draue.
He was contented with his flight: for why Ethemon gaue
No respite to him to pursue: but like a franticke man
Through egernesse to wounde his necke, without regarding whan
Or how to strike for haste, he burst his brittle sworde in twaine
Against the Arche: the poynt whereof rebounding backe againe,
Did hit himselfe vpon the throte. Howbeit that same wound
Was vnsufficient for to sende Ethemon to the ground.
He trembled holding vp his handes for mercie, but in vaine.
For Persey thrust him through the heart with Hermes hooked skaine.
But when he saw that valiantnesse no lenger could auayle,
By reason of the multitude that did him still assayle,
Sith you your selues me force to call mine enmie to mine ayde,
I will do so: if any friend of mine be here (he sayd)
Sirs turne your faces all away: and therewithall he drew
Out Gorgons head. One Thessalus streight raging to him flew,
And sayd: go seeke some other man whome thou mayst make abasht
With these thy foolish iuggling toyes. And as he would haue dasht
His Iaueling in him with that worde to kill him out of hand,
With gesture throwing forth his Dart all Marble did he stand.
His sworde through Lyncids noble heart had Amphix thought to shoue:
His hand was stone, and neyther one nor other way could moue:
But Niley who did vaunt himselfe to be the Riuers sonne
That through the boundes of Aegypt land in channels .vij. doth runne,
And in his shielde had grauen part of siluer, part of golde
The said .vij. channels of the Nile, sayd: Persey here beholde
From whence we fetch our piedegree: it may reioyce thy hart
To die of such a noble hand as mine. The latter part
Of these his words could scarce be heard: the dint therof was drownde:
Ye would haue thought him speaking still with open mouth: but sound
Did none forth passe: there was for speache no passage to be found.
Rebuking them cries Eryx: Sirs it is not Gorgons face
It is your owne faint heartes that make you stonie in this case.
Come let vs on this fellow run and to the ground him beare
That feightes by witchcraft: as with that his feete forth stepping were,
They stacke still fastened to the floore: he could not moue a side,
An armed image all of stone he speachlesse did abide.
All these were iustly punished. But one there was a knight
Of Perseys band, in whose defence as Acont stoode to feight,
He waxed ouergrowne with stone at vgly Gorgons sight.
Whome still as yet Astyages supposing for to liue,
Did with a long sharpe arming sworde a washing blow him giue.
The sword did clinke against the stone and out the sparcles driue.
While all amazde Astyages stoode wondring at the thing,
The selfe same nature on himselfe the Gorgons head did bring.
And in his visage which was stone a countnance did remaine
Of wondring still. A wearie worke it were to tell you plaine
The names of all the common sort. Two hundred from that fray
Did scape vnslaine: but none of them did go aliue away.
The whole two hundred euery one at sight of Gorgons heare
Were turned into stockes of stone. Then at the length for feare
Did Phyney of his wrongfull war forthinke himselfe full sore.
But now (alas) what remedie? he saw there stand before
His face, his men like Images in sundrie shapes all stone.
He knew them well, and by their names did call them euerychone:
Desiring them to succor him: and trusting not his sight
He feeles the bodies that were next, and all were Marble quight.
He turnes himselfe from Persey ward and humbly as he standes
He wries his armes behind his backe: and holding vp his handes,
O noble Persey thou hast got the vpper hand he sed.
Put vp that monstruous shield of thine: put vp that Gorgons head
That into stones transformeth men: put vp I thee desire.
Not hatred, nor bicause to reigne as King I did aspire,
Haue moued me to make this fray. The only force of loue
In seeking my betrothed spouse, did herevnto me moue.
The better title seemeth thine bicause of thy desert:
And mine by former promise made. It irkes me at the heart
In that I did not giue the place. None other thing I craue
O worthie knight, but that thou graunt this life of mine to saue.
Let all things else beside be thine. As he thus humbly spake
Not daring looke at him to whome he did entreatance make,
The thing (quoth Persey) which to graunt both I can finde in heart,
And is no little courtesie to shewe without desert
Upon a Coward, I will graunt O fearfull Duke to thee.
Set feare a side: thou shalt not hurt with any weapon bee.
I will moreouer so prouide as that thou shalt remaine
An euerlasting monument of this dayes toyle and paine.
The pallace of my Fathrinlaw shall henceforth be thy shrine
Where thou shalt stand continually before my spouses eyen.
That of hir husband hauing ay the Image in hir sight,
She may from time to time receyue some comfort and delight.
He had no sooner sayd these wordes but that he turnde his shielde
With Gorgons heade to that same part where Phyney with a mielde
And fearfull countnance set his face. Then also as he wride
His eyes away, his necke waxt striffe, his teares to stone were dride.
A countnance in the stonie stocke of feare did still appeare
With humble looke and yeelding handes and gastly ruthfull cheare.
By reason of the multitude that did him still assayle,
Sith you your selues me force to call mine enmie to mine ayde,
I will do so: if any friend of mine be here (he sayd)
Sirs turne your faces all away: and therewithall he drew
Out Gorgons head. One Thessalus streight raging to him flew,
And sayd: go seeke some other man whome thou mayst make abasht
With these thy foolish iuggling toyes. And as he would haue dasht
His Iaueling in him with that worde to kill him out of hand,
With gesture throwing forth his Dart all Marble did he stand.
His sworde through Lyncids noble heart had Amphix thought to shoue:
His hand was stone, and neyther one nor other way could moue:
But Niley who did vaunt himselfe to be the Riuers sonne
That through the boundes of Aegypt land in channels .vij. doth runne,
And in his shielde had grauen part of siluer, part of golde
The said .vij. channels of the Nile, sayd: Persey here beholde
From whence we fetch our piedegree: it may reioyce thy hart
To die of such a noble hand as mine. The latter part
Of these his words could scarce be heard: the dint therof was drownde:
[59]
Did none forth passe: there was for speache no passage to be found.
Rebuking them cries Eryx: Sirs it is not Gorgons face
It is your owne faint heartes that make you stonie in this case.
Come let vs on this fellow run and to the ground him beare
That feightes by witchcraft: as with that his feete forth stepping were,
They stacke still fastened to the floore: he could not moue a side,
An armed image all of stone he speachlesse did abide.
All these were iustly punished. But one there was a knight
Of Perseys band, in whose defence as Acont stoode to feight,
He waxed ouergrowne with stone at vgly Gorgons sight.
Whome still as yet Astyages supposing for to liue,
Did with a long sharpe arming sworde a washing blow him giue.
The sword did clinke against the stone and out the sparcles driue.
While all amazde Astyages stoode wondring at the thing,
The selfe same nature on himselfe the Gorgons head did bring.
And in his visage which was stone a countnance did remaine
Of wondring still. A wearie worke it were to tell you plaine
The names of all the common sort. Two hundred from that fray
Did scape vnslaine: but none of them did go aliue away.
The whole two hundred euery one at sight of Gorgons heare
Were turned into stockes of stone. Then at the length for feare
Did Phyney of his wrongfull war forthinke himselfe full sore.
But now (alas) what remedie? he saw there stand before
His face, his men like Images in sundrie shapes all stone.
He knew them well, and by their names did call them euerychone:
Desiring them to succor him: and trusting not his sight
He feeles the bodies that were next, and all were Marble quight.
He turnes himselfe from Persey ward and humbly as he standes
He wries his armes behind his backe: and holding vp his handes,
O noble Persey thou hast got the vpper hand he sed.
Put vp that monstruous shield of thine: put vp that Gorgons head
That into stones transformeth men: put vp I thee desire.
Not hatred, nor bicause to reigne as King I did aspire,
Haue moued me to make this fray. The only force of loue
In seeking my betrothed spouse, did herevnto me moue.
The better title seemeth thine bicause of thy desert:
60
In that I did not giue the place. None other thing I craue
O worthie knight, but that thou graunt this life of mine to saue.
Let all things else beside be thine. As he thus humbly spake
Not daring looke at him to whome he did entreatance make,
The thing (quoth Persey) which to graunt both I can finde in heart,
And is no little courtesie to shewe without desert
Upon a Coward, I will graunt O fearfull Duke to thee.
Set feare a side: thou shalt not hurt with any weapon bee.
I will moreouer so prouide as that thou shalt remaine
An euerlasting monument of this dayes toyle and paine.
The pallace of my Fathrinlaw shall henceforth be thy shrine
Where thou shalt stand continually before my spouses eyen.
That of hir husband hauing ay the Image in hir sight,
She may from time to time receyue some comfort and delight.
He had no sooner sayd these wordes but that he turnde his shielde
With Gorgons heade to that same part where Phyney with a mielde
And fearfull countnance set his face. Then also as he wride
His eyes away, his necke waxt striffe, his teares to stone were dride.
A countnance in the stonie stocke of feare did still appeare
With humble looke and yeelding handes and gastly ruthfull cheare.
With conquest and a noble wife doth Persey home repaire
And in reuengement of the right against the wrongfull heyre,
As in his Graundsires iust defence he falles in hand with Prete
Who like no brother but a foe did late before defeate
King Acrise of his townes by warre and of his royall seate.
But neyther could his men of warre nor fortresse won by wrong
Defend him from the griesly looke of grim Medusa long.
And yet thee foolish Polydect of little Seriph King,
Such rooted rancor inwardly continually did sting,
That neyther Perseys prowesse tride in such a sort of broyles
Nor yet the perils he endurde, nor all his troublous toyles
Could cause thy stomacke to relent. Within thy stonie brest
Workes such a kinde of festred hate as cannot be represt.
Thy wrongfull malice hath none ende. Moreouer thou of spite
Repining at his worthy praise, his doings doste backbite:
Upholding that Medusas death was but a forged lie:
So long till Persey for to shewe the truth apparantly,
Desiring such as were his friendes to turne away their eye,
Drue out Medusas ougly head. At sight whereof anon
The hatefull Tyran Polydect was turned to a stone.
And in reuengement of the right against the wrongfull heyre,
As in his Graundsires iust defence he falles in hand with Prete
Who like no brother but a foe did late before defeate
King Acrise of his townes by warre and of his royall seate.
But neyther could his men of warre nor fortresse won by wrong
Defend him from the griesly looke of grim Medusa long.
And yet thee foolish Polydect of little Seriph King,
Such rooted rancor inwardly continually did sting,
That neyther Perseys prowesse tride in such a sort of broyles
Nor yet the perils he endurde, nor all his troublous toyles
Could cause thy stomacke to relent. Within thy stonie brest
Workes such a kinde of festred hate as cannot be represt.
Thy wrongfull malice hath none ende. Moreouer thou of spite
Repining at his worthy praise, his doings doste backbite:
Upholding that Medusas death was but a forged lie:
[60]
Desiring such as were his friendes to turne away their eye,
Drue out Medusas ougly head. At sight whereof anon
The hatefull Tyran Polydect was turned to a stone.
The Goddesse Pallas all this while did keepe continually
Hir brother Persey companie, till now that she did stie
From Seriph in a hollow cloud, and leauing on the right
The Iles of Scyre and Gyaros, she made from thence hir flight
Directly ouer that same Sea as neare as eye could ame
To Thebe and Mount Helicon. and when she thither came,
She stayde hir selfe, and thus bespake the learned sisters nine.
A rumor of an vncouth spring did pierce these eares of mine
The which the winged steede should make by stamping with his hoofe.
This is the cause of my repaire: I would for certaine proofe
Be glad to see the wondrous thing. For present there I stoode
And saw the selfe same Pegasus spring of his mothers blood.
Dame Vranie did entertaine and aunswere Pallas thus.
What cause so euer moues your grace to come and visit vs,
Most heartely you welcome are: and certaine is the fame
Of this our Spring, that Pegasus was causer of the same.
And with that worde she led hir forth to see the sacred spring.
Who musing greatly with hir selfe at straungenesse of the thing,
Surueyde the Woodes and groues about of auncient stately port.
And when she saw the Bowres to which the Muses did resort,
And pleasant fields beclad with herbes of sundrie hew and sort,
She said that for their studies sake they were in happie cace
And also that to serue their turne they had so trim a place.
Then one of them replied thus. O noble Ladie who
(But that your vertue greater workes than these are calles you to)
Should else haue bene of this our troupe, your saying is full true.
To this our trade of life and place is commendation due.
And sure we haue a luckie lot and if the world were such
As that we might in safetie liue. but lewdnesse reignes so much
That all things make vs Maides afraide. Me thinkes I yet do see
The wicked Tyran Pyren still: my heart is yet scarce free
From that same feare with which it hapt vs flighted for to bee.
This cruell Pyren was of Thrace and with his men of war
The land of Phocis had subdude, and from this place not far
Within the Citie Davvlis reignde by force of wrongfull hand,
One day to Phebus Temples warde that on Parnasus stand
As we were going, in our way he met vs courteously,
And by the name of Goddesses saluting reuerently
Said: O ye Dames of Meonie (for why he knew vs well)
I pray you stay and take my house vntill this storme (there fell
That time a tempest and a showre) be past: the Gods aloft
Haue entred smaller sheddes than mine full many a time and oft.
The rainie weather and hys wordes so moued vs, that wee
To go into an outer house of his did all agree.
As soone as that the showre was past and heauen was voyded cleare
Of all the Cloudes which late before did euery where appeare,
Untill that Boreas had subdude the rainie Southerne winde.
We woulde haue by and by bene gone. He shet the doores in minde
To rauish vs: but we with wings escaped from his hands.
He purposing to follow vs, vpon a Turret stands,
And sayth he needes will after vs the same way we did flie.
And with that worde full frantickly he leapeth downe from hie,
And pitching euelong on his face the bones a sunder crasht,
And dying, all abrode the ground his wicked bloud bedasht.
Hir brother Persey companie, till now that she did stie
From Seriph in a hollow cloud, and leauing on the right
The Iles of Scyre and Gyaros, she made from thence hir flight
Directly ouer that same Sea as neare as eye could ame
To Thebe and Mount Helicon. and when she thither came,
She stayde hir selfe, and thus bespake the learned sisters nine.
A rumor of an vncouth spring did pierce these eares of mine
The which the winged steede should make by stamping with his hoofe.
This is the cause of my repaire: I would for certaine proofe
Be glad to see the wondrous thing. For present there I stoode
And saw the selfe same Pegasus spring of his mothers blood.
Dame Vranie did entertaine and aunswere Pallas thus.
What cause so euer moues your grace to come and visit vs,
Most heartely you welcome are: and certaine is the fame
Of this our Spring, that Pegasus was causer of the same.
And with that worde she led hir forth to see the sacred spring.
Who musing greatly with hir selfe at straungenesse of the thing,
Surueyde the Woodes and groues about of auncient stately port.
And when she saw the Bowres to which the Muses did resort,
And pleasant fields beclad with herbes of sundrie hew and sort,
She said that for their studies sake they were in happie cace
And also that to serue their turne they had so trim a place.
Then one of them replied thus. O noble Ladie who
(But that your vertue greater workes than these are calles you to)
Should else haue bene of this our troupe, your saying is full true.
To this our trade of life and place is commendation due.
And sure we haue a luckie lot and if the world were such
As that we might in safetie liue. but lewdnesse reignes so much
That all things make vs Maides afraide. Me thinkes I yet do see
The wicked Tyran Pyren still: my heart is yet scarce free
From that same feare with which it hapt vs flighted for to bee.
This cruell Pyren was of Thrace and with his men of war
61
Within the Citie Davvlis reignde by force of wrongfull hand,
One day to Phebus Temples warde that on Parnasus stand
As we were going, in our way he met vs courteously,
And by the name of Goddesses saluting reuerently
Said: O ye Dames of Meonie (for why he knew vs well)
I pray you stay and take my house vntill this storme (there fell
That time a tempest and a showre) be past: the Gods aloft
Haue entred smaller sheddes than mine full many a time and oft.
The rainie weather and hys wordes so moued vs, that wee
To go into an outer house of his did all agree.
As soone as that the showre was past and heauen was voyded cleare
Of all the Cloudes which late before did euery where appeare,
Untill that Boreas had subdude the rainie Southerne winde.
We woulde haue by and by bene gone. He shet the doores in minde
To rauish vs: but we with wings escaped from his hands.
He purposing to follow vs, vpon a Turret stands,
And sayth he needes will after vs the same way we did flie.
And with that worde full frantickly he leapeth downe from hie,
And pitching euelong on his face the bones a sunder crasht,
And dying, all abrode the ground his wicked bloud bedasht.
Now as the Muse was telling this, they heard a noyse of wings
And from the leauie boughes aloft a sound of greeting rings.
Minerua looking vp thereat demaunded whence the sounde
Of tongues that so distinctly spake did come so plaine and rounde?
She thought some woman or some man had greeted hir that stounde.
It was a flight of Birdes. Nyne Pies bewailing their mischaunce,
In counterfetting euerie thing from bough to bough did daunce.
As Pallas wondred at the sight, the Muse spake thus in summe.
These also being late ago in chalenge ouercome,
Made one kinde more of Birdes than was of auncient time beforne.
In Macedone they were about the Citie Pella borne
Of Pierus a great riche Chuffe and Euip, who by ayde
Of strong Lucina trauelling ninetimes, nine times was laide
Of daughters in hir childbed safe. This fond and foolish rout
Of doltish sisters taking pride and waxing verie stout,
Bicause they were in number nine came flocking all togither
Through all the townes of Thessalie and all Achaia hither,
And vs with these or such like wordes to combate did prouoke.
Cease off ye Thespian Goddesses to mocke the simple folke
With fondnesse of your Melodie. And if ye thinke in deede
Ye can doe ought, contend with vs and see how you shall speede.
I warrant you ye passe vs not in cunning nor in voyce.
Ye are here nine, and so are we. We put you to the choyce,
That eyther we will vanquish you and set you quight beside
Your fountaine made by Pegasus which is your chiefest pride,
And Aganippe too: or else confounde you vs, and we
Of all the woods of Macedone will dispossessed be
As farre as snowie Peonie: and let the Nymphes be Iudges.
Now in good sooth it was a shame to cope with suchie Drudges,
But yet more shame it was to yeeld. The chosen Nymphes did sweare
By Styx, and sate them downe on seates of stone that growed there.
Then streight without commission or election of the rest,
The formost of them preasing forth vndecently, profest
The chalenge to performe: and song the battels of the Goddes.
She gaue the Giants all the praise, the honor and the oddes,
Abasing sore the worthie deedes of all the Gods. She telles
How Typhon issuing from the earth and from the deepest helles,
Made all the Gods aboue afraide, so greatly that they fled
And neuer staide till Aegypt land and Nile whose streame is shed
In channels seuen, receiued them forwearied all togither:
And how the Helhound Typhon did pursue them also thither.
By meanes wherof the Gods eche one were faine themselues to hide
In forged shapes. She saide that Ioue the Prince of Gods was wride
In shape of Ram: which is the cause that at this present tide
Ioues ymage which the Lybian folke by name of Hammon serue,
Is made with crooked welked hornes that inward still doe terue:
That Phebus in a Rauen lurkt, and Bacchus in a Geate,
And Phebus sister in a Cat, and Iuno in a Neate,
And Venus in the shape of Fish, and how that last of all
Mercurius hid him in a Bird which Ibis men doe call.
This was the summe of all the tale which she with rolling tung
And yelling throteboll to hir harpe before vs rudely sung.
And from the leauie boughes aloft a sound of greeting rings.
Minerua looking vp thereat demaunded whence the sounde
Of tongues that so distinctly spake did come so plaine and rounde?
She thought some woman or some man had greeted hir that stounde.
It was a flight of Birdes. Nyne Pies bewailing their mischaunce,
In counterfetting euerie thing from bough to bough did daunce.
As Pallas wondred at the sight, the Muse spake thus in summe.
These also being late ago in chalenge ouercome,
Made one kinde more of Birdes than was of auncient time beforne.
In Macedone they were about the Citie Pella borne
Of Pierus a great riche Chuffe and Euip, who by ayde
Of strong Lucina trauelling ninetimes, nine times was laide
Of daughters in hir childbed safe. This fond and foolish rout
Of doltish sisters taking pride and waxing verie stout,
Bicause they were in number nine came flocking all togither
[61]
And vs with these or such like wordes to combate did prouoke.
Cease off ye Thespian Goddesses to mocke the simple folke
With fondnesse of your Melodie. And if ye thinke in deede
Ye can doe ought, contend with vs and see how you shall speede.
I warrant you ye passe vs not in cunning nor in voyce.
Ye are here nine, and so are we. We put you to the choyce,
That eyther we will vanquish you and set you quight beside
Your fountaine made by Pegasus which is your chiefest pride,
And Aganippe too: or else confounde you vs, and we
Of all the woods of Macedone will dispossessed be
As farre as snowie Peonie: and let the Nymphes be Iudges.
Now in good sooth it was a shame to cope with suchie Drudges,
But yet more shame it was to yeeld. The chosen Nymphes did sweare
By Styx, and sate them downe on seates of stone that growed there.
Then streight without commission or election of the rest,
The formost of them preasing forth vndecently, profest
The chalenge to performe: and song the battels of the Goddes.
She gaue the Giants all the praise, the honor and the oddes,
Abasing sore the worthie deedes of all the Gods. She telles
How Typhon issuing from the earth and from the deepest helles,
Made all the Gods aboue afraide, so greatly that they fled
And neuer staide till Aegypt land and Nile whose streame is shed
In channels seuen, receiued them forwearied all togither:
And how the Helhound Typhon did pursue them also thither.
By meanes wherof the Gods eche one were faine themselues to hide
In forged shapes. She saide that Ioue the Prince of Gods was wride
In shape of Ram: which is the cause that at this present tide
Ioues ymage which the Lybian folke by name of Hammon serue,
Is made with crooked welked hornes that inward still doe terue:
That Phebus in a Rauen lurkt, and Bacchus in a Geate,
And Phebus sister in a Cat, and Iuno in a Neate,
And Venus in the shape of Fish, and how that last of all
Mercurius hid him in a Bird which Ibis men doe call.
This was the summe of all the tale which she with rolling tung
And yelling throteboll to hir harpe before vs rudely sung.
Our turne is also come to speake, but that perchaunce your grace
To giue the hearing to our song hath now no time nor space.
Yes yes (quoth Pallas) tell on forth in order all your tale:
And downe she sate among the trees which gaue a pleasant swale.
The Muse made aunswere thus: To one Calliope here by name
This chalenge we committed haue and ordring of the same.
Then rose vp faire Calliope with goodly bush of heare
Trim wreathed vp with yuie leaues, and with hir thumbe gan steare
The quiuering strings, to trie them if they were in tune or no.
Which done, she playde vpon hir Lute and song hir Ditie so.
62
Yes yes (quoth Pallas) tell on forth in order all your tale:
And downe she sate among the trees which gaue a pleasant swale.
The Muse made aunswere thus: To one Calliope here by name
This chalenge we committed haue and ordring of the same.
Then rose vp faire Calliope with goodly bush of heare
Trim wreathed vp with yuie leaues, and with hir thumbe gan steare
The quiuering strings, to trie them if they were in tune or no.
Which done, she playde vpon hir Lute and song hir Ditie so.
Dame Ceres first to breake the Earth with plough the maner found,
She first made corne and stouer soft to grow vpon the ground,
She first made lawes. for all these things we are to Ceres bound.
Of hir must I as now intreate: would God I could resound
Hir worthie laude: she doubtlesse is a Goddesse worthie praise.
Bicause the Giant Typhon gaue presumptuously assayes
To conquer Heauen, the howgie Ile of Trinacris is layd
Upon his limmes, by weight whereof perforce he downe is weyde.
He striues and strugles for to rise full many a time and oft.
But on his right hand toward Rome Pelorus standes aloft:
Pachynnus standes vpon his left: his legs with Lilybie
Are pressed downe: his monstrous head doth vnder Aetna lie.
From whence he lying bolt vpright with wrathfull mouth doth spit
Out flames of fire. he wrestleth oft and walloweth for to wit
And if he can remoue the weight of all that mightie land
Or tumble downe the townes and hilles that on his bodie stand.
By meanes whereof it commes to passe that oft the Earth doth shake:
And euen the King of Ghostes himselfe for verie feare doth quake,
Misdoubting least the Earth should cliue so wide that light of day
Might by the same pierce downe to Hell and there the Ghostes affray
Forecasting this, the Prince of Fiendes forsooke his darksome hole,
And in a Chariot drawen with Steedes as blacke as any cole
The whole foundation of the Ile of Sicill warely vewde.
When throughly he had sercht eche place that harme had none ensewde,
As carelessely he raungde abrode, he chaunced to be seene
Of Venus sitting on hir hill: who taking streight betweene
hir armes hir winged Cupid, said: my sonne, mine only stay,
My hand, mine honor and my might, go take without delay
Those tooles which all wightes do subdue, and strike them in the hart
Of that same God that of the world enioyes the lowest part.
The Gods of Heauen, and Ioue himselfe, the powre of Sea & Land
And he that rules the powres on Earth obey thy mightie hand:
And wherefore then should only Hell still vnsubdued stand?
Thy mothers Empire and thine own why doste thou not aduaunce.
The third part of al the world now hangs in doubtful chaunce.
And yet in heauen too now, their deedes thou seest me faine to beare.
We are despisde: the strength of loue with me away doth weare.
Seeste not the Darter Diane and dame Pallas haue already
Exempted them from my behestes? and now of late so heady
Is Ceres daughter too, that if we let hir haue hir will,
She will continue all hir life a Maid vnwedded still.
For that is all hir hope, and marke whereat she mindes to shoote.
But thou (if ought this gracious turne our honor may promote,
Or ought our Empire beautifie which ioyntly we doe holde,)
This Damsell to hir vncle ioyne. No sooner had she tolde
These wordes, but Cupid opening streight his quiuer chose therefro
One arrow (as his mother bade) among a thousand mo.
But such a one it was, as none more sharper was than it,
Nor none went streighter from the Bow the amed marke to hit.
He set his knee against his Bow and bent it out of hande,
And made his forked arrowes steale in Plutos heart to stande.
She first made corne and stouer soft to grow vpon the ground,
She first made lawes. for all these things we are to Ceres bound.
Of hir must I as now intreate: would God I could resound
Hir worthie laude: she doubtlesse is a Goddesse worthie praise.
Bicause the Giant Typhon gaue presumptuously assayes
To conquer Heauen, the howgie Ile of Trinacris is layd
Upon his limmes, by weight whereof perforce he downe is weyde.
He striues and strugles for to rise full many a time and oft.
But on his right hand toward Rome Pelorus standes aloft:
Pachynnus standes vpon his left: his legs with Lilybie
Are pressed downe: his monstrous head doth vnder Aetna lie.
From whence he lying bolt vpright with wrathfull mouth doth spit
Out flames of fire. he wrestleth oft and walloweth for to wit
And if he can remoue the weight of all that mightie land
Or tumble downe the townes and hilles that on his bodie stand.
By meanes whereof it commes to passe that oft the Earth doth shake:
And euen the King of Ghostes himselfe for verie feare doth quake,
Misdoubting least the Earth should cliue so wide that light of day
Might by the same pierce downe to Hell and there the Ghostes affray
Forecasting this, the Prince of Fiendes forsooke his darksome hole,
And in a Chariot drawen with Steedes as blacke as any cole
The whole foundation of the Ile of Sicill warely vewde.
When throughly he had sercht eche place that harme had none ensewde,
As carelessely he raungde abrode, he chaunced to be seene
Of Venus sitting on hir hill: who taking streight betweene
hir armes hir winged Cupid, said: my sonne, mine only stay,
My hand, mine honor and my might, go take without delay
[62]
Of that same God that of the world enioyes the lowest part.
The Gods of Heauen, and Ioue himselfe, the powre of Sea & Land
And he that rules the powres on Earth obey thy mightie hand:
And wherefore then should only Hell still vnsubdued stand?
Thy mothers Empire and thine own why doste thou not aduaunce.
The third part of al the world now hangs in doubtful chaunce.
And yet in heauen too now, their deedes thou seest me faine to beare.
We are despisde: the strength of loue with me away doth weare.
Seeste not the Darter Diane and dame Pallas haue already
Exempted them from my behestes? and now of late so heady
Is Ceres daughter too, that if we let hir haue hir will,
She will continue all hir life a Maid vnwedded still.
For that is all hir hope, and marke whereat she mindes to shoote.
But thou (if ought this gracious turne our honor may promote,
Or ought our Empire beautifie which ioyntly we doe holde,)
This Damsell to hir vncle ioyne. No sooner had she tolde
These wordes, but Cupid opening streight his quiuer chose therefro
One arrow (as his mother bade) among a thousand mo.
But such a one it was, as none more sharper was than it,
Nor none went streighter from the Bow the amed marke to hit.
He set his knee against his Bow and bent it out of hande,
And made his forked arrowes steale in Plutos heart to stande.
Neare Enna walles there standes a Lake Pergusa is the name.
Cayster heareth not mo songs of Swannes than doth the same.
A wood enuirons euerie side the water round about,
And with his leaues as with a veyle doth keepe the Sunne heate out.
The boughes doe yeelde a coole fresh Ayre: the moystnesse of the grounde
Yeeldes sundrie flowres: continuall spring is all the yeare there founde.
While in this garden Proserpine was taking hir pastime,
In gathering eyther Uiolets blew, or Lillies white as Lime,
And while of Maidenly desire she fillde hir Maund and Lap,
Endeuoring to outgather hir companions there. By hap
Dis spide hir: loude hir: caught hir vp: and all at once well nere.
So hastie, hote, and swift a thing is Loue as may appeare.
The Ladie with a wailing voyce afright did often call
Hir Mother and hir waiting Maides, but Mother most of all.
And as she from the vpper part hir garment would haue rent,
By chaunce she let hir lap slip downe, and out hir flowres went.
And such a sillie simplenesse hir childish age yet beares,
That euen the verie losse of them did moue hir more to teares.
The Catcher driues his Chariot forth, and calling euery horse
By name, to make away apace he doth them still enforce:
And shakes about their neckes and Manes their rustie bridle reynes
And through the deepest of the Lake perforce he them constreynes.
And through the Palik pooles. the which from broken ground doe boyle
And smell of Brimstone verie ranke: and also by the soyle
Where as the Bacchies folke of Corinth with the double Seas,
Betweene vnequall Hauons twaine did reere a towne for ease.
Cayster heareth not mo songs of Swannes than doth the same.
A wood enuirons euerie side the water round about,
And with his leaues as with a veyle doth keepe the Sunne heate out.
The boughes doe yeelde a coole fresh Ayre: the moystnesse of the grounde
Yeeldes sundrie flowres: continuall spring is all the yeare there founde.
While in this garden Proserpine was taking hir pastime,
In gathering eyther Uiolets blew, or Lillies white as Lime,
And while of Maidenly desire she fillde hir Maund and Lap,
Endeuoring to outgather hir companions there. By hap
Dis spide hir: loude hir: caught hir vp: and all at once well nere.
So hastie, hote, and swift a thing is Loue as may appeare.
The Ladie with a wailing voyce afright did often call
Hir Mother and hir waiting Maides, but Mother most of all.
64
By chaunce she let hir lap slip downe, and out hir flowres went.
And such a sillie simplenesse hir childish age yet beares,
That euen the verie losse of them did moue hir more to teares.
The Catcher driues his Chariot forth, and calling euery horse
By name, to make away apace he doth them still enforce:
And shakes about their neckes and Manes their rustie bridle reynes
And through the deepest of the Lake perforce he them constreynes.
And through the Palik pooles. the which from broken ground doe boyle
And smell of Brimstone verie ranke: and also by the soyle
Where as the Bacchies folke of Corinth with the double Seas,
Betweene vnequall Hauons twaine did reere a towne for ease.
Betweene the fountaines of Cyane and Arethuse of Pise
An arme of Sea that meetes enclosde with narrow hornes there lies.
Of this the Poole callde Cyane which beareth greatest fame
Among the Nymphes of Sicilie did Algates take the name.
Who vauncing hir vnto the waste amid hir Poole did know
Dame Proserpine, and said to Dis: ye shall no further go
You cannot Ceres sonneinlawe be, will she so or no.
You should haue sought hir courteously and not enforst hir so.
And if I may with great estates my simple things compare,
Anapus was in loue with me: but yet he did not fare
As you doe now with Proserpine. He was content to woo
And I vnforst and vnconstreind consented him vntoo.
This said, she spreaded forth hir armes and stopt him of his way.
His hastie wrath Saturnus sonne no lenger then could stay.
But chearing vp his dreadfull Steedes did smight his royall mace
With violence in the bottome of the Poole in that same place.
The ground streight yeelded to his stroke and made him way to Hell,
And downe the open gap both horse and Chariot headlong fell.
Dame Cyan taking sore to heart as well the rauishment
Of Proserpine against hir will, as also the contempt
Against hir fountaines priuiledge, did shrowde in secret hart
An inward corsie comfortlesse, which neuer did depart
Untill she melting into teares consumde away with smart.
The selfe same waters of the which she was but late ago
The mighty Goddesse, now she pines and wastes hirselfe into.
Ye might haue seene hir limmes wex lithe, ye might haue bent hir bones.
Hir nayles wext soft: and first of all did melt the smallest ones:
As haire and fingars, legges and feete: for these same slender parts
Doe quickly into water turne, and afterward conuerts
To water, shoulder, backe, brest, side: and finally in stead
Of liuely bloud, within hir veynes corrupted there was spred
Thinne water: so that nothing now remained wherevpon
Ye might eake holde, to water all consumed was anon.
An arme of Sea that meetes enclosde with narrow hornes there lies.
Of this the Poole callde Cyane which beareth greatest fame
Among the Nymphes of Sicilie did Algates take the name.
Who vauncing hir vnto the waste amid hir Poole did know
Dame Proserpine, and said to Dis: ye shall no further go
You cannot Ceres sonneinlawe be, will she so or no.
You should haue sought hir courteously and not enforst hir so.
And if I may with great estates my simple things compare,
Anapus was in loue with me: but yet he did not fare
As you doe now with Proserpine. He was content to woo
And I vnforst and vnconstreind consented him vntoo.
This said, she spreaded forth hir armes and stopt him of his way.
His hastie wrath Saturnus sonne no lenger then could stay.
But chearing vp his dreadfull Steedes did smight his royall mace
With violence in the bottome of the Poole in that same place.
The ground streight yeelded to his stroke and made him way to Hell,
And downe the open gap both horse and Chariot headlong fell.
Dame Cyan taking sore to heart as well the rauishment
Of Proserpine against hir will, as also the contempt
Against hir fountaines priuiledge, did shrowde in secret hart
An inward corsie comfortlesse, which neuer did depart
Untill she melting into teares consumde away with smart.
The selfe same waters of the which she was but late ago
The mighty Goddesse, now she pines and wastes hirselfe into.
[64]
Hir nayles wext soft: and first of all did melt the smallest ones:
As haire and fingars, legges and feete: for these same slender parts
Doe quickly into water turne, and afterward conuerts
To water, shoulder, backe, brest, side: and finally in stead
Of liuely bloud, within hir veynes corrupted there was spred
Thinne water: so that nothing now remained wherevpon
Ye might eake holde, to water all consumed was anon.
The carefull mother in the while did seeke hir daughter deare
Through all the world both Sea & Land, and yet was nere the neare.
The Morning with hir deawy haire hir slugging neuer found,
Nor yet the Euening star that brings the night vpon the ground.
Two seasoned Pynetrees at the mount of Aetna did she light
And bare them restlesse in hir handes through all the dankish night.
Againe as soone as chierfull day did dim the starres, she sought
Hir daughter still from East to West. And being ouerwrought
She caught a thirst: no liquor yet had come within hir throte.
By chaunce she spiëd nere at hand a pelting thatched Cote
Wyth peeuish doores: she knockt thereat, and out there commes a trot.
The Goddesse asked hir some drinke and she denide it not:
But out she brought hir by and by a draught of merrie go downe
And therewithall a Hotchpotch made of steeped Barlie browne
And Flaxe and Coriander seede and other simples more
The which she in an Earthen pot together sod before.
While Ceres was a eating this, before hir gazing stood
A hard faaste boy a shrewde pert wag that could no maners good:
He laughed at hir and in scorne did call hir greedie gut.
The Goddesse being wroth therewith, did on the Hotchpotch put
The liquor ere that all was eate, and in his face it threw.
Immediatly the skinne thereof became of speckled hew.
And into legs his armes did turne: and in his altred hide
A wrigling tayle streight to his limmes was added more beside.
And to th' intent he should not haue much powre to worken scathe,
His bodie in a little roume togither knit she hathe.
For as with pretie Lucerts he in facion doth agree:
So than the Lucert somewhat lesse in euery poynt is he.
The poore old woman was amazde: and bitterly she wept:
She durst not touche the vncouth worme, who into corners crept.
And of the flecked spottes like starres that on his hide are set
A name agreeing therevnto in Latine doth he get.
It is our Svvift whose skinne with gray and yellow specks is fret.
Through all the world both Sea & Land, and yet was nere the neare.
The Morning with hir deawy haire hir slugging neuer found,
Nor yet the Euening star that brings the night vpon the ground.
Two seasoned Pynetrees at the mount of Aetna did she light
And bare them restlesse in hir handes through all the dankish night.
Againe as soone as chierfull day did dim the starres, she sought
Hir daughter still from East to West. And being ouerwrought
She caught a thirst: no liquor yet had come within hir throte.
By chaunce she spiëd nere at hand a pelting thatched Cote
Wyth peeuish doores: she knockt thereat, and out there commes a trot.
The Goddesse asked hir some drinke and she denide it not:
But out she brought hir by and by a draught of merrie go downe
And therewithall a Hotchpotch made of steeped Barlie browne
And Flaxe and Coriander seede and other simples more
The which she in an Earthen pot together sod before.
While Ceres was a eating this, before hir gazing stood
A hard faaste boy a shrewde pert wag that could no maners good:
He laughed at hir and in scorne did call hir greedie gut.
The Goddesse being wroth therewith, did on the Hotchpotch put
The liquor ere that all was eate, and in his face it threw.
Immediatly the skinne thereof became of speckled hew.
And into legs his armes did turne: and in his altred hide
A wrigling tayle streight to his limmes was added more beside.
And to th' intent he should not haue much powre to worken scathe,
His bodie in a little roume togither knit she hathe.
For as with pretie Lucerts he in facion doth agree:
So than the Lucert somewhat lesse in euery poynt is he.
The poore old woman was amazde: and bitterly she wept:
64
And of the flecked spottes like starres that on his hide are set
A name agreeing therevnto in Latine doth he get.
It is our Svvift whose skinne with gray and yellow specks is fret.
What Lands & Seas the Goddesse sought it were too lōg to saine.
The worlde did want. And so she went to Sicill backe againe.
And as in going euery where she serched busily,
She also came to Cyane: who would assuredly
Haue tolde hir all things, had she not transformed bene before.
But mouth and tongue for vttrance now would serue hir turne no more.
Howbeit a token manifest she gaue hir for to know
What was become of Proserpine. Hir girdle she did show
Still houering on hir holie poole, which slightly from hir fell
As she that way did passe: and that hir mother knew too well.
For when she saw it, by and by as though she had but than
Bene new aduertisde of hir chaunce, she piteously began
To rend hir ruffled haire, and beate hir handes against hir brest.
As yet she knew not where she was. But yet with rage opprest.
She curst all landes, and said they were vnthankfull euerychone
Yea and vnworthy of the fruites bestowed them vpon.
But bitterly aboue the rest she banned Sicilie,
In which the mention of hir losse she plainely did espie.
And therefore there with cruell hand the earing ploughes she brake,
And man and beast that tilde the grounde to death in anger strake.
She marrde the seede, and eke forbade the fieldes to yeelde their frute.
The plenteousnesse of that same Ile of which there went suche brute
Through all the world, lay dead: the corne was killed in the blade:
Now too much drought, now too much wet did make it for to fade.
The starres and blasting windes did hurt, the hungry soules did eate
The corne in ground: the Tines and Briars did ouergow the Wheate.
And other wicked weedes the corne continually annoy,
Which neyther tylth nor toyle of man was able to destroy.
The worlde did want. And so she went to Sicill backe againe.
And as in going euery where she serched busily,
She also came to Cyane: who would assuredly
Haue tolde hir all things, had she not transformed bene before.
But mouth and tongue for vttrance now would serue hir turne no more.
Howbeit a token manifest she gaue hir for to know
What was become of Proserpine. Hir girdle she did show
Still houering on hir holie poole, which slightly from hir fell
As she that way did passe: and that hir mother knew too well.
For when she saw it, by and by as though she had but than
Bene new aduertisde of hir chaunce, she piteously began
To rend hir ruffled haire, and beate hir handes against hir brest.
As yet she knew not where she was. But yet with rage opprest.
She curst all landes, and said they were vnthankfull euerychone
Yea and vnworthy of the fruites bestowed them vpon.
But bitterly aboue the rest she banned Sicilie,
In which the mention of hir losse she plainely did espie.
And therefore there with cruell hand the earing ploughes she brake,
And man and beast that tilde the grounde to death in anger strake.
She marrde the seede, and eke forbade the fieldes to yeelde their frute.
The plenteousnesse of that same Ile of which there went suche brute
Through all the world, lay dead: the corne was killed in the blade:
Now too much drought, now too much wet did make it for to fade.
The starres and blasting windes did hurt, the hungry soules did eate
The corne in ground: the Tines and Briars did ouergow the Wheate.
And other wicked weedes the corne continually annoy,
Which neyther tylth nor toyle of man was able to destroy.
Then Arethuse floud Alpheys loue lifts from hir Elean waues
Hir head, and shedding to hir eares hir deawy haire that waues
About hir foreheade sayde: O thou that art the mother deare
Both of the Maiden sought through all the world both far and neare,
And eke of all the earthly fruites, forbeare thine endlesse toyle,
And be not wroth without a cause with this thy faithfull soyle,
The Lande deserues no punishment. vnwillingly God wote
She opened to the Rauisher that violently hir smote.
It is not sure my natiue soyle for which I thus entreate.
I am but here a soiourner, my natiue soyle and seate
Is Pisa and from Ely towne I fetch my first discent.
I dwell but as a straunger here. but sure to my intent
This Countrie likes me better farre than any other land.
Here now I Arethusa dwell: here am I setled: and
I humbly you beseche extend your fauour to the same.
A time will one day come when you to mirth may better frame,
And haue your heart more free from care, which better serue me may
To tell you why I from my place so great a space doe stray.
And vnto Ortygie am brought through so great Seas and waues.
The ground doth giue me passage free, and by the lowest caues
Of all the Earth I make my way, and here I raise my heade,
And looke vpon the starres agayne neare out of knowledge fled.
Now while I vnderneath the Earth the Lake of Styx did passe,
I saw your daughter Proserpine with these same eyes. She was
Not merrie, neyther rid of feare as seemed by hir cheere.
But yet a Queene, but yet of great God Dis the stately Feere:
But yet of that same droupie Realme the chiefe and souereigne Peere.
Hir head, and shedding to hir eares hir deawy haire that waues
About hir foreheade sayde: O thou that art the mother deare
Both of the Maiden sought through all the world both far and neare,
And eke of all the earthly fruites, forbeare thine endlesse toyle,
[64]
The Lande deserues no punishment. vnwillingly God wote
She opened to the Rauisher that violently hir smote.
It is not sure my natiue soyle for which I thus entreate.
I am but here a soiourner, my natiue soyle and seate
Is Pisa and from Ely towne I fetch my first discent.
I dwell but as a straunger here. but sure to my intent
This Countrie likes me better farre than any other land.
Here now I Arethusa dwell: here am I setled: and
I humbly you beseche extend your fauour to the same.
A time will one day come when you to mirth may better frame,
And haue your heart more free from care, which better serue me may
To tell you why I from my place so great a space doe stray.
And vnto Ortygie am brought through so great Seas and waues.
The ground doth giue me passage free, and by the lowest caues
Of all the Earth I make my way, and here I raise my heade,
And looke vpon the starres agayne neare out of knowledge fled.
Now while I vnderneath the Earth the Lake of Styx did passe,
I saw your daughter Proserpine with these same eyes. She was
Not merrie, neyther rid of feare as seemed by hir cheere.
But yet a Queene, but yet of great God Dis the stately Feere:
But yet of that same droupie Realme the chiefe and souereigne Peere.
Hir mother stoode as starke as stone, when she these newes did heare,
And long she was like one that in another worlde had beene.
But when hir great amazednesse by greatnesse of hir teene
Was put aside, she gettes hir to hir Chariot by and by
And vp to heauen in all post haste immediatly doth stie.
And there beslowbred all hir face: hir haire about hir eares,
To royall Ioue in way of plaint this spightfull tale she beares.
As well for thy bloud as for mine a suter vnto thee
I hither come. if no regard may of the mother bee
Yet let the childe hir father moue, and haue not lesser care
Of hir (I pray) bicause that I hir in my bodie bare.
Behold our daughter whome I sought so long is found at last:
If finding you it terme, when of recouerie meanes is past.
Or if you finding do it call to haue a knowledge where
She is become. Hir rauishment we might consent to beare,
So restitution might be made. And though there were to me
No interest in hir at all, yet forasmuche as she
Is yours, it is vnmeete she be bestowde vpon a theefe.
Ioue aunswerde thus. My daughter is a Iewell deare and leefe:
A collup of mine owne flesh cut as well as out of thine.
But if we in our heartes can finde things rightly to define,
This is not spight but loue. And yet Madame in faith I see
No cause of such a sonne in law ashamed for to bee,
So you contented were therewith. For put the case that hee
Were destitute of all things else, how greate a matter ist
Ioues brother for to be? but sure in him is nothing mist.
Nor he inferior is to me saue only that by lot
The Heauens to me, the Helles to him the destnies did allot.
But if you haue so sore desire your daughter to diuorce,
Though she againe to Heauen repayre I doe not greatly force.
But yet conditionly that she haue tasted there no foode:
For so the destnies haue decreed. He ceaste: and Ceres stoode
Full bent to fetch hir daughter out: but destnies hir withstoode,
Bicause the Maide had broke hir fast. For as she hapt one day
In Plutos Ortyard rechlessely from place to place to stray,
She gathering from a bowing tree a ripe Pownegarnet, tooke
Seuen kernels out and sucked them. None chaunst hereon to looke,
Saue onely one Ascalaphus whome Orphne erst a Dame
Among the other Elues of Hell not of the basest fame
Bare to hir husbande Acheron within hir duskie den.
He sawe it, and by blabbing it vngraciously as then,
Did let hir from returning thence. A grieuous sigh the Queene
Of Hell did fetch, and of that wight that had a witnesse beene
Against hir made a cursed Birde. Upon his face she shead
The water of the Phlegeton: and by and by his head
Was nothing else but Beake and Downe, and mightie glaring eyes.
Quight altred from himselfe betweene two yellow wings he flies.
He groweth chiefly into head and hooked talants long
And much a doe he hath to flaske his lazie wings among.
The messenger of Morning was he made, a filthie fowle,
A signe of mischiefe vnto men, the sluggish skreching Owle.
And long she was like one that in another worlde had beene.
But when hir great amazednesse by greatnesse of hir teene
Was put aside, she gettes hir to hir Chariot by and by
And vp to heauen in all post haste immediatly doth stie.
And there beslowbred all hir face: hir haire about hir eares,
To royall Ioue in way of plaint this spightfull tale she beares.
As well for thy bloud as for mine a suter vnto thee
I hither come. if no regard may of the mother bee
Yet let the childe hir father moue, and haue not lesser care
Of hir (I pray) bicause that I hir in my bodie bare.
Behold our daughter whome I sought so long is found at last:
If finding you it terme, when of recouerie meanes is past.
Or if you finding do it call to haue a knowledge where
She is become. Hir rauishment we might consent to beare,
65
No interest in hir at all, yet forasmuche as she
Is yours, it is vnmeete she be bestowde vpon a theefe.
Ioue aunswerde thus. My daughter is a Iewell deare and leefe:
A collup of mine owne flesh cut as well as out of thine.
But if we in our heartes can finde things rightly to define,
This is not spight but loue. And yet Madame in faith I see
No cause of such a sonne in law ashamed for to bee,
So you contented were therewith. For put the case that hee
Were destitute of all things else, how greate a matter ist
Ioues brother for to be? but sure in him is nothing mist.
Nor he inferior is to me saue only that by lot
The Heauens to me, the Helles to him the destnies did allot.
But if you haue so sore desire your daughter to diuorce,
Though she againe to Heauen repayre I doe not greatly force.
But yet conditionly that she haue tasted there no foode:
For so the destnies haue decreed. He ceaste: and Ceres stoode
Full bent to fetch hir daughter out: but destnies hir withstoode,
Bicause the Maide had broke hir fast. For as she hapt one day
In Plutos Ortyard rechlessely from place to place to stray,
She gathering from a bowing tree a ripe Pownegarnet, tooke
Seuen kernels out and sucked them. None chaunst hereon to looke,
Saue onely one Ascalaphus whome Orphne erst a Dame
Among the other Elues of Hell not of the basest fame
Bare to hir husbande Acheron within hir duskie den.
He sawe it, and by blabbing it vngraciously as then,
Did let hir from returning thence. A grieuous sigh the Queene
Of Hell did fetch, and of that wight that had a witnesse beene
Against hir made a cursed Birde. Upon his face she shead
The water of the Phlegeton: and by and by his head
Was nothing else but Beake and Downe, and mightie glaring eyes.
Quight altred from himselfe betweene two yellow wings he flies.
He groweth chiefly into head and hooked talants long
And much a doe he hath to flaske his lazie wings among.
The messenger of Morning was he made, a filthie fowle,
A signe of mischiefe vnto men, the sluggish skreching Owle.
This person for his lauas tongue and telling tales might seeme
To haue deserued punishment. But what should men esteeme
To be the verie cause why you Acheloes daughters weare
Both feete and feathers like to Birdes, considering that you beare
The vpper partes of Maidens still? and commes it so to passe?
Bicause when Ladie Proserpine a gathering flowers was,
Ye Meremaides kept hir companie? whome after you had sought
Through all the Earth in vaine, anon of purpose that your thought
Might also to the Seas be knowen, ye wished that ye might
Upon the waues with houering wings at pleasure rule your flight,
And had the Goddes to your request so pliant, that ye found
With yellow feathers out of hand your bodies clothed round?
Yet least that pleasant tune of yours ordeyned to delight
The hearing, and so high a gift of Musicke perish might
For want of vttrance, humaine voyce to vtter things at will
And countnance of virginitie remained to you still.
But meane betweene his brother and his heauie sister goth
God Ioue, and parteth equally the yeare betweene them both.
And now the Goddesse Proserpine indifferently doth reigne
Aboue and vnderneath the Earth. and so doth she remaine
One halfe yeare with hir mother and the resdue with hir Feere
Immediatly she altred is as well in outwarde cheere
As inwarde minde. for where hir looke might late before appeere
Sad euen to Dis, hir countnance now is full of mirth and grace
Euen like as Phebus hauing put the watrie cloudes to chace,
Doth shew himselfe a Conqueror with bright and shining face.
[65]
To be the verie cause why you Acheloes daughters weare
Both feete and feathers like to Birdes, considering that you beare
The vpper partes of Maidens still? and commes it so to passe?
Bicause when Ladie Proserpine a gathering flowers was,
Ye Meremaides kept hir companie? whome after you had sought
Through all the Earth in vaine, anon of purpose that your thought
Might also to the Seas be knowen, ye wished that ye might
Upon the waues with houering wings at pleasure rule your flight,
And had the Goddes to your request so pliant, that ye found
With yellow feathers out of hand your bodies clothed round?
Yet least that pleasant tune of yours ordeyned to delight
The hearing, and so high a gift of Musicke perish might
For want of vttrance, humaine voyce to vtter things at will
And countnance of virginitie remained to you still.
But meane betweene his brother and his heauie sister goth
God Ioue, and parteth equally the yeare betweene them both.
And now the Goddesse Proserpine indifferently doth reigne
Aboue and vnderneath the Earth. and so doth she remaine
One halfe yeare with hir mother and the resdue with hir Feere
Immediatly she altred is as well in outwarde cheere
As inwarde minde. for where hir looke might late before appeere
Sad euen to Dis, hir countnance now is full of mirth and grace
Euen like as Phebus hauing put the watrie cloudes to chace,
Doth shew himselfe a Conqueror with bright and shining face.
Then fruitfull Ceres voide of care in that she did recouer
Hir daughter, prayde thee Arechuse the storie to discouer
What caused thee to fleete so farre and wherefore thou became
A sacred spring? the waters whist. The Goddesse of the same
Did from the bottome of the Well hir goodly head vp reare.
And hauing driëd with hir hand hir faire greene hanging heare,
The Riuer Alpheys auncient loues she thus began to tell.
Hir daughter, prayde thee Arechuse the storie to discouer
What caused thee to fleete so farre and wherefore thou became
A sacred spring? the waters whist. The Goddesse of the same
Did from the bottome of the Well hir goodly head vp reare.
And hauing driëd with hir hand hir faire greene hanging heare,
The Riuer Alpheys auncient loues she thus began to tell.
I was (quoth she) a Nymph of them that in Achaia dwell.
There was not one that earnester the Lawndes and forests sought
Or pitcht hir toyles more handsomly. And though that of my thought
It was no part, to seeke the fame of beautie: though I were
All courage: yet the pricke and prise of beautie I did beare
My ouermuch commended face was vnto me a spight.
This gift of bodie in the which another would delight,
I rudesbye was ashamed off: me thought is was a crime
To be belikte. I beare it well in minde that on a time
In comming wearie from the chase of Stymphalus, the heate
Was feruent, and my trauelling had made it twice as great.
I founde a water neyther deepe nor shallow which did glide
Without all noyse, so calme that scarce the mouing might be spide.
And throughly to the very ground it was so crispe and cleare,
That euery little stone therein did plaine aloft appeare.
The horie Sallowes and the Poplars growing on the brim
Unset, vpon the shoring bankes did cast a shadow trim.
I entred in, and first of all I deeped but my feete:
And after to my knees. And not content to wade so fleete,
I put off all my clothes, and hung them on a Sallow by
And threw my selfe amid the streame, which as I dallyingly
Did beate and draw, and with my selfe a thousand maistries trie,
In casting of mine armes abrode and swimming wantonly:
I felt a bubling in the streame I wist not how nor what,
And on the Riuers nearest brim I stept for feare. with that
O Arethusa whither runst? and whither runst thou cride
Floud Alphey from his waues againe with hollow voyce. I hide
Away vnclothed as I was. For on the further side
My clothes hung still. so much more hote and eger then was he,
And for I naked was, I seemde the readier for to be.
My running and his fierce pursuite was like as when ye se
The sillie Doues with quiuering wings before the Gossehauke stie,
The Gossehauke sweeping after them as fast as he can flie.
To Orchomen, and Psophy land, and Cyllen I did holde
Out well, and thence to Menalus and Erymanth the colde,
And so to Ely. all this way no ground of me he wonne.
But being not so strong as he, this restlesse race to runne
I could not long endure, and he could hold it out at length.
Yet ouer plaines and wooddie hilles (as long as lasted strength)
And stones, and rockes, and desert groundes I still maintaind my race.
The Sunne was full vpon my backe. I saw before my face
A lazie shadow: were it not that feare did make me seete.
But certenly he feared me with trampling of his feete:
And of his mouth the boystous breath vpon my hairlace blew.
Forwearied with the toyle of flight: Helpe Diane, I thy true
And trustie Squire (I said) who oft haue caried after thee
Thy bow and arrowes, now am like attached for to bee.
The Goddesse moued, tooke a cloude of such as scattred were
And cast vpon me. Hidden thus in mistie darkenesse there
The Riuer poard vpon me still and hunted round about
The hollow cloude, for feare perchaunce I should haue scaped out.
And twice not knowing what to doe he stalkt about the cloude
Where Diane had me hid, and twice he called out a loude
Hoe Arethuse, hoe Arethuse. What heart had I poore wretch then?
Euen such as hath the sillie Lambe that dares not stirre nor quetch when
He heares the howling of the Wolfe about or neare the foldes.
Or such as hath the squatted Hare that in hir foorme beholdes
The hunting houndes on euery side, and dares not mone a whit.
He would not thence, for why he saw no footing out as yit.
And therefore watcht he narrowly the cloud and eke the place.
A chill colde sweat my sieged limmes opprest, and downe a pace
From all my bodie steaming drops did fall of watrie hew.
Which way so ere I stird my foote the place was like a stew.
The deaw ran trickling from my haire. In halfe the while I then
Was turnde to water, that I now haue tolde the tale agen.
His loued waters Alphey knew, and putting off the shape
Of man the which he tooke before bicause I should not scape,
Returned to his proper shape of water by and by
Of purpose for to ioyne with me and haue my companie.
But Delia brake the ground, at which I sinking into blinde
By corners, vp againe my selfe at Ortigie doe winde,
Right deare to me bicause it doth Dianas surname beare,
And for bicause to light againe I first was raysed there.
There was not one that earnester the Lawndes and forests sought
Or pitcht hir toyles more handsomly. And though that of my thought
It was no part, to seeke the fame of beautie: though I were
All courage: yet the pricke and prise of beautie I did beare
66
This gift of bodie in the which another would delight,
I rudesbye was ashamed off: me thought is was a crime
To be belikte. I beare it well in minde that on a time
In comming wearie from the chase of Stymphalus, the heate
Was feruent, and my trauelling had made it twice as great.
I founde a water neyther deepe nor shallow which did glide
Without all noyse, so calme that scarce the mouing might be spide.
And throughly to the very ground it was so crispe and cleare,
That euery little stone therein did plaine aloft appeare.
The horie Sallowes and the Poplars growing on the brim
Unset, vpon the shoring bankes did cast a shadow trim.
I entred in, and first of all I deeped but my feete:
And after to my knees. And not content to wade so fleete,
I put off all my clothes, and hung them on a Sallow by
And threw my selfe amid the streame, which as I dallyingly
Did beate and draw, and with my selfe a thousand maistries trie,
In casting of mine armes abrode and swimming wantonly:
I felt a bubling in the streame I wist not how nor what,
And on the Riuers nearest brim I stept for feare. with that
O Arethusa whither runst? and whither runst thou cride
Floud Alphey from his waues againe with hollow voyce. I hide
Away vnclothed as I was. For on the further side
My clothes hung still. so much more hote and eger then was he,
And for I naked was, I seemde the readier for to be.
My running and his fierce pursuite was like as when ye se
The sillie Doues with quiuering wings before the Gossehauke stie,
The Gossehauke sweeping after them as fast as he can flie.
To Orchomen, and Psophy land, and Cyllen I did holde
Out well, and thence to Menalus and Erymanth the colde,
And so to Ely. all this way no ground of me he wonne.
But being not so strong as he, this restlesse race to runne
I could not long endure, and he could hold it out at length.
Yet ouer plaines and wooddie hilles (as long as lasted strength)
And stones, and rockes, and desert groundes I still maintaind my race.
The Sunne was full vpon my backe. I saw before my face
A lazie shadow: were it not that feare did make me seete.
[66]
And of his mouth the boystous breath vpon my hairlace blew.
Forwearied with the toyle of flight: Helpe Diane, I thy true
And trustie Squire (I said) who oft haue caried after thee
Thy bow and arrowes, now am like attached for to bee.
The Goddesse moued, tooke a cloude of such as scattred were
And cast vpon me. Hidden thus in mistie darkenesse there
The Riuer poard vpon me still and hunted round about
The hollow cloude, for feare perchaunce I should haue scaped out.
And twice not knowing what to doe he stalkt about the cloude
Where Diane had me hid, and twice he called out a loude
Hoe Arethuse, hoe Arethuse. What heart had I poore wretch then?
Euen such as hath the sillie Lambe that dares not stirre nor quetch when
He heares the howling of the Wolfe about or neare the foldes.
Or such as hath the squatted Hare that in hir foorme beholdes
The hunting houndes on euery side, and dares not mone a whit.
He would not thence, for why he saw no footing out as yit.
And therefore watcht he narrowly the cloud and eke the place.
A chill colde sweat my sieged limmes opprest, and downe a pace
From all my bodie steaming drops did fall of watrie hew.
Which way so ere I stird my foote the place was like a stew.
The deaw ran trickling from my haire. In halfe the while I then
Was turnde to water, that I now haue tolde the tale agen.
His loued waters Alphey knew, and putting off the shape
Of man the which he tooke before bicause I should not scape,
Returned to his proper shape of water by and by
Of purpose for to ioyne with me and haue my companie.
But Delia brake the ground, at which I sinking into blinde
By corners, vp againe my selfe at Ortigie doe winde,
Right deare to me bicause it doth Dianas surname beare,
And for bicause to light againe I first was raysed there.
Thus far did Arethusa speake: and then the fruitfull Dame
Two Dragons to hir Chariot put, and reyning hard the same,
Midway beweene the Heauen and Earth she in the Ayër went,
And vnto Prince Triptolemus hir lightsome Chariot sent
To Pallas Citie lode with corne, commaunding him to sowe
Some part thereof in ground new broken vp, and some thereof to strow
In ground long tillde before. Anon the yong man vp did stie
And flying ouer Europe and the Realme of Asias hie,
Alighted in the Scithian land. There reyned in that coast
A King callde Lyncus, to whose house he entred for to host.
And being there demaunded how and why he thither came,
And also of his natiue soyle and of his proper name,
I hight (quoth he) Triptolemus and borne was in the towne
Of Athens in the land of Greece, that place of high renowne
I neyther came by Sea nor Lande, but through the open Aire
I bring with me Dame Ceres giftes which being sowne in faire
And fertile fields may fruitfull Haruests yeelde and finer fare.
The sauage King had spight. and to thintent that of so rare
And gracious gifts himselfe might seeme first founder for to be,
He entertainde him in his house, and when a sleepe was he,
He came vpon him with a sword, but as he would haue killde him,
Dame Ceres turnde him to a Lynx, and waking tother willde him
His sacred Teemeware through the Ayre to driue abrode agen.
Two Dragons to hir Chariot put, and reyning hard the same,
Midway beweene the Heauen and Earth she in the Ayër went,
And vnto Prince Triptolemus hir lightsome Chariot sent
To Pallas Citie lode with corne, commaunding him to sowe
Some part thereof in ground new broken vp, and some thereof to strow
67
And flying ouer Europe and the Realme of Asias hie,
Alighted in the Scithian land. There reyned in that coast
A King callde Lyncus, to whose house he entred for to host.
And being there demaunded how and why he thither came,
And also of his natiue soyle and of his proper name,
I hight (quoth he) Triptolemus and borne was in the towne
Of Athens in the land of Greece, that place of high renowne
I neyther came by Sea nor Lande, but through the open Aire
I bring with me Dame Ceres giftes which being sowne in faire
And fertile fields may fruitfull Haruests yeelde and finer fare.
The sauage King had spight. and to thintent that of so rare
And gracious gifts himselfe might seeme first founder for to be,
He entertainde him in his house, and when a sleepe was he,
He came vpon him with a sword, but as he would haue killde him,
Dame Ceres turnde him to a Lynx, and waking tother willde him
His sacred Teemeware through the Ayre to driue abrode agen.
The chiefe of vs had ended this hir learned song, and then
The Nymphes with one consent did iudge that we the Goddesses
Of Helicon had wonne the day. But when I sawe that these
Unnurtred Damsels ouercome began to fall a scolding,
I sayd: so little sith to vs you thinke your selues beholding,
For bearing with your malapertnesse in making chalenge, that
Besides your former fault, ye eke doe fall to rayling flat,
Abusing thus our gentlenesse: we will from hence proceede
The punishment, and of our wrath the rightfull humor feede.
Buippyes daughters grind and ieerde and set our threatnings light.
But as they were about to prate, and bent their fistes to smight
Theyr wicked handes with hideous noyse, they saw the stumps of quilles
New budding at their nayles, and how their armes soft feather hilles.
Eche saw how others mouth did purse and harden into Bill,
And so becomming vncouth Birdes to haunt the woods at will.
For as they would haue clapt their handes their wings did vp thē heaue,
And hanging in the Ayre the scoldes of woods did Pies them leaue.
Now also being turnde to Birdes they are as eloquent
As ere they were, as chattring still, as much to babling bent.
The Nymphes with one consent did iudge that we the Goddesses
Of Helicon had wonne the day. But when I sawe that these
Unnurtred Damsels ouercome began to fall a scolding,
I sayd: so little sith to vs you thinke your selues beholding,
For bearing with your malapertnesse in making chalenge, that
Besides your former fault, ye eke doe fall to rayling flat,
Abusing thus our gentlenesse: we will from hence proceede
The punishment, and of our wrath the rightfull humor feede.
Buippyes daughters grind and ieerde and set our threatnings light.
But as they were about to prate, and bent their fistes to smight
Theyr wicked handes with hideous noyse, they saw the stumps of quilles
New budding at their nayles, and how their armes soft feather hilles.
Eche saw how others mouth did purse and harden into Bill,
And so becomming vncouth Birdes to haunt the woods at will.
For as they would haue clapt their handes their wings did vp thē heaue,
And hanging in the Ayre the scoldes of woods did Pies them leaue.
Now also being turnde to Birdes they are as eloquent
As ere they were, as chattring still, as much to babling bent.
Finis quinti Libri.
[67]
THE SIXT BOOKE of Ouids Metamorphosis.
Tritonia
vnto all these wordes attentiue hearing bendes,
And both the Muses learned song and rightfull wrath cōmendes.
And therevpon within hir selfe this fancie did arise.
It is no matter for to prayse: but let our selfe deuise
Some thing to be commended for: and let vs not permit
Our Maiestie to be despisde without reuenging it.
And therewithall she purposed to put the Lydian Maide
Arachne to hir neckeverse who (as had to hir bene saide)
Presumed to prefer hir selfe before hir noble grace
In making cloth. This Damsell was not famous for the place
In which she dwelt, nor for hir stocke, but for hir Arte. Hir Sier
Was Idmon one of Colophon a pelting Purple Dier.
Hir mother was deceast: but she was of the baser sort,
And egall to hir Make in birth, in liuing, and in port.
But though this Maide were meanly borne, and dwelt but in a shed
At little Hypep: yet hir trade hir fame abrode did spred
Euen all the Lydian Cities through. To see hir wondrous worke
The Nymphes that vnderneath the Uines of shadie Tmolus lurke
Their Uineyards oftentimes forsooke. So did the Nymphes also
About Pactolus oftentimes their golden streames forgo.
And euermore it did them good not only for to see
Hir clothes already made, but while they eke a making bee
Such grace was in hir workmanship. For were it so that shee
The newshorne fleeces from the sheepe in bundels deftly makes,
Or afterward doth kemb the same, and drawes it out in flakes
Along like cloudes, or on the Rocke doth spinne the handwarpe woofe,
Or else embroydreth, certenly ye might perceiue by proofe
She was of Pallas bringing vp. which thing she nathelesse
Denyeth, and disdaining such a Mistresse to confesse,
Let hir contend with me she saide: and if she me amend
I will refuse no punishment the which she shall extend.
And both the Muses learned song and rightfull wrath cōmendes.
And therevpon within hir selfe this fancie did arise.
It is no matter for to prayse: but let our selfe deuise
Some thing to be commended for: and let vs not permit
Our Maiestie to be despisde without reuenging it.
And therewithall she purposed to put the Lydian Maide
Arachne to hir neckeverse who (as had to hir bene saide)
Presumed to prefer hir selfe before hir noble grace
In making cloth. This Damsell was not famous for the place
In which she dwelt, nor for hir stocke, but for hir Arte. Hir Sier
Was Idmon one of Colophon a pelting Purple Dier.
Hir mother was deceast: but she was of the baser sort,
And egall to hir Make in birth, in liuing, and in port.
But though this Maide were meanly borne, and dwelt but in a shed
At little Hypep: yet hir trade hir fame abrode did spred
Euen all the Lydian Cities through. To see hir wondrous worke
The Nymphes that vnderneath the Uines of shadie Tmolus lurke
Their Uineyards oftentimes forsooke. So did the Nymphes also
About Pactolus oftentimes their golden streames forgo.
And euermore it did them good not only for to see
Hir clothes already made, but while they eke a making bee
Such grace was in hir workmanship. For were it so that shee
The newshorne fleeces from the sheepe in bundels deftly makes,
Or afterward doth kemb the same, and drawes it out in flakes
Along like cloudes, or on the Rocke doth spinne the handwarpe woofe,
Or else embroydreth, certenly ye might perceiue by proofe
She was of Pallas bringing vp. which thing she nathelesse
Denyeth, and disdaining such a Mistresse to confesse,
Let hir contend with me she saide: and if she me amend
I will refuse no punishment the which she shall extend.
Minerua tooke an olde wiues shape and made hir haire seeme gray,
And with a staffe hir febled limmes pretended for to stay.
Which done, she thus began to speake. Not all that age doth bring
We ought to shonne. Experience doth of long continuance spring.
Despise not mine admonishment. Seeke fame and chiefe report
For making cloth, and Arras worke, among the mortall sort.
But humbly giue the Goddesse place: and pardon of hir craue
For these thine vnaduised wordes. I warrant thou shalt haue
Forgiuenesse, if thou aske it hir. Arachne bent hir brewes
And lowring on hir, left hir worke: and hardly she eschewes
From flying in the Ladies face. Hir countnance did bewray
Hir moodie minde: which bursting forth in words she thus did say.
Thou commest like a doting foole: thy wit is spent with yeares:
Thy life hath lasted ouer long as by thy talke appeares.
And if thou any daughter haue, or any daughtrinlawe,
I would she heard these wordes of mine: I am not such a Daw,
But that without thy teaching I can well ynough aduise
My selfe. And least thou shouldest thinke thy words in any wise
Auaile, the selfe same minde I keepe with which I first begonne.
Why commes she not hirselfe I say? this matche why doth she shonne?
Then said the Goddesse: here she is. And therewithall she cast
Hir oldewiues riueled shape away, and shewde hir selfe at last
Minerua like. The Nymphes did streight adore hir Maiestie.
So did the yong newmaried wiues that were of Migdonie.
The Maiden only vnabasht woulde nought at all relent.
But yet she blusht and sodenly a ruddynesse besprent
Hir cheekes which wanzd away againe, euen like as doth the Skie
Looke sanguine at the breake of day, and turneth by and by
To white at rising of the Sunne. As hote as any fire
She sticketh to hir tackling still. And through a fond desire
Of glorie, to hir owne decay all headlong forth she runnes.
For Pallas now no lenger warnes, ne now no lenger shunnes
Ne seekes the chalenge to delay. Immediatly they came
And tooke their places seuerally, and in a seuerall frame
Eche streynde a web, the warpe whereof was fine. The web was tide
Upon a Beame. Betweene the warpe a slay of reede did slide.
The woofe on sharpened pinnes was put betwixt the warp, and wrought
With fingars. And as oft as they had through the warpe it brought,
They strake it with a Boxen combe. Both twayne of them made hast:
And girding close for handsomnesse their garments to their wast
Bestirde their cunning handes apace. Their earnestnesse was such
As made them neuer thinke of paine. They weaued verie much
Fine Purple that was dide in Tyre, and colours set so trim
That eche in shadowing other seemde the very same with him.
Euen like as after showres of raine when Phebus broken beames
Doe strike vpon the Cloudes, appeares a compast bow of gleames
Which bendeth ouer all the Heauen: wherein although there shine
A thousand sundry colours, yet the shadowing is so fine,
That looke men nere so wistly, yet beguileth it their eyes:
So like and euen the self same thing eche colour seemes to rise
Whereas they meete, which further off doe differ more and more.
Of glittring golde with silken threede was weaued there good store,
And stories put in portrayture of things done long afore.
And with a staffe hir febled limmes pretended for to stay.
Which done, she thus began to speake. Not all that age doth bring
68
Despise not mine admonishment. Seeke fame and chiefe report
For making cloth, and Arras worke, among the mortall sort.
But humbly giue the Goddesse place: and pardon of hir craue
For these thine vnaduised wordes. I warrant thou shalt haue
Forgiuenesse, if thou aske it hir. Arachne bent hir brewes
And lowring on hir, left hir worke: and hardly she eschewes
From flying in the Ladies face. Hir countnance did bewray
Hir moodie minde: which bursting forth in words she thus did say.
Thou commest like a doting foole: thy wit is spent with yeares:
Thy life hath lasted ouer long as by thy talke appeares.
And if thou any daughter haue, or any daughtrinlawe,
I would she heard these wordes of mine: I am not such a Daw,
But that without thy teaching I can well ynough aduise
My selfe. And least thou shouldest thinke thy words in any wise
Auaile, the selfe same minde I keepe with which I first begonne.
Why commes she not hirselfe I say? this matche why doth she shonne?
Then said the Goddesse: here she is. And therewithall she cast
Hir oldewiues riueled shape away, and shewde hir selfe at last
Minerua like. The Nymphes did streight adore hir Maiestie.
So did the yong newmaried wiues that were of Migdonie.
The Maiden only vnabasht woulde nought at all relent.
But yet she blusht and sodenly a ruddynesse besprent
Hir cheekes which wanzd away againe, euen like as doth the Skie
Looke sanguine at the breake of day, and turneth by and by
To white at rising of the Sunne. As hote as any fire
She sticketh to hir tackling still. And through a fond desire
Of glorie, to hir owne decay all headlong forth she runnes.
For Pallas now no lenger warnes, ne now no lenger shunnes
Ne seekes the chalenge to delay. Immediatly they came
And tooke their places seuerally, and in a seuerall frame
Eche streynde a web, the warpe whereof was fine. The web was tide
Upon a Beame. Betweene the warpe a slay of reede did slide.
The woofe on sharpened pinnes was put betwixt the warp, and wrought
With fingars. And as oft as they had through the warpe it brought,
They strake it with a Boxen combe. Both twayne of them made hast:
And girding close for handsomnesse their garments to their wast
[68]
As made them neuer thinke of paine. They weaued verie much
Fine Purple that was dide in Tyre, and colours set so trim
That eche in shadowing other seemde the very same with him.
Euen like as after showres of raine when Phebus broken beames
Doe strike vpon the Cloudes, appeares a compast bow of gleames
Which bendeth ouer all the Heauen: wherein although there shine
A thousand sundry colours, yet the shadowing is so fine,
That looke men nere so wistly, yet beguileth it their eyes:
So like and euen the self same thing eche colour seemes to rise
Whereas they meete, which further off doe differ more and more.
Of glittring golde with silken threede was weaued there good store,
And stories put in portrayture of things done long afore.
Minerua painted Athens towne and Marsis rocke therein,
And all the strife betweene hirselfe and Neptune, who should win
The honor for to giue the name to that same noble towne.
In loftie thrones on eyther side of Ioue were settled downe
Six Peeres of Heauen with countnance graue and full of Maiestie,
And euery of them by his face discerned well might be.
The Image of the mightie Ioue was Kinglike. She had made
Neptunus standing striking with his long threetyned blade
Upon the ragged Rocke: and from the middle of the clift
She portrayd issuing out a horse, which was the noble gift
For which he chalengde to himselfe the naming of the towne.
She picturde out hirselfe with shielde and Morion on hir crowne
With Curet on hir brest, and Speare in hand with sharpened ende.
She makes the Earth (the which hir Speare doth seeme to strike) to sende
An Olyf tree with fruite thereon: and that the Gods thereat
Did wonder: and with victorie she finisht vp that plat.
And all the strife betweene hirselfe and Neptune, who should win
The honor for to giue the name to that same noble towne.
In loftie thrones on eyther side of Ioue were settled downe
Six Peeres of Heauen with countnance graue and full of Maiestie,
And euery of them by his face discerned well might be.
The Image of the mightie Ioue was Kinglike. She had made
Neptunus standing striking with his long threetyned blade
Upon the ragged Rocke: and from the middle of the clift
She portrayd issuing out a horse, which was the noble gift
For which he chalengde to himselfe the naming of the towne.
She picturde out hirselfe with shielde and Morion on hir crowne
With Curet on hir brest, and Speare in hand with sharpened ende.
She makes the Earth (the which hir Speare doth seeme to strike) to sende
An Olyf tree with fruite thereon: and that the Gods thereat
Did wonder: and with victorie she finisht vp that plat.
Yet to thintent examples olde might make it to be knowne
To hir that for desire of praise so stoutly helde hir owne,
What guerdon she shoulde hope to haue for hir attempt so madde,
Foure like contentions in the foure last corners she did adde.
The Thracians Heme and Rodope the formost corner hadde:
Who being sometime mortall folke vsurpt to them the name
Of Ioue and Iuno, and were turnde to mountaines for the same.
A Pigmie womans piteous chaunce the second corner shewde,
Whome Iuno turned to a Crane (bicause she was so lewde
As for to stand at strife with hir for beautie) charging hir
Against hir natiue countriefolke continuall war to stir.
The thirde had proude Antigone who durst of pride contende
In beautie with the wife of Ioue: by whome she in the ende
Was turned to a Storke, no whit auailed hir the towne
Of Troy, or that Laomedon hir father ware a crowne,
But that she clad in feathers white hir lazie wings must ftap
And with a bobbed Bill bewayle the cause of hir missehap.
The last had chyldelesse Cinyras: who being turnde to stone,
Was picturde prostrate on the grounde, and weeping all alone,
And culling fast betweene his armes a Temples greeces fine
To which his daughters bodies were transformde by wrath diuine.
The vtmost borders had a wreath of Olyf round about,
And this is all the worke the which Minerua portrayd out.
For with the tree that she hirselfe had made but late afore
She bounded in hir Arras cloth, and then did worke no more.
To hir that for desire of praise so stoutly helde hir owne,
What guerdon she shoulde hope to haue for hir attempt so madde,
Foure like contentions in the foure last corners she did adde.
The Thracians Heme and Rodope the formost corner hadde:
Who being sometime mortall folke vsurpt to them the name
Of Ioue and Iuno, and were turnde to mountaines for the same.
A Pigmie womans piteous chaunce the second corner shewde,
69
As for to stand at strife with hir for beautie) charging hir
Against hir natiue countriefolke continuall war to stir.
The thirde had proude Antigone who durst of pride contende
In beautie with the wife of Ioue: by whome she in the ende
Was turned to a Storke, no whit auailed hir the towne
Of Troy, or that Laomedon hir father ware a crowne,
But that she clad in feathers white hir lazie wings must ftap
And with a bobbed Bill bewayle the cause of hir missehap.
The last had chyldelesse Cinyras: who being turnde to stone,
Was picturde prostrate on the grounde, and weeping all alone,
And culling fast betweene his armes a Temples greeces fine
To which his daughters bodies were transformde by wrath diuine.
The vtmost borders had a wreath of Olyf round about,
And this is all the worke the which Minerua portrayd out.
For with the tree that she hirselfe had made but late afore
She bounded in hir Arras cloth, and then did worke no more.
The Lydian maiden in hir web did portray to the full
How Europe was by royall Ioue beguilde in shape of Bull.
A swimming Bull, a swelling Sea, so liuely had she wrought,
That Bull and Sea in very deede ye might them well haue thought.
The Ladie seemed looking backe to landwarde and to crie
Upon hir women, and to feare the water sprinkling hie,
And shrinking vp hir fearfull feete. She portrayd also there
Asteriee struggling with an Erne which did away hir beare.
And ouer Leda she had made a Swan his wings to splay.
She added also how by Ioue in shape of Satyr gaye
The faire Antiope with a paire of children was besped:
And how he tooke Amphitrios shape when in Alcmenas bed
He gate the worthie Hercules: and how he also came
To Danae like a shoure of golde, to Aegine like a flame,
A sheepeherd to Mnemofyne, and like a Serpent fly
To Proserpine. She also made Neptunus leaping by
Upon a Maide of Aeolus race in likenesse of a Bull,
And in the streame Enipeus shape begetting on a trull
The Giants Othe and Ephialt, and in the shape of Ram
Begetting one Theophane Bisalties ympe with Lam,
And in a lustie Stalions shape she made him houering there
Dame Ceres with the yellow lockes, and hir whose golden heare
Was turnde to crawling Snakes: on whome he gate the winged horse.
She made him in a Dolphins shape Melantho to enforce.
Of all these things she missed not their proper shapes, nor yit
The full and iust resemblance of their places for to hit.
In likenesse of a Countrie cloyne was Phebus picturde there,
And how he now ware Gossehaukes wings, and now a Lions heare.
And how he in a shepeherdes shape was practising a wile
The daughter of one Macarie dame Issa to beguile.
And how the faire Erygone by chaunce did suffer rape
By Bacchus who deceyued hir in likenesse of a grape.
And how that Saturne in the shape of Genet did beget
The double Chiron. Round about the vtmost Uerdge was set
A narrow Traile of pretie floures with leaues of Iuie fret.
How Europe was by royall Ioue beguilde in shape of Bull.
A swimming Bull, a swelling Sea, so liuely had she wrought,
That Bull and Sea in very deede ye might them well haue thought.
The Ladie seemed looking backe to landwarde and to crie
Upon hir women, and to feare the water sprinkling hie,
And shrinking vp hir fearfull feete. She portrayd also there
Asteriee struggling with an Erne which did away hir beare.
And ouer Leda she had made a Swan his wings to splay.
She added also how by Ioue in shape of Satyr gaye
The faire Antiope with a paire of children was besped:
And how he tooke Amphitrios shape when in Alcmenas bed
He gate the worthie Hercules: and how he also came
To Danae like a shoure of golde, to Aegine like a flame,
A sheepeherd to Mnemofyne, and like a Serpent fly
To Proserpine. She also made Neptunus leaping by
Upon a Maide of Aeolus race in likenesse of a Bull,
And in the streame Enipeus shape begetting on a trull
The Giants Othe and Ephialt, and in the shape of Ram
Begetting one Theophane Bisalties ympe with Lam,
[69]
Dame Ceres with the yellow lockes, and hir whose golden heare
Was turnde to crawling Snakes: on whome he gate the winged horse.
She made him in a Dolphins shape Melantho to enforce.
Of all these things she missed not their proper shapes, nor yit
The full and iust resemblance of their places for to hit.
In likenesse of a Countrie cloyne was Phebus picturde there,
And how he now ware Gossehaukes wings, and now a Lions heare.
And how he in a shepeherdes shape was practising a wile
The daughter of one Macarie dame Issa to beguile.
And how the faire Erygone by chaunce did suffer rape
By Bacchus who deceyued hir in likenesse of a grape.
And how that Saturne in the shape of Genet did beget
The double Chiron. Round about the vtmost Uerdge was set
A narrow Traile of pretie floures with leaues of Iuie fret.
Not Pallas, no nor spight it selfe could any quarrell picke
To this hir worke: and that did touch Minerua to the quicke.
Who therevpon did rende the cloth in pieces euery whit,
Bicause the lewdnesse of the Gods was blased so in it.
And with an Arras weauers combe of Box she fiercely smit
Arachne on the forehead full a dosen times and more.
The Maide impacient in hir heart, did stomacke this so sore,
That by and by she hung hirselfe. Howbeit as she hing,
Dame Pallas pitying hir estate, did stay hir in the string
From death, and said lewde Callet liue: but hang thou still for mee.
And least hereafter from this curse that time may set thee free,
I will that this same punishment enacted firmely bee,
As well on thy posteritie for euer as on thee.
And after when she should depart, with iuice of Hecats flowre
She sprinkled hir: and by and by the poyson had such powre,
That with the touch thereof hir haire, hir eares, and nose did fade:
And verie small it both hir heade and all hir bodie made.
In steade of legs, to both hir sides sticke fingars long and fine:
The rest is bellie. From the which she nerethelesse doth twine
A slender threede, and practiseth in shape of Spider still
The Spinners and the Websters crafts of which she erst had skill.
To this hir worke: and that did touch Minerua to the quicke.
Who therevpon did rende the cloth in pieces euery whit,
Bicause the lewdnesse of the Gods was blased so in it.
And with an Arras weauers combe of Box she fiercely smit
Arachne on the forehead full a dosen times and more.
The Maide impacient in hir heart, did stomacke this so sore,
That by and by she hung hirselfe. Howbeit as she hing,
Dame Pallas pitying hir estate, did stay hir in the string
From death, and said lewde Callet liue: but hang thou still for mee.
And least hereafter from this curse that time may set thee free,
I will that this same punishment enacted firmely bee,
As well on thy posteritie for euer as on thee.
And after when she should depart, with iuice of Hecats flowre
She sprinkled hir: and by and by the poyson had such powre,
That with the touch thereof hir haire, hir eares, and nose did fade:
And verie small it both hir heade and all hir bodie made.
In steade of legs, to both hir sides sticke fingars long and fine:
The rest is bellie. From the which she nerethelesse doth twine
A slender threede, and practiseth in shape of Spider still
The Spinners and the Websters crafts of which she erst had skill.
All Lydia did repine hereat; and of this deede the fame
Through Phrygie ran, & through the world was talking of the same.
Before hir mariage Niobe had knowen hir verie well,
When yet a Maide in Meonie and Sipyle she did dwell.
And yet Arachnes punishment at home before hir eyes,
To vse discreter kinde of talke it could hir not aduise,
Nor (as behoueth) to the Gods to yeelde in humble wise.
For many things did make hir proud. But neyther did the towne
The which hir husband builded had, nor houses of renowne
Of which they both descended were, nor yet the puissance
Of that great Realme wherein they reignde so much hir minde enhaūce
(Although the liking of them all did greatly hir delight)
As did the offspring of hir selfe. And certenly she might
Haue bene of mothers counted well most happie, had she not
So thought hir selfe. For the whome sage Tyresias had begot
The Prophet Manto through instinct of heauenly powre, did say
These kinde of wordes in open strete. Ye Thebanes go your way
Apace, and vnto Laton and to Latons children pray,
And offer godly Frankinsence, and wreath your haire with Bay.
Latona by the mouth of me commaundes you so to do.
The Thebane women by and by obeying therevnto,
Deckt all their heades with Laurell leaues as Manto did require.
And praying with deuout intent threw incense in the fire.
70
Before hir mariage Niobe had knowen hir verie well,
When yet a Maide in Meonie and Sipyle she did dwell.
And yet Arachnes punishment at home before hir eyes,
To vse discreter kinde of talke it could hir not aduise,
Nor (as behoueth) to the Gods to yeelde in humble wise.
For many things did make hir proud. But neyther did the towne
The which hir husband builded had, nor houses of renowne
Of which they both descended were, nor yet the puissance
Of that great Realme wherein they reignde so much hir minde enhaūce
(Although the liking of them all did greatly hir delight)
As did the offspring of hir selfe. And certenly she might
Haue bene of mothers counted well most happie, had she not
So thought hir selfe. For the whome sage Tyresias had begot
The Prophet Manto through instinct of heauenly powre, did say
These kinde of wordes in open strete. Ye Thebanes go your way
Apace, and vnto Laton and to Latons children pray,
And offer godly Frankinsence, and wreath your haire with Bay.
Latona by the mouth of me commaundes you so to do.
The Thebane women by and by obeying therevnto,
Deckt all their heades with Laurell leaues as Manto did require.
And praying with deuout intent threw incense in the fire.
Beholde out commeth Niobe enuironde with a garde
Of seruaunts and a solemne traine that followed afterward.
She was hirselfe in raiment made of costly cloth of golde
Of Phrygia facion verie braue and gorgeous to beholde.
And of hir selfe she was right faire and beautifull of face,
But that hir wrathfull stomake then did somewhat staine hir grace.
She mouing with hir portly heade hir haire the which as then
Did hang on both hir shoulders loose, did pawse a while. and when
Wyth loftie looke hir stately eyes she rolled had about,
Of seruaunts and a solemne traine that followed afterward.
She was hirselfe in raiment made of costly cloth of golde
Of Phrygia facion verie braue and gorgeous to beholde.
And of hir selfe she was right faire and beautifull of face,
But that hir wrathfull stomake then did somewhat staine hir grace.
She mouing with hir portly heade hir haire the which as then
Did hang on both hir shoulders loose, did pawse a while. and when
Wyth loftie looke hir stately eyes she rolled had about,
What madnesse is it (quoth she) to prefer the heauenly rout
Of whome ye doe but heare, to such as daily are in sight?
Or why should Laton honored be with Altars? Neuer wight
To my most sacred Maiestie did offer incense. Yit
My Father was that Tantalus whome only as most fit
The Gods among them at their boordes admitted for to sit.
A sister of the Pleyades is my mother. Finally
My Graundsire on the mothers side is that same Atlas hie
That on his shoulders beareth vp the heauenly Axeltree.
Againe my other Graundfather is Ioue. and (as you see)
He also is my Fathrinlawe. wherin I glorie may.
The Realme of Phrygia here at hand doth vnto me obay.
In Cadmus pallace I thereof the Ladie doe remaine
And ioyntly with my husbande I as peerlesse Princesse reigne
Both ouer this same towne whose walles my husbands harpe did frame,
And also ouer all the folke and people in the same.
In what soeuer corner of my house I cast mine eye,
A worlde of riches and of goods I eurywhere espie.
Moreouer for the beautie, shape, and fauor growen in me,
Right well I know I doe deserue a Goddesse for to be.
Besides all this, seuen sonnes I haue and daughters seuen likewise,
By whome shall shortly sonneinlawes and daughtrinlawes arise.
Iudge you now if that I haue cause of statelynesse or no.
How dare ye then prefer to me Latona that same fro
The Titan Ceus ympe, to whome then readie downe to lie
The howgie Earth a little plot to childe on did denie?
From Heauen, from Earth, & from the Sea your Goddesse banisht was,
And as an outcast through the world from place to place did passe,
Untill that Delos pitying hir, sayde thou doste fleete on land
And I on Sea, and therevpon did lende hir out of hand
A place vnstable. Of two twinnes there brought a bed was she:
And this is but the seuenth part of the issue borne by me.
Right happie am I. who can this denie? and shall so still
Continue who doth doubt of that? abundance hath and will
Preserue me. I am greater than that frowarde fortune may
Empeache me. For although she shoulde pull many things away,
Yet should she leaue me many more. My state is out of feare.
Of thys my howge and populous race surmise you that it were
Possible some of them should misse: yet can I neuer be
So spoyled that no mo than two shall tarie styll with me.
Leaue quickly thys lewde sacrifice, and put me off this Bay
That on your heades is wreathed thus. They laide it streight away
And left their holie rites vndone, and closely as they may
With secret whispring to themselues to Laton they dyd pray.
Of whome ye doe but heare, to such as daily are in sight?
Or why should Laton honored be with Altars? Neuer wight
To my most sacred Maiestie did offer incense. Yit
My Father was that Tantalus whome only as most fit
The Gods among them at their boordes admitted for to sit.
[70]
My Graundsire on the mothers side is that same Atlas hie
That on his shoulders beareth vp the heauenly Axeltree.
Againe my other Graundfather is Ioue. and (as you see)
He also is my Fathrinlawe. wherin I glorie may.
The Realme of Phrygia here at hand doth vnto me obay.
In Cadmus pallace I thereof the Ladie doe remaine
And ioyntly with my husbande I as peerlesse Princesse reigne
Both ouer this same towne whose walles my husbands harpe did frame,
And also ouer all the folke and people in the same.
In what soeuer corner of my house I cast mine eye,
A worlde of riches and of goods I eurywhere espie.
Moreouer for the beautie, shape, and fauor growen in me,
Right well I know I doe deserue a Goddesse for to be.
Besides all this, seuen sonnes I haue and daughters seuen likewise,
By whome shall shortly sonneinlawes and daughtrinlawes arise.
Iudge you now if that I haue cause of statelynesse or no.
How dare ye then prefer to me Latona that same fro
The Titan Ceus ympe, to whome then readie downe to lie
The howgie Earth a little plot to childe on did denie?
From Heauen, from Earth, & from the Sea your Goddesse banisht was,
And as an outcast through the world from place to place did passe,
Untill that Delos pitying hir, sayde thou doste fleete on land
And I on Sea, and therevpon did lende hir out of hand
A place vnstable. Of two twinnes there brought a bed was she:
And this is but the seuenth part of the issue borne by me.
Right happie am I. who can this denie? and shall so still
Continue who doth doubt of that? abundance hath and will
Preserue me. I am greater than that frowarde fortune may
Empeache me. For although she shoulde pull many things away,
Yet should she leaue me many more. My state is out of feare.
Of thys my howge and populous race surmise you that it were
Possible some of them should misse: yet can I neuer be
So spoyled that no mo than two shall tarie styll with me.
Leaue quickly thys lewde sacrifice, and put me off this Bay
That on your heades is wreathed thus. They laide it streight away
And left their holie rites vndone, and closely as they may
72
How much from vtter barrennesse the Goddesse was: so much
Disdeind she more: and in the top of Cynthus framed such
Complaint as this to both hir twinnes. Lo I your mother deare,
Who in my bodie once you twaine with painefull trauell beare,
Loe I whose courage is so stout as for to yeelde to none
Of all the other Goddesses except Ioues wife alone,
Am lately doubted whether I a Goddesse be or no.
And if you helpe not children mine, the case now standeth so
That I the honor must from hence of Altars quight forgo.
But this is not mine only griefe. Besides hir wicked fact
Most railing words hath Niobe to my defacing rackt.
She durst prefer hir Barnes to you. And as for me, she naamde
Me barren in respect of hir, and was no whit ashaamde
To shewe hir fathers wicked tongue which she by birth doth take
This said: Latona was about entreatance for to make.
Cease off (quoth Phebus) long complaint is nothing but delay
Of punishment. and the selfe same wordes did Phebe also say.
And by and by they through the Ayre both gliding swiftly downe,
On Cadmus pallace hid in cloudes did light in Thebe towne.
Disdeind she more: and in the top of Cynthus framed such
Complaint as this to both hir twinnes. Lo I your mother deare,
Who in my bodie once you twaine with painefull trauell beare,
Loe I whose courage is so stout as for to yeelde to none
Of all the other Goddesses except Ioues wife alone,
Am lately doubted whether I a Goddesse be or no.
And if you helpe not children mine, the case now standeth so
That I the honor must from hence of Altars quight forgo.
But this is not mine only griefe. Besides hir wicked fact
Most railing words hath Niobe to my defacing rackt.
She durst prefer hir Barnes to you. And as for me, she naamde
Me barren in respect of hir, and was no whit ashaamde
To shewe hir fathers wicked tongue which she by birth doth take
This said: Latona was about entreatance for to make.
Cease off (quoth Phebus) long complaint is nothing but delay
Of punishment. and the selfe same wordes did Phebe also say.
And by and by they through the Ayre both gliding swiftly downe,
On Cadmus pallace hid in cloudes did light in Thebe towne.
A fielde was vnderneath the wall both leuell, large and wide,
Betrampled euery day with horse that men therein did ride,
Where store of Carres and Horses houes the cloddes to dust had trode
A couple of Amphions sonnes on lustie coursers rode
In this same place. Their horses faire Coperisons did weare
Of scarlet: and their bridles braue with golde bedecked were.
Of whome as Niobs eldest sonne Ismenos hapt to bring
His horse about, and reynde him in to make him keepe the ring,
He cride alas: and in his brest with that an arrow stacke
And by and by hys dying hand did let the bridle slacke.
And on the right side of the horse he slipped to the ground.
The second brother Sipylus did chaunce to heare the sound
Of Quiuers clattring in the Ayre, and giuing streight the reyne
And spur togither to his horse, began to flie amayne:
As doth the master of a ship: who when he sees a shoure
Approching, by some mistie cloud that ginnes to gloume and loure
Doth clap on all his sayles bicause no winds should scape him by
Though nere so small. Howbeit as he turned for to flie,
He was not able for to scape the Arrow which did stricke
Him through the necke. The nocke thereof did shaking vpward sticke,
The head appeared at his throte. And as he forward gaue
Himselfe in flying: so to ground he groueling also draue,
And toppled by the horses mane and feete amid his race,
And with his warme newshedded bloud berayëd all the place.
But Phedimus, and Tantalus the heier of the name
Of Tantalus his Graundfather, who customably came
From other dailie exercise to wrestling, had begun
To close, and eache at other now with brest to brest to run,
When Phebus Arrow being sent with force from streyned string
Did strike through both of them as they did fast togither cling.
And so they sighed both at once, and both at once for paine
Fell downe to ground, and both of them at once their eyes did streine
To see their latest light, and both at once their ghostes did yeelde.
Alphenor this mischaunce of theirs with heauie heart behelde,
And scratcht and beate his wofull brest: and therewith flying out
To take them vp betweene his armes, was as he went about
This worke of kindly pitie, killde. For Phebus with a Dart
of deadly dint did riue him through the Bulke and brake his hart.
And when the steale was plucked out, a percell of his liuer
Did hang vpon the hooked heade: and so he did deliuer
His life and bloud into the Ayre departing both togither.
But Damasicthon (on whose heade came neuer sizzer) felt
Mo woundes than one. It was his chaunce to haue a grieuous pelt
Upon the verie place at which the leg is first begun
And where the hamstrings by the ioynt with supple sinewes run
And while to draw this arrow out he with his hand assaide,
Another through his wezant went, and at the feathers staide.
The bloud did driue out this againe, and spinning high did spout
A great way off, and pierst the Ayre with sprinkling all about.
The last of all Ilionie with streched handes, and speche
Most humble (but in vaine) did say, O Gods I you beseche
Of mercie all in generall. He wist not what he saide
Ne how that vnto all of them he ought not to haue praide.
The God that helde the Bow in hande was moued: but as then
The Arrow was alredie gone so farre, that backe agen
He could not call it. Nerethelesse the wound was verie small
Of which he dide, for why his heart it did but lightly gall.
Betrampled euery day with horse that men therein did ride,
Where store of Carres and Horses houes the cloddes to dust had trode
A couple of Amphions sonnes on lustie coursers rode
In this same place. Their horses faire Coperisons did weare
Of scarlet: and their bridles braue with golde bedecked were.
Of whome as Niobs eldest sonne Ismenos hapt to bring
His horse about, and reynde him in to make him keepe the ring,
He cride alas: and in his brest with that an arrow stacke
And by and by hys dying hand did let the bridle slacke.
And on the right side of the horse he slipped to the ground.
The second brother Sipylus did chaunce to heare the sound
Of Quiuers clattring in the Ayre, and giuing streight the reyne
And spur togither to his horse, began to flie amayne:
As doth the master of a ship: who when he sees a shoure
Approching, by some mistie cloud that ginnes to gloume and loure
Doth clap on all his sayles bicause no winds should scape him by
[72]
He was not able for to scape the Arrow which did stricke
Him through the necke. The nocke thereof did shaking vpward sticke,
The head appeared at his throte. And as he forward gaue
Himselfe in flying: so to ground he groueling also draue,
And toppled by the horses mane and feete amid his race,
And with his warme newshedded bloud berayëd all the place.
But Phedimus, and Tantalus the heier of the name
Of Tantalus his Graundfather, who customably came
From other dailie exercise to wrestling, had begun
To close, and eache at other now with brest to brest to run,
When Phebus Arrow being sent with force from streyned string
Did strike through both of them as they did fast togither cling.
And so they sighed both at once, and both at once for paine
Fell downe to ground, and both of them at once their eyes did streine
To see their latest light, and both at once their ghostes did yeelde.
Alphenor this mischaunce of theirs with heauie heart behelde,
And scratcht and beate his wofull brest: and therewith flying out
To take them vp betweene his armes, was as he went about
This worke of kindly pitie, killde. For Phebus with a Dart
of deadly dint did riue him through the Bulke and brake his hart.
And when the steale was plucked out, a percell of his liuer
Did hang vpon the hooked heade: and so he did deliuer
His life and bloud into the Ayre departing both togither.
But Damasicthon (on whose heade came neuer sizzer) felt
Mo woundes than one. It was his chaunce to haue a grieuous pelt
Upon the verie place at which the leg is first begun
And where the hamstrings by the ioynt with supple sinewes run
And while to draw this arrow out he with his hand assaide,
Another through his wezant went, and at the feathers staide.
The bloud did driue out this againe, and spinning high did spout
A great way off, and pierst the Ayre with sprinkling all about.
The last of all Ilionie with streched handes, and speche
Most humble (but in vaine) did say, O Gods I you beseche
Of mercie all in generall. He wist not what he saide
Ne how that vnto all of them he ought not to haue praide.
The God that helde the Bow in hande was moued: but as then
71
He could not call it. Nerethelesse the wound was verie small
Of which he dide, for why his heart it did but lightly gall.
The rumor of the mischiefe selfe, and mone of people, and
The weeping of hir seruants gaue the mother t'vnderstand
The sodaine stroke of this mischaunce. She wondred verie much
And stormed also that the Gods were able to doe such
A deede, or durst attempt it, yea she thought it more than right
That any of them ouer hir should haue so mickle might.
Amphion had fordone himselfe alreadie with a knife,
And ended all his sorrowes quite togither with his life.
Alas, alas how greatly doth this Niobe differ here
From tother Niobe who a late disdaining any Pere
Did from Latonas Altars driue hir folke, and through the towne
With haultie looke and stately gate went pranking vp and downe,
Then spighted at among hir owne, but piteous now to those:
That heretofore for hir deserts had bene hir greatest foes.
She falleth on the corses colde, and taking no regard,
Bestowde hir kysses on hir sonnes as whome she afterwarde
Did know she neuer more shoulde kisse. From whome she lifting thoe
Hir blew and broosed armes to heauen sayd: O thou cruell foe
Latona feede, yea feede thy selfe I say vpon my woe
And ouergorge thy stomacke, yea and glut thy cruell hart
With these my present painefull pangs of bitter griping smart.
In corses seuen I seuen times deade am caried to my graue.
Reioyce thou foe and triumph now in that thou seemste to haue
The vpper hande. What? vpper hand? no no it is not so.
As wretched as my case doth seeme, yet haue I left me mo
Than thou for all thy happinesse canst of thine owne account
Euen after all these corses yet I still doe thee surmount.
Upon the ende of these same wordes the twanging of the string
In letting of the Arrow flie was clearly heard: which thing
Made euery one saue Niobe afraide. Hir heart was so
With sorrowe hardned, that she grew more bolde. Hir daughters tho
Were standing all with mourning weede and hanging haire before
Their brothers coffins. One of them in pulling from the sore
An Arrow sticking in his heart, sanke downe vpon hir brother
With mouth to mouth, and so did yeelde hir fleeting ghost. Another
In comforting the wretched case and sorrow of hir mother
Upon the sodaine helde hir peace. She stricken was within
With double wound: which caused hit hir talking for to blin
And shut hir mouth: But first hir ghost was gone. One all in vaine
Attempting for to scape by flight was in hir flying slaine.
Another on hir sisters corse doth tumble downe starke dead.
This quakes and trembles piteously, and she doth hide hir head.
And when that sixe with sundrye woundes dispatched were and gone,
At last as yet remained one: and for to saue that one,
Hir mother with hir bodie whole did cling about hir fast,
And wrying hir did ouer hir hir garments wholy cast:
And cried out: O leaue me one: this little one yet saue:
Of many but this only one the least of all I craue.
But while she prayd, for whome she prayd was kild. Then down she sate
Bereft of all hir children quite, and drawing to hir fate,
Among hir daughters and hir sonnes and husband newly dead.
Hir cheekes waxt hard, the Ayre could stirre no haire vpon hir head.
The colour of hir face was dim and clearly voide of blood,
And sadly vnder open lids hir eyes vnmoued stood.
In all hir bodie was no life. For euen hir verie tung
And palat of hir mouth was hard, and eche to other clung.
Hir Pulses ceased for to beate, hir necke did cease to bow,
Hir armes to stir, hir feete to go, all powre forwent as now.
And into stone hir verie wombe and bowels also bind.
But yet she wept: and being hoyst by force of whirling wind
Was caried into Phrygie. There vpon a mountaines top
She weepeth still in stone. from stone the drerie teares do drop.
The weeping of hir seruants gaue the mother t'vnderstand
The sodaine stroke of this mischaunce. She wondred verie much
And stormed also that the Gods were able to doe such
A deede, or durst attempt it, yea she thought it more than right
That any of them ouer hir should haue so mickle might.
Amphion had fordone himselfe alreadie with a knife,
And ended all his sorrowes quite togither with his life.
Alas, alas how greatly doth this Niobe differ here
From tother Niobe who a late disdaining any Pere
Did from Latonas Altars driue hir folke, and through the towne
With haultie looke and stately gate went pranking vp and downe,
Then spighted at among hir owne, but piteous now to those:
That heretofore for hir deserts had bene hir greatest foes.
She falleth on the corses colde, and taking no regard,
Bestowde hir kysses on hir sonnes as whome she afterwarde
Did know she neuer more shoulde kisse. From whome she lifting thoe
Hir blew and broosed armes to heauen sayd: O thou cruell foe
Latona feede, yea feede thy selfe I say vpon my woe
And ouergorge thy stomacke, yea and glut thy cruell hart
With these my present painefull pangs of bitter griping smart.
In corses seuen I seuen times deade am caried to my graue.
Reioyce thou foe and triumph now in that thou seemste to haue
The vpper hande. What? vpper hand? no no it is not so.
As wretched as my case doth seeme, yet haue I left me mo
Than thou for all thy happinesse canst of thine owne account
Euen after all these corses yet I still doe thee surmount.
Upon the ende of these same wordes the twanging of the string
In letting of the Arrow flie was clearly heard: which thing
Made euery one saue Niobe afraide. Hir heart was so
With sorrowe hardned, that she grew more bolde. Hir daughters tho
Were standing all with mourning weede and hanging haire before
Their brothers coffins. One of them in pulling from the sore
An Arrow sticking in his heart, sanke downe vpon hir brother
[71]
In comforting the wretched case and sorrow of hir mother
Upon the sodaine helde hir peace. She stricken was within
With double wound: which caused hit hir talking for to blin
And shut hir mouth: But first hir ghost was gone. One all in vaine
Attempting for to scape by flight was in hir flying slaine.
Another on hir sisters corse doth tumble downe starke dead.
This quakes and trembles piteously, and she doth hide hir head.
And when that sixe with sundrye woundes dispatched were and gone,
At last as yet remained one: and for to saue that one,
Hir mother with hir bodie whole did cling about hir fast,
And wrying hir did ouer hir hir garments wholy cast:
And cried out: O leaue me one: this little one yet saue:
Of many but this only one the least of all I craue.
But while she prayd, for whome she prayd was kild. Then down she sate
Bereft of all hir children quite, and drawing to hir fate,
Among hir daughters and hir sonnes and husband newly dead.
Hir cheekes waxt hard, the Ayre could stirre no haire vpon hir head.
The colour of hir face was dim and clearly voide of blood,
And sadly vnder open lids hir eyes vnmoued stood.
In all hir bodie was no life. For euen hir verie tung
And palat of hir mouth was hard, and eche to other clung.
Hir Pulses ceased for to beate, hir necke did cease to bow,
Hir armes to stir, hir feete to go, all powre forwent as now.
And into stone hir verie wombe and bowels also bind.
But yet she wept: and being hoyst by force of whirling wind
Was caried into Phrygie. There vpon a mountaines top
She weepeth still in stone. from stone the drerie teares do drop.
Then all both men and women fearde Latonaas open ire
And far with greater sumptuousnesse and earnester desire
Did worship the great maiestie of this their Goddesse who
Did beare at once both Phebus and his sister Phebe so
And through occasion of this chaunce, (as men are wont to do
In cases like) the people fell to telling things of old
Of whome a man among the rest this tale ensuing told.
And far with greater sumptuousnesse and earnester desire
Did worship the great maiestie of this their Goddesse who
Did beare at once both Phebus and his sister Phebe so
And through occasion of this chaunce, (as men are wont to do
In cases like) the people fell to telling things of old
Of whome a man among the rest this tale ensuing told.
The auntient folke that in the fieldes of fruitfull Lycia dwelt
Due penance also for their spight to this same Goddesse felt.
The basenesse of the parties makes the thing it selfe obscure.
Yet is the matter wonderfull. My selfe I you assure
Did presently beholde the Pond, and saw the very place
In which this wondrous thing was done. My father then in case,
Not able for to trauell well by reason of his age,
To fetch home certaine Oxen thence made me to be his page,
Appointing me a countryman of Lycia to my guide.
With whome as I went plodding in the pasture groundes, I spide
Amids a certaine Pond an olde square Aultar colourd blacke
With cinder of the sacrifice that still vpon it stacke.
About it round grew wauering Reedes. My guide anon did stay:
And softly, O be good to me, he in himselfe did say.
And I with like soft whispering did say be good to mee.
And then I askt him whether that the Altar wee did see
Belonged to the Waternymphes, or Faunes or other God
Peculiar to the place it selfe vpon the which we yod.
He made me aunswere thus. My guest no God of countrie race
Is in this Altar worshipped. That Goddesse claymes this place.
From whome the wife of mightie Ioue did all the world forfend:
When wandring restlesse here and there full hardly in the end
Unsetled Delos did receyue then floting on the waue,
As tide and weather to and fro the swimming Iland draue.
There maugre Iuno (who with might and main against hir straue)
Latona staying by a Date and Olyf tree that sted
In trauell, of a paire of twinnes was safely brought a bed.
And after hir deliurance folke report that she for feare
Of Iunos wrath did flie from hence, and in hir armes did beare
Hir babes which afterwarde became two Gods. In which hir trauell
In Sommer when the scorching Sunne is wont to burne the grauell
Of Lycie countrie where the fell Chymera hath his place,
The Goddesse wearie with the long continuance of hir race,
Waxt thirstie by the meanes of drought with going in the Sunne.
Hir babes had also suckt hir brestes as long as milke wold runne.
By chaunce she spide this little Pond of water here bylow.
And coūtrie Carles were gathering there these Oysyer twigs that grow
So thicke vpon a shrubbie stalke: and of these rushes greene:
And flags that in these moorish plots so rife of growing beene.
She comming hither kneeled downe the water vp to take
To coole hir thirst. The churlish cloynes forfended hir the Lake.
Then gently said the Goddesse: Sirs why doe you me forfend
The water? Nature doth to all in common water send.
For neither Sunne, nor Ayre, nor yet the Water priuate bee
I seeke but that which natures gift hath made to all things free.
And yet I humbly craue of you to graunt it vnto mee.
I did not go about to wash my werie limmes and skin,
I would but only quench my thirst. My throte is scalt within
For want of moysture: and my chappes and lippes are parching drie:
And scarsly is there way for wordes to issue out thereby.
A draught of water will to me be heauenly Nectar now.
And sure I will confesse I haue receiued life of you.
Yea in your giuing of a drop of water vnto mee,
The case so standeth as you shall preserue the liues of three.
Alas let these same sillie soules that in my bosome stretch
Their little armes (by chaunce hir babes their pretie dolles did retch)
To pitie moue you. What is he so hard that would not yeeld
To this the gentle Goddesses entreatance meeke and meeld?
Yet they for all the humble wordes she could deuise to say,
Continued in their willfull moode of churlish saying nay,
And threatned for to sende hir thence onlesse she went away,
Reuiling hir most spightfully. And not contented so.
With handes and feete the standing Poole they troubled to and fro,
Until with trampling vp and downe maliciously, the soft
And slimie mud that lay beneath was raised vp aloft.
With that the Goddesse was so wroth that thirst was quight forgot,
And vnto such vnworthie Carles hirselfe she humbleth not:
Ne speaketh meaner wordes than might beseeme a Goddesse well.
But holding vp hir handes to heauen: for euer mought you dwell
In this same Pond, she said: hir wish did take effect with speede.
For vnderneath the water they delight to be in deede.
Now diue they to the bottome downe, now vp their heades they pop,
Another while with sprawling legs they swim vpon the top.
And oftentimes vpon the bankes they haue a minde to stond,
And oftentimes from thence againe to leape into the Pond.
And there they now doe practise still their filthy tongues to scold.
And shamelessely (though vnderneath the water) they doe hold
Their former wont of brawling still amid the water cold.
Their voices stil are hoarse and harsh, their throtes haue puffed goawles,
Their chappes with brawling widened are, their hāmer headed Ioawles
Are ioyned to their shoulders iust, the neckes of them doe seeme
cut off, the ridgebone of their backe stickes vp of colour greene.
Their paunch which is the greatest part of all their trunch is gray,
And so they vp and downe the Pond made newly Frogges doe play.
Due penance also for their spight to this same Goddesse felt.
73
Yet is the matter wonderfull. My selfe I you assure
Did presently beholde the Pond, and saw the very place
In which this wondrous thing was done. My father then in case,
Not able for to trauell well by reason of his age,
To fetch home certaine Oxen thence made me to be his page,
Appointing me a countryman of Lycia to my guide.
With whome as I went plodding in the pasture groundes, I spide
Amids a certaine Pond an olde square Aultar colourd blacke
With cinder of the sacrifice that still vpon it stacke.
About it round grew wauering Reedes. My guide anon did stay:
And softly, O be good to me, he in himselfe did say.
And I with like soft whispering did say be good to mee.
And then I askt him whether that the Altar wee did see
Belonged to the Waternymphes, or Faunes or other God
Peculiar to the place it selfe vpon the which we yod.
He made me aunswere thus. My guest no God of countrie race
Is in this Altar worshipped. That Goddesse claymes this place.
From whome the wife of mightie Ioue did all the world forfend:
When wandring restlesse here and there full hardly in the end
Unsetled Delos did receyue then floting on the waue,
As tide and weather to and fro the swimming Iland draue.
There maugre Iuno (who with might and main against hir straue)
Latona staying by a Date and Olyf tree that sted
In trauell, of a paire of twinnes was safely brought a bed.
And after hir deliurance folke report that she for feare
Of Iunos wrath did flie from hence, and in hir armes did beare
Hir babes which afterwarde became two Gods. In which hir trauell
In Sommer when the scorching Sunne is wont to burne the grauell
Of Lycie countrie where the fell Chymera hath his place,
The Goddesse wearie with the long continuance of hir race,
Waxt thirstie by the meanes of drought with going in the Sunne.
Hir babes had also suckt hir brestes as long as milke wold runne.
By chaunce she spide this little Pond of water here bylow.
And coūtrie Carles were gathering there these Oysyer twigs that grow
So thicke vpon a shrubbie stalke: and of these rushes greene:
And flags that in these moorish plots so rife of growing beene.
[73]
To coole hir thirst. The churlish cloynes forfended hir the Lake.
Then gently said the Goddesse: Sirs why doe you me forfend
The water? Nature doth to all in common water send.
For neither Sunne, nor Ayre, nor yet the Water priuate bee
I seeke but that which natures gift hath made to all things free.
And yet I humbly craue of you to graunt it vnto mee.
I did not go about to wash my werie limmes and skin,
I would but only quench my thirst. My throte is scalt within
For want of moysture: and my chappes and lippes are parching drie:
And scarsly is there way for wordes to issue out thereby.
A draught of water will to me be heauenly Nectar now.
And sure I will confesse I haue receiued life of you.
Yea in your giuing of a drop of water vnto mee,
The case so standeth as you shall preserue the liues of three.
Alas let these same sillie soules that in my bosome stretch
Their little armes (by chaunce hir babes their pretie dolles did retch)
To pitie moue you. What is he so hard that would not yeeld
To this the gentle Goddesses entreatance meeke and meeld?
Yet they for all the humble wordes she could deuise to say,
Continued in their willfull moode of churlish saying nay,
And threatned for to sende hir thence onlesse she went away,
Reuiling hir most spightfully. And not contented so.
With handes and feete the standing Poole they troubled to and fro,
Until with trampling vp and downe maliciously, the soft
And slimie mud that lay beneath was raised vp aloft.
With that the Goddesse was so wroth that thirst was quight forgot,
And vnto such vnworthie Carles hirselfe she humbleth not:
Ne speaketh meaner wordes than might beseeme a Goddesse well.
But holding vp hir handes to heauen: for euer mought you dwell
In this same Pond, she said: hir wish did take effect with speede.
For vnderneath the water they delight to be in deede.
Now diue they to the bottome downe, now vp their heades they pop,
Another while with sprawling legs they swim vpon the top.
And oftentimes vpon the bankes they haue a minde to stond,
And oftentimes from thence againe to leape into the Pond.
And there they now doe practise still their filthy tongues to scold.
74
Their former wont of brawling still amid the water cold.
Their voices stil are hoarse and harsh, their throtes haue puffed goawles,
Their chappes with brawling widened are, their hāmer headed Ioawles
Are ioyned to their shoulders iust, the neckes of them doe seeme
cut off, the ridgebone of their backe stickes vp of colour greene.
Their paunch which is the greatest part of all their trunch is gray,
And so they vp and downe the Pond made newly Frogges doe play.
When one of Lyce (I wote not who) had spoken in this sort,
Another of a Satyr streight began to make report,
Whome Phebus ouercomming on a pipe (made late ago
By Pallas) put to punishment. Why fleaëst thou me so,
Alas he cride it irketh me. Alas a sorie pipe
Deserueth not so cruelly my skin from me to stripe.
For all his crying ore his eares quight pulled was his skin.
Nought else he was than one whole wounde. The griesly bloud did spin
From euery part, the sinewes lay discouered to the eye,
The quiuering veynes without a skin lay beating nakedly.
The panting bowels in his bulke ye might haue numbred well,
And in his brest the shere small strings a man might easly tell.
The Countrie Faunes, the Gods of Woods, the Satyrs of his kin,
The Mount Olympus whose renowne did ere that time begin,
And all the Nymphes, and all that in those mountaines kept their sheepe,
Or grazed cattell thereabouts, did for this Satyr weepe.
The fruitfull earth waxt moyst therewith, and moysted did receyue
Their teares, and in hir bowels deepe did of the same conceyue.
And when that she had turned them to water, by and by
She sent them forth againe aloft to see the open Skie.
The Riuer that doth rise thereof beginning there his race,
In verie deepe and shoring bankes to Seaward runnes a pace
Through Phrygie, and according as the Satyr, so the streame
Is called Marsias, of the brookes the clearest in that Realme.
Another of a Satyr streight began to make report,
Whome Phebus ouercomming on a pipe (made late ago
By Pallas) put to punishment. Why fleaëst thou me so,
Alas he cride it irketh me. Alas a sorie pipe
Deserueth not so cruelly my skin from me to stripe.
For all his crying ore his eares quight pulled was his skin.
Nought else he was than one whole wounde. The griesly bloud did spin
From euery part, the sinewes lay discouered to the eye,
The quiuering veynes without a skin lay beating nakedly.
The panting bowels in his bulke ye might haue numbred well,
And in his brest the shere small strings a man might easly tell.
The Countrie Faunes, the Gods of Woods, the Satyrs of his kin,
The Mount Olympus whose renowne did ere that time begin,
And all the Nymphes, and all that in those mountaines kept their sheepe,
Or grazed cattell thereabouts, did for this Satyr weepe.
The fruitfull earth waxt moyst therewith, and moysted did receyue
Their teares, and in hir bowels deepe did of the same conceyue.
And when that she had turned them to water, by and by
She sent them forth againe aloft to see the open Skie.
The Riuer that doth rise thereof beginning there his race,
In verie deepe and shoring bankes to Seaward runnes a pace
Through Phrygie, and according as the Satyr, so the streame
Is called Marsias, of the brookes the clearest in that Realme.
With such examples as these same the common folke returnde
To present things, and euery man through all the Citie moornde
For that Amphion was destroyde with all his issue so.
But all the fault and blame was laide vpon the mother tho.
For hir alonly Pelops mournde (as men report) and hee
In opening of his clothes did shewe that euerie man might see
His shoulder on the left side bare of Iuorie for to bee.
This shoulder at his birth was like his tother both in hue
And flesh, vntill his fathers handes most wickedly him slue,
And that the Gods when they his limmes againe togither drue,
To ioyne them in their proper place and forme by nature due,
Did finde out all the other partes, saue only that which grue
Betwene the throteboll and the arme. which when they could not get
This other made of Iuorie white in place thereof they set
And by that meanes was Pelops made againe both whole and sound
To present things, and euery man through all the Citie moornde
For that Amphion was destroyde with all his issue so.
But all the fault and blame was laide vpon the mother tho.
For hir alonly Pelops mournde (as men report) and hee
[74]
His shoulder on the left side bare of Iuorie for to bee.
This shoulder at his birth was like his tother both in hue
And flesh, vntill his fathers handes most wickedly him slue,
And that the Gods when they his limmes againe togither drue,
To ioyne them in their proper place and forme by nature due,
Did finde out all the other partes, saue only that which grue
Betwene the throteboll and the arme. which when they could not get
This other made of Iuorie white in place thereof they set
And by that meanes was Pelops made againe both whole and sound
The neyghbor Princes thither came, and all the Cities round
About besought their Kings to go and comfort Thebe: as Arge
And Sparta, and Mycene which was vnder Pelops charge.
And Calydon vnhated of the frowning Phebe yit,
The welthie towne Orchomenos, and Corinth which in it
Had famous men for workmanship in mettals: and the stout
Messene which full twentie yeares did hold besiegers out.
And Patre, and the lowly towne Cleona, Nelies Pyle,
And Troyzen not surnamed yet Pittheia for a while.
And all the other Borough townes and Cities which doe stand
Within the narrow balke at which two Seas doe meete at hand,
Or which do bound vpon the balke without in maine firme land.
Alonly Athens (who would thinke?) did neither come nor send.
Warre barred them from courtesie the which they did entend.
The King of Pontus with an host of sauage people lay
In siege before their famous walles and curstly did them fray.
Untill that Tereus King of Thrace approching to their ayde,
Did vanquish him, and with renowne was for his labor payde.
And sith he was so puissant in men and ready coyne,
And came of mightie Marsis race, Pandion sought to ioyne
Aliance with him by and by, and gaue him to his Feere
His daughter Progne. At this match (as after will appeare)
Was neyther Iuno, President of mariage wont to bee,
Nor Hymen, no nor any one of all the graces three.
The Furies snatching Tapers vp that on some Herce did stande
Did light them, and before the Bride did beare them in their hande.
The Furies made the Bridegroomes bed. And on the house did rucke
A cursed Owle the messenger of yll successe and lucke.
And all the night time while that they were lying in their beds,
She sate vpon the bedsteds top right ouer both their heds.
Such handsell Progne had the day that Tereus did hir wed.
Such handsell had they when that she was brought of childe a bed.
All Thracia did reioyce at them, and thankt their Gods, and wild
That both the day of Prognes match with Tereus should be hild
For feastfull, and the day likewise that Itys first was borne:
So little know we what behoues. The Sunne had now outworne
Fiue Harnests, and by course fiue times had run his yearly race,
When Progne flattring Tereus saide: If any loue or grace
Betweene vs be, send eyther me my sister for to see,
Or finde the meanes that hither she may come to visit mee.
You may assure your Fathrinlaw she shall againe returne
Within a while. Ye doe to me the highest great good turne
That can be, if you bring to passe I may my sister see.
Immediatly the King commaundes his shippes a flote to bee.
And shortly after, what with sayle and what with force of Ores,
In Athens hauen he arriues and landes at Pyrey shores.
Assoone as of his fathrinlaw the presence he obtainde,
And had of him bene courteously and friendly entertainde,
Unhappie handsell entred with their talking first togither.
The errandes of his wife the cause of his then comming thither
He had but new begon to tell, and promised that when
She had hir sister seene, she should with speede be sent agen:
When (see the chaunce) came Philomele in raiment very rich,
And yet in beautie farre more rich, euen like the Fairies which
Reported are the pleasant woods and water springs to haunt,
So that the like apparell and attire to them you graunt.
King Tereus at the sight of hir did burne in his desire,
As if a man should chaunce to set a gulfe of corne on fire,
Or burne a stacke of hay. Hir face in deede deserued loue.
But as for him, to fleshly lust euen nature did him moue.
For of those countries commonly the people are aboue
All measure prone to lecherie. And therefore both by kinde
His flame encreast, and by his owne default of vicious minde
He purposde fully to corrupt hir seruants with reward:
Or for to bribe hir Nurce, that she should slenderly regarde
Hir dutie to hir mistresseward. And rather than to fayle,
The Ladie euen hirselfe with gifts he minded to assayle,
And all his kingdome for to spend. or else by force of hand
To take hir, and in maintenance thereof by sword to stand.
There was not vnder heauen the thing but that he durst it proue,
So far vnable was he now to stay his lawlesse loue.
Delay was deadly. Backe againe with greedie minde he came
Of Prognes errands for to talke: and vnderneath the same
He workes his owne vngraciousnesse. Loue gaue him power to frame
His talke at will. As oft as he demaunded out of square,
Upon his wiues importunate desire himselfe he bare.
He also wept: as though his wife had willed that likewise.
O God, what blindnesse doth the heartes of mortall men disguise?
By working mischiefe Tereus gets him credit for to seeme
A louing man, and winneth praise by wickednesse extreeme.
Yea and the foolish Philomele the selfe same thing desires.
Who hanging on hir fathers necke with flattring armes, requires
Against hir life and for hir life his licence for to go
To see hir sister. Tereus beholdes hir wistly tho,
And in beholding handles hir with heart. For when he saw
Hir kisse hir father, and about his necke hir armes to draw,
They all were spurres to pricke him forth, and wood to feede his fire,
And foode of forcing nourishment to further his desire.
As oft as she hir father did betweene hir armes embrace,
So often wished he himselfe hir father in that case.
For nought at all should that in him haue wrought the greater grace.
Hir father could not say them nay they lay at him so sore.
Right glad thereof was Philomele and thanked him therefore.
And wretched wench she thinkes she had obtained such a thing,
As both to Progne and hir selfe should ioy and comfort bring,
When both of them in verie deede should afterward it rew.
To endward of his daily race and trauell Phebus drew,
And on the shoring side of Heauen his horses downeward flew.
A princely supper was prepaarde, and wine in golde was set:
And after meate to take their rest the Princes did them get.
But though the King of Thrace that while were absent from hir sight,
Yet swelted he: and in his minde reuoluing all the night
Hir face, hir gesture, and hir hands, imaginde all the rest
(The which as yet he had not seene) as likte his fancie best.
He feedes his flames himselfe. No winke could come within his eyes,
For thinking ay on hir. Assoone as day was in the skies,
Pandion holding in his hand the hand of Tereus prest
To go his way, and sheading teares betooke him thus his guest.
Deare sonneinlaw I giue thee here (sith godly cause constraines)
This Damsell. Bythe faith that in thy Princely heart remaines,
And for our late aliance sake, and by the Gods aboue,
I humbly thee beseche that as a Father thou doe loue
And maintaine hir. and that as soone as may be (all delay
Will vnto me seeme ouer long) thou let hir come away
The comfort of my carefull age on whome my life doth stay.
And thou my daughter Philomele (it is inough ywis
That from hir father set so farre thy sister Progne is)
If any sparke of nature doe within thy heart remayne,
With all the haast and speede thou canst returne to me againe.
In giuing charge he kissed hir: and downe his cheekes did raine
The tender teares. and as a pledge of faith he tooke the right
Handes of them both, and ioyning them did eche to other plight.
Desiring them to beare in minde his commendations to
His daughter and hir little sonne. And then with much a doe
For sobbing, at the last he had adew as one dismaid.
The foremisgiuing of his minde did make him sore afraid.
About besought their Kings to go and comfort Thebe: as Arge
And Sparta, and Mycene which was vnder Pelops charge.
And Calydon vnhated of the frowning Phebe yit,
The welthie towne Orchomenos, and Corinth which in it
Had famous men for workmanship in mettals: and the stout
Messene which full twentie yeares did hold besiegers out.
And Patre, and the lowly towne Cleona, Nelies Pyle,
And Troyzen not surnamed yet Pittheia for a while.
And all the other Borough townes and Cities which doe stand
Within the narrow balke at which two Seas doe meete at hand,
Or which do bound vpon the balke without in maine firme land.
Alonly Athens (who would thinke?) did neither come nor send.
Warre barred them from courtesie the which they did entend.
The King of Pontus with an host of sauage people lay
In siege before their famous walles and curstly did them fray.
Untill that Tereus King of Thrace approching to their ayde,
Did vanquish him, and with renowne was for his labor payde.
And sith he was so puissant in men and ready coyne,
And came of mightie Marsis race, Pandion sought to ioyne
Aliance with him by and by, and gaue him to his Feere
His daughter Progne. At this match (as after will appeare)
Was neyther Iuno, President of mariage wont to bee,
Nor Hymen, no nor any one of all the graces three.
The Furies snatching Tapers vp that on some Herce did stande
Did light them, and before the Bride did beare them in their hande.
The Furies made the Bridegroomes bed. And on the house did rucke
75
And all the night time while that they were lying in their beds,
She sate vpon the bedsteds top right ouer both their heds.
Such handsell Progne had the day that Tereus did hir wed.
Such handsell had they when that she was brought of childe a bed.
All Thracia did reioyce at them, and thankt their Gods, and wild
That both the day of Prognes match with Tereus should be hild
For feastfull, and the day likewise that Itys first was borne:
So little know we what behoues. The Sunne had now outworne
Fiue Harnests, and by course fiue times had run his yearly race,
When Progne flattring Tereus saide: If any loue or grace
Betweene vs be, send eyther me my sister for to see,
Or finde the meanes that hither she may come to visit mee.
You may assure your Fathrinlaw she shall againe returne
Within a while. Ye doe to me the highest great good turne
That can be, if you bring to passe I may my sister see.
Immediatly the King commaundes his shippes a flote to bee.
And shortly after, what with sayle and what with force of Ores,
In Athens hauen he arriues and landes at Pyrey shores.
Assoone as of his fathrinlaw the presence he obtainde,
And had of him bene courteously and friendly entertainde,
Unhappie handsell entred with their talking first togither.
The errandes of his wife the cause of his then comming thither
He had but new begon to tell, and promised that when
She had hir sister seene, she should with speede be sent agen:
When (see the chaunce) came Philomele in raiment very rich,
And yet in beautie farre more rich, euen like the Fairies which
Reported are the pleasant woods and water springs to haunt,
So that the like apparell and attire to them you graunt.
King Tereus at the sight of hir did burne in his desire,
As if a man should chaunce to set a gulfe of corne on fire,
Or burne a stacke of hay. Hir face in deede deserued loue.
But as for him, to fleshly lust euen nature did him moue.
For of those countries commonly the people are aboue
All measure prone to lecherie. And therefore both by kinde
His flame encreast, and by his owne default of vicious minde
He purposde fully to corrupt hir seruants with reward:
[75]
Hir dutie to hir mistresseward. And rather than to fayle,
The Ladie euen hirselfe with gifts he minded to assayle,
And all his kingdome for to spend. or else by force of hand
To take hir, and in maintenance thereof by sword to stand.
There was not vnder heauen the thing but that he durst it proue,
So far vnable was he now to stay his lawlesse loue.
Delay was deadly. Backe againe with greedie minde he came
Of Prognes errands for to talke: and vnderneath the same
He workes his owne vngraciousnesse. Loue gaue him power to frame
His talke at will. As oft as he demaunded out of square,
Upon his wiues importunate desire himselfe he bare.
He also wept: as though his wife had willed that likewise.
O God, what blindnesse doth the heartes of mortall men disguise?
By working mischiefe Tereus gets him credit for to seeme
A louing man, and winneth praise by wickednesse extreeme.
Yea and the foolish Philomele the selfe same thing desires.
Who hanging on hir fathers necke with flattring armes, requires
Against hir life and for hir life his licence for to go
To see hir sister. Tereus beholdes hir wistly tho,
And in beholding handles hir with heart. For when he saw
Hir kisse hir father, and about his necke hir armes to draw,
They all were spurres to pricke him forth, and wood to feede his fire,
And foode of forcing nourishment to further his desire.
As oft as she hir father did betweene hir armes embrace,
So often wished he himselfe hir father in that case.
For nought at all should that in him haue wrought the greater grace.
Hir father could not say them nay they lay at him so sore.
Right glad thereof was Philomele and thanked him therefore.
And wretched wench she thinkes she had obtained such a thing,
As both to Progne and hir selfe should ioy and comfort bring,
When both of them in verie deede should afterward it rew.
To endward of his daily race and trauell Phebus drew,
And on the shoring side of Heauen his horses downeward flew.
A princely supper was prepaarde, and wine in golde was set:
And after meate to take their rest the Princes did them get.
But though the King of Thrace that while were absent from hir sight,
76
Hir face, hir gesture, and hir hands, imaginde all the rest
(The which as yet he had not seene) as likte his fancie best.
He feedes his flames himselfe. No winke could come within his eyes,
For thinking ay on hir. Assoone as day was in the skies,
Pandion holding in his hand the hand of Tereus prest
To go his way, and sheading teares betooke him thus his guest.
Deare sonneinlaw I giue thee here (sith godly cause constraines)
This Damsell. Bythe faith that in thy Princely heart remaines,
And for our late aliance sake, and by the Gods aboue,
I humbly thee beseche that as a Father thou doe loue
And maintaine hir. and that as soone as may be (all delay
Will vnto me seeme ouer long) thou let hir come away
The comfort of my carefull age on whome my life doth stay.
And thou my daughter Philomele (it is inough ywis
That from hir father set so farre thy sister Progne is)
If any sparke of nature doe within thy heart remayne,
With all the haast and speede thou canst returne to me againe.
In giuing charge he kissed hir: and downe his cheekes did raine
The tender teares. and as a pledge of faith he tooke the right
Handes of them both, and ioyning them did eche to other plight.
Desiring them to beare in minde his commendations to
His daughter and hir little sonne. And then with much a doe
For sobbing, at the last he had adew as one dismaid.
The foremisgiuing of his minde did make him sore afraid.
Assoone as Tereus and the Maide togither were a boord,
And that their ship from land with Ores was haled on the foord,
The fielde is ours he cride aloude, I haue the thing I sought
And vp he skipt, so barbrous and so beastly was his thought,
That scarce euen there he could forbeare his pleasure to haue wrought
His eye went neuer off of hir: as when the scarefull Erne
With hooked talants trussing vp a Hare among the Ferne,
Hath laid hir in his nest, from whence the prisoner can not scape,
The rauening fowle with greedie eyes vpon his pray doth gape.
Now was their iourney come to ende: now were they gone a land
In Thracia, when that Tereus tooke the Ladie by the hand,
And led hir to a pelting graunge that peakishly did stand
In woods forgrowen. There waxing pale and trembling sore for feare,
And dreading all things, and with teares demaunding sadly where
Hir sister was, he shet hir vp: and therewithall bewraide
His wicked lust, and so by force bicause she was a Maide
And all alone he vanquisht hir, It booted nought at all
That she on sister, or on Sire, or on the Gods did call.
She quaketh like the wounded Lambe which frō the Wolues hore teeth
New shaken thinkes hir selfe not safe: or as the Doue that seeth
Hir fethers with hir owne bloud staynde, who shuddring still doth feare
The greedie Hauke that did hir late with griping talants teare.
And that their ship from land with Ores was haled on the foord,
The fielde is ours he cride aloude, I haue the thing I sought
And vp he skipt, so barbrous and so beastly was his thought,
That scarce euen there he could forbeare his pleasure to haue wrought
His eye went neuer off of hir: as when the scarefull Erne
With hooked talants trussing vp a Hare among the Ferne,
Hath laid hir in his nest, from whence the prisoner can not scape,
The rauening fowle with greedie eyes vpon his pray doth gape.
Now was their iourney come to ende: now were they gone a land
In Thracia, when that Tereus tooke the Ladie by the hand,
And led hir to a pelting graunge that peakishly did stand
[76]
And dreading all things, and with teares demaunding sadly where
Hir sister was, he shet hir vp: and therewithall bewraide
His wicked lust, and so by force bicause she was a Maide
And all alone he vanquisht hir, It booted nought at all
That she on sister, or on Sire, or on the Gods did call.
She quaketh like the wounded Lambe which frō the Wolues hore teeth
New shaken thinkes hir selfe not safe: or as the Doue that seeth
Hir fethers with hir owne bloud staynde, who shuddring still doth feare
The greedie Hauke that did hir late with griping talants teare.
Anon when that this mazednesse was somewhat ouerpast,
She rent hir haire, and beate hir brest, and vp to heauenward cast
Hir hands in mourning wise, and said. O cankerd Carle, O fell
And cruell Tyrant, neyther could the godly teares that fell
A downe my fathers cheekes when he did giue thee charge of mee,
Ne of my sister that regarde that ought to be in thee,
Nor yet my chaast virginitie, nor conscience of the lawe
Of wedlocke, from this villanie thy barbrous heart withdraw?
Behold thou hast confounded all. My sister thorough mee
Is made a Cucqueane: and thy selfe through this offence of thee
Art made a husband to vs both, and vnto me a foe
A iust deserued punishment for lewdly doing so.
But to thintent O periurde wretch no mischiefe may remaine
Unwrought by thee, why doest thou from murdring me refraine?
Would God thou had it done before this wicked rape. From hence
Then should my soule most blessedly haue gone without offence.
But if the Gods doe see this deede, and if the Gods I say
Be ought, and in this wicked worlde beare any kinde of sway
And if with me all other things decay not, sure the day
Will come that for this wickednesse full dearly thou shalt pay.
Yea I my selfe reiecting shame thy doings will bewray.
And if I may haue power to come abrode, them blase I will
In open face of all the world. or if thou keepe me still
As prisoner in these woods, my voyce the verie woods shall fill,
And make the stones to vnderstand. Let Heauen to this giue eare
And all the Gods and powers therein if any God be there.
She rent hir haire, and beate hir brest, and vp to heauenward cast
Hir hands in mourning wise, and said. O cankerd Carle, O fell
And cruell Tyrant, neyther could the godly teares that fell
A downe my fathers cheekes when he did giue thee charge of mee,
Ne of my sister that regarde that ought to be in thee,
Nor yet my chaast virginitie, nor conscience of the lawe
Of wedlocke, from this villanie thy barbrous heart withdraw?
Behold thou hast confounded all. My sister thorough mee
Is made a Cucqueane: and thy selfe through this offence of thee
Art made a husband to vs both, and vnto me a foe
A iust deserued punishment for lewdly doing so.
But to thintent O periurde wretch no mischiefe may remaine
Unwrought by thee, why doest thou from murdring me refraine?
Would God thou had it done before this wicked rape. From hence
Then should my soule most blessedly haue gone without offence.
But if the Gods doe see this deede, and if the Gods I say
Be ought, and in this wicked worlde beare any kinde of sway
And if with me all other things decay not, sure the day
Will come that for this wickednesse full dearly thou shalt pay.
Yea I my selfe reiecting shame thy doings will bewray.
And if I may haue power to come abrode, them blase I will
In open face of all the world. or if thou keepe me still
As prisoner in these woods, my voyce the verie woods shall fill,
And make the stones to vnderstand. Let Heauen to this giue eare
And all the Gods and powers therein if any God be there.
The cruell tyrant being chaaft and also put in feare
With these and other such hir wordes, both causes so him stung,
That drawing out his naked sworde that at his girdle hung,
He tooke hir rudely by the haire, and wrung hir hands behind hir,
Compelling hir to holde them there while he himselfe did bind hir.
When Philomela sawe the sworde, she hoapt she should haue dide,
And for the same hir naked throte she gladly did prouide.
But as she yirnde and called ay vpon hir fathers name,
And striued to haue spoken still, the cruell tyrant came
And with a paire of pinsons fast did catch hir by the tung,
And with his sword did cut it off. The stumpe whereon it hung
Did patter still. The tip fell downe and quiuering on the ground
As though that it had murmured it made a certaine sound.
And as an Adders tayle cut off doth skip a while: euen so
The tip of Philomelaas tongue did wriggle to and fro,
And nearer to hir mistresseward in dying still did go.
