Troia Brittanica: or, Great Britaines Troy A Poem Deuided into XVII. seuerall Cantons, intermixed with many pleasant Poeticall Tales. Concluding with an Vniuersall Chronicle from the Creation, untill these present Times. Written by Tho. Heywood |
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 | Troia Brittanica: or, Great Britaines Troy |  |
To the Right Honourable Edward Earle of Worcester, Lord of Chepstoll, Ragland, and Gower, Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter, Mayster of the Horse, and one of the Kinges most Honourable Priuy Councell.
To you, whose Fauour gaue my Muse first breath,
To try in th' Ayre her weake vnable wing,
And soare this pitch, who else had tasted death
Euen in her byrth, from the Castalian spring
She dedicates her labours (as they are)
Though as you see, poore, featherlesse, and bare.
To try in th' Ayre her weake vnable wing,
And soare this pitch, who else had tasted death
Euen in her byrth, from the Castalian spring
She dedicates her labours (as they are)
Though as you see, poore, featherlesse, and bare.
Your Noble hand, to her, supportance gaue,
Euen in her Pen-lesse Age about to fall,
Her Cradle then had beene her Infant graue,
Had not your power and Grace kept her from thrall:
Then by the Muse, by your hie bounty raisde,
Y'are by your Merit and my duty praisde.
Euen in her Pen-lesse Age about to fall,
Her Cradle then had beene her Infant graue,
Had not your power and Grace kept her from thrall:
Then by the Muse, by your hie bounty raisde,
Y'are by your Merit and my duty praisde.
Her power (though weake) yet to her sickly strength
Is willing, your past Graces to record,
Though smothered long, yet she findes time at length
To shew her office to her Patron-Lord,
Wishing (for your sake) that vpholds her still,
Her worth, had correspondence to her will.
Is willing, your past Graces to record,
Though smothered long, yet she findes time at length
To shew her office to her Patron-Lord,
Wishing (for your sake) that vpholds her still,
Her worth, had correspondence to her will.
Then had her Theame, that treats of forren deeds,
Beene only tunde to your desert and Merit,
And you, from whom her nonage Art proceeds,
Should by her Pen, Eternity inherit:
But since (great Lord) her best fruites are but words,
Prise what her hart, not what her Art affoords.
Beene only tunde to your desert and Merit,
And you, from whom her nonage Art proceeds,
Should by her Pen, Eternity inherit:
Prise what her hart, not what her Art affoords.
Tis fit those Lordes which we from Troy deriue,
Should in the Fate of Troy remembred be,
For since their Graund-sire vertues now suruiue,
And with the Spirits of this Age agree,
It makes vs fill our Cantons with such men,
As liuing now, equald theyr vertues then.
Should in the Fate of Troy remembred be,
For since their Graund-sire vertues now suruiue,
And with the Spirits of this Age agree,
It makes vs fill our Cantons with such men,
As liuing now, equald theyr vertues then.
Homer (long since) a Chronicler Diuine,
And Virgill, haue redeemd olde Troy from fire,
Whose memory had with her buildings line
In desolate ruyne, had not theyr desire
Snatcht her fayre Tytle from the burning flame,
Which with the Towne had else consumde her name.
And Virgill, haue redeemd olde Troy from fire,
Whose memory had with her buildings line
In desolate ruyne, had not theyr desire
Snatcht her fayre Tytle from the burning flame,
Which with the Towne had else consumde her name.
Had they surviude in these our flourishing daies,
Your vertues from the auncient Heroes drawne,
In spight of death or blacke obliuions rage,
Should liue for euer in Fames glorious fawne,
Rankt next to Troy, our Troy-novant should be,
And next the Troyan Peeres, your places free.
Your vertues from the auncient Heroes drawne,
In spight of death or blacke obliuions rage,
Should liue for euer in Fames glorious fawne,
Rankt next to Troy, our Troy-novant should be,
And next the Troyan Peeres, your places free.
Nor let your Honour my weake stile despise,
That striues to Register your names with theirs;
For could my numbers like blinde Homers rise,
I would create you, Fames eternall heyres:
Accept my strength, (my weaknesse I bewray)
Had I like Art, I would as much as they.
That striues to Register your names with theirs;
For could my numbers like blinde Homers rise,
I would create you, Fames eternall heyres:
Accept my strength, (my weaknesse I bewray)
Had I like Art, I would as much as they.
Your Honours euer faithfully deuoted, Tho. Heywood.
1
TROIA BRITANICA:
OR, Great Britaines Troy.
Canto. I.
Argumentum
Tytan and Saturne differ, their great strife,Is by their carefull mother (Vesta) ended:
Saturne, his Sister Sybill takes to wife,
And the heyre-males that are from thē descended
He doomes to death: faire Sybil saues the life
Of Iupiter, grim Saturne is offended,
And to the Oracle at Delphos hyes,
Whiles Titan thrugh the earth his fortune tries.
Arg. 2.
The Worlds Creation, gold from the earths veines,Neptune and Plutoes birth, Alpha conteines.
1
This Vniverse with all therein conteined,Was not at first of Water fashioned,
Nor of the Fire, as others oft haue feyned,
Nor of the Ayre, as some haue vainly spred.
Nor the foure Elements in order trained.
Nor of Vacuitie and Atom's bred.
Nor hath it beene Eternall (as is thought
By naturall men) that haue no further sought.
2
Neither hath man in perpetuity bin,And shall on earth eternally perseuer
By endlesse Generation, running in
One circuit; (In corruption lasting euer)
2
Vnder the mid Equator: some indeuour
So to perswade; that man was first begunne,
In the place next, to the life-giuing Sunne.
3
Neither was he of Earth and water framed,Tempered with liuely heat (as others write;)
Nor were we in a former world first named,
As in their curious Problems (some recite:)
Others, more ripe in Iudgement, haue proclaimed,
Man fram'd of clay, in fashion exquisite;
In whom were breath'd sparkes of Celestiall fire,
Whence he still keepes his Nature, to aspire.
4
But this most glorious Vniuerse, was madeOf nothing, by the great Creators will;
The Ocean bounded in, not to inuade
Or swallow vp the Land, so resteth still
The azure Firmament, to ouer-shade
Both Continent, and Waters, which fulfil
The Makers word, one God doth sole extend
Without beginning, and shall see no end.
5
That powerfull Trinity created manAdam, of Earth, in the faire field Damaske,
And of his rib he Euah, formed than,
Supplying them with all things they can aske;
In these first two, Humanity began;
In whom, confinde Ihehovahs six-daies taske.
From Adam then and Euahs first Creation,
It followes we deriue our Brittish Nation.
6
Inspire me in this taske (Ihoues seede I pray)With Hippocrenes drops besprinke my head,
To comfort me vpon this tedious way,
And quicken my cold braine nigh dull and dead;
Direct my wandring spirits, when they stray,
Least forren and forbidden paths they tread:
My iourney's tedious, (blame not then my feares)
My voyage, aymes at many thousand yeares.
3
7
Oh giue me leaue, from the Worlds first Creation,The ancient names of Britons, to deriue
From Adam, to the Worlds first Invndation,
And so from Noah, to vs that yet suruiue:
And hauing of Troyes Worthies made relation,
Your spurs the Chariot of my Muse must driue
Through all past Ages, and precedent times,
To fill this new World with my worthlesse rymes.
8
Oh, may these Artlesse numbers in your eares,(Renowmed Iames) seeme Musically strung,
Your fame (oh Ioves-star'd Prince) spread euery where,
First gaue my still and speech-lesse Muse a tung:
From your Maiestike vertues (prised deare,)
The infant life of these harsh meeters sprung;
Oh, take not then their industrie in skorne,
Who, but to emblaze you, had beene yet vnborne.
9
Not let your Princely Peeres hold in disdaine,To haue their Auncestry stild'e and inrolde
In this poore Register, a higher straine
Their merits aske, since brazen leaues vnfold
Their neuer-dying Fame, yet thus much daine,
Not to despise to heare your vertues told
In a plaine stile, by one, whose wish and hart,
Supplies in zeale, want both of Skill and Art.
10
Times faithfully conferd, the first inuentionOf most thinges now in vse, heare you shall finde,
Annext with these, the vse and comprehention
Of Poësie, once to the Goddes desceind,
Suffer our bluntnesse then, since our intention
Is to good vse, sent from a zealous mind.
If Stones in Lead set, keepe their vertues: then,
Your worth's the same, though blazde by a rude Pen.
11
In the Worldes Child-hood, and those Infant-daies,When the first earth was in her strength and prime,
Of her owne nature yeilding plants and Spraies,
Flowers, both for smell and Medicine: when each time
4
To ripen fruites in their conuenient time;
Before the labouring Swaine with'is iron plow,
Made furrowed wrinkles in the Earths smooth brow.
2
When men were gouernd more by Will, then Art,And had their appetites by Nature swayde,
When Fraud was vnbegot, and had no part
In the worlds Empire; before Coyne was made,
When man his mutuall fortunes did impart
Without Extortion, Guile, or Vsurers trade;
Before smooth Cunning was to ripenesse growne,
Or diuellish Wax and Parchment yet were knowne.
3
I meane the golden world, the purest Age,That knew not brazen warre, or fatall steele,
For war was in his cradle: yron age
Bred but his teeth: yet did the world not feele
His rauenous phangs, no man did battell wage,
Or try the inconstant course of Fortunes wheele;
There was twixt king and king no grim defiance,
Nor bands (saue of affection and alliance.)
4
Then liu'd Vranus a great Lord in Creet,To Æthra and great Demogorgon heire,
He married with a Lady bright and sweet,
Vesta through all those climes (sur-nam'd the faire)
With two young lads she did her Husband greet,
Tytan and Saturne, at two births she bare:
Tytan the eldest, crooked, and il-fac't,
Saturne well shap't, faire spoke, and comely grac't.
5
Vranus, in his hopefull issue famed,Begot on Vesta two faire Daughters more,
The first Sibilla, the last Ceres named,
Fairer were neuer seene in Creet before.
Both were by Nature in her cunning framed,
Out of her beauties choise, and purest store:
Tytan, was for his vgly shape abhord,
But Saturne, for his comlinesse adord.
5
6
This Saturne, was the first by whose inuentionThe Earth was Til'd, and Ear'd, and gaue increase,
Before his fruitfull daies, was neuer mention
To sowe, or plant; Till then a generall peace
Was made twixt th'earth and vs, our apprehention
Strecht not to know her secrets: Now gan cease
Blind Ignorance in man, Saturne first found,
To till, to plow, to sow, to reape the ground.
7
He likewise was the first that strung the bow,And with a feathered Arrow pierst the Aire,
Phæbus at first, admired, and did not know
What new made Birds could flie so swift and faire,
Mistaking Saturnes shafts, for who would trow,
Mans wisedome could inuent a thing so rare,
(Being Earth-bred) to stretch his braine so hie,
As teach his shafts way through the empty skie.
8
And now began th'amaz'd Earth to admire,To see such strange fruites in her bosome growing;
To see her head weare such vnknowne attire,
To see the Swaines, some planting, others sowing;
Now first began the birds to pearch them hier,
And shun mans sight, still wondering, but not knowing,
How men below on th'earths verdure lying,
Should reach into the aire, and strike them flying.
9
To kill the Sauadge beast he likewise taught,And how to pierce the Serpents skale from farre,
By him, the wilde-swift-running Hart was caught,
He first deuis'd for vs the vse of warre;
He shewd which mines of earth be good, which naught,)
Which be the veines of Gold, which siluer are;
He Minerals first found, and from the mold,
To decke his Pallace, brought refined gold.
10
Yet some great Saturnes glory would deface,And say, that Cadmus first this mettall found
In high Pangeus, a huge hill in Thrace,
Else Thoas and Eaclis searcht the ground
6
Knowne in such precious mettals to abound:
Some, twixt Erichthon and Ceacus deuide,
Finding bright siluer (first in Athens tride.)
11
Idei Dactili Iron mettall wroughtIn Creet: some deeme, two Iewes in Cipres made it,
Selmentes and Damnameneus brought
The Ore from thence, and to their vse assaide it;
For yellow Brasse the sly Pannonians sought,
The Scithian Lydus, with the fire allaid it,
And taught it first to melt; which some suppose,
The Phrigian Delos did by Art disclose.
12
Midacritus a Minerall more then theseBrought from a Prouince that belongs to Spaine,
Lead: from the Ilands Cassiterides,
Which some would Attribute to Tuball-Caine.
Glaucus all Mettals brought beyond the seas
Taught how to sother, (else their vse were vaine.)
The first Smiths-forge, the blacke Calibians made,
And after taught the Ciclopes their trade.
13
Cyniras: the Stythee, leuer, Tongs and File,Pyrodes was the first from flint stroke fire,
Which how to keepe in matches longer while
Prometheus taught: This Vulcan did acquire:
The bellowes: Anacharsis in the Isle
Cal'd Scithes, and thus men did still aspire
For knowledge; and in seuerall Countries nurst
These Arts, of whom we hold king Saturne first.
14
Therefore the Cretan people much esteemed him,And cal'd him God on earth for his rare wit;
Much honor he receiu'd which they beteem'd him,
And in their populer iudgements held it fit
To burne him Mirrhe and Insence, for they deem'd him
Worthy alone amongst the Gods to sit,
Perswaded such a high inuentious straine,
Could not proceed from any Mortals braine.
7
11
As these rare guifts the giddy Commons noted,So in his mothers hart they tooke Impression,
Who on her sonnes perfections inly doted,
Making for him her daily intercession,
Thus in a Sea of sweet content he floted;
For who, but of his vertues made confession?
In processe, and the chiefe of Saturnes pride,
The old Vranus craz'd, fell sicke and dide.
12
After a few sad funerall sighes and tearesBy Vesta, o're her husbands body shed,
In crooked Tytan, to the world appeares
A strong intention, to impale his head
With his dead fathers Crowne: This Vesta feares,
And calling Saturne, thus to him she sed:
My dearest sonne, tis by the Lords decreed,
That in Vranus Prince-dome, thou succeed.
13
Thy brother Tytan, though in Age before thee,Yet in thy wisedome thou hast him out-stript;
Thou hast the popular loue, they all adore thee,
His blasted hopes, are in the blossome nipt;
With Coine, with Men, with Armor, I will store thee,
Let him stand fast, or he shall sure be tript:
Both Lords and people, ioyne with me thy mother,
To invest Saturne, and depose thy brother.
14
With that, before her sonne could make reply,Where they were speaking, rusht bold Tytan in,
A storme was in his brow, fier in his eye,
After some tempest, he doth thus begin:
Must then young Saturne raigne? Oh, tell me why?
Am I a Bastard, and begot in sinne?
Hath Vesta playd the strumpet with my Father,
That you despise me, and elect him rather?
15
Was I not of that Virgin-wombe the first?And lay I not as neere your heart as he?
Was I not of those breasts before him nurst?
And am I not his Elder in degree?
8
Your Mayden-birth, and your first progeny:
Before him I was borne, and to be plaine,
(By all the Goddes) I will before him raigne.
16
Had I not in your wombe, the selfe-same being?Am I not of the selfe-same bloud created?
Is not my Royalty with his agreeing?
Is not my birth before his Anti-dated?
Is elder Tytan, now not worth the seeing?
Must in my right, that young boy be instated?
Hath he so well, or I so ill deseru'd:
No: first I came, and I will first be seru'd.
17
And turning to young Saturne, with an eyeThreatning reuenge, and ruyne to his life,
Prin-cox (quoth he) must you be plac't so hye,
The only darling of Vranus wife?
Canst thou so soone out-leape me? Thou shalt die,
And in thy fatall obits end this strife;
Then, with his fatall blade he blest his head,
Had the blow falne, it had strooke Saturne dead.
18
But Vesta staide it comming, and withallCame Ceres and Sibilla thrusting thither,
They hugge young Saturne, but on Tytan fall,
Thundring on him with clamors, altogither,
The yonger brother they their Soueraigne call,
And bid the elder packe, they care not whither:
The people second them: thus in disgrace,
The Stigmaticke is forst to leaue the place.
19
But hauing better with himselfe aduised,Tytan and Saturne thus the strife decide,
That Tytan (for his shape so much despised)
Should leaue the Scepter vnto Saturnes guide,
And so to stint all mallice enterprised;
But after Saturnes death, the Crowne t'abide
To Tytan and his heyres, by his last will;
So Saturne sweares all his heyres male to kill.
9
20
King Saturne must not let a sonne suruiueTo keepe his brothers Issue from the Crowne,
Only his Daughters he may saue aliue,
These Couenants are betwixt them both set downe:
Hence-forth, no more these haughty brothers striue,
For eyther by Indenture knowes his owne:
The Crowne is Saturnes, due to Tytans seed,
To make which good, all Saturnes sonnes must bleed.
21
The elder brother, thus o'reswaide with might,Cannot indure that Clyme, but seekes another,
To see his yonger throned in his right,
Or to be cal'd a Subiect to his brother,
And therefore full of anger and despight,
He leaues his Countrey, Sisters, and his mother;
And to be rid at once of his disgraces,
He seekes aduentures strange, in forren places.
22
Where Fortune his attempts so much befrended,That many Warlike Nations he subdud'e,
No quest, saue Armes and valour, he intended,
And how by Vsurpation to intrude
Into the rightes of others, who defended
Their Honors, both by strength and multitude:
Thus he of many Islands raignes sole King,
And all the World, of Tytans Actes doth ring.
23
Yet into Creet he daily sendes espiall,To know if Saturne made his Couenant good,
Forcing his slye skouts (mauger all deniall)
To bring him word, how Saturnes glory stood,
Whether of Mariage he had yet made tryall,
Or hauing Children male, had spilt their bloud;
Knowing himselfe to be sufficient strong,
By force of Armes, to right his former wrong.
24
So with his fiue and forty Sonnes makes thence,With fayre Tytea, mother to seuenteene
Of that large broode; all these with rage dispence,
And by their late attonement, Exiles beene.
10
Hoping well Armed once more to be seene,
And with their brood of Tytanois to meet,
And tug with Saturne, for the Crowne of Creet.
25
Rhea (of all the beauteous daughters fairest)Brides with Hiperion, her best-lou'd Brother:
He likewise, for his feature was the rarest
Of Tytans sonns (there liu'd not such another)
Oh sweet Hiperion, thou in shape comparest
With all the Gyant yssue of thy mother;
At seuerall byrths, two Babes she childed soone,
The male she cald the Sunne; Female, the Moone.
26
The tother Tytans fearing, to these twoTheir Fathers Conquests should in time descend,
A monstrous Act they haue intent to do,
Whose scandall shall beyond both Poles extend,
And none but Parricides would yeild vnto,
For they that should their Brothers life defend
Conspire together, and gainst right or reason,
In dead of night, they seeke his death, by Treason.
27
But first they take his little sonne, the Sunne,And to the floud Eridanus (well knowne,
That streames along their Coast:) In hast they run,
Where the young Lad amongst the waues is throwne,
This, when his tender Sister knew was dun,
From a high Rocke, her selfe she tumbled downe:
In pitty of whose beauties, grace, and yeares,
The Gods translate them, to the brightest Spheres.
28
Meane time, the new made King of Creet's renowneIncreast so much, that he was term'd a God,
He was the first that ware a Lawrell Crowne,
The first that venter'd on the Seas, and rod
In triumph on the waters; (this being knowne)
They held them happiest, that could make abod
In his blest Prouince, which being well conducted,
Kings sent their Sonnes to him, to be instructed.
11
25
Saturne in those daies was helde onely wise,Many young Princes in his Court were trained,
He taught them both the vse of Seas and Skies,
And what hid wealth within the Earth remained;
Then gan he Citties build, and Lawes deuise,
for an Irregular people he disdained:
The mynerall mountaine-veines he vnder-minde,
And was the first, that perfect Golde refinde.
26
Yet neuer did this King in ought miscarry,Hauing what Earth, and Sea, and Ayre could yeild,
Happy in all thinges, saue, he durst not marry,
He sees the gorgeous house, he late did build
Shine with reflecting Gold (his obiects varry)
He sees his ripe corne, growing in the field,
He sees the wilde Birds by his Archers caught,
Pierst with those shafts, whose vse before he taught.
27
He sees the vast Seas, by his Oares deuided,And the deeepe waters, without danger past,
By Art of Sayle and Rudder, they are guided,
(What greater happinesse could Mortall tast?)
But when the Couenant long before decided
Twixt him and Tytan he records, at last,
It pierst his hart with sorrow: for his life
Seemes to him tedeous, led without a wife.
28
What bootes him all his Honours and ritch state?His wealths-increase, and all his worldly pleasure?
For whom doth he rise early, and sleepe late?
Hauing no heyre, to inherite all his Treasure:
He knowes he hath incur'd his Brothers hate,
Yet must his seed, make of his kingdome seazure:
He enuyes his owne wealth, bicause he knowes,
All his life time he toyles, t'enrich his foes.
29
He loues his Sister Sybill (yet not soThat if she children haue, their blouds to spill)
And yet his timerous passions howerly grow,
Nor can he on her beauty gaze his fill:
12
If shee haue Issue, he her sonnes must kill,
So that he wishes now, (but all too late)
That for his vow, he might Exchange his state.
30
In this distraction many dayes he dwelt,Till Loue at length in Saturnes hart preuailed,
Such feruent passions in his brest he felt,
That spight his Oath, (which he so much bewailed)
He feeles his soft thoughts in his bosome melt:
(Needs must he yeild whom such faire lookes assailed)
And now vpon this desperate point he stood,
To wade t'her bed, thogh throgh his childrens blood.
31
This can great Apis witnesse, who that timePeloponessus gouern'd: This records
Iubalda, who the Spanish seat doth clime;
This Craunus kneel'd to by th'Italian Lords:
This Satron, who the Gaules rul'd in his prime,
Now to Semiramis Assyria affords
The Monarchy: who after Ninus dide,
Married her Sonne, and perisht by his pride.
32
The marriage rights with solemne feasts are done,Sybill both wife and sister; the first Queene
That raign'd in Creete, hath now conceiu'd a sonne,
Neuer hath lesse applausiue ioy bin seene
At such a Brides Conception: the time's come
The long suspensiue daies expired beene:
For if a male, his blood the Earth must staine,
A male she brought forth, and the Lad was slaine.
33
For so the King commanded, being a King,He thought it base if he should breake his word,
Oh golden dayes, of which the Poets sing,
How many can this Iron age afford
That hold a promise such a precious thing,
Rather to yeeld their children to the sword,
Then that the world should say, thy oath thou brakest,
Or wast so base, to eate the word thou spakest.
13
33
Such difference is twixt this, and that of gold,We in our sinnes are stronger; Vertues weaker;
Words tide them fast, but vs no bonds can hold;
They held it vil'd, to be a promise-breaker;
A Lyar was as strange in times of old,
As to find out amongst vs, a true speaker:
Their harts were of pure mettall, ours haue flawes,
Now lawes are wordes; in those daies, wordes were lawes.
34
The Funerall of the first slaine infant ended,And the sad daies of mourning quite expir'd,
At which the pittious Queene was most offended,
But now her spirits with dull sorrowes tired,
The King a second metting hath intended,
And the Queenes nuptiall bed againe desired;
Sibill conceiues, and in her wombe doth cherish,
More children, ready in their birth to perish.
35
And growing neere her time, the sorrowfull father,Displeas'd to see his wife so apt to beare,
Who for his vowes-sake wish her barren rather,
(The murther of his first sonne toucht him neare,)
Sends through his Land, a kingly traine to gather,
And makes for Delphos, hoping he shall heare
Some better comfort from the Delphian shrine,
Whose Oracles the king esteemes diuine.
36
He therefore first his sacrifice prepares,And on Apollos Altar Incense burnes,
Then kneeling to the Oracle, his praiers
Mount with the sacred fume, which neare returnes,
Tell the pleas'd God acquainted with his cares
Lookes downe from heauen, & sees him how he mourns,
Desiring that his power would nothing hide,
But tell, what of her next birth should betide.
37
With that there fell a storme of Raine and Thunder,The Temple was all fire, the Alter shooke,
The golden roofe aboue, and pauement vnder,
14
To see what heauenly power had caus'd this wonder,
Faine he the holy place would haue forsooke,
When th'Oracle thus spake: thy wife growes great,
With one that shall depose thee from thy seat.
38
For from her royall wombe shall one proceed,That in despight of thee in Creet shall dwell,
So haue the neuer-changing fates decreed,
Such is the Oracles (thrice sacred) spell;
A sonne shall issue from king Saturnes seed,
That shall enforce his father downe to Hell,
This heard, the discontented king arose,
And (doubly sad) away to Creet he goes.
39
What shall he do, faire Sibils time drawes neere,And if the Lad which she brings forth suruiue,
The newes will stretch vnto his brothers eare,
To whom he sware to keepe no male aliue,
Besides a second cause he hath to feare,
Least he his father, from his kingdome driue,
Then, to preuent these ils, he swears (on hie,)
Inspight of fate, the infant borne shall die.
40
Yet when the King his first sonnes death records,In his resolued thoughts it breeds relenting,
The bloudy and vnnaturall act affords
His troubled thoughts, fresh cause of discontenting,
None dare approach his presence, Queene, nor Lords,
That to his first childs death had bin consenting:
The first vnnaturall act appeares so vilde,
The king intends to saue his second childe.
41
So oft as he the murder cals to mind,So oft he vowes the second son to saue,
But thinking on his couenant, grows vnkind,
And doomes it straight vnto a timelesse graue;
Againe, the name of sonne would pitty find,
And for his oth some refuge seekes to haue:
But when the Oracle he doth recall,
The very thought of that, confounded all.
15
42
So deare to him his Crowne and state appearedThat he his pompe before his blood preferred,
It ioyes him to commaund, and to liue feared,
And now he thinkes his foolish pitty erred,
And setting light his issue, seemes well cheared,
His fortune to the Goddes he hath referred,
Rather then loose his Scepter, tis decreed,
Had he ten thousand brats, they all should bleed.
43
Resolu'd thus: newes is brought him by his mother,That Sibell (late in trauell) is deliuer'd
Of two faire Twins, a Sister, and a Brother,
At this report, his heart is well nigh shiuer'd,
Go, spare the t'one (quoth he) and kill the tother;
Alas (saith she) we women are pale-liuer'd
And haue not heart to kill: no beast so wilde
Or brutish, but would spare so sweete a childe.
44
And shall a father then so madly fareWith his owne issue, his childs blood to spill?
And whom the Tigers and fell beasts would spare,
Shall reasonable man presume to kill?
The birds more tender ore their young ones are,
Fishes are kind vnto their issue still.
Fish, bird, and beast, in sea, Aire, earth, that breedeth,
Though reasonlesse, her tender young ones feedeth.
45
Further she was proceeding, when the son,An irefull frowne vpon his mother threw,
Away (quoth he) and to Sibilla run,
And let the same hand that my first borne slew
Destroy this to, for as we haue begun,
We will persist, the Lady sad, withdrew,
Affraide and greeu'd at once, to see him moued,
Whom, as her King (she fear'd) her son; she loued.
46
No sooner was she out of sight, but heOne of his trusty seruants cals on hye,
Who waits his pleasure on his bended knee,
16
Say, if the brat suruiue, Sibill and she
As Traytors to our person, both shall die:
Hees gone, and little in the King doth lacke,
At his departure to haue cal'd him backe.
47
Twice was the word halfe out, and twice kept in,Faine he would haue it done, and faine neglected,
He thinkes dam'd Parricide on vgly sinne,
But worse he thinkes from State to be deiected,
Neuer hath Prince in such distraction bin,
His bloud he lou'd, his kingdome he affected:
But since he cannot both at once enioy,
His state hee'l saue, his yssue hee'l destroy.
48
Ambition to his fiery rage gaue fewell,He now remembers not his Sibils teares,
Whose tender hart laments, to lose her Iewell,
No sparke of pitty in his looke appeares,
It sports him only to be tearmed cruell,
At name of Father, now he stops his eares;
Had not his Crown, more then his couenant tempted,
Sybill, thy sonne had bin from death exempted.
49
But the commaund is gone, and in his breastHe now reuolues the vilenesse of the deed,
Scepter, and Crowne, and life he doth detest,
Within him, his remorcefull entrailes bleed;
And now at length, the King would thinke him blest,
Might he togither perish with his seed:
And that which most his Melancholy furthers,
He knowes, the world condems him for his murthers.
50
No ioy can cheere, no obiect make him glad,The dayes in sighes, the nights in teares he spends,
Nothing can please him: (be it good or bad)
His troubled and craz'd sences it offends,
That he is now surnam'd, Saturne the Sad,
He sets not by alliance, strangers, friends;
Here leaue him in the depth of his dispaires,
A melancholy King, composde of cares.
17
51
And to the Queene returne who sadly waitesHer Infants execution or repreeue,
Did Saturne see this boy (she thus debates)
That he would kill him, I can scarce beleeue?
Alas: poore infants borne to wofull fates,
What corsicke hart such harmelesse soules can greeue;
Thus lies the Queene, til from her Lord she heare,
Halfe chear'd with hope, and halfe destroy'd through feare.
52
In Vesta comes; her sad cheare Sybill spies,And in her bed (though weake) her selfe sh'aduanced,
She might haue read the Message in her eies,
For as vpon the smiling Babe she glanced,
She fil'd the chamber with lowd shreekes and cries,
At which the wofull mother was intranced:
The Grandam, in her eyes the kings wil showing,
The mother, by her lookes, her meaning knowing.
53
Not long in this strange sorrow they remained,But the kings seruant mongst the women presseth,
A generall flush the Matrons cheekes hath stained,
And his owne blush ioyning with theirs, confesseth
That place vnfit for him; yet none complained,
For euery one his cause of comming gesseth;
Knowing the gentle knight, would not present him
In such a place, vnlesse the king had sent him.
54
On whom, as more attentiuely they gaze,Thus wils the king (quoth he) my sonne shall die;
In vaine with sorrowfull teares your eies you glaze,
Or fill this chamber with a generall cry,
He for the heart of his young infant staies;
Which if his mother, or his Queene deny,
They shall abide like doome, hee'l haue their harts;
The message ended thus: the knight departs.
55
So long in sorrowes simpathy they mourn'd,That with excesse of griefe their soules were tired,
Now for a space they haue their feares adiourn'd,
18
At length their mourning into madnesse turn'd;
(Quoth Sibell) no base murtherer shall be hired
To worke this out-rage, so the king hath wild,
And by my hand the sweete babe shall be kild.
56
With that a knife the wrathfull Sibell snatcht,And bent the point against the infants brest,
Thinking to haue his innocent life dispatcht,
And sent his soule vnto eternall rest;
The Lad his mother by the bosome catcht,
And smiling in her face, that was addrest
To strike him dead, away she hurles the knife,
And saith (sweet babe) that smile hath sau'd thy life.
57
Then giue it me quoth Vesta, for take heed,My son hath charg'd vs on our liues, to slay him,
The infant by his Grandams hand shall bleed,
So wils the king (whats she that dares gainsay him?)
My aged hand shall act this ruthlesse deed,
And I that should protect him, will betray him,
She aimes to strike, at which the infant smilde,
And she insteed of killing; kist the childe.
58
Are you so timerous (quoth the Midwife by?)Or do you count this babe so deare a treasure?
Know you not, if we saue him we shall die,
And shall we hazard death in such high measure?
Though you would slight it, by my life not I;
I am more fearefull of the kings displeasure:
With that, a keener blade the Beldam drew,
The babe still smild, away the knife she threw.
59
When they behold the beauty of the Lad,They vow within themselues his life to saue,
But then the kings Iniunction makes them sad,
And straight (alas) they doome it to the graue;
Now with their blades in hand, like Beldams mad,
They menace death: then smiles the pretty knaue,
Then fall their kniues, then name they the kings will,
And then againe they threat the babe to kill.
19
60
Three times by turnes the Infant past their hands,And three times thrice, the kniues point toucht his skin,
And each of them as oft confounded stands,
(Such pitty did his smiling beauty win)
That more then they esteeme their liues or lands,
They all abhor the vilenesse of the sinne;
At length they all consult with heedfull care,
To saue their owne liues, and the childe to spare.
61
Saith Vesta, in the bordering Prouince dwelsOld Mellisseus, a renowned King,
His daughters I brought vp in sacred Spels,
And taught them Chares, to sow, to weaue, to sing,
No Lady liuing these bright Dames excels
In vertuous Thewes, good graces, euery thing;
To these my little Graund-child I will send,
And to their trust, this pretious charge commend.
62
Faire Almache and Mellissee I know,(For so these vertuous Ladies haue to name)
Will when they vnderstand what Queene doth owe
This royall yssue, and from whence it came,
Their best and choysest entertainment shew,
And to no eare our secret Act proclaime;
Thus they conclude, all needfull things are fatcht,
And on her way a trusty mayde dispatcht.
63
Who in the Citty Oson safe ariuing,To the two Sisters she her charge presents,
They glad to heare of Vesta still suruiuing,
Yet grieued at her cause of discontents,
Welcome the Damsell, In their honors striuing
To cheere her, who as doubtfull still laments,
Not knowing yet how the young Prince shall speed,
Or what the prouident sisters haue decreed.
64
The courteous virgins, hearing the sad storyOf vertuous Sybill and her sonne related,
Both for the mother and the Sonne, are sorry,
20
They hold their womanish pitty much more glory
Then to be rude, and cruell estimated,
And now their studies are, the Babe to hide,
And for his carefull fostring to prouide.
65
They beare him to a Mountaine, in whose brow,A Caue was dig'd, the round mouth was so strait,
That at the entry, you of force must bow,
But entred once, the roome was full of State,
This Cauerne for the darknesse, they allow
To shield the Infant from the Fathers hate;
Which being selected as a place most meet,
The Damsell is againe sent backe to Creet.
66
With milke of Goates they nurst him for a space,Till Fortune on a time so well prouided,
That when to still the Babe (who cride apace)
They sounded Cymbals, and with tunes deuided
Strook on their Tymbrels, by some wondrous grace,
A swarme of Bees was by, that Musicke guided
Into the place, who made the Caue their Hiue,
And with their Hony, kept the Child aliue.
67
By this the Damsell is return'd againe,And all the newes to Vesta hath related,
What prouident care the royall Dames haue tane
To saue the Prince, how well they haue requited
Her former loue; still Saturne thinkes it slaine,
Being with the terror of his death affrighted,
Which in the Kings opinion, to make good,
Vesta salutes him with a cup of blood.
68
An Abbest stone into the bole was brayed,It shew'd like the Babes hart, beaten to powder,
The Dowager in funerall blacke arrayed,
With reuerence to her Son and Soueraigne bowed her,
(Women haue teares at will) their wiles to ayde,
And she hath plenty to her plot allowed her;
See here (quoth she) and as she more would say,
Griefe strikes her mute, and turnes her head away.
21
69
Againe she would proceed, againe she faileth,But the third time begins her sad Oration:
See heere thy sonne, whose losse thy wife bewaileth,
Murdered and massacred in piteous fashion;
In vaine against the froward fate she raileth,
In vaine she teares her eies in extreame passion,
Saturne hath to this cruell act constrain'd her,
And see of thy young son the poore remainder.
70
Now maist thou keepe thine oath with Titans seed,Yet that thou cruell art, I needs must tell thee,
Neuer did Tiger father such a deed,
In tiranny the Wolues cannot excell thee?
Now maist thou safely weare thy imperiall weed,
(Can this thy issue from thy throne expell thee?)
This blood can neuer gouerne in thy sted,
Alas poore Grand-child, thou too late hast bled.
71
Th'vnwelcome newes seeme welcome to his cares,And yet he wishes they awhile had staide;
That the vil'd deed is done, he glad appeares,
Yet in his gladnes, he seemes ill apaid:
She moues the king with her laments and teares,
(What cannot weeping women men perswade?)
The king in sorrow of his sonne late dead,
Vowes euer to abiure Queene Sibels bed.
72
And whilst the warme blood reek't before his eies,No wonder if he purpost as he spake,
But when the beauty of his Queene he spies,
Her graces mou'd him, and his vow he brake:
Such charming vertue in her beauty lies,
That he forgets the rash oth he did make;
And rather then his nuptiall sweets forbeare,
Hee'l sacrifice a young sonne euery yeare.
73
These stormes blowne ouer, and their sorrowes spent(For violent tempests neuer long remain'd)
The king young Iuno to Parthemia sent,
22
To doe her honors, is his whole intent,
Since his sonnes bloud by timelesse Fate is drained:
Nor maruell, if to honor her he striue,
Knowing (saue her) no Issue left aliue.
74
Time keepes his course, the King and Queene oft meet,And once againe she hath conceiu'd a Male,
The Lad in secret is conveyde from Creet
To Athens, in a vessell swift of sayle;
Th' Athenian King, they with the Infant greet,
Who the Babes fortunes sadly doth bewaile,
And the young Neptune fairely doth intreat,
And traynes him like the sonne of one so great.
75
The husband-King, who no such guile surmised,Is by the crafty women mock't againe;
New teares are coin'd, a second tricke deuised,
To make him thinke that Issue likewise slaine:
Once more the King with sadnesse is surprised,
Once more appeasd (for teares he knowes are vaine,)
Againe the King and Queene are met in bed,
And in small processe, she againe is sped.
76
A sonne and daughter at this birth she bare,The sonne she hides, the daughter she discloseth,
The sonne she Pluto named, the winde stood faire,
And him into Thessalia she disposeth,
The messenger applies with earnest care
Her tedious iourney, for no time she loseth:
Whilst the twin-brother she is forst to hide,
Her daughter Glauca in her childhood dide.
77
Neptune was nurst by Aruo, after growingTo manhood, fairefoot Amphitrite hee
would haue espousde, but she her beauty knowing,
Despisde the Sea God, thinking to liue free,
wherefore he sends the Dolphin, who straight showing
His masters thoughts, the Louers soone agree,
For with the Dolphins signe to Heauen was borne,
And plast on hye, not farre from Capricorne.
23
78
The vntam'd Gennet he did first bestride,And made him seruant to the vse of Man,
(Before him) no man durst presume to ride,
(Famous alone he was in Athens than)
He coupled first the Steedes, and curbd their pride,
And by his Art, the armed Chariot ran:
Therefore, as greatest honor to his state,
The Horse to him was freely consecrate.
79
And when he trauels o're the foamy waues,With foure Sea-palfreys he is drawne along,
By sundry Nymphes and Girls, (whose loue he craues,)
Four-score fayre sonnes he got, surpassing strong,
Who Cittyes built, and menac't Hostile braues
Gainst Tyrants, that vsurpt their States by wrong:
He Riders grac't, and Sea-men gladly cheared,
And by his hands, the wals of Troy were reared.
80
To him three Temples consecrated were,Of great Magnificence; In Isthmus one,
In Tenarus a second did appeare,
A structure (in that Isle) famous alone,
A third to him the stowt Calabrians reare,
Semblant to these, through all the world were none;
Vpon these shrines to make his glories full,
The people vsde to sacrifice a Bull.
81
Pluto (whom some call Mammon) God of gold,Who (after) did the Tartar kindome seaze,
As Ioue a Scepter in his hand doth hold,
Neptune the Trident, so he graspes the Keies:
Some thinke this God inhabited of old
Hiberia, him the Pyren mountaines please,
Of whom and Proserpine his rauisht Btide,
Desist; to speake what Iuno did betide.
82
Thus eldest Iupiter liues in a CaueNeere Oson, nurst with Hony from the Bees,
Th' Athenian King did the young Neptune saue,
24
Athens the well of knowledge, and the Graue
Of Ignorance, where Neptune safety sees:
Pluto the yongest of the three, doth dwell
In lower Thessaly, since tearmed Hell.
83
The time these liued, was Patriarch Isaac borne,In Lybia Affer raignde, Brigus in Spaine,
By Inachus, the Argiue Crowne is worne:
Aratus doth the Assyrian state maintaine;
Now Sodom and Gomorrha to ashes turne,
Pelloponesus doth Ægidius gaine,
Germania is vpheld by Herminon,
And Æthyopia sway'd by Phaeton.
84
Saturne, that of his three sonnes nothing knew,Doted on louely Iuno, and oft sent
Vnto her place of Nurture, where she grew
Faire and well featur'd, there her youth she spent,
Whose soiorne in Parthemia Saturne drew
To visite her (on earth his sole content)
Many rare presents, and rich guifts he brought her,
Where leaue him in Parthemia with his daughter.
27
The end of the first CANTO.
28
Canto. 2.
Argumentum
Young Dardanus his brother Iasius slew,And leaues the Countrey where he sought to rayne
Warre twixt th'Epirians and Pelagians grew,
Lycaon is by Ioue exilde, not slaine:
Iupiter of Calisto taking view,
A votresse, and one of Dians traine;
Loues, and is loath'd, the Virgin is beguild,
Clad like a mayd, he gets the Mayd with child.
Arg. 2.
Th' Epirian slaine: Troys first foundatiō layd,Chast Dians vowes in Deta are conveyd.
1
Oh blind Ambition and desire of Raigne,How camst thou by this rule in mortall breasts?
Who gaue thee this dominion ore the braine?
Thou murdrest more, then plagues or fatall pests;
Thy drinke Mans bloud, thy food dead bodies slaine,
Treason and Murder are thy nightly guests:
Ambition knowes no lawe, he that aspires,
Climbes by the liues of brothers, sonnes, and Syres.
2
Corinthus, of whom Corinth tooke first name,Electra daughter to King Athlas marryed,
From Lybia hath he fetcht the louely Dame,
And thence to Naples this rich purchase carried:
29
One Citty; though by Time their names be varried:
These dying, left behinde them to succeed,
Two Princes, Lords of many a valiant deed.
3
Whilst Corinth there, Memnon all Egypt swayde,In Italy Atleus: Harbon Gaul,
Hesperus Spaine, the Argiue King was made
Crassus: in France King Ludgus gouern'd all
Arming himselfe gainst such as did Inuade,
Syrus in Syria: Assyrias crowne doth fall
To Mancaleus which whilst he maintaind,
Orthopolis in Pelloponessus raign'd.
4
Moyses was borne the selfe-same happy yeare,That faire Electra was made haplesse Queene:
Who spake with GOD, and saw the bush burne cleare,
By whom the Israelites deliuered beene
From Pharaohs bondage, whom the fiery spheare
Guided by night, when in the day was seene
The Cloud to vsher them: In whose blest daies,
Corinthus yssue their proud fortunes raise.
5
One Dardanus, that other Iasius hight,Who strongly for their Fathers Crowne contend,
And to their aydes assemble many a knight,
By force of Armes their challenge to defend,
But Armes nor bloudy battell, force nor fight
Can vnto this vnnaturall warre giue end:
Till (at the length) a Treaty was appointed,
Which (by accord) should be the King annointed.
6
Iasius to Parlee comes vnarm'd: his brotherVnder his Robes of peace bright Armor wore:
And being met, his vengeance could not smother
But slew him dead; The Lords his death deplore,
Thus pitiously the one hath kilde the other:
Iasius vnto his Sepulcher they bore,
But Dardanus that him so basely slew,
Vnto the Pallaee Royall they pursue.
30
7
The people such a Traiterous practise hated,And vow his blood shall for his murder pay,
Such as lou'd Iasius, the rest animated,
And round begirt the place where Dardan lay,
Who cals such friends as on his person waited,
And in the dead of night steales thence away,
For well he knowes, they Iasius lou'd so deerely,
That they his murder will reuenge seuerely.
8
Before the dawne of day they shipping take,The darkenesse of the night, their purpose aideth,
Through the vast Ocean a swift saile they make,
But as the morning riseth, and night fadeth,
The sterne Corinthians to their fury wake,
And euery man th'vngarded house inuadeth,
But when they entring, found the brother fled,
They curse the liuing, and lament the dead.
9
Long they their weary Fortunes haue in chase,Still in the mercy of the Seas and winde,
But where to harbor they can find no place,
Or in the seas wilde deserts comfort finde;
At length they touch at Samos Isle, in Thrace,
A soile, which yet contents not Dardans minde,
Ballast, fresh water, victuals he takes in,
And hoysing saile, seekes further shores to win.
10
By this the Asian Seas his ships hath past,And now within the Hellespont he rides,
The Marriners the shore discry at last,
Where calling all their Sea-gods to their guides,
To their discouery they apply them fast,
And now their vessels neere the cost abides,
Not long about the briny beach they houer,
But Dardan landes, the Iland to discouer.
11
He finds it fruitfull, pleasant, and a soileFit to inhabit, hie woods, champion fields,
He holds this countrey worth her former toile,
The place he likes, and to this clime he yeilds,
31
He plants himselfe: a Citty here he builds,
He casts a huge Ditch first, then layes a frame,
And after cals it Dardan by his name.
12
The time the groundsils of great Troy were layd,Was Lacedemon built (by computation)
In Athens Erichthonius King was made,
And Danaus ruler ore the Argiue Nation:
Hercules Dasinas, Phenitia swayde,
Egiptus Egypt; now the first foundation
Of great Apollos Temple was begun
By young Eristhones, King Cecrops sonne.
13
In processe is much people there conuented,Being a Citty, well and fairely seated,
And all such people as this place frequented,
Were by him and his followers well intreated,
No stranger, from the King past discontented;
No Marchant in his traffique was defeated:
In time, his wealth and people both abound,
And here in Dardan, Dardanus liues crownd.
14
This Dardan on Candame got a sonne,Eruton hight: who the same state maintained,
Time keepes his course, away the swift howers run,
The second King, in Arts and Warres is trained,
Imagine seauen and forty Winters dun,
So long Eruton in this Citty raigned:
Troos his sonne the kingdome doth enioy,
And of this Troos, came the name of Troy.
15
A puissant King in Armes, his valors fameThrough all the Asian confines stretched far;
Kingdomes he doth subdue, Invadors tame,
By him the two first kings ecclipsed are;
And the Dardanians change their auncient name,
And of King Troos, so renowmd in warre
Are Troyans cald, for so King Troos chargeth,
And with his fame, his new-built towne enlargeth.
32
16
Now all the Græcian Citties Troy out-shineth,Whose glory many neighbour kings enuy,
Yet none so bold, that outwardly repineth,
Or dare in publicke tearmes, king Troos defie:
The strongest people he by loue combineth,
The weaker he by armes doth terrifie,
King Tantalus that liues in Phrigia crownd,
Most enuies Troy should be so farre renown'd.
17
But leaue we him in enuy, Troy in glory,For enuy still lookes vpward, seldome downe,
And turne to that which most concernes our story,
How Iupiter attain'd his fathers crowne;
How Sybill ioyfull was, but Saturne sorry
To heare his sonnes suruiuing in renowne;
How Tytan war'd on Saturne, how Ioue grew,
And in his fathers aid, his Vnckle slew.
18
Twixt the Pelagians and Epiriens risethContentious warre, in Epire raigned then
King Milleseus; who in armes surpriseth
Certaine Pelagians, king Lycaons men:
Lycaon with his warlike troopes aduiseth,
By pollicy of warre, both how and when
He may awaite th'Epiriens the like domage,
And make their king vnto his state do homage.
19
At length Ioues Guardian, the great Epyre king,Vnto the son of Titan offers peace,
In signe whereof they Oliue branches bring,
To signifie their hostile Armes surcease:
Lycaon sonne to Tytan whom wars sting,
Had likewise gald and spoild his lands increase;
Applauds the motion, sweares to this accord,
Condition'd thus, to leaue an Epire Lord.
20
An Epyre Lord, as Hostage straight they take,And in Pelagia with Lycaon leaue him,
There to abide, till they amends shall make
For all the spoiles, th'Eperiens did bereaue him,
33
Least his Epirien hostage should deceiue him:
Lycaon of his couenant naught doth slacke,
The time expires the Lord should be sent backe.
21
And to that purpose Melliseus sendsAmbassadors, from Epire to Pelage,
Who to Lycaon beares his kind commends,
Lycaon full of spleene and warlike rage
To quit his former iniury, intends,
And with much paine his fury doth asswage,
Yet giues them outward welcome, they desire
Their Hostage Lord to beare backe to Epire.
22
Vnto a Morrowes banquet he inuites them,Saying they shall receiue him at that feast:
The morrow comes (full ill the kings requites them)
He makes th'Epirien to be kild and drest,
Part to be sod, part to be rosted, which incites them
To horror and amazement, they detest
So horrible an obiect: Then the King
Thus saies; Behold your Hostage here I bring.
23
Young Iupiter was at the Table seated,Sent with the rest, by his great softer-Father
On th'Ambassie: he hauing heard repeated
A deed so monstrous, or inhumane rather,
As one that brookt not to be so intreated,
His lofty spirits he to his heart doth gather:
And rising from the Table, drawes his sword,
And beares away the mangled Epyre Lord.
24
Into the Market place his load he beares,Before the amazed people to disclose it:
The bold vndaunted Worthy nothing feares,
But beares the body, and in publicke shewes it;
Some roasted, and some sod, some bak't appeares,
And euery soule abhorres the deed that knowes it:
Who wondering whence so vilde a mischiefe came,
Behold (quoth he) your King Lycaons shame.
34
25
Behold the prince, the sonne of Titan kept,Vpon his honour safely to deliuer,
Some were asham'd, some threatned, and some wept,
Some of their trembling harts with terror shiuer,
Which Saturnes sonne espying, forth he stept,
And saith: shall such a Tirant and bad liuer?
Shall such a bloudy and insatiate diuell
Vnpunisht scape, for practise of this euill?
26
The infamy of this inhuman act,Stretcheth to you; it hath defam'd your nation,
Where ere report shall blazon this base fact,
Of our Epirian murdred in such fashion,
It will appeare that you the Tirant bact,
And that it was your deed; This short Oration,
Tooke such effect, that each man blusht within,
Feeling himselfe toucht with that horrid sin.
27
Much more he spake, to bring the king in hateWith such his subiects as had neuer lou'd him,
That fell Lycaon but vsurpt his state,
And brought a scandall on them all, he prou'd him,
Thus of his murdrous act he doth dilate,
To which his tirany and ranker mou'd him,
His former cruelty, this bloudy sight,
And Ioues perswasions, makes them bent to fight.
28
Saturnes bold sonne will no aduantage leese,But with his many tirannies proceeds,
He makes such burne, whose harts before did freeze,
At the recitall of his bloudy deedes:
Then beares againe the course, which none that sees
But his heart fires with rage, or Inly bleeds,
Then cries aloud: you bound that would be free,
Cast of your seruile yoake, and follow me.
29
You whom the bloody Tirant hath opprest,Now (whilst you may reuenge you) arme, and strike,
You that haue seene th'Epirian kild and drest,
Let him not on your bodies act the like:
35
With that, this catcht a Iauelin, that a Pike,
One takes an Axe, another snatcht a Spade,
Some Swords, some Staues, the pallace to inuade.
30
Their youthfull Captaine they attend, and meetWith the fierce Tirant, arm'd and well prepar'd:
They Barricado both ends of the street,
Then to the battell (where they no man spar'd)
By this Ioue layes Lycaon at his feet;
And there had slaine him, but his spleene was bar'd
By one of his best Captaines, who did bring
Happy supply, and so preseru'd the king.
31
Th'inraged multitude esteemed noughtThe dauncing Courtiers when they came to blowes,
They warily, the people madly fought,
And euery man his dauntlesse courage showes,
Whilst all about, young Ioue his kinsman sought,
And still the clamor of the battell rose
So loud, that it rebounded gainst the skies,
And heauen it selfe did Eccho with their cries.
32
Yet Ioue triumphant in the first ranke stood,His foes fixt battaile he by force displaces,
It raines sharpe Arrowes till the ground flowes blood,
And yet no knight his honored fame disgraces:
It did th'Epiriens and their Captaines good
To see the streets pau'd with their enemies faces:
In this high tumults heat, Lycaons fled,
And sprightly Ioue left Conqueror mongst the dead.
33
The Tirant when he saw his seruants slaine,To saue his life, workes for his secret scape,
And to the forrest flying from his traine,
He strangely feeles himselfe trans-form'd in shape,
Both woluish forme and mind, he doth retaine,
And in the woods he liues by spoile and rape:
He liu'd a Tirant whilst his kingdome stood,
And chang'd into a Wolfe, still thirsts for blood.
36
34
Where we will leaue him in the desert Groue,Trans-formd in body, but not chang'd in mind,
And as my story leads, returne to Ioue
Who sees Lycaon fled, none left behind,
But such as whilst they breath'd, in valour stroue,
And dying, to the fire there corpes resignd:
To the Pelagians turning he thus saies:
Be yours the Conquest, but to heauen the praise.
35
But they his honours backe to him resigne,And with a generall shout their caps vp fling,
Saying (ô Ioue) thy valour is deuine;
And thou of vs Pelagians shalt be king,
They guard him to the pallace, and in fine
The Crowne and Scepter to his hand they bring:
And after search, finding Lycaon fled,
They Saturnes sonne inuested in his sted.
36
King Iupiter had not yet raignd an hower,But with his trusty followers searcheth round
About the Pallace royall, for the power
Of king Lycaon, but he no man found;
(Death spares the king, that doth his folke deuoure,)
Yet iealous of his state, like kings new crown'd,
To abide all future garboiles and assaults,
He searcheth all the Sellers, nookes, and vaults.
37
And breaking vp a strong bard iron dore,He spies a goodly chamber richly hung,
Where he might see vpon the carelesse floure,
A discontented Lady rudely flung:
Her habite suting with her griefe she wore,
Her eyes rain'd teares, her Iuory hands she wrung:
Her robes so blacke were, and her face so faire,
Each other gracst, and made both colours rare.
38
The Virgin lookt out of her sad attire,Like the bright sun out of a dusky cloud;
Her first aspect set the kings hart afire,
Who vailing first his bonnet, he lowe bowd,
35
But she at sight of strangers weepes alowd,
Her drowned eie she to the Earth directeth,
And no man saue her owne sad woes respecteth.
39
The youthful Prince whom Amorous thoughts surprise,With comfortable words the Lady cheeres,
Supports her by the arme, intreats her rise,
And from her bosome to remoue her feares,
Yet will not she erect her downe-cast eies:
Nor to his smooth-sweete language lend her eares,
Till from the Earth he rais'd her by the arme,
And thus with words, begins her griefe to charme.
40
Bright Damsell, did you know the worth of allThose pretious drops you prodigally spill,
You would not let such high-prizd moysture fall,
Which from your hart your Conduit-eyes distill;
Oh spare them though you count their valew small,
To haue them spar'de Ile giue you (if you will)
Although not in full paiment, yet in part,
A Princes fauour, and a Souldiors hart.
41
You dimme those eyes that sparkle fire Deuine,By whom this melancholy roome is lighted,
The place were darke, and but for their bright shine,
We in this Dungeon should be all benighted:
Oh saue your beauty then and spare your eyen:
Why should you at our presence be affrighted;
we come not with our weapons drawne to feare you,
But with our comfortable words, to cheare you.
42
But say, our hostile weapons were all bentAgainst your breast; yet why should you be mated?
Bewty's sword-profe, no forceable intent
But by a face so faire is soone rebated,
Your beauty was vnto your body lent,
To be her Secretary; where instated,
It is as safe as if a wall of Iron
Impregnable, your person should inuiron.
36
43
With that the wofull maide vplifts her eie,And fixt it first vpon the Princes face,
But there it dwelt not long, for by and by
It wandered wildly round about the place,
Yet comming to her selfe, when she gan spy
Her selfe mongst strangers with a modest grace,
Hauing her raging griefe awhile restrain'd,
Thus blushing, she her sad estate complain'd.
44
My father, oh my Father, where is he?To whom these Subiects should of right belong:
You are the Limbes, the head I cannot see,
Oh, you haue done the king some violent wrong,
What Stranger's this that doth sollicite me?
How dare you thus into my chamber throng?
And fright me, (being a Princesse) with your steele,
Or wheres the King, that to this youth you kneele?
45
If King Lycaon liue, why do you bowVnto a stranger, he suruiuing still?
If he be slaine, why am I hindred now,
Vpon his Coarse my Funerall teares to spill?
I may lament by Law, no lawes allow;
Subiects by Treason their liege Lords to kill,
My teares are naturall, and come in season,
Your treacherous act is meer vnnaturall Treason.
46
By these her words, the Amorous Prince doth gatherThis Lady to be king Lycaons daughter,
It grieues him now he hath exil'd her father,
And once againe of fauour he besought her,
But she all sorrow now intreats him rather
To leaue the Chamber, since his comming brought her
Nothing but newes of death, and words of care,
Her Fathers ruine, and her owne dispaire.
47
By many faire perswasions the Prince moues her,To stint her passion, and to stop her teares,
He whispers in her eare how much he loues her,
But all in vaine, his tongue he idly weares:
39
Which makes her at the length lend her chast eares,
And thus reply: I cannot loue, vntill
You one thing grant me, the Prince sweares he will.
48
Remember (quoth the Lady) you haue sworn,Being a Prince, to breake an oath were base:
Wer't in a Peasant, it were hardly borne,
But in a Prince it seemes a worse disgrace:
The greater y'are, the greater is your scorne,
If you should taint your honour in this case:
Tis nothing if a poore Stars beames be clouded,
But we soone misse the Moone in darknes shrowded.
49
Princes are earthly Gods and placst on high,Where euery common man may freely gaze
On them, the peoples vniuersal eye,
Is howerly fixt to scan their workes and waies,
They looke through spectacles your deeds to spy,
Which makes the Letters of your shame, or praise
Grosser to be discernd, and easier scand,
(A king should be a light to all his Land.)
50
These words sight out, haue fan'd the amorous fire,Which did the brest of Saturnes sonne inflame:
He that at first her beauty did admire,
Now wonders at the wisedome of the dame,
And museth how from such a deuilish Syre
As king Lycaon, such an Angell came:
Now he entreats her aske, with spirit vndanted,
For as he is a Prince, her sute is granted.
51
Be it (quoth he) the fortunes of this day:Be it my selfe, my selfe sweet Saint am thine:
Be it this kingdome, and this Scepters sway,
Behold my interest I will backe resigne;
We haue no power to say such beauty nay,
Being but mortall, and that face deuine,
Whats your demand (sweet Saint?) It is quoth she,
That I a consecrated maide may be.
40
52
Oh, had she askt more gold then would haue fildHer fathers Pallace, packt vp to the roofe,
Or in her sad boone had the Lady wild,
Of his resolued spirit to see large profe,
Monsters he would haue tamde, and Gyants kild,
And from no sterne aduenture kept aloofe,
In hope to haue woon her loue: but being thus coy,
This one request, doth all his hopes destroy.
53
The Prince is bound by Oath to graunt her pleasure,Yet from her will, he seekes her to disswade,
Hoord not (quoth he) vnto your selfe such Treasure,
Nor let so sweet a flower vngathered vade:
Nature her selfe hath tooke from you fit measure
To haue more beautious Creatures by you made,
Then crop this flower before the prime be past,
Loose not the Mould that may such fayre ones cast.
54
Let not a Cloyster such rare beauty smother,Y'are Natures mayster-peece, made to be seene;
(Sweet) you were borne, that you should beare another,
A Princesse, and discended from a Queene,
That you of Queenes and Princes might be mother:
Had she that bare you still a virgin beene,
You had not beene at all: Mankind should fade,
If euery Female, liu'd a spotlesse mayde.
55
You aske, what you by no meanes can defend,In seeking a strict Cloyster to enioy,
Yee wish to see the long-liu'de world at end,
And in your hart you mankinde would destroy,
For when these liues no further can extend,
How shall we people th'Earth? Who shall employ
The Crowns we win? the wealth for which we striue?
When dead our selues, we leaue none to suruiue.
56
You might as well kill Children, as to holdThis dangerous error: Nay Ile proue it true:
For Infant-soules that should haue beene enrold
In Heauens predestin'de booke, begot of you,
41
You might as well your hands in blood imbrew,
Nay better too, for when young Infants die,
Their Angell soules liue in Eternitie.
57
And so the Heauens make vp their numbers full,You (Lady) heauen and earths right disallow;
What Gods conclude, shall mortals disannull?
So many as you might haue had ere now:
So many Angels from heauens throne you pull,
From earth, so many princes by your vow:
Now could I get a sonne, but you being coy,
Faire murdresse (that you are) haue kil'd the boy:
58
Much more (but all in vaine) the amorous youthThinkes in his smooth sweet language to disswade her,
But nothing that he pleads she holds for truth,
Though by all gentle meanes he sought to haue staid her,
She vrgeth still his oath: he thinkes it ruth
To haue such beauty cloister'd, and had made her
Virginity, for Venus sweets to haue chang'd,
Had not his Oath that purpose soone estrang'd.
59
Now faire Celisto by Ioues graunt is freeTo be admitted one of Dians traine,
Dian a Huntresse, the broad shadowy tree
The house, beneath who roofe she doth remaine,
Venson her food, and Honey from the Bee,
The flesh of Elkes, of Beares, and Bores new slaine,
Her drinke the pearled brooke, her followers, maides,
Her vow, chast life, her Cloister, the Coole shades.
60
Her weapons are the Iauelin, and the Bow,Her garments Angell like, of Virgin-white,
And tuckt aloft, her falling skirt below
Her Buskin meetes: buckled with siluer bright:
Her Haire behind her, like a Cloake doth flow,
Some tuckt in roules, some loose with Flowers bedight:
Her silken vailes play round about her slacke,
Her golden Quiuer fals athwart her backe.
42
61
She was the daughter of an antient kingCald Iupiter, that sway'd the Attick scepter,
To her as suters, many princes bring
Theyr Crownes: which scorning, she a virgin kept her,
Yet as her beauties fame abroad doth ring,
Her suters multiply, therefore she stept her
Into the forrest, meaning to exempt her
From such, as to their amorous wils would tempt her.
62
This new religion famous in a Queene,Of such estate and beauty, drew from farre
Daughters of Princes, they that late were seene
In Courts of kings, now Dians followers are,
Where they no sooner sworne and entred been,
But against men and loue they proclaime war:
Many frequent the groues, by Dians motion,
For fashion some; and some too for deuotion.
63
The old Plateenses holding her deuine,Gaue her the sacred name of Euclia,
Their maids ere married, offered at her shrine,
And then they freely chus'd their marriage day,
Without her leaue they neuer tasted wine,
Or durst in publicke with their husbands play:
Whole Asia ioyn'd to make a Church of stone,
Built by the Architector Chersiphrone.
64
To this th'Ægiptian hie Pyramides,Nor the great Iouiall portract could compare,
Mausolus Tombe the Manes to appease,
Rear'd by the Carian Queene, but trifles are:
The huge Colossus that bestrid the seas,
And made Rhoades famous for a worke so rare:
Great Babels Tower, nor Pharos stately Ile,
Could ranke with this, for cost, or height of stile.
65
Two hundred twenty yeares it was in framing,In length, foure hundred fiue and twenty feet;
In breadth, two hundred twenty: Thus proclaiming
Their feare of her, they chast Diana greet:
43
And to her seruice, in her Temple meet:
A Fabricke famous, both for height and length,
Proportion, beauty, wormanship, and strength.
66
A hundred seauen and twenty Collumbs great,All of white Marble, in faire order stand:
Sixe hundred feet in heigth, both huge and neat,
The like were neuer wrought by mortall hand:
Princes of sundry Kingdomes that intreat
Her Diuine grace, and yeild to her command:
Each one, a high and stately piller bringes,
Full thirty sixe, rear'd by so many Kinges.
67
All these contend, which should the rest exceedIn large expence, to make it more admir'd,
Herostratus that neuer did glad deed,
Neither with wit, nor gracious Thewes inspir'd,
Knowing no meanes his owne renowne to breed,
In deuilish spleene, this royall wonder fier'd;
The purpose why he did this deed of shame,
Was, that the world should Chronicle his name.
68
This when dispoiled Ephesus once knew,They made a law, with fine to him that brake it,
To make him lose the fame he did pursue,
His very name, was death to him that spake it,
For many yeares it dide, but times renew
And from obliuious dusky Caues awake it,
Elce had their scilence from these ages kept,
This strange report, that long amongst them slept.
69
The world, the very day it lost the graceOf this rare worke, another Wonder bred
Greater than this, from royall Philips race,
That then tooke life, when this in fire lay dead:
In Macedon, a much renowmed place,
Young Alexander in that Temples stead
Entred the world, whose glories did aspire
Aboue this structure, then consumd with fire.
44
70
Now is Calisto one of Dians traine,And to th'Arcadian Forrest newly flitted,
Her beauty can scarce equald be againe,
Mongst al the Huntresses wheres she's admitted:
Meane time Ihoue cheeres his friends: Inters the slaine,
And all his businesse is by order fitted:
The State establisht, Time in triumph spent,
And newes of all, by posts to Epire sent.
71
His great assayres determin'd: the Prince nowHath leysure to bethinke him of that face,
To which his future actions he doth vow,
Now he remembers each particular grace:
That Loue that makes the Idle spirits bow,
Still giues occasions way, and businesse place:
Abandon sloth, and Cupids bow vnbends,
His brands extinguish, and his false fire spends.
72
For idlenesse makes Loue, and then maintainesWhat it hath made, when he that well employes
His busie houres, is free from Venus traines,
And the true freedome of his thoughts enioyes:
He had no time to sigh, that now complaines,
The good his businesse did, his sloath destroyes:
Loue from the painfull flyes, but there most thriues,
And prospers best, when men lead slothfull liues.
73
Being alone, Calistoes shape imprestSo deepely in his heart, liues in his eie:
Shee's lodg'd both in the Forrest, and his brest,
And (though farre off) she is imaginde nie,
Phæbe abroad beholds her mongst the rest,
Young Ihoue at home, in his blind phantasie:
And now too late he wishes (but in vaine)
Her still at Court, or him of Dians traine.
74
He haunts the Forrests and those shadowy places,Where fayre Dyana hunteth with her Mayds,
And like a Hunts-man the wilde Stag he chases,
Onely to spy his Mistresse mongst the shades:
45
He thankes his fate, if not his Starres vpbraids,
And deemes a tedious Summers day well spent,
For one short sight of her, his soules content.
75
At length, he thus concludes: I am but young,No downy heire vpon my face appeare,
I'le counterfet a shrill effeminate tongue,
And d'on such habit as the Huntresse weares,
When my guilt Quiuer crosse my brest is hung,
And Bore-speare in my hand such as she beares:
My blood being fresh, my face indifferent faire,
Modest my eie, and neuer shorne my haire.
76
Who can discouer me? Why may not IBe entred as an Ancresse mongst the rest?
This is the way that I intend to try,
(Of all my full conclusions held the best)
My habit Ile bespeake so secretly,
That what I purpose neuer can be gest,
My Lords assemble, and to them shew reason
Why I of force must leaue them for a season.
77
Th'excuse vnto the Nobles currant seemes,He takes his leaue and trauels on his way,
Of his entended voyage no man deemes,
Now is he briskt vp in his braue aray,
So preciously his mistresse hee esteemes,
That he makes speed to where the Virgins stay,
And by the way his womanish steps he tride,
And practis'd how to speake, to looke, to stride.
78
To blush and to make honors (and if need)To pule and weepe at euery idle toy,
As women vse, next to prepare his weed,
And his soft hand to Chare-workes to imploy:
He profits in his practise (heauen him speed)
And of his shape assumed graunt him ioy,
Of all effeminate trickes (if youle beleeue him,)
To practise teares and Sempstry did most greeue him.
46
79
Yet did he these mongst many others learn,He growes compleat in all things (sauing one)
And that no eye can outwardly discerne,
Vnlesse they search him, how can it be knowne?
But come vnto the place, his heart doth earne,
Twice it was in his thought backe to haue gone:
But I am Ioue (quoth he) and shall I then
Of women be affraide, that feare no men.
80
With that he boldly knockes, when to the gateA royall virgin comes, to know his will:
This Lady after was a Queene of state,
And in Arcadia the fierce Boare did kill:
Atlaula she was cal'd, admitted late,
Who thinking to haue there remained still,
King Meleager in Achaya raign'd,
And to his nuptiall bed this Queene constrain'd.
81
Faire Virgin (quoth Atlaula) whats your pleasure?Ioue, after bowes and Curtsies, thus bespake her;
Bright Damsell, if you now retaine that measure
Of grace, you haue of beauty from your maker,
Pitty a maide, that hath nor Gold, nor Treasure,
And to your sacred order would betake her:
Know, from a Noble house I am discended,
That humbly pray to be so much befrended.
82
Preferre me to the Mistresse of these shades,Diana, whom I reuerence, not through folly,
But as diuinest Goddesse of all maides,
To whose chast vowes I am deuoted wholly,
Atlaula saies she will, and straight inuades
Diana thus. Oh thou adored soly
Of Virgins: (fairest Cinthia) will you daine,
To make this stranger Lady of your traine.
83
Diana takes her state, about her standA multitude of beauties, mongst the rest
As Ioue about him lookes, on his right hand
He spies Calisto, Dians new come guest,
47
At sight of her, fresh fires inflame his breast:
And as he stands, wal'd in with beautious faces,
He most commends Calisto for her graces.
84
So many sparkling eyes were in his sight,That hedg'd the sacred Queene of Virgins round,
That with their splendor haue made noone of night,
Should all at once looke vpward, the base ground
Might match the sky, and make the earth as bright,
As in that eeuen, when Ariadne crown'd,
was through the Galaxia in pompe led,
Millions of starres all burning o're hir head.
85
Diana, Ihoue in euery part surueyes,Who simpers by himselfe, and stands demurely,
His youth, his face, his stature she doth praise,
(A braue virago she suppos'd him surely)
Were all my trayne of this large size (she saies)
Within these Forrests we might dwell securely:
Mongst all, that stand or kneele vpon the grasse,
I spy not such another Manly Lasse.
86
So giues her hand to kisse: Ihoue grace doth win,With Phæbe and Atlanta, who suppose
Him what he seemes, and now receiued in,
With all the Maydes, he well acquainted growes,
They teach him how to Sow, to Card, and Spin,
Calisto for his bed-fellow he chose:
With her all day he works, at night he lies,
Yet euery morne, the mayde, a Mayde doth rise.
87
For if he glaunst but at a word or twoOf Loue, or grew familiar (as Maydes vse)
She frownes, or shakes the head (all will not doe)
His amorous parley she doth quite refuse:
Sometime by feeling touches he would woo;
Sometime her necke and breast, and sometime chuse
Her lip to dally with: what hurt's in this?
Who would forbid a mayd, a Mayde to kisse?
48
88
And then amidst this dalliance he would cheere her,And from her necke, decline vnto her shoulder,
Next to her breast, and thence discending nearer
Vnto the place, where he would haue bin boulder:
He finds the froward Gyrle so chastly beare her,
That the more hot he seem'd, she showed the colder,
And when he grew immodest, oft would say:
Now fie for shame, lay by this foolish play.
89
Alas (poore Prince) thy punishment's too great,And more than any mortall can endure,
To be kept hungry in the sight of meat,
And thirsty, in the sight of Waters pure:
Thou seekst the food thou most desirs't to eate,
Which flyes thee most, when most thou thinkst it sure,
Tis double want, mongst Riches to be poore,
And double death, to drowne in sight of shore.
90
Besides, the Prince too boldly dares not proue her,As ignorant, how she may take his offer,
Nor dare he tell her he is Ihoue, her Louer,
Though she at first might deeme, the Prince did scoffe her:
Yet if she should his secrecie discouer,
He feares what violent force the Queene might profer
To one, that with such impudence prophane,
Should breake the sacred Orders of her traine.
91
He therefore a conuenient season watcht,When bright Diana the wilde Stag would chase,
The beautious Virgins were by couples matcht,
And as the lawnes they were about to trace,
Their pointed Iauelins in their hands they latcht
About theyr necks, in many a silken lace
Their Bugles hung, which as the groues they trip,
Were oft-times kist by euery Ladies lip.
92
And in their eares the shrilling Musicke tingled,Which made the ecchoing hilles and Vales resound,
Ihoue and Calisto mongst the rest was mingled,
Vntill the youthfull Prince occasion found
49
And throwes her selfe by Ihoue vpon the ground,
And saies: how coms it you so soone are tyred?
(Oh Ihoue thou now hast, what thou long desired)
93
He chose a place, thicke set with broad-leau'd bowes,Which from the grassie earth skreend the bright Sunne,
Here neuer did the wanton he-Goat browze,
Nor the wild Asse for food, to this place run,
This seate as fit for pastime he allowes,
And long, withall vntill the sport be dun,
For whilst the game flyes from them, here he lags,
Couer'd with trees, and hemd in round with flags.
94
Nor are they within hearing of the cryesOf the shrill Bugles th'Huntresse Virgins weare,
When the bold Prince doth gainst Calisto rise,
Resolu'd to act what he did long forbeare,
Nothing to hinder his attempt he spies,
Being alone, what should the bold youth feare?
Now with his Loue, he once more gins to play,
But still she cryes; nay prethe (sweet) away.
95
He gins t'vnlace him, she thinkes tis for heate,And so it was for heate, which only she,
And none but she could qualifie: His seat
He changde, and now his dalliance growes more free,
For as her beauty, his desire is great,
Yet all this while no wrong suspecteth she:
He heaues hir silke-coats, that were thin and rare,
And yet she blusht not, though he see her bare.
96
Ihoue takes th'aduantage, by his former vowAnd force perforce, he makes her his sweete prize:
Th'amazed Virgin (scarce a virgin now)
Fils all the neighbour-Groues with shriekes and cries,
She catches at his locks, his lips, his brow,
And rends her garments, as she strugling lies:
The violence came so sudden and so fast,
She skarce knew what had chaunst hir, till twas past.
50
97
As when a man strooke with a blast of Thunder,Feeles himselfe pierst, but knowes not how, nor where,
His troubled thoughts confusd with paine and wonder,
Distracted twixt amazednesse and feare,
His foote remoues not, nor his handes doth sunder,
Seemes blind to see, and beeing deafe to heare,
And in an extasie so farre misled,
That he shewes dead aliue, and liuing dead.
98
Euen so this new-made woman, late a mayde,Lyes senslesse after this her transformation,
Seeing in vaine she had implor'd heauens ayde,
With many a fearefull shrike, and shrill Oration,
Like one intranc't vpon the ground shees layde,
Amazde at this her sudden alteration:
She is she knowes not what, she cares not where,
Confounded with strange passion, force and feare.
99
Ihoue comforts her, and with his Princely arme,He would haue raisd her from the setled grasse,
With amorous words he faine her griefe would charme,
He tels her what he meant, and who he was,
But there is no amends for such shrewd harme,
Nor can he cheere the discontented Lasse,
Though he oft sware, and by his life protested,
She in his Nuptiall bed should be inuested.
100
But nothing can preuaile, she weeping sweares,To tell Diana of his shamefull deed,
So leaues him, watering all her way with teares,
Young Ihoue to leaue the Forrest hath decreed,
He would not haue it come to Dians eares,
And therefore to the Citty backe doth speed:
She to the Cloyster with her cheekes all wet,
Alone, as many, as when first they met.
52
The end of the second CANTO.
53
Canto. 3.
Argumentum
Calista knowne to be with Child, is driuenFrom Dians Cloyster: Archas doth pursue
His mother: vnto him Pelage is giuen,
Now termed Archady: when Tytan knew
Saturne had sonnes aliue, his hart was riuen
With anger: he his men togither drew
To Battayle: the two brothers fight their fils,
Ioue, saues his Father, and his Vncle kils.
Arg. 2.
Trans-formd Calisto, and the Gyant-kingsIoues Combat with great Tiphō, Gāma sings
1
When I record, the dire effects of Warre,I cannot but with happy praise admire
The blessed friendes of Peace which smoothes the scat
Of wounding steele, and al-consuming fire,
Oh, in what safety then thy Subiects are,
Royall King Iames, secur'd from Warres fierce yre,
That by thy peacefull gouernment alone,
Studiest deuided Christendome t'attone.
54
2
To thee, may Poets sing their chearefull laies,By whom their Muses flourish in soft peace:
To thee, the Swaines may tune eternall praise,
By whom they freely reape the earths increase;
The Merchants through the earth applaud thy daies,
Wishing their endlesse date may neuer cease,
By whō they throgh the quartered world may traffick.
Asia, Europe, America, and Affricke.
3
Thy Liege-men thou hast plac'st as on a hill,Free from the Cannons reach, from farre, to see
Diuided Nations one another kill,
Whilst thy safe people as Spectators be,
Onely to take a view what blood they spill,
They neere to ruine, yet in safety we
Alone in peace, whilst all the realmes about vs,
Enuy our blisse, yet forcst to fight without vs.
4
So did the Newter Londoners once standOn Barnet-Heath, aloofe, to see the fight
Twixt the fourth Edward, Soueraigne of this land,
And the great Duke of Warwicke in the right
Of the sixt Henry, in which, hand to hand,
Braue Iohn of Oxford a renowned knight
Made many a parting soule for liues-breath pant,
And vanquisht many a worthy Combattant.
5
So stood the Kentish men to view the maine,In the yeare Eighty eight, when th'English fleete
Fought with the huge Armadoes brought from Spaine,
With what impatience did they stand to see't
On the safe shore, willing to leaue the traine
Of such faint Cowards, as thinke safety sweet
In such a quarrell, where inuaders threat vs,
And in our natiue kingdome seeke to beat vs.
6
Where Royal Englands Admirall, attendedWith all the Chiualry of our braue Nation,
The name of Howard through the earth extended
By Naual triumph o're their proud Invasion,
55
In Lightning and Earths-thunder, in such fashion
That all the sheafed feathered shafts of Spaine,
Headed with death, were shot them backe againe.
7
It shewed as if two Townes on th'Ocean built,Had been at once by Th'eauens lightning fired,
The shining waters with the bright flames guilt,
Breathd Clouds of smoke, which to the spheres aspired,
The bloud of Spanish Souldiers that day spilt,
Which through the Port-holes ran, Neptune admired,
And tooke it for the Red-sea, whilst the thunder
Of English shot, proclaymde the Sea-gods wonder.
8
But least this Ordinance should wake from sleepe,Our auncient enmity, now buried quite,
The graue of all theyr shame, shall be the deepe,
In which these peopled Sea-townes first did fight;
Yet that I may a kinde of method keepe,
And some deseruing Captaines to recite:
Liue famous Hawkins, Frobisher and Drake,
Whose very name, made Spaines Armadoes quake.
9
Now to returne vnto Pelagia backe,Which Ihoue hath made to him and to his seed,
Then takes his leaue: the people loath to lacke
The Prince, that from a Tyrant hath them freed
Who of their liues and Honors sought the wracke,
would change his purpose, but he hath decreed
Pelagia to forsake, and I must leaue him
To Epires King, who gladly will receiue him.
10
And to the Forrest to Calisto turne,Whose sorrow with her swelling belly growes:
Alasse, how can the Lady chuse but mourne?
To see hirselfe so neere her painfull throwes:
Tis August, now the scortching Dog-starres burne,
Therefore the Forrest-Queene a set day chose
For all her traine to bath them in the floud,
Calisto mongst them by the riuer stood.
56
11
The Queene with iealous eyes surueies the place,Least men or Satyres should be ambusht by them,
The naked Ladies in the floud to face,
Or in their cloth-lesse beauty to espie them,
Now all at once they gin themselues t'vnlace:
(Oh rauishing Harmony) had I bin by them,
I should haue thought so many silken strings,
Tutcht by such white hands, musicke fit for kings.
12
They doffe their vpper garments: each beginsVnto her Milke-white Linnen smocke to bare her,
Small difference twixt their white smocks and their skins,
And hard it were to censure which were fairer:
Some plunge into the Riuer past their chins,
Some feare to venture, whilst the others dare her,
And with her tender foot the riuer feeles,
Making the waters margent rinsh her heeles.
13
Some stand vp to the Ankles, some the knees,Some to the Brest, some diue aboue the Crowne,
Of this her naked fellow nothing sees,
Sauing the troubled waues, where she slid downe:
Another sinkes her body by degrees,
And first her foot, and then her legge doth drowne,
Some their faint fellowes to the deepe are crauing,
Some sit vpon the banke their white legs lauing.
14
One onely discontented, shrinks aside,Her faint vnbracing idely she doth linger,
Full faine the Lasse her swelling brest would hide,
She pins and vnpins with her thumbe and finger,
Twice Phæbe sends, and musing she denide
To bath her: she commands the rest to bring her,
Who betwixt mirth and earnest, force and play,
All but her Cobweb shaddow, snatcht away.
15
Dian at first perceiues her brests to swell,And whispers to Atlanta what she found,
Who straight perceiu'd Calisto was not well,
They iudg'd she had her Virgins belt vnbound,
57
And that her belly shew'd so plumpe and round,
They little need to aske if she transgrest,
Calistoes guilty blush, the act confest.
26
Therefore she banisht her, nor sutes nor teares,Can with the Queene of Damsels ought preuaile,
Who when by strict inquiry made, she heares
Of Iupiter and his deceitfull stale,
Who seem'd so like a Virgin: Phebe sweares,
Because her iudgement thenceforth shall not faile,
And to avoide occasion of like venter,
To search all such as to her traine shall enter.
17
Thus is Lycaons daughter banisht nowThe Citty, by her late assum'd profession,
Banisht the Cloyster by her breach of vow,
For by no praiers, teares or intercession,
Diana her reentrance will allow
After exilement, for her late transgression,
Therefore asham'd, thrugh darke shades she doth run,
Till time expires, and she brings forth a sonne,
18
So did our Cynthia Chastity preferre,The most admired Queeene that euer rained,
If any of her Virgin traine did erre,
Or with the like offence their honors stained
From her Imperiall Court she banisht her,
And a perpetuall exile she remained,
Oh bright Elisa though thy dated daies
Confine: there is no limit to thy praise.
19
Calistos sonne immagine seuen years old,Brought vp mongst Lyons, Tygers, Wolues, & Beares,
The sauage impe growes day by day more bold,
And (halfe a bruit) no beast at all he feares,
He brookes both Summers heat and Winters cold,
And from the Woolfe his pray by force he teares,
Vpon a time his mother crost his will,
Whom he inrag'd pursude, and saught to kill.
58
20
She flies, he followes her with furious rage,Till she is forcst the Forrest to forsake,
And seeing no meanes can his spleene asswage,
She doth the way vnto the citty take,
The neighbour Citty which is cal'd Pelage,
Where Iupiter by chance did merry-make;
Whose hap it was, then crossing through the street,
The mother and th'inraged sonne to meete.
21
Calisto spies Ioue, and for helpe she cries,And at his Royall feet she humbly throwes her,
He stops the sauage, and with heedfull eyes,
Viewing Calisto well, at length he knowes her,
Though clad in barke and leaues, (a strange disguise)
For a kings daughter, and a Realms disposer:
Helpe Ioue (quoth she) and my pursuer stay,
Archas thy sonne his mother seekes to slay.
22
Ioue gladly doth acknowledge the bold LadTo be his son, for all the guifts of nature,
Pattern'd and shap't by Iupiter he had,
And of him nothing wants, but age and stature,
He caus'd him in rich garments to be clad,
And then he seem'd to al, a goodly creature,
For being attir'd in cloath of Gold and Tissew,
He may be easily knowne to be Ioues Issue.
23
The strife betwixt the mother and the childe,Is by the father and the husband ended,
Calisto hath againe her selfe exil'd,
Scorning the grace that Ioue to her extended:
She hies her to the groues and forrests wilde,
With generall mankind for Ioues sake offended,
But in her flight as through the fields she ranged,
She feeles her figure and proportion changed.
24
Her vpright body now gan forward bend,And on the earth she doth directly stare,
And as her hands she would to heauen extend,
She sees her fingers clawes, o're-growne with haire,
59
To be for colour peerelesse, kissing rare,
Are rough and stretcht in length, hir head down hangs
Her skins a rough hide, and her teeth be fangs.
25
And when she would her strange estate bewaileAnd speake to heauen, the sorrowes of her hart,
Instead of words she finds her Organs faile,
And grunts out a harsh sound, that makes her start,
She feares her shape, and ouer hill and dale
Runs from her selfe, yet can she not depart
From what she flies, for what she most doth feare
She carries all the way the shape of Beare.
26
And though a perfect Beare, yet Beares affright her,So do the Wolues, though mongst their sauage crew
Her Father liues, how should a Wolfe delight her
Vnlesse Lycaon in such shape she knew?
Meane time young Archas proues a valiant fighter,
And in all Martiall practise famous grew,
Adding seaueu Summers more vnto his age,
Hee seats him in the kingdome of Pelage.
27
Where leaue him raigning in his Grandsires sted,Changing his kingdome and his peoples name,
Whether by loue or fate (I know not) led
Themselues Arcadians they abroad proclaime,
After the name of Archas now their head
Pelage a Citty too of ancient fame,
They Archad call, a stile that shall perseuer
Vnto the people and the Towne for euer.
28
Archas in Archad liues, in Epyre Ioue,Saturne in Creet, the God of Earth proclaimed,
Tytan through forren Seas and Lands doth roue,
Hauing by Conquest many Nations tamed,
For time still gaue him Conquest where he stroue,
which made him through the world both fear'd & famed
Yet with a world the Tyrant seemes not pleasd,
Till he haue Creet his Natiue birth-right ceasd.
60
29
By strict inquiry, he at length hath foundHis periur'd Brother hath kept sonnes aliue,
against the couenant he by oath was bound,
Which was, that no male issue should suruiue:
This of his future war must be the ground,
He vowes in Irons his Brothers legs to gyue,
His hands to Manacle, his necke to yoake,
In iust reuenge that he the league hath broke.
30
His sonnes all Gyants, and by nature strong,He sends to assemble to this dreadfull warre,
Who like their father apt for rape or wrong,
Without the cause demaunding gathered are,
Vnnumbred people in their armies throng,
Brought by the Big-bon'd Titanoys from farre,
Where he and all his Gyant-sonnes assemble,
They make the groning earth beneath them tremble.
