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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5, by Edmund Spenser
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
+will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
+using this eBook.
+
+Title: The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5
+
+Author: Edmund Spenser
+
+Release Date: January 1, 2004 [eBook #10602]
+[Most recently updated: November 13, 2022]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+Produced by: Joshua Hutchinson, Carol David and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POETICAL WORKS OF EDMUND SPENSER, VOLUME 5 ***
+
+
+
+
+THE
+POETICAL WORKS
+OF
+EDMUND SPENSER
+
+VOLUME V.
+
+M.DCCC.LX.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+OF THE FIFTH VOLUME.
+
+
+ MISCELLANIES.
+ Complaints
+ The Ruines of Time
+ The Teares of the Muses
+ Virgils Gnat
+ Prosopopoia: or Mother Hubberds Tale
+ Ruines of Rome: by Bellay
+ Muiopotmos: or the Fate of the Butterflie
+ Visions of the Worlds Vanitie
+ The Visions of Bellay
+ The Visions of Petrarch
+ Daphnaida
+ Amoretti
+ Epithalamion
+ Prothalamion
+ Fowre Hymnes
+ Epigrams
+ Sonnets
+
+ APPENDIX.
+ I. Variations from the Original Editions
+ II. Two Letters from Spenser to Harvey
+ III. Index of Proper Names
+
+
+MISCELLANIES.
+
+COMPLAINTS.
+
+CONTAINING SUNDRIE SMALL POEMES OF THE WORLDS VANITIE:
+
+WHEREOF THE NEXT PAGE MAKETH MENTION.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+
+
+
+LONDON.
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE,
+DWELLING IN PAULES CHURCHYARD
+AT THE SIGNE OF THE
+BISHOPS HEAD.
+1591.
+
+
+A NOTE OF THE SUNDRIE POEMES CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME.
+
+
+1. The Ruines of Time.
+
+2. The Teares of the Muses.
+
+3. Virgils Gnat.
+
+4. Prosopopoia, or Mother Hubberds Tale.
+
+5. The Ruines of Rome: by Bellay.
+
+6. Muiopotmos, or The Tale of the Butterflie.
+
+7. Visions of the Worlds Vanitie.
+
+8. Bellayes Visions.
+
+9. Petrarches Visions.
+
+
+THE PRINTER TO THE GENTLE READER.
+
+
+Since my late setting foorth of the Faerie Queene, finding that it hath
+found a favourable passage amongst you, I have sithence endevoured by
+all good meanes, (for the better encrease and accomplishment of your
+delights,) to get into my handes such smale poemes of the same Authors
+as I heard were disperst abroad in sundrie hands, and not easie to bee
+come by by himselfe; some of them having bene diverslie imbeziled and
+purloyned from him, since his departure over sea. Of the which I have
+by good meanes gathered togeather these fewe parcels present, which I
+have caused to bee imprinted altogeather, for that they al seeme to
+containe like matter of argument in them, being all complaints and
+meditations of the worlds vanitie, verie grave and profitable. To which
+effect I understand that he besides wrote sundrie others, namelie:
+_Ecclesiastes_ and _Canticum Canticorum_ translated, _A Senights
+Slumber, The Hell of Lovers, his Purgatorie_, being all dedicated to
+ladies, so as it may seeme he ment them all to one volume: besides some
+other pamphlets looselie scattered abroad; as _The Dying Pellican, The
+Howers of the Lord, The Sacrifice of a Sinner, The Seven Psalmes_, &c.,
+which, when I can either by himselfe or otherwise attaine too, I meane
+likewise for your favour sake to set foorth. In the meane time, praying
+you gentlie to accept of these, and graciouslie to entertaine the new
+Poet*, I take leave.
+
+[* Spenser had printed nothing with his name before the Faerie
+Queene.—Ponsonby’s account of the way in which this volume was
+collected is rather loose. The Ruins of Time and The Tears of the Muses
+were certainly written shortly before they were published, and there
+can be equally little doubt that Mother Hubberd’s Tale was retouched
+about the same time. C.]
+
+
+
+
+THE RUINES OF TIME.
+
+DEDICATED
+
+TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND BEAUTIFULL LADIE,
+
+THE LA: MARIE,
+
+COUNTESSE OF PEMEBROOKE.
+
+
+Most honourable and bountifull Ladie, there bee long sithens deepe
+sowed in my brest the seede of most entire love and humble affection
+unto that most brave knight, your noble brother deceased; which, taking
+roote, began in his life time somewhat to bud forth, and to shew
+themselves to him, as then in the weakenes of their first spring; and
+would in their riper strength (had it pleased High God till then to
+drawe out his daies) spired forth fruit of more perfection. But since
+God hath disdeigned the world of that most noble spirit which was the
+hope of all learned men, and the patron of my young Muses, togeather
+with him both their hope of anie further fruit was cut off, and also
+the tender delight of those their first blossoms nipped and quite dead.
+Yet, sithens my late cumming into England, some frends of mine, which
+might much prevaile with me, and indeede commaund me, knowing with howe
+straight bandes of duetie I was tied to him, as also bound unto that
+noble house, of which the chiefs hope then rested in him, have sought
+to revive them by upbraiding me, for that I have not shewed anie
+thankefull remembrance towards him or any of them, but suffer their
+names to sleep in silence and forgetfulnesse. Whome chieflie to
+satisfie, or els to avoide that fowle blot of unthankefulnesse, I have
+conceived this small Poeme, intituled by a generall name of _The Worlds
+Ruines;_ yet speciallie intended to the renowming of that noble race
+from which both you and he sprong, and to the eternizing of some of the
+chiefe of them late deceased. The which I dedicate unto your La. as
+whome it most speciallie concerneth, and to whome I acknowledge my
+selfe bounden by manie singular favours and great graces. I pray for
+your honourable happinesse, and so humblie kisse your handes.
+
+
+Your Ladiships ever humblie at commaund,
+
+
+E.S.
+
+
+
+
+THE RUINES OF TIME.
+
+It chaunced me on* day beside the shore
+Of silver streaming Thamesis to bee,
+Nigh where the goodly Verlame stood of yore,
+Of which there now remaines no memorie,
+Nor anie little moniment to see,                    5
+By which the travailer that fares that way
+_This once was she_ may warned be to say.
+  [* _On_, one.]
+
+
+There, on the other side, I did behold
+A Woman sitting sorrowfullie wailing,
+Rending her yeolow locks, like wyrie golde                    10
+About her shoulders careleslie downe trailing,
+And streames of teares from her faire eyes forth railing*:
+In her right hand a broken rod she held,
+Which towards heaven shee seemd on high to weld,
+  [* _Railing_, flowing.]
+
+
+Whether she were one of that rivers nymphes,                    15
+Which did the losse of some dere Love lament,
+I doubt; or one of those three fatall impes
+Which draw the dayes of men forth in extent;
+Or th’auncient genius of that citie brent*;
+But, seeing her so piteouslie perplexed,                    20
+I, to her calling, askt what her so vexed.
+  [* _Brent_, burnt.]
+
+
+“Ah! what delight,” quoth she, “in earthlie thing,
+Or comfort can I, wretched creature, have?
+Whose happines the heavens envying,
+From highest staire to lowest step me drave,                    25
+And have in mine owne bowels made my grave,
+That of all nations now I am forlorne*,
+The worlds sad spectacle, and Fortunes scorne.”
+  [* _Forlorne_, forsaken.]
+
+
+Much was I mooved at her piteous plaint,
+And felt my heart nigh riven in my brest                    30
+With tender ruth to see her sore constraint;
+That, shedding teares, a while I still did rest,
+And after did her name of her request.
+“Name have I none,” quoth she, “nor anie being,
+Bereft of both by Fates uniust decreeing.                    35
+
+
+“I was that citie which the garland wore
+Of Britaines pride, delivered unto me
+By Romane victors which it wonne of yore;
+Though nought at all but ruines now I bee,
+And lye in mine owne ashes, as ye see,                    40
+VERLAME I was; what bootes it that I was,
+Sith now I am but weedes and wastfull gras?
+
+
+“O vaine worlds glorie, and unstedfast state
+Of all that lives on face of sinfull earth!
