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 |
 |
|
 | 1. |
| 2. | THE SECOND BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 9. |
| 10. |
| 11. |
| 12. |
| 13. |
 | Albions England |  |
26
THE SECOND BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND.
CHAP. VII.
The twise-sackt Towne the Grecians then did merrily forsake,
And Hercules for new affaires, did land in Aegypt take.
Theare in a Porte he did espie a Fleete of Shippes from farre,
Well fraught with Men, Munition, and what else pertaines to warre.
When Affer (he chiefe-Captaine was of that same Fleete) did spie
The Ensignes of the famous Greeke, he knew them by and by;
And entertaining on his knees the Owner of the same,
Reioyced to behold the man so honoured by fame,
With Affer sailed Hercules to Lybia, to put downe
The Gyant King Antæus, that had aided to the Crowne
Of Aegypt, gainst th' Aegyptians willes, Busiris lately slaine
By Hercules, in whose conduct the doubt not to obtaine.
The taking land in Lybia now, and hauing in their sight
The threatned Citie of the Foe, his Tents did Affer pight,
And girts it with a sodaine Siege. The Giant then did shake
His hideous head, and vow'd reuenge, yea sharpe reuenge to take.
But issuing out his Citie gates he found the Foe so hot,
That, notwithstanding such his bragges, the worst Antæus got:
For Hercules did canuase so his carkes, that at length
He did retire himselfe and men, as trustlesse of his strength.
His Libians slaine, and he not sound, Antæus Truce did craue:
For graunt whereof vnto his Foes meane time he victuals gaue:
And whilest the Month of Truce did last, the Giant brused sore,
Did heale his wounds, and to his part sollicits Aiders more,
Meane while the Greeke to Mauritain did passe, vnknowne of all,
And theare in King Antæus aide he found supplies not small:
And for he looked souldier-like, they brought him to the King,
Who offered pay: not so (quoth he) I meane an other thing,
Discharge these bands, or else will I discharge thee of thy breath,
That all alone to thee and thine oppose me to the death.
And Hercules for new affaires, did land in Aegypt take.
Theare in a Porte he did espie a Fleete of Shippes from farre,
Well fraught with Men, Munition, and what else pertaines to warre.
When Affer (he chiefe-Captaine was of that same Fleete) did spie
The Ensignes of the famous Greeke, he knew them by and by;
And entertaining on his knees the Owner of the same,
Reioyced to behold the man so honoured by fame,
With Affer sailed Hercules to Lybia, to put downe
The Gyant King Antæus, that had aided to the Crowne
Of Aegypt, gainst th' Aegyptians willes, Busiris lately slaine
By Hercules, in whose conduct the doubt not to obtaine.
The taking land in Lybia now, and hauing in their sight
The threatned Citie of the Foe, his Tents did Affer pight,
And girts it with a sodaine Siege. The Giant then did shake
His hideous head, and vow'd reuenge, yea sharpe reuenge to take.
But issuing out his Citie gates he found the Foe so hot,
That, notwithstanding such his bragges, the worst Antæus got:
27
He did retire himselfe and men, as trustlesse of his strength.
His Libians slaine, and he not sound, Antæus Truce did craue:
For graunt whereof vnto his Foes meane time he victuals gaue:
And whilest the Month of Truce did last, the Giant brused sore,
Did heale his wounds, and to his part sollicits Aiders more,
Meane while the Greeke to Mauritain did passe, vnknowne of all,
And theare in King Antæus aide he found supplies not small:
And for he looked souldier-like, they brought him to the King,
Who offered pay: not so (quoth he) I meane an other thing,
Discharge these bands, or else will I discharge thee of thy breath,
That all alone to thee and thine oppose me to the death.
When Atlas knew him Hercules, that conquered of late
The Iland which his daughters held, and brought to latest fate
His Giant that defended them, and captiuated than
His friend Philoctes he twixt feare and fiercenesse waxed wan.
And looke how fast the ratling haile vpon an house dooth fall,
So fast they lay on Hercules, that holdeth wage gainst all.
For as the Smith with Hammour beats his forged Mettall, so
He dubs his Club about, their pates and sleas them on a row.
And whilest (not daring to looke downe) by heaps on him they flie,
Some stumbling on the bodies dead are smoldred so and die:
Some sliding in their slippery bloud, wherewith the place did swimme,
Were strangled so: some others, whilest disorderedly at him
They freat and foyne, are crowded on by those that hind most be,
And with their weapons spoyle themselues and fellowes two or three:
Some others with the wounding points of broken weapons die:
And others daring with their Foe their bootles force to trie,
Were in a moment slaine by him: and thus in little space,
Without resistance Hercules had Lordship of the place:
And, maugre swords or studied Starres, brought Atlas to the Seas,
Whereas Philoctes did in time his pensiuenes appease,
And to his friend commends the Foe for bountie (which at last
Himselfe did finde) and when as time his griefe had ouerpast,
The same that for Astrologie the Skies-support was said,
In such his Science Hercules a perfect Artist made.
The Iland which his daughters held, and brought to latest fate
His Giant that defended them, and captiuated than
His friend Philoctes he twixt feare and fiercenesse waxed wan.
And looke how fast the ratling haile vpon an house dooth fall,
So fast they lay on Hercules, that holdeth wage gainst all.
For as the Smith with Hammour beats his forged Mettall, so
He dubs his Club about, their pates and sleas them on a row.
And whilest (not daring to looke downe) by heaps on him they flie,
Some stumbling on the bodies dead are smoldred so and die:
Some sliding in their slippery bloud, wherewith the place did swimme,
Were strangled so: some others, whilest disorderedly at him
They freat and foyne, are crowded on by those that hind most be,
And with their weapons spoyle themselues and fellowes two or three:
Some others with the wounding points of broken weapons die:
And others daring with their Foe their bootles force to trie,
Were in a moment slaine by him: and thus in little space,
Without resistance Hercules had Lordship of the place:
And, maugre swords or studied Starres, brought Atlas to the Seas,
Whereas Philoctes did in time his pensiuenes appease,
28
Himselfe did finde) and when as time his griefe had ouerpast,
The same that for Astrologie the Skies-support was said,
In such his Science Hercules a perfect Artist made.
The Month of Truce by this had end, and Hercules returnes
To Affer, that incamped at the Lybian walles soiournes.
A second battell then begonne: Antæus like a Baer
Bestires himselfe amongst his Foes, whilest Hercules did faer
As roughly with contrarie bloes, till none to fight did daer:
But humbly all submitting them subdued by his might,
He gaue them grace, and staied theare to doe them law and right.
To Affer, that incamped at the Lybian walles soiournes.
A second battell then begonne: Antæus like a Baer
Bestires himselfe amongst his Foes, whilest Hercules did faer
As roughly with contrarie bloes, till none to fight did daer:
But humbly all submitting them subdued by his might,
He gaue them grace, and staied theare to doe them law and right.
Meane time Antæus, lately fled, returnes from Mauritain,
And with a mightie Troupe of Moores renewed fight againe:
And all the Fields with Carcases of mangled men were filde,
And numbers failed to the Moores that Hercules had kild.
But when Antæus saw his men to lessen more and more,
Resoluing or to win the Spurres or lose himselfe therefore,
He makes a bloudie glade vntill the Thæbane he espide,
And finding him: bestowe on me thy bloes, the Giant cride,
That am both able to endure and to repay the same,
A Flie is not an Eagles praie, nor Mouse a Lyons game:
My death might countenance thy deedes (if that it so would be)
But make account that I anon will triumph ouer thee.
In saying which he smites his Foe, perfourming wondrous might:
And bodie vnto bodie they with equall dammage fight.
But Hercules disdaining that so long Antæus standes
With him in combat, griping him betwixt his angrie handes,
Did crush his Carkasse in the ayre that life did leaue him so:
And thus did reape a Monarchie, and rid a mightie Foe.
Then Hercules (Antæus dead) with ease he ouercame
All Lybia with the Prouinces and Kingdomes of the same,
And maketh Affer King of all that beares the Donees name.
And with a mightie Troupe of Moores renewed fight againe:
And all the Fields with Carcases of mangled men were filde,
And numbers failed to the Moores that Hercules had kild.
But when Antæus saw his men to lessen more and more,
Resoluing or to win the Spurres or lose himselfe therefore,
He makes a bloudie glade vntill the Thæbane he espide,
And finding him: bestowe on me thy bloes, the Giant cride,
That am both able to endure and to repay the same,
A Flie is not an Eagles praie, nor Mouse a Lyons game:
My death might countenance thy deedes (if that it so would be)
But make account that I anon will triumph ouer thee.
In saying which he smites his Foe, perfourming wondrous might:
And bodie vnto bodie they with equall dammage fight.
But Hercules disdaining that so long Antæus standes
With him in combat, griping him betwixt his angrie handes,
Did crush his Carkasse in the ayre that life did leaue him so:
And thus did reape a Monarchie, and rid a mightie Foe.
Then Hercules (Antæus dead) with ease he ouercame
All Lybia with the Prouinces and Kingdomes of the same,
And maketh Affer King of all that beares the Donees name.
29
In expedition of which warre when Hercules would dwell
No longer time, but purposed to bid his friends farewell,
A warlike wench, an Amazon, salutes him by his name,
And said: know Hercules (if it thou knowest not by fame)
How that the Scythian Ladies, late expeld their natiue Land
By King of Egypt, haue contriu'd amongst themselues a bande,
And with the same haue conquered all Asia, Egypt, and
All Cappadocia, Now for that we, Victors, vnderstand
The Africans are our Allies, we minding to proceed
In further Conquests, tendring them, haue therefore thus decreed:
That you two Champions shall elect, and we will also send
Two Ladies, that for victorie shall with your Knights contend:
And if your Champions vanquish ours, then we will tribute pay,
But if that ours doe vanquish yours, then you shall vs obay.
But hope not so, more profite giues our bountie then our bloes,
And vninforced tribute may procure your friendly Foes.
No longer time, but purposed to bid his friends farewell,
A warlike wench, an Amazon, salutes him by his name,
And said: know Hercules (if it thou knowest not by fame)
How that the Scythian Ladies, late expeld their natiue Land
By King of Egypt, haue contriu'd amongst themselues a bande,
And with the same haue conquered all Asia, Egypt, and
All Cappadocia, Now for that we, Victors, vnderstand
The Africans are our Allies, we minding to proceed
In further Conquests, tendring them, haue therefore thus decreed:
That you two Champions shall elect, and we will also send
Two Ladies, that for victorie shall with your Knights contend:
And if your Champions vanquish ours, then we will tribute pay,
But if that ours doe vanquish yours, then you shall vs obay.
But hope not so, more profite giues our bountie then our bloes,
And vninforced tribute may procure your friendly Foes.
Then Hercules, admiring much the Chalengers, did yeeld
Two aduerse Knights the morrow next should meet them in the field.
And mounted well on Corsers twaine next light by dawne of day
Into the Listes came Hercules and Theseus: Mid the way
Vpon a brace of milke white Steedes the two Viragoes meete
The Knights, and each the other did with ciuill Congies greete.
Then either part retiring backe began to make their race,
And couching well their valiant Speares did run a wondrous pace.
With Menalippe Hercules the fight did vndertake,
And Theseus with Hippolite did his encounter make.
They meeting, either part both Horse and load to ground were cast,
Whereat the Africanes did muse, and Scythians were agast.
Vnhorsed thus, disdainfully each Knight defendant tooke it:
And either Ladie so disgrac'd as scornefully did brooke it.
Then settle they to handy Armes, the which was long and fierce,
And with their cutting weapons did both Helmes and Harnesse pierce.
But Hercules, though neuer matcht so hardie in his life,
Disarmes at length his Scythian Taske, and ended was their strife.
But Theseus with his Combattesse in doubtfull battell fights,
Till, blushing at the Maidens blowes, he checks his mending sprights:
And laid so hardly to her charge, not able to sustaine
His fresh-got force, that he also the second Prize did gaine.
Antiope, a third vnto those warlike Sisters twaine,
Beholding how sinisterly the double fight had past,
Makes sorow, whilst the Africanes reioice for it as fast.
Two aduerse Knights the morrow next should meet them in the field.
And mounted well on Corsers twaine next light by dawne of day
Into the Listes came Hercules and Theseus: Mid the way
Vpon a brace of milke white Steedes the two Viragoes meete
The Knights, and each the other did with ciuill Congies greete.
Then either part retiring backe began to make their race,
And couching well their valiant Speares did run a wondrous pace.
With Menalippe Hercules the fight did vndertake,
And Theseus with Hippolite did his encounter make.
They meeting, either part both Horse and load to ground were cast,
Whereat the Africanes did muse, and Scythians were agast.
Vnhorsed thus, disdainfully each Knight defendant tooke it:
And either Ladie so disgrac'd as scornefully did brooke it.
Then settle they to handy Armes, the which was long and fierce,
And with their cutting weapons did both Helmes and Harnesse pierce.
But Hercules, though neuer matcht so hardie in his life,
30
But Theseus with his Combattesse in doubtfull battell fights,
Till, blushing at the Maidens blowes, he checks his mending sprights:
And laid so hardly to her charge, not able to sustaine
His fresh-got force, that he also the second Prize did gaine.
Antiope, a third vnto those warlike Sisters twaine,
Beholding how sinisterly the double fight had past,
Makes sorow, whilst the Africanes reioice for it as fast.
The Scythians to the Africanes did homage then, and pray
Their Ladies might be ransomed. That sute did Theseus stay,
For he through launce, his Foe through loue went victoresse away.
And therefore when th' Athenian Knight and Amazon were matcht
In mariage, Menalippe then from durance was dispatcht.
And Hercules (then which to him no greater prize could be)
Had Queene Antiope her Bealt and armour for his fee,
And sets the dames of Thermodon from other ransome free.
And Theseus with Hippolite at Athens landing takes,
And Hercules to Calidon a Dismall viage makes.
Their Ladies might be ransomed. That sute did Theseus stay,
For he through launce, his Foe through loue went victoresse away.
And therefore when th' Athenian Knight and Amazon were matcht
In mariage, Menalippe then from durance was dispatcht.
And Hercules (then which to him no greater prize could be)
Had Queene Antiope her Bealt and armour for his fee,
And sets the dames of Thermodon from other ransome free.
And Theseus with Hippolite at Athens landing takes,
And Hercules to Calidon a Dismall viage makes.
Theare did King Oeneus bounteously receaue so great a Guest:
Where scarcely had he any time from passed toiles to rest,
But that proud Achelous sent Ambassadors to knowe
If that King Oeneus on him his daughter would bestowe,
If not, to threaten wreakfull warres: which much abasht the King,
Till Hercules, who then was come about the selfe same thing,
(For loue to Deianira both competitors did bring)
Expelled feare by offring aide to backe him from the Foe,
By meanes whereof vnsatisfide away the Legats goe.
The Tyrant Achelous then, with all Epirus force
Inuades the bounds of Calidon, and spoyls without remorse.
But Hercules then leading forth his Armie got the day,
And well was he amongst his foes that fastest ran away.
Where scarcely had he any time from passed toiles to rest,
But that proud Achelous sent Ambassadors to knowe
If that King Oeneus on him his daughter would bestowe,
If not, to threaten wreakfull warres: which much abasht the King,
Till Hercules, who then was come about the selfe same thing,
(For loue to Deianira both competitors did bring)
Expelled feare by offring aide to backe him from the Foe,
By meanes whereof vnsatisfide away the Legats goe.
