A Courtlie controuersie of Cupids Cautels Conteyning fiue Tragicall Histories, very pithie, pleasant, pitiful, and profitable: Discoursed uppon wyth Argumentes of Loue, by three Gentlemen and two Gentlewomen, entermedled with diuers delicate Sonets and Rithmes, exceeding delightfull to refresh the yrkesomnesse of tedious tyme. Translated out of French as neare as our English phrase will permit, by H. VV. Gentleman [i.e. Henry Wotton] |
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[Even as the Orient peerelesse pearle] |
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 | A Courtlie controuersie of Cupids Cautels |  |
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[Even as the Orient peerelesse pearle]
Even as the Orient peerelesse pearleon Indian shoare abides,
The beating of the foming Seas
in calmes and surging tides:
VVithout the honoure, price, or praise,
to suche a iewell due,
Vntill the prudent Traueller
doth take thereof the viewe,
And doth enchace the same in golde,
by cunning Goldsmiths skill,
VVhiche done, he rates the price thereof
according to his will:
So vnder cruell carefull yoke,
of seruitude vniuste,
Perthenia spent hir tender yeares,
and chiefest time of luste,
Vntill a King of forraine lande,
by Fortune preste in place,
To winne hir to his wedded sire,
bycause he knewe hir race:
For as the glittering golde is drawne,
from oute the nurses breaste,
To shewe the shining hewe thereof,
in spite of mysers reste.
And as men plucke the pleasaunte fruite,
from braunche of tender tree,
So is the fragrant smelling rose
stript from the twig (we see)
To frame there of gay posies sweete,
by cunning handy slight,
To whome the fading flowers oughte
to yelde ioye and delight.
| A Courtlie controuersie of Cupids Cautels | |