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THE 
 
 COMPLAINT OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 BV 
 
 SAMUEL DANIEL. 
 
 AN EXACT REPRODUCTION OF THE EARLIEST KNOWN 
 EDITION : UNDER THE CARE OF 
 
 J. PAYNE COLLIER. 
 
 ^ 
 
 FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY. 
 
 LONDON, 1870. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 
 The peculiarities of this impression (probably the earliest) of 
 Daniel's most popular poem were, we believe, first pointed out 
 in the " Bibliographical and Critical Account of Rare Books," 8vo, 
 1865, I. 170. The "Rosamond" in this form exists only in a 
 single copy appended to the same author's " Delia," 1592 ; but 
 as it has no separate title-page, the precise date when it originally 
 appeared is uncertain. 
 
 The fact seems to be that Daniel wrote his " Complaint of 
 Rosamond " between the years 1585 and 1591 : he subsequently 
 collected his scattered love-sonnets ; and having printed them 
 under the title of " Delia " in 1592, he added to them his previ- 
 ously published " Complaint of Rosamond," so that they were 
 then sold together by Waterson, the stationer. 
 
 Some of the earliest copies of *' Delia " are followed by the 
 second impression of " Rosamond", and such was the case with 
 the reproduction we issued a few months ago. We therefore now 
 reprint the oldest known copy of " The Complaint of Rosamond." 
 
 The differences between the two impressions of the " Com- 
 plaint " will be found numberless : in some places words and 
 lines were substituted, and in one instance nineteen consecutive 
 stanzas were added, while others were separately inserted : thus, 
 in the typographical fac-simile here offered to the reader, the first 
 thoughts and expressions of the great poet are preserved. 
 
 J. P. C. 
 
 111023 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 OVT from the horror of infernall deepes, 
 My poore afflidted ghoft comes heere to plaine it- : 
 Attended with my fhame that neuer flecpes, 
 The spot wherewith my kinde, and youth did ftaine it : 
 My body found a graue where to containe it, 
 A Iheete could hide my face, but not my fm. 
 For Fame finds neuer tombe t' inclofe it in. 
 
 And which is worfe, my foule is nowe denied, 
 
 Her tranfport to the fweet Elifean reft, 
 
 1 he ioyfull bliffe for ghofts repurified, 
 
 Th' euer fpringing Gardens of the bleft, 
 
 Caron denies me waftage w^ith the reft. 
 And fayes my foule can neuer paffe that Riuer, 
 Till Louers fighes on earth fhall it deliuer. 
 
 So Ihall I neuer paffe ; for how fhould I 
 Procure this facrifice amongft the lining? 
 Time hath long fmce worne out the memorie, 
 Hoth of my life, and Hues vniuft depriuing : 
 Sorrow for me is dead for aye reuiuing. 
 Rofa)nond\Yc\\\\ little left her but her name, 
 And that difgrac'd, for time hath wrong'd the fame. 
 
 H. ^ No 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 No Mufe fuggefts the pittie of my cafe, 
 Each penne dooth ouerpaffe my iuft complaint, 
 Whilft others are preferd, though farre more bafe : 
 Shores wife is grac'd, and paffes for a Saint ; 
 Her Legend iuftifies her foule attaint ; 
 
 Her well-told tale did fuch compaffion finde, 
 That (he is paffd, and I am left behinde. 
 
 Which feene with griefe, my myferable ghoft, 
 {fVkilojJte inuefted in fo faire a vaile, 
 Which whilft it liu'd, was honoured of the moft, 
 And being dead, giues matter to bewaile) 
 Comes to follicit thee, fmce others faile. 
 To take this tafke, and in thy wofull Song 
 To forme my cafe, and regifter my wrong. 
 
 Although I knowe thy iuft lamenting Mufe, 
 Toylde in th' afflidlion of thine owne diftreffe, 
 In others cares hath little time to vfe. 
 And therefore maift efteeme of mine the leffe : 
 Yet as thy hopes attend happie redreffe. 
 Thy ioyes depending on a womans grace, 
 So moue thy minde a wofull womans cafe. 
 
 Dc/ia 
 
0\< ROSAMOND. 
 
 Dc/i(r may happe to deyngc to read our (lory, 
 And ofter vp her figh among the reft, 
 \Miofe merit would fuffice for both our glorie, 
 Whereby thou might'ft be grac'd, and I be bleft, 
 That indulgence would profit me the beft ; 
 
 Such powre llie hath by whom thy youth is lead, 
 To ioy the liuing and to bleffe the dead. 
 
 So I through beautie made the wofull'ft wight. 
 By beautie might haue comfort after death : 
 That dying fayreft, by the fayreft might 
 Finde life aboue on earth, and reft beneath : 
 She that can bleffe vs with one happy breath, 
 
 Giue comfort to thy Mufe to doe her beft. 
 
 That thereby thou maift ioy, and I might reft. 
 
 Thus faide : forthwith mou'd with a tender care 
 And pittie, which my felfe could neuer finde : 
 What fhe defir'd, my Mufe deygn'd to declare, 
 And therefore will'd her boldly tell her minde : 
 And I more willing tooke this charge affignd, 
 Becaufe her griefes were worthy to be knowne. 
 And telling hers, might hap forget mine owne. 
 
 H. 4. Then 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Then write quoth fhee the mine of my youth, 
 Report the doune-fall of my flippry ftate : 
 Of all my life reueale the fimple truth, 
 To teach to others, what I learnt too late : 
 Exemplifie my frailtie, tell how Fate 
 
 Keepes in eternall darke our fortunes hidden. 
 And ere they come, to know them tis forbidden. 
 
 For whilft the funn-fhine of my fortune lafted, 
 I ioy'd the happieft warmth, the fweeteft heat 
 That euer yet imperious beautie tafted, 
 I had what glory euer flefh could get : 
 But this faire morning had a (hamefull fet ; 
 
 Difgrace darkt honor, fmne did clowde my browe. 
 As note the fequel, and He tell thee how. 
 
 The blood I ftaind was good and of the beft, 
 My birth had honor, and my beautie fame : 
 Nature and Fortune ioyn'd to make me bleft. 
 Had I had grace t' haue knowne to vfe the fame : 
 My education fhew'd from whence I came, 
 And all concur'd to make me happy furft, 
 That fo great hap might make me more accurft. 
 
 Happy 
 
ol ROSAMOND. 
 
 Ilappie liu'd I whilft Parents eye did guide, 
 The indifcretion of my feeble wayes : 
 And Country home kept nie from being eyde, 
 Where bert vnknowne I fpent my fweeteft dayes ; 
 I'ill that my frindes mine honour fought to rayfe, 
 To higher place, which greater credite yeeldes, 
 Deeming fuch beauty was vnfit for feeldes. 
 
 From Country then to Court I was preferred, 
 From calme to ftormes, from (hore into the deepes : 
 There where I perifh'd, where my youth firft err'd ; 
 There where I loft the Flowre which honour keepes, 
 rhere where the worfer thriues, the better weepes ; 
 Ah me poore wench, on this vnhappy fhelfe 
 I grounded me, and caft away my felfe. 
 
 For thither com'd, when yeeres had arm'd my youth 
 With rareft proofe of beautie euer feene : 
 When my reuiuing eye had learnt the truth, 
 That it had powre to make the winter greene. 
 And flowre affections whereas none had beene : 
 Soone could I teach my browe to tyrannize. 
 And make the world do homage to mine eyes. 
 
 I. For 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 For age I faw, though yeeres with cold conceit, 
 Congeald theyr thoughts againft a warme defire : 
 Yet figh their want, and looke at fuch a baite, 
 I faw how youth was waxe before the fire : 
 I faw by ftealth, I fram'd my looke a lire, 
 Yet well perceiu'd how Fortune made me then, 
 The enuy of my fexe, and wonder vnto men. 
 
 Looke how a Comet at the firft appearing, 
 Drawes all mens eyes with wonder to behold it : 
 Or as the faddeft tale at fuddaine hearing, 
 Makes filent liftning vnto him that told it ; 
 So did my fpeech when rubies did vnfold it ; 
 So did the blafing of my blufh appeere, 
 T' amaze the world, that holds fuch fights fo deere, 
 
 Ah beauty Syren, fayre enchaunting good. 
 Sweet filent rethorique of perfwading eyes : 
 Dombe eloquence, whofe powre doth moue the blood, 
 More then the words, or wifedome of the wife : 
 Still harmonic, whofe diapafon lyes 
 
 Within a brow, the key which paffions moue. 
 To rauifh fence, and play a world in loue. 
 
 What 
 
or ROSAMOND. 
 
 What might I then not doe whofe powre was fuch? 
 
 What cannot women doe that know theyr powre ? 
 
 What women knowes it not I feare too much, 
 
 How bliffe or bale lyes in theyr laugh or lowre? 
 
 Whilft they enioy their happy blooming flowre, 
 Whillt nature decks her with her proper fayre 
 Whichcheeres the worlde,ioyeseach fight, fweetensth'ayre. 
 
 ^iich one was I, my beautie was mine owne, 
 \'o borrowed blufli which banck-rot beauties feeke : 
 The newfound fhame, a finne to vs vnknowne, 
 Th' adulterate beauty of a falfed cheeke : 
 \'ild ftaine to honor and to women eeke. 
 
 Seeing that time our fading muft deted:, 
 
 Thus with defed: to couer our defedt. 
 
 Impiety of times, chaftities abator, 
 Fallliod, wherein thy felfe, thy felfe deniefi: : 
 Treafon, to counterfeit the feale of nature. 
 The flampe of heauen, impreffed by the hiefl : 
 Difgrace vnto the world, to whom thou lyeft, 
 
 Idol vnto thy felfe, fhame to the wife, 
 
 And all that honors thee idolatrife. 
 
 I. 2. Farre 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Farre was that finne from vs whofe age was pure, 
 When fimple beautie was accounted beft, 
 The time when women had no other lure 
 But modeftie, pure cheekes, a vertuous breft : 
 This was the pompe wherewith my youth was bleft ; 
 Thefe were the weapons which mine honour wunne, 
 In all the conflicts that mine eyes begunne. 
 
 Which were not fmall, I wrought on no meane obied, 
 A crowne was at my feete, Scepters obaide mee : 
 Whom Fortune made my King, Loue made my Subiedt, 
 Who did commaund the Land, moft humbly praid mee, 
 Henry the fecond, that fo highly weigh'd mee, 
 Founde well by proofe the priuiledge of Beautie, 
 That it hath powre to counter-maund all duetie. 
 
 For after all his victories in Fraunce, 
 Tryumphing in the honour of his deedes : 
 Vnmatch'd by fword, was vanquilht by a glaunce, 
 And hotter warres within his bofome breedes : 
 Warres whom whole Legions of defires feedes, 
 Againft all which my chaftitiy oppofes, 
 The fielde of honour, vertue neuer lofes. 
 
 No 
 
()!• ROSAMONM), 
 
 No armour might bee founde that coulde defend, 
 Tranfpearcing rayes of Chriflall-pointed eyes : 
 \o Stratagem, no reafon could amend, 
 No not his age ; yet olde men fliould be wife : 
 lUit (hewes deceiue, outward appearance lyes ; 
 Let none for feeming fo, thinke Saints of others, 
 For all are men, and all haue fuckt their Mothers. 
 
 Who would haue thought, a Monarch would haue euer 
 
 Obayed his handmaide, of fo meane a ftate ; 
 
 Wiltur ambition feeding on his lyuer, 
 
 Age hauing worne his pleafures out of date : 
 
 But happe comes neuer or it comes too late, 
 
 r'^or fuch a daintie which his youth found not, 
 
 \^nto his feeble age did chaunce allot. 
 
 Ah Fortune neuer abfolutely good, 
 
 For that fome croffe ftill counterchecks our luck : 
 
 As heere beholde th' incompatible blood, 
 
 Of age and youth was that where on we ftuck : 
 
 Whofe loathing, we from natures brelts do fuck. 
 
 As oppofit to what our blood requires ; 
 
 F(^r cquall age doth equall like defires. 
 
 I. 3. But 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 But mightie men in higheft honor fitting, 
 Nought but applaufe and pleafure can behold : 
 Sooth'd in their liking, careleffe what is fitting, 
 May not be fuffred once to thinke the are old : 
 Not trufting what they fee, but what is told. 
 Miferable fortune to forget fo farre, 
 The ftate of flefli, and what our frailties are. 
 
 Yet muft I needes excufe fo great defed:. 
 For drinking of the Lethe of myne eyes : ' 
 H' is forc'd forget himfelfe, and all refped: 
 Of maieftie whereon his ftate relyes : 
 And now of loues, and pleafures muft deuife. 
 For thus reuiu'd againe, he femes and fu'th, 
 And feekes all meanes to vndermine my youth. 
 
 Which neuer by affault he could recover, 
 
 So well incamp'd in ftrength of chafte defires : 
 
 My cleane-arm'd thoughts repell'd an vnchaft louer, 
 
 The Crowne that could commaund what it requires, 
 
 I leffer priz'd then chaftities attires, 
 
 Th' vnftained vaile, which innocents adornes, 
 Th' vngathred Rofe, defended with the thornes. 
 
 And 
 
(^1- ROS \ M()\ I). 
 
 And fafe mine honor ftoode till that in truth, 
 
 One of my Sexe, of place, and nature bad : 
 
 AV^as fet in ambufli to intrap my youth, 
 
 ( )ne in the habit of like frailtie clad, . 
 
 ( )ne who the liu'ry of like weakenes had. 
 A feeming Matrone, yet a finfull monfter, 
 As by her words the charter fort may confter. 
 
 Shee fet vpon me with the fmootheft fpeech, 
 That Court and age could cunningly deuife : 
 Th' one autentique made her fit to teach. 
 The other learnt her how to fubtelife : 
 Both were enough to circumuent the wife. 
 A document that well may teach the sage. 
 That there's no truft in youth, nor hope in age. 
 
 Daughter (faith Ihe) behold thy happy chaunce, 
 That haft the lot caft downe into thy lap, 
 Whereby thou maift thy honor great aduaunce, 
 W'hilft thou (vnhappy) wilt not fee thy hap : 
 Such fond refpect thy youth doth fo inwrap, 
 
 T' oppofe thy felfe againft thine owne good fortune, 
 That points thee out, and feemes thee to importune. 
 
 Dooft 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Dooft thou not fee how that thy King thy youe, 
 Lightens foorth glory on thy darke eftate : 
 And (howres downe golde and treafure from aboue, 
 Whilft thou dooft fhutte thy lappe againft thy fate : 
 Fye fondling fye, thou wilt repent too late 
 The error of thy youth ; that canft not fee 
 What is the fortune that dooth followe thee. 
 
 Thou mufl: not thinke thy flowre can alwayes florifh, 
 And that thy beautie will be ftill admired : 
 But that thofe rayes which all thefe flames doe nourifh, 
 Canceld with Time, will haue their date expyred, 
 And m.en will fcorne what now is fo defired : 
 Our frailtyes doome is written in the flowers, 
 Which florifh now and fade ere many howers. 
 
 Reade in my face the mines of my youth, 
 The wracke of yeeres vpon my aged brow : 
 I haue beene faire, I muft confeffe the trueth. 
 And ftoode vppon as nice refpedts as thow ; 
 I loft my time, and I repent it now ; 
 
 But were I to beginne my youth againe, 
 I would redeeme the time I fpent in vayne. 
 
 But 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Hut thou haft yeeres and priuiledge to vfe them, 
 I hy priuiledge doth beare beauties great feale : 
 Hefides, the law of nature doth excufe them, 
 To whom thy youth may haue a iu(l appeale : 
 lifteeme not fame more then thou dooft thy weale, 
 
 Fame, wherof the world feemes to make fuch choyce : 
 
 Is but an Eccho, and an idle voyce. 
 
 Then why fhould thys refpedl of honor bound vs, 
 
 In th' imaginary lifts of reputation ? 
 
 Titles which cold feueritie hath found vs, 
 
 Breath of the vulgar, foe to recreation : 
 
 Melancholies opinion, cuftoms relation ; 
 
 Pleafures plague, beauties fcourge, hell to the fayre, 
 To leaue the fweete for Caftles in the ay re. 
 
 Pleafure is felt, opinion but conceau'd, 
 
 Honor, a thing without vs, not our owne : 
 
 W'hereof we fee how many are bereau'd, 
 
 \\' hich fliould haue rep'd the glory they had fowne, 
 
 And many haue it, yet vnworthy knowne. 
 
 So breathes his blafts this many-headed beaft, 
 Whereof the wifeft haue efteemed leaft. 
 
 K. The 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 The fubtile Citty-women better learned, 
 Efteeme them chaft ynough that beft feeme fo : 
 Who though they fport, it (hall not be difcerned, 
 Their face bewraies not what their bodies doe ; 
 Tis warie walking that doth faflieft goe. 
 
 With (hew of vertue, as the cunning knowes, 
 Babes are beguild with fweetes, and men withlhowes. 
 
 Then vfe thy tallent, youth (hall be thy warrant, 
 And let not honor from thy fports detradl : 
 Thou muft not fondly thinke thy felfe tranfparent. 
 That thofe who fee thy face can iudge the fact ; 
 Let her haue fhame that cannot clofely act. 
 And feeme the chaft, which is cheefeft arte, 
 For what we feeme each fees, none knowes our harte. 
 
 The mightie who can with fuch (innes difpence. 
 In fteed of fhame doe honors great beftow : 
 A worthie author doth redeeme th' offence. 
 And makes the fcarelet finne as white as fnow. 
 The Maieftie that doth defcend fo low. 
 
 Is not defilde, but pure remaines therein : 
 
 And being facred, fandlifies the fmne. 
 
 What 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 What, dooft thou ftand on thys, that he is olde, 
 I hy beauty hath the more to worke vppon : 
 Thy pleafures want (hal be fupply'd with gold, 
 (Old age dotes mod when the heate of youth is gone : 
 1 nticing words preuaile with fuch a one. 
 Alluring Ihewes moft deepe impreffion ftrikes, 
 For age is prone to credite what it likes. 
 
 Ileere interrupt Ihe leaues me in a doubt, 
 When loe began the combat in my blood : 
 Seeing my youth inuirond round about, 
 1 he ground vncertaine where my reafons flood ; 
 Small my defence to make my party good, 
 
 Againft fuch powers which were fo furely layde, 
 To ouerthrow a poore vnfkilful mayde. 
 
 Treafon was in my bones my felfe confpyring. 
 
 To fell my felfe to luft, my foule to fmne : 
 
 Pure-bluihing fliame was in retiring, 
 
 Leaning the facred hold it glory 'd in. 
 
 Honor lay proftrate for my flefh to win, 
 
 When cleaner thoughts my weakenes can vpbray 
 Againft my felfe, and Ihame did force me fay, 
 
 K. 2. Ah 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Ah Ro/amond, what doth thy flefh prepare, 
 Deftrudlion to thy dayes, death to thy fame : 
 Wilt thou betray that honor held with care, 
 T' intombe with blacke reproch a fpotted name, 
 Leaning thy blufh the collours of thy fhame. 
 Opening thy feete to fmne, thy foule to luft, 
 Graceleffe to lay thy glorie in the duft. 
 
 Nay firft let th' earth gape wide to fwallow thee, 
 And fhut thee vp in bofome with her dead : 
 Ere Serpent tempt thee tafte forbidden tree, 
 Or feele the warmth of an vnlawfull bed : 
 Suffring thy felfe by luft to be mifled ; 
 
 So to difgrace thy felfe and grieue thine heires, 
 That Cliffords race fhould fcorne thee one of theyrs. 
 
 Neuer wifh longer to inioy the ayre. 
 Then that thou breath'ft the breath of chaftitie : 
 Longer then thou preferu'ft thy foule as faire. 
 As is thy face, free from impuritie : 
 Thy face that makes th' admired in euery eye : 
 Wher natures care fuch rarities inroule. 
 Which vf'd amiffe, may feme to damne thy foule. 
 
 But 
 
Oh ROSAMOND. 
 
 But what ? he is my King and may conftraine mc, 
 Whether I yeelde or not I Hue defamed : 
 The worlde will thinke authority did gaine me, 
 I (hal be iudg'd hys loue, and fo be fhamed : 
 We fee the fayre condemned, that neuer gamed. 
 And if I yeeld, tis honorable fhame, 
 If not, I Hue difgrac'd, yet thought the fame. 
 
 What way is left thee then vnhappy mayde. 
 Whereby thy fpotleffe foote may wander out 
 Thys dreadfull danger, which thou feefl is layd, 
 Wherein thy fhame doth compaffe thee about ? 
 Thy fimple yeeres cannot refolue this doubt. 
 Thy youth can neuer guide thy foote fo euen, 
 But in defpight fome fcandall will be giuen. 
 
 Thus flood I ballanc'd equallie precize. 
 Till my fraile flefh did weigh me downe to finne : 
 Till world and pleafure made me partialize, 
 And glittering pompe my vanitie did winne ; 
 When to excufe my fault my lufts beginne, 
 
 And impious thoughts alledg'd this w^anton claufe, 
 That though I fmn'd, my fmne had honeft caufe. 
 
 K. ^ So 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 So well the golden balles caft downe before me, 
 Could entertaine my courfe, hinder my way : 
 Whereat my rechleffe youth flooping to ftore me, 
 Loft me the gole, the glory, and the day. 
 Pleafure had fet my wel-fkoold thoughts to play, 
 And bade me vfe the vertue of mine eyes, 
 For fweetly it fits the fayre to wantonife 
 
 Thus wrought to fmne, foone was I traind from Court, 
 To a folitarie Grange there to attend : 
 The time the King (hould thether make refort. 
 Where he loues long defired-work fhould end. 
 Thether he daily meffages doth fend. 
 
 With coftly iewels orators of loue : 
 
 Which (ah too well men know) doe women moue. 
 
 The day before the night of my defeature. 
 He greets me with a Cafket richly wrought : 
 So rare, that arte did feeme to ftriue with nature, 
 T' expreffe the cunning work-mans curious thought ; 
 The miftery whereof I prying fought. 
 And found engrauen on the lidde aboue, 
 Amymone how fhe with Neptune ftroue. 
 
 Amy7none 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Amymone old Danaus fayreft daughter, 
 As ihe was fetching water all alone 
 At Lcnia : whereas Neptune came and caught her, 
 From whom Hie flriu'd and ftrugled to be gone, 
 Beating the ayre with cryes and pittious mone. 
 But all in vaine, with him fh' is forc'd to goe : 
 Tis fhame that men fhould vfe poore maydens fo. 
 
 There might I fee defcribed how fhe lay, 
 f At thofe proude feete, not fatisfied with prayer : 
 Wailing her heauie hap, curfmg the day. 
 In adl fo pittious to expreffe difpaire : 
 I And by how much more greeu'd, fo much more fayre ; 
 Her teares vpon her cheekes poore carefull gerle. 
 Did feeme againft the funne criftall and perle. 
 
 Whofe pure cleere ftreames, which loe fo faire appeares, 
 Wrought hotter flames, O myracle of loue, 
 That kindles fire in water, heate in teares. 
 And makes negledled beautie mightier proue : 
 Teaching afflid:ed affed;s to moue ; 
 
 To fhew that nothing ill becomes the fayre. 
 But crueltie, that yeeldes vnto no prayer. 
 
 Thys 
 
THE COxMPLAINT 
 
 This hauing viewd and therewith fomething moued, 
 Figured I found within the other fquares : 
 Transformed lo, I ones deerely loued, 
 In her afflidlion how fhe ftrangely fares, 
 Strangelie diftreffd, (O beautie borne to cares) 
 Turn'd to a Heiffer, kept with iealous eyes, 
 Alwaies in danger of her hatefull fpyes. 
 
 Thefe prefidents prefented to my view, 
 Wherein the prefage of my fall was fhowne : 
 Might haue fore-warn'd me well what would enfue, 
 And others harmes haue made me fhunne mine owne ; 
 But fate is not preuented though fore-knowne. 
 For that muft hap decreed by heauenly powers. 
 Who worke our fall, yet make the fault ftill ours. 
 
 Witnes the world, wherein is nothing rifer. 
 Then miferies vnkend before they come : 
 Who can the characters of chaunce difcipher,- 
 Written in clowdes of our concealed dome ? 
 Which though perhaps haue beene reueald to fome. 
 Yet that fo doubtfull as fucceffe did proue them. 
 That men muft know they haue the heauensabouethel 
 
 I 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 I fawe the finne wherein my foote was entring, 
 
 I fawe how that difhonour did attend it, 
 
 I fawe the fhame whereon my flefh was ventring, 
 
 Vet had I not the powre for to defende it ; 
 
 So weake is fence when error hath condemned it : 
 
 We fee what s good, and thereto we confent vs ; 
 
 But yet we choofe the worft, and foone repent vs. 
 
 And now I come to tell the worft of ilnes. 
 Now drawes the date of mine affliction neere : 
 Now when the darke had wrapt vp all in ftilnes, 
 And dreadfull blacke, had difpoffeffd the cleere : 
 Com'd was the night, mother of fleepe and feare. 
 Who with her fable mantle friendly couers. 
 The fweet-ftolne fports, of ioyfull meeting Louers. 
 
 When loe I ioynde my Louer not my Loue, 
 And felt the hand of luft moft vndefired : 
 linforc'd th' vnprooued bitter fweete to proue. 
 Which yeeldes no mutuall pleafure when tis hired. 
 Loue's not conftrain'd, nor yet of due required, 
 ludge they who are vnfortunately wed, 
 What tis to CO come vnto a loathed bed. 
 
 L. But 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 But foone his age receiu'd his fhort contenting, 
 And fleepe feald vp his languifhing defires : 
 When he turnes to his reft, I to repenting, 
 Into my lelfe my waking thought retires : 
 My nakednes had prou'd my fences Hers. 
 Now opned were mine eyes to looke therein. 
 For firft we tafte the fruite, then fee our fm. 
 
 Now did I find my felfe vnparadifd. 
 From thofe pure fieldes of my fo cleane beginning : 
 Now I perceiu'd how ill I was aduifd. 
 My flefh gan loathe the new felt touch of finning : 
 Shame leaues vs by degrees, not at firft winning. 
 For nature checks a new offence with lothing : 
 But vfe of finne doth make it feeme as nothing. 
 
 And vfe of finne did worke in me a boldnes. 
 And loue in him, incorporates fuch zeale : 
 That iealofie increaf'd with ages coldnes. 
 Fearing to loofe the ioy of all his weale. 
 Or doubting time his ftealth might els reueale, 
 H' is driuen to deuife fome fubtile way. 
 How he might fafelieft keepe fo rich a pray. 
 
or ROSAMOND. 
 
 V ftatcly Pallace he foorthwith did buyldc, 
 Whofc intricate innumerable wayes, 
 XVith fuch confufed errors fo beguil'd 
 Th' vnguidcd entrers with vncertaine ftrayes, 
 And doubtfull turnings kept them in delayes, 
 With bootleffe labor leading them about, 
 Able to finde no way, nor in, nor out. 
 
 Within the clofed bofome of which frame, 
 That feru'd a Center to that goodly round : 
 Were lodgings, with a garden to the fame. 
 With fweeteft flowers that eu'r adorn'd the ground, 
 And all the pleafures that delight hath found, 
 T' entertaine the fence of wanton eyes, 
 Fuell of loue, from whence lufts flames arife. 
 
 lleere I inclofd from all the world a funder. 
 The Minotaure of fhame kept for difgrace : 
 The monfter of fortune, and the worlds wonder, 
 Liu'd cloyftred in fo defolate a cafe : 
 None but the King might come into the place. 
 With certaine maides that did attend my neede. 
 And he himfelfe came guided by a threed. 
 
 L. 2. O 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 O lealoufie, daughter of enuy' and loue 
 Mofl wayward iffue of a gentle Syer ; 
 Foftred with feares, thy Fathers ioyes t' improue, 
 Myrth-marring Monfter, borne a fubtile Iyer ; 
 Hatefull vnto thy felfe, flying thine owne defier : 
 Feeding vpon fufped: that doth renue thee, 
 Happie were Loners if they neuer knewe thee. 
 
 Thou haft a thoufand gates thou entereft by, 
 Conducing trembling paffions to our hart : 
 Hundred eyed Argos, euer waking Spye, 
 Pale hagge, infernall fury, pleafures fmart, 
 Enuious Obferuer, prying in euery part ; 
 Sufpicious, fearefull, gazing ftill about thee, 
 O would to God that loue could be without thee. 
 
 Thou didft depriue (through falfe fuggefting feare) 
 
 Him of content, and me of libertie : 
 
 The onely good that women holde fo deare, 
 
 And turnft my freedome to captiuitie, 
 
 Firft made a Prifoner, ere an enemy : 
 
 Enioynd the raunfome of my bodies fliame. 
 Which though I paide could not redeeme the fame. 
 
 What 
 
N OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 What greater torment euer could haue beene, 
 Then to inforce the fayre to Hue retired ? 
 For what is Beautie if it be not feene, 
 Or what is 't to be feene vnleffe admired ? 
 And though admyred, vnleffe in loue defired ? 
 Neuer were cheekes of Rofes, locks of Amber, 
 Ordayn'd to Hue imprifond in a Chamber. 
 
 Nature created Beautie for the view. 
 Like as the fire for heate, the Sunne for light : 
 The Faire doe holde this priuiledge as due, 
 By auncient Charter, to Hue moft in fight, 
 And fhe that is debarred it, hath not right. 
 
 In vaine our friends in this vfe their dehorting, 
 For Beautie will be where is moft reforting. 
 
 W'itnefl: the fayreft fl:reetes that Thames doth vifit, 
 The wonrdous concourfe of the glittering Faire : 
 For what rare women deckt with Beautie is it, 
 That thither couets not to make repaire. 
 The folitary Country may not ftay her, 
 Heere is the center of all beauties befl:, 
 Excepting Delia, left to adorne the Weft. 
 
 L. 3. Heere 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Heere doth the curious with iudiciall eyes, 
 
 Contemplate beauty glorioufly attired : 
 
 And heerein all our cheefefl glory lyes, 
 
 To Hue where we are praif'd and moft defired. 
 
 O how we ioy to fee our felues admired, 
 Whilft niggardly our fauours we difcouer, 
 We loue to be belou'd, yet fcorne the Louer. 
 
 Yet would to God my foote had neuer moued 
 From Countrey fafety, from the fields of reft : 
 To know the danger to be highly loued. 
 And lyue in pompe to braue among the beft, 
 Happy for me, better had I beene bleft ; 
 If I vnluckely had neuer ftrayde : 
 But liu'd at home a happy Country mayde. 
 
 Whofe vnafifedled innocencie thinks 
 No guilefull fraude, as doth the Courtly liuer : 
 Sh's deckt with trueth, the Riuer where fhe drinks 
 Doth feme her for her glaffe, her counfell giuer : 
 She loues fmcerely, and is loued euer. 
 
 Her dayes are peace, and fo fhe ends her breath, 
 True life that knowes not what 's to die till death. 
 
 So 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 So Ihould I neuer haue beene regiflred, 
 1 11 the blacke booke of the vnfortunate : 
 \or had my name enrold with Maydes mifled, 
 W hich bought theyr pleafures at fo hie a rate. 
 Nor had I taught through my vnhappy fate, 
 This leffon which my felfe learnt with expence, 
 How moft it hurts that moft delights the fence. 
 
 Shame followes finne, difgrace is duly giuen, 
 1 nipietie will out, neuer fo clofely doone : 
 Xo walles can hide vs from the eyes of heauen, 
 1 or fhame muft end what wickedneffe begun : 
 Forth breakes reproch when we leaft thinke thereon. 
 And thys is euer propper vnto Courts : 
 That nothing can be doone but Fame reports. 
 
 1 ame doth explore what lyes moft fecrete hidden, 
 Entring the clofet of the Pallace dweller : 
 Abroade reuealing what is moft forbidden. 
 Of trueth and falfhood both an equall teller : 
 Tis not a guarde can feme for to expell her. 
 The fword of iuftice cannot cutte her wings. 
 Nor ftop her mouth from vtt'ring fecrete things. 
 
 And 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 And this our ftealth fhe could not long conceale, 
 From her whom fuch a forfeit moft concerned : 
 The wronged Queene, who could fo clofely deale : 
 That (he the whole of all our pradlife learned, 
 And watcht a time when leaft it was difcerned, 
 In abfence of the King, to wreake her wrong. 
 With fuch reuenge as fhe defired long. 
 
 The Laberinth fhe entred by that threed 
 That feru'd a condudl to my abfent Lord : 
 Left there by chaunce, referu'd for fuch a deede, 
 Where fhe furpriz'd me whom fhe fo abhord. 
 Enrag'd with madnes, fcarce fhe fpeakes a word, 
 But flyes with eger fury to my face, 
 Offring me moft vnwomanly difgrace. 
 
 Looke-how a Tygreffe that hath loft her whelpe. 
 Runs fearcely raging through the woods aftray : 
 And feeing her felfe depriu'd of hope or helpe, 
 Furioufly affaults what 's in her way. 
 To fatisfie her wrath, not for a pray : 
 So fell fhe on me in outragious wife. 
 As could Difdaine and lealoufie deuife. 
 
 And 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 And after all her vile reproches vfcd, 
 She forc'd me take the poyfon (he had brought : 
 I'o end the lyfe that had her fo abufed, 
 And free her feares, and eafe her iealous thought. 
 No crueltic her wrath would leaue vnwrought, 
 No fpightfull aft that to reuenge is common : 
 For no beaft fearcer then a iealous woman. 
 
 Thofe handes that beauties minifters had bin, 
 Muft now gyue death, that me adorn'd of late : 
 That mouth that newly gaue confent to fin, 
 Muft now receiue deftrudlion in there-at. 
 That body which my lufts did violate, 
 
 Muft facrifice it felfe t' appeafe the wrong. 
 So fliort is pleafure, glory lafts not long. 
 
 The poyfon foone difperc'd through all my vaines, 
 Had difpoffeffd my liuing fences quite : 
 When naught refped:ing, death the laft of paines, 
 Plac'd his pale collours, the 'nfigne of his might, 
 Vpon hys new-got fpoyle before his right ; 
 
 Thence chac'd my foule, fetting my day ere noone. 
 When I leaft thought my ioyes could end fo foone. 
 
 M. And 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 And as conuaid t' vntimely funerals, 
 My fcarce colde corfe not fuffred longer ftay : 
 Behold the King (by chance) returning, falls 
 T' incounter with the fame vpon the way, 
 As he repaird to fee his deereft ioy. 
 
 Not thinking fuch a meeting could haue beene. 
 To fee his loue, and feeing beene vnfeene. 
 
 ludge thofe whom chaunce depriuesof fweetefttreafure, 
 
 What tis to lofe a thing we hold fo deare : 
 
 The beft delight, wherein our foule takes pleafure. 
 
 The fweet of life, that penetrates fo neare. 
 
 What paffions feeles that heart, inforc'd to beare 
 
 The deepe impreffion of fo ftrange a fight ? 
 
 Tongue, pen, nor art, can neuer fhew a right. 
 
 Amaz'd he ftandes, nor voyce nor body fteares. 
 Words had no paffage, teares no iffue found : 
 For forrow fhut vp words, wrath kept in teares, 
 Confufd affed:s each other doe confounde : 
 Oppreff'd with griefe his paffions had no bounde : 
 
 Striuing to tell his woes, wordes would not come ; 
 
 For light cares fpeake, when mightiegriefes are dombe. 
 
