 | Ouids elegies |  |
P. Ouidij Nasonis amorum
Liber primus.
ELEGIA. 1 Quemadmodum à Cupidine pro bellis amores scribere coactus sit.
VVe which were Ouids fiue books now are threeFor these before the rest preferreth he.
If reading fiue thou plain'st of tediousnesse.
Two tane away, thy labour will be lesse.
With Muse prepar'd I meant to sing of Armes,
Choosing a subiect fit for fierce alarmes.
Both verses were a like till loue (men say)
Began to smile and tooke one foote away.
Rash boy, who gaue thee power to change a line?
We are the Muses Prophets, none of thine.
What if thy mother take Dianas bow,
Shall Dian fanne, when loue begins to glow.
In wooddy groues is't meete that Ceres raigne?
And quiuer-bearing Dian till the plaine.
Who'le set the faire trest sunne in battell ray,
While Mars doth take the Aonian Harp to play.
Great are thy kingdomes, ouer strong and large,
Ambitious impe, why seek'st thou further charge?
Are all things thine? the Muses Temple thine?
Then scarse can Phœbus say, this Harp is mine.
When in this workes first verse I trode aloft,
Loue slackt my Muse, and made my numbers soft.
I haue no mistresse; nor no [illeg.]
Being fittest matter, for [illeg.]
Tooke out the shaft, ordain'de my heart to shiuer:
And bent his sinewie bow vpon his knee,
Saying Poet, heere's a worke beseeming thee.
Oh woe is me, he neuer shootes but hits,
I burne loue in my idle bosome sits.
Let my first verse be sixe, my last fiue feete,
Fare-well sterne warre, for blunter Poets meete.
Elegian Muse, that warblest amorous laies,
Girt my shine brow with Sea-banke Mirtle praise.
ELEGIA. 2. Quod primo amore correptus, in triumphum duci so a cupidine patiatur.
VVhat makes my bed seeme hard seeing it is soft?Or why slips downe the couerlet so oft?
Although the nights be long, I sleepe not tho,
My sides are sore with tumbling to and fro.
Were loue the cause, it's like I should descry him,
Or lyes he close, and shootes where none can spie him.
'Twas so, he stroke me with a slender dart,
'Tis cruell loue turmoyles my captiue heart.
Yeelding or strugling do we giue him might,
Let's yeeld, a burthen easly borne is light.
I saw a brandisht fire increase in strength,
Which being not slackt, I saw it dye at length.
Young Oxen newly yoakt are beaten more,
Then Oxen which haue drawne the plough before.
And rough Iades mouthes with stuborne bits are torne,
But managde horses heads are lightly borne.
Vnwilling louers, loue doth more torment,
Loe I confesse, I am thy captiue I,
And hold my conquer'd hands for thee to tie.
What need'st thou warre, I sue to thee for grace,
With armes to conquer armelesse men is base.
Yoake Venus Doues, put Mirtle on thy haire,
Vulcan will giue thee chariots rich and faire.
The people thee applauding thou shalt stand,
Guiding the harmelesse Pigeons with thy hand.
Yong men, and women shalt thou lead as thrall,
So will thy triumph seeme magnificall.
I lately caught, will haue a new made wound,
And captiue like be manacled and bound.
Good meaning shame, and such as seeke loues wrack
Shall follow thee their hands tyed at their back.
Thee all shall feare, and worship as a King,
Io, triumphing shall thy people sing.
Smooth speaches, feare, and rage shall by thee ride,
Which troupes haue alwayes bene on Cupids side:
Thou with these souldiours, conquerest Gods and men,
Take these away, where is thine honour then?
Thy mother shall from heauen applaude this show,
And on their faces heapes of Roses strow.
With beautie of thy wings thy faire haire guilded,
Ride golden loue in chariots richly builded.
Vnlesse I erre, full many shalt thou burne,
And giue wounds infinite at euery turne.
In spite of thee forth will thine arrowes flye,
A scortching flame burnes all the standers by.
So hauing conquer'd Iude was Bacchus hew,
The pompous Birds, and him two Tygers drew.
Then seeing I grace thy show in following thee,
Behold thy kins-mans Cæsars prosperous bands,
Who guards thee conquered, with his conquering hands.
ELEGIA. 3. Ad amicam.
I aske but right: let he that caught me late,Either loue, or cause that I may neuer hate.
I aske too much, would she but let me loue her,
Ioue knowes with such like prayers I daily moue her.
Accept him that will serue thee all his youth,
Accept him that will loue with spotelesse truth,
If loftie titles cannot make me thine,
That am descended but of Knightly line.
Soone may you plow the little land I haue,
I gladly grant my parents giuen, to saue.
Apollo, Bacchus and the Muses may,
And Cupid who hath markt me for thy pray.
My spotelesse life, which but to Gods giue place,
Naked simplicity, and modest grace.
I loue but one, and her I loue, change neuer,
If men haue faith, I'le liue with thee for euer.
The yeares that fatall destinie shall giue,
I'le liue with thee, and dye, ere thou shalt grieue.
Be thou the happy subiect of my bookes,
That I may write things worthy thy faire lookes.
By verses horned Io got her name,
And she to whom in shape of Swanne Ioue came.
And she that on a fain'd Bull swamme to land,
Griping his false hornes with her virgin hand.
So likewise we will through the world be rung,
And with my name shall thine be alwayes sung.
ELEGIA. 4. Amicam, qua arte, quibusue nutibus in cæna presenteviro vti debeat, admonet.
Thy husband to a banquet goes with me,Pray God it may his latest supper be.
Shall I sit gazing as a bashfull guest,
While others touch the damsel I loue best?
With lying, vnder him his bosome clippe?
About thy neck shall he at pleasure skippe?
Marueile not, though the faire Bride did incite,
The drunken Centaures to a sodaine fight.
I am no halfe horse, nor in woods I dwell,
Yet scarse my hands from thee containe I well.
But how thou should'st behaue thy selfe now know
Nor let the windes away my warnings blow.
Before thy husband come, though I not see,
What may be done, yet there before him be.
Lye with him gently, when his limbes he spread,
Vpon the bed, but on my feete first tread.
View me, my becks, and speaking countenance,
Take, and receiue each secret amorous glaunce.
Words without voyce shall on my eye-browes sit,
Lines thou shalt read in wyne by my hand writ.
When our lasciuious toyes come to thy minde,
Thy Rosie cheekes be to thy thombe inclinde.
If ought of me thou speak'st in inward thought,
Let thy soft finger to thy eare be brought.
When I (my light) do or say ought that please thee,
Turne round thy gold-ring, as it were to ease thee.
Strike on the boord like them that pray for euill,
When thou doest wish thy husband at the deuill.
Aske thou the boy, what thou enough doest thinke.
When thou hast tasted, I will take the cup,
And where thou drink'st, on that part I will sup.
If he giues thee what first himselfe did tast,
Euen in his face his offered Goblets cast.
Let not thy neck by his vile armes be prest,
Nor leaue thy soft head on his boistrous brest.
Thy bosomes Roseat buds let him not finger,
Chiefely on thy lips let not his lips linger.
If thou giuest kisses, I shall all disclose,
Say they are mine, and hands on thee impose.
Yet this I'le see, but if thy gowne ought couer,
Suspitious feare in all my veines will houer.
Mingle not thighes, nor to his legge ioyne thine,
Nor thy soft foote with his hard foote combine.
I haue beene wanton, therefore am perplext,
And with mistrust of the like measure vext.
I and my wench oft vnder clothes did lurke,
When pleasure mou'd vs to our sweetest worke.
Do not thou so, but throw thy mantle hence,
Least I should thinke thee guilty of offence.
Entreat thy husband drinke, but do not kisse,
And while he drinks, to adde more do not misse,
If he lyes downe with wine and sleepe opprest,
The thing and place shall counsell vs the rest.
When to goe home-wards we rise all along,
Haue care to walke in middle of the throng.
There will I finde thee or be found by thee,
There touch what euer thou canst touch of me.
Aye me I warne what profits some few howers,
But we must part, when heau'n with black night lowers.
And to the dores sight of thy selfe keepe:
Then will he kisse thee, and not onely kisse,
But force thee giue him my stolne honey blisse.
Constrain'd against thy will giue it the pezants
Forbeare sweet wordes, and be your sport vnpleasant.
To him I pray it no delight may bring,
Or if it do: to thee no ioy thence spring.
But though this night thy fortune be to trie it,
To me to morrow constantly deny it.
ELEGIA. 5. Corinnæ Concubitus.
In summers heate and mid-time of the day,To rest my limbes vpon a bed I lay.
One window shut, the other open stood,
Which gaue such light, as twincles in a wood.
Like twilight glimps at setting of the Sunne,
Or night being past, and yet not day begunne.
Such light to shamefast maidens must be showne,
Where they may sport, and seeme to be vnknowne.
Then came Corinna in a long loose gowne,
Her white neck hid with tresses hanging downe.
Resembling fayre Semiramis going to bed,
Or Layis of a thousand woers sped.
I snacht her gowne being thin, the harme was small,
Yet striu'd she to be couered there withall.
And striuing thus as one that would be cast,
Betray'd her selfe, and yeelded at the last.
Starke naked as she stood before mine eye,
Not one wen in her body could I spie.
How apt her breasts were to be prest by me.
How smooth a belly vnder her wast saw I?
How large a legge, and what a lustie thigh?
To leaue the rest all lik'd me passing well,
I cling'd her naked body, downe she fell,
Iudge you the rest, being tride she bad me kisse,
Ioue send me more such after-noones as this.
ELEGIA. 6. Ad Ianitorem, vt fores sibi aperiat.
Vnworthy porter, bound in chaines full sore,On mooued hookes set ope the churlish dore.
Little I aske, a little entrance make,
The gate halfe ope my bent side in will take.
Long loue my body to such vse make slender,
And to get out doth like apt members render.
He shewes me how vnheard to passe the watch,
And guides my feete least stumbling falles they catch
But in times past I fear'd vaines shades, and night,
Wondring if any walked without light.
Loue hearing it laug'd with his tender mother,
And smiling sayd, be thou as bold as other.
Forth-with loue came, no darke night flying spright,
Nor hands prepar'd to slaughter, me affright.
Thee feare I too much: onely thee I flatter,
Thy lightning can my life in pieces batter.
Why enuiest me, this hostile dende vnbarre,
See how the gates with my teares wat'red are.
When thou stood'st naked ready to be beate,
For thee I did thy mistresse faire intreate.
(O mischiefe) now for me obtaine small grace.
Gratis thou maiest be free giue like for like,
Night goes away: the dores barre backward strike.
Strike, so againe hard chaines shall binde thee neuer,
Nor seruile water shalt thou drinke for euer,
Hard-hearted Porter doest and wilt not heare,
With stiffe oake propt the gate doth still appeare.
Such rampierd gates besieged Citties ayde,
In midst of peace why art of armes afrayde?
Exclud'st a louer, how would'st vse a foe?
Strike back the barre, night fast away doth goe.
With armes or armed men I come not guarded,
I am alone, were furious loue discarded.
Although I would, I cannot him cashiere,
Before I be deuided from my geere.
See loue with me, wyne moderate in my braine,
And on my haires a crowne of flowers remaine.
Who feares these armes? who will not goe to meet them,
Night runnes away, with open entrance greete them?
Art carelesse? or ist sleepe forbids thee heare,
Giuing the windes my words running in thine eare.
Well I remember when I first did hire thee,
Watching till after mid-night did not tire thee.
But now perchaunce thy wench with thee doth rest,
Ah how thy lot, is aboue my lot blest:
Though it be so, shut me not out therefore,
Night goes away: I pray thee ope the dore.
Erre we? or do the turned hinges sound,
And opening dores with creaking noyse abound?
We erre: a strong blast seem'd the gates to ope:
Aie me how high that gale did lift my hope!
Some breake these deafe dores with thy boisterous winde.
Silent the citie is: nights deawie hoast,
March fast away: the barre strike from the poast.
Or I more sterne then fire or sword will turne,
And with my brand these gorgeous houses burne.
Night, loue, and wine to all extreames perswade:
Night, shamelesse wyne, and loue are fearelesse made.
All haue I spent: no threats or prayers moue thee,
O harder then the dores thou gardest I proue thee.
No pretty wenches keeper may st thou be,
The carefull prison is more meete for thee.
Now frosty night her flight beginnes to take,
And crowing Cocks poore soules to worke awake.
But thou my crowne from sad haires tane away,
On this hard threshold till the morning lay.
That when my mistresse there beholds thee cast,
She may perceiue how we the time did wast.
What ere thou art, farewell, be like me pain'd,
Carelesse farewell, with my fault not distain'd.
And farewell cruell posts rough thresholds block,
And dores conioyn'd with an hard iron lock.
ELEGIA 7. Ad pacandam amicam, quam verberauerat.
Binde fast my hands, they haue deserued chaines,While rage is absent, take some friend the paines.
For rage against my wench mou'd my rash arme,
My mistresse weepes whom my mad hand did harme.
I might haue then my parents deare misus'd,
Or holy Gods with cruell stroakes abus'd.
Butcher'd the flocks he found in spatious field.
And he who on his mother veng'd his fire,
Against the destinies durst, sharp darts require.
Could I therefore her comely tresses teare?
Yet was she graced with her ruffled hayre.
So faire she was, Atalanta she resembled,
Before whose bow th' Arcadian wild beasts trembled.
Such Ariadne was, when she bewayles,
Her periur'd Theseus flying vowes and sayles.
So chast Minerua did Cassandra fall,
Deflowr'd except, within thy Temple wall.
That I was mad, and barbarous all men cryed,
She nothing said, pale feare her tongue had tyed.
But secretly her lookes with checks did trounce me,
Her teares, she silent, guilty did pronounce me.
Would of mine armes, my shoulders had beene scanted,
Better I could part of my selfe haue wanted.
