The Poets VVillovv Or, The Passionate Shepheard: With sundry delightfull, and no lesse Passionate Sonnets: describing the passions of a discontented and perplexed Lover. Diuers compositions of verses concording as well with the Lyricke, as the Anacreonticke measures; neuer before published: Being reduced into an exact and distinct order of Metricall extractions [by Richard Brathwait] |
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THE PASTORALL. |
 | The Poets VVillovv |  |
1
THE PASTORALL.
In
Arcadie, a place of great renowne
Famous for flowry pastures, there remaind
A youthfull shepherd, who vpō the down,
Hight Idas plaine, such honour had obtaind
Amongst all shepheards by his trophies gaind,
And worthie feates in euerie May game showen
That his atchieuements were so glorious growen,
As he the flower of shepheards still was nam'd
Nor of that honour might he be asham'd,
For many shepheards thē there were, whose grace
In actiue feats put Heroes out of place.
Famous for flowry pastures, there remaind
A youthfull shepherd, who vpō the down,
Hight Idas plaine, such honour had obtaind
Amongst all shepheards by his trophies gaind,
And worthie feates in euerie May game showen
That his atchieuements were so glorious growen,
As he the flower of shepheards still was nam'd
Nor of that honour might he be asham'd,
For many shepheards thē there were, whose grace
In actiue feats put Heroes out of place.
Tmolus was one of such a noble spirit
Adornd with beautie and perfection too,
That in all actions he the wreath did merit
Decking with laurell his victorious brow.
Was praisd of all, yet neuer would he heare it,
Nor of vaine glorie least appearance show:
Such store of graces from his minde did flow;
Of able bodie, and of pregnant wit,
That euen these times haue much admired it:
For manie laies would Tmolus ofttimes make
In diuine measures for Amyclas sake.
Adornd with beautie and perfection too,
That in all actions he the wreath did merit
Decking with laurell his victorious brow.
Was praisd of all, yet neuer would he heare it,
Nor of vaine glorie least appearance show:
Such store of graces from his minde did flow;
Of able bodie, and of pregnant wit,
That euen these times haue much admired it:
For manie laies would Tmolus ofttimes make
In diuine measures for Amyclas sake.
2
Next him was Thyrsus of a comely hew
A pure complexion, and a pleasant grace,
Who to his friends prou'd faithfull still and true,
With painted smile nere would he soile his face:
For he descended from a noble race,
As his admired vertues still did shew:
For fame and honour euer did reuew,
The spacious mansions of this shepheards place
Walking with honour in his parents trace,
Such was this Thyrsus (Thyrsus was his name)
Nor of that title might he thinke't a shame.
A pure complexion, and a pleasant grace,
Who to his friends prou'd faithfull still and true,
With painted smile nere would he soile his face:
For he descended from a noble race,
As his admired vertues still did shew:
For fame and honour euer did reuew,
The spacious mansions of this shepheards place
Walking with honour in his parents trace,
Such was this Thyrsus (Thyrsus was his name)
Nor of that title might he thinke't a shame.
Pelorus was the third, a lustie swaine
That vs'd to graise his cattell by the riuer
Euenus hight: where oft he would complaine,
Of his hardhearted loue: nor would he euer,
Those pensiue odes (in silent woes) containe
But chaunts his passions ore and ore againe:
Such brinie streames could be exempted neuer,
For light (which lightsome seems) his ioies disseuer
Making his comforts barraine: O how faine
VVould he haue glad himselfe with harmonie,
But what he sought could not effected be.
That vs'd to graise his cattell by the riuer
Euenus hight: where oft he would complaine,
Of his hardhearted loue: nor would he euer,
Those pensiue odes (in silent woes) containe
But chaunts his passions ore and ore againe:
Such brinie streames could be exempted neuer,
For light (which lightsome seems) his ioies disseuer
Making his comforts barraine: O how faine
VVould he haue glad himselfe with harmonie,
But what he sought could not effected be.
O my Laerte (would this shepheard say)
VVhy doest exile me from thy presence deere?
Why shouldst thou with thy loure benight my day,
And racke my intrals with perpetuall feare?
I pray thee (loue) more cheerefully appeare,
Feede not my passions with a long delay,
But let the night at last my griefes allay,
That I some pleasant harmonie may heare,
Sounding a concord in my dolefull eare,
O be so kinde, that if no day, yet night
May yeelde me comfort and renew delight.
VVhy doest exile me from thy presence deere?
Why shouldst thou with thy loure benight my day,
And racke my intrals with perpetuall feare?
I pray thee (loue) more cheerefully appeare,
3
But let the night at last my griefes allay,
That I some pleasant harmonie may heare,
Sounding a concord in my dolefull eare,
O be so kinde, that if no day, yet night
May yeelde me comfort and renew delight.