+Which, from their first untill their utmost date,                    45
+Tast no one hower of happines or merth;
+But like as at the ingate* of their berth
+They crying creep out of their mothers woomb,
+So wailing backe go to their wofull toomb.
+  [* _Ingate_, entrance, beginning.]
+
+
+“Why then dooth flesh, a bubble-glas of breath,                    50
+Hunt after honour and advauncement vaine,
+And reare a trophee for devouring death
+With so great labour and long-lasting paine,
+As if his daies for ever should remaine?
+Sith all that in this world is great or gaie                    55
+Doth as a vapour vanish and decaie.
+
+
+“Looke backe, who list, unto the former ages,
+And call to count what is of them become.
+Where be those learned wits and antique sages,
+Which of all wisedome knew the perfect somme?                    60
+Where those great warriors, which did overcome
+The world with conquest of their might and maine,
+And made one meare* of th’earth and of their raine?
+  [* _Meare_, boundary.]
+
+
+“What nowe is of th’Assyrian Lyonesse,
+Of whome no footing now on earth appeares?                    65
+What of the Persian Beares outragiousnesse,
+Whose memorie is quite worne out with yeares?
+Who of the Grecian Libbard* now ought heares,
+That over-ran the East with greedie powre,
+And left his whelps their kingdomes to devoure?                    70
+  [* _Libbard_, leopard]
+
+
+“And where is that same great seven-headded beast,
+That made all nations vassals of her pride,
+To fall before her feete at her beheast,
+And in the necke of all the world did ride?
+Where doth she all that wondrous welth nowe hide?                    75
+With her own weight downe pressed now shee lies,
+And by her heaps her hugenesse testifies.
+
+
+“O Rome, thy ruine I lament and rue,
+And in thy fall my fatall overthrowe,
+That whilom was, whilst heavens with equall vewe                    80
+Deignd to behold me and their gifts bestowe,
+The picture of thy pride in pompous shew:
+And of the whole world as thou wast the empresse,
+So I of this small Northerne world was princesse.
+
+
+“To tell the beawtie of my buildings fayre,                    85
+Adornd with purest golde and precious stone,
+To tell my riches and endowments rare,
+That by my foes are now all spent and gone,
+To tell my forces, matchable to none,
+Were but lost labour that few would beleeve,                    90
+And with rehearsing would me more agreeve.
+
+
+“High towers, faire temples, goodly theaters,
+Strong walls, rich porches, princelie pallaces,
+Large streetes, brave houses, sacred sepulchers,
+Sure gates, sweete gardens, stately galleries                    95
+Wrought with faire pillours and fine imageries,—
+All those, O pitie! now are turnd to dust,
+And overgrowen with blacke oblivions rust.
+
+
+“Theretoo, for warlike power and peoples store
+In Britannie was none to match with mee,                    100
+That manie often did abie full sore:
+Ne Troynovant*, though elder sister shee,
+With my great forces might compared bee;
+That stout Pendragon to his perill felt,
+Who in a siege seaven yeres about me dwelt.                    105
+  [* _Troynovant_, London]
+
+
+“But long ere this, Bunduca, Britonnesse,
+Her mightie hoast against my bulwarkes brought;
+Bunduca! that victorious conqueresse,
+That, lifting up her brave heroick thought
+Bove womens weaknes, with the Romanes fought,                    110
+Fought, and in field against them thrice prevailed:
+Yet was she foyld, when as she me assailed.
+
+
+“And though at last by force I conquered were
+Of hardie Saxons, and became their thrall,
+Yet was I with much bloodshed bought full deere,                    115
+And prizde with slaughter of their generall,
+The moniment of whose sad funerall,
+For wonder of the world, long in me lasted,
+But now to nought, through spoyle of time, is wasted.
+
+
+“Wasted it is, as if it never were;                    120
+And all the rest that me so honord made,
+And of the world admired ev’rie where,
+Is turnd to smoake that doth to nothing fade;
+And of that brightnes now appeares no shade,
+But greislie shades, such as doo haunt in hell                    125
+With fearfull fiends that in deep darknes dwell.
+
+
+“Where my high steeples whilom usde to stand,
+On which the lordly faulcon wont to towre,
+There now is but an heap of lyme and sand
+For the shriche-owle to build her balefull bowre:                   
+130
+And where the nightingale wont forth to powre
+Her restles plaints, to comfort wakefull lovers,
+There now haunt yelling mewes and whining plovers.
+
+
+“And where the christall Thamis wont to slide
+In silver channell downe along the lee,                    135
+About whose flowrie bankes on either side
+A thousand nymphes, with mirthfull iollitee,
+Were wont to play, from all annoyance free,
+There now no rivers course is to be seene,
+But moorish fennes, and marshes ever greene.                    140
+
+
+“Seemes that that gentle river, for great griefe
+Of my mishaps which oft I to him plained,
+Or for to shunne the horrible mischiefe
+With which he saw my cruell foes me pained,
+And his pure streames with guiltles blood oft stained,
+From my unhappie neighborhood farre fled,                    145
+And his sweete waters away with him led.
+
+
+“There also where the winged ships were seene
+In liquid waves to cut their fomie waie,
+And thousand fishers numbred to have been,                    150
+In that wide lake looking for plenteous praie
+Of fish, which they with baits usde to betraie,
+Is now no lake, nor anie fishers store,
+Nor ever ship shall saile there anie more.
+
+
+“They all are gone, and all with them is gone!                    155
+Ne ought to me remaines, but to lament
+My long decay, which no man els doth mone,
+And mourne my fall with dolefull dreriment:
+Yet it is comfort in great languishment,
+To be bemoned with compassion kinde,                    160
+And mitigates the anguish of the minde.
+
+
+“But me no man bewaileth, but in game
+Ne sheddeth teares from lamentable eie;
+Nor anie lives that mentioneth my name
+To be remembred of posteritie,                    165
+Save one, that maugre Fortunes iniurie,
+And Times decay, and Envies cruell tort*,
+Hath writ my record in true-seeming sort.
+  [* _Tort_, wrong]
+
+
+“CAMBDEN! the nourice* of antiquitie,
+And lanterne unto late succeding age                    170
+To see the light of simple veritie
+Buried in ruines, through the great outrage
+Of her owne people led with warlike rage,
+CAMBDEN! though Time all moniments obscure,
+Yet thy iust labours ever shall endure.                    175
+  [* _Nourice_, nurse]
+
+
+“But whie, unhappie wight! doo I thus crie,
+And grieve that my remembrance quite is raced*
+Out of the knowledge of posteritie,
+And all my antique moniments defaced?
+Sith I doo dailie see things highest placed,                    180
+So soone as Fates their vitall thred have shorne,
+Forgotten quite as they were never borne
+  [* _Raced_, razed.]
+
+
+“It is not long, since these two eyes beheld
+A mightie Prince*, of most renowmed race,
+Whom England high in count of honour held,                    185
+And greatest ones did sue to game his grace;
+Of greatest ones he, greatest in his place,
+Sate in the bosom of his Soveraine,
+And _Right and Loyall_** did his word maintaine.
+  [* I. e. the Earl of Leicester.]
+  [** Leicester’s motto.]
+
+
+“I saw him die, I saw him die as one                    190
+Of the meane people, and brought foorth on beare;
+I saw him die, and no man left to mone
+His dolefull fate that late him loved deare;
+Scarse anie left to close his eylids neare;
+Scarse anie left upon his lips to laie                    195
+The sacred sod, or requiem to saie.
+
+
+“O trustlesse state of miserable men,
+That builde your blis on hope of earthly thing,
+And vainly thinke your selves halfe happie then,
+When painted faces with smooth flattering                    200
+Doo fawne on you, and your wide praises sing;
+And, when the courting masker louteth* lowe,
+Him true in heart and trustie to you trow!
+  [* _Louteth_, boweth.]
+
+
+“All is but fained, and with oaker* dide,
+That everie shower will wash and wipe away;                    205
+All things doo change that under heaven abide,
+And after death all friendship doth decaie.
