Albions England A Continued Historie of the same Kingdome, from the Originals of the first Inhabitants thereof: With most the chiefe Alterations and Accidents theare hapning, vnto, and in the happie Raigne of our now most gracious Soueraigne, Queene Elizabeth: Not barren in varietie of inuentiue and historicall Intermixtures: First penned and published by William Warner: and now reuised, and newly inlarged by the same Author: Whereunto is also newly added an Epitome of the whole Historie of England |
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| 11. | THE ELEVENTH BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND. |
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267
THE ELEVENTH BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND.
CHAP. LXI.
Inexplicable Nature, by the God of Nature wrought,
Makes things seeme Miracles to some by some not Wonders thought:
And euery Climates People, both as they are Men and liue,
Do differ nothing, if obseru'd, She, not admir'd doth giue.
The Workman rather than the Worke extoll we though in her,
Not curiously, and all things to his Prouidence refer.
Who reades Sir Iohn de Mandeuil his Trauels, and his Sights,
That wonders not? and wonder may, if all be true he wrights.
Yeat rather it beleeue (for most, now modernly approu'd)
Than this our Storie, whence suppose he was to Trauell mou'd:
Not contradicting though such Pens that write, perhaps more trew,
That Pennance him to Pilgrimage hence of Deuotion drew.
Makes things seeme Miracles to some by some not Wonders thought:
And euery Climates People, both as they are Men and liue,
Do differ nothing, if obseru'd, She, not admir'd doth giue.
The Workman rather than the Worke extoll we though in her,
Not curiously, and all things to his Prouidence refer.
Who reades Sir Iohn de Mandeuil his Trauels, and his Sights,
That wonders not? and wonder may, if all be true he wrights.
Yeat rather it beleeue (for most, now modernly approu'd)
Than this our Storie, whence suppose he was to Trauell mou'd:
Not contradicting though such Pens that write, perhaps more trew,
That Pennance him to Pilgrimage hence of Deuotion drew.
Of noble Parentage and rich was Mandeuil exact,
To whom nor Feature, Actiuenes, nor Peoples fauour lackt.
A Lady of the royall blood, Third Edwards Cozen say her,
On whom, for rarest Raritie, might Arte-spent Nature stay her,
Inamours him: who held it sinne, if ought he should omit,
Might please and prize his Ladie coucht in Courage, Coste, or Wit.
But quite it quail'd his hopes to thinke he strain'd to reach a Starre:
Oft reason therefore did with Loue, Loue did with reason warre.
She is too high, and what of that? it hath, thinks he, bin seene
As High haue stoopt as Low: For Loue, right-labourd, wins a Queene.
And can I hope that Beautie which is Adamant to all?
Yea, Beautie, Natures Iuy-bush, each Passenger doth call.
But should she loue (Foole that I am to hope, that should despaire)
Such Births as she not else must loue, but as they licen'st are.
Yeat were it Mandeuil she lou'd (mislike it they that list)
Our vertuous Loue else-where, as here should render vs as blist.
O, would she loue, it should suffise: such, not of vulgar Moulds,
Whō once she blesseth with her Loue, for him she sooth-fast holds:
The only vertue of which Loue all other Lacks controules.
To whom nor Feature, Actiuenes, nor Peoples fauour lackt.
A Lady of the royall blood, Third Edwards Cozen say her,
On whom, for rarest Raritie, might Arte-spent Nature stay her,
268
Might please and prize his Ladie coucht in Courage, Coste, or Wit.
But quite it quail'd his hopes to thinke he strain'd to reach a Starre:
Oft reason therefore did with Loue, Loue did with reason warre.
She is too high, and what of that? it hath, thinks he, bin seene
As High haue stoopt as Low: For Loue, right-labourd, wins a Queene.
And can I hope that Beautie which is Adamant to all?
Yea, Beautie, Natures Iuy-bush, each Passenger doth call.
But should she loue (Foole that I am to hope, that should despaire)
Such Births as she not else must loue, but as they licen'st are.
Yeat were it Mandeuil she lou'd (mislike it they that list)
Our vertuous Loue else-where, as here should render vs as blist.
O, would she loue, it should suffise: such, not of vulgar Moulds,
Whō once she blesseth with her Loue, for him she sooth-fast holds:
The only vertue of which Loue all other Lacks controules.
Such were his Ebbes, & Floods, and down although in Loue he sits,
Yeat, fearing Death and her disdaine, his Heart deuour'd his Fits.
For, though not meanly passionate, he fared not as those,
Whose melancholy Fooleries be Pylots to their Woes.
Alreadie was he gratious both with her and all the Court,
And, more to be, did exercise Armes, and each actiue Sport,
Nor was he stoicall in ought, but affable in all,
And apprehends, euen feelingly, her Humours as they fall.
If sad were she, then sad was he, if merrie, merrie too:
His Senses liable to all, she did, or did not doe.
If her he heard to speake, he sayd Cassandra spake lesse trew,
If her he saw, hers praisde he more than Cythereas hew,
If odorifrous Sents he smelt, he fathers them on her,
If but her hand he toucht, that Touch did highly him prefer,
But deified swore he him her bed-game Sweets might taste,
And swore his Thoughts: for where we loue, euen there our Soules be
His Vertues and officiousnes to her wards so had wrought,
That vnto little lesse than loue she, by Degrees, was brought.
Yeat, fearing Death and her disdaine, his Heart deuour'd his Fits.
For, though not meanly passionate, he fared not as those,
Whose melancholy Fooleries be Pylots to their Woes.
Alreadie was he gratious both with her and all the Court,
And, more to be, did exercise Armes, and each actiue Sport,
Nor was he stoicall in ought, but affable in all,
And apprehends, euen feelingly, her Humours as they fall.
If sad were she, then sad was he, if merrie, merrie too:
His Senses liable to all, she did, or did not doe.
If her he heard to speake, he sayd Cassandra spake lesse trew,
If her he saw, hers praisde he more than Cythereas hew,
If odorifrous Sents he smelt, he fathers them on her,
If but her hand he toucht, that Touch did highly him prefer,
But deified swore he him her bed-game Sweets might taste,
And swore his Thoughts: for where we loue, euen there our Soules be
His Vertues and officiousnes to her wards so had wrought,
269
Then errant Knights, & euery Knight, yea Kings would oft defend
The Beauties of such Damsels as it lik't them to commend:
And Prizes were preposde for such whose Champions bore them best
At Tilts and Turnies, and his Choice was Soueraigne ore the rest.
Such Iusts, in England to be held, were now proclaymed, and
The Chiualrie of Christendome conuented in our Land.
Three beautious forren Ladies with Sir Iohn his Ladie stood
Competitors to win the Prize, maintain'd with Champions good.
To shew the foure-fold March of Knights, whose Prowse should plead anon,
Vnder distinguisht Flags, her Forme their Fancies waited on,
Their rare Accomplements, and each Deuise to see or reede,
To shew the richnes of the Prize behight the Victors Meede,
The Damsels richer hew for whom such Triumphs were decreede,
The Cost, and great Concurse was there, were ouer-long to say,
In few, was nothing wanting that might honor such a day.
Now sound they to the Iusts, and now vn-horst was many a Knight,
For Foyles were Foyles, most brauely all their Champerie acquite,
And almost grew the day to end before it could be seene
Who bore him best, when (moūted well, both Man & Horse in greene)
A Knight appear'd: his Banner had the Picture, and in gold
King Edwards Cozen Elenor was legibly inrould.
Against him ranne right hardie Knights, that thundred on his Beuer,
But he vnhorst the most of them, himselfe vn-horsed neuer:
At least he lost his Stirrops that incounters him, wherefore
Of Knighthood he, and Elenor the Prize of Beautie bore.
The Iewels set for Victorie and aduerse Banners three
Were yeelded him, whilst Elenor did long her Knight to see.
But as they marched to depart, with Beuer shut, he made
To her a Conge, closely then he Thence himselfe conuaide.
Much wonder all who and of whence the hardie greene-Knight was,
But secretly, vnknowne of all, he to his Home did pas.
The Beauties of such Damsels as it lik't them to commend:
And Prizes were preposde for such whose Champions bore them best
At Tilts and Turnies, and his Choice was Soueraigne ore the rest.
Such Iusts, in England to be held, were now proclaymed, and
The Chiualrie of Christendome conuented in our Land.
Three beautious forren Ladies with Sir Iohn his Ladie stood
Competitors to win the Prize, maintain'd with Champions good.
To shew the foure-fold March of Knights, whose Prowse should plead anon,
Vnder distinguisht Flags, her Forme their Fancies waited on,
Their rare Accomplements, and each Deuise to see or reede,
To shew the richnes of the Prize behight the Victors Meede,
The Damsels richer hew for whom such Triumphs were decreede,
The Cost, and great Concurse was there, were ouer-long to say,
In few, was nothing wanting that might honor such a day.