 At 
 
OF ROSAxMOND. 
 
 At Icng^th extremitie breakes out away, 
 1 hrough which th'imprifoned voice with teares attended, 
 Wayles out a found that forrowes doe bewray : 
 With amies a croffe and eyes to heauen bended, 
 Vauporing out fighes that to the fkyes afcended. 
 Sighes, the poore eafe calamitie affords. 
 Which ferue for fpeech when forrow wanteth words 
 
 O heauens (quoth he) why doe myne eyes behold, 
 The hatefull rayes of this vnhappy fonne ? 
 W^hy haue I light to fee my finnes controld, 
 With blood of mine owne fhame thus vildly donne ? 
 TIow can my fight endure to looke thereon ? 
 Why doth not blacke eternall darknes hide, 
 That from myne eyes my hart cannot abide ? 
 
 What faw my life, wherein my foule might ioy ? 
 What had my dayes, whom troubles ftill afflicted ? 
 But onely this, to counterpoize annoy. 
 This ioy, this hope, which death hath interdicT:ed : 
 This fweete, whofe loffe hath all diflreffe afflided. 
 This that did feafon all my fowre of life, 
 Vcxt ftill at home with broyles, abroade in ftrife. 
 
 M. 2. Vcxt 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Vext ftyll at home with broyles, abrode in ftrife, 
 Diffenfion in my blood, iarres in my bed : 
 Diftruft at boord, fufped:ing ftill my life, 
 Spending the night in horror, dayes in dred ; 
 Such life hath tyrants, and thys lyfe I led. 
 
 Thefe myferies goe mafk'd in glittering fhowes. 
 Which wifemen fee, the vulgar little knowes. 
 
 Thus as thefe paffions doe him ouer-whelme, 
 He drawes him neere my bodie to behold it : 
 And as the Vine maried vnto the Elme 
 With ftridl imbraces, fo doth he infold it ; 
 And as he in hys carefull armes doth hold it. 
 Viewing the face that euen death commends. 
 On fenceleffe lips, millions of kyffes fpends. 
 
 Pittifull mouth (quoth he) that lining gaueft 
 The fweeteft comfort that my foule could wifh : 
 O be it lawfull now, that dead thou haueft, 
 Thys forrowing farewell of a dying kiffe. 
 And you fayre eyes, containers of my bliffe, 
 Motiues of loue, borne to be matched neuer : 
 Entomb'd in your fweet circles fleepe for euer. 
 
 Ah 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Ah how me thinks I fee death dallying feekes, 
 lo cntertaine it felfe in loues fweet place : 
 Decayed Rofes of difcoloured cheekes, 
 T^oe yet retaine deere notes of former grace : 
 \nd ougly death fits faire within her face ; 
 Sweet remnants refting of vermilion red, 
 That death it felfe, doubts whether flie be dead. 
 
 Wonder of beautie, oh receiue thefe plaints, 
 The obfequies, the laft that I fhall make thee : 
 For loe my foule that now already faints, 
 (That lou'd thee lyuing, dead will not forfake thee,) 
 1 laftens her fpeedy courfe to ouer-take thee. 
 He meete my death, and free my felfe thereby, 
 For ah what can he doe that cannot die ? 
 
 Yet ere I die, thus much my foule doth vow, 
 Reuenge fiiall fweeten death with eafe of mincic : 
 And I will caufe pofterity fhall know, 
 How faire thou wert aboue all women kind. 
 And after ages monuments fhall find. 
 
 Shewing thy beauties title not thy name, 
 Rofe of the world that fweetned fo the fame. 
 
 M. 3. This 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 This faid, though more defirous yet to fay, 
 (For forrow is vnwilling to giue ouer) 
 He doth repreffe what griefe would els bewray, 
 Lead that too much his paffions might difcouer : 
 And yet refpedl fcarce bridles fuch a Louer. 
 
 So farre tranfported that he knowes not whether. 
 For loue and Maieftie dwell ill together. 
 
 Then were my funerals not long deferred, 
 But doone with all the rites pompe could deuife : 
 At God/low, where my body was interred. 
 And richly tomb'd in honorable wife. 
 Where yet as now fcarce any note defcries 
 
 Vnto thefe times, the memory of me. 
 
 Marble and Braffe fo little lafting be. 
 
 For thofe walles which the credulous deuout. 
 And apt-beleeuing ignorant did found : 
 With willing zeale that neuer call'd in doubt, 
 That time theyr works fhould euer fo confound, 
 Lye like confufed heapes as vnder-ground. 
 
 And what their ignorance efteem'd fo holy, 
 
 The wifer ages doe account as folly. 
 
 And 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 And were it not thy fauourable lynes, 
 Reedified the wracke of my decayes : 
 And that thy accents willingly affignes, 
 Some farther date, and giue me longer daies, 
 Fewe in this age had knowne my beauties praife. 
 
 But thus renewd by fame, redeemes fome time, 
 
 Till other ages fhall negledl thy rime, 
 
 Then when confufion in her courfe fhall bring. 
 
 Sad defolation on the times to come : 
 
 When myrth-leffe Thames (hall haue no Swan to fing, 
 
 All Mufique filent, and the Mufes dombe. 
 
 And yet euen then it muft be known to fome. 
 That once they florifht, though not cheriflit fo, 
 And Thames had Swannes as well as euer Po. 
 
 But heere an end, I may no longer flay thee, 
 I muft returne t' attend at Stigimi flood : 
 Yet ere I goe, thys one word more I pray thee. 
 Tell Delia now her figh may doe me good. 
 And will her note the frailtie of our blood. 
 And if I paffe vnto thofe happy banks, 
 Then fhe muft haue her praife, thy pen her thanks. 
 
 So 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 So vanifht fhee, and left me to returne, 
 
 To profecute the tenor of my woes : 
 
 Eternall matter for my Mufeto mourne, 
 
 But ah the worlde hath heard too much of thofc, 
 
 My youth fuch errors muft no more difclofe. 
 
 He hide the reft, and greeue for what hath beenc, 
 Who made me knowne, muft make me Hue vnfeene. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
M^.it. 
 

 
 AN I EL, 
 
■^ 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 This is as exact a facsimile as can be furnished in type of the 
 earliest known edition of Samuel Daniel's " Delia'*, and it has 
 been made from what we believe to be an unique copy of that 
 impression. 
 
 Even the misprints and mispunctuations have been preserved, 
 in order that our readers may be aware of the precise state in 
 which the first thoughts of one of our most distinguished old 
 Poets were originally presented to the lovers of poetry, near the 
 close of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Some of the errors of the 
 press are noted at the back of the author's title-page, but others 
 are left uncorrected ; and a remarkable instance will be seen in 
 the last stanza of the last page, where "vanquisht" has been 
 printed for vanisld — a gross blunder preserved, however, in what 
 we take to be the second impression of the same poem in 1592. 
 This peculiarity belongs to the later portion of our volume, " The 
 Complaint of Rosamond"; but it seems certain that there was a 
 still older edition of that poem (an imitation of the legends in 
 "The Mirror for Magistrates") which is deficient of many stanzas, 
 and was evidently the author's first draught. Of this curiosity 
 we hope hereafter to procure a transcript, and in that case we 
 shall certainly reprint it in the form it bears. 
 
 The work in the reader's hands consists of two parts, and we 
 apprehend that they were separately published by Daniel : the 
 " Delia", we think, came out by itself in 1592, and, as will be 
 seen, continues as far as sign. H 2 : here it originally terminated ; 
 but as "The Complaint of Rosamond" was then known and 
 
11 
 
 popular, it was appended for the sake of greater attraction, and, 
 since the printer's signatures for that portion begin with B b, 
 something must have preceded it. What that something was can 
 only be matter of speculation — most probably not the "Delia", 
 as in the copy we have used, and to which the enlarged " Com- 
 plaint of Rosamond" was appended. In the last stanza of " The 
 Complaint of Rosamond" the poet evidently refers to youthful 
 productions, already published to "the world", and these may 
 possibly have originally preceded his " Complaint of Rosamond". 
 Daniel began writing in 1585, and it is not at all unlikely that, 
 in the interval between that date and 1592, he had put in type 
 some firstling specimens of his poetical powers : we know that 
 not a few of his sonnets, etc., were surreptitiously published in 
 1591 by "a greedy printer", of whom our author complains in 
 the dedication to his " Delia". This " greedy printer " was 
 Thomas Newman, who made free with no fewer than twenty- 
 eight separate productions by Daniel, besides others by the 
 Earl of Oxford, and some anonymous contemporaries. See Bibl. 
 and Grit. Account, 1865, i, 37. 
 
 We add, for the purpose of recognition, the first lines of four 
 sonnets which are given by Newman to Daniel, and which we 
 do not recollect to have met with elsewhere. 
 
 " The onely bird alone that Nature frames" &c. 
 
 " The slie Inchanter, when to worke his will" &c. 
 
 " The tablet of my heauie fortunes heere" &c. 
 
 "Way but the cause, & giue me leaue to plaine me" &c. 
 
 These and others may, prior to 1592, have preceded an edition 
 of "The Complaint of Kosamond", such as we see it before the 
 author enlarged it by the many excellent stanzas found in our 
 reprint. 
 
 J. P. C. 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 Gentle Reader, I pray thee corre6l thofe faultes 
 efcaped In the printing, finding them as they 
 are noted heere following. 
 
 Sonnet 5. mod vnkindeft, reade fweete vnkindefb 
 
 Sonnet 14. Yer lead, read Yet leaft 
 
 Sonnet 20. defires, read defiers 
 
 Sonnet 36. yee, read yce 
 
 Sonnet 41. her brow, read her troubled brow 
 
 Sonnet 44. tunres, reade turnes. 
 
TO THE RIGHT HO- 
 
 nourable the Ladie Mary, 
 Counteffe of Pembroke. 
 
 IgJit honorable^ although I rather de- 
 fired to keep in the private pajjioris 
 of my youth, from the multitude, as 
 thifigs vtterd to my felfe, and con- 
 fecrated to filence : yet feeing I was betraide by the 
 indifcretion of a greedie Pri7iter, and had fome 
 of my fecrets bewraide to the world, vncorrefled : 
 doubting the like of the refl, I dm forced to publijh i 
 that which I neuer mejit. But this wrong was\ 
 not onely doone to mee, but to him whofe vnmatch- 
 able lines hatie indured the like misforttine ; Igjior- 
 aiice fparing 7iot to commit facri ledge vpon fo Iwly 
 Rcliques. Yet Aflrophel,y^7>/^ with the zviyigs of 
 his own fame, a higher pitch then the grofffighted 
 can difcerne. hath regiflred his owne name in the A fi- 
 nals 
 
The Epiftle. 
 
 nals of eternitie, and cannot be difgraced, howfoeuer 
 difguifed, A nd for my felfe, feeing I am thrtifl 
 07it ifito the zvorlde^ and that my vnboldned Mufe 
 is forced to appeare fo razvly in publique; I defire 
 onely to bee graced by the countefiance of yotir pro- 
 te^ion : whonie the fortime of our time hath made 
 the happie and iudiciall Patroneffe of the Mufes 
 (a glory hereditary to your houfe) to preferue them 
 from thofe hidious beajles, Obliuion and Barbarifme. 
 Wherebey you doe not onely poffeffe the honour of 
 the prefe7it, but alfo do bind poflerity to an euer 
 gratefull memorie of your verities^ wherein you 
 muft furuiue your f elf e. And if my lines heere- 
 after better laboiired^ fJiall purchafe grace in the 
 world, they muft remai7ie the mon7iments of your 
 honotirable fauour, and recorde the zealous duetie of 
 mee, who am vowed to your honour in all obferuancy 
 for ejier. 
 
 Samuel Danyell. 
 
To Delia. 
 
 Sonnet L 
 
 Vnto the boundles Ocean of thy beau tie 
 Runs this poore river, charg'd with ftreames of zealc : 
 Returning thee the tribute of my dutie, 
 Which heere my loue, my youth, my playnts reueale. 
 
 Heere I vnclafpe the booke of my charg'd foule, 
 Wliere I haue caft th accounts of all my care : 
 Heere haue I fumm'd my fighes, heere I enroule 
 Howe they were fpent for thee ; Looke what they are. 
 
 Looke on the deere expoices of my youth, 
 And fee how iuft I reckon with thyne eyes : 
 Examine well thy beautie with my trueth. 
 And croffe my cares ere greater fummes arife. 
 
 Reade it fweet maide, though it be doone but flightly ; 
 
 who can fhewe all his loue, doth loue but lightly. 
 
 B I Goe 
 
Sonnet II 
 
 
 u./ 
 
 Goe wailing- verfe, the infants of my loue, 
 Minerua-like, brought foorth without a Mother : 
 Prefent the image of the_ cares I proue, 
 Witnes your Fathers griefe exceedes all other. 
 
 Sjgh out a flory of her cruell deedes, 
 With interrupted accents of difpayre : 
 A Monument that whofoeuer reedes, 
 May iuftly praife, and blame my loueles Faire. 
 — Say her difdaine hath dryed vp my blood, 
 And ftarued you, in fuccours ftill denying : 
 Preffe to her eyes, importune me some good ; 
 Waken her fleeping pittie with your crying. 
 
 Knock at that hard hart, beg till you haue moou'd her; 
 
 And tell th unkind, how deerely I haue lou'd her. 
 
 If 
 
Sonnet III 
 
 If fo it hap this o f-fprihg of my care, '^^z^^' 
 
 Thefe fatal]_ Antheames, fad and mornefuU Songcs : 
 Come to their vie^v^ who like afflidled are ; 
 Let them yet figh their owne, and mone my wrongs. 
 
 But vntouch'd harts, with vnaffected eye, 
 Approch not to behold fo great distreffe : 
 Cl eer-fighte d you, foone note what is awry, 
 \\'hilft blinded ones mine errours neuer geffe. 
 
 You blinded foules whom youth and errours lead, 
 A'ou outcafl Eglets, dazled with your funne : 
 Ah you, and none but you my forrowes read, 
 You beft can iudge the wrongs that fhe hath dunne. ) 
 \ That fhe hath doone, the motiue of my paine ; 
 I Who whilft I loue, doth kill m e with difdaine. 
 
 Thcfe 
 
Sonnet I III, 
 
 Thefe plaintiue verfe, the Pofts of my defire, 
 Which hafte for fuccour to her flowe regarde : 
 '^ Beare not report of any flender fire, 
 
 Forging a griefe to winne a fames rewarde. 
 
 Nor are my paffions limnd for outward hewe, 
 For that no collours can depaynt my forrowes : 
 Delia her felfe, and all the world may viewe 
 Beft in my face, how cares hath til'd deepe forrowes. 
 ' No Bayes I feeke to deck my mourning brow, 
 
 O cleer-eyde Recftor of the holie.Hill : 
 '-p^' 1 My humble accents craue the Olyue bow, 
 1 Of her milde pittie and relenting will. 
 
 Thefe lines I vfe, t'unburthen mine owne hart ; 
 My loue affects no fame, nor fleemes of art. 
 
 Whilft 
 
 i^riSI 
 
 
 
Sonnet V, 
 
 Whilft youth and error led my wandring minde, 
 And fet my thoughts in heedeles waies to range : 
 All vnawares a Goddeffe chafte I finde, 
 Diana-like, to worke my fuddaine change. 
 
 For her no fooner had my view bewrayd, 
 But with difdaine to fee me in that place : 
 With faireft hand the mofl vnkindeft maide, 
 Caftes water-cold difdaine vpon my face. 
 
 Which turn'd my fport into a Harts difpaire, 
 Which flill is chac'd, whilft I haue any breath, 
 By mine owne thoughts : fet on me by my faire, 
 My thoughts like houndes, purfue me to my death. 
 
 Thofe that I foftred of mine owne accord, 1 o^/^^ 
 
 Are made by her to niurther thus their Lord. I 
 
 B 3 Fayre 
 
Sonnet VI 
 
 Faire is my loue, and cruell as fh'is faire ; 
 Her brow (hadesirownes, although her eyes are funny; 
 Her Smiles are li^ghtlUIig, though her pride dispaire ; 
 And her difdaines are gall ; her fauours hunny. 
 
 A modeft maide, deckt with a blufh of honour, 
 Whofefeetedoetreadegreenepathesof youth and loue, 
 The wonder of all eyes that looke vppon her : 
 Sacred on earth, defign'd a Saint aboue. 
 
 Chaftitie and Beautie, which were deadly foes. 
 Line reconciled friends within her brow : 
 And had fhe pittie to conioine with thofe. 
 Then who had heard the plaints I vtter now. 
 
 O had fhe not beene fadre, and thus vnkinde, 
 
 My Mufe had flept, and none had knowne my minde. 
 
 O 
 
Sonnet VII. 
 
 O had (he not beene faire and thus vnkinde, 
 Then^had no finger pointed at my lightnes : 
 The world had neuer knowne what I doe finde, 
 And Clowdes obfcure had fhaded ftill her brightnes. 
 
 Then had no Cenfors eye thefe lines suriiaide, 
 Nor grauer browes haue iudg'd my Muse fo vaine;^^ 
 No funne my blufh and errour had bewraide, 
 Nor yet the world had heard of fuch difdaine. 
 
 Then had I walkt with bold ereded face, 
 No down-caft looke had fignified my mis : 
 But my degraded hopes, with fuch difgrace 
 Did force me grone out griefes, and vtter this. 
 / For being full, fhould not I then haue fpoken : 
 
 My sence oppref 'd, had fail'd ; and hart had broken. 
 
 Thou 
 
Sonnet VIII 
 
 Thou poore hart facrifiz'd vnto the faireft, 
 Haft fent the incens of thy fighes to heauen : 
 And ftill againft her frownes frefh vowes repayreft, 
 And made thy paffions with her beautie euen. 
 
 And you mine eyes the agents of my hart, 
 Told the dumbe meffage of my hidden griefe : 
 And oft with carefull turnes, with filent art, 
 Did treate the cruell Fayre to yeelde reliefe. 
 
 And you my verfe, the Aduocates of loue, 
 Haue followed hard the proceffe of my cafe : 
 And vrg'd that title which dooth plainely proue, 
 My faith fhould win, if iuftice might haue place. 
 
 Yet though I fee, that nought we doe can moue her, 
 (^ Tis not difdaine muft make me leaue to loue her. ) 
 
 It 
 
Sonnet IX 
 
 If this be loue, to dravve a weary breath, 
 Painte on flowdes, till the (hore, crye to th'ayre : , 
 With downward lookes, ftill reading on the earth ; 
 The fad memorials of my loues defpaire. 
 
 If thi s be loue, to warre againfl my foule, -^ 
 Lye downe to waile, rife vp to figh and grieue me : 
 The neiie rrrefting ftone of care to roule, / 
 Still to complaine my greifes, and none releiue me. 
 
 If this be loue, to cloathme with darke thoughts, 
 Haunting vntroden pathes to waile apart ; 
 My pleafures horror, Mufique tragicke notes, 
 Teares in my eyes, and forrowe at my hart. 
 
 If this be loue, to Hue a lining death ; ( 
 
 O then loue I, and drawe this weary breath. 
 
 O 
 
Sonnet X. 
 
 O then I loue, and drawe t his weary breat h. 
 For her the cruell faire, within whofe brow 
 I written finde the fentence of my death, 
 In vnkinde letters ; wrought (he cares not how. 
 
 O thou that rul'ft the confines of the night, 
 Laughter-louing Gods, worldly pleafures Queene, 
 Intenerat that hart that fets fo light. 
 The trueft loue that euer yet was feene. 
 
 And caufe her leaue to triumph in this wife, 
 Vppon the proftrate fpoyle of that poore harte : 
 That femes a trophey to her conquering eyes. 
 And muft their glorie to the world imparte. 
 
 Once let her know,fh'hath done enough to proue me; 
 
 And le t her pittie if fhe cannot loue m e, 
 
 Teares 
 
Sonnet XL 
 
 Teares, vowes, and prayers win the hardc fl: hart : 
 Teares, vowes, and prayers haue I fpent in vaine ; 
 Teares, cannot foften flint , nor vowes conuart, 
 Prayers preuaile not with a quaint difdaine. 
 
 I Jofcjnyjeares, where I haue loft my loue, ^^ 
 I vowe my faith, where it is not regarded ; 
 I pray in vaine, a merciles to moue : 
 So rare a faith ought better be rewarded. 
 
 Yet though I cannot win her will with teares, 
 Though my foules Idoll fcorneth all my vowes ; 
 Though all my prayers be to fo deafe eares : 
 No fauour though the c ruel 1 fair e allowes. CyiuiJ^cf<j/r. 
 
 Yet will I weepe, vowe, pray^to cruell Shee p) 
 
 Flint, Froft, Difdaine, weares, melts, and yeeldswefee. 
 
 C 2 My 
 
 
 r\z 
 
Sonnet XI I. 
 
 My fpotles loue hoouers with white wings : 
 About the temple of the proudeft frame : 
 Where blaze thofe lights fayreft of earthly things, 
 Which cleere our clouded world with brightest flame. 
 
 M ambitious thoughts confined in her face, 
 Affedl no honour, but what she can giue mee : 
 My hopes doe refl in limits of her grace, 
 I weygh no comfort vnleffe fhe releeue mee. ' ' ' '^ 
 
 For flie that can my hart imparadize, 
 Holdes in her faireft hand what deerest is : 
 My fortunes wheele, the circle of her eyes, 
 Whofe rowling grace deigne once a turne of blis. 
 
 All my Hues fweete confifls in her alone, 
 
 So much I loue the moft vnlouing one. 
 
 Behold 
 
 'ic 
 
 w. 
 
 it' 
 
 'IWSL 
 
 
Sonnet XIII. 
 
 Behold what happe Pigmaleon had to frame, 
 And carue his proper griefe vpon a ftone : / 
 My heauie fortune is much like the fame, 
 I worke on Flin t, and that's the caufe I mone. 
 
 For haples loe euen with mine owne defires, 
 I figured on the table of my harte : 
 The fayreft forme, the worldes eye admires, 
 And fo did perifh by my proper arte. ^^ — - 
 
 And ftill I toile, to chaunge the marble breft 
 Of her, whofe fweeteft grace I doe adore : \ 
 
 ^'ct cannot finde her breathe vnto my reft, 
 Hard is her hart and woe is me therefore. 
 
 O happie he that ioy'd his ftone and arte, 
 
 Vnhappy I to loue a stony harte. 
 
 C 3 Thofe 
 
/ 
 
 Sonnet XIIII. 
 
 Thofe amber locks, are thofe fame nets my deere, 
 Wherewith my libertie thou didft furprize : 
 Loue was the flame, that fired me fo neere. 
 The darte tranfpearfing, were thofe Chriftall eyes. 
 
 Strong is the net, and feruent is the flame ; 
 Deepe is the wounde, my fighes do well report : 
 
 tYet doe I loue, adore, and praife the fame, 
 That holdes, that burnes, that wounds me in this sort. 
 . And lift not feeke to breake, to quench, to heale, 
 ( The bonde, the flame, the wound that feftreth so ; 
 By knife, by lyquor, or by falue to deale : 
 So much I pleafe to perifh in my wo. 
 
 Yer leaft long trauailes be aboue my ftrength. 
 Good Delia lose, quench, heal e me now at length. 
 
 \ 
 
 If 
 
 
Sonnet XV. 
 
 i 
 
 If that ajoyall hart and faith vnfained, 
 If a fweete languifli with a chaft_defire :C^ " /^^ 
 
 If hungex-CLani£ji thoughts fo long retayned, 
 Fed but with fmoake, and cheriflit but with fire. 
 
 And if a brow with cares characterss painted, 
 Bewraies my loue, with broken words halfe fpoken ; 
 To her that fits in my thoughts Temple fainted, 
 And layes to view my Vultur-gnawne hart open. 
 
 If I haue doone due homage to her eyes, 
 And had my fighes fl:yll tending on her name : 
 If on her loue my life and honour lyes ; 
 And file th Vnkindefi; maide ftill fcornes the same. 
 
 Let this fuffice, the world yet may fee ; 
 
 The fault is hers, though mine the hurj; mufl: bee. 
 
 Happie 
 
.4^ ^Oc^^U^^ 
 
 Sonnet XVI. 
 
 ""^ Happie in fleepe, waking content to languifh, 
 
 Imbracing cloudes by night, in day time morne : 
 ^ All things I loath saue her and mine owne anguifli, 
 — Pleafd in my hurt, inur'd to Hue forlorne. 
 
 Nought doe I craue, but loue, death, or my Lady, 
 Hoarce with crying mercy, mercy yet my merit ; 
 So many vowes and prayers euer made I, 
 That now at length t'yeelde, meere pittie were it. 
 But ftill the Hydra of my cares renuing, 
 / Reuiues new forrowes of her frefh difdayning ; 
 Still muft I goe the Summer windes purfuing : 
 Finding no ende nor Period of my payning. 
 ! Waile all my life, my griefes do touch fo neerely. 
 
 — '- And this I Hue, becaufe I loue her deerely. 
 
 Since 
 
Sonnet XVII 
 
 Since the firfl looke that led me to this error, 
 To this thoughts-maze, to my confufion tending : 
 Still haue I liu'd in griefe, in hope, in terror, 
 The circle of my forrowes neuer ending. 
 
 Yet cannot leaue her loue that holdes me hatefull, i/ 
 Her eyes exact it, though her hart difdaines mee : 
 See what reward he hath that femes th Vngratefull, 
 So true and loyall loue no fauours gaines mee. 
 
 Still JUjifl: I whet my younge defires abated, ^y^ ^ 
 Vppon the Flint of fuch a hart rebelling ; - 
 And all in vaine, her pride is fo ijinated, 
 She yeeldes no place at all for pitties dwelling. 
 
 Oft haue I tolde her that my foule did loue her, 
 
 And that with teares, yet all this will not moue her. 
 
 D. Reftore 
 
Sonnet XVIII. 
 
 Reftore thy treffes to the golden Ore, 
 Yeelde Cithereas fonne thofe Arkes of loue ; 
 Bequeath the heauens the ftarres that I adore, 
 And to th'Orient do thy Pearles remoue. 
 
 Yeelde thy hands pride vnto th'yuory whight, 
 T' Arabian odors giue thy breathing fweete : 
 Reftore thy blufh vnto Aurora bright, 
 To Thetis giue the honour of thy feete. 
 
 Let Venus haue thy graces, her refigned. 
 And thy fweete voyce giue backe vnto the Spheares : 
 But yet reftore thy fearce and cruell minde, 
 To Hyrca7t Tygers, and to ruthles Beares. 
 
 Yeelde to the Marble thy hard h^rt againe ; 
 
 So ftialt thou ceafe to plague, and I to paine. 
 
 If 
 
 
Sonnet XIX. 
 
 If Beautie thus be clouded with a frowne, 
 That pittie fliines no comfort to my blis : 
 And vapors of difdaine fo ouergrowne, 
 That my Hues light thus wholy darkned is. 
 
 Why fliould I more moleft the world with cryes ? 
 The ayre with fighes, the earth belowe W' ith teares ? 
 Since I Hue hatefull to thofe ruthleffe eyes, 
 X'cxing with vntun'd moane, her daintie eares. 
 
 If I haue lou'd her deerer then my breath, 
 My breath that calls the heauens to witnes it : 
 And ftill muft holde her deere till after d_eath. j 
 And if that all this cannot moue a whit ; 
 
 Yet let her fay that (he hath doone me wrong, 
 
 To vse me thus and knowe I lou'd fo long. 
 
 D 2 Come 
 
Sonnet XX. 
 
 A 
 
 J 
 
 Come death the Anchor-holde of all my thoughtes, 
 My laft Refort whereto my foule appealeth ; 
 For all too long on earth my fancy dotes, 
 Whilft my beft blood my younge defires fealeth. 
 
 That hart is now the profpeftiue of Jiorror, 
 That honored hath the cruelft faire that lyueth : 
 The cruelft faire, that fees I languifh for her, 
 Yet neuer mercy to my merit giueth. 
 This is her Lawrell and her triumphes prize. 
 To tread me downe with foote of her difgrace : 
 Whilft I did buiWe my fortune in her eyes, 
 And laide my Hues reft on fo faire a face ; 
 
 That reft I loft, my loue, my life and all, 
 
 So hig h atten ipts to lowe difgraces fall. 
 
 Thefe 
 
Sonnet XXI. 
 
 « 
 
 Thefe forrowing fighes, the fm^okes of mine annoy ; 
 Thefe teares, which heate of facred flame diftils ; 
 Are thefe due tributes that my faith dooth pay 
 Vnto the tyraht ; whofe vnkindnes kils. 
 
 I facrifize my YPuth . and blooming yeares, 
 At her proud feete, and flie refpects not it : 
 My flowre vntimely's withred with my teares, 
 And winter woes, for fpring of youth vnfit. 
 
 She thinkes a looke may reCompence my care. 
 And fo with lookes prolongs my long-lookt eafe : 
 As fhort that bliffe, fo is the comfort rare. 
 Yet muft that bliffe my hungry thoughts appeafe. 
 
 Thus fhe returnes my hopes fo fruitleffe euer. 
 
 Once let her loue indeede, or eye me neuer. 
 
 D 3 Falfe 
 
Sonnet XXII. 
 
 Falfe hope prolongs my euer certaine griefe ; 
 Traytrous to me and faithfull to my loue : 
 A thoufand times it promif d me reliefer 
 Yet neuer any true effedl I proue. 
 
 Oft when I finde in her no trueth at all, 
 I Jpanifh her, and blame her^trecher^ : 
 Yet foone againe I muft her backe recall, 
 As one that dyes without her company. 
 
 Thus often as I chafe my hope from mee. 
 Straight way fhe haftes her vnto Delias eyes : 
 ' Fed with fome pleafmg looke there fhall fhe bee, 
 lAnd fo fent backe and thus my fortune lyes. 
 
 Lookes feede my Hope, Hope fofters me in vaine ; 
 
 Hope s are vnfure, when certaine is my paine. 
 
 Looke 
 
Sonnet XXIII. 
 
 Lookc in my griefes, and blame me not to morne, 
 From care to care that leades a life fo bad ; 
 Th'Orphan of fortune, borne to be her fcorne, 
 Whofe clouded brow dooth make my daies fo fad. 
 
 Long are their nights whofe cares doe neuer fleeepe 
 Loathfome their daies, whome no funne euer ioyde : 
 Her faireft eyes doe penetrate fo deepe, 
 That thus I Hue booth day and night annoyde. 
 
 But fmce the fweeteft rjoote doth yeeld thus much, | 
 Her praife from my complaint I may not part : 
 I loue th'effed: for that the caufe is fuch. 
 He praife her face, and blame her flintie hart. 
 
 Whilft that weejnake-the-workLadmij:e_at_vs, / 
 
 Her f or difdai ne, and m e for louinglhus. 
 
 Oft 
 
Sonnet XXIIII. 
 
 Oft and in vaine my rebel thoughts haue venterd, 
 To flop the paffage of my vanquifht hart : 
 And fhut thofe waies my friendly foe firft entred, 
 Hoping thereby to free my better part. 
 
 And whilfl I garde thefe windowes of thisjbrte, 
 Where my harts theefe to vexe me made her choice : 
 And thether all my forces doe tranfporte, 
 An other paffage opens at her voice. 
 
 Her voyce betraies me to her hand and eye : 
 My freedomesjyrants conquering all by arte : 
 But ah, what glorie can fhe get thereby, 
 With three fuch powers to plague one filly harte. 
 
 Yet my foules foueraigne, fince I muft refigne ; 
 ( Reigne in my thoughts, my Ipue and life are thine. 
 
 Reigne 
 
Sonnet XXV. 
 
 Raigncin my thoughts fairchand,fwcctceye,rarevoycc, 
 Poffcffc me whole, my harts triumuirat : 
 \^et heauie hart to make fo hard a choife, 
 Of fuch as fpoile thy poore afflided ftatc, 
 
 For whilft they ftriue which (hall be Lord of all, 
 All my poore life by them is troden downe : 
 I They all erect their Trophies o n my fall . 
 And yeelde me nought that giues them their renowne. 
 
 When backe I looke, Lfigihe my freedprne paft, 
 And waile the ftate wherein I prefent ftande : 
 I fee my fortune euer like to laft, 
 Finding me rain'd with fuch a heauie hande ; 
 
 What can I doo but yceld, and yeeld I doo, . 
 
 And ferue all three, and yet they fppilc inc top. I 
 
 E. Whilft 
 
Sonnet XXVI 
 
 Whilft by her eyes purfu'd, my poore hart flew it, 
 Into the facred bofome of my deereft : 
 She there in that fweete fandluary flew it, 
 Where it prefum'd his fafetie to be neerefl;. 
 
 My priuiledge of faith could not protedl it, 
 That was with blood and three yeeres witnes figned : 
 ( In all which time flie neuer could fufped: it, 
 For well fhe fawe my loue, and how I pined. 
 
 And yet no comfort would^her brow reueale mee. 
 No lightning looke, which falling hopes eredleth : 
 What bootes to lawes of fuccour to appeale mee ? 
 L adies and tyrants, neuer lawes refpecfteth. 
 r Then there I dye, where hop'd I to haue liuen ; 
 • And by that hand, which better might haue giuen. 
 
 The 
 
Sonnet XXVII. 
 
 Th e ftarre of my mifhappe impos'd this payning, 
 To fpcnd the Aprill of my yeers in wayling, 
 That neuer found my fortune but in wayning, 
 With flill frefh cares my prefent woes affayling. 
 
 YeLhgLlblanie not, though fhe might haue bleft mee, / 
 But my defires wings fo high afpiring : ( v 
 
 Now melted with the funne that hath poffeft mee, / 
 Downe doe I fall from off my high defiring ; 
 
 And in my fall doe cry for mercy fpeedy, 
 No pittying eye lookes back vppon my mourning : / 
 No helpe I finde when now moft fauour neede I, 
 Th'Ocean of my teares mufl drowne me burning, 
 
 And this my death (hall chriften her anew, \ 
 
 And giue the cruell Faire her tytle dew. ' 
 
 E 2 Ray- 
 
Sonnet XXVIII. 
 
 Rayfing my hopes on hills of high defire, 
 Thinking to fkale the heauen of her hart : 
 My flender meanes prefum'd too high a part ; 
 Her thunder of difdaine forfl me retire ; 
 
 And threw mee downe tojpainejn all this fire, 
 Where loe I languifh in fo heauie fmart. 
 Becaufe th'attempt was farre aboue my ar te : 
 Her pride brook'd not poore foules fhold comefo nyeher. 
 
 Yet I proteft my high afpyring will, 
 Was not to difpoffeffe her of her right : 
 Her{Xoueraignty (liould haue remayne d fti ll, 
 I onely fought the bliffe to haue her iigbt. 
 
 Her figkt contented thus to fee me fpill, 
 Fram'd my defires fit for her eyes to kill. 
 
 O 
 
 
Sonnet XXIX 
 
 why dooth Delia credite fo her glaffe, 
 Gazing her beautie deign'd her by the fkyes : 
 And dooth not rather looke on him (alas) 
 
 Whofe ftate beft fhewes the force of murthering eyes. 
 
 The broken toppes of loftie trees declare, 
 The fury of a mercy wanting florme : 
 And of what force your wounding graces are, 
 Vppon my felfe you beft may finde the forme. 
 
 Then leaue your glaffe, and gaze your felfe on mee, 
 That Mirrour fhewes what powre is in your face : 
 To viewe your forme too much, may daunger bee, 
 Narcijfus chaung d t'a flowre in fuch a cafe. 
 