+Therefore, what ever man bearst worldlie sway,
+Living, on God and on thy selfe relie;
+For, when thou diest, all shall with thee die.                    210
+  [* _Oaker_, ochre, paint.]
+
+
+“He now is dead, and all is with him dead,
+Save what in heavens storehouse he uplaid:
+His hope is faild, and come to passe his dread,
+And evill men (now dead) his deeds upbraid:
+Spite bites the dead, that living never baid.                    215
+He now is gone, the whiles the foxe is crept
+Into the hole the which the badger swept.
+
+
+“He now is dead, and all his glorie gone,
+And all his greatnes vapoured to nought,
+That as a glasse upon the water shone,                    220
+Which vanisht quite so soone as it was sought.
+His name is worne alreadie out of thought,
+Ne anie poet seekes him to revive;
+Yet manie poets honourd him alive.
+
+
+“Ne doth his Colin, carelesse Colin Cloute,                    225
+Care now his idle bagpipe up to raise,
+Ne tell his sorrow to the listning rout
+Of shepherd groomes, which wont his songs to praise:
+Praise who so list, yet I will him dispraise,
+Untill he quite* him of this guiltie blame.                    230
+Wake, shepheards boy, at length awake for shame!
+  [* _Quite_, acquit.]
+
+
+“And who so els did goodnes by him game,
+And who so els his bounteous minde did trie*,
+Whether he shepheard be, or shepheards swaine,
+(For manie did, which doo it now denie,)                    235
+Awake, and to his song a part applie:
+And I, the whilest you mourne for his decease,
+Will with my mourning plaints your plaint increase.
+  [* _Trie_, experience.]
+
+
+“He dyde, and after him his brother dyde,
+His brother prince, his brother noble peere,                    240
+That whilste he lived was of none envyde,
+And dead is now, as living, counted deare;
+Deare unto all that true affection beare,
+But unto thee most deare, O dearest Dame,
+His noble spouse and paragon of fame.                    245
+
+
+“He, whilest he lived, happie was through thee,
+And, being dead, is happie now much more;
+Living, that lincked chaunst with thee to bee,
+And dead, because him dead thou dost adore
+As living, and thy lost deare love deplore.                    250
+So whilst that thou, faire flower of chastitie,
+Dost live, by thee thy lord shall never die.
+
+
+“Thy lord shall never die, the whiles this verse
+Shall live, and surely it shall live for ever:
+For ever it shall live, and shall rehearse                    255
+His worthie praise, and vertues dying never,
+Though death his soule doo from his bodie sever:
+And thou thy selfe herein shalt also live;
+Such grace the heavens doo to my verses give.
+
+
+“Ne shall his sister, ne thy father, die;                    260
+Thy father, that good earle of rare renowne,
+And noble patrone of weake povertie;
+Whose great good deeds, in countrey and in towne.
+Have purchast him in heaven an happie crowne:
+Where he now liveth in eternall blis,                    265
+And left his sonne t’ensue those steps of his.
+
+
+“He, noble bud, his grandsires livelie hayre,
+Under the shadow of thy countenaunce
+Now ginnes to shoote up fast, and flourish fayre
+In learned artes, and goodlie governaunce,                    270
+That him to highest honour shall advaunce.
+Brave impe* of Bedford, grow apace in bountie,
+And count of wisedome more than of thy countie!
+  [* _Impe_, graft, scion.]
+
+
+“Ne may I let thy husbands sister die,
+That goodly ladie, sith she eke did spring                    275
+Out of this stocke and famous familie
+Whose praises I to future age doo sing;
+And foorth out of her happie womb did bring
+The sacred brood of learning and all honour;
+In whom the heavens powrde all their gifts upon her.
+
+
+“Most gentle spirite breathed from above,                    281
+Out of the bosome of the Makers blis,
+In whom all bountie and all vertuous love
+Appeared in their native propertis,
+And did enrich that noble breast of his                    285
+With treasure passing all this worldës worth,
+Worthie of heaven it selfe, which brought it forth:
+
+
+“His blessed spirite, full of power divine
+And influence of all celestiall grace,
+Loathing this sinfull earth and earthlie slime,                    290
+Fled backe too soonc unto his native place;
+Too soone for all that did his love embrace,
+Too soone for all this wretched world, whom he
+Robd of all right and true nobilitie.
+
+
+“Yet, ere his happie soule to heaven went                    295
+Out of this fleshlie goale, he did devise
+Unto his heavenlie Maker to present
+His bodie, as a spotles sacrifise,
+And chose that guiltie hands of enemies
+Should powre forth th’offring of his guiltles blood:
+So life exchanging for his countries good.                    300
+
+
+“O noble spirite, live there ever blessed,
+The worlds late wonder, and the heavens new ioy;
+Live ever there, and leave me here distressed
+With mortall cares and cumbrous worlds anoy!                    305
+But, where thou dost that happines enioy,
+Bid me, O bid me quicklie come to thee,
+That happie there I maie thee alwaies see!
+
+
+“Yet, whilest the Fates affoord me vitall breath,
+I will it spend in speaking of thy praise,                    310
+And sing to thee, untill that timelie death
+By heavens doome doo ende my earthlie daies:
+Thereto doo thou my humble spirite raise,
+And into me that sacred breath inspire,
+Which thou there breathest perfect and entire.                    315
+
+
+“Then will I sing; but who can better sing
+Than thine owne sister, peerles ladie bright,
+Which to thee sings with deep harts sorrowing,
+Sorrowing tempered with deare delight,
+That her to heare I feele my feeble spright                    320
+Robbed of sense, and ravished with ioy;
+O sad ioy, made of mourning and anoy!
+
+
+“Yet will I sing; but who can better sing
+Than thou thyselfe thine owne selfes valiance,
+That, whilest thou livedst, madest the forrests ring,                  
+ 325
+And fields resownd, and flockes to leap and daunce,
+And shepheards leave their lambs unto mischaunce,
+To runne thy shrill Arcadian pipe to heare:
+O happie were those dayes, thrice happie were!
+
+
+“But now more happie thou, and wretched wee,                    330
+Which want the wonted sweetnes of thy voice,
+Whiles thou now in Elisian fields so free,
+With Orpheus, and with Linus, and the choice
+Of all that ever did in rimes reioyce,
+Conversest, and doost heare their heavenlie layes,                   
+335
+And they heare thine, and thine doo better praise.
+
+
+“So there thou livest, singing evermore,
+And here thou livest, being ever song
+Of us, which living loved thee afore,
+And now thee worship mongst that blessed throng                    340
+Of heavenlie poets and heroës strong.
+So thou both here and there immortall art,
+And everie where through excellent desart.
+
+
+“But such as neither of themselves can sing,
+Nor yet are sung of others for reward,                    345
+Die in obscure oblivion, as the thing
+Which never was; ne ever with regard
+Their names shall of the later age be heard,
+But shall in rustic darknes ever lie,
+Unles they mentiond be with infamie.                    350
+
+
+“What booteth it to have been rich alive?
+What to be great? what to be gracious?
+When after death no token doth survive
+Of former being in this mortall hous,
+But sleepes in dust dead and inglorious,                    355
+Like beast, whose breath but in his nostrels is,
+And hath no hope of happinesse or blis.
+
+
+“How manie great ones may remembred be,
+Which in their daies most famouslie did florish,
+Of whome no word we heare, nor signe now see,                    360
+But as things wipt out with a sponge to perishe,
+Because they living cared not to cherishe
+No gentle wits, through pride or covetize,
+Which might their names for ever memorize!
+
+
+“Provide therefore, ye Princes, whilst ye live,                    365
+That of the Muses ye may friended bee,
+Which unto men eternitie do give;
+For they be daughters of Dame Memorie
+And love, the father of Eternitie,
+And do those men in golden thrones repose,                    370
+Whose merits they to glorifie do chose.
+
+
+“The seven-fold yron gates of grislie Hell,
+And horrid house of sad Proserpina,
+They able are with power of mightie spell
+To breake, and thence the soules to bring awaie                    375
+Out of dread darkenesse to eternall day,
+And them immortall make which els would die
+In foule forgetfulnesse, and nameles lie.