Now sound they to the Iusts, and now vn-horst was many a Knight,
For Foyles were Foyles, most brauely all their Champerie acquite,
And almost grew the day to end before it could be seene
Who bore him best, when (moūted well, both Man & Horse in greene)
A Knight appear'd: his Banner had the Picture, and in gold
King Edwards Cozen Elenor was legibly inrould.
Against him ranne right hardie Knights, that thundred on his Beuer,
But he vnhorst the most of them, himselfe vn-horsed neuer:
At least he lost his Stirrops that incounters him, wherefore
Of Knighthood he, and Elenor the Prize of Beautie bore.
The Iewels set for Victorie and aduerse Banners three
Were yeelded him, whilst Elenor did long her Knight to see.
But as they marched to depart, with Beuer shut, he made
To her a Conge, closely then he Thence himselfe conuaide.
Much wonder all who and of whence the hardie greene-Knight was,
But secretly, vnknowne of all, he to his Home did pas.
A Womans Loue is Riuer-like, which, stopt, will ouer-flow,
But when the Currant finds no let it often fals too lowe,
Faire Elenor wish't nothing more than that she might him know:
Meane while the Fier of Loue in her, from sparkes to flame did grow.
But Mandeuil was more discreet than that, for Mens applause,
He would be known, as knowing that from Praise takes Enuie cause.
To moue the King threats death, in vaine to labor her he wist,
Since many mightie Potentates had labord her and mist.
She, he, and England seem'd too neere, his hopes, thought he, too farre,
He absence therefore poynts to plead vnto his Loue in barre.
Of Ceur-de-Lion, Erigen, William the Pylgrim, who
Wrot Richards Syrian Warres, Curson, Glanuile, and Longe-spee too,
Long-shanks eare King, his Knights, and of our English many moe,
That through the triple Orbs did Armes and Trauels vnder goe,
And famous thus aliue and dead Here and Abroad did groe
He cal'd to minde, resolu'd in minde his Life to finish so.
Bills of Exchange and all things els prepard for Trauell fit,
Vnto his Friends, grieu'd he would goe, he then imparteth it.
The King did giue him Letters for safe-Conducts, of the Corte,
Loth him to leaue he taketh leaue, But in more speciall sorte
Of Elenor, good Sadnes she thus spoke, as if in sporte:
Some discontented humor sends you hence, as I deuine,
Which, be whereso you shall, will be with you be yours as mine.
Nay, Madam, quoth Sir Iohn, twixt vs this difference is to finde,
I both in minde and body, you need trauell not in minde.
Yes yes, quoth she, my Minde I wot meete may you farre away,
If so, then giue to it this Ring, and that I sent it say.
So, with that Riddle and a Ring she gaue, they kindly part,
Nor knew she him the Knight she meant, nor he to him her heart:
For, second to the greene-Knight (whom she thought not him) was he
Her Fauoret, of him therefore she would remembred be.
270
Faire Elenor wish't nothing more than that she might him know:
Meane while the Fier of Loue in her, from sparkes to flame did grow.
But Mandeuil was more discreet than that, for Mens applause,
He would be known, as knowing that from Praise takes Enuie cause.
To moue the King threats death, in vaine to labor her he wist,
Since many mightie Potentates had labord her and mist.
She, he, and England seem'd too neere, his hopes, thought he, too farre,
He absence therefore poynts to plead vnto his Loue in barre.
Of Ceur-de-Lion, Erigen, William the Pylgrim, who
Wrot Richards Syrian Warres, Curson, Glanuile, and Longe-spee too,
Long-shanks eare King, his Knights, and of our English many moe,
That through the triple Orbs did Armes and Trauels vnder goe,
And famous thus aliue and dead Here and Abroad did groe
He cal'd to minde, resolu'd in minde his Life to finish so.
Bills of Exchange and all things els prepard for Trauell fit,
Vnto his Friends, grieu'd he would goe, he then imparteth it.
The King did giue him Letters for safe-Conducts, of the Corte,
Loth him to leaue he taketh leaue, But in more speciall sorte
Of Elenor, good Sadnes she thus spoke, as if in sporte:
Some discontented humor sends you hence, as I deuine,
Which, be whereso you shall, will be with you be yours as mine.
Nay, Madam, quoth Sir Iohn, twixt vs this difference is to finde,
I both in minde and body, you need trauell not in minde.
Yes yes, quoth she, my Minde I wot meete may you farre away,
If so, then giue to it this Ring, and that I sent it say.
So, with that Riddle and a Ring she gaue, they kindly part,
Nor knew she him the Knight she meant, nor he to him her heart:
For, second to the greene-Knight (whom she thought not him) was he
Her Fauoret, of him therefore she would remembred be.
Now let vs say the Lands, the Seas, the People, and their Lore
This Knight did see, whom, touching which, not storie shall we more:
But to our English Voyages, eueu in our times, let's frame.
(Our Muse, and what you heare of those of his the like do ame.
Yeat interlace we shall among the Loue of her and him:
Meane while about the World our Muse is stripped now to swim,
This Knight did see, whom, touching which, not storie shall we more:
But to our English Voyages, eueu in our times, let's frame.
271
Yeat interlace we shall among the Loue of her and him:
Meane while about the World our Muse is stripped now to swim,
CHAP. LXII.
From then, when first my Father, eare my birth, was one of those
Did through the Seas of ysie Rocks the Muscouites disclose,
We shall our English Voyages, the cheefe at least, digest,
Of which in this her Highnes Raigne haue been perform'd the best,
Then here a while let Mandeuill and his beloued rest.
To name the diuers Peoples that in Europe be were much,
Not but remotest Regions, of our Natiues seene, we touch.
But, Moderns, Yee (of whom are some haue circum-sail'd the Earth)
Here pardon vs your Sailes, and giue your proper praises bearth:
Infuse yee Penn-life too into ore taken Fames by death.
Caboto (whole Cosmographie and selfe-proofe brake the Ise
To most our late Discouerers, Debtors to his Aduise)
Had vs, eare Spayne, possest of that which Spanyards now abuse,
But, he inuiting, idely we did offred Gold refuse:
Yeat him to say for most the Meane, it weare not vs to shame,
Of English new Discoueries, that yeeld vs Wealth and Fame.
Reserue we to the Actors though (of whom lost some their Wealth,
Their liues a many, all at least indangered their health,
In trewer perils, and more braue Achieuements, than the Tailes
(Of Iason and Vlysses of their fabled Sea-toyld Sailes)
The Glorie of the dangerous Gole: Nor let vs heere forgit
(In which I first did breath this aire) London, preferring it.
Did through the Seas of ysie Rocks the Muscouites disclose,
We shall our English Voyages, the cheefe at least, digest,
Of which in this her Highnes Raigne haue been perform'd the best,
Then here a while let Mandeuill and his beloued rest.
To name the diuers Peoples that in Europe be were much,
Not but remotest Regions, of our Natiues seene, we touch.
But, Moderns, Yee (of whom are some haue circum-sail'd the Earth)
Here pardon vs your Sailes, and giue your proper praises bearth:
Infuse yee Penn-life too into ore taken Fames by death.
Caboto (whole Cosmographie and selfe-proofe brake the Ise
To most our late Discouerers, Debtors to his Aduise)
Had vs, eare Spayne, possest of that which Spanyards now abuse,
But, he inuiting, idely we did offred Gold refuse:
Yeat him to say for most the Meane, it weare not vs to shame,
Of English new Discoueries, that yeeld vs Wealth and Fame.
Reserue we to the Actors though (of whom lost some their Wealth,
Their liues a many, all at least indangered their health,
In trewer perils, and more braue Achieuements, than the Tailes
272
The Glorie of the dangerous Gole: Nor let vs heere forgit
(In which I first did breath this aire) London, preferring it.
Some Marchants theare of woorth did mind with Nations, then vnknowne,
New Traffiques, and the passe thereto was by Caboto showne:
By his instruction at their costs three shippes were rigged out,
Hugh Willoughby the Admyrall, a Knight both wise and stoute.
Next place (whose braue performance of Imployments euer liue)
To Chancelor, grand Pylot for that Voyage, did they giue.
Now sayle they for the Northeast partes, Cathayas Shores to finde:
Incountred with huge seas of Ise, with stormie Gustes and Winde:
Shotland, AEgeland, Halgland, th' Isles of Roste and Losoot past,
Tempestiously Arzinas Rhode receiued Sir Hugh at last.
Theare he, and all of two his ships, attempting bootles shifts,
Weare in that Climate Frozen dead, shut vp with Isie Driftes:
Wheare died he and all with him (if so to die be death)
But no, saith heauen, no, saith their Fame suruiuing them on earth.