Thus would Pelorus iterate his woe
And make the pastures eccho with his voice,
For to what caue so ere this swaine did goe
He made it answer with an horrid noise,
For where he was, no creature could reioyce,
Sith what he did, his cattell would doe so,
Both foode and water willing to forgoe,
And frame their routing to their Maisters choice
A discord well concording with his voice,
His flockes were thankefull to deplore his fall
Mourning to heare their Maisters mournfull call.
And make the pastures eccho with his voice,
For to what caue so ere this swaine did goe
He made it answer with an horrid noise,
For where he was, no creature could reioyce,
Sith what he did, his cattell would doe so,
Both foode and water willing to forgoe,
And frame their routing to their Maisters choice
A discord well concording with his voice,
His flockes were thankefull to deplore his fall
Mourning to heare their Maisters mournfull call.
Manie fine bowers this shepheard vsd to frame
Of mirtle braunches, and of poplar greene,
Wherein he vsd to endorse his louers name,
Whose curious workes to this day may be seene,
Which cannot chuse but æternise his fame
And that renowmed house from whence he came,
For few such swaines on earth haue euer beene
Of such respect, such vertue, such esteeme:
But he is gone, and hath depriu'd the earth
Of her chiefe beautie, portraied in his birth.
Of mirtle braunches, and of poplar greene,
Wherein he vsd to endorse his louers name,
Whose curious workes to this day may be seene,
Which cannot chuse but æternise his fame
And that renowmed house from whence he came,
For few such swaines on earth haue euer beene
Of such respect, such vertue, such esteeme:
But he is gone, and hath depriu'd the earth
Of her chiefe beautie, portraied in his birth.
4
Tymallus was the next, who for his strength
Antæus like, regaind the highest prise
Amongst all shepheards, but the fates at length
Seem'd to oppose his worthie enterprise,
Shutting the glorious splendor of his eies,
(Themselues contented in our discontents)
Changing the nature of those elements,
Which in Tymallus did so sympathise,
That I haue heard, though this same shepheard dies,
Yet euerie yeere the inhabitants receaue,
Where hees interd sweete odors from his graue.
Antæus like, regaind the highest prise
Amongst all shepheards, but the fates at length
Seem'd to oppose his worthie enterprise,
Shutting the glorious splendor of his eies,
(Themselues contented in our discontents)
Changing the nature of those elements,
Which in Tymallus did so sympathise,
That I haue heard, though this same shepheard dies,
Yet euerie yeere the inhabitants receaue,
Where hees interd sweete odors from his graue.
O thou perfumed vrne that doest containe
Within thy shrine and sable monument,
The famous reliques of a noble swaine,
Mansion of honour, vertues continent,
Shine euer bright to grace that ornament
Which thou possessest: let no priuate staine
Blemish that poore remainder, whose pure name
Makes earth, no earth, but as an element
Drawen from the earth, to raise her excrement,
Rest thee Tymallus in thy house of clay,
Whilest we relate thy actions euerie day.
Within thy shrine and sable monument,
The famous reliques of a noble swaine,
Mansion of honour, vertues continent,
Shine euer bright to grace that ornament
Which thou possessest: let no priuate staine
Blemish that poore remainder, whose pure name
Makes earth, no earth, but as an element
Drawen from the earth, to raise her excrement,
Rest thee Tymallus in thy house of clay,
Whilest we relate thy actions euerie day.
But now must I leaue these, and come to him,
Whose sacred muse pearceth the aerie clouds,
And with Berillus excellence begin
Some higher straine: leauing the silent wods,
The silent shades, the pastures and the floods,
Which cherished the swaines: now must I trimme
With varied colours euerie braunch and limme
Of my discoarse: that such as vnderstood
Of this Berillus, may wish him some good,
And adde some proper actions of their owne
To those of his, and make them better knowne
Whose sacred muse pearceth the aerie clouds,
And with Berillus excellence begin
Some higher straine: leauing the silent wods,
The silent shades, the pastures and the floods,
5
With varied colours euerie braunch and limme
Of my discoarse: that such as vnderstood
Of this Berillus, may wish him some good,
And adde some proper actions of their owne
To those of his, and make them better knowne
It chaunced on a time, the swaines agreed
To celebrate the festiuals of Pan,
Pan was the God, by which their flocks did feede,
And their encrease on Ida first began,
Therefore each swaine with all the speed he can,
Came with sweete incense from his flourie mede,
To sacrifice to Pan of all their breed,
One with a kid, another with a lambe,
Or some young suckling wained from the damme,
Mongst whom Berillus came, willing to offer,
To Pales incense, and to Pan an heifer.
To celebrate the festiuals of Pan,
Pan was the God, by which their flocks did feede,
And their encrease on Ida first began,
Therefore each swaine with all the speed he can,
Came with sweete incense from his flourie mede,
To sacrifice to Pan of all their breed,
One with a kid, another with a lambe,
Or some young suckling wained from the damme,
Mongst whom Berillus came, willing to offer,
To Pales incense, and to Pan an heifer.