+
+
+“So whilome raised they the puissant brood
+Of golden-girt Alcmena, for great merite,                    380
+Out of the dust to which the Oetaean wood
+Had him consum’d, and spent his vitall spirite,
+To highest heaven, where now he doth inherite
+All happinesse in Hebes silver bowre,
+Chosen to be her dearest paramoure.                    385
+
+
+“So raisde they eke faire Ledaes warlick twinnes.
+And interchanged life unto them lent,
+That, when th’one diës, th’other then beginnes
+To shew in heaven his brightnes orient;
+And they, for pittie of the sad wayment*,                    390
+Which Orpheus for Eurydice did make,
+Her back againe to life sent for his sake.
+  [* _Wayment_, lament.]
+
+
+“So happie are they, and so fortunate,
+Whom the Pierian sacred sisters love,
+That freed from bands of impacable** fate,                    395
+And power of death, they live for aye above,
+Where mortall wreakes their blis may not remove:
+But with the gods, for former verities meede,
+On nectar and ambrosia do feede.
+  [* _Impacable_, unappeasable.]
+
+
+“For deeds doe die, how ever noblie donne,                    400
+And thoughts of men do as themselves decay;
+But wise wordes taught in numbers for to runne,
+Recorded by the Muses, live for ay;
+Ne may with storming showers be washt away,
+Ne bitter-breathing windes with harmfull blast,                    405
+Nor age, nor envie, shall them ever wast.
+
+
+“In vaine doo earthly princes then, in vaine,
+Seeke with pyramides to heaven aspired,
+Or huge colosses built with costlie paine,
+Or brasen pillours never to be fired,                    410
+Or shrines made of the mettall most desired,
+To make their memories for ever live:
+For how can mortall immortalitie give?
+
+
+“Such one Mausolus made, the worlds great wonder,
+But now no remnant doth thereof remaine:                    415
+Such one Marcellus, but was torne with thunder:
+Such one Lisippus, but is worne with raine:
+Such one King Edmond, but was rent for gaine.
+All such vaine moniments of earthlie masse,
+Devour’d of Time, in time to nought doo passe.                    420
+
+
+“But Fame with golden wings aloft doth flie,
+Above the reach of ruinous decay,
+And with brave plumes doth beate the azure skie,
+Admir’d of base-borne men from farre away:
+Then who so will with vertuous deeds assay                    425
+To mount to heaven, on Pegasus must ride,
+And with sweete Poets verse be glorifide.
+
+
+“For not to have been dipt in Lethe lake,
+Could save the sonne of Thetis from to die;
+But that blinde bard did him immortall make                    430
+With verses dipt in deaw of Castalie:
+Which made the Easterne conquerour to crie,
+O fortunate yong man! whose vertue found
+So brave a trompe thy noble acts to sound.
+
+
+“Therefore in this halfe happie I doo read*                    435
+Good Melibae, that hath a poet got
+To sing his living praises being dead,
+Deserving never here to be forgot,
+In spight of envie, that his deeds would spot:
+Since whose decease, learning lies unregarded,                    440
+And men of armes doo wander unrewarded.
+  [* _Read_, consider]
+
+
+“Those two be those two great calamities,
+That long agoe did grieve the noble spright
+Of Salomon with great indignities,
+Who whilome was alive the wisest wight:                    445
+But now his wisedome is disprooved quite,
+For he that now welds* all things at his will
+Scorns th’one and th’other in his deeper skill.
+  [* _Welds_, wields]
+
+
+“O griefe of griefes! O gall of all good heartes!
+To see that vertue should dispised bee                    450
+Of him that first was raisde for vertuous parts,
+And now, broad spreading like an aged tree,
+Lets none shoot up that nigh him planted bee.
+O let the man of whom the Muse is scorned,
+Nor alive nor dead, be of the Muse adorned!                    455
+
+
+“O vile worlds trust! that with such vaine illusion
+Hath so wise men bewitcht and overkest*,
+That they see not the way of their confusion:
+O vainesse to be added to the rest
+That do my soule with inward griefe infest!                    460
+Let them behold the piteous fall of mee,
+And in my case their owne ensample see.
+  [* _Overkest_, overcast.]
+
+
+“And who so els that sits in highest seate
+Of this worlds glorie, worshipped of all,
+Ne feareth change of time, nor fortunes threats,                    465
+Let him behold the horror of my fall,
+And his owne end unto remembrance call;
+That of like ruine he may warned bee,
+And in himselfe be moov’d to pittie mee.”
+
+
+Thus having ended all her piteous plaint,                    470
+With dolefull shrikes shee vanished away,
+That I, through inward sorrowe wexen faint,
+And all astonished with deepe dismay
+For her departure, had no word to say;
+But sate long time in sencelesse sad affright,                    475
+Looking still, if I might of her have sight.
+
+
+Which when I missed, having looked long,
+My thought returned greeved home againe,
+Renewing her complaint with passion strong,
+For ruth of that same womans piteous paine;                    480
+Whose wordes recording in my troubled braine,
+I felt such anguish wound my feeble heart,
+That frosen horror ran through everie part.
+
+
+So inlie greeving in my groning brest,
+And deepelie muzing at her doubtfull speach,                    485
+Whose meaning much I labored foorth to wreste,
+Being above my slender reasons reach,
+At length, by demonstration me to teach,
+Before mine eies strange sights presented were,
+Like tragicke pageants seeming to appeare.                    490
+
+I.
+
+I saw an Image, all of massie gold,
+Placed on high upon an altare faire,
+That all which did the same from farre beholde
+Might worship it, and fall on lowest staire.
+Not that great idoll might with this compaire,                    495
+To which th’Assyrian tyrant would have made
+The holie brethren falslie to have praid.
+
+
+But th’altare on the which this image staid
+Was (O great pitie!) built of brickle* clay,
+That shortly the foundation decaid,                    500
+With showres of heaven and tempests worne away;
+Then downe it fell, and low in ashes lay,
+Scorned of everie one which by it went;
+That I, it seing, dearelie did lament.
+  [* _Brickle_, brittle.]
+
+II.
+
+
+Next unto this a statelie Towre appeared,                    505
+Built all of richest stone that might bee found,
+And nigh unto the heavens in height upreared,
+But placed on a plot of sandie ground:
+Not that great towre which is so much renownd
+For tongues confusion in Holie Writ,                    510
+King Ninus worke, might be compar’d to it.
+
+
+But, O vaine labours of terrestriall wit,
+That buildes so stronglie on so frayle a soyle,
+As with each storme does fall away and flit,
+And gives the fruit of all your travailes toyle                    515
+To be the pray of Tyme, and Fortunes spoyle,
+I saw this towre fall sodainlie to dust,
+That nigh with griefe thereof my heart was brust.
+
+III.
+
+
+Then did I see a pleasant Paradize,
+Full of sweete flowres and daintiest delights,                    520
+Such as on earth man could not more devize,
+With pleasures choyce to feed his cheereful sprights:
+Not that which Merlin by his magicke slights
+Made for the gentle Squire, to entertaine
+His fayre Belphoebe, could this gardine staine.                    525
+
+
+But O short pleasure bought with lasting paine!
+Why will hereafter anie flesh delight
+In earthlie blis, and ioy in pleasures vaine?
+Since that I sawe this gardine wasted quite,
+That where it was scarce seemed anie sight;                    530
+That I, which once that beautie did beholde,
+Could not from teares my melting eyes with-holde.
+
+IV.
+
+
+Soone after this a Giaunt came in place,
+Of wondrous power, and of exceeding stature,
+That none durst vewe the horror of his face;                    535
+Yet was he milde of speach, and meeke of nature.
+Not he which in despight of his Creatour
+With railing tearmes defied the Iewish hoast,
+Might with this mightie one in hugenes boast;
+
+
+For from the one he could to th’other coast                    540
+Stretch his strong thighes, and th’ocean overstride,
+And reatch his hand into his enemies hoast.
+But see the end of pompe and fleshlie pride!
+One of his feete unwares from him did slide,
+That downe hee fell into the deepe abisse,                    545
+Where drownd with him is all his earthlie blisse.
+
+V.