The Tyrant Achelous then, with all Epirus force
Inuades the bounds of Calidon, and spoyls without remorse.
But Hercules then leading forth his Armie got the day,
And well was he amongst his foes that fastest ran away.
They and their King, with hard escape, inmure themselues at length
Within a Castle neere the Sea, an Hold of wonderous strength.
The Thæbane then, as resolute to spoyle both Foe and Fort,
Did burne his foes forsaken shippes, left riding in the Port,
And with a fewe besets the hold. When Achelous he
So slender watch about the walles of Enemies did see,
He scorned that so weake a siege should pen him vp so straight,
Who hauing ten for one of them, did issue out the Gate
Against the Greekes, that willingly his comming did awaite.
Espying Hercules, he cride, lo yond same diuell is he
That droue vs out of Calidon, who so of mine he be
That slaieth him, shalbe inricht with great rewards by me.
But he that made such offers large, did offer them in vaine:
For when his men saw Hercules approching them amaine
With fierie eies, and angrie lookes, and dreadfull Club in fist,
They thought it needles to assaile, and booteles to resiste,
And euery man retired backe into the holde againe,
Where many daies, attempting flight, they cowardly remaine.
From warre at length they fell to wieles. There lay vpon the shore
A broken Hoy, that had not brookt the Seas of long before,
The Mast they boring full of holes, in euery hole did sticke
A burning Torch, and lancht it out in night when clouds were thicke.
No sooner was the fierie keele a floate vpon the waues,
And that the Greekes espyed it, but ech man rashly craues
The viewing of so strange a sight: But Hercules did smell
The presupposed Stratagem, and raung'd his armie well:
And marching neere the guilefull light, did finde ambushment theare
That playing on aduantage thus (preuented though) appeare.
Occasion hapning, Hercules would not omit the same,
But tooke them as he found them now, and fights it out by aime.
When Achelous he beheld his guile by guile to faile,
Wel might he chafe, but harder chaūce his courage might not quaile:
For looke how fierce and boisterouslie a chafed Bull doth fight,
So Achelous lustily on either side did smite:
And by his only prowesse then a many Knights were slaine,
Whilest Hercules with like successe his Opposits did paine.
And now, by chance, amidst the brunt the valiant Woers twaine
Doe single, and together tug, and as two Lions strong,
Each one desiring others bloud, did hold a Combate long.
King Achelous minding her for whom began that broyle,
To Conquer where he did contend, annexed hope to toyle:
Alcmenas Sonne remembring too whose cause he did defend,
Euen hers on whom his being and his very soule depend,
So chargd his Contrarie with knocks, and vsd his Club so well,
That vanquished (though valerous) King Achelous fell.
31
The Thæbane then, as resolute to spoyle both Foe and Fort,
Did burne his foes forsaken shippes, left riding in the Port,
And with a fewe besets the hold. When Achelous he
So slender watch about the walles of Enemies did see,
He scorned that so weake a siege should pen him vp so straight,
Who hauing ten for one of them, did issue out the Gate
Against the Greekes, that willingly his comming did awaite.
Espying Hercules, he cride, lo yond same diuell is he
That droue vs out of Calidon, who so of mine he be
That slaieth him, shalbe inricht with great rewards by me.
But he that made such offers large, did offer them in vaine:
For when his men saw Hercules approching them amaine
With fierie eies, and angrie lookes, and dreadfull Club in fist,
They thought it needles to assaile, and booteles to resiste,
And euery man retired backe into the holde againe,
Where many daies, attempting flight, they cowardly remaine.
From warre at length they fell to wieles. There lay vpon the shore
A broken Hoy, that had not brookt the Seas of long before,
The Mast they boring full of holes, in euery hole did sticke
A burning Torch, and lancht it out in night when clouds were thicke.
No sooner was the fierie keele a floate vpon the waues,
And that the Greekes espyed it, but ech man rashly craues
The viewing of so strange a sight: But Hercules did smell
The presupposed Stratagem, and raung'd his armie well:
And marching neere the guilefull light, did finde ambushment theare
That playing on aduantage thus (preuented though) appeare.
Occasion hapning, Hercules would not omit the same,
But tooke them as he found them now, and fights it out by aime.
When Achelous he beheld his guile by guile to faile,
Wel might he chafe, but harder chaūce his courage might not quaile:
For looke how fierce and boisterouslie a chafed Bull doth fight,
So Achelous lustily on either side did smite:
32
Whilest Hercules with like successe his Opposits did paine.
And now, by chance, amidst the brunt the valiant Woers twaine
Doe single, and together tug, and as two Lions strong,
Each one desiring others bloud, did hold a Combate long.
King Achelous minding her for whom began that broyle,
To Conquer where he did contend, annexed hope to toyle:
Alcmenas Sonne remembring too whose cause he did defend,
Euen hers on whom his being and his very soule depend,
So chargd his Contrarie with knocks, and vsd his Club so well,
That vanquished (though valerous) King Achelous fell.
Th' Epirotes when they saw their King a Captiue led away,
Their hearts were done, and Hercules subdued them ere day,
And Achelous in exile did end his latter daies,
And all AEtolia was fild with Hercules his praise:
To whom the King did giue to Wife faire Deianira, shee
The pleasing prize of that his prowse, and dearely earned Fee,
Who after, of her owne decay, and his, the meane should bee.
The Centaure Nessus was the man that made her erre, so much:
Of which her error, but his sinne, the circumstance is such.
Their hearts were done, and Hercules subdued them ere day,
And Achelous in exile did end his latter daies,
And all AEtolia was fild with Hercules his praise:
To whom the King did giue to Wife faire Deianira, shee
The pleasing prize of that his prowse, and dearely earned Fee,
Who after, of her owne decay, and his, the meane should bee.
The Centaure Nessus was the man that made her erre, so much:
Of which her error, but his sinne, the circumstance is such.
CHAP. VIII.
When ouer deepe Euenus Foord the passage did not fit,
This Giant of a Stature tall, did offer helpe to it:
And Hercules, forgetting him (for at the Centaures Fray
The same vnslaine, but not vnskard, escaped then away)
Did pray him to the farther shoare with Deianire to waide,
And so he did, whilst Hercules this side the Riuer staid.
When Iunos Breed on farther bankes his Passenger had set,
Then lust and long conceaued grudge to foule reuenge did whet:
Not Deianira could auoid a Rape, or little lesse:
Or Hercules, disioynd by Foord, giue aide to her distresse.
One while, contrarie to himselfe, full humbly he intreates,
Anon, like Hercules indeed, he did command with threates,
But first nor latter might preuaile, for Nessus halde her thence.
I may not follow, nor in flight is (Centaure) thy defence
Said Hercules: His deeds approoue his latter saying true,
For letting flie a fatall Shaft the Rauisher he slue.
And though the arrow galled him euen at the very hart,
Yeat for a while he did indure the not induring smart:
And hauing brought his trembling Rape into a vallie, said:
See Deianira how thy Loue an end of me hath made:
Yeat is my death lesse griefe to me, then that thou should bestow
Thy selfe on such a changing Churle as Hercules: I know
(Sweete Wench, I know) he doth preferre contrary Loues to thee,
Wherefore my graue (the lesse my griefe) in this thy good shall bee.
Take this (he gaue a folded cloth, and to the baene therein
He mixed somewhat of his bloud) this same (quoth he) shall win
To thee againe thy Husbands loue, when he shall it estrange:
For out of doubt, I know it, I, he takes delight in change.
When thou suspectest such a wrong, doe boyle a shirt with this:
No sooner shall he weare the same (herein such vertue is)
But that his nouell Loue will change and fall whence it did flie:
Meane while doe not the vnction touch, least so the vertue die.
This Giant of a Stature tall, did offer helpe to it:
And Hercules, forgetting him (for at the Centaures Fray
The same vnslaine, but not vnskard, escaped then away)
Did pray him to the farther shoare with Deianire to waide,
33
When Iunos Breed on farther bankes his Passenger had set,
Then lust and long conceaued grudge to foule reuenge did whet:
Not Deianira could auoid a Rape, or little lesse:
Or Hercules, disioynd by Foord, giue aide to her distresse.
One while, contrarie to himselfe, full humbly he intreates,
Anon, like Hercules indeed, he did command with threates,
But first nor latter might preuaile, for Nessus halde her thence.
I may not follow, nor in flight is (Centaure) thy defence
Said Hercules: His deeds approoue his latter saying true,
For letting flie a fatall Shaft the Rauisher he slue.
And though the arrow galled him euen at the very hart,
Yeat for a while he did indure the not induring smart:
And hauing brought his trembling Rape into a vallie, said:
See Deianira how thy Loue an end of me hath made:
Yeat is my death lesse griefe to me, then that thou should bestow
Thy selfe on such a changing Churle as Hercules: I know
(Sweete Wench, I know) he doth preferre contrary Loues to thee,
Wherefore my graue (the lesse my griefe) in this thy good shall bee.
Take this (he gaue a folded cloth, and to the baene therein
He mixed somewhat of his bloud) this same (quoth he) shall win
To thee againe thy Husbands loue, when he shall it estrange:
For out of doubt, I know it, I, he takes delight in change.
When thou suspectest such a wrong, doe boyle a shirt with this:
No sooner shall he weare the same (herein such vertue is)
But that his nouell Loue will change and fall whence it did flie:
Meane while doe not the vnction touch, least so the vertue die.
In all this time betwixt his armes he did the Lady claspe,
And hild her so, as Hawke a Pray, vntill his latest gaspe,
Then leauing him a liuelesse Coarse, mistrusting nought his drift,
She meaning simply, tooke with her the Traitours poysned gift.
And Hercules by this had past the Riuer deepe and wide,
Who (Deianira first imbrast) drew from the Centaures side
The fatall Shaft that should the death of braue Achilles proue,
In Phœbus Church, by Paris hand, for Polixenas loue.
And hild her so, as Hawke a Pray, vntill his latest gaspe,
Then leauing him a liuelesse Coarse, mistrusting nought his drift,
She meaning simply, tooke with her the Traitours poysned gift.
And Hercules by this had past the Riuer deepe and wide,
Who (Deianira first imbrast) drew from the Centaures side
34
In Phœbus Church, by Paris hand, for Polixenas loue.
The
Centaure left vntoombed there, Hee, Shee, and all their traine
are come to Lerna: whom the King did noblie entertaine.
Theare had he from their common teares the cruell hauock made
By Lernan Hydra, whom in Fenne not armies durst inuade.
His vpper parts had humane forme, his nether Serpentine,
The whole was monstrous, yeat his wit more monstrous, but most fine
(For wit is monstrous when the same from vertue doth decline)
Such were his subtill arguments, and still supplies therein,
That he by often losse of heads was fained heads to winne:
And wittie thus to others wrong confounded all hee found,
Propounding questions, and a word vnanswered was a wound.
The Scourge of Tyrants hearing this, did promise death or ayde,
Whilst fearefull Deianira did the contrarie perswaide.
But womans speech from weapons vse might not withdraw him then,
Til entring Palus, he had rousd the Monster from his Denne.
are come to Lerna: whom the King did noblie entertaine.
Theare had he from their common teares the cruell hauock made
By Lernan Hydra, whom in Fenne not armies durst inuade.
His vpper parts had humane forme, his nether Serpentine,
The whole was monstrous, yeat his wit more monstrous, but most fine
(For wit is monstrous when the same from vertue doth decline)
Such were his subtill arguments, and still supplies therein,
That he by often losse of heads was fained heads to winne:
And wittie thus to others wrong confounded all hee found,
Propounding questions, and a word vnanswered was a wound.
The Scourge of Tyrants hearing this, did promise death or ayde,
Whilst fearefull Deianira did the contrarie perswaide.
But womans speech from weapons vse might not withdraw him then,
Til entring Palus, he had rousd the Monster from his Denne.
Disdainfully did Hydra take the presence of his Foe,
And after subtill arguments to sturdie fight they goe.
Two blowes at once with Glaue and Taile made Hercules to reele:
Who since he first had vsed armes the like did neuer feele.
Not long he borrowed had the Loan, but Hydra had the like:
So either twayne repay their debt, and neither faintly strike.
But who might stand with Hercules? By him the monster fell:
Who, burning vp his vgly shape, did passe his soule to hell:
Which happie fate of Hydras fall left Lerna glad and well.
From whence to Athens, and from thence to Lycia did he saile,
Then to Hesperia Gerons Realme his outrages to quaile.
And after subtill arguments to sturdie fight they goe.
Two blowes at once with Glaue and Taile made Hercules to reele:
Who since he first had vsed armes the like did neuer feele.
Not long he borrowed had the Loan, but Hydra had the like:
So either twayne repay their debt, and neither faintly strike.
But who might stand with Hercules? By him the monster fell:
Who, burning vp his vgly shape, did passe his soule to hell:
Which happie fate of Hydras fall left Lerna glad and well.
From whence to Athens, and from thence to Lycia did he saile,
Then to Hesperia Gerons Realme his outrages to quaile.
He by his triple tyrannie (for Geron he was said
Three headed, in respect that him three other Giants aid)
So spoild & plaug'd the neighbour Realmes with daily wrongs & war,
That all the force of Africa his furie could not barre.
In Gadira when Hercules his Pillers reared had,
The which (our westerne world not knowne) men farther land forbad,
Then with victorious ships he sets on Gerons chased Fleet:
And secondly at Megida did either armie meete.
Theare Geron with his brothers twaine the Citie did beset,
And scornefully aduance themselues as men not to be met.
Prouiding therefore murall workes, they threaten hot assault:
Whilest Hercules contrarie warres vnto his souldiers taught.
The Gates wide opned, out he comes vnto the Giants three,
Your men, he said, are well at worke, well met are also wee.
Three headed, in respect that him three other Giants aid)
So spoild & plaug'd the neighbour Realmes with daily wrongs & war,
35
In Gadira when Hercules his Pillers reared had,
The which (our westerne world not knowne) men farther land forbad,
Then with victorious ships he sets on Gerons chased Fleet:
And secondly at Megida did either armie meete.
Theare Geron with his brothers twaine the Citie did beset,
And scornefully aduance themselues as men not to be met.
Prouiding therefore murall workes, they threaten hot assault:
Whilest Hercules contrarie warres vnto his souldiers taught.
The Gates wide opned, out he comes vnto the Giants three,
Your men, he said, are well at worke, well met are also wee.
This lesse then monster more than man, a Fiende in humane shape
The Spanyard said, is he from whom I made so hard escape.
Yet hardlier shalt thou now escape, said Hercules, and than
Betweene them foure (three to one) A cruell fight began.
And euery of the Giants thought himselfe an ouer-match
To Hercules, who almost gaue to one a quicke dispatch,
The second he dispatcht in deed, who fell his latest fall.
Then thousands came to rescue them yeat, one, he fights gainst all:
Till Theseus with the other knights did march their Armie out,
And ioyne to him, their Foes with them, and all make battaile stout.
Then Gerions brother fights againe, and both did bathe in blod,
It was no fighting where they fought, or standing where they stod.