And after this most cruell act, for certaine men report
That he (I scarcely dare beleue) did oftentimes resort
To maymed Philomela and abusde hir at his will:
Yet after all this wickednesse he keeping countnance still,
Durst vnto Progne home repaire. And she immediatly
Demaunded where hir sister was. He sighing feynedly
Did tell hir falsly she was dead: and with his suttle teares
He maketh all his tale to seeme of credit in hir eares.
Hir garments glittring all with golde she from hir shoulders teares
And puts on blacke, and setteth vp an emptie Herce, and keepes
A solemne obite for hir soule, and piteously she weepes
And waileth for hir sisters fate who was not in such wise
As that was, for to be bewailde. The Sunne had in the Skies
Past through the twelue celestiall signes, and finisht full a yeare.
But what should Philomela doe? She watched was so neare
That start she could not for hir life. the walles of that same graunge
Were made so high of maine hard stone, that out she could not raunge.
Againe hir tunglesse mouth did want the vtterance of the fact.
Great is the wit of pensiuenesse, and when the head is ract
With hard misfortune, sharpe forecast of practise entereth in.
A warpe of white vpon a frame of Thracia she did pin,
And weaued purple letters in betweene it, which bewraide
The wicked deede of Tereus. And hauing done, she praide
A certaine woman by hir signes to beare them to hir mistresse.
She bare them and deliuered them not knowing nerethelesse
What was in them. The Tyrants wife vnfolded all the clout,
And of hir wretched fortune red the processe whole throughout.
She held hir peace (a wondrous thing it is she should so doe)
But sorrow tide hir tongue and wordes agreeable vnto
Hir great displeasure were not at commaundment at that stound.
And weepe she could not. Ryght and wrong she reckeneth to confound,
And on reuengement of the deede hir heart doth wholy ground.
77
That drawing out his naked sworde that at his girdle hung,
He tooke hir rudely by the haire, and wrung hir hands behind hir,
Compelling hir to holde them there while he himselfe did bind hir.
When Philomela sawe the sworde, she hoapt she should haue dide,
And for the same hir naked throte she gladly did prouide.
But as she yirnde and called ay vpon hir fathers name,
And striued to haue spoken still, the cruell tyrant came
And with a paire of pinsons fast did catch hir by the tung,
And with his sword did cut it off. The stumpe whereon it hung
Did patter still. The tip fell downe and quiuering on the ground
As though that it had murmured it made a certaine sound.
And as an Adders tayle cut off doth skip a while: euen so
The tip of Philomelaas tongue did wriggle to and fro,
And nearer to hir mistresseward in dying still did go.
And after this most cruell act, for certaine men report
That he (I scarcely dare beleue) did oftentimes resort
To maymed Philomela and abusde hir at his will:
Yet after all this wickednesse he keeping countnance still,
Durst vnto Progne home repaire. And she immediatly
Demaunded where hir sister was. He sighing feynedly
Did tell hir falsly she was dead: and with his suttle teares
He maketh all his tale to seeme of credit in hir eares.
Hir garments glittring all with golde she from hir shoulders teares
And puts on blacke, and setteth vp an emptie Herce, and keepes
A solemne obite for hir soule, and piteously she weepes
And waileth for hir sisters fate who was not in such wise
As that was, for to be bewailde. The Sunne had in the Skies
Past through the twelue celestiall signes, and finisht full a yeare.
But what should Philomela doe? She watched was so neare
That start she could not for hir life. the walles of that same graunge
Were made so high of maine hard stone, that out she could not raunge.
Againe hir tunglesse mouth did want the vtterance of the fact.
Great is the wit of pensiuenesse, and when the head is ract
With hard misfortune, sharpe forecast of practise entereth in.
A warpe of white vpon a frame of Thracia she did pin,
And weaued purple letters in betweene it, which bewraide
[77]
A certaine woman by hir signes to beare them to hir mistresse.
She bare them and deliuered them not knowing nerethelesse
What was in them. The Tyrants wife vnfolded all the clout,
And of hir wretched fortune red the processe whole throughout.
She held hir peace (a wondrous thing it is she should so doe)
But sorrow tide hir tongue and wordes agreeable vnto
Hir great displeasure were not at commaundment at that stound.
And weepe she could not. Ryght and wrong she reckeneth to confound,
And on reuengement of the deede hir heart doth wholy ground.
It was the time that wiues of Thrace were wont to celebrate
The three yeare rites of Bacchus which were done a nighttimes late.
A nighttimes soundeth Rhodope of tincling pannes and pots:
A nighttimes giuing vp hir house abrode Queene Progne trots
Disguisde like Bacchus other froes and armed to the proofe
With all the frenticke furniture that serues for that behoofe.
Hir head was couered with a vine. About hir loose was tuckt
A Reddeeres skin. a lightsome Launce vpon hir shoulder ruckt.
In poast gaddes terrible Progne through the woods, and at hir heeles
A flocke of froes. and where the sting of sorrow which she feeles
Enforceth hir to furiousnesse, she feynes it to proceede
Of Bacchus motion. At the length she finding out in deede
The outset Graunge howlde out, and cride now well, and open brake
The gates, and streight hir sister thence by force of hand did take,
And veyling hir in like attire of Bacchus, hid hir head
With Iuie leaues, and home to Court hir sore amazed led.
The three yeare rites of Bacchus which were done a nighttimes late.
A nighttimes soundeth Rhodope of tincling pannes and pots:
A nighttimes giuing vp hir house abrode Queene Progne trots
Disguisde like Bacchus other froes and armed to the proofe
With all the frenticke furniture that serues for that behoofe.
Hir head was couered with a vine. About hir loose was tuckt
A Reddeeres skin. a lightsome Launce vpon hir shoulder ruckt.
In poast gaddes terrible Progne through the woods, and at hir heeles
A flocke of froes. and where the sting of sorrow which she feeles
Enforceth hir to furiousnesse, she feynes it to proceede
Of Bacchus motion. At the length she finding out in deede
The outset Graunge howlde out, and cride now well, and open brake
The gates, and streight hir sister thence by force of hand did take,
And veyling hir in like attire of Bacchus, hid hir head
With Iuie leaues, and home to Court hir sore amazed led.
Assoone as Philomela wist she set hir foote within
That cursed house, the wretched soule to shudther did begin,
And all hir face waxt pale. Anon hir sister getting place
Did pull off Bacchus mad attire, and making bare hir face
Embraced hir betweene hir armes. But she considering that
Queene Progne was a Cucqueane made by meanes of hir, durst nat
Once raise hir eyes: but on the ground fast fixed helde the same.
And where she woulde haue taken God to witnesse that the shame
And villanie was wrought to hir by violence, she was fayne
To vse hir hand in stead of speache. Then Progne chaaft a maine.
And was not able in hir selfe hir choler to restraine.
But blaming Philomela for hir weeping, said these wordes.
Thou must not deale in this behalfe with weeping, but with swordes:
Or with some thing of greater force than swords. For my part, I
Am readie, yea and fully bent all mischiefe for to trie.
This pallace will I eyther set on fire, and in the same
Bestow the cursed Tereus the worker of our shame:
Or pull away his tongue: or put out both his eyes: or cut
Away those members which haue thee to such dishonor put:
Or with a thousand woundes expulse that sinfull soule of his.
The thing that I doe purpose on is great, what ere it is.
I know not what it may be yet. While Progne herevnto
Did set hir minde, came Itys in, who taught hir what to doe.
She staring on him cruelly, said. Ah, how like thou art
Thy wicked father, and without moe wordes a sorowfull part
She purposed, such inward ire was boyling in hir heart.
But notwithstanding when hir sonne approched to hir neare,
And louingly had grëeted hir by name of mother deare,
And with his pretie armes about the necke had hugde hir fast,
And flattring wordes with childish toyes in kissing forth had cast,
The mothers heart of hirs was then constreyned to relent,
Asswaged wholy was the rage to which she erst was bent,
And from hir eyes against hir will the teares enforced went.
But when she saw how pitie did compell hir heart to yeelde,
She turned to hir sisters face from Itys, and behelde
Now tone, now tother earnestly and said. why tattles he
And she sittes dumbe bereft of tongue? as well why calles not she
Me sister, as this boy doth call me mother? Seest thou not
Thou daughter of Pandion what a husband thou hast got?
Thou growest wholy out of kinde. To such a husband as
Is Tereus, pitie is a sinne. No more delay there was.
She dragged Itys after hir, as when it happes in Inde
A Tyger gets a little Calfe that suckes vpon a Hynde
And drags him through the shadie woods. And when that they had found
A place within the house far off and far aboue the ground,
Then Progne strake him with a sword now plainly seeing whother
He should, and holding vp his handes, and crying mother, mother,
And flying to hir necke: euen where the brest and side doe bounde,
And neuer turnde away hir face. Inough had bene that wound
Alone to bring him to his ende. The tother sister slit
His throte. And while some life and soule was in his members yit,
In gobbits they them rent: whereof were some in Pipkins boyld,
And other some on hissing spits against the fire were broyld,
And with the gellied bloud of him was all the chamber foyld.
That cursed house, the wretched soule to shudther did begin,
And all hir face waxt pale. Anon hir sister getting place
Did pull off Bacchus mad attire, and making bare hir face
Embraced hir betweene hir armes. But she considering that
Queene Progne was a Cucqueane made by meanes of hir, durst nat
Once raise hir eyes: but on the ground fast fixed helde the same.
And where she woulde haue taken God to witnesse that the shame
And villanie was wrought to hir by violence, she was fayne
To vse hir hand in stead of speache. Then Progne chaaft a maine.
And was not able in hir selfe hir choler to restraine.
78
Thou must not deale in this behalfe with weeping, but with swordes:
Or with some thing of greater force than swords. For my part, I
Am readie, yea and fully bent all mischiefe for to trie.
This pallace will I eyther set on fire, and in the same
Bestow the cursed Tereus the worker of our shame:
Or pull away his tongue: or put out both his eyes: or cut
Away those members which haue thee to such dishonor put:
Or with a thousand woundes expulse that sinfull soule of his.
The thing that I doe purpose on is great, what ere it is.
I know not what it may be yet. While Progne herevnto
Did set hir minde, came Itys in, who taught hir what to doe.
She staring on him cruelly, said. Ah, how like thou art
Thy wicked father, and without moe wordes a sorowfull part
She purposed, such inward ire was boyling in hir heart.
But notwithstanding when hir sonne approched to hir neare,
And louingly had grëeted hir by name of mother deare,
And with his pretie armes about the necke had hugde hir fast,
And flattring wordes with childish toyes in kissing forth had cast,
The mothers heart of hirs was then constreyned to relent,
Asswaged wholy was the rage to which she erst was bent,
And from hir eyes against hir will the teares enforced went.
But when she saw how pitie did compell hir heart to yeelde,
She turned to hir sisters face from Itys, and behelde
Now tone, now tother earnestly and said. why tattles he
And she sittes dumbe bereft of tongue? as well why calles not she
Me sister, as this boy doth call me mother? Seest thou not
Thou daughter of Pandion what a husband thou hast got?
Thou growest wholy out of kinde. To such a husband as
Is Tereus, pitie is a sinne. No more delay there was.
She dragged Itys after hir, as when it happes in Inde
A Tyger gets a little Calfe that suckes vpon a Hynde
And drags him through the shadie woods. And when that they had found
A place within the house far off and far aboue the ground,
Then Progne strake him with a sword now plainly seeing whother
He should, and holding vp his handes, and crying mother, mother,
And flying to hir necke: euen where the brest and side doe bounde,
[78]
Alone to bring him to his ende. The tother sister slit
His throte. And while some life and soule was in his members yit,
In gobbits they them rent: whereof were some in Pipkins boyld,
And other some on hissing spits against the fire were broyld,
And with the gellied bloud of him was all the chamber foyld.
To this same banket Progne bade hir husband knowing nought
Nor nought mistrusting of the harme and lewdnesse she had wrought.
And feyning a solemnitie according to the guise
Of Athens, at the which there might be none in any wise
Besides hir husband and hir selfe, she banisht from the same
Hir householde folke and soiourners, and such as guestwise came.
King Tereus sitting in the throne of his forefathers, fed
And swallowed downe the selfe same flesh that of his bowels bred.
And he (so blinded was his heart) fetch Itys hither, sed.
No lenger hir most cruell ioy dissemble could the Queene.
But of hir murther coueting the messenger to beene,
She said: the thing thou askest for, thou hast within. About
He looked round, and asked where? To put him out of dout,
As he was yet demaunding where, and calling for him: out
Lept Philomele with scattred haire aflaight like one that fled
Had from some fray where slaughter was, and threw the bloudy head
Of Itys in his fathers face. And neuer more was shee
Desirous to haue had hir speache, that able she might be
Hir inward ioy with worthie wordes to witnesse franke and free.
The tyrant with a hideous noyse away the table shoues:
And reeres ye fiends from Hell. One while with yauning mouth he proues
To perbrake vp his meate againe, and cast his bowels out.
Another while with wringing handes he weeping goes about.
And of his sonne he termes himselfe the wretched graue. Anon
With naked sword and furious hearthe followeth fierce vpon
Pandions daughters. He that had bene present would haue deemde
Their bodies to haue houered vp with fethers. As they seemde:
So houered they with wings in deede. Of whome the one away
To woodward flies, the other still about the house doth stay.
And of their murther from their brestes not yet the token goth,
For euen still yet are stainde with bloud the fethers of them both.
And he through sorrow and desire of vengeance waxing wight,
Became a Bird vpon whose top a tuft of feathers light
In likenesse of a Helmets crest doth trimly stand vpright.
In stead of his long sword, his bill shootes out a passing space:
A Lapwing named is this Bird, all armed seemes his face.
Nor nought mistrusting of the harme and lewdnesse she had wrought.
And feyning a solemnitie according to the guise
Of Athens, at the which there might be none in any wise
Besides hir husband and hir selfe, she banisht from the same
Hir householde folke and soiourners, and such as guestwise came.
King Tereus sitting in the throne of his forefathers, fed
And swallowed downe the selfe same flesh that of his bowels bred.
And he (so blinded was his heart) fetch Itys hither, sed.
No lenger hir most cruell ioy dissemble could the Queene.
But of hir murther coueting the messenger to beene,
She said: the thing thou askest for, thou hast within. About
He looked round, and asked where? To put him out of dout,
As he was yet demaunding where, and calling for him: out
Lept Philomele with scattred haire aflaight like one that fled
Had from some fray where slaughter was, and threw the bloudy head
Of Itys in his fathers face. And neuer more was shee
Desirous to haue had hir speache, that able she might be
Hir inward ioy with worthie wordes to witnesse franke and free.
The tyrant with a hideous noyse away the table shoues:
And reeres ye fiends from Hell. One while with yauning mouth he proues
To perbrake vp his meate againe, and cast his bowels out.
Another while with wringing handes he weeping goes about.
And of his sonne he termes himselfe the wretched graue. Anon
With naked sword and furious hearthe followeth fierce vpon
Pandions daughters. He that had bene present would haue deemde
Their bodies to haue houered vp with fethers. As they seemde:
So houered they with wings in deede. Of whome the one away
To woodward flies, the other still about the house doth stay.
And of their murther from their brestes not yet the token goth,
For euen still yet are stainde with bloud the fethers of them both.
79
Became a Bird vpon whose top a tuft of feathers light
In likenesse of a Helmets crest doth trimly stand vpright.
In stead of his long sword, his bill shootes out a passing space:
A Lapwing named is this Bird, all armed seemes his face.
The sorrow of this great mischaunce did stop Pandions breath
Before his time, and long ere age determinde had his death.
Erecthey reigning after him the gouernment did take:
A Prince of such a worthinesse as no man well can make
Resolution, if he more in armes or iustice did excell.
Foure sonnes, and daughters foure he had Of which a couple well
Did eche in beautie other match. The one of these whose name
Was Procris vnto Cephalus King Aeolus sonne became
A happie wife. The Thracians and King Tereus were a let
To Boreas: so that long it was before the God could get
His dearbeloued Orithya, while trifling he did stand
With faire entreatance rather than did vse the force of hand.
But when he saw he no reliefe by gentle meanes could finde,
Then turning vnto boystous wrath (which vnto that same winde
Is too familiar and too much accustomed by kinde)
He said I serued am but well: for why laid I a part
My proper weapons, fiercenesse, force, and ire, and cruell hart?
And fell to fauning like a foole, which did me but disgrace?
For me is violence meete. Through this the pestred cloudes I chace.
Through this I tosse the Seas. Through this I turne vp knottie Okes,
And harden Snow, and beate the ground in hayle with sturdie strokes.
When I my brothers chaunce to get in open Ayre and Skie.
(For that is my fielde in the which my maisteries I doe trie)
I charge vpon them with such brunt, that of our meeting smart
The Heauen betweene vs soundes, & from the hollow Cloudes doth start
Enforced fire. And when I come in holes of hollow ground,
And fiersly in those emptie caues doe rouse my backe vp round,
I trouble euen the ghostes, and make the verie world to quake.
This helpe in wooing of my wife (to speede) I should haue take.
Erecthey should not haue bene prayde my Fatherinlaw to be:
He should haue bene compelde thereto by stout extremitie.
Before his time, and long ere age determinde had his death.
Erecthey reigning after him the gouernment did take:
A Prince of such a worthinesse as no man well can make
Resolution, if he more in armes or iustice did excell.
Foure sonnes, and daughters foure he had Of which a couple well
Did eche in beautie other match. The one of these whose name
Was Procris vnto Cephalus King Aeolus sonne became
A happie wife. The Thracians and King Tereus were a let
To Boreas: so that long it was before the God could get
His dearbeloued Orithya, while trifling he did stand
With faire entreatance rather than did vse the force of hand.
But when he saw he no reliefe by gentle meanes could finde,
Then turning vnto boystous wrath (which vnto that same winde
Is too familiar and too much accustomed by kinde)
He said I serued am but well: for why laid I a part
My proper weapons, fiercenesse, force, and ire, and cruell hart?
And fell to fauning like a foole, which did me but disgrace?
For me is violence meete. Through this the pestred cloudes I chace.
Through this I tosse the Seas. Through this I turne vp knottie Okes,
And harden Snow, and beate the ground in hayle with sturdie strokes.
When I my brothers chaunce to get in open Ayre and Skie.
(For that is my fielde in the which my maisteries I doe trie)
I charge vpon them with such brunt, that of our meeting smart
The Heauen betweene vs soundes, & from the hollow Cloudes doth start
Enforced fire. And when I come in holes of hollow ground,
And fiersly in those emptie caues doe rouse my backe vp round,
I trouble euen the ghostes, and make the verie world to quake.
This helpe in wooing of my wife (to speede) I should haue take.
Erecthey should not haue bene prayde my Fatherinlaw to be:
He should haue bene compelde thereto by stout extremitie.
[79]
In speaking these or other wordes as sturdie, Boreas gan
To flaske his wings. With wauing of the which he raysed than
So great a gale, that all the earth was blasted therewithall,
And troubled was the maine brode Sea. And as he traylde his pall
Bedusted ouer highest tops of things, he swept the ground.
And hauing now in smokie cloudes himselfe enclosed round,
Betweene his duskie wings he caught Orithya straught for feare,
And like a louer, verie soft and easly did hir beare.
And as he flew, the flames of loue enkindled more and more
By meanes of stirring. Neither did he stay his flight before
He came within the land and towne of Cicons with his pray.
And there soone after being made his wife she hapt to lay
Hir belly, and a paire of boyes she at a burthen brings,
Who else in all resembled full their mother, saue in wings
The which they of their father tooke. Howbeit (by report)
They were not borne with wings vpon their bodies in this sort.
While Calais and Zetes had no beard vpon their chin,
They both were callow. But assoone as haire did once begin
In likenesse of a yellow Downe vpon their cheekes to sprout,
Then (euen as comes to passe in Birdes) the feathers budded out
Togither on their pinyons too, and spreaded round about
On both their sides. And finally when childhod once was spent
And youth come on, togither they with other Minyes went
To Colchos in the Galley that was first deuisde in Greece,
Upon a sea as then vnknowen, to fetch the golden fleece.
To flaske his wings. With wauing of the which he raysed than
So great a gale, that all the earth was blasted therewithall,
And troubled was the maine brode Sea. And as he traylde his pall
Bedusted ouer highest tops of things, he swept the ground.
And hauing now in smokie cloudes himselfe enclosed round,
Betweene his duskie wings he caught Orithya straught for feare,
And like a louer, verie soft and easly did hir beare.
And as he flew, the flames of loue enkindled more and more
By meanes of stirring. Neither did he stay his flight before
He came within the land and towne of Cicons with his pray.
And there soone after being made his wife she hapt to lay
Hir belly, and a paire of boyes she at a burthen brings,
Who else in all resembled full their mother, saue in wings
The which they of their father tooke. Howbeit (by report)
They were not borne with wings vpon their bodies in this sort.
While Calais and Zetes had no beard vpon their chin,
They both were callow. But assoone as haire did once begin
In likenesse of a yellow Downe vpon their cheekes to sprout,
Then (euen as comes to passe in Birdes) the feathers budded out
Togither on their pinyons too, and spreaded round about
On both their sides. And finally when childhod once was spent
And youth come on, togither they with other Minyes went
To Colchos in the Galley that was first deuisde in Greece,
Upon a sea as then vnknowen, to fetch the golden fleece.
Finis sexti Libri.
80
THE SEVENTH BOOKE of Ouids Metamorphosis.
And
now in ship of Pagasa the Mynies cut the seas.
And leading vnder endlesse night his age in great disease
Of scarcitie was Phiney seene. and Boreas sonnes had chaste
Away the Maidenfaced foules that did his victels waste.
And after suffring many things in noble Iasons band,
In muddie Phasis gushing streame at last they went a land.
There while they going to the King demaund the golden fleece
Brought thither certaine yeares before by Phryxus out of Greece,
And of their dreadfull labors wait an answere to receiue:
Aeëtas daughter in hir heart doth mightie flames conceyue.
And after strugling verie long, when reason could not win
The vpper hand of rage: she thus did in hir selfe begin.
And leading vnder endlesse night his age in great disease
Of scarcitie was Phiney seene. and Boreas sonnes had chaste
Away the Maidenfaced foules that did his victels waste.
And after suffring many things in noble Iasons band,
In muddie Phasis gushing streame at last they went a land.
There while they going to the King demaund the golden fleece
Brought thither certaine yeares before by Phryxus out of Greece,
And of their dreadfull labors wait an answere to receiue:
Aeëtas daughter in hir heart doth mightie flames conceyue.
And after strugling verie long, when reason could not win
The vpper hand of rage: she thus did in hir selfe begin.
In vaine Medea doste thou striue. some God what ere he is
Against thee bendes his force. for what a wondrous thing is this?
Is anything like this which men doe terme by name of Loue?
For why should I my fathers hestes esteeme so hard aboue
All measure? sure in very deede they are too hard and sore.
Why feare I least yon straunger whome I neuer saw before
Should perish? what should be the cause of this my feare so great?
Unhappie wench (and if thou canst) suppresse this vncouth heat
That burneth in thy tender brest. and if so be I coulde,
A happie turne it were, and more at ease then be I shoulde.
But now an vncouth maladie perforce against my will
Doth hale me. Loue persuades me one, another thing my skill.
The best I see and like: the worst I follow headlong still.
Why being of the royall bloud so fondly doste thou raue,
Upon a straunger thus to dote, desiring for to haue
An husband of another world? at home thou mightest finde
A louer meete for thine estate on whome to set thy minde.
And yet it is but euen a chaunce if he shall liue or no:
God graunt him for to liue. I may without offence pray so,
Although I loude him not: for what hath Iason trespast me?
Who woulde not pitie Iasons youth onlesse they cruell be?
What creature is there but his birth and prowesse might him moue?
And setting all the rest asyde, who woulde not be in loue
With Iasons goodlie personage? my heart assuredly
Is toucht therewith. But if that I prouide not remedie,
With burning breath of blasting Bulles needes sindged must he bee.
Of seedes that he himselfe must sow a haruest shall he see
Of armed men in battell ray vpon the ground vp grow
Against the which it houeth him his manhode for to show.
And as a pray he must be set against the Dragon fell.
If I these things let come to passe, I may confesse right well
That of a Tyger I was bred: and that within my brest
A heart more harde than any steele or stonie rocke doth rest.
Why rather doe I not his death with wrathfull eyes beholde?
And ioy with others seeing him to vtter perill solde?
Why doe I not enforce the Bulles against him? why I say
Exhort I not the cruell men which shall in battell ray
Arise against him from the ground? and that same Dragon too
Within whose eyes came neuer sleepe? God shield I so should doo.
But prayer smally bootes, except I put to helping hand.
And shall I like a Caytife then betray my fathers land?
Shall I a straunger saue whome we nor none of ours doth know?
That he by me preserued may without me homeward row?
And take another to his wife, and leaue me wretched wight
To torments? If I wist that he coulde worke me such a spight,
Or could in any others loue than only mine delight,
The Churle should die for me. But sure he beareth not the face
Like one that wold doe so. His birth, his courage, and his grace
Doe put me clearly out of doubt he will not me deceyue,
No nor forget the great good turnes he shall by me receyue.
Yet shall he to me first his faith for more assurance plight
And solemly he shall be sworne to keepe the couenant right.
Why fearste thou now without a cause? step to it out of hand:
And doe not any lenger tune thus lingring fondly stand.
For ay shall Iason thinke himselfe beholding vnto thee:
And shall thee marrie solemly: yea honored shalt thou bee
Of all the Mothers greate and small throughout the townes of Greece
For sauing of their sonnes that come to fetch the golden fleece.
And shall I then leaue brother, sister, father, kith and kin?
And household Gods, and natiue soyle, and all that is therein?
And saile I know not whither with a straunger? yea: why not?
My father surely cruell is, my Countrie rude God wot:
My brother yet a verie babe: my sister I dare say
Contented is with all hir heart that I should go away:
The greatest God is in my selfe: the things I doe forsake
Are trifles in comparison of those that I shall take.
For sauing of the Greekish ship renoumed shall I bee.
A better place I shall enioy with Cities riche and free,
Whose fame doth florish fresh euen here, and people that excell
In ciuill life and all good Artes: and whome I would not sell
For all the goods within the worlde Duke Aesons noble sonne.
Whome had I to my lawfull Feere assuredly once wonne,
Most happie yea and blest of God I might my selfe account,
And with my head aboue the starres to heauen I should surmount.
But men report that certaine rockes (I know not what) doe meete
Amid the waues, and monstruously againe a sunder fleete:
And how Charybdis vtter foe to ships that passe thereby
Now sowpeth in now speweth out the Sea incessantly:
And rauening Scylla being hemde with cruell dogs about,
Amids the gulfe of Sicilie doth make a barking out.
What skilleth that? As long as I enioy the thing I loue,
And hang about my Iasons necke, it shall no whit me moue
To saile the daungerous Seas: as long as him I may embrace
I cannot surely be afraide in any kinde of case.
Or if I chaunce to be afraide, my feare shall only tende
But for my husband. Callste thou him thy husband? doste pretende
Gay titles to thy foule offence Medea? nay not so:
But rather looke about how great a lewdnesse thou doste go.
And shun the mischiefe while thou mayst. She had no sooner said
These wordes, but right and godlinesse and shamefastnesse were staid
Before hir eyes, and frantick loue did flie away dismaid.
Against thee bendes his force. for what a wondrous thing is this?
Is anything like this which men doe terme by name of Loue?
For why should I my fathers hestes esteeme so hard aboue
All measure? sure in very deede they are too hard and sore.
Why feare I least yon straunger whome I neuer saw before
Should perish? what should be the cause of this my feare so great?
Unhappie wench (and if thou canst) suppresse this vncouth heat
That burneth in thy tender brest. and if so be I coulde,
A happie turne it were, and more at ease then be I shoulde.
But now an vncouth maladie perforce against my will
Doth hale me. Loue persuades me one, another thing my skill.
The best I see and like: the worst I follow headlong still.
Why being of the royall bloud so fondly doste thou raue,
Upon a straunger thus to dote, desiring for to haue
An husband of another world? at home thou mightest finde
A louer meete for thine estate on whome to set thy minde.
And yet it is but euen a chaunce if he shall liue or no:
God graunt him for to liue. I may without offence pray so,
Although I loude him not: for what hath Iason trespast me?
Who woulde not pitie Iasons youth onlesse they cruell be?
What creature is there but his birth and prowesse might him moue?
[80]
With Iasons goodlie personage? my heart assuredly
Is toucht therewith. But if that I prouide not remedie,
With burning breath of blasting Bulles needes sindged must he bee.
Of seedes that he himselfe must sow a haruest shall he see
Of armed men in battell ray vpon the ground vp grow
Against the which it houeth him his manhode for to show.
And as a pray he must be set against the Dragon fell.
If I these things let come to passe, I may confesse right well
That of a Tyger I was bred: and that within my brest
A heart more harde than any steele or stonie rocke doth rest.
Why rather doe I not his death with wrathfull eyes beholde?
And ioy with others seeing him to vtter perill solde?
Why doe I not enforce the Bulles against him? why I say
Exhort I not the cruell men which shall in battell ray
Arise against him from the ground? and that same Dragon too
Within whose eyes came neuer sleepe? God shield I so should doo.
But prayer smally bootes, except I put to helping hand.
And shall I like a Caytife then betray my fathers land?
Shall I a straunger saue whome we nor none of ours doth know?
That he by me preserued may without me homeward row?
And take another to his wife, and leaue me wretched wight
To torments? If I wist that he coulde worke me such a spight,
Or could in any others loue than only mine delight,
The Churle should die for me. But sure he beareth not the face
Like one that wold doe so. His birth, his courage, and his grace
Doe put me clearly out of doubt he will not me deceyue,
No nor forget the great good turnes he shall by me receyue.
Yet shall he to me first his faith for more assurance plight
And solemly he shall be sworne to keepe the couenant right.
Why fearste thou now without a cause? step to it out of hand:
And doe not any lenger tune thus lingring fondly stand.
For ay shall Iason thinke himselfe beholding vnto thee:
And shall thee marrie solemly: yea honored shalt thou bee
Of all the Mothers greate and small throughout the townes of Greece
For sauing of their sonnes that come to fetch the golden fleece.
And shall I then leaue brother, sister, father, kith and kin?
81
And saile I know not whither with a straunger? yea: why not?
My father surely cruell is, my Countrie rude God wot:
My brother yet a verie babe: my sister I dare say
Contented is with all hir heart that I should go away:
The greatest God is in my selfe: the things I doe forsake
Are trifles in comparison of those that I shall take.
For sauing of the Greekish ship renoumed shall I bee.
A better place I shall enioy with Cities riche and free,
Whose fame doth florish fresh euen here, and people that excell
In ciuill life and all good Artes: and whome I would not sell
For all the goods within the worlde Duke Aesons noble sonne.
Whome had I to my lawfull Feere assuredly once wonne,
Most happie yea and blest of God I might my selfe account,
And with my head aboue the starres to heauen I should surmount.
But men report that certaine rockes (I know not what) doe meete
Amid the waues, and monstruously againe a sunder fleete:
And how Charybdis vtter foe to ships that passe thereby
Now sowpeth in now speweth out the Sea incessantly:
And rauening Scylla being hemde with cruell dogs about,
Amids the gulfe of Sicilie doth make a barking out.
What skilleth that? As long as I enioy the thing I loue,
And hang about my Iasons necke, it shall no whit me moue
To saile the daungerous Seas: as long as him I may embrace
I cannot surely be afraide in any kinde of case.
Or if I chaunce to be afraide, my feare shall only tende
But for my husband. Callste thou him thy husband? doste pretende
Gay titles to thy foule offence Medea? nay not so:
But rather looke about how great a lewdnesse thou doste go.
And shun the mischiefe while thou mayst. She had no sooner said
These wordes, but right and godlinesse and shamefastnesse were staid
Before hir eyes, and frantick loue did flie away dismaid.
She went me to an Altar that was dedicate of olde
To Perseys daughter Hecate (of whome the witches holde
As of their Goddesse) standing in a thicke and secrete wood
So close it coulde not well be spide: and now the raging mood
Of furious loue was well alaide and clearely put to flight:
When spying Aesons sonne, the flame that seemed quenched quight
Did kindle out of hand againe. Hir cheekes began to glowe,
And flushing ouer all hir face the scarlet bloud did flowe.
And euen as when a little sparke that was in ashes hid,
Uncouered with the whisking windes is from the ashes rid,
Eftsoones it taketh nourishment and kindleth in such wise,
That to his former strength againe and flaming it doth rise:
Euen so hir quailed loue which late ye would haue thought had quight
Bene vanisht out of minde, as soone as Iason came in sight
Did kindle to his former force in vewing of the grace
With which he did auaunce himselfe then comming there in place.
And (as it chaunced) farre more faire and beautifull of face
She thought him then than euer erst. but sure it doth behoue
Hir iudgement should be borne withall bicause she was in loue.
She gapte and gased in his face with fixed staring eyen
As though she neuer had him seene before that instant time.
So farre she was beside hir selfe she thought it should not bee
The face of any worldly wight the which she then did see.
She was not able for hir life to turne hir eyes away.
But when he tooke hir by the hand and speaking gan to pray
Hir softly for to succor him, and promisde faithfully
To take hir to his wedded wife, she falling by and by
A weeping, said. Sir, what I doe I see apparantly.
Not want of knowledge of the truth, but loue shall me deceiue.
You shalbe saued by my meanes. And now I must receiue
A faithfull promise at your hand for sauing of your life.
He made a solemne vow, and sware to take hir to his wife,
By triple Hecates holie rites, and by what other power
So euer else had residence within that secret bower.
And by the Sire of him that should his Fathrinlaw become
Who all things doth behold, and as he hopte to ouercome
The dreadfull daungers which he had soone after to assay.
Duke Iason being credited receiude of hir streight way
Enchaunted herbes: and hauing learnde the vsage of the same,
Departed thence with merrie heart, and to his lodging came.
To Perseys daughter Hecate (of whome the witches holde
As of their Goddesse) standing in a thicke and secrete wood
So close it coulde not well be spide: and now the raging mood
Of furious loue was well alaide and clearely put to flight:
[81]
Did kindle out of hand againe. Hir cheekes began to glowe,
And flushing ouer all hir face the scarlet bloud did flowe.
And euen as when a little sparke that was in ashes hid,
Uncouered with the whisking windes is from the ashes rid,
Eftsoones it taketh nourishment and kindleth in such wise,
That to his former strength againe and flaming it doth rise:
Euen so hir quailed loue which late ye would haue thought had quight
Bene vanisht out of minde, as soone as Iason came in sight
Did kindle to his former force in vewing of the grace
With which he did auaunce himselfe then comming there in place.
And (as it chaunced) farre more faire and beautifull of face
She thought him then than euer erst. but sure it doth behoue
Hir iudgement should be borne withall bicause she was in loue.
She gapte and gased in his face with fixed staring eyen
As though she neuer had him seene before that instant time.
So farre she was beside hir selfe she thought it should not bee
The face of any worldly wight the which she then did see.
She was not able for hir life to turne hir eyes away.
But when he tooke hir by the hand and speaking gan to pray
Hir softly for to succor him, and promisde faithfully
To take hir to his wedded wife, she falling by and by
A weeping, said. Sir, what I doe I see apparantly.
Not want of knowledge of the truth, but loue shall me deceiue.
You shalbe saued by my meanes. And now I must receiue
A faithfull promise at your hand for sauing of your life.
He made a solemne vow, and sware to take hir to his wife,
By triple Hecates holie rites, and by what other power
So euer else had residence within that secret bower.
And by the Sire of him that should his Fathrinlaw become
Who all things doth behold, and as he hopte to ouercome
The dreadfull daungers which he had soone after to assay.
Duke Iason being credited receiude of hir streight way
Enchaunted herbes: and hauing learnde the vsage of the same,
Departed thence with merrie heart, and to his lodging came.
Next Morne had chaste ye streaming stars: & folke by heapes did flocke
To Marsis sacred field, and there stoode thronging in a shocke,
To see the straunge pastimes. The King most stately to beholde
With yuorie Mace aboue them all did sit in throne of golde.
Anon the brazenhoued Bulles from stonie nosethrils cast
Out flakes of fire: their scalding breath the growing grasse did blast.
And looke what noise a chimney full of burning fewell makes,
Or Flint in softning in the Kell when first the fire it takes
By sprincling water therevpon: such noyse their boyling brests
Turmoyling with the firie flames enclosed in their chests,
Such noise their scorched throtebolles make. yet stoutly Iason went
To meete them. They their dreadfull eyes against him grimly bent,
And eke their hornes with yron tipt: and strake the dust about
In stamping with their clouen clees: and with their belowing out
Set all the fielde vpon a smoke. The Myneis seeing that
Were past their wits with sodaine feare. but Iason feeled nat
So much as any breath of theirs: such strength hath sorcerie.
Their dangling Dewlaps with his hand he coyd vnfearfully.
And putting yokes vpon their neckes he forced them to draw
The heauie burthen of the plough which erst they neuer saw,
And for to breake the fielde which erst had neuer felt the share.
The men of Colchos seeing this, like men amazed fare.
The Mynies with their shouting out their mazednesse augment.
And vnto Iason therewithall giue more encouragement.
Then in a souldiers cap of steele a Uipers teeth he takes,
And sowes them in the new plowde fielde. the ground thē soking makes
The seede foresteepte in poyson strong, both supple lithe and soft,
And of these teeth a right straunge graine there growes anon aloft.
For euen as in the mothers wombe an infant doth begin
To take the liuely shape of man, and formed is within
To due proportion piece by piece in euery limme, and when
Full ripe he is, he takes the vse of Aire with other men:
So when that of the Uipers teeth the perfect shape of man
Within the bowels of the earth was formed, they began
To rise togither orderly vpon the fruitefull fielde:
And (which a greater wonder is) immediatly they wielde
Their weapons growing vp with them. whō when the Greekes behilde
Preparing for to push their Pikes (which sharply headed were)
In Iasons face, downe went their heades, their heartes did faint for feare:
And also she that made him safe began abasht to bee.
For when against one naked man so huge an armie shee
Beheld of armed enmies bent, hir colour did abate
And sodainly both voyd of bloud and liuelie heate she sate.
And least the chaunted weedes the which she had him giuen before
Should faile at neede, a helping charme she whispred ouermore,
And practisde other secret Artes the which she kept in store.
He casting streight a mightie stone amid his thickest foes,
Doth voyde the battell from him selfe and turnes it vnto those.
These earthbred brothers by and by did one another wound
And neuer ceased till that all lay dead vpon the ground.
The Greekes were glad, & in their armes did clasp their Champion stout,
And clinging to him earnestly embraced him about.
And thou O fond Medea too couldst well haue found in hart
The Champion for to haue embraste, but that withheld thou wart
By shamefastnesse. and yet thou hadst embraced him, if dread
Of stayning of thine honor had not staid thee in that stead.
But yet as far forth as thou maist, thou doste in heart reioyce,
And secretly (although without expressing it in voyce)
Doste thanke thy charmes and eke the Gods as Authors of the same.
To Marsis sacred field, and there stoode thronging in a shocke,
82
With yuorie Mace aboue them all did sit in throne of golde.
Anon the brazenhoued Bulles from stonie nosethrils cast
Out flakes of fire: their scalding breath the growing grasse did blast.
And looke what noise a chimney full of burning fewell makes,
Or Flint in softning in the Kell when first the fire it takes
By sprincling water therevpon: such noyse their boyling brests
Turmoyling with the firie flames enclosed in their chests,
Such noise their scorched throtebolles make. yet stoutly Iason went
To meete them. They their dreadfull eyes against him grimly bent,
And eke their hornes with yron tipt: and strake the dust about
In stamping with their clouen clees: and with their belowing out
Set all the fielde vpon a smoke. The Myneis seeing that
Were past their wits with sodaine feare. but Iason feeled nat
So much as any breath of theirs: such strength hath sorcerie.
Their dangling Dewlaps with his hand he coyd vnfearfully.
And putting yokes vpon their neckes he forced them to draw
The heauie burthen of the plough which erst they neuer saw,
And for to breake the fielde which erst had neuer felt the share.
The men of Colchos seeing this, like men amazed fare.
The Mynies with their shouting out their mazednesse augment.
And vnto Iason therewithall giue more encouragement.
Then in a souldiers cap of steele a Uipers teeth he takes,
And sowes them in the new plowde fielde. the ground thē soking makes
The seede foresteepte in poyson strong, both supple lithe and soft,
And of these teeth a right straunge graine there growes anon aloft.
For euen as in the mothers wombe an infant doth begin
To take the liuely shape of man, and formed is within
To due proportion piece by piece in euery limme, and when
Full ripe he is, he takes the vse of Aire with other men:
So when that of the Uipers teeth the perfect shape of man
Within the bowels of the earth was formed, they began
To rise togither orderly vpon the fruitefull fielde:
And (which a greater wonder is) immediatly they wielde
Their weapons growing vp with them. whō when the Greekes behilde
Preparing for to push their Pikes (which sharply headed were)
In Iasons face, downe went their heades, their heartes did faint for feare:
[82]
For when against one naked man so huge an armie shee
Beheld of armed enmies bent, hir colour did abate
And sodainly both voyd of bloud and liuelie heate she sate.
And least the chaunted weedes the which she had him giuen before
Should faile at neede, a helping charme she whispred ouermore,
And practisde other secret Artes the which she kept in store.
He casting streight a mightie stone amid his thickest foes,
Doth voyde the battell from him selfe and turnes it vnto those.
These earthbred brothers by and by did one another wound
And neuer ceased till that all lay dead vpon the ground.
The Greekes were glad, & in their armes did clasp their Champion stout,
And clinging to him earnestly embraced him about.
And thou O fond Medea too couldst well haue found in hart
The Champion for to haue embraste, but that withheld thou wart
By shamefastnesse. and yet thou hadst embraced him, if dread
Of stayning of thine honor had not staid thee in that stead.
But yet as far forth as thou maist, thou doste in heart reioyce,
And secretly (although without expressing it in voyce)
Doste thanke thy charmes and eke the Gods as Authors of the same.
Now was remaining as the last conclusion of this game,
By force of chaunted herbes to make the watchfull Dragon sleepe
Within whose eyes came neuer winke: who had in charge to keepe
The goodly tree vpon the which the golden fleeces hung.
With crested head, and hooked pawes, and triple spirting tung.
Right ougly was he to beholde. When Iason had besprent
Him with the iuice of certaine herbes from Lethey Riuer sent,
And thrice had mumbled certaine wordes which are of force to cast
So sound a sleepe on things that euen as dead a time they last,
Which make the raging surges calme and flowing Riuers stay.
The dreadfull Dragon by and by (whose eyes before that day
Wist neuer erst what sleeping ment) did fall so fast a sleepe
That Iason safely tooke the fleece of golde that he did keepe.
Of which his bootie being proud, he led with him away
The Author of his good successe another fairer pray:
And so with conquest and a wife he loosde from Colchos strond,
And in Larissa hauen safe did go againe a lond.
By force of chaunted herbes to make the watchfull Dragon sleepe
Within whose eyes came neuer winke: who had in charge to keepe
The goodly tree vpon the which the golden fleeces hung.
With crested head, and hooked pawes, and triple spirting tung.
Right ougly was he to beholde. When Iason had besprent
Him with the iuice of certaine herbes from Lethey Riuer sent,
And thrice had mumbled certaine wordes which are of force to cast
So sound a sleepe on things that euen as dead a time they last,
Which make the raging surges calme and flowing Riuers stay.
The dreadfull Dragon by and by (whose eyes before that day
Wist neuer erst what sleeping ment) did fall so fast a sleepe
That Iason safely tooke the fleece of golde that he did keepe.
Of which his bootie being proud, he led with him away
The Author of his good successe another fairer pray:
And so with conquest and a wife he loosde from Colchos strond,
And in Larissa hauen safe did go againe a lond.
83
The auncient men of Thessalie togither with their wiues
To Church with offrings gone for sauing of their childrens liues.
Great heapes of fuming frankincense were fryed in the flame
And vowed Bulles to sacrifice with hornes faire gilded came.
But from this great solemnitie Duke Aeson was away,
Now at deathes doore and spent with yeares. Then Iason thus gan say.
O wife to whome I doe confesse I owe my life in deede,
Though al things thou to me hast giuen, and thy deserts exceede
Beleife: yet if enchauntment can, (for what so hard appeares
Which strong enchauntment can not doe?) abate thou from my yeares,
And adde them to my fathers life. As he these wordes did speake,
The teares were standing in his eyes. His godly sute did breake
Medeas heart: who therewithall bethought hir of hir Sire
In leauing whome she had exprest a far vnlike desire.
But yet bewraying not hir thoughts, she said: O Husband fie,
What wickednesse hath scapt your mouth? suppose you then that I
Am able of your life the terme where I will to bestow?
Let Hecat neuer suffer that. Your sute (as well you know)
Against all right and reason is. But I will put in proofe
A greater gift than you require and more for your behoofe.
I will assay your fathers life by cunning to prolong,
And not with your yeares for to make him yong againe and strong:
So our threeformed Goddesse graunt with present helpe to stand
A furthrer of the great attempt the which I take in hand.
To Church with offrings gone for sauing of their childrens liues.
Great heapes of fuming frankincense were fryed in the flame
And vowed Bulles to sacrifice with hornes faire gilded came.
But from this great solemnitie Duke Aeson was away,
Now at deathes doore and spent with yeares. Then Iason thus gan say.
O wife to whome I doe confesse I owe my life in deede,
Though al things thou to me hast giuen, and thy deserts exceede
Beleife: yet if enchauntment can, (for what so hard appeares
Which strong enchauntment can not doe?) abate thou from my yeares,
And adde them to my fathers life. As he these wordes did speake,
The teares were standing in his eyes. His godly sute did breake
Medeas heart: who therewithall bethought hir of hir Sire
In leauing whome she had exprest a far vnlike desire.
But yet bewraying not hir thoughts, she said: O Husband fie,
What wickednesse hath scapt your mouth? suppose you then that I
Am able of your life the terme where I will to bestow?
Let Hecat neuer suffer that. Your sute (as well you know)
Against all right and reason is. But I will put in proofe
A greater gift than you require and more for your behoofe.
I will assay your fathers life by cunning to prolong,
And not with your yeares for to make him yong againe and strong:
So our threeformed Goddesse graunt with present helpe to stand
A furthrer of the great attempt the which I take in hand.
Before the Moone should circlewise close both hir hornes in one
Three nightes were yet as then to come. Assoone as that she shone
Most full of light, and did behold the earth with fulsome face,
Medea with hir haire not trust so much as in a lace,
But flaring on hir shoulders twaine, and barefoote, with hir gowne
Ungirded, gate hir out of doores and wandred vp and downe
Alone the dead time of the night. both Man, and Beast, and Bird
Were fast a sleepe: the Serpents slie in trayling forward stird
So softly as ye would haue thought they still a sleepe had bene.
The moysting Ayre was whist. no leafe ye could haue mouing sene.
The starres alonly faire and bright did in the welkin shine
To which she lifting vp hir handes did thrise hirselfe encline:
And thrice with water of the brooke hir haire besprincled shee:
And gasping thrise she opte hir mouth: and bowing downe hir knee
Upon the bare hard ground, she said: O trustie time of night
Most faithfull vnto priuities, O golden starres whose light
Doth iointly with the Moone succeede the beames that blaze by day
And thou three headed Hecate who knowest best the way
To compasse this our great attempt and art our chiefest stay:
Ye Charmes & Witchcrafts, & thou Earth which both with herbe & weed
Of mightie working furnishest the Wizardes at their neede:
Ye Ayres and windes: ye Elues of Hilles, of Brookes, of Woods alone,
Of standing Lakes, and of the Night approche ye euerychone.
Through helpe of whom (the crooked bankes much wondring at the thing)
I haue compelled streames to run cleane backward to their spring.
By charmes I make the calme Seas rough, & make ye rough Seas plaine,
And couer all the Skie with Cloudes and chase them thence againe.
By charmes I rasse and lay the windes, and burst the Uipers iaw.
And from the bowels of the Earth both stones and trees doe draw.
Whole woods and Forestes I remoue: I make the Mountaines shake,
And euen the Earth it selfe to grone and fearfully to quake.
I call vp dead men from their graues: and thee O lightsome Moone
I darken oft, though beaten brasse abate thy perill soone.
Our Sorcerie dimmes the Morning faire, and darkes ye Sun at Noone.
The flaming breath of firie Bulles ye quenched for my sake
And caused their vnwieldie neckes the bended yoke to take.
Among the Earthbred brothers you a mortall war did set
And brought a sleepe the Dragon fell whose eyes were neuer shet.
By meanes whereof deceiuing him that had the golden fleece
In charge to keepe, you sent it thence by Iason into Greece.
Now haue I neede of herbes that can by vertue of their iuice
To flowring prime of lustie youth old withred age reduce.
I am assurde ye will it graunt. For not in vaine haue shone
These twincling starres, ne yet in vaine this Chariot all alone
By draught of Dragons hither comes. With that was fro the Skie
A Chariot softly glaunced downe, and stayed hard thereby.
Three nightes were yet as then to come. Assoone as that she shone
Most full of light, and did behold the earth with fulsome face,
Medea with hir haire not trust so much as in a lace,
But flaring on hir shoulders twaine, and barefoote, with hir gowne
Ungirded, gate hir out of doores and wandred vp and downe
Alone the dead time of the night. both Man, and Beast, and Bird
Were fast a sleepe: the Serpents slie in trayling forward stird
So softly as ye would haue thought they still a sleepe had bene.
The moysting Ayre was whist. no leafe ye could haue mouing sene.
The starres alonly faire and bright did in the welkin shine
To which she lifting vp hir handes did thrise hirselfe encline:
And thrice with water of the brooke hir haire besprincled shee:
[83]
Upon the bare hard ground, she said: O trustie time of night
Most faithfull vnto priuities, O golden starres whose light
Doth iointly with the Moone succeede the beames that blaze by day
And thou three headed Hecate who knowest best the way
To compasse this our great attempt and art our chiefest stay:
Ye Charmes & Witchcrafts, & thou Earth which both with herbe & weed
Of mightie working furnishest the Wizardes at their neede:
Ye Ayres and windes: ye Elues of Hilles, of Brookes, of Woods alone,
Of standing Lakes, and of the Night approche ye euerychone.
Through helpe of whom (the crooked bankes much wondring at the thing)
I haue compelled streames to run cleane backward to their spring.
By charmes I make the calme Seas rough, & make ye rough Seas plaine,
And couer all the Skie with Cloudes and chase them thence againe.
By charmes I rasse and lay the windes, and burst the Uipers iaw.
And from the bowels of the Earth both stones and trees doe draw.
Whole woods and Forestes I remoue: I make the Mountaines shake,
And euen the Earth it selfe to grone and fearfully to quake.
I call vp dead men from their graues: and thee O lightsome Moone
I darken oft, though beaten brasse abate thy perill soone.
Our Sorcerie dimmes the Morning faire, and darkes ye Sun at Noone.
The flaming breath of firie Bulles ye quenched for my sake
And caused their vnwieldie neckes the bended yoke to take.
Among the Earthbred brothers you a mortall war did set
And brought a sleepe the Dragon fell whose eyes were neuer shet.
By meanes whereof deceiuing him that had the golden fleece
In charge to keepe, you sent it thence by Iason into Greece.
Now haue I neede of herbes that can by vertue of their iuice
To flowring prime of lustie youth old withred age reduce.
I am assurde ye will it graunt. For not in vaine haue shone
These twincling starres, ne yet in vaine this Chariot all alone
By draught of Dragons hither comes. With that was fro the Skie
A Chariot softly glaunced downe, and stayed hard thereby.
Assoone as she had gotten vp, and with hir hand had coyd
The Dragons reined neckes, and with their bridles somewhat toyd,
They mounted with hir in the Ayre, whence looking downe she saw
The pleasant Temp of Thessalie, and made hir Dragons draw
To places further from resort: and there she tooke the view
What herbes on high mount Pelion, and what on Ossa grew.
And what on mountaine Othris and on Pyndus growing were,
And what Olympus (greater than mount Pyndus far) did beare.
Such herbes of them as liked hir she pullde vp roote and rinde
Or cropt them with a hooked knife. And many she did finde
Upon the bankes of Apidane agreeing to hir minde:
And many at Amphrisus foords: and thou Enipeus eke
Didst yeelde hir many pretie weedes of which she well did like.
Peneus and Sperchius streames contributarie were,
And so were Bœbes rushie bankes of such as growed there.
About Anthedon which against the Ile Eubœa standes,
A certaine kind of liuely grasse she gatherd with hir handes,
The name whereof was scarsly knowen or what the herbe could doe
Untill that Glaucus afterward was chaunged thereinto.
Nine dayes with winged Dragons drawen, nine nights in Chariot swift
She searching euerie field and frith from place to place did shift.
She was no sooner home returnde but that the Dragons fell
Which lightly of hir gathered herbes had taken but the smell,
Did cast their sloughes and with their sloughes their riueled age forgo.
She would none other house than heauen to hide hir head as tho:
But kept hir still without the doores: and as for man was none
That once might touch hir. Altars twayne of Turfe she builded: one
Upon hir lefthand vnto Youth, another on the right
To Hecat. Both the which assoone as she had dight
With Ueruin and with other shrubbes that on the fieldes doe rise,
Not farre from thence she digde two pits: and making sacrifice
Did cut a couple of blacke Rams throtes and filled with their blood
The open pits, on which she pourde of warme milke pure and good
A boll full, and another boll of honie clarifide.
And babling to hir selfe therewith full bitterly she cride
On Pluto and his rauisht wife the souereigne states of Hell,
And all the Elues and Gods that on or in the Earth doe dwell,
To spare olde Aesons life a while, and not in hast depriue
His limmes of that same aged soule which kept them yet aliue.
Whome when she had sufficiently with mumbling long besought,
She bade that Aesons feebled corse should out of doores be brought
Before the Altars. Then with charmes she cast him in so deepe
A slumber, that vpon the herbes he lay for dead a sleepe.
Which done she willed Iason thence a great way off to go
And likewise all the Ministers that serued hir as tho:
And not presume those secretes with vnhallowed eyes to see.
They did as she commaunded them. When all were voyded, shee
With scattred haire about hir eares like one of Bacchus froes
Deuoutly by and by about the burning Altars goes:
And dipping in the pits of bloud a sort of clifted brandes
Upon the Altars kindled them that were on both hir handes.
And thrise with brimstone, thrise with fire, and thrise with water pure
She purged Aesons aged corse that slept and slumbred sure.
The Dragons reined neckes, and with their bridles somewhat toyd,
They mounted with hir in the Ayre, whence looking downe she saw
The pleasant Temp of Thessalie, and made hir Dragons draw
84
What herbes on high mount Pelion, and what on Ossa grew.
And what on mountaine Othris and on Pyndus growing were,
And what Olympus (greater than mount Pyndus far) did beare.
Such herbes of them as liked hir she pullde vp roote and rinde
Or cropt them with a hooked knife. And many she did finde
Upon the bankes of Apidane agreeing to hir minde:
And many at Amphrisus foords: and thou Enipeus eke
Didst yeelde hir many pretie weedes of which she well did like.
Peneus and Sperchius streames contributarie were,
And so were Bœbes rushie bankes of such as growed there.
About Anthedon which against the Ile Eubœa standes,
A certaine kind of liuely grasse she gatherd with hir handes,
The name whereof was scarsly knowen or what the herbe could doe
Untill that Glaucus afterward was chaunged thereinto.
Nine dayes with winged Dragons drawen, nine nights in Chariot swift
She searching euerie field and frith from place to place did shift.
She was no sooner home returnde but that the Dragons fell
Which lightly of hir gathered herbes had taken but the smell,
Did cast their sloughes and with their sloughes their riueled age forgo.
She would none other house than heauen to hide hir head as tho:
But kept hir still without the doores: and as for man was none
That once might touch hir. Altars twayne of Turfe she builded: one
Upon hir lefthand vnto Youth, another on the right
To Hecat. Both the which assoone as she had dight
With Ueruin and with other shrubbes that on the fieldes doe rise,
Not farre from thence she digde two pits: and making sacrifice
Did cut a couple of blacke Rams throtes and filled with their blood
The open pits, on which she pourde of warme milke pure and good
A boll full, and another boll of honie clarifide.
And babling to hir selfe therewith full bitterly she cride
On Pluto and his rauisht wife the souereigne states of Hell,
And all the Elues and Gods that on or in the Earth doe dwell,
To spare olde Aesons life a while, and not in hast depriue
His limmes of that same aged soule which kept them yet aliue.
Whome when she had sufficiently with mumbling long besought,
She bade that Aesons feebled corse should out of doores be brought
[84]
A slumber, that vpon the herbes he lay for dead a sleepe.
Which done she willed Iason thence a great way off to go
And likewise all the Ministers that serued hir as tho:
And not presume those secretes with vnhallowed eyes to see.
They did as she commaunded them. When all were voyded, shee
With scattred haire about hir eares like one of Bacchus froes
Deuoutly by and by about the burning Altars goes:
And dipping in the pits of bloud a sort of clifted brandes
Upon the Altars kindled them that were on both hir handes.
And thrise with brimstone, thrise with fire, and thrise with water pure
She purged Aesons aged corse that slept and slumbred sure.
The medicine seething all the while a wallop in a pan
Of brasse, to spirt and leape a loft and gather froth began.
There boyled she the rootes, seedes, flowres, leaues, stalkes & iuice togither
Which from the fieldes of Thessalie she late had gathered thither.
She cast in also precious stones fetcht from the furthest East
And which the ebbing Ocean washt fine grauell from the West.
She put thereto the deaw that fell vpon a Monday night:
And flesh and feathers of a Witch a cursed odious wight
Which in the likenesse of an Owle abrode a nightes did flie,
And Infants in their cradels chaunge or sucke them that they die.
The singles also of a Wolfe which when he list could take
The shape of man, and when he list the same againe forsake.
And from the Riuer Cyniphis which is in Lybie lande
She had the fine sheere sealed filmes of water snayles at hand.
And of an endlesseliued heart the liuer had she got.
To which she added of a Crowe that then had liued not
So little as nine hundred yeares the head and Bill also.
Of brasse, to spirt and leape a loft and gather froth began.
There boyled she the rootes, seedes, flowres, leaues, stalkes & iuice togither
Which from the fieldes of Thessalie she late had gathered thither.
She cast in also precious stones fetcht from the furthest East
And which the ebbing Ocean washt fine grauell from the West.
She put thereto the deaw that fell vpon a Monday night:
And flesh and feathers of a Witch a cursed odious wight
Which in the likenesse of an Owle abrode a nightes did flie,
And Infants in their cradels chaunge or sucke them that they die.
The singles also of a Wolfe which when he list could take
The shape of man, and when he list the same againe forsake.
And from the Riuer Cyniphis which is in Lybie lande
She had the fine sheere sealed filmes of water snayles at hand.
And of an endlesseliued heart the liuer had she got.
To which she added of a Crowe that then had liued not
So little as nine hundred yeares the head and Bill also.
Now when Medea had with these and with a thousand mo
Such other kinde of namelesse things bestead hir purpose through
For lengthning of the old mans life, she tooke a withered bough
Cut lately from an Olyf tree, and iumbling all togither
Did raise the bottome to the brim: and as she stirred hither
And thither with the withered sticke, behold it waxed greene.
Anon the leaues came budding out: and sodenly were seene
As many berries dangling downe as well the bough could beare.
And where the fire had from the pan the scumming cast, or where
The scalding drops did fall, the ground did springlike florish there,
And flowres with fodder fine and soft immediatly arose.
Such other kinde of namelesse things bestead hir purpose through
For lengthning of the old mans life, she tooke a withered bough
Cut lately from an Olyf tree, and iumbling all togither
Did raise the bottome to the brim: and as she stirred hither
And thither with the withered sticke, behold it waxed greene.
Anon the leaues came budding out: and sodenly were seene
As many berries dangling downe as well the bough could beare.
85
The scalding drops did fall, the ground did springlike florish there,
And flowres with fodder fine and soft immediatly arose.
Which when Medea did behold, with naked knife she goes
And cuttes the olde mans throte: and letting all his old bloud go
Supplies it with the boyled iuice: the which when Aeson tho
Had at his mouth or at his wounde receyued in, his heare
As well of head as beard from gray to coleblacke turned were.
His leane, pale, hore, and withered corse grew fulsome, faire and fresh:
His furrowed wrincles were fulfilde with yong and lustie flesh.
His limmes waxt frolicke, baine and lithe: at which he wondring much,
Remembred that at fortie yeares he was the same or such.
And as from dull vnwieldsome age to youth he backward drew:
Euen so a liuely youthfull spright did in his heart renew.
And cuttes the olde mans throte: and letting all his old bloud go
Supplies it with the boyled iuice: the which when Aeson tho
Had at his mouth or at his wounde receyued in, his heare
As well of head as beard from gray to coleblacke turned were.
His leane, pale, hore, and withered corse grew fulsome, faire and fresh:
His furrowed wrincles were fulfilde with yong and lustie flesh.
His limmes waxt frolicke, baine and lithe: at which he wondring much,
Remembred that at fortie yeares he was the same or such.
And as from dull vnwieldsome age to youth he backward drew:
Euen so a liuely youthfull spright did in his heart renew.
The wonder of this monstruous act had Bacchus seene from hie.
And finding that to youthfull yeares his Nurses might thereby
Restored bee, did at hir hand receiue it as a gift.
And least deceitfull guile should cease, Medea found a shift
To feyne that Iason and hir selfe were falne at oddes in wroth:
And therevpon in humble wise to Pelias Court she goth.
Where forbicause the King himselfe was feebled sore with age,
His daughters entertainde hir whome Medea being sage,
Within a while through false pretence of feyned friendship brought
To take hir baite. For as she tolde what pleasures she had wrought
For Iason, and among the rest as greatest sadly tolde
How she had made his father yong that withred was and olde,
And taried long vpon that point: they hoped glad and faine
That their olde father might likewise his youthful yeares regaine.
And this they crauing instantly did proffer for hir paine
What recompence she would desire. She helde hir peace a while
As though she doubted what to doe: and with hir suttle guile
Of counterfetted grauitie more eger did them make.
Assoone as she had promisde them to doe it for their sake,
For more assurance of my graunt, your selues (quoth she) shall see
The oldest Ram in all your flocke a Lambe streight made to bee
By force of my confections strong. Immediatly a Ram
So olde that no man thereabouts remembred him a Lam,
Was thither by his warped hornes which turned inward to
To his hollow Temples, drawne: whose withred throte she slit in two.
And when she cleane had drayned out that little bloud that was
Upon the fire with herbes of strength she set a pan of brasse,
And cast his carcasse thereinto. The Medcine did abate
The largenesse of his limmes and seard his dossers from his pate,
And with his hornes abridgde his yeares. Anon was plainly heard
The bleating of a new yeand Lambe from mid the Ketleward.
And as they wondred for to heare the bleating, streight the Lam
Leapt out, and frisking ran to seeke the vdder of some Dam.
King Pelias daughters were amazde. and when they did beholde
Hir promise come to such effect, they were a thousand folde
More earnest at hir than before. Thrise Phœbus hauing pluckt
The Collars from his horses neckes, in Iber had them duckt.
And now in Heauen the streaming starres the fourth night shined cleare:
When false Medea on the fire had hanged water shere.
With herbes that had no powre at all. The King and all his garde
Which had the charge that night about his person for to warde
Were through hir nightspels and hir charmes in deadly sleepe all cast.
And Pelias daughters with the Witch which eggde them forward, past
Into his chamber by the watch, and compast in his bed.
Then: wherefore stand ye doubting thus like fooles Medea sed.
On: draw your swordes: and let ye out his old bloud, that I may
Fill vp his emptie veynes againe with youthfull bloud streight way.
Your fathers life is in your handes: it lieth now in you
To haue him olde and withred still or yong and lustie. Now
If any nature in ye be, and that ye doe not feede
A fruitelesse hope, your dutie to your father doe with speede.
Expulse his age by sword, and let the filthy matter out.
Through these persuasions which of them so euer went about
To shewe hirselfe most naturall, became the first that wrought
Against all nature: and for feare she should be wicked thought,
She executes the wickednesse which most to shun she sought.
Yet was not any one of them so bolde that durst abide
To looke vpon their father when she strake, but wride aside
Hir eyes: and so their cruell handes not marking where they hit
With faces turnde another way at all auenture smit.
He all beweltred in his bloud awaked with the smart,
And maimde and mangled as he was did giue a sodeyne start
Endeuoring to haue risen vp. but when he did beholde
Himselfe among so many swordes, he lifting vp his olde
Pale waryish armes, said: daughters mine what doe ye? who hath put
These wicked weapons in your hands your fathers throte to cut?
With that their heartes and handes did faint. And as he talked yet,
Medea breaking of his wordes, his windpipe quickly slit,
And in the scalding liquor torne did drowne him by and by.
And finding that to youthfull yeares his Nurses might thereby
Restored bee, did at hir hand receiue it as a gift.
And least deceitfull guile should cease, Medea found a shift
To feyne that Iason and hir selfe were falne at oddes in wroth:
And therevpon in humble wise to Pelias Court she goth.
Where forbicause the King himselfe was feebled sore with age,
His daughters entertainde hir whome Medea being sage,
Within a while through false pretence of feyned friendship brought
To take hir baite. For as she tolde what pleasures she had wrought
For Iason, and among the rest as greatest sadly tolde
How she had made his father yong that withred was and olde,
And taried long vpon that point: they hoped glad and faine
That their olde father might likewise his youthful yeares regaine.
And this they crauing instantly did proffer for hir paine
What recompence she would desire. She helde hir peace a while
As though she doubted what to doe: and with hir suttle guile
Of counterfetted grauitie more eger did them make.
Assoone as she had promisde them to doe it for their sake,
For more assurance of my graunt, your selues (quoth she) shall see
The oldest Ram in all your flocke a Lambe streight made to bee
By force of my confections strong. Immediatly a Ram
So olde that no man thereabouts remembred him a Lam,
[85]
To his hollow Temples, drawne: whose withred throte she slit in two.
And when she cleane had drayned out that little bloud that was
Upon the fire with herbes of strength she set a pan of brasse,
And cast his carcasse thereinto. The Medcine did abate
The largenesse of his limmes and seard his dossers from his pate,
And with his hornes abridgde his yeares. Anon was plainly heard
The bleating of a new yeand Lambe from mid the Ketleward.
And as they wondred for to heare the bleating, streight the Lam
Leapt out, and frisking ran to seeke the vdder of some Dam.
King Pelias daughters were amazde. and when they did beholde
Hir promise come to such effect, they were a thousand folde
More earnest at hir than before. Thrise Phœbus hauing pluckt
The Collars from his horses neckes, in Iber had them duckt.
And now in Heauen the streaming starres the fourth night shined cleare:
When false Medea on the fire had hanged water shere.
With herbes that had no powre at all. The King and all his garde
Which had the charge that night about his person for to warde
Were through hir nightspels and hir charmes in deadly sleepe all cast.
And Pelias daughters with the Witch which eggde them forward, past
Into his chamber by the watch, and compast in his bed.
Then: wherefore stand ye doubting thus like fooles Medea sed.
On: draw your swordes: and let ye out his old bloud, that I may
Fill vp his emptie veynes againe with youthfull bloud streight way.
Your fathers life is in your handes: it lieth now in you
To haue him olde and withred still or yong and lustie. Now
If any nature in ye be, and that ye doe not feede
A fruitelesse hope, your dutie to your father doe with speede.
Expulse his age by sword, and let the filthy matter out.
Through these persuasions which of them so euer went about
To shewe hirselfe most naturall, became the first that wrought
Against all nature: and for feare she should be wicked thought,
She executes the wickednesse which most to shun she sought.
Yet was not any one of them so bolde that durst abide
To looke vpon their father when she strake, but wride aside
Hir eyes: and so their cruell handes not marking where they hit
With faces turnde another way at all auenture smit.
86
And maimde and mangled as he was did giue a sodeyne start
Endeuoring to haue risen vp. but when he did beholde
Himselfe among so many swordes, he lifting vp his olde
Pale waryish armes, said: daughters mine what doe ye? who hath put
These wicked weapons in your hands your fathers throte to cut?
With that their heartes and handes did faint. And as he talked yet,
Medea breaking of his wordes, his windpipe quickly slit,
And in the scalding liquor torne did drowne him by and by.
But had she not with winged wormes streight mounted in the skie
She had not scaped punishment. but stying vp on hie
She ouer shadie Pelion flew where Chyron erst did dwell,
And ouer Othrys and the grounds renowmde for that befell
To auncient Ceramb: who such time as old Deucalions flood
Upon the face of all the Earth like one maine water stood,
By helpe of Nymphes with fethered wings was in the Ayer lift,
And so escaped from the floud vndrowned by the shift.
She left Aeolian Pytanie vpon hir left hand: and
The Serpent that became a stone vpon the Lesbian sand.
And Ida woods where Bacchus hid a Bullocke (as is sayd)
In shape of Stag the which his sonne had theeuishly conuayde.
And where the Sire of Corytus lies buried in the dust.
The fieldes which Meras (when he first did into barking brust)
Affraide with straungenesse of the noyse. And eke Eurypils towne
In which the wiues of Cos had hornes like Oxen on their crowne
Such time as Hercles with his hoste departed from the Ile.
And Rhodes to Phœbus consecrate: and Ialyse where ere while
The Telchines with their noysome sight did euery thing bewitch.
At which their hainous wickednesse Ioue taking rightfull pritch,
Did drowne them in his brothers waues. Moreouer she did passe
By Ceos and olde Carthey walles where Sir Alcidamas
Did wonder how his daughter should be turned to a Doue.
The Swannie Temp and Hyries Poole she viewed from aboue,
The which a sodeine Swan did haunt. For Phyllie there for loue
Of Hyries some did at his bidding Birdes and Lions tame,
And being willde to breake a Bull performed streight the same:
Till wrothfull that his loue so oft so streightly should him vse,
When for his last reward he askt the Bull, he did refuse
To giue it him. The boy displeasde, said: well: thou wilt anon
Repent thou gaue it not: and leapt downe headlong from a stone.
They all supposde he had bene falne: but being made a Swan
With snowie feathers in the Ayre to flacker he began.
His mother Hyrie knowing not he was preserued so,
Resolued into melting teares for pensiuenesse and wo,
And made the Poole that beares hir name. Not far from hence doth stand
The Citie Brauron, where sometime by mounting from the land
With wauing pinions Ophyes ympe dame Combe did eschue
Hir children which with naked swordes to slea hir did pursue.
Anon she kend Calaurie fieldes which did sometime pertaine
To chast Diana where a King and eke his wife both twaine
Were turnde to Birdes. Cyllene hill vpon hir right hand stood,
In which Menephron like a beast of wilde and sauage moode
To force his mother did attempt. Far thence she spide where sad
Cephisus mourned for his Neece whome Phebus turned had
To vgly shape of swelling Seale: and Eumelles pallace faire
Lamenting for his sonnes mischaunce with whewling in the Aire.
At Corinth with hir winged Snakes at length she did arriue.
Here men (so auncient fathers said that were as then aliue)
Did breede of deawie Mushrommes. But after that hir teene
With burning of hir husbāds bride by witchcraft wreakt had beene
And that King Creons pallace she on blasing fire had seene,
And in hir owne deare childrens bloud had bathde hir wicked knife
Not like a mother but a beast bereuing them of life:
Least Iason should haue punisht hir she tooke hir winged Snakes,
And flying thence againe in haste to Pallas Citie makes,
Which saw the auncient Periphas and rightuous Phiney to
Togither flying, and the Neece of Polypemon who
Was fastened to a paire of wings as well as tother two.
She had not scaped punishment. but stying vp on hie
She ouer shadie Pelion flew where Chyron erst did dwell,
And ouer Othrys and the grounds renowmde for that befell
To auncient Ceramb: who such time as old Deucalions flood
Upon the face of all the Earth like one maine water stood,
By helpe of Nymphes with fethered wings was in the Ayer lift,
And so escaped from the floud vndrowned by the shift.
She left Aeolian Pytanie vpon hir left hand: and
The Serpent that became a stone vpon the Lesbian sand.
And Ida woods where Bacchus hid a Bullocke (as is sayd)
In shape of Stag the which his sonne had theeuishly conuayde.
And where the Sire of Corytus lies buried in the dust.
The fieldes which Meras (when he first did into barking brust)
Affraide with straungenesse of the noyse. And eke Eurypils towne
In which the wiues of Cos had hornes like Oxen on their crowne
Such time as Hercles with his hoste departed from the Ile.
And Rhodes to Phœbus consecrate: and Ialyse where ere while
The Telchines with their noysome sight did euery thing bewitch.
At which their hainous wickednesse Ioue taking rightfull pritch,
Did drowne them in his brothers waues. Moreouer she did passe
By Ceos and olde Carthey walles where Sir Alcidamas
Did wonder how his daughter should be turned to a Doue.
The Swannie Temp and Hyries Poole she viewed from aboue,
The which a sodeine Swan did haunt. For Phyllie there for loue
Of Hyries some did at his bidding Birdes and Lions tame,
And being willde to breake a Bull performed streight the same:
Till wrothfull that his loue so oft so streightly should him vse,
[86]
To giue it him. The boy displeasde, said: well: thou wilt anon
Repent thou gaue it not: and leapt downe headlong from a stone.
They all supposde he had bene falne: but being made a Swan
With snowie feathers in the Ayre to flacker he began.
His mother Hyrie knowing not he was preserued so,
Resolued into melting teares for pensiuenesse and wo,
And made the Poole that beares hir name. Not far from hence doth stand
The Citie Brauron, where sometime by mounting from the land
With wauing pinions Ophyes ympe dame Combe did eschue
Hir children which with naked swordes to slea hir did pursue.
Anon she kend Calaurie fieldes which did sometime pertaine
To chast Diana where a King and eke his wife both twaine
Were turnde to Birdes. Cyllene hill vpon hir right hand stood,
In which Menephron like a beast of wilde and sauage moode
To force his mother did attempt. Far thence she spide where sad
Cephisus mourned for his Neece whome Phebus turned had
To vgly shape of swelling Seale: and Eumelles pallace faire
Lamenting for his sonnes mischaunce with whewling in the Aire.
At Corinth with hir winged Snakes at length she did arriue.
Here men (so auncient fathers said that were as then aliue)
Did breede of deawie Mushrommes. But after that hir teene
With burning of hir husbāds bride by witchcraft wreakt had beene
And that King Creons pallace she on blasing fire had seene,
And in hir owne deare childrens bloud had bathde hir wicked knife
Not like a mother but a beast bereuing them of life:
Least Iason should haue punisht hir she tooke hir winged Snakes,
And flying thence againe in haste to Pallas Citie makes,
Which saw the auncient Periphas and rightuous Phiney to
Togither flying, and the Neece of Polypemon who
Was fastened to a paire of wings as well as tother two.
Aegeus enterteinde hir wherein he was too blame
Although he had no further gone but staid vpon the same,
He thought it not to be inough to vse hir as his guest
Onlesse he tooke hir to his wife. And now was Thesey prest,
Unknowne vnto his father yet, who by his knightly force
Had set from robbers cleare the balke that makes the streight diuorce
Betweene the seas Iönian and Aegean. To haue killde
This worthie knight, Medea had a Goblet readie fillde
With iuice of Flintwoort venemous the which she long ago
Had out of Scythie with hir brought. The common brute is so
That of the teeth of Cerberus this Flintwoort first did grow.
There is a caue that gapeth wide with darksome entrie low,
There goes a way slope downe by which with triple cheyne made new
Of strong and sturdie Adamant the valiant Hercle drew
The currish Helhounde Cerberus: who dragging arsward still
And writhing backe his scowling eyes bicause he had no skill
To see the Sunne and open day, for verie moodie wroth
Three barkings yelled out at once, and spit his slauering froth
Upon the greenish grasse. This froth (as men suppose) tooke roote
And thriuing in the batling soyle in burgeous forth did shoote,
To bane and mischiefe men withall: and forbicause the same
Did grow vpon the bare hard Flints, folke gaue the foresaid name
Of Flintwoort therevnto. The King by egging of his Queene
Did reach his sonne this bane as if he had his enmie beene.
And Thesey of this treason wrought not knowing ought had tane
The Goblet at his fathers hand which helde his deadly bane:
When sodenly by the Iuorie hilts that were vpon his sword
Aegeus knew he was his sonne: and rising from the borde
Did strike the mischiefe from his mouth. Medea with a charme
Did cast a mist and so scapte death deserued for the harme
Entended. Now albeit that Aegeus were right glad
That in the sauing of his sonne so happy chaunce he had,
Yet grieued it his heart full sore that such a wicked wight
With treason wrought against his sonne should scape so cleare & quight.
Although he had no further gone but staid vpon the same,
He thought it not to be inough to vse hir as his guest
Onlesse he tooke hir to his wife. And now was Thesey prest,
Unknowne vnto his father yet, who by his knightly force
Had set from robbers cleare the balke that makes the streight diuorce
87
This worthie knight, Medea had a Goblet readie fillde
With iuice of Flintwoort venemous the which she long ago
Had out of Scythie with hir brought. The common brute is so
That of the teeth of Cerberus this Flintwoort first did grow.
There is a caue that gapeth wide with darksome entrie low,
There goes a way slope downe by which with triple cheyne made new
Of strong and sturdie Adamant the valiant Hercle drew
The currish Helhounde Cerberus: who dragging arsward still
And writhing backe his scowling eyes bicause he had no skill
To see the Sunne and open day, for verie moodie wroth
Three barkings yelled out at once, and spit his slauering froth
Upon the greenish grasse. This froth (as men suppose) tooke roote
And thriuing in the batling soyle in burgeous forth did shoote,
To bane and mischiefe men withall: and forbicause the same
Did grow vpon the bare hard Flints, folke gaue the foresaid name
Of Flintwoort therevnto. The King by egging of his Queene
Did reach his sonne this bane as if he had his enmie beene.
And Thesey of this treason wrought not knowing ought had tane
The Goblet at his fathers hand which helde his deadly bane:
When sodenly by the Iuorie hilts that were vpon his sword
Aegeus knew he was his sonne: and rising from the borde
Did strike the mischiefe from his mouth. Medea with a charme
Did cast a mist and so scapte death deserued for the harme
Entended. Now albeit that Aegeus were right glad
That in the sauing of his sonne so happy chaunce he had,
Yet grieued it his heart full sore that such a wicked wight
With treason wrought against his sonne should scape so cleare & quight.
Then fell he vnto kindling fire on Altars euerie where
And glutted all the Gods with gifts. The thicke neckt Oxen were
With garlands wreathd about their hornes knockt downe for sacrifice.
A day of more solemnitie than this did neuer rise
Before on Athens (by report.) The auncients of the Towne
Made feastes: so did the meaner sort, and euery common clowne.
And as the wine did sharpe their wits, they sung this song. O knight
Of peerlesse prowesse Theseus, thy manhod and thy might
Through all the coast of Marathon with worthie honor soundes,
For killing of the Cretish Bull that wasted those same groundes.
The folke of Cremyon thinke themselues beholden vnto thee.
For that without disquietting their fieldes may tilled be.
By thee the land of Epidaure behelde the clubbish sonne
Of Vulcane dead. By thee likewise the countrie that doth runne
Along Cephisus bankes behelde the fell Procrustes slaine.
The dwelling place of Ceres our Eleusis glad and faine
Beheld the death of Cercyon. That orpid Sinis who
Abusde his strength in bending trees and tying folke thereto,
Their limmes a sunder for to teare when loosened from the stops
The trees vnto their proper place did trice their streyned tops,
Was killde by thee. Thou made the way that leadeth to the towne
Alcathoe in Beotia cleare by putting Scyron downe.
To this same outlawes scattred bones the land denied rest,
And likewise did the Sea refuse to harbrough such a guest:
Till after floting to and fro long while as men doe say
At length they hardened into stones: and at this present day
The stones are called Scyrons cliffes. Now if we should account
Thy deedes togither with thy yeares, thy deedes would far surmount
Thy yeares. For thee most valiant Prince these publike vowes we keepe
For thee with cherefull heartes we quaffe these bolles of wine so deepe.
The Pallace also of the noyse and shouting did resounde
The which the people made for ioy. There was not to be founde
In all the Citie any place of sadnesse. Nathelesse
(So hard it is of perfect ioy to find so great excesse,
But that some sorrow therewithall is medled more or lesse,)
Aegeus had not in his sonnes recouerie such delight,
But that there followed in the necke a piece of fortunes spight.
And glutted all the Gods with gifts. The thicke neckt Oxen were
With garlands wreathd about their hornes knockt downe for sacrifice.
A day of more solemnitie than this did neuer rise
Before on Athens (by report.) The auncients of the Towne
Made feastes: so did the meaner sort, and euery common clowne.
And as the wine did sharpe their wits, they sung this song. O knight
Of peerlesse prowesse Theseus, thy manhod and thy might
Through all the coast of Marathon with worthie honor soundes,
[87]
The folke of Cremyon thinke themselues beholden vnto thee.
For that without disquietting their fieldes may tilled be.
By thee the land of Epidaure behelde the clubbish sonne
Of Vulcane dead. By thee likewise the countrie that doth runne
Along Cephisus bankes behelde the fell Procrustes slaine.
The dwelling place of Ceres our Eleusis glad and faine
Beheld the death of Cercyon. That orpid Sinis who
Abusde his strength in bending trees and tying folke thereto,
Their limmes a sunder for to teare when loosened from the stops
The trees vnto their proper place did trice their streyned tops,
Was killde by thee. Thou made the way that leadeth to the towne
Alcathoe in Beotia cleare by putting Scyron downe.
To this same outlawes scattred bones the land denied rest,
And likewise did the Sea refuse to harbrough such a guest:
Till after floting to and fro long while as men doe say
At length they hardened into stones: and at this present day
The stones are called Scyrons cliffes. Now if we should account
Thy deedes togither with thy yeares, thy deedes would far surmount
Thy yeares. For thee most valiant Prince these publike vowes we keepe
For thee with cherefull heartes we quaffe these bolles of wine so deepe.
The Pallace also of the noyse and shouting did resounde
The which the people made for ioy. There was not to be founde
In all the Citie any place of sadnesse. Nathelesse
(So hard it is of perfect ioy to find so great excesse,
But that some sorrow therewithall is medled more or lesse,)
Aegeus had not in his sonnes recouerie such delight,
But that there followed in the necke a piece of fortunes spight.
King Minos was preparing war. who though he had great store
Of ships and souldiers yet the wrath the which he had before
Conceyued in his fathers brest for murthring of his sonne
Androgeus made him farre more strong and fiercer for to ronne
To rightfull battell to reuenge the great displeasure donne.
Howbeit he thought it best ere he his warfare did begin
To finde the meanes of forreine aides some friendship for to win.
And therevpon with flying fleete where passage did permit
He went to visit all the Iles that in those seas doe sit.
Anon the Iles Astypaley and Anaphey both twaine
The first constreynde for feare of war the last in hope of gaine
Tooke part with him. Low Myconey did also with him hold
So did the chalkie Cymoley, and Syphney which of olde
Was verie riche with veynes of golde, and Scyros full of bolde
And valiant men, and Seryphey the smooth or rather fell,
And Parey which for Marblestone doth beare away the bell.
And Sythney which a wicked wench callde Arne did betray
For mony: who vpon receit thereof without delay
Was turned to a birde which yet of golde is gripple still,
And is as blacke as any cole, both fethers, feete and bill.
A Cadowe is the name of hir. But yet Olyarey,
And Didymey, and Andrey eke, and Tene, and Gyarey,
And Pepareth where Oliue trees most plenteously doe grow,
In no wise would agree their helpe on Minos to bestow.
Of ships and souldiers yet the wrath the which he had before
Conceyued in his fathers brest for murthring of his sonne
Androgeus made him farre more strong and fiercer for to ronne
To rightfull battell to reuenge the great displeasure donne.
Howbeit he thought it best ere he his warfare did begin
To finde the meanes of forreine aides some friendship for to win.
And therevpon with flying fleete where passage did permit
He went to visit all the Iles that in those seas doe sit.
88
The first constreynde for feare of war the last in hope of gaine
Tooke part with him. Low Myconey did also with him hold
So did the chalkie Cymoley, and Syphney which of olde
Was verie riche with veynes of golde, and Scyros full of bolde
And valiant men, and Seryphey the smooth or rather fell,
And Parey which for Marblestone doth beare away the bell.
And Sythney which a wicked wench callde Arne did betray
For mony: who vpon receit thereof without delay
Was turned to a birde which yet of golde is gripple still,
And is as blacke as any cole, both fethers, feete and bill.
A Cadowe is the name of hir. But yet Olyarey,
And Didymey, and Andrey eke, and Tene, and Gyarey,
And Pepareth where Oliue trees most plenteously doe grow,
In no wise would agree their helpe on Minos to bestow.
Then Minos turning lefthandwise did sayle to Oenope
Where reignde that time King Aeacus. This Ile had called be
Of old by name of Oenope: but Aeacus turnde the name
And after of his mothers name Aegina callde the same.
The common folke ran out by heapes desirous for to see
A man of such renowne as Minos bruted was to bee.
The Kings three sonnes Duke Telamon Duke Peley, and the yong
Duke Phocus went to meete with him. Old Aeacus also clung
With age, came after leysurely, and asked him the cause
Of his repaire. The ruler of the hundred Shires gan pause:
And musing on the inward griefe that nipt him at the hart,
Did shape him aunswere thus. O Prince vouchsafe to take my part
In this same godly warre of mine: assist me in the iust
Reuengement of my murthred sonne that sleepeth in the dust.
I craue your comfort for his death. Aeginas sonne replide:
Thy suite is vaine: and of my Realme perforce must be denide.
For vnto Athens is no lande more sure than this alide:
Such leagues betweene vs are which shall infringde for me abide.
Away went Minos sad: and said: full dearly shalt thou bie
Thy leagues. He thought it for to be a better pollicie
To threaten war than war to make, and there to spend his store
And strength which in his other needes might much auaile him more.
Where reignde that time King Aeacus. This Ile had called be
Of old by name of Oenope: but Aeacus turnde the name
And after of his mothers name Aegina callde the same.
The common folke ran out by heapes desirous for to see
A man of such renowne as Minos bruted was to bee.
The Kings three sonnes Duke Telamon Duke Peley, and the yong
Duke Phocus went to meete with him. Old Aeacus also clung
With age, came after leysurely, and asked him the cause
Of his repaire. The ruler of the hundred Shires gan pause:
And musing on the inward griefe that nipt him at the hart,
Did shape him aunswere thus. O Prince vouchsafe to take my part
In this same godly warre of mine: assist me in the iust
Reuengement of my murthred sonne that sleepeth in the dust.
I craue your comfort for his death. Aeginas sonne replide:
Thy suite is vaine: and of my Realme perforce must be denide.
For vnto Athens is no lande more sure than this alide:
Such leagues betweene vs are which shall infringde for me abide.
Away went Minos sad: and said: full dearly shalt thou bie
Thy leagues. He thought it for to be a better pollicie
To threaten war than war to make, and there to spend his store
And strength which in his other needes might much auaile him more.
[88]
As yet might from Oenopia walles the Cretish fleete be kend.
When thitherward with puffed sayles and wind at will did tend
A ship from Athens, which anon arriuing at the strand
Set Cephal with Ambassade from his Countrimen a land.
The Kings three sonnes though long it were since last they had him seene:
Yet knew they him. And after olde acquaintance eft had beene
Renewde by shaking hands, to Court they did him streight conuay
This Prince which did allure the eyes of all men by the way,
As in whose stately person still remained to be seene
The markes of beautie which in flowre of former yeares had beene
Went holding out an Olife braunch that grew in Atticke lande
And for the reuerence of his age there went on eyther hand
A Nobleman of yonger yeares. Sir Clytus on the right
And Butes on the left, the sonnes of one that Pallas hight.
When greeting first had past betweene these Nobles and the King,
Then Cephal setting streight a broche the message he did bring,
Desired aide: and shewde what leagues stoode then in force betweene
His countrie and the Aeginites, and also what had beene
Decreed betwixt their aunceters, concluding in the ende
That vnder colour of this war which Minos did pretende
To only Athens, he in deede the conquest did intende
Of all Achaia. When he thus by helpe of learned skill
His countrie message furthred had, King Aeacus leaning still
His left hand on his scepter, saide. My Lordes, I would not haue
Your state of Athens seeme so straunge as succor here to craue.
I pray commaund. For be ye sure that what this Ile can make
Is yours. Yea all that ere I haue shall hazard for your sake.
I want no strength. I haue such store of souldiers, that I may
Both vex my foes and also keepe my Realme in quiet stay.
And now I thinke me blest of God that time doth serue to showe
Without excuse the great good will that I to Athens owe.
God holde it sir (quoth Cephalus) God make the number grow
Of people in this towne of yours: it did me good a late
When such a goodly sort of youth of all one age and rate
Did meete me in the streete. but yet me thinkes that many misse
Which at my former being here I haue beheld ere this.
When thitherward with puffed sayles and wind at will did tend
A ship from Athens, which anon arriuing at the strand
Set Cephal with Ambassade from his Countrimen a land.
The Kings three sonnes though long it were since last they had him seene:
Yet knew they him. And after olde acquaintance eft had beene
Renewde by shaking hands, to Court they did him streight conuay
This Prince which did allure the eyes of all men by the way,
As in whose stately person still remained to be seene
The markes of beautie which in flowre of former yeares had beene
Went holding out an Olife braunch that grew in Atticke lande
And for the reuerence of his age there went on eyther hand
A Nobleman of yonger yeares. Sir Clytus on the right
And Butes on the left, the sonnes of one that Pallas hight.
When greeting first had past betweene these Nobles and the King,
Then Cephal setting streight a broche the message he did bring,
Desired aide: and shewde what leagues stoode then in force betweene
His countrie and the Aeginites, and also what had beene
Decreed betwixt their aunceters, concluding in the ende
That vnder colour of this war which Minos did pretende
To only Athens, he in deede the conquest did intende
Of all Achaia. When he thus by helpe of learned skill
His countrie message furthred had, King Aeacus leaning still
His left hand on his scepter, saide. My Lordes, I would not haue
Your state of Athens seeme so straunge as succor here to craue.
I pray commaund. For be ye sure that what this Ile can make
Is yours. Yea all that ere I haue shall hazard for your sake.
I want no strength. I haue such store of souldiers, that I may
Both vex my foes and also keepe my Realme in quiet stay.
And now I thinke me blest of God that time doth serue to showe
Without excuse the great good will that I to Athens owe.
God holde it sir (quoth Cephalus) God make the number grow
Of people in this towne of yours: it did me good a late
When such a goodly sort of youth of all one age and rate
Did meete me in the streete. but yet me thinkes that many misse
Which at my former being here I haue beheld ere this.
89
At that the King did sigh, and thus with plaintfull voice did say.
A sad beginning afterward in better lucke did stay.
I would I plainly could the same before your faces lay.
Howbeit I will disorderly repeate it as I may.
And least I seeme to wearie you with ouerlong delay,
The men that you so mindefully enquire for lie in ground
And nought of them saue bones and dust remayneth to be found.
But as it hapt what losse thereby did vnto me redound?
A cruell plague through Iunos wrath who dreadfully did hate
This Land that of hir husbands Loue did take the name a late,
Upon my people fell: as long as that the maladie
None other seemde than such as haunts mans nature vsually,
And of so great mortalitie the hurtfull cause was hid,
We stroue by Phisicke of the same the Pacients for to rid.
The mischief ouermaistred Art: yea Phisick was to seeke
To doe it selfe good. First the Aire with foggie stinking reeke
Did daily ouerdreepe the earth: and close culme Clouds did make
The wether faint: and while the Moone foure times hir light did take
And fillde hir emptie hornes therewith, and did as often slake:
The warme South windes with deadly heate continually did blow.
Infected were the Springs, and Ponds, and streames that ebbe & flow.
And swarmes of Serpents crawld about the fieldes that lay vntillde
Which with their poison euen the brookes and running waters fillde.
A sad beginning afterward in better lucke did stay.
I would I plainly could the same before your faces lay.
Howbeit I will disorderly repeate it as I may.
And least I seeme to wearie you with ouerlong delay,
The men that you so mindefully enquire for lie in ground
And nought of them saue bones and dust remayneth to be found.
But as it hapt what losse thereby did vnto me redound?
A cruell plague through Iunos wrath who dreadfully did hate
This Land that of hir husbands Loue did take the name a late,
Upon my people fell: as long as that the maladie
None other seemde than such as haunts mans nature vsually,
And of so great mortalitie the hurtfull cause was hid,
We stroue by Phisicke of the same the Pacients for to rid.
The mischief ouermaistred Art: yea Phisick was to seeke
To doe it selfe good. First the Aire with foggie stinking reeke
Did daily ouerdreepe the earth: and close culme Clouds did make
The wether faint: and while the Moone foure times hir light did take
And fillde hir emptie hornes therewith, and did as often slake:
The warme South windes with deadly heate continually did blow.
Infected were the Springs, and Ponds, and streames that ebbe & flow.
And swarmes of Serpents crawld about the fieldes that lay vntillde
Which with their poison euen the brookes and running waters fillde.
In sodaine dropping downe of Dogs, of Horses, Sheepe and Kine,
Of Birds & Beasts both wild & tame as Oxen, Wolues, & Swine,
The mischiefe of this secret sore first outwardly appeeres.
The wretched Plowman was amazde to see his sturdie Steeres
Amid the forrow sinking downe ere halfe his worke was donne.
Whole flocks of sheepe did faintly bleate, and therewithall begonne
Their fleeces for to fall away and leaue the naked skin,
And all their bodies with the rot attainted were within.
The lustie Horse that erst was fierce in field renowne to win
Against his kinde grew cowardly: and now forgetting quight
The auncient honor which he preast so oft to get in fight,
Stoode sighing sadly at the Racke as wayting for to yeelde
His wearie life without renowne of combat in the fielde.
The Boare to chafe, the Hinde to runne, the cruell Beare to fall
Upon the herdes of Rother beastes had now no lust at all.
A languishing was falne on all. In wayes, in woods, in plaines,
The filthie carions lay, whose stinche, the Ayre it selfe distaines.
(A wondrous thing to tell) not Dogges, not rauening Foules, nor yit
Horecoted Wolues would once attempt to tast of them a bit.
Looke where they fell, there rotted they: and with their sauor bred
More harme, and further still abrode the foule infection spred.
Of Birds & Beasts both wild & tame as Oxen, Wolues, & Swine,
The mischiefe of this secret sore first outwardly appeeres.
The wretched Plowman was amazde to see his sturdie Steeres
Amid the forrow sinking downe ere halfe his worke was donne.
Whole flocks of sheepe did faintly bleate, and therewithall begonne
Their fleeces for to fall away and leaue the naked skin,
And all their bodies with the rot attainted were within.
The lustie Horse that erst was fierce in field renowne to win
Against his kinde grew cowardly: and now forgetting quight
The auncient honor which he preast so oft to get in fight,
Stoode sighing sadly at the Racke as wayting for to yeelde
His wearie life without renowne of combat in the fielde.
The Boare to chafe, the Hinde to runne, the cruell Beare to fall
[89]
A languishing was falne on all. In wayes, in woods, in plaines,
The filthie carions lay, whose stinche, the Ayre it selfe distaines.
(A wondrous thing to tell) not Dogges, not rauening Foules, nor yit
Horecoted Wolues would once attempt to tast of them a bit.
Looke where they fell, there rotted they: and with their sauor bred
More harme, and further still abrode the foule infection spred.
With losse that touched yet more nere, on Husbandmen it crept,
And ragingly within the walles of this great Citie stept.
It tooke men first with swelting heate that scalt their guts within:
The signes whereof were steaming breath and firie colourde skin
The tongue was harsh & swolne, the mouth through drought of burning veines
Lay gaping vp to hale in breath, and as the pacient streines,
To draw it in, he suckes therewith corrupted Aire beside.
No bed, no clothes though nere so thinne the pacients could abide.
But laide their hardened stomackes flat against the bare colde ground
Yet no abatement of the heate therein their bodies found:
But het the earth, and as for Leache was none that helpe could hight
The Surgians and Phisitions too were in the selfe same plight.
Their curelesse cunning hurt themselues. The nerer any man
Approcheth his diseased friend, and doth the best he can
To succor him most faithfully, the sooner did he catch
His bane. All hope of health was gone. No easment nor dispatch
Of this disease except in death and buriall did they finde.
Looke wherevnto that eche mans minde and fancie was enclinde,
That followed he. he neuer past what was for his behoofe.
For why? that nought could doe them good was felt too much by proofe.
In euerie place without respect of shame or honestie
At Wels, at brookes, at ponds, at pits, by swarmes they thronging lie:
But sooner might they quench their life than staūch their thirst thereby.
And therewithall so heauie and vnwieldie they become,
That wanting power to rise againe, they died there. Yet some
The selfe same waters guzled still without regard of feare,
So weary of their lothsome beds the wretched people were,
That out they lept: or if to stand their feeble force denide,
They wallowed downe and out of doores immediatly them hide:
It was a death to euery man his owne house to abide.
And for they did not know the cause whereof the sicknesse came,
The place (bicause they did it know) was blamed for the same.
Ye should haue seene some halfe sordead go plundring here and there
By highways sides while that their legges were able them to beare.
And some lie weeping on the ground or rolling piteously
Their wearie eyes which afterwards should neuer see the Skie:
Or stretching out their limmes to Heauen that ouerhangs on hie,
Some here, some there, and yonder some, in what so euer coste
Death finding them enforced them to yeelde their fainting Ghoste.
And ragingly within the walles of this great Citie stept.
It tooke men first with swelting heate that scalt their guts within:
The signes whereof were steaming breath and firie colourde skin
The tongue was harsh & swolne, the mouth through drought of burning veines
Lay gaping vp to hale in breath, and as the pacient streines,
To draw it in, he suckes therewith corrupted Aire beside.
No bed, no clothes though nere so thinne the pacients could abide.
But laide their hardened stomackes flat against the bare colde ground
Yet no abatement of the heate therein their bodies found:
But het the earth, and as for Leache was none that helpe could hight
The Surgians and Phisitions too were in the selfe same plight.
Their curelesse cunning hurt themselues. The nerer any man
Approcheth his diseased friend, and doth the best he can
To succor him most faithfully, the sooner did he catch
His bane. All hope of health was gone. No easment nor dispatch
Of this disease except in death and buriall did they finde.
Looke wherevnto that eche mans minde and fancie was enclinde,
That followed he. he neuer past what was for his behoofe.
For why? that nought could doe them good was felt too much by proofe.
In euerie place without respect of shame or honestie
At Wels, at brookes, at ponds, at pits, by swarmes they thronging lie:
But sooner might they quench their life than staūch their thirst thereby.
And therewithall so heauie and vnwieldie they become,
That wanting power to rise againe, they died there. Yet some
The selfe same waters guzled still without regard of feare,
So weary of their lothsome beds the wretched people were,
That out they lept: or if to stand their feeble force denide,
They wallowed downe and out of doores immediatly them hide:
It was a death to euery man his owne house to abide.
90
The place (bicause they did it know) was blamed for the same.
Ye should haue seene some halfe sordead go plundring here and there
By highways sides while that their legges were able them to beare.
And some lie weeping on the ground or rolling piteously
Their wearie eyes which afterwards should neuer see the Skie:
Or stretching out their limmes to Heauen that ouerhangs on hie,
Some here, some there, and yonder some, in what so euer coste
Death finding them enforced them to yeelde their fainting Ghoste.
What heart had I suppose you then, or ought I then to haue?
In faith I might haue lothde my life, and wisht me in my graue
As other of my people were. I could not cast mine eie
In any place, but that dead folke there strowed I did spie
Euen like as from a shaken twig when rotten Apples drop,
Or Mast from Beches, Holmes or Okes whē Poales doe scare their top.
Yon stately Church with greeces long against our Court you see:
It is the shrine of Iupiter. What Wight was he or shee
That on those Altars burned not their frankincense in vaine?
How oft, yea euen with Frankincense that partly did remaine
Still vnconsumed in their hands, did die both man and wife?
As ech of them with mutuall care did pray for others life?
How often dide the mother there in sewing for hir sonne,
Unheard vpon the Altarstone, hir prayer scarce begonne?
How often at the Temple doore euen while the Priest did bid
His Beades, and poure pure wine betwene their hornes, at sodaine slid
The Oxen downe without stroke giuen? Yea once when I had thought
My selfe by offring sacrifice Ioues fauor to haue sought,
For me, my Realme, and these three ymps, the Oxe with grieuous grone
Upon the sodaine sunke me downe: and little bloud or none
Did issue scarce to staine the knife with which they slit his throte.
The sickly inwardes eke had lost the signes whereby we note
What things the Gods for certaintie would warne vs of before:
For euen the verie bowels were attainted with the sore.
Before the holie Temple doores, and (that the death might bee
The more dispitefull) euen before the Altars did I see
The stinking corses scattred. Some with haltars slopt their winde,
By death expulsing feare of death: and of a wilfull minde
Did haste their ende, which of it selfe was coming on a pace.
The bodies which the plague had slaine were (O most wretched case)
Not caried forth to buriall now. For why such store there was
That scarce the gates were wyde inough for Coffins forth to passe.
So eyther lothly on the ground vnburied did they lie,
Or else without solemnitie were burnt in bonfires hie
No reuerence nor regard was had. Men fell togither by
The eares for firing. In the fire that was prepared for one
Another straungers corse was burnt. And lastly few or none
Were left to mourne. The sillie soules of Mothers with their small
And tender babes, and age with youth as Fortune did befall
Went wandring gastly vp and downe vnmourned for at all.
In fine so farre outrageously this helpelesse Murren raues,
There was not wood inough for fire, nor ground inough for graues.
In faith I might haue lothde my life, and wisht me in my graue
As other of my people were. I could not cast mine eie
In any place, but that dead folke there strowed I did spie
Euen like as from a shaken twig when rotten Apples drop,
Or Mast from Beches, Holmes or Okes whē Poales doe scare their top.
Yon stately Church with greeces long against our Court you see:
It is the shrine of Iupiter. What Wight was he or shee
That on those Altars burned not their frankincense in vaine?
How oft, yea euen with Frankincense that partly did remaine
Still vnconsumed in their hands, did die both man and wife?
As ech of them with mutuall care did pray for others life?
How often dide the mother there in sewing for hir sonne,
Unheard vpon the Altarstone, hir prayer scarce begonne?
How often at the Temple doore euen while the Priest did bid
His Beades, and poure pure wine betwene their hornes, at sodaine slid
The Oxen downe without stroke giuen? Yea once when I had thought
My selfe by offring sacrifice Ioues fauor to haue sought,
For me, my Realme, and these three ymps, the Oxe with grieuous grone
Upon the sodaine sunke me downe: and little bloud or none
Did issue scarce to staine the knife with which they slit his throte.
The sickly inwardes eke had lost the signes whereby we note
What things the Gods for certaintie would warne vs of before:
For euen the verie bowels were attainted with the sore.
Before the holie Temple doores, and (that the death might bee
The more dispitefull) euen before the Altars did I see
The stinking corses scattred. Some with haltars slopt their winde,
By death expulsing feare of death: and of a wilfull minde
[90]
The bodies which the plague had slaine were (O most wretched case)
Not caried forth to buriall now. For why such store there was
That scarce the gates were wyde inough for Coffins forth to passe.
So eyther lothly on the ground vnburied did they lie,
Or else without solemnitie were burnt in bonfires hie
No reuerence nor regard was had. Men fell togither by
The eares for firing. In the fire that was prepared for one
Another straungers corse was burnt. And lastly few or none
Were left to mourne. The sillie soules of Mothers with their small
And tender babes, and age with youth as Fortune did befall
Went wandring gastly vp and downe vnmourned for at all.
In fine so farre outrageously this helpelesse Murren raues,
There was not wood inough for fire, nor ground inough for graues.
Astonied at the stourenesse of so stout a storme of ills
I said O father Iupiter whose mightie power fulfills
Both Heauen and Earth, if flying fame report thee not amisse
In vouching that thou didst embrace in way of Loue ere this
The Riuer Asops daughter faire Aegina euen by name,
And that to take me for thy sonne thou count it not a shame:
Restore thou me my folke againe, or kill thou me likewise.
He gaue a signe by sodaine flash of lightning from the Skies,
And double peale of Thundercracks. I take this same (quoth I)
And as I take it for a true and certaine signe whereby
Thou doest confirme me for thy sonne: so also let it be
A hansell of some happie lucke thou mindest vnto me.
Hard by vs as it hapt that time, there was an Oken tree
With spreaded armes as bare of boughes as lightly one shall see.
This tree (as all the rest of Okes) was sacred vnto Ioue
And sprouted of an Acorne which was fet from Dodon groue.
Here markt we how the pretie Ants the gatherers vp of graine
One following other all along in order of a traine,
Great burthens in their little mouthes did painfully sustaine.
And nimbly vp the rugged barke their beaten path maintaine.
As wondring at the swarme I stoode, I said, O father deere
As many people giue thou me, as Ants are creeping heere.
And fill mine empty walles againe. Anon the Oke did quake,
And vnconstreynde of any blast, his loftie braunches shake,
The which did yeeld a certaine sound. With that for dreadfull feare
A shuddring through my bodie strake and vp stoode stiffe my heare.
But yet I kissed reuerently the ground and eke the tree.
Howbeit I durst not be so bolde of hope acknowne to bee.
Yet hoped I: and in my heart did shroude my secret hope.
Anon came night: and sleepe vpon my carefull carcasse crope.
Me thought I saw the selfe same Oke with all his boughes and twigs,
And all the Pismeres creeping still vpon his tawnts and sprigs.
Which trembling with a sodaine brayd these Haruest folke of threw
And shed them on the ground about, who on the sodaine grew
In bignesse more and more. and from the earth themselues did lift:
And stoode vpright against the tree: and therewithall did shift
Their meygernesse, and coleblacke hue, and number of their feete:
And clad their limmes with shape of man. Away my sleepe did fleete.
And when I wooke, misliking of my dreame I made my mone
That in the Gods I did perceiue but slender helpe or none.
But straight much trampling vp and downe and shuffling did I heare
And (which to me that present time did verie straunge appeare)
Of people talking in my house me thought I heard the reare.
Now while I musing on the the same supposde it to haue been
Some fancie of the foolish dreame which lately I had seen,
Behold, in comes me Telamon in hast, and thrusting ope
My Chamber doore, said: Sir, a sight of things surmounting hope
And credit shall you haue: come forth. Forth came I by and by
And euen such men for all the world there standing did I spie
As in my sleepe I dreamed of, and knew them for the same.
They comming to me greeted me their souereigne Lord by name.
And I (my vowes to Ioue performde) my Citie did deuide
Among my new inhabiters: and gaue them land beside
Which by decease of such as were late owners of the same
Lay wast. And in remembrance of the race whereof they came,
The name of Emets I them gaue. Their persons you haue seen:
Their disposition is the same that erst in them hath been.
They are a sparing kinde of folke, on labor wholy set,
A gatherer, and an hoorder vp of such as they doe get.
These fellowes being like in yeares and courage of the minde,
Shall go a warfare wy assoone as that the Easterne winde
Which brought you hither luckely, (the Easterne winde was it
That brought them thither) turning, to the Southerne coast doe flit.
I said O father Iupiter whose mightie power fulfills
Both Heauen and Earth, if flying fame report thee not amisse
In vouching that thou didst embrace in way of Loue ere this
The Riuer Asops daughter faire Aegina euen by name,
And that to take me for thy sonne thou count it not a shame:
Restore thou me my folke againe, or kill thou me likewise.
He gaue a signe by sodaine flash of lightning from the Skies,
And double peale of Thundercracks. I take this same (quoth I)
And as I take it for a true and certaine signe whereby
Thou doest confirme me for thy sonne: so also let it be
A hansell of some happie lucke thou mindest vnto me.
Hard by vs as it hapt that time, there was an Oken tree
With spreaded armes as bare of boughes as lightly one shall see.
This tree (as all the rest of Okes) was sacred vnto Ioue
And sprouted of an Acorne which was fet from Dodon groue.
Here markt we how the pretie Ants the gatherers vp of graine
One following other all along in order of a traine,
Great burthens in their little mouthes did painfully sustaine.
And nimbly vp the rugged barke their beaten path maintaine.
As wondring at the swarme I stoode, I said, O father deere
As many people giue thou me, as Ants are creeping heere.
And fill mine empty walles againe. Anon the Oke did quake,
91
The which did yeeld a certaine sound. With that for dreadfull feare
A shuddring through my bodie strake and vp stoode stiffe my heare.
But yet I kissed reuerently the ground and eke the tree.
Howbeit I durst not be so bolde of hope acknowne to bee.
Yet hoped I: and in my heart did shroude my secret hope.
Anon came night: and sleepe vpon my carefull carcasse crope.
Me thought I saw the selfe same Oke with all his boughes and twigs,
And all the Pismeres creeping still vpon his tawnts and sprigs.
Which trembling with a sodaine brayd these Haruest folke of threw
And shed them on the ground about, who on the sodaine grew
In bignesse more and more. and from the earth themselues did lift:
And stoode vpright against the tree: and therewithall did shift
Their meygernesse, and coleblacke hue, and number of their feete:
And clad their limmes with shape of man. Away my sleepe did fleete.
And when I wooke, misliking of my dreame I made my mone
That in the Gods I did perceiue but slender helpe or none.
But straight much trampling vp and downe and shuffling did I heare
And (which to me that present time did verie straunge appeare)
Of people talking in my house me thought I heard the reare.
Now while I musing on the the same supposde it to haue been
Some fancie of the foolish dreame which lately I had seen,
Behold, in comes me Telamon in hast, and thrusting ope
My Chamber doore, said: Sir, a sight of things surmounting hope
And credit shall you haue: come forth. Forth came I by and by
And euen such men for all the world there standing did I spie
As in my sleepe I dreamed of, and knew them for the same.
They comming to me greeted me their souereigne Lord by name.
And I (my vowes to Ioue performde) my Citie did deuide
Among my new inhabiters: and gaue them land beside
Which by decease of such as were late owners of the same
Lay wast. And in remembrance of the race whereof they came,
The name of Emets I them gaue. Their persons you haue seen:
Their disposition is the same that erst in them hath been.
They are a sparing kinde of folke, on labor wholy set,
A gatherer, and an hoorder vp of such as they doe get.
These fellowes being like in yeares and courage of the minde,
[91]
Which brought you hither luckely, (the Easterne winde was it
That brought them thither) turning, to the Southerne coast doe flit.
With this and other such like talke they brought the day to ende.
The Euen in feasting, and the night in sleeping they did spende.
The Sunne next Morrow in the heauen with golden beames did burne,
And still the Easterne winde did blow and hold them from returne.
Sir Pallas sonnes to Cephal came (for he their elder was)
And he and they to Aeacus Court togither forth did passe.
The King as yet was fast a sleepe. Duke Phocus at the gate
Did meete them, and receyued them according to their state.
For Telamon and Peleus alreadie forth were gone,
To muster Souldiers for the warres. So Phocus all alone
Did leade them to an inner roume, where goodly Parlours were,
And caused them to sit them downe. As he was also there
Now sitting with them, he beheld a Dart in Cephals hand
With golden head, the steale whereof he well might vnderstand
Was of some straūge and vnknowne tree. when certaine talke had past
A while of other matters there, I am (quoth he) at last
A man that hath delight in woods and loues to follow game
And yet I am not able sure by any meanes to ame
What wood your Iaueling steale is of. Of Ash it can not bee.
For then the colour should be browne. and if of Cornell tree,
It would be full of knubbed knots. I know not what it is:
But sure mine eies did neuer see a fairer Dart than this.
The Euen in feasting, and the night in sleeping they did spende.
The Sunne next Morrow in the heauen with golden beames did burne,
And still the Easterne winde did blow and hold them from returne.
Sir Pallas sonnes to Cephal came (for he their elder was)
And he and they to Aeacus Court togither forth did passe.
The King as yet was fast a sleepe. Duke Phocus at the gate
Did meete them, and receyued them according to their state.
For Telamon and Peleus alreadie forth were gone,
To muster Souldiers for the warres. So Phocus all alone
Did leade them to an inner roume, where goodly Parlours were,
And caused them to sit them downe. As he was also there
Now sitting with them, he beheld a Dart in Cephals hand
With golden head, the steale whereof he well might vnderstand
Was of some straūge and vnknowne tree. when certaine talke had past
A while of other matters there, I am (quoth he) at last
A man that hath delight in woods and loues to follow game
And yet I am not able sure by any meanes to ame
What wood your Iaueling steale is of. Of Ash it can not bee.
For then the colour should be browne. and if of Cornell tree,
It would be full of knubbed knots. I know not what it is:
But sure mine eies did neuer see a fairer Dart than this.
The one of those same brethren twaine replying to him said:
Nay then the speciall propertie will make you more dismaid,
Than doth the beautie of this Dart. It hitteth whatsoeuer
He throwes it at. The stroke thereof by Chaunce is ruled neuer.
For hauing done his feate, it flies all bloudie backe agen
Without the helpe of any hand. The Prince was earnest then
To know the truth of all: as whence so riche a present came,
Who gaue it him, and wherevpon the partie gaue the same.
Duke Cephal answerde his demaund in all points (one except)
The which (as knowne apparantly) for shame he ouerlept:
His beautie namely, for the which he did receiue the Dart.
And for the losse of his deare wife right pensiue at the hart,
He thus began with weeping eies. This Dart O Goddesse sonne
(Ye ill would thinke it) makes me yirne, & long shall make me donne,
If long the Gods doe giue me life. This weapon hath vndonne
My deare beloued wife and me. O would to God this same
Had neuer vnto me bene giuen. There was a noble Dame
That Procris hight (but you perchaunce haue oftner heard the name
Of great Orythia whose renowne was bruted so by fame,
That blustring Boreas rauisht hir.) To this Orythia shee
Was sister. If a bodie should compare in ech degree
The face and natures of them both, he could none other deeme
But Procris worthier of the twaine of rauishment should seeme.
Hir father and our mutuall loue did make vs man and wife.
Men said I had (and so I had in deede) a happie life.
Howbeit Gods will was otherwise. for had it pleased him
Of all this while, and euen still yet in pleasure should I swim.
The second Month that she and I by band of lawfull bed
Had ioynde togither bene, as I my masking Toyles did spred,
To ouerthrow the horned Stags, the early Morning gray
Then newly hauing chased night and gun to breake the day,
From Mount Hymettus highest tops that freshly flourish ay,
Espide me, and against my will conueyde me quight away.
I trust the Goddesse will not be offended that I say
The troth of hir. Although it would delight one to beholde
Hir ruddie cheekes: although of day and night the bounds she holde:
Although on iuice of Ambrosie continually she feede:
Yet Procris was the only Wight that I did loue in deede.
On Procris only was my heart: none other word had I
But Procris only in my mouth: still Procris did I crie.
I vpned what a holy thing was wedlocke: and how late
It was ago since she and I were coupled in that state.
Which band (and specially so soone) it were a shame to breake.
The Goddesse being moued at the words that I did speake,
Said: cease thy plaint thou Carle, and keepe thy Procris still for me.
But (if my minde deceyue me not) the time will shortly be
That wish thou wilt thou had hir not. And so in anger she
To Procris sent me backe againe. in going homeward as
Upon the Goddesse sayings with my selfe I musing was,
I gan to dreade bad measures least my wife had made some scape.
Hir youthfull yeares begarnished with beautie, grace and shape,
In maner made me to beleue the deede already done.
Againe hir maners did forbid mistrusting ouer soone.
But I had bene away: but euen the same from whom I came
A shrewde example gaue how lightly wiues doe run in blame:
But we poore Louers are afraide of all things. Herevpon
I thought to practise feates: which thing repented me anon:
And shall repent me while I liue. The purpose of my drifts
Was for tassault hir honestie with great rewards and gifts.
The Morning fooding this my feare, to further my deuice,
My shape (which thing me thought I felt) had altered with a trice.
By meanes whereof anon vnknowne to Pallas towne I came,
And entred so my house: the house was clearely voide of blame:
And shewed signes of chastitie in mourning euer sith
Their maister had bene rapt away. A thousand meanes wherewith
To come to Procris speach had I deuisde: and scarce at last
Obteinde I it. Assoone as I mine eie vpon hir cast,
My wits were rauisht in such wise that nigh I had forgot
The purposde triall of hir troth. right much a doe God wot
I had to holde mine owne that I the truth bewrayed not.
To keepe my selfe from kissing hir full much a doe I had
As reason was I should haue done. She looked verie sad.
And yet as sadly as she lookte, no Wight aliue can show
A better countenance than did she. Hir heart did inward glow
In longing for hir absent spouse. How beautifull a face
Thinke you Sir Phocus was in hir whome sorrow so did grace?
What should I make report how oft hir chast behauiour straue
And ouercame most constantly the great assaults I gaue?
Or tell how oft she shet me vp with these same words? To one
(Where ere he is) I keepe my selfe, and none but he alone
Shall sure enioy the vse of me. What creature hauing his
Wits perfect would not be content with such a proofe as this
Of hir most stedfast chastitie? I could not be content:
But still to purchase to my selfe more wo I further went.
At last by profering endlesse welth, and heaping gifts on gifts,
In ouerlading hir with wordes I draue hir to hir shifts.
Then cride I out: Thine euill heart my selfe I tardie take.
Where of a straunge aduouterer the countenance I did make,
I am in deede thy husband. O vnfaithfull woman thou,
Euen I my selfe can testifie thy lewde behauior now.
She made none answere to my words, but being stricken dum
And with the sorrow of hir heart alonly ouercum,
Forsaketh hir entangling house, and naughtie husband quight:
And hating all the sort of men by reason of the spight
That I had wrought hir, straide abrode among the Mountaines hie,
And exercisde Dianas feates. Then kindled by and by
A fiercer fire within my bones than euer was before,
When she had thus forsaken me by whome I set such store.
I prayde hir she woulde pardon me, and did confesse my fault.
Affirming that my selfe likewise with such a great assault
Of richesse might right well haue bene enforst to yeelde to blame,
The rather if performance had ensewed of the same.
When I had this submission made, and she sufficiently
Reuengde hir wronged chastitie, she then immediatly
Was reconcilde: and afterward we liued many a yeare
In ioy and neuer any iarre betweene vs did appeare.
Besides all this (as though hir loue had bene to small a gift)
She gaue me eke a goodly Grewnd which was of foote so swift,
That when Diana gaue him hir, she said he should out go
All others. and with this same Grewnd she gaue this Dart also
The which you see I hold in hand. Perchaunce ye faine would know
What fortune to the Grewnd befell. I will vnto you show
A wondrous case. The straungenesse of the matter will you moue.
The krinkes of certaine Prophesies surmounting farre aboue
The reach of auncient wits to read, the Brookenymphes did expoūd:
And mindlesse of hir owne darke doubts Dame Themis being found,
Was as a rechelesse Prophetisse throwne flat against the ground.
For which presumptuous deede of theirs she tooke iust punishment.
Nay then the speciall propertie will make you more dismaid,
Than doth the beautie of this Dart. It hitteth whatsoeuer
He throwes it at. The stroke thereof by Chaunce is ruled neuer.
For hauing done his feate, it flies all bloudie backe agen
Without the helpe of any hand. The Prince was earnest then
To know the truth of all: as whence so riche a present came,
Who gaue it him, and wherevpon the partie gaue the same.
Duke Cephal answerde his demaund in all points (one except)
The which (as knowne apparantly) for shame he ouerlept:
His beautie namely, for the which he did receiue the Dart.
And for the losse of his deare wife right pensiue at the hart,
92
(Ye ill would thinke it) makes me yirne, & long shall make me donne,
If long the Gods doe giue me life. This weapon hath vndonne
My deare beloued wife and me. O would to God this same
Had neuer vnto me bene giuen. There was a noble Dame
That Procris hight (but you perchaunce haue oftner heard the name
Of great Orythia whose renowne was bruted so by fame,
That blustring Boreas rauisht hir.) To this Orythia shee
Was sister. If a bodie should compare in ech degree
The face and natures of them both, he could none other deeme
But Procris worthier of the twaine of rauishment should seeme.
Hir father and our mutuall loue did make vs man and wife.
Men said I had (and so I had in deede) a happie life.
Howbeit Gods will was otherwise. for had it pleased him
Of all this while, and euen still yet in pleasure should I swim.
The second Month that she and I by band of lawfull bed
Had ioynde togither bene, as I my masking Toyles did spred,
To ouerthrow the horned Stags, the early Morning gray
Then newly hauing chased night and gun to breake the day,
From Mount Hymettus highest tops that freshly flourish ay,
Espide me, and against my will conueyde me quight away.
I trust the Goddesse will not be offended that I say
The troth of hir. Although it would delight one to beholde
Hir ruddie cheekes: although of day and night the bounds she holde:
Although on iuice of Ambrosie continually she feede:
Yet Procris was the only Wight that I did loue in deede.
On Procris only was my heart: none other word had I
But Procris only in my mouth: still Procris did I crie.
I vpned what a holy thing was wedlocke: and how late
It was ago since she and I were coupled in that state.
Which band (and specially so soone) it were a shame to breake.
The Goddesse being moued at the words that I did speake,
Said: cease thy plaint thou Carle, and keepe thy Procris still for me.
But (if my minde deceyue me not) the time will shortly be
That wish thou wilt thou had hir not. And so in anger she
To Procris sent me backe againe. in going homeward as
Upon the Goddesse sayings with my selfe I musing was,
[92]
Hir youthfull yeares begarnished with beautie, grace and shape,
In maner made me to beleue the deede already done.
Againe hir maners did forbid mistrusting ouer soone.
But I had bene away: but euen the same from whom I came
A shrewde example gaue how lightly wiues doe run in blame:
But we poore Louers are afraide of all things. Herevpon
I thought to practise feates: which thing repented me anon:
And shall repent me while I liue. The purpose of my drifts
Was for tassault hir honestie with great rewards and gifts.
The Morning fooding this my feare, to further my deuice,
My shape (which thing me thought I felt) had altered with a trice.
By meanes whereof anon vnknowne to Pallas towne I came,
And entred so my house: the house was clearely voide of blame:
And shewed signes of chastitie in mourning euer sith
Their maister had bene rapt away. A thousand meanes wherewith
To come to Procris speach had I deuisde: and scarce at last
Obteinde I it. Assoone as I mine eie vpon hir cast,
My wits were rauisht in such wise that nigh I had forgot
The purposde triall of hir troth. right much a doe God wot
I had to holde mine owne that I the truth bewrayed not.
To keepe my selfe from kissing hir full much a doe I had
As reason was I should haue done. She looked verie sad.
And yet as sadly as she lookte, no Wight aliue can show
A better countenance than did she. Hir heart did inward glow
In longing for hir absent spouse. How beautifull a face
Thinke you Sir Phocus was in hir whome sorrow so did grace?
What should I make report how oft hir chast behauiour straue
And ouercame most constantly the great assaults I gaue?
Or tell how oft she shet me vp with these same words? To one
(Where ere he is) I keepe my selfe, and none but he alone
Shall sure enioy the vse of me. What creature hauing his
Wits perfect would not be content with such a proofe as this
Of hir most stedfast chastitie? I could not be content:
But still to purchase to my selfe more wo I further went.
At last by profering endlesse welth, and heaping gifts on gifts,
In ouerlading hir with wordes I draue hir to hir shifts.
93
Where of a straunge aduouterer the countenance I did make,
I am in deede thy husband. O vnfaithfull woman thou,
Euen I my selfe can testifie thy lewde behauior now.
She made none answere to my words, but being stricken dum
And with the sorrow of hir heart alonly ouercum,
Forsaketh hir entangling house, and naughtie husband quight:
And hating all the sort of men by reason of the spight
That I had wrought hir, straide abrode among the Mountaines hie,
And exercisde Dianas feates. Then kindled by and by
A fiercer fire within my bones than euer was before,
When she had thus forsaken me by whome I set such store.
I prayde hir she woulde pardon me, and did confesse my fault.
Affirming that my selfe likewise with such a great assault
Of richesse might right well haue bene enforst to yeelde to blame,
The rather if performance had ensewed of the same.
When I had this submission made, and she sufficiently
Reuengde hir wronged chastitie, she then immediatly
Was reconcilde: and afterward we liued many a yeare
In ioy and neuer any iarre betweene vs did appeare.
Besides all this (as though hir loue had bene to small a gift)
She gaue me eke a goodly Grewnd which was of foote so swift,
That when Diana gaue him hir, she said he should out go
All others. and with this same Grewnd she gaue this Dart also
The which you see I hold in hand. Perchaunce ye faine would know
What fortune to the Grewnd befell. I will vnto you show
A wondrous case. The straungenesse of the matter will you moue.
The krinkes of certaine Prophesies surmounting farre aboue
The reach of auncient wits to read, the Brookenymphes did expoūd:
And mindlesse of hir owne darke doubts Dame Themis being found,
Was as a rechelesse Prophetisse throwne flat against the ground.
For which presumptuous deede of theirs she tooke iust punishment.
To Thebes in Bæotia streight a cruell beast she sent,
Which wrought the bane of many a Wight. The coūtryfolk did feed
Him with their cattell and themselues, vntill (as was agreed)
That all we youthfull Gentlemen that dwelled there about
Assembling pitcht our corded toyles the champion fields throughout.
But Net ne toyle was none so hie that could his wightnesse stop,
He mounted ouer at his ease the highest of the top.
Then euerie man let slip their Grewnds, but he them all outstript
And euen as nimbly as a birde in daliance from them whipt.
Then all the field desired me to let my Lælaps go:
(The Grewnd that Procris vnto me did giue was named so)
Who strugling for to wrest his necke already from the band
Did stretch his collar. Scarsly had we let him of of hand
But that where Lælaps was become we could not vnderstand.
The print remained of his feete vpon the parched sand,
But he was clearly out of sight. Was neuer Dart I trow,
Nor Pellet from enforced Sling, nor shaft from Cretish bow,
That flew more swift than he did runne. There was not farre fro thence
About the middle of the Laund a rising ground, from whence
A man might ouerlooke the fieldes. I gate me to the knap
Of this same hill, and there beheld of this straunge course the hap
In which the beast seemes one while caught, and ere a man would think,
Doth quickly giue the Grewnd the slip, and from his bighting shrink:
And like a wilie Foxe he runnes not forth directly out,
Nor makes a windlasse ouer all the champion fieldes about,
But doubling and indenting still auoydes his enmies lips,
And turning short, as swift about as spinning wheele he whips,
To disapoint the snatch. The Grewnd pursuing at an inch
Doth cote him, neuer losing ground: but likely still to pinch
Is at the sodaine shifted of. continually he snatches
In vaine: for nothing in his mouth saue only Aire he latches.
Then thought I for to trie what helpe my Dart at neede could show.
Which as I charged in my hand by leuell aime to throw,
And set my fingars to the thongs, I lifting from bylow
Mine eies, did looke right forth againe, and straight amids the field
(A wondrous thing) two Images of Marble I beheld:
Of which ye would haue thought the tone had fled on still a pace
And that with open barking mouth the tother did him chase.
In faith it was the will of God (at least if any Goddes
Had care of them) that in their pace there should be found none oddes.
Which wrought the bane of many a Wight. The coūtryfolk did feed
Him with their cattell and themselues, vntill (as was agreed)
That all we youthfull Gentlemen that dwelled there about
Assembling pitcht our corded toyles the champion fields throughout.
[93]
He mounted ouer at his ease the highest of the top.
Then euerie man let slip their Grewnds, but he them all outstript
And euen as nimbly as a birde in daliance from them whipt.
Then all the field desired me to let my Lælaps go:
(The Grewnd that Procris vnto me did giue was named so)
Who strugling for to wrest his necke already from the band
Did stretch his collar. Scarsly had we let him of of hand
But that where Lælaps was become we could not vnderstand.
The print remained of his feete vpon the parched sand,
But he was clearly out of sight. Was neuer Dart I trow,
Nor Pellet from enforced Sling, nor shaft from Cretish bow,
That flew more swift than he did runne. There was not farre fro thence
About the middle of the Laund a rising ground, from whence
A man might ouerlooke the fieldes. I gate me to the knap
Of this same hill, and there beheld of this straunge course the hap
In which the beast seemes one while caught, and ere a man would think,
Doth quickly giue the Grewnd the slip, and from his bighting shrink:
And like a wilie Foxe he runnes not forth directly out,
Nor makes a windlasse ouer all the champion fieldes about,
But doubling and indenting still auoydes his enmies lips,
And turning short, as swift about as spinning wheele he whips,
To disapoint the snatch. The Grewnd pursuing at an inch
Doth cote him, neuer losing ground: but likely still to pinch
Is at the sodaine shifted of. continually he snatches
In vaine: for nothing in his mouth saue only Aire he latches.
Then thought I for to trie what helpe my Dart at neede could show.
Which as I charged in my hand by leuell aime to throw,
And set my fingars to the thongs, I lifting from bylow
Mine eies, did looke right forth againe, and straight amids the field
(A wondrous thing) two Images of Marble I beheld:
Of which ye would haue thought the tone had fled on still a pace
And that with open barking mouth the tother did him chase.
In faith it was the will of God (at least if any Goddes
Had care of them) that in their pace there should be found none oddes.
Thus farre: and then he held his peace. But tell vs ere we part
(Quoth Phocus) what offence or fault committed hath your Dart?
His Darts offence he thus declarde. My Lorde the ground of all
My griefe was ioy. those ioyes of mine remember first I shall.
It doth me good euen yet to thinke vpon that blissfull time
(I meane the fresh and lustie yeares of pleasant youthfull Prime)
When I a happie man enioyde so faire and good a wife,
And she with such a louing Make did lead a happie life.
The care was like of both of vs, the mutuall loue all one.
She would not to haue line with Ioue my presence haue forgone.
Ne was there any Wight that could of me haue wonne the loue,
No though Dame Venus had hir selfe descended from aboue.
The glowing brands of loue did burne in both our brests alike.
Such time as first with crased beames the Sunne is wont to strike
The tops of Towres and mountaines high, according to the wont
Of youthfull men, in woodie Parkes I went abrode to hunt.
But neither horse nor Hounds to make pursuit vpon the sent.
Nor Seruingman, nor knottie toyle before or after went.
For I was safe with this same Dart. when wearie waxt mine arme
With striking Deere, and that the day did make me somewhat warme,
Withdrawing for to coole my selfe I sought among the shades
For Aire that from the valleyes colde came breathing in at glades.
The more excessiue was my heate the more for Aire I sought.
I waited for the gentle Aire: the Aire was that that brought
Refreshing to my wearie limmes. And (well I beart in thought)
Come Aire I wonted was to sing. come ease the paine of me
Within my bosom lodge thy selfe most welcome vnto me,
And as thou heretofore art wont abate my burning heate.
By chaunce (such was my destinie) proceeding to repeate
Mo words of daliance like to these, I vsed for to say
Great pleasure doe I take in thee: for thou from day to day
Doste both refresh and nourish me. Thou makest me delight
In woods and solitarie grounds. Now would to God I might
Receiue continuall at my mouth this pleasant breath of thine.
Some man (I wote not who) did heare these doubtfull words of mine,
And taking them amisse supposde that this same name of Aire
The which I callde so oft vpon, had bene some Ladie faire:
He thought that I had looude some Nymph. And therevpon streight way
He runnes me like a Harebrainde blab to Procris, to bewray
This fault as he surmised it: and there with lauas tung.
Reported all the wanton words that he had heard me sung.
A thing of light beliefe is loue. She (as I since haue harde)
For sodeine sorrow swounded downe: and when long afterwarde
She came againe vnto hir selfe, she said she was accurst
And borne to cruell destinie: and me she blamed wurst
For breaking faith: and treating at a vaine surmised shame
She dreaded that which nothing was: she fearde a headlesse name.
She wist not what to say or thinke. The wretch did greatly feare
Deceit: yet could she not beleue the tales that talked were.
Onlesse she saw hir husbands fault apparant to hir eie,
She thought she would not him condemne of any villanie.
Next day as soone as Morning light had driuen the night away,
I went abrode to hunt againe: and speeding, as I lay
Upon the grasse, I said come Aire and ease my painfull heate.
And on the sodaine as I spake there seemed for to beate
A certaine sighing in mine eares of what I could not gesse.
But ceasing not for that I still proceeded nathelesse:
And said O come most pleasant Aire. with that I heard a sound
Of russling softly in the leaues that lay vpon the ground.
And thinking it had bene some beast I threw my flying Dart.
It was my wife. who being now sore wounded at the hart,
Cride out alas. Assoone as I perceyued by the shrieke
It was my faithfull spouse, I ran me to the voiceward lieke
A madman that had lost his wits. There found I hir halfe dead
Hir scattred garments staining in the bloud that she had bled,
And (wretched creature as I am) yet drawing from the wound
The gift that she hir selfe had giuen. Then softly from the ground
I lifted vp that bodie of hirs of which I was more chare
Than of mine owne. and from hir brest hir clothes in hast I tare.
And binding vp hir cruell wound I striued for to stay
The bloud, and prayd she would not thus by passing so away
Forsake me as a murtherer: she waxing weake at length
And drawing to hir death a pace, enforced all hir strength
To vtter these few wordes at last. I pray thee humbly by
Our bond of wedlocke, by the Gods as well aboue the Skie
As those to whome I now must passe, as euer I haue ought
Deserued well by thee, and by Loue which hauing brought
Me to my death doth euen in death vnfaded still remaine
To nestle in thy bed and mine let neuer Aire obtaine.
This sed, she held hir peace, and I receyued the same
And tolde hir also how she was beguiled in the name.
But what auayled telling then? she quoathde: and with hir bloud
Hir little strength did fade. Howbeit as long as that she coud
See ought, she stared in my face and gasping still on me
Euen in my mouth she breathed forth hir wretched ghost. But she
Did seeme with better cheare to die for that hir conscience was
Discharged quight and cleare of doubtes. Now in conclusion as
Duke Cephal weeping told this tale to Phocus and the rest
Whose eyes were also moyst with teares to heare the pitious gest,
Behold King Aeacus and with him his eldest sonnes both twaine
Did enter in and after them there followed in a traine
Of well appointed men of warre new leuied: which the King
Deliuered vnto Cephalus to Athens towne to bring.
(Quoth Phocus) what offence or fault committed hath your Dart?
94
My griefe was ioy. those ioyes of mine remember first I shall.
It doth me good euen yet to thinke vpon that blissfull time
(I meane the fresh and lustie yeares of pleasant youthfull Prime)
When I a happie man enioyde so faire and good a wife,
And she with such a louing Make did lead a happie life.
The care was like of both of vs, the mutuall loue all one.
She would not to haue line with Ioue my presence haue forgone.
Ne was there any Wight that could of me haue wonne the loue,
No though Dame Venus had hir selfe descended from aboue.
The glowing brands of loue did burne in both our brests alike.
Such time as first with crased beames the Sunne is wont to strike
The tops of Towres and mountaines high, according to the wont
Of youthfull men, in woodie Parkes I went abrode to hunt.
But neither horse nor Hounds to make pursuit vpon the sent.
Nor Seruingman, nor knottie toyle before or after went.
For I was safe with this same Dart. when wearie waxt mine arme
With striking Deere, and that the day did make me somewhat warme,
Withdrawing for to coole my selfe I sought among the shades
For Aire that from the valleyes colde came breathing in at glades.
The more excessiue was my heate the more for Aire I sought.
I waited for the gentle Aire: the Aire was that that brought
Refreshing to my wearie limmes. And (well I beart in thought)
Come Aire I wonted was to sing. come ease the paine of me
Within my bosom lodge thy selfe most welcome vnto me,
And as thou heretofore art wont abate my burning heate.
By chaunce (such was my destinie) proceeding to repeate
Mo words of daliance like to these, I vsed for to say
Great pleasure doe I take in thee: for thou from day to day
Doste both refresh and nourish me. Thou makest me delight
In woods and solitarie grounds. Now would to God I might
Receiue continuall at my mouth this pleasant breath of thine.
Some man (I wote not who) did heare these doubtfull words of mine,
And taking them amisse supposde that this same name of Aire
The which I callde so oft vpon, had bene some Ladie faire:
He thought that I had looude some Nymph. And therevpon streight way
He runnes me like a Harebrainde blab to Procris, to bewray
[94]
Reported all the wanton words that he had heard me sung.
A thing of light beliefe is loue. She (as I since haue harde)
For sodeine sorrow swounded downe: and when long afterwarde
She came againe vnto hir selfe, she said she was accurst
And borne to cruell destinie: and me she blamed wurst
For breaking faith: and treating at a vaine surmised shame
She dreaded that which nothing was: she fearde a headlesse name.
She wist not what to say or thinke. The wretch did greatly feare
Deceit: yet could she not beleue the tales that talked were.
Onlesse she saw hir husbands fault apparant to hir eie,
She thought she would not him condemne of any villanie.
Next day as soone as Morning light had driuen the night away,
I went abrode to hunt againe: and speeding, as I lay
Upon the grasse, I said come Aire and ease my painfull heate.
And on the sodaine as I spake there seemed for to beate
A certaine sighing in mine eares of what I could not gesse.
But ceasing not for that I still proceeded nathelesse:
And said O come most pleasant Aire. with that I heard a sound
Of russling softly in the leaues that lay vpon the ground.
And thinking it had bene some beast I threw my flying Dart.
It was my wife. who being now sore wounded at the hart,
Cride out alas. Assoone as I perceyued by the shrieke
It was my faithfull spouse, I ran me to the voiceward lieke
A madman that had lost his wits. There found I hir halfe dead
Hir scattred garments staining in the bloud that she had bled,
And (wretched creature as I am) yet drawing from the wound
The gift that she hir selfe had giuen. Then softly from the ground
I lifted vp that bodie of hirs of which I was more chare
Than of mine owne. and from hir brest hir clothes in hast I tare.
And binding vp hir cruell wound I striued for to stay
The bloud, and prayd she would not thus by passing so away
Forsake me as a murtherer: she waxing weake at length
And drawing to hir death a pace, enforced all hir strength
To vtter these few wordes at last. I pray thee humbly by
Our bond of wedlocke, by the Gods as well aboue the Skie
As those to whome I now must passe, as euer I haue ought
95
Me to my death doth euen in death vnfaded still remaine
To nestle in thy bed and mine let neuer Aire obtaine.
This sed, she held hir peace, and I receyued the same
And tolde hir also how she was beguiled in the name.
But what auayled telling then? she quoathde: and with hir bloud
Hir little strength did fade. Howbeit as long as that she coud
See ought, she stared in my face and gasping still on me
Euen in my mouth she breathed forth hir wretched ghost. But she
Did seeme with better cheare to die for that hir conscience was
Discharged quight and cleare of doubtes. Now in conclusion as
Duke Cephal weeping told this tale to Phocus and the rest
Whose eyes were also moyst with teares to heare the pitious gest,
Behold King Aeacus and with him his eldest sonnes both twaine
Did enter in and after them there followed in a traine
Of well appointed men of warre new leuied: which the King
Deliuered vnto Cephalus to Athens towne to bring.
Finis septimi Libri.
[95]
THE EIGHT BOOKE of Ouids Metamorphosis.
The
day starre now beginning to disclose the Morning bright
And for to clense the droupie Skie from darkenesse of the night.
The Easterne wind went downe & flakes of foggie Clouds gan show,
And from the South a merrie gale on Cephals sayles did blow.
