University of Virginia Library

Vulcan and Iupiter.

The Argument.

Vvlcan obeying to Ioves high designe,
With his keen hatchet cleaves his head in twaine:
Arm'd Pallas, who there full ten months had lain,
At this incision leaps out of his braine;
Then entring first the world. Whence we may gather,
Knowledge and Arts had birth from Iove their Father.

The Dialogve.

Uulcan.
What must I do, Iove? Prethee let me know:
See, I am come, for thou commandedst so;
And brought with me an Axe sharp above wonder,
Whose very edge will cleave a rocke in sunder.

Iupiter.
'Tis well done, Vulcan, 'tmust be thus apply'de,
Thou with that hatchet must my head divide.

Uulc.
Wouldst thou persuade me unto madnesse? say
What's to be done, or packe me hence away.
My pleasure is, with a strong blow and full,
With all thy force thou part in two my skull.
If thou refuse to doo't, as fearing skath,
Thy timerousnesse will but increase my wrath
And deep displeasure: therefore strike I say,
Instantly, boldly, and without delay:
Quickly deliuer me, I am full of paine,
A thousand throwes are laboring in my braine.

Vulc.
Well looke too't Iupiter, my axe is keen,
Nor can this birth be without bloud-shed seen.
'Twill be a dangerous wound made in thy head;
Beleeve't, Lucina brings not thus to bed.

Iupit.
Strike boldly then, ô Vulcan, feare not blood,
For I know best what for my selfe is good.

Vulc.
Though 'gainst my will, I shall, who dares withstand
When Iupiter himselfe shall give command.
What's here? A woman arm'd leaps on the Plain:
O Iove, thou hadst much mischiefe in thy brain.
No marvell thou wert angry and much paind,
When in thy Pia mater was containd
A live Virago, arm'd, and having spread
Castles and townes and towers about her head;
She leaps and capers, topt with rage divine,
And danceth (as she treads) the Matachine,
Shakes her steele-pointed Lance, and strikes her Tardge,
As if she had the god of War in charge.
Nay, which is more, she is exceeding faire,
And ripe for mariage, made in all parts rare,
And amiable, onely she hath blew eies,
But those her gracefull helme doth well disguise:
And therefore Iupiter, because I have
Thus playd the mid-wife for thee, what I crave,
Grant me for my reward, namely that she
May be my wife, this day espous'd to me.

Iupit.
Thou demandst that which cannot be allow'd,
For this Minerva is a Virgin vow'd,
Nay, a perpetuall Votary: but if I
In this could do thee any courtesie,
Thou mightst presume't.

Vulc.
It is my great desire,
And to my best of wishes I'le aspire
In waiting time to rape her.

Iupit.
O my sonne,
Thou aimst at that which neuer can be done:
She vowes to live a Virgin, let that guide thee,
Pursue not things which never can betide thee.