King Meleus, Theseus, Hispan, and Philoctes did no lesse:
But soueraignly the sonne of Ioue bestird him in the presse.
The Giant Gerons brother, then by him did breath his last,
And Geron did retire his men into their Gallies fast,
But where they land, theare Hercules wonne landing, though he past
The Pikes, withstanding thousand Swords, & warding thousand slings,
Himselfe alone, ere that his men to sight on Shore he brings.
The Spanyard said, is he from whom I made so hard escape.
Yet hardlier shalt thou now escape, said Hercules, and than
Betweene them foure (three to one) A cruell fight began.
And euery of the Giants thought himselfe an ouer-match
To Hercules, who almost gaue to one a quicke dispatch,
The second he dispatcht in deed, who fell his latest fall.
Then thousands came to rescue them yeat, one, he fights gainst all:
Till Theseus with the other knights did march their Armie out,
And ioyne to him, their Foes with them, and all make battaile stout.
Then Gerions brother fights againe, and both did bathe in blod,
It was no fighting where they fought, or standing where they stod.
King Meleus, Theseus, Hispan, and Philoctes did no lesse:
But soueraignly the sonne of Ioue bestird him in the presse.
The Giant Gerons brother, then by him did breath his last,
And Geron did retire his men into their Gallies fast,
But where they land, theare Hercules wonne landing, though he past
The Pikes, withstanding thousand Swords, & warding thousand slings,
Himselfe alone, ere that his men to sight on Shore he brings.
Then Geron, cursing heauen and earth, bestirre ye friends, he cride,
Now is the time to liue or die, let good or bad betide,
Doe liue as men, or die as men, see tenne we are for one,
What lets vs then from victorie, that victors haue beene knowne?
Reuenge your selues, reuenge your friends, reuenge our cōmō mone.
Nor did he shrinke from what he said, or said not as he wrought:
His onely deeds were manies death: Till Hercules he sought,
Whom singling, after combat long, of him his end he cought:
So to subiection Hespera by Hercules was brought.
Now is the time to liue or die, let good or bad betide,
36
What lets vs then from victorie, that victors haue beene knowne?
Reuenge your selues, reuenge your friends, reuenge our cōmō mone.
Nor did he shrinke from what he said, or said not as he wrought:
His onely deeds were manies death: Till Hercules he sought,
Whom singling, after combat long, of him his end he cought:
So to subiection Hespera by Hercules was brought.
No better Spanish Cacus sped, for all his wondrous strength,
Whom Hercules from out his Realme debelled at the length.
A richer King or Tyrant worse liu'd not in any Land,
Nor any one gainst Hercules in hardier fight did stand,
Yeat, chased by his Conqueror, he was inforc'd to flie
Vp to a Mountaine in those parts, where as at point to die
Through famine, by his Magicke Arte he made the Mountaine flame,
And by that shift escapt his Foe, long wondring at the same.
Then fled the Giant night and day (for feare did lend him wings)
And as about from place to place the wandring Tyrant flings,
He on a Mount in Italie cal'd Auentine did light,
Where laboured Cacus did repose his wearied limmes all night.
In this same Hill he found a Caue, which fitting place espide,
He did resolue in secrecie thenceforth himselfe to hide
In that same Mount a mal-content: and being theare alone,
That words at least might vent his woes, he maketh thus his mone.
Ah wretch (quoth he) no longer King, that title now must change,
Thou late weart fearfull vnto all, now fearing all must range.
This ragged Caue must now suffise in stead of Royall seat,
And though (alas) the place should please, yeat want I what to eat.
Wheare be my solemne banquets now? wheare is my stately traine?
My Tributes? nay my proper Goods? or doe my friends remaine?
Not one I feare: proud wealth was such, that now in time of need
I knowe not where to seeke a friend in any hope to speede.
And yeat despaire not, Picus liues, indebted much to me
For great good turnes, to him I will ere here I setled be.
Whom Hercules from out his Realme debelled at the length.
A richer King or Tyrant worse liu'd not in any Land,
Nor any one gainst Hercules in hardier fight did stand,
Yeat, chased by his Conqueror, he was inforc'd to flie
Vp to a Mountaine in those parts, where as at point to die
Through famine, by his Magicke Arte he made the Mountaine flame,
And by that shift escapt his Foe, long wondring at the same.
Then fled the Giant night and day (for feare did lend him wings)
And as about from place to place the wandring Tyrant flings,
He on a Mount in Italie cal'd Auentine did light,
Where laboured Cacus did repose his wearied limmes all night.
In this same Hill he found a Caue, which fitting place espide,
He did resolue in secrecie thenceforth himselfe to hide
In that same Mount a mal-content: and being theare alone,
That words at least might vent his woes, he maketh thus his mone.
Ah wretch (quoth he) no longer King, that title now must change,
Thou late weart fearfull vnto all, now fearing all must range.
This ragged Caue must now suffise in stead of Royall seat,
And though (alas) the place should please, yeat want I what to eat.
Wheare be my solemne banquets now? wheare is my stately traine?
My Tributes? nay my proper Goods? or doe my friends remaine?
Not one I feare: proud wealth was such, that now in time of need
I knowe not where to seeke a friend in any hope to speede.
37
For great good turnes, to him I will ere here I setled be.
Thus droue he foorth the dismall night, and vp by peepe of day,
He sped him vnto Calabrie, for there King Picus lay.
His daughters three of long before, and still did loue him well:
And whether with the kings consent, or not, it so befell
He took them all to Auentin, and theare with him they dwell.
About his boisterous necke full oft theare daintie armes they cast,
With often kisses plying him, no sport was ouer-past
That Cacus would, & they might worke: and more, their custome was
By pleasant tales in order told the wearie times to passe:
And once especially it was concluded on a row
That each of them should tell her tale, the first beginning so.
He sped him vnto Calabrie, for there King Picus lay.
His daughters three of long before, and still did loue him well:
And whether with the kings consent, or not, it so befell
He took them all to Auentin, and theare with him they dwell.
About his boisterous necke full oft theare daintie armes they cast,
With often kisses plying him, no sport was ouer-past
That Cacus would, & they might worke: and more, their custome was
By pleasant tales in order told the wearie times to passe:
And once especially it was concluded on a row
That each of them should tell her tale, the first beginning so.
CHAP. IX.
King
Aganippus ere his death had with his Lords decreed
His onely daughter Daphles should in Empire him succeed:
A fairer Ladie liu'd not then, and now her like doth lack,
And nature, thinke I, neuer will a second She compact.
The King intombed, Daphles of his Scepter was possest:
And one there was, a Noble man, that could it not disgest.
Who (for he was of fame and force) did bid her battaile, and
In doubtfull end of victorie their ciuill quarrels stand.
At length the Argiue Maiden Queene she Doracles subdued:
But (Cacus) of this Stratagem a Tragedie ensued.
Now Loues, not Launces came in vre, the man that lost the day,
And lies in Chaines, left her in cares, her Conquest was his pray.
Full often did she blame her selfe for louing him her Foe,
But oftner thought she it more blame not to haue erred so.
Thus whom in Campe she loathed late, in chaines she loued now,
And thought him sure, because so sure. To Princes prisoners bow,
Thinks she: and watching fitting time, vnto the Prison went,
Where at the dore of such his Lodge a many teares she spent.
But entring, when her eyes beheld the Image of her hart,
To her still peerelesse, though his bands had altred him in part,
She casting downe her bashfull eyes stood senceles then a space,
Yeat what her tonguelesse loue adiornd was extant in her face:
And now the Goaler left to her the Prisoner and the place.
His onely daughter Daphles should in Empire him succeed:
A fairer Ladie liu'd not then, and now her like doth lack,
And nature, thinke I, neuer will a second She compact.
The King intombed, Daphles of his Scepter was possest:
And one there was, a Noble man, that could it not disgest.
Who (for he was of fame and force) did bid her battaile, and
In doubtfull end of victorie their ciuill quarrels stand.
At length the Argiue Maiden Queene she Doracles subdued:
38
Now Loues, not Launces came in vre, the man that lost the day,
And lies in Chaines, left her in cares, her Conquest was his pray.
Full often did she blame her selfe for louing him her Foe,
But oftner thought she it more blame not to haue erred so.
Thus whom in Campe she loathed late, in chaines she loued now,
And thought him sure, because so sure. To Princes prisoners bow,
Thinks she: and watching fitting time, vnto the Prison went,
Where at the dore of such his Lodge a many teares she spent.
But entring, when her eyes beheld the Image of her hart,
To her still peerelesse, though his bands had altred him in part,
She casting downe her bashfull eyes stood senceles then a space,
Yeat what her tonguelesse loue adiornd was extant in her face:
And now the Goaler left to her the Prisoner and the place.
Then, cheering carefull Doracles, let it suffice (quoth she)
That I repent me of thy bands, and frankly set thee free:
And let that Grace grace-out the rest (for more remaines behind
Then, being said, may decent seeme to such as faults will find)
My selfe, my Land, my Loue, my life, and all what so is mine
Possesse: yet loue, and saue my life, that now haue saued thine.
Then sownes She at his sullen feete, that yet abode in thrall:
Which to auoid, he faintly rubs his Liuer on his gall:
And with his hand, not with his heart, did reare her sinking downe,
And faining to approue her Choise, had promise of the Crowne.
That I repent me of thy bands, and frankly set thee free:
And let that Grace grace-out the rest (for more remaines behind
Then, being said, may decent seeme to such as faults will find)
My selfe, my Land, my Loue, my life, and all what so is mine
Possesse: yet loue, and saue my life, that now haue saued thine.
Then sownes She at his sullen feete, that yet abode in thrall:
Which to auoid, he faintly rubs his Liuer on his gall:
And with his hand, not with his heart, did reare her sinking downe,
And faining to approue her Choise, had promise of the Crowne.
But neither Crowne, nor Countries care, nor She (worth all the rest)
Nor grace, nor dutie, reconcile whom enuie had possest:
No sooner was he got at large, and wealth suppli'd his lack,
But he to seeke her ouerthrow to forren aids did pack.
Demaund not how the wronged Queene disgested such her wrong,
But aske if she, the tidings tolde, to heare them liu'd so long.
She liu'd in deede, yet sowned oft, and sowning ouerpast,
From her mistempered head she teares her louely Tresses fast.
And beareth on her Iuorie brests, and casts her on the ground,
And wrings her hands, and scricheth out, and flingeth vp and downe.
Her Ladies pittying her distresse had got their Queene to rest:
From whenceforth outward signes & sighs her inward griefe exprest:
Her sparing Diet, seldome sleepe, her silence, and what not?
Had framd her now right Louer-like, when thus to him she wrot.
Nor grace, nor dutie, reconcile whom enuie had possest:
No sooner was he got at large, and wealth suppli'd his lack,
But he to seeke her ouerthrow to forren aids did pack.
Demaund not how the wronged Queene disgested such her wrong,
But aske if she, the tidings tolde, to heare them liu'd so long.
She liu'd in deede, yet sowned oft, and sowning ouerpast,
From her mistempered head she teares her louely Tresses fast.
And beareth on her Iuorie brests, and casts her on the ground,
39
Her Ladies pittying her distresse had got their Queene to rest:
From whenceforth outward signes & sighs her inward griefe exprest:
Her sparing Diet, seldome sleepe, her silence, and what not?
Had framd her now right Louer-like, when thus to him she wrot.
What fault of mine hath causd thy flight doth rest in cloudes to me,
But faultles haue I heard of none, and faultie may I be.
Yet not my Scepter, but my selfe, haue kingly Suters sought:
Did all amisse, saue thou alone, that settest both at nought?
At nought, said I? Yea well I said, because so easily cought.
One crime but cite, and I for it will shead a million teares:
And to be penitent of faults with it a pardon beares.
Ah, Doracles, if our extreames, thy malice and my loue,
The formers euer ill shall not the latters good remoue.
I heare thou doest frequent the warres, and war thou wilt with mee,
Forgetfull that my Argiue men impatient Warriours bee:
Sweet, hassard not the same to sword that Loue doth warrant thee.
Ech Speare that shal but crosse thy Helme hath force to craese my hart:
But if thou bleede, of that thy blood my fainting soule hath part.
With thee I liue, with thee I dye, with thee I loose or gaine,
Liue safe therefore, for in thy life consists the liues of twaine.
Most wisely valiant are those men that backe their armed Steeds
In beaten Paths, ore boorded Tylthes to break their staffe-like Reeds:
Wheare not the dint of wounding Launce, but some deuise of loue,
Sans danger, hath sufficient wait their manhoods to approue.
Wheare braue Aspects of louely Dames Tantara to the fight,
Whose formes perhaps are weg'd in harts, when Fauours wag in sight.
Whearas the Victors Prize is praise, and Trumpets sound ech blow,
Wheare all is well, that seemes but well, in courage or in show.
Wheare Ladies doffe their Champions Helmes, and kisse wheare Beauers hid,
And parlie vnder Canapies how well or ill they did.
Retire therefore, sweet heart retire: or, if thou wilt be arm'd,
Then fight as these where all things make that all escape vnharm'd.
Such manhood is a merriment: things present are regarded:
Not perillous wounds in warre, but here wars perill is rewarded.
In few, the warres are full of woes, but here euen words of warre
Haue brauer grace thē works thēselues, for Courts from Campes be far.
Than are the valiant, who more vaine? Than Cowards who more wise?
Not men that trauell Pegasus, but Fortunes fooles doe rise.
Me thinks I see how churlish lookes estrange thy cheerefull face,
Me thinks thy gestures, talke, & gate, haue changd their wonted grace:
Me thinks thy sometimes nimble Limbs with armour now are lame:
Me thinks I see how scars deforme where Swords before did maime:
I see thee faint with Summers heat, and droup with winters cold:
I see thee not the same thou art, for young thou seemest old:
I see not, but my soule doth feare, in fight thou art too bold:
I sorrow, lastly, to haue seene whom now I wish to see,
Because I see loues Oratresse pleads tediously to thee.
If words, nor weepings, loue, nor lines, if ease, nor toyle in fight,
May waine thee from a pleasing ill, yet come thou to my sight:
Perchance my presence may disswade, or partnership delight.
But wo am I, dead paper pleads, a sencelesse thing of woe:
It cannot weepe, nor wring the hands, but say that she did so:
And saieth so vncredited, or if, then thought of corse:
Thus thus, because not passionate, to paper failes remorse.
O that my griefes, my sighes, and teares, might muster to thy viewe,
The woes, not words, the paine, not pen, should vouch my writing true.
Yeat fare thou well, whose fare-well brings such fare-ill vnto me:
Thy fare-well lacks a welcome home, and welcome shalt thou be.
But faultles haue I heard of none, and faultie may I be.
Yet not my Scepter, but my selfe, haue kingly Suters sought:
Did all amisse, saue thou alone, that settest both at nought?
At nought, said I? Yea well I said, because so easily cought.
One crime but cite, and I for it will shead a million teares:
And to be penitent of faults with it a pardon beares.
Ah, Doracles, if our extreames, thy malice and my loue,
The formers euer ill shall not the latters good remoue.
I heare thou doest frequent the warres, and war thou wilt with mee,
Forgetfull that my Argiue men impatient Warriours bee:
Sweet, hassard not the same to sword that Loue doth warrant thee.
