The Golden Aphroditis A pleasant discourse, penned by John Grange ... Whereunto be annexed by the same Authour asvvell certayne Metres upon sundry poyntes, as also divers Pamphlets in prose, which he entituleth His Garden: pleasant to the eare, and delightful to the Reader, if he abuse not the scente of the floures |
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 | The Golden Aphroditis |  |
[Verse extracted from Golden Aphroditis]
I. I. his deuice to. A. O.
The
soaring Hauke beyonde his skill who seekes to soare so hye,
That weeried wings shall him anoy before he footing fyndes:
The recklesse birde on euery branche that seekes to prone and prye,
The sayler of his launching ship the mast which weakly bindes,
At length shal breed their bathing bane to scourge thē in their kinds.
That weeried wings shall him anoy before he footing fyndes:
The recklesse birde on euery branche that seekes to prone and prye,
The sayler of his launching ship the mast which weakly bindes,
At length shal breed their bathing bane to scourge thē in their kinds.
And though the change of pasture helpes by proofe to make fat calues,
Through slickenesse yet, the rolling stone we see can take no mosse.
Wherfore sith you will dayly seeke eche thing to part by halues,
Think for your part, & for your pains, nought else to gain but drosse
For while you seeke a greater gaine, your wittes in vaine you tosse.
Through slickenesse yet, the rolling stone we see can take no mosse.
Wherfore sith you will dayly seeke eche thing to part by halues,
Think for your part, & for your pains, nought else to gain but drosse
For while you seeke a greater gaine, your wittes in vaine you tosse.
Your selfe to be the rolling stone, and I your Sisiphus
You sought to make, but all in vaine, I learned haue to shunne,
The poysoning plagues of Circes cup (as did Prometheus)
Which was him sent as sawce, for yt which erst by stelth he won:
Wherfore with leysure now repent, with haste what you begon.
You sought to make, but all in vaine, I learned haue to shunne,
The poysoning plagues of Circes cup (as did Prometheus)
Which was him sent as sawce, for yt which erst by stelth he won:
Wherfore with leysure now repent, with haste what you begon.
Sith Socrates vs byd denide one Venus into two,
In two likewise Dan Cupid God, loue tormentes to abate:
Therfore you wil (as none erst did) hir corps deuide in moe,
Which plainly shewes your chāge wt choice, your chāge I mean of late,
Which turnd your frends to mortal foes, by chāging of your mate.
In two likewise Dan Cupid God, loue tormentes to abate:
Which plainly shewes your chāge wt choice, your chāge I mean of late,
Which turnd your frends to mortal foes, by chāging of your mate.
When Aeolus mindes to raigne, then Boreas nedes must hast,
Elleborus hath me purged, I now defie thy crew.
By profe I finde an ape an ape, in purple be she plast.
Let who list do as Argus did, kepe thee within their mew:
Yet who so list, or who so doth shal neuer finde thee true.
Elleborus hath me purged, I now defie thy crew.
By profe I finde an ape an ape, in purple be she plast.
Let who list do as Argus did, kepe thee within their mew:
Yet who so list, or who so doth shal neuer finde thee true.
And sith you thinke your beautie such, as none inioyes the like:
To Platos Citie, fairies lande, or to Vtopia wenne:
Yea sith you thinke your wisedome such, as no man hath the like:
In desertes shrinke (as Tymon did) go seeke some caue or denne,
There to inioy your giftes alone, imparted not to men.
To Platos Citie, fairies lande, or to Vtopia wenne:
Yea sith you thinke your wisedome such, as no man hath the like:
In desertes shrinke (as Tymon did) go seeke some caue or denne,
There to inioy your giftes alone, imparted not to men.
Perhappes dan Phæbus in the day, Minippus else by night,
In sight, which passe Linceus eyes, will spie thee forth at length,
With bēding eyes from sun & Moone, who rauisht with thy sight,
In heauē wil place thee as a star, none can withstād their strength.
Thus thou dispising mortall men, the Goddes enioyes at length.
In sight, which passe Linceus eyes, will spie thee forth at length,
With bēding eyes from sun & Moone, who rauisht with thy sight,
In heauē wil place thee as a star, none can withstād their strength.
Thus thou dispising mortall men, the Goddes enioyes at length.
Mitto tibi frōtem Veneris, mediumque Dianæ,
Principium lucis quod mare claudat item.
Tempus erit quo tu quia nunc excludis amātes
Frigidia disertè nocte iacebis anus.
Principium lucis quod mare claudat item.
Tempus erit quo tu quia nunc excludis amātes
Frigidia disertè nocte iacebis anus.
This token herein closed I sende as for my last farewel,
Tis Eglantine, which plainly shews where swete there soure lay.
My loue at first (most like the leaues) did giue a fragrant smell.