31
Lycaon was not there, him Ioue beforeHad from th' Arcadian kingdome quite put downe,
There was the Gyant Typhon, he that wore
The Ciprian wreath, and the Cicillian crowne,
Huge Briareus that the scepter bore
Of Nericos, a monster, at whose frowne
Nations haue quak't, whole armies stood agast,
And Gods themselues shooke till his rage were past.
32
Cœon likewise king of great Cœas Isle,A fellow of a high and matchlesse size,
Who the rough Ocean calmed with a smile,
And with a frowne hath made the billowes rise,
Ægeon too that hath inlarg'd his stile
Through many a kingdome: from whose raging eies
Bright lightning flames haue in his furious ire,
Afore a storme of thunder flasht out fire.
33
Of him the great Mediterranean OceanIs cald th'Ægean Sea, it doth deuide
Europe from Asia, and hath further motion
along the greatest part of Greece: beside,
61
Therefore was cal'd Brianchus for his pride:
The next Hyperion of the selfe-same breed;
All these haue sworne the death of Saturnes seed.
34
There likewise came vnto these wars Iapetus,(Cælum and Terraes son) in Tytans aide,
He brought with him his sonne Prometheus,
Whom Tytan the first houre a Captaine made,
His brother Athlas too, and Hesperus,
Their royall Ensignes in the field displai'd,
And ouer diuers seas their armies ferried,
From Mauritania, Lybia, and Hesperied.
35
Their Randezvouz in Sicily they made,And thence by sea they rigge a royall fleet,
The flourishing realme of Saturne to inuade,
In time, their countlesse hoast takes land in Creet,
Vallies by them are fil'd, hils euen are laid,
Townes burnt, high Castles leuel'd with their feet,
Where ere they turne, fire from their eye-bals flashes,
Which townes and villages consumes to ashes.
36
Saturne their bold inuasion much admires,Not knowing whence their quarrell may be grounded,
He cals his Counsell, and of them inquires
How their immense ambition may be bounded,
How with his enemies blood to quench the fires,
And by what power the foe may be confounded,
Aduise is giuen to make a generall muster,
To beat them backe that in such numbers cluster.
37
And as the king thron'd in his chaire of state,Sits in his pallace, all his chiefe Peeres by him,
On these affaires to Counsell and debate,
In thrusts a Knight from Tytan, to defie him,
And mongst the Lords that bout him circled sat,
He rudely throngs, and presseth to come me him,
But being kept backe, aloud he lifts his voice,
And thus greets Saturne from the Tytanoys.
62
38
Thus sayes impetious Tytan, Saturnes Lord,Like a low vassaile from my Throne discend,
Or I shall chase thee thence by fire and sword,
And with thy glory, to thy daies giue end,
For thou hast broke thy oath and Princely word,
And therein made an enemy of thy friend:
My Crowne I but resign'd vpon condition,
And thou those bands hast broke by thy Ambition.
39
Whilst Saturne his male-children kils: so longHe is the King of Creet, but that neglected,
He weares the Cretan Diadem by wrong,
Thy periury is to the world detected,
And therefore with an army great and strong,
Shall Saturne from his high throne be deiected:
Thus Tytan doth the king of Creet defie,
And by these Summons, to submit or die.
40
Bold spirited Saturne doubly mou'd appeareth,At his proud Message, with disdaine and wonder,
Disdaine; as being a Prince that nothing feareth
To heare his scorned enemy-threatnings Thunder;
With admiration: when he strangely heareth
Of sonnes aliue, which makes him deepely wonder,
And taking Sibell by the hand thus say,
(Hauing commanded first his traine away.)
41
Sister and wife, I charge thee by the zealeThou owest to me thy husband and thy brother,
The truth of all this practise to reueale,
And what I next demaund thee nothing smother,
Since it concernes th'estate of all our weale,
Art thou of any liuing sonne the mother?
The trembling Queene, low kneeling, thus repli'de,
You charge me deepe, and I will nothing hide.
42
I am a woman, and full well you know,A woman hath a soft and tender brest,
But more, I am a mother: can you show
A mother that in this kind hath transgrest?
63
Which mothers to their children most detest:
Was it for murder you espous'd me first,
To be a wife, of all good-wiues accurst?
43
I'de rather be a pittious mother helde,Then through the world a Murdresse be esteem'd,
Be my selfe murdred rather, then compeld
To murder those for whom this womb hath teem'd:
This wombe with three faire Princely sons hath sweld,
Which dead to Saturne and the world are deem'd,
Yet all three liue, but cruell husband where,
Saturne shall neuer know, nor Tytan heare.
44
Th'amazed king immagines by her looke,Her feruent tongue doth on her hart-string strike,
Necessity at this time; makes him brooke
What his disturbed soule doth most dislike,
Without reply the sad Queene he forsooke,
It pierst his hart as if an enemies pike
Had by the aime of some strong hand bin cast,
And side to side through all his entrailes past.
45
He comes where all his Lords in counsell sat,And tels them of three sons preseru'd to life,
The Peeres at first see me much amaz'd thereat,
Yet all commend the pitty of his wife,
And praise her vertue: (intermitting that)
They next proceed to Tytans hostile strife,
And thus conclude their enemies to expell,
Whom they know Barbarous, bloody, fierce and fell.
46
When calling him that the defiance brought,This answere backe to Tytan they returne,
That they his brauing menace set at naught,
That their owne blouds shall quench the towns they burn
That their immediate ruines they haue sought,
And they no longer can reuenge adiourne,
But the next sonne shall see strange vengeance tane
Of all his Cretan subiects they haue slaine.
64
47
The Messengers dismist, while they prepareArmes and munition for the Morrowes field,
Meane time great Tytans sonnes assembled are,
Who all their Fortunes on their fury build,
Their hauty lookes their spleenfull harts declare,
Each brandishing his sword, and ponderous shield,
Longing to heare from Saturne such reply,
That on his men they may their valours try.
48
Nor do they tempt the Deities in vaine,They haue what they desire: to them behold
The baffled messenger gallops amaine,
But ere the Knight his message hath halfe told,
So much the Gyant kings their braues disdaine,
That with their scornefull feet they spurne the mold,
Their browes they furrow, and their teeth they grate,
And all the Gods blaspheame, to shew their hate.
49
Now hath the Sunne slid from his fiery Car,And in cold Ister quencht his flaming head,
Blacke darknes rising from the earth afar,
You might perceiue the welkin to orespread,
Orions blazing lockes discouered are,
Pale Cinthia gouernes in Apolloes stead,
Bootes his waine, about the pole hath driuen,
And all the stars borne bright that spangle heauen.
50
The morning comes, Tytan in field appearesIn compleat harnesse, arm'd from head to toe,
Next him Ægeon, who no Corslet weares
Or coat of Armes to incounter any foe,
Vnarmed as he is, he no man feares,
A plume doth from his guilded helmet flow,
Made of the Peacockes traine, his armes is strong,
In which he shakes a skeine, bright, broad, and long.
51
Creous huge sinnowy Armes, and brawny thighesAre naked, being tawnied with the sun,
Buskins he weares that boue his ankles rise,
Puft with such curl'd silke as Arachne spun,
65
Laceth his body in, these Armes he woon
Of a huge Monster, in the Isle of Thrace,
Whose weapon was a weighty iron mace.
52
His knotted beard was as the Porphir blacke,So were the fleecy lockes vpon his crowne,
Which to the middle of his armed backe,
From his rough shaggy head discended downe,
His fiery Eie-bals threaten Saturnes wracke,
Sterne vengeance rous'd her selfe in Cæons frowne,
His sheild, a broad iron dore, his Lance a beame,
Oft with his large stride he hath Archt a streame.
53
Typhon in skins of Lyons grimly clad,Next his too Brothers in the march proceeds,
The hides of these imperious beasts he had,
From th'Erithmanthian forrest, where his deeds
Liue still in memory, like one halfe mad
The Gyant shewes in these disguised weeds,
The Lyons iawes gnawing his Helmet stood,
And grinning with his long fangs stain'd in blood.
54
And yet his owne fierce visage lowring vnder,Appeares as full of terror as that other,
Two such aspects makes the Saturniens wonder,
Next him appeares Euceladus his Brother,
Whose eye darts lightning and his voice speaks Thunder
(This was the onely darling of his mother,)
His weapon was a tall and snaggy Oake,
With which he menac'st death at euery stroake.
59
Hiperion in an armor all of Sunnes,Shines like the face of Phœbus o're the rest:
This Gyant to his valiant Brothers runs,
Crying to Armes, base lingering I detest,
Damn'd be that Coward soule that damage shuns,
Or from apparant perill shrinkes his brest,
Behold where Saturne mongst his people crownd,
His hornes and Clarions doth to battell sound.
66
56
Saturne appeares as great Hyperion spake,Borne in an Iuory chaire with bright stones stoodded,
Mongst which in trailes ran many an Anticke flake,
With rich Inamell, azur'd, greene and rudded,
At the first push their enemies rankes they brake,
He fought till his bright Chariot was all bloodded:
About him round their bowes his Archers drew,
A fight which yet their Foe-men neuer knew.
57
The big-bon'd Gyants wounded from a farre,And seeing none but their owne souldiers by them,
Amazed stand at this new kind of warre,
To receiue wounds by such as came not nie them,
From euery wing they heare their looses iarre,
They knew not where to turne, or how to flie them,
The showers of Arrowes rain'd so fast and thicke,
That in their legges, thighs, brest, and armes they stick
58
So long as their strong Bowes of trusty EweAnd silken strings held fast, so long fresh riuers
Of Crimson blood the Champion did imbrew,
For euery shaft the Archers Bow deliuers,
Or kils or woundes one of their countlesse crew,
But when they once had emptied all their quiuers,
And that the enemy saw their arrowes wasted,
To blowes and handy-strokes both armies hasted.
59
Thou famous English Henry of that nameThe fift: I cannot but remember thee
That wan vnto thy kingdome endlesse fame,
By thy bold English Archers Chiualry,
In Agin-Court: when to the Frenchmens shame,
King, Dolphin, and the chiefe Nobility
Were with the ods of thousands forcst to yeeld,
And Henry Lord of that triumphant field.
60
But such successe king Saturne had not then,He is in number and in strength too weake,
His people are but one to Tytans ten,
Nor are his guards so strong their spleene to wreake,
67
Into their foes Battallions rudely breake:
Their Polaxes and Clubs they heaue on hie,
The Kings surpriz'de and the Saturniens fly.
61
The Tytans brandish their victorious Glaues,and enter the great Citty (Hauocke crying)
In Cretan bloud they drowne their Chariot Naues,
And slaughter all the poore Saturniens flying,
One hand sharpe steele, the other fire-brands waues,
In euery place the grones of people, dying
Mixt with the Conquerors showts, to heauen aspire,
and in their harsh sound, make a dismall Quire.
62
The Citty's ceizd, Saturne and Sybill bound,Whilst Tytan Lords it in the Cretan Throne,
His reuelling sonnes for Pillage ransacke round,
And where they heare Babes shrike, or olde men grone,
They showt for ioy; meane time King Saturnes wound
Sybill bindes vp: and being all alone
In prison with her Lord, to him relates
The fortunes of her sonnes, and their estates.
63
She tels him that young Ihoue, in Epire famedFor Martiall triumphs, is theyr naturall sonne:
He that Lycaon queld, Pelagia tamed,
And many spoyles for Milliseus woon:
No sooner did the King heare young Ihoue named,
But he repents the wrongs against him doon;
and proud of such an Issue so farre praisd,
Hopes by his hand to haue his Fortunes raysd.
64
He therefore by the carefull Damsell sends,(The selfe-same Damsell that to Oson bore him
as from a sorrowfull father kind commends)
The Damsell hauing found him, kneeles before him,
And the whole proiect she begins and ends
Of Saturnes fall, and prayes him to restore him:
Ihoue (that till now) a father neuer knew:
amaz'd at first, himselfe a space withdrew,
68
65
And hauing in his hart her words debatedAnd euery thing conferd: his birth vnknowne
Which from his infancy the maide related
Euen to the time that he to yeares was growne,
Knowing the day and houre exactly dated,
His mothers pitty, and his fathers frowne,
To which her words she doth as witnesse bring
The two fayre daughters of the Epyre King.
66
The youthfull Prince is to the full perswaded,It glads him to be sonne to one so great,
He sweares his Vncle shall be soone disgraded,
And tumbled headlong from his Fathers seat,
And all that haue the Cretan Clyme inuaded
Shall be repulst with scandall: In this heat
The Epire King he doth of ayde implore,
And Archas, whom he late had crownd before.
67
Were he a stranger, yet he holds it sinne,Not to pursue his rescue being opprest,
But being his father, and his next of Kin,
That by a Tyrants hand is dispossest,
His mother to, that had his ransome bin
And kept the bloudy weapon from his breast:
All these incite his valour, and the rather
To seeme kind sonne, to so vnkind a Father.
68
Posts are to Archas in Archadia sent,His father with two thousand men to meet,
Who musters vp his troopes incontinent,
Proud that his valour shall be knowne in Creet:
The bold Parthemians likewise to Ihoue sent
Of their owne voluntary minds a Fleet
Of ships well stor'd with men, who both admire
His valour, and his amity desire.
69
The men of Oson round about him flocke,Glad by so braue a Captaine to be guided,
Knowne to be issued from a Regall stocke,
Meane time King Milleseus hath prouided
69
The Cretan streetes, with trunkes of men deuided,
So with the remnant of their forces troope
To make proud Tytan and his Issue stoope.
70
Their Army they transport, and on the beachOf the ritch Cretan shore securely land it,
No man appeares their entrance to impeach,
The selfe-opiniond Foe so slightly mand it,
They thinke their fortunes out of dangers reach,
And that their power's so great, none can withstand it,
The couetous Princes more intend the spoyle
Of one ritch towne, then losse of all the soyle.
71
But when the watch from the high Citty wals,Sees all the neighbor playnes with Armor spread,
Alowd to Tytan and his sonnes he cals,
To arme with speed: the Gyants straight make head
Tydings of bloudy broyles them nought appals,
With courage they their businesse managed,
And hauing each addrest his sword and shield,
Issue from forth the gates, and take the field.
72
Into three Battailes Iupiter diuidesThe Royall Army he conducts: The mayne
King Melliseus by appointment guides,
Th'Osonieus and Epyriens fill his traine,
Some from Alacre he receiued besides,
A Citty subiect vnto Epires raigne:
Ihoue the Parthemians in the vaw doth beare,
Yong Archas with th'Arcadians leades the reare.
73
Syx Battailes Tytan makes, the great'st he leades,And in the other fiue his sonnes employes,
It cheeres him when he sees his Army spreads
So many furlongs, led by his bold boyes:
He sweares, the ground whereon his enemy treads
Shall drowne the hoast that he this day destroyes
In their owne gore: and after in small while,
Yeeld to their mangled trunks a funerall pile.
70
74
By this young Archas twixt the Camps appeares,A trumpet all the way before him sounding:
For Tytan through the army he inqucers,
The Tyrant with all pride and spleene abounding
Admits him, in the presence of his Peeres,
Legions of armed men his person rounding:
His sudden comming, much amazement breeds,
When Archas with his message thus proceeds.
75
Thus saith Prince Iupiter, king Saturnes sonne,Stay there (quoth Tytan) for thou hast confest,
That what I do, is all by Iustice done,
And by good right my selfe I here invest:
The Cretan Crowne I haue by conquest won,
In which I haue a filiall Interest:
The name of Saturns sonne, Saturne excludes,
And Tytan iustly enters (not intrudes.)
76
When Archas thus replyes: Great Saturnes seedeAnd yssue Male suruiues, to see thee slayne,
The bloud thou sought to shed, shall make thee bleed,
And all the Gyant Princes of thy traine,
So hath the Epire King with Ihoue decreed,
Therefore before your blouds this verdure staine
Leaue (these vsurped Confines) and release
My Graundsire King, that hostile armes may cease.
77
Else, thus thy Nephew Ihoue by me hath sworne,By me his sonne Archas, th'Arcadian King,
To plucke that Crowne from off thy browes, in skorne,
And thee from that Tribunall headlong fling,
and such as thy vsurped state suborne
He shall to ruyne and destruction bring:
Tytan, whose rage darts fire out of his eyes,
Thus to the bold vndaunted youth replies:
78
Princox, Thou thinkst by thy despightfull braueTo daunt vs, but thou giu'st vs greater spirit:
Thou comst from Saturnes sonne: Thou dost depraue
In that one word, his Tytle, not my Merit:
71
Which as our fathers eldest we inherit,
For iust so old as Ihoue is, iust so long,
Saturne vsurpt vpon my right, by wrong.
79
Go tell thy Father, that his life is mine,And I that life am now come to bereaue,
So is thy life too which thou must resigne,
When he got thee, he should haue askt me leaue,
His death was at his byrth due, so was thine,
Which then deferd, you now come to receiue:
Reply not: the proud braues thou hast commenced,
Hath vs and all our Issue much incenced.
80
Archas departs: Tytan his Souldiors cheeres,And tels them the directnesse of his cause,
That tis Vranus Scepter which he beares,
And he his eldest by all Natures lawes,
The true successor to the Crowne he weares,
They signe his Aue with a shrill applause,
And by these motiue arguments perswaded,
Threaten their liues, that haue his Clyme inuaded.
81
So Ihoue and Milleseus hauing heardHis peremptory answer, both prepare
For iminent vengeance, not to be deferd,
Lowd showts and cryes from both sides pierce the ayre,
In euery battell dauntlesse rage appeard,
The Champions in their hot bloud proudly fare:
A confusd noyse drums in their halfe-deafe eares,
Of trumpets, drums, shouts, swords, shields, splinterd Speares.
82
Out of this Battailes Chaos and confusion,Of vndistinguisht valor Prince Ihoue springs,
And where he Tytan spies makes rough intrusion,
Maugre the strength of all the Gyant-kings:
This prologue was to some the full conclusion
Of that daies Tragedy: theyr darts and Slings
From euery part with enuious hands they cast,
And Ihoue thrugh thousand weapons points hath past.
72
83
Proceeding still, his sword prepares the wayEuen to the Chariot where his Vncle sat,
And spite of those that would his violence stay,
He strikes him on the Helme, and layes him flat,
There had he slaine him dead, but to the fray
Encelad coms, and much inrag'd thereat
Assayles the Prince, whilst he the fight intends,
The rescude Tytan his high chayre ascends.
84
The noyse of his surprisall, in small spaceWas spread through euery wing of this large field,
Such as beheld him fall, ran thence apace,
And to his sonnes reported he was kild:
In hast they draw their forces to this place,
And Ihoue is round incompast (Heauen him shield)
Saturne from his high turret lookt, and wondred,
To see one Knight hold battell, gainst an hundred.
85
And calling Sybill to the Battlement,From whence they might the doubtfull skirmish view,
They may perceiue how Ihoue incontinent,
Twenty tall Souldiors of King Tytans slew:
Amaz'd they stand at his great hardiment,
One askt another, if this Knight they knew:
When noting well the bold deedes he had done,
(Quoth Sybill) may not this be Ihoue, our sonne?
86
Whilst in this hopefull doubt they stand confounded,Behold, young Archas hauing vnderstood
His Father Ihoue with thousand foes was rounded
And mongst the Gyants fought, all gul'd in blood,
He causd a lowd charge to be shrilly sounded,
And thither makes where Ihoue inuiron'd stood:
Now grew the battell hot, bold Archas pierses
Thrugh the mid-hoast, & strewes his way with herses.
87
And at first shocke, breakes through th'Iron ringOf armed men, that had his Father pend,
Whose sword by this emboweld the proud King
Enceladus, and to his daies gaue end:
73
And to large proofe his dreadlesse spirit extend,
With such essentiall ioy the Prince doth cheare him,
Each blow deales death and not a man dares near him
88
Saue Tytan, who mongst many Corses lying,O're which his Armed chariot swiftly ran,
Amongst the rest Euceladus espying,
The blood forsooke his cheeke, his face look't wan,
He stampes, he stares, he strikes, still vengeance crying,
And in disordered fury spares no man,
Plummets of Lead, he from his Chariot threw,
And many of the bold Archadians slew.
89
Ioue wondering whence so great a cry should grow,Or who so many of his men had slaine,
Spies Tytan comming on, him Ioue doth know,
And with all speed makes towards him againe:
Now is the warre at height, for many a blow
Deales wounds and death, thicke shewers of arrows rain,
Quarters of men, and heads, with Helmets battered,
Halfe hid in blood through all the fields are scattered.
90
Tytan encounters Ioue, Ioue him defies,And from his Steely Burgon beates out fire,
By Tytans side doth proud Hyperion rise,
Against him Archas doth the field desire,
And now each other brauely doth despise,
They combat son to son, and Sire to Sire,
But Ioue and Archas best in power and skill,
Old Tytan and the young Hyperion kill,
91
Iust as they fall, comes Typhon, hauing lateKing Milleseus and his battell chaced,
His enemies swords had hewd off many a plate
From that iron coat in which his sides weare laced,
Who letting out the nailes that bound him straite,
Walkes in a cloud of his own smoake, vnbraced,
And as vpon his fathers trunke he gazed,
He pluckes his bold foote backe, and starts amazed.
74
92
But when he further looking, gan espyThe proud Hyperion weltring in his gore,
And huge Enceladus besides him lie,
He quite forgets their Obits to deplore:
The Earth he curses, and blasphemes the sky,
And from his knotty head the blacke locks tore:
With that inrag'de, his Axe aloft he heaued,
And Ihoues broad shield iust in the middle cleaued.
93
Both armies giue them field-roome, two such spiritsBeget in their encounter preparation,
If Ihoue suruiue, King Saturne Creet inherits:
If Typhon liue, great Typhon rules that Nation:
Both parties stand Spectators of their merits,
To view this Combat with high admiration,
Forgetting fight, their weapons downe they bend,
To see these two (the best on earth) contend.
94
Huge Typhon is vnweeldy, Ihoue more quicke,and better breath'd, doth oft-times trauerse round,
(To speed him with a blow, or with a pricke)
Till he hath worne a bloudy circle, round
about his bulky foe: Typhon strikes thicke,
But his vaine blowes dig Trenches in the ground,
Had they falne right, they to the waast had cleft him,
and both of Father, Crowne, and life bereft him.
95
Two tedious houres lasts this renowmed fray,Yet neither Victor: with this fight compard
All the dayes bloudy broyle appeard but play,
Both warde, both strike, both skorne to be out, dard,
Ihoue with one blow, quite through his Targe makes way
It cuts the steele-bars, the guilt studs it pared:
Typhon to be aueng'de of this disgrace,
Aymes a stiffe stroke full at his armed face.
96
It crost his Visor, and so downe it glanced,And onely rac'st his Gorget: when Ihoue stands
A Tip-toe with his armes on high aduanced,
Holding his conquering sword in both his hands,
75
The massiy stroake vnreuets all the bands
That lockt his Helme, his wounded face appeares,
He mad, with his sharpe nayles his Armour teares.
97
And now both strike at once, steele against steele,And armour against armour: their lowd strokes
Make the woods tremble, and the earth to reele,
Such blowes, cleaue Rocks, and fell the mountain-Oakes,
At length they close and grapple, Typhons heele
Twines about Ihoues mid-legge, his armes he yoakes
about his Gorget: actiue Ihoue lets slip,
and by fine slight, catcht Typhon on the hip.
98
The Gyant scapes the fall, and both let goe,Their weapons lost, they buffet fist to fist,
and at aduantage lie: now hie, now low:
To close againe, Ihoue catcht by Typhons wrist,
Typhon by his, both tugge, both cunning show:
Typhon makes play, Ihoue catcht him by the twist,
Heaues him aloft, and in his armes he brings him
To a high Rocke, and in the Sea he flings him.
99
Typhon thus dead, their bands disordred fly,Ihoue, Archas, and the Epyre King pursue them,
Ægeon scapes, hereafter kept to die
By him that with his brothers fought and slew them,
Bri'reus, Iapet, Athlas, Hespery,
Prometheus too disguis'd, that no man knew them,
Fled with the rest: Ihoue tyred in the chace,
Returnes to Creet, his parents to embrace.
100
Oh in what ioy was Sybill boue the rest,And Grandam Vesta freely to behold him,
They weepe their teares of Ioy vpon his breast,
And thousand sighes in their strict armes infold him,
Saturne for Iuno sends, with Ihoue to feast,
And his two sonnes (of whom his wife hath told him)
With Archas and the Epyre King to meet,
At generall Triumphs, to be made in Creet.
77
The end of the third CANTO.
78
Canto. 4.
Argumentum
Ihoue Esculapius kils, Apollo ariuesTo keepe Admetus sheepe in Thessaly,
And next his beautious sister Iuno wiues,
At her returne from Creet to Parthemy,
The father with the sonne in battell striues,
But by his puissance is inforst to fly:
Acrisius keepes his daughter in a Tower,
Which amorous Ihoue skales in a golden shower
Arg. 2.
To deuine Physicke, Gods made first of men,And Perseus birth, swift Delia guids my pen
1
Thou deuine Art of Physicke let me singThy honoured praise, and let my pen aspire
To giue thee life, that vnto life canst bring
Men halfe departed: whether thy first Syre
Was that Prometheus, who from the Heauens King
Stole by his skill part of the vitall fier
That kindles life in man, thereby to saue
Sicke men, that stand with one foot in the graue.
2
Or whether Æsculapius was thy father,Sonne to the Sun-god, by whose liuely heat
Symples and Plants, their saps and vertues gather,
Let it suffice I know thy power is greate;
79
Then comprehends thy worth, let them intreat
Of thy perfection, that with fame professe thee,
And in their Arts vnto the life expresse thee.
3
As famous Butler, Pady, Turner, Poe,Atkinson, Lyster, Lodge, who still suruiue:
Besides these English Gallens thousands moe,
Who where they come, death and diseases driue
From pale sicke creatures: and all Cordials know,
Spirits spent and wasted to preserue aliue,
In this with Gods and Kings they are at strife,
Physitians Kings and Gods alone giue life.
4
Some hold young Mercury deuisd the skillOf Phisicke first, and taught that Art abroad,
Some vnto Arabus impute it still,
Some yeild that honour to th'Egiptian God,
Cal'd Apis or Serapis, others wil
Apollo chiefe, what time he made aboad
With king Admetus, but most voyces runne,
The first renown'd was Esculap his sonne.
5
Hippocrates reduc't it to an Art,Gallen and Auicenna him succeed,
Cassius and Calpitanus too, impart
His soueraigne skill, Rubrius taught first to bleed,
Antonius Musa chear'd the wasted hart,
Aruntius too helpt euery griefe at need:
Archagathus profest this first in Rome,
But all submit to Noble Gallens doome.
6
The first that did this sacred Art renowne,And gaue it fame on earth was as I read,
Great Æsculape who tracing vp and downe
To gather Simples in the flowry Mead,
Hard by a rocke that weares a bushy crowne,
And boue the neighbour champion lifts his head,
He spies a Swaine in habit neate and briske,
Hold battell with a dreadfull Bassiliske.
80
7
A monster that kils onely with his eie,Which from th'vnarmed Shepheard shrunke and ran,
Apolloes sonne with wonder stands him nie,
And thinks, or that no beast, or this no man,
Admiring by what hidden Diety
The piercing Cockatrice out-gaze he gan,
Vnlesse by chance there lodg'd a Vertue rare,
In some one simple in the wreath he ware.
8
All the strong armour gainst this horrid beast,Was but a Chaplet which begirt his braine,
Which Esculape suspecting, much increast
His Ardency, to know what hidden straine
Slept in strange working herbs (thus being possest)
He begs the Garland from the ignorant Swaine,
Who now vnwreath'd, againe the beast defies,
Who straight returnes, and kils him with hir eies.
9
Apolloes sonne by certaine proofe now findsTh'inuertued hearbes haue gainst such poyson power,
To combate with th'eie-killing Beast he minds,
(Thirsting for fame) the wreath with many a Flower,
And hearbe, and plant, about his braine he binds,
And so with speed hasts to her Rocky tower,
Skales her foule den, and threatens present warre,
T'out-gaze her neare, who seeing, kils from farre.
10
The big-swolne Serpent with broad eye-lids stares,And through the aire her subtle poison flings,
The Sunnes-hearbe charmed, soone her venom dares,
And shrinkes not at her persaunt eie-bals stings,
The Basiliske in her owne strength dispaires,
And to flie thence, she shakes her flaggy wings,
But his Dart takes her as she meant to rise,
And pierst her hart, that pierst harts with her eies.
11
Proud of this Trophy, he returning seesThe harmelesse Swaine vpon the ground lie dead,
Whom pittying, he discends vnto his knees,
Taking the vertued Chaplet from his head,
81
And downe his throat their powerfull liquor shed,
But when the iuice of one pure herbe was draind,
The new departed life it backe constraind.
11
Nor wonder if such force in hearbs remaine,What cannot iuice of deuine Simples bruisd?
The Dragon finding his young Serpent slaine,
Hauing th'herbe Balin in his wounds infusd,
Restores his life and makes him whole againe.
Who taught the Heart how Dettany is vsed?
Who being pierced through the bones and marrow,
Can with that hearbe expell th'offensiue arrow.
13
Who taught the poore beast hauing poison tastedTo seeke th'hearbe Cancer, and by that to cure him?
Who taught the Bore finding his spirits wasted
To seeke a branch of Iuy to assure him?
The Tortois spide a Dragon, and straight hasted
For Sauery, arm'd with which he can endure him,
Chyron found Centery, whose vse is holy,
Achilles Yarrow, and great Hermes, Moly.
14
The Storke hauing a branch of Orgamy,Can with much ease the Adders sting eschew,
And when the little Weasill chast, doth fly
The Dragon, he defends himselfe with Rew,
Much might be done by their rare purity,
By such as all their opperations knew:
No maruell then if such as know their skill,
Find by their practise, Art to saue or kill.
15
The Basiliske and the reuiued Swaine,With all the powerfull hearbes that life restore,
He beares to Paphos: they beholding slaine
So horrible a Monster knowne before,
Perceiuing likewise how he cal'd againe
Men dead to life: his person they adore,
Now Esculapius name is sounded hie,
Through the vast compasse of the spatious skie.
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16
And whether enuious of this Princes name,Fitting the humorous world with such applauses,
Or whether for receiuing such as came
From the last field: or at what carping clauses
Ioue was agrieu'd at Esculapius fame,
I find no certaine ground but for some causes
Vnknowne to me, he Paphos doth inuade,
And great Apollo to his sonne giues aide.
17
But Saturnes seed preuailes: much bloud he spilsTo quench the heat of his incensed ire,
Paphos he sackes, and Esculapius kils,
Oh, wheres the Art that made thy name aspire?
Whose fame, Sea, Earth, and Heauen with clangor fils,
To others thou gauest life, now life desires,
(In vaine alas) when heauen hath doomd thy date,
Prepare thy soule, all physicke comes too late.
18
Besides this sentence, I pronounce or hieThere is no strife with heauen: when their houres call,
Physitians must as well as patients die,
And meete at the great iudgement generall,
Paphos is spoil'd, Apollo forcst to flie,
The Cretans him pursue, he scapes them all
Disguis'd, and is in exile forcst to keepe
In Thessaly, the king Admetus sheepe.
19
I told you erst, how Saturne reinuestedInto Parthemia, for bright Iuno sent
There, with her vnknowne Brothers to be feasted,
And how Athenian Neptune had intent
To meet with Pluto there. Things thus digested,
Triumphant Ioue, now full of griefe Ostent,
For his late conquest, in his breath'd defiance,
Is in all pompe receiu'd by his alliance.
20
Chiefely by twin-borne Iuno, not aloneHis Sister, now his troth-plight Queene and Bride,
Their long diuided bodies they attone
And enter amorous parley, which espide
83
To all the bordering Kings to them alide,
Vnto their solemne spousales to inuite,
King, Prince, Duke, Marquesse, Baron, Lord, and Knight.
21
Metis the daughter of OceanusThey say, was Ioues first wife, whom being great
He swallowed: least of her being childed thus,
One should be borne to lift him from his seate;
By this the God growes more then Timpanus,
And swelling with the same, with throwes did sweat,
Till after anguish, and much trauelling paine,
The armed Pallas leapt out of his braine.
22
Metis deuout'd, he Themis takes to bed,Espousing her within the Gnossean Isle,
There where the flood Theremus lifts his head,
His third wife Iuno, whom he wan by guile,
Ioue knowing it vnlawfull was to wed
His sister: by his God-hood in small while
Transformes himselfe, and like a Cuckow flies,
Where Iuno tasts the pleasure of the skies.
23
But at his becke the King of Gods and men,Commands a storme the Welkin to orecast,
At which the Cuckow trembling, shrinketh then
Her legges beneath her wings, Iuno at last
Pitties the fearefull Bird, who quakes agen,
And wraps it softly, till the storme was past,
In her warme skirt, when Ioue within few houres
Takes hart, turnes God, and the faire Queen deflours.
24
After which rape, he takes her to his Bride,And though some thinke her barren without heires:
Some more iudicious, haue such tales denide,
(Gods that know all things, know their owne affaires)
And vvhat they vvill, their povverfull vvisedomes guide,
Their children Preces were, vvhom vve call Prayers,
These dwel on earth, but when they mount the sphears
Haue free accesse to Ioue their fathers eares.
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25
Imagine all the pompe the Sea can yeild,Or ayre affoord, or earth bestow on Man,
Seas-fish, Ayres-Fowle, beast both of Parke and field,
Rarieties flowed in abundance than,
Nature and Art striue which is deeplier skild,
Or in these pompous Nuptials better can:
Twixt these (being more then mortall) seem smal ods,
And the high sumptuous shewes made by the Gods.
26
Night coms, a daughter is begot, and nam'dHebe, the long-liu'd Feast at length expires,
Great Iupiter and Iuno are proclaimd
Parthemian King and Queene: Neptune desires
To visite Athens, being likewise nam'd
Th'Athenian King, (his bloud Ambition fires,)
Pluto departs, in Tartary to dwell,
There founds a deuilish Towne, and cals it Hell.
27
No day so cleere but darke night must ensue,Death is the end of life, and care of pleasure:
Paine followes ease, and sorrowes ioy pursue,
Saue (not to want) I know not what is Treasure,
The Gods that scourge the false, and crowne the true,
Darknesse and Light in equall ballance measure:
Tydes fall to ebbes, the world is a meere graunge,
Where all things brooke decay, and couet chaunge.
28
Not long these triumphs last, when Saturne seeingParthemian Ihoue such generall fame atchieue,
Out-shining him, hee envyes at his being,
(Still feare is apt things threatned to beleeue:)
But when the Oracle with this agreeing
He cals to mind: his Soule doth inly grieue,
For this is he whom Delphos did foretell,
Should Saturne from his Crowne and Realme, expell.
29
Now turnes he loue to hate: his Ioy to Sadnesse,His Fathers-pitty, to a Foe-mans spight,
His pleasure to despaire, his myrth to madnesse,
In teares he spends the day, in sighes the night,
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And all to Melanchollie is sad affright,
Nor can his troubled sences be appeas'd,
Till as a Traitor he Prince Ioue hath ceas'd.
30
He therefore musters vp a secret powerOf his vnwilling Subiects, to surprize
Ioue in Parthemia, Ioue ascends a Tower
At the same time, and from a farre espies
Their armed troopes, the fields and Champions scowre,
From euery quarter clouds of thicke smoke rise,
No way he can his eyes or body turne,
But he sees Citties blaze, and Hamlets burne.
31
More mad with anger, then with rage dismaid,From that high Tower he in hast discends,
To know what bold foe dares his realmes inuaid,
And gainst his peacefull kingdome enuy bends,
Tidings is brought, great Saturne hath displaid
His hostile fury, and his wracke intends:
But Ioue, that in his Fathers grace affide,
Sweares he shall die, that hath his name belide.
32
It bears no face of truth, no shape of reason,A father should a guiltlesse sonne pursue,
A sonne that hath his father sau'd from Treason,
And but so late his dangerous enemies slew,
From whose embracing armes he for a season,
With much vnwillingnesse himselfe withdrew,
All things well poys'd, he cannot yet debate,
How such hot loue so soone should change to hate.
33
But whilst he argues thus, behold his foesWith armed rankes begirt Parthemia round,
Mongst whom the prince his father Saturne knowes,
And heares his warlike tunes to battell sound,
He now forgets the filiall zeale he owes,
And cries (to armes) their fury to confound,
But then againe into himselfe retiring,
He to his Father sends, his peace desiring.
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34
Twice his submission to King Saturne came,Twice his submission he returnes in skorne,
Then Ihoue his protestation doth proclaime,
That with vnwillingnesse his Armes were borne,
Loth with his Syre to fight, more loath with shame
By his bold foes, to haue his Kingdome torne:
Which to make good as Saturne earst had vowd'e,
They charge and (cry Assault) with clamors lowde.
35
Since no entreaty can preuaile, he ratherThen trust to certaine death, must battaile wage,
Archas with him their sterne Parthemians gather,
And issue boldly, to withstand the rage
Of their knowne mallice: Twice Ihoue meetes his Father,
Twice giues him place, yet nothing can asswage
His setled hate, he threats the Prince to kill,
Who whilst he strikes, beares off, and guardeth still.
36
And seekes out other Conquest mongst the troopes,Of men vn-numbred, where his valour shines,
The strongest Champion to his fury stoopes,
And where he profers warre his stand resignes,
That now the pride of Saturne flagges and droops,
Archas his forces with Prince Ihoue combines,
And make one hoast of able strength and feare,
Before them as they fight the field to cleare.
40
So haue I seene a storme of hayle and rayne,With thicke tempestuous clouds of night and smoke,
Before it lay the fields of standing graine,
And top the stiffe bowes from the tallest Oake:
So where they come these Princes smooth the plaine,
Making the greene leaues weare a Crimson cloake:
The skarlet drops that from the wounded slide,
Into deepe red, the spring-tydes liuery dide.
38
They still pursue the slaughter, Saturue flyes,Him Archas hotly to the Sea-side chaces,
But in a Creeke a new-rigd ship he spies,
And skapes by sea, his swift steps Archas traces,
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and beare him from the sight of his disgraces,
Leaue we the conquered Father basely fled,
The conquering sonne, triumphant mongst the dead.
39
Who from Parthemia posts in hast to Creet,To ceize vnto his vse his Fathers Crowne,
The Cretans him with Olyue branches meet,
(For who at prosperous Fortunes dare to frowne?)
The Scepter and themselues too, at his feet
With one consent and voice they prostrate downe,
His person with applause they circle round,
Thus Ihoue & Iuno, King and Queene are crownd.
40
So without threatned armes or rude hostility,In greater pompe, and more degrees of State,
By Englands Commons, and our high Nobility,
Was Royall Iames mongst vs receiued of late,
With his Queene Anne, to the Realmes large vtility,
Oh, may their dayes on earth haue endlesse date:
In stead of Olyue branches, enterteined
With zeale, with loyall thoughts, and harts vnfeined.
41
Some say, Ihoue guelded Saturne, and surrendredHis procreatiue parts into the Ocean,
Of which the Goddesse Venus was engendred,
Betwixt them and the Seas continuall motion
I thinke such superstitious people tendred
Vnto these idle dreames too much deuotion:
Else by this Morrall, signifie they would,
He mongst his Souldiors dealt his Fathers gould.
42
And from this plenty surfets mongst them grew,Lasciuious gestures, Lust that had no measure,
And in this kind, appeares the Morrall true:
For oft excesse, begets vnlawfull pleasure;
And so the Froath-borne Venus might accrew,
and be begot by Saturnes gelded treasure:
So sacred spels are writ in parchment Tables,
So golden truths are meant, in Leaden Fables.
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42
Opinion, strongly mongst the Heathen raignes,And hath continued from the longest season,
I searcht the Iudgments of some ydle braines,
(That no Religion like, but built on Reason:)
To know what strength it hath, when it restraines
Some men in loyall bonds, fils some with Treason:
But found theyr censures vary from the right,
For thus th'Irregular prophanely wright.
43
Opinion iudgeth all by apparition,And from Opinion, shame or Honor springs,
(Opinion) Thou that art all Superstition,
Thou makest Beggars, or pronouncest Kings,
For why should man to man, make low submission;
Since each of vs, his line from Adam brings?
Hauing at first, one Father, and one mother,
What duty owes a brother to a brother.
44
Whats wealth to him that nothing doth esteeme it?Whats to the dunghill Cocke the Pearle he found?
Giue him a graine of Barley and hee'l deeme it
A richer prize: What differs gold from ground
To him that hath no iudgement to esteeme it?
Or Diamonds from Glasse? Search the world round,
Nothing is pretious held, but whats thought best,
Nothing acquir'd, but whats in most request.
45
Opinion's all: Say, I this man adore:He is to me a King, (though but a Slaue,)
Or if a King, of him that bowes no more
Or holdes him none, the stile he cannot haue.
Religion is Opinion too: Before
Religion was, Man worshipt euery Graue,
And in these daies, through all the worlds dominions,
We see as many Churches as Opinions.
46
Opinion first made Kings, first founded Lawes,First did deuide the Gentle from the Base,
First bounded Man in compasse for, because
Men thought it good, they gaue Opinion place:
89
Reuerence to some, and vnto some disgrace:
This, Peace compounds, or Concord turns to ods,
This, first dam'd Deuils, first created Gods.
48
This, breedes the Atheists skorne, the Christians feare,The Arrians error, Pagans misbeliefe,
This makes the Turke his Alceran to heare,
Breeds in the bold, presumption: penitent, griefe:
This made the Iewes their Sauiour Christ forsweare,
Despising him, choose Barrabas the Theefe:
Hence came the Persian Haly (long agone)
Diffring from him the sect of Præster-Ihon.
49
Hence comes the Protestant to be deuidedFrom Triple-crowned Rome: a long-liu'd warre
Not yet by armes or Arguments decided:
Hence came the Catholikes mongst themselues to iar,
Hence, diuers orders, diuers waies are guyded:
Some Iacobins, and some Franciscans are:
Templers, Capoochians, Fryers both blacke and gray,
Moonks, and the Iesuits, bearing the most sway.
50
In our reformed Church too, a new manIs in few yeares crept vp, in strange disguise
And cald the selfe-opinion'd Puritan,
A fellow that can beare himselfe precise,
No church supremacy endure he can,
No orders in the Byshops Diocyse:
He keepes a starcht gate, weares a formall ruffe,
A nosegay, set face, and a poted cuffe.
51
He neuer bids God speed you on the way,Bicause he knowes not what your bosomes smother,
His phrase is, Verily; By yea and nay,
In faith, in truth, good neighbor, or good brother,
And when he borrowes mony, nere will pay,
One of th'elect must common with another,
And when the poore his charity intreat,
You labour not, and therefore must not eate.
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52
He will not Preach, but Lector: nor in white,Because the Elders of the Church commaund it,
He will no crosse in Baptisme, none shall fight
Vnder that Banner, if he may withstand it,
Nor out of antient Fathers Latine cite,
The cause may be, he doth not vnderstand it,
His followers preach all faith, and by their workes,
You would not Iudge them Catholickes, but Turkes.
53
He can endure no Organs, but is vextTo heare the Quirristers shrill Antheames sing,
He blames degrees in th' Accademy next,
And gainst the liberall Arts can Scripture bring,
And when his tongue hath runne beside the text,
You may perceiue him his loud clamors ring
Gainst honest pastimes, and with pittious phrase,
Raile against Hunting, Hawking, Cockes, and plaies.
54
With these the Brownists in some points cohere,That likewise hold the marriage ring prophane,
Commanded prayers they'l not indure to heare,
and to subscribe to Cannons they disdaine:
They hold more sinne a corner'd cap to weare
Then cut a purse: leaue these as vilde and vaine,
By thee (Opinion) Realmes haue bin confounded,
What darst not thou, wher thou art firmly grounded?
55
To the first world now let my muse retire,And see how strong thou wast Opinion then,
To create dieties I must aspire
And giue eternity with my fraile pen,
Such as the world did in those daies admire,
It deified, and so made Gods of men:
The Cretan Iupiter, to heauen translated,
And Saturne, sire of all the Gods instated.
56
Made Iuno Queene of heauen, Venus of pleasure,Ceres of Corne, and Bacchus God of wine,
Cupid of Loue, Mars Warre, and Mammon treasure,
Pallas of wisedome, and of speech deuine,
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By their owne thoughts, and vnto such resigne
Their speciall honours, in whose harts they guest
Most power in that, which they on earth profest.
57
This made the Heathen kings by Ioue to sweare,Their Queenes at Iunoes sacred Altar kneele:
Child-bearing women, chast Lucian feare,
Souldiers at Mars his shrine, to hang their steele,
The Swaines to honor Ceres, by whose cheare
Their graine decaide or prosper'd: this made kneele
Drunkards to Bacchus, Orpheus strung his Lyre
To Phæbus God of Musicke, and of Fire.
58
To Esculapius the Physitians prai'd,Shepheards to Pan, and Poets to the Muses,
A God of Neptune Nauigators made,
And he that gardens loues, Pomona chuses,
Chast Virgins still implore Dianaes aide,
And who that loues, God Cupids name refuses,
Vulcan commandeth Smiths, Flora Flowers,
Æolus winds, and Pluto infernall powers.
59
The Poets write, three brothers lots did castFor th'Vniuersall Empire: To Ioue fell
Th'Olimpicke heauens, which all the rest surpast,
Great Neptune with his three fork't Mace must dwell
Within the bosome of the Ocean vast
And guide the Seas, blacke Pluto gouernes hell,
Opinion, whence these Gods build all their glory,
Must be the Base, to our succeeding story.
60
Whilst thus Egiptian Belus was instated,The reuerend Moyses in Mount Nebo died,
And Captaine Iossua second Iudge created,
The Thracian Boreas, from his Mothers side
Stole faire Orithia, hauing long awaited,
To make the beautious Virgin his sweet Bride,
From whose rude armes she neuer could be freed:
But leauing these, of Belus we proceed.
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61
The blustring winds before they had a kingTo locke them fast within his brazen Caues,
Great deuestations ore the earth did bring,
Tossing blacke tempests on the curled waues:
Tis said rough Boreas shak't his flaggy wing,
Gainst his three brothers with opposed braues,
Who with such mortall hate, at variance fell,
They made heauen shake, earth reele, the Ocean swel:
62
No Mediterren Sea, before this brall,Was knowne in the earths armes to be inclos'd,
The Seas tost by the winds, brake downe the wall,
Which for his bounds the fates had interpos'd,
At such dissention, the foure Brothers fall:
Hauing the raines of all their gusts vnlos'd,
They cleft the Earth, the Ocean full of pride,
Thrusts in, and two maine Lands shoulders aside.
63
His traine of waues by Calpes he brought in,And through his deepe Abismes leads them to warre,
He peoples euery place where he hath bin
With his broad waters: who are still at iarre
With the torne earth, more roomth and space to win,
For his vnbounded limits (stretch't so farre)
That they haue pierst the aged Tellus hart,
And from Europa, Affrica still part.
64
So was Italia and Sicilia one,Till the rough gusts the Ocean did inuade,
Who forcst a channell, where before was none,
And twixt these kingdomes large irruption made,
Therefore the Gods th'vnbrideled winds t'attone,
That their commaundlesse furies might be staid,
Surprisd them, and to Æolus bound in chaines
Gaue them, and he their roughnes still restraines.
65
With Ioues lasciuious pastimes I proceede,As cheefely to the fall of Troy allide,
Oh you Ioues daughters borne of heauenly seed,
My braine and pen by inspiration guide,
93
Of Priams glory, and Achilles pride,
Of Hectors valor, and bright Hellens fate,
With all your aydes I may at large delate.
66
Not how on Semele, Ioue Bacchus got,Nor in the shape of Bull Europa stale,
Of Swan-transformed Loeda speake I not,
Nor of Mnemosine frame I my tale,
Nor how Esopis did her honour blot,
Nor Astery by Ioue turnd to a Quaile,
Nor how for Nicteis he himselfe transformed,
Nor Ioes rape, at which Queene Iuno stormed.
67
But how he rauisht Danae that bright Lasse,By many suters (but in vaine) assailed,
How she was closed in a Tower of Brasse,
Which with a golden Ladder the prince skaled:
What cannot gold? whose brightnesse doth surpasse,
How oft hath Gold boue womens strength preualed?
Laps that haue had gainst all temptations power,
Haue spred themselues wide, to a golden shower.
68
From Iupiter of Archad, and a dameCal'd Isis did one Epaphus proceed,
To him was borne a sonne of ancient fame,
Hight Belus, who great part of Egipt freed
From tirrany; and after swaide the same,
He had a Sister too, who soone decreed
Archad to change for Affricke, and her name
Lybia, from whom the grim Busyris came.
69
Belus two children had (so the fame runnes)Danaus and Egiptus: Danaus he
Had fifty girles, Egyptus fifty sonnes,
Twixt whom, these Brothers a full match decree,
All parts are pleas'd, not one the marriage shunnes,
False Danaus, with his daughters doth agree,
As with their Bridegroomes in their beds they lay,
The fifty husbands in one night to slay.
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70
(Saue young Ypermenestra not a maid,)But in her husbands bosome sheath'd her knife,
And she alone the bloudy plot bewraid,
And to her Linceus prou'd a loyall wife,
Of all Egistus sonnes, he by her aide,
Alone did from the murther scape with life,
Of whom, as they in nuptiall loue remained,
He Abas got, Abas in Arges raigned.
71
Abas Acrisius got, from him discendedBright Danae, of whom we now intreat,
Whose beauties fame is through the earth extended,
Acrisius iealous of his Fathers seat
To Egipt hies, and there his prayers commended,
Offering large quantities of Gold and Wheat.
At the God Belus his great Grandsires shrine,
Of his faire daughters fortunes to deuine.
72
This answere he returnes: Away, be goneThou sonne of Abas, Danae forth shall bring
A gallant boy, shall turne thee into stone,
And after thee in Arges raine sole-King:
Acrisius now hath turn'd his mirth to mone,
From whence his ioyes should grow, his sorrows spring,
His hoped Issue and successiue heire,
Late, al his pleasure, now is all his care.
73
He intimates that from her wombe shall riseA gallant boy, that shall his Grandsire kill,
And Arges Crowne by force of armes supprize,
He sweares the maid shall liue a Virgin still,
And to preuent his fate, doth straight deuise
A Tower impregnable, built on a hill,
Strong of it selfe: but yet to make it sure,
He girts it with a treble brazen Mure.
74
The guiltlesse Lady wonders at the stateOf this new worke, not knowing why tis built,
To see sharpe Pynacles themselues elate
So high towards heauen, the Arches richly guilt,
95
In euery place rich tinctures largely spilt,
The Tarras with white Iuory pillers rail'd,
And the Crosse-ebon bars, with guilt stoods nail'd.
60
It seemes too strong for pleasure, and for warreIt shewes too neat: but now the worke is ended,
Who that beholds it shining from a farre,
But with admiring thoughts the worke commended?
The nearer you approach, the more you are
Inflam'd with wonder, not a staire ascended
But of white Marble, not a doore but Brasse,
The windowes glaz'd with Cristals, not with glasse.
61
All things prepard, the King will Danae carryTo view the Tower, she giues it due with praise,
He thus proceeds; Child thou shalt neuer marry,
But in this place of pleasure end thy daies,
And in this brazen circuit euer tarry,
The Lady starts, and thinkes too long she staies
In that loath'd place which now to her appeares
No Pallace, but a dungeon full of feares.
62
And asking why she must be kept a slaue,Or how she hath deseru'd so strict a doome,
To be so young put in her Marble graue,
(For whats a Prison, but a liuing Toombe?)
Or for what cause she may no husband haue,
But liue an Ancresse in so strict a roome,
Knowing her selfe a Princesse ripe and fit,
Wrongd (as she thinkes) not to be married yet:
63
Acrisius tels her what great Belus spake,When hee with Orisons kneeld at his throne,
That from her wombe the world a sonne should take,
That shall his Grandsire change into a stone,
She interrupts him, and thus scilence brake,
Oh would you be eternall liu'd alone?
And neuer die? What would Acrisius haue,
More then an heire to lodge him in his graue.
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Did you not into stone great Abas turne,And Abas to his Father Linceus so,
Their funerall trunkes to sacred ashes burne,
O're which their monumentall marbles grow,
Oh Father, no man can his Fate adiorne,
Shall these your eyes be closed vp by a Foe?
Or can you deeme your owne bloud shall betray you?
Who are more fit within your stone to lay you.
80
What you did to your Father, let my sonnePerforme to you: successiuely succeed:
Your Fathers glasse is out, yours must be run,
Leaue then your Crowne to one of Abas breed:
In vaine (quoth he) we cannot thus be wun,
To alter whats vnchangeably decreed;
Here shalt thou liue, but royally attended,
Like a bright Queene, and from a King descended.
81
So leaues her guarded with a troope of Mayds,And envious Beldams that were past their lust,
These, with rewardes and threats the King invades
In his high charge, to be seuere and iust,
But most the Matrons, (fittest for such trades)
Rather than wanton wenches, he dare trust:
Louers may Louers fauour, Crones are past it,
and enuy, but not pitty those would tast it.
82
So doth the full-fed stomach meate denyVnto the famisht: So the Drunkard spils
Wine in aboundance, which would cheare the dry,
Cold age the appetite of hot lust kils,
Danae thy beauties fame is sounded hie,
Mongst many other Kings: Ihoues cares it fils,
He loues her by her fame, and longs to see her,
Nor are her thoughts at peace before he see her.
83
A thousand bracelets, Iewels, Pearls and Rings,With gold of sundry stamps, the King prepares,
And hauing readied all these costly things,
In a poore Pedlers trusse, he packs his wares,
97
Hope sometime cheeres him, sometimes he dispaires:
At length arriues there, in an euening late,
And fals his rich packe at the Castle gate.
84
Where two leane wrinkled Crones stand Centinell,To giue the watchword to Acrisius guard,
Appointed straight to ring the latum Bell,
If any man once neere the Castle dar'd,
The Pedler askes, who in that pallace dwell,
Or how they call the place? Hast thou not heard
Of Danae quoth the Beldam (looking sower)
Whom Arges King, closd in this brazen Tower.
85
He viewes the place, and finds it strongly seared,Not to be won by armes, but skal'd by slight,
I came from Creet, quoth he, and was intreated
Heere to deliuer tokens of some weight
From great king Iupiter: their cold blouds heated
With hope of gaine, they cheare their age-duld sight,
And with a couetous longing, earne to view
What precious knackes he from his Hamper drew.
86
A thousand seuerall Trinckets he displaies,If this be Danaes Tower quoth he, then these
Belong to you: the Crones his bounty praise,
And in their hands two costly Iewels cease,
The younger Ladies now are come to gaze,
Not one amongst them but he seekes to please:
Some Gold, some stones, some Rings, some Pearles he gaue,
And all haue something, though they nothing craue.
87
Blear'd with these gifts, their charge they quite forget,And euery Ladies eie dwels on her prize,
Comming fore Danae, she beholds them set
With sundry brouches sparkling in her eyes,
And asking whence they had them, they bid fet
The Pedler vp, who hath of fairer size,
Brighter Aspect, and for a Queene to weare,
In worth not to be valewed, yet not deare.
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88
Danae commands him vp, he glad ascends,And through their brib'd hands freely is admitted
Euen to her chamber: Gold, thy might extends
Beyond all opposition, the best witted
Thou canst corrupt, diue through the hearts of friends,
By thee are wal'd Townes entred, skonces splitted,
By thee are armies swayed, Camps ouer-runne,
Children the Fathers spoile, and Sire the sonne.
89
No wonder then if Gold the Pedler brought,To enter, where besides him, no man came,
Behold the Goddesse this great King hath sought,
Oh how her bright eie doth his soule inflame!
Pearles, Iewels, Rings, and Gold, he sets at naught,
yea all the world, if valewed vvith this Dame,
Variety of costly gems he shewes her,
And makes her of them all, the free disposer.
90
So wils the Cretan King, nor vvill he takeOne mite in way of Chaffer or set price,
She thankes the Pedler for his Maisters sake,
And hovv to please him, askes her maids aduice,
But they so much of their ovvne Ouches spake,
Whose brightnesse did their thoughts imparadice,
That they contend whose Iewell rarest glisters,
Whilst Ioue in Danaes eare, thus softly whispers.
91
Behold vvhat loue can do: that King of CreetThat prizes Danae aboue any rate,
Wrapt in course Garments (for a King vnmeet)
(For Danaes Loue and grace, despising state)
Prostrates himselfe at thy Imperiall feet,
Resolud before he entred Darrains gate,
Thy beauty, vertue, youth, and fame to saue,
Buried already in this brazen graue.
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For Lady, to vvhat purpose are you faire?as good to haue a tan'd and vvrinkled hide,
Why is your hands so vvhite, your brovv so rare?
An Ethiops face maskt, shevves as full of Pride,
99
Of your bright lookes, al wonder are denide,
Your Goddesse-shape is to the sencelesse stone
No better than the beauty of yon Crone.
93
What difference makes the dead twixt grace and skorne?What luster giues Apollo to the blind?
What are the choysest dainties if forborne?
Whats musicke to the eares whom deafnesse binde?
What is the costlyest garment if not worne?
Or being worne, if none his riches mind?
What shewe's in Iewels hid behind a skreene?
Whats state vnknowne? whats beauty if not seene?
94
The Princesse sighes, as knowing all is true,When Iupiter proceedes: Renowned Dame,
Set this ritch beauty to the broad-worlds view,
These rare perfections let the world proclaime,
Whom thousand Kingly Sutors shall pursue,
Vnmaske this beauty: to that end I came:
Oh, leade not here a base condemned life!
That may abroad, liue a free Queene and wife.
95
Pitty yout seruant Iupiter, whose treasure,Whose life, whose Crowne, whose fortunes are al yours,
Robbe not your selfe of all earths glorious pleasure,
Pitty your youth, whose pride a gayle deuours,
A dungeon takes of such perfections ceasure,
That should command all free enthroned powers:
And die not here, t'eternal bonds betraide,
Rob'd of all sweets, that for your tast were made.
96
You are a woman desperate here, and lost,Kept from mans sight, for which you were created,
And beauteous Princesse (which should touch you most)
Your gealous father by the world is rated
As one that coopes you but to spare his cost,
And enuying you a Queene should be instated,
A Tyrant, that prefers his gealous feares,
Before your vertue, beauty, youth and yeares.
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Graunt me your loue (oh grant it) blush not Queene,That loue, shall be your ransome from this place,
This prisoned beauty shall abroad be seene,
and Empresses shall homage to your face,
and then this Gaile where you haue cloystred beene
You will despise, and tearme Acrisius base,
That gold in Brasse, and pearle in stone would shrowd,
Muffling the bright Sunne in so base a clowd.
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Her tender hart relents, his amorous shapeAppeares out of his base vnknowne disguise,
and if her hart his sweet words cannot scape,
No wonder if his feature charme hir eies,
She knowes no Peasant dares attempt her rape,
Nor any base thought ayme at her surprise:
and saue King Iupiter by fame held peerlesse,
She knowes no prince so bold, so rich, so fearlesse.
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But as she would reply, her Virgin-guardBegan to leaue their conference, and draw neere them,
Which Iupiter espying, straight prepar'd
His bounteous packe with more rewards to cheere them,
and whilst they askt the Princesse how she far'd,
He ransacks for more trifles, and doth beare them
Vnto the female waiters, Danaes traine,
So with fresh toyes he bribes them once againe.
100
They throng about him round, to be seru'd first,and as they tast his bounty start aside,
Comparing which is best, and whose the worst,
More words and wagers must the strife decide,
and whilst these gemmes are by the Ladies purst,
and none neere Danae and the King abide:
She viewes the amorous Prince with more satietie,
and he the Princesse courts with fresh variety.
101
She neither giues him promise, nor deniall,Neither repulse, nor graunt, (so Women vse)
When men (in sight of others) make their tryall,
They will not say you shall: least you abuse
101
And say withall, they shall nor will, nor chuse,
Then you shall find them weakly, fighting fall,
And willingly, vnwilling prostrate all.
102
Giue louers opportunity, their louesAre halfe won to their hands without more sute,
The man that verball Court-ship onely moues,
Shall all his life time in vaine words dispute,
When one that proffers faire, and fine force proues,
Speeds with his Action, though his tongue be mute,
For euery maid, takes one thing from her mother,
Whilst her tongue one thing speaks, to think another.
103
The night growes old, and the bright Lamps of heauen,Are halfe burnt out: the Beldams call to rest,
What shall the Pedler do, so late be driuen
Out of his Inne, the lodge that likes him best,
To lie with Charles-waine, and the Hyads seauen,
He hath deseru'd more grace they dare protest,
To turne him out at this time might seeme cruell,
That bought his bed with many a high priz'd Iewell:
104
And yet to harbor him, they needs must feare,Because they shall incurre Acrisius ire,
If such a tiding should arriue his eare,
Their bodies all were doomd vnto the fire,
But by what meanes can King Acrisius heare?
Beside, what pesant pedler dares aspire
To Danaes bed? and all their liues betray,
Faine they would haue him gone, and faine to stay.
105
His bounty hath preuail'd, and he prouidedA priuate lodging in a place remote,
Danae vnto her Princely couch is guided,
So much her Hand-maids on their fauours dote,
They carelesse plucke her doore too, the locke slided
Besides his fastning place, which none doth note,
Then take their toyes, and to their beds they bear thē,
Longing for day, that they in sight may weare them.
102
106
A generall hushtnesse hath the world possest,And all the Tower surpriz'd with golden dreames,
Alone King Iupiter abandons rest,
Still wishing for Apolloes Golden beames:
Desperate of hope, he knowes not what is best,
When rising, from a farre he spies bright gleames
Pierce from his window, as from Danaes Tower,
In th'humid nights most taciturnall houre.
107
He knowes sad sleepe hath ceas'd vpon the many,He heares no waking clocke, nor watch to iarre,
He venters forth, and searching, finds not any,
And in his way to this new blazing-starre,
He layes his eare to euery rift and crany,
Till he with fearefull strides hath woon so farre,
That he must now these Marble steps ascend,
Which led vnto the bower of his faire friend.
108
Wher comming, with a soft and trembling pace,To touch the doore, he feeles it yeild him way,
And freely giues him entrance to the place
Where his diuinest Mistresse Danae lay,
He kist her finger, hand, necke, brest, and face,
And euery thing the white sheete durst betray,
That done, into her siluer armes he crept,
And all this while the amorous Virgin slept.
109
Imagine how she waking grew amazed,Imagine him a double Rhetoricke vsing,
Action and words: sometimes her selfe she raised
To call for helpe, his dalliance quite refusing,
Imagine then how he his loue imblazed,
He at her scorne, she at his boldnesse musing,
His gifts, his name, his loue, plead on his part,
Gainst him, her fame, her feare, and her chast hart.
110
Loue makes him eloquent, and sweet occasion,Makes him bold too, shee's bashfull, and withstands,
He laies to her both battry and perswasion,
And much ado she hath to passe his hands,
103
Or breake the compasse of his Iuory bands:
She would be gon, he wooes her to lye still,
So hee'l no violence vse, she sayth she will.
111
Oh banquerupt Ihoue, in midst of all thy blissesIoylesse, and yet with pleasures ring'd about:
He wooes againe with Court-ship mixing kisses,
A thousand batteries, Danae hath held out:
And still the siedger his irruption misses,
They parly, but conclude not, both are stout:
Sometimes he striues, then she begins to threat,
Then hee from striuing, falles againe t'entreat.
112
What, cannot opportunity and placeBed-fellowship and loue, if they conspire?
A comely feature and a Courtly face,
Court-ship and Name of King to win desire?
All these in Iupiter intreat for grace:
All these haue set her amorous hart a fire,
And gainst all these, the least of which command,
Saue bashfulnesse, sh'hath nothing to withstand.
113
And thats too weake gainst things of their ability,Yet is it of a temper, not to yeeld,
For though it be subdude with much facility,
T'will proudly seeme still to maintaine the field:
It raignes in many that professe ciuility,
Who all their pleasures on compulsion build:
For bashfull women long since learnt this skill,
What they would giue, to grant against their will.
114
Women are weake, and weake ones must obey,Faire Danae is but woman, and must fall,
Her glory is, that she hath held him play,
And kept her friendly foe so long from all:
What should she doe, the Prince will haue no nay,
Her guard's asleepe, if she for help should call:
What with compulsion, loue, force, and faire words,
She lyes confus'd, and he the Princesse bords.
104
115
This night the warlike Perseus was begot,And now the early day-star gins to rise,
Who cals the Prince vp, least the Beldam trot
Should find his night-walke with her gealous eyes,
But she their priuate sport suspected not,
Nor knew the King in his assumd'e disguise:
Teares when they part are in aboundance shed,
When he must leaue the Princely Danaes bed.
116
It is compounded and betweene them sworne,That Ihoue must come in Armes by such a day,
By whom the Lasse must be from Arges borne;
So takes his leaue, he dare no longer stay,
The Sunne is cal'd vp by the early Morne,
High time, to send the Pedler on his way:
They praise the largesse of their bounteous guest,
But of his Iewels, Danae keepes the best.
117
Leaue Ihoue towards Creet, and Danae in sad plight,For his departure, whom she tenders deerely,
She neuer lou'd vntill this Ominous night,
And now to see him part, she riseth early,
Gladly with him she would haue tane her flight,
But feares her father would reuenge seuearly
Her bold attempt, and backe returne her weeipng,
To spend her future youth in stricter keeping.
118
Besides she feares (that which indeed was trew)That she (of Ihoues seed) might conceiue a sonne,
Which if the gealous King Acrisius knew,
At these sad tidings he would franticke run:
The Princesse to her chamber now withdrew,
Arm'd with this hope, that Ihoue the deed had done:
Th'only renownd, ritch, puissant, and of power,
By force of Armes, to free her from the Tower.
119
Now to record what I remembred earst,How Troos in Troy his neighbor Kings out-shined,
And in the same place where it was reuerst,
How all Troys fame King Tantalus repined,
105
By Troas: is to another place assignde:
Here should I speake how Troy to fame aspired,
But my Muse flags, and my dull pen is tired.
106
The end of the fourth CANTO.
107
Canto. 5.
Argumentum
King Tantalus before the Troians flyes,Saturne arriues in Creet and by Troas ayded
Once more intendes his Kingdome to surprise,
Creet is by Troian Ganimede inuaded,
In ayde of Iupiter the Centaures rise,
Ægeons ful-fraught Gallies are disladed:
Danae and her young sonne are turnd afloate,
By Arges King, into a Mast-lesse boate.
Arg. 2.
Pelops, the two Atrides and Aegeon,Vulcan the Gorgones in Epsilon.
1
Whose inspiration shall my heauy brayneImplore, to make my dull Inuention light,
Or to a loftyer key my pen constraine,
Or raise my Muse, that takes so low a flight,
Thou Ihoue-borne Pallas o're my numbers raine,
And musicall Apollo giue me spright,
With the bright rayes that from thy temples shine,
To shew me way vnto the Muses nine.
108
2
Of whom the eldest Clio first deuisdTo Chronicle the Royall gests of Kings,
Strutting Melpomene in Gules disguisd
In Theaters, mongst Tragicke Actors sings,
But soft Thalya hath such straines despisd,
And to her Commicke sceanes shrill laughter brings,
Wind Instruments Entirpe best affects,
Terpsichore the stringed Lyre directs.
3
The Geometricke figures EratoHath in her charge, as first by her disclosed,
But from Calliope hie Stanzoes flow,
For she Heroik numbers first composed,
The course of starres are by Vrania know,
And how the Planets we aboue disposed,
But Polihimnia smooth Rhetoricke chuses,
The youngest of Ioues daughters, and the Muses.
4
All these at once their sacred gifts aspire,That may giue beauty to my taske in hand,
Affoording helpe when I their aide desire,
To guide my tost-Bark to desired Land,
A slender barke, slow sayl'd, and apt to tire,
And founder in the Sea: weake, and vnmand,
Apollo with the rest, my voyage speed,
Whilst to Troyes fatall ruine we proceed.
5
King Tantalus the sonne of Iupiter,That rain'd in Attique, brought an host 'fore Troy,
Which his sonne Pelops led: how can he erre,
Being directed by so braue a Boy
That vndertakes his army to transferre,
And Troos with his new Citty to destroy,
This Pelops with the King of Elis ran,
And in the course bright Hyppodamia wan.
6
Her Father Oenemaus was betraidMy Myrtolus his treacherous Chariot-driuer,
And in the race slaine, Pelops by his aide,
Of many suters dead the sole suruiuer,
109
Intending with all pompous state to wiue her,
Th'espousals ended, Time with swift pace runnes,
And she in processe, hath producst two sonnes.
7
Thyestes and Atreus nam'd: the firstOre-come with burning lusts insatiate heat,
Rauisht Atreus wife (oh deed accurst)
For which Atreus doth him home intreat,
And takes his Children where the Babes were nurst,
To dresse their bodies for their fathers meat,
Some bak't, some rost, some sod (oh bloody deed!)
To make a father on his owne childe feed.
8
Atreus two sonnes had, the eldest hightAgamemnon, who was after Mycenes king,
And Greekish Generall of the ten yeares fight,
Twixt Greece and Troy, which we must after sing:
The second Menelaus, in whose right,
The Argiue Dukes their puisant Armies bring,
Husband to Hellen, when prince Paris sought her,
And Hellen, Iupiter and Lædaes daughter.
9
But we digresse: gainst Pelops and his SireIlion and Ganimed from Troy appeare,
These are the sonnes of Troos, many a bold squire
They led with them to Ilion, the first yeare
He rain'd in Troy in bright celestiall fire,
Came the Palladium downe from heauens high spheare,
Which Ilions Towers long after did inioy,
Continuing till the vtter sacke of Troy.
10
Their hostile Instruments to battell sound,Ten thousand hands at once to heauen are raised,
Which in their fals, as many strike to ground,
Cowards are scorn'd, none but the bold are praised,
The Troyans haue begirt the Phrygians round,
Pelops aboue the rest his fame imblazed,
And Ganimed that doth bold Pelops see,
Fights, as if none need kill a man but he.
110
11
Such was the valour of this Troian youth,Though Troos and Ilion both did wondrous well,
He onely stands, defends, breakes, and pursueth
Their standing battailes: by his valour fell
The Phrigian host, now murdred without ruth:
Charon is tyr'd, with ferring soules to hell:
The Troians follow with victorious cries,
Whilst Tantalus and valiant Pelops flies.
12
This was that Tantalus bright Plota bare,(Whom for a speciall grace) the Gods admit
To their high Counsell, where they oft repaire,
He blabs their secrets, therefore they held fit
To punnish him in hell with torments rare,
In Læthe chin-deepe he must euer sit,
Hungry, whilst Apples touch his lips: and dry,
Whilst from his thirsty chin the waters flie.
13
And this that Pelops whom his father slew,And hewd his body into gobbets smal,
Whose Massacre the Gods in mercy rew,
And gathering vp his limbes to match them all,
They misse that peece to ioyne his body new,
Which from the throat doth to the shoulder fall;
Which they with Iuory peece, and who more bolder
Then new-made Pelops, with his Iuory shoulder.
14
And yet inforst to flie: but had his menBin euery one a Pelops, none had fled,
He was the last in field, preferring then
Fore Coward runners, the resolued dead,
But what can one alone gainst thousands ten?
Led by so braue a Prince as Ganimed,
Leaue we triumphant Troos, now let our hand
Direct sea-toyled Saturne safe a Land.
15
Who from his sonne in the last battaile flying,his Grand-child Archas to the sea-side chast,
We left him in a ship the Ocean trying,
Where he hath plowed strange Seas: great dangers past:
111
(After his tedious course) a Towne at last;
His Marriners to shore their sailes imploy,
And Sea-beat Saturne touches land fore Troy.
16
Which Troos amidst his plausiue triumphs seeing,With Ilion, Ganimed, and thousands more,
Makes towards the harbor, whilst old Saturne freeing
His men from ship-bord hath imprest the shore,
He makes his habit with his stile agreeing,
The Troyans wonder at the state he bore:
Himselfe so well prepar'd, his ships so faire,
Both to the barbarous Troians seeming rare.
17
So small a number can no warre pretend,Therefore their strange arriue they neede not feare,
As farre as doth their Hemisphere extend,
They view the sea, but see no shipping neare,
Which makes the King salute him as a frend,
And aske the reason of his landing there,
Saturne replies: Behold poore strangers throwne,
To vnknowne people, on a Land vnknowne.
18
Yet would you haue his Countrey, Nation, name,That knowes not on whose earth his bold feet tread,
Nor with what breath he may his stile proclaime,
From his owne Natiue ayre so farre being fled:
If you perhaps haue relisht Saturnes fame,
Whose glory liues, although his state be dead:
Then view that Saturne with respectiue eies,
Whose far-spread beames set, at his sonnes vprise.
19
Saturne hath spoke enough, whose longing earesHaue not bin fild and cloy'd with his renowne,
The Heauenly musicke of th'Harmonious spheares,
Climbe to his praise: by him the fields are sowne,
(The Archers shoot) and Childing-Tellus beares,
In what remote climbe is not Saturne knowne,
By him are seas past, heady ships contrould,
He first Tild, Ploud, Sowd, Reapt, and fined Gold.
112
20
He need not of his Ominous wars possesse him,Troos knowes his issues triumph, and his flight,
Inspir'd with supernaturall gifts they gesse him,
And hold themselues heauen fauoured in his sight:
He vowes in Creet againe to repossesse him,
Where Ihoue vsurps gainst all paternall right,
After few daies in feasts and triumphs ended,
A puisant host is to his charge commended.
21
Of twenty thousand souldiers, Troians all,Commanded by the valiant Ganimed,
A better war-exployted Generall
Neuer appear'd in sight of Ensignes spred,
They passe the Egeon seas (which men so call)
Of the Grand Thiefe Egeon, he that fled
From Iupiter, when all the Tytans perisht,
Now on these Seas by murdrous Pyrats cherisht.
22
Saturne directs their landing, as best knowingThe safest harbors: and their army guided
Through many furlongs of his ancient sowing,
Neuer till his daies by the Plough diuided;
But as their host to Creet is nearer growing,
With hope to take the Cretans vnprouided,
King Iupiter is by the skouts discride,
With many Centaures that on horsebacke ride.
23
But not expecting any hostile power,Or to beat backe inuaders, doth he gather
This puisant host, hee's for the brazen Tower
Where Danae liues, coopt by her ruthlesse father,
But now that host the Cretan soile must scoure,
Which amorous Ihoue would haue conducted rather
To scale the brazen fortresse, the darke skreene,
Twixt courtly freedome, and his cloistred Queene.
24
To this imployment the stout Centaures cameVnder Ixions conduct, twice two hundred,
Who first deuis'd Thessalian steeds to tame,
They seem'd at first, halfe horse, halfe man vnsundred,
113
(Vnknowne till now) th'amazed Troians wondred,
The battailes ioyne, and both the hosts discouer,
About Ihoues Tent, a Princely Eagle houer.
25
He takes it for an Ominous signe of good,The Troians for some heauy sad presage,
By this, a thousand quarters swim in blood,
And from both sides the heated Champions rage,
In a deepe red they dy the neighbour flood,
Neuer did bolder spirits battaile wage,
The dying grone, the feare-confounded shrike,
The wounded bleeding fall, the standing strike.
26
The Centaures boldly fight, the Prince of TroyShines both in Armes and valour aboue all,
Hauing both Art and strength his steele to imploy,
And many halfe-dead limbes about him sprall,
To him Ihoue makes, and is re-met with ioy,
On either part whole troopes before him fall,
So haue I seene two burning Meteors fare,
Breaking through diuers clouds to tilt in th'aire,
27
Two fiery Meteors I may call them right,For they were both in gilded Armors laced,
And had they fought in a darke cloudy night,
With such rough blowes their shields and helmes they raced
And forcst from them such store of fiery light,
With steele encountring steele, and blowes well placed,
The two maine Armies might haue fought in view,
By the bright sparkes that from their Armors flew.
28
This Monomachy lasted not, for yonderComes Saturne on the part of Ganimed,
On th' other side, the hoofed Centaures thunder,
And Character deepe halfe Moones where they tread,
By whom the Champions are inforst assunder,
And all confus'd that was in order led,
Thus in this tumult and disordered brall,
By scores and hundreds they drop downe and fal.
114
29
Saturne assailes his sonne, but is refus'd,He shuns th'vnnaturall combat with his Sire,
Amongst the Troians he his Champions chus'd,
The Hostile stranger shall his worth admire,
Against whose Armies he such valour vs'd,
That force, perforce, their vaward must retire:
Meane time Prince Ganimed King Saturne righting,
Alone, is midst a hundred Centaures fighting.
30
Encountring Eson, arm'd at euery peece,Eson well mounted, gainst the Troian ran,
This Esons sonne was after knowne in Greece,
Twas he that did the stately Arges man,
And in his bold quest of the golden fleece,
With the rich Sheepe deepe-speld Medea wan,
Who after old, decrepit, weake, and hored,
Was by his daughter to his youth restored.
31
Him Ganimed vnhorst, and in despightOf the bold Centaures mounted on his steed,
Prouing the manage of this vnknown fight,
And in the proofe made many Centaures bleed,
(But all in vaine) his troopes are put to flight,
Saturne is shrunke, and left him at his need,
And to ther ships in troopes his souldiers fled,
Whose shamefull steps, the Prince of force must tred.
32
The Centaures and the Cretan king pursue themVnto the Oceans Margent, and euen there,
Twixt Sea and shore, in countlesse heaps they slew them,
Such as escape, their course to Troy-ward beare,
For Saturnes men, the Cretans cannot view them,
Another vnknowne tract (alas) they steare:
Whether the winds and waues their vessaile driue,
Twice driuen from Creet (gainst heauen in vaine wee striue)
33
Iupiter and the Centaures such ships take,As should haue bin imploid for Darraynes Tower,
And after Ganimed to Sea they make,
Pursuing them to Troy with all their power,
115
Doubting if earth or sea, shall them deuoure,
Troos with an host discends, as one that guessed,
The Prince his sonne, was by his foes distressed.
34
The battaile is renewed, the king intendsTo rescue sonne and Subiects in such state,
But (ouer valiant) Ganimed extends
His valour beyond wisedome, all too late
The King of Troy his puissant fury bends,
In rescue of his sonne, now in sad fate:
The Cretans him surprize, and he being tane
With this rich prize, they make to Sea againe.
35
Leaue Troos and Islion mated at this crosse,The pride of Troy is not to be re-won,
He rates him much aboue his kingdomes losse,
And all Dardania mourneth for his son,
How in the guard of those that from Molesse
Came with Ixion, and on horse-backe run,
Ioue giues command (being at Sea assured)
The Prisoners to be chear'd, the wounded cured.
36
And calling now to mind the Bird that soaredAbout his rich Pauillion, he ordained
Her picture should be drawne and quaintly skored,
Vpon a Crimson Ensigne richly stained,
Which since that fight, to all that Mars adored,
As a perpetuall instance hath remained:
Till then, they bore no flags, no Scutchions drew,
Ioues Eagle was the first, in field that flew.
37
He now remembers Danae, and commandsHis Pylots to direct his waftage thether,
But what the king inioynes, the wind withstands
With boysterous gusts it foulds their sailes together,
And hurries them along by diuers Lands,
They beare their wandering course they ken not whether
At length, they in the sea, Ægean wander,
Of which, the Theefe Ægeon was commander.
116
38
The blustring tempest hath diuorst their Fleet,Only the Ship wherein the Centaurs saile,
With Ihoue and Ganimed, the Pirats meet,
The rest were straide, and of their Voyage faile,
Yet some amongst the rest take land in Creet,
Some bandied too and fro, by euery gale,
Yet all their barkes liue, none so neere to die,
As this the Pyrats from the shore discry.
39
Sixe Gallyes they disanker from the IsleCald Desert, and their Barke incompasse round,
Ihoue and the Centaurs arme them in smal while,
And al their Martiall notes to battel sound,
Which the bold Troian hearing, gan to smile
In scornfull guise, to see his armes fast bound:
Oh when (quoth he) stood Ganimed thus still
To heare the Martial musicke of Kill, kill?
40
Is my opinion of knowne Armes so weake?My name so poore, the Centaurs scorne mine ayde?
Did we for this their maine Battallions breake?
And with our Armed breast their hoasts invade?
Why may I not in this case boldly speake?
Shal I stand still, to see my life betraide?
Although a Prisoner, yet this fauour show,
To guard mine Honor, gainst a common foe.
41
Not fighting against Troy, we are a friend,These Pyrats with your honors couet mine:
Oh let the King of Creet such grace extend,
That by his side I may in Armour shine,
To see how wel I can my head defend:
Some desperate Act vnto my charge assigne:
They hale vs neere, our ship the Pirats boord,
For Honors sake, giue me my Armes and sword.
42
These words charme Iupiter, and draw a vaileBetwixt his hart and Ganimeds disgraces,
The King relents, the Princes words preuaile,
His bands he looseth, and with kind embraces
117
Armd as they are, they take their pointed places,
Ihoue in the Prow, the Centaurs at his beck,
To face their foes, guirt round their vpmost decke.
43
Their golden Eagle is displaide: the GalliesGrapple on euery side their hooked steele,
Some from the Beak-heads, some the wast make sallies,
But those the Centaurs make like Drunkards reele,
And drop downe to the Sea, here no man dallies,
Some, with long pointed Irons bare their Keele
To sinke them, others by the Ship sides crall,
The Centaurs lop their hands off, downe they fall.
44
Twice they are forst t'vngrapple and vnhookeTheir double chaynes: To this I may compare,
Thy boording (valiant Greenvild) thou didst brooke,
A hotter skirmish then the Pirats dare,
Who keeping one good Ship, skornst to be tooke
By a whole Fleet of Spanish men a-warre,
Fighting till powder, shot, and men were wasted,
And these consum'd, euen til thine owne life lasted.
45
As often as they boorded thee, so oftBrauely repulst, their sides bor'd through and through,
And three times with thy three Decks blowne aloft,
As high as heauen (what more could valor doe?)
Now thy proud Ship hath al her Ensignes doft,
Those sayles the Amorous winds with courtings wooe
To tinder burnt: thou profferd life despising,
Leau'st thy (Reuenge) euen with the waters rising.
46
The Gallyes fasten still: (a watchword giuenBy Iupiter,) at once they headlong skip
(Dispearst) into such vessels as were driuen
Within their reach, and leaue their Cretan Ship,
Now many a Pirats skull is bruis'd and riuen,
Some heau'd ore boord, some softly slip
Into the sea for feare, their liues to smother,
So, by auoyding one death, seeke another.
118
47
Th'vndaunted Gyant-Theefe-Egeon nowKens Iupiter, him Iupiter espies,
And facing him in his owne Gallies prow,
Thus with vndaunted language he defies:
Behold thy fate, see Ihoue thy ruyne vow,
Whom thou by Coward-ods sought to surprise,
Thou, that by land my ruthlesse fury fled,
Shalt now by Sea be forst t'abide me dead.
48
I am the sonne of Saturne, by whom fell,Tytan, with al the Earth-bred Gyant seed,
Thy Sire and brothers I haue sent to Hell,
and thy destruction I haue next decreed:
At this, th'inflam'd Egeon gan to swel,
Rage makes his language lagge, his fury speed:
Action proceeds his words, before he spake,
With his huge Axe vpon Ihoues helme he strake.
49
The blow was put to loane, while they two striue,Prince Ganimed hath al the Gally cleared,
and mongst them all he leaues not one aliue,
Saue the graund-theefe, who now not to be feared
Ihoue hath subdude, and gins his legges to gyeue,
Since in the Gyants rescue none appeared,
Bulke, hands, legs, thighes, the Prince at once inuirons
and leads him with an hundred chaynes of Iron.
50
In these the harmlesse Trauellers he bound,(Now his owne plague) they that suruiue are fled,
and on the Seas disperst, now doth Ihoue ground
His loue vpon his new friend Ganimed,
He enters his owne ships and wanders round
The spacious Vast, where wind and waters led,
Crossing both Torrid and the frozen lines,
By this the Sunne had compast all the Signes.
51
The Ramme of Helles, and Europaes Bull,Castor and Pollux, Cancers burning Signe,
Th'Herculean Lyon, and the Virgin-Trull,
The skale of Iustice, and the Scorpions line,
119
Of watry Capricorne, next whom doth shine
The Troian lad, that from his lauer powres,
Last the two Fishes drilling Southern showres.
52
And at the yeares end taking land in Creet,After his tedious progresse on the streame,
Queene Iuno welcoms him with kisses sweet,
His subiects kneele to him as their supreame,
Fiue hundred Steeds presenting at his feet,
But he whose thoughts harpe on another theame,
Prisons Ægeon, Ganimed sets free,
And in his grace (saue Iuno) who but he?
53
But Iuno, when his mind on Danae ran,Shewd like a Crow vnto a siluer Doue,
Rose to a Black-berry, Rauen to a Swan,
It makes him mad he cannot ayde his Loue,
Twelue Moones are fild and waind, since haplesse man
The day expir'd, he should his valour proue,
And now (though late) hee'l try his best endeuour,
To fetch her thence (for better late than neuer,)
54
But loe, amidst his hostile preparation,By chance a Lord of Arges rode that way,
Who, knowne to be a stranger of that Nation,
The King demaunds of Danae, to bewray
What he hath heard: he gins a sad Oration
Which doth the Princes hoast from waftage stay,
In what remote Clime, if by Rumor blowne,
(Quoth th' Arges Lord) was not bright Danae known?
55
When she was Danae, and whilst Darrain TowerInclos'd earths-Beauty in her brazen hold,
But now shee's cropt, and that sweet smelling flower
Is vaded quite and withered, wrapt in mould:
The King at this lost all his vitall power,
His bloud forsakes his hart, his braine growes cold,
His thoughts confuse, his soule within him bleeds,
When th' Arges Lord of Danae thus proceeds.