Ech Speare that shal but crosse thy Helme hath force to craese my hart:
But if thou bleede, of that thy blood my fainting soule hath part.
With thee I liue, with thee I dye, with thee I loose or gaine,
Liue safe therefore, for in thy life consists the liues of twaine.
Most wisely valiant are those men that backe their armed Steeds
In beaten Paths, ore boorded Tylthes to break their staffe-like Reeds:
Wheare not the dint of wounding Launce, but some deuise of loue,
Sans danger, hath sufficient wait their manhoods to approue.
Wheare braue Aspects of louely Dames Tantara to the fight,
Whose formes perhaps are weg'd in harts, when Fauours wag in sight.
Whearas the Victors Prize is praise, and Trumpets sound ech blow,
Wheare all is well, that seemes but well, in courage or in show.
Wheare Ladies doffe their Champions Helmes, and kisse wheare Beauers hid,
And parlie vnder Canapies how well or ill they did.
Retire therefore, sweet heart retire: or, if thou wilt be arm'd,
40
Such manhood is a merriment: things present are regarded:
Not perillous wounds in warre, but here wars perill is rewarded.
In few, the warres are full of woes, but here euen words of warre
Haue brauer grace thē works thēselues, for Courts from Campes be far.
Than are the valiant, who more vaine? Than Cowards who more wise?
Not men that trauell Pegasus, but Fortunes fooles doe rise.
Me thinks I see how churlish lookes estrange thy cheerefull face,
Me thinks thy gestures, talke, & gate, haue changd their wonted grace:
Me thinks thy sometimes nimble Limbs with armour now are lame:
Me thinks I see how scars deforme where Swords before did maime:
I see thee faint with Summers heat, and droup with winters cold:
I see thee not the same thou art, for young thou seemest old:
I see not, but my soule doth feare, in fight thou art too bold:
I sorrow, lastly, to haue seene whom now I wish to see,
Because I see loues Oratresse pleads tediously to thee.
If words, nor weepings, loue, nor lines, if ease, nor toyle in fight,
May waine thee from a pleasing ill, yet come thou to my sight:
Perchance my presence may disswade, or partnership delight.
But wo am I, dead paper pleads, a sencelesse thing of woe:
It cannot weepe, nor wring the hands, but say that she did so:
And saieth so vncredited, or if, then thought of corse:
Thus thus, because not passionate, to paper failes remorse.
O that my griefes, my sighes, and teares, might muster to thy viewe,
The woes, not words, the paine, not pen, should vouch my writing true.
Yeat fare thou well, whose fare-well brings such fare-ill vnto me:
Thy fare-well lacks a welcome home, and welcome shalt thou be.
These lines, subscribed with her name, when Doracles did viewe,
He was so far from liking them, that loathing did ensue.
And, least that hope should ease her heart, or he not seeme vnkinde,
In written Tables he to her returned thus his minde.
He was so far from liking them, that loathing did ensue.
And, least that hope should ease her heart, or he not seeme vnkinde,
In written Tables he to her returned thus his minde.
The best of Bees doe beare, besides sweet hony, smarting stings,
And beautie doth not want a baite that to repentance brings.
Cōtēt thee, Daphles, Mooles take mads, but mē know Mooles to catch,
And euer wakes the Dawlian bird to ward the sloe-wormes watch.
I haue perus'd, I wot not what, a scrole, forsooth, of loue,
As if to Dirus in his Tent should Cupid cast his gloue.
A challenge proper to such Sottes as you would fashion me,
But I disdaine to talke of Loue, much more in Loue to be.
Nor thinke a Queene, in case of Loue, shall tie me to consent,
But holde the contrarie more true, and it no consequent:
For persons must in passions iumpe, els Loue it proueth lame:
Nor thinke I of a Womans graunt, but as a Woers game.
Your Sex withstands not place and speach: for be she base or hie,
A Womans eye doth guide her wit, and not her wit her eye.
Then senceles is he, hauing speach, that bids not for the best:
Euen Carters Malkines will disdaine when Gentrie will disgest.
The better match the brauer Mart, and willinger is sought:
And willing sute hath best euent: so Vulcan Venus cought.
I argue not of her estate, but set my Rest on this:
That opportunitie can win the coyest She that is.
Then he that rubs her gamesome vaine, and tempers toyes with Arte,
Brings loue that swimmeth at her eyes to diue into her hart.
But since the best, at best, is bad, a Shrow or els a Sheepe,
Iust none at all are best of all, and I from all will keepe.
Admit I come, and come I then because I come to thee?
No, when I come, my comming is contrarie sights to see.
My leasure serues me not to loue till fish as falcons flie,
Till Sea shall flame, till Sunne shall freese, till mortall men not die,
And Riuers, climing vp their bankes, shall leaue their channels dry.
When these shall be, and I not be, then may I chance to Loue,
And then the strangest change will be that I a Louer proue.
Let Beuers hide, not busses hurt, my lips for lips vnfit:
Let skarred limbes, not carefull Loues, to honor honor get.
I skorne a face effeminate, but hate his bastarde minde
That, borne a man, prepostrously by Arte doth alter kinde:
With fingers, Ladie-like, with lockes, with lookes, and gauds in print,
With fashions barbing formeles beards, and robes that brooke no lint,
With Speare in wrest, like painted Mars, frō thought of battaile free,
With gate, and grace, and euery gaude, so womanly to see,
As not in nature, but in name, their manhood seemes to bee.
Yea sooner then that maiden heares bud on his Boyish chinne
The furie of the fierie God doth in the foole beginne.
And yeat to winne, whō would be wonne, these wow with lesser speed,
Then might be wun a towne of warre, the croppe not worth the seede.
But let them trauaile till they tire, and then be ridde for Iaides,
If Gamesters faire, if Souldiers milde, or Louers true of Maides?
Who loue in sporte, or leaue in spight, or if they stoupe to luer,
Their kindnes must haue kindely vse: faults onely make them suer.
Did fancie? no, did furie? yea, hang vp the Thracian Maide,
The wonders seuen should then be eyght, could loue thee so perswaide.
But loue or hate, fare ill or well, I force not of thy fare:
My welcome, which thou doest pretend, shall proue a thankelesse care.
And beautie doth not want a baite that to repentance brings.
41
And euer wakes the Dawlian bird to ward the sloe-wormes watch.
I haue perus'd, I wot not what, a scrole, forsooth, of loue,
As if to Dirus in his Tent should Cupid cast his gloue.
A challenge proper to such Sottes as you would fashion me,
But I disdaine to talke of Loue, much more in Loue to be.
Nor thinke a Queene, in case of Loue, shall tie me to consent,
But holde the contrarie more true, and it no consequent:
For persons must in passions iumpe, els Loue it proueth lame:
Nor thinke I of a Womans graunt, but as a Woers game.
Your Sex withstands not place and speach: for be she base or hie,
A Womans eye doth guide her wit, and not her wit her eye.
Then senceles is he, hauing speach, that bids not for the best:
Euen Carters Malkines will disdaine when Gentrie will disgest.
The better match the brauer Mart, and willinger is sought:
And willing sute hath best euent: so Vulcan Venus cought.
I argue not of her estate, but set my Rest on this:
That opportunitie can win the coyest She that is.
Then he that rubs her gamesome vaine, and tempers toyes with Arte,
Brings loue that swimmeth at her eyes to diue into her hart.
But since the best, at best, is bad, a Shrow or els a Sheepe,
Iust none at all are best of all, and I from all will keepe.
Admit I come, and come I then because I come to thee?
No, when I come, my comming is contrarie sights to see.
My leasure serues me not to loue till fish as falcons flie,
Till Sea shall flame, till Sunne shall freese, till mortall men not die,
And Riuers, climing vp their bankes, shall leaue their channels dry.
When these shall be, and I not be, then may I chance to Loue,
And then the strangest change will be that I a Louer proue.
Let Beuers hide, not busses hurt, my lips for lips vnfit:
Let skarred limbes, not carefull Loues, to honor honor get.
I skorne a face effeminate, but hate his bastarde minde
That, borne a man, prepostrously by Arte doth alter kinde:
42
With fashions barbing formeles beards, and robes that brooke no lint,
With Speare in wrest, like painted Mars, frō thought of battaile free,
With gate, and grace, and euery gaude, so womanly to see,
As not in nature, but in name, their manhood seemes to bee.
Yea sooner then that maiden heares bud on his Boyish chinne
The furie of the fierie God doth in the foole beginne.
And yeat to winne, whō would be wonne, these wow with lesser speed,
Then might be wun a towne of warre, the croppe not worth the seede.
But let them trauaile till they tire, and then be ridde for Iaides,
If Gamesters faire, if Souldiers milde, or Louers true of Maides?
Who loue in sporte, or leaue in spight, or if they stoupe to luer,
Their kindnes must haue kindely vse: faults onely make them suer.
Did fancie? no, did furie? yea, hang vp the Thracian Maide,
The wonders seuen should then be eyght, could loue thee so perswaide.
But loue or hate, fare ill or well, I force not of thy fare:
My welcome, which thou doest pretend, shall proue a thankelesse care.
When Daphles heard him so vnkind, she held her selfe accurst:
And little lacked of so well but that her heart did burst:
And wheare she read the churlish scrole, she fell into a sowne,
But, brought againe, vpon a bed her selfe she casteth downe,
Not rising more: and so her loue and life together end:
Or (if I so may gesse) in death her soule did liue his friend.
And little lacked of so well but that her heart did burst:
And wheare she read the churlish scrole, she fell into a sowne,
But, brought againe, vpon a bed her selfe she casteth downe,
Not rising more: and so her loue and life together end:
Or (if I so may gesse) in death her soule did liue his friend.
The Queene enterr'd, and Obbit kept (as she in charge did giue)
A Knight was shipt to Calidon, wheare Doracles did liue,
To offer him, as her bequest, the Argiue Throne and Crowne.
Not that we force, or feare (quoth he) thy fauour or thy frowne
We moue this peace, or make thee Prince, but Daphles swore vs so,
Who louing more then thou couldst hate, nor liu'd nor died thy Foe.
And is she dead (quoth Doracles) that liued to my wrong?
I gladly doe accept these newes, expected for of long.
A Knight was shipt to Calidon, wheare Doracles did liue,
To offer him, as her bequest, the Argiue Throne and Crowne.
Not that we force, or feare (quoth he) thy fauour or thy frowne
We moue this peace, or make thee Prince, but Daphles swore vs so,
Who louing more then thou couldst hate, nor liu'd nor died thy Foe.
And is she dead (quoth Doracles) that liued to my wrong?
I gladly doe accept these newes, expected for of long.
The Lord and Legate were imbarkt, and Ship ran vnder saile,
Vntill into the Argiue Strond the Mariners did haile.
To Daphles, by adoption, theare inthronized a King,
He diuers yeares good fortune had successiue in each thing,
All friends, no Foes, all wealth, no want, still peace, and neuer strife,
And what might seeme an earthly Heauen to Doracles was rife.
A Subiect, but a Noble man, did ritchly feast the King,
And after meat presented him with many a sight and thing.
Theare was a chamber in the which, portraied to the quick,
The Picture of Queene Daphles was: and deepely did it prick
The King his conscience, and he thought her like did not remaine:
So, whom her person could not pearce, her Picture now did paine.
A kissing Cupid, breathing loue into her breast, did hide
Her wandring eies, whilst to her hart his hand a Death did guide:
Non mœrens morior, for the Mott, inchased was beside.
Her curtesie and his contempt he calleth then to minde,
And of her beautie in himselfe he did a Chaos finde.
Recalling eke his late degree, and reckning his desart,
He could not thinke (or faintly thought) his loue to sterne her heart:
And to the Maker of the feast, did such his thoughts impart
Vntill into the Argiue Strond the Mariners did haile.
43
He diuers yeares good fortune had successiue in each thing,
All friends, no Foes, all wealth, no want, still peace, and neuer strife,
And what might seeme an earthly Heauen to Doracles was rife.
A Subiect, but a Noble man, did ritchly feast the King,
And after meat presented him with many a sight and thing.
Theare was a chamber in the which, portraied to the quick,
The Picture of Queene Daphles was: and deepely did it prick
The King his conscience, and he thought her like did not remaine:
So, whom her person could not pearce, her Picture now did paine.
A kissing Cupid, breathing loue into her breast, did hide
Her wandring eies, whilst to her hart his hand a Death did guide:
Non mœrens morior, for the Mott, inchased was beside.
Her curtesie and his contempt he calleth then to minde,
And of her beautie in himselfe he did a Chaos finde.
Recalling eke his late degree, and reckning his desart,
He could not thinke (or faintly thought) his loue to sterne her heart:
And to the Maker of the feast, did such his thoughts impart
And doubtes your Grace (the Feaster said) if Daphles lou'd or no?
I wish (I hope I wish no harme) she had not loued so,
Or you more liked than you did, then she had liued yet:
To what her latest speech did tend I neuer shall forget.
My selfe, with diuers noble men, whose teares bewraid our care,
Was present, when her dying tongue of you did thus declare.
My hap (quoth she) is simply bad that cannot haue, nor hope:
Was euer wretch (I wretch except) held to so skant a scope?
I see him roue at other markes, and I vnmarkt to be:
I finde my fault, but follow it, whilest death doth followe me.
Ah death (my Lords) dispaire is death, and death must ransome blisse,
Such Ransome pleaseth Doracles and Daphles pliant is.
Not bootlesse then (since breathles strait) sweet Loue doth flames contriue,
The which shall burne me vp at once that now do burne aliue.
Alas (then did she pause in teares) that Doracles were by,
To take it from his eies, not eares, that I for him doe die:
At least, perhaps, he would confesse my loue to be no lie.
But (Want-wit I) offensiue sights to Doracles I craue:
Long liue, deare Hart, not minding me when I am laid in graue.
And you (my Lords) by those same Goddes, whose sight I hope anon,
I coniure that ye him inuest your King when I am gon.
Alonely say I liu'd and died to him a Louer true,
And that my parting Ghost did sound, sweete Doracles adue.
A sigh concluding such her words, she closed vp her eye:
Not one of vs, beholding it, that seemed not to die.
Thus to your Grace I leaue to gesse how tragick Daphles died:
In Loue, my Lord, yea louing you, that her of Loue denied.
I wish (I hope I wish no harme) she had not loued so,
Or you more liked than you did, then she had liued yet:
To what her latest speech did tend I neuer shall forget.
My selfe, with diuers noble men, whose teares bewraid our care,
Was present, when her dying tongue of you did thus declare.
My hap (quoth she) is simply bad that cannot haue, nor hope:
Was euer wretch (I wretch except) held to so skant a scope?
I see him roue at other markes, and I vnmarkt to be:
I finde my fault, but follow it, whilest death doth followe me.
Ah death (my Lords) dispaire is death, and death must ransome blisse,
Such Ransome pleaseth Doracles and Daphles pliant is.
Not bootlesse then (since breathles strait) sweet Loue doth flames contriue,
The which shall burne me vp at once that now do burne aliue.
44
To take it from his eies, not eares, that I for him doe die:
At least, perhaps, he would confesse my loue to be no lie.
But (Want-wit I) offensiue sights to Doracles I craue:
Long liue, deare Hart, not minding me when I am laid in graue.
And you (my Lords) by those same Goddes, whose sight I hope anon,
I coniure that ye him inuest your King when I am gon.