 And you are chaung'd, but not t'a Hiacint ; 
 
 1 feare your eye hath turn'd your hart to flint. ^Ul.>.jc 
 
 E3 I 
 
Sonnet XXX. 
 
 I once may fee when yeeres (hall wrecke my wronge, 
 When golden haires fhall chaunge to filuer wyer : 
 And thofe bright rayes, that kindle_all this fyer 
 Shall faile in force, their working not fo ftronge. 
 
 Then beautie, now the burthen of my fong, 
 Whofe glorious blaz^ the world dooth fo admire ; 
 Muft yeelde vp all to tyrant Times defire : 
 Then fade thofe flowres which deckt her pride fo long. 
 
 When if (he grieue to gaze her in her glas, 
 Which then prefents her winter-withered hew ; 
 Goe you my verfe,, goe„telJ_her what fhe was ; 
 For what fhe was fhe beft (hall finde in you . 
 
 Your (irie heate lets not her glorie paffe, 
 I But Phenix-like fhall make her Hue anew. 
 
 Looke 
 
Sonnet XXXI. 
 
 Looke Delia how wee fteeme the half-blowne Rofe, 
 The image of thy blufh and Summers honor : 
 Whilft in her tender greene (he doth inclofe 
 That pure fweete beautie, Time beflowes vppon her. 
 
 No fooner fpreades her glorie in the ayre, 
 But ftraight her ful-blowne pride is in declyning ; 
 She then is fcorn'd that late adorn'd the fayre : 
 So clowdes thy beautie, after fayreft fhining. 
 
 No Aprill can reuiue thy withred flowers, . 
 
 Whofe blooming grace adornes thy glorie now : ' 
 Swift fpeedy Time, feathred with flying howers, 
 Diffolues the beautie of the faireft brow. 
 
 O let not then fuch riches wafle in vaine ; 
 
 But loue whilft that thou maift be lou'd againe. 
 
 But 
 
Sonnet XXXII 
 
 But loue whilfl that thou maift be lou'd againe, 
 ^^^ Now whilfl thy May hath filFd thy lappe with flowers ; 
 Now whilfl thy beautie beares without a flaine ; 
 Now vfe thy Su mmer fmile s ere winter lowres. 
 
 And whilfl thou fpread'fl vnto the ryfing funne, 
 The fairefl flowre that euer faw the Hght : 
 Now joye thy time before thy fweete be dunne, 
 — -And Delia, thinke thy morning mufl haue night. 
 And that thy brightnes fets at length to wefl : 
 When thou wiltxLofe vp that which now thou fhowefl : 
 j And thinke the fame becomes thy fading beft, 
 ' Which then fhall hide it moft, and couer loweft. 
 ^ — Men doe not weigh the ftalke for what it was, 
 When once they finde her flowre, her glorj^^pafle. 
 
 When 
 
Sonnet XXXIII. 
 
 When men fliall findc thy flowre, thy glory paffc, 
 f And thou with carefull brow fitting alone : 
 Receiued haft this meffage from thy glaffe, 
 That tells thee trueth, and faies that all is gone. 
 
 Frefh (halt thou fee in mee the woundes thou madeft, 
 Though fpent thy flame, in mee the heate remayning : 
 I that haue lou'd thee thus before thou fadeft, 
 My faith (hall waxe,. when thou art in thy wayning. ^ 
 
 The world fhall finde this miracle in mee, 
 That fi re_can jDurne, whe n all the^ matter's fpent : ^ 
 Then what my faith hath beene thy felfe fli alt fee . 
 And that thou waft vnkinde thou maieft repent. 
 
 Thou maift repent, that thou haft fcorn'd my teares, 
 
 When Whiter fnowes vppon thy golden heares. 
 
 F I When 
 
Sonnet XXXIIII. 
 
 When Winter fnowes vpon thy golden heares, 
 And froft of age hath nipt thy flowers neere : 
 When darke fliall feeme thy day that neuer cleares, 
 And all lyes withred that was held fo deere. 
 
 Then take this picture which I heere prefent thee, 
 Limned with a Penfill not all vnworthy : 
 Heere fee the giftes that God and nature lent thee ; 
 Heere reade thy felfe , and what I fuffred for thee, 
 - This may remaine thy lafting monument, 
 Which happily pofteritie may cherifh : 
 Thefe collours with thy fading are not fpent ; 
 Thefe may remaine, when thou and I fliall perijh. 
 I If they remaine, then thou fhalt Hue thereby ; 
 * They will remaine, and fo thou canft not dye. 
 
 Thou 
 
Sonnet XXXV. 
 
 Thou canft not dye whilft any zeale abounde / 
 I II feeding iiarts, that can concciue thcfc liaes : ) 
 Though thou a Laura haft no Petrarch founde, 
 In bafe attire, yet cleerely Beautie fhines. 
 
 And I, though borne in a colder clime, 
 Doe feele mine inward heate as great, I knowe it : 
 He neuer had more faith, although more rime, 
 I loue as well, though he could better (hew it. 
 
 But I may ad one feather to thy fame. 
 To helpe her flight throughout the faireft He : 
 And if my penne could more enlarge thy name. 
 Then fhouldft thou Hue in an immortall ftile. 
 
 But though that Laura better limned bee. 
 
 Suffice, thou fhalt be lou'd as well as fhee. 
 
 ^ F2 
 
 O 
 
Sonnet XXXVI. 
 
 O be not grieu'd that thefe my papers fhould, 
 Bewray vnto the world howe faire thou art : 
 Or that my wits haue fhew'd the beft they could, 
 The ch aflefl flame that euer warmed hart. 
 
 Thinke not fweete Delia, this fliall be thy fliame, 
 1 MyMufefliould found thy praife with mournefull warble: 
 How many Hues the glory of whofe name, , 
 Shall reft in yee, when thine is grau'd in.MarMe. 
 
 Thou maift in after ages Hue efteem'd, 
 Vnhurif^d in thefe lines referu'd in purenes ; 
 Thefe fhall intomb^ thofe eyes, that haue redeem'd 
 Mee from the vulgar, thee from all obfcurenes. 
 
 Although my carefull accenl^ neuer mou'd thee ; 
 
 Yet count it no difgrace that I haue lou'd thee. 
 
 Delia 
 
Sonnet XXVII. 
 
 Delia thefe eyes that fo admireth thine, 
 Haue feene thofe walles the which ambition reared, 
 To checke the world, how they intombd haue lyen 
 within themfelues; and on them ploughes haue eared. 
 
 Yet for all that no barbarous hand attaynde, 
 The fpoyle of fame deferu'd by vertuous men : 
 Whofe glorious adions luckely had gainde, 
 Th' eternall Anualls of a happie pen. 
 
 Why then though Delia fade let that not moue her. 
 Though time do fpoyle her of the faireft vaile 
 That euer yet mortallitie did couer ; 
 Which fhall inftarre the needle and the trayle. 
 
 That grace, that vertue, alt that feru'd t' in woman ; 
 
 Dooth her vnto eternitie affommon. 
 
 F 3 Faire 
 
Sonnet XXXVIII. 
 
 Faire and louely maide, looke from the fhore, 
 See thy Leander flriuing in thefe wanes : 
 Poore foule fore-fpent, whofe force can doe no more, 
 Now fend foorth hopes, for now calme p ittie faues. 
 
 And wafte him to thee with thofe louely eyes, 
 A happy conuoy to a holy lande : 
 Now fhew thy powre, and where thy vertue lyes. 
 To faue thine owne, flretch out the fayreft hand. 
 
 Stretch out the faireft hand a pledge of peace, 
 That hand that dartes fo right, and neuer miffes : 
 He not reuenge olde wrongs, my wrath fhall ceafe ; 
 For that which gave me woundes. He giue it kiffes. 
 
 Once let the Ocean of my cares finde fhore. 
 
 That thou be pleaf'd, and I may figh no more. 
 
 Reade 
 
Sonnet XXXIX. 
 
 Reade in my face, a volume of defpayres, , 
 The wayling I Hades of my tragicke wo ; j 
 
 Drawne with my bloud, and printed with my cares, 
 Wrought by her hand, that I haue honoured fo. 
 
 Who whilft I burne, (he fmges at my foules wrack, 
 Looking a 1 oft from Turret of her pride : 
 There my foules tyrant ioyes her, in the lack 
 Of her owne feate, whereof I made her guide. / 
 There doe thefe fmoakes that from afflidlion ryfe, 
 Scrue as an incenfe to a cruell Dame : 
 A Sacrifize thrice gratefull to her eyes, 
 Hecaufe their powre ferue to exad: the fame. 
 
 T hus mines f he, to fatisfie her will ; 
 
 The Temple, where her name was honored ftill. 
 
 My 
 
Sonnet XL. 
 
 My Cynthia hath the waters of mine eyes, 
 The ready handmaides on her grace attending : 
 That neuer fall to ebbe, nor euer dryes, 
 For to their flowe fhe neuer graunts an ending. 
 
 Th'Ocean neuer did attende more duely, 
 Vppon his Soueraignes courfe, the nights pale Queene : 
 Nor paide the import of his waiie^ more truely, 
 Then mine to her in truth haue euer beene. 
 
 Yet nought the xq^^ of that hard hart can moue, 
 Where beate thefe teares with zeale, and fury driueth : 
 And yet I rather languifh in her loue 
 Then I would ioy the fayreft fhe that liuetb. 
 
 I doubt to finde fuch pleafure in my gayning, 
 
 As now I tafte in compas of complayning. 
 
 Howe 
 
Sonnet XLI. 
 
 How long (hall I in mine afflidion mornc, 
 A burthen to my felfe, diftreffd in minde : 
 When (hall my interdicted hopes returne, 
 From out defpayre wherein they Hue confiin'd. 
 
 When (hall her browe charg'd with difdaine, 
 Reueale the treafure which her fmyles impart : 
 When (hall my faith the happineffe attaine, 
 To breake the ycg^that hath congeald her hart. 
 
 Vnto her felfe, her felfe my loue dooth fommon, 
 If loue in her hath any powre to moue : 
 And let her tell me as fhe is a woman, 
 Whether my faith hath not deferu'd her loue. 
 
 I knowe fhe cannot but muft needes confeffe it. 
 
 Yet deignes not with one fimple figne t expreffe it. 
 
 G. Beautie 
 
Sonnet XLII 
 
 Beautie, fweete loue, is like the morning dewe, 
 Whofe fhort refrefh vpon the tender greene, 
 Cheeres for a time but tyll the Sunne doth fhew, 
 And ftraight tis gone as it had neuer beene. 
 
 Soone doth it fade that makes the faireft florifh, 
 Short is the glory of the blufhing JSxxfe, 
 The hew which thou fo carefully doofl nourifh, 
 Yet which at length thou muft be forc'd to lofe. 
 
 When thou furcharg'd with burthen of thy yeeres, 
 Shalt bend thy wrinkles homeward to the earth : 
 When tyme hath made a pafport for thy feares, 
 Dated in age the Kalends of our death. 
 
 But ah no more, thys hath beene often tolde, 
 
 And women grieue to thinke they muft be old. 
 
Sonnet XLIIL 
 
 I muft not grieue my Louc, \vhofeeyes would recde, 
 Lines of delight, whereon her youth might smyle : 
 Fkm£r& haue a tyme before they come to feede, 
 And fhe is young and now muft fport the while. 
 
 Ah fport fweet Mayde in feafon of thefe yeeres, 
 And learne to gather flowers before they wither : 
 And where the fweeteft bloffoms firfl appeares, 
 Let loue and youth condudl thy pleafures thither. 
 
 Lighten forth fmyles to cleere the clowded ayre, 
 And calme the tempeft which my fighes doe rayfe : 
 Pittie and fmyles doe beft become the fayre, 
 Pittie and fmyles fhall yeeld thee lafting prayfe. 
 
 I hope to fay when all my griefes are gone, » 
 
 Happy the hart that figh'd for fuch a one. ' 
 
 G. 2. Drawne 
 
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Sonnet XLIIII 
 
 Drawne with th' attradliue vertue of her eyes, 
 My toucht hart tunres it to that happie coft : 
 My ioyfull North, where all my fortune lyes. 
 The leuell of my hopes defired moft. 
 
 There where my Delia fayrer then the funne, 
 Deckt with her youth whereon the world fmyleth : 
 loyes in that honour which her beautie wonne, 
 — Th'eternall volume which her fame compyleth. 
 
 Florifh faire Albion^ glory of the North, 
 Nep tunes, darling helde betweene his armes : 
 Deuided from the world as better worth, 
 Kept for himfelfe, defended from all harmes. 
 
 Still let difarmed pjeace decke her and thee ; 
 
 And Mufe-foe Mars, abroade farre foflred bee. 
 
 Care- 
 
Sonnet XLV. 
 
 Care-charmer fleepe, fonne of the Sable night, 
 Brother to death, in filent darknes borne : 
 Relieue my languifh, and reftore the light, 
 With, darke forgetting of my cares returne. 
 
 And let the day be time enough to morne. 
 The fhipwjack of my ill-aduentred youth : 
 Let waking eyes fuffice to vvayle theyr fcorne. 
 Without the torment of the nights vntruth. 
 
 Ceafe dreames, th'ymagery of_Qiir day defires. 
 To modell foorth the gaffioii^ of the morrow : 
 Neuer let ryfmg Sunne approue you lyers. 
 To adde more griefe to aggrauat my forrow. 
 j Still let me fleepe, imbracing clovvdes in vaine ; 
 
 And neuer wake, to feele the dayes difdayne. 
 
 G3 Let 
 
Sonnet XLVI. 
 
 Let others fing of Knights and Palladines, 
 I In aged accents, and \aitijmely words : 
 / Paint fhadowes in imaginary lines, 
 Which well the reach of their high wits records ; 
 
 But I muft fing of thee and thofe faire eyes, 
 Aiitentiqiig fliall my verfe in time to come, 
 When yet th'vnborne fliall fay, loe where flie lyes, 
 Whofe beautie made him fpeake that els_was domhe. 
 
 Thefe are the Arkes the Tropheis I eredl, 
 That fortifie thy name againft old age. 
 And thefe thy facred vertues muft protedl, 
 Againfl: the Darke and times confuming rage. 
 I Though th'error of my youth they fhall difcouer, 
 _ ' Suffice they fliew I liu'd and was thy louer. 
 
 CUjU^ o. 6<^ Like 
 
 / 
 
 I 
 
 
Sonnet XLVII. 
 
 Like as the Lute that ioyes or els diflikes, 
 As is his arte that playes vpon the fame : 
 So founds my Mufe according as (he ftrikes, 
 On my hart firings high tun'd vnto her fame. 
 
 Her touch doth caufe the warble of the found, / ^ 
 Which heere I yeeld in lam^ntabkjvife, ' 
 
 A wailing defkant on the fweeteft ground, 
 Whofe due reports giue honor to her eyes. 
 
 Els harfh my ftyle, vntunable my Mufe, 
 Hoarce founds the voyce that prayfeth not her name : 
 If any pleafmg realifh heere I vfe. 
 Then iudge the world her beautie giues the fame. 
 
 O happie ground that makes the mufique fuch, 
 
 And bleffed hand that giues fo fweete a tuch. 
 
 None 
 
Sonnet XLVIII. 
 
 None other fame my vnambitious Mufe, 
 Affedled euer but t'eternize thee : 
 All other honours doe my hopes refufe, 
 Which meaner priz'd and momentarie bee. 
 
 For God forbid I fhould my papers blot, 
 With mercynary lines, with feruile pen : 
 Praifmg vertues in them that haue them not, 
 Bafely attending on the hopes of men. 
 
 No no my verfe refpedls nor Thames nor Theaters, 
 Nor feekes it to be knowne vnto the Great : 
 But Auon rich in fame, though poore in waters, 
 Shall haue my fong, where Delia hath her feate. 
 
 AMnn fhall be my Thames, and (he my Song ; 
 
 { 
 
 He found her name the Ryuer all along. 
 
 Vnhappy 
 
 
Sonnet XLIX. 
 
 Unhappy pen and ill accepted papers, 
 That intimate in vaine my chafie defiers, | 
 My chafle defiers, the euer burning tapers, 
 Inkindled by her eyes celefliall fiers. 
 
 Celeftiall fiers and vnrefpeding powers. 
 That deigne not view the glory of your might, 
 In humble lines the worke of carefull howers. 
 The facrifice I offer to her fight . 
 
 But fith fhe fcornes her owne, this refts for me, 
 He mone my felfe, and hide the wrong I haue : 
 And fo content me that her frownes fhould be 
 To my' infant ft He the cradle, and the graue. 
 
 What though my lelfe no honor get thereby, 
 
 Each byrd fings t'herfelfe, and fo will I. 
 
 H. Loe 
 
 
Sonnet L. 
 
 Loe heere the impoft of my faith vnfaining, 
 That loue hath paide, and her difdaine extorted : 
 Beholde the meffage of my iuft complayning, 
 That fhewes the world how much my griefe imported. 
 
 Thefe tributary plaint_es fraught with dejlre, 
 I fende thofe eyes the cabinets of lou^ ; 
 I The Paradice whereto my hopes afpire, 
 
 From out this hell, which mine afflictions proue. 
 Wherein I thus doe Hue caft downe from myrth, 
 I Penfiue alone, none but defpayre about mee ; 
 / My ioyes abortiue, perifht at their byrth, 
 My carres long liu'de, and will not dye without mee. 
 This is my ftate, and Delias hart is fuch ; 
 I fay no more, I feare I faide too much. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
An Ode. 
 
 Nowe each creature ioyes the other, 
 
 Paffing happy dales and howers : 
 One byrd reports to another, 
 
 In the fall of filuer fhowers, 
 Whilft the earth our common mother. 
 
 Hath her bofome deckt with flowers. 
 
 Whilfl the greateft torch of heauen. 
 
 With bright rayes warmes Floras lapse : 
 
 Making nights and dayes both euen. 
 Cheering plants with freflier fappe : 
 
 My field of flowers quite be-reauen. 
 Wants refrefli of better happe. 
 
 H. 2. Eccho 
 
Ode. 
 
 Eccho daughter of the ayre, 
 
 Babbling ghefte of Rocks and Hills, 
 Knowes the name of my fearce Fayre, 
 
 And foundes the accents of my ills : 
 Each thing pitties my difpaire, 
 
 Whilft that fhe her Louer kills. 
 
 Whilft that fhe O cruell Maide, 
 
 Doth me, and my true loue difpife : 
 
 My Hues florifh is decayde 
 That depended on her eyes : 
 
 But her will muft be obaide. 
 
 And well he 'ends for loue who dies. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 OF ROSAMOND, 
 
 (V) 
 
 OVT from the horror of Infcrnall deepes, 
 My poore afflided ghoft comes here to plain it, 
 Attended with my fhame that neuer fleepes, 
 The fpot where-with my kinde and youth did ftaine it. 
 My body found a graue where to containe it. 
 A fheete could hide my face, but not my fin, 
 For Fame findes neuer tombe t'inclofe it in. 
 
 And which is worfe, my foule is now denied. 
 
 Her tranfport to the fweet Elifian reft, 
 
 The ioifull bliffe for ghofts repurified. 
 
 The euer-fpringing Gardens of the blefl : 
 
 Caron denies me waftage w^ith the reft. 
 
 And faies, my foule can neuer paffe the Riuer, 
 Till Louers fighes on earth fliall it deliuer. 
 
 So fhall I neuer paffe ; for how fhould I 
 Procure this facrifice amongft the lining ? 
 Time hath long fince worne out the memorie 
 Both of my life, and Hues vniufl: depriuing. 
 Sorrow for me is dead for aye reuiuing. 
 
 Rosamond hath little left her but her name, 
 And that difgrac'd, for time hath wrong'd the fame. 
 
 Bb 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 No Mufe fuggefts the pitty of my cafe, 
 Each pen doth ouerpaffe my iufl complaint, 
 Whilft others are preferd, though far more bafe ; 
 Shores wife is grac'd and paffes for a Saint ; 
 Her Legend iuftifies her foule attaint. 
 
 Her wel-told tale did fuch compaffion find, 
 That fhe is paffd, and I am left behind. 
 
 Which feene with griefe, my miferable ghoft, 
 (Whilome inuefted in fo faire a vaile, 
 Which whilft it liu'd, was honored of the moft, 
 And being dead giues matter to bewaile.) 
 Comes to follicite thee (fmce others faile,) 
 To take this taflke, and in thy woful fong 
 To forme my cafe, and regifter my wrong. 
 
 Although* I know thy iuft lamenting Mufe, 
 Toil'd in th affliction of thine owne diftreffe, 
 In others cares hath little time to vfe. 
 And therefore maift efteeme of mine the leffe : 
 Yet as thy hopes attend happie redreffe. 
 Thy ioies depending on a womans grace, 
 So moue thy mind a wofull womans cafe. 
 
 Delia 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Delia may hap to deigne to read our ftorie, 
 And offer vp her figh among the reft, 
 Whofe merit would fuffice for both our glorie, 
 Whereby thou might'ft be grac'd and I be bleft ; 
 That indulgence would profit me the beft. 
 
 Such power fhe hath by whom thy youth is led, 
 To ioy the lining, and to bleffe the dead. 
 
 So I (through beautie) made the wofull'ft wight, 
 By beautie might haue comfort after death : 
 That dying faireft, by the faireft might 
 Find life aboue on earth, and reft beneath. 
 She that can bleffe vs with one happie breath, 
 Giue comfort to thy Mufe to do her beft, 
 That thereby thou maift ioy, and I might reft. 
 
 Thus faid : forth-with mou'd with a tender care. 
 And pittie, (which my felfe could neuer find,) 
 What llie defir'd, my Mufe deign'd to declare. 
 And therefore, will'd her boldly tel her mind. 
 And I (more willing,) tooke this charge affignd, 
 Becaufe her griefes were worthy to be known. 
 And telling hers, might hap forget mine own : 
 
 B b 2 Then 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Then write (quoth fhe) the ruine of my youth, 
 Report the down-fall of my flippry ftate, 
 Of all my life reueale the fimple truth, 
 To teach to others what I learnt too late. 
 Exemplifie my frailty, tell how Fate 
 
 Keepes in eternall darke our fortunes hidden, 
 And ere they come, to know the tis forbidden. 
 
 For whilft the fun-fhine of my fortune lafted, 
 I ioyd the happieft warmth, the fweeteft heate 
 That euer yet imperious beauty tafted, 
 I had what glory euer flefh could get : 
 But this faire morning had a fhamefull fet. 
 Difgrace darkt honor, fm did clowd my brow, 
 As note the fequel, and He tell thee how. 
 
 The bloud I ftaind, was good and of the beft. 
 My birth had honour, and my beauty fame : 
 Nature and Fortune ioin'd to make me bleft, 
 Had I had grace t'have knowne to vfe the fame. 
 My education fhew'd from whence I came, 
 And all concurd to make me happie furft. 
 That fo great hap might make me more accurft. 
 
 Happie 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Happic liu'd I whilft parents eie did guide 
 The indifcretion of my feeble waies, 
 And Country home kept me from being eide, 
 Wher beft vnknown I fpent my fweeteft daies : 
 Til that my friends mine honor fought to raife 
 To higher place, which greater credit yeelds, 
 Deeming fuch beauty was vnfit for feelds. 
 
 From Country then to Court I was preferr'd, 
 From calme to ftormes, from fhore into the deepes : 
 There where I perifh'd, where my youth firfl err'd, 
 There where I loft the flowre which honor keepes; 
 There where the worfer thriues, the better weepes ; 
 Ah me (poore wench) on this vnhappy fhelfe, 
 I grounded me and caft awaie my felfe. 
 
 From thither com'd, when yeeres had arm'd my youth, 
 With rareft proofe of beautie euer feene : 
 When my reuiuing eie had learnt the truth, 
 That it had power to make the winter greene, 
 And flowre affections whereas none had beene ; 
 Soone could I teach my brow to tyrannize. 
 And make the world do homage to mine eies. 
 
 B b 3 For 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 For age I faw, (though yeeres with cold conceit, 
 Congeald their thoughts againft a warme defire,) 
 Yet figh their want, and looke at fuch a baite. 
 I faw how youth was waxe before the fire. 
 I faw by Health, I fram'd my looke a lyre. 
 Yet wel perceiu'd, how Fortune made me then 
 The enuie of my fexe, and wonder vnto men. 
 
 Looke how a Comet at the firft appearing, 
 Drawes all mens eies with wonder to behold it ; 
 Or as the faddeft tale at fuddaine hearing, 
 Makes filent liftning vnto him that told it. 
 So did my fpeech when Rubies did vnfold it. 
 So did the blazing of my blufh appeare, 
 T' amaze the world, that holds fuch fights fo deere. 
 
 Ah beauty Syren, faire enchaunting good. 
 Sweet filent rhetorique of perfwading eies : 
 Dombe eloquece, whofe power doth moue the bloud, 
 More then the words, or wifdome of the wife ; 
 Still harmony, whofe diapafon lies 
 
 Within a brow, the key which paffions moue, 
 To rauifh fence, and play a world in loue. 
 
 What 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 What might I then not do whofe power was fuch? 
 
 What cannot women do that know their power? 
 
 What women knowes it not (I feare too much) 
 
 Howe bliffe or bale lies in their laugh or lowre? 
 
 Whilft they enioy their happy blooming flowre, 
 Whilft nature decks them in their beft attires 
 Of youth and beautie which the world admires. 
 
 Such one was I, my beautie was mine owne, 
 No borrowed blufli which bank-rot beauties feeke 
 That new-found (hame, a finne to vs vnknowne, 
 Th adulterate beauty of a falfed cheeke : 
 Vilde ftaine to honour, and to women eeke, 
 Seeing that time our fading mufl deted:, 
 Thus with defedl to couer our defedl. 
 
 Impietie of times, chaftities abator, 
 Fallliood, wherein thy felfe thy felfe denied : 
 Treafon to counterfeit the feale of nature, 
 The ftampe of heauen, impreffed by the hieft. 
 Difgrace vnto the world, to whom thou Heft. 
 Idoll vnto thy felfe, fliame to the wife, 
 And all that honour thee idolatrife. 
 
 I^ar 
 
T HE CO M P L A I N T 
 
 Far was that finne from vs whofe age was pure, 
 When fimple beauty was accounted beft, 
 The time when women had no other lure 
 But modeftie, pure cheeks,- a vertuous breft. 
 This was the pompe wherewith my youth was bleft. 
 Thefe were the weapons which mine honor wun 
 In all the conflids which my eies begun. 
 
 Which were not fmall, I wrought on no meane obiedl, 
 A Crowne was at my feet. Scepters obeide me, 
 Who Fortune made my King, Loue made by fubied;, 
 Who did command the Land, moft humbly praid me, 
 Henrie the fecond, that fo highlie weigh'd me, 
 Found well (by proofe) the priuiledge of beautie, 
 That it had powre to counter-maund all dutie. 
 
 For after all his victories in Fravnce, 
 And all the triumphes of his honor wun : 
 Vnmatch'd by fword, was vanquifht by a glaunce, 
 And hotter wars within his breft begun. 
 Wars, whom whole legions of defires drew on : 
 Againft all which, my chaftitie contends 
 With force of honour, which my fliame defends. 
 
 No 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 No armour might be found that could defend, 
 Tranfpearcing raies of Chriftal pointed eies : 
 No ftratagem, no reafon could amend, 
 No not his age ; (yet old men fhould be wife.) 
 But fhewes deceiue, outward appearance lies. 
 Let none for feeming fo, thinke faints of others, 
 For all are men, and all haue fuckt their mothers. 
 
 Who would haue thought a Monarch would haue euer 
 
 Obeyd his hand-maid of fo meane eftate ; 
 
 Vultur ambition feeding on his liuer, 
 
 Age hauing worne his pleafures out of date, 
 
 But hap comes neuer, or it comes too late. 
 
 For fuch a daintie which his youth found not, 
 
 Vnto his feeble age did chaunce a-lot. 
 
 Ah Fortune, neuer abfolutelie good. 
 
 For that fome croffe flil counter-checks our luck ; 
 
 As heere behold th'incompatible blood. 
 
 Of age and youth was that whereon we ftuck : 
 
 Whofe lothing, we from natures brefts do fuck. 
 
 As oppofite to what our bloud requires. 
 
 For equall age, doth equall like defires. 
 
 Cc But 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 But mightie men, in hieft honour fitting, 
 Nought but applaufe and pleafure can behold : 
 Sooth'd in their liking, careleffe what is fitting, 
 May not be fuffred once to thinke the are old : 
 Not trufting what they fee, but what is told. 
 Miferable fortune to forget fo farre 
 The ftate of flefh, and what our frailties are. 
 
 Yet mufl I needes excufe fo great defedl 
 For drinking of the Lethe of mine eies, 
 H'is forc'd forget himfelfe, and all refpedl 
 Of maieftie, whereon his ftate relies : 
 And now of loues, and pleafures muft deuife. 
 For thus reuiu'd againe, he femes and fu'th, 
 And feekes al meanes to vndermine my youth. 
 
 Which neuer by affault he could recouer. 
 So well incamp'd in ftrength of chaft defires : 
 My cleane-arm'd thoughts repell'd an vnchaft louer. 
 The Crowne that could commaund what it requires, 
 I leffer priz'd then chaftities attires. 
 
 ThVnftained vaile, which innocents adornes, 
 Th Vngathred Rofe, defended with the thornes. 
 
 And 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 And fafc mine honour flood, till that in truth, 
 One of my fcxe, of place, and nature bad, 
 Was fet in ambufli to intrap my youth. 
 One in the habite of like frailty clad. 
 One who the liu'ry of like weakenes had. 
 A feeming Matron, yet a fmfull monfter, 
 As by her words the chafter fort may confler. 
 
 She fet vpon me with the fmootheft fpeech 
 That court and age could cunningly deuife : 
 Th'one autentique, made her fit to teach, 
 The other learnt her how to fubtelife. 
 Both were enough to circumuent the wife. 
 A document that well might teach the fage, 
 That ther's no truft in youth, nor hope in age. 
 
 Daughter (faid fhe,) behold thy happie chaunce, 
 That haft the lot caft downe into thy lap. 
 Whereby thou maift thy honor great aduance, 
 Whilft thou (vnhappie) wilt not fee thy hap : 
 Such fond refpedl thy youth doth fo inwrap, 
 
 T oppofe thy felfe againft thine own good fortune, 
 That points thee out, & feemes thee to importune. 
 
 C c 2 Dooft 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Dooft thou not fee, how that thy King (thy loiie^j 
 Lightens forth glory on thy darke eftate : 
 And fhowres down gold & treafure from aboue, 
 Whilft thou dooft fhut thy lap againft thy fate ? 
 Fie fondling fie, thou wilt repent too late 
 The error of thy youth, that canft not fee 
 What is the fortune that doth follow thee 
 
 Thou muft not thinke thy flowre can alwaies florifh, 
 And that thy beauty will be ftill admired : 
 But that thofe raies which all thefe flames do nourifli, 
 Canceld with Time, will haue their date expired, 
 And men will fcorne what now is fo defired. 
 Our frailties doome is written in the flowers, 
 Which flourifh now, and fade ere many howers. 
 
 Reade in my face the mines of my youth, 
 The wracke of yeeres vpon my aged brow, 
 I haue been faire, (I muft confeffe the truth,) 
 And ftood vpon as nice refpeds as thou ; 
 I loft my time, and I repent it now. 
 But were I to begin my youth againe, 
 I would redeeme the time I fpent in vaine : 
 
 But 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 "Rut thou haft ycers, and priuiledge to vfe them, 
 rhy priuiledge doth beare Beauties great feale, 
 Hefides, the law of nature doth excufe them, 
 To whom thy youth may haue a iuft appeale. 
 li^fteeme not Fame more then thou dooft thy weale. 
 
 Fame, (wherof y^ world feems to make fuch choice,) 
 
 Is but an Eccho, and an idle voice. 
 
 Then why fhould this refpedt of honor bound vs, 
 
 In th'imaginarie lifts of reputation? 
 
 Titles which cold feueritie hath found vs. 
 
 Breath of the vulgar, foe to recreation : 
 
 Melancholies opinion, Cuftomes relation ; 
 
 Pleafures plague, beauties fcourge, hel to the faire. 
 To leaue the fweet, for Caftles in the aire. 
 
 Pleafure is felt, opinion but conceau'd. 
 Honor, a thing without vs, not our owne : 
 Whereof we fee how many are bereau'd, 
 Which fhould haue reap'd the glory they had fowne : 
 And manie haue it, yet vnworthy, knowne. 
 So breathes his blaft this many-headed beaft. 
 Whereof the wifeft haue efteemed leaft. 
 
 C c 3 The 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 The fubtile Citty-women, better learned, 
 Efteeme them chaft enough that beft feeme fo : 
 Who though they fport, it fhal not be difcerned, 
 Their face bewraies not what their bodies do ; 
 Tis warie walking that doth fafelieft go. 
 
 With fhew of vertue, as the cunning knowes, 
 Babes are beguild with fweets, & men with fhowes. 
 
 Then vfe thy tallent, youth fhall be thy warrant, 
 And let not honour from thy fports detradl : 
 Thou muft not fondly think thy felfe tranfparent. 
 That thofe who fee thy face can iudge thy fad:. 
 Let her haue fhame that cannot clofely adl. 
 And feeme the chaft, which is the chiefeft arte. 
 For what we feeme each fee. none knowes our hart. 
 
 The mightie, who can with fuch finnes difpence. 
 In fleed of fhame do honors great beftow : 
 A worthie author doth redeeme th'offence. 
 And makes the fcarlet fmne as white as fnow. 
 The maieftie that doth defcend fo low. 
 
 Is not defilde, but pure remaines therein. 
 
 And being facred, fandifies the fin 
 
 What 
 
i 
 
 OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 What, dooft thou ftand on this, that he is old ? 
 Thy bcautic hath the more to worke vpon. 
 Thy pleafures want (hall be fuppli'd with gold. 
 Cold age dotes mofl when heat of youth is gone : 
 Enticing words preuaile with fuch a one. 
 
 Alluring fhewes mofl deepe impreffion flrikes, 
 For age is prone to credite what it likes. 
 
 Heere interrupt (he leaues me in a doubt, 
 When loe began the combat in my blood, 
 Seeing my youth inuirond round about, 
 The ground vncertaine where my reafons flood ; 
 Small my defence to make my partie good, 
 Againd fuch powers which were fo furelie laid, 
 To ouer-throw a poore vn(kilfull Maid. 
 
 Treafon was in my bones, my felfe confpiring, 
 
 To fel my felfe to luft, my foule to fin : 
 
 Pure blufhing fhame was euen in retiring, 
 
 Leauing the facred hold it glori'd in. 
 
 Honor lay proftrate for my fle(h to win, 
 
 Whe cleaner thoughts my weaknes gan upbray 
 Againd my felfe, and (hame did force me fay; 
 
 Ah 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Ah Rosamond, what doth thy flefh prepare ? 
 
 Deftrudlion to thy daies, death to thy fame ; 
 
 Wilt thou betraie that honor held with care, 
 
 T entombe with blacke reproch a fpotted name ? 
 
 Leaning thy blufh the colours of thy fhame ? 
 Opening thy feet to finne, thy foule to luft, 
 Gracelefse to lay thy glorie in the duft ? 
 
