VIII.
[Actæon lost in middle of his sport]
Actæon for espying Diana as shee bathed her naked,
was transformed into a Hart, and sone after torne
in pieces by his owne houndes, as Ouid describeth
at large lib. 3. Metamorph. And Silius Italicus libr. 12.
de bello Punico glaunceth at it in this manner.
Fama est, cum laceris Actæon flebile membris
Supplicium lucret spectatæ in fonte Dianæ,
Attonitum non itate mala fugisse parentem
Per freta Aristæum. &c.
The Author alluding in al this Passion vnto the fault
of Actæon, and to the hurte, which hee susteined,
setteth downe his owne amorous infelicitie; as
Ouid did after his banishmente, when in an other
sense hee applied this fiction vnto himselfe, being
exiled (as it should seeme) for hauing at vnawares
taken Cæsar in some great fault: for thus hee writeth.
Cur aliquid vidi, cur noxia lumina feci? &c.
Inscius Actæon vidit sine veste Dianam.
Præda fuit canibus nec minus ille suis.
Actæon lost in middle of his sport
Both shape and life, for looking but a wry,
Diana was afraid he would report
What secretes he had seene in passing by:
To tell but trueth, the selfe same hurt haue I
By viewing her, for whome I dayly die;
I leese my woonted shape, in that my minde
Doth suffer wracke vpon the stonie rocke
Of her disdaine, who contrary to kinde
Doth beare a brest more harde then any stocke;
And former forme of limmes is changed quite
By cares in loue, and want of due delight.
I leese my life in that each secret thought,
Which I conceiue through wanton fond regard,
Doth make me say, that life auaileth nought
Where seruice cannot haue a due reward:
I dare not name the Nimph that works my smart,
Though loue hath grau'n her name within my hart.