Then Chancelor, his onely ship remayning of that fleete,
For Fynmarke, at the Wardhouse sayles with his Consorts to meete.
Their day hath more than two months length, & Mal-strands Poole it makes
Such hidious rore, deuouring fluds, yr ten miles distāce shakes.
Wheare, frustrate of his friends in quest, with courage not deiect,
He for the Course preposed did his ventrous sayles direct.
New Traffiques, and the passe thereto was by Caboto showne:
By his instruction at their costs three shippes were rigged out,
Hugh Willoughby the Admyrall, a Knight both wise and stoute.
Next place (whose braue performance of Imployments euer liue)
To Chancelor, grand Pylot for that Voyage, did they giue.
Now sayle they for the Northeast partes, Cathayas Shores to finde:
Incountred with huge seas of Ise, with stormie Gustes and Winde:
Shotland, AEgeland, Halgland, th' Isles of Roste and Losoot past,
Tempestiously Arzinas Rhode receiued Sir Hugh at last.
Theare he, and all of two his ships, attempting bootles shifts,
Weare in that Climate Frozen dead, shut vp with Isie Driftes:
Wheare died he and all with him (if so to die be death)
But no, saith heauen, no, saith their Fame suruiuing them on earth.
Then Chancelor, his onely ship remayning of that fleete,
For Fynmarke, at the Wardhouse sayles with his Consorts to meete.
Their day hath more than two months length, & Mal-strands Poole it makes
Such hidious rore, deuouring fluds, yr ten miles distāce shakes.
Wheare, frustrate of his friends in quest, with courage not deiect,
He for the Course preposed did his ventrous sayles direct.
King Arthur, Malgo, Edgar once to haue subdewd are said
Orkney, Gotland, Island, and those former in that traide,
Gronland, Wireland, Curland, and cold Scrikfyn them obaid,
Newland, with others, and those Isles wheare men, saue eyes alone,
Are hid in hides of beastes, and beasts saue fish haue fother none:
Thence Chancelor, ariuing mong'st the Laplanders at last,
They, seeing vncouth Men and Shippes, weare wondringly agaste,
(For eare that day was heard no Shippe that churlish pole had past.)
The Lapland Bay wheare he arriu'd, now cald Saint Nicholas Bay,
Though Russian, fifteene hundred Miles from Mosco is away:
Theare Winterd he at Newnox, till safe conduct being sent,
Thence to their King on swift-drawne Sleads through frozen waies he went.
Orkney, Gotland, Island, and those former in that traide,
Gronland, Wireland, Curland, and cold Scrikfyn them obaid,
Newland, with others, and those Isles wheare men, saue eyes alone,
Are hid in hides of beastes, and beasts saue fish haue fother none:
Thence Chancelor, ariuing mong'st the Laplanders at last,
They, seeing vncouth Men and Shippes, weare wondringly agaste,
(For eare that day was heard no Shippe that churlish pole had past.)
The Lapland Bay wheare he arriu'd, now cald Saint Nicholas Bay,
273
Theare Winterd he at Newnox, till safe conduct being sent,
Thence to their King on swift-drawne Sleads through frozen waies he went.
Not like Sarmatian Scithians (for the Moscouites be so)
He found them plaine, but rather much in pompe to ouer-floe:
They neuer in the Russian Court till then did English see,
His intertainment therefore was as stately as might be.
In sundry Roomes were hundreds seene in Gold and Tyssue clad,
A Maiestie Augustus-like their King inthroned had.
Let passe what paste in speech betwixt our Pilot and their King,
Full well could Chancelor demeane himselfe in euery thing,
Let passe how in Basilius Court most royally be sead,
Suffise it that our Agent of his arrant thither spead:
That is, that ours might trade with them, of which large leaue is read.
More, not vnworthie note, hereof our purpose is to say,
But this be first of Mandeuil remembred by the way.
He found them plaine, but rather much in pompe to ouer-floe:
They neuer in the Russian Court till then did English see,
His intertainment therefore was as stately as might be.
In sundry Roomes were hundreds seene in Gold and Tyssue clad,
A Maiestie Augustus-like their King inthroned had.
Let passe what paste in speech betwixt our Pilot and their King,
Full well could Chancelor demeane himselfe in euery thing,
Let passe how in Basilius Court most royally be sead,
Suffise it that our Agent of his arrant thither spead:
That is, that ours might trade with them, of which large leaue is read.
More, not vnworthie note, hereof our purpose is to say,
But this be first of Mandeuil remembred by the way.
CHAP. LXIII.
We left him form'd a Traueler (braue Pilgrim Knight farewell,)
And Elenor (sweete Soule) in Loue, with whom she could not tell:
He trauels for to leaue his Loue, not caring where he lose it,
She for her Loue to finde it skils not whom, so him that Oose it:
The greene Knight, be whoso he shall, her heart had branded hers:
Wheare is that Second She that Loue for Vertue so prefers?
Her onely, speed how so he shall, his heart had branded his:
Wheare liues that second He that so, by louing, betterd is?
Tis often seene, Loue works in Man a weake deiected minde,
Tis euer seene, a Womans Loue doth alter as the winde:
Example then be Mandeuil for Men not to be idle
In Amorous Passions: Labor is to loue, at least, a Bridle:
Example to be Elenor: But let vs say no more,
For Women euer alter, saith the Gospell preach't before:
Conclude we then, when Elenor and Mandeuil did die,
The Method of true louing did with them to Heauen flie,
For euer since too feruent in their Loue are Men, for most,
But, Iris-like, in Womens Hearts Loue too and fro doth poste.
One Stafford (of a Noble House, a Courtiour of good hauor,
A frind and fast to Mandeuil, and in the Prince his Fauor)
From Cyprus from his Friend receiu'd two Letters, one was his,
The other sent to Elenor, and that purported this,
And Elenor (sweete Soule) in Loue, with whom she could not tell:
He trauels for to leaue his Loue, not caring where he lose it,
She for her Loue to finde it skils not whom, so him that Oose it:
The greene Knight, be whoso he shall, her heart had branded hers:
Wheare is that Second She that Loue for Vertue so prefers?
Her onely, speed how so he shall, his heart had branded his:
274
Tis often seene, Loue works in Man a weake deiected minde,
Tis euer seene, a Womans Loue doth alter as the winde:
Example then be Mandeuil for Men not to be idle
In Amorous Passions: Labor is to loue, at least, a Bridle:
Example to be Elenor: But let vs say no more,
For Women euer alter, saith the Gospell preach't before:
Conclude we then, when Elenor and Mandeuil did die,
The Method of true louing did with them to Heauen flie,
For euer since too feruent in their Loue are Men, for most,
But, Iris-like, in Womens Hearts Loue too and fro doth poste.
One Stafford (of a Noble House, a Courtiour of good hauor,
A frind and fast to Mandeuil, and in the Prince his Fauor)
From Cyprus from his Friend receiu'd two Letters, one was his,
The other sent to Elenor, and that purported this,
Of you receiued I a Ring, a Token to your Minde,
If so I met it, and it is my fortune it to finde:
For if the Heart may, as it might, for Minde be vnderstood,
My Heart is yours, your Ring so mine, Hearts interchang'd were good.
More did I feare than euer in your Ladiship I found,
Disdaineful Lookes from those faire Eyes that me with loue did woūd.
Now speake I Loue, far from those Lookes so forceable to kill,
Howbeit that I loue is not to worke or wish you ill.
Not more than this (though Princes Frownes beare death with them) feard I,
For had you lou'd, the King mislikt, what had I for'st to die?
Wheare I haue beene (were blasphemie from Women to detract)
Great store of Beauties haue I seene, but none, as yours, exact)
Courts also more than stately, with faire Ladies in the same,
Which seemed common Formes to me, remembring but your name.
When in the Holly-land I prayd, euen at the holy Graue,
(Forgiue me God) a sigh for sinne, and three for Loue I gaue.
Against the fearce Arabians I the Soldans Pay did take,
When oft, as Onset, for Saint George Saint Elenor I spake.
The Amazones, those lustie Girles, beleeue me lik't me well,
But nothing in the best of them but doth in you excell.
I look't vpon the sterile Lake where Heauen-fir'd Sodom was,
For one, thought I thear such as you not so had come to pas,
Most sweete and soueraigne Balsamum in Indian Fields I saw,
More soueraign sweeter Sents, thought I, my lips frō yours could draw.
Nere AEthiop when the spice-sweete Well of youth I saw, I saide,
My Lady lacketh not hereof, Perfection needs not Ayde.
I sawe (nor wonder you I should, who sees you sees as much)
The onely Phœnix, Foule, and Faier, but it and you none such.