To mine owne selfe haue I had strength so furious?
And to my selfe could I be so iniurious?
Slaughter and mischiefes instruments, no better,
Deserued chaines these cursed hands shall fetter.
Punisht I am, if I a Romaine beat,
Ouer my Mistris is my right more great.
Tydides left worst signes of villanie,
He first a Goddesse strooke; another I.
Yet he harm'd lesse, whom I profess'd to loue,
I harm'd: a foe did Diomedes anger moue.
Go now thou Conqueror, glorious triumphs raise,
Pay vowes to Ioue: engirt thy haires with baies.
And let the troupes which shall thy Chariot follow,
Io, a strong man conquer'd this wench, hollow.
On her white neck but for hurt cheekes ke led.
Meeter it were her lips were blew with kissing,
And on her neck a wanton marke not missing.
But though I like a swelling flood was driuen,
And as a pray vnto blinde anger giuen.
Wa'st not enough the fearefull wench to chide?
Nor thunder in rough threatings haughty pride?
Nor shamefully her coate pull ore her crowne,
Which to her wast her girdle still kept downe,
But cruelly her tresses hauing rent,
My nayles to scratch her louely cheekes I bent.
Sighing she stood, her blood-lesse white lookes shewed,
Like marble from the Parian Mountaines hewed.
Her halfe dead ioynts, and trembling limmes I saw,
Like Popler leaues blowne with a stormy flaw.
Or slender eares, with gentle Zephire shaken,
Or waters tops with the warme south-winde taken.
And downe her cheekes, the trickling teares did flow,
Like water gushing from consuming snow.
Then first I did perceiue I had offended,
My blood, the teares were that from her descended.
Before her feete thrice prostrate downe I fell,
My feared hands thrice back she did repell.
But doubt thou not (reuenge doth griefe appease,)
With thy sharp nayles vpon my face to seaze.
Bescrath mine eyes, spare not my lockes to breake,
(Anger will help thy hands though nere so weake.)
And least the sad signes of my crime remaine,
Put in their place thy keembed haires againe.
ELEGIA. 8. Exacratur lenam quæ puellam suam meretricia arte instituebat.
There is, who ere will know a bawde aright,Giue eare, there is an old trot Dipsas hight.
Her name comes from the thing: she being wise,
Sees not the morne on rosie horses rise.
She magick artes and Thessale charmes doth know,
And makes large streams back to their fountaines flow,
She knows with gras, with thrids on wrōg wheeles spun,
And what with Mares ranck humour may be done.
When she will, cloudes the darkned heau'n obscure,
When she will, day shiner euery where most pure.
(If I haue faith) I saw the starres drop blood,
The purple moone with sanguine visage stood;
Her I suspect among nights spirits to flie,
And her old body in birdes plumes to lie.
Fame sayth as I suspect, and in her eyes,
Two eye-balles shine, and double light thence flies.
Great grand-sires from their ancient graues she chides,
And with long charmes the solide earth diuides.
She drawes chast women to incontinence,
Nor doth her tongue want harmefull eloquence.
By chaunce I heard her talke, these words she said,
While closely hid betwixt two dores I layed.
Mistris thou knowest, thou hast a blest youth pleas'd,
He stayde and on thy lookes his gazes seaz'd.
And why should'st nor please? none thy face exceedes,
Aye me, thy body hath no worthy weedes.
As thou art faire, would thou wert fortunate,
Wert thou rich, poore should not be my state.
Now Mars is gone: Venus thy side doth warme,
And brings good fortune, a rich louer plants,
His loue on thee, and can supply thy wants.
Such is his forme as may with thine compare,
Would he not buy thee, thou for him should'st care.
She blush't: red shame becomes white checkes, but this
If feigned, doth well; if true it doth amisse.
When on thy lappe thine eyes thou doest deiect,
Each one according to his gifts respect.
Perhaps the Sabines rude, when Tatius raignde,
To yeeld their loue to more then one disdainde.
Now Mars doth rage abroad without all pitty,
And Venus rules in her Æneas citty.
Faire women play, shee's chast whom none will haue,
Or, but for bashfulnesse her selfe would craue.
Shake off these wrinkles that thy front assault,
Wrinckles in beauty is a grieuous fault.
Penelope in bowes her youths strength tride,
Of horne the bow was that approu'd their side.
Time flying slides hence closely, and deceaues vs,
And with swift horses the swift yeare soone leaues vs.
Brasse shines with vse; good garments would be worne,
Houses not dwelt in, are with filth forlorne.
Beauty not exercisde with age is spent,
Nor one or two men are sufficient.
Many to rob is more sure, and lesse hatefull,
From dog-kept flocks come preys to woolus most gratefull.
Behold what giues the Poet but new verses?
And thereof many thousand he rehearses.
The Poets God arayed in robes of gold,
Of his gilt Harpe the well tun'd strings doth hold.
(Trust me) to giue, it is a witty thing.
Nor, so thou maist obtaine a wealthy prize,
The vaine name of inferiour slaues dispize.
Nor let the armes of ancient liues beguile thee,
Poore louer with thy grandsires I exile thee.
Who seekes, for being faire, a night to haue,
What he will giue, with greater instance craue.
Make a small price, while thou thy nets doest lay,
Least they should fly, being tane, the tirant play.
Dissemble so, as lou'd he may be thought,
And take heed, least he gets that loue for nought,
Deny him oft; faine now thy head doth ake:
And Isis now will shew what scuse to make.
Receiue him soone, least patient vse he gaine,
Or least his loue oft beaten backe should waine.
To beggers shut, to bringers ope thy gate,
Let him within heare; bard out louers prate.
And as first wrongd the wronged sometimes banish
Thy fault with his fault so repuls'd will vanish.
But neuer giue a spatious time to ire,
Anger delaide doth oft to hate retire.
And let thine eyes constrained learne to weepe,
That this, or that man may thy cheekes moist keepe,
Nor, if thou coznest one, dread to forsweare,
Venus to mockt men lends a sencelesse eare.
Seruants fit for thy purpose thou must hire,
To teach thy louer, what thy thoughts desire.
Let them aske some-what, many asking little,
Within a while great heapes grow of a little.
And sister, Nurse, and mother spare him not,
By many hands great wealth is quickly got.
By keeping of thy birth make but a shift.
Beware least he vnriual'd loues secure,
Take strife away, loue doth not well endure.
On all the beds men tumbling let him view,
And thy neck with lasciuious marks made blew.
Chiefely shew him the gifts, which others send:
If he giues nothing, let him from thee wend.
When thou hast so much as he giues no more,
Pray him to lend what thou may'st ne're restore.
Let thy tongue flatter, while thy minde harme-workes,
Vnder sweet hony deadly poyson lurkes.
If this thou doest to me by long vse knowne,
Nor let my words be with the windes hence blowne.
Oft thou wilt say, liue well, thou wilt pray oft,
That my dead bones may in their graue lie soft.
As thus she spake, my shadow me betraide,
With much a do my hands I scarsely staide.
But let her bleare eyes, bald scalpes thine hoary flieces.
And riueld cheekes I would haue pul'd a pieces.
The gods send thee no house, a poore old age,
Perpetuall thirst, and winters lasting rage.
ELEGIA. 9. Ad Atticum, amantem non oportere desidio sum esse sicuti nec militem.
All Louers warre, and Cupid hath his tent,Atticke, all louers are to warre farre sent,
What age fits Mars, with Venus doth agree,
T'is shame for eld in warre or loue to be.
What yeares in souldiours Captains do require,
Both of them watch: each on the hard earth sleepes:
His Mistris dores this; that his Captaines keepes.
Souldiers must trauaile farre: the wench forth send
Her valiant louer followes without end.
Mounts, and raine-doubled flouds he passeth ouer,
And treades the desert snowy heapes to couer.
Going to sea, East windes he doth not chide,
Nor to hoist sayle attends full time and tyde.
Who but a souldier or a louer is bold,
To suffer storme mixt snowes with nights sharp cold?
One as a spy doth to his enemies goe,
The other eyes his riuall as his foe.
He cities great, this thresholds lies before:
This breakes towne gates, but he his Mistris dore.
Oft to inuade the sleeping foe 'tis good,
And aim'd to shed vnarmed peoples blood.
So the fierce troupes of Thracian Rhesus fell,
And Captiue horses bad their Lord fare-well.
Sooth Louers watch till sleep the husband charmes,
Who slumbring, they rise vp in swelling armes.
The keepers hands and corps-dugard to passe,
The souldiours, and poore louers worke ere was.
Doubtfull is warre and loue, the vanquisht rise,
And who thou neuer think'st should fall downe lies.
Therefore who ere loue sloatthfulnesse doth call,
Let him surcease; loue tries wit best of all.
Achilles burn'd Briseis being tane away,
Troianes destroy the Greeke wealth, while you may,
Hector to armes went from his wiues embraces,
And on Adromache his helmet laces.
Great Agamemnon was, men say amazed,
Mars in the deede the black-smiths net did stable
In heauen was neuer more notorious fable.
My selfe was dull, and faint to sloth inclinde
Pleasure, and ease had mollifide my minde.
A faire maydes care expeld this sluggishnesse,
And to her tents wilde me my selfe addresse.
Since maist thou se me watch & night warres moue,
He that will not grow slothfull let him loue.
ELEGIA. 10. Ad puellam, ne pro amore præmia poscat.
Svch as the cause was of two husbands warre,Whom Troian ships fetcht from Europa farre.
Such as was Leda, whom the God deluded
In snow-white plumes of a false swanne included.
Such as Amimone through the drie fields strayed.
When on her head a water pitcher layed.
Such wert thou, and I fear'd the Bull and Eagle,
And what ere loue made Ioue should thee [illeg.].
Now all feare with my mindes hot loue abates,
No more this beauty mine eyes captiuates.
Ask'st why I change? because thou crau'st reward;
This cause harh thee from pleasing me debard.
While thou wert plaine I lou'd thy minde and face:
Now inward faults thy outward forme disgrace.
Loue is a naked boy, his yeares saunce staine,
And hath no cloaths, but open doth remaine.
Will you for gaine haue Cupid sell himselfe?
He hath no bosome, where to hide base pelfe.
Loue and Loues sonne are with firce armes to oddes
The whore stands to be bought for each mans mony,
And seekes vild wealth by selling of her Cony.
Yet greedy bawdes command she curseth still,
And doth constraind, what you do of good will.
Take from irrationall beasts a president,
'Tis shame their witts should be more excelent.
The Mare askes not the horse, the cow the bull,
Nor the milde ewe gifts from the ramme doth pull.
Onely a woman gets spoyle from a man
Farmes out her selfe on nights for what she can.
And lets what both delight, what both desire,
Making her ioy according to her hire.
The sport being such, as both alike sweet try it
Why should one sell it and the other buy it.
Why should I loose, and thou gaine by the pleasure,
Which man and woman reape in equall measure?
Knights of the post of periuries make saile
The vniust Iudge for bribes becomes a stale.
'Tis shame sould tongues the guilty should defend
Or great wealth from a iudgment seat ascend.
'Tis shame to grow rich by bed marchandize,
Or prostitute thy beauty for bad prize.
Thankes worthely are due for things vnbought,
For beds ill hyr'd we are indebted nought.
The hirer payeth al, his rent discharg'd
From further duty he rests then inlarg'd
Faire Dames forbeare rewards for nights to craue
Ill gotten goods good end will neuer haue.
The Sabine gauntlets were too deerely wunne,
That vnto death did presse the holy Nunne.
The sonne slew her, that forth to meete him went,
Yet thinke no scorne to aske a wealthy churle,
He wants no gifts into thy lap to hurle.
Take clustred grapes from an ore-laden vine,
Many bounteous loue Alcinous fruite resigne.
Let poore men shew their seruice; faith and care
All for their Mistresse, what they haue, prepare,
In verse to prepare kinde Wenches t'is my part,
And whom I like eternize by mine art.
Garments do weare, iewells and gold do wast,
The fame that verse giues doth for euer last.
To giue I loue, but to be ask't disdayne,
Leaue asking, and I'le giue what I refraine.
ELEGIA. 11. Napen alloquitur, vt parat as tabellas ad Corinnam perferat.
In skilfull gathering ruffled haires in order,Nape free-borne whose cunning hath no border,
Thy seruice for nights scapes is knowne commodious,
And to giue sighes dull wit is odious.
Corinna clips me oft by thy perswasion,
Neuer to harme me made thy faith euasion,
Receiue these lines, them to my Mistresse carry,
Be sedulous, let no stay cause thee tarry,
Nor flint, nor iron, are in thy soft brest,
But pure simplicity in thee doth rest.
And t'is suppos'd loues bow hath wounded thee,
Defend the ensignes of thy warre in me.
If, what I do, she askes, say hope for night,
The rest my hand doth in my letters write.
But see that forth-with shee peruseth it.
I charge thee marke her eyes and front in reading
By speechlesse lookes we guesse at things succeeding.
Straight being read, will her to write much back,
I hate faire Paper should writte matter lack.
Let her make verses and some blotted letter,
On the last edge to stay mine eyes the better.
What need she try her hand to hold the quill
Let this word, come, alone the tables fill.
Then with triumphant laurell will I grace them
And in the midst of Venus temple place them.
Subscribing that to her I consecrate,
My faithfull tables being vile maple late.
ELEGIA. 12. Tabelias quas miscrat exeoratur quod amica noctem negabat.
Bewaile my chaunce the sad booke is returned,This day denyall hath my sport adiourned.
Presages are not vaine, when she departed,
Nape by stumbling on the thre-shold started.
Going out againe passe forth the dore most wisely,
And som-what higher beare thy foote precisely.
Hence luck-lesse tables, funerall wood be flying,
And thou the waxe stuft full with notes denying.
Which I thinke gather'd from cold hemlocks flower,
Wherein bad hony Corsick Bees did power.