But now at last, tis like the prickes most hurtful bearing sway.
Yet as the prickes do yeelde no hurt,
Unlesse some one abuse the smell:
Tis Eglantine, which plainly shews where swete there soure lay.
My loue at first (most like the leaues) did giue a fragrant smell.
But now at last, tis like the prickes most hurtful bearing sway.
Yet as the prickes do yeelde no hurt,
Unlesse some one abuse the smell:
So had my last bene like my first,
If thou the first had vsed wel.
Hereafter set by none so light,
As I haue founde thee set by me:
Least they then doe as I do now,
Take of thy belles, and let thee flee.
If thou the first had vsed wel.
Hereafter set by none so light,
As I haue founde thee set by me:
Least they then doe as I do now,
Take of thy belles, and let thee flee.
N. O. his visitation of A. O. by writing.
Nere drownd in dūps of drowsines, shal Morpheus bind my hedWith kercher dipte in Limbo lake? shall drowsy dumps forbed
My penne to shewe the zelous loue which I to thee do beare?
No no: if Dytis dungeon darke did hedge thee in to feare
I woulde not yeelde my liuely spirites: for why? not Tartars denne,
Not Cerberus he, Auerne deepe, nor yet the Gorgon fenne,
Not Plutoes grisly gates I say, nor yet Megera fierce,
The Stygian poole, with thousand more, which now for to reherse
It were too long: not Phlegethons flame shuld bar me fro thy sight,
But needes I would aduenture all to winne thee in despight.
Wherfore accept my willing pen descrying thus my hart,
Until my corps doth come in place, and maketh good his part.
Thus fare you well my gemme of ioy, the fountayn of delight.
Farewell once more, thou wel of lyfe, thus takes my pen his flight.
Fil vp my lampe with oyle of grace.
N. O. whome I vowe to be, Your loyall he. Adewe.
A. O. to hir louer, charging him with an vntruth.
With vapourd eyes, & scalding sighes, my tedious steps I trace,wt wailful weeds I clad my corps, salt tears bedews my face:
A boiling brest like Aetna hill, subdues my sweltring hart,
And ransackt vaines perswades me now to thinke on Cupids darte.
I see my heart with inward thoughts hath bathed in good-will,
That hounde which seekes by ranging foote a virgins rule to spill.
Which lothsom death wt fearful mace cōmands to work my dome,
With ayde lykewise of sisters three to finish foorth my tombe.
O Ladyes of the Destiny, shal this a guerdon bee
In lieu of my good will bestowed? may nought occasion bee
To bulwarke my defence in neede? haue I a rolling stone
All wrapt in gold, as if it were a gemme that peer had none?
Well well N. O. vnlesse you proue your selfe a peerlesse gemme:
Unconstancie will me perforce constrayne thee to condemne.
By proofe we see, what golden is, the same hath glittering spheares,
As Phebus hath his radyant rayes, Pactolus eke that beares
His siluerie sands on shore, and Tagus castes his golde to lande
Yea Lydius hath his golden streames, and Hermes glittring sande:
So Uertue would not lurke vnknowne, if vertue did thee rule,
But needs wold shine like glittring beams, though wrapt in Friers cule.
Report could not subuert thy fame, if thou ye virgins path
Had trode by rule of Uirgins lawe, or bathde thy selfe in bath
Of loyall loue. But yet I hope how that Dan Eccho failes,
With mūbling voice of foltring song (thogh truth imbark ye sailes.)
Wherfore as one deuoide of ioye, and yet would faine reioyce,
Imbarke this foming froth of waues, then with of pleasure choyce
I may adorne my daisy banke, whiche delectable seemes
To those, whose greedie senses seekes the scent which floures teems.
And thus, Adieu. From my lodge where I march all with my dumpishe Muse. videlicet Melpomenes. A. O.
N. O In his owne defence.
Shal Zoilus he, or Momus mates imbash my penne to write?
Or shal the want of Homers quill, or Virgils vayne to endyte,
I new diffused Chaos make of these my pestred wittes?
Not so, though Tritons trumpet shrill on fynned fish that sittes,
Hath blased vnto your tentiue eares, what honor might defame,
Sith I vnguiltie am thereof, I wil not seeke the same
Texcuse, for why? I know that tyme ech thing wil bring to light:
And truth it selfe wil come in place gainst falshoodes force to fight.
By phrase of filed style you seeme a verdict rash to giue
Of prisoner yours to dye, but yet it grauntes my state to liue.
By rolling stone, and ranging hounde vnconstant me to be,
Your painting penne by art declares: yet shal you neuer see,
Nor know my senses, for to know the breath of any wight
Saue thou alone, as Biblia, who when Duellus hight
Him selfe to haue a stinking breath by open parlance mayde
Of Roman dames vnto his face: I haue not knowen (she sayde,)
But all mens breath haue bene alike, such was the vestal line
Of that hir chosen path, as wel the stories doe define.