 Nay, firfl let th'earth gape wide to fwallow thee, 
 And fhut thee vp in bofome with her dead, 
 Ere Serpent tempt thee tafte forbidden Tree, 
 Or feele the warmth of an vnlawfvll bed ; 
 Suffring thy felfe to be by luft mifled ; 
 
 So to difgrace thy felfe and grieue thine heires. 
 That Cliffords race fhould fcorne thee one of theirs. 
 
 Neuer wifh longer to inioy the aire, 
 Then that thou breath'ft the breath of chaftitie : 
 Longer then thou preferu'ft thy foule as faire 
 As is thy face, free from impuritie. 
 Thy face that makes th' admired in euerie eie. 
 Where Natures care fuch rarities inroule. 
 Which vs'd amiffe, may ferue to damme thy foule. 
 
 But 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 But what? he is my king and may conftrainc me, 
 \\1icther I yeeld or not, / Hue defamed. 
 Hie world will thinke authoritie did gaine me, 
 I fliall be iudg'd his Loue, and fo be fhamed. 
 We fee the faire condemn'd, that neuer gamed. 
 And if I yeeld, tis honourable fhame. 
 If not, I Hue difgrac'd, yet thought the fame: 
 
 What waie is left thee then (vnhappie maid,) 
 Whereby thy fpotleffe foote, maie wander out 
 This dreadfull danger, which thou feed is laid. 
 Wherein thy fhame doth compaffe thee about ? 
 Thy fimple yeeres cannot refolue this doubt. 
 Thy youth can neuer guide thy foote fo euen, 
 But (in defpight) fome fcandale wil be giuen. 
 
 Thus ftood I ballanc'd equallie precize. 
 Til my fraile flefh did weigh me downe to fin ; 
 Till world and pleafure made me partialize. 
 And glittering pompe my vanitie did w^in. 
 When to excufe my fault my lufts begin. 
 
 And impious thoughts alledg'd this wanton claufe. 
 That though I finn'd, my finne had honeft caufe. 
 
 D d So 
 
 OFTHC '^ 
 UNlVP»Cl-r-w 
 
THE COM PLAINT 
 
 So well the golden balls caft downe before me, 
 Could entertaine my courfe, hinder my way : 
 Whereat my retchleffe youth ftooping to (lore me, 
 Loft me the gole, the glorie, and the day. 
 Pleafure had fet my well fchool'd thoughts to play, 
 And bade me vfe the vertue of mine eies, 
 For fweetly it fits the faire to wantonife. 
 
 Thus wrought to fin, foone was I traind from Court, 
 T'a folitarie Grange, there to attend 
 The time the King fiiould thither make refort. 
 Where he Loues long-defired worke fhould end. 
 Thither he dayly meffages doth fend. 
 With coftlie Jewels (Orators of Loue,) 
 Which (ah too well men know) do women moue. 
 
 The day before the night of my defeature. 
 He greets me with a Casket richly wrought ; 
 So rare, that arte did feeme to ftriue with nature, 
 T'expreffe the cunning work-mans curious thought ; 
 The myfterie wherof I prying fought. 
 And found engrauen on the lidde aboue, 
 Amymoiie, how fhe with Neptune ftroue. 
 
 Aniymone 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Amymonc, old Daiiaus faircft Daughter, 
 As flic was fetching water all alone 
 At Lerna : whereas Neptune came and caught her, 
 Prom whom fhe ftriu'd and ftrugled to be gone, 
 Beating the aire with cries and piteous mone. 
 But all in vaine, with him fhe's forc'd to go, 
 Tis fliame that men fhould vfe poore maidens fo. 
 
 There might I fee defcribed how fhe lay. 
 At thofe proude feet, not fatis-fied with prayer : 
 Wayling her heauie hap, curfmg the day, 
 In a6l fo pitious to expreffe defpaire. 
 And by how much more grieu'd, fo much more faire. 
 Her teares vpon her cheekes (poore carefull gerle,) 
 Did feeme againfl the Sunne chriftall and pearle. 
 
 VVhofe pure cleer ftreams, (which lo fo faire appears;) 
 Wrought hotter flames, (O miracle of loue,) 
 That kindles fire in water, heat in teares. 
 And makes negledled beautie mightier proue, 
 Teaching afflidled eies affedls to moue ; 
 
 To fhew that nothing ill becomes the faire, 
 But crueltie, which yeelds unto no prayer. 
 
 D d 2 This 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 This hauing viewd, and therewith fomething moued, 
 Figured I find within the other fquares, 
 Transformed lo, youes deerelie loued, 
 In her afflidlion how fhe ftrangely fares. 
 Strangely diftreffd (O beautie, borne to cares.) 
 Turn'd to a Heiffer, kept with iealous eies, 
 Alwayes in danger of her hatefull fpies. 
 
 Thefe prefidents prefented to my view, 
 Wherein the prefage of my fall was fhowne, 
 Might haue fore-warn'd me well what would enfue, 
 And others harmes haue made me fhun mine owne. 
 But fate is not preuented, though foreknowne. 
 For that muft hap, decreed by heauenly powers, 
 Who worke our fall, yet make the fault ftill ours. 
 
 Witnes the world, wherein is nothing rifer, 
 Then miferies unkend before they come : 
 Who can the characters of chaunce decipher, 
 Written in cloudes of our concealed dome ? 
 Which though perhaps haue been reuealed to some. 
 Yet that fo doubtfull, (as fucceffe did proue them,) 
 That men mufl know they haue y^ heauens aboue the. 
 
 I 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 I faw the finne wherein my foot was entring, 
 I faw how that dilhonour did attend it, 
 I faw the fliame whereon my flefh was ventring, 
 Yet had I not the powre for to defend it. 
 So weake is fence when error has condemn'd it. 
 We fee what's good, and thereto we confent. 
 But yet wee choofe the worft, and foone repent. 
 
 And now I come to tell the worfl of ilnes. 
 Now drawes the date of mine afflicftion neere. 
 Now when the darke had wrapt vp all in ftilnes 
 And dreadfull black had difpoffeffed the cleere, 
 Com'd was the night, (mother of fleepe and feare;) 
 Who with her Sable-mantle friendly couers 
 The fweet-ftolne fports of ioifull meeting Louers. 
 
 When loe, I ioy'd my Louer, not my Loue, 
 And felt the hand of luft moft vndefired : 
 Enforced the vnprooued bitter fweet to proue, 
 Which yeelds no mutuall pleafure when tis hired. 
 Loue's not conftrain'd, nor yet of due required. 
 
 ludge they who are vnfortunately wed. 
 
 What tis to come vnto a loathed bed. 
 
 D d 3 But 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 But foone his age receiu'd his (hort contenting, 
 And fleepe feald vp his languifhing defires : 
 When he turnes to his reft, I to repenting, 
 Into my felfe my waking thought retires : 
 My nakednes had prou'd my fences Hers. 
 Now opned were mine eies to looke therein. 
 For firft we tafte the fruit, then fee our fin. 
 
 Now did I find myfelfe vnparadifd, 
 From thofe pure fields of my fo cleane beginning: 
 Now I perceiu'd how ill I was aduif'd. 
 My flefii gan loathe the new-felt touch of finning, 
 Shame leaues vs by degrees, not at firft w^inning. 
 For nature checks a new offence with loathing. 
 But vfe of finne doth make it feeme as nothing. 
 
 And vfe of finne did worke in me a boldnes, 
 And loue in him, incorporates fuch zeale. 
 That iealoufie increafd with ages coldnes. 
 Fearing to loofe the ioie of all his weale. 
 Or doubting time his ftealth might elfe reueale, 
 H' is driuen to deuife fome fubtill waie. 
 How he might fafelieft keepe fo rich a praie. 
 
 A 
 
O 1' ROSAMOND. 
 
 A ftatclie Pallace he foorth-with did build, 
 Whofe intricate innumerable waies, 
 With fuch confufed errours fo beguild 
 Th' vnguided entrcrs with vncertaine flraies, 
 And doubtfull turnings kept them in delaies, 
 With bootleffe labour leading them about, 
 Able to find no waie, nor in, nor out. 
 
 Within the clofed bofome of which frame. 
 That fcru'd a Center to that goodlie round : 
 Were lodgings, with a Garden to the fame, 
 With fweeteft flowers that eu'r adorn'd the groild 
 And all the pleafures that delight hath found, 
 T' intertaine the fence of wanton eies. 
 Fuel of loue, from whence lufts flames arife : 
 
 Heere I enclof'd from all the w^orld afunder, 
 The Minotaure of fhame kept for difgrace. 
 The Monfter of Fortune, and the worlds wonder, 
 Liu'd cloiflred in fo defolate a cafe : 
 None but the king might come into the place. 
 With certaine Maides that did attend my need, 
 And he himfelfe came guided by a threed. 
 
 O 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 O lealoufie, daughter of Enuy' and Loue, 
 
 Moft wayward iffue of a gentle fire ; 
 
 Foftred with feares, thy fathers ioyes t'improue, 
 
 Mirth-marring Monfter, borne a fubtile lier ; 
 
 Hatefull vnto thy felfe, flying thine owne defire : 
 Feeding vpon fufpedl that doth renue thee, 
 Happie were Louers if they neuer knew thee. 
 
 Thou haft a thoufand gates thou entereft by, 
 Condemning trembling paffions to our hart ; 
 Hundred eyed Argtis, euer-waking Spie, 
 Pale Hagge, infernall Furie, pleafures fmart, 
 Enuious Obferuer, prying in euery part ; 
 Sufpicious, fearefull, gazing ftill about thee, 
 O would to God y' loue could be withuot thee. 
 
 Thou didft depriue (through falfe fuggefting feare,) 
 
 Him of content, and me of libertie : 
 
 The onely good that women hold fo deere. 
 
 And turnft my freedome to captiuitie, 
 
 Firft made a prifoner, ere an enemie. 
 
 Enioynd the ranfome of my bodies fliame. 
 Which though I paid, could not redeeme the fame. 
 
 What 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 What greater torment euer could haue beene, 
 
 1 hen to inforce the faire to Hue retir d ? 
 
 For what is beauty if it be not feene? 
 
 Or what is't to be feene, vnleffe admir'd ? 
 
 And though admir'd, vnleffe in loue defir'd ? 
 Neuer were cheeks of Rofes, locks of Amber, 
 Ordain'd to Hue imprifon'd in a Chamber. 
 
 Nature created beauty for the view, 
 (Like as the fire for heat, the Sun for light :) 
 The faire do hold this priuiledge as due 
 By ancient Charter, to Hue moft in fight, 
 And file that is debarr'd it, hath not right. 
 In vaine our friends from this, do vs dehort. 
 For beauty w^ill be where is mofl: refort. 
 
 Witnes the fairefl flreets that Thames doth vifite, 
 The wondrous concourfe of the glittering Faire : 
 For what rare women deckt with beauty is it, 
 That thither couets not to make repaire? 
 The folitary Country may not flay her. 
 Heere is the center of all beauties bed, 
 Excepting Delia, left t'adorne the Wefl:. 
 
 E e Heere 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Heere doth the curious with iudiciall eies, 
 Contemplate beautie gloriouslie attired : 
 And herein all our chiefeft glorie lies, 
 To liue where we are praifd and mod defired. 
 O how we ioie to fee our felues admired, 
 
 Whilft niggardlie our fauours we difcouer. 
 
 We loue to be belou'd, yet fcorne the Louer. 
 
 Yet would to God my foot had neuer mou'd 
 From Countrie fafetie, from the fields of reft : 
 To know the danger to be highlie lou'd, 
 And liue in pompe to braue among the beft, 
 Happie for me, better had I beene bleft ; 
 If I vnluckilie had neuer ftraide, 
 But liu'd at home a happie Country Maide. 
 
 Whofe vnaffedled innocencie thinks 
 No guilefull fraude, as doth the Courtlie liuer : 
 She's deckt with truth, the Riuer where fhe drinks 
 Doth ferue her for a glaffe, her counfell giuer : 
 She loues fincerely, and is loued euer. 
 
 Her dales are peace, and fo ihe ends her breath, 
 (True life that knowes not what's to die til death.) 
 
 So 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 So fliould I neuer haue beene regiftred, 
 In the blacke bookc of the vnfortunate : 
 Nor had my name enrold with Maides mifled, 
 Which bought their plealures at fo hie a rate. 
 Nor had I taught (through my vnhappie fate,) 
 This leffon (which my felf learnt with expence) 
 How mod it hurts that moft delights the fenfe : 
 
 Shame followcs fmne, difgrace is duly giuen, 
 Impietie will out, neuer fo clofely done : 
 No w^alls can hide vs from the eie of heauen, 
 For fhame muft end what wickednes begun ; 
 Forth breaks reproch when leaft w^e think theron. 
 And this is euer proper vnto Courts, 
 That nothing can be done, but Fame reports. 
 
 Fame doth explore what his mofl fecret hidden, 
 Entring the clofet of the Pallace dweller : 
 Abroad reuealing what is moft forbidden. 
 Of truth and falfliood both an equall teller. 
 Tis not a guard can ferue for to expell her. 
 The fword of iuftice cannot cut her wings, 
 Nor ftop her mouth from vtt'ring fecret things. 
 
 E e 2 And 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 And this our ftealth (he could not long conceale, 
 From her whom fuch a forfeit moft concerned : 
 The wronged Queen, who could fo clofely deale, 
 That fhe the whole of all our pradlife learned, 
 And watcht a time when leaft it was difcerned. 
 In abfence of the King, to wreake her wrong. 
 With fuch reuenge as (he defired long. 
 
 The Laberinth (he entred by that threed, 
 That feru'd a condudl to my abfent Lord, 
 Left there by chance, referu'd for fuch a deed, 
 Where fhe furpriz'd me whom fhe fo abhord. 
 Enrag'd with madnes, fcarce fhe fpeakes a word. 
 But flies with eager furie to my face, 
 Offring me moft vnwomanly difgrace. 
 
 Looke how a Tygreffe that hath loft her whelpe. 
 Runs fiercely raging through the woods aftray : 
 And feeing her felfe depriu'd of hope or helpe, 
 Furiously affaults what's in her way, 
 To fatisfie her wrath, (not for a pray ;) 
 So fell fhe on me in outragious wife. 
 As could difdaine and iealoufie deuife. 
 
 And 
 
O I- ROSAMOND. 
 
 And after all her vile reproches vfd, 
 
 She forc'd me take the poifon flie had brought, v 
 
 To end the life that had her fo abufd, 
 
 And free her feares, and eafe her iealous thought. 
 
 No crueltie her wrath would leaue vnwrought, 
 
 No fpightfull adt that to reuenge is common ; 
 
 (No beaft being fiercer than a iealous woman. ) 
 
 Here take (faith fhe) thou impudent vncleane, 
 Bafe graceleffe ftrumpet, take this next your hart ; 
 Your loue-fick hart, that ouer-charg'd hath beene 
 With pleafures furfeite, muft be purg'd with arte. 
 This potion hath a power that will conuart 
 
 To nought, thofe humors that oppreffe you fo. 
 
 And (Gerle,) He fee you take it ere /go. 
 
 What ftand you now amaz'd, retire you backe ? 
 
 Tremble you (minion?) come difpatch with fpeed ; 
 
 There is no helpe, your Champion now you lack, 
 
 And all thefe teares you fhed will nothing fteed ; 
 
 Thofe daintie fingers needs mufl do the deed. 
 Take it, or I will drench you els by force. 
 And trifle not, leaft that I vfe you worfe. 
 
 E e 3 Hauing 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Hauing this bloodie doome from hellifh breath, 
 
 My wofull eyes on euery fide I caft : 
 
 Rigor about me, in my hand my death, 
 
 Prefenting me the horror of my laft ; 
 
 All hope of pitie and of comfort paft. 
 
 No means, no power, no forces to contend. 
 My trembling hands muft giue my felf my end 
 
 Thofe hands that beauties minifters had been, 
 They muft give death that me adorn'd of late. 
 That mouth that newly gaue confent to fin, 
 Muft now receiue deftrudlion in thereat. 
 That bodie which my luft did violate, 
 
 Muft facrifice itfelfe t'appeafe the wrong. 
 
 (So ihort is pleafure, glory lafts not long.) 
 
 And file no fooner faw I had it taken. 
 But foorth file ruflies, (proud with victorie,) 
 And leaues m'alone, of all the world forfaken, 
 Except of Death, which fiie had left with me. 
 (Death and my felfe alone togither be.) 
 
 To whom {he did her full reuenge refer. 
 
 Oh poore weake conqueft both for him and her. 
 
 Then 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Then ftraight my confcience fummons vp my fin, 
 T appcare before me, in a hideous face ; 
 Now doth the terror of my foule begin, 
 When eu'ry corner of that hatefull place 
 Di(ftates mine error, and reueales difgrace ; 
 Whilft I remaine opprefl in euery part. 
 Death in my bodie, horror at my hart. 
 
 Downe on my bed my loathfome felfe I caft, 
 The bed that likewife giues in euidence 
 Againft my foule, and tels I was vnchafl, 
 Tels I was wanton, tels I followed fence. 
 And therefore caft, by guilt of mine offence, 
 Muft heere the right of heauen needes fatisfie. 
 And w^here a wanton lay, muft wretched die. 
 
 Heere I began to waile my hard mifhap. 
 
 My fuddaine, ftrange vnlookt for miferie. 
 
 Accufing them that did my youth intrap. 
 
 To giue me fuch a fall of infamie. 
 
 And poore diftreffed Rosamond, (faid I,) 
 Is this thy glory got, to die forlorne 
 In Dezarts, where no eare can heare thee morne? 
 
 Nor 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Nor any eye of pittie to behold 
 
 The wofull end of thy fad tragedie ; 
 
 But that thy wrongs vnfeene, thy tale vntold, 
 
 Mufl here in fecret filence buried lie. 
 
 And with thee, thine excufe togither die. 
 Thy fin reueal'd, but thy repentance hid, 
 Thy fhame aliue, but dead what thy death did. 
 
 Yet breathe out to thefe walls the breath of mone, 
 Tell th'ayre thy plaints, fince men thou canft not tell. 
 And though thou perifh defolate alone, 
 Tell yet thy felfe, what thy felfe knowes too well : 
 Vtter thy griefe wherewith thy foule doth fwell. 
 And let thy hart pittie thy harts remorfe. 
 And be thy felfe the mourner and the Corfe. 
 
 Condole thee here, clad all in blacke difpaire, 
 With filence onely, and a dying bed ; 
 Thou that of late, fo flourifhing, fo faire. 
 Did glorious Hue, admir'd and honoured : 
 And now from friends, from fuccor hither led, 
 Art made a fpoyle to lufi;, to wrath, to death. 
 And in difgrace, forc'd heere to yeeld thy breath. 
 
 Did 
 
I 
 
 OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Did Nature (O for this) deliberate 
 To fhew in the the glory of her befl ; 
 Framing thine eye the ftar of thy ill fate, 
 And made thy face the foe to fpoile the reft ? 
 O beautie, thou an enemy profeft 
 
 To.chaftitie and vs that loue thee moft, loft? 
 
 Without thee how ware loathd. and with thee 
 
 O you that proude with libertie and beautie, 
 (And 6 may well be proude that you be fo,) 
 Glitter in Court, lou'd and obferu'd of dutie ; 
 O that I might to you but ere I goe 
 Speake what I feele, to warne you by my woe. 
 
 To keepe your feet in pure clean paths of (hame, 
 
 That no inticing may diuert the fame. 
 
 See'ng how againft your tender weaknes ftill. 
 The ftrength of wit, of gold, of all is bent ; 
 And all th'affaults that euer might or fkill. 
 Can giue againft a chafte and clean intent : 
 Ah let not greatnes worke you to confent. 
 
 The fpot is foule, though by a Monarch made, 
 Kings cannot priuiledge a fmne forbade. 
 
 F f Lock 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Lock vp therefore the treafure of your loue, 
 
 Vnder the fureft keyes of feare and fhame : 
 
 And let no powers haue powre chaft thoughts to moue 
 
 To make a lawleffe entry on your fame. 
 
 Open to thofe the comfort of your flame, 
 
 Whofe equall loue fliall march with equall pace, 
 In thofe pure waies that lead to no difgrace. 
 
 For fee how many difcontented beds, 
 Our owne afpiring, or our Parents pride 
 Haue cauf'd, whilft that ambition vainely "vv^eds 
 Wealth and not loue, honor and nought befide : 
 Whilft married but to titles, (^e abide 
 
 As wedded widowes, wanting what we haue, 
 When fliadowes cannot giue vs what we craue. 
 
 Or whilft we fpend the frefheft of our time. 
 
 The fweet of youth in plotting in the aire ; 
 
 Alas how oft we fall, hoping to clime ; 
 
 Or wither as vnprofitably faire, 
 
 Whilft thofe decaies which are without repaire. 
 
 Make vs negleded, fcorned and reprou'd. 
 
 (And 6 what are we, if we be not lou'd ?) 
 
 Faftcn 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Faftcn therefore vpon occafions fit, 
 Lead this, or that, or like difgrace as mine, 
 Do ouer-take your youth to ruine it, 
 And clowde with infamie your beauties fhine 
 Seeing how many feeke to vndermine 
 The treafurie that's vnpoffeft of any : 
 As hard tis kept that is defir'd of many. 
 
 And flie (o flie,) thefe Bed-brokers vncleane, 
 (The monfters of our fexe) that make a pray 
 Of their owne kind, by an vnkindly meane ; 
 And euen (like Vipers,) eating out a way 
 Th'row th'wombe of their owne fhame, accurfed they 
 Liue by the death of fame, the gaine of fin. 
 The filth of luft. vncleannes wallowes in. 
 
 O is it not enough that we, (poore wee) 
 Haue weaknes, beautie, gold, and men our foes. 
 But we muft haue fome of our felues to bee 
 Traitors vnto our felues, to ioyne with thofe ? 
 Such as our feeble forces doe difclofe. 
 
 And flil betray our caufe, our fhame, our youth. 
 To luft, to follie, and to mens vntruth ? 
 
 F f 2 Hatefull 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Hatefull confounders both of blood and lawes, 
 Vilde Orators of fhame, that pleade delight : 
 Vngracious Agents in a wicked caufe, 
 Fadlors for darknes ; meffengers of night, 
 Serpents of guile, diuels, that do inuite 
 The wanton tafte of that forbidden tree, 
 Whofe fruit once pluckt, will fhew how foule we be. 
 
 You in the habite of a graue afped:, 
 
 (In credite by the truft of yeeres,) can fhoe 
 
 The cunning wayes of luft, and can dired: 
 
 The faire and wilie wantons how to goe, 
 
 Hauing (your lothfome felues) your youth fpent fo. 
 
 And in vncleannes euer haue beene fed, 
 
 By the reuenue of a wanton bed. 
 
 By you, haue beene the innocent betraid, 
 The blufhing fearefull, boldned vnto fin. 
 The wife made fubtile, fubtile made the maid. 
 The hufband fcorn'd, difiionoured the kin : 
 Parents difgrac'd, children infamous been. 
 Confufd our race, and falfi-fied our blood, 
 Whilft fathers fonnes, poffeffe wrong Fathers good. 
 
 This 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 This and much more, I would hauc vttrcd then, 
 
 A teftamcnt to be recorded ftill, 
 
 Signd with my bloud, fubfcrib'd with Confcience pen, 
 
 To warne the faire and beautifull from ill. 
 
 And 6 I wifh (by th' example of my will,) 
 I had not left this fin vnto the faire. 
 But dyde inteftate to haue had no heire. 
 
 But now the poifon fpread through all my vaines, 
 Gan difpoffeffe my liuing fences quite : 
 And nought refpeding death, (the laft of paines,) 
 Plac'd his pale colours, (th' enfigne of his might,) 
 Vpon his new-got fpoile before his right ; 
 
 Thence chac'd my foule, fetting my day ere noone. 
 When I leaft thought my ioies could end fo foone. 
 
 And as conuaid t' vntimely funerals, 
 My fcarce cold corfe not fuffred longer flay, 
 Behold, the King (by chaunce) returning, fals 
 T' inconnter with the fame vpon the way. 
 As he repaird to fee his deereft ioy. 
 
 Not thinking fuch a meeting could haue been. 
 To fee his Loue, and feeing beene vnfeene. 
 
 F f 3 ludge 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 ludge thofe who chance depriues of fweeteft treafure, 
 What tis to lofe a thing we hold fo deere : 
 The beft delight, wherein our foule takes pleafure, 
 The fweet of life, that penetrates fo neere. 
 What paffions feeles that hart, inforc'd to beare 
 The deepe impreffion of fo ftrange a fight, 
 That ouerwhemls vs, or confounds vs quite ? 
 
 Amaz'd he ftands, nor voice nor body fteares. 
 Words had no paffage, teares no iffue found, 
 For forrow fhut vp words, wrath kept in teares, 
 Confuf 'd affefts each other do confound : 
 Oppreffd with griefe, his paffions had no bound. 
 
 Striuing to tell his woes, words would not come ; 
 
 For light cares fpeak, whe mighty griefs are dombe. 
 
 At length extremity breakes out a way, [ded, 
 
 Through which th' imprifoned voice with teares atten- 
 Wailes out a found that forrowes do bewray. 
 With armes a-croffe, and eies to heauen bended, 
 Vaporing out fighes that to the fi^ies afcended. 
 Sighes, (the poore eafe calamity afifoords,) 
 Which ferue for fpeech whe forrow wanteth words. 
 
 O 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 O hcauens (quoth he,) why do mine eies behold 
 The hatefull raies of this vnhappy funne? 
 Why haue I light to fee my fmnes controld, 
 With blood of mine own fhame thus vildly done? 
 How can my fight endure to looke thereon ? 
 Why doth not blacke eternall darknes hide, 
 That from mine eies, my hart cannot abide ? 
 
 What faw my life, wherein my foule might ioy, 
 
 What had my daies, whom troubles ftil afifiided, 
 
 But only this to counterpoize annoy ? 
 
 This ioy, this hope, which Death hath interdidled ; 
 
 This fweet, whofe loffe hath all diftreffe inflided ; 
 This, that did feafon all my fowre of life, 
 Vext ftill at home with broiles, abroad in fl:rife, 
 
 i 
 
 Vext fl:ill at home with broiles, abroad in ftrife, 
 Diffention in my blood, iarres in my bed : 
 Diftruft at boord, fufped:ing ftill my life, 
 Spending the night in horror, daies in dread ; 
 (Such life hath Tyrants, and this life I led.) 
 Thefe miferies go mafk'd in glittering fliowes. 
 Which wife men fee, the vulgar little knowes. 
 
 Thus 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Thus as thefe paffions do him ouer-whelme, 
 He drawes him neere my body to behold it. 
 And as the Vine married vnto the Elme 
 With ftrid; imbraces, lo doth he infold it. 
 And as he in his carefull amies doth hold it, 
 Viewing the face that euen death commends, 
 On fenceleffe lips, millions of kiffes fpends. 
 
 Pittifull mouth (faith he) that lining gaueft 
 The fweeteft comfort that my foule could wifh : 
 O be it lawfull now, that dead thou haueft, 
 This forrowing fare-well of a dying kiffe. 
 And you faire eyes, containers of my bliffe, 
 Motiues of loue, borne to be matched neuer, 
 Entomb'd in your fweet circles fleepe for euer. 
 
 Ah how me thinks I fee Death dallying feekes. 
 To entertaine it felfe in Loue's fweet place ; 
 Decaied Rofes of difcoloured cheekes, 
 Do yet retaine deere notes of former grace : 
 And vglie Death fits faire within her face ; 
 Sweet remnants refling of vermillion red. 
 That Death it felfe doubts whether fhe be dead. 
 
 Wonder 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Wonder of bcautie, oh receiue thefe plaints, 
 Thefe obfequies, the laft that I fhall make thee : 
 For loe, my foule that now alreadie faints, 
 (That lou'd thee liuing, dead will not forsake thee,) 
 Haftens her fpeedie courfe to ouer-take thee. 
 He meete my death, and free my felfe thereby, 
 For (ah) what can he doe that cannot die ? 
 
 Yet ere I die, thus much my foule doth vow, 
 Reuenge doth fweeten death with eafe of minde 
 And I will caufe pofteritie fhall know. 
 How faire thou wert aboue all women kinde. 
 And after-ages monuments fhall finde. 
 Shewing thy beauties title, not thy name, 
 Rofe of the world that fweetned fo the fame. 
 
 This faid, though more defirous yet to fay, 
 (For forrow is vnwilling to giue ouer,) 
 He doth repreffe what griefe would elfe bewray, 
 Leaft he too much his paffions fhould difcouer. 
 And yet refpedl fcarce bridles fuch a Louer. 
 So farre tranfported that he knew not whither. 
 For Loue and Maieftie dwell ill togither. 
 
 G Then 
 
THE COMPLAINT 
 
 Then were my funerals not long deferred, 
 But done with all the rites pompe could deuife, 
 At Godjlow, where my bodie was interred, 
 And richly tomb'd in honourable wife, 
 Where yet as now fcarce any note defcries 
 Vnto thefe times, the memorie of mee. 
 Marble and Braffe fo little lading bee. 
 
 For thofe walls which the credulous deuout, 
 And apt-beleeuing ignorant did found ; 
 With willing zeale, that neuer call'd in doubt, 
 That time their works fhould euer fo confound, 
 Lie like confufed heapes as vnder-ground. 
 And what their ignorance efteem'd fo holy, 
 The wifer ages do account as follie. 
 
 And were it not thy fauourable lynes 
 Re-edified the wracke of my decayes. 
 And that thy accents willingly affignes, 
 Some farther date, and giue me longer dayes. 
 Few in this age had knowne my beauties praife. 
 
 But thus renew'd, my fame redeemes fome time, 
 
 Till other ages fhall negled; thy rime. 
 
 Then 
 
OF ROSAMOND. 
 
 Then when confufion in her courfe fhall bring, 
 
 Sad defolation on the times to come : 
 
 \\1ien mirth-leffe Thames fhal haue no Swan to fmg, 
 
 All Mufique filent, and the Mufes dombe. 
 
 And yet euen then it muft be knowne to fome, 
 That once they flourifht, though not cherifht fo, 
 And Thames had Swannes as well as euer Po. 
 
 But here an end, I may no longer flay thee, 
 I muft returne t' attend at Stigian flood : 
 Yet ere I go this one word more / pray thee, 
 Tell Delia, now her figh may doe me good. 
 And will her note the frailtie of our blood. 
 And if / paffe vnto thofe happie banks. 
 The flie muft haue her praife, thy pen her thanks. 
 
 So vanquifht fhe, and left me to returne 
 
 To profecute the tenor of my woes : 
 
 Eternall matter for my Mufe to mourne. 
 
 But (ah) the world hath heard too much of thofe, 
 
 My youth fuch errors muft no more difclofe. 
 
 He hide the reft, and grieue for what hath beene. 
 Who made me known, muft make me Hue vnfeene. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
T. RICHARDS, PRINTER, 37, GREAT QUEEN STREET, LONDON. 
 
.^ .A^fe^v^' 
 
 r. 
 

 fDRAY'lON 
 
 ■if. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Drayton suppressed this poem, but we know nothing of his 
 reasons for doing so : it is in some respects like Marlowe's " Hero 
 and Leander", but the last was not published (as far as we are 
 aware) until 1598, when it first appeared with Chapman's Continu- 
 ation : that Marlowe's and Chapman's sepamte portions came out 
 together as one tract, in 1598, is a new fact in our bibliography ; 
 but Marlowe's commencement of the subject was also printed by 
 itself in the same year ; whereas Dmyton's " Endimion and Phoebe" 
 came out several years earlier (1594), and could hardly have been 
 an imitation of Marlowe, unless, as is not impossible, Drayton had 
 seen " Hero and Leander" in manuscript. This imputation, how- 
 ever, may have led to the suppression of " Endimion and Phoebe" ; 
 or it may have been in some way connected with the real, or 
 supposed, difference between its author and Shakespeare : the 
 subjects both of "Venus and Adonis" and of "Endimion and 
 Phoel^e" were purely m^i-hological ; but " Venus and Adonis" w:i8 
 in stanzas, while Drayton (like Marlowe) preferred couplets, and 
 in other particulars there is only a distant resemblance. 
 
 That Drayton's "Endimion and Phoebe" was not suppressed 
 until after IGOO we may believe from the fact that it is freely 
 quoted in " England's Parnassus", as part of the current litera- 
 ture of the day. It had been cited by Lodge in 1595. 
 
It desei-ves remark that Drayton, in his tribute to the great 
 poets of his time (sign. G 6), mentions Spencer, Lodge, Daniel and 
 others, but does not introduce the name of Shakespeare. Just 
 previously he promises a poem on the " Vision" of Endymion ; 
 but, unless he meant his own " Man in the Moon," where lines 
 occur also found in " Endimion and Phoebe", we" are not aware 
 that he kept his word. His suppression of "Endimion and 
 Phoebe" may have been influenced by this circumstance ; but 
 we do not know that "The Man in the Moon" ever came out 
 as a separate and independent publication. 
 
 Only two copies of " Endimion and Phoebe" are extant, and of 
 one of them (the only perfect exemplar) the following pages are a 
 typographical fac-simile, with all its peculiarities. We were for- 
 tunate enough to have procured the imperfect copy before 1837, and 
 until then the poem had never been heard of : the perfect copy is 
 also in a private collection. 
 
 J. P. C. 
 
E N D I M I O N 
 
 and Phoebe. 
 IDEAS LATMVS. 
 
 Pliccbus crit ttostri princeps, ct 
 carminis Author. 
 
 AT LONDON, 
 
 Printed by jfajnes Roberts for 
 yphn Bnsbic, 
 
TO THE EXCELLENT 
 
 and mod accompli (lit Ladie : Lticie 
 
 Counteffe of Bedford. 
 
 Great Ladie, effence of my cheefeft good, 
 Of the mod pure and fineft tempred fpirit 
 
 Adornd with gifts, enobled by thy blood. 
 Which by difcent true vertue do'ft inherit ; 
 
 That vertue which no fortune can depriue, 
 
 Which thou by birth tak'ft from thy gracious mother, 
 Whofe royall mindes with equall motion ftriue 
 Which moft in honor fhall excell the other ; 
 
 Vnto thy fame my Mufe her felfe (hall tafke. 
 
 Which rain'ft vpon mee thy fweet golden fhowers, 
 
 And but thy felfe, no fubiedl will I a(ke, 
 
 Vpon whofe praife my foule (hall fpend her powers. 
 
 Sweet Ladie then, grace this poore Mufe of mine, 
 
 Whofe faith, whofe zeale, whofe life, whofe all is thine. 
 
 Your Honors humbly 
 diuoted 
 Michael Dyaytoii, 
 
Rouland when firfl I red thy ftately rymes 
 
 InSheepheardsweedeSjWhenyetthouliu'dftvnknown 
 Not feene in publique in thofe former tymes, 
 But vnto Ankor tund'ft thy Pype alone 
 
 I then beheld thy chafte Ideas fame 
 
 Put on the wings of thine immortall ftile, 
 
 Whofe rareft vertues, and deferued name 
 
 Thy Mufe renowns throughout this glorious He, 
 
 Thy lines, like to the Lawrells pleafant (hade. 
 In after ages fhall adorne her Herfe, 
 Nor can her beauties glory fade 
 Deckt in the collours of thy happy verfe. 
 
 Thy fiery fpirit mounts vp to the fkye, 
 
 And what thou writ'ft Hues to Eternitye. 
 