Yet as if mixt with red lead thou wert ruddy,
That colour rightly did appeare so bloudy.
As euill wood throwne in the high-wayes lie.
And him that hew'd you out for needfull vses,
I'le prooue had hands impure with all abuses.
Poore wretches on the tree themselues did strangle
There sat the hang-man for mens necks to angle.
To hoarse scrich-owles fowle shadowes it allowes
Vultures and furies nestled in the boughs.
To these my loue I foolishly committed
And then with sweete words to my Mistrisse fitted.
More fitly had thy wrangling bonds contained
From barbarous lips of some Atturny strained.
Among day-bookes and bills they had layne better,
In which the Marchat wayles his banquerout debter,
Your name approoues you made for such like things
The number two no good diuining bringes.
Angry, I pray that rotten age you wrackes
And sluttish white-mould ouergrow the waxe.
ELEGIA. 13. Ad Aurorem ne properet.
Now ore the sea from her old Loue comes sheThat drawes the day from heauens cold axeltree.
Aurora whither slidest thou? downe againe
And birds from Memnon yearely shal be slayne.
Now in her tender armes I sweetely bide
If euer, now well lyes she by my side.
The aire is cold, and sleepe is sweetest now
And birds send forth shrill notes from euery bough,
Whether run'st thou, that men, and women loue not
Hold in thy rosy horses that they moue not?
Ere thou rise, starres teach sea-men where to saile
Poore trauailers though tired, rise at thy sight,
And souldiers make them ready to the fight.
The painefull hinde by thee to field is sent,
Slowe Oxen early in the yoake are pent.
Thou cousenst boyes of sleepe, and doest betray them
To Pedants that with cruell lashes pay them.
Thou mak'st the surety to the Lawyer runne,
That with one word hath nigh himselfe vndone.
The Lawyer and the Client hate thy view,
Both whom thou raisest vp to toyle anew.
By thy meanes women of their rest are bard,
Thou setst their labouring hands to spin and card.
All could I beare, but that the wench should rise,
Who can endure saue him with whom none lyes?
How oft wisht I, night would not giue thee place,
Nor morning starres shunne thy vprising face.
How oft that either winde would breake thy coach,
Or steeds might fall forc'd with thicke clouds approach.
Whether goest thou hatefull Nymph? Memnon the elfe
Receiu'd his cole-blacke colour from thy selfe.
Say that thy loue with Cæphalus were not knowne,
Then thinkest thou thy loose life is not showne.
Would Tithon might but talke of thee a while.
Not one in heauen should be more base and vile,
Thou leauest his bed, because he's faint through age,
And early mountest thy hatefull carriage,
But heldst thou in thine armes some Cæphalus,
Then wouldst thou cry, stay night and run not thus.
Doest punish me, because yeares make him waine,
I did not bid thee wed an aged swaine?
The Moone sleepes with Endymion euery day,
Ioue that thou should'st not hast but waite his leasure,
Made two nights one to finish vp his pleasure.
I chide no more, she blusht and therefore heard me,
Yet lingered not the day, but morning scard me.
ELEGIA. 14. Puellam consolatur cui præ nimia cura comæ desiderant.
Leaue colouring thy tresses I did cry,Now hast thou left no haires at all to die.
But what had bin more faire had they bin kept?
Beyond thy robes thy dangling lackes had swept.
Feard'st thou to dresse them being fine and thinne,
Like to the silke the curious Seres spinne.
Or thrids which spiders slender foote drawes out,
Fastning her light web some old beame about.
Not black, nor golden were they to our view,
Yet although either mixt of eithers hue.
Such as in hilly Idas watry plaines,
The Cedar tall spoyl'd of his bark retaines.
And they were apt to curle an hundred wayes,
And did to thee no cause of dolour rayse.
Nor hath the needle, or the combes teeth reft them,
The maide that kembd them euer safely left them.
Oft was she drest before mine eyes, yet neuer,
Snatching the combe, to beate the wench out driue her.
Oft in the morne her haires not yet digested,
Halfe sleeping on a purple bed she rested.
Yet seemely like a Thracian Bacchinall,
That tyr'd doth rashly on the greene grasse fall.
They troubled haires, alas, endur'd great losse.
How patiently hot irons they did take,
In crooked trannells crispy curles to make.
I cryed, 'tis sinne, 'tis sinne, these haires to burne,
They well become thee, then to spare them turne.
Farre off be force, no fire to them may reach,
Thy very haires will the hot bodkin teach.
Lost are the goodly lockes, which from their crowne,
Phœbus and Bacchus wisht were hanging downe.
Such were they as Diana painted stands,
All naked holding in her waue-moist hands.
Why doest thy ill kembd tresses losse lament?
Why in thy glasse doest looke being discontent?
Be not to see with wonted eyes inclinde,
To please thy selfe, thy selfe put out of minde.
No charmed herbes of any harlot skath'd thee,
No faithlesse witch in Thessale waters bath'd thee.
No sicknesse harm'd thee, farre be that a way,
No enuious tongue wrought thy thick lockes decay.
By thine owne hand and fault thy hurt doth grow,
Thou mad'st thy head with compound poyson flow.
Now Germany shall captiue haire-tyers send thee,
And vanquisht people curious dressings lend thee.
Which some admiring! O thou oft wilt blush,
And say he likes me for my borrowed bush.
Praysing for me some vnknowne Guelder dame,
But I remember when it was my fame.
Alas she almost weepes, and her white cheekes,
Died red with shame to hide from shame she seekes.
She holds, and viewes her old lockes in her lappe,
Aye me rare gifts vnworthy such a happe,
And be hereafter seene with natiue haire.
ELEGIA. 15. Adinuidos, quod fama poetarum sit perennis.
Enuie why carpest thou my time is spent so ill,And termst my workes fruites of an idle quill.
Or that vnlike the line from whence I come,
Warres rusty honours are refus'd being young.
Nor that I study not the brawling Lawes,
Nor set my voyce to sale in euery cause,
Thy scope is mortall, mine eternal fame,
That all the World may euer chaunt thy name.
Homer shall liue while Tenedos stands and Ide,
Or into Sea swift Symois doth slide.
Ascraus liues, while grapes with new wine swel,
Or men with crooked sickles corne downe fel.
The World shal of Callamichus euer speake,
His Arte exceld, although his wit was weake.
For euer lasts high Sophocles proud vaine,
With Sunne and Moone, Aratus shall remaine.
While bond-men cheate, fathers hoord, bawds whorish,
And strumpets flatter, shal Menander flourish.
Rude Ennius and Plautus full of wit,
Are both in fames eternal Legend writ.
What age of Varroes name shal not be told,
And Iasons Argos and the fleece of gold,
Lofty Luereticus shall liue that houre,
That nature shal dissolue this earthly bower.
Æneas warre, and Tityrus shall be read,
While Rome of all the conquered world is head,
Thy verses sweet Tybullus shall be spoken.
And Gallus shall be knowne from East to VVest,
So shall Lycoris whom hee loued best.
Therefore when Flint and Iron weare away,
Verse is immortall, and shal nere decay.
To Verse let Kings giue place, and Kingly showes,
And banks ore which gold-bearing Tagus flowes.
Let base conceited witts admire vilde things,
Faire Phœbus lead me to the Muses springs.
About my head be quiuering mirtle wound,
And in sad Louers heads let me be found.
The Liuing, not the Dead can enuy bite,
For after Death all men receiue their right.
Then though Death rakes my bones in funeral fire,
Ile liue, and as he puls me downe mount higher.
The same [Elegia 15.] by B. I.
Enuie, why twitst thou me, my time's spent ill?And call'st my verse fruites of an idle quil?
Or that (vnlike the line from whence I sprong)
VVars dusty honors I pursue not young?
Or that I study not the tedious Lawes;
And prostitute my voyce in euery cause?
Thy scope is mortal; mine eternal Fame,
VVhich through the world shal euer chaunt my name.
Homer wil liue, whilst Tenedos stands, and Ide,
Or to the Sea, fleete Symois doth slide:
And so shall Hesiod too, while vines do beare,
Or crooked sickles crop the ripened eare,
Callamichus, though in Inuention lowe,
No losse shall come to Sophocles proude vaine,
With Sunne and Moone Aratus shall remaine.
Whil'st Slaues be false, Fathers hard, & Bauds be whorish,
VVhil'st Harlots flatter, shall Menander florish.
Ennius, though rude, and Accius high-reard straine,
A fresh applause in euery age shall gaine,
Of Varro's name, what eare shall not be told?
Of Iasons Argo? and the Fleece of gold?
Then, shall Lucretius lofty numbers die,
VVhen Earth, and Seas in fire and flames shall frie.
Titirus, Tillage, Æney shall be read,
Whil'st Rome of all the conquer'd world is head,
Till Cupids fires be out, and his bow broken,
Thy verses (neate Tibullus) shall be spoken.
Our Gallus shall be knowne from East to west,
So shall Licoris, whom he now loues best.
The suffering Plough-share or the flint may weare,
But heauenly Poesie no death can feare.
Kings shall giue place to it, and Kingly showes,
The bankes ore which gold-bearing Tagus flowes.
Kneele hindes to trash: me let bright Phœbus swell,
With cups full flowing from the Muses well.
The frost-drad mirtle shall impale my head,
And of sad louers I'le be often read.
“Enuy the liuing, not the dead doth bite,
“for after death all men receiue their right,
Then when this body falls in funerall fire,
My name shall liue, and my best part aspire.
Liber Secundus.
ELEGIA. 1. Quod pro gigantomachia amores scribere sit coactus.
I Ouid Poet of thy wantonnesse,Borne at Peligny to write more addresse.
So Cupid wills, farre hence be the seuere,
You are vnapt my looser lines to heare.
Let Maydes whom hot desire to husbands leade,
And rude boyes toucht with vnknowne loue me reade.
That some youth hurt as I am with loues bow,
His owne flames best acquainted signes may know.
And long admiring say by what meanes learn'd,
Hath this same Poet my sad chaunce discern'd?
I durst the great celestiall battels tell,
Hundred-hand Gyges, and had done it well.
With earths reuenge and how Olimpus toppe,
High Ossa bore mount Peli[illeg.] vp to proppe,
Ioue and Ioues thunder-bolts I had in hand,
Which for his heauen fell on the Gyants band.
My wench her dore shut, loues affares I left,
Euen Ioue himselfe out off my wit was reft.
Pardon me Ioue, thy weapons ayde me nought,
Her shut gates greater lightning then thine brought.
Toyes, and light Elegies my darts I tooke,
Quickly soft words hard dores wide open strooke,
Verses reduce the horned bloudy moone,
And call the sunnes white horses black at noone.
And turned streames run backe-ward to their fountaines,
Verses ope doores, and lockes put in the poast
Although of Oke, to yeeld ro verses boast;
What helpes it me of fierce Achill to sing?
VVhat good to me wil eyther Aiax bring?
Or he who war'd and wandred twenty yeare?
Or woful Hector whom wild iades did teare?
But when I prayse a pretty wenches face
She in requital doth me oft imbrace.
A great reward: Heroes oh famous names
Farewel, your fauour nought my minde inflames.
VVenches apply your faire lookes to my verse,
VVhich golden loue doth vnto me rehearse.
ELEGIA. 2. Ad Bagoum, vt custodiam puellæ sibi commissa Laxiorem habeat.
Bagous whose care doth thy Mistresse bridle,VVhile I speake some few, yet fit words be idle.
I saw the Damsell walking yesterday
There where the porch doth Danaus fact display:
Shee pleas'd me soone, I sent, and did her woo,
Her trembling hand writ backe she might not doo.
And asking why, this answere she redoubled
Because they care too much thy mistresse troubled.
Keeper if thou be wise cease hate to cherish,
Beleeue me, whom we feare, we wish to perish
Nor is her husband wise, that needes defence
VVhen vn-protested there is no expence
But furiously he follow his loues fire,
Stolne liberty she may by thee obtaine
Which giuing her, she may giue thee againe:
Wilt thou her fault learne, she may make thee tremble
Feare to be guilty, then thou maiest dissemble.
Thinke when she reades, her mother letters sent her
Let him goe forth knowne, that vnknowne did enter.
Let him goe see her though she doe not languish
And then report her sicke and full of anguish.
If long she stayes to thinke the time more short
Lay downe thy forehead in thy lap to snort,
Enquire not what with Isis may be done
Nor feare least she to th' theater's runne.
Knowing her scapes thine honour shall encrease,
And what lesse labour then to hold thy peace?
Let him please, haunt thy house, be kindly vs'd
Enioy the wench, let all else be refus'd.
Vaine causes faine of him, the true to hide
And what she likes, let both hold ratifide.
When most her husband bends the browes and frownes,
His fawning wench with her desire he crownes.
But yet sometimes to chide thee let her fall
Counterfet teares: and thee lewd hangman call.
Obiect thou then what she may well excuse.
To staine all faith in truth, by false crimes vse.
Of wealth and honour so shall grow thy heape,
Do this and soone thou shalt thy freedome reape.
On tell-tales neckes thou seest the linke-knit chaines,
The filthy prison faithlesse breasts restraynes.
Water[illeg.] waters, and fruit-flying touch
Tantalus seekes, his long tongues gaine is such.
While Iunoes watch-man Io too much eyde,
I saw ones legges with fetters black and blew,
By whom the husband his wiues incest knew,
More he deseru'd, to both great harme he fram'd
The man did grieue, the woman was defam'd.
Trust me all husbands for such faults are sad
Nor make they any man that heare them glad.
If he loues not, deafe eares thou doest importune,
Or if he loues; thy tale breedes his misfortune.
Nor is it easily prou'd though manifest,
She safe by fauour of her iudge doth rest.
Though himselfe see; heele credit her denyall
Condemne his eyes, and say there is no tryall.