Alonely say I liu'd and died to him a Louer true,
And that my parting Ghost did sound, sweete Doracles adue.
A sigh concluding such her words, she closed vp her eye:
Not one of vs, beholding it, that seemed not to die.
Thus to your Grace I leaue to gesse how tragick Daphles died:
In Loue, my Lord, yea louing you, that her of Loue denied.
The picture, and this same discourse afford sufficient woe
To him, that, maimed in his minde, did to his Pallace goe.
Theare Doracles did set abroach a world of things forgot:
What meanest thou man? (ah frantick man) how art thou ouershot
(He said) to hate the substance then, and loue the shadow now,
Her painted boord, whose amorous hart did breake whilst I not bow?
And couldst thou churlish wretch, cōtemn the loue of such a Queene?
O Gods, I graunt for such contempt I iustly bide your teene.
Her onely beautie (worthy Ioue, that now on me hath power)
Was worthie of farre worthier Loue, without a further dower.
But gaze thou on her senceles Signe, whose selfe thou mad'st thy pray,
And gazing perish: for thy life is debt to her decay.
Time going on, greefe it grewe on, of dolour sprung dispaire,
When Doracles to Daphles Tombe did secretly repaire:
Theare (teares a preface to the rest) these only words he spake:
Thy Loue was losse, for losse my life in recompence do take,
Deare Daphles. So a daggers stab a Tragedie did make.
To him, that, maimed in his minde, did to his Pallace goe.
Theare Doracles did set abroach a world of things forgot:
What meanest thou man? (ah frantick man) how art thou ouershot
(He said) to hate the substance then, and loue the shadow now,
Her painted boord, whose amorous hart did breake whilst I not bow?
And couldst thou churlish wretch, cōtemn the loue of such a Queene?
O Gods, I graunt for such contempt I iustly bide your teene.
Her onely beautie (worthy Ioue, that now on me hath power)
Was worthie of farre worthier Loue, without a further dower.
But gaze thou on her senceles Signe, whose selfe thou mad'st thy pray,
And gazing perish: for thy life is debt to her decay.
Time going on, greefe it grewe on, of dolour sprung dispaire,
When Doracles to Daphles Tombe did secretly repaire:
Theare (teares a preface to the rest) these only words he spake:
Thy Loue was losse, for losse my life in recompence do take,
Deare Daphles. So a daggers stab a Tragedie did make.
Well did this Tragicke matter sort to Cacus Tragicke vaine:
But merrier matter did behoue such humour to restraine.
That knew the second Sister well, who (smiling ere she spake)
Began her turne, and of her Tale the next report I make.
But merrier matter did behoue such humour to restraine.
45
Began her turne, and of her Tale the next report I make.
CHAP. X.
A proper Lad made Loue (quoth she) vnto a pretie Lasse:
In self-same house, for-worne with age, this Maidens Grandame was.
Her eyes were sunck into her head, her cheekes were leane and lank,
Out stood her chin, into her mouth her bloodlesse lips they sanke,
Her toothlesse chappes disgrac'd her toong in telling of a Tale,
And sucke she might a Teat for teeth, and spoonage too did faile,
Her haire (since sixtie yeares nor blacke) was now or white or none,
The substance of her wrinkled face was only skin and bone,
Dimme were her eies, deafe were her eares, ranke smelt it shee could sent,
A Palsie made her feeling cease, downe tastlesse food it went:
Sight, hearing, sent, touch, tast, and all, thus failing with her strength,
She to her chamber, bed, and chaire betooke her at the length.
But gold is lou'd till graue hath lodg'd, her bags and she were one,
She must the Maidens Dowry giue, els Dowry hath she none.
The yoong man, though he lou'd the Maid (on whō no loue was lost)
Did loue to liue, as one that knew that marriage asketh cost.
The old wiues bags did let the Banes, with whom he smoothed so,
That flattered, she fantised, her moldie braines did cro.
What Diuel, I wote not, made her dote, she doted on the man,
Her rotten trunke and rustie face she finified than,
And seeth what she could not see, her senslesse Senses worke,
And vnderneath a wrinckled hide a wanton heart did lurke.
Vnkindly too she kisses gaue, which he did kindly take,
Supposing that her kindnes was but for the Maidens sake.
Her crooked ioynts (which long ere then, supported, scarcely stood)
She brought vnto a wallowing pace, disiellowing so her bloud:
And all for loue (surreuerence Loue) did make her chew the cudde.
In self-same house, for-worne with age, this Maidens Grandame was.
Her eyes were sunck into her head, her cheekes were leane and lank,
Out stood her chin, into her mouth her bloodlesse lips they sanke,
Her toothlesse chappes disgrac'd her toong in telling of a Tale,
And sucke she might a Teat for teeth, and spoonage too did faile,
Her haire (since sixtie yeares nor blacke) was now or white or none,
The substance of her wrinkled face was only skin and bone,
Dimme were her eies, deafe were her eares, ranke smelt it shee could sent,
A Palsie made her feeling cease, downe tastlesse food it went:
Sight, hearing, sent, touch, tast, and all, thus failing with her strength,
She to her chamber, bed, and chaire betooke her at the length.
But gold is lou'd till graue hath lodg'd, her bags and she were one,
She must the Maidens Dowry giue, els Dowry hath she none.
The yoong man, though he lou'd the Maid (on whō no loue was lost)
Did loue to liue, as one that knew that marriage asketh cost.
The old wiues bags did let the Banes, with whom he smoothed so,
That flattered, she fantised, her moldie braines did cro.
What Diuel, I wote not, made her dote, she doted on the man,
Her rotten trunke and rustie face she finified than,
And seeth what she could not see, her senslesse Senses worke,
46
Vnkindly too she kisses gaue, which he did kindly take,
Supposing that her kindnes was but for the Maidens sake.
Her crooked ioynts (which long ere then, supported, scarcely stood)
She brought vnto a wallowing pace, disiellowing so her bloud:
And all for loue (surreuerence Loue) did make her chew the cudde.
Young Battus from his Omphida (for they were named so)
Dislodged by the Grandame long, to worke did roundly go,
Desiring both the Maiden, and to marrie her a Dower.
The old-wife, netled at his words, for all her loue did lower,
And, drying vp what drained out in belching, thus did say:
The thing (friend Battus) you demaund not gladly I denay:
But well you wot that I am old, and yeat not all so old,
But that the remnant of my life may spend the wealth I hold:
As all are neerest to themselues, so to my selfe am I,
And all shall lacke ere I will lacke, store is no sore we trie.
If you doe like of Omphida, I also like the match:
Loue hath no lacke, ye both are young, wealth comes to such as watch.
You louing her, she to her selfe a dowrie is, if not,
My money shall not sell the Maid, a sinfull sale God wot:
For money shall not sell my selfe. And yeat I cannot see,
But that a comfort to mine age an honest match would be.
My Goods besides doe want a Guide, and often did I know
Your youngers vpon elder wiues then I themselues bestow,
And liued well, and loued well. But as I doe not care
For mariage, so an honest match were poperie to forsweare.
Well, Battus, take you Omphida: but if you money craue,
My bagges must onely vent to him whom I my selfe shall haue.
Yet thinke I not mislike of you in that you haue not sped,
But thinke I wish no better match, if I my selfe should wed.
Dislodged by the Grandame long, to worke did roundly go,
Desiring both the Maiden, and to marrie her a Dower.
The old-wife, netled at his words, for all her loue did lower,
And, drying vp what drained out in belching, thus did say:
The thing (friend Battus) you demaund not gladly I denay:
But well you wot that I am old, and yeat not all so old,
But that the remnant of my life may spend the wealth I hold:
As all are neerest to themselues, so to my selfe am I,
And all shall lacke ere I will lacke, store is no sore we trie.
If you doe like of Omphida, I also like the match:
Loue hath no lacke, ye both are young, wealth comes to such as watch.
You louing her, she to her selfe a dowrie is, if not,
My money shall not sell the Maid, a sinfull sale God wot:
For money shall not sell my selfe. And yeat I cannot see,
But that a comfort to mine age an honest match would be.
My Goods besides doe want a Guide, and often did I know
Your youngers vpon elder wiues then I themselues bestow,
And liued well, and loued well. But as I doe not care
For mariage, so an honest match were poperie to forsweare.
Well, Battus, take you Omphida: but if you money craue,
My bagges must onely vent to him whom I my selfe shall haue.
Yet thinke I not mislike of you in that you haue not sped,
But thinke I wish no better match, if I my selfe should wed.
Thus cunningly she closd with him, and he conceaues her thought:
Vnequall was the Combat then that Loue and Lucar wrought,
The one was in her flowring age, the other too too old:
The first with beautie did allure, the latter with her Gold.
But stormes (thought Battus) haue their stops, not long the Croen can liue,
Or if my kindenes length her life, my kindenes God forgiue.
Resoluing therefore on such hope, with easie sute, he got
Assurance to be wedded to the old deformed Trot.
Medea charmed AEson yong, Battus Medea-like,
Did worke no lesse a cuer vpon this vaine vnweldie Tyke.
Now on the bridle played she: yeat as she laughes she lookes
With ielious eyes, if Omphida be blotted out his bookes.
Yea she that could not moue before, now crauleth euery wheare,
To prye if Battus play not false, and cause there was to feare.
Vnequall was the Combat then that Loue and Lucar wrought,
The one was in her flowring age, the other too too old:
47
But stormes (thought Battus) haue their stops, not long the Croen can liue,
Or if my kindenes length her life, my kindenes God forgiue.
Resoluing therefore on such hope, with easie sute, he got
Assurance to be wedded to the old deformed Trot.
Medea charmed AEson yong, Battus Medea-like,
Did worke no lesse a cuer vpon this vaine vnweldie Tyke.
Now on the bridle played she: yeat as she laughes she lookes
With ielious eyes, if Omphida be blotted out his bookes.
Yea she that could not moue before, now crauleth euery wheare,
To prye if Battus play not false, and cause there was to feare.
But all this while no mariage was, nor witnes of their match:
And well he knewe that widdowes shrinke, if men for slowe dispatch.
So hasting whats he hindred not, come was the wedding day:
The Morning thaw'd the eauening frost, and slipprie was the way:
Yeat, hobling on her rustie ioynts, to Churchward goes the Bride,
Whose feete (her harts vnequall gides) could nothing els but slide.
Then Battus kindly leadeth her, and euer as she trips,
God blesse thee Mouse, the Bridegroome said, & smakt her on the lips.
The oftner stumbled then his Beast, the oftner to be kist,
And thinketh in her gentle Choyse her selfe not meanly blist.
But when the priest had done his part, and that they homeward come,
The Bride, for Battus, might salute the Pauement with her bomme.
She reeled oft, and looked backe: he sawe, but would not see:
At length she stumbled headlong downe, hoyst vp againe, quoth hee:
The second time she did the like, hoyst Brock, her good-man saide,
And thirdly falling, kindly bad her breake her necke, olde Iade.
The old-wife tooke it at the hart, and home she went and dyde:
But Battus, ere his first was sicke, had owed his second Bryde.
And well he knewe that widdowes shrinke, if men for slowe dispatch.
So hasting whats he hindred not, come was the wedding day:
The Morning thaw'd the eauening frost, and slipprie was the way:
Yeat, hobling on her rustie ioynts, to Churchward goes the Bride,
Whose feete (her harts vnequall gides) could nothing els but slide.
Then Battus kindly leadeth her, and euer as she trips,
God blesse thee Mouse, the Bridegroome said, & smakt her on the lips.
The oftner stumbled then his Beast, the oftner to be kist,
And thinketh in her gentle Choyse her selfe not meanly blist.
But when the priest had done his part, and that they homeward come,
The Bride, for Battus, might salute the Pauement with her bomme.
She reeled oft, and looked backe: he sawe, but would not see:
At length she stumbled headlong downe, hoyst vp againe, quoth hee:
The second time she did the like, hoyst Brock, her good-man saide,
And thirdly falling, kindly bad her breake her necke, olde Iade.
The old-wife tooke it at the hart, and home she went and dyde:
But Battus, ere his first was sicke, had owed his second Bryde.
This Iest from Cacus straynde a smyle, but quickly was it donne:
When, turning to her Sisters twaine, the yongest thus begonne.
Ye, sisters, seuerally haue tolde how foes in loue did fall,
And ago with youth, but I doe say that Loue can all with all.
Examples we, whom Loue hath brought from Court to liue in Caue,
And were there neede of further proofe, a thousand proofes I haue.
Could Latmus speake, it might accuse euen Phœbe of a kis:
And of a Votarie of hers to speake my purpose is.
When, turning to her Sisters twaine, the yongest thus begonne.
48
And ago with youth, but I doe say that Loue can all with all.
Examples we, whom Loue hath brought from Court to liue in Caue,
And were there neede of further proofe, a thousand proofes I haue.
Could Latmus speake, it might accuse euen Phœbe of a kis:
And of a Votarie of hers to speake my purpose is.
But first she cheared thus her friend (for Cacus sadly sits)
Be merrie man, thy pensiuenesse our pastimes badly fits:
Be as thou art, not as thou wouldst, it will be as it is:
Learne then to lacke, and learne to liue, for crosses neuer mis.
Thinke Fortune newly hatcht is flidge, and waggeth wing to flye:
All suffreth change: our selues, new borne, euen then begin to dye.
Be resolute, not desperate: the Gods that made thee poore,
Can, if they will (doe waite their will (thy former state restoore.
At least let patience profit thee, for patience is a thing
Whereby a begger gaineth of a discontented King.
Know Destinie is Destinie. This Epitaph I reede,
Though common-booked Poetrie, yeat not vnworthie heede:
Be merrie man, thy pensiuenesse our pastimes badly fits:
Be as thou art, not as thou wouldst, it will be as it is:
Learne then to lacke, and learne to liue, for crosses neuer mis.
Thinke Fortune newly hatcht is flidge, and waggeth wing to flye:
All suffreth change: our selues, new borne, euen then begin to dye.
Be resolute, not desperate: the Gods that made thee poore,
Can, if they will (doe waite their will (thy former state restoore.
At least let patience profit thee, for patience is a thing
Whereby a begger gaineth of a discontented King.
Know Destinie is Destinie. This Epitaph I reede,
Though common-booked Poetrie, yeat not vnworthie heede:
Vnborne to knowe what I should be to Gods my mother praide:
A Male, quoth Phœbus, Female Mars, and Iuno neither sayde:
An Hermaphrodite was I borne. My death then askt she after:
By sword quoth Iuno, Tree quoth Mars, and Phœbus said by water.
A Riuer shadowing tree I climbd, out slipt my sword, I slidd,
By feete I hung, stabd with my sword, my head in water hidd:
Male, Female, neither, hanging, Sword, and drowning I abidd
A Male, quoth Phœbus, Female Mars, and Iuno neither sayde:
An Hermaphrodite was I borne. My death then askt she after:
By sword quoth Iuno, Tree quoth Mars, and Phœbus said by water.
A Riuer shadowing tree I climbd, out slipt my sword, I slidd,
By feete I hung, stabd with my sword, my head in water hidd:
Male, Female, neither, hanging, Sword, and drowning I abidd
Thus, Cacus, howsoeuer things from likelihoods discent,
In birth, life, death, the Gods are first, the middell, and Euent:
And not what they can doe they will, but what they will they can,
And that they doe, or doe it not, behooues not vs to skan:
And saying so, and kissing too, her tale she thus began.