 E. P. 
 
To Idea. 
 
 ylniidjl thofe JJtades wherein the Mufes fit, 
 Thus to Idea, niy Idesi Jlngs, 
 Support of wifedome, better force of Wit : 
 IVhich by defert, defert to honour brings, 
 
 Borne to create good thoughts by thy rare woorth, 
 Whom Nature with her bounteous fiore doth blejjfe, 
 More excellent then Art can fet thee forth ; 
 Happy in more, then praifes can exprejfe : 
 
 Which by thy felfe fhalt make thy f elf e continue, 
 When all worlds glory fhall be cleane forgot , 
 Thus I the leaft of fkilfull Arts retinue : 
 Write in thy pray fe which time fhall neuer blot ; 
 
 Heauen inade thee what thou art, till worlds be done, 
 
 Thy fame flmll florifh like the rifmg Sunne, 
 
 5. G. 
 
ENDIMION & PHCEBE. 
 
 Ideas Latinus, 
 
 In I-onia, whence fprang old Poets fame, 
 From whom that Sea did firft deriue her name, 
 The bleffed bed whereon the Mufes lay, 
 Beauty of Greece, the pride of Afia, 
 Whence Archelatis whom times hiftorifie, 
 rirft vnto Athens brought Phylofophie. 
 In this faire Region on a goodly Plaine, 
 Stretching her bounds vnto the bordring Maine, 
 The Mountaine Latmtis ouer-lookes the Sea, 
 Smiling to fee the Ocean billowes play : 
 Latnms, where young Endimion vfd to keepe 
 His faireft flock of filuer-fleeced fheepe. 
 To whom Sihtaniis often would refort, 
 At barly-breake to fee the Satyres fport ; 
 And when rude Pan his Tabret lift to found. 
 To fee the faire Nymphes foote it in a round, 
 Vnder the trees which on this Mountaine grew. 
 As yet the like Arabia neuer knew : 
 . B. . For 
 
Endimion and Phoebe, 
 
 For all the pleafures Nature could deuife, 
 Within this plot fhe did imparadize ; 
 And great Diana of her fpeciall grace, 
 With Vejlall rytes had hallowed all the place : 
 Vpon this Mount there ftood a (lately Groue, 
 Whofe reaching armes, to clip the Welkin flroue, 
 Of tufted Cedars, and the branching Pine, 
 Whofe bufhy tops themfelues doe fo intwine, 
 As feem'd when Nature firft this work begun, 
 Shee then confpir'd againft the piercing Sun ; 
 Vnder whofe couert (thus diuinely made) 
 Phoebus greene Laurell florifht in the fhade : 
 Faire Venus Mirtile, Mars his warlike Fyrre, 
 Mineruas Oliue, and the weeping Myrhe, 
 The patient Palme, which thriues in fpite of hate, 
 The Popler, to Alcides confecrate ; 
 Which Nature in fuch order had difpofed. 
 And there-withall thefe goodly walkes inclofed, 
 As feru'd for hangings and rich Tapeftry, 
 To beautifie this ftately Gallery : 
 Imbraudring thefe in curious trailes along. 
 The cluftred Grapes, the golden Citrons hung, 
 More glorious the the precious fruite were thefe 
 Kept by the Dragon in Hefperides ; 
 
 Or 
 
 I 
 
Endimio)i and Pliccbe. 
 
 Or gorgious Arras in rich colours wrought, 
 With filk from Affrick, or from Indie brought : 
 ( )ut of thys foyle sweet bubling Fountains crept, 
 As though for ioy the fenceleffe flones had wept ; 
 W ith ftraying channels dauncing fundry wayes, 
 With often turnes, like to a curious Maze : 
 Which breaking forth, the tender graffe bedewed, 
 Whofe filuer fand with orient Pearle was ftrewed. 
 Shadowed with Rofes and fweet Eglantine, 
 Dipping theyr fprayes into this chriftalline : 
 From which the byrds the purple berries pruned, 
 And to theyr loues their fmall recorders tuned. 
 The Nightingale, woods Herauld of the Spring, 
 The whiftling Woofell, Mauis carroling. 
 Tuning theyr trebbles to the waters fall. 
 Which made the muficque more angelicall : 
 Whilft gentle Zephyre murmuring among. 
 Kept tyme, and bare the burthen to the fong. 
 About whofe brims, refrefht with dainty fhowers, 
 Grew Amaranthus, and fweet Gilliflowers, 
 The Marigold, Phccbtts beloued frend. 
 The Moly, which from forcery doth defend : 
 Violet, Carnation, Balme and Caffia, 
 Ideas Primrofe, coronet of May. 
 
 B 2 Aboue 
 
Eiidimion and Phoebe, 
 
 Aboue this Groue a gentle faire afcent, 
 
 Which by degrees of Milk-white Marble went : 
 
 Vpon the top, a Paradife was found, 
 
 With which. Nature this miracle had crownd ; 
 
 Empald with Rocks of rareft precious ftone, 
 
 Which like the flames of Aetna brightly Ihone ; 
 
 And feru'd as Lanthornes furniflied with light, 
 
 To guide the wandring paffengers by night : 
 
 For which fayre Phoebe Aiding from her Sphere, 
 
 Vfed oft times to come and fport her there. 
 
 And from the Azure ftarry-painted Sky, 
 
 Embalmd the bancks with precious lunary : 
 
 That now her Menalus fhee quite forfooke, 
 
 And vnto Latinus wholy her betooke. 
 
 And in this place her pleafure vfd to take. 
 
 And all was for her fweet Endimions fake : 
 
 Endimion^ the louely Shepheards boy, 
 
 Endhnion, great Phoebes onely ioy, 
 
 Endimion, in whofe pure-fliining eyes, 
 
 The naked Paries daunfl the heydegies. 
 
 The fhag-haird Satyrs Mountain-climing race, 
 
 Haue been made tame by gazing in his face. 
 
 For this boyes loue, the water-Nymphs haue wept 
 
 Stealing oft times to kiffe him whilft he flept : 
 
 A 
 
 \ 
 

 Endimion and Plmbe, y\ O' 
 
 nd tafting once the Nedar of his breath, '^^ \^ . ; 
 Surfet with fweet, and languifh vnto death ; v^^ ^^^^r^ 
 And lone oft-times bent to lafciuious fport, \~^ *^^ 
 And coming where Endimion did refort, if^ yiF 
 
 Hath courted him, inflamed with defire, ^ 
 
 Thinking fome Nymph was cloth'd in boyes at- 
 And often-times the fimple rural Swaines, (tire. 
 
 Beholding him in croffmg ore the Plaines, 
 Imagined, Apollo from aboue 
 : Put on this fliape, to win fome Maidens loue. 
 I This Shepheard, Phoebe euer did behold, 
 Whofe loue already had her thoughts controld ; 
 From Latmtis top (her ftately throne) fhee rofe, 
 And to Endimion downe beneath fhee goes. 
 Her Brothers beames now had fhee layd afide. 
 Her horned creffent, and her full-fac'd pride : 
 For had fliee come adorned with her light. 
 No mortall eye could haue endur'd the fight ; 
 But like a Nymph, crown'd with a flowrie twine, 
 And not like Pkcebe, as herfelfe diuine. 
 An Azur'd Mantle purfled with a vaile. 
 Which in the Ayre puft like a fwelling faile, 
 Embofted Rayne-bowes did appeare in filk, 
 With wauie ftreames as white as mornings Milk : 
 
 B. 3 Which 
 
Endiinion and Phoebe. 
 
 Which euer as the gentle Ayre did blow, 
 Still with the motion feem'd to ebb and flow : 
 About her neck a chayne twife twenty fold, 
 Of Rubyes, fet in lozenges of gold ; 
 Truft vp in trammels, and in curious pleats, 
 With fpheary circles falling on her teats. 
 A dainty fmock of Cipreffe, fine and thin, 
 Or'e caft with curls next to her Lilly fkin: 
 Throgh which the purenes of the fame did fliow 
 Lyke Damaflce-rofes ftrew'd with flakes of fnow. 
 Difcouering all her ftomack to the wafte. 
 With branches of fweet circling veynes enchafte. 
 A Coronet fhe ware of Mirtle bowes, 
 Which gaue a fhadow to her luory browes. 
 No fmother beauty mafke did beauty fmother 
 '' Great lights dim leffe yet burn not one another. 
 Nature abhorrs to borrow from the Mart, 
 '* Simples fit beauty, fie on drugs and Art. 
 
 Thus came fliee where her loue Endimion lay. 
 Who with fweet Carrols fang the night away ; 
 And as it is the Shepheards vfuall trade, 
 Oft on his pype a Roundelay he playd. 
 As meeke he was as any Lambe might be, 
 Nor neuer lyu'd a fayrer youth then he : 
 
 His 
 
 j 
 
Endimion and Phoebe. 
 
 1 lis dainty hand, the fnow it fclfe dyd ftaync, 
 ( )r her to whom lone fhowr'd in golden rayne : 
 l-rom whofe fweet pahne the liquid Pearle dyd 
 Pure as the drops of Aganippas Well : (fwell, 
 
 Cleere as the liquor which fayre Hebe fpylt ; 
 llys fheephooke filuer, damafk'd all with gilt. 
 The ftaffe it felfe, of fnowie luory, 
 vStudded with Currall, tipt with Ebony ; 
 His treffes, of the Rauens fhyning black, 
 vStragling in curies along his manly back. 
 The balls which nature in his eyes had fet, 
 T.yke Diamonds inclofmg Globes of let : 
 AVhich fparkled from their milky lids out-right, 
 Lyke fayre Orions heauen-adorning light. 
 
 The ftars on which her heauenly eyes were bent, 
 And fixed ftill with louely blandifhment, 
 For whom fo oft difguifed fhee was feene, 
 As (hee Celeftiall Phcebe had not beene : 
 Her dainty Bufkins lac'd vnto the knee, \ 
 
 Her pleyted Frock, tuck'd vp accordingly : \ 
 
 A Nymph-like huntreffe, arm'd with bow & dart, 
 About the woods fhe fcoures the long-liu'd Hart. 
 She climes the moutains with the light-foot Fauns 
 And with the Satyrs feuds it ore the launes. 
 
 In 
 
Endimion and Phoebe. 
 
 In Muficks fweet delight fhee fhewes her (kill, 
 Quauering the Cithron nimbly with her quill, 
 ~Vpon each tree Ihe carues Endimions name 
 In Gordian knots, with Phoebe to the fame : 
 To kill him Venfon now fhe pitch'd her toyles, 
 And to this lonely Raunger brings the fpoyles ; 
 And thus whilft fhe by chafte_derire is led 
 Vnto the Downes where he his fayre Flocks fed, 
 Neere to a Groue fhe had Endimion fpide. 
 Where he was fifhing by a Riuer fide 
 Vnder a Popler, fiiadowed from the Sun, / 
 Where merrily to court him flie begun : — 
 Sweet boy (qd. fhe) take what thy hart can wifli, 
 When thou dooft angle would I were a fifh. 
 When thou art fporting by the filuer Brooks, 
 Put in thy hand thou need'ft no other hooks ; 
 Hard harted boy Endimion looke on mee. 
 Nothing on earth I hold too deere for thee : 
 I am a Nimph and not of humaine blood, 
 Begot by Pan on Ifts facred flood : 
 When I was borne vpon that very day, 
 Phoebus was feene the Reueller to play : 
 In loues hye houfe the Gods affembled all. 
 And luno held her fumptuous Feftiuall, 
 
 Oceanus 
 
Eiidimion and Phobbe. 
 
 Occanns that hovver was dauncing fpy'de, 
 
 And Tython feene to frolick with his Bride, 
 
 The Halcions that feafon fweetly fang, 
 
 And all the fhores, with fhouting Sea-Nymphes 
 
 And on that day, my birth to memorize, (rang. 
 
 The Shepheards hold a folemne facrifice : 
 
 The chad Diana nurft mee in her lap, 
 
 And I fuckt NeAar from her Downe-foft pap. 
 
 The Well wherein this body bathed firft, 
 
 Who drinks thereof, fhall neuer after thirft ; 
 
 The water hath the Lunacie appeafed, 
 
 And by the vertue, cureth all difeafed ; 
 
 The place wherein my bare feete touch the mold, 
 
 Made vp in balls, for Pomander is fold. 
 
 See, fee, thefe hands haue robd the Snow of white, 
 
 Thefe dainty fingers, organs of delight : 
 
 Behold thefe lyps, the Load-ftones of defire, 
 
 Whofe words inchant, like Amphyons well-tun'd 
 
 This foote. Arts iuft proportio doth reueale, (lyre, 
 
 Signing the earth with heauens own manuel feale. 
 
 Goe, play the wanton, I will tend thy flock. 
 
 And wait the howres as duly as a clock ; 
 
 He deck thy Ram with bells, and wreathes of Bay, 
 
 And gild his homes vpon the fheering day ; 
 
 C. And 
 
Endimion unci Phoebe. 
 
 And with a garlond crown thee Shepheards king, 
 And thou fhalt lead the gay Gyrles in a ring ; 
 Birds with their wings fhall fan thee in the Sun, 
 And all the fountaynes with pure Wine fhall run, 
 I haue a Quier of dainty Turtle-doues, 
 And they fhall fit and fweetly fing our loues : 
 He lay thee on the Swans foft downy plume, 
 And all the Winde fhall gently breath perfume, " 
 He plat thy locks with many a curious pleate, 
 And chafe thy temples with a facred heate ; 
 The Mufes ftill fhall keepe thee company, 
 And lull thee with inchaunting harmony ; 
 
 Clf not all thefe, yet let my vertues moue thee, 
 A charter Nymph Ejtdimion cannot loue thee. 
 But he imagin'd fhe iome Nymph had been, 
 Becaufe fhee was apparelled in greene ; 
 Or happily, fome of fayre Floras trayne, 
 Which oft did vfe to fport vpon the Plaine : 
 He tels her, he was Phmbes feruant fworne, 
 And oft in hunting had her Quiuer borne, 
 And that to her virginity he vowed, 
 Which in no hand by Venus was alowed ; 
 Then vnto her a Catalogue recites 
 Of Phoebes Statutes, and her hallowed Rites, 
 
 And 
 
Endimion and Phoebe, 
 
 And of the grieuous penalty inflidled, 
 
 On fuch as her chaft lawes had interdided : 
 
 Now, he requefls, that fhee would ftand afide, 
 
 Becaufe the fifh her fliadow had efpide ; 
 
 Then he intreats her that (he would be gone, 
 
 And at this time to let him be alone ; 
 
 Then turnes him from her in an angry fort, 
 
 And frownes and chafes that (hee had fpoil'd his 
 
 And then he threatens her, if fhe did ftay, (fport. 
 
 And told her, great Diana came this way. 
 
 But for all this, this Nymph would not forbeare, 
 
 But now fhe fmoothes his crifpy-curled haire. 
 
 And when hee (rudely) will'd her to refrayne, 
 
 Yet fcarcely ended, (he begins agayne : 
 
 Thy Ewes (qd. fhe) with Milk fhall daily fpring. 
 
 And to thy profit yeerely Twins fhall bring. 
 
 And thy fayre flock, (a wonder to behold) 
 
 Shall haue their fleeces turn'd to burnifht gold ; 
 
 Thy batefull paflure to thy wanton Thewes, 
 
 Shall be refrefht with Nedlar-dropping dewes. 
 
 The Oakes fmooth leaues, firropt with hony fall. 
 
 Trickle down drops to quench thy thirft withall : 
 
 The cruell Tygar will I tame for thee. 
 
 And gently lay his head vpon thy knee ; 
 
 C 2 And 
 
Endimioii and Phoebe. 
 
 And by my fpells, the Wolues iawes will I lock, 
 And (as good Sheepheards) make them gard thy 
 He mount thee brauely on a Lyons back, (flock, 
 
 To driue the fomy-tufked Bore to wrack : 
 The brazen-hoofed yelling Bulls He yoke, 
 And with my hearbs, the fcaly Dragon choke. 
 Thou in great Pho^bes luory Coche flialt ride, 
 Which drawne by Eagles, in the ayre fliall glide : 
 He ftay the time, it fhall not fteale away. 
 And twenty Moones as feeming but one day. 
 -^j JBehold (fond boy) this Rozen-weeping Pine, 
 / yftTThis mournfull Larix, dropping Turpentine, 
 /" This mounting Teda, thus with tempefts torne, 
 With incky teares continually to mourne ; 
 Looke on this tree, which blubbereth Amber gum, 
 which feemes to fpeak to thee, though it be dumb. 
 Which being fenceles blocks, as thou do'ft fee, 
 Weepe at my woes, that thou might'ft pitty mee. 
 O thou art young, and fit for loues profeffion. 
 Like wax which warmed quickly takes impreffi5. 
 Sorrow in time, with floods thofe eyes fhall weare. 
 Whence pitty now cannot extort a teare. 
 Fond boy, with words thou might'ft be ouercome, 
 '' But loue furpriz'd the hart, the tongue is dumbe, 
 
 Bu 
 
 
Eudimioti and P/iwbc, 
 
 lUit as I can, He ftriue to conquer thee ; 
 
 \ ct teares, & fighes, my weapons needs must bee. 
 
 My fighes moue trees, rocks melting with my tears. 
 
 But thou art blind ; and cruell ftop'ft thine eares : 
 
 Looke in this Well, (if beautie men alow) 
 
 '] liough thou be faire, yet I as fayre as thou ; 
 
 1 am a Vejlall, and a fpotles Mayd, 
 
 Although by loue to thee I am betrayd : 
 
 But fith (vnkinde) thou dooft my loue difdayne, 
 
 Ilo rocks and hills my felfe I will complaine. 
 
 Thus with a figh, her fpeeches of fhe broke, 
 1 he whilft her eyes to him in filence fpoke ; 
 And from the place this wanton Nymph arofe. 
 And vp to iMtmus all in haft fhee goes ; 
 Like to a Nymph on fhady Citheron, 
 The fwift Ifnio^nos, or Tliirjiwdoon, 
 Gliding like Thetis, on the fleet wanes borne, 
 Or file which trips vpon the eares of Corne : 
 Like fwallowes when in open ayre they ftriue. 
 Or like the Foule which towring Falcons driue. 
 But whilft the w^anton thus purfu'd his fport, ^ 
 Deceitfull Loue had vndermin'd the Fort, ' 
 And by a breach (in fpight of all deniance,) 
 I'ntred the Fort which lately made defiance: 
 
 C 3 W^ith 
 
Eiidimion and Phoebe. 
 
 And with ftrong fiedge had now begirt about 
 The mayden Skonce which held the fouldier out. 
 '' Loue wants his eyes, yet (hoots he paffing right, 
 His (hafts our thoughts, his bowe hee makes our 
 His deadly piles are tempred by fuch Art, (fight. 
 
 As (till dire6ts the Arrowe to the hart : 
 /He cannot loue, and yet forfooth he will, 
 v/ He fees her not, and yet he fees her ftill, 
 \ Hee goes vnto the place fhee ftood vpon, 
 \^nd a(ks the poore foyle whether fhe was gon ; ' 
 Fayne would he follow her, yet makes delay, 
 Fayne would he goe, and yet fayne would he flay, 
 He kift the flowers depreffed with her feete, 
 And fwears fro her they borrow'd all their fweet. 
 Faine would he caft afide this troublous thought. 
 But ftill like poyfon, more and more it wrought, 
 And to himfelfe thus often would he fay, 
 Heere my Loue fat, in this place did fhee play, 
 Heere in this Fountaine hath my Goddeffe been, 
 And with her prefence hath fhe grac'd this green. 
 
 Now black-browd Night plac'd in her chaire 
 Sat wrapt in clouds within her Cabinet, (of let. 
 And with her du(ky mantle ouer-fpred. 
 The path the Sunny Palfrayes vfd to tred ; 
 
 And 
 
 I 
 
Endimioii and Pliccbe, 
 
 And Cynf/iia fitting in her Chriftall chayre, 
 In all her pompe, now rid along her Spheare, 
 The honnied dewe defcended in foft ihowres, 
 Drizled in Pearle vpon the tender flowers ; 
 And Zephyrc hurtit, and with a w^hifpering gale, 
 Seemed to harken to the Nightingale, 
 Which in the thorny brakes with her fweet fong, 
 \'nto the filent Night bewrayd her wrong. 
 
 Now faft by Latmits neere vnto a Groue, 
 Which by the mount was fhadowed from aboue, 
 Vpon a banck Endimion fat by night. 
 To whom fayre Pkcebe lent her frendly light : 
 And fith his flocks were layd them downe to reft. 
 Thus giues his forrowes paffage from his breft ; 
 Sweet leaues (qd. he) which with the ayre doe tremble, 
 Oh how your motions do my thoughts refemble. 
 With that milde breath by which onely moue, 
 Whifper my words in filence to my Loue : 
 I onuay my fighes fweet Ciuet-breathing ayre, 
 In dolefull accents to my heauenly fayre ; 
 ^ ou murmuring Springs, like doleful Inftruments 
 Vpon your grauell found my fad laments, 
 And in your filent bubling as you goe, 
 Confort your felues like Mufick to my woe. 
 
 And 
 
Eiidiinion and Pliocbe. 
 
 And lifting now his fad and heauy eyes 
 Vp, towards the beauty of the burnifht fkies, 
 Bright Lamps (qd. he) the glorious Welkin bears, 
 Which clip about the Plannets wandring Sphears, 
 And in your circled Maze doe euer role, 
 Dauncing about the neuer-moouing Pole : 
 Sweet Nymph, which in fayre Elice dooft fhine, 
 Whom thy furpaffmg beauty made diuine, 
 The con- Now iu thc Artick conftellation, 
 
 stellations ' 
 
 rXAJdck Smyle fweet Calijlo on EndimioTi: 
 
 And thou braue Perfeus in the Northern ayre. 
 
 Holding Medufa by the fnaky hayre, 
 
 loites fhowre-begotten Son, whofe valure tryed 
 
 In feauenteene glorious lights art ftellified ; 
 
 Which won'ft thy loue, left as a Monfters pray ; 
 
 And thou the louely fayre Andromida^ 
 
 Borne of the famous Etheopian lyne, 
 
 Darting thefe rayes from thy tranfpiercing eyne. 
 
 To thee the bright Cajfiopey, with thefe, 
 
 Whofe beauty ftroue with the Neriedes^ 
 
 With all the troupe of the celeftiall band, 
 
 Which on Olinipus in your glory ftand ; 
 
 And you, great wandring lights, if fro your Sphears 
 
 You haue regard vnto a Sheepeheards teares. 
 
 Or 
 
Endiviiou and Plicvbc. 
 
 Or as men fay, if oucr earthly things 
 
 ^ oil onely rule as Potentates and Kings, 
 
 \ nto my loues euent fweet Stars dired:, 
 
 \ our kindeft reuolution and afped, 
 
 And bend your cleere eyes from your Thrones a- 
 
 \^pon Endimion pyning thus in loue. (boue 
 
 Now, ere the purple dauning yet did fpring. 
 The ioyfuU Lark began to ftretch her wing. 
 And now the Cock the mornings Trumpeter, 
 Playd hunts-vp for the day ftarre to appeare, 
 Downe flydeth Phoe^be from her Chriftall chayre, 
 Sdayning to lend her light vnto the ayre. 
 But vnto Latmtis all in hafte is gon. 
 Longing to fee her fweet Endimion ; 
 At whofe departure all the Plannets gazed, 
 As at fome feld-feene accident amazed. 
 Till reafoning of the fame, they fell at ods. 
 So that a queftion grew amongft the Gods, 
 Whether without a generall confent 
 She might depart their facred Parliament ? 
 ikit what they could doe was but all in vaine, 
 Of liberty they could her not reflraine : 
 1 or of the feauen fith (he the loweft was, 
 \'nto the earth fhe might the eafiefl: paffe ; 
 
 D. Sith 
 
Endimion and Phoebe, 
 
 Sith onely by her moyfly influence, 
 
 Of earthly things flie hath preheminence, 
 
 And vnder her, mans mutable eftate, 
 
 As with her changes doth participate ; 
 
 And from the working of her waning fource, 
 
 Th Vncertaine waters held a certaine courfe, 
 
 Throughout her kingdoe flie might walk at large, 
 
 Wherof as Empreffe flie had care and charge, 
 
 And as the Sunne vnto the Day giues light, 
 
 So is flie onely Miftris of the Night ; (guide. 
 
 Which whilft fliee in her oblique courfe dooth 
 
 The glittering flars apeare in all their pride. 
 
 Which to her light their frendly Lamps do lend. 
 
 And on her trayne as Hand-maydes doe attend. 
 
 And thirteene times flie through her Sphere doth 
 
 Ere Phoebus full his yearly courfe have don : (run, 
 
 And vnto her of women is affign'd. 
 
 Predominance of body and of mind. 
 
 That as of Plannets fhee mofl: variable. 
 
 So of all creatures they moft mutable. 
 
 But her fweet Latmus which fhe lou'd fo much. 
 
 No fooner once her dainty foote doth touch, 
 
 But that the Mountaine with her brightnes flione, 
 
 And gaue a light to all the Horizon : 
 
 Euer 
 
Endimion and Plicebc, 
 
 Euen as the Sun which darknes long did fhroud, 
 Breakes fuddainly from vnderneath a clowd, 
 So that the Nimphs which on her ftill attended, 
 Knew certainly great Phoebe was difcended ; 
 And all aproched to this facred hill, 
 There to awayt their foueraigne Goddeffe will, 
 And now the little Birds, whom Nature taught, 
 To honour great Diana as they ought, 
 Becaufe fhe is the Goddeffe of the woods. 
 And fole preferuer of their hallowed floods. 
 Set to their confort in their lower fprings. 
 That with the Muficke all the mountaine rings ; 
 So that it feemd the Birds of euery Groue 
 Which fhould excell and paffe each other ftroue, 
 That in the higher woods and hollow grounds, 
 The murmuring Eccho euery where refounds. 
 The trembling brooks their flyding courfes ftayd. 
 The whilft the wanes one with another playd. 
 And all the flocks in this reioycing mood. 
 As though inchaunted do forbeare their food : 
 The heards of Deare downe from the mountains 
 As loth to come within Dianas view, (flew, 
 
 Whofe piercing arrowes from her luory bowe. 
 Had often taught her powerfull hand to knowe ; 
 
 D 2 And 
 
Endimion and Phoebe. 
 
 And now from Latmus looking towards the plains, 
 Cafting her eyes vpon the Sheepheards fwaines, 
 Perceiu'd her deare Endimions flock were ftray'd 
 And he himfelfe vpon the ground was layd ; 
 Who late recald from melancholy deepe, 
 The chaunting Birds had lulled now afleepe : 
 For why the Mufick in this humble kinde, 
 As it firft found, lo doth it leaue the minde ; 
 And melancholy from the Spleene begun. 
 By paffion moou'd, into the veynes doth run ; 
 Which when this humor as a fwelling Flood, 
 By vigor is infufed in the blood ; 
 The vitall fpirits doth mightely apall ; 
 choHe^^"" ^^^ weakeneth fo the parts organicall. 
 
 And when the fenfes are difturbd and tierd, 
 With what the hart inceffantly defierd. 
 Like Trauellers with labor long oppreft. 
 Finding releafe, eft-foones they fall to rest. 
 / And comming now to her Endimion, 
 I Whom heauy fleepe had lately ceafd vpon, 
 
 Kneeling her downe, him in her armes (he clips, 
 I And with fweet kiffes fealeth vp his lips, (fhowrs, 
 \ Whilft from her eyes, teares ftreaming downe in 
 ^ Fell on his cheekes like dew vpon the flowrs. 
 
 In 
 
 The effect 
 
Endimion and Phoebe, 
 
 In globy circles like pure drops of Milk, 
 Sprinckled on Rofes, or fine crimfon filk : 
 Touching his brow, this is the feate (quoth (he) 
 Where Beauty fits in all her Maieftie, 
 She calls his eye-lids thofe pure Chriftall couers 
 Which do include the looking Glaffe of Louers, 
 She calls his lips the fweet delicious folds 
 Which rare perfume and precious incenfe holds, 
 Shee calls his foft fmooth Allablafter flcin, 
 The Lawne which Angels are attyred in, 
 Sweet face (qd. flie) but wanting words I fpare thee 
 Except to heauen alone I fhould compare thee : 
 And whilft her words fiie wafteth thus in vayne. 
 Sporting herfelfe the tyme to entertayne, 
 The frolick Nymphes with Muficks facred found, 
 Entred the Meddowes dauncing in a round : 
 And vnto Phoebe ftraight their courfe diredl. 
 Which now their ioyfull comming did expedl, 
 Before whofe feet their flowrie fpoyles they lay, 
 And with fweet Balme his body doe imbay. 
 And on the Laurels growing there along. 
 Their wreathed garlonds all about they hung : 
 And all the ground within the compaffe load, 
 With fweeteft flowers, wheron they lightly troad. 
 
 D 3 With 
 
E7idimion and Phoebe. 
 
 With Nedlar then his temples they be dew, 
 
 And kneeling foftly kiffe him all arew ; 
 
 Then in braue galiards they themfelues aduaunce, 
 
 And in the Tryas Bacchus (lately daunce ; 
 
 Then, following on fayre Floras gilded trayne, 
 
 Into the Groues they thus depart agayne, 
 
 And now to fhew her powerfull deitie. 
 
 Her fweet Endimion more to beautifie. 
 
 Into his foule the Goddeffe doth infufe. 
 
 The fiery nature of a heauently Mufe, 
 
 Which in the fpyrit labouring by the mind 
 
 Pertaketh of celeftiall things by kind : 
 
 For why the foule being diuine alone, 
 
 Exempt from vile and groffe corruption. 
 
 Of heauenly fecrets comprehenfible. 
 
 Of which the dull flefh is not fenfible. 
 
 And by one onely powerfull faculty, 
 
 Yet gouerneth a multiplicity. 
 
 Being effentiall, uniforme in all ; 
 
 Not to be feuer'd nor diuiduall. 
 
 But in her function holdeth her eftate, 
 
 By powers diuine in her ingenerate. 
 
 And fo by infpiration conceaueth 
 
 What heauen to her by diuination breatheth ; 
 
 But 
 
Endimion ami Phoebe, 
 
 lUit they no fooner to the fhades were gone, 
 Lcauing their Goddeffe by Endimion, 
 But by the hand the louely boy (hee takes, 
 .\nd from his fweet fleepe foftly him awakes, 
 \\ ho being ftruck into a fodayne feare, 
 l>cholding thus his glorious Goddeffe there, 
 His hart tranfpierfed with this fodayne glance. 
 Became as one late caft into a trance : 
 \\ iping his eyes not yet of perfedl fight, 
 Scarcely awak'd amazed at the light, 
 His cheekes now pale then louely blufliing red, 
 \\ hich oft increafd, and quickly vanifhed, 
 And as on him her fixed eyes were bent. 
 So to and fro his colour came and went ; 
 Like to a Chrifl:all neere the fire fet, 
 Againft the brightnes rightly oppofet. 
 Now doth reteyne the colour of the flame, 
 And lightly moued againe, refledls the fame ; 
 For our affection quickned by her heate, 
 Alayd and ftrengthned by a ftrong conceit, 
 The mind difturbed forth-with doth conuart, 
 To an internall paffion of the hart, 
 By motion of that fodaine ioy or feare, 
 A\ hich we receiue either by the eye or eare, 
 
 The causes of 
 the externall 
 signes of pas- 
 sion. 
 
 For 
 
Eitdimion and Phoebe. 
 
 For by retradlion of the fpirit and blood, 
 From thofe exterior parts where firft they flood, 
 Into the center of the body fent, 
 Returnes againe more ftrong and vehement : 
 And in the like extreamitie made cold. 
 About the fame, themfelues doe clofely hold, 
 And though the caufe be like in this refpedl, 
 Works by this meanes a contrary effed:. 
 
 Thus whilft this paffion hotely held his courfe, 
 Ebbing and flowing from his fpringing fource, 
 With the ftrong fit of this fweet Feuer moued. 
 At fight of her which he intirely loued. 
 Not knowing yet great Phoebe this fhould be, 
 His foueraigne Goddeffe, Quee ne of C haftitie, 
 Now like a man whom Loue had learned Art, 
 Refolu'd at once her fecrets to impart : 
 But firft repeats the torments he had past. 
 The woes indur'd fince tyme he faw her lafl ; 
 Now he reports he noted whilft he fpake, 
 The buflling windeg their murmure often brake. 
 And being filent, feemd to paufe and ftay, 
 To liften to her what fhe ment to fay : 
 Be kind (quoth he) fweet Nymph vnto thy louer. 
 My foules fole effence, and my fenfes mouer. 
 
 Life 
 
Endiniion and Phoebe. 
 
 Life of my life, pure Image of my hart, 
 
 Imprcffure of Conceit, Inuention, Art, 
 
 My vitall fpirit, receues his fpirit from thee. 
 
 Thou art that all which ruleth all in me, 
 
 Thou art the fap, and life whereby I Hue, 
 
 Which powerfull vigor dooft receiue and giue, 
 
 Thou nouriflieft the flame wherein I burne, 
 
 The North whereto my harts true tuch doth turne. 
 
 Pitty my poore flock, fee their wofull plight, -y 
 
 Theyr Maifter perifht lining from thy fight, ^ J^^ \X ^ \.^ 
 
 Theyr fleeces rent, my treffes all forlorne, o^ \J^ /^ 
 
 I pyne, whilft they theyr pafture haue forborne ; ^X /^ q^ 
 
 Behold (quoth he) this little flower belowe, /^ t^. /^ 
 
 Which heere within this Fountayne brim dooth X,^'^^ 
 
 With that, a folemne tale begins to tell (grow ; 
 
 Of this fayre flower, and of this holy Well, 
 
 A goodly legend, many Winters old, 
 
 Learn'd by the Sheepheards fitting by their folde, 
 
 How once this Fountayne was a youthfull fwaine, 
 
 A frolick boy and kept vpon the playne, 
 
 X'nfortunate it hapt to him (quoth he)" 
 
 To loue a fayre Nymph as I nowe loue thee. 
 
 To her his loue and forrow he imparts. 
 
 Which might diffolue a rock of flinty harts ; 
 
 E. To 
 
Endimion and Phoebe. 
 
 To her he fues, to her he makes his mone, 
 But fhe more deafe and hard then fteele or ftone 
 And thus one day with grief of mind oppreft, 
 As in this place, he layd him downe to reft, 
 The Gods at length vppon his forrowes looke. 
 Transforming him into this pirrling Brooke, 
 Whofe murmuring bubles foftly as they creepe, 
 Falling in drops, the Channell feems to weepe. 
 But ftiee thus careles of his mifery, 
 Still fpends her dayes in mirth and iollity ; 
 And comming one day to the Riuer fide. 
 Laughing for ioy when fhe the fame efpyde, 
 This wanton Nymph in that vnhappy hower, 
 Was heere transformd into this purple flower. 
 Which towards the water turnes it felfe agayne. 
 To pitty him by her vnkindnes flayne. 
 