Spying his mistrisse teares, he will lament
And say this blabbe shall suffer punishment.
Why figthst gainst odds? to thee being cast do happe
Sharp stripes, she sitteth in the iudges lappe.
To meete for poyson or vilde facts we craue not
My hands an vnsheath'd shining weapon haue not.
We seeke that through thee safely loue we may,
What can be easier then the thing we pray.
ELEGIA. 3. Ad Eunuchum seruantem dominum.
Aye me an Eunuch keepes my mistresse chaste,That cannot Venus mutuall pleasure taste.
Who first depriu'd young boyes of their best part,
With selfe same wounds he gaue, he ought to smart.
To kinde requests thou wouldst more gentle proue,
If euer wench had made luke-warme thy loue:
Thou wert not borne to ride, or armes to beare,
Men handle those, all manly hopes refigne,
Thy mistrisse enseignes must be likewise thine.
Please her, her hate makes others thee abhorre,
If she discardes thee, what vse seru'st thou for?
Good forme there is, yeares apt to play togither,
Vnmeet is beauty without vse to wither.
Shee may deceiue thee, though thou her protect,
What two determine neuer wants effect.
Our prayers moue thee to assist our drift,
While thou hast time yet to bestow that gift.
ELEGIA. 4. Quod amet mulieres, cuiuscunque forma sint.
I meane not to defend the scapes of any,Or iustifie my vices being many.
For I confesse, if that might merite fauour,
Heere I display my lewd and loose behauiour.
I loathe, yet after that I loathe, I runne,
Oh how the burthen irkes, that we should shunne.
I cannot rule my selfe, but where loue please,
Am driuen like a ship vpon rough seas.
No one face likes me best, all faces moue,
A hundred reasons make me euer loue.
If any eye [illeg.] with a modest looke,
I blush, and by that blushfull glance am tooke.
And she thats coy I like for being no clowne,
Me thinkes she would be nimble when shee's down,
Though her sowre lookes a Sabines brow resemble,
I thinke sheele do, but deepely can dissemble.
If she be learn'd, then for her skill I craue her.
Before Callimachus one preferrs me farre,
Seeing she likes my bookes why should we iarre?
Another railes at me and that I write
Yet would I lie with her if that I might.
Trips she, it likes me well, plods she, what than?
She will be nimbler, lying with a man.
And when one sweetly sings, then strait I long
To quauer on her lips euen in her song.
Or if one touch the Lute with art and cunning
Who would not loue those hands for their swift running?
And her I like that with a maiesty
Folds vp her armes and makes low curtesy.
To leaue my selfe, that am in loue with all
Some one of these might make the chastest fall.
If she be tall, shees like an Amazon,
And therefore fills the bed she lyes vpon.
If short, she lyes the rounder to say troth;
Both short and long please me, for I loue both.
I thinke what one vndeckt would be, being drest
Is she attired, then shew her graces best.
A white wench thralls me, so doth golden yellow
And nut-browne girles in doing haue no fellowe.
If her white necke be shadowed with browne haire,
Why so was Lædas, yet was Læda faire.
Amber trest is she, then on the morne thinke I
My loue alludes to euery history:
A young wench pleaseth, and an old is good
This for her lookes and that for her woman-hood.
Nay what is she that any Roman loues
But my ambitious ranging minde approues.
ELEGIA. 5. Ad amicam corruptam.
No loue is so deere (quiuer'd Cupid flie)That my chiefe wish should be so oft to die.
Minding my fault, with death I wish to reuill,
Alas a wench is a perpetuall euill.
No intercepted lines thy deedes display,
No giftes giuen secretly thy crime bewray.
O would my proofes as vaine might be withstood,
Aye me poore soule why is my cause so good.
He's happy, that his loue dares boldly credit,
To whom his wench can say, I neuer did it.
He's cruell, and too much his griefe doth fauour,
That seekes the conquest by her loose behauiour.
Poore wench I sawe when thou didst thinke I slumbred.
Not drunke, your faults on the spilt wine I numbred.
I saw your nodding eye-browes much to speake,
Euen from your cheekes, part of a voyce did breake,
Not silent were thine eyes, the boord with wine,
Was scribled, and thy fingers writ a line.
I knew your speech (what doe not louers see?)
And words that seem'd for certaine markes to be.
Now many guests were gone, the feast being done,
The youthfull sort to diuers pastimes runne.
I saw you then vnlawfull kisses ioyne,
(Such with my tounge it likes me to purloyne)
None such the sister giues her brother graue,
But such kinde wenches let their louers haue.
Phæbus gaue not Diana such, t'is thought,
But Venus often to her Mars such brought.
My lordly hands ile throw vpon my right.
Such blisse is onely common to vs two,
In this sweet good, why hath a third to do?
This, and what griefe inforc'd me say I say'd,
A scarlet blush her guilty face arayed.
Euen such as by Aurora hath the skie,
Or maides that their betrothed husbands spie.
Such as a rose mixt with a lilly breedes,
Or when the Moone trauailes with charmed steedes.
Or such, as least long yeares should turne the die,
Arachne staynes Assyrian iuory.
To these, or some of these like was her colour,
By chaunce her beauty neuer shined fuller.
She viewed the earth: the earth to view, beseem'd her.
She looked sad; sad, comely I esteem'd her.
Euen kembed as they were, her lockes to rend,
And scratch her faire soft cheekes I did intend.
Seeing her face, mine vpreard armes descended,
With her owne armour was my wench defended,
I that ere-while was fierce, now humbly sue,
Least with worse kisses she should me indue.
She laught, and kiss'd so sweetely as might make
Wrath-kindled Ioue away his thunder shake.
I grieue least others should such good perceiue,
And wish hereby them all vnknowne to leaue.
Also much better were they then I tell,
And euer seem'd as some new sweet befell.
Tis ill they pleas'd so much, for in my lips,
Lay her whole tongue hid, mine in hers she dips,
This grieues me not, no ioyned kisses spent,
Bewaile I onely, though I them lament.
I know no maister of so great hire sped.
ELEGIA. 6. In mortem psittaci.
The parrat from East-India to me sent,Is dead, al-fowles her exequies frequent.
Go goodly birdes, striking your breasts bewaile,
And with rough clawes your tender cheekes assaile.
For wofull haires let piece-torne plumes abound,
For long shrild trumpets let your notes resound.
Why Phylomele doest Tereus leudnesse mourn?
All wasting yeares haue that complaint not worne?
Thy tunes let this rare birdes sad funerall borrow,
It is as great, but auncient cause of sorrow.
All you whose pineons in the cleare aire sore,
But most thou friendly turtle-doue deplore.
Full concord all your liues was you betwixt,
And to the end your constant faith stood fixt.
What Pylades did to Orestes proue,
Such to the parrat was the turtle-doue.
But what auailde this faith? her rarest hew?
Or voyce that how to change the wilde notes knew?
What helpes it thou wert giuen to please my wench,
Birdes haples glory, death thy life doth quench.
Thou with thy quilles mightst make greene Emeralds darke,
And passe our scarlet of red saffrons marke.
No such voyce-feigning bird was on the ground,
Thou spokest thy words so well with stammering sound.
Enuy hath rapt thee, no fierce warres thou mouedst,
Vaine babling speach, and pleasant peace thou louedst.
Which do perchance old age vnto them giue.
A little fild thee, and for loue of talke,
Thy mouth to tast of many meats did balke.
Nuts were thy foode, and Poppie caus'd thee sleepe,
Pure waters moysture thirst away did keepe.
The rauenous vulture liues, the Puttock houers
Around the aire, the Cadesse raine discouers.
And Crowes suruiues armes-bearing Pallas hate,
Whose life nine ages scarce bring out of date.
Dead is that speaking image of mans voice,
The Parrat giuen me, the farre wordes best choice.
The greedy spirits take the best things first,
Supplying their voyd places with the worst.
Thersites did Protesilaus suruiue;
And Hector dyed his brothers yet aliue.
My wenches vowes for thee what should I show,
Which stormy South-windes into sea did blow?
The seuenth day came, none following mightst thou see,
And the fates distaffe empty stood to thee:
Yet words in thy benummed pallat rung,
Farewell Corinna cryed thy dying tongue.
Elisium hath a wood of holme trees black,
Whose earth doth not perpetuall greene-grasse lacke,
There good birds rest (if we beleeue things hidden)
Whence vncleane foules are sayd to be forbidden.
There harmelesse Swans feed all abroad the riuer,
There liues the Phænix one alone bird euer.
There Iunoes bird displayes his gorgious feather:
And louing Doues kisse egerly together.
The Parrat into wood receiu'd with these,
Turnes all the goodly birdes to what she please.
The little stones these little verses haue.
This tombe approues, I pleasd my mistresse well,
My mouth in speaking did all birds excell.
ELEGIA. 7. Amicæ se purgat, quod ancillam non amet.
Doost me of new crimes alwayes guilty frame?To ouer-come, so oft to fight I shame,
If on the Marble Theater I looke,
One among many is to grieue thee tooke.
If some faire wench me secretly behold,
Thou arguest she doth secret markes vnfold.
If I prayse any, thy poore haires thou tearest,
If blame, dissembling of my fault thou fearest.
If I looke well, thou thinkest thou doest not moue,
If ill, thou saist I dye for others loue.
Would I were culpable of some offence,
They that deserue paine, bear't with patience.
Now rash accusing, and thy vaine beliefe,
Forbid thine anger to procure my griefe.
Loe how the miserable great eared Asse,
Duld with much beating slowly forth doth passe.
Behold Cypassis wont to dresse thy head,
Is charg'd to violate her mistresse bed.
The Gods from this sinne rid me of suspition,
To like a base wench of despisd condition.
With Venus game who will a seruant grace?
Or any back made rough with stripes imbrace?
Adde she was diligent thy locks to braide,
And for her skill to thee a gratefull maide.
To take repulse, and cause her shew my lust?
I sweare by Venus, and the wingd boyes bow,
My selfe vnguilty of this crime I know.
ELEGIA. 8. Ad Cypassim ancillam Corinna.
Cypassis that a thousand wayes trimst haire,Worthy to keembe none but a Goddesse faire.
Our pleasant scapes shew thee no clowne to be,
Apt to thy mistrisse, but more apt to me.
Who that our bodies were comprest bewrayde?
Whence knowes Corinna that with thee I playde?
Yet blusht I not, nor vsde I any saying,
That might be vrg'd to witnesse our false playing.
What if a man with bond-women offend,
To proue him foolish did I ere contend?
Achilles burnt with face of captiue Briseis,
Great Agamemnon lou'd his seruant Chriseis.
Greater then these my selfe I not esteeme:
What graced Kings, in me no shame I deeme.
But when on thee her angry eyes did rush,
In both my cheekes she did perceiue thee blush.
But being present, might that worke the best,
By Venus Deity how did I protest.
Thou Goddesse doest command a warme South-blast,
My selfe oathes in Carpathian seas to cast.
For which good turne my sweet reward repay,
Let me lye with thee browne Cypasse to day.
Vngrate why feign'st new feares? and doest refuse;
Well mayest thou one thing for thy Mistrisse vse.
And as a traytour mine owne fault confesse.
Telling thy mistresse, where I was with thee,
How oft, and by what meanes we did agree.
ELEGIA. 9. Ad Cupidinem.
O Cupid that doest neuer cease my smart,O boy that lyest so slothfull in my heart.
Why me that alwayes was thy souldiour found,
Doest harme, and in thy tents why doest me wound?
Why burnes thy brand, why strikes thy bow thy friends?
More glory by thy vanquisht foes ascends.
Did not Pelides whom his Speare did grieue,
Being requirde, with speedy help relieue?
Hunters leaue taken beasts, pursue the chase,
And then things found do euer further pace.
We people wholy giuen thee, feele thine armes,
Thy dull hand staies thy striuing enemies harmes.
Doest ioy to haue thy hooked Arrowes shaked,
In naked bones? loue hath my bones left naked.
So many men and maidens without loue,
Hence with great laude thou maiest a triumph moue.
Rome if her strength the huge world had not fild,
With strawie cabins now her courts should build.
The weary souldiour hath the conquerd fields,
His sword layed by, safe, though rude places yeelds.
The Dock in harbours ships drawne, from the floods,
Horse freed from seruice range abroad the woods.
And time it was for me to liue in quiet,
That haue so oft seru'd pretty wenches dyet.
Yet should I curse a God, if he but said,
For when my loathing it of heate depriues me,
I know not whether my mindes whirle-wind driues me.
Euen as a head-strong courser beares away,
His rider vainely striuing him to stay.
Or as a suddaine gaile thrusts into sea,
The heauen-touching barke now neere the lea.
So wauering Cupid brings me backe amaine,
And purple loue resumes his dartes againe.
Strike boy, I offer thee my naked brest,
Heere thou hast strength, here thy right hand doth rest.
Heere of themselues thy shafts come, as if shot;
Better then I their quiuer knowes them not:
Haplesse is he that all the night lyes quiet
And slumbring, thinkes himselfe much blessed by it.
Foole, what is sleepe but image of cold death,
Long shalt thou rest when Fates expire thy breath.
But me let crafty damsells words deceiue,
Great ioyes by hope I inly shall conceiue,
Now let her flatter me, now chide me hard,
Let her inioy me oft, oft be debard.
Cupid by thee, Mars in great doubt doth trample,
And thy step-father fights by thy example.
Light art thou, and more windy then thy winges,
Ioyes with vncertaine faith thou takest and bringes:
Yet loue, if thou with thy fayre mother heare,
Within my brest no desert empire beare;
Subdue the wandring wenches to thy raigne,
So of both people shalt thou homage gaine.
ELEGIA. 10. Ad Græcinum quod endem tempore duas amet.
Græcinus (well I wot) thou toldst me once,I could not be in loue with two at once,
By thee deceiued, by thee surpriz'd am I
For now I loue two women equally.
