University of Virginia Library

Mercvry and Maia.

The Argument.

Hermes his tedious labors doth complaine,
As troubled more than all the gods besides,
Not able his imployments to sustaine,
As one that in no certaine place abides.
Yet by his mother he at length is swayd,
Who tells him Ioves hests must be still obayd.

The Dialogve.

Merc.
Is there amongst the gods (ô Mother) any
So wretched as my self, though there be many?

Maia.
Take heed, my son, what thou speakst rashly.

Merc.
Why?
Can you name one that hath such cause as I?
Who have so many businesses in hand,
And those so great I scarce beneath them stand;
Into so many services divided,
I am tyr'd and spent, and for my paines derided.
For in the morning, e're I can devise
Of what my dreams were, I betimes must rise,
Then my first office is to sweep the house
Where all the gods must banquet and carouse.
That done, I next prepare the Consistorie,
Whereas the Deities in all their glory
Appoint their meetings: all things I make fit,
That they in ease as well as state may sit.
Then at Ioves elbow I attend, where he
Still sends me on his errands: I must be
Here, there, and every where, and these too all
Hurrying together; for hee'l sometimes call
As soon as I am sent. When the whole day
I have toild, not having time to wipe away
The dust and sweat, new labor I begin,
Supper comes on, and I must then serve in
Ambrosia: e're the Phrygian had to doo
With Ioves crownd Cup, I filld him Nectar too.
But what of all 's most tedious, and accites
Me to this spleen, I cannot rest a nights;
For whil'st each other god upon his bed
Takes due repose, even then I of the Dead
And new deceast have charge, and through the shade
To Pluto's Court I see them safe convay'd.
These done, I cannot rest me where I list,
But at their generall Sessions I assist,
For nothing's done without me. 'Tmight suffice,
That I all dayly businesse enterprise:
At Wrestlings I am present, at the Bar,
Where Causes and Law-Suits determin'd ar',
Instruct such Orators as Fees desire;
Sometimes supply the place of common Crier.
Nor would these things appeare so great a trouble,
But that th' affaires of hell make them seeme double.
The sonnes of Læda much more happy bee,
They interchangeably have leave to see
The heaven and hell by turnes; while one doth show
Himselfe above, the other stayes below.
Than these how much more miserable am I,
That in one person both their paines supply?
Alcmena and Semele (of mortall seed
Descended both) have free accesse to feed
Amongst the Deities: yet I on these
(Being son of Maia Atlantiades)
Am forc'd to'attend, I came from Sidon late,
As sent from Iove, to know in what estate
Cadmus faire daughter was. Almost quite spent,
Not having time to breathe, but I was sent
To Argos and faire Danae, in that tower
Where he was welcom'd in his golden shower.
In thy returne come by Boetia backe,
(Saith Iupiter) ô Hermes do not slacke
To visit faire Antiope by th'way.
My resolution is no more t'obay
Vnto his busie hests: To gaine myne ease,
I had much rather (did the Fates so please)
My selfe for ever to the earth retyre,
As a day-Laborer, and worke for hire.

Maia.
No more, my son, for thou too much hast said;
Thy father must in all things be obay'd.
Able and yong thou art, prepare agen,
To Argos first, and to Boetia then:
Hazard not stripes of him that swayes above:
Such are most angry that are crost in love.