 She, as it feemd, who all this time attended, 
 Longing to heare that once his tale were ended, 
 Now like a iealous woman fhe repeats, 
 Mens fubtilties, and naturall deceyts ; 
 And by example ftriues to verifie. 
 Their ficklenes and vaine inconftancie : 
 Their hard obdurate harts, and wilfull blindnes, 
 Telling a ftorie wholy of vnkindnes ; 
 
Endimioii and Phcebe. 
 
 iut he, who well perceiued her intent, 
 
 .nd to remoue her from this argument, 
 Now by the facred Fount he vowes and fweares, 
 By Louers fighes, and by her halowed teares ; 
 By holy Latmus now he takes his oath. 
 That all he fpake was in good fayth and troth ; 
 And for no frayle vncertayne doubt fhould moue 
 Vowes fecrecie, the crown of a true Louer. (her, 
 She hearing this, thought time that fhe reueald, 
 That kind affedlion which fhe long conceald, 
 Determineth to make her true Loue known, 
 Which fhee had borne vnto Endimion ; 
 I am no Huntreffe, nor no Nymph (quoth fhe) 
 As thou perhaps imagin'ft me to be, 
 I am great Phoebe, Latmus facred Queene, 
 Who from the fkies haue hether paft vnfeene, 
 And by thy chad loue hether was I led. 
 Where full three years thy fayre flock haue I fed, 
 Vpon thefe Mountaines and thefe firtile plaines. 
 And crownd thee King of all the Sheepheards 
 Nor wanton, nor laciuious is my loue, /(fwaines : 
 Nor neuer luft my chart thoughts once could moue 
 But fith thou thus haft offerd at my Shrine, 
 And of the Gods haft held me moft diuine, 
 
 E 2 Mine 
 
E^tdimion and Phoebe. 
 
 Mine altars thou with facrifice haft ftord, 
 And in my Temples haft my name ador'd, 
 And of all other, moft haft honor'd mee, 
 Great Phmbes glory thou alone ftialt fee. 
 
 Thys fpake, fhe putteth on her braue attire, 
 As being burnifht in her Brothers fire, 
 Purer then that Celeftiall fhining flame 
 Wherein great loue vnto his Lemmon came. 
 Which quickly had his pale cheekes ouer-fpred. 
 And tindled with a louely blufhing red. 
 Which whilft her Brother Titan for a fpace. 
 Withdrew himfelfe, to giue his fifter place, 
 Shee now is darkned to all creatures eyes, 
 Whilft in the fhadow of the earth fhe lyes, 
 For that the earth of nature cold and dry, 
 A very Chaos of obfcurity, 
 Whofe globe exceeds her compaffe by degrees, 
 Fixed vpon her Superficies ; 
 When in his fhadow fhe doth hap to fall, 
 Dooth caufe her darknes to be generall. 
 
 Thus whilft he layd his head vpon her lap, 
 Shee in a fiery mantle doth him wrap. 
 And carries him vp from this lumpifh mould, 
 Into the fkyes, whereas he might behold, 
 
 The 
 
Endiniioii and Pluvbc. 
 
 The earth in perfecil round nes of a ball 
 
 I exceeding globes moft artificiall : 
 
 WHiich in a fixed poynt Nature difpofed, 
 
 And with the fundry Elements inclofed, 
 
 Which as the Center permanent dooth (lay, 
 
 W^hen as the fkies in their diurnall fvvay, 
 
 Strongly maintaine the euer-turning courfe, 
 
 Torced alone by their ftrong moouer fource, 
 
 Where he beholds the ayery Regions, 
 
 Whereas the clouds and ftrange impreflions, 
 
 Maintaynd by coldnes often doe appeare. 
 
 And by the higheft Region of the ayre, 
 
 \^nto the cleereft Element of fire, 
 
 Which to her filuer foot-ftoole doth afpire, 
 
 Then dooth (he mount him vp into her Sphere, \ 
 
 Imparting heauenly fecrets to him there, \ 
 
 Where lightned by her fhining beames he fees, j 
 
 The powerfull Plannets, all in their degrees. 
 
 Their fundry reuolutions in the fkies. 
 
 And by their working how they fimpathize ; 
 
 All in theyr circles feuerally prefixt, 
 
 And in due diftance each with other mixt : 
 
 The mantions which they hold in their eftate, 
 
 ( )f which by nature they participate ; 
 
 E 3 And 
 
Endmiioii and Phoebe. 
 
 And how thofe fignes their feuerall places take, 
 Within the compaffe of the Zodiacke ; 
 And in their feuerall triplicities confent, 
 
 SeirrrfpHcJ'' ^nto the nature of an Element, 
 
 vj^th^ ai^Ek' To which the Plannets doe themfelues difperce, 
 
 ments. Hauing the guidance of this vniuers, 
 
 And do from thence extend their feuerall powers, 
 
 Vnto this little flefhiy world of ours : 
 
 Wherin her Makers workmanfhip is found, 
 
 As in contriuing of this mighty round. 
 
 In fuch ftrange maner and fuch fafhion wrought, 
 
 As doth exceede mans dull and feeble thought. 
 
 Guiding vs ftill by their diredlions ; 
 
 And that our flefhiy frayle completions 
 
 Of Elementall natures grounded bee. 
 
 With which our difpofitions moft agree, 
 
 Some of the fire and ayre participate, 
 
 And fome of watry and of earthy ftate. 
 
 As hote and moyft, with chilly cold and dry. 
 
 And vnto thefe the other contrary ; 
 
 And by their influence powerfull on the earth. 
 
 Predominant in mans fraile mortall bearth, 
 
 And that our Hues effedts and fortunes are. 
 
 As in that happy or vnlucky Starre, 
 
 Which 
 
Eudi))iio}i (Did Pliocbe. 
 
 Which reigning in our frayle natiuitie, 
 
 Scales vp the fecrets of our deftinie, 
 
 With frendly Plannets in coniundlion fct, 
 
 Or els with other meerely oppofet : 
 
 And now to him her greateft power fhc lent, 
 
 To lift him to the ftarry Firmament, 
 
 Where he beheld that milky ftayned place, 
 
 By which the Twynns & heauenly Archers trace, 
 
 The dogge which doth the furious Lyon beate, 
 
 Whofe flaming breath increafeth Titans heate, 
 
 The teare-diftilling mournfuU Pliades, 
 
 Which on the earth the ftormes & tempefts raife, 
 
 And all the courfe the conftellations run, 
 
 When in coniund:ion with the Moone or Sun, 
 
 When towards the fixed Articke they arife, 
 
 When towards the Antaricke, falling fro our eyes ; 
 
 And hauing impt the wings of his defire, 
 
 And kindled him, with this coeleftiall fire, 
 
 She fets him downe, and vanifliing his fight, 
 
 Leaues him inwrapped in this true delight : 
 
 Now wherefoeuer he his fayre flock fed. 
 
 The Mufes ftill Endirnion followed ; 
 
 His fheepe as white as Swans or driuen fnow, 
 
 Which beautified the foyle with fuch a fliow, 
 
 As 
 
X 
 
 Endimion and Phoebe. 
 
 As where hee folded in the darkeft Night, 
 
 There neuer needed any other light ; 
 
 If that he hungred and defired meate, 
 
 The Bees would bring him Honny for to eate, 
 
 Yet from his lyps would not depart away, 
 
 Tyll they were loden with Ambrofia ; 
 
 And if he thirfted, often there was feene 
 
 A bubling Fountaine fpring out of the greene. 
 
 With Chriftall liquor fild vnto the brim, 
 
 Which did prefent her liquid (lore to him. 
 
 If hee would hunt, the fayre Nymphs at his will. 
 
 With Bowes & Quiuers would attend him ftill : 
 
 And what-foeuer he defierd to haue, 
 
 That he obtain'd if hee the fame would craue. 
 
 / And now at length, the ioyfull tyme drew on, 
 
 She meant to honor her Endimion, 
 
 And glorifie him on that (lately Mount, 
 
 Whereof the Goddeffe made fo great account. 
 
 Shee fends loues winged Herauld to the woods. 
 
 The neighbour Fountains, & the bordring floods. 
 
 Charging the Nymphes which did inhabit there, 
 
 vpon a day appoynted, to appeare. 
 
 And to attend her facred Maieftie 
 
 In all theyr pompe and great folemnity, 
 
 Hauin: 
 
Eiidiiuion and Pliocbe. 
 
 Hailing' obtaynd great Plia^bus free confent 
 1 o further her diuine and chaft intent, 
 Which thus impofed as a thing of waight, 
 In fkately troupes appeare before her ftraight, 
 The Faunes and Satyres from the tufted Brakes, 
 Theyr brifly amies wreath'd al about with fnakes ; 
 Their fturdy loynes with ropes of luie bound, 
 Iheir horned heads with Woodbine Chaplets crownd, 
 With Cipreffe lauelens, and about theyr thyes 
 The flaggy hayre diforder'd loofeley flyes : 
 Th' Oriades like to the Spartan Mayd, 
 In Murrie-fcyndall gorgioufly arayd : 
 With gallant greene Scarfes girded in the waft, 
 Theyr flaxen hayre with filken fillets lac'd, 
 Woue with flowers in fweet lafciuious wreathes, 
 Moouing like feathers as the light ayre breathes, 
 With crownes of Mirtle, glorious to behold, 
 whofe leaues are painted with pure drops of gold : 
 With traines of fine Biffe checker'd al with frets 
 Of dainty Pincks and precious Violets, 
 In branched Bufkins of fine Cordiwin, 
 With fpangled garters downe vnto the fhin, 
 Fring'd with fine filke, of many a fundry kind, 
 Which lyke to pennons waued with the wind, 
 
 F The 
 
Endimion and Phoebe. 
 
 The Hamadriads from their fliady Bowers, 
 Deckt vp in Garlonds of the rareft flowers, 
 Vpon the backs of milke-white Bulls were fet, 
 With home and hoofe as black as any let, 
 Whofe collers were great maffy golden rings, 
 Led by their fwaynes in twifted filken ftrings ; 
 Then did the lonely Driades appeare, 
 On dapled Staggs, which brauely mounted were, 
 Whofe veluet palmes with nofegaies rarely dight, 
 To all the reft bred wonderfull delight ; 
 And in this fort accompaned with thefe, 
 In tryumph rid the watry Niades, 
 Vpon Sea-horfes, trapt with fhining finns, 
 Arm'd with their male impenitrable fkinns, 
 Whofe fcaly crefts like Raine-bowes bended hye, 
 Seeme to controule proud Iris in the fkye ; 
 -Vpon a Charriot was Endimion layd, 
 In fnowy Tiffue gorgioufly arayd, 
 Of precious luory couer'd or'e with Lawtie, 
 Which by foure ftately Vnicornes was drawne. 
 Of ropes of Orient pearle their traces were, 
 Pure as the path which dooth in heauen appeare, 
 With rareft flowers inchafte and ouer-fpred, 
 Which feru'd as Curtaynes to this glorious bed, 
 
 Whofe 
 
Eudinu'on and Phoebe. 
 
 Whofe feate of Chriftal in the Sun-beames Ihone, 
 
 Like thunder-breathing loiics celeftiall Throne, 
 
 Vpon his head a Coronet inftald, 
 
 Of one intire and mighty Emerald, 
 
 With richeft Bracelets on his lilly wrifts, 
 
 Of Hellitropium, linckt with golden tvvifts ; 
 
 A beuy of fayre Swans, which flying ouer, 
 
 With their large wings him fro the Sun do couer, 
 
 And eafily wafting as he went along. 
 
 Doe lull him ftill with their inchaunting fong, 
 
 Whilft all the Nimphes on folemne Inftruments, 
 
 Sound daintie Mufick to their fweet laments. 
 
 And now great Phoebe in her tryumph came, 
 With all the tytles of her glorious name, 
 Diana, Delia, Lima, Cynthia, 
 Virago, Hecate, and Elythia, 
 Prothiria, Di6iinna, Proferpine, 
 Latona, and Lticina, moft diuine ; 
 And in her pompe began now to approch. 
 Mounted aloft vpon her Chriftall Coach, 
 Drawn or e the playnes by fourepuremilk-whiteHinds, 
 Whofe nimble feet feem'd winged with the winds. 
 Her rareft beauty being now begun. 
 But newly borrowed from the golden Sun, 
 
 F 2. Her 
 
Endimion and Phoehe. 
 
 Her louely creffant with a decent fpace, 
 By due proportion beautifi'd her face, 
 Till hauing fully fild her circled fide, 
 Her glorious fulnes now appeard in pride ; 
 which long her changing brow could not retaine, 
 But fully waxt, began againe to wane ; 
 Vpon her brow (like meteors in the ayre) 
 Twenty & eyght great gorgious lamps fhee bare ; 
 Some, as the Welkin, fiiining paffing bright, 
 Some not fo fumptuous, others leffer light. 
 Some burne, fome other, let theyr faire lights fall, 
 Compofd in order Geometricall ; 
 And to adorne her with a greater grace. 
 And ad more beauty to her louely face. 
 Her richeft Globe fhee glorioufly difplayes. 
 Now that the Sun had hid his golden rayes : 
 Leaft that his radiencie fhould her fuppreffe, 
 And fo might make her beauty feeme the leffe ; 
 Her ftately trayne layd out in azur'd bars, 
 Poudred all thick with troopes of filuer ftars : 
 Her ayrie vefture yet fo rare and ftrange, 
 As euery howre the colour feem'd to change, 
 Yet ftill the former beauty doth retaine. 
 And eucr came vnto the fame againe. 
 
 Then 
 
Endiniion a) id P hoc be, 
 
 rhcn fay re AJtrca, of the Titans line, 
 X'Vhom equity and iuftice made diuine, 
 \'Vas feated heer vpon the filuer beame, 
 And with the raines guides on this goodly teame, 
 
 1 o whom the Cliarites led on the way, 
 . Iglaia, Thalia, and Euphrozine, 
 \ \'ith princely crownes they in the triumph came, 
 Imbellilhed with Phoebes glorious name : 
 'Hiefe forth before the mighty Goddeffe went, 
 As Princes Heraulds in a Parliament. 
 And in their true conforted fymphony, 
 I\ecord fweet fongs of Phoebes chaftity ; 
 
 Then followed on the Mufes, facred nyne, 
 \Vith the firft number equally diuine, 
 In Virgins white, whofe louely mayden browes, 
 Were crowned with tryumphant Lawrell bowes ; 
 And on their garments paynted out in glory, 
 
 Iheir offices and fundions in a ftory, 
 Imblazoning the furie and conceite 
 Which on their facred company awaite ; 
 
 For none but thefe were fufifered to aproch, 
 Or once come neere to this celeftiall Coach, 
 Put thefe two of the numbers, nine and three. 
 Which being od include an vnity, 
 
 F 3 Into 
 
Endimion and Phoebe. 
 
 Into which number all things fitly fall, 
 And therefore named Theologicall : 
 And firft compofmg of this number nine, 
 Which of all numbers is the most diuine. 
 From orders of the Angels dooth arife, 
 Which be contayned in three Plirarchies, 
 And each of thefe three Hirarchies in three. 
 The perfedl forme of true triplicity ; 
 And of the Hirarchies I fpake of erfl. 
 The glorious Epiphania is the firft. 
 In which the hie celeftiall orders been, 
 Of thrones, Chirrup, and the Ciraphin ; 
 The fecond holds the mighty Principates, 
 The Dominations and the Poteftates, 
 The Ephionia, the third Hirarchie, 
 Which Vertues Angels and Archangels be ; 
 And thus by threes we aptly do define. 
 And do compofe this facred number nyne. 
 Yet each of thefe nyne orders grounded be, 
 Vpon fome one particularity. 
 Then as a Poet I might fo infer 
 An other order when I fpake of her. 
 From thefe the Mufes onely are deriued, 
 Which of the Angels were in nyne contriued ; 
 
 . Thefe 
 
^ Eiidu}iio)i and Phoebe. 
 
 wrhefe heauen-infpired Babes of memoric, 
 ■Which by a like attrading Sympathy, 
 ^ApoIIos Prophets in theyr furies wrought, 
 ■And in theyr fpirit inchaunting numbers taught, 
 To teach fuch as at Poefie repine. 
 That it is onely heauenly and diuine. 
 And manifeft her intelledluall parts, 
 Sucking the pureft of the pureft Arts ; 
 And vnto thefe as by a fweet confent, 
 The Sphery circles are equiualent, 
 From the firft Moouer, and the ftarry heauen, 
 To glorious Pliodbe lowest of the feauen. 
 Which loite in tunefull Diapazons fram'd. 
 Of heauenly Mufick of the Mufes nam'd. 
 To which the foule in her diuinitie, 
 By her Creator made of harmony, 
 Whilft fhe in frayle and mortall flefh dooth Hue, 
 To her nyne fundry offices doe giue. 
 Which offices vnited are in three, 
 Which like the orders of the Angels be, 
 1 Prefiguring thus by the number nyne, 
 The foule, like to the Angels is diuine : 
 And fro thefe nines thofe Conquerers renowned. 
 Which with the wreaths of triumph oft were crowned. 
 
 Which 
 
Endiniion ami Phoebe. 
 
 Which by their vertues gain'd the worthies name 
 
 Firft had this number added to their fame, 
 
 Not that the worthieft men were onely nine, 
 
 But that the number of it felfe diuine. 
 
 And as a perfeft patterne to the reft. 
 
 Which by this holy number are expreft ; 
 
 Nor Chiuahie this title onely gaynd ; 
 
 But might as well by wifedome be obtaynd, 
 
 Nor in this number men alone included, 
 
 But vnto women well might be aluded, 
 
 Could wit, could worlds, coulde times, could ages 
 
 This number of Elizas heauenly kind ; (find, 
 
 And thofe rare men which learning highly prized. 
 
 By whom the Conftellations were deuifed. 
 
 And by their fauours learning highly graced. 
 
 For Orpheits harpe nine ftarres in heauen placed : 
 
 This facred number to declare thereby, 
 
 Her fweet confent and folid harmony, 
 
 And mans heroique voyce, which doth impart. 
 
 The thought conceaued in the inward hart. 
 
 Her fweetnes on nine Inftruments doth ground, 
 
 Elfe doth (he fayle in true and perfedl found. 
 
 Now of this three in order to difpofe, 
 
 Whofe trynarie doth iuftly nyne compofe. 
 
 Firft 
 
Endimion and Pluvbc. 
 
 Firfl: in the forme of this triplicitie 
 Is fhadowed that mighty Trinitie, 
 
 '^ Which ftill in ftedfaft vnity remayne, 
 
 ]. And yet of three one Godhead doe containe ; 
 
 ^^ From this eternall lining deitie, 
 
 I As by a heauen-infpired prophecy, 
 
 I Diuineft Poets firft deriued thefe, 
 The fayreft Graces loite-hoxw^ Charites ; 
 And in this number Mufick firft began, 
 The Lydian, Dorian, and the Phrigian, 
 Which rauifliing in their foule-pleafing vaine, 
 They made vp feauen in a higher ftrayne ; 
 And all thofe fignes which Phoebus doth afcend, 
 
 t Before he bring his yearely courfe to end, 
 Their feuerall natures mutually agree, 
 And doe concurre in thys triplicitie ; 
 And thofe interior fences with the reft, 
 Which properly pertaine to man and Beaft, 
 Nature herfelfe in working fo deuifed. 
 That in this number they fhould be comprized. 
 
 But to my tale I muft returne againe, 
 PJiccbc to Latniits thus conuayde her fwayne, 
 \'ndcr a bufhie Lawrells pleafing fhade, (made, 
 Amongft whofe boughs the Birds fweet Mufick 
 
 G. Whofe 
 
Endi7nio7i and Phoebe. 
 
 Whofe fragrant branch-imbofted Cannapy, 
 Was neuer pierft with Pkcebus burning eye ; 
 Yet neuer could thys Paradife want light, 
 Elumin'd ftill with Phoabes glorious fight : 
 y/She layd Endimion on a graffy bed, 
 I With fommers Arras ritchly ouer-fpred, 
 \ Where from her facred Mantion next aboue, 
 \ She might defcend and fport her with her loue, 
 ^^ Which thirty yeeres the Sheepheards fafely kept, 
 /Who in her bofom foft and foundly flept ; 
 / Yet as a dreame he thought the tyme not long, 
 / Remayning euer beautifull and yong, 
 I And what in vifion there to him befell 
 VMy weary Mufe fome other time fliall tell. 
 
 Deare Collin, let my Mufe excufed be, 
 Which rudely thus prefumes to fmg by thee, 
 Although her ftraines be harfh vntun'd & ill. 
 Nor can attayne to thy diuin eft fkill. 
 
 And thou, the fweet Mufens of thefe times. 
 Pardon my rugged and vnfiled rymes, 
 Whofe fcarce inuention is too meane and bafe. 
 When Delias glorious Mufe dooth come in place. 
 
 And 
 
Endhnion and Plicebe. 
 
 And thpiuny G^A/i^iy which in Sommer dayes, 
 Haft feafted vs with merry roundelayes, 
 And when my Mufe fcarce able was to flye, 
 Didft imp her wings with thy fweete Poefie. 
 
 And you the heyres of euer-liuing fame, 
 The worthy titles of a Poets name, 
 Whofe fkill and rareft excellence is fuch. 
 As fpitefull Enuy neuer yet durft tuch, 
 To your protection I this Poem fend. 
 Which from proud Momtis may my lines defend. 
 
 A nd if fw eet mayd thou deign'ft to read this ftory, 
 Wherein thine eyes may view thy vertues glory, 
 Thou pureft fpark of Vejids kindled fire. 
 Sweet Nymph of Aitkor, crowne of my defire. 
 The plot which for their pleafure heauen deuis'd, 
 Where all the Mufes be imparadis'd. 
 Where thou dooft Hue, there let all graces be. 
 Which want theyr grace if onely wanting thee, 
 Let ftormy winter neuer touch the Clyme, 
 But let it florifh as in Aprils prime, 
 Let fullen night, that foyle nere ouer-cloud, 
 But in thy prefence let the earth be proud, 
 If euer Nature of her worke might boaft, 
 Of thy perfection (he may glory moft, 
 
 G 2 To 
 
Endimion and Phmbe. 
 
 To whom fay re Phoebe hath her bow refign'd, 
 Whofe excellence doth lyue in thee refin'd, 
 And that thy praife Time neuer (hould impayre, 
 Hath made my hart thy neuer mouing Spheare. 
 Then if my Mufe giue life vnto thy fame, 
 Thy vertues be the caufers of the fame. 
 And from thy Tombe fome Oracle fhall rife, 
 To whom all pens fhall yearely facrifice. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
■ -"-'5k:: 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The following tract is a typographical fac-simile of Michael 
 Drayton's second publication, his first that was not of a sacred 
 character: his " Harmon ie of the Church" came out in lo91 ; 
 and between that year and 1593 we know of no separate production 
 from his pen. In reprinting these Pastorals we have not merely 
 imitivted the types, but we have followed the pagination, the spelling 
 and even the corrupt punctuation. The original is so rare a book 
 that only two, or at most three, copies of it are extant : the one 
 we have used has the autograph of Queen Elizabeth's unfortunate 
 fiivourite, the Earl of Essex, on the title-page, and various verbal 
 and literal manuscript corrections, which we have not introduced, 
 V)ccausc our object was to shew the very form and condition of the 
 work as it came from the poet's hands. Moreover, it comprises 
 I)oems never afterwards acknowledged by Drayton, and the whole 
 shape of the small volume' was altered when it again made its 
 appearance. The author does not speak of the Earl of Essex as 
 his |)atrun, ;is he probably afterwards Ixjcame, l)ut he celebrates 
 
Sir Philip Sidney by the name Elphin, and he inserts an elegy upon 
 him, and an eulogy upon the Queen, which, we apprehend, exist 
 only in the volume in the hands of the reader. Drayton was, of 
 course, a warm admirer of Spenser, whom to a certain extent he 
 imitated in the dej)artnjent of pastoral ; and while we write we 
 have before us his copy of " The Fairie Queene " with his auto- 
 graph and many notes, marks, and corrections from the beginning 
 to the end. Spenser chose Colin as his pastoral name, while 
 Drayton adopted that of Rowland. 
 
 J. P. C. 
 
THE 
 SHEPHEARDS 
 
 GARLAND, 
 
 Fafhioned in nine Eglogs. 
 
 ROWLANDS SACRIFICE 
 to the nme Mu/es. 
 
 Effiigiunt auidos Carmiiia fola rogos. 
 
 mprintcd at London for Thomas Woodcocke, dwelling in Pauls 
 Churchyarde, at the figne of the black Bearc. 1593. 
 
TO THE NOBLE, AND VALEROVS, 
 CxENTLEMAN, MASTER ROBERT 
 DUDLEY: ENRICHED WITH 
 ALL VERTVES OF THE 
 MINDE, AND WORTHY 
 OF ALL HONORA- 
 BLE DESERT. 
 
 Your mojl affectionate, 
 
 and denoted : 
 
 Michael Drayton 
 
THE FIRST EGLOG. 
 
 Whe7i as the ioyfullfpring brings in 
 
 the Snmmers fweete relief e: 
 Poore Rowland 77ialcontc7it beivayles 
 
 the zvinter of his grief e. 
 
 OW Phoebus from the equinodliall Zone, 
 Had task'd his teamevnto the higher fpheare. 
 And from the brightnes of his glorious throne. 
 Sends forth his Beames to light the lower ayre, 
 The cheerfull welkin, comen this long look'd hower, 
 Diftils adowne full many a filuer (hower. 
 
 Fayre Philoinel night-muficke of the fpring, 
 Sweetly recordes her tunefull harmony. 
 And with deepe fobbes, and dolefull forrowing, 
 Before fayre Cinthya ades her Tragedy : 
 The Throftlecock, by breaking of the day. 
 Chants to his fweete, full many a louely lay. 
 
 The crawling fnake, againft the morning funne, 
 Now ftreaks him in his rayn-bow coloured cote : 
 The darkefome (hades, as loathfome he doth (hunne, 
 Inchanted with the Birds fweete filuan note: 
 1 he Buck forfakes the launds where he hath fed, 
 And fcornes the hunt fhould view his veluet head. 
 
 B . Through 
 
Through all the partes, difperfed is the blood, 
 
 The luftie fpring, in flower of her pride, 
 
 Man, bird, and beaft, and fifli, in pleafant flood, 
 
 Reioycing all in this moft ioyfull tide : 
 
 Saue Rowland leaning on a Ranpick tree, 
 
 O'r growne with age, forlorne with woe was he. 
 
 Oh bleffed Pmt, thou fliepheards god fayth he, 
 O thou Creator of the ftarrie light, 
 Whofe wonderous workes fliew thy diuinitie, 
 Thou wife inuentor of the day and night, 
 Refrefhing nature with the louely fpring. 
 Quite blemiflit erft, with ftormy winters fling. 
 
 O thou ftrong builder of the firmament, 
 Who placedft Phoebus in his fierie Carre, 
 And by thy mighty Godhead didft inuent, 
 The planets manfions that they fhould not iarre, 
 Ordeyning Phebe, miflreffe of the night, 
 From Tytans flame to fteale her forked light. 
 
 Euen from the cleereft chriftall fliining throne, 
 Vnder whofe feete the heauens are low abafed, 
 Commaunding in thy maieftie alone. 
 Whereas the fiery Cherubines are placed : 
 Receiue my vowes as incenfe vnto thee. 
 My tribute due to thy eternitie. 
 
 O 
 
O (hcpheards foueraignc, yea rccciuc in grce, 
 The gurtiing teares, from ncuer-refling eyes, 
 And let thofe prayers which I (hall make to thee, 
 Be in thy fight perfumed facrifice : 
 Let fmokie fighes be pledges of contrition, 
 For follies paft to make my foules fubmifsion. 
 
 Submifsion makes amends for all my miffe. 
 Contrition a refined life begins, 
 Then facred fighes, what thing more precious is ? 
 And prayers be oblations for my finnes. 
 Repentant teares, from heauen-beholding eyes, 
 Afcend the ayre, and penetrate the skies. 
 
 My forrovves waxe, my ioyes are in the wayning, 
 My hope decayes, and my defpayre is fpringing, 
 My loue hath loffe, and my difgrace hath gayning, 
 Wrong rules, defert with teares her hands fits wringing: 
 Sorrow, defpayre, difgrace, and wrong, doe thwart 
 My loy, my loue, my hope, and my defert. 
 
 Deuouring time fiiall fwallow vp my forrowes, 
 And fl:rong beliefe fiiall torture black defpaire. 
 Death fhall orewhelme difgrace, in deepefi: furrowes, 
 And luftice laie my wrongs vpon the Beere : 
 Thus luftice, death, beleefe, and time, ere long, 
 
 I Shall end my woes, defpayre, difgrace, and wrong. 
 
 Hi B2 Yet 
 
Yet time fhall be expir d and lofe his date, 
 And full affurance cancell ftrongeft truft, 
 Eternitie fhall trample on deathes pate, 
 And luftice fhall furceafe when all be iufl : 
 Thus time, beleefe, death, luftice, fhall furceafe, 
 By date, affurance, 'eternity, and peace. 
 
 Thus breathing from the Center of his foule. 
 
 The tragick accents of his extafie. 
 
 His fun-fet eyes gan here and there to roule. 
 
 Like one furprifde with fodaine lunacie : 
 
 And being rouzde out of melancholly, 
 
 Flye whirle-winde thoughts vnto the heauens quoth he. 
 
 Now in the Ocean Tytan quencht his flame, 
 And fummond Cinthya to fet vp her light, 
 The heauens with their glorious ftarry frame^ 
 Preparde to crowne the fable-vayled night : 
 When Rowland from this time-confumed ftock. 
 With ftone-colde hart now ftalketh towards his flock. 
 
 Quid queror f & toto facto conuicia cceIo : 
 Di quoq; habent oculos, di quoq\ pe^zis habent. 
 
 Wynken 
 
THE SECOND EG LOG. 
 
 Wy liken of mans fray le zuayning age 
 
 declares Ike ft nip le I ruth, 
 A7id doth by Rowlands harmes reprooue 
 
 Mottos vnbrideled youth. 
 
 Motto. 
 
 Might my youths mirth delight thy aged yeeres, 
 
 My gentle fhepheard father of vs all, 
 W^herewith I whylome loy'd my louely feeres, 
 
 Chanting fweete ftraines of heauenly paftorall. 
 
 Now would I tune my miskins on this Greene, 
 And frame my mufe thofe vertues to vnfold, 
 
 Of that fole Phenix Bird, my Hues fole Queene, 
 Whofelocksdone ftaine, the three timesburnifht gold. 
 
 But melancholie grafted in thy Braine, 
 
 My Rimes feeme harfh, to thy vnrelifht tafte, 
 
 Thy droughthy wits, not long refrefht with raigne, 
 Parched with heat, done wither now and wafte. 
 
 Wytikcn. 
 
 Indeed my Boy, my wits been all forlorne, 
 
 My flowers decayd, with winter-withered frofl, 
 
 My clowdy fet eclipfd my chercfull morne. 
 That lewell gone wherein I ioyed moft. 
 
 B3 In 
 
My dreadful thoughts been drawen vpon my face, 
 
 In blotted lines with ages iron pen, 
 The lothlie morpheu faffroned the place, 
 
 Where beuties damaske daz'd the eies of men. 
 
 A cumber-world, yet in the world am left, 
 A fruitles plot, with brambles ouergrowne, 
 
 Mifliued man of my worlds ioy bereft. 
 
 Hart-breaking cares the ofspring of my mone. 
 
 Thofe daintie ftraines of my well tuned reed. 
 
 Which manie a time hath pleafd my wanton eares. 
 
 Nor fvveet, nor pleafing thoughts in me done breed. 
 But tell the follies of my wandring yeares. 
 
 Thofe poyfned pils been biding at my hart, 
 Thofe loathfome drugs of my youths vanitie, 
 
 Sweete feem'd they once, ful bitter now and tart. 
 Ay me confuming corofiues they be. 
 
 Motto. 
 Euen fo I weene, for thy old ages feuer, 
 
 Deemes fweeteft potions bitter as the gall. 
 And thy colde Pallat hauing loft her fauour, 
 
 Receiues no comfort in a cordiall. 
 
 Wifiker 
 
IVyiikoi. 
 As thou art now, was I a gamcfomc boy, 
 
 Though ftaru'd with wintred eld as thou do'ft fee, 
 And well I know thy fvvallow-winged ioy, 
 
 Shalbe forgotten as it is in me. 
 
 W hen on the Arche of thine eclipfed eies, 
 Time hath ingrau'd deep charadlers of death, 
 
 And fun-burnt age thy kindlie moifture dries, 
 Thy wearied lungs be niggards of thy breath. 
 
 Thy brawne-falne armes, thy camock-bended backe, 
 The time-plow'd furrovves in thy faireft field, 
 
 1 he Southfaiers of natures vvofull wrack, 
 When blooming age muft ftoupe to ftarued eld, 
 
 W hen Lillie white is of a tavvnie die. 
 
 Thy fragrant crimfon turn'd afh-coloured pale, 
 
 Thy fkin orecaft with rough embroderie. 
 
 And cares rude pencell, quite difgrac'd thy fale, 
 
 When downe-beds heat muft thawe thy frozen cold, 
 And luke-warme brothes recure Phlebotomie, 
 
 And when the bell is readie to be tol'd. 
 To call the wormes to thine Anatomic : 
 Remember then my boy, what once I faid to thee. 
 
 B 4 Now 
 
8 
 
 Now am I like the knurrie-bulked Oke, 
 
 Whome wafting eld hath made a toombe of duft, 
 
 Whofe wind-fallen branches feld by tempeft ftroke, 
 His barcke confumes with canker-wormed ruft. 
 
 And though thou feemft like to the bragging bryer, 
 As gay as is the mornings Marygolde, 
 
 Yet fhortly fhall thy fap be drie and feere, 
 Thy gaudy Bloffomes blemifhed with colde. 
 
 Euen fuch a wanton, an vnruly fwayne, 
 was little Rowland, when of yore as he, 
 
 Vpon the Beechen tree on yonder playne, 
 Carued this rime of loues Idolatrie. 
 
 The Gods delight, the heauens hie fpectacle, 
 Earths greatejt glory, worlds rarejt miracle. 
 
 Fortunes fay rji mijlrejfe, vertues ftirejt gttide, 
 Loues Gouernejfe, and natures chiefejl pride. 
 
 Delights owne daiding, honours cheefe defence, 
 Chaflities choyce, and wif domes quinteffence, 
 
 Conceipts fole Riches, thoughts only treafure, 
 Defires true hope, loyes fweetefl pleafure. 
 
 Mercies 
 
Mercies due Dierite, Taleurs iujl reward, 
 Times fayrejl f mite, fames Jirongejl giiarde. 
 
 Yea Jlic alone, next that eternall he, 
 The exprejfe ymage of eternitie. 
 
 Motto, 
 Oh diuine loue, which fo aloft canft raife, 
 
 And lift the minde out of this earthly mire, 
 And do'ft infpire the pen with fo hie prayfe, 
 
 As with the heauens doth equal mans defire. 
 
 Thou lightning flame of facred Poefie, 
 
 Whofe furie doth incenfe the fwelling braines, 
 
 As drawes to thee by heauen-bred Sympathie, 
 The fweete delights of highefl foaring vaines : 
 
 Who doth not helpe to deck thy holy Shrine, 
 With Mirtle, and triumphant Lawrell tree ? 
 
 Who will not fay that thou art moft diuine ? 
 Or who doth not confeffe thy deitie ? 
 
 Wynkett. 
 
 A, foolifh boy, full ill is he repayed, 
 
 For now the wanton pines in endles painc, 
 
 And fore repents what he before miffaide, 
 So may they be which can fo lewdly fainc. 
 
 C Now 
 
lO 
 
 Now hath this yonker torne his treffed lockes, 
 
 And broke his pipe which founded erft fo fweete, 
 Forfaking his companions and their flocks, 
 And cafts his gayeft garland at his feete. 
 