Wherefore in suspence now let hang, the iudgemente of my dome,
Tyl truth through time for falshodes corps hath finisht vp a tome.
Or shal the want of Homers quill, or Virgils vayne to endyte,
I new diffused Chaos make of these my pestred wittes?
Not so, though Tritons trumpet shrill on fynned fish that sittes,
Hath blased vnto your tentiue eares, what honor might defame,
Sith I vnguiltie am thereof, I wil not seeke the same
Texcuse, for why? I know that tyme ech thing wil bring to light:
And truth it selfe wil come in place gainst falshoodes force to fight.
By phrase of filed style you seeme a verdict rash to giue
Of prisoner yours to dye, but yet it grauntes my state to liue.
By rolling stone, and ranging hounde vnconstant me to be,
Your painting penne by art declares: yet shal you neuer see,
Nor know my senses, for to know the breath of any wight
Saue thou alone, as Biblia, who when Duellus hight
Him selfe to haue a stinking breath by open parlance mayde
Of Roman dames vnto his face: I haue not knowen (she sayde,)
Of that hir chosen path, as wel the stories doe define.
Wherefore in suspence now let hang, the iudgemente of my dome,
Tyl truth through time for falshodes corps hath finisht vp a tome.
Thus fare thou wel my iemme of ioy
Let not our absence breede anoy.
Let not our absence breede anoy.
[Ye Muses nine]
Ye Muses nine
With grace deuine
My wittes to shrine
Giue not consent,
With grace deuine
My wittes to shrine
Giue not consent,
But ayding hand
To beare my band
Through sea & land
For good intent
To beare my band
Through sea & land
For good intent
To rime not rayle
Hold vp my sayle
Let not breth faile
the vertuous mode
Hold vp my sayle
Let not breth faile
the vertuous mode
With trumpe to blase
The condigne phrase
Of hyr who stayed
Where vertue stoode.
The condigne phrase
Of hyr who stayed
Where vertue stoode.
Although
of Helicone that well
my tongue hath not assayde:
And though the Horne of Acheloye
his knowledge hath denayde:
Yea, though Alcinous Orcharde hath
his fruyte denayde my lore,
Whereby I might the apter be
my landing carme to score:
Yet Arethusa, yeelde me thine
influence to indite,
And Phebus sharpe my willyng penne,
expresly for to write
The blasing feates displaying wise
of Natures darlyng deare,
Whome Uertue she with golden mace
and trumpe dothe seeke to reare.
Yet sithe my selfe by paynting penne
I would so fayne disguise,
Lucina graunt Apollo may
melodiously deuise
My filed phrase, so polished
with Tagus glittring sandes,
Whereby hyr vewyng eyes might thinke
she redde of golden landes.
Ye Goddes seclude my rurall penne,
and yeelde a glosing stile,
With curious polished phrase,
or
with relucent file,
Of Tullies famous eloquence
To prayse hir worthy excellence.
Come yeelde thy leaues thou Laurell tree
to make a garland rounde:
To Crowne hyr head, and let the trumpe
hyr flying fame resounde.
Whose features all so many are,
so worthie, and so cleare,
That of my selfe I dare be bolde
to say, she hath no peare.
Suche paynting forme, some comely hue
consisteth in hyr face,
That from the Goddes I well suppose
she may define hyr race.
Polixene fayre, Caliop, and
Penelop may giue place.
Atlanta, and dame Lucres fayre,
she doth them bothe deface.
The precious orient pearle
so fayre and gorgeous cleare,
Doth testifie vnto hyr mates
the whitenesse of hyr leare.
Hir lusty, liuely gallant lookes
with rosed ruby ruddes,
Resembleth right to standers off
the pleasant red rose buddes.
Hyr sweete and eke hyr sugred lippes,
softe, rounded lyke the berrie,
Right well to me resemble doe
the crimson bloomed cherrie.
So that to me poore wretche I counte
it were an heauenly blisse,
At suche a sweete and sugred mouthe
to steale a pleasant kisse.
Hyr rounde, fayre, and flanting cheekes
moste
rosedlyke are paynted,
What though dame Fortune caused hir
fronte to be attainted?
Perforce eche harte with truth must graunt,
it can not be denayed,
But that this skar vpon hyr fronte
was womanly conueyed.
Whiche seemeth from a farre
To be a radyant Starre
Hyr butned, ruby chinne, hir face,
and eke hir necke did shine,
As though they were with Iuery white
all burnisht maruelous fine.
Hir prety nose is somewhat shorte,
it well becōmes hyr face,
Hir fryseled heare in knotted wise
is to hyr fronte a grace.
Hir temples smothe, and eke hir vaines
stande full of lustie crue.