+
+
+Then did I see a Bridge, made all of golde,
+Over the sea from one to other side,
+Withouten prop or pillour it t’upholde,
+But like the coloured rainbowe arched wide:                    550
+Not that great arche which Traian edifide,
+To be a wonder to all age ensuing,
+Was matchable to this in equall vewing.
+
+
+But ah! what bootes it to see earthlie thing
+In glorie or in greatnes to excell,                    555
+Sith time doth greatest things to ruine bring?
+This goodlie bridge, one foote not fastned well,
+Gan faile, and all the rest downe shortlie fell,
+Ne of so brave a building ought remained,
+That griefe thereof my spirite greatly pained.                    560
+
+VI.
+
+
+I saw two Beares, as white as anie milke,
+Lying together in a mightie cave,
+Of milde aspect, and haire as soft as silke,
+That salvage nature seemed not to have,
+Nor after greedie spoyle of blood to crave:                    565
+Two fairer beasts might not elswhere be found,
+Although the compast* world were sought around.
+  [* _Compast_, rounded.]
+
+
+But what can long abide above this ground
+In state of blis, or stedfast happinesse?
+The cave in which these beares lay sleeping sound
+Was but earth, and with her owne weightinesse                    571
+Upon them fell, and did unwares oppresse;
+That, for great sorrow of their sudden fate,
+Henceforth all worlds felicitie I hate.
+
+
+Much was I troubled in my heavie spright,                    575
+At sight of these sad spectacles forepast,
+That all my senses were bereaved quight,
+And I in minde remained sore agast,
+Distraught twixt feare and pitie; when at last
+I heard a voyce which loudly to me called,                    580
+That with the suddein shrill I was appalled.
+
+
+“Behold,” said it, “and by ensample see,
+That all is vanitie and griefe of minde,
+Ne other comfort in this world can be,
+But hope of heaven, and heart to God inclinde;                    585
+For all the rest must needs be left behinde.”
+With that it bad me to the other side
+To cast mine eye, where other sights I spide.
+
+I.
+
+
+Upon that famous rivers further shore,
+There stood a snowie Swan, of heavenly hiew                    590
+And gentle kinde as ever fowle afore;
+A fairer one in all the goodlie criew
+Of white Strimonian brood might no man view:
+There he most sweetly sung the prophecie
+Of his owne death in dolefull elegie.                    595
+
+
+At last, when all his mourning melodie
+He ended had, that both the shores resounded,
+Feeling the fit that him forewarnd to die,
+With loftie flight above the earth he bounded,
+And out of sight to highest heaven mounted,                    600
+Where now he is become an heavenly signe;
+There now the ioy is his, here sorrow mine.
+
+II.
+
+
+Whilest thus I looked, loe! adowne the lee*
+I sawe an Harpe, stroong all with silver twyne,
+And made of golde and costlie yvorie,                    605
+Swimming, that whilome seemed to have been
+The harpe on which Dan Orpheus was seene
+Wylde beasts and forrests after him to lead,
+But was th’harpe of Philisides** now dead.
+  [* _Lee_, surface of the stream.]
+  [** _Phili-sid-es_, Sir Philip Sidney]
+
+
+At length out of the river it was reard,                    610
+And borne above the cloudes to be divin’d,
+Whilst all the way most heavenly noyse was heard
+Of the strings, stirred with the warbling wind,
+That wrought both ioy and sorrow in my mind:
+So now in heaven a signe it doth appeare,                    615
+The Harpe well knowne beside the Northern Beare.
+
+III.
+
+
+Soone after this I saw on th’other side
+A curious Coffer made of heben* wood,
+That in it did most precious treasure hide,
+Exceeding all this baser worldës good:                    620
+Yet through the overflowing of the flood
+It almost drowned was and done to nought,
+That sight thereof much griev’d my pensive thought.
+  [* _Heben_, ebony.]
+
+
+At length, when most in perill it was brought,
+Two angels, downe descending with swift flight,                    625
+Out of the swelling streame it lightly caught,
+And twixt their blessed armes it carried quight
+Above the reach of anie living sight:
+So now it is transform’d into that starre,
+In which all heavenly treasures locked are.                    630
+
+IV.
+
+
+Looking aside I saw a stately Bed,
+Adorned all with costly cloth of gold,
+That might for anie princes couche be red*,
+And deckt with daintie flowres, as if it shold
+Be for some bride, her ioyous night to hold:                    635
+Therein a goodly virgine sleeping lay;
+A fairer wight saw never summers day.
+  [* _Red_, taken.]
+
+
+I heard a voyce that called farre away,
+And her awaking bad her quickly dight,
+For lo! her bridegrome was in readie ray                    640
+To come to her, and seeke her loves delight:
+With that she started up with cherefull sight,
+When suddeinly both bed and all was gone,
+And I in languor left there all alone.
+
+V.
+
+
+Still as I gazed, I beheld where stood                    645
+A Knight all arm’d, upon a winged steed,
+The same that was bred of Medusaes blood,
+On which Dan Perseus, borne of heavenly seed,
+The faire Andromeda from perill freed:
+Full mortally this knight ywounded was,                    650
+That streames of blood foorth flowed on the gras.
+
+
+Yet was he deckt (small ioy to him, alas!)
+With manie garlands for his victories,
+And with rich spoyles, which late he did purchas
+Through brave atcheivements from his enemies:                    655
+Fainting at last through long infirmities,
+He smote his steed, that straight to heaven him bore,
+And left me here his losse for to deplore.
+
+VI.
+
+
+Lastly, I saw an Arke of purest golde
+Upon a brazen pillour standing hie,                    660
+Which th’ashes seem’d of some great prince to hold,
+Enclosde therein for endles memorie
+Of him whom all the world did glorifie:
+Seemed the heavens with the earth did disagree,
+Whether should of those ashes keeper bee.                    665
+
+
+At last me seem’d wing-footed Mercurie,
+From heaven descending to appease their strife,
+The arke did beare with him above the skie,
+And to those ashes gave a second life,
+To live in heaven, where happines is rife:                    670
+At which the earth did grieve exceedingly,
+And I for dole was almost like to die.
+
+
+_L’Envoy._
+
+
+Immortall spirite of Philisides,
+Which now art made the heavens ornament,
+That whilome wast the worldës chiefst riches.                    675
+Give leave to him that lov’de thee to lament
+His losse by lacke of thee to heaven hent*,
+And with last duties of this broken verse,
+Broken with sighes, to decke thy sable herse!
+  [* _Hent_, taken away.]
+
+
+And ye, faire Ladie! th’honor of your daies                    680
+And glorie of the world, your high thoughts scorne,
+Vouchsafe this moniment of his last praise
+With some few silver dropping teares t’adorne;
+And as ye be of heavenlie off-spring borne,
+So unto heaven let your high minde aspire,                    685
+And loath this drosse of sinfull worlds desire.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+Ver. 8.—_Verlame._ Veralam, or Verulamium, was a British and Roman
+town, near the present city of St. Alban’s in Hertfordshire. Some
+remains of its walls are still perceptible. H.
+
+
+Ver. 64.—_Th’Assyrian Lyonesse._                    These types of
+nations are taken from the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel. H.
+
+
+Ver. 190.—_I saw him die_. Leicester died at Cornbury Lodge, in
+Oxfordshire. Todd suggests that he may have fallen sick at St. Alban’s,
+and that Spenser, hearing the report in Ireland, may havo concluded
+without inquiry that this was the place of his subsequent death, C.
+
+
+Ver. 225.—_Colin Cloute._ Spenser himself, who had been befriended by
+Leicester. H.
+
+
+Ver. 239.—_His brother._ Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick.
+
+
+Ver. 245.—_His noble spouse._ Anne, the eldest daughter of Francis
+Russell, Earl of Bedford.
+
+
+Ver. 260.—_His sister_. Lady Mary Sidney.
+
+
+Ver. 261.—_That good earle_, &c. This Earl of Bedford died in 1585.—
+TODD.
+
+
+Ver. 267.—_He, noble bud_, &c. Edward Russell, grandson of Francis Earl
+of Bedford, succeeded in the earldom, his father, Francis, having been
+slain by the Scots.—OLDYS.