Both are welfauor'd, both in rich aray,
Which is the louelyest it is hard to say.
This seemes the fayrest, so doth that to me,
And this doth please me most, and so doth shee.
Euen as a Boate, tost by contrary winde,
So with this loue, and that, wauers my minde.
Venus, why doublest thou my endlesse smart?
Was not one wench enough to grieue my heart?
Why addst thou stars to heauen, leaues to greene woods,
And to the vast deepe sea fresh water floods?
Yet this is better farre then lye alone,
Let such as be mine enemies haue none.
Yea let my foes sleepe in an empty bed,
And in the midst their bodyes largely spread.
But may soft loue rouse vp my drowsie eyes,
And from my mistris bosome let me rise.
Let one wench cloy me with sweet loues delight
If one can doote, if not, two euery night.
Though I am slender, I haue store of pith,
Nor want I strength, but weight to presse her with.
Pleasure addes fuell to my lust-full fire,
I pay them home with that they most desire.
Oft haue I spent the night in wantonnesse,
And in the morne beene liuely nere the lesse.
And to the Gods for that death Ouid prayes.
Let souldiers chase their enemies amaine,
And with their blood eternall honour gaine.
Let Merchants seeke wealth with periured lips;
And being wrackt carouse the sea tir'd by their ships.
But when I dye, would I might droupe with doing,
And in the midst thereof set my soule going:
That at my funeralls some may weeping crye,
Euen as he led his life, so did he dye.
ELEGIA. 11. Ad amicam nauigantem.
The lofty Pine from high mount Pelion raughtIll wayes by rough seas wōdring waues first taught
Which rashly t'wixt the sharpe rockes in the deepe,
Caried the famous golden-fleeced sheepe.
O would that no Oares might in seas haue suncke
The Argos wrackt had deadly waters drunke.
Loe country Gods, and know bed to forsake
Corinna meanes, and dangerous wayes to take.
For thee the East and West winds make me pale,
With Icy Boreas, and the Southerne gale.
Thou shalt admire no woods or Citties there,
The vniust seas all blewish do appeare.
The Ocean hath no painted stones or shelles,
The sucking shore with their aboundance swels.
Maides on the shore, with marble white feet tread,
So farre 'tis safe, but to go farther, dread.
Let others tell how winds fierce battailes wage,
How Scyllaes and Caribdis waters rage.
In what gulfe either Syrtes haue their seate.
Let others tell this, and what each one speakes
Beleeue, no tempest the beleeuer wreakes.
Too late you looke back, when with anchor weighd,
The crooked Barque hath her swift sayles displayd.
The carefull ship-man now feares angry gusts,
And with the waters sees death neere him thrusts,
But if that Triton tosse the troubled floud,
In all thy face will be no crimson bloud.
Then wilt thou Lædas noble twinne-starrs pray,
And he is happy whom the earth holds, say,
It is more safe to sleepe, to read a booke,
The Thracian Harpe with cunning to haue strooke,
But if my words with winged stormes hence slip,
Yet Galatea fauour thou her ship.
The losse of such a wench much blame will gather,
Both to the Sea-nimphs and the Sea-nimphs father.
Go minding to returne with prosperous winde,
Whose blast may hether strongly be inclinde,
Let [illeg.] bend the waues vnto this shore,
Hether the windes blowe, here the spring-tide rore,
Request mild Zephires helpe for thy auaile,
And with thy hand assist thy swelling saile,
I from the shore thy knowne ship first will see,
And say it brings her that preserueth me;
Ile clip and kisse thee with all contentation,
For thy returne shall fall the vowd oblation
And in the forme of beds weele strow soft sand,
Each little hill shall for a table stand:
There wine being fild, thou many things shalt tell,
How almost wrackt thy ship in maine seas fell.
Nor violent South-windes did thee ought affright.
Ile thinke all true, though it be feigned matter,
Mine owne desires why should my selfe not flatter?
Let the bright day-starre cause in heauen this day be,
To bring that happy time so soone as may be.
ELEGIA. 12. Exultat, quod amica potitus sit.
About my temples go triumphant bayes,Conquer'd Corinna in my bosome layes.
She whom her husband, guard, and gate, as foes,
Least Arte should winne her, firmely did inclose:
That victory doth chiefely triumph merit,
Which without bloud-shed doth the pray inherit.
No little ditched townes, no lowely walls,
But to my share a captiue damsell falls.
When Troy by ten yeares battaile tumbled downe,
With the Atrides many gainde renowne:
But I no partner of my glory brooke,
Nor can another say his helpe I tooke.
I guide and souldier, wonne the field and weare her,
I was both horse-man, foot-man, standard-bearer.
Nor in my act hath fortune mingled chance:
O care-got triumph hitherwards aduance.
Nor is my warres cause new; but for a Queene
Europe, and Asia in firme peace had beene.
The Lapithes, and the Centaures for a woman,
To cruell armes their drunken selues did summon.
A woman forc'd the Troyanes new to enter
Warres, iust Latinus, in thy kingdomes center:
The Sabine Fathers, who sharp warres intend,
I saw how Bulls for a white Heifer striue,
Shee looking on them did more courage giue.
And me with many, but yet me without murther,
Cupid commands to moue his ensignes further.
ELEGIA. 13. Ad Isidem, vt parientem Corinnam iunet.
VVhile rashly her wombes burthen she casts out,Weary Corinna hath her life in doubt.
She secretly with me such harme attempted,
Angry I was, but feare my wrath exempted.
But she conceiu'd of me, or I am sure
I oft haue done, what might as much procure.
Thou that frequents Canopus pleasant fields,
Memphis, and Pharos that sweet date trees yeelds.
And where swift Nile in his large channell slipping,
By seauen huge mouthes into the sea is slipping.
By fear'd Anubis visage I thee pray,
So in thy Temples shall Osiris stay.
And the dull-snake about thy offrings creepe,
And in thy pomp horn'd Apis with thee keepe.
Turne thy lookes hether, and in one spare twaine,
Thou giuest my mistresse life, she mine againe.
Shee oft hath seru'd thee vpon certaine daies,
Where the French rout engirt themselues with Baies.
On labouring women thou doest pitty take,
Whose bodies with their heauy burthens ake,
Ny wench Lucina, I intreat thee fauour,
Worthy she is, thou should'st in mercy saue her.
My selfe will bring vowed gifts before thy feete.
Subscribing Naso with Corinna sau'd,
Doe but deserue gifts with this title grau'd.
But if in so great feare I may aduize thee,
To haue this skirmish fought let it suffice thee.
ELEGIA. 14. In amicam, quod abortivum ipsa fecerit.
VVhat helpes it Woman to be free from warre?Nor being arm'd fierce troups to follow farre?
If without battle selfe-wrought wounds annoy them,
And their owne priuie weapon'd hands destroy them.
Who vnborne infants first to slay inuented,
Deseru'd thereby with death to be tormented.
Because thy belly should rough wrinckles lack,
Wilt thou thy wombe-inclosed off-spring wrack?
Had ancient Mothers this vile custome cherisht,
All humane kinde by their default had perisht.
On stones, our stocks originall should be hurld,
Againe by some in this vnpeopled world.
Who should haue Priams wealthy substance wonne,
If watry Thetis had her childe fordone?
In swelling wombe her twinnes had [illeg.] kilde?
He had not beene that conquering Rome did build.
Had Venus spoilde her bellies Troyane fruite,
The earth of Cæsars had beene destitute.
Thou also that wert borne faire, had'st decayed,
If such a worke thy mother had assayed.
My selfe that better dye with louing may,
Why takest increasing grapes from Vine-trees full?
With cruell hand why doest greene Apples pull?
Fruites ripe will fall, let springing things increase,
Life is no light price of a small surcease.
Why with hid irons are your bowels torne?
And why dire poyson giue you babes vnborne?
At Cholcis stain'd with childrens blood men raile,
And mother-murtherd Itis thee bewaile.
Both vnkinde parents, but for causes sad,
Their wedlock pledges veng'd their husbands bad.
What Tereus, what Iason you prouokes,
To plague your bodies with such harmefull strokes?
Armenian Tygers neuer did so ill,
Nor dares the Lyonesse her young whelpes kill.
But tender Damsels doe it, though with paine,
Oft dyes she that her paunch-wrapt child hath slaine.
Shee dyes, and with loose haires to graue is sent,
And who ere see her, worthily lament.
But in the ayre let these words come to nought,
And my presages of no weight be thought.
Forgiue her gratious Gods this one delict,
And one the next fault punishment inflict.
ELEGIA. 15. Ad annulum, quem dono amisæ dedit.
Thou ring that shalt my faire girles finger binde,Wherein is seene the giuers louing minde:
Be welcome to her, gladly let her take thee,
And her small ioynts incircling round [illeg.]e make thee.
And of iust compasse for her knuckles be.
Bestring in my mistresse armes shall lie,
My selfe poore wretch mine owne gifts now enuie.
O would that sodainely into my gift,
I could my selfe by secret Magick shift.
Then would I wish thee touch my mistresse pappe,
And hide thy left hand vnderneath her lappe.
I would get off though straight, and sticking fast,
And in her bosome strangely fall at last.
Then I, that I may seale her priuie leaues,
Least to the waxe the hold-fast drye gemme cleaues.
Would first my beautious wenches moist lips touch,
Onely Ile signe nought, that may grieue me much.
I would not out, might I in one place hit,
But in lesse compasse her small fingers knit,
My life, that I will shame thee neuer feare,
Or by a loade thou should'st refuse to beare.
Weare me, when warmest showers thy members wash,
And through the gemme let thy lost waters pash.
But seeing thee, I thinke my thing will swell,
And euen the ring performe a mans part well.
Vaine things why wish I? goe small gift from hand,
Let her my faith with thee giuen, vnderstand.
ELEGIA. 16. Ad amicam, vt adrura suaveniat.
Svlmo , Pelignies third part me containes,A small, but wholesome soyle with watrie veynes.
Although the Sunne to riue the earth incline,
And the Icarian froward Dog-starre shine.
And on the soft ground fertile greene grasse grow.
With corne the earth abounds, with vines much more,
And some few pastures Pallas Oliues bore.
And by the rising herbes, where cleare springs slide,
A grassie turffe the moistened earth doth hide.
But absent is my sire, lyes ile tell none,
My heate is heere, what moues my heate is gone.
Pollux and Castor, might I stand betwixt,
In heauen without thee would I not be fixt.
Vpon the cold earth pensiue let them lay,
That meane to trauaile some long irkesome way.
Or else will maidens yong-menns mates, to go
If they determine to perseuere so.
Then on the rough Alpes should I tread aloft,
My hard way with my mistresse would seeme soft,
With her I durst the Lybian Sirtes break through,
And raging Seas in boistrous South-winds plough.
No barking Dogs, that Syllaes intrailes beare,
Nor thy gulfes crooked Malea, would I feare.
No flowing waues with drowned ships forth powred,
By cloyed Charibdis, and againe deuoured.
But if sterne Neptunes windie powre preuaile.
And waters force, force helping Gods to faile,
With thy white armes vpon my shoulders seaze,
So sweet a burthen I will beare with eaze.
The youth oft swimming to his Hero kinde,
Had then swum ouer, but the way was blinde,
But without thee, although vine-planted ground
Conteines me, though the streames in fields surround.
Though Hindes in brookes the running waters bring,
And coole gales shake the tall trees leauy spring.
Nor doe I like the countrie of my birth.
Sythia, Cilicia, Brittaine are as good,
And rockes dyed crimson with Prometheus blood.
Elmes loue the Vines, the Vines with Elmes abide,
Why doth my mistresse from me oft deuide?
Thou swearest, deuision should not twixt vs rise,
By me, and by my starres, thy radiant eyes.
Maides words more vaine and light then falling leaues,
Which as it seemes, hence winde and sea bereaues,
If any godly care of me thou hast,
Adde deeds vnto thy promises at last.
And with swift Naggs drawing thy little Coach,
(Their reines let loose) right soone my house approach.
But when she comes, your swelling mounts sinck downe
And falling vallies be the smooth-wayes crowne.
ELEGIA. 17. Quod Corinnæ soli sit seruaturus.
To serue a wench if any thinke it shame,He being iudge, I am conuinc'd of blame.
Let me be slandered, while my fire she hides,
That Paphos, and the floud-beate Cithera guides,
Would I had beene my mistresse gentle prey,
Since some faire one I should of force obey,
Beauty giues heart, Corinnas lookes excell,
Aye me why is it knowne to her so well?
But by her glasse disdainefull pride she learnes,
Nor she her selfe but first trim'd vp discernes.
Not though thy face in all things make thee raigne,
(O face most cunning mine eyes to detayne)
Small things with greater may be copulate,
Loue-snarde Calypso is supposde to pray,
A mortall nimphes refusing Lord to stay.
Who doubts, with Pelius, Thetis did consort,
Egeria with iust Numa had good sport,
Venus with Vulcan, though smiths tooles laide by,
With his stumpe-foote he halts ill-fauouredly.
This kinde of verse is not alike, yet fit,
With shorter numbers the heroick sit.
And thou my light accept me how so euer,
Lay in the mid bed, there be my law giuer.
My stay no crime, my flight no ioy shall breed,
Nor of our loue, to be asham'd we need.
For great reuenews I good verses haue,
And many by me to get glory craue.
I know a wench reports her selfe Corinne,
What would not she giue that faire name to winne?
But sundry flouds in one banke neuer go,
Eurotas cold, and poplar-bearing Po.
Nor in my bookes shall one but thou be writ,
Thou doest alone giue matter to my wit.
ELEGIA. 18. Ad Macrum, quod de amoribus scribat.
To tragick verse while thou Achilles train'st,And new sworne souldiours maiden armes retain'st,
We Macer sit in Venus slothfull shade,
And tender loue hath great things hatefull made.