But, flying thus about your Blaze your Gnat doth burne his wings,
To my despairing Passion more your praised Beautie brings.
Not Trauell tiers my Loue a whit, but Loue doth tire one me:
Which should I wish, me better, or you baser of degree?
Be still the same you are, let me exile my selfe for euer:
Two diffidenses I conceit will let me hope you neuer:
The first my selfe vnworthy you, the latter, and the least
The Kings Consent: But, well I wot, Loue is a Lordly Feast:
Agnize (so should you) so, and so despayre is part releast.
One comfort is, before you doome is Execution done,
My voluntary Banishment alredy is begon:
Which if you neuer shall repeale shall neuer end, or when
(Ah, can I hope it?) should you, not for vs in England then.
Nor is it but our minds that make our natiue Homes our Graue,
As we to ours, Others to theirs like parciall Fancie haue:
Transmute we but our Mindes, and then all one an Alien is
As if a Natiue: One resolu'd makes euery Country his.
Your Answer that by Pen our speech to this return'd shall be,
Voutsafe it vnto Stafford, for an Other-I is he:
In perfect Friendship no suspect, for two are one in all,
Communitie or doubling ioy, or making griefe more small:
But would you to an Vnitie of hearts twixt vs incline,
Wheare Friendship is angelicall, our Loue should proue diuine.
More write I not, blest may you liue, teares ouertake this Line.
If so I met it, and it is my fortune it to finde:
For if the Heart may, as it might, for Minde be vnderstood,
My Heart is yours, your Ring so mine, Hearts interchang'd were good.
More did I feare than euer in your Ladiship I found,
Disdaineful Lookes from those faire Eyes that me with loue did woūd.
Now speake I Loue, far from those Lookes so forceable to kill,
Howbeit that I loue is not to worke or wish you ill.
Not more than this (though Princes Frownes beare death with them) feard I,
For had you lou'd, the King mislikt, what had I for'st to die?
Wheare I haue beene (were blasphemie from Women to detract)
Great store of Beauties haue I seene, but none, as yours, exact)
Courts also more than stately, with faire Ladies in the same,
Which seemed common Formes to me, remembring but your name.
When in the Holly-land I prayd, euen at the holy Graue,
(Forgiue me God) a sigh for sinne, and three for Loue I gaue.
Against the fearce Arabians I the Soldans Pay did take,
When oft, as Onset, for Saint George Saint Elenor I spake.
275
But nothing in the best of them but doth in you excell.
I look't vpon the sterile Lake where Heauen-fir'd Sodom was,
For one, thought I thear such as you not so had come to pas,
Most sweete and soueraigne Balsamum in Indian Fields I saw,
More soueraign sweeter Sents, thought I, my lips frō yours could draw.
Nere AEthiop when the spice-sweete Well of youth I saw, I saide,
My Lady lacketh not hereof, Perfection needs not Ayde.
I sawe (nor wonder you I should, who sees you sees as much)
The onely Phœnix, Foule, and Faier, but it and you none such.
But, flying thus about your Blaze your Gnat doth burne his wings,
To my despairing Passion more your praised Beautie brings.
Not Trauell tiers my Loue a whit, but Loue doth tire one me:
Which should I wish, me better, or you baser of degree?
Be still the same you are, let me exile my selfe for euer:
Two diffidenses I conceit will let me hope you neuer:
The first my selfe vnworthy you, the latter, and the least
The Kings Consent: But, well I wot, Loue is a Lordly Feast:
Agnize (so should you) so, and so despayre is part releast.
One comfort is, before you doome is Execution done,
My voluntary Banishment alredy is begon:
Which if you neuer shall repeale shall neuer end, or when
(Ah, can I hope it?) should you, not for vs in England then.
Nor is it but our minds that make our natiue Homes our Graue,
As we to ours, Others to theirs like parciall Fancie haue:
Transmute we but our Mindes, and then all one an Alien is
As if a Natiue: One resolu'd makes euery Country his.
Your Answer that by Pen our speech to this return'd shall be,
Voutsafe it vnto Stafford, for an Other-I is he:
In perfect Friendship no suspect, for two are one in all,
Communitie or doubling ioy, or making griefe more small:
But would you to an Vnitie of hearts twixt vs incline,
Wheare Friendship is angelicall, our Loue should proue diuine.
276
When (Stafford present) Elenor this Letter had perus'de,
She said, as else-where shall ensew: Now is in vs infus'de
Fresh matter of Discoueries. How Chancelor he speade
Is said before: of Russia thus remaineth to be reade.
She said, as else-where shall ensew: Now is in vs infus'de
Fresh matter of Discoueries. How Chancelor he speade
Is said before: of Russia thus remaineth to be reade.
CHAP. LXIIII.
Avaste and spatious Empire is Moscouie, in the same
Bee Riuers, Tanais, Volga, and Boristhenes of fame,
With yearely hallowed Mosca, which the Primate hauing blest,
(Whom to attend the Clargie, Lords, and King himselfe be prest)
He thinks himselfe an happie man may touch the yse-hewne pit,
But him in Heauen already whom the Primat sprinks with it.
Euxinus, and the Caspian seas do wash those frozen shores,
Which vs with fish, oyles, hony, salt, furs, and good Traffiques stores.
More temprate be the In-land Parts: They reape what they doe sowe
Within the compas of fower Moones, in all their haruest, mowe,
And house their Beasts: Thēselues keep close in Stoues vntil the spring,
And sport with their face-painted wiues, hild theere a comely thing.
In customes of the Greeke Church, much corrupted, are they lead:
Monkes, Friers, & Priests swarme there, not more thā in their Portesse reade:
Nor more haue Priests, or People, than a ceremonious care,
Grosse worshippers of Images, which in their houses are:
In all too superstitiously deuoted. Though the Pope
Theare stickell not, their Primate takes as large and pompious scope.
Besides these Christians (for vnto themselues they arrogate
The soundest Christianitie) are subiect to their State
Idolators, that doe adore euen Diuels, or did of late.
Not of the Samoeds rude-wrought Gods, or blood-Rites will we tarry,
Or of the Stone, neere vnto which did Willoughby miscarry,
To which bring Sailers white-Meats, least their Ships should Tempests harrie,
But that same female Idoll cal'd Zelotibab, in part
Of Russia, or the Diuell himselfe acting in it his Arte,
Is worth the note. When ought amisse amongst them doth befall,
An Instrument of Musicke, and a siluer Toad withall
They lay before the Idoll, and before her prostrate fall:
Then, Musicke sounded, he to whom the Toad shall come is slaine,
(For come it will) when presently the man reuiues againe,
And tels the cause why hap't the ill, and how to pacifie
The angrie Idoll: which is done, though some for it should die.
Bee Riuers, Tanais, Volga, and Boristhenes of fame,
With yearely hallowed Mosca, which the Primate hauing blest,
(Whom to attend the Clargie, Lords, and King himselfe be prest)
He thinks himselfe an happie man may touch the yse-hewne pit,
But him in Heauen already whom the Primat sprinks with it.
Euxinus, and the Caspian seas do wash those frozen shores,
Which vs with fish, oyles, hony, salt, furs, and good Traffiques stores.
More temprate be the In-land Parts: They reape what they doe sowe
Within the compas of fower Moones, in all their haruest, mowe,
And house their Beasts: Thēselues keep close in Stoues vntil the spring,
And sport with their face-painted wiues, hild theere a comely thing.
In customes of the Greeke Church, much corrupted, are they lead:
Monkes, Friers, & Priests swarme there, not more thā in their Portesse reade:
Nor more haue Priests, or People, than a ceremonious care,
Grosse worshippers of Images, which in their houses are:
In all too superstitiously deuoted. Though the Pope
Theare stickell not, their Primate takes as large and pompious scope.
277
The soundest Christianitie) are subiect to their State
Idolators, that doe adore euen Diuels, or did of late.
Not of the Samoeds rude-wrought Gods, or blood-Rites will we tarry,
Or of the Stone, neere vnto which did Willoughby miscarry,
To which bring Sailers white-Meats, least their Ships should Tempests harrie,
But that same female Idoll cal'd Zelotibab, in part
Of Russia, or the Diuell himselfe acting in it his Arte,
Is worth the note. When ought amisse amongst them doth befall,
An Instrument of Musicke, and a siluer Toad withall
They lay before the Idoll, and before her prostrate fall:
Then, Musicke sounded, he to whom the Toad shall come is slaine,
(For come it will) when presently the man reuiues againe,
And tels the cause why hap't the ill, and how to pacifie
The angrie Idoll: which is done, though some for it should die.
The King by Monarchia rules, more absolutely none,
Great Duke of Russia late his Stile, imperiall now his Throne.