I liken them therefore as likest
to Indie Saphire blew.
Hir twinckling eyne bothe steepe and grey,
they seeme like Christall cleare.
Hir siluery teeth, and golden tongue,
doe say shee hath no peare.
Hir fingers are bothe long and small,
hir handes are softe as silke:
The palmes thereof are somewhat shorte,
yet whiter than the milke.
Hir comely sides are long and straight,
all shapde in massiue golde.
What harte aliue coulde hyr denie
with fame to be inrolde?
My harte it dothe bothe skippe and ioye
to see hir trace the grounde.
Hir feete they are so fine, and feate,
hir heeles so shorte and rounde.
But stay, O Muse, thy golden mace,
and Gange now bedewe
My paynting penne with siluery streames,
that I foorthwith may shewe
What feates within this comely corps
by parant proofe doth rest,
I thanke thee that thou seemst to graunt
at first to my request.
Hir curteous harte, and lowly minde
adornde with vertues rare:
Hir sober lookes with brydeled cheere
doth shewe she hath a care
To trace the chaste Dianas lawes
as well by deede as thought,
That nought may seeme to scape hyr handes
whiche vertue hath not taught.
Hir tongue it rolles in Rethoricke termes
to giue eche man delighte:
Whiche rauisht hath my sencelesse wittes
by cancred Cupids spighte.
Alas poore wretche what should I say?
to looke on hir agayne
I may nor can it not abide,
though tis a pleasant payne.
With hyr aye to remayne,
Some hartes ease for to gayne:
This blossome of freshe flower
Beares Hartes ease for hyr bower.
my tongue hath not assayde:
his knowledge hath denayde:
Yea, though Alcinous Orcharde hath
his fruyte denayde my lore,
Whereby I might the apter be
my landing carme to score:
Yet Arethusa, yeelde me thine
influence to indite,
And Phebus sharpe my willyng penne,
expresly for to write
The blasing feates displaying wise
of Natures darlyng deare,
Whome Uertue she with golden mace
and trumpe dothe seeke to reare.
Yet sithe my selfe by paynting penne
I would so fayne disguise,
Lucina graunt Apollo may
melodiously deuise
My filed phrase, so polished
with Tagus glittring sandes,
Whereby hyr vewyng eyes might thinke
she redde of golden landes.
Ye Goddes seclude my rurall penne,
and yeelde a glosing stile,
With curious polished phrase,
or
with relucent file,
Of Tullies famous eloquence
To prayse hir worthy excellence.
Come yeelde thy leaues thou Laurell tree
to make a garland rounde:
To Crowne hyr head, and let the trumpe
hyr flying fame resounde.
Whose features all so many are,
so worthie, and so cleare,
to say, she hath no peare.
Suche paynting forme, some comely hue
consisteth in hyr face,
That from the Goddes I well suppose
she may define hyr race.
Polixene fayre, Caliop, and
Penelop may giue place.
Atlanta, and dame Lucres fayre,
she doth them bothe deface.
The precious orient pearle
so fayre and gorgeous cleare,
Doth testifie vnto hyr mates
the whitenesse of hyr leare.
Hir lusty, liuely gallant lookes
with rosed ruby ruddes,
Resembleth right to standers off
the pleasant red rose buddes.
Hyr sweete and eke hyr sugred lippes,
softe, rounded lyke the berrie,
Right well to me resemble doe
the crimson bloomed cherrie.
So that to me poore wretche I counte
it were an heauenly blisse,
At suche a sweete and sugred mouthe
to steale a pleasant kisse.
Hyr rounde, fayre, and flanting cheekes
moste
rosedlyke are paynted,
What though dame Fortune caused hir
fronte to be attainted?
Perforce eche harte with truth must graunt,
it can not be denayed,
But that this skar vpon hyr fronte
was womanly conueyed.
To be a radyant Starre
Hyr butned, ruby chinne, hir face,
and eke hir necke did shine,
As though they were with Iuery white
all burnisht maruelous fine.
Hir prety nose is somewhat shorte,
it well becōmes hyr face,
Hir fryseled heare in knotted wise
is to hyr fronte a grace.
Hir temples smothe, and eke hir vaines
stande full of lustie crue.
I liken them therefore as likest
to Indie Saphire blew.
Hir twinckling eyne bothe steepe and grey,
they seeme like Christall cleare.
Hir siluery teeth, and golden tongue,
doe say shee hath no peare.
Hir fingers are bothe long and small,
hir handes are softe as silke:
The palmes thereof are somewhat shorte,
yet whiter than the milke.
Hir comely sides are long and straight,
all shapde in massiue golde.
What harte aliue coulde hyr denie
with fame to be inrolde?
My harte it dothe bothe skippe and ioye
to see hir trace the grounde.