Vnto the Temple which erected was,
Neere to the foote of Idas sacred mount,
From whence a Nectar riuolet did passe,
Which was enstiled Cythereas fount,
Came all these shepheards, who with great account,
And solemne honour offred in that place,
The firstlings of their flocks were wont to grase
Vpon the neighbour plaines, or which were wont
To brouse the flourie vale, or feede vpon't,
Each offred what they had, fruits of their border,
The best the first, the residue in order.
Neere to the foote of Idas sacred mount,
From whence a Nectar riuolet did passe,
Which was enstiled Cythereas fount,
Came all these shepheards, who with great account,
And solemne honour offred in that place,
The firstlings of their flocks were wont to grase
Vpon the neighbour plaines, or which were wont
To brouse the flourie vale, or feede vpon't,
Each offred what they had, fruits of their border,
The best the first, the residue in order.
6
Amidst these solemne feasts, obsequious vowes,
Came in Eliza, one of beautie rare,
With other virgins, for what end heauen knowes,
Saue to perplex such as religious were:
Such tempting creatures wanton women are,
Seducing vs with smiles and seeming showes,
Farre worse then the furie of externall blowes:
For those shed blood, these doe torment with care
And vex vs with new sorrowes, till despaire
Surprise our mindes, our solace dispossesse,
Making vs obiects of times pensiuenesse.
Came in Eliza, one of beautie rare,
With other virgins, for what end heauen knowes,
Saue to perplex such as religious were:
Such tempting creatures wanton women are,
Seducing vs with smiles and seeming showes,
Farre worse then the furie of externall blowes:
For those shed blood, these doe torment with care
And vex vs with new sorrowes, till despaire
Surprise our mindes, our solace dispossesse,
Making vs obiects of times pensiuenesse.
Noe sooner had he spied (aye me too soone)
The Syren countenance of this seeming sect,
Then incense, Censor, coales, & all throwne downe,
fixing his eyes on her, showd his intent,
Hauing our heart there where our eyes be bent,
To such a passion he in fine was growne,
That he could scarcely vouch himselfe his owne,
But pitching there his campe, his fort, his tent,
Confin'd himselfe within her element,
For he transported was (poore harmelesse man,)
To Elizas Altar from the shrine of Pan.
The Syren countenance of this seeming sect,
Then incense, Censor, coales, & all throwne downe,
fixing his eyes on her, showd his intent,
Hauing our heart there where our eyes be bent,
To such a passion he in fine was growne,
That he could scarcely vouch himselfe his owne,
But pitching there his campe, his fort, his tent,
Confin'd himselfe within her element,
For he transported was (poore harmelesse man,)
To Elizas Altar from the shrine of Pan.
Shall I adore (quoth he) a rurall God,
A pasture Saint, a sheepish deitie,
When a more heauenly creature makes abode,
Cheering my comforts in varietie,
Promising pleasures in sacietie?
No, no, her presence farre more comforts bode
Then Pan ere had: too long my feete haue stoode,
Too long my knees haue bow'd (poore Pan) to thee
I see a Saint that better pleaseth me.
This said (his incense from his shrine bereft)
Vnto his goddesse goes, the Altar left.
A pasture Saint, a sheepish deitie,
When a more heauenly creature makes abode,
Cheering my comforts in varietie,
Promising pleasures in sacietie?
7
Then Pan ere had: too long my feete haue stoode,
Too long my knees haue bow'd (poore Pan) to thee
I see a Saint that better pleaseth me.
This said (his incense from his shrine bereft)
Vnto his goddesse goes, the Altar left.
Like to a forward wooer trained long
In louers vowes, and solemne protestations,
He takes her by the hand: and softlie wrong
Her tender pulse, augmenting sundrie passions
Of an vnfained loue (Heauens inuocations)
Making his heart the subiect of his tongue,
His tongue the Herald of euents to come,
Calling the Gods to record his intentions,
And all those aery powers whose blest conuentions
Confirme each action both in heauen and earth,
The fatall end drawne from a fatall birth.
In louers vowes, and solemne protestations,
He takes her by the hand: and softlie wrong
Her tender pulse, augmenting sundrie passions
Of an vnfained loue (Heauens inuocations)
Making his heart the subiect of his tongue,
His tongue the Herald of euents to come,
Calling the Gods to record his intentions,
And all those aery powers whose blest conuentions
Confirme each action both in heauen and earth,
The fatall end drawne from a fatall birth.
If that I loue not (honourd queene) quoth he,
Mirror of beautie, diamond of fame,
If that I euer haue not honourd thee,
And registred the annals of thy name,
And with my deerest blood confirmd the same,
Neuer respect these teares distild from me,
Nor of thy worth let me accepted be.
But if I haue beene faithfull, thinke't no shame
To fix thy loue on me that faithfull am,
For sooner shall the sunne surcease to shine,
Then I surcease to reuerence thy shrine.