120
56
Of the Tower, Darrains strength, Acrisius guard,Within how many gates of brasse inclosed,
Of their nocturnall watch, Diurnall warde,
Twixt man and her, what strong bars enterposed
To keepe her chaft, what deafe man hath not heard:
Yet al these locks are with those bolts vnlosed:
Oh heauens! what mortall wit? what humane skil
Can keepe a woman chast, against her wil?
57
Thou gealous foole, why dost thou gayle thy wife?When Darrains strong Tower cannot loue expel?
Better thou hadst to graunt her a free life,
If she be honest, she wil guide it well:
If otherwise adicted, vaine is strife
Though in the circuit of Brasse walles she dwel,
Inmure her body fast as thou canst thinke,
Shee'l make thee Cuckold, bee't but through a chinke.
58
Perhaps her body in strict bonds thou hast,Yet canst thou not the thoughts within her stay:
Not she that dares not sinne, is counted chast,
Not she thats matcht, and cannot step astray:
Not she that feares, is mongst the vertuous placst:
“Alone shee's Chast, that will not, though she may:
Their Natures are, to couet things denide,
And in forbidden pathes to tread aside.
59
Oft haue I seene a Steed would keepe no Tract,But fling, and bound, when he was too much raynde,
But when he felt his curbe and bridle slackt,
Play with the Byt, that he so much disdaind,
And so that Steed by gentle meanes is backt
Which brookes no Ryder, being much constraind,
So doth a sicke man stil, though he be chid,
Most couet, what the Doctors most forbid.
60
Had Danae mongst a thousand suters playdAnd reueld in her Fathers pallace, then
I doubt not but she still had beene a mayd
And (as she did before) despised men:
101
When he inclos'd her in her brazen den:
Though thousand gates and doores her beuty smother
Loue breakes through al, to make the maide a mother.
61
Her time expires, her father spies her great,And threats the Beldams to consuming fire;
New Guardiens are appointed in this heat,
Acrisius doth by sundry meanes inquire
Of her, and of her guard, by no intreat
Or forced torment, made to glut his ire:
Will they confesse, the Ladies all dare sweare,
(Saue th'vnsuspected Pedler) none came there.
62
Nor will bright Danae yet disclose her shame,Vntill the long lamented houre draw neare,
Nine Moones o'repast, her houre of Childing came,
Deniall bootes not, when such signes appeare;
And now gainst Cretan Ihoue shee gins t'exclaime,
And gainst all them that will themselues forsweare:
A childe is borne, the Lad she Perseus names,
Cleares all her maids, and on her selfe exclaimes.
63
Th'offended King hath doom'd them both to die,And (being inexorable) that doome stands;
The Seas they in a mastlesse boat must try,
Where both th'Imperious wind and waue commands,
The pitteous Marriners themselues apply
To their vnwilling taske: In their loth hands
They Perseus take, and the faire Danae guide,
To tast the mercy of the rigorous tide.
64
The Argiue Lord heere sighes, but heere Ihoue rages,Threatning Acrisius, cursing his delay,
But Ganimed at length his spleene asswages,
And aymes his threatned thoughts another way,
Hauing lost Danae quite, he now ingages
His loue to Iuno, and beside her lay,
Of whom he got a sonne; In small time after,
From his Aunt Ceres he deriu'd a daughter.
102
65
None comes amisse to him, stranger nor kin,Of his owne Nation, or of climes remote,
His daughter Venus tels him tis no sin
For men to practise dalliance where they dote,
Prince Ganimed that long in grace had bin,
And did this loosenesse in his Hauior note,
Demanded how he could his thoughts deuide,
To loue so many, thus the King repli'de:
66
I will not in my owne vaine errors stand,Nor boldly that (which some condemne) maintaine,
The fault is great, if it bee truely scand,
I knew it bad, but can it not refraine;
For mad-man like I striue to plow the sand,
In seeking my free humor to restraine:
I burne, and seeking ease, run to the fire,
I loath my fault, and yet my guilt desire.
67
I want the power to gouerne mine owne will,My head-strong appetite beares all the sway,
I know my waies losse, yet I wander still,
I see the path, and yet I turne astray:
Thus like a Ship misguided without skill,
Whom a stiffe violent Tempest beares away,
To wracke it on some Rocke or shallow sounds,
I am transported quite beyond my bounds.
68
I loue, but yet I know not in what fashion,I loue a thousand, for a thousand reasons,
My mouing thoughts abide in no firme station;
My hart is subiect to my blind thoughts Treasons,
For euery sundry Lasse I enter passion,
And am of loue prouided at all seasons:
That wench is modest! oh shees in my Bookes,
I onely loue her for her modest lookes.
69
Yon lasse is bold, (see, see) my heart she easeth,I like her, shees not like a Milke-sop bred,
And straight this thought my apprehension seyseth,
She will be much more plyant in the bed,
103
Because no sheepe, I would the Damsell wed;
And in that thought I skale her amorous fort,
Sharpe Noses are all Shrewes, yet apt for sport.
70
Is she a Scholler? Then her Art delights me:Is she a Dunce? Her simplenesse contents me:
Doth she applaud my loue? Her praise incites me:
Or discommend me? Yet she represents me
With matter of new loue: Admit she spights me,
I loue her: for her spight no whit torments me;
For though her words be rough, smooth is her skin,
What in the first I loose, the last, I win.
71
Hath she a tripping gate? Her short steps moue me,And in her quicker motion I take Pride:
Takes she large steps in going? As you loue me
Let me haue her, I like her for her stride:
Sings she? I am inchanted, let her proue me,
I on her lips can quauer and deuide:
Is she vnweildy? Yet my hart she charmes,
And may be much more actiue in my armes.
72
Her I affect, she is so sweet a Singer,And I loue her, though she can tune no note:
She playes vpon the Lute, that nimble finger
Would please me better in a place remote:
Yon dances; I affect a lusty springer,
And on such capring legges who could not dote.
This cannot dance; yet when she lies in bed,
She will find Art to haue thy fancies fed.
73
All things Inchant me that these Ladies do,And in my frozen breast bright bon-fires make;
Thou art a Bona-roba, and I wo
Thee for thy bredth and length: thy Stature sake:
Thou art a little Lasse, I like thee too,
And were I sleepy thou wouldst keepe me wake:
Not one can come amisse, I can find sport,
Both with the fat and leane, the long and short.
104
74
Yon Lady manners wants, I straight suppose,Would she learne Court-ship, how it would beseem her:
This court-ship hath, and I must needs disclose
What loue I for her manners can beseeme her,
That hath a whitely face, and a long nose,
And for them both I wonderous well esteeme her:
This the greene sicknesse hath, I long to proue her,
This lookes not greene, but black, I therfore loue her
75
Is her haire browne? So louely Ladaes was,Browne trameld lockes best grace, the brightest hew:
Are her lockes yellow? Such Auroraes glasse,
Presents in her attyring to her view:
Is haite orient bright? It doth surpasse,
If Chesnut coloured? Such do I pursue:
My eies still aime at beauties rare perfections,
and I all colours loue, and all complexions.
76
My loue can fit it selfe to euery story,I loue a young girle, and a woman staid,
Her fresh yeares please me, and I should be sorry
To loose her youth: who would not loue a Maid,
anothers lookes are Matron-like, I glory
In her: and I her person must inuade:
To end as many as the world can hold,
M'ambitious loue likes, be they young or old.
77
Now to proceed of Danae and her sonne,Long tost vpon the Oceans ruthlesse streames,
at length her barke th' Apulian shores hath won,
about the houre when Phœbus dons his beame,
and to ascend the Easterne hill begun,
When she new wakt out of her horrid dreames:
Her selfe halfe dead with cold, her Babe neare frozen,
Finds that her barke hath a faire harbor chosen.
78
Which a poore Naples Fisherman espying,Kenning a Barke that had nor Oare nor saile,
He leaues the nets that on the shore were drying,
and puts to Sea the mastlesse boat to hale,
125
A beautious Goddesse, couer'd with a vaile,
And on her knee a babe, or dead, or sleeping,
To which she sange not, but was softly weeping.
79
It mou'd the poore man to behold her teares,He sees th'extremity they both are in,
Her sailesse boat vnto the Land he steares,
And her young infant that was bare and thin
A wraps in his Capootch, and softly beares
Vnto his cottage, where no Prince hath bin,
He makes a chearefull Fire, and in a while,
The halfe-staru'd babe doth on his mother smile.
80
And being refresht with what the Cottage lent,Their Natiue beauties repossest their faces,
Whose rarenesse the poore man admiring, went
To acquaint the King with one so full of graces,
Who sends for her to Court incontinent,
And hauing seene her beauty Danae places,
In his throne Royall, swearing by his life,
The bounteous seas haue sent him this rare wife.
81
This King Pelonnus hight, who gently praies,To acquaint him with her birth and fortunes past,
The blushing Dame her modest eye gan raise,
And to his faire demaund replies at last,
She tels him she hath spent her youthfull dayes
In Arges: next how she to Sea was cast:
Of Darraines Tower, of her vntimely fate,
Of Iupiters forg'd loue, Acrisius hate.
82
Discoursing orderly the sum of all,At which the King oft wept, her fortunes ruing,
blaming the cause of her vntimely fall,
At euery Inter-medium loue renewing,
He thinkes Acrisius hate too great: too small
Ihoues loue, that left such beautie for pursuing,
he wooes, she yeelds, that did the King besot,
And married, Danaus is betweene them got.
126
83
Of whom and of young Perseus forbeare,To speake of Saturne through the world notorious,
And Iupiter subduing Climats neare,
As Cecill, Lemnos, Cipres (stil victorious)
Piercing large Italy, and welcom'd there
By Ianus, for mongst Kings his stile was glorious,
This Ianus byfrons was of auncient name,
Of him our Ianuary tooke first name.
84
Ianus tels Ihoue King Saturne dwels them by,Teaching rude Nations Tillage, there vnknowne
And held in reuerence, for the Princes nie
Receiue his exilde people as their owne,
He shewes him plowes, teemes, yokes and harrowes lie,
And fields of ripened graine, already growne:
This King at length brought Saturne to Ihoues view,
And by his meanes, attonement twixt them grew.
85
The good old Ianus in Taurentum raignde,So did Euander in Mount Auentine,
Since one of Roomes seauen hils, and proudly nam'd
By these King Italus of auncient line,
This Italus from Ciracuse constraind
Built the great Citty Albe, by which shine
Bright Tyber Streames, al these at once desire,
Peace and accord betweene the sonne and Syre.
86
Saturne surrenders Creet, hauing erectedA Citty, where Roomes Capitoll now stands,
And a chast Virgin to his wife elected,
Philicis cald, colleagued in nuptiall bands,
Of whom he Picus got, Picus protected
That Citty after Saturne, and commands
The Realme adiacent, Faunus was his sonne,
and from this Faunus did Latinus come.
87
The Poets make this Faunus for his careO're husbandry, the auncient Sire and Father
Of all the Rural-gods: His Queene was fayre
And Fatua hight, who would haue bedded rather
127
But our dispersed story we must gather,
And of Nicostrate, wife to Euander,
A little speake, before too farre we wander.
88
Who dotes on Iupiter, and laught him charmes,With Negromanticke Charracters, in which
He expert growes, and hauing left off armes,
Studies the blacke spels of this sorcering Witch,
Abandons horrid sound of shrill alarmes,
Now onely labours to be wise and rich,
And leaues the Iatian Kings, where long he staid,
After the league twixt him and Saturne made.
89
To Ceeet returning, where Queene Iuno wasDeliuered of a foule mishapen Lad,
Cald Vulcan, Ceres of a louely Lasse,
Hight Proserpine: the enuious Queene growes sad,
To see her Aunts child in bright lookes surpasse
Hers in deformed foulenesse: Ihoue's more glad
Of Proserpine then Vulcan, which espide,
The iealous Queene doth with her husband chide.
90
She chases, he laughes, she blames his wanton ryat,He giues her liberall scandall a deafe eare,
She counts her selfe food to suffice his diat,
and tels of all his scapes, how, when, and where,
That he is forst to keepe his Queene in quiat,
To marry Ceres to a great Lord there,
With whom he gaue t'augment his name and power
Sicill and Syracusa for her dower.
91
To Vulcan he the Isle of Lemnos gaue,To be instructed in hid Geomancy,
In the deepe bowels of the earth to raue,
To learne the force of fire in Pyromancy,
Taught by Beroutes, and Piragma graue,
The third Sceropes red him Negromancy,
Himselfe the God of Smiths, Lemnos his seat,
Where these three Cyclops on his Anuiles beat:
128
92
And frame Ihoues trisulck thunders, some deuineLame Vulcan in his birth was straight and faire,
And being in Ihoues lap where Planets shine
And stars like golden studs sticke round his chaire,
The Mansion of the Gods in heauens Christaline,
Dandling his smiling babe, he spies the ayre
Al in guilt flames, earth burne, the Meteors drinke
The boyling Seas, and heauens huge Collumes shrink.
93
For Phaeton had set the world on fire,At which Ihoue rising from his throne in hast,
To thunder-strike the youth that durst aspire,
Downe drops his sonne towards earth, and falling, past
Through al the Planets, by Apollo hier
Then al the rest, So by the Moone at last,
Twixt heauen and earth, who can describe the way?
When he was falling a long Summers day.
94
He lights in Lemnos, nor can Vulcan dieBy this occase, being borne of heauenly seed,
Though on the earth amaz'd the infant lie
He breaths at last, (so haue the Fates decreed)
Of Vulcans craft, and how he did affie
Venus (Loues Queene) how Mars did twixt them breed
Strife and dissention: how the winged boy
Was borne, belongs not to the tale of Troy.
95
Yet that I may not slightly let them passe,Without some smal remembrance of my pen,
Whose history so oft recorded was,
By auncient Poets, hie-renowned men,
To Thracian Mars, and the bright Paphian Lasse
A little space we must looke backe agen;
And speake how she her bridal bed did blot,
The very night yong Cupid was begot.
96
When Mars and Venus made appoint to meet,And to that end a priuate Conclaue found,
To dally out the howers in kisses sweet,
And sports in which the loues-Queene did abound,
109
The obscure Caue they first perufed round,
To shunne disturbance til their game was done,
Iealous of all: but fearing most the Sunne.
97
Knowing his searching eye is prying stillThrough euery Casement, loope-hoole, chinke, or crany,
Therefore to blind him they must vse their skill,
The blabbing Phæbus they dread most of any:
A noble youth on Mars attended still,
Whose secresie he had prefer'd 'boue many:
Gallus they call him, whom God Mars wil haue
To watch the Sunne at th'entrance of the Caue.
98
The Louers enter, Gallus stayes behind,All the night long his eye-lids neuer close,
But towards the Dawne, dul sleepes his sences bind
In their soft chaines: his powers to rest dispose;
He neither feares Fawnes, Nimphs, stars, moon, or wind,
Nor any other eye: the Sunne-God rose,
And in his mounting through th'Olimpick sky,
He that sees all things, did the Louers spy.
99
The Tel-tale Sunne straight to the Smith discouersTh'adulterate practise of this amorous payre,
Who straight deuis'd a net to catch the louers;
Meane time Mars wakes, sees Venus lye all bare,
(Both ouer-slept themselues) for Phæbus houers
Ouer their caue, and in his face doth stare:
Th'astonisht War-god knowes not what to thinke,
Seeing the Sunne stil peeping through a chinke.
100
Th'astonisht God first gently Venus wakes,Who blusht to thinke the Sunne their stealth had spide,
Then by the curled lockes he Gallus takes,
And thus he saies; Since then we are descride
By thy default, behold (poore Gallus quakes
Before his sentence, and his face would hide)
be thou transformd, thou that hast wrought our shame
Vnto a bird, that stil shal beare thy name.
110
101
This new made Bird (the Cocke in shape translated)Yet in his hart his ancient thoughts retaines,
For euery morne the Sunne by him is rated;
He by his crowing to God Mars complaines,
Before the Sunne is in his chaire instated,
Or in his hand takes the Celestiall raines,
He gainst his sides still with his wings, is drumming,
And tels to all the world the Sunne is comming.
102
Of Perseus next, and of the Gorgon slaine,And of Acrisius, by young Danaus ayde
Restor'd to Arges, and the Tower Darraine,
And of Andromede the louely maid
My muse sings next: In Hespery cal'd Spaine,
Porcus (suppos'd a Sea-god) often preyd
On harmelesse Strangers, who their voyage bore
Along by Spaine, vpon th'Hesperian shore.
103
This Porcus three sweet daughters leaues: Medusa,Euriale, and Scennio, their names;
All faire at first: the glorious eye of day
Saw neuer three more bright and stately dames,
These did the spacious Dorcad Islands sway:
The eldest gainst Mynerua warre proclaimes,
At which the Goddesse high displeasance takes,
And turnes their golden heires to crawling snakes.
104
She leaues them all no more saue one broad eye,Plac'st in Medusaes forehead, and to shine
Like sulphure, whose Aspect infects the sky,
Parches the grasse, and blasts both Rose and Spine,
It hath the Basiliskes true property,
To kill farre off, her head is Serpentine:
And by the pest, that on her fore-head burnes,
All that behold her face, to stones she turnes.
105
About her Pallace thousand pictures stand,Once men, now Images of sencelesse stone;
Of all that in the Dorcad Islands Land,
If by these Gorgons seene suruiues not one:
111
her poysonous eye-ball hath trans-form'd alone:
armies of men haue compast her at ones,
Armies of men her eie hath turnd to stones.
106
Throughout her kingdome you may people seeDisperst and taking stands in sundry places,
But neither moue hand, arme, head, foot, or knee,
For they haue stony limbes and Marble faces,
That oft-times Trauellors deceiued be,
To see dead stones retaine such liuely graces:
Some asking them the climate, some the way,
Others to know th'vncertaine time of day.
107
Nay sometimes quarrels haue betwixt them growne,Receiuing to their answeres no reply,
one angry fellow drawes vpon a stone,
And sweares deepe Oaths hee'l make it speake or die,
others more patient yet displeas'd are gone,
And say they skill no points of honesty:
Nor wonder if these strangers so mistooke,
When euery dead face had a liuing looke.
108
Heare one was going, and in going spideBy Adder-haird Medusa, and so stayes,
Euen as one legge did fore another stride,
and as his hindmost heele he gan to raise
To draw it after, both his legges abide
Fixt to the earth, his armes beside him playes:
his body forward bends, the picture showing,
The shape of one on earnest businesse going.
109
Another digging as the Queene came by,Stoopes stil with one Hand boue the other placst,
The right foot fixt, the left aduanced hie
To driue the dull Spade in, another facst
the Gorgon-monster, as his loue past by,
Who spreads his amorous armes t'infould her wast:
and smiling in her face, his Image stands,
Laughing with halfe-shut eyes, & broad-spread hands.
112
110
Heere stands a Fisher by the waters brinke,The Angle-hand stretcht forward to the riuer,
And there a Sheapheard heau'd his hands to drinke
On his blacke bottle, both his lips vnseuer,
His head bends backe, legs stride, and you would thinke
He dranke still, but this draught must last for euer:
His bottles gone, stil stands he strangely fating,
Hands heau'd, necke bent, mouth yawning, eies broad staring.
111
Of Marble Statuës many thousands more,In Field, Groues, orchards, High-waies, houses, streets,
Some naked, others in the robes they wore,
So hardly doth she deale with al she meets,
This man she takes conferring, but before
He can conclude his tale, his spirit fleets:
Some she finds chafing, laughing, striking, riding,
Al turn'd to stones in selfe-same shape abiding.
112
I feare my pen hath with Medusa met,For on the sodaine it growes stiffe and dull,
And cannot now defray my promist debt,
And with the Gorgons staine this Margent full,
Heere therefore this daies iourney shall be set,
And blame me not, if my tyr'd hand I pull
From his Diurnal task, at our next view,
I bring him on this stage, that Gorgon slew.
115
Canto. 6.
Argumentum
Perseus the Gorgon kils, then takes his wayTo Ioppen, on his flying horse alone,
Destroyes the Monster, frees Andromeda,
Acrisius saues, turnes Atlas into stone:
King Pricus Wife, the beauteous Aurai
Doates on the valiant Knight Bellerephon:
The Troians are with fearfull pests annoyde,
By Hercules, great Troy is first destroyde.
Arg. 2.
In Zeta Phineus fals, Chimer is slaine,Dis acts his rape: Queene Ceres doth complain.
1
Minerua , thou that hadst the power to makeMonsters of them, that thy high Name despise,
To turne a golde-Wire to a crawling Snake,
And change the beauty of bewitching eyes,
The Patronage of all my labors take,
More sacred Names, thy God-hood may comprise
Religion, Vertue, Zeale, we may thee call,
Whose foes are vgly, and with Adders crall.
116
2
The three foule Gorgons by thy power disguised,Were Lust insatiate, Auarice and Pride,
These Sisters in Hisperia tyranised,
All looking with one eye, who can deuide
Their powers and Natures, being three comprised
Within one head, and Sisters neere allide,
All such as on their strength themselues assure,
Sencelesse of good, as stones they soone obdure.
3
Therefore to arme vs gainst this horrid fiend,Behooues vs to implore Myneruaes ayde,
Perseus bright shield vnto our arme to bind,
And then we boldly may such foes inuade,
His shield was Cristall, and so bright it shind,
It dim'd the Gorgons eye, and whilst she plaid
In darkenesse, and her killing sight forsooke,
Her monstrous head he from her shoulders strooke:
4
About the time Perseus the Gorgon slew,Busyris gouern'd in Egiptia,
Cadmus rul'd Thebes: to Komos France was due,
Belochus Emperor of Assyria,
Othoniell Trumpets before Israel blew,
Prince Radamant raign'd King in Lycia:
Tyrhenus Italy, and Triton Spaine,
Whilst Liber Pater all the East doth gaine.
5
The Gorgons head with power to turne to stone,Vpon his shield he fixt, and of the blood
That Issued from the wound, swift Pegas shone,
And neigde out of the earth a Stallion good,
Whom Perseus backt, and out of sight is gone,
Flying o're Mountaine, Valley, rocke, and flood,
From Arctos vnto Cancers burning tracke,
And from hot Cancer to cold Arctos backe.
6
In his high Airery progresse ouer allThe Prouinces and Clymes beneath him spreading,
Where ere the purple drops from Gorgon fall,
Adders and Snakes are bred, the people treading
117
Their venomous stings, and fearefull hisses dreading:
Affrique doth Snakes in most aboundance store,
Because he longest did o're Affrique soare.
7
Yet whilst his venomous spoyles were bleeding new,But leauing Affrique, forward Pegas flyes,
He now the Ræmme, now doth the Fishes view,
And mounts and stoopes as the winds fall or rise:
At length he leaues the Orient to pursue,
The farre Septemtrion keeping still the skies:
Till falling with Hyperion in the West,
He with the day-tyrd Phœbus couets rest.
8
And stooping with the Sunne into these Seas,Where night by night he sleckes his fiery Carre,
And Atlas of that Orchard keepes the keyes,
Where golden Apples in aboundance are;
Thus Perseus greetes him: May your Highnesse please
To be my royall Host, who come from farre:
If greatnesse may my welcome more approoue,
Know thou in me receiuest the Sonne of Ihoue.
9
If nouelty in strangers thou acquirest,Behold, my flying steed and couered shield,
Hence groome (quoth Atlas) thou that rest desirest,
Lodge with the waking starres in the broad field,
To thee that to our Pallace thus aspirest,
We scorne all succour and reliefe to yeeld:
Thou com'st, as Prophets did long since reueale,
From Hespery my golden fruit to steale.
10
One of Ihoues yssue our Deuiners say,Must perpetrate such theft, and thee I feare,
Thou lookst like one that aymes at golden pray,
And I my Aurea Mala, hold so deere,
That I haue stopt vp each accessiue way:
Instead of pales, high mountaines their heads reare
About mine Orchard, by a Dragon kept,
A wakefull Monster, one that neuer slept.
118
11
With that he violent hands on Perseus layes,To beat him from his Pallace, but Ihoues sonne
The Gorgon-sheild vnto the King displaies,
Who instantly turnes to a hill of stone,
His haires and beard increase to Trees and sprayes,
His Bulke and Shoulders into hils are growne:
His head a Promontory top, o're-peering
The neighbour Rockes, and other Mountains neering.
12
His bones to stones, his bloud to Christall springs,And by the Gods decrees he so increaseth,
And with his growth such height and vastnesse brings,
That heauens huge weight, the two strong poles releaseth
To rest them on his shoulders: the Larke sings
The Sun his earely note, the night surceaseth:
Acrisius Grand-child doth with Phœbus rise,
And to his arme his shield Gorgonian ties.
13
His hooked skeyne he fastens to his thigh,So mongst the clouds on Pegas backe he sores,
The Swaine below that filles his wandering eye,
Leaues off his labor, and the helpe implores
Of powers deuine, t'explaine this nouelty,
He passeth diuers Seas and sundry shores:
Euen to th'Æthiopian Clime, and thence,
To where Cepheus makes his residence.
14
There for her Mothers guilt, Andromeda;By vniust Hammon was condemnd to die,
Whom as yong Perseus in his Ayery way,
Did from amongst the racking clouds espy,
Saue that the winds her golden haires display,
And drops of Pearle raine from her watry eye,
He had mistooke her, being chain'd alone,
For some faire Image of white Marble stone.
15
But when he saw no Marble was so white,Nor Iuory to her skin to be compared,
He raines his winged Steed and staies his flight,
And greedily vpon her beauty stared,
119
He loues, and greeues to see how ill she fared,
And now his toong no longer he refrains,
But sayes: oh you, vnworthy these rude chains,
16
Much fitter for a louers kind embrace,Tell me your stocke, your Nation, and your name,
And why such beauty should possesse this place?
Or for what crime into these bands you came?
Faine would the bashful girle haue hid her face,
Saue that her hands were bound: she blusht for shame:
Twice did he vrge her, she was silent still,
Yet the third time tels al, against her will.
17
How bright Casseipe her beauteous Mother,Knowing her daughter to be wonderous faire,
The pride her hart conceiued could not smother,
But with Nereides must needs compare,
For which they a'l complaind to Ihoues great Brother
Neptune, who with infection taints the ayre,
Nor can the pest cease, or the Towne be spared,
Til she there dy, that was with Nimphs compared.
18
But in the midst of her discourse, behold,Ere she can end her lamentable tale,
A huge Sea-monster with his long traine rold
In curled knots, makes the poore Girle looke pale,
The frowning billowes are by him controld,
Boue which h'aduanceth many a shelly skale:
She shreekes: her Sire and Mother, both dispaire,
The people with shrill out-cries pierce the ayre.
19
Which Danaes sonne espying, thus he saiesVnto the Queene and the lamenting King:
The time you see is short, the Monster staies
Assur'd destruction to yon maid to bring,
If then Ihoues son his towring fames can raise,
And pierce yon huge Sea-Dragons skaly wing,
Destroy the Monster, and preserue her life,
Shal the bright Virgin be my troth-plight wife?
120
20
Who doubts, but the sad Parents soone agree?They paw ne their honors to this sudden motion;
Phineus besides, the Maide doth promise free,
Resigning vp his right with much deuotion;
The Couenants made, and now from farre they see
The Whaly Monster beare a-brest the Ocean,
And driuing with his Fins whole Seas afore,
In making to the Virgin on the shore.
21
When suddenly young Perseus mounts the skies,His shadow danc'st vpon the siluer waues,
Which when the wrathfull Serpent did espy,
Against the idle shape he fumes and raues,
And as his drowned traine appeares on high
Aboue the brine, in which so oft he laues:
The dantlesse Prince, whose courage neuer sailes,
Strikes with his Faulchion, fire out of his scales.
22
And as you see a towring Eagle, whenShe spyes a speckled Serpent, soone her spangles
Vpon the greene brest of some Moorish Fen
Stoopes downe, and in the Dragons Crest intangles
Her talents: least his Iawes turning againe,
Ceaze her proud Sears, and whilst in vaine she wrangles
And threatens ruine to the princely Fowle,
She tires on euery knot and curled rowle.
23
So Perseus sowses on the horrid BeastHe hewes and beats him, till he makes him reele,
Possessing still his backe, which much increast
The Monsters fury, such strange weight to feele,
Sometimes aboue the Sea he lifts his brest,
And Perseus still pursues him with his steele,
Somtime beneath the blood-stain'd waues he shrinks,
The whilst his woūds like graues, whol billows drinks.
24
Whilst he the Sea, the Prince the Ayre supplies,Waiting aloft to see the fiend appeare,
Whose yawning chaps aboue the Billowes rise,
Ready to swallow all the Confines neare,
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He makes to him amaine, all voyde of feare:
And on his winged Steede against him tilts,
Shouing bright Harpe vp euen to the hilts.
25
The wounded Whale casts from his hillish IawesRiuers of Waters, mixt with purple gore,
But from their force the wary Prince withdrawes,
And strikes behind, on both sides and before,
In many a place his shelly Armour flawes,
Still byting Harpe, makes the Hell-hound rore:
And tyrd at length, the brutish Monster drownds,
In the blacke bloud that yssued from his wounds.
26
The God of Seas quak't at the frightfull soundHis Monster made: the Gods aboue looke pale,
The waters in the which his bulke lay drownd,
With feare shrunk from him: now the slaughterd whale
Receiues from Perseus many an vnfelt wound,
Whom Keene-edged Harpe pierst from head to tale:
The parents now clap hands: the Mayde reioyces,
The people lift to heauen their plausiue voyces.
27
And whilst the multitude their wondring eyesCast on the Monster, Perseus raines his steede,
And from the Marble rocke the Mayde vntyes,
By his late valour from the Hell-hound freede,
How can Cepheus or his Queene deuise,
Or the bright Mayde to giue sufficient meede
To Perseus for his merite, who desires,
With quicke dispatch to kindle Hymens fires.
28
The yeere Andromeda from death was freede,Pheamone first in Pythia propheside,
Cadmus found Letters: taught the Greekes to reede:
Cecrops th' Athenian Monarchy supplyde,
Rhomnus the Spanish Scepter (in the weede
Pontificke.) Ranses did through Ægypt ride,
Achaio did Achaya first instaure,
Now breath'd in Creete, the two shapt Mynotaur.
122
29
The pallace is prepard, in euery placeLowd Musicke sounds, the Bride is richly clad,
The Father his bold Sonne in Law to grace
Inuites the Neighbour Kings: but Phineus mad,
From this high feast absents himselfe a space,
Till of his friends, great troops he gathered had,
To force the Virgine, freed on Ioppens shore,
Now Perseus Bride, though plight to him before.
30
Behold, the Pallace Court throngd with a crew,Of men in Armour glistring: The loud sound
Of Nuptiall Musicke, through the Hall that flew,
With shrill confusions on the sudden drownd,
And still their showtes and cryes more violent grew,
Till all the Bridall guests, incompast round
With hostile siedge, amazedly discend,
To know what foes their powers against them bend.
31
With wrath vntam'd, the hurrying multitudeRageth, and growes Impetuous: some cry, bring
That Stranger hether, whom we will exclude
From the fayre Court: some cry, lets haue the King:
Others the Bride: some mongst the rest more rude,
Say, come, the Pallace to the ground lets fling:
And whilst these seuerall clamors pierce their eares,
Proud Phineus first, before them all appeares.
32
And shaking in his hand an Oaken SpeareHeaded with Brasse: he thus bold Perseus greets:
Behold, th' Auenger of my nuptiall Pheere,
Whom thou wouldst force. The Pallace Court & streets
Glister in armes, and canst thou hope to beare
Andromeda from hence, Him Cepheus meets,
And as he was about his Speare to cast
At warlike Perseus, Thus replyes at last.
33
Oh! what will Phineus do? What hellish rageMads thee to mischiefe? Who begot this strife?
Is this for Danaes Sonne sufficient wage,
Whose valor hath preserud my Daughters life?
123
For sauing her that should haue bin thy wife?
Whom not bold Perseus but the Gods bereft thee,
The fates, and not the prince, hath wiuelesse left thee.
34
When she was married to the Marble rocke,The fastning of those chaines thy bands vntide,
Wa'st not enough, thou borne of Cepheus stocke,
Her husband and her Kinsman neere allide,
Saw'st all this people round about her flocke
To see the sea-Whale in his bowels hide
And bury her? Her freedome not pursuing,
Vnworthy thou didst leaue her to her ruine.
35
Is Phineus sorry that she did not bleed,That her Redeemer he pursues with ire?
Or if thou holdst her such a high-priz'd meed,
Why didst thou not her from the Rocke desire?
Or else, to him that hath my daughter freed,
Why dost not yeeld her? Phineus eyes sparke fire:
Doubtfull at whom he shall his Iauelin fling,
His Riual Perseus, or his Kinsman King.
36
The vprore like the raging sea increaseth,Where thousand Rebels are by Perseus slaine,
Till tyr'd with slaughter his tough arme surceaseth,
With multitudes of men to strow the plaine,
For not a daring souldier neere him preaseth,
But dies by Harpe, and yet all in vaine
Such throngs of Phineus friends his valor cumber,
That Noble vertue must needs yeeld to number.
37
Therefore the Prince his Gorgon shield vncases,And saies aloud (since you compell me) see,
Reuenge sufficient for my foule disgraces,
For where strength failes we must vse policy,
All that are Perseus friends, turne hence their faces,
My foes all perish in their surquedree:
Fright Babes with Bug-beares, quoth the next that stands,
ayming a speare at Perseus with both hands.
124
38
But as on Gorgons head he casts his eye,His limbes grow stiffe, and he is changd to stone:
Another strikes the next that stands him by,
And pierst him through the brest, who now doth grone
His soule to Ayre: this done, he ment to fly,
But feeles his actiue spirits fled and gone:
His Marble arme hath lost his nimble speed,
To draw it from the bulke which he made bleed.
39
Behold a Prince borne by the seauen-fold Nyle,Crying to Perseus thus: See here thy bane,
Be proud, that we who dallied all this while,
Will at the length vouchsafe thy blood to draine:
And as he spake such words, a scornefull smile
His visage casts, intending to haue slaine
The Ihoue-star'd prince, his frozen Statue showes
Like one still smiling, and still threatning blowes.
40
What? Stand you at the Gorgons sight amazed?(Quoth Moble Erix;) or hath Witchcrafts spell
Such power vpon the valiant, who haue blazed
Their armes in many conflicts, and fought well?
Lets see what deuill in this shape is raised,
Whom my steele-pollax cannot prostrate fell,
But in his pressing forward, he soone feeles
Cold leaden numbnesse gyue his sencelesse heeles.
41
Amongst the rest, one of bold Perseus crew,Glancing his eye vpon his maisters shield
Turnd stone: him one of Phineus souldiers knew,
And thought to cleaue him standing in the field,
But with the stroke fire from the Marble flew,
His fore-head sounded like a brazen shield;
At which the Souldier musing, Gorgon spyes,
So stands transformd, with wonder in his eyes.
42
So that at last Phineus repents his spleeneAnd vniust warre made for Andromeda,
Two hundred of his traine his eye hath seene,
All Statuës: vnto some he cals (Away)
123
With which you threatned Perseus? Wherefore stay
Your paces from pursuite? Wheres the defying?
So claps them on the shoulders, Courage crying.
43
But when he felt their hardned limbs offendHis aking hand, and yeild it no impression,
And that their mockery shapes did idly bend
Their threatning armes, now finds he his transgression:
His penitent hands he doth to heauen extend,
Praying that they would ayd his intercession
To great Acrisius Grand-childe, who strikes dead,
So many bold sprites with his Gorgons head.
44
Now as with oblique paces, and his eiesTurnd from the conquering Prince, he kneeling, speakes;
Hoping t'appease him with submissiue cries,
The implacable Prince his rage thus wreakes,
Behold what doome the Impartiall Deities
Alot the wretch that Lawes of honor breakes:
So with his shield Gergonian him pursude,
Hardning the face which he behind him skrewd.
45
At th'instant his retorted necke waxt hard,His spread Armes stiffe, his fixt eyes shewing feare,
And you would thinke his shape all sence debard,
Spake as it stood, words that a man might heare:
These tumults done, and Hymens rights prepard,
The Prince intends another course to beare:
He takes his leaue, consorted with his Bride,
And to his Mother his swift steps applide.
46
In the Mid-way he youthfull Danaus meets,(His hopefull Brother) who at the first sight
Salutes him and his wife, with kind regreets,
In many a sweet discourse they spend that night:
At length the Murke and Palped darkenesse fleets
From the skies azurd forehead: with the light
The Princes rise, and speed them to the shore,
To which the mast-lesse boat their mother bore.
124
47
Now Phrigian Mydas (famous for his eares,In giuing Apolloes honor to God Pan,
And for his golden wish) the Scepter beares
Of Phrigia: In Israell that good man,
Samgor was Iudge, whose power so great appeares,
He of the Philistyns kild many a man;
And in one battaile whilst the Trumpets blew,
VVith an Oxe-goade sixe hundred Heathen slew.
48
But in these passages great Saturnes Sonne,That with the Troians was at broad hostility,
At Ganimeds request, a league begun,
Now Ihoue and Troos are one: he whose ability
Could not defend his Troy from being ore-run,
Now can commaund Troyes foes with much facility:
So, to yeeld way, rebates the greatest stroake,
So, softest walles, hard bullets soonest choake.
49
T'wixt England and great Spaine, two potent Nations,Like enmity, hath long time beene commenced,
And whilst Eliza liu'd, her proclamations
Oppos'd their pride, and her owne Prouince fenced,
But now with mutuall kind Congratulations,
All iniuries on both sides are dispensed,
And our great Englands Ihoue for Spaines best vse,
Hath at their suite, granted a termine Truce.
50
Troos yeelds his due to Nature, him succeedsIlion his Sonne, who Ilions high Towers reard,
More famous for his buildings, then braue deeds,
A royall Prince, and more beloud then feard,
He for a present, sends foure milke-white Steedes
To Cretan Ihoue (a Present much indeerd)
Who by the Knight that such a treasure brought,
Re-sends a pretious gold-branch quaintly wrought.
51
Much richer gifts in enterchange of state,Our Soueraigne to the lofty Spaniard gaue
The warlike Constable, who came of late
From Hespery: a fiue yeares truce to craue:
125
Bare Englands Admirall: both rich and braue,
When from K. Iames sent with a princely traine,
He was the great Embassador for Spaine.
52
Ihoues branch (cald the Palladium) the King plac'stIn Pallas royall Temple, where it stood
Till Troyes proud wals were quite deiect and rac'st,
And Islions lofty Turrets swam in blood:
Great Islion dies, and he that next him grac'st
The Troian Crowne (a prince not all so good)
Laomedon, of whom vve heere vvill stay,
To beare the Sonnes of Danae on their way.
53
Who as they past the desart, from a farreThey might espy a goodly Knight lie spread
Vpon the grasse, he seem'd a man of Warre,
For he was arm'd at all points (saue the head)
On his faire brow appear'd no souldier scarre,
It seemes he had not Armes long managed:
Exchanges past of many a kind salute,
Thus speaks the armed Knight, whilst they stand mute.
54
Who hath not of the great Acrisius hard?Acrisius, hē that built the brazen Tower?
Novv Arges King no longer, but debard
His natiue kingdome by his Brothers power,
His Brother Pricus hath against him ward,
And all his glories reft him in an hovver:
Stay there (quoth Perseus) you haue toucht me neerly
Acrisius vvrongs, King Pricus shall buy deerely.
54
We are Acrisius Grand-child, and discendedFrom beautious Danae, and that fort of Brasse
That Lady Rumor hath so farre commended,
Who in Gold-liquid-showre-drops courted was;
Oh! vvhere vvas I Acrisius, t'haue defended,
With Pricus blood to haue staind the Argiue grasse:
Both Abas sonnes, a Prince frugall and thrifty,
He, Linceus sonne, the sole remaine of fifty.
126
56
Is Brother-hood abroad so light esteemed,That kingdomes can such holy knots vnty?
Let me no more Ihoues Royall soone be deemed
But for Acrisius wrongs, King Pricus die,
He that in all the world austeerest seemed,
And stood vpon most points of honesty,
Hath prou'd the greatest Hypocrite: like those,
Without precise: within, religious foes.
57
Assist me Noble Knight in this aduenture,(Quoth the great Gorgon-tamer:) when replide
The armed stranger, by the firme Indenture
Of honor, I am else-where bound to ride;
But if with me you will my voyage enter
And see what shall my Chiualry betide,
My Noble taske atchieu'd, I then wil lead you
To Pricus, where my knowledge much may sted you.
58
When I the Triple-shapt Chimere haue slaine,Whose dreadfull forme makes all Sicilia quake,
Bellerephon will then returne againe,
And your attempt gainst Pricus vndertake:
The Princes wonder at Chimeraes name,
And that one knight his desperate life should stake
Against such ods, asking what Imposition
Hath sent him on this dangerous expedition.
59
Or whether vncompeld he be so madTo seeke assur'd destruction, and to scale
The Deuils den, where nothing can be had
But certain ruine, his tough skin is Male,
A terrible huge Lyons head (which drad)
A Chieures body, and a Serpents tale,
Him whose vast gorge whole armies cannot fill,
Why should one desperate Knight attempt to kill?
60
Bellerephon replies, by Pricus doome,Not my owne will I am compeld to go,
Else in my growing yeares that yet but bloome,
I'de flesh my sword on a more equall foe.
127
Or kill the triple-Monster, dreaded so,
(Sayth Perseus then) VVhat makes him so seuere?
Attend (quoth he) great Princes you shall heare.
61
Oh! Why did Nature frame these Women fayre?And make theyr outward features Angell-bright?
When their blacke insides staynd and spotted are,
With Lust, with Pride, Contempt, disdaine, & Spight?
Why should the snowy Swans in beauty rare
Haue such blacke feet? Why should the Lilly white
Beare such ranke smel? Can men withstand their fates,
When golden vessailes bring in poysoned cates?
62
I thought I might haue gatherd a fresh Rose,And not haue prick't my finger with a Thorne:
Or a sweete flower out of the Garden chose,
But not a Nettle in my hand haue worne:
Still, next the sweetest flower, the Nettle growes,
The rarest beauty hath the rudest scorne:
The Rouers Shippe beares the best promising sayles,
The foulest Serpents the most golden skales.
63
By a fayre Woman is my youth mispent,My Innocēnt youth that neuer loue imbraced,
Her deuillish mind to mallice wholly bent,
My fortunes hath o're turnd, my Name disgraced,
And I, through her maleuolent entent
Like a poore exile from my Countrey chaced:
Oh woman! Made of Enuy, Pride, and Lustes:
Woe to the man, that to thy weakenesse trusts.
64
My hopes (quoth Perseus) I on this haue layde,And thinke her heart to be her beauties peere,
Nor where I trusted most am I betrayde,
Andromeda I know still holds me deere,
The stranger Knight (quoth she) that doth vpbrayde,
Our sex so much, me thinkes is too seuere,
To blame all women, for one Ladies deedes,
At this all silence made, whilst he proceeds.
128
65
In Pricus Court my Child-hood I haue spent,And there the grace of many Ladies gained,
But I whose thoughts were all on Knight-hood bent,
Regardlesse of their lookes, their loues disdained:
Among the rest, Queene Aurea often sent
Gifts and smooth Letters, fraught with lines vnfaigned:
This beautious Q. whose thoughts were at such strife,
Was my dread Soueraigns spouse: King Pricus wife.
66
More then her rauishing beauty could intice,Th'allegiance to my King with me preuailed:
The more the wanton Queene incites to vice,
The more her sighes and amorous Courtships failed:
I held my name and honor of more price,
Then basely yeild, when womanish lust assailed:
At last, with such hot flames her entrailes burnd,
That (being disdain'd) her loue to rancot turnd.
67
She that before held of my person deerely,Now damnes my presence to the deepest hell,
And in her hart vowes to reuenge seuerely
My loyall scorne (I know no hate so fell
As that which was once Loue) It toucht her neerely,
Where loue once log'd such poysonous hate doth dwell,
That now she aimes her enuy at my head,
Nor can she liue, Belerephon not dead.
68
Forthwith she cites me to King Pricus throne,And as a Rauisher I am accusd,
She sweares that when I found her all alone,
I would her royall person haue abusd:
And then round pearles about her eyebals shone,
Which dropt downe by her cheeks, (such craft she vsd:)
Oh heauen! what cannot cunning women doo?
By oaths, and teares, to win their husbands too?
69
I pleaded Innocence, but what (God wot)Could my weake plea against her teares preuaile?
And to accuse her spouse-breach booted not,
Her whom teares helpt, could protestations faile?
129
Vpon her loyalty, rather bewaile
Her want of grace, and the hy-Gods importune,
To assist my Innocence, and guide my fortune.
70
When I askt witnesse of such foule abuse,She thus replide, commixing words with teares:
When lustfull men aime at such horride vse,
They watch all spyal-eyes and listning eares:
Nor can the want of witnesse plead excuse,
For who (that to a woman fancy beares)
Will, when he seekes t'inforce her gainst all reason,
First, call his witnesse, to such hated Treason?
71
Rather he watcheth the most silent houre,When man and beast is sunke in leaden slumbers,
And Morpheus he that hath on midnight power,
The world with vniuersal darkenesse cumbers:
When (sauing Lust and Murder) al the powers
Of earth lie husht and charmd: vvhen no man numbers
The yron toongs of Clockes: such a blacke time
Should haue bin guilty of his more blacke crime.
72
For double vvitnesse in this case I stand,Pricus (you are my Husband and my King)
And where should Aurea if not at your hand
Seeke Iustice: at that word fresh sourses spring
From her drownd eies: what need the cause be scand
With more sufficient proofe? What needs she bring
More arguments? Since euery teare she spilt,
Perswades her loyalty: my heinous guilt.
73
The King though inly mou'd with wrath and spleene,Yet in his calme lookes moderates his Ire,
He cals to mind how faithfull I haue bin,
Since, (when I seru'd as Knight) before (as Squire)
Loath would he vnreuenged leaue his Queene,
As loth doth he my Innocent blood desire:
Therefore twixt both, this rigorous doome he gaue,
That the Chimeraes wombe should be my graue.
130
74
His tale thus ended, the two Princes vowTo lend him all assistance: by their aide
Belerephon hath made Chimera bow,
Which done, they ioyntly Pricus Realme invaide:
Acrisius by their armes is raised now,
And Pricus slaine: In Arges they are staide
By old Acrisius, who repents at last,
Of Danae, mongst the ruthlesse Billowes cast.
75
The Noble Perseus he adopts his sonne,And makes him Heyre-aparant to the Crowne:
Sorry for all the spight against him done,
And now bright Danae he accounts his owne,
Sending young Danaus and Bellerephon
With royal gifts (soone to the Princesse knowne)
Shewing by these his reconciled hart,
But with the warlike Perseus hee'l not part.
76
Whom the same day he Arges King creates,Himselfe in Darraine liues a life retyred,
Perseus, Andromeda his Queene instates
In the like pompe (a Lady much admired)
Fiue children he begat (so would the Fates)
More valiant, with their Fathers gifts inspired:
Rich Scelenus, great Bachmon, and bold Demon,
Noble Erictreus, and faire Gorgophon.
77
This Gorgophon is held to be the first,That in those daies was knowne to marry twice,
Her husband dead, alone this Lady durst
Proue second spousals, which was held a vice,
The chasest Matrons her example curst,
Who held their constant loue in Soueraigne price:
Our hinder widowes, Saint her name in heauen,
Some foure, some fiue, nay some haue told to seauen.
78
His sonnes takes wiues, Acrisius still suruiuing,Who glories in his warlike Grand-childs seed,
Their honors from their Fathers acts deriuing,
For by their swords did many Tyrants bleed:
131
And of Acrisius timelesse fate proceede:
Forgetting what was told him long agone,
That Danaes Sonne must turne him into stone.
79
When Perseus had in Arges gouernd long,Vpon a night he much desird to see
Acrisius: and to Darraine that was strong
With triple gates, alone ascended he,
There knocks, the Porters had forgot his toong,
and with bold words denyde him entrance free:
At which inrag'de, the Prince his Harpe drew,
And at first stroke th'Ill-languad'g Guardian slew.
80
The vprore flowes apace, Clamors ariseFrom all parts of the Fort: to the Kings eare
They come at last, who with the Warders cryes
Astonisht, to the tumult preaseth neere,
Thinking t'appease the broyle and riotyze,
But haplesse man vnwares he perisht there:
The inraged Prince that mad-like layde about,
Struck with a blow, his Grand-sires life-bloud out.
81
Perseus the vnauoyded fates now blames,And layes Acrisius in his Marble graue,
He that on earth inioyes the hy'st-stilde-names,
Vnto theyr doomes must yeeld himselfe a slaue,
From all delights the Prince himsefe reclaymes,
In Arges Throne he no delight can haue:
But for his sake that th' Argiue Scepter bore,
he leaues the Prouince, neare to see it more.
82
His Court vnto Mecenes he transported,But thither did his sorrowes him pursue,
and therefore with a huge hoast brauely sorted,
himselfe into the Orient he withdrew:
his army he with warlike phrase exhorted
Gainst Lyber-Pater, whom in armes he slew,
and where the Easterne Monarchs bloud lay spilt,
Persepolis a stately Towne he built.
132
83
He cals the prouince Persea by his name,Where Bachmon in the kingdome him succeeds,
Erictreus did all the Nations tame
By the red Sea, and there his honoured deeds
Are Chronicled: great Scelemus thy fame
Liues in Mecenes: the Pontificke weeds
Are for thy Royalty reseru'd alone,
In Thebes, remaines twice-married Gorgophon.
84
Alceus and Electrion from his lineDiscend, Alceus was Amphitrioes Sire,
Electrion as Bochas doth deuine,
Alcmena got, whose face all eyes admire,
Alcmena and Amphitrio combine
Themselues by Hymens ceremoniall fire:
Of this bright Theban dame through Greece commended,
This Monster-tamer Hercules discended.
85
But how great Ihoue with bright Alcmena lay,Himselfe transforming to Amphitrioes shape,
Adding three nights together without day:
How Iuno enuious of her husbands rape,
Alcmenaes Child-birth hindred, and did slay
The vnborne infants who with wonder scape
Her Hell-borne charmes, how by Galantis smile,
Iuno was mockt, Alcmena scapt her guile.
86
How young Alcides in the Cradle lying,Check't two inuenomed Snakes, by Iuno sent
To strangle him: how Ypectens dying
By those charm'd Serpents, to Elisium went,
And how the Ihoue-star'd Lad his valor trying
Vpon th'Olimpicke mount: disgraced sent
All such as came to haue their valours tride,
To leape, to run, to wrastle, or to ride.
87
How by the K. Eristeus he vvas taught,Lou'd beautious Megera, and fam'd all Greece,
And through the world renown'd aduentures sought,
Conquer'd great Cacus and the golden fleece:
133
Doted on Deianeira that faire peece,
And Iole, who the more fame to win,
Made great Alcides on a distaffe spin.
88
All these we leaue as tales too often told,And rubs that would our running voyage let,
Not that our thoughts despise them being old,
(For to antiquity we owe much debt)
But because Time that hath his acts inrold
To many a Common sale his deeds hath set,
Therefore (though no part of his worth to reaue him)
We now for matters more allide, must leaue him.
89
And now looke backe to Troy: LaomedonIntends new wals about his Towne to reare,
But wanting coined Gold to deale vpon,
Solicits all the Gods, such as dwelt neare,
Chiefely those two that rule the Sea and Sun,
Neptune and Phœbus Mony-maisters vvere,
Of whose rich Priests for so much coine he cals,
As may repaire his Citties ruin'd wals.
90
They dispuruey their vestry of such TreasureAs they may spare, the vvork now being ended
Demand their sums againe: but out of measure
At their request the Monarch seemes offended,
And saies he meanes to pay them at his pleasure:
The Gods (by whom Troy vvas vvith wals defended,)
Inrag'd at his ingratitude, conspire,
With ioynt reuenge to vvreake their spleenfull ire.
91
The vvrathfull Neptune first his Billowes raisdAboue the high-built-Wals, thinking to drowne
Those lofty spires whom all the world hath praisd,
Hurrying his brinish waters through the Towne:
Now Dolphins play, where barbed Steeds haue graz'd,
In euery pau'd-street Neptunes Billowes frowne,
Till being weary with the Citties sacke,
He drawes himselfe into his Channels backe.
134
92
For by the fates appointment the proud GodMust keepe his falling ebbes as well as flow,
Else pale-fac'st Cinthia, at whose dreadfull nod
Obedient Neptune shrinkes, her rage will show,
For she commands his waues, and his abod
Is pointed by the Moone, whether below
In his Abisme, or rockes appearing hire,
He guids his lookes by her immortall fire.
93
But as he shrinkes his waters at her becke,He leaues much slimy filth vpon the shore,
Now gan the God of Fire his beames reflect
Vpon the drownded Continent that wore
The sea-Gods wrath, and now must bide his checke,
A hot contagious stemme (not knowne before)
Poysons the Clime, and as the heat increast,
The infectious pest consum'd both man and beast.
94
Halfe-perisht Troy vnable to withstandTheir double wrath, her people from her flye,
Knowing they both offended Sea and Land,
And to abide their vengeance must needs dye,
The King himselfe that wants power to command,
The all-consuming Plague, fears to come nye,
The wals he reard, but must to Delphos trauell,
To excuse his Pride, that with the Gods durst cauell.
95
His due Oblations ended: tis returnd,That he must seeke th'offended Gods t'appease,
Else the hot plague (his peoples entrailes burnd,)
Shall all the remnant of his subiects cease,
Nor must his fearefull pennance be adiournd:
Nothing can Neptune and Apollo please,
But monthly to a Monster of the flood,
To yeild a beautious maide of the Kings blood.
96
This couenanted, the Troyan King preparesAlotted Virgins, now th'infection slakes,
At length alas (for bold Fate all things dares,)
The lot the beautious maide Hesione takes,
135
For him, whose hand th'Imperiall Scepter shakes.
The hood-winckt Goddesse dare on all sides strike,
Beggers and Kings, in lots are both alike.
97
Imagin her with thousand Virgins guidedVnto her fearefull Toombe, her Monster-graue:
Imagin how the hulky Diuell slyded
Along the Seas smooth breast, parting the waue:
Alasse poore naked Damsell, ill prouided,
Whom Millions, without heauens help cannot saue:
Yet see, help coms: behold the pride of Greece
Deck't in the conquest of the Golden fleece.
98
Along the glassie Hellespont by chanceAlcides sayling, sees vpon the Land
The all-dispoyled Virgin in a Trance,
Wayling her ruine on the bryny Strand,
Aboue the Waues he sees a Whale aduance
His dreadfull shape: at whose sight all that stand
Vpon the Beach, some sounding, as halfe dead,
Others dismayde, backe to the Citty fled.
99
Such onely, whom the cause concerned most,And vnto whom the Virgine was allyde,
Attend her swallowing, on the Marine coast,
For whom (no Mortall) safety can prouide,
Now great Alcides with his Greekish hoast
Lands on the Continent vnterrifide:
And while the Troian King with terrour shakes,
The Virgins Rescue boldly vndertakes.
100
Two barbed Steeds, the best that Asia bred,Are by the King ordaind the Victors met'd,
By whose strong hand the Sea-Whale shall fall dead,
The Virgine liue, and Troy from pest be freed;
Now fals his huge Club on the Monsters head
With such impetuous weight, and violent speede:
As if Heauens greatest Collumne should downe fall,
That beares the high roofe of th'Olimpicke Hall.
136
101
The hydious Augur slaine, and she releast,The periur'd King, the promist meede denies,
And seeing Troy both wal'd, and free from pest,
Excludes the Greeke for his bold enterprise:
Who sayles from Greece: after few months of rest
Doth burne Larisse, and Tenedos surprise,
Ruinates Troy, expels Laomedon,
Beates downe the wals made by the Sea and Sunne.
102
In which atchieuement Philicteles fought,(Made of Alcides vanquisht foe his friend)
The King Eristheus there for honor sought:
And Creon to this dreadfull fight gaue end,
The Noble Theseus his assistance brought,
Theban Amphitrio did his arme extend
Gainst Asiaes pride, and with the rest returning,
Ayded great Hercules in Troyes first burning.
103
These as they were a Ship-board, hauing fildThe vast Wombes of their Barkes with wealthy spoiles,
Insulting in the Troian bloud they spild,
Discoursing of their fightes and dangerous broyles,
And such great victories attaind but seild,
Though with more labours, and Insudate toyles:
Cups of Greeke Wine vnto this Conquest crownd,
Thus King Eristheus boards the Princes round.
104
Now the first Vigill of the night is entred,With some discourse lets ouertake the Sunne,
Who flying, is by this beneath vs centred,
And whilst the waking Stars their courses runne,
Discourse, who first the Tartar gates aduenterd,
And by whose hand that bold attempt was done,
Of Orpheus and Euridice, and in fine
Of Pluto, and the rauisht Proserpine.
105
When Theseus thus: Since you desire to knowThe true report of these Tartarian bralles,
Which none can better then Alcides shew,
Or Theseus Present: by th' Ætnean Walles,
137
And thence into the Neighboring Riuer fals:
Crownd with a groue, through which the lake doth run,
Making his bowes a Bon-grace from the Sun.
105
Hether fayre Proserpine repayring still,With Daysies, Daffadils, and Lillies white,
Roses and Mary-golds her lap to fill,
And to returne home laden (a sweete sight)
Chaplets to make, or Gyrlands by fine skill,
By chance the God of shades in edge of night
In his blacke Ebon Chariot hurrying by,
Vpon the Virgine casts a Rauishers eye.
106
He spyes, and loues, and catches vp at ones,Th'affrighted Virgine, who lets fall her flowers,
he beares her ouer hils, Dales, Rocks, and stones,
She, cals on Mother, Friends, and (teares she powers,)
Mother nor friend can heare her shriekes and groanes,
Through pooles and Lakes the God of Tartar skoures,
he yerkes his hot Steedes with his wyery strings,
And from his Coach Wheeles rusty darknesse flings.
107
And cals his Ietty Stallions by their Names,Whose hard hoofes make the vaulted Center-sound,
his ratling Chariot, through the ayre proclaymes
his feare and flight, with burnisht Brasse shod round,
Nor once lookes backe the dreadfull God of flames,
Or thinkes his rape safe on the vpper ground:
But with his Ebon-Mace the earth inforces,
Which cleft, sinkes him, his Chariot, and his horses:
108
The Queene of Plenty, she that crownes the landWith seuerall graine, and Neptunes Kingdome bounds,
Searches about, but cannot vnderstand
Of her fayre Daughter, yet the world she rounds,
And day by day she takes this taske in hand,
But in her bootlesse search her selfe confounds:
Aurora finds her in her trauels rising,
The setting Sunne still sees her, ease dispising.
138
100
But in our labors we our pen must rest,Least in her search, vve our Inuention loose,
Which finding tyr'd vvith trauell, vve hold best
A vvhile to cherish, (therefore rest we choose)
Heere therefore let vs breath, ere vve disgest
Troyes second fall, as that vvhich next ensues:
Our Muse vvith Phœbus sets, and vvith the Sun
To Morrovv rising, is our taske begun.
139
The end of the sixt CANTO.
140
Canto. 7.
Argumentum
Evridia stung with a Snake and dying,Sad Orpheus trauels for her sake to Hell,
Among th' Infernals Musickes vertue trying,
Much honoured (euen where fiends & deuils dwel)
Ceres to Hercules for vengeance crying,
Th'vndaunted Greeke, seekes Pluto to expell:
Iasons rich Fleece, & proud Troy once more racst
By Hercules, in our next skeades are placst.
Arg. 2.
Who Musick found: hell sakt: Perithous harmsEta describes, with great Medeas charmes.
1
Mvsicke by which the Spheares are taught to moue,And tune their motion to their makers praise,
Approues it selfe deuine: first found aboue,
After bequeath'd fraile man, to cheare his daies:
Whether t'were taught vs by the Birds, that proue
Their harmony, in their sweet-Chirping layes,
Or whether found by man: of this I am sure,
It hath bin Ancient, and shall long endure.
2
Let Homers Demodocus witnesse beare,And Virgils Iopas: with this heauenly skill,
Some say Amphion rauisht first the eare,
Which Zephus did with Notes and Crotchets fill,
141
As one that made his Ayers lowd and shrill,
Men diuersly deriue Musickes soft feet,
Some from Arcadia; likewise, some from Creet.
3
On Shalmes Trezenius Dardanus first plaid,On Cranes legs first, but after fram'd of Reed,
Bright Mayaes sonne on a parcht Tortoys made
Th'vnshaped Harpe: most Writers haue agreed
That Tubal gaue it forme, with pins that staid
The tuned strings, to make his Musicke speed:
Pan found the Pipe, to play at Syrinx sute,
Tymarias, was the first, that strung the Lute.
4
Nables and Regals, holy Dauid found,Dirceus an Athenian, Clarious shrill,
And these the Lacedemons did first sound,
When the Messenians they in armes did kill:
Vnto the Dulcimer first danced round
The Troglodites: after the Rebeck still
Th'Archadians fought: Pises Tyrhenus was
The first that fashiond Trumpets made of Brasse.
5
Which some to Myses attribute, and sayThe Hæbrewes with a Siluer Trumpet led,
Marcht, and retyrd: were taught to keepe array,
When to fall off, when on; fly or make head:
Dromslades the Romans taught: the Cretans they,
After the Lute their hostile paces tread:
Great Haliattes with his sword and shield,
Marcht not without lowd pipers in the field.
6
This, as it hath the power in dreadfull WarresMongst soft effeminate breasts to kindle rage,
and to relenting grace all entrance barres,
So hath it power the rudest thoughts t' asswage:
To musicke moue the Plannets, dance the stars,
It tempers fury, makes the wilde man sage,
In this consent of stringes, he that can well,
May with harmonious Orpheus enter hell.
142
7
We left Queene Ceres in her Daughters Quest,Measuring the earth from one side to another,
Yet can she find no end to her vnrest,
Her Daughter lost, shee is no more a Mother:
The earth once cherisht, she doth now detest,
Gainst which her spleene, she can no longer smother:
She cals it barbarous, vnthankefull, base,
And no more worthy of her Soueraigne grace.
8
And much against her ancient pleasure speakes,For what she fauour'd earst, she now dislikes,
In euery place she comes, the Ploughes she breakes,
The laborous Oxen she with Murraine strikes,
Vpon the toyling Swaines her spleene she wreakes,
Cattell and Men choake vp their new-plasht Dykes:
The barraine fieldes deceiue the Plow-mans trust,
The vsuring seede is molded vnto dust.
9
Which rather in the parched furrow dries,Layd open vnto euery rigorous blast,
Else to the the euish Byrds a prey it lies,
Or if it hap to gather root at last,
Cockle and Tares, euen with the Corn-eares rise,
Else by the choaking Cooch-grasse it is past:
Thus through her griefe, the earth is barraine made,
The hoped haruest perisht in the blade.
10
Meane time Euridice, the new made BrideOf Orpheus, with a princely traine consorted,
As in a Meddow by a Riuers side,
Vnto her Husbands Harpe one day she sported,
And by his tune her measured paces guide,
In a swift Hadegay (as some reported:)
She shrieking starts, for whilst her Husband singes
Vnto his Harpe, a Snake her Ankle stings.
11
In Orpheus armes she dyes, her soule discends,Ferryed by Charon o're the Stigian Lake,
The woefull Bridegroome, leaues his house and friendes,
Vowing with her the loath'd world to forsake,
143
And by the way, no cheerefull word he spake:
But by ten thousand pathes, turning doth crosse
Through Tartary, and through the blacke Molosse.
12
There is a steepe decliuy way lookes downe,Which to th' Infernall Kingdome Orpheus guides,
Whose loouer, vapors breathes: he sits not downe,
But enters the darke Cauerne with large strides,
With thousand shadowes, he is compast round,
Yet still the suffocating Mists diuides:
Millions of Ghosts vnbodied, bout him play,
Yet fearelesse, Orpheus still keepes no his way.
13
Hels restlesse Ferriman with Musicke payd,Is pleas'd to giue him waftage too and fro,
The triple Hell-hound, that his entrance stayd,
Charmed with Musicke, likewise lets him go,
So through the ayry throng he passage made,
(Th'immortall people that remaine below.)
And tuning by the way his siluer stringes,
To the three fatall Sisters, Thus he singes:
14
You powers Infernall, full of awfull dread,Whose dietyes no eye terrestriall sees,
I know all Creatures that are mortall bred,
At first or last, must stand to your decrees,
I come not as a spy among the dead,
To blab your doomes, or rob you of your fees:
I onely pierce these vaults (voyd of all crime)
To seeke my Bride, that perisht fore her time.
15
By loue, whose high commaund was neuer boundedIn Earth or Heauen, but hath some power belovv
By your blacke Ministers: by Orcus rounded
With Styx, whose pitchy Waters ebbe and flow,
By those three Kings, by whom all doomes are sounded,
The Elisian pleasures, and the Lake of Woe:
By all the dreadfull secrets of the dead,
Fayre Parcæ knit againe her vitall thread.
144
16
I seeke not to exempt her from your doome,This is our generall home, heare we must stay,
Though now releast, (as all things hither come)
So must she too, and heare abide for aye,
Graunt that she now may but bespeake her roome,
And to her death allot a longer day:
Or if th' immoued Fates, this will not doe
Before my time (with her detaine me to.)
17
This with such moouing accents Orpheus sung,That Chin-deepe Tantalus forgot to bow
Vnto the shrinking Waue: Ixion hung
Vntost vpon the Wheele: and Sisiphe now
Rests him vpon his stone. His Harpe was strung
With such rare art, the Danaes knew not how:
To vse their empty tubbes, Stix breath'd not fire,
Nor can the vulture on Prometheus tyre.
18
The Sisters weepe, Hels Iudges appeare mild,And euery tortur'd Ghost forgets his paine,
Proserpine laught, and the drad Pluto smild
To see her chang'd of cheere, no soules complaine,
Hels Senate to his grace is reconcild,
And all agree, she shall suruiue againe:
Through million-Ghosts, his Bride is sought & found,
And brought to him, still haulting on her wound.
19
He takes her, with this charge at Plutoes hand,Not to looke backe till he Auernus past,
And the large limits of the Stygian Strand,
Through darke and obscure wayes, through deserts vast,
Steepe hils and smoaky Caues, his Wife he man'd,
Vntill he came where a thin plancke was pla'st
O're a deepe raging Torrent, where dismayd,
Orpheus lookes backe, her trembling arme t'haue staid.
20
Which the three-throated Cerberus espying,Snatches her vp, and beares her backe to hell,
In vaine are all his sighes, his teares, his crying:
Lowder then he can play, the Dog can yell,
145
Is ready with his Bride mongst shades to dwell,
So long vpon the barren plaines he trifled,
Till with hels vapors he was almost stifled.
21
At length the Rhodopeian Orpheus turnesHis feeble paces to the vpper earth,
Which now with discontented Ceres mournes
The rape of Proserpine, still plagu'd with Dearth,
Either the Sun the gleby Champion burnes,
Else too much raine doth force abortiue birth
To the ranke Corne, the world forcst to complaine,
With widdowed Orpheus and the Queene of Graine.
22
Who hauing searcht Earth, of her child to know,She finds her no where on the earth abiding;
And skaling heauen, Heauen can no daughter showe,
Therefore both heauen and earth the Queene is chiding,
Onely she left vnsought the vaults below,
But heares how Orpheus hath by Musickes guiding
Past through Auernus and the Stygian fires,
Therefore of him she for her childe inquires.
23
He tels her of her Daughter new translated,Whom in the vaulted Kingdomes he had seene
With Pluto, in th'infernall Throne instated,
Where though against her will she raignes as Queene:
Oh Ihoue (quoth she) and hath that God (most hated
Of Proserpine) the hellish raptor beene!
Monarch of Deuils, since thou doest constraine mee,
Vnto the Gods aboue I must complaine mee.
24
This was (quoth Hercules) about the seasonWhen Hyppodamia matcht with Theseus frend,
Noble Perithous by the Centaures Treason,
Was rauisht and re-purchast: But an end,
Our watre-toyld limbes we keepe against all reason
From Natiue rest, I feele soft sleepe discend
and close my eye-lids with his downy wings,
I must to rest; For this time, farewell Kings.
146
25
Whether being weary of his hostile paineTooke in the former fight, he couets rest,
Or whether modesty made him refraine,
To heare his praise where he deserued best:
But his returne the Kings intreat in vaine,
When Theseus thus proceeds at their request;
Ceres displeasd the hye Olimpus mounts,
And to the eare of Ihoue this rape recounts.
26
Reuenge great Ihoue (quoth she) thy wrongs and mine,And if mine cannot moue thee, let thy owne,
For ours betwixt vs is faire Proserpine,
(By diuellish Pluto into Orcus throwne)
Long lost, long sought, my daughter's found in fine,
Rather not found, her losse is certaine knowne:
For how alas can I vvell tearme her found
Whom I still lose, kept low, beneath the ground.
27
In the rude armes of the blacke Dis shees plac'st,Hels Adamantine gates besides inclose her,
Let not thy Aunt great Ihoue be thus disgrac'st,
But of my owne childe make me free disposer,
Else let my name be from thy Bed-role rac'st,
and be no more a Goddesse, if I lose her:
But Ihoue by faire words seekes t'appease the Mother,
and reconcile her to his Stigian Brother.
28
But th' vnappeased Goddesse hates the Thiefe,That with her daughter all her pleasure stale,
and since heauen giues no comfort to her griefe,
Sheele try vvhat Mortal can her daughter bale,
She comes vvhere Hercules and all the chiefe
Of Greece assembled, where she tels this tale:
And weeping, sweares to be at sterne defiance,
With the Tartarian Dis, and his alliance.
29
Before Alcides on this Iourney wentVnvvares to him, my friend and I prepare,
(Noble Rerithous) to this one discent,
Thinking to cheare the Queene opprest vvith care,
147
We scarce (well arm'd) had tucht the lowest stare:
But Cerberus, my friend vntimely slew,
and me halfe-dead vpon the Pauement threw.
30
Vnto my rescue great Alcides came,To Hyppodamias husband much to late,
The Ihouiall youth that can all Monsters tame,
Ere he findes leysure to lament our Fate,
Or on the murdrous Hel-hound to exclaime,
He fals his huge Club on the Monsters pate,
Which with such violent fury pasht his braines,
It stounds him, so he leaues him bound in chaines.
31
Aduentring forward in his Lyons case,Th'vnbodied Ghosts affrighted from him flie,
Who see such terror in his yrefull face,
Poore soules they feare by him againe to die,
Hels Marble gates he beates ope with his Mace
And manly might amongst the Deuils try,
Who as they stop his way, his Club makes reele,
Whilst Furyes fly him with their whips of steele.
32
Vast hell is all in vprore, Pluto wondersTo see his black-fac'st ministers afraide,
he feares th'Imperiall Lord of fire and Thunders
Attempts his lower Kingdoms to inuade:
From Proserpine, his twined armes he sounders,
Takes vp his sable Mace of Porphyr made:
And with his blacke Guard forward marcheth still,
where greatest was the presse, the cry most shrill.
33
Hell had beene sack't, and all hels right displayd,had not the Fates whom Gods and Men obey,
The fury of th'aduentrous Græcian stayde,
and with their reuerent paces stopt his way,
(Those whom the Gods incline to, he obeyd)
In their Brasse rols that neuer shall decay,
Alcides (by their license) reades his Fate,
and armes layde by, more mildly they debate.
148
34
Pluto inquires the cause of his arriue,He tels him for the rauisht Proserpine,
Whom as he heares, the King intends to wiue,
Whose heauenly face must among Angels shine,
Not be amongst the Deuils damnd aliue,
Of this the Fate twixt him and his define:
And thus amongst them they compound the cause,
According to their neuer-changing Lawes.
35
That if Queene Proserpine hath kept strict fast,And since her entring Hell not tasted food,
as she hath once the Stygian riuer past,
So backe to earth she may re-saile the flood;
Inquiry made, the girle alas did tast
Some few Pomgranat graines, which vnderstood,
Her doome the fates amongst themselues compound,
That Proserpine must still liue vnder ground.
36
Attonement made with hell, the glorious Greeke,Arm'd with his club returnes the way he came,
Vpon the earth atchieuements new to seeke,
Since hell is fild with his victorious name,
Through many a winding path, and turning creeke,
He comes at last where my deere friend lay slaine:
I wounded, and the triple Hell-hound laid
Bound in those Gyues which he for others made.
37
To mournefull Hyppodamia he presentsThe murdrous Dogs with her deere husbands coarse,
She sings his Dirge in many sad Laments,
But at the fiend that slew without remorse
Her husband, shee aimes all her discontent,
And on his face imprints her womanish force:
heere Theseus wept, nor could he longer hide
His priuate sorrow for his friend that dide.
38
This is the Noble Theseus Æthraes sonne,By King Egeus, that durst hell inuade,
In battaile th' Amazonian Baldrick wonne,
And stout Hyppolite his Dutchesse made,
149
The Mynotaure in the Dedalian shade:
He by her helpe, to whom she proou'd vntrue,
Releast the Tribute, and the Monster slew.
39
Eristheus, and the valiant Theban King,That knew the Prince Perithous, much lament him,
But with their teares the day began to spring,
They wish the Fates a longer date had lent him,
With kindled Lampes th'attendant Pages bring
The Princes to their Cabins: He that sent him
On this attempt, at parting they desire
To blesse their shores, whilst they the seas aspyre.
40
Our thoughts must land them which their Trophyes broughtFrom ruin'd Troy, on seuerall Coasts of Greece,
Remembring Iason, who with honor sought
The fam'd aduenture of the golden Fleece,
Duke Æson in this voyage spared naught,
Many bold Knights well arm'd at euery peece
Assist the Noble Greeke in this aduenter,
Offring the Argoe with the Prince to enter.
41
Duke Peleas gaue it furtherance, to whose CourtWhere Iason feasted, then Alcides came
With Philocletes, as his deare Consort,
From strange aduentures that Imblaze his fame,
Disankring from the fayre Thessalian Port,
Accompanied with many Knights of fame:
Castor and Pollux, bold Amphitrion,
Amphion, Zetus, and sterne Telamon.
42
Amphion was a fayre Harmonious Youth,Well skild in Musicke, Zethus was his Brother,
Begot by Cretan Ihoue one happy night,
Vpon the fayre Antiopa his Mother,
She Lychus Wise, yet rauisht with the sight
Of Iupiter, her loue she could not smother:
These her fayre sonnes built Thebes, with large extent,
Two yeares before they on this voyage went.
150
43
With all the Græcian chiualry attendedThey disimbogue, the gentle Billowes smile,
Th' Ægean Seas they passe, but late defended
By the Grand Thiefe, that gaue those Seas their stile,
No wind or waue their well-rig'd ship offended,
But the calme looking Thetis harbors guile:
Her fawning front she wrinkles with a frowne,
And thinkes th'ambitious Argonants to drowne.
44
At the blacke Euening close, the Sea lookt white,The storme-presaging Waue begins to swell,
And blustring Eurus rising now at night
With his flag Winges, vpon the waters fell:
The Mayster bids slacke sayle, but gainst the might,
Of his commaunded Mates, the winds rebell:
The Boat-Swayne brals, the Marriners are chid,
For what they would, the stubborne gusts forbid.
45
All fall to labour, one man helps to steere,Others to slacken the big-bellied Sayle,
Some to the Cap-string call, some pray, some sweare,
Some let the Tackles slip, whilst others hale:
Some cling vnto the maine-Mast, and cleaue there,
Some chafe with anger, some with feare looke pale:
Some ply the Pompe (and that which would deuour
Their ship in time) Sea into Sea repoure.
46
Sharpe-byting winter growes, and on each sideThe foure seditious Brothers threaten war,
and tosse the Billowes, who in scornefull pride
Spit foaming Brine, the winds with waters iarre,
The breaking seas, whose entrance were denyde,
Beate gainst each Pitchy-rib and calked sparre:
and by their Oaken strength denyde Intention,
Fall where they were begot, to meere confusion.
47
Now as the shriking Billowes are diuided,Low Vallyes tweene two mighty Mountaines fall,
From whose steepe breasts the shaken vessaile slyded,
Burying in Sea, Sayles, Tackles, Masts, and all:
151
Climbes vp those clyffes, a dreadfull watry wall:
That to themselues, amazd with feare they show,
Like men in th'ayre surueighing hell below.
48
It seem'd as if the Heauens and Seas had Wars,And that the one the other did defy,
Twixt whom the mutinous winds make greater Iars,
Th'ambitious Billowes seeme to threat the sky,
And fling their brine-waues in the face of Stars,
Who therewith mooud, melt all the Clouds on hye,
And such tempestuous shewers of raine thaw downe,
As if their drops meant the vast Seas to drowne.
49
The waters both of Heauen and Earth are mixt,Flagging their sayles to make them brooke no blast,
No Lampe of heauen appeares (wandring or fixt)
Darkenesse hath o're the face of both heauens past,
And left his vgly blindnesse them betwixt,
Whose horride presence makes the Greekes agast:
The Heauens bright fire, the troubled Water braues,
sindging with lightninges force the Gulfy waues.
50
Vnto these Argonants I may compareOur Island-voyages, alike distrest,
With whelming seas, thicke Mists, and troubled ayre,
Loud claps of Thunder: Lightning from the West,
so dreadfull, that their Pilots loose their care,
Through feare, forgetting what should stead them best:
The sea, to quench Heauens glorious Lamps aspyres,
Heauen burns the Ocean with her lightning fires.
51
As braue a Generall Martiald our great Fleete,as that bold Greeke that sought the fleece of Gold,
hoping by sea an enemy to meete,
Fiercer then Iasons, and more warlike bold,
Renowned Essex, at whose warlike feete
Spaines countlesse spoyles and Trophyes haue been told,
Who from Hesperia brought to Englands Greece,
More Gold then would haue weigh'd downe Iasons fleece.
152
52
Grim Terror with the Greekes a ship-board lyesAll night: some weepe, some rage, the boldest feare,
Soliciting the Gods with Prayers and cryes,
Seeing their Fates and hopelesse ruins neere,
They thinke on Fathers, Children, Wiues, Allyes,
But whom they faine would see, they wish not there:
Grim terror in the Morning forward sped,
The Sunne begins to wake, the tempest fled.
53
Who as from forth the Spanish Seas he raisdeHis burnisht lockes, and bout his shoulders shooke them,
and (as his custome is) about him gazd
To view fayre Thetis bounds, and ouer-looke them,
He spyes th'Imbarqued Greekes, with feare amazd,
So sore the rough tumultuous Sea had tooke them:
He sees their Pendants torne, their Sheetes all rent,
Their Hatches broken, and theyr mayne-mast spent.
54
Therefore he angry, Neptune doth intreat,as he would haue him guild his siluer streames,
Or thaw his frozen Waters with his heate,
Or cheare his coole Waues with his gorgeous beames,
Th'aduentrous Greekes (his charge) not to defeat,
But they may safe re-view their Natiue Realmes:
Neptune is pleas'd, his Trident calmes the Seas,
And grants them waftage to what coast they please.
55
Who entring th' Hellespont acquire some shoreVVhere they may land, their Fortunes to repaire,
at Tenedos they tutch (knowne long before
By great Alcides, since he battayld there)
Where great Laomedon the Scepter bore,
and to preuent like dangers threatning care;
Re-builds his battred holds, and with supplyes,
Mans euery Sea-skout, that adiacent lyes.
56
These Garrisons, the Græcian Peeres denyReliefe or Anchorage, till the Kings mind
Be fully knowne: Who heares his foes so nye
That had so late his forces ouerthrowne,
153
And from his Coasts to get them quickely gone,
Or mongst them all hee'l leaue no liuing Greeke
For golden Pillage on the seas to seeke.
57
Vndanted Hercules at this offended,Sweares (by his Father Ihoue) Troyes second wracke,
And with his Argonants had then discended
Mauger the King, but Iason kept him backe,
Who being chiefe Commander, hath intended
A golden coarse, the Colchōs first must sacke,
Therefore (though much against Alcides will)
Put from that shore, the Conqueror threatens still.
58
Vowing if Fate affoord him safe returne,In whose aduenture al the Peeres vnite,
Troyes wals to batter, and their Citty burne,
And be the Kings eternall opposite,
To whose disgrace Troy shall in ashes mourne,
Th'vngratefull King be forc'st to death or flight,
And all these lofty Towers, at his next Landing,
Not haue one stone vpon another standing.
59
Resolued thus, they make to hoyse vp saile,Weigh Anchor, and their tackles hale and pull,
Their lofty spleenes gainst Troy they now auaile,
And onely ayme at the Phrixean wooll,
The God of winds affoords them a calme gale,
Making their waue-washt sheetes shew swelling full,
Whose gentle Gusts the Græcian Heroës bring
To Colchos, welcom'd by the Phasian King.
60
At whose arriue, Medea Iason viewing,Oh heauen (quoth she,) what passion's this I feele?
Shall yon faire Græcian youth his fame pursuing,
Die by inchanted fire, or tempered steele?
Oh saue thy fame (by this attempt eschevving)
Thy arme vvants povver to make the Dragon reele:
Thy amorous hand (alasse) too soft and white,
with Brasse-hoou'd Buls (that breath out fire) to fight.
154
61
More fitter t'were a Lady to embrace,T'imprison beauty in a cristall fold,
Oh why should one that hath so sweet a face,
(Made to be lou'd and loue) seeke acts so bold?
Too ventrous Greeke, for loues sake leaue this place,
Thou knowst not what thou seekst, the fleece of Gold
A royall prize it is, yet amorous stranger,
It hath not worth to countervaile the danger.
62
For the least blood shall drop downe by thy skin,Or in the combat staine the Colchian grasse,
Is of more worth then all that thou canst win,
Yet doth the riches of this Fleece surpasse:
But stay: What blind maze am I entred in?
What louing laborinth? Forgetfull Lasse:
Oh canst thou to a strangers grace appeale,
Who comes from farre, thy Fathers fleece to steale?
63
This Iason is our foe: dwels in a LandRemote, and of another Clyme indeed,
If thou wilt loue, about thee Princes stand
Of thine owne Nation, let this stranger bleed,
Despise him then, and all his forraine band,
That in thy Fathers pillage haue agreed:
Instead of loue, the amorous Greeke defie,
And by th'inchanted Monsters let him die.
64
But shall Medea view that Tragicke sight?And see his faire limbes by her Monsters rent?
Shall his white fingers with grim Hell-hounds fight,
That might Medea in her loue content?
Apollo may I neuer tast thy light,
Pertake thy earthly rise, or low discent,
But by my Art I shall so well prouide,
To be the Gold-Fleece-conquering Iasons Bride.
65
But how Medea? Wilt thou then forsakeThy Country, Father, Friends: All which are great,
and (to thy Lord) a rouing Pyrate take,
One that perchance hath no abiding seat?
155
A Royall Prince and in all acts compleat,
Thy Country, Father, Friends, trifles but small,
And this one warlike Iason worth them all.
66
That he is louely; witnesseth mine eye,And valiant: what can better record beare
Then this attempt, whose fame to heauen will flye,
T'amaze the Gods that shall this Nouell heare,
I leaue a barraine kingdome, to discry
A populous Nation, what then should I feare?
In seeking with this amorous Greeke to dwell,
I aske Elisum, in exchange for Hell.
67
A Land, where if his people him resembleHumanity, and all good Thewes are rife,
Who if they loue their Lord, cannot dissemble
Their harts to her that shall safegard his life,
Th'inchanted Buls whose bellowing made heauen trēble,
Shall by their ruines make me Iasons wife,
Whom all the faire and potent Queenes of Greece,
Shall better welcome then the conquerd Fleece.
68
Opinion'd thus; at their next enter-view,(After their diuers oaths betweene them past)
That he the fam'd aduenture shall pursue,
Whose conquests with inchantments she binds fast,
And when his hands these monsters shall imbrew,
He to receiue her as his Bride at last:
Night passeth on, at the next birth of day,
Aurora frights the fearefull Stars away.
66
Much confluence of people throng together,In the large field of Mars they take their places,
The Princes of the Land in Scarffe and Feather
And Triumph-robes, expect the Greekes disgraces,
The burdend earth grones with spectators: whether
The King himselfe martiald with golden Maces
In person comes, his Barons him inuest
In a high Throne, degreed aboue the rest.
156
70
To such prepared ioyes the Frenchmen came,To see the valiaunt Mount-morensi roon,
against Charles Brandon, who for Englands fame,
Vanquisht their Knight, at which their ioy was doon,
The French, who to disgrace the English came,
Saw how bold Charles at one incounter woon
Their Champions armes, the French Qu to his pheer,
Which chang'd their promist mirth to sadder cheere.
71
Behold where Polymelaes sonne vndanted,against the brazen-hoofed Beasts appeares,
How (richly armd) his sword aloft he vanted,
T'incounter with the two infernall steares,
Who as he strikes, still breaths out words inchanted,
The Græcians stand amaz'd, Medea feares
To see young Iason Lord of her desire,
Betwixt two Buls, their Nosthrils breathing fire.
72
And least her Incantatious force might faile,She mumbles to her selfe more powerfull charmes,
Still doth the dreadlesse Greeke those Buls assaile,
Reddy to scorch him in his twice-guilt armes,
His sharpe edg'd sword their horned crests makes vaile,
That fire that scaldeth others, him scarce warmes,
(Such power hath Magicke) the fell Buls grovv tame,
And Iason tugs with them amidst the flame.
73
And first he by the dangling dew-laps takes them,Who force perforce his valour must obey,
He twixt his sinnowy armes together shakes them,
They bellowing yeeld themselues his glorious prey,
To bow their stubborne necke, bold Iason makes them,
On which th'obedient yoake he gently lay,
The Greekes applaud his conquest with shrill cries,
The Colchians shew their sorrowes in their eyes.