Hir feete they are so fine, and feate,
hir heeles so shorte and rounde.
But stay, O Muse, thy golden mace,
and Gange now bedewe
My paynting penne with siluery streames,
that I foorthwith may shewe
by parant proofe doth rest,
I thanke thee that thou seemst to graunt
at first to my request.
Hir curteous harte, and lowly minde
adornde with vertues rare:
Hir sober lookes with brydeled cheere
doth shewe she hath a care
To trace the chaste Dianas lawes
as well by deede as thought,
That nought may seeme to scape hyr handes
whiche vertue hath not taught.
Hir tongue it rolles in Rethoricke termes
to giue eche man delighte:
Whiche rauisht hath my sencelesse wittes
by cancred Cupids spighte.
Alas poore wretche what should I say?
to looke on hir agayne
I may nor can it not abide,
though tis a pleasant payne.
With hyr aye to remayne,
Some hartes ease for to gayne:
This blossome of freshe flower
Beares Hartes ease for hyr bower.
A. O.
VVorthie to be in rolde,VVith letters of golde.
Car elle vault.
[Whiche flower faire and freshe in Adones garden sawe I groe]
Whiche flower faire and freshe in Adones garden sawe I groe:The sight whereof hath rauisht me, ill might I it forgoe.
But (to my griefe) to winne the same, no way finde out I can:
Wherfore this fragrant flower I mighte full iustly curse and ban,
The sight whereof and pleasant hue hath forced me to yeelde
Unto their lore, as Sirenes, whose songs bothe sweete and milde,
Perforce them to doe drawe the saylers by, but none escape
Fro them aliue, no more shall I: for whyle with hope I gape
My ioyes to winne, my life departes: what do I then preuayle,
Unlesse I had Vlisses arte, then might I safely sayle?
For while through pleasant outwarde sight I seeke for to obtayne
My hartes desire, and winne it not, what ioyes do then remaine?
I woulde to God my wit had serude to vse that famous grace
Of Percian Kings, who neuer goe abroade with open face,
But with some lawne or silken scarfe: then it I had not spyde,
The wante whereof dothe force me now in torments to abide.
For why? I can not turne my selfe into a golden rayne,
Nor to a Bull, as Goddes they can, their pleasure to obtayne.
Wherefore thus much, though strange it be, yet iustly may I say,
I pleasure take, yet as my foe, it brings me to decay.
For whyle I pleasure take to see, the sight doth me confounde:
As doth the Gorgon whose fierce eyes do yeelde a deadly wounde.
And when I striue to come away, and leaue that pleasant sight,
I seeme as though with Hydra fierce that serpent I did fight:
Who leesing one of all his heddes, seuen springeth in his ryne,
So I through voiding of this sight, seuē times my cares do twine.
With lure I play the Faukner kinde, I hallowe, and I whoupe,
I shake my fiste, I whistle shrill, but nought will make hir stoupe,
Wherefore (though sore against my wil) I finde the prouerbe true,
I see I swimme agaynst the streame, I kicke against a gode,
I caste a stone against the winde: my tongue that nere abode
To say thee wel, my feete to goe, my handes to do the like,
Yet you deniall giue, whiche doth my harte asunder strike.
Yet somewhat would my greedy gripes, & eke my carping cares,
My griping grieues, my sobbing sighes, and eke my tedious teares
Abate, if that but halfe my harte it would returne againe:
What doth preuaile cōplainte or none, for nought therby I gaine?
Yet Poetes say that Triton can with sounding trumpe inforce
Eche thing that hath exceeded bandes receiue his former corce.
If this be true, then Triton come retreyte with me to blowe:
I call in vaine, there is no such, the Poetes braines did crawe.
Yet will I wofull wighte my corps with stedfast colours clad,
As Russet decte with Blew, as stedfast suites as may be had
To represent my faithfull harte, a banner to be true,
And like vnto the turtle Doue whiche changeth not for new.
As carped knight thus standes my cace, woe to me wofull wight,
Whose harte is like to Aetna hill which burneth day and night.
I spende my time in sobbing sighes, from sighes I turne to teares,
From tedious teares to pensiue playnt, and thus my life it weares.
Yea thus the shell of carping care hath put my ioyes to flight:
That ioyfull tunes increase my woe, thus doe I mourne aright.
And if by chaunce I heare the sounde of song or instrument,
Me thinkes the tune that dolefull is doth helpe me to lament.
And as the deare whiche stricken is, dothe drawe himselfe alone,
So will I seeke some secrete place where I might make my mone,
Secluding ioy, imbracing care, the Incresse trade to vse
I will incline, who closde in walles no pleasure can peruse.
Eche side inclosde, parte of my graue my nayles shal dayly scrape,
In token that my death shall soone rewarde my cursed happe.