The which did hold so fresh and large, that he and all his men
Before that he was looked for arriued safe agen
In wished Hauen. In that while King Minos with his fleete
Did wast the cost of Megara. And first he thought it meete
To make a triall of the force and courage of his men
Against the towne Alcathoe where Nisus reigned then.
Among whose honorable haire that was of colour gray,
One scarlet haire did grow vpon his crowne, whereon the stay
Of all his Kingdome did depende. Sixe times did Phœbe fill
Hir hornes with borrowed light, and yet the warre hung wauering still
In fickle fortunes doubtfull scoales: and long with fleeting wings
Betwene them both flew victorie. A Turret of the Kings
Stood hard adioyning to the Wall which being touched rings
For Phœbus (so men say) did lay his golden Uiall there,
And so the stones the sound thereof did euer after beare.
King Nisus daughter oftentimes resorted to this Wall
And strake it with a little stone to raise the sound withall,
In time of peace. And in the warre she many a time and oft
Behelde the sturdie stormes of Mars from that same place aloft.
And by continuance of the siege the Captaines names she knew
Their armes, horse, armor and aray in euerie band and crew.
But specially aboue the rest she noted Minos face.
She knew inough and more than was inough as stoode the case.
For were it that he hid his head in Helme with fethered crest,
To hir opinion in his Helme he stayned all the rest.
Or were it that he tooke in hand of steele his target bright,
She thought in weelding of his shielde he was a comly Knight.
Or were it that he raisde his arme to throw the piercing Dart,
The Ladie did commend his force and manhode ioynde with Art.
Or drew he with his arrow nockt his bended Bow in hand
She sware that so in all respectes was Phœbus wont to stand.
But when he shewde his visage bare his Helmet laid aside,
And on a Milke white Steede braue trapt, in Purple Robe did ride,
She scarce was Mistresse of hir selfe hir wits were almost straught.
A happie Dart she thought it was that he in fingars caught,
And happie called she those reynes that he in hand had raught
And if she might haue had hir will, she could haue founde in hart,
Among the enmies to haue gone. she could haue found in hart,
From downe the highest Turret there hir bodie to haue throwne,
Among the thickest of the Tents of Gnossus to haue flowne.
Or for to ope the brazen gates and let the enmie in,
Or whatsoeuer else she thought might Minos fauor win.
And as she sate beholding still the King of Candies tent,
And for to clense the droupie Skie from darkenesse of the night.
The Easterne wind went downe & flakes of foggie Clouds gan show,
And from the South a merrie gale on Cephals sayles did blow.
The which did hold so fresh and large, that he and all his men
Before that he was looked for arriued safe agen
In wished Hauen. In that while King Minos with his fleete
Did wast the cost of Megara. And first he thought it meete
To make a triall of the force and courage of his men
Against the towne Alcathoe where Nisus reigned then.
Among whose honorable haire that was of colour gray,
One scarlet haire did grow vpon his crowne, whereon the stay
Of all his Kingdome did depende. Sixe times did Phœbe fill
Hir hornes with borrowed light, and yet the warre hung wauering still
In fickle fortunes doubtfull scoales: and long with fleeting wings
Betwene them both flew victorie. A Turret of the Kings
Stood hard adioyning to the Wall which being touched rings
For Phœbus (so men say) did lay his golden Uiall there,
And so the stones the sound thereof did euer after beare.
King Nisus daughter oftentimes resorted to this Wall
And strake it with a little stone to raise the sound withall,
In time of peace. And in the warre she many a time and oft
Behelde the sturdie stormes of Mars from that same place aloft.
And by continuance of the siege the Captaines names she knew
Their armes, horse, armor and aray in euerie band and crew.
But specially aboue the rest she noted Minos face.
She knew inough and more than was inough as stoode the case.
For were it that he hid his head in Helme with fethered crest,
To hir opinion in his Helme he stayned all the rest.
Or were it that he tooke in hand of steele his target bright,
She thought in weelding of his shielde he was a comly Knight.
Or were it that he raisde his arme to throw the piercing Dart,
The Ladie did commend his force and manhode ioynde with Art.
Or drew he with his arrow nockt his bended Bow in hand
96
But when he shewde his visage bare his Helmet laid aside,
And on a Milke white Steede braue trapt, in Purple Robe did ride,
She scarce was Mistresse of hir selfe hir wits were almost straught.
A happie Dart she thought it was that he in fingars caught,
And happie called she those reynes that he in hand had raught
And if she might haue had hir will, she could haue founde in hart,
Among the enmies to haue gone. she could haue found in hart,
From downe the highest Turret there hir bodie to haue throwne,
Among the thickest of the Tents of Gnossus to haue flowne.
Or for to ope the brazen gates and let the enmie in,
Or whatsoeuer else she thought might Minos fauor win.
And as she sate beholding still the King of Candies tent,
She said: I doubt me whether that I rather may lament
Or of this wofull warre be glad. It grieues me at the hart
That thou O Minos vnto me thy Louer enmie art.
But had not this same warfare bene, I neuer had him knowne.
Yet might he leaue this cruell warre, and take me as his owne.
A wife, a feere, a pledge for peace he might receiue of me.
O flowre of beautie, O thou Prince most pearlesse: if that she
That bare thee in hir wombe were like in beautie vnto thee,
A right good cause had Ioue on hir enamored for to bee.
Oh happie were I if with wings I through the Aire might glide
And safely to King Minos Tent from this same Turret slide.
Then would I vtter who I am, and how the firie flame
Of Cupid burned in my brest, desiring him to name
What dowrie he would aske with me in loän of his loue,
Saue only of my Fathers Realme no question he should moue.
For rather than by traitrous meanes my purpose should take place,
Adue desire of hoped Loue. Yet oftentimes such grace
Hath from the gentle Conqueror proceeded erst, that they
Which tooke the foyle haue found the same their profit and their stay.
Assuredly the warre is iust that Minos takes in hand,
As in reuengement of his sonne late murthered in this land.
And as his quarrell seemeth iust, euen so it cannot faile,
But rightfull warre against the wrong must (I beleue) preuaile.
Now if this Citie in the ende must needes be taken, why
Should his owne sworde and not my Loue be meanes to win it by?
It were yet better he should speede by gentle meanes without
The slaughter of his people, yea and (as it may fall out)
With spending of his owne bloud too. For sure I haue a care
O Minos least some Souldier wound thee ere he be aware.
For who is he in all the world that hath so hard a hart
That wittingly against thy head would aime his cruell Dart?
I like well this deuise. and on this purpose will I stand:
To yeelde my selfe endowed with this Citie to the hand
Of Minos: and in doing so to bring this warre to ende.
But smally it auaileth me the matter to intende.
The gates and yssues of this towne are kept with watch and warde,
And of the Keyes continually my Father hath the garde.
My Father only is the man of whome I stand in dreede,
My Father only hindreth me of my desired speede.
Would God that I were Fatherlesse. Tush euerie Wight may bee
A God as in their owne behalfe, and if their hearts be free
From fearefulnesse. For fortune works against the fond desire
Of such as through faint heartednesse attempt not to aspire.
Some other feeling in hir heart such flames of Cupids fire.
Already would haue put in proofe some practise to destroy
What thing so euer of hir Loue the furtherance might anoy
And why should any woman haue a bolder heart than I?
Throw fire and sword I boldly durst aduenture for to flie.
And yet in this behalfe at all there needes no sword nor fire,
There needeth but my fathers haire to accomplish my desire.
That Purple haire of his to me more precious were than golde:
That Purple haire of his would make me blest a thousand folde:
That haire would compasse my desire and set my heart at rest.
Or of this wofull warre be glad. It grieues me at the hart
That thou O Minos vnto me thy Louer enmie art.
But had not this same warfare bene, I neuer had him knowne.
Yet might he leaue this cruell warre, and take me as his owne.
A wife, a feere, a pledge for peace he might receiue of me.
O flowre of beautie, O thou Prince most pearlesse: if that she
That bare thee in hir wombe were like in beautie vnto thee,
A right good cause had Ioue on hir enamored for to bee.
Oh happie were I if with wings I through the Aire might glide
And safely to King Minos Tent from this same Turret slide.
Then would I vtter who I am, and how the firie flame
Of Cupid burned in my brest, desiring him to name
What dowrie he would aske with me in loän of his loue,
Saue only of my Fathers Realme no question he should moue.
For rather than by traitrous meanes my purpose should take place,
Adue desire of hoped Loue. Yet oftentimes such grace
Hath from the gentle Conqueror proceeded erst, that they
Which tooke the foyle haue found the same their profit and their stay.
Assuredly the warre is iust that Minos takes in hand,
As in reuengement of his sonne late murthered in this land.
And as his quarrell seemeth iust, euen so it cannot faile,
But rightfull warre against the wrong must (I beleue) preuaile.
Now if this Citie in the ende must needes be taken, why
[96]
It were yet better he should speede by gentle meanes without
The slaughter of his people, yea and (as it may fall out)
With spending of his owne bloud too. For sure I haue a care
O Minos least some Souldier wound thee ere he be aware.
For who is he in all the world that hath so hard a hart
That wittingly against thy head would aime his cruell Dart?
I like well this deuise. and on this purpose will I stand:
To yeelde my selfe endowed with this Citie to the hand
Of Minos: and in doing so to bring this warre to ende.
But smally it auaileth me the matter to intende.
The gates and yssues of this towne are kept with watch and warde,
And of the Keyes continually my Father hath the garde.
My Father only is the man of whome I stand in dreede,
My Father only hindreth me of my desired speede.
Would God that I were Fatherlesse. Tush euerie Wight may bee
A God as in their owne behalfe, and if their hearts be free
From fearefulnesse. For fortune works against the fond desire
Of such as through faint heartednesse attempt not to aspire.
Some other feeling in hir heart such flames of Cupids fire.
Already would haue put in proofe some practise to destroy
What thing so euer of hir Loue the furtherance might anoy
And why should any woman haue a bolder heart than I?
Throw fire and sword I boldly durst aduenture for to flie.
And yet in this behalfe at all there needes no sword nor fire,
There needeth but my fathers haire to accomplish my desire.
That Purple haire of his to me more precious were than golde:
That Purple haire of his would make me blest a thousand folde:
That haire would compasse my desire and set my heart at rest.
Night (chiefest Nurce of thoughts to such as are with care opprest.)
Approched while she spake these words, and darknesse did encrease
Hir boldnesse. At such time as folke are wont to finde release
Of cares that all the day before were working in their heds,
By sleepe which falleth first of all vpon them in their beds,
Hir fathers chamber secretly she entered: where (alasse
That euer Maiden should so farre the bounds of Nature passe)
She robde hir Father of the haire vpon the which the fate
Depended both of life and death and of his royall state.
And ioying in hir wicked pray, she beares it with hir so
As if it were some lawfull spoyle acquired of the fo.
And passing through a posterne gate she marched through the mid
Of all hir enmies (such a trust she had in that she did)
Untill she came before the King. Whom troubled with the sight
She thus bespake. Enforst O King by loue against all right
I Scylla Nisus daughter doe present vnto thee heere
My natiue soyle, my household Gods, and all that else is deere
For this my gift none other thing in recompence I craue
Than of thy person which I loue, fruition for to haue.
And in assurance of my loue receyue thou here of mee
My fathers Purple haire: and thinke I giue not vnto thee
A haire but euen my fathers head. And as these words she spake.
The cursed gift with wicked hand she profered him to take.
But Minos did abhorre hir gift: and troubled in his minde
With straungenesse of the heynous act so sore against hir kinde,
He aunswerde. O thou slaunder of our age the Gods expell
Thee out of all this world of theirs and let thee no where dwell.
Let rest on neither Sea nor Land be graunted vnto thee.
Assure thy selfe that as for me I neuer will agree
That Candie Ioues owne foster place (as long as I there raigne)
Shall vnto such a monstruous Wight a Harbrow place remaine.
Approched while she spake these words, and darknesse did encrease
Hir boldnesse. At such time as folke are wont to finde release
Of cares that all the day before were working in their heds,
By sleepe which falleth first of all vpon them in their beds,
Hir fathers chamber secretly she entered: where (alasse
That euer Maiden should so farre the bounds of Nature passe)
She robde hir Father of the haire vpon the which the fate
97
And ioying in hir wicked pray, she beares it with hir so
As if it were some lawfull spoyle acquired of the fo.
And passing through a posterne gate she marched through the mid
Of all hir enmies (such a trust she had in that she did)
Untill she came before the King. Whom troubled with the sight
She thus bespake. Enforst O King by loue against all right
I Scylla Nisus daughter doe present vnto thee heere
My natiue soyle, my household Gods, and all that else is deere
For this my gift none other thing in recompence I craue
Than of thy person which I loue, fruition for to haue.
And in assurance of my loue receyue thou here of mee
My fathers Purple haire: and thinke I giue not vnto thee
A haire but euen my fathers head. And as these words she spake.
The cursed gift with wicked hand she profered him to take.
But Minos did abhorre hir gift: and troubled in his minde
With straungenesse of the heynous act so sore against hir kinde,
He aunswerde. O thou slaunder of our age the Gods expell
Thee out of all this world of theirs and let thee no where dwell.
Let rest on neither Sea nor Land be graunted vnto thee.
Assure thy selfe that as for me I neuer will agree
That Candie Ioues owne foster place (as long as I there raigne)
Shall vnto such a monstruous Wight a Harbrow place remaine.
This said, he like a righteous Iudge among his vanquisht foes
Set order vnder paine of death. Which done he willed those
That serued him to go a boorde and Anchors vp to wey.
When Scylla saw the Candian fleete a flote to go away,
And that the Captaine yeelded not so good reward as shee
Had for hir lewdnesse looked for: and when in fine she see
That no entreatance could preuaile, then bursting out in ire
With stretched hands and scattred haire, as furious as the fire
She shraming cryëd out aloud. And whither doste thou flie
Reiecting me the only meanes that thou hast conquerde by?
O cankerde Churle preferde before my natiue soyle, preferd
Before my father, whither flyste O Carle of heart most hard?
Whose conquest as it is my sinne, so doth it well deserue
Reward of thee, for that my fault so well thy turne did serue.
Doth neither thee the gift I gaue, nor yet my faithfull loue,
Nor yet that all my hope on thee alonly rested, moue?
For whither shall I now resort forsaken thus of thee?
To Megara the wretched soyle of my natiuitie?
Behold it lieth vanquished and troden vnder foote.
But put the case it flourisht still: yet could it nothing boote.
I haue foreclosde it to my selfe through treason when I gaue
My fathers head to thee. Whereby my countriefolke I draue
To hate me iustly for my crime. And all the Realmes about
My lewde example doe abhorre. Thus haue I shet me out
Of all the world that only Crete might take me in. which if
Thou like a Churle denie, and cast me vp without relief,
The Ladie Europ surely was not mother vnto thee:
But one of Affricke Sirts where none but Serpents fostred bee.
But euen some cruell Tiger bred in Armen or in Inde,
Or else the Gulfe Charybdis raisde with rage of Southerne winde.
Thou wert not got by Ioue: ne yet thy mother was beguilde
In shape of Bull: of this thy birth the tale is false compilde.
But rather some vnwieldie Bull euen altogither wilde
That neuer lowed after Cow was out of doubt thy Sire.
O father Nisus put thou me to penance for my hire.
Reioyce thou in my punishment thou towne by me betrayd.
I haue deserued (I confesse) most iustly to be payd
With death. But let some one of thē that through my lewdnesse smart,
Destroy me, why doste thou that by my crime a gainer art,
Commit like crime thy selfe? Admit this wicked act of me
As to my land and Fatherward in deede most hainous be.
Yet oughtest thou to take it as a friendship vnto thee.
But she was meete to be thy wife, that in a Cow of tree
Could play the Harlot with a Bull, and in hir wombe could beare
A Barne, in whome the shapes of man and beasts confounded were.
How sayst thou Carle? cōpell not these my words thine eares to glow?
Or doe the windes that driue thy shyps, in vaine my sayings blow?
In faith it is no wonder though thy wife Pasiphaë
Preferrde a Bull to thee for thou more cruell wert than he.
Now wo is me. To make more hast it standeth me in hand.
The water sounds with Ores, and hales from me and from my land.
In vaine thou striuest O thou Churle forgetfull quight of my
Desertes: for euen in spight of thee pursue thee still will I.
Upon thy courbed Keele will I take holde: and hanging so
Be drawen along the Sea with thee where euer thou do go.
Set order vnder paine of death. Which done he willed those
That serued him to go a boorde and Anchors vp to wey.
When Scylla saw the Candian fleete a flote to go away,
And that the Captaine yeelded not so good reward as shee
Had for hir lewdnesse looked for: and when in fine she see
That no entreatance could preuaile, then bursting out in ire
With stretched hands and scattred haire, as furious as the fire
She shraming cryëd out aloud. And whither doste thou flie
Reiecting me the only meanes that thou hast conquerde by?
O cankerde Churle preferde before my natiue soyle, preferd
Before my father, whither flyste O Carle of heart most hard?
Whose conquest as it is my sinne, so doth it well deserue
Reward of thee, for that my fault so well thy turne did serue.
[97]
Nor yet that all my hope on thee alonly rested, moue?
For whither shall I now resort forsaken thus of thee?
To Megara the wretched soyle of my natiuitie?
Behold it lieth vanquished and troden vnder foote.
But put the case it flourisht still: yet could it nothing boote.
I haue foreclosde it to my selfe through treason when I gaue
My fathers head to thee. Whereby my countriefolke I draue
To hate me iustly for my crime. And all the Realmes about
My lewde example doe abhorre. Thus haue I shet me out
Of all the world that only Crete might take me in. which if
Thou like a Churle denie, and cast me vp without relief,
The Ladie Europ surely was not mother vnto thee:
But one of Affricke Sirts where none but Serpents fostred bee.
But euen some cruell Tiger bred in Armen or in Inde,
Or else the Gulfe Charybdis raisde with rage of Southerne winde.
Thou wert not got by Ioue: ne yet thy mother was beguilde
In shape of Bull: of this thy birth the tale is false compilde.
But rather some vnwieldie Bull euen altogither wilde
That neuer lowed after Cow was out of doubt thy Sire.
O father Nisus put thou me to penance for my hire.
Reioyce thou in my punishment thou towne by me betrayd.
I haue deserued (I confesse) most iustly to be payd
With death. But let some one of thē that through my lewdnesse smart,
Destroy me, why doste thou that by my crime a gainer art,
Commit like crime thy selfe? Admit this wicked act of me
As to my land and Fatherward in deede most hainous be.
Yet oughtest thou to take it as a friendship vnto thee.
But she was meete to be thy wife, that in a Cow of tree
Could play the Harlot with a Bull, and in hir wombe could beare
A Barne, in whome the shapes of man and beasts confounded were.
How sayst thou Carle? cōpell not these my words thine eares to glow?
Or doe the windes that driue thy shyps, in vaine my sayings blow?
In faith it is no wonder though thy wife Pasiphaë
Preferrde a Bull to thee for thou more cruell wert than he.
Now wo is me. To make more hast it standeth me in hand.
The water sounds with Ores, and hales from me and from my land.
98
Desertes: for euen in spight of thee pursue thee still will I.
Upon thy courbed Keele will I take holde: and hanging so
Be drawen along the Sea with thee where euer thou do go.
She scarce had said these words, but that she leaped on the waue
And getting to the ships by force of strength that Loue hir gaue
Upon the King of Candies Keele in spight of him she claue.
Whome when hir father spide (for now he houered in the aire,
And being made a Hobby Hauke did soare betweene a paire
Of nimble wings of yron Mayle) he soused downe a maine
To seaze vpon hir as she hung, and would haue torne hir faine
With bowing Beake. But she for feare did let the Caricke go:
And as she was about to fall, the lightsome Aire did so
Uphold hir that she could not touch the Sea as seemed tho.
Anon all fethers she became, and forth away did flie
Transformed to a pretie Bird that stieth to the Skie.
And for bicause like clipped haire hir head doth beare a marke,
The Greekes it Cyris call, and we doe name the same a Larke.
And getting to the ships by force of strength that Loue hir gaue
Upon the King of Candies Keele in spight of him she claue.
Whome when hir father spide (for now he houered in the aire,
And being made a Hobby Hauke did soare betweene a paire
Of nimble wings of yron Mayle) he soused downe a maine
To seaze vpon hir as she hung, and would haue torne hir faine
With bowing Beake. But she for feare did let the Caricke go:
And as she was about to fall, the lightsome Aire did so
Uphold hir that she could not touch the Sea as seemed tho.
Anon all fethers she became, and forth away did flie
Transformed to a pretie Bird that stieth to the Skie.
And for bicause like clipped haire hir head doth beare a marke,
The Greekes it Cyris call, and we doe name the same a Larke.
Assone as Minos came a land in Crete, he by and by
Performde his vowes to Iupiter in causing for to die
A hundred Bulles for sacrifice. And then he did adorne
His Pallace with the enmies spoyles by conquest wonne beforne.
The slaunder of his house encreast: and now appeared more
The mothers filthie whoredome by the monster that she bore
Of double shape, an vgly thing. This shamefull infamie,
This monster borne him by his wife he mindes by pollicie
To put away, and in a house with many nookes and krinks
From all mens sights and speach of folke to shet it vp he thinks.
Immediatly one Dædalus renowmed in that lande
For fine deuise and workmanship in building, went in hand
To make it. He confounds his worke with sodaine stops and stayes,
And with the great vncertaintie of sundrie winding wayes
Leades in and out, and to and fro, at diuers doores astray.
And as with trickling streame the Brooke Mæander seemes to play
In Phrygia, and with doubtfull race runnes counter to and fro,
And meeting with himselfe doth looke if all his streame or no
Come after, and retiring eft cleane backward to his spring
And marching eft to open Sea as streight as any string,
Indenteth with reuersed streame: euen so of winding wayes
Unnumerable Dædalus within his worke conuayes.
Yea scarce himselfe could find the meanes to winde himselfe well out:
So busie and so intricate the house was all about.
Performde his vowes to Iupiter in causing for to die
A hundred Bulles for sacrifice. And then he did adorne
His Pallace with the enmies spoyles by conquest wonne beforne.
The slaunder of his house encreast: and now appeared more
The mothers filthie whoredome by the monster that she bore
Of double shape, an vgly thing. This shamefull infamie,
This monster borne him by his wife he mindes by pollicie
To put away, and in a house with many nookes and krinks
From all mens sights and speach of folke to shet it vp he thinks.
Immediatly one Dædalus renowmed in that lande
For fine deuise and workmanship in building, went in hand
To make it. He confounds his worke with sodaine stops and stayes,
And with the great vncertaintie of sundrie winding wayes
Leades in and out, and to and fro, at diuers doores astray.
And as with trickling streame the Brooke Mæander seemes to play
In Phrygia, and with doubtfull race runnes counter to and fro,
And meeting with himselfe doth looke if all his streame or no
Come after, and retiring eft cleane backward to his spring
[98]
Indenteth with reuersed streame: euen so of winding wayes
Unnumerable Dædalus within his worke conuayes.
Yea scarce himselfe could find the meanes to winde himselfe well out:
So busie and so intricate the house was all about.
Within this Maze did Minos shet the Monster that did beare
The shape of man and Bull. And when he twise had fed him there
With bloud of Atticke Princes sonnes that giuen for tribute were,
The third time at the ninth yeares end the lot did chaunce to light
On Theseus King Aegæus sonne: who like a valiant Knight
Did ouercome the Minotaur: and by the pollicie
Of Minos eldest daughter (who had taught him for to tie
A clew of Linnen at the doore to guide himselfe thereby)
As busie as the turnings were, his way he out did finde,
Which neuer man had done before. And streight he hauing winde,
With Minos daughter sailde away to Dia: where (vnkinde
And cruell creature that he was) he left hir post alone
Upon the shore. Thus desolate and making dolefull mone
God Bacchus did both comfort hir and take hir to his bed.
And with an euerlasting starre the more hir fame to spred,
He tooke the Chaplet from hir head, and vp to Heauen it threw.
The Chaplet thirled through the Aire: and as it gliding flew,
The precious stones were turnd to starres which blased cleare & bright,
And tooke their place (continuing like a Chaplet still to sight)
Amid betweene the kneeler downe and him that gripes the Snake.
The shape of man and Bull. And when he twise had fed him there
With bloud of Atticke Princes sonnes that giuen for tribute were,
The third time at the ninth yeares end the lot did chaunce to light
On Theseus King Aegæus sonne: who like a valiant Knight
Did ouercome the Minotaur: and by the pollicie
Of Minos eldest daughter (who had taught him for to tie
A clew of Linnen at the doore to guide himselfe thereby)
As busie as the turnings were, his way he out did finde,
Which neuer man had done before. And streight he hauing winde,
With Minos daughter sailde away to Dia: where (vnkinde
And cruell creature that he was) he left hir post alone
Upon the shore. Thus desolate and making dolefull mone
God Bacchus did both comfort hir and take hir to his bed.
And with an euerlasting starre the more hir fame to spred,
He tooke the Chaplet from hir head, and vp to Heauen it threw.
The Chaplet thirled through the Aire: and as it gliding flew,
The precious stones were turnd to starres which blased cleare & bright,
And tooke their place (continuing like a Chaplet still to sight)
Amid betweene the kneeler downe and him that gripes the Snake.
Now in this while gan Dædalus a wearinesse to take
Of liuing like a banisht man and prisoner such a time
In Crete, and longed in his heart to see his natiue Clime.
But Seas enclosed him as if he had in prison be.
Then thought he: though both Sea and Land King Minos stop fro me.
I am assurde he cannot stop the Aire and open Skie.
To make my passage that way then my cunning will I trie.
Although that Minos like a Lord held all the world beside:
Yet doth the Aire from Minos yoke for all men free abide.
This sed: to vncoth Arts he bent the force of all his wits
To alter natures course by craft. And orderly he knits
A rowe of fethers one by one, beginning with the short,
And ouermatching still eche quill with one of longer sort,
That on the shoring of a hill a man would thinke them grow.
Euen so the countrie Organpipes of Oten reedes in row
Ech higher than another rise. Then fastned he with Flax
The middle quilles, and ioyned in the lowest sort with Wax.
And when he thus had finisht them, a little he them bent
In compasse, that the verie Birdes they full might represent.
There stoode me by him Icarus his sonne a pretie Lad.
Who knowing not that he in handes his owne destruction had.
With smiling mouth did one while blow the fethers to and fro
Which in the Aire on wings of Birds did flask not long ago:
And with his thumbes another while he chafes the yelow Wax
And lets his fathers wondrous worke with childish toyes and knax.
Assoone as that the worke was done, the workman by and by
Did peyse his bodie on his wings, and in the Aire on hie
Hung wauering: and did teach his sonne how he should also flie.
I warne thee (quoth he) Icarus a middle race to keepe.
For if thou hold to low a gate, the dankenesse of the deepe
Will ouerlade thy wings with wet. And if thou mount to hie,
The Sunne will sindge them. Therfore see betweene thē both thou flie.
I bid thee not behold the Starre Boötes in the Skie.
Nor looke vpon the bigger Beare to make thy course thereby,
Nor yet on Orions naked sword. But euer haue an eie
To keepe the race that I doe keepe, and I will guide thee right.
In giuing counsell to his sonne to order well his flight,
He fastned to his shoulders twaine a paire of vncoth wings.
And as he was in doing it and warning him of things,
His aged cheekes were wet, his hands did quake, in fine he gaue
His sonne a kisse the last that he aliue should euer haue.
And then he mounting vp aloft before him tooke his way
Right fearfull for his followers sake: as is the Bird the day
That first she tolleth from hir nest among the braunches hie
Hir tender yong ones in the Aire to teach them for to flie.
So heartens he his little sonne to follow teaching him
A hurtfull Art. His owne two wings he waueth verie trim,
And looketh backward still vpon his sonnes. The fishermen
Then standing angling by the Sea, and shepeherdes leaning then
On sheepehookes, and the Ploughmen on the handles of their Plough,
Beholding them, amazed were: and thought that they that through
The Aire could flie were Gods. And now did on their left side stand
The Iles of Paros and of Dele and Samos Iunos land:
And on their right, Lebinthos and the faire Calydna fraught
With store of home: when the Boy a frolicke courage caught
To flie at randon. Wherevpon forsaking quight his guide,
Of fond desire to flie to Heauen, aboue his boundes he stide.
And there the nerenesse of the Sunne which burnd more hote aloft,
Did make the Wax (with which his wings were glewed) lithe and soft.
Assoone as that the Wax was molt, his naked armes he shakes,
And wanting wherewithall to waue no helpe of Aire he takes.
But calling on his father loud he drowned in the waue:
And by this chaunce of his those Seas his name for euer haue.
His wretched Father (but as then no father) cride in feare
O Icarus O Icarus where art thou? tell me where
That I may finde thee Icarus. He saw the fethers swim
Upon the waues, and curst his Art that so had spighted him.
At last he tooke his bodie vp and laid it in a graue,
And to the Ile the name of him then buried in it gaue.
Of liuing like a banisht man and prisoner such a time
In Crete, and longed in his heart to see his natiue Clime.
But Seas enclosed him as if he had in prison be.
Then thought he: though both Sea and Land King Minos stop fro me.
I am assurde he cannot stop the Aire and open Skie.
To make my passage that way then my cunning will I trie.
Although that Minos like a Lord held all the world beside:
Yet doth the Aire from Minos yoke for all men free abide.
This sed: to vncoth Arts he bent the force of all his wits
To alter natures course by craft. And orderly he knits
A rowe of fethers one by one, beginning with the short,
99
That on the shoring of a hill a man would thinke them grow.
Euen so the countrie Organpipes of Oten reedes in row
Ech higher than another rise. Then fastned he with Flax
The middle quilles, and ioyned in the lowest sort with Wax.
And when he thus had finisht them, a little he them bent
In compasse, that the verie Birdes they full might represent.
There stoode me by him Icarus his sonne a pretie Lad.
Who knowing not that he in handes his owne destruction had.
With smiling mouth did one while blow the fethers to and fro
Which in the Aire on wings of Birds did flask not long ago:
And with his thumbes another while he chafes the yelow Wax
And lets his fathers wondrous worke with childish toyes and knax.
Assoone as that the worke was done, the workman by and by
Did peyse his bodie on his wings, and in the Aire on hie
Hung wauering: and did teach his sonne how he should also flie.
I warne thee (quoth he) Icarus a middle race to keepe.
For if thou hold to low a gate, the dankenesse of the deepe
Will ouerlade thy wings with wet. And if thou mount to hie,
The Sunne will sindge them. Therfore see betweene thē both thou flie.
I bid thee not behold the Starre Boötes in the Skie.
Nor looke vpon the bigger Beare to make thy course thereby,
Nor yet on Orions naked sword. But euer haue an eie
To keepe the race that I doe keepe, and I will guide thee right.
In giuing counsell to his sonne to order well his flight,
He fastned to his shoulders twaine a paire of vncoth wings.
And as he was in doing it and warning him of things,
His aged cheekes were wet, his hands did quake, in fine he gaue
His sonne a kisse the last that he aliue should euer haue.
And then he mounting vp aloft before him tooke his way
Right fearfull for his followers sake: as is the Bird the day
That first she tolleth from hir nest among the braunches hie
Hir tender yong ones in the Aire to teach them for to flie.
So heartens he his little sonne to follow teaching him
A hurtfull Art. His owne two wings he waueth verie trim,
And looketh backward still vpon his sonnes. The fishermen
Then standing angling by the Sea, and shepeherdes leaning then
[99]
Beholding them, amazed were: and thought that they that through
The Aire could flie were Gods. And now did on their left side stand
The Iles of Paros and of Dele and Samos Iunos land:
And on their right, Lebinthos and the faire Calydna fraught
With store of home: when the Boy a frolicke courage caught
To flie at randon. Wherevpon forsaking quight his guide,
Of fond desire to flie to Heauen, aboue his boundes he stide.
And there the nerenesse of the Sunne which burnd more hote aloft,
Did make the Wax (with which his wings were glewed) lithe and soft.
Assoone as that the Wax was molt, his naked armes he shakes,
And wanting wherewithall to waue no helpe of Aire he takes.
But calling on his father loud he drowned in the waue:
And by this chaunce of his those Seas his name for euer haue.
His wretched Father (but as then no father) cride in feare
O Icarus O Icarus where art thou? tell me where
That I may finde thee Icarus. He saw the fethers swim
Upon the waues, and curst his Art that so had spighted him.
At last he tooke his bodie vp and laid it in a graue,
And to the Ile the name of him then buried in it gaue.
And as he of his wretched sonne the corse in ground did hide,
The cackling Partrich from a thicke and leauie thorne him spide.
And clapping with his wings for ioy aloud to call began.
There was of that same kinde of Birde no mo but he as than.
In times forepast had none bene seene. It was but late anew
Since he was made a bird: and that thou Dædalus mayst rew:
For whyle the world doth last thy shame shall therevpon ensew.
For why thy sister ignorant of that which after hapt,
Did put him to thee to be taught full twelue yeares old and apt
To take instruction. He did marke the middle bone that goes
Through fishes, and according to the paterne tane of those
He filed teeth vpon a piece of yron one by one
And so deuised first the Saw where erst was neuer none.
Moreouer he two yron shankes so ioynde in one round head,
That opening an indifferent space, the one point downe shall tread,
And tother draw a circle round. The finding of these things,
The spightfull heart of Dædalus with such a malice stings,
That headlong from the holy towre of Pallas downe he thrue
His Nephew feyning him to fall by chaunce. which was not true.
But Pallas (who doth fauour wits) did stay him in his fall
And chaunging him into a Bird did clad him ouer all
With fethers soft amid the Aire. The quicknesse of his wit
(Which erst was swift) did shed it selfe among his wings and feete.
And as he Partrich hight before, so hights he Partrich still.
Yet mounteth not this Bird aloft ne seemes to haue a will
To build hir nest in tops of trees among the boughes on hie
But flecketh nere the ground and layes hir egges in hedges drie.
And forbicause hir former fall she ay in minde doth beare.
She euer since all lofty things doth warely shun for feare.
The cackling Partrich from a thicke and leauie thorne him spide.
And clapping with his wings for ioy aloud to call began.
There was of that same kinde of Birde no mo but he as than.
In times forepast had none bene seene. It was but late anew
Since he was made a bird: and that thou Dædalus mayst rew:
For whyle the world doth last thy shame shall therevpon ensew.
For why thy sister ignorant of that which after hapt,
Did put him to thee to be taught full twelue yeares old and apt
To take instruction. He did marke the middle bone that goes
Through fishes, and according to the paterne tane of those
He filed teeth vpon a piece of yron one by one
And so deuised first the Saw where erst was neuer none.
Moreouer he two yron shankes so ioynde in one round head,
That opening an indifferent space, the one point downe shall tread,
And tother draw a circle round. The finding of these things,
The spightfull heart of Dædalus with such a malice stings,
100
His Nephew feyning him to fall by chaunce. which was not true.
But Pallas (who doth fauour wits) did stay him in his fall
And chaunging him into a Bird did clad him ouer all
With fethers soft amid the Aire. The quicknesse of his wit
(Which erst was swift) did shed it selfe among his wings and feete.
And as he Partrich hight before, so hights he Partrich still.
Yet mounteth not this Bird aloft ne seemes to haue a will
To build hir nest in tops of trees among the boughes on hie
But flecketh nere the ground and layes hir egges in hedges drie.
And forbicause hir former fall she ay in minde doth beare.
She euer since all lofty things doth warely shun for feare.
And now forwearied Dædalus alighted in the land
Within the which the burning hilles of firie Aetna stand.
To saue whose life King Cocalus did weapon take in hand,
For which men thought him merciful. And now with high renowne
Had Theseus ceast the wofull pay of tribute in the towne
Of Athens. Temples decked were with garlands euery where,
And supplications made to Ioue and warlicke Pallas were.
And all the other Gods. To whome more honor for to show,
Gifts, blud of beasts, and frankincense the people did bestow
As in performance of their vowes. The right redoubted name
Of Theseus through the lande of Greece was spred by flying fame.
And now the folke that in the land of rich Achaia dwelt,
Praid him of succor in the harmes and perils that they felt.
Although the land of Calydon had then Meleager:
Yet was it faine in humble wise to Theseus to prefer
A supplication for the aide of him. The cause wherfore
They made such humble suit to him was this. There was a Bore
The which Diana for to wreake hir wrath conceyude before
Had thither as hir seruant sent the countrie for to waast.
For men report that Oenie when he had in storehouse plaast
The full encrease of former yeare, to Ceres did assigne
The firstlings of his corne and fruits: to Bacchus, of the Uine:
And vnto Pallas Olife oyle. This honoring of the Gods
Of graine and fruits who put their help to toyling in the clods,
Ambitiously to all, euen those that dwell in heauen did clime.
Dianaas Altars (as it hapt) alonly at that time
Without reward of Frankincense were ouerskipt (they say)
Euen Gods are subiect vnto wrath. He shall not scape away
Unpunisht. Though vnworshipped he passed me wyth spight:
He shall not make his vaunt he scapt me vnreuenged quight,
Quoth Phœbe. And anon she sent a Bore to Oenies ground
Of such a hugenesse as no Bull could euer yet be found,
In Epyre: But in Sicilie are Bulles much lesse than hee
His eies did glister blud and fire: right dreadfull was to see
His brawned necke, right dredfull was his haire which grew as thicke
With pricking points as one of them could well by other sticke.
And like a front of armed Pikes set close in battell ray
The sturdie bristles on his back stoode staring vp alway.
The scalding fome with gnashing hoarse which he did cast aside,
Upon his large and brawned shield did white as Curdes abide.
Among the greatest Oliphants in all the land of Inde,
A greater tush than had this Boare, ye shall not lightly finde.
Such lightning flashed from his chappes, as seared vp the grasse.
Now trampled he the spindling corne to ground where he did passe
Now ramping vp their riped hope he made the Plowmen weepe.
And chankt the kernell in the eare. In vaine their floores they sweepe:
In vaine their Barnes for Haruest long, the likely store they keepe.
The spreaded Uines with clustred Grapes to ground he rudely sent,
And full of Berries loden boughes from Olife trees he rent.
On cattell also did he rage. The shepeherd nor his dog,
Nor yet the Bulles could saue the herdes from outrage of this Hog.
The folke themselues were faine to flie. And yet they thought thē not
In safetie when they had themselues within the Citie got.
Untill their Prince Meleager, and with their Prince a knot
Of Lords and lustie gentlemen of hand and courage stout,
With chosen fellowes for the nonce of all the Lands about,
Inflamed were to win renowne. The chiefe that thither came
Were both the twinnes of Tyndarus of great renowne and fame,
Within the which the burning hilles of firie Aetna stand.
To saue whose life King Cocalus did weapon take in hand,
For which men thought him merciful. And now with high renowne
Had Theseus ceast the wofull pay of tribute in the towne
Of Athens. Temples decked were with garlands euery where,
And supplications made to Ioue and warlicke Pallas were.
And all the other Gods. To whome more honor for to show,
Gifts, blud of beasts, and frankincense the people did bestow
As in performance of their vowes. The right redoubted name
Of Theseus through the lande of Greece was spred by flying fame.
And now the folke that in the land of rich Achaia dwelt,
Praid him of succor in the harmes and perils that they felt.
Although the land of Calydon had then Meleager:
Yet was it faine in humble wise to Theseus to prefer
A supplication for the aide of him. The cause wherfore
They made such humble suit to him was this. There was a Bore
The which Diana for to wreake hir wrath conceyude before
Had thither as hir seruant sent the countrie for to waast.
For men report that Oenie when he had in storehouse plaast
The full encrease of former yeare, to Ceres did assigne
The firstlings of his corne and fruits: to Bacchus, of the Uine:
And vnto Pallas Olife oyle. This honoring of the Gods
Of graine and fruits who put their help to toyling in the clods,
Ambitiously to all, euen those that dwell in heauen did clime.
[100]
Without reward of Frankincense were ouerskipt (they say)
Euen Gods are subiect vnto wrath. He shall not scape away
Unpunisht. Though vnworshipped he passed me wyth spight:
He shall not make his vaunt he scapt me vnreuenged quight,
Quoth Phœbe. And anon she sent a Bore to Oenies ground
Of such a hugenesse as no Bull could euer yet be found,
In Epyre: But in Sicilie are Bulles much lesse than hee
His eies did glister blud and fire: right dreadfull was to see
His brawned necke, right dredfull was his haire which grew as thicke
With pricking points as one of them could well by other sticke.
And like a front of armed Pikes set close in battell ray
The sturdie bristles on his back stoode staring vp alway.
The scalding fome with gnashing hoarse which he did cast aside,
Upon his large and brawned shield did white as Curdes abide.
Among the greatest Oliphants in all the land of Inde,
A greater tush than had this Boare, ye shall not lightly finde.
Such lightning flashed from his chappes, as seared vp the grasse.
Now trampled he the spindling corne to ground where he did passe
Now ramping vp their riped hope he made the Plowmen weepe.
And chankt the kernell in the eare. In vaine their floores they sweepe:
In vaine their Barnes for Haruest long, the likely store they keepe.
The spreaded Uines with clustred Grapes to ground he rudely sent,
And full of Berries loden boughes from Olife trees he rent.
On cattell also did he rage. The shepeherd nor his dog,
Nor yet the Bulles could saue the herdes from outrage of this Hog.
The folke themselues were faine to flie. And yet they thought thē not
In safetie when they had themselues within the Citie got.
Untill their Prince Meleager, and with their Prince a knot
Of Lords and lustie gentlemen of hand and courage stout,
With chosen fellowes for the nonce of all the Lands about,
Inflamed were to win renowne. The chiefe that thither came
Were both the twinnes of Tyndarus of great renowne and fame,
The one in all actiuitie of manhode, strength and force,
The other for his cunning skill in handling of a horse.
And Iason he that first of all the Gallie did inuent:
And Theseus with Pirithous betwene which two there went
A happie leage of amitie: And
two of Thesties race:
And Lynce the sonne of Apharie and Idas swift of pace.
And fierce Leucyppus and the braue Acastus with his Dart
In handling of the which he had the perfect skill and Art.
And Cæny who by birth a wench, the shape of man had wonne
And Drias and Hippothous: and Phœnix eke the sonne
Of olde Amyntor: and a paire of Actors ympes: and Phyle
Who came from Elis. Telamon was also there that while:
And so was also Peleus the great Achilles Sire:
And Pherets sonne: and Iölay the Thebane who with fire
Helpt Hercules the monstruous heades of Hydra of to seare.
The liuely Lad Eurytion and Echion who did beare
The pricke and prise for footemanship, were present also there.
And Lelex of Narytium to. And Panopie beside:
And Hyle: and cruell Hippasus: and Næstor who that tide
Was in the Prime of lustie youth: Moreouer thither went
Three children of Hippocoön from old Amicle sent.
And he that of Penelope the fathrinlaw became.
And eke the sonne of Parrhasus Ancæus cald by name.
There was the sonne of Ampycus of great forecasting wit:
And Oeclies sonne who of his wife was vnbetrayed yit.
And from the Citie Tegea there came the Paragone
Of Lycey forrest, Atalant, a goodly Ladie, one
Of Schœnyes daughters, then a Maide. The garment she did weare
A brayded button fastned at hir gorget. All hir heare
Untrimmed in one only knot was trussed. From hir left
Side hanging on hir shoulder was an Iuorie quiuer deft:
Which being full of arrowes, made a clattring as she went.
And in hir right hand she did beare a Bow already bent.
Hir furniture was such as this. Hir countnance and hir grace
Was such as in a Boy might well be cald a Wenches face,
And in a Wench be cald a Boyes. The Prince of Calydon
No sooner cast his eie on hir, but being caught anon
In loue, he wisht hir to his wife. but vnto this desire
God Cupid gaue not his consent. The secret flames of fire
He haling inward still did say: O happy man is he
Whom this same Ladie shall vouchsaue hir Husband for to be.
The shortnesse of the time and shame would giue him leaue to say
No more: a worke of greater weight did draw him then away.
The other for his cunning skill in handling of a horse.
And Iason he that first of all the Gallie did inuent:
And Theseus with Pirithous betwene which two there went
101
And Lynce the sonne of Apharie and Idas swift of pace.
And fierce Leucyppus and the braue Acastus with his Dart
In handling of the which he had the perfect skill and Art.
And Cæny who by birth a wench, the shape of man had wonne
And Drias and Hippothous: and Phœnix eke the sonne
Of olde Amyntor: and a paire of Actors ympes: and Phyle
Who came from Elis. Telamon was also there that while:
And so was also Peleus the great Achilles Sire:
And Pherets sonne: and Iölay the Thebane who with fire
Helpt Hercules the monstruous heades of Hydra of to seare.
The liuely Lad Eurytion and Echion who did beare
The pricke and prise for footemanship, were present also there.
And Lelex of Narytium to. And Panopie beside:
And Hyle: and cruell Hippasus: and Næstor who that tide
Was in the Prime of lustie youth: Moreouer thither went
Three children of Hippocoön from old Amicle sent.
And he that of Penelope the fathrinlaw became.
And eke the sonne of Parrhasus Ancæus cald by name.
There was the sonne of Ampycus of great forecasting wit:
And Oeclies sonne who of his wife was vnbetrayed yit.
And from the Citie Tegea there came the Paragone
Of Lycey forrest, Atalant, a goodly Ladie, one
Of Schœnyes daughters, then a Maide. The garment she did weare
A brayded button fastned at hir gorget. All hir heare
Untrimmed in one only knot was trussed. From hir left
Side hanging on hir shoulder was an Iuorie quiuer deft:
Which being full of arrowes, made a clattring as she went.
And in hir right hand she did beare a Bow already bent.
Hir furniture was such as this. Hir countnance and hir grace
Was such as in a Boy might well be cald a Wenches face,
And in a Wench be cald a Boyes. The Prince of Calydon
No sooner cast his eie on hir, but being caught anon
In loue, he wisht hir to his wife. but vnto this desire
God Cupid gaue not his consent. The secret flames of fire
He haling inward still did say: O happy man is he
Whom this same Ladie shall vouchsaue hir Husband for to be.
[101]
No more: a worke of greater weight did draw him then away.
A wood thick growen with trees which stoode vnfelled to that day
Beginning from a plaine, had thence a large prospect throughout
The falling grounds that euery way did muster round about.
Assoone as that the men came there, some pitched vp the toyles,
Some tooke the couples from the Dogs, and some pursude the foyles
In places where the Swine had tract: desiring for to spie
Their owne destruction. Now there was a hollow bottom by,
To which the watershots of raine from all the high grounds drew.
Within the compasse of this pond great store of Oysyers grew:
And Sallowes lithe, and flackring Flags, and moorish Rushes eke,
And lazie Reedes on little shankes, and other baggage like.
From hence the Bore was rowzed out, and fiersly forth he flies
Among the thickest of his foes like thunder from the Skies,
When Clouds in meeting force the fire to burst by violence out.
He beares the trees before him downe, and all the wood about
Doth sound of crashing. All the youth with hideous noyse and shout
Against him bend their Boarspeare points with hand & courage stout.
He rushes forth among the Dogs that held him at a bay,
And now on this side now on that, as any come in way,
He rippes their skinnes and splitteth them, and chaseth thē away,
Echion first of all the rout a Dart at him did throw,
Which mist and in a Maple tree did giue a little blow
The next (if he that threw the same had vsed lesser might,)
The backe at which he aimed it was likely for to smight.
It ouerflew him. Iason was the man that cast the Dart.
With that the sonne of Ampycus sayd: Phœbus (if with hart
I haue and still doe worship thee) now graunt me for to hit
The thing that I doe leuell at. Apollo graunts him it
As much as lay in him to graunt. He hit the Swine in deede.
But neyther entred he his hide nor caused him to bleede.
For why Diana (as the Dart was flying) tooke away
The head of it: and so the Dart could headlesse beare no sway.
But yet the moodie beast thereby was set the more on fire
And chafing like the lightning swift he vttreth forth his ire.
The fire did sparkle from his eyes: and from his boyling brest
He breathed flaming flakes of fire conceyued in his chest.
And looke with what a violent brunt a mightie Bullet goes
From engines bent against a wall, or bulwarks full of foes:
With euen such violence rusht the Swine among the Hunts a mayne,
And ouerthrew Eupalamon and Pelagon both twaine
That in the right wing placed were. Their fellowes stepping to
And drawing them away, did saue their liues with much a do.
But as for poore Enesimus Hippocoons sonne had not
The lucke to scape the deadly dint. He would away haue got,
And trembling turnde his backe for feare. The Swine him ouertooke,
And cut his hamstrings, so that streight his going him forsooke.
And Næstor to haue lost his life was like by fortune ere
The siege of Troie, but that he tooke his rist vpon his speare:
And leaping quickly vp vpon a tree that stoode hard by,
Did safely from the place behold his foe whome he did flie.
The Boare then whetting sharpe his tuskes against the Oken wood
To mischiefe did prepare himselfe with fierce and cruell mood.
And trusting to his weapons which he sharpened had a new,
In great Orithyas thigh a wound with hooked groyne he drew.
The valiant brothers those same twinnes of Tyndarus (not yet
Celestiall signes) did both of them on coursers sit
As white as snow: and ech of them had shaking in his fist
A lightsome Dart with head of steele to throw it where he lyst.
And for to wound the bristled Bore they surely had not mist
But that he still recouered so the couerts of the wood,
That neyther horse could follow him, nor Dart doe any good.
Still after followed Telamon, whom taking to his feete
No heede at all for egernesse, a Maple roote did meete,
Which tripped vp his heeles, and flat against the ground him laid.
And while his brother Peleus relieued him, the Maid
Of Tegea tooke an arrow swift, and shot it from hir bow.
The arrow lighting vnderneath the hauers eare bylow,
And somewhat rasing of the skin, did make the bloud to show.
The Maid hirselfe not gladder was to see that luckie blow,
Than was the Prince Meleager. He was the first that saw,
And first that shewed to his Mates the blud that she did draw:
And said for this thy valiant act due honor shalt thou haue.
The men did blush, and chearing vp ech other courage gaue.
With shouting, and disorderly their Darts by heaps they threw.
The number of them hindred them, not suffring to ensew
That any lighted on the marke at which they all did ame.
Behold, enragde against his ende the hardie Knight that came
From Arcadie, rusht rashly with a Pollax in his fist
And said you yonglings learne of me what difference is betwist
A wenches weapons and a mans: and all of you giue place
To my redoubted force. For though Diana in this chase
Should with hir owne shield him defend, yet should this hand of mine
Euen maugre Dame Dianaas heart confound this orped Swine.
Such boasting words as these through pride presumptuously he crakes:
And streyning out himselfe vpon his tiptoes streight he takes
His Pollax vp with both his hands. But as this bragger ment
To fetch his blow, the cruell beast his malice did preuent:
And in his coddes (the speeding place of death) his tusshes puts,
And rippeth vp his paunche. Downe falles Ancæus and his guts
Come tumbling out besmearde with bloud, and foyled all the plot.
Pirithous Ixions sonne at that abashed not:
But shaking in his valiant hand his hunting staffe did goe
Still stoutly forward face to face t'encounter with his foe
To whome Duke Theseus cride a farre. O dearer vnto mee
Than is my selfe, my soule I say, stay: lawfull we it see
For valiant men to keepe aloofe. The ouer hardie hart
In rash aduentring of him selfe hath made Ancæus smart.
This sed, he threw a weightie Dart of Cornell with a head
Of brasse: which being leueld well was likely to haue sped,
But that a bough of Chestnut tree thick leaued by the way
Did latch it, and by meanes therof the dint of it did stay.
Another Dart that Iason threw, by fortune mist the Bore,
And light betwene a Mastifes chaps, and through his guts did gore,
And naild him to the earth. The hand of Prince Meleager
Plaid hittymissie. Of two Darts his first did flie to far,
And lighted in the ground: the next amid his backe stickt fast.
And while the Bore did play the fiend and turned round agast,
And grunting flang his fome about togither mixt mith blood
The giuer of the wound (the more to sture his enmies mood,)
Stept in, and vnderneath the shield did thrust his Boarspeare through.
Then all the Hunters shouting out demeaned ioy inough.
And glad was he that first might come to take him by the hand.
About the vgly beast they all with gladnesse gazing stand
And wondring what a field of ground his carcasse did possesse,
There durst not any be so bolde to touch him. Nerethelesse,
They euery of them with his bloud their hunting staues made red.
Then stepped forth Meleager, and treading on his hed
Said thus: O Ladie Atalant, receiue thou here my fee,
And of my glorie vouch thou safe partaker for to bee.
Immediatly the vgly head with both the tusshes braue
And eke the skin with bristles stur right griesly, he hir gaue.
The Ladie for the giuers sake, was in hir heart as glad
As for the gift. The rest repinde that she such honor had.
Through all the rout was murmuring. Of whom with roring reare
And armes displayd that all the field might easly see and heare,
The Thesties cried Dame come of and lay vs downe this geare.
And thou a woman offer not vs men so great a shame,
As we to toyle and thou to take the honor of our game.
Ne let that faire smooth face of thine beguile thee, least that hee
That being doted in thy loue did giue thee this our fee,
Be ouer farre to rescow thee. And with that word they tooke
The gift from hir, and right of gift from him. He could not brooke
This wrong: but gnashing with his teeth for anger that did boyle
Within, said fiersly: learne ye you that other folkes dispoyle
Of honor giuen, what diffrence is betweene your threats, and deedes.
And therewithall Plexippus brest (who no such matter dreedes)
With wicked weapon he did pierce. As Toxey doubting stood
What way to take, desiring both t'aduenge his brothers blood,
And fearing to be murthered as his brother was before,
Meleager (to dispatch all doubts of musing any more)
Did heate his sword for companie in bloud of him againe,
Before Plexippus bloud was cold that did thereon remaine.
Beginning from a plaine, had thence a large prospect throughout
The falling grounds that euery way did muster round about.
Assoone as that the men came there, some pitched vp the toyles,
Some tooke the couples from the Dogs, and some pursude the foyles
In places where the Swine had tract: desiring for to spie
Their owne destruction. Now there was a hollow bottom by,
To which the watershots of raine from all the high grounds drew.
Within the compasse of this pond great store of Oysyers grew:
And Sallowes lithe, and flackring Flags, and moorish Rushes eke,
And lazie Reedes on little shankes, and other baggage like.
From hence the Bore was rowzed out, and fiersly forth he flies
Among the thickest of his foes like thunder from the Skies,
When Clouds in meeting force the fire to burst by violence out.
He beares the trees before him downe, and all the wood about
Doth sound of crashing. All the youth with hideous noyse and shout
Against him bend their Boarspeare points with hand & courage stout.
He rushes forth among the Dogs that held him at a bay,
And now on this side now on that, as any come in way,
He rippes their skinnes and splitteth them, and chaseth thē away,
Echion first of all the rout a Dart at him did throw,
Which mist and in a Maple tree did giue a little blow
The next (if he that threw the same had vsed lesser might,)
The backe at which he aimed it was likely for to smight.
It ouerflew him. Iason was the man that cast the Dart.
With that the sonne of Ampycus sayd: Phœbus (if with hart
I haue and still doe worship thee) now graunt me for to hit
The thing that I doe leuell at. Apollo graunts him it
As much as lay in him to graunt. He hit the Swine in deede.
But neyther entred he his hide nor caused him to bleede.
For why Diana (as the Dart was flying) tooke away
The head of it: and so the Dart could headlesse beare no sway.
But yet the moodie beast thereby was set the more on fire
And chafing like the lightning swift he vttreth forth his ire.
The fire did sparkle from his eyes: and from his boyling brest
102
And looke with what a violent brunt a mightie Bullet goes
From engines bent against a wall, or bulwarks full of foes:
With euen such violence rusht the Swine among the Hunts a mayne,
And ouerthrew Eupalamon and Pelagon both twaine
That in the right wing placed were. Their fellowes stepping to
And drawing them away, did saue their liues with much a do.
But as for poore Enesimus Hippocoons sonne had not
The lucke to scape the deadly dint. He would away haue got,
And trembling turnde his backe for feare. The Swine him ouertooke,
And cut his hamstrings, so that streight his going him forsooke.
And Næstor to haue lost his life was like by fortune ere
The siege of Troie, but that he tooke his rist vpon his speare:
And leaping quickly vp vpon a tree that stoode hard by,
Did safely from the place behold his foe whome he did flie.
The Boare then whetting sharpe his tuskes against the Oken wood
To mischiefe did prepare himselfe with fierce and cruell mood.
And trusting to his weapons which he sharpened had a new,
In great Orithyas thigh a wound with hooked groyne he drew.
The valiant brothers those same twinnes of Tyndarus (not yet
Celestiall signes) did both of them on coursers sit
As white as snow: and ech of them had shaking in his fist
A lightsome Dart with head of steele to throw it where he lyst.
And for to wound the bristled Bore they surely had not mist
But that he still recouered so the couerts of the wood,
That neyther horse could follow him, nor Dart doe any good.
Still after followed Telamon, whom taking to his feete
No heede at all for egernesse, a Maple roote did meete,
Which tripped vp his heeles, and flat against the ground him laid.
And while his brother Peleus relieued him, the Maid
Of Tegea tooke an arrow swift, and shot it from hir bow.
The arrow lighting vnderneath the hauers eare bylow,
And somewhat rasing of the skin, did make the bloud to show.
The Maid hirselfe not gladder was to see that luckie blow,
Than was the Prince Meleager. He was the first that saw,
And first that shewed to his Mates the blud that she did draw:
And said for this thy valiant act due honor shalt thou haue.
[102]
With shouting, and disorderly their Darts by heaps they threw.
The number of them hindred them, not suffring to ensew
That any lighted on the marke at which they all did ame.
Behold, enragde against his ende the hardie Knight that came
From Arcadie, rusht rashly with a Pollax in his fist
And said you yonglings learne of me what difference is betwist
A wenches weapons and a mans: and all of you giue place
To my redoubted force. For though Diana in this chase
Should with hir owne shield him defend, yet should this hand of mine
Euen maugre Dame Dianaas heart confound this orped Swine.
Such boasting words as these through pride presumptuously he crakes:
And streyning out himselfe vpon his tiptoes streight he takes
His Pollax vp with both his hands. But as this bragger ment
To fetch his blow, the cruell beast his malice did preuent:
And in his coddes (the speeding place of death) his tusshes puts,
And rippeth vp his paunche. Downe falles Ancæus and his guts
Come tumbling out besmearde with bloud, and foyled all the plot.
Pirithous Ixions sonne at that abashed not:
But shaking in his valiant hand his hunting staffe did goe
Still stoutly forward face to face t'encounter with his foe
To whome Duke Theseus cride a farre. O dearer vnto mee
Than is my selfe, my soule I say, stay: lawfull we it see
For valiant men to keepe aloofe. The ouer hardie hart
In rash aduentring of him selfe hath made Ancæus smart.
This sed, he threw a weightie Dart of Cornell with a head
Of brasse: which being leueld well was likely to haue sped,
But that a bough of Chestnut tree thick leaued by the way
Did latch it, and by meanes therof the dint of it did stay.
Another Dart that Iason threw, by fortune mist the Bore,
And light betwene a Mastifes chaps, and through his guts did gore,
And naild him to the earth. The hand of Prince Meleager
Plaid hittymissie. Of two Darts his first did flie to far,
And lighted in the ground: the next amid his backe stickt fast.
And while the Bore did play the fiend and turned round agast,
And grunting flang his fome about togither mixt mith blood
The giuer of the wound (the more to sture his enmies mood,)
103
Then all the Hunters shouting out demeaned ioy inough.
And glad was he that first might come to take him by the hand.
About the vgly beast they all with gladnesse gazing stand
And wondring what a field of ground his carcasse did possesse,
There durst not any be so bolde to touch him. Nerethelesse,
They euery of them with his bloud their hunting staues made red.
Then stepped forth Meleager, and treading on his hed
Said thus: O Ladie Atalant, receiue thou here my fee,
And of my glorie vouch thou safe partaker for to bee.
Immediatly the vgly head with both the tusshes braue
And eke the skin with bristles stur right griesly, he hir gaue.
The Ladie for the giuers sake, was in hir heart as glad
As for the gift. The rest repinde that she such honor had.
Through all the rout was murmuring. Of whom with roring reare
And armes displayd that all the field might easly see and heare,
The Thesties cried Dame come of and lay vs downe this geare.
And thou a woman offer not vs men so great a shame,
As we to toyle and thou to take the honor of our game.
Ne let that faire smooth face of thine beguile thee, least that hee
That being doted in thy loue did giue thee this our fee,
Be ouer farre to rescow thee. And with that word they tooke
The gift from hir, and right of gift from him. He could not brooke
This wrong: but gnashing with his teeth for anger that did boyle
Within, said fiersly: learne ye you that other folkes dispoyle
Of honor giuen, what diffrence is betweene your threats, and deedes.
And therewithall Plexippus brest (who no such matter dreedes)
With wicked weapon he did pierce. As Toxey doubting stood
What way to take, desiring both t'aduenge his brothers blood,
And fearing to be murthered as his brother was before,
Meleager (to dispatch all doubts of musing any more)
Did heate his sword for companie in bloud of him againe,
Before Plexippus bloud was cold that did thereon remaine.
Althæa going toward Church with presents for to yild
Due thankes and worship to the Gods that for hir sonne had kild
The Boare, beheld hir brothers brought home dead: and by and by
She beate hir brest, and filde the towne with shrieking piteously,
And shifting all hir rich aray, did put on mourning weede
But when she vnderstoode what man was doer of the deede,
She left all mourning, and from teares to vengeance did proceede.
There was a certaine firebrand which when Oenies wife did lie
In childebed of Meleager, she chaunced to espie
The Destnies putting in the fire: and in the putting in,
She heard them speake these words, as they his fatall threede did spin.
O lately borne, like time we giue to thee and to this brand.
And when they so had spoken, they departed out of hand.
Immediatly the mother caught the blazing bough away,
And quenched it. This bough she kept full charely many a day:
And in the keeping of the same she kept hir sonne aliue.
But now intending of his life him clearly to depriue,
She brought it forth, and causing all the coales and shiuers to
Be layëd by, she like a foe did kindle fire thereto.
Fowre times she was about to cast the firebrand in the flame:
Fowre times she pulled backe hir hand from doing of the same.
As mother and as sister both she stroue what way to go:
The diuers names drew diuersly hir stomacke to and fro.
Hir face waxt often pale for feare of mischiefe to ensue:
And often red about the eies through heate of ire she grew.
One while hir looke resembled one that threatned cruelnesse:
Another while ye would haue thought she minded pitiousnesse.
And though the cruell burning of hir heart did drie hir teares,
Yet burst out some. And as a Boate which tide contrarie beares
Against the winde, feeles double force, and is compeld to yeelde
To both. So Thesties daughter now vnable for to weelde
Hir doubtfull passions, diuersly is caried of and on,
And chaungeably she waxes calme, and stormes againe anon.
But better sister ginneth she than mother for to be:
And to thintent hir brothers ghostes with bloud to honor, she
In meaning to be one way kinde, doth worke another way
Against kinde. When the plagie fire waxt strong she thus did say
Let this same fire my bowels burne. And as in cursed hands
The fatall wood she holding at the Hellish Altar stands:
She said ye triple Goddesses of wreake, ye Helhounds three
Beholde ye all this furious fact and sacrifice of mee.
I wreake, and do against all right: with death must death be payde:
On mischiefe mischiefe must be heapt: on corse must corse be laide.
Confounded let this wicked house with heaped sorrowes bee
Shall Oenie ioy his happy sonne in honor for to see
And Thestie mourne bereft of his? Nay: better yet it were,
That eche with other companie in mourning you should beare.
Ye brothers Ghostes and soules new dead I wish no more, but you
To feele the solemne obsequies which I prepare as now:
And that mine offring you accept, which dearly I haue bought
The yssue of my wretched wombe. Alas, alas what thought
I for to doe? O brothers I besech you beare with me.
I am his mother: so to doe my hands vnable be
His trespasse I confesse deserues the stopping of his breath:
But yet I doe not like that I be Author of his death.
And shall he then with life and limme, and honor to, scape free?
And vaunting in his good successe the King of Calidon bee?
And you deare soules lie raked vp but in a little dust?
I will not surely suffer it. But let the villaine trust
That he shall die, and draw with him to ruine and decay
His Kingdome, Countrie and his Sire that doth vpon him stay.
Why where is now the mothers heart and pitie that should raigne
In Parents? and the ten Monthes paines that once I did sustaine?
O would to God thou burned had a babie in this brand,
And that I had not tane it out and quencht it with my hand.
That all this while thou liued hast, my goodnesse is the cause.
And now most iustly vnto death thine owne desert thee drawes.
Receiue the guerdon of thy deede: and render thou agen
Thy twice giuen life, by bearing first, and secondarly when
I caught this firebrand from the flame: or else come deale with me
As with my brothers, and with them let me entumbed be.
I would, and cannot. What then shall I stand to in this case?
One while my brothers corses seeme to prease before my face
With liuely Image of their deaths. Another while my minde
Doth yeelde to pitie, and the name of mother doth me blinde
Now wo is me. To let you haue the vpper hand is sinne:
But nerethelesse the vpper hand O brothers doe you win,
Condicionly that when that I to comfort you withall
Haue wrought this feate, my selfe to you resort in person shall.
Due thankes and worship to the Gods that for hir sonne had kild
The Boare, beheld hir brothers brought home dead: and by and by
She beate hir brest, and filde the towne with shrieking piteously,
[103]
But when she vnderstoode what man was doer of the deede,
She left all mourning, and from teares to vengeance did proceede.
There was a certaine firebrand which when Oenies wife did lie
In childebed of Meleager, she chaunced to espie
The Destnies putting in the fire: and in the putting in,
She heard them speake these words, as they his fatall threede did spin.
O lately borne, like time we giue to thee and to this brand.
And when they so had spoken, they departed out of hand.
Immediatly the mother caught the blazing bough away,
And quenched it. This bough she kept full charely many a day:
And in the keeping of the same she kept hir sonne aliue.
But now intending of his life him clearly to depriue,
She brought it forth, and causing all the coales and shiuers to
Be layëd by, she like a foe did kindle fire thereto.
Fowre times she was about to cast the firebrand in the flame:
Fowre times she pulled backe hir hand from doing of the same.
As mother and as sister both she stroue what way to go:
The diuers names drew diuersly hir stomacke to and fro.
Hir face waxt often pale for feare of mischiefe to ensue:
And often red about the eies through heate of ire she grew.
One while hir looke resembled one that threatned cruelnesse:
Another while ye would haue thought she minded pitiousnesse.
And though the cruell burning of hir heart did drie hir teares,
Yet burst out some. And as a Boate which tide contrarie beares
Against the winde, feeles double force, and is compeld to yeelde
To both. So Thesties daughter now vnable for to weelde
Hir doubtfull passions, diuersly is caried of and on,
And chaungeably she waxes calme, and stormes againe anon.
But better sister ginneth she than mother for to be:
And to thintent hir brothers ghostes with bloud to honor, she
In meaning to be one way kinde, doth worke another way
Against kinde. When the plagie fire waxt strong she thus did say
Let this same fire my bowels burne. And as in cursed hands
The fatall wood she holding at the Hellish Altar stands:
She said ye triple Goddesses of wreake, ye Helhounds three
Beholde ye all this furious fact and sacrifice of mee.
104
On mischiefe mischiefe must be heapt: on corse must corse be laide.
Confounded let this wicked house with heaped sorrowes bee
Shall Oenie ioy his happy sonne in honor for to see
And Thestie mourne bereft of his? Nay: better yet it were,
That eche with other companie in mourning you should beare.
Ye brothers Ghostes and soules new dead I wish no more, but you
To feele the solemne obsequies which I prepare as now:
And that mine offring you accept, which dearly I haue bought
The yssue of my wretched wombe. Alas, alas what thought
I for to doe? O brothers I besech you beare with me.
I am his mother: so to doe my hands vnable be
His trespasse I confesse deserues the stopping of his breath:
But yet I doe not like that I be Author of his death.
And shall he then with life and limme, and honor to, scape free?
And vaunting in his good successe the King of Calidon bee?
And you deare soules lie raked vp but in a little dust?
I will not surely suffer it. But let the villaine trust
That he shall die, and draw with him to ruine and decay
His Kingdome, Countrie and his Sire that doth vpon him stay.
Why where is now the mothers heart and pitie that should raigne
In Parents? and the ten Monthes paines that once I did sustaine?
O would to God thou burned had a babie in this brand,
And that I had not tane it out and quencht it with my hand.
That all this while thou liued hast, my goodnesse is the cause.
And now most iustly vnto death thine owne desert thee drawes.
Receiue the guerdon of thy deede: and render thou agen
Thy twice giuen life, by bearing first, and secondarly when
I caught this firebrand from the flame: or else come deale with me
As with my brothers, and with them let me entumbed be.
I would, and cannot. What then shall I stand to in this case?
One while my brothers corses seeme to prease before my face
With liuely Image of their deaths. Another while my minde
Doth yeelde to pitie, and the name of mother doth me blinde
Now wo is me. To let you haue the vpper hand is sinne:
But nerethelesse the vpper hand O brothers doe you win,
Condicionly that when that I to comfort you withall
[104]
This sed, she turnde away hir face, and with a trembling hand
Did cast the deathfull brand amid the burning fire. The brand
Did eyther sigh, or seeme to sigh in burning in the flame,
Which sorie and vnwilling was to fasten on the same.
Meleager being absent and not knowing ought at all
Was burned with this flame: and felt his bowels to appall
With secret fire. He bare out long the paine with courage stout.
But yet it grieued him to die so cowardly without
The shedding of his bloud. He thought Anceus for to be
A happie man that dide of wound. with sighing called he
Upon his aged father, and his sisters, and his brother,
And lastly on his wife to, and by chaunce vpon his mother.
His paine encreased with the fire, and fell therewith againe:
And at the selfe same instant quight extinguisht were both twaine.
And as the ashes soft and hore by leysure ouergrew
The glowing coales: so leysurly his spirit from him drew.
Did cast the deathfull brand amid the burning fire. The brand
Did eyther sigh, or seeme to sigh in burning in the flame,
Which sorie and vnwilling was to fasten on the same.
Meleager being absent and not knowing ought at all
Was burned with this flame: and felt his bowels to appall
With secret fire. He bare out long the paine with courage stout.
But yet it grieued him to die so cowardly without
The shedding of his bloud. He thought Anceus for to be
A happie man that dide of wound. with sighing called he
Upon his aged father, and his sisters, and his brother,
And lastly on his wife to, and by chaunce vpon his mother.
His paine encreased with the fire, and fell therewith againe:
And at the selfe same instant quight extinguisht were both twaine.
And as the ashes soft and hore by leysure ouergrew
The glowing coales: so leysurly his spirit from him drew.
Then drouped stately Calydon. Both yong and olde did mourne
The Lords and Commons did lament. and maried wiues with torne
And tattred haire did crie alas. His father did beray
His horie head and face with dust, and on the earth flat lay,
Lamenting that he liued had to see that wofull day
For now his mothers giltie hand had for that cursed crime
Done execution on hir selfe by sword before hir time.
If God to me a hundred mouthes with sounding tongues should send,
And reason able to conceyue, and therevnto should lend
Me all the grace of eloquence that ere the Muses had,
I could not shew the wo wherewith his sisters were bestad.
Unmindfull of their high estate, their naked brests they smit,
Untill they made them blacke and blew. And while his bodie yit
Remained, they did cherish it, and cherish it againe.
They kist his bodie: yea they kist the chist that did containe
His corse. And after that the corse was burnt to ashes, they
Did presse his ashes with their brests: and downe along they lay
Upon his tumb, and there embraste his name vpon the stone,
And fillde the letters of the same with teares that from them gone.
At length Diana satisfide with slaughter brought vpon
The house of Oenie, lifts them vp with fethers euerichone,
(Saue Gorgee and the daughtrinlaw of noble Alcmene) and
Makes wings to stretch along their sides, and horned nebs to stand.
Upon their mouthes. And finally she altring quight their faire
And natiue shape, in shape of Birds dooth send them through the Aire.
The Lords and Commons did lament. and maried wiues with torne
And tattred haire did crie alas. His father did beray
His horie head and face with dust, and on the earth flat lay,
Lamenting that he liued had to see that wofull day
For now his mothers giltie hand had for that cursed crime
Done execution on hir selfe by sword before hir time.
If God to me a hundred mouthes with sounding tongues should send,
And reason able to conceyue, and therevnto should lend
Me all the grace of eloquence that ere the Muses had,
I could not shew the wo wherewith his sisters were bestad.
Unmindfull of their high estate, their naked brests they smit,
Untill they made them blacke and blew. And while his bodie yit
Remained, they did cherish it, and cherish it againe.
They kist his bodie: yea they kist the chist that did containe
His corse. And after that the corse was burnt to ashes, they
Did presse his ashes with their brests: and downe along they lay
Upon his tumb, and there embraste his name vpon the stone,
And fillde the letters of the same with teares that from them gone.
At length Diana satisfide with slaughter brought vpon
105
(Saue Gorgee and the daughtrinlaw of noble Alcmene) and
Makes wings to stretch along their sides, and horned nebs to stand.
Upon their mouthes. And finally she altring quight their faire
And natiue shape, in shape of Birds dooth send them through the Aire.
The noble Theseus in this while with others hauing donne
His part in killing of the Boare, too Athens ward begonne
Too take his way. But Acheloy then being swolne with raine
Did stay him of his iourney, and from passage him restraine.
Of Athens valiant knight (quoth he) come vnderneath my roofe,
And for to passe my raging streame as yet attempt no proofe.
This brooke is wont whole trees too beare and euelong stones too carry
With hideous roring down his streame. I oft haue seene him harry
Whole Shepcotes standing nere his banks, with flocks of sheepe therin.
Nought booted buls their strēgth: nought steedes by swiftnes there could win,
Yea many lustie men this brooke hath swallowed, when ye snow
From mountaines molten, caused him his banks too ouerflow.
The best is for you for too rest vntill the Riuer fall
Within his boundes: and runne ageine within his chanell small.
Content (quoth Theseus): Acheloy, I will not sure refuse
Thy counsell nor thy house. And so he both of them did vse.
Of Pommy hollowed diuersly and ragged Pebble stone
The walles were made. The floore with Mosse was soft to tread vpon.
The roofe thereof was checkerwise with shelles of Purple wrought
And Perle. The Sunne then full two parts of day to end had brought,
And Theseus downe to table sate with such as late before
Had friendly borne him companie at killing of the Bore.
A tone side sate Ixions sonne, and on the other sate
The Prince of Troyzen Lelex with a thin hearde horie pate.
And then such other as the brooke of Acarnania did
Uouchsafe the honor to his boord and table for to bid,
Who was right glad of such a guest. Immediatly there came
Barefooted Nymphes who brought in meate. And when that of the same
The Lords had taken their repast, the meate away they tooke,
And set downe wine in precious stones. Then Theseus who did looke
Upon the Sea that vnderneath did lie within their sight,
Said: tell vs what is yonsame place, (and with his fingar right
Hee poynted therevntoo) I pray, and what that Iland hight,
Although it seemeth mo than one. The Riuer answerd thus,
It is not one mayne land alone that kenned is of vs.
There are vppon a fyue of them. The distaunce of the place,
Dooth hinder too discerne betweene eche Ile the perfect space.
And that the lesse yee woonder may at Phœbees act a late,
To such as had neglected her vppon contempt or hate,
Theis Iles were sumtyme Waternimphes: who hauing killed Neate,
Twyce fyue, and called too theyr feast the Country Gods too eate,
Forgetting mee kept frolicke cheere. At that gan I too swell,
And ran more large than euer erst. And being ouer fell
In stomacke and in streame, I rent the wood from wood, and feeld
Frō feeld, & with the ground the Nymphes as then with stomacks meeld
Remembring mee, I tumbled to the Sea. The waues of mee
And of the sea the ground that erst all whole was woont too bee
Did rend a sunder into all the Iles you yonder see,
And made a way for waters now too passe betweene them free.
They now of Vrchins haue theyr name. But of theis Ilands, one
A great way of (behold yee) stands a great way of alone,
As you may see. The Mariners doo call it Perimell.
With her (shee was as then a Nymph) so farre in loue I fell,
That of her maydenhod I her spoyld: which thing displeasd so sore
Her father Sir Hippodamas, that from the craggy shore
He threw her headlong downe to drowne her in the sea. But I
Did latch her streight, and bearing her a flote did lowd thus crie.
O Neptune with thy threetynde Mace who hast by lot the charge
Of all the waters wylde that bound vppon the earth at large,
To whom wee holy streames doo runne, in whome wee take our end,
Draw neere, and gently to my boone effectually attend.
This Ladie whome I beare a flote myselfe hath hurt. Bee meeke
And vpright. If Hippodamas perchaunce were fatherleeke,
Or if that he extremitie through outrage did not seeke,
He oughted too haue pitied her and for too beare with mee.
Now help vs Neptune I thee pray, and condescend that shee
Whom from the land her fathers wrath and cruelnesse dooth chace
Who through her fathers cruelnesse is drownd: may find the grace
To haue a place: or rather let hirselfe become a place.
And I will still embrace the same. The King of Seas did moue
His head, and as a token that he did my sute approue,
He made his surges all too shake, The Nymph was sore afrayd.
Howbeet shee swam, and as shee swam, my hand I softly layd
Upon her brest which quiuered still. And whyle I toucht the same,
I sensibly did feele how all her body hard became:
And how the earth did ouergrow her bulk. And as I spake,
New earth enclosde hir swimming limbes, which by and by did take
Another shape, and grew intoo a mighty Ile. With that
The Riuer ceast and all men there did woonder much thereat.
His part in killing of the Boare, too Athens ward begonne
Too take his way. But Acheloy then being swolne with raine
Did stay him of his iourney, and from passage him restraine.
Of Athens valiant knight (quoth he) come vnderneath my roofe,
And for to passe my raging streame as yet attempt no proofe.
This brooke is wont whole trees too beare and euelong stones too carry
With hideous roring down his streame. I oft haue seene him harry
Whole Shepcotes standing nere his banks, with flocks of sheepe therin.
Nought booted buls their strēgth: nought steedes by swiftnes there could win,
Yea many lustie men this brooke hath swallowed, when ye snow
From mountaines molten, caused him his banks too ouerflow.
The best is for you for too rest vntill the Riuer fall
Within his boundes: and runne ageine within his chanell small.
Content (quoth Theseus): Acheloy, I will not sure refuse
Thy counsell nor thy house. And so he both of them did vse.
Of Pommy hollowed diuersly and ragged Pebble stone
The walles were made. The floore with Mosse was soft to tread vpon.
The roofe thereof was checkerwise with shelles of Purple wrought
And Perle. The Sunne then full two parts of day to end had brought,
And Theseus downe to table sate with such as late before
Had friendly borne him companie at killing of the Bore.
A tone side sate Ixions sonne, and on the other sate
The Prince of Troyzen Lelex with a thin hearde horie pate.
And then such other as the brooke of Acarnania did
Uouchsafe the honor to his boord and table for to bid,
Who was right glad of such a guest. Immediatly there came
Barefooted Nymphes who brought in meate. And when that of the same
The Lords had taken their repast, the meate away they tooke,
And set downe wine in precious stones. Then Theseus who did looke
Upon the Sea that vnderneath did lie within their sight,
Said: tell vs what is yonsame place, (and with his fingar right
[105]
Although it seemeth mo than one. The Riuer answerd thus,
It is not one mayne land alone that kenned is of vs.
There are vppon a fyue of them. The distaunce of the place,
Dooth hinder too discerne betweene eche Ile the perfect space.
And that the lesse yee woonder may at Phœbees act a late,
To such as had neglected her vppon contempt or hate,
Theis Iles were sumtyme Waternimphes: who hauing killed Neate,
Twyce fyue, and called too theyr feast the Country Gods too eate,
Forgetting mee kept frolicke cheere. At that gan I too swell,
And ran more large than euer erst. And being ouer fell
In stomacke and in streame, I rent the wood from wood, and feeld
Frō feeld, & with the ground the Nymphes as then with stomacks meeld
Remembring mee, I tumbled to the Sea. The waues of mee
And of the sea the ground that erst all whole was woont too bee
Did rend a sunder into all the Iles you yonder see,
And made a way for waters now too passe betweene them free.
They now of Vrchins haue theyr name. But of theis Ilands, one
A great way of (behold yee) stands a great way of alone,
As you may see. The Mariners doo call it Perimell.
With her (shee was as then a Nymph) so farre in loue I fell,
That of her maydenhod I her spoyld: which thing displeasd so sore
Her father Sir Hippodamas, that from the craggy shore
He threw her headlong downe to drowne her in the sea. But I
Did latch her streight, and bearing her a flote did lowd thus crie.
O Neptune with thy threetynde Mace who hast by lot the charge
Of all the waters wylde that bound vppon the earth at large,
To whom wee holy streames doo runne, in whome wee take our end,
Draw neere, and gently to my boone effectually attend.
This Ladie whome I beare a flote myselfe hath hurt. Bee meeke
And vpright. If Hippodamas perchaunce were fatherleeke,
Or if that he extremitie through outrage did not seeke,
He oughted too haue pitied her and for too beare with mee.
Now help vs Neptune I thee pray, and condescend that shee
Whom from the land her fathers wrath and cruelnesse dooth chace
Who through her fathers cruelnesse is drownd: may find the grace
To haue a place: or rather let hirselfe become a place.
106
His head, and as a token that he did my sute approue,
He made his surges all too shake, The Nymph was sore afrayd.
Howbeet shee swam, and as shee swam, my hand I softly layd
Upon her brest which quiuered still. And whyle I toucht the same,
I sensibly did feele how all her body hard became:
And how the earth did ouergrow her bulk. And as I spake,
New earth enclosde hir swimming limbes, which by and by did take
Another shape, and grew intoo a mighty Ile. With that
The Riuer ceast and all men there did woonder much thereat.
Pirithous being ouer hault of mynde and such a one
As did despyse bothe God and man, did laugh them euerychone
Too scorne for giuing credit, and sayd thus. The woords thou spaakst
Are feyned fancies Acheloy: and ouerstrong thou maakst
The Gods: to say that they can giue and take way shapes. This scoffe
Did make the heerers all amazde, for none did like thereof.
And Lelex of them all the man most rype in yeeres and wit,
Sayd thus. Unmeasurable is the powre of heauen, and it
Can haue none end. And looke what God dooth mynd too bring about,
Must take effect. And in this case too put yee out of dout,
As did despyse bothe God and man, did laugh them euerychone
Too scorne for giuing credit, and sayd thus. The woords thou spaakst
Are feyned fancies Acheloy: and ouerstrong thou maakst
The Gods: to say that they can giue and take way shapes. This scoffe
Did make the heerers all amazde, for none did like thereof.
And Lelex of them all the man most rype in yeeres and wit,
Sayd thus. Unmeasurable is the powre of heauen, and it
Can haue none end. And looke what God dooth mynd too bring about,
Must take effect. And in this case too put yee out of dout,
Upon the hilles of Phrygie neere a Teyle there stands a tree
Of Oke enclosed with a wall. Myself the place did see.
For Pithey vntoo Pelops feelds did send mee where his father
Did sumtyme reigne. not farre fro thence there is a poole which rather
Had bene dry ground inhabited. But now it is a meare
And Moorecocks, Cootes, and Cormorants doo breede and nestle there.
The mightie Ioue and Mercurie his sonne in shape of men
Resorted thither on a tyme. A thousand houses when
For roome too lodge in they had sought, a thousand houses bard
Theyr doores against them. Nerethelesse one Cotage afterward
Receyued them, and that was but a pelting one in deede.
The roofe therof was thatched all with straw and fennish reede.
Howbeet twoo honest auncient folke, (of whom shee Baucis hight
And he Philemon) in that Cote theyr fayth in youth had plight:
And in that Cote had spent theyr age. And for they paciently
Did beare theyr simple pouertie, they made it light thereby,
And shewed it no thing to bee repyned at atall.
It skilles not whether there for Hyndes or Maister you doo call.
For all the houshold were but two: and both of them obeyde,
And both commaunded. When the Gods at this same Cotage staid,
And ducking downe their heads, within the low made Wicket came,
Philemon bringing ech a stoole, bade rest vpon the same
Their limmes: and busie Baucis brought them quishons homely geere.
Which done, the embers on the harth she gan abrode to steere,
And laid the coales togither that were raakt vp ouer night,
And with the brands and dried leaues did make them gather might,
And with the blowing of hir mouth did make them kindle bright.
Then from an inner house she fetcht seare sticks and clifted brands,
And put them broken vnderneath a Skillet with hir hands.
Hir Husband from their Gardenplot fetcht Coleworts. Of the which
She shreaded small the leaues, and with a Forke tooke downe a flitch
Of restie Bacon from the Balke made blacke with smoke, and cut
A peece thereof, and in the pan to boyling did it put.
And while this meate a seething was, the time in talke they spent,
By meanes whereof away without much tedousnesse it went.
There hung a Boawle of Beeche vpon a spirget by a ring.
The same with warmed water filld the twoo old folke did bring
Too bathe their guests foule feete therein. Amid the house there stood
A Couch whose bottom sides and feete were all of Sallow wood,
And on the same a Mat of Sedge. They cast vpon this bed
A couering which was neuer wont vpon it too be spred
Except it were at solemne feastes: and yet the same was olde
And of the coursest, with a bed of sallow meete too holde.
The Gods sate downe. The aged wife right chare and busie as
A Bee, set out a table. of the which the thirde foote was
A little shorter than the rest. A tylesherd made it euen
And tooke away the shoringnesse: and when they had it driuen
To stand by leuell, with greene Mintes they by and by it wipte.
Then set they on it Pallas fruite with double colour stripte.
And Cornels kept in pickle moyst, and Endiue, and a roote
Of Radish, and a iolly lump of Butter fresh and soote,
And Egges reare rosted. All these Cates in earthen dishes came.
Then set they downe a grauen cup made also of the same
Selfe kinde of Plate, and Mazers made of Beech whose inner syde
Was rubd with yellow wax. And when they pawsed had a tyde,
Whote meate came pyping from the fyre. And shortly therevpon
A cup of greene hedg wyne was brought. This tane away, anon
Came in the latter course, which was of Nuts, Dates, dryed figges
Sweete smelling Apples in a Mawnd made flat of Oysyer twigges,
And Prunes and Plums and Purple grapes cut newly from the tree.
And in the middes a honnycomb new taken from the Bee.
Besydes all this there did ensew good countnance ouermore,
With will not poore nor nigardly. Now all the whyle before,
As ofen as Philemon and Dame Baucis did perceyue
The emptie Cup to fill alone, and wyne too still receyue,
Amazed at the straungenesse of the thing, they gan streyght way
With fearfull harts and hands hilld vp too frame themselues too pray.
Desyring for theyr slender cheere and fare too pardoned bee.
They had but one poore Goose which kept theyr little Tennantree,
And this too offer too the Gods theyr guestes they did intend.
The Gander wyght of wing did make the slow old folke too spend
Theyr paynes in vayne, and mokt them long. At length he seemd too flye
For succor too the Gods themselues, who bade he should not dye.
For wee bee Gods (quoth they) and all this wicked towneship shall
Abye their gylt. On you alone this mischeef shall not fall.
No more but giue you vp your house, and follow vp this hill
Toogither, and vpon the top thereof abyde our will.
They bothe obeyd. And as the Gods did lead the way before,
They lagged slowly after with theyr staues, and labored sore
Ageinst the rysing of the hill. They were not mickle more
Than full a flyghtshot from the top, when looking backe they saw
How all the towne was drowned saue their lyttle shed of straw.
And as they woondred at the thing and did bewayle the case
Of those that had theyr neyghbours beene, the old poore Cote so base
Whereof they had beene owners erst, became a Church. The proppes
Were turned into pillars howge. The straw vppon the toppes
Was yellow, so that all the roof did seeme of burnisht gold:
The floore with Marble paued was. The doores on eyther fold
Were grauen. At the sight hereof Philemon and his make
Began too pray in feare. Then Ioue thus gently them bespake.
Declare thou ryghtuowse man, and thou O woman meete too haue
A ryghtuowse howsband what yee would most cheefly wish or craue.
Philemon taking conference a little with his wyfe,)
Declared bothe theyr meenings thus. We couet during lyfe,
Your Chapleynes for too bee too keepe your Temple. And bycause
Our yeeres in concord wee haue spent, I pray when death neere drawes,
Let bothe of vs toogither leaue our liues: that neyther I
Behold my wyues deceace, nor shee see myne when I doo dye.
Theyr wish had sequele to theyr will. As long as lyfe did last,
They kept the Church. And beeing spent with age of yeares forepast,
By chaunce as standing on a tyme without the Temple doore
They told the fortune of the place, Philemon old and poore
Saw Baucis floorish greene with leaues, & Baucis saw likewyse
Philemon braunching out in boughes and twigs before hir eyes.
And as the Bark did ouergrow the heades of bothe, eche spake
Too other whyle they myght. At last they eche of them did take
Theyr leaue of other bothe at once, and therewithall the bark
Did hyde theyr faces both at once. The Phrygians in that park
Doo at this present day still shew the trees that shaped were
Of theyr twoo bodies, growing yit togither ioyntly there.
Theis things did auncient men report of credit verie good.
For why there was no cause why they should lye. As I there stood
I saw the garlands hanging on the bonghes, and adding new
I sayd let them whom God dooth loue be Gods. and honor dew
Bee giuen to such as honor him with feare and reuerence trew.
Of Oke enclosed with a wall. Myself the place did see.
For Pithey vntoo Pelops feelds did send mee where his father
Did sumtyme reigne. not farre fro thence there is a poole which rather
Had bene dry ground inhabited. But now it is a meare
And Moorecocks, Cootes, and Cormorants doo breede and nestle there.
The mightie Ioue and Mercurie his sonne in shape of men
Resorted thither on a tyme. A thousand houses when
For roome too lodge in they had sought, a thousand houses bard
Theyr doores against them. Nerethelesse one Cotage afterward
Receyued them, and that was but a pelting one in deede.
The roofe therof was thatched all with straw and fennish reede.
Howbeet twoo honest auncient folke, (of whom shee Baucis hight
And he Philemon) in that Cote theyr fayth in youth had plight:
And in that Cote had spent theyr age. And for they paciently
Did beare theyr simple pouertie, they made it light thereby,
And shewed it no thing to bee repyned at atall.
[106]
For all the houshold were but two: and both of them obeyde,
And both commaunded. When the Gods at this same Cotage staid,
And ducking downe their heads, within the low made Wicket came,
Philemon bringing ech a stoole, bade rest vpon the same
Their limmes: and busie Baucis brought them quishons homely geere.
Which done, the embers on the harth she gan abrode to steere,
And laid the coales togither that were raakt vp ouer night,
And with the brands and dried leaues did make them gather might,
And with the blowing of hir mouth did make them kindle bright.
Then from an inner house she fetcht seare sticks and clifted brands,
And put them broken vnderneath a Skillet with hir hands.
Hir Husband from their Gardenplot fetcht Coleworts. Of the which
She shreaded small the leaues, and with a Forke tooke downe a flitch
Of restie Bacon from the Balke made blacke with smoke, and cut
A peece thereof, and in the pan to boyling did it put.
And while this meate a seething was, the time in talke they spent,
By meanes whereof away without much tedousnesse it went.
There hung a Boawle of Beeche vpon a spirget by a ring.
The same with warmed water filld the twoo old folke did bring
Too bathe their guests foule feete therein. Amid the house there stood
A Couch whose bottom sides and feete were all of Sallow wood,
And on the same a Mat of Sedge. They cast vpon this bed
A couering which was neuer wont vpon it too be spred
Except it were at solemne feastes: and yet the same was olde
And of the coursest, with a bed of sallow meete too holde.
The Gods sate downe. The aged wife right chare and busie as
A Bee, set out a table. of the which the thirde foote was
A little shorter than the rest. A tylesherd made it euen
And tooke away the shoringnesse: and when they had it driuen
To stand by leuell, with greene Mintes they by and by it wipte.
Then set they on it Pallas fruite with double colour stripte.
And Cornels kept in pickle moyst, and Endiue, and a roote
Of Radish, and a iolly lump of Butter fresh and soote,
And Egges reare rosted. All these Cates in earthen dishes came.
Then set they downe a grauen cup made also of the same
Selfe kinde of Plate, and Mazers made of Beech whose inner syde
107
Whote meate came pyping from the fyre. And shortly therevpon
A cup of greene hedg wyne was brought. This tane away, anon
Came in the latter course, which was of Nuts, Dates, dryed figges
Sweete smelling Apples in a Mawnd made flat of Oysyer twigges,
And Prunes and Plums and Purple grapes cut newly from the tree.
And in the middes a honnycomb new taken from the Bee.
Besydes all this there did ensew good countnance ouermore,
With will not poore nor nigardly. Now all the whyle before,
As ofen as Philemon and Dame Baucis did perceyue
The emptie Cup to fill alone, and wyne too still receyue,
Amazed at the straungenesse of the thing, they gan streyght way
With fearfull harts and hands hilld vp too frame themselues too pray.
Desyring for theyr slender cheere and fare too pardoned bee.
They had but one poore Goose which kept theyr little Tennantree,
And this too offer too the Gods theyr guestes they did intend.
The Gander wyght of wing did make the slow old folke too spend
Theyr paynes in vayne, and mokt them long. At length he seemd too flye
For succor too the Gods themselues, who bade he should not dye.
For wee bee Gods (quoth they) and all this wicked towneship shall
Abye their gylt. On you alone this mischeef shall not fall.
No more but giue you vp your house, and follow vp this hill
Toogither, and vpon the top thereof abyde our will.
They bothe obeyd. And as the Gods did lead the way before,
They lagged slowly after with theyr staues, and labored sore
Ageinst the rysing of the hill. They were not mickle more
Than full a flyghtshot from the top, when looking backe they saw
How all the towne was drowned saue their lyttle shed of straw.
And as they woondred at the thing and did bewayle the case
Of those that had theyr neyghbours beene, the old poore Cote so base
Whereof they had beene owners erst, became a Church. The proppes
Were turned into pillars howge. The straw vppon the toppes
Was yellow, so that all the roof did seeme of burnisht gold:
The floore with Marble paued was. The doores on eyther fold
Were grauen. At the sight hereof Philemon and his make
Began too pray in feare. Then Ioue thus gently them bespake.
Declare thou ryghtuowse man, and thou O woman meete too haue
[107]
Philemon taking conference a little with his wyfe,)
Declared bothe theyr meenings thus. We couet during lyfe,
Your Chapleynes for too bee too keepe your Temple. And bycause
Our yeeres in concord wee haue spent, I pray when death neere drawes,
Let bothe of vs toogither leaue our liues: that neyther I
Behold my wyues deceace, nor shee see myne when I doo dye.
Theyr wish had sequele to theyr will. As long as lyfe did last,
They kept the Church. And beeing spent with age of yeares forepast,
By chaunce as standing on a tyme without the Temple doore
They told the fortune of the place, Philemon old and poore
Saw Baucis floorish greene with leaues, & Baucis saw likewyse
Philemon braunching out in boughes and twigs before hir eyes.
And as the Bark did ouergrow the heades of bothe, eche spake
Too other whyle they myght. At last they eche of them did take
Theyr leaue of other bothe at once, and therewithall the bark
Did hyde theyr faces both at once. The Phrygians in that park
Doo at this present day still shew the trees that shaped were
Of theyr twoo bodies, growing yit togither ioyntly there.
Theis things did auncient men report of credit verie good.
For why there was no cause why they should lye. As I there stood
I saw the garlands hanging on the bonghes, and adding new
I sayd let them whom God dooth loue be Gods. and honor dew
Bee giuen to such as honor him with feare and reuerence trew.
He hilld his peace, and bothe the thing and he that did it tell
Did moue them all, but Theseus most. Whom being mynded well
To heere of woondrous things, the brooke of Calydon thus bespake.
There are O valiant knyght sum folke that had the powre too take
Straunge shape for once, and all their lyues continewed in the same.
And othersum too sundrie shapes haue power themselues to frame.
As thou O Protevv dwelling in the sea that cleepes the land.
For now a yoonker, now a boare, anon a Lyon, and
Streyght way thou didst become a Snake, and by and by a Bull
That people were afrayd of thee too see thy horned skull.
And oftentymes thou seemde a stone, and now and then a tree,
And counterfetting water sheere thou seemedst oft to bee
A Riuer: and another whyle contrarie therevntoo
Thou wart a fyre. No lesser power than also thus too doo
Had Erisicthons daughter whom Avvtolychus tooke too wyfe.
Her father was a person that despysed all his lyfe
The powre of Gods, and neuer did vouchsauf them sacrifyse.
He also is reported too haue heawen in wicked wyse
The groue of Ceres, and to fell her holy woods which ay
Had vndiminisht and vnhackt continewed to that day
There stood in it a warrie Oke which was a wood alone.
Uppon it round hung fillets, crownes, and tables, many one,
The vowes of such as had obteynd theyr hearts desyre. Full oft
The Woodnymphes vnderneath this tree did fetch theyr frisks aloft
And oftentymes with hand in hand they daunced in a round
About the Trunk, whose bignesse was of timber good and sound
Full fifteene fadom. All the trees within the wood besyde,
Were vntoo this, as weedes to them: so farre it did them hyde.
Yit could not this moue Triops sonne his axe therefro too hold,
But bade his seruants cut it downe. And when he did behold
Them stunting at his hest, he snatcht an axe with furious mood
From one of them, and wickedly sayd thus. Although thys wood
Not only were the derling of the Goddesse, but also
The Goddesse euen herself: yet would I make it ere I go
Too kisse the clowers with her top that pranks with braunches so.
This spoken, as he sweakt his axe asyde to fetch his blow,
The manast Oke did quake and sygh, the Acornes that did grow
Thereon toogither with the leaues too wex full pale began,
And shrinking in for feare the boughes and braunches looked wan.
Assoone as that his cursed hand had wounded once the tree,
The blood came spinning from the carf, as freshly as yee see
It issue from a Bullocks necke whose throte is newly cut
Before the Altar, when his flesh to sacrifyse is put.
They were amazed everychone. And one among them all
Too let the wicked act, durst from the tree his hatchet call.
The lewd Thessalian facing him sayd: Take thou heere too thee
The guerdon of thy godlynesse. and turning from the tree,
He chopped of the fellowes head. Which done, he went agen
And heawed on the Oke. streight from amid the tree as then
There issued such a sound as this. Within this tree dwell I
A Nymph too Ceres very deere, who now before I dye
In comfort of my death doo giue thee warning thou shalt bye
Thy dooing deere within a whyle. he goeth wilfully
Still thorrough with his wickednesse, vntill at length the Oke
Pulld partly by the force of ropes, and cut with axis stroke,
Did fall, and with his weyght bare downe of vnder wood great store.
The Woodnymphes with the losses of the woods and theyrs ryght sore
Amazed, gathered on a knot, and all in mourning weede
Went sad too Ceres, praying her too wreake that wicked deede
Of Erisicthons. Ceres was content it should bee so.
And with the mouing of her head in nodding too and fro,
Shee shooke the feeldes which laden were with frutefull Haruest tho.
And therewithall a punishment most piteous shee proceedes
Too put in practyse: were it not that his most heynous deedes,
No pitie did deserue too haue at any bodies hand.
With helpelesse hungar him too pyne, in purpose shee did stand.
And forasmuch as shee herself and famin myght not meete.
(For fate forbiddeth famin too abyde within the leete
Where plentie is) shee thus bespake a fayrie of the hill.
There lyeth in the vtmost bounds of Tartarie the chill
A Dreerie place, a wretched soyle, a barreine plot: no grayne,
No frute, no tree, is growing there: but there dooth ay remayne
Unweeldsome cold, with trembling feare, and palenesse white as clowt,
And foodlesse famin. Will thou her immediatly withowt
Delay too shed herself intoo the stomacke of the wretch,
And let no plentie staunch her force. but let her working stretch
Aboue the powre of mee. And least the longnesse of the way
May make thee wearie, take thou heere my charyot: take I say
My draggons for to beare thee through the aire. In saying so
She gaue hir them. The Nymph mounts vp, and flying thence as tho
Alyghts in Scythy land, and vp the cragged top of hye
Mount Caucasus did cause hir Snakes with much a doo too stye.
Where seeking long for famin, shee the gaptoothd elfe did spye
Amid a barreine stony feeld a ramping vp the grasse
With ougly nayles, and chanking it. Her face pale colourd was.
Hir heare was harsh and shirle, her eyes were sunken in her head.
Her lyppes were hore with filth, her teeth were furd and rusty read.
Her skinne was starched, and so sheere a man myght well espye
The verie bowels in her bulk how euery one did lye.
And eke aboue her courbed loynes her withered hippes were seene.
In stead of belly was a space where belly should haue beene.
Her brest did hang so sagging downe as that a man would weene
That scarcely to her ridgebone had hir ribbes beene fastened well.
Her leannesse made her ioynts bolne big, and kneepannes for too swell,
And with exceeding mighty knubs her heeles behynd boynd out.
Now when the Nymph behild this elfe a farre, (she was in dout
Too come too neere her:) shee declarde her Ladies message. And
In that same little whyle although the Nymph aloof did stand,
And though shee were but newly come, yit seemed shee too feele
The force of famin. Whervppon shee turning backe her wheele
Did reyne her dragons vp aloft: who streyght with courage free
Conueyd her into Thessaly. Although that famin bee
Ay contrarye too Ceres woork, yit did shee then agree
Too doo her will. and glyding through the Ayre supported by
The wynd, she found thappoynted house: and entring by and by
The caytifs chamber where he slept (it was in tyme of nyght)
Shee hugged him betweene her armes there snorting bolt vpryght.
And breathing her into him, blew vppon his face and brest,
That hungar in his emptie veynes myght woorke as hee did rest.
And when she had accompplished her charge, shee then forsooke
The frutefull Clymates of the world, and home ageine betooke
Herself vntoo her frutelesse feeldes and former dwelling place.
The gentle sleepe did all this whyle with fethers soft embrace
The wretched Erisicthons corse. Who dreaming streight of meate
Did stirre his hungry iawes in vayne as though he had too eate
And chanking tooth on tooth a pace he gryndes them in his head,
And occupies his emptie throte with swallowing, and in stead
Of food deuoures the lither ayre. But when that sleepe with nyght
Was shaken of, immediatly a furious appetite
Of feeding gan too rage in him, which in his greedy gummes
And in his meatlesse maw dooth reigne vnstauncht. Anon there cummes
Before him whatsoeuer liues on sea, in aire or land:
And yit he crieth still for more. And though the platters stand
Before his face full furnished, yit dooth he still complayne
Of hungar, crauing meate at meale. The food that would susteine
Whole householdes, Towneships, Shyres and Realmes suffyce not him alone
The more his pampred paūch consumes, ye more it maketh mone
And as the sea receyues the brookes of all the worldly Realmes,
And yit is neuer satisfyde for all the forreine streames.
And as the fell and rauening fyre refuseth neuer wood,
But burneth faggots numberlesse, and with a furious mood
The more it hath, the more it still desyreth euermore,
Encreacing in deuouring through encreasement of the store:
So wicked Erisicthons mouth in swallowing of his meate
Was euer hungry more and more, and longed ay to eate.
Meate tolld in meate: and as he ate the place was empty still.
The hungar of his brinklesse Maw the gulf that nowght might fill
Had brought his fathers goods too nowght. But yit continewed ay:
His cursed hungar vnappeasd: and nothing could alay
The flaming of his starued throte. At length when all was spent,
And intoo his vnfilled Maw bothe goods and lands were sent,
An only daughter did remayne vnworthy too haue had
So lewd a father. Hir he sold, so hard he was bestad.
But shee of gentle courage could no bondage well abyde.
And therfore stretching out her hands too seaward there besyde,
Now saue mee quoth shee from the yoke of bondage I thee pray,
O thou that my virginitie enioyest as a pray.
Neptunus had it. Who too this her prayer did consent.
And though her maister looking backe (for after him shee went)
Had newly seene her: yit he turnd hir shape and made hir man,
And gaue her looke of fisherman. Her mayster looking than
Upon her, sayd. Good fellow thou that on the shore doost stand
With angling rod and bayted hooke and hanging lyne in hand,
I pray thee as thou doost desyre the Sea ay calme too thee,
And fishes for to byght thy bayt, and striken still too bee,
Tell where the frizzletopped wench in course and sluttish geere
That stoode right now vppon this shore (for well I wote that heere
I saw her standing) is become. For further than this place
No footestep is appeering. Shee perceyuing by the cace
That Neptunes gift made well with her, and beeing glad too see
Herself enquyrd for of herself, sayd thus: who ere you bee
I pray you for too pardon mee. I turned not myne eye
A tonesyde ne a toother from this place, but did apply
My labor hard. And that you may the lesser stand in dowt,
So Neptune further still the Art and craft I go abowt,
As now a whyle no liuing Wyght vppon this leuell sand
(Myself excepted) neyther man nor woman heere did stand.
Her maister did beleeue her words: and turning backward went
His way beguyld: and streight too her her natiue shape was sent.
But when her father did perceyue his daughter for too haue
A bodye so transformable, he oftentymes her gaue
For monny. but the damzell still escaped now a Mare
And now a Cow, and now a Bird, a Hart, a Hynd, or Hare,
And euer fed her hungry Syre with vndeserued fare.
But after that the maladie had wasted all the meates
As well of store as that which shee had purchast by her feates:
Most cursed keytife as he was with bighting hee did rend
His flesh, and by diminishing his bodye did intend
Too feede his bodye, till that death did speede his fatall end.
But what meene I too busye mee in forreine matters thus?
Too alter shapes within precinct is lawfull euen too vs
My Lords. For sumtime I am such as you doo now mee see
Sumtyme I wynd mee in a Snake: and oft I seeme too bee
A Capteine of the herd with hornes. For taking hornes on mee
I lost a tyne which heeretoofore did arme mee as the print
Dooth playnly shew. with that same word he syghed and did stine.
Did moue them all, but Theseus most. Whom being mynded well
To heere of woondrous things, the brooke of Calydon thus bespake.
There are O valiant knyght sum folke that had the powre too take
Straunge shape for once, and all their lyues continewed in the same.
And othersum too sundrie shapes haue power themselues to frame.
As thou O Protevv dwelling in the sea that cleepes the land.
For now a yoonker, now a boare, anon a Lyon, and
Streyght way thou didst become a Snake, and by and by a Bull
That people were afrayd of thee too see thy horned skull.
And oftentymes thou seemde a stone, and now and then a tree,
And counterfetting water sheere thou seemedst oft to bee
A Riuer: and another whyle contrarie therevntoo
108
Had Erisicthons daughter whom Avvtolychus tooke too wyfe.
Her father was a person that despysed all his lyfe
The powre of Gods, and neuer did vouchsauf them sacrifyse.
He also is reported too haue heawen in wicked wyse
The groue of Ceres, and to fell her holy woods which ay
Had vndiminisht and vnhackt continewed to that day
There stood in it a warrie Oke which was a wood alone.
Uppon it round hung fillets, crownes, and tables, many one,
The vowes of such as had obteynd theyr hearts desyre. Full oft
The Woodnymphes vnderneath this tree did fetch theyr frisks aloft
And oftentymes with hand in hand they daunced in a round
About the Trunk, whose bignesse was of timber good and sound
Full fifteene fadom. All the trees within the wood besyde,
Were vntoo this, as weedes to them: so farre it did them hyde.
Yit could not this moue Triops sonne his axe therefro too hold,
But bade his seruants cut it downe. And when he did behold
Them stunting at his hest, he snatcht an axe with furious mood
From one of them, and wickedly sayd thus. Although thys wood
Not only were the derling of the Goddesse, but also
The Goddesse euen herself: yet would I make it ere I go
Too kisse the clowers with her top that pranks with braunches so.
This spoken, as he sweakt his axe asyde to fetch his blow,
The manast Oke did quake and sygh, the Acornes that did grow
Thereon toogither with the leaues too wex full pale began,
And shrinking in for feare the boughes and braunches looked wan.
Assoone as that his cursed hand had wounded once the tree,
The blood came spinning from the carf, as freshly as yee see
It issue from a Bullocks necke whose throte is newly cut
Before the Altar, when his flesh to sacrifyse is put.
They were amazed everychone. And one among them all
Too let the wicked act, durst from the tree his hatchet call.
The lewd Thessalian facing him sayd: Take thou heere too thee
The guerdon of thy godlynesse. and turning from the tree,
He chopped of the fellowes head. Which done, he went agen
And heawed on the Oke. streight from amid the tree as then
There issued such a sound as this. Within this tree dwell I
[108]
In comfort of my death doo giue thee warning thou shalt bye
Thy dooing deere within a whyle. he goeth wilfully
Still thorrough with his wickednesse, vntill at length the Oke
Pulld partly by the force of ropes, and cut with axis stroke,
Did fall, and with his weyght bare downe of vnder wood great store.
The Woodnymphes with the losses of the woods and theyrs ryght sore
Amazed, gathered on a knot, and all in mourning weede
Went sad too Ceres, praying her too wreake that wicked deede
Of Erisicthons. Ceres was content it should bee so.
And with the mouing of her head in nodding too and fro,
Shee shooke the feeldes which laden were with frutefull Haruest tho.
And therewithall a punishment most piteous shee proceedes
Too put in practyse: were it not that his most heynous deedes,
No pitie did deserue too haue at any bodies hand.
With helpelesse hungar him too pyne, in purpose shee did stand.
And forasmuch as shee herself and famin myght not meete.
(For fate forbiddeth famin too abyde within the leete
Where plentie is) shee thus bespake a fayrie of the hill.
There lyeth in the vtmost bounds of Tartarie the chill
A Dreerie place, a wretched soyle, a barreine plot: no grayne,
No frute, no tree, is growing there: but there dooth ay remayne
Unweeldsome cold, with trembling feare, and palenesse white as clowt,
And foodlesse famin. Will thou her immediatly withowt
Delay too shed herself intoo the stomacke of the wretch,
And let no plentie staunch her force. but let her working stretch
Aboue the powre of mee. And least the longnesse of the way
May make thee wearie, take thou heere my charyot: take I say
My draggons for to beare thee through the aire. In saying so
She gaue hir them. The Nymph mounts vp, and flying thence as tho
Alyghts in Scythy land, and vp the cragged top of hye
Mount Caucasus did cause hir Snakes with much a doo too stye.
Where seeking long for famin, shee the gaptoothd elfe did spye
Amid a barreine stony feeld a ramping vp the grasse
With ougly nayles, and chanking it. Her face pale colourd was.
Hir heare was harsh and shirle, her eyes were sunken in her head.
Her lyppes were hore with filth, her teeth were furd and rusty read.
109
The verie bowels in her bulk how euery one did lye.
And eke aboue her courbed loynes her withered hippes were seene.
In stead of belly was a space where belly should haue beene.
Her brest did hang so sagging downe as that a man would weene
That scarcely to her ridgebone had hir ribbes beene fastened well.
Her leannesse made her ioynts bolne big, and kneepannes for too swell,
And with exceeding mighty knubs her heeles behynd boynd out.
Now when the Nymph behild this elfe a farre, (she was in dout
Too come too neere her:) shee declarde her Ladies message. And
In that same little whyle although the Nymph aloof did stand,
And though shee were but newly come, yit seemed shee too feele
The force of famin. Whervppon shee turning backe her wheele
Did reyne her dragons vp aloft: who streyght with courage free
Conueyd her into Thessaly. Although that famin bee
Ay contrarye too Ceres woork, yit did shee then agree
Too doo her will. and glyding through the Ayre supported by
The wynd, she found thappoynted house: and entring by and by
The caytifs chamber where he slept (it was in tyme of nyght)
Shee hugged him betweene her armes there snorting bolt vpryght.
And breathing her into him, blew vppon his face and brest,
That hungar in his emptie veynes myght woorke as hee did rest.
And when she had accompplished her charge, shee then forsooke
The frutefull Clymates of the world, and home ageine betooke
Herself vntoo her frutelesse feeldes and former dwelling place.
The gentle sleepe did all this whyle with fethers soft embrace
The wretched Erisicthons corse. Who dreaming streight of meate
Did stirre his hungry iawes in vayne as though he had too eate
And chanking tooth on tooth a pace he gryndes them in his head,
And occupies his emptie throte with swallowing, and in stead
Of food deuoures the lither ayre. But when that sleepe with nyght
Was shaken of, immediatly a furious appetite
Of feeding gan too rage in him, which in his greedy gummes
And in his meatlesse maw dooth reigne vnstauncht. Anon there cummes
Before him whatsoeuer liues on sea, in aire or land:
And yit he crieth still for more. And though the platters stand
Before his face full furnished, yit dooth he still complayne
[109]
Whole householdes, Towneships, Shyres and Realmes suffyce not him alone
The more his pampred paūch consumes, ye more it maketh mone
And as the sea receyues the brookes of all the worldly Realmes,
And yit is neuer satisfyde for all the forreine streames.
And as the fell and rauening fyre refuseth neuer wood,
But burneth faggots numberlesse, and with a furious mood
The more it hath, the more it still desyreth euermore,
Encreacing in deuouring through encreasement of the store:
So wicked Erisicthons mouth in swallowing of his meate
Was euer hungry more and more, and longed ay to eate.
Meate tolld in meate: and as he ate the place was empty still.
The hungar of his brinklesse Maw the gulf that nowght might fill
Had brought his fathers goods too nowght. But yit continewed ay:
His cursed hungar vnappeasd: and nothing could alay
The flaming of his starued throte. At length when all was spent,
And intoo his vnfilled Maw bothe goods and lands were sent,
An only daughter did remayne vnworthy too haue had
So lewd a father. Hir he sold, so hard he was bestad.
But shee of gentle courage could no bondage well abyde.
And therfore stretching out her hands too seaward there besyde,
Now saue mee quoth shee from the yoke of bondage I thee pray,
O thou that my virginitie enioyest as a pray.
Neptunus had it. Who too this her prayer did consent.
And though her maister looking backe (for after him shee went)
Had newly seene her: yit he turnd hir shape and made hir man,
And gaue her looke of fisherman. Her mayster looking than
Upon her, sayd. Good fellow thou that on the shore doost stand
With angling rod and bayted hooke and hanging lyne in hand,
I pray thee as thou doost desyre the Sea ay calme too thee,
And fishes for to byght thy bayt, and striken still too bee,
Tell where the frizzletopped wench in course and sluttish geere
That stoode right now vppon this shore (for well I wote that heere
I saw her standing) is become. For further than this place
No footestep is appeering. Shee perceyuing by the cace
That Neptunes gift made well with her, and beeing glad too see
Herself enquyrd for of herself, sayd thus: who ere you bee
110
A tonesyde ne a toother from this place, but did apply
My labor hard. And that you may the lesser stand in dowt,
So Neptune further still the Art and craft I go abowt,
As now a whyle no liuing Wyght vppon this leuell sand
(Myself excepted) neyther man nor woman heere did stand.
Her maister did beleeue her words: and turning backward went
His way beguyld: and streight too her her natiue shape was sent.
But when her father did perceyue his daughter for too haue
A bodye so transformable, he oftentymes her gaue
For monny. but the damzell still escaped now a Mare
And now a Cow, and now a Bird, a Hart, a Hynd, or Hare,
And euer fed her hungry Syre with vndeserued fare.
But after that the maladie had wasted all the meates
As well of store as that which shee had purchast by her feates:
Most cursed keytife as he was with bighting hee did rend
His flesh, and by diminishing his bodye did intend
Too feede his bodye, till that death did speede his fatall end.
But what meene I too busye mee in forreine matters thus?
Too alter shapes within precinct is lawfull euen too vs
My Lords. For sumtime I am such as you doo now mee see
Sumtyme I wynd mee in a Snake: and oft I seeme too bee
A Capteine of the herd with hornes. For taking hornes on mee
I lost a tyne which heeretoofore did arme mee as the print
Dooth playnly shew. with that same word he syghed and did stine.
Finis octaui Libri.
[110]
THE NINTH BOOKE of Ouids Metamorphosis.
What
ayleth thee (quoth Theseus) too sygh so sore? and how
Befell it thee too get this mayme that is vppon thy brow?
The noble streame of Calydon made answer, who did weare
A Garland made of reedes and flags vpon his sedgie heare.
A greeuous pennance you enioyne. for who would gladly show
The combats in the which himself did take the ouerthrow?
Yit will I make a iust report in order of the same.
For why? too haue the woorser hand was not so great a shame,
As was the honor such a match too vndertake. And much
It comforts mee that he who did mee ouercome, was such
A valiant champion. If perchaunce you erst haue heard the name
Of Deyanyre the fayrest Mayd that euer God did frame
Shee was in myne opinion. And the hope too win her loue
Did mickle enuy and debate among hir wooers moue.
With whome I entring too the house of him that should haue bee
My fathrilaw, Parthaons sonne (I sayd) accept thou mee
Thy Sonnylaw. And Hercules in self same sort did woo.
And all the other suters streight gaue place vntoo vs twoo.
He vaunted of his father Ioue, and of his famous deedes,
And how ageinst his stepdames spyght his prowesse still proceedes.
And I ageine a toother syde sayd thus. It is a shame
That God should yeeld too man. (this stryfe was long ere he became
A God). Thou seeist mee a Lord of waters in thy Realme
Where I in wyde and wynding banks doo beare my flowing streame.
No straunger shalt thou haue of mee sent farre from forreine land:
But one of household, or at least a neyghbour heere at hand.
Alonly let it bee too mee no hindrance that the wyfe
Of Ioue abhorres mee not, ne that vpon the paine of lyfe
Shee sets mee not too task. For where thou bostest thee too bee
Alcmenas sonne, Ioue eyther is not father vnto thee:
Or if he bee it is by sin. In making Ioue thy father,
Thou maakst thy mother but a whoore. now choose thee whither rather
Thou had too graunt this tale of Ioue surmised for too bee,
Or else thy selfe begot in shame and borne in bastardee.
Befell it thee too get this mayme that is vppon thy brow?
The noble streame of Calydon made answer, who did weare
A Garland made of reedes and flags vpon his sedgie heare.
A greeuous pennance you enioyne. for who would gladly show
The combats in the which himself did take the ouerthrow?
Yit will I make a iust report in order of the same.
For why? too haue the woorser hand was not so great a shame,
As was the honor such a match too vndertake. And much
It comforts mee that he who did mee ouercome, was such
A valiant champion. If perchaunce you erst haue heard the name
Of Deyanyre the fayrest Mayd that euer God did frame
Shee was in myne opinion. And the hope too win her loue
Did mickle enuy and debate among hir wooers moue.
With whome I entring too the house of him that should haue bee
My fathrilaw, Parthaons sonne (I sayd) accept thou mee
Thy Sonnylaw. And Hercules in self same sort did woo.
And all the other suters streight gaue place vntoo vs twoo.
He vaunted of his father Ioue, and of his famous deedes,
And how ageinst his stepdames spyght his prowesse still proceedes.
And I ageine a toother syde sayd thus. It is a shame
That God should yeeld too man. (this stryfe was long ere he became
A God). Thou seeist mee a Lord of waters in thy Realme
Where I in wyde and wynding banks doo beare my flowing streame.
No straunger shalt thou haue of mee sent farre from forreine land:
But one of household, or at least a neyghbour heere at hand.
Alonly let it bee too mee no hindrance that the wyfe
Of Ioue abhorres mee not, ne that vpon the paine of lyfe
Shee sets mee not too task. For where thou bostest thee too bee
Alcmenas sonne, Ioue eyther is not father vnto thee:
Or if he bee it is by sin. In making Ioue thy father,
Thou maakst thy mother but a whoore. now choose thee whither rather
Thou had too graunt this tale of Ioue surmised for too bee,
Or else thy selfe begot in shame and borne in bastardee.
111
At that he grimly bendes his browes, and much a doo he hath
Too hold his hands. so sore his hart inflamed is with wrath.
He said no more but thus. My hand dooth serue mee better than
My toong. Content I am (so I in feighting vanquish can)
That thou shalt ouercome in wordes. And therewithall he gan
Mee feercely to assaile. Mee thought it was a shame for mee
That had euen now so stoutly talkt, in dooings faint too bee.
I casting of my greenish cloke thrust stifly out at length
Mine armes and streynd my pawing armes too hold him out by strēgth,
And framed euery limme too cope. With both his hollow hands
He caught vp dust and sprincked mee: and I likewise with sands.
Made him all yelow too. One whyle hee at my necke dooth snatch
Another whyle my cleere crisp legges he striueth for too catch,
Or trippes at mee: and euerywhere the vauntage he dooth watch.
My weightinesse defended mee, and cleerly did diffeate
His stoute assaults as when a waue with hideous noyse dooth beate
Against a Rocke, the Rocke dooth still both sauf and sound abyde
By reason of his massinesse. Wee drew a whyle a syde.
And then incountring fresh ageine, wee kept our places stowt
Full minded not too yeeld an inch, but for too hold it owt.
Now were wee stonding foote too foote. And I with all my brest
Was leaning forward, and with head ageinst his head did rest,
And with my gryping fingars I ageinst his fingars thrust.
So haue I seene twoo myghtie Bulles togither feercely iust
In seeking as their pryse to haue the fayrest Cow in all
The feeld too bee their make, and all the herd bothe greate and small
Stand gazing on them fearfully not knowing vntoo which
The conquest of so greate a gayne shall fall. Three tymes a twich
Gaue Hercules and could not wrinch my leaning brest him fro
But at the fourth he shooke mee of and made mee too let go
My hold: and with a push (I will tell truthe) he had a knacke
Too turne me of, and heauily he hung vpon my backe.
And if I may beleeued bee (as sure I meene not I
To vaunt my selfe vayngloriusly by telling of a lye,)
Mee thought a mountaine whelmed me. But yit with much a doo
I wrested in my sweating armes, and hardly did vndoo
His griping hands. He following still his vauntage, suffred not
Mee once too breath or gather strength. but by and by he got
Mee by the necke. Then was I fayne too sinke with knee too ground,
And kisse the dust. Now when in strength too weake myself I found,
I tooke mee too my slights, and slipt in shape of Snake away
Of woondrous length. And when that I of purpose him too fray
Did bend myself in swelling rolles, and made a hideous noyse
Of hissing with my forked toong, he smyling at my toyes,
And laughing them too scorne sayd thus. It is my Cradle game
To vanquish Snakes O Acheloy. Admit thou ouercame
All other Snakes, yet what art thou compared too the Snake
Of Lerna, who by cutting of did still encreasement take?
For of a hundred heades not one so soone was paarde away,
But that vppon the stump therof there budded other tway
This sprouting Snake whose braunching heads by slaughter did reuiue
And grow by cropping, I subdewd, and made it could not thryue.
And thinkest thou (who being none wouldst seeme a Snake) too scape?
Who doost with foorged weapons feyght and vnder borowed shape?
This sayd, his fingars of my necke he fastned in the nape
Mee thought he graand my throte as though he did with pinsons nip
I struggled from his churlish thumbes my pinched chappes too slip
But doo the best and worst I could he ouercame mee so.
Then thirdly did remayne the shape of Bull. and quickly tho
I turning too the shape of Bull rebelld ageinst my fo.
He stepping too my left syde cloce, did fold his armes about
My wattled necke, and following mee then running maynely out
Did brag mee backe, and made mee pitch my hornes against the ground,
And in the deepest of the sand he ouerthrew mee round.
And yit not so content, such hold his cruell hand did take
Uppon my welked horne, that he a sunder quight it brake,
And pulld it from my maymed brew. The waterfayries came
And filling it with frute and flowres did consecrate the same,
And so my horne the Tresory of plenteousnesse became.
Too hold his hands. so sore his hart inflamed is with wrath.
He said no more but thus. My hand dooth serue mee better than
My toong. Content I am (so I in feighting vanquish can)
That thou shalt ouercome in wordes. And therewithall he gan
Mee feercely to assaile. Mee thought it was a shame for mee
That had euen now so stoutly talkt, in dooings faint too bee.
I casting of my greenish cloke thrust stifly out at length
Mine armes and streynd my pawing armes too hold him out by strēgth,
And framed euery limme too cope. With both his hollow hands
He caught vp dust and sprincked mee: and I likewise with sands.
Made him all yelow too. One whyle hee at my necke dooth snatch
Another whyle my cleere crisp legges he striueth for too catch,
Or trippes at mee: and euerywhere the vauntage he dooth watch.
My weightinesse defended mee, and cleerly did diffeate
His stoute assaults as when a waue with hideous noyse dooth beate
Against a Rocke, the Rocke dooth still both sauf and sound abyde
By reason of his massinesse. Wee drew a whyle a syde.
And then incountring fresh ageine, wee kept our places stowt
Full minded not too yeeld an inch, but for too hold it owt.
Now were wee stonding foote too foote. And I with all my brest
Was leaning forward, and with head ageinst his head did rest,
And with my gryping fingars I ageinst his fingars thrust.
So haue I seene twoo myghtie Bulles togither feercely iust
In seeking as their pryse to haue the fayrest Cow in all
The feeld too bee their make, and all the herd bothe greate and small
Stand gazing on them fearfully not knowing vntoo which
The conquest of so greate a gayne shall fall. Three tymes a twich
Gaue Hercules and could not wrinch my leaning brest him fro
But at the fourth he shooke mee of and made mee too let go
My hold: and with a push (I will tell truthe) he had a knacke
Too turne me of, and heauily he hung vpon my backe.
And if I may beleeued bee (as sure I meene not I
To vaunt my selfe vayngloriusly by telling of a lye,)
Mee thought a mountaine whelmed me. But yit with much a doo
I wrested in my sweating armes, and hardly did vndoo
His griping hands. He following still his vauntage, suffred not
[111]
Mee by the necke. Then was I fayne too sinke with knee too ground,
And kisse the dust. Now when in strength too weake myself I found,
I tooke mee too my slights, and slipt in shape of Snake away
Of woondrous length. And when that I of purpose him too fray
Did bend myself in swelling rolles, and made a hideous noyse
Of hissing with my forked toong, he smyling at my toyes,
And laughing them too scorne sayd thus. It is my Cradle game
To vanquish Snakes O Acheloy. Admit thou ouercame
All other Snakes, yet what art thou compared too the Snake
Of Lerna, who by cutting of did still encreasement take?
For of a hundred heades not one so soone was paarde away,
But that vppon the stump therof there budded other tway
This sprouting Snake whose braunching heads by slaughter did reuiue
And grow by cropping, I subdewd, and made it could not thryue.
And thinkest thou (who being none wouldst seeme a Snake) too scape?
Who doost with foorged weapons feyght and vnder borowed shape?
This sayd, his fingars of my necke he fastned in the nape
Mee thought he graand my throte as though he did with pinsons nip
I struggled from his churlish thumbes my pinched chappes too slip
But doo the best and worst I could he ouercame mee so.
Then thirdly did remayne the shape of Bull. and quickly tho
I turning too the shape of Bull rebelld ageinst my fo.
He stepping too my left syde cloce, did fold his armes about
My wattled necke, and following mee then running maynely out
Did brag mee backe, and made mee pitch my hornes against the ground,
And in the deepest of the sand he ouerthrew mee round.
And yit not so content, such hold his cruell hand did take
Uppon my welked horne, that he a sunder quight it brake,
And pulld it from my maymed brew. The waterfayries came
And filling it with frute and flowres did consecrate the same,
And so my horne the Tresory of plenteousnesse became.
Assoone as Acheloy had told this tale a wayting Mayd
With flaring heare that lay on both hir shoulders and arayd
Like one of Dame Dianas Nymphes with solemne grace forth came
And brought that rich and precious horne, and heaped in the same
All kynd of frutes that Haruest sendes, and specially such frute
As serues for latter course at meales of euery sort and sute.
With flaring heare that lay on both hir shoulders and arayd
Like one of Dame Dianas Nymphes with solemne grace forth came
And brought that rich and precious horne, and heaped in the same
All kynd of frutes that Haruest sendes, and specially such frute
112
Assoone as daylight came ageine, and that the Sunny rayes
Did shyne vpon the tops of things, the Princes went their wayes.
They would not tarry till the floud were altogither falne
And that the Riuer in his banks ran low ageine and calme.
Then Acheloy amid his waues his Crabtree face did hyde
And head disarmed of a horne. And though he did abyde
In all parts else bothe sauf and sound, yit this deformitye
Did cut his comb: and for too hyde this blemish from the eye.
He hydes his hurt with Sallow leaues, or else with sedge and reede.
Did shyne vpon the tops of things, the Princes went their wayes.
They would not tarry till the floud were altogither falne
And that the Riuer in his banks ran low ageine and calme.
Then Acheloy amid his waues his Crabtree face did hyde
And head disarmed of a horne. And though he did abyde
In all parts else bothe sauf and sound, yit this deformitye
Did cut his comb: and for too hyde this blemish from the eye.
He hydes his hurt with Sallow leaues, or else with sedge and reede.
But of the selfsame Mayd the loue killd thee feerce Nesse in deede,
When percing swiftly through thy back an arrow made thee bleede.
For as Ioues issue with his wyfe was onward on his way
In going too his countryward, enforst he was too stay
At swift Euenus bank, bycause the streame was risen sore
Aboue his bounds through rage of rayne that fell but late before
Agein so full of whoorlpooles and of gulles the channell was,
That scarce a man could any where fynd place of passage. As
Not caring for himself but for his wyfe he there did stand,
This Nessus came vnto him (who was strong of body and
Knew well the foordes,) and sayd vse thou thy strength O Hercules
In swimming. I will fynd the meanes this Ladie shall with ease
Bee set vppon the further bank. So Hercules betooke
His wyfe too Nessus. Shee for feare of him and of the brooke
Lookte pale. Her husband as he had his quiuer by his syde
Of arrowes full, and on his backe his heauy Lyons hyde,
(For too the further bank he erst his club and bow had cast)
Said. sith I haue begonne, this brooke bothe must and shalbee past,
He neuer casteth further doubts, nor seekes the calmest place,
But through the roughest of the streame he cuts his way a pace.
Now as he on the furthersyde was taking vp his bow,
He heard his wedlocke shreeking out, and did hir calling know:
And cryde to Nesse (who went about to deale vnfaythfully
In running with his charge away) Hoawe whither doost thou fly
Thou Royster thou, vppon a vaine hope by swiftnesse too escape
My hands? I say giue eare thou Nesse for all thy double shape,
And meddle not with that thats myne. Though no regard of mee
Might moue thee too refrayne from rape, thy father yit might bee
A warning, who for offring shame too Iuno now dooth feele
Continuall torment in his limbes by turning on a wheele.
For all that thou hast horses feete which doo so bolde thee make,
Yit shalt thou not escape my hands. I will thee ouertake
With wound and not with feete. He did according as he spake.
For with an arrow as he fled he strake him through the backe,
And out before his brist ageine the hooked iron stacke.
And when the same was pulled out, the blood a mayne ensewd
At both the holes with poyson foule of Lerna Snake embrewd:
This blood did Nessus take, and said within himselfe: well: sith
I needes must dye, yet will I not dye vnreuendgd. And with
The same he staynd a shirt, and gaue it vnto Dyanyre,
Assuring hir it had the powre too kindle Cupids fyre.
When percing swiftly through thy back an arrow made thee bleede.
For as Ioues issue with his wyfe was onward on his way
In going too his countryward, enforst he was too stay
At swift Euenus bank, bycause the streame was risen sore
Aboue his bounds through rage of rayne that fell but late before
Agein so full of whoorlpooles and of gulles the channell was,
That scarce a man could any where fynd place of passage. As
Not caring for himself but for his wyfe he there did stand,
This Nessus came vnto him (who was strong of body and
Knew well the foordes,) and sayd vse thou thy strength O Hercules
In swimming. I will fynd the meanes this Ladie shall with ease
Bee set vppon the further bank. So Hercules betooke
His wyfe too Nessus. Shee for feare of him and of the brooke
Lookte pale. Her husband as he had his quiuer by his syde
Of arrowes full, and on his backe his heauy Lyons hyde,
(For too the further bank he erst his club and bow had cast)
Said. sith I haue begonne, this brooke bothe must and shalbee past,
He neuer casteth further doubts, nor seekes the calmest place,
But through the roughest of the streame he cuts his way a pace.
Now as he on the furthersyde was taking vp his bow,
He heard his wedlocke shreeking out, and did hir calling know:
And cryde to Nesse (who went about to deale vnfaythfully
In running with his charge away) Hoawe whither doost thou fly
Thou Royster thou, vppon a vaine hope by swiftnesse too escape
My hands? I say giue eare thou Nesse for all thy double shape,
And meddle not with that thats myne. Though no regard of mee
[112]
A warning, who for offring shame too Iuno now dooth feele
Continuall torment in his limbes by turning on a wheele.
For all that thou hast horses feete which doo so bolde thee make,
Yit shalt thou not escape my hands. I will thee ouertake
With wound and not with feete. He did according as he spake.
For with an arrow as he fled he strake him through the backe,
And out before his brist ageine the hooked iron stacke.
And when the same was pulled out, the blood a mayne ensewd
At both the holes with poyson foule of Lerna Snake embrewd:
This blood did Nessus take, and said within himselfe: well: sith
I needes must dye, yet will I not dye vnreuendgd. And with
The same he staynd a shirt, and gaue it vnto Dyanyre,
Assuring hir it had the powre too kindle Cupids fyre.
A greate whyle after when the deedes of worthy Hercules
Were such as filled all the world, and also did appease
The hatred of his stepmother, As he vppon a day
With conquest from Oechalia came, and was abowt to pay
His vowes to Ioue vppon the Mount of Cenye, tatling fame
(Who in reporting things of truth delyghts too sauce the same
With tales, and of a thing of nowght dooth euer greater grow
Through false and newly forged lyes that shee hirself dooth sow)
Told Dyanyre that Hercules did cast a liking too
A Ladie called Iölee. And Dyanyra (whoo
Was iealous ouer Hercules,) gaue credit too the same.
And when that of a Leman first the tidings too hir came,
She being striken too the hart, did fall too teares alone,
And in a lamentable wise did make most wofull mone.
Were such as filled all the world, and also did appease
The hatred of his stepmother, As he vppon a day
With conquest from Oechalia came, and was abowt to pay
His vowes to Ioue vppon the Mount of Cenye, tatling fame
(Who in reporting things of truth delyghts too sauce the same
With tales, and of a thing of nowght dooth euer greater grow
Through false and newly forged lyes that shee hirself dooth sow)
Told Dyanyre that Hercules did cast a liking too
A Ladie called Iölee. And Dyanyra (whoo
Was iealous ouer Hercules,) gaue credit too the same.
And when that of a Leman first the tidings too hir came,
She being striken too the hart, did fall too teares alone,
And in a lamentable wise did make most wofull mone.
Anon she said: what meene theis teares thus gushing frō myne eyen?
My husbands Leman will reioyce at theis same teares of myne.
Nay, sith she is too come, the best it were too shonne delay,
And for too woork sum new deuyce and practyse whyle I may,
Beefore that in my bed her limbes the filthy strumpet lay.
And shall I then complayne? or shall I hold my toong with skill?
Shall I returne too Calydon? or shall I tarry still?
Or shall I get me out of doores, and let them haue their will?
What if that I (Meleager) remembring mee too bee
Thy suster, too attempt sum act notorious did agree?
And in a harlots death did shew (that all the world myght see)
What greef can cause the womankynd too enterpryse among?
And specially when therevntoo they forced are by wrong.
My husbands Leman will reioyce at theis same teares of myne.
Nay, sith she is too come, the best it were too shonne delay,
And for too woork sum new deuyce and practyse whyle I may,
Beefore that in my bed her limbes the filthy strumpet lay.
And shall I then complayne? or shall I hold my toong with skill?
Shall I returne too Calydon? or shall I tarry still?
Or shall I get me out of doores, and let them haue their will?
113
Thy suster, too attempt sum act notorious did agree?
And in a harlots death did shew (that all the world myght see)
What greef can cause the womankynd too enterpryse among?
And specially when therevntoo they forced are by wrong.
With wauering thoughts ryght violētly her mynd was tossed lōg.
At last shee did preferre before all others, for too send
The shirt bestayned with the blood of Nessus too the end
Too quicken vp the quayling loue. And so not knowing what
She gaue, she gaue her owne remorse and greef too Lychas that
Did know as little as herself: and wretched woman, shee
Desyrd him gently too her Lord presented it too see.
The noble Prince receyuing it without mistrust therein,
Did weare the poyson of the Snake of Lerna next his skin.
At last shee did preferre before all others, for too send
The shirt bestayned with the blood of Nessus too the end
Too quicken vp the quayling loue. And so not knowing what
She gaue, she gaue her owne remorse and greef too Lychas that
Did know as little as herself: and wretched woman, shee
Desyrd him gently too her Lord presented it too see.
The noble Prince receyuing it without mistrust therein,
Did weare the poyson of the Snake of Lerna next his skin.
Too offer incense and too pray too Ioue he did begin,
And on the Marble Altar he full boawles of wyne did shed,
When as the poyson with the heate resoluing, largely spred
Through all the limbes of Hercules. As long as ere he could,
The stoutnesse of his hart was such, that sygh no whit he would.
But when the mischeef grew so great all pacience too surmount,
He thrust the altar from him streight, and filled all the mount
Of Oeta with his roring out. He went about too teare
The deathfull garment from his backe, but where he pulled, there
He pulld away the skin: and (which is lothsum too report)
It eyther cleaued too his limbes and members in such sort
As that he could not pull it of, or else it tare away
The flesh, that bare his myghty bones and grisly sinewes lay.
The scalding venim boyling in his blood, did make it hisse,
As when a gad of steele red whot in water quenched is.
There was no measure of his paine. The frying venim hent
His inwards, and a purple swet from all his body went.
His sindged sinewes shrinking crakt, and with a secret strength
The poyson euen within his bones the Maree melts at length.
And holding vp his hands too heauen he sayd, with hideous reere.
And on the Marble Altar he full boawles of wyne did shed,
When as the poyson with the heate resoluing, largely spred
Through all the limbes of Hercules. As long as ere he could,
The stoutnesse of his hart was such, that sygh no whit he would.
But when the mischeef grew so great all pacience too surmount,
He thrust the altar from him streight, and filled all the mount
Of Oeta with his roring out. He went about too teare
The deathfull garment from his backe, but where he pulled, there
He pulld away the skin: and (which is lothsum too report)
It eyther cleaued too his limbes and members in such sort
As that he could not pull it of, or else it tare away
The flesh, that bare his myghty bones and grisly sinewes lay.
The scalding venim boyling in his blood, did make it hisse,
As when a gad of steele red whot in water quenched is.
There was no measure of his paine. The frying venim hent
His inwards, and a purple swet from all his body went.
His sindged sinewes shrinking crakt, and with a secret strength
The poyson euen within his bones the Maree melts at length.
And holding vp his hands too heauen he sayd, with hideous reere.
O Saturnes daughter feede thy selfe on my distresses heere.
Yea feede. and cruell wyght this plage behold thou from aboue
And glut thy sauage hart therewith. Or if thy fo may moue
Thee vntoo pitie, (for too thee I am an vtter so)
Bereeue mee of my hatefull soule distrest with helplesse wo,
And borne too endlesse toyle. For death shall vntoo mee bee sweete,
And for a cruell stepmother is death a gift most meete.
And is it I that did destroy Busiris who did foyle
His temple floores with straungers blood? Ist I that did dispoyle
Antæus of his moothers help? Ist I that could not bee
Abashed at the Spanyard who in one had bodies three?
