LI.
[If Tityus wretched wight beheld my paines]
Tityus was the sonne of Iupiter, and for attempting to dishonest
Latona, was slaine by Apollo. Since which time the Poetes
faine that for punishment he lieth in hell, miserably tormented
with a rauening Vulture, which feedeth vpon his bowels
continuallie: and they as they are consumed, still miraculously
growe vp againe, to breede his endlesse miserie, as the
Poet witnesseth,
Quid dicam Tityum, cuius sub vulnere sauo
Uiscera nascuntur grauibus certantia pœnis?
The Authour compareth his passions with the paines of this
Tityus, and imitateth Seneca writing to the like effect,
Vultur relicto transuolet Tityo ferus,
Meumque pœnæ semper accrescat iecur.
If
Tityus wretched wight beheld my paines,
He would confesse his woundes to be but small,
A Vultur worse then his teares all my vaines,
Yet neuer lets me die, nor liue at all:
Would Gods a while I might possesse his place,
To iudge of both, which were in better case.
The Hell is darke, wherein he suffreth smarte,
And wants not some Compartners of his greefe:
I liue in Light, and see what hurtes my hart,
But want some mourning mates for my releefe;
His Paine is iust rewarde, his crimes were such:
My greatest fault is this, I loue too much.
Why then, since too much loue can breede offence,
Thou daung'rous Bird, the roote of my desire,
Goe pearch elswhere, remoue thy selfe from hence:
I freeze like Ise, and burne like flaming fire:
Yet stay good Bird: for if thou soare away,
Twixt Frost and Flame my dayes will soone decay.