He holds a Maiestie not meane, and all of All his Owne,
When to imploy their goods vpon the common good is knowne.
Himselfe, both Iudge and Iuror ends with Equitie Debates.
Armipotent in Warre, and hath subdewed mightie States:
An hundred thousand leads he forth against his Foes to fight,
That scorne both hunger, thirst, and could, wounds, yeelding, feare and flight:
Of cloth of gold, rich Stones, & Plumes his royall Tent is pight:
Nor to his Souldiours skants he Gifts, that well themselues acquite.
But what particulate we thus, that much in few would write?
Great Duke of Russia late his Stile, imperiall now his Throne.
He holds a Maiestie not meane, and all of All his Owne,
When to imploy their goods vpon the common good is knowne.
Himselfe, both Iudge and Iuror ends with Equitie Debates.
Armipotent in Warre, and hath subdewed mightie States:
An hundred thousand leads he forth against his Foes to fight,
That scorne both hunger, thirst, and could, wounds, yeelding, feare and flight:
Of cloth of gold, rich Stones, & Plumes his royall Tent is pight:
Nor to his Souldiours skants he Gifts, that well themselues acquite.
But what particulate we thus, that much in few would write?
Now wheare we left of Chancelor: he, gratious with that King,
Obtayned for our Marchants, as he wished, euerything.
With Letters then of Credence for himselfe, and Marte for them
He puts to Sea fot England, whom the yse about did hem:
Yeat with vndaunted Courage, to his neuer dying Fame,
All Difficulties ouerpast, to London safe he came.
Thence, after some aboade, with new Consorts, an other Fleete,
And Notes digested for their new attempted Traffique meete,
He did resayle to Russia, there receiued as before:
Cheefe Agents Gray, and Killingworth, bearded fiue foote and more.
In all things with the King for ours did Chancelor preuaile,
And now our Agents knew their Homes, & where to make their Saile.
But now must end our Swan-song, now the Swan himselfe must end,
Euen he that toyld such tedious Seas his Countries weale to mend,
Returning Homeward, neere at Home, euen on the Scottish Cost,
Did wracke, and those aboord his Ship then perished for most:
But that he drown'd his care to saue the Russie, sent to vs
In his Conduct, is said the cause: but drown'd he was, and thus.
Obtayned for our Marchants, as he wished, euerything.
With Letters then of Credence for himselfe, and Marte for them
He puts to Sea fot England, whom the yse about did hem:
Yeat with vndaunted Courage, to his neuer dying Fame,
All Difficulties ouerpast, to London safe he came.
278
And Notes digested for their new attempted Traffique meete,
He did resayle to Russia, there receiued as before:
Cheefe Agents Gray, and Killingworth, bearded fiue foote and more.
In all things with the King for ours did Chancelor preuaile,
And now our Agents knew their Homes, & where to make their Saile.
But now must end our Swan-song, now the Swan himselfe must end,
Euen he that toyld such tedious Seas his Countries weale to mend,
Returning Homeward, neere at Home, euen on the Scottish Cost,
Did wracke, and those aboord his Ship then perished for most:
But that he drown'd his care to saue the Russie, sent to vs
In his Conduct, is said the cause: but drown'd he was, and thus.
This Marte thus set a foote, was Thence for Ob an other sought:
Wherein not little was it that praise-worthy Burrough wrought:
Of him and (whom I neuer can commend with praises dew)
Of Ienkinson ensues: But first of Elenor anew.
Wherein not little was it that praise-worthy Burrough wrought:
Of him and (whom I neuer can commend with praises dew)
Of Ienkinson ensues: But first of Elenor anew.
CHAP. LXV.
Yee heard how she his Letter read, whilst Stafford was in place,
Which hauing read, she stoode as if astonished a space:
Her blushing and vn-blusshing made that Stafford doubted whether
It pleased, or displeased: which, the troth to say, did neither
Varietie of Men to court a Woman is her pride,
Than which their Vanitie of Men is nothing lesse espide:
What are to vs, but common hurts, those common hopes they giue,
If then their loue doth die to vs when ours to them doth liue:
They Nero-like sing Troy when Rome by them is set on fire,
Iest at our earnest. Let vs now to Elenor retier.
More modest she thā such (though most in mēs behalfe might better)
And comes, quoth she, from Mandeuill this il-come-welcome letter?
Beleeue me, Stafford, ill it comes that sayes a cause in me,
That from his Natiue home he should thus selfe-exiled be.
If amorous Hopes, or Hopes vnheld to him from me had past,
I had indeed bin guiltie, as too forward, or not fast:
But to the Cause, Effect, and all not-guiltie doe I pleade,
His loue is Newes, mine to despaire what was it him should leade?
Our Court (I will not wrong the Man, nor flatter him a whit)
Can hardly shew another-such for Person, Prowse, and Wit.
But as for me (setting a-part my Birth, to which, or any
So borne the State is interest) what am I more than Many?
If beautious now (here let me chide his Indiscretion, who
Farre from a Meane of it so meane doth make so much adoe,
And, least perhaps he should haue glib'd, a vertue doth not note,
Whēce loue shuld spring, which makes me gesse he doth not loue but dote)
If beautious, as I said, what els is Forme but vaiding aire?
Yea oft, because assaulted oft, it hurteth to be faire.
And were not my Descent, and I a Fauorite in Court,
My common Forme, vnheeded then, might passe without report.
But were my wishes mine, the Court by me should be the lesse:
So much it hath of Vanitie, and painfull Idlenesse.
Since such is he, and of my selfe my selfe but so esteeme,
Himselfe by silence me he wrong'd disdainfull me to deeme.
I could be angrie, were he here, with him for erring so,
Disdaine (the Vulgars Fault) is not in Gentrie found, I troe.
But feare he did, and wisely too (for God forbid that I,
Vnworthie that I am, should haue indanger'd him to dye)
The Kings displeasure: Or perhaps, vnpossible he thought
My loue should equall his, or I a trans-Marine be wrought.
But, if he intertain'd such thoughts, there also did he erre:
Loue is a lordly Feast, he writes, and I the same auerre:
For if (not rashly though, I hope) vpon my choice I stand,
My hand shall neuer giue my heart, my heart shall giue my hand:
Yea, so I liue with whom I loue, what care I in what land?
With women is too vsuall now Theirs and themselues to sell
For Ioynters by Indenture with imperious men to dwell,
And he doth her, and she doth him with his and hers vpbraide:
But that I chiefly match for loue shall, when I match, be saide.
Good Daies beget, bad Daies trie Friends, nor him a friend esteeme
Whom firme as to thy selfe thy selfe thou darest not to deeme,
Say some: But Mandeuill, I see, of you accompteth so,
As of his firme and choycest Friend, then, least I tedious groe,
I tell thee, Stafford, next to one is Mandeuill the Man
I could haue loued, but I loue whom not vn-loue I can.
Yeat if you aske me whom or where that one beloued is,
I cannot answer whom, or wheare, yeat am and will be his.
Which hauing read, she stoode as if astonished a space:
Her blushing and vn-blusshing made that Stafford doubted whether
It pleased, or displeased: which, the troth to say, did neither
Varietie of Men to court a Woman is her pride,
Than which their Vanitie of Men is nothing lesse espide:
What are to vs, but common hurts, those common hopes they giue,
279
They Nero-like sing Troy when Rome by them is set on fire,
Iest at our earnest. Let vs now to Elenor retier.
More modest she thā such (though most in mēs behalfe might better)
And comes, quoth she, from Mandeuill this il-come-welcome letter?
Beleeue me, Stafford, ill it comes that sayes a cause in me,
That from his Natiue home he should thus selfe-exiled be.
If amorous Hopes, or Hopes vnheld to him from me had past,
I had indeed bin guiltie, as too forward, or not fast:
But to the Cause, Effect, and all not-guiltie doe I pleade,
His loue is Newes, mine to despaire what was it him should leade?
Our Court (I will not wrong the Man, nor flatter him a whit)
Can hardly shew another-such for Person, Prowse, and Wit.
But as for me (setting a-part my Birth, to which, or any
So borne the State is interest) what am I more than Many?
If beautious now (here let me chide his Indiscretion, who
Farre from a Meane of it so meane doth make so much adoe,
And, least perhaps he should haue glib'd, a vertue doth not note,
Whēce loue shuld spring, which makes me gesse he doth not loue but dote)
If beautious, as I said, what els is Forme but vaiding aire?
Yea oft, because assaulted oft, it hurteth to be faire.
And were not my Descent, and I a Fauorite in Court,
My common Forme, vnheeded then, might passe without report.
But were my wishes mine, the Court by me should be the lesse:
So much it hath of Vanitie, and painfull Idlenesse.