Nor at the trypleheaded shape O Cerberus of thee?
Are you the hands that by the hornes the Bull of Candie drew?
Did you king Augies stable clenze whom afterward yee slew?
Are you the same by whom the fowles were scaard from Stymphaly?
Caught you the Stag in Maydenwood which did not runne but fly?
Are you the hands whose puissance receyued for your pay
The golden belt of Thermodon? Did you conuey away
The Apples from the Dragon fell that waked nyght and day?
Ageinst the force of mee, defence the Centaures could not make,
Nor yit the Boare of Arcadie: nor yit the ougly Snake
Of Lerna, who by losse did grow and dooble force still take.
What? is it I that did behold the pampred Iades of Thrace
With Maungers full of flesh of men on which they fed a pace?
Ist I that downe at syght thereof theyr greazy Maungers threw,
And bothe the fatted Iades themselues and eke their mayster slew?
The Nemean Lyon by theis armes lyes dead vppon the ground.
Theis armes the monstruous Giant Cake by Tyber did confound.
Uppon theis shoulders haue I borne the weyght of all the skie.
Ioues cruell wyfe is weerye of commaunding mee. Yit I
Unweerie am of dooing still. But now on mee is lyght,
An vncoth plage, which neyther force of hand, nor vertues myght,
Nor Arte is able too resist. Like wasting fyre it spreedes
Among myne inwards, and through out on all my body feedes.
But all this whyle Eurysthye liues in health. And sum men may
Beeleue there bee sum Goddes in deede. Thus much did Hercule say.
Yea feede. and cruell wyght this plage behold thou from aboue
And glut thy sauage hart therewith. Or if thy fo may moue
[113]
Bereeue mee of my hatefull soule distrest with helplesse wo,
And borne too endlesse toyle. For death shall vntoo mee bee sweete,
And for a cruell stepmother is death a gift most meete.
And is it I that did destroy Busiris who did foyle
His temple floores with straungers blood? Ist I that did dispoyle
Antæus of his moothers help? Ist I that could not bee
Abashed at the Spanyard who in one had bodies three?
Nor at the trypleheaded shape O Cerberus of thee?
Are you the hands that by the hornes the Bull of Candie drew?
Did you king Augies stable clenze whom afterward yee slew?
Are you the same by whom the fowles were scaard from Stymphaly?
Caught you the Stag in Maydenwood which did not runne but fly?
Are you the hands whose puissance receyued for your pay
The golden belt of Thermodon? Did you conuey away
The Apples from the Dragon fell that waked nyght and day?
Ageinst the force of mee, defence the Centaures could not make,
Nor yit the Boare of Arcadie: nor yit the ougly Snake
Of Lerna, who by losse did grow and dooble force still take.
What? is it I that did behold the pampred Iades of Thrace
With Maungers full of flesh of men on which they fed a pace?
Ist I that downe at syght thereof theyr greazy Maungers threw,
And bothe the fatted Iades themselues and eke their mayster slew?
The Nemean Lyon by theis armes lyes dead vppon the ground.
Theis armes the monstruous Giant Cake by Tyber did confound.
Uppon theis shoulders haue I borne the weyght of all the skie.
Ioues cruell wyfe is weerye of commaunding mee. Yit I
Unweerie am of dooing still. But now on mee is lyght,
An vncoth plage, which neyther force of hand, nor vertues myght,
Nor Arte is able too resist. Like wasting fyre it spreedes
Among myne inwards, and through out on all my body feedes.
But all this whyle Eurysthye liues in health. And sum men may
Beeleue there bee sum Goddes in deede. Thus much did Hercule say.
And wounded ouer Oeta hygh, he stalking gan too stray,
As when a Bull in maymed bulk, a deadly Dart dooth beare,
And that the dooer of the deede is shrunke asyde for feare.
Oft syghing myght you him haue seene, oft trembling, oft about
Too teare the garment with his hands from top too to throughout.
And throwing downe the myghtye trees, and chaufing with the hilles,
Or casting vp his handes too heauen where Ioue his father dwelles.
Behold as Lychas trembling in a hollow rock did lurk,
He spyed him. And as his greef did all in furie woork,
He sayd. Art thou syr Lychas he that broughtest vntoo mee
This plagye present? of my death must thou the woorker bee?
Hee quaakt and shaakt, and looked pale, and fearfully gan make
Excuse. But as with humbled hands hee kneeling too him spake,
The furious Hercule caught him vp, and swindging him about
His head a halfe a doozen tymes or more, he floong him out
Into th' Euboyan sea with force surmounting any sling.
He hardened intoo peble stone as in the ayre he hing.
And euen as rayne conieald by wynd is sayd too turne too snowe,
And of the snow round rolled vp a thicker masse too growe,
Which falleth downe in hayle: so men in auncient tyme report,
That Lychas beeing swindgd about by violence in that sort,
(His blood then beeing drayned out, and hauing left at all
No moysture,) intoo peble stone was turned in his fall.
Now also in th' Euboyan sea appeeres a hygh short rocke
In shape of man ageinst the which the shipmen shun too knocke,
As though it could them feele. and they doo call it by the name
Of Lychas still. But thou Ioues imp of great renowme and fame,
Didst fell the trees of Oeta high, and making of the same
A pyle, didst giue too Pœans sonne thy quiuer and thy bow,
And arrowes which should help agein Troy towne too ouerthrow.
He put too fyre, and as the same was kindling in the pyle,
Thy selfe didst spred thy Lyons skin vpon the wood the whyle,
And leaning with thy head ageinst thy Club, thou laydst thee downe
As cheerfully, as if with flowres and garlonds on thy crowne
Thou hadst beene set a banquetting among full cups of wyne.
Anon on euery syde about those carelesse limbes of thyne
The fyre began too gather strength, and crackling noyse did make,
Assayling him whose noble hart for daliance did it take.
As when a Bull in maymed bulk, a deadly Dart dooth beare,
And that the dooer of the deede is shrunke asyde for feare.
Oft syghing myght you him haue seene, oft trembling, oft about
114
And throwing downe the myghtye trees, and chaufing with the hilles,
Or casting vp his handes too heauen where Ioue his father dwelles.
Behold as Lychas trembling in a hollow rock did lurk,
He spyed him. And as his greef did all in furie woork,
He sayd. Art thou syr Lychas he that broughtest vntoo mee
This plagye present? of my death must thou the woorker bee?
Hee quaakt and shaakt, and looked pale, and fearfully gan make
Excuse. But as with humbled hands hee kneeling too him spake,
The furious Hercule caught him vp, and swindging him about
His head a halfe a doozen tymes or more, he floong him out
Into th' Euboyan sea with force surmounting any sling.
He hardened intoo peble stone as in the ayre he hing.
And euen as rayne conieald by wynd is sayd too turne too snowe,
And of the snow round rolled vp a thicker masse too growe,
Which falleth downe in hayle: so men in auncient tyme report,
That Lychas beeing swindgd about by violence in that sort,
(His blood then beeing drayned out, and hauing left at all
No moysture,) intoo peble stone was turned in his fall.
Now also in th' Euboyan sea appeeres a hygh short rocke
In shape of man ageinst the which the shipmen shun too knocke,
As though it could them feele. and they doo call it by the name
Of Lychas still. But thou Ioues imp of great renowme and fame,
Didst fell the trees of Oeta high, and making of the same
A pyle, didst giue too Pœans sonne thy quiuer and thy bow,
And arrowes which should help agein Troy towne too ouerthrow.
He put too fyre, and as the same was kindling in the pyle,
Thy selfe didst spred thy Lyons skin vpon the wood the whyle,
And leaning with thy head ageinst thy Club, thou laydst thee downe
As cheerfully, as if with flowres and garlonds on thy crowne
Thou hadst beene set a banquetting among full cups of wyne.
Anon on euery syde about those carelesse limbes of thyne
The fyre began too gather strength, and crackling noyse did make,
Assayling him whose noble hart for daliance did it take.
The Goddes for this defender of the earth were sore afrayd
Too whom with cheerefull countnance Ioue perceyuing it thus sayd.
This feare of yours is my delyght, and gladly euen with all
My hart I doo reioyce O Gods that mortall folk mee call
Their king and father, thinking mee ay myndfull of their weale,
And that myne offpring should doo well your selues doo show such zeale.
For though that you doo attribute your fauor too desert,
Considring his most woondrous acts: yit I too for my part
Am bound vntoo you. Nerethelesse, for that I would not haue
Your faythfull harts without iust cause in fearfull passions waue,
I would not haue you of the flames in Oeta make account.
For as he hath all other things, so shall he them surmount.
Saue only on that part that he hath taken of his mother,
The fyre shall haue no power at all Eternall is the tother.
The which he takes of mee, and cannot dye, ne yeeld too fyre.
When this is rid from earthly drosse, then will I lift it hygher,
And take it intoo heauen: and I beleeue this deede of myne
Will gladsome bee too all the Gods. If any doo repyne,
If any doo repyne I say that Hercule should become
A God, repyne he still for mee, and looke he sowre and glum.
But let him know that Hercules deserueth this reward,
And that he shall ageinst his will alow it afterward.
The Gods assented euerychone. And Iuno seemd too make
No euill countnance too the rest, vntill hir husband spake
The last. for then her looke was such as well they might perceyue,
Shee did her husbands noting her in euill part conceyue.
Too whom with cheerefull countnance Ioue perceyuing it thus sayd.
This feare of yours is my delyght, and gladly euen with all
[114]
Their king and father, thinking mee ay myndfull of their weale,
And that myne offpring should doo well your selues doo show such zeale.
For though that you doo attribute your fauor too desert,
Considring his most woondrous acts: yit I too for my part
Am bound vntoo you. Nerethelesse, for that I would not haue
Your faythfull harts without iust cause in fearfull passions waue,
I would not haue you of the flames in Oeta make account.
For as he hath all other things, so shall he them surmount.
Saue only on that part that he hath taken of his mother,
The fyre shall haue no power at all Eternall is the tother.
The which he takes of mee, and cannot dye, ne yeeld too fyre.
When this is rid from earthly drosse, then will I lift it hygher,
And take it intoo heauen: and I beleeue this deede of myne
Will gladsome bee too all the Gods. If any doo repyne,
If any doo repyne I say that Hercule should become
A God, repyne he still for mee, and looke he sowre and glum.
But let him know that Hercules deserueth this reward,
And that he shall ageinst his will alow it afterward.
The Gods assented euerychone. And Iuno seemd too make
No euill countnance too the rest, vntill hir husband spake
The last. for then her looke was such as well they might perceyue,
Shee did her husbands noting her in euill part conceyue.
Whyle Ioue was talking with the Gods, as much as fyre could waste
So much had fyre consumde. And now O Hercules thou haste
No carkesse for too know thee by. That part is quyght bereft
Which of thy mother thou didst take. Alonly now is left
The likenesse that thou tookst of Ioue. And as the Serpent slye
In casting of his withered slough, renewes his yeeres thereby,
And wexeth lustyer than before, and looketh crisp and bryght
With scoured scales: so Hercules as soone as that his spryght
Had left his mortall limbes, gan in his better part too thryue,
And for too seeme a greater thing than when he was alyue,
And with a stately maiestie ryght reuerend too appeere.
His myghty father tooke him vp aboue the cloudy spheere.
And in a charyot placed him among the streaming starres.
Howge Atlas felt the weyght thereof. But nothing this disbarres
Eurysthyes malice. Cruelly he prosecutes the hate
Uppon the offpring, which he bare ageinst the father late.
So much had fyre consumde. And now O Hercules thou haste
No carkesse for too know thee by. That part is quyght bereft
Which of thy mother thou didst take. Alonly now is left
The likenesse that thou tookst of Ioue. And as the Serpent slye
In casting of his withered slough, renewes his yeeres thereby,
And wexeth lustyer than before, and looketh crisp and bryght
With scoured scales: so Hercules as soone as that his spryght
Had left his mortall limbes, gan in his better part too thryue,
And for too seeme a greater thing than when he was alyue,
And with a stately maiestie ryght reuerend too appeere.
His myghty father tooke him vp aboue the cloudy spheere.
And in a charyot placed him among the streaming starres.
Howge Atlas felt the weyght thereof. But nothing this disbarres
115
Uppon the offpring, which he bare ageinst the father late.
But yit too make her mone vntoo and wayle her miserie
And tell her sonnes great woorkes, which all the world could testifie,
Old Alcmen had Dame lölee. By Hercules last will
In wedlocke and in hartie loue shee ioyned was too Hill,
By whome shee then was big with chyld: when thus Alcmena sayd.
The Gods at least bee mercifull and send thee then theyr ayd,
And short thy labor, when the frute the which thou goste withall
Now beeing rype enforceth thee wyth fearfull voyce too call
Uppon Ilithya president of chyldbirthes, whom the ire
Of Iuno at my trauelling made deaf too my desire.
For when the Sun through twyce fyue signes his course had fully run,
And that the paynfull day of birth approched of my sonne,
My burthen strayned out my wombe, and that that I did beare
Became so greate, that of so howge a masse yee well myght sweare
That Ioue was father. Neyther was I able too endure
The trauell any lenger tyme. Euen now I you assure
In telling it a shuddring cold through all my limbes dooth strike,
And partly it renewes my peynes too thinke vppon the like.
I beeing in most cruell throwes nyghts seuen and dayes eke seuen,
And tyred with continuall pangs, did lift my hands too heauen,
And crying out aloud did call Lucina too myne ayd,
Too loose the burthen from my wombe. Shee came as I had prayd:
But so corrupted long before by Iuno my most fo,
That for too martir mee too death with peyne she purposde tho.
For when shee heard my piteous plaints and gronings, downe shee sate
On yon same altar which you see there standing at my gate.
Upon her left knee shee had pitcht her right ham, and besyde
Shee stayd the birth with fingars one within another tyde
In lattiswyse. And secretly she whisperde witching spells
Which hindred my deliuerance more than all her dooings ells.
I labord still: and forst by payne and torments of my fitts,
I rayld on Ioue (although in vayne) as one besyde her witts.
And ay I wished for too dye. The woords that I did speake,
Were such as euen the hardest stones of very flint myght breake.
The wyues of Thebee beeing there, for sauf deliuerance prayd
And giuing cheerfull woords, did bid I should not bee dismayd.
Among the other women there that too my labor came,
There was an honest yeomans wyfe, Galantis was her name.
Her heare was yellow as the gold, she was a iolly Dame,
And stoutly serued mee, and I did loue her for the same.
This wyfe (I know not how) did smell some packing gone about
On Iunos part. And as she oft was passing in and out,
Shee spyde Lucina set vppon the altar holding fast
Her armes toogither on her knees, and with her fingars cast
Within ech other on a knot, and sayd vntoo her thus.
I pray you who so ere you bee, reioyce you now with vs,
My Lady Alcmen hath her wish, and sauf is brought a bed.
Lucina leaped vp amazde at that that shee had sed.
And let her hands a sunder slip. And I immediatly
With loosening of the knot, had sauf deliuerance by and by.
They say that in deceyuing Dame Lucina Galant laught.
And therfore by the yellow locks the Goddesse wroth hir caught,
And dragged her. And as she would haue risen from the ground,
Shee kept her downe, and into legges her armes shee did confound.
Her former stoutnesse still remaynes: her backe dooth keepe the hew
That erst was in her heare: her shape is only altered new.
And for with lying mouth shee helpt a woman laboring, shee
Dooth kindle also at her mouth. And now she haunteth free
Our houses as shee did before, a Weasle as wee see.
And tell her sonnes great woorkes, which all the world could testifie,
Old Alcmen had Dame lölee. By Hercules last will
In wedlocke and in hartie loue shee ioyned was too Hill,
By whome shee then was big with chyld: when thus Alcmena sayd.
The Gods at least bee mercifull and send thee then theyr ayd,
And short thy labor, when the frute the which thou goste withall
Now beeing rype enforceth thee wyth fearfull voyce too call
Uppon Ilithya president of chyldbirthes, whom the ire
Of Iuno at my trauelling made deaf too my desire.
For when the Sun through twyce fyue signes his course had fully run,
And that the paynfull day of birth approched of my sonne,
My burthen strayned out my wombe, and that that I did beare
Became so greate, that of so howge a masse yee well myght sweare
That Ioue was father. Neyther was I able too endure
The trauell any lenger tyme. Euen now I you assure
In telling it a shuddring cold through all my limbes dooth strike,
And partly it renewes my peynes too thinke vppon the like.
I beeing in most cruell throwes nyghts seuen and dayes eke seuen,
And tyred with continuall pangs, did lift my hands too heauen,
And crying out aloud did call Lucina too myne ayd,
Too loose the burthen from my wombe. Shee came as I had prayd:
But so corrupted long before by Iuno my most fo,
That for too martir mee too death with peyne she purposde tho.
For when shee heard my piteous plaints and gronings, downe shee sate
On yon same altar which you see there standing at my gate.
Upon her left knee shee had pitcht her right ham, and besyde
Shee stayd the birth with fingars one within another tyde
In lattiswyse. And secretly she whisperde witching spells
Which hindred my deliuerance more than all her dooings ells.
I labord still: and forst by payne and torments of my fitts,
I rayld on Ioue (although in vayne) as one besyde her witts.
And ay I wished for too dye. The woords that I did speake,
Were such as euen the hardest stones of very flint myght breake.
The wyues of Thebee beeing there, for sauf deliuerance prayd
[115]
Among the other women there that too my labor came,
There was an honest yeomans wyfe, Galantis was her name.
Her heare was yellow as the gold, she was a iolly Dame,
And stoutly serued mee, and I did loue her for the same.
This wyfe (I know not how) did smell some packing gone about
On Iunos part. And as she oft was passing in and out,
Shee spyde Lucina set vppon the altar holding fast
Her armes toogither on her knees, and with her fingars cast
Within ech other on a knot, and sayd vntoo her thus.
I pray you who so ere you bee, reioyce you now with vs,
My Lady Alcmen hath her wish, and sauf is brought a bed.
Lucina leaped vp amazde at that that shee had sed.
And let her hands a sunder slip. And I immediatly
With loosening of the knot, had sauf deliuerance by and by.
They say that in deceyuing Dame Lucina Galant laught.
And therfore by the yellow locks the Goddesse wroth hir caught,
And dragged her. And as she would haue risen from the ground,
Shee kept her downe, and into legges her armes shee did confound.
Her former stoutnesse still remaynes: her backe dooth keepe the hew
That erst was in her heare: her shape is only altered new.
And for with lying mouth shee helpt a woman laboring, shee
Dooth kindle also at her mouth. And now she haunteth free
Our houses as shee did before, a Weasle as wee see.
With that shee syghes too think vppon her seruants hap, and then
Her daughtrinlaw immediatly replied thus agen.
But mother, shee whose altred shape dooth moue your hart so sore,
Was neyther kith nor kin too you. What will you say therefore,
If of myne owne deere suster I the woondrous fortune show?
Although my sorrow and the teares that from myne eyes doo flow,
Doo hinder mee, and stop my speeche. Her mother (you must know
My father by another wyfe had mee) bare neuer mo
But this same Ladie Dryopee, the fayrest Ladye tho
In all the land of Oechalye Whom beeing then no mayd
(For why the God of Delos and of Delphos had her frayd)
Andræmon taketh too hys wyfe,and thinkes him well apayd.
There is a certaine leaning Lake whose bowing banks doo show
A likenesse of the salt sea shore. Uppon the brim doo grow
All round about it Mirtletrees. My suster thither goes
Unwares what was her destinie, and (which you may suppose
Was more too bee disdeyned at) the cause of comming there
Was too the fayries of the Lake fresh garlonds for too beare.
And in her armes a babye her sweete burthen shee did hold.
Who sucking on her brest was yit not full a tweluemoonth old.
Not farre from this same pond did grow a Lote tree florisht gay
With purple flowres and beries sweete, and leaues as greene as Bay.
Of theis same flowres too please her boy my suster gathered sum,
And I had thought too doo so too, for I was thither cum.
I saw how from the sliuered flowres red drops of blood did fall,
And how that shuddring horribly the braunches quaakt withall,
You must perceyue that (as too late the Countryfolk declare)
A Nymph cald Lotos flying from fowle Pryaps filthy ware,
Was turned intoo this same tree reseruing still her name.
My suster did not know so much. who when shee backward came
Afrayd at that that shee had seene, and hauing sadly prayd
The Nymphes of pardon, too haue gone her way agen assayd:
Her feete were fastned downe with rootes. Shee stryued all she myght
Too plucke them vp. but they so sure within the earth were pyght,
That nothing saue her vpper partes shee could that present moue.
A tender barke growes from beneath vp leysurly aboue,
And softly ouerspreddes her loynes. which when shee saw, shee went
About too teare her heare, and full of leaues her hand shee hent.
Her head was ouergrowen with leaues. And little Amphise (so
Had Eurytus his Graundsyre naamd her sonne not long ago)
Did feele his mothers dugges wex hard. And as he still them drew
In sucking, not a whit of milke nor moysture did ensew.
I standing by thee did behold thy cruell chaunce: but nought
I could releeue thee suster myne. yit too my powre I wrought
Too stay the growing of thy trunk and of thy braunches by
Embracing thee. Yea I protest I would ryght willingly
Haue in the selfe same barke with thee bene closed vp. Behold,
Her husband good Andræmon and her wretched father old
Sir Eurytus came thither and enquyrd for Dryopee.
And as they askt for Dryopee, I shewd them Lote the tree.
They kist the wood which yit was warme, and falling downe bylow,
Did hug the rootes of that their tree. My suster now could show
No part which was not wood except her face. A deawe of teares
Did stand vppon the wretched leaues late formed of her heares.
And whyle she might, and whyle her mouth did giue her way too speake,
With such complaynt as this, her mynd shee last of all did breake.
If credit may be giuen too such as are in wretchednesse,
I sweare by God I neuer yit deserued this distresse.
I suffer peyne without desert. My lyfe hath guiltlesse beene.
And if I lye, I would theis boughes of mine which now are greene,
Myght withered bee, and I heawen downe and burned in the fyre.
This infant from his mothers wombe remoue you I desyre:
And put him forth too nurce, and cause him vnderneath my tree
Oft tymes too sucke, and oftentymes too play. And when that hee
Is able for too speake I pray you let him greete mee heere,
And sadly say in this same trunk is hid my mother deere.
But lerne him for too shun all ponds and pulling flowres from trees,
And let him in his heart beleeue that all the shrubs he sees,
Are bodyes of the Goddesses. Adew deere husband now,
Adew deere father, and adew deere suster. And in yow
If any loue of mee remayne, defend my boughes I pray
From wound of cutting hooke and ax, and bit of beast for ay.
And for I cannot stoope too you, rayse you yourselues too mee,
And come and kisse mee whyle I may yit toucht and kissed bee.
And lift mee vp my little boy. I can no lenger talke,
For now about my lillye necke as if it were a stalke
The tender rynd beginnes too creepe, and ouergrowes my top.
Remoue your fingars from my face. the spreading barke dooth stop
My dying eyes without your help. Shee had no sooner left
Her talking, but her lyfe therewith toogither was bereft.
But yit a goodwhyle after that her natiue shape did fade,
Her newmade boughes continewed warme. Now whyle that Iöle made
Report of this same woondrous tale, and whyle Alcmena (who
Did weepe) was drying vp the teares of Iöle weeping too,
By putting too her thomb: there hapt a sodeine thing so straunge,
That vntoo mirth from heauinesse theyr harts it streight did chaunge.
Her daughtrinlaw immediatly replied thus agen.
But mother, shee whose altred shape dooth moue your hart so sore,
Was neyther kith nor kin too you. What will you say therefore,
If of myne owne deere suster I the woondrous fortune show?
Although my sorrow and the teares that from myne eyes doo flow,
Doo hinder mee, and stop my speeche. Her mother (you must know
My father by another wyfe had mee) bare neuer mo
But this same Ladie Dryopee, the fayrest Ladye tho
In all the land of Oechalye Whom beeing then no mayd
(For why the God of Delos and of Delphos had her frayd)
Andræmon taketh too hys wyfe,and thinkes him well apayd.
There is a certaine leaning Lake whose bowing banks doo show
116
All round about it Mirtletrees. My suster thither goes
Unwares what was her destinie, and (which you may suppose
Was more too bee disdeyned at) the cause of comming there
Was too the fayries of the Lake fresh garlonds for too beare.
And in her armes a babye her sweete burthen shee did hold.
Who sucking on her brest was yit not full a tweluemoonth old.
Not farre from this same pond did grow a Lote tree florisht gay
With purple flowres and beries sweete, and leaues as greene as Bay.
Of theis same flowres too please her boy my suster gathered sum,
And I had thought too doo so too, for I was thither cum.
I saw how from the sliuered flowres red drops of blood did fall,
And how that shuddring horribly the braunches quaakt withall,
You must perceyue that (as too late the Countryfolk declare)
A Nymph cald Lotos flying from fowle Pryaps filthy ware,
Was turned intoo this same tree reseruing still her name.
My suster did not know so much. who when shee backward came
Afrayd at that that shee had seene, and hauing sadly prayd
The Nymphes of pardon, too haue gone her way agen assayd:
Her feete were fastned downe with rootes. Shee stryued all she myght
Too plucke them vp. but they so sure within the earth were pyght,
That nothing saue her vpper partes shee could that present moue.
A tender barke growes from beneath vp leysurly aboue,
And softly ouerspreddes her loynes. which when shee saw, shee went
About too teare her heare, and full of leaues her hand shee hent.
Her head was ouergrowen with leaues. And little Amphise (so
Had Eurytus his Graundsyre naamd her sonne not long ago)
Did feele his mothers dugges wex hard. And as he still them drew
In sucking, not a whit of milke nor moysture did ensew.
I standing by thee did behold thy cruell chaunce: but nought
I could releeue thee suster myne. yit too my powre I wrought
Too stay the growing of thy trunk and of thy braunches by
Embracing thee. Yea I protest I would ryght willingly
Haue in the selfe same barke with thee bene closed vp. Behold,
Her husband good Andræmon and her wretched father old
Sir Eurytus came thither and enquyrd for Dryopee.
And as they askt for Dryopee, I shewd them Lote the tree.
[116]
Did hug the rootes of that their tree. My suster now could show
No part which was not wood except her face. A deawe of teares
Did stand vppon the wretched leaues late formed of her heares.
And whyle she might, and whyle her mouth did giue her way too speake,
With such complaynt as this, her mynd shee last of all did breake.
If credit may be giuen too such as are in wretchednesse,
I sweare by God I neuer yit deserued this distresse.
I suffer peyne without desert. My lyfe hath guiltlesse beene.
And if I lye, I would theis boughes of mine which now are greene,
Myght withered bee, and I heawen downe and burned in the fyre.
This infant from his mothers wombe remoue you I desyre:
And put him forth too nurce, and cause him vnderneath my tree
Oft tymes too sucke, and oftentymes too play. And when that hee
Is able for too speake I pray you let him greete mee heere,
And sadly say in this same trunk is hid my mother deere.
But lerne him for too shun all ponds and pulling flowres from trees,
And let him in his heart beleeue that all the shrubs he sees,
Are bodyes of the Goddesses. Adew deere husband now,
Adew deere father, and adew deere suster. And in yow
If any loue of mee remayne, defend my boughes I pray
From wound of cutting hooke and ax, and bit of beast for ay.
And for I cannot stoope too you, rayse you yourselues too mee,
And come and kisse mee whyle I may yit toucht and kissed bee.
And lift mee vp my little boy. I can no lenger talke,
For now about my lillye necke as if it were a stalke
The tender rynd beginnes too creepe, and ouergrowes my top.
Remoue your fingars from my face. the spreading barke dooth stop
My dying eyes without your help. Shee had no sooner left
Her talking, but her lyfe therewith toogither was bereft.
But yit a goodwhyle after that her natiue shape did fade,
Her newmade boughes continewed warme. Now whyle that Iöle made
Report of this same woondrous tale, and whyle Alcmena (who
Did weepe) was drying vp the teares of Iöle weeping too,
By putting too her thomb: there hapt a sodeine thing so straunge,
That vntoo mirth from heauinesse theyr harts it streight did chaunge.
For at the doore in maner euen a very boy as then
With short soft Downe about his chin, reuoked backe agen
Too youthfull yeares, stood Iölay with countnance smooth and trim.
Dame Hebee Iunos daughter had bestowde this gift on him,
Entreated at his earnest sute. Whom mynding fully there
The giuing of like gift ageine too any too forsweare,
Dame Themis would not suffer. For (quoth shee) this present howre
Is cruell warre in Thebee towne, and none but Ioue hath powre
Too vanquish stately Canapey. The brothers shall a like
Wound eyther other. And alyue a Prophet shall go seeke
His owne quicke ghoste among the dead, the earth him swallowing in.
The sonne by taking vengeance for his fathers death shall win
The name of kynd and wicked man, in one and self same cace.
And flayght with mischeefes, from his wits and from his natiue place
The furies and his mothers ghoste shall restlessely him chace,
Untill his wyfe demaund of him the fatall gold for meede,
And that his cousin Phegies swoord doo make his sydes too bleede.
Then shall the fayre Callirrhoee Achelous daughter pray
The myghty Ioue in humble wyse too graunt her children may
Retyre ageine too youthfull yeeres, and that he will not see
The death of him that did reuenge vnvenged for too bee.
Ioue moued at her sute shall cause his daughtrinlaw too giue
Like gift, and backe from age too youth Callirrhoës children driue.
117
Too youthfull yeares, stood Iölay with countnance smooth and trim.
Dame Hebee Iunos daughter had bestowde this gift on him,
Entreated at his earnest sute. Whom mynding fully there
The giuing of like gift ageine too any too forsweare,
Dame Themis would not suffer. For (quoth shee) this present howre
Is cruell warre in Thebee towne, and none but Ioue hath powre
Too vanquish stately Canapey. The brothers shall a like
Wound eyther other. And alyue a Prophet shall go seeke
His owne quicke ghoste among the dead, the earth him swallowing in.
The sonne by taking vengeance for his fathers death shall win
The name of kynd and wicked man, in one and self same cace.
And flayght with mischeefes, from his wits and from his natiue place
The furies and his mothers ghoste shall restlessely him chace,
Untill his wyfe demaund of him the fatall gold for meede,
And that his cousin Phegies swoord doo make his sydes too bleede.
Then shall the fayre Callirrhoee Achelous daughter pray
The myghty Ioue in humble wyse too graunt her children may
Retyre ageine too youthfull yeeres, and that he will not see
The death of him that did reuenge vnvenged for too bee.
Ioue moued at her sute shall cause his daughtrinlaw too giue
Like gift, and backe from age too youth Callirrhoës children driue.
When Themis through foresyght had spoke theis woords of prophesie,
The Gods began among themselues vayne talke too multiplie,
They mooyld why others myght not giue like gift as well as shee.
First Pallants daughter grudged that her husband old should bee.
The gentle Ceres murmurde that her Iasions heare was hore.
And Vulcane would haue calld ageine the yeeres long spent before
By Ericthonius. And the nyce Dame Venus hauing care
Of tyme too come, the making yong of old Anchises sware.
So euery God had one too whom he speciall fauor bare.
And through this partiall loue of theyrs seditiously increast
A hurlyburly, till the time that Ioue among them preast,
And sayd. So smally doo you stand in awe of mee this howre,
As thus too rage? Thinkes any of you himself too haue such powre,
As for too alter destinye? I tell you Iölay
Recouered hath by destinye his yeeres erst past away.
Callirrhoës children must returne too youth by destiny,
And not by force of armes, or sute susteynd ambitiously.
And too th' entent with meelder myndes yee may this matter beare,
Euen I myself by destinyes am rulde. which if I were
Of power too alter, thinke you that our Aeacus should stoope
By reason of his feeble age? or Radamanth should droope?
Or Minos, who by reason of his age is now disdeynd,
And liues not in so sure a state as heretoofore he reygnd?
The Gods began among themselues vayne talke too multiplie,
They mooyld why others myght not giue like gift as well as shee.
First Pallants daughter grudged that her husband old should bee.
The gentle Ceres murmurde that her Iasions heare was hore.
And Vulcane would haue calld ageine the yeeres long spent before
By Ericthonius. And the nyce Dame Venus hauing care
Of tyme too come, the making yong of old Anchises sware.
So euery God had one too whom he speciall fauor bare.
And through this partiall loue of theyrs seditiously increast
A hurlyburly, till the time that Ioue among them preast,
And sayd. So smally doo you stand in awe of mee this howre,
As thus too rage? Thinkes any of you himself too haue such powre,
As for too alter destinye? I tell you Iölay
Recouered hath by destinye his yeeres erst past away.
[117]
And not by force of armes, or sute susteynd ambitiously.
And too th' entent with meelder myndes yee may this matter beare,
Euen I myself by destinyes am rulde. which if I were
Of power too alter, thinke you that our Aeacus should stoope
By reason of his feeble age? or Radamanth should droope?
Or Minos, who by reason of his age is now disdeynd,
And liues not in so sure a state as heretoofore he reygnd?
The woords of Ioue so movd the Gods that none of them complaynd,
Sith Radamanth and Aeacus were both with age constreynd:
And Minos also: who (as long as lusty youth did last,)
Did euen with terror of his name make myghty Realmes agast.
But then was Minos weakened sore, and greatly stood in feare
Of Milet one of Deyons race: who proudly did him beare
Uppon his father Phœbus and the stoutnesse of his youth.
And though he feard he would rebell: yit durst he not his mouth
Once open for too banish him his Realme: vntill at last
Departing of his owne accord, Miletus swiftly past
The Gotesea and did build a towne vppon the Asian ground,
Which still reteynes the name of him that first the same did found.
And there the daughter of the brooke Mæander which dooth go
So often backward, Cyane a Nymph of body so
Exceeding comly as the lyke was seldome heard of, as
Shee by her fathers wynding bankes for pleasure walking was,
Was knowen by Milet: vnto whom a payre of twinnes shee brought,
And of the twinnes the names were Caune and Byblis. Byblis ought
Too bee a mirror vntoo Maydes in lawfull wyse too loue.
Sith Radamanth and Aeacus were both with age constreynd:
And Minos also: who (as long as lusty youth did last,)
Did euen with terror of his name make myghty Realmes agast.
But then was Minos weakened sore, and greatly stood in feare
Of Milet one of Deyons race: who proudly did him beare
Uppon his father Phœbus and the stoutnesse of his youth.
And though he feard he would rebell: yit durst he not his mouth
Once open for too banish him his Realme: vntill at last
Departing of his owne accord, Miletus swiftly past
The Gotesea and did build a towne vppon the Asian ground,
Which still reteynes the name of him that first the same did found.
And there the daughter of the brooke Mæander which dooth go
So often backward, Cyane a Nymph of body so
Exceeding comly as the lyke was seldome heard of, as
Shee by her fathers wynding bankes for pleasure walking was,
Was knowen by Milet: vnto whom a payre of twinnes shee brought,
And of the twinnes the names were Caune and Byblis. Byblis ought
Too bee a mirror vntoo Maydes in lawfull wyse too loue.
This Byblis cast a mynd too Caune. but not as did behoue
A suster too her brotherward. When first of all the fyre
Did kindle, shee perceyvd it not. Shee thought in her desyre
Of kissing him so oftentymes no sin, ne yit no harme
In cleeping him about the necke so often with her arme.
The glittering glosse of godlynesse beguyld her long. Her loue
Began from euill vntoo woorse by little too remoue.
Shee commes too see her brother deckt in braue and trim attyre,
And for too seeme exceeding fayre it was her whole desyre.
And if that any fayrer were in all the flocke than shee,
It spyghts her. In what case she was as yit shee did not see.
Her heate exceeded not so farre as for too vow: and yit
Shee suffred in her troubled brist full many a burning fit.
Now calleth shee him mayster, now shee vtter hateth all
The names of kin. Shee rather had he should her Byblis call
Than suster. yit no filthy hope shee durst permit too creepe
Within her mynd awake. But as shee lay in quiet sleepe,
Shee oft behild her loue: and oft she thought her brother came
And lay with her, and (though a sleepe) shee blushed at the same.
When sleepe was gone, she long lay dumb still musing on the syght,
And said with wauering mynd. Now wo is mee most wretched wyght.
What meenes the image of this dreame that I haue seene this nyght?
I would not wish it should bee trew. Why dreamed I then so?
Sure hee is fayre although hee should bee iudged by his fo.
Hee likes mee well. and were he not my brother, I myght set
My loue on him, and he were mee ryght woorthy for too get,
But vnto this same match the name of kinred is a let.
Well. So that I wake doo still mee vndefyled keepe,
Let come as often as they will such dreamings in my sleepe.
In sleepe there is no witnesse by. In sleepe yit may I take
As greate a pleasure (in a sort) as if I were awake.
Oh Venus and thy tender sonne Sir Cupid, what delyght,
How present feeling of your sport hath touched mee this nyght?
How lay I as it were resolvd both maree, flesh, and bone?
How gladdes it mee too thinke thereon? Alas too soone was gone
That pleasure, and too hastye and despyghtfull was the nyght
In breaking of my ioyes. O Lord if name of kinred myght
Betweene vs twoo remoued mee, how well it would agree
O Caune that of thy father I the daughtrinlaw should bee?
How fitly myght my father haue a sonneinlaw of thee?
Would God that all saue auncesters were common too vs twayne
I would thou were of nobler stocke than I. I cannot sayne
O perle of beautie what shee is whom thou shalt make a mother.
Alas how ill befalles it mee that I could haue none other
Than those same parents which are thyne? So only still my brother
And not my husband mayst thou bee. The thing that hurts vs bothe
Is one, and that betweene vs ay inseparably gothe.
what meene my dreames thē? what effect haue dreames? & may there bee
Effect in dreames? The Gods are farre in better case than wee.
For why? the Gods haue matched with theyr susters as wee see.
So Saturne did alie with Ops the neerest of his blood.
So Tethys with Oceanus: So Ioue did think it good
Too take his suster Iuno too his wyfe. What then? the Goddes
Haue lawes and charters by themselues. And sith there is such oddes
Betweene the state of vs and them, why should I sample take,
Our worldly matters equall with the heauenly things too make?
This wicked loue shall eyther from my hart be driuen away,
Or if it can not bee expulst, God graunt I perish may.
And that my brother kisse me layd on Herce too go too graue.
But my desyre the full consent of both of vs dooth craue.
Admit the matter liketh me. He will for sin it take.
But yit the sonnes of Aeolus no scrupulousnesse did make
In going too theyr susters beds. And how come I too know
The feates of them? Too what intent theis samples doo I show?
Ah whither am I headlong driuen? auaunt foule filthy fyre:
And let mee not in other wyse than susterlyke desyre
My brothers loue. Yit if that he were first in loue with mee,
His fondnesse too inclyne vntoo perchaunce I could agree.
Shall I therefore who would not haue reiected him if hee
Had sude too mee, go sue too him? and canst thou speake in deede?
And canst thou vtter forth thy mynd? and tell him of thy neede?
My loue will make mee speake. I can. Or if that shame doo stay
My toong, a sealed letter shall my secret loue bewray.
A suster too her brotherward. When first of all the fyre
Did kindle, shee perceyvd it not. Shee thought in her desyre
Of kissing him so oftentymes no sin, ne yit no harme
In cleeping him about the necke so often with her arme.
The glittering glosse of godlynesse beguyld her long. Her loue
Began from euill vntoo woorse by little too remoue.
Shee commes too see her brother deckt in braue and trim attyre,
And for too seeme exceeding fayre it was her whole desyre.
And if that any fayrer were in all the flocke than shee,
118
Her heate exceeded not so farre as for too vow: and yit
Shee suffred in her troubled brist full many a burning fit.
Now calleth shee him mayster, now shee vtter hateth all
The names of kin. Shee rather had he should her Byblis call
Than suster. yit no filthy hope shee durst permit too creepe
Within her mynd awake. But as shee lay in quiet sleepe,
Shee oft behild her loue: and oft she thought her brother came
And lay with her, and (though a sleepe) shee blushed at the same.
When sleepe was gone, she long lay dumb still musing on the syght,
And said with wauering mynd. Now wo is mee most wretched wyght.
What meenes the image of this dreame that I haue seene this nyght?
I would not wish it should bee trew. Why dreamed I then so?
Sure hee is fayre although hee should bee iudged by his fo.
Hee likes mee well. and were he not my brother, I myght set
My loue on him, and he were mee ryght woorthy for too get,
But vnto this same match the name of kinred is a let.
Well. So that I wake doo still mee vndefyled keepe,
Let come as often as they will such dreamings in my sleepe.
In sleepe there is no witnesse by. In sleepe yit may I take
As greate a pleasure (in a sort) as if I were awake.
Oh Venus and thy tender sonne Sir Cupid, what delyght,
How present feeling of your sport hath touched mee this nyght?
How lay I as it were resolvd both maree, flesh, and bone?
How gladdes it mee too thinke thereon? Alas too soone was gone
That pleasure, and too hastye and despyghtfull was the nyght
In breaking of my ioyes. O Lord if name of kinred myght
Betweene vs twoo remoued mee, how well it would agree
O Caune that of thy father I the daughtrinlaw should bee?
How fitly myght my father haue a sonneinlaw of thee?
Would God that all saue auncesters were common too vs twayne
I would thou were of nobler stocke than I. I cannot sayne
O perle of beautie what shee is whom thou shalt make a mother.
Alas how ill befalles it mee that I could haue none other
Than those same parents which are thyne? So only still my brother
And not my husband mayst thou bee. The thing that hurts vs bothe
Is one, and that betweene vs ay inseparably gothe.
[118]
Effect in dreames? The Gods are farre in better case than wee.
For why? the Gods haue matched with theyr susters as wee see.
So Saturne did alie with Ops the neerest of his blood.
So Tethys with Oceanus: So Ioue did think it good
Too take his suster Iuno too his wyfe. What then? the Goddes
Haue lawes and charters by themselues. And sith there is such oddes
Betweene the state of vs and them, why should I sample take,
Our worldly matters equall with the heauenly things too make?
This wicked loue shall eyther from my hart be driuen away,
Or if it can not bee expulst, God graunt I perish may.
And that my brother kisse me layd on Herce too go too graue.
But my desyre the full consent of both of vs dooth craue.
Admit the matter liketh me. He will for sin it take.
But yit the sonnes of Aeolus no scrupulousnesse did make
In going too theyr susters beds. And how come I too know
The feates of them? Too what intent theis samples doo I show?
Ah whither am I headlong driuen? auaunt foule filthy fyre:
And let mee not in other wyse than susterlyke desyre
My brothers loue. Yit if that he were first in loue with mee,
His fondnesse too inclyne vntoo perchaunce I could agree.
Shall I therefore who would not haue reiected him if hee
Had sude too mee, go sue too him? and canst thou speake in deede?
And canst thou vtter forth thy mynd? and tell him of thy neede?
My loue will make mee speake. I can. Or if that shame doo stay
My toong, a sealed letter shall my secret loue bewray.
This likes her best. vppon this poynt now restes her doubtful mynd
So raysing vp herself vppon her leftsyde shee enclynd,
And leaning on her elbow sayd. Let him aduyse him what
Too doo, for I my franticke loue will vtter playne and flat.
Alas too what vngraciousnesse intend I for too fall?
What furie raging in my hart my senses dooth appall?
In thinking so, with trembling hand shee framed her too wryght
The matter that her troubled mynd in musing did indyght.
Her ryght hand holdes the pen, her left dooth hold the empty wax.
Shee ginnes. Shee doutes, shee wryghtes: shee in the tables findeth lacks.
Shee notes, she blurres, dislikes, and likes: and chaungeth this for that.
Shee layes away the booke, and takes it vp. Shee wotes not what
She would herself. What euer thing shee myndeth for too doo
Misliketh her. A shamefastnesse with boldenesse mixt theretoo
Was in her countnance. Shee had once writ Suster: Out agen
The name of Suster for too raze shee thought it best. And then
Shee snatcht the tables vp, and did theis following woords ingraue.
So raysing vp herself vppon her leftsyde shee enclynd,
And leaning on her elbow sayd. Let him aduyse him what
Too doo, for I my franticke loue will vtter playne and flat.
Alas too what vngraciousnesse intend I for too fall?
What furie raging in my hart my senses dooth appall?
In thinking so, with trembling hand shee framed her too wryght
The matter that her troubled mynd in musing did indyght.
Her ryght hand holdes the pen, her left dooth hold the empty wax.
Shee ginnes. Shee doutes, shee wryghtes: shee in the tables findeth lacks.
Shee notes, she blurres, dislikes, and likes: and chaungeth this for that.
119
She would herself. What euer thing shee myndeth for too doo
Misliketh her. A shamefastnesse with boldenesse mixt theretoo
Was in her countnance. Shee had once writ Suster: Out agen
The name of Suster for too raze shee thought it best. And then
Shee snatcht the tables vp, and did theis following woords ingraue.
The health which if thou giue her not shee is not like too haue
Thy louer wisheth vntoo thee. I dare not ah for shame
I dare not tell thee who I am, nor let thee heare my name.
And if thou doo demaund of mee what thing I doo desyre,
Would God that namelesse I myght pleade the matter I requyre,
And that I were vnknowen too thee by name of Byblis, till
Assurance of my sute were wrought according too my will.
As tokens of my wounded hart myght theis too thee appeere:
My colour pale, my body leane, my heauy mirthlesse cheere,
My watry eyes, my sighes without apparant causes why,
My oft embracing of thee: and such kisses (if perdye
Thou marked them) as very well thou might haue felt and found
Not for too haue beene Susterlike. But though with greeuous wound
I then were striken too the hart. although the raging flame
Did burne within: yit take I God too witnesse of the same,
I did as much as lay in mee this outrage for too tame.
And long I stryued (wretched wench) too scape the violent Dart
Of Cupid. More I haue endurde of hardnesse & of smart,
Than any wench (a man would think) were able too abyde.
Force forceth mee too shew my case which faine I still would hyde,
And mercy at thy gentle hand in fearfull wyse too craue.
Thou only mayst the lyfe of mee thy louer spill or saue.
Choose which thou wilt. No enmy craues this thing: but such a one
As though shee bee alyde so sure as surer can bee none,
Yit couets shee more surely yit alyed for too bee,
And with a neerer kynd of band too link her selfe too thee.
Let aged folkes haue skill in law: too age it dooth belong
Too keepe the rigor of the lawes and search out ryght from wrong.
Such youthfull yeeres as ours are yit rash folly dooth beseeme.
Wee know not what is lawfull yit. And therefore wee may deeme
That all is lawfull that wee list: ensewing in the same
The dooings of the myghtye Goddes. Not dread of worldly shame
Nor yit our fathers roughnesse, no nor fearfulnesse should let
Our purpose. Only let all feare asyde be wholy set.
Wee vnderneath the name of kin our pleasant scapes may hyde.
Thou knowest I haue libertie too talke with thee a syde.
And openly wee kysse and cull. And what is all the rest
That wants? Haue mercy on mee now, who playnly haue exprest
My ease: which thing I had not done, but that the vtter rage
Of loue constreynes mee therevntoo the which I cannot swage.
Deserue not on my tumb thy name subscribed for too haue,
That thou art he whose cruelnesse did bring mee too my graue.
Thy louer wisheth vntoo thee. I dare not ah for shame
I dare not tell thee who I am, nor let thee heare my name.
And if thou doo demaund of mee what thing I doo desyre,
Would God that namelesse I myght pleade the matter I requyre,
And that I were vnknowen too thee by name of Byblis, till
Assurance of my sute were wrought according too my will.
As tokens of my wounded hart myght theis too thee appeere:
My colour pale, my body leane, my heauy mirthlesse cheere,
My watry eyes, my sighes without apparant causes why,
My oft embracing of thee: and such kisses (if perdye
Thou marked them) as very well thou might haue felt and found
Not for too haue beene Susterlike. But though with greeuous wound
I then were striken too the hart. although the raging flame
Did burne within: yit take I God too witnesse of the same,
I did as much as lay in mee this outrage for too tame.
And long I stryued (wretched wench) too scape the violent Dart
Of Cupid. More I haue endurde of hardnesse & of smart,
Than any wench (a man would think) were able too abyde.
Force forceth mee too shew my case which faine I still would hyde,
And mercy at thy gentle hand in fearfull wyse too craue.
Thou only mayst the lyfe of mee thy louer spill or saue.
Choose which thou wilt. No enmy craues this thing: but such a one
As though shee bee alyde so sure as surer can bee none,
Yit couets shee more surely yit alyed for too bee,
And with a neerer kynd of band too link her selfe too thee.
Let aged folkes haue skill in law: too age it dooth belong
Too keepe the rigor of the lawes and search out ryght from wrong.
Such youthfull yeeres as ours are yit rash folly dooth beseeme.
Wee know not what is lawfull yit. And therefore wee may deeme
That all is lawfull that wee list: ensewing in the same
[119]
Nor yit our fathers roughnesse, no nor fearfulnesse should let
Our purpose. Only let all feare asyde be wholy set.
Wee vnderneath the name of kin our pleasant scapes may hyde.
Thou knowest I haue libertie too talke with thee a syde.
And openly wee kysse and cull. And what is all the rest
That wants? Haue mercy on mee now, who playnly haue exprest
My ease: which thing I had not done, but that the vtter rage
Of loue constreynes mee therevntoo the which I cannot swage.
Deserue not on my tumb thy name subscribed for too haue,
That thou art he whose cruelnesse did bring mee too my graue.
Thus much shee wrate in vayne, and wax did want her too indyght,
And in the margent she was fayne the latter verse too wryght.
Immediatly too seale her shame shee takes a precious stone,
The which shee moystes with teares: frō tung the moysture quight was gone.
Shee calld a seruant shamefastly, and after certaine fayre
And gentle woords, my trusty man I pray thee beare this payre
Of tables (quoth shee) too my (and a great whyle afterward
Shee added) brother. Now through chaunce or want of good regard
The table slipped downe too ground in reaching too him ward
The handsell troubled sore her mynd. But yit shee sent them. And
Her seruant spying tyme did put them intoo Caunyes hand.
Mæanders nephew sodeinly in anger floong away
The tables ere he half had red, (scarce able for too stay
His fistocke from the seruants face who quaakt) and thus did say.
Auaunt thou baudye ribawd whyle thou mayst. For were it not
For shame I should haue killed thee. Away afrayd he got,
And told his mistresse of the feerce and cruell answer made
By Caunye. By and by the hew of Byblis gan too fade,
And all her body was benumd with Icie colde for feare
Too heere of this repulse. Assoone as that her senses were
Returnd ageine, her furious flames returned with her witts.
And thus shee sayd so oft that scarce hir toong the ayer hitts
And in the margent she was fayne the latter verse too wryght.
Immediatly too seale her shame shee takes a precious stone,
The which shee moystes with teares: frō tung the moysture quight was gone.
Shee calld a seruant shamefastly, and after certaine fayre
And gentle woords, my trusty man I pray thee beare this payre
Of tables (quoth shee) too my (and a great whyle afterward
Shee added) brother. Now through chaunce or want of good regard
The table slipped downe too ground in reaching too him ward
The handsell troubled sore her mynd. But yit shee sent them. And
Her seruant spying tyme did put them intoo Caunyes hand.
Mæanders nephew sodeinly in anger floong away
The tables ere he half had red, (scarce able for too stay
His fistocke from the seruants face who quaakt) and thus did say.
Auaunt thou baudye ribawd whyle thou mayst. For were it not
For shame I should haue killed thee. Away afrayd he got,
And told his mistresse of the feerce and cruell answer made
By Caunye. By and by the hew of Byblis gan too fade,
And all her body was benumd with Icie colde for feare
Too heere of this repulse. Assoone as that her senses were
Returnd ageine, her furious flames returned with her witts.
And thus shee sayd so oft that scarce hir toong the ayer hitts
And woorthely. For why was I so rash as too discouer
By hasty wryghting this my wound which most I ought to couer.
I should with dowtfull glauncing woords haue felt his humor furst,
And made a trayne too trye him if pursue or no he durst.
I should haue vewed first the coast, too see the weather cleere,
And then I myght haue launched sauf and boldly from the peere.
But now I hoyst vp all my sayles before I tryde the wynd:
And therfore am I driuen vppon the rockes ageinst my mynd,
And all the sea dooth ouerwhelme mee. Neyther may I fynd
The meanes too get too harbrough, or from daunger too retyre.
Why did not open tokens warne too bridle my desyre,
Then when the tables falling in deliuering them declaard
My hope was vaine? And ought not I then eyther too haue spaard
From sending them as that day? or haue chaunged whole my mynd?
Nay rather shifted of the day? For had I not beene blynd
Euen God himself by soothfast signes the sequele seemd too hit.
Yea rather than too wryghting thus my secrets too commit,
I should haue gone and spoke myself, and presently haue showde
My feruent loue. He should haue seene how teares had from mee flowde.
Hee should haue seene my piteous looke ryght louerlike. I could
Haue spoken more than intoo those my tables enter would.
About his necke against his will, myne armes I myght haue wound
And had he shaakt me of, I myght haue seemed for too swound.
I humbly myght haue kist his feete, and kneeling on the ground
Besought him for too saue my lyfe. All theis I myght haue proued,
Wherof although no one alone his stomacke could haue moued.
Yit all toogither myght haue made his hardened hart relent.
Perchaunce there was some fault in him that was of message sent.
He stept vntoo him bluntly (I beleeue) and did not watch
Conuenient tyme, in merrie kew at leysure him too catch.
Theis are the things that hindred mee. For certeinly I knowe
No sturdy stone nor massy steele dooth in his stomacke grow.
He is not made of Adamant. He is no Tygers whelp.
He neuer sucked Lyonesse. He myght with little help
Bee vanquisht. Let vs giue fresh charge vppon him. Whyle I liue
Without obteyning victorie I will not ouer giue.
For firstly (if it lay in mee my dooings too reuoke)
I should not haue begonne at all. But seeing that the stroke
Is giuen, the second poynt is now too giue the push too win.
For neyther he (although that I myne enterpryse should blin)
Can euer whyle he liues forget my deede. And sith I shrink,
My loue was lyght, or else I meant too trap him, he shall think.
Or at the least he may suppose that this my rage of loue
Which broyleth so within my brest, proceedes not from aboue
By Cupids stroke, but of some foule and filthy lust. In fyne
I cannot but too wickednesse now more and more inclyne.
By wryghting is my sute commenst: my meening dooth appeere:
And though I cease: yit can I not accounted bee for cleere.
Now that that dooth remayne behynd is much as in respect
My fond desyre too satisfy: and little in effect
Too aggrauate my fault withall. Thus much shee sayd. And so
Unconstant was her wauering mynd still floting too and fro,
That though it irkt her for too haue attempted, yit poceedes
Shee in the self same purpose attempting, and exceedes
All measure. and vnhapy wench shee takes from day too day
Repulse vpon repulse, and yit shee hath not grace too stay.
By hasty wryghting this my wound which most I ought to couer.
I should with dowtfull glauncing woords haue felt his humor furst,
And made a trayne too trye him if pursue or no he durst.
120
And then I myght haue launched sauf and boldly from the peere.
But now I hoyst vp all my sayles before I tryde the wynd:
And therfore am I driuen vppon the rockes ageinst my mynd,
And all the sea dooth ouerwhelme mee. Neyther may I fynd
The meanes too get too harbrough, or from daunger too retyre.
Why did not open tokens warne too bridle my desyre,
Then when the tables falling in deliuering them declaard
My hope was vaine? And ought not I then eyther too haue spaard
From sending them as that day? or haue chaunged whole my mynd?
Nay rather shifted of the day? For had I not beene blynd
Euen God himself by soothfast signes the sequele seemd too hit.
Yea rather than too wryghting thus my secrets too commit,
I should haue gone and spoke myself, and presently haue showde
My feruent loue. He should haue seene how teares had from mee flowde.
Hee should haue seene my piteous looke ryght louerlike. I could
Haue spoken more than intoo those my tables enter would.
About his necke against his will, myne armes I myght haue wound
And had he shaakt me of, I myght haue seemed for too swound.
I humbly myght haue kist his feete, and kneeling on the ground
Besought him for too saue my lyfe. All theis I myght haue proued,
Wherof although no one alone his stomacke could haue moued.
Yit all toogither myght haue made his hardened hart relent.
Perchaunce there was some fault in him that was of message sent.
He stept vntoo him bluntly (I beleeue) and did not watch
Conuenient tyme, in merrie kew at leysure him too catch.
Theis are the things that hindred mee. For certeinly I knowe
No sturdy stone nor massy steele dooth in his stomacke grow.
He is not made of Adamant. He is no Tygers whelp.
He neuer sucked Lyonesse. He myght with little help
Bee vanquisht. Let vs giue fresh charge vppon him. Whyle I liue
Without obteyning victorie I will not ouer giue.
For firstly (if it lay in mee my dooings too reuoke)
I should not haue begonne at all. But seeing that the stroke
Is giuen, the second poynt is now too giue the push too win.
For neyther he (although that I myne enterpryse should blin)
Can euer whyle he liues forget my deede. And sith I shrink,
[120]
Or at the least he may suppose that this my rage of loue
Which broyleth so within my brest, proceedes not from aboue
By Cupids stroke, but of some foule and filthy lust. In fyne
I cannot but too wickednesse now more and more inclyne.
By wryghting is my sute commenst: my meening dooth appeere:
And though I cease: yit can I not accounted bee for cleere.
Now that that dooth remayne behynd is much as in respect
My fond desyre too satisfy: and little in effect
Too aggrauate my fault withall. Thus much shee sayd. And so
Unconstant was her wauering mynd still floting too and fro,
That though it irkt her for too haue attempted, yit poceedes
Shee in the self same purpose attempting, and exceedes
All measure. and vnhapy wench shee takes from day too day
Repulse vpon repulse, and yit shee hath not grace too stay.
Soone after when her brother saw there was with her no end,
He fled his countrie forbycause he would not so offend,
And in a forreine land did buyld a Citie. Then men say
That Byblis through despayre and thought all wholy did dismay.
Shee tare her garments from her brest, and furiously shee wroong,
Her hands, and beete her armes, and like a bedlem with her toong
Confessed her vnlawfull loue But beeing of the same
Dispoynted, shee forsooke her land and hatefull house for shame,
And followed after flying Caune. And as the Froes of Thrace
In dooing of the three yeere rites of Bacchus: in lyke cace
The maryed wyues of Bubasie saw Byblis howling out
Through all theyr champion feeldes The which shee leauing, ran about
In Caria too the Lelegs who are men in battell stout,
And so too Lycia. Shee had past Crag, Limyre, and the brooke
Of Xanthus, and the countrie where Chymæra that same pooke
Hath Goatish body, Lions head and brist, and Dragons tayle,
When woods did want: and Byblis now beginning for too quayle
Through weerynesse in following Caune, sank down and layd her hed
Ageinst the ground, and kist the leaues that wynd from trees had sted.
The Nymphes of Caria went about in tender armes too take
Her often vp. They oftentymes perswaded her too slake
Her loue. And woords of comfort too her deafe eard mynd they spake.
Shee still lay dumbe: and with her nayles the greenish herbes shee hild,
And moysted with a streame of teares the grasse vpon the feeld.
The waternymphes (so folk report) put vnder her a spring,
Whych neuer myght be dryde: and could they giue a greater thing?
Immediatly euen like as when yee wound a pitchtree rynd,
The gum dooth issue out in droppes: or as the westerne wynd
With gentle blast toogither with the warmth of Sunne, vnbynd
The yce: or as the clammy kynd of cement which they call
Bitumen issueth from the ground full fraughted therewithall:
So Phœbus neece Dame Byblis then consuming with her teares,
Was turnd too a fountaine, which in those same vallyes beares
The tytle of the founder still, and gusheth freshly out
From vnderneath a Sugarchest as if it were a spowt.
He fled his countrie forbycause he would not so offend,
And in a forreine land did buyld a Citie. Then men say
That Byblis through despayre and thought all wholy did dismay.
Shee tare her garments from her brest, and furiously shee wroong,
Her hands, and beete her armes, and like a bedlem with her toong
Confessed her vnlawfull loue But beeing of the same
Dispoynted, shee forsooke her land and hatefull house for shame,
And followed after flying Caune. And as the Froes of Thrace
In dooing of the three yeere rites of Bacchus: in lyke cace
The maryed wyues of Bubasie saw Byblis howling out
Through all theyr champion feeldes The which shee leauing, ran about
In Caria too the Lelegs who are men in battell stout,
And so too Lycia. Shee had past Crag, Limyre, and the brooke
Of Xanthus, and the countrie where Chymæra that same pooke
Hath Goatish body, Lions head and brist, and Dragons tayle,
When woods did want: and Byblis now beginning for too quayle
Through weerynesse in following Caune, sank down and layd her hed
Ageinst the ground, and kist the leaues that wynd from trees had sted.
The Nymphes of Caria went about in tender armes too take
Her often vp. They oftentymes perswaded her too slake
Her loue. And woords of comfort too her deafe eard mynd they spake.
121
And moysted with a streame of teares the grasse vpon the feeld.
The waternymphes (so folk report) put vnder her a spring,
Whych neuer myght be dryde: and could they giue a greater thing?
Immediatly euen like as when yee wound a pitchtree rynd,
The gum dooth issue out in droppes: or as the westerne wynd
With gentle blast toogither with the warmth of Sunne, vnbynd
The yce: or as the clammy kynd of cement which they call
Bitumen issueth from the ground full fraughted therewithall:
So Phœbus neece Dame Byblis then consuming with her teares,
Was turnd too a fountaine, which in those same vallyes beares
The tytle of the founder still, and gusheth freshly out
From vnderneath a Sugarchest as if it were a spowt.
The fame of this same wondrous thing perhappes had filled all
The hundred Townes of Candye had a greater not befall
More neerer home by Iphys meanes transformed late before.
For in the shyre of Phestos hard by Gnossus dwelt of yore
A yeoman of the meaner sort that Lyctus had too name.
His stocke was simple, and his welth according too the same.
Howbeet his lyfe so vpryght was, as noman could it blame.
He came vntoo his wyfe then big and ready downe too lye,
And sayd: twoo things I wish thee. Tone, that when thou out shalt crye,
Thou mayst dispatch with little payne: the other that thou haue
A Boay. For Gyrles too bring them vp a greater cost doo craue.
And I haue no abilitie. And therefore if thou bring
A wench (it goes ageinst my heart too thinke vppon the thing)
Although ageinst my will, I charge it streyght destroyed bee.
The bond of nature needes must beare in this behalf with mee.
This sed, both wept exceedingly, as well the husband who
Did giue commaundement, as the wyfe that was commaunded too.
Yit Telethusa earnestly at Lyct her husband lay,
(Although in vayne) too haue good hope, and of himselfe more stay.
But he was full determined. Within a whyle, the day
Approched that the frute was rype, and shee did looke too lay
Her belly euery mynute: when at midnyght in her rest
Stood by her (or did seeme too stand) the Goddesse Isis, drest
And trayned with the solemne pomp of all her rytes. Twoo hornes
Uppon her forehead lyke the moone, with eares of rypened cornes
Stood glistring as the burnisht gold. Moreouer shee did weare
A rich and stately diademe. Attendant on her were
The barking bug Anubis, and the saint of Bubast, and
The pydecote Apis, and the God that giues too vnderstand
By fingar holden too his lippes that men should silence keepe,
And Lybian wormes whose stinging dooth enforce continuall sleepe,
And thou Osyris whom the folk of Aegypt euer seeke,
And neuer can haue sought inough, and Rittlerattles eke.
Then euen as though that Telethuse had fully beene awake,
And seene theis things with open eyes, thus Isis too her spake.
My seruant Telethusa, cease this care, and breake the charge
Of Lyct. And when Lucina shall haue let thy frute at large,
Bring vp the same what ere it bee I am a Goddesse who
Delyghts in helping folke at neede. I hither come too doo
Thee good. thou shalt not haue a cause hereafter too complayne
Of seruing of a Goddesse that is thanklesse for thy payne.
When Isis had this comfort giuen, shee went her way agayne.
The hundred Townes of Candye had a greater not befall
More neerer home by Iphys meanes transformed late before.
For in the shyre of Phestos hard by Gnossus dwelt of yore
A yeoman of the meaner sort that Lyctus had too name.
His stocke was simple, and his welth according too the same.
Howbeet his lyfe so vpryght was, as noman could it blame.
He came vntoo his wyfe then big and ready downe too lye,
And sayd: twoo things I wish thee. Tone, that when thou out shalt crye,
Thou mayst dispatch with little payne: the other that thou haue
A Boay. For Gyrles too bring them vp a greater cost doo craue.
And I haue no abilitie. And therefore if thou bring
A wench (it goes ageinst my heart too thinke vppon the thing)
Although ageinst my will, I charge it streyght destroyed bee.
The bond of nature needes must beare in this behalf with mee.
This sed, both wept exceedingly, as well the husband who
Did giue commaundement, as the wyfe that was commaunded too.
Yit Telethusa earnestly at Lyct her husband lay,
(Although in vayne) too haue good hope, and of himselfe more stay.
But he was full determined. Within a whyle, the day
Approched that the frute was rype, and shee did looke too lay
Her belly euery mynute: when at midnyght in her rest
Stood by her (or did seeme too stand) the Goddesse Isis, drest
And trayned with the solemne pomp of all her rytes. Twoo hornes
[121]
Stood glistring as the burnisht gold. Moreouer shee did weare
A rich and stately diademe. Attendant on her were
The barking bug Anubis, and the saint of Bubast, and
The pydecote Apis, and the God that giues too vnderstand
By fingar holden too his lippes that men should silence keepe,
And Lybian wormes whose stinging dooth enforce continuall sleepe,
And thou Osyris whom the folk of Aegypt euer seeke,
And neuer can haue sought inough, and Rittlerattles eke.
Then euen as though that Telethuse had fully beene awake,
And seene theis things with open eyes, thus Isis too her spake.
My seruant Telethusa, cease this care, and breake the charge
Of Lyct. And when Lucina shall haue let thy frute at large,
Bring vp the same what ere it bee I am a Goddesse who
Delyghts in helping folke at neede. I hither come too doo
Thee good. thou shalt not haue a cause hereafter too complayne
Of seruing of a Goddesse that is thanklesse for thy payne.
When Isis had this comfort giuen, shee went her way agayne.
A ioyfull wyght rose Telethuse, and lifting too the sky
Her hardened hands, did pray hir dreame myght woorke effectually.
Her throwes increast, and forth alone anon the burthen came,
A wench was borne too Lyctus who knew nothing of the same.
The mother making him beleeue it was a boay, did bring
It vp, and none but shee and nurce were priuie too the thing.
The father thanking God did giue the chyld the Graundsyres name,
The which was Iphys. Ioyfull was the moother of the same,
Bycause the name did serue alike too man and woman bothe,
And so the lye through godly guile forth vnperceyued gothe.
The garments of it were a boayes. The face of it was such
As eyther in a boay or gyrle of beawtie vttered much.
When Iphys was of thirteene yeeres, her father did insure
The browne Ianthee vntoo her, a wench of looke demure,
Commended for her fauor and her person more than all
The Maydes of Phestos: Telest, men her fathers name did call.
He dwelt in Dyctis. They were bothe of age and fauor leeke,
And vnder both one schoolemayster they did for nurture seeke.
And herevpon the hartes of both, the dart of Loue did streeke.
And wounded both of them aleeke. But vnlike was theyr hope.
Both longed for the wedding day toogither for too cope.
For whom Ianthee thinkes too bee a man, shee hopes too see
Her husband. Iphys loues whereof shee thinkes shee may not bee
Partaker, and the selfe same thing augmenteth still her flame.
Herself a Mayden with a Mayd (ryght straunge) in loue became.
Her hardened hands, did pray hir dreame myght woorke effectually.
Her throwes increast, and forth alone anon the burthen came,
A wench was borne too Lyctus who knew nothing of the same.
The mother making him beleeue it was a boay, did bring
It vp, and none but shee and nurce were priuie too the thing.
The father thanking God did giue the chyld the Graundsyres name,
The which was Iphys. Ioyfull was the moother of the same,
Bycause the name did serue alike too man and woman bothe,
And so the lye through godly guile forth vnperceyued gothe.
The garments of it were a boayes. The face of it was such
As eyther in a boay or gyrle of beawtie vttered much.
When Iphys was of thirteene yeeres, her father did insure
The browne Ianthee vntoo her, a wench of looke demure,
Commended for her fauor and her person more than all
The Maydes of Phestos: Telest, men her fathers name did call.
He dwelt in Dyctis. They were bothe of age and fauor leeke,
And vnder both one schoolemayster they did for nurture seeke.
And herevpon the hartes of both, the dart of Loue did streeke.
122
Both longed for the wedding day toogither for too cope.
For whom Ianthee thinkes too bee a man, shee hopes too see
Her husband. Iphys loues whereof shee thinkes shee may not bee
Partaker, and the selfe same thing augmenteth still her flame.
Herself a Mayden with a Mayd (ryght straunge) in loue became.
Shee scarce could stay her teares. What end remaynes for mee (quoth shee)
How straunge a loue? how vncoth? how prodigious reygnes in mee?
If that the Gods did fauor mee, they should destroy mee quyght.
Or if they would not mee destroy, at least wyse yit they myght
Haue giuen mee such a maladie as myght with nature stond,
Or nature were acquainted with. A Cow is neuer fond
Uppon a Cow, nor Mare on Mare. The Ram delyghts the Eawe,
The Stag the Hynde, the Cocke the Hen. But neuer man could shew,
That female yit was tane in loue with female kynd. O would
Too God I neuer had beene borne. Yit least that Candy should
Not bring foorth all that monstruous were, the daughter of the Sonne
Did loue a Bull. Howbeet there was a Male too dote vppon.
My loue is furiouser than hers, if truthe confessed bee.
For shee was fond of such a lust as myght bee compast. Shee
Was serued by a Bull beguyld by Art in Cow of tree.
And one there was for her with whom aduowtrie to commit.
If all the conning in the worlde and slyghts of suttle wit
Were heere, or if that Dædalus himselfe with vncowth wing
Of Wax should hither fly againe, what comfort should he bring?
Could he with all his conning crafts now make a boay of mee?
Or could he O Iänthee chaunge the natiue shape of thee?
Nay rather Iphys settle thou thy mynd and call thy witts
Abowt thee: shake thou of theis flames that foolishly by fitts
With out all reason reigne. Thou seest what Nature hathe thee made
(Onlesse thow wilt deceyue thy selfe.) So farre foorth wysely wade,
As ryght and reason may support, and loue as women ought
Hope is the thing that breedes desyre, hope feedes the amorous thought.
This hope thy sex denieth thee. Not watching doth restreyne
Thee from embracing of the thing wherof thou art so fayne.
Nor yit the Husbands iealowsie, nor rowghnesse of her Syre,
Nor yit the coynesse of the Wench dooth hinder thy desyre.
And yit thou canst not her enioy. No though that God and man
Should labor too their vttermost and doo the best they can
In thy behalfe, they could not make a happy wyght of thee.
I cannot wish the thing but that I haue it. Frank and free
The Goddes haue giuen mee what they could. As I will, so will hee
That must become my fathrinlaw. so willes my father too.
But nature stronger than them all consenteth not theretoo.
This hindreth mee, and nothing else. Behold the blisfull tyme,
The day of Mariage is at hand. Iänthee shalbee myne,
And yit I shall not her enioy. Amid the water wee
Shall thirst. O Iuno president of mariage, why with thee
Comes Hymen too this wedding where no brydegroome you shall see,
But bothe are Brydes that must that day toogither coupled bee?
How straunge a loue? how vncoth? how prodigious reygnes in mee?
If that the Gods did fauor mee, they should destroy mee quyght.
Or if they would not mee destroy, at least wyse yit they myght
Haue giuen mee such a maladie as myght with nature stond,
Or nature were acquainted with. A Cow is neuer fond
Uppon a Cow, nor Mare on Mare. The Ram delyghts the Eawe,
The Stag the Hynde, the Cocke the Hen. But neuer man could shew,
That female yit was tane in loue with female kynd. O would
Too God I neuer had beene borne. Yit least that Candy should
Not bring foorth all that monstruous were, the daughter of the Sonne
Did loue a Bull. Howbeet there was a Male too dote vppon.
My loue is furiouser than hers, if truthe confessed bee.
For shee was fond of such a lust as myght bee compast. Shee
Was serued by a Bull beguyld by Art in Cow of tree.
And one there was for her with whom aduowtrie to commit.
If all the conning in the worlde and slyghts of suttle wit
Were heere, or if that Dædalus himselfe with vncowth wing
Of Wax should hither fly againe, what comfort should he bring?
Could he with all his conning crafts now make a boay of mee?
Or could he O Iänthee chaunge the natiue shape of thee?
Nay rather Iphys settle thou thy mynd and call thy witts
Abowt thee: shake thou of theis flames that foolishly by fitts
With out all reason reigne. Thou seest what Nature hathe thee made
(Onlesse thow wilt deceyue thy selfe.) So farre foorth wysely wade,
As ryght and reason may support, and loue as women ought
Hope is the thing that breedes desyre, hope feedes the amorous thought.
This hope thy sex denieth thee. Not watching doth restreyne
Thee from embracing of the thing wherof thou art so fayne.
Nor yit the Husbands iealowsie, nor rowghnesse of her Syre,
Nor yit the coynesse of the Wench dooth hinder thy desyre.
[122]
Should labor too their vttermost and doo the best they can
In thy behalfe, they could not make a happy wyght of thee.
I cannot wish the thing but that I haue it. Frank and free
The Goddes haue giuen mee what they could. As I will, so will hee
That must become my fathrinlaw. so willes my father too.
But nature stronger than them all consenteth not theretoo.
This hindreth mee, and nothing else. Behold the blisfull tyme,
The day of Mariage is at hand. Iänthee shalbee myne,
And yit I shall not her enioy. Amid the water wee
Shall thirst. O Iuno president of mariage, why with thee
Comes Hymen too this wedding where no brydegroome you shall see,
But bothe are Brydes that must that day toogither coupled bee?
This spoken, shee did hold hir peace. And now the toother mayd
Did burne as whote in loue as shee. And earnestly shee prayd
The brydale day myght come with speede. The thing for which shee longd
Dame Telethusa fearing sore, from day too day prolongd
The tyme, oft feyning siknesse, oft pretending shee had seene
Ill tokens of successe. at length all shifts consumed beene.
The wedding day so oft delayd was now at hand. The day
Before it, taking from her head the kercheef quyght away,
And from her daughters head likewyse, with scattred heare she layd
Her handes vpon the Altar, and with humble voyce thus prayd.
Did burne as whote in loue as shee. And earnestly shee prayd
The brydale day myght come with speede. The thing for which shee longd
Dame Telethusa fearing sore, from day too day prolongd
The tyme, oft feyning siknesse, oft pretending shee had seene
Ill tokens of successe. at length all shifts consumed beene.
The wedding day so oft delayd was now at hand. The day
Before it, taking from her head the kercheef quyght away,
And from her daughters head likewyse, with scattred heare she layd
Her handes vpon the Altar, and with humble voyce thus prayd.
O Isis who doost haunt the towne of Paretonie, and
The feeldes by Maræotis lake, and Pharos which dooth stand
By Alexandria, and the Nyle diuided intoo seuen
Great channels, comfort thou my feare, and send mee help from heauen,
Thyself O Goddesse, euen thyself, and theis thy relikes I
Did once behold and knew them all: as well thy company
As eke thy sounding rattles, and thy cressets burning by,
And myndfully I marked what commaundement thou didst giue.
That I escape vnpunished, that this same wench dooth liue,
Thy counsell and thy hest it is. Haue mercy now on twayne,
And help vs. With that word the teares ran downe her cheekes amayne.
The feeldes by Maræotis lake, and Pharos which dooth stand
By Alexandria, and the Nyle diuided intoo seuen
Great channels, comfort thou my feare, and send mee help from heauen,
Thyself O Goddesse, euen thyself, and theis thy relikes I
Did once behold and knew them all: as well thy company
As eke thy sounding rattles, and thy cressets burning by,
And myndfully I marked what commaundement thou didst giue.
That I escape vnpunished, that this same wench dooth liue,
Thy counsell and thy hest it is. Haue mercy now on twayne,
And help vs. With that word the teares ran downe her cheekes amayne.
The Goddesse seemed for too moue her Altar: and in deede
She moued it. The temple doores did tremble like a reede.
And hornes in likenesse too the Moone about the Church did shyne.
And Rattles made a raughtish noyse. At this same luckie signe,
Although not wholy carelesse, yit ryght glad shee went away.
And Iphys followed after her with larger pace than ay
Shee was accustomd. And her face continued not so whyght.
Her strength encreased, and her looke more sharper was too syght.
Her heare grew shorter, and shee had a much more liuely spryght,
Than when shee was a wench. For thou O Iphys who ryght now
A modther wert, art now a boay. With offrings both of yow
Too Church retyre, and there reioyce with fayth vnfearfull. They
With offrings went too Church ageine, and there theyr vowes did pay.
They also set a table vp, which this breef meeter had.
The vovves that Iphys vovvd a vvench he hath performd a Lad.
Next morrow ouer all the world did shine with lightsome flame,
When Iuno, and Dame Venus, and Sir Hymen ioyntly came
Too Iphys mariage, who as then transformed too a boay
Did take Iänthee too his wyfe, and so her loue enioy
She moued it. The temple doores did tremble like a reede.
And hornes in likenesse too the Moone about the Church did shyne.
123
Although not wholy carelesse, yit ryght glad shee went away.
And Iphys followed after her with larger pace than ay
Shee was accustomd. And her face continued not so whyght.
Her strength encreased, and her looke more sharper was too syght.
Her heare grew shorter, and shee had a much more liuely spryght,
Than when shee was a wench. For thou O Iphys who ryght now
A modther wert, art now a boay. With offrings both of yow
Too Church retyre, and there reioyce with fayth vnfearfull. They
With offrings went too Church ageine, and there theyr vowes did pay.
They also set a table vp, which this breef meeter had.
The vovves that Iphys vovvd a vvench he hath performd a Lad.
Next morrow ouer all the world did shine with lightsome flame,
When Iuno, and Dame Venus, and Sir Hymen ioyntly came
Too Iphys mariage, who as then transformed too a boay
Did take Iänthee too his wyfe, and so her loue enioy
Finis noni Libri.
[123]
THE TENTH BOOKE of Ouids Metamorphosis.
From
thence in saffron colourd robe flew Hymen through ye ayre,
And into Thracia beeing called by Orphy did repayre.
He came in deede at Orphyes call: but neyther did he sing
The woordes of that solemnitie, nor merry countnance bring,
Nor any handsell of good lucke. His torch with drizling smoke
Was dim: the same too burne out cleere, no stirrring could prouoke.
The end was woorser than the signe. For as the Bryde did rome
Abrode accompanyde with a trayne of Nymphes too bring her home,
A serpent lurking in the grasse did sting her in the ancle:
Whereof shee dyde incontinent, so swift the bane did rancle.
Whom when the Thracian Poet had bewayld sufficiently
On earth, the Ghostes departed hence he minding for too trie,
Downe at the gate of Tænarus did go too Limbo lake.
And thence by gastly folk and soules late buried he did take
His iourney too Persephonee and too the king of Ghosts
That like a Lordly tyran reignes in those vnpleasant coasts.
And playing on his tuned harp he thus began too sound.
And into Thracia beeing called by Orphy did repayre.
He came in deede at Orphyes call: but neyther did he sing
The woordes of that solemnitie, nor merry countnance bring,
Nor any handsell of good lucke. His torch with drizling smoke
Was dim: the same too burne out cleere, no stirrring could prouoke.
The end was woorser than the signe. For as the Bryde did rome
Abrode accompanyde with a trayne of Nymphes too bring her home,
A serpent lurking in the grasse did sting her in the ancle:
Whereof shee dyde incontinent, so swift the bane did rancle.
Whom when the Thracian Poet had bewayld sufficiently
On earth, the Ghostes departed hence he minding for too trie,
Downe at the gate of Tænarus did go too Limbo lake.
And thence by gastly folk and soules late buried he did take
His iourney too Persephonee and too the king of Ghosts
That like a Lordly tyran reignes in those vnpleasant coasts.
And playing on his tuned harp he thus began too sound.
O you the Souereines of the world set vnderneath the ground,
Too whome wee all (what euer thing is made of mortall kynd)
Repayre, if by your leaue I now may freely speake my mynd,
I come not hither as a spye the shady Hell too see:
Nor yet the foule three headed Curre whose heares all Adders bee
Too tye in cheynes. The cause of this my vyage is my wyfe
Whose foote a Uiper stinging did abridge her youthfull lyfe.
I would haue borne it paciently: and so too doo I straue.
But Loue surmounted powre. This God is knowen great force too haue
Aboue on earth. And whether he reigne heere or no I dowt.
But I beleeue hee reignes heere too. If fame that flies abowt
Of former rape report not wrong, Loue coupled also yow.
By theis same places full of feare: by this howge Chaos now,
And by the stilnesse of this waste and emptye Kingdome, I
Beseech yee of Eurydicee vnreele the destinye
That was so swiftly reeled vp All things too you belong.
And though wee lingring for a whyle our pageants doo prolong,
Yit soone or late wee all too one abyding place doo rome:
Wee haste vs hither all: this place becomes our latest home:
And you doo ouer humaine kynd reigne longest tyme. Now when
This woman shall haue liued full her tyme, shee shall agen
Become your owne. The vse of her but for a whyle I craue.
And if the Destnyes for my wyfe denye mee for too haue
Releace, I fully am resolvd for euer heere too dwell.
Reioyce you in the death of both. As he this tale did tell,
Too whome wee all (what euer thing is made of mortall kynd)
Repayre, if by your leaue I now may freely speake my mynd,
I come not hither as a spye the shady Hell too see:
Nor yet the foule three headed Curre whose heares all Adders bee
Too tye in cheynes. The cause of this my vyage is my wyfe
Whose foote a Uiper stinging did abridge her youthfull lyfe.
I would haue borne it paciently: and so too doo I straue.
But Loue surmounted powre. This God is knowen great force too haue
Aboue on earth. And whether he reigne heere or no I dowt.
But I beleeue hee reignes heere too. If fame that flies abowt
Of former rape report not wrong, Loue coupled also yow.
By theis same places full of feare: by this howge Chaos now,
And by the stilnesse of this waste and emptye Kingdome, I
Beseech yee of Eurydicee vnreele the destinye
That was so swiftly reeled vp All things too you belong.
And though wee lingring for a whyle our pageants doo prolong,
123
Wee haste vs hither all: this place becomes our latest home:
And you doo ouer humaine kynd reigne longest tyme. Now when
This woman shall haue liued full her tyme, shee shall agen
Become your owne. The vse of her but for a whyle I craue.
And if the Destnyes for my wyfe denye mee for too haue
Releace, I fully am resolvd for euer heere too dwell.
Reioyce you in the death of both. As he this tale did tell,
And played on his instrument, the bloodlesse ghostes shed teares:
Too tyre on Titius growing hart the greedy Grype forbeares:
The shunning water Tantalus endeuereth not too drink:
And Danaus daughters ceast too fill theyr tubbes that haue no brink.
Ixions wheele stood still: and downe sate Sisyphus vppon
His rolling stone. Then first of all (so fame for truth hath gone)
The Furies beeing striken there with pitie at his song
Did weepe. And neyther Pluto nor his Ladie were so strong
And hard of stomacke too withhold his iust petition long.
They called foorth Eurydicee who was as yit among
The newcome Ghosts. and limped of her wound. Her husband tooke
Her with condicion that he should not backe vppon her looke,
Untill the tyme that hee were past the bounds of Limbo quyght:
Or else too lose his gyft. They tooke a path that steepe vpryght
Rose darke and full of foggye mist. And now they were within
A kenning of the vpper earth, when Orphye did begin
Too dowt him least shee followed not, and through an eager loue
Desyrous for too see her he his eyes did backward moue.
Immediatly shee slipped backe. He retching out his hands,
Desyrous too bee caught and for too ketch her grasping stands.
But nothing saue the slippry aire (vnhappy man) he caught.
Shee dying now the second tyme complaynd of Orphye naught.
For why what had shee too complayne, onlesse it were of loue?
Which made her husband backe agen his eyes vppon her moue?
Her last farewell shee spake so oft, that scarce he heard the sound,
And then reuolted too the place in which he had her found.
Too tyre on Titius growing hart the greedy Grype forbeares:
The shunning water Tantalus endeuereth not too drink:
And Danaus daughters ceast too fill theyr tubbes that haue no brink.
Ixions wheele stood still: and downe sate Sisyphus vppon
His rolling stone. Then first of all (so fame for truth hath gone)
The Furies beeing striken there with pitie at his song
Did weepe. And neyther Pluto nor his Ladie were so strong
And hard of stomacke too withhold his iust petition long.
They called foorth Eurydicee who was as yit among
The newcome Ghosts. and limped of her wound. Her husband tooke
Her with condicion that he should not backe vppon her looke,
Untill the tyme that hee were past the bounds of Limbo quyght:
Or else too lose his gyft. They tooke a path that steepe vpryght
Rose darke and full of foggye mist. And now they were within
A kenning of the vpper earth, when Orphye did begin
Too dowt him least shee followed not, and through an eager loue
Desyrous for too see her he his eyes did backward moue.
Immediatly shee slipped backe. He retching out his hands,
Desyrous too bee caught and for too ketch her grasping stands.
But nothing saue the slippry aire (vnhappy man) he caught.
Shee dying now the second tyme complaynd of Orphye naught.
For why what had shee too complayne, onlesse it were of loue?
Which made her husband backe agen his eyes vppon her moue?
Her last farewell shee spake so oft, that scarce he heard the sound,
And then reuolted too the place in which he had her found.
This double dying of his wyfe set Orphye in a stound,
No lesse than him who at the syght of Plutos dreadfull Hound
That on the middle necke of three dooth beare an iron cheyne,
Was striken in a sodein feare and could it not restreyne,
Untill the tyme his former shape and nature beeing gone,
His body quyght was ouergrowne, and turned intoo stone.
Or than the foolish Olenus, who on himself did take
Anothers fault, and giltlesse needes himself would giltie make,
Toogither with his wretched wyfe Lethæa, for whose pryde
They both becomming stones, doo stand euen yit on watry Ide.
He would haue gone too Hell ageine, and earnest sute did make:
But Charon would not suffer him too passe the Stygian lake.
Seuen dayes he sate forlorne vppon the bank and neuer eate
A bit of bread. Care, teares, and thought, and sorrow were his meate
And crying out vppon the Gods of Hell as cruell, hee
Withdrew too lofty Rhodopee and Heme which beaten bee
With Northern wynds. Three tymes the Sunne had passed through the sheere
And watry signe of Pisces and had finisht full the yeere.
And Orphye (were it that his ill successe hee still did rew,
Or that he vowed so too doo) did vtterly eschew
The womankynd. Yit many a one desyrous were too match
With him, but he them with repulse did all alike dispatch.
He also taught the Thracian folke a stewes of Males too make
And of the flowring pryme of boayes the pleasure for too take.
No lesse than him who at the syght of Plutos dreadfull Hound
That on the middle necke of three dooth beare an iron cheyne,
[123]
Untill the tyme his former shape and nature beeing gone,
His body quyght was ouergrowne, and turned intoo stone.
Or than the foolish Olenus, who on himself did take
Anothers fault, and giltlesse needes himself would giltie make,
Toogither with his wretched wyfe Lethæa, for whose pryde
They both becomming stones, doo stand euen yit on watry Ide.
He would haue gone too Hell ageine, and earnest sute did make:
But Charon would not suffer him too passe the Stygian lake.
Seuen dayes he sate forlorne vppon the bank and neuer eate
A bit of bread. Care, teares, and thought, and sorrow were his meate
And crying out vppon the Gods of Hell as cruell, hee
Withdrew too lofty Rhodopee and Heme which beaten bee
With Northern wynds. Three tymes the Sunne had passed through the sheere
And watry signe of Pisces and had finisht full the yeere.
And Orphye (were it that his ill successe hee still did rew,
Or that he vowed so too doo) did vtterly eschew
The womankynd. Yit many a one desyrous were too match
With him, but he them with repulse did all alike dispatch.
He also taught the Thracian folke a stewes of Males too make
And of the flowring pryme of boayes the pleasure for too take.
There was a hyll, and on the hyll a verie leuell plot.
Fayre greene with grasse. But as for shade or couert was there not.
Assoone as that this Poet borne of Goddes, in that same place
Sate downe and toucht his tuned strings, a shadow came a pace.
There wanted neyther Chaons tree, nor yit the trees too which
Fresh Phaetons susters turned were, nor Beeche, nor Holme, nor Wich
Nor gentle Asp, nor wyuelesse Bay, nor lofty Chestnut tree.
Nor Hazle spalt, nor Ash wherof the shafts of speares made bee.
Nor knotlesse Firre, nor cheerfull Plane, nor Maple flecked grayne.
Nor Lote, nor Sallow which delights by waters too remayne.
Nor slender twigged Tamarisk, nor Box ay greene of hew.
Nor Figtrees loden with theyr frute of colours browne and blew.
Nor double colourd Myrtletrees. Moreouer thither came
The wrything Iuye, and the Uyne that runnes vppon a frame.
Elmes clad with Uynes, and Ashes wyld, and Pitchtrees blacke as cole,
And full of trees with goodly frute red stryped, Ortyards whole.
And Palmetrees lythe which in reward of conquest men doo beare,
And Pynapple with tufted top and harsh and prickling heare,
The tree too Cybele mother of the Goddes most deere. For why?
Her minion Atys putting of the shape of man, did dye,
And hardened intoo this same tree. Among this companee
Was present with a pyked top the Cypresse, now a tree,
Sumtime a boay beloued of the God that with a string
Dooth arme his bow, and with a string in tune his Uiall bring.
For, hallowed too the Nymphes that in the feeldes of Carthye were
There was a goodly myghty Stag whose hornes such bredth did beare,
As that they shadowed all his head. His hornes of gold did shyne,
And downe his brest hung from his necke, a cheyne with iewels fyne.
Amid his frunt with prettie strings a tablet beeing tyde,
Did wauer as he went: and from his eares on eyther syde
Hung perles of all one growth about his hollow temples bryght.
This goodly Spitter beeing voyd of dread, as hauing quyght
Forgot his natiue fearefulnesse, did haunt mens houses, and
Would suffer folk (yea though vnknowen) too coy him with theyr hand.
But more than vntoo all folke else he deerer was too thee
O Cyparisse the fayrest Wyght that euer man did see
In Cœa. Thou too pastures, thou too water springs him led,
Thou wreathedst sundry flowres betweene his hornes vppon his hed.
Sumtyme a horsman thou his backe for pleasure didst bestryde,
And haltring him with silken bit from place too place didst ryde.
In summer tyme about hygh noone when Titan with his heate
Did make the hollow crabbed cleas of Cancer for too sweate,
Unweeting Cyparissus with a Dart did strike this Hart
Quyght through. And when that of the wound he saw he must depart,
He purposd for too die himself. What woords of comfort spake
Not Phœbus too him? willing him the matter lyght too take
And not more sorrow for it than was requisite too make.
But still the Lad did sygh and sob, and as his last request
Desyred God he myght thenceforth from moorning neuer rest.
Anon through weeping ouermuch his blood was drayned quyght:
His limbes wext greene: his heare which hung vpō his forehead whyght
Began too bee a bristled bush: and taking by and by
A stiffnesse, with a sharpened top did face the starrie skye
The God did sigh, and sadly sayd. Myselfe shall moorne for thee,
And thou for others: and ay one in moorning thou shalt bee.
Such wood as this had Orphye drawen about him as among
The herdes of beasts, and flocks of Birds he sate amyds the throng.
And when his thumbe sufficiently had tryed euery string,
And found that though they seuerally in sundry sounds did ring,
Yit made they all one Harmonie. He thus began too sing.
Fayre greene with grasse. But as for shade or couert was there not.
Assoone as that this Poet borne of Goddes, in that same place
Sate downe and toucht his tuned strings, a shadow came a pace.
There wanted neyther Chaons tree, nor yit the trees too which
Fresh Phaetons susters turned were, nor Beeche, nor Holme, nor Wich
Nor gentle Asp, nor wyuelesse Bay, nor lofty Chestnut tree.
Nor Hazle spalt, nor Ash wherof the shafts of speares made bee.
Nor knotlesse Firre, nor cheerfull Plane, nor Maple flecked grayne.
Nor Lote, nor Sallow which delights by waters too remayne.
Nor slender twigged Tamarisk, nor Box ay greene of hew.
Nor Figtrees loden with theyr frute of colours browne and blew.
Nor double colourd Myrtletrees. Moreouer thither came
The wrything Iuye, and the Uyne that runnes vppon a frame.
Elmes clad with Uynes, and Ashes wyld, and Pitchtrees blacke as cole,
And full of trees with goodly frute red stryped, Ortyards whole.
125
And Pynapple with tufted top and harsh and prickling heare,
The tree too Cybele mother of the Goddes most deere. For why?
Her minion Atys putting of the shape of man, did dye,
And hardened intoo this same tree. Among this companee
Was present with a pyked top the Cypresse, now a tree,
Sumtime a boay beloued of the God that with a string
Dooth arme his bow, and with a string in tune his Uiall bring.
For, hallowed too the Nymphes that in the feeldes of Carthye were
There was a goodly myghty Stag whose hornes such bredth did beare,
As that they shadowed all his head. His hornes of gold did shyne,
And downe his brest hung from his necke, a cheyne with iewels fyne.
Amid his frunt with prettie strings a tablet beeing tyde,
Did wauer as he went: and from his eares on eyther syde
Hung perles of all one growth about his hollow temples bryght.
This goodly Spitter beeing voyd of dread, as hauing quyght
Forgot his natiue fearefulnesse, did haunt mens houses, and
Would suffer folk (yea though vnknowen) too coy him with theyr hand.
But more than vntoo all folke else he deerer was too thee
O Cyparisse the fayrest Wyght that euer man did see
In Cœa. Thou too pastures, thou too water springs him led,
Thou wreathedst sundry flowres betweene his hornes vppon his hed.
Sumtyme a horsman thou his backe for pleasure didst bestryde,
And haltring him with silken bit from place too place didst ryde.
In summer tyme about hygh noone when Titan with his heate
Did make the hollow crabbed cleas of Cancer for too sweate,
Unweeting Cyparissus with a Dart did strike this Hart
Quyght through. And when that of the wound he saw he must depart,
He purposd for too die himself. What woords of comfort spake
Not Phœbus too him? willing him the matter lyght too take
And not more sorrow for it than was requisite too make.
But still the Lad did sygh and sob, and as his last request
Desyred God he myght thenceforth from moorning neuer rest.
Anon through weeping ouermuch his blood was drayned quyght:
His limbes wext greene: his heare which hung vpō his forehead whyght
Began too bee a bristled bush: and taking by and by
A stiffnesse, with a sharpened top did face the starrie skye
[125]
And thou for others: and ay one in moorning thou shalt bee.
Such wood as this had Orphye drawen about him as among
The herdes of beasts, and flocks of Birds he sate amyds the throng.
And when his thumbe sufficiently had tryed euery string,
And found that though they seuerally in sundry sounds did ring,
Yit made they all one Harmonie. He thus began too sing.
O Muse my mother frame my song of Ioue. for euery thing
Is subiect vntoo royall Ioue. Of loue the heauenly King
I oft haue shewed the glorious power. I erst in grauer verse
The Gyants slayne in Phlægra feeldes with thunder, did reherse.
But now I neede a meelder style too tell of prettie boyes
That were the derlings of the Gods: and of vnlawfull ioyes
That burned in the brests of Girles, who for theyr wicked lust
According as they did deserue, receyued penance iust.
The King of Goddes did burne erewhyle in loue of Ganymed
The Phrygian and the thing was found which Iupiter that sted
Had rather bee than that he was. Yit could he not beteeme
The shape of any other Bird than Aegle for too seeme
And so he soring in the ayre with borrowed wings trust vp
The Troiane boay who still in heauen euen yit dooth beare his cup,
And brings him Nectar though against Dame Iunos will it bee.
Is subiect vntoo royall Ioue. Of loue the heauenly King
I oft haue shewed the glorious power. I erst in grauer verse
The Gyants slayne in Phlægra feeldes with thunder, did reherse.
But now I neede a meelder style too tell of prettie boyes
That were the derlings of the Gods: and of vnlawfull ioyes
That burned in the brests of Girles, who for theyr wicked lust
According as they did deserue, receyued penance iust.
The King of Goddes did burne erewhyle in loue of Ganymed
The Phrygian and the thing was found which Iupiter that sted
Had rather bee than that he was. Yit could he not beteeme
The shape of any other Bird than Aegle for too seeme
And so he soring in the ayre with borrowed wings trust vp
The Troiane boay who still in heauen euen yit dooth beare his cup,
And brings him Nectar though against Dame Iunos will it bee.
And thou Amyclys sonne (had not thy heauy destinee
Abridged thee before thy tyme) hadst also placed beene
By Phœbus in the firmament. How bee it (as is seene)
Thou art eternall so farre forth as may bee. For as oft
As watrie Piscis giueth place too Aries that the soft
And gentle springtyde dooth succeede the winter sharp and stowre:
So often thou renewest thyself, and on the fayre greene clowre
Doost shoote out flowres. My father bare a speciall loue too thee
Aboue all others. So that whyle the God went oft too see
Eurotas and vnwalled Spart, he left his noble towne
Of Delphos (which a mid the world is situate in renowne)
Without a souereigne Neyther Harp nor Bow regarded were.
Unmyndfull of his Godhead he refused not too beare
The nets, nor for too hold the hounds, nor as a peynfull mate
Too trauell ouer cragged hilles, through which continuall gate
His flames augmented more and more. And now the sunne did stand
Well neere midway betweene the nyghts last past and next at hand.
They stript themselues and noynted them with oyle of Olyfe fat.
And fell to throwing of a Sledge that was ryght howge and flat.
Fyrst Phœbus peysing it did throw it from him with such strength,
As that the weyght draue downe the clouds in flying. And at length
It fell vpon substantiall ground, where plainly it did show
As well the cunning as the force of him that did it throw.
Immediatly vpon desyre himself the sport too trie,
The Spartane lad made haste too take vp vnaduisedly
The Sledge before it still did lye. But as he was in hand
Too catch it, it rebounding vp ageinst the hardened land,
Did hit him full vpon the face. The God himselfe did looke
As pale as did the lad, and vp his swounding body tooke.
Now culles he him, now wypes he from the wound the blood away,
Anotherwhyle his fading lyfe he stryues with herbes too stay.
Nought booted Leechcraft. Helplesse was the wound. And like as one
Broosd violet stalkes or Poppie stalkes or Lillies growing on
Browne spindles, streight they withering droope with heauy heads & are
Not able for too hold them vp, but with their tops doo stare
Uppon the ground. So Hyacinth in yeelding of his breath
Chopt downe his head His necke bereft of strength by meanes of death
Was euen a burthen too itself, and downe did loosely wrythe
On both his shoulders, now a tone and now a toother lythe.
Thou faadst away my Hyacinth defrauded of the pryme
Of youth (quoth Phœbus) and I see thy wound my heynous cryme.
Thou art my sorrow and my fault: this hand of myne hath wrought
Thy death: I like a murtherer haue too thy graue thee brought.
But what haue I offended thow? onlesse that too haue playd,
Or if that too haue loued, an offence it may be sayd.
Would God I render myght my lyfe with and in stead of thee.
Too which syth fatall destinee denyeth too agree,
Both in my mynd and in my mouth thou euermore shalt bee.
My Uiall striken with my hand, my songs shall sound of thee,
And in a newmade flowre thou shalt with letters represent
Our syghings. And the tyme shall come ere many yeeres bee spent,
That in thy flowre a valeant Prince shall ioyne himself with thee,
And leaue his name vppon the leaues for men too reede and see.
Whyle Phœbus thus did prophesie, behold the blood of him
Which dyde the grasse, ceast blood too bee, and vp there sprang a trim
And goodly flowre, more orient than the Purple cloth ingrayne,
In shape a Lillye, were it not that Lillyes doo remayne
Of syluer colour, whereas theis of purple hew are seene.
Although that Phœbus had the cause of this greate honor beene,
Yit thought he not the same ynough. And therfore did he wryght
His syghes vppon the leaues thereof: and so in colour bryght
The flowre hath αι writ theron, which letters are of greef.
So small the Spartanes thought the birth of Hyacinth repreef
Unto them, that they woorship him from that day vntoo this.
And as their fathers did before, so they doe neuer misse
With solemne pomp too celebrate his feast from yeere too yeere.
Abridged thee before thy tyme) hadst also placed beene
By Phœbus in the firmament. How bee it (as is seene)
Thou art eternall so farre forth as may bee. For as oft
As watrie Piscis giueth place too Aries that the soft
And gentle springtyde dooth succeede the winter sharp and stowre:
So often thou renewest thyself, and on the fayre greene clowre
Doost shoote out flowres. My father bare a speciall loue too thee
Aboue all others. So that whyle the God went oft too see
Eurotas and vnwalled Spart, he left his noble towne
Of Delphos (which a mid the world is situate in renowne)
Without a souereigne Neyther Harp nor Bow regarded were.
Unmyndfull of his Godhead he refused not too beare
The nets, nor for too hold the hounds, nor as a peynfull mate
Too trauell ouer cragged hilles, through which continuall gate
125
Well neere midway betweene the nyghts last past and next at hand.
They stript themselues and noynted them with oyle of Olyfe fat.
And fell to throwing of a Sledge that was ryght howge and flat.
Fyrst Phœbus peysing it did throw it from him with such strength,
As that the weyght draue downe the clouds in flying. And at length
It fell vpon substantiall ground, where plainly it did show
As well the cunning as the force of him that did it throw.
Immediatly vpon desyre himself the sport too trie,
The Spartane lad made haste too take vp vnaduisedly
The Sledge before it still did lye. But as he was in hand
Too catch it, it rebounding vp ageinst the hardened land,
Did hit him full vpon the face. The God himselfe did looke
As pale as did the lad, and vp his swounding body tooke.
Now culles he him, now wypes he from the wound the blood away,
Anotherwhyle his fading lyfe he stryues with herbes too stay.
Nought booted Leechcraft. Helplesse was the wound. And like as one
Broosd violet stalkes or Poppie stalkes or Lillies growing on
Browne spindles, streight they withering droope with heauy heads & are
Not able for too hold them vp, but with their tops doo stare
Uppon the ground. So Hyacinth in yeelding of his breath
Chopt downe his head His necke bereft of strength by meanes of death
Was euen a burthen too itself, and downe did loosely wrythe
On both his shoulders, now a tone and now a toother lythe.
Thou faadst away my Hyacinth defrauded of the pryme
Of youth (quoth Phœbus) and I see thy wound my heynous cryme.
Thou art my sorrow and my fault: this hand of myne hath wrought
Thy death: I like a murtherer haue too thy graue thee brought.
But what haue I offended thow? onlesse that too haue playd,
Or if that too haue loued, an offence it may be sayd.
Would God I render myght my lyfe with and in stead of thee.
Too which syth fatall destinee denyeth too agree,
Both in my mynd and in my mouth thou euermore shalt bee.
My Uiall striken with my hand, my songs shall sound of thee,
And in a newmade flowre thou shalt with letters represent
Our syghings. And the tyme shall come ere many yeeres bee spent,
That in thy flowre a valeant Prince shall ioyne himself with thee,
[125]
Whyle Phœbus thus did prophesie, behold the blood of him
Which dyde the grasse, ceast blood too bee, and vp there sprang a trim
And goodly flowre, more orient than the Purple cloth ingrayne,
In shape a Lillye, were it not that Lillyes doo remayne
Of syluer colour, whereas theis of purple hew are seene.
Although that Phœbus had the cause of this greate honor beene,
Yit thought he not the same ynough. And therfore did he wryght
His syghes vppon the leaues thereof: and so in colour bryght
The flowre hath αι writ theron, which letters are of greef.
So small the Spartanes thought the birth of Hyacinth repreef
Unto them, that they woorship him from that day vntoo this.
And as their fathers did before, so they doe neuer misse
With solemne pomp too celebrate his feast from yeere too yeere.
But if perchaunce that Amathus the rich in mettals, weere
Demaunded if it would haue bred the Propets it would sweare,
Yea euen as gladly as the folke whose brewes sumtyme did beare,
A payre of welked hornes: whereof they Cerastes named are.
Before theyr doore an Altar stood of Ioue that takes the care.
Of alyents and of trauellers, which lothsome was too see,
For lewdnesse wrought theron. If one that had a straunger bee
Had lookt thereon, he would haue thought there had on it beene killd
Sum sucking calues or lambes. The blood of straūgers there was spilld.
Dame Venus sore offended at this wicked sacrifyse,
Too leaue her Cities and the land of Cyprus did deuyse.
But then bethinking her, shee sayd. What hath my pleasant ground
What haue my Cities trespassed? what fault in them is found?
Nay rather let this wicked race by exyle punnisht beene,
Or death, or by sum other thing that is a meane betweene
Both death and exyle. what is that? saue only for too chaunge
Theyr shape. In musing with herself what figure were most straunge,
Shee cast her eye vppon a horne. And therewithall shee thought
The same too bee a shape ryght meete vppon them too bee brought:
And so shee from theyr myghty limbes theyr natiue figure tooke,
And turnd them intoo boystous Bulles with grim and cruell looke
Yit durst the filthy Propets stand in stiffe opinion that
Dame Venus was no Goddesse till shee beeing wroth thereat,
Too make theyr bodies common first compelld them euerychone
And after chaungd theyr former kynd. For when that shame was gone,
And that they wexed brazen faast, shee turned them too stone,
In which betweene their former shape was diffrence small or none.
Demaunded if it would haue bred the Propets it would sweare,
Yea euen as gladly as the folke whose brewes sumtyme did beare,
A payre of welked hornes: whereof they Cerastes named are.
Before theyr doore an Altar stood of Ioue that takes the care.
Of alyents and of trauellers, which lothsome was too see,
For lewdnesse wrought theron. If one that had a straunger bee
Had lookt thereon, he would haue thought there had on it beene killd
Sum sucking calues or lambes. The blood of straūgers there was spilld.
Dame Venus sore offended at this wicked sacrifyse,
Too leaue her Cities and the land of Cyprus did deuyse.
But then bethinking her, shee sayd. What hath my pleasant ground
What haue my Cities trespassed? what fault in them is found?
Nay rather let this wicked race by exyle punnisht beene,
Or death, or by sum other thing that is a meane betweene
Both death and exyle. what is that? saue only for too chaunge
Theyr shape. In musing with herself what figure were most straunge,
Shee cast her eye vppon a horne. And therewithall shee thought
The same too bee a shape ryght meete vppon them too bee brought:
And so shee from theyr myghty limbes theyr natiue figure tooke,
And turnd them intoo boystous Bulles with grim and cruell looke
Yit durst the filthy Propets stand in stiffe opinion that
Dame Venus was no Goddesse till shee beeing wroth thereat,
127
And after chaungd theyr former kynd. For when that shame was gone,
And that they wexed brazen faast, shee turned them too stone,
In which betweene their former shape was diffrence small or none.
Whom forbycause Pygmalion saw too leade theyr lyfe in sin
Offended with the vice whereof greate store is packt within
The nature of the womankynd, he led a single lyfe.
And long it was ere he could fynd in hart too take a wyfe.
Now in the whyle by wondrous Art an image he did graue
Of such proportion, shape, and grace as nature neuer gaue
Nor can too any woman giue. In this his worke he tooke
A certaine loue. The looke of it was ryght a Maydens looke,
And such a one as that yee would beleeue had lyfe, and that
Would moued bee, if womanhod and reuerence letted not:
So artificiall was the work. He woondreth at his Art
And of his counterfetted corse conceyueth loue in hart.
He often toucht it, feeling if the woork that he had made
Were verie flesh or Iuorye still. Yit could he not perswade
Himself too think it Iuory. For he oftentymes it kist
And thought it kissed him ageine. He hild it by the fist,
And talked too it. He beleeued his fingars made a dint
Uppon her flesh, and feared least sum blacke or broosed print
Should come by touching ouer hard. Sumtyme with pleasant boords
And wanton toyes he dalyingly dooth cast foorth amorous woords.
Sumtime (the giftes wherein yong Maydes are wonted too delyght)
He brought her owches, fyne round stones, and Lillyes fayre & whyght,
And pretie singing birds, and flowres of thousand sorts and hew,
And peynted balles, and Amber from the tree distilled new.
In gorgeous garments furthermore he did her also decke,
And on her fingars put me rings, and cheynes about her necke.
Riche perles were hanging at her eares, and tablets at her brest.
All kynd of things became her well. And when she was vndrest,
Shee seemed not lesse beawtifull He layd her in a bed
The which with scarlet dyde in Tyre was richly ouerspred,
And terming her his bedfellow, he couched downe hir head
Uppon a pillow soft, as though shee could haue felt the same.
Offended with the vice whereof greate store is packt within
The nature of the womankynd, he led a single lyfe.
And long it was ere he could fynd in hart too take a wyfe.
Now in the whyle by wondrous Art an image he did graue
Of such proportion, shape, and grace as nature neuer gaue
Nor can too any woman giue. In this his worke he tooke
A certaine loue. The looke of it was ryght a Maydens looke,
And such a one as that yee would beleeue had lyfe, and that
Would moued bee, if womanhod and reuerence letted not:
So artificiall was the work. He woondreth at his Art
And of his counterfetted corse conceyueth loue in hart.
He often toucht it, feeling if the woork that he had made
Were verie flesh or Iuorye still. Yit could he not perswade
Himself too think it Iuory. For he oftentymes it kist
And thought it kissed him ageine. He hild it by the fist,
And talked too it. He beleeued his fingars made a dint
Uppon her flesh, and feared least sum blacke or broosed print
Should come by touching ouer hard. Sumtyme with pleasant boords
And wanton toyes he dalyingly dooth cast foorth amorous woords.
Sumtime (the giftes wherein yong Maydes are wonted too delyght)
He brought her owches, fyne round stones, and Lillyes fayre & whyght,
And pretie singing birds, and flowres of thousand sorts and hew,
And peynted balles, and Amber from the tree distilled new.
In gorgeous garments furthermore he did her also decke,
And on her fingars put me rings, and cheynes about her necke.
Riche perles were hanging at her eares, and tablets at her brest.
All kynd of things became her well. And when she was vndrest,
Shee seemed not lesse beawtifull He layd her in a bed
The which with scarlet dyde in Tyre was richly ouerspred,
And terming her his bedfellow, he couched downe hir head
Uppon a pillow soft, as though shee could haue felt the same.
The feast of Venus hallowed through the Ile of Cyprus, came
And Bullocks whyght with gilden hornes were slayne for sacrifyse,
And vp too heauen of frankincence the smoky fume did ryse.
When as Pygmalion hauing doone his dutye that same day,
Beefore the altar standing, thus with fearefull hart did say.
If that you Goddes can all things giue, then let my wife (I pray)
(He durst not say bee yoonsame wench of Iuory, but) bee leeke
My wench of Iuory. Venus (who was nought at all to seeke
What such a wish as that did meene) then present at her feast,
For handsell of her freendly helpe did cause three tymes at least
The fyre to kindle and to spyre thryse vpward in the ayre.
Assoone as he came home, streyght way Pygmalion did repayre
Unto the Image of his wench, and leaning on the bed,
Did kisse hir. In her body streyght a warmenesse seemd too spred.
He put his mouth againe to hers, and on her brest did lay
His hand. The Iuory wexed soft: and putting quyght away
All hardnesse, yeelded vnderneathe his fingars, as wee see
A peece of wax made soft ageinst the Sunne, or drawen too bee
In diuers shapes by chaufing it betweene ones handes, and so
To serue to vses. He amazde stood wauering too and fro
Tweene ioy, and feare too bee beeguyld, ageine he burnt in loue,
Ageine with feeling he began his wisshed hope too proue.
He felt it verrye flesh in deede. By laying on his thumb,
He felt her pulses beating. Then he stood no longer dumb
But thanked Venus with his hart. and at the length he layd
His mouth to hers who was as then become a perfect mayd.
Shee felt the kisse, and blusht therat: and lifting fearefully
Hir eyelidds vp, hir Louer and the light at once did spye.
The mariage that her selfe had made the Goddesse blessed so,
That when the Moone with fulsum lyght nyne tymes her course had go,
This Ladye was deliuered of a Sun that Paphus hyght,
Of whom the Iland takes that name. Of him was borne a knyght
Calld Cinyras who (had he had none issue) surely myght
Of all men vnderneathe the sun beene thought the happyest wyght.
[127]
And vp too heauen of frankincence the smoky fume did ryse.
When as Pygmalion hauing doone his dutye that same day,
Beefore the altar standing, thus with fearefull hart did say.
If that you Goddes can all things giue, then let my wife (I pray)
(He durst not say bee yoonsame wench of Iuory, but) bee leeke
My wench of Iuory. Venus (who was nought at all to seeke
What such a wish as that did meene) then present at her feast,
For handsell of her freendly helpe did cause three tymes at least
The fyre to kindle and to spyre thryse vpward in the ayre.
Assoone as he came home, streyght way Pygmalion did repayre
Unto the Image of his wench, and leaning on the bed,
Did kisse hir. In her body streyght a warmenesse seemd too spred.
He put his mouth againe to hers, and on her brest did lay
His hand. The Iuory wexed soft: and putting quyght away
All hardnesse, yeelded vnderneathe his fingars, as wee see
A peece of wax made soft ageinst the Sunne, or drawen too bee
In diuers shapes by chaufing it betweene ones handes, and so
To serue to vses. He amazde stood wauering too and fro
Tweene ioy, and feare too bee beeguyld, ageine he burnt in loue,
Ageine with feeling he began his wisshed hope too proue.
He felt it verrye flesh in deede. By laying on his thumb,
He felt her pulses beating. Then he stood no longer dumb
But thanked Venus with his hart. and at the length he layd
His mouth to hers who was as then become a perfect mayd.
Shee felt the kisse, and blusht therat: and lifting fearefully
Hir eyelidds vp, hir Louer and the light at once did spye.
The mariage that her selfe had made the Goddesse blessed so,
That when the Moone with fulsum lyght nyne tymes her course had go,
This Ladye was deliuered of a Sun that Paphus hyght,
Of whom the Iland takes that name. Of him was borne a knyght
Calld Cinyras who (had he had none issue) surely myght
Of all men vnderneathe the sun beene thought the happyest wyght.
Of wicked and most cursed things to speake I now commence.
Yee daughters and yee parents all go get yee farre from hence.
Or if yee mynded bee to heere my tale, beleeue mee nought
In this beehalfe: ne think that such a thing was euer wrought.
Or if yee will beeleeue the deede, beleeue the vengeance too
Which lyghted on the partye that the wicked act did doo.
But if that it be possible that any wyght so much
From nature should degenerate, as for to fall to such
A heynous cryme as this is, I am glad for Thracia, I
Am glad for this same world of ours, yea glad exceedingly
I am for this my natiue soyle, for that there is such space
Betweene it and the land that bred a chyld so voyd of grace.
I would the land Panchaya should of Amomie be rich,
And Cinnamom, and Costus sweete, and Incence also which
Dooth issue largely out of trees, and other flowers straunge,
As long as that it beareth Myrrhe: not woorth it was the chaunge,
Newe trees to haue of such a pryce. The God of loue denyes
His weapons too haue hurted thee, O Myrrha, and he tryes
Himselfe vngiltie by thy fault. One of the Furies three
With poysonde Snakes and hellish brands hath rather blasted thee
To hate ones father is a cryme as heynous as may bee.
But yit more wicked is this loue of thine than any hate.
The youthfull Lordes of all the East and Peeres of cheefe estate
Desyre to haue thee too their wyfe, and earnest sute doo make.
Of all (excepting onely one) thy choyce O Myrrha take.
Yee daughters and yee parents all go get yee farre from hence.
Or if yee mynded bee to heere my tale, beleeue mee nought
In this beehalfe: ne think that such a thing was euer wrought.
128
Which lyghted on the partye that the wicked act did doo.
But if that it be possible that any wyght so much
From nature should degenerate, as for to fall to such
A heynous cryme as this is, I am glad for Thracia, I
Am glad for this same world of ours, yea glad exceedingly
I am for this my natiue soyle, for that there is such space
Betweene it and the land that bred a chyld so voyd of grace.
I would the land Panchaya should of Amomie be rich,
And Cinnamom, and Costus sweete, and Incence also which
Dooth issue largely out of trees, and other flowers straunge,
As long as that it beareth Myrrhe: not woorth it was the chaunge,
Newe trees to haue of such a pryce. The God of loue denyes
His weapons too haue hurted thee, O Myrrha, and he tryes
Himselfe vngiltie by thy fault. One of the Furies three
With poysonde Snakes and hellish brands hath rather blasted thee
To hate ones father is a cryme as heynous as may bee.
But yit more wicked is this loue of thine than any hate.
The youthfull Lordes of all the East and Peeres of cheefe estate
Desyre to haue thee too their wyfe, and earnest sute doo make.
Of all (excepting onely one) thy choyce O Myrrha take.
Shee feeles her filthye loue, and stryues ageinst it, and within
Herself sayd. whither roonnes my mynd? what thinke I to begin?
Yee Gods (I pray) and godlynesse, yee holy rites and awe
Of parents, from this heynous cryme my vicious mynd withdrawe,
And disappoynt my wickednesse. At leastwyse if it bee
A wickednesse that I intend. As farre as I can see,
This loue infrindgeth not the bondes of godlynesse a whit.
For euery other liuing wyght dame nature dooth permit
Too match without offence of sin. The Hecfer thinkes no shame
Too beare her father on her backe: The Horse beestrydes the same
Of whom he is the syre: The Gote dooth bucke the Kid that hee
Himself begate: and birdes doo tread the self same birdes wee see
Of whom they hatched were before. In happye cace they are
That may doo so without offence. But mans malicious care
Hath made a brydle for it self, and spyghtfull lawes restreyne
The things that nature setteth free. yit are their Realmes (men sayne)
In which the moother with the sonne, and daughter with the father
Doo match, where through of godlynesse the bond augments the rather
With doubled loue. Now wo is mee it had not beene my lot
In that same countrie too bee borne. And that this lucklesse plot
Should hinder mee. Why thinke I thus? Auaunt vnlawfull loue.
I ought too loue him I confesse: but so as dooth behoue
His daughter: were not Cinyras my father then, I wis
I myght obtaine too lye with him. But now bycause he is
Myne owne, he cannot bee myne owne. The neerenesse of our kin
Dooth hurt me. Were I further of perchaunce I more myght win.
And if I wist that I therby this wickednesse myght shunne,
I would forsake my natiue soyle and farre from Cyprus runne.
This euill heate dooth hold mee backe, that beeing present still
I may but talke with Cinyras and looke on him my fill,
And touch, and kisse him, if no more may further graunted bee.
Why wicked wench? and canst thou hope for further? doost not see
How by thy fault thou doost confound the ryghts of name and kin?
And wilt thou make thy mother bee a Cucqueane by thy sin?
Wilt thou thy fathers leman bee? wilt thou bee both the moother
And suster of thy chyld? shall he bee both thy sonne and brother?
And standst thou not in feare at all of those same susters three
Whose heads with crawling snakes in stead of heare bematted bee?
Which pushing with theyr cruell bronds folks eyes and mouthes, doo see
Theyr sinfull harts? but thou now whyle thy body yit is free,
Let neuer such a wickednesse once enter in thy mynd.
Defyle not myghtye natures hest by lust ageinst thy kynd.
What though thy will were fully bent? yit euen the very thing
Is such as will not suffer thee the same too end too bring.
For why he beeing well disposde and godly, myndeth ay
So much his dewtye that from ryght and truth he will not stray.
Would God lyke furie were in him as is in mee this day.
Herself sayd. whither roonnes my mynd? what thinke I to begin?
Yee Gods (I pray) and godlynesse, yee holy rites and awe
Of parents, from this heynous cryme my vicious mynd withdrawe,
And disappoynt my wickednesse. At leastwyse if it bee
A wickednesse that I intend. As farre as I can see,
This loue infrindgeth not the bondes of godlynesse a whit.
For euery other liuing wyght dame nature dooth permit
Too match without offence of sin. The Hecfer thinkes no shame
Too beare her father on her backe: The Horse beestrydes the same
Of whom he is the syre: The Gote dooth bucke the Kid that hee
Himself begate: and birdes doo tread the self same birdes wee see
Of whom they hatched were before. In happye cace they are
That may doo so without offence. But mans malicious care
Hath made a brydle for it self, and spyghtfull lawes restreyne
The things that nature setteth free. yit are their Realmes (men sayne)
[128]
Doo match, where through of godlynesse the bond augments the rather
With doubled loue. Now wo is mee it had not beene my lot
In that same countrie too bee borne. And that this lucklesse plot
Should hinder mee. Why thinke I thus? Auaunt vnlawfull loue.
I ought too loue him I confesse: but so as dooth behoue
His daughter: were not Cinyras my father then, I wis
I myght obtaine too lye with him. But now bycause he is
Myne owne, he cannot bee myne owne. The neerenesse of our kin
Dooth hurt me. Were I further of perchaunce I more myght win.
And if I wist that I therby this wickednesse myght shunne,
I would forsake my natiue soyle and farre from Cyprus runne.
This euill heate dooth hold mee backe, that beeing present still
I may but talke with Cinyras and looke on him my fill,
And touch, and kisse him, if no more may further graunted bee.
Why wicked wench? and canst thou hope for further? doost not see
How by thy fault thou doost confound the ryghts of name and kin?
And wilt thou make thy mother bee a Cucqueane by thy sin?
Wilt thou thy fathers leman bee? wilt thou bee both the moother
And suster of thy chyld? shall he bee both thy sonne and brother?
And standst thou not in feare at all of those same susters three
Whose heads with crawling snakes in stead of heare bematted bee?
Which pushing with theyr cruell bronds folks eyes and mouthes, doo see
Theyr sinfull harts? but thou now whyle thy body yit is free,
Let neuer such a wickednesse once enter in thy mynd.
Defyle not myghtye natures hest by lust ageinst thy kynd.
What though thy will were fully bent? yit euen the very thing
Is such as will not suffer thee the same too end too bring.
For why he beeing well disposde and godly, myndeth ay
So much his dewtye that from ryght and truth he will not stray.
Would God lyke furie were in him as is in mee this day.
This sayd, her father Cinyras (who dowted what too doo
By reason of the worthy store of suters which did woo
His daughter,) bringing all theyr names did will her for too show
On which of them shee had herself most fancie too bestow.
At first shee hild her peace a whyle, and looking wistly on
Her fathers face, did boyle within: and scalding teares anon
Ran downe her visage. Cyniras, (who thought them too proceede
Of tender harted shamefastnesse) did say there was no neede
Of teares, and dryed her cheekes, and kist her. Myrrha tooke of it
Exceeding pleasure in her selfe: and when that he did wit
What husband shee did wish too haue, shee sayd: one like too yow.
He vnderstanding not hir thought, did well her woordes allow.
And sayd: in this thy godly mynd continew. At the name
Of godlynesse, shee cast mee downe her looke for very shame.
For why her giltie hart did knowe shee well deserued blame.
By reason of the worthy store of suters which did woo
His daughter,) bringing all theyr names did will her for too show
On which of them shee had herself most fancie too bestow.
At first shee hild her peace a whyle, and looking wistly on
129
Ran downe her visage. Cyniras, (who thought them too proceede
Of tender harted shamefastnesse) did say there was no neede
Of teares, and dryed her cheekes, and kist her. Myrrha tooke of it
Exceeding pleasure in her selfe: and when that he did wit
What husband shee did wish too haue, shee sayd: one like too yow.
He vnderstanding not hir thought, did well her woordes allow.
And sayd: in this thy godly mynd continew. At the name
Of godlynesse, shee cast mee downe her looke for very shame.
For why her giltie hart did knowe shee well deserued blame.
Hygh mydnight came, and sleepe bothe care and carkesses opprest.
But Myrrha lying brode awake could neyther sleepe nor rest.
Shee fryes in Cupids flames, and woorkes continewally vppon
Her furious loue. One while shee sinkes in deepe despayre. Anon
Shee fully myndes to giue attempt, but shame doth hold her in.
Shee wisshes and shee wotes not what too doo, nor how too gin.
And like as when a mightye tree with axes heawed rownd,
Now reedye with a strype or twaine to lye vppon the grownd,
Uncerteine is which way to fall and tottreth euery way:
Euen so her mynd with dowtfull wound effeebled then did stray
Now heere now there vncerteinely, and tooke of bothe encreace.
No measure of her loue was found, no rest, nor yit releace,
Saue onely death. death likes her best. Shee ryseth, full in mynd
To hang herself. About a post her girdle she doth bynd.
And sayd farewell deere Cinyras, and vnderstand the cause
Of this my death. And with that woord about her necke shee drawes
The nooze. Her trustye nurce that in another Chamber lay
By fortune heard the whispring sound of theis her woordes (folk say.)
The aged woman rysing vp vnboltes the doore. And whan
Shee saw her in that plyght of death, shee shreeking out began
Too smyght her self, and scratcht her brest, and quickly too her ran
And rent the girdle from her necke. Then weeping bitterly
And holding her betweene her armes, shee askt the question why
Shee went about too hang her self so vnaduisedly.
The Lady hilld her peace as dumb, and looking on the ground
Unmouably, was sorye in her hart for beeing found
Before shee had dispatcht herself. Her nurce still at her lay,
And shewing her her emptie dugges and naked head all gray,
Besought her for the paynes shee tooke with her both night and day
In rocking and in feeding her, shee would vouchsafe to say
What ere it were that greeued her. The Ladye turnd away
Displeasde and fetcht a sygh. The nurce was fully bent in mynd
Too bowlt the matter out: for which not onely shee did bynd
Her fayth, in secret things to keepe: but also sayd, put mee
In trust too fynd a remedye. I am not (thou shalt see)
Yit altoogither dulld by age. If furiousenesse it bee,
I haue bothe charmes and chaunted herbes to help. If any wyght
Bewitcheth thee, by witchcraft I will purge and set thee quyght.
Or if it bee the wrath of God, we shall with sacrifyse
Appease the wrath of God right well. What may I more surmyse?
No theeues haue broken in vppon this house and spoyld the welth.
Thy mother and thy father bothe are liuing and in helth.
When Myrrha heard her father naamd, a greeuous sygh she fet
Euen from the bottom of her hart. Howbeet the nurce as yet
Misdeemd not any wickednesse. But nerethelesse shee gest
There was some loue: and standing in one purpose made request
Too breake her mynd vntoo her, And shee set her tenderly
Uppon her lappe. The Ladye wept and sobbed bitterly.
Then culling her in feeble armes, shee sayd I well espye
Thou art in loue. My diligence in this behalf I sweare
Shall seruisable too thee bee. Thou shalt not neede too feare
That ere thy father shall it knowe. At that same woord shee lept
From nurces lappe like one that had beene past her witts, and stept
With fury to her bed. at which shee leaning downe hir face
Sayd, hence I pray thee: force mee not to shewe my shamefull cace.
And when the nurce did vrge her still, shee answered eyther get
The hence, or ceace too aske mee why myself I thus doo fret.
The thing that thou desyrste too knowe is wickednesse. The old
Poore nurce gan quake, and trembling both for age and feare did hold
Her handes to her. And kneeling downe right humbly at her feete,
One whyle shee fayre intreated her with gentle woordes and sweete.
Another whyle (onlesse shee made her priuie of her sorrow)
Shee threatned her, and put her in a feare shee would next morrow
Bewray her how shee went about to hang herself. But if
Shee told her, shee did plyght her fayth and help too her releef.
Shee lifted vp her head, and then with teares fast gusshing out
Beesloobered all her nurces brest: and going oft about
Too speake, shee often stayd: and with her garments hid her face
For shame, and lastly sayd: O happye is my moothers cace
That such a husband hath. with that a greeuous sygh shee gaue,
And hilld her peace. Theis woordes of hers a trembling chilnesse draue
In nurcis limbes, which perst her bones: (for now shee vnderstood
The cace) and all her horye heare vp stiffly staring stood
And many things she talkt to put away her cursed loue,
If that it had beene possible the madnesse to remoue.
The Mayd herself to be full trew the councell dooth espye:
Yit if shee may not haue her loue shee fully myndes to dye.
Liue still (quoth nurce) thou shalt obteine (shee durst not say thy father,
But stayd at that.) And forbycause that Myrrha should the rather
Beleeue her, shee confirmd her woordes by othe. The yeerely feast
Of gentle Ceres came, in which the wyues bothe moste and least
Appareld all in whyght are woont the firstlings of the feeld
Fyne garlonds made of eares of corne too Ceres for to yeeld.
And for the space of thryce three nyghts they counted it a sin
To haue the vse of any man, or once too towche his skin.
But Myrrha lying brode awake could neyther sleepe nor rest.
Shee fryes in Cupids flames, and woorkes continewally vppon
Her furious loue. One while shee sinkes in deepe despayre. Anon
Shee fully myndes to giue attempt, but shame doth hold her in.
Shee wisshes and shee wotes not what too doo, nor how too gin.
And like as when a mightye tree with axes heawed rownd,
Now reedye with a strype or twaine to lye vppon the grownd,
Uncerteine is which way to fall and tottreth euery way:
Euen so her mynd with dowtfull wound effeebled then did stray
Now heere now there vncerteinely, and tooke of bothe encreace.
No measure of her loue was found, no rest, nor yit releace,
Saue onely death. death likes her best. Shee ryseth, full in mynd
To hang herself. About a post her girdle she doth bynd.
And sayd farewell deere Cinyras, and vnderstand the cause
Of this my death. And with that woord about her necke shee drawes
The nooze. Her trustye nurce that in another Chamber lay
By fortune heard the whispring sound of theis her woordes (folk say.)
The aged woman rysing vp vnboltes the doore. And whan
Shee saw her in that plyght of death, shee shreeking out began
Too smyght her self, and scratcht her brest, and quickly too her ran
And rent the girdle from her necke. Then weeping bitterly
And holding her betweene her armes, shee askt the question why
Shee went about too hang her self so vnaduisedly.
The Lady hilld her peace as dumb, and looking on the ground
Unmouably, was sorye in her hart for beeing found
Before shee had dispatcht herself. Her nurce still at her lay,
[128]
Besought her for the paynes shee tooke with her both night and day
In rocking and in feeding her, shee would vouchsafe to say
What ere it were that greeued her. The Ladye turnd away
Displeasde and fetcht a sygh. The nurce was fully bent in mynd
Too bowlt the matter out: for which not onely shee did bynd
Her fayth, in secret things to keepe: but also sayd, put mee
In trust too fynd a remedye. I am not (thou shalt see)
Yit altoogither dulld by age. If furiousenesse it bee,
I haue bothe charmes and chaunted herbes to help. If any wyght
Bewitcheth thee, by witchcraft I will purge and set thee quyght.
Or if it bee the wrath of God, we shall with sacrifyse
Appease the wrath of God right well. What may I more surmyse?
No theeues haue broken in vppon this house and spoyld the welth.
Thy mother and thy father bothe are liuing and in helth.
When Myrrha heard her father naamd, a greeuous sygh she fet
Euen from the bottom of her hart. Howbeet the nurce as yet
Misdeemd not any wickednesse. But nerethelesse shee gest
There was some loue: and standing in one purpose made request
Too breake her mynd vntoo her, And shee set her tenderly
Uppon her lappe. The Ladye wept and sobbed bitterly.
Then culling her in feeble armes, shee sayd I well espye
Thou art in loue. My diligence in this behalf I sweare
Shall seruisable too thee bee. Thou shalt not neede too feare
That ere thy father shall it knowe. At that same woord shee lept
From nurces lappe like one that had beene past her witts, and stept
With fury to her bed. at which shee leaning downe hir face
Sayd, hence I pray thee: force mee not to shewe my shamefull cace.
And when the nurce did vrge her still, shee answered eyther get
The hence, or ceace too aske mee why myself I thus doo fret.
The thing that thou desyrste too knowe is wickednesse. The old
Poore nurce gan quake, and trembling both for age and feare did hold
Her handes to her. And kneeling downe right humbly at her feete,
One whyle shee fayre intreated her with gentle woordes and sweete.
Another whyle (onlesse shee made her priuie of her sorrow)
Shee threatned her, and put her in a feare shee would next morrow
Bewray her how shee went about to hang herself. But if
130
Shee lifted vp her head, and then with teares fast gusshing out
Beesloobered all her nurces brest: and going oft about
Too speake, shee often stayd: and with her garments hid her face
For shame, and lastly sayd: O happye is my moothers cace
That such a husband hath. with that a greeuous sygh shee gaue,
And hilld her peace. Theis woordes of hers a trembling chilnesse draue
In nurcis limbes, which perst her bones: (for now shee vnderstood
The cace) and all her horye heare vp stiffly staring stood
And many things she talkt to put away her cursed loue,
If that it had beene possible the madnesse to remoue.
The Mayd herself to be full trew the councell dooth espye:
Yit if shee may not haue her loue shee fully myndes to dye.
Liue still (quoth nurce) thou shalt obteine (shee durst not say thy father,
But stayd at that.) And forbycause that Myrrha should the rather
Beleeue her, shee confirmd her woordes by othe. The yeerely feast
Of gentle Ceres came, in which the wyues bothe moste and least
Appareld all in whyght are woont the firstlings of the feeld
Fyne garlonds made of eares of corne too Ceres for to yeeld.
And for the space of thryce three nyghts they counted it a sin
To haue the vse of any man, or once too towche his skin.
Among theis women did the Queene freequent the secret rites.
Now whyle that of his lawfull wyfe his bed was voyd a nightes,
The nurce was dooble diligent: and fynding Cinyras
Well washt with wyne, shee did surmyse there was a pretye lasse
In loue with him. And hyghly shee her beawty setteth out.
And beeing asked of her yeeres, she sayd shee was about
The age of Myrrha. well (quoth he) then bring her too my bed.
Returning home shee sayd: bee glad my nurcechilde: we haue sped.
Not all so wholly in her hart was wretched Myrrha glad,
But that her fore misgiuing mynd did also make her sad.
Howbeete shee also did reioyce as in a certaine kynd,
Such discord of affections was within her combred mynd.
Now whyle that of his lawfull wyfe his bed was voyd a nightes,
The nurce was dooble diligent: and fynding Cinyras
Well washt with wyne, shee did surmyse there was a pretye lasse
In loue with him. And hyghly shee her beawty setteth out.
And beeing asked of her yeeres, she sayd shee was about
The age of Myrrha. well (quoth he) then bring her too my bed.
Returning home shee sayd: bee glad my nurcechilde: we haue sped.
Not all so wholly in her hart was wretched Myrrha glad,
But that her fore misgiuing mynd did also make her sad.
Howbeete shee also did reioyce as in a certaine kynd,
Such discord of affections was within her combred mynd.
It was the tyme that all things rest. And now Boötes bryght
The driuer of the Oxen seuen about the northpole pyght.
Had sumwhat turnd his wayne asyde, when wicked Myrrha sped
About her buysnesse. Out of heauen the golden Phœbee fled.
With clowds more black than any pitch the starres did hyde their hed.
The nyght beecommeth vtter voyd of all her woonted lyght.
And first before all other hid their faces out of syght
Good Icar and Erigonee his daughter, who for loue
Most vertuous too her fatherward, was take vp aboue
And made a starre in heauen. Three tymes had Myrrha warning giuen
By stumbling, to retyre. Three tymes the deathfull Owle that eeuen
With doolefull noyse prognosticates vnhappie lucke. Yet came
Shee forward still: the darknesse of the nyght abated shame.
Her left hand held her nurce, her right the darke blynd way did grope.
Anon shee too the chamber came: anon the doore was ope:
Anon shee entred in. with that her foltring hammes did quake:
Her colour dyde: her blood and hart did cleerly her forsake.
The neerer shee approched too her wickednesse, the more
Shee trembled: Of her enterpryse it irked her full sore:
And fayn shee would shee might vnknowē haue turned back. Nurce led
Her pawsing forward by the hand: and putting her too bed,
Heere take this Damzell Cinyras, shee is thine owne shee sed.
And so shee layd them brest too brest. The wicked father takes
His bowelles intoo filthy bed, and there with wordes asslakes
The maydens feare, and cheeres her vp. And least this cryme of theyres
Myght want the ryghtfull termes, by chaunce as in respect of yeeres
He daughter did hir call, and shee him father. Beeing sped
With cursed seede in wicked womb, shee left her fathers bed,
Of which soone after shee became greate bagged with her shame.
Next night the lewdnesse doubled. And no end was of the same,
Untill at length that Cinyras desyrous for to knowe
His louer that so many nyghts vppon him did bestowe,
Did fetch a light: by which he sawe his owne most heynous cryme,
And eeke his daughter. nathelesse, his sorrow at that time
Represt his speeche. Then hanging by he drew a Rapier bryght.
Away ran Myrrha, and by meanes of darknesse of the nyght
Shee was deliuered from the death: and straying in the broade
Datebearing feeldes of Arabye, shee through Panchaya yode,
And wandring full nyne moonethes at length shee rested beeing tyrde
In Saba land. And when the tyme was neere at hand expyrde,
And that vneath the burthen of her womb shee well could beare,
Not knowing what she might desyre, distrest betweene the feare
Of death, and tediousnesse of lyfe, this prayer shee did make.
O Goddes, if of repentant folk you any mercye take,
Sharpe vengeance I confesse I haue deserued, and content
I am to take it paciently. How bee it too thentent
That neyther with my lyfe the quick, nor with my death the dead
Anoyed bee, from both of them exempt mee this same sted.
And altring mee, deny too mee both lyfe and death we see
Too such as doo confesse theyr faults sum mercy shewd too bee.
The Goddes did graunt her this request, the last that shee should make.
The ground did ouergrow hir feete, and ancles as shee spake.
And from her bursten toes went rootes, which wrything heere and there
Did fasten so the trunk within the ground shee could not steare.
Her bones did intoo timber turne, whereof the marie was
The pith, and into watrish sappe the blood of her did passe.
Her armes were turnd too greater boughes, her fingars into twig,
Her skin was hardned into bark. And now her belly big
The eatching tree had ouergrowen, and ouertane her brest,
And hasted for to win her neck, and hyde it with the rest.
Shee made no taryence nor delay, but met the comming tree,
And shroonk her face within the barke therof. Although that shee
Toogither with her former shape her senses all did loose,
Yit weepeth shee, and from her tree warme droppes doo softly woose.
The which her teares are had in pryce and honour. And the Myrrhe
That issueth from her gummy bark dooth beare the name of her,
The driuer of the Oxen seuen about the northpole pyght.
Had sumwhat turnd his wayne asyde, when wicked Myrrha sped
About her buysnesse. Out of heauen the golden Phœbee fled.
[130]
The nyght beecommeth vtter voyd of all her woonted lyght.
And first before all other hid their faces out of syght
Good Icar and Erigonee his daughter, who for loue
Most vertuous too her fatherward, was take vp aboue
And made a starre in heauen. Three tymes had Myrrha warning giuen
By stumbling, to retyre. Three tymes the deathfull Owle that eeuen
With doolefull noyse prognosticates vnhappie lucke. Yet came
Shee forward still: the darknesse of the nyght abated shame.
Her left hand held her nurce, her right the darke blynd way did grope.
Anon shee too the chamber came: anon the doore was ope:
Anon shee entred in. with that her foltring hammes did quake:
Her colour dyde: her blood and hart did cleerly her forsake.
