A new Tragicall Comedie of Apius and Virginia Wherein is liuely expressed a rare example of the vertue of Chastitie, by Virginias constancy, in wishing rather to be slaine at her owne Fathers handes, then to be deflowered of the wicked Iudge Apius |
The Prologue.
|
 | A new Tragicall Comedie of Apius and Virginia |  |
The Prologue.
Qui cupis æthereas & summas scandere sedes
Vim simul ac fraudem discute chare tibi.
Fraus hic nulla iuuat, nō fortia facta iuuabūt,
Sola Dei tua te trahat, terse fides.
Qui placet in terris intactæ palludis instar,
Viuere Virginiam nitore virgo sequi,
Quos tulit & luctus, discas gaudia magna
Vitæ, dum parcè scinder fila parent.
Huc ades ô virgo, paritere moritura sepulchro,
Sic ait, & faciem pallida morte mutat.
Vim simul ac fraudem discute chare tibi.
Fraus hic nulla iuuat, nō fortia facta iuuabūt,
Sola Dei tua te trahat, terse fides.
Qui placet in terris intactæ palludis instar,
Viuere Virginiam nitore virgo sequi,
Quos tulit & luctus, discas gaudia magna
Vitæ, dum parcè scinder fila parent.
Huc ades ô virgo, paritere moritura sepulchro,
Sic ait, & faciem pallida morte mutat.
Who
doth desire the trump of fame, to sound vnto the Skies,
Or els who seekes the holy place, where mighty Ioue he lies,
He must not by deceitfull mind, nor yet by puissant strength,
But by the faith and sacred lyfe, he must it win at length,
And what she be that virgins lyfe, on earth wold gladly leade,
The fluds that Virginia did fall, I wish her reade,
Her doller and hir dolefull losse, and yet her ioyes at death,
Come Uirgins pure to graue with mee, quoth she with latest breath,
You Lordings all that present be, this Tragidie to heare,
Note well what zeale and loue, heerein doth well appeare,
And Ladies you that linked are, in wedlocke bandes for euer,
Do imitate the life you see, whose fame will perish neuer,
But Uirgins you, oh Ladies faire, for honour of your name.
Doo lead the life apparent heere, to win immortall fame,
Let not the blinded God of Loue, as Poets tearme him so,
Nor Venus with her venery, nor Lechors cause of wo
Your Uirgins name to spot or file: deare dames obserue the like,
That faire Verginia did obserue, who rather wish the knife,
Of fathers hand hir life to ende, then spot her chastety:
As she did waile, waile you her want you maids of courtesie.
If any by example heere, would shun that great anoy,
Our Authour would reioyce in hart, and we would leap for ioy,
Would Gods that our indeuer may, as well to please your eares,
As is our Auctors meaning heere, then were we voyde of feares:
But paciently wee wish you beare with this our first attempt.
Which surely will to do our best, then yeeld vs no contempt,
And as you please in pacient wise, our first for to receiue,
Ere long a better shall you win, if god do graunt vs leaue.
Or els who seekes the holy place, where mighty Ioue he lies,
He must not by deceitfull mind, nor yet by puissant strength,
But by the faith and sacred lyfe, he must it win at length,
And what she be that virgins lyfe, on earth wold gladly leade,
The fluds that Virginia did fall, I wish her reade,
Her doller and hir dolefull losse, and yet her ioyes at death,
Come Uirgins pure to graue with mee, quoth she with latest breath,
You Lordings all that present be, this Tragidie to heare,
Note well what zeale and loue, heerein doth well appeare,
And Ladies you that linked are, in wedlocke bandes for euer,
Do imitate the life you see, whose fame will perish neuer,
But Uirgins you, oh Ladies faire, for honour of your name.
Doo lead the life apparent heere, to win immortall fame,
Let not the blinded God of Loue, as Poets tearme him so,
Nor Venus with her venery, nor Lechors cause of wo
Your Uirgins name to spot or file: deare dames obserue the like,
That faire Verginia did obserue, who rather wish the knife,
Of fathers hand hir life to ende, then spot her chastety:
As she did waile, waile you her want you maids of courtesie.
If any by example heere, would shun that great anoy,
Our Authour would reioyce in hart, and we would leap for ioy,
Would Gods that our indeuer may, as well to please your eares,
As is our Auctors meaning heere, then were we voyde of feares:
But paciently wee wish you beare with this our first attempt.
Which surely will to do our best, then yeeld vs no contempt,
And as you please in pacient wise, our first for to receiue,
Ere long a better shall you win, if god do graunt vs leaue.
FINIS.
| A new Tragicall Comedie of Apius and Virginia | |