+
+
+Ver. 275.—_That goodly ladie_, &c.                    Lady Mary Sidney,
+mother of Sir
+Philip Sidney and the Countess of Pembroke.
+
+
+Ver. 281.—_Most gentle spirite._ Sir Philip Sidney.
+
+
+Ver. 317.—_Thine owne sister,_ &c. The Countess of Pembroke, to whom
+this poem is dedicated. “The Dolefull Lay of Clorinda” (Vol. IV. p.
+426) appears to have been written by her.
+
+
+Ver. 436.—_Good Melibae_. Sir Francis Walsingham, who died April
+6,1590. The _poet_ is Thomas Watson.—OLDYS.
+
+
+Ver. 447-455.—These lines are aimed at Burghley, who was said to have
+opposed the Queen’s intended bounty to the poet. C.
+
+
+Ver 491.—These allegorical representations of the vanity of exalted
+position, stately buildings, earthly pleasures, bodily strength, and
+works of beauty and magnificence, admit of an easy application to the
+splendid career of the Earl of Leicester,—his favor and influence with
+the Queen, his enlargement of Kenilworth, his princely style of living,
+and particularly (IV.) his military command in the Low Countries. The
+sixth of these “tragick pageants” strongly confirms this
+interpretation. The two bears are Robert and Ambrose Dudley. While
+Leicester was lieutenant in the Netherlands, he was in the habit of
+using the Warwick crest (a bear and ragged staff) instead of his own.
+Naunton, in his Fragmenta Regalia, calls him _Ursa Major_. C.
+
+
+Ver. 497.—_The holie brethren_, &c. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
+Daniel, ch. iii. C.
+
+
+Ver. 582-586.—A paraphrase of Sir Philip’s last words to his brother.
+“Above all, govern your will and affection by the will and word of your
+Creator, in me beholding the end of this world with all her vanities.”
+This is pointed out by Zouch, Life of Sidney, p. 263. C.
+
+
+Ver 590.—This second series of pageants is applicable exclusively to
+Sir Philip Sidney. The meaning of the third and fourth is hard to make
+out; but the third seems to have reference to the collection of the
+scattered sheets of the Arcadia, and the publication of this work by
+the Countess of Pembroke, after it had been condemned to destruction by
+the author. The fourth may indeed signify nothing more than Lady
+Sidney’s bereavement by her husband’s death; but this interpretation
+seems too literal for a professed allegory. The sixth obviously alludes
+to the splendid obsequies to Sidney, performed at the Queen’s expense,
+and to the competition of the States of Holland for the honor of
+burying his body. C.
+
+
+L’ENVOY: _L’Envoy_ was a sort of postscript _sent with_ poetical
+compositions, and serving either to recommend them to the attention of
+some particular person, or to enforce what we call the moral of them.—
+TYRWHITT.
+
+
+
+
+THE TEARES OF THE MUSES.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+
+LONDON.
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE,
+DWELLING IN PAULES CHURCHYARD
+AT THE SIGNE OF THE
+BISHOPS HEAD.
+1591.
+
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
+
+THE LADIE STRANGE.
+
+
+Most brave and noble Ladie, the things that make ye so much honored of
+the world as ye bee are such as (without my simple lines testimonie)
+are throughlie knowen to all men; namely, your excellent beautie, your
+vertuous behavior, and your noble match with that most honourable Lord,
+the verie paterne of right nobilitie. But the causes for which ye have
+thus deserved of me to be honoured, (if honour it be at all,) are, both
+your particular bounties, and also some private bands of affinitie*,
+which it hath pleased your Ladiship to acknowledge. Of which whenas I
+found my selfe in no part worthie, I devised this last slender meanes,
+both to intimate my humble affection to your Ladiship, and also to make
+the same universallie knowen to the world; that by honouring you they
+might know me, and by knowing me they might honor you. Vouchsafe, noble
+Lady, to accept this simple remembrance, though not worthy of your
+self, yet such as perhaps by good acceptance thereof ye may hereafter
+cull out a more meet and memorable evidence of your own excellent
+deserts. So recommending the same to your Ladiships good liking, I
+humbly take leave.
+
+
+Your La: humbly ever.
+
+ED. SP.
+
+
+[Footnote: Lady Strange was Alice Spencer, sixth daughter of Sir John
+Spencer of Althorpe. C.]
+
+
+THE TEARES OF THE MUSES.
+
+Rehearse to me, ye sacred Sisters nine,
+The golden brood of great Apolloes wit,
+Those piteous plaints and sorowfull sad tine
+Which late ye powred forth as ye did sit
+Beside the silver springs of Helicone,                    5
+Making your musick of hart-breaking mone!
+
+
+For since the time that Phoebus foolish sonne,
+Ythundered, through loves avengefull wrath,
+For traversing the charret of the Sunne
+Beyond the compasse of his pointed path,                    10
+Of you, his mournfull sisters, was lamented,
+Such mournfull tunes were never since invented.
+
+
+Nor since that faire Calliope did lose
+Her loved twinnes, the dearlings of her ioy,
+Her Palici, whom her unkindly foes,                    15
+The Fatall Sisters, did for spight destroy,
+Whom all the Muses did bewaile long space,
+Was ever heard such wayling in this place.
+
+
+For all their groves, which with the heavenly noyses
+Of their sweete instruments were wont to sound,                    20
+And th’hollow hills, from which their silver voyces
+Were wont redoubled echoes to rebound,
+Did now rebound with nought but rufull cries,
+And yelling shrieks throwne up into the skies.
+
+
+The trembling streames which wont in chanels cleare                   
+25
+To romble gently downe with murmur soft,
+And were by them right tunefull taught to beare
+A bases part amongst their consorts oft;
+Now forst to overflowe with brackish teares,
+With troublous noyse did dull their daintie eares.                   
+30
+
+
+The ioyous Nymphes and lightfoote Faëries
+Which thether came to heare their musick sweet,
+And to the measure of their melodies
+Did learne to move their nimble-shifting feete,
+Now hearing them so heavily lament,                    35
+Like heavily lamenting from them went.
+
+
+And all that els was wont to worke delight
+Through the divine infusion of their skill,
+And all that els seemd faire and fresh in sight,
+So made by nature for to serve their will,                    40
+Was turned now to dismall heavinesse,
+Was turned now to dreadfull uglinesse.
+
+
+Ay me! what thing on earth, that all thing breeds,
+Might be the cause of so impatient plight?
+What furie, or what feend, with felon deeds                    45
+Hath stirred up so mischievous despight?
+Can griefe then enter into heavenly harts,
+And pierce immortall breasts with mortall smarts?
+
+
+Vouchsafe ye then, whom onely it concernes,
+To me those secret causes to display;                    50
+For none but you, or who of you it learnes,
+Can rightfully aread so dolefull lay.
+Begin, thou eldest sister of the crew,
+And let the rest in order thee ensew.
+
+CLIO.
+
+
+Heare, thou great Father of the Gods on hie,                    55
+That most art dreaded for thy thunder darts;
+And thou, our Syre? that raignst in Castalie
+And Mount Parnasse, the god of goodly arts:
+Heare, and behold the miserable state
+Of us thy daughters, dolefull desolate.                    60
+
+
+Behold the fowle reproach and open shame
+The which is day by day unto us wrought
+By such as hate the honour of our name,
+The foes of learning and each gentle thought;
+They, not contented us themselves to scorne,                    65
+Doo seeke to make us of the world forlorne*.
+  [* Forlorne, abandoned]
+
+
+Ne onely they that dwell in lowly dust,
+The sonnes of darknes and of ignoraunce;
+But they whom thou, great love, by doome uniust
+Didst to the type of honour earst advaunce;                    70
+They now, puft up with sdeignfull insolence,
+Despise the brood of blessed Sapience.
+
+
+The sectaries* of my celestiall skill,
+That wont to be the worlds chiefe ornament,
+And learned impes that wont to shoote up still,                    75
+And grow to hight of kingdomes government,
+They underkeep, and with their spredding armes
+Doo beat their buds, that perish through their harmes.
+  [* _Sectaries_, followers.]