The neerer shee approched too her wickednesse, the more
Shee trembled: Of her enterpryse it irked her full sore:
And fayn shee would shee might vnknowē haue turned back. Nurce led
Her pawsing forward by the hand: and putting her too bed,
Heere take this Damzell Cinyras, shee is thine owne shee sed.
And so shee layd them brest too brest. The wicked father takes
His bowelles intoo filthy bed, and there with wordes asslakes
The maydens feare, and cheeres her vp. And least this cryme of theyres
Myght want the ryghtfull termes, by chaunce as in respect of yeeres
He daughter did hir call, and shee him father. Beeing sped
With cursed seede in wicked womb, shee left her fathers bed,
Of which soone after shee became greate bagged with her shame.
Next night the lewdnesse doubled. And no end was of the same,
Untill at length that Cinyras desyrous for to knowe
His louer that so many nyghts vppon him did bestowe,
Did fetch a light: by which he sawe his owne most heynous cryme,
And eeke his daughter. nathelesse, his sorrow at that time
Represt his speeche. Then hanging by he drew a Rapier bryght.
Away ran Myrrha, and by meanes of darknesse of the nyght
Shee was deliuered from the death: and straying in the broade
Datebearing feeldes of Arabye, shee through Panchaya yode,
And wandring full nyne moonethes at length shee rested beeing tyrde
In Saba land. And when the tyme was neere at hand expyrde,
And that vneath the burthen of her womb shee well could beare,
131
Of death, and tediousnesse of lyfe, this prayer shee did make.
O Goddes, if of repentant folk you any mercye take,
Sharpe vengeance I confesse I haue deserued, and content
I am to take it paciently. How bee it too thentent
That neyther with my lyfe the quick, nor with my death the dead
Anoyed bee, from both of them exempt mee this same sted.
And altring mee, deny too mee both lyfe and death we see
Too such as doo confesse theyr faults sum mercy shewd too bee.
The Goddes did graunt her this request, the last that shee should make.
The ground did ouergrow hir feete, and ancles as shee spake.
And from her bursten toes went rootes, which wrything heere and there
Did fasten so the trunk within the ground shee could not steare.
Her bones did intoo timber turne, whereof the marie was
The pith, and into watrish sappe the blood of her did passe.
Her armes were turnd too greater boughes, her fingars into twig,
Her skin was hardned into bark. And now her belly big
The eatching tree had ouergrowen, and ouertane her brest,
And hasted for to win her neck, and hyde it with the rest.
Shee made no taryence nor delay, but met the comming tree,
And shroonk her face within the barke therof. Although that shee
Toogither with her former shape her senses all did loose,
Yit weepeth shee, and from her tree warme droppes doo softly woose.
The which her teares are had in pryce and honour. And the Myrrhe
That issueth from her gummy bark dooth beare the name of her,
And shall doo whyle the world dooth last. The misbegotten chyld
Grew still within the tree, and from his mothers womb defyld
Sought meanes too bee delyuered. Her burthened womb did swell
Amid the tree, and stretcht her out. But woordes wherwith to tell
And vtter foorth her greef did want, She had no vse of speech
With which Lucina in her throwes shee might of help beseech.
Yit like a woman labring was the tree, and bowwing downe
Gaue oftē sighes, & shed foorth teares as though shee there should drowne.
Lucina to this wofull tree came gently downe, and layd
Her hand theron, and speaking woordes of ease the midwife playd.
The tree did cranye, and the barke deuiding made away,
And yeelded out the chyld alyue, which cryde and wayld streyght way.
The waternymphes vppon the soft sweete hearbes the chyld did lay,
And bathde him with his mothers teares. His face was such as spyght
Must needes haue praysd. For such he was in all condicions right,
As are the naked Cupids that in tables picturde bee.
But too thentent he may with them in euery poynt agree,
Let eyther him bee furnished with wings and quiuer light,
Or from the Cupids take theyr wings and bowes and arrowes quight.
Grew still within the tree, and from his mothers womb defyld
Sought meanes too bee delyuered. Her burthened womb did swell
Amid the tree, and stretcht her out. But woordes wherwith to tell
And vtter foorth her greef did want, She had no vse of speech
With which Lucina in her throwes shee might of help beseech.
Yit like a woman labring was the tree, and bowwing downe
Gaue oftē sighes, & shed foorth teares as though shee there should drowne.
Lucina to this wofull tree came gently downe, and layd
Her hand theron, and speaking woordes of ease the midwife playd.
The tree did cranye, and the barke deuiding made away,
And yeelded out the chyld alyue, which cryde and wayld streyght way.
[131]
And bathde him with his mothers teares. His face was such as spyght
Must needes haue praysd. For such he was in all condicions right,
As are the naked Cupids that in tables picturde bee.
But too thentent he may with them in euery poynt agree,
Let eyther him bee furnished with wings and quiuer light,
Or from the Cupids take theyr wings and bowes and arrowes quight.
Away slippes fleeting tyme vnspyde and mocks vs too our face,
And nothing may compare with yeares in swiftnesse of theyr pace.
That wretched imp whom wickedly his graundfather begate,
And whom his cursed suster bare, who hidden was alate
Within the tree, and lately borne, became immediatly
The beawtyfullyst babe on whom man euer set his eye.
Anon a stripling hee became, and by and by a man,
And euery day more beawtifull than other he becam.
That in the end Dame Venus fell in loue with him: wherby
He did reuenge the outrage of his mothers villanye.
For as the armed Cupid kist Dame Venus, vnbeware
An arrow sticking out did raze hir brest vppon the bare.
The Goddesse being wounded, thrust away her sonne. The wound
Appeered not too bee so deepe as afterward was found.
It did deceyue her at the first. The beauty of the lad
Inflaamd her. Too Cythera Ile no mynd at all shee had.
Nor vntoo Paphos where the sea beats round about the shore,
Nor fisshy Gnyde, nor Amathus that hath of metalls store.
Yea euen from heauen shee did absteyne. Shee lovd Adonis more
Than heauen To him shee clinged ay, and bare him companye.
And in the shadowe woont shee was too rest continually,
And for too set her beawtye out most seemely too the eye
By trimly decking of her self. Through bushy grounds and groues,
And ouer Hills and Dales, and Lawnds and stony rocks shee roues,
Bare kneed with garment tucked vp according too the woont
Of Phebe, and shee cheerd the hounds with hallowing like a hunt,
Pursewing game of hurtlesse sort, as Hares made lowe before.
Or stagges with loftye heades, or bucks. But with the sturdy Boare
And rauening woolf, and Bearewhelpes armd with vgly pawes, and eeke
The cruell Lyons which delyght in blood, and slaughter seeke,
Shee meddled not. And of theis same shee warned also thee
Adonis for too shoonne them, if thou wooldst haue warned bee.
Bee bold on cowards (Venus sayd) for whoso dooth aduaunce
Himselfe against the bold, may hap too meete with sum mischaunce.
Wherfore I pray thee my sweete boy forbeare too bold too bee.
For feare thy rashnesse hurt thy self and woork the wo of mee
Encounter not the kynd of beastes whom nature armed hath,
For dowt thou buy thy prayse too deere procuring thee sum scath.
Thy tender youth, thy beawty bryght, thy countnance fayre and braue
Although they had the force too win the hart of Venus, haue
No powre ageinst the Lyons, nor ageinst the bristled swyne.
The eyes and harts of sauage beasts doo nought too theis inclyne.
The cruell Boares beare thunder in theyr hooked tushes, and
Exceeding force and feercenesse is in Lyons too withstand.
And sure I hate them at my hart. Too him demaunding why?
A monstrous chaunce (quoth Venus) I will tell thee by and by,
That hapned for a fault. But now vnwoonted toyle hath made
Mee weerye: and beholde, in tyme this Poplar with his shade
Allureth, and the ground for cowch dooth serue too rest vppon.
I prey thee let vs rest heere. They sate them downe anon.
And lying vpward with her head vppon his lappe along,
Shee thus began: and in her tale shee bussed him among.
And nothing may compare with yeares in swiftnesse of theyr pace.
That wretched imp whom wickedly his graundfather begate,
And whom his cursed suster bare, who hidden was alate
Within the tree, and lately borne, became immediatly
The beawtyfullyst babe on whom man euer set his eye.
Anon a stripling hee became, and by and by a man,
And euery day more beawtifull than other he becam.
That in the end Dame Venus fell in loue with him: wherby
He did reuenge the outrage of his mothers villanye.
For as the armed Cupid kist Dame Venus, vnbeware
An arrow sticking out did raze hir brest vppon the bare.
The Goddesse being wounded, thrust away her sonne. The wound
Appeered not too bee so deepe as afterward was found.
It did deceyue her at the first. The beauty of the lad
Inflaamd her. Too Cythera Ile no mynd at all shee had.
Nor vntoo Paphos where the sea beats round about the shore,
Nor fisshy Gnyde, nor Amathus that hath of metalls store.
Yea euen from heauen shee did absteyne. Shee lovd Adonis more
Than heauen To him shee clinged ay, and bare him companye.
And in the shadowe woont shee was too rest continually,
And for too set her beawtye out most seemely too the eye
By trimly decking of her self. Through bushy grounds and groues,
And ouer Hills and Dales, and Lawnds and stony rocks shee roues,
Bare kneed with garment tucked vp according too the woont
Of Phebe, and shee cheerd the hounds with hallowing like a hunt,
Pursewing game of hurtlesse sort, as Hares made lowe before.
Or stagges with loftye heades, or bucks. But with the sturdy Boare
And rauening woolf, and Bearewhelpes armd with vgly pawes, and eeke
The cruell Lyons which delyght in blood, and slaughter seeke,
132
Adonis for too shoonne them, if thou wooldst haue warned bee.
Bee bold on cowards (Venus sayd) for whoso dooth aduaunce
Himselfe against the bold, may hap too meete with sum mischaunce.
Wherfore I pray thee my sweete boy forbeare too bold too bee.
For feare thy rashnesse hurt thy self and woork the wo of mee
Encounter not the kynd of beastes whom nature armed hath,
For dowt thou buy thy prayse too deere procuring thee sum scath.
Thy tender youth, thy beawty bryght, thy countnance fayre and braue
Although they had the force too win the hart of Venus, haue
No powre ageinst the Lyons, nor ageinst the bristled swyne.
The eyes and harts of sauage beasts doo nought too theis inclyne.
The cruell Boares beare thunder in theyr hooked tushes, and
Exceeding force and feercenesse is in Lyons too withstand.
And sure I hate them at my hart. Too him demaunding why?
A monstrous chaunce (quoth Venus) I will tell thee by and by,
That hapned for a fault. But now vnwoonted toyle hath made
Mee weerye: and beholde, in tyme this Poplar with his shade
Allureth, and the ground for cowch dooth serue too rest vppon.
I prey thee let vs rest heere. They sate them downe anon.
And lying vpward with her head vppon his lappe along,
Shee thus began: and in her tale shee bussed him among.
Perchaunce thou hast or this tyme hard of one that ouercame
The swiftest men in footemanshippe. no fable was that fame.
She ouercame them out of dowt. And hard it is to tell
Thee whither she did in footemanshippe or beawty more excell.
Uppon a season as she askt of Phebus, what he was
That should her husband bee, he sayd. For husband doo not passe
O Atalanta, thou at all of husband hast no neede
Shonne husbanding. But yit thou canst not shonne it I thee reede.
Alyue thou shalt not be thy self. Shee being sore afrayd
Of this Apollos Oracle, did keepe herself a mayd,
And liued in the shady woodes. When wooers to her came,
And were of her importunate, shee draue away the same
With boystous woordes, and with sore condition of the game.
I am not too be had (quoth shee) onlesse yee able bee
In ronning for too vanquish mee. Yee must contend with mee
In footemanshippe. And who so winnes the wager, I agree
Too bee his wife. But if that he bee found too slowe, then hee
Shall lose his head. This of your game the verrye law shall bee.
Shee was in deede vnmercifull. But such is beawties powre,
That though the sayd condition were extreme and ouer sowre,
Yit many suters were so rash too vndertake the same.
Hippomenes as a looker on of this vncurteous game,
Sate by, and sayd. Is any man so mad to seeke a wyfe
With such apparant perill and the hazard of his lyfe?
And vtterly he did condemne the yongmens loue. But when
He saw her face and bodye bare, (for why the Lady then
Did strippe her too her naked skin) the which was like too myne,
Or rather (if that thou wert made a woman) like too thyne:
He was amazde. And holding vp his hands too heauen, he sayth:
Forgiue mee you with whom I found such fault euen now: In fayth
I did not know the wager that yee ran for. As hee prayseth
The beawty of her, in him selfe the fyre of loue he rayseth.
And through an enuy fearing least shee should a way be woonne,
He wisht that nere a one of them so swift as shee might roonne.
And wherfore (quoth hee) put not I myself in preace too trye
The fortune of this wager? God himself continually
Dooth help the bold and hardye sort. now whyle Hippomenes
Debates theis things within himselfe and other like to these,
The Damzell ronnes as if her feete were wings. And though that shee
Did fly as swift as arrow from a Turkye bowe: yit hee
More woondred at her beawtye than at swiftnesse of her pace
Her ronning greatly did augment her beawtye and her grace.
The wynd ay whisking from her feete the labells of her socks
Uppon her back as whyght as snowe did tosse her golden locks,
And eeke thembroydred garters that were tyde beneathe her ham.
A rednesse mixt with whyght vppon her tender bodye cam,
As when a scarlet curtaine streynd ageinst a playstred wall
Dooth cast like shadowe, making it seeme ruddye therwithall.
Now whyle the straunger noted this, the race was fully ronne,
And Atalant (as shee that had the wager cleerely wonne)
Was crowned with a garlond braue. The vanquisht sighing sore,
Did lose theyr lyues according too agreement made before.
Howbeeit nought at all dismayd with theis mennes lucklesse cace
He stepped foorth, and looking full vppon the maydens face,
Sayd: wherfore doost thou seeke renowne in vanquisshing of such
As were but dastards? cope with mee. If fortune bee so much
My freend too giue mee victorie, thou needest not hold scorne
Too yeeld too such a noble man as I am. I am borne
The sonne of noble Megaree Onchestyes sonne, and hee
Was sonne to Neptune. Thus am I great graundchyld by degree
In ryght descent, of him that rules the waters. Neyther doo
I out of kynd degenerate from vertue meete thertoo.
Or if my fortune bee so hard as vanquisht for too bee,
Thou shalt obteine a famous name by ouercomming mee.
In saying thus, Atlanta cast a gentle looke on him
And dowting whither shee rather had too lose the day or win,
The swiftest men in footemanshippe. no fable was that fame.
She ouercame them out of dowt. And hard it is to tell
Thee whither she did in footemanshippe or beawty more excell.
Uppon a season as she askt of Phebus, what he was
That should her husband bee, he sayd. For husband doo not passe
O Atalanta, thou at all of husband hast no neede
Shonne husbanding. But yit thou canst not shonne it I thee reede.
Alyue thou shalt not be thy self. Shee being sore afrayd
Of this Apollos Oracle, did keepe herself a mayd,
And liued in the shady woodes. When wooers to her came,
And were of her importunate, shee draue away the same
With boystous woordes, and with sore condition of the game.
I am not too be had (quoth shee) onlesse yee able bee
In ronning for too vanquish mee. Yee must contend with mee
[132]
Too bee his wife. But if that he bee found too slowe, then hee
Shall lose his head. This of your game the verrye law shall bee.
Shee was in deede vnmercifull. But such is beawties powre,
That though the sayd condition were extreme and ouer sowre,
Yit many suters were so rash too vndertake the same.
Hippomenes as a looker on of this vncurteous game,
Sate by, and sayd. Is any man so mad to seeke a wyfe
With such apparant perill and the hazard of his lyfe?
And vtterly he did condemne the yongmens loue. But when
He saw her face and bodye bare, (for why the Lady then
Did strippe her too her naked skin) the which was like too myne,
Or rather (if that thou wert made a woman) like too thyne:
He was amazde. And holding vp his hands too heauen, he sayth:
Forgiue mee you with whom I found such fault euen now: In fayth
I did not know the wager that yee ran for. As hee prayseth
The beawty of her, in him selfe the fyre of loue he rayseth.
And through an enuy fearing least shee should a way be woonne,
He wisht that nere a one of them so swift as shee might roonne.
And wherfore (quoth hee) put not I myself in preace too trye
The fortune of this wager? God himself continually
Dooth help the bold and hardye sort. now whyle Hippomenes
Debates theis things within himselfe and other like to these,
The Damzell ronnes as if her feete were wings. And though that shee
Did fly as swift as arrow from a Turkye bowe: yit hee
More woondred at her beawtye than at swiftnesse of her pace
Her ronning greatly did augment her beawtye and her grace.
The wynd ay whisking from her feete the labells of her socks
Uppon her back as whyght as snowe did tosse her golden locks,
And eeke thembroydred garters that were tyde beneathe her ham.
A rednesse mixt with whyght vppon her tender bodye cam,
As when a scarlet curtaine streynd ageinst a playstred wall
Dooth cast like shadowe, making it seeme ruddye therwithall.
Now whyle the straunger noted this, the race was fully ronne,
And Atalant (as shee that had the wager cleerely wonne)
Was crowned with a garlond braue. The vanquisht sighing sore,
Did lose theyr lyues according too agreement made before.
133
He stepped foorth, and looking full vppon the maydens face,
Sayd: wherfore doost thou seeke renowne in vanquisshing of such
As were but dastards? cope with mee. If fortune bee so much
My freend too giue mee victorie, thou needest not hold scorne
Too yeeld too such a noble man as I am. I am borne
The sonne of noble Megaree Onchestyes sonne, and hee
Was sonne to Neptune. Thus am I great graundchyld by degree
In ryght descent, of him that rules the waters. Neyther doo
I out of kynd degenerate from vertue meete thertoo.
Or if my fortune bee so hard as vanquisht for too bee,
Thou shalt obteine a famous name by ouercomming mee.
In saying thus, Atlanta cast a gentle looke on him
And dowting whither shee rather had too lose the day or win,
Sayd thus. What God an enmy to the beawtyfull, is bent
Too bring this person to his end, and therfore hath him sent
Too seeke a wyfe with hazard of his lyfe? If I should bee
Myselfe the iudge in this behalfe, there is not sure in mee
That dooth deserue so deerely too bee earned. neyther dooth
His beawty mooue my hart at all. yit is it such in sooth
As well might mooue mee. But bycause as yit a chyld he is,
His person mooues mee not so much as dooth his age I wis.
Beesydes that manhod is in him, and mynd vnfrayd of death:
Beesydes that of the watrye race from Neptune as he seth
He is the fowrth: beesydes that he dooth loue mee, and dooth make
So great accompt too win mee too his wyfe, that for my sake
He is contented for too dye, if fortune bee so sore
Ageinst him too denye him mee. Thou straunger hence therfore.
Away I say now whyle thou mayst, and shonne my bloody bed.
My mariage cruell is, and craues the losing of thy hed.
There is no wench but that would such a husband gladly catch.
And shee that wyse were myght desyre too meete with such a match.
But why now after heading of so many, doo I care
For thee? Looke thou too that. For sith so many men as are
Alreadye put too slawghter can not warne thee too beeware,
But that thou wilt bee weerye of thy lyfe, dye: doo not spare.
And shall he perrish then bycause he sought to liue with mee?
And for his loue vnwoorthely with death rewarded bee?
All men of such a victory will speake too foule a shame.
But all the world can testifye that I am not too blame.
Would God thou wouldst desist. Or else bycause thou are so mad,
I would too God a litle more thy feete of swiftnesse had.
Ah what a maydens countenance is in this chyldish face?
Ah foolish boy Hippomenes, how wretched is thy cace?
I would thou neuer hadst mee seene. Thou woorthy art of lyfe.
And if so bee I happy were, and that too bee a wyfe
The cruell destnyes had not mee forbidden, sure thou art
The onely wyght with whom I would bee matcht with all my hart.
Too bring this person to his end, and therfore hath him sent
Too seeke a wyfe with hazard of his lyfe? If I should bee
Myselfe the iudge in this behalfe, there is not sure in mee
That dooth deserue so deerely too bee earned. neyther dooth
His beawty mooue my hart at all. yit is it such in sooth
As well might mooue mee. But bycause as yit a chyld he is,
His person mooues mee not so much as dooth his age I wis.
Beesydes that manhod is in him, and mynd vnfrayd of death:
Beesydes that of the watrye race from Neptune as he seth
He is the fowrth: beesydes that he dooth loue mee, and dooth make
So great accompt too win mee too his wyfe, that for my sake
He is contented for too dye, if fortune bee so sore
Ageinst him too denye him mee. Thou straunger hence therfore.
Away I say now whyle thou mayst, and shonne my bloody bed.
My mariage cruell is, and craues the losing of thy hed.
There is no wench but that would such a husband gladly catch.
And shee that wyse were myght desyre too meete with such a match.
But why now after heading of so many, doo I care
For thee? Looke thou too that. For sith so many men as are
Alreadye put too slawghter can not warne thee too beeware,
But that thou wilt bee weerye of thy lyfe, dye: doo not spare.
And shall he perrish then bycause he sought to liue with mee?
[133]
All men of such a victory will speake too foule a shame.
But all the world can testifye that I am not too blame.
Would God thou wouldst desist. Or else bycause thou are so mad,
I would too God a litle more thy feete of swiftnesse had.
Ah what a maydens countenance is in this chyldish face?
Ah foolish boy Hippomenes, how wretched is thy cace?
I would thou neuer hadst mee seene. Thou woorthy art of lyfe.
And if so bee I happy were, and that too bee a wyfe
The cruell destnyes had not mee forbidden, sure thou art
The onely wyght with whom I would bee matcht with all my hart.
This spoken: shee yit rawe, and but new striken with the dart
Of Cupid, beeing ignorant, did loue and knew it nat
Anon her father and the folk assembled, willed that
They should begin theyr woonted race. Then Neptunes issue prayd
With carefull hart and voyce too mee, and thus deuoutly sayd.
O Venus, fauour myne attempt, and send mee downe thyne ayd
Too compasse my desyred loue which thou hast on mee layd.
His prayer movd mee (I confesse,) and long I not delayd
Before I helpt him. Now there is a certaine feeld the which
The Cyprian folk call Damasene, most fertile and most rich
Of all the Cyprian feelds: the same was consecrate too mee
In auncient tyme, and of my Church the glebland woont too bee.
Amid this feeld, with golden leaues there growes a goodly tree
The crackling boughes whereof are all of yellew gold. I came
And gathered golden Apples three: and bearing thence the same
Within my hand, immediatly too Hippomen I gat
Inuisible too all wyghts else saue him and taught him what
Too doo with them. The Trumpets blew: and girding forward, both
Set foorth, and on the houering dust with nimble feete eche goth.
A man would think they able were vppon the Sea too go
And neuer wet theyr feete, and on the ayles of corne also
That still is growing in the feeld, and neuer downe them tread.
The man tooke courage at the showt and woordes of them that sed,
Now now is tyme Hippomenes too ply it, hye a pace:
Enforce thyself with all thy strength: lag not in any cace:
Thou shalt obteine. It is a thing ryght dowtfull whither hee
At theis well willing woordes of theyrs reioysed more, or shee.
O Lord how often when shee might outstrippe him did shee stay,
And gazed long vppon his face, right loth too go her way?
A weerye breath proceeded from theyr parched lippes, and farre
They had too ronne. Then Neptunes imp her swiftnesse too disbarre,
Trolld downe a toneside of the way an Apple of the three.
Amazde therat, and couetous of the goodly Apple, shee
Did step asyde and snatched vp the rolling frute of gold.
With that Hippomenes coted her. The folke that did behold,
Made noyse with clapping of theyr hands. She recompenst her slothe
And losse of tyme with footemanshippe: and streight ageine outgothe
Hippomenes, leauing him behind. and beeing stayd agen
With taking vp the second, shee him ouertooke. And when
The race was almost at an end: He sayd: O Goddesse, thou
That art the author of this gift, assist mee freendly now,
And therwithall, of purpose that she might the longer bee
In comming, hee with all his might did bowle the last of three
A skew a toneside of the feelde. The Lady seemde too make
A dowt in taking of it vp. I forced her too take
It vp, and too the Apple I did put a heauy weyght,
And made it of such massinesse shee could not lift it streight.
And least that I in telling of my tale may longer bee,
Than they in ronning of their race, outstripped quight was shee.
And he that wan her, marying her enioyd her for his fee.
Of Cupid, beeing ignorant, did loue and knew it nat
Anon her father and the folk assembled, willed that
They should begin theyr woonted race. Then Neptunes issue prayd
With carefull hart and voyce too mee, and thus deuoutly sayd.
O Venus, fauour myne attempt, and send mee downe thyne ayd
Too compasse my desyred loue which thou hast on mee layd.
His prayer movd mee (I confesse,) and long I not delayd
Before I helpt him. Now there is a certaine feeld the which
The Cyprian folk call Damasene, most fertile and most rich
Of all the Cyprian feelds: the same was consecrate too mee
In auncient tyme, and of my Church the glebland woont too bee.
Amid this feeld, with golden leaues there growes a goodly tree
The crackling boughes whereof are all of yellew gold. I came
And gathered golden Apples three: and bearing thence the same
Within my hand, immediatly too Hippomen I gat
Inuisible too all wyghts else saue him and taught him what
Too doo with them. The Trumpets blew: and girding forward, both
Set foorth, and on the houering dust with nimble feete eche goth.
A man would think they able were vppon the Sea too go
And neuer wet theyr feete, and on the ayles of corne also
That still is growing in the feeld, and neuer downe them tread.
The man tooke courage at the showt and woordes of them that sed,
Now now is tyme Hippomenes too ply it, hye a pace:
Enforce thyself with all thy strength: lag not in any cace:
Thou shalt obteine. It is a thing ryght dowtfull whither hee
134
O Lord how often when shee might outstrippe him did shee stay,
And gazed long vppon his face, right loth too go her way?
A weerye breath proceeded from theyr parched lippes, and farre
They had too ronne. Then Neptunes imp her swiftnesse too disbarre,
Trolld downe a toneside of the way an Apple of the three.
Amazde therat, and couetous of the goodly Apple, shee
Did step asyde and snatched vp the rolling frute of gold.
With that Hippomenes coted her. The folke that did behold,
Made noyse with clapping of theyr hands. She recompenst her slothe
And losse of tyme with footemanshippe: and streight ageine outgothe
Hippomenes, leauing him behind. and beeing stayd agen
With taking vp the second, shee him ouertooke. And when
The race was almost at an end: He sayd: O Goddesse, thou
That art the author of this gift, assist mee freendly now,
And therwithall, of purpose that she might the longer bee
In comming, hee with all his might did bowle the last of three
A skew a toneside of the feelde. The Lady seemde too make
A dowt in taking of it vp. I forced her too take
It vp, and too the Apple I did put a heauy weyght,
And made it of such massinesse shee could not lift it streight.
And least that I in telling of my tale may longer bee,
Than they in ronning of their race, outstripped quight was shee.
And he that wan her, marying her enioyd her for his fee.
Thinkst thou I was not woorthy thanks, Adonis thinks thow
I earned not that he too mee should frankincence allow?
But he forgetfull neyther thanks nor frankincence did giue.
By meanes wherof too sooden wrath he iustly did me driue.
For beeing greeued with the spyght, bycause I would not bee
Despysd of such as were too come, I thought it best for mee
Too take such vengeance of them both as others might take heede
By them. And so ageinst them both in anger I proceede.
A temple of the mother of the Goddes that vowwed was
And buylded by Echion in a darksome groue, they passe
There through my might Hippomenes was toocht and stirred so,
That needes he would too Uenerie though out of season go.
Not farre from this same temple was with little light a den
With pommye vawlted naturally, long consecrate ere then
For old religion, not vnlike a caue: wher priests of yore
Bestowed had of Images of wooden Goddes good store.
Hippomenes entring herintoo defyld the holy place.
With his vnlawfull lust: from which the Idolls turnd theyr face.
And Cybell with the towred toppes disdeyning, dowted whither
Shee in the lake of Styx might drowne the wicked folk toogither.
The pennance seemed ouer lyght. and therefore shee did cawse
Thinne yellow manes to growe vppon theyr necks: and hooked pawes
In stead of fingars too succeede. Theyr shoulders were the same
They were before: with woondrous force deepe brested they beecame.
Theyr looke beecame feerce, cruell, grim, and sowre: a tufted tayle
Stretcht out in length farre after them vpon the ground dooth trayle.
In stead of speech they rore: in stead of bed they haunt the wood:
And dreadfull vnto others they for all theyr cruell moode
With tamed teeth chank Cybells bitts in shape of Lyons. Shonne
Theis beastes deere hart: and not from theis alonely see thou ronne,
But also from eche other beast that turnes not backe too flight
But offreth with his boystows brest too try the chaunce of fyght:
Anemis least thy valeantnesse bee hurtfull to vs both.
I earned not that he too mee should frankincence allow?
But he forgetfull neyther thanks nor frankincence did giue.
By meanes wherof too sooden wrath he iustly did me driue.
For beeing greeued with the spyght, bycause I would not bee
Despysd of such as were too come, I thought it best for mee
Too take such vengeance of them both as others might take heede
By them. And so ageinst them both in anger I proceede.
A temple of the mother of the Goddes that vowwed was
And buylded by Echion in a darksome groue, they passe
There through my might Hippomenes was toocht and stirred so,
That needes he would too Uenerie though out of season go.
Not farre from this same temple was with little light a den
[134]
For old religion, not vnlike a caue: wher priests of yore
Bestowed had of Images of wooden Goddes good store.
Hippomenes entring herintoo defyld the holy place.
With his vnlawfull lust: from which the Idolls turnd theyr face.
And Cybell with the towred toppes disdeyning, dowted whither
Shee in the lake of Styx might drowne the wicked folk toogither.
The pennance seemed ouer lyght. and therefore shee did cawse
Thinne yellow manes to growe vppon theyr necks: and hooked pawes
In stead of fingars too succeede. Theyr shoulders were the same
They were before: with woondrous force deepe brested they beecame.
Theyr looke beecame feerce, cruell, grim, and sowre: a tufted tayle
Stretcht out in length farre after them vpon the ground dooth trayle.
In stead of speech they rore: in stead of bed they haunt the wood:
And dreadfull vnto others they for all theyr cruell moode
With tamed teeth chank Cybells bitts in shape of Lyons. Shonne
Theis beastes deere hart: and not from theis alonely see thou ronne,
But also from eche other beast that turnes not backe too flight
But offreth with his boystows brest too try the chaunce of fyght:
Anemis least thy valeantnesse bee hurtfull to vs both.
This warning giuen, we yoked swannes away through aire she goth.
But manhod by admonishment restreyned could not bee.
By chaunce his hounds in following of the tracke, a Boare did see,
And rowsed him. And as the swyne was comming from the wood,
Adonis hit him with a dart a skew, and drew the blood.
The Boare streyght with his hooked groyne ye huntingstaffe out drew
Bestayned with his blood, and on Adonis did pursew
Who trembling and retyring back, too place of refuge drew.
And hyding in his codds his tuskes as farre as he could thrust
He layd him all along for dead vppon the yellow dust.
Dame Venus in her chariot drawen with swannes was scarce arriued
At Cyprus, when shee knew a farre the sygh of him depryued
Of lyfe. Shee turnd her Cygnets backe. and when shee from the skye
Beehilld him dead, and in his blood beweltred for to lye:
Shee leaped downe, and tare at once hir garments from her brist,
And rent her heare, and beate vppon her stomack with her fist,
And blaming sore the destnyes, sayd. Yit shall they not obteine
Their will in all things. Of my greefe remembrance shall remayne.
(Adonis) whyle the world doth last. From yeere too yeere shall growe
A thing that of my heauinesse and of thy death shall showe
The liuely likenesse. In a flowre thy blood I will bestowe.
Hadst thou the powre Persephonee rank sented Mints too make
Of womens limbes? and may not I lyke powre vpon mee take
Without disdeine and spyght, too turne Adonis too a flowre?
This sed, shee sprinckled Nectar on the blood, which through the powre
Therof did swell like bubbles sheere that ryse in weather cleere
On water. And before that full an howre expyred weere,
Of all one colour with the blood a flowre she there did fynd
Euen like the flowre of that same tree whose frute in tender rynde
Haue pleasant graynes inclosde. Howbeet the vse of them is short.
For why the leaues doo hang so looce through lightnesse in such sort,
As that the windes that all things perce, with euery little blast
Doo shake them of and shed them so as that they cannot last.
But manhod by admonishment restreyned could not bee.
By chaunce his hounds in following of the tracke, a Boare did see,
And rowsed him. And as the swyne was comming from the wood,
Adonis hit him with a dart a skew, and drew the blood.
The Boare streyght with his hooked groyne ye huntingstaffe out drew
Bestayned with his blood, and on Adonis did pursew
Who trembling and retyring back, too place of refuge drew.
And hyding in his codds his tuskes as farre as he could thrust
He layd him all along for dead vppon the yellow dust.
Dame Venus in her chariot drawen with swannes was scarce arriued
At Cyprus, when shee knew a farre the sygh of him depryued
Of lyfe. Shee turnd her Cygnets backe. and when shee from the skye
Beehilld him dead, and in his blood beweltred for to lye:
Shee leaped downe, and tare at once hir garments from her brist,
And rent her heare, and beate vppon her stomack with her fist,
135
Their will in all things. Of my greefe remembrance shall remayne.
(Adonis) whyle the world doth last. From yeere too yeere shall growe
A thing that of my heauinesse and of thy death shall showe
The liuely likenesse. In a flowre thy blood I will bestowe.
Hadst thou the powre Persephonee rank sented Mints too make
Of womens limbes? and may not I lyke powre vpon mee take
Without disdeine and spyght, too turne Adonis too a flowre?
This sed, shee sprinckled Nectar on the blood, which through the powre
Therof did swell like bubbles sheere that ryse in weather cleere
On water. And before that full an howre expyred weere,
Of all one colour with the blood a flowre she there did fynd
Euen like the flowre of that same tree whose frute in tender rynde
Haue pleasant graynes inclosde. Howbeet the vse of them is short.
For why the leaues doo hang so looce through lightnesse in such sort,
As that the windes that all things perce, with euery little blast
Doo shake them of and shed them so as that they cannot last.
Finis decimi Libri.
[135]
THE .XI. BOOKE OF Ouids Metamorphosis.
Now
whyle the Thracian Poet with this song delyghts ye mynds
Of sauage beastes, & drawes both stones and trees ageynst their kynds,
Behold the wyues of Ciconie wt reddeerskinnes about
Their furious brists as in the feeld they gadded on a rout,
Espyde him from a hillocks toppe still singing too his harp.
Of whom one shooke her head at him, and thus began to carp.
Behold (sayes shee) behold yoonsame is he that doth disdeine
Us women. And with that same woord shee sent her lawnce amayne
At Orphyes singing mouth. The Lawnce armd round about wt leaues,
Did hit him, and without a wound a marke behynd it leaues.
Another threw a stone at him, which vanquisht with his sweete
And most melodius harmonye, fell humbly at his feete
As sorye for the furious act it purposed. But rash
And heady ryot out of frame all reason now did dash,
And frantik outrage reigned. Yit had the sweetenesse of his song
Appeasd all weapons, sauing that the noyse now growing strong
With blowing shalmes, and beating drummes, & bedlem howling out,
And clapping hands on euery syde by Bacchus drunken rout,
Did drowne the sownd of Orphyes harp Then first of all stones were
Made ruddy with the prophets blood, and could not giue him eare.
And first the flocke of Bacchus froes by violence brake the ring
Of Serpents, birds, and sauage beastes that for to heere him sing
Sate gazing round about him there. And then with bluddy hands
They ran vppon the prophet who among them singing stands.
They flockt about him like as when a sort of birds haue found,
An Owle a day tymes in a tod: and hem him in full round,
As when a Stag by hungrye hownds is in a morning found,
The which forestall him round about and pull him to the ground.
Euen so the prophet they assayle, and throwe their Thyrses greene
At him, which for another vse than that inuented beene.
Sum cast mee clods, sum boughes of trees, & sum threw stones. And least
That weapon wherwithall too wreake theyr woodnesse which increast
Should want, it chaunst that Oxen by were tilling of the ground
And labring men with brawned armes not farre fro thence were found
A digging of the hardned earth, and earning of theyr food,
With sweating browes. They seeing this same rout, no longer stood,
But ran away and left theyr tooles behynd them. Euery where
Through all the feeld theyr mattocks, rakes, and shouells scattred were.
Which when the cruell feends had caught, and had a sunder rent
The horned Oxen, backe ageine to Orphy ward they went,
And (wicked wights) they murthred him, who neuer till that howre
Did vtter woordes in vaine, nor sing without effectuall powre.
And through that mouth of his (oh lord) which euen the stones had heard,
And vnto which the witlesse beastes had often giuen regard,
His ghost then breathing intoo aire, departed. Euen the fowles
Were sad for Orphye, and the beast with sorye syghing howles:
The rugged stones did moorne for him, the woods which many a tyme
Had followed him too heere him sing, bewayled this same cryme.
Yea euen the trees lamenting him did cast theyr leauy heare
The riuers also with theyr teares (men say) encreased were.
Yea and the Nymphes of brookes & woods vppon theyr streames did sayle
With scattred heare about theyr eares, in boats with sable sayle.
His members lay in sundrie steds. His head and harp both cam
To Hebrus. and (a woondrous thing) as downe the streame they swam,
His Harp did yeeld a moorning sound: his liuelesse toong did make
A certeine lamentable noyse as though it still yit spake,
And bothe the banks in moorning wyse made answer too the same.
At length a downe theyr country streame too open sea they came,
And lyghted on Methymnye shore in Lesbos land. There
No sooner on the forreine coast now cast a land they were,
But that a cruell naturde Snake did streyght vppon them fly,
And licking on his ruffled heare the which was dropping drye,
Did gape too tyre vppon those lippes that had beene woont to sing
Most heauenly hymnes. But Phebus streyght preuenting ye same thing,
Dispoynts the Serpent of his bit, and turnes him into stone
With gaping chappes. Already was the Ghost of Orphye gone
To Plutos realme, and there he all the places eft beehilld
The which he heretoofore had seene. And as he sought the feeld
Of fayre Elysion (where the soules of godly folk doo woonne,)
He found his wyfe Eurydicee, to whom he streyght did roonne
And hilld her in imbracing armes. There now he one while walks
Toogither with hir cheeke by cheeke: another while he stalks
Before her. and another whyle he followeth her. And now
Without all kinde of forfeyture he saufly myght auow
His looking bakward at his wyfe. But Bacchus greeued at
The murther of the Chapleine of his Orgies, suffred not
The mischeef vnrevengd too bee. For by and by he bound,
The Thracian women by the feete with writhen roote in ground,
As many as consenting too this wicked act were found.
And looke how much that eche of them the prophet did pursew,
So much he sharpening of their toes, within the ground them drew.
And as the bird that fynds her leg besnarled in the net
The which the fowlers suttlelye hathe clocely for her set,
And feeles shee cannot get away, stands flickering with her wings,
And with her fearefull leaping vp drawes clocer still the strings:
So eche of theis when in the ground they fastned were, assayd
Aflayghted for to fly away. But euery one was stayd
With winding roote which hilld her downe. her frisking could not boote.
And whyle she lookte what was become of To, of nayle, and foote,
Shee sawe her leggs growe round in one, and turning intoo woode.
And as her thyghes with violent hand shee sadly striking stoode,
Shee felt them tree: her brest was tree: her shoulders eeke were tree.
Her armes long boughes yee myght haue thought, and not deceyued bee.
Of sauage beastes, & drawes both stones and trees ageynst their kynds,
Behold the wyues of Ciconie wt reddeerskinnes about
Their furious brists as in the feeld they gadded on a rout,
Espyde him from a hillocks toppe still singing too his harp.
Of whom one shooke her head at him, and thus began to carp.
Behold (sayes shee) behold yoonsame is he that doth disdeine
Us women. And with that same woord shee sent her lawnce amayne
At Orphyes singing mouth. The Lawnce armd round about wt leaues,
Did hit him, and without a wound a marke behynd it leaues.
Another threw a stone at him, which vanquisht with his sweete
And most melodius harmonye, fell humbly at his feete
As sorye for the furious act it purposed. But rash
And heady ryot out of frame all reason now did dash,
And frantik outrage reigned. Yit had the sweetenesse of his song
Appeasd all weapons, sauing that the noyse now growing strong
With blowing shalmes, and beating drummes, & bedlem howling out,
And clapping hands on euery syde by Bacchus drunken rout,
Did drowne the sownd of Orphyes harp Then first of all stones were
Made ruddy with the prophets blood, and could not giue him eare.
And first the flocke of Bacchus froes by violence brake the ring
Of Serpents, birds, and sauage beastes that for to heere him sing
Sate gazing round about him there. And then with bluddy hands
They ran vppon the prophet who among them singing stands.
They flockt about him like as when a sort of birds haue found,
An Owle a day tymes in a tod: and hem him in full round,
As when a Stag by hungrye hownds is in a morning found,
The which forestall him round about and pull him to the ground.
Euen so the prophet they assayle, and throwe their Thyrses greene
At him, which for another vse than that inuented beene.
Sum cast mee clods, sum boughes of trees, & sum threw stones. And least
That weapon wherwithall too wreake theyr woodnesse which increast
Should want, it chaunst that Oxen by were tilling of the ground
And labring men with brawned armes not farre fro thence were found
136
With sweating browes. They seeing this same rout, no longer stood,
But ran away and left theyr tooles behynd them. Euery where
Through all the feeld theyr mattocks, rakes, and shouells scattred were.
Which when the cruell feends had caught, and had a sunder rent
The horned Oxen, backe ageine to Orphy ward they went,
And (wicked wights) they murthred him, who neuer till that howre
Did vtter woordes in vaine, nor sing without effectuall powre.
And through that mouth of his (oh lord) which euen the stones had heard,
And vnto which the witlesse beastes had often giuen regard,
His ghost then breathing intoo aire, departed. Euen the fowles
Were sad for Orphye, and the beast with sorye syghing howles:
The rugged stones did moorne for him, the woods which many a tyme
Had followed him too heere him sing, bewayled this same cryme.
Yea euen the trees lamenting him did cast theyr leauy heare
The riuers also with theyr teares (men say) encreased were.
Yea and the Nymphes of brookes & woods vppon theyr streames did sayle
With scattred heare about theyr eares, in boats with sable sayle.
His members lay in sundrie steds. His head and harp both cam
To Hebrus. and (a woondrous thing) as downe the streame they swam,
His Harp did yeeld a moorning sound: his liuelesse toong did make
A certeine lamentable noyse as though it still yit spake,
And bothe the banks in moorning wyse made answer too the same.
At length a downe theyr country streame too open sea they came,
And lyghted on Methymnye shore in Lesbos land. There
No sooner on the forreine coast now cast a land they were,
But that a cruell naturde Snake did streyght vppon them fly,
And licking on his ruffled heare the which was dropping drye,
Did gape too tyre vppon those lippes that had beene woont to sing
Most heauenly hymnes. But Phebus streyght preuenting ye same thing,
Dispoynts the Serpent of his bit, and turnes him into stone
With gaping chappes. Already was the Ghost of Orphye gone
To Plutos realme, and there he all the places eft beehilld
The which he heretoofore had seene. And as he sought the feeld
Of fayre Elysion (where the soules of godly folk doo woonne,)
He found his wyfe Eurydicee, to whom he streyght did roonne
[136]
Toogither with hir cheeke by cheeke: another while he stalks
Before her. and another whyle he followeth her. And now
Without all kinde of forfeyture he saufly myght auow
His looking bakward at his wyfe. But Bacchus greeued at
The murther of the Chapleine of his Orgies, suffred not
The mischeef vnrevengd too bee. For by and by he bound,
The Thracian women by the feete with writhen roote in ground,
As many as consenting too this wicked act were found.
And looke how much that eche of them the prophet did pursew,
So much he sharpening of their toes, within the ground them drew.
And as the bird that fynds her leg besnarled in the net
The which the fowlers suttlelye hathe clocely for her set,
And feeles shee cannot get away, stands flickering with her wings,
And with her fearefull leaping vp drawes clocer still the strings:
So eche of theis when in the ground they fastned were, assayd
Aflayghted for to fly away. But euery one was stayd
With winding roote which hilld her downe. her frisking could not boote.
And whyle she lookte what was become of To, of nayle, and foote,
Shee sawe her leggs growe round in one, and turning intoo woode.
And as her thyghes with violent hand shee sadly striking stoode,
Shee felt them tree: her brest was tree: her shoulders eeke were tree.
Her armes long boughes yee myght haue thought, and not deceyued bee.
But Bacchus was not so content: he quyght forsooke their land:
And with a better companye remoued out of hand
Unto the Uyneyarde of his owne mount Tmolus, and the riuer
Pactolus though as yit no streames of gold it did deliuer,
Ne spyghted was for precious sands. His olde accustomd rout
Of woodwards and of franticke froes enuyrond him about.
But old Silenus was away. The Phrygian ploughmen found
Him reeling bothe for droonkennesse and age, and brought him bound
With garlands, vnto Midas king of Phrygia, vnto whom
The Thracian Orphye and the preest Eumolphus comming from
The towne of Athens erst had taught the Orgies. When he knew
His fellowe and companion of the selfe same badge and crew.
Uppon the comming of this guest, he kept a feast the space
Of twyce fyue dayes and twyce fyue nyghts toogither in that place
And now theleuenth tyme Lucifer had mustred in the sky
The heauenly host, when Midas commes too Lydia iocundly
And yeeldes the old Silenus too his fosterchyld. He glad
That he his fosterfather had eftsoones recouered, bad
King Midas ask him what he would. Right glad of that was hee,
But not a whit at latter end the better should he bee.
He minding too misvse his giftes, sayd: graunt that all and some
The which my body towcheth bare may yellow gold become.
God Bacchus graunting his request, his hurtfull gift performd,
And that he had not better wisht he in his stomacke stormd.
And with a better companye remoued out of hand
Unto the Uyneyarde of his owne mount Tmolus, and the riuer
Pactolus though as yit no streames of gold it did deliuer,
Ne spyghted was for precious sands. His olde accustomd rout
Of woodwards and of franticke froes enuyrond him about.
But old Silenus was away. The Phrygian ploughmen found
Him reeling bothe for droonkennesse and age, and brought him bound
With garlands, vnto Midas king of Phrygia, vnto whom
The Thracian Orphye and the preest Eumolphus comming from
The towne of Athens erst had taught the Orgies. When he knew
His fellowe and companion of the selfe same badge and crew.
Uppon the comming of this guest, he kept a feast the space
Of twyce fyue dayes and twyce fyue nyghts toogither in that place
137
The heauenly host, when Midas commes too Lydia iocundly
And yeeldes the old Silenus too his fosterchyld. He glad
That he his fosterfather had eftsoones recouered, bad
King Midas ask him what he would. Right glad of that was hee,
But not a whit at latter end the better should he bee.
He minding too misvse his giftes, sayd: graunt that all and some
The which my body towcheth bare may yellow gold become.
God Bacchus graunting his request, his hurtfull gift performd,
And that he had not better wisht he in his stomacke stormd.
Reioycing in his harme away full merye goes the king:
And for too try his promis true he towcheth euery thing.
Scarce giuing credit too himself, he pulled yoong greene twiggs
From of an Holmetree: by and by all golden were the spriggs
He tooke a flintstone from the ground, the stone likewyse became
Pure gold. He towched next a clod of earth, and streight the same
By force of towching did become a wedge of yellow gold.
He gathered eares of rypened corne: immediatly beholde
The corne was gold. An Apple then he pulled from a tree:
Yee would haue thought the Hesperids had giuen it him. If hee
On Pillars high his fingars layd, they glistred like the sonne.
The water where he washt his hands did from his hands so ronne,
As Danae might haue beene therwith beguyld. He scarce could hold
His passing ioyes within his hart, for making all things gold.
Whyle he thus ioyd, his officers did spred the boord anon,
And set downe sundry sorts of meate and mancheate thervppon.
Then whither his hand did towch the bread, the bread was massy gold:
Or whither he chawde with hungry teeth his meate, yee might behold
The peece of meate betweene his iawes a plat of gold too bee.
In drinking wine and water mixt, yee myght discerne and see
The liquid gold ronne downe his throte. Amazed at the straunge
Mischaunce, and being both a wretch and rich, he wisht too chaunge
His riches for his former state, and now he did abhorre
The thing which euen but late before he cheefly longed for.
No meate his hunger slakes: his throte is shrunken vp with thurst:
And iustly dooth his hatefull gold torment him as accurst.
Then lifting vp his sory armes and handes too heauen, he cryde:
O father Bacchus pardon mee. My sinne I will not hyde.
Haue mercy I beseech thee and vouchsauf too rid mee quyght
From this same harme that seemes so good and glorious vntoo syght.
The gentle Bacchus streight vppon confession of his cryme
Restored Midas too the state hee had in former tyme.
And hauing made performance of his promis, hee beereft him
The gift that he had graunted him. And least he should haue left him
Beedawbed with the dregges of that same gold which wickedly
Hee wisshed had, he willed him too get him by and by
Too that great ryuer which dooth ronne by Sardis towne, and there
Along the chanell vp the streame his open armes to beare
Untill he commeth too the spring: and then his head too put
Full vnderneathe the foming spowt where greatest was the gut,
And so in wasshing of his limbes too wash away his cryme.
The king (as was commaunded him) ageinst the streame did clyme.
And streyght the powre of making gold departing quyght from him,
Infects the ryuer, making it with golden streame too swim.
The force whereof the bankes about so soked in theyr veynes,
That euen as yit the yellow gold vppon the cloddes remaynes.
And for too try his promis true he towcheth euery thing.
Scarce giuing credit too himself, he pulled yoong greene twiggs
From of an Holmetree: by and by all golden were the spriggs
He tooke a flintstone from the ground, the stone likewyse became
Pure gold. He towched next a clod of earth, and streight the same
By force of towching did become a wedge of yellow gold.
He gathered eares of rypened corne: immediatly beholde
The corne was gold. An Apple then he pulled from a tree:
Yee would haue thought the Hesperids had giuen it him. If hee
On Pillars high his fingars layd, they glistred like the sonne.
The water where he washt his hands did from his hands so ronne,
As Danae might haue beene therwith beguyld. He scarce could hold
His passing ioyes within his hart, for making all things gold.
Whyle he thus ioyd, his officers did spred the boord anon,
And set downe sundry sorts of meate and mancheate thervppon.
Then whither his hand did towch the bread, the bread was massy gold:
Or whither he chawde with hungry teeth his meate, yee might behold
The peece of meate betweene his iawes a plat of gold too bee.
In drinking wine and water mixt, yee myght discerne and see
The liquid gold ronne downe his throte. Amazed at the straunge
Mischaunce, and being both a wretch and rich, he wisht too chaunge
His riches for his former state, and now he did abhorre
The thing which euen but late before he cheefly longed for.
No meate his hunger slakes: his throte is shrunken vp with thurst:
And iustly dooth his hatefull gold torment him as accurst.
Then lifting vp his sory armes and handes too heauen, he cryde:
[137]
Haue mercy I beseech thee and vouchsauf too rid mee quyght
From this same harme that seemes so good and glorious vntoo syght.
The gentle Bacchus streight vppon confession of his cryme
Restored Midas too the state hee had in former tyme.
And hauing made performance of his promis, hee beereft him
The gift that he had graunted him. And least he should haue left him
Beedawbed with the dregges of that same gold which wickedly
Hee wisshed had, he willed him too get him by and by
Too that great ryuer which dooth ronne by Sardis towne, and there
Along the chanell vp the streame his open armes to beare
Untill he commeth too the spring: and then his head too put
Full vnderneathe the foming spowt where greatest was the gut,
And so in wasshing of his limbes too wash away his cryme.
The king (as was commaunded him) ageinst the streame did clyme.
And streyght the powre of making gold departing quyght from him,
Infects the ryuer, making it with golden streame too swim.
The force whereof the bankes about so soked in theyr veynes,
That euen as yit the yellow gold vppon the cloddes remaynes.
Then Midas hating riches haunts the pasturegrounds and groues,
And vp & down with Pan among the Lawnds & mountaines roues.
But still a head more fat than wyse, and doltish wit he hath,
The which as erst, yit once againe must woork theyr mayster scath.
The mountayne Tmole from loftye toppe too seaward looketh downe,
And spreading farre his boorely sydes, extendeth too the towne
Of Sardis with the tonesyde and too Hypep with the toother.
There Pan among the fayrye elues that dawnced round toogither
In setting of his conning out for singing and for play
Uppon his pype of reedes and wax, presuming for too say
Apollos musick was not like too his, did take in hand
A farre vnequall match, wherof the Tmole for iudge should stand.
The auncient iudge sitts downe vppon his hill, and ridds his eares
From trees, and onely on his head an Oken garlond weares,
Whereof the Acornes dangled downe about his hollow brow.
And looking on the God of neate he sayd: yee neede not now
Too tarry longer for your iudge. Then Pan blew lowd and strong
His country pype of reedes, and with his rude and homely song
Delighted Midas eares, for he by chaunce was in the throng.
When Pan had doone, the sacred Tmole too Phebus turnd his looke,
And with the turning of his head his busshye heare he shooke.
Then Phebus with a crowne of Bay vppon his golden heare
Did sweepe the ground with scarlet robe. In left hand he did beare
His viall made of precious stones and Iuorye intermixt.
And in his right hand for too strike, his bowe was reedy fixt.
He was the verrye paterne of a good Musician ryght
Anon he gan with conning hand the tuned strings too smyght.
The sweetenesse of the which did so the iudge of them delyght,
That Pan was willed for to put his Reedepype in his cace,
And not too fiddle nor too sing where vialls were in place.
And vp & down with Pan among the Lawnds & mountaines roues.
But still a head more fat than wyse, and doltish wit he hath,
The which as erst, yit once againe must woork theyr mayster scath.
The mountayne Tmole from loftye toppe too seaward looketh downe,
And spreading farre his boorely sydes, extendeth too the towne
Of Sardis with the tonesyde and too Hypep with the toother.
There Pan among the fayrye elues that dawnced round toogither
In setting of his conning out for singing and for play
Uppon his pype of reedes and wax, presuming for too say
Apollos musick was not like too his, did take in hand
A farre vnequall match, wherof the Tmole for iudge should stand.
The auncient iudge sitts downe vppon his hill, and ridds his eares
From trees, and onely on his head an Oken garlond weares,
Whereof the Acornes dangled downe about his hollow brow.
And looking on the God of neate he sayd: yee neede not now
Too tarry longer for your iudge. Then Pan blew lowd and strong
His country pype of reedes, and with his rude and homely song
138
When Pan had doone, the sacred Tmole too Phebus turnd his looke,
And with the turning of his head his busshye heare he shooke.
Then Phebus with a crowne of Bay vppon his golden heare
Did sweepe the ground with scarlet robe. In left hand he did beare
His viall made of precious stones and Iuorye intermixt.
And in his right hand for too strike, his bowe was reedy fixt.
He was the verrye paterne of a good Musician ryght
Anon he gan with conning hand the tuned strings too smyght.
The sweetenesse of the which did so the iudge of them delyght,
That Pan was willed for to put his Reedepype in his cace,
And not too fiddle nor too sing where vialls were in place.
The iudgement of the holy hill was lyked well of all,
Saue Midas, who found fault therwith and wrongfull did it call.
Apollo could not suffer well his foolish eares too keepe
Theyr humaine shape, but drew them wyde, & made them long & deepe.
And filld them full of whytish heares, and made them downe too sag.
And through too much vnstablenesse continually too wag.
His body keeping in the rest his manly figure still,
Was ponnisht in the part that did offend for want of skill.
And so a slowe paaste Asses eares his heade did after beare.
This shame endeuereth he too hyde. And therefore he did weare
A purple nyghtcappe euer since. But yit his Barber who
Was woont too notte him spyed it: and beeing eager too
Disclose it, when he neyther durst too vtter it, nor could
It keepe in secret still, hee went and digged vp the mowld,
And whispring softly in the pit, declaard what eares hee spyde
His mayster haue, and turning downe the clowre ageine, did hyde
His blabbed woordes within the ground, and closing vp the pit
Departed thence and neuer made mo woordes at all of it.
Soone after, there began a tuft of quiuering reedes too growe
Which beeing rype bewrayd theyr seede and him that did them sowe.
For when the gentle sowtherne wynd did lyghtly on them blowe,
They vttred foorth the woordes that had beene buried in the ground
And so reproude the Asses eares of Midas with theyr sound.
Saue Midas, who found fault therwith and wrongfull did it call.
Apollo could not suffer well his foolish eares too keepe
Theyr humaine shape, but drew them wyde, & made them long & deepe.
And filld them full of whytish heares, and made them downe too sag.
And through too much vnstablenesse continually too wag.
His body keeping in the rest his manly figure still,
Was ponnisht in the part that did offend for want of skill.
And so a slowe paaste Asses eares his heade did after beare.
This shame endeuereth he too hyde. And therefore he did weare
A purple nyghtcappe euer since. But yit his Barber who
Was woont too notte him spyed it: and beeing eager too
Disclose it, when he neyther durst too vtter it, nor could
It keepe in secret still, hee went and digged vp the mowld,
And whispring softly in the pit, declaard what eares hee spyde
His mayster haue, and turning downe the clowre ageine, did hyde
His blabbed woordes within the ground, and closing vp the pit
Departed thence and neuer made mo woordes at all of it.
Soone after, there began a tuft of quiuering reedes too growe
Which beeing rype bewrayd theyr seede and him that did them sowe.
For when the gentle sowtherne wynd did lyghtly on them blowe,
They vttred foorth the woordes that had beene buried in the ground
And so reproude the Asses eares of Midas with theyr sound.
Apollo after this reuenge from Tmolus tooke his flyght:
And sweeping through the ayre, did on the selfsame syde alyght
Of Hellespontus, in the Realme of king Laomedon.
There stoode vppon the right syde of Sigæum, and vppon
The left of Rhetye cliffe that tyme, an Altar buylt of old
Too Ioue that heereth all mennes woordes. Heere Phebus did behold
The foresayd king Laomedon beginning for too lay
Foundation of the walles of Troy: which woork from day too day
Went hard and slowly forward, and requyrd no little charge,
Then he toogither with the God that rules the surges large,
Did put themselues in shape of men, and bargaynd with the king
Of Phrygia for a summe of gold his woork too end too bring.
Now when the woork was done, the king theyr wages them denayd,
And falsly faaste them downe with othes it was not as they sayd.
Thou shalt not mock vs vnreuendgd (quoth Neptune.) And anon
He caused all the surges of the sea too rush vppon
The shore of couetous Troy, and made the countrye like the deepe.
The goodes of all the husbandmen away he quight did sweepe,
And ouerwhelmd theyr feeldes with waues. And thinking this too small
A pennance for the falsehod, he demaunded therwithall
His daughter for a monster of the Sea. whom beeing bound
Untoo a rocke, stout Hercules deliuering saufe and sound,
Requyrd his steeds which were the hyre for which he did compound.
And when that of so great desert the king denyde the hyre,
The twyce forsworne false towne of Troy he sacked in his ire.
And Telamon in honour of his seruice did enioy
The Lady Hesion daughter of the couetous king of Troy.
For Peleus had already got a Goddesse too his wife,
And liued vntoo both theyr ioyes a right renowmed lyfe.
And sure he was not prowder of his graundsyre, than of thee
That wert become his fathrinlaw. For many mo than hee
Haue had the hap of mighty Ioue the nephewes for too bee.
But neuer was it heeretoofore the chaunce of any one
Too haue a Goddesse too his wyfe, saue only his alone.
For vntoo watry Thetis thus old Protevv did foretell.
Go marry: thou shalt beare a sonne whose dooings shall excell
His fathers farre in feates of armes, and greater he shall bee
In honour, hygh renowme, and fame, than euer erst was hee.
This caused Ioue the watry bed of Thetis too forbeare
Although his hart were more than warme with loue of her, for feare
The world sum other greater thing than Ioue himself should breede,
And willd the sonne of Aeäcus this Peleus to succeede.
In that which he himself would faine haue done, and for too take
The Lady of the sea in armes a moother her too make.
And sweeping through the ayre, did on the selfsame syde alyght
[138]
There stoode vppon the right syde of Sigæum, and vppon
The left of Rhetye cliffe that tyme, an Altar buylt of old
Too Ioue that heereth all mennes woordes. Heere Phebus did behold
The foresayd king Laomedon beginning for too lay
Foundation of the walles of Troy: which woork from day too day
Went hard and slowly forward, and requyrd no little charge,
Then he toogither with the God that rules the surges large,
Did put themselues in shape of men, and bargaynd with the king
Of Phrygia for a summe of gold his woork too end too bring.
Now when the woork was done, the king theyr wages them denayd,
And falsly faaste them downe with othes it was not as they sayd.
Thou shalt not mock vs vnreuendgd (quoth Neptune.) And anon
He caused all the surges of the sea too rush vppon
The shore of couetous Troy, and made the countrye like the deepe.
The goodes of all the husbandmen away he quight did sweepe,
And ouerwhelmd theyr feeldes with waues. And thinking this too small
A pennance for the falsehod, he demaunded therwithall
His daughter for a monster of the Sea. whom beeing bound
Untoo a rocke, stout Hercules deliuering saufe and sound,
Requyrd his steeds which were the hyre for which he did compound.
And when that of so great desert the king denyde the hyre,
The twyce forsworne false towne of Troy he sacked in his ire.
And Telamon in honour of his seruice did enioy
The Lady Hesion daughter of the couetous king of Troy.
For Peleus had already got a Goddesse too his wife,
And liued vntoo both theyr ioyes a right renowmed lyfe.
And sure he was not prowder of his graundsyre, than of thee
That wert become his fathrinlaw. For many mo than hee
Haue had the hap of mighty Ioue the nephewes for too bee.
But neuer was it heeretoofore the chaunce of any one
Too haue a Goddesse too his wyfe, saue only his alone.
For vntoo watry Thetis thus old Protevv did foretell.
Go marry: thou shalt beare a sonne whose dooings shall excell
His fathers farre in feates of armes, and greater he shall bee
In honour, hygh renowme, and fame, than euer erst was hee.
This caused Ioue the watry bed of Thetis too forbeare
139
The world sum other greater thing than Ioue himself should breede,
And willd the sonne of Aeäcus this Peleus to succeede.
In that which he himself would faine haue done, and for too take
The Lady of the sea in armes a moother her too make.
There is a bay of Thessaly that bendeth lyke a boawe.
The sydes shoote foorth, where if the sea of any depth did flowe
It were a hauen. Scarcely dooth the water hyde the sand.
It hath a shore so firme, that if a man theron doo stand,
No print of foote remaynes behynd: it hindreth not ones pace
Ne couered is with houering reeke. Adioyning too this place,
There is a groue of Myrtletrees with frute of dowle colour,
And in the midds thereof a Caue. I can not tell you whither
That nature or the art of man were maker of the same.
It seemed rather made by arte. Oft Thetis hither came
Starke naked, ryding brauely on a brydled Dolphins backe.
There Peleus as shee lay a sleepe vppon her often bracke.
And forbycause that at her handes entreatance nothing winnes,
He folding her about the necke with both his armes, beginnes
Too offer force. And surely if shee had not falne too wyles
And shifted oftentymes her shape, he had obteind erewhyles.
But shee became sumtymes a bird: He hilld her like a bird.
Anon shee was a massye log: but Peleus neuer stird
Awhit for that. Then thirdly shee of speckled Tyger tooke
The vgly shape: for feare of whose most feerce and cruell looke,
His armes he from her body twicht. And at his going thence,
In honour of the watry Goddes he burned frankincence,
And powred wyne vppon the sea, with fat of neate and sheepe:
Untill the prophet that dooth dwell within Carpathian deepe,
Sayd thus. Thou sonne of Aeäcus, thy wish thou sure shalt haue
Alonely when shee lyes a sleepe within her pleasant Caue,
Cast grinnes too trappe her vnbewares: hold fast with snarling knot:
And though shee fayne a hundreth shapes, deceyue thee let her not.
But sticke vntoot what ere it bee, vntill the tyme that shee
Returneth too the natiue shape shee erst was woont too bee.
When Protevv thus had sed, within the sea he duckt his head,
And suffred on his latter woordes the water for too spred.
The lyghtsum Titan downeward drew, and with declyning chayre
Approched too the westerne sea, when Neryes daughter fayre
Returning from the sea, resorts too her accustomd cowch.
And Peleus scarcely had begon hir naked limbes too towch,
But that shee chaungd from shape to shape, vntill at length shee found
Herself surprysd. Then stretching out her armes with sighes profound,
Shee sayd: Thou ouercommest mee, and not without the ayd
Of God: and then she Thetis like, appeerd in shape of mayd.
The noble prince imbracing her obteynd her at his will,
Too both theyr ioyes, and with the great Achylles did her fill.
The sydes shoote foorth, where if the sea of any depth did flowe
It were a hauen. Scarcely dooth the water hyde the sand.
It hath a shore so firme, that if a man theron doo stand,
No print of foote remaynes behynd: it hindreth not ones pace
Ne couered is with houering reeke. Adioyning too this place,
There is a groue of Myrtletrees with frute of dowle colour,
And in the midds thereof a Caue. I can not tell you whither
That nature or the art of man were maker of the same.
It seemed rather made by arte. Oft Thetis hither came
Starke naked, ryding brauely on a brydled Dolphins backe.
There Peleus as shee lay a sleepe vppon her often bracke.
And forbycause that at her handes entreatance nothing winnes,
He folding her about the necke with both his armes, beginnes
Too offer force. And surely if shee had not falne too wyles
And shifted oftentymes her shape, he had obteind erewhyles.
But shee became sumtymes a bird: He hilld her like a bird.
Anon shee was a massye log: but Peleus neuer stird
Awhit for that. Then thirdly shee of speckled Tyger tooke
The vgly shape: for feare of whose most feerce and cruell looke,
His armes he from her body twicht. And at his going thence,
In honour of the watry Goddes he burned frankincence,
And powred wyne vppon the sea, with fat of neate and sheepe:
Untill the prophet that dooth dwell within Carpathian deepe,
Sayd thus. Thou sonne of Aeäcus, thy wish thou sure shalt haue
Alonely when shee lyes a sleepe within her pleasant Caue,
Cast grinnes too trappe her vnbewares: hold fast with snarling knot:
And though shee fayne a hundreth shapes, deceyue thee let her not.
But sticke vntoot what ere it bee, vntill the tyme that shee
Returneth too the natiue shape shee erst was woont too bee.
When Protevv thus had sed, within the sea he duckt his head,
And suffred on his latter woordes the water for too spred.
[139]
Approched too the westerne sea, when Neryes daughter fayre
Returning from the sea, resorts too her accustomd cowch.
And Peleus scarcely had begon hir naked limbes too towch,
But that shee chaungd from shape to shape, vntill at length shee found
Herself surprysd. Then stretching out her armes with sighes profound,
Shee sayd: Thou ouercommest mee, and not without the ayd
Of God: and then she Thetis like, appeerd in shape of mayd.
The noble prince imbracing her obteynd her at his will,
Too both theyr ioyes, and with the great Achylles did her fill.
A happye wyght was Peleus in his wyfe: A happy wyght
Was Peleus also in his sonne. And if yee him acquight
Of murthring Phocus, happy him in all things count yee myght.
But giltye of his brothers blood, and bannisht for the same
From bothe his fathers house and Realme, too Trachin sad he came.
The sonne of lyghtsum Lucifer king Ceyx (who in face
Exprest the liuely beawtye of his fathers heauenly grace,)
Without all violent rigor and sharpe executions reignd
In Trachin. He right sad that tyme vnlike himself, remaynd
Yit moorning for his brothers chaunce transformed late before.
When Peleus thither came, with care and trauayle tyred sore,
He left his cattell and his sheepe (whereof he brought great store)
Behynd him in a shady vale not farre from Trachin towne,
And with a little companye himself went thither downe.
Assoone as leaue too come too Court was graunted him, he bare
A braunche of Olyf in his hand, and humbly did declare
His name and lynage. Onely of his crime no woord hee spake,
But of his flyght another cause pretensedly did make:
Desyring leaue within his towne or countrye too abyde.
The king of Trachin gently thus too him ageine replyde.
Our bownty too the meanest sort (O Peleus) dooth extend:
Wee are not woont the desolate our countrye too forfend.
And though I bee of nature most inclyned good too doo:
Thyne owne renowme, thy graundsyre Ioue are forcements therevntoo,
Misspend no longer tyme in sute. I gladly doo agree
Too graunt thee what thou wilt desyre. Theis things that thou doost see
I would thou should account them as thyne owne, such as they bee
I would they better were. With that he weeped. Peleus and
His freends desyred of his greef the cause too vnderstand.
Was Peleus also in his sonne. And if yee him acquight
Of murthring Phocus, happy him in all things count yee myght.
But giltye of his brothers blood, and bannisht for the same
From bothe his fathers house and Realme, too Trachin sad he came.
The sonne of lyghtsum Lucifer king Ceyx (who in face
Exprest the liuely beawtye of his fathers heauenly grace,)
Without all violent rigor and sharpe executions reignd
In Trachin. He right sad that tyme vnlike himself, remaynd
Yit moorning for his brothers chaunce transformed late before.
When Peleus thither came, with care and trauayle tyred sore,
He left his cattell and his sheepe (whereof he brought great store)
Behynd him in a shady vale not farre from Trachin towne,
And with a little companye himself went thither downe.
Assoone as leaue too come too Court was graunted him, he bare
A braunche of Olyf in his hand, and humbly did declare
His name and lynage. Onely of his crime no woord hee spake,
But of his flyght another cause pretensedly did make:
Desyring leaue within his towne or countrye too abyde.
The king of Trachin gently thus too him ageine replyde.
Our bownty too the meanest sort (O Peleus) dooth extend:
Wee are not woont the desolate our countrye too forfend.
And though I bee of nature most inclyned good too doo:
Thyne owne renowme, thy graundsyre Ioue are forcements therevntoo,
Misspend no longer tyme in sute. I gladly doo agree
Too graunt thee what thou wilt desyre. Theis things that thou doost see
I would thou should account them as thyne owne, such as they bee
140
His freends desyred of his greef the cause too vnderstand.
He answerd thus. Perchaunce yee think this bird that liues by pray
And putts all other birds in feare had wings and fethers ay.
He was a man. And as he was right feerce in feats of armes,
And stout and readye bothe too wreake and also offer harmes:
So was he of a constant mynd. Dædalion men him hyght.
Our father was that noble starre that brings the morning bryght,
And in the welkin last of all giues place too Phebus lyght.
My study was too maynteine peace, in peace was my delyght,
And for too keepe mee true too her too whom my fayth is plyght.
My brother had felicite in warre and bloody fyght.
His prowesse and his force which now dooth chase in cruell flyght
The Dooues of Thisbye since his shape was altred thus a new,
Ryght puyssant Princes and theyr Realmes did heeretoofore subdew.
He had a chyld calld Chyone, whom nature did endew
With beawtye so, that when too age of fowreteene yeeres shee grew,
A thousand Princes liking her did for hir fauour sew.
By fortune as bryght Phebus and the sonne of Lady May
Came tone from Delphos, toother from mount Cyllen, by the way
They saw her bothe at once, and bothe at once where tane in loue.
Apollo till the tyme of nyght differd his sute too moue.
But Hermes could not beare delay. He stroked on the face
The mayden with his charmed rod which hath the powre too chace
And bring in sleepe: the touch whereof did cast her in so dead
A sleepe, that Hermes by and by his purpose of her sped.
Assoone as nyght with twinckling starres the welkin had beesprent,
Apollo in an old wyues shape too Chyon clocely went,
And tooke the pleasure which the sonne of Maya had forehent.
Now when shee full her tyme had gon, shee bare by Mercurye
A sonne that hyght Avvtolychus who provde a wyly pye,
And such a fellow as in theft and filching had no peere.
He was his fathers owne sonne right: he could mennes eyes so bleere,
As for too make ye black things whyght, & whyght things black appeere.
And by Apollo (for shee bare a payre) was borne his brother
Philammon, who in musick arte excelled farre all other,
As well in singing as in play. But what auayled it
Too beare such twinnes, and of twoo Goddes in fauour too haue sit.
And that shee too her father had a stowt and valeant knight,
Or that her graundsyre was the sonne of Ioue that God of might?
Dooth glorie hurt too any folk? It surely hurted her.
For standing in her owne conceyt shee did herself prefer
Before Diana, and dispraysd her face. who there with all
Inflaamd with wrath, sayd: well, with deedes we better please her shall.
Immediatly shee bent her bowe, and let an arrow go,
Which strake her through the toong, whose spight deserued wounding so.
Her toong wext dumb, her speech gan fayle that erst was ouer ryfe,
And as shee stryued for too speake, away went blood and lyfe.
How wretched was I then O God? how strake it too my hart?
What woordes of comfort did I speake too ease my brothers smart?
Too which he gaue his eare as much as dooth the stonny rocke
Too hideous roring of the waues that doo against it knocke.
There was no measure nor none ende in making of his mone,
Nor in bewayling comfortlesse his daughter that was gone.
But when he sawe her bodye burne, fowre tymes with all his myght
He russhed foorth too thrust himself amid the fyre in syght.
Fowre tymes hee beeing thence repulst, did put himself too flyght.
And ran mee wheras was no way, as dooth a Bullocke when
A hornet stings him in the necke. Mee thought hee was as then
More wyghter farre than any man. Yee would haue thought his feete
Had had sum wings. So fled he quyght from all, and being fleete
Through eagernesse too dye, he gat too mount Parnasos knappe
And there Apollo pitying him and rewing his missehappe,
When as Dædalion from the cliffe himself had headlong floong,
Transformd him too a bird, and on the soodaine as hee hung
Did giue him wings, and bowwing beake, and hooked talants keene,
And eeke a courage full as feerce as euer it had beene.
And furthermore a greater strength he lent him therwithall,
Than one would thinke conueyd myght bee within a roome so small.
And now in shape of Gossehawke hee too none indifferent is,
But wreakes his teene on all birds. And bycause him selfe ere this
Did feele the force of sorrowes sting within his wounded hart,
Hee maketh others oftentymes too sorrow and too smart.
And putts all other birds in feare had wings and fethers ay.
He was a man. And as he was right feerce in feats of armes,
And stout and readye bothe too wreake and also offer harmes:
So was he of a constant mynd. Dædalion men him hyght.
Our father was that noble starre that brings the morning bryght,
And in the welkin last of all giues place too Phebus lyght.
My study was too maynteine peace, in peace was my delyght,
And for too keepe mee true too her too whom my fayth is plyght.
My brother had felicite in warre and bloody fyght.
His prowesse and his force which now dooth chase in cruell flyght
The Dooues of Thisbye since his shape was altred thus a new,
Ryght puyssant Princes and theyr Realmes did heeretoofore subdew.
He had a chyld calld Chyone, whom nature did endew
With beawtye so, that when too age of fowreteene yeeres shee grew,
A thousand Princes liking her did for hir fauour sew.
By fortune as bryght Phebus and the sonne of Lady May
Came tone from Delphos, toother from mount Cyllen, by the way
They saw her bothe at once, and bothe at once where tane in loue.
Apollo till the tyme of nyght differd his sute too moue.
But Hermes could not beare delay. He stroked on the face
The mayden with his charmed rod which hath the powre too chace
And bring in sleepe: the touch whereof did cast her in so dead
A sleepe, that Hermes by and by his purpose of her sped.
Assoone as nyght with twinckling starres the welkin had beesprent,
Apollo in an old wyues shape too Chyon clocely went,
And tooke the pleasure which the sonne of Maya had forehent.
Now when shee full her tyme had gon, shee bare by Mercurye
A sonne that hyght Avvtolychus who provde a wyly pye,
And such a fellow as in theft and filching had no peere.
He was his fathers owne sonne right: he could mennes eyes so bleere,
As for too make ye black things whyght, & whyght things black appeere.
And by Apollo (for shee bare a payre) was borne his brother
Philammon, who in musick arte excelled farre all other,
As well in singing as in play. But what auayled it
[140]
And that shee too her father had a stowt and valeant knight,
Or that her graundsyre was the sonne of Ioue that God of might?
Dooth glorie hurt too any folk? It surely hurted her.
For standing in her owne conceyt shee did herself prefer
Before Diana, and dispraysd her face. who there with all
Inflaamd with wrath, sayd: well, with deedes we better please her shall.
Immediatly shee bent her bowe, and let an arrow go,
Which strake her through the toong, whose spight deserued wounding so.
Her toong wext dumb, her speech gan fayle that erst was ouer ryfe,
And as shee stryued for too speake, away went blood and lyfe.
How wretched was I then O God? how strake it too my hart?
What woordes of comfort did I speake too ease my brothers smart?
Too which he gaue his eare as much as dooth the stonny rocke
Too hideous roring of the waues that doo against it knocke.
There was no measure nor none ende in making of his mone,
Nor in bewayling comfortlesse his daughter that was gone.
But when he sawe her bodye burne, fowre tymes with all his myght
He russhed foorth too thrust himself amid the fyre in syght.
Fowre tymes hee beeing thence repulst, did put himself too flyght.
And ran mee wheras was no way, as dooth a Bullocke when
A hornet stings him in the necke. Mee thought hee was as then
More wyghter farre than any man. Yee would haue thought his feete
Had had sum wings. So fled he quyght from all, and being fleete
Through eagernesse too dye, he gat too mount Parnasos knappe
And there Apollo pitying him and rewing his missehappe,
When as Dædalion from the cliffe himself had headlong floong,
Transformd him too a bird, and on the soodaine as hee hung
Did giue him wings, and bowwing beake, and hooked talants keene,
And eeke a courage full as feerce as euer it had beene.
And furthermore a greater strength he lent him therwithall,
Than one would thinke conueyd myght bee within a roome so small.
And now in shape of Gossehawke hee too none indifferent is,
But wreakes his teene on all birds. And bycause him selfe ere this
Did feele the force of sorrowes sting within his wounded hart,
Hee maketh others oftentymes too sorrow and too smart.
As Cæyx of his brothers chaunce this wondrous story seth,
Commes ronning thither all in haste and almost out of breth
Anætor the Phocayan who was Pelyes herdman. Hee
Sayd: Pelye Pelye I doo bring sad tydings vntoo thee.
Declare it man (quoth Peleus) what euer that it bee.
King Ceyx at his fearefull woordes did stand in dowtfull stowne.
Thiz noonetyde (quoth the herdman) Iche did driue your cattell downe
Too zea, and zum a them did zit vppon the yellow zand
And looked on the large mayne poole of water neere at hand.
Zum roayled zoftly vp and downe, and zum a them did zwim
And bare their iolly horned heades abooue the water trim.
A Church stondes neere the zea not deckt with gold nor marble stone
But made of wood, and hid with trees that dreeping hang theron.
A vissherman that zat and dryde hiz netts vppo the zhore
Did tellz that Nereus and his Nymphes did haunt the place of yore,
And how that thay beene Goddes a zea. There butts a plot vorgrowne
With zallow trees vppon the zame, the which is ouervlowne
With tydes, and is a marsh. Urom thence a woolf an orped wyght
With hideous noyse of rustling made the groundes neere hand afryght.
Anon he commes mee buskling out bezmeared all his chappes
With blood daubaken and with vome as veerce as thunder clappes.
Hiz eyen did glaster red as vyre, and though he raged zore
Uor vamin and vor madnesse bothe, yit raged he much more
In madnesse. Uor hee cared not his hunger vor too zlake,
Or i the death of oxen twoo or three an end too make.
But wounded all the herd and made a hauocke of them all,
And zum of vs too, in devence did happen vor too vall,
In daunger of his deadly chappes, and lost our lyues. The zhore
And zea is staynd with blood, and all the ven is on a rore.
Delay breedes losse. The cace denyes now dowting vor too stond,
Whyle owght remaynes let all of vs take weapon in our hond.
Lets arme our zelues, and let vz altoogither on him vall.
141
Anætor the Phocayan who was Pelyes herdman. Hee
Sayd: Pelye Pelye I doo bring sad tydings vntoo thee.
Declare it man (quoth Peleus) what euer that it bee.
King Ceyx at his fearefull woordes did stand in dowtfull stowne.
Thiz noonetyde (quoth the herdman) Iche did driue your cattell downe
Too zea, and zum a them did zit vppon the yellow zand
And looked on the large mayne poole of water neere at hand.
Zum roayled zoftly vp and downe, and zum a them did zwim
And bare their iolly horned heades abooue the water trim.
A Church stondes neere the zea not deckt with gold nor marble stone
But made of wood, and hid with trees that dreeping hang theron.
A vissherman that zat and dryde hiz netts vppo the zhore
Did tellz that Nereus and his Nymphes did haunt the place of yore,
And how that thay beene Goddes a zea. There butts a plot vorgrowne
With zallow trees vppon the zame, the which is ouervlowne
With tydes, and is a marsh. Urom thence a woolf an orped wyght
With hideous noyse of rustling made the groundes neere hand afryght.
Anon he commes mee buskling out bezmeared all his chappes
With blood daubaken and with vome as veerce as thunder clappes.
Hiz eyen did glaster red as vyre, and though he raged zore
Uor vamin and vor madnesse bothe, yit raged he much more
In madnesse. Uor hee cared not his hunger vor too zlake,
Or i the death of oxen twoo or three an end too make.
But wounded all the herd and made a hauocke of them all,
And zum of vs too, in devence did happen vor too vall,
In daunger of his deadly chappes, and lost our lyues. The zhore
And zea is staynd with blood, and all the ven is on a rore.
Delay breedes losse. The cace denyes now dowting vor too stond,
Whyle owght remaynes let all of vs take weapon in our hond.
Lets arme our zelues, and let vz altoogither on him vall.
The herdman hilld his peace. The losse movde Peleus not at all.
But calling his offence too mynde, he thought that Neryes daughter
The chyldlesse Ladye Psamathe determynd with that slaughter.
Too keepe an Obit too her sonne whom hee before had killd.
Immediatly vppon this newes the king of Trachin willd
His men too arme them, and too take their weapons in theyr hand,
And he addrest himself too bee the leader of the band.
His wyfe Alcyone by the noyse admonisht of the same,
In dressing of her head, before shee had it brought in frame,
Cast downe her heare, and ronning foorth caught Ceyx fast about
The necke, desyring him with teares too send his folk without
Himself, and in the lyfe of him too saue the lyues of twayne.
O Princesse, cease your godly feare (quoth Peleus then agayne.)
Your offer dooth deserue great thanks. I mynd not warre to make
Ageinst straunge monsters. I as now another way must take.
The seagods must bee pacifyde. There was a Castle hye,
And in the same a lofty towre whose toppe dooth face the skye,
A ioyfull mark for maryners too guyde theyr vessels by.
Too this same Turret vp they went, and there with syghes behilld
The Oxen lying euery where stark dead vppon the feelde
And eeke the cruell stroygood with his bluddy mouth and heare.
Then Peleus stretching foorth his handes too Seaward, prayd in feare
Too watrish Psamath that she would her sore displeasure stay,
And help him. She no whit relents too that that he did pray.
But Thetis for hir husband made such earnest sute, that shee
Obteynd his pardon. For anon the woolfe (who would not bee
Reuoked from the slaughter for the sweetenesse of the blood)
Persisted sharpe and eager still, vntill that as he stood
Fast byghting on a Bullocks necke, shee turnd him intoo stone
As well in substance as in hew, the name of woolf alone
Reserued. For although in shape hee seemed still yit one,
The verry colour of the stone beewrayd him too bee none,
And that he was not too bee feard. How be it froward fate
Permitts not Peleus in that land too haue a setled state.
He wandreth like an outlaw too the Magnets. There at last
Acastus the Thessalien purgd him of his murther past.
But calling his offence too mynde, he thought that Neryes daughter
The chyldlesse Ladye Psamathe determynd with that slaughter.
Too keepe an Obit too her sonne whom hee before had killd.
Immediatly vppon this newes the king of Trachin willd
His men too arme them, and too take their weapons in theyr hand,
[141]
His wyfe Alcyone by the noyse admonisht of the same,
In dressing of her head, before shee had it brought in frame,
Cast downe her heare, and ronning foorth caught Ceyx fast about
The necke, desyring him with teares too send his folk without
Himself, and in the lyfe of him too saue the lyues of twayne.
O Princesse, cease your godly feare (quoth Peleus then agayne.)
Your offer dooth deserue great thanks. I mynd not warre to make
Ageinst straunge monsters. I as now another way must take.
The seagods must bee pacifyde. There was a Castle hye,
And in the same a lofty towre whose toppe dooth face the skye,
A ioyfull mark for maryners too guyde theyr vessels by.
Too this same Turret vp they went, and there with syghes behilld
The Oxen lying euery where stark dead vppon the feelde
And eeke the cruell stroygood with his bluddy mouth and heare.
Then Peleus stretching foorth his handes too Seaward, prayd in feare
Too watrish Psamath that she would her sore displeasure stay,
And help him. She no whit relents too that that he did pray.
But Thetis for hir husband made such earnest sute, that shee
Obteynd his pardon. For anon the woolfe (who would not bee
Reuoked from the slaughter for the sweetenesse of the blood)
Persisted sharpe and eager still, vntill that as he stood
Fast byghting on a Bullocks necke, shee turnd him intoo stone
As well in substance as in hew, the name of woolf alone
Reserued. For although in shape hee seemed still yit one,
The verry colour of the stone beewrayd him too bee none,
And that he was not too bee feard. How be it froward fate
Permitts not Peleus in that land too haue a setled state.
He wandreth like an outlaw too the Magnets. There at last
Acastus the Thessalien purgd him of his murther past.
In this meane tyme the Trachine king sore vexed in his thought
With signes yt both before & since his brothers death were wrought,
For counsell at the sacret Spelles (which are but toyes too foode
Fond fancyes, and not counsellers in perill too doo goode)
Did make him reedy too the God of Claros for too go.
For heathenish Phorbas and the folk of Phlegia had as tho
The way too Delphos stopt, that none could trauell too or fro.
But ere he on his iourney went, he made his faythfull make
Alcyone preeuye too the thing. Immediatly theyr strake
A chilnesse too her verry bones, and pale was all her face
Like box and downe her heauy cheekes the teares did gush a pace.
Three times about too speake, three times shee washt her face with teares,
And stinting oft with sobbes, shee thus complayned in his eares.
With signes yt both before & since his brothers death were wrought,
For counsell at the sacret Spelles (which are but toyes too foode
Fond fancyes, and not counsellers in perill too doo goode)
Did make him reedy too the God of Claros for too go.
For heathenish Phorbas and the folk of Phlegia had as tho
The way too Delphos stopt, that none could trauell too or fro.
142
Alcyone preeuye too the thing. Immediatly theyr strake
A chilnesse too her verry bones, and pale was all her face
Like box and downe her heauy cheekes the teares did gush a pace.
Three times about too speake, three times shee washt her face with teares,
And stinting oft with sobbes, shee thus complayned in his eares.
What fault of myne O husband deere hath turnd thy hart fro mee?
Where is that care of mee that erst was woont too bee in thee?
And canst thou hauing left thy deere Alcyone merrye bee?
Doo iourneyes long delyght thee now? dooth now myne absence please
Thee better then my presence dooth? Think I that thou at ease
Shalt go by land? Shall I haue cause but onely for too moorne?
And not too bee afrayd? And shall my care of thy returne
Bee voyd of feare? No no. The sea mee sore afrayd dooth make.
Too think vppon the sea dooth cause my flesh for feare too quake.
I sawe the broken ribbes of shippes a late vppon the shore.
And oft on Tumbes I reade theyr names whose bodyes long before
The sea had swallowed. Let not fond vayne hope seduce thy mynd,
That Aeölus is thy fathrinlaw who holdes the boystous wynd
In prison, and can calme the seas at pleasure. When the wynds
Are once let looce vppon the sea, no order then them bynds.
Then neyther land hathe priuiledge, nor sea exemption fynds.
Yea euen the clowdes of heauen they vex, and with theyr meeting stout
Enforce the fyre with hideous noyse too brust in flasshes out.
The more that I doo know them, (for ryght well I know theyr powre,
And saw them oft a little wench within my fathers bowre)
So much the more I think them too bee feard. But if thy will
By no intreatance may bee turnd at home too tarry still,
But that thou needes wilt go: then mee deere husband with thee take.
So shall the sea vs equally toogither tosse and shake.
So woorser than I feele I shall bee certeine not too feare.
So shall wee whatsoeuer happes toogither ioyntly beare.
So shall wee on the broad mayne sea toogither ioyntly sayle.
Where is that care of mee that erst was woont too bee in thee?
And canst thou hauing left thy deere Alcyone merrye bee?
Doo iourneyes long delyght thee now? dooth now myne absence please
Thee better then my presence dooth? Think I that thou at ease
Shalt go by land? Shall I haue cause but onely for too moorne?
And not too bee afrayd? And shall my care of thy returne
Bee voyd of feare? No no. The sea mee sore afrayd dooth make.
Too think vppon the sea dooth cause my flesh for feare too quake.
I sawe the broken ribbes of shippes a late vppon the shore.
And oft on Tumbes I reade theyr names whose bodyes long before
The sea had swallowed. Let not fond vayne hope seduce thy mynd,
That Aeölus is thy fathrinlaw who holdes the boystous wynd
In prison, and can calme the seas at pleasure. When the wynds
Are once let looce vppon the sea, no order then them bynds.
Then neyther land hathe priuiledge, nor sea exemption fynds.
Yea euen the clowdes of heauen they vex, and with theyr meeting stout
Enforce the fyre with hideous noyse too brust in flasshes out.
The more that I doo know them, (for ryght well I know theyr powre,
And saw them oft a little wench within my fathers bowre)
So much the more I think them too bee feard. But if thy will
By no intreatance may bee turnd at home too tarry still,
But that thou needes wilt go: then mee deere husband with thee take.
So shall the sea vs equally toogither tosse and shake.
So woorser than I feele I shall bee certeine not too feare.
So shall wee whatsoeuer happes toogither ioyntly beare.
So shall wee on the broad mayne sea toogither ioyntly sayle.
Theis woordes and teares wherewith the imp of Aeölus did assayle
Her husbond borne of heauenly race, did make his hart relent.
(For he lovd her no lesse than shee lovd him.) But fully bent
He seemed, neyther for too leaue the iourney which he ment
Too take by sea, nor yit too giue Alcyone leaue as tho
Companion of his perlous course by water for too go.
He many woordes of comfort spake her feare away too chace.
But nought hee could perswade therein too make her like the cace.
This last asswagement of her greef he added in the end,
Which was the onely thing that made her louing hart too bend.
All taryance will assuredly seeme ouer long too mee.
And by my fathers blasing beames I make my vow too thee
That at the furthest ere the tyme (if God thertoo agree)
The moone doo fill her circle twyce, ageine I will heere bee.
When in sum hope of his returne this promis had her set,
He willd a shippe immediatly from harbrough too bee fet,
And throughly rigged for too bee, that neyther maast, nor sayle,
Nor tackling, no nor other thing should apperteyning fayle.
Which when Alcyone did behold, as one whoose hart misgaue
The happes at hand, shee quaakt ageine, and teares out gusshing draue.
And streyning Ceyx in her armes with pale and piteous looke,
Poore wretched soule, her last farewell at length shee sadly tooke,
And swounded flat vppon the ground. Anon the watermen
(As Ceyx sought delayes and was in dowt too turne agen)
Set hand too Ores, of which there were twoo rowes on eyther syde,
And all at once with equall stroke the swelling sea deuyde.
Shee lifting vp her watrye eyes behilld her husband stand
Uppon the hatches making signes by beckening with his hand:
And shee made signes to him ageine. And after that the land
Was farre remoued from the shippe, and that the sight began
Too bee vnable too discerne the face of any man,
As long as ere shee could shee lookt vppon the rowing keele.
And when shee could no longer tyme for distance ken it weele,
Shee looked still vppon the sayles that flasked with the wynd
Uppon the maast. And when shee could the sayles no longer fynd,
She gate her too her empty bed with sad and sorye hart,
And layd her downe. The chamber did renew a fresh her smart,
And of her bed did bring too mynd the deere departed part.
Her husbond borne of heauenly race, did make his hart relent.
(For he lovd her no lesse than shee lovd him.) But fully bent
He seemed, neyther for too leaue the iourney which he ment
[142]
Companion of his perlous course by water for too go.
He many woordes of comfort spake her feare away too chace.
But nought hee could perswade therein too make her like the cace.
This last asswagement of her greef he added in the end,
Which was the onely thing that made her louing hart too bend.
All taryance will assuredly seeme ouer long too mee.
And by my fathers blasing beames I make my vow too thee
That at the furthest ere the tyme (if God thertoo agree)
The moone doo fill her circle twyce, ageine I will heere bee.
When in sum hope of his returne this promis had her set,
He willd a shippe immediatly from harbrough too bee fet,
And throughly rigged for too bee, that neyther maast, nor sayle,
Nor tackling, no nor other thing should apperteyning fayle.
Which when Alcyone did behold, as one whoose hart misgaue
The happes at hand, shee quaakt ageine, and teares out gusshing draue.
And streyning Ceyx in her armes with pale and piteous looke,
Poore wretched soule, her last farewell at length shee sadly tooke,
And swounded flat vppon the ground. Anon the watermen
(As Ceyx sought delayes and was in dowt too turne agen)
Set hand too Ores, of which there were twoo rowes on eyther syde,
And all at once with equall stroke the swelling sea deuyde.
Shee lifting vp her watrye eyes behilld her husband stand
Uppon the hatches making signes by beckening with his hand:
And shee made signes to him ageine. And after that the land
Was farre remoued from the shippe, and that the sight began
Too bee vnable too discerne the face of any man,
As long as ere shee could shee lookt vppon the rowing keele.
And when shee could no longer tyme for distance ken it weele,
Shee looked still vppon the sayles that flasked with the wynd
Uppon the maast. And when shee could the sayles no longer fynd,
She gate her too her empty bed with sad and sorye hart,
And layd her downe. The chamber did renew a fresh her smart,
And of her bed did bring too mynd the deere departed part.
From harbrough now they quyght were gone: & now a plasant gale
Did blowe. The mayster made his men theyr Ores asyde too hale,
And hoysed vp the toppesayle on the hyghest of the maast,
And clapt on all his other sayles bycause no wind should waast.
Scarce full tone half, (or sure not much aboue) the shippe had ronne
Uppon the sea, and euery way the land did farre them shonne,
When toward night the wallowing waues began too waxen whyght,
And eeke the heady easterne wynd did blow with greater myght,
Anon the Mayster cryed strike the toppesayle, let the mayne
Sheate flye and fardle it too the yard. Thus spake he, but in vayne.
For why so hideous was the storme vppon the soodeine brayd,
That not a man was able there too heere what other sayd.
And lowd the sea with meeting waues extreemely raging rores.
Yit fell they too it of them selues. Sum haalde asyde the Ores:
Sum fensed in the Gallyes sydes, sum downe the sayleclothes rend:
Sum pump the water out, and sea too sea ageine doo send.
Another hales the sayleyards downe. And whyle they did eche thing
Disorderly, the storme increast, and from eche quarter fling
The wyndes with deadly foode, and bownce the raging waues toogither.
The Pilot being sore dismayd sayth playne, he knowes not whither
Too wend himself, nor what too doo or bid, nor in what state
Things stood. So howge the mischeef was, and did so ouermate
All arte. For why of ratling ropes, of crying men and boyes,
Of flusshing waues and thundring ayre, confused was the noyse.
The surges mounting vp aloft did seeme too mate the skye,
And with theyr sprinckling for too wet the clowdes that hang on hye.
One whyle the sea, when from the brink it raysd the yellow sand,
Was like in colour too the same. Another whyle did stand
A colour on it blacker than the Lake of Styx. Anon
It lyeth playne and loometh whyght with seething froth thereon,
And with the sea the Trachin shippe ay alteration tooke.
One whyle as from a mountaynes toppe it seemed downe too looke
Too vallyes and the depth of hell. Another whyle beset
With swelling surges round about which neere aboue it met,
It looked from the bottom of the whoorlepoole vp aloft
As if it were from hell too heauen. A hideous flusshing oft
The waues did make in beating full against the Gallyes syde.
The Gallye being striken gaue as great a sownd that tyde
As did sumtyme the Battellramb of steele, or now the Gonne
In making battrye too a towre. And as feerce Lyons ronne
Full brist with all theyr force ageinst the armed men that stand
In order bent too keepe them of with weapons in theyr hand,
Euen so as often as the waues by force of wynd did raue:
So oft vppon the netting of the shippe they maynely draue,
And mounted farre aboue the same. Anon of fell the hoopes:
And hauing washt the pitch away, the sea made open loopes
Too let the deadly water in. Behold the clowdes did melt,
And showers large came pooring downe. The seamen that them felt
Myght thinke that all the heauen had falne vppon them that same tyme,
And that the swelling sea likewyse aboue the heauen would clyme.
The sayles were throughly wet wt showers. and with the heauenly raine
Was mixt the waters of the sea. no lyghts at all remayne
Of sunne, or moone, or starres in heauen. The darknesse of the nyght
Augmented with the dreadfull storme, takes dowble powre and myght.
Howbeet the flasshing lyghtnings oft doo put the same too flyght,
And with theyr glauncing now and then doo giue a soodeine lyght.
The lightnings setts the waues on fyre. Aboue the netting skippe
The waues, and with a violent force doo lyght within the shippe.
And as a souldyer stowter than the rest of all his band
That oft assayles a citie walles defended well by hand,
At length atteines his hope, and for too purchace prayse withall
Alone among a thousand men getts vp vppon the wall:
So when the loftye waues had long the Gallyes sydes assayd,
At length the tenth waue rysing vp with howger force and brayd,
Did neuer cease assaulting of the weery shippe, till that
Uppon the hatches lyke a fo victoriously it gat.
A part thereof did still as yit assault the shippe without,
And part had gotten in. The men all trembling ran about,
As in a Citie commes too passe, when of the enmyes sum
Dig downe the walles without, and sum already in are come.
All arte and conning was too seeke. Theyr harts and stomacks fayle:
And looke how many surges came theyr vessell too assayle,
So many deathes did seeme too charge and breake vppon them all.
One weepes: another stands amazde: the third them blist dooth call
Whom buryall dooth remayne. Too God another makes his vow,
And holding vp his handes too heauen the which hee sees not now,
Dooth pray in vayne for help. The thought of this man is vppon
His brother and his parents whom he cleerely hath forgone.
Another calles his house and wyfe and children vntoo mynd,
And euery man in generall the things he left behynd.
Alcyone moueth Ceyx hart. In Ceyx mouth is none
But onely one Alcyone. And though shee were alone
The wyght that he desyred most, yit was he verry glad
Shee was not there. Too Trachin ward too looke desyre he had,
And homeward fayne he would haue turnd his eyes which neuer more
Should see the land. But when he knew not which way was the shore,
Nor where he was. The raging sea did rowle about so fast:
And all the heauen with clowds as black as pitch was ouer cast,
That neuer nyght was halfe so dark. There came a flaw at last,
That with his violence brake the maste, and strake the sterne away.
A billowe proudly pranking vp as vaunting of his pray
By conquest gotten, walloweth hole and breaketh not a sunder,
Beholding with a lofty looke the waters woorking vnder.
And looke as if a man should from the places where they growe
Rend downe the mountaynes Athe & Pind, and whole them ouerthrowe
Intoo the open sea: so soft the Billowe tumbling downe,
With weyght and violent stroke did sink and in the bottom drowne
The Gallye. And the moste of them that were within the same
Went downe therwith and neuer vp too open aiër came,
But dyed strangled in the gulf. Another sort againe
Caught peeces of the broken shippe. The king himself was fayne
A shiuer of the sunken shippe in that same hand to hold,
In which hee erst a royall mace had hilld of yellow gold.
His father and his fathrinlawe he calles vppon (alas
In vayne.) But cheefly in his mouth his wife Alcyone was.
In hart was shee: in toong was shee: He wisshed that his corse
Too land where shee myght take it vp the surges myght enforce:
And that by her most louing handes he might be layd in graue.
In swimming still (as often as the surges leaue him gaue
Too ope his lippes) he harped still vpon Alcyones name,
And when he drowned in the waues he muttred still the same.
Behold, euen full vppon the waue a flake of water blacke
Did breake, and vnderneathe the sea the head of Ceyx stracke.
That nyght the lyghtsum Lucifer for sorrowe was so dim,
As scarcely could a man discerne or thinke it too bee him.
And forasmuch as out of heauen he might not steppe asyde,
With thick and darksum clowds that nyght his countnance he did hyde.
Did blowe. The mayster made his men theyr Ores asyde too hale,
And hoysed vp the toppesayle on the hyghest of the maast,
143
Scarce full tone half, (or sure not much aboue) the shippe had ronne
Uppon the sea, and euery way the land did farre them shonne,
When toward night the wallowing waues began too waxen whyght,
And eeke the heady easterne wynd did blow with greater myght,
Anon the Mayster cryed strike the toppesayle, let the mayne
Sheate flye and fardle it too the yard. Thus spake he, but in vayne.
For why so hideous was the storme vppon the soodeine brayd,
That not a man was able there too heere what other sayd.
And lowd the sea with meeting waues extreemely raging rores.
Yit fell they too it of them selues. Sum haalde asyde the Ores:
Sum fensed in the Gallyes sydes, sum downe the sayleclothes rend:
Sum pump the water out, and sea too sea ageine doo send.
Another hales the sayleyards downe. And whyle they did eche thing
Disorderly, the storme increast, and from eche quarter fling
The wyndes with deadly foode, and bownce the raging waues toogither.
The Pilot being sore dismayd sayth playne, he knowes not whither
Too wend himself, nor what too doo or bid, nor in what state
Things stood. So howge the mischeef was, and did so ouermate
All arte. For why of ratling ropes, of crying men and boyes,
Of flusshing waues and thundring ayre, confused was the noyse.
The surges mounting vp aloft did seeme too mate the skye,
And with theyr sprinckling for too wet the clowdes that hang on hye.
One whyle the sea, when from the brink it raysd the yellow sand,
Was like in colour too the same. Another whyle did stand
A colour on it blacker than the Lake of Styx. Anon
It lyeth playne and loometh whyght with seething froth thereon,
And with the sea the Trachin shippe ay alteration tooke.
One whyle as from a mountaynes toppe it seemed downe too looke
Too vallyes and the depth of hell. Another whyle beset
With swelling surges round about which neere aboue it met,
It looked from the bottom of the whoorlepoole vp aloft
As if it were from hell too heauen. A hideous flusshing oft
The waues did make in beating full against the Gallyes syde.
The Gallye being striken gaue as great a sownd that tyde
As did sumtyme the Battellramb of steele, or now the Gonne
In making battrye too a towre. And as feerce Lyons ronne
[143]
In order bent too keepe them of with weapons in theyr hand,
Euen so as often as the waues by force of wynd did raue:
So oft vppon the netting of the shippe they maynely draue,
And mounted farre aboue the same. Anon of fell the hoopes:
And hauing washt the pitch away, the sea made open loopes
Too let the deadly water in. Behold the clowdes did melt,
And showers large came pooring downe. The seamen that them felt
Myght thinke that all the heauen had falne vppon them that same tyme,
And that the swelling sea likewyse aboue the heauen would clyme.
The sayles were throughly wet wt showers. and with the heauenly raine
Was mixt the waters of the sea. no lyghts at all remayne
Of sunne, or moone, or starres in heauen. The darknesse of the nyght
Augmented with the dreadfull storme, takes dowble powre and myght.
Howbeet the flasshing lyghtnings oft doo put the same too flyght,
And with theyr glauncing now and then doo giue a soodeine lyght.
The lightnings setts the waues on fyre. Aboue the netting skippe
The waues, and with a violent force doo lyght within the shippe.
And as a souldyer stowter than the rest of all his band
That oft assayles a citie walles defended well by hand,
At length atteines his hope, and for too purchace prayse withall
Alone among a thousand men getts vp vppon the wall:
So when the loftye waues had long the Gallyes sydes assayd,
At length the tenth waue rysing vp with howger force and brayd,
Did neuer cease assaulting of the weery shippe, till that
Uppon the hatches lyke a fo victoriously it gat.
A part thereof did still as yit assault the shippe without,
And part had gotten in. The men all trembling ran about,
As in a Citie commes too passe, when of the enmyes sum
Dig downe the walles without, and sum already in are come.
All arte and conning was too seeke. Theyr harts and stomacks fayle:
And looke how many surges came theyr vessell too assayle,
So many deathes did seeme too charge and breake vppon them all.
One weepes: another stands amazde: the third them blist dooth call
Whom buryall dooth remayne. Too God another makes his vow,
And holding vp his handes too heauen the which hee sees not now,
Dooth pray in vayne for help. The thought of this man is vppon
144
Another calles his house and wyfe and children vntoo mynd,
And euery man in generall the things he left behynd.
Alcyone moueth Ceyx hart. In Ceyx mouth is none
But onely one Alcyone. And though shee were alone
The wyght that he desyred most, yit was he verry glad
Shee was not there. Too Trachin ward too looke desyre he had,
And homeward fayne he would haue turnd his eyes which neuer more
Should see the land. But when he knew not which way was the shore,
Nor where he was. The raging sea did rowle about so fast:
And all the heauen with clowds as black as pitch was ouer cast,
That neuer nyght was halfe so dark. There came a flaw at last,
That with his violence brake the maste, and strake the sterne away.
A billowe proudly pranking vp as vaunting of his pray
By conquest gotten, walloweth hole and breaketh not a sunder,
Beholding with a lofty looke the waters woorking vnder.
And looke as if a man should from the places where they growe
Rend downe the mountaynes Athe & Pind, and whole them ouerthrowe
Intoo the open sea: so soft the Billowe tumbling downe,
With weyght and violent stroke did sink and in the bottom drowne
The Gallye. And the moste of them that were within the same
Went downe therwith and neuer vp too open aiër came,
But dyed strangled in the gulf. Another sort againe
Caught peeces of the broken shippe. The king himself was fayne
A shiuer of the sunken shippe in that same hand to hold,
In which hee erst a royall mace had hilld of yellow gold.
His father and his fathrinlawe he calles vppon (alas
In vayne.) But cheefly in his mouth his wife Alcyone was.
In hart was shee: in toong was shee: He wisshed that his corse
Too land where shee myght take it vp the surges myght enforce:
And that by her most louing handes he might be layd in graue.
In swimming still (as often as the surges leaue him gaue
Too ope his lippes) he harped still vpon Alcyones name,
And when he drowned in the waues he muttred still the same.
Behold, euen full vppon the waue a flake of water blacke
Did breake, and vnderneathe the sea the head of Ceyx stracke.
That nyght the lyghtsum Lucifer for sorrowe was so dim,
[144]
And forasmuch as out of heauen he might not steppe asyde,
With thick and darksum clowds that nyght his countnance he did hyde.
Alcyone of so great mischaunce not knowing aught as yit,
Did keepe a reckening of the nyghts that in the whyle did flit,
And hasted garments both for him and for herself likewyse,
Too weare at his homecomming which shee vaynely did surmyse.
Too all the Goddes deuoutly shee did offer frankincence:
But most aboue them all the Church of Iuno shee did sence.
And for her husband (who as then was none) shee kneeld before
The Altar, wisshing health and soone arriuall at the shore,
And that none other woman myght before her be preferd.
Of all her prayers this one peece effectually was heard.
For Iuno could not fynd in hart intreated for too bee
For him that was already dead. But too thentent that shee
From dame Alcyones deadly hands might keepe her Altars free,
Shee sayd. Most faythfull messenger of my commaundments, O
Thou Raynebowe, too the slugguish house of Slomber swiftly go.
And bid him send a Dreame in shape of Ceyx too his wyfe
Alcyone, for too shew her playne the losing of his lyfe.
Dame Iris takes her pall wherein a thousand colours were
And bowwing lyke a stringed bow vpon the clowdy sphere,
Immediatly descended too the drowzye house of Sleepe
Whose Court the clowdes continually doo clocely ouerdreepe.
Did keepe a reckening of the nyghts that in the whyle did flit,
And hasted garments both for him and for herself likewyse,
Too weare at his homecomming which shee vaynely did surmyse.
Too all the Goddes deuoutly shee did offer frankincence:
But most aboue them all the Church of Iuno shee did sence.
And for her husband (who as then was none) shee kneeld before
The Altar, wisshing health and soone arriuall at the shore,
And that none other woman myght before her be preferd.
Of all her prayers this one peece effectually was heard.
For Iuno could not fynd in hart intreated for too bee
For him that was already dead. But too thentent that shee
From dame Alcyones deadly hands might keepe her Altars free,
Shee sayd. Most faythfull messenger of my commaundments, O
Thou Raynebowe, too the slugguish house of Slomber swiftly go.
And bid him send a Dreame in shape of Ceyx too his wyfe
Alcyone, for too shew her playne the losing of his lyfe.
Dame Iris takes her pall wherein a thousand colours were
And bowwing lyke a stringed bow vpon the clowdy sphere,
Immediatly descended too the drowzye house of Sleepe
Whose Court the clowdes continually doo clocely ouerdreepe.
Among the darke Cimmerians is a hollow mountaine found
And in the hill a Caue that farre dooth ronne within the ground,
The Chamber & the dwelling place where slouthfull sleepe dooth cowch.
The lyght of Phebus golden beames this place can neuer towch.
A foggye mist with dimnesse mixt streames vpwarde from the ground,
And glimmering twylyght euermore within the same is found.
No watchfull bird with barbed bill, and combed crowne dooth call
The morning foorth with crowing out. There is no noyse at all
Of waking dogge, nor gagling goose more waker than the hound
Too hinder sleepe. Of beast ne wyld ne tame there is no sound.
No bowghes are stird with blastes of wynd. no noyse of tatling toong
Of man or woman euer yit within that bower roong
Dumb quiet dwelleth there. Yit from the Roches foote dooth go
The ryuer of forgetfulnesse. which ronneth trickling so
Uppon the little pebble stones which in the channell lye,
That vntoo sleepe a great deale more it dooth prouoke thereby.
Before the entry of the Caue, there growes of Poppye store.
With seeded heades, and other weedes innumerable more,
Out of the milkye iewce of which the night dooth gather sleepes,
And ouer all the shadowed earth with dankish deawe them dreepes.
Bycause the craking hindges of the doore no noyse should make,
There is no doore in all the house, nor porter at the gate.
Amid the Caue, of Ebonye a bedsted standeth hye,
And on the same a bed of downe with keeuerings blacke dooth lye:
In which the drowzye God of sleepe his lither limbes dooth rest.
About him, forging sundrye shapes as many dreames lye prest,
As eares of corne doo stand in feeldes in haruest tyme, or leaues
Doo grow on trees, or sea too shore of sandye cinder heaues.
Assoone as Iris came within this house, and with her hand
Had put asyde the dazeling dreames that in her way did stand,
The brightnesse of her robe through all the sacred house did shine.
The God of sleepe scarce able for too rayse his heauy eyen,
A three or fowre tymes at the least did fall ageine too rest,
And with his nodding head did knocke his chinne ageinst his brest.
At length he shaking of himselfe, vppon his elbowe leande.
And though he knew for what shee came: he askt her what shee meand.
O sleepe (quoth shee,) the rest of things, O gentlest of the Goddes,
Sweete sleepe, the peace of mynd, with whom crookt care is aye at oddes:
Which cherrishest mennes weery limbes appalld with toyling sore,
And makest them as fresh too woork and lustye as beefore,
Commaund a dreame that in theyr kyndes can euery thing expresse,
Too Trachine Hercles towne himself this instant too addresse.
And let him liuely counterfet too Queene Alcyonea
The image of her husband who is drowned in the sea
By shipwrecke. Iuno willeth so. Her message beeing told,
Dame Iris went her way. shee could her eyes no longer hold
From sleepe. But when shee felt it come shee fled that instant tyme,
And by the boawe that brought her downe too heauē ageine did clyme.
And in the hill a Caue that farre dooth ronne within the ground,
The Chamber & the dwelling place where slouthfull sleepe dooth cowch.
The lyght of Phebus golden beames this place can neuer towch.
A foggye mist with dimnesse mixt streames vpwarde from the ground,
And glimmering twylyght euermore within the same is found.
No watchfull bird with barbed bill, and combed crowne dooth call
The morning foorth with crowing out. There is no noyse at all
Of waking dogge, nor gagling goose more waker than the hound
Too hinder sleepe. Of beast ne wyld ne tame there is no sound.
No bowghes are stird with blastes of wynd. no noyse of tatling toong
Of man or woman euer yit within that bower roong
Dumb quiet dwelleth there. Yit from the Roches foote dooth go
145
Uppon the little pebble stones which in the channell lye,
That vntoo sleepe a great deale more it dooth prouoke thereby.
Before the entry of the Caue, there growes of Poppye store.
With seeded heades, and other weedes innumerable more,
Out of the milkye iewce of which the night dooth gather sleepes,
And ouer all the shadowed earth with dankish deawe them dreepes.
Bycause the craking hindges of the doore no noyse should make,
There is no doore in all the house, nor porter at the gate.
Amid the Caue, of Ebonye a bedsted standeth hye,
And on the same a bed of downe with keeuerings blacke dooth lye:
In which the drowzye God of sleepe his lither limbes dooth rest.
About him, forging sundrye shapes as many dreames lye prest,
As eares of corne doo stand in feeldes in haruest tyme, or leaues
Doo grow on trees, or sea too shore of sandye cinder heaues.
Assoone as Iris came within this house, and with her hand
Had put asyde the dazeling dreames that in her way did stand,
The brightnesse of her robe through all the sacred house did shine.
The God of sleepe scarce able for too rayse his heauy eyen,
A three or fowre tymes at the least did fall ageine too rest,
And with his nodding head did knocke his chinne ageinst his brest.
At length he shaking of himselfe, vppon his elbowe leande.
And though he knew for what shee came: he askt her what shee meand.
O sleepe (quoth shee,) the rest of things, O gentlest of the Goddes,
Sweete sleepe, the peace of mynd, with whom crookt care is aye at oddes:
Which cherrishest mennes weery limbes appalld with toyling sore,
And makest them as fresh too woork and lustye as beefore,
Commaund a dreame that in theyr kyndes can euery thing expresse,
Too Trachine Hercles towne himself this instant too addresse.
And let him liuely counterfet too Queene Alcyonea
The image of her husband who is drowned in the sea
By shipwrecke. Iuno willeth so. Her message beeing told,
Dame Iris went her way. shee could her eyes no longer hold
From sleepe. But when shee felt it come shee fled that instant tyme,
And by the boawe that brought her downe too heauē ageine did clyme.
Among a thousand sonnes and mo that father slomber had
He calld vp Morph the feyner of mannes shape a craftye lad.
None other could so conningly expresse mans verrye face,
His gesture and his sound of voyce, and manner of his pace,
Toogither with his woonted weede, and woonted phrase of talk.
But this same Morphye onely in the shape of man dooth walk.
There is another who the shapes of beast or bird dooth take,
Or else appeereth vntoo men in likenesse of a snake.
The Goddes doo call him Icilos, and mortall folke him name
Phobetor. There is also yit a third who from theis same
Woorkes diuersly, and Phantasos he highteth. Intoo streames
This turnes himself, and intoo stones, and earth, and timber beames,
And intoo euery other thing that wanteth life. Theis three
Great kings and Capteines in the night are woonted for too see.
The meaner and inferiour sort of others haunted bee.
Sir Slomber ouerpast the rest, and of the brothers all
Too doo dame Iris message he did only Morphye call.
Which doone he waxing luskish, streyght layd downe his drowzy head
And softly shroonk his layzye limbes within his sluggish bed.
He calld vp Morph the feyner of mannes shape a craftye lad.
[145]
His gesture and his sound of voyce, and manner of his pace,
Toogither with his woonted weede, and woonted phrase of talk.
But this same Morphye onely in the shape of man dooth walk.
There is another who the shapes of beast or bird dooth take,
Or else appeereth vntoo men in likenesse of a snake.
The Goddes doo call him Icilos, and mortall folke him name
Phobetor. There is also yit a third who from theis same
Woorkes diuersly, and Phantasos he highteth. Intoo streames
This turnes himself, and intoo stones, and earth, and timber beames,
And intoo euery other thing that wanteth life. Theis three
Great kings and Capteines in the night are woonted for too see.
The meaner and inferiour sort of others haunted bee.
Sir Slomber ouerpast the rest, and of the brothers all
Too doo dame Iris message he did only Morphye call.
Which doone he waxing luskish, streyght layd downe his drowzy head
And softly shroonk his layzye limbes within his sluggish bed.
Away flew Morphye through ye aire: no flickring made his wings:
And came anon too Trachine. There his fethers of he flings,
And in the shape of Ceyx standes before Alcyones bed,
Pale, wan, stark naake, and like a man that was but lately deade.
His berde seemd wet, and of his head the heare was dropping drye,
And leaning on her bed, with teares he seemed thus too cry.
Most wretched woman knowest thou thy louing Ceyx now
Or is my face by death disformd? behold mee well, and thow
Shalt know mee. For thy husband, thou thy husbandes Ghost shalt see.
No good thy prayers and thy vowes haue done at all too mee.
For I am dead. In vayne of my returne no reckning make.
The clowdy sowth amid the sea our shippe did tardy take,
And tossing it with violent blastes asunder did it shake.
And floodes haue filld my mouth which calld in vayne vppon thy name.
No persone whom thou mayst misdeeme brings tydings of the same
Thou hearest not thereof by false report of flying fame.
But I myself: I presently my shipwrecke too thee showe.
Aryse therefore and wofull teares vppon thy spouse bestowe.
Put moorning rayment on, and let mee not too Limbo go
Unmoorned for. In shewing of this shipwrecke Morphye so
Did feyne the voyce of Ceyx, that shee could none other deeme,
But that it should bee his in deede. Moreouer he did seeme
Too weepe in earnest: and his handes the verry gesture had
Of Ceyx. Queene Alcyone did grone, and beeing sad
Did stirre her armes, and thrust them foorth his body too embrace.
In stead whereof shee caught but ayre. The teares ran downe her face.
Shee cryed, tarry: whither flyste? toogither let vs go.
And all this whyle she was a sleepe. Both with her crying so,
And flayghted with the image of her husbands gastly spryght,
She started vp: and sought about if fynd him there shee myght.
(For why her Groomes awaking with the shreeke had brought a light.)
And when shee no where could him fynd, shee gan her face too smyght,
And tare her nyghtclothes from her brest, and strake it feercely, and
Not passing too vnty her heare shee rent it with her hand.
And when her nurce of this her greef desyrde too vnderstand
The cause: Alcyone is vndoone, vndoone and cast away
With Ceyx her deare spouse (shee sayd.) Leaue comforting I pray.
By shipwrecke he is perrisht: I haue seene him: and I knew
His handes. When in departing I too hold him did pursew,
I caught a Ghost: but such a Ghost as well discerne I myght
Too bee my husbands. Nathelesse he had not too my syght
His woonted countenance, neyther did his visage shyne so bryght,
As heeretoofore it had beene woont. I saw him wretched wyght
Starke naked, pale, and with his heare still wet: euen verry heere
I saw him stand. with that shee lookes if any print appeere
Of footing where as he did stand vppon the floore behynd.
This this is it that I did feare in farre forecasting mynd,
When flying mee I thee desyrde thou shouldst not trust the wynd.
But syth thou wentest too thy death, I would that I had gone
With thee. ah meete, it meete had beene thou shouldst not go alone
Without mee. So it should haue come too passe that neyther I
Had ouerliued thee, nor yit beene forced twice too dye.
Already, absent in the waues now tossed haue I bee.
Already haue I perrished. And yit the sea hath thee
Without mee. But the cruelnesse were greater farre of mee
Than of the sea, if after thy decease I still would striue
In sorrow and in anguish still too pyne away aliue.
But neyther will I striue in care too lengthen still my lyfe,
Nor (wretched wyght) abandon thee: but like a faythfull wyfe
At leastwyse now will come as thy companion. And the herse
Shall ioyne vs, though not in the selfsame coffin: yit in verse.
Although in tumb the bones of vs toogither may not couch,
Yit in a grauen Epitaph my name thy name shall touch.
Her sorrow would not suffer her too vtter any more.
Shee sobd and syght at euery woord, vntill her hart was sore.
And came anon too Trachine. There his fethers of he flings,
And in the shape of Ceyx standes before Alcyones bed,
Pale, wan, stark naake, and like a man that was but lately deade.
His berde seemd wet, and of his head the heare was dropping drye,
And leaning on her bed, with teares he seemed thus too cry.
Most wretched woman knowest thou thy louing Ceyx now
Or is my face by death disformd? behold mee well, and thow
Shalt know mee. For thy husband, thou thy husbandes Ghost shalt see.
No good thy prayers and thy vowes haue done at all too mee.
For I am dead. In vayne of my returne no reckning make.
The clowdy sowth amid the sea our shippe did tardy take,
And tossing it with violent blastes asunder did it shake.
And floodes haue filld my mouth which calld in vayne vppon thy name.
No persone whom thou mayst misdeeme brings tydings of the same
Thou hearest not thereof by false report of flying fame.
But I myself: I presently my shipwrecke too thee showe.
Aryse therefore and wofull teares vppon thy spouse bestowe.
Put moorning rayment on, and let mee not too Limbo go
Unmoorned for. In shewing of this shipwrecke Morphye so
146
But that it should bee his in deede. Moreouer he did seeme
Too weepe in earnest: and his handes the verry gesture had
Of Ceyx. Queene Alcyone did grone, and beeing sad
Did stirre her armes, and thrust them foorth his body too embrace.
In stead whereof shee caught but ayre. The teares ran downe her face.
Shee cryed, tarry: whither flyste? toogither let vs go.
And all this whyle she was a sleepe. Both with her crying so,
And flayghted with the image of her husbands gastly spryght,
She started vp: and sought about if fynd him there shee myght.
(For why her Groomes awaking with the shreeke had brought a light.)
And when shee no where could him fynd, shee gan her face too smyght,
And tare her nyghtclothes from her brest, and strake it feercely, and
Not passing too vnty her heare shee rent it with her hand.
And when her nurce of this her greef desyrde too vnderstand
The cause: Alcyone is vndoone, vndoone and cast away
With Ceyx her deare spouse (shee sayd.) Leaue comforting I pray.
By shipwrecke he is perrisht: I haue seene him: and I knew
His handes. When in departing I too hold him did pursew,
I caught a Ghost: but such a Ghost as well discerne I myght
Too bee my husbands. Nathelesse he had not too my syght
His woonted countenance, neyther did his visage shyne so bryght,
As heeretoofore it had beene woont. I saw him wretched wyght
Starke naked, pale, and with his heare still wet: euen verry heere
I saw him stand. with that shee lookes if any print appeere
Of footing where as he did stand vppon the floore behynd.
This this is it that I did feare in farre forecasting mynd,
When flying mee I thee desyrde thou shouldst not trust the wynd.
But syth thou wentest too thy death, I would that I had gone
With thee. ah meete, it meete had beene thou shouldst not go alone
Without mee. So it should haue come too passe that neyther I
Had ouerliued thee, nor yit beene forced twice too dye.
Already, absent in the waues now tossed haue I bee.
Already haue I perrished. And yit the sea hath thee
Without mee. But the cruelnesse were greater farre of mee
Than of the sea, if after thy decease I still would striue
In sorrow and in anguish still too pyne away aliue.
[146]
Nor (wretched wyght) abandon thee: but like a faythfull wyfe
At leastwyse now will come as thy companion. And the herse
Shall ioyne vs, though not in the selfsame coffin: yit in verse.
Although in tumb the bones of vs toogither may not couch,
Yit in a grauen Epitaph my name thy name shall touch.
Her sorrow would not suffer her too vtter any more.
Shee sobd and syght at euery woord, vntill her hart was sore.
The morning came, and out shee went ryght pensif too the shore
Too that same place in which shee tooke her leaue of him before.
Whyle there shee musing stood, and sayd, he kissed mee euen heere,
Heere weyëd hee his Anchors vp, heere loosd he from the peere,
And whyle shee calld too mynd the things there marked with her eyes:
In looking on the open sea, a great way of shee spyes
A certeine thing much like a corse come houering on the waue.
At first shee dowted what it was. As tyde it neerer draue,
Although it were a good way of, yit did it plainely showe
Too bee a corce. And though that whose it was shee did not knowe,
Yit forbycause it seemd a wrecke, her hart therat did ryse:
And as it had sum straunger beene, with water in her eyes
Shee sayd, alas poore wretch who ere thou art, alas for her
That is thy wyfe, if any bee. And as the waues did stirre,
The body floted neerer land: the which the more that shee
Behilld, the lesse began in her of stayed wit too bee.
Anon it did arriue on shore. Then plainely shee did see
And know it, that it was her feere. Shee shreeked it is hee.
And therewithall her face, her heare, and garments shee did teare,
And vntoo Ceyx stretching out her trembling handes with feare,
Sayd: cumst thou home in such a plyght too mee O husband deere?
Returnst in such a wretched plyght? There was a certeine peere
That buylded was by hand, of waues the first assaults too breake,
And at the hauons mouth too cause the tyde too enter weake.
Shee lept theron. (A wonder sure it was shee could doo so)
Shee flew, and with her newgrowen winges did beate the ayre as tho.
And on the waues a wretched bird shee whisked too and fro.
And with her crocking neb then growen too slender bill and round,
like one that wayld and moorned still shee made a moaning sound.
Howbeet as soone as she did touch his dumb and bloodlesse flesh,
And had embraast his loued limbes with winges made new and fresh,
And with her hardened neb had kist him coldly, though in vayne,
Folk dowt of Ceyx feeling it too rayse his head did strayne,
Or whither that the waues did lift it vp. But surely hee
It felt: and through compassion of the Goddes both hee and shee
Were turnd too birdes. The loue of them eeke subiect too their fate,
Continued after: neyther did the faythfull bond abate
Of wedlocke in them beeing birdes: but standes in stedfast state.
They treade, and lay, and bring foorth yoong and now the Alcyon sitts
In wintertime vppon her nest which on the water flitts
A seuennyght. During all which tyme the sea is calme and still,
And euery man may too and fro sayle saufly at his will.
For Aeölus for his ofsprings sake the windes at home dooth keepe,
And will not let them go abroade for troubling of the deepe.
Too that same place in which shee tooke her leaue of him before.
Whyle there shee musing stood, and sayd, he kissed mee euen heere,
Heere weyëd hee his Anchors vp, heere loosd he from the peere,
And whyle shee calld too mynd the things there marked with her eyes:
In looking on the open sea, a great way of shee spyes
A certeine thing much like a corse come houering on the waue.
At first shee dowted what it was. As tyde it neerer draue,
Although it were a good way of, yit did it plainely showe
Too bee a corce. And though that whose it was shee did not knowe,
Yit forbycause it seemd a wrecke, her hart therat did ryse:
And as it had sum straunger beene, with water in her eyes
Shee sayd, alas poore wretch who ere thou art, alas for her
That is thy wyfe, if any bee. And as the waues did stirre,
The body floted neerer land: the which the more that shee
Behilld, the lesse began in her of stayed wit too bee.
Anon it did arriue on shore. Then plainely shee did see
And know it, that it was her feere. Shee shreeked it is hee.
And therewithall her face, her heare, and garments shee did teare,
And vntoo Ceyx stretching out her trembling handes with feare,
Sayd: cumst thou home in such a plyght too mee O husband deere?
Returnst in such a wretched plyght? There was a certeine peere
That buylded was by hand, of waues the first assaults too breake,
And at the hauons mouth too cause the tyde too enter weake.
Shee lept theron. (A wonder sure it was shee could doo so)
Shee flew, and with her newgrowen winges did beate the ayre as tho.
And on the waues a wretched bird shee whisked too and fro.
And with her crocking neb then growen too slender bill and round,
like one that wayld and moorned still shee made a moaning sound.
147
And had embraast his loued limbes with winges made new and fresh,
And with her hardened neb had kist him coldly, though in vayne,
Folk dowt of Ceyx feeling it too rayse his head did strayne,
Or whither that the waues did lift it vp. But surely hee
It felt: and through compassion of the Goddes both hee and shee
Were turnd too birdes. The loue of them eeke subiect too their fate,
Continued after: neyther did the faythfull bond abate
Of wedlocke in them beeing birdes: but standes in stedfast state.
They treade, and lay, and bring foorth yoong and now the Alcyon sitts
In wintertime vppon her nest which on the water flitts
A seuennyght. During all which tyme the sea is calme and still,
And euery man may too and fro sayle saufly at his will.
For Aeölus for his ofsprings sake the windes at home dooth keepe,
And will not let them go abroade for troubling of the deepe.
An auncient father seeing them about the brode sea fly,
Did prayse theyr loue for lasting too the end so stedfastly.
His neyghbour or the selfsame man made answer (such is chaunce)
Euen this fowle also whom thou seest vppon the surges glaunce
With spindle shanks, (he poynted too the wydegoawld Cormorant)
Before that he became a bird, of royall race might vaunt.
And if thou couet lineally his pedegree too seeke,
His Auncetors were Ilus, and Assaracus, and eeke
Fayre Ganymed who Iupiter did rauish as his ioy,
Laomedon and Priamus the last that reygnd in Troy.
Stout Hectors brother was this man. And had he not in pryme
Of lusty youth beene tane away, his deedes perchaunce in tyme
Had purchaast him as great a name as Hector, though that hee
Of Dymants daughter Hecuba had fortune borne too bee.
For Aesacus reported is begotten to haue beene
By scape, in shady Ida on a mayden fayre and sheene
Whose name was Alyxothoe, a poore mans daughter that
With spade and mattocke for himselfe and his a liuing gat.
This Aesacus the Citie hates, and gorgious Court dooth shonne,
And in the vnambicious feeldes and woods alone dooth wonne.
He seeldoom haunts the towne of Troy, yit hauing not a rude
And blockish wit, nor such a hart as could not be subdewd
By loue, he spyde Eperie (whom oft he had pursewd
Through all the woodes) then sitting on her father Cebrius brim
A drying of her heare ageinst the sonne, which hanged trim
Uppon her back. Assoone as that the Nymph was ware of him,
She fled as when the grisild woolf dooth scare the fearefull hynd
Or when the Fawcon farre from brookes a Mallard happes too fynd.
The Troiane knyght ronnes after her, and beeing swift through loue,
Purseweth her whom feare dooth force apace her feete to moue.
Behold an Adder lurking in the grasse there as shee fled,
Did byght her foote with hooked tooth, and in her bodye spred
His venim. Shee did cease her flyght and soodein fell downe dead.
Her louer being past his witts her carkesse did embrace,
And cryde, alas it irketh mee, it irkes mee of this chace.
But this I feard not. neyther was the gaine of that I willd
Woorth halfe so much. Now twoo of vs thee (wretched soule) haue killd.
The wound was giuen thee by the snake, the cause was giuen by mee.
The wickedder of both am I: who for too comfort thee
Will make thee satisfaction with my death. With that at last
Downe from a rocke (the which the waues had vndermynde) he cast
Himself intoo the sea. Howbeet dame Tethys pitying him,
Receyud him softly, and as he vppon the waues did swim,
Shee couered him with fethers. And though fayne he would haue dyde,
Shee would not let him. Wroth was he that death was him denyde,
And that his soule compelld should bee ageinst his will too byde
Within his wretched body still, from which it would depart,
And that he was constreynd too liue perforce ageinst his hart.
And as he on his shoulders now had newly taken wings,
He mounted vp, and downe vppon the sea his boddye dings.
His fethers would not let him sinke. In rage he dyueth downe,
And despratly he striues himself continually too drowne.
His loue did make him leane, long leggs: long neck dooth still remayne.
His head is from his shoulders farre: of Sea he is most fayne.
And for he vnderneath the waues delyghteth for too driue
A name according there vntoo the Latins doo him giue.
Did prayse theyr loue for lasting too the end so stedfastly.
His neyghbour or the selfsame man made answer (such is chaunce)
Euen this fowle also whom thou seest vppon the surges glaunce
With spindle shanks, (he poynted too the wydegoawld Cormorant)
Before that he became a bird, of royall race might vaunt.
And if thou couet lineally his pedegree too seeke,
His Auncetors were Ilus, and Assaracus, and eeke
Fayre Ganymed who Iupiter did rauish as his ioy,
Laomedon and Priamus the last that reygnd in Troy.
Stout Hectors brother was this man. And had he not in pryme
Of lusty youth beene tane away, his deedes perchaunce in tyme
Had purchaast him as great a name as Hector, though that hee
Of Dymants daughter Hecuba had fortune borne too bee.
For Aesacus reported is begotten to haue beene
By scape, in shady Ida on a mayden fayre and sheene
Whose name was Alyxothoe, a poore mans daughter that
With spade and mattocke for himselfe and his a liuing gat.
This Aesacus the Citie hates, and gorgious Court dooth shonne,
And in the vnambicious feeldes and woods alone dooth wonne.
He seeldoom haunts the towne of Troy, yit hauing not a rude
And blockish wit, nor such a hart as could not be subdewd
[147]
Through all the woodes) then sitting on her father Cebrius brim
A drying of her heare ageinst the sonne, which hanged trim
Uppon her back. Assoone as that the Nymph was ware of him,
She fled as when the grisild woolf dooth scare the fearefull hynd
Or when the Fawcon farre from brookes a Mallard happes too fynd.
The Troiane knyght ronnes after her, and beeing swift through loue,
Purseweth her whom feare dooth force apace her feete to moue.
Behold an Adder lurking in the grasse there as shee fled,
Did byght her foote with hooked tooth, and in her bodye spred
His venim. Shee did cease her flyght and soodein fell downe dead.
Her louer being past his witts her carkesse did embrace,
And cryde, alas it irketh mee, it irkes mee of this chace.
But this I feard not. neyther was the gaine of that I willd
Woorth halfe so much. Now twoo of vs thee (wretched soule) haue killd.
The wound was giuen thee by the snake, the cause was giuen by mee.
The wickedder of both am I: who for too comfort thee
Will make thee satisfaction with my death. With that at last
Downe from a rocke (the which the waues had vndermynde) he cast
Himself intoo the sea. Howbeet dame Tethys pitying him,
Receyud him softly, and as he vppon the waues did swim,
Shee couered him with fethers. And though fayne he would haue dyde,
Shee would not let him. Wroth was he that death was him denyde,
And that his soule compelld should bee ageinst his will too byde
Within his wretched body still, from which it would depart,
And that he was constreynd too liue perforce ageinst his hart.
And as he on his shoulders now had newly taken wings,
He mounted vp, and downe vppon the sea his boddye dings.
His fethers would not let him sinke. In rage he dyueth downe,
And despratly he striues himself continually too drowne.
His loue did make him leane, long leggs: long neck dooth still remayne.
His head is from his shoulders farre: of Sea he is most fayne.
And for he vnderneath the waues delyghteth for too driue
A name according there vntoo the Latins doo him giue.
Finis vndecimi Libri.
148
THE .XII. BOOKE OF Ouids Metamorphosis.
King
Priam beeing ignorant that Aesacus his sonne
Did liue in shape of bird, did moorne: and at a tumb wheron
His name was written, Hector and his brother solemly
Did keepe an Obit. Paris was not at this obsequye.
Within a whyle with rauisht wyfe he brought a lasting warre
Home vnto Troy. There followed him a thowsand shippes not farre
Conspyrd toogither, with the ayde that all the Greekes could fynd:
And vengeance had beene tane foorthwith but that the cruell wynd
Did make the seas vnsaylable, so that theyr shippes were fayne
At rode at fisshye Avvlys in Bæotia too remayne.
Heere as the Greekes according too theyr woont made sacrifyse
Too Ioue, and on the Altar old the flame aloft did ryse,
They spyde a speckled Snake creepe vp vppon a planetree bye
Uppon the toppe whereof there was among the braunches hye
A nest, and in the nest eyght birdes, All which and eeke theyr dam
That flickering flew about her losse, the hungry snake did cram
Within his mawe. The standers by were all amazde therat.
But Calchas Thestors sonne who knew what meening was in that,
Sayd. wee shall win. Reioyce yee Greekes by vs shall perish Troy
But long the tyme will bee before wee may our will enioy.
And then he told them how the birds nyne yeeres did signifie
Which they before the towne of Troy not taking it should lye:
The Serpent as he wound about the boughes and braunches greene,
Became a stone, and still in stone his snakish shape is seene.
Did liue in shape of bird, did moorne: and at a tumb wheron
His name was written, Hector and his brother solemly
Did keepe an Obit. Paris was not at this obsequye.
Within a whyle with rauisht wyfe he brought a lasting warre
Home vnto Troy. There followed him a thowsand shippes not farre
Conspyrd toogither, with the ayde that all the Greekes could fynd:
And vengeance had beene tane foorthwith but that the cruell wynd
Did make the seas vnsaylable, so that theyr shippes were fayne
At rode at fisshye Avvlys in Bæotia too remayne.
Heere as the Greekes according too theyr woont made sacrifyse
Too Ioue, and on the Altar old the flame aloft did ryse,
They spyde a speckled Snake creepe vp vppon a planetree bye
Uppon the toppe whereof there was among the braunches hye
A nest, and in the nest eyght birdes, All which and eeke theyr dam
That flickering flew about her losse, the hungry snake did cram
Within his mawe. The standers by were all amazde therat.
But Calchas Thestors sonne who knew what meening was in that,
Sayd. wee shall win. Reioyce yee Greekes by vs shall perish Troy
But long the tyme will bee before wee may our will enioy.
And then he told them how the birds nyne yeeres did signifie
Which they before the towne of Troy not taking it should lye:
The Serpent as he wound about the boughes and braunches greene,
Became a stone, and still in stone his snakish shape is seene.
The seas continewed verry rough and suffred not theyr hoste
Imbarked for too passe from thence too take the further coast.
Sum thought that Neptune fauored Troy bycause himself did buyld
The walles therof. But Calchas (who both knew, and neuer hilld
His peace in tyme) declared that the Goddesse Phebe must
Appeased bee with virgins blood for wrath conceyued iust.
Assoone as pitie yeelded had too cace of puplicke weale,
And reason got the vpper hand of fathers louing zeale,
So that the Ladye Iphigen before the altar stood
Among the weeping ministers, too giue her maydens blood:
The Goddesse taking pitie, cast a mist before theyr eyes,
And as they prayd and stied about too make the sacrifyse,
Conueyes her quight away, and with a Hynd her roome supplyes
Thus with a slaughter meete for her Diana beeing pleasd,
The raging surges with her wrath toogither were appeasd,
The thousand shippes had wynd at poope. And when they had abode
Much trouble, at the length all safe they gat the Phrygian rode.
Imbarked for too passe from thence too take the further coast.
Sum thought that Neptune fauored Troy bycause himself did buyld
The walles therof. But Calchas (who both knew, and neuer hilld
His peace in tyme) declared that the Goddesse Phebe must
Appeased bee with virgins blood for wrath conceyued iust.