 And being (hrowded in a homely cote, 
 And full of forrow as a man might be, 
 
 He tun'd his Rebeck with a mournfull note, 
 And thereto fang this dolefull elegie. 
 
 Tell me fayre flocke (if fo you can conceatte) 
 The fodaine caitfe of my night-ftmnes eclipfe, 
 If this be wrought me my light to bereaue, 
 By Magick f pels, from fome iuchanting lips 
 Or vgly S3.turne from his combust fent, 
 This fatall prefage of deaths drery^nent. 
 
 Oh deer eft day-starre, honored of mine eyes, 
 Yet fdaynfl mine eyes fhould gaze vpon thy light, 
 Bright morning funne, who with thy f wee t arise, 
 ExpeWst the clouds of my harts lowring might, 
 Goddes reieding fweeteft facrifice, 
 Of nmte eyes teares ay offered to thine eyes. 
 
 May 
 
II 
 
 May purest Iicane7is fcorne my fonles pure de/ires ? 
 
 Or lioly JJiriues hate Pilgrims orizons ? 
 
 May f acred temples gay n/ay /acred prayers ? 
 
 Or Saiuts refufe the poores deuotions ? 
 
 Then Orphaue thoughts with for row be you waiud, 
 
 IVheu hues Religion Jltalbe thus prophaynd. 
 
 Vet needes the earth mujl droupe with v if age fad, 
 
 When ftluer dewes been turnd to bitter flormes, 
 
 The Cheerful WtXkm, once in fables clad, 
 
 Her frownes foretell poore humaine creatures harmes. 
 
 And yet for all to make amends for this, 
 
 The clouds fheed teares, and weepen at my mijfe. 
 
 Motto. 
 Woe's me for him that pineth fo in payne, 
 
 Alas poore Rowland, how it pities me, 
 So faire a baite fhould breed fo foule a bayne, 
 
 Or humble fhewes (hould couer crueltie. 
 
 IVinken. 
 Beware by him thou foolilh wanton fvvayne, 
 
 By others harmes thus maift thou learne to heede, 
 Beautie and wealth been fraught with hie difdaine, 
 
 Beleeue it as a Maxim of thy Creede. 
 
 C 2 If 
 
12 
 
 Motto. 
 If that there be fuch woes and paines in loue, 
 Woe be to him that lift the fame to proue. 
 
 Wynken. 
 Yes thou (halt find, if thou defir'ft to proue, 
 There is no hell, vnto the paines in loue. 
 
13 
 THE THIRD EGLOCx. 
 
 Rowland and Perk in both Jfeerc, 
 
 in field vpon a day, 
 With little Robin 7'edbrefis Round , 
 
 doe paffe the time away. 
 
 Perkin. 
 Rowland for fhame awake thy drowfie mufe, 
 Time plaies the hunts-vp to thy fleepie head, 
 Why li'ft thou here as thou hadft long been dead, 
 foule idle fwayne ? 
 
 Who euer heard thy pipe and pleafing vaine. 
 And doth but heare this fcurrill minftralcy, 
 Thefe noninos of filthie ribauldry, 
 that doth not mufe. 
 
 Then flumber not with foule Endymion, 
 But tune thy reede to dapper virelayes. 
 And fing a while of bleffed Betas prayfe, 
 faire Beta fhe : 
 
 In thy fweete fong fo bleffed may'fl; thou bee, 
 For learned Collin laies his pipe to gage, 
 And is to fayrie gone a Pilgrimage : 
 the more our mone. 
 
 C 3 Row/and 
 
14 
 
 Rowland. 
 What, Beta ? (hepheard, (he is Pans belou'd, 
 Faire Betas praife beyond our ftraine doth ftretch, 
 Her notes too hie for my poore pipe to reach, 
 poore oten reede : 
 
 So farre vnfit to fpeake of worthies deede, 
 But fet my ftops vnto a lower kay. 
 Whereas a horne-pipe I may fafelie play, 
 yet vnreproou'd. 
 
 With flatterie my mufe could neuer fage, 
 Nor could affedt fuch vaine fcurrility, 
 To pleafe lewd Lorrels, in their foolery, 
 too bafe and vile : 
 
 Nor but a note yet will I raife my flile, 
 My felfe aboue Will Piper to aduance, 
 Which fo beftirs him at the morris dance, 
 for pennie wage. 
 
 Per kin. 
 Rowland, fo toyes oft times efteemed are, ^ 
 
 And fafhions euer changing with the time, 
 Then frolick it a while in luftie rime, 
 with mirth and glee : 
 
 And 
 
15 
 
 And let me heare that Roundelay of thee, 
 Which once thou fangft to me in laneueer, 
 When Robin-redbreft fitting on a breere, 
 the burthen bare. 
 
 Rowland. 
 Well needes I muft yet with a heauie hart : 
 But were not Beta fure I would not fing, 
 Whofe praife the ecchoes neuer ceafe to ring, 
 vnto the fkies. 
 
 Pi r ken. 
 Be blith good Rowland X\\q,w, and cleere thine eyes 
 And now fith Robin to his rooft is gone, 
 Good Rowland then fupplie the pUce alone, 
 and (hew thy arte. 
 
 O thoufayrefilucr Thames : o cleerejl chryjlall flood, 
 
 Beta alone the Phenix is, of all thy watery brood, 
 
 The Queene of Virgins onely flte : 
 
 And thou the Queene of floods flui It be : 
 
 Let all thy Nymphes be ioyf nil then to fee this happy day, 
 
 Thy Beta now alone flialbe the fnbieCl of my laye. 
 
 II 1th 
 
i6 
 
 VVithdaintiemiddelightfo7neJlrainesoffweeteJtvirelayi 
 
 Come lonely Jhepheards fit we down & chant ourBctsiSprayi 
 
 And let vs fmg fo rare a verfe, 
 
 Our Betas prayfes to rehearfe, 
 
 That lit tie Birds Jliallfilent be, to heare poorejli^epheardsfir^ 
 
 A ndriuers backward bend their cotir/e.&Jlowvntothe/prii 
 
 Range all thy fwannesf aire Than^es together on a ranct 
 
 And place them duely one by one, vpon thy /lately banck, 
 
 Then fet together all agood, 
 
 Recording to the ftliter flood, 
 
 Andcratte the ttmefull Nightingale tohelpeyouwith her It 
 
 The Of el & the Throfllecocke, chief e mitfick of our maye. 
 
 O! fee what t roups of Nimphs beenfportingon theflram 
 And they been blej/ed Nijnphs of peace, with Oliues in tk 
 How meryly the Mufes fmg, {ham 
 
 That all theflowry Medowes rijtg, 
 And Bttsifts vpon the banck, in purple and in pall, 
 Andfhe theQueene of Mufes is,andwearestheCorinall. 
 
 Trifn vp her Golden treffes with A^oWo^ f acred tree, 
 
 o happy fight vnto all thofe that loue and honor thee, 
 
 The Bleffed Angels haue prepard, 
 
 A glorious Crowne for thy reward, 
 
 Not fuch a golden Crowne as haughtie Caefar wearcs. 
 
 Butfuch a glittering far ry Crowne as Ariadne beares. 
 
 Make 
 
17 
 
 }fake her a goodly Cliapilet of azurd Colombine, 
 
 . I nd wreath about her Coronet with/weete/tEglentine: 
 
 Bedeck our Beta all with Lillies, 
 
 And the dayntie Daffadillies, 
 
 I 7 Itli Rofesdamajlz, white, and red.andfairejlflowerdelice, 
 
 I 'yith Cow/lips of yerufalem, and clones of Paradice. 
 
 thou fay re torch ofheauen, the days niofl dee reft light, 
 . 1 nd thoubright-fltyningCmi\\y?i, the glory of the night: 
 ) 'on ft a r res the eyes of heauen, 
 
 . l)id thou the glyding leuen, 
 
 . hid thou o gorgeous Iris with allflrange Colours dyed, 
 
 1 'Vhenflteflreamsfoorthherrayes,then dafht is all your pride. 
 
 See how the day flands flill, admiring of her face, 
 
 . Indtime loeftretchethfoorth her amies, thy Beta to imbrace, 
 
 The Syrens fing fweete layes. 
 
 The Try tons found her pray fe, 
 
 Coepaffeon Thames and hie theefafl vnto t lie Ocean fea. 
 
 And let thybillowes there proclaimethy^^iTisholy'day. 
 
 And water thou the bleffed root e of that greene O Hue tree, 
 I ^ Villi wliof e fweete fliadow, a I thy bancks with peace presented 
 Lawrellfor Poets and Conquerours, {be^ 
 
 - Ind mirtle for Loues Paramours : 
 That fame may be thy fruit, theboughespreferudbypeace, 
 AndletthemournfulCipresdie,no%vflormes&tempestsceafe. 
 
 D JVeel 
 
i8 
 
 Weeljlraw thejhore withpearle where Beta walks alone. 
 
 And we wilpaue her princely Bowerwith richejiyndianj. 
 
 Perfume the ay re and make it fweete, 
 
 For fuch a Goddefse it is meete, 
 
 For if her eyes for purity contend with Tytans light, 
 
 No maruaile then although they fo doe dazellhumainefigh 
 
 Soundout your trumpets then, froml^ondoxi sflately towret 
 
 To beat theflormie windes a back & calme the raging/how ret 
 
 Set too the Cornet and the flute, 
 
 The Orpharyon and the Lute, 
 
 And tune the Taber and the Pipe, to thefweet violons, 
 
 And^noue the thunder ifi the ay re, with lowdeft Clarions. 
 
 ^tt2. long may thine A Itars fmoke ,withyeerely facrifce , 
 A nd long thyf acred Temples may their Sabot hsfolemnize. 
 Thy fhepheards watch by day and night, 
 Thy Mayds attend the holy light, 
 
 A ndthy large empy re flretch her amies from eaflvnto th e we 
 And thou vnder thy feet may ft tread, that foule feuen-hei 
 
 [beafl. 
 
 Per ken. 
 Thanks gentle Rowland for my Roundelay, 
 And bleffd be Beta burthen of thy fong, 
 The fhepheards Goddeffe may fhe florifh long, 
 6 happie fhe. 
 
 Her 
 
 I 
 
19 
 
 Her yeares and daycs thrice doubled may they bee: 
 Triumphini^^ Albion clap thy hands for ioy, 
 And pray the heauens may fhield her from anoy, 
 fo will I pray. 
 
 Rowland, 
 Sodoe, and when my milk-white eaweshaueyeande, 
 Beta fhall haue the firftling of the foulde, 
 rie burnifh all his homes with fineil: gould, 
 and paynt his fleece with purple grayne. 
 
 Per kin. 
 Beleeue me as I am true (hepheards fwayne, 
 Then for thy loue all other I forfake, 
 And vnto thee my felfe I will betake, 
 with fayth vnfayn'd. 
 
 ypfe ego thiira dabo, fumosis candidus arts : 
 Jpfe feram ante tuos mtmera vota pedes. 
 
 D 2 Wynken 
 
20 
 
 THE FOVRTH EGLOG. 
 
 Wynken bewayleth Elphlns lojje^ 
 
 the God of Poejie, 
 with Rowlands rime ecleepd the teares, 
 
 of the greene Hawthorne tree, 
 
 Gorbo. 
 Well met good wynken, whither doeft thou wend ? 
 
 How haft thou far'd fweet (hepherd many a yeer ? 
 May vvynke7i thus his daies in darkenes fpend ? 
 
 Who I haue knowne for piping had no peere? 
 
 Where been thofe fayre flocks thou w^ert wont to guide? 
 
 What ? been they dead? or hap'd on fome mifchance, 
 Or mifchiefe hath their mafter elfe betide, 
 
 Or Lordly Loue hath caft thee in a trance. 
 
 What man ? lets ftill be merie whilft we may, 
 And take a truce with forrow for a time, 
 
 And let vs paffe this wearie winters day, 
 In reading Riddles, or in making rime. 
 
 Wynken. 
 Ah woe's me Gorbo, mirth is farre away. 
 
 Mirth may not foiourne with black malcontent, 
 The lowring afpedt of this difmall day. 
 
 The winter of my forrow doth augment. 
 
 My 
 
21 
 
 My fong is now a fwanne-like dying fong, 
 
 And my conceipts, the deepc conccipts of death, 
 
 My heart becom'n a very hell of wrong, 
 My breaft the irkfome prifon of my breath. 
 
 I loth my life, I loth the deareft light, 
 
 Com'n is my night, when once appeeres the day. 
 
 The bleffed funne feemes odious in my fight. 
 No fong may like me but the fhreech-owles lay. 
 
 Gorbo. 
 
 What maift thou be, that old Wynken de word, 
 Whofe thred-bare wits, o'rworne with melancholly. 
 
 Once fo delightfome at the fiiepheards boord. 
 But now forlorne with thy felues felf-wild folly. 
 
 1 think thou dot'ft in thy gray-bearded age, 
 Or brufd with finne, for thy youths fin art fory, 
 
 And vow'fl: for thy ? a folemne pilgrimage. 
 To holy Hayles or Patricks Purgatory. 
 
 Come fit we downe vnder this Hawthorne tree. 
 
 The morrowes light fiiall lend vs daie enough, 
 And tell a tale of Gawcn or Sir Guy, 
 
 Of Robin Hood, or of good Cletn a Clougli. 
 
 D3 Or 
 
22 
 
 Or elfe fome Romant vnto vs areed, 
 
 Which good olde Godfrey taught thee in thy youth, 
 Of noble Lords and Ladies gentle deede, 
 
 Or of thy loue, or of thy laffes truth. 
 
 VVinken. 
 
 Gorbo, my Comfort is accloy'd with care, 
 A new mifhap my wonted ioyes hath croft : 
 
 Then meruaile not although my muficke iarre, 
 When fhe the Author of her mirth hath loft, 
 
 Elphin is dead, and in his graue is laid. 
 
 Our Hues delight whilft louely Elphin lined. 
 
 What cruell fate hath fo the time betraid. 
 The widow world of all her ioyes depriued. 
 
 O curfed death, Lines fearfull enemie. 
 
 Times poyfned fickle : Tyrants reuenging pride : 
 
 Thou blood-fucker, Thou childe of infamie : 
 Deuouring Tiger : flaughtering homicide : 
 111 haft thou done, and ill may thee betide. 
 
 Naught haft thou got, the earth hath wonne the moft, 
 
 Nature is payd the intereft ofher due. 
 Pan hath receau'd, what him fo dearly coft, 
 
 O.heauens his vertues doe belong to you. 
 
 A 
 
23 
 
 A hcaucnly clowded in a humainc (liape, 
 Rare fubftance, in fo rough a barckc Iclad, 
 
 Of Paftorall, the liuely fpringing fappe, 
 
 Though mortall thou, thy fame immortall made. 
 
 Spel-charming Prophet, footh-diuining feer, 
 6 heauenly muficke of the higheft fpheare. 
 
 Sweet founding trump, foule-rauifhing defire. 
 
 Thou ftealer of mans heart, inchanter of the eare. 
 
 God of Inuention, loues deere Mercury, 
 loy of our Lawrell, pride of all our ioy : 
 
 The effence of all Poets diuinitie. 
 
 Spirit of Orpheus : Pallas louely boy. 
 
 But all my words (halbe diffolu'd to teares, 
 And my tears fou^taines fhall to riuers grow : 
 
 Thefe Riuers to the floods of my difpaires, 
 And thefe fhall make an Ocean of my woe. 
 
 His rare defarts, Ihall kindle my delire. 
 With burning zeale, the brands of mine vnreft. 
 
 My fighes in adding fulphure^to this fire, 
 Shall frame another ^tna in my breafl:. 
 
 Planets 
 
24 
 
 Planets referue your playnts till difmall day, 
 The ruthles rockes but newly haue begonne, 
 
 And when in drops they be diffolu'd away, 
 
 Let heauens begin to weepe when earth hath done. 
 
 Then tune thy pipe and I will fing alaye, 
 Vpon his death by Rowland of the rocke, 
 
 Sitting with me this other ftormy day. 
 In yon fayre field attending on our flock. 
 
 Gorbo. 
 This fliall content me VVynken wondrous well. 
 
 And in this miftie wether keepe vs waking, 
 To heare of him, who whylome did excell. 
 
 In fuch a fong of learned Rowlands making. 
 
 . Melpomine//// on thy mourning Gaberdine, 
 And fet thy fong vnto the dolefull Bafe, 
 And with thy fable vayle fiadow thy face, 
 
 with weeping verfe, 
 
 attend his hearfe, 
 IVhofe bleffed foiile the heauens doe now enfhrine. 
 
 Come Nymphs and with your Rebecks ring his knell, 
 Warble forth your wamenting harmony, 
 And at his drery fatall obfequie, 
 
 with Cypres bowes, 
 
 mafize your fayre Browes, 
 A 7id beat your breafts to chyme his burying pealc. 
 
 Thy 
 
I 
 
 25 
 
 Thy birth-day was to all our ioye, the ciicn, 
 And 0)1 thy death this dolefitll foiig we/ing, 
 Sweet Child 0/ Pan, and the Cajlalian fpring, 
 vnto our endless mone, 
 from vs why art thou gone, 
 To Jill up that /wee te Angels quier in heauen. 
 
 O wJiylome thou thy laffes dearejl hue, 
 
 Vl/^hen with greene Lawrell JJte hath crowned thee, 
 
 yninwrtall mirror of all Foe fie : 
 
 the Mufes treafure, 
 
 the Graces pleafure, 
 Reigning with Angels now in heauen aboue. 
 
 Our mirth is now deprittd of all her glory, 
 Our Taburins in dolefull dumps are drownd. 
 Our viols want their fweet and pleafing found, 
 
 our melodie is mard 
 
 and we of ioyes debard, 
 O wicked world fo mutable and tranfitory, 
 
 O difmall day, bereauer of delight, 
 
 O flormy winter fourfe of all our forrow, 
 
 o mofl vn timely and eclipfed morrow, 
 
 to rob vs quite 
 
 of all delight. 
 Darkening that ftarre which euer fhone fo bright : 
 
 E Oh 
 
27 
 
 Oh Elphin, Elphin, Though thou hence be gone, 
 In fpight of death yet JJialt thou line for aye, 
 Thy Poefie is garlanded with Baye : 
 
 and ftill fhall blaze 
 
 thy lafling prayfe : 
 VVhofe loffe poore fhepherds euer fhall benione. 
 
 Come Girles, and with Carnations decke his graiie, 
 
 With damafke Rofes and the hyacynt : 
 
 Come withfweete Williams, Marioram and Mynt, 
 
 with precious Balmes, 
 
 with hymnes and pfalmes, 
 This funerall deferues no leffe at all to haue. 
 
 But fee where Elphiny?/^ infayre Elizia, 
 Feeding hisflocke on yonder heauenly playne, 
 Come and behold, yon louely fhepheards fwayne, 
 
 piping his fill, 
 
 on yonder hill, 
 Tafiing fweete Ne6tar, and AmhrofiB,. 
 
 Gorbo, 
 
 Oh how thy plaints (fweete friend) renew my payne, 
 In liftning thus to thy lamenting cries : 
 
 That from the tempeft of my troubled brayne, 
 See how the floods been rifen in mine eyes. 
 
 And 
 
28 
 
 \iul being now a full tide of our teares, 
 It is full time to flop the ftreame of griefe, 
 
 Left drowning in the floods of our defpaires, 
 We want our Hues, wanting our foules reliefe. 
 
 But now the funne beginneth to decline, 
 And whileft our woes been in repeating here, 
 
 \ On little eluifh moping Lamb of mine, 
 Is all betangled in yon crawling Brier. 
 
 Optima pidyna fere manibus rapiunttir means : 
 Implentur mtmeris deteriorafuis. 
 
 E 2 . ThL 
 
28 
 
 THE FIFTH EGLOG. 
 
 This lujiie fwayne his lowly quill, 
 
 lo higher notes doth rayfe, 
 A nd 171 I deas per/on paynts, 
 
 his louely laffes prayfe. 
 
 Motto. 
 
 Come frolick it a while my luftie fwayne, 
 Let's fee if time haue yet reui'd in thee, 
 
 Or if there be remayning but a grayne, 
 Of the olde ftocke of famous poefie. 
 Or but one flip yet left of this fame facred tree. 
 
 Or if referu'd from elds deuouring rage, 
 Recordes of vertue, Aye memoriall, 
 
 Left to the wold as learnings lafting gage, 
 Or if the prayfe of worthy paftorall. 
 May tempt thee now, or mooue thee once at all. 
 
 To Fortunes Orphans Nature hath bequeathed. 
 That mighty Monarchs feldome haue poffeft, 
 
 From higheft Heauen, this influence is breath'd, 
 A moft diuine impreffion in the breaft, (feaft. 
 
 And thofe whom Fortune pines doth Nature often 
 
 Ti's 
 
29 
 
 Ti's not the troupes of payntcd Imagerie, 
 
 Nor thefe worlds Idols, our world Idiots gazes, 
 
 Our forgers of fuppofd Gentillitie, 
 When he his great, great Grand-fires glory blafes, 
 And paints out fidions in bafe coyned Phrafes. 
 
 For honour nought regards, nor followeth fame, 
 Thefe filken pidlures fhewed in euery ftreete : 
 Of Idlenes comes euill, of pride enfueth fiiame, 
 , And blacke obliuion is their winding flieete. 
 And all their glory troden vnder feete. 
 
 Though Enuie fute her feuen-times poyfned dartes, 
 Yet pureft golde is feuen times try'd in fier, 
 
 Irue valeur lodgeth in the lowleft harts, 
 Vertue is in the minde, not in th' attyre. 
 Nor flares at ftarres, nor floups at filthy myre. 
 
 Rowland, 
 [ may not fing of fuch as fall, nor clyme. 
 
 Nor chaunt of armes, nor of heroique deedes. 
 It fitteth not poore fhepheards rurall rime. 
 Nor is agreeing with my oaten reedes, 
 Nor from my quill, groffe flatterie proceedes. 
 
 E 3 Nor 
 
30 
 
 Vnfitting tearmes, nor falfe diffembling fmiles, 
 Shall in my lines, nor in my ftile appeare, 
 
 Worlds fawning fraud, nor like deceitfull guiles, 
 No, no, my mufe, none fuch fhall foiourne here, 
 Nor any bragges of hope nor fignes of bafe defpaire, 
 
 No fatall dreades nor fruitles vaine defires. 
 Nor caps, nor curtfies to a paynted wall. 
 
 Nor heaping rotten flicks on needles fires. 
 
 Ambitious thoughts to clime, nor feares to fall, 
 A minde voyd of miftruft, and free from feruile thral. 
 
 Foule flander thou fufpitions Baftard Child, 
 Selfe-eating Impe from vipers poyfned wombe, 
 
 Foule fwelling toade with lothly fpots defi'ld. 
 Vile A/pis bred within the ruinde tombe, 
 Eternall death for euer be thy doombe. 
 
 Still be thou fhrouded in blacke pitchie night, 
 Luld with the horror of night-rauens fong. 
 
 Let foggie miftes, clowd and eclipfe thy light. 
 Thy wooluifh teeth chew out thy venomd tongue, 
 With Snakes and adders be thy body ftong. 
 
 Motto. 
 
31 
 
 Motto. 
 
 SOr thefe, nor thefe, may like thy lowlie quill, 
 As of too hie, or of too bafe a ftraine, 
 
 v'nfitting thee, and fdeyned of thy fkill, 
 Nor yet according with a fhepheards vayne, 
 Nor no fuch fubiecil may befeeme a fvvayne. 
 
 jThen tune thy reede vnto ydeas prayfe : 
 And teach the woods to wonder at her name : 
 hy lowlie notes here may ft thou learne to rayfe. 
 And make the ecchoes blazen out her name. 
 The lafting trumpe of Phebes lafting fame. 
 
 'hy Temples then fhall with green bayes be dight, 
 Thy Egle-foring mufe vpon her wing, 
 
 Vith her fayre filuer wings (hall take her flight, 
 To that hie welked tower where Angels fing, 
 From thence to fetch the tutch of her fweete ftring. 
 
 Rowland, 
 
 )h hie inthronized youe, in thy Olympicke raigne, 
 Oh battel-waging Marte, oh fage-faw'd Mercury, 
 
 >h Golden-fhrined Sol, Venus loues foueraigne, 
 Oh dreadfull Saturne, flaming aye with furie, 
 Moyft-humord Cinthya, Author of Lunacie, 
 Conioyne helpe to erett our faire ydeas trophie. 
 
 Oh 
 
32 
 
 Oh Treffes of faire Phoebits ftremed die, 
 Oh bleffed load-ftarre lending pureft light, 
 
 Oh Paradice of heauenly tapiftrie, 
 
 Angels fweete mufick, 6 my foules delight, . 
 6 fayreft Phebe passing euery other light. 
 
 Whofe prefence ioyes the earths decayed ftate, 
 Whofe counfels are regiftred in the fphere, 
 
 Whofe fweete refledling clearenes doth amate. 
 
 The ftarrie lights, and makes the Sunne more fayre, 
 Whofe breathing fweete perfumeth all the ayre. 
 
 Thy fnowifh necke fayre Natures trefurie. 
 
 Thy fwannifh breaft the hauen of lafting bliffe. 
 
 Thy cheekes the bancks of Beauties vfurie. 
 Thy heart the myne where goodnes gotten is. 
 Thy lips thofe lips which Cupid ioyes to kiffe. 
 
 And thofe fayre hands within whofe louely palmes, 
 Fortune diuineth happie Augurie, 
 
 Thofe ftraighteft fingers dealing heauenly almes, 
 Pointed with pur'ft of Natures Alcumie, 
 Where loue fits looking in loues palmifl:rie. 
 
 And thofe fayre luorie columnes which vpreare, 
 That Temple built by heauens Geometric, 
 
 And holiefi; Flamynes facrifizen theare, 
 Vnto that heauenly Queene of Chafi;itie, 
 Where vertues burning lamps can neuer quenched be 
 
 Thenc( 
 
33 
 
 Ihcnce fee the fairefl light that euer (hone, 
 That cleare which doth worlds cleerenes quite fu- 
 
 Hraiic Pluvbus chayred in his golden throane, paffe, 
 Beholding him, in this pure Chriftall glaffe, 
 See here the fayreft fayre that euer was. 
 
 Delicious fountaine, liquid chriftalline, 
 
 Mornings vermilion, verdant fpring-times pride, 
 
 Pureft of pureft, moft refined fine, 
 
 With crimfon tindlure curioufly Idy'd, 
 Mother of Mufes, great Apollos bride. 
 
 Harths heauen, worlds wonder, hieft house of fame, 
 Reuiuer of the dead, eye-killer of the Hue, 
 
 Belou'd of Angels, Vertues greateft name, 
 Fauors rar'ft feature, beauties profpedliue, 
 Oh that my verfe thy vertues could contriue. 
 
 1 hat ftately Theater on whofe fayre ftage. 
 Each morall vertue ad:es a princely part, 
 
 Where euery fcene pronounced by a Sage, 
 Eternizeth diuineft Poets Arte, 
 loyes the beholders eyes, and glads the hearers hart. 
 
 The worlds memorials, that fententious booke. 
 Where euery Comma, points a curious phrafe, 
 
 IVpon whofe method, Angels ioye to looke : 
 I At euery Colon, Wifdomes felfe doth paufe, 
 i And euery Period hath his hie applaufe. 
 \ V Read 
 
34 
 
 Read in her eyes a Romant of delights, 
 
 Read in her words the prouerbs of the wife, 
 
 Read in her life the holy veftall rites, 
 Which loue and vertue fweetly moralize : 
 And fhe the Acadeni of vertues exercife. 
 
 But on thy volumes who is there may comment. 
 When as thy felfe hath Arts felfe vndermined : 
 
 Or vndertake to coate thy learned margent. 
 When learnings lines are euer enterlined. 
 And pureft words, are in thy mouth refined. 
 
 Kneweft thou thy vertues, oh thou fayr'ft of fayreft. 
 Thou earths fole Phenix, of the world admired, 
 
 Vertue in thee repurify'd and rareft, 
 
 Whofe endles fame by time is not expired. 
 Then of thy felfe would thy felfe be admired. 
 
 But arte wants arte to frame fo pure a Myrror, 
 
 Where humaine eyes may view thy vertues beautie. 
 
 When fame is fo furprifed with the terror, 
 wanting to pay the tribute of her duetie, 
 with colours who can paint out vertues beautie. 
 
 But fince vnperfed: are the perfedls colours. 
 And fkill is fo vnfkilfull how to blaze thee : 
 
 Now will I make a myrror of my dolours, 
 
 and in my teares then looke thy felfe and prayfe thee, 
 oh happy I, if fuch a glaffe might pleafe thee. 
 
 Goe 
 
35 
 
 Goe gentle vvindes and whifpcr in her care, 
 And tell ydea how much I adore her, 
 
 And thou my flock, reporte vnto my fayre, 
 How flie excelleth all that went before her, 
 Tell her the very foules in ayre adore her. 
 
 ; And thou cleare Brooke by whofe fayre filuer flreame, 
 Grow thofe tall Okes where I haue caru'd her name, 
 
 \ Conuay her praife to Neptimes watery Realme, 
 refrefh the rootes of her ftill growing fame, 
 
 ' and teach the Dolphins to refound her name. 
 
 I 
 
 Motto, 
 Ceafe fliepheard ceafe, referue thy Mufes ftore, 
 
 Till after time fhall teach thy Oaten reede, 
 Aloft in ayre with Egles wings to fore, 
 
 and fmg in honor of fome worthies deede, 
 
 to ferue ydea in fome better fteede. 
 
 She fees not fhepheard, no fhe will not fee. 
 Her rareft vertues blazond by thy quill, 
 
 Kor knowes the effed: the fame hath wrought in thee, 
 The very tuch and anuile of thy flcill, 
 and this is that which bodeth all thy ill. 
 
 F2 Yet 
 
36 
 
 Yet if her vertues glorie (hall decay, 
 
 Or if her beauties flower fhall hap to fall, 
 
 Or any cloud eclipfe her fun-fhine day, 
 Then looke (ydea) in thy paftorall, 
 And thou thy vertues vnto minde fhalt call, 
 
 Rowland, 
 
 Shepheard farewell, the flcies begin to lowre, 
 Yon pitchie clowd which hangeth in the Weft, 
 
 I feare me doth prefage fome fodaine fliowre. 
 Come let vs home, for fo I think it beft, 
 For all our flocks been laid them downe to reft. 
 
 Motto, 
 
 And if thou lift to come vnto my Coate, 
 
 Although (God knowes) my cheere be to too fmall, 
 
 And wealth with me was neuer yet afloate, 
 Yet take in gree what euer doe befall, 
 And wee will fit, and fing a mery madrigall. 
 
 Rowland. 
 
 Perfuperos iuro tejies, pampamque Deorunty 
 Te Dominam nobis tempus in omne fore. 
 
 Motto, 
 
 Nos quoque per totum pariter cantabirmir orbent, 
 lun^laque femper erunt noniina no/lra tuis. 
 
 Good 
 
 I 
 
37 
 THE SIXT EGLOG. 
 
 Good Gorbo cals to mind the fame, 
 
 of our old A)iccflrie : 
 And VQr\im fings F andor 3.s prayfe, 
 
 the Mufe of BHtanye. 
 
 Per kin. 
 
 All haile good Gorbo, yet return'd at lad, 
 
 What tell me man? how goes the world with thee ? 
 
 What is it worfe then it was wont to be ? 
 
 Or been thy youthfull dayes already paft ? 
 
 Haue patience man, for wealth will come and goe, 
 And to the end the world (hall ebbe and flowe. 
 
 The valiant man, whofe thoughts on hie been placed, 
 And fees fometime how fortune lift to rage, 
 With wifdome ftill his adions fo doth gage, 
 As with her frownes he no whit is difgraced, 
 
 And when (he fawnes, and turnes her fquinting eye, 
 Bethinks him then, of her inconftancie. 
 
 When as the Cullian, and the viler Clowne, 
 Who with the fwine, on draffe fets his defire, 
 And thinks no life to wallowing in the myre, 
 In ftormie tempeft, dying layes him downe, 
 Yet tafting weale, the affe begins to bray, 
 And feeling woe, the beaft confumes away. 
 
 F 3 Gordo 
 
38 
 
 Gorbo, 
 
 So faid the Sage in his Philofophie, 
 The Lordly hart infpir'd with nobleffe, 
 With courage doth his croffes ftill fuppreffe, 
 His patience doth his paffions mortifie, 
 
 when other folke this paine cannot endure, 
 becaufe they want this med cine for their cure. 
 
 Per kin. 
 
 And yet oft times the world I doe admire, 
 When as the wife and vertuous men I fee, 
 Be hard befet with neede and pouertie, 
 And lewdeft fooles to higheft things afpire, 
 
 what fhould I fay ? that fortune is to blame ? 
 
 or vnto whome fhould I impute this fhame ? 
 
 Gorbo, 
 
 Vertue and Fortune neuer could agree, 
 Foule Fortune euer was faire vertues foe, 
 Blinde Fortune blindly doth her gifts beftowe, 
 But vertue wife, and wifely doth forefee, 
 
 they fall which truft to fortunes fickle wheele, 
 but ftaied by vertue, men fhall neuer reele. 
 
 Perkin 
 
39 
 
 Perkin, 
 
 If fo, why fhould (he not be more regarded, 
 W^hy fhould men cherifh vice and villanie, 
 And maintaine finne and bafcft rogcrie, 
 And vertue thus fo flightly be rewarded, 
 
 this fliewes that we full deepe diffemblers be, 
 and all we doe, but meere hypocrifie. 
 
 Gorbo. 
 
 Where been thofe Nobles, Perkin, where been they ? 
 
 Where been thofe worthies, Perkin, which of yore, 
 
 This gentle Ladie did fo much adore ? 
 
 And for her Impes did with fuch care puruey, 
 they been yfwadled in their winding fheete, 
 and fhe (I thinke) is buried at their feete. 
 
 Oh worthy world, wherein thofe worthies lined, 
 Vnworthy world, of fuch men fo vnworthy, 
 Vnworthy age, of all the moft vnworthy. 
 Which art of thcfe fo worthy men depriued, 
 and inwardly in vs is nothing leffe. 
 Than outwardly that, which we moft profeffe. 
 
 ^? 4 Perkin 
 
40 
 
 Per kin. 
 
 Nay ftay good Gorbo, Vertue is not dead, 
 Nor all her friends be gone which wonned here, 
 She Hues with one who euer held her deere, 
 And to her lappe for fuccour fhe is fled, 
 
 In her fweete bofome, flie hath built her neft. 
 And from the world, euen there flie Hues at reft. 
 
 Vnto this facred Ladie was fhe left, 
 (To be an heire-loome) by her anceftrie. 
 And fo bequeathed by their legacie. 
 When on their death-bed, life was them bereft : 
 And as on earth together they remayne. 
 Together fo in heauen they both fliall raigne. 
 
 Oh thou Pmtdora, through the world renoun'd, 
 The glorious light, and load-ftarre of our Weft, 
 With all the vertues of the heauens poffeft. 
 With mighty groues of holy Lavvrell cround, 
 Ereding learnings long decayed fame, 
 Heryed and hallowed be thy facred name. 
 
 The flood of Helicon, forfpent and drie, 
 Her fourfe decayd with foule obliuion. 
 The fountaine flovves againe in thee alone. 
 Where Mufes now their thirft may fatisfie. 
 And old Apollo, from Pernafsns hill. 
 May in this fpring refrefh his droughty quill. 
 
