University of Virginia Library

The Argument.

Io, of whom we next discusse,
Daughter toth' River Inachus,
(The fairest Nymph that liv'd that time,
As being in her youth and prime)
Was seen by Iove, lov'd, and comprest.
Queen Iuno, Her, as of the rest,
Growne Iealous o're, doth project lay,
How in their sports them to betray.
Whom to prevent (I know not how)
But Iove transhapes her to a Cow.
The Goddesse knowing how indeard
She was to him, comes to the Heard,
And begs this Heifer. He not dar'd
(However the request seem'd hard)
Her to deny. Shee's now her charge,
And nought her freedome can inlarge.
The passages that hence may grow,
The sequell will hereafter show.