74
But alls not furnisht yet, he makes them drawThe teemed plow, to furrow vp his field,
The rusty yron doth the greene verdure flaw,
Quite vanquisht now, the conquered Oxen yeild,
157
The Vipers teeth he cast vpon his shield,
And sow'd them in the furrowes: they straight grew,
To armed men, and all on Iason flew.
75
The Greekes dismay, th'incourag'd Colchians showt,Onely Medea doth their ioy detest,
With magicke she assists her Champion stout,
Her Exorcismes haue power to arme his brest,
Those that but late incompast him about,
And with their steele strooke Stars out of his Crest,
Seeke mutuall armes, amongst themselues they brall,
So by seditious weapons perish all.
76
It now remaines the three-tongu'd venomous Snake,The Riuer-waking-Serpent to make sleepe,
Whose horride crest, blew skales, and vnces blacke,
Threat euery one a death (vnto his keepe
The Fleece is put) Medea bids him take
Grasse in blacke Lethe, laid three nights to steepe,
Vttering such powerfull charmes as calme the winds,
And the mou'd Billowes in their Channell binds.
77
Those drops being spinkled on the Dragons head,The words thrice spoke (the wakefull Serpent lies)
Drownd in forgetfull slumbers, seeming dead,
and sleepe (till now not knowne) seales vp his eyes,
Iason in safety may the Mansion tread
Where Colchos long preseru'd the golden prize,
and now at length faire Polimelaes sonne,
Inioyes the Fleece that he with danger wonne.
78
Proud of this purchase, but of her more glad,That by the Vertue of a powerfull word,
More hy command vpon these Monsters had,
Then he in vse of his remorslesse sword,
Vnto his Argoe he Medea Lad
Commanding all his merry mates aboord
But secretly, least when King Æta knew,
his daughters rape, he might her flight pursue.
158
79
Which to preuent the Negerous Lady takesThe young Absyrtes, a faire hopefull youth,
And when her father after Iason makes,
And with rough fury her escape pursuth,
She chops the Lads limbes into bits and flakes,
and in the Kings way strowes him without ruth,
And whilst he gathers vp with watry eyes
His peece-meale body, she in safety flies.
80
With triumphs they in Greece are welcomd all,And Iason famous for his royal Quest,
The Bed-red Father will his sonne install
In his owne kingdome, and with him his guest
Deepe-speld-Medea, at whose Magicke call
The Seas and winds, or trauell, or find rest:
Oh Magicke, by thy power what cannot they,
To whom the Seas submit, the winds obey?
81
Amongst those Princes that with Iason vvent,and vvere at home receiu'd, the great Alcide
amidst this generall Ioy seemes discontent,
His spleene to Troy he can no longer hide,
To be reueng'd he holds his firme intent,
He that to their distresse reliefe denide,
Must knovv what t'is to scorne his firme alliance,
So through all Greece he breaths gainst Troy defiance.
82
And vvith a gallant army taking Land,attaines the shore perforce, and in his way,
No Village, Fortresse, Tovvne, or Tower can stand,
But to his ruthlesse fury must giue way:
This hearing, King Laomedon hath mand
a Noble army, to make good the day:
Which ere the Sun into the West-sea fall,
Must see ten thousand Troians kild and thrall.
83
Laomedon remembring what great vvrackeTwelue-labord Hercules before time made,
Recounts to them his vvrongs, his Citties sack,
Their tyranies to al vvhom they inuade,
163
That haue too long vpon his confines staid:
Behold (quoth he) these would your freedomes barre,
Then with a generall showt prepare for warre.
84
The hoast of Greekes that heare their exclamation,Wait but to heare Alcides watch-word giuen,
Who cheares them thus: You are that warlike Nation
Whose fame fils all the Clymates vnder heauen,
Since you are strangers, let your salutations
Be with your swords, not words; for yet ere Euen
Yon standing hoast in their owne bloods wee'l drown,
And part the rich spoyle of yon rampierd Towne.
85
Lowd chearing Instruments on both sides sound,The battailes ioyne, both Greekes and Troians sinke:
They that but late the firme Earth proudly bound,
Now must below the waues of Lethe drinke,
The great Alcides borne to sway the ground,
Against his strength opposd, al mortals shrinke:
Who being more then man, must needs haue ods
To fight with any that are lesse then Gods.
86
Him whome th'all-doming Fates will haue to sway,How can Laomedon in armes subdue,
Though Troy be strong, yet must it Greece obey,
Alcides with his Club whole thousands slew,
By his sole-strength the Greekes obtaine the day,
And to the Citty gates the foe pursue,
Who mingled with their troopes, in this aduenture,
Slaughter the bold, and with the Cowards enter.
87
So by the English was great Cales suprisdAnd entred, with the Spaniards that retire,
they that at first the generals name despisd,
Now at the last are forc'st his fame t'admire,
English and Dutch in Spanish wealth disguisd,
Laden their fleet with pillage, whilst bright fire
Consumes the Towne, which twice the English take,
As Greece did Troy, great Essex and bold Drake.
164
88
Stout Aiax Telamon amongst the rest,Set his first foot in Troy, but him succeed
Ten thousand Greeks, and many a warlike brest,
Pierst with the Argiue weapons, freshly bleed:
They sacke the populous Towne from East to West,
Troyes second sacke is by the Fates decreed:
They sacke and ransacke, spoile, and freely kill,
And all the Towne with shreekes and clamors fill.
89
Amongst the rest that perisht in this broile,Laomedon fals by Alcides hand,
Whilst euery where the conquering Græcians spoile,
No man so bold that dares against them stand,
Great is the booty in so rich a soile,
They pillage all the substance of the land,
Beat downe the wals, the Temples ruine quite,
And kill poore infants in their mothers sight.
90
The Matrons in their husbands armes deflower,The reuerent Virgins in their parents eye,
And such as interdict their awfull power,
By their remorselesse bloudy weapons die,
Hie looking Troy is ruin'd in an houre,
Those Towres quite racst, whose sharpe spyres mockt the sky
and that proud towne the Asian glory ones,
Is now a confus'd heape of men and stones.
91
Al-conquering Hercules reueng'd at lastOf Troyes ingratefull Soueraigne, takes full ceasure
Of Asiaes Monarchy: his fury past,
amongst his host he parts the Citties treasure,
But Telamonus Aiax most he gracst,
and gaue him her that pleas'd him aboue measure,
The bright Hesione his valours meed,
The beautious Virgin from the sea-Whale freed.
92
Well was it for young Priam the Kings sonne,That he was else-where in the East imployd,
The Lybian else that Asia ouer-ronne
and conquered Troy, had likewise him destroid,
161
Are fraught with wealth, with pleasure ouer-ioyd:
Poore Troy, whilst they in their full mirth abound,
Liues desolate, and leueld with the ground.
93
The Monster-maister hauing fild the skyWith martiall clangor in the lowdest straine,
After reuenge on Cacus Tyranny,
and the great Gyants of Cremona slaine,
King Pricus death, King Affer raised hie,
And the two Collumnes that he reard in Spaine,
To include in few his many deeds; we thus
In narrow roome, his labors twelue discusse.
94
1. The Eremanthion Bore, 2. and the fire-breathing Bul,3. The Lernan Hydra. 4, and the winged Hind,
5. Stymphalidus. 6. The Amazonian trull:
7. Th' Aegean stables, the seauenth taske assind,
8. The Cleonean Lyon. 9. with the scull
Of Diomed, who fed his Steeds gainst kind:
10. The golden fruit made ripe by bright Heperion,
11. Grim Cerbarus, 12. and triple-headed Gerion.
95
These taskes by Iunoes imposition ended,Whilst he on Ictes attractiue face
Doted, and her deserts alone commended,
Faire Deyaneyr imputes it her disgrace,
With such great wrongs vnto her bed offended,
Because his vassaile had supplied her place.
She sends a shirt, (and meanes her husband good)
Dipt in the poyson of the Centaures blood.
96
The traitor Nessus passing a deepe foordWith Deianeyre, away with her he flyes,
Alcides cannot reach him with his sword,
But after him his wounding arrow hies,
The dying Centaure speakes this latest word,
Faire Deianeyre, before death close mine eyes,
Receiue a guift, in signe I lou'd thee deerely,
Which though I die, in time may stead thee neerely.
162
97
I know thy Lord a Conqueror, yet subdudeBy womens beauty: therefore when you find,
The lustfull Prince mongst Forraine Queenes intrude,
and that their amorous Court-ships change his mind,
Send him a Shirt, with this my bloud Imbrude,
The vertue is, to make Alcides kind:
This said, his life he ended in a trice,
She (for it was his last) trusts his aduise.
98
Hearing faire Iole the hart had ceasdOf her deare Lord, and that she kept away,
She feeles her thoughts within themselues diseas'd,
and hopes to call him backe that went astray,
The Centaures dying guift the Lady pleasd,
Her seruant Lychas posts it without stay:
Oh! Thou weake woman, thou his death maist vant,
Whom Hell-hounds, Gyants, Monsters, could not daunt.
99
Hoping (alasse) his fauour to regaine,The Innocent Lady her deare Lord destroyd,
He d'ons her present, whose inuenomed Bane
Cleaues to his bones (Oh! Who can Fate auoyde?)
More then a man before he would complaine
Alcides beares, and no whit seemes annoyd:
Such tortures as the strongest might strike dead
he brookes: yet no part of his coulour fled.
100
But when he felt such Tortures, anguish, smart,That Gods aboue, nor Deuils damd could beare,
That stung his breast, and pierst his Noble hart,
he growes Impatient, that could neuer feare
Infernall panges, Infusde in euery part,
he striues the poysonous Shirt away to teare:
But with the cleauing Linnens forst to draw
The Brawnes from off his armes, and leaue them raw.
101
The poysond boyles, and he that could confoundGyants, so late to his immortall fame,
Now from the head to heele, is all one wound,
The raging venom-drops his flesh inflame,
151
Sometimes those powerfull hands that Monsters tame,
plucks down huge rocks, & cleaues thē with his stroaks
And sometimes by the roots rends vp huge Oakes.
102
Mad with these Torments Oeta Mount he traces,Where creeping in a hole he Lychas spies,
When stalking to his Caue with leasurd paces,
About his head he wheeles him in the skies,
And that being done the whole Mount he defaces,
A groue of Trees dispoyld about him lies,
A thousand Oakes he heapes vp on a pile,
And kindling them, sayes with a scornfull smile,
103
Whom neither Iunoes wrath, nor Plutoes hell,Whom neither Lyons, Buls, Dogs, Dragons, Whales,
Whom neither Tyrants grim, nor Gyants fell,
against that spirit a womans gift preuailes,
Her iealousie hath power that hart to quell,
Whom Serpents feare with their inuenomed skales,
Since none on earth deserues our blood to spill,
The great Alcides shall Alcides kill.
104
The fire burnes bright, he Philocletes cals,And vnto him bequeaths his shafts and bow,
Who at his warlike feet confounded fals,
The Club and Lyons case his bold hands throw
Into the flame, then he whom noughts appals,
Cries Ihoue I come, and boldly leaps in so:
That life that mortall did the heauens aspire,
Now with Immortall wings climes heauen by fire.
105
Alcides dead, and Priam backe returndFrom his successefull Battailes in the East,
He sees his Country spoyld, his Citty burnd,
His Father slaine, which most his grief increast,
These losses with his Sisters rape he mournd,
Nor are such weighty sorrowes soone surceast:
We for a while will leaue him to his care,
His Syre t'intoombe, his Citty to repaire.
168
The end of the seauenth CANTO.
165
Canto. 8.
Argumentum
THE twice sackt Troy with all abundāce flowes,Her wals inlarg'd, hir spacious bounds augmēted,
Fortune on Priam all her fauour strowes,
Her populous streets from all parts are frequented,
Proud of his sonnes, the King impatient growes,
And with all Greece for wrongs past, discontented:
Warlike Anthenor by Embassage seekes,
To haue the Kings faire Sister from the Greeks
Arg. 2.
The worth of Poets. Who first weapons found,Troy & the Troians, Theta makes hir groūd
1
Fayre Poesie, both ancient and Deuine,Tell me thy true Diuinity and age,
Emmius oft cals thee Sacred, thou didst shine
In Moses dayes, a Prophet wise and Sage,
Who sang sweet Hymnes compos'd in measured line,
To great Iehoua. Oft Dauid did asswage
His melancholy cares in many an Oade,
Tun'd to the praises of th'almighty God.
170
2
A sweeter verse then good Isaias wrote,Or Salomon in his deuinest song,
For Number, Accent, Euphony or note
Were neuer set with pen, or ayr'd with toong,
Greeke Pindarus, whose meeters made men dote,
Nor Saphos vaine so Musically strong,
Could in their fluent Verse, or sweet inuention,
Better delight the rauisht eares attention.
3
The rising and soft Cadens of a verse,In Deutronomium liuely is expressed,
He that shall Dauids Hæbrew Psalmes reherse,
Shall find true number in his words professed,
Not Orpheus, Horrace line could sooner pierce
Th'inchanted braine: not Homer whom so me gessed
To be chiefe Poet, this approues it holy,
Not as some hold deriu'd from Apish folly.
4
In verse Hexamiter did Moises praiseThe heauens Creator (through the red sea flying,)
Archilochus Iambickes first gan raise,
Apollo meetred Verse, all Prose denying,
Daphne the sonne of Mercury assaies
The Elegeick verse (soone after dying,)
Thespis: Quintilian Tragedies deuisd,
Which Sophocles soone after enterprisd.
5
A Poëm is the richest Monument,And onely liues when Marble toombes decay,
Shewing Kings deeds, their merit, and discent,
Notstab'd by time, whom Sepulchers obey,
Thou proud Achilles with thy great ostent,
Where stands thy Monumentall graue this day:
Toome-makers die disgracst, then Homer trust,
By whom thy fame liues, now thy graue is dust.
6
By Poëm Troyes name is preseru'd from fire,Which else long since had perisht with the towne,
Who in these dayes would for her fame inquire?
Had not deuine wits Chronicled her downe,
171
Had burnt her Name, and swallowed her renowne:
But Poësy apt all such things to saue,
Redeems her glory from Obliuions graue.
7
Poets are Makers, had great Homer pleasdPenelop had beene wanton, Hellen-chast,
The Spartan King the mutinons hoast appeasde,
And smooth Vlisses with the horne disgra'st,
Thersites had the Imperiall Scepter ceasd,
And Agamemnon in his rancke beene plast:
Oh! Homer, t'was in thee Troy to subdue,
Thy pen, not Greece; the Troyans ouerthrew.
8
Achilles, durst not looke on Hector whenHe guld his Siluer armes in Greekish bloud,
Homer that lou'd him more then other men,
Gaue him such hart, that he gainst Hector stood,
Twas not Achilles sword, but Homers pen
That drew from Hectors breast a Crimson-flood:
Hector his Myrindons, and him subdude,
In such hye-blood faint hands were not imbrude.
9
Twas Poesy that made Achilles bold,Stout Aiax, valiant, and Vlisses wise,
By Homers guift the great Alcide contrould
The hoast of Greekes: all such as highly prise
The sacred Muse, their Names are writ in gold,
Thersites was well featur'd, but denyes
The Muse her honor, therefore to his shame,
The Muse hath made him Stigmaticke and lame.
10
This made great Scipio Affricanus bringDead Ennius from the rude Calabrian Coast,
placing his statuë, that his prayse did sing,
In Romes hye Capitoll, who now can boast
Of such rich meede, worthy the greatest King?
So Pompey guerdon'd learning to his cost:
And gaue a large Towne rounded with a Wall,
And thought it for the Muse a guift to small.
172
11
Art thou a Tyrant? to thy seruice take,Some Helliconian Scholler, whose fine quill
To after times thy raigne, may gentle make,
And giue them life, whom thou in rage didst kill?
Art thou a Vsurer? Wilt thou not forsake
A hundred for a hundred? Learne this skill:
To some one fluent Poet pension giue,
And he shall make thy famous bounty liue.
12
Had Thais fauour'd Arts, the Arts had raisd her,and made her Chast as Faire: This Lucresse knew,
Because she lou'd the Muse, the Muse hath praisd her,
Lending the knife, with which her selfe she slew:
Who Lais can accuse? Though fame hath blaz'd her
For wanton? who can say report is true?
Happly though Chast, al Poets she eschewes,
And now liues onely famous mongst the Stewes.
13
Art thou a Coward? Exhibitions lendTo Schollers that shal make thee ventrous bold;
Art thou a Glutton? Make the Muse thy friend?
Or a loose Leacher? Giue thy Poet Gold,
Hee'l cleare thy Fame, and giue thy scandall end,
He can redeeme renowne, to ruine sold,
Make Ryoters frugall, the dull blind to see,
The Drunkard temperate, and the Couetous free.
14
Th'ambitious meeke, the Lofty minded low,Th'inconstant stable, and the Rough, remisse;
Women that your defectiue humors know,
Are likewise by your bounty helpt in this,
Some speciall grace vnto the Muses show,
That haue the power t'inthrone your names in blisse:
Had faire fac'st Hellen this opinion cherisht,
O're-whelmed Troy, had not for her sake perisht.
15
They can make wantons Ciuill, the Foole wise,The stooping Straight, the Tawny coloured faire,
The merry, Modest, and the Loose, precise,
and change the colour both of face and haire,
173
For your Vermillion tinctures take no care:
What neede you far for couloured vnctions seeke,
When our blacke Inke can better paint thy cheeke.
16
Some of this Artfull coulour now I want,Which from the Muses I desire to borrow,
In Melancholly Priam to dispaint
The perfect Image and true face of Sorrow,
At sight of ruind Troy his spirits faint,
Yet after gathers strength, and on the morrow
Resolues himselfe with bootlesse cares to striue,
To interre the dead, and cheere those that suruiue.
17
In processe, taking truce with all Vexation,Priam intends a fayrer Troy to reare
Of larger bounds, so layes a firme foundation
So strong, that being mounted they need feare
Nor Phœbus wrath, nor Neptunes Invndation,
Nor any other bordering Neighbour neare:
His Towne repayrd, King Priam in small space,
Takes to his Wife a Princesse, borne in Thrace.
18
Great Ægipseus Daughter, HecubaProoues Mother of fiue Sonnes, the first in Row
Hector, the boldest Knight in Asia,
Paris the fayrest, expert in the bow,
Then Deiphebus, named by Phæbus ray,
Helemus taught all hidden Arts to know:
Bold Troylus youngest of his Mothers store,
Hath Bastard-Brothers fiue and forty more.
19
Some thinke young Polidore from her descended,And Ganimed that standes in Aebes place,
Her Eldest Girle Creusa, much commended
Matcht with Eneas, of a Noble race,
VVhose puisance next: Priam most extended
Then sweet Cassandra, one of regall grace,
A Prophetesse: but Polixene surpast,
Fayrest of all the world, and Hecubs last.
174
20
But now since Armes, and Battailes, Swords, & Speares,With other warlike Engines we must vse,
Before Troyes rich aboundance touch our eares,
With some delay we must restraine our Muse,
To shew what people the first Armour beares
And who they were first broake the generall Truce:
In the first age, erae men keene weapons knew,
They fought with naked fists, but no man slew.
21
Some say, the Thratian Mars first Armour brought,Others, that Pallas was of wars the ground,
Others, that Tubal-Cayne for weapons sought,
And taught the way how to defend and wound,
Most thinke Lame Vulcan on the Styth first wrought
Helmets, Swords, Speares, the Lacedemons found:
The Haberion Midias, Messenius filed,
Iauelins and Darts Ætolus first compiled,
22
Yet were not Souldiers arm'd at euery Peece,Some thinke th' Ægyptians flourisht in this trade,
And Helmets and bright Salets brought to Greece,
Leg-harnesse by the Carians was first made,
These Iason vsde in Conquest of the fleece,
Great Fuluius Flachus Iustings Speares assayde:
At Capua first, by old Tyrhenus framed,
For the browne Bill, the Thracian was first named.
23
Pyses the hunting Staffe, the warlike QueenePenthiselea, taught the Pollax-fight,
Crosse-bowes were first among the Cretans seene,
Quarryes and Bolts the Syrians bring to sight,
The euer-bold Phenetians furnisht beene
With Brakes and Slings to Chronicle their might:
In lists appointed, in the Argiue fields,
Acrisius and bold Pretus fought with shields.
24
Epeus at Troyes seidge the Ramme deuisde,The Tortoyes Citty wals to vndermine,
Artemon Clazemonius enterprisde
Bellerephon, to imitate the signe
175
And backt the Iennet: after some Deuine:
Bridles, Bits, Trappings, to adorne a Steede,
Seru'd first the Peletronians warlike speede.
25
But of all Hellish Engines, he whose brayneBy Deuilish practise first deuisd the Gun,
The world shall Vniuersally complaine
A generall murder, by that, Almain done,
By which the strong men are by Weakelings slaine,
By him hath many a Mother lost her Sonne:
This Hell-borne Art, sinceby the Deuill must
Venice against the Genoes practise first.
26
Of Priam now, and of his royall seede,Their fashions, and their features Dares writes,
The aged King of puissance in his deed,
And in his prime-age expert in all fights:
Tall, but well shaped, Mounted on his Steede,
In Horseman-ship excelling all his Knights:
Grisled his heyre, grey-eyde, Beard full and long,
Soft voy'st, his limbs, though slender, rare and strong.
27
In enterprises dreadlesse: early rysing,Eating betimes, with Musicke highly pleasd,
Not rash to execute, but with aduising,
Sound in his body, and no way diseasd,
Vpright in sentence, flattery dispising,
Apt to be angry, and as soone appeasd:
Euen to the last, in armes his body prouing,
Amorous of Ladies, and Souldiers dearely louing.
28
Hector the eldest of King Priams race,Past in his puissance all Knights of that age,
An able body, and a pleasant face,
Affable, and not much inclinde to rage,
Big-limb'd, but featur'd well, which added grace
To his proportion, young, but grauely sage:
His flesh tough-hard, but white, his blew veines ayery,
His quicke eye fiery bright: his skin much heyry.
176
29
His head short curld: his beard an aburne browne,His pleasant Language lisping, but not lowd,
(Saue in the wars) he was not seene to frowne,
Saue to his Gods and King, he neuer bowd,
In field a Lyon, but a Lambe in towne,
Strong without equall, but in Armes not prowd,
Was neuer knowne to speake fellonious word,
Or but against Troyes foes to vse a sword.
30
Aduentrous bold, but with discreet aduice,Patient of trauell, with no labour tyr'd,
In the Pannonian wars he triumpht thrice,
And more the Tent, then walled towne desird,
Oft hath his pillow bin a Caue of Ice,
Oft hath his sword his foes Caske proudly fird
To warme him by, when he before appeard
With Isicles low hanging at his beard.
31
Forth of Troyes gates neare yssued man so strong,So double vertued, Chiualrous and mild,
Or better Vsher through a Martiall throng,
Mongst foes a Gyant, to his friends a Child,
Dreaded and lou'd, and sooner bearing wrong,
Then knowne t'oppresse: he neuer grace exild
From Captiues, whom in armes he ouerthrew,
He neuer fled the strong, or yeilding slew.
32
A Homers fluence, or a Virgils pen,Behooues him that should giue great Hector due,
Whom with this Title, Valiantest of Men,
I now forbeare his Brothers to pursue:
Next Alexander sirnam'd Paris, when
His Mothers ominous dreame mongst Shepherds threw
The infant Prince. In him you may discouer
The true proportion of a perfect Louer.
33
Straight bodied, mid-statu'rd, wondrous faire,A pleasant looke, his eye both great and gray,
Round visag'd, soft, and Crispe at end his haire,
Smooth skind, well spoke, effeminate euery way,
177
Swift, a good Hunts-man, and much giuen to play,
Cunning at Chesse, which as most voyces run,
Was by King Priam first in Troy begun.
34
Louing gay cloaths, and go richly clad,Costly in Iewels, and stones highly rated,
Quicke-witted, iesting, dallying, seldome glad,
Who aboue all things Melancholy hated:
At loose lasciuious speeches seeming sad,
And by all Starre-coniecture fairely fated,
A Courtly carriage, and a promising face,
A manly looke mixt with a womanish grace.
35
Bold Deiphebus, and wise Helenus,Were scarse to be distinguisht, both so like:
The last a Clarke, sawes hidden to discusse,
The first not taught to pray so well as strike,
The one deuout, the other Chiualrous,
One grub'd his pen, while th'other tost his Pike:
Though seuerall byrths, yet twins they seemed rather
And both the true proportions of their Father.
36
The most redoubted Troylus youngst of fiue,Next after Hector was esteemd in field,
(Saue this bold brother) the best Knight aliue,
Most expert in the vse of sword and shield:
Amorous of Calchas daughter: Ladies striue
Which to his sweet embracements soon'st may yeild:
Neuer was Knight in valor better proued,
Or Courtier amongst Ladies deerlyer loued.
37
Then in one word, his aprises to comprise,He was another Hector, shape, looke, gate,
Stature, proportion, fashion, haire, and eyes;
Martiall encounter, or for Courtly state,
Æneas a bold Knight, a States-man wise,
Louer of peace, and foe to sterne debate:
A Counsellor and Souldier, who imparts,
Inequaliz'd proportion, Armes and Arts.
178
38
Large stature, and broad set, deuinely skild,His haire by Nature browne, but grayed with yeares,
Cleare ey'd, sharpe visag'd, but with colour fild,
One of King Priams best esteemed Peeres,
Sober in speech, and seene to laugh but seild,
Whom Paphian Venus by Anchises beares,
Preferring much the Counsels of the old,
And Beards of Siluer, before Haires of Gold.
39
Anthenor, second to Æneas, blacke,Long, and leane visag'd, whom the King affected
And much esteem'd his Counsell, in the sacke
And fall of Troy, by Priam much suspected,
Polydanus his sonne, in whom no lacke
Of vertue was, or valor well directed:
Of Counsell with his Father in Troyes fall,
Resembling him, leane visag'd, swart, and tall.
40
Menon of all the Kings that Priam aydedWith best assistance, and most valiant Knights,
Broad-brested, and big-limb'd, not soone disswaded
From hostile oppositions, and sterne sights,
By him was many a Græcian Knight disgraded,
Whom hope of Honour, more then gaine incites:
Queene Hecuba, Religious, Graue, well staide,
A Manly Woman, somewhat rudely made.
41
Andromache, well shapt, looking aloft,Exceeding faire, her eye-ball broad and cleare,
Her Alablaster skin, white, smooth, and soft,
A worthy Wife to such a worthy Peere,
As full of Grace as Beauty, praying oft,
A visage Louely, but withall seuere:
Promising loue, but with so Chast an eye,
That what her beauty grants, her lookes deny.
42
Creusa like her Mother bodied well,But nothing faire, her grace is manly rude;
Onely the wise Æneas happy fell
Into her fauour, with good Thewes indude,
197
Vnapt young amorous Courtiers to delude,
A gracious, affable, kind, modest Creature,
Loued for her Vertues, more then for her feature.
43
Cassandra, Hecubs second, chast and wise,A profest Virgin, and Deuinely red,
In Deuinations, Sawes, and Prophesies,
She for her life abandons Hymens bed;
Faire-hair'd, Meane-statur'd, Round-mouthd, stedfast eies
Sometime her yellow Lockes about her spread:
(Rapt with Deuinest fury) oft she weares,
Like a rich cloake, wouen of her golden haires.
44
But young Polixena among the rest,Most Beautifully-perfect, Rauishing sweet,
Of all Terrestriall graces, loe the best,
In one exact and Compleat creature meet,
Celestiall coloured veines, Swan-downy brest,
And from her Natiue golden crowne to feet
Spotlesse, her brow the whitest, eye the clearest,
And her Rose coloured Cheeke of al Dyes dearest.
45
One Ladies beauty lies most in her haire,Anothers in her Checke, this in her brow,
Her eye is quicke, another colour's rare,
To which the Knights their deeds of Honour vow,
Foot, skin, or hand: and all esteemed faire,
The least of these best Iudging wits alow:
And where but one of all these are extended,
For that one guift bright Ladies are commended.
29
On such quicke feet as makes yon Lady praisd,Polixena doth lightly touch the ground,
Such hands as make anothers name imblazd,
White, azure-vain'd within her Gloues are found;
A body on two Iuory collumnes raisd,
A brest so white, a Globe-like head so round:
a haire, so bright-hewed Brests so softly sweld,
Saue in this maide no Mortall hath beheld.
180
47
She is all beauty, Nature shew'd her skillTo haue this Maide made in all parts compleate,
her Store-house, the Creator first did fill,
The Prodigall Queene, doth for the Lady cheate
her Surplusse, then the world lamenteth still
The Troian Ladyes Larges was so great:
That hye-borne women yet in many places,
Are for'st since her, to haue hard-fauoured faces.
48
But least we dwell vpon her shape too long,From her vnto the buildings we looke downe,
Leauing the Ladyes fayre, the Princes strong,
It followes, that we next suruiew the Towne,
How Priam sought to quit Hesiones wrong,
His Scepter, State, and his Imperiall Crowne:
These by th'assistance of th'all-guiding Fate,
And by the Muses helpe, we next relate.
49
The glorious Towers and Spyres of Troy looke hye,Sixe principall Percullist Gates admit
The people in and out: first Dardany,
Fimbria the second (but scarce finisht yet)
Hely the third: we Chetas next descry,
Troyen the fift, with Marble Turrets fit:
The sixt and last, but of like state with these,
Cald by Antenor, Antenorides.
50
Vn-numbred Pallaces, houses of State,With their guilt couers seeme to mocke the Sunne,
Which towards heauen their hye tops eleuate,
Staples of Forraine Marchants now begun,
Free Traffickt-Marts, and Wares of euery rate,
By which, much wealth may be acquird and wun:
Nothing is wanting in this New-built-Towne,
That may acquire Troy Riches or Renowne.
51
Midst this young Citties hart, a Riuer glydes,Bleeding her Azure veines through euery streete;
Whose meeting streames a spacious Channell guids
To the maine Ocean, where the Troyan fleete
181
The Merchant ferried for his pleasure, meets
His laden Lyters, Barkes, and ships of trade,
Whom at their rich keyes they with Cranes vnlade.
52
Vpon the highest hill the rest o're-peeringThe Pallace royall doth the King erect,
On her wind-mouing vanes Troyes Scutchion wearing,
Whose shyning guilt vpon the Towne reflect,
The Marble posts, and Porphyr-Collumnes bearing,
Roofes of pure-gold from the best Mines select;
By good aduise they Islium Towers inuest,
A Citadell to ouer-looke the rest.
53
The glorious Sunne, from whose all-seeing eye,Nothing on earth can be conceiled long,
In his Diurnall trauels through the sky,
Saw neuer Pallace built so faire and strong,
The square Pyramides appeared hye,
As if they had bin rear'd the Clouds among,
The Porches, Tarras, windowes, Arches, Towers,
Resembling one of Ihoues Celestiall Bowers.
54
More then the rest his great Hall men admire,Built like th'Olimpicke pallace, where Ihoue feasts,
Paued with bright Starres, like those of Heauenly fire,
On which he treads, when he inuites his guests,
The roofe hung round with Angels (a rich Quire)
With Diamond eyes, red Rubies in their breasts,
Holding like Grapes long branches in their fists,
Of Emeralds greene, and purple Amethists.
55
At one end of the Hall stands Priams Throne,To which by twelue degrees the King ascended,
His chaire all Gold, and set with many a Stone,
By curled Lyons, and grim Beares defended,
Who seem'd to fawne on him that sat thereon,
The curious Grauer all his Art extended:
The sauage Monsters that support his chaire,
Euen to the life, cut and proportiond are.
182
56
Next this, from twenty hie steps looking downeTowards the Skreene aloft inthroned stands
Ihoues Statuë, on's head a glorious Crowne,
An vniuerse and Scepter grac'st both hands:
His length full fifteene foot, his colour browne,
His front Maiesticke, like him that commands:
His state, as when with Gods he was couersing,
His face so dreadfull, and his eye so piersing.
57
By his Stone-shining Alter, rooted growesThe rich Palladium, the two Thrones betwixt,
Whose golden roote enameld Branches strowes
Through the vast Hall, the leaues with blossomes mixt:
Mongst which ripe Fruits their coloured sides dispose,
As mellowed with the Sun, Deuinely fixt;
A wonder twas, this Arbor to behold,
The Fruit and blossomes Stones, the branches Gold.
58
Of selfe-same Metall was his dining boord,Where with his Sonnes and Peeres oft times inuested
He eat in state, and sometimes would affoord
That stranger Peeres were at his Table feasted;
In stead of plate they precious Lycours powr'd
Into bright hollowed Pearle, rarely digested,
Gold was thought base, and therefore for the nones,
They diu'd for Pearle, and pierst the rockes for stones.
59
With as great state as Troian Priam could,I haue beheld our Soueraign, Strangers feast,
In Boules as precious, Cups, as deerely sould,
and hy-prizd Lyquors equall with the rest,
When from the Lands-graue and the Browns-wicke bold,
The Arch-duke and the Spaniard Legats prest:
But chiefely when the royall Brittish Iames,
at Greenwitch feasted the great King of Danes.
60
No King for wealth was to this King compared,Fortune showrd all her bounties on his head,
No King had bold Sonnes that like Priams dared,
Or Dames with greater beauties garnished,
183
Whom their imperious beauties captiue led:
Prince Hector more his Fathers Crowne to grace,
Addes by his sword, Pannonia, Phrigia, Thrace.
61
Full with all plenty, with aboundance stored,Seeing his wals so strong, his Towne so faire,
Himselfe by forraigne Potentates ador'd,
And his Exchequer rich without compare,
Fifty tall sonnes, the least to vse a sword,
And most of them in Martiall Turneyes rare:
His Counsell graue, his Lords of hie degree,
As prouident, as full of Chiualry.
62
He therefore now bethinkes him of his shame,Done by the Argiues in Alcides dayes,
Therefore against all Greece will warre proclame,
And to their opposition, forces rayse,
He summons all his Lords, who forthwith came,
To whom assembled thus King Priam sayes:
Oh! which of all this faire and princely traine,
Hath not (by Greece) a friend or Kinsman slaine.
63
Shew me the man hath not inricht their TreasureWith his owne substance by his Father lost,
Whose wiues & daughters haue not serud their pleasure,
If they be rich, they Reuell at our cost,
Their Barbarous Tyranies exceed all measure,
They spoil'd our Nauy on the salt Sea Coast;
Beate downe our Wals, they pillag'd all our goods,
And waded knee-deepe in our Fathers bloods.
64
Amongst vn-numbred of your neare allyes,My royall Father treacherously they slew,
Were not your Fathers in the selfe-same wyse
Butcher'd and mangled by that murdrous erew?
I see my words confirm'd in your wet eyes,
(Remembrance of these wrongs their moist teares drew)
Besides they slewe my Sister in their spleene,
A free borne princesse, Daughter to a Queene,
184
65
Behold my state, surueigh your priuate powers,Is it for Priams honor this to beare?
Being your Soueraigne, my disgrace is yours,
And that which troubles me, should touch you neare;
We haue defer'd reuenge to these last howers,
Till we had gathered Armes, strength, wealth, and feare:
And now since heauen supplies our generall need,
I aske your Counsel: Is reuenge decreed?
66
So deepely did the Kings words pierce their brests,That with a generall voyce, Reuenge they cry,
Now euery man the inuasiue Greeke detests,
And thinkes it long, tili they can Greece defie,
Soone after this, the King his Nobles feasts,
Longing till some aduantage they can spy
To make their warre seeme iust, at length deuise
This colour to their Hostile enterprise.
67
That Pryam shall in courteous manner, sendTo al the Græcian Kings, to aske againe
His captiue Sister, like a royall frend:
(Which if they grant,) in friend-ship to remaine:
But if this Embassie their eares offend,
And they the faire Hesione detaine;
To Menace warre: Anthenor Nobly mand,
At Priams vrgence, takes this taske in hand.
68
In Thessaly where Peleus that time raign'd,Anthenor after some few moneths ariues,
And of Hesiones estate complain'd,
That her returne might saue ten thousand liues,
But if to bondage shee were still constrain'd,
Her Brother that as yet by faire meanes striues,
Must in his Honour seeke by armes to gaine her,
Vnto their costs, that proudly dare detaine her.
69
Peleus inrag'd, commands Anthenor thence,Nor will he grace the Troian with reply,
That dare to him so proud a sute commence,
He therefore makes with speed from Thessaly,
185
Who keepes the Princesse in base Slauery:
In Salaminaes Port he Anchor casts,
And thence vnto Duke Aiax Pallace hasts.
70
Mildly of him the Embassador demandsHesione, or if he keepe her still,
With her to enter Hymens Nuptiall bands,
Not as a Slaue to serue his lustfull will:
When Tellamon this Message vnderstands,
He was in thought, the Troian Lord to kil:
So scornefully the Duke his Message tooke,
His face lookt pale, his head with anger shooke.
71
He tels him he is not allyde at allWith twice-won Troy, nor any league desires;
The beautious Princesse to his lot did fall,
Whom he wil keepe (and mauger all their yres,)
For scaling first Troyes well defended Wall,
She was his Trophies prize: He that aspires
To take her thence, or once demand her backe,
Is but the meanes their Troy againe to Sacke.
72
And so commands him thence, who still proceedsVnto Achaia, where the famous Twins
Castor and Pollux haue aduanc'st their deeds,
And by their Valours were both crowned Kings;
Vnto their Court in hast Anthenor speeds,
And to their eares his Embassie begins:
But they with Telamons rude scornes reply,
And charge him straight out of their Confines hie.
73
With like contempt Duke Nestor sends him backe,So did the two Atrides; So the rest
Of all the Argiue Kings, command him packe
Out of their bounds, as an vnwelcome guest,
Since Troy deseruedly indur'd such wracke:
Anthenor answered thus, esteemes it best,
Backe to resaile, and to King Priam tell,
What in his bootlesse voyage him befell.
186
74
The King at this reproach inflam'd with rage,Assembles all his people, Sonnes, and Peeres,
Intending by their aydes new warre to wage,
To which the youthfull Gallants wanting yeares,
Freely assent, but those of riper age,
Out of their grauer wisedome, not pale feares,
Seeke by their Counsels Priam to perswade,
To raigne in peace, and not proud Greece inuade.
75
Among the rest, great Hector, from whose tongDid neuer yssue proud discourteous word,
Whom Greeke nor Troian can accuse of wrong,
Nor they within whose blouds he glaz'd his sword,
Rayseth himselfe aboue the populous throng,
And thus he sayes: Who rather should afford
Vengeance on Greece, then I your eldest sonne,
To whom these rough iniurious wrongs are done.
76
But if we well consider what a foe,And what great wrath vpon our heads we pull,
Not Greece alone, but all that homage owe,
Asia and Affricke make their numbers full,
The oddes is too vnequall, therefore knowe,
I am of thought all warres to disanull.
Troy's but a Citty, and though rich and strong,
Yet gainst the world oppos'd, must needs take wrong.
77
Why will Rich Priam hazard his estate,Being in peace? what need we couet warre?
What can we more desire, then fortunate?
So Priam, Troy, and all our people are:
Why should we seeke t'incurre the Argiue hate,
Of which remains so incurable a scarre?
Wisemen in their reuenges should forsee
What ends may fall, not what beginnings be.
78
My Grand-sire's dead, perhaps he did offend,But howsoeuer he cannot now suruiue?
To seeke his life we vainely should contend:
Methinkes in this against the Gods we striue,
187
Whence should we then our detriments deriue?
Our Troy is since her second fall, much fairer,
Her people richer, and her buildings rarer.
79
Troy lost a King, that losse your Grace supply,And though (your sonne) of this I proudly vant,
He is in you receiu'd with vsury,
They pillag'd vs, and yet we nothing want,
Of all their wounds, we not one scarre can spy,
Vnlesse Hesione our Princely Ant:
Whose bondage long since hapning, we may gesse,
The custome and continuance makes seeme lesse.
80
But howsoeuer neare to mee allyde,I do not hold her freedome of that meed,
That for her sake Troy should in blood be dyde,
Priam or any of his yssue bleed:
And for this cause do I my selfe deuide
From their rash Counsel, that Reuenge decreed:
Knowing all warre is doubtfull, and fore-seeing
Of Troy, what it may be, not of Troyes being.
81
If any hot blood prouder then the rest,Accuse my words, and thinke I speake through feare,
I wish that man the boldest Græcian guest
That euer with Alcides Anchor'd heare,
That I might print my valour on his Crest,
And on his armed Vaunt-brace proue my Speare:
This said, great Hector Congied to the King,
Then takes his place, when vp doth Paris spring.
82
And to the King his Idaes dreame relates,And how he iudg'd three beauties for the ball;
How farre he Venus 'boue the rest instates,
The fairest Greeke vnto his lot must fall,
A fit reuenge for those whom Priam hates:
For if the King will make him Generall,
He makes no doubt, from Greece a Queene to bring,
Shall equalize the Sister of the King.
188
83
Now all the peoples voyce on his side flowes,In euery eare his famous dreame is rife,
When ranckt next Paris, Deiphebus growes,
Perswading still to giue these discords life,
As one that by presumptions thus much knowes,
His voyage can procure no further strife:
Then if the promising Fates assist his Brother,
To proue th'exchance of one Queene for another.
84
But Helenus with sacred spels indude,Seekes this prepared voyage to restrayne,
He saith, the Greekes shall with their hands imbrude
In Troyes bloud royall, conquer once againe,
Intreating Paris, he will not delude
Theyr reuerent eares, with dreames and visions vaine:
Assuring him, that of this Quest shall grow
The Citties vniuersall ouerthrow.
85
When youthfull Troylus thus: Who euer heardA bookish Priest perswade to hostyle Armes,
Let such as are to Fates and Sawes indeard,
Crouch by the fires that smoking Alters warmes,
And cherish their faint sinnewes (much affeard)
Dreading their owne, not Souldiers threatned harmes:
He that's a Priest, amongst priests let him pray,
We Souldiers cry Arme: and a glorious day.
86
What lets the King my Father, but to grantMy Brother Paris a right royall fleete?
That in reuenge of our surprised Aunt,
He Warlike prayes among the Græcians meete?
Shall tymerous Clarkes our Martiall Spirits dant?
No royall Father: know reuenge is sweet:
Which since the Fates by visions promise beare:
Not to obey their Hests, we Cowards were.
87
Troylus preuailes, and Hector is perswadedTo shun the imputation of base feare,
With which his courage should be wrong vpbrayded,
A tymerous thought came neuer Hector neare,
189
Hee'l guard his honor with his sword and Speare:
Or if the Gerekes will on the Troians pray,
Through his bold body they shall first make way.
88
Without his faire applause it had not past,So reuerent was th'opinion of his braine;
His words were Oracles, so sweetly gracst,
They generall murmur in all Counsels gaine,
His free consent they hauing woon at last,
The King appoints them a well furnisht traine,
With two and twenty Ships well rig'd and man'd,
In any part of Greece freely to Land.
89
Which when the Prophetesse Cassandra heares,Indu'de with deuine wisedome, she exclaimes,
Her yellow Tramels she in fury teares,
And cries alowd: poore Troy shall burne in flames.
Oh had not changelesse Fate made deafe their eares
They had bin mou'd: Th'vnhappy King she blames:
The credulous Queene, rash Paris, and all Troy,
That giue consent their Citty to destroy.
90
But as her Deuinations neuer fayled,So were they neuer credited for true,
Till Troy vnwares with mischiefe was assayled,
And then too late their misbeliefe they rue,
They that now held her mad, ere long bewailed
Their slacke distrust, when threatned Ils ensue:
But twas a Fate their Sawes were still neglected,
and till prooud true by processe: false, suspected.
91
Apollo, in whose sacred gift remainesThe true presage and ken of future things,
Dotes on Cassandraes beauty, and complaines,
To her chast eares he tunes his golden strings;
The crafty Girle that in her heart disdaines
The gold, as she had earst despised Kings,
Demands a boone, which Phæbus hath decreed
To grant Cassandra, in sure hope to speed.
190
92
He sweares by Styx, an oath that cannot change,That he will graunt what she shall next impose him,
She askes to know the skill of secrets strange,
And future Prophesies; withall she shewes him
Her beauty where his eyes may freely range:
The amorous God of Fire securely throwes him
In her faire lap, and on her Iuory brest,
Laies his bright head, so grants her her request.
93
But when she feeles a deuine spirit infus'dThrough all her parts, (this Phœbus did inspire,)
She fled his loose imbraces, and refus'd
By any meanes to accomplish his desire:
He mad with anger to be thus abus'd,
Thus sayes: Thou think'st to mock the God of Fire:
Thy Sawes, though sooth, yet shall do no man good,
Not be beleeu'd, or else not vnderstood.
94
This was the cause the King remain'd vnmou'd,The Queene vntoucht with her lamenting cries,
And all those Princes that their safeties lou'd,
Though long for-warn'd, her Counsell yet despise,
Her Spels haue credit, when th'euents are prou'd,
Till then, though true, they are esteemed lies:
But leaue Cassandra to her ceaselesse care,
And Paris to his Troian Fleet prepare.
95
Who with his Brother Deiphebus sends,To hast Æneas to the Seas with speed,
Polydamus, Anthenor, and such frends,
As in this generall voyage were agreed,
His Souldiers most Pannonians, he entends
Shall rather see his Aunt from Aiax freed,
Or some bright Græcian Queene, for her disgrace
Shall Captiue liue in faire Hesiones place.
96
Imbarckt, and passing diuers Seas, at last,In Lacedemons Port they safely Land,
But what twixt Paris and bright Hellen past,
What fauours he receiu'd from her faire hand,
191
You in the sequell Booke must vnderstand,
Some small retyrement at this time we craue,
What you want heere, another place shall haue,
193
The end of the eight CANTO.
194
Canto. 9.
Argumentum
Paris departs from Troy, & Greece doth enterWhom Menelaus welcomes, hauing seene;
The King is cald thence by a strange aduenter
And to his Troian-guest he trusts his Queene:
Paris fayre Hellen Loues, & doth present her
With a long sute, to heale his wound yet greene:
First Paris writes, she answers; Then with ioy
Greece they forsake, & both are shipt for Troy
Arg. 2.
Bright Hellen courted, Paris birth and Fate,With his Loue-trickes, Iota shall relate.
1
Who can describe the purity of those,Whose beauties are by Sacred Vertues guided,
Or who their vgly pictures that oppose
Their beauties against Chastity deuided,
Proud Lucifer an Angell was, but chose
Vice: Vertue to eschew: and from heauen slided:
Women like him (in shape Angellicall)
are Angels whilst they stand, Deuils when they fall.
2
Their gifts well vsd, haue power t'inchant the wise,To daunt the bold, and ruinate the strong,
Which well applyde, can make the ruin'd rise,
The Coward valiant, weake to tast no wrong,
197
All Soueraigne, where ther's Vertue mixt among:
Chast, nothing better; wanton, nothing worse,
The grate-fulst Blessing, or the greatest Curse.
3
Had Spartan Hellen bin as chast as faire,her Vertue sooner might haue raisd a Troy
Then her loose gestures: great without compare,
Had power so rich a Citty to destroy:
By this time all the Troians Landed are,
and Paris of the Queene receiu'd with ioy:
To whom th'inamored Prince in priuate sends
These lines, in which his duty he commends.
The Epistle of Paris to Hellen.
Health vnto Lædaes daughter, Priams sonSends in these lines, whose health cannot be won
But by your guift, in whose power it may lie,
To make me whole or sicke; to liue, or die:
Shall I then speake? Or doth my flame appeare
Plaine without Index? Oh, tis that I feare:
My Loue without discouering smile takes place,
And more then I could wish shines in my face:
When I could rather in my thoughts desire
To hide the smoke, til time display the fire:
Time, that can make the fire of Loue shine cleare,
Vntroubled with the misty smoke of feare:
But I dissemble it, for who I pray
Can fire conceale, that will it selfe betray?
yet if you looke, I should affirme that plaine
In words, which in my countenance I maintaine:
I burne, I burne, my fault I haue confest,
My words beare witnesse how my lookes transgrest.
Oh pardon me that haue confest my error,
Cast not vpon my lines a looke of terror,
But as your beautie is beyond compare,
Suite vnto that your lookes (oh you most faire)
That you my Letter haue receiu'd, by this
The supposition glads me, and I wish
198
you will receiue me in some sort ere long,
I aske no more then what the Queene of Beauty
Hath promist me, for you are mine by duty,
By her I claime you, you for me were made,
And she it was my iourney did perswade:
Nor Lady thinke your beauty vainely sought,
I by deuine instinct was hether brought,
And to this enterprize, the heauenly powers,
Haue giuen consent, the Gods proclaime me yours,
I ayme at wonders, for I couet you,
yet pardon me, I aske but whats my due,
Venus her selfe my iourney hether led,
And giues you freely to my promist bed:
Vnder her safe conduct the seas I past,
Till I arriu'd vpon these Coasts at last:
Shipping my selfe from the Sygean shore,
Whence vnto these Confines my course I bore:
She made the Surges gentle, the winds fayre,
Nor maruell whence these calmes proceeded are,
Needs must she power vpon the salt-Seas haue,
That was sea-borne, created from a waue,
Still may she potent stand in her ability,
And as she made the seas vvith much facility
To be through-saild, so may she calme my heat,
And beare my thoughts to their desired seat:
My flames I found not Here, no, I protest,
I brought them with me closed in my brest,
My selfe transported then without Atturney,
Loue was the Motiue to my tedious iourney;
Not blustring Winter when he triumpht most,
Nor any error droue me to this Coast,
Nor led by Fortune where the rough winds please,
Nor Marchant-like for gaine crost I the Seas:
Fulnesse of wealth in all my Fleet I see,
I am rich in all things saue in wanting thee.
No spoile of petty Nations my Ship seekes,
Nor Land I as a spie among the Greekes,
What need we? See of all things we haue store,
Compar'd with Troy (alas) your Greece is pore,
197
Whom golden Venus hath by promise giuen me,
I Wisht thee ere I knew thee, long ago,
Before these eyes dwelt on this glorious show:
I saw thee in my thoughts, know beautious Dame,
I first beheld you with the eyes of Fame,
Nor maruell Lady I was stroke so farre,
Thus Darts or Arrowes sent from Bowes of warre
Wound a great distance off: so was I hit
With a deepe smarting wound that ranckles yet,
For so it pleas'd the Fates, whom least you blame,
Ile tell a true Tale to confirme the same.
When in my Mothers wombe full ripe I lay,
Ready the first houre to behold the day,
And she at point to be deliuered streight,
And to vnlade her of her Royall freight,
My Byrth-houre was delaid, and that sad night
A fearefull vision did the Queene affright,
In a sonnes stead to please the aged Sire,
She dreampt she had brought forth a Brand of fire,
Frighted she rises, and to Priam goes,
To the old King this ominous dreame she showes:
He to the Priest, the Priest doth this returne,
That the Child borne shall stately Islium burne:
Better then he was ware the Prophet guest,
For loe a kindled Brand flames in my brest,
To preuent Fate a Pesant I was held,
Till my faire shape all other Swaines exeld,
And gaue the doubtfull world assurance good,
your Paris was deriu'd from royall blood.
Ready the first houre to behold the day,
And she at point to be deliuered streight,
And to vnlade her of her Royall freight,
My Byrth-houre was delaid, and that sad night
A fearefull vision did the Queene affright,
In a sonnes stead to please the aged Sire,
She dreampt she had brought forth a Brand of fire,
Frighted she rises, and to Priam goes,
To the old King this ominous dreame she showes:
He to the Priest, the Priest doth this returne,
That the Child borne shall stately Islium burne:
Better then he was ware the Prophet guest,
For loe a kindled Brand flames in my brest,
To preuent Fate a Pesant I was held,
Till my faire shape all other Swaines exeld,
And gaue the doubtfull world assurance good,
your Paris was deriu'd from royall blood.
Amid the Idean Fields there is a place
Remote, full of hie Trees, which hide the face
Of the greene mantled Earth, where in thicke rowes,
The Oake, the Elme, the Pine, the Pitch-tree growes:
Heere neuer yet did browze the wanton Ewe,
Nor from this plot the slow Oxe licke the dew:
The sauage Goat that feeds among the Rockes
Hath not graz'd heere, nor any of their Flockes,
Hence the Dardanian wals I might espy,
The lofty Towers of Islium reared by,
Hence I the Seas might from the firme Land see,
Which to behold, I leant me to a Tree:
Beleeue me, for I speake but what is true,
Downe from the skies with feathered pynions flew
The Nephew to great Atlas, and doth stand
With Golden Caducens in his hand,
(This as the Gods to me thought good to show,
I hold it good that you the same should know:
Three Goddesses behind young Hermes moue
Great Iuno, Pallas, and the Queene of Loue;
Who as in pompe and Pride of gate they passe,
Scarse with their weight they bend the tops of grasse:
Amaz'd I start, and endlong stands my haire,
When Mayus Sonne thus sayes, abandon feare
Thou Curteous Swaine, that to these groues repairest,
And freely Iudge which of these three is fairest:
And least I should this curious sentence shun,
He tels me by Ihoues sentence all is done.
And to be Iudge I no way can eschew,
This hauing saide, vp through the Ayre he flew:
I straight take Hart a grace, and grow more bold,
And there their beauties one by one behold.
Why am I made the Iudge to giue this dome?
Methinkes all three are Worthy to o're-come:
To iniure two such Beauties what tongue dare?
Or preferre one where they be all so faire:
Now this seemes fairest, now againe that other,
Now would I speake, and now my thoughts I smother,
And yet at length the praise of one most sounded,
And from that one my present Loue is grounded:
The Goddesses out of their earnest care
And pride of Beauty to be held most faire,
Seeke with large Ariues, and gifts of wondrous price,
To their owne thoughts my censure to intice:
Iuno the Wife of Ihoue doth first inchant me,
To Iudge her fairest, she a Crowne will grant me:
Pallas her Daughter, next doth vndertake me,
Giue her the price, and valiant she will make me:
I straight deuise which can most pleasure bring,
To be a valiant Souldier or a King:
Last Venus smiling came with such a grace,
As if she swayed an Empire in her face,
Let not (said she) these guifts the Conquest beare,
Combats and Kingdomes are both fraught with feare.
Ile giue thee what thou louest best, (louely Swaine,)
The fairest Saint that doth on earth remaine
Shalbe thine owne, make thou the Conquest mine,
Faire Lædaes fairest daughter shalbe thine.
This said, when with my selfe I had deuised,
And her rich guift and beauty ioyntly prised:
Venus victor, ore the rest is plac'st,
Iuno and Pallas leaue the Mount disgrac'st,
Meane time my Fates a prosperous course had ron,
And by knowne signes King Priam cald me Son:
The day of my restoring is kept holy
Among the Saints-daies, consecrated soly
To my remembrance, being a day of ioy,
For euer in the Calenders of Troy.
Remote, full of hie Trees, which hide the face
Of the greene mantled Earth, where in thicke rowes,
The Oake, the Elme, the Pine, the Pitch-tree growes:
Heere neuer yet did browze the wanton Ewe,
Nor from this plot the slow Oxe licke the dew:
The sauage Goat that feeds among the Rockes
Hath not graz'd heere, nor any of their Flockes,
Hence the Dardanian wals I might espy,
The lofty Towers of Islium reared by,
198
Which to behold, I leant me to a Tree:
Beleeue me, for I speake but what is true,
Downe from the skies with feathered pynions flew
The Nephew to great Atlas, and doth stand
With Golden Caducens in his hand,
(This as the Gods to me thought good to show,
I hold it good that you the same should know:
Three Goddesses behind young Hermes moue
Great Iuno, Pallas, and the Queene of Loue;
Who as in pompe and Pride of gate they passe,
Scarse with their weight they bend the tops of grasse:
Amaz'd I start, and endlong stands my haire,
When Mayus Sonne thus sayes, abandon feare
Thou Curteous Swaine, that to these groues repairest,
And freely Iudge which of these three is fairest:
And least I should this curious sentence shun,
He tels me by Ihoues sentence all is done.
And to be Iudge I no way can eschew,
This hauing saide, vp through the Ayre he flew:
I straight take Hart a grace, and grow more bold,
And there their beauties one by one behold.
Why am I made the Iudge to giue this dome?
Methinkes all three are Worthy to o're-come:
To iniure two such Beauties what tongue dare?
Or preferre one where they be all so faire:
Now this seemes fairest, now againe that other,
Now would I speake, and now my thoughts I smother,
And yet at length the praise of one most sounded,
And from that one my present Loue is grounded:
The Goddesses out of their earnest care
And pride of Beauty to be held most faire,
Seeke with large Ariues, and gifts of wondrous price,
To their owne thoughts my censure to intice:
Iuno the Wife of Ihoue doth first inchant me,
To Iudge her fairest, she a Crowne will grant me:
Pallas her Daughter, next doth vndertake me,
Giue her the price, and valiant she will make me:
I straight deuise which can most pleasure bring,
To be a valiant Souldier or a King:
199
As if she swayed an Empire in her face,
Let not (said she) these guifts the Conquest beare,
Combats and Kingdomes are both fraught with feare.
Ile giue thee what thou louest best, (louely Swaine,)
The fairest Saint that doth on earth remaine
Shalbe thine owne, make thou the Conquest mine,
Faire Lædaes fairest daughter shalbe thine.
This said, when with my selfe I had deuised,
And her rich guift and beauty ioyntly prised:
Venus victor, ore the rest is plac'st,
Iuno and Pallas leaue the Mount disgrac'st,
Meane time my Fates a prosperous course had ron,
And by knowne signes King Priam cald me Son:
The day of my restoring is kept holy
Among the Saints-daies, consecrated soly
To my remembrance, being a day of ioy,
For euer in the Calenders of Troy.
As I wish you I haue bin wisht by others,
The fairest maids by me would haue bin Mothers,
Of all my fauours I bestow'd not any,
you onely may inioy the Loues of many:
Nor by the Daughters of great Dukes and Kings
Haue I alone bin sought, whose marriage Rings
I haue turn'd backe, but by a straine more hie,
By Nimphs and Phairies, such as neuer die.
No sooner were you promist as my due,
But I (al hated) to remember you:
Waking, I saw your Image, if I dreampt,
Your beautious figure stil appeard to tempt
And vrge this voyage: Til your face excelling
These eies beheld, my dreames were all of Hellen.
Imagine how your face should now incite me,
Being seene, that vnseene did so much delite me:
If I was scorcht so farre off from the Fyer,
How am I burnt to Cinders thus much nyer:
Nor could I longer owe my selfe this treasure,
But through the Ocean I must search my pleasure,
The Phrygian Hatchets to the rootes are put
Of the Idean Pines, (asunder cut)
The Wood-land Mountaine yeilded me large fees,
Being despoyl'd of all her tallest Trees,
From whence we haue squar'd out vn-numbred beames,
That must be washt within the Marine streames:
The grounded Oakes are bowed, though stiffe as steele,
And to the tough Ribs is the bending Keele
Wouen by Ship-wrights craft, then the Maine-mast,
A crosse whose middle is the Saile yard plast.
Tackles and sailes, and next you may discerne,
Our painted Gods vpon the hooked stearne:
The God that beares me on my happy way,
And is my guide, is Cupid: Now the day
In which the last stroke of the Hammer's heard,
Within our Nauy, in the East appeard,
And I must now lanch forth, (so the Fates please)
To seeke aduentures in the Egean Seas.
My Father and my Mother moue delay,
And by intreaties would inforce my stay:
They hang about my necke, and with their teares
Woo me deferre my iourney: but their feares
Can haue no power to keepe me from thy sight:
And now Cassandra full of sad affright,
With loose disheuel'd Tramels, madly skips,
Iust in the way betwixt me and my Ships:
Oh, whether wilt thou head-long run she cries?
Thou bearest fire with thee, whose smoake vp flies
Vnto the heauens (Oh Ihoue) thou little fearest
What quenchlesse flames thou through the water bearest:
Cassandra was too true a Prophetesse,
Her quenchlesse flames she spake of (I confesse,)
My hot desires burne in my breast so fast,
That no Red Furnace hotter flames can cast.
The fairest maids by me would haue bin Mothers,
Of all my fauours I bestow'd not any,
you onely may inioy the Loues of many:
Nor by the Daughters of great Dukes and Kings
Haue I alone bin sought, whose marriage Rings
I haue turn'd backe, but by a straine more hie,
By Nimphs and Phairies, such as neuer die.
No sooner were you promist as my due,
But I (al hated) to remember you:
Waking, I saw your Image, if I dreampt,
Your beautious figure stil appeard to tempt
And vrge this voyage: Til your face excelling
These eies beheld, my dreames were all of Hellen.
Imagine how your face should now incite me,
Being seene, that vnseene did so much delite me:
If I was scorcht so farre off from the Fyer,
How am I burnt to Cinders thus much nyer:
Nor could I longer owe my selfe this treasure,
But through the Ocean I must search my pleasure,
The Phrygian Hatchets to the rootes are put
Of the Idean Pines, (asunder cut)
200
Being despoyl'd of all her tallest Trees,
From whence we haue squar'd out vn-numbred beames,
That must be washt within the Marine streames:
The grounded Oakes are bowed, though stiffe as steele,
And to the tough Ribs is the bending Keele
Wouen by Ship-wrights craft, then the Maine-mast,
A crosse whose middle is the Saile yard plast.
Tackles and sailes, and next you may discerne,
Our painted Gods vpon the hooked stearne:
The God that beares me on my happy way,
And is my guide, is Cupid: Now the day
In which the last stroke of the Hammer's heard,
Within our Nauy, in the East appeard,
And I must now lanch forth, (so the Fates please)
To seeke aduentures in the Egean Seas.
My Father and my Mother moue delay,
And by intreaties would inforce my stay:
They hang about my necke, and with their teares
Woo me deferre my iourney: but their feares
Can haue no power to keepe me from thy sight:
And now Cassandra full of sad affright,
With loose disheuel'd Tramels, madly skips,
Iust in the way betwixt me and my Ships:
Oh, whether wilt thou head-long run she cries?
Thou bearest fire with thee, whose smoake vp flies
Vnto the heauens (Oh Ihoue) thou little fearest
What quenchlesse flames thou through the water bearest:
Cassandra was too true a Prophetesse,
Her quenchlesse flames she spake of (I confesse,)
My hot desires burne in my breast so fast,
That no Red Furnace hotter flames can cast.
I passe the Citty gates, my Barke I boord,
The fauourable winds calme gales affoord,
And fill my sailes, vnto your Land I steare,
For whether else (his course) should Paris beare:
Your Husband entertaines me as his guest,
And all this hapneth by the Gods behest,
He shewes me all his Pastures, parts, and Fields,
And euery rare thing Lacedemon yeilds,
He holds himselfe much pleased with my being,
And nothing hides, that he esteems worth seeing.
I am on fire, till I behold your face,
Of all Achayas Kingdome, the sole grace,
All other Curious obiects I defie,
Nothing but Hellen can content mine eie,
Whom when I saw, I stood transformd with wonder,
Sencelesse, as one strooke dead by Ihoues sharpe Thunder:
As I reuiue, my eyes I rowle and turne,
Whilst my flam'd thoughts with hotter fancies burne,
Euen so (as I remember,) lookt Loues Queene,
When she was last in Phtygian Ida seene,
Vnto which place by Fortune I was trained,
Where by my censure she the Conquest gained:
But had you made a fourth in that contention,
Of Venus beauty, there had bin no mention:
Hellen assuredly had borne from all
The prize of beauty, the bright Golden Ball.
The fauourable winds calme gales affoord,
And fill my sailes, vnto your Land I steare,
For whether else (his course) should Paris beare:
Your Husband entertaines me as his guest,
And all this hapneth by the Gods behest,
He shewes me all his Pastures, parts, and Fields,
And euery rare thing Lacedemon yeilds,
201
And nothing hides, that he esteems worth seeing.
I am on fire, till I behold your face,
Of all Achayas Kingdome, the sole grace,
All other Curious obiects I defie,
Nothing but Hellen can content mine eie,
Whom when I saw, I stood transformd with wonder,
Sencelesse, as one strooke dead by Ihoues sharpe Thunder:
As I reuiue, my eyes I rowle and turne,
Whilst my flam'd thoughts with hotter fancies burne,
Euen so (as I remember,) lookt Loues Queene,
When she was last in Phtygian Ida seene,
Vnto which place by Fortune I was trained,
Where by my censure she the Conquest gained:
But had you made a fourth in that contention,
Of Venus beauty, there had bin no mention:
Hellen assuredly had borne from all
The prize of beauty, the bright Golden Ball.
Onely of you may this your Kingdome boast,
by you it is renown'd in euery Coast:
Rumor hath euery where your beautie blazed,
In what remote Clyme is not Hellen praised?
From the bright Eastern Suns vprise, Inquire
Euen to his downfall, where he slakes his fire,
There liues not any of your Sex that dare,
Contend with you that are proclaimd so faire;
Trust me, for truth I speake. Nay vvhats most true,
Too sparingly the vvorld hath spoke of you:
Fame that hath vndertooke your name to blaze,
Plaid but the envious Husvvife in your praise:
More then report could promise, or fame blazon,
Are these Deuine perfections that I gaze on:
These were the same that made Duke Theseus lauish,
Who in thy prime and Nonage did thee rauish;
A vvorthie Rape for such a vvorthie Man,
Thrice happie Rauisher, to ceize thee than
Whèn thou vvert stript starke naked to the skin,
(A sight, of force to make the Gods to sin:)
Such is your Countries guise at seasons vvhen,
vvith naked Ladies they mixe naked Men;
That he did steale thee from thy Friends, I praise him,
And for that deed, I to the Heauens will raise him:
That he return'd thee backe, by Ihoue I wonder,
Had I bin Theseus, he that should assonder
Haue parted vs, or snacht thee from my bed,
First from my shoulders should haue par'd my head:
So rich a purchase, such a glorious pray,
Should constantly haue bin detai'nd for aye.
Could these my strong Armes possibly vnclaspe,
Whilst in their amorous Foulds they Hellen graspe,
Neither by free constraint, nor by free-giuing,
Could you depart that compasse, and I liuing:
But if by rough inforce I must restore you,
Some fruits of Loue, (which I so long haue bore you,)
I first would reape, and some sweet fauour gaine,
That all my suite were not bestowd in vaine;
Either with me you should abide and stay,
Or for your passe your maiden-head should pay.
Or say I spar'd you that, yet would I try
What other fauour, I could else come by,
All that belongs to loue, I would not misse,
You should not let me both to clip and kisse.
by you it is renown'd in euery Coast:
Rumor hath euery where your beautie blazed,
In what remote Clyme is not Hellen praised?
From the bright Eastern Suns vprise, Inquire
Euen to his downfall, where he slakes his fire,
There liues not any of your Sex that dare,
Contend with you that are proclaimd so faire;
Trust me, for truth I speake. Nay vvhats most true,
Too sparingly the vvorld hath spoke of you:
Fame that hath vndertooke your name to blaze,
Plaid but the envious Husvvife in your praise:
More then report could promise, or fame blazon,
Are these Deuine perfections that I gaze on:
These were the same that made Duke Theseus lauish,
Who in thy prime and Nonage did thee rauish;
A vvorthie Rape for such a vvorthie Man,
Thrice happie Rauisher, to ceize thee than
Whèn thou vvert stript starke naked to the skin,
(A sight, of force to make the Gods to sin:)
Such is your Countries guise at seasons vvhen,
vvith naked Ladies they mixe naked Men;
202
And for that deed, I to the Heauens will raise him:
That he return'd thee backe, by Ihoue I wonder,
Had I bin Theseus, he that should assonder
Haue parted vs, or snacht thee from my bed,
First from my shoulders should haue par'd my head:
So rich a purchase, such a glorious pray,
Should constantly haue bin detai'nd for aye.
Could these my strong Armes possibly vnclaspe,
Whilst in their amorous Foulds they Hellen graspe,
Neither by free constraint, nor by free-giuing,
Could you depart that compasse, and I liuing:
But if by rough inforce I must restore you,
Some fruits of Loue, (which I so long haue bore you,)
I first would reape, and some sweet fauour gaine,
That all my suite were not bestowd in vaine;
Either with me you should abide and stay,
Or for your passe your maiden-head should pay.
Or say I spar'd you that, yet would I try
What other fauour, I could else come by,
All that belongs to loue, I would not misse,
You should not let me both to clip and kisse.
Giue me your heart faire Queene, my hart you owe,
And what my resolution is, you knowe,
Til the last fire my breathlesse body take,
The fire within my breast can neuer slake,
Before large kingdomes I preferd your face,
And Iunoes loue, and potent gifts disgrace.
To fold you in my amorous Armes I chusd,
And Pallas vertues scornefully refusd.
When they with Venus in the Hil of Ide,
Made mee the Iudge their beauties to decide,
Nor do I yet repent me, hauing tooke
Beauty: and strength and Scepter'd rule forsooke:
Methinkes I chusd the best, (nor thinke it strange)
I still persist, and neuer meane to change;
Onely that my imployment be not vain,
Oh you more worth then any Empires gaine,
Let me intreat, least you my byrth should scorne
Or parentage: know I am royall borne.
By marrying me, you shall not wrong your State,
Nor be a wife to one degenerate.
Search the Records where vve did first begin,
And you shall find the Pleyads of our Kin:
Nay Ihoue himselfe, all others to forbeare,
That in our stocke renowned Princes were:
My Father of all Asia raignes sole-King,
Whose boundlesse Coast, scarce any feathered wing
Can giue a girdle too, a happier Land
A neighbor to the Ocean cannot stand:
There in a narrovv compasse you may see
Citties and Towers, more then may numbred be,
The houses guilt, rich Temples that exell,
And you will say I neere the great Gods dwell.
You shall behold hie Isliums lofty Towers,
And Troyes braue Wals built by Immortall powers,
But made by Phœbus the great God of Fire,
And by the touch of his melodious Lyer:
If we haue people to inhabit, vvhen
The sad earth grones to beare such troopes of men:
Iudge Hellen, Likevvise when you come to Land,
The Asian Women shall admiring stand,
Saluting thee with welcome, more and lesse
In preasing throngs and numbers, numberlesse:
More then our Courts can hold of you (most faire)
You to your selfe will say, alasse, how bare
And poore Achaya is, when with great pleasure,
You see each house containe a Citties Treasure.
And what my resolution is, you knowe,
Til the last fire my breathlesse body take,
The fire within my breast can neuer slake,
Before large kingdomes I preferd your face,
And Iunoes loue, and potent gifts disgrace.
To fold you in my amorous Armes I chusd,
And Pallas vertues scornefully refusd.
When they with Venus in the Hil of Ide,
Made mee the Iudge their beauties to decide,
Nor do I yet repent me, hauing tooke
Beauty: and strength and Scepter'd rule forsooke:
Methinkes I chusd the best, (nor thinke it strange)
I still persist, and neuer meane to change;
Onely that my imployment be not vain,
Oh you more worth then any Empires gaine,
Let me intreat, least you my byrth should scorne
Or parentage: know I am royall borne.
203
Nor be a wife to one degenerate.
Search the Records where vve did first begin,
And you shall find the Pleyads of our Kin:
Nay Ihoue himselfe, all others to forbeare,
That in our stocke renowned Princes were:
My Father of all Asia raignes sole-King,
Whose boundlesse Coast, scarce any feathered wing
Can giue a girdle too, a happier Land
A neighbor to the Ocean cannot stand:
There in a narrovv compasse you may see
Citties and Towers, more then may numbred be,
The houses guilt, rich Temples that exell,
And you will say I neere the great Gods dwell.
You shall behold hie Isliums lofty Towers,
And Troyes braue Wals built by Immortall powers,
But made by Phœbus the great God of Fire,
And by the touch of his melodious Lyer:
If we haue people to inhabit, vvhen
The sad earth grones to beare such troopes of men:
Iudge Hellen, Likevvise when you come to Land,
The Asian Women shall admiring stand,
Saluting thee with welcome, more and lesse
In preasing throngs and numbers, numberlesse:
More then our Courts can hold of you (most faire)
You to your selfe will say, alasse, how bare
And poore Achaya is, when with great pleasure,
You see each house containe a Citties Treasure.
Mistake me not I Sparta do not scorne,
I hold the Land blest where my Loue was borne:
Though barren else, rich Sparta Hellen bore,
And therefore I that Prouince must adore;
Yet is your Land methinkes but leane and empty,
You worthy of a Clyme that flowes with plenty
Full Troy, I prostrate it is yours by duty,
This petty-seat becomes not your rich beauty;
Attendance, Preparation, Curtsie, state,
Fit such a Heauenly forme, on which should waite,
Cost, fresh variety, Delicious diet,
Pleasure, Contentment, and Luxurious ryet,
What Ornaments we vse, what fashions faigne,
You may perceiue by me and my proud traine,
Thus we attyre our men, but with more cost
Of Gold and Pearle, the rich Gownes are Imbost
Of our chiefe Ladies, guesse by what you see,
you may be soone induc'st to credit me.
I hold the Land blest where my Loue was borne:
Though barren else, rich Sparta Hellen bore,
And therefore I that Prouince must adore;
Yet is your Land methinkes but leane and empty,
You worthy of a Clyme that flowes with plenty
Full Troy, I prostrate it is yours by duty,
This petty-seat becomes not your rich beauty;
Attendance, Preparation, Curtsie, state,
Fit such a Heauenly forme, on which should waite,
Cost, fresh variety, Delicious diet,
Pleasure, Contentment, and Luxurious ryet,
204
You may perceiue by me and my proud traine,
Thus we attyre our men, but with more cost
Of Gold and Pearle, the rich Gownes are Imbost
Of our chiefe Ladies, guesse by what you see,
you may be soone induc'st to credit me.
Be tractable faire Spartan, nor contemne
A Troian borne, deriu'd from Royall stemne:
He was a Troian and allyde to Hector,
That waits vpon Ihoues cup, and fils him Nector:
A Troian did the faire Aurora wed,
And nightly slept within her Rose at bed:
The Goddesse that ends night and enters day,
From our faire Troian Coast stole him away,
Anchises was a Troian, whom Loues Queene,
(Making the Trees of Ida a thicke Screene
Twixt Heauen and her) oft lay with, view me vvell,
I am a Troian too, in Troy I dwell:
Thy Husband Menelaus hether bring,
Compare our shapes, our yeares, and euery thing
I make you Iudgesse, wrong me if you can,
you needs must say I am the properer man:
None of my line hath turn'd the Sun to blood,
And rob'd his Steeds of their Ambrosiall food:
My Father grew not from the Caucasse Rocke,
Nor shall I graft you in a bloody Stocke:
Priam nere wrong'd the guiltlesse soule, or further,
Made the Myrtoan Sea looke red with murder.
Nor thirsteth my great Grand-sire in the Lake
Of Lethe, Chin-deepe, yet no thirst can slake:
Nor after ripened Apples vainely skips,
Who flie him still, and yet still touch his lips,
But what of this? If you be so deriu'd,
You notwithstanding are no right depriu'd:
You grace your Stocke, and being so deuine,
Ihoue is of force compeld into your Liue.
A Troian borne, deriu'd from Royall stemne:
He was a Troian and allyde to Hector,
That waits vpon Ihoues cup, and fils him Nector:
A Troian did the faire Aurora wed,
And nightly slept within her Rose at bed:
The Goddesse that ends night and enters day,
From our faire Troian Coast stole him away,
Anchises was a Troian, whom Loues Queene,
(Making the Trees of Ida a thicke Screene
Twixt Heauen and her) oft lay with, view me vvell,
I am a Troian too, in Troy I dwell:
Thy Husband Menelaus hether bring,
Compare our shapes, our yeares, and euery thing
I make you Iudgesse, wrong me if you can,
you needs must say I am the properer man:
None of my line hath turn'd the Sun to blood,
And rob'd his Steeds of their Ambrosiall food:
My Father grew not from the Caucasse Rocke,
Nor shall I graft you in a bloody Stocke:
Priam nere wrong'd the guiltlesse soule, or further,
Made the Myrtoan Sea looke red with murder.
Nor thirsteth my great Grand-sire in the Lake
Of Lethe, Chin-deepe, yet no thirst can slake:
Nor after ripened Apples vainely skips,
Who flie him still, and yet still touch his lips,
But what of this? If you be so deriu'd,
You notwithstanding are no right depriu'd:
You grace your Stocke, and being so deuine,
Ihoue is of force compeld into your Liue.
Oh mischiefe! Whilst I vainely speake of this,
Your Husband all vnworthy of such blisse
Inioyes you this long night, enfolds your wast,
And where he list may boldly touch and tast,
So when you sat at Table, many a toy,
Passeth betweene you my vext soule t'annoy,
At such hie feasts I wish my enemy sit,
Where discontent attendes on euery bit,
I neuer yet was plac'st at any Feast,
But oft it irkt me that I was your Guest:
That which offends me most, thy rude Lord knowes,
For still his arme about thy necke he throwes,
Which I no sooner spy but I grow mad,
And hate the man whose courting makes me sad:
Shall I be plaine? I am ready to sinke downe
When I behold him wrap you in his Gowne,
While you sit smiling on his amorous knee,
His fingers presse, where my hands itch to bee:
But when he hugs you I am forc'st to frowne,
The meat I am eating will by no meanes downe,
But stickes halfe way, amidst these discontents
I haue obseru'd you laugh at my laments,
And with a scornefull, yet a wanton smile
Deride my sighes and grones, oft to beguile
My passions, and to quench my fiery rage,
By quaffing healths I haue thought my flame t' asswage,
But Bacchus full cups make my flame burne hyer,
Add wine to loue, and you adde fire to fire.
To shun the sight of many a wanton feat,
Betwixt your Lord and you I shift my seat,
And turne my head, but thinking of your grace,
Loue skrewes my head to gaze backe on your face.
What were I best to do? To see you play
Mads me, and I perforce must turne away,
And to forbeare the place where you abide,
Would kill me dead should I but start aside:
As much as lyes in me I striue to bury
The shape of Loue, in mirths spight I seeme mery:
But oh, the more I seeke it to suppresse,
The more my blabbing lookes my loue professe
Your Husband all vnworthy of such blisse
Inioyes you this long night, enfolds your wast,
And where he list may boldly touch and tast,
205
Passeth betweene you my vext soule t'annoy,
At such hie feasts I wish my enemy sit,
Where discontent attendes on euery bit,
I neuer yet was plac'st at any Feast,
But oft it irkt me that I was your Guest:
That which offends me most, thy rude Lord knowes,
For still his arme about thy necke he throwes,
Which I no sooner spy but I grow mad,
And hate the man whose courting makes me sad:
Shall I be plaine? I am ready to sinke downe
When I behold him wrap you in his Gowne,
While you sit smiling on his amorous knee,
His fingers presse, where my hands itch to bee:
But when he hugs you I am forc'st to frowne,
The meat I am eating will by no meanes downe,
But stickes halfe way, amidst these discontents
I haue obseru'd you laugh at my laments,
And with a scornefull, yet a wanton smile
Deride my sighes and grones, oft to beguile
My passions, and to quench my fiery rage,
By quaffing healths I haue thought my flame t' asswage,
But Bacchus full cups make my flame burne hyer,
Add wine to loue, and you adde fire to fire.
To shun the sight of many a wanton feat,
Betwixt your Lord and you I shift my seat,
And turne my head, but thinking of your grace,
Loue skrewes my head to gaze backe on your face.
What were I best to do? To see you play
Mads me, and I perforce must turne away,
And to forbeare the place where you abide,
Would kill me dead should I but start aside:
As much as lyes in me I striue to bury
The shape of Loue, in mirths spight I seeme mery:
But oh, the more I seeke it to suppresse,
The more my blabbing lookes my loue professe
You know my Loue which I in vaine should hide,
Would God it did appeare to none beside,
Oh Ihoue how often haue I turnd my cheeke,
To hide th' apparant teares that passage seeke,
From forth my eies, and to a corner stept,
Least any man should aske wherefore I wept:
How often haue I told you pittious tales,
Of constant louers, and how Loue preuailes?
When such great heed to my discourse I tooke,
That euery accent suited to your looke.
In forged names my selfe I represented,
The Louer so perplext and so tormented,
If you will know? Behold I am the same,
Paris was ment in that true Louers name:
As often, that I might the more securely
Speake loose immodest words that sound impurely,
That they offencelesse might your sweet cares tutch,
I haue lispt them out, like one had drunke too mutch:
Once I remember, your loose vayle betraid
Your naked skin, and a fayre passage made
To my inamored eye, Oh skin much brighter
Then snow, or purest milk, in colour whiter
Then your faire mother Læda, when Ihoue grac'st her,
And in the shape of Feathered Swan imbrac'st her:
Whilst at this rauishing sight I stand amazed,
And without interruption freely gazed,
The wreathed handle of the Boule I graspt,
Fell from my hold, my strengthlesse hand vnclaspt,
A Goblet at that time I held by chance,
And downe it fell, for I was in a trance;
Kisse your faire daughter, and to her I skip,
And snatch your kisses from your sweet Childs lip.
Sometimes I throw my selfe along, and lie
Singing Loue-songs, and if you cast your eie
On my effeminate gesture, I still find
Some pretty couered signes to speake my mind,
And then my earnest suit bluntly inuades
Æthra and Climenea your two chiefe maides,
But they returne me answeres full of feare,
And to my motions lend no further eare.
Would God it did appeare to none beside,
Oh Ihoue how often haue I turnd my cheeke,
To hide th' apparant teares that passage seeke,
206
Least any man should aske wherefore I wept:
How often haue I told you pittious tales,
Of constant louers, and how Loue preuailes?
When such great heed to my discourse I tooke,
That euery accent suited to your looke.
In forged names my selfe I represented,
The Louer so perplext and so tormented,
If you will know? Behold I am the same,
Paris was ment in that true Louers name:
As often, that I might the more securely
Speake loose immodest words that sound impurely,
That they offencelesse might your sweet cares tutch,
I haue lispt them out, like one had drunke too mutch:
Once I remember, your loose vayle betraid
Your naked skin, and a fayre passage made
To my inamored eye, Oh skin much brighter
Then snow, or purest milk, in colour whiter
Then your faire mother Læda, when Ihoue grac'st her,
And in the shape of Feathered Swan imbrac'st her:
Whilst at this rauishing sight I stand amazed,
And without interruption freely gazed,
The wreathed handle of the Boule I graspt,
Fell from my hold, my strengthlesse hand vnclaspt,
A Goblet at that time I held by chance,
And downe it fell, for I was in a trance;
Kisse your faire daughter, and to her I skip,
And snatch your kisses from your sweet Childs lip.
Sometimes I throw my selfe along, and lie
Singing Loue-songs, and if you cast your eie
On my effeminate gesture, I still find
Some pretty couered signes to speake my mind,
And then my earnest suit bluntly inuades
Æthra and Climenea your two chiefe maides,
But they returne me answeres full of feare,
And to my motions lend no further eare.
Oh that you were the prize of some great strife,
And he that wins might claime you for his wife,
Hyppomanes with swift Atlanta ran,
And at one course the Goale and Lady wan,
Euen she, by whom so many Suters perisht,
Was in the bosome of her new Loue cherisht:
So Hercules for Deyaneira stroue,
Brake Achelous horne, and gain'd his loue,
Had I such liberty: such freedome graunted,
My resolution neuer could be daunted,
Your selfe should find, and all the world should see,
Hellen (aprize alone) reseru'd for me.
There is not left me any meanes (most faire)
To Court you now, but by intreats and praire,
Vnlesse (as it becoms me) you thinke meet,
That I should prostrate fall, and kisse your feet,
Oh, all the honour that our last age wins,
Then glory of the two Tyndarian Twins,
Worthy to be Ihoues Wife, in heauen to raigne,
Were you not Ihoues owne daughter, of his straine.
To the Sygean confines I will carry thee,
And in the Temple of great Pallas marry thee:
Or in this Island where I vent my mones,
Ile beg a Toombe for my exiled bones:
My wound is not a slight race with an arrow,
But it hath pierst my hart, and burnt my marrow,
This Prophesie my Sister oft hath sounded,
That by an heauenly dart I should be wounded:
Oh then forbeare (fayre Hellen) to oppose you.
Against the Gods, they say I shall not lose you:
Yeeld you to their beheast, and you shall find,
The Gods to your petitions likewise kind.
A thousand things at once are in my braine,
Which that I may essentially complaine,
And not in papers empty all my head,
Anon at night receiue me to your bed.
Blush you at this, or Lady doe you feare
To violate the Nuptiall lawes austeare?
Oh (simple Hellen) Foolish, I might say,
What profite reape you to be Chast, I pray?
Ist possible, that you a World to winne,
Should keepe that face, that beauty, without sinne?
Rather you must your glorious face exchange
For one (lesse Faire) or else not seeme so strange:
Beauty and Chastity at variance are,
Tis hard to finde one Woman chast and faire,
Venus will not haue beauty ouer aw'de,
Hie Ihoue himselfe, stolne pleasures will applaude,
And by such theeuish pastimes we may gather,
How Ihoue gainst Wedlocks lawes, became your father:
He and your mother Læda both transgrest
When you were got, she bare a tender breast.
What glory can you gaine Loues sweets to smother?
Or to be counted Chaster then your mother?
Professe strict chastity, when vvith great ioy,
I lead you as my Bride-espousd, through Troy;
Then, I entreat you raine your pleasures in,
I wish thy Paris may be all thy sinne.
If Citherea her firme Couenant keepe,
Though I within your bosome nightly sleepe,
We shall not much misdoo, but so offend,
That we by marriage may our guilt amend.
And he that wins might claime you for his wife,
Hyppomanes with swift Atlanta ran,
And at one course the Goale and Lady wan,
207
Was in the bosome of her new Loue cherisht:
So Hercules for Deyaneira stroue,
Brake Achelous horne, and gain'd his loue,
Had I such liberty: such freedome graunted,
My resolution neuer could be daunted,
Your selfe should find, and all the world should see,
Hellen (aprize alone) reseru'd for me.