+
+
+It most behoves the honorable race
+Of mightie peeres true wisedome to sustaine,                    80
+And with their noble countenaunce to grace
+The learned forheads, without gifts or game:
+Or rather learnd themselves behoves to bee;
+That is the girlond of nobilitie.
+
+
+But ah! all otherwise they doo esteeme                    85
+Of th’heavenly gift of wisdomes influence,
+And to be learned it a base thing deeme:
+Base minded they that want intelligence;
+For God himselfe for wisedome most is praised,
+And men to God thereby are nighest raised.                    90
+
+
+But they doo onely strive themselves to raise
+Through pompous pride, and foolish vanitie;
+In th’eyes of people they put all their praise,
+And onely boast of armes and auncestrie:
+But vertuous deeds, which did those armes first give
+To their grandsyres, they care not to atchive.                    96
+
+
+So I, that doo all noble feates professe
+To register and sound in trump of gold,
+Through their bad dooings, or base slothfulnesse,
+Finde nothing worthie to be writ, or told:                    100
+For better farre it were to hide their names,
+Than telling them to blazon out their blames.
+
+
+So shall succeeding ages have no light
+Of things forepast, nor moniments of time;
+And all that in this world is worthie hight                    105
+Shall die in darknesse, and lie hid in slime!
+Therefore I mourne with deep harts sorrowing,
+Because I nothing noble have to sing.
+
+
+With that she raynd such store of streaming teares,
+That could have made a stonie heart to weep;                    110
+And all her sisters rent* their golden heares,
+And their faire faces with salt humour steep.
+So ended shee: and then the next anew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.
+  [* _Rent_, rend.]
+
+MELPOMENE.
+
+
+O, who shall powre into my swollen eyes                    115
+A sea of teares that never may be dryde,
+A brasen voice that may with shrilling cryes
+Pierce the dull heavens and fill the ayër wide,
+And yron sides that sighing may endure,
+To waile the wretchednes of world impure!                    120
+
+
+Ah, wretched world! the den of wickednesse,
+Deformd with filth and fowle iniquitie;
+Ah, wretched world! the house of heavinesse,
+Fild with the wreaks of mortall miserie;
+Ah, wretched world, and all that is therein!                    125
+The vassals of Gods wrath, and slaves of sin.
+
+
+Most miserable creature under sky
+Man without understanding doth appeare;
+For all this worlds affliction he thereby,
+And fortunes freakes, is wisely taught to beare:                    130
+Of wretched life the onely ioy shee is.
+And th’only comfort in calamities.
+
+
+She armes the brest with constant patience
+Against the bitter throwes of dolours darts:
+She solaceth with rules of sapience                    135
+The gentle minds, in midst of worldlie smarts:
+When he is sad, shee seeks to make him merie,
+And doth refresh his sprights when they be werie.
+
+
+But he that is of reasons skill bereft,
+And wants the staffe of wisedome him to stay,                    140
+Is like a ship in midst of tempest left
+Withouten helme or pilot her to sway:
+Full sad and dreadfull is that ships event;
+So is the man that wants intendiment*.
+[* _Intendiment_, understanding.]
+
+
+Whie then doo foolish men so much despize                    145
+The precious store of this celestiall riches?
+Why doo they banish us, that patronize
+The name of learning? Most unhappie wretches!
+The which lie drowned in deep wretchednes,
+Yet doo not see their owne unhappines.                    150
+
+
+My part it is and my professed skill
+The stage with tragick buskin to adorne,
+And fill the scene with plaint and outcries shrill
+Of wretched persons, to misfortune borne:
+But none more tragick matter I can finde                    155
+Than this, of men depriv’d of sense and minde.
+
+
+For all mans life me seemes a tragedy,
+Full of sad sights and sore catastrophees;
+First comming to the world with weeping eye,
+Where all his dayes, like dolorous trophees,                    160
+Are heapt with spoyles of fortune and of feare,
+And he at last laid forth on balefull beare.
+
+
+So all with rufull spectacles is fild,
+Fit for Megera or Persephone;
+But I that in true tragedies am skild,                    165
+The flowre of wit, finde nought to busie me:
+Therefore I mourne, and pitifully mone,
+Because that mourning matter I have none.
+
+
+Then gan she wofully to waile, and wring
+Her wretched hands in lamentable wise;                    170
+And all her sisters, thereto answering,
+Threw forth lowd shrieks and drerie dolefull cries.
+So rested she: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.
+
+THALIA.
+
+Where be the sweete delights of learnings treasure,                   
+175
+That wont with comick sock to beautefie
+The painted theaters, and fill with pleasure
+The listners eyes, and eares with melodie,
+In which I late was wont to raine as queene,
+And maske in mirth with graces well beseene?                    180
+
+
+O, all is gone! and all that goodly glee,
+Which wont to be the glorie of gay wits,
+Is layd abed, and no where now to see;
+And in her roome unseemly Sorrow sits,
+With hollow browes and greisly countenaunce                    185
+Marring my ioyous gentle dalliaunce.
+
+
+And him beside sits ugly Barbarisme,
+And brutish Ignorance, ycrept of late
+Out of dredd darknes of the deep abysme,
+Where being bredd, he light and heaven does hate:
+They in the mindes of men now tyrannize,                    191
+And the faire scene with rudenes foule disguize.
+
+
+All places they with follie have possest,
+And with vaine toyes the vulgare entertaine;
+But me have banished, with all the rest                    195
+That whilome wont to wait upon my traine,
+Fine Counterfesaunce*, and unhurtfull Sport,
+Delight, and Laughter, deckt in seemly sort.
+  [* _Counterfesaunce_, mimicry.]
+
+
+All these, and all that els the comick stage
+With seasoned wit and goodly pleasance graced,                    200
+By which mans life in his likest imáge
+Was limned forth, are wholly now defaced;
+And those sweete wits which wont the like to frame
+Are now despizd, and made a laughing game.
+
+
+And he, the man whom Nature selfe had made                    205
+To mock her selfe, and truth to imitate,
+With kindly counter* under mimick shade,
+Our pleasant Willy, ah! is dead of late:
+With whom all ioy and iolly meriment
+Is also deaded, and in dolour drent**.                    210
+  [* _Counter_, counterfeit.]
+  [** _Drent_, drowned.]
+
+
+In stead thereof scoffing Scurrilitie,
+And scornfull Follie with Contempt is crept,
+Rolling in rymes of shameles ribaudrie
+Without regard, or due decorum kept;
+Each idle wit at will presumes to make*,                    215
+And doth the learneds taske upon him take.
+  [* _Make_, write poetry.]
+
+
+But that same gentle spirit, from whose pen
+Large streames of honnie and sweete nectar flowe,
+Scorning the boldnes of such base-borne men,
+Which dare their follies forth so rashlie throwe,                   
+220
+Doth rather choose to sit in idle cell,
+Than so himselfe to mockerie to sell.
+
+
+So am I made the servant of the manie,
+And laughing stocke of all that list to scorne,
+Not honored nor cared for of anie,                    225
+But loath’d of losels* as a thing forlorne:
+Therefore I mourne and sorrow with the rest,
+Untill my cause of sorrow be redrest.
+  [* _Losels_, worthless fellows.]
+
+
+Therewith she lowdly did lament and shrike,
+Pouring forth streames of teares abundantly;                    230
+And all her sisters, with compassion like,
+The breaches of her singulfs* did supply.
+So rested shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.
+  [* I.e. the pauses of her sighs.]
+
+EUTERPE.
+
+
+Like as the dearling of the summers pryde,                    235
+Faire Philomele, when winters stormie wrath
+The goodly fields, that earst so gay were dyde
+In colours divers, quite despoyled hath,
+All comfortlesse doth hide her chearlesse head
+During the time of that her widowhead,                    240
+
+
+So we, that earst were wont in sweet accord
+All places with our pleasant notes to fill,
+Whilest favourable times did us afford
+Free libertie to chaunt our charmes at will,
+All comfortlesse upon the bared bow*,                    245
+Like wofull culvers**, doo sit wayling now.
+  [* _Bow_, bough.]
+  [** _Culvers_, doves.]