Mirror of beautie, diamond of fame,
If that I euer haue not honourd thee,
And registred the annals of thy name,
And with my deerest blood confirmd the same,
Neuer respect these teares distild from me,
Nor of thy worth let me accepted be.
But if I haue beene faithfull, thinke't no shame
To fix thy loue on me that faithfull am,
For sooner shall the sunne surcease to shine,
Then I surcease to reuerence thy shrine.
8
See in what diuine rites, what sacred hests,
I was distracted, to enioy your loue,
For sincere loue, delaies in loue detests,
Enforc'd the fruites (which he desires) to prooue,
O let me prooue them, so shall griefes remooue,
Their pensiue stations, and afford sweete rest
Vnto my restlesse soule, by thee made blest:
I was brought vp (dere sweete) in Idas groue,
Hatchd in an Aerie, sprung from bowers aboue,
Those bowrs, those flowrs, those showrs we did descend
Frō Ioues pure throne, thy beauty shal defend.
I was distracted, to enioy your loue,
For sincere loue, delaies in loue detests,
Enforc'd the fruites (which he desires) to prooue,
O let me prooue them, so shall griefes remooue,
Their pensiue stations, and afford sweete rest
Vnto my restlesse soule, by thee made blest:
I was brought vp (dere sweete) in Idas groue,
Hatchd in an Aerie, sprung from bowers aboue,
Those bowrs, those flowrs, those showrs we did descend
Frō Ioues pure throne, thy beauty shal defend.
Those bowers which louely Adon did frequent,
Those flowers to which Narcissus was transformd
Those liquid showers where Danae reapt content,
All in one symptome with one wreath adornd,
To louers vnitie sweete straine conformd,
(For purer straines nere had earths continent,
Then such as descant louers complement)
Where limpe-halt Vulcan too too long soiornd,
With loues contempt portraide, displaied & hornd,
But louers cannot put abuse, nor wrong
Those faithfull vowes which they professed long.
Those flowers to which Narcissus was transformd
Those liquid showers where Danae reapt content,
All in one symptome with one wreath adornd,
To louers vnitie sweete straine conformd,
(For purer straines nere had earths continent,
Then such as descant louers complement)
Where limpe-halt Vulcan too too long soiornd,
With loues contempt portraide, displaied & hornd,
But louers cannot put abuse, nor wrong
Those faithfull vowes which they professed long.
See but this incense how it lost her smell,
See but this censor how it lost her fire,
Which intimates; nought can expresse so well
The feruent passions of our mindes desire,
As beautie a presence, which doth still aspire,
To aerie mansions from the vault of hell,
For perfect loue all vapors can expell,
And giue the louer due reward, due hire,
Scorning with coward pace to make retire,
Loue is a captaine which obtaines the prise,
Scorning the worst and basest enterprise.
See but this censor how it lost her fire,
Which intimates; nought can expresse so well
The feruent passions of our mindes desire,
As beautie a presence, which doth still aspire,
9
For perfect loue all vapors can expell,
And giue the louer due reward, due hire,
Scorning with coward pace to make retire,
Loue is a captaine which obtaines the prise,
Scorning the worst and basest enterprise.
But like victorious cheiftaines which enclose
The strongest bullwarks with continued labour,
Despising rest, minds quiet, nights repose,
By their renoumed acts to purchase fauour,
(Whose resolutions know not how to wauer
Nor the pale harbour of distracted woes,
Know how to feare) euen so affection goes,
Till memorie (of Heroes acts engrauer)
Enobled by worths monuments shall haue her,
Registring her pure vertures in their shrine,
For diuine acts deserue a throne diuine.
The strongest bullwarks with continued labour,
Despising rest, minds quiet, nights repose,
By their renoumed acts to purchase fauour,
(Whose resolutions know not how to wauer
Nor the pale harbour of distracted woes,
Know how to feare) euen so affection goes,
Till memorie (of Heroes acts engrauer)
Enobled by worths monuments shall haue her,
Registring her pure vertures in their shrine,
For diuine acts deserue a throne diuine.
Noe steepie mount can be too peering high,
Noe craggie cliffe for loue too intricate,
For such is loue and louers maiestie,
As its secure in euery dismall state,
Passing the iudgement of impartiall state,
Neerer the title of a deitie,
Being the same which she doth seeme to be,
Hating the cause of times producing hate,
Ope be her eyes (wide ope) early and late,
Discoursing where or how her comforts be,
Taking no rest to gaine eternitie.
Noe craggie cliffe for loue too intricate,
For such is loue and louers maiestie,
As its secure in euery dismall state,
Passing the iudgement of impartiall state,
Neerer the title of a deitie,
Being the same which she doth seeme to be,
Hating the cause of times producing hate,
Ope be her eyes (wide ope) early and late,
Discoursing where or how her comforts be,
Taking no rest to gaine eternitie.