There is not left me any meanes (most faire)
To Court you now, but by intreats and praire,
Vnlesse (as it becoms me) you thinke meet,
That I should prostrate fall, and kisse your feet,
Oh, all the honour that our last age wins,
Then glory of the two Tyndarian Twins,
Worthy to be Ihoues Wife, in heauen to raigne,
Were you not Ihoues owne daughter, of his straine.
To the Sygean confines I will carry thee,
And in the Temple of great Pallas marry thee:
Or in this Island where I vent my mones,
Ile beg a Toombe for my exiled bones:
My wound is not a slight race with an arrow,
But it hath pierst my hart, and burnt my marrow,
This Prophesie my Sister oft hath sounded,
That by an heauenly dart I should be wounded:
Oh then forbeare (fayre Hellen) to oppose you.
Against the Gods, they say I shall not lose you:
Yeeld you to their beheast, and you shall find,
The Gods to your petitions likewise kind.
A thousand things at once are in my braine,
Which that I may essentially complaine,
And not in papers empty all my head,
Anon at night receiue me to your bed.
Blush you at this, or Lady doe you feare
To violate the Nuptiall lawes austeare?
Oh (simple Hellen) Foolish, I might say,
What profite reape you to be Chast, I pray?
Ist possible, that you a World to winne,
Should keepe that face, that beauty, without sinne?
Rather you must your glorious face exchange
For one (lesse Faire) or else not seeme so strange:
208
Tis hard to finde one Woman chast and faire,
Venus will not haue beauty ouer aw'de,
Hie Ihoue himselfe, stolne pleasures will applaude,
And by such theeuish pastimes we may gather,
How Ihoue gainst Wedlocks lawes, became your father:
He and your mother Læda both transgrest
When you were got, she bare a tender breast.
What glory can you gaine Loues sweets to smother?
Or to be counted Chaster then your mother?
Professe strict chastity, when vvith great ioy,
I lead you as my Bride-espousd, through Troy;
Then, I entreat you raine your pleasures in,
I wish thy Paris may be all thy sinne.
If Citherea her firme Couenant keepe,
Though I within your bosome nightly sleepe,
We shall not much misdoo, but so offend,
That we by marriage may our guilt amend.
Your husband hath himselfe this businesse ayded,
And though (not with his toung) he hath perswaded
By all his deedes (as much) least he should stay
Our priuate meetings, he is farre away:
Of purpose rid vnto the farthest West,
That he might leaue his wife vnto his guest.
No fitter time he could haue found to visit
The Chrisean royall Scepter, and to ceize it:
Oh, simple simple Husband: but hees gone,
And going, left you this to thinke vpon.
Faire Wife (quoth he) I prethe in my place,
Regard the Troian Prince, and do him grace:
Behold, a witnesse I against you stand,
You haue beene carelesse of his kinde command.
Count from his first dayes iourney, neuer since
Did you regard or grace the Troian Prince;
What thinke you of your Husband? that he knowes
The worth and value of the face he owes?
Who (but a Fool) such beauty would indanger,
Or trust it to the mercy of a Stranger.
Then (royall Queene) if neither may intreat,
My quenchlesse passion, nor Loues raging heate
Can win you, we are wooed both to this crime,
Euen by the fit aduantage of the time,
Either to Loues sweet sport we must agree,
Or shew our selues to be worse fooles then he.
He tooke you by the hand the hower he rode,
And knowing, I with you must make abode,
Brings you to me, What should I further say?
It was his minde to giue you quite away.
And though (not with his toung) he hath perswaded
By all his deedes (as much) least he should stay
Our priuate meetings, he is farre away:
Of purpose rid vnto the farthest West,
That he might leaue his wife vnto his guest.
No fitter time he could haue found to visit
The Chrisean royall Scepter, and to ceize it:
Oh, simple simple Husband: but hees gone,
And going, left you this to thinke vpon.
Faire Wife (quoth he) I prethe in my place,
Regard the Troian Prince, and do him grace:
Behold, a witnesse I against you stand,
You haue beene carelesse of his kinde command.
Count from his first dayes iourney, neuer since
Did you regard or grace the Troian Prince;
What thinke you of your Husband? that he knowes
The worth and value of the face he owes?
Who (but a Fool) such beauty would indanger,
Or trust it to the mercy of a Stranger.
Then (royall Queene) if neither may intreat,
My quenchlesse passion, nor Loues raging heate
209
Euen by the fit aduantage of the time,
Either to Loues sweet sport we must agree,
Or shew our selues to be worse fooles then he.
He tooke you by the hand the hower he rode,
And knowing, I with you must make abode,
Brings you to me, What should I further say?
It was his minde to giue you quite away.
What meant he else? Then lets be blithe and iolly,
And make the best vse of your Husbands folly:
What should we doe? Your husband is farre gone,
And this colde night (poore soule) you lie alone:
I want a bedfellow, so doe we eather,
What lets vs then, but that we lie together.
You slumbring thinke on me, On you I dreame,
Both our desires are feruent, and extreame:
Sweet, then appoint the night. Why doe you stay?
Oh night, more clearer then the brightest day,
Then I dare freely speake, protest, and sweare,
And of my vowes the Gods shall record beare:
Then will I seale the contract, and the strife,
From that day forward, we are man and Wife:
Then questionlesse I shall so farre perswade,
That you with me shall Troyes ritch Coast invade,
And with your Phrygian guest at last agree,
Our potent Kingdome and rich Crowne to see:
But if you (blushing) feare the vulger bruit,
That sayes, you follow me, to me make suite,
Feare it not Hellen; Ile so vvorke with Fame,
I will (alone) be guilty of all blame.
And make the best vse of your Husbands folly:
What should we doe? Your husband is farre gone,
And this colde night (poore soule) you lie alone:
I want a bedfellow, so doe we eather,
What lets vs then, but that we lie together.
You slumbring thinke on me, On you I dreame,
Both our desires are feruent, and extreame:
Sweet, then appoint the night. Why doe you stay?
Oh night, more clearer then the brightest day,
Then I dare freely speake, protest, and sweare,
And of my vowes the Gods shall record beare:
Then will I seale the contract, and the strife,
From that day forward, we are man and Wife:
Then questionlesse I shall so farre perswade,
That you with me shall Troyes ritch Coast invade,
And with your Phrygian guest at last agree,
Our potent Kingdome and rich Crowne to see:
But if you (blushing) feare the vulger bruit,
That sayes, you follow me, to me make suite,
Feare it not Hellen; Ile so vvorke with Fame,
I will (alone) be guilty of all blame.
Duke Theseus was my instance, and so were
Your brothers Lady, Can I come more neare
To ensample my attempts by? Theseus haled
Hellen perforce: Your brothers they preuayled
With the Leucippian Sisters, now from these
Ile count my selfe the fourth (if Hellen please.)
Our Troian Nauy rides vpon the Coast,
Rig'd, arm'd, and Man'd, and I can proudly boast,
The bankes are high, Why doe you longer stay?
The windes and Oares are ready to make way,
You shall be like a high Maiesticke Queene,
Led through the Dardan Citty, and be seene
By millions, who your State hauing commended,
Will (wondring) sweare, some Goddesse is descended.
Where ere you walke the Priests shall Incence burne,
No way you shall your eie or body turne,
But sacrificed beasts the ground shall beate,
And bright religious fires the Welkin heate,
My father, mother, brother, sisters: all
Islium and Troy in pompe maiesticall,
Shall with rich guifts present you (but alasse)
Not the least part (so farre they doe surpasse)
Can my Epistle speake, you may behold
More then my words or writings can vnfold.
Your brothers Lady, Can I come more neare
To ensample my attempts by? Theseus haled
Hellen perforce: Your brothers they preuayled
With the Leucippian Sisters, now from these
Ile count my selfe the fourth (if Hellen please.)
Our Troian Nauy rides vpon the Coast,
Rig'd, arm'd, and Man'd, and I can proudly boast,
The bankes are high, Why doe you longer stay?
The windes and Oares are ready to make way,
210
Led through the Dardan Citty, and be seene
By millions, who your State hauing commended,
Will (wondring) sweare, some Goddesse is descended.
Where ere you walke the Priests shall Incence burne,
No way you shall your eie or body turne,
But sacrificed beasts the ground shall beate,
And bright religious fires the Welkin heate,
My father, mother, brother, sisters: all
Islium and Troy in pompe maiesticall,
Shall with rich guifts present you (but alasse)
Not the least part (so farre they doe surpasse)
Can my Epistle speake, you may behold
More then my words or writings can vnfold.
Nor feare the bruit of vvarre, or threatning Steele,
When we are fled, to dogge vs at the heele:
Or that all Græcia will their powers vnite,
Of many rauisht, can you one recite,
Whom vvarre re-purchast? These be ydle feares,
Rough blustering Boreas fayre Orithea beares
Vnto the Land of Thrace, yet Thrace still free,
And Athens raisd no rude Hostility:
In winged Pegasus did Iason saile,
And from great Colchos he Medea stale:
Yet Thessaly you see can shew no scar
Of former wounds in the Thessalian warre.
He that first rauisht you: In such a Fleet
As ours is, Ariadne brought from Creet:
Yet Mynos and Duke Theseus were agreed,
About that quarrell, not a breast did bleed:
Lesse is the daunger (trust me) then the feare
That in these vaine and ydle doubts appeare.
But say rude vvarre should be proclaimde at length,
Know, I am valiant and haue sinowie strength:
The vveapons that I vse axe apt to kill,
Asia besides, more spacious fields can fill
With armed men then Greece, amongst vs are
More perfect Souldiers, more beasts apt for war:
Nor can thy husband Menelaus be
Of any high spirit and Magnanimity,
Or so well prou'd in Armes: for Hellen I
Beeing but a Lad, haue made my enemies fly,
Re-gaind the prey from out the hands of Theeues,
Who had dispoild our Heards, and stolne our Beeues,
By such aduentures I my name obtained,
(Being but a Lad) the conquest I haue gained
Of young men in their prime, who much could do,
Deiphebus, Ilioneas to,
I haue orecome in many sharpe contentions,
Nor thinke these are my vaine and forg'd inuentions,
Or that I only hand to hand can fight,
My arrowes when I please shall touch the white.
I am expert in the Quarrey and the Bovv,
You cannot boast your hartlesse husband so:
Had you the power in all things to supply me,
And should you nothing in the world deny me,
To giue me such a Hector to my brother
You could not: The earth beares not such another:
By him alone all Asia is well mand,
He like an enemy against Greece shall stand
Opposd to your best fortunes, wherefore striue you?
You do not know his valour that must wiue you,
Or what hid vvorth is in me, but at length
You will confesse when you haue prou'd my strength:
Thus either war shall still our steps pursue,
Or Greece shall fall in Troyes all-conquering view,
Nor vvould I feare for such a royall Wife,
To set the Vniuersall world at strife:
To gaine ritch Prizes, men will venter farre,
The hope of purchase makes vs bold in vvarre:
If all the vvorld about you should contend,
Your name would be eternizd vvithout end,
Only be bold, and fearelesse may vve saile
Into my Countrey, with a prosperous gale,
If the Gods graunt me my expected day,
I to the full shall all these Couenants pay.
When we are fled, to dogge vs at the heele:
Or that all Græcia will their powers vnite,
Of many rauisht, can you one recite,
Whom vvarre re-purchast? These be ydle feares,
Rough blustering Boreas fayre Orithea beares
Vnto the Land of Thrace, yet Thrace still free,
And Athens raisd no rude Hostility:
In winged Pegasus did Iason saile,
And from great Colchos he Medea stale:
Yet Thessaly you see can shew no scar
Of former wounds in the Thessalian warre.
He that first rauisht you: In such a Fleet
As ours is, Ariadne brought from Creet:
Yet Mynos and Duke Theseus were agreed,
About that quarrell, not a breast did bleed:
Lesse is the daunger (trust me) then the feare
That in these vaine and ydle doubts appeare.
But say rude vvarre should be proclaimde at length,
Know, I am valiant and haue sinowie strength:
The vveapons that I vse axe apt to kill,
Asia besides, more spacious fields can fill
With armed men then Greece, amongst vs are
More perfect Souldiers, more beasts apt for war:
Nor can thy husband Menelaus be
Of any high spirit and Magnanimity,
211
Beeing but a Lad, haue made my enemies fly,
Re-gaind the prey from out the hands of Theeues,
Who had dispoild our Heards, and stolne our Beeues,
By such aduentures I my name obtained,
(Being but a Lad) the conquest I haue gained
Of young men in their prime, who much could do,
Deiphebus, Ilioneas to,
I haue orecome in many sharpe contentions,
Nor thinke these are my vaine and forg'd inuentions,
Or that I only hand to hand can fight,
My arrowes when I please shall touch the white.
I am expert in the Quarrey and the Bovv,
You cannot boast your hartlesse husband so:
Had you the power in all things to supply me,
And should you nothing in the world deny me,
To giue me such a Hector to my brother
You could not: The earth beares not such another:
By him alone all Asia is well mand,
He like an enemy against Greece shall stand
Opposd to your best fortunes, wherefore striue you?
You do not know his valour that must wiue you,
Or what hid vvorth is in me, but at length
You will confesse when you haue prou'd my strength:
Thus either war shall still our steps pursue,
Or Greece shall fall in Troyes all-conquering view,
Nor vvould I feare for such a royall Wife,
To set the Vniuersall world at strife:
To gaine ritch Prizes, men will venter farre,
The hope of purchase makes vs bold in vvarre:
If all the vvorld about you should contend,
Your name would be eternizd vvithout end,
Only be bold, and fearelesse may vve saile
Into my Countrey, with a prosperous gale,
If the Gods graunt me my expected day,
I to the full shall all these Couenants pay.
214
The end of the nynth CANTO.
215
Canto. 10.
Argumentum
Hellen re-wrytes, the Troians sute preuails,And of the appointed Rape they both agree,
Proud of so fayre a purchase, Paris sailes
To Troy, from whence the Græcians seek to free
The rauisht Spartan: Menalaus bewailes
The absence of his Queene, longing to see
Reuenge on Troy, to which the Græcians meet,
Castor and Pollux perish with the Fleet.
Arg. 2.
Kappa records her Rape, describes and bringsTo Aulis Gulph the powerfull Græcian kings.
Hellen to Paris.
No sooner came mine eye vnto the sightOf thy rude Lynes, but I must needes re-wright:
Dar'st thou (Oh shamelesse) in such heynous wise,
The Lawes of Hospitality despise?
And being a straunger, from thy Countries reach,
Solicite a chast wife to Wedlocks breach?
Was it for this, our free Tenarian Port,
Receiu'd thee and thy traine, in friendly sort?
216
Gaue thee safe harbour from the stormy Seas?
Was it for this, our Kingdomes armes spread vvide,
To entertaine thee from the waters side?
Yet thou of forren soyle remote from hence,
A stranger, comming we scarce know from whence,
Is periur'd wrong the recompence of right?
Is all our friendship guerdond with despight?
I doubt me then, whither in our Court doth tarry,
A friendly guest, or a fierce aduersary:
Nor blame me, for if iustly you consider,
And these presumptions well compare togither,
So simple my complaint will not appeare,
But you your selfe must needes excuse my feare.
Well, hold me simple, much it matters not,
Whilst I preserue my chast name farre from spot,
For when I seeme toucht with bashfull shame,
It shewes how highly I regard my Fame:
When I seeme sad, my countnance is not fained,
And when I lower, my looke is vnconstrained.
But say my brovv be cloudy, my name's cleere,
And reuerently you shall of Hellen heere:
No man from me adulterate spoyles can win,
For to this houre I haue sported without sin,
Which makes me in my hart the more to wonder,
What hope you haue in time to bring me vnder,
Or from mine eie what comfort thou canst gather
To pitty thee, and not despise thee rather:
Because once Theseus hurried me from hence,
And did to me a kind of violence,
Followes it therefore, I am of such prize,
That rauisht once, I should he rauisht twice:
Was it my fault, because I striu'd in vaine,
And vvanted strength his fury to restraine?
He flattered and spake fayre, I strugled still,
And what he got, vvas much against my will:
Of all his toyle, he reapt no wished fruit,
For with my wrangling I vvithstood his sute,
At length, I was restor'd, vntoucht and cleere,
In all my Rape, I sufferd naught (saue feare)
217
Dry, without rhellish, by much striuing got,
And them with much adoo, and to his cost,
Of further fauours, he could neuer boast:
I doubt your purpose aymes at greater blisses,
And hardly would alone be pleasd with kisses,
Thou hast some further arme, and seekst to do
What (Ihoue defend) I should consent vnto:
He bare not thy bad mind, but did restore me,
Vnblemisht, to the place from whence he bore me:
The youth was bashfull, and thy boldnesse lackt,
And tis well knowne, repented his bold fact:
Theseus repented, so should Paris do,
Succeed in Loue, and in repentance to;
Nor am I angry: Who can angry be
With him that loues her? If your hart agree
With your kinde vvords, your suite I could applaude
So I were sure your lines were voyd of fraude.
I cast not these strange doubts or this dispence
Like one that were bereft all confidence:
Nor that I with my selfe am in disgrace,
Or do not know the beauty of my face,
But because too much trust hath damag'd such
As haue beleeu'd men in their loues to much,
And now the generall toung of woman saith,
Mans words are full of Treason, void of faith.
Let others sinne, and bowers in pleasure wast,
Tis rare to find the sober Matron chast:
Why, say it be that sinne preuailes with fayre ones,
May not my name be rank't among the rare ones?
Because my mother Læda was beguilde,
Must I stray too, that am her eldest childe?
I must confesse, my mother made a rape,
But Ihoue beguild her in a borrowed shape,
When she (poore soule) nor dreampt of god nor man,
He troad her like a milke-white feathered Swan:
She was deceiu'd by error, If I yeild
To your vniust request, nothing can shield
Me from reproach, I cannot plead concealing,
T'was in her, error, tis in me plaine dealing:
She happily err'd, He that her honour spilt,
Had in himselfe full power to salue the guilt;
Her error happyed me to (I confesse)
If to be Ihoues childe, be a happinesse.
Tis rare to find the sober Matron chast:
Why, say it be that sinne preuailes with fayre ones,
May not my name be rank't among the rare ones?
Because my mother Læda was beguilde,
Must I stray too, that am her eldest childe?
I must confesse, my mother made a rape,
But Ihoue beguild her in a borrowed shape,
When she (poore soule) nor dreampt of god nor man,
He troad her like a milke-white feathered Swan:
She was deceiu'd by error, If I yeild
To your vniust request, nothing can shield
Me from reproach, I cannot plead concealing,
T'was in her, error, tis in me plaine dealing:
218
Had in himselfe full power to salue the guilt;
Her error happyed me to (I confesse)
If to be Ihoues childe, be a happinesse.
To omit high Ihoue, of whom I stand in awe,
As the great Grandsire to our Father in Lawe,
To passe the kinne I claime from Tantalus,
From Pelopes, and from Noble Tyndarus.
Læda by Ihoue in shape of Swan beguild,
Her selfe so chaungde and by him made with child
Proues Ihoue my Father: then you ydely striue
Your name from Gods and Princes to deriue.
What need you of olde Priam make relation?
Laomedon, or your great Phrygian Nation?
Say, all be true: What then? He, of whom most
To be of your alliance you so boast,
Ihoue (fiue degrees at least) from you remoued,
To be the first from me, is plainly proued;
And though (as I beleeue well) Troy may stand
Powerfull by Sea, and full of strength by Land,
And no Dominion to your State superior,
I hold our Clyme nothing to Troy inferior:
Say, you in ritches passe vs, or in number
Of people, whom you boast your streets to cumber,
Yet yours a Barbarous Nation is, I tell you,
And in that kind, do we of Greece excell you.
Your ritch Epistle doth such guifts present,
As might the Goddesses themselues content
And woo them to your pleasures, but if I
Should passe the bonds of shame, & tread awry
If euer you should put me to my shifts,
Your selfe should moue me more then all your guifts:
Or if I euer shall transgresse by stealth,
It shall be for your sake, not for your wealth;
But as your guifts I scorne not, so such seeme
Most pretious, where the giuer we esteeme.
More then your presence, it shall Hellen please
That you for her haue past the stormy Seas,
That she hath causde your toyle, that you respect her,
And more then all your Troyan Dames affect her.
As the great Grandsire to our Father in Lawe,
To passe the kinne I claime from Tantalus,
From Pelopes, and from Noble Tyndarus.
Læda by Ihoue in shape of Swan beguild,
Her selfe so chaungde and by him made with child
Proues Ihoue my Father: then you ydely striue
Your name from Gods and Princes to deriue.
What need you of olde Priam make relation?
Laomedon, or your great Phrygian Nation?
Say, all be true: What then? He, of whom most
To be of your alliance you so boast,
Ihoue (fiue degrees at least) from you remoued,
To be the first from me, is plainly proued;
And though (as I beleeue well) Troy may stand
Powerfull by Sea, and full of strength by Land,
And no Dominion to your State superior,
I hold our Clyme nothing to Troy inferior:
Say, you in ritches passe vs, or in number
Of people, whom you boast your streets to cumber,
Yet yours a Barbarous Nation is, I tell you,
And in that kind, do we of Greece excell you.
Your ritch Epistle doth such guifts present,
As might the Goddesses themselues content
And woo them to your pleasures, but if I
Should passe the bonds of shame, & tread awry
If euer you should put me to my shifts,
Your selfe should moue me more then all your guifts:
Or if I euer shall transgresse by stealth,
It shall be for your sake, not for your wealth;
But as your guifts I scorne not, so such seeme
Most pretious, where the giuer we esteeme.
More then your presence, it shall Hellen please
That you for her haue past the stormy Seas,
That she hath causde your toyle, that you respect her,
And more then all your Troyan Dames affect her.
219
But ye' are a Wag in troth, the notes and signes
You make at Table, in the meats and Wines,
I haue obseru'd, when I least seemde to minde them,
For at the first my curious eie did finde them.
Sometimes (you wanton) your fixt eie aduaunces
His brightnesse against mine, darting sweet glaunces,
Outgazing me with such a stedfast looke,
That my dazd eyes their splendor haue forsooke,
And then you sigh, and by and by you stretch
Your amorous arme outright, the bowle to reatch
That next me stands, making excuse to sip
Iust in the self-same place that kist my lip.
How oft haue I obserud your finger make
Tricks and conceited signes, which straight I take?
How often doth your brow your smooth thoughts cloke
When (to my seeming) it hath almost spoke,
And still I fearde my Husband would haue spide ye,
In troth you are to blame, and I must chyde ye:
You are too manifest a Louer (Tush.)
At such knowne signes I could not choose but blush,
And to my selfe I oft was forst to say,
This man at nothing shames. Is this (I pray)
ought saue the truth? Oft times vpon the bord
Where Hellen was ingrauen, you the word
Amo haue vnder-writ, in new spilt wine
(Good sooth) at first I could not skan the line,
Nor vnderstand your meaning: Now, (oh spight)
My selfe am now taught, so to Read and write.
Should I offend, as Sinne to me is strange,
These blandishments haue power chast thoughts to change
Or if I could be mou'd to step astray
These would prouoke me to lasciuious play:
Besides, I must confesse, you haue a Face,
So admirably rare, so full of grace,
That it hath power to woo and to make ceasure,
Of the most bright chast beauties to your pleasure.
yet had I rather stainelesse keepe my Fame,
Then to a straunger hazzard my good name:
Make me your instance, and forbeare the fare,
Of that which most doth please you, make most spare.
The greatest vertues of which wise men boast,
Is to abstaine from that which pleaseth most.
How many gallant Youths (thinke you) desire,
That which you couet? Skorcht with the selfe-same fire?
Are all the World focles? Only Paris wise?
Or is there none saue you haue iudging eies?
No, no, you view no more then others see,
But you are playner and more bold with me,
You are more earnest to pursue your game,
I yeeld you not more knowledge, but less shame
I would to God that you had sayld from Troy,
When my Virginity and bedde to enioy
A thousand gallant princely Suters came:
Had I beheld young Paris, I proclaime,
Of all those thousand I had made you chiefe,
And Spartan Menalaus to his griefe
Should to my censure haue subscribde and yeilded,
But now (alasse) your hopes are weakely builded
You couet goodes possest; pleasures fore-tasted,
Tarde you come, that should before haue hasted,
What you desire, another claymes as due.
As I could wishe t' haue beene espousde to you,
So let me tell you, since it is my fate,
I hold me happy in this present state,
Then cease fayre Prince, an ydle suite to moue
Seek not to harme hir whom you seem to loue:
In my contented state let me be guided,
As both my stars and fortunes haue prouided,
Nor in so vaine a quest your spirits toyle,
To seeke at my hands an vnworthy spoyle.
You make at Table, in the meats and Wines,
I haue obseru'd, when I least seemde to minde them,
For at the first my curious eie did finde them.
Sometimes (you wanton) your fixt eie aduaunces
His brightnesse against mine, darting sweet glaunces,
Outgazing me with such a stedfast looke,
That my dazd eyes their splendor haue forsooke,
And then you sigh, and by and by you stretch
Your amorous arme outright, the bowle to reatch
That next me stands, making excuse to sip
Iust in the self-same place that kist my lip.
How oft haue I obserud your finger make
Tricks and conceited signes, which straight I take?
How often doth your brow your smooth thoughts cloke
When (to my seeming) it hath almost spoke,
And still I fearde my Husband would haue spide ye,
In troth you are to blame, and I must chyde ye:
You are too manifest a Louer (Tush.)
At such knowne signes I could not choose but blush,
And to my selfe I oft was forst to say,
This man at nothing shames. Is this (I pray)
ought saue the truth? Oft times vpon the bord
Where Hellen was ingrauen, you the word
Amo haue vnder-writ, in new spilt wine
(Good sooth) at first I could not skan the line,
Nor vnderstand your meaning: Now, (oh spight)
My selfe am now taught, so to Read and write.
Should I offend, as Sinne to me is strange,
These blandishments haue power chast thoughts to change
Or if I could be mou'd to step astray
These would prouoke me to lasciuious play:
Besides, I must confesse, you haue a Face,
So admirably rare, so full of grace,
That it hath power to woo and to make ceasure,
Of the most bright chast beauties to your pleasure.
yet had I rather stainelesse keepe my Fame,
Then to a straunger hazzard my good name:
Make me your instance, and forbeare the fare,
Of that which most doth please you, make most spare.
220
Is to abstaine from that which pleaseth most.
How many gallant Youths (thinke you) desire,
That which you couet? Skorcht with the selfe-same fire?
Are all the World focles? Only Paris wise?
Or is there none saue you haue iudging eies?
No, no, you view no more then others see,
But you are playner and more bold with me,
You are more earnest to pursue your game,
I yeeld you not more knowledge, but less shame
I would to God that you had sayld from Troy,
When my Virginity and bedde to enioy
A thousand gallant princely Suters came:
Had I beheld young Paris, I proclaime,
Of all those thousand I had made you chiefe,
And Spartan Menalaus to his griefe
Should to my censure haue subscribde and yeilded,
But now (alasse) your hopes are weakely builded
You couet goodes possest; pleasures fore-tasted,
Tarde you come, that should before haue hasted,
What you desire, another claymes as due.
As I could wishe t' haue beene espousde to you,
So let me tell you, since it is my fate,
I hold me happy in this present state,
Then cease fayre Prince, an ydle suite to moue
Seek not to harme hir whom you seem to loue:
In my contented state let me be guided,
As both my stars and fortunes haue prouided,
Nor in so vaine a quest your spirits toyle,
To seeke at my hands an vnworthy spoyle.
But see how soone poore Women are deluded,
Venus her selfe this couenant hath concluded,
For in the Idæan Valleyes you espy
Three Goddesses, stript naked to your eie,
And when the first had promist you a Crowne,
The second Fortitude and warres renowne,
The third bespake you thus: Crowne, nor Wars pride
Will I bequeath, but Hellen to thy Bride;
I scarce belieue those high immortall Creatures,
Would to your eye expose their naked features,
Or say the first part of your Tale be pure,
And meet with truth: The seconds false I am sure,
In which poore I was thought the greatest meede,
In such a hie cause by the Goddes decreed.
I haue not of my beauty such opinion
T'imagine it preferd before Dominion,
Or fortitude: nor can your words persuade me
The greatest gift of al, the Goddesse made me.
It is enough to me, men praise my face,
But from the Goddes, I merit no such grace,
Nor doth the praise you charge me with offend me,
If Venus doe not enuiously commend me.
But loe I graunt you, and imagine true,
Your free report, claiming your praise as due,
Who would in pleasing things call Fame a liar,
But giue that credit, which we most desire.
Venus her selfe this couenant hath concluded,
For in the Idæan Valleyes you espy
Three Goddesses, stript naked to your eie,
And when the first had promist you a Crowne,
The second Fortitude and warres renowne,
The third bespake you thus: Crowne, nor Wars pride
Will I bequeath, but Hellen to thy Bride;
I scarce belieue those high immortall Creatures,
Would to your eye expose their naked features,
221
And meet with truth: The seconds false I am sure,
In which poore I was thought the greatest meede,
In such a hie cause by the Goddes decreed.
I haue not of my beauty such opinion
T'imagine it preferd before Dominion,
Or fortitude: nor can your words persuade me
The greatest gift of al, the Goddesse made me.
It is enough to me, men praise my face,
But from the Goddes, I merit no such grace,
Nor doth the praise you charge me with offend me,
If Venus doe not enuiously commend me.
But loe I graunt you, and imagine true,
Your free report, claiming your praise as due,
Who would in pleasing things call Fame a liar,
But giue that credit, which we most desire.
That we haue mou'd these doubts be not you grieued,
The greatest wonders are the least beleeued,
Know then I first am pleasde that Venus ought me
Such vndeserued grace: Next, that you thought me
The greatest meede: Nor Scepter, nor Warres Fame,
Did you preferre before poore Hellens name.
(Hard-hart tis time thou shouldst at last come downe)
Therefore I am your valour, I your Crowne,
Your kindnesse conquers me do what I can,
I were hard-harted, not to loue this man;
Obdurate I was neuer, and yet coy,
To fauour him whom I can ner'e enioy.
What profits it the barren sandes to plow
And in the furrowes our affections sow,
In the sweete theft of Venus I am rude,
And know not how my Husband to delude;
Now I these Loue-lines write, my pen I vow
Is a new office taught, not knowne till now,
Happy are they that in this Trade haue skill,
(Alasse I am a Foole) and shall be still,
And hauing till this houre not stept astray,
Feare in these sports least I should mis my way
The feare (no doubt) is greater then the blame
I stand confounded and amaz'd with shame.
And with the very thought of what you seeke,
Thinke euery eie fixt on my guilty cheeke,
Nor are these suppositions meerely vaine,
The murmuring people whisperingly complaine,
And my maid Æthra hath by listning slily,
Brought me such newes, as toucht mine honor hily:
Wherefore (deere Lord) dissemble, or desist,
Being ouer-eyde, we cannot as we list,
Fashion our sports, our Loues pure haruest gather:
But why should you desist? dissemble rather:
Sport, (but in secret) sport where none may see,
The greater, but not greatest liberty
Is limitted to our Lasciuious play,
That Menalaus is farre hence away,
My Husband about great affaires is pousted,
Leauing his royall guest securely hoasted,
His businesse was important and materiall,
Being employd about a Crowne Imperiall:
And as he now is mounted on his Steed,
Ready on his long iourney to proceede,
Euen as he questions to depart or stay,
Sweet hart (quoth I) oh be not long away,
With that he reacht me a sweet parting kisse,
(How loath he was to leaue me, ghesse by this.)
Farwell fayre Wife (saith he) bend all thy cares
To my domesticke businesse, home affayres,
But as the thing that I affection best,
Sweet Wife, looke well vnto my Troian guest.
It was no sooner out, but with much paine,
My itching spleene from laughter I restraine,
Which striuing to keepe in and bridle still,
At length I wrung forth these few words (I wil.)
Hee's on his iourney to the Isle of Creet,
But thinke not we may therefore safely meet,
He is so absent, that as present I
Am still within his reach: His Eare, his Eye
And though abroad, his power at home commands
For know you not Kings haue long reaching hads?
The fame for beauty you besides haue giuen me,
Into a great exigent hath driuen me:
The more your commendation fild his eare,
The more iust cause my husband hath to fear:
Nor maruell you the King hath left me so,
Into remoate and forraine Climes to goe,
Much confidence he dares repose in me,
My carriage, hauiour, and my modesty,
My beauty he mistrusts, my hart relies in
my face he feares, my Chast life he affies in.
The greatest wonders are the least beleeued,
Know then I first am pleasde that Venus ought me
Such vndeserued grace: Next, that you thought me
The greatest meede: Nor Scepter, nor Warres Fame,
Did you preferre before poore Hellens name.
(Hard-hart tis time thou shouldst at last come downe)
Therefore I am your valour, I your Crowne,
Your kindnesse conquers me do what I can,
I were hard-harted, not to loue this man;
Obdurate I was neuer, and yet coy,
To fauour him whom I can ner'e enioy.
What profits it the barren sandes to plow
And in the furrowes our affections sow,
In the sweete theft of Venus I am rude,
And know not how my Husband to delude;
Now I these Loue-lines write, my pen I vow
Is a new office taught, not knowne till now,
Happy are they that in this Trade haue skill,
(Alasse I am a Foole) and shall be still,
And hauing till this houre not stept astray,
Feare in these sports least I should mis my way
The feare (no doubt) is greater then the blame
I stand confounded and amaz'd with shame.
222
Thinke euery eie fixt on my guilty cheeke,
Nor are these suppositions meerely vaine,
The murmuring people whisperingly complaine,
And my maid Æthra hath by listning slily,
Brought me such newes, as toucht mine honor hily:
Wherefore (deere Lord) dissemble, or desist,
Being ouer-eyde, we cannot as we list,
Fashion our sports, our Loues pure haruest gather:
But why should you desist? dissemble rather:
Sport, (but in secret) sport where none may see,
The greater, but not greatest liberty
Is limitted to our Lasciuious play,
That Menalaus is farre hence away,
My Husband about great affaires is pousted,
Leauing his royall guest securely hoasted,
His businesse was important and materiall,
Being employd about a Crowne Imperiall:
And as he now is mounted on his Steed,
Ready on his long iourney to proceede,
Euen as he questions to depart or stay,
Sweet hart (quoth I) oh be not long away,
With that he reacht me a sweet parting kisse,
(How loath he was to leaue me, ghesse by this.)
Farwell fayre Wife (saith he) bend all thy cares
To my domesticke businesse, home affayres,
But as the thing that I affection best,
Sweet Wife, looke well vnto my Troian guest.
It was no sooner out, but with much paine,
My itching spleene from laughter I restraine,
Which striuing to keepe in and bridle still,
At length I wrung forth these few words (I wil.)
Hee's on his iourney to the Isle of Creet,
But thinke not we may therefore safely meet,
He is so absent, that as present I
Am still within his reach: His Eare, his Eye
And though abroad, his power at home commands
For know you not Kings haue long reaching hads?
The fame for beauty you besides haue giuen me,
Into a great exigent hath driuen me:
223
The more iust cause my husband hath to fear:
Nor maruell you the King hath left me so,
Into remoate and forraine Climes to goe,
Much confidence he dares repose in me,
My carriage, hauiour, and my modesty,
My beauty he mistrusts, my hart relies in
my face he feares, my Chast life he affies in.
To take time now when time is, perswade me,
And with his apt fit absence you invade me:
I would, but feare, nor is my mind well set,
my Will would further, what my feare doth let.
I haue no husband here, and you no wife,
I loue your shape, you mine, deare as your life.
The nights seeme long to such as sleepe alone,
Our letters meet to enterchange our mone:
You iudge me beauteous, I esteeme you faire,
Vnder oue Roofe vve Louers lodged are,
And (let me die) but euery thing consider,
Each thing perswades vs we should lie together,
Nothing we see molests vs, naught we heare,
And yet my forward will is slackt through feare:
I would to God that what you ill perswade,
You could as well compell, So I were made
Vn-willing willing, pleasingly abusde,
So my simplicity might be excusde:
Iniurious force is oft-times wondrous pleasing,
To such as suffer ease in their diseasing,
If what I will, you gainst my vvill should doe,
I with such force could be well pleased too.
And with his apt fit absence you invade me:
I would, but feare, nor is my mind well set,
my Will would further, what my feare doth let.
I haue no husband here, and you no wife,
I loue your shape, you mine, deare as your life.
The nights seeme long to such as sleepe alone,
Our letters meet to enterchange our mone:
You iudge me beauteous, I esteeme you faire,
Vnder oue Roofe vve Louers lodged are,
And (let me die) but euery thing consider,
Each thing perswades vs we should lie together,
Nothing we see molests vs, naught we heare,
And yet my forward will is slackt through feare:
I would to God that what you ill perswade,
You could as well compell, So I were made
Vn-willing willing, pleasingly abusde,
So my simplicity might be excusde:
Iniurious force is oft-times wondrous pleasing,
To such as suffer ease in their diseasing,
If what I will, you gainst my vvill should doe,
I with such force could be well pleased too.
But whilst our loue is young and in the bud,
Suffer his Infant vigor be withstood,
A flame new kindled is as easily quench't,
And sudden sparkles in little drops are drencht:
A Trauellours Loue is like himselfe, vnstaid,
And wanders where he walkes, It is not layde
On any firmer ground, for when vve alone
Thinke him to vs, the winde blovves faire, hees gone:
Witnesse Hypsipile, alike betraide,
Witnesse vvith her, the bright Mynoyan maide:
Nay then your selfe, as you your selfe haue spoken
To fayre Oenone haue your promise broken,
Since I beheld your face first, my desire
Hath beene, of Troyan Paris to inquire:
I know you now in euery true respect,
Ile grant you thus much then, say you affect
Me (whom you terme your owne.) Ile grow thus farre
Do not the Phagian marriners prepare
Their sailes and Oares, and now whilst we recite
Exchange of words about the wished night:
Say that euen now you vvere prepard to clime
my long wisht bed, iust at th' appointed time
The wind should alter and blow fayre for Troy,
You must breake off; in midst of all your ioy
And leaue me in the infancy of pleasure,
Amid my riches, I shall lose my treasure.
You will forsake the sweets my bed affoords,
T'exchange for Cabins, Hatches, and pitcht boords,
Then what a fickle Courtship you commence,
When, with the first vvind, all your Loue blowes hence.
But shall I follow you vvhen you are gone,
And be the graund-child to Laomedon?
And Islium see, whose beauty you proclaime?
I doe not so despise the bruit of fame,
That she to whom I am in debt such thanks,
Should fill the Earth with such adulterate pranks:
What will Achaia? What will Sparta say?
What will your Troy report and Asia?
What may old Priam or his reuerent Queene?
What may your Sisters hauing Hellen seene,
Or your Dardanian brothers deeme of me?
Will they not blame my loose inchastity:
Nay, how can you your self faithfull deem me,
And not amongst the loosest dames esteem me
No stranger shall your Asian Ports com neare
But he shall fill your guilty soule with feare.
How often (angry at some small offence)
Will you thus say; Adultresse, get thee hence,
Forgetting you your selfe haue been the chiefe
In my transgression, though not in my griefe.
Consider what it is forgetfull Louer,
To be sinnes Author, and sinnes sharpe reprouer,
But ere the least of all these Illes betide me,
I wish the earth may in her bosome hide me.
Suffer his Infant vigor be withstood,
A flame new kindled is as easily quench't,
And sudden sparkles in little drops are drencht:
A Trauellours Loue is like himselfe, vnstaid,
And wanders where he walkes, It is not layde
On any firmer ground, for when vve alone
Thinke him to vs, the winde blovves faire, hees gone:
Witnesse Hypsipile, alike betraide,
Witnesse vvith her, the bright Mynoyan maide:
224
To fayre Oenone haue your promise broken,
Since I beheld your face first, my desire
Hath beene, of Troyan Paris to inquire:
I know you now in euery true respect,
Ile grant you thus much then, say you affect
Me (whom you terme your owne.) Ile grow thus farre
Do not the Phagian marriners prepare
Their sailes and Oares, and now whilst we recite
Exchange of words about the wished night:
Say that euen now you vvere prepard to clime
my long wisht bed, iust at th' appointed time
The wind should alter and blow fayre for Troy,
You must breake off; in midst of all your ioy
And leaue me in the infancy of pleasure,
Amid my riches, I shall lose my treasure.
You will forsake the sweets my bed affoords,
T'exchange for Cabins, Hatches, and pitcht boords,
Then what a fickle Courtship you commence,
When, with the first vvind, all your Loue blowes hence.
But shall I follow you vvhen you are gone,
And be the graund-child to Laomedon?
And Islium see, whose beauty you proclaime?
I doe not so despise the bruit of fame,
That she to whom I am in debt such thanks,
Should fill the Earth with such adulterate pranks:
What will Achaia? What will Sparta say?
What will your Troy report and Asia?
What may old Priam or his reuerent Queene?
What may your Sisters hauing Hellen seene,
Or your Dardanian brothers deeme of me?
Will they not blame my loose inchastity:
Nay, how can you your self faithfull deem me,
And not amongst the loosest dames esteem me
No stranger shall your Asian Ports com neare
But he shall fill your guilty soule with feare.
How often (angry at some small offence)
Will you thus say; Adultresse, get thee hence,
Forgetting you your selfe haue been the chiefe
In my transgression, though not in my griefe.
225
To be sinnes Author, and sinnes sharpe reprouer,
But ere the least of all these Illes betide me,
I wish the earth may in her bosome hide me.
But I shall all your Phrygian wealth possesse,
And more then your Epistle can expresse;
Gifts, wouen gold, Imbrodery, rich attire,
Purple and Plate, or what I can desire?
Yet giue me leaue, thinke you all this extends
To counter-vaile the losse of my chiefe friends?
Whose friendship, or whose ayde shall I imploy,
To succour me when I am wrong'd in Troy?
Or whether can I, hauing thus misdone,
Vnto my Father or my Brothers ronne,
As much as you to me, false Iason swore
Vnto Medea, yet from Æsons dore
He after did exile her: Now poore hart,
Where is thy Father that should take thy part?
Old Ætes or Calciope? thou tookest
No aid from them, who thou before forsookest.
Or say thou didst (alas they cannot heare
Thy sad complaints) yet I no such thing feare,
No more Medea did, good hopes ingage
Themselues so farre, they faile in their presage:
You see the ships that in the Mayne are tost,
And many times by Tempests wrackt and lost,
Had at their launching from the Hauens mouth,
A smooth sea, and a calme gale from the South.
Besides, the brand your mother dreampt she bare
The night before your byrth, breeds me fresh care,
It Propheside, ere many yeares expire,
Inflamed Troy must burne with Greekish fire,
As Venus fauours you, because she gained
A double prize by you; yet the disdained
And vanquisht Goddesses, disgracst so late,
May beare you hard, I therefore feare their hate:
Nor make no question, but if I consort you,
And for a Rauisher our Greece report you:
Warre will be wag'd with Troy, and you shall rue,
The sword (alas) your conquest shall pursue:
When Hypodamia at her bridale feast,
Was rudely rauisht by her Centaur guest,
Because the Saluages the Bride durst ceaze,
War grew betwixt them and the Lapythes:
Or thinke you Menelaus hath no spleene?
Or that he hath not power to auenge his teene?
Or that old Tyndarus this wrong can smother?
Or the two famous Twins each lo'ud of other.
And more then your Epistle can expresse;
Gifts, wouen gold, Imbrodery, rich attire,
Purple and Plate, or what I can desire?
Yet giue me leaue, thinke you all this extends
To counter-vaile the losse of my chiefe friends?
Whose friendship, or whose ayde shall I imploy,
To succour me when I am wrong'd in Troy?
Or whether can I, hauing thus misdone,
Vnto my Father or my Brothers ronne,
As much as you to me, false Iason swore
Vnto Medea, yet from Æsons dore
He after did exile her: Now poore hart,
Where is thy Father that should take thy part?
Old Ætes or Calciope? thou tookest
No aid from them, who thou before forsookest.
Or say thou didst (alas they cannot heare
Thy sad complaints) yet I no such thing feare,
No more Medea did, good hopes ingage
Themselues so farre, they faile in their presage:
You see the ships that in the Mayne are tost,
And many times by Tempests wrackt and lost,
Had at their launching from the Hauens mouth,
A smooth sea, and a calme gale from the South.
Besides, the brand your mother dreampt she bare
The night before your byrth, breeds me fresh care,
It Propheside, ere many yeares expire,
Inflamed Troy must burne with Greekish fire,
As Venus fauours you, because she gained
A double prize by you; yet the disdained
And vanquisht Goddesses, disgracst so late,
May beare you hard, I therefore feare their hate:
Nor make no question, but if I consort you,
And for a Rauisher our Greece report you:
Warre will be wag'd with Troy, and you shall rue,
The sword (alas) your conquest shall pursue:
226
Was rudely rauisht by her Centaur guest,
Because the Saluages the Bride durst ceaze,
War grew betwixt them and the Lapythes:
Or thinke you Menelaus hath no spleene?
Or that he hath not power to auenge his teene?
Or that old Tyndarus this wrong can smother?
Or the two famous Twins each lo'ud of other.
So where your valour and rare deedes you boast,
And warlike spirits in which you tryumph most,
By which you haue attaind mongst Souldiers grace,
None will beleeue you that but sees your face,
Your feature and fayre shape, is fitter farre
For amorous Courtships, then remorselesse warre:
Let rough-hevv'd Souldiers warlike dangers proue,
Tis pitty Paris should do ought sane loue.
Hector (whom you so praise) for you may fight,
Ile finde you warre, to skirmish euery night,
Which shall become you better: Were I wise
And bold withall, I might obtaine the prize,
In such sweete single Combats, hand to hand,
Gainst which no woman that is wise vvill stand:
my Champion Ile encounter breast to breast,
Though I vvere sure to fall, and be o'repreast.
And warlike spirits in which you tryumph most,
By which you haue attaind mongst Souldiers grace,
None will beleeue you that but sees your face,
Your feature and fayre shape, is fitter farre
For amorous Courtships, then remorselesse warre:
Let rough-hevv'd Souldiers warlike dangers proue,
Tis pitty Paris should do ought sane loue.
Hector (whom you so praise) for you may fight,
Ile finde you warre, to skirmish euery night,
Which shall become you better: Were I wise
And bold withall, I might obtaine the prize,
In such sweete single Combats, hand to hand,
Gainst which no woman that is wise vvill stand:
my Champion Ile encounter breast to breast,
Though I vvere sure to fall, and be o'repreast.
In that you priuate conference intreat me,
I apprehend you, and you cannot cheat me,
I know the meaning durst I yeeld thereto,
Of what you vvould confer; What you would do,
You are too forward, you too farre would vvade,
But yet (God knowes) your haruests in the blade.
My tyred pen shall heere his labour end,
A guilty sence in the euish lines I send,
Speake next when your occasion best perswades,
By Clymenea and Æthra my two maydes.
I apprehend you, and you cannot cheat me,
I know the meaning durst I yeeld thereto,
Of what you vvould confer; What you would do,
You are too forward, you too farre would vvade,
But yet (God knowes) your haruests in the blade.
My tyred pen shall heere his labour end,
A guilty sence in the euish lines I send,
Speake next when your occasion best perswades,
By Clymenea and Æthra my two maydes.
227
1
These enter-changes of theyr Amors past,And Menelaus absent, they compound,
That in some place an ambush shall be plac't,
With which the Queene shall be incompast round,
And willingly surpriz'd, seeming agast,
and at theyr armes, to weepe, to shrieke, to sound:
But all in vaine, the Troyan seemes to feare her,
and force perforce, vnto his Fleet to beare her.
2
Shee in her frightfull agony, seemes dum,Yet when shee was past helpe, for helpe she cride,
She cals for rescue, that had rescue come,
Euen at the sight of Spartan armes had dide:
Shee seemes affrighted at the Troian drum,
and at theyr stearne allarmes terrifide:
Shee cals on Father, Husband, Brother, Friend,
Naming them most, who could her least defend.
3
This vprore made the bold Pannomans guardThe passage to their ships, still Hellen cryes
Vpon th'Acdians, from her rescue bar'd,
The rumour of her Rape through Sparta flyes,
Whilst Paris with his Souldiers keepes strict ward,
Launching at length with his desired prize:
Her two Twin-brother-Kings, that nothing doubt,
At the same season soiournd thereabout.
4
And hearing of their Sisters Rape, make hast,The Rauisher with fury to pursue,
They disimbogue, hoping to gaine at last
Sight of the Troian Nauye, which now grew
neere to the Hellespont, hauing quite past
Th'Ægean Sea, the Windes against them blew,
The Surges swell, and with the rough Winds meet,
Conspiring both the ruyne of the Fleet.
228
5
Ships, Sailes, and men, are swallowed in th'Abisse,The brothers to two Starres the Gods translate,
One of the Poles by Castor named is,
The tother Pollux, to record theyr fate,
Where now they shine in theyr Celestiall blisse,
But so farre distant in theyr blest estate,
As neither hath the power to see his brother,
For when we rayse the one, we loose the other.
6
By this time with his Troian Rape arriuesAt Tenedos, the amorous Troian Lad,
Which Priam vnderstanding, nobly striues
To welcome her (at her arriuall glad)
The Queene attended with the Noble Wiues
Of all the Troian Princes, richly clad,
Issues from Troy, with thousands following after,
To entertaine bright Lædaes rauisht daughter.
7
Behold where (on an aumbling Palfrey mountedWhite as her mothers feathers) she appeares,
Now one of Priams daughters counted,
For with that stile, young Paris Hellen cheeres,
At meeting, the old King himselfe dismounted,
and with soft kisses dryes her feigned teares,
Old Hecuba next Priam cheeres her mone,
and after her, her daughters one by one.
8
Hector and Troylus with the Lords of Troy,Kisse her by turnes, and with kind armes embrace her,
The people with applauses crowne theyr ioy,
Whilst Priam 'fore the multitude to grace her,
Betrothes the Spartan to his amorous boy,
And in's returne on his right hand doth place her,
Æneas and Anthenor highlie praisde,
Kneele to the King, and by his hand are raisde.
9
The long diuorced Peeres now enterchangeTheir free embracements, whom with kisses sweet
Theyr wiues, to whom such fauours were grown strange,
with theyr long absence wirh like language meete,
229
With prayse and wonder they her welcome greet,
Her beauty euen so deepe in Hector strake,
He now repines that he against her spake.
10
The ground is strewd with sweet and various flowers,In euery place is Musicke heard to sound,
From Tenedos in lesse then two short howers
They enter Troy, whose Walles are peopled round,
She wonders at their buildings and hye Towers,
The like to which in Sparta are not found,
Wals, wealth, and people, Pallace, all appearing
Richer to th'eye, then theyr report in hearing.
11
She treads not but on Arras; Casts her eyesBut on ritch hangings, beautyes, rooffes of Gold,
Iewels, State, Garments: Now she doth despise
The pouerty of Sparta, as things old,
The nouelties of Troy she gins to prise,
But most delights in her sweet armes to infold
Inamoured Paris, who as much excels
her husband; as Troy Sparta, in ought else.
12
The morrow coms, by Priam shee is ledTo Pallas Temple, and espoused there
To Paris; and at night conueyde to bed
By Hecuba, her bright Attendants were
Andromache, Crevsa, (and in stead
Of hand-maydes) Polyxene and Cressyde, deare
To Troylus; None saue Ladyes of estate,
Are suffred on the Spartan Queene to waite.
13
Eyght entyre dayes and nights, the hye feast lasts,And Troy's all mirth, whylst Sparta is all woe,
With swiftest speed a winged Curror hasts
As farre as Creet, Queene Hellens Rape to show,
Menelaus his sad howers in anguish wasts,
By this the Græcian Kinges his sorrowes know:
And of themselues assemble, offering free,
Theyr hostyle ayde, and in Troyes fall agree.
230
14
To bring so huge a Nauy on the Seas,Behooues vs know theyr names that first deuisde
These noble vessayles: whether for their ease,
Whether Ambitious, they the Land despisde,
Whether the Creatan Minos did first please
The sutges God: or Neptune enterprise
The foaming billowes, being by Saturnes motion,
Made Admirall of all the brinish Ocean.
15
Whether Ericthris in the red Sea sayledAnd first made Boats, which others would impute
To the Meones, such as neuer sayled
In th'Hellespont, or whether the pursuit
Of Danaus in the Egyptian Sea preuailed,
An honour which to him most attribute:
Or whether Navigators first had place,
In Atlas kingdome, or in Samo-Thrace.
16
This I averre, his Arke first Noah madeFore th'vniuersall Deluge, since his dayes
Iason the Greeke, who Colchos sought to invade,
Composde the Galley, which next him assayes
Sesostris King of Ægypt, In this Trade
Eytheus flourisht, whom our Anthors prayse
For Marine skill, his Barge did first deuide
The Surges with two Oares on eyther side.
17
First, with three course of Oares Amocles rowed,The Carthagens with foure, as many write,
With fiue Nesichthon: These were first bestowed
By the bold Romans in the great Sea-fight
At the first battayle Punicke: He that owed
The sixe-Oard barge to do Zenagaras right
Must yeld it him (in Siracusa dwelling
For ship-wrights Craft, all other much excelling.
18
Hyppias the Troyan the broad Lyter framed,The Cyrenens the Hoy, which some more fine,
The Gallioon call: with Barks the Cyprians tamed
The rude sea-Rouers, Cockboates (some diuine)
231
By the Phenetians first: the Brigandine
The Rhodians rear'd: the Canoas now in trade,
In India by the Germans were first made.
19
The Copians found the Rudder, the broad OareThe sly Plateans by their Art composed;
Young Icarus the saile not knowne before,
Which some affirme, King Æolus disclosed,
With Masts and Sayle-yards Dedalus did store
The Cretans: but the sterne Typhis disposed:
The stemme Pyseus: Anacharsis wrought
The Tackle, Anchors first the Tyrhens sought.
20
Athens first ferried men, whether we must drawTh'Græcian fleete, the great'st that hath bin seene,
Such store th'amazed Neptune neuer saw,
No not when France and England met betweene
Callice and vs, where after many a flaw;
Phillip gaue place to the third Edwards spleene,
Before, the blacke Prince, by wars prosperous chance,
Quater'd our Lyons with the Flowers of France.
21
Nor when the stout Venetian Gallies frameTheir expedition gainst the Turkes Armade,
Nor when Sea-wars Malta or Rhodes proclaime,
Whose ponderous hulkes the Oceans backe nie swayde,
Nor when th'inuincible huge Nauy came
In the yeare Eighty eight, England t'inuade:
Were there so many Vessailes well prouided,
As by the Argiue Pylots are now guided.
22
Great Agamemnon they Grand-Duke createOf all their powerfull hoast, who in the ayde
Of Menelaus, as one of hyest estate,
With full an hundred ships at Athens staide,
All stuft with Armed Knights sworne to the Fate
Of threatned Troy, whome they with scornes vpbraid,
With forty ships faire rig'd and well supplide
In Athens road, doth Menelaus now ride.
232
23
For Athens was their Randeuous, and thereKing Archelaus and Prothenor stay,
With fifty Ships that of Boetia were,
With fifty Ships from Orconomies bay:
Helmius and Duke Ascalaphus appeare,
The Kings Epistrophus and Sedius, way
Their Anchors next, and to the Spartan King,
Thirty tall ships rig'd from Phociden bring.
24
King Telamon launcht fifty Souldierd wellFrom Salamine, and in his princely traine
Duke Theuter, Polyxeme, and Thebes fell,
With Duke Amphimachus: from Pylon came
With three-ag'd Nestor fifty ships t'expell
The Troians from the Hellesponticke Maine;
Thoas with fifty ships the harbour sought,
whether K. Doxunois likewise fifty brought.
25
King Telamon Chileus three times tenAnd six good Ships rig'd, in the Spartans Quest,
Amphimachus and Polibetes, men
Of high resolue, accompany the rest
With thirty saile, King Idumeus then,
And Cretan Mereon their loues exprest,
They fourescore and two Frigots brought in place,
And thirty two Vlisses weighed from Thrace.
26
Twelue Ships from Phrygia Duke Tynelus brings,And from Phtlaca fifty two arriue,
at the great charge of two imperious Kings
Prothocathus: The Prince to that did wiue
Laodomeia faire, whose praise Fame sings,
Prothesilaus: Collesis seekes to driue
With foure and twenty Craers th'opposed fleets
Whom King Machaon by appointment meets.
27
Machaons Sonne Pollydris thirty three,Achilles two and twenty hath in store,
King Thelaphus as many, these agree
By their ioynt Armes to win the Troian shore,
233
The rauisht Queene with two and fifty more:
Anthipus and Amphimachus are seene,
From Rustican with Hulkes and Hoyes thirteene.
27
King Polybetes that from Rythee came,Bring sixty two, and in his friendly ayde,
His Brother the Duke Lopius mou'd with fame
Of these great warres, seekes Phrygia to inuade:
King Diomed of Arges threats the same,
Fourescore and two tall Vessailes he displaide:
Eurialus and Thelanus in sight,
Of all the hoast, beneath his Ensignes fight,
29
Thirteene K. Fureus, Polyphebus nine,Prothoylus fifty two, as many led
The King Carpenor of the Bresseian line,
Theorius foure and twenty colours spread,
In foure and twenty ships, all these in fine
In the Athenian part meet and make head:
Twelue hundred twenty Ships make th'Ocean trēble,
In whom full sixty nine bold Kings assemble.
38
But ere we further enter or proceedIn these Heroike wars, we hold it fit,
Before the Græcians or the Troians bleed,
To memorize their shapes; ere we admit
The Argiue Peeres (all in one thought agreed)
To be reueng'd on Troy, and ransacke it:
Hellen the first, as Pearelesse through all Lands,
As Venus picture that in Coos stands.
31
She was not dwarfe-like statur'd, nor too tall,Nor foggy fat, nor yet Consumptiue leane,
Her Wast not grosse, nor yet too slender-small,
Her faire proportion, was smooth, quaint, and cleane:
Her habit shadowed no extreame at all,
She was all shaped by the Golden meane;
So rare, that neuer eye dwelt on her Cheeke,
But lost it selfe, and had his light to seeke.
234
32
What should I with harsh Language slubber o'reExact perfection? Shall my ragged quill
In seeking Natures cunning to explore,
Iniure the worke in which she shewes such skill?
T'expresse such Graces as the Gods adore
In Hellen, would a spacious Volume fill:
And aske (should I her beauties al recite,)
A world of Paper, and an Age to write.
33
And all my Subiect should be Hellen, sheThat in the Vniuerse can find no peere:
Hellen the scope of all my Verse should be,
Yet to her worth my praise not once comes neere;
Therefore, since more them Hellen call on me
To speake their Valors, and insert them heere:
I leaue her with this Title: Hellen, fairest
Of all the World, and for Perfection rarest.
34
Bold Agamemnon Duke of all the Host,Invoakes me next his features to let downe,
Tall statur'd, ably limb'd, adored most
Of all the Argiues with th'imperiall Crowne:
White-bodied, straight, tres-puissant without boast,
Hardy, well-spoke, Ambitious of Renowne.
Menelaus, of meane stature, his voyce lowd,
Brown-hair'd, well set, Valiant in armes, not prowd.
35
Achilles, he whose Myrmidons defendedThe hoast of Greekes with a strong brazen Mure,
From Thetis Goddesse of the Sea discended,
Pourefull, expensiue, on his Couenant sure,
Bright-hair'd, his face and feature much commended,
His eye much fiery, his Complexion pure:
Broad shoulder'd, and big-arm'd, large brested, strong
His match in Armes, liu'd not the Greekes among.
36
King Tantalus, broad, fat, and hye withall,His head Crispe-blacke, his Beard-thicke, but not long,
Affable, Courteous, and despising bral,
Delighting much in Musicke, and in Song:
135
But in his deeds of Armes more actiue strong:
He that alone by the Greekes awfull rector,
Was chosen worthy to encounter Hector.
37
Aiax Oeleus was of smaller size,Of milder temper, Curteous, Blacke his haire,
His Colour fresh, himselfe of faire Emprize,
And a great part among the Princes bare;
Vlisses King of Ithaca most wise,
A right Mercurialist, in discourse rare,
An Orator, whom Iudging eares applaud,
Yet Oyly toong'd, full of deceit and fraud.
38
King Diomed, of Gyant-like aspect,The largest Greeke that menac'st Troy with steele:
A Prince, whom all the Princes must respect,
His ponderous blowes make many Troians reele,
Equally apt to fight, or to direct,
Dreadlesse of Fortune, or her turning wheele:
Comely, and deck't with all the guifts of Nature,
His hart hauing Correspondence with his stature.
39
The three-ag'd liuing Nestor, Pytous King,Slenderly-tall, his Visage Sagely graue
And promising Counsell, he whose Muse did sing
Of King Prothesilaus, to him gaue
The wreath, for quicke and Actiue combatting,
Yet all his Art his body cannot saue:
His looke effeminate, his Courage bold,
His strength by might, but not by feare controld.
40
Stout Neptolynus, in his Countenance grim,Blacke-hair'd, broad-ey'd, his hairy win-browes meet,
Arm'd at all points, deepe Riuers he would swim,
Though heauy bodied, actiue were his feet,
They that most curiously decipher him,
Report his Language stammering and vnsweet:
Palumides, faire-shapt, but sickly tender,
His Colour chearefull, but his stature slender.
136
41
Nereus Ipasse, the faire Greeke Homer lou'd,Penelaus, Leitus, Eurialus,
Clouius Arcecilaus, Nobly prou'd,
Ialmen of Boetia, Ascalaphus;
Bold Idomen, (a Fury) being mou'd,
The Phocean Scedius, and Amphimachus,
Prothous, Ieonteus, Polybetes,
Guneus, Æmilius, and great Philoctetes
42
Who brought the Arrowes dipt in Hydraes blood,To Troyes sad siege, there was the braue Prothenor,
By whom Podarces and King Merion stood
Tlepolemus, Cteatus, and Alphenor,
Phidippes, Anthipus a souldier good,
With stout Alceus soone, K. Agapenor,
Talpheus, Phetides, King Polyxemon,
Muestheus, Stenetus, Thoas, sonne to Andremon.
43
Rough Polidarius, fat, and scornefull proude,False of his promise, and yet warlike bold,
Mathaon of meane stature, yet aloude
For valiant to, and mongst the best inrold,
More princes did the Greeke pauilions shroud,
Whose shapes we leaue, to haue their merits told:
Now come we to Creseida, Calchas doughter,
So faire, that many warlike Princes sought her.
44
She was a worthy and a beautious Dame,Whom Troylus lou'd, and Diomedes sought,
To gaine her Grace, they wan immortall Fame,
And still their glorious spoiles to Cresseid brought,
For her the mighty Persian Sophy came,
To gaine her Loue, he gainst the Troyans fought:
Filling the number of the Græcian hoast,
Who waite but waftage to the Dardan Coast.
45
They call a Counsell, and dispatch awayAchilles and Patroclus to the Isle
Cald Delos, which our Cosmographers say,
Stands midst the Ciclades: Heere of long while
137
Giues answere (by his Oracle:) His smile
Cheares such as kneele, his frown strikes them with terror
Such was the Panims Faith, the Pagans Error.
46
To this faire Clyme (which some Ortigia call,)The Sun and Moone were in their Nonage seene,
Latona brought them forth: Heere first of all
Phœbus (the dayes God) and his Sister Queene
Cynthia, that guids the night, both rise and fall:
Heere stands the Temple, and the guilded Skreene,
On which Apolloes Statuë dwels for aye,
pronouncing Oracles to such as pray.
47
Heere did Achilles and Patroclus findThe Troian Calchas, reuerent Thystranes sonne,
Sent by King Priam to know Phœbus mind,
And what shall in these future warres be done:
The Oracles hath by his priests assignd,
That after ten yeares Troy shall be o're-run:
Which Calchas hearing, with Achilles makes
His speedy peace, and so his Troy forsakes.
48
Achilles proud of such a glorious pray,With these glad tydings to the Fleet returnes,
Who with all prosperous speed their Anchors way,
And whilst Troyes King reuolted, Calchas mournes,
Whose graue aduice was to his Realme chiefe stay,
No longer th' Argiue Duke his speed adiournes:
But launcheth his Fleet royall: They set sales,
And the calme Eurus yeilds them gentle Gales.
49
Diana (that was euer friend to Troy,)Neptune intreats, that may command his waues,
The great Armade of Græcia to destroy
And swallow them within his Briny graues,
She takes it ill, the Greekes depart with ioy
From Aulis Gulfe, yet none her license craues
Or offers at her Altars, the due rights
Of Sacrifice, amongst those Kings and Knights.
238
50
Amidst the wrathfull Tempest Calchas praiesTo Neptune and the Moone, their Fleet to spare,
Who not with words to be appeas'd, will raise
His tumbling waues, and tosse them in the ayre,
Vnlesse great Agamemnon Altars raise
To angry Cynthia, and performe his Prayer,
And on her bleeding Shrine, at Dians feet,
Kill Iphegenia to preserue the Fleet.
51
Loath is the Generall his Childs blood to spill,Yet holds it better that one Lady dye,
(Although his Daughter) then the Seas to fill
With Ships, bold Knights, and Kings aduanced hye:
Calchas the Priest the Innocent Maid doth kill,
T'appease Dianaes wrathfull Deity:
The Sacrifice perform'd, the wind blowes faire,
The Seas are calm'd, the Sun hath clear'd the Aire.
52
And now the wind playes with those swelling sailesWhich they but late in fury rent and tore,
Calme Zephyr cheares their Fleet with gentle Gales,
Which made but late the violent Surges rore,
(This can the Gods) but ere proud Greece preuailes,
Or Land their powers vpon the Phrygian shore:
Or that Scamander field in blood be dide,
We from our taske our selfe a while deuide.
241
The end of the tenth CANTO.
242
Canto. 11.
Argumentum
The Græcians Land, Prothesilaus falsBy Hectors sword, King Diomed is sent
With wise Vlisses to debate their brals,
And fetch the Spartan to her Husbands Tent:
Hellen denide: the Greekes begirt Troy wals,
But are by Hector raisd incontinent:
Troylus and Diomed in Armes contend
For Cressida, so the first battels end.
Arg. 2.
Our English Worthies, Fame & her rich Crowne,With Troyes confedred Kings, Lambda sets down
1
Oh can we forraine Worthies Memorize,And our owne Natiue Champions quite forget,
Whose fame swift Clangor hath through pierst the skies,
To whom due Honor still remaines in debt:
How many true victorious Peeres arise
From this faire Garden, midst the Ocean set:
How many an English Knight hath borne his head
As hie as those, whom Troy or Greece hath bread?
2
Achilles, Aiax, Diomed, or thoseWhom Homer hath extold with Golden praise,
Haue not done greater spoile vpon their foes,
Then some that haue suruiu'd euen in our dayes,
245
That writ the Græcian Acts, my pen should raise
Our Brittish Champious, and their acts proclame,
Aboue the Greekes in the high Tower of Fame.
3
What could Achilles more then Brittish Bren,That after many dangerous battailes wun,
Forrag'd France, Denmarke, Germany, and then
Sackt Rome, and high Pernassus ouer-run,
And by the ayde of his bold Englishmen,
Laid siege vnto the Temple of the Sun:
Or what bold Græcian dare gainst Nennius stand,
That fought with twice-foyl'd Cæsar hand to hand.
4
Renowned Arthur famous in his age,In his round Table, and his thirteene Crownes,
Hie Romes Impetious Senate felt his rage,
and paid him homage in their purple Gownes,
His Came'lot Knights their hardiments ingage,
Through all the world to purchase their renownes:
Of Noble Edgar, my dull Muse next sings,
Row'd on the Thames by eight commanded Kings.
5
Bold Edmond (Sir-nam'd Ironside) him succeeds,a brauer Spirit breath'd not vitall ayre,
The Bastard Williams Sonne, Duke Roberts deeds
aske the next place, for his attempts were rare,
By Cort-hose many a Tyrant Panim bleeds,
By whom the Christians re-invested are:
and whilst hye Syons Towers triumphant stand,
He chosen Monarch o're the holy Land.
6
Richard the first that Cordelyon hight,and Edward Sirnam'd Long-shankes, without Peere,
Was neuer Dardan Prince or Argiue Knight,
That in their ages more admired were:
Edvvard the third that Conquer'd France by fight,
and Edvvard the Blacke Prince to England deere,
He forrag'd France, for Pedro vvan all Spaine,
Which after Iohn a-Gaunt subdude againe.
246
7
Henry the fift, then whom the world neare breadA worthier Prince. Bedford and Talbot bold,
Who in their forrain Regency so sped,
That puissant France was by their powers controld,
Edward the fourth (though wantonly misled)
Wan ten set battailes: The third Richard sold
His name to scandall, else his warlike merit,
Might with the rest, a Worthies name inherit.
8
The valiant Earle of Surrey often staidThe Northerne Enemies from filching heare:
In the eight Henries dayes Charles Brandon made
England renown'd, by his victorious Speare,
And those whose Woorths these late times haue displaid
Howard, Grey, Norris, Sidney, Essex, Veare:
These, had they liu'd in aged Priams dayes,
Had dim'd the Greekes, and matcht the Troians prayse.
9
Now to our hostile preparations, weMust arme our Pen, the Greekes are vnder saile,
There is a place from Earth, Sea, Heauen, stands free,
And equally remoued from them all:
In the worlds Nauell, fixt where Concaues be,
And hollow-sounding Vaults through Crannies small:
Where the reports and rumors of all sounds,
Giue shrill Reuerberat Ecchoes and rebounds.
10
Heere Fame her Pallace builds by wondrous skill,Seating her selfe in her most lofty Tower,
Yet is her house erected on a hill,
A thousand Loope-holes are within her Bower,
A thousand doores and windowes open still,
Transparant euery late and early hower,
Full of Big-bellyed Vaults, and the wals such,
Of sounding Brasse that rings with euery tutch.
11
Whose empty wombe continuall murmur yeilds,And iterates againe each word it heares,
Within this place no toonglesse silence builds,
No solitary dumnesse spares the eares:
247
Which shakes the trembling branches, but forbeares
All violent gusts: about this hollowed ground,
There are perpetuall calmes, no Tempests found.
12
And though no silence, yet no clamors rise,Onely a whispering murmur like the Seas
Heard a farre off, or when the troubled skies,
(With remote Thunder mou'd) soft showers appease,
The Courts are throng'd with multitudes of spies,
Light giddy people tatling what they please:
Who (in and out) through euery chamber passe,
Whispering sometimes what is, and what neare was.
13
Infinite Currors, Purseuants, and Posts,Embassadors, and such as hurry newes,
Heralds (such men as Trafficke betweene Hosts)
Walke too and fro, and no man Tales eschewes,
One speakes of Warres, of Combats, and rude boasts,
Another serious talke of Peace pursues:
All as they are dispos'd, this man is telling
Of buying Land, that other speakes of selling.
14
Some talkes of this mans Honors, that mans shames,Others of Stormes, and many a boysterous flaw,
Some men of their successe and chance in games,
One what he heard, another what he saw,
Some men of Knights aduenturers, some of Dames,
Others how long their sutes haue hung in Law:
Toies with things serious passe, graue things with bables
Lies mixt with truths, and truths discourst with Fables.
15
Numberlesse rumors through the Pallace flye,In euery nooke they make their free intrusion,
heere bashfull truth doth face the bold fac'd lye,
To fend and proue begets a meere confusion,
Whilst some th'attentiue eare with newes supply,
Others report Stale things, and in conclusion,
Addes of his owne, which bandied without ceasing,
From euery seuerall tongue receiues increasing
246
16
Heere you may see a dwarfe-like rumor grow,Euen in an instant to a Gyants size,
Whether the Nature of the winds that blow,
Retaines the power to make the tumors rise
Or whether Fame all tydings apt to know,
Giues to her traine such Bombast Liueries:
Their growth is strange, whom I compare aright,
Vnto the Mush-roome, statur'd in a night.
17
Heere dwels credulity, rash error, feare,Doubt, volubility, and quicke beliefe,
There is no voyce hath power to pierce the eare,
But fame of brutes and rumors, Queene and chiefe,
Shrieks through the world: From hence the Troians hear
Th'Atrides rage, King Menelaus griefe:
Their expedition, and their Naual power,
Ready the threatned Enemy to deuower.
18
Their Frontier Townes that border next the wauesAre fortified, three distant leagues from Troy
Stands Tenedos, whom with imperious braues
The Argine Fleet assault, race, and destroy:
The wrathfull Greeke not one poore Phrygian saues,
But to their ruines all their powers imploy:
This done, by generall Counsell tis decreed,
Two Kings to Priam shall on Message speed.
19
Into the Hall where th' aged King then sate,Attended with his Captaines, Sonnes, and Peeres,
And such confedered Kings as to the Fate
Of threatned Troy, brought Horsemen, Bowes & Spears,
On this hie businesse to deliberate,
And rid their hearts from all inuasiue feares:
In, throngs Vlisses and bold Diomed,
Two Princes arm'd at all points saue the head.
20
Heere sat the King Pandrastus King Pandore,And the King Galior, that to Priams ayde,
Brought each of them a thousand Knights and more,
Foure Kings that from Tholosson waftage made,
287
And stowt Amphimachus: these Kings displaid
Their warlike Ensignes, in all dreadfull fights,
Bringing along fiue thousand valiant Knights.
21
Next these seauen Kings, K. Glaucus tooke his place,Three thousand bold Squires he from Lycia brought,
His Sonne Sarpedon of the Troian race,
In all King Priams battailes brauely fought,
Next whom Eusemus sat, distant a space,
Who with three thousand Knights Troyes honor sought,
Lyconians all, Lyconias Realme he guided,
Since into seuerall parted Crownes deuided.
22
Two puissant Kings to make the Iury full,Came from Larissa, these had in their traine
Knights fifteene hundred; Mystor, whose tough scul
The Argiue Princes bruis'd: Capidus slaine
In battaile too, about the Spartan Trull,
Neuer to see hir Natiue Clyme againe:
On a rich bench fast by King Priams State,
These twelue bold Kings vpon the right hand sate.
23
Vpon the left, from Thabory that came,King Remus, who besides three thousand men,
Brought foure great Dukes, seauen Earles of Noble fame
All clad in Azure armes, wel noted then;
The King of Trachy, whom some Pylex name,
Was plac'st next him, this royall Monarch, when
He entred Troy, had in his Princely traine,
Eleuen hundred valiant Knights, all after slaine.
24
With him Duke Achumus the Troians ayded,By whom Pessemus the Pannonian King
Was seated, him great Hector had perswaded
Vnto these wars three thousand Knights to bring,
All expert Archers, with whom Stupex traded,
A valiant Duke, and in his youthfull spring:
Next him sat three Boetian Dukes Fortunus,
Duke Samnus, and the bold Duke Ausernumus:
288
25
These led twelue hundred Knights, next whom tooke place,Two Brother-Kings, the bold Boetes first,
The other Epistemus, of one race,
Both Princes, in the Realme of Burtia nurst,
They brought a thousand Knights the Greekes to chace,
Men of great spirit, and such as all things durst:
Next them was set a Gyant (dreaded sore)
Philemus, of the Realme of Paphlagore.
26
The Æthiopian Perseus Rauen-blacke,And the King Thiclion of the selfe-same hue,
With Symagon, in whom there was no lacke
Of heart or skill his foe-men to pursue:
These Kingly Moores that Priam come to backe
Next to the lofty Gyant sit in view,
Three thousand sunburnt knights, that brauely fought
From Æthiopia they to Phrygia brought.
27
This State was full: and lower one degree,Another longer Bench runs crosse the Hall,
Where mixt with Priams valiant sonnes, you see
More of these leagued Kings in order fall:
First of the ranke was Hector, next him, be
Two potent Kings, Thelemus hye and tall,
And young Archilochus a valiant Boy:
These with a thousand good Knights strengthen Troy.
28
Paris next them, and by his amorous side,Two Princes raigning in Argrestes Land,
They brought twelue hundred Knights to see them tride,
Next these was Troylus plac'st on the left hand,
And Deiphebus full of warlike pride
Mixt amongst these, a King of great command:
Epistropus, that beyond Scythia came,
Twixt Greece and Troy his valour to proclame.
29
He brought a thousand Knights, and a strange BeastHalfe horse, halfe Man, two perfect shapes deuided,
A Sagittary cal'd (not dreaded least)
An expert Archer, his strong shafts were guided
289
His dread among the Greekes (at first derided:)
Next, great Epistropus rankt by their yeeres,
Sat Priams Bastard-sonnes, next them his Peeres.
30
Next them a Prince in Iewels rich, and Gold,That many Knights brought from Meander flood,
The barbarous Meones Duke Nastes told,
By whom, vpon a costly foot-pace stood
Tentumidas, by some (sirnam'd the Bold,)
Now aged in his prime, a Souldier good:
By him Prince Pindarus aduancst his head,
Next him Hyrtacides in Sestos bread.
31
Adrastus, Amphius, Merops, Princes three,Are ranked then, by whom Ennonius sits,
And Chronius, vnder whom the Mysians bee,
Pylemen the next empty place well fits,
Prince o're the Paphlagonian Chiualry:
Pyrechmes next, whose fiery Horses bits
The Pæons manage. Good Euphemes then
Whom the Cicinians led, all expert men.
32
Ascanius and Dius, who doth guideThe Halizonians next in order fall,
Then Pyrous who his Thracian Souldiers tride,
And warlike Mnemon boldest of them all:
Pyleus and Hypothous them beside,
These the Pelasgians vnto battle cal:
Warlike Æneas of the Noblest race,
Next whom, the Lords and Barons take chiefe place.
33
Anthenor, with Polydamus his sonne,The glistering Ladies keepe another State
Aboue them all: Priams hye throne begun
To lift it selfe where he in glory sate,
Benches of Dukes and Earles from all sides run,
Apparel'd in rich Robes of greatest rate:
Thus was the King prepar'd, when the two Greekes,
Presse forward to his throne with blushlesse Cheekes.
290
34
At their approach the Lords amazed rise,And at their bold intrusion musing stand,
Vpon these two, the Kings fix all their eyes,
Prepar'd for some strange Nouell, when his hand
Vlisses wafts for silence, and applyes
His speech to Priam thus: Hee whose command
Rauisht from Sparta, great Atrides wife,
Forfeits to Greece, his Country, Crowne, and Life.
35
If thou beest he whom all these Lords adore,I summon thee in Agamemnons name,
Backe to her Lord, Queene Hellen to restore,
With full amends done to the rauisht Dame,
And to present thy lustfull sonne before
The bench of Argiue Kings, t'abide such shame
That he in after times to our successors,
Be made a terror to the like Transgressors.
36
Else shall th'inraged Princes spoile thy Townes,Thy Matrons in their husbands armes defloure,
Slaughter thy Sonnes and bury their renownes,
And with thy peoples blood the channels scoure,
Of these confederate Kings ceaze all the Crownes,
When death that swallowes them must thee deuoure:
Say, wilt thou to preuent this and much more,
Punnish thy sonne, and Hellen backe restore?
37
To this th'incensed King replies againe,Th'vnable Greekes (alas) are much too weake,
Wanting the power thy proud vants to maintaine,
Or to make good what thou doost rashly speake:
They rauisht our faire Sister, whom in vaine
We re-demanded, her despights to wreake:
Our Sonne the amorous Paris crost the deepe,
To fetch thence Hellen whom the Boy shall keepe.
38
Haue they not slaine our Father, spoyld our Citty,Pillag'd our people, wiues nor Matrons spared,
Euen Babes and Infants mangled without pitty,
And in their barbarous rigor all things dared,
251
Since not the least of these Greece hath repair'd:
Since whilst our Sister leads a Strumpets life,
Hellen is grac'st to be young Paris wife.
39
You shall repent: King Diomed replies,This insolence which we will punish deerely,
By vs the Generall of the Greekes defies:
Priam and Troy whom wee'l chastice seuerely,
Vnto whose ruines seauenty Princes rise,
Whose forces shall begirt you late and earely:
These words promist, the Troians so disdaine them,
That many drew their Faulchions to haue slain them.
40
But euer-Honoured Hector qualifiedThe sudden vprore, and appeas'd the brall,
Their passage by the multitude denide,
Hector makes free, and Vshers them through all,
Yet many proud braues past on either side
Twixt the strange Kings and them i'th Pallace Hall:
At their departure casting vp his eye,
King Diomed by chance doth Cresseid spy,
41
As she with Hecuba and Hectors wife,Creusa and Pollixena was plac'st,
Him thought he neuer saw in all his life
A Lady better form'd, or Sweet-lyer grac'st,
His mutinous thoughts are in themselues at strife,
To see a face so faire, an eye so cha'st:
Beauty so full of charme, with which inchanted,
He craues her name by whom he seemes so danted.
42
When vp starts netled Troylus; and thus sayes,Her name is beautious Cressid whom you seeke,
And Troylus Mistresse? to whose heauenly praise
My soule hath bin deuoted many a Weeke,
And if thou aym'st my graces thence to raise,
I challenge thee the combat valiant Greeke,
He would accept it, but he needs must part,
His body goes, he leaues behind his hart.
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43
The dantlesse Troians now prepare for warre,Whilst to th'incamped hoast the Legat Kings
Relate King Priams answere, and how farre
He stands from peace, the Grand-Duke now begins
Like a good Captaine to foresee what barre
May lie twixt him and safety: with swift wings
Achilles is dispatcht to crosse the Seas,
With Telephus the sonne of Hercules.
44
Because the Messean Land where Theutram raign'dWas fertile, they from thence demand supply
Of Victuall for the hoast, but he disdaind
T'assist them, therefore him the Greekes defie:
The Kings hye blood Achilles Faulchion stain'd,
Theutram (alas) by him is forcst to dye,
And Telephus crown'd King, from whose rich Coast,
With store, & Victuall he relieues the hoast.
45
Twelue Moones were past since first the Greeks took land,When Duke Palamides at th'host ariues,
Whose absence murmur'd long, yet the command
Of the whole Army, with the Princes liues,
Are made his charge, none seeming to withstand
his principality: this Duke deriues
His byrth from Naulus, and is made the head
Of the stout Greekes, in Agamemnons stead.
46
But in desaster houre, Vlisses friend,To Agamemnon by his crafty fraud,
Both to his life and his command gaue end:
He that but late the Argiue Princes aw'd,
And foyld the common foe, cannot defend
his owne deere life, but whilst the hoast applaud
Atrides honor, in vnhappy season,
Is forcst to perrish for suspected Treason.
47
Tenedos sackt, the Greekes insult vpon't,And from that place made leuell with the plaine,
The Fleet disanchors, whose proud Nauall front,
Prothesilaus proudly doth maintaine,
253
A hundred Ships whose Flags and Pendants staine
The Ayre with various Colours, he commands,
And twice repulst, vpon the Beach he Lands.
48
His ships tough ribs vpon the sands he brake,And many Greekes, some drown'd, some landing, fall,
As well the boldest that the Ship forsake,
As those that keepe aboord must perish all,
Onely the bold King makes the Troians quake:
Who whilst his maymed traine for rescue call,
Makes good the place, till with an hundred more,
Archelaus and Prothenor mans the shore.
49
Now growes the battle hot, for the rude routOf the disordered Troians madly flocke
To impeach their Landing, who with courage stout
Leape on the shore, and there abide the shocke
Of the proud Foe, who murder all about,
And with rude taunts their proud Inuasion mocke:
But Askalus and Agabus draw neare,
Two Kings, whose landed souldiers change their chear.
50
Yet at the length into the Sea driuen backe,Till Nestor seconds them with fresh supply,
and now th'astonisht Troians suffer wracke,
Yet still make good the shores with fresh supply;
againe repulst, the Greekes made good the lacke
Of more arm'd men; Vlisses Ships prest ny,
Whose dreaded Ensignes on the Margent spred,
Conquer the Beach, the whilst the Troians fled
51
King Philomenes enuious of his Fame,A pointed Speare brake on Vlisses face,
and stounded him: but when the bold King came
T'himselfe againe, he quitted that disgrace:
So much did wrath his Noble thoughts inflame,
he wounded him in such a speeding place,
That had not Ihoue kept backe his Weapons force,
The late victorious, had dropt downe a Corse.
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52
Whilst these two Kings contend, the Greekes retire,And backe into the blood-stain'd Sea are driuen,
When Thoas with his fleet doth Land desire,
Now Agamemnons Ships are all to riuen
Vpon the Strond, his men halfe blood, halfe mire,
Tugge for the shore, whilst many die vnshriuen;
Next Menelaus hath vnmand his Ship,
And from his Barke doth stormy Aiax skip.
53
At whose approach neere to the brinish brinke,Th'amazed Troians yeild him Landing free,
Beneath his ponderous Arme the strongest shrinke,
Before his sword th'affrighted people flee,
Their soules below the waues of Lethe drinke,
Whose deeds of valor when King Perses see:
He with a band of Moores their violence stayde,
Making th'astonisht Greekes expect more ayde.
54
When the great Duke Palumides discendsVpon the Continent, and in his traine
A thousand Armed Knights, his Noble Friends,
Whose swords the Beach with blood of Troians slaine:
Palumides gainst Symagon extends
His pointed Iauelin, Symagon lies slaine:
A valiant Moore, to Perses neere alide,
Though strong, he by the sonne of Naulus dide.
55
Now gainst the beaten Troians rose lowd cries,Which puissant Hector hearing, from the Towne,
Issues from forth the gates, and soone applies
His fortitude, where Warre seem'd most to frowne;
His armor Siluer-white, his shields deuise
A Lyon Gules the field, Or after knowne
And dreaded mongst the Greeks, where ere he marches
The Flowers & grasse with blood of Greeks he parches
56
Prothesilaus him encounters first,and at his Steely Beauer aymes his Speare,
The King his Staffe vpon his Visor burst,
But from the Worthy Hector past not cleare:
243
The steel-head Lance from off his steed doth beare:
The dreadlesse King, who rose by great indeuour,
But Hector cleft his head quite through his Beauer.