Yet mayst thou al with ease preuent, if pittie taketh place,
If not, then dolefull dumpes approch to rue my wretched cace.
N. O.
[The fountayne Granus giueth strēgth vnto the weakened bone]
The fountayne Granus giueth strēgth vnto the weakened bone,And eke the force of Spawe doth help al those yt haue yr Stone.
Who hath the lither Feuer, runnes to Padoa for helpe,
And to Veronas well he hies whose wante of bloud doth yelpe.
Yet as by proofe Buckestones do stande, to those that here doth dwel,
In steede of Grane, and Padoa, of Spawe and Verone well:
So mightst thou hartes ease be to me, that al these things do neede,
In steede of Buckstones present help, if so it be thy meede.
For why? I sinke in Syrtes sandes, through tasting Circes cuppe,
Unlesse thou speedy helpe wilt bring by chinne to holde me vp.
For tangled thus in Scyllas bandes, and whelmde in Lethe lake,
Who can me helpe but thou alone? tis onely for thy sake.
If nought may breede remorse, nor make your stony harte relent,
Then may I wake, & wayle the night, my bed wt teares besprent.
Then may I say as Atlas did, I beare this waighte in vaine.
My thirste doth likewise say, I may with Tantalus complaine.
Then may I say as Sisiphus, I toyle to none effect,
As Theseus, and Ticius, with other of my secte.
Then is thy loue a Labyrinth vnto me for my liking:
Whome great good will hath grauelled, since Cupid fell a striking.
But yet in time I hope to finde such mercie at thy hande:
If not,
Then,
What Clotho doth on distaffe place for Lachesis to twyne,
Come Atropos with speedy pace to bryng the same to fyne.
N. O.
N. O. beginning, A. O. followeth, crauing ayde of the Muses and chiefe Musitions.
He
Now
Venus with your ruffling Nimphes
Keepe backe Dianas dearlings deare:
And Muses graunt your ayding impes,
Our strings to tune and notes to reare:
With perfect deawe of Helicons well.
Where Poetes fayne your Muse to dwell.
Keepe backe Dianas dearlings deare:
And Muses graunt your ayding impes,
Our strings to tune and notes to reare:
With perfect deawe of Helicons well.
Where Poetes fayne your Muse to dwell.
She
Orpheus with thy Harpe in hande,
Arion also with the like,
Wrinche vp your strings, and make them stande
In egall heigth: Amphion strike
Thy twinckling Harpe with fingers small,
That ioyfull tunes may rise withall.
Arion also with the like,
Wrinche vp your strings, and make them stande
In egall heigth: Amphion strike
Thy twinckling Harpe with fingers small,
That ioyfull tunes may rise withall.
He
Me thinkes I heare Apollo graunt
Melodiously for to deuise,
And Venus bid Minerua vaunt,
So that no dolefull dumpes may rise:
The Muses likewise (graunting ayde,)
Doe bid strike vp, thus none denayde.
Melodiously for to deuise,
And Venus bid Minerua vaunt,
So that no dolefull dumpes may rise:
The Muses likewise (graunting ayde,)
Doe bid strike vp, thus none denayde.
What
man doth longer thinke, than he,
the weary winters nighte,
Whose cares forbiddes his eyes to sleepe?
what is a greater spighte
To him who thinkes he sayles in seas
whose waues of honye are,
Yet time purloynes his former ioy,
and brings him to despayre?
the weary winters nighte,
Whose cares forbiddes his eyes to sleepe?
what is a greater spighte
To him who thinkes he sayles in seas
whose waues of honye are,
Yet time purloynes his former ioy,
and brings him to despayre?
He
With gasing eyes for him to looke
whiche hath no care to come
To serue where no acceptance is
(as Ladies deale by some)
To be in bed and not to sleepe,
what greater griefe then this?
To die for wante of foode, and yet
he feedes on daintie dishe?
whiche hath no care to come
To serue where no acceptance is
(as Ladies deale by some)
To be in bed and not to sleepe,
what greater griefe then this?
To die for wante of foode, and yet
he feedes on daintie dishe?
She
To rue and rage, to frie and freese,
these are the louers panges:
Who dies himselfe and liues in hir
his life in suspence hangs.
Yet if he liue in after hope
his Ladies loue to gaine,
Then holdes his harte, and rendeth not
by direfull darte in twayne.
these are the louers panges:
Who dies himselfe and liues in hir
his life in suspence hangs.
Yet if he liue in after hope
his Ladies loue to gaine,
Then holdes his harte, and rendeth not
by direfull darte in twayne.
He
Hope looketh for requitance made
whiche oftentimes doth fayle,
Or else to gayne his harte againe
which were a luckie gayle.
But lesse than seldome seene it is,
what giuen doth not returne,
From womens handes, who rather had
to frie then else to turne.
whiche oftentimes doth fayle,
Or else to gayne his harte againe
which were a luckie gayle.