Assoone as pitie yeelded had too cace of puplicke weale,
And reason got the vpper hand of fathers louing zeale,
So that the Ladye Iphigen before the altar stood
Among the weeping ministers, too giue her maydens blood:
[148]
And as they prayd and stied about too make the sacrifyse,
Conueyes her quight away, and with a Hynd her roome supplyes
Thus with a slaughter meete for her Diana beeing pleasd,
The raging surges with her wrath toogither were appeasd,
The thousand shippes had wynd at poope. And when they had abode
Much trouble, at the length all safe they gat the Phrygian rode.
Amid the world tweene heauen, and earth, and sea, there is a place,
Set from the bounds of eche of them indifferently in space,
From whence is seene what euer thing is practisd any where,
Although the Realme bee nere so farre, and roundly too the eare
Commes whatsoeuer spoken is. Fame hath his dwelling there.
Who in the toppe of all the house is lodged in a towre.
A thousand entryes, glades, and holes are framed in this bowre.
There are no doores too shet. The doores stand open nyght and day.
The house is all of sounding brasse, and roreth euery way,
Reporting dowble euery woord it heareth people say.
There is no rest within, there is no silence any where.
Yit is there not a yelling out: but humming, as it were
The sound of surges beeing heard farre of, are like the sound
That at the end of thunderclappes long after dooth redound,
When Ioue dooth make the clowdes too crack. within the courts is preace
Of common people, which too come and go doo neuer ceace.
And millions both of trothes and lyes ronne gadding euery where,
And woordes confusely flye in heapes. Of which, sum fill the eare
That heard not of them erst, and sum Colcaryers part doo play
Too spread abrode the things they heard. And euer by the way
The thing that was inuented growes much greater than before,
And euery one that getts it by the end addes sumwhat more.
Lyght credit dwelleth there. There dwells rash error: There dooth dwell
Uayne ioy: There dwelleth hartlesse feare, and Brute that loues too tell
Uncertayne newes vppon report, whereof he dooth not knowe
The author, and Sedition who fresh rumors loues too sowe.
This Fame beholdeth what is doone in heauen, on sea, and land,
And what is wrought in all the world he layes to vnderstand.
Set from the bounds of eche of them indifferently in space,
From whence is seene what euer thing is practisd any where,
Although the Realme bee nere so farre, and roundly too the eare
Commes whatsoeuer spoken is. Fame hath his dwelling there.
Who in the toppe of all the house is lodged in a towre.
A thousand entryes, glades, and holes are framed in this bowre.
There are no doores too shet. The doores stand open nyght and day.
The house is all of sounding brasse, and roreth euery way,
Reporting dowble euery woord it heareth people say.
There is no rest within, there is no silence any where.
Yit is there not a yelling out: but humming, as it were
The sound of surges beeing heard farre of, are like the sound
That at the end of thunderclappes long after dooth redound,
When Ioue dooth make the clowdes too crack. within the courts is preace
Of common people, which too come and go doo neuer ceace.
And millions both of trothes and lyes ronne gadding euery where,
And woordes confusely flye in heapes. Of which, sum fill the eare
That heard not of them erst, and sum Colcaryers part doo play
Too spread abrode the things they heard. And euer by the way
The thing that was inuented growes much greater than before,
And euery one that getts it by the end addes sumwhat more.
Lyght credit dwelleth there. There dwells rash error: There dooth dwell
Uayne ioy: There dwelleth hartlesse feare, and Brute that loues too tell
Uncertayne newes vppon report, whereof he dooth not knowe
The author, and Sedition who fresh rumors loues too sowe.
This Fame beholdeth what is doone in heauen, on sea, and land,
And what is wrought in all the world he layes to vnderstand.
He gaue the Troyans warning that the Greekes with valeant men
And shippes approched, that vnwares they could not take them then.
For Hector and the Troian folk well armed were at hand
Too keepe the coast and bid them bace before they came a land.
Protesilay by fatall doome was first that dyde in feeld
Of Hectors speare: and after him great numbers mo were killd
Of valeant men. That battell did the Greeks full deerly cost.
And Hector with his Phrygian folk of blood no little lost,
In trying what the Greekes could doo. The shore was red with blood.
And now king Cygnet Neptunes sonne had killed where he stood
A thousand Greekes. And now the stout Achilles causd to stay
His Charyot: and his lawnce did slea whole bandes of men that day.
And seeking Cygnet through the feeld or Hector, he did stray.
At last with Cygnet he did meete. For Hector had delay
Untill the tenth yeare afterward. Then hasting foorth his horses
With flaxen manes, ageinst his fo his Chariot he enforces.
And brandisshing his shaking dart, he sayd: O noble wyght
A comfort let it bee too thee that such a valeant knyght
As is Achilles killeth thee. In saying so he threw
A myghty dart, which though it hit the mark at which it flew,
Yit perst it not the skinne at all. Now when this blunted blowe
Had hit on Cygnets brest, and did no print of hitting showe,
Thou Goddesse sonne (quoth Cygnet) for by fame we doo the knowe)
Why woondrest at mee for too see I can not wounded bee?
(Achilles woondred much thereat.) This helmet which yee see
Bedect with horses yellow manes, this sheeld that I doo beare,
Defend mee not. For ornaments alonly I them weare.
For this same cause armes Mars himself likewyse. I will disarme
Myself, and yit vnrazed will I passe without all harme.
It is too sum effect, not borne too bee of Neryes race,
So that a man be borne of him that with threeforked mace
Rules Nereus and his daughters too, and all the sea besyde.
This sayd, he at Achilles sent a dart that should abyde
Uppon his sheeld. It perced through the steele and through nyne fold
Of Oxen hydes, and stayd vppon the tenth. Achilles bold
Did wrest it out, and forcybly did throwe the same agayne.
His bodye beeing hit ageine, vnwounded did remayne,
And cleere from any print of wound. The third went eeke in vayne.
And yit did Cygnet too the same giue full his naked brist.
Achilles chafed like a Bull that in the open list
With dreadfull hornes dooth push ageinst the scarlet clothes that there
Are hanged vp too make him feerce, and when he would them teare
Dooth fynd his wounds deluded. Then Achilles lookt vppon
His Iauelings socket, if the head thereof were looce or gone.
The head stacke fast. My hand byleeke is weakened then (quoth hee).
And all the force it had before is spent on one I see.
For sure I am it was of strength, both when I first downe threw
Lyrnessus walles, and when I did Ile Tenedos subdew,
And eeke Axëtions Thebe with her proper blood embrew.
And when so many of the folke of Tevvthranie I slew,
That with theyr blood Caycus streame became of purple hew.
And when the noble Telephus did of my Dart of steele
The dowble force, of wounding and of healing also feele.
Yea euen the heapes of men slayne heere by mee, that on this strond
Are lying still too looke vppon, doo giue too vnderstond
That this same hand of myne both had and still hath strength. This sed,
(As though he had distrusted all his dooings ere that sted,)
He threw a Dart ageinst a man of Lycia land that hyght
Menetes, through whose Curets and his brest he strake him quyght.
And when he saw with dying limbes him sprawling on the ground,
He stepped too him streyght, and pulld the Iaueling from the wound,
And sayd alowd: This is the hand, this is the self same dart
With which my hand did strike euen now Menetes too the hart.
Ageinst my toother Copemate will I vse the same: I pray
Too God it may haue like successe. This sed, without delay
He sent it toward Cygnet, and the weapon did not stray,
Nor was not shunned. Insomuch it lighted full vppon
His shoulder: and it gaue a rappe as if vppon sum ston
It lyghted had, rebownding backe. Howbeeit where it hit,
Achilles sawe it bloodye, and was vaynly glad of it.
For why there was no wound. It was Menetes blood. Then lept
He hastly from his Charyot downe, and like a madman stept
Too carelesse Cygnet with his swoord. He sawe his swoord did pare
His Target and his morion bothe. But when it toucht the bare,
His bodye was so hard, it did the edge thereof abate.
He could no lengar suffer him too tryumph in that rate,
But with the pommell of his swoord did thump him on the pate,
And bobd him well about the brewes a doozen tymes and more,
And preacing on him as he still gaue backe amaazd him sore,
And troubled him with buffetting, not respetting a whit.
Then Cygnet gan too bee afrayd, and mistes beegan too flit
Before his eyes, and dimd his syght. And as he still did yeeld,
In giuing back, by chaunce he met a stone amid the feeld,
Ageinst the which Achilles thrust him back with all his myght,
And throwing him ageinst the ground, did cast him bolt vpryght.
Then bearing bostowsely with both his knees ageinst his chest,
And leaning with his elbowes and his target on his brest,
He shet his headpeece cloce and iust, and vnderneathe his chin
So hard it straynd, that way for breath was neyther out nor in,
And closed vp the vent of lyfe. And hauing gotten so
The vpper hand, he went about too spoyle his vanquisht fo.
But nought he in his armour found. For Neptune had as tho
Transformd him too the fowle whose name he bare but late ago.
This labour, this encounter brought the rest of many dayes,
And eyther partye in theyr strength a whyle from battell stayes.
And shippes approched, that vnwares they could not take them then.
159
Too keepe the coast and bid them bace before they came a land.
Protesilay by fatall doome was first that dyde in feeld
Of Hectors speare: and after him great numbers mo were killd
Of valeant men. That battell did the Greeks full deerly cost.
And Hector with his Phrygian folk of blood no little lost,
In trying what the Greekes could doo. The shore was red with blood.
And now king Cygnet Neptunes sonne had killed where he stood
A thousand Greekes. And now the stout Achilles causd to stay
His Charyot: and his lawnce did slea whole bandes of men that day.
And seeking Cygnet through the feeld or Hector, he did stray.
At last with Cygnet he did meete. For Hector had delay
Untill the tenth yeare afterward. Then hasting foorth his horses
With flaxen manes, ageinst his fo his Chariot he enforces.
And brandisshing his shaking dart, he sayd: O noble wyght
A comfort let it bee too thee that such a valeant knyght
As is Achilles killeth thee. In saying so he threw
A myghty dart, which though it hit the mark at which it flew,
Yit perst it not the skinne at all. Now when this blunted blowe
Had hit on Cygnets brest, and did no print of hitting showe,
Thou Goddesse sonne (quoth Cygnet) for by fame we doo the knowe)
Why woondrest at mee for too see I can not wounded bee?
(Achilles woondred much thereat.) This helmet which yee see
Bedect with horses yellow manes, this sheeld that I doo beare,
Defend mee not. For ornaments alonly I them weare.
For this same cause armes Mars himself likewyse. I will disarme
Myself, and yit vnrazed will I passe without all harme.
It is too sum effect, not borne too bee of Neryes race,
So that a man be borne of him that with threeforked mace
Rules Nereus and his daughters too, and all the sea besyde.
This sayd, he at Achilles sent a dart that should abyde
Uppon his sheeld. It perced through the steele and through nyne fold
Of Oxen hydes, and stayd vppon the tenth. Achilles bold
Did wrest it out, and forcybly did throwe the same agayne.
His bodye beeing hit ageine, vnwounded did remayne,
And cleere from any print of wound. The third went eeke in vayne.
And yit did Cygnet too the same giue full his naked brist.
[159]
With dreadfull hornes dooth push ageinst the scarlet clothes that there
Are hanged vp too make him feerce, and when he would them teare
Dooth fynd his wounds deluded. Then Achilles lookt vppon
His Iauelings socket, if the head thereof were looce or gone.
The head stacke fast. My hand byleeke is weakened then (quoth hee).
And all the force it had before is spent on one I see.
For sure I am it was of strength, both when I first downe threw
Lyrnessus walles, and when I did Ile Tenedos subdew,
And eeke Axëtions Thebe with her proper blood embrew.
And when so many of the folke of Tevvthranie I slew,
That with theyr blood Caycus streame became of purple hew.
And when the noble Telephus did of my Dart of steele
The dowble force, of wounding and of healing also feele.
Yea euen the heapes of men slayne heere by mee, that on this strond
Are lying still too looke vppon, doo giue too vnderstond
That this same hand of myne both had and still hath strength. This sed,
(As though he had distrusted all his dooings ere that sted,)
He threw a Dart ageinst a man of Lycia land that hyght
Menetes, through whose Curets and his brest he strake him quyght.
And when he saw with dying limbes him sprawling on the ground,
He stepped too him streyght, and pulld the Iaueling from the wound,
And sayd alowd: This is the hand, this is the self same dart
With which my hand did strike euen now Menetes too the hart.
Ageinst my toother Copemate will I vse the same: I pray
Too God it may haue like successe. This sed, without delay
He sent it toward Cygnet, and the weapon did not stray,
Nor was not shunned. Insomuch it lighted full vppon
His shoulder: and it gaue a rappe as if vppon sum ston
It lyghted had, rebownding backe. Howbeeit where it hit,
Achilles sawe it bloodye, and was vaynly glad of it.
For why there was no wound. It was Menetes blood. Then lept
He hastly from his Charyot downe, and like a madman stept
Too carelesse Cygnet with his swoord. He sawe his swoord did pare
His Target and his morion bothe. But when it toucht the bare,
His bodye was so hard, it did the edge thereof abate.
He could no lengar suffer him too tryumph in that rate,
150
And bobd him well about the brewes a doozen tymes and more,
And preacing on him as he still gaue backe amaazd him sore,
And troubled him with buffetting, not respetting a whit.
Then Cygnet gan too bee afrayd, and mistes beegan too flit
Before his eyes, and dimd his syght. And as he still did yeeld,
In giuing back, by chaunce he met a stone amid the feeld,
Ageinst the which Achilles thrust him back with all his myght,
And throwing him ageinst the ground, did cast him bolt vpryght.
Then bearing bostowsely with both his knees ageinst his chest,
And leaning with his elbowes and his target on his brest,
He shet his headpeece cloce and iust, and vnderneathe his chin
So hard it straynd, that way for breath was neyther out nor in,
And closed vp the vent of lyfe. And hauing gotten so
The vpper hand, he went about too spoyle his vanquisht fo.
But nought he in his armour found. For Neptune had as tho
Transformd him too the fowle whose name he bare but late ago.
This labour, this encounter brought the rest of many dayes,
And eyther partye in theyr strength a whyle from battell stayes.
Now whyle the Phrygians watch & ward vppon the walles of Troy,
And Greekes likewyse within theyr trench, there came a day of ioy,
In which Achilles for his luck in Cygnets ouerthrow,
A Cow in way of sacrifyse on Pallas did bestowe.
Whose inwards when he had vppon the burning altar cast
And that the acceptable fume had through the ayer past
Too Godward, and the holy rytes had had theyr dewes, the rest
Was set on boords for men too eate in disshes fynely drest.
The princes sitting downe, did feede vppon the rosted flesh,
And both theyr thirst and present cares with wyne they did refresh.
Not Harpes, nor songs, nor hollowe flutes too heere did them delyght.
They talked till they nye had spent the greatest part of nyght.
And all theyr communication was of feates of armes in fyght
That had beene doone by them or by theyr foes. And euery wyght
Delyghts too vppen oftentymes by turne as came about
The perills and the narrow brunts himself had shifted out.
For what thing should bee talkt beefore Achilles rather? Or
What kynd of things than such as theis could seeme more meeter for
Achilles too bee talking of? But in theyr talk most breeme
Was then Achilles victory of Cygnet. It did seeme
A woonder that the flesh of him should bee so hard and tough
As that no weapon myght haue powre too raze or perce it through,
But that it did abate the edge of steele: It was a thing
That both Achilles and the Greekes in woondrous maze did bring.
Then Nestor sayd: This Cygnet is the person now alone
Of your tyme that defyed steele, and could bee perst of none.
But I haue seene now long ago one Cene of Perrhebye,
I sawe one Cene of Perrhebye a thousand woundes defye
With vnatteynted bodye. In mount Othris he did dwell:
And was renowmed for his deedes: (and which in him ryght well
A greater woonder did appeere) he was a woman borne.
This vncouth made them all much more amazed than beforne,
And euery man desyred him to tell it. And among
The rest, Achilles sayd. Declare I pray thee (for wee long
Too heare it euery one of vs) O eloquent old man
The wisedome of our age: what was that Cene and how he wan
Another than his natiue shape, and in what rode, or in
What fyght or skirmish, tweene you first acquaintance did beegin,
And who in fyne did vanquish him if any vanquisht him.
And Greekes likewyse within theyr trench, there came a day of ioy,
In which Achilles for his luck in Cygnets ouerthrow,
A Cow in way of sacrifyse on Pallas did bestowe.
Whose inwards when he had vppon the burning altar cast
And that the acceptable fume had through the ayer past
Too Godward, and the holy rytes had had theyr dewes, the rest
Was set on boords for men too eate in disshes fynely drest.
The princes sitting downe, did feede vppon the rosted flesh,
And both theyr thirst and present cares with wyne they did refresh.
Not Harpes, nor songs, nor hollowe flutes too heere did them delyght.
They talked till they nye had spent the greatest part of nyght.
And all theyr communication was of feates of armes in fyght
That had beene doone by them or by theyr foes. And euery wyght
Delyghts too vppen oftentymes by turne as came about
The perills and the narrow brunts himself had shifted out.
For what thing should bee talkt beefore Achilles rather? Or
What kynd of things than such as theis could seeme more meeter for
[150]
Was then Achilles victory of Cygnet. It did seeme
A woonder that the flesh of him should bee so hard and tough
As that no weapon myght haue powre too raze or perce it through,
But that it did abate the edge of steele: It was a thing
That both Achilles and the Greekes in woondrous maze did bring.
Then Nestor sayd: This Cygnet is the person now alone
Of your tyme that defyed steele, and could bee perst of none.
But I haue seene now long ago one Cene of Perrhebye,
I sawe one Cene of Perrhebye a thousand woundes defye
With vnatteynted bodye. In mount Othris he did dwell:
And was renowmed for his deedes: (and which in him ryght well
A greater woonder did appeere) he was a woman borne.
This vncouth made them all much more amazed than beforne,
And euery man desyred him to tell it. And among
The rest, Achilles sayd. Declare I pray thee (for wee long
Too heare it euery one of vs) O eloquent old man
The wisedome of our age: what was that Cene and how he wan
Another than his natiue shape, and in what rode, or in
What fyght or skirmish, tweene you first acquaintance did beegin,
And who in fyne did vanquish him if any vanquisht him.
Then Nestor. Though ye length of tyme haue made my senses dim,
And dyuers things erst seene in youth now out of myne be gone:
Yit beare I still mo things in mynd: and of them all is none
Among so many both of peace and warre, that yit dooth take
More stedfast roote in memorye. And if that tyme may make
A man great store of things through long continuance for too see,
Two hundred yeeres already of my lyfe full passed bee,
And now I go vppon the third. This foresayd Ceny was
The daughter of one Elatey. In beawty shee did passe
The maydens all of Thessaly. From all the Cities bye
And from thy Cities also O Achilles came (for why
Shee was thy countrywoman) store of wooers who in vayne
In hope too win her loue did take great trauell sute and payne.
Thy father also had perchaunce attempted heere too matcht
But that thy moothers maryage was alreadye then dispatcht,
Or shee at least affyanced. But Ceny matcht with none,
Howbeeit as shee on the shore was walking all alone,
The God of sea did rauish her. (so fame dooth make report)
And Neptune for the great delight he had in Venus sport,
Sayd: Ceny, aske mee what thou wilt, and I will giue it thee.
(This also bruted is by fame.) The wrong heere doone too mee
(quoth Ceny makes mee wish great things. And therfore too thentent
I may no more constreyned bee too such a thing, consent
I may no more a woman bee. And if thou graunt theretoo,
It is euen all that I desyre, or wish thee for too doo.
In bacer tune theis latter woordes were vttred, and her voyce
Did seeme a mannes voyce as it was in deede. For too her choyce
The God of sea had giuen consent. He graunted him besyde
That free from wounding and from hurt he should from thence abyde,
And that he should not dye of steele. Right glad of this same graunt
Away went Ceny, and the feeldes of Thessaly did haunt,
And in the feates of Cheualrye from that tyme spent his lyfe.
And dyuers things erst seene in youth now out of myne be gone:
Yit beare I still mo things in mynd: and of them all is none
Among so many both of peace and warre, that yit dooth take
More stedfast roote in memorye. And if that tyme may make
A man great store of things through long continuance for too see,
Two hundred yeeres already of my lyfe full passed bee,
And now I go vppon the third. This foresayd Ceny was
The daughter of one Elatey. In beawty shee did passe
The maydens all of Thessaly. From all the Cities bye
And from thy Cities also O Achilles came (for why
Shee was thy countrywoman) store of wooers who in vayne
In hope too win her loue did take great trauell sute and payne.
Thy father also had perchaunce attempted heere too matcht
But that thy moothers maryage was alreadye then dispatcht,
Or shee at least affyanced. But Ceny matcht with none,
151
The God of sea did rauish her. (so fame dooth make report)
And Neptune for the great delight he had in Venus sport,
Sayd: Ceny, aske mee what thou wilt, and I will giue it thee.
(This also bruted is by fame.) The wrong heere doone too mee
(quoth Ceny makes mee wish great things. And therfore too thentent
I may no more constreyned bee too such a thing, consent
I may no more a woman bee. And if thou graunt theretoo,
It is euen all that I desyre, or wish thee for too doo.
In bacer tune theis latter woordes were vttred, and her voyce
Did seeme a mannes voyce as it was in deede. For too her choyce
The God of sea had giuen consent. He graunted him besyde
That free from wounding and from hurt he should from thence abyde,
And that he should not dye of steele. Right glad of this same graunt
Away went Ceny, and the feeldes of Thessaly did haunt,
And in the feates of Cheualrye from that tyme spent his lyfe.
The ouer bold
Ixions sonne had taken too his wyfe
Hippodame. And keuering boordes in bowres of boughes of trees
His Clowdbred brothers one by one he placed in degrees.
There were the Lordes of Thessaly. I also was among
The rest, a cheerefull noyse of feast through all the Pallace roong.
Sum made the altars smoke, and sum the brydale carrolls soong.
Anon commes in the mayden bryde a goodly wench of face,
With wyues and maydens following her with comly gate and grace.
Wee sayd that sir Pirithous was happy in his wyfe:
Which handsell had deceyued vs wellneere through soodeine stryfe.
For of the cruell Centavvres thou most cruell Evvryt, tho
Like as thy stomacke was with wyne farre ouer charged: so
Assoone as thou behilldst the bryde, thy hart began too frayne,
And doubled. with thy droonkennesse thy raging lust did reigne.
The feast was troubled by and by with tables ouerthrowen.
The bryde was hayled by the head, so farre was furye growen.
Feerce Evvryt caught Hippodame, and euery of the rest
Caught such as commed next to hand, or such as likte him best.
It was the liuely image of a Citie tane by foes.
The house did ring of womens shreekes. wee all vp quickly rose.
And first sayd Theseus thus. What aylst? art mad O Evvrytus?
That darest (seeing mee aliue) misvse Pirithous?
Not knowing that in one thou doost abvse vs bothe? And least
He myght haue seemd too speake in vayne, he thrustway such as preast
About the bryde, and tooke her from them freating sore thereat.
No answere made him Evvrytus: (for such a deede as that
Defended could not bee with woordes) but with his sawcye fist
He flew at gentle Theseus face, and bobd him on the brist.
By chaunce hard by, an auncient cuppe of image woork did stand.
Which being howge himself more howge sir Theseus tooke in hand,
And threwt at Evvryts head. He spewd as well at mouth as wound
Mixt cloddes of blood, and brayne and wyne, and on the soyled ground
Lay sprawling bolt vpryght. The death of him did set the rest
His dowblelimbed brothers so on fyre, that all the quest
With one voyce cryed out kill kill. The wyne had giuen them hart.
Theyr first encounter was with cuppes & Cannes throwen ouerthwart,
And brittle tankerds, and with boawles, pannes, dishes, potts, & trayes,
Things seruing late for meate and drinke, and then for bluddy frayes.
First Amycus Ophions sonne with out remorse began
Too reeue and rob the brydehouse of his furniture. He ran
And pulled downe a Lampbeame full of lyghtes, and lifting it
Aloft like one that with an Ax dooth fetch his blowe too slit
An Oxis necke in sacrifyse, He on the forehead hit
A Lapith named Celadon, and crusshed so his bones
That none could know him by the face: both eyes flew out at ones.
His nose was beaten backe and too his pallat battred flat.
One Pelates a Macedone exceeding wroth therat,
Pulld out a maple tressles foote, and napt him in the necks,
That bobbing with his chin ageinst his brest too ground he becks.
And as he spitted out his teeth with blackish blood, he lent
Another blowe too Amycus which streyght too hell him sent.
Gryne standing by and lowring with a fell grim visage at
The smoking Altars, sayd: why vse we not theis same? with that
He caught a myghty altar vp with burning fyre thereon,
And it among the thickest of the Lapithes threw anon.
And twoo he ouer whelmd therewith calld Brote and Orion.
This Orions moother Mycale is knowne of certeintye
The Moone resisting too haue drawne by witchcraft from the skye.
Full dearely shalt thou by it (quoth Exadius) may I get
A weapon: and with that in stead of weapon, he did set
His hand vppon a vowd harts horne that on a Pynetree hye
Was nayld, and with twoo tynes therof he strake out eyther eye
Of Gryne: whereof sum stacke vppon the horne, and sum did flye
Uppon his beard, and there with blood like ielly mixt did lye.
A flaming fyrebrand from amids an Altar Rhætus snatcht.
With which vppon the leftsyde of his head Charaxus latcht
A blow that crackt his skull. The blaze among his yellow heare
Ran sindging vp, as if dry corne with lightning blasted were.
And in his wound the seared blood did make a greeuous sound,
As when a peece of steele red whot tane vp with tongs is drownd
In water by the smith, it spirts and hisseth in the trowgh.
Charaxus from his curled heare did shake the fyre. and thowgh
He wounded were, yit caught he vp vppon his shoulders twayne
A stone the Iawme of eyther doore that well would loade a wayne.
The masse therof was such as that it would not let him hit
His fo. It lighted short: and with the falling downe of it
A mate of his that Comet hyght, it all in peeces smit.
Then Rhæte restreyning not his ioy, sayd thus: I would the rowt
Of all thy mates myght in the selfsame maner proue them stowt.
And with his halfeburnt brond the wound he searched new agayne,
Not ceasing for to lay on loade vppon his pate amayne,
Untill his head was crusht, and of his scalp the bones did swim
Among his braynes. In iolly ruffe he passed streyght from him
Too Coryt, and Euagrus, and too Dryant on a rowe.
Of whom when Coryt (on whose cheekes yoong mossy downe gan grow)
Was slayne, what prayse or honour (quoth Euagrus) hast thou got
By killing of a boy? mo woordes him Rhetus suffred not
Too speake, but in his open mouth did thrust his burning brand,
And downe his throteboll too his chest. Then whisking in his hand
His fyrebrand round about his head he feercely did assayle
The valyant Dryant. but with him he could not so preuayle.
For as he triumpht in his lucke, proceeding for too make
Continuall slaughter of his foes, sir Dryant with a stake
(Whose poynt was hardned in the fyre) did cast at him a foyne
And thrust him through the place in which the neck and shoulders ioyne.
He groand and from his cannell bone could scarcely pull the stake.
And beeing foyled with his blood too flyght he did him take.
Arnæus also ran away, and Lycidas likewyse.
And Medon (whose ryght shoulderplate was also wounded) flyes.
So did Pisenor, so did Cavvne, and so did Mermeros
Who late outronning euery man, now wounded slower goes:
And so did Phole, and Menelas, and Abas who was woont
Too make a spoyle among wylde Boares as oft as he did hunt:
And eeke the wyzarde Astylos who counselled his mates
Too leaue that fray: but he too them in vayne of leauing prates.
He eeke too Nessus (who for feare of wounding seemed shye)
Sayd, fly not thou shalt scape this fray of Hercles bowe too dye.
But Lycid and Evvrinomos, and Imbreus, and Are
Escapte not death. Sir Dryants hand did all alike them spare.
Cayneius also (though that he in flying were not slacke,
Yit was he wounded on the face: For as he looked backe,
A weapons poynt did hit him full midway betweene the eyes,
Wheras the noze and forehead meete. For all this deane, yit lyes
Aphipnas snorting fast a sleepe not mynding for to wake,
Wrapt in a cloke of Bearskinnes which in Ossa mount were take.
And in his lither hand he hilld a potte of wyne. Whom when
That Phorbas saw (although in vayne) not medling with them, then
He set his fingars too the thong: and saying, thou shalt drink
Thy wyne with water taken from the Stygian fountaynes brink,
He threw his dart at him. The dart (as he that tyme by chaunce
Lay bolt vpright vppon his backe) did through his throteboll glaunce.
He dyde and felt no payne at all. The blacke swart blood gusht out,
And on the bed and in the potte fell flushing lyke a spout.
I saw Petreius go about too pull out of the ground
An Oken tree. But as he had his armes about it round,
And shaakt it too and fro too make it looce, Pirithous cast
A Dart which nayled too the tree his wrything stomacke fast.
Through prowesse of Pirithous (men say) was Lycus slayne.
Through prowesse of Pirithous dyde Crome. But they both twayne
Lesse honour too theyr conquerour were, than Dyctis was, or than
Was Helops. Helops with a dart was striken which through ran
His head, and entring at the ryght eare too the left eare went.
And Dyctis from a slipprye knappe downe slyding, as he ment
Too shonne Perithöus preacing on, fell headlong downe, and with
His howgenesse brake the greatest Ash that was in all the frith,
And goard his gutts vppon ye stump. Too wreake his death cōmes Phare:
And from the mount a mighty rocke with bothe his handes he tare:
Which as he was about too throwe, Duke Theseus did preuent,
And with an Oken plant vppon his mighty elbowe lent
Him such a blowe, as that he brake the bones, and past no further.
For leysure would not serue him then his maymed corce too murther.
He lept on hygh Bianors backe, who none was woont too beare
Besydes himself. Ageinst his sydes his knees fast nipping were,
And with his left hand taking hold vppon his foretoppe heare
He cuft him with his knubbed plant about the frowning face,
And made his wattled browes too breake. And with his Oken mace
He ouerthrew Nedimnus: and Lycespes with his dart,
And Hippasus whose beard did hyde his brest the greater part:
And Riphey tallar than the trees, and Therey who was woont
Among the hilles of Thessaly for cruell Beares too hunt,
And beare them angry home alyue. It did Demoleon spyght
That Theseus had so good successe and fortune in his fyght.
An old long Pynetree rooted fast he straue with all his myght
Too pluck vp whole bothe trunk & roote. which when he could not bring
Too passe, he brake it of, and at his emnye did it fling.
But Theseus by admonishment of heauenly Pallas (so
He would haue folke beleue it were) start backe a great way fro
The weapon as it came. Yit fell it not without some harme.
It cut from Crantors left syde bulke, his shoulder, brest, and arme.
This Crantor was thy fathers Squyre (Achilles) and was giuen
Him by Amyntor ruler of the Dolops, who was driuen
By battell for too giue him as an hostage for the peace
Too bee obserued faythfully. When Peleus in the preace
A great way of behilld him thus falne dead of this same wound,
O Crantor deerest man too mee of all aboue the ground,
Hold heere an obitgift hee sayd: and both with force of hart
And hand, at stout Demoleons head he threw an asshen dart,
Which brake the watling of his ribbes, and sticking in the bone,
Did shake. He pulled out the steale with much a doo alone.
The head therof stacke still behynd among his lungs and lyghts
Enforst too courage with his payne, he ryseth streight vprights,
And pawing at his emny with his horsish feete, he smyghts
Uppon him. Peleus bare his strokes vppon his burganet,
And fenst his shoulders with his sheeld, and euermore did set
His weapon vpward with the poynt, which by his shoulders perst
Through both his brestes at one full blowe. Howbeet your father erst
Had killed Hyle and Phlegrye, and Hiphinöus aloof
And Danes who boldly durst at hand his manhod put in proof.
Too theis was added Dorylas, who ware vppon his head
A cap of woolues skinne. And the hornes of Oxen dyed red
With blood were then his weapon. I (for then my courage gaue
Mee strength sayd: see how much thy hornes lesse force than Iron haue.
And therewithall with manly might a dart at him I draue.
Which when he could not shonne, he clapt his right hand flat vppon
His forehead where the wound should bee. For why his hand anon
Was nayled too his forehead fast. Hee roared out amayne.
And as he stood amazed and began too faynt for payne,
Your father Peleus (for he stood hard by him) strake him vnder
The middle belly with his swoord, and ript his womb asunder.
Out girdes mee Dorill streyght, and trayles his guttes vppon ye ground
And trampling vnderneath his feete did breake them, and they wound
About his leggs so snarling, that he could no further go,
But fell downe dead with empty womb Nought booted Cyllar tho
His beawtye in that frentick fray, (at least wyse if wee graunt
That any myght in that straunge shape, of natures beawtye vaunt.)
His beard began but then too bud: his beard was like the gold:
So also were his yellowe lokes, which goodly too behold
Midway beneath his shoulders hung. There rested in his face
A sharpe and liuely cheerfulnesse with sweete and pleasant grace.
His necke, brest, shoulders, armes, and hands, as farre as he was man,
Were such as neuer caruers woork yit stayne them could or can.
His neather part likewyse (which was a horse) was euery whit
Full equall with his vpper part, or little woorse than it.
For had yee giuen him horses necke, and head, he was a beast
For Castor too haue ridden on. So bourly was his brest:
So handsome was his backe too beare a saddle; and his heare
Was blacke as ieate, but that his tayle and feete milk whyghtish were.
Full many Females of his race did wish him too theyr make.
But only dame Hylonome for louer he did take.
Of all the halfbrutes in the woodes there did not any dwell
More comly than Hylonome. She vsde herself so well
In dalyance, and in louing, and in vttring of her loue,
That shee alone hilld Cyllarus. As much as did behoue
In suchye limbes, shee trimmed them as most the eye might moue.
With combing, smoothe shee made her heare: shee wallowed her full oft
In Roses and in Rosemarye, or Uiolets sweete and soft:
Sumtyme shee caryed Lillyes whyght: and twyce a day shee washt
Her visage in the spring that from the toppe of Pagase past:
And in the streame shee twyce a day did bath her limbes: and on
Her leftsyde or her shoulders came the comlyest things, And none
But fynest skinnes of choycest beasts. Alike eche loued other:
Toogither they among the hilles roamd vp and downe: toogither
They went too couert: and that tyme toogither they did enter
The Lapithes house, and there the fray toogither did aduenter.
A dart on Cyllars left syde came, (I know not who it sent)
Which sumwhat vnderneathe his necke his brest a sunder splent.
As lyghtly as his hart was raazd, no sooner was the dart
Pluckt out, but all his bodye wext stark cold and dyed swart.
Immediatly Hylonome his dying limbes vp stayd,
And put her hand vppon the wound too stoppe the blood, and layd
Her mouth too his, and labored sore too stay his passing spryght.
But when shee sawe him throughly dead, then speaking woordes which might
Not too my hearing come for noyse, shee stikt herself vppon
The weapon that had gored him, and dyde with him anon
Embracing him beetweene her armes. There also stood before
Myne eyes the grim Pheöcomes both man and horse who wore
A Lyons skinne vppon his backe fast knit with knotts afore.
He snatching vp a timber log (which scarcely twoo good teeme
Of Oxen could haue stird) did throwe the same with force extreeme
At Phonolenyes sonne. The logge him all in fitters strake,
And of his head the braynepan in a thousand peeces brake,
That at his mouth, his eares, and eyes, and at his nosethrills too,
His crusshed brayne came roping out as creame is woont too doo
From siues or riddles made of wood, or as a Cullace out
From streyner or from Colender. But as he went about
Too strippe him from his harnesse as he lay vppon the ground,
(Your father knoweth this full well) my sword his gutts did wound,
Teleboas and Cthonius bothe, were also slaine by mee.
Sir Cthonius for his weapon had a forked bough of tree.
The toother had a dart. His dart did wound. mee you may see
The scarre therof remayning yit. Then was the tyme that I
Should sent haue beene too conquer Troy. Then was the tyme that I
Myght through my force and prowesse, if not vanquish Hector stout,
Yit at the least haue hilld him wag, I put you out of Dout.
But then was Hector no body: or but a babe. And now
Am I forspent and worne with yeeres. What should I tell you how
Piretus dyde by Periphas? Or wherefore should I make
Long processe for too tell you of sir Ampycus that strake
The fowrefoote Oecle on the face with dart of Cornell tree.
The which had neyther head nor poynt? Or how that Macaree
Of Mountaine Pelithronye with a leauer lent a blowe
Too Erigdupus on the brest which did him ouerthrowe?
Full well I doo remember that Cymelius threw a dart
Which lyghted full in Nesseyes flank about his priuie part.
And think not you that Mops the sonne of Ampycus could doo
No good but onely prophesye. This stout Odites whoo
Had bothe the shapes of man and horse, by Mopsis dart was slayne,
And labouring for too speake his last he did but striue in vayne.
For Mopsis dart toogither nayld his toong and neather chappe,
And percing through his throte did make a wyde and deadly gappe.
Fyue men had Cene already slayne: theyr wounds I cannot say:
The names and nomber of them all ryght well I beare away.
The names of them were Stiphelus, and Brome, and Helimus,
Pyracmon with his forest bill, and stout Antimachus.
Out steppes the biggest Centavvre there howge Latreus armed in
Alesus of Aemathias spoyle slayne late before by him.
His yeeres were mid tweene youth and age, his courage still was yoong,
And on his abrun head hore heares peerd heere and there amoong
His furniture was then a swoord, a target and a lawnce
Aemathian like. Too bothe the parts he did his face aduaunce,
And brandishing his weapon braue, in circlewyse did prawnce
About, and stoutly spake theis woordes. And must I beare with yow
Dame Cenye? for none other than a moother (I auow)
No better than a moother will I count thee whyle I liue.
Remembrest not what shape by birth dame nature did the giue
Forgettst thou how thou purchasedst this counterfetted shape
Of man? Consyderest what thou art by birth? and how for rape
Thou art become the thing thou art? Go take thy distaffe, and
Thy spindle, and in spinning yarne go exercyse thy hand.
Let men alone with feates of armes. As Latreus made this stout,
And scornefull taunting in a ring still turning him about,
This Cenye with a dart did hit him full vppon the syde
Where as the horse and man were ioynd toogither in a hyde.
The strype made Latreus mad: and with his lawnce in rage he stracke
Uppon sir Cenyes naked ribbes. The lawnce rebounded backe
Like haylestones from a tyled house, or as a man should pat
Small stones vppon a dromslets head. He came more neere with that,
And in his brawned syde did stryue too thrust his swoord. There was
No way for swoord too enter in. Yit shalt thou not so passe
My handes (sayd he.) Well sith the poynt is blunted thou shalt dye
Uppon the edge: and with that woord he fetcht his blow awrye,
And sydling with a sweeping stroke along his belly smit.
The strype did giue a clinke as if it had on marble hit.
And therewithall the swoord did breake, and on his necke did lyght.
When Ceny had sufficiently giuen Latreus leaue too smyght
His flesh which was vnmaymeable. Well now (quoth he) lets see,
If my swoord able bee or no too byght the flesh of thee.
In saying so, his dreadfull swoord as farre as it would go
He vnderneathe his shoulder thrust, and wrinching too and fro
Among his gutts, made wound in wound Behold with hydeous crye
The dowblemembred Centavvres sore abasht vppon him flye,
And throwe theyr weapons all at him. Theyr weapons downe did fall
As if they had rebated beene, and Cenye for them all
Abydes vnstriken through. Yea none was able blood too drawe.
The straungenesse of the cace made all amazed that it sawe.
Fy, fy for shame (quoth Monychus) that such a rable can
Not ouercome one wyght alone, who scarcely is a man.
Although (too say the very truthe) he is the man, and wee
Through fayntnesse that that he was borne by nature for too bee.
What profits theis huge limbes of ours? what helpes our dowble force?
Or what auayles our dowble shape of man as well as horse
By puissant nature ioynd in one? I can not thinke that wee
Of souereigne Goddesse Iuno were begot, or that wee bee
Ixions sonnes, who was so stout of courage and so hault,
As that he durst on Iunos loue attempt too giue assault.
The emny that dooth vanquish vs is scarcely half a man.
Whelme blocks, & stones, & mountaynes whole vppon his hard brayne pan:
And presse yee out his liuely ghoste with trees. Let timber choke
His chappes, let weyght enforce his death in stead of wounding stroke.
This sayd: by chaunce he gets a tree blowne downe by blustring blasts
Of Southerne wynds, and on his fo with all his myght it casts,
And gaue example too the rest too doo the like. Within
A whyle the shadowes which did hyde mount Pelion waxed thin:
And not a tree was left vppon mount Othris ere they went.
Sir Cenye vnderneathe this greate howge pyle of timber pent,
Did chauf and on his shoulders hard the heauy logges did beare.
But when aboue his face and head the trees vp stacked were,
So that he had no venting place too drawe his breth: One whyle
He faynted: and anotherwhyle he heaued at the pyle,
Too tumble downe the loggs that lay so heauy on his backe,
And for too winne the open ayre ageine aboue the stacke:
As if the mountayne Ida (lo) which yoonder we doo see
So hygh, by earth quake at a tyme should chaunce to shaken bee.
Men dowt what did become of him. Sum hold opinion that
The burthen of the woodes had driuen his soule too Limbo flat.
But Mopsus sayd it was not so. For he did see a browne
Bird flying from amid the stacke and towring vp and downe.
It was the first tyme and the last that euer I behild
That fowle. When Mopsus softly saw him soring in the feeld,
He looked wistly after him, and cryed out on hye.
Hayle peerlesse perle of Lapith race, hayle Ceny, late ago
A valeant knyght, and now a bird of whom there is no mo.
The author caused men beleeue the matter too bee so.
Our sorrow set vs in a rage. It was too vs a greef
That by so many foes one knyght was killd without releef.
Then ceast wee not too wreake our teene till most was slaine in fyght,
And that the rest discomfited were fled away by nyght.
Hippodame. And keuering boordes in bowres of boughes of trees
His Clowdbred brothers one by one he placed in degrees.
There were the Lordes of Thessaly. I also was among
The rest, a cheerefull noyse of feast through all the Pallace roong.
Sum made the altars smoke, and sum the brydale carrolls soong.
Anon commes in the mayden bryde a goodly wench of face,
With wyues and maydens following her with comly gate and grace.
Wee sayd that sir Pirithous was happy in his wyfe:
Which handsell had deceyued vs wellneere through soodeine stryfe.
For of the cruell Centavvres thou most cruell Evvryt, tho
Like as thy stomacke was with wyne farre ouer charged: so
Assoone as thou behilldst the bryde, thy hart began too frayne,
And doubled. with thy droonkennesse thy raging lust did reigne.
The feast was troubled by and by with tables ouerthrowen.
The bryde was hayled by the head, so farre was furye growen.
Feerce Evvryt caught Hippodame, and euery of the rest
Caught such as commed next to hand, or such as likte him best.
It was the liuely image of a Citie tane by foes.
The house did ring of womens shreekes. wee all vp quickly rose.
And first sayd Theseus thus. What aylst? art mad O Evvrytus?
[151]
Not knowing that in one thou doost abvse vs bothe? And least
He myght haue seemd too speake in vayne, he thrustway such as preast
About the bryde, and tooke her from them freating sore thereat.
No answere made him Evvrytus: (for such a deede as that
Defended could not bee with woordes) but with his sawcye fist
He flew at gentle Theseus face, and bobd him on the brist.
By chaunce hard by, an auncient cuppe of image woork did stand.
Which being howge himself more howge sir Theseus tooke in hand,
And threwt at Evvryts head. He spewd as well at mouth as wound
Mixt cloddes of blood, and brayne and wyne, and on the soyled ground
Lay sprawling bolt vpryght. The death of him did set the rest
His dowblelimbed brothers so on fyre, that all the quest
With one voyce cryed out kill kill. The wyne had giuen them hart.
Theyr first encounter was with cuppes & Cannes throwen ouerthwart,
And brittle tankerds, and with boawles, pannes, dishes, potts, & trayes,
Things seruing late for meate and drinke, and then for bluddy frayes.
First Amycus Ophions sonne with out remorse began
Too reeue and rob the brydehouse of his furniture. He ran
And pulled downe a Lampbeame full of lyghtes, and lifting it
Aloft like one that with an Ax dooth fetch his blowe too slit
An Oxis necke in sacrifyse, He on the forehead hit
A Lapith named Celadon, and crusshed so his bones
That none could know him by the face: both eyes flew out at ones.
His nose was beaten backe and too his pallat battred flat.
One Pelates a Macedone exceeding wroth therat,
Pulld out a maple tressles foote, and napt him in the necks,
That bobbing with his chin ageinst his brest too ground he becks.
And as he spitted out his teeth with blackish blood, he lent
Another blowe too Amycus which streyght too hell him sent.
Gryne standing by and lowring with a fell grim visage at
The smoking Altars, sayd: why vse we not theis same? with that
He caught a myghty altar vp with burning fyre thereon,
And it among the thickest of the Lapithes threw anon.
And twoo he ouer whelmd therewith calld Brote and Orion.
This Orions moother Mycale is knowne of certeintye
The Moone resisting too haue drawne by witchcraft from the skye.
152
A weapon: and with that in stead of weapon, he did set
His hand vppon a vowd harts horne that on a Pynetree hye
Was nayld, and with twoo tynes therof he strake out eyther eye
Of Gryne: whereof sum stacke vppon the horne, and sum did flye
Uppon his beard, and there with blood like ielly mixt did lye.
A flaming fyrebrand from amids an Altar Rhætus snatcht.
With which vppon the leftsyde of his head Charaxus latcht
A blow that crackt his skull. The blaze among his yellow heare
Ran sindging vp, as if dry corne with lightning blasted were.
And in his wound the seared blood did make a greeuous sound,
As when a peece of steele red whot tane vp with tongs is drownd
In water by the smith, it spirts and hisseth in the trowgh.
Charaxus from his curled heare did shake the fyre. and thowgh
He wounded were, yit caught he vp vppon his shoulders twayne
A stone the Iawme of eyther doore that well would loade a wayne.
The masse therof was such as that it would not let him hit
His fo. It lighted short: and with the falling downe of it
A mate of his that Comet hyght, it all in peeces smit.
Then Rhæte restreyning not his ioy, sayd thus: I would the rowt
Of all thy mates myght in the selfsame maner proue them stowt.
And with his halfeburnt brond the wound he searched new agayne,
Not ceasing for to lay on loade vppon his pate amayne,
Untill his head was crusht, and of his scalp the bones did swim
Among his braynes. In iolly ruffe he passed streyght from him
Too Coryt, and Euagrus, and too Dryant on a rowe.
Of whom when Coryt (on whose cheekes yoong mossy downe gan grow)
Was slayne, what prayse or honour (quoth Euagrus) hast thou got
By killing of a boy? mo woordes him Rhetus suffred not
Too speake, but in his open mouth did thrust his burning brand,
And downe his throteboll too his chest. Then whisking in his hand
His fyrebrand round about his head he feercely did assayle
The valyant Dryant. but with him he could not so preuayle.
For as he triumpht in his lucke, proceeding for too make
Continuall slaughter of his foes, sir Dryant with a stake
(Whose poynt was hardned in the fyre) did cast at him a foyne
And thrust him through the place in which the neck and shoulders ioyne.
[152]
And beeing foyled with his blood too flyght he did him take.
Arnæus also ran away, and Lycidas likewyse.
And Medon (whose ryght shoulderplate was also wounded) flyes.
So did Pisenor, so did Cavvne, and so did Mermeros
Who late outronning euery man, now wounded slower goes:
And so did Phole, and Menelas, and Abas who was woont
Too make a spoyle among wylde Boares as oft as he did hunt:
And eeke the wyzarde Astylos who counselled his mates
Too leaue that fray: but he too them in vayne of leauing prates.
He eeke too Nessus (who for feare of wounding seemed shye)
Sayd, fly not thou shalt scape this fray of Hercles bowe too dye.
But Lycid and Evvrinomos, and Imbreus, and Are
Escapte not death. Sir Dryants hand did all alike them spare.
Cayneius also (though that he in flying were not slacke,
Yit was he wounded on the face: For as he looked backe,
A weapons poynt did hit him full midway betweene the eyes,
Wheras the noze and forehead meete. For all this deane, yit lyes
Aphipnas snorting fast a sleepe not mynding for to wake,
Wrapt in a cloke of Bearskinnes which in Ossa mount were take.
And in his lither hand he hilld a potte of wyne. Whom when
That Phorbas saw (although in vayne) not medling with them, then
He set his fingars too the thong: and saying, thou shalt drink
Thy wyne with water taken from the Stygian fountaynes brink,
He threw his dart at him. The dart (as he that tyme by chaunce
Lay bolt vpright vppon his backe) did through his throteboll glaunce.
He dyde and felt no payne at all. The blacke swart blood gusht out,
And on the bed and in the potte fell flushing lyke a spout.
I saw Petreius go about too pull out of the ground
An Oken tree. But as he had his armes about it round,
And shaakt it too and fro too make it looce, Pirithous cast
A Dart which nayled too the tree his wrything stomacke fast.
Through prowesse of Pirithous (men say) was Lycus slayne.
Through prowesse of Pirithous dyde Crome. But they both twayne
Lesse honour too theyr conquerour were, than Dyctis was, or than
Was Helops. Helops with a dart was striken which through ran
His head, and entring at the ryght eare too the left eare went.
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Too shonne Perithöus preacing on, fell headlong downe, and with
His howgenesse brake the greatest Ash that was in all the frith,
And goard his gutts vppon ye stump. Too wreake his death cōmes Phare:
And from the mount a mighty rocke with bothe his handes he tare:
Which as he was about too throwe, Duke Theseus did preuent,
And with an Oken plant vppon his mighty elbowe lent
Him such a blowe, as that he brake the bones, and past no further.
For leysure would not serue him then his maymed corce too murther.
He lept on hygh Bianors backe, who none was woont too beare
Besydes himself. Ageinst his sydes his knees fast nipping were,
And with his left hand taking hold vppon his foretoppe heare
He cuft him with his knubbed plant about the frowning face,
And made his wattled browes too breake. And with his Oken mace
He ouerthrew Nedimnus: and Lycespes with his dart,
And Hippasus whose beard did hyde his brest the greater part:
And Riphey tallar than the trees, and Therey who was woont
Among the hilles of Thessaly for cruell Beares too hunt,
And beare them angry home alyue. It did Demoleon spyght
That Theseus had so good successe and fortune in his fyght.
An old long Pynetree rooted fast he straue with all his myght
Too pluck vp whole bothe trunk & roote. which when he could not bring
Too passe, he brake it of, and at his emnye did it fling.
But Theseus by admonishment of heauenly Pallas (so
He would haue folke beleue it were) start backe a great way fro
The weapon as it came. Yit fell it not without some harme.
It cut from Crantors left syde bulke, his shoulder, brest, and arme.
This Crantor was thy fathers Squyre (Achilles) and was giuen
Him by Amyntor ruler of the Dolops, who was driuen
By battell for too giue him as an hostage for the peace
Too bee obserued faythfully. When Peleus in the preace
A great way of behilld him thus falne dead of this same wound,
O Crantor deerest man too mee of all aboue the ground,
Hold heere an obitgift hee sayd: and both with force of hart
And hand, at stout Demoleons head he threw an asshen dart,
Which brake the watling of his ribbes, and sticking in the bone,
Did shake. He pulled out the steale with much a doo alone.
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Enforst too courage with his payne, he ryseth streight vprights,
And pawing at his emny with his horsish feete, he smyghts
Uppon him. Peleus bare his strokes vppon his burganet,
And fenst his shoulders with his sheeld, and euermore did set
His weapon vpward with the poynt, which by his shoulders perst
Through both his brestes at one full blowe. Howbeet your father erst
Had killed Hyle and Phlegrye, and Hiphinöus aloof
And Danes who boldly durst at hand his manhod put in proof.
Too theis was added Dorylas, who ware vppon his head
A cap of woolues skinne. And the hornes of Oxen dyed red
With blood were then his weapon. I (for then my courage gaue
Mee strength sayd: see how much thy hornes lesse force than Iron haue.
And therewithall with manly might a dart at him I draue.
Which when he could not shonne, he clapt his right hand flat vppon
His forehead where the wound should bee. For why his hand anon
Was nayled too his forehead fast. Hee roared out amayne.
And as he stood amazed and began too faynt for payne,
Your father Peleus (for he stood hard by him) strake him vnder
The middle belly with his swoord, and ript his womb asunder.
Out girdes mee Dorill streyght, and trayles his guttes vppon ye ground
And trampling vnderneath his feete did breake them, and they wound
About his leggs so snarling, that he could no further go,
But fell downe dead with empty womb Nought booted Cyllar tho
His beawtye in that frentick fray, (at least wyse if wee graunt
That any myght in that straunge shape, of natures beawtye vaunt.)
His beard began but then too bud: his beard was like the gold:
So also were his yellowe lokes, which goodly too behold
Midway beneath his shoulders hung. There rested in his face
A sharpe and liuely cheerfulnesse with sweete and pleasant grace.
His necke, brest, shoulders, armes, and hands, as farre as he was man,
Were such as neuer caruers woork yit stayne them could or can.
His neather part likewyse (which was a horse) was euery whit
Full equall with his vpper part, or little woorse than it.
For had yee giuen him horses necke, and head, he was a beast
For Castor too haue ridden on. So bourly was his brest:
So handsome was his backe too beare a saddle; and his heare
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Full many Females of his race did wish him too theyr make.
But only dame Hylonome for louer he did take.
Of all the halfbrutes in the woodes there did not any dwell
More comly than Hylonome. She vsde herself so well
In dalyance, and in louing, and in vttring of her loue,
That shee alone hilld Cyllarus. As much as did behoue
In suchye limbes, shee trimmed them as most the eye might moue.
With combing, smoothe shee made her heare: shee wallowed her full oft
In Roses and in Rosemarye, or Uiolets sweete and soft:
Sumtyme shee caryed Lillyes whyght: and twyce a day shee washt
Her visage in the spring that from the toppe of Pagase past:
And in the streame shee twyce a day did bath her limbes: and on
Her leftsyde or her shoulders came the comlyest things, And none
But fynest skinnes of choycest beasts. Alike eche loued other:
Toogither they among the hilles roamd vp and downe: toogither
They went too couert: and that tyme toogither they did enter
The Lapithes house, and there the fray toogither did aduenter.
A dart on Cyllars left syde came, (I know not who it sent)
Which sumwhat vnderneathe his necke his brest a sunder splent.
As lyghtly as his hart was raazd, no sooner was the dart
Pluckt out, but all his bodye wext stark cold and dyed swart.
Immediatly Hylonome his dying limbes vp stayd,
And put her hand vppon the wound too stoppe the blood, and layd
Her mouth too his, and labored sore too stay his passing spryght.
But when shee sawe him throughly dead, then speaking woordes which might
Not too my hearing come for noyse, shee stikt herself vppon
The weapon that had gored him, and dyde with him anon
Embracing him beetweene her armes. There also stood before
Myne eyes the grim Pheöcomes both man and horse who wore
A Lyons skinne vppon his backe fast knit with knotts afore.
He snatching vp a timber log (which scarcely twoo good teeme
Of Oxen could haue stird) did throwe the same with force extreeme
At Phonolenyes sonne. The logge him all in fitters strake,
And of his head the braynepan in a thousand peeces brake,
That at his mouth, his eares, and eyes, and at his nosethrills too,
His crusshed brayne came roping out as creame is woont too doo
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From streyner or from Colender. But as he went about
Too strippe him from his harnesse as he lay vppon the ground,
(Your father knoweth this full well) my sword his gutts did wound,
Teleboas and Cthonius bothe, were also slaine by mee.
Sir Cthonius for his weapon had a forked bough of tree.
The toother had a dart. His dart did wound. mee you may see
The scarre therof remayning yit. Then was the tyme that I
Should sent haue beene too conquer Troy. Then was the tyme that I
Myght through my force and prowesse, if not vanquish Hector stout,
Yit at the least haue hilld him wag, I put you out of Dout.
But then was Hector no body: or but a babe. And now
Am I forspent and worne with yeeres. What should I tell you how
Piretus dyde by Periphas? Or wherefore should I make
Long processe for too tell you of sir Ampycus that strake
The fowrefoote Oecle on the face with dart of Cornell tree.
The which had neyther head nor poynt? Or how that Macaree
Of Mountaine Pelithronye with a leauer lent a blowe
Too Erigdupus on the brest which did him ouerthrowe?
Full well I doo remember that Cymelius threw a dart
Which lyghted full in Nesseyes flank about his priuie part.
And think not you that Mops the sonne of Ampycus could doo
No good but onely prophesye. This stout Odites whoo
Had bothe the shapes of man and horse, by Mopsis dart was slayne,
And labouring for too speake his last he did but striue in vayne.
For Mopsis dart toogither nayld his toong and neather chappe,
And percing through his throte did make a wyde and deadly gappe.
Fyue men had Cene already slayne: theyr wounds I cannot say:
The names and nomber of them all ryght well I beare away.
The names of them were Stiphelus, and Brome, and Helimus,
Pyracmon with his forest bill, and stout Antimachus.
Out steppes the biggest Centavvre there howge Latreus armed in
Alesus of Aemathias spoyle slayne late before by him.
His yeeres were mid tweene youth and age, his courage still was yoong,
And on his abrun head hore heares peerd heere and there amoong
His furniture was then a swoord, a target and a lawnce
Aemathian like. Too bothe the parts he did his face aduaunce,
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About, and stoutly spake theis woordes. And must I beare with yow
Dame Cenye? for none other than a moother (I auow)
No better than a moother will I count thee whyle I liue.
Remembrest not what shape by birth dame nature did the giue
Forgettst thou how thou purchasedst this counterfetted shape
Of man? Consyderest what thou art by birth? and how for rape
Thou art become the thing thou art? Go take thy distaffe, and
Thy spindle, and in spinning yarne go exercyse thy hand.
Let men alone with feates of armes. As Latreus made this stout,
And scornefull taunting in a ring still turning him about,
This Cenye with a dart did hit him full vppon the syde
Where as the horse and man were ioynd toogither in a hyde.
The strype made Latreus mad: and with his lawnce in rage he stracke
Uppon sir Cenyes naked ribbes. The lawnce rebounded backe
Like haylestones from a tyled house, or as a man should pat
Small stones vppon a dromslets head. He came more neere with that,
And in his brawned syde did stryue too thrust his swoord. There was
No way for swoord too enter in. Yit shalt thou not so passe
My handes (sayd he.) Well sith the poynt is blunted thou shalt dye
Uppon the edge: and with that woord he fetcht his blow awrye,
And sydling with a sweeping stroke along his belly smit.
The strype did giue a clinke as if it had on marble hit.
And therewithall the swoord did breake, and on his necke did lyght.
When Ceny had sufficiently giuen Latreus leaue too smyght
His flesh which was vnmaymeable. Well now (quoth he) lets see,
If my swoord able bee or no too byght the flesh of thee.
In saying so, his dreadfull swoord as farre as it would go
He vnderneathe his shoulder thrust, and wrinching too and fro
Among his gutts, made wound in wound Behold with hydeous crye
The dowblemembred Centavvres sore abasht vppon him flye,
And throwe theyr weapons all at him. Theyr weapons downe did fall
As if they had rebated beene, and Cenye for them all
Abydes vnstriken through. Yea none was able blood too drawe.
The straungenesse of the cace made all amazed that it sawe.
Fy, fy for shame (quoth Monychus) that such a rable can
Not ouercome one wyght alone, who scarcely is a man.
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Through fayntnesse that that he was borne by nature for too bee.
What profits theis huge limbes of ours? what helpes our dowble force?
Or what auayles our dowble shape of man as well as horse
By puissant nature ioynd in one? I can not thinke that wee
Of souereigne Goddesse Iuno were begot, or that wee bee
Ixions sonnes, who was so stout of courage and so hault,
As that he durst on Iunos loue attempt too giue assault.
The emny that dooth vanquish vs is scarcely half a man.
Whelme blocks, & stones, & mountaynes whole vppon his hard brayne pan:
And presse yee out his liuely ghoste with trees. Let timber choke
His chappes, let weyght enforce his death in stead of wounding stroke.
This sayd: by chaunce he gets a tree blowne downe by blustring blasts
Of Southerne wynds, and on his fo with all his myght it casts,
And gaue example too the rest too doo the like. Within
A whyle the shadowes which did hyde mount Pelion waxed thin:
And not a tree was left vppon mount Othris ere they went.
Sir Cenye vnderneathe this greate howge pyle of timber pent,
Did chauf and on his shoulders hard the heauy logges did beare.
But when aboue his face and head the trees vp stacked were,
So that he had no venting place too drawe his breth: One whyle
He faynted: and anotherwhyle he heaued at the pyle,
Too tumble downe the loggs that lay so heauy on his backe,
And for too winne the open ayre ageine aboue the stacke:
As if the mountayne Ida (lo) which yoonder we doo see
So hygh, by earth quake at a tyme should chaunce to shaken bee.
Men dowt what did become of him. Sum hold opinion that
The burthen of the woodes had driuen his soule too Limbo flat.
But Mopsus sayd it was not so. For he did see a browne
Bird flying from amid the stacke and towring vp and downe.
It was the first tyme and the last that euer I behild
That fowle. When Mopsus softly saw him soring in the feeld,
He looked wistly after him, and cryed out on hye.
Hayle peerlesse perle of Lapith race, hayle Ceny, late ago
A valeant knyght, and now a bird of whom there is no mo.
The author caused men beleeue the matter too bee so.
Our sorrow set vs in a rage. It was too vs a greef
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Then ceast wee not too wreake our teene till most was slaine in fyght,
And that the rest discomfited were fled away by nyght.
As Nestor all the processe of this battell did reherce
Betweene the valeant Lapithes and misshapen Centavvres ferce,
Tlepolemus displeased sore that Hercules was past
With silence, could not hold his peace, but out theis woordes did cast.
My Lord, I muse you should forget my fathers prayse so quyght.
For often vntoo mee himself was woonted too recite,
How that the clowdbred folk by him were cheefly put too flyght.
Betweene the valeant Lapithes and misshapen Centavvres ferce,
Tlepolemus displeased sore that Hercules was past
With silence, could not hold his peace, but out theis woordes did cast.
My Lord, I muse you should forget my fathers prayse so quyght.
For often vntoo mee himself was woonted too recite,
How that the clowdbred folk by him were cheefly put too flyght.
Ryght sadly Nestor answerd thus. Why should you mee constreyne
Too call too mynd forgotten greefs? and for to reere ageine
The sorrowes now outworne by tyme? or force mee too declare
The hatred and displeasure which I too your father bare?
In sooth his dooings greater were than myght bee well beleeued.
He fild the world with high renowme which nobly he atcheeued.
Which thing I would I could denye. For neyther set wee out
Deïphobus, Polydamas, nor Hector that most stout
And valeant knyght the strength of Troy. For whoo will prayse his fo?
Your father ouerthrew the walles of Messen long ago,
And razed Pyle, and Ely townes vnwoorthye seruing so.
And feerce ageinst my fathers house hee vsde bothe swoord and fyre.
And (not too speake of others whom he killed in his ire)
Twyce six wee were the sonnes of Nele all lusty gentlemen.
Twyce six of vs (excepting mee) by him were murthred then.
The death of all the rest myght seeme a matter not so straunge:
But straunge was Periclymens death whoo had the powre too chaunge
And leaue and take what shape he list (by Neptune too him giuen,
The founder of the house of Nele.) For when he had beene driuen
Too try all shapes, and none could help: he last of all became
The fowle that in his hooked feete dooth beare the flasshing flame
Sent downe from heauen by Iupiter. He practising those birds,
With flapping wings, and bowwing beake, and hooked talants girds
At Hercle, and beescratcht his face. Too certeine (I may say)
Thy father amde his shaft at him. For as hee towring lay
Among the clowdes, he hit him vnderneath the wing The stroke
Was small: Howbeet bycause therwith the sinewes being broke,
He wanted strength too maynteine flyght, he fell me too the ground,
Through weakenesse of his wing. The shaft that sticked in the wound,
By reason of the burthen of his bodye perst his syde,
And at the leftsyde of his necke all bloodye foorth did glyde.
Now tell mee O thou beawtyfull Lord Amirall of the fleete
Of Rhodes, if mee too speake the prayse of Hercle it bee meete.
But least that of my brothers deathes men think I doo desyre
A further vendge than silence of the prowesse of thy syre,
I loue thee euen with all my hart, and take thee for my freend.
When Nestor of his pleasant tales had made this freendly end,
They called for a boll of wyne, and from the table went,
And all the resdew of the nyght in sleeping soundly spent.
Too call too mynd forgotten greefs? and for to reere ageine
The sorrowes now outworne by tyme? or force mee too declare
The hatred and displeasure which I too your father bare?
In sooth his dooings greater were than myght bee well beleeued.
He fild the world with high renowme which nobly he atcheeued.
Which thing I would I could denye. For neyther set wee out
Deïphobus, Polydamas, nor Hector that most stout
And valeant knyght the strength of Troy. For whoo will prayse his fo?
Your father ouerthrew the walles of Messen long ago,
And razed Pyle, and Ely townes vnwoorthye seruing so.
And feerce ageinst my fathers house hee vsde bothe swoord and fyre.
And (not too speake of others whom he killed in his ire)
Twyce six wee were the sonnes of Nele all lusty gentlemen.
Twyce six of vs (excepting mee) by him were murthred then.
The death of all the rest myght seeme a matter not so straunge:
But straunge was Periclymens death whoo had the powre too chaunge
And leaue and take what shape he list (by Neptune too him giuen,
The founder of the house of Nele.) For when he had beene driuen
Too try all shapes, and none could help: he last of all became
The fowle that in his hooked feete dooth beare the flasshing flame
Sent downe from heauen by Iupiter. He practising those birds,
With flapping wings, and bowwing beake, and hooked talants girds
At Hercle, and beescratcht his face. Too certeine (I may say)
Thy father amde his shaft at him. For as hee towring lay
Among the clowdes, he hit him vnderneath the wing The stroke
Was small: Howbeet bycause therwith the sinewes being broke,
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Through weakenesse of his wing. The shaft that sticked in the wound,
By reason of the burthen of his bodye perst his syde,
And at the leftsyde of his necke all bloodye foorth did glyde.
Now tell mee O thou beawtyfull Lord Amirall of the fleete
Of Rhodes, if mee too speake the prayse of Hercle it bee meete.
But least that of my brothers deathes men think I doo desyre
A further vendge than silence of the prowesse of thy syre,
I loue thee euen with all my hart, and take thee for my freend.
When Nestor of his pleasant tales had made this freendly end,
They called for a boll of wyne, and from the table went,
And all the resdew of the nyght in sleeping soundly spent.
But neptune like a father tooke the matter sore too hart
That Cygnet too a Swan he was constreyned too conuert.
And hating feerce Achilles, he did wreake his cruell teene
Uppon him more vncourteously than had beseeming beene.
For when the warres well neere full twyce fyue yeeres had lasted. Hee
Unshorne Apollo thus bespake. O neuew vntoo mee
Most deere of all my brothers impes, who helpedst mee too lay
Foundation of the walles of Troy for which we had no pay,
And canst thou syghes forbeare too see the Asian Empyre fall?
And dooth it not lament thy hart when thou too mynd doost call
So many thousand people slayne in keeping Ilion wall?
Or (too thentent particlerly I doo not speake of all)
Remembrest thou not Hectors Ghost whoo harryed was about
His towne of Troy? where nerethelesse Achilles that same stout
And farre in fyght more butcherly, whoo stryues with all his myght
Too stroy the woorke of mee and thee, liues still in healthfull plyght?
If euer hee doo come within my daunger he shall feele
What force is in my tryple mace. But sith with swoord of steele
I may not meete him as my fo, I pray thee vnbeeware
Go kill him with a sodeine shaft and rid mee of my care.
Apollo did consent: as well his vncle for too please,
As also for a pryuate grudge himself had for too ease.
And in a clowd he downe among the host of Troy did slyde,
Where Paris dribbling out his shaftes among the Greekes hee spyde:
And telling him what God he was, sayd wherfore doost thou waast
Thyne arrowes on the simple sort? If any care thou haste
Of those that are thy freendes, go turne ageinst Achilles head,
And like a man reuendge on him thy brothers that are dead.
In saying this, he brought him where Achilles with his brond
Was beating downe the Troiane folk, and leueld so his hond
As that Achilles tumbled downe starke dead vppon the lond.
That Cygnet too a Swan he was constreyned too conuert.
And hating feerce Achilles, he did wreake his cruell teene
Uppon him more vncourteously than had beseeming beene.
For when the warres well neere full twyce fyue yeeres had lasted. Hee
Unshorne Apollo thus bespake. O neuew vntoo mee
Most deere of all my brothers impes, who helpedst mee too lay
Foundation of the walles of Troy for which we had no pay,
And canst thou syghes forbeare too see the Asian Empyre fall?
And dooth it not lament thy hart when thou too mynd doost call
So many thousand people slayne in keeping Ilion wall?
Or (too thentent particlerly I doo not speake of all)
Remembrest thou not Hectors Ghost whoo harryed was about
His towne of Troy? where nerethelesse Achilles that same stout
And farre in fyght more butcherly, whoo stryues with all his myght
Too stroy the woorke of mee and thee, liues still in healthfull plyght?
If euer hee doo come within my daunger he shall feele
What force is in my tryple mace. But sith with swoord of steele
I may not meete him as my fo, I pray thee vnbeeware
Go kill him with a sodeine shaft and rid mee of my care.
Apollo did consent: as well his vncle for too please,
As also for a pryuate grudge himself had for too ease.
And in a clowd he downe among the host of Troy did slyde,
Where Paris dribbling out his shaftes among the Greekes hee spyde:
And telling him what God he was, sayd wherfore doost thou waast
157
Of those that are thy freendes, go turne ageinst Achilles head,
And like a man reuendge on him thy brothers that are dead.
In saying this, he brought him where Achilles with his brond
Was beating downe the Troiane folk, and leueld so his hond
As that Achilles tumbled downe starke dead vppon the lond.
This was the onely thing wherof the old king Priam myght
Take comfort after Hectors death. That stout and valeant knyght
Achilles whoo had ouerthrowen so many men in fyght,
Was by that coward carpet knyght beereeued of his lyfe.
Whoo like a caytif stale away the Spartane princes wyfe.
But if of weapon womanish he had foreknowen it had
His destnye beene too lose his lyfe, he would haue beene more glad
That Queene Penthesileas bill had slaine him out of hand.
Now was the feare of Phrygian folk, the onely glory, and
Defence of Greekes, that peerelesse prince in armes, Achilles turnd
Too asshes. That same God that had him armd, him also burnd.
Now is he dust: and of that great Achilles bydeth still.
A thing of nought, that scarcely can a little coffin fill.
Howbeet his woorthy fame dooth lyue, and spreadeth ouer all
The world, a measure meete for such a persone too beefall.
This matcheth thee Achilles full. And this can neuer dye.
His target also (too thentent that men myght playnly spye
What wyghts it was) did moue debate, and for his armour burst
Out deadly foode. Not Diomed, nor Aiax Oylye durst
Make clayme or chalendge too the same, nor Atreus yoonger sonne,
Nor yit his elder, though in armes much honour they had wonne.
Alone the sonnes of Telamon and Laërt did assay
Which of them twoo of that great pryse should beare the bell away.
But Agamemnon from himself the burthen putts, and cleeres
His handes of enuye, causing all the Capteines and the Peeres
Of Greece too meete amid the camp toogither in a place,
Too whom he put the heering and the iudgement of the cace.
Take comfort after Hectors death. That stout and valeant knyght
Achilles whoo had ouerthrowen so many men in fyght,
Was by that coward carpet knyght beereeued of his lyfe.
Whoo like a caytif stale away the Spartane princes wyfe.
But if of weapon womanish he had foreknowen it had
His destnye beene too lose his lyfe, he would haue beene more glad
That Queene Penthesileas bill had slaine him out of hand.
Now was the feare of Phrygian folk, the onely glory, and
Defence of Greekes, that peerelesse prince in armes, Achilles turnd
Too asshes. That same God that had him armd, him also burnd.
Now is he dust: and of that great Achilles bydeth still.
A thing of nought, that scarcely can a little coffin fill.
Howbeet his woorthy fame dooth lyue, and spreadeth ouer all
The world, a measure meete for such a persone too beefall.
This matcheth thee Achilles full. And this can neuer dye.
His target also (too thentent that men myght playnly spye
What wyghts it was) did moue debate, and for his armour burst
Out deadly foode. Not Diomed, nor Aiax Oylye durst
Make clayme or chalendge too the same, nor Atreus yoonger sonne,
Nor yit his elder, though in armes much honour they had wonne.
Alone the sonnes of Telamon and Laërt did assay
Which of them twoo of that great pryse should beare the bell away.
But Agamemnon from himself the burthen putts, and cleeres
His handes of enuye, causing all the Capteines and the Peeres
Of Greece too meete amid the camp toogither in a place,
Too whom he put the heering and the iudgement of the cace.
Finis duodecimi Libri.
[157]
THE .XIII. BOOKE OF Ouids Metamorphosis.
The Lordes and Capteynes being set toogither with the King,
And all the souldiers standing round about them in a ring,
The owner of the seuenfold sheeld, too theis did Aiax ryse.
And (as he could not brydle wrath) he cast his frowning eyes
Uppon the shore and on the fleete that there at Anchor lyes
And throwing vp his handes, O God and must wee plead (quoth hee)
Our case before our shippes? and must Vlysses stand with mee?
But like a wretch he ran his way when Hector came with fyre,
Which I defending from theis shippes did force him too retyre.
It easyer is therefore with woordes in print too maynteine stryfe,
Than for too fyght it out with fists. But neyther I am ryfe
In woordes, nor hee in deedes. For looke how farre I him excell
In battell and in feates of armes: so farre beares hee the bell
From mee in talking. Neyther think I requisite too tell
My actes among you. You your selues haue seene them verry well.
But let Vlysses tell you his doone all in hudther mudther,
And whervntoo the only nyght is priuy and none other.
The pryse is great (I doo confesse.) For which wee stryue. But yit
It is dishonour vntoo mee, for that in clayming it
So bace a persone standeth in contention for the same.
Too think it myne already, ought too counted bee no shame
Nor pryde in mee: although the thing of ryght great valew bee
Of which Vlysses standes in hope. For now alreadye hee
Hath wonne the honour of this pryse, in that when he shall sit
Besydes the quisshon, he may brag he straue with mee for it.
And though I wanted valiantnesse, yit should nobilitee
Make with mee. I of Telamon am knowne the sonne too bee
Who vnder valeant Hercules the walles of Troy did scale,
And in the shippe of Pagasa too Colchos land did sayle.
His father was that Aeäcus whoo executeth ryght
Among the ghostes where Sisyphus heaues vp with all his myght
The massye stone ay tumbling downe. The hyghest Ioue of all
Acknowledgeth this Aeäcus, and dooth his sonne him call.
Thus am I Aiax the third from Ioue. Yit let this Pedegree
O Achyues in this case of myne avaylable not bee,
Onlesse I prooue it fully with Achylles too agree
He was my brother, and I clayme that was my brothers. Why
Shouldst thou that art of Sisyphs blood, and for too filch and lye
Expressest him in euery poynt, by foorged pedegree
Aly thee too the Aeacyds, as though we did not see
Thee too the house of Aeäcus, a straunger for too bee?
And is it reason that you should this armour mee denye
Bycause I former was in armes, and needed not a spye
Too fetch mee foorth? Or think you him more woorthye it too haue,
That came too warrefare hindermost, and feynd himself too raue,
Bycause he would haue shund the warre? vntill a suttler head
And more vnprofitable for himself, sir Palamed
Escryde the crafty fetches of his fearefull hart, and drew
Him foorth a warfare which he sought so cowardly too eschew?
Must he now needes enioy the best and richest armour? whoo
Would none at all haue worne onlesse he forced were thertoo?
And I with shame bee put besyde my cousin germanes gifts
Bycause too shun the formest brunt of warres I sought no shifts?
Would God this mischeef mayster had in verrye deede beene mad,
Or else beleeued so too bee: and that wee neuer had
Brought such a panion vntoo Troy. Then should not Pæans sonne
In Lemnos like an outlawe too the shame of all vs wonne.
Who lurking now (as men report) in woodes and caues, dooth moue
The verry flints with syghes and grones, and prayers too God aboue
Too send Vlysses his desert. Which prayer (if there bee
A God) must one day take effect. And now beehold how hee
By othe a Souldier of our Camp, yea and as well as wee
A Capteine too, alas, (who was by Hercules assignde
Too haue the keeping of his shafts,) with payne and hungar pynde,
Is clad and fed with fowles, and dribs his arrowes vp and downe
At birds, which were by destinye preparde too stroy Troy towne.
Yit liueth hee bycause hee is not still in companie
With sly Vlysses. Palamed that wretched knyght perdie,
Would eeke he had abandond beene. For then should still the same
Haue beene alyue: or at the least haue dyde without our shame.
But this companion bearing (ah) too well in wicked mynd
His madnesse which sir Palamed by wisdome out did fynd,
Appeached him of treason that he practysde too betray
The Greekish hoste. And for too vouch the fact, he shewd streyght way
A masse of goold that he himself had hidden in his tent,
And forged Letters which he feynd from Priam too bee sent.
Thus eyther by his murthring men or else by banishment
Abateth hee the Greekish strength. This is Vlysses fyght.
This is the feare he puttes men in. But though he had more might
Than Nestor hath, in eloquence he shal not compasse mee
Too think his leawd abandoning of Nestor for too bee
No fault: who beeing cast behynd by wounding of his horse,
And slowe with age, with calling on Vlysses waxing hoarce,
Was nerethelesse betrayd by him. Sir Diomed knowes this cryme
Is vnsurmysde. For he himselfe did at that present tyme
Rebuke him oftentymes by name, and feercely him vpbrayd
With flying from his fellowe so who stood in neede of ayd.
With ryghtfull eyes dooth God behold the deedes of mortall men.
Lo, he that helped not his freend wants help himself agen.
And as he did forsake his freend in tyme of neede: so hee
Did in the selfsame perrill fall forsaken for too bee.
He made a rod too beat himself. He calld and cryed out
Uppon his fellowes. Streight I came: and there I saw the lout
Bothe quake and shake for feare of death, and looke as pale as clout.
I set my sheeld betweene him and his foes, and him bestrid:
And savde the dastards lyfe. small prayse redoundes of that I did.
But if thou wilt contend with mee, lets to the selfe same place
Agein: bee wounded as thou wart: and in the foresayd case
Of feare, beset about with foes: cowch vnderneath my sheeld:
And then contend thou with mee there amid the open feeld.
Howbeet, I had no sooner rid this champion of his foes,
But where for woundes he scarce before could totter on his toes,
He ran away apace, as though he nought at all did ayle.
Anon commes Hector too the feeld and bringeth at his tayle
The Goddes. Not only thy hart there (Vlysses) did the fayle,
But euen the stowtest courages and stomacks gan too quayle.
So great a terrour brought he in. Yit in the midds of all
His bloody ruffe, I coapt with him, and with a foyling fall
Did ouerthrowe him too the ground. Another tyme, when hee
Did make a chalendge, you my Lordes by lot did choose out mee,
And I did match him hand too hand. Your wisshes were not vayne.
For if you aske mee what suceesse our combate did obteine,
I came away vnvanquished. Behold the men of Troy
Brought fyre and swoord, and all the feendes our nauye too destroy.
And where was slye Vlysses then with all his talk so smooth?
This brest of myne was fayne too fence your thousand shippes forsooth
The hope of your returning home. For sauing that same day
So many shippes, this armour giue. But (if that I shall say
The truth) the greater honour now this armour beares away.
And our renownes toogither link. For (as of reason ought)
An Aiax for this armour, not an armour now is sought
For Aiax. Let Dulychius match with theis, the horses whyght
Of Rhesus, dastard Dolon, and the coward carpet knyght
King Priams Helen, and the stelth of Palladye by nyght.
Of all theis things was nothing doone by day nor nothing wrought
Without the helpe of Diomed. And therefore if yee thought
Too giue them too so small deserts, deuyde the same, and let
Sir Diomed haue the greater part. But what should Ithacus get
And if he had them? Who dooth all his matters in the dark,
Who neuer weareth armour, who shootes ay at his owne mark
Too trappe his fo by stelth vnwares? The very headpeece may
With brightnesse of the glistring gold his priuie feates bewray
And shew him lurking. Neyther well of force Dulychius were
The weyght of great Achilles helme vppon his pate too weare
It cannot but a burthen bee (and that ryght great) too beare
(With whose same shrimpish armes of his) Achilles myghty speare.
Agen his target grauen with the whole howge world theron
Agrees not with a fearefull hand, and cheefly such a one
As taketh filching euen by kynd. Thou Lozell thou doost seeke
A gift that will but weaken thee. which if the folk of Greeke
Shall giue thee through theyr ouersyght, it will bee vntoo thee
Occasion, of thyne emnyes spoyld not feared for too bee
And flyght (wherin thou coward, thou all others mayst outbrag)
Will hindred bee when after thee such masses thou shalt drag.
Moreouer this thy sheeld that feeles so seeld the force of fyght
Is sound. But myne is gasht and hakt and stricken thurrough quyght
A thousand tymes, with bearing blowes. And therfore myne must walk
And put another in his stead. But what needes all this talk?
Lets now bee seene anotherwhyle what eche of vs can doo.
The thickest of our armed foes this armour throwe intoo,
And bid vs fetch the same fro thence. And which of vs dooth fetch
The same away, reward yee him therewith. Thus farre did stretch
The woordes of Aiax. At the ende whereof there did ensew
A muttring of the souldiers, till Laertis sonne the prew
Stood vp, and raysed soberly his eyliddes from the ground
(On which he had a little whyle them pitched in a stound)
And looking on the noblemen who longd his woordes too heere
He thus began with comly grace and sober pleasant cheere.
And all the souldiers standing round about them in a ring,
The owner of the seuenfold sheeld, too theis did Aiax ryse.
And (as he could not brydle wrath) he cast his frowning eyes
Uppon the shore and on the fleete that there at Anchor lyes
And throwing vp his handes, O God and must wee plead (quoth hee)
Our case before our shippes? and must Vlysses stand with mee?
But like a wretch he ran his way when Hector came with fyre,
Which I defending from theis shippes did force him too retyre.
It easyer is therefore with woordes in print too maynteine stryfe,
Than for too fyght it out with fists. But neyther I am ryfe
In woordes, nor hee in deedes. For looke how farre I him excell
In battell and in feates of armes: so farre beares hee the bell
From mee in talking. Neyther think I requisite too tell
My actes among you. You your selues haue seene them verry well.
But let Vlysses tell you his doone all in hudther mudther,
And whervntoo the only nyght is priuy and none other.
The pryse is great (I doo confesse.) For which wee stryue. But yit
It is dishonour vntoo mee, for that in clayming it
So bace a persone standeth in contention for the same.
Too think it myne already, ought too counted bee no shame
Nor pryde in mee: although the thing of ryght great valew bee
Of which Vlysses standes in hope. For now alreadye hee
Hath wonne the honour of this pryse, in that when he shall sit
Besydes the quisshon, he may brag he straue with mee for it.
And though I wanted valiantnesse, yit should nobilitee
Make with mee. I of Telamon am knowne the sonne too bee
Who vnder valeant Hercules the walles of Troy did scale,
And in the shippe of Pagasa too Colchos land did sayle.
His father was that Aeäcus whoo executeth ryght
Among the ghostes where Sisyphus heaues vp with all his myght
The massye stone ay tumbling downe. The hyghest Ioue of all
Acknowledgeth this Aeäcus, and dooth his sonne him call.
Thus am I Aiax the third from Ioue. Yit let this Pedegree
158
Onlesse I prooue it fully with Achylles too agree
He was my brother, and I clayme that was my brothers. Why
Shouldst thou that art of Sisyphs blood, and for too filch and lye
Expressest him in euery poynt, by foorged pedegree
Aly thee too the Aeacyds, as though we did not see
Thee too the house of Aeäcus, a straunger for too bee?
And is it reason that you should this armour mee denye
Bycause I former was in armes, and needed not a spye
Too fetch mee foorth? Or think you him more woorthye it too haue,
That came too warrefare hindermost, and feynd himself too raue,
Bycause he would haue shund the warre? vntill a suttler head
And more vnprofitable for himself, sir Palamed
Escryde the crafty fetches of his fearefull hart, and drew
Him foorth a warfare which he sought so cowardly too eschew?
Must he now needes enioy the best and richest armour? whoo
Would none at all haue worne onlesse he forced were thertoo?
And I with shame bee put besyde my cousin germanes gifts
Bycause too shun the formest brunt of warres I sought no shifts?
Would God this mischeef mayster had in verrye deede beene mad,
Or else beleeued so too bee: and that wee neuer had
Brought such a panion vntoo Troy. Then should not Pæans sonne
In Lemnos like an outlawe too the shame of all vs wonne.
Who lurking now (as men report) in woodes and caues, dooth moue
The verry flints with syghes and grones, and prayers too God aboue
Too send Vlysses his desert. Which prayer (if there bee
A God) must one day take effect. And now beehold how hee
By othe a Souldier of our Camp, yea and as well as wee
A Capteine too, alas, (who was by Hercules assignde
Too haue the keeping of his shafts,) with payne and hungar pynde,
Is clad and fed with fowles, and dribs his arrowes vp and downe
At birds, which were by destinye preparde too stroy Troy towne.
Yit liueth hee bycause hee is not still in companie
With sly Vlysses. Palamed that wretched knyght perdie,
Would eeke he had abandond beene. For then should still the same
Haue beene alyue: or at the least haue dyde without our shame.
But this companion bearing (ah) too well in wicked mynd
[158]
Appeached him of treason that he practysde too betray
The Greekish hoste. And for too vouch the fact, he shewd streyght way
A masse of goold that he himself had hidden in his tent,
And forged Letters which he feynd from Priam too bee sent.
Thus eyther by his murthring men or else by banishment
Abateth hee the Greekish strength. This is Vlysses fyght.
This is the feare he puttes men in. But though he had more might
Than Nestor hath, in eloquence he shal not compasse mee
Too think his leawd abandoning of Nestor for too bee
No fault: who beeing cast behynd by wounding of his horse,
And slowe with age, with calling on Vlysses waxing hoarce,
Was nerethelesse betrayd by him. Sir Diomed knowes this cryme
Is vnsurmysde. For he himselfe did at that present tyme
Rebuke him oftentymes by name, and feercely him vpbrayd
With flying from his fellowe so who stood in neede of ayd.
With ryghtfull eyes dooth God behold the deedes of mortall men.
Lo, he that helped not his freend wants help himself agen.
And as he did forsake his freend in tyme of neede: so hee
Did in the selfsame perrill fall forsaken for too bee.
He made a rod too beat himself. He calld and cryed out
Uppon his fellowes. Streight I came: and there I saw the lout
Bothe quake and shake for feare of death, and looke as pale as clout.
I set my sheeld betweene him and his foes, and him bestrid:
And savde the dastards lyfe. small prayse redoundes of that I did.
But if thou wilt contend with mee, lets to the selfe same place
Agein: bee wounded as thou wart: and in the foresayd case
Of feare, beset about with foes: cowch vnderneath my sheeld:
And then contend thou with mee there amid the open feeld.
Howbeet, I had no sooner rid this champion of his foes,
But where for woundes he scarce before could totter on his toes,
He ran away apace, as though he nought at all did ayle.
Anon commes Hector too the feeld and bringeth at his tayle
The Goddes. Not only thy hart there (Vlysses) did the fayle,
But euen the stowtest courages and stomacks gan too quayle.
So great a terrour brought he in. Yit in the midds of all
His bloody ruffe, I coapt with him, and with a foyling fall
159
Did make a chalendge, you my Lordes by lot did choose out mee,
And I did match him hand too hand. Your wisshes were not vayne.
For if you aske mee what suceesse our combate did obteine,
I came away vnvanquished. Behold the men of Troy
Brought fyre and swoord, and all the feendes our nauye too destroy.
And where was slye Vlysses then with all his talk so smooth?
This brest of myne was fayne too fence your thousand shippes forsooth
The hope of your returning home. For sauing that same day
So many shippes, this armour giue. But (if that I shall say
The truth) the greater honour now this armour beares away.
And our renownes toogither link. For (as of reason ought)
An Aiax for this armour, not an armour now is sought
For Aiax. Let Dulychius match with theis, the horses whyght
Of Rhesus, dastard Dolon, and the coward carpet knyght
King Priams Helen, and the stelth of Palladye by nyght.
Of all theis things was nothing doone by day nor nothing wrought
Without the helpe of Diomed. And therefore if yee thought
Too giue them too so small deserts, deuyde the same, and let
Sir Diomed haue the greater part. But what should Ithacus get
And if he had them? Who dooth all his matters in the dark,
Who neuer weareth armour, who shootes ay at his owne mark
Too trappe his fo by stelth vnwares? The very headpeece may
With brightnesse of the glistring gold his priuie feates bewray
And shew him lurking. Neyther well of force Dulychius were
The weyght of great Achilles helme vppon his pate too weare
It cannot but a burthen bee (and that ryght great) too beare
(With whose same shrimpish armes of his) Achilles myghty speare.
Agen his target grauen with the whole howge world theron
Agrees not with a fearefull hand, and cheefly such a one
As taketh filching euen by kynd. Thou Lozell thou doost seeke
A gift that will but weaken thee. which if the folk of Greeke
Shall giue thee through theyr ouersyght, it will bee vntoo thee
Occasion, of thyne emnyes spoyld not feared for too bee
And flyght (wherin thou coward, thou all others mayst outbrag)
Will hindred bee when after thee such masses thou shalt drag.
Moreouer this thy sheeld that feeles so seeld the force of fyght
[159]
A thousand tymes, with bearing blowes. And therfore myne must walk
And put another in his stead. But what needes all this talk?
Lets now bee seene anotherwhyle what eche of vs can doo.
The thickest of our armed foes this armour throwe intoo,
And bid vs fetch the same fro thence. And which of vs dooth fetch
The same away, reward yee him therewith. Thus farre did stretch
The woordes of Aiax. At the ende whereof there did ensew
A muttring of the souldiers, till Laertis sonne the prew
Stood vp, and raysed soberly his eyliddes from the ground
(On which he had a little whyle them pitched in a stound)
And looking on the noblemen who longd his woordes too heere
He thus began with comly grace and sober pleasant cheere.
My Lordes, if my desyre and yours myght erst haue taken place,
It should not at this present tyme haue beene a dowtfull cace,
What person hath most ryght too this great pryse for which wee stryue.
Achilles should his armour haue, and wee still him alyue.
Whom sith that cruell destinie too both of vs denyes,
(With that same woord as though he wept, he wypte his watry eyes)
What wyght of reason rather ought too bee Achilles heyre,
Than he through whom too this your camp Achilles did repayre?
Alonly let it not auayle sir Aiax heere, that hee
Is such a dolt and grossehead, as he shewes himself too bee
Ne let my wit (which ay hath done you good O Greekes) hurt mee.
But suffer this mine eloquence (such as it is) which now
Dooth for his mayster speake, and oft ere this hath spoke for yow,
Bee vndisdeynd. Let none refuse his owne good gifts he brings.
For as for stocke and auncetors, and other such like things
Wherof our selues no fownders are, I scarcely dare them graunt
Too bee our owne. But forasmuch as Aiax makes his vaunt
Too bee the fowrth from Ioue: euen Ioue the founder is also
Of my house: and than fowre descents I am from him no mo.
Laërtes is my father, and Arcesius his, and hee
Begotten was of Iupiter. And in this pedegree
Is neyther any damned soule, nor outlaw as yee see.
Moreouer by my moothers syde I come of Mercuree,
Another honor too my house. Thus both by fathers syde
And moothers (as you may perceyue) I am too Goddes alyde.
But neyther for bycause I am a better gentleman
Than Aiax by the moothers syde, nor that my father can
Auouch himself vngiltye of his brothers blood, doo I
This armour clayme. wey you the case by merits vprightly.
Prouyded no prerogatyue of birthryght Aiax beare,
For that his father Telamon, and Peleus brothers were.
Let only prowesse in this pryse the honour beare away.
Or if the case on kinrid or on birthryght seeme too stay,
His father Peleus is aliue, and Pyrrhus eeke his sonne.
What tytle then can Aiax make. This geere of ryght should woone
Too Phthya, or too Scyros Ile. And Tevvcer is as well
Achilles vncle as is hee. Yit dooth not Tevvcer mell.
And if he did, should hee obteyne? well sith the cace dooth rest
On tryall which of vs can proue his dooings too bee best,
I needes must say my deedes are mo than well I can expresse:
Yit will I shew them orderly as neere as I can gesse.
Foreknowing that her sonne should dye, The Lady Thetis hid
Achilles in a maydes attyre. By which fyne slyght shee did
All men deceyue, and Aiax too. This armour in a packe
With other womens tryflyng toyes I caryed on my backe,
A bayte too treyne a manly hart. Appareld like a mayd
Achilles tooke the speare and sheeld in hand, and with them playd.
Then sayd I: O thou Goddesse sonne, why shouldst thou bee afrayd
Too raze great Troy, whoose ouerthrowe for thee is onely stayd?
And laying hand vppon him I did send him (as you see)
Too valeant dooings meete for such a valeant man as hee.
And therfore all the deedes of him are my deedes. I did wound
King Teleph with his speare, and when he lay vppon the ground,
I was intreated with the speare too heale him safe and sound.
That Thebe lyeth ouerthrowne, is my deede you must think
I made the folk of Tenedos and Lesbos for too shrink.
Both Chryse and Cillas Phebus townes and Scyros I did take.
And my ryght hand Lyrnessus walles too ground did leuell make.
I gaue you him that should confound (besydes a number mo)
The valeant Hector. Hector that our most renowmed fo
Is slayne by mee. This armour heere I sew agein too haue
This armour by the which I found Achilles. I it gaue
Achilles whyle he was aliue: and now that he is gone
I clayme it as myne owne agein. What tyme the greefe of one
Had perst the harts of all the Greekes, and that our thousand sayle
At Avvlis by Evvboya stayd, bycause the wyndes did fayle,
Continewing eyther none at all or cleene ageinst vs long,
And that our Agamemnon was by destnyes ouerstrong
Commaunded for too sacrifyse his giltlesse daughter too
Diana, which her father then refusing for too doo
Was angry with the Godds themselues, and though he were a king
Continued also fatherlyke: by reason, I did bring
His gentle nature too relent for publike profits sake.
I must confesse (whereat his grace shall no displeasure take)
Before a parciall iudge I vndertooke a ryght hard cace.
Howbeeit for his brothers sake, and for the royall mace
Committed, and his peoples weale, at length he was content
Too purchace prayse wyth blood. Then was I too the moother sent,
Who not perswaded was too bee, but compast with sum guyle.
Had Aiax on this errand gone, our shippes had all this whyle
Lyne still there yit for want of wynd. Moreouer I was sent
Too Ilion as ambassadour. I boldly thither went,
And entred and behilld the Court, wherin there was as then
Great store of princes, Dukes, Lords, knyghts, and other valeant men.
And yit I boldly nerethelesse my message did at large
The which the whole estate of Greece had giuen mee erst in charge.
I made complaint of Paris, and accuste him too his head.
Demaunding restitution of Queene Helen that same sted
And of the bootye with her tane. Both Priamus the king
And eeke Antenor his alye the woordes of mee did sting.
And Paris and his brothers, and the resdew of his trayne
That vnder him had made the spoyle, could hard and scarce refrayne
There wicked hands. You Menelay doo know I doo not feyne.
And that day was the first in which wee ioyntly gan susteyne
A tast of perrills, store whereof did then behind remayne.
It would bee ouerlong too tell eche profitable thing
That during this long lasting warre I well too passe did bring,
By force as well as pollycie. For after that the furst
Encounter once was ouerpast, our emnyes neuer durst
Giue battell in the open feeld, but hild themselues within
Theyr walles and bulwarks till the tyme the tenth yeere did begin,
Now what didst thou of all that whyle, that canst doo nought but streeke?
Or too what purpose seruedst thou? For if thou my deedes seeke,
I practysd sundry pollycies too trappe our foes vnware:
I fortifyde our Camp with trench which heretoofore lay bare:
I hartned our companions with a quiet mynd too beare
The longnesse of the weery warre: I taught vs how wee were
Bothe too bee fed and furnished: and too and fro I went
Too places where the Counsell thought most meete I should bee sent.
Behold the king deceyued in his dreame by false pretence
Of Ioues commaundement, bade vs rayse our seedge and get vs hence.
The author of his dooing so may well bee his defence.
Now Aiax should haue letted this, and calld them backe ageine
Too sacke the towne of Troy. he should haue fought with myght & maine.
Why did he not restreyne them when they ready were too go?
Why tooke he not his swoord in hand? why gaue he not as tho
Sum counsell for the fleeting folk too follow at the brunt?
In fayth it had a tryfle beene too him that ay is woont.
Such vaunting in his mouth too haue. But he himself did fly
As well as others. I did see, and was ashamed I
Too see thee when thou fledst, and didst prepare so cowardly
Too sayle away. And thervppon I thus aloud did cry.
What meene yee sirs? what madnesse dooth you moue too go too shippe?
And suffer Troy as good as tane, thus out of hand too slippe?
What else this tenth yeere beare yee home than shame? wt such like woord
And other, (which the eloquence of sorrowe did avoord,)
I brought them from theyr flying shippes. Then Agamemnon calld
Toogither all the capteines who with feare were yit appalld.
But Aiax durst not then once creake. Yit durst Thersites bee
So bold as rayle vppon the kings, and he was payd by mee
For playing so the sawcye Iacke. Then stood I on my toes
And too my fearefull countrymen gaue hart ageinst theyr foes.
And shed new courage in theyr mynds through talk that fro mee goes.
From that tyme foorth what euer thing hath valeantly atcheeued
By this good fellow beene, is myne, whoo him from flyght repreeued.
And now too touche thee: which of all the Greekes commendeth thee?
Or seeketh thee? But Diomed communicates with mee
His dooings, and alloweth mee, and thinkes him well apayd
Too haue Vlysses euer as companion at the brayd.
And sumwhat woorth you will it graunt (I trow) alone for mee
Out of so many thousand Greekes by Diomed pikt too bee.
No lot compelled mee too go, and yit I setting lyght,
As well the perrill of my foes as daunger of the nyght,
Killd Dolon who about the self same feate that nyght did stray,
That wee went out for. But I first compelld him too bewray
All things concerning faythlesse Troy, and what it went about.
When all was learnd, and nothing left behynd too harken out,
I myght haue then come home with prayse. I was not so content.
Proceeding fruther too the Camp of Rhesus streyght I went,
And killed bothe himself and all his men about his tent.
And taking bothe his chariot and his horses which were whyght,
Returned home in tryumph like a conquerour from fyght.
Denye you mee the armour of the man whoose steedes the fo
Requyred for his playing of the spye a nyght, and so
May Aiax bee more kynd too mee than you are. what should I
Declare vntoo you how my sword did waste ryght valeantly
Sarpedons hoste of Lycia? I by force did ouerthrowe
Alastor, Crome and Ceranos, and Haly on a rowe.
Alcander, and Noëmon too, and Prytanis besyde,
And Thoön and Theridamas, and Charops also dyde
By mee, and so did Evvnomos enforst by cruell fate.
And many mo in syght of Troy I slew of bacer state.
There also are (O countrymen) about mee woundings, which
The place of them make beawtyfull. See heere (his hand did twich
His shirt asyde) and credit not vayne woordes. Lo heere the brist
That alwayes too bee one in your affayres hath neuer mist.
And yit of all this whyle no droppe of blood hath Aiax spent
Uppon his fellowes. Woundlesse is his body and vnrent.
But what skills that, as long as he is able for to vaunt
He fought against bothe Troy and Ioue too saue our fleete? I graunt
He did so. For I am not of such nature as of spyght
Well dooings too deface: so that he chalendge not the ryght
Of all men too himself alone, and that he yeeld too mee
Sum share, whoo of the honour looke a partener for too bee.
Patroclus also hauing on Achilles armour, sent
The Troians and theyr leader hence, too burne our nauye bent.
And yit thinks hee that none durst meete with Hector sauing hee.
Forgetting bothe the king, and eeke his brother, yea and mee.
Where hee himself was but the nyneth, appoynted by the king,
And by the fortune of his lot preferd too doo the thing.
But now for all your valeantnesse, what Issue had I pray
Your combate? shall I tell? forsoothe, that Hector went his way
And had no harme. Now wo is mee how greeueth it my hart
Too think vppon that season when the bulwark of our part
Achilles dyde? When neyther teares, nor greef, nor feare could make
Mee for too stay, but that vppon theis shoulders I did take,
I say vppon theis shoulders I Achilles body tooke,
And this same armour claspt theron, which now too weare I looke.
Sufficient strength I haue too beare as great a weyght as this,
And eeke a hart wherein regard of honour rooted is.
Think you that Thetis for her sonne so instantly besought
Sir Vulcane this same heauenly gift too giue her, which is wrought
With such exceeding cunning, too thentent a souldier that
Hath neyther wit nor knowledge should it weare? He knowes not what
The things ingrauen on the sheeld doo meene. Of Ocean se,
Of land, of heauen, and of the starres no skill at all hath he.
The Beare that neuer dyues in sea he dooth not vnderstand,
The Pleyads, nor the Hyads, nor the Cities that doo stand
Uppon the earth, nor yit the swoord that Orion holdes in hand.
He seekes too haue an armour of the which he hath no skill.
And yit in fynding fault with mee bycause I had no will
Too follow this same paynfull warre and sought too shonne the same,
And made it sumwhat longer tyme before I thither came,
He sees not how hee speakes reproch too stout Achilles name.
For if too haue dissembled in this case, yee count a cryme,
Wee both offenders bee. Or if protracting of the tyme
Yee count blame woorthye, yit was I the tymelyer of vs twayne.
Achilles louing moother him, my wyfe did mee deteyne.
The former tyme was giuen too them, the rest was giuen too yow.
And therefore doo I little passe although I could not now
Defend my fault, sith such a man of prowesse, birth and fame
As was Achilles, was with mee offender in the same.
But yit was he espyëd by Vlysses wit, but nat
Vlysses by sir Aiax wit. And least yee woonder at
The rayling of this foolish dolt at mee, hee dooth obiect
Reproche too you. For if that I offended too detect
Sir Palamed of forged fault, could you without your shame
Arreyne him, and condemne him eeke too suffer for the same?
But neyther could sir Palamed excuse him of the cryme
So heynous and so manifest: and you your selues that tyme
Not onely his indytement hard, but also did behold
His deed auowched too his face by bringing in the gold.
And as for Philoctetes, that he is in Lemnos, I
Deserue not too bee toucht therwith. Defend your cryme: for why
You all consented thervntoo. Yit doo I not denye,
But that I gaue the counsell too conuey him out of way
From toyle of warre and trauell that by rest he myght assay
Too ease the greatnesse of his peynes. He did theretoo obey
And by so dooing is alyue. Not only faythfull was
This counsell that I gaue the man, but also happye, as
The good successe hath shewed since. Whom sith the destnyes doo
Requyre in ouerthrowing Troy, Appoynt not mee thertoo:
But let sir Aiax rather go. For he with eloquence
Or by some suttle pollycie, shall bring the man fro thence
And pacyfie him raging through disease, and wrathfull ire.
Nay. first the riuer Simois shall too his spring retyre,
And mountaine Ida shall theron haue stonding neuer a tree,
Yea and the faythlesse towne of Troy by Greekes shall reskewd bee,
Before that Aiax blockish wit shall aught at all auayle,
When my attempts and practyses in your affayres doo fayle.
For though thou Philoctetes with the king offended bee,
And with thy fellowes euerychone, and most of all with mee,
Although thou cursse and ban mee too the hellish pit for ay,
And wisshest in thy payne that I by chaunce myght crosse thy way,
Of purpose for too draw my blood: yit will I giue assay
Too fetch thee hither once ageine. And (if that fortune say
Amen,) I will as well haue thee and eeke thyne arrowes, as
I haue the Troiane prophet whoo by mee surprysed was,
Or as I did the Oracles and Troiane fates disclose,
Or as I from her chappell through the thickest of her foes
The Phrygian Pallads image fetcht: And yit dooth Aiax still
Compare himself with mee. Yee knowe it was the destnyes will
That Troy should neuer taken bee by any force, vntill
This Image first were got. and where was then our valeant knight
Sir Aiax? where the stately woordes of such a hardy wyght?
Why feareth hee? why dares Vlysses ventring through the watch
Commit his persone too the nyght his buysnesse too dispatch?
And through the pykes not only for too passe the garded wall?
But also for too enter too the strongest towre of all?
And for too take the Idoll from her Chappell and her shryne?
And beare her thence amid his foes? For had this deede of myne
Beene left vndoone, in vayne his sheeld of Oxen hydes seuen fold
Should yit the Sonne of Telamon haue in his left hand hold.
That nyght subdewed I Troy towne. that nyght did I it win.
And opened it for you likewyse with ease too enter in.
Cease too vpbrayd mee by theis lookes and mumbling woordes of thyne
With Diomed: his prayse is in this fact as well as myne.
And thou thy selfe when for our shippes thou diddest in reskew stand,
Wart not alone: the multitude were helping thee at hand.
I had but only one with mee. Whoo (if he had not thought
A wyseman better than a strong, and that preferment ought
Not alway followe force of hand) would now himself haue sought
This Armour. So would toother Aiax better stayëd doo,
And feerce Evvrypyle, and the sonne of hault Andremon too.
No lesse myght eeke Idominey, and eeke Meriones
His countryman, and Menelay. For euery one of these
Are valeant men of hand, and not inferior vntoo thee
In martiall feates. And yit they are contented rulde too bee
By myne aduyce. Thou hast a hand that serueth well in fyght.
Thou hast a wit that stands in neede of my direction ryght.
Thy force is witlesse. I haue care of that that may ensew.
Thou well canst fyght: the king dooth choose the tymes for fyghting dew
By myne aduyce. Thou only with thy body canst auayle.
But I with bodye and with mynd too profite doo not fayle,
And looke how much the mayster dooth excell the gally slaue,
Or looke how much preheminence the Capteine ought too haue
Aboue his souldyer: euen so much excell I also thee.
A wit farre passing strength of hand inclosed is in mee.
In wit rests cheefly all my force. My Lordes I pray bestowe
This gift on him who ay hath beene your watchman as yee knowe.
And for my tenne yeeres cark and care endured for your sake
Full recompence for my deserts with this same honour make.
Our labour draweth too an end, all lets are now by mee
Dispatched. And by bringing Troy in cace too taken bee
I haue already taken it. Now by the hope that yee
Conceyue, within a whyle of Troy the ruine for too see,
And by the Goddes of whom a late our emnyes I bereft,
And as by wisedome too bee doone yit any thing is left,
If any bold auentrous deede, or any perlous thing,
That asketh hazard both of lyfe and limb too passe too bring,
Or if yee think of Troiane fates there yit dooth ought remayne,
Remember mee. or if from mee this armour you restrayne,
Bestowe it on this same. With that he shewed with his hand
Mineruas fatall image, which hard by in syght did stand.
It should not at this present tyme haue beene a dowtfull cace,
What person hath most ryght too this great pryse for which wee stryue.
Achilles should his armour haue, and wee still him alyue.
Whom sith that cruell destinie too both of vs denyes,
(With that same woord as though he wept, he wypte his watry eyes)
What wyght of reason rather ought too bee Achilles heyre,
Than he through whom too this your camp Achilles did repayre?
Alonly let it not auayle sir Aiax heere, that hee
Is such a dolt and grossehead, as he shewes himself too bee
Ne let my wit (which ay hath done you good O Greekes) hurt mee.
But suffer this mine eloquence (such as it is) which now
Dooth for his mayster speake, and oft ere this hath spoke for yow,
Bee vndisdeynd. Let none refuse his owne good gifts he brings.
For as for stocke and auncetors, and other such like things
Wherof our selues no fownders are, I scarcely dare them graunt
Too bee our owne. But forasmuch as Aiax makes his vaunt
Too bee the fowrth from Ioue: euen Ioue the founder is also
Of my house: and than fowre descents I am from him no mo.
Laërtes is my father, and Arcesius his, and hee
Begotten was of Iupiter. And in this pedegree
Is neyther any damned soule, nor outlaw as yee see.
Moreouer by my moothers syde I come of Mercuree,
Another honor too my house. Thus both by fathers syde
160
But neyther for bycause I am a better gentleman
Than Aiax by the moothers syde, nor that my father can
Auouch himself vngiltye of his brothers blood, doo I
This armour clayme. wey you the case by merits vprightly.
Prouyded no prerogatyue of birthryght Aiax beare,
For that his father Telamon, and Peleus brothers were.
Let only prowesse in this pryse the honour beare away.
Or if the case on kinrid or on birthryght seeme too stay,
His father Peleus is aliue, and Pyrrhus eeke his sonne.
What tytle then can Aiax make. This geere of ryght should woone
Too Phthya, or too Scyros Ile. And Tevvcer is as well
Achilles vncle as is hee. Yit dooth not Tevvcer mell.
And if he did, should hee obteyne? well sith the cace dooth rest
On tryall which of vs can proue his dooings too bee best,
I needes must say my deedes are mo than well I can expresse:
Yit will I shew them orderly as neere as I can gesse.
Foreknowing that her sonne should dye, The Lady Thetis hid
Achilles in a maydes attyre. By which fyne slyght shee did
All men deceyue, and Aiax too. This armour in a packe
With other womens tryflyng toyes I caryed on my backe,
A bayte too treyne a manly hart. Appareld like a mayd
Achilles tooke the speare and sheeld in hand, and with them playd.
Then sayd I: O thou Goddesse sonne, why shouldst thou bee afrayd
Too raze great Troy, whoose ouerthrowe for thee is onely stayd?
And laying hand vppon him I did send him (as you see)
Too valeant dooings meete for such a valeant man as hee.
And therfore all the deedes of him are my deedes. I did wound
King Teleph with his speare, and when he lay vppon the ground,
I was intreated with the speare too heale him safe and sound.
That Thebe lyeth ouerthrowne, is my deede you must think
I made the folk of Tenedos and Lesbos for too shrink.
Both Chryse and Cillas Phebus townes and Scyros I did take.
And my ryght hand Lyrnessus walles too ground did leuell make.
I gaue you him that should confound (besydes a number mo)
The valeant Hector. Hector that our most renowmed fo
Is slayne by mee. This armour heere I sew agein too haue
[160]
Achilles whyle he was aliue: and now that he is gone
I clayme it as myne owne agein. What tyme the greefe of one
Had perst the harts of all the Greekes, and that our thousand sayle
At Avvlis by Evvboya stayd, bycause the wyndes did fayle,
Continewing eyther none at all or cleene ageinst vs long,
And that our Agamemnon was by destnyes ouerstrong
Commaunded for too sacrifyse his giltlesse daughter too
Diana, which her father then refusing for too doo
Was angry with the Godds themselues, and though he were a king
Continued also fatherlyke: by reason, I did bring
His gentle nature too relent for publike profits sake.
I must confesse (whereat his grace shall no displeasure take)
Before a parciall iudge I vndertooke a ryght hard cace.
Howbeeit for his brothers sake, and for the royall mace
Committed, and his peoples weale, at length he was content
Too purchace prayse wyth blood. Then was I too the moother sent,
Who not perswaded was too bee, but compast with sum guyle.
Had Aiax on this errand gone, our shippes had all this whyle
Lyne still there yit for want of wynd. Moreouer I was sent
Too Ilion as ambassadour. I boldly thither went,
And entred and behilld the Court, wherin there was as then
Great store of princes, Dukes, Lords, knyghts, and other valeant men.
And yit I boldly nerethelesse my message did at large
The which the whole estate of Greece had giuen mee erst in charge.
I made complaint of Paris, and accuste him too his head.
Demaunding restitution of Queene Helen that same sted
And of the bootye with her tane. Both Priamus the king
And eeke Antenor his alye the woordes of mee did sting.
And Paris and his brothers, and the resdew of his trayne
That vnder him had made the spoyle, could hard and scarce refrayne
There wicked hands. You Menelay doo know I doo not feyne.
And that day was the first in which wee ioyntly gan susteyne
A tast of perrills, store whereof did then behind remayne.
It would bee ouerlong too tell eche profitable thing
That during this long lasting warre I well too passe did bring,
By force as well as pollycie. For after that the furst
161
Giue battell in the open feeld, but hild themselues within
Theyr walles and bulwarks till the tyme the tenth yeere did begin,
Now what didst thou of all that whyle, that canst doo nought but streeke?
Or too what purpose seruedst thou? For if thou my deedes seeke,
I practysd sundry pollycies too trappe our foes vnware:
I fortifyde our Camp with trench which heretoofore lay bare:
I hartned our companions with a quiet mynd too beare
The longnesse of the weery warre: I taught vs how wee were
Bothe too bee fed and furnished: and too and fro I went
Too places where the Counsell thought most meete I should bee sent.
Behold the king deceyued in his dreame by false pretence
Of Ioues commaundement, bade vs rayse our seedge and get vs hence.
The author of his dooing so may well bee his defence.
Now Aiax should haue letted this, and calld them backe ageine
Too sacke the towne of Troy. he should haue fought with myght & maine.
Why did he not restreyne them when they ready were too go?
Why tooke he not his swoord in hand? why gaue he not as tho
Sum counsell for the fleeting folk too follow at the brunt?
In fayth it had a tryfle beene too him that ay is woont.
Such vaunting in his mouth too haue. But he himself did fly
As well as others. I did see, and was ashamed I
Too see thee when thou fledst, and didst prepare so cowardly
Too sayle away. And thervppon I thus aloud did cry.
What meene yee sirs? what madnesse dooth you moue too go too shippe?
And suffer Troy as good as tane, thus out of hand too slippe?
What else this tenth yeere beare yee home than shame? wt such like woord
And other, (which the eloquence of sorrowe did avoord,)
I brought them from theyr flying shippes. Then Agamemnon calld
Toogither all the capteines who with feare were yit appalld.
But Aiax durst not then once creake. Yit durst Thersites bee
So bold as rayle vppon the kings, and he was payd by mee
For playing so the sawcye Iacke. Then stood I on my toes
And too my fearefull countrymen gaue hart ageinst theyr foes.
And shed new courage in theyr mynds through talk that fro mee goes.
From that tyme foorth what euer thing hath valeantly atcheeued
By this good fellow beene, is myne, whoo him from flyght repreeued.
[161]
Or seeketh thee? But Diomed communicates with mee
His dooings, and alloweth mee, and thinkes him well apayd
Too haue Vlysses euer as companion at the brayd.
And sumwhat woorth you will it graunt (I trow) alone for mee
Out of so many thousand Greekes by Diomed pikt too bee.
No lot compelled mee too go, and yit I setting lyght,
As well the perrill of my foes as daunger of the nyght,
Killd Dolon who about the self same feate that nyght did stray,
That wee went out for. But I first compelld him too bewray
All things concerning faythlesse Troy, and what it went about.
When all was learnd, and nothing left behynd too harken out,
I myght haue then come home with prayse. I was not so content.
Proceeding fruther too the Camp of Rhesus streyght I went,
And killed bothe himself and all his men about his tent.
And taking bothe his chariot and his horses which were whyght,
Returned home in tryumph like a conquerour from fyght.
Denye you mee the armour of the man whoose steedes the fo
Requyred for his playing of the spye a nyght, and so
May Aiax bee more kynd too mee than you are. what should I
Declare vntoo you how my sword did waste ryght valeantly
Sarpedons hoste of Lycia? I by force did ouerthrowe
Alastor, Crome and Ceranos, and Haly on a rowe.
Alcander, and Noëmon too, and Prytanis besyde,
And Thoön and Theridamas, and Charops also dyde
By mee, and so did Evvnomos enforst by cruell fate.
And many mo in syght of Troy I slew of bacer state.
There also are (O countrymen) about mee woundings, which
The place of them make beawtyfull. See heere (his hand did twich
His shirt asyde) and credit not vayne woordes. Lo heere the brist
That alwayes too bee one in your affayres hath neuer mist.
And yit of all this whyle no droppe of blood hath Aiax spent
Uppon his fellowes. Woundlesse is his body and vnrent.
But what skills that, as long as he is able for to vaunt
He fought against bothe Troy and Ioue too saue our fleete? I graunt
He did so. For I am not of such nature as of spyght
Well dooings too deface: so that he chalendge not the ryght
162
Sum share, whoo of the honour looke a partener for too bee.
Patroclus also hauing on Achilles armour, sent
The Troians and theyr leader hence, too burne our nauye bent.
And yit thinks hee that none durst meete with Hector sauing hee.
Forgetting bothe the king, and eeke his brother, yea and mee.
Where hee himself was but the nyneth, appoynted by the king,
And by the fortune of his lot preferd too doo the thing.
But now for all your valeantnesse, what Issue had I pray
Your combate? shall I tell? forsoothe, that Hector went his way
And had no harme. Now wo is mee how greeueth it my hart
Too think vppon that season when the bulwark of our part
Achilles dyde? When neyther teares, nor greef, nor feare could make
Mee for too stay, but that vppon theis shoulders I did take,
I say vppon theis shoulders I Achilles body tooke,
And this same armour claspt theron, which now too weare I looke.
Sufficient strength I haue too beare as great a weyght as this,
And eeke a hart wherein regard of honour rooted is.
Think you that Thetis for her sonne so instantly besought
Sir Vulcane this same heauenly gift too giue her, which is wrought
With such exceeding cunning, too thentent a souldier that
Hath neyther wit nor knowledge should it weare? He knowes not what
The things ingrauen on the sheeld doo meene. Of Ocean se,
Of land, of heauen, and of the starres no skill at all hath he.
The Beare that neuer dyues in sea he dooth not vnderstand,
The Pleyads, nor the Hyads, nor the Cities that doo stand
Uppon the earth, nor yit the swoord that Orion holdes in hand.
He seekes too haue an armour of the which he hath no skill.
And yit in fynding fault with mee bycause I had no will
Too follow this same paynfull warre and sought too shonne the same,
And made it sumwhat longer tyme before I thither came,
He sees not how hee speakes reproch too stout Achilles name.
For if too haue dissembled in this case, yee count a cryme,
Wee both offenders bee. Or if protracting of the tyme
Yee count blame woorthye, yit was I the tymelyer of vs twayne.
Achilles louing moother him, my wyfe did mee deteyne.
The former tyme was giuen too them, the rest was giuen too yow.
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Defend my fault, sith such a man of prowesse, birth and fame
As was Achilles, was with mee offender in the same.
But yit was he espyëd by Vlysses wit, but nat
Vlysses by sir Aiax wit. And least yee woonder at
The rayling of this foolish dolt at mee, hee dooth obiect
Reproche too you. For if that I offended too detect
Sir Palamed of forged fault, could you without your shame
Arreyne him, and condemne him eeke too suffer for the same?
But neyther could sir Palamed excuse him of the cryme
So heynous and so manifest: and you your selues that tyme
Not onely his indytement hard, but also did behold
His deed auowched too his face by bringing in the gold.
And as for Philoctetes, that he is in Lemnos, I
Deserue not too bee toucht therwith. Defend your cryme: for why
You all consented thervntoo. Yit doo I not denye,
But that I gaue the counsell too conuey him out of way
From toyle of warre and trauell that by rest he myght assay
Too ease the greatnesse of his peynes. He did theretoo obey
And by so dooing is alyue. Not only faythfull was
This counsell that I gaue the man, but also happye, as
The good successe hath shewed since. Whom sith the destnyes doo
Requyre in ouerthrowing Troy, Appoynt not mee thertoo:
But let sir Aiax rather go. For he with eloquence
Or by some suttle pollycie, shall bring the man fro thence
And pacyfie him raging through disease, and wrathfull ire.
Nay. first the riuer Simois shall too his spring retyre,
And mountaine Ida shall theron haue stonding neuer a tree,
Yea and the faythlesse towne of Troy by Greekes shall reskewd bee,
Before that Aiax blockish wit shall aught at all auayle,
When my attempts and practyses in your affayres doo fayle.
For though thou Philoctetes with the king offended bee,
And with thy fellowes euerychone, and most of all with mee,
Although thou cursse and ban mee too the hellish pit for ay,
And wisshest in thy payne that I by chaunce myght crosse thy way,
Of purpose for too draw my blood: yit will I giue assay
Too fetch thee hither once ageine. And (if that fortune say
163
I haue the Troiane prophet whoo by mee surprysed was,
Or as I did the Oracles and Troiane fates disclose,
Or as I from her chappell through the thickest of her foes
The Phrygian Pallads image fetcht: And yit dooth Aiax still
Compare himself with mee. Yee knowe it was the destnyes will
That Troy should neuer taken bee by any force, vntill
This Image first were got. and where was then our valeant knight
Sir Aiax? where the stately woordes of such a hardy wyght?
Why feareth hee? why dares Vlysses ventring through the watch
Commit his persone too the nyght his buysnesse too dispatch?
And through the pykes not only for too passe the garded wall?
But also for too enter too the strongest towre of all?
And for too take the Idoll from her Chappell and her shryne?
And beare her thence amid his foes? For had this deede of myne
Beene left vndoone, in vayne his sheeld of Oxen hydes seuen fold
Should yit the Sonne of Telamon haue in his left hand hold.
That nyght subdewed I Troy towne. that nyght did I it win.
And opened it for you likewyse with ease too enter in.
Cease too vpbrayd mee by theis lookes and mumbling woordes of thyne
With Diomed: his prayse is in this fact as well as myne.
And thou thy selfe when for our shippes thou diddest in reskew stand,
Wart not alone: the multitude were helping thee at hand.
I had but only one with mee. Whoo (if he had not thought
A wyseman better than a strong, and that preferment ought
Not alway followe force of hand) would now himself haue sought
This Armour. So would toother Aiax better stayëd doo,
And feerce Evvrypyle, and the sonne of hault Andremon too.
No lesse myght eeke Idominey, and eeke Meriones
His countryman, and Menelay. For euery one of these
Are valeant men of hand, and not inferior vntoo thee
In martiall feates. And yit they are contented rulde too bee
By myne aduyce. Thou hast a hand that serueth well in fyght.
Thou hast a wit that stands in neede of my direction ryght.
Thy force is witlesse. I haue care of that that may ensew.
Thou well canst fyght: the king dooth choose the tymes for fyghting dew
By myne aduyce. Thou only with thy body canst auayle.
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And looke how much the mayster dooth excell the gally slaue,
Or looke how much preheminence the Capteine ought too haue
Aboue his souldyer: euen so much excell I also thee.
A wit farre passing strength of hand inclosed is in mee.
In wit rests cheefly all my force. My Lordes I pray bestowe
This gift on him who ay hath beene your watchman as yee knowe.
And for my tenne yeeres cark and care endured for your sake
Full recompence for my deserts with this same honour make.
Our labour draweth too an end, all lets are now by mee
Dispatched. And by bringing Troy in cace too taken bee
I haue already taken it. Now by the hope that yee
Conceyue, within a whyle of Troy the ruine for too see,
And by the Goddes of whom a late our emnyes I bereft,
And as by wisedome too bee doone yit any thing is left,
If any bold auentrous deede, or any perlous thing,
That asketh hazard both of lyfe and limb too passe too bring,
Or if yee think of Troiane fates there yit dooth ought remayne,
Remember mee. or if from mee this armour you restrayne,
Bestowe it on this same. With that he shewed with his hand
Mineruas fatall image, which hard by in syght did stand.
The Lords were moued with his woordes, & then appeered playne
The force that is in eloquence. The lerned man did gayne
The armour of the valeant. He that did so oft susteine
Alone both fyre, and swoord, and Ioue, and Hector could not byde
One brunt of wrath. And whom no force could vanquish ere that tyde,
Now only anguish ouercommes. He drawes his swoord and sayes:
Well: this is myne yit. Untoo this no clayme Vlysses layes.
This must I vse ageinst myself: this blade that heretoofore
Hath bathed beene in Troiane blood, must now his mayster gore
That none may Aiax ouercome saue Aiax. With that woord.
Intoo his brest (not wounded erst) he thrust his deathfull swoord.
His hand too pull it out ageine vnable was. The blood
Did spout it out. Anon the ground bestayned where he stood,
Did breede the pretye purple flowre vppon a clowre of greene,
Which of the wound of Hyacinth had erst engendred beene.
The selfsame letters eeke that for the chyld were written than,
Were now againe amid the flowre new written for the man.
The former tyme complaynt, the last a name did represent.
The force that is in eloquence. The lerned man did gayne
The armour of the valeant. He that did so oft susteine
Alone both fyre, and swoord, and Ioue, and Hector could not byde
One brunt of wrath. And whom no force could vanquish ere that tyde,
Now only anguish ouercommes. He drawes his swoord and sayes:
Well: this is myne yit. Untoo this no clayme Vlysses layes.
This must I vse ageinst myself: this blade that heretoofore
Hath bathed beene in Troiane blood, must now his mayster gore
That none may Aiax ouercome saue Aiax. With that woord.
Intoo his brest (not wounded erst) he thrust his deathfull swoord.
His hand too pull it out ageine vnable was. The blood
Did spout it out. Anon the ground bestayned where he stood,
Did breede the pretye purple flowre vppon a clowre of greene,
Which of the wound of Hyacinth had erst engendred beene.
The selfsame letters eeke that for the chyld were written than,
164
The former tyme complaynt, the last a name did represent.
Vlysses hauing wonne the pryse, within a whyle was sent
Too Thoants and Hypsiphiles realme the land defamde of old
For murthering all the men therin by women ouer bold.
At length attayning land and lucke according too his mynd,
Too carry Hercles arrowes backe he set his sayles too wynd.
Which when he with the lord of them among the Greekes had brought,
And of the cruell warre at length the vtmost feate had wrought,
At once both Troy and Priam fell. And Priams wretched wife
Lost (after all) her womans shape, and barked all her lyfe
In forreine countrye. In the place that bringeth too a streight
The long spred sea of Hellespont, did Ilion burne in height.
The kindled fyre with blazing flame continewed vnalayd,
And Priam with his aged blood Ioues Altar had berayd.
And Phebus preestesse casting vp her handes too heauen on hye,
Was dragd and haled by the heare. The Grayes most spyghtfully
(As eche of them had prisoners tane in meede of victorye)
Did drawe the Troiane wyues away, whoo lingring whyle they mought
Among the burning temples of theyr Goddes, did hang about
Theyr sacred shrynes and images. Astyanax downe was cast
From that same turret from the which his moother in tyme past
Had shewed him his father stand oft fyghting too defend
Himself and that same famous realme of Troy that did descend
From many noble auncetors. And now the northerne wynd
With prosperous blasts, too get them thence did put ye Greekes in mynd.
The shipmen went aboord, and hoyst vp sayles, and made fro thence.
A deew deere Troy (the women cryde) wee haled are from hence.
And therwithall they kist the ground, and left yit smoking still
Theyr natiue houses. Last of all tooke shippe ageinst her will
Queene Hecub: who (a piteous cace too see) was found amid
The tumbes in which her sonnes were layd. And there as Hecub did
Embrace theyr chists and kisse theyr bones, Vlysses voyd of care
Did pull her thence. Yit raught shee vp, and in her boosom bare
Away a crum of Hectors dust, and left on Hectors graue
Her hory heares and teares, which for poore offrings shee him gaue.
Too Thoants and Hypsiphiles realme the land defamde of old
For murthering all the men therin by women ouer bold.
At length attayning land and lucke according too his mynd,
Too carry Hercles arrowes backe he set his sayles too wynd.
Which when he with the lord of them among the Greekes had brought,
And of the cruell warre at length the vtmost feate had wrought,
At once both Troy and Priam fell. And Priams wretched wife
Lost (after all) her womans shape, and barked all her lyfe
In forreine countrye. In the place that bringeth too a streight
The long spred sea of Hellespont, did Ilion burne in height.
The kindled fyre with blazing flame continewed vnalayd,
And Priam with his aged blood Ioues Altar had berayd.
And Phebus preestesse casting vp her handes too heauen on hye,
Was dragd and haled by the heare. The Grayes most spyghtfully
(As eche of them had prisoners tane in meede of victorye)
Did drawe the Troiane wyues away, whoo lingring whyle they mought
Among the burning temples of theyr Goddes, did hang about
Theyr sacred shrynes and images. Astyanax downe was cast
From that same turret from the which his moother in tyme past
Had shewed him his father stand oft fyghting too defend
Himself and that same famous realme of Troy that did descend
From many noble auncetors. And now the northerne wynd
With prosperous blasts, too get them thence did put ye Greekes in mynd.
The shipmen went aboord, and hoyst vp sayles, and made fro thence.
A deew deere Troy (the women cryde) wee haled are from hence.
And therwithall they kist the ground, and left yit smoking still
Theyr natiue houses. Last of all tooke shippe ageinst her will
Queene Hecub: who (a piteous cace too see) was found amid
The tumbes in which her sonnes were layd. And there as Hecub did
Embrace theyr chists and kisse theyr bones, Vlysses voyd of care
Did pull her thence. Yit raught shee vp, and in her boosom bare
Away a crum of Hectors dust, and left on Hectors graue
Her hory heares and teares, which for poore offrings shee him gaue.
Ageinst the place where Ilion was, there is another land
Manured by the Biston men. In this same Realme did stand
King Polemnestors palace riche, too whom king Priam sent
His little infant Polydore too foster, too thentent
He might bee out of daunger from the warres: wherin he ment
Ryght wysely, had he not with him great riches sent, a bayt
Too stirre a wicked couetous mynd too treason and deceyt.
For when the state of Troy decayd, the wicked king of Thrace
Did cut his nurcechylds weazant, and (as though the sinfull cace
Toogither with the body could haue quyght beene put away)
He threw him also in the sea. It happened by the way,
That Agamemnon was compeld with all his fleete too stay
Uppon the coast of Thrace, vntill the sea were wexen calme,
And till the hideous stormes did cease, and furious wynds were falne.
Heere rysing gastly from the ground which farre about him brake,
Achilles with a threatning looke did like resemblance make,
As when at Agamemnon he his wrongfull swoord did shake,
And sayd: Unmyndfull part yee hence of mee O Greekes? and must
My merits thanklesse thus with mee be buryed in the dust?
Nay, doo not so. But too thentent my death dew honour haue,
Let Polyxene in sacrifyse bee slayne vppon my graue.
Thus much he sayd: and shortly his companions dooing as
By vision of his cruell ghost commaundment giuen them was,
Did fetch her from her mothers lappe, whom at that tyme, well neere,
In that most great aduersitie alonly shee did cheere.
The haultye and vnhappye mayd, and rather too bee thought
A man than woman, too the tumb with cruell hands was brought,
Too make a cursed sacrifyse. Whoo mynding constantly
Her honour, when shee standing at the Altar prest too dye,
Perceyvd the sauage ceremonies in making ready, and
The cruell Neöptolemus with naked swoord in hand,
Stand staring with vngentle eyes vppon her gentle face,
[164]
King Polemnestors palace riche, too whom king Priam sent
His little infant Polydore too foster, too thentent
He might bee out of daunger from the warres: wherin he ment
Ryght wysely, had he not with him great riches sent, a bayt
Too stirre a wicked couetous mynd too treason and deceyt.
For when the state of Troy decayd, the wicked king of Thrace
Did cut his nurcechylds weazant, and (as though the sinfull cace
Toogither with the body could haue quyght beene put away)
He threw him also in the sea. It happened by the way,
That Agamemnon was compeld with all his fleete too stay
Uppon the coast of Thrace, vntill the sea were wexen calme,
And till the hideous stormes did cease, and furious wynds were falne.
Heere rysing gastly from the ground which farre about him brake,
Achilles with a threatning looke did like resemblance make,
As when at Agamemnon he his wrongfull swoord did shake,
And sayd: Unmyndfull part yee hence of mee O Greekes? and must
My merits thanklesse thus with mee be buryed in the dust?
Nay, doo not so. But too thentent my death dew honour haue,
Let Polyxene in sacrifyse bee slayne vppon my graue.
Thus much he sayd: and shortly his companions dooing as
By vision of his cruell ghost commaundment giuen them was,
Did fetch her from her mothers lappe, whom at that tyme, well neere,
In that most great aduersitie alonly shee did cheere.
The haultye and vnhappye mayd, and rather too bee thought
A man than woman, too the tumb with cruell hands was brought,
Too make a cursed sacrifyse. Whoo mynding constantly
Her honour, when shee standing at the Altar prest too dye,
Perceyvd the sauage ceremonies in making ready, and
The cruell Neöptolemus with naked swoord in hand,
Stand staring with vngentle eyes vppon her gentle face,
Shee sayd. Now vse thou when thou wilt my gentle blood. The cace
Requyres no more delay. bestow thy weapon in my chest,
Or in my throte: (in saying so shee profered bare her brest,
And eeke her throte.) Assure your selues it neuer shalbee seene,
That any wyght shall (by my will) haue slaue of Polyxeene.
Howbeet with such a sacrifyse no God yee can delyght.
I would desyre no more but that my wretched moother myght
Bee ignorant of this my death. My moother hindreth mee,
And makes the pleasure of my death much lesser for too bee.
Howbeeit not the death of mee should iustly greeue her hart:
But her owne lyfe. Now too thentent I freely may depart
Too Limbo, stand yee men aloof: and sith I aske but ryght
Forbeare too touch mee. So my blood vnsteyned in his syght
Shall farre more acceptable bee what euer wyght he bee
Whom you prepare too pacifye by sacrifysing mee.
Yit (if that these last woordes of myne may purchace any grace,)
I daughter of king Priam erst, and now in prisoners cace,
Beeseeche you all vnraunsomed too render too my moother
My bodye: and for buriall of the same too take none other
Reward than teares: for whyle shee could shee did redeeme with gold.
This sayd: the teares that shee forbare the people could not hold.
And euen the verry preest himself full sore ageinst his will
And weeping, thrust her through the brest which shee hild stoutly still.
Shee sinking softly too the ground with faynting legges, did beare
Euen too the verry latter gasp a countnance voyd of feare.
And when shee fell, shee had a care such parts of her too hyde,
As womanhod and chastitie forbiddeth too bee spyde.
Requyres no more delay. bestow thy weapon in my chest,
Or in my throte: (in saying so shee profered bare her brest,
And eeke her throte.) Assure your selues it neuer shalbee seene,
That any wyght shall (by my will) haue slaue of Polyxeene.
Howbeet with such a sacrifyse no God yee can delyght.
165
Bee ignorant of this my death. My moother hindreth mee,
And makes the pleasure of my death much lesser for too bee.
Howbeeit not the death of mee should iustly greeue her hart:
But her owne lyfe. Now too thentent I freely may depart
Too Limbo, stand yee men aloof: and sith I aske but ryght
Forbeare too touch mee. So my blood vnsteyned in his syght
Shall farre more acceptable bee what euer wyght he bee
Whom you prepare too pacifye by sacrifysing mee.
Yit (if that these last woordes of myne may purchace any grace,)
I daughter of king Priam erst, and now in prisoners cace,
Beeseeche you all vnraunsomed too render too my moother
My bodye: and for buriall of the same too take none other
Reward than teares: for whyle shee could shee did redeeme with gold.
This sayd: the teares that shee forbare the people could not hold.
And euen the verry preest himself full sore ageinst his will
And weeping, thrust her through the brest which shee hild stoutly still.
Shee sinking softly too the ground with faynting legges, did beare
Euen too the verry latter gasp a countnance voyd of feare.
And when shee fell, shee had a care such parts of her too hyde,
As womanhod and chastitie forbiddeth too bee spyde.
The Troiane women tooke her vp, and moorning reckened
King Priams children, and what blood that house alone had shed.
They syght for fayer Polyxeene: they syghed eeke for thee
Whoo late wart Priams wyfe, whoo late wart counted for too bee
The flowre of Asia in his flowre, and Queene of moothers all:
But now the bootye of the fo as euill lot did fall,
And such a bootye as the sly Vlysses did not passe
Uppon her, sauing that erewhyle shee Hectors moother was.
So hardly for his moother could a mayster Hector fynd.
Embracing in her aged armes the bodye of the mynd
That was so stout, shee powrd theron with sobbing syghes vnsoft
The teares that for her husband and her children had so oft
And for her countrye sheaded beene. Shee weeped in her wound
And kist her pretye mouth, and made her brist with strokes too sound,
According too her woonted guyse, and in the iellyed blood
Beerayëd all her grisild heare, and in a sorrowfull mood
Sayd theis and many other woordes with brest bescratcht and rent.
King Priams children, and what blood that house alone had shed.
They syght for fayer Polyxeene: they syghed eeke for thee
Whoo late wart Priams wyfe, whoo late wart counted for too bee
The flowre of Asia in his flowre, and Queene of moothers all:
But now the bootye of the fo as euill lot did fall,
And such a bootye as the sly Vlysses did not passe
Uppon her, sauing that erewhyle shee Hectors moother was.
So hardly for his moother could a mayster Hector fynd.
Embracing in her aged armes the bodye of the mynd
That was so stout, shee powrd theron with sobbing syghes vnsoft
The teares that for her husband and her children had so oft
And for her countrye sheaded beene. Shee weeped in her wound
And kist her pretye mouth, and made her brist with strokes too sound,
According too her woonted guyse, and in the iellyed blood
Beerayëd all her grisild heare, and in a sorrowfull mood
[165]
O daughter myne, the last for whom thy moother may lament,
(For what remaynes?) O daughter thou art dead and gone. I see
Thy wound which at the verry hart strikes mee as well as thee.
And least that any one of myne vnwounded should depart,
Thou also gotten hast a wound. Howbeet bycause thou wart
A woman, I beleeued thee from weapon too bee free.
But notwithstanding that thou art a woman, I doo see
Thee slayne by swoord. Euen he that kild thy brothers killeth thee,
Achilles the decay of Troy and maker bare of mee.
What tyme that he of Paris shaft by Phebus meanes was slayne,
I sayd of feerce Achilles now no feare dooth more remayne.
But then, euen then he most of all was feared for too bee.
The asshes of him rageth still ageinst our race I see.
Wee feele an emny of him dead and buryed in his graue
Too feede Achilles furie, I a frutefull issue gaue.
Great Troy lyes vnder foote, and with a ryght great greeuous fall
The mischeeues of the common weale are fully ended all.
But though too others Troy be gone, yit stands it still too mee:
My sorrowes ronne as fresh a race as euer and as free.
I late a go a souereine state, aduaunced with such store
Of daughters, sonnes, and sonneinlawes, and husband ouer more
And daughtrinlawes, am caryed like an outlawe bare and poore,
By force and violence haled from my childrens tumbes, too bee
Presented too Penelope a gift, whoo shewing mee
In spinning my appoynted taske, shall say: this same is shee
That was sumtyme king Priams wyfe, this was the famous moother
Of Hector. And now after losse of such a sort of other,
Thou (whoo alonly in my greefe my comfort didst remayne,)
Too pacifye our emnyes wrath vppon his tumb art slayne.
Thus bare I deathgyfts for my foes. Too what intent am I
Most wretched wyght remayning still? why doo I linger? why
Dooth hurtfull age preserue mee still aliue? too what intent
Yee cruell Goddes reserue yee mee that hath already spent
Too manye yeeres? onlesse it bee new buryalls for too see?
And whoo would think that Priamus myght happy counted bee
Sith Troy is razed? Happy man is hee in being dead.
His lyfe and kingdoome he forwent toogither: and this stead
He sees not thee his daughter slaine. But peraduenture thou
Shall like the daughter of a king haue sumptuous buryall now,
And with thy noble auncetors thy bodye layd shall bee.