57
So passeth on strowing his way with Corses,That in a while his smoaking blade was feared,
Whom ere he meets he to the ground inforces,
His valour hath the drooping Troians cheared,
He without riders leaues fiue hundred horses,
Whose broken limbes lie on the earth besmeared:
Death Marshals him the way where ere he traces,
Pauing the Margent of the Sea with faces.
58
His courser Galathee the Noblest Steed,That euer Knight bestrid, i'th morning white,
In euery bare place seemes from farre to bleed,
His valiant ryder shun'd no dangerous fight:
Hee's flak't all ore, and where no wounds indeed
Were hewed, great gashes grisly to the sight
Appeare vpon him, Galathee still stood
Sound, and yet stain'd all ore with Græcian blood.
59
Nor wonder if his white Steed were so painted,When his sharpe sword so many Riuers shed,
This day a thousand Knights beneath him fainted,
And on the verdure by his hand lye dead,
With this mortality the ayre is tainted,
The spatious plaines with wounded Greekes are spred:
Charon the sweat wipes from his ghastly face,
And neuer wrought so hard in so short space.
60
Hels Iudges and the Gods of Darkenesse wonder,What's now to do on earth, that such a throng
Of Ghosts whose threds the fatall Sisters sunder,
Presse in such multitudes for sentence: long
The Princes of the Vaults and regions vnder,
Were not so troubled to iudge right and wrong:
For neuer in one day it hath befell,
So great a Sessions hath bin seene in Hell.
256
61
Th'inuincible Dardanian Heroe tyr'dWith purple Massacre, towards night with-drew,
Horse, Armes, and Plumes the brightest morne admir'd
For whitenesse, at his yssue, purple grew,
And he returnes Vermilion all: attir'd
In Crimson, scarce the royall Priam knew
Great Hector from the Torras where he stood,
Seeing his onset white, Retrait all blood.
62
Soone was the Noble Troian mist in field,For with his Myrmidons proudly attended
Achilles Lands, and that renowned sheild
God Vulcan made, in which his art extended,
He vaunteth: yet the daunted Troians yeild,
Th'vnconquered shores Hector so late defended
Lie open to inuaders, whole Greece Lands,
For gainst the great Achilles no man stands.
63
Euen to the Citty wals the Troians fly;Whom the maine hoast with hostile showtes pursude,
And had not Noble Troylus heard the cry,
Paris and Deiphebus where they view'd
So great effusion from a Turret hy,
They had won the Towne, the streets had bin imbrude
With Natiue blood, but they in hast discend,
Releeue th'opprest, the Citty gates defend.
64
And yssuing with three thousand Knights, compellAchilles to retrait, and when his face
Look't backe from Troy-ward, there was none so fell
Vpon the Græcian party, but gaue place:
This day Prince Diomed was seene t'excell
In Armes: him Troylus met in equall race:
They spur their Steeds that ran both swift and true,
Incountring, both their Staues to splinters flew.
65
Their Launces broake, they try their burnisht blades,A thousand fiery starres at euery rushing
Fly from their helmes, with fury each inuades
His opposite, their mutuall Armors frushing,
257
Young Troylus cannot match his strength, and blushing
A beardlesse Lad should hold him so long play,
Doubles his blowes and thinkes to end the fray.
66
The Noble youth whom Cresseids loue prouokesTo all atchieuements, beyond mortal power,
(Though young,) his lofty spirit his riuall yoakes,
Who thought his infant Vertues to deuoure,
He doubles and re-doubles warlike stroakes,
The battell lasts the best part of an houre:
But whilst vpon their helmes each champion thunders
Night that deuides the hoast their fury sunders.
67
This Eeuen the Greekes incampe, earely the Morrow,They shine in armor with the rising Sunne,
The Troian Princes from their Ladies borrow
Rich fauours, and withall to horse-backe runne,
A kind of feare begot twixt ioy and sorrow,
Liues in their eyes, til the dread fight be done:
To see their Champions proudly arm'd they ioy,
Grieue to behold so huge an hoast fore Troy.
68
Now are both Battailes pitcht, Menon appearesFirst from the Argiue hoast: from Troy forth stands
Hector, who in his burnisht Beauer weares
Andromachs Gloue, and now all Troy commands:
These two begin the battell with their Speares,
They broke, they tosse their bright steele in their hands:
Hector soone hurles King Menon from his horse,
So passes on to proue his warlike force.
69
The two hoasts ioyne, ruffling confusion flyesThrough all Scamander field, the dying grones
Are mixed with th'applausiue Conquerors cryes
Troians and Greekes conquer and fall at ones,
Renowned Hector this day wins the pryse,
he sunders Males and Armors, flesh and bones:
His al-deuiding sword was made by charme,
No steele so wrought but shrunke beneath his arme.
258
70
Thus like a raging storme he rusheth still,Ouer his Plume a Clowd of terror hung,
And where he rides he doth on all sides kill,
His bloud-staind Faulchion spares nor old nor yung,
Tyr'd with his horse, his Chariot Mount he will,
Now vp he takes a Bow deuinely strung,
And shooting midst the Hoast, not one steele-head
Iat'd from his Bow but stroke a Græcian dead.
71
Him the King Menon and king Glaucion then,Huge Thesus and Archilochus defie,
They in their squadron lead three thousand men,
But Hector in his Chariot still sits hie,
Vntill his Brasse-shod wheeles are purpled, when
Their Naues are drown'd in blood of men that die:
Charioted Hector these foure Kings assaile,
But his smart Steeds spring through their armed pale.
72
Menon that was too forward boue the rest,Pursues great Hector in his lofty Carre,
A dart the Troian quiuer'd through his brest,
King Menon bids his last farewell to warre,
With multitudes the Prince is ouer-prest,
And yet he kils the Greekes neare and from farre:
Neere, with his fatall sword he cleaues their harts,
And a farre off, with his keene shafts and Darts.
73
Vnto this rescue Prince Securabor,One of King Priams Bastard sonnes soone came,
And Noble Margareton thirsting for
Honor, and mongst the Greekes to get a name,
All Priams yssue cowardice abhor,
Duke Menesteus enuious of their fame,
Against them comes, now clamors fill the skie,
Whilst about Hectors Chariot thousands lie.
74
Vnto this hostile rumor from Troy-ward,Three Kings with Noble Troylus the fourth man
Make their incursions: King Sampitus far'd
Like a fierce Lyon, King Maclaon wan
259
Alcanus: gainst whom Menesteus ran
And bore him Nobly, yet alas too weake,
Till Thesus came the Troian rankes to breake.
75
Troylus Menesteus singles, but his HorseStumbled, and he enforcst on foot to fight:
Fiue hundred Greekes beguirt him, and enforce
The youthfull Troian (now debard from flight)
To be their prisoner; Many a liuelesse corse
Troylus first made, before compeld t'alight:
When Hector heard but word of his disgrace,
He slew on all sides till he wan the place.
76
But first Alccenus had addrest his Speare,Against the Duke that led Prince Troylus bound,
The Steele point tooke him twixt his cheeke and eare,
And made th' Athenian Duke a dangerous wound,
Sampilus seconds him (a Steed was neare)
On which they mounted Troylus from the ground:
Menesteus mad that he hath lost his prise,
Pierst through the throng, and cald for more supplies.
77
King Menelaus and Prothenor knowingTh'Athenians voyce, presse that way with their powers,
But find Hyripsus and King Hapon strowing
The earth with Greekes, at which the Spartan lowers:
These foure their forces ioyne, many yet growing,
Their swords supplant: death through the Champion scowers
At whom th'Olimpian Gods amazed stand,
To see him with such quicknesse moue his hand.
78
Anthenors sonne Polydamus makes on,King Rhemus backes him with three thousand more,
Their Speare-length (through the presse he had not gon)
But Celidus him from his Courser bore,
A fairer Prince then Celidus liu'd none,
By Venus gift he Beauties Liuery wore:
Polydamus re-mounted, soone addrest,
A second course, and pierst him through the brest.
260
79
Which Menelaus seeing, soone assaylesRhemus, and layes him stounded in the field,
And but that stowt Polydamas preuailes,
H'had borne him to his Tent vpon his shield,
Still was not Hector Idle, Hils and Dales
His Chariot skoures, to him the mightiest yeild:
For like a raging Torrent after Rayne,
Where ere he comes confusion fils the plaine.
80
Now was he by the men that Aiax ledTroopt in: the Salamines Thunder about him
Like Ciclopes, as if his Noble head
Were Vulcans Anuile (yet the boldest doubt him)
And seeing store of Carcasse bout him spred,
Wish in their hearts to fight else-where without him:
For like a baited Lyon at a stake,
he cuts them off, and makes the boldest qnake.
81
King Theuter somewhat rougher then the rest,as worthy Hector kept these Dogs at bay,
Finding the Prince with two much taske opprest,
against him with his Courser makes swift way,
The brazen-headed staffe glides by his brest,
and gainst his rib he feeles the Iauelin stay:
King Theuter thou hast done a Noble deed,
Thou art the first that mad'st great Hector bleed.
82
Well was it for thee that thou staidst not long,Those that growe next him for thy act must fall,
Like a mad Bull he fares the Greekes among,
and whom he hits, beneath his Chariot sprall,
The Prince, the common man, the weake, the strong,
The Bold, the Coward, tast confusion all:
The Sun looks pale, heauen red, the green earth blusht
To see their bones beneath his Chariot crusht.
83
Whose valour Thesus seeing, nobly spake:Great Hector, I admire thee, though my Foe:
Thou art too bold, why dost thou vndertake,
Things beyond man, to seeke thine ouerthrow?
261
So little of thy worth, to perish so?
Fond man retyre thee, and recouer breath,
And being thy selfe, pursue the workes of death.
84
Prince Hector his debility now finding,Thankes royall Thesus, and begins to pawse,
And bout the field with his swift coursers winding,
Vnto a place remote himselfe withdrawes,
Meane time King Menelaus the battaile minding,
Wan in the dangerous conflict much applawse:
Heere Celidonius valiant Moles slew:
Moles that his discent from Oreb drew.
85
By Mandon, King Cedonius lost an eye,A Græcian Admirall, Sadellus kils,
And Aiax Telamonius doth defie
Prince Margareton, King Menestheus, spils
The Galles red blood, Prothenor low doth lie
By Samuels Speare, renowned Hector fils
The field with wonder, he his Carre forsakes,
And Milke white Galathee againe he takes.
86
At his first entrance he espies his friendPolydamas by thirty souldiers led,
Amongst whom spurring, they themselues defend,
But scarce one man hath power to guard his head,
Vnto their dayes great Hectors sword gaue end,
And freedome to Polydamas, nye dead:
With shame and wrath, next to the battell came
King Thoas to redeeme the Argiues Fame.
87
With him the King Philotas who adrestThemselues gainst two of Priams Bastard Sonnes,
Young Cassilanus puts his Speare in rest,
And with great fury against Thoas ronnes,
He brake his staffe, but Thoas sped the best,
As to their bold encounter Hector comes,
He sees his young halfe-brother he held deare,
Through-pierst (alas) by Thoas fatall Speare.
262
88
Hye-stomackt Hector with this obiect mad,hurries through the thicke prease, and there had slaine
Whole thousands, for the death of that young Lad,
But his red wrath King Nestor did restraine,
For with six thousand Knights in armor clad,
he fortifies the late forsaken plaine:
Gainst whom marcht Philon, of the part of Troy,
Their battailes ioyne, each other they destroy.
89
Polydamus and Hector taking partWith Philon, aged-Nestor growes too weake,
For Cassilanus death the Greekes must smart,
They through their flankes, wings, rankes, and squadrons breake
When Aiax Telamon spide what huge wreake,
The Troian Worthy made: his men take hart,
And with King Menelaus them dispose,
To rescue Nestor, and assault their Foes.
90
Gainst them Æneas with the hoast arriues,And ioynes with Hector: on the Argiue side
Philoatas with three thousand souldiers striues,
all proued Greekes, whose valors had bin tride:
Æneas and great Aiax gage their liues
To equall conflict, whom their troopes deuide:
Philoatas on great Hector thinkes to proue him,
(In vaine) he from his saddle cannot moue him.
91
But him the Woorthy stounded with a blow,A flatling blow that on his Beauer glancst,
Vlisses and Humerus next in row,
With twice fiue thousands Knights on Hector chancst,
But Paris hapned with as many moe
On Hectors part, where numbers lye intrancst:
Paris a keene shaft from his Quiuer drew,
Whose fatall point the King of Cipresse slew.
92
This Ciprian, Kinsman to Vlisses was,In whose reuenge the Ithacan defies
Prince Paris, who in Arch'ry did surpasse,
These two in field against each other rise,
263
But parted by the tumult, they deuise
On further massacre, neere to this place,
Troylus, Vlisses meets, and wounds his face.
93
Nor scapt the Troian wound-free, in this stowerWas Galathee beneath Prince Hector slaine,
And he on foot, the Greekes with all their power
Begirt him, and assault the Prince amaine;
But he whose fame aboue the Clouds must lower,
From all their battering strokes still guards his braine:
Till Dynadorus Priams Bastard son,
Against well-mounted Polixemus ron.
94
A strong Barb'd horse the Noble Greeke bestrid,a Worthier Maister now the steed must haue,
The Bastard youth gainst Polixemus rid,
Vnhorst him, and his Steed to Hector gaue,
Who mounted, farre more deeds of Honor did,
Leauing the Greekes most Coarses to ingraue:
a troope of Archers Deiphebus brings,
Who expell the Greekes with arrowes, darts, and slings
95
At the first shocke the Prince King Theuter hit,and caru'd a deepe wound on his armed face,
The well steel'd point his sword-proofe Beauer split,
and now th'assaulted Greekes are all in chace,
Some saue themselues by swiftnesse, some by wit,
Young Quinteline of Priams Bastard race,
and King Moderus haue surpriz'd by force,
Thesus, and spoyl'd him both of armes and horse.
96
Whom when the Dardan-Worthy saw surpriz'd,He cals to mind the cur'sie to him done,
By whom nye breathlesse, he was well aduis'd,
The future eminence of warre to shunne,
King Thesus whom his Victors much despis'd,
Hector releast, and by the glorious Sunne,
Sweares not to leaue him, till he see him sent,
With safe conduct vnto his warlike Tent.
264
97
Here Thoas, by whom Cassilanus fell,Is by great Hector beaten from his Steed,
Who razing of his Helme, to send to hell
A soule he so much hated, was soone freed
By Menesteus: who makes on, Pell-Mell
With a huge hoast, and rescues with all speed
Th'astonisht King: not long the day he tride,
Till Paris with an arrow pierst his side.
98
Humerus glaunst a Iauelin through the sightOf Hectors Beauer, that it racst the skin,
Th'inraged Prince on proud Humerus light
And with one stroke he cleft him to the chin,
Proceeding on, hee still pursues the fight,
The Grecians loose, and now the Troians win,
They beate them to their Tents, where some inquire
For pillage, whilst the rest the Nauy fire.
99
In this pursute Hector and Aiax meete,Who (after interchange of hostile blowes)
Part on eeuen tearmes, and with kind language greet,
For the two kinsmen now each other knowes:
Aiax intreats the Prince to spare theyr Fleet,
And saue theyr tents, whose flame to heauen-ward grows
Which courteous Hector sweares to vndertake,
For Aiax and his Aunt Hesiones sake.
100
Oh Il-stard Hector! Thou hast ouerseeneA Victory, thou canst not reach to more?
Hadst thou to him inexorable beene
Thou hadst sau'd Troy, and freed the Dardan Shore:
Duke Aiax prayer hath wrought Troyes fatall teene
And hath the power (lost Grecia) to restore:
Oh, hadst thou tane the aduantage of this day,
all Greece had perisht, that now liues for aye.
101
But theres a Fate in all things: Hector blowesHis wel-knowne horne, his Souldiers all retreat:
The Greekes to quench theyr Fleet themselues dispose,
and re-instaure their tents, whose spoile was great:
265
A Herald, to surcease all hostile heat:
Demanding truce till they the dead haue grounded,
And both of Campe and Citty cur'd the wounded.
102
Tis granted, from the Towne with Coffins comPale widdowes, winpled in their mourning weeds,
To fetch their husbands coarses cold and nom,
To whom they offer solemne Funerall deeds,
The Children fetch their Sires, and Fathers some
Their slaughtred sons, which generall mourning breeds:
The Greekes likewise their fellow-mates desire,
And yeild their bodies to the hallowed fire.
103
But whilst these odoriferous piles they reare,And sacrifiz'd their friends in holy flames,
And in perfumed Boxes, prized deare,
Coffin their precious ashes, least their names
Should die in Lethe: Nouell broyles appeare,
And Ate through the Campe discord proclames:
But now to truce our spirits we haue intention,
Before twixt them we moue a new dissention.
302
The end of the eleuenth CANTO.
303
Canto. 12.
Argumentum
Achilles transformation: PalimedAccusd of Treason and condemnd to die:
After long battaile, honor Hector led
The boldest Argiue Champion to defie:
The Græcians storme to be so chalenged,
Hector and Aiax the fierce Combat try:
A Truce, a Banquet: at this pompous feast,
Queene Hellen is inuited a chiefe guest.
Arg. 2.
Deiademeias Loue, Vlisses Spleene,Two Princely husbands claime the Spartan Queen
1
Farre beit, I so much on Hector doate,To rob the aduerse part of any right,
I am not to the Troians so deuoate,
(Though thence deriu'd) that the least Argiue Knight
Should me accuse, or any passage coate,
Guilty of flattering loue, or partiall spight:
Loe to both parts we newtrall hate professe,
But equall loue, as we can euenly gesse.
304
2
I cannot flatter with smooth Virgils penOr giue Augustus more then he should haue,
(With Ouid) bestow Dieties on men,
And where he hates or loues, condemne or saue:
Blind Homer, how shall I excuse thee then;
That all the glory to Achilles gaue,
For wit and strength, to whom hast thou don wrong,
Vlisses was as wise, Aiax as strong.
3
If Hector with Achilles thou comparest,Or rather wouldst preferre the valiant Greeke
As he whose valour and esteeme was rarest,
Needs must I cast a blush vpon thy cheeke:
Because greàt Hector was thy foe, thou sparest
To speake of him, (his praise must be to seeke)
And all thy skeads Achilles Fame display,
Whom Hestor hath vn-horst twice in one day.
4
I must confesse Achilles highly blest,To haue a Homer in his Country borne,
Had Troy bred Homer, or had Greece possest
Renowned Hector, no Prince should haue worne
A wreath equall with his, Fame should inuest
The Troian hyest, maugre Enuies scorne:
Shew me the cause else, why to his disgrace,
Hector's the worthy? he hath lost the place?
5
Or how can this through Græcia be digested,A Troians Fame should with such Luster shine,
The generall bench of Iudgements hath inuested
The Troian Hector one amongst the nine,
Though Homer for Achilles hath protested,
Made his Fame Tower-lesse, and his birth Deuine:
Yet hath the world the Troian so respected,
Achilles is put by, Hector elected.
6
And reason too, for what Achilles wan,Was by the valour of his armed traine,
When Hector fought, he buckled man to man,
And by his proper hand lie thousands slaine,
305
And who first brought him to Scamander plaine,
My Muse sings next, Ihoue-borne my braine inspire,
Whilst I the Fate of Thetis sonne inquire.
7
Old Peleus yssue by the Seas faire Queene,Thetis in Lycomedes Court abides
Clad like a Girle (for such his youth was seene)
His warlike hand a Womanish distaffe guides,
A female shape obscures his Martiall spleene,
In stead of Cushes a long Kirtle hides
His warlike limbes, those armes mongst Virgins plaid,
That were indeed for Vulcans armor made.
8
The carefull Mother that pre-science hadBy Oracle, her sonne 'fore Troy should fall,
Seekes to preuent his Fate, and sends the Lad
Vnto the King of Sciros (being but small)
He passes for a Girle, so was he clad,
Such was his shape, gate, gesture, looke, and all:
And through the Court a generall voyce doth ronne,
Of Thetis daughter, not of Thetis sonne.
9
The King appoints him Bed-fellow to beWith faire Deiademeia his sole-Child,
So well the youthfull paire in bed agree,
That when Achilles laught, the Lady smild,
And when he honor'd, she would bend her knee,
With him she tasted ioy, or mirth exild:
His amorous gestures were to her a Lawe,
To keepe her actions and her lookes in awe.
10
Achilles growes, so doth the Lady too,And as their yeares increase, so their affection,
Custome and long continuance taught them doo
Pleasures to youth vnknowne (without direction)
Without suspicion, he may freely woo,
The opportunous night friends her complexion:
When in her Armes the Prince doth rudely rush
Night Curtens her and none can see her blush.
306
11
So long they vse this dalliance, the young LasseFeeles her brests swell, and her lanke belly grow,
(No maruell) by the Prince with childe she was,
Of him that wrought Troyes fatall ouerthrow;
Great Neptolemus who did surpasse
In Martiall prowesse, and laide Islium low:
Whilst these things are in processe, tis decreed
By Oracle, Troyes warres shall ill succeed.
12
For when th'inuasiue Greekes demaund th'euentThat in these expeditions shall betide,
Answere is them return'd, incontinent
Without Achilles, Troy shall swell with pride,
And therefore was Vlisses forthwith sent
With Diomed, to finde the Prince, denide
By Thetis, vnto whom was then reuealed
Her sonnes short date, (the cause she him concealed.)
13
The crafty Greeke the Mothers guile suspecting,To Lycomedes Court posts in disguise,
His weeds of state and Princely robes reiecting,
He Pedler-like attempts the enterprise,
He beares along bright glasses, faire reflecting
Cawles, Laces, Tyres, to please young Ladies eyes:
Besides these womens toyes, he beares along
A bright sword, and a Bow surpassing strong.
14
In the Court-hall he opens his faire packe,And twenty seuerall Ladies come to buy,
The Pedler needs not aske them what they lacke,
Not one, but with some trifle gluts her eye,
Achilles (hanging at the Pedlers backe,)
Spies a faire Bow, and by his Hamper lye
A rich caru'd sword, the strong Steele-bow he drew,
And shooke the sword, by which the Prince he knew.
15
Then closing with Æacides, perswadesThe valiant youth to suite him to his kind,
His loose effeminate habit he vpbraids,
Tels him what honors are to him assind,
307
And what renowne attends a valiant minde:
Which in his noble thoughts takes such Impression,
The Prince repents his former loose transgression.
16
He teares his feminine Vales, rends off his tyres,His golden Cawle and Fillet throwes aside,
and for his head, a Steele-wrought Caske desires,
That hand that did so late a spindle guide,
To brandish a bright luster'd sword aspires,
a sword that must in Hectors bloud be dyde:
His smooth Rebata from his necke he fals,
and to the Greeke, for a stiffe Gorget cals.
17
From his large Limbs th'Imbrodered Roabes hee shakes,and leapes out of his Garments with proude scorne,
In stead of which, he a rich Vaunt-brace takes,
Which buckling on, growes proud to see it worne,
The wanton Guirles first wonder what he makes,
With sword and armes (his Garments hauing torne:)
But when he frown'd, the Ladies grow affrayde
Of him so arm'd, with whom but late they playde.
18
But now Vlisses, Diomed, and he,Leaue (without leaue,) both Sciros and the King,
(Deiademeia most bewailde of thee)
Whose yssue in thy Wombe thou feelst to springe.
They pierce through Greece, whom when the Princes see,
To their arriue, they Oades and Cantons sing:
Praysing theyr Gods, that haue Achilles found,
Whose hand must lay Troy leauell with the ground.
19
This Thetis heating, that her royall sonnehad left his secure habit of a Woman,
and by Vlisses to the warres was won,
She for his safety doth her wits still sommon,
To Lemnian Vulcan she doth post-hast ronne,
Whose art in forging armes she knew not common:
at her be-heast, he for her Sonne did yeild,
a Speere-proofe-armour, and a Globe-like Shield.
308
20
What can a Mothers care gainst Fate preuaile?Not Vulcans Armour can defend his life,
When th'vnauoyded destinies assayle
against the Sisters bootlesse wee make strife,
Mortall preuention then of force must fayle,
In vaine then hast thou laboured (Peleus wife)
To guirt his body in a steely wall,
Since thy Achilles must by Paris fall.
21
No sooner was he borne, but the fayre QueenePlung'd him into the Sea, all saue the heele,
By which she held him fast, that which was seene
Beneath the waues, was wound-free against Steele,
Had she but drown'd her hand, the Prince had beene
Sword-proofe euen there, her nicenesse would not feele
The coldnesse of the waues, therefore that part
Was left vnarm'd, for Paris poysoned Dart.
22
Who therefore would against the Fates contend,By whom our elementall parts are swayde,
Since euery thing thats borne must haue his end,
and Nature still decayes what she hath made,
Tis Heauen, not Earth, that can our liues defend,
The hygh powers must in all things be obayd:
But leaue the fayre-foot Thetis, and proceede
To what the Campe hath against Troy decreed.
23
By this great discords monges the Græcians fall,Twixt Duke Palamides, and Mecenes King,
But no man knowes the byrth of this great brall,
Or from what Fountaine these dissentions spring,
Achilles thinkes his warlike meed too small,
He will not fight: nor Diomedes bring
His Men to battayle, while their Soueraigne head,
Is Nawlus sonne, the generall Palamed.
24
Whom some affirme, the amorous Paris slew,In euen Incounter of opposed hate,
But others say, gainst him Vlisses drew
Such points of Treason, as concern'd his fate,
309
Twixt whom and great Atrides fell debate
About the Soueraigne sway, enuies fire nurst
Long in their bosomes, into flashes burst,
25
The King of Ithaca marryed but newlyVnto the chastest Queene that hath beene crown'd,
When all the Grecian Kings appointed duly,
To make their meeting, and assemble round,
Gaue out he was turn'd Frantique, but not truely;
Which craft of his, the Son of Nawlus found:
For comming where Vlisses Plowd the Sand,
and steer'd the crooked Rafter with his hand.
26
Palumides iust in the Mad-mans way,Layd young Telemachus his first borne Son,
Which made the Greeke his yoaked teeme to stay,
and where his Issue lay, the place to shon,
Palumides discouers his delay,
Finds that his Lunacy by craft was don:
That whilst the Gracians were with Troy at strife,
He might at home sleepe with his constant wife.
27
In ill time did the Son of Nawlus this,The vengfull King rouz'd from so fayre a Bride,
who by this meanes now quite abandon'd is,
Doth in his bosome spleene and rank or hide,
and for the losse of euery amorous kisse,
Threatens a wide wound in the Princes side:
Oh treacherous Greeke! to want thy wife in Bed,
Must at Troyes siedge cost the great Generals hed.
28
Arnea was Sole-Daughter to the KingIcarius and faire Peribea his wife,
who feeles a young Babe in her VVombe to spring,
The Father when he knew th'Infant had life,
after conception: doubting some strange thing,
To Delphos hyes, where answers then were ryfe;
When th'Oracle thus spake, the princely Dame
Shall child one full of Honor, full of Shame.
310
29
A beauteous Maide the troubled Mother beares,The Father misinterprets Phœbus minde,
And to auoyde her shame his future feares
Commits her to the rage of Seas and Wind,
The Birds that bred of Meleagers teares,
Cald Meleagrides (by Nature kind:)
With their broad wings about the Cork-boat houer,
And from all stormes the beautious Infant couer.
30
And hauing nourisht her for a certaine space,Into the selfe-fame Port her Barke they driue,
Where the sad King without paternall grace,
First launcht it forth, and finding her aliue
Circled with Birds of Meleagers race,
Their melting harts against their furies striue:
They take the young Arnea from the Sea,
And call her of those Birds Penelope.
31
In beauty, stature, and in wit she growes,But when her Father findes her apt to marry,
Fearing the Oracle, whom still he knowes
Sooth in his words, perswades the dame to tarry,
A safer course to keepe her chast, he chose,
(Virginiti's a heauy loade to carry:)
And to deuise to haue her nobly sped,
At a high rate he sets her Maiden-head.
32
When all the Græcian Princes sought her grace,And lay their Crownes and Scepters at her feete,
Icarius leades them to a Martiall race,
where the young Kinges in hot incounter meete,
Aboue them all, Vlisses won chiefe place,
The shamefast Queene must her new Husband greete:
The bashfull modesty of this chast Dame,
The earefull Father did misconster: shame.
33
For woman-hood this Lady had no Peere,witnesse her many Suters in the time
Her Husband absent was, some twice ten yeare,
who though much woo'd (and in her youthfull prime)
311
Not the least taynt of any amorous cryme:
Though many Suters through her doores intruded,
They by her Bow and Web were all deluded.
33
Whether Vlisses breast doth malice shrowde,And being at full groath, now out it must;
Whether his loue to Agamemnon vowde,
Bred in the Nawlian Prince some great distrust;
Or whether great Palamides grew proude,
And in the Ballance of his awe vniust:
But the great Duke vnto the Barre he brings,
And there arraignes him by a Bench of Kings.
34
Vnto this royall Sessions men are brought,That sweate Palamides would Greece betray,
And that King Priam had by Factors wrought,
To make the Argiue Campe the Troyans pray,
The Generals priuate Tent is forthwith sought,
Where Bags of Troyan Coyne conceiled lay:
This euidence condems the Prince (betrayd)
For there that Gold before Vlisses layd.
35
And Agamemnon is againe restord,With whose election the late Truce expires,
The maimd are cur'd, the victors are ador'd,
The bodyes slaine, receiue the funerall fires,
The Obits on both sides are full deplord,
And eyther party the fayre field desires:
The great Atrides Martials his fayre hoast,
Who shine in Steele by the Sygean Coast.
36
Vpon the aduerse party, Hector leadesHis men to battaile, flanct with sleeues and winges,
His nimble Horsemen forrage round the Meads,
The maine well-fen'st with Skirts of Shafts and Slings,
In forehead of the battayle Hector treads,
This day the Generall ouer thirty Kings:
The charge is giuē, arm'd knights meet breast to breast
Striking bright starres out of each others Crest.
312
37
The doughty Greekes after their long tru'st ease,Are full of breath and vigor, they fight well,
The Troyans that but late droue to the seas
The scattred Camp, thinke likewise to excell,
Euen Ballan'st is the field, as the Scales please
who Victors be, who vanquisht none can tell?
On both sides some are conquer'd, some subdue,
And as the day increast, the conflict grew.
38
Broad breasted Diomed gainst Paris rides,and lifts him from his Saddle with his Speare,
The Prince, the Buttockes of his Horse bestrydes,
And hardly can the Troyan keepe him there,
Whilst Diomed his quicke remoue derides
Vnshaken, from the Prince he passes cleere:
Spurring from troope to troope, making intrusion,
Where the hot fight was growne to most confusion.
39
Now in his Chariot stands Achilles hy,And with his Speare before him, squadrons strowes,
Great Hectors puissance he longs to try,
Or some thats able to withstand his blowes,
And whilst whole troopes before his Chariot fly,
The raynes vpon his steedes white necke he throwes:
Calling for Hector: Hector, fore him stood,
His Chariot-steedes caparison'd in blood.
40
To whom Æacides, what ere thou beThat thus confronst me like the God of warre?
Know tis Achilles must thy life set free,
And tumble thee from thy triumphant Carre:
This said, a pointed Iauelin he lets flee,
Which Hector at his loose perceiu'd to iarre,
And tooke vpon his Targe: the Dart he cast,
Pierst nine Steele folds, and in the tenth stucke fast.
41
Helme-graced Hector started at this blow,And æmulous of great Achilles Fame,
Charg'd in his hand another dart to throw,
But first he sayes: Inquir'st thou Hectors name?
313
Hector thou seek'st, and loe I am the same:
His actiue arme his language doth pursue,
For with his latest word his Iauelen flew.
42
Well was it his Orbicular Targe was strong,Which Vulcan by deuine composure made,
Else had it stretcht the warlike Greeke along,
It hit against the Bosse, and there it stayde,
But with the force it brake the mighty thong
In which his massie shield about him plaide:
The affrighted Palfreyes with so great a stroke
Startle aside, and the proud Curbe reuoke.
43
Now when Achilles rousde himselfe, and sawIllustrate Hector in his Chariot stand,
Himselfe so basely, his hot Steedes withdraw,
As if he meant to charge some other band,
Thinkes in himselfe it is too great a flaw
To his cleere mettald fame, and with his hand
Wastes to Imperious Hector from a-far,
T'abide a second deadly shocke of warre.
44
Th'vndaueted Heroë, who already wonders,The brauing Greeke so quickly should retire,
And what strange fate their Brasse-bard chariots sunders,
Since both so ardently the fight desire,
Expects Achilles, who against him thunders,
VVhilst from the Flints his armed wheeles beate fire:
Now the two Chariot-driuers prooue their might,
The Prince with Prince, Horses with Horses fyght.
45
This six-fold Combat hath not lasted long,VVhen Archeptolemnus that guides the raines
Of Hectors Coach-Steedes, thinking them more stronge
Then those whom rough Antomedon constraines,
Lashes his fiery Palphreyes, hot and young,
Expert Antomedon his skill disdaines:
Yerkes his proud horse, whose fiersenesse he dares trust
Till their white foaming mouthes snowed all the dust.
314
46
The two sterne Champions mounted in theyr Carres,Confront each other with their armed Staues,
Whose points on eithers Vaunt-brace print deep scarres,
Sometimes they flourish them, with idle braues
Dart them sometimes (like Knights well seene in warr,)
But when they ioyne, they Combat with their Glaues:
Sometimes they grapple, sometimes they retire,
And at their meeting make their Helmes all fire.
47
The grim Æacides mad in his mind,The warlike Troyan should against him stand,
Inradg'd, his teeth against his teeth doth grinde,
And beates his Arm'd-breast with his Gauntlet hand,
About him through the field doth Hector winde,
His fayre-maynde Coursers haue so well been man'd:
That to retreat, or to assault the foe,
He at his will can checke, or make them goe.
48
Antomedon hath taught his Steeds like skill,For trauersing, he likewise takes the fielde,
His Iades are countermaunded by his will,
For with the Curbe they both rebell and yeild,
Theyr Milky foame vpon their breasts they spill,
Being parted thus: great Hector vaunts his Shield:
Achilles his: againe their Coursers meete,
And from the Earth beate Thunder with their feete.
49
In this rude Iustle is Achilles bruis'd,His high plumde Helme close to his Scull is batterd,
And he within his Chariot sits diffusde,
His Sword, his shield, his Darts about him scatterd,
Antomedon retraites, to haue excusde
His second shocke: and o're the plaines he clatterd:
his barbed teeme o're thousand Coarses flyes,
In whose Red-blood, his Chariot Naues he Dyes.
50
Great Hector scornes pursuit, nor takes he breath,But fals vpon the next Greeke that he finds,
And prints on him the bloudy stamp of death,
The long imprisoned soule his Sword vnbinds,
315
For Hector, th'obiect of all Noble minds:
But when he found himselfe from Hector straid,
The Prince doth base Antomedon vpbraid.
51
Who falling prostrate, sooths Achilles thus,Let not on me your deadly hate be grounded,
Not I from him, but Archeptolemus
Made way from me, for sure great Hectors wounded?
With you retyr'd the sonne of Priamus
On equal points: our rich-main'd Steeds haue bounded:
Ouer these plaines great Hector wel-nie dead,
By great Achilles, is to Troy-ward sped.
52
This calmes the wrathfull Greeke who else had soughtHis opposite amidst the slaughtering troopes,
Disioynd from him th'inraged else-where fought,
And where he reares his hand that Squadron stoopes,
His armed Chariot, midst their Phalany wrought
Horrid effusion, Troyes proud faction droopes
Beneath Achilles arme, nor can it yeild,
(Saue Hector) one to stand him in the field.
53
The Arch-Duke Agamemnon with his speareEncountred King Pandolus, till both bled,
King Thelamon prest to Sarpedon neare,
And with his blade he raught him on the hed,
By their rude force they both vnhorsed were,
Against Eurialus King Thesus sped,
Neither scape wound-free; Carras bare him well,
Gainst Scenetus, till from their Steeds both fell.
54
King Philomenes made Anthenor flye,King Rhemus with the King Philotas ran,
Before Vlisses doth Arastus lye,
Aiax this day hath slaughterd many a man,
King Priams Bastard sonnes themselues apply
In many a skirmish since the charge began:
Young Deiphebus and Æneas stand
Gainst Hupon, and the three-ag'd Nestors band.
316
55
Troylus and Diomed fiercely assaile,And brauely beat each other from their steeds,
Both resku'd by the prease, else without faile
There had bin fixt the period of their deeds,
Re-mounted Diomed breakes through the pale
Of his arm'd foes, and to his horse proceeds:
So Troylus hewes his passage through the rings
Of harnest foes, and to his Steed he springs.
56
Paris and Menelaus once more meet,And bring vnto the battaile fresh supplies,
With thundering strokes vpon their Helmes they greet,
Bretes the Admirall Hector defies:
Bretes that did command their blacke-stem'd Fleet,
Against him doth Priamides arise,
And with such violent rage vppon him sped,
That with one blow he cleft his Helme-deckt hed.
57
The Admirall thus dead, Hector desiresThe goodly Steed, from whom the Greeke was feld,
Which (as for deeds of honour he inquires)
The King Archilochus by chance beheld,
Who seeing Bretes dead, the wound admires,
His face lookt pale, his hart with anger sweld:
And with his sword he couets to make bleed
The Troian Prince, who still pursues the Steed.
58
Who storming to be troubled in the chace,Against the King Archilochus returnes,
Inraged Mars is figured in his face,
And in his lookes the eye of Gorgons burnes,
The Greekes blunt sword can scarce his Helmet race,
So weake a foe (inflamed Hector) scornes:
Vpon his Crest his Faulchion he lets fall,
And cleaues the Greeke, helme, body, armes and all.
59
The emulous son of Thetis, crost by chanceThe blacke goar'd field, and came to view this blow,
And mad in mind, against him charg'd his Lance,
In hope the towring Prince to ouerthrow,
285
His reeking sword, late crimson'd in the foe,
Both with remorslesse blowes, the Prince offend,
And his bruisd Shield about his arme they bend.
60
Had not his helmet beene of mettall pure,With Axes they had hewed it from his head,
But he that made it was an Arts-man sure,
Else had his braines bin on his harnesse spread,
Nor had he long bin able to indure
Such tedious battry, had not Fortune led
Paris, Æneas, Troylus and the rest,
To rescue valiant Hector, thus opprest.
61
At their approch the Achive bands retire,Whom to their Pallisadoes they pursue,
By this, in heauen ten thousand Lampes of fire
Shine through the ayre, and now both Hoasts withdrew,
The re-assembled Greekes Hector admire,
And mongst themselues into sad counsell grew:
Since not by force of Armes, by what sly traine,
The neuer-daunted Worthy may be slaine.
62
More honoured Hector, in his royall braineReuolues on milder thoughts, how bloud to saue:
It pitties him to see so many slaine,
And come to such a generall timelesse graue:
Then, that no more red bloud may Symois staine,
And change the coulour of her siluer waue,
He by a generall challenge will deuise,
For thousands safeties, one to Sacrifice.
63
Against all Greece hee'l flyng his hostile gage,And to a single Fight their Princes dare,
That two bolde Champions may the combat wage,
And in their mutuall Fury, thousands spare,
Meane time, blacke night, from th'vniuersall Stage
Of Earth, is cha'st and driuen: Now all prepare
For th'early Field, and with Apollo rise,
To shine in Armour by his rhadiant eies.
286
64
The Princes to the place where Hector layThrong in theyr Armes, and his command attend,
After they had tooke and giuen the time of day,
with him they to the aged King descend,
Before whom Hector briefly doth display
his purpost challenge, which they all commend,
For well his Father and his Brothers know,
Hector hath power t'incounter any foe.
65
The Sunne, vp the steepe Easterne hils clymes fast,Th'embattaild Greekes vpon the plaines appeare,
To them the faire-rankt Troians match in hast,
Within the reach of Hectors armed speare:
Both Hoasts attend the charge: when vnagast
The Prince first wasts, that all the Campo may heare,
Then leaning on his Iauelin, makes this boast,
Euen in the face of their assembled hoast.
66
You curled Greekes, that haue vnpeopled quiteThreescore vast Kingdomes of theyr ablest men,
To throng our fieldes with numbers infinite,
All hopelesse of theyr safe returne agen:
Among these sixty Kings that shine so bright
In burnisht Steele, vpon this sanguine Fen:
Can you select one boulder then the rest,
T'encounter armed Hector, Creast to Creast?
67
Or if your Princes be too weake a number,Can all those threescore Climats yeild one hand,
Amidst this world that coms our Realme to cumber,
That dares betweene these hoasts gainst Hector stand?
Or doe you all feare deaths eternall slumber?
As well your Kinges, as those of common band,
That with a braue, breath'd in so many eares,
No soule (more valiant then the rest) appeares.
68
If any of these Princes proue so freeHis prodigall life against ours to ingage,
Know by exposing his, whole thousands be
Sau'd from the spoyle of warres infernall rage:
287
That will spare Græcian blood, with him Ile wage
Equall contention: with my liues expence,
I will maintaine the Troians eminence.
69
A Prince shall meet that Prince: as neere allideTo thundering Ihoue as he thats best degreed,
If in his warlike Chariot he will ride,
I in my Chariot will confront his speed,
Match me these foure white Coursers Greece hath tride,
These faire Andromache doth mornely feed:
With her white hand with bread of purest wheat,
And waters them with Wine still when they eat.
70
Xanthus, Podargus, Lampus, Æthon deare,To Hector, you my armed Coach shall draw,
And in this fierce exposure shall appeare,
Before the best Steeds that the Sun ere saw,
But all Greece cannot match your swift Carrere,
Not Diomedes Steeds that fed on raw
And mangled limbes, that in their Mangers bleed,
Can equall you in courage or in speed.
71
Therefore Ile cease that oddes, and once againeLeauing the Kings to common men I turne,
Among such clusters growing on this plaine,
In no warme brest doth so much valor burne,
But shall so many shewers of blood still raine
On Symois banke: so many widdowes mourne
For their slaine Lords, so many Children cry
For their poore Fathers that heere slaughtred die.
72
If not for Loue of honour, in despaireMethinkes some one our puissance should accost,
For not two soules that heere assembled are,
Shall scape the fury of our Troian hoast,
Death and deuouring ruin shall not spare
One of your infinites, you are ingrost
All on destructions File, then let some Greeke
(Despairing life,) a death with honor seeke.
288
73
Yeilds our besieged Towne a Nobler spiritThen sixty assembled Kingdomes can produce?
That none dares enterpose his hostile merit,
But all put off this combat with excuse,
Among such infinites will none inherit
A name with vs? Feares Greece our hand shall sluce
Their Vniuersall blood? That feare can slaue
So many Legions with one Hectors braue?
74
I beg it of you Greekes, let some forth standTo try what puissance lyes in Hectors sword,
If I be foyl'd by his all-daring hand,
The Spartan Hellen shall be soone restord,
And all the spoyles brought from the fertile Land
Of Cytharæ made good, and he ador'd
With these ennobled armes, the sword and crest
Of Hector, Honors more then all the rest.
75
If I subdue your Champion: Greece in peaceShall ease our burden'd earth of this huge weight,
Hostility betweene our hoasts shall cease,
You with your men and armes your ships shall freight,
And from our bloud-stain'd soyle free this large prease,
So shall illustrate Hector reach his height:
When th'Vniuersall world hath vnderstood,
Hector gag'd his, to saue his Citties blood.
76
Oh, let it not in after times be saide,Twice thirty kingdomes could not one man finde,
Prince, Knight, or Swaine, durst equally inuade,
A Troian Prince in Armes, and height of mind,
Nor let succeeding time the Greekes vpbraide,
To heare such lofty spirits so soone declinde:
Behold, heere stand I to abide the rage
Of his arm'd hand, that dares but touch our gage.
77
These words thus breath'd, a generall showt is giuenThrough al the Troian army, which aspires
And strikes against the Marble floores of heauen,
Where fixed are ten thousand sparkling fires,
321
Rude tumult springes out of their strange desires:
A confusde murmur flyes along the shoare,
Which to the Troyans eares, the calme winds boare.
78
The eager Souldiers mutiny: Some say,Oh would the Kinges and Dukes were not in place,
Our Darts through Hectors Curace should make way,
But common-men must not the Peeres disgrace,
The rage-burnt Kinges their furies cannot stay,
They fixe their fyr'd eies in each others face:
Yet none presums the Gaunlet vp to take,
When thus the younger of th' Atrides spake.
79
Is it my lot all Grecia to excuse?Greece, that farre from these powers hath congregated?
Shall Pesant cowardise the Campe abuse,
Whilst Menelaus liues a King instated?
It shall not: what these Princes all refuse,
I will take vp, the cause shall be debated
Twixt me and Hector, for the generall hoast,
(And reason) since the cause concernes me most.
80
With that he ceasde the gage, when his great BrotherBlaming his rashnesse, makes him let it fall,
And now the warlike Kinges eying each other,
The Spartans wordes moou'd fury in them all,
Their shame and rage they can no longer smother,
About the Gauntlet they begin new brall:
Toward the ground nine royall Princes bend,
And for great Hectors gage at once contend.
81
The Archduke first: then great Andremons Sonne,Thoas, King Diomed, King Idomen,
Aiax the strong, surnamed Telamon,
Aiax Oleus: Eriphilus, and then
The warlike Ithacyan, that alwaies won
The praise for eloquence, boue other men:
Vlisses: King Meriones, all these
Stoope to the earth, and would the gauntlet cease.
322
82
T'appease their wrath, thus Nestor doth deuiseThree seuerall Lots into some Helme to throw,
And that bold Prince whose hand extracts the prize
Betweene the Armies to assault the foe,
The Lots are made, and all with ardent eyes,
Into the Generals Caske iniect them so:
Achilles was not there, till word was sent
Whose the Lot was (that day he kept his Tent.)
83
The souldiers that had prou'd great Hectors might,Pray to the Gods the Combats chance may fall
To Aiax Telamon, that he may fight
With Hector, for the Greekes in generall,
If not on warlike Aiax, it may light
On warlike Diomed, broad set, and tall:
Or if not these, yet to apprase his rage,
Great Agamemnon may the battaile wage.
84
The Heralds from the generals Helmet drewThe first Inscription, which being knowne, was laid
At Aiax foot, the Prince the Paper knew,
Glad of his Lot (as all the souldiers praid)
The Kings retyr'd, onely sterne Aiax grew
Neere to Dardanian Hector, nought dismaid;
Arm'd at all points, he struts vpon the plaine,
Like angry Mars, after an army slaine.
85
His shape was huge, his presence full of feare,An angry Tempest sat vpon his brow,
A Sanguine Plume doth from his Helme appeare,
Which double armes his backe, and seemes to bow
Beneath his Bases: arm'd with such a Speare,
His right hand was, that none can disallow:
Athwart his breast a purple Bawdricke fell,
Bearing a sword, which many had sent to hell.
86
The scabberd Crimson Veluet, richly embostAnd chap't with Gold: vpon the hilt was grau'd
The battaile of the Centaures who were lost
In that fierce warre, and whom the conflict sau'd,
323
A Citties prize, the bright Blade had bin lau'd
In many bosomes, many Princes bloods,
The handle was stucke round with Golden stoods.
87
The Pummell wayde a Talent, rarely wroughtWith Artfull Modules, on that curious round,
Grim Achelous with Alcides fought,
And there in all his Proteus shapes was found,
Thether the prize faire Deyaneyr was brought
And placst aloft; beneath her, those that sound
Vnto the dreadfull charge, with Clarious shrill,
Sit with swolne cheekes their lofty pipes to fill.
88
Such Art th'inchacer shewd, to mocke the eye,That some would thinke their Reeds did Musicke yeild:
There sat the King her Father Thron'd on hye,
With him his Peeres, and round about the field
Th'vnruly multitude still pressing nye
The bounded lists, to see their Champions weild
Their dreadfull Armes, and who the prise can win,
One with a Club arm'd, and a Lyons skin.
89
The other with his God-hood and his power,To change himselfe to shapes of strange disguise,
Sometimes he seemes a Dragon, to deuoure
His riuall Prince, who doth his Art dispise,
For on his head his Club fals like a Tower,
Next like a fire into his face he flies:
Ali which the Noble Champion cannot tame,
For with a Club he straight beats out the Flame.
90
Then like a grim mad-Bull the halfe-God raues,And with his hornes Alcides thinkes to gore,
But he contemning such inchaunted braues
Flyes to his head, and with his rude hands tore
One horne quite off (at this the Workman grieues)
The conquered Bull in falling seemes to rore:
Foure Nimphs discend from a faire sacred hill,
And this rich horne with Flowers and fruits they fill.
324
91
Which of the horne of plenty still beares name,This and much more the hye-pris'd Pummell beares
A finer temper'd blade, or of more fame
By his proud side no Princely souldier weares:
With this arm'd Aiax to the combat came,
And singly to the Dardan Prince appeares:
On his left arme a ponderous Targe he bare,
Quilted with seuen Oxe-hides all Tan'd with haire.
92
Tycheus was the Currier drest those hides,Best of his trade that dwelt on Hyla then,
Accootred thus, strong Aiax with huge strides
Stalkes in the field before the best of men,
And fixing his bold foot, boldly h'abides
Confronting him: the Argiue army when
They saw the Salamine Prince beare him so prowd,
Their soules reioyc'st, their harts his lot allowd.
93
Priamides that neuer was affraide,Of ought (saue feare) his Combattant thus greets,
Oh thou whose presence to my soule is made
More pleasing then the most delicious sweets:
Let me pertake his name, who vndismaide
In such faire equipage great Hector greets:
For since mine eye first knew Apollos light,
I neuer saw a more accomplisht Knight.
94
Nor one whose presence better pleas'd mine eye,(Although my foe) Ile giue thee all thy dew,
If courage suite, by shape I can espy
No blemish in thee; either let me view
Thy open Helme, or else thy name discry,
When stormy Aiax vp his Beauer drew,
And thus reply'de: The Helmet I had on,
Obscur'd the face of Aiax Telamon.
95
And Coozin Hector, know I am the leastOf many that our spacious campe containes,
Who to thy fury dare oppose their Crest,
And on euen language charge thee on these plaines,
325
The strongest hate that in thy bosome raignes
Powre on my Shield, destruction be my share,
If with my Sword or Speare, I Hector spare.
96
Gramercies Cooze, the Troyan Heroë spake,Thou lou'st me best, to lay it soundly on,
These noble thoughts thy mixed byrth did take
From vs of Troy, and not from Telamon:
Our Dardan bloud thou in thy arme dost shake,
But when thou fearest: thy Mothers heate is gon:
And onely that remaines to chill thy hart
Which Troy disclaymes, and yeilds Greece as her part.
97
And would to Ihoue I knew where that blood ran,Vnto those Veines I would direct my Speare,
And those in which our Kindred first began,
My hate should spare, as blood to Hector deare:
Come Noble Aiax, beare thee like a man,
And one of Hectors Kinsmen, scorning feare:
(Feare) is a word in Troy not vnderstood,
A banisht exile from all Priams bloud.
98
More, I could wish that I might prooue my rageOn some, whose veine no Troyan moysture guides,
Thetis arm'd Son, whose heate we must asswage,
Tetydes, or the Elder of the Atrides,
Saue these liues, none can equall conflict wage
With Hector: but behold, our fury rides
On Horrors wings, our bloud is vp and hye,
Then guard thee Cooze, my Iauelin now must fly.
99
His words and speare together cleaue the ayre,The Golden-headed-staffe as lightning flew,
And like the swiftest Curror makes repayre
Whether t'was sent, and doth his message true,
Aiax huge shield hath interpos'd the bare,
Which Hectors agitagious still pursue:
Through sixe tough hydes, it pier'st without respect,
But the sharp point vpon the seauenth was check't.
326
100
Aiax then shakes his Iauelin, forth it flyes,And through the Plates of Hectors Target pierces,
The toughest Mettall that the Anuile tryes,
Must at his force relent: a thousand hierces
His rage hath fild, and now the Prince applies
His Vniuersall power, fury dispierces
Through all his veynes, which to one force vnited,
No wonder, Hector was so well requited.
101
The Combat is begun, which to descry,To their full vertues doth surpasse my skill,
Their blowes so swift are, they deceiue the eye,
The least of thousands are of power to kill,
At aduantagious places they soone spy,
Both seas and shores with their lowd strokes sound shrill:
Were neuer heard such blowes, so sound, so thicke,
Or seene such Wards, so cunning, and so quicke.
102
Such that saue Hector and blunt Aiax, noneOn Earth could equall, then much lesse exceed
These two Heroicke spirits, spent and gone,
To riuall them, no age the like can breed;
Nor maruell though these two exceld alone,
They being both deriu'd from God-like seed:
In whom th'Imperiall Dietyes contended,
In two such men, to haue two Hoasts defended.
103
Infinite Charges passe from eyther side,From eyther part their nimble Iauelins sing,
Both fixe their bold feet, and such stormes abide
As with their force tempestuous fury bring,
Euen till their Noble blouds the Verdure Dyde,
with Ecchoing rage, their vaulted Helmets ring:
Whose deafning Clangor from the field rebowne,
Through the best Arches of Troyes Marble Towne.
104
Their speares being shiuered in the empty ayre,The Truncheons swelling from their hands they take,
with interchange of heate, they madly fare,
Till the tough Oake euen to their Gauntlets brake,
327
For their bright Swords, their crack't staues they forsake,
Behold their wrastling Steeles contend on hye,
And tug for honor in the empty sky.
105
With lightning such as Ihoues Incensements breede,Swifter then thought, or sight, theyr furies meet;
Both seeming doubly arm'd with such quicke speede,
Theyr bright swords guard them round, frō head to feet,
Theyr trusty Armours stand them much in steed,
For with such wounding strokes theyr Caskes they greet,
So full of horror, that both armies wonder,
how Earth-bred men, shold make such Iouiall thunder.
106
The inuincible Dardanian with one stroke,Raught Aiax Beauer, and vnplum'd his hed,
The Steely Claspe (deuinely wrought) it broake,
Which in the Salmin Duke sterne fury bred,
Who striuing now the Dardan Prince to yoake,
His spleene and powerfull Sword together sped,
The point to Hectors breasted Armour flew,
And from his Bulke Vermillion drops it drew.
107
The Troian growes inflam'd, the Argiue proudTo see his bright Skeyne in such bloud Imbrude,
Th'Inuaders showte, and lift theyr cryes aloud,
To see their Champion with such power indude,
For this (great Hector) in his Soule hath vowde
Suddaine reuenge, he growes more fierce and rude:
His Sword plyde Aiax Helme, yet shining bright,
As Cyclops hammers on theyr Anuiles light.
108
So well t'was tempered, and his strength so hy,That his tough mettal'd Blade in pieces flew,
At selfe-same instant Aiax gan apply
His trusty steele, and close to Hector grew,
But as he thus pronoun'st (now Hector dy)
And heaues his arme aloft to make it true,
his Sword vpon his Caske fell as he spake,
And with the force close by the handle brake.
328
109
The Champions both disarmed saue their shields,First Hector with his eye doth round inquire,
And findes a scatter'd Rocke left in the fieldes,
Neuer till then remou'd, now all on fire,
To auenge his wonnd, what no man else could weild,
(His mind boue Mortall puisance gins t'aspyre:)
His puisant arme aduanceth at the last,
And the huge Masse he towards Aiax cast.
110
He takes it on his shield, but with the powerOf his comparelesse strength, the seauen tough Hides
were all to crusht and bruisd, he thinkes some Tower
Of arched stone from his high structure slides
Him to intombe aliue, and to deuour,
Downe droppes his Targe to earth, and he abides
Astonisht for a space, at length his eye
Glan'st on a young tall Oake that grew fast by.
111
VVhose sinnowy strings with shaking to and fro,He soone vnloos'd, and by the Earth vp teares,
And wauing boue his Helmet, with one blow
seekes to giue end to all the Dardans feares,
should it fall steddy, he should lye full low,
The threatning Oake still in the ayre appeares:
Menacing vengeance, but before it light,
Here breath my Muse, and cheere thy traueld sprite.
330
The end of the twelfth CANTO.
331
Canto. 13.
Argumentum
Achilles dotes on beauteous Polixaine,And at her faire request refraines the fielde,
The Truce expierd, both Hoasts prepare againe
For battaile, with proud harts, in valour steel'd:
The Greekes are beate backe, many kild and taine,
Patroclus don's Achilles Armes and shield:
Him Hector, for Achilles tooke and slew,
Whose Armor gone, his Mother seeks him new.
Arg. 2.
Truce after Combat, Hecuba is wonneBy Paris meanes, to league with Thetis sonne.
1
Awake soft Muse from sleepe, and after restShew thy selfe quicke and actiue in thy way,
Thy labouring flight and trauell long opprest
Is comforted, no longer then delay,
But with thy swiftest winges fly in the Quest
Of thy prefyxed goale: The happy day
In which this Kingdome did her wide armes spread,
To imbrace king Iames, our Soueraigne Lord & head.
332
2
And you (great Lord) to whom I DedicateA second worke, the yssue of my braine,
Accept this Twin to that you saw of late,
Sib to the first, and of the selfe-same straine,
That onely craue the shelters of your state,
To keepe it from all stormes of Haile and Raine,
Who neither dread the rage of winds or Thunder,
whilst your faire roofe they may be shadowed vnder.
3
Your fauour and protection deckes my phrase,And is to me like Ariadnes clew,
To guide me through the Laborinthean Maze,
In which my brain's intangled: Tis by you,
That euery vulger eye hath leaue to gaze,
and on this Proiect takes free enter view,
Which, but t'expresse a due debt (yet vnpaid)
Had still remain'd vnperfect and vnmade.
4
Proceed we then, and where we left repaire:About his head (the Tree) rough Aiax flings,
Like to a threatning Meteor in the aire,
Which where it lights exitiall ruin brings,
Such seemes th'vngrounded Oake, leauelesse and bare,
Who shakes ore Hectors Crest her rooted strings,
And with such rude impetuous fury fell,
T'haue dingd him through the Center downe to hel.
5
But Hector with his broad shield waits the fall,Which shiuers all the plates of his strong Targe:
The Græcians too much fury, strikes withall,
The plant from his owne hands, in his rough charge,
Vnarm'd once more they grapple, to make thrall
Each others strength: their armes sinnowy and large,
About their sides with mutuall strength they cling,
and wrastling striue, which can each other fling.
6
When loe, the Kings on bothsides much admiringTheir neuer equald valour, loth to lose
Such Champions, in whose charging or retyring
Their spring of victory, declines or Flowes,
333
The generall of each hoast his Warder throwes
Betweene the Combattants, who still contend.
By slight of strength to giue the difference end.
7
Two Guards from either Army step betweeneTheir heated furies, till their blood retyr'd,
For with fresh breath they both abate their spleene,
And cease that Combate thousands late admyr'd,
Instead of blowes their friendly Armes are seene
T'infold each other (with new loues inspyr'd)
Aiax his Belt pluckes from athwart his brest,
And giues to Hector (of all Knights the best.)
8
Who takes a good sword flesht on many a foe,And enter-chang'd with Aiax (but oh Fate)
Two ominous Tokens these good Knights bestow,
Which to themselues prou'd most vnfortunate,
To Hectors heeles must Aiax Baldricke grow,
And three times drag him by each Troian gate:
Whose sight whole Troy with clamorous shricks shal fill,
With Hectors sword, Aiax, must Aiax kil.
9
These passages of friendship giuen and tooke,Behold a Herald from the Towne appeares,
Who greets the proud Greekes with a friendly looke
From Priam, (reuerent both in state and yeares:)
Them, whom but late the Troians could not brooke,
Troy now inuites, and for a space forbeares
All hostile hate, betweene both hoasts proclaiming
A day of Iubile for feast and gaming.
10
The Faith of Hector as best hostage giuen,Th'inuasiue Kings in peace the Citty enter,
Whom Priam feasts, with all that vnder heauen
Can be found rare, or bred aboue the Center,
The Dames and Damsels all pale feare bereauen,
Amongst the dreadfull Greekes dare freely venter,
And they that late did fright them aboue measure,
Haue liberty to sport and Court their pleasure.
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11
Vnpeered Hector (who had neuer seeneAchilles, (but on Horse-backe arm'd) before,
Eyes him with pleasure, and forgets all spleene,
And Thetis sonne that (but in blood and gore)
Stain'd and besmear'd, had neuer Hector seene,
Freely surueighs his shape: his robes he wore:
His brawny Limbes, broad bulk, his face, and stature,
Nor can he but applaud the pride of nature.
12
To whom Achilles thus? Hector, I seeA presence I could Loue, but his Fame hate,
Tis thy renowne alone doth blemish me,
And makes me in these warres vnfortunate,
I neuer yet dropt blood, but drain'd by thee,
For which, my teene is growne inueterate:
Nor could I rellish pleasure, but still trusting
To end thy dayes, by sword-fight, or by iusting.
13
To him the Heroë mildly thus replies:Æacides pursues a double wrong,
That comes from Greece our Citty to surprise,
And race our wals that we haue builded strong,
Your Loues we hold deere, but your hates despise,
(As opposites that dare not front vs long:
If more thou wouldst: To armes: referre the rest,
Sit, (for th'art welcome) freely tast our feast.
14
Priam and Agamemnon take chiefe place,The rest are rankt vnto their states or fames,
Troylus and Diomed, sit face to face,
and gin to brall, for Diomedes blames
Troylus, and Troylus him, to his disgrace
The iarres appeas'd, for see the fairest Dames
Of the best bloods of Troy, richly attired,
Bring in the Queene, whose state the Greekes admired
15
Hellen, Troyes Fire-brand sat at this hye feast,Nor did she blush to see her husband there,
Him, Paris thinkes a bold vnwelcome guest,
and that to Hellen he was plac'st too neere,
335
Her very sight hath cloyd him without cheare;
On Hecuba faire Pollixene attended,
Whose beauty great Achilles most commended.
16
Now the reuolted Calchas free time foundGainst Troylus, louely Cresseid to perswade,
With Arguments and words so firme and sound,
The Troian now no more may Court the Maid,
King Diomed must henceforth be the ground
Of all her passionate Loue, she can be staid
In Troy no longer (though she wisht it rather)
Shee's but a Child, and must obey her Father.
17
Whilst all the Kingly Leaders had lowd chatOf Chiualty, hye Bloods, and deeds of warre,
(And as their humors led, of this or that)
Of many a bleeding wound and grisly skarre,
Whilst some spake much, and some sat mute thereat,
Achilles eye fixt on a brighter starre
Then any shines, fixt mongst the heauenly fires,
The rarest Pollixene alone admires.
18
He neither can dilate of Noble deeds,Nor enter-change discourse of slaughtered Kings,
What comes of peace, or what of warre proceeds;
What profit rest, what hurt inuasion brings;
His new dissolued heart within him bleeds,
And from his Rocky brest a Fountaine springs
Of passion, onely by her sight ingendred,
In place of which, old hate is quite surrendred.
19
It now repents him he hath lift a bladeAgainst the Syre, that such a childe hath bred,
Or to the place that foster'd that sweet maide,
His bloody Myrmidons to battaile led;
Or that his dreadfull hand did once inuade
Her Brother (for whose Loue hee's well-nye dead)
To gaine whose beauty, he could find in hart,
Greece to renounce, and take the Troians part.
336
20
Queene Hecuba obserues Achilles passionThinking to make it vse-full to her good,
That the most strong of all the Argiue Nation,
Shall for her daughters sake spare Troian blood:
By this, the feast and Royall preparation
Breakes vp, the Kings that on their honors stood,
With bounteous thanks take leaue, bent on the morrow,
This Truce-full ioy to mix with hostile sorrow.
21
The selfe-same night by Hecubaes aduice,Vnto Achilles Tent faire Paris sends,
Offring his Sisters loue (held at hye price)
Mixt with the aged Queenes most kind commends,
With courteous words the bold Greeke they intice
To leaue the siege, which Thetis sonne intends
Her nuptiall bed being promist, with much ioy,
Answer's return'd, hee'l warre no more gainst Troy.
22
Now while he rests him in his Idle Tent,And to his amorous Harpe Loue-Ditties sings,
Both Armies sundry Stratagems inuent,
Great Hector to the field his puissance brings,
Vpon the plaine appeares incontinent
A gallant hoast led by th'incamped Kings:
Warres Musicke sounds, Mars trots vpon his Steed
Ore thousand mangled sides, that freshly bleed.
23
Sometime the Troian Leaders with their powers,Euen to their Pallisadoes beat the Foe,
Whence being repulst, the camp the Champion scowers
And fore Troyes gates their purple Launces grow,
Whom th'yssue from the Citty soone deuoures,
Againe the Greeke sustaines great ouerthrow:
Againe relieu'd, the Troian powers they face,
Whom to their Tents againe the Dardans chace.
24
Full thirty daies together Fortune striuesTo make their Conquest doubtfull, in which time
Vnnumbred Knights on both parts lost their liues,
Some in their waine of yeares, some in their prime,
337
Some loose their Fame, and some to honors clime:
Amongst whom Hector in the first ranke stands,
For deeds of name wrought by his warlike hands.
25
Though farre-fear'd Aiax did hye workes of Fame,And blacke-hair'd Agamemnon boldly fought;
Though strong-limb'd Diomed his worth proclame
By Martiall Acts midst fields of slaughter wrought,
Though Nestor oft-times to the battaile came,
And (to his strength and age) for honour sought:
Though Menelaus oft in field was seene,
Vlisses too, more full of guile, then spleene.
26
Though these and more among themselues contended,With æmulation to atchieue most praise,
Yet when great Hector to the field discended,
Back't by his Brothers, their swift current stayes,
Aboue them all his glorious worth extended,
The Greekes grow warre-tyr'd after thirty dayes:
And beaten to their Trenches much decayd,
They ioyntly flocke t'implore Achilles ayd.
27
Who with his Myrmidons from field abstaines,In hope to gaine the fairest Dame aliue,
Still through the fields remorselesse slaughter raines,
The Greekes beyond their Parapets they driue,
Still they intreat, he still their words disdaines,
Within the Campes skirts he may heare them striue:
Yet (all this notwithstanding) he seemes loath
To Arme himselfe against a sacred oath.
28
But when he saw the wounded souldiers run,Their bleeding heads amongst the Tents to hide,
Heard, by their swords so many slaughters done,
Beheld some mangled, that before him dide,
Found how the foe their Campe had well nye won,
Perceiu'd the fire burne bright on euery side,
Himselfe surcharg'd with Flames, in his tent sweating
And all the princes by his bed intreating.
338
29
He then relents, and at their faire request,Hee'l keepe his oath, and yet affoord them ayde,
For now the man whom he esteemed best,
He whom alone his bosome friend he made,
Patroclus don's his armes, his shield, his Crest,
And to his thigh girts his victorious blade:
And with three hundred Myrmidons attended,
He yssues where the Campe was least defended.
30
At his appearance when those armes were seeneSo well, among the Troians knowne and feared,
They make him way, Patroclus had not beene
Long in the place, but all the Greekes were cheared:
They that before stood like a haruest screene,
Gaue backe apace, for not a man appeared,
Patroclus still aduanc'st Achilles shield,
And with his Myrmidons maintaines the field:
31
Now horrid Massacre pursues apaceTh'astonisht Troians Paris, wounders most
To see Achilles arm'd, makes good the place,
And with such rage assault the Troian hoast,
That not a man dares their Pauillions face,
Or gainst the Myrmidons his valour boast:
He cals him troth-lesse, periur'd, false, forsworne,
And as he speakes (withal) is backward borne.
32
The cry growes great, which Hector ouer-hearing,He cals vpon his men to cease base flight,
And spying one aboue the rest appearing,
Dreadfull in shape, and all imbrude in fight,
His quakefull hand and sword, so often rearing,
He takes him for the warlike Pelean Knight
Achilles, of the Græcians great'st in pride,
Whom he had oft before in battaile tride.
33
He chuseth from his Page an Oaken speare,Hewed from the hart of Ihoues relentlesse tree,
And couching it, spurres with a full Carriere
Against Patroclus: his proud Steed was free,
339
At euery plunge the ground neere kist his knee:
His constant ayme, that neuer er'd at need,
Tops the proud Greeke from off his Noble steed.
34
And now Achilles armour strowes the field,Patroclus lyes vpon the Verdure spred,
Heere lay his sword, and there his trusty shield,
The Myrmidons (as had their Lord bin dead,
And neuer more victorious Armes should weild)
Al in disordred rankes retyr'd and fled:
Achilles armes ceizd, who durst longer stay?
This was the cause the Dardan wan the day.
35
When dead by Hector was Menetius son,And that his wounded body strowed the plaine,
(Quoth Hector) Now Achilles armes are won,
These are mine owne, and these wil I maintaine:
He strips the faire Patroclus (new foredone,)
And thought at first Achilles he had slaine:
But when he saw one not of God-like kind,
The Armes he takes, the body leaues behind.
36
Achilles franticke with so great disgrace,Losse both of friend, and of his glorious armes,
Torments himselfe with fury for a space,
Threatning to Princely Hector hostile harmes,
Yet when he thinkes to haue his life in chace,
And rowse the Worthy with his warres alarmes:
He now records his friends disgrace in field,
To combat him, he hath nor armes, nor Shield.
37
The bright-foot Amphetrite his fayre Mother,Knowing the griefe her sonne conceiues at hart,
Her true Maternall pitty cannot smother,
But with her care she seekes to cure his smart,
Instead of these, she will prouide him other
Made by Deuine composure, not Mans art,
And thus resolu'd, to Lemnos she doth hie,
Where Vulcan workes in heauenly Ferrarie.
340
38
She found him with his face all smoog'd and blacke,And labouring at his Forge quite hid in smoke,
The stifling fume kept the faire Goddesse backe,
About she was her soft steps to reuoke,
But whilst the Ciclops on their Anuiles thwacke,
She spies faire Charis, and to her she spoke:
That the Lame Mettall-God might vnderstand,
Thetis his friend, the Seas-Queene was at hand.
39
Charis the hand-maide, grace whose Office stillIs to strow Venus louely bed with Flowers,
And to them both Cælestiall Nectar fill,
As vnto Ihoue-himselfe faire Hebe powers,
Prayes the bright Goddesse but to stay vntill
The swetty Smith his face and visage skowers;
And whilst she tels the God of her repaire,
To ease her selfe in a rich golden Chaire.
40
Charis departs, she mounts the Inamel'd seat,The backe of solid Gold richly ingrau'd,
Cut and inchac'st, it shewed his skill was great,
and in the Metall too, no cost was sau'd,
So though the frame was large, his art was neat,
The foure supporters round about were slau'd
With pillers of white siluer, moulded so,
That by the worke, the worke-man you may know.
41
Meane time faire Charis to the Smith relates,How faire-foote Amphetrite stayes without,
at this report lame Vulcan thankes the Fates,
Who had so well his businesse brought about,
The Queene whose fauour he so highly rates,
Should take the paine to finde his Concaue out:
Of whom, he (falling through the Plannets seauen,)
More fauour found, then all the rest in heauen.
42
With that his apron from his brest he takes,His airy Bellowes haue surceast to blow,
He sleckes his Coales, his smoaky Forge forsakes,
Spunges his hands and face, then gins to throw
341
On to the Queene, whose mind he longs to know:
When after many a limping Curtsie made,
Thus Amphetrite doth the Smith perswade.
43
If euer I was held worthy the nameOf the seas-Queene, vnfortunate alone,
For of the seed of Gods deriu'd I came,
Yet (married to a Mortall,) find you none
Thetis except: yet ist to me no shame;
Behold my Deuine beauty, I was one
Euen Ihoue himselfe lou'd, whom, cause I denide,
In spight he gaue me to a Mortals Bride.
44
Yet am I not esteem'd amongst them least,For when my hye espousals were first made
In the Mount Pelion, all the Gods increast
My glory with their presence; for none stayed
Or kept away from th'Hymenean feast,
Sauing the Goddes discord, the Spheares plaid
Musicke to vs; my Peleus me contented
To grace, whom all the Gods rich gifts presented.
45
Ihoue gaue vs Graces on our bed to wait,Apollo, Ingots of the purest Gold,
Pluto, a smarag'd to be worne in state,
Iuno, a Iem worth, more then can be told,
Neptune two Steeds, aboue all Mortall rate,
Xanthus and Ballia, whom you may behold
Still draw my Coach, a rich Knife rarely wrought,
Mongst other presents you God Vulcan brought.
46
But what of these digressions, If my hapHath euer bin to do you any grace,
When falling from hye Heauen, in my soft lap
I gently catcht you, See: behold the place
On which your head fel, which to fold and wrap
In smoothest silkes, my robes I did vnlace:
For this, and much more kindnesse by me done,
Requite all, with an Armour for my sonne.
342
47
Inough (quoth Vulcan fetch Pyragmon straight)A parcell of the best and purest Steele,
And you Berountes let it finde the waight
Of your huge Hammers, and their ponders feele,
The Ciclops fetcht a Plate six Cubes in haight,
So Massie, that the burden made him reele;
Sceropes stain'd with smoake, the Bellowes blew,
And all at once themselues to worke withdrew.
48
They forg'd a Helmet with rich Flowers inchac'stSo curiously, that Art it much exceeded,
Borders of sundry workes about were plac'st,
The precise sight of the best eye they needed,
That could discerne the closures, they were grac'st
With God-like skill (from God-hood it proceeded)
For beauty, it was glorious to the sight,
For proofe, no Steele could on this Helmet bite.
49
The Gorget, Vaunt-brace, Backe-peece, brest, and all,Came from the selfe-same substance, and like skill,
The Cushes that beneath the girdle fall,
Impenetrable were, and Steele-proofe still,
And though the thickenesse did appeare but small,
The Plates they with such strength of Mettall fill:
It hath the force and puissance to withstand
The sharpest Speares hurl'd from the strongest hand.
50
Aboue them all, his shield the rest surpast,Massie, and onely for his Arme to weare
For whom twas made, vpon the same was ra'st
The great world Tripartyte: heauen and each Spheare,
Thence all the hye Circumference was pla'st
Starres, Moone, and Sun, the signes that rule the yeare,
The Ram, the Bull, and the Twin-brothers signe,
The Crab, the Lyon, and the Maid Deuine.
51
The Skale, the Scorpion, and the Centaure fell,Sterne Capricorne, and he that water powers,
The Fishes: all these were ingraued well,
There Phœbus stood, about him dayes and howers,
343
With sweetest Buddes: Sommer that seldome lowers
Stood next in ranke, well clad in freshest greene,
Autumne next her, in ragged Roabes was seene.
52
There stood old Winter in hye Furs attyred,On whom the flakes of Snow like Feathers hong,
He shyuering lookes, as if he warmth desired,
With chattering teeth, hands Palsied, quaking tong
Below the Earth, with Dales and Hils admired,
Fields full of Grayne, & Meads with Grasse new sprong:
Here Citties rarely built, there Hamlets stand,
Here fallow-fields, besides them, New-tild Land.
53
Betweene the middle Earth, Seas ebbe and flow,Whose Billowes in their caruing seeme to moue,
Here the Leuiathan huge waues doth throw
From out his Nostrils to the skyes aboue,
The Dolphins, of a thousand coullours show,
Here Whales their heads aboue the waters proue:
And sayling ships contriu'd by cunning rare,
On which strange Fish, with wonder seeme to state.
54
A thousand sundry Obiects made by Art,This huge Orbicular Shield in compasse holds,
What Heauen or Earth, or Seas to vs Impart,
His Globe-like compasse to the eye vnfolds,
When Vulcan taking the fayre Queene apart,
(who with much wonder his strange worke beholds:)
Presents it her, made perfect for her Son,
In whose rich armes, Troy seemes already won.
55
At Vulcans Caue she yoakes her Chariot-steeds,which o're the Oceans rugged backe make way,
And as she freely on the Seas proceeds,
About her Coach the Quicke-ear'd Dolphins play
At her Sonnes Tent (fam'd for his warlike deeds,
She lights, and to the Couch on which he lay:)
Tost those rich armes, which when Achilles view'd,
The halfe-dead spirit within his breast renew'd.
344
56
He leaps from of his Pallet, to imbraceThe beautious Queene, and soone intreats her ayde,
To arme his shoulders, and his head to grace,
With that inchaced Helme God Vulcan made,
Who now compleatly furnisht, longs for place
Where thus be-seene, he Hector may inuade:
He cannot sleepe for gazing on his Shield,
In hope t'aduance it in the Morrowes field.
57
Thetis departs, when th'early Cocke gaue signe,With his lowd notes Aurora to dispose,
Who leaues the Bed-rid Tython sunke in Wine,
From whom the Gold-hair'd Goddesse blushing rose,
To harnesse Phœbus Coach-steeds, who in fine
About his face, his Beames bright glistring throwes:
To dry the Mornings teares, who weepeth still,
To see th'vnkind Sunne climb th' Easterne hill.
58
He had not left the forelorne Goddesse long,But from Olimpus top he may espy,
Plaine-Crested Hector, his arm'd Troopes among,
Chearing them vp the proud Greekes to defy:
Next him marcht Noble Troylus, Memnon strong,
Antenor and Æneas mounted hye:
Young Deiphebus and Polydamas,
Paris, whose ayme in Arch'ry doth surpasse.
59
Sarpedon, King Epistropus: besideMany more Kings that sundry battailes led
Against these soone the Curld Inuaders ride,
The grim Atrides first aduan'st his hed,
Achilles next, past with vaine-glorious pride
For his rich armour, Nestor next him sped
Menon, whose armes were set with many a stone,
And (he that Hector stood) bold Telamon.
60
The Ithacan, with Lacedemons King,The widdowed Spartan: ground of all this broyle,
These to the fielde their seuerall battailes bring,
With thousand followers, bent on death and spoyle,
345
Harnesse and quartered limbes blocke the smooth soyle:
Amongst the rest, Achilles loftiest stood,
and his new armour double-Guilds in blood.
61
With Memnon, sonne to Tython and the Morne,Who came from Egipt in King Priams aide,
Æacides encounters, change of scorne
Betweene them past; bold Memnon nought dismaide,
With that strong hand that had the Scepter borne
Of Persiaes kingdome, and did once inuade
Susa, as farre as where Choaspes flowes,
Vpon his Helme thunders two persant blowes.
62
They stound him in his saddle, make him kisseHis Steeds curl'd Crest, ere he can Mount his head,
Achilles who esteemes no other blisse,
But to behold his foes before him spread,
(Wak't from his sudden trance) espyes by this,
A Græcian Squadron bout King Memnon dead,
And his bright sword still towring ore his Crest,
Threatning in his third fall, Eternall rest.
63
The proud Greeke sends a blush out of his face,as red as that in which his proofe was lau'de,
he now records his strength, his god-like race,
and his rich armour with such art ingrau'de,
He knowes it ill becomes his Name or Place,
By any Mortall puissance to be brau'de;
He doubles strength on strength, and stroak on stroak,
Euen till he mists himselfe in his owne smoake.
64
Auroraes Darling prooues to weake a FoeFor him, on whose tough Shield no Steele can bite,
His conquer'd Sword and Armes the field must strow,
Achilles is too strong an opposite,
His Red-cheek't Mother ouercharg'd with woe,
Laments her Son vntimely slaine in fight:
In griefe of whom, a Dusky Roabe she weares,
And fils the whole world with her dew-drop teares.
346
65
The death of Memnon euen to Hector flyes,That Tragicke newes cost many a Princes life,
Incenst, he seemes all safety to dispise,
And where he spurs, he makes red slaughter rife,
For euery drop of bloud, a bold Greeke dies:
Him Troylus seconds in his purpled strife:
And (if as for a wager) they contend,
Whose Sword most pale Soules can to Orcus send.
66
They breake a Ring of Harnesse, making wayInto the Battayles Center, where they see
a Noble Knight maintaine a gallant fray,
Gainst many Troian Knights (in valor free)
Yet of them all, this Champion gets the day,
The strongest cannot make him cringe his knee:
Polydamus against him brauely sped,
Yet still his gaz'd at Shield, safeguards his hed.
67
Against which Paris many arrowes spends,But all in vaine, they shiuer gainst his Targe,
and whom he best can reach his force extends
as far as life, the prisoned Soule t'enlarge,
Young Deiphebus to that place descends,
and with his Speare in reast, doth gainst him charge:
But the Dardanian fayles in his intent,
And from the Noble Knight is bleeding sent.
68
Victorious Hector at such deeds amaz'd,But more at the rich Armor that he ware,
Mannadge and shape in heart he highly praysd,
and in his honors longes to haue a share,
Hupon Larissaes King, that long had gaz'd
Vpon his valor, sees him fight so fayre:
A pointed Staffe against his breast he prooued,
But from his Steed the bold Greeke was not mooued.
69
Vnhappy Hupon could not stay the forceOf his keene Sword, but soone before him fals,
King Philos, next against him spurd his Horse,
And (turne thee valiant Greeke) aloud he cals,
347
It seem'd he was invr'd to such hot bials:
Hector no longer can his rage forbeare,
But gainst the vnknowne Knight aymes a stiffe Speare.
70
Who when he Hector from a far espyde,As if he had but sported with the rest,
and that was he gainst whom he should be tryde,
He thrild a Iauelin at the Dardans brest,
T'was terror to behold these Champions ride,
and skorch the Plumes that grew in eithers Crest,
With fire that from their Steele in sparkles flew,
No sooner dead, but still they forced new.
71
Ther's for Patroclus death, the proud Greeke sayesTher's for my armes, which thou didst basely win,
and as he speakes vpon his shoulders layes,
at euery dint his bruisde armes pincht his skin,
Hector now knowes his Champion by his phrase,
and by his stroake (he thinkes his armes too thin:)
Such puissant blowes, whose weight he scarce can like,
None but Achilles hand hath power to strike.
72
A well knowne Knight, in vnknowne armes he sees,against whose force he gathers all his might,
His hye-stretcht arme contendes to make him leese
All fore-past Fame, and hazard dreadfull fight,
But now the multitude like Swarmes of Bees
Betweene them flocke, who farre from all affright:
Vex in their heated bloods to be so parted,
So with their Steedes mongst other rankes they started.
73
Three puissant Kings beneath Prince Hector fell,Archilochus, a Souldier of hye Fame,
Prothenor, who in battailes did excell,
And with th' Atrides to the field then came:
King Archelaus too, a Champion fell,
Who mongst the Greekes had won a glorious Name:
And whilst halfe tyerd, he from the throng withdrew,
King Diomed the Sagittary slew.
348
74
Thoas tooke Prisoner, to the Towne was sent,Whom Paris with his arrowes had surprisde,
Antenor likewise to Vlisses Tent
Was Captiue led (whom he before depisde)
Epistropus, his hostile fury bent
Gainst Polyxenes, in rich armes disguisde;
They part, when Polixenes full of pride,
Crost-Hectors course, and by his valor dyde.
75
Once more the dauntlesse Troians haue the best,The night comes on, both Hoasts themselues with draw,
The Citties Captaines take them to their rest,
But th' Argiue Kings (that naught but ruine saw
Impendent still, whilst Hectors able brest
Bucklerd large Troy from each tempestuous flaw)
At Agamemnons Tent a Counsell call,
To find some traine, by which the Prince may fall.
76
Achilles oft-times Mated, vowes in heartWith his blacke Mirmidons to guirt him round,
And neuer from a second field depart,
Till Hectors length be measured on the ground,
Th'assembled Kings, whose bleeding wounds yet smart,
Vow by all meanes his puissance to confound:
For well they know whilst Noble Hector stands,
In vaine gainst Troy they reare their armed hands.
77
Night passeth on, and the gray Morne appeares,The Greekes a six-months Truce of Troy demaund,
In which the Campe bloud-staynd Scamander cleares
Of Bodies slaine by warres infernall hand,
A Herald to the Camp King Thoas beares,
Receiuing backe Antenor, Nobly man'd,
The Truce expires, both parties now prouide
To haue their Armes tight, and their Weapons tride.
78
Andromache this night dreampt a strange dreame,That if her Husband tryde the field that day,
His slaughter should be made the generall Theame
Of Troyes laments, she faine would haue him stay,
349
Her Life, his Honors, safety, or decay:
The ayde of Troy, their Vniuersall good,
To saue all these in keeping still his blood.
79
This (Hector censures) spoake from Womanish feare,He armes himselfe in hast and cals to Horse,
Takes in his hand a bright Brasse-headed Speare,
Longing for some on whom to proue his force,
Andromache spends many a ruthfull teare,
His thoughtes were fixt, they bred no soft remorse:
He armes for field, she to the Kings proceeds,
and tels his thus: If Hector fight, he bleedes.
80
Her dreame and feare she to the King relates,and praies him to entreat her Husband fayre,
Or if soft speech his purpose naught abates
To vse his power: This said, she doth repayre
Where Hecuba and Hellen kept their states,
and where the rest of Priams Daughters are:
To whose requests she knowes hee'l soonest yeild,
Still vrging them to keepe him from the field.
81
The Greekes Imbattayld are, and from the Towne,The Troians Issue the Mid-way to meet,
When from the loftie Pallace hastning downe
Andromache, prostrate at Hectors feet
Throwes her fayre selfe: and by King Priams Crowne,
His Mothers loue, her owne imbracements sweete:
his Brothers, Sisters, and his little Sonne,
Con-iures his stay, till one daies fight be done.
82
Hector bids one: she mingles words with teares,and once more casts her selfe to stop his way,
(That he shall backe) she begs, she wooes, she sweares,
and shun the battaile for that ominous day,
her horrid dreame hath fild her heart with feares,
And hill she hanges on him, to haue him stay:
She weepes, intreats, clinges, begs, and Coniures stil,
(In vaine) hee's arm'd, and to the battayle will.
350
83
King Priam by Antenors mouth desiresTo vnarme him streight, and to the Court returne,
For should his life fayle: Troyes fayre Sons and Sires,
Matrons and Damsels, for his death should mourne,
The Prince inrag'd, his Eye-bals sparkle fires,
With inward rage his troubled Entrails burne:
He knowes from whence these Coniurations spring,
And that his Wiues dreame hath incenst the King.