But lesse than seldome seene it is,
what giuen doth not returne,
From womens handes, who rather had
to frie then else to turne.
But what if neyther seeme to come,
and hope beginnes to faynte?
Then seeme they all to weept and wayle,
and teares with streakes doth paynte
Their lether cheekes are (profe declares,)
stale nature to prouoke,
Whose harte opprest with scalding sighes,
their throates doth seeme to choke.
and hope beginnes to faynte?
Then seeme they all to weept and wayle,
and teares with streakes doth paynte
Their lether cheekes are (profe declares,)
stale nature to prouoke,
Whose harte opprest with scalding sighes,
their throates doth seeme to choke.
He
Thus witlesse wightes doe breede their woe:
yea, riper yeares and setled heddes
Herein doe wante their skoking pointes,
whose glauncing eyes by rule forbeddes.
Thus trapte they let these wordes to flie:
oh get my graue in readinesse,
Remedilesse I die, I die,
I die remedilesse.
yea, riper yeares and setled heddes
Herein doe wante their skoking pointes,
whose glauncing eyes by rule forbeddes.
Thus trapte they let these wordes to flie:
oh get my graue in readinesse,
Remedilesse I die, I die,
I die remedilesse.
Finis.
[Lie fatall fooles fat fedde with foode]
Lie
fatall fooles fat fedde with foode
of talped minde and rangyng hed:
O talpes, thinke ye to change the moode
of buzzyng Bees with Mel so fed?
of talped minde and rangyng hed:
O talpes, thinke ye to change the moode
of buzzyng Bees with Mel so fed?
O talped talpes, O buzzing Bees,
thinke ye Dame Venus hath no wit
To shunne the ginne when she it sees
but that she must needes fall in it?
thinke ye Dame Venus hath no wit
To shunne the ginne when she it sees
but that she must needes fall in it?
Then she and all Uenereall kinde
Apollo wanted for his skill
To cleare their eyes, whiche were too blinde,
if not they coulde withstande your will.
Apollo wanted for his skill
To cleare their eyes, whiche were too blinde,
if not they coulde withstande your will.
Of naughty seede since you haue store,
will you it cast on others grounde:
Then are they common to foolishe lore,
whiche pokes it vp and hath it founde.
will you it cast on others grounde:
Then are they common to foolishe lore,
whiche pokes it vp and hath it founde.
When Venus listeth for to ride,
to decke hyr heeles with your spurres,
Hir nature can it not abyde
she hath no gappe that wanteth furres.
to decke hyr heeles with your spurres,
she hath no gappe that wanteth furres.
Of ought whereof shee standes in neede,
she needeth not to seeke redresse,
When Vulcane fayles, Mars stands in steede
hyr corps with his for to suppresse.
she needeth not to seeke redresse,
When Vulcane fayles, Mars stands in steede
hyr corps with his for to suppresse.
But yet,
What needes a mate while Marrowe liues,
this is the marke whereat you shoote:
To tell eche hole conteynde in siues
vnbende your bowe it is no boote.
What needes a mate while Marrowe liues,
this is the marke whereat you shoote:
To tell eche hole conteynde in siues
vnbende your bowe it is no boote.
Unmanned Haukes forsake the lure,
all whistlying brings them not to fiste:
Wherefore with shame put vp your lure,
a Hauke will checke still when she liste.
all whistlying brings them not to fiste:
Wherefore with shame put vp your lure,
a Hauke will checke still when she liste.
[Congealed ayre doth make the starres to shote.]
Congealed
ayre doth make the starres to shote.
But seldome yet tis seene such starres to fal:
By earnest suyte not I but all our route
We yeelded haue to ayde you when you call.
And that you should such call as best can ayde
I sende thee here what is eche one hir trayde.
But seldome yet tis seene such starres to fal:
By earnest suyte not I but all our route
We yeelded haue to ayde you when you call.
And that you should such call as best can ayde
I sende thee here what is eche one hir trayde.
But in the Goblet she graued these verses following in the same order as she had done before.
I for
my parte, loue tragedies to penne.
And Cleo notes the worthinesse of menne.
Thaleia she delights in cunnyng talke.
In soundyng trumpe Euterpes wittes do walke:
In Musicke rules Terpsichore delightes.
Erato loues Geometry that hightes.
Heroicall verse Calliope firste did knowe.
Euranea loues Astrologie to showe.
And last of all Polymneia shee,
Will force thy tongue Rhetoricall to bee.
Thus to vsurpe at any time our ayde,
Take heede of this, least that you be denayde.
And Cleo notes the worthinesse of menne.
Thaleia she delights in cunnyng talke.
In soundyng trumpe Euterpes wittes do walke:
In Musicke rules Terpsichore delightes.