10
O be not selfe conceited (dearest loue)
See but thy image, how it doth desire
Another image: ayming euer higher,
Till it enioy what it intends to prooue,
Much like the Turtle with the Turtle-doue
Or like the Phenix, who in her owne fire,
Portraies her selfe both mother, seede and sire:
Her ashie vrne her tombe, her flame the groue,
To life infusd by some effects aboue.
Be then the Phenix, as in beautie rare,
So be thy actions farre aboue compare.
See but thy image, how it doth desire
Another image: ayming euer higher,
Till it enioy what it intends to prooue,
Much like the Turtle with the Turtle-doue
Or like the Phenix, who in her owne fire,
Portraies her selfe both mother, seede and sire:
Her ashie vrne her tombe, her flame the groue,
To life infusd by some effects aboue.
Be then the Phenix, as in beautie rare,
So be thy actions farre aboue compare.
What better sutes which beautie then delight?
What better with delight then loues content?
What better with content then cheerefull light?
What better sutes with light then th' element,
That best concords with her? whats that? th' extent
Of pure affection: which expels the night,
And makes vs pleasant in our louers sight,
For honest louers shew their mindes intent,
By outward signes; an Incense redolent,
In sincere loue, composd of sundrie links,
Thinkes what she speakes, and speaketh what she thinkes.
What better with delight then loues content?
What better with content then cheerefull light?
What better sutes with light then th' element,
That best concords with her? whats that? th' extent
Of pure affection: which expels the night,
And makes vs pleasant in our louers sight,
For honest louers shew their mindes intent,
By outward signes; an Incense redolent,
In sincere loue, composd of sundrie links,
Thinkes what she speakes, and speaketh what she thinkes.
Then speake (deere loue) let this same sacred place,
Where we be present, consecrate our loue:
Let Pan himselfe confirme our Nuptiall grace,
And all the powerfull Queristers aboue
Sing cheerefull layes: while our affections moue
Their true Ideas: that illustrate race,
From whence you were deriud, quickens my chace
And bids me hope: you cannot chuse but loue,
Their worth cannot be base whose births aboue,
Then as thou art erected, let me tast,
The fruites of loue, when discontents be past.
Where we be present, consecrate our loue:
Let Pan himselfe confirme our Nuptiall grace,
And all the powerfull Queristers aboue
Sing cheerefull layes: while our affections moue
11
From whence you were deriud, quickens my chace
And bids me hope: you cannot chuse but loue,
Their worth cannot be base whose births aboue,
Then as thou art erected, let me tast,
The fruites of loue, when discontents be past.
For if a faithfull shepheard can deserue,
Meede for his faith: my faith deserues as much.
How oft haue I thy name desir'd to carue
In euerie tree? and when I sought to touch
The tender barke, or rinde, it nere thought much,
But willingly endurd my sculpture: thus plāts serue
Thy blest attendance: that they may obserue,
A module in thy fancie: that is such,
That if they should doe all, yet not too much
can be done to thy shrine: if plants doe this,
(If I should not doe more) I did amisse.
Meede for his faith: my faith deserues as much.
How oft haue I thy name desir'd to carue
In euerie tree? and when I sought to touch
The tender barke, or rinde, it nere thought much,
But willingly endurd my sculpture: thus plāts serue
Thy blest attendance: that they may obserue,
A module in thy fancie: that is such,
That if they should doe all, yet not too much
can be done to thy shrine: if plants doe this,
(If I should not doe more) I did amisse.
Since time I knew thee (fairest of all faires,)
I could not goe, as I was wont to doe
Vnto my pastures: for such heapes of cares
Possest my crasie braines, surprised so
With thy affections, that whereso ere I goe,
Sit, or lie downe, nought of sweete ioye appeares,
But multitudes of my renewing feares,
Which make me sleeping wake, thinking of woe,
And then of ioy: thus interposd twixt two,
A double forme my single forme partakes,
Now waking sleepes, & sleeping straight awakes.
I could not goe, as I was wont to doe
Vnto my pastures: for such heapes of cares
Possest my crasie braines, surprised so
With thy affections, that whereso ere I goe,
Sit, or lie downe, nought of sweete ioye appeares,
But multitudes of my renewing feares,
Which make me sleeping wake, thinking of woe,
And then of ioy: thus interposd twixt two,
A double forme my single forme partakes,
Now waking sleepes, & sleeping straight awakes.
12
For that sweete sleep which cōfort yeelds to others,
Yeeldes a distast to me: what can be sweete
Where hope is dead? hope is a louing mother,
Banishing sorrow with a silent sleepe,
That feedes the shepheard, and reuiues his sheepe,
Reducing them into one fould together,
But sheepe nor shepherd there's no health to either,
If thou my shephardesse refuse to gather
My disperst Flocks: and shall denie to keepe
My watching eyes that doe desire to sleepe,
But cannot sleepe, to double paines they are put,
Ope by thy presence, by thy absence shut.