Since such is he, and of my selfe my selfe but so esteeme,
Himselfe by silence me he wrong'd disdainfull me to deeme.
I could be angrie, were he here, with him for erring so,
Disdaine (the Vulgars Fault) is not in Gentrie found, I troe.
But feare he did, and wisely too (for God forbid that I,
Vnworthie that I am, should haue indanger'd him to dye)
The Kings displeasure: Or perhaps, vnpossible he thought
280
But, if he intertain'd such thoughts, there also did he erre:
Loue is a lordly Feast, he writes, and I the same auerre:
For if (not rashly though, I hope) vpon my choice I stand,
My hand shall neuer giue my heart, my heart shall giue my hand:
Yea, so I liue with whom I loue, what care I in what land?
With women is too vsuall now Theirs and themselues to sell
For Ioynters by Indenture with imperious men to dwell,
And he doth her, and she doth him with his and hers vpbraide:
But that I chiefly match for loue shall, when I match, be saide.
Good Daies beget, bad Daies trie Friends, nor him a friend esteeme
Whom firme as to thy selfe thy selfe thou darest not to deeme,
Say some: But Mandeuill, I see, of you accompteth so,
As of his firme and choycest Friend, then, least I tedious groe,
I tell thee, Stafford, next to one is Mandeuill the Man
I could haue loued, but I loue whom not vn-loue I can.
Yeat if you aske me whom or where that one beloued is,
I cannot answer whom, or wheare, yeat am and will be his.
Madame, quoth Stafford yet your speech hath head, nor foote, nor Middle,
Not naming him you end a Sphynx, and tie me to a Riddle.
Well, friend you are to Mandeuil, nor for (she said) to me
The greene-Knight, Victor at the Iusts a few yeares past, is he.
In sooth; (quoth Stafford,) if for him be resolute your Choyce,
Chuse not againe, with you for him consort I also Voyce.
Nor thinke, in that I him prefer, I Mandeuill reiect.
Friendship may brooke Triplicitie, and shall in this respect.
For your owne sake, and for his sake (than Maudeuil no lesse
My Friend) I shall (his Soules desire) you of that Knight possesse.
Not naming him you end a Sphynx, and tie me to a Riddle.
Well, friend you are to Mandeuil, nor for (she said) to me
The greene-Knight, Victor at the Iusts a few yeares past, is he.
In sooth; (quoth Stafford,) if for him be resolute your Choyce,
Chuse not againe, with you for him consort I also Voyce.
Nor thinke, in that I him prefer, I Mandeuill reiect.
Friendship may brooke Triplicitie, and shall in this respect.
For your owne sake, and for his sake (than Maudeuil no lesse
My Friend) I shall (his Soules desire) you of that Knight possesse.
Almost an Extasie of Ioy her from her selfe did seuer,
Hearing of him, for whom her heart did hunt, and els should euer:
And though she did obserue his soone Reuolt from friend to friend,
And him thereof had tacht, were not her priuate cause to end,
Yeat was she silent touching it, and modestly pursewes
In Quest of her beloued Knight. But tarrie yet that Newes,
First Burrough, Ienkinson and what by them was done peruse.
Hearing of him, for whom her heart did hunt, and els should euer:
And though she did obserue his soone Reuolt from friend to friend,
And him thereof had tacht, were not her priuate cause to end,
281
In Quest of her beloued Knight. But tarrie yet that Newes,
First Burrough, Ienkinson and what by them was done peruse.
CHAP. LXVI.
It is no common Labour to the Riuer Ob to sayle,Howbeit Burrough did therein, not Dangerles, preuaile.
He through the foresayd frozen Seas in Lapland did ariue,
And thence, to expedite for Ob, his Labours did reuiue.
What he amongst the Vatgats, and the barbarous Samoeds notes,
Their Idols, Deer-skin Tents, how on their backs they bare their Botes,
In which, but Hides, securely they doe fish those Seas all day,
And how on Deere they ride, and all on Sleds by Deere conuay,
Do eate their Dead, to feast their friends their Children sometime slay,
Their store of Sables, Furres, and Pealts fetcht thence from farre away,
How at our Crab and Lion Signes their Frost and Snow is greate
Let be, and many things we might of this new Tract intreate
By Burrough found: whose Praise not much is Chancelors behinde,
As Master in that Ship with him that first did Russia finde:
And in this Northeast Trade with Praise do Pet and Iackman mind.
Yeat longer (for not largelier One yeelds Matter) let vs dwell
Of Ienkinson: But where shall we begin his Lawdes to tell,
In Europe, Asia, Affrick? For these all he saw, in all
Imployd for Englands common good: Nor my reioycing small,
282
Hath hapned that Commerce and Fame he to his Natiues wonne.
Now, vnder his Conduct, was hence vnto his Home conuaide
The Russian first Ambassadour, Heere honor'd whilst he staide.
Nor Captaine Ienkinson was there lesse graced, where he wrought
That all things to a wished end were for our Traffique brought.
Here hence also a friendly League twixt either Prince effected:
Nor little is their Amitie of vs to be respected:
For, though the Moscouites from vs be People farre remote,
Yeat, if how Danes and Norses haue inuaded vs we note,
And how the Russies, in the like Attempts, might hold them backe,
For onely it, were thence no Trade, ill might their Friendship lacke.
From Mosco then by Iournies long the Caspian Sea he crow,
Himselfe and Goods by Tartars oft in danger to be lost.
Their Hoordes of carted Tents like Townes which Camels drew, their Kings,
By names of Murses, Sultans, Cans, to whom for passe he brings
The Russian King his Letters, how (and royally they troe)
With Wild-horse flesh, and Mares milke him the Kings did banquet tho,
Their hawking for the Wild-horse (For their Hawks will seaze vpon
The horses necke, who chaffing tiers, and so is kild anon)
Their oft Remoues for Pastures fresh (nor Grasse their Pasture is,
But heathie Brush, few Cattell though doe thriue as theirs with this)
Their naither vse of Coyne, or Corne (for Tillage none is theare)
Such Warriors and Horse Archers as they liue not whom they feare,
Their crosse-leg eating on the ground, Pluralitie of wiues,
In Turkeman (So the whole is said) and more of their rude liues,
And how the Marchants trauailing by Carauan, that is,
Great Droues of laden Camels, Meate and Water often mis,
And how for vs did Ienkinson in Bactra Mart begin,
Let passe to passe to it for vs he did in Persia win.
Remembring this, that in Returne from Bactra diuers Kings
Sent in his charge their Legates, whom to Mosco safe he brings.
283
And, with our Queene Elizabeth her letters, did obtaine
The Mosicks letters to the Kings by whom he then should pas
For Persian Traffique: And for this he thence imbarked was.
Now in Hyrcana, Shyruan, or Media (all as one)
Suppose our Ienkinson before King Obdolowcans Throne.
Though sumptuous Citties he possest, yeat for the Summers heate,
On airesome Mountaines held he then his Court, with Pleasures great,
Of silke and gold imbroyderie his Tents, his Robes inchac't
With Pearles and pretious Stones, and Looks of Maiestie him grac't:
On Carpets rich they trode, rich traines on him attendance gaue,
With sixe score Concubines, that seem'd so many Queenes for braue.
Before his faire Pauilion was of water cleere a Fount,
Drinke for himselfe and his (for most of water they account.)
Scarce Clepatras Anthony was feasted with more cheere
Of varied Meates and spice-Conceits than Ienkinson was heere:
In formall Hawking, Hunting, Chace not thē came Tristram neere.
Such was this King for stately, such for affable and kinde,
There and abroad so lou'd and feard as like was rare to finde.
Yeat, notwithstanding such his Wealth, his Signorie, and State,
He of the Persian Sophie held his Land, subdued late.
But in such friendship, as the Shaugh (the Sophie so is saide)
Would yeeld to Obdolowcan in what so he should perswade:
Which well in Ienkinsons behalfe but shortly after made.
Him often questioned this King of Vs, and Europs strength,
And him, with Gifts and Priuiledge for Mart, dismist at length.
Silks raw, & wrought, Spices, and Drugs, and more-els worth the Mart
Our Marchants fetch from thence, & theare our Marchandize cōuert.
Suppose our Ienkinson before King Obdolowcans Throne.
Though sumptuous Citties he possest, yeat for the Summers heate,
On airesome Mountaines held he then his Court, with Pleasures great,
Of silke and gold imbroyderie his Tents, his Robes inchac't
With Pearles and pretious Stones, and Looks of Maiestie him grac't:
On Carpets rich they trode, rich traines on him attendance gaue,
With sixe score Concubines, that seem'd so many Queenes for braue.
Before his faire Pauilion was of water cleere a Fount,
Drinke for himselfe and his (for most of water they account.)