Erato loues Geometry that hightes.
Heroicall verse Calliope firste did knowe.
Euranea loues Astrologie to showe.
And last of all Polymneia shee,
Will force thy tongue Rhetoricall to bee.
Thus to vsurpe at any time our ayde,
Take heede of this, least that you be denayde.
[Sith Crasus wealth, with Crassus pompe, & Midas golde is skant]
Sith Crasus wealth, with Crassus pompe, & Midas golde is skant,It shall suffice to wishe you well, good will shall neuer wante:
that of your helth good fame & welth, your willers wel might vaūt.
Alter
Atropos and Lachesis with Clotho graunt you the lyfe of
Long lyfed Næstor, whose youth not soone being cut off,
Aged and hoarte as Hyems who did not call him?
Wrinkled, yet sugred in wordes, so who hath not termde him?
[Who will the curnell of the nutte]
Who will the curnell of the nutte,must breake the shell:
Who will the spoyle of any towne,
must sacke the walles:
Who will the harte of any Dame,
must touch hir harpe:
Who will the fruyte that haruest yeeldes,
must take the payne.
[Unfolde your courtesie oh amorous dame]
Thus beginneth their song.
FUnfolde your courtesie oh amorous dame,
Ioyne leagues of amity my deare by name.
G
Unlace your loyalty, breake vp your loue,
For so fidelity it doth behoue.
F
I can though I vaunt not,
G
So I though I graunt not,
May yeelde thy request.
F
Dan Cupid constrayneth.
G
So Venus refrayneth
No tyme for to ieste.
F
I ieste not,
G
I weste not,
Then it for to trie
I vowe this my harte within that doth lie,
Thine owne vndefiled and euer to be.
G
Soone heate, soone colde I see,
Soone withered what redresse?
F
This counsell giue I thee,
Suth like for like professe.
G
My fancie layes liking, oh let thy suyte fall,
Withstand Cupides striking, oh giue him a fall.
F
I ran not, nor will not, it pricketh myne harte,
I dare not, I may not, withstand that his darte.
G
My fancie denayes thee,
F
But yet sithe I like thee
Oh say me not nay.
G
Affection scholeth
F
No reason it ruleth
To say me denay.
G
And what then?
F
Be flatte then.
G
No likyng I haue,
To wedde gaynst liking, your pardon I craue:
For good will deserueth good will for to haue.
F
Then render loue for loue,
Els shall I die for woe:
G
We see how pynes the doue,
But yet he dyes not tho.
F
May nothing purchase grace my ioyes to renewe?
Shall pitty take no place? then pleasure adewe.
G
Tis folly I tell thee you lull in your lappe,
It grieues me (beleeue me) that such was your happe.
F
My bale then delightes me,
Curse Cupid that strucke thee,
To like for no gayne.
F
That will not suffice me,
G
That loue should so tyce thee,
The greater thy payne.
F
I finde it:
G
Untwyne it:
F
A lasse I can not,
So Vulcanes nettes twyne me, that not a denay
Can force me to leaue thee, though twere my decay.
G
My fancie biddes auaunte,
You spende your winde in vayne.
F
Though thus you seeme to taunt,
I hope your harte to gayne.
G
Ouer loued soone lost, betroth not your hande:
Least you gayne to your cost, a willow garland.
F
Alas, fancy moues me, to change for no newe,
But still for to loue thee, my payne to renewe.
G
And what though you change not?
F
The harder were my lotte
Thus farre for to range.
G
Your folly it harmeth:
F
Is wisedome you warneth,
Yet be not to strange.
G
I graunt it,
F
I vaunt it,
G
Then if you fayne not,
I vowe vndefiled thine owne for to bee:
Thy faith it shall bynde me agayne to loue thee.
F
My ioyes are vnfayned,
And bannish my gryping:
My harte thou hast gayned,
In lieu of thy liking.
F
Then coll me and kisse, whiche arte my delight:
Let flaunta, galanta, put sorrowes to flight.
G
In hope that Dame pleasure vs neuer will fayle,
Let flanta galanta stiffe holde vp our sayle.
F
Then hoyste it and vaunt it:
G
Yea vaunt it, and graunt it:
With huff and with huff.
F
To sport I beshrowe thee,
G
To flaunt it beleeue me,
I sit in my ruff.
F
Then vaunt it,
G
I graunt it,
F all
So this liketh well:
Our sorrowes are squenched, with pleasaunt delight,
Huff, huff, let vs huff it, by day and by night.
G
Let pleasure be hoysted,
New fangles deuised,
F
Yea lette it be roysted,
And newe pastyme trysed:
All
With all a flantare then let vs beginne,
Our goodes haue no ending, sing let vs not linne.
FINIS.
| The Golden Aphroditis | |