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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A. O. to hir louer, charging him with an vntruth.
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 | The Golden Aphroditis |  |
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.
| The Golden Aphroditis | |