Often at length, my wench depart, I bid,
Shee in my lap sits still as earst she did.
Aye me she cries, to loue, why art ashamed?
Then wrethes about my neck her winding armes,
And thousand kisses giues, that worke my harmes:
I-yeeld, and back my wit from battels bring,
Domestick acts, and mine owne warres to sing.
Yet tragedies, and scepters fild my lines,
But though I apt were for such high deseignes.
Loue laughed at my cloak, and buskines painted,
And rule so soone with priuate hands acquainted.
My mistresse deity also drew me from it,
And loue triumpheth o're his busking Poet.
What lawfull is, or we professe loues art.
(Alas my precepts turne my selfe to smart)
We write, or what Penelope sends Vlysses,
Or Phillis teares that her Demophoon misses.
What thanklesse Iason, Macareus, and Paris,
Phedra, and Hipolite may read, my care is,
And what poore Dido, with her drawne sword sharp,
Doth say, with her that lou'd the Aonian harp.
As soone as from strange landes Sabinus came,
And writings did from diuerse places frame.
White-cheekt Penelope knew Vlysses signe,
The step-dame read Hyppolitus lustlesse line.
Æneas to Elisa aunswer giues,
And Phillis hath to reade; if now she liues.
Iasons sad letter doth Hipsipile greete,
Sappho her vowed harp laies at Phœbus feete.
Nor of thee Macer that resound'st forth armes,
Is golden loue hid in Mars mid alarmes.
There Paris is, and Helens crymes record,
With Laodemeia mate to her dead Lord.
Then warres, and from thy tents wilt come to mine.
ELEGIA. 19. Ad riualem, cui vxor curæ non erat.
Foole if to keepe thy wife thou hast no neede,Keepe her from me, my more desire to breede,
We skorne things lawfull, stolne sweetes we affect,
Cruell is he that loues whom none protect.
Let vs both louers hope, and feare a like,
And may repulse place for our wishes strike.
What should I do with fortune that n'ere failes me?
Nothing I loue, that at all times auailes me.
Wily Corinna, saw this blemish in me,
And craftily knowes by what meanes to winne me.
Ah often, that her haole head aked, she lying,
Wild me, whose slow feete sought delay by flying,
Ah oft, how much she might she feign'd offence;
And doing wrong made shew of innocence.
So hauing vext she nourisht my warme fire,
And was againe most apt to my desire.
To please me, what faire tearmes and sweete words has she
Great Gods what kisses, and how many gaue she?
Thou also that late tookest mine eyes away,
Oft couzen me, oft being wooed say nay.
And on thy thre-shold let me lie dispred,
Suffring much cold by hoary nights frost bred.
So shall my loue continue many yeares,
This doth delight me, this my courage cheares.
Fat loue, and too much fulsome me annoyes,
Euen as sweet meate a glutted stomack cloyes.
In brazen tower had not Danae dwelt,
A mothers ioy by Ioue she had not felt.
Ioue liked her better then he did before.
Who couets lawfull things takes leaues from woods,
And drinkes stolne waters in surrownding floodes.
Her louer let her mock, that long will raigne,
Aye me, let not my warnings cause my paine.
What euer haps, by suffrance harme is done,
What flies, I follow, what followes me I shunne.
But thou of thy faire damsell too secure,
Begin to shut thy house at euening sure.
Search at the dore who knocks oft in the darke,
In nights deep silence why the ban-dogges barke.
Whether the subtile maide lines bringes and carries,
Why she alone in empty bed oft tarries.
Let this care some-times bite thee to the quick,
That to deceits it may me forward prick.
To steale sands from the shore he loues alife,
That can effect a foolish wittals wife.
Now I forewarne, vnlesse to keep her stronger,
Thou doest begin, she shall be mine no longer.
Long haue I borne much, hoping time would beate thee,
To guard her well, that well I might intreate thee.
Thou suffrest what no husband can endure,
But of my loue it will an end procure.
Shall I poore soule be neuer interdicted?
Nor neuer with nights sharp reuenge afflicted?
In sleeping shall I fearelesse draw my breath?
Wilt nothing do, why I should wish thy death?
Can I but loath a husband growne a bawde,
By thy default thou doest our ioyes defaude.
Some other seeke that may in patience striue with thee,
To pleasure me, for-bid me to coriue with thee.
Liber tertius.
ELEGIA. 1. Deliberatio poetæ, vtrum elegos pergat scribere an potius tragœdias.
An old wood, stands vncut of long yeares space,T'is credible some good head haunts the place.
In midst thereof a stone-pau'd sacred spring,
Where round about small birdes most sweetely sing.
Here while I walke hid close in shadie groue,
To finde, what worke, my muse might moue, I stroue.
Elegia came with haires perfumed sweete,
And one, I thinke, was longer, of her feete.
A decent forme, thinne robe, a louers looke,
By her footes blemish greater grace she tooke,
Then with huge steps came violent Tragedie,
Sterne was her front, her looke on ground did lie.
Her left hand held abroad a regal scepter,
The Lydian buskin fit places kept her.
And fitst he said, when will thy loue be spent?
O Poet carelesse of thy argument.
Wyne-bibbing banquets tell thy naughtinesse,
Each crosse waies corner doth as much expresse.
Oft some points at the prophet passing by,
And this is he whom fierce loue burnes, they cry,
A laughing stock thou art to all the citty,
While without shame thou sing'st thy lewdnesse ditty.
Long hast thou loyterd, greater workes compile.
The subiect hides thy wit, mens acts resound,
This thou wilt say to be a worthy ground.
Thy muse hath played what may mild girles content,
And by those numbers is thy first youth spent,
Now giue the Roman Tragedy a name,
To fill my lawes thy wanton spirit frame,
This saied, she mou'd her buskins gaily varnisht,
And seauen time shook her head with thick locks garnisht
The other smilde, (I wot) with wanton eyes,
Erre I? or mirtele in her right hand lyes
With lofty wordes stout Tragedy (she said)
Why treadst me downe? art thou aye grauely played?
Thou dignest vnequall lines should thee rehearse,
Thou fightst against me vsing mine owne verse.
Thy lofty stile with mine I not compare,
Small doores vnfitting for large houses are.
Light am I, and with thee, my care, light loue,
Not stronger am I, then the things I moue.
Venus without me should be rusticall,
This goddesse company doth to me befall.
What gate thy stately words cannot vnlocke,
My flatt'ring speeches soone wide open knocke.
And I deserue more then thou canst in verity,
By suffering much not borne by thy seuerity.
By me Corinna learnes, cousening her guard,
To get the dore with little noyse vnbard.
And slipt from bed, cloth'd in a loose nightgown
To moue her feet vnheard in siting down,
Ah how oft on hard doores hung I engrau'd,,
From no mans reading fearing to be sau'd.
The maide to hide me in her bosome let not.
What gift with me was on her birth day sent,
But cruelly by her was drown'd and rent.
First of thy minde the happy seedes I knew,
Thou hast my gift, which she would from thee sue.
She left; I say'd, you both I must beseech,
To empty aire may go my fearfull speech.
With scepters, & high buskins th' one would dresse me,
So through the world should bright renowne expresse me.
The other giues my loue a conquering name,
Come therefore, and to long verse shorter frame.
Grant Tragedy thy Poet times least title,
Thy labour euer lasts, she askes but little.
She gaue me leaue, soft loues in time make hast.
Some greater worke will vrge me on at last.
ELEGIA. 2. Ad amicam cursum equorum spectantem.
I sit not here the noble horse to see,Yet whom thou fauourst, pray may conquerour be.
To sit, and talke with thee I hether came,
That thou mayst know with loue thou mak'st me flame.
Thou view'st the course, I thee: let either heede,
What please them, and their eyes let either feede.
What horse-driuer thou fauourst most is best,
Because on him thy care doth hap to rest.
Such chance let me haue: I would brauely runne,
On swift steedes mounted till the race were done.
Now would I slacke the reines, now lash her hide,
With wheles bent inward now the ring-turne ride.
And from my hands the reines will slip away.
Ah Pelpos from his coach was almost feld,
Hippodameias lookes while he beheld.
Yet he attain'd by her support to haue her,
Let vs all conquer by our mistris fauour.
In vaine why flyest backe? force conioyns vs now:
The places lawes this benifit alow,
But spare my wench thou at her right hand seated,
By thy sides touching ill she is intreated.
And sit thou rounder, that behind vs see,
For shame presse not her backe with thy hard knee.
But on the ground thy cloaths too loosely lye,
Gat her them vp, or lift them loe will I.
Enuious garments so good legges to hide,
The more thou look'st, the more the gowne enuide.
Swift Atalantas flying legges like these,
Wish in his hands graspt did Hippomines.
Coate-tuckt Dianas legges are painted like them,
When strong wild beasts, she stronger hunts to strike thē,
Ere these were seene, I burnt: what will these do?,
Flames into flame, flouds thou powerst seas into.
By these I iudge, delight me may the rest,
Which lie hid vnder her thinne veile supprest.
Yet in the meane time wilt small windes bestow,
That from thy fanne, mou'd by my hand may blow,
Or if my heate, of minde, not of the skie?
I'st woemens loue my captiue brest doth frie?
While thus I speake, blacke dust her white robes ray:
Foule dust, from her faire body go away.
Now comes the pompe; themselues let all men cheere:
The shout is nigh; the golden pompe comes heere.
Goddesse come heere, make my loue conquering.
Applaud you Neptune, that dare trust his waue,
The sea I vse not: me my earth must haue.
Souldier applaud thy Mars, no warrs we mone,
Peace pleaseth me, and in mid peace is lone.
With Augures Phæbus, Phæbe with hunters standes.
To thee Minerua turne the crafts-mens hands.
Ceres and Bacchus Country-men adore,
Champions pleace Pollux, Castor loues horsemen more.
Thee gentle Venus, and the boy that flies,
We praise, great goddesse ayde my enterprize.
Let my new mistris graunt to be beloued,
She beckt, and prosperous signes gaue as she moued.
What Venus promis'd, promise thou we pray
Greater then her, by her leaue th'art, Ile say.
The Gods, and their rich pompe witnesse with me,
For euermore thou shalt my mistres be.
Thy legges hang-downe, thou maiest, if that be best,
Or while thy tiptoes on the foot-stoole rest.
Now greatest spectacles the Prætor sends,
Fower-chariot-horses from the lists euen ends,
I see whom thou affectest: he shall subdue,
The horses seeme, as they desire thy knewe.
Alas he runnes too farre about the ring,
What doest? thy wagon in lesse compasse bring.
What dost vnhappy? her good wishes fade,
Let with strong hand the reine to bend be made.
One slowe we fauour, Romans him reuoke:
And each giue signes by casting vp his cloake.
They call him backe, least their gownes tosse thy haire,
To hide thee in my bosome strait repaire.
And forth the gay troupes on swift horses flie.
At last now conquer, and out-runne the rest:
My mistris wish confirme with my request.
My mistris hath her wish, my wish remaine:
He holds the palme: my palme is yet to gaine.
She smilde, and with quicke eyes behight some grace:
Pay it not heere, but in an other place.
ELEGIA. 13. De amica, quæ periurauerat.
VVhat are there Gods? her selfe she hath forswore,And yet remaines the face she had before.
How long her lockes were ere her oath she tooke:
So long they be, since she her faith forsooke.
Faire white with rose red was before commixt:
Now shine her lookes pure white and red betwixt.
Her foote was small: her footes forme is most fit:
Comely tall was she, comely tall shee's yet.
Sharpe eyes she had: radiant like starrs they be,
By which she periurd oft hath lyed by me.
Insooth th' eternall powers grant maides society,
Falsely to sware, their beauty hath some diety.
By her eyes I remember late she swore,
And by mine eyes, and mine were pained sore.
Say Gods: if she vnpunisht you deceiue,
For others faults why do I losse receiue.
But did you not so enuy Cepheus daughter,
For her ill-beautious mother iudg'd to slaughter.
T'is not enough, she shakes your record off,
And vnreueng'd mockt Gods with me doth scoffe.
Couzend, I am the couzeners sacrifice.
God is a name, no substance, fear'd in vaine,
And doth the world in fond beliefe deteine.
Or if there be a God, he loues fine wenches,
And all thinges too much in their sole power drenches.
Mars girts his deadly sword on for my harme,
Pallas launce strikes me with vnconquerd arme.
At me Apollo bends his pliant bow,
At me Ioues right-hand lightning hath to throw.
The wronged Gods dread faire ones to offend,
And feare those, that to feare them least intend.
VVho now will care the Altars to persume?
Tut, men should not their courage so consume.
Ioue throwes downe woods, and Castles with his fire,
But bids his darts from periur'd girles retire.
Poore Semele among so many burned.
Her owne request to her owne torment turn'd.
But when her louer came, had she drawne back,
The fathers thigh should vnborne Bacchus lack.
VVhy grieue I? and of heauen reproches pen?
The Gods haue eyes, and breasts as well as men.
VVere I a God, I should giue women leaue,
VVith lying lips my God-head to deceaue.
My selfe would sweare the wenches true did sheare,
And I would be none of the Gods seuere.
But yet their gift more moderately vse,
Or in mine eyes good wench no paine transfuse,
ELEGIA. 4. Ad virum seruantem coniugem.
Rvde man, 'tis vaine, thy damsell to commend,To keepers trust: their wits should them defend.
Who, without feare, is chast: is chast in sooth:
Who, because meanes want, doeth not she doth.
Though thou her body guard, her minde is staind,
Nor, least she will, can any be restrainde.
Nor canst by watching keepe her minde from sinne,
All being shut out, th'adulterer is within.
Who may offend, sinnes least; power to do ill,
The fainting seedes of naughtinesse doth kill.
Forbeare to kindle vice by prohibition,
Sooner shall kindnesse gaine thy wills fruition.