Yeeldes a distast to me: what can be sweete
Where hope is dead? hope is a louing mother,
Banishing sorrow with a silent sleepe,
That feedes the shepheard, and reuiues his sheepe,
Reducing them into one fould together,
But sheepe nor shepherd there's no health to either,
If thou my shephardesse refuse to gather
My disperst Flocks: and shall denie to keepe
My watching eyes that doe desire to sleepe,
But cannot sleepe, to double paines they are put,
Ope by thy presence, by thy absence shut.
No day nor night can solace yeelde to me,
Both be vnwelcome guests: and whats the cause?
To tell the truth: that day I see not thee
Seemes farre more darke then night: loue hath no clause,
No limit, nor no bond: loue cannot be
Confinde in bonds, it hates captiuitie:
Meriting honour by diuinest lawes,
As for her action it deserues applause,
O then (deere sweete) be not so soft to show,
So hard to loue: receiue these vowes I owe.
Both be vnwelcome guests: and whats the cause?
To tell the truth: that day I see not thee
Seemes farre more darke then night: loue hath no clause,
No limit, nor no bond: loue cannot be
Confinde in bonds, it hates captiuitie:
Meriting honour by diuinest lawes,
As for her action it deserues applause,
O then (deere sweete) be not so soft to show,
So hard to loue: receiue these vowes I owe.
Oft haue I walkd within the Idalian groue,
Calling each plant, each blossome to record
The spotlesse vowes of my refined loue:
And euerie plant did seemingly accord
Vnto my vowes: springs did their teares afford,
And euery sencelesse rocke did passions moue:
Crying I loue, the eccho cried I loue,
For euery accent, accented my word,
A louely concord in a loues discord.
If plants, rocks, riuers so remorsefull be,
Farre more remorse I doe expect from thee.
Calling each plant, each blossome to record
The spotlesse vowes of my refined loue:
And euerie plant did seemingly accord
Vnto my vowes: springs did their teares afford,
13
Crying I loue, the eccho cried I loue,
For euery accent, accented my word,
A louely concord in a loues discord.
If plants, rocks, riuers so remorsefull be,
Farre more remorse I doe expect from thee.
Thy substance is more heauenly, then disdaine
Should soile a mansion of so pure delight:
Thou seest me loue, and thou wilt loue againe:
I know thou wilt, those vowes which I haue plight
Cannot but haue respect in louers sight:
Which if thou doe, (beleeue me) ile remaine
As I haue beene a poore well willing swaine,
And with my pipe on euery winter night
Play laies of loue, to further thy delight.
Beleeue me sweete, and you may thinke it true,
My Flocks vnfollowed are to follow you.
Should soile a mansion of so pure delight:
Thou seest me loue, and thou wilt loue againe:
I know thou wilt, those vowes which I haue plight
Cannot but haue respect in louers sight:
Which if thou doe, (beleeue me) ile remaine
As I haue beene a poore well willing swaine,
And with my pipe on euery winter night
Play laies of loue, to further thy delight.
Beleeue me sweete, and you may thinke it true,
My Flocks vnfollowed are to follow you.
The wanton lambkins frolicke on the plaine,
Skipping and leaping in their floure of youth,
While in a secret caue, I scarce containe
My selfe from teares, and so Melampus doth,
Poore harmelesse curre, for he is very loth
To see me so deiected: howling amaine,
Prickeard, bleare eyed, yeelds me a dolefull straine,
Of doggrell musique: thus perplexed both,
Repine to see each creature in their grouth,
And we dismaid, with woes immured so,
As others ioyes seeme to augment our woe.
Skipping and leaping in their floure of youth,
While in a secret caue, I scarce containe
My selfe from teares, and so Melampus doth,
Poore harmelesse curre, for he is very loth
To see me so deiected: howling amaine,
Prickeard, bleare eyed, yeelds me a dolefull straine,
Of doggrell musique: thus perplexed both,
Repine to see each creature in their grouth,
And we dismaid, with woes immured so,
As others ioyes seeme to augment our woe.
14
Last day but one Amicla came to me,
And askd the reason why I was so sad:
Thou vsd, quoth she, so full of mirth to be,
That with thy pipe thou made the pastures glad,
And was accounted still the cheerefulst lad
In all our plaine: how coms it then quoth shee,
Such sullensuds haue so perplexed thee?
Come, come away and leaue this pensiue shade,
For piping, not for pining thou was made,
Come, come I say, and quickly follow me,
And ore this downe lets dance it nimbly.
And askd the reason why I was so sad:
Thou vsd, quoth she, so full of mirth to be,
That with thy pipe thou made the pastures glad,
And was accounted still the cheerefulst lad
In all our plaine: how coms it then quoth shee,
Such sullensuds haue so perplexed thee?
Come, come away and leaue this pensiue shade,
For piping, not for pining thou was made,
Come, come I say, and quickly follow me,
And ore this downe lets dance it nimbly.