In birth, life, death, the Gods are first, the middell, and Euent:
And not what they can doe they will, but what they will they can,
And that they doe, or doe it not, behooues not vs to skan:
And saying so, and kissing too, her tale she thus began.
49
CHAP. XI.
I speake not of the Argiue Nimph that had the ielious Syer,
To whome, shut vp in brasen Tower, Ioue passage had for hyer:
Nor of Europa, Semele, or Maia, will I dwell:
Not of your Foe his bastardie: or Lædas rape I tell:
Not of King Ceus Daughters faulte, or other freak of Ioue
Speake I: saue of th' Arcadian Nunne, with whom he thus did roue.
To whome, shut vp in brasen Tower, Ioue passage had for hyer:
Nor of Europa, Semele, or Maia, will I dwell:
Not of your Foe his bastardie: or Lædas rape I tell:
Not of King Ceus Daughters faulte, or other freak of Ioue
Speake I: saue of th' Arcadian Nunne, with whom he thus did roue.
Calisto was as faire a Maide, as faire as faire might bee,
Her father King Lycaon fled, Ioue chaunced her to see,
And seeing liked, liking lou'd, and louing made it knowne
To her (sweet Lasse) for fathers losse that maketh then her mone.
Take patience, wench, said Iupiter, with thee shall all be well,
Thy fathers deeds haue their deserts, but thou in peace shalt dwell.
I am his Victor, but thy selfe art Victoresse of mee:
Doe graunt me loue, my zeale is more than fatherly to thee.
The restlesse cloudes that mantling ride vpon the racking Skie,
The scouring windes that sightlesse in the sounding aire doe flie,
The thriftie Earth that bringeth out and broodeth vp her breed,
The shifting Seas whose swelling waues on shrinking shoores do feed,
Shall fall and faile ere I be false (Lycaons Impe) to thee:
Of hartie Loue this kisse (he kist) an happie hansell bee.
Her father King Lycaon fled, Ioue chaunced her to see,
And seeing liked, liking lou'd, and louing made it knowne
To her (sweet Lasse) for fathers losse that maketh then her mone.
Take patience, wench, said Iupiter, with thee shall all be well,
Thy fathers deeds haue their deserts, but thou in peace shalt dwell.
I am his Victor, but thy selfe art Victoresse of mee:
Doe graunt me loue, my zeale is more than fatherly to thee.
The restlesse cloudes that mantling ride vpon the racking Skie,
The scouring windes that sightlesse in the sounding aire doe flie,
The thriftie Earth that bringeth out and broodeth vp her breed,
The shifting Seas whose swelling waues on shrinking shoores do feed,
Shall fall and faile ere I be false (Lycaons Impe) to thee:
Of hartie Loue this kisse (he kist) an happie hansell bee.
But haplesse termes are these, quoth she, vnfitting to a thral:
Yeat, in respect of that I feele, I heare them not at all.
A friend (ah friendlesse name I Friend?) it being as it is,
A friend I say, much more a foe, and more, and worse than this,
The sonne of Saturne should, and shall, that speed and hearing misse.
Doe rid, ah rid mine eyes of teares, and set my hart at rest,
By taking life, not making Loue, the former likes me best.
Or, if that poore Calistos life shall lengthen to her wo,
Graunt that among Dianas Nunnes a Votarie I go:
For neither fits it now to loue, or euer shall it so.
Yeat, in respect of that I feele, I heare them not at all.
50
A friend I say, much more a foe, and more, and worse than this,
The sonne of Saturne should, and shall, that speed and hearing misse.
Doe rid, ah rid mine eyes of teares, and set my hart at rest,
By taking life, not making Loue, the former likes me best.
Or, if that poore Calistos life shall lengthen to her wo,
Graunt that among Dianas Nunnes a Votarie I go:
For neither fits it now to loue, or euer shall it so.
What viewed Iupiter this while, not pleasing to his sight?
Or what vnuiewed did he gesse, not adding to delight?
Not excellent, but exquisite, was all to minde and eye:
Saue she, the hansell of this loue, did him of Loue denie.
It greeues that Natures Paragon in Cloister, not in Court,
Should loose the beautie of her youth, and he thereby his sport.
But constant in her chast pretence, he grants that would gain-say,
And, seated in religion now, with Phœbe did she stay.
Or what vnuiewed did he gesse, not adding to delight?
Not excellent, but exquisite, was all to minde and eye:
Saue she, the hansell of this loue, did him of Loue denie.
It greeues that Natures Paragon in Cloister, not in Court,
Should loose the beautie of her youth, and he thereby his sport.
But constant in her chast pretence, he grants that would gain-say,
And, seated in religion now, with Phœbe did she stay.
Blame Iupiter of other Loues, of this doe set him cleere:
It was his first, and first is firme, and toucheth verie neere.
He might forgoe, but not forget Calisto in her Cell,
When, setting higher thoughts apart, the Frithes did please him well:
He takes his Quiuer and his Bow, and wheare she hunts hunts hee,
And sacrificed to his eyes that day he did her see:
About the Chase, Toyles, Dogs and Bowes, the Stand, Quarrie and all
He vseth double diligence: so often did befall,
Not onely sight of her his Saint he got, but also talke,
Whilst thus for his Calistos loue, he haunted Phœbus walke.
But sight and talke accrew to loue, the substance must be had:
And for to bring his drift about, he virgin-like is clad.
His nonage kept his beard from bloome, no wench more faire thē he,
Whom at her Nunnerie a Nunne Diana takes to be,
And with his Sisters brotherly doo gesse him to agree.
Thus faines Lycaons Conqueror a Maid, to winne a Maid:
His hands to woll, and Arras worke, and womans Chares hee laid,
That not so much as by the tongue the Boy-wench was bewraid.
Yeat thought is free, he sees, and smiles, and longs perhaps for more:
No maruell, for that Sister-hood had goodlie Ladies store.
Scarce one for birth and beautie too was theare vnworthie him,
Yet chieflie to Calistos vaine he formed life and limme,
And Sisterlike they single oft, and chat of manye things,
But that Calisto mindeth loue no likelihood he wrings.
So Ioue not once durst mention Ioue, and force was sinne and shame:
But loue is hardie. Thus it hap: by long pursute of game,
She wearie resteth in the Thicks, wheare sitting all alone,
He seeing her, is resolute or now to end his mone,
Or for so sweete a bodies vse to leaue his soule in lone.
Nymph-like he sits him by the Nymph, that tooke him for no man,
And after smiles, with neerer signes of Loues assault began.
He feeleth oft her Iuorie breasts, nor maketh coy to kisse:
Yeat all was well, a Maiden to a Maiden might doe this.
Than ticks he vp her tucked Frocke, nor did Calisto blush,
Or thinke abuse: he tickles too, no blab she thinks the Bush.
Thus whilst she thinkes her Sister-Nunne to be a merrie Lasse,
The Wanton did disclose himselfe, and told her who he was.
It was his first, and first is firme, and toucheth verie neere.
He might forgoe, but not forget Calisto in her Cell,
When, setting higher thoughts apart, the Frithes did please him well:
He takes his Quiuer and his Bow, and wheare she hunts hunts hee,
And sacrificed to his eyes that day he did her see:
About the Chase, Toyles, Dogs and Bowes, the Stand, Quarrie and all
He vseth double diligence: so often did befall,
Not onely sight of her his Saint he got, but also talke,
Whilst thus for his Calistos loue, he haunted Phœbus walke.
But sight and talke accrew to loue, the substance must be had:
And for to bring his drift about, he virgin-like is clad.
His nonage kept his beard from bloome, no wench more faire thē he,
Whom at her Nunnerie a Nunne Diana takes to be,
And with his Sisters brotherly doo gesse him to agree.
51
His hands to woll, and Arras worke, and womans Chares hee laid,
That not so much as by the tongue the Boy-wench was bewraid.
Yeat thought is free, he sees, and smiles, and longs perhaps for more:
No maruell, for that Sister-hood had goodlie Ladies store.
Scarce one for birth and beautie too was theare vnworthie him,
Yet chieflie to Calistos vaine he formed life and limme,
And Sisterlike they single oft, and chat of manye things,
But that Calisto mindeth loue no likelihood he wrings.
So Ioue not once durst mention Ioue, and force was sinne and shame:
But loue is hardie. Thus it hap: by long pursute of game,
She wearie resteth in the Thicks, wheare sitting all alone,
He seeing her, is resolute or now to end his mone,
Or for so sweete a bodies vse to leaue his soule in lone.
Nymph-like he sits him by the Nymph, that tooke him for no man,
And after smiles, with neerer signes of Loues assault began.
He feeleth oft her Iuorie breasts, nor maketh coy to kisse:
Yeat all was well, a Maiden to a Maiden might doe this.
Than ticks he vp her tucked Frocke, nor did Calisto blush,
Or thinke abuse: he tickles too, no blab she thinks the Bush.
Thus whilst she thinkes her Sister-Nunne to be a merrie Lasse,
The Wanton did disclose himselfe, and told her who he was.
Away the Virgin would haue fled, whom he withhild by force:
Thy loue (sweet Nymph) hath vrg'd this shift, wel worthy thy remorse,
He said: nor scorne with me a King to ioyne thy selfe a Queene,
Or doe but loue and I will liue in Phœbus Celles vnseene:
And theare in beds, in bushes heere (My fainings fit so well)
We may enioy what loue enioynes, and none our scapes shall tell.
She would not loue, he could not leaue, she wrangleth, and he wooeth,
She did resist, he did persist, and sport denied dooeth.
That done, which could not be vndone, what booteth discontent?
As good bee pleas'd as not be eas'd: away Calisto went
To Cloyster, Iupiter to Court: nor much she did repent,
Vntill her growing wombe disclosed an ante-cedent fault,
Then in the Chapter house she told of Iupiters assault.
Thy loue (sweet Nymph) hath vrg'd this shift, wel worthy thy remorse,
He said: nor scorne with me a King to ioyne thy selfe a Queene,
Or doe but loue and I will liue in Phœbus Celles vnseene:
And theare in beds, in bushes heere (My fainings fit so well)
We may enioy what loue enioynes, and none our scapes shall tell.
She would not loue, he could not leaue, she wrangleth, and he wooeth,
She did resist, he did persist, and sport denied dooeth.
That done, which could not be vndone, what booteth discontent?
As good bee pleas'd as not be eas'd: away Calisto went
To Cloyster, Iupiter to Court: nor much she did repent,
52
Then in the Chapter house she told of Iupiters assault.
Diana and her virgines all, admiring that escape,
Did gird at her, maligning Ioue for such his subtill Rape.
And who more ready to controule then Athalanta was?
Whome shortly Meleager brought vnto the selfe same pas.
The Lady Abbesse did discharge Calisto from her Cell,
And (silly Nymph) she, great with child, some other wheare must dwell.
Pelasgis it was Iupiters, and he her cause of blame,
The King her father in exile, her selfe in this defame,
What then remain'd? euen secrecie, to hide her selfe from shame.
Keepe close (quoth she) frō world, ye woods, mine error, Ioue his crime:
And setling theare in simple Caue, did waite her childing tyme.
Did gird at her, maligning Ioue for such his subtill Rape.
And who more ready to controule then Athalanta was?
Whome shortly Meleager brought vnto the selfe same pas.
The Lady Abbesse did discharge Calisto from her Cell,
And (silly Nymph) she, great with child, some other wheare must dwell.
Pelasgis it was Iupiters, and he her cause of blame,
The King her father in exile, her selfe in this defame,
What then remain'd? euen secrecie, to hide her selfe from shame.
Keepe close (quoth she) frō world, ye woods, mine error, Ioue his crime:
And setling theare in simple Caue, did waite her childing tyme.
At length was hairy Arcas borne: no sooner could he go,
But that his wildnes eiked to his wretched Mothers wo:
No beast so strong that he would shunne, and man he neuer sawe,
Nor yeat his vexed mother could from fearcenes him withdrawe.
Long time (the daughter of a King) she liued thus in Caue,
Not wanting griefe, but wanting all that poorest wretches haue?
And (worst of all) her sauage sonne (whose manners did agree
Vnto his birth-place) howerly threats his mothers death to bee:
And angrie once, pursued her so long from place to place,
That euen into the Citie gates he followed her in chase.
The people when they did behold so faire a nimph in flight,
A Beare-like Arcas in pursute, for being naked quite,
His skinne was swart and hairie) they did wonder at the sight:
And some that would his passage stop, he rudely casteth downe,
And spares no spoile vntill the sight was noised through the towne.
Then out came Iupiter in armes, whom, when Calisto knewe,
Helpe Ioue (she cryde) for loe thy sonne his mother doth pursue.
He knewe his Leiman at the first, and ioyed of her sight:
Then kisse they, when the Sauage boy by force did leaue to fight.
Calisto liued Lady-like, yea, Ianos Riuall now,
And Arcas, nobly mannaged, such vertues him indow,
That (Ioue consenting) him for King Pelasgis did allow.
A Sonne well worthy such a Syer, and for his prowes and fame,
Pelasgis then, of Arcas tooke Arcadia name.
But that his wildnes eiked to his wretched Mothers wo:
No beast so strong that he would shunne, and man he neuer sawe,
Nor yeat his vexed mother could from fearcenes him withdrawe.
Long time (the daughter of a King) she liued thus in Caue,
Not wanting griefe, but wanting all that poorest wretches haue?
And (worst of all) her sauage sonne (whose manners did agree
Vnto his birth-place) howerly threats his mothers death to bee:
And angrie once, pursued her so long from place to place,
That euen into the Citie gates he followed her in chase.
The people when they did behold so faire a nimph in flight,
A Beare-like Arcas in pursute, for being naked quite,
His skinne was swart and hairie) they did wonder at the sight:
And some that would his passage stop, he rudely casteth downe,
And spares no spoile vntill the sight was noised through the towne.
Then out came Iupiter in armes, whom, when Calisto knewe,
Helpe Ioue (she cryde) for loe thy sonne his mother doth pursue.
He knewe his Leiman at the first, and ioyed of her sight:
Then kisse they, when the Sauage boy by force did leaue to fight.
53
And Arcas, nobly mannaged, such vertues him indow,
That (Ioue consenting) him for King Pelasgis did allow.
A Sonne well worthy such a Syer, and for his prowes and fame,
Pelasgis then, of Arcas tooke Arcadia name.
Bvt neither might these Ladies faire by any pleasant tale,
Or dazeling toye of mashing loue, (sweet Consorts to preuaile)
Disswade outragious Cacus from vnpatientnes of minde:
Who in his greatest tyrannies did chiefest pleasures finde.
He fleas the harmles Passengers, from eldest soule to childe,
He burnes and spoiles the neighbour parts, and women he defild:
And to his Caue (Troponius Caue) did bring the spoiles he gaines,
In which (except to doe more harme) he secretly remaynes.
Or dazeling toye of mashing loue, (sweet Consorts to preuaile)
Disswade outragious Cacus from vnpatientnes of minde:
Who in his greatest tyrannies did chiefest pleasures finde.