I saw a horse against the bitte stiffe-neckt,
Like lightning go, his strugling mouth being checkt.
When he perceiu'd the raines let slack, he stayd,
And on his loose mane the loose bridle laid.
How to attaine, what is denyed, we thinke,
Euen as the sick desire forbidden drinke.
Argus had either way an hundred eyes.
Yet by deceit loue did them all surprize,
In stone, and yron walles Danae shut,
Came forth a mother, though a maide there put.
Penelope, though no watch look'd vnto her,
Was not defil'd by any gallant wooer.
What's kept, we couet more: the care makes theft,
Few loue, what others haue vnguarded left.
Nor doth her face please, but her husbands loue;
I know not, what men thinke should thee so moue.
Thy feare, is then her body, valued more.
Although thou chafe, stolne pleasure is sweet play,
She pleaseth best, I feare, if any say.
A free-borne wench, no right 'tis vp to lock,
So vse we women of strange nations stock.
Because the keeper may come say, I did it,
She must be honest to thy seruants credit.
He is too clownish, whom a lewd wife grieues,
And this townes well knowne custome not beleeues.
Where Mars his sonnes not without fault did breed,
Romus and Romulus, Ilias twine-borne seed.
Cannot a faire one, if not chast, please thee?
Neuer can these by any meanes agree.
Kindly thy mistresse vse, if thou be wise,
Looke gently, and rough husbands lawes despise.
Honour what friends, thy wife giues, sheele giue many,
Least labour thou shalt winne great grace of any,
So shalt thou go with youths to feasts together,
And see at home much, that thou nere brought'st thither.
ELEGIA. 5. Ad amnem dum iter faceret ad amicam.
Floud with red-growne slime bankes, till I be past,Thy waters stay: I to my mistresse hast.
Thou hast no bridge, nor boate with roapes to throw,
That may transport me without oares to row.
Thee I haue pass'd, and knew thy streame none such,
When thy waues brim did scarse my ankles touch.
With snow thaw'd from the next hill now thou rushest,
And in thy fowle deepe waters thick thou rushest.
What day and night to trauaile in her quest?
If standing here I can by no meanes get,
My foote vpon the further banke to set.
Now wish I those wings noble Perseus had,
Bearing the head with dreadfull arrowes clad,
Now wish the chariot, whence corne fields were found,
First to be throwne vpon the vntill'd ground,
I speake old Poets wonderfull inuentions,
Nere was, nor shall be, what my verse mentions.
Rather thou large banke ouer-flowing riuer,
Slide in thy bounds, so shalt thou runne for euer.
(Trust me) land-streame thou shalt no enuie lack,
If I a louer be by thee held back.
Great flouds ought to assist young men in loue,
Great flouds the force of it do often proue.
In mid Bithyma 'tis said Inachus,
Grew pale, and in cold foords not lecherous.
Troy had not yet bene ten yeares siege out-stander,
When nimph-Neæra rapt thy lookes Scamander.
What? not Alpheus in strange lands to runne,
Th' Arcadian Virgins constant loue hath wonne?
And Crusa vnto Zanthas first asside,
They say Peneus neere Phithias towne did hide.
What should I name Æsope, that Thebe lou'd,
Thebe who mother of fiue daughters prou'd.
If Achelous, I aske where thy hornes stand,
Thou sayest broke with Alcides angry hand.
Not Calydon, nor Ætolia did please,
One Deianira was more worth then these.
Rich Nile by seuen mouthes to the west sea flowing,
Who so well keepes his waters head from knowing.
As his deep whirle-pooles could not quench the same.
Dry Empeus, Tyro to embrace,
Fly back his shame charg'd, the streame charg'd, gaue place.
Nor passe I thee, who hollow rocks downe tumbling,
In Tiburs field with watry some art rumbling.
Whom Ilia pleas'd, though in her lookes griefe reueld,
Her cheekes were scratcht, her goodly haires discheueld.
She wailing Mars sinne, and her vncles crime,
Strayd bare-foote through sole places on a time.
Her, from his swift waues, the bold floud perceau'd,
And from the mid foord his hoarse voyce vpheau'd,
Saying why sadly tread'st my bankes vpon,
Ilia, sprung from Idæan Laomedon?
Where's thy attire? why wand'rest heere alone?
To stay thy tresses white veyle hast thou none?
Why weep'st? and spoil'st with teares thy watry eyes?
And fiercely knock'st thy brest that open lyes?
His heart consists of flint, and hardest steele,
That seeing thy teares can any ioy then feele.
Feare not: to thee our Court stands open wide,
There shalt be lou'd: Ilia lay feare aside.
Thou ore a hundreth Nimphes, or more shalt raigne,
For fiue score Nimpher, or more our flouds conteine.
Not Romane stock scorne me so much (I craue,)
Gifts then my promise greater thou shalt haue.
This said he: she her modest eyes held downe,
Her wofull bosome a warme shower did drowne.
Thrice she prepar'd to flie, thrice she did stay,
By seare depriu'd of strength to runne away.
Yet rending with enraged thumbe her tresses,
Her trembling mouth these vnmeet soundes expresses.
My bones had bene, while yet I was a maide,
Why being a vestall am I wooed to wed,
Deflowr'd and stained in vnlawfull bed.
Why stay I? men point at me for a whore,
Shame, that should make me blush, I haue no more.
This said: her coate, hood-winckt her fearefull eyes,
And into water desperately she flies.
T'is said the slippery streame held vp her brest,
And kindly gaue her, what she liked best.
And I beleeue some wench thou hast affected,
But woods and groues keepe your faults vndetected.
While thus I speake, the waters more abounded,
And from the channell all abroad surrounded.
Mad streame, why doest our mutuall ioyes deferre?
Clowne, from my iourney why doest me deterre?
How wouldst thou flow wert thou a noble floud?
If thy great fame in euery region stood.
Thou hast no name, but com'st from snowy mountaines,
No certaine house thou hast, nor any fountaines,
Thy springs are nought but raine aud melted snow,
Which wealth, cold winter doth on thee bestow.
Either th'art muddy in mid winter tide,
Or full of dust doest on the dry earth slide.
What thirsty traueller euer drunke of thee?
Who sayd with gratefull voyce perpetuall be?
Harmefull to beasts, and to the fields thou proues,
Perchance these, others me mine owne losse mooues.
To this I fondly loues of flouds told plainely,
I shame so great names to haue vs'd so vainly.
I know not what expecting, I ere while,
Nam'd Achelaus, Inachus, and Ile,
Dry winters aye, and sunnes in heate extreame.
ELEGIA. 6. Quod ah amica receptus, cum ea coire non potuit, conqueritur.
Either she was foule, or her attire was bad,Or she was not the wench I wish t'haue had.
Idly I lay with her, as if I lou'd not,
And like a burthen grieu'd the bed that mou'd not.
Though both of vs perform'd our true intent,
Yet could I not cast anchor where I meant.
She on my neck her Iuory armes did throw,
Her armes faire wither, then the Sythian snow.
And eagerly she kist me with her tongue,
And vnder mine her wanton thigh she flung.
Yea, and she sooth'd me vp, and call'd me fire,
And vs'd all speach that might prouoke and stirre.
Yet like as if cold Hemlock I had drunke,
It mocked me, hung downe the head and sunke.
Like a dull Cipher, or rude block I lay,
Or shade, or body was I who can say?
What will my age do? age I cannot shunne,
When in my prime my force is spent and done.
I blush, that being youthfull, hot, and lustie,
I proue neither youth nor man, but old and rustie.
Pure rose she, like a Nunne to sacrifice,
Or one that with her tender brother lyes.
Yet boorded I the golden Chie twise,
And Libas, and the white cheekt Pitho thrice.
Corrina crau'd it in a summers night.
What wast my limbs through some Thessalian charmes?
May spells, and drugges do silly soules such harmes?
With virgin waxe hath some imbast my ioynts?
And pierc'd my liuer with sharp needlesse points?
Charmes change corne to grasse and make it die,
By charmes are running springs and fountaines dry.
By charmes mast drops from oakes, from vines grapes fall,
And fruite from trees when ther's no winde at all.
Why might not then my sinewes be inchaunted?
And I grow faint as with some spirit haunted.
To this add shame: shame to performe it quaild me,
And was the second cause why vigour failde me.
My idle thoughts delighted her no more,
Then did the robe or garment which she wore.
Yet might her touch make youthfull Pylius fire,
And Tython liuelier then his yeares require.
Euen her I had, and she had me in vaine,
What might I craue more, if I aske agaiie?
I thinke the great gods grieu'd they had bestow'd,
The benefite: which lewdly I fore-slow'd.
I wisht to be receiued in, in I get me,
To kisse, I kisse: to lie with her she let me.
Why was I blest? why made King to refuse it?
Chuffe-like had I not gold and could not vse it?
So in a spring thriues he that told so much,
And lookes vpon the fruites he cannot touch.
Hath any rose so from a fresh yong maide,
As she might straight haue gone to Church and praide.
Well I beleeue, she kist not as she should,
Nor vs'd the sleight and cunning which she could.
Huge oakes, hard adamants might she haue moued,
Worthy she was to moue both gods and men,
But neither was I man nor liued then.
Can deafe eare take delight when Phæmius sings?
Or Thamiris in curious painted things.
What sweet thought is there but I had the same?
And one gaue place still as an other came.
Yet not-withstanding like one dead I lay,
Drouping more like a rofe puld yester-day.
Now when he should not iette, he boults vpright,
And craues his taske, and seekes to be at fight.
Lie downe with shame and see thou stire no more,
Seeing thou wouldst deceiue me as before.
Thou cosonest me: by thee surpriz'd am I,
And bide sore losse with endlesse infamy.
Nay more the wench did not disdaine a whit,
To take it in hand, and play with it.
But when she saw it would by no meanes stand,
But stil droupt downe, regarding not her hand.
Why mockst thou me she cryed? or being ill
Who bad thee lie downe heere against thy will?
Either th' art witcht with bloud of frogs new dead,
Or iaded camst thou from some others bed.
With her loose gowne on from me she cast her,
In skiping out her naked feete much grac'd her.
And least her maide should know of this disgrace,
To couer it, spilt water in the place.
ELEGIA. 7. Quod ab amica non recipiatur, dolet.
VVhat man will now take liberall arts in hand,Or thinke soft verse in any stead to stand.
Now pouerty great barbarisme we hold.
When our bookes did my mistris faire content,
I might not go, whether my papers went.
She prais'd me, yet the gate shut fast vpon her,
I heere and there go witty with dishonour.
Se a rich chuffe whose wounds great wealth inferd,
For blodshed knighted before me prefer'd.
Foole cāst thou him in thy whit armes embrace
Foole canst thou lie in his enfoulding space?
Know'st not this head a helm was wont to beare
This side that serues thee, a sharpe sword did weare
His left hand wheron gold doth ill alight
A target bore; bloud sprinckled was his right.
Canst touch that hād wherwith sōe one lie dead?
Ah whether is thy breasts soft nature fled?
Behould the signes of antient fight his skarres,
What ere he hath his body gaind in warres.
Perhaps hee'le tell how oft he slew a man,
Confessing this, why do'st thou touch him than?
I the pure preist of Phæbus and the muses,
At thy deafe dores in verse sing my abuses.
Not what we slothfull knew, let wise men learne
But follow trembling camps, and battails sterne.
And for a good verse draw the first dart forth,
Homer without this shall be nothing worth.
Ioue being admōisht gold had soueraigne power
To winne the maide came in a golden shewer.
Till then, rough was her father, she seuere,
The posts of brasse the walls of iron were,
But when in gifts the wise adulteres came,
She held her lap ope to receiue the same.
All gaine in darknesse the deepe earth supprest.
Gold, siluer, irons heauey weight, and brasse,
In hell were harbourd, here was found no masse.
But better things it gaue, corne without ploughes,
Apples, and hony in oakes hollow boughes.
With strong plough shares no man the earth did cleaue
The ditcher no markes on the ground did leaue.
Nor hanging oares the troubled seas did sweepe,
Men kept the shoare, and saild not into deepe.
Against thy selfe, mans nature, thou wert cunning,
And to thine owne losse was thy wit swift running.
Why gird'st thy citties with a towred wall,
Why letst discordant hands to armour fall?
What doest with seas? with th' earth thou wert content,
Why seek'st not heau'n the third realme to frequent?
Heauen thou affects, with Romulus, temples braue,
Bacchus, Alcides, and now Cæsar haue.
Gold from the earth instead of fruits we pluck,
Souldiers by bloud to be inricht haue lucke.
Courts shut the poore out: wealth giues estimation,
Thence growes the Iudge, and knight of reputation.
All, thee possesse: they gouerne fields, and lawes,
They manadge peace, and raw warrs bloudy iawes.
Onely our loues let not such rich churles gaine,
Tis well, if some wench for the poore remaine,
Now, Sabine-like, though chast she seemes to liue,
One she commands, who many things can giue.
For me, she doth keeper, and husband feare,
If I should giue' both would the house forbeare.
If of scornd louers god be venger iust,
O let him change goods so ill got to dust.
ELEGIA. 8. Tibulli mortem deflet.
If Thetis, and the morne their sonnes did waile,And enuious fates great goddesses assaile.
Sad Eeliga thy wofull haires vnbinde:
Ah now a name too true thou hast, I finde.
Tibullus, thy works Poet, and thy fame,
Burnes his dead body in the funerall flame.
Loe Cupid brings his quiuer spoyled quite,
His broken bowe his fire-brand without light.
How pitteously with drouping wings he stands,
And knocks his bare brest with selfe-angry hands,
The locks spred on his necke receiue his teares,
And shakeing sobbes his mouth for speaches beares.
So at Æneas buriall men report,
Faire-fac'd Iulius he went forth thy court.
And Venus greiues, Tiqullus life being spent,
As whē the wild bore Adonus groine had rent.