Alas Amicla, thus I answerd her,
How can I pipe, my rede is out of tune,
How can I dance, that can but hardly stirre
My crasie ioints: O no, that time is done,
Nor wil't hereafter (much I doubt it) come
To ioy my dolefull life, or ere appeare,
To end my griefes that eccho euery where,
For griefes speake loudest when the speech is dūbe
Engrosing daily still a greater summe.
Leaue me Amicla, how can I recite,
My wonted measures that has broke my pipe?
How can I pipe, my rede is out of tune,
How can I dance, that can but hardly stirre
My crasie ioints: O no, that time is done,
Nor wil't hereafter (much I doubt it) come
To ioy my dolefull life, or ere appeare,
To end my griefes that eccho euery where,
For griefes speake loudest when the speech is dūbe
Engrosing daily still a greater summe.
Leaue me Amicla, how can I recite,
My wonted measures that has broke my pipe?
Broken thy pipe? Ile mend it (sweete) quoth she,
And make it tune with more delightfull measure
Then ere it did: lend but thy pipe to me:
I lent it her, that I in part might please her,
But it plaid tunelesse still: nor could it ease her,
Descanting discords: sadder harmonie
Nere did I heare of sage Melpomene:
It knew his Maisters straine, not all the treasure
Of Tagus golden oare, no time, no leasure,
Had either I or my poore pipe to play,
For thoughts of loue had tane all ioyes away.
And make it tune with more delightfull measure
Then ere it did: lend but thy pipe to me:
I lent it her, that I in part might please her,
But it plaid tunelesse still: nor could it ease her,
15
Nere did I heare of sage Melpomene:
It knew his Maisters straine, not all the treasure
Of Tagus golden oare, no time, no leasure,
Had either I or my poore pipe to play,
For thoughts of loue had tane all ioyes away.
Amicla when she saw it would not be,
Threw downe my pipe, for it was soone thowne downe,
And with quicke pace away departed she,
VVhile I despised, of my selfe lay downe
Vnder a shadie beech well ouer growne,
With broad-spred braūches which did shadow me,
But not obscure the loue I bare to thee;
Calling the heauens to witnesse, and mine owne,
Mine own poore bleting flocks! my loue was shown
Not in assemblance, but so really,
That nought seem'd sweete which did not tast of thee.
Threw downe my pipe, for it was soone thowne downe,
And with quicke pace away departed she,
VVhile I despised, of my selfe lay downe
Vnder a shadie beech well ouer growne,
With broad-spred braūches which did shadow me,
But not obscure the loue I bare to thee;
Calling the heauens to witnesse, and mine owne,
Mine own poore bleting flocks! my loue was shown
Not in assemblance, but so really,
That nought seem'd sweete which did not tast of thee.
Thy breath a perfume, and thy voice a tone,
Of perfect concords: thy bright eye a starre,
Thy mouth an Hyblemount, thine armes a throne,
Thy teeth a pearly cordon, thy pure haire
Tramels of purest gould, where lodged are
Those three admired graces, all in one,
As if they ment there to reside alone:
Thy browes like Beacons, where we see afarre
Adioyning places, mannagements of warre,
Breefely, noe part thou hast from top to toe,
But may be askt why nature made it so?
Of perfect concords: thy bright eye a starre,
Thy mouth an Hyblemount, thine armes a throne,
Thy teeth a pearly cordon, thy pure haire
Tramels of purest gould, where lodged are
Those three admired graces, all in one,
As if they ment there to reside alone:
Thy browes like Beacons, where we see afarre
Adioyning places, mannagements of warre,
Breefely, noe part thou hast from top to toe,
But may be askt why nature made it so?
16
And straight it answers: Nature made me thus,
To be a mirrour past all imitation,
Sith choicest colours my proportion chuse,
A beauteous frame formd of the best creation,
That after times might make more full relation,
What they haue seene proportioned in vs
And leaue records of it: that euery muse,
If pregnant, may discourse to euery Nation,
A perfect module made for recreation,
But for no humane creature; such as loue vs,
Must come frō heauē, & plāt their throne aboue vs
To be a mirrour past all imitation,
Sith choicest colours my proportion chuse,
A beauteous frame formd of the best creation,
That after times might make more full relation,
What they haue seene proportioned in vs
And leaue records of it: that euery muse,
If pregnant, may discourse to euery Nation,
A perfect module made for recreation,
But for no humane creature; such as loue vs,
Must come frō heauē, & plāt their throne aboue vs
O tell me then (deere loue) if so it be,
Humane affections cannot worthie seeme,
By their intentiue minds to honour thee,
And therefore iustly haue condemned beene,
To gase on that which should be rarely seene,
For such as thou art, oft reserued be,
Not for Earths frame, but for æternitie:
Tell me but this (and by this kisse) I meane
Nere to repaire vnto thy shrine againe,
Or ere make sute (as here I doe professe)
To be thy shepherd, thou my shepherdesse.