Our linage hath not so good lucke. the most that shall too thee
Bee yeelded are thy moothers teares, and in this forreine land
Too hyde thy murthered corce withall a little heape of sand.
For all is lost. Nay yit remaynes (for whome I well can fynd
In hart too liue a little whyle) an imp vntoo my mynd
Most deere, now only left alone, sumtyme of many mo
The yoongest, little Polydore, deliuered late ago
Too Polemnestor king of Thrace whoo dwelles within theis bounds
But wherfore doo I stay so long in wasshing of her wounds,
And face berayd with gory blood? in saying thus, shee went
Too seaward with an aged pace and hory heare beerent.
And (wretched woman) as shee calld for pitchers for too drawe
Up water, shee of Polydore on shore the carkesse sawe,
And eeke ye myghty wounds at which the Tyrants swoord went thurrow.
The Troiane Ladyes shreeked out. But shee was dumb for sorrow.
The anguish of her hart forclosde as well her speech as eeke
Her teares deuowring them within. Shee stood astonyed leeke
As if shee had beene stone. One whyle the ground shee staard vppon.
Another whyle a gastly looke shee kest too heauen. Anon
Shee looked on the face of him that lay before her killd.
Sumtymes his woundes, (his woundes I say) shee specially behilld.
And therwithall shee armd her selfe and furnisht her with ire:
Wherethrough as soone as that her hart was fully set on fyre,
As though shee still had beene a Queene, too vengeance shee her bent
Enforcing all her witts too fynd some kynd of ponnishment.
And as a Lyon robbed of her whelpes becommeth wood,
And taking on the footing of her emnye where hee stood,
Purseweth him though out of syght: euen so Queene Hecubee
(Now hauing meynt her teares with wrath) forgetting quyght that see
Was old, but not her princely hard, too Polemnestor went
The cursed murtherer, and desyrde his presence too thentent
Too shew too him a masse of gold (so made shee her pretence)
Which for her lyttle Polydore was hid not farre from thence.
The Thracian king beleeuing her, as eager of the pray,
Went with her too a secret place. And as they there did stay,
With flattring and deceytfull toong he thus too her did say.
Make speede I prey thee Hecuba, and giue thy sonne this gold.
I sweare by God it shall bee his, as well that I doo hold
Already, as that thou shalt giue. Uppon him speaking so,
And swearing and forswearing too, shee looked sternely tho,
And beeing sore inflaamd with wrath, caught hold vppon him, and
Streyght calling out for succor too the wyues of Troy at hand
Did in the traytors face bestowe her nayles, and scratched out
His eyes, her anger gaue her hart and made her strong and stout.
Shee thrust her fingars in as farre as could bee, and did bore
Not now his eyes (for why his eyes were pulled out before)
But bothe the places of the eyes berayd with wicked blood.
(For what remaynes?) O daughter thou art dead and gone. I see
Thy wound which at the verry hart strikes mee as well as thee.
And least that any one of myne vnwounded should depart,
Thou also gotten hast a wound. Howbeet bycause thou wart
A woman, I beleeued thee from weapon too bee free.
But notwithstanding that thou art a woman, I doo see
Thee slayne by swoord. Euen he that kild thy brothers killeth thee,
Achilles the decay of Troy and maker bare of mee.
What tyme that he of Paris shaft by Phebus meanes was slayne,
I sayd of feerce Achilles now no feare dooth more remayne.
But then, euen then he most of all was feared for too bee.
The asshes of him rageth still ageinst our race I see.
Wee feele an emny of him dead and buryed in his graue
Too feede Achilles furie, I a frutefull issue gaue.
Great Troy lyes vnder foote, and with a ryght great greeuous fall
The mischeeues of the common weale are fully ended all.
But though too others Troy be gone, yit stands it still too mee:
My sorrowes ronne as fresh a race as euer and as free.
I late a go a souereine state, aduaunced with such store
Of daughters, sonnes, and sonneinlawes, and husband ouer more
And daughtrinlawes, am caryed like an outlawe bare and poore,
By force and violence haled from my childrens tumbes, too bee
Presented too Penelope a gift, whoo shewing mee
In spinning my appoynted taske, shall say: this same is shee
That was sumtyme king Priams wyfe, this was the famous moother
Of Hector. And now after losse of such a sort of other,
Thou (whoo alonly in my greefe my comfort didst remayne,)
Too pacifye our emnyes wrath vppon his tumb art slayne.
Thus bare I deathgyfts for my foes. Too what intent am I
Most wretched wyght remayning still? why doo I linger? why
Dooth hurtfull age preserue mee still aliue? too what intent
Yee cruell Goddes reserue yee mee that hath already spent
Too manye yeeres? onlesse it bee new buryalls for too see?
And whoo would think that Priamus myght happy counted bee
Sith Troy is razed? Happy man is hee in being dead.
166
He sees not thee his daughter slaine. But peraduenture thou
Shall like the daughter of a king haue sumptuous buryall now,
And with thy noble auncetors thy bodye layd shall bee.
Our linage hath not so good lucke. the most that shall too thee
Bee yeelded are thy moothers teares, and in this forreine land
Too hyde thy murthered corce withall a little heape of sand.
For all is lost. Nay yit remaynes (for whome I well can fynd
In hart too liue a little whyle) an imp vntoo my mynd
Most deere, now only left alone, sumtyme of many mo
The yoongest, little Polydore, deliuered late ago
Too Polemnestor king of Thrace whoo dwelles within theis bounds
But wherfore doo I stay so long in wasshing of her wounds,
And face berayd with gory blood? in saying thus, shee went
Too seaward with an aged pace and hory heare beerent.
And (wretched woman) as shee calld for pitchers for too drawe
Up water, shee of Polydore on shore the carkesse sawe,
And eeke ye myghty wounds at which the Tyrants swoord went thurrow.
The Troiane Ladyes shreeked out. But shee was dumb for sorrow.
The anguish of her hart forclosde as well her speech as eeke
Her teares deuowring them within. Shee stood astonyed leeke
As if shee had beene stone. One whyle the ground shee staard vppon.
Another whyle a gastly looke shee kest too heauen. Anon
Shee looked on the face of him that lay before her killd.
Sumtymes his woundes, (his woundes I say) shee specially behilld.
And therwithall shee armd her selfe and furnisht her with ire:
Wherethrough as soone as that her hart was fully set on fyre,
As though shee still had beene a Queene, too vengeance shee her bent
Enforcing all her witts too fynd some kynd of ponnishment.
And as a Lyon robbed of her whelpes becommeth wood,
And taking on the footing of her emnye where hee stood,
Purseweth him though out of syght: euen so Queene Hecubee
(Now hauing meynt her teares with wrath) forgetting quyght that see
Was old, but not her princely hard, too Polemnestor went
The cursed murtherer, and desyrde his presence too thentent
Too shew too him a masse of gold (so made shee her pretence)
Which for her lyttle Polydore was hid not farre from thence.
[166]
Went with her too a secret place. And as they there did stay,
With flattring and deceytfull toong he thus too her did say.
Make speede I prey thee Hecuba, and giue thy sonne this gold.
I sweare by God it shall bee his, as well that I doo hold
Already, as that thou shalt giue. Uppon him speaking so,
And swearing and forswearing too, shee looked sternely tho,
And beeing sore inflaamd with wrath, caught hold vppon him, and
Streyght calling out for succor too the wyues of Troy at hand
Did in the traytors face bestowe her nayles, and scratched out
His eyes, her anger gaue her hart and made her strong and stout.
Shee thrust her fingars in as farre as could bee, and did bore
Not now his eyes (for why his eyes were pulled out before)
But bothe the places of the eyes berayd with wicked blood.
The Thracians at theyr Tyrannes harme for anger wexing wood,
Began too scare the Troiane wyues with darts and stones. Anon
Queene Hecub ronning at a stone, with gnarring seazd theron,
And wirryed it beetweene her teeth. And as shee opte her chappe
Too speake, in stead of speeche shee barkt. the place of this missehappe
Remayneth still, and of the thing there done beares yit the name.
Long myndfull of her former illes, shee sadly for the same
Went howling in the feeldes of Thrace. Her fortune moued not
Her Troians only, but the Greekes her foes too ruthe: Her lot
Did moue euen all the Goddes to ruthe: and so effectually,
That Hecub too deserue such end euen Iuno did denye.
Began too scare the Troiane wyues with darts and stones. Anon
Queene Hecub ronning at a stone, with gnarring seazd theron,
And wirryed it beetweene her teeth. And as shee opte her chappe
Too speake, in stead of speeche shee barkt. the place of this missehappe
Remayneth still, and of the thing there done beares yit the name.
Long myndfull of her former illes, shee sadly for the same
Went howling in the feeldes of Thrace. Her fortune moued not
Her Troians only, but the Greekes her foes too ruthe: Her lot
Did moue euen all the Goddes to ruthe: and so effectually,
That Hecub too deserue such end euen Iuno did denye.
Although the morning of the selfsame warres had fauorer beene:
Shee had no leysure too lament the fortune of the Queene,
Nor on the slaughters and the fall of Ilion for too think.
A household care more neerer home did in her stomacke sink,
For Memnon her beloued sonne, whom dying shee behild
Uppon the feerce Achilles speare amid the Phrygian feeld.
Shee saw it, and her ruddy hew with which shee woonted was
Too dye the breaking of the day, did intoo palenesse passe:
And all the skye was hid with clowdes. But when his corce was gone
Too burning ward, shee could not fynd in hart too looke theron:
But with her heare about her eares shee kneeled downe before
The myghtye Ioue, and thus gan speake vnto him weeping sore.
Shee had no leysure too lament the fortune of the Queene,
Nor on the slaughters and the fall of Ilion for too think.
A household care more neerer home did in her stomacke sink,
For Memnon her beloued sonne, whom dying shee behild
Uppon the feerce Achilles speare amid the Phrygian feeld.
Shee saw it, and her ruddy hew with which shee woonted was
Too dye the breaking of the day, did intoo palenesse passe:
And all the skye was hid with clowdes. But when his corce was gone
Too burning ward, shee could not fynd in hart too looke theron:
But with her heare about her eares shee kneeled downe before
The myghtye Ioue, and thus gan speake vnto him weeping sore.
167
Of al that haue theyr dwelling place vppon the golden skye
The lowest (for through all the world the feawest shrynes haue I)
But yit a Goddesse, I doo come, not that thou shouldst decree
That Altars, shrynes, and holydayes bee made too honour mee.
Yit if thou marke how much that I a woman doo for thee,
In keeping nyght within her boundes, by bringing in thee light,
Thou well mayst thinke mee worthy sum reward too clayme of ryght.
But neyther now is that the thing the morning cares too haue,
Ne yit her state is such as now dew honour for too craue.
Bereft of my deere Memnon who in fyghting valeantly
Too help his vncle, (so it was your will O Goddes) did dye
Of stout Achilles sturdye speare euen in his flowring pryme,
I sew too thee O king of Goddes too doo him at this tyme
Sum honour as a comfort of his death, and ease this hart
Of myne which greatly greeued is with wound of percing smart.
The lowest (for through all the world the feawest shrynes haue I)
But yit a Goddesse, I doo come, not that thou shouldst decree
That Altars, shrynes, and holydayes bee made too honour mee.
Yit if thou marke how much that I a woman doo for thee,
In keeping nyght within her boundes, by bringing in thee light,
Thou well mayst thinke mee worthy sum reward too clayme of ryght.
But neyther now is that the thing the morning cares too haue,
Ne yit her state is such as now dew honour for too craue.
Bereft of my deere Memnon who in fyghting valeantly
Too help his vncle, (so it was your will O Goddes) did dye
Of stout Achilles sturdye speare euen in his flowring pryme,
I sew too thee O king of Goddes too doo him at this tyme
Sum honour as a comfort of his death, and ease this hart
Of myne which greatly greeued is with wound of percing smart.
No sooner Ioue had graunted dame Aurora her desyre
But that the flame of Memnons corce that burned in the fyre
Did fall: and flaky rolles of smoke did dark the day, as when
A foggy mist steames vpward from a Riuer or a fen,
And suffreth not the Sonne too shyne within it. Blacke as cole
The cinder rose: and intoo one round lump assembling whole
Grew grosse, and tooke bothe shape and hew. The fyre did lyfe it send,
The lyghtnesse of the substance self did wings vntoo it lend.
And at the first it flittred like a bird: and by and by
It flew a fethered bird in deede. And with that one gan fly
Innumerable mo of selfsame brood: whoo once or twyce
Did sore about the fyre, and made a piteous shreeking thryce.
The fowrthtyme in theyr flying round, themselues they all withdrew
In battells twayne, and feercely foorth of eyther syde one flew
Too fyght a combate. With theyr billes and hooked talants keene
And with theyr wings couragiously they wreakt theyr wrathfull teene.
And myndfull of the valeant man of whom they issued beene,
They neuer ceased iobbing eche vppon the others brest,
Untill they falling both downe dead with fyghting ouerprest,
Had offred vp theyr bodyes as a woorthy sacrifyse
Untoo theyr cousin Memnon who too Asshes burned lyes.
Theis soodeine birds were named of the founder of theyr stocke:
For men doo call them Memnons birds. And euery yeere a flocke
Repayre too Memnons tumb, where twoo doo in the foresayd wyse
In manner of a yeeremynd slea themselues in sacrifyse.
Thus where as others did lament that Dymants daughter barkt,
Auroras owne greef busyed her, that smally shee it markt
Which thing shee too this present tyme with piteous teares dooth shewe:
For through the vniuersall world shee sheadeth moysting deawe.
But that the flame of Memnons corce that burned in the fyre
Did fall: and flaky rolles of smoke did dark the day, as when
A foggy mist steames vpward from a Riuer or a fen,
And suffreth not the Sonne too shyne within it. Blacke as cole
The cinder rose: and intoo one round lump assembling whole
Grew grosse, and tooke bothe shape and hew. The fyre did lyfe it send,
The lyghtnesse of the substance self did wings vntoo it lend.
And at the first it flittred like a bird: and by and by
It flew a fethered bird in deede. And with that one gan fly
Innumerable mo of selfsame brood: whoo once or twyce
Did sore about the fyre, and made a piteous shreeking thryce.
The fowrthtyme in theyr flying round, themselues they all withdrew
In battells twayne, and feercely foorth of eyther syde one flew
Too fyght a combate. With theyr billes and hooked talants keene
And with theyr wings couragiously they wreakt theyr wrathfull teene.
And myndfull of the valeant man of whom they issued beene,
They neuer ceased iobbing eche vppon the others brest,
Untill they falling both downe dead with fyghting ouerprest,
Had offred vp theyr bodyes as a woorthy sacrifyse
Untoo theyr cousin Memnon who too Asshes burned lyes.
Theis soodeine birds were named of the founder of theyr stocke:
[167]
Repayre too Memnons tumb, where twoo doo in the foresayd wyse
In manner of a yeeremynd slea themselues in sacrifyse.
Thus where as others did lament that Dymants daughter barkt,
Auroras owne greef busyed her, that smally shee it markt
Which thing shee too this present tyme with piteous teares dooth shewe:
For through the vniuersall world shee sheadeth moysting deawe.
Yit suffred not the destinyes all hope too perrish quyght
Toogither with the towne of Troy. That good and godly knyght
The sonne of Venus bare away by nyght vppon his backe
His aged father and his Goddes an honorable packe.
Of all the riches of the towne that only pray he chose,
So godly was his mynd: and like a bannisht man he goes
By water with his owne yoong sonne Ascanius from the Ile
Antandros, and he shonnes the shore of Thracia which ere whyle
The wicked Tyrants treason did with Polydores blood defyle.
And hauing wynd and tyde at will, he saufly wyth his trayne
Arryued at Apollos towne where Anius then did reigne.
Whoo being both Apollos preest and of that place the king,
Did enterteyne him in his house and vntoo church him bring,
And shewd him bothe the Citie and the temples knowen of old,
And eeke the sacred trees by which Latona once tooke hold
When shee of chyldbirth trauelled Assoone as sacrifyse
Was doone with Oxens inwards burnt according too the guyse,
And casting incence in the fyre, and sheading wyne thereon,
They ioyfull too the court returnd, and there they tooke anon
Repaste of meate and drink. Then sayd the good Anchyses this
O Phebus souereine preest, onlesse I take my markes amisse,
(As I remember) when I first of all this towne did see,
Fowre daughters and a sonne of thyne thou haddest heere with thee.
Toogither with the towne of Troy. That good and godly knyght
The sonne of Venus bare away by nyght vppon his backe
His aged father and his Goddes an honorable packe.
Of all the riches of the towne that only pray he chose,
So godly was his mynd: and like a bannisht man he goes
By water with his owne yoong sonne Ascanius from the Ile
Antandros, and he shonnes the shore of Thracia which ere whyle
The wicked Tyrants treason did with Polydores blood defyle.
And hauing wynd and tyde at will, he saufly wyth his trayne
Arryued at Apollos towne where Anius then did reigne.
Whoo being both Apollos preest and of that place the king,
Did enterteyne him in his house and vntoo church him bring,
And shewd him bothe the Citie and the temples knowen of old,
And eeke the sacred trees by which Latona once tooke hold
When shee of chyldbirth trauelled Assoone as sacrifyse
Was doone with Oxens inwards burnt according too the guyse,
And casting incence in the fyre, and sheading wyne thereon,
They ioyfull too the court returnd, and there they tooke anon
Repaste of meate and drink. Then sayd the good Anchyses this
O Phebus souereine preest, onlesse I take my markes amisse,
(As I remember) when I first of all this towne did see,
Fowre daughters and a sonne of thyne thou haddest heere with thee.
King Anius shooke his head wheron he ware a myter whyght,
And answerd thus. O noble prince, in fayth thou gessest ryght.
Of children fyue a father then, thou diddest mee behold,
Whoo now (with such vnconstancie are mortall matters rolld)
Am in a manner chyldlesse quyght. For what auayles my sonne
Whoo in the Ile of Anderland a great way hence dooth wonne?
Which country takes his name of him, and in the selfsayd place,
In stead of father, like a king he holdes the royall mace.
Apollo gaue his lot too him: And Bacchus for too showe
His loue, a greater gift vppon his susters did bestowe,
Than could bee wisht or credited. For whatsoeuer they
Did towche, was turned intoo corne, and wyne and oyle streyghtway.
And so theyr was riche vse in them. Assoone as that the fame
Hereof too Agamemnons eares the squorge of Troians came,
Least you myght tast your stormes alone and wee not feele the same
In part, an hoste he hither sent, and whither I would or no
Did take them from mee, forcing them among the Greekes too go
Too feede the Greekish army with theyr heauenly gift. But they
Escaped whither they could by flyght. A couple tooke theyr way
Too Ile Evvboya: toother twoo too Anderland did fly
Theyr brothers Realme. An host of men pursewd them by and by,
And threatened warre onlesse they were deliuered. Force of feare
Subdewing nature, did constreyne the brother (men must beare
With fearfulnesse) too render vp his susters too theyr fo.
For neyther was Aenæas there, nor valeant Hector (who
Did make your warre last ten yeeres long) the countrye too defend.
Now when they should like prisoners haue beene fettred, in the end
They casting vp theyr handes (which yit were free) too heauen, did cry
Too Bacchus for too succour them, who helpt them by and by.
At leastwyse if it may bee termd a help, in woondrous wyse
Too alter folke. For neuer could I lerne ne can surmyse
The manner how they lost theyr shape. The thing it selfe is knowen.
With fethered wings as whyght as snow they quyght away are flowen
Transformed intoo doouehouse dooues thy wyfe dame Venus burdes.
And answerd thus. O noble prince, in fayth thou gessest ryght.
Of children fyue a father then, thou diddest mee behold,
Whoo now (with such vnconstancie are mortall matters rolld)
Am in a manner chyldlesse quyght. For what auayles my sonne
Whoo in the Ile of Anderland a great way hence dooth wonne?
Which country takes his name of him, and in the selfsayd place,
168
Apollo gaue his lot too him: And Bacchus for too showe
His loue, a greater gift vppon his susters did bestowe,
Than could bee wisht or credited. For whatsoeuer they
Did towche, was turned intoo corne, and wyne and oyle streyghtway.
And so theyr was riche vse in them. Assoone as that the fame
Hereof too Agamemnons eares the squorge of Troians came,
Least you myght tast your stormes alone and wee not feele the same
In part, an hoste he hither sent, and whither I would or no
Did take them from mee, forcing them among the Greekes too go
Too feede the Greekish army with theyr heauenly gift. But they
Escaped whither they could by flyght. A couple tooke theyr way
Too Ile Evvboya: toother twoo too Anderland did fly
Theyr brothers Realme. An host of men pursewd them by and by,
And threatened warre onlesse they were deliuered. Force of feare
Subdewing nature, did constreyne the brother (men must beare
With fearfulnesse) too render vp his susters too theyr fo.
For neyther was Aenæas there, nor valeant Hector (who
Did make your warre last ten yeeres long) the countrye too defend.
Now when they should like prisoners haue beene fettred, in the end
They casting vp theyr handes (which yit were free) too heauen, did cry
Too Bacchus for too succour them, who helpt them by and by.
At leastwyse if it may bee termd a help, in woondrous wyse
Too alter folke. For neuer could I lerne ne can surmyse
The manner how they lost theyr shape. The thing it selfe is knowen.
With fethered wings as whyght as snow they quyght away are flowen
Transformed intoo doouehouse dooues thy wyfe dame Venus burdes.
When that the time of meate was spent wt theis & such like woordes,
The table was remoued streyght, and then they went too sleepe.
Next morrow rysing vp assoone as day began too peepe,
They went too Phebus Oracle, which willed them too go
Untoo theyr moother countrey and the coastes theyr stocke came fro.
King Anius bare them companie. And when away they shoold,
He gaue them gifts. Anchises had a scepter all of goold.
Ascanius had a quiuer and a Cloke right braue and trim.
Aenæas had a standing Cup presented vntoo him.
The Thebane Therses whoo had beene king Anius guest erewhyle
Did send it out of Thessaly: but Alcon one of Myle
Did make the cuppe. And hee theron a story portrayd out
It was a Citie with seuen gates in circuit round about,
Which men myght easly all discerne. The gates did represent
The Cities name, and shewed playne what towne thereby was ment.
Without the towne were funeralls a dooing for the dead,
With herces, tapers, fyres, and tumbes. The wyues with ruffled head
And stomacks bare pretēded greef. The nymphes seemd teares too shead,
And wayle the drying of theyr welles. The leauelesse trees did seare.
And licking on the parched stones Goats romed heere and there.
Behold amid this Thebane towne was lyuely portrayd out
Echions daughters twayne, of which the one with courage stout
Did profer bothe her naked throte and stomacke too the knyfe:
And toother with a manly hart did also spend her lyfe,
For saufgard of her countryfolk: And how that thervppon
They both were caryed solemly on herces, and anon
Were burned in the cheefest place of all the Thebane towne.
Then (least theyr linage should decay whoo dyde with such renowne,)
Out of the Asshes of the maydes there issued twoo yong men,
And they vntoo theyr moothers dust did obsequies agen.
Thus much was graued curiously in auncient precious brasse,
And on the brim a trayle of flowres of bearbrich gilded was.
The Troians also gaue too him as costly giftes agen.
Bycause he was Apollos preest they gaue too him as then
A Chist too keepe in frankincence. They gaue him furthermore
A Crowne of gold wherin were set of precious stones great store.
The table was remoued streyght, and then they went too sleepe.
Next morrow rysing vp assoone as day began too peepe,
They went too Phebus Oracle, which willed them too go
Untoo theyr moother countrey and the coastes theyr stocke came fro.
King Anius bare them companie. And when away they shoold,
He gaue them gifts. Anchises had a scepter all of goold.
Ascanius had a quiuer and a Cloke right braue and trim.
Aenæas had a standing Cup presented vntoo him.
The Thebane Therses whoo had beene king Anius guest erewhyle
[168]
Did make the cuppe. And hee theron a story portrayd out
It was a Citie with seuen gates in circuit round about,
Which men myght easly all discerne. The gates did represent
The Cities name, and shewed playne what towne thereby was ment.
Without the towne were funeralls a dooing for the dead,
With herces, tapers, fyres, and tumbes. The wyues with ruffled head
And stomacks bare pretēded greef. The nymphes seemd teares too shead,
And wayle the drying of theyr welles. The leauelesse trees did seare.
And licking on the parched stones Goats romed heere and there.
Behold amid this Thebane towne was lyuely portrayd out
Echions daughters twayne, of which the one with courage stout
Did profer bothe her naked throte and stomacke too the knyfe:
And toother with a manly hart did also spend her lyfe,
For saufgard of her countryfolk: And how that thervppon
They both were caryed solemly on herces, and anon
Were burned in the cheefest place of all the Thebane towne.
Then (least theyr linage should decay whoo dyde with such renowne,)
Out of the Asshes of the maydes there issued twoo yong men,
And they vntoo theyr moothers dust did obsequies agen.
Thus much was graued curiously in auncient precious brasse,
And on the brim a trayle of flowres of bearbrich gilded was.
The Troians also gaue too him as costly giftes agen.
Bycause he was Apollos preest they gaue too him as then
A Chist too keepe in frankincence. They gaue him furthermore
A Crowne of gold wherin were set of precious stones great store.
Then calling too remembrance that the Troians issued were
Of Tevvcers blood, they sayld too Crete. But long they could not there
Abyde th' infection of the aire: and so they did forsake
The hundred Cities, and with speede to Itayle ward did make.
The winter wexed hard and rough, and tost them verry sore.
And when theyr shippes arriued were vppon the perlous shore
Among the Strophad Iles, the bird Aello did them feare.
The costes of Dulich, Ithaca, and Same they passed were,
And eeke the Court of Neritus where wyse Vlysses reignd,
And came too Ambrace for the which the Gods strong stryfe maynteind.
There sawe they turned into stone the iudge whoose image yit
At Actium in Appollos Church in signe therof dooth sit.
They vewed also Dodon groue where Okes spake: and the coast
Of Chaön where the sonnes of king Molossus scapt a most
Ungracious fyre by taking wings. From thence they coasted by
The countrye of the Pheäks fraught with frute abundantly.
Then tooke they land in Epyre, and too Buthrotos they went
Wheras the Troiane prophet dwelt, whoose reigne did represent
an image of theyr auncient Troy. There being certifyde
Of things too come by Helen (whoo whyle there they did abyde
Informed them ryght faythfully of all that should betyde)
They passed into Sicilie. With corners three this land
Shootes out intoo the Sea: of which Pachinnus front dooth stand.
Ageinst the southcoast: Lilibye dooth face the gentle west,
And Pelore vntoo Charlsis wayne dooth northward beare his brest.
The Troianes vnder Pelore gate with ores and prosprous tydes
And in the euen by Zanclye shore theyr fleete at anchor rydes.
Uppon the leftsyde restlessely Charybdis ay dooth beate them.
And swalloweth shippes & spewes them vp as fast as it dooth eate them.
And Scylla beateth on theyr ryght: which from the nauell downe
Is patched vp with cruell curres: and vpward too the crowne
Dooth keepe the countnance of a mayd, And (if that all bee trew
That Poëts fayne) shee was sumtyme a mayd ryght fayre of hew.
Too her made many wooers sute: all which shee did eschew.
And going too the salt Sea nymphes (too whom shee was ryght deere)
Shee vaunted, too how many men shee gaue the slippe that yeere.
Too whom the Lady Galate in kembing of her heare
Sayd thus with syghes. But they that sought too thee (O Lady) were
None other than of humane kynd, too whom without all feare
Of harme, thou myghtest (as thou doost) giue nay. But as for mee
Although that I of Nereus and gray Doris daughter bee,
And of my susters haue with mee continually a gard,
I could not scape the Cyclops loue, but too my greef full hard.
(With that her teares did stoppe her speeche.) Assoone as that the mayd
Had dryde them with her marble thomb, & moande the nymph, she sayd.
Deere Goddesse tell mee all your greef, and hyde it not from mee:
For trust mee I will vntoo you bothe true and secret bee.
Then vntoo Cratyes daughter thus the nymph her playnt did frame.
Of Tevvcers blood, they sayld too Crete. But long they could not there
Abyde th' infection of the aire: and so they did forsake
The hundred Cities, and with speede to Itayle ward did make.
The winter wexed hard and rough, and tost them verry sore.
And when theyr shippes arriued were vppon the perlous shore
Among the Strophad Iles, the bird Aello did them feare.
The costes of Dulich, Ithaca, and Same they passed were,
And eeke the Court of Neritus where wyse Vlysses reignd,
And came too Ambrace for the which the Gods strong stryfe maynteind.
There sawe they turned into stone the iudge whoose image yit
169
They vewed also Dodon groue where Okes spake: and the coast
Of Chaön where the sonnes of king Molossus scapt a most
Ungracious fyre by taking wings. From thence they coasted by
The countrye of the Pheäks fraught with frute abundantly.
Then tooke they land in Epyre, and too Buthrotos they went
Wheras the Troiane prophet dwelt, whoose reigne did represent
an image of theyr auncient Troy. There being certifyde
Of things too come by Helen (whoo whyle there they did abyde
Informed them ryght faythfully of all that should betyde)
They passed into Sicilie. With corners three this land
Shootes out intoo the Sea: of which Pachinnus front dooth stand.
Ageinst the southcoast: Lilibye dooth face the gentle west,
And Pelore vntoo Charlsis wayne dooth northward beare his brest.
The Troianes vnder Pelore gate with ores and prosprous tydes
And in the euen by Zanclye shore theyr fleete at anchor rydes.
Uppon the leftsyde restlessely Charybdis ay dooth beate them.
And swalloweth shippes & spewes them vp as fast as it dooth eate them.
And Scylla beateth on theyr ryght: which from the nauell downe
Is patched vp with cruell curres: and vpward too the crowne
Dooth keepe the countnance of a mayd, And (if that all bee trew
That Poëts fayne) shee was sumtyme a mayd ryght fayre of hew.
Too her made many wooers sute: all which shee did eschew.
And going too the salt Sea nymphes (too whom shee was ryght deere)
Shee vaunted, too how many men shee gaue the slippe that yeere.
Too whom the Lady Galate in kembing of her heare
Sayd thus with syghes. But they that sought too thee (O Lady) were
None other than of humane kynd, too whom without all feare
Of harme, thou myghtest (as thou doost) giue nay. But as for mee
Although that I of Nereus and gray Doris daughter bee,
And of my susters haue with mee continually a gard,
I could not scape the Cyclops loue, but too my greef full hard.
(With that her teares did stoppe her speeche.) Assoone as that the mayd
Had dryde them with her marble thomb, & moande the nymph, she sayd.
Deere Goddesse tell mee all your greef, and hyde it not from mee:
For trust mee I will vntoo you bothe true and secret bee.
Then vntoo Cratyes daughter thus the nymph her playnt did frame.
[169]
Of Fawne and nymph Simethis borne was Acis, whoo became
A ioy too bothe his parents, but too mee the greater ioy.
For being but a sixteene yeeres of age, this fayre sweete boy
Did take mee too his loue, what tyme about his chyldish chin
The tender heare like mossy downe too sprowt did first begin.
I loued him beyond all Goddes forbod, and likewyse mee
The Giant Cyclops. neyther (if demaunded it should bee)
I well were able for too tell you whither that the loue
Of Acis, or the Cyclops hate did more my stomacke moue.
There was no oddes betweene them. Oh deere Goddesse Venus, what
A powre haste thou? Behold how euen this owgly Giant that
No sparke of meekenesse in him hath, whoo is a terrour too
The verrye woodes, whom neuer guest nor straunger came vntoo
Without displeasure, whoo the heauens and all the Goddes despyseth,
Dooth feele what thing is loue. The loue of mee him so surpryseth,
That Polypheme regarding not his sheepe and hollowe Caue,
And hauing care too please dooth go about too make him braue.
His sturre stiffe heare he kembeth nowe with strong and sturdy rakes,
And with a sythe dooth marcussotte his bristled berd: and takes
Delyght too looke vppon himself in waters, and too frame
His countnance. Of his murtherous hart the wyldnesse wexeth tame.
His vnastaunched thyrst of blood is quenched: shippes may passe
And repasse saufly. In the whyle that he in loue thus was,
One Telemus Evvrymeds sonne a man of passing skill
In birdflyght, taking land that tyme in Sicill, went vntill
The orped Gyant Polypheme, and sayd: This one round eye
That now amid thy forehead stands shall one day ere thou dye
By sly Vlysses blinded bee. The Gyant laught therat,
And sayd O foolish soothsayre thou deceyued art in that.
For why another (euen a wench) already hathe it blynded.
Thus skorning him that told him truthe bycause he was hygh mynded,
He eyther made the ground too shake in walking on the shore,
Or rowzd him in his shadye Caue. With wedged poynt before
There shoots a hill intoo the Sea: whereof the sea dooth beate
On eyther syde. The one eyd feend came vp and made his seate
Theron, and after came his sheepe vndriuen. Assoone as hee
Had at his foote layd downe his staffe which was a whole Pyne tree
Well able for too bee a maast too any shippe, he takes
His pype compact of fyuescore reedes, and therwithall he makes
So loud a noyse that all the hilles and waters therabout
Myght easly heere the shirlnesse of the shepeherds whistling out.
I lying vnderneathe the rocke, and leaning in the lappe
Of Acis markt theis woordes of his which farre I heard by happe.
A ioy too bothe his parents, but too mee the greater ioy.
For being but a sixteene yeeres of age, this fayre sweete boy
Did take mee too his loue, what tyme about his chyldish chin
The tender heare like mossy downe too sprowt did first begin.
I loued him beyond all Goddes forbod, and likewyse mee
The Giant Cyclops. neyther (if demaunded it should bee)
I well were able for too tell you whither that the loue
Of Acis, or the Cyclops hate did more my stomacke moue.
There was no oddes betweene them. Oh deere Goddesse Venus, what
A powre haste thou? Behold how euen this owgly Giant that
No sparke of meekenesse in him hath, whoo is a terrour too
The verrye woodes, whom neuer guest nor straunger came vntoo
Without displeasure, whoo the heauens and all the Goddes despyseth,
Dooth feele what thing is loue. The loue of mee him so surpryseth,
That Polypheme regarding not his sheepe and hollowe Caue,
And hauing care too please dooth go about too make him braue.
His sturre stiffe heare he kembeth nowe with strong and sturdy rakes,
And with a sythe dooth marcussotte his bristled berd: and takes
Delyght too looke vppon himself in waters, and too frame
His countnance. Of his murtherous hart the wyldnesse wexeth tame.
His vnastaunched thyrst of blood is quenched: shippes may passe
And repasse saufly. In the whyle that he in loue thus was,
One Telemus Evvrymeds sonne a man of passing skill
In birdflyght, taking land that tyme in Sicill, went vntill
The orped Gyant Polypheme, and sayd: This one round eye
That now amid thy forehead stands shall one day ere thou dye
By sly Vlysses blinded bee. The Gyant laught therat,
And sayd O foolish soothsayre thou deceyued art in that.
For why another (euen a wench) already hathe it blynded.
Thus skorning him that told him truthe bycause he was hygh mynded,
He eyther made the ground too shake in walking on the shore,
Or rowzd him in his shadye Caue. With wedged poynt before
There shoots a hill intoo the Sea: whereof the sea dooth beate
On eyther syde. The one eyd feend came vp and made his seate
Theron, and after came his sheepe vndriuen. Assoone as hee
170
Well able for too bee a maast too any shippe, he takes
His pype compact of fyuescore reedes, and therwithall he makes
So loud a noyse that all the hilles and waters therabout
Myght easly heere the shirlnesse of the shepeherds whistling out.
I lying vnderneathe the rocke, and leaning in the lappe
Of Acis markt theis woordes of his which farre I heard by happe.
More whyght thou art then Primrose leaf my Lady Galatee.
More fresh than meade, more tall and streyght than lofty Aldertree.
More bright than glasse, more wanton than the tender kid forsooth.
Than Cockleshelles continually with water worne, more smoothe.
More cheerefull than the winters Sun, or Sommers shadowe cold,
More seemely and more comly than the Planetree too behold.
Of valew more than Apples bee although they were of gold.
More cleere than frozen yce, more sweete than Grape through rype ywis,
More soft than butter newly made, or downe of Cygnet is.
And much more fayre and beawtyfull than gardein too myne eye,
But that thou from my companye continually doost flye.
And thou the selfsame Galate art more tettish for too frame
Than Oxen of the wildernesse whom neuer wyght did tame.
More fleeting than the waues, more hard than warryed Oke too twyne,
More tough thā willow twiggs, more lyth thā is the wyld whyght vyne.
More than this rocke vnmouable, more violent than a streame.
More prowd than Peacocke praysd, more feerce thā fyre & more extreeme.
More rough than Breers, more cruell than the new deliuered Beare,
More mercilesse than troden snake, than sea more deafe of eare.
And which (and if it lay in mee I cheefly would restrayne)
Not only swifter paced than the stag in chace on playne,
But also swifter than the wynd and flyghtfull ayre. But if
Thou knew me well, it would thee irke too flye and bee a greef
Too tarrye from mee. Yea thou wouldst endeuour all thy powre
Too keepe mee wholly too thy self. The Quarry is my bowre
Heawen out of whole mayne stone. No Sun in sommer there can swelt.
No nipping cold in wintertyme within the same is felt.
Gay Apples weying downe the boughes haue I, and Grapes like gold,
And purple Grapes on spreaded Uynes as many as can hold.
Bothe which I doo reserue for thee. Thyself shalt with thy hand
The soft sweete strawbryes gather, which in wooddy shadowe stand.
The Cornell berryes also from the tree thy self shalt pull:
And pleasant plommes, sum yellow lyke new wax, sum blew, sum full
Of ruddy iewce. Of Chestnutts eeke (if my wyfe thou wilt bee)
Thou shalt haue store: and frutes all sortes: All trees shall serue for thee.
This Cattell heere is all myne owne. And many mo besyde
Doo eyther in the bottoms feede, or in the woodes them hyde,
And many standing at theyr stalles doo in my Caue abyde.
The number of them (if a man should ask) I cannot showe.
Tush beggars of theyr Cattell vse the number for too knowe.
And for the goodnesse of the same, no whit beleeue thou mee.
But come thyself (and if thou wilt) the truth therof too see.
See how theyr vdders full doo make them straddle. Lesser ware
Shet vp at home in cloce warme peends, are Lambes. There also are
In other pinfolds Kidds of selfsame yeaning tyme. Thus haue
I alwayes mylke as whyte as snow. wherof I sum doo saue
Too drink, and of the rest is made good cheese. And furthermore
Not only stale and common gifts and pleasures wherof store
Is too bee had at eche mannes hand, (as Leuerets, Kidds, and Does,
A payre of pigeons, or a nest of birds new found, or Roes,)
Shall vntoo thee presented bee. I found this toother day
A payre of Bearewhelpes, eche so lyke the other as they lay
Uppon a hill, that scarce yee eche discerne from other may.
And when that I did fynd them I did take them vp, and say
Theis will I for my Lady keepe for her therwith too play.
Now put thou vp thy fayre bryght head good Galat I thee pray
Aboue the greenish waues: now come my Galat, come away.
And of my present take no scorne. I know my selfe too bee
A iollye fellow. For euen now I did behold and see
Myne image in the water sheere, and sure mee thought I tooke
Delyght too see my goodly shape, and fauor in the brooke.
Behold how big I am not Ioue in heauen (for so you men
Report one Ioue too reigne, of whom I passe not for too ken)
Is howger than this doughty corce of myne. A bush of heare
Dooth ouerdroope my visage grim, and shadowes as it were
A groue vppon my shoulders twayne. And think it not too bee
A shame for that with bristled heare my body rough yee see.
A fowle ilfauored syght it is too see a leauelesse tree
A lothely thing it is, a horse without a mane too keepe.
As fethers doo become the birdes, and wooll becommeth sheepe,
Euen so a beard and bristled skin becommeth also men.
I haue but one eye, which dooth stand amid my frunt. what then?
This one round eye of myne is lyke a myghty target. Why?
Uewes not the Sun all things from heauen? Yit but one only eye
Hath hee. moreouer in your Seas my father beares the sway.
Him will I make thy fathrinlaw. Haue mercy I the pray,
And harken too myne humble sute. For only vntoo thee
Yeeld I. Euen I of whom bothe heauen and Ioue despysed bee
And eeke the percing thunderbolt, doo stand in awe and feare
Of thee O Nerye. Thyne ill will is greeuouser too beare
Than is the deadly Thunderclappe. Yit could I better fynd
In hart too suffer this contempt of thyne with pacient mynd
If thou didst shonne all other folk as well as mee. But why
Reiecting Cyclops doost thou loue dwarf Acis? why say I
Preferst thou Acis vntoo mee? well let him liked bee
Both of himself, and also (which I would be lothe) of thee.
And if I catch him he shall feele that in my body is
The force that should bee. I shall paunch him quicke. Those limbes of his
I will in peeces teare, and strew them in the feeldes, and in
Thy waters, if he doo thee haunt. For I doo swelt within.
And being chaafte the flame dooth burne more feerce too my vnrest.
Mee thinks mount Aetna with his force is closed in my brest.
And yit it nothing moueth thee. Assoone as he had talkt
More fresh than meade, more tall and streyght than lofty Aldertree.
More bright than glasse, more wanton than the tender kid forsooth.
Than Cockleshelles continually with water worne, more smoothe.
More cheerefull than the winters Sun, or Sommers shadowe cold,
More seemely and more comly than the Planetree too behold.
Of valew more than Apples bee although they were of gold.
More cleere than frozen yce, more sweete than Grape through rype ywis,
More soft than butter newly made, or downe of Cygnet is.
And much more fayre and beawtyfull than gardein too myne eye,
But that thou from my companye continually doost flye.
And thou the selfsame Galate art more tettish for too frame
Than Oxen of the wildernesse whom neuer wyght did tame.
More fleeting than the waues, more hard than warryed Oke too twyne,
More tough thā willow twiggs, more lyth thā is the wyld whyght vyne.
More than this rocke vnmouable, more violent than a streame.
More prowd than Peacocke praysd, more feerce thā fyre & more extreeme.
More rough than Breers, more cruell than the new deliuered Beare,
More mercilesse than troden snake, than sea more deafe of eare.
And which (and if it lay in mee I cheefly would restrayne)
Not only swifter paced than the stag in chace on playne,
But also swifter than the wynd and flyghtfull ayre. But if
Thou knew me well, it would thee irke too flye and bee a greef
Too tarrye from mee. Yea thou wouldst endeuour all thy powre
Too keepe mee wholly too thy self. The Quarry is my bowre
Heawen out of whole mayne stone. No Sun in sommer there can swelt.
No nipping cold in wintertyme within the same is felt.
Gay Apples weying downe the boughes haue I, and Grapes like gold,
And purple Grapes on spreaded Uynes as many as can hold.
Bothe which I doo reserue for thee. Thyself shalt with thy hand
[170]
The Cornell berryes also from the tree thy self shalt pull:
And pleasant plommes, sum yellow lyke new wax, sum blew, sum full
Of ruddy iewce. Of Chestnutts eeke (if my wyfe thou wilt bee)
Thou shalt haue store: and frutes all sortes: All trees shall serue for thee.
This Cattell heere is all myne owne. And many mo besyde
Doo eyther in the bottoms feede, or in the woodes them hyde,
And many standing at theyr stalles doo in my Caue abyde.
The number of them (if a man should ask) I cannot showe.
Tush beggars of theyr Cattell vse the number for too knowe.
And for the goodnesse of the same, no whit beleeue thou mee.
But come thyself (and if thou wilt) the truth therof too see.
See how theyr vdders full doo make them straddle. Lesser ware
Shet vp at home in cloce warme peends, are Lambes. There also are
In other pinfolds Kidds of selfsame yeaning tyme. Thus haue
I alwayes mylke as whyte as snow. wherof I sum doo saue
Too drink, and of the rest is made good cheese. And furthermore
Not only stale and common gifts and pleasures wherof store
Is too bee had at eche mannes hand, (as Leuerets, Kidds, and Does,
A payre of pigeons, or a nest of birds new found, or Roes,)
Shall vntoo thee presented bee. I found this toother day
A payre of Bearewhelpes, eche so lyke the other as they lay
Uppon a hill, that scarce yee eche discerne from other may.
And when that I did fynd them I did take them vp, and say
Theis will I for my Lady keepe for her therwith too play.
Now put thou vp thy fayre bryght head good Galat I thee pray
Aboue the greenish waues: now come my Galat, come away.
And of my present take no scorne. I know my selfe too bee
A iollye fellow. For euen now I did behold and see
Myne image in the water sheere, and sure mee thought I tooke
Delyght too see my goodly shape, and fauor in the brooke.
Behold how big I am not Ioue in heauen (for so you men
Report one Ioue too reigne, of whom I passe not for too ken)
Is howger than this doughty corce of myne. A bush of heare
Dooth ouerdroope my visage grim, and shadowes as it were
A groue vppon my shoulders twayne. And think it not too bee
A shame for that with bristled heare my body rough yee see.
171
A lothely thing it is, a horse without a mane too keepe.
As fethers doo become the birdes, and wooll becommeth sheepe,
Euen so a beard and bristled skin becommeth also men.
I haue but one eye, which dooth stand amid my frunt. what then?
This one round eye of myne is lyke a myghty target. Why?
Uewes not the Sun all things from heauen? Yit but one only eye
Hath hee. moreouer in your Seas my father beares the sway.
Him will I make thy fathrinlaw. Haue mercy I the pray,
And harken too myne humble sute. For only vntoo thee
Yeeld I. Euen I of whom bothe heauen and Ioue despysed bee
And eeke the percing thunderbolt, doo stand in awe and feare
Of thee O Nerye. Thyne ill will is greeuouser too beare
Than is the deadly Thunderclappe. Yit could I better fynd
In hart too suffer this contempt of thyne with pacient mynd
If thou didst shonne all other folk as well as mee. But why
Reiecting Cyclops doost thou loue dwarf Acis? why say I
Preferst thou Acis vntoo mee? well let him liked bee
Both of himself, and also (which I would be lothe) of thee.
And if I catch him he shall feele that in my body is
The force that should bee. I shall paunch him quicke. Those limbes of his
I will in peeces teare, and strew them in the feeldes, and in
Thy waters, if he doo thee haunt. For I doo swelt within.
And being chaafte the flame dooth burne more feerce too my vnrest.
Mee thinks mount Aetna with his force is closed in my brest.
And yit it nothing moueth thee. Assoone as he had talkt
Thus much in vayne, (I sawe well all) he rose: and fuming stalkt
Among his woodes and woonted Lawndes, as dooth a Bulchin, when
The Cow is from him tane. He could him no where rest as then.
Anon the feend espyed mee and Acis where wee lay,
Before wee wist or feared it: and crying out gan say
I see yee. and confounded myght I bee with endlesse shame,
But if I make this day the last agreement of your game.
Theis woordes were spoke with such a reere as verry well became
An angry Giant. Aetna shooke with lowdnesse of the same.
I scaard therwith dopt vnderneathe the water, and the knyght
Simethus turning streyght his backe, did giue himself too flyght,
And cryëd help mee Galate, help parents I you pray,
And in your kingdome mee receyue whoo perrish must streyghtway.
The roundeyd deuill made pursewt: and rending vp a fleece
Of Aetna Rocke, threw after him: of which a little peece
Did Acis ouertake. and yit as little as is was,
It ouerwhelmed Acis whole. I wretched wyght (alas)
Did that which destnyes would permit. Foorthwith I brought too passe
That Acis should receyue the force his father had before.
His scarlet blood did issue from the lump, and more and more
Within a whyle the rednesse gan too vannish: and the hew
Resembled at the first a brooke with rayne distroubled new,
Which wexeth cleere by length of tyme. Anon the lump did clyue,
And from the hollow cliffe therof hygh reedes sprang vp alyue.
And at the hollow issue of the stone the bubling water
Came trickling out. And by and by (which is a woondrous matter)
The stripling with a wreath of reede about his horned head
Auaunst his body too the waste. Whoo (saue he was that stead
Much biggar than he erst had beene, and altoogither gray)
Was Acis still. and being turnd too water, at this day
In shape of riuer still he beares his former name away.
Among his woodes and woonted Lawndes, as dooth a Bulchin, when
The Cow is from him tane. He could him no where rest as then.
Anon the feend espyed mee and Acis where wee lay,
Before wee wist or feared it: and crying out gan say
I see yee. and confounded myght I bee with endlesse shame,
But if I make this day the last agreement of your game.
Theis woordes were spoke with such a reere as verry well became
An angry Giant. Aetna shooke with lowdnesse of the same.
I scaard therwith dopt vnderneathe the water, and the knyght
Simethus turning streyght his backe, did giue himself too flyght,
[171]
And in your kingdome mee receyue whoo perrish must streyghtway.
The roundeyd deuill made pursewt: and rending vp a fleece
Of Aetna Rocke, threw after him: of which a little peece
Did Acis ouertake. and yit as little as is was,
It ouerwhelmed Acis whole. I wretched wyght (alas)
Did that which destnyes would permit. Foorthwith I brought too passe
That Acis should receyue the force his father had before.
His scarlet blood did issue from the lump, and more and more
Within a whyle the rednesse gan too vannish: and the hew
Resembled at the first a brooke with rayne distroubled new,
Which wexeth cleere by length of tyme. Anon the lump did clyue,
And from the hollow cliffe therof hygh reedes sprang vp alyue.
And at the hollow issue of the stone the bubling water
Came trickling out. And by and by (which is a woondrous matter)
The stripling with a wreath of reede about his horned head
Auaunst his body too the waste. Whoo (saue he was that stead
Much biggar than he erst had beene, and altoogither gray)
Was Acis still. and being turnd too water, at this day
In shape of riuer still he beares his former name away.
The Lady Galat ceast her talk and streyght the companye brake.
And Neryes daughters parting thence, swam in the gentle lake.
Dame Scylla home ageine returnd. (Shee durst not her betake
Too open sea) and eyther roamd vppon the sandy shore
Stark naakt, or when for weerinesse shee could not walk no more,
Shee then withdrew her out of syght and gate her too a poole,
And in the water of the same, her heated limbes did coole.
Behold the fortune. Glaucus (whoo then being late before
Transformed in Evvboya Ile vppon Anthedon shore,
Was new becomne a dweller in the sea) as he did swim
Along the coast was tane in loue at syght of Scylla trim,
And spake such woordes as he did think myght make her tarry still.
Yit fled shee still, and swift for feare shee gate her too a hill
That butted on the Sea. ryght steepe and vpward sharp did shoote
A loftye toppe with trees, beneathe was hollowe at the foote.
Heere Scylla stayd and being sauf by strongnesse of the place,
(Not knowing if he monster were, or God, that did her chace,)
Shee looked backe. And woondring at his colour and his heare
With which his shoulders and his backe all wholly couered were,
Shee saw his neather parts were like a fish with tayle wrythde round
Who leaning too the neerest Rocke, sayd thus with lowd creere sound.
And Neryes daughters parting thence, swam in the gentle lake.
Dame Scylla home ageine returnd. (Shee durst not her betake
Too open sea) and eyther roamd vppon the sandy shore
Stark naakt, or when for weerinesse shee could not walk no more,
Shee then withdrew her out of syght and gate her too a poole,
And in the water of the same, her heated limbes did coole.
Behold the fortune. Glaucus (whoo then being late before
Transformed in Evvboya Ile vppon Anthedon shore,
Was new becomne a dweller in the sea) as he did swim
Along the coast was tane in loue at syght of Scylla trim,
And spake such woordes as he did think myght make her tarry still.
Yit fled shee still, and swift for feare shee gate her too a hill
That butted on the Sea. ryght steepe and vpward sharp did shoote
A loftye toppe with trees, beneathe was hollowe at the foote.
Heere Scylla stayd and being sauf by strongnesse of the place,
(Not knowing if he monster were, or God, that did her chace,)
172
With which his shoulders and his backe all wholly couered were,
Shee saw his neather parts were like a fish with tayle wrythde round
Who leaning too the neerest Rocke, sayd thus with lowd creere sound.
Fayre mayd, I neyther monster am nor cruell sauage beast:
But of the sea a God, whoose powre and fauour is not least.
For neyther Protevv in the sea nor Triton haue more myght
Nor yit the sonne of Athamas that now Palæmon hyght.
Yit once I was a mortall man. But you must know that I
Was giuen too seawoorkes, and in them mee only did apply.
For sumtyme I did draw the drag in which the fishes were,
And sumtyme sitting on the cliffes I angled heere and there.
There butteth on a fayre greene mede a bank wherof tone half
Is cloasd with sea, the rest is clad with herbes which neuer calf,
Nor horned Ox, nor seely sheepe, nor shakheard Goate did feede.
The busye Bee did neuer there of flowres sweete smelling speede.
No gladsum garlonds euer there were gathered for the head.
No hand those flowers euer yit with hooked sythe did shred.
I was the first that euer set my foote vppon that plot.
Now as I dryde my dropping netts, and layd abrode my lotte,
Too tell how many fishes had bychaunce too net beene sent,
Or through theyr owne too lyght beeleefe on bayted hooke beene hent:
(The matter seemeth like a lye, but what auayles too lye?)
Assoone as that my pray had towcht the grasse, it by and by
Began too moue, and flask theyr finnes, and swim vppon the drye,
As in the Sea. And as I pawsd and woondred at the syght,
My draught of fishes euerychone too seaward tooke theyr flyght,
And leaping from the shore, forsooke theyr newfound mayster quyght.
I was amazed at the thing: and standing long in dowt,
I sought the cause if any God had brought this same abowt,
Or else sum iewce of herb. And as I so did musing stand,
What herb (quoth I) hath such a powre? and gathering with my hand
The grasse, I bote it with my toothe. My throte had scarcely yit,
Well swallowed downe the vncouth iewce, when like an agew fit
I felt myne inwards soodeinly too shake, and with the same,
A loue of other nature in my brest with violence came.
And long I could it not resist: but sayd deere land adeew.
For neuer shall I haunt thee more. And with that woord I threw
My bodye in the sea. The Goddes thereof receyuing mee,
Uouchsaued in theyr order mee installed for too bee.
Desyring old Oceänus and Thetis for theyr sake,
The rest of my mortalitie away from mee too take.
They hallowed mee, and hauing sayd nyne tymes the holy ryme
That purgeth all prophanednesse, they charged mee that tyme
Too put my brestbulk vnderneathe a hundred streames. Anon
The brookes from sundry coastes and all the Seas did ryde vppon
My head. From whence as soone as I returned, by and by
I felt my self farre otherwyse through all my limbes, than I
Had beene before. and in my mynd I was another man.
Thus farre of all that mee befell make iust report I can.
Thus farre I beare in mynd. The rest my mynd perceyued not.
Then first of all this hory greene gray grisild beard I got,
And this same bush of heare which all along the seas I sweepe,
And theis same myghty shoulders, and theis grayish armes, and feete
Coonfounded intoo finned fish. But what auayleth mee
This goodly shape, and of the Goddes of sea too loued bee?
Or for too be a God my self? if they delyght not thee?
But of the sea a God, whoose powre and fauour is not least.
For neyther Protevv in the sea nor Triton haue more myght
Nor yit the sonne of Athamas that now Palæmon hyght.
Yit once I was a mortall man. But you must know that I
Was giuen too seawoorkes, and in them mee only did apply.
For sumtyme I did draw the drag in which the fishes were,
And sumtyme sitting on the cliffes I angled heere and there.
There butteth on a fayre greene mede a bank wherof tone half
Is cloasd with sea, the rest is clad with herbes which neuer calf,
Nor horned Ox, nor seely sheepe, nor shakheard Goate did feede.
The busye Bee did neuer there of flowres sweete smelling speede.
No gladsum garlonds euer there were gathered for the head.
No hand those flowers euer yit with hooked sythe did shred.
I was the first that euer set my foote vppon that plot.
Now as I dryde my dropping netts, and layd abrode my lotte,
Too tell how many fishes had bychaunce too net beene sent,
Or through theyr owne too lyght beeleefe on bayted hooke beene hent:
(The matter seemeth like a lye, but what auayles too lye?)
Assoone as that my pray had towcht the grasse, it by and by
Began too moue, and flask theyr finnes, and swim vppon the drye,
As in the Sea. And as I pawsd and woondred at the syght,
My draught of fishes euerychone too seaward tooke theyr flyght,
And leaping from the shore, forsooke theyr newfound mayster quyght.
I was amazed at the thing: and standing long in dowt,
I sought the cause if any God had brought this same abowt,
Or else sum iewce of herb. And as I so did musing stand,
What herb (quoth I) hath such a powre? and gathering with my hand
The grasse, I bote it with my toothe. My throte had scarcely yit,
Well swallowed downe the vncouth iewce, when like an agew fit
I felt myne inwards soodeinly too shake, and with the same,
A loue of other nature in my brest with violence came.
And long I could it not resist: but sayd deere land adeew.
[172]
My bodye in the sea. The Goddes thereof receyuing mee,
Uouchsaued in theyr order mee installed for too bee.
Desyring old Oceänus and Thetis for theyr sake,
The rest of my mortalitie away from mee too take.
They hallowed mee, and hauing sayd nyne tymes the holy ryme
That purgeth all prophanednesse, they charged mee that tyme
Too put my brestbulk vnderneathe a hundred streames. Anon
The brookes from sundry coastes and all the Seas did ryde vppon
My head. From whence as soone as I returned, by and by
I felt my self farre otherwyse through all my limbes, than I
Had beene before. and in my mynd I was another man.
Thus farre of all that mee befell make iust report I can.
Thus farre I beare in mynd. The rest my mynd perceyued not.
Then first of all this hory greene gray grisild beard I got,
And this same bush of heare which all along the seas I sweepe,
And theis same myghty shoulders, and theis grayish armes, and feete
Coonfounded intoo finned fish. But what auayleth mee
This goodly shape, and of the Goddes of sea too loued bee?
Or for too be a God my self? if they delyght not thee?
As he was speaking this, and still about too vtter more,
Dame Scylla him forsooke: wherat he wexing angry sore.
And beeing quickened with repulse, in rage he tooke his way
Too Circes Titans daughters Court which full of monsters lay.
Dame Scylla him forsooke: wherat he wexing angry sore.
And beeing quickened with repulse, in rage he tooke his way
Too Circes Titans daughters Court which full of monsters lay.
Finis Libri decimi tertij.
173
THE .XIIII. BOOKE OF Ouids Metamorphosis.
Now
had th' Evvboyan fisherman (whoo lately was becomme
A God of sea too dwell in sea for ay,) alreadye swomme
Past Aetna which vppon the face of Giant Typho lyes,
Toogither with the pasture of the Cyclops which defyes
Both Plough and harrowe, and by teemes of Oxen sets no store:
An Zancle, and crackt Rhegion which stands a toother shore:
And eeke the rough and shipwrecke sea which being hemmed in
With twoo mayne landes on eyther syde, is as a bound betwin
The frutefull Realmes of Italy and Sicill. From that place
He cutting through the Tyrrhene sea with both his armes a pace,
Arryued at the grassye hilles and at the Palace hye
Of Circe Phœbus imp which full of sundry beastes did lye.
When Glaucus in her presence came, and had her greeted, and
Receyued freendly welcomming and greeting at her hand,
He sayd. O Goddesse pitie mee a God I thee desyre.
Thou only (if at least thou think mee woorthy so great hyre)
Canst ease this loue of myne. No wyght dooth better know than I
The powre of herbes, whoo late ago transformed was therby.
And now too open vntoo thee of this my greef the ground,
Uppon th' Italyan shore ageinst Messene walls I found
Fayre Scylla. Shame it is too tell how scornfull shee did take
The gentle woordes and promises and sute that I did make.
But if that any powre at all consist in charmes, then let
That sacret mouth of thyne cast charmes: or if more force bee set
In herbes too compasse things withall, then vse the herbes that haue
Most strength in woorking. Neyther think, I hither come too craue
A medcine for too heale myself and cure my wounded hart:
I force no end. I would haue her bee partener of my smart.
A God of sea too dwell in sea for ay,) alreadye swomme
Past Aetna which vppon the face of Giant Typho lyes,
Toogither with the pasture of the Cyclops which defyes
Both Plough and harrowe, and by teemes of Oxen sets no store:
An Zancle, and crackt Rhegion which stands a toother shore:
And eeke the rough and shipwrecke sea which being hemmed in
With twoo mayne landes on eyther syde, is as a bound betwin
The frutefull Realmes of Italy and Sicill. From that place
He cutting through the Tyrrhene sea with both his armes a pace,
Arryued at the grassye hilles and at the Palace hye
Of Circe Phœbus imp which full of sundry beastes did lye.
When Glaucus in her presence came, and had her greeted, and
Receyued freendly welcomming and greeting at her hand,
He sayd. O Goddesse pitie mee a God I thee desyre.
Thou only (if at least thou think mee woorthy so great hyre)
Canst ease this loue of myne. No wyght dooth better know than I
The powre of herbes, whoo late ago transformed was therby.
And now too open vntoo thee of this my greef the ground,
Uppon th' Italyan shore ageinst Messene walls I found
Fayre Scylla. Shame it is too tell how scornfull shee did take
The gentle woordes and promises and sute that I did make.
But if that any powre at all consist in charmes, then let
That sacret mouth of thyne cast charmes: or if more force bee set
In herbes too compasse things withall, then vse the herbes that haue
Most strength in woorking. Neyther think, I hither come too craue
A medcine for too heale myself and cure my wounded hart:
I force no end. I would haue her bee partener of my smart.
But Circe (for no natures are more lyghtly set on fyre
Than such as shee is) (whither that the cause of this desyre
Were only in herself, or that Dame Venus bearing ay
In mynd her fathers deede in once disclosing of her play,
Did stirre her heerevntoo) sayd thus. It were a better way
For thee too fancye such a one whoose will and whole desyre
Is bent too thine, and whoo is sindgd with selfsame kynd of fyre.
Thou woorthye art of sute too thee. and (credit mee) thou shouldst
Bee woode in deede, if any hope of speeding giue thou wouldst.
And therefore dowt not. Only of thy beawtye lyking haue.
Lo, I whoo am a Goddesse and the imp of Phœbus braue,
Whoo can so much by charmes, whoo can so much by herbes, doo vow
My self too thee. If I disdeine, disdeine mee also thow.
And if I yeeld, yeeld thou likewyse: and in one only deede
Auenge thy self of twayne. Too her intreating thus too speede,
First trees shall grow (quoth Glaucus) in the sea, and reeke shall thryue
On toppes of hilles, ere I (as long as Scylla is alyue)
Doo chaunge my loue. The Goddesse wext ryght wroth: & sith she could
Not hurt his persone beeing falne in loue with him, ne would:
Shee spyghted her that was preferd before her. And vppon
Displeasure tane of this repulse, shee went her way anon.
And wicked weedes of grisly iewce toogither shee did bray,
And in the braying, witching charmes shee ouer them did say.
And putting on a russet cloke, shee passed through the rowt
Of sauage beastes that in her court came fawning round abowt,
And going vntoo Rhegion cliffe which standes ageinst the shore
Of Zancle, entred by and by the waters that doo rore
With violent tydes, vppon the which shee stood as on firme land,
And ran and neuer wet her feete awhit. There was at hand
A little plash that bowwed like a bowe that standeth bent,
Where Scylla woonted was too rest herself, and thither went
From rage of sea and ayre, what tyme the sonne amid the skye
Is whotest making shadowes short by mounting vp on hye.
This plash did Circe then infect ageinst that Scylla came,
And with her poysons which had powre most mōstrous shapes too frame
Defyled it. Shee sprincled there the iewce of venymd weedes.
And thryce nyne tymes wt witching mouth shee softly mumbling, reedes
A charme ryght darke of vncouth woordes. No sooner Scylla came
Within this plash, and too the waast had waded in the same,
But that shee sawe her hinderloynes with barking buggs atteint.
And at the first, not thinking with her body they were meynt
As parts therof, shee started back, and rated them. And sore
Shee was afrayd the eager curres should byght her. But the more
Shee shonned them, the surer still shee was too haue them there.
In seeking where her loynes, and thyghes, and feete and ancles were,
Chappes like the chappes of Cerberus in stead of them shee found.
Nought else was there than cruell curres from belly downe too ground.
So vnderneathe misshapen loynes and womb remayning sound,
Her mannish mastyes backes were ay within the water drownd.
Than such as shee is) (whither that the cause of this desyre
Were only in herself, or that Dame Venus bearing ay
In mynd her fathers deede in once disclosing of her play,
Did stirre her heerevntoo) sayd thus. It were a better way
For thee too fancye such a one whoose will and whole desyre
[173]
Thou woorthye art of sute too thee. and (credit mee) thou shouldst
Bee woode in deede, if any hope of speeding giue thou wouldst.
And therefore dowt not. Only of thy beawtye lyking haue.
Lo, I whoo am a Goddesse and the imp of Phœbus braue,
Whoo can so much by charmes, whoo can so much by herbes, doo vow
My self too thee. If I disdeine, disdeine mee also thow.
And if I yeeld, yeeld thou likewyse: and in one only deede
Auenge thy self of twayne. Too her intreating thus too speede,
First trees shall grow (quoth Glaucus) in the sea, and reeke shall thryue
On toppes of hilles, ere I (as long as Scylla is alyue)
Doo chaunge my loue. The Goddesse wext ryght wroth: & sith she could
Not hurt his persone beeing falne in loue with him, ne would:
Shee spyghted her that was preferd before her. And vppon
Displeasure tane of this repulse, shee went her way anon.
And wicked weedes of grisly iewce toogither shee did bray,
And in the braying, witching charmes shee ouer them did say.
And putting on a russet cloke, shee passed through the rowt
Of sauage beastes that in her court came fawning round abowt,
And going vntoo Rhegion cliffe which standes ageinst the shore
Of Zancle, entred by and by the waters that doo rore
With violent tydes, vppon the which shee stood as on firme land,
And ran and neuer wet her feete awhit. There was at hand
A little plash that bowwed like a bowe that standeth bent,
Where Scylla woonted was too rest herself, and thither went
From rage of sea and ayre, what tyme the sonne amid the skye
Is whotest making shadowes short by mounting vp on hye.
This plash did Circe then infect ageinst that Scylla came,
And with her poysons which had powre most mōstrous shapes too frame
Defyled it. Shee sprincled there the iewce of venymd weedes.
And thryce nyne tymes wt witching mouth shee softly mumbling, reedes
A charme ryght darke of vncouth woordes. No sooner Scylla came
Within this plash, and too the waast had waded in the same,
But that shee sawe her hinderloynes with barking buggs atteint.
And at the first, not thinking with her body they were meynt
As parts therof, shee started back, and rated them. And sore
Shee was afrayd the eager curres should byght her. But the more
174
In seeking where her loynes, and thyghes, and feete and ancles were,
Chappes like the chappes of Cerberus in stead of them shee found.
Nought else was there than cruell curres from belly downe too ground.
So vnderneathe misshapen loynes and womb remayning sound,
Her mannish mastyes backes were ay within the water drownd.
Her louer Glaucus wept therat, and Circes bed refusde
That had so passing cruelly her herbes on Scylla vsde.
But Scylla in that place abode. And for the hate shee bore
Too Circe ward, (assoone as meete occasion serude therfore)
Shee spoyld Vlysses of his mates. And shortly after, shee
Had also drownd the Troiane fleete, but that (as yit wee see)
Shee was transformd too rock of stone, which shipmen warely shonne.
When from this Rocke the Troiane fleete by force of Ores had wonne,
And from Charybdis greedye gulf, and were in maner readye
Too haue arryude in Italy, the wynd did ryse so heady,
As that it draue them backe vppon the coast of Affricke. There
The Tyrian Queene (whoo afterward vnpaciently should beare
The going of this Troiane prince away) did enterteine
Aenæas in her house, and was ryght glad of him and fayne.
Uppon a Pyle made vnderneathe pretence of sacrifyse
Shee goard herself vpon a swoord, and in most wofull wyse
As shee herself had beene beguyld: so shee beguyled all.
Eftsoone Aenæas flying from the newly reered wall
Of Carthage in that sandy land, retyred backe agen
Too Sicill, where his faythfull freend Acestes reignd. And when
He there had doone his sacrifyse, and kept an Obit at
His fathers tumb, he out of hand did mend his Gallyes that
Dame Iris Iunos messenger had burned vp almost.
And sayling thence he kept his course aloof along the coast
Of Aeolye and of Vulcanes Iles the which of brimston smoke.
And passing by the Meremayds rocks, (His Pilot by a stroke
Of tempest being drownd in sea) he sayld by Procinte, and
Inarime, and (which vppon a barreine hill dooth stand)
The land of Ape Ile, which dooth take that name of people slye
There dwelling. For the Syre of Goddes abhorring vtterly
The leawdnesse of the Cercops, and theyr wilfull periurye,
And eeke theyr guylefull dealing did transforme them euerychone
Intoo an euillfauored kynd of beast: that beeing none
They myght yit still resemble men. He knit in lesser space
Theyr members, and he beate mee flat theyr noses too theyr face,
The which he filled furrowlike with wrinckles euery where.
He clad theyr bodyes ouer all with fallow coulourd heare,
And put them intoo this same Ile too dwell for euer there.
But first he did bereeue them of the vse of speeche and toong,
Which they too cursed periurye did vse bothe old and yoong.
Too chatter hoarcely, and too shreeke, too iabber, and too squeake,
He hath them left, and for too moppe and mowe, but not too speake.
That had so passing cruelly her herbes on Scylla vsde.
But Scylla in that place abode. And for the hate shee bore
Too Circe ward, (assoone as meete occasion serude therfore)
Shee spoyld Vlysses of his mates. And shortly after, shee
Had also drownd the Troiane fleete, but that (as yit wee see)
Shee was transformd too rock of stone, which shipmen warely shonne.
When from this Rocke the Troiane fleete by force of Ores had wonne,
And from Charybdis greedye gulf, and were in maner readye
Too haue arryude in Italy, the wynd did ryse so heady,
As that it draue them backe vppon the coast of Affricke. There
The Tyrian Queene (whoo afterward vnpaciently should beare
The going of this Troiane prince away) did enterteine
Aenæas in her house, and was ryght glad of him and fayne.
Uppon a Pyle made vnderneathe pretence of sacrifyse
Shee goard herself vpon a swoord, and in most wofull wyse
As shee herself had beene beguyld: so shee beguyled all.
Eftsoone Aenæas flying from the newly reered wall
Of Carthage in that sandy land, retyred backe agen
Too Sicill, where his faythfull freend Acestes reignd. And when
He there had doone his sacrifyse, and kept an Obit at
His fathers tumb, he out of hand did mend his Gallyes that
Dame Iris Iunos messenger had burned vp almost.
And sayling thence he kept his course aloof along the coast
Of Aeolye and of Vulcanes Iles the which of brimston smoke.
And passing by the Meremayds rocks, (His Pilot by a stroke
Of tempest being drownd in sea) he sayld by Procinte, and
Inarime, and (which vppon a barreine hill dooth stand)
The land of Ape Ile, which dooth take that name of people slye
There dwelling. For the Syre of Goddes abhorring vtterly
The leawdnesse of the Cercops, and theyr wilfull periurye,
[174]
Intoo an euillfauored kynd of beast: that beeing none
They myght yit still resemble men. He knit in lesser space
Theyr members, and he beate mee flat theyr noses too theyr face,
The which he filled furrowlike with wrinckles euery where.
He clad theyr bodyes ouer all with fallow coulourd heare,
And put them intoo this same Ile too dwell for euer there.
But first he did bereeue them of the vse of speeche and toong,
Which they too cursed periurye did vse bothe old and yoong.
Too chatter hoarcely, and too shreeke, too iabber, and too squeake,
He hath them left, and for too moppe and mowe, but not too speake.
Aenæas hauing past this Ile, and on his ryght hand left
The towne of Naples, and the tumb of Mysen on his left,
Toogither with the fenny grounds: at Cumye landed, and
Went vntoo longlyvde Cybills house, with whom he went in hand
That he too see his fathers ghoste myght go by Auerne deepe.
Shee long vppon the earth in stownd her eyes did fixed keepe.
And at the length assoone as that the spryght of prophesye
Was entred her, shee raysing them did thus ageine reply.
O most renowmed wyght, of whom the godlynesse by fyre
And valeantnesse is tryde by swoord, great things thou doost requyre.
But feare not Troiane. for thou shalt bee lord of thy desyre.
Too see the reuerend image of thy deere beeloued syre,
Among the fayre Elysian feeldes where godly folke abyde,
And all the lowest kingdoomes of the world I will thee guyde.
No way too vertue is restreynd. This spoken, shee did showe
A golden bowgh that in the wood of Proserpine did growe,
And willed him too pull it from the tree. He did obey:
And sawe the powre of dreadfull hell, and where his graundsyres lay
And eeke the aged Ghost of stowt Anchises. Furthermore
He lernd the customes of the land arryvd at late before,
And what aduentures should by warre betyde him in that place.
From thence retyring vp ageine a slow and weery pace,
He did asswage the tediousnesse by talking with his guyde.
For as he in the twylyght dim this dreadfull way did ryde,
He sayëd: whither present thou thyself a Goddesse bee.
Or such a one as God dooth loue most deerly, I will thee
For euer as a Goddesse take, and will acknowledge mee
Thy seruant, for saufguyding mee the place of death too see,
And for thou from the place of death haste brought mee sauf and free.
For which desert, what tyme I shall atteyne too open ayre,
I will a temple to thee buyld ryght sumptuous, large, and fayre,
And honour thee with frankincence. The prophetisse did cast
Her eye vppon Aenæas backe, and syghing sayd at last.
I am no Goddesse. Neyther think thou canst with conscience ryght,
With holy incence honour giue too any mortall wyght.
But too thentent through ignorance thou erre not, I had beene
Eternall and of worldly lyfe I should none end haue seene,
If that I would my maydenhod on Phebus haue bestowde.
Howbeeit whyle he stood in hope too haue the same, and trowde
Too ouercome mee with his gifts, thou mayd of Cumes (quoth he)
Choose what thou wilt, and of thy wish the owner thou shalt bee.
I taking full my hand of dust, and shewing it him there,
Desyred like a foole too liue as many yeeres as were
Small graynes of cinder in that heape. I quight forgot too craue
Immediately, the race of all those yeeres in youth too haue.
Yit did he graunt mee also that, vppon condicion I
Would let him haue my maydenhod, which thing I did denye.
And so reiecting Phebus gift a single lyfe I led.
But now the blessefull tyme of youth is altoogither fled,
And irksome age with trembling pace is stolne vppon my head.
Which long I must endure. For now already as you see
Seuen hundred yeares are come and gone and that the number bee
Full matched of the granes of dust, three hundred haruestes mo
I must three hundred vintages see more before I go.
The day will come that length of tyme shall make my body small,
And little of my withered limbes shall leaue or naught at all.
And none shall think that euer God was tane in loue with mee.
Euen out of Phebus knowledge then perchaunce I growen shall bee.
Or at the least that euer he mee lovde he shall denye.
So sore I shall be altered. And then shall no mannes eye
Discerne mee. Only by my voyce I shall bee knowen. For why
The fates shall leaue mee still my voyce for folke too know mee by.
The towne of Naples, and the tumb of Mysen on his left,
Toogither with the fenny grounds: at Cumye landed, and
Went vntoo longlyvde Cybills house, with whom he went in hand
That he too see his fathers ghoste myght go by Auerne deepe.
Shee long vppon the earth in stownd her eyes did fixed keepe.
And at the length assoone as that the spryght of prophesye
Was entred her, shee raysing them did thus ageine reply.
O most renowmed wyght, of whom the godlynesse by fyre
And valeantnesse is tryde by swoord, great things thou doost requyre.
But feare not Troiane. for thou shalt bee lord of thy desyre.
Too see the reuerend image of thy deere beeloued syre,
Among the fayre Elysian feeldes where godly folke abyde,
And all the lowest kingdoomes of the world I will thee guyde.
No way too vertue is restreynd. This spoken, shee did showe
A golden bowgh that in the wood of Proserpine did growe,
And willed him too pull it from the tree. He did obey:
And sawe the powre of dreadfull hell, and where his graundsyres lay
And eeke the aged Ghost of stowt Anchises. Furthermore
He lernd the customes of the land arryvd at late before,
And what aduentures should by warre betyde him in that place.
From thence retyring vp ageine a slow and weery pace,
He did asswage the tediousnesse by talking with his guyde.
For as he in the twylyght dim this dreadfull way did ryde,
He sayëd: whither present thou thyself a Goddesse bee.
Or such a one as God dooth loue most deerly, I will thee
175
Thy seruant, for saufguyding mee the place of death too see,
And for thou from the place of death haste brought mee sauf and free.
For which desert, what tyme I shall atteyne too open ayre,
I will a temple to thee buyld ryght sumptuous, large, and fayre,
And honour thee with frankincence. The prophetisse did cast
Her eye vppon Aenæas backe, and syghing sayd at last.
I am no Goddesse. Neyther think thou canst with conscience ryght,
With holy incence honour giue too any mortall wyght.
But too thentent through ignorance thou erre not, I had beene
Eternall and of worldly lyfe I should none end haue seene,
If that I would my maydenhod on Phebus haue bestowde.
Howbeeit whyle he stood in hope too haue the same, and trowde
Too ouercome mee with his gifts, thou mayd of Cumes (quoth he)
Choose what thou wilt, and of thy wish the owner thou shalt bee.
I taking full my hand of dust, and shewing it him there,
Desyred like a foole too liue as many yeeres as were
Small graynes of cinder in that heape. I quight forgot too craue
Immediately, the race of all those yeeres in youth too haue.
Yit did he graunt mee also that, vppon condicion I
Would let him haue my maydenhod, which thing I did denye.
And so reiecting Phebus gift a single lyfe I led.
But now the blessefull tyme of youth is altoogither fled,
And irksome age with trembling pace is stolne vppon my head.
Which long I must endure. For now already as you see
Seuen hundred yeares are come and gone and that the number bee
Full matched of the granes of dust, three hundred haruestes mo
I must three hundred vintages see more before I go.
The day will come that length of tyme shall make my body small,
And little of my withered limbes shall leaue or naught at all.
And none shall think that euer God was tane in loue with mee.
Euen out of Phebus knowledge then perchaunce I growen shall bee.
Or at the least that euer he mee lovde he shall denye.
So sore I shall be altered. And then shall no mannes eye
Discerne mee. Only by my voyce I shall bee knowen. For why
The fates shall leaue mee still my voyce for folke too know mee by.
As Sybill in the vaulted way such talk as this did frame,
The Troiane knyght Aenæas vp at Cumes fro Limbo came.
And hauing doone the sacrifyse accustomd for the same,
He tooke his iourney too the coast which had not yit the name
Receyued of his nurce. In this same place he found a mate
Of wyse Vlysses Macare of Neritus whoo late
Before, had after all his long and tediouse toyles, there stayd.
He spying Achemenides (whom late ago afrayd
They had among mount Aetnas Cliffs abandond when they fled
From Polypheme:) and woondring for too see he was not dead,
Sayd thus. O Achemenides, what chaunce, or rather what
Good God hathe savde the lyfe of thee? What is the reason that
A barbrous shippe beares thee a Greeke? or whither saylest thou?
[175]
And hauing doone the sacrifyse accustomd for the same,
He tooke his iourney too the coast which had not yit the name
Receyued of his nurce. In this same place he found a mate
Of wyse Vlysses Macare of Neritus whoo late
Before, had after all his long and tediouse toyles, there stayd.
He spying Achemenides (whom late ago afrayd
They had among mount Aetnas Cliffs abandond when they fled
From Polypheme:) and woondring for too see he was not dead,
Sayd thus. O Achemenides, what chaunce, or rather what
Good God hathe savde the lyfe of thee? What is the reason that
A barbrous shippe beares thee a Greeke? or whither saylest thou?
Too him thus, Achemenides his owne man freely now
And not forgrowen as one forlorne, nor clad in bristled hyde,
Made answer. Yit ageine I would I should in perrill byde
Of Polypheme, and that I myght those chappes of his behold
Beesmeared with the blood of men, but if that I doo hold
This shippe more deere than all the Realme of wyse Vlysses, or
If lesser of Aenæas I doo make account than for
My father. neyther (though I did as much as doone myght bee,)
I could ynough bee thankfull for his goodnesse towards mee.
That I still speake and breathe: That I the Sun and heauen doo see:
Is his gift. Can I thanklesse then or myndlesse of him bee?
That downe the round eyed gyants throte this soule of myne went not?
And that from hencefoorth when too dye it euer be my lot
I may bee layd in graue, or sure not in the Gyants mawe?
What hart had I that tyme (at least if feare did not withdrawe
Both hart and sence) when left behynd, you taking shippe I sawe?
I would haue called after you but that I was afrayd
By making outcrye too my fo myself too haue beewrayd.
For euen the noyse that you did make did put Vlysses shippe
In daunger. I did see him from a cragged mountaine strippe
A myghty rocke, and intoo sea it throwe midway and more.
Ageine I sawe his giants pawe throwe howge big stones great store
As if it were a sling. And sore I feared least your shippe
Should drowned by the water bee that from the stones did skippe,
Or by the stones themselues, as if my self had beene therin.
But when that flyght had saued you from death, he did begin
On Aetna syghing vp and downe too walke: and with his pawes
Went groping of the trees among the woodes. And forbycause
He could not see, he knockt his shinnes ageinst the rocks eche where.
And stretching out his grisly armes (which all beegrymed were
With baken blood) too seaward, he the Greekish nation band,
And sayd. O if that sum good chaunce myght bring vntoo my hand
Vlysses or sum mate of his, on whom too wreake myne ire.
Uppon whose bowells with my teeth I like a Hawke myght tyre:
Whose liuing members myght with theis my talants teared beene.
Whoose blood myght bubble down my throte: whose flesh myght pant betweene
My iawes: how lyght or none at all this losing of myne eye
Would seeme? Theis woordes and many mo the cruell feend did cry.
A shuddring horror perced mee too see his smudged face,
And cruell handes, and in his frunt the fowle round eyelesse place,
And monstruous members, and his beard beslowbered with the blood
Of man. Before myne eyes then death the smallest sorrow stood.
I loked euery minute too bee seased in his pawe.
I looked euer when he should haue cramd mee in his mawe.
And in my mynd I of that tyme mee thought the image sawe
When hauing dingd a doozen of our fellowes too the grownd
And lying lyke a Lyon feerce or hunger sterued hownd
Uppon them, very eagerly he downe his greedy gut
Theyr bowwels and theyr limbes yit more than half aliue did put,
And with theyr flesh toogither crasht the bones and maree whyght.
I trembling like an aspen leaf stood sad and bloodlesse quyght.
And in beholding how he fed and belked vp againe
His bloody vittells at his mouth, and vttred out amayne
The clottred gobbets mixt with wyne, I thus surmysde: like lot
Hangs ouer my head now, and I must also go too pot.
And hyding mee for many dayes, and quaking horribly
At euery noyse, and dreading death, and wisshing for too dye,
Appeasing hunger with the leaues of trees, and herbes and mast,
Alone, and poore, and footelesse, and too death and pennance cast,
A long tyme after I espyde this shippe a farre at last,
And ronning downeward too the sea by signes did succour seeke.
Where fynding grace, this Troiane shippe receyued mee a Greeke.
But now I prey thee gentle freend declare thou vntoo mee
Thy Capteines and thy fellowes lucke that tooke the sea with thee.
And not forgrowen as one forlorne, nor clad in bristled hyde,
Made answer. Yit ageine I would I should in perrill byde
Of Polypheme, and that I myght those chappes of his behold
Beesmeared with the blood of men, but if that I doo hold
This shippe more deere than all the Realme of wyse Vlysses, or
If lesser of Aenæas I doo make account than for
My father. neyther (though I did as much as doone myght bee,)
I could ynough bee thankfull for his goodnesse towards mee.
That I still speake and breathe: That I the Sun and heauen doo see:
Is his gift. Can I thanklesse then or myndlesse of him bee?
That downe the round eyed gyants throte this soule of myne went not?
And that from hencefoorth when too dye it euer be my lot
I may bee layd in graue, or sure not in the Gyants mawe?
What hart had I that tyme (at least if feare did not withdrawe
Both hart and sence) when left behynd, you taking shippe I sawe?
I would haue called after you but that I was afrayd
By making outcrye too my fo myself too haue beewrayd.
For euen the noyse that you did make did put Vlysses shippe
In daunger. I did see him from a cragged mountaine strippe
A myghty rocke, and intoo sea it throwe midway and more.
Ageine I sawe his giants pawe throwe howge big stones great store
As if it were a sling. And sore I feared least your shippe
Should drowned by the water bee that from the stones did skippe,
Or by the stones themselues, as if my self had beene therin.
176
On Aetna syghing vp and downe too walke: and with his pawes
Went groping of the trees among the woodes. And forbycause
He could not see, he knockt his shinnes ageinst the rocks eche where.
And stretching out his grisly armes (which all beegrymed were
With baken blood) too seaward, he the Greekish nation band,
And sayd. O if that sum good chaunce myght bring vntoo my hand
Vlysses or sum mate of his, on whom too wreake myne ire.
Uppon whose bowells with my teeth I like a Hawke myght tyre:
Whose liuing members myght with theis my talants teared beene.
Whoose blood myght bubble down my throte: whose flesh myght pant betweene
My iawes: how lyght or none at all this losing of myne eye
Would seeme? Theis woordes and many mo the cruell feend did cry.
A shuddring horror perced mee too see his smudged face,
And cruell handes, and in his frunt the fowle round eyelesse place,
And monstruous members, and his beard beslowbered with the blood
Of man. Before myne eyes then death the smallest sorrow stood.
I loked euery minute too bee seased in his pawe.
I looked euer when he should haue cramd mee in his mawe.
And in my mynd I of that tyme mee thought the image sawe
When hauing dingd a doozen of our fellowes too the grownd
And lying lyke a Lyon feerce or hunger sterued hownd
Uppon them, very eagerly he downe his greedy gut
Theyr bowwels and theyr limbes yit more than half aliue did put,
And with theyr flesh toogither crasht the bones and maree whyght.
I trembling like an aspen leaf stood sad and bloodlesse quyght.
And in beholding how he fed and belked vp againe
His bloody vittells at his mouth, and vttred out amayne
The clottred gobbets mixt with wyne, I thus surmysde: like lot
Hangs ouer my head now, and I must also go too pot.
And hyding mee for many dayes, and quaking horribly
At euery noyse, and dreading death, and wisshing for too dye,
Appeasing hunger with the leaues of trees, and herbes and mast,
Alone, and poore, and footelesse, and too death and pennance cast,
A long tyme after I espyde this shippe a farre at last,
And ronning downeward too the sea by signes did succour seeke.
Where fynding grace, this Troiane shippe receyued mee a Greeke.
[176]
Thy Capteines and thy fellowes lucke that tooke the sea with thee.
He told him how that Aeölus the sonne of Hippot, hea
That keepes the wyndes in pryson cloce did reigne in Tuskane sea.
And how Vlysses hauing at his hand a noble gift
The wynd enclosde in leather bagges, did sayle with prosperous drift
nyne dayes toogither: insomuch they came within the syght
Of home: but on the tenth day when the morning gan giue lyght,
His fellowes being somewhat toucht with couetousenesse and spyght.
Supposing that it had beene gold, did let the wyndes out quyght.
The which returning whence they came, did driue them backe a mayne
That in the Realme of Aeölus they went a land agayne.
From thence (quoth he) we came vntoo the auncient Lamyes towne
Of which the feerce Antiphates that season ware the crowne.
A cowple of my mates and I were sent vntoo him: and
A mate of myne and I could scarce by flyght escape his hand.
The third of vs did with his blood embrew the wicked face
Of leawd Antiphate, whoo with swoord vs flying thence did chace,
And following after with a rowt threw stones and loggs which drownd
Both men and shippes. Howbeeit one by chaunce escaped sound,
Which bare Vlysses and my self. So hauing lost most part
Of all our deare companions, we with sad and sory hart
And much complayning, did arryue at yoonder coast which yow
May ken farre hence. A great way hence (I say) wee see it now
But trust mee truly ouer neere I saw it once. And thow
Aenæas Goddesse Venus sonne the iustest knight of all
The Troiane race (for sith the warre is doone, I can not call
thee fo) I warne thee get thee farre from Circes dwelling place.
For when our shippes arryued there, remembring eft the cace
Of cruell king Antiphates, and of that hellish wyght
The round eyed gyant Polypheme, wee had so small delyght
Too visit vncowth places, that wee sayd wee would not go.
Then cast we lotts. The lot fell out vppon myself as tho,
And Polyte, and Eurylocus, and on Elpenor who
Delyghted too too much in wyne, and eyghteene other mo.
All wee did go too Circes house. Assoone as wee came thither,
And in the portall of the Hall had set our feete toogither,
A thousand Lyons woolues and beares did put vs in a feare
By meeting vs. But none of them was too bee feared there.
For none of them could doo vs harme: but with a gentle looke
And following vs with fawning feete theyr wanton tayles they shooke.
Anon did Damzells welcome vs and led vs through the hall
(The which was made of marble stone, floore, arches, roof, and wall)
Too Circe. Shee sate vnderneathe a trauerse in a chayre
Aloft ryght rich and stately, in a chamber large and fayre.
Shee ware a goodly longtreynd gowne: and all her rest attyre
Was euery whit of goldsmithes woork. There sate mee also by her
The Seanymphes and her Ladyes whoose fyne fingers neuer knew
What toozing wooll did meene, nor threede from whorled spindle drew.
They sorted herbes, and picking out the flowers that were mixt,
Did put them intoo mawnds, and with indifferent space betwixt,
Did lay the leaues and stalks on heapes according too theyr hew.
And shee herself the woork of them did ouersee and vew.
The vertue and the vse of them ryght perfectly shee knew,
And in what leaf it lay, and which in mixture would agree.
And so perusing euery herb by good aduysement, shee
Did wey them out. Assoone as shee vs entring in did see,
And greeting had bothe giuen and tane, shee looked cheerefully,
And graunting all that wee desyrde, commaunded by and by
A certeine potion too bee made of barly parched drye
And wyne and hony mixt with cheese. and with the same shee slye
Had meynt the iewce of certeine herbes which vnespyde did lye
By reason of the sweetenesse of the drink. Wee tooke the cup
Deliuered by her wicked hand, and quaft it cleerely vp
With thirstye throtes. Which doone, and that the cursed witch had smit
Our highest heare tippes with her wand, (it is a shame, but yit
I will declare the truth) I wext all rough with bristled heare,
And could not make complaint with woordes. In stead of speech I there
Did make a rawghtish grunting, and with groueling face gan beare
My visage downeward too the ground. I felt a hooked groyne
Too wexen hard vppon my mouth, and brawned neck too ioyne
My head and shoulders. And the handes with which I late ago
Had taken vp the charmed cup, were turnd too feete as tho.
Such force there is in Sorcerie. In fyne wyth other mo
That tasted of the selfsame sawce, they shet mee in a Stye.
From this missehappe Furilochus alonly scapte. For why
He only would not taste the cup. which had he not fled fro,
He should haue beene a bristled beast as well as we. And so
Should none haue borne Vlysses woorde of our mischaunce, nor hee
Haue cōme too Circe too reuenge our harmes and set vs free.
The peaceprocurer Mercurie had giuen too him a whyght
Fayre flowre whoose roote is black, and of the Goddes it Moly hyght
Assurde by this and heauenly hestes, he entred Circes bowre.
And beeing bidden for too drink the cup of balefull powre,
As Circe was about too stroke her wand vppon his heare,
He thrust her backe, and put her with his naked swoord in feare.
Then fell they too agreement streyght, and fayth in hand was plyght.
And beeing made her bedfellowe, he claymed as in ryght
Of dowrye, for too haue his men ageine in perfect plyght.
Shee sprincled vs with better iewce of vncowth herbes, and strake
The awk end of her charmed rod vppon our heades, and spake
Woordes too the former contrarie. The more shee charmd, the more
Arose wee vpward from the ground on which wee daarde before.
Our bristles fell away, the clift our clouen clees forsooke.
Our shoulders did returne agein: and next our elbowes tooke
Our armes and handes theyr former place. Then weeping wee enbrace
Our Lord, and hing about his necke whoo also wept apace.
And not a woord wee rather spake than such as myght appeere
From harts most thankfull too proceede. Wee taryed theyr a yeere
That keepes the wyndes in pryson cloce did reigne in Tuskane sea.
And how Vlysses hauing at his hand a noble gift
The wynd enclosde in leather bagges, did sayle with prosperous drift
nyne dayes toogither: insomuch they came within the syght
Of home: but on the tenth day when the morning gan giue lyght,
His fellowes being somewhat toucht with couetousenesse and spyght.
Supposing that it had beene gold, did let the wyndes out quyght.
The which returning whence they came, did driue them backe a mayne
That in the Realme of Aeölus they went a land agayne.
From thence (quoth he) we came vntoo the auncient Lamyes towne
Of which the feerce Antiphates that season ware the crowne.
A cowple of my mates and I were sent vntoo him: and
A mate of myne and I could scarce by flyght escape his hand.
The third of vs did with his blood embrew the wicked face
Of leawd Antiphate, whoo with swoord vs flying thence did chace,
And following after with a rowt threw stones and loggs which drownd
Both men and shippes. Howbeeit one by chaunce escaped sound,
Which bare Vlysses and my self. So hauing lost most part
Of all our deare companions, we with sad and sory hart
And much complayning, did arryue at yoonder coast which yow
May ken farre hence. A great way hence (I say) wee see it now
But trust mee truly ouer neere I saw it once. And thow
Aenæas Goddesse Venus sonne the iustest knight of all
The Troiane race (for sith the warre is doone, I can not call
thee fo) I warne thee get thee farre from Circes dwelling place.
For when our shippes arryued there, remembring eft the cace
Of cruell king Antiphates, and of that hellish wyght
The round eyed gyant Polypheme, wee had so small delyght
Too visit vncowth places, that wee sayd wee would not go.
Then cast we lotts. The lot fell out vppon myself as tho,
And Polyte, and Eurylocus, and on Elpenor who
Delyghted too too much in wyne, and eyghteene other mo.
All wee did go too Circes house. Assoone as wee came thither,
And in the portall of the Hall had set our feete toogither,
177
By meeting vs. But none of them was too bee feared there.
For none of them could doo vs harme: but with a gentle looke
And following vs with fawning feete theyr wanton tayles they shooke.
Anon did Damzells welcome vs and led vs through the hall
(The which was made of marble stone, floore, arches, roof, and wall)
Too Circe. Shee sate vnderneathe a trauerse in a chayre
Aloft ryght rich and stately, in a chamber large and fayre.
Shee ware a goodly longtreynd gowne: and all her rest attyre
Was euery whit of goldsmithes woork. There sate mee also by her
The Seanymphes and her Ladyes whoose fyne fingers neuer knew
What toozing wooll did meene, nor threede from whorled spindle drew.
They sorted herbes, and picking out the flowers that were mixt,
Did put them intoo mawnds, and with indifferent space betwixt,
Did lay the leaues and stalks on heapes according too theyr hew.
And shee herself the woork of them did ouersee and vew.
The vertue and the vse of them ryght perfectly shee knew,
And in what leaf it lay, and which in mixture would agree.
And so perusing euery herb by good aduysement, shee
Did wey them out. Assoone as shee vs entring in did see,
And greeting had bothe giuen and tane, shee looked cheerefully,
And graunting all that wee desyrde, commaunded by and by
A certeine potion too bee made of barly parched drye
And wyne and hony mixt with cheese. and with the same shee slye
Had meynt the iewce of certeine herbes which vnespyde did lye
By reason of the sweetenesse of the drink. Wee tooke the cup
Deliuered by her wicked hand, and quaft it cleerely vp
With thirstye throtes. Which doone, and that the cursed witch had smit
Our highest heare tippes with her wand, (it is a shame, but yit
I will declare the truth) I wext all rough with bristled heare,
And could not make complaint with woordes. In stead of speech I there
Did make a rawghtish grunting, and with groueling face gan beare
My visage downeward too the ground. I felt a hooked groyne
Too wexen hard vppon my mouth, and brawned neck too ioyne
My head and shoulders. And the handes with which I late ago
Had taken vp the charmed cup, were turnd too feete as tho.
Such force there is in Sorcerie. In fyne wyth other mo
[177]
From this missehappe Furilochus alonly scapte. For why
He only would not taste the cup. which had he not fled fro,
He should haue beene a bristled beast as well as we. And so
Should none haue borne Vlysses woorde of our mischaunce, nor hee
Haue cōme too Circe too reuenge our harmes and set vs free.
The peaceprocurer Mercurie had giuen too him a whyght
Fayre flowre whoose roote is black, and of the Goddes it Moly hyght
Assurde by this and heauenly hestes, he entred Circes bowre.
And beeing bidden for too drink the cup of balefull powre,
As Circe was about too stroke her wand vppon his heare,
He thrust her backe, and put her with his naked swoord in feare.
Then fell they too agreement streyght, and fayth in hand was plyght.
And beeing made her bedfellowe, he claymed as in ryght
Of dowrye, for too haue his men ageine in perfect plyght.
Shee sprincled vs with better iewce of vncowth herbes, and strake
The awk end of her charmed rod vppon our heades, and spake
Woordes too the former contrarie. The more shee charmd, the more
Arose wee vpward from the ground on which wee daarde before.
Our bristles fell away, the clift our clouen clees forsooke.
Our shoulders did returne agein: and next our elbowes tooke
Our armes and handes theyr former place. Then weeping wee enbrace
Our Lord, and hing about his necke whoo also wept apace.
And not a woord wee rather spake than such as myght appeere
From harts most thankfull too proceede. Wee taryed theyr a yeere
I in that whyle sawe many things, and many things did heere.
I marked also this one thing with store of other geere
Which one of Circes fowre cheef maydes (whoose office was alway
Uppon such hallowes too attend) did secretly bewray
Too mee. For in the whyle my Lord with Circe kept alone,
This mayd a yoong mannes image sheawd of fayre whyght marble stone
Within a Chauncell. On the head therof were garlonds store
And eeke a woodspecke. And as I demaunded her wherfore
And whoo it was they honord so in holy Church, and why
He bare that bird vppon his head: Shee answeering by and by
Sayd: lerne hereby sir Macare too vnderstand the powre
My Lady hathe, and marke thou well what I shall say this howre.
I marked also this one thing with store of other geere
Which one of Circes fowre cheef maydes (whoose office was alway
Uppon such hallowes too attend) did secretly bewray
Too mee. For in the whyle my Lord with Circe kept alone,
This mayd a yoong mannes image sheawd of fayre whyght marble stone
Within a Chauncell. On the head therof were garlonds store
And eeke a woodspecke. And as I demaunded her wherfore
And whoo it was they honord so in holy Church, and why
He bare that bird vppon his head: Shee answeering by and by
Sayd: lerne hereby sir Macare too vnderstand the powre
My Lady hathe, and marke thou well what I shall say this howre.
178
There reignd erewhyle in Italy one Picus Saturnes sonne
Whoo loued warlike horse and had delyght too see them ronne.
He was of feature as yee see. And by this image heere
The verry beawtye of the man dooth lyuelely appeere.
His courage matcht his personage. And scarcely had he well
Seene twentye yeeres. His countnance did allure the nymphes yt dwell
Among the Latian hilles. The nymphes of fountaines and of brookes,
As those that haunted Albula were rauisht with his lookes
And so were they that Numicke beares, and Anio too, and Alme
That ronneth short, and heady Nar, and Farfar coole and calme.
And all the nymphes that vsde too haunt Dianas shadye poole,
Or any lakes or meeres neere hand, or other waters coole.
But he disdeyning all the rest did set his loue vppon
A lady whom Venilia bare (so fame reporteth) on
The stately mountayne Palatine by Ianus that dooth beare
The dowble face. Assoone as that her yeeres for maryage were
Thought able, shee preferring him before all other men,
Was wedded too this Picus whoo was king of Lavvrents then.
Shee was in beawtye excellent. but yit in singing, much
More excellent: and thervppon they naamd her Singer. Such
The sweetenesse of her musicke was, that shee therwith delyghts
The sauage beastes, and caused birdes too cease theyr wandring flyghts,
And moued stones and trees, and made the ronning streames too stay.
Now whyle that she in womans tune recordes her pleasant lay
At home, her husband rode abrode vppon a lustye horse
Too hunt the Boare, and bare in hand twoo hunting staues of force.
His cloke was crymzen butned with a golden button fast.
Intoo the selfsame forest eeke was Phebus daughter past
From those same feeldes that of herself the name of Circe beare,
Too gather vncowth herbes among the frutefull hillocks there.
Assoone as lurking in the shrubbes shee did the king espye,
Shee was astrawght. Downe fell her herbes too ground. And by and by
Through all her bones the flame of loue the maree gan too frye.
And when shee from this forced heate had cald her witts agen,
Shee purposde too bewray her mynd. But vntoo him as then
Shee could not come for swiftnesse of his horse and for his men
That garded him on euery syde. Yit shalt thou not (quoth shee)
So shift thee fro my handes although the wynd should carrye thee,
If I doo knowe myself, if all the strength of herbes fayle not,
Or if I haue not quyght and cleene my charmes and spelles forgotte.
In saying theis same woordes, shee made the likenesse of a Boare
Without a body, causing it too swiftly passe before
King Picus eyes, and for too seeme too get him too the woode,
Where for the thickenesse of the trees a horse myght doo no good.
Immediatly the king vnwares a whote pursute did make
Uppon the shadowe of his pray, and quikly did forsake
His foming horses sweating backe: and following vayne wan hope,
Did runne a foote among the woodes, and through the bushes crope.
Then Circe fell a mumbling spelles, and praying like a witch
Did honour straunge & vncowth Goddes wt vncowth charmes, by which
Shee vsde too make the moone looke dark, and wrappe her fathers head
In watry clowdes. And then likewyse the heauen was ouerspred
With darknesse, and a foggye mist steamd vpward from the ground.
And neare a man about the king too gard him could bee found,
But euery man in blynd by wayes ran scattring in the chace,
Through her inchauntments. At the length shee getting tyme & place,
Sayd. By those lyghtsum eyes of thyne which late haue rauisht myne,
And by that goodly personage and louely face of thyne,
The which compelleth mee that am a Goddesse too enclyne
Too make this humble sute too thee that art a mortall wyght,
Asswage my flame. and make this sonne (whoo by his heauenly syght
Foresees all things) thy fathrinlawe: and hardly hold not scorne
Of Circe whoo by long discent of Titans stocke am borne.
Thus much sayd Circe. He ryght feerce reiecting her request,
And her, sayd: whooso ere thou art go set thy hart at rest.
I am not thyne, nor will not bee. Another holdes my hart:
And long God graunt shee may it hold, that I may neuer start
Too leawdnesse of a forreine lust from bond of lawfull bed,
As long as Ianus daughter my sweete singer is not dead.
Dame Circe hauing oft renewd her sute in vayne beefore,
Sayd: dearely shalt thou by thy scorne. For neuer shalt thou more
Returne too Singer. Thou shalt lerne by proof what one can doo
That is prouoked, and in loue, yea and a woman too.
But Circe is bothe stird too wrath, and also tane in loue,
Yea and a woman. Twyce her face too westward she did moue,
And twyce too Eastward. Thryce shee layd her rod vppon his head.
And therwithall three charmes shee cast. Away king Picus fled.
And woondring that he fled more swift than earst he had beene woont,
He saw the fethers on his skin, and at the sodein brunt
Became a bird that haunts the wooddes. wherat he taking spyght,
With angrye bill did iob vppon hard Okes with all his myght,
And in his moode made hollowe holes vppon theyr boughes. The hew
Of Crimzen which was in his cloke, vppon his fethers grew.
The gold that was a clasp and did his cloke toogither hold,
Is fethers, and about his necke goes circlewyse like gold.
His seruants luring in that whyle oft ouer all the ground
In vayne, and fynding no where of theyr kyng no incling, found
Dame Circe. (For by that tyme shee had made the ayër sheere,
And suffred both the sonne and wyndes the mistye steames too cleere)
And charging her with matter trew, demaunded for theyr kyng,
And offring force, began theyr darts and Iauelings for too fling.
Shee sprincling noysom venim streyght and iewce of poysoning myght,
Did call toogither Eribus and Chaos, and the nyght,
And all the feendes of darknesse, and with howling out along
Made prayers vntoo Hecate. Scarce ended was her song,
But that (a woondrous thing too tell) the woodes lept from theyr place
The ground did grone: the trees neere hand lookt pale in all the chace:
The grasse besprent with droppes of blood lookt red: the stones did seeme
Too roare and bellow hoarce: and doggs too howle and raze extreeme:
And all the ground too crawle wt snakes blacke scaald: & gastly spryghts
Fly whisking vp and downe. The folke were flayghted at theis syghts.
And as they woondring stood amaazd, shee strokte her witching wand
Uppon theyr faces. At the touche wherof, there out of hand
Came woondrous shapes of sauage beastes vppon them all. Not one
Reteyned still his natiue shape. The setting sonne was gone
Beyond the vtmost coast of Spaine, and Singer longd in vayne
Too see her husband. Bothe her folke and people ran agayne
Through all the woodes. And euer as they went, they sent theyr eyes
Before them for too fynd him out, but no man him espyes.
Then Singer thought it not ynough too weepe and teare her heare,
And beat herself (all which shee did.) Shee gate abrode, and there
Raundgd ouer all the broade wyld feelds like one besyds her witts.
Six nyghts and full as many dayes (as fortune led by fitts)
She strayd mee ouer hilles and dales, and neuer tasted rest,
Nor meate, nor drink of all the whyle. The seuenth day, sore opprest
And tyred bothe with trauell and with sorrowe, downe shee sate
Uppon cold Tybers bank, and there with teares in moorning rate
Shee warbling on her greef in tune not shirle nor ouer hye,
Did make her moane, as dooth the swan: whoo ready for too dye
Dooth sing his buriall song before. Her maree molt at last
With moorning, and shee pynde away: and finally shee past
Too lither ayre. But yit her fame remayned in the place.
For why the auncient husbandmen according too the cace,
Did name it Singer of the nymph that dyed in the same.
Of such as these are, many things that yeere by fortune came
Bothe too my heering and my sight. Wee wexing resty then
And sluggs by discontinuance, were commaunded yit agen
Too go a boord and hoyse vp sayles. And Circe told vs all
That long and dowtfull passage and rowgh seas should vs befall.
I promis thee those woordes of hers mee throughly made afrayd:
And therfore hither I mee gate, and heere I haue mee stayd.
Whoo loued warlike horse and had delyght too see them ronne.
He was of feature as yee see. And by this image heere
The verry beawtye of the man dooth lyuelely appeere.
His courage matcht his personage. And scarcely had he well
Seene twentye yeeres. His countnance did allure the nymphes yt dwell
Among the Latian hilles. The nymphes of fountaines and of brookes,
As those that haunted Albula were rauisht with his lookes
And so were they that Numicke beares, and Anio too, and Alme
That ronneth short, and heady Nar, and Farfar coole and calme.
And all the nymphes that vsde too haunt Dianas shadye poole,
Or any lakes or meeres neere hand, or other waters coole.
But he disdeyning all the rest did set his loue vppon
A lady whom Venilia bare (so fame reporteth) on
The stately mountayne Palatine by Ianus that dooth beare
The dowble face. Assoone as that her yeeres for maryage were
Thought able, shee preferring him before all other men,
Was wedded too this Picus whoo was king of Lavvrents then.
Shee was in beawtye excellent. but yit in singing, much
More excellent: and thervppon they naamd her Singer. Such
The sweetenesse of her musicke was, that shee therwith delyghts
The sauage beastes, and caused birdes too cease theyr wandring flyghts,
And moued stones and trees, and made the ronning streames too stay.
Now whyle that she in womans tune recordes her pleasant lay
At home, her husband rode abrode vppon a lustye horse
Too hunt the Boare, and bare in hand twoo hunting staues of force.
His cloke was crymzen butned with a golden button fast.
Intoo the selfsame forest eeke was Phebus daughter past
From those same feeldes that of herself the name of Circe beare,
Too gather vncowth herbes among the frutefull hillocks there.
Assoone as lurking in the shrubbes shee did the king espye,
Shee was astrawght. Downe fell her herbes too ground. And by and by
Through all her bones the flame of loue the maree gan too frye.
And when shee from this forced heate had cald her witts agen,
Shee purposde too bewray her mynd. But vntoo him as then
Shee could not come for swiftnesse of his horse and for his men
That garded him on euery syde. Yit shalt thou not (quoth shee)
[178]
If I doo knowe myself, if all the strength of herbes fayle not,
Or if I haue not quyght and cleene my charmes and spelles forgotte.
In saying theis same woordes, shee made the likenesse of a Boare
Without a body, causing it too swiftly passe before
King Picus eyes, and for too seeme too get him too the woode,
Where for the thickenesse of the trees a horse myght doo no good.
Immediatly the king vnwares a whote pursute did make
Uppon the shadowe of his pray, and quikly did forsake
His foming horses sweating backe: and following vayne wan hope,
Did runne a foote among the woodes, and through the bushes crope.
Then Circe fell a mumbling spelles, and praying like a witch
Did honour straunge & vncowth Goddes wt vncowth charmes, by which
Shee vsde too make the moone looke dark, and wrappe her fathers head
In watry clowdes. And then likewyse the heauen was ouerspred
With darknesse, and a foggye mist steamd vpward from the ground.
And neare a man about the king too gard him could bee found,
But euery man in blynd by wayes ran scattring in the chace,
Through her inchauntments. At the length shee getting tyme & place,
Sayd. By those lyghtsum eyes of thyne which late haue rauisht myne,
And by that goodly personage and louely face of thyne,
The which compelleth mee that am a Goddesse too enclyne
Too make this humble sute too thee that art a mortall wyght,
Asswage my flame. and make this sonne (whoo by his heauenly syght
Foresees all things) thy fathrinlawe: and hardly hold not scorne
Of Circe whoo by long discent of Titans stocke am borne.
Thus much sayd Circe. He ryght feerce reiecting her request,
And her, sayd: whooso ere thou art go set thy hart at rest.
I am not thyne, nor will not bee. Another holdes my hart:
And long God graunt shee may it hold, that I may neuer start
Too leawdnesse of a forreine lust from bond of lawfull bed,
As long as Ianus daughter my sweete singer is not dead.
Dame Circe hauing oft renewd her sute in vayne beefore,
Sayd: dearely shalt thou by thy scorne. For neuer shalt thou more
Returne too Singer. Thou shalt lerne by proof what one can doo
That is prouoked, and in loue, yea and a woman too.
But Circe is bothe stird too wrath, and also tane in loue,
179
And twyce too Eastward. Thryce shee layd her rod vppon his head.
And therwithall three charmes shee cast. Away king Picus fled.
And woondring that he fled more swift than earst he had beene woont,
He saw the fethers on his skin, and at the sodein brunt
Became a bird that haunts the wooddes. wherat he taking spyght,
With angrye bill did iob vppon hard Okes with all his myght,
And in his moode made hollowe holes vppon theyr boughes. The hew
Of Crimzen which was in his cloke, vppon his fethers grew.
The gold that was a clasp and did his cloke toogither hold,
Is fethers, and about his necke goes circlewyse like gold.
His seruants luring in that whyle oft ouer all the ground
In vayne, and fynding no where of theyr kyng no incling, found
Dame Circe. (For by that tyme shee had made the ayër sheere,
And suffred both the sonne and wyndes the mistye steames too cleere)
And charging her with matter trew, demaunded for theyr kyng,
And offring force, began theyr darts and Iauelings for too fling.
Shee sprincling noysom venim streyght and iewce of poysoning myght,
Did call toogither Eribus and Chaos, and the nyght,
And all the feendes of darknesse, and with howling out along
Made prayers vntoo Hecate. Scarce ended was her song,
But that (a woondrous thing too tell) the woodes lept from theyr place
The ground did grone: the trees neere hand lookt pale in all the chace:
The grasse besprent with droppes of blood lookt red: the stones did seeme
Too roare and bellow hoarce: and doggs too howle and raze extreeme:
And all the ground too crawle wt snakes blacke scaald: & gastly spryghts
Fly whisking vp and downe. The folke were flayghted at theis syghts.
And as they woondring stood amaazd, shee strokte her witching wand
Uppon theyr faces. At the touche wherof, there out of hand
Came woondrous shapes of sauage beastes vppon them all. Not one
Reteyned still his natiue shape. The setting sonne was gone
Beyond the vtmost coast of Spaine, and Singer longd in vayne
Too see her husband. Bothe her folke and people ran agayne
Through all the woodes. And euer as they went, they sent theyr eyes
Before them for too fynd him out, but no man him espyes.
Then Singer thought it not ynough too weepe and teare her heare,
And beat herself (all which shee did.) Shee gate abrode, and there
[179]
Six nyghts and full as many dayes (as fortune led by fitts)
She strayd mee ouer hilles and dales, and neuer tasted rest,
Nor meate, nor drink of all the whyle. The seuenth day, sore opprest
And tyred bothe with trauell and with sorrowe, downe shee sate
Uppon cold Tybers bank, and there with teares in moorning rate
Shee warbling on her greef in tune not shirle nor ouer hye,
Did make her moane, as dooth the swan: whoo ready for too dye
Dooth sing his buriall song before. Her maree molt at last
With moorning, and shee pynde away: and finally shee past
Too lither ayre. But yit her fame remayned in the place.
For why the auncient husbandmen according too the cace,
Did name it Singer of the nymph that dyed in the same.
Of such as these are, many things that yeere by fortune came
Bothe too my heering and my sight. Wee wexing resty then
And sluggs by discontinuance, were commaunded yit agen
Too go a boord and hoyse vp sayles. And Circe told vs all
That long and dowtfull passage and rowgh seas should vs befall.
I promis thee those woordes of hers mee throughly made afrayd:
And therfore hither I mee gate, and heere I haue mee stayd.
This was the end of Macars tale. And ere long tyme was gone,
Aenæas Nurce was buryed in a tumb of marble stone,
And this short verse was set theron. In this same verry place
My Nurcechyld whom the world dooth know too bee a chyld of grace
Deliuering mee Caieta quicke from burning by the Grayes,
Hathe burnt mee dead with such a fyre as iustly winnes him prayse.
Theyr Cables from the grassye strond were loozde, and by and by
From Circes slaunderous house and from her treasons farre they fly.
And making too the thickgrowen groues where through the yellow dust
The shady Tyber intoo sea his gusshing streame dooth thrust,
Aenæas got the Realme of king Latinus Favvnus sonne
And eeke his daughter, whom in feyght by force of armes he wonne.
He enterprysed warre ageinst a Nation feerce and strong.
And Turne was wrothe for holding of his wyfe away by wrong.
Ageinst the Shyre of Latium met all Tyrrhene, and long
With busys care hawlt victorie by force of armes was sought.
Eche partie too augment theyr force by forreine succour wrought.
And many sent the Rutills help, and many came too ayd
The Troianes: neyther was the good Aenæas ill apayd
Of going too Euanders towne. But Venulus in vayne
Too outcast Diomeds citie went his succour too obteine.
Aenæas Nurce was buryed in a tumb of marble stone,
And this short verse was set theron. In this same verry place
My Nurcechyld whom the world dooth know too bee a chyld of grace
Deliuering mee Caieta quicke from burning by the Grayes,
Hathe burnt mee dead with such a fyre as iustly winnes him prayse.
Theyr Cables from the grassye strond were loozde, and by and by
From Circes slaunderous house and from her treasons farre they fly.
And making too the thickgrowen groues where through the yellow dust
The shady Tyber intoo sea his gusshing streame dooth thrust,
Aenæas got the Realme of king Latinus Favvnus sonne
And eeke his daughter, whom in feyght by force of armes he wonne.
He enterprysed warre ageinst a Nation feerce and strong.
And Turne was wrothe for holding of his wyfe away by wrong.
Ageinst the Shyre of Latium met all Tyrrhene, and long
With busys care hawlt victorie by force of armes was sought.
Eche partie too augment theyr force by forreine succour wrought.
180
The Troianes: neyther was the good Aenæas ill apayd
Of going too Euanders towne. But Venulus in vayne
Too outcast Diomeds citie went his succour too obteine.
This Diomed vnder Davvnus king of Calabrye did found
A myghtye towne, and with his wyfe in dowrye hild the ground.
Now when from Turnus, Venulus his message had declaard,
Desyring help: Th' Aetolian knyght sayd none could well bee spaard.
And in excuce, he told him how he neyther durst be bold
Too prest his fathers folk too warre of whom he had no hold,
Nor any of his countrymen had left as then alyue
Too arme. And least yee think (quoth hee) I doo a shift contryue,
Although by vppening of the thing my bitter greef reuyue
I will abyde too make a new rehersall. After that
The Greekes had burned Troy and on the ground had layd it flat,
And that the Prince of Narix by his rauishing the mayd
In Pallas temple, on vs all the pennance had displayd
Which he himself deserud alone: Then scattred heere and there
And harryed ouer all the seas, wee Greekes were fayne too beare
Nyght, thunder, tempest, wrath of heauen and sea, and last of all
Sore shipwrecke at mount Capharey too mend our harmes withall.
And least that mee too make too long a processe yee myght deeme
In setting forth our heauy happes, the Greekes myght that tyme seeme
Ryght rewfull euen too Priamus. Howbeet Minerua shee
That weareth armour tooke mee from the waues and saued mee.
But from my fathers Realme ageine by violence I was driuen.
For Venus bearing still in mynd the wound I had her giuen
Long tyme before, did woork reuendge. By meanes wherof such toyle
Did tosse mee on the sea, and on the land I found such broyle
By warres, that in my hart I thought them blist of God whom erst
The violence of the raging sea and hideous wynds had perst,
And whom the wrathfull Capharey by shipwrecke did confound:
Oft wisshing also I had there among the rest beene drownd.
My company now hauing felt the woorst that sea or warre
Could woorke, did faynt, and wisht an end of straying out so farre.
But Agmon whot of nature and too feerce through slaughters made
Sayd. What remayneth sirs through which our pacience cannot wade?
What further spyght hath Venus yit too woork ageinst vs more?
When woorse misfortunes may bee feard than haue beene felt before,
Then prayer may aduauntadge men, and vowwing may them boote.
But when the woorst is past of things, then feare is vnder foote.
And when that bale is hyghest growne, then boote must next ensew.
Although shee heere mee, and doo hate vs all (which thing is trew)
That serue heere vnder Diomed: Yit set wee lyght her hate.
And deerely it should stand vs on too purchase hygh estate.
With such stowt woordes did Agmon stirre dame Venus vntoo ire
And raysd ageine her settled grudge. Not many had desyre
Too heere him talk thus out of square. the moste of vs that are
His freendes rebukte him for his woordes. And as he did prepare
Too answere, bothe his voyce and throte by which his voyce should go,
Were small: his heare too feathers turnd: his necke was clad as tho
With feathers: so was brist and backe. The greater fethers stacke
Uppon his armes: and intoo wings his elbowes bowwed backe.
The greatest portion of his feete was turned intoo toes.
A hardened bill of horne did growe vppon his mouth and noze,
And sharpened at the neather end. His fellowes Lycus, Ide,
Rethenor, Nyct, and Abas all stood woondring by his syde.
And as they woondred, they receyvd the selfsame shape and hew.
And finally the greater part of all my band vp flew,
And clapping with theyr newmade wings, about the ores did gird.
And if yee doo demaund the shape of this same dowtfull bird,
Euen as they bee not verry Swannes: so drawe they verry neere
The shape of Cygnets whyght. With much a doo I settled heere,
And with a little remnant of my people doo obteyne
The drygrownds of my fathrinlaw king Davvnus whoo did reigne
In Calabry. Thus much the sonne of Oenye sayd. Anon
A myghtye towne, and with his wyfe in dowrye hild the ground.
Now when from Turnus, Venulus his message had declaard,
Desyring help: Th' Aetolian knyght sayd none could well bee spaard.
And in excuce, he told him how he neyther durst be bold
Too prest his fathers folk too warre of whom he had no hold,
Nor any of his countrymen had left as then alyue
Too arme. And least yee think (quoth hee) I doo a shift contryue,
Although by vppening of the thing my bitter greef reuyue
I will abyde too make a new rehersall. After that
The Greekes had burned Troy and on the ground had layd it flat,
And that the Prince of Narix by his rauishing the mayd
In Pallas temple, on vs all the pennance had displayd
Which he himself deserud alone: Then scattred heere and there
And harryed ouer all the seas, wee Greekes were fayne too beare
Nyght, thunder, tempest, wrath of heauen and sea, and last of all
Sore shipwrecke at mount Capharey too mend our harmes withall.
And least that mee too make too long a processe yee myght deeme
In setting forth our heauy happes, the Greekes myght that tyme seeme
Ryght rewfull euen too Priamus. Howbeet Minerua shee
That weareth armour tooke mee from the waues and saued mee.
But from my fathers Realme ageine by violence I was driuen.
For Venus bearing still in mynd the wound I had her giuen
Long tyme before, did woork reuendge. By meanes wherof such toyle
Did tosse mee on the sea, and on the land I found such broyle
By warres, that in my hart I thought them blist of God whom erst
The violence of the raging sea and hideous wynds had perst,
And whom the wrathfull Capharey by shipwrecke did confound:
Oft wisshing also I had there among the rest beene drownd.
My company now hauing felt the woorst that sea or warre
Could woorke, did faynt, and wisht an end of straying out so farre.
But Agmon whot of nature and too feerce through slaughters made
Sayd. What remayneth sirs through which our pacience cannot wade?
[180]
When woorse misfortunes may bee feard than haue beene felt before,
Then prayer may aduauntadge men, and vowwing may them boote.
But when the woorst is past of things, then feare is vnder foote.
And when that bale is hyghest growne, then boote must next ensew.
Although shee heere mee, and doo hate vs all (which thing is trew)
That serue heere vnder Diomed: Yit set wee lyght her hate.
And deerely it should stand vs on too purchase hygh estate.
With such stowt woordes did Agmon stirre dame Venus vntoo ire
And raysd ageine her settled grudge. Not many had desyre
Too heere him talk thus out of square. the moste of vs that are
His freendes rebukte him for his woordes. And as he did prepare
Too answere, bothe his voyce and throte by which his voyce should go,
Were small: his heare too feathers turnd: his necke was clad as tho
With feathers: so was brist and backe. The greater fethers stacke
Uppon his armes: and intoo wings his elbowes bowwed backe.
The greatest portion of his feete was turned intoo toes.
A hardened bill of horne did growe vppon his mouth and noze,
And sharpened at the neather end. His fellowes Lycus, Ide,
Rethenor, Nyct, and Abas all stood woondring by his syde.
And as they woondred, they receyvd the selfsame shape and hew.
And finally the greater part of all my band vp flew,
And clapping with theyr newmade wings, about the ores did gird.
And if yee doo demaund the shape of this same dowtfull bird,
Euen as they bee not verry Swannes: so drawe they verry neere
The shape of Cygnets whyght. With much a doo I settled heere,
And with a little remnant of my people doo obteyne
The drygrownds of my fathrinlaw king Davvnus whoo did reigne
In Calabry. Thus much the sonne of Oenye sayd. Anon
Sir Venulus returning from the king of Calydon,
Forsooke the coast of Puteoll and the feeldes of Messapie,
In which hee saw a darksome denne forgrowne with busshes hye,
And watred with a little spring. The halfegoate Pan that howre
Possessed it: but heertoofore it was the fayryes bowre.
A shepeherd of Appulia from that countrye scaard them furst.
But afterward recouering hart and hardynesse they durst
Despyse him when he chaced them, and with theyr nimble feete
Continewed on theyr dawncing still in tyme and measure meete
The shepeherd fownd mee fault with them: and with his lowtlike leapes
Did counterfette theyr minyon dawnce, and rapped out by heapes
A rabble of vnsauery taunts euen like a country cloyne,
Too which, most leawd and filthy termes of purpose he did ioyne.
And after he had once begon, he could not hold his toong,
Untill that in the timber of a tree his throte was cloong.
For now he is a tree, and by his iewce discerne yee may
His manners. For the Olyf wyld dooth sensibly bewray
By berryes full of bitternesse his rayling toong. For ay
The harshnesse of his bitter woordes the berryes beare away.
Forsooke the coast of Puteoll and the feeldes of Messapie,
In which hee saw a darksome denne forgrowne with busshes hye,
And watred with a little spring. The halfegoate Pan that howre
Possessed it: but heertoofore it was the fayryes bowre.
A shepeherd of Appulia from that countrye scaard them furst.
But afterward recouering hart and hardynesse they durst
Despyse him when he chaced them, and with theyr nimble feete
181
The shepeherd fownd mee fault with them: and with his lowtlike leapes
Did counterfette theyr minyon dawnce, and rapped out by heapes
A rabble of vnsauery taunts euen like a country cloyne,
Too which, most leawd and filthy termes of purpose he did ioyne.
And after he had once begon, he could not hold his toong,
Untill that in the timber of a tree his throte was cloong.
For now he is a tree, and by his iewce discerne yee may
His manners. For the Olyf wyld dooth sensibly bewray
By berryes full of bitternesse his rayling toong. For ay
The harshnesse of his bitter woordes the berryes beare away.
Now when the kings Ambassadour returned home without
The succour of th' Aetolian prince, the Rutills being stout
Made luckelesse warre without theyr help: and much on eyther syde
Was shed of blood. Behold king Turne made burning bronds too glyde
Uppon theyr shippes, and they that had escaped water, stoode
In feare of fyre. The flame had sindgd the pitch, the wax, and wood,
And other things that nourish fyre, and ronning vp the maste
Caught hold vppon the sayles, and all the takling gan too waste,
The Rowers seates did also smoke: when calling too her mynd
That theis same shippes were pynetrees erst and shaken with the wynd
On Ida mount, the moother of the Goddes dame Cybel filld
The ayre with sound of belles, and noyse of shalmes. And as shee hilld
The reynes that rulde the Lyons tame which drew her charyot, Shee
Sayd thus. O Turnus all in vayne theis wicked hands of thee
Doo cast this fyre. for by myself dispoynted it shall bee.
I wilnot let the wasting fyre consume theis shippes which are
A parcell of my forest Ide of which I am most chare.
It thundred as the Goddesse spake, and with the thunder came
A storme of rayne and skipping hayle. and soodeyne with the same
The sonnes of Astrey meeting feerce and feyghting verry sore,
Did trouble bothe the sea and ayre and set them on a rore.
Dame Cybel vsing one of them to serue her turne that tyde,
Did breake the Cables at the which the Troiane shippes did ryde,
And bare them prone, and vnderneathe the water did them dryue
The Timber of them softning turnd too bodyes streyght alyue.
The stemmes were turnd too heades, the ores too swimming feete & toes,
The sydes too ribbes, the keele that through the middle gally goes
Became the ridgebone of the backe, the sayles and tackling, heare:
And intoo armes on eyther syde the sayleyards turned were.
Theyr hew is duskye as before, and now in shape of mayd
They play among the waues of which euen now they were afrayd.
And beeing Seanymphes, wheras they were bred in mountaynes hard,
They haunt for ay the water soft, and neuer afterward
Had mynd too see theyr natyue soyle. But yit forgetting not
How many perills they had felt on sea by lucklesse lot,
They often put theyr helping hand too shippes distrest by wynd,
Onlesse that any caryed Greekes. For bearing still in mynd
The burning of the towne of Troy, they hate the Greekes by kynd.
And therfore of Vlysses shippes ryght glad they were too see
The shiuers. and as glad they were as any glad myght bee,
Too see Alcinous shippes wex hard and turned intoo stone.
The succour of th' Aetolian prince, the Rutills being stout
Made luckelesse warre without theyr help: and much on eyther syde
Was shed of blood. Behold king Turne made burning bronds too glyde
Uppon theyr shippes, and they that had escaped water, stoode
In feare of fyre. The flame had sindgd the pitch, the wax, and wood,
And other things that nourish fyre, and ronning vp the maste
Caught hold vppon the sayles, and all the takling gan too waste,
The Rowers seates did also smoke: when calling too her mynd
That theis same shippes were pynetrees erst and shaken with the wynd
On Ida mount, the moother of the Goddes dame Cybel filld
The ayre with sound of belles, and noyse of shalmes. And as shee hilld
The reynes that rulde the Lyons tame which drew her charyot, Shee
Sayd thus. O Turnus all in vayne theis wicked hands of thee
Doo cast this fyre. for by myself dispoynted it shall bee.
I wilnot let the wasting fyre consume theis shippes which are
A parcell of my forest Ide of which I am most chare.
It thundred as the Goddesse spake, and with the thunder came
A storme of rayne and skipping hayle. and soodeyne with the same
The sonnes of Astrey meeting feerce and feyghting verry sore,
Did trouble bothe the sea and ayre and set them on a rore.
Dame Cybel vsing one of them to serue her turne that tyde,
Did breake the Cables at the which the Troiane shippes did ryde,
And bare them prone, and vnderneathe the water did them dryue
The Timber of them softning turnd too bodyes streyght alyue.
The stemmes were turnd too heades, the ores too swimming feete & toes,
[181]
Became the ridgebone of the backe, the sayles and tackling, heare:
And intoo armes on eyther syde the sayleyards turned were.
Theyr hew is duskye as before, and now in shape of mayd
They play among the waues of which euen now they were afrayd.
And beeing Seanymphes, wheras they were bred in mountaynes hard,
They haunt for ay the water soft, and neuer afterward
Had mynd too see theyr natyue soyle. But yit forgetting not
How many perills they had felt on sea by lucklesse lot,
They often put theyr helping hand too shippes distrest by wynd,
Onlesse that any caryed Greekes. For bearing still in mynd
The burning of the towne of Troy, they hate the Greekes by kynd.
And therfore of Vlysses shippes ryght glad they were too see
The shiuers. and as glad they were as any glad myght bee,
Too see Alcinous shippes wex hard and turned intoo stone.
Theis shippes thus hauing gotten lyfe and beeing turnd eche one
Too nymphes, a body would haue thought the miracle so greate
Should intoo Turnus wicked hart sum godly feare haue beate,
And made him cease his wilfull warre. But he did still persist.
And eyther partye had theyr Goddes theyr quarrell too assist,
And courage also: which as good as Goddes myght well be thought.
In fyne they neyther for the Realme nor for the scepter sought,
Nor for the Lady Lauine: but for conquest. And for shame
Too seeme too shrinke in leauing warre, they still prolongd the same.
At length dame Venus sawe her sonne obteyne the vpper hand
King Turnus fell, and eeke the towne of Ardea which did stand
Ryght strong in hygh estate as long as Turnus liued. But
Assoone as that Aenæas swoord too death had Turnus put,
The towne was set on fyre: and from amid the embers flew
A fowle which till that present tyme no persone euer knew,
And beete the ashes feercely vp with flapping of his wing.
The leanenesse, palenesse, dolefull sound, and euery other thing
That may expresse a Citie sakt. yea and the Cities name
Remayned still vntoo the bird. And now the verrye same
With Hernesewes fethers dooth bewayle the towne wherof it came.
Too nymphes, a body would haue thought the miracle so greate
Should intoo Turnus wicked hart sum godly feare haue beate,
And made him cease his wilfull warre. But he did still persist.
And eyther partye had theyr Goddes theyr quarrell too assist,
And courage also: which as good as Goddes myght well be thought.
In fyne they neyther for the Realme nor for the scepter sought,
Nor for the Lady Lauine: but for conquest. And for shame
Too seeme too shrinke in leauing warre, they still prolongd the same.
At length dame Venus sawe her sonne obteyne the vpper hand
King Turnus fell, and eeke the towne of Ardea which did stand
Ryght strong in hygh estate as long as Turnus liued. But
Assoone as that Aenæas swoord too death had Turnus put,
The towne was set on fyre: and from amid the embers flew
A fowle which till that present tyme no persone euer knew,
And beete the ashes feercely vp with flapping of his wing.
The leanenesse, palenesse, dolefull sound, and euery other thing
That may expresse a Citie sakt. yea and the Cities name
Remayned still vntoo the bird. And now the verrye same
With Hernesewes fethers dooth bewayle the towne wherof it came.
And now Aenæas prowesse had compelled all the Goddes
And Iuno also (whoo with him was most of all at oddes)
Too cease theyr old displeasure quyght. And now he hauing layd
Good ground wheron the growing welth of Iuly myght be stayd,
Was rype for heauen. And Venus had great sute already made
Too all the Goddes. and cleeping Ioue did thus with him perswade.
Deere father whoo hast neuer beene vncurtuous vntoo mee,
Now shewe the greatest courtesie (I pray thee) that may bee.
And on my sonne Aenæas (whoo a graundchyld vntoo thee
Hath got of my blood) if thou wilt vouchsafe him awght at all)
Uouchsafe sum Godhead too bestowe, although it bee but small.
It is ynough that once he hathe alreadye seene the Realme
Of Pluto vtter pleasurelesse, and passed Styxis streame.
The Goddes assented: neyther did Queene Iuno then appeere
In countnance straunge, but did consent with glad and merry cheere.
Then Ioue. Aenæas woorthy is a saynct in heauen too bee.
Thy wish for whom thou doost it wish I graunt thee frank and free.
This graunt of his made Venus glad. Shee thankt him for the same.
And glyding through the aire vppon her yoked doues, shee came
Too Lavvrent shore, where clad with reede the riuer Numicke deepe
Too seaward (which is neere at hand) with stealing pace dooth creepe.
Shee bade this riuer wash away what euer mortall were
In good Aenæas bodye, and them vnder sea too beare.
The horned brooke fulfilld her hest, and with his water sheere
Did purge and clenze Aenæas from his mortall body cleere.
The better porcion of him did remayne vntoo him sownd.
His moother hauing hallowed him did noynt his bodye rownd
With heauenly odours, and did touch his mouth with Ambrosie
The which was mixt with Nectar sweete, and made him by and by
A God too whom the Romanes giue the name of Indiges,
Endeuering with theyr temples and theyr altars him too please.
And Iuno also (whoo with him was most of all at oddes)
182
Good ground wheron the growing welth of Iuly myght be stayd,
Was rype for heauen. And Venus had great sute already made
Too all the Goddes. and cleeping Ioue did thus with him perswade.
Deere father whoo hast neuer beene vncurtuous vntoo mee,
Now shewe the greatest courtesie (I pray thee) that may bee.
And on my sonne Aenæas (whoo a graundchyld vntoo thee
Hath got of my blood) if thou wilt vouchsafe him awght at all)
Uouchsafe sum Godhead too bestowe, although it bee but small.
It is ynough that once he hathe alreadye seene the Realme
Of Pluto vtter pleasurelesse, and passed Styxis streame.
The Goddes assented: neyther did Queene Iuno then appeere
In countnance straunge, but did consent with glad and merry cheere.
Then Ioue. Aenæas woorthy is a saynct in heauen too bee.
Thy wish for whom thou doost it wish I graunt thee frank and free.
This graunt of his made Venus glad. Shee thankt him for the same.
And glyding through the aire vppon her yoked doues, shee came
Too Lavvrent shore, where clad with reede the riuer Numicke deepe
Too seaward (which is neere at hand) with stealing pace dooth creepe.
Shee bade this riuer wash away what euer mortall were
In good Aenæas bodye, and them vnder sea too beare.
The horned brooke fulfilld her hest, and with his water sheere
Did purge and clenze Aenæas from his mortall body cleere.
The better porcion of him did remayne vntoo him sownd.
His moother hauing hallowed him did noynt his bodye rownd
With heauenly odours, and did touch his mouth with Ambrosie
The which was mixt with Nectar sweete, and made him by and by
A God too whom the Romanes giue the name of Indiges,
Endeuering with theyr temples and theyr altars him too please.
Ascanius with the dowble name from thence began too reigne,
In whom the rule of Alba and of Latium did remayne.
Next him succeeded Siluius, whoose sonne Latinus hild
The auncient name and scepter which his graundsyre erst did weeld.
The famous Epit after this Latinus did succeede.
Then Capys and king Capetus. But Capys was indeede
The formest of the twoo. From this the scepter of the Realme
Descended vntoo Tyberine, whoo drowning in the streame
Of Tyber left that name theretoo. This Tyberine begat
Feerce Remulus and Acrota. By chaunce it hapned that
The elder brother Remulus for counterfetting oft
The thunder, with a thunderbolt was killed from aloft.
From Acrota whoose stayëdnesse did passe his brothers skill,
The crowne did cōme to Auentine, whoo in the selfsame hill
In which he reygned buryed lyes, and left thertoo his name.
The rule of nation Palatine at length too Proca came.
In whom the rule of Alba and of Latium did remayne.
Next him succeeded Siluius, whoose sonne Latinus hild
The auncient name and scepter which his graundsyre erst did weeld.
The famous Epit after this Latinus did succeede.
Then Capys and king Capetus. But Capys was indeede
The formest of the twoo. From this the scepter of the Realme
Descended vntoo Tyberine, whoo drowning in the streame
[182]
Feerce Remulus and Acrota. By chaunce it hapned that
The elder brother Remulus for counterfetting oft
The thunder, with a thunderbolt was killed from aloft.
From Acrota whoose stayëdnesse did passe his brothers skill,
The crowne did cōme to Auentine, whoo in the selfsame hill
In which he reygned buryed lyes, and left thertoo his name.
The rule of nation Palatine at length too Proca came.
In this Kings reigne
Pomona livd. There was not too bee found
Among the woodnymphes any one in all the Latian ground
That was so conning for too keepe an Ortyard as was shee,
Nor none so paynefull too preserue the frute of euery tree.
And thervppon shee had her name. Shee past not for the woodes
Nor riuers, but the villages and boughes that bare bothe buddes
And plentuous frute. In sted of dart a shredding hooke shee bare,
With which the ouerlusty boughes shee eft away did pare
That spreaded out too farre, and eft did make therwith a rift
Too greffe another imp vppon the stocke within the clift.
And least her trees should die through drought, with water of the springs
Shee moysteth of theyr sucking roots the little crumpled strings.
This was her loue and whole delyght. And as for Venus deedes,
Shee had no mynd at all of them. And forbycause shee dreedes
Enforcement by the countrye folke, shee walld her yards about,
Not suffring any man at all too enter in or out.
What haue not those same nimble laddes so apt too frisk and daunce
The Satyrs doone? or what the Pannes that wantonly doo praunce,
With horned forheads? and the old Silenus whoo is ay
More youthfull than his yeeres? and eeke the feend that scares away
The theeues and robbers with his hooke, or with his priuy part?
Too winne her loue? But yit than theis a farre more constant hart
Had sly Vertumnus, though he sped no better than the rest.
O Lord, how often being in a moawers garment drest,
Bare he in bundells sheaues of corne? and when he so was dyght,
He was the verry patterne of a haruest moawer ryght.
Oft bynding newmade hay about his temples he myght seeme
A haymaker. Oft tymes in hand made hard with woork extreeme
He bare a goade, that men would sweere he had but newly then
Unyoakt his weerye Oxen. Had he tane in hand agen
A shredding hooke, yee would haue thought hee had a gardener beene,
Or proyner of sum vynes. Or had you him with ladder seene
Uppon his necke, a gatherer of frute yee would him deeme.
With swoord a souldier, with his rod an Angler he did seeme.
And finally in many shapes he sought too fynd accesse
Too ioy the beawty but by syght, that did his hart oppresse.