Scarce Clepatras Anthony was feasted with more cheere
Of varied Meates and spice-Conceits than Ienkinson was heere:
In formall Hawking, Hunting, Chace not thē came Tristram neere.
Such was this King for stately, such for affable and kinde,
There and abroad so lou'd and feard as like was rare to finde.
Yeat, notwithstanding such his Wealth, his Signorie, and State,
He of the Persian Sophie held his Land, subdued late.
But in such friendship, as the Shaugh (the Sophie so is saide)
Would yeeld to Obdolowcan in what so he should perswade:
Which well in Ienkinsons behalfe but shortly after made.
Him often questioned this King of Vs, and Europs strength,
And him, with Gifts and Priuiledge for Mart, dismist at length.
Silks raw, & wrought, Spices, and Drugs, and more-els worth the Mart
Our Marchants fetch from thence, & theare our Marchandize cōuert.
Things, wisely thus dispatched there, with men for his defence,
And letters from that King vnto the Shaugh he traueld thence.
In trauell thitherwards he grieues, in wonder, to behold
The down-Fals of those stately Townes and Castels which, of old,
Whilst Persia held the Monarchie, were famous ouer all,
Nor Alexander wonne of those one Peece with labour small.
The mightie Citties Tauris and Persipolis he past,
Two ruin'd Gates, sundred twelue miles, yet extant of this last:
The Gyants Wonders on the Hill of Quiquiffs heard he tolde,
And of the yearely Obit which their Maides to Channa holde.
This was indeed a wonder, for this Virgin so was bent
To Chastitie that, by selfe-death, she Marrage did preuent.
And letters from that King vnto the Shaugh he traueld thence.
In trauell thitherwards he grieues, in wonder, to behold
284
Whilst Persia held the Monarchie, were famous ouer all,
Nor Alexander wonne of those one Peece with labour small.
The mightie Citties Tauris and Persipolis he past,
Two ruin'd Gates, sundred twelue miles, yet extant of this last:
The Gyants Wonders on the Hill of Quiquiffs heard he tolde,
And of the yearely Obit which their Maides to Channa holde.
This was indeed a wonder, for this Virgin so was bent
To Chastitie that, by selfe-death, she Marrage did preuent.
Here Mandeuil, perhaps, had bin, and tooke occasion heere
To feare least Elenor in like might imitate too neere:
Euen Toyes in Loue discourage, Loue frō Toyes resumeth cheere.
Of him therefore, whilst Ienkinson rests at his Iornies end,
With Obdolowcans Sonne, that on the Sophie did attend.
To feare least Elenor in like might imitate too neere:
Euen Toyes in Loue discourage, Loue frō Toyes resumeth cheere.
Of him therefore, whilst Ienkinson rests at his Iornies end,
With Obdolowcans Sonne, that on the Sophie did attend.
CHAP. LXVII.
So Knightly Mandeuil demeanes himselfe against the Foes
Of Melek Mandibron, that he in AEgypt famous groes.
And, of himselfe, that Soldan did to Mandeuil commend
A greater Match than els his Thoughts with hope could apprehend,
For vertuous, beautious, Birth, and Wealth, a Match for none to mēd
This Ladie (also of the blood, and heire vnto her Father,
A mightie Prince in those same Parts) he courteth now, the rather
To intermit that home-bred Loue, which seaz'd on him indeed,
As for to proue how such as he with such as she might speede,
And there experimented, here to cease or els proceede.
Fye, Mandeuil, how good so ere thy Merits otherwise,
In making Loue vnmeant thou didst thy selfe but misaduise.
Though thou coul'dst buzze about the flame, & keep vnskorcht thy wings,
Few safely play with edge-Tooles, sin to iest at holy things.
With women, made for men, therefore soone won, yeat edging Sute,
With Marrage, praisde enough in him did first it institute:
With Women, who when all was made, and Man of all possest,
Yeat lacketh Man an Helpe, sayd God, and Man with Woman blest:
With marrage, that legitimates our Propagation, and
Two Hearts in one transplants in all befalne or taine in hand:
With women, that no lesse attract our Senses them to leeke,
Than Hunger for to labour Foode, or Anguish Ease to seeke:
With Marrage, that preferreth vs, and stayes vs in content,
Vnanimieth weale or woe, as either vs is sent:
In Nature Women, Marrage by Tradition, either twaine
So sacret, and autentick as we naither should profaine.
To trifle then or Them, or This, were not so slight a sin,
As that thy Vertues, Mandeuil, would fault, think I, therein.
But for she was a Pagan, and thy selfe a Christian theare,
And she the Soldans Tender, thou didst forme a Loue for feare.
For that thou should'st reny thy Faith, and her thereby possesse,
The Soldan did capitulat, in vaine, the more thy blesse:
For than a Woman euermore the Diuell tempteth lesse.
Yeat that they tempt, nor theirs but ours the sinne: for if I see,
And steale a pretious Gemme, the Gemme faults not, the Theft in me.
Howbeit when to actiue and to passiue loue it groes,
And Women then shall alter, them as Diuels then suppose:
And like of Men, if Men alike shall Reputation lose.
Of Melek Mandibron, that he in AEgypt famous groes.
And, of himselfe, that Soldan did to Mandeuil commend
A greater Match than els his Thoughts with hope could apprehend,
For vertuous, beautious, Birth, and Wealth, a Match for none to mēd
This Ladie (also of the blood, and heire vnto her Father,
A mightie Prince in those same Parts) he courteth now, the rather
285
As for to proue how such as he with such as she might speede,
And there experimented, here to cease or els proceede.
Fye, Mandeuil, how good so ere thy Merits otherwise,
In making Loue vnmeant thou didst thy selfe but misaduise.
Though thou coul'dst buzze about the flame, & keep vnskorcht thy wings,
Few safely play with edge-Tooles, sin to iest at holy things.
With women, made for men, therefore soone won, yeat edging Sute,
With Marrage, praisde enough in him did first it institute:
With Women, who when all was made, and Man of all possest,
Yeat lacketh Man an Helpe, sayd God, and Man with Woman blest:
With marrage, that legitimates our Propagation, and
Two Hearts in one transplants in all befalne or taine in hand:
With women, that no lesse attract our Senses them to leeke,
Than Hunger for to labour Foode, or Anguish Ease to seeke:
With Marrage, that preferreth vs, and stayes vs in content,
Vnanimieth weale or woe, as either vs is sent:
In Nature Women, Marrage by Tradition, either twaine
So sacret, and autentick as we naither should profaine.
To trifle then or Them, or This, were not so slight a sin,
As that thy Vertues, Mandeuil, would fault, think I, therein.
But for she was a Pagan, and thy selfe a Christian theare,
And she the Soldans Tender, thou didst forme a Loue for feare.
For that thou should'st reny thy Faith, and her thereby possesse,
The Soldan did capitulat, in vaine, the more thy blesse:
For than a Woman euermore the Diuell tempteth lesse.
Yeat that they tempt, nor theirs but ours the sinne: for if I see,
And steale a pretious Gemme, the Gemme faults not, the Theft in me.
Howbeit when to actiue and to passiue loue it groes,
And Women then shall alter, them as Diuels then suppose:
And like of Men, if Men alike shall Reputation lose.
This faire AEgyptian Ladie (of the English Toy in this,
To wit, in forward Loue to whom the farthest Commer is)
Might easly haue bin wonne of him, not at an easie rate,
If to his Faith a Recreant had Miscrent bin his state.
But he, immoueable aswell in Faith, as former Loue,
Did there so well, as he from thence with honor did remoue.
Oh Elenor he still deuisde: yeat sometimes, to allay
Those Moodes, by mustring in his mind these thoughts, did thus assay.
Full soone the fairest Face, thought he, wonld cease from being such,
If not preserued curiously with tendring more than much:
Or age at least, and that not old, so alters it that was,
That Helen may disclaime her selfe for Helen in her Glas.
That great Phisition that had liu'd, in health, an age admirde,
Did answer, ask't the cause, he had not done as Flesh desirde.
Then Mandeuil bethinks him of the Labyrinth of Cares
Incumbring married Men, and neer that life and loue forswares.
How tedious were a Shroe, a Sloy, a Wanton, or a Foole,
(All foure a-like threatning Mislike, when time should Dotage coole,)
How seldome Women come vndow'd with one, or some, or all,
Or answerable Faults to these (to men not Crosses small,)
The Flattries, and the Fooleries whereby are women wonne,
With fishing long to catch, perhaps, a Frog, when al is done,
And all that Sexs Infirmities his Thoughts did ouer-runne.
But like as Mothers beate their Babes, and sing them when they crie,
Loues Incantations so did he with Malice such defie:
The Amorous with the sea-Crabs gaet doe angring Amours flie.