He fleas the harmles Passengers, from eldest soule to childe,
He burnes and spoiles the neighbour parts, and women he defild:
And to his Caue (Troponius Caue) did bring the spoiles he gaines,
In which (except to doe more harme) he secretly remaynes.
Whilst none did passe, that did repasse vnspoiled or vnkild
(None knowing how) all Italie with feare thereof was fild.
But, lo an helpe: when Hercules had slaughtered out-right
Tenne Giants, of Cremona Kings, and put th' eleauenth to flight,
From thence the worthie did ariue with his victorious band
At King Euanders Cittie, that by Auentin did stand.
Amongst a many richer Spoyles, though none to him so rare,
He brought a sort of Spanish kine: Euander taking care,
(Because the like misfortunes oft had hapned theare before,)
Least Hercules should loose his kyne, of which he made such store,
Gaue counsell that within the walles they might be kept all night:
And, better to approoue his words, with teares he did recite
The murthers, thefts, and cruelties, without compassion made
Vpon his subiects and their goods, by whom could not be said,
But that the Gods (for so they gesse) for sinne them so inuade.
I am resolu'd (quoth Hercules) wheare Gods do vengeance craue,
It is not strong or fensiue walles that any thing can saue:
My Kyne shall therefore grase abroad: if mortall man it be,
Then know a Tyrant is my taske, his blood the Taskers fee.
(None knowing how) all Italie with feare thereof was fild.
But, lo an helpe: when Hercules had slaughtered out-right
Tenne Giants, of Cremona Kings, and put th' eleauenth to flight,
From thence the worthie did ariue with his victorious band
At King Euanders Cittie, that by Auentin did stand.
Amongst a many richer Spoyles, though none to him so rare,
He brought a sort of Spanish kine: Euander taking care,
(Because the like misfortunes oft had hapned theare before,)
Least Hercules should loose his kyne, of which he made such store,
Gaue counsell that within the walles they might be kept all night:
And, better to approoue his words, with teares he did recite
The murthers, thefts, and cruelties, without compassion made
Vpon his subiects and their goods, by whom could not be said,
But that the Gods (for so they gesse) for sinne them so inuade.
I am resolu'd (quoth Hercules) wheare Gods do vengeance craue,
It is not strong or fensiue walles that any thing can saue:
My Kyne shall therefore grase abroad: if mortall man it be,
Then know a Tyrant is my taske, his blood the Taskers fee.
54
The Cattell grasing then abroad (as was his vse alwaies)
The Gyant left his cruell Denne to seeke his cursed praies.
The Moone not wanting of her light, the Kine he did espye,
And knowing them, he also knewe his feared Foe was nye.
And far much better feare had bin then malice at that tyde:
But hardly shunneth policie what destinies prouide:
He might haue lurkte a while in Denne, but of a peeuish spight,
Eight of the Kine with fastned cords, by pollicie and might,
He dragged backward by their tailes into his diuelish nest,
Then stopping vp the subtill hole, did laye him downe to rest.
Now Hercules (the rather prickt by King Euanders talke)
Into the fieldes to see his Kine by prime of day did walke:
Where missing eight, he could not gesse which way they should be gō:
A many therefore had in charge, to search them out anon.
The Searchers, following euery signe, great store of footings found
Descending from Mount Auentine into the lower ground:
But for the footings did descend, and not ascend, they thought
Of no such cunning as in deed in Auentine was wrought.
Alcæus Grand-sonne searching long the Thefts he could not finde,
Was much disquieted in himselfe, and angrie in his minde,
And chafing, when he should depart, he twise or thrise did shake
A Tree that grew on Auentine, which rooted vp, did make
So large a vent that one might view they hollow caue belowe,
And Cacus with his Leash of wiues they were disclosed so.
Whome, when the Greeke espied theare, O gracelesse King, he said,
Whose Tyrannies haue made the Realmes of Hespera afraid,
Whose cruelties haue been the cause of al the losse thou hast,
What moueth thee in Italie to prosecute such waste?
Thinkste thou, whom neither mightie Realmes, nor royal Gards of mē
Could late defend, now to escape, inclosed thus in den,
The iust reuengment of the Godds? no, no, the Heauens we see,
Haue brought to light a wretch so lewd, euen by a senceles Tree:
And since that neither wealth nor want to goodnes may thee win,
A greeuous death, condignly, shall cut off thy grounded sinne.
To it did Cacus answere thus: doest thou pursue me still,
Who onely art the chiefest cause of these my doings ill?
Not suffering me to liue the rest of mine vnhappie daies
Among the fruitlesse Rocks, a wretch in miserie alwaies,
Cease further prate: said Hercules, in troth it greeueth much
To see a King in this Distresse, but since thy life is such
As neither in aduersitie, nor prosperous estate
Thou canst affoord one iot of good, I purpose to rebate
Thy wicked daies by worthy death, prepare therefore to dye.
The Gyant left his cruell Denne to seeke his cursed praies.
The Moone not wanting of her light, the Kine he did espye,
And knowing them, he also knewe his feared Foe was nye.
And far much better feare had bin then malice at that tyde:
But hardly shunneth policie what destinies prouide:
He might haue lurkte a while in Denne, but of a peeuish spight,
Eight of the Kine with fastned cords, by pollicie and might,
He dragged backward by their tailes into his diuelish nest,
Then stopping vp the subtill hole, did laye him downe to rest.
Now Hercules (the rather prickt by King Euanders talke)
Into the fieldes to see his Kine by prime of day did walke:
Where missing eight, he could not gesse which way they should be gō:
A many therefore had in charge, to search them out anon.
The Searchers, following euery signe, great store of footings found
Descending from Mount Auentine into the lower ground:
But for the footings did descend, and not ascend, they thought
Of no such cunning as in deed in Auentine was wrought.
Alcæus Grand-sonne searching long the Thefts he could not finde,
Was much disquieted in himselfe, and angrie in his minde,
And chafing, when he should depart, he twise or thrise did shake
A Tree that grew on Auentine, which rooted vp, did make
So large a vent that one might view they hollow caue belowe,
And Cacus with his Leash of wiues they were disclosed so.
Whome, when the Greeke espied theare, O gracelesse King, he said,
Whose Tyrannies haue made the Realmes of Hespera afraid,
Whose cruelties haue been the cause of al the losse thou hast,
What moueth thee in Italie to prosecute such waste?
Thinkste thou, whom neither mightie Realmes, nor royal Gards of mē
Could late defend, now to escape, inclosed thus in den,
The iust reuengment of the Godds? no, no, the Heauens we see,
Haue brought to light a wretch so lewd, euen by a senceles Tree:
And since that neither wealth nor want to goodnes may thee win,
55
To it did Cacus answere thus: doest thou pursue me still,
Who onely art the chiefest cause of these my doings ill?
Not suffering me to liue the rest of mine vnhappie daies
Among the fruitlesse Rocks, a wretch in miserie alwaies,
Cease further prate: said Hercules, in troth it greeueth much
To see a King in this Distresse, but since thy life is such
As neither in aduersitie, nor prosperous estate
Thou canst affoord one iot of good, I purpose to rebate
Thy wicked daies by worthy death, prepare therefore to dye.
When Cacus saw he must perforce so hard a combate trye,
He by inchanted flames againe indeuoured to flye.
But Hercules, deluded once by that deuise before,
Had learned now for being so deceiued any more:
And, casting feare aside, did leape into the flaming Caue,
And theare by Arte did conquer Arte, The Gyant then to saue
Himselfe did take his Axe in hand, wheare Hercules and he
Couragiously bestirre themselues, vntill they did agree
To trye it out in open ayre. So doubtfull was their fight,
That Lookers on could not discerne to whether best should light.
The frighted Ladies did their best to helpe their fighting friend:
But Hercules had victorie, and Cacus had his end.
He by inchanted flames againe indeuoured to flye.
But Hercules, deluded once by that deuise before,
Had learned now for being so deceiued any more:
And, casting feare aside, did leape into the flaming Caue,
And theare by Arte did conquer Arte, The Gyant then to saue
Himselfe did take his Axe in hand, wheare Hercules and he
Couragiously bestirre themselues, vntill they did agree
To trye it out in open ayre. So doubtfull was their fight,
That Lookers on could not discerne to whether best should light.
The frighted Ladies did their best to helpe their fighting friend:
But Hercules had victorie, and Cacus had his end.
CHAP. XII.
For Gyants of Cremona slayne, and Cacus ridded so,The Latine Princes praise on him and presents did bestoe.
Wheare Rome is now, Pallantia then, Euander he did frame
56
And he (intreated thereunto) in Italie did stay:
To honor whom did Princes come from farre and euery way.
King Faunus had affaires abroad, when from Laurentum came
Hs wife Marica (Facua some this louely Queene doe name,)
From liking did she fall in loue with Hercules, and he
(More readie to haue made demaund, then like to disagree)
Conceiuing her by circumstance, so coupled by contract,
That, had King Faunus neuer liu'd, Latinus had not lackt:
Yeat home came Faunus, fathering his late Corriuals act.
But whether gotten lawfully, or thus in loue forbod,
Latinus, Brute his Gran-dames Syer, was sonne vnto a God.
Whilst that in loue of this same Queene, & lande of all besides,
The vanquisher of Vulcans sonne in Italie abides,
Of Calabres a mightie host King Picus he prouides.
And, in reuenge of Cacus, swore his Slayer should be slaine:
But he, ere long, that so did sweare, vnsweared it againe,
When, chased home into his holdes, theare sparred vp in gates,
The valiant Thebane, all in vaine, a following fight awaites.
Who, for dispatch, did fayne himselfe a Legate to the King,
And him the Porters, as the same, before their Tyrant bring.
Then shaking off his ciuil robes, his shining Armes appeare:
And renting downe an Iron sparre, both Prince and people feare.
Some ran to Armor, other some did fight with him their last:
Both Court and Cittie in the end did lay vpon him fast.
Theare Picus, worthely, did winne of valiantnesse a name,
Yeat Hercules more valiantly by death did Picus tame:
And to attend their King his ghost he sendeth flocke by flocke:
His furie was as fier to Ferne, his foes as waues to Rocke,
Nor did his Lyons Spoyle giue place to darting or to knocke.
Meane time his men assault without, whil'st he assayles within,
Wheare fighting to beate downe the Gates he so the Goale did win.
The vanquisher of Vulcans sonne in Italie abides,
Of Calabres a mightie host King Picus he prouides.
And, in reuenge of Cacus, swore his Slayer should be slaine:
But he, ere long, that so did sweare, vnsweared it againe,
When, chased home into his holdes, theare sparred vp in gates,
The valiant Thebane, all in vaine, a following fight awaites.
Who, for dispatch, did fayne himselfe a Legate to the King,
And him the Porters, as the same, before their Tyrant bring.
Then shaking off his ciuil robes, his shining Armes appeare:
And renting downe an Iron sparre, both Prince and people feare.
Some ran to Armor, other some did fight with him their last:
Both Court and Cittie in the end did lay vpon him fast.
Theare Picus, worthely, did winne of valiantnesse a name,
Yeat Hercules more valiantly by death did Picus tame:
And to attend their King his ghost he sendeth flocke by flocke:
His furie was as fier to Ferne, his foes as waues to Rocke,
Nor did his Lyons Spoyle giue place to darting or to knocke.
Meane time his men assault without, whil'st he assayles within,
57
Within the King his ransackt Court he Iole espies,
Whose teares, then mounting frō her hart, dismount thē frō her eyes.
King Picus (now a lifeless corse) was Father of this Mayde:
In vaine therefore did Hercules her pensiuenesse disswayde,
Nor could he but lament her fate, and loue so sweete a face,
Whose person also did containe the type of female grace.
At first she was so farre from loue she rather seem'd to hate,
Yeat could she not so giue the Checke but that she tooke the Mate.
Then eithers loue was eithers life: poore Deianira she
Was out of commons, yea of thought, an other had her fee.
Whose teares, then mounting frō her hart, dismount thē frō her eyes.
King Picus (now a lifeless corse) was Father of this Mayde:
In vaine therefore did Hercules her pensiuenesse disswayde,
Nor could he but lament her fate, and loue so sweete a face,
Whose person also did containe the type of female grace.
At first she was so farre from loue she rather seem'd to hate,
Yeat could she not so giue the Checke but that she tooke the Mate.
Then eithers loue was eithers life: poore Deianira she
Was out of commons, yea of thought, an other had her fee.
With this so faire and portly wench he sayled into Thrace:
And heares how Diomedes did tyrannize in that place.
No Straunger scapes vnransomed: but Raunsome wanting, then
He casteth them, as prouender, to Horses eating men.
A Garde of Tyrants, like himselfe, attending on him still,
Who richly did maintaine themselues, by such their doings ill.
The Scourge of such was moued, not to be remoued now
By Iole, whose louing teares such labours disalow.
With Diomedes and his Garde in Forrest did he meete,
Who with their common Stratagem the Stranger thinke to greete.
Hands of, commaunded Hercules, for Horse I am no hay,
All Straungers Ransom, once for all, my comming is to pay:
Which said, himselfe against them all began a noble fray.
And heares how Diomedes did tyrannize in that place.
No Straunger scapes vnransomed: but Raunsome wanting, then
He casteth them, as prouender, to Horses eating men.
A Garde of Tyrants, like himselfe, attending on him still,
Who richly did maintaine themselues, by such their doings ill.
The Scourge of such was moued, not to be remoued now
By Iole, whose louing teares such labours disalow.
With Diomedes and his Garde in Forrest did he meete,
Who with their common Stratagem the Stranger thinke to greete.
Hands of, commaunded Hercules, for Horse I am no hay,
All Straungers Ransom, once for all, my comming is to pay:
Which said, himselfe against them all began a noble fray.
The sturdie Thracians, mightie men, did hardly loose their ground,
But, than the King, a migthier man not any wheare was found:
These all at once assayle, and strike, and thunder on his Sheeld:
But number fitted to his force, vnwonted so to yeeld.
For with his club he skuffles then amongst their Curets so,
That speedie death was sweeter dole then to suruiue his blo.
Well mounted comes the King himselfe, whom he dismounts anon,
But, rescued to his Horse againe, away he would be gon.
Lesse haste, he said, I Harts our-runne, nor shalt thou me out-ride:
Out-stripping so the man-feade horse, he topled ore his side
The monstrous King, that resculesse to flying people cride.
Who, lying all to frushed thus, the sonne of Ioue did bring
His cruell Iades, that soone deuoure their more than cruell King.
The Thracians all submit themselues, and ioye their Tyrants death,
And thinke some God had left the Heauens to succour men on earth,
From such as what they would they will, and what they will they can,
And what they can they dare and doe, and doing none withstan.
Nor thought they better of the man then did his deeds approue,
That neuer was a Conqueror vnto his owne behoue,
But to establish vertuous men, and Tyrants to remoue.
But, than the King, a migthier man not any wheare was found:
These all at once assayle, and strike, and thunder on his Sheeld:
But number fitted to his force, vnwonted so to yeeld.
For with his club he skuffles then amongst their Curets so,
That speedie death was sweeter dole then to suruiue his blo.
Well mounted comes the King himselfe, whom he dismounts anon,
58
Lesse haste, he said, I Harts our-runne, nor shalt thou me out-ride:
Out-stripping so the man-feade horse, he topled ore his side
The monstrous King, that resculesse to flying people cride.