 The 
 
I 
 
 41 
 
 Ihc Graces twifting garlands for thy head, 
 Thy luorie temples deckt with rareft flowers, 
 Their rootes refrefhed with diuinefl: fhowers, 
 Thy browes with mirtle all inueloped, 
 
 fliepheards erecting trophies to thy praife, 
 ■ lauding thy name in fongs and heauenly laies. 
 
 Sapphos fweete vaine in thy rare quill is feene, 
 Minerua was a figure of thy worth, 
 Mnemofine, who brought the Mufes forth. 
 Wonder of Britaine, learnings famous Queene, 
 . Apollo was thy Syer, Pallas her felfe thy mother, 
 ; Pandora thou, our Phoebus was thy brother. 
 
 Delicious Larke, fweete mufick of the morrow, 
 Cleere bell of Rhetoricke, ringing peales of loue, 
 loy of the Angels, fent vs from aboue. 
 Enchanting Syren, charmer of all forrow, 
 
 the loftie fubiedl a heauenly tale, 
 
 Thames faireft Swanne, our fummers Nightingale. 
 
 Arabian Phenix, wonder of thy fexe, 
 Louely, chafte, holy, Myracle admired. 
 With fpirit from the highefl heauen infpired. 
 Oh thou alone, whome fame alone refpedls, 
 Natures chiefe glory, learnings richefl prize. 
 Hie Jones Emprefa, vertues Paradizc. 
 
 G Thy 
 
42 
 
 Oh glorie of thy nation, beauty of thy name, 
 loy of thy countrey, bleffer of thy birth, 
 Thou blazing Comet, Angel of the earth, 
 Oh Poets Goddeffe, fun-beame of their fame : 
 
 vvhome time through many worlds hath fought to 
 thou peerles Paragon of woman kinde. (find. 
 
 Thy glorious Image, gilded with the funne, 
 Thy lockes adorn'd with an immortall crowne, 
 Mounted aloft, vpon a Chryftal throne, 
 When by thy death, thy life fhalbe begun : 
 the bleffed Angels tuning to the fpheares, 
 with Gods fweete mufick, charme thy facred eares. 
 
 From Fayrie He, deuided from the mayne, 
 To vtmoft Thtily fame tranfports thy name, 
 To Garamant fhall thence conuey the fame, 
 Where taking wing, and mounting vp againe, 
 
 from parched banckes on fun-burnt Affricks fhore, 
 (hall flie as farre as erft fhe came of yore. 
 
 And gentle Zephire from his pleafant bower, 
 
 Whiftling fweete mufick to the fliepheards rime, 
 
 The Ocean billowes duely keeping time, 
 
 Playing vpon Neptunus brazen tower ; 
 louers of learning fhouting out their cries, 
 fhaking the Center with th' applaudities. 
 
 Whilft 
 
43 
 
 Whilft that great engine, on her axeltree, 
 Doth role about the vaultie circled Globe, 
 W'hilfl morning mantleth, in her purple Robe, 
 Or Tytan pofte his fea Queenes bower to fee, 
 whilft Phoebus crowne, adornes the ftarrie fkie. 
 Pandoras fame fo long fliall neuer die. 
 
 When all our filuer fwans (hall ceafe to fmg, 
 And when our groues (hall want their Nightingales, 
 When hils (hall heare no more our (hepheards tales, 
 Nor ecchoes with our Roundelayes fhall ring, 
 the little birdes long liftning to thy fame, 
 fhall teach their ofspring to record thy name. 
 
 Ages fhall tell fuch wonders of thy name. 
 And thou in death thy due defert (halt haue. 
 That thou (halt be immortall in thy graue, 
 Thy vertues adding force vnto thy fame, 
 
 fo that vertue with thy fames wing fhall flie, 
 and by thy fame (hall vertue neuer die. 
 
 \'pon thy toombe fhall fpring a Lawrell tree, 
 Whofe facred fhade fhall ferue thee for an hearfe, 
 \'pon whofe leaues (in golde) ingrau'd this verfe, 
 lyyitig Jlte lines, whofe like /hall neuer be, 
 
 a fpring of Nedar flowing from this tree, 
 
 the fountayne of eternall memorie. 
 
 G 2 To 
 
44 
 
 To adorne the triumph of eternitie, 
 
 Drawne with the fteedes which dragge thegoldenfunne, 
 
 Thy wagon through the milken way fhall runne, 
 
 Millions of Angels ftill attending thee, 
 
 Millions of Saints fhall thy Hues prayfes fing, 
 pend with the quill of an Archangels wing. 
 
 Gorbo, 
 
 Long may Pandora weare the Lawrell crowne, 
 The ancient glory of her noble Peers, 
 And as the Egle : Lord renew her yeeres, 
 Long to vpholde the proppe of our renowne, 
 long may (he be as fhe hath euer beene, 
 the lowly handmaide of the Fayrie Queene. 
 
 Non mihi mille placent : non sum defertor Anioris : 
 Tu mihi (Ji qua fides) cura perennis eris. 
 
45 
 
 THE SEVENTH EGLOG. 
 
 Borril, a7i aged pca/ant fiuaine, 
 
 zvitk rcafons dotk rcprooiic, 
 Batte a fooliJJi wantoit boyy 
 
 but lately fahie in lone, 
 
 Batte. 
 
 Boyrill, why fit'ft thou mufing in thy coate ? 
 
 like dreaming Merlyn in his drowfie Cell, 
 What may it be with learning thou doefl doate, 
 
 or art inchanted with fome Magick fpell ? 
 Or wilt thou an Hermites life profeffe ? 
 And bid thy beades heare like an Ancoreffe ? 
 
 See how faire Flora decks our fields with flowers, 
 and clothes our groues in gaudie fummers greene. 
 
 And wanton Ver diflils rofe-water fhowers, 
 to welcome Ceres, haruefts hallowed Queene, 
 
 Who layes abroad her louely fun-fhine haires, 
 
 Crown'd with great garlands of her golden eares. 
 
 Now fhepheards layne their blankets all awaie, 
 and in their Jackets minfen on the plaines. 
 
 And at the riuers fiflien daie by daie, 
 
 now none fo frolicke as the fhepheards fwaines, 
 
 Why liefl; thou here then in thy loathfome caue. 
 
 As though a man were buried quicke in graue. 
 
 G 3 Borril I 
 
46 
 
 Borril. 
 Batte, my coate from tempeft ftandeth free, 
 
 when ftately towers been often fhakt with wind, 
 And wilt thou Batte, come and fit with me ? 
 
 contented life here flialt thou onely finde. 
 Here mai'ft thou caroll Hymnes, and facred Pfalmes, 
 And hery Pmt with orizons and almes. 
 
 And fcorne the crowde of fuch as cogge for pence, 
 and wafl:e their wealth in finfull brauerie, 
 
 Whofe gaine is loffe, whofe thrift is lewd expence, 
 and liuen flill in golden fiauery : 
 
 Wondring at toyes, as foolifh worldlings doone, 
 
 Like to the dogge which barked at the moone. 
 
 Here maift thou range the goodly pleafant field, 
 and fearch out fimples to procure thy heale. 
 
 What fundry vertues hearbs and flovvres doe yeeld, 
 gainfl griefe which may thy fheepe or thee affailc : 
 
 Here mayft thou hunt the little harmleffe Hare, 
 
 Or elfe entrap falfe Raynard in a fnare. 
 
 Or if thou wilt in antique Romants reede, 
 of gentle Lords and Ladies that of yore. 
 
 In forraine lands atchieu'd their noble deede, 
 and been renownd from Eaft to Wefi;erne fliore 
 
 Or learne the fliepheards nice aftrolobie. 
 
 To know the Planets moouing in the fkie. 
 
 Batte 
 
47 
 
 Batte. 
 Shcphcard thefc things been all too coy for mee, 
 
 whofe luftie dayes fliould flill be fpcnt in mirth, 
 1 hefe mifter artes been better fitting thee, (earth : 
 
 whofe drouping dayes are drawing towards the 
 X'V'hat thinkeft thou? my iolly peacocks trayne, 
 Shall be acoyd and brooke fo foule a ftayne ? 
 
 Ihefe been for fuch as make them votarie, 
 and take them to the mantle and the ring, 
 
 And fpenden day and night in dotarie, 
 
 hammering their heads, mufing on heauenly thing. 
 
 And vvhifper (till of forrovv in their bed, 
 
 And done defpife all loue and luftie head : 
 
 Like to the curre, with anger well neere vvoode, 
 who makes his kennel in the Oxes ftall. 
 
 And fnarleth when he feeth him take his foode, 
 and yet his chaps can chew no hay at all. 
 
 Borrill, euen fo it fareth now with thee, 
 
 And with thefe wifards of thy.myfterie. 
 
 • Borrill. 
 
 Sharpe is the thorne, full foone I fee by thee, 
 
 bitter the bloffome, when the fruite is fower, 
 And early crook'd, that will a Camock bee, 
 
 rough is the winde before a fodayne fhovver : 
 
 Pittie thy wit fhould be fo wrong miflead, 
 
 And thus be guyded by a giddie head. 
 
 Ah 
 
48 
 
 Ah foolifh elfe, I inly pittie thee, 
 
 mifgouerned by thy lewd brainfick will : 
 
 The hidden baytes, ah fond thou do'ft not fee, 
 nor find'ft the caufe which breedeth all thy ill : 
 
 Thou think'ft all golde, that hath a golden fhew. 
 
 And art deceiu'd, for it is nothing foe. 
 
 Such one art thou as is the little flie, 
 
 who is fo crowfe and gamefome with the flame. 
 
 Till with her bufines and her nicetie, 
 
 her nimble wings are fcorched with the fame, 
 
 Then fals fhe downe with pitteous buzzing note, 
 
 And in the fier doth fmdge her mourning cote. 
 
 Batte. 
 Alas good man I fee thou ginfl to raue, 
 
 thy wits done erre, and miffe the cufhen quite, 
 Becaufe thy head is gray and wordes been graue, 
 
 thou think'ft thereby to draw me from delight : 
 What I am young, a goodly Batcheler, 
 And muft Hue like the luftie limmeter. 
 
 Thy legges been crook'd, thy knees done bend for age, 
 and I am fwift and nimble as the Roe, 
 
 Thou art ycouped like a bird in cage, 
 and in the field I wander too and froe, 
 
 Thou muft doe penance for thy old mifdeedes, 
 
 And make amendes, with Auies and with creedes. 
 
 For 
 
49 
 I 
 i For al that thou canft fay, I will not let, 
 
 [ for why my fancie ftrayneth me fo fore, 
 That day and night, my minde is wholy fet 
 
 on iollie Loue, and iollie Paramore : 
 Only on loue I fet my whole delight, 
 The fummers day, and all the winters night. 
 
 That pretie Cupid, little god of loue, 
 
 whofe imped wings with fpeckled plumes been dight, 
 Who ftriketh men below, and Gods aboue, 
 
 Rouing at randon with his feathered flight, 
 When louely Venus fits and giues the ayme, 
 And fmiles to fee her little Bantlings game. 
 
 Vpon my ftaffe his ftatue will I carue, 
 
 his bowe and quiuer on his winged backe, 
 
 His forked heads, for fuch as them deferue, 
 and not of his, an implement fliall lacke, 
 
 And Venus in her Litter all of loue, 
 
 Drawne with a Swanne, a Sparrow, and a Doue. 
 
 i 
 
 And vnder him The/by of Babylon, 
 
 and Cleopatra fomtime of renowne : 
 Phi His that died for loue of Deniop/ioon, 
 
 Then louely Dido Queene of Carthage towne, 
 Which euer held god Cupids lawes fo deare, 
 And been canon iz'd in Loues Calendere. 
 
 H Bornll 
 
50 
 
 BorrilL 
 Ah wilful boy, thy follie now I finde, 
 
 and hard it is a fooles talke to endure, 
 Thou art as deafe euen as thy god is blinde, 
 
 fike as the Saint, fike is the feruiture : 
 But wilt thou heare a good olde Minftrels fong, 
 A medicine for fuch as been with loue yftong. 
 
 Batte. 
 Borrill, fing on I pray thee let vs heare, 
 
 that I may laugh to fee thee fhake thy beard, 
 But take heede Borrill that thy voyce be cleare, 
 
 or by my hood thou'lt make vs all a feard, 
 Or els I doubt that thou wilt fright our flockes. 
 When they fhall heare thee barke fo like a foxe. 
 
 BorrilL 
 Oh fpightfull wayward wretched loue, 
 Woe to Venus which did nurfe thee^ 
 Heatiens and earth thy plag^tes do prone, 
 Gods and men haue caufe to citrfe thee. 
 Thoughts grief e, hearts woe, 
 Hopes painCy bodies langtiijh, 
 Enuies rage, Jleepes foe, 
 Fancies fraud, foules anguifh, 
 Defires dread, niindes madnes. 
 Secrets bewrayer, natures error, 
 Sights deceit, ftillens fadnes. 
 Speeches expence, Cupids terror, 
 
 Malcon- 
 
5' 
 
 Malcontents niclancliolly, 
 Lines Jlaitglitcy, deaths niirfe, 
 Cayes Jlane, dotards folly, 
 Fortnnes bayte, worlds cur/e, 
 Lookes theft, eyes blindnes, 
 Selfes will, tongues treafon, 
 Paynes pleafure, wrongs kindnes. 
 Furies freufie, follies reafon: 
 Witli cnrfing thee as I began, 
 Cnrfing thee I make an end. 
 Neither God, neither 7nan, 
 Neither Fayrie, neither Feend. 
 
 Batte. 
 Ah worthy Borrill, here's a goodly fong, 
 
 now by my belt I neuer heard a worfe : 
 ( )]de doting foole, for (hame hold thou thy tongue, 
 
 I would thy clap were (hut vp in my purfe. 
 It is thy life, if thou mayft fcolde and braule : 
 \qX in thy words there is no wit at all. 
 
 And for that wrong which thou to loue haft done, 
 
 I will aueng me at this prefent time, 
 And in fuch forte as now thou haft begonne, 
 
 I will repeat a carowlet in rime, 
 Where, Borrill, I vnto thy teeth will proue. 
 That all my good confifteth in my loue. 
 
 // 2 Borrill 
 
52 
 
 BorrilL 
 
 Come on good Batte, I pray thee let vs heare ? 
 Much will be fayd, and neuer a whit the near. 
 
 Batte. 
 
 Loue is the heauens fayre afpe6l, 
 
 loue is the glorie of the earth, 
 Loue only doth our Hues dire6l, 
 
 loue is our guy der from our birth, 
 
 Loue taught 7ny thoughts at firfl toflie, 
 loue taught mine eyes the way to loue, 
 
 Loue ray fed my conceit fo hie, 
 
 loueframdmy hand his arte to proue, 
 
 Loue taught my Mufe her perfect fkill, 
 
 loue gaue me firfl to Poefie : 
 Loue is the Soueraigne of my will, 
 
 loue bound mefirfi. to loyalty. 
 
 Loue was thefirfi that fram'd my fpeech, 
 loue was thefirfi that gaue me grace : 
 
 Loue is my life and fortunes leech, 
 loue made the vertuous gitte me place, 
 
 Loue is the end of my defire, 
 
 loue is the loadfiarre of my loue, 
 
 Loue makes my felfe, my felfe admire, 
 loue feat ed my delights aboue. 
 
 Loui 
 
53 
 
 Ij)uc placed honor in my brcjl, 
 lone made me learnings fauoref. 
 
 Lone made me liked of the bejl, 
 lonefiyjl my minde on vertne fet. 
 
 Ij^ne is my life, life is my lone, 
 
 hue is my whole felicity, 
 Lone is my fweete, fweete is my lone, 
 
 y am in lone, and lone in me. 
 
 Boyyill. 
 
 Is loue in thee ? alas poore fillie lad, 
 
 thou neuer couldft haue lodg'd a worfer gueft, 
 
 1 or where he rules no reafon can be had, 
 fo is he ftill fworne enemie to reft : 
 
 It pitties me to thinke thy fpringing yeares 
 
 Should ftill be fpent with woes, with fighes, with teares. 
 
 Batte. 
 
 ( iramercy Boyyill for thy company, 
 
 for all thy ieftes and all thy merrie Bourds, 
 
 I ftill fhall long vntill I be with thee, 
 
 becaufe I find fome wifdome in thy words, 
 
 1 )Ut I will watch the next time thou dooft ward, (heard. 
 
 And fing thee fuch a lay of loue as neuer fhepheard 
 
 II 3 Good 
 
54 
 
 THE EIGHTH EGLOG. 
 
 Good Gorbo of the golden world, 
 
 and Saturns 7'aigne doth tell, 
 And, afterward doth make reporte, 
 
 of bonnie Dovvfabell. 
 
 Motto. 
 
 Shepheard why creepe we in this lowly vaine, 
 as though our mufe no ftore at all affordes, 
 While others vaunt it with the frolicke fwayne, 
 and ftrut the ftage with reperfumed wordes. 
 
 See how thefe yonkers raue it out in rime, 
 who make a traffique of their rareft wits, 
 
 And in Bellonas bufkin tread it fine, 
 
 like Bacchus priefts raging in franticke fits. 
 
 Thofe mirtle Groues decay'd, done growe againe, 
 their rootes refrefht with Heliconas fpring, 
 
 Whofe pleafant fhade inuites the homely fwayne, 
 to fit him dovvne and heare the Mufes fing. 
 
 Then if thy Mufe hath fpent her wonted zeale, 
 with luie twift thy temples fhall be crownd, 
 
 Or if fhe dares hoyfe vp top-gallant fayle, 
 Amongfl; the reft, then may flie be renownd. 
 
 Gorbo 
 
55 
 
 Gorho. 
 
 My boy, thefe yonkers reachen after fame, 
 and fo done preffe into the learned troupe. 
 
 With filed quill to glorifie their name, 
 which otherwife were pend in fhamefull coupe. 
 
 I But this hie obied: hath abied;ed me, 
 
 and I muft pipe amongft the lowly forte, 
 
 '] hofe little heard-groomes who admir'd to fee, 
 When I by Moone-fhine made the fayries fporte. 
 
 Who dares defcribe the toyles of Heratles, 
 and puts his hand to fames eternall penne, 
 
 Muft inuocate the foule of Hercules, 
 
 attended with the troupes of conquered men. 
 
 Who writes of thrice renovvmed Thefeus, 
 
 a monfter-tamers rare defcription. 
 Trophies the iavves of vglie Cerberus, 
 
 and paynts out Styx, and fiery Acheron. 
 
 yiy Mufe may not affect night-charming fpels, 
 vvhofe force effects th' Olynipicke vault to quake. 
 
 Nor call thofe gryfly Goblins from their Cels, 
 the euer-damned frye of Liiiibo lake. 
 
 And 
 
56 
 
 And who eredls the braue Pyramides, ♦ 
 
 of Monarches or renowned warriours, 
 
 Neede bath his quill for fuch attempts as thefe, 
 in flowing ftreames of learned Maros fhowres. 
 
 For when the great worlds conquerer began, 
 to proue his helmet and his habergeon, 
 
 The fweat that from the Poets-God Orpheus ran, 
 foretold his Prophets had to play vpon. 
 
 When Pens and Launces fawe the Olympiad prize, 
 thofe chariot triumphes with the Lawrell crowne, 
 
 Then gan the worthies glorie firft to rife, 
 
 and plumes were vayled to the purple gowne. 
 
 The grauefl Cenfor, fageft Senator, 
 
 with wings of luftice and Religion, 
 Mounted the top of Nimrods ftatelie Tower, 
 
 foring vnto that hie celeftiall throne : 
 
 Where bleffed Angels in their heauenly queares, 
 chaunt Anthemes with fhrill Syren harmonic, 
 
 Tun'd to the found of thofe aye-crouding sphears. 
 Which herien their makers eternitie. 
 
 Thofe who foretell the times of vnborne men, 
 and future things in foretime augured, 
 
 Haue flumbred in that fpell-gods darkeft den, 
 which firft infpir'd his prophefiyng head. 
 
 Sooth- 
 
57 
 
 Sooth-faying Sibe/s deepen long agone, 
 
 we haue their reede, but few haue cond their Arte, 
 W'elch-wifard Merlyn, cleueth to a ftone, 
 
 no Oracle more wonders may impart. 
 
 I he Infant age could deftly caroll loue, 
 till greedy thirft of that ambitious honor, 
 
 Drew Poets pen, from his fweete laffes gloue, 
 
 to chaunt of flaughtering broiles & bloody horror. 
 
 Then Jones loue-theft was priuily discri'd, 
 how he playd falfe play in Amphitrios bed, 
 
 .\nd how Apollo, in the mount of yde, 
 gaue Oenon phifick for her maydenhead. 
 
 The tender graffe was then the foftefl bed, 
 
 the pleafant'ft (hades were deem'd the ftatelyeft hals, 
 
 Xo belly-god with Bacchus banqueted, 
 
 nor paynted ragges then couered rotten wals. 
 
 '] hen fimple loue with fimple vertue way'd, 
 flowers the fauours which true fayth reuayled, 
 
 kindnes with kindnes was againe repay 'd, 
 with fweeteft kiffes couenants were fealed. 
 
 I Then 
 
58 
 
 Then beauties felfe with her felfe beautified, 
 
 fcornd payntings pergit, and the borrowed hayre, 
 
 Nor monftrous formes deformities did hide, 
 nor foule was verniflit with compounded fayre. 
 
 The pureft fleece then couered pureft flcin, 
 for pride as then with Litcifer remaynd : 
 
 Deformed fafhions now were to begin, 
 
 nor clothes were yet with poyfned liquor ftaynd. 
 
 But when the bowels of the earth were fought, 
 and men her golden intrayles did efpie. 
 
 This mifchiefe then into her world was brought, 
 this fram'd the mint which coynd our miferie. 
 
 Then lofty Pines were by ambition hewne, 
 
 and men fea-monfters fwamme the brackifh flood. 
 
 In waynfcot tubs, to feeke out worlds vnknowne, 
 for certain ill to leaue affured good. 
 
 The ftarteling fteede is manag'd from the field, 
 and femes a fubied: to the riders lawes, 
 
 He whom the churlifh bit did neuer w^eeld, \ 
 
 now feels the courb controll his angrie iawes. | 
 
 The I 
 
 i 
 
59 
 
 The hammering Viilcaiic fpent his wafting fire, 
 till he the vfe of tempred mettals found, 
 
 1 lis anuile wrought the fteeled cotes attire, 
 and forged tooles to carue the foe-mans wound. 
 
 The Citie builder then intrencht his towres, 
 and wald his wealth within the fenced towne, 
 
 Which afterward in bloudy ftormy ftours, 
 
 kindled that flame which burnt his Bulwarks downe. 
 
 And thus began th' Exordhini of our woes, 
 the fatall dumbe fliewe of our miferie : 
 
 Here fprang the tree on which our mifchiefe growes, 
 the drery fubiecl of worlds tragedie. 
 
 Motto, 
 
 Well, (hepheard w^ell, the golden age is gone, 
 wifhes may not reuoke that which is paft : 
 
 It were no wit to make two griefes of one, 
 our prouerb fayth, Nothing can alwayes laft. 
 
 Liften to me my louely fliepheards ioye, 
 and thou (halt heare with mirth and mickle glee, 
 
 A pretie Tale, which when I was a boy, 
 
 my toothles Grandame oft hath tolde to me. 
 
 y 2 Gorbo. 
 
6o 
 
 Gorbo, 
 
 Shepheard fay on, fo Tnay we paffe the time. 
 There is no doubt it is fome worthy ryme. 
 
 Motto. 
 
 Farre in the countrey ^ Arden 
 There wond a knight hight Caffemen, 
 
 as bolde as Ifenbras : 
 Fell was he and eger bent, 
 In battell a7id in Tournament, 
 
 as was the good ftr Topas. 
 He had as antique ft ories tell, 
 A daughter cleaped Dowfabell, 
 
 a may den fay re and free : 
 Andforfhe was her fathers heire, 
 Full well fhe was ycond the ley re, 
 
 of mickle curtefie. 
 The ftlke we I couth fhe twift and twine, 
 And make the fine Marchpine, 
 
 and with the needle werke, 
 And fhe couth helpe the priefi to fay 
 His Mattens on a holyday, 
 
 and fing a Pfalme in Kirke, 
 She ware a frock of frolic ke greene. 
 Might well befeeme a may den Queene, 
 
 which feemly was to fee. 
 
6i 
 
 A hood to that fo neat and fine, 
 In colour like the colonibine, 
 
 ywronght fullfeatoufiy. 
 Her feature all as frejh aboue, 
 As is the grajfe that growes by Done, 
 
 as lyth as lajfe of Kent : 
 Her fizin as foft as Lenifier wooll, 
 As white as f now on peakiflt hull, 
 
 or Swanne that fwinis in Trent. 
 This mayden in a morne betinie, 
 y Vent forth when May was in her prime, 
 
 to get fweete Cetywall, 
 The hony-fuckle, the Harlocke, 
 The Lilly and the Lady-fmocke, 
 
 to deck her ftmtmer hall. 
 Thus as fhe wandred here and there, 
 Ypicking of the bloomed Breere, 
 
 fhe chanced to efpie 
 A fhepheard fitting on a bancke, 
 Like Chanteclere he crowed crancke, 
 
 and pifd with merrie glee : 
 He leard his flwepe as he him lifi, 
 When he would whifile in hisfifi, 
 
 to f cede about him round : 
 VVhilfi he full many a caroll fung, 
 Vntill the fields and medowes rung, 
 
 and that the woods did found : 
 
 J 3 7" 
 
62 
 
 /;/ fauour this fame JItepheards fwayne, 
 IVas like the bedlam Tamburlayne, 
 
 which helde prowd Kings in awe : 
 But meeke he was as Lamb mought he, 
 Ylike that gentle Abel he, 
 
 whom his lewd brother /law. 
 This Jlaepheard ware a Jlteepe gray cloke, 
 Which was of the fineji loke, 
 
 that could be cut with fheere, 
 His mittens were of Bauzens fizinne, 
 His cockers were of Cordiwin, 
 
 his hood of Meniueere. 
 His aule and lingell in a thong, 
 His tar-boxe on his broad belt hong, 
 
 his breech of Coyntrie blew : 
 Full crifpe and curled were his lockes, 
 Hir browes as white as Albion rockes, 
 
 fo like a louer true. 
 And py ping f till he f pent the day, 
 So mery as the Popingay : 
 
 which liked Dowfabell, 
 That would f he oitght or would f he nought, 
 This lad would rieuer from her thought : 
 
 fhe in loue-longing fell. 
 At length fhe tucked vp her frocke. 
 White as the Lilly was her fmocke, 
 
 fhe drew the fhepheard nic. 
 
 But 
 
63 
 
 But then the fhephcani pyp\i a good,, 
 That all his fheepe forfooke their foode, 
 
 to heare his melodie. 
 Thy fheepe quoth f he cannot be leane, 
 'That hane a iolly fhepheards fwayne, 
 
 the which can pipe fo well. 
 Yea but (fayth he) their fhepheanl may, 
 y/pyping tlins he pine away, 
 
 in lone of Dowfabell. 
 Of hue fond boy take thou 7io keepe, 
 Quoth f he, looke well vnto thy fheepe, 
 
 left they f ho u Id hap to ft ray. 
 Quoth he, fo had I done full well, 
 Had I not feene fayre Dowfabell, 
 
 come forth to gather Maye. 
 With that fhe gan to vaile her head. 
 Her cheekes were like the Rofes red, 
 
 but not a word flw fay d. 
 With that the fliepheard gan to frown e, 
 He threio his pretie pypes adowne, 
 
 and on tlie ground him layd, 
 Sayth file, I nuiy not flay till night, 
 And leaue my funimer hall vndight, 
 
 and all for long of thee. 
 My Coate fayth he, nor yet my foulde, 
 Shall neither fheepe nor fhepheard hould, 
 
 except thoufauour me. 
 
 Sayth 
 
64 
 
 Sayth flie yet leiier I were dead, 
 Theit I fhoiild lofe my maydenhead, 
 
 and all for loue of men : 
 Sayth he yet are you too vnkimi, 
 If in your heart you cannot finde, 
 
 to loue vs now and then : 
 A7td y to thee will be as kinde, 
 As Colin zvas to Rofalinde, 
 
 of ctirtefie the flower ; 
 Then will I be as true quoth f he, 
 As euer may den yet might be, 
 
 vnto her Paramour : 
 With that f he bent her fnowe-white knee, 
 Downe by the fhepheard kneeled fhee, 
 
 and him fhe fweetely kifi,^ 
 With that the fhepheard whoop d for ioy. 
 Quoth he, thers neuer fhepheards boy, 
 
 that euer was fo blifl. 
 
 Gorbo. 
 
 Now by my flieep-hooke here's a tale alone, 
 Learne me the fame and I will giue thee hier, 
 
 This were as good as curds for our yone, 
 When at a night we fitten by the fire. 
 
 Motto. 
 
65 
 
 I Motto. 
 
 Why gentle hodge I will not fticke for that, 
 when we two meeten here another day, 
 
 Ikit fee whilft we haue fet vs downe to chat, 
 yon tikes of mine begin to fteale away. 
 
 And if thou wilt but come vnto our greene, 
 on Lammas day when as we haue our feaft, 
 
 1 hou fhalt fit next vnto our fummer Queene, 
 and thou (halt be the onely welcome gueft. 
 
 When 
 
66 
 
 THE NINTH EGLOG. 
 
 When cole-blacke night with fable vaile 
 
 eclipfd the gladfome light, 
 Rowland in darkefoine Jliade alone, 
 
 bemoanes his wo full flight. 
 
 What time the weatherbeaten flockes, 
 
 forfooke the fields to fhrowd them in the folde, 
 
 The groues difpoyl'd of their fayre fummer lockes, 
 the leaueles branches nipt with froftie colde, 
 
 The drouping trees their gayneffe all agone, 
 
 In moffie mantles doe expreffe their moane. 
 
 When Phc^bus from his Lemmans lonely bower, 
 throughout the fphere had ierckt his angry lades, 
 
 His Carre now paffd the heauens hie welked Tower, 
 gan dragge adowne the occidental flades, 
 
 In filent fhade of defart all alone, 
 
 Thus to the night, Rowland bewrayes his moane. 
 
 Oh bleffed ftarres which lend the darknes light, 
 the glorious paynting of that circled throane, 
 
 You eyes of heauen, you lanthornes of the night, 
 to you bright ftarres, to you I make my moane. 
 
 Or end my dayes, or eafe me of my griefe. 
 
 The earth is frayle, and yeelds me no reliefe. 
 
 And 
 
67 
 
 And thou fayre Phebe, decrer to my fi^dit, 
 then Tytan is when brightcft he hath fhonc, 
 
 Why Ihouldft thou now Ihut vp thy bleffed light, 
 and fdayne to looke on thy Endymion ? 
 
 Perhaps the heauens me thus defpight haue done, 
 
 l>ccaufe I durft compare thee with their funne. 
 
 If drery fighes the tempefts of my brest, 
 or ftreames of teares from floods of weeping eyes, 
 
 If downe-caft lookes with darkfome cloudes oppreft, 
 or words which with fad accents fall and rife, 
 
 If thefe, nor her, nor you, to pittie moue, 
 
 There's neither helpe in you, nor hope in loue. 
 
 < )h fayr'ft that Hues, yet moft vnkindeft mayd, 
 o whilomc thou the ioy of all my flocke, 
 
 \\ hy haue thine eyes thefe eyes of mine betrayd, 
 Vnto thy hart more hard then flintie rocke, 
 
 And laftly thus depriu'd me of their fight, 
 
 I rom whome my loue deriues both life and light. 
 
 Thofe dapper ditties pend vnto her prayfe, 
 and thofe fweete ftraynes of tunefull paftorall. 
 
 She fcorncth as the Lourdayns clownifh layes, 
 and recketh as the ruftick madrigall, 
 
 Her lippes prophane ydeas facred name, 
 
 And fdayne to read the annals of her fame. 
 
 K 2 Thofe 
 
68 
 
 Thofe gorgeous garlands and thofe goodly flowers, 
 wherewith I crown'd her treffes in the prime, 
 
 She moft abhors, and fliuns thofe pleafant bowers, 
 made to difport her in the fummer time : 
 
 She hates the fports and paftimes I inuent, 
 
 And as the toade, flies all my meriment. 
 
 With holy verfes heryed I her gloue, 
 
 and dew'd her cheekes with fountaines of my teares, 
 And carold her full many a lay of loue, 
 
 twifting fweete Rofes in her golden hayres. 
 Her wandring fheep full fafely haue I kept. 
 And watch'd her flocke full oft when fhe hath flept. 
 
 Oenon neuer vpon yda hill, 
 
 fo oft hath cald on Alexandei^s name, 
 As hath poore Rowland with an Angels quill, 
 
 eredled trophies of ydeas fame : 
 Yet that falfe fliepherd Oenon fled from thee, 
 I follow her that euer flies from me. 
 
 Ther's not a groue that wonders not my woe, 
 there's not a riuer weepes not at my tale : 
 
 I heare the ecchoes (wandring too and froe) 
 refound my griefe in euery hill and dale. 
 
 The beafts in field, with many a wofull groane. 
 
 The birds in ayre help to expreffe my moane. 
 
 Where 
 
69 
 
 Where been thofe lines? the heraulds of my heart, 
 my plaints, my tears, my vowes, my fighes, my prayers? 
 what aiiayleth fayth, or what my Artes? 
 o loue, o hope, quite turn'd into defpayres : 
 She flops her eares as Adder to the charmes. 
 And lets me lye and languifh in my harmes. 
 
 All is agone, fuch is my endles griefe. 
 And my mifliaps amended naught with moane, 
 
 I fee the heauens will yeeld me no reliefe : 
 what helpeth care, when cure is paft and gone, 
 
 And teares I fee, doe me auayle no good, 
 
 But as great fhowres increafe the rifing flood. 
 
 With folded armes, thus hanging downe his head, 
 he gaue a groane as though his heart had broke, 
 
 Then looking pale and wan as he were dead, 
 he fetch'd a figh, but neuer a word he fpoke : 
 
 For now his heart wax'd cold as any ftonc, 
 
 W^as neuer man aliue fo woe begone. 
 
 With that fayre Cinthya ftoups her glittering vayle, 
 and diues adowne into the Ocean flood. 
 
 The eaflierne brow which erft was wan and pale, 
 now in the dawning blulheth red as blood : 
 
 The whiftling Larke ymounted on her wings. 
 
 To the gray morrow, her good morrow fings. 
 
 K 3 When 
 
70 
 
 When this poore fhepheard Rowland oi the Rocke, 
 whofe faynting legges his body fcarfe vpheld, 
 
 Each fliepheard now returning to his flocke, 
 alone poore Rowland fled the pleafant field, 
 
 And in his Coate got to vechie bed : 
 
 Was neuer man aliue fo hard befted. 
 
 v<^ Imprinted at London 
 Woodcock, dwelling in I 
 
 for Thomas 
 i^ 111 Pauls Church- 
 yarde, at the figne of the black 
 Beare. 1593. 
 
 OF THE ^ 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF 
 
^ 
 
 RETURN TO Dvt^^ USE 
 
 subj 
 
 ect to i 
 
 14 13 
 
 nunediate 
 
 recall. 
 
 Deceived 
 
 LOAN DBPTj 
 
 Dl 
 
 TTT97i