84
Yet will he forward: when the aged QueeneThis hearing: with the Spartan makes swift speede,
They ring his Horse: Intreat him cease his spleene,
And for one day to act no warlike deed,
The more they pray, the more they rouse his teene,
a purpose irremoueably decreede:
Hee'l put in action though they kneele and pray,
and compasse in his Steede to haue him stay.
85
This Priam vnderstanding, he descends,And in his face a gracefull reuerence brings,
He stayes his Courser by the Raines, and ends
The difference thus: Oh! Thou the awe of Kings,
Death to thy Foes, supporture to thy Friends,
From whose strong arme our generall safty springs:
Refraine this day, tempt not the Gods decree,
Who by thy Wife this night forwarneth thee.
86
The discontented Prince at length is wonne,Yet will he not vnarme him for them all,
But to expresse the duty of a Sonne,
With Priam and the rest he mountes the wall,
To see both Armies to the Skirmish ronne,
Where some stand hye, and some by slaughter fall:
King Diomed and Troylus from a farre,
Wafts to each other, as a signe of warre.
87
They meete like Bullets, by two Souldiers chang'd,Their way as swift, their charge as full of Terror,
Their Steedes keepe euen, they neither tript nor rang'd,
Both Man and Horse are free from any Error,
351
In Troylus, might be seene a Souldiers Mirror,
In Diomed, the patterne of such skill,
as they desire that would their Foe-men kill.
88
The fayre-browde Sky shrinkes vp her Azure face,Least their sharpe splinterd Staues should race her brow,
Both couer honor in this warlike race,
and in their hearts they eythers ruine vow,
But Menelaus happily came in place,
With him three hundred Knights that well knew how
To manage battaile, these betweene them grew,
and they to further ranks perforce withdrew.
89
Miseres (King of Phrigia) met by chanceThe Spartan King, and shooke him in his Seat,
Against Duke Aiax, Paris charg'd a Launce,
and him, the Sal'mine did but ill intreat,
At the first blow he stounds him in a trance,
Then midst the Troian rankes doth toyle and sweat:
Striuing behind, on both sides, and before,
Euen till his armes with bloud were vermeil'd o're.
90
Prince Margareton, vnto Hector deareKnowing the slaughter Noble Aiax made,
against his Vaunt-brace brauely prooues his Speare,
and to their vanquisht Phalanx brings fresh ayde,
Aiax is for'st his fury to forbeare,
The Troians powers on all sides him inuade,
Till Agamemnon comes with fresh supply,
at whose approach, th'astonish Troians fly.
91
Yet Noble Margareton keepes his stand,Nor can the strongest arme of Greece remoue him,
He feeles the strength of Agamemnons hand,
Grim Aiax sword with a towers weight doth proue him,
Yet shrinkes not, till the place was Nobly man'd
By Paris and Polydamus that loue him:
These hearing Margareton much distrest,
Rescue the Prince, who brauely guards his Crest.
352
92
It ioyes the King and Ladyes, that on hyStand on the Torras to behold the field,
To see the Prince so full of Chiualry,
And with such power to vse his Sword and Shield,
Achilles (in a place where thousands lye
Besmeard in bloud, as if he meant to build
a wall of Limbes and Quarters) brauely fought,
And bout himselfe a siedge of bodies wrought.
93
Where issuing after much effuse of bloodTo calme himselfe, remotely from the throng
(Retyerd alike) young Margareton stood
Striuing for breath, he had not rested long,
But spyes Achilles with a purple flood
Powerd o're his armes, a Iauelin light and strong
The valiant Troian Prince against him bent,
Whom the proud Greeke receiues incontinent.
94
From broken Speares they come to two-edg'd Steele,Oh! How stont Hector yernd to be in place,
His very Soule doth all the puissance feele
Of him that hath his Brothers life in chace,
No stroake that makes Prince Margareton reele,
But (as he thinkes) it tingles on his face:
And from the wall in Armour he had lept,
Had not the King and Queene perforce him kept.
95
By this the youthfull Priameian tyerdWith oddes of might, he wauers too and fro,
Doubtfull which way to fall, the Greeke admierd
To find so young a gallant plunge him so,
and therefore with his ancient rankor fierd,
He doubles and redoubles blow and blow:
Till he (whose deere life was to Hector sweet)
Sinkes from his Horse beneath his ruthlesse feete.
96
Who with his barb'd Steede tramples o're his Coarse,Whose Iron hoofe the Princes armor raceth,
This Hector seeing, breakes from all their force,
He claps his Beauer downe, his Helme fast laceth,
353
(And yssuing) where he rides, the enemy cheareth:
For Margaretons death, he vowes that day,
Achilles with a thousand more shall pay.
97
Two Noble Dukes he chargeth, and both slew,Duke Coriphus, Bastidius big and tall,
And forth like lightning mongst their squadrons flew,
Where such as cannot flye before him fall,
Leocides an Armour fresh and new,
(He was amongst the Greekes chiefe Admirall)
Would proue gainst Hector, but in his swift race,
The Troians Speare brake on the Græcians face.
98
A splinter strooke the Greeke into the braine,And downe he sinkes, Achilles full of yre,
Spying so many bold Pelasgians slaine,
Prickes on with Polyceus: both desire
To proue themselues with Hector on the plaine,
The bold assaylants need not farre inquire
For the sterne Prince: In that part of the host,
Th'are sure to find him where the cry growes most.
99
Both Menace him, gainst both he stands prepared,Duke Policeus to Achilles deare,
(Whose Sister he was promist, had warre spared
His destin'd life) drew to the Troians neare,
At the first stroke his Beauer'd face he bared,
But with the next his sparpled braines appeare,
Achilles mads at this, and sweares on hye,
For Polyceus death, Hector shall dye.
100
His threatned vengeance Hector did soone quaile,For through his thigh he quiuers a sharpe Dart,
Achilles feeles his bleeding sinnowes faile,
And with all speed doth to his Tent depart,
Where hauing bound his wound vp, wan and pale,
With fury, and the rancor of his hart;
Three hundred Myrmidons that all things dar'd,
he leads to field his person to saue gard.
354
101
Swearing them all theyr ioynt-rage to bestowOn Hector, and on him sterne vengeance power,
And sauing him t'intend no Dardan Foe,
That Heauen with him may on his Conquests lower,
They listen where the clamors loudest grow,
And there spy Hector, wald in like a Tower
With heapes of men, that bout him bleeding lay,
For not a liuing Greeke durst neere him stay.
102
Now tyrd with slaughter, he was lean'd vponThe Pomell of his bright victorious Blade,
and for his strength and breath was almost gone,
His Armour he had slackt, it loosely playde
about his shoulders (for he dreaded none:)
Him now the bloudy Myrmidons inuade:
In three-fold rings about him they were guided,
To take the Noble Heroë vnprouided.
103
Oh! Where is Paris with his Archers bow?Where's youthfull Deiphebus now at need?
Where's the inuinced Troylus, to bestow
His puissant stroakes before Prince Hector bleed?
Where is Æneas to repulse the foe?
You Troyes confedred Kings, where do you speede?
Bring rescue now, or in his Mountaine fall
Beneath destruction, he will crush you all.
104
All these are absent, naught saue death and ruineCompasse the Prince, a tripple ring of blades
Inguirts him round, who still their rankes renewing,
Threaten to send him to th'infernall shades,
With bloudy appetites his fall pursuing,
Achilles as they shrinke, on hye perswades
With promises: and some with threats, he sweares
To pay the base shame of their dastard feares.
105
A hundred Myrmidons before him lyeDrownde in their owne blouds, by his strong arme shed,
The rest renew the charge with fresh supply,
and thunder on his shoulders, armes, and head,
353
To see the hunger of his Blood-hounds fed:
Was neuer Mortall, without might of Gods,
That stood so long against such powerfull ods.
106
They hew his armour peece-meale from his backe,Yet still the valiant Prince maintaines the fray,
Though but halfe-harnest, yet he holds them tacke,
And still the bloudy Slaues vpon him lay,
Armour and breath at once the Prince doth lacke,
Stor'd with nought else saue wounds (alacke the day:)
Yet like a stedfast rocke the worthy stood,
From whom ran twenty seuerall springs of blood.
107
This, when the fresh-breath'd Greeke beheld, and sawSo much effuse of blood about him run,
He chargd his warlike Myrmidons withdraw,
And crying out alowd: Now Troy is won,
(With shamefull oddes against all Knight-hoods law)
Gainst naked Hector, well-arm'd Thetis son
Aymes a stiffe Iauelin, and against him rides,
The ruthlesse staffe through-pierst his Royall sides.
108
With him King Priam and whole Asiaes glory,Queene Hecuba with all her daughters faire
Sinke into Lethe, euen the Gods are sorry
To see the man they made without compare,
So basely fall, to make Achilles story
Reproachfull to all eares that would not spare
So great a Worthy, but with oddes strike vnder,
Him that atchieud things beyond strength & wonder
109
Hector thus falne, the Troians (whose whole powerLay in the arme of Hector) flye the field,
And now th'incourag'd Greekes Scamander scower,
(The head subdude, the body needs must yeild,)
Behold the Prince that aw'd within this hower,
Millions of Greekes lyes dead vpon his shield,
He gone, whose Atlas Arme vpheld their states,
Amazed Troy rams-vp her sieged Gates.
356
110
At sight of which Achilles sweld with rage,From Hectors breast, the Belt Aiax him gaue
Snatcheth in hast, and his sad spleene t'asswage,
Fetters his Legges, and like a conquerd slaue,
Voyde of all honor, ruth, or Counsell sage,
at his Horse-heeles he drags him like a slaue:
Hauing Troyes wall first three-times circled round,
hurdling the Dardan Heroë on the ground.
111
To thinke so braue a Peere should basely bleede,A Prince t'insult vpon a slaughter'd Foe,
and gainst a worthy act so base a deede,
Makes my soft eye with Springs of Sorrow flow,
Nor can I further at this time proceede,
The Greekes blacke practise doth offend me so,
Heare therefore I desist my Tragicke verse,
To mourne in silence o're Prince Hectors hearse.
357
The end of the thirteenth CANTO.
358
Canto. 14.
Argumentum
Troylus, Achilles wounds, and is betraidBy his fell Myrmidons, which being spread,
The bloody Greeke still loues the beautious Maid
Pollixena, and for her loue is lead
To Pallas Church, whom Paris doth inuade,
And with an Arrow in the heele strikes dead:
Penthisilea with her valiant Maydes,
Assists sad Troy, Greece lofty Pyrrhus ayds.
Arg. 2.
In this last fight, fall by the Argiue spleene,Paris, Amphimachus, & Scithiaes Queene.
1
To whom, Andromache may I compareThy Funerall teares ore Hectors body shed,
If mongst late Widdowes none suruiue so rare
To equall thee, lets search among the dead,
The Carian Queene that was as chast as faire,
Bright Artimesia a wonder bred:
Galathian Camna did likewise constant proue,
And riual'd her in firme Coniugall Loue.
2
What Fathers griefe could equall Priams teares?Who lost a sonne, no age, no world could match,
Whose arme vpheld his glory many yeares,
Whose vigilant eye did on his safety watch,
359
Like griefe, when timelesse death did soone dispatch
Thy braue sonnes life, Edward Sirnam'd the blacke,
By whom Spaine flag'd, and France sustained wracke.
3
Not Margaret, when at Teuxbury her sonneWas stab'd to death by Tyrant Glosters hand;
Felt from her riueld cheekes more Pearle-drops ronne,
Then Hecuba, when she did vnderstand
The thred of Hectors life already sponne,
Whose glories stretcht through Heauen, aire, sea, & land
Though he of semblant hope to England were
With him, whom Asia did account most deare.
4
Nor could the Countesse Mary sorrow more,To heare her Brother (the braue Sidney wounded,)
Whose death the seuenteene Belgian states deplore,
Whose Fame for Arts and armes the whole world sounded,
Then did Cassandra, who her garments tore,
Creusa who with extreame griefe confounded,
With whom Polyxena bare a sad straine,
To heare a third part of the earth complaine.
5
Nor when the hopefull youth Prince Arthur dide,Leauing his Brother both his life and Crowne,
Could the prince Henry lesse his sorrowes hide,
Then Hectors Brothers who still guard the Towne,
The vniuersall Citty doffes her pride,
The King himselfe puts on a Mourners gowne:
The Queene and Ladies with their leagued Kings,
Bury with him their best and costliest things.
6
So when from Rome great Tully was exild,Full twenty thousand Cittizens the best,
In garments Tragicke, and in countenance wild,
For twelue sad Moones their loues to him profest,
But Troy euen from the Bed-rid to the Child,
From Crutch vnto the Cradle, haue exprest
A generall griefe in their lamenting cryes,
Lookes, gestures, habits, mournefull harts and eyes.
360
7
Now when the Fountaine of their teares grew dry,And Men and Matrons him bewayld their fill,
With one Ioynt-voyce for iust reuenge they cry
On him, that did the Prince by Treason kill;
They lay their sad and Funerall Garments by,
The souldiers long to proue their Martiall skill,
And try their strengths vpon Scamander plaine,
Thinking themselues too long Inmur'd in vaine.
8
Tis Questionable whether greater woeIn Troy, then glee within the Campe abounded,
They hold themselues free from that late dread foe,
Who with his Steed had oft their trenches rounded,
And neuer but to th' Argiues ouerthrow
appear'd in field, or to the battaile sounded
With shrill applause, they proud Achilles Crowne,
And with Brauadoes oft-times front the Towne.
9
Thus when re-spirited Greece had Dominear'dand brau'd the sieged Troians at their gates,
Old Priam for his age now little fear'd,
With Troylus and the rest, of warres debates,
For Hectors slaughter (to them all indeer'd)
They vow reuenge on those hye Potentates
That were spectators of the ruthlesse deed,
When Hectors coarse thrice round the wals did bleed
10
And yssuing with their power, the aged KingPuts acts in execution, much aboue
His age or strength, he youthfully doth spring
Vpon his Steed, and for his Hectors loue,
Amongst the throng of Greekes dares any thing,
Himselfe gainst Diomed he longs to proue,
and scapes vntoucht, then gainst Vlisses rides,
and still his age doth equipage their prides.
11
Forthwith gainst Agamemnon he contends,and on his Beauer raught him many a blow,
Who like a souldier his renowne defends,
amazd that weake age should assault him so,
361
Against the Spartan King (an equall foe)
Whom with his speare he did so ill intreat,
Faire Hellens husband sits beside his seat.
12
From them he further to the throng proceeds,And deales about great Larges of grim wounds,
Admir'd alone for his renowned deeds,
Some with his sword vpon the Caske he stounds,
This day old Nestor by his Iauelin bleeds
With many more, and still the field he rounds:
Against old Priam not a Greeke dare stay,
Who soly claimes the honour of that day.
13
Yet the meane time the King was in this broyle,Bold Deiphebus kept the rest in fee
With bloods and death, whilst Paris made great spoyle
Of such as in their valour seem'd most free,
Æneas strongly mounted, gaue the foyle
Vnto th' Athenian Duke, whose warlike knee
Bended to him, yet in an vpright hart,
Achilles in his rescue claimes a part.
14
The King Epistropus amongst them fought,So did Sarpedon gainst th'incamped Kings,
The stout Pelasgian strength they dreaded nought,
Now mongst their renged squadrons Troylus flings,
And on their soyl'd troopes much effusion wrought,
In him the life and spirit of Hector springs;
Twice he Achilles met, and twice him feld,
Who all the other Kings of Greece exeld.
15
A hundred thousand Troians were that dayLed to the field to auenge Prince Hectors life,
Double their number on Scamander stay,
To entertaine them in their æmulous strife,
Duke Aiax Telamon then kept in play
Troylus, whilst murder through the field grew rife,
The sterne Polydamas did Nobly fight,
And was the death of many a gallant Knight.
362
16
But Troylus that succeeds Hector in force,In courage, and in all good Thewes beside,
Whom ere he met that day did brauel vnhorse,
Till his white Armour was with Crimson dide,
For Hectors sake his sword vsd no remorse,
His warre-steel'd spirits to slaughter he applyde:
No man that saw him his bright weapons weild,
But sware another Hector was in field.
17
This day is Troyes, and now repose they borrowFrom the still night, to giue the wounded cure,
And such of note as dide, t'intombe with sorrow,
They that suruiue, themselues with armes assure,
And so prepare for battaile on the morrow,
Some to besiedge, the rest the siedge t'indure:
Or if they can, to their eternall praise,
The forren Legions from their Trenches raise.
18
Six Moones gaue nightly rest to th'Hostile paines,Of iust so many dayes, for full so long
Troy without respight the proud Campe constraines,
Howerly to proue whose puissance is most strong,
Blood-drops by Plannets on Scamander raines,
Horrid destruction flyes the Greekes among;
Troylus still held the Noblest Armes professor,
And Hectors equall, though his late successor.
19
T' omit a thousand Combats and Contentions,Hostile Encounters, Oppositions braue,
Such as exceed all human apprehensions,
Where some win liuing honour, some a graue,
With Stratagems and sundry rare inuentions,
The Towne to fortefie, the Campe to saue:
And contrary, to stretch all human reach,
The Hoast t'indamage, and the Towne t'impeach,
20
In all which, Troylus wondrous Fame atchieued,His sword and Armour were best knowne and feared,
Aboue the rest the Argiue Dukes he grieued,
By his sole valour were the Troians cheared,
363
The life of Hector in his blood appeared:
Priam and Troy now thinke themselues secure,
So long as Troylus mongst them may indure.
21
Achilles by his valour mated oft,And (as he thinkes) much blemisht in renowne,
To see anothers valor soare aloft,
But his owne bruitfull fame still sinking downe,
His downy bed to him appeares vnsoft,
He takes no pleasure in his regall Crowne:
The best delights to him are harsh and sower,
Since in one arme rests a whole Citties power.
22
The Greekes thinke Hector in this youth aliue,To stop whose honors torrent they deuise,
For since by force of armes in vaine they striue
To catch at that which soares aboue the skies,
They to the depth of all their Counsels diue,
How they by cunning may the Prince surprise:
Being well assur'd that whilst his honors grow,
In vaine they seeke Troyes fatall ouerthrow.
23
The sonne of Thetis feeles his armes yet sore,By the rude stroakes that from his fury came,
His armour heere and there besprinkt with gore
Of his owne wounds, that he is well-nye lame
With often iustles: and can no more
Indure the vertue of his strength or Fame:
For since his brest's in many places scard,
Hee'l flye vnto the rescue of his guard.
24
Since neyther the broad-brested DiomedCan in the course his rude incounter stay,
Since last when Telamon against him sped,
He was perforc'st to giue his fury way,
Since all those Princes Agamemnon led,
Though Martial'd in their best and proud'st array,
Could not repell his swift and violent speed,
he by his guard his ruine hath Decreed.
364
25
The selfe-same charge that he gainst Hector vsd,Gainst Troylus he his Myrmidons perswades,
Behold where he with Hectors spirit infusd,
The warlike Thoas in euen course inuades,
Him, whom his strength of armes might haue excusd,
The Troian sends vnto th'Elisian shades:
The Athenian Duke against him spurres his horse,
But quite through-piercst, the Greeke drops downe a corse.
26
Foure Princes in as many coarses tastedLike Fate, yet still the Dardan Prince sits hye,
No coarse, no towring blow he vainly wasted,
(In his great heart an hoast he dares defie)
King Diomed once more against him hasted,
And long'd with him a warlike course to try:
But horse and man were in the race ore-throwne,
(Nor maruell) now the princes strength was growne.
27
The elder of th' Atrides next him grew,And tryes the vigour of his arme and Speare,
Him likewise Troylus brauely ouerthrew,
And forth (vnshooke himselfe) he past on cleare,
Now well-nigh breathlesse he himselfe with-drew,
Whom then the spleenefull Pelean watched neare:
And as he lights to rest him on the ground,
Him the blacke Myrmidons incompasse round.
28
With mercilesse keene glaues they siege the youth,Whom all at once with fury they assaile,
In them is neither Honoured grace nor ruth,
Nor is one Troian neere the Prince to bale
Achilles, with the rest his blood pursuith,
(Thousands against one man must needs preuaile)
Who seeing nothing else saue death appearing,
Euen gainst all oddes, contemnes despaire, or fearing.
29
But through their squadrons hewes a bloudy trackt,And lops the formost that before him stands,
Had Deiphebus now his Brother backt,
Or had the place bin by Sarpedon mand,
365
Vpon his party, tear'd his conquering hand,
Had their brigat Faulchions brandisht by his side,
The Myrmidons had fayl'd, Troylus not dide.
30
But hee's alone round guirt with death and ruin,And still maintaines the battel though in vaine,
On euery side a bloudy passage hewing,
To worke himselfe out through a dismall Lane
Of Myrmidons: Achilles still pursuing,
Who keepes the hindmost of his rough-hair'd traine:
Yet had Prince Troylus markt him where he stood,
And almost wrought to him through death and blood
31
But ods preuail'd, he sinkes downe the mid-way,Euen in his fall his sword against him darting,
That did both Hectors and his life betray,
Boasting a Noble spirit in his departing
By Troylus death the Greekes obtaine the day,
The Myrmidons their many wounds yet smarting,
Cure in their Lords Tent: whom the Greekes aplaud,
For Troylus death (gainst honour) wrought by fraud.
32
Now the deiected Troians dare no moreEnter the field, the Greekes approach the gates
And dare them to grim warre, who still deplore
Hector and Troylus in their Tragicke fates,
Queene Hecuba yet keepes reuenge in store.
Of which at length with Paris she dabates,
Vowing to catch his life in some slye traine,
That by like fraud her two bold sonnes had slaine.
33
She cals to minde the great Achilles pride,Withall, the loue he to her Daughter beares,
A thing in zeale she can no longer hide,
Since in Polyxena-like loue appeares,
Troyes weake deiection she makes knowne besides,
Disabled by a siege of many yeares:
Therefore intreats him to accept her loue,
And in a generall truce the Argiues moue.
366
34
The lofty Greeke proud, by so great a QueeneTo be sued to, when he records withall
How much hees fear'd, he gins to slake his spleene,
And the Maids beauty to remembrance call,
What can he more? Since he hath dreaded beene,
And seene his ablest Foes before him fall:
But yeild to beauties soft inchaunting charme,
Knowing weake Troy dares not conspire his harme.
35
The day drawes on, a peace hath bin debated,To which Achilles the proud Greekes perswades;
Some thinke it needfull, others, hyer rated
Their honours, and this Concord much vpbraides,
Alone Achilles longs to be instated
In her faire grace (the beautifulst of Maids)
And with the sonne of Nestor makes repaire,
Where Priam with his sonnes and Daughters are.
36
Truce is proclaim'd, the Damsell richly clad,And by the Troian Ladies proudly attended,
Whom none that saw, but admiration had,
As at a Goddesse from hye heauen discended,
The innocenr Maide was still in count'nance sad,
For losse of those that Troy but late defended:
Yet guiltlesse in her soule of any spleene
Dreampt gainst the Prince, by Paris or the Queene.
37
Vnarm'd Achilles to the Temple goes,Whom Nestors sonne attends to Pallas shrine,
and all the way with Gold and Iewels strowes,
Prising them Earthy, but his Bride Deuine,
and nothing of their Treacherous act he knowes,
When Paris from a place where he had line
With arm'd Knights yssues, and a keene shaft drew,
Which in the heele the proud Achilles slew,
38
Who when he sees himselfe and friend betraid,and wounded to the Death, whilst he could stand,
Brandisht his sword, and mongst them slaughters made,
But now he wants his Myrmidons at hand,
367
Alacke, the Temple was too strongly man'd:
his strength that cannot bandy gainst them all,
at length must sinke, and his hye courage fall.
39
There lies the great Achilles in his gore,and by his side the Sonne of Nestor slaine,
Amongst the Troians to be feard no more,
His body to the Greekes is sent againe,
Whom they for Hectors change, and long deplore
his death (by Treason wrought:) vpon the plaine
For him a Monumentall Toombe they reare,
and for his death a ioynt reuenge they sweare.
40
The siedge still lasts, vpon the part of TroyPenthisilia with a thousand Maydes,
Vowes all their Amazonian strength to imploy,
and for the death of Hector, Greece vpbraides,
Whilst in the Campe with much applausiue ioy,
Grim Pyrrhus is receiu'd, Pyrrhus that trades
In gore and slaughter, with reuenge pursuing,
Euen to the death, Troy, for his Fathers ruine.
41
No longer tune he will delay, but streightDare them to battaile by the Morrowes Sunne,
The Scythian Damsels long to shew their height,
and imitate theyr deedes before-time dunne,
They know they enterprise a worke of weight,
and long for Signall, now to battaile runne:
The vnflesht Greekes that were of Pyrrhus traine,
Whom th' Amazonians soone repulse againe.
42
Penthisilea, was not that fayre QueeneOf Amazons, of whom we now intreate,
That made a Law, what Man so'ere had beene
Within her Court, to make a byding Seate
aboue three dayes, he might not there be seene,
Though his power mighty, and his State were great:
For if within her Court he longer dwelt,
The penall Law was, he should sure be gelt.
368
43
So much she feared the supposed traines,With which soft Women-kind vs men accuse,
That our society she quite disdaynes,
Nor shall our fellowship her Ladies vse,
To this decree she their applause constraines,
Because false men their weaker Sex abuse:
From which her words, nor warning can restrain thē,
She chusd this way, the onely meanes to tame them.
44
This strickt decree kept many from her Coast,That else had flockt as Suters to the place,
Their Angell-beauties which men couet most,
Must from the eyes of man receiue no grace,
Many too bold their deerest Iewell lost,
And were made Eunuches within three dayes space:
Else they were thought vnfit for the Queens dyet,
Who held that the first way to keepe them quiet.
45
Some that could well haue ventur'd their best blood,Were loath to hazzard what they needs must pay,
The Queene so much vpon this Edict stood,
That she had driuen her Suters quite away,
And still (to be at rest) she held it good,
Vowing t'obserue it to her dying day:
Hauing this prou'd, those men that came most bold,
Their forfeit pay, none more submisse and cold.
46
So that in processe few approacht their shore,But such as had no meanes to liue else-where,
Whom their owne Countries did esteeme no more,
But pay theyr fine, they may be welcome here,
And haue good place, and Lands, and liuings store,
Nothing the Court hath, can be held too deere:
Amongst the rest that held a Soueraigne place,
Their liu'd a Baron of a Noble race.
47
He that was from his Natiue Countrey fled,For some offence that questioned his life,
and as a refuge to secure his head,
He shund the deadly Axe to tast the Knife,
369
Among the Damsels, free from femenine strife:
Doubtlesse the Woman that's suspitious most,
Would be resolu'd to see what he had lost.
48
The Noble Eunuch left a Sonne behindIn his owne Countrey, who being growne to yeares;
Grew fairely featurd, of a generous mind,
and in his face much excellence appeares,
He vowes the world to trauell, till he find
His banisht Father, whose estate he feares:
At length by search, hee's made to vnderstand,
Of his late soiourne in the Scithians Land.
49
Thither he will, for so his vow decrees,But when he knowes an Edict too seuere,
Hee's loath to pay vnto the Land such Fees,
Which he hopes better to bestow else-where,
In this distraction, loe from farre he sees
A nimble Fayry, tripping like a Deere:
and as he lies strowde on the grassie playne,
With swiftest speede she makes to him amaine.
50
And greetes him thus: (Fayre Youth) boldlie proceede,I promise thee good Fortune on thy way,
Among the Scithian Dames thou shalt not bleed,
Onely obserue and keepe still what I say,
My counsell now may stand thee much in steede,
and saue thee that, thou wouldst be loath to pay:
Receiue this Handkercheife, this Purse, this Ring,
The least of them a present for a King.
52
These vertues they retaine: when thou shouldst eate,Vpon the Board this curious Napkin spred,
It streight shall fill with all delicious meate,
Foule, Fish, and Fruits, shall to the place be led,
With all delicious Cates, costly, and neate,
Which likewise shall depart when thou hast fed:
This Ring hath a rich stone, whose vertue, know
Is to discerne a true Friend, from a Foe.
370
52
In this thou mayst perceiue both late and early,Who flatters thee, and who intends thee well,
Who hates thee deadly, or who loues thee deerely:
The vertue of this Iewell doth excell,
Out of this Purse if I may iudge seuerely,
and in few words the worth exactly tell:
Valew it rightly, it exceedes the rest,
and of the three, is rated for the best,
53
So oft as thou shalt in it thrust thy hand,So oft thy Palme shall be repleat with Gold,
Spend where thou wilt, trauell by Sea or Land,
The riches of that Purse cannot be told,
Vse well these guifts, their vertues vnderstand,
Thanke my deuinest Mistresse and be bold:
Adde but thy will to her auspicious ayde,
Shee'le sure thee that which others late haue payde.
54
Incourag'd thus, he pierces theyr cold Clime,Where many hot Spirits had beene calm'd of late,
And enters the great Court at such a time,
When he beheld his Father sit in State,
They that furiew the Youth now in his prime,
Not knowing his decree, blame his hard Fate:
And wish he might a safer Countrey choose,
Not come thus far, his deer'st things to loose.
55
For not a Ladyes eye dwels on his face,Or with iudiciall note viewes his perfection,
But thinkes him worthy of theyr deerest grace,
They prayse his looke, gate, stature, and complection,
And Iudge him Issu'd of a Noble race,
A person worthy of a Queenes election:
Not one among them that his beauty saw,
But now at length too cruell thinke their Law.
56
After some interchange of kindest greetingBetwixt the Father and the stranger Son,
Such as is vsuall to a suddaine meeting,
With extasies that Kindred cannot shon,
371
For greatest ioyes are oft times loonest don:
The Father iealous of his Sonnes ability,
Askes, If he brookt his late losse with facility.
57
For well he knowes, he cannot anchor theare,Or soiourne on that rude and barbarous Cost,
But his free harborage must cost him deare,
(Censuring his Sonne) by what himselfe had lost,
The gentle Youth, whose thoughts are free from feare,
Sayth he is come securely there to host:
and spight the Queene and Ladies (with oaths deepe)
Sweares to his Father (what he hath) to keepe.
58
By this th'Amazonian Princesse hearesOf a young stranger in her Court arriu'd,
She sends to know his Nation, Name, and yeares,
But being told his Father there suruiu'd,
A reuerent man, one of her chiefest Peeres,
She will not as the custome haue him gyu'd:
But takes his Fathers promise, oath, and hand,
To haue his Sonne made Free-man of her Land.
59
Three dayes she limits him, but they expierdAs others earst, he must the Razor try,
all thinges determin'd, the fayre Queene desierd
The Stranger to a banquet instantly,
Who at his first appearance much admierd
Her state, her port, proportion, face, and eye:
Nor had he (since his Cradle) seene a Creature
So rich in beauty, or so rare in feature.
60
Downe sat the Queene and Damsels at the board,But the young Stranger stands by, discontent,
They pray him sit: He answeres not a word,
Three times to him the Queene of Scithia sent,
But still the Youth would no reply affoord,
The rest not minding what his silence ment:
Leaue him vnto his humor, and apply
Themselues to feede and eate deliciously.
372
61
But when he saw the Ladies freely eate,and feede vpon the rude Cares of the Land,
At a with-drawing board he takes his seate,
and spreads his curious Napkin with his hand,
Streight you might see a thousand sorts of meate,
Of strangest kinds vpon the Table stand:
What Earth, or Ayre, or Sea, within them breeds,
On these the Youth, with lookes disdainefull feeds.
62
The Queene amaz'd to see such change of cheare,Whose beauty and variety surpast,
Longing to know the newes, could not forbeare,
But rose with all her Damsels at the last,
To know from whence he was supplyde, and wheare,
With Cates so rich in shew, so sweete in tast:
The like in Scithia she had neuer seene,
The least of them a seruice for a Queene.
63
For now she hath in scorne her owne prouisionAnd cals her choysest banquet, homely fare,
Her dainty Cates she hath in proud derision,
Since she beheld the Strangers foode so rare,
The Youth, who hopes by this t'escape incision,
Tels her (if so she please) he can prepare
A richer feast (yet not her Treasure wrong)
With any dish, for which her grace may long.
64
She growes the more Inquisitiue, and streightSweares, if he will her royall Cater be,
Shee'l in her Kingdome rayse him to the height
Of all high state, and chiefe Nobility:
For well she knowes, it is a worke of weight
To furnish her with such variety:
Since her cold Climat, with ten Kingdomes more,
Cannot supply her board with halfe that store.
65
When vp the Stranger ryseth, and thus sayes:Madam, for your sake was I hither guided,
Whom I will freely serue at all assayes,
For you this dyet haue I here prouided:
373
These no illusions are to be derided,
But meats essentiall, made for your repast,
Sit downe and welcome, and wher't please you tast.
66
The more she eats, the more she longs to knowWhence this strange bounty of the heauens proceeds,
They proue as sweet in tast, as faire in show,
The more she wonders, still the more she feeds,
The more she eats, the more her wonders grow,
She vowes her Land shall Chronicle his deeds:
And make him Lord of all his present wishes,
Excepting Loue, and what belongs to kisses.
67
The stranger then his Napkins vertue tels,What wonders it affoords when it is spred,
Without all charmes or Negromanticke spels,
Or inuocations made vnto the dead,
Onely in natiue Vertue it excels
(A secret power by inspiration bred)
This hee'l bestow with all their Vertues store,
To saue his forfet but for three dayes more.
68
Th'ambitious Queene loath her Decrees should slacke,More loath to loose a Iewell of such prize,
That can affoord her all things she doth lacke,
To make a feast as with the Dieties,
Vowes for three dayes he shall sustaine no wracke,
But then her law of force must tyranize:
Meane time her Court is for the stranger free,
Vpon these firme conditions they agree.
69
Glad was the Queene, more glad the amorous stranger,For neither at their bargaine was agrieued,
She for her guift, he to escape such danger,
Hauing his Man-hood for three dayes reprieu'd,
In her faire Parke he longs to be a ranger,
Where fed such store of Deere (scarcely belieu'd)
Till he by tride experience had beheld,
How many beauties in the Court exceld.
374
70
Now trusting to the vertue of his Ring,He longes to proue; who hate, who meane him good,
Who onely to his eare smooth flatteries bring,
Who with the Queene vpon his party stood,
For flattery is like an oyly Spring,
Whose smooth soft waters waxing to a flood:
Entyce fond men, his Siluer streames to crowne,
But he that proues to swim, perforce must drowne.
71
Among the rest, one Beldam neere in place,Vnto the lustlesse Amazon, he knowes
Perswades the Queene to his especiall grace,
and stands in plea betweene him and his Foes,
With her he growes acquainted in small space,
And in her lap a liberall Treasure throwes:
He giues her Gold in euery place he finds her,
And by large bounty to his Loue he binds her.
72
The time weares on, his three-dayes Lease expires,In which he rents the things, to which hee's borne,
His owne Fee simple, yet the Queene requires
To haue the forfeit since, the day's outworne,
But still his precious guifts the Youth inspires
With chearefull hope, he shall not liue forlorne:
But trusts by promise of the fayry Dame,
A Man to part thence, as a Man he came.
73
The day fore th'Execution, he was viewingHis precious Ring, the like was neuer seene,
Finding the time so neare, he sits still rewing
His rashnesse, for he feares the Knife is keene,
Each man he thinkes a Barbar him pursuing
To haue him Enunch't; when in comes the Queene
And spyes this glorious Ring vpon his Finger,
(The Beldam, to this troubled youth did bring'er.)
74
Of this she fals in Question, much admiringThe Splendor, and besides she longs to know
What vertue't hath, with vrgency desiring
If it be rare in worth, as rich in show,
375
Recounts to her what Soueraigne Vertues grow
From this bright Loue, a meanes ordaind by Fate,
Onely by which she may secure her State.
74
In this her Friendes she may discerne and try,On whom she may relye her certaine trust,
Who in her charge their vtmost wils apply,
Who in her Seate of Iudgement proue most iust:
Next, she by this all Traytors may descry,
Such as against her vertues arme their lust:
Such as intend their Soueraigne to depose,
Briefly, it points her Friends out from her Foes.
76
No maruell if the Queene were much in loueWith such a Iewell, and for it would pay
What he would aske, as that which much behooues
To keepe her doubtfull Kingdome from decay,
To buy it at the deerest rate she proues,
He onely craues but respight for one day:
That she but one day more his Youth would spare,
Eare he came bound vnto the Barbers Chayre.
77
The match is made, his guifts are knowne abroad,and from all partes they come this man to see,
The multitude esteeme him as a God,
That to their Soueraigne Queene hath beene so free,
A stately Steede he mounts, and thereon road
About the Court, where throngs of people be:
and from his Purse, of Gold whole handfuls flings,
A bounty that is seldome seene in Kings.
78
A thousand times his arme abroad he stretcht,as oft the figured plates of coyn'd-Gold fly
about theyr eares, still to his Purse he reacht,
And still to his applause the peoply cry,
The more they showte, the greater store he fetcht
From his deuine vnending Treasury:
The newes of this vnto the Queenes soone came,
Wondring whose praise her people thus proclaime.
376
79
In comes th'admired Stranger and alighting,The Queene him meets, and takes him by the hand
To lead him vp: he by the way reciting
The Proiect she much longs to vnderstand,
The Scithian Queene in his discourse, delighting
Vpon the vertue of this Purse long scand:
Thinking if this third Prize she might inioy,
She by her wealth might all the Earth destroy.
80
But Treasure cannot gaine it, for tis TreasureEuen of it selfe, in vaine she offers Gold
aboue all wealth, the Youth esteemes his pleasure,
One thing will doo't, that in her eare he told,
The couetous Queene's, perplexed aboue measure,
To buy the price that will be cheaply sold:
Onely to bed with her, he doth desire,
But till two Peares be roasted in the fite.
81
Oh! Gold, what canst not thou? Long she doth pause,How great's the Wealth, how easie tis to buy
She knowes, besides she is aboue her Lawes,
And what she will, no Subiect dares deny,
Why should she loose this Iewell? What's the cause
She to her owne Land should proue Enemy?
Whose weale, since she may compasse with such ease,
Why should she not her-selfe somewhat displease?
82
The time's but little that the Youth doth aske,Besides, shee'l cause her Maide her charge to hast,
If she compare her wages with her taske,
She knowes her time will not be spent in wast,
The friendly night will put a blushlesse Maske
Vpon her brow, then how can she be trast?
The fire is made, the Peares plast, both agreed,
To Bed they goe, good Fortune be their speed.
83
The trusted Hag, he knowes to be his friend,and one whom he had bribed long before,
It pleasd her well, that his desires haue end,
To haue had him Eunuch't, would haue griu'd her sore,
377
To proue the game she neuer tride before,
And still she cals to make a quicker fire,
And prethy sweet Nurse let the Peares be nyer.
84
They shall (quoth she,) yet let them roast at pleasure,The way-ward Queene yet thinkes the time too long,
And that she payes too sweetly for his Treasure,
(For yeeld she must) the stranger prooues too strong)
Yet still she cals (not yet?) Tis out of measure,
Nor yet, nor yet, she sings no other song,
Alacke the Beldams slacknesse quite betrayes her,
(The onely meanes to keepe him from the Razer.)
85
The youth preuail'd, the Queene's somewhat appeasd,And for there is no helpe the vtmost tries,
Since her the stranger hath by wager ceasd,
Before the watch-word giuen she must not rise,
The Beldam thinkes at last the Queene t'haue pleasd,
Oh Madam they are rosted now (she cries:)
Are they indeed? Let them rost on (quoth she,)
And prethy Nurse put in two more for me.
86
I know not what effect this wager tooke,But the next day she canceld her strict Law,
She that men hated: Eunuchs cannot brooke,
Command was giuen that all such should withdraw,
And not presume within her Court to looke,
That could be found toucht with the smallest flaw,
And this Decree among the Scithians grew,
Till the sad day that they their husbands slew.
87
For when their flying men were quite disgracst,And fayl'd in battaile, they disdain'd their yoke,
And scorning all subiection, proudly facst
Their foes themselues with many a boysterous stroke,
From Scithiaes bounds all men they cleane displacst,
And strongly arm'd, through many Regions broke:
Thus raign'd successiuely many a bold Dame
In Scithia, whence Penthisilea came.
378
88
Their Pollaxes, whose vse the Greekes neare knew,Thunder vpon theyr lofty Caskes and fell them,
The Greekes still guarde the field, although some fewe
Perisht at first, and striuing to excell them,
Being but Women, they some Damsels slew,
And with the oddes of number they repell them,
But when the Queene into the battaile flings,
VVhere eare she comes she bloudy Conquest bringes.
89
King Philomines Combats by her side,VVith many a bold Knight brought from Paphlagone,
Gainst whom the King Cassilius fierce can ride,
Striuing that day to haue his valour knowne,
Betweene them was a fayre and euen course tryde,
Amphimacus to Priam deare alone
Since Troylus death, thrust in amongst the Greekes,
Forcing their flight with many clamorous shrikes.
90
Him Aiax Telamon encounters then,And stayes the fury of his barbed Steede,
Acting that day, deeds, more then commen men,
Such as through both the Armies wonder breede,
Whom Noble Deiphebus meetes agen,
The youthfull Prince, whose valour doth exceed,
The fearefull slaughter of his puissance stayes,
Whose discipline his Foes could not but prayse.
91
And had not wrathfull Pyrrhus now led onHis Fathers Myrmidons, and quite forsooke
His vntryde Knights, the day had sure beene gon,
But where they march't, the Earth beneath them shooke,
And to withstand theyr vigor, they found none,
Till Paris with his Archers that way tooke:
and now began a fierce and Mortall fray,
In Emulation who should fly, who stay.
92
Paris preuailes, his forces gaine the best,And Lycomedes Grand-child must retire,
Behold, where gainst the Troians Aiax Crest
Seemes aboue all his Souldiers to aspyre,
379
For Paris through the field he doth inquire:
Whom as the Sal'mine fighting, spyes from far,
He heares a Steele-shaft from his Crosbow iarre.
93
It aymes at him, and where his Armour partedBetweene the Arme and Shoulder, there it fell,
Aiax obseru'd the man by whom he smarted,
And pressing forward, vowes to quite him well,
Through the mid-throng the neerest way he thwarted,
No opposition can his rage expell:
Till he had past through Groues of growing Speares,
To come where thousand Shafts sung by his eares.
94
Yet past them all, euen till he came where foughtThe amorous Troian, and to him he makes
His guard of Archers, the Greeke dradded naught,
But o're his Helme his reeking Glaue he shakes,
Which in his fall assured ruine brought
Vpon the Earth, the dying Troian quakes:
And in his death leaues all terrestriall ioy,
Faire Hellen, Priam, Hecuba, and Troy.
95
Oh! Had the Raptor in his Cradle dide,Millions of liues had in his death beene sau'd,
and Asiaes glory, that late sweld in pride,
Had not with siedge and death so long beene brau'd,
O're his dead Coarse the warlike Greeke doth stride,
and workes his way through harnesse richly ingrau'd:
Whose curious workes he blemisht where he stood,
Blurring their Fingers with wide wounds and blood.
96
The Dardans fly at Brute of Paris fall,The Greekes with dreadfull march their flight pursue,
Euen to the very skirts of Troyes fayre wall,
But betweene death and them the Scithians grew,
Squadrons of Greekes before the Damsels fall,
Now the re-spirited Troians fight renew:
Twice fore the Scithian Queene did Pyrrhus stand,
Yet twice by her repulsed, hand to hand.
380
97
Night partes the battaile vpon equall oddes,In Paris death, the Troians haue the wurst,
Hellen and Troy bequeath him to the Gods,
His death lesse mourn'd, then hath his life bin curst,
The morning comes, the Greekes make their aboad
Before the gates, through which the Scithians burst:
And scorning to be Coopt, each with her shielde
Brauely aduanst, make roomth into the field.
98
Them Deiphebus followes with his traine,The Sole-remainder of King Priams race,
By whom at first a valiant Greeke was slaine,
That in the Campe inioyde a Soueraigne place,
Amphimachus next him spurs on the plaine,
With Philomines who rankes on apace:
Æneas and Antenor, these contend,
With all their powers to giue the long siedge end.
99
In vaine: for loe, vpon the aduerse part,Guirt with his Fathers Myrmidons appeares,
Sterne Pyrrhus, whose late bleeding woundes yet smart,
Next him Pelides, with a band of Speares,
Then marcht Tysander with a Lyons hart,
Vlisses, Steuelus, and (proud in yeares:)
Nestor: the two Atrides well attended,
The two Achiaces next the field ascended.
100
These with the other Princes proudly fare,Disordred ruine, ruffles on each side,
Thousands of eyther party slaughterd are
In this incounter, Deiphebus dide,
And braue Amphimachus, forward to dare,
And able to performe (a Souldier tride)
And now on Priams party onely stand,
The Scithian Damsels to protect his Land.
101
Troy droopes, and Greece aspyres full foureteene dayes,Penthisilea hath vpheld her fame,
Both Campe and Citty surfeit with her prayse,
and her renowne deseruedly proclayme,
381
Yet shrinke beneath the fury of the Dame:
None can escape her vigour vnrewarded,
Troy by this sterne Virago's soly guarded.
102
But destiny swayes all things: Troy was foundedTo endure a third wracke, and must fate obay,
Therefore euen those that with most might abounded,
Cannot reprieue her to a longer day,
The Scythian Dames (by many Princes wounded)
Were with the Queene at length to Greece a pray,
Her too much hardinesse her selfe inmur'd,
Admidst her foes, in Armour well assur'd.
103
And when her Launce was splinter'd to her hand,Her warlike Pollax hew'd to pieces small,
Her selfe round guirt with many an armed band,
Euen in her height of Fame she needs must fall,
The warlike Wench amongst the Greekes doth stand
Vnbackt by Troy, left of her Damsels all,
The battery of a thousand swords she bides,
Till her yron plates are hew'd off from her sides.
104
Thus breathlesse, and vnharnest, (fresh in breathAnd strong in armor,) Pyrrhus her inuades,
At these aduantages he knowes tis eath
To cope with her quite seuered from her Maids,
His balefull thoughts are spur'd with rage and death,
Close to her side in blood of Greekes he wades:
(Blood slue'st by her) and naked thus assayles her,
Whilst a whole Campe of foes from safety railes her.
105
After much warre th'Amazonian fals,Whom Pyrrhus lops to pieces with his Glaue,
And hauing peece-meale hew'd her, lowd he cals
To haue her limbes kept from an honoured graue,
But to be strow'd about the sieged wals:
She dead, the Troians seeke themselues to saue
By open flight, her Virgins fighting dye,
Scorning the life, to gaine which, they must flye.
382
106
Now Troy's at her last cast, her succors fayle,Her souldiers are cut off by ruthlesse warre,
Her Sea-ports hemd in with a thousand sayle,
In her land siedge two hundred thousand are,
They close their Iron gates their liues to baile,
And strengthen them with many an yron barre:
After that day, they dare no weapons weild,
Or front the proud Greekes in the open field.
107
Æneas and Antenor now conspire,(As some suppose) the Citty to betray,
And with the Greekes they doome it to the fire,
But whilst the rich Palladium's seene to stay
In Pallas Temple, they in vaine desire
King Priams ruin or the Lands decay:
Therefore the slye Vlisses buyes for Gold,
The Iewell that doth Troy in safety hold.
108
Oh cursed Priest, that canst thy selfe professe,Seuere in habit, but in heart prophane,
Would of thy name and Order, there were lesse,
That will not sticke to sell their friends for gaine,
Who (but that knowes thy Treason,) once would gesse
Such treacherous thoughts should taint a Church-mans braine,
But many to the Gods deuoted soly,
In harts are godlesse, though in garments holy.
109
Whether by purchase, or by stealth, (Heauen knowes,)But the Palladium now the Greekes inioy,
And by a generall voyce the Campe arose
From their long siege, their ships againe t'inioy,
The Greekes vnto the sea themselues dispose,
And make a show to bid farewell to Troy:
But of this Stratagem, what next befell,
This Canto will not giue vs roome to tell.
384
The end of the 14. Canto.
385
Canto. 15.
Argumentum
On th'Hellesponticke Sands Epeus rearesA brazen horse: the Græcians hoise vp saile
And feigning to depart: Synon with teares
Tels to the inuaded King an ominous tale,
The Fleete returnes by night: After ten yeares
Troy is surprisde, and the proud Greeks preuaile,
The Citty a burnt, and after tragicke broyles,
The Greekes returne, laden with Asiaes spoyles.
Arg. 2.
Laocon and Polites, Hectors Ghost,K. Priams death, Troyes Fate, Crevsa lost.
1
Treason, whose horrid Front I must vnmaske,And pluck the Vizor from thy Fiend-like face,
To paint thee out in coulours is my taske,
And by thy clouch foote thy steps to trace,
In which (I still Diuine assistance aske)
Hell gaue thee Byrth, and thou deflu'st thy race
From the grand Prince of darkenesse, in whose Cell
Thou first tookst life, and shalt returne to dwell.
386
2
Troy thou wast strong, and thy defence was good,But Treason through thy strength made bloody way,
Hadst thou not harbour'd Traitors, thou hadst stood,
And to thy age annext the longest day,
But Treason that most thirsts for Princes blood,
And of the hyest kingdomes seekes decay,
Enters thy Court, and couets to destroy
With thy proud buildings (euen the name of Troy.)
3
Thy enuy stretcht to our Chast Maiden-Queene,Whose Vertues, euen her foes could not but praise,
Yet gainst her graces didst thou Arme thy spleene,
Thinking by Parries hand to end her dayes,
But God and Truth (whose Patron she was seene,)
Against their Cannons did hye Bulwarkes raise,
Such Bullet-proofe, that neither priuate Traine
Could reach her, nor the open arme of Spaine,
4
What Parry mist, fourteene fierce Traitors moeStir'd vp by Rome, tooke Sacramentall vowes,
That God that kept her from th'invasiue foe,
Against these bloody Butchers knit their browes;
Heauen gaue them all a fatall ouerthrow,
(For heauen no such vnnatural act allowes:)
But to all them a blacke end hath appointed,
Whose bold hand dares to touch the Lords anointed.
5
If such Æneas and Antenor were,That would for Coyne their King and Country sell,
Like plots with them our late Arch-traitors beare,
To whom for aye they may be ranked well,
And thou (Gui Vaux) that neuer yet foundst peere
(For a damn'd purpose) bred in Earth or hell,
He whom all pens with most reproaches taint
Synon, (with thee compar'd) is found a Saint.
6
He told a forg'd tale to a forraigne King,With hope his King and Countries fame to raise;
But thou, from strangers didst thy complots bring,
He a strange Countrey, not his owne betraies,
387
False Guido suckt, which fed bim many dayes:
Treasons, Milkt, tasted, seemes to quench the thurst,
But once tooke downe, it swels men till they burst.
7
That fate which he and his confederates had,May all receiue that beare their Treacherous mind,
Their purpose cuill, and their ends were bad,
A Fate to all men of their ranke assignd,
And that great King whose safety hath made glad
The hearts of three great Kingdomes, scarse confind:
Long may he raigne, still guarded by those powers,
Whose hands Crowne Vertue, & her foes devowers
8
That the same state that was in hazard then,May in this peacefull Kingdome long endure,
The King to guide his Peeres: Peeres, Common men:
Whose summon'd Parliaments may plant secure
Brittaines faire Peere, for many a worthy pen
To Chronicle: These acts black and impure,
We cannot iustly on Æneas lay,
In whose reproach we must our Censures stay.
9
Since some, whose hy workes to the world are deere,Whose grauity we reuerence and admire
His Fame, vnto posterity would cleare,
And in his Innocent applause desire,
T'were pitty he that two New-Troyes did reare,
As famous as that one consumde by fire:
(Rome and our London) for the double gaine
Of one lost Troy, should weare a Traytors staine,
10
The bruised Greekes tyerd with rough stormes of War,By Pallas art, erect a Timber-steede,
Whose Backe, Tree, ribs, of such huge vastnesse are,
That they in all Spectators wonder breed,
The Mountaine structure may be seene from far,
Which finisht; they amongst them haue agreed:
To stuffe his hollow Cauernes with great store,
Of Harnest men (so leaue it on the shore.)
388
11
This done, their new-calkt Nauy they winde thence,As if they to Mycene would backe repaire,
Beneath a promontory not farre thence,
They Anchor East, where they concealed are,
Now Troy secure and dreadlesse of offence,
Looseth her selfe from her Diurnall care:
Wide stand the Ports, the people yssue free,
Th'vnsouldierd fields and Deserts, plaine to see.
12
Where Hector did Æacides inuade,Where Nestor pitcht, where Troylus wan the day,
Where grim Achilles log'd, where Aiax made
His hot incursions, hewing out his way,
Where Agamemnon with his forces plaid,
Where with his Dolopes Vlisses lay:
Where such men fought, and such their valours tride,
Where some men conquered, others brauely dide.
13
Some wonder at Myneruaes stately piece,Saying t'were good to place it in her fawne,
Since the Pelasgians are return'd to Greece,
Their brazen horse may through their wals be drawne,
Other more staide know they are come to Fleece
And pillage them, this leauing as a pawne
Of some strange Treason, whose suspected guile,
Seemes to frowne inward, though it outward smile.
14
Thus is the multitude in parts deuided,Some wonder at the Module being so rare,
Others, whose braines are with more iudgement guided,
would rip his wombe, which some desire to spare,
Ardent Laocoon thinking to haue decided
This generall doubt (as one that all things dare)
Is seene from top of a high Tower discending,
A threatning speare against the Machine bending.
15
Crying from farre, you foolish men of Troy,Oh, can you trust the presents of a foe?
Who came from Greece these high wals to destroy,
And ten whole yeares haue wrought your ouerthrow,
389
Amongst you all, doth none Vlisses know?
Either this swelling wombe is big with childe
Of armed Greekes: or gainst your wals compild.
16
These brazen hoofes are made to spurne your mure,The trusty pale that hath so long defended
Your sonnes and wiues, where they haue liu'd secure,
Maugre the ruine by the foe intended,
Against your trusty Guards no wrong endure,
Whose Bulwarkt strength you haue so oft commended:
This said, against the brazen Steed he flung
A steele-head speare which through his entrailes rung
17
The trembling Mole from forth his Cauernes gaueA horrid grone, a noyse of armor iar'd
Through his transfixed brest, (if ought could saue
Ill-fated Troy) this had their ruin bard,
And they had ript the bowels of that graue,
From which the sad confused sound was heard:
Behold the Dardan shepheards with lowd cries,
Before the King bring bound a Greekish prise.
18
Dispersed Troy assembles, and attendSome vncoth Nouell, manacled now stands,
The surprisd Greeke, his eyes to heauen extend,
To heauen he likewise would exalt his hands,
Whilst showers of teares downe by his cheekes discend,
And thus he sayes: Haue I escapt the bands
Of armed Greekes, to perish heere in Troy?
And whom my foes haue spar'd, must foes destroy.
19
Relenting Priam is soone mou'd to ruth,His misery and teares woo him to passion:
He thinkes such lookes, such teares should harbor truth,
And pitties him, disguisd in wretched fashion,
With comfortable words he cheares the youth,
Askes him of whence he is, and of what Nation:
When to the passionate king he thus replide,
Priam commands, and I will nothing hide.
390
20
Who hath not heard of the Duke Palimed,By the Pelasgian Princes doom'd to dye,
Whom false Vlisses to the scaffold led,
Him aboue all the rest most loued I,
He was my Kinsman (but alas hee's dead)
With that, swift watry drops drill from his eye:
Him when I guiltlesse saw, condemn'd of Treason,
I mourn'd my Kinsmans death, (as I had reason)
21
Not could I keepe my tongue (vnhappy man)But priuate whispering haue I breath'd gainst those,
That sought his death, to threat them I began,
Who to my friend had bin opposed foes,
Fox-like Vlisses first, obseru'd me than,
Whom Calchas seconds (why should I disclose
My miserable state) vnhappy wretch?
Since their reuenge as farre as Troy doth stretch.
22
I had but dide there, and I heare am dying,(Griefe stops his speech, he can no further speake)
Still what he wants in words, with teares supplying.
Till they with interruptions silence breake,
When after farre-fecht sighes himselfe applying
To further processe, (he proceeds:) the wreake
They threatned then, since now I must not flye,
(Witnesse you Troians, Synon cannot lye.
23
Oft would the warre-tyr'd Greekes haue left this Towne,But still the Morrow tempests them restraine,
Threatning their Nauy in the Abisme to drowne,
And they attempt their wisht returne in vaine,
But most the angry Neptune seemes to frowne,
When old Epeus had vpon this plaine,
Builded this Monumentall Steed, of late
To the Deuinest Pallas Consecrate.
24
Euriphilus is straight to Delos sent,To know the Oracles aduice heerein,
He thus returnes: A Virgins blood is spent
To appease the tempests when these warres begin,
391
That you with sacrifice shall purge your sin:
In your pursute they humaine bloud desire,
and you with bloud must purchase your retyre.
25
This when the vulgar knew, not one but feares,Whose dreaded life offended Phæbus craues,
Oh! Hence proceedes the force of all my teares,
All prophesie his ruine, that depraues
The Oyle-tong'd Greeke: Vlisses Calchas cheares,
To point him out that must appease the Waues:
Ten dayes he scilence kept, as loath to name,
His destin'd life, whom Phœbus seemes to clayme.
26
Scarce with Vlisses clamors is he wonTo sentence any: till with vrgence great,
He doomes me to the flames, the people ron
To see him that must tast the Alters heate,
all glad that this denounced doome is don,
That I th'offended God-hood must intreat:
And that my bloudy slaughter answers all,
Which each one feard, vpon himselfe might fall.
27
The day was com, my brows with wreaths wer crown'd,and I made ready for the sacred fire,
My hands behind (as you behold them) bound,
The Priest in his Pontificall attyre,
Ready to strike, and I incompast round
With fire and death, (yet Mortals life desire)
The truth Ile tell, alasse sinne cannot lie;
I leapt from of the Altar, thence I fly.
28
Pursude in vaine, feare gaue my body winges,In a deepe saggy couert, I obscure me,
Vntill the night had with her aiery stringes
Drawne her blacke vaile o're Heauens face, to assure me,
Hoping to hide me, till the Argiue Kings
Had sayld from thence, but thinking to secure me:
Poore wretch, I from the Græcians fled a way,
and now (alasse) am made the Troians pray.
392
29
Whom neither Heauen, nor Earth, nor Greece, nor Troy,nor ayre, nor Sea, will take to their protection,
But all conspire poore Synon to destroy,
Then ayre, Come lend me part of thy infection,
Heauen, Earth, and Sea, all your ioynt powers imploy,
and like confederates meete in my deiection:
and then he beates his breast, weeps, sighes, & grones,
Whose griefe King Priam and all Troy bemones.
30
The good old Priam bids his hands vnbind,and cheares him thus: Of Greece thou art no more,
Thou shalt be ours, thy Countrey hath resign'd
Thy life to vs, which freely we restore,
Then say; What meanes this Monster we here find
Vpon our Beach? Whom should this guift adore?
Or what Religion's int? Whence is he bred?
Or for what cause doth he our Confines tred?
31
When with his new loosd hands to heauen vpreard,Thus Synon: Witnesse you eternall Fires,
Thou reuerent altar, which but late I feard,
and all you powers to whom our zeale aspyres,
That I hate Greece, and Troy that hath me cheard
I am ingra'st too, Troy hath my desires:
I am a Child of Troy, Greece I defye,
Witnesse you Gods, that Synon cannot lye.
32
The false Pelasgians in great Pallas trust,Her: Diomed and Ithaca offended,
By stealing from her charge with guile vniust,
Her rare Palladium for which she extended
Reuenge gainst Greece: they to appease hir, must
By some Oblation see their guile amended:
That her commensed spleene may be withdrawne
From them, whose violence spard not her fawne.
33
And now to make the Ihoue-borne Pallas smile,Whose anger made the Tempests gainst them war,
Chalchas deuisde the high Equinall pile,
That his huge vastnesse might all entrance bar,
393
For should you on this Horse print the least scar
Of an offensiue hand (being for her made)
You by your rashnesse haue your liues betrayd.
34
If you deny it entrance through your wals,Or this vnweildy frame in ought despise,
Well guarded Troy by Pallas anger fals,
The Greekes returne, and long-liu'd Islium dies:
But if this Steede for whom the Goddesse cals
Pierce through your Fortresse mure, or if it rise
And mount aboue your wals, to Pallas shrine,
Troy still shall stand, and Greece the wracke is thine?
35
Priam and his confederate Kings shall thenTo Sparta, and Meceane the Greekes pursue,
Deuast their lofty spyring Citties, when
The clamorous Land shall their destruction rue,
Loosing by Troy whole infinites of men,
Witnesse you Gods, poore Synons words are true,
Such lookes, such teares, such protestations chiefe,
Wins in all Troy remorse: the King beliefe.
36
What many a well-rig'd barke, and armed Keele,What not the bloudy siedge of ten whole yeare,
To make Troy tast inconstant Fortunes wheele,
Vlisses wisedome, nor Achilles Speare,
What not King Diomeds through piercing Steele?
All this did periurd Synon with a teare;
Behold (whilst all the rowt on Synon gaze)
a dread portent that doth all Troy amaze.
37
Along the troubled Billowes towards the shore,Two Blacke-seal'd Serpents on their bellyes glide,
at whose approach the foaming Surges rore,
These fiery Serpents to the Beach applyde,
and in Laocons bloud who that time wore
The Priest-hoods roabes, their arming Scales they dide:
Their winding traines, they with loud hissinges roule
About his breast, till they inlarg'd his Soule.
394
38
The Monster-multitude before dismaydAt the recourse of these infernall Snakes,
Thinke bold Laocon to be iustly payd,
Because he yet his harmefull Iauelin shakes,
Some Cables fetch, some with their Leauers stayd
The Pondrous Engine which deepe furrowes rakes
Along the Earth: others the Wals hurle downe
To giue the Horse free passage to the Towne.
39
Wide stand the yron-bard gates, whilst all the routBuckle to worke, the fatall Muchine climes,
Th'inthronged Bulwarkes (big with Souldiers stout)
Ready to be deliuered: hallowed rimes,
The Virgins sing, and nimbly dance about,
Myneruas Steed, the wonder of these times:
Thinking themselues boue others highly blest,
That can be more officious then the rest.
40
Foure times the Brazen Horse entring, stuck fastAnenst the ruinde guirdle of the Towne,
Foure times was armour heard (yet vnagast)
The fatall Beast with sacred wreathes they Crowne,
(Sunke in blind ignorance) and now at last,
Before Mineruaes shrine, they place it downe:
In Himnes and Feasts the ominous day they spend.
Offring to her that must their liues defend.
41
Meane time heauen turnes: night from the Ocean fals,Inuoluing with blacke darkenesse, earth, and ayre,
And call the Græcian craft about the wals,
The scattred Troians slumber, far from care,
and now his Pilots (great Atrides cals,)
Who backe to Tenedos with speed repayre:
The Vniuersall Phalanx lands in hast,
And through the silence of the Moone are past.
42
Now startles Synon, and a flaming-brand,He wafts from top of one of Isliums Towers,
Which like a Beacon in the night must stand
To guide the Greekes, and their nocturnall powers,
395
Fearelesse, he through the palped darknesse scowres
To the big bellied Stallion, turnes the spring,
and through the doore the Harnest Grecians fling.
43
First, blacke-hayrd Pyrrhus fixes in the ground,His Oaken Speare, and from the loft he slydes,
Vlisses next, yet halting of his wound,
and then the younger of the two Atrides:
Tysandar from the structure next doth bound
Thoas and Athanas, two warlike guides:
With Stheuelus downe by a Cable fall,
and bruisde with leaping, on the Pauement sprall.
44
Pelidus followes these, and then the manThat in his braine first cast this fatall mould,
Epeus th' enginer, whom Synon than
Did in his blacke and periurd armes in fould
Their sweatty browes, they with the darknesse fan,
Each chearing vp his Mate with courage bould:
Strip their bright Swords, by whose quicke glimering light,
They find their way in the darke star-lesse night.
45
The Citty sunke in Wine and Mirth they 'nuade,Slaughter the Watch that on the ground lie spred,
Then through the broken Wals (but late decayde)
The Generals Army is by Synon led,
And Agamemnons coulours are displayde,
Now tumults and confusions first are bred:
Hauocke begins, loude showtes and clamors rise,
Lifting their Tragicke vprore through the skyes.
46
Heauens lamps were halfe burnt out, t'was past midnightWhen to Æneas in his bed appear'd
Sad Hector, pale and wan, full of affright,
His hayre clotterd with bloud, his ruffled Beard
Disordred, all those deepe caru'd wounds in sight,
Which in defence of Troy and his indeard:
Were graude vpon his flesh, behind him fall,
Those thongs, that drag'd him round about Troyes wall.
396
47
Oh, how much from that great King-killer chang'd,Hye spirited Hector, when being proudly deckt
In great Achilles spoyles, he freely rang'd
Through guards of Steele, whilst from his Helme reflect
Trophies of Greece: Oh me! How much estrang'd,
From him that did all Asiaes pride protect,
Euen to their Fleet the Achiue Kings pursue,
And mongst their ships round Bals of Wild-fire flew.
48
When to the sleeping Prince approaching nye,He with a sigh from his deepe intrailes fetcht,
Thus sayes. (Thou Goddesse sonne, Æneas flye)
And from these burnings, that by this are stretcht
Quite o're your glorious buildings, climbing hye,
Deliuer thee: the Arme of warre hath retcht
Euen to the Crest of Troy, and with one blow,
Giuen it a sad and certaine ouerthrow.
49
Greece hath your wals, the Vniuersall roofeOf Troy is sunke and falne, her bearers fayld,
Destruction that hath houered long aloofe,
Hath ceaz'd her towers, and her spires auayld,
Could might haue kept her, by the manly proofe
Of this right hand, the Prisoner had bin bayld:
But Troy (alas) is sentenc'st, and must dye,
Then from her funerall Flames (Æneas flye.)
50
To thee her Gods and Reliques she commendsThee, that must her posterity reuiue,
For though her glory heere in seeming end,
Yet dying Troy in thee is kept aliue,
Now cleaues the earth, and the sad Ghost discends,
Æneas with dull sleepe begins to striue:
And waking, heares a noise of clattering Warre,
And many confus'd Clamors, neere and farre.
51
When mounting on a Turret, he might spyThe Citty all on Flame, and by the light,
A thousand seuerall Conflicts: sparkles flye
As farre as to the Sea, the waues shine bright,
397
His Treasons manifest, still this blacke night
Clamors of men, and Trumpets, clangors grow,
Whilst with warme recking blood the chanels flow.
52
Æneas armes in hast, graspes in his handA two-edg'd Semiter to guard his life,
Knowes not to whom to run, or where to stand,
In euery streete is danger, rage, and strife,
Yet longes for skirmish: and on some proud band
To proue his strength, now whilst the tumults rife:
For since th' Achiue fires such splendor giue,
To dye in armes, seemes sweeter then to liue.
53
Behold, where from the forraine slaughter flyingPanthus Otriades, Priest of the Sunne?
Scoures through the streetes: Æneas him espying,
Cals to him thus. Whether doth Panthus run?
What meane these flames, these grones of people dying?
This frightfull iarte of battailes new begun?
When Panthus thus: Æneas lets away,
Of Troy and vs, this is the latest day.
54
Troy was, and Islium was, but they are past,Great Ihoue hath from th'earths bosome swept vs all,
Th'insulting Greekes haue conquerd vs at last,
And forraine Steele now menases our wall,
The Brazen Horse that midst our Meure stickes fast,
Hath powrd an army forth: whole thousands fall
And drop downe from his sides, whilst Synon stands
Warming amidst the flames his treacherous handes.
55
The Gates are ceasd, the broken wals made goodWith bright Death-pointed Steele, Irruption's bard,
Behold my passage was Knee-deepe in blood,
Crossing the streete from great Atrides guard,
Such as escape this purple falling flood,
Fyre or the Sword consumes, our choise is hard:
Ruine beguirts vs, and what most we feare
We cannot fly, death rageth euery where.
398
56
Now hurries strong Eneas, madly faring,Through flames, through swords, whether Erinnis cals,
Eg'd on by rage and fury, no man sparing,
On euery side are fires, wounds, Clamors, brals,
To him arm'd Ripheus ioynes (and wonders daring)
Iphilus, Hypanis, and Dimas, fals
In the same tanke: youthfull Chorebus tride,
Doth likewise glister by Æneas side.
57
Chorebus, who for faire Cassandracs Loue,Came from Megdomia to the Dardan broyles,
These seeking, flying death, all dangers proue,
And taske their valours to all desperate toyles,
To places of most slaughter they remoue,
Euen where the Greekes commit most horrid spoyls:
Arm'd with this Saw; This onely Captiues cheares,
When safetie flyes, all-resting death appeares.
58
Thus seeke they certaine death amidst the hartOf Flame-guilt Troy, whilst the blacke fatall night
Flyes hood-winkt twixt the poles, her yron Cart
Rusty with darkenesse, oh what Mortall wight
Can halfe the terror of that houre impart,
Such howles, sighs, grones, wounds, slaughters & afright:
In euery street, Liues-blood, death, murder, feare,
The reeking Faulchion, and the fatall Speare.
59
With Arm'd Androgeos they encounter first,Androgeos who mistakes them for his mates,
And cheares them thus, we haue already burst,
and made irruption through the batterd Gates,
Now let your Swords that for their liue-blouds thurst,
Glut them with purple healths, behold their Fates:
But when from them he lookes some fyre apply,
With armed hands vpon his traynes they fly.
60
And put them all to massacre: the whilesChorebus sayes. Some comforts in despaire,
Fortune vpon our first endeuours smiles,
The Foes are vanquisht, and we victors are,
399
Put on their armes, and to their Guards repayre:
Their proper armes shall gainst themselues contend,
Where vertue sayles, vse fraud, (to God and friend.)
61
With that he dons Androgeos shining Caske,Which like a Bearded Commet glisters farre,
The rest in forraine Helmes theyr faces maske,
And mingled with the Greekes, began new warre,
Still Fortune smiles on their Nocturnall taske,
Where Greekes with Greekish armes confounded are:
And mongst their frighted guards, great vprore growes,
Since from their Friends, they cannot ken theyr Foes.
62
A thousand fall to Hell, a thousand fly,Some to the Nauy, others to the shore,
and many Pale-fast Greekes affrayde to dye
Run to the Horse where they were lodg'd before,
and in his darke conceited Entrayles lye,
See fayre Cassandra from the Temple dore,
Drag'd by blacke Myrmidons: her Son espyes
Frightfull Chorebus, and that way he flyes.
63
They after him, a dismall conflict nowGrowes in the entrance of the Temple, when
Theyr friends mistaking theyr disguised brow,
Route from the battayle, meetes by strength of men
Huge stones, and Webs of Lead stounding below
Their Greece-arm'd Friendes, whose craft's deceiu'd agen:
(By Ignorance) they call theyr friends on hye,
and by theyr tongues the Græcians them descry.
64
For now rough Aiax reuels in the place,The two Atrides with their armed Bands,
And sly Vlisses too: yet in the face
Of all theyr guards the bold Chorebus stands,
Till number o're swayes might: Migdoniaes race
Is now extinct by force of thousand hands:
Then Ripheus fals, then is bold Dimas brest
Through-pierst: so one by one decline the rest.
400
65
Alone scapes bold Eneas by a cryRaisde at King Priams Pallace, whether hying
More Mutiny and broyles he may espy,
More Tragicke sight of wretched Troians dying,
The massacre seemes dreadfull in his eye,
Before the assaulted Gates are thousands lying:
The hauocke did so violent appeare,
as had their bin no place of death but there.
66
The vntam'd Mars vpon his Altars grones,Hye crown'd in bloud: some Greekes tho Pallace scale,
The Laders cleaue vnto the Iettying Stones,
Whose Marble Collumns bend, and seeme to faile
Beneath the weight of fire and Steele at ones,
and still the Barricadoed Gates the'assayle:
Where able armed Pyrrhus stands before,
Th'inflamed Porch (his armor slack't in gore)
67
The inclosed Princes broyle, doubly pend inWith flames and steele, inclosde on euery side
With eminent death, yet no irruption win
Though they diuolue, the hye roofe beautified
With Gold and figures (which to touch were sin)
The Geometricke ridge of Siluer tride:
Fires o're their heads, and drils downe by the wals,
Which scalds the Princes as it melting fals.
68
Sterne Pyrrhus sweats, and with AntomedonHis fathers Charioter assaults the place,
Scarse able to endure the armes they haue on,
So ouer-heat with Flames, in whose bright face
They stand with naked swords to gaze vpon
Those shrinking Monuments the fires imbrace:
at length with beames shocking by strength of hand,
They shake the wals, vnable to withstand.
69
Which tumbling in, like a Bay-window showes,Whose gaping mouth seemes vast, (oh) now appeares,
The gorgeous Courts, whose floore each Lady strowes
With her torne garments, haire, and pearly teares,
401
as the Breach waxeth, so increase their feares;
Their cries pierce heauen, slake Fire, and soften stones,
Yet mooue not Pyrrhus and his Myrmidons.
70
For neyther Priams Guard, the doore of Brasse,Nor trusty Marble can withstand the Foe,
But through them all by force of armes they passe
The heauy Gates, they from the henges throw,
Shiuering theyr plated leaues like paines of Glasse:
Which with the fury of theyr burnings glow:
and breaking in, the spacious Courts they fill
With bloudy Souldiers, who on all sides kill.
71
King Priam, when he saw his Towne inuaded,His Troy sitting in fire, not to be freed,
and all those Gods that long had Islium ayded,
Shrunke from his helpe, and in his fall agreede,
That his farre shining beames at last were faded,
and the Vniuersall hart of Troy must bleede:
The larum Bels of death on all sides ringing,
His shrieking wife and Daughter bout him clinging.
72
Expecting helpe from him in whom remaindNo helpe at all, he first dissolues in teares,
But casting vp his eye to haue complaind
His griefe to Heauen, his Sword and Helme appeares,
Hung by the Walles, with rust and Canker staynd,
Now burdens to his arme, in former yeares
Easy as Silkes, his griefe conuerts to rage,
He dons those armes, forgetfull of his age.
73
To whom the sad Queene with wet eyes thus sayes:What meanes my wofull Lord in his weake hand
To tosse this burdenous Steele? There is no prayse
For men to fight, when the high Gods withstand,
Liu'd puissant Hector in these Fatall dayes,
Yet could not his stronge Limbs protect thy Land:
Much lesse these Saplesse branches, poore and bare,
Then let the reuerent Priam keepe his Chayre.
414
74
Heere at these holy Altars let vs cling,The Gods, if they be pleasd, our liues may guard,
If not, we all will perish with the King,
and die at once, there shall not one be spard:
Behold, where broken through th'all-slaughtring ring
Of Pyrrhus Myrmidons, Slaues rough and hard:
The young Polytes well-ny breathlesse rons,
Polytes, one of Priams best-lou'd Sons.
75
Through many an Entry and blind-turning path,The burning Pyrrhus hath the Lad pursude,
Longing vpon the Youth to vent his wrath,
now both at once before the King intrude,
The slaughterd-thoughted Greeke, all bale and scath
In the Childs bloud his fatall Blade imbrude
Which plucking from his wounds: in the same place
Sparkled the Sons bloud in the Fathers face.
76
To whom the arm'd King thus: You Gods aboue,Whose diuine eyes all deedes of horror see,
as you are iust, and actes of pitty loue,
Behold how this rude man hath dealt by me,
What God (worthy Heauens Pallace) can approue
So blacke a deede as this, that's done by thee?
Before the Fathers eye the Child to kill,
and in his face his Innocent bloud to spill.
77
Thou art a Bastard, not Achilles Son,Of some she Wolfe, or Hyrcan Tygresse bred,
not (to be shrin'd in Heauen) would he haue don
So horrible a deede, so full of dred,
The shame and scandall thou this night hast won,
More then Achilles honors shall be spred:
Thy Father honor'd, liude and dide in fame,
Dishonored thou, shalt perish in thy shame.
78
With that the Iauelin in his hand he threw,Th'vnprofitable strength of his weake arme,
Though it had art to guid the Weapon true,
It wanted power to doe blacke Pyrrhus harme,
415
But the round Bosse, as if composd by charme,
Shooke off the ydle steele, which on the barre
That tooke the blow, scarce left the smallest scarre.
79
Inflamed Pyrrhus thus to him replies:Priam, thy soule shall straight discend to hell,
Euen to the place where great Achilles lyes,
And my sad deeds vnto my Father tell,
With that (all wrath) in Priams face he flies)
The prostrate King at Ihoues hye Altar fell:
With such hot rage he did the King pursue,
That though he mist, the whiske him ouerthrew.
80
When being groueled in Polites gore,Grim Pyrrhus with his left hand takes the king,
By his white lockes (neuer prophand before,
His reuerent head against the ground to ding,
His proud right hand a smoaking Curtlax wore,
Which to perpetuall rest must Priam bring:
With which against the good old King he tilts,
Till his hart bloud flowed much aboue the hilts.
81
This was old Priams Fate, his fatall end,And ending glory, he that Asia swayed,
Whose spreading Fame did through the earth extend,
Liu'd till he saw both him and his betraid,
Euen till he had no subiect, Sonne, or friend,
And saw Troyes spyres euen with the groundsils laid,
Who now before Ioues golden face lyes dead,
A namelesse coarse, a Trunke without a head.
82
All this, when good Æneas saw from farreThe ends of Troy and Priam: burnt, and slaine,
And no abatement yet of heat, or warre,
To his owne Pallace he returnes againe,
Where gathered on a heape together are,
His wife Creusa showring teares amaine:
His seruants: old Anchises, and his sonne
Askanius, these about Æneas ronne.
404
83
After some short discourse of their affaires,Æneas on his backe Anchises takes,
For young Askanius he his left hand spares,
In his right hand his guardant sword he shakes,
Creusa followes close, with teares and Prayers,
So through the fire and foe Æneas makes:
He with his sonne and Syre, the right way choose,
But in the darkenesse they Creusa loose.
84
Whom missing, they Creusa call alowd,Creusa, for whose safety they'l returne,
But some blacke Fate doth her in darkenesse shrowd,
Either Troyes Funerall fires the Lady burne,
Else is she stifled in the Hostile crowd,
For her, the Father, sonne, and husband mourne:
And seeking her amidst the wrathfull flames,
They encounter Helenus; who thus exclaimes.
85
Keepe on Æneas to the Seæan shore,The heauens on Troy and vs haue vengeance powred,
Onely thy ruind fortunes they restore,
They smile on thee, that haue on Priam lowred,
The faire Creusa thou shalt see no more,
Her, the none-sparing slaughter hath deuowred:
But in her stead, the Gods to thee shal giue
A wife, in whom deceased Troy shall liue.
86
Follow yon starre, whether his Bearded beamesDirects thy Nauigation: on the sand
Thousands attend thy conduct through the streames,
Whom ruin spares, for thee and thy command,
Obserue yon blazing Meteor, whose bright gleames
Points thee vnto a rich and fertile Land:
Where, after many strange aduentures past,
Storme-driu'n Æneas shall arriue at last.
87
They to a spacious Climate thee restore,A Prouince which the Gods and fates hold best,
The Meditteren Sea beats on the shore,
With the Scicilian waters, South and East,
405
With the hye Alpes incompast on the West:
These Countries it containes, Latium Liguria,
The Climates of Campania and Hetruria.
88
With Fertill Istria and Calabria,Full peopled Craunia and Apentium,
Æmilia, else cald Rhomandiola,
With Gallia, Cisalpina, and Pycenum,
Iapidia, Vmbria, and Venetia,
Flauinia, Apulia, Sumnium:
All these are Italy, with great Lucania,
Which shall in times to come be cald Rhomania.
89
Farewell and thriue, but leaue vs to our Fates:This saide, the Deuine Helenus retires,
And shuts himselfe within those fatall gates,
Where none commands but foes and raging fires,
Æneas hasts to meet his promist Mates,
And on the Coast their fellow-ship desires,
Who through the street hewes out a bloody tracke,
With old Anchises hanging at his backe.
90
Still Islium burnes, nor are the ruthlesse FlamesYet quencht, Ihoues sparpled Alters licke the blood
Of slaughtred Priam, the bright vestall Dames
Are puld from Pallas Statuë where they stood,
About their golden lockes (with lowd exclaimes)
Rough souldiers wind their armes, and through a flood
Of gore and teares, in which the pauement flowes,
Drag them along, that faint beneath their blowes.
91
The young Astianax from that hye Tower,On which his Fathers valour oft he saw,
Is tumbled headlong on the rough-pau'd flower,
His all to bruised limbes lye broke and raw,
To wofull Hecuba, in thrust a power
Of blood-staind Greekes, without regard or awe,
and from her aged armes, snatcht by rude force
Polixena, whose beauty begs remorse.
406
92
Shees hurried to Achilles tombe, where standsSterne Neptolemus, from top to toe
Satued in blood and slaughter, in both hands
Wauing a keene glaue, Crimsond in the foe,
To bind with Cords her soft armes he commands,
That more red liues may on his Faulchion flow:
There the bright Mayde that bands did ill become,
He piece-meale hewes vpon Achilles tombe.
93
Thus is King Priam and Queene Hecubs race,Extinct in dust, young Polidore alone,
The youngest Lad is with the king of Thrace
Left in great charge, with Gold and many a Stone
Beyond all rate, but Polymnestor base,
Hearing the pride of Troy was spent and gone,
False to the world, and to his friend vntrew,
To gaine that wealth, the louely Infant slew.
94
Whose death when Hecuba reuenged had,By tearing out the periur'd Tyrants eyes,
First she records the beauty of the Lad,
Then all the glories she beneath the skies
Possest before, which makes her Franticke-mad,
On her slaine husband, daughters, sonnes, she cries:
Troy she bewaild, and fatall Greece she curst,
Till her great heart (with griefe surcharged) burst.
95
Ten yeares, ten months, twelue dayes this siege indured,In which of Greece before the Towne were slaine,
Fourescoure hundred and sixe thousand, all inured
To steely warre: of Troians that maintaine
The honour of their Citty, well assured,
(Besides the number that were prisoners tane)
Six hundred fifty, and six thousand tride,
Omitting those that in the last night dide.
96
Chiualrous Hector voyd of fraud or slight,Eighteene great Kings slew by his proper hands,
No aduantagious oddes he vsd in fight,
Therefore his fame spreds farre, through forraigne lands,
407
Fell by his Bow, next rankt Achilles slands:
Who (besides Troylus and great Hector) slew
Seauen puissant Kings at Troy (if Fame speake true)
97
Foure Kings beside the Sagitary fellBy Diomed, two by Æneas lost
Their precious liues, though many moe fought well,
Their warlike deeds are not so farre ingrost,
Blacke Pyrrhus acts aboue the rest excell,
Who thinking mongst them to be praised most:
Three Royall liues his Tragicke wrath obayd,
An aged King, a Woman, and a Mayd.
98
Not how two worthy Greekes in words contended,Who should the rich Vulcanian armor haue,
Now how from Aiax, who had Greece defended,
Th'impartiall Iudges to Vlisses gaue,
To proue that Counsell aboue strength extended,
And had more power the Argiue Campe to saue:
In griefe of which great losse, Aiax grew mad,
Slaine by the sword that he from Hector had,
99
Nor of Vlisses trauels twice ten yeares,Nor of his loue with Circe the faire Queene,
Who by her spels transform'd him and his Peeres,
And kept him thence, where he desird t'haue beene,
With faire Penelope, Fam'd mongst the spheares
In liuing chast: though Princes full of spleene
Possest her kingdome, and her pallace ceaz'd,
VVhom (wanting power) she by delaies appeasd.
100
Nor how he after twenty winters came,And in disguise his constant Lady proued,
How he by armes releast the beautious Dame,
And all her suiters from his Land remoued,
Nor how Telegonus won with the Fame
Of him whom most the witch Calipso loued
From his faire Mother Circe himselfe vvith-drevv,
And vnavvares his Royall Father slevv.
408
101
Nor how King Naulus laide Traines on the Seas,To auenge him on the Græcians for his sonne
Palamides, whose death did much displease
The aged Prince, since twas by treason donne,
Nor how such wandering Greekes as he could ceaze,
Who on his shores their ship-wrackt vessels ronne,
Naulus destroyd, and vnto ruine brought,
Since they his sonnes deere life esteemed nought.
102
Nor how King Agamemnon home returning,Was by his faire wife Clitemnestra slaine,
How false Egistus in the Queenes loue burning,
Plotted with her to shorten the Kings raigne,
Nor bow Horestes for his Father mourning
Grew mad, and slew Egistus that had laine
With his faire Mother, whō when he had caught her,
Vnchild-like he did with his owne hands slaughter.
103
Nor how blacke Pyrrhus Hellens daughter staleThe faire Hermione, she that before
Was to Horestes troth'd, and should Sance fayle,
Haue bin espousd to him, who at the doore
Of Delphos Temple slew him without bale,
Staining Apollos shrine with Pyrrhus gore:
Nor how that face for which the whol world wrangled
To see it chang'd with age, her selfe she strangled.
104
Nor how the Greekes after their bloody toyles,Antenor left to inhabit raced Troy,
And after th'end of their sad Tragicke broyles,
All Asiaes wealth within their fleet inioy,
Robbing the Towne of all her richest spoyles,
Whose hye Clowd-peircing spyres the flames destroy,
nor how Æneas doth his forces gather,
And ships with his young son, and aged Father.
105
Rigging to sea these two and twenty sayle,That fetcht the fire-brand that all Troy inflamd,
The selfe-same shippes in which the Troian stale
The Spartan Queene, gainst whome all Greece exclaimd,
409
Nor of Æneas trauels nobly fam'd:
Nor how Andromache was Captaine led,
Left to the hot lust of the Conquerors bed.