Who, lying all to frushed thus, the sonne of Ioue did bring
His cruell Iades, that soone deuoure their more than cruell King.
The Thracians all submit themselues, and ioye their Tyrants death,
And thinke some God had left the Heauens to succour men on earth,
From such as what they would they will, and what they will they can,
And what they can they dare and doe, and doing none withstan.
Nor thought they better of the man then did his deeds approue,
That neuer was a Conqueror vnto his owne behoue,
But to establish vertuous men, and Tyrants to remoue.
This common Soldiour of the world with Iole did land
In Lycia, and (the earth in peace) discharged theare his band.
Sweete busses, not sharpe battels, then did alter man and minde,
Till he, as others, sorrowe in securitie did finde.
From Assur went the Empire then when Tonos he had time
To court his Trulles, Arbaces so espying place to clyme:
Secure in Tomyris her flight, was valiant Cyrus slaine:
From Capua, not from Cannas, grew braue Hambal his baine:
The same, to whose victorious Sword a second world was sought,
That Macedon in court, not Campe, to traytrous end was brought:
A louer, not a Soldiour, went Achilles to his graue:
And Cæsar not in steele, but silke, to Rome his farewell gaue,
Euen so, this second vnto none, superior vnto all,
To whom did sooner Causes cease then Conquests not befall,
This monster-Master Hercules, this Tyrant Tamer, hee
Whose high Exploytes, did leaue the earth from spoyle and Spoylers free,
In pleasures did he perish now, that did in perils thriue:
A greeuous Taske I vndertake his dying to reuiue.
In Lycia, and (the earth in peace) discharged theare his band.
Sweete busses, not sharpe battels, then did alter man and minde,
Till he, as others, sorrowe in securitie did finde.
From Assur went the Empire then when Tonos he had time
To court his Trulles, Arbaces so espying place to clyme:
Secure in Tomyris her flight, was valiant Cyrus slaine:
From Capua, not from Cannas, grew braue Hambal his baine:
The same, to whose victorious Sword a second world was sought,
That Macedon in court, not Campe, to traytrous end was brought:
A louer, not a Soldiour, went Achilles to his graue:
And Cæsar not in steele, but silke, to Rome his farewell gaue,
Euen so, this second vnto none, superior vnto all,
To whom did sooner Causes cease then Conquests not befall,
This monster-Master Hercules, this Tyrant Tamer, hee
Whose high Exploytes, did leaue the earth from spoyle and Spoylers free,
In pleasures did he perish now, that did in perils thriue:
A greeuous Taske I vndertake his dying to reuiue.
59
CHAP. XIII.
When
Deianira vnderstood her husbands back returne,
She thought it strange that he frō her so strangely did soiorne:
Explorers sent to search the cause, returne was made that he
Did loyter in a strangers Loue: and Iole was she
That euer hanged at his lips, and hugged was of him,
And that, his armor laid a-part, in silke he courts it trim.
The daughter of th' AEtolian King did little lesse then raue:
And can the churle (quoth she) preferre in loue a captiue Slaue
Before his wife, whom late he faind inferiour vnto none?
Ah Hercules, thou art a man, thy manhood thus is knowne.
Fye, may a forren Strumpets armes so fasten on his necke,
As he (the Rector of the Earth) must bowe if she doth becke?
Oh how vnlike to Hercules is Hercules in this?
But, leauing men to natures fault, in her the lewdness is,
No man so chaste, but such as she may worke to doe amis.
She thought it strange that he frō her so strangely did soiorne:
Explorers sent to search the cause, returne was made that he
Did loyter in a strangers Loue: and Iole was she
That euer hanged at his lips, and hugged was of him,
And that, his armor laid a-part, in silke he courts it trim.
The daughter of th' AEtolian King did little lesse then raue:
And can the churle (quoth she) preferre in loue a captiue Slaue
Before his wife, whom late he faind inferiour vnto none?
Ah Hercules, thou art a man, thy manhood thus is knowne.
Fye, may a forren Strumpets armes so fasten on his necke,
As he (the Rector of the Earth) must bowe if she doth becke?
Oh how vnlike to Hercules is Hercules in this?
But, leauing men to natures fault, in her the lewdness is,
No man so chaste, but such as she may worke to doe amis.
Thus whilst her ouerplus of loue to Ielousie did growe,
She simply minds the spightfull gift that Nessus did bestowe:
And, for he dying spake the words, she held it as her Creede
That it could winne him to her selfe: of which now hauing neede)
She vseth part, and sent a Shirt so boyled as he bad
To Hercules: and Hercules was of the Present glad:
Confessing her his onely Wife: And whilst he did repent
His breach of Loue, on Octa Mount to sacrifice he went.
Philoctes, Pæans valiant Sonne, and Lychas, he that brought
The poysoned Shirt, were present theare, but of no treason thought:
Nor Deiantras selfe (good Soule) till tryall made it playne,
When as his body and the fire gaue moysture to the bayne.
She simply minds the spightfull gift that Nessus did bestowe:
And, for he dying spake the words, she held it as her Creede
That it could winne him to her selfe: of which now hauing neede)
She vseth part, and sent a Shirt so boyled as he bad
To Hercules: and Hercules was of the Present glad:
Confessing her his onely Wife: And whilst he did repent
His breach of Loue, on Octa Mount to sacrifice he went.
60
The poysoned Shirt, were present theare, but of no treason thought:
Nor Deiantras selfe (good Soule) till tryall made it playne,
When as his body and the fire gaue moysture to the bayne.
His stoutnes hid such torments long, as els could none abyde,
Yea till the baine his Bowels and his very Marrow fryde.
But when his torments had no meane, the Altar downe he throes,
And from his martred body rents the gory smoking cloathes:
And striuing to strip off the Shirt he teareth flesh from bone,
And left his breaking Synoees bare, his Intrailes euery one
Did boyle, & burst, & shew themselues where lumps of flesh did lacke,
And still the murdrous Shirt did cleue vnto his mangled backe.
Espying Deianiras Squire, that quaking stood, he saide,
And art thou, wretch, the Instrument of my destruction maide?
Whom swinging then about his head, he slinged downe the hill:
And so did silly Lycas dye, that purposed no ill.
Then running downe from hill to Playne, from Playne to hill againe,
He rents vp Rockes and mightie Hils in error of his paine:
Till, sadly leaning on his Club, he sighing, vowes that none
Should be the death of Hercules but Hercules alone.
And to his friend Philoctes tooke his Arrowes and his Bow,
And gladly to the hallowed fyer, as to his bed did go.
Wheare lying downe, and taking leaue with reared hands to skye,
The Earths Protector so, in peace, amidst the flames did dye.
Yea till the baine his Bowels and his very Marrow fryde.
But when his torments had no meane, the Altar downe he throes,
And from his martred body rents the gory smoking cloathes:
And striuing to strip off the Shirt he teareth flesh from bone,
And left his breaking Synoees bare, his Intrailes euery one
Did boyle, & burst, & shew themselues where lumps of flesh did lacke,
And still the murdrous Shirt did cleue vnto his mangled backe.
Espying Deianiras Squire, that quaking stood, he saide,
And art thou, wretch, the Instrument of my destruction maide?
Whom swinging then about his head, he slinged downe the hill:
And so did silly Lycas dye, that purposed no ill.
Then running downe from hill to Playne, from Playne to hill againe,
He rents vp Rockes and mightie Hils in error of his paine:
Till, sadly leaning on his Club, he sighing, vowes that none
Should be the death of Hercules but Hercules alone.
And to his friend Philoctes tooke his Arrowes and his Bow,
And gladly to the hallowed fyer, as to his bed did go.
Wheare lying downe, and taking leaue with reared hands to skye,
The Earths Protector so, in peace, amidst the flames did dye.
Philoctes, neere o'rgone with griefe, his ashes did conuay
To Italy, inshrined in his Temple there to stay:
And wofull Deianira heares of Hercules decay.
His Ghoste she voucheth and the Gods to witnes that her minde
Was giltles of a traitrous thought: nor thinke me so vnkinde
(Sweet Husband) as to haue the will to ouerliue thee heere,
But that my Ghoste before thy Ghoste it selfe of guile shall cleere:
And now I come, ah now I come, forgiue ye gods the deed
She sayde, and pearsing so her breast, a breathles Corse did bleed.
To Italy, inshrined in his Temple there to stay:
And wofull Deianira heares of Hercules decay.
His Ghoste she voucheth and the Gods to witnes that her minde
Was giltles of a traitrous thought: nor thinke me so vnkinde
(Sweet Husband) as to haue the will to ouerliue thee heere,
But that my Ghoste before thy Ghoste it selfe of guile shall cleere:
And now I come, ah now I come, forgiue ye gods the deed
She sayde, and pearsing so her breast, a breathles Corse did bleed.
61
As
Greekes lament their Champions losse, so did the Phrygians ioy
And Priamus did fortifie his stately Cittie Troy.
Twise Hercules had rased it, and thirdly was it reard
By Pryam, strong in wealth and walles, through Asia lou'd and feard.
He cald to minde Laomedon whom Hercules had slayne,
His Sister too Hesione, that Captiue did remayne
In Salamis with Telamon: and well he was apayde,
In that the Doer of the same liu'd not the Greekes to ayde.
His Sister therefore not restorde, his Legates asking it,
By stealing of the Spartane Queene did Paris cry them quit.
Twelue hundred fiftie fiue war-ships, with men and Armor frought,
By seauenty kings & kingly Peeres, from Greece, to Troy were brought
To winne her thence. King Priamus (besides his Empire great)
Had ayders Princes thirtie three: lesse Lords I not repeate,
Nor Sagitar, that in this warre did many a valiant feate.
Tenne yeres, ten moneths, & twise sixe daies, the siege they did abide:
Eight hundred sixtie thousand Greekes by Troian weapons dide:
Sixe hundred fiftie sixe thousands of Troians fighting men,
Besides the slaughtred at the sacke, by Grecians perisht then:
And (if that Hector, Troilus, and Paris so we name)
Fell fortie Kings: omitting more, of little lesser fame.
Mislike, and ciuill quarrels, when the Grecians homewards drewe,
Did well neere waste the remnant Kings that Phrigia did subdewe.
And Priamus did fortifie his stately Cittie Troy.
Twise Hercules had rased it, and thirdly was it reard
By Pryam, strong in wealth and walles, through Asia lou'd and feard.
He cald to minde Laomedon whom Hercules had slayne,
His Sister too Hesione, that Captiue did remayne
In Salamis with Telamon: and well he was apayde,
In that the Doer of the same liu'd not the Greekes to ayde.
His Sister therefore not restorde, his Legates asking it,
By stealing of the Spartane Queene did Paris cry them quit.
Twelue hundred fiftie fiue war-ships, with men and Armor frought,
By seauenty kings & kingly Peeres, from Greece, to Troy were brought
To winne her thence. King Priamus (besides his Empire great)
Had ayders Princes thirtie three: lesse Lords I not repeate,
Nor Sagitar, that in this warre did many a valiant feate.
Tenne yeres, ten moneths, & twise sixe daies, the siege they did abide:
Eight hundred sixtie thousand Greekes by Troian weapons dide:
Sixe hundred fiftie sixe thousands of Troians fighting men,
Besides the slaughtred at the sacke, by Grecians perisht then:
And (if that Hector, Troilus, and Paris so we name)
Fell fortie Kings: omitting more, of little lesser fame.
Mislike, and ciuill quarrels, when the Grecians homewards drewe,
Did well neere waste the remnant Kings that Phrigia did subdewe.
Thus secure Troy was ouer-set, when Troy was ouer stout,
And ouer rich, was ouer-runne, and tardie lookt about.
The Greekish ships with Phrigian spoiles through Xant & Simoes roe,
For now Antenor had betraid Palladium to the foe,
And with Palladium Priamus: AEneas sought to hide
From Pyrrhus Polyxena (she for whom Achilles dide,
Wherefore vpon Achilles tombe her selfe was after slayne,
What tyme old Hecuba descryde yoong Polydor his bayne)
For which, AEneas banished, did hoyst his sayles to winde,
And, after many perils, rule in Italie did finde.
And ouer rich, was ouer-runne, and tardie lookt about.
The Greekish ships with Phrigian spoiles through Xant & Simoes roe,
For now Antenor had betraid Palladium to the foe,
And with Palladium Priamus: AEneas sought to hide
From Pyrrhus Polyxena (she for whom Achilles dide,
Wherefore vpon Achilles tombe her selfe was after slayne,
What tyme old Hecuba descryde yoong Polydor his bayne)
62
And, after many perils, rule in Italie did finde.
Æneas
dead, Ascanius raign'd: Ascanius dead his brother
Posthumus Syluius did succeed: Lauinia was his mother,
Her Syer Latinus, Faunus his, and Picus him begot,
And Saturne him: From mother thus Posthumus lacked not
The noblest bloud, On Fathers side his petigree was thus:
Ioue had Dardanus, and the same begot Erictheus,
He Troys, Troys Assaracus, he Capys, and the same
Anchises, he AEneas had, of him Posthumus came,
And he was Father vnto Brute: and thus the Brutons bring
Their petigree from Iupiter, of Pagane Gods the King:
And adde they may that Brute his Syer of Venus sonne did spring.
Thrise fiue degrees from Noe was Brute, and fower times sixe was he
From Adam: and from Iaphets house doth fetch his petigree.
Posthumus Syluius did succeed: Lauinia was his mother,
Her Syer Latinus, Faunus his, and Picus him begot,
And Saturne him: From mother thus Posthumus lacked not
The noblest bloud, On Fathers side his petigree was thus:
Ioue had Dardanus, and the same begot Erictheus,
He Troys, Troys Assaracus, he Capys, and the same
Anchises, he AEneas had, of him Posthumus came,
And he was Father vnto Brute: and thus the Brutons bring
Their petigree from Iupiter, of Pagane Gods the King:
And adde they may that Brute his Syer of Venus sonne did spring.
Thrise fiue degrees from Noe was Brute, and fower times sixe was he
From Adam: and from Iaphets house doth fetch his petigree.
Posthumus Syluius perishing in Chace amongst the brakes,
Mistooke for Game by Brute his Sonne, Brute Italy forsakes:
And to associate his Exile, a many Troyans mo
At all aduentures put to seas, vncertein where to go,
To whom did Fortune, Fortunelike, become a friend and foe:
Till Brute (with no lesse payne and praise then had his Grandsier late
Achiued Latium) landing here, suppressed so the state
Of all the Fiend-breed Albinests, huge Gyants fearce and strong,
Or race of Albion, Neptuns Sonne (els some deriue them wrong)
That of this Isle (vn-Scotted yet) he Empire had erelong.
Mistooke for Game by Brute his Sonne, Brute Italy forsakes:
And to associate his Exile, a many Troyans mo
At all aduentures put to seas, vncertein where to go,
To whom did Fortune, Fortunelike, become a friend and foe:
Till Brute (with no lesse payne and praise then had his Grandsier late
Achiued Latium) landing here, suppressed so the state
Of all the Fiend-breed Albinests, huge Gyants fearce and strong,
Or race of Albion, Neptuns Sonne (els some deriue them wrong)
That of this Isle (vn-Scotted yet) he Empire had erelong.
| Albions England | |