Humane affections cannot worthie seeme,
By their intentiue minds to honour thee,
And therefore iustly haue condemned beene,
To gase on that which should be rarely seene,
For such as thou art, oft reserued be,
Not for Earths frame, but for æternitie:
Tell me but this (and by this kisse) I meane
Nere to repaire vnto thy shrine againe,
Or ere make sute (as here I doe professe)
To be thy shepherd, thou my shepherdesse.
When poore Berillus finisht had his sute,
Looking for answer at Elizas hand,
Pans Priest came in, and put Berillus out,
Onely thus much well might he vnderstand,
That he was lou'd of her, but th' Priests command
(Ill fall such shauelings) euer went about,
Hearing their amorous stories to roote out
Their pure affections: mouing with his wand,
Or sacra virga, that they should descend,
And leaue loues passions to another place,
For in Pans Temple loue can haue no grace.
Looking for answer at Elizas hand,
Pans Priest came in, and put Berillus out,
Onely thus much well might he vnderstand,
That he was lou'd of her, but th' Priests command
17
Hearing their amorous stories to roote out
Their pure affections: mouing with his wand,
Or sacra virga, that they should descend,
And leaue loues passions to another place,
For in Pans Temple loue can haue no grace.
The forelorne Shepheard went same way he came,
Sad and deiected, yet with hope releeued,
Thinking by absence to quench out the flame,
Which dally made encrease: being depriued
Of those blest meanes, by which we are reuiued,
Hope the best Anchor which supports our flame,
Made this poore shepherd to pursue his game,
Hoping by such effects as he contriued,
To haue his ioyes renewd: but was deceaued,
For where he thought to finde contētment most
In that same place he was the greatliest crost.
Sad and deiected, yet with hope releeued,
Thinking by absence to quench out the flame,
Which dally made encrease: being depriued
Of those blest meanes, by which we are reuiued,
Hope the best Anchor which supports our flame,
Made this poore shepherd to pursue his game,
Hoping by such effects as he contriued,
To haue his ioyes renewd: but was deceaued,
For where he thought to finde contētment most
In that same place he was the greatliest crost.
For from that time nere could he see his dere,
Kept as it seem'd for Pan, or for his Priest,
For this same shaueling euer would be there,
Desiring (lustfull prelate) there to feast,
Where she remaind: for he has oft confest,
That he has wisht himselfe transformed were
Into some slender creature, to appeare
At all times to Eliza: who thought least
Of such a wanton votarie: heauens detest,
Such vow in fringing masse priests whose professiō
Collects a reason out of each suspition.
Kept as it seem'd for Pan, or for his Priest,
For this same shaueling euer would be there,
Desiring (lustfull prelate) there to feast,
Where she remaind: for he has oft confest,
That he has wisht himselfe transformed were
Into some slender creature, to appeare
At all times to Eliza: who thought least
Of such a wanton votarie: heauens detest,
Such vow in fringing masse priests whose professiō
Collects a reason out of each suspition.
18
Farewell Eliza, if thou liue so long,
As to repent thee of thy breach of faith,
I doe not doubt but thou'l confesse the wrong
Which thou hast done me, and abiure that breath,
Which thou exhal'd, adiudging me to death,
By that remorselesse heart, that Syren tongue,
Which (if thou liu'st) will sing another song:
Take heede, the sword's drawne frō the irefull sheath,
And inbred horror creepeth vnderneath.
Whom thou affectest most, affects thee least,
Hating thy Swaine to take thee to thy Priest.
As to repent thee of thy breach of faith,
I doe not doubt but thou'l confesse the wrong
Which thou hast done me, and abiure that breath,
Which thou exhal'd, adiudging me to death,
By that remorselesse heart, that Syren tongue,
Which (if thou liu'st) will sing another song:
Take heede, the sword's drawne frō the irefull sheath,
And inbred horror creepeth vnderneath.
Whom thou affectest most, affects thee least,
Hating thy Swaine to take thee to thy Priest.
But if god Pan knew how his swaines were vsd,
By such as offer to him sacrifice,
I know full well he would redresse th' abuse,
And saue our honour from such Priests as these,
Who fill his Temple with impieties,
Wronging the sincere thoughts of each of vs,
Which cannot merit in the heauens excuse:
Small faults with Saints be great enormities,
Shrines that are pure become pure deities,
But ile surcease, griefes make my muse surcease:
Encrease of lines giue to my woes encrease.
By such as offer to him sacrifice,
I know full well he would redresse th' abuse,
And saue our honour from such Priests as these,
Who fill his Temple with impieties,
Wronging the sincere thoughts of each of vs,
Which cannot merit in the heauens excuse:
Small faults with Saints be great enormities,
Shrines that are pure become pure deities,
But ile surcease, griefes make my muse surcease:
Encrease of lines giue to my woes encrease.
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