This humour, and the honor by this Knight in AEgypt wonne,
Ore-passe we, and in Persia see hath Ienkinson hath done.
286
Might easly haue bin wonne of him, not at an easie rate,
If to his Faith a Recreant had Miscrent bin his state.
But he, immoueable aswell in Faith, as former Loue,
Did there so well, as he from thence with honor did remoue.
Oh Elenor he still deuisde: yeat sometimes, to allay
Those Moodes, by mustring in his mind these thoughts, did thus assay.
Full soone the fairest Face, thought he, wonld cease from being such,
If not preserued curiously with tendring more than much:
Or age at least, and that not old, so alters it that was,
That Helen may disclaime her selfe for Helen in her Glas.
That great Phisition that had liu'd, in health, an age admirde,
Did answer, ask't the cause, he had not done as Flesh desirde.
Then Mandeuil bethinks him of the Labyrinth of Cares
Incumbring married Men, and neer that life and loue forswares.
How tedious were a Shroe, a Sloy, a Wanton, or a Foole,
(All foure a-like threatning Mislike, when time should Dotage coole,)
How seldome Women come vndow'd with one, or some, or all,
Or answerable Faults to these (to men not Crosses small,)
The Flattries, and the Fooleries whereby are women wonne,
With fishing long to catch, perhaps, a Frog, when al is done,
And all that Sexs Infirmities his Thoughts did ouer-runne.
But like as Mothers beate their Babes, and sing them when they crie,
Loues Incantations so did he with Malice such defie:
The Amorous with the sea-Crabs gaet doe angring Amours flie.
This humour, and the honor by this Knight in AEgypt wonne,
Ore-passe we, and in Persia see hath Ienkinson hath done.
287
CHAP. LXVIII.
At
Casben hild the Shawgh his Court, who thirtie yeeres and odd
Had not been seene abroade, thereof by Prophesie forbodd:
Like Maiestie he kept as those great Monarchs did before
The Macedons subdewed them, of Wiues he had like store,
Besides most bewtious Concubines not lesse than fifteene score:
And yearely of the fairest Maides and Wiues doth make new choyce,
When much the Friends and Husbands of those chosen do reioyce:
Him blesseth he to whom doth he one of his Relicts giue:
Yeat Persian Shaughs esteeme themselues the holiest Kings that liue.
For when a Christian (whom they call an Infidel, because
He not beleeues in Mahomet, nor Mortezalies Lawes)
Is cal'd to audience, least the same prophaine wheare he doth stand,
Must doffe his Shooes, and to and fro tread on new-sifted sand.
Our Soueraignes Letters to the Shaugh so Ienkenson presents,
Who, being as'kt his arrant, said those Letters like Contents.
But new-made Peace with Turkie him of new-sought Trade preuents
The Turkish Marchants, fearing least their Traffique might decrease,
Had by that Basha, mard his Mart that then had made that Peace.
The Shaugh did also question his Beleefe, and quarrell it:
So, well appaid is Ienkenson if well away he git,
Whom, with our letters to the Turke the Shaugh, to send was bent,
Had not the Hyrcane Murzey Posts vnto his Father sent,
And Obdolowcans Letters then disswaded that intent:
When, with a Present for himselfe, he Thence to, Hyrcan went,
And theare did him the heart-trew King most kindly intertayne,
And thence dismisse with Giftes, when he no longer would remayne:
Nor onely his Ambassadors vnto his care Commends,
But moment of that Ambassie which he to Mosco sends.
There now suppose them well ariu'd, and bringing gratefull newes
Of waightie Messages whearin the Mosick him did vse.
Conuenient time he nerethelesse, for Persian Trade attends:
Which Arthur Edwards, thither sent, succesfully theare ends,
Had not been seene abroade, thereof by Prophesie forbodd:
Like Maiestie he kept as those great Monarchs did before
The Macedons subdewed them, of Wiues he had like store,
Besides most bewtious Concubines not lesse than fifteene score:
And yearely of the fairest Maides and Wiues doth make new choyce,
When much the Friends and Husbands of those chosen do reioyce:
Him blesseth he to whom doth he one of his Relicts giue:
Yeat Persian Shaughs esteeme themselues the holiest Kings that liue.
For when a Christian (whom they call an Infidel, because
He not beleeues in Mahomet, nor Mortezalies Lawes)
Is cal'd to audience, least the same prophaine wheare he doth stand,
Must doffe his Shooes, and to and fro tread on new-sifted sand.
Our Soueraignes Letters to the Shaugh so Ienkenson presents,
Who, being as'kt his arrant, said those Letters like Contents.
But new-made Peace with Turkie him of new-sought Trade preuents
The Turkish Marchants, fearing least their Traffique might decrease,
Had by that Basha, mard his Mart that then had made that Peace.
The Shaugh did also question his Beleefe, and quarrell it:
So, well appaid is Ienkenson if well away he git,
Whom, with our letters to the Turke the Shaugh, to send was bent,
288
And Obdolowcans Letters then disswaded that intent:
When, with a Present for himselfe, he Thence to, Hyrcan went,
And theare did him the heart-trew King most kindly intertayne,
And thence dismisse with Giftes, when he no longer would remayne:
Nor onely his Ambassadors vnto his care Commends,
But moment of that Ambassie which he to Mosco sends.
There now suppose them well ariu'd, and bringing gratefull newes
Of waightie Messages whearin the Mosick him did vse.
Conuenient time he nerethelesse, for Persian Trade attends:
Which Arthur Edwards, thither sent, succesfully theare ends,
This Edwards, and a many here vnnam'd, deserued well
In these Imployments: but of All weare tedious al to tell,
For, sauing of Discouerers we purpose not to dwell.
Els would we here reuiue, but that through Hakluits Pen they liue,
(To him, your Fames sweet Trumpetor, Yee, English, Garlands giue)
A Catalogue of Names, that in this North and Northeast Climes,
Haue more obseru'd, and more deseru'd than perish shall with times.
Nor be my Father here forgot: for he, amongst the rest,
Deserueth in this Generall remembrance with the best.
And here, from out those churlish Seas, with Ienkinson we sayle
To London, theare, an aged Man, to tell this youthfull Taile:
How he had past All Europe, seene all Leuant Ilands, and
Greece, Turkie, Affrick, India, Sur, Agypt, the holie Land,
And all the foresaid Lands, in all imployde and intertainde
Of Emperors and Kings, as if him selfe a King had raign'd.
Rest may thy honorable Bones, good old-Man in sweet Peace:
Nor haue thy Phœnix-Ashes since beene barren of increase:
But late had we a Fowle like rare, vs'd oftner Sea than Shore,
Ofte swam hee into golden Strands, but now will so no more,
For, though he were a dyuing Fowle, to Heauen did he sore.
In England, not Arabia, now the Phœnix Birdes be bread,
And euermore shall theare reuiue, when shall the olde be dead:
The Maiden Empresse, and her Knights their Enterprises rare,
Which now haue pearst through euerie Pole, of all admired are.
In these Imployments: but of All weare tedious al to tell,
For, sauing of Discouerers we purpose not to dwell.
Els would we here reuiue, but that through Hakluits Pen they liue,
(To him, your Fames sweet Trumpetor, Yee, English, Garlands giue)
A Catalogue of Names, that in this North and Northeast Climes,
Haue more obseru'd, and more deseru'd than perish shall with times.
Nor be my Father here forgot: for he, amongst the rest,
Deserueth in this Generall remembrance with the best.
And here, from out those churlish Seas, with Ienkinson we sayle
To London, theare, an aged Man, to tell this youthfull Taile:
How he had past All Europe, seene all Leuant Ilands, and
Greece, Turkie, Affrick, India, Sur, Agypt, the holie Land,
And all the foresaid Lands, in all imployde and intertainde
Of Emperors and Kings, as if him selfe a King had raign'd.
Rest may thy honorable Bones, good old-Man in sweet Peace:
Nor haue thy Phœnix-Ashes since beene barren of increase:
But late had we a Fowle like rare, vs'd oftner Sea than Shore,
Ofte swam hee into golden Strands, but now will so no more,
For, though he were a dyuing Fowle, to Heauen did he sore.
In England, not Arabia, now the Phœnix Birdes be bread,
289
The Maiden Empresse, and her Knights their Enterprises rare,
Which now haue pearst through euerie Pole, of all admired are.
Remaineth now, that we intreate of great Achiuements done
By English, in contrarie Clymes, since first her Crowne begonne.
But ride we first at Anker, though a roomesome Sea we haue,
To listen Staffords Comforts which to Elenor he gaue.
By English, in contrarie Clymes, since first her Crowne begonne.
But ride we first at Anker, though a roomesome Sea we haue,
To listen Staffords Comforts which to Elenor he gaue.
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