Moreouer, putting on his head a womans wimple gay,
And staying by a staffe, graye heares he foorth too syght did lay
Uppon his forehead, and did feyne a beldame for too bee.
By meanes whereof he came within her goodly ortyards free.
And woondring at the frute, sayd. Much more skill hast thou I see
Than all the Nymphes of Albula. Hayle Lady myne, the flowre
Unspotted of pure maydenhod in all the world this howre.
And with that woord he kissed her a little: but his kisse
Was such as trew old women would haue neuer giuen ywis.
Then sitting downe vppon a bank, he looked vpward at
The braunches bent with haruests weyght. Ageinst him where he sat
A goodly Elme with glistring grapes did growe: which after hee
Had praysed, and the vyne, likewyse that ran vppon the tree,
Among the woodnymphes any one in all the Latian ground
That was so conning for too keepe an Ortyard as was shee,
Nor none so paynefull too preserue the frute of euery tree.
And thervppon shee had her name. Shee past not for the woodes
Nor riuers, but the villages and boughes that bare bothe buddes
And plentuous frute. In sted of dart a shredding hooke shee bare,
With which the ouerlusty boughes shee eft away did pare
That spreaded out too farre, and eft did make therwith a rift
Too greffe another imp vppon the stocke within the clift.
And least her trees should die through drought, with water of the springs
Shee moysteth of theyr sucking roots the little crumpled strings.
This was her loue and whole delyght. And as for Venus deedes,
Shee had no mynd at all of them. And forbycause shee dreedes
Enforcement by the countrye folke, shee walld her yards about,
Not suffring any man at all too enter in or out.
What haue not those same nimble laddes so apt too frisk and daunce
The Satyrs doone? or what the Pannes that wantonly doo praunce,
With horned forheads? and the old Silenus whoo is ay
More youthfull than his yeeres? and eeke the feend that scares away
The theeues and robbers with his hooke, or with his priuy part?
Too winne her loue? But yit than theis a farre more constant hart
Had sly Vertumnus, though he sped no better than the rest.
O Lord, how often being in a moawers garment drest,
Bare he in bundells sheaues of corne? and when he so was dyght,
He was the verry patterne of a haruest moawer ryght.
Oft bynding newmade hay about his temples he myght seeme
A haymaker. Oft tymes in hand made hard with woork extreeme
He bare a goade, that men would sweere he had but newly then
183
A shredding hooke, yee would haue thought hee had a gardener beene,
Or proyner of sum vynes. Or had you him with ladder seene
Uppon his necke, a gatherer of frute yee would him deeme.
With swoord a souldier, with his rod an Angler he did seeme.
And finally in many shapes he sought too fynd accesse
Too ioy the beawty but by syght, that did his hart oppresse.
Moreouer, putting on his head a womans wimple gay,
And staying by a staffe, graye heares he foorth too syght did lay
Uppon his forehead, and did feyne a beldame for too bee.
By meanes whereof he came within her goodly ortyards free.
And woondring at the frute, sayd. Much more skill hast thou I see
Than all the Nymphes of Albula. Hayle Lady myne, the flowre
Unspotted of pure maydenhod in all the world this howre.
And with that woord he kissed her a little: but his kisse
Was such as trew old women would haue neuer giuen ywis.
Then sitting downe vppon a bank, he looked vpward at
The braunches bent with haruests weyght. Ageinst him where he sat
A goodly Elme with glistring grapes did growe: which after hee
Had praysed, and the vyne, likewyse that ran vppon the tree,
But if (quoth hee) this Elme without the vyne did single stand,
It should haue nothing (sauing leaues) too bee desyred: and
Ageine if that the vyne which ronnes vppon the Elme had nat
The tree too leane vntoo, it should vppon the ground ly flat.
Yit art not thou admonisht by example of this tree
Too take a husband, neyther doost thou passe too maryed bee.
But would too God thou wouldest. Sure Queene Helen neuer had
Mo suters, nor the Lady that did cause the battell mad
Betweene the halfbrute Centavvres and the Lapythes, nor the wyfe
Of bold Vlysses whoo was eeke ay fearefull of his lyfe,
Than thou shouldst haue. For thousands now (euē now most cheefly whē
Thou seemest suters too abhorre) desyre thee, both of men,
And Goddes and halfgoddes, yea and all the fayryes that doo dwell
In Albane hilles. But if thou wilt bee wyse, and myndest well
Too match thy self, and wilt giue eare too this old woman heere,
(Too whom thou more than too them all art (trust mee) leef and deere,
And more than thou thyself beleevst) the common matches flee,
And choose Vertumnus too thy make. And take thou mee too bee
His pledge. For more he too himself not knowen is, than too mee.
He roues not like a ronneagate through all the world abrode,
This countrye heerabout (the which is large) is his abode.
He dooth not (like a nomber of theis common wooers) cast
His loue to euery one he sees. Thou art the first and last
That euer he set mynd vppon. Alonly vntoo thee
Hee vowes himself as long as lyfe dooth last. Moreouer hee
Is youthfull, and with beawtye sheene endewd by natures gift,
And aptly intoo any shape his persone he can shift.
Thou canst not bid him bee the thing, (though al things yu shouldst name)
But that he fitly and with ease will streyght becomme the same.
Besydes all this, in all one thing bothe twayne of you delyght,
And of the frutes that you loue best the firstlings are his ryght:
And gladly he receyues thy gifts. But neyther couets hee
Thy Apples, Plommes, nor other frutes new gathered from the tree,
Nor yit the herbes of pleasant sent that in thy gardynes bee:
Nor any other kynd of thing in all the world, but thee.
Haue mercy on his feruent loue, and think himself too craue
Heere present by the mouth of mee, the thing that he would haue.
And feare the God that may reuenge: as Venus whoo dooth hate
Hard harted folkes, and Rhamnuse whoo dooth eyther soone or late
Expresse her wrath with myndfull wreake. And too thentent thou may
The more beware, of many things which tyme by long delay
Hathe taught mee, I will shewe thee one which ouer all the land
Of Cyprus blazed is abrode, which being ryghtly skand
May easly bow thy hardned hart and make it for too yild.
It should haue nothing (sauing leaues) too bee desyred: and
Ageine if that the vyne which ronnes vppon the Elme had nat
The tree too leane vntoo, it should vppon the ground ly flat.
Yit art not thou admonisht by example of this tree
Too take a husband, neyther doost thou passe too maryed bee.
But would too God thou wouldest. Sure Queene Helen neuer had
Mo suters, nor the Lady that did cause the battell mad
Betweene the halfbrute Centavvres and the Lapythes, nor the wyfe
Of bold Vlysses whoo was eeke ay fearefull of his lyfe,
Than thou shouldst haue. For thousands now (euē now most cheefly whē
Thou seemest suters too abhorre) desyre thee, both of men,
And Goddes and halfgoddes, yea and all the fayryes that doo dwell
In Albane hilles. But if thou wilt bee wyse, and myndest well
Too match thy self, and wilt giue eare too this old woman heere,
(Too whom thou more than too them all art (trust mee) leef and deere,
And more than thou thyself beleevst) the common matches flee,
[183]
His pledge. For more he too himself not knowen is, than too mee.
He roues not like a ronneagate through all the world abrode,
This countrye heerabout (the which is large) is his abode.
He dooth not (like a nomber of theis common wooers) cast
His loue to euery one he sees. Thou art the first and last
That euer he set mynd vppon. Alonly vntoo thee
Hee vowes himself as long as lyfe dooth last. Moreouer hee
Is youthfull, and with beawtye sheene endewd by natures gift,
And aptly intoo any shape his persone he can shift.
Thou canst not bid him bee the thing, (though al things yu shouldst name)
But that he fitly and with ease will streyght becomme the same.
Besydes all this, in all one thing bothe twayne of you delyght,
And of the frutes that you loue best the firstlings are his ryght:
And gladly he receyues thy gifts. But neyther couets hee
Thy Apples, Plommes, nor other frutes new gathered from the tree,
Nor yit the herbes of pleasant sent that in thy gardynes bee:
Nor any other kynd of thing in all the world, but thee.
Haue mercy on his feruent loue, and think himself too craue
Heere present by the mouth of mee, the thing that he would haue.
And feare the God that may reuenge: as Venus whoo dooth hate
Hard harted folkes, and Rhamnuse whoo dooth eyther soone or late
Expresse her wrath with myndfull wreake. And too thentent thou may
The more beware, of many things which tyme by long delay
Hathe taught mee, I will shewe thee one which ouer all the land
Of Cyprus blazed is abrode, which being ryghtly skand
May easly bow thy hardned hart and make it for too yild.
One Iphis borne of lowe degree by fortune had behild
The Ladye Anaxarete descended of the race
Of Tevvcer, and in vewwing her the fyre of loue a pace
Did spred it self through all his bones. With which he stryuing long,
When reason could not conquer rage bycause it was too strong,
Came humbly too the Ladyes house: and one whyle laying ope
His wretched loue before her nurce, besought her by the hope
Of Lady Anaxarete her nurcechylds good successe,
Shee would not bee ageinst him in that cace of his distresse.
Anoother whyle entreating fayre sum freend of hers, he prayd
Him earnestly with carefull voyce, of furthrance and of ayd.
Oftymes he did preferre his sute by gentle letters sent.
Oft garlonds moysted with the deawe of teares that from him went
He hanged on her postes. Oft tymes his tender sydes he layd
Ageinst the threshold hard, and oft in sadnesse did vpbrayd
The locke with much vngentlenesse. The Lady crueller
Than are the rysing narrowe seas, or falling kiddes, and farre
More hard than steele of Noricum, and than the stonny rocke
That in the quarrye hath his roote, did him despyse and mocke.
Besyde her dooings mercylesse, of statelynesse and spyght
Shee adding prowd & skornefull woordes, defrauds the wretched wyght
Of verry hope. But Iphis now vnable any more
Too beare the torment of his greef, still standing there before
Her gate, spake theis his latest woordes. well Anaxarete,
Thou hast the vpper hand. Hencefoorth thou shalt not neede too bee
Agreeued any more with mee. Go tryumph hardely:
Go vaunt thy self with ioy: go sing the song of victorye:
Go put a crowne of glittring bay vppon thy cruell head.
For why thou hast the vpper hand, and I am gladly dead.
Well steely harted well: reioyce. Compeld yit shalt thou bee
Of sumwhat in mee for too haue a lyking. Thou shalt see
A poynt wherein thou mayst mee deeme most thankfull vntoo thee,
And in the end thou shalt confesse the great desert of mee.
But yit remember that as long as lyfe in mee dooth last,
The care of thee shall neuer from this hart of myne be cast.
For bothe the lyfe that I doo liue in hope of thee, and toother
Which nature giueth, shall haue end and passe away toogither.
The tydings neyther of my death shall come too thee bee fame.
Myself (I doo assure thee) will bee bringer of the same.
Myself (I say) will present bee that those same cruell eyen
Of thyne may feede themselues vppon this liuelesse corce of myne.
But yit O Goddes, (if you behold mennes deedes) remember mee.
(My toong will serue too pray no more) and cause that I may bee
Longtyme heerafter spoken of: and length the lyfe by fame
The which yee haue abridgd in yeeres. In saying of this same
He lifted vp his watrye eyes and armes that wexed wan
Too those same stulpes which oft he had with garlondes deckt ere than,
And fastning on the toppe therof a halter thus did say.
Thou cruell and vngodly wyght, theis are the wreathes that may
Most pleasure thee. And with that woord he thrusting in his head,
Euen then did turne him towards her as good as being dead,
And wretchedly did totter on the poste with strangled throte.
The wicket which his feerefull feete in sprawling maynely smote,
Did make a noyse: and flying ope bewrayd his dooing playne.
The seruants shreekt, and lifting vp his bodye, but in vayne,
Conueyd him too his moothers house, his father erst was slayne.
His moother layd him in her lappe, and cleeping in her armes
Her sonnes cold bodye, after that shee had bewayld her harmes
With woordes and dooings mootherlyke, the corce with moorning cheere
Too buryall sadly through the towne was borne vppon a beere.
The house of Anaxarete by chaunce was neere the way
By which this piteous pomp did passe. and of the doolefull lay
The sound came too the eares of her, whom God alreadye gan
Too strike. Yit let vs see (quoth shee) the buryall of this man.
And vp the hygh wyde windowde house in saying so, shee ran.
Scarce had shee well on Iphis lookt that on the beere did lye,
But that her eyes wext stark: and from her limbes the blood gan flye.
In stead therof came palenesse in. And as shee backeward was
In mynd too go, her feete stacke fast and could not stirre. And as
Shee would haue cast her countnance backe, shee could not doo it. And
The stonny hardnesse which a late did in her stomacke stand,
Within a whyle did ouergrow her whole from sole too crowne.
And least you think this geere surmysde, euen yit in Salamin towne
Of Lady Anaxarete the image standeth playne.
The temple also in the which the image dooth remayne,
Is vntoo Venus consecrate by name of looker out.
And therfore weying well theis things, I prey thee looke about
Good Lady, and away with pryde: and be content too frame
Thy self too him that loueth thee and cannot quench his flame.
So neyther may the Lentons cold thy budding frute trees kill
Nor yit the sharp and boystous wyndes thy flowring Gardynes spill.
The Ladye Anaxarete descended of the race
Of Tevvcer, and in vewwing her the fyre of loue a pace
Did spred it self through all his bones. With which he stryuing long,
When reason could not conquer rage bycause it was too strong,
Came humbly too the Ladyes house: and one whyle laying ope
His wretched loue before her nurce, besought her by the hope
Of Lady Anaxarete her nurcechylds good successe,
Shee would not bee ageinst him in that cace of his distresse.
Anoother whyle entreating fayre sum freend of hers, he prayd
184
Oftymes he did preferre his sute by gentle letters sent.
Oft garlonds moysted with the deawe of teares that from him went
He hanged on her postes. Oft tymes his tender sydes he layd
Ageinst the threshold hard, and oft in sadnesse did vpbrayd
The locke with much vngentlenesse. The Lady crueller
Than are the rysing narrowe seas, or falling kiddes, and farre
More hard than steele of Noricum, and than the stonny rocke
That in the quarrye hath his roote, did him despyse and mocke.
Besyde her dooings mercylesse, of statelynesse and spyght
Shee adding prowd & skornefull woordes, defrauds the wretched wyght
Of verry hope. But Iphis now vnable any more
Too beare the torment of his greef, still standing there before
Her gate, spake theis his latest woordes. well Anaxarete,
Thou hast the vpper hand. Hencefoorth thou shalt not neede too bee
Agreeued any more with mee. Go tryumph hardely:
Go vaunt thy self with ioy: go sing the song of victorye:
Go put a crowne of glittring bay vppon thy cruell head.
For why thou hast the vpper hand, and I am gladly dead.
Well steely harted well: reioyce. Compeld yit shalt thou bee
Of sumwhat in mee for too haue a lyking. Thou shalt see
A poynt wherein thou mayst mee deeme most thankfull vntoo thee,
And in the end thou shalt confesse the great desert of mee.
But yit remember that as long as lyfe in mee dooth last,
The care of thee shall neuer from this hart of myne be cast.
For bothe the lyfe that I doo liue in hope of thee, and toother
Which nature giueth, shall haue end and passe away toogither.
The tydings neyther of my death shall come too thee bee fame.
Myself (I doo assure thee) will bee bringer of the same.
Myself (I say) will present bee that those same cruell eyen
Of thyne may feede themselues vppon this liuelesse corce of myne.
But yit O Goddes, (if you behold mennes deedes) remember mee.
(My toong will serue too pray no more) and cause that I may bee
Longtyme heerafter spoken of: and length the lyfe by fame
The which yee haue abridgd in yeeres. In saying of this same
He lifted vp his watrye eyes and armes that wexed wan
Too those same stulpes which oft he had with garlondes deckt ere than,
[184]
Thou cruell and vngodly wyght, theis are the wreathes that may
Most pleasure thee. And with that woord he thrusting in his head,
Euen then did turne him towards her as good as being dead,
And wretchedly did totter on the poste with strangled throte.
The wicket which his feerefull feete in sprawling maynely smote,
Did make a noyse: and flying ope bewrayd his dooing playne.
The seruants shreekt, and lifting vp his bodye, but in vayne,
Conueyd him too his moothers house, his father erst was slayne.
His moother layd him in her lappe, and cleeping in her armes
Her sonnes cold bodye, after that shee had bewayld her harmes
With woordes and dooings mootherlyke, the corce with moorning cheere
Too buryall sadly through the towne was borne vppon a beere.
The house of Anaxarete by chaunce was neere the way
By which this piteous pomp did passe. and of the doolefull lay
The sound came too the eares of her, whom God alreadye gan
Too strike. Yit let vs see (quoth shee) the buryall of this man.
And vp the hygh wyde windowde house in saying so, shee ran.
Scarce had shee well on Iphis lookt that on the beere did lye,
But that her eyes wext stark: and from her limbes the blood gan flye.
In stead therof came palenesse in. And as shee backeward was
In mynd too go, her feete stacke fast and could not stirre. And as
Shee would haue cast her countnance backe, shee could not doo it. And
The stonny hardnesse which a late did in her stomacke stand,
Within a whyle did ouergrow her whole from sole too crowne.
And least you think this geere surmysde, euen yit in Salamin towne
Of Lady Anaxarete the image standeth playne.
The temple also in the which the image dooth remayne,
Is vntoo Venus consecrate by name of looker out.
And therfore weying well theis things, I prey thee looke about
Good Lady, and away with pryde: and be content too frame
Thy self too him that loueth thee and cannot quench his flame.
So neyther may the Lentons cold thy budding frute trees kill
Nor yit the sharp and boystous wyndes thy flowring Gardynes spill.
The God that can vppon him take what kynd of shape he list
Now hauing sayd thus much in vayne, omitted too persist
In beldames shape, and shewde himself a lusty gentleman,
Appeering too her cheerefully, euen like as Phebus whan
Hee hauing ouercomme the clowdes that did withstand his myght,
Dooth blaze his brightsum beames agein with fuller heate and lyght.
He offred force. but now no force was needfull in the cace.
For why shee beeing caught in loue with beawty of his face,
Was wounded then as well as hee, and gan too yeeld a pace.
Now hauing sayd thus much in vayne, omitted too persist
In beldames shape, and shewde himself a lusty gentleman,
185
Hee hauing ouercomme the clowdes that did withstand his myght,
Dooth blaze his brightsum beames agein with fuller heate and lyght.
He offred force. but now no force was needfull in the cace.
For why shee beeing caught in loue with beawty of his face,
Was wounded then as well as hee, and gan too yeeld a pace.
Next Proca reignd Amulius in Avvsonye by wrong.
Till Numitor the ryghtfull heyre deposed verry long,
Was by his daughters sonnes restorde. And on the feastfull day
Of Pale, foundation of the walles of Rome they gan too lay.
Soone after Tacye, and the Lordes of Sabine stird debate:
And Tarpey for her traytrous deede in opening of the gate
Of Tarpey towre was prest too death according too desert
With armour heapt vppon her head. Then feerce and stowt of hart
The Sabines like too toonglesse woolues without all noyse of talke
Assayld the Romanes in theyr sleepe, and too the gates gan stalke
Which Ilias sonne had closed fast with lockes and barres. But yit
Dame Iuno had set open one, and as shee opened it
Had made no noyse of craking with the hindges, so that none
Perceyud the opening of the gate but Venus allalone.
And shee had shet it vp, but that it is not lawfull too
One God too vndoo any thing another God hath doo.
The waternymphes of Avvsonie hild all the groundes about
The Church of Ianus where was store of springs fresh flowing out.
Dame Venus prayd theis nymphes of help. And they considering that
The Goddesse did request no more but ryght, denyde it nat.
They opened all theyr fountayne veynes and made them flowe apace.
Howbeet the passage was not yit too Ianus open face
Forclosed: neyther had as yit the water stopt the way.
They put rank brimstone vnderneathe the flowing spring that day,
And eeke with smokye rozen set theyr veynes on fyre for ay.
Through force of theis and other things, the vapour perced lowe
Euen downe vnto the verry rootes on which the springs did growe.
So that the waters which a late in coldnesse myght compare
Euen with the frozen Alpes, now whot as burning furnace are.
The twoo gate posts with sprinkling of the fyry water smoakt.
Wherby the gate beehyghted too the Sabines quyght was choakt
With rysing of this fountaine straunge, vntill that Marsis knyght
Had armed him. Then Romulus did boldly offer fyght.
The Romane ground with Sabines & with Romanes bothe were spred.
And with the blood of fathrinlawes which wicked swoord had shed
Flowde mixt the blood of sonneinlawes. Howbeet it seemed best
Too bothe the partyes at the length from battell for too rest,
And not too fyght too vttrance: And that Tacye should becoome
Copartner with king Romulus of souereintye in Roome.
Within a whyle king Tacye dyde: And bothe the Sabines and
The Romanes vnder Romulus in equall ryght did stand.
The God of battell putting of his glittring helmet then,
With such like woordes as theis bespake the syre of Goddes and men.
Till Numitor the ryghtfull heyre deposed verry long,
Was by his daughters sonnes restorde. And on the feastfull day
Of Pale, foundation of the walles of Rome they gan too lay.
Soone after Tacye, and the Lordes of Sabine stird debate:
And Tarpey for her traytrous deede in opening of the gate
Of Tarpey towre was prest too death according too desert
With armour heapt vppon her head. Then feerce and stowt of hart
The Sabines like too toonglesse woolues without all noyse of talke
Assayld the Romanes in theyr sleepe, and too the gates gan stalke
Which Ilias sonne had closed fast with lockes and barres. But yit
Dame Iuno had set open one, and as shee opened it
Had made no noyse of craking with the hindges, so that none
Perceyud the opening of the gate but Venus allalone.
And shee had shet it vp, but that it is not lawfull too
One God too vndoo any thing another God hath doo.
The waternymphes of Avvsonie hild all the groundes about
The Church of Ianus where was store of springs fresh flowing out.
Dame Venus prayd theis nymphes of help. And they considering that
The Goddesse did request no more but ryght, denyde it nat.
They opened all theyr fountayne veynes and made them flowe apace.
Howbeet the passage was not yit too Ianus open face
Forclosed: neyther had as yit the water stopt the way.
They put rank brimstone vnderneathe the flowing spring that day,
And eeke with smokye rozen set theyr veynes on fyre for ay.
Through force of theis and other things, the vapour perced lowe
Euen downe vnto the verry rootes on which the springs did growe.
So that the waters which a late in coldnesse myght compare
Euen with the frozen Alpes, now whot as burning furnace are.
The twoo gate posts with sprinkling of the fyry water smoakt.
Wherby the gate beehyghted too the Sabines quyght was choakt
[185]
Had armed him. Then Romulus did boldly offer fyght.
The Romane ground with Sabines & with Romanes bothe were spred.
And with the blood of fathrinlawes which wicked swoord had shed
Flowde mixt the blood of sonneinlawes. Howbeet it seemed best
Too bothe the partyes at the length from battell for too rest,
And not too fyght too vttrance: And that Tacye should becoome
Copartner with king Romulus of souereintye in Roome.
Within a whyle king Tacye dyde: And bothe the Sabines and
The Romanes vnder Romulus in equall ryght did stand.
The God of battell putting of his glittring helmet then,
With such like woordes as theis bespake the syre of Goddes and men.
The tyme O father (in as much as now the Romane state
Is wexen strong vppon the good foundation layd alate,
Depending on the stay of one) is comme for thee too make
Thy promis good which thou of mee and of thy graundchyld spake.
Which was too take him from the earth and in the heauen him stay.
Thou once (I markt thy gracious woordes and bare them well away)
Before a great assembly of the Goddes didst too mee say.
There shalbee one whom thou shalt rayse aboue the starry skye.
Now let thy saying take effect. Ioue graunting by and by
The ayre was hid with darksom clowdes, and thunder foorth did fly,
And lyghtning made the world agast. Which Mars perceyuing too
Bee luckye tokens for himself his enterpryse too doo,
Did take his rist vppon his speare and boldly lept intoo
His bloodye charyot. And he lent his horses with his whippe
A yirking lash, and through the ayre full smoothely downe did slippe.
And staying on the woody toppe of mountayne Palatine,
He tooke away king Romulus whoo there did then defyne
The pryuate caces of his folk vnseemly for a king.
And as a leaden pellet broade enforced from a sling
Is woont too dye amid the skye: euen so his mortall flesh
Sank from him downe the suttle ayre. In sted wherof a fresh
And goodly shape more stately and more meete for sacred shryne.
Succeeded, like our Quirin that in stately robe dooth shyne.
Is wexen strong vppon the good foundation layd alate,
Depending on the stay of one) is comme for thee too make
Thy promis good which thou of mee and of thy graundchyld spake.
Which was too take him from the earth and in the heauen him stay.
Thou once (I markt thy gracious woordes and bare them well away)
Before a great assembly of the Goddes didst too mee say.
There shalbee one whom thou shalt rayse aboue the starry skye.
Now let thy saying take effect. Ioue graunting by and by
The ayre was hid with darksom clowdes, and thunder foorth did fly,
And lyghtning made the world agast. Which Mars perceyuing too
Bee luckye tokens for himself his enterpryse too doo,
Did take his rist vppon his speare and boldly lept intoo
His bloodye charyot. And he lent his horses with his whippe
A yirking lash, and through the ayre full smoothely downe did slippe.
And staying on the woody toppe of mountayne Palatine,
He tooke away king Romulus whoo there did then defyne
The pryuate caces of his folk vnseemly for a king.
And as a leaden pellet broade enforced from a sling
Is woont too dye amid the skye: euen so his mortall flesh
Sank from him downe the suttle ayre. In sted wherof a fresh
And goodly shape more stately and more meete for sacred shryne.
Succeeded, like our Quirin that in stately robe dooth shyne.
Hersilia for her feere as lost, of moorning made none end,
Untill Queene Iuno did commaund dame Iris too discend
Uppon the Raynebowe downe, and thus her message for too doo.
O of the Latian country and the Sabine nacion too
Thou peerlesse perle of womanhod, most woorthy for too bee
The wyfe of such a noble prince as heertoofore was hee,
And still too bee the wyfe of him canonized by name,
Of Quirin: cease thy teares. And if thou haue desyre the same
Thy holy husband for too see, ensew mee too the queache
That groweth greene on Quirins hill, whoose shadowes ouerreache
The temple of the Romane King. Dame Iris did obey.
And slyding by her paynted bowe, in former woordes did say
Her errand too Hersilia. Shee scarce lifting vp her eyes,
With sober countnance answerd. O thou Goddesse (for surmyse
I cannot whoo thou art, but yit I well may vnderstand
Thou art a Goddesse) leede mee O deere Goddesse leede mee, and
My husband too mee shewe. Whom if the fatall susters three
Will of theyr gracious goodnesse graunt mee leaue but once too see,
I shall account mee intoo heauen receyued for too bee.
Immediatly with Thavvmants imp too Quirins hill shee went.
There glyding from the sky a starre streyght downe too groūd was sent,
The sparkes of whoose bryght blazing beames did burne Hersilias heare.
And with the starre the ayre did vher heare too heauenward beare.
The buylder of the towne of Roome receyuing streyght the same
Betweene his old acquaynted handes, did alter both her name
And eeke her bodye, calling her dame Ora. And by this
Shee ioyntly with her husband for a Goddesse woorshipt is.
Untill Queene Iuno did commaund dame Iris too discend
186
O of the Latian country and the Sabine nacion too
Thou peerlesse perle of womanhod, most woorthy for too bee
The wyfe of such a noble prince as heertoofore was hee,
And still too bee the wyfe of him canonized by name,
Of Quirin: cease thy teares. And if thou haue desyre the same
Thy holy husband for too see, ensew mee too the queache
That groweth greene on Quirins hill, whoose shadowes ouerreache
The temple of the Romane King. Dame Iris did obey.
And slyding by her paynted bowe, in former woordes did say
Her errand too Hersilia. Shee scarce lifting vp her eyes,
With sober countnance answerd. O thou Goddesse (for surmyse
I cannot whoo thou art, but yit I well may vnderstand
Thou art a Goddesse) leede mee O deere Goddesse leede mee, and
My husband too mee shewe. Whom if the fatall susters three
Will of theyr gracious goodnesse graunt mee leaue but once too see,
I shall account mee intoo heauen receyued for too bee.
Immediatly with Thavvmants imp too Quirins hill shee went.
There glyding from the sky a starre streyght downe too groūd was sent,
The sparkes of whoose bryght blazing beames did burne Hersilias heare.
And with the starre the ayre did vher heare too heauenward beare.
The buylder of the towne of Roome receyuing streyght the same
Betweene his old acquaynted handes, did alter both her name
And eeke her bodye, calling her dame Ora. And by this
Shee ioyntly with her husband for a Goddesse woorshipt is.
Finis Libri decimi quarti.
[186]
THE .XV. BOOKE OF Ouids Metamorphosis.
A Persone
in the whyle was sought sufficient too susteine
The burthen of so great a charge, and woorthy for too reigne
In stead of such a mighty prince. The noble Nume by fame
(Whoo harped then vppon the truthe before too passe it came)
Appoynted too the Empyre was. This Numa thought it not
Inough that he the knowledge of the Sabine rites had got.
The deepenesse of the noble wit too greater things was bent,
Too serch of things the natures out. The care of this intent
Did cause that he from Curie and his natiue Countrye went
With peynfull trauell, too the towne where Hercules did hoste.
And asking who it was of Greece that in th' Italian coast
Had buylt that towne, an aged man well seene in storyes old,
Too satisfye his mynd therin the processe thus him told.
The burthen of so great a charge, and woorthy for too reigne
In stead of such a mighty prince. The noble Nume by fame
(Whoo harped then vppon the truthe before too passe it came)
Appoynted too the Empyre was. This Numa thought it not
Inough that he the knowledge of the Sabine rites had got.
The deepenesse of the noble wit too greater things was bent,
Too serch of things the natures out. The care of this intent
Did cause that he from Curie and his natiue Countrye went
With peynfull trauell, too the towne where Hercules did hoste.
And asking who it was of Greece that in th' Italian coast
Had buylt that towne, an aged man well seene in storyes old,
Too satisfye his mynd therin the processe thus him told.
As Hercules enriched with the Spannish kyne did hold
His voyage from the Ocean sea, men say with lucky cut
He came a land on Lacine coast. And whyle he there did put
His beace too grazing, he himself in Crotons house did rest
The greatest man in all those parts and vntoo straungers best:
And that he there refresht him of his tedious trauell, and
That when he should depart, he sayd. Where now thy house dooth stand,
Shall in thy childers childrens tyme a Citie buylded bee.
Which woordes of his haue proued trew as playnly now wee see.
For why there was one Myscelus a Greeke, Alemons sonne,
A persone more in fauour of the Goddes than any one
In those dayes was. The God that beares the boystous club did stay
Uppon him being fast a sleepe, and sayd: go seeke streyght way
The stonny streame of Aeserie. Thy natiue soyle for ay
Forsake. And sore he threatned him onlesse he did obey.
The God and sleepe departed both toogither. Up did ryse
Alemons sonne, and in himself did secretly deuyse
Uppon this vision. Long his mynd stroue dowtfull too and fro.
The God bad go. His country lawes did say he should not go,
And death was made the penaltie for him that would doo so.
Cleere Titan in the Ocean sea had hid his lyghtsomme head,
And duskye nyght had put vp hers most thick with starres bespred.
The selfsame God by Myscelus did seeme too stand eftsoone,
Commaunding him the selfsame thing that he before had doone,
And threatning mo and greater plages onlesse he did obey.
Then being stricken sore in feare he went about streyght way
His household from his natyue lond too forreine too conuey.
A rumor heerevppon did ryse through all the towne of Arge
And disobedience of the lawe was layëd too his charge.
Assoone as that the cace had first beene pleaded and the deede
Apparantly perceyued, so that witnesse did not neede,
Arreyned and forlorne too heauen he cast his handes and eyes,
And sayd: O God whoose labours twelue haue purchaste thee the skyes,
Assist mee I the pray. For thou art author of my cryme.
When iudgement should bee giuen it was the guyse in auncient tyme
With whyght stones too acquit the cleere, and eeke with blacke too cast
The giltye. That tyme also so the heauy sentence past.
The stones were cast vnmercifull all blacke intoo the pot.
But when the stones were powred out too number, there was not
A blacke among them. All were whyght. And so through Hercles powre
A gentle iudgement did proceede, and he was quit that howre.
Then gaue he thankes too Hercules, and hauing prosprous blast,
Cut ouer the Iönian sea, and so by Tarent past
Which Spartanes buylt, and Cybaris, and Neæth salentine,
And Thurine bay, and Emese, and eeke the pastures fyne
Of Calabrye. And hauing scarce well sought the coastes that lye
Uppon the sea, he found the mouth of fatall Aeserye.
Not farre from thence, he also found the tumb in which the ground
Did kiuer Crotons holy bones, and in that place did found
The Citie that was willed him, and gaue theretoo the name
Of him that there lay buryed. Such originall as this same
This Citie in th' Italian coast is sayd too haue by fame.
His voyage from the Ocean sea, men say with lucky cut
He came a land on Lacine coast. And whyle he there did put
His beace too grazing, he himself in Crotons house did rest
The greatest man in all those parts and vntoo straungers best:
And that he there refresht him of his tedious trauell, and
That when he should depart, he sayd. Where now thy house dooth stand,
Shall in thy childers childrens tyme a Citie buylded bee.
Which woordes of his haue proued trew as playnly now wee see.
For why there was one Myscelus a Greeke, Alemons sonne,
A persone more in fauour of the Goddes than any one
In those dayes was. The God that beares the boystous club did stay
Uppon him being fast a sleepe, and sayd: go seeke streyght way
The stonny streame of Aeserie. Thy natiue soyle for ay
Forsake. And sore he threatned him onlesse he did obey.
The God and sleepe departed both toogither. Up did ryse
Alemons sonne, and in himself did secretly deuyse
Uppon this vision. Long his mynd stroue dowtfull too and fro.
The God bad go. His country lawes did say he should not go,
And death was made the penaltie for him that would doo so.
Cleere Titan in the Ocean sea had hid his lyghtsomme head,
187
The selfsame God by Myscelus did seeme too stand eftsoone,
Commaunding him the selfsame thing that he before had doone,
And threatning mo and greater plages onlesse he did obey.
Then being stricken sore in feare he went about streyght way
His household from his natyue lond too forreine too conuey.
A rumor heerevppon did ryse through all the towne of Arge
And disobedience of the lawe was layëd too his charge.
Assoone as that the cace had first beene pleaded and the deede
Apparantly perceyued, so that witnesse did not neede,
Arreyned and forlorne too heauen he cast his handes and eyes,
And sayd: O God whoose labours twelue haue purchaste thee the skyes,
Assist mee I the pray. For thou art author of my cryme.
When iudgement should bee giuen it was the guyse in auncient tyme
With whyght stones too acquit the cleere, and eeke with blacke too cast
The giltye. That tyme also so the heauy sentence past.
The stones were cast vnmercifull all blacke intoo the pot.
But when the stones were powred out too number, there was not
A blacke among them. All were whyght. And so through Hercles powre
A gentle iudgement did proceede, and he was quit that howre.
Then gaue he thankes too Hercules, and hauing prosprous blast,
Cut ouer the Iönian sea, and so by Tarent past
Which Spartanes buylt, and Cybaris, and Neæth salentine,
And Thurine bay, and Emese, and eeke the pastures fyne
Of Calabrye. And hauing scarce well sought the coastes that lye
Uppon the sea, he found the mouth of fatall Aeserye.
Not farre from thence, he also found the tumb in which the ground
Did kiuer Crotons holy bones, and in that place did found
The Citie that was willed him, and gaue theretoo the name
Of him that there lay buryed. Such originall as this same
This Citie in th' Italian coast is sayd too haue by fame.
Heere dwelt a man of Samos Ile, who for the hate he had
Too Lordlynesse and Tyranny, though vnconstreynd was glad
Too make himself a bannisht man. And though this persone weere
Farre distant from the Goddes by site of heauen: yit came he neere
Too them in mynd. And he by syght of soule and reason cleere
Behild the things which nature dooth too fleshly eyes denye.
And when with care most vigilant he had assuredly
Imprinted all things in his hart, he set them openly
Abroade for other folk too lerne. He taught his silent sort
(Which woondred at the heauenly woordes theyr mayster did report)
The first fonndation of the world: the cause of euery thing:
What nature was: & what was God: whence snow & lyghtning spring:
And whither Ioue or else the wynds in breaking clowdes doo thunder:
What shakes ye earth: what law ye starres doo keepe theyr courses vnder:
And what soeuer other thing is hid from common sence.
He also is the first that did inioyne an abstinence
Too feede of any lyuing thing. He also first of all
Spake thus: although ryght lernedly, yit too effect but small.
Too Lordlynesse and Tyranny, though vnconstreynd was glad
Too make himself a bannisht man. And though this persone weere
Farre distant from the Goddes by site of heauen: yit came he neere
Too them in mynd. And he by syght of soule and reason cleere
Behild the things which nature dooth too fleshly eyes denye.
[187]
Imprinted all things in his hart, he set them openly
Abroade for other folk too lerne. He taught his silent sort
(Which woondred at the heauenly woordes theyr mayster did report)
The first fonndation of the world: the cause of euery thing:
What nature was: & what was God: whence snow & lyghtning spring:
And whither Ioue or else the wynds in breaking clowdes doo thunder:
What shakes ye earth: what law ye starres doo keepe theyr courses vnder:
And what soeuer other thing is hid from common sence.
He also is the first that did inioyne an abstinence
Too feede of any lyuing thing. He also first of all
Spake thus: although ryght lernedly, yit too effect but small.
Yee mortall men forbeare too frank your flesh with wicked foode.
Yee haue both corne & frutes of trees and grapes & herbes right good.
And though that sum bee harsh and hard: yit fyre may make them well
Both soft and sweete. Yee may haue milk, and honny which dooth smell
Of flowres of tyme. The lauas earth dooth yeeld you plentiously
Most gentle foode, and riches too content bothe mynd and eye.
There needes no slaughter nor no blood too get your liuing by.
The beastes doo breake theyr fast with flesh: & yit not all beastes neyther.
For horses, sheepe, and Rotherbeastes too liue by grasse had leuer.
The nature of the beast that dooth delyght in bloody foode,
Is cruell and vnmercifull. As Lyons feerce of moode,
Armenian Tigers, Beares, and Woolues. Oh what a wickednesse
It is too cram the mawe with mawe, and frank vp flesh with flesh,
And for one liuing thing too liue by killing of another:
As whoo should say, that of so great abundance which our moother
The earth dooth yeeld most bountuously, none other myght delyght
Thy cruell teethe too chawe vppon, than grisly woundes that myght
Expresse the Cyclops guyse? or else as if thou could not stawnche
The hunger of thy greedye gut and euill mannerd pawnche,
Onlesse thou stroyd sum other wyght. But that same auncient age
Which wee haue naamd the golden world, cleene voyd of all such rage,
Livd blessedly by frute of trees and herbes that grow on ground,
And stayned not their mouthes wt blood. Then birds might safe & sound
Fly where they listed in the ayre. The hare vnscaard of hound
Went pricking ouer all the feeldes. No angling hooke with bayt
Did hang the seely fish that bote mistrusting no deceyt.
All things were voyd of guylefulnesse: no treason was in trust:
But all was freendshippe loue and peace. But after that the lust
Of one (what God so ere he was) disdeyning former fare,
Too cram that cruell croppe of his with fleshmeate did not spare,
He made a way for wickednesse. And first of all the knyfe
Was staynd with blood of sauage beastes in ridding them of lyfe.
And that had nothing beene amisse, if there had beene the stay.
For why wee graunt, without the breach of godlynesse wee may
By death confound the things that seeke too take our lyues away.
But as too kill them reason was: euen so agein theyr was
No reason why too eate theyr flesh. This leawdnesse thence did passe
On further still. Wheras there was no sacrifyse beforne,
The Swyne (bycause with hoked groyne he wrooted vp the corne,
And did deceyue the tillmen of theyr hope next yeere thereby)
Was deemed woorthy by desert in sacrifyse too dye.
The Goate for byghting vynes was slayne at Bacchus altar whoo
Wreakes such misdeedes. Theyr owne offence was hurtful to theis twoo.
But what haue you poore sheepe misdoone a cattell meeke and meeld,
Created for too maynteine man, whoose fulsomme duggs doo yeeld
Sweete Nectar, whoo dooth clothe vs with your wooll in soft aray?
Whoose lyfe dooth more vs benefite than dooth your death farreway?
What trespasse haue the Oxen doone? a beast without all guyle
Or craft, vnhurtfull, simple, borne too labour euery whyle?
In fayth he is vnmyndfull and vnwoorthy of increace
Of corne, that in his hart can fynd his tilman too releace
From plowgh, too cut his throte: that in his hart can fynde (I say)
Those neckes with hatchets of too strike, whoose skinne is worne away
With labring ay for him: whoo turnd so oft his land most tough,
Whoo brought so many haruestes home. yit is it not ynough
That such a great outrageousenesse committed is. They father
Theyr wickednesse vppon the Goddes. And falsly they doo gather
That in the death of peynfull Ox the hyghest dooth delyght.
A sacrifyse vnblemished and fayrest vntoo syght,
(For beawtye woorketh them theyr bane) adornd with garlonds, and
With glittring gold, is cyted at the altar for too stand.
There heeres he woordes (he wotes not what ye which ye preest dooth pray,
And on his forehead suffereth him betweene his hornes too lay
The eares of corne that he himself hath wrought for in the clay,
And stayneth with his blood the knyfe that he himself perchaunce
Hathe in the water sheere ere then behild by soodein glaunce.
Immediatly they haling out his hartstrings still aliue,
And poring on them, seeke therein Goddes secrets too retryue.
Whence commes so greedy appetyte in men, of wicked meate?
And dare yee O yee mortall men aduenture thus too eate?
Nay doo not (I beseeche yee) so. But giue good care and heede
Too that that I shall warne you of, and trust it as your creede,
That whensoeuer you doo eate your Oxen, you deuowre
Your husbandmen. And forasmuch as God this instant howre
Dooth moue my toong too speake, I will obey his heauenly powre.
My God Apollos temple I will set you open, and
Disclose the woondrous heauens themselues, and make you vnderstand
The Oracles and secrets of the Godly maiestye.
Greate things, and such as wit of man could neuer yit espye,
And such as haue beene hidden long, I purpose too descrye.
I mynd too leaue the earth, and vp among the starres too stye.
I mynd too leaue this grosser place, and in the clowdes too flye,
And on stowt Atlas shoulders strong too rest my self on hye,
And looking downe from heauen on men that wander heere and there
In dreadfull feare of death as though they voyd of reason were,
Too giue them exhortation thus: and playnely too vnwynd
The whole discourse of destinie as nature hath assignd.
O men amaazd with dread of death, why feare yee Limbo Styx,
And other names of vanitie, which are but Poets tricks?
And perrills of another world all false surmysed geere?
For whither fyre or length of tyme consume the bodyes heere,
Yee well may thinke that further harmes they cannot suffer more.
For soules are free from death. Howbeet, they liuing euermore
Theyr former dwellings are receyud and liue ageine in new.
For I myself (ryght well in mynd I beare it too be trew)
Was in the tyme of Troian warre Euphorbus Panthevves sonne
Quyght through whoose hart the deathfull speare of Menelay did ronne.
I late ago in Iunos Church at Argos did behold
And knew the target which I in my left hand there did hold.
Al things doo chaūge. But nothing sure dooth perrish. This same spright
Dooth fleete, and fisking heere and there dooth swiftly take his flyght
From one place too another place, and entreth euery wyght,
Remouing out of man too beast, and out of beast too man.
But yit it neuer perrisheth nor neuer perrish can.
And euen as supple wax with ease receyueth fygures straunge,
And keepes not ay one shape, ne bydes assured ay from chaunge,
And yit continueth alwayes wax in substaunce: So I say
The soule is ay the selfsame thing it was and yit astray
It fleeteth intoo sundry shapes. Therfore least Godlynesse
Bee vanquisht by outragious lust of belly beastlynesse,
Forbeare (I speake by prophesie) your kinsfolkes ghostes too chace
By slaughter: neyther nourish blood with blood in any cace.
And sith on open sea the wynds doo blow my sayles apace,
In all the world there is not that that standeth at a stay.
Things eb and flow: and euery shape is made too passe away.
The tyme itself continually is fleeting like a brooke.
For neyther brooke nor lyghtsomme tyme can tarrye still. But looke
As euery waue dryues other foorth, and that that commes behynd
Bothe thrusteth and is thrust itself: Euen so the tymes by kynd
Doo fly and follow bothe at once, and euermore renew.
For that that was before is left, and streyght there dooth ensew
Anoother that was neuer erst. Eche twincling of an eye
Dooth chaunge. Wee see that after day commes nyght and darks the sky,
And after nyght the lyghtsum Sunne succeedeth orderly.
Like colour is not in the heauen when all things weery lye
At midnyght sound a sleepe, as when the daystarre cleere and bryght
Commes foorth vppon his milkwhyght steede. Ageine in other plyght
The morning Pallants daughter fayre the messenger of lyght
Deliuereth intoo Phebus handes the world of cleerer hew.
The circle also of the sonne what tyme it ryseth new
And when it setteth, looketh red. but when it mounts most hye,
Then lookes it whyght, bycause that there the nature of the skye
Is better, and from filthye drosse of earth dooth further flye
The image also of the Moone that shyneth ay by nyght,
Is neuer of one quantitie. For that that giueth lyght
Too day, is lesser than the next that followeth, till the full.
And then contrarywyse eche day her lyght away dooth pull.
What? seest thou not how that the yeere as representing playne
The age of man, departes itself in quarters fowre? first bayne
And tender in the spring it is, euen like a sucking babe.
Then greene, and voyd of strength, and lush, and foggye, is the blade,
And cheeres the husbandman with hope. Then all things florish gay.
The earth with flowres of sundry hew then seemeth for too play,
And vertue small or none too herbes there dooth as yit belong.
The yeere from springtyde passing foorth too sommer, wexeth strong,
Becommeth lyke a lusty youth. For in our lyfe through out
There is no tyme more plentifull, more lusty whote and stout.
Then followeth Haruest when the heate of youth growes sumwhat cold,
Rype, meeld, disposed meane betwixt a yoongman and an old,
And sumwhat sprent with grayish heare. Then vgly winter last
Like age steales on with trembling steppes, all bald, or ouercast
With shirle thinne heare as whyght as snowe. Our bodies also ay
Doo alter still from tyme too tyme, and neuer stand at stay.
Wee shall not bee the same wee were too day or yisterday.
The day hath beene wee were but seede and only hope of men,
And in our moothers womb wee had our dwelling place as then,
Dame Nature put too conning hand and suffred not that wee
Within our moothers streyned womb should ay distressed bee,
But brought vs out too aire, and from our prison set vs free.
The chyld newborne lyes voyd of strength. Within a season tho
He wexing fowerfooted lernes like sauage beastes too go.
Then sumwhat foltring, and as yit not firme of foote, he standes
By getting sumwhat for too helpe his sinewes in his handes.
From that tyme growing strong and swift, he passeth foorth the space
Of youth: and also wearing out his middle age a pace,
Through drooping ages steepye path he ronneth out his race
This age dooth vndermyne the strength of former yeares, and throwes
It downe. which thing old Milo by example playnely showes.
For when he sawe those armes of his (which heeretoofore had beene
As strong as euer Hercules in woorking deadly teene
Of biggest beastes) hang flapping downe, and nought but empty skin,
He wept. And Helen when shee saw her aged wrincles in
A glasse wept also: musing in herself what men had seene,
That by twoo noble princes sonnes shee twyce had rauisht beene.
Thou tyme the eater vp of things, and age of spyghtfull teene.
Destroy all things. And when that long continuance hath them bit,
You leysurely by lingring death consume them euery whit.
And theis that wee call Elements doo neuer stand at stay.
The enterchaunging course of them I will before yee lay.
Giue heede thertoo. This endlesse world conteynes therin I say
Fowre substances of which all things are gendred. Of theis fower
The Earth and Water for theyr masse and weyght are sunken lower.
The other cowple Aire, and Fyre the purer of the twayne
Mount vp, & nought can keepe thē downe. And though there doo remayne
A space betweene eche one of them: yit euery thing is made
Of themsame fowre, and intoo them at length ageine doo fade.
The earth resoluing leysurely dooth melt too water sheere.
The water fyned turnes too aire. The aire eeke purged cleere
From grossenesse, spyreth vp aloft, and there becommeth fyre.
From thence in order contrary they backe ageine retyre.
Fyre thickening passeth intoo Aire, and Ayër wexing grosse,
Returnes too water: Water eeke congealing intoo drosse,
Becommeth earth. No kind of thing keepes ay his shape and hew.
For nature louing euer chaunge repayres one shape a new
Uppon another. neyther dooth there perrish aught (trust mee)
In all the world, but altring takes new shape. For that which wee
Doo terme by name of being borne, is for too gin too bee
Another thing than that it was: And likewise for too dye,
Too cease too bee the thing it was. And though that varyably
Things passe perchaunce from place too place: yit all from whence they came
Returning, doo vnperrisshed continew still the same.
But as for in one shape, bee sure that nothing long can last.
Euen so the ages of the world from gold too Iron past.
Euen so haue places oftentymes exchaunged theyr estate.
For I haue seene it sea which was substanciall ground alate,
Ageine where sea was, I haue seene the same become dry lond,
And shelles and scales of Seafish farre haue lyen from any strond.
And in the toppes of mountaynes hygh old Anchors haue beene found.
Deepe valleyes haue by watershotte beene made of leuell ground,
And hilles by force of gulling oft haue intoo sea beene worne.
Hard grauell ground is sumtyme seene where marris was beforne,
And that that erst did suffer drowght, becommeth standing lakes.
Heere nature sendeth new springs out, and there the old in takes.
Full many riuers in the world through earthquakes heretoofore
Haue eyther chaundgd theyr former course, or dryde and ronne no more.
Soo Lycus beeing swallowed vp by gaping of the ground,
A greatway of fro thence is in another channell found.
Euen so the riuer Erasine among the feeldes of Arge
Sinkes onewhyle, and another whyle ronnes greate ageine at large.
Caycus also of the land of Mysia (as men say)
Misliking of his former head, ronnes now another way.
In Sicill also Amasene ronnes sumtyme full and hye,
And sumtyme stopping vp his spring, he makes his chanell drye.
Men drank the waters of the brooke Anigrus heretoofore,
Which now is such that men abhorre too towche them any more.
Which commes too passe, (onlesse wee will discredit Poets quyght)
Bycause the Centaures vanquisshed by Hercules in fyght
Did wash theyr woundes in that same brooke. But dooth not Hypanis
That springeth in the Scythian hilles, which at his fountaine is
Ryght pleasant, afterward becomme of brackish bitter taste?
Antissa, and Phenycian Tyre, and Pharos in tyme past
Were compast all about with waues: but none of all theis three
Is now an Ile. Ageine the towne of Levvcas once was free
From sea, and in the auncient tyme was ioyned too the land.
But now enuirond round about with water it dooth stand.
Men say that Sicill also hath beene ioynd too Italy
Untill the sea consumde the bounds beetweene, and did supply
The roome with water. If yee go too seeke for Helicee
And Burye which were Cities of Achaia, you shall see
Them hidden vnder water, and the shipmen yit doo showe
The walles and steeples of the townes drownd vnder as they rowe.
Not farre from Pitthey Troyzen is a certeine high ground found
All voyd of trees, which heeretoofore was playne and leuell ground,
But now a mountayne. for the wyndes a (woondrous thing too say)
Inclosed in the hollow caues of ground, and seeking way
Too passe therefro, in struggling long too get the open skye
In vayne, (bycause in all the caue there was no vent wherby
Too issue out,) did stretch the ground and make it swell on hye,
As dooth a bladder that is blowen by mouth, or as the skinne
Of horned Goate in bottlewyse when wynd is gotten in.
The swelling of the foresayd place remaynes at this day still,
And by continuance waxing hard is growen a pretye hill.
Of many things that come too mynd by heersay, and by skill
Of good experience, I a fewe will vtter too you mo.
What? dooth not water in his shapes chaunge straungely too and fro:
The well of horned Hammon is at noonetyde passing cold.
At morne and euen it wexeth warme. At midnyght none can hold
His hand therin for passing heate. The well of Athamane,
Is sayd too kindle woode what tyme the moone is in the wane.
The Cicons haue a certeine streame which beeing droonk dooth bring
Mennes bowwelles intoo Marble hard: and whatsoeuer thing
Is towcht therwith, it turnes too stone. And by your bounds behold
The riuers Crathe and Sybaris make yellow heare like gold
And Amber. There are also springs (which thing is farre more straunge)
Which not the bodye only, but the mynd doo also chaunge.
Whoo hath not hard of Salmacis that fowle and filthye sink?
Or of the lake of Aethyop, which if a man doo drink,
He eyther ronneth mad, or else with woondrous drowzinesse
Forgoeth quyght his memorie. Whoo euer dooth represse
His thirst with drawght of Clitor well, hates wyne, and dooth delyght
In only water: eyther for bycause there is a myght
Contrary vntoo warming wyne by nature in the well,
Or else bycause (for so the folk of Arcadye doo tell)
Melampus Amythaöns sonne (when he deliuered had
King Prætus daughters by his charmes and herbes from being mad,)
Cast intoo that same water all the baggage wherewithall
He purdged the madnesse of theyr mynds. And so it did befall,
That lothsomnesse of wyne did in those waters ay remayne.
Ageine in Lyncest contrarie effect too this dooth reigne.
For whoo so drinkes too much therof, he reeleth heere and there
As if by quaffing wyne no whyt alayd he droonken were.
There is a Lake in Arcadye which Pheney men did name
In auncient tyme, whoose dowtfulnesse deserueth iustly blame.
A nyght tymes take thou heede of it, for if thou taste the same
A nyghttymes, it will hurt. but if thou drink it in the day
It hurteth not. Thus lakes and streames (as well perceyue yee may)
Haue diuers powres and diuersly. Euen so the tyme hathe beene
That Delos which stands stedfast now, on waues was floting seene.
And Galyes haue beene sore afrayd of frusshing by the Iles
Symplegads which toogither dasht vppon the sea erewhyles,
But now doo stand vnmouable ageinst bothe wynde and tyde.
Mount Aetna with his burning Oouens of brimstone shall not byde
Ay fyrye: neyther was it so for euer erst. For whither
The earth a liuing creature bee, and that too breathe out hither
And thither flame, great store of vents it haue in sundry places,
And that it haue the powre too shift those vents in diuers caces,
Now damming theis, now opening those, in mouing too and fro:
Or that the whisking wynds restreynd within the earth bylowe,
Doo beate the stones ageinst the stones, and other kynd of stuffe
Of fyrye nature, which doo fall on fyre with euery puffe:
Assoone as those same wynds doo cease, the caues shall streight bee cold.
Or if it bee a Rozen mowld that soone of fyre takes hold,
Or brimstone mixt with clayish soyle on fyre dooth lyghtly fall:
Undowtedly assoone as that same soyle consumed shall
No longer yeeld the fatty foode too feede the fyre withall,
And rauening nature shall forgo her woonted nourishment,
Then being able too abyde no longer famishment,
For want of sustenance it shall cease his burning. I doo fynd
By fame, that vnder Charlsis wayne in Pallene are a kynd
Of people which by dyuing thryce three tymes in Triton lake
Becomme all fethred, and the shape of birdes vppon them take.
The Scythian witches also are reported for too doo
The selfsame thing (but hardly I giue credit thervntoo)
By smearing poyson ouer all theyr bodyes. But (and if
A man too matters tryde by proof may saufly giue beleef,)
Wee see how flesh by lying still a whyle and ketching heate
Dooth turne too little liuing beastes. And yit a further feate,
Go kill an Ox and burye him, (the thing by proof man sees)
And of his rotten flesh will breede the flower gathering Bees,
Which as theyr father did before, loue feeldes exceedingly,
And vntoo woork in hope of gayne theyr busye limbes apply.
The Hornet is engendred of a lustye buryed Steede.
Go pull away the cleas from Crabbes that in the sea doo breede,
And burye all the rest in mowld, and of the same will spring
A Scorpion which with writhen tayle will threaten for too sting.
The Caterpillers of the feelde the which are woont too weaue
Hore filmes vppon the leaues of trees, theyr former nature leaue,
(Which thing is knowen too husbandmen) and turne too Butterflyes.
The mud hath in it certeine seede wherof greene frosshes ryse.
And first it brings them footelesse foorth. Then after, it dooth frame
Legges apt too swim: and furthermore of purpose that the same
May serue them for too leape a farre, theyr hinder part is mych
More longer than theyr forepart is. The Bearwhelp also which
The Beare hath newly littred, is no whelp immediatly.
But like an euill fauored lump of flesh alyue dooth lye.
The dam by licking shapeth out his members orderly
Of such a syse, as such a peece is able too conceyue.
Or marke yee not the Bees of whom our hony wee receyue,
How that theyr yoong ones which doo lye within the sixsquare wax
Are limblesse bodyes at the first, and after as they wex
In processe take bothe feete and wings? What man would think it trew
That Ladye Venus simple birdes the Dooues of siluer hew,
Or Iunos bird that in his tayle beares starres, or Ioues stowt knyght
The Earne, and euery other fowle of whatsoeuer flyght,
Could all bee hatched out of egges, onlesse he did it knowe?
Sum folk doo hold opinion when the backebone which dooth growe
In man, is rotten in the graue, the pith becommes a snake.
Howbeete of other things all theis theyr first beginning take.
One bird there is that dooth renew itself and as it were
Beget it self continually. The Syrians name it there
A Phœnix. Neyther corne nor herbes this Phœnix liueth by.
But by the iewce of frankincence and gum of Amomye.
And when that of his lyfe well full fyuehundred yeeres are past,
Uppon a Holmetree or vppon a Date tree at the last
He makes him with his talants and his hardened bill a nest.
Which when that he with Casia sweete and Nardus soft hathe drest,
And strowed it with Cynnamom and Myrrha of the best,
He rucketh downe vppon the same, and in the spyces dyes.
Soone after, of the fathers corce men say there dooth aryse
Another little Phœnix which as many yeeres must liue
As did his father. He (assoone as age dooth strength him giue
Too beare the burthen)from the tree the weyghty nest dooth lift,
And godlyly his cradle thence and fathers herce dooth shift.
And flying through the suttle aire he gettes too Phebus towne,
And there before the temple doore dooth lay his burthen downe.
But if that any noueltye woorth woondring bee in theis,
Much rather may we woonder at the Hyën if we please.
Too see how interchaungeably it one whyle dooth remayne
A female, and another whyle becommeth male againe.
The creature also which dooth liue by only aire and wynd,
All colours that it leaneth too dooth counterfet by kynd.
The Grapegod Bacchus, when he had subdewd the land of Inde,
Did fynd a spotted beast cald Lynx, whoose vrine (by report)
By towching of the open aire congealeth in such sort,
As that it dooth becomme a stone. So Corall (which as long
As water bydes it is a shrub and soft) becommeth strong
And hard assoone as it dooth towch the ayre. The day would end,
And Phebus panting steedes should in the Ocean deepe descend,
Before all alterations I in woordes could comprehend.
So see wee all things chaungeable. One nation gathereth strength:
Another wexeth weake: and bothe doo make exchaunge at length.
So Troy which once was great and strong as well in welth as men,
And able tenne yeeres space too spare such store of blood as then,
Now beeing bace hath nothing left of all her welth too showe,
Saue ruines of the auncient woorkes which grasse dooth ouergrowe,
And tumbes wherin theyr auncetours lye buryed on a rowe.
Once Sparta was a famous towne: Great Mycene florisht trim:
Bothe Athens and Amphions towres in honor once did swim.
A pelting plot is Sparta now: great Mycene lyes on ground.
Of Theab the towne of Oedipus what haue we more than sound?
Of Athens king Pandions towne what resteth more than name?
Now also of the race of Troy is rysing (so sayth fame)
The Citie Roome, which at the bank of Tyber that dooth ronne
Downe from the hill of Appennyne) already hath begonne
With great aduysement for too lay foundation of her state.
This towne then chaungeth by increase the forme it had alate,
And of the vniuersall world in tyme to comme shall hold
The souereintye so prophesies and lotts (men say) haue told.
And as (I doo remember mee) what tyme that Troy decayd,
The prophet Helen Priams sonne theis woordes ensewing sayd
Before Aenæas dowting of his lyfe in weeping plyght:
O Goddesse sonne, beleeue mee (if thou think I haue foresyght
Of things too comme) Troy shalnot quyght decay whyle thou doost liue.
Bothe fyre and swoord shall vntoo thee thy passage freely giue.
Thou must from hence: and Troy with thee conuey away in haste,
Untill that bothe thyself and Troy in forreine land bee plaast
More freendly than thy natiue soyle. Moreouer I foresee,
A Citie by the ofspring of the Troians buylt shall bee,
So great as neuer in the world the lyke was seene before
Nor is this present, neyther shall be seene for euermore.
A number of most noble peeres for manye yeeres afore
Shall make it strong and puyssant: But hee that shall it make
The souereine Ladye of the world, by ryght descent shall take
His first beginning from thy sonne the little Iule. And when
The earth hathe had her tyme of him, the sky and welkin then
Shall haue him vp for euermore, and heauen shall bee his end.
Thus farre I (well remember mee) did Helens woordes extend
Too good Aenæas. And it is a pleasure vntoo mee
The Citie of my countrymen increasing thus too see:
And that the Grecians victorie becommes the Troians weale.
But least forgetting quyght themselues our horses happe too steale
Beyond the mark: the heauen and all that vnder heauen is found,
Dooth alter shape. So dooth the ground and all that is in ground.
And wee that of the world are part (considring how wee bee
Not only flesh, but also sowles, which may with passage free
Remoue them intoo euery kynd of beast both tame and wyld)
Let liue in saufty honestly with slaughter vndefyld,
The bodyes which perchaunce may haue the sprits of our brothers,
Our sisters, or our parents, or the spirits of sum others
Alyed too vs eyther by sum freendshippe or sum kin,
Or at the least the soules of men abyding them within.
And let vs not Thyëstes lyke thus furnish vp our boordes
With bloodye bowells. Oh how leawd example he auoordes?
How wickedly prepareth he himself too murther man?
That with a cruell knyfe dooth cut the throte of Calf, and can
Unmouably giue heering too the lowing of the dam?
Or sticke the kid that wayleth lyke the little babe? or eate
The fowle that he himself before had often fed with meate?
What wants of vtter wickednesse in woorking such a feate?
What may he after passe too doo? well eyther let your steeres
Weare out themselues with woork, or else impute theyr death too yeeres.
Ageinst the wynd and weather cold let Wethers yeeld yee cotes.
And vdders full of batling milk receyue yee of the Goates.
Away with sprindges, snares, and grinnes, away with Risp and net.
Away with guylefull feates: for fowles no lymetwiggs see yee set.
No feared fethers pitche yee vp too keepe the Reddeere in,
Ne with deceytfull bayted hooke seeke fishes for too win.
If awght doo harme, destroy it. but destroyt and doo no more.
Forbeare the flesh: and feede your mouthes with fitter foode therfore.
Yee haue both corne & frutes of trees and grapes & herbes right good.
And though that sum bee harsh and hard: yit fyre may make them well
Both soft and sweete. Yee may haue milk, and honny which dooth smell
Of flowres of tyme. The lauas earth dooth yeeld you plentiously
Most gentle foode, and riches too content bothe mynd and eye.
There needes no slaughter nor no blood too get your liuing by.
The beastes doo breake theyr fast with flesh: & yit not all beastes neyther.
For horses, sheepe, and Rotherbeastes too liue by grasse had leuer.
The nature of the beast that dooth delyght in bloody foode,
Is cruell and vnmercifull. As Lyons feerce of moode,
Armenian Tigers, Beares, and Woolues. Oh what a wickednesse
It is too cram the mawe with mawe, and frank vp flesh with flesh,
And for one liuing thing too liue by killing of another:
As whoo should say, that of so great abundance which our moother
The earth dooth yeeld most bountuously, none other myght delyght
Thy cruell teethe too chawe vppon, than grisly woundes that myght
Expresse the Cyclops guyse? or else as if thou could not stawnche
The hunger of thy greedye gut and euill mannerd pawnche,
Onlesse thou stroyd sum other wyght. But that same auncient age
Which wee haue naamd the golden world, cleene voyd of all such rage,
Livd blessedly by frute of trees and herbes that grow on ground,
And stayned not their mouthes wt blood. Then birds might safe & sound
Fly where they listed in the ayre. The hare vnscaard of hound
Went pricking ouer all the feeldes. No angling hooke with bayt
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All things were voyd of guylefulnesse: no treason was in trust:
But all was freendshippe loue and peace. But after that the lust
Of one (what God so ere he was) disdeyning former fare,
Too cram that cruell croppe of his with fleshmeate did not spare,
He made a way for wickednesse. And first of all the knyfe
Was staynd with blood of sauage beastes in ridding them of lyfe.
And that had nothing beene amisse, if there had beene the stay.
For why wee graunt, without the breach of godlynesse wee may
By death confound the things that seeke too take our lyues away.
But as too kill them reason was: euen so agein theyr was
No reason why too eate theyr flesh. This leawdnesse thence did passe
On further still. Wheras there was no sacrifyse beforne,
The Swyne (bycause with hoked groyne he wrooted vp the corne,
And did deceyue the tillmen of theyr hope next yeere thereby)
Was deemed woorthy by desert in sacrifyse too dye.
The Goate for byghting vynes was slayne at Bacchus altar whoo
Wreakes such misdeedes. Theyr owne offence was hurtful to theis twoo.
But what haue you poore sheepe misdoone a cattell meeke and meeld,
Created for too maynteine man, whoose fulsomme duggs doo yeeld
Sweete Nectar, whoo dooth clothe vs with your wooll in soft aray?
Whoose lyfe dooth more vs benefite than dooth your death farreway?
What trespasse haue the Oxen doone? a beast without all guyle
Or craft, vnhurtfull, simple, borne too labour euery whyle?
In fayth he is vnmyndfull and vnwoorthy of increace
Of corne, that in his hart can fynd his tilman too releace
From plowgh, too cut his throte: that in his hart can fynde (I say)
Those neckes with hatchets of too strike, whoose skinne is worne away
With labring ay for him: whoo turnd so oft his land most tough,
Whoo brought so many haruestes home. yit is it not ynough
That such a great outrageousenesse committed is. They father
Theyr wickednesse vppon the Goddes. And falsly they doo gather
That in the death of peynfull Ox the hyghest dooth delyght.
A sacrifyse vnblemished and fayrest vntoo syght,
(For beawtye woorketh them theyr bane) adornd with garlonds, and
With glittring gold, is cyted at the altar for too stand.
There heeres he woordes (he wotes not what ye which ye preest dooth pray,
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The eares of corne that he himself hath wrought for in the clay,
And stayneth with his blood the knyfe that he himself perchaunce
Hathe in the water sheere ere then behild by soodein glaunce.
Immediatly they haling out his hartstrings still aliue,
And poring on them, seeke therein Goddes secrets too retryue.
Whence commes so greedy appetyte in men, of wicked meate?
And dare yee O yee mortall men aduenture thus too eate?
Nay doo not (I beseeche yee) so. But giue good care and heede
Too that that I shall warne you of, and trust it as your creede,
That whensoeuer you doo eate your Oxen, you deuowre
Your husbandmen. And forasmuch as God this instant howre
Dooth moue my toong too speake, I will obey his heauenly powre.
My God Apollos temple I will set you open, and
Disclose the woondrous heauens themselues, and make you vnderstand
The Oracles and secrets of the Godly maiestye.
Greate things, and such as wit of man could neuer yit espye,
And such as haue beene hidden long, I purpose too descrye.
I mynd too leaue the earth, and vp among the starres too stye.
I mynd too leaue this grosser place, and in the clowdes too flye,
And on stowt Atlas shoulders strong too rest my self on hye,
And looking downe from heauen on men that wander heere and there
In dreadfull feare of death as though they voyd of reason were,
Too giue them exhortation thus: and playnely too vnwynd
The whole discourse of destinie as nature hath assignd.
O men amaazd with dread of death, why feare yee Limbo Styx,
And other names of vanitie, which are but Poets tricks?
And perrills of another world all false surmysed geere?
For whither fyre or length of tyme consume the bodyes heere,
Yee well may thinke that further harmes they cannot suffer more.
For soules are free from death. Howbeet, they liuing euermore
Theyr former dwellings are receyud and liue ageine in new.
For I myself (ryght well in mynd I beare it too be trew)
Was in the tyme of Troian warre Euphorbus Panthevves sonne
Quyght through whoose hart the deathfull speare of Menelay did ronne.
I late ago in Iunos Church at Argos did behold
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Al things doo chaūge. But nothing sure dooth perrish. This same spright
Dooth fleete, and fisking heere and there dooth swiftly take his flyght
From one place too another place, and entreth euery wyght,
Remouing out of man too beast, and out of beast too man.
But yit it neuer perrisheth nor neuer perrish can.
And euen as supple wax with ease receyueth fygures straunge,
And keepes not ay one shape, ne bydes assured ay from chaunge,
And yit continueth alwayes wax in substaunce: So I say
The soule is ay the selfsame thing it was and yit astray
It fleeteth intoo sundry shapes. Therfore least Godlynesse
Bee vanquisht by outragious lust of belly beastlynesse,
Forbeare (I speake by prophesie) your kinsfolkes ghostes too chace
By slaughter: neyther nourish blood with blood in any cace.
And sith on open sea the wynds doo blow my sayles apace,
In all the world there is not that that standeth at a stay.
Things eb and flow: and euery shape is made too passe away.
The tyme itself continually is fleeting like a brooke.
For neyther brooke nor lyghtsomme tyme can tarrye still. But looke
As euery waue dryues other foorth, and that that commes behynd
Bothe thrusteth and is thrust itself: Euen so the tymes by kynd
Doo fly and follow bothe at once, and euermore renew.
For that that was before is left, and streyght there dooth ensew
Anoother that was neuer erst. Eche twincling of an eye
Dooth chaunge. Wee see that after day commes nyght and darks the sky,
And after nyght the lyghtsum Sunne succeedeth orderly.
Like colour is not in the heauen when all things weery lye
At midnyght sound a sleepe, as when the daystarre cleere and bryght
Commes foorth vppon his milkwhyght steede. Ageine in other plyght
The morning Pallants daughter fayre the messenger of lyght
Deliuereth intoo Phebus handes the world of cleerer hew.
The circle also of the sonne what tyme it ryseth new
And when it setteth, looketh red. but when it mounts most hye,
Then lookes it whyght, bycause that there the nature of the skye
Is better, and from filthye drosse of earth dooth further flye
The image also of the Moone that shyneth ay by nyght,
Is neuer of one quantitie. For that that giueth lyght
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And then contrarywyse eche day her lyght away dooth pull.
What? seest thou not how that the yeere as representing playne
The age of man, departes itself in quarters fowre? first bayne
And tender in the spring it is, euen like a sucking babe.
Then greene, and voyd of strength, and lush, and foggye, is the blade,
And cheeres the husbandman with hope. Then all things florish gay.
The earth with flowres of sundry hew then seemeth for too play,
And vertue small or none too herbes there dooth as yit belong.
The yeere from springtyde passing foorth too sommer, wexeth strong,
Becommeth lyke a lusty youth. For in our lyfe through out
There is no tyme more plentifull, more lusty whote and stout.
Then followeth Haruest when the heate of youth growes sumwhat cold,
Rype, meeld, disposed meane betwixt a yoongman and an old,
And sumwhat sprent with grayish heare. Then vgly winter last
Like age steales on with trembling steppes, all bald, or ouercast
With shirle thinne heare as whyght as snowe. Our bodies also ay
Doo alter still from tyme too tyme, and neuer stand at stay.
Wee shall not bee the same wee were too day or yisterday.
The day hath beene wee were but seede and only hope of men,
And in our moothers womb wee had our dwelling place as then,
Dame Nature put too conning hand and suffred not that wee
Within our moothers streyned womb should ay distressed bee,
But brought vs out too aire, and from our prison set vs free.
The chyld newborne lyes voyd of strength. Within a season tho
He wexing fowerfooted lernes like sauage beastes too go.
Then sumwhat foltring, and as yit not firme of foote, he standes
By getting sumwhat for too helpe his sinewes in his handes.
From that tyme growing strong and swift, he passeth foorth the space
Of youth: and also wearing out his middle age a pace,
Through drooping ages steepye path he ronneth out his race
This age dooth vndermyne the strength of former yeares, and throwes
It downe. which thing old Milo by example playnely showes.
For when he sawe those armes of his (which heeretoofore had beene
As strong as euer Hercules in woorking deadly teene
Of biggest beastes) hang flapping downe, and nought but empty skin,
He wept. And Helen when shee saw her aged wrincles in
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That by twoo noble princes sonnes shee twyce had rauisht beene.
Thou tyme the eater vp of things, and age of spyghtfull teene.
Destroy all things. And when that long continuance hath them bit,
You leysurely by lingring death consume them euery whit.
And theis that wee call Elements doo neuer stand at stay.
The enterchaunging course of them I will before yee lay.
Giue heede thertoo. This endlesse world conteynes therin I say
Fowre substances of which all things are gendred. Of theis fower
The Earth and Water for theyr masse and weyght are sunken lower.
The other cowple Aire, and Fyre the purer of the twayne
Mount vp, & nought can keepe thē downe. And though there doo remayne
A space betweene eche one of them: yit euery thing is made
Of themsame fowre, and intoo them at length ageine doo fade.
The earth resoluing leysurely dooth melt too water sheere.
The water fyned turnes too aire. The aire eeke purged cleere
From grossenesse, spyreth vp aloft, and there becommeth fyre.
From thence in order contrary they backe ageine retyre.
Fyre thickening passeth intoo Aire, and Ayër wexing grosse,
Returnes too water: Water eeke congealing intoo drosse,
Becommeth earth. No kind of thing keepes ay his shape and hew.
For nature louing euer chaunge repayres one shape a new
Uppon another. neyther dooth there perrish aught (trust mee)
In all the world, but altring takes new shape. For that which wee
Doo terme by name of being borne, is for too gin too bee
Another thing than that it was: And likewise for too dye,
Too cease too bee the thing it was. And though that varyably
Things passe perchaunce from place too place: yit all from whence they came
Returning, doo vnperrisshed continew still the same.
But as for in one shape, bee sure that nothing long can last.
Euen so the ages of the world from gold too Iron past.
Euen so haue places oftentymes exchaunged theyr estate.
For I haue seene it sea which was substanciall ground alate,
Ageine where sea was, I haue seene the same become dry lond,
And shelles and scales of Seafish farre haue lyen from any strond.
And in the toppes of mountaynes hygh old Anchors haue beene found.
Deepe valleyes haue by watershotte beene made of leuell ground,
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Hard grauell ground is sumtyme seene where marris was beforne,
And that that erst did suffer drowght, becommeth standing lakes.
Heere nature sendeth new springs out, and there the old in takes.
Full many riuers in the world through earthquakes heretoofore
Haue eyther chaundgd theyr former course, or dryde and ronne no more.
Soo Lycus beeing swallowed vp by gaping of the ground,
A greatway of fro thence is in another channell found.
Euen so the riuer Erasine among the feeldes of Arge
Sinkes onewhyle, and another whyle ronnes greate ageine at large.
Caycus also of the land of Mysia (as men say)
Misliking of his former head, ronnes now another way.
In Sicill also Amasene ronnes sumtyme full and hye,
And sumtyme stopping vp his spring, he makes his chanell drye.
Men drank the waters of the brooke Anigrus heretoofore,
Which now is such that men abhorre too towche them any more.
Which commes too passe, (onlesse wee will discredit Poets quyght)
Bycause the Centaures vanquisshed by Hercules in fyght
Did wash theyr woundes in that same brooke. But dooth not Hypanis
That springeth in the Scythian hilles, which at his fountaine is
Ryght pleasant, afterward becomme of brackish bitter taste?
Antissa, and Phenycian Tyre, and Pharos in tyme past
Were compast all about with waues: but none of all theis three
Is now an Ile. Ageine the towne of Levvcas once was free
From sea, and in the auncient tyme was ioyned too the land.
But now enuirond round about with water it dooth stand.
Men say that Sicill also hath beene ioynd too Italy
Untill the sea consumde the bounds beetweene, and did supply
The roome with water. If yee go too seeke for Helicee
And Burye which were Cities of Achaia, you shall see
Them hidden vnder water, and the shipmen yit doo showe
The walles and steeples of the townes drownd vnder as they rowe.
Not farre from Pitthey Troyzen is a certeine high ground found
All voyd of trees, which heeretoofore was playne and leuell ground,
But now a mountayne. for the wyndes a (woondrous thing too say)
Inclosed in the hollow caues of ground, and seeking way
Too passe therefro, in struggling long too get the open skye
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Too issue out,) did stretch the ground and make it swell on hye,
As dooth a bladder that is blowen by mouth, or as the skinne
Of horned Goate in bottlewyse when wynd is gotten in.
The swelling of the foresayd place remaynes at this day still,
And by continuance waxing hard is growen a pretye hill.
Of many things that come too mynd by heersay, and by skill
Of good experience, I a fewe will vtter too you mo.
What? dooth not water in his shapes chaunge straungely too and fro:
The well of horned Hammon is at noonetyde passing cold.
At morne and euen it wexeth warme. At midnyght none can hold
His hand therin for passing heate. The well of Athamane,
Is sayd too kindle woode what tyme the moone is in the wane.
The Cicons haue a certeine streame which beeing droonk dooth bring
Mennes bowwelles intoo Marble hard: and whatsoeuer thing
Is towcht therwith, it turnes too stone. And by your bounds behold
The riuers Crathe and Sybaris make yellow heare like gold
And Amber. There are also springs (which thing is farre more straunge)
Which not the bodye only, but the mynd doo also chaunge.
Whoo hath not hard of Salmacis that fowle and filthye sink?
Or of the lake of Aethyop, which if a man doo drink,
He eyther ronneth mad, or else with woondrous drowzinesse
Forgoeth quyght his memorie. Whoo euer dooth represse
His thirst with drawght of Clitor well, hates wyne, and dooth delyght
In only water: eyther for bycause there is a myght
Contrary vntoo warming wyne by nature in the well,
Or else bycause (for so the folk of Arcadye doo tell)
Melampus Amythaöns sonne (when he deliuered had
King Prætus daughters by his charmes and herbes from being mad,)
Cast intoo that same water all the baggage wherewithall
He purdged the madnesse of theyr mynds. And so it did befall,
That lothsomnesse of wyne did in those waters ay remayne.
Ageine in Lyncest contrarie effect too this dooth reigne.
For whoo so drinkes too much therof, he reeleth heere and there
As if by quaffing wyne no whyt alayd he droonken were.
There is a Lake in Arcadye which Pheney men did name
In auncient tyme, whoose dowtfulnesse deserueth iustly blame.
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A nyghttymes, it will hurt. but if thou drink it in the day
It hurteth not. Thus lakes and streames (as well perceyue yee may)
Haue diuers powres and diuersly. Euen so the tyme hathe beene
That Delos which stands stedfast now, on waues was floting seene.
And Galyes haue beene sore afrayd of frusshing by the Iles
Symplegads which toogither dasht vppon the sea erewhyles,
But now doo stand vnmouable ageinst bothe wynde and tyde.
Mount Aetna with his burning Oouens of brimstone shall not byde
Ay fyrye: neyther was it so for euer erst. For whither
The earth a liuing creature bee, and that too breathe out hither
And thither flame, great store of vents it haue in sundry places,
And that it haue the powre too shift those vents in diuers caces,
Now damming theis, now opening those, in mouing too and fro:
Or that the whisking wynds restreynd within the earth bylowe,
Doo beate the stones ageinst the stones, and other kynd of stuffe
Of fyrye nature, which doo fall on fyre with euery puffe:
Assoone as those same wynds doo cease, the caues shall streight bee cold.
Or if it bee a Rozen mowld that soone of fyre takes hold,
Or brimstone mixt with clayish soyle on fyre dooth lyghtly fall:
Undowtedly assoone as that same soyle consumed shall
No longer yeeld the fatty foode too feede the fyre withall,
And rauening nature shall forgo her woonted nourishment,
Then being able too abyde no longer famishment,
For want of sustenance it shall cease his burning. I doo fynd
By fame, that vnder Charlsis wayne in Pallene are a kynd
Of people which by dyuing thryce three tymes in Triton lake
Becomme all fethred, and the shape of birdes vppon them take.
The Scythian witches also are reported for too doo
The selfsame thing (but hardly I giue credit thervntoo)
By smearing poyson ouer all theyr bodyes. But (and if
A man too matters tryde by proof may saufly giue beleef,)
Wee see how flesh by lying still a whyle and ketching heate
Dooth turne too little liuing beastes. And yit a further feate,
Go kill an Ox and burye him, (the thing by proof man sees)
And of his rotten flesh will breede the flower gathering Bees,
Which as theyr father did before, loue feeldes exceedingly,
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The Hornet is engendred of a lustye buryed Steede.
Go pull away the cleas from Crabbes that in the sea doo breede,
And burye all the rest in mowld, and of the same will spring
A Scorpion which with writhen tayle will threaten for too sting.
The Caterpillers of the feelde the which are woont too weaue
Hore filmes vppon the leaues of trees, theyr former nature leaue,
(Which thing is knowen too husbandmen) and turne too Butterflyes.
The mud hath in it certeine seede wherof greene frosshes ryse.
And first it brings them footelesse foorth. Then after, it dooth frame
Legges apt too swim: and furthermore of purpose that the same
May serue them for too leape a farre, theyr hinder part is mych
More longer than theyr forepart is. The Bearwhelp also which
The Beare hath newly littred, is no whelp immediatly.
But like an euill fauored lump of flesh alyue dooth lye.
The dam by licking shapeth out his members orderly
Of such a syse, as such a peece is able too conceyue.
Or marke yee not the Bees of whom our hony wee receyue,
How that theyr yoong ones which doo lye within the sixsquare wax
Are limblesse bodyes at the first, and after as they wex
In processe take bothe feete and wings? What man would think it trew
That Ladye Venus simple birdes the Dooues of siluer hew,
Or Iunos bird that in his tayle beares starres, or Ioues stowt knyght
The Earne, and euery other fowle of whatsoeuer flyght,
Could all bee hatched out of egges, onlesse he did it knowe?
Sum folk doo hold opinion when the backebone which dooth growe
In man, is rotten in the graue, the pith becommes a snake.
Howbeete of other things all theis theyr first beginning take.
One bird there is that dooth renew itself and as it were
Beget it self continually. The Syrians name it there
A Phœnix. Neyther corne nor herbes this Phœnix liueth by.
But by the iewce of frankincence and gum of Amomye.
And when that of his lyfe well full fyuehundred yeeres are past,
Uppon a Holmetree or vppon a Date tree at the last
He makes him with his talants and his hardened bill a nest.
Which when that he with Casia sweete and Nardus soft hathe drest,
And strowed it with Cynnamom and Myrrha of the best,
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Soone after, of the fathers corce men say there dooth aryse
Another little Phœnix which as many yeeres must liue
As did his father. He (assoone as age dooth strength him giue
Too beare the burthen)from the tree the weyghty nest dooth lift,
And godlyly his cradle thence and fathers herce dooth shift.
And flying through the suttle aire he gettes too Phebus towne,
And there before the temple doore dooth lay his burthen downe.
But if that any noueltye woorth woondring bee in theis,
Much rather may we woonder at the Hyën if we please.
Too see how interchaungeably it one whyle dooth remayne
A female, and another whyle becommeth male againe.
The creature also which dooth liue by only aire and wynd,
All colours that it leaneth too dooth counterfet by kynd.
The Grapegod Bacchus, when he had subdewd the land of Inde,
Did fynd a spotted beast cald Lynx, whoose vrine (by report)
By towching of the open aire congealeth in such sort,
As that it dooth becomme a stone. So Corall (which as long
As water bydes it is a shrub and soft) becommeth strong
And hard assoone as it dooth towch the ayre. The day would end,
And Phebus panting steedes should in the Ocean deepe descend,
Before all alterations I in woordes could comprehend.
So see wee all things chaungeable. One nation gathereth strength:
Another wexeth weake: and bothe doo make exchaunge at length.
So Troy which once was great and strong as well in welth as men,
And able tenne yeeres space too spare such store of blood as then,
Now beeing bace hath nothing left of all her welth too showe,
Saue ruines of the auncient woorkes which grasse dooth ouergrowe,
And tumbes wherin theyr auncetours lye buryed on a rowe.
Once Sparta was a famous towne: Great Mycene florisht trim:
Bothe Athens and Amphions towres in honor once did swim.
A pelting plot is Sparta now: great Mycene lyes on ground.
Of Theab the towne of Oedipus what haue we more than sound?
Of Athens king Pandions towne what resteth more than name?
Now also of the race of Troy is rysing (so sayth fame)
The Citie Roome, which at the bank of Tyber that dooth ronne
Downe from the hill of Appennyne) already hath begonne
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This towne then chaungeth by increase the forme it had alate,
And of the vniuersall world in tyme to comme shall hold
The souereintye so prophesies and lotts (men say) haue told.
And as (I doo remember mee) what tyme that Troy decayd,
The prophet Helen Priams sonne theis woordes ensewing sayd
Before Aenæas dowting of his lyfe in weeping plyght:
O Goddesse sonne, beleeue mee (if thou think I haue foresyght
Of things too comme) Troy shalnot quyght decay whyle thou doost liue.
Bothe fyre and swoord shall vntoo thee thy passage freely giue.
Thou must from hence: and Troy with thee conuey away in haste,
Untill that bothe thyself and Troy in forreine land bee plaast
More freendly than thy natiue soyle. Moreouer I foresee,
A Citie by the ofspring of the Troians buylt shall bee,
So great as neuer in the world the lyke was seene before
Nor is this present, neyther shall be seene for euermore.
A number of most noble peeres for manye yeeres afore
Shall make it strong and puyssant: But hee that shall it make
The souereine Ladye of the world, by ryght descent shall take
His first beginning from thy sonne the little Iule. And when
The earth hathe had her tyme of him, the sky and welkin then
Shall haue him vp for euermore, and heauen shall bee his end.
Thus farre I (well remember mee) did Helens woordes extend
Too good Aenæas. And it is a pleasure vntoo mee
The Citie of my countrymen increasing thus too see:
And that the Grecians victorie becommes the Troians weale.
But least forgetting quyght themselues our horses happe too steale
Beyond the mark: the heauen and all that vnder heauen is found,
Dooth alter shape. So dooth the ground and all that is in ground.
And wee that of the world are part (considring how wee bee
Not only flesh, but also sowles, which may with passage free
Remoue them intoo euery kynd of beast both tame and wyld)
Let liue in saufty honestly with slaughter vndefyld,
The bodyes which perchaunce may haue the sprits of our brothers,
Our sisters, or our parents, or the spirits of sum others
Alyed too vs eyther by sum freendshippe or sum kin,
Or at the least the soules of men abyding them within.
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With bloodye bowells. Oh how leawd example he auoordes?
How wickedly prepareth he himself too murther man?
That with a cruell knyfe dooth cut the throte of Calf, and can
Unmouably giue heering too the lowing of the dam?
Or sticke the kid that wayleth lyke the little babe? or eate
The fowle that he himself before had often fed with meate?
What wants of vtter wickednesse in woorking such a feate?
What may he after passe too doo? well eyther let your steeres
Weare out themselues with woork, or else impute theyr death too yeeres.
Ageinst the wynd and weather cold let Wethers yeeld yee cotes.
And vdders full of batling milk receyue yee of the Goates.
Away with sprindges, snares, and grinnes, away with Risp and net.
Away with guylefull feates: for fowles no lymetwiggs see yee set.
No feared fethers pitche yee vp too keepe the Reddeere in,
Ne with deceytfull bayted hooke seeke fishes for too win.
If awght doo harme, destroy it. but destroyt and doo no more.
Forbeare the flesh: and feede your mouthes with fitter foode therfore.
Men say that Numa furnisshed with such philosophye
As this and like, returned too his natiue soyle, and by
Entreatance was content of Roome too take the souereintye.
Ryght happy in his wyfe which was a nymph, ryght happy in
His guydes which were the Muses nyne, this Numa did begin
Too teach Religion. by the meanes whereof hee shortly drew
That people vntoo peace whoo erst of nought but battell knew.
And when through age he ended had his reigne and eeke his lyfe,
Through Latium he was moorned for of man and chyld and wyfe
As well of hygh as low degree. His wyfe forsaking quyght
The Citie, in vale Aricine did hyde her out of syght,
Among the thickest groues, and there with syghes and playnts did let
The sacrifyse of Diane whom Orestes erst had fet
From Taurica in Chersonese, and in that place had set.
How oft ah did the woodnymphes and the waternymphes perswade
Egeria for too cease her mone? what meanes of comfort made
They? Ah how often Theseus sonne her weeping thus bespake?
As this and like, returned too his natiue soyle, and by
Entreatance was content of Roome too take the souereintye.
Ryght happy in his wyfe which was a nymph, ryght happy in
His guydes which were the Muses nyne, this Numa did begin
Too teach Religion. by the meanes whereof hee shortly drew
That people vntoo peace whoo erst of nought but battell knew.
And when through age he ended had his reigne and eeke his lyfe,
Through Latium he was moorned for of man and chyld and wyfe
As well of hygh as low degree. His wyfe forsaking quyght
The Citie, in vale Aricine did hyde her out of syght,
Among the thickest groues, and there with syghes and playnts did let
The sacrifyse of Diane whom Orestes erst had fet
From Taurica in Chersonese, and in that place had set.
How oft ah did the woodnymphes and the waternymphes perswade
Egeria for too cease her mone? what meanes of comfort made
They? Ah how often Theseus sonne her weeping thus bespake?
O Nymph, thy moorning moderate: thy sorrow sumwhat slake:
Not only thou hast cause too hart thy fortune for too take.
Behold like happes of other folkes, and this mischaunce of thyne
Shall greeue thee lesse. would God examples (so they were not myne)
Myght comfort thee. But myne perchaunce may comfort thee. If thou
In talk by hap haste heard of one Hippolytus ere now,
That through his fathers lyght beleefe, and stepdames craft was slayne,
It will a woonder seeme too thee, and I shall haue much payne
Too make thee too beleeue the thing. But I am very hee.
The daughter of Pasyphae in vayne oft tempting mee
My fathers chamber too defyle, surmysde mee too haue sought
The thing that shee with al her hart would fayne I should haue wrought.
And whither it were for feare I should her wickednesse bewray,
Or else for spyght bycause I had so often sayd her nay,
Shee chardgd mee with hir owne offence. My father by and by
Condemning mee, did banish mee his Realme without cause whye.
And at my going like a fo did ban me bitterly.
Too Pitthey Troyzen outlawelike my chariot streight tooke I
My way lay hard vppon the shore of Corinth. Soodeinly
The sea did ryse, and like a mount the waue did swell on hye,
And seemed howger for too growe in drawing euer nye,
And roring clyued in the toppe. Up starts immediatly
A horned bullocke from amid the broken waue, and by
The brest did rayse him in the ayre, And at his nosethrills and
His platter mouth did puffe out part of sea vppon the land.
My seruants harts were sore afrayd. But my hart musing ay
Uppon my wrongfull banishment, did nought at all dismay.
My horses setting vp theyr eares and snorting wexed shye,
And beeing greatly flayghted with the monster in theyr eye,
Turnd downe too sea: and on the rockes my wagon drew. In vayne
I stryuing for too hold them backe, layd hand vppon the reyne
All whyght with fome, and haling backe lay almost bolt vpryght.
And sure the feercenesse of the steedes had yeelded too my might,
But that the wheele that ronneth ay about the Extree round,
Did breake by dashing on a stub, and ouerthrew too ground.
Then from the Charyot I was snatcht the brydles beeing cast
About my limbes. Yee myght haue seene my sinewes sticking fast
Uppon the stub: my gutts drawen out alyue: my members, part
Still left vppon the stump, and part foorth harryed with the cart:
The crasshing of my broken bones: and with what passing peyne
I breathed out my weery ghoste. There did not whole remayne
One peece of all my corce by which yee myght discerne as tho
What lump or part it was. For all was wound from toppe too to.
Now canst thou nymph, or darest thou compare thy harmes with myne?
Moreouer I the lightlesse Realme behild with theis same eyne,
And bathde my tattred bodye in the riuer Phlegeton.
And had not bright Apollos sonne his cunning shewde vppon
My bodye by his surgery, my lyfe had quyght bee gone.
Which after I by force of herbes and leechecraft had ageine
Receyud by Aesculapius meanes, though Pluto did disdeine,
Then Cynthia (least this gift of hers myght woorke mee greater spyght)
Thicke clowds did round about mee cast. And too thentent I myght
Bee saufe myself, and harmelessely appeere too others syght:
Shee made mee old. And for my face, shee left it in such plyght,
That none can knowe mee by my looke. And long shee dowted whither
Too giue mee Dele or Crete. At length refusing bothe toogither,
Shee plaast mee heere. And therwithall shee bade me giue vp quyght
The name that of my horses in remembrance put mee myght.
For whereas erst Hippolytus hath beene thy name (quoth shee)
I will that Virbie afterward thy name for euer bee.
From that tyme foorth within this wood I keepe my residence,
As of the meaner Goddes, a God of small magnificence
And heere I hyde mee vnderneathe my souereine Ladyes wing
Obeying humbly too her hest in euery kynd of thing.
Not only thou hast cause too hart thy fortune for too take.
194
Shall greeue thee lesse. would God examples (so they were not myne)
Myght comfort thee. But myne perchaunce may comfort thee. If thou
In talk by hap haste heard of one Hippolytus ere now,
That through his fathers lyght beleefe, and stepdames craft was slayne,
It will a woonder seeme too thee, and I shall haue much payne
Too make thee too beleeue the thing. But I am very hee.
The daughter of Pasyphae in vayne oft tempting mee
My fathers chamber too defyle, surmysde mee too haue sought
The thing that shee with al her hart would fayne I should haue wrought.
And whither it were for feare I should her wickednesse bewray,
Or else for spyght bycause I had so often sayd her nay,
Shee chardgd mee with hir owne offence. My father by and by
Condemning mee, did banish mee his Realme without cause whye.
And at my going like a fo did ban me bitterly.
Too Pitthey Troyzen outlawelike my chariot streight tooke I
My way lay hard vppon the shore of Corinth. Soodeinly
The sea did ryse, and like a mount the waue did swell on hye,
And seemed howger for too growe in drawing euer nye,
And roring clyued in the toppe. Up starts immediatly
A horned bullocke from amid the broken waue, and by
The brest did rayse him in the ayre, And at his nosethrills and
His platter mouth did puffe out part of sea vppon the land.
My seruants harts were sore afrayd. But my hart musing ay
Uppon my wrongfull banishment, did nought at all dismay.
My horses setting vp theyr eares and snorting wexed shye,
And beeing greatly flayghted with the monster in theyr eye,
Turnd downe too sea: and on the rockes my wagon drew. In vayne
I stryuing for too hold them backe, layd hand vppon the reyne
All whyght with fome, and haling backe lay almost bolt vpryght.
And sure the feercenesse of the steedes had yeelded too my might,
But that the wheele that ronneth ay about the Extree round,
Did breake by dashing on a stub, and ouerthrew too ground.
Then from the Charyot I was snatcht the brydles beeing cast
About my limbes. Yee myght haue seene my sinewes sticking fast
Uppon the stub: my gutts drawen out alyue: my members, part
Still left vppon the stump, and part foorth harryed with the cart:
[194]
I breathed out my weery ghoste. There did not whole remayne
One peece of all my corce by which yee myght discerne as tho
What lump or part it was. For all was wound from toppe too to.
Now canst thou nymph, or darest thou compare thy harmes with myne?
Moreouer I the lightlesse Realme behild with theis same eyne,
And bathde my tattred bodye in the riuer Phlegeton.
And had not bright Apollos sonne his cunning shewde vppon
My bodye by his surgery, my lyfe had quyght bee gone.
Which after I by force of herbes and leechecraft had ageine
Receyud by Aesculapius meanes, though Pluto did disdeine,
Then Cynthia (least this gift of hers myght woorke mee greater spyght)
Thicke clowds did round about mee cast. And too thentent I myght
Bee saufe myself, and harmelessely appeere too others syght:
Shee made mee old. And for my face, shee left it in such plyght,
That none can knowe mee by my looke. And long shee dowted whither
Too giue mee Dele or Crete. At length refusing bothe toogither,
Shee plaast mee heere. And therwithall shee bade me giue vp quyght
The name that of my horses in remembrance put mee myght.
For whereas erst Hippolytus hath beene thy name (quoth shee)
I will that Virbie afterward thy name for euer bee.
From that tyme foorth within this wood I keepe my residence,
As of the meaner Goddes, a God of small magnificence
And heere I hyde mee vnderneathe my souereine Ladyes wing
Obeying humbly too her hest in euery kynd of thing.
But yit the harmes of other folk could nothing help nor boote
Aegerias sorrowes too asswage. Downe at a mountaines foote
Shee lying melted intoo teares, till Phebus sister sheene
For pitie of her greate distresse in which shee had her seene,
Did turne her too a fountaine cleere, and melted quyght away
Her members intoo water thinne that neuer should decay.
The straungenesse of the thing did make the nymphes astonyed: and
The Ladye of Amazons sonne amaazd therat did stand,
As when the Tyrrhene Tilman sawe in earing of his land
The fatall clod first stirre alone without the help of hand,
And by and by forgoing quyght the earthly shape of clod,
Too take the seemely shape of man, and shortly like a God
Too tell of things as then too comme. The Tyrrhenes did him call
By name of Tages. He did teach the Tuskanes first of all
Too gesse by searching bulks of beastes what after should befall.
Or like as did king Romulus when soodeinly he found
His lawnce on mountayne Palatine fast rooted in the ground,
And bearing leaues, no longer now a weapon but a tree,
Which shadowed such as woondringly came thither for too see.
Or else as Cippus when he in the ronning brooke had seene
His hornes. For why he saw them, and supposing there had beene
No credit too bee giuen vntoo the glauncing image, hee
Put oft his fingers too his head, and felt it so too bee.
And blaming now no more his eyes, in comming from the chase
With conquest of his foes, he stayd. And lifting vp his face
And with his face, his hornes too heauen, he sayd: what euer thing
Is by this woonder meant O Goddes, If ioyfull newes it bring
I pray yee let it ioyfull too my folk and countrye bee:
But if it threaten euill, let the euill light on mee.
In saying so, an altar greene of clowwers he did frame,
And offred fuming frankincence in fyre vppon the same,
And powred boawles of wyne theron, and searched therwithall
The quiuering inwards of a sheepe too know what should befall.
A Tyrrhene wizard hauing sought the bowelles, saw therin
Great chaunges and attempts of things then readye too begin,
Which were not playnly manifest. But when that he at last
His eyes from inwards of the beast on Cippus hornes had cast,
Hayle king (he sayd.) For vntoo thee O Cippus, vntoo thee,
And too thy hornes shall this same place and Roome obedyent bee.
Abridge delay: and make thou haste too enter at the gates
Which tarrye open for thee. So commaund the soothfast fates.
Thou shalt bee king assoone as thou hast entred once the towne,
And thou and thyne for euermore shalt weare the royall crowne.
With that he stepping back his foote, did turne his frowning face
From Roome ward, saying. Farre, O farre, ye Goddes such handsel chace.
More ryght it were I all my lyfe a bannisht man should bee,
Than that the holy Capitoll mee reigning there should see
Thus much he sayd: and by and by toogither he did call
The people and the Senators. But yit he first of all
Did hyde his hornes with Lawrell leaues: and then without the wall
He standing on a mount the which his men had made of soddes,
And hauing after auncient guyse made prayer too the Goddes
Sayd: heere is one that shall (onlesse yee bannish him your towne
Immediatly) bee king of Roome and weare a royall crowne.
What man it is, I will by signe, but not by name bewray.
He hath vppon his brow twoo hornes. The wizard heere dooth say,
That if he enter Roome, you shall lyke seruants him obey.
He myght haue entred at your gates which open for him lay,
But I did stay him thence. And yit there is not vntoo mee
A neerer freend in all the world. Howbeet forbid him yee
O Romanes that he comme not once within your walles. Or if
He haue deserued, bynd him fast in fetters like a theef.
Or in this fatall Tyrants death, of feare dispatch your mynd.
Such noyse as Pynetrees make what tyme the heady easterne wynde
Dooth whiz amongst them, or as from the sea dooth farre rebound:
Euen such among the folk of Roome that present was the sound.
Howbeet in that confused roare of fearefull folk, did fall
Out one voyce asking, whoo is hee? And staring therewithall
Uppon theyr foreheads, they did seeke the foresayd hornes. Agen
(quoth Cippus) lo, yee haue the man for whom yee seeke. And then
He pulld (ageinst his peoples will) his garlond from his head,
And shewed them the twoo fayre hornes that on his browes were spred.
At that the people dassheth downe theyr lookes and syghing, is
Ryght sorye (whoo would think it trew?) too see that head of his
Most famous for his good deserts. Yit did they not forget
The honour of his personage, but willingly did set
The Lawrell garlond on his head ageine. And by and by
The Senate sayd. Well Cippus, sith vntill the tyme thou dye
Thou mayst not cōme within theis walles, wee giue thee as much groūd
In honour of thee, as a teeme of steeres can plough thee round,
Betweene the dawning of the day, and shetting in of nyght.
Moreouer on the brazen gate at which this Cippus myght
Haue entred Roome, a payre of hornes were graude too represent
His woondrous shape, as of his deede an endlesse monument.
Aegerias sorrowes too asswage. Downe at a mountaines foote
Shee lying melted intoo teares, till Phebus sister sheene
For pitie of her greate distresse in which shee had her seene,
Did turne her too a fountaine cleere, and melted quyght away
Her members intoo water thinne that neuer should decay.
The straungenesse of the thing did make the nymphes astonyed: and
The Ladye of Amazons sonne amaazd therat did stand,
As when the Tyrrhene Tilman sawe in earing of his land
The fatall clod first stirre alone without the help of hand,
And by and by forgoing quyght the earthly shape of clod,
Too take the seemely shape of man, and shortly like a God
195
By name of Tages. He did teach the Tuskanes first of all
Too gesse by searching bulks of beastes what after should befall.
Or like as did king Romulus when soodeinly he found
His lawnce on mountayne Palatine fast rooted in the ground,
And bearing leaues, no longer now a weapon but a tree,
Which shadowed such as woondringly came thither for too see.
Or else as Cippus when he in the ronning brooke had seene
His hornes. For why he saw them, and supposing there had beene
No credit too bee giuen vntoo the glauncing image, hee
Put oft his fingers too his head, and felt it so too bee.
And blaming now no more his eyes, in comming from the chase
With conquest of his foes, he stayd. And lifting vp his face
And with his face, his hornes too heauen, he sayd: what euer thing
Is by this woonder meant O Goddes, If ioyfull newes it bring
I pray yee let it ioyfull too my folk and countrye bee:
But if it threaten euill, let the euill light on mee.
In saying so, an altar greene of clowwers he did frame,
And offred fuming frankincence in fyre vppon the same,
And powred boawles of wyne theron, and searched therwithall
The quiuering inwards of a sheepe too know what should befall.
A Tyrrhene wizard hauing sought the bowelles, saw therin
Great chaunges and attempts of things then readye too begin,
Which were not playnly manifest. But when that he at last
His eyes from inwards of the beast on Cippus hornes had cast,
Hayle king (he sayd.) For vntoo thee O Cippus, vntoo thee,
And too thy hornes shall this same place and Roome obedyent bee.
Abridge delay: and make thou haste too enter at the gates
Which tarrye open for thee. So commaund the soothfast fates.
Thou shalt bee king assoone as thou hast entred once the towne,
And thou and thyne for euermore shalt weare the royall crowne.
With that he stepping back his foote, did turne his frowning face
From Roome ward, saying. Farre, O farre, ye Goddes such handsel chace.
More ryght it were I all my lyfe a bannisht man should bee,
Than that the holy Capitoll mee reigning there should see
Thus much he sayd: and by and by toogither he did call
The people and the Senators. But yit he first of all
[195]
He standing on a mount the which his men had made of soddes,
And hauing after auncient guyse made prayer too the Goddes
Sayd: heere is one that shall (onlesse yee bannish him your towne
Immediatly) bee king of Roome and weare a royall crowne.
What man it is, I will by signe, but not by name bewray.
He hath vppon his brow twoo hornes. The wizard heere dooth say,
That if he enter Roome, you shall lyke seruants him obey.
He myght haue entred at your gates which open for him lay,
But I did stay him thence. And yit there is not vntoo mee
A neerer freend in all the world. Howbeet forbid him yee
O Romanes that he comme not once within your walles. Or if
He haue deserued, bynd him fast in fetters like a theef.
Or in this fatall Tyrants death, of feare dispatch your mynd.
Such noyse as Pynetrees make what tyme the heady easterne wynde
Dooth whiz amongst them, or as from the sea dooth farre rebound:
Euen such among the folk of Roome that present was the sound.
Howbeet in that confused roare of fearefull folk, did fall
Out one voyce asking, whoo is hee? And staring therewithall
Uppon theyr foreheads, they did seeke the foresayd hornes. Agen
(quoth Cippus) lo, yee haue the man for whom yee seeke. And then
He pulld (ageinst his peoples will) his garlond from his head,
And shewed them the twoo fayre hornes that on his browes were spred.
At that the people dassheth downe theyr lookes and syghing, is
Ryght sorye (whoo would think it trew?) too see that head of his
Most famous for his good deserts. Yit did they not forget
The honour of his personage, but willingly did set
The Lawrell garlond on his head ageine. And by and by
The Senate sayd. Well Cippus, sith vntill the tyme thou dye
Thou mayst not cōme within theis walles, wee giue thee as much groūd
In honour of thee, as a teeme of steeres can plough thee round,
Betweene the dawning of the day, and shetting in of nyght.
Moreouer on the brazen gate at which this Cippus myght
Haue entred Roome, a payre of hornes were graude too represent
His woondrous shape, as of his deede an endlesse monument.
Yee Muses whoo too Poets are the present springs of grace,
Now shewe (for you knowe, neyther are you dulld by tyme or space)
How Aesculapius in the Ile that is in Tyber deepe
Among the sacred sayncts of Roome had fortune for too creepe.
A cruell plage did heertoofore infect the Latian aire,
And peoples bodyes pyning pale the murreine did appayre.
When tyred with the buriall of theyr freends, they did perceyue
Themselues no helpe at mannes hand nor by Phisicke too receyue.
Then seeking help from heauen, they sent too Delphos (which dooth stand
Amid the world) for counsell too bee had at Phebus hand.
Beseeching him with helthfull ayd too succour theyr distresse,
And of the myghtye Citie Roome the mischeef too redresse.
The quiuers which Apollo bryght himself was woont too beare,
The Baytrees, and the place itself toogither shaken were.
And by and by the table from the furthest part of all
The Chaūcell spake theis woords, which did theyr harts with feare appal.
The thing yee Romanes seeke for heere, yee should haue sought more ny
Your countrye. Yea and neerer home go seeke it now. Not I
Apollo, but Apollos sonne is hee that must redresse
Your sorrowes. Take your iourney with good handsell of successe,
And fetch my sonne among you. When Apollos hest was told
Among the prudent Senators, they sercht what towne did hold
His sonne, and vntoo Epidavvre a Gallye for him sent.
Assoone as that th' Ambassadour arryued there they went
Untoo the counsell and the Lordes of Greekland: whom they pray
Too haue the God the present plages of Romanes for too stay,
And for themselues the Oracle of Phebus foorth they lay.
The Counsell were of sundry mynds and could not well agree.
Sum thought that succour in such neede denyed should not bee.
And diuers did perswade too keepe theyr helpe, & not too send
Theyr Goddes away sith they themselues myght neede them in the end.
Whyle dowtfully they of and on debate this curious cace,
The euening twylyght vtterly the day away did chace,
And on the world the shadowe of the earth had darknesse brought.
That nyght the Lord Ambassadour as sleepe vppon him wrought,
Did dreame he saw before him stand the God whose help he sought,
In shape as in his chappell he was woonted for too stand,
With ryght hand stroking downe his berd, and staffe in toother hand,
And meekely saying: feare not, I will comme and leaue my shryne.
This serpent which dooth wreath with knottes about this staffe of mine
Mark well, and take good heede therof: that when thou shalt it see,
Thou mayst it knowe. For intoo it transformed will I bee.
But bigger I will bee. for I will seeme of such a syse,
As may celestiall bodyes well too turne intoo suffise.
Streyght with the voyce, the God: and with the voyce and God, away
Went sleepe: and after sleepe was gone ensewed cheerfull day.
Next morning hauing cleerely put the fyrye starres too flyght,
The Lordes not knowing what too doo, assembled all foorthryght
Within the sumptuous temple of the God that was requyred,
And of his mynd by heauenly signe sum knowledge they desyred.
They scarce had doone theyr prayers, when the God in shape of snake
With loftye crest of gold, began a hissing for too make,
Which was a warning giuen. And with his presence he did shake
The Altar, shryne, doores, marble floore, and roofe all layd with gold,
And vauncing vp his brest he stayd ryght stately too behold
Amid the Church, and round about his fyrye eyes he rold.
The syght did fray the people. But the wyuelesse preest (whoose heare
Was trussed in a fayre whyght Call) did know the God was there.
And sayd, behold tiz God, tiz God. As many as bee heere
Pray both with mouth and mynd. O thou our glorious God, appeere
Too our beehoofe, and helpe thy folke that keepe thy hallowes ryght.
The people present woorshipped his Godhead there in syght,
Repeating dowble that the preest did say. the Romaynes eeke
Deuoutly did with Godly voyce and hart his fauour seeke.
The God by nodding did consent, and gaue assured signe
By shaking of his golden crest that on his head did shyne,
And hissed twyce with spirting toong. Then trayld he downe the fyne
And glistring greeces of his church. And turning backe his eyen,
He looked too his altarward and too his former shryne
And temple, as too take his leaue and bid them all fare well.
From thence ryght howge vppon the ground (which sweete of flowres did smell
That people strewed in his way,) he passed stately downe,
And bending intoo bowghts went through the hart of all the towne,
Untill that hee the bowwing wharf besyde the hauen tooke.
Where staying, when he had (as seemd) dismist with gentle looke
His trayne of Chapleynes and the folke that wayted on him thither,
Hee layd him in the Romane shippe too sayle away toogither.
The shippe did feele the burthen of his Godhed too the full,
And for the heauye weyght of him did after passe more dull.
The Romanes being glad of him, and hauing killd a steere
Uppon the shore, vntyde theyr ropes and cables from the peere.
Now shewe (for you knowe, neyther are you dulld by tyme or space)
196
Among the sacred sayncts of Roome had fortune for too creepe.
A cruell plage did heertoofore infect the Latian aire,
And peoples bodyes pyning pale the murreine did appayre.
When tyred with the buriall of theyr freends, they did perceyue
Themselues no helpe at mannes hand nor by Phisicke too receyue.
Then seeking help from heauen, they sent too Delphos (which dooth stand
Amid the world) for counsell too bee had at Phebus hand.
Beseeching him with helthfull ayd too succour theyr distresse,
And of the myghtye Citie Roome the mischeef too redresse.
The quiuers which Apollo bryght himself was woont too beare,
The Baytrees, and the place itself toogither shaken were.
And by and by the table from the furthest part of all
The Chaūcell spake theis woords, which did theyr harts with feare appal.
The thing yee Romanes seeke for heere, yee should haue sought more ny
Your countrye. Yea and neerer home go seeke it now. Not I
Apollo, but Apollos sonne is hee that must redresse
Your sorrowes. Take your iourney with good handsell of successe,
And fetch my sonne among you. When Apollos hest was told
Among the prudent Senators, they sercht what towne did hold
His sonne, and vntoo Epidavvre a Gallye for him sent.
Assoone as that th' Ambassadour arryued there they went
Untoo the counsell and the Lordes of Greekland: whom they pray
Too haue the God the present plages of Romanes for too stay,
And for themselues the Oracle of Phebus foorth they lay.
The Counsell were of sundry mynds and could not well agree.
Sum thought that succour in such neede denyed should not bee.
And diuers did perswade too keepe theyr helpe, & not too send
Theyr Goddes away sith they themselues myght neede them in the end.
Whyle dowtfully they of and on debate this curious cace,
The euening twylyght vtterly the day away did chace,
And on the world the shadowe of the earth had darknesse brought.
That nyght the Lord Ambassadour as sleepe vppon him wrought,
Did dreame he saw before him stand the God whose help he sought,
In shape as in his chappell he was woonted for too stand,
With ryght hand stroking downe his berd, and staffe in toother hand,
And meekely saying: feare not, I will comme and leaue my shryne.
[196]
Mark well, and take good heede therof: that when thou shalt it see,
Thou mayst it knowe. For intoo it transformed will I bee.
But bigger I will bee. for I will seeme of such a syse,
As may celestiall bodyes well too turne intoo suffise.
Streyght with the voyce, the God: and with the voyce and God, away
Went sleepe: and after sleepe was gone ensewed cheerfull day.
Next morning hauing cleerely put the fyrye starres too flyght,
The Lordes not knowing what too doo, assembled all foorthryght
Within the sumptuous temple of the God that was requyred,
And of his mynd by heauenly signe sum knowledge they desyred.
They scarce had doone theyr prayers, when the God in shape of snake
With loftye crest of gold, began a hissing for too make,
Which was a warning giuen. And with his presence he did shake
The Altar, shryne, doores, marble floore, and roofe all layd with gold,
And vauncing vp his brest he stayd ryght stately too behold
Amid the Church, and round about his fyrye eyes he rold.
The syght did fray the people. But the wyuelesse preest (whoose heare
Was trussed in a fayre whyght Call) did know the God was there.
And sayd, behold tiz God, tiz God. As many as bee heere
Pray both with mouth and mynd. O thou our glorious God, appeere
Too our beehoofe, and helpe thy folke that keepe thy hallowes ryght.
The people present woorshipped his Godhead there in syght,
Repeating dowble that the preest did say. the Romaynes eeke
Deuoutly did with Godly voyce and hart his fauour seeke.
The God by nodding did consent, and gaue assured signe
By shaking of his golden crest that on his head did shyne,
And hissed twyce with spirting toong. Then trayld he downe the fyne
And glistring greeces of his church. And turning backe his eyen,
He looked too his altarward and too his former shryne
And temple, as too take his leaue and bid them all fare well.
From thence ryght howge vppon the ground (which sweete of flowres did smell
That people strewed in his way,) he passed stately downe,
And bending intoo bowghts went through the hart of all the towne,
Untill that hee the bowwing wharf besyde the hauen tooke.
Where staying, when he had (as seemd) dismist with gentle looke
His trayne of Chapleynes and the folke that wayted on him thither,
197
The shippe did feele the burthen of his Godhed too the full,
And for the heauye weyght of him did after passe more dull.
The Romanes being glad of him, and hauing killd a steere
Uppon the shore, vntyde theyr ropes and cables from the peere.
The lyghtsum wynd did dryue the shippe. The God auauncing hye,
And leaning with his necke vppon the Gallyes syde, did lye
And looke vppon the greenish waues, and cutting easly through
Th' Iönian sea with little gales of westerne wynd not rough,
The sixt day morning came vppon the coast of Italy.
And passing foorth by Iunos Church that mustreth too the eye
Uppon the head of Lacine he was caryed also by
The rocke of Scylley. then he left the land of Calabrye
And rowing softly by the rocke Zephyrion, he did draw
Too Celen cliffs the which vppon the ryghtsyde haue a flawe.
By Romeche and by Cavvlon, and by Narice thence he past,
And from the streyghtes of Sicily gate quyght and cleere at last.
Then ran he by th' Aeölian Iles and by the metall myne
Of Tempsa, and by Levvcosye, and temprate Pest where fyne
And pleasant Roses florish ay. From thence by Capreas
And Atheney the headlond of Minerua he did passe
Too Surrent, where with gentle vynes the hilles bee ouerclad,
And by the towne of Hercules and Stabye ill bestad
And Naples borne too Idlenesse, and Cumes where Sybell had
Hir temples, and the scalding bathes, and Linterne where growes store
Of masticke trees, and Vulturne which beares sand apace from shore,
And Sinuesse where as Adders are as whyght as any snowe,
And Minturne of infected ayre bycause it stands so lowe,
And Caiete where Aeneas did his nurce in tumbe bestowe,
And Formy where Antiphates the Lestrigon did keepe,
And Trache enuyrond with a fen, and Circes mountayne steepe:
Too Ancon with the boystous shore. Assoone as that the shippe
Arryued heere, (for now the sea was rough,) the God let slippe
His circles, and in bending bowghts and wallowing waues did glyde
Intoo his fathers temple which was buylded there besyde
Uppon the shore. and when the sea was calme and pacifyde,
The foresayd God of Epidavvre, his fathers Church forsooke,
(The lodging of his neerest freend which for a tyme hee tooke,)
And with his crackling scales did in the sand a furrowe cut,
And taking hold vppon the sterne did in the Galy put
his head, and rested till he came past Camp and Lauine sands,
And entred Tybers mouth at which the Citie Ostia stands.
The folke of Roome came hither all by heapes bothe men and wyues
And eeke the Nunnes that keepe the fyre of Vesta as theyr lyues,
Too meete the God, and welcomd him with ioyfull noyse. And as
The Gally rowed vp the streame, greate store of incence was
On altars burnt on bothe the banks, so that on eyther syde
The fuming of the frankincence the very aire did hyde,
And also slaine in sacrifyse full many cattell dyde.
Anon he came too Roome the head of all the world: and there
The serpent lifting vp himself, began his head too beare
Ryght vp along the maast, vppon the toppe whereof on hye
He looked round about, a meete abyding place too spye
The Tyber dooth deuyde itself in twaine, and dooth embrace
A little pretye Iland (so the people terme the place)
From eyther syde whereof the bankes are distant equall space.
Apollos Snake descending from the maast conueyd him thither,
And taking eft his heauenly shape, as one repayring hither
Too bring our Citie healthfulnesse, did end our sorrowes quyght.
And leaning with his necke vppon the Gallyes syde, did lye
And looke vppon the greenish waues, and cutting easly through
Th' Iönian sea with little gales of westerne wynd not rough,
The sixt day morning came vppon the coast of Italy.
And passing foorth by Iunos Church that mustreth too the eye
Uppon the head of Lacine he was caryed also by
The rocke of Scylley. then he left the land of Calabrye
And rowing softly by the rocke Zephyrion, he did draw
Too Celen cliffs the which vppon the ryghtsyde haue a flawe.
By Romeche and by Cavvlon, and by Narice thence he past,
And from the streyghtes of Sicily gate quyght and cleere at last.
Then ran he by th' Aeölian Iles and by the metall myne
Of Tempsa, and by Levvcosye, and temprate Pest where fyne
And pleasant Roses florish ay. From thence by Capreas
And Atheney the headlond of Minerua he did passe
Too Surrent, where with gentle vynes the hilles bee ouerclad,
And by the towne of Hercules and Stabye ill bestad
And Naples borne too Idlenesse, and Cumes where Sybell had
Hir temples, and the scalding bathes, and Linterne where growes store
Of masticke trees, and Vulturne which beares sand apace from shore,
And Sinuesse where as Adders are as whyght as any snowe,
And Minturne of infected ayre bycause it stands so lowe,
And Caiete where Aeneas did his nurce in tumbe bestowe,
And Formy where Antiphates the Lestrigon did keepe,
And Trache enuyrond with a fen, and Circes mountayne steepe:
Too Ancon with the boystous shore. Assoone as that the shippe
Arryued heere, (for now the sea was rough,) the God let slippe
His circles, and in bending bowghts and wallowing waues did glyde
Intoo his fathers temple which was buylded there besyde
Uppon the shore. and when the sea was calme and pacifyde,
The foresayd God of Epidavvre, his fathers Church forsooke,
[197]
And with his crackling scales did in the sand a furrowe cut,
And taking hold vppon the sterne did in the Galy put
his head, and rested till he came past Camp and Lauine sands,
And entred Tybers mouth at which the Citie Ostia stands.
The folke of Roome came hither all by heapes bothe men and wyues
And eeke the Nunnes that keepe the fyre of Vesta as theyr lyues,
Too meete the God, and welcomd him with ioyfull noyse. And as
The Gally rowed vp the streame, greate store of incence was
On altars burnt on bothe the banks, so that on eyther syde
The fuming of the frankincence the very aire did hyde,
And also slaine in sacrifyse full many cattell dyde.
Anon he came too Roome the head of all the world: and there
The serpent lifting vp himself, began his head too beare
Ryght vp along the maast, vppon the toppe whereof on hye
He looked round about, a meete abyding place too spye
The Tyber dooth deuyde itself in twaine, and dooth embrace
A little pretye Iland (so the people terme the place)
From eyther syde whereof the bankes are distant equall space.
Apollos Snake descending from the maast conueyd him thither,
And taking eft his heauenly shape, as one repayring hither
Too bring our Citie healthfulnesse, did end our sorrowes quyght.
Although too bee a God with vs admitted were this wyght.
Yit was he borne a forreiner. But Cæsar hathe obteynd.
His Godhead in his natiue soyle and Citie where he reignd.
Whom peerelesse both in peace and warre, not more his warres vp knit
With triumph, nor his great exployts atcheeued by his wit,
Nor yit the great renowme that he obteynd so speedely,
Haue turned too a blazing starre, than did his progenie.
For of the actes of Cæsar, none is greater than that hee
Left such a sonne behynd him as Augustus is, too bee
His heyre. For are they things more hard too ouercomme thy Realme
Of Britaine standing in the sea? or vp the seuenfold streame
Of Nyle that beareth Paperreede victorious shippes too rowe?
Or too rebelliouse Numidye too giue an ouerthrowe?
Or Iuba king of Moores, and Pons (which proudely did it beare
Uppon the name of Mythridate) too force by swoord and speare
Too yeeld them subiects vntoo Roome? or by his iust desert
Too merit many triumphes, and of sum too haue his part?
Than such an heyre too leaue beehynd, in whom the Goddes doo showe
Exceeding fauour vntoo men for that they doo bestowe
So great a prince vppon the world? Now too thentent that hee
Should not bee borne of mortall seede, the oother was too bee
Canonyzed for a God. Which thing when golden Venus see,
(Shee also sawe how dreadfull death was for the bisshop then
Prepaard, and how conspiracye was wrought by wicked men)
Shee looked pale. And as the Goddes came any in her way,
Shee sayd vntoo them one by one. Behold and see I pray,
With how exceeding eagernesse they seeke mee too betray,
And with what woondrous craft they stryue too take my lyfe away,
I meene the thing that only now remayneth vntoo mee
Of Iule the Troians race. Must I then only euer bee
Thus vext with vndeserued cares? How seemeth now the payne
Of Diomeds speare of Calydon too wound my hand ageyne?
How seemes it mee that Troy ageine is lost through ill defence?
How seemes my sonne Aenæas like a bannisht man, from thence
Too wander farre ageine, and on the sea too tossed bee,
And warre with Turnus for too make? or rather (truth too say)
With Iuno? what meene I about harmes passed many a day
Ageinst myne ofspring, thus too stand? This present feare and wo
Permit mee not too think on things now past so long ago.
Yee see how wicked swoordes ageinst my head are whetted. I
Beseeche yee keepe them from my throte, and set the traytors by
Theyr purpose. neyther suffer you dame Vestaas fyre too dye
By murthering of her bisshop. Thus went Venus wofully
Complayning ouer all the heauen, and moovde the Goddes therby.
And for they could not breake the strong decrees of destinye,
They shewed signes most manifest of sorrowe too ensew.
For battells feyghting in the clowdes with crasshing armour flew.
And dreadfull trumpets sownded in the aire, and hornes eeke blew,
As warning men before hand of the mischeef that did brew.
And Phebus also looking dim did cast a drowzy lyght.
Uppon the earth, which seemd lykewyse too bee in sorye plyght.
From vnderneathe amid the starres brands oft seemd burning bryght
It often rayned droppes of blood. The morning starre lookt blew,
And was bespotted heere and there with specks of rusty hew.
The moone had also spottes of blood. The Screeche owle sent from hell
Did with her tune vnfortunate in euery corner yell.
Salt teares from Iuory images in sundry places fell.
And in the Chappells of the Goddes was singing heard, and woordes
Of threatning. Not a sacrifyse one signe of good auoordes.
But greate turmoyle too bee at hand theyr hartstrings doo declare.
And when the beast is ripped vp the inwards headlesse are.
About the Court, and euery house, and Churches in the nyghts
The doggs did howle, and euery where appeered gastly spryghts.
And with an earthquake shaken was the towne. Yit could not all
Theis warnings of the Goddes dispoynt the treason that should fall,
Nor ouercomme the destinies. The naked swoordes were brought
Intoo the temple. For no place in all the towne was thought
So meete too woork the mischeef in, or for them too commit
The heynous murder, as the Court in which they vsde too sit
In counsell. Venus then with both her hands her stomacke smit,
And was about too hyde him with the clowd in which shee hid
Aenæas, when shee from the swoord of Diomed did him rid.
Or Paris, when from Menelay shee did him saufe conuey.
But Ioue her father staying her did thus vntoo hir say.
Why daughter myne, wilt thou alone bee stryuing too preuent
Unuanquishable destinie? In fayth and if thou went
Thy self intoo the house in which the fatall susters three
Doo dwell, thou shouldest there of brasse and steele substantiall see
The registers of things so strong and massye made too bee,
That sauf and euerlasting, they doo neyther stand in feare
Of thunder, nor of lyghtning, nor of any ruine there.
The destnyes of thyne ofspring thou shalt there fynd grauen deepe
In Adamant. I red them: and in mynd I doo them keepe.
And forbycause thou shalt not beiquyght ignorant of all,
I will declare what things I markt herafter too befall.
The man for whom thou makest sute, hath liued full his tyme
And hauing ronne his race on earth must now too heauen vp clyme.
Where thou shalt make a God of him ay honord for too bee
With temples and with Altars on the earth. Moreouer hee
That is his heyre and beares his name, shall allalone susteyne
The burthen layd vppon his backe, and shall our help obteyne
His fathers murther too reuenge. The towne of Mutinye
Beseedged by his powre, shall yeeld. The feelds of Pharsaly
Shall feele him, and Philippos in the Realme of Macedonne
Shall once ageine bee staynd with blood. The greate Pompeius sonne
Shall vanquisht be by him vppon the sea of Sicilye.
The Romane Capteynes wyfe the Queene of Aegypt through her hye
Presumption trusting too her match too much, shall threate in vayne
Too make her Canop ouer our hygh Capitoll too reigne.
What should I tell thee of the wyld and barbrous nacions that
At bothe the Oceans dwelling bee? The vniuersall plat
Of all the earth inhabited, shall all be his. The sea
Shall vntoo him obedient bee likewyse. And when that he
Hathe stablisht peace in all the world, then shall he set his mynd
Too ciuill matters, vpryght lawes by iustice for too fynd,
And by example of himself all others he shall bynd.
Then hauing care of tyme too comme, and of posteritye,
A holy wyfe shall beare too him a sonne that may supply
His carefull charge and beare his name. And lastly in the end
He shall too heauen among the starres his auncetors ascend,
But not before his lyfe by length too drooping age doo tend.
And therfore from the murthred corce of Iulius Cæsar take
His sowle with speede, and of the same a burning cressed make,
That from our heauenly pallace he may euermore looke downe
Uppon our royall Capitoll and Court within Roome towne.
Yit was he borne a forreiner. But Cæsar hathe obteynd.
His Godhead in his natiue soyle and Citie where he reignd.
Whom peerelesse both in peace and warre, not more his warres vp knit
With triumph, nor his great exployts atcheeued by his wit,
Nor yit the great renowme that he obteynd so speedely,
Haue turned too a blazing starre, than did his progenie.
For of the actes of Cæsar, none is greater than that hee
Left such a sonne behynd him as Augustus is, too bee
His heyre. For are they things more hard too ouercomme thy Realme
Of Britaine standing in the sea? or vp the seuenfold streame
Of Nyle that beareth Paperreede victorious shippes too rowe?
Or too rebelliouse Numidye too giue an ouerthrowe?
Or Iuba king of Moores, and Pons (which proudely did it beare
198
Too yeeld them subiects vntoo Roome? or by his iust desert
Too merit many triumphes, and of sum too haue his part?
Than such an heyre too leaue beehynd, in whom the Goddes doo showe
Exceeding fauour vntoo men for that they doo bestowe
So great a prince vppon the world? Now too thentent that hee
Should not bee borne of mortall seede, the oother was too bee
Canonyzed for a God. Which thing when golden Venus see,
(Shee also sawe how dreadfull death was for the bisshop then
Prepaard, and how conspiracye was wrought by wicked men)
Shee looked pale. And as the Goddes came any in her way,
Shee sayd vntoo them one by one. Behold and see I pray,
With how exceeding eagernesse they seeke mee too betray,
And with what woondrous craft they stryue too take my lyfe away,
I meene the thing that only now remayneth vntoo mee
Of Iule the Troians race. Must I then only euer bee
Thus vext with vndeserued cares? How seemeth now the payne
Of Diomeds speare of Calydon too wound my hand ageyne?
How seemes it mee that Troy ageine is lost through ill defence?
How seemes my sonne Aenæas like a bannisht man, from thence
Too wander farre ageine, and on the sea too tossed bee,
And warre with Turnus for too make? or rather (truth too say)
With Iuno? what meene I about harmes passed many a day
Ageinst myne ofspring, thus too stand? This present feare and wo
Permit mee not too think on things now past so long ago.
Yee see how wicked swoordes ageinst my head are whetted. I
Beseeche yee keepe them from my throte, and set the traytors by
Theyr purpose. neyther suffer you dame Vestaas fyre too dye
By murthering of her bisshop. Thus went Venus wofully
Complayning ouer all the heauen, and moovde the Goddes therby.
And for they could not breake the strong decrees of destinye,
They shewed signes most manifest of sorrowe too ensew.
For battells feyghting in the clowdes with crasshing armour flew.
And dreadfull trumpets sownded in the aire, and hornes eeke blew,
As warning men before hand of the mischeef that did brew.
And Phebus also looking dim did cast a drowzy lyght.
[198]
From vnderneathe amid the starres brands oft seemd burning bryght
It often rayned droppes of blood. The morning starre lookt blew,
And was bespotted heere and there with specks of rusty hew.
The moone had also spottes of blood. The Screeche owle sent from hell
Did with her tune vnfortunate in euery corner yell.
Salt teares from Iuory images in sundry places fell.
And in the Chappells of the Goddes was singing heard, and woordes
Of threatning. Not a sacrifyse one signe of good auoordes.
But greate turmoyle too bee at hand theyr hartstrings doo declare.
And when the beast is ripped vp the inwards headlesse are.
About the Court, and euery house, and Churches in the nyghts
The doggs did howle, and euery where appeered gastly spryghts.
And with an earthquake shaken was the towne. Yit could not all
Theis warnings of the Goddes dispoynt the treason that should fall,
Nor ouercomme the destinies. The naked swoordes were brought
Intoo the temple. For no place in all the towne was thought
So meete too woork the mischeef in, or for them too commit
The heynous murder, as the Court in which they vsde too sit
In counsell. Venus then with both her hands her stomacke smit,
And was about too hyde him with the clowd in which shee hid
Aenæas, when shee from the swoord of Diomed did him rid.
Or Paris, when from Menelay shee did him saufe conuey.
But Ioue her father staying her did thus vntoo hir say.
Why daughter myne, wilt thou alone bee stryuing too preuent
Unuanquishable destinie? In fayth and if thou went
Thy self intoo the house in which the fatall susters three
Doo dwell, thou shouldest there of brasse and steele substantiall see
The registers of things so strong and massye made too bee,
That sauf and euerlasting, they doo neyther stand in feare
Of thunder, nor of lyghtning, nor of any ruine there.
The destnyes of thyne ofspring thou shalt there fynd grauen deepe
In Adamant. I red them: and in mynd I doo them keepe.
And forbycause thou shalt not beiquyght ignorant of all,
I will declare what things I markt herafter too befall.
The man for whom thou makest sute, hath liued full his tyme
199
Where thou shalt make a God of him ay honord for too bee
With temples and with Altars on the earth. Moreouer hee
That is his heyre and beares his name, shall allalone susteyne
The burthen layd vppon his backe, and shall our help obteyne
His fathers murther too reuenge. The towne of Mutinye
Beseedged by his powre, shall yeeld. The feelds of Pharsaly
Shall feele him, and Philippos in the Realme of Macedonne
Shall once ageine bee staynd with blood. The greate Pompeius sonne
Shall vanquisht be by him vppon the sea of Sicilye.
The Romane Capteynes wyfe the Queene of Aegypt through her hye
Presumption trusting too her match too much, shall threate in vayne
Too make her Canop ouer our hygh Capitoll too reigne.
What should I tell thee of the wyld and barbrous nacions that
At bothe the Oceans dwelling bee? The vniuersall plat
Of all the earth inhabited, shall all be his. The sea
Shall vntoo him obedient bee likewyse. And when that he
Hathe stablisht peace in all the world, then shall he set his mynd
Too ciuill matters, vpryght lawes by iustice for too fynd,
And by example of himself all others he shall bynd.
Then hauing care of tyme too comme, and of posteritye,
A holy wyfe shall beare too him a sonne that may supply
His carefull charge and beare his name. And lastly in the end
He shall too heauen among the starres his auncetors ascend,
But not before his lyfe by length too drooping age doo tend.
And therfore from the murthred corce of Iulius Cæsar take
His sowle with speede, and of the same a burning cressed make,
That from our heauenly pallace he may euermore looke downe
Uppon our royall Capitoll and Court within Roome towne.
He scarcely ended had theis woordes, but Venus out of hand
Amid the Senate house of Roome inuisible did stand,
And from her Cæsars bodye tooke his new expulsed spryght
The which shee not permitting too resolue too ayer quyght,
Did place it in the skye among the starres that glister bryght
And as shee bare it, shee did feele it gather heauenly myght,
And for too wexen fyrye. Shee no sooner let it flye,
But that a goodly shyning starre it vp a loft did stye
And drew a greate way after it bryght beames like burning heare.
Whoo looking on his sonnes good deedes confessed that they were
Farre greater than his owne, and glad he was too see that hee
Excelled him. Although his sonne in no wyse would agree
Too haue his deedes preferd before his fathers: yit dooth fame,
(Whoo ay is free, and bound too no commaund) withstand the same
And stryuing in that one behalf ageinst his hest and will,
Proceedeth too preferre his deedes before his fathers still.
Euen so too Agamemnons great renowne giues Atreus place
Euen so Achilles deedes, the deedes of Peleus doo abace.
Euen so beyond Aegæus farre dooth Theseyes prowesse go.
And (that I may examples vse full matching theis) euen so
Is Saturne lesse in fame than Ioue. Ioue rules the heauenly spheres,
And all the triple shaped world. And our Augustus beares
Dominion ouer all the earth. They bothe are fathers: They
Are rulers both. Yee Goddes too whom both fyre and swoord gaue way,
What tyme yee with Aenæas came from Troy: yee Goddes that were
Of mortall men canonyzed: Thou Quirin whoo didst reere
The walles of Roome: and Mars whoo wart the valeant Quirins syre
And Vesta of the household Goddes of Cæsar with thy fyre
Most holy: and thou Phebus whoo with Vesta also art
Of household: and thou Iupiter whoo in the hyghest part
Of mountayne Tarpey haste thy Church: and all yee Goddes that may
With conscience sauf by Poëts bee appealed too: I pray
Let that same day bee slowe too comme and after I am dead,
In which Augustus (whoo as now of all the world is head)
Quyght giuing vp the care therof ascend too heauen for ay
There (absent hence,) to fauour such as vntoo him shall pray.
Amid the Senate house of Roome inuisible did stand,
And from her Cæsars bodye tooke his new expulsed spryght
The which shee not permitting too resolue too ayer quyght,
Did place it in the skye among the starres that glister bryght
And as shee bare it, shee did feele it gather heauenly myght,
And for too wexen fyrye. Shee no sooner let it flye,
[199]
And drew a greate way after it bryght beames like burning heare.
Whoo looking on his sonnes good deedes confessed that they were
Farre greater than his owne, and glad he was too see that hee
Excelled him. Although his sonne in no wyse would agree
Too haue his deedes preferd before his fathers: yit dooth fame,
(Whoo ay is free, and bound too no commaund) withstand the same
And stryuing in that one behalf ageinst his hest and will,
Proceedeth too preferre his deedes before his fathers still.
Euen so too Agamemnons great renowne giues Atreus place
Euen so Achilles deedes, the deedes of Peleus doo abace.
Euen so beyond Aegæus farre dooth Theseyes prowesse go.
And (that I may examples vse full matching theis) euen so
Is Saturne lesse in fame than Ioue. Ioue rules the heauenly spheres,
And all the triple shaped world. And our Augustus beares
Dominion ouer all the earth. They bothe are fathers: They
Are rulers both. Yee Goddes too whom both fyre and swoord gaue way,
What tyme yee with Aenæas came from Troy: yee Goddes that were
Of mortall men canonyzed: Thou Quirin whoo didst reere
The walles of Roome: and Mars whoo wart the valeant Quirins syre
And Vesta of the household Goddes of Cæsar with thy fyre
Most holy: and thou Phebus whoo with Vesta also art
Of household: and thou Iupiter whoo in the hyghest part
Of mountayne Tarpey haste thy Church: and all yee Goddes that may
With conscience sauf by Poëts bee appealed too: I pray
Let that same day bee slowe too comme and after I am dead,
In which Augustus (whoo as now of all the world is head)
Quyght giuing vp the care therof ascend too heauen for ay
There (absent hence,) to fauour such as vntoo him shall pray.
Now haue I brought a woork too end which neither Ioues feerce wrath,
Nor swoord, nor fyre, nor freating age with all the force it hath
Are able too abolish quyght. Let comme that fatall howre
Which (sauing of this brittle flesh) hath ouer mee no powre,
And at his pleasure make an end of myne vncerteyne tyme.
Yit shall the better part of mee assured bee too clyme
Aloft aboue the starry skye. And all the world shall neuer
Be able for too quench my name. For looke how farre so euer
The Romane Empyre by the ryght of conquest shall extend,
So farre shall all folke reade this woork. And tyme without all end
(If Poets as by prophesie about the truth may ame)
My lyfe shall euerlastingly bee lengthened still by fame.
Nor swoord, nor fyre, nor freating age with all the force it hath
Are able too abolish quyght. Let comme that fatall howre
Which (sauing of this brittle flesh) hath ouer mee no powre,
And at his pleasure make an end of myne vncerteyne tyme.
Yit shall the better part of mee assured bee too clyme
Aloft aboue the starry skye. And all the world shall neuer
Be able for too quench my name. For looke how farre so euer
200
So farre shall all folke reade this woork. And tyme without all end
(If Poets as by prophesie about the truth may ame)
My lyfe shall euerlastingly bee lengthened still by fame.
Finis Libri decimi quinti.
Laus & honor soli Deo.
| The .xv. Bookes of P. Ouidius Naso | |