The Gods care we are cald, and men of piety,
And some there be that thinke we haue a diety.
Outragious death profanes all holy things,
And one all creatures obscure darkenesse brings.
To Thracean Orpheus what did parents good,
Or songs amazing wild beasts of the wood.
Where Linus by his father Phæbus layed,
To sing with his vequall harpe is sayed.
See Homer from whose fountaine euer fild,
Pierian deawe to Poets is distild.
Him the last day in blacke Auern hath drownd,
[illeg.] alone are with continuance crown'd.
And that slowe webbe nights fal-shood did vnframe.
So Nemesis, so Delia famous are,
The one his first loue, th' other his new care.
What proffit to vs hath our pure life bred?
What to haue layne alone in empty bed?
When bad fates take good men, I am forbod,
By secret thoughts to thinke there is a god.
Liue godly thou shalt die though honor heauen
Yet shall thy life be forcibly bereauen.
Trust in good verse, Tibullus feeles deaths paines,
Scarse rests of all what a small vrne containes,
Thee sacred Poet could sad flames destroy?
Nor feared they thy body to annoy?
The holy gods gilt temples they might fire,
That durst to so great wickednesse aspire.
Eryx bright Empresse turnd her lookes aside,
And some, that she refrain'd teares, haue deni'd.
Yet better i'st, then if Corcyras Ile,
Had thee vnknowne interr'd in ground most vile.
Thy dying eyes heere did thy mother close,
Nor did thy ashes her last offerings lose.
Part of her sorrow heere thy sister bearing.
Comes forth her vnkeembe locks a sunder tearing.
Nemesis and thy first wench ioyne their kisses,
With thine, nor this last fire their presence misses.
Delia departing happier lou'd she faith,
Was I: thou liu'dst, while thou esteemdst my faith.
Nemesis answers, what's my losse to thee?
His fainting hand in death engarsped me.
If ought remaines of vs but name, and spirit,
Tibullus doth Elysiums ioy inherit.
With Caluus learn'd Catullus comes and greete him.
And thou, if falsely charged to wrong thy friend,
Gallus that car'st not blood, and life to spend.
VVith these thy soule walkes, soules if death release,
The godly, sweet Tibullus doth increase.
Thy bones I pray may in the vrne safe rest,
And may th'earths weight thy ashes nought molest.
ELEGIA. 9. Ad Cererem, conquerens quod eius sacris cum amica concumbere non permittatur.
Come were the times of Ceres sacrifice,In emptie bed alone my mistresse lies.
Golden hair'd Ceres crown'd with eares of corne,
VVhy are our pleasures by thy meanes forborne?
Thee, goddesse, bountifull all nations iudge,
Nor lesse at mans prosperity any grudge.
Rude husband-men bak'd not their corne before,
Nor on the earth was knowne the name of floore.
On mast of oakes, first oracles, men fed,
This was their meate, the soft grasse was their bed.
First Ceres taught the seede in fields to swell,
And ripe-earde corne with sharp-edg-d sithes to fell.
She first constrain'd bulles necks to beare the yoke,
And vntil'd ground with crooked plough-shares broke.
VVho thinkes her to be glad at louers smart,
And worshipt by their paine, and lying apart?
Nor is she, though she loues the fertile fields,
A clowne, nor no loue from her warme brest yeelds;
Be witnesse Crete (nor Crete doth all things feigne)
There, he who rules the worlds starre-spangled towers,
A little boy drunke teate-distilling showers.
Faith to the witnesse Ioues praise doth apply,
Ceres, I thinke, no knowne fault will deny.
The goddesse saw Iasion on Candian Ide,
With strong hand striking wild-beasts brist'led hyde.
She saw, and as her marrow tooke the flame,
Was diuers wayes distract with loue and shame.
Loue conquer'd shame, the furrowes dry were burn'd,
And corne with least part of it selfe return'd.
When well-toss'd mattocks did the ground prepare,
Being fit broken with the crooked share.
And seedes were equally in large fields cast,
The plough-mans hopes were frustrate at the last.
The graine-rich goddesse in high woods did stray,
Her long haires eare-wrought garland fell away.
Onely was Crete fruitefull that plenteous yeare,
Where Ceres went each place was haruest there.
Ida the seate of groues did sing with corne,
VVhich by the wild boare in the woods was shorne.
Law-giuing Minos did such yeares desire,
And wisht the goddesse long might feele loues fire.
Ceres what sports to thee so grieuous were,
As in thy sacrifice we them forbeare?
VVhy am I sad, when Proserpine is found,
And Iuno like with Dis raignes vnder ground?
Festiuall dayes aske Venus, songs, and wine,
These gifts are meete to please the powers diuine.
ELEGIA. 10. Ad amicam, acuius amore discedere non potest.
Long haue I borne much, mad thy faults me make,Dishonest loue my wearied brest forsake.
Now haue I freed my selfe, and fled the chaine,
And what I haue borne, shame to beare againe.
VVe vanquish, and tread tam'd loue vnder feete,
Victorious wreathes at length my Temples greete.
Suffer, and harden: good growes by this griefe,
Oft bitter iuyce brings to the sick reliefe.
I haue sustain'd so oft thrust from the doore,
To lay my body on the hard moist floore.
I know not whom thou lewdlie did'st imbrace,
VVhen I to watch supplyed a seruants place.
I saw when forth a tyred louer went,
His side past seruice, and his courage spent.
Yet this is lesse, then if he had seene me,
May that shame fall mine enimies chaunce to be.
When haue not I fixt to thy side close layed?
I haue thy husband, guard, and fellow played.
The people by my company she pleas'd,
My loue was cause that more mens loue she seaz'd.
VVhat should I tell her vaine tongues filthy lyes,
And to my losse God-wronging periuries?
VVhat secret beeks in banquets with her youths,
VVith priuy signes, and talke dissembling truths?
Hearing her to be sick, I thither ranne,
But with my riuall sick she was not than,
These hardned me, with what I keepe obscure,
Some other seeke, who will these things endure.
With ioy heares Neptunes swelling waters sound.
Leaue thy once powerfull words, and flatteries,
I am not as I was before, vnwise.
Now loue and hate my light brest each way moue,
But victory, I thinke will hap to loue.
Ile hate, if I can; if not, loue gainst my will,
Bulles hate the yoake, yet what they hate haue still.
I flie her lust, but follow beauties creature,
I loath her manners, loue her bodies feature.
Nor with thee, nor without thee can I liue,
And doubt to which desire the palme to giue.
Or lesse faire; or lesse lewd would thou might'st be,
Beauty with lewdnesse doth right ill agree.
Her deeds gaine hate, her face entreateth loue,
Ah, she doth more worth then her vices proue.
Spare me, O by our fellow bed, by all,
The Gods who by thee to be periurde fall.
And by thy face to me a powre diuine,
And by thine eyes whose radiance burnes out mine.
What ere thou art mine art thou: choose this course,
Wilt haue me willing, or to loue by force.
Rather Ile hoist vp saile, and vse the winde,
That I may loue yet, though against my minde.
ELEGIA. 11. Dolet amicam suam ita suis carminibus innotuissæ vt riuales multos sibi pararit.
VVhat day was that, which all sad haps to bring,White birds to louers did not alwayes sing.
Or is I thinke my wish against the starre?
Who mine was cal'd, whom I lou'd more then any,
I feare with me is common now to many.
Erre I? or by my lookes is she so knowne?
Tis so: by my wit her abuse is growne.
And iustly: for her praise why did I tell?
The wench by my fault is set forth to sell.
The bawde I play, louers to her I guide:
Her gate by my hands is set open wide.
'Tis doubtfull whether verse auaile, or harme,
Against my good they were an enuious charme.
When Thebes, when Troy, when Cæsar should be writ,
Alone Corinna moues my wanton wit.
With Muse oppos'd would I my lines had done,
And Phœbus had forsooke my worke begun.
Nor, as vse will not Poets record heare,
Would I my words would any credit beare.
Scylla by vs her fathers rich haire steales,
And Scyllaes wombe mad raging dogs conceales.
Wee cause feete fly, wee mingle haires with snakes,
Victorious Perseus a wing'd steedes back takes.
Our verse great Tityus a huge space out-spreads,
And giues the viper curled Dogge three heads.
We make Enceladus vse a thousand armes,
And men inthral'd by Mermaids singing charmes.
The East winds in Vlisses baggs we shut,
And babbing Tantalus in mid-waters put.
Niobe flint, Callist we make a Beare,
Bird-changed Progne doth her Itys teare.
Ioue turnes himselfe into a Swanne, or gold,
Or his Bulles hornes Europas hand doth hold.
Proteus what should I name? teeth, Thebes first seed?
Heau'n starre Electra that bewail'd her sisters?
The ships, whose Godhead in the sea now glisters?
The Sunne turn'd back from Atreus cursed table?
And sweet toucht harp that to moue stones was able?
Poets large power is boundlesse, and immense,
Nor haue their words true histories pretence,
And my wench ought to haue seem'd falsely prais'd,
Now your credulity harme to me hath rais'd.
ELEGIA. 12. De Iunonis festo.
VVhen fruite fil'd Tuscia should a wife giue me,We toucht the walles, Camillus wonne by thee.
The Priests to Iuno did prepare chast feasts,
With famous pageants, and their home-bred beasts.
To know their rites, well recompenc'd my stay,
Though thether leades a rough steepe hilly way.
There stands an old wood with thick trees dark clouded,
Who sees it, graunts some deity there is shrowded.
An Altar takes mens incense and oblation,
An Altar made after the ancient fashion.
Here when the Pipe with solemne tunes doth sound,
The annuall pompe goes on the couered ground.
White Heifers by glad people forth are led,
Which with the grasse of Tuscane fields are fed.
And calues from whose fear'd front no threatning flies,
And little Piggs base Hog-sties sacrifice,
And Rams with hornes their hard heads wreathed back,
Onely the Goddesse hated Goate did lack.
By whom disclos'd, she in the high woods tooke,
Now is the goat brought through the boyes with darts,
And giue to him that the first wound imparts.
Where Iuno comes each youth, and pretty maide,
Shew large wayes with their garments there displayed.
Iewels, and gold their Virgin tresses crowne.
And stately robes to their gilt feete hang downe.
As is the vse, the Nunnes in white veyles clad,
Vpon their heads the holy misteries had.
When the chiefe pompe comes, lowde the people hollow
And she her vestall virgin Priests doth follow.
Such was the Greeke pompe, Agamemnon dead,
Which fact, and countrie wealth Halesus fled.
And hauing wandred now through sea and land,
Built walles high towred with a prosperous hand.
He to th'Hetrurians, Iunoes feast commended,
Let me, and them by it be aye be-friended.
ELEGIA. 13 Ad amicam, si peccatura est, vt occultè peccet.
Seeing thou art faire, I barre not thy selfe playing,But let not me poore soule know of thy straying.
Nor doe I giue thee counsell to liue chast,
But that thou would'st dissemble, when 'tis past.
She hath not tred awry, that doth deny it.
Such as confesse haue lost their good names by it.
What madnesse ist to tell nights pranckes by day?
And hidden secrets openly to bewray?
The strumpet with the stranger will not doo.
Before the roome be cleere, and doore put too.
VVill you make ship-wrack of your honest name?
Be more aduis'd, walke as a puritan,
And I shall thinke you chaste, do what you can.
Slip still onely deny it, when 'tis done,
And before folke immodest speeches shunne.
The bed is for lasciuious toyings meete,
There vse all tricks, and tread shame vnder feete.
VVhen you are vp, and drest, be sage and graue,
And in the bed hide all the faults you haue.
Be not asham'd to strip you being there,
And mingle thighes yours euer mine to beare.
There in your Rosie lips my tongue in-tombe,
Practise a thousand sports when there you come.
Forbeare no wanton words you there would speake,
And with your pastime let the bed-stead creake.
But with your robes put on an honest face,
And blush, and seeme as you were full of grace.
Deceiue all, let me erre, and thinke I am right,
And like a Wittall thinke thee voide of slight.
VVhy see I lines so oft receiu'd, and giuen?
This bed and that by tumbling made vneuen?
Like one start vp your haire tost and displac'd,
And with a wantons tooth your neck new rac'd.
Graunt this, that what you do I may not see,
If you weigh not ill speeches, yet weigh mee.
My soule fleetes, when I thinke what you haue done,
And thorough euery veine doth cold blood runne.
Then thee whom I must loue, I hate in vaine,
And would be dead, but dead with thee remaine.
Ile not sift much, but hold thee soone excus'd,
Say but thou wert iniuriously accus'd.
Though while the deed be doing you be tooke.
Sweare I was blinde, deny if you be wise,
And I will trust your words more then mine eyes,
From him that yeelds the palme is quickly got,
Teach but your tongue to say, I did it not,
And being iustifi'd by two words thinke,
The cause acquit's you not, but I that winke.
ELEGIA. 14. Ad venerem, quod elegis finem imponat.
Tender loues Mother a new Poet get,This last end to my Elegies is set.
Which I Pelignis foster-childe haue fram'd.
(Nor am I by such wanton toyes defam'd)
Heire of an ancient house, if help that can,
Not onely by warres rage made Gentleman.
In Virgil Mantua ioyes: in Catul Verone,
Of me Pelignis nation boasts alone,
Whom liberty to honest armes compeld,
When carefull Rome in doubt their prowesse held.
And some guest viewing watry Sulmoes walles,
Where little ground to be inclos'd befalles.
How such a Poet could you bring forth, sayes,
How small so ere, I'le you for greatest praise.
Both loues to whom my heart long time did yeeld,
Your golden ensignes pluckt out of my field,
Horned Bacchus grauer furie doth distill,
A greater ground with great horse is to till.
Weake Elegies, delightfull Muse farewell;
A worke, that after my death, heere shall dwell.
FINIS.
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