106
With whom Cassandra was inforst to goeWith Helenus that kend deuinest things,
And al these sad proceedings did fore-show,
and propheside to Troyes confedered Kings,
Nor of King Diomeds sad ouerthrow,
Of Albions Isle first knowne, my Muse next sings,
Her Chariot now I can no further driue,
Brittaine from conquerd Troy, we next deriue.
412
The of the 15. Canto.
413
Canto. 16.
Argumentum
Hauing the sight of our wisht harbor gaind,The yeares from Brute to Christ: what famous Kinges
Gouernd in Britan, & how long they raignd,
From Christ to Norman William, and what things
Of speciall note were in their daies containd,
In a briefe Chronicle, our Muse next sings:
Much matter in few words: swift runs our Glasse,
We many Ages in one instant passe.
Arg. 2.
A Genealogie exactly found,From the first man, to Norman Williā crownd.
1
Adam got Seth: Seth, Enos: Enos, Cayne,Cayne, got Melaliel: Iareth next begon,
From Iareth Enoch, that to Heauen was tane,
He got Methusalem, whose line doth ron
To Lamech: of him Noah, and from Noah came
Ihapheth: then Cichem, who was Iapheths Son:
Cichem got Cipre: Cipre, Creete, and so
Creete, Saturne: from whose braunch great Ihoue doth grow.
414
2
Dardanus is immediate Heyre from Ihoue,And by Candame, got Erichthonius,
Erichthon Tros: Tros Ilion: next him stroue
Laomedon, and he got Priamus,
And when the Greekes from Troy Æneas droue,
He by Creusa had Askanius:
Who after (Carthaginean Dido past)
Vp through the Riuer Tiber sayles at last.
3
At Hostiaes Port (the place the Gods behight)Æneas Landes: Euander him receiues
The Latines King, whose Daughter at first sight
Æneas loues, and for her sake, bereaues
The Tuskayne King of life in single fight,
Turnus being dead, the fayre Lauinia leaues
Her virgine vowes, by whom the Troian Prince
Siluius begot: and Siluius, Brutus since.
4
Brutes Mother in her painefull throwes deceast,(Hunting) his glancing Shaft his Father slew,
For which with melancholy griefes infest
From Italy, the Prince himselfe withdrew,
Ten thousand voluntary men vnprest,
Consort him, strange aduentures to pursue:
Whom Corineus with many Troians more
Meetes, and assists, new Countries to explore.
5
Brute (Grecian Pandras who denide him way,And through his spacious Kingdome passage free)
O're-comes in battaile, but denyes to stay
Till he more Coasts and various Clymats see,
Fayre Innogen, a Virgin fresh as May,
He marrieth, and with Pandras doth agree,
For her rich Dower to haue a royall fleete,
Well furnisht for his Trayne: with all things meete.
6
He past Alcides Pillers, euen to Guall,Landing in Guien, Guffor the proud King
Denyes prince Brute to hunt, but (Mauger all)
He chac't his Deere, and made his Buckes to spring,
415
Washt with the sea, and longs his fleet to bring
To a safe Harbour, where he might suruay,
The long sought Isle where he his bones must lay.
7
When Ayoth iudged Israell, in the yeareThreescore and twelue, of his command and state,
Ægiptian Danaus daughters landed heere
After long search, who for they had of late,
Theyr nine and forty husbands by th'austere
Iniunction of their Sire, brought to sad Fate:
Were in a Mastlesse ship to exile throwne,
And landinging heere, cald this Isle Albion.
8
Some say of these Viragoes spirits begotGyants, that were of huge and monstrous size,
Who when they grew to stature, spared not
Affinity, for Sonne with Mother lies,
Brother with Sister: so the learned Scot
Marian, doth in his Chronicles comprize:
And of these lustfull Ladies, in small while,
Twelue thousand Gyants peopled this large Ile.
9
Prince Brute with Corineus doth Albion enter,At Totnes, thirty monstrous Gyants kils,
And after much and dangerous aduenter,
Builds London (cald new Troy:) his Throne he fils
Twenty foure yeares, then payes his last debenter
To Nature; Brittaine he to Locrine wils:
Scotland to Albanact, Wales, Camber swayes,
Israell was iudg'd by Samuell in their dayes.
2
Locrine raign'd twenty yeares, his wife him slew,Because he Sabrine lou'd, and her forsooke,
Mother and Child bold Guendolina threw
Into the Seuerne streames, who there name tooke
From Sabrine: In his dayes young Dauid grew,
And with a Sling the great Goliah strooke:
At Locrines death, sterne Guendoline begun,
Her husband she succeeds; and her, her Sonne.
416
3
Madan rul'd forty yeares, and in his dayesWas beautious Absolom by Ioab slaine,
Memprisius twenty yeares the Scepter swayes,
Procuring first his Brother Manlius bane
Whom Madan lou'd, and had intent to raise:
In Lust and ryot he consum'd his raigne,
For which iust heauens their righteous vengeance powred,
Memprisius hunting was by Wolues deuoured.
4
Him his sonne Ebranke in the Throne succeeds,Who gouernes threescore happy Summers thorow,
Famous for many charitable deeds,
He builded Yorke, Dunbar, and Edenborowe,
Next him Brute Greene -shield don'd th' Imperiall weeds,
After twelue happy yeares his subiects sorrow
For his vntimely Fate, and in his raigne,
B'Elias prayer the Priests of Ball were slaine.
5
L'Eill , Brutes sonne, raignd fiue and twenty yearesAnd Carleil built, then did his seat resigne
To young Lud Hurdibras, lou'd of his Peeres,
Who gouernd Britaines Scepter twenty nine,
He Winchester and Canterbury reares,
With Shafts-bury, then seekes a Throne deuine:
Whose Obits were in Brittaine long bemoned,
The prophet Zachary in his dayes was stoned.
6
Bladud , Luds sonne raignd next, and Bath erected,A Sorcerer, and did attempt to flye,
And hauing twenty yeare the Realme protected,
He brake his necke downe from a Steeple hie,
Amos and Amazia were directed
In those dayes by the spirit of Prophesie.
Leir next him, in whose time (as Bookes say)
Ionas three dayes in the Whales belly lay.
7
Leir built Leicester, forty yeares was Crownd,Famous in his three Daughters and their Loue,
The youngest most suspected, faithfull found,
And they that promist most, least thankefull proue,
417
In filiall zeale next Leir sits aboue:
Morgan and Cunedadgius two false Peeres,
Depose their Aunt after fiue vnhappy yeares.
8
They ioyntly raigne, till Cunedadgius slewHis Brother Morgan in Glamorgan-sheere,
(From whom the Title of that Country grew)
And after gouernd three and thirty yeare,
Now Naum preacht: Riuallo doth pursue
The Kingdome next, a Prince that had no peere:
In his dayes Propheside, Esay, Micheas,
The Prophets Adad, Amos, and Oseas.
9
Forty six yeares he gouernd: In his raigneRome was first built, wise Sibell gaue forth Sawes,
King Ezechy by God heal'd of his paine,
Had fifteene yeares life promist: for some cause
The Sun full ten Degrees, turnd backe againe:
Thales Milesius to the Greekes gaue Lawes:
In Brittaine it raind blood, Riuallo wained,
And eight and thirty yeares Gurgustius raigned.
10
Now Ioel taughts, his Iliads Homer wrate,And Glaucus Chius Sodering first inuented,
Sicillius next Gurgustius takes the state,
Forty nine yeares he gouernes well contented,
Amon in Iuda raind: Zaleucus sate
Iudge on his sonnes eye: Ieremy lamented
For the sad Tragedy of King Iosias,
Now flourish Olda, Baruch, Sophonius.
11
Now Phalleris in Agrigentine swayde,And thrust Perilles in his brazen Bull,
To tast the torment he for others made,
Iago next Sisillius makes vp full
Twenty fiue yeares, then in his Tombe was laide,
Nabuchadnezar sought to disanull
The Hæbrew Lawes. Susannaes fame increased,
By th'Elders wrongd, by Daniels doome released.
418
12
Fifty foure yeares Kinimachus was knowneAfter Iago in the Brittish Chaire,
Arion with his Harpe was o're-Boord throwne,
Whom through the Seas the pittious Dolphin bare:
Bell was cald God, and sore him trumpets blowne,
And the three Children in the robes they ware
Cast in the fiery Furnace, now I gesse,
Liud Solon: Sapho the sweet Poetesse.
13
Annaximander th'Horoscope first made,Æsope in Birds and Beasts, first figured men:
Next King Kinimachus, Gorbodug swayde
The Brittish Scepter: In the Lyons den
Daniell was cast. Now Cyrus did inuade
Cressus of Lydia, t'was the season when
Zacharias, Aggeus, Malack Propheside,
And the chast Lucresse by her owne hand dide.
14
Next Gorbodug, Ferrex and Porrex raigned,After fiue yeares, bold Porrex Ferrex slew,
For which their Mother Porrex much disdained,
And in his blood did her blacke hands imbrew,
After their death sedition was maintained
Full one and fifty yeares; whilst no man knew
Th'imediate heyre, and whilst these wars were norisht
Darius, Xerxes, and Queene Hestor flourisht.
15
Th' Athenian Sophocles, a Tragicke Poet,Plato, Cratinus, Aristarchus, were
All Commicke Writers, as their workes best show it:
Empedocles of Athens, did acquiere
Musickes full ground, and made the world to know it,
Parmenides made Lodgicke first appeare:
Which in Mount Cancasus he first deuised,
Esdras the Scribe the Scriptures now comprised.
16
Mvlmutius Dunwallo, sonne and heyreTo Cloten Duke of Corweyle's next instated,
He did the foure broad High-wayes first repaire,
First Crown'd: Paules Church first built and consecrated,
419
To a new Throne in heauen he was translated,
Now Socrates th' Athenian hearers charmes,
Demosthenes, famous for Arts and Armes.
17
Beline and Bren the Brittish Crowne deuide,Being by their Mother (after wars) attoned,
Whilst Bren in forraigne Armes his valour tride,
Beline built Belinsgate: all Denmarke groned
Beneath his yoake, Bren (to the Galles alide,)
Sackt Rome, burnt Delphos, and was after stoned,
With Hayle and Thunder-stroke, much blood was spilt,
In Italy ten stately Townes he built.
18
Twenty sixe yeares betwixt them they supplyThe Crowne and Scepter: Dionisius raignd
In Sicily, Damon and Pythias try
Their mutuall friendship. Xenophon maintained
His schoole in Athens, Plato prized higher
His Accademy rear'd: Now was ordained
For King Mansolus, by the Carian Queene,
A stately Tombe rankt mongst the wonders nine.
19
Gvrguintus , Belins sonne, nineteene yeares madeThe Brittaines homagers, by euen Tradition,
Aristotle liu'd, whose Fame shall neuer fade,
Sonne to Nichomachus, a great Physition,
Now Macedonian Phillip gan t'inuade
His neighbour-Kings in many an expedition,
The Noble Marcus Curtius for Romes sake,
Arm'd at all points, leapt in the Curtian Lake.
20
Gvintheline six and twenty yeares made goodHis right in Brittaine, Mercia his faire wife
Deuisde the Mercian Lawes: by Tibur flood
The clouds raind stones: after Darius strife,
Which ended in effusion of much blood,
By poyson Alexander lost his life:
Next Guintheline, seauen yeares Cecilius raigned,
Next him three yeares Kimar the state maintained.
420
21
Nine yeares Elanius raign'd, Morindus eight,Deuour'd of a Sea-monster: In their dayes
Onias sonne of Taddus, reacht the height
Of the Priests Office: Gorbomannus swayes
Eleauen full yeares, a Prince assisting right,
(Symon Onyas sonne) the Hæbrewes raise
To the Priest-hood, next iust Gorboman,
Fierce Archigall to Tyranize began.
22
After fiue yeares depos'd, his second BrotherSucceeded in the stile of Elidure,
A vertuous Prince, there sat not such another
In Brittaines Chaire, in life seuere and pure;
Fiue yeares himselfe did Archigallo smother,
And his deposing patiently endure:
At length by Elidurus met and knowne,
To Archigallo he resignes his Throne.
23
Ten yeares the twice-Crown'd Archigallo now,Gouernes the State in Honour, and then dying,
To Elidure againe the Brittans bow,
After two yeares his Brothers him defying,
Keepe him in bonds: the Brittaine Peeres allow,
Their double rule, nine yeares their Conquest trying:
Vigenius and Peridure are past,
And Elidure the third time Crown'd at last,
24
Raigning foure yeares. In this forepassed stateLiu'd Epyre Pyrrhus, and Lisimachus,
The High-priest Eleasar chus'd of late,
Receiues th' Egiptian league: Now breath Seleucus
And Ptolomy; now by the Roman Senate
Siluer was coyned first, Theos-Antiochus
In Syria raign'd, blood sprang out of a Well,
And from the Clowds Milke in abundance sell.
23
Manasses liu'd high Priest among the Iewes,Ten yeares ruld Gorboman, Morgan foureteene,
Emerianus next to him, pursues
The Diadem: a Tyrant full of spleene,
421
A temperate Prince, who twenty yeares was seene
In Brittaines Throne: Amilchar Carthage swaide,
Illyrian Teuca did proud Rome inuade.
26
Rimo raignd sixteene yeares, bold HanniballAnd Scipio fought, Wise Cato liu'd in Rome:
Next Rimo King Geruntius they install,
Him after twenty yeares his Lords intoome,
The lofty Spaniards from Romes Empire fal,
And after stand to Fuluius Flaccus doome:
Ten yeares Catellus raign'd: the Iewes were foyld,
And by Antiochus Gods Temple spoyld:
27
The Mother and her seauen sonnes Martird were,The worthy Iudas Machabeus fought
Gods battailes, Coill raigned twenty yeare,
Great Carthage was destroyd, and Corinth brought
To fall by fire: The Doctrines first apeare
The Pharisei and Sadducei taught:
Fiue yeares iust Porrex, drunken Cherimus
One, Fulgen two, one Eldred, one Androgeus.
28
Dendantius fiue yeares, two Detonnus heldThe soueraignty, then left this life for new,
Nature a Monstrous byrth in Rome compeld,
Hauing foure hands, foure feet: Corne grew
In Bonony on Trees, whose tast exceld,
The Parthian Arsaces, Demetrius slew.
Great Scipio Affricanus ends his life,
By false Sempronia his disloyall wife.
29
Young Vrianus three, King Eliud fiue,Two Merianns, and Bladunus twaine,
Capenus three, Ouinius doth next striue,
And his imperiall state two yeares maintaine,
Two Silius, Bledgabredus did suruiue
Full twenty yeares in his auspitious raigne
Hircanus gouernd in the high-Priests sted,
Marius triumpht o're Iugurth, Captiue led.
422
30
Archemachus raignd two, Eldotus foure,Two Rodianus, three Redargius,
Samillius two: the Brittaines next adore,
King Penesellus three, two princely Pirrhus,
And after him Caporus two, no more,
Now grew the warres twixt Scilla and Marius:
Diuellus foure, Helyas, Ely named
Gouernd ten months, when death his body claimed.
31
Lvd , Helyes sonne, his happy rule began,Nam'd Troynovant, Luds-towne, Ludgate erected,
Eleauen yeares raign'd, then to Cassibelan
Left his two infant sonnes to be protected,
Who till the Princes grew to state of man,
By all the Brittish Peeres was King elected:
Raign'd nineteene yeares, in his dayes twice repeld
The Roman Cæsar, the bold Brittaines queld.
32
Nennius wan Cæsars sword, and had it broughtTo be hang'd ore his hearse: Pompey the great
With Iulius Cæsar in Pharsalia fought,
Iulius vsurpes in Romes Imperiall seat,
Was stab'd with Bodkins, he that neuer fought,
But conquer'd, in all Martiall acts compleat;
Now flourisht Cicero with praise Deuine,
Hermius and seditious Cateline.
33
And not the least grace to Triumphant Rome,The rate Comædian Roscius; Next in rowe
Of Brittish Kings, must young Tenancius come,
Twenty three yeares he raignd, and then did owe
No more to nature, then th'adopted son
Of Cæsar, great Augustus: now doth grow
Romes Monarchy: Marke Anthony through pride
Rebeld, by Aspes great Cleopatra dide.
34
Virgil and Horace flourisht: In these dayesIesus Sabetes sonne was consecrated
High Priest: King Herod Iewries Scepter swayes,
A generall peace is through the world debated,
423
And fiue and thirty yeares he is instated:
And now the Sauiour of the world was borne,
Th'eternall King Crownd with a wreath of Thorne.
35
Hortensius, Lyuy, Salust, Ouid, allWere Fam'de in Rome, valiant Guiderius next,
The Brittaines as their soueraigne Liege install,
Twenty eight yeares he gouernes, much perplext
With Roman warre: now chanc'st Seianus fall
Vnder Tyberius, now as saith the text:
Iohn Baptist preacht, and by King Herod dide,
Pylate was Iudge, and Christ was Crucifide.
36
Now Aruiragus raignes, and takes to wifeTh'Emperour Clodius daughter: Iewries King
Was eat with wormes: Graue Seneck breath'd this life,
And Simon Magus did his Money bring
To buy the Holy-ghost, his Fame was rife
Amongst the Romans: now did Nero sing
Vpon a hill Troyes burning to his Lyre,
Hauing before set stately Rome a fire.
37
Saint Marke in Alexandria Martyrd was,At' Ierusalem Iames for the Gospell dide,
Paule suffred too, whose boldnesse did surpasse,
Peter likewise in Rome was Crucified,
Queene Voada a gallant Brittish Lasse,
Marcht with fiue thousand Ladies by her side,
and in one battaile (if report be true,)
Full fourscore thousand valiant Romans slew.
38
Next Aruiragus, Brittan Marius guided,Now was the Temple of the highest defaced,
His City sackt, and those that Christ derided,
Burnt, staru'd, or slaine, Ierusalem quite raced,
Iosephus liu'd, Domitian Rome deuided,
and after Tytus in the Throne was placed:
Ignatius life in Rome mongst Lyons vanisht,
Saint Iohn whom Christ lou'd, was to Pathmos banisht.
424
93
In Rome now liu'd Cornelius Tacitus,Suetonius, younger Pliny, Iuvenal,
Valerius Flaccus, and Patauius,
and the Lasciuious Poet Martial,
and vnder Traian: Aulus Gellius,
Plutarch and Apuleius: now the wall
From Tyne to the Scotch Sea was made for strength,
Being one hundred and twelue miles in length.
48
Coylus built Colchester: now Iustine wrote,and with his Bookes and Life Christs Fayth defended,
Egyptian Ptolomee the Starres did note,
and Mathematickes found. Lucius ascended
The State next Coyll, who first set aflote
Baptizme in England, by the Church commended
For our first Christian King: he mounts the Spheares,
and without King, leaues Brittan fifteene yeares.
49
Seuerus th'Emperor did fiue yeares supplyThe Brittish Throne, then of the Goute he dyde
At Yorke, to Bassianus his ally,
Leauing both Rome and Brittans Islle to guide
Six yeares this Caracalla lifted high,
His Crowned state in Tirany and pride:
Tertullian now and Origen were knowne,
Carassus next assumes the Brittish Throne,
50
Gouernd eight yeares, then by Alectus dide,After three yeares bold Asclepiodale,
Alectus slew, in hight of all his pride,
And Roman Wallus, by whose timelesse fall
Walbrooke tooke name. He thirty yeares supplide
The kingdome, then exchangd his Mortall state,
Artabanus great Artaxerxus slew,
S. Albon martyr'd, left this life for new.
51
Coill kild Asclepiodale, and raignedTwenty seuen yeares: Constantius succeeds
By marraying Brittish Hellen, hauing gained
The Roman Diadem: His vertuous deedes
425
Next: Constantine (sur-nam'd the great,) who reads
The Bible first in Brittan: Arrius preacht,
And th' Arrian errors through the whole world teacht
52
Now at Ierusalem Queene Hellen foundThe very Crosse whereon our Sauiour dide,
And the three nayles his feet and hands did wound,
Octauius next fifty foure yeares supplide
The Diadem, and then was laid in ground,
Three hundred eighteene Byshops now applide
The Nycene Counsell, now did Ambrose reed,
And Athanasius that set downe the Creed.
53
With learned Basill, and about their dayesIulian Apostat liu'd: the next aduanced
Was Maximus, whom the bold Brittans rayse,
To Vrsula a pittious Fortune chanced,
With eleuen thousand Maids passing the Seas
To Brittaine lesse, their liues were all intranced:
S. Ierom flourisht, writing Bookes Deuine,
So did in Hyppone learned Augustine.
54
Gratian succeeds, whom the bold Brittans slewAfter foure yeares, in whose vnhappy raigne
Ambrose the Millein Byshop famous grew,
And Chrisostom did the true faith maintaine
In Constantinople, a Doctrine new
Th' Hereticke Pellages did in Carthage fame,
Where all his errors to his pride imputed,
Were by two hundred and seuen Clarkes confuted.
55
Algelmond raign'd first King of Lombardy,at Millen th'Emperor Theodotius dide,
Alaricus sackt Rome. The Monarchy
and Throne of France first Pharamond supplide,
The Scots and Picts vnpeople Brittany,
But Constantine the Brittaines valiant guide,
Who came from Brittaine lesse, the Throne ascends,
and rules ten yeares, in him Romes tribute ends.
426
59
Constans a Foole, the sonne of Constantine,Was from a Monke by Vortiger made King,
And hauing one yeare gouernd, did resigne
To the Duke Vortiger, who gouerning
Eighteene whole yeares, two Lords of Saxon line,
Hengest and Horseus cald, an army bring
To Land in Brittaine, where not long they tarried,
Till Vortiger Prince Hengists daughter maried.
57
For which the Brittaines him deposd, electingYoung Vortimer his sonne to sway the state,
He the allyans of those Lords reiecting,
Whom Vortiger his Father raisd so late,
Gouern'd six yeares, the land in peace protecting,
Whom his faire Step-dame brought to timelesse Fate,
By cursed poyson, which no sooner chanced,
But Vortiger was once againe aduanced.
58
In these dissentious dayes GensericusThe Vandall King tooke Cartage, Attila
King of the Hunnes, euen to Thermopilus
Ore-came all Greece, Illyria, Thracia,
Against whom brauely fought Meroneus,
The most renowned King of Gallia,
Nam'd Gallia, France, and till King Pepins time,
All the French Kings discended of his line.
59
Venice was now first founded and begun,Of such poore people, as to shun the rage
Of Tyrant Attila the famous Hun,
From Aquilea fled: whose pride to asswage,
The Roman Ætius a braue battaile won,
Slew eighteene thousand Hunnes (in his young age)
Ætius enuide for raising Romes Dominion,
Was murdred by his Maister Valentinian.
60
Which Emperor at Thrasila was slaineBy one of Etius souldiers, Vortiger
Of Brittaines awfull seat, possest againe,
The Saxons with the Brittish Peeres conferre,
427
Foure hundred Brittish Barons murdred were:
The King surprisde, and being in prison pent,
Gaue to them Norfolke, Suffolke, Sussex, Kent.
61
And of this Hengist Brittan chang'd the name,Was cleaped-Hengists Land; since England cald,
Next Constantines two younger Sonnes proclaime
Their rights in England, being naught appald
at Hengists might, stird by their Fathers Fame,
Ambros and Vter seeke to be instald:
They land at Totnes, Vortiger they burne,
Kill Hengist too, for whom the Saxons murne.
62
Now Merline liu'd, Aurelius Ambros raign'dThirty three yeares, made Stone-henge, which till now
Hath on the plaine of Salsbury remaind,
He dead, the Brittans to his Brothers vow
Like homage, and in State haue entertaind
Vter Pendragon, to whose throne they bow
Sixteene whole yeares: He doats on Cornwayles wife,
and for her loue bereaues her Husbands life.
63
Of her he Arthur got: In France ClodouensGouernd as King, the first that was Baptiz'd
In Italy: great Theodoricus
King of the Astrogothes, who enterprisde
Gainst Odoacer battaile, bold Honoricus
Gouernd in Affricke, who so much despisde
True Fayth, that he for th' Arrians in one hower,
Byshops exild, three hundred thirty foure.
63
Arthur the worthy, next the State ascended,Fought twelue set battailes, and the order made
Of the Round Table, whose renowne extended
Through all the world, whilst Arthur doth inuade
Forraine Dominions, and Christs Faith defended,
Mordred at home, his Crowne and Queene betrayde:
Twixt whom, at Arthurs backe returne againe,
War was commenst, in which both Kings were slain.
428
65
Next Arthur, Constantine, Duke Cadors Sonne,After his Vncle sixe and twenty yeares
Had gouern'd England, his estate begonne,
Slew Mordred Sonnes in fight, with Saxon Peeres,
That ayded them in battaile, these warres donne
After foure Sommers, he ascends the Spheares:
Iustine a Swine-heard, by ambition fierd,
By crafty meanes th'Imperiall Seate aspyerd.
66
Now liu'd in Italy the famous DameAnalasiantha, with Athalarius
Her Son, by whom her Soueraignty first came,
She could both Greeke and Latine well discusse,
Whose reuerence many Histories proclayme,
Daughter to th'Emperor Theodoricus:
Iustinian, the Græcian Empyre swayes,
The Persians to their State Cosroe rayse.
67
Iustinian in his Captaines much renowned,Narses the Eunuch, a right valiant Knight,
And Bellisarius, whose name was crowned
Through all the world: Twice Carthage won in fight,
Twice rescude Rome: his fame in Persia sowned,
Thrace, Greece, th' Affricke Goaths, he put to flight:
For much more seruice th'Emperor from his head,
Tore out his eyes, he for'st to beg his bread,
68
Aurelius Conanus slew in field,Constantine, Arthurs Nephew, three yeares swade,
Then did his due to death and nature yeild,
And Vortigore his Sonne is Soueraigne made,
Who did but foure yeares Brittans Scepter weild,
When Malgo did the Soueraignty inuade,
Who slew his first Wife, her chast Bed forsooke,
And to his Bride, his Brothers Daughter tooke.
69
King Totylus sack't Rome the second time,What in the first he spoyl'd, he now repayred,
Altinus king of Lumbards, full with Wine,
Cals for a Mazer (which he might haue spared)
429
She loath'd her Husband, and yet further dar'd:
Vnto his loyall Bed she prou'd vntrue
With Helme-child, who after Albine slew.
70
Careticus by help of Irelands King,Cald Gurmond, Brittan Malgo did expell,
Whom after three yeares Ethelfrid did bring
To ruine, and in battaile prosperd well,
About this time Sybert th'East Saxon King,
Erected Westminster: Ethelfrid fell,
And Cadwan, Duke of Northwales, him defeated,
And two and twenty yeares in peace was seated.
71
Queene Tredegunde of France in the meane season,Lawdry the Earle of Soysons deerely lou'd,
And for his sake destroyd the King by Treason,
Gainst Gregory, (sir-nam'd the great) was mou'd
By Iohn the Patriarch (against all reason)
The Churches Primacy which he improu'd,
Arabian Mahomet his Alkeron made,
Frensh Brunchild liu'd, who had Princes ten betrayde.
72
Cadwallin, Cadwans Sonne next Bittan guided,Benet the Monke, Paynting and Glazing found,
The Sarasins by Mahomet prouided,
Wan Persia, where Ormisda long sat crown'd,
And in short space hauing their powers diuided,
Conquerd all Ægypt with the Climats round:
Damascus likewise was subdude by them,
So was rich Antioch and Hierusalem.
73
Three yeares Cadwallader (esteem'd the lastOf Brittan Princes) gouernd: and he dead,
The Kingdome wholly to West-Saxons past,
Of whom King Iue first impald his head,
And next him Ethelard, whose raigne was grast
By reuerent Beda, of whose workes we read:
Of Clearkly Bookes on seuerall Subiects stil'd,
Threscore and eyghteene Volums well compil'd.
430
74
Next Ethelard, raign'd Cuthred, whom succeedsSigebert, and he not one full yeare did raigne,
But was deposde for many tyrranous deedes,
And after basely by a Swine-heard slaine,
Kynulphus to the Kingdome next proceedes,
Who after by a man of Sigeberts traine
Was murdred in the night, as he should passe
Vnto his Mistris, a braue Brittish Lasse.
75
The Sarasins pierce Europe, Rhodes they wasted,The Firmament two daies appeares to burne,
The Emperour Constantine his Army hasted
The Sarasins by armes to ouerturne,
Where thirty thousand Pagans of death tasted,
When Constantine expires, the Christians mourne:
His Throne and State Iustinian next maintained,
And from the Turkes, Affricke and Libia gayned.
76
The next West-Saxon King was Brithricus,Who eyghteene yeares after Kinulphus fall
Raign'd King, came from the blooud of Cerdicus,
And queld the Danes in many a bloudy brall,
Wiu'd Ethelburgh, by whom, as Bookes discusse
He poysond was: yet whilst he gouern'd all
S. Albons, Winchcombe Abbeyes were both built,
Blood rayn'd, which seem'd like Crosses where t'was spilt.
77
Egbert the Saxon, thirty seauen supplydeThe Soueraignety, now raign'd French Charles the great,
Eyghteene whole dayes the Sunne his light denyde,
Hyren the Empresse from th'Imperiall Seat
Her young Sonne Constantine deposde through pride,
And after did him cruelly intreat:
She causd his eyes be torne out of his head,
And foure yeares after gouernd in his stead.
78
King Ethelwolfe, the fore-nam'd Egbert's Sonne,As Chroniclers affirme, Oxford erected,
a Priest at first, in Orders he begon,
Till after marrying, he the State affected,
431
But are expeld: Sergius is Pope elected:
Whose name Os Porcy seem'd so vile, that they
Chang'd it, and from him all Popes to this day.
79
Foure Sonnes each other in the State succeedesKing Ethelwald, who gouern'd not a yeare
When Ethelbert his Brother don'd the Weedes
Imperiall, and next him doth appeare
The third Sonne Etheldred, (whose body bleeds
By the bold Danes) who after slaughterd were
By the fourth Sonne: at Brixium as Bookes tell,
Three dayes together bloud in thicke shewers fell.
80
Young Alured from Ethelwolfe the last,Twenty nine yeares sixe monthes, the Scepter bore,
Hungar and Hubba quite through Scotland past,
Bels were first vsde in Greece (not knowne before)
In sixe set battailes, Alured disgrast
The warlike Danes, then dyde: The Peeres adore
Edward his elder Sonne, who nobly beares
The Brittish Scepter foure and twenty yeares.
81
Nine Popes in lesse then nine yeares were instald,Adelwald, Edwards Brother, twice rebelling
VVas by the Elders Prowesse twice appald,
And after slaine, the Huns and Hungars quelling
All Europe, were much feard: a Princesse cald
Elflede, King Edwards Sister much excelling:
after the throwes in her first Child-birth tryde,
For euermore her Husbands Bed denide.
82
And proouing armes, by them she honor sought,She tam'd the VVelch-men, and the Danes disgraced,
Next Edward Adelstane the battailes fought,
Of the bold English, and the Castles raced
(as the proud Danes reard) and to ruine brought
The Sarasins euen from Hetruria chased:
Th'Italian Guards: they Gæan ouerthrow,
VVhere bloud three dayes out of a VVell did flow.
432
83
Now Gui of Warwick, Danish Colebrand slew,And England of all Tribute quite releast,
King Edmond did the Soueraignety pursue,
When Adelstane at Malmsbury deceast,
Slaine after fiue yeares: by succession true
Eldred his Brother raignes, whose pomp increast:
Edmonds two Sons being young, the Peeres cōplaine,
and thinke their Vncle of more worth to raigne.
84
France, Tuskaine, Germany, the Hungars wast,Hugh King of Italy, by Fire destroyes
The nauy of the Sarazens, then past
To Traxinetum, Edwin next inioyes
The Scepter (Eldred hauing breath'd his last)
At Kingstone crown'd, whose hart was set on toyes,
He Dunstan banisht, his Landes and Treasure lauisht,
and his neere Neecc vpon his Crowne-day rauisht.
85
And next he slew her Husband, for all whichafter foure yeares he was depriude his state,
Edgar his Brother, a Prince wise and rich,
In all things iust, seuere, and Fortunate,
ascends the Throne, no Sorcerer nor Witch
His sentence spard, Theeues, Bribers he did hate:
To him Ludwallis, Prince of Wales obayd,
Three hundred Wolues for Tribute yearely payd.
86
Forty seauen Monasteryes this King erectedRed Crosses made, and on mens Roabes were seared,
When Duffus had foure yeares the Scots protected,
Donewald a Scotch Lord, that no bad thing feared,
Him basely slew, and from his Throne deiected,
From which, sixe monthes no Moone or Sunne appeared:
The Turkes by Euecus Earle of Bygar,
Were Spaine expeld, he first King of Nauar.
87
King Edgar in his sixteenth yeare expyres,When his Sonne Edward was at Kingstone crownde,
Slaine by his trayterous Stepdame, who desires
The Crowne for her Sonne Etheldred: he founde
433
Citties and Townes in England, burning round:
King Etheldred raign'd in this Kingdome free,
Thirty eyght yeares: His murdred Brother three.
88
Now Stephen was made first King of Hungary,And thirty nine yeares raign'd. Alphons of Spaine
Besiedging great Visenum valiantly,
Was with an arrow kild, and strowed the plaine:
All the Lord-Danes that liu'd here tyranously,
Were by the English Wiues in one night slaine:
Ierusalem was by the Turkes possest,
Whom twice the bold Venetian Duke distrest.
89
King Edmond (sir-nam'd Iron-side) next his FatherInioyes the Kingdome, gainst whom Swanus Son
The bold Canutus all his Danes doth gather,
Twixt whom were many battayles lost and won,
After much bloods effusion they chose rather,
By single strife to end the broyles begon:
Theyr valors were in equall ballance tryde,
and after Combat they the Land deuide.
90
Edrick of Stratton, valiant Edmond slew,And from Canutus had a Traytors meede,
The valiant Dane in Stiles and Honors grew,
He Scotland wan, and Norway: To his seed
Leauing foure Kingdomes, Vice he did eschew,
Nor euer did a iuster Prince succeed:
English and Danes he atton'd vnto his doome,
and after went on Pilgrimage to Roome.
91
Robert the Norman Duke, for valor famed,Hyes to the holy warres in Palestine,
He gone, his young Sonne William is proclaymed
The Norman Duke: Now seekes a Throne deuine
Canutus when he twenty yeares had raigned,
and Harrold Harefoote vnto whom incline
The Danes in England, next the Scepter swayes,
and three yeares past: at Oxford ends his dayes.
434
92
Hardi-canutus the same number fild,and drinking dide: whom the good Edward (Sainted
For holy workes) succeeds, no bloud he spild,
Nor with knowne sinnes his high profession taynted,
He married as the great Earle Goodwin wild,
Th'Earles Daughter Edgitha, and nothing wanted:
That a iust Prince should haue, one and twenty years,
In zeale and clemency the Crowne he weares.
93
This Goodwin, Alphred Edward younger Brother,Traytorously slew, and by his power he yoaked
The King himselfe, betrayde his Soueraigne Mother,
By Byshop Robert to these illes prouoked,
But Heauen no longer could such mischiefe smother,
Swearing by Bread, he by the bit was choaked:
The swallowing Sea deuour'd all his Lands,
Which to this day beare name of Goodwins sands.
94
William the Bastard Duke first landing heare,Was by the King receaued, and Englands Crowne
Promist by Edward, which no English Peere
Was knowne to contradict, after sent home
With greatest pompe, and Harrold the same yeare
Earle Goodwins sonne, a man of great renowne:
Arriude in Normandy, and with oathes deepe,
Sware (the King dead) for him the Crowne to keepe.
95
But Edward dead, Harrold vsurpes the seate,Whom Fauston and the Norwey King inuade
Vpon the North, both whom he did defeate,
And brauely slew in battaile. William made
A new Incursion gainst whom in t'is heare,
Harrold his Ensignes in the field displayde:
The Norman Duke preuaylde: and Harrald slaine,
William (the first so cald) begins his raigne.
436
The end of the sixteenth CANTO.
437
Canto. 17.
Argumentum
Of all great Brittans Kinges, truely descendedFrom the first Conqueror next we shall intreat,
How they haue fayld, or how their hands extended
Through any forraine Realmes by Conquest great,
How they begun, and how their raignes they ended,
Till royall Iames claymes his Monarchall Seate;
In whom three kingdomes, first by Brute deuided,
Vnited are, and by one Scepter guided.
Arg. 2.
From Norman William a true note collected,Of all the kinges and Queenes that here protected.
1
William , the Norman Duke is next inuested,Sixt of that Dutchy entring by sterne warre,
A troublous raigne he liu'd, and sildome rested
From rough rebellious armes: yet euery barre
His Sword remou'd, Hertford his pride detested,
But for his Treason was confined farre:
Earle Walter too, into that faction led,
Disclosde the plot, and for it lost his head.
438
2
Duke Robert, Williams Sonne, by th'instigationOf the French King, doth Normandy inuade,
Against whom William raysde the English nation,
And when no Prince betwixt them could perswade,
They met and fought, with much loude acclamation,
Robert vnhorst his Father, and then stayde
His warlike hand, whom by his voyce he knew,
And raisd him: for which, peace betweene them grew.
3
William inuading France, in Caan expyerd,And there lies buried by his warlike Peeres,
after he many Towers and Townes had fierd,
Raigning o're England one and twenty yeares,
Foure Sonnes he left, one Daughter much admierd:
Robert and Richard, who ascends the Spheares
Before ripe age: William who next doth sway,
Henry cald Bewclack, and fayre Adela.
4
Whilst our great Conqueror liu'd, the King of Danes,Canutus by the English Out-Lawes ayded,
Inuades the North, but William him restraynes,
Henry the Emperor Bauaria inuaded,
Malcolm that ore the troublous Scots then raignes
Peirces Northumberland, at this time vaded
The Saxons glory, Otho them defaced,
after the Thuringas he by armes had chaced.
5
Eudochia who had seuen yeares worne the CrownOf Græciaes Empyre, was by maryage tyde
Vnto Rhomanus, one of high renowne,
(Sir-nam'd Diogenes.) Gregory denyde
Marriage to Priests, the Russ. Duke was put downe
By Prince Demetrius, neare to him allyde:
William foure Castles built, his Foes to tame,
At Yorke, at Lincolne, and at Nottighame.
6
Henry then Cæsar for some sinne detected,Did by the Pope stand excommunicate,
and being of his Feudor King reiected,
To Gregory submits him and his State,
439
Byshop of Sarum: Cæsar absolu'd late:
(The second time condemnd) gainst Gregory sped,
Stating Rauennaes Robert in his sted.
7
Vradislaus was the first King madeOf Boheme, and of all the Countries neare,
Ansell who then Galisiaes Scepter swayed,
Did gainst the Sarazens in armes appeare,
And wan from them Tolledo, by the ayde
Of Christian Princes: Rufus gouernd heer
Next after conquering William, thirteene springs
He sat inuested in our Throne of Kings.
8
Twice Robert made incursion, but supprestBy Williams power, the Scots inuade againe
But are appeasd, the Welshmen Rees inuest,
Who in a conflict was by William slaine:
Ierusalem by Pagan Armes opprest,
Th'assembled christiā kings by force maintain:
Where dide in battaile as the rumor ran,
The Babilonian Souldan, Soliman.
9
The Norman Robert, chusd King by electionOf Palestine, refusd the Sacred stile,
Which Bulloin Godfrey tooke to his protection,
Scotch Malcolm with his sonne entring by guile
Northumbers Marches, came to the deiection
By valiant Robert, who was Earle that while:
(Both slaine in field) K. William the same yeare,
Erected the great Hall in Westminster.
10
Duncan vsurpes in Scotland, not two yearesHe gouernd there, but in his bed was slaine,
Donnald restor'd, not long the Scepter beares,
But Edgar (that ambitious was to raigne)
By armes supprest him, and the Dia'dem weares,
Rufus being hunting, Tyrrell of his traine,
By glauncing of an Arrow, the King slew,
Henrie next gouernes, by succession true.
440
11
Thirty fiue yeares did Henry Beauclarke guideTh'Helme-Royall, he for Theft strict lawes decreed,
Robert returnd from Palestine, defide
Henry, who after parley were agreed,
Long their truce lasted not, Beu-clarke denide
His Brothers pension, great dissentions breed:
After much warre, Duke Robert they surprise,
Who for a prisons breach forfeits his eyes.
12
Norwich Cathedrall Church is founded new,S. Bartholmewes built, by Reior a Musitian,
In Belgia great Inundations grew,
Being almost drown'd: Now vpon good condition
Peace twixt the Emperor and King Henry grew,
Whose daughter was with much hye superstition
Made Empresse: Maud the English Queen being dead
Henry takes Adelisia in her stead.
13
The King of England with French Lodwicke tryesGreat discords, where the English gaine the best,
In their returne by Sea great Tempests ryse,
Where all the yssue-Royall most and least
Perisht, with many Nobles graue and wise,
Where eight-score soules at once are sent to rest:
Of all the ship, one Butcher and no more,
Escapt the seas, and swam vnto the shore.
14
Geffrey Plantagenet (the Emperour dead)Wiues Maud the Empresse, vnto whom she bare
Two sonnes, Henry and Geoffrey: now life fled
From Beu-clarke, who to Stephen resignes his Chaire,
But ere he rests him in his earthy bed,
He is renown'd for many buildings rare:
Dunstable Priory, Reading Abbey, and
Windsore fayre Castle, that on hye doth stand.
15
Duke Bohemond in Asia warres maintaining,Was by the Turkes surpriz'd, restor'd againe
By Tancred, who in Puell after raigning,
Infinite Turkes were by his valour slaine,
441
Two famous Townes: Now Alphons rules in Spaine:
Lawes the grosse in France, in Scotlands right,
Malcolms first sonne, that Alexander hight.
16
Alexius did the Græcian Empire sway,Henry in Rome, the Pope doth Pascall guids,
In Hungary raignd Stephen: about that day
A blazing-Starre appeares, and long abides,
Two Moones are seene, and in Flaminia
Blood raignes; Michaell the Duke of Venice rides
Against the Pagans, who were made his pray
At loppen: After in his home returne,
He many of the Emperours townes did burne.
17
Charles Earle of Flaunders in the Church was slaineBy the proud Bruggis prouost, which related,
William the sonne of Cort-hose did complaine,
And by French Lewes was next Earle instated,
Balach the Parthian did proud warres maintaine
Gainst Baldwin, which was by rough steele debated:
Baldwin surprizd, fayre Sions Towers quite raced,
And faire Ierusalem once more defaced.
18
Stephen Earle of Bulloin sonne to th'Earle of Bloys,and Addela next Henry rules as King,
Though Maud the Empresse had th'applausiue voyce,
Of many English peeres, through which warres spring,
Gloster and Chester Earles, after much choise
Of fields and battailes, such an Army bring,
That Stephen is tooke, and vnto Bristow sent,
After releast, by London and by Kent.
19
These Counties rayse an army, and surprizeGloster, for whom the Barons change King Stephen,
Dauid of Scotland doth gainst England rise,
after much warre their discords are made eeuen,
By th'Empresse meanes his Barons him despise,
First Stephen preuailes, the Lords their Lands bereauen:
But gathering head, at Wilton they preuaile,
Where the King flyes, whom Gloster doth assaile.
442
20
Henry, Mauds sonne, after K. Stephens decease,Is proclaim'd King, which soone attones their strife,
By which mild Stephen raignes all his dayes in peace,
His sonne, the French Kings Sister takes to wife,
Gersa the sonne of Bela gan encrease
His fame among the Hungars, and his life
Was fearefull to the Germans; Lewes swayd France,
The Turkes grim Alaph to their Crowne aduance,
21
Earle Roger rul'd Sicilia. AlmanyGreat Barbarosse, Romes Empery Conrade,
Adrian of England held the Papacy,
In Scotland raignd Malcolm a beautious mayd,
The English Iewes at Easter Crucifie
A Christian child, and life for life they paid:
Next Stephen, King Henry, second of that name,
Sonne to the Empresse Maud the Peeres proclame.
22
Thirty fiue yeares his prosperous raigne doth last,In which he Englands Seigniory augmented,
With Scotland, Ireland, and then further past
To th'Orcad Isles, whose forces he preuented,
Brittaine, Poictou, and Guien he made fast
To th'English Crowne, Wales that but late dissented,
His sword appeasd, and after well protected,
Which done great Rutland Castle he erected.
23
Two Sunnes at once within our skies apeare,And in the Moone a bloody Crosse was seene,
Lewes of France sent ouer Margaret heere,
His daughter, to be made young Henries Queene,
By which the discords that both Realmes did feare
In this alliance quite dispersed beene:
Once more the King gainst Scotland is prouoked,
Pope Adrian drinking, with a Fly was choked.
24
Vradislaus for his valour showne,At Milleins siedge, was by the Emperour made
Bohemians second King, his Armes well knowne,
A faire red Rampant Lyon: Baldwin layde
443
King of Ierusalem, who brauely staid
Th' Ægiptian power, and in one glorious day,
Wan from the Souldan Alexandria.
25
Now Thomas Becket who before had fledTo Rome, and there complaind him of the King,
Was to his Sea restor'd, after strooke dead
In Canterbury Church (a pittious thing)
Him Rome Cannoniz'd for a Saint, which bred
Much superstition: Salladine doth bring
A puissant host: his Conquests he began,
And by the sword Egipt and Sarry wan.
26
Henry, King Henries sonne, was twice instatedAnd Crown'd in England in his Fathers dayes,
By which much vprore was by warre debated,
The sonnes against the father tumults raise,
The Pope gainst th' Emperour Fredericke animated,
Fredericke submits, and at his foot he layes
His princely head, whilst with a Lordly checke,
The Pope his foot sets on the Emperors necke.
27
Andronicus hauing his Maister slaine,(The childe Alexius left to his tuition)
Three yeares the Græcian Empire doth maintaine,
Baldwin the fift, (a Chiln of faire condition)
Is Crowd in Syon: Saladin againe
Gainst Palestine doth make new expedition:
Subdues Ierusalem, and since his dayes,
The Infidell the holy kingdome swayes.
28
Henry the sonne before the Father dyes,Whose warres his Brother Richard takes in hand,
And by hostility the King defies,
Vnable gainst his puissant sonne to stand,
Sickenesse and griefe of thoughts the King surprise,
Who dying, to Prince Richard leaues the Land:
Richard in Armes a bold reputed Knight,
Who for his stout heart Cordelyon hight.
444
29
Eleuen full yeares, nine months and twenty dayesHe sat inthron'd Now Bayliffes first begun
In London: many Christian princes raise
Fresh powers, to gaine Ierusalem late wun,
Almaine, France, England, Burgoine (whom most praise)
To this, Sicilia, Venice, Pysa run,
And quell the Pagans. Richard Cipresse tooke,
And Acon, where the French King him forsooke.
30
Frederick the Empetor, hauing late subdudeThe lesse Armenia, where his Fame was sowned,
Through greatest part of Asia gan intrude,
And of that Tri-part world was soueraigne Crowned,
But by misfortune or by rashnesse rude,
Was after in the flood Selephius drowned:
Richard exchang'd with Gui of Lessingham
The Crowne of Cipresse, for Ierusalem.
31
Grac'st with the title of the holy King,Returning with a small and slender traine
Towards England, where his Brother Iohn vsurping,
Tooke to himselfe a short rebellious raigne,
The Austrich Duke, King Richard enuying,
Surpriz'd him first, then gaue him to be slaine
To's fierce Lyon, whom vnarm'd he beat,
And from his bulke his warme heart tore and eat.
32
Thence ransom'd, (after warre) prince Iohn submits,Whilst Saphandenus Egipts Empire swayde,
In Spaines Tribunall the eight Alphons sits,
Emericus Hungariaes King is made,
To Innocent the third, th'Emperour submits,
Who eighteene yeares the Papall Crosier staide,
He first deuisd Auricular confession,
Which since his time, the Popes keepe by succession.
33
Richard besiedging Gailerd long with Steele,Was with an Arrow from the Castle wounded,
Shot by the hand of one Peter Bazeele,
He slaine, Retrait the valiant English sounded,
445
In whom Religion, power, and state abound:
Next him King Iohn succeeds by the Lands doome,
Who whilst he raign'd despisd the threats of Rome.
34
Raign'd seuenteene yeares, him Phillip King of FranceInuades, in Arthur Duke of Brittons name,
Whose powers the English Iohn surprisd by chance,
Imprisoning Arthur whence these Garboyles came,
The Persians Dauid to the Throne aduance,
Who with his Indian Troopes marcht with much Fame,
Of Parthia and Armenia Conqueror,
And of Tartaria the first Emperor.
35
Fiue Moones were all at once in Yorkeshire seene,After which portent many stormes insude,
prince Iohn hauing incurd the popes fell spleene,
Stands with his Land accurst, which some allude
To Byshop Lanchton, who at Rome had beene,
And sought in Canterbury to intrude:
In Suffolke was a strange Fish tooke, that bore
The shape of man, and six months liu'd a shore.
36
The Maior and Shrieffes in London were first made,Wales twice rebelling was by warre appeasd,
Th'English at Sluce the Nauy of France inuade,
A thousand twenty sayle at once they ceasd,
Pope Innocent great Cæsars pompe allaide,
Making such Lawes as scarce the Empire pleasd,
Onely such princes should as Emperors stand,
As should receiue their Crownes at the popes hand.
37
Of whom the Saxon Duke Otho was first,Venice subdues Corcyra, and the Iles
Adiacent, Otho by the pope accurst,
For taking to himselfe the Empires stiles,
Against him Menace warre pope Innocent durst,
and traind into these broyles by prayers and smiles:
Fredericke the second, who the Diadem weares
after Duke Otho, three and twenty yeares.
446
38
Iohn for a yearely tribute to Rome payde,Of twice fiue hundred Markes, absolues his Land,
King Alexander is the Scotch King made,
(After deceased William, to command,)
He twenty and foure yeares the kingdome staide,
Against King Iohn the English Barons stand,
And to their faction the French Lewes bring,
Whom in Iohns stead they seeke t'elect as King.
39
Amidst these tumults Iohn by fate expires,(As some suppose) by poyson: whom succeeds
Henry his sonne: him more the Land desires
Then Lewes, hated for some bloody deeds,
For him the people make triumphant fires,
A generall ioy his hye instalment breeds:
at nineteene yeares, the kingdome hee attained,
and fifty six yeares o're his subiects raigned.
40
Our Ladies Church in Westminster he reared,Now Hocata the second puissant King
Of great Tartaria, was renownd and feared,
He first the Title of great Caan did win,
The drooping Scotch King was by Henry cheared,
To whom he gaue his Sister (next of Kin)
Faire Ioane Robert: Græciaes Empire swayd,
Who to his Empresse tooke a beautious Mayd.
41
She was before betroth'd to a great peereOf Burgoine, he the Emperours pompe despysing,
Entred his armed pallace without feare,
The Damsell in the Emperors armes surprising,
He first cut off her nose (reuenge seuere)
And from that place himselfe disguising:
To her'fore bribed Mother posting fast,
Th'inconstant Dame into the Seas he cast.
42
The Scots in Cathnes their proud Byshop burne,Because he curst such, as their tythes denide,
Wards were first graunted, Frederick doth returne
Towards Asia, and the Souldan puft with pride,
447
Those Christians that in Palestine abide;
England with France makes warre, and after peace,
Tumults in Wales arise, but soone surcease.
43
Frederick, King Henries Sister takes to wife,Cald Isabell: Henry takes Elanour,
Daughter to th'Earle of Prouence, ending strife
Twixt them before begun, about that houre
His spousals were solemniz'd, and ioyes rife,
In th'Element appear'd a warlike power
Of men in armes, of diuers wings compacted,
The Merton Statute now was first enacted.
44
This yeare the famous faction first begunOf Guelfes and Gibelines, Tartarian Caan
Inuades the Hungars, and their kingdome won,
Where their King Bela was in battaile slaine,
The Mother eats her Childe, and Sire, the Sonne,
So great was hunger mongst the Hungars than:
Now London Aldermen were first elected,
and Frederick once more by the pope reiected.
45
Pope Innocent the fourth from th'Emperour flyingTo Lyons: to the Cardinals first gaue
Red hats. A Iew in Spaine Christs faith denying,
pierst a huge rocke, there found a hallow Caue,
In it a Marble stone which with Steele trying,
He finds a Booke inclosd with præcepts graue,
Which spoke of Christ, by which the Story saith,
The stiffe-neckt Iew was turn'd to Christian faith.
46
Henry with London Citty late displeasd,For sentence gainst one Margaret Viell past,
Into his power the Cities Charters ceasd,
Which by submission they regain'd at last,
Young Alexanders Father long diseasd
Expir'd in Scotland, the young prince in hast
at nine yeares Crownd, to whom Henry affide,
His Daughter Mary, whom he tooke to Bride.
448
47
In Italy bloud issued out of breadAs out of woundes, French Lewes was surprisd
By the great Souldan: Maugo Caan's made head
Of the rude Tartars, who being well aduisde,
Receiued the Christian Fayth, and after sped
against the Turkes, in Crosses red disguisde:
Alphons of Spaine bestowes his Daughter fayre
On young Prince Edward, Henries hopefull heyre.
48
Richard of Cornwall, Brother to the King,At Aquisgraue was Emperor elected,
and Alphons of Castile the State affecting,
Was by the Electors from the State reiected,
Albertus Magnus flourisht in his spring,
And Michael Paleologus, respected
For his great warres in Greece, who Baldwin slew,
and thirty fiue yeares in the Empire grewe.
49
At Oxford the mad Parlement began,King Henry with his Barons doth contend,
They fought neare Lewes, many a valiant man
Of Noble bloud came to a timelesse end,
The King against his Peeres the best he can,
Striues by the Sword, his Barons to offend:
Who Mauger all his force the battaile wonne,
Surprisd the King, his Brother, and his Sonne.
50
Prince Edward entred Asia, and there foughtagainst the Turkes, where he atchieued much fame,
at length his life was by a Sarazan sought,
Who with a Knife to his Pauilion came
Empoysoned: and his death had almost wrought,
For in his princely arme he fixt the same:
Richard, King Henries Brother, and Romes king
First dyes, and after Henry, the same spring.
51
Next whom, Prince Edward Long-shankes was inuested,and thirty foure yeares raign'd, admir'd and feared,
Th'vsurping pride of Priests, he much detested,
Bounty and Vertue in this Prince appeared,
449
Two Kingdomes for two Nephewes, much indeered:
Of Iewes at once (that in their wealth tooke pride,)
Two hundred eyghty foure, for Coyning dyde.
52
Lewellen next rebeld, slaine by the handOf Roger Mortimer. After not long
Dauid his Brother did gainst Edward stand,
A daungerous Rebell, and in faction strong,
Yet perisht likewise, with his warlike Band
Of Welch reuolted: (other things among)
King Edward ioyes, to quell the French-mens scorne,
and for Prince Edward at Carnaruan borne.
53
Alexander Issu-lesse fell from his SteedAnd brake his necke, the Carmelites began.
Phillip the fayre, in France was King decreed,
Two Women in Heluetta liued than,
Who in their Wombs did two strange Monsters breed,
One bore a Child that had the face of man,
and body of a Lyon: th'other bred
One with two bodies, from the Girdle-sted.
54
The Scotch King dying Issulesse, contentionIn Scotland grew, who should succeede the State,
The strife Edward atton'd, and after mention
Made of their Title, which these Lords relate,
He arbitrates theyr fierce and hot dissention,
And to Iohn Balioll priz'd at hyest rate
He giues the Crowne, which pleased Scotland well,
Madock and Morgan now in Wales rebell.
55
Edward thrice war'd gainst Scotland, and preuayled,The French Kings Sister Margaret tooke to Wife,
and to his Sonne the Princedome he entayled
Of Wales, proud Ottoman began great strife
With Christendome, and many Townes assayled,
In him the Empire of the Turkes tooke life:
Pope Boniface the eyght suruiued than,
He first in Rome the Iubilee began.
450
56
Creat Tamor Cam gouernd Tartaria,Albert the Empire, France, King Phillip guided,
Prince Ladislaus ruld Hungaria,
Clement the fift the seat of Rome deuided,
Transporting it to France, which from that day
Seauenty foure yeares continew'd vndecided:
Seraph th'Egiptian Souldan-ship supplide,
Edward the first in his Scotch garboiles dide.
57
The second Edward him succeeds, and raignesFull eighteene yeares, a Prince of no renowne,
He ryots, Lusts, and wantonnesse maintaind
Mongst priuate vnthrifts, and his peeres put downe,
Henry the Emperour hauing brauely gaind,
Many great fields was with an yron Crowne
at Milleine Crownd, where he aduancst his name,
The Crutched Fryares first into England came.
58
Peirs Gaueston twice banisht by the Peeres,Was by the King recald: Iohn Tamer rose
In rebell armes, destroyd by his owne feares,
Phillip the long, their King the French-men chose,
The hauty Spencers triumpht many yeares
Ouer the Nobles, who themselues oppose
against their pride: the Spencers they exile,
Whom the loose King reuoked in small while.
59
Twenty two Barons (for the Spencers loue)The King cut off: the Sun six houres appeared
Of sanguine hew, his glorious brightnesse stroue
with his red Maske, which at the last he cleared,
Edward his force did twice gainst Scotland proue,
(Both times the soyle with English blood besmeared:)
The Queene and Prince the Spencers could not brook
And like two exiles their owne Land forsooke.
60
Sir Iohn of Henault Lands in the Queenes ayde,And hy the Barons helpe, the King pursued,
who after in strong Barkley Castle layde
Sir Roger Mortimer, a man indude
451
and with the Kings bloud Barkley Tower Imbrude:
Baldock, the Spencers Minions to the King,
The Conquering Peeres vnto destruction bring.
61
Edward King Edwards Sonne, fifty yeares boreEnglands rich Scepter: Charles the French King dide,
Leauing no issue of the Royall store,
Therefore King Edward being next alyde,
Claymes France, to which the Doncipeeres restore
Phillip Valois, and Edwards clayme deride:
Sir Roger Mortimer (long grast boue reason
By the Kings Mother) was condemn'd of Treason.
62
Edward the Blacke-Prince was at Woodstocke borne,King Edward fought the field cald Haldonne Hill
In Scotland. After some few dayes out-worne,
The King his clayme to France doth menace still,
Petrach the Laureat liu'd, the French in scorne,
Foure hundred Sayle with armed Souldiers fill:
These Edward meetes at Sluce, whom fame hath souned,
Thirty three thousand of French t'haue slain & drowned.
63
The order of the Garter was first made,Soone after was the famous Cressie field,
Don Petro by his Spanish Peeres betrayde,
Was to their violent fury forst to yeild,
Edward wan Callis: Iohn next Phillip swayde
In France, and mena'st with his warlike Shield:
The braue Black-Prince at Poytieres battayle wonne
The field, the French King Prisoner, and his Sonne.
64
Melchella was now Souldan, AmurathEmperor of Turky, and with Conquest fought,
(A persecutor of the Christian Fayth)
The French King-Iohn hauing his peace now bought,
at Sauoy dide: and Charles the sixt next hath
The Crowne of France, Don-Peter ayde besought:
Who late exiled from the Crowne of Spaine,
Was by the Black-Prince repossest againe.
452
65
The Duke of Lancaster France ouer-run.Vnfought withall: Sir Robert Knowles likewise
Marcht by the Citty Paris: now begun
Great Baiazeth among the Turkes to rise,
The braue blacke Prince (from France where he had won
So many Noble fields) returning dyes:
The King himselfe (as our best writers say)
Expird, of Iune the two and twentith day.
66
Richard the second, sonne to the bold PrinceEdward (sit-namd the Blacke) at yeares eleuen
Began his rule, whom many men conuince
Of wanton ryot, and a course vneuen,
Well tutor'd in's minority, but since
He manag'd state, too much neglecting heauen:
Gunnes were deuisd first by a Germaine Fryer,
France doth the Kingdome of Nauar desire.
67
Queene Ioane of Naples flourisht, Bohemes KingVinceslaus, was Almaine Emperor made,
Twixt Portugall and Castile discords spring,
Two Popes contend; the Genowayes inuade
The bold Venetians, and to battaile bring
Their Nauall powers, both Ensignes flye displaid:
Iacke Straw dyes, stabd in Smithfield by the care
Of William Walworth, at that time Lord Maior.
68
A wondrous Earth-quake did whole England shake,King Richard th' Almaine Emperors daughter wiude,
The Turkes in Christendome great vprores make,
Iohn Galeazo in those dayes suruiu'd,
Duke Iohn of Gaunt, doth a braue voyage take
To conquer Spaine, and in his purpose thriu'd:
The Barons of the Realme themselues with-drew,
And many of the King seducers slew.
69
The Duke of Lancaster his daughter Kate,Married to Henry Castiles eldest sonne,
His second daughter had the Queene-like state
Of Portugall, by which all warres were done,
453
Seekes by his power all Greece to ouer-ron:
Against Constantinopolis, he layde
at eyght-yeare siedge: now Colleines Schoole was made.
70
Robert of Scotland dying, Iohn his heyreSucceedes next: Richard (Queene Anne beiug dead)
Espousd French Isabel: then did prepare
For Ireland, where's voyage slowly sped,
He put to death his Vncles, for the care
Of him and his Realmes safty (sore misled)
Hereford and Norfolke Dukes the Combat clayme,
and both are banist in King Richards name.
71
The Scithian Tamberlaine the Turkes subdude,and kept theyr Emperor in an Iron Cage,
Hereford against his sentence, durst intrude
Himselfe int'England, and gainst Richard wage
A threatned warre: the Peeres Richard exclude
From gouernment, who in his strength of age
Resignes his Crowne, his Dignity, and Fame,
To Henry Bullingbrooke, fourth of that name.
72
Gainst whom the Duke of Exeter, Richards Brother,The Dukes of Surry and Aumarle conspyre,
With Glocester, who his hatred cannot smother,
And Salsbury, all these his life conspyre,
and for it lost their lyues, with many other
Of the same faction, seeking to aspyre:
Richard is slayne in Prison, after showne
Through London streets, to haue his death wel known.
73
Owen Glendoure raysd armes: Hotspur rebeld,Woorster, Northumberland, with others moe,
Whom Edward met at Shrewsbury, and queld,
Giuing those Lords a Mortall ouerthrow,
The Milleine Duke, that many yeares exceld
In Tyranny, at length was layde full low:
Leauing to Iohn his Sonne the Dukedomes Seat,
This yeare was stated Mahomet the great.
254
74
Charles of Cremona, by the Treason dideOf base Cabrinus Fundulus, his slaue,
Th' Arch-Byshop Scroope, that Edward late defide,
Surprizd in field, came to a timelesse graue,
In Poland at Craconia full of pride,
Was founded th' Accademy: some depraue
The Burgoin Duke, that did his hands imbrew
In Orleance blood, whom he by Treason slew.
75
Saint Andrewes Vniuersity begonIn Scotland, Iohn the Milleine Duke is slaine
Of his owne Subiects: Ladislaus won
The Citty Rome, which he gaue vp againe,
King Edward dying, left vnto his son
Henry the fift, a faire and prosperous raigne:
Ten yeares he did his Royall fame aduance,
and to his Crowne annext the Realme of France.
76
Great Amurath sway'd Turky: Iohn, Castile:The sixt Charles, France; Pope Martin, Peters Chaire:
at Henries claime to France the French-men smile,
With many taunts they Englands puissance dare,
King Henrie crost the seas, and in small while
at Agin-court, manag'd a fight so rare:
That in one battaile he the Land ore-run,
Leauing the Crowne successiue to his son.
77
Ieremy Prague, and Iohn Husse dye by fireabout religious causes, Zisca led
The Thahorytes, and further gan aspire
against the Emperour to list his head,
French Katherine was Crownd Queene by great desire
Of all our English peeres: Duke Clarens sped
against the Dolphin, but (alas) in vaine,
By multitudes he was ore-set and slaine.
78
Henry t'auenge his Brothers death, preparesagaine to inuade France, where he breaths his last,
Pale death that in his rigour no man spares,
Bereaues him life: his infant sonne not past
455
Vnder protection: Bedfords Duke was great
With Regency of France, a Sorcering Maide,
Fought on the Dolphins part, and brought him ayde.
79
Who in small time was King of France proclaymde,at Orleance braue Mountacute is slaine,
Prince Sigismond is Roman Emperor nam'd,
Eugenius doth the papall Sea maintaine,
Phillip guides Milleine: now was Talboot fam'd,
Who many lost Townes did in France regaine:
Now flourisht Francis Forza in his pride,
The Lyons in the Tower this yeare all dyde.
80
Zeuza liues Persiaes King: for SorceryDame Elen Cobham the Protectors Wife,
With diuers others were found treacherously
To haue ennspyred against King Henries life,
Dame Margaret to the King of Scicily
Sole-Daughter (which began much future strife)
To Henries Bed, with Suffolke crost the Seas,
now liu'd the braue Prince Huniades.
81
Humphrey the Duke of Gloster, was depriu'dHis harmelesse life at Bury: Suffolke now
Was banisht England, where he long had striu'd
By the Kings grace to make the Barons bow,
Iacke Cade, a mutinous Rebell, now suruiu'd,
Dating the Kings Edicts to disalow:
This was the yeare of Iubilee: In Menz,
Faustius first printed, at his owne expence.
82
The Turkish Mahomet sackt and despoyldeConstantinople: at this time was fought
Saint Albons battaile, where the King was foyld,
and by the Duke of Yorke a prisoner brought
To London: the sixt Henry being much toyld
With Kingdomes cares, his peace and quiet sought,
Making proud Yorke protector: now was fam'd
George Castriotus, (Scanderbag sir-nam'd.)
256
83
Great Warwicke at Northampton the King metIn battaile, of the Barons many slew,
Surpri'd the King in person without let,
The Duke of Yorke reuiues his claime anew,
Whom many of the chiefest Lords abet,
And in the Parlement his right pursue:
Being Titled heyre apparant to the Crowne,
at Wakefield him, King Henries Queene put downe.
84
Great Warwicke at Saint Albons she made flie,Rescuing the King her husband in small space,
Yorkes sonne the Earle of March gan to defie,
and sought by armes King Henry to displace,
Neere Yorke both powers each other soone discry,
Where the fourth Edward hath the King in chace:
and now the victors Lord it where they please,
Whilst Margaret with her young son crost the Seas.
85
Twelue Kingdomes, and two hundred Citties more,Great Mahomet subdues: next Exham field
Was fought by them that Henry would restore,
But to King Edwards powers perforce they yeild,
Who wiues the Lady Gray, she that before
Was wife to Sir Iohn Gray: Warwick, his shield
aduancst against the King, whom he had Crownd,
and for French Bona seekes him to confound.
78
Edward flyes England, Henry is restord,and Edward with an army Lands againe,
Where Warwickes pride vpon his shield is scord,
Edward ore-comes his powers on Barnet plaine,
Earle Warwicke by the Commons is deplord,
Edward the fourth once more vsurpes his raigne:
Gloster kils Henries sonne, then madly fares
Gainst Henrie, whom he murdred at his Prayers.
87
Cassanus gouernd Persia, Mistris ShoreWas famous for her beauty: Hungary
Mathias ruld, The Pope (not knowne before)
at twenty fiue yeares made the Iubily
457
Being in a Wine-but murdred treacherously:
Edward expyres: two sons he leaues behind,
Three Daughters, and a Brother most vnkind.
88
The eleauenth of Aprill, and the eleauenth sad yeareOf his young age, fift Edward gins his raigne,
But eare he yet was Crown'd, Richard (too neare)
His Vncle did his hands with murther stayne,
Both Edwards Children by his doome seuere,
Were Butcherd in the Tower, and fouly slaine:
now famous weare, Gaza, Sabellicus,
Pycus Myrandula, Aldus Minutius.
89
George Valla, Hermolaus Barbarus,Politian, Platine, with a many moe,
Marcilius Ficinus, Pomponius Lætus
With Iohannes de monte regio,
Now Venice and Ferara peace discusse,
Great Baiazeth sustaines an ouerthrow
By the bold Souldan, next instated came
Vsurping Richard, cald third of that name.
90
Two yeares, two months, and two dayes he inioyesRegality, whilst Charles the eyght swayes France,
And Innocent the eyght his power imployes
In Rome, his Bastards to inhance
Richard, the Duke of Buckingham destroyes,
Who thought the Earle of Richmond to aduance:
Henry Earle Richmond, Milford Hauen sought,
Where landing, he the field of Bosworth fought.
91
Richard there slaine, Henry the seauenth sits Crown'd,Twenty three yeares: Vgnerus Persia guides:
Fredericke the Empire: Henry, to make sound
The breach that Yorke and Lancaster deuides,
a happy nuptiall contract doth propound
With fayre Elizabeth, whom soone he brides:
She heyre to Yorke: This yeare (a disease new)
The Sweating sicknesse first in England grew.
458
82
Spaines Ferdinand, the kingdome of GranadeWan from the Sarazens: Lambert a Child
Taught by a Priest cald Simon, came to inuade
England with a new stile, by him compil'd
As Sonne to Clarens: in this claime were made
Chiefe Leaders, Francis Louel once exil'd:
Broughton, and Lincolnes Earle, with whom took part,
A valiant German that hight Martin-Swart.
83
These Henry slew in battaile, and arrear'dA Taxe of the Tenth-penny through the Land,
For which the Commons in the field appeard,
And kill Northumbers Earle: with a strong band
Henry inuaded France: Columbus cleard
The vnknowne Seas, and boldly tooke in hand
The Indies first discouery: Insurrection
By Perkin Warbeck, in forraine protection.
84
In Italy a Stone exceeding greatFell from the ayre: Lord Audly now rebeld,
Henry and the Scotch King of peace intreat,
The Turke the bold Venetian forces queld,
Who at Dyrachium sought him to defeate,
Katherine of Spaine, a Lady that exceld,
Was fianst to Prince Arthur, Sforce subdude
Milleine, and all the French-men did exclude.
85
Margaret King Henries Daughter was affydeVnto Scotch Iames: In Germany bloud raind,
Elizabeth the Queene in Child-bed dyde,
The French this yeare from Naples were constrainde
By Ferdinand of Spaine: Now in his pride
Liu'd Preston-Iohn, Great Ismael Sophy gaind,
Vpon the Turke in many a warlike strife,
Henry the seauenth at Richmond ends his life.
86
At eyghteene yeares Henry the eyght suceedesAnd thirty eyght yeares raign'd, his Brothers Wife
He marries by the Popes dispence, which breedes
Among the Cardinals murmure and strife,
459
To please the Commons were depriu'd of life:
Now Doctor Collet liu'd, a man of fame,
Erasmus too, deriu'd from Rhoterdame.
97
The Turkish Tyrant Selimus by warre,Two Ægiptian Souldans chast and slew,
The Muscouites the stoute Pollonians barre,
Some rights, for which great battailes t'ween them grew,
France still retaines the memorable scarre
Of Henries valor, who that time o'rethrew
Turwin and Turney: in whose streetes appeare,
Turrets as many as be daies i'th yeare.
98
A peace with France, King Lewes, Mary wiues,Sister to Henry, and within few dayes
Expyres, Charles Brandon gainst the French-men striues,
At Tilt and Barriers where he won great prayse,
and fetcht the Queene thence: Francis next suruiues
The King of France: Charles Brandon now assayes
The Queene, and marryes her, in small while after,
Mary was borne, King Henries eldest Daughter.
99
Charles Duke of Austrich is made King of Spaine,The Citties tumult chanc't on Ill-May-day,
Cardinall Woolsy flourisht: now complaine
The Popes allyes gainst Luther: Turkes display
Theyr Ensignes against Belgrade: once againe
Zuinglius began against the Pope t'inuaye:
Whose Doctrines, learnd Erasmus seemde to abet,
Henry at Arde in France, the French King met.
100
Charles is Crown'd Emperor: th'eyght Henry writA Booke gainst Luther: This yeare lost his head
The Duke of Buckingham, and now did sit
In the Turkes Throne, a Prince with fury led,
Who Belgraue did besidge, and threatned it
Great Solyman: The Emperor Charles him sped
For England, where at Windsore he was called
Vnto the Garter, and there Knight installed.
460
101
Christierne of Denmarke banisht, with his WifeEnter this Land, where they were well intreated,
The Earle of Surry in his Northerne strife,
In many sundry fights the Foe defeated,
Stormes and tempestuous Gusts this yeare were rife,
And in Granade, a Prouïnce fayrely seated,
Were Citties swallowed, the great Turke makes hed,
From whom the Hungars king, drown'd as he fled.
102
The Annabaptists sect was first begun,Charles Burbons Duke sackt Rome, and there was slaine,
Vaivad grew great in Fame, this yeare the Sunne
Appear'd three Sunnes at once. Katherine of Spaine,
(Before prince Arthurs wife) the king is wun,
To be diuorst from; this diuorse in vaine
Cardinall Woolsie seekes (by meanes) to crosse,
Which to his ruine turnes, and fauours losse,
103
Tindall the holy Scripture now translated,Th'arrested Cardinall at Leister dide,
And Ferdinand is King of Rome created,
Anne Bulloine next became King Henries Bride,
And Thomas Cromwell whom the Cleargy hated,
Made of the Counsell, the Kings Sister tyde
In marriage to Charles Brandon, dyes forlorne,
Elizabeth was now at Greenewich borne.
104
For Treason dyde the holy Mayde of Kent,Lady Anne Bulloine likewise lost her head,
Erasmus after seauenty Winters spent
Expi'd, whose fame through Christendome is spread,
Lady Iane Seamors beauty did content
The King so well, he tooke her to his bed,
And on Saint Edwards Eeue this yeare, tooke life
noble Prince Edward, by the kings late Wife.
105
Fryer Forrest dyde for Treason: One of Spaine,For eating Flesh vpon a day of Fast,
Was hang'd in Paris (and tooke downe againe)
His Lady burnt: A full conclusion past,
461
Of Cleeue, which solemne contract did distast
The Kinges soone after: who for her rare feature,
Wiu'd Lady Katherine Howard, a fayer Creature.
106
Cromwell next lost his head: the disputationBegun at Rat'isbone: Henry th' eyght is stiled
The King of Ireland, by his proclamation,
and Lady Katherine Howard, who defiled
Her vnchast body, with much lamentation
Led to her death: now Luther was reuiled
In the Popes Trident Counsell, the King wed
The Lady Katherine, Lat'mer to his Bed.
107
The Turkish Barbarossa famous grewIn Germany, at Mounster bloud did raigne,
Troubles with Scotland: next these did insue
The Counsell held at Spyre: now once againe
Henry inuaded France, and did pursue
The Bullenois, since many did complaine
Against the Stewes, they were abandond quite,
The Pope the Wormace Counsell did accite.
108
Luther expyres, soone after dyes the king,Henry the eyght, whom the sixt Edward then
Succeedes at nine yeares old, now first gan spring
That reform'd Church, which at first many men
Impugn'd: Masses no more the Church-men sing,
Next Muscle-borrow field did happen, when
Much bloud was spilt a both-sides, Bonner now,
(Great in his Fathers dayes) the king makes bow.
109
Stephen Gardiner is cast into the tower,The Brother Seamers (falling at dissention
By meanes of their proud Wiues) begin to lower
Each vpon other, which without preuention,
Causd timelesse Fate, both their sweet liues deuower,
First Arundell, then Ket had firme intention
To change the State, but both were hang'd in chaines,
Bulloine was giuen vp by the French-mens traynes.
462
111
At Feuersham was murdred by his WifeArden, by helpe of Mosby and Blacke-will,
The Trade with Musco did now first grow rife,
Mong th'English Marchants, by the Nauiall skill
Of one Gabato, he that first gaue life
To these aduentures. Many rumors fill
The Land with newes, that Edward lately dide,
Meane time the Lady Iane's made Guilfords Bride.
112
Edward at sixteene yeares of age deceast,The Duke Northumberland proclaimes Queene Iane,
But soone her young and Infant title ceast,
The Commons by their power Mary maintaine,
Sister to Edward: her high State increast,
And next her Brother she begins her raigne:
Guilford and Iane, with whom the Queene's offended,
Sent to the Tower where their sweete liues they en'ded.
113
Bourne preaching at Panles-Crosse, the Masse maintaining,A suddaine tumult at his Sermon raisde,
A man vnknowne his Doctrine much disdaining,
Threw at his face a Dagger: Ridley praysd
Mongst protestants: and Cramner fauour gaining
In Edwards dayes, were for Arch-traitors blaz'd
And dide by fire, Northumberland that sped
To Cambridge: on the Tower-hill lost his hed.
114
The Turkish Solyman with his owne handsSlew his sonne Mustapha, the Cardinall
In Henries dayes but late exild his Lands,
Was by the Queene re-cald, now gan to fall
The protestants; against them strictly stands
The Catholicke Cleargy: the proud Genowayes brall
With the French King, who after in small while,
Wan by the Turkes ayde the rich Corsicke Ile.
115
Englands great Queene espousd Phillip of Spaine,Sir Thomas Wyat for rebellion dide,
Duke Suffolke Father to the Lady Iane,
Was at the Tower beheaded, Coortney allyde
463
Of Liberty: the fourth Paule full of pride
Supplies the pope-dome, the same yeare did chance,
Much warre and trouble betweene Spaine and France.
116
Lady Elizabeth was kept in hold,and by the Queene committed to the Tower,
There harshly vsd, her life to danger sold,
By souldiers thence remoou'd to Wood-stocke Bower,
Sir Henry Benning-field (somewhat too bold)
Vpon her iust proceedings looking sower:
a blazing Comet twelue full nights appeared,
Great Lones of Money by the Queene were reared.
117
Great dearth in England: For base murder dideat Salisbury Lord Sturton: Gallis lost,
Which was by England many yeares supplide,
Since the third Edward, the proud Clergy ingrost
all the spirituall fruits, to glut their pride,
Phillip tooke sea, and left the English Coast,
For griefe of which Mary soone after craisd,
and dide, with Cardinall Poole, (in England raisd)
118
Next whom the faire Elizabeth is Crownd,a Princesse with all gracious Thewes indude,
She did the Gospell quicken, and confound
Romes Antichrist, all such as he pursude
With fire and Inquisition, she guirt round
With safety, and her Lands pure face imbrude
With blood of Innocents, her prosperous raigne
Cleard, and wipt off each foule and bloody staine.
119
Henry the French King in the tilt was laydeBreathlesse at Paris, Paules is burnt, a peace
Betweene the Realmes of France and England made,
Newhauen siege, and a great plagues increase,
Lord Henry Stewart to the Hells obayd
Of the Scotch peeres, whose vigings neuer cease:
Till to their generall comforts, he was seene
Espousd to Lady Mary Scotlands Queene.
464
120
Now came the Baden Margraus with his wifeTo London, she heere brought him a new sonne,
Whom the Queene Christend, breathing a new life
In his decaid estate. Now was begun
The Burse on Cornhill, whose renowne grew rife
In euery place, where Traffickes gaine is won:
In Scotland to restore a kingdome torne,
Iames (of that name) the sixt, this yeare was borne.
121
Henry of Scotland was by Traytors slaine,And Shan Oneile in Ireland put to flight
By bold Sir Henry Sidney, with the gaine
Of a great battaile, where theyr Treasons light
Vpon the Traytors: with a gallant trayne,
The Muscouite lands in his Emperors right
T'establish Trafficke: now as rebels stand
Th'Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland.
122
Debate with Scotland: and in Norfolke grewConspiracy, the Queene in person came
To Gressams Burse, to take a princely view,
To which she gaue at his request a name,
Royall Exchange: this yeare the Christians slew
Many proud Turkes, and beate them backe with shame
Into theyr Foretresses, and Citties walled,
This was the battaile of Lepantho called.
123
A massacre in Paris, now their headsThe Norfolke Duke lost, and Northumberland,
A blazing starre, six months together spreds
Her fiery rayes, now by the violent hand
Of one George Browne, who murdrous fury leads,
Was Maister Saunders slaine (the matter scand)
Anne Dreury (for that fact) and Saunders wife,
George Browne, with trusty Roger lost his life.
124
By Furbusher, Cathaia was made knowne,The Essex Earle this yeare at Diuelon dide
In Ireland, where his Fame was dreadfull growne,
Iohn Cassimerus did through London ride,
465
The world, and many dangerous Fortunes tride,
Was Knighted by the Queene, Mounsier arriued,
Thinking the English Monarchesse t'haue wiued.
125
William the Prince of Orenge was betrayde,And with a Pystoll by a souldier slaine,
Poland Musco into England made
a voyage, and did six months heere remaine,
Purser and Clinton Pyrats, that denaide
allegiance to the Queene, at length were tane
By William Barrowes: Antwerpe sackt and spoyld
By Parmaes Duke, who long against it toyld.
126
Northumberland himselfe in the Tower slew,Iago, Domingo, and Carthagen,
By Drake and Furbusher (whom most men knew)
Carletle and many gallant Englishmen
Surprisd and sackt, the Earle of Liester grew
Great in the Land, and sayld to Flushing then:
Where his Commission he at large relates,
Being made chiefe Generall to the Belgian states.
127
Embassadors from Denmarke gratulateHer highnesse raigne, the Earle of Arundell
Conuict, a league twixt England and the state
Of Scotland, Noble Candish furnisht well
In two good ships well mand and builded late,
Compast the world: the foureteene Traitors fell,
and suffer'd for the guilt, at Zutphen dide,
Noble Sir Phillip Sidney souldiers pride.
128
His death a generall griefe mongst souldiers bred,a Parlyment. The great Armade of Spaine
Rode on the English Coast, and gainst vs sped,
But by our Fleet they were repulst againe,
at Tilbery, the Campe was brauely led
By Elizabeth in person, in whose traine
all Englands Chiualry mustred and met,
Leister meane time to Nature paid his debt.
466
129
Portugall voyage; Lodwicke Grewill prestFor murder: the bold Duke of Guise betraid
And slaine, by the third Henry, when he least
Suspected Death, a Fryer no whit dismaid,
(Incouragd by the Guisians as tis ghest)
Murdred the King, then Henrie Burbon laid
Claime to the Crowne, whom England so supplies,
That by her ayde, his warlike Fortunes rise.
130
Whom Essex, Willoughby, Norris assist,Sir Roger Williams with a many moe,
Strong Paris they besiege, and as they list
March thorough France, maugre the common foe,
Hacket is hangd in Cheape, who did persist
In blasphemy: In London gan to grow
a grieuous Plague: Lopes arraind and tride,
Drawne from the London Tower, at Tyburne dide.
131
Cales sieg'd and won, the Duke of Bulloine landsIn England: th'Islands voyage, this yeare came
Embassadors from Denmarke, from whose hands
The Queene receiu'd rich presents: Now with Fame
Th'Earle Cumberland renownd in forraigne Lands
Wan Iohn de Porterico, sackt the same:
Lord Burleigh (Treasurer) submits to fate,
Since the sixt Edward Counsellor of state.
132
Essex is sent for Ireland, gainst Tyrone,a Muster at Mile-end: Essex comes backe
With a small traine of followers, after whom
Lord Montioy speeds, against the dangerous packe
Of Irish Rebels, whose braue valours showne
In his hye Conquests, and their fatall wracke:
The treacherous Gowry gainst King Iames conspired,
whose safety heauen conserud, the world admired.
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Peace betwixt Spaine and France: from Barbary,and from the Russian Emperour Legats come,
To gratulate the Queenes hye Soueraignty;
A sudden Insurrection, for which some
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Supprest without the clamour of the Drum:
Embassador from Scotland, th'Earle of Marre,
Desmond sent Prisoner from the Irish warre.
34
Martiall Byron arriues from France: great ioyFor victories in Ireland, since their pride
Was queld by th' English, who their powers imploy
To end the warres: soone after the Queene dide
At Richmond, in her death she did destroy
All former mirth, this Virgin Queene supplide,
Forty foure yeares, fiue months a prosperous raine,
To Englands honour, and the feare of Spaine.
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To Register her vertues, I should spendAn age of time, yet thinke my scope too small,
The pages of this Volume would extend
Beyond strict number, yet not quote them all,
Therefore her praises, in her death I end,
They are so boundlesse that they cannot fall
Within the compasse of my apprehension,
Being subiect to no limit, no dimension.
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And to attempt that taske, I should aloneMy owne sicke weakenesse to the world bewray,
And of her worth the smallest part or none,
Vnto the Readers couetous eyes display,
Therefore since she hath left an earthy Throne,
For heauens hye Mansion (there to raigne for aye)
I leaue her shrind mongst Angels, there to sing
Vn-ending praises to th' eternal King.
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King Iames the sixt in Scotland, of that nameIn England first, her true and lawfull heyre,
Next Queene Elizabeth the peeres proclaime,
And gladly plant him in faire Englands Chaire,
Whose Vertues, Graces, Royall gifts, and Fame,
Zeale, Iustice, Learning, all without compare:
For thousands such, my Muse must needs adore him,
Vnriuald yet, by such as raignd before him.
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His praise is for my pen a straine too hye,Therefore where he begins I make my pause,
and onely pray that he may still supply
Great Brittaines Empyre with the Lands applause,
That as he hath begun to rectifie
This Common-weale, and stablish vertuous Lawes:
He still may inioy his Queene, and yssue Royall,
Mongst subiects euer true, and Peeres still loyall.
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But where's the harbour and the happy Bay,Where after stormes I may in safety ride,
The Gusts and Tempests now begin t'allay,
Whose many boysterous flawes my Barke hath tride,
A gentle Land-wind with my sayles doth play,
and (thankes to Heauen) I now my hauen haue spide,
And maugre the Seas wrath: Behold at last,
Heere doth my shaken Ship her Anchor cast.
FINIS.
| Troia Brittanica: or, Great Britaines Troy | |