+
+
+For far more bitter storme than winters stowre*
+The beautie of the world hath lately wasted,
+And those fresh buds, which wont so faire to flowre,
+Hath marred quite, and all their blossoms blasted;                   
+250
+And those yong plants, which wont with fruit t’abound,
+Now without fruite or leaves are to be found.
+  [* _Stowre_, violence.]
+
+
+A stonie coldnesse hath benumbd the sence
+And livelie spirits of each living wight,
+And dimd with darknesse their intelligence,                    255
+Darknesse more than Cymerians daylie night:
+And monstrous Error, flying in the ayre,
+Hath mard the face of all that semed fayre.
+
+
+Image of hellish horrour, Ignorance,
+Borne in the bosome of the black abysse,                    260
+And fed with Furies milke for sustenaunce
+Of his weake infancie, begot amisse
+By yawning Sloth on his owne mother Night,—
+So hee his sonnes both syre and brother hight,—
+
+
+He, armd with blindnesse and with boldnes stout,                    265
+(For blind is bold,) hath our fayre light defaced;
+And, gathering unto him a ragged rout
+Of Faunes and Satyres, hath our dwellings raced*,
+And our chast bowers, in which all vertue rained,
+With brutishnesse and beastlie filth hath stained.                   
+270
+  [* _Raced_, razed.]
+
+
+The sacred springs of horsefoot Helicon,
+So oft bedeawed with our learned layes,
+And speaking streames of pure Castalion,
+The famous witnesse of our wonted praise,
+They trampled have with their fowle footings trade*,
+And like to troubled puddles have them made.                    276
+  [* _Trade_, tread.]
+
+
+Our pleasant groves, which planted were with paines,
+That with our musick wont so oft to ring,
+And arbors sweet, in which the shepheards swaines
+Were wont so oft their pastoralls to sing,                    280
+They have cut downe, and all their pleasaunce mard,
+That now no pastorall is to bee hard.
+
+
+In stead of them, fowle goblins and shriek-owles
+With fearfull howling do all places fill,
+And feeble eccho now laments and howles,                    285
+The dreadfull accents of their outcries shrill.
+So all is turned into wildernesse,
+Whilest Ignorance the Muses doth oppresse.
+
+
+And I, whose ioy was earst with spirit full
+To teach the warbling pipe to sound aloft,                    290
+My spirits now dismayd with sorrow dull,
+Doo mone my miserie in silence soft.
+Therefore I mourne and waile incessantly,
+Till please the heavens affoord me remedy.
+
+
+Therewith shee wayled with exceeding woe,                    295
+And pitious lamentation did make;
+And all her sisters, seeing her doo soe,
+With equall plaints her sorrowe did partake.
+So rested shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.                    300
+
+TERPSICHORE.
+
+Whoso hath in the lap of soft delight
+Beene long time luld, and fed with pleasures sweet,
+Feareles through his own fault or Fortunes spight
+To tumble into sorrow and regreet,
+Yf chaunce him fall into calamitie,                    305
+Findes greater burthen of his miserie.
+
+
+So wee, that earst in ioyance did abound,
+And in the bosome of all blis did sit,
+Like virgin queenes, with laurell garlands cround,
+For vertues meed and ornament of wit,                    310
+Sith Ignorance our kingdome did confound,
+Bee now become most wretched wightes on ground.
+
+
+And in our royall thrones, which lately stood
+In th’hearts of men to rule them carefully,
+He now hath placed his accursed brood,                    315
+By him begotten of fowle Infamy;
+Blind Error, scornefull Follie, and base Spight,
+Who hold by wrong that wee should have by right.
+
+
+They to the vulgar sort now pipe and sing,
+And make them merrie with their fooleries;                    320
+They cherelie chaunt, and rymes at randon fling,
+The fruitfull spawne of their ranke fantasies;
+They feede the eares of fooles with flattery,
+And good men blame, and losels* magnify.
+  [* _Losels_, worthless fellows.]
+
+
+All places they doo with their toyes possesse,                    325
+And raigne in liking of the multitude;
+The schooles they till with fond newfanglenesse,
+And sway in court with pride and rashnes rude;
+Mongst simple shepheards they do boast their skill,
+And say their musicke matcheth Phoebus quill.                    330
+
+
+The noble hearts to pleasures they allure,
+And tell their Prince that learning is but vaine;
+Faire ladies loves they spot with thoughts impure,
+And gentle mindes with lewd delights distaine;
+Clerks* they to loathly idlenes entice,                    335
+And fill their bookes with discipline of vice.
+  [* _Clerks_, scholars.]
+
+
+So every where they rule and tyrannize,
+For their usurped kingdomes maintenaunce,
+The whiles we silly maides, whom they dispize
+And with reprochfull scorne discountenaunce,                    340
+From our owne native heritage exilde,
+Walk through the world of every one revilde.
+
+
+Nor anie one doth care to call us in,
+Or once vouchsafeth us to entertaine,
+Unlesse some one perhaps of gentle kin,                    345
+For pitties sake, compassion our paine,
+And yeeld us some reliefe in this distresse;
+Yet to be so reliev’d is wretchednesse.
+
+
+So wander we all carefull comfortlesse,
+Yet none cloth care to comfort us at all;                    350
+So seeke we helpe our sorrow to redresse,
+Yet none vouchsafes to answere to our call;
+Therefore we mourne and pittilesse complaine,
+Because none living pittieth our paine.
+
+
+With that she wept and wofullie waymented,                    355
+That naught on earth her griefe might pacifie;
+And all the rest her dolefull din augmented
+With shrikes, and groanes, and grievous agonie.
+So ended shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her piteous plaint, as doth ensew.                    360
+
+ERATO.
+
+
+Ye gentle Spirits breathing from above,
+Where ye in Venus silver bowre were bred,
+Thoughts halfe devine, full of the fire of love,
+With beawtie kindled, and with pleasure fed,
+Which ye now in securitie possesse,                    365
+Forgetfull of your former heavinesse,—
+
+
+Now change the tenor of your ioyous layes,
+With which ye use your loves to deifie,
+And blazon foorth an earthlie beauties praise
+Above the compasse of the arched skie:                    370
+Now change your praises into piteous cries,
+And eulogies turne into elegies.
+
+
+Such as ye wont, whenas those bitter stounds*
+Of raging love first gan you to torment,
+And launch your hearts with lamentable wounds                    375
+Of secret sorrow and sad languishment,
+Before your loves did take you unto grace;
+Those now renew, as fitter for this place.
+  [* _Stounds_, hours.]
+
+
+For I that rule in measure moderate
+The tempest of that stormie passion,                    380
+And use to paint in rimes the troublous state
+Of lovers life in likest fashion,
+Am put from practise of my kindlie** skill,
+Banisht by those that love with leawdnes fill.
+  [* _Kindlie_, natural.]
+
+
+Love wont to be schoolmaster of my skill,                    385
+And the devicefull matter of my song;
+Sweete love devoyd of villanie or ill,
+But pure and spotles, as at first he sprong
+Out of th’Almighties bosome, where he nests;
+From thence infused into mortall brests.                    390
+
+
+Such high conceipt of that celestiall fire,
+The base-borne brood of Blindnes cannot gesse,
+Ne ever dare their dunghill thoughts aspire
+Unto so loftie pitch of perfectnesse,
+But rime at riot, and doo rage in love,                    395
+Yet little wote what doth thereto behove.
+
+
+Faire Cytheree, the mother of delight
+And queene of beautie, now thou maist go pack;
+For lo! thy kingdoms is defaced quight,
+Thy scepter rent, and power put to wrack;                    400
+And thy gay sonne, that winged God of Love,
+May now goe prune his plumes like ruffed* dove.
+  [* _Ruffed_, ruffled.]
+
+
+And ye three twins, to light by Venus brought,
+The sweete companions of the Muses late,
+From whom whatever thing is goodly thought                    405
+Doth borrow grace, the fancie to aggrate*,
+Go beg with us, and be companions still,
+As heretofore of good, so now of ill.
+  [* _Aggrate_, please.]
+
+
+For neither you nor we shall anie more
+Finde entertainment or in court or schoole:                    410
+For that which was accounted heretofore
+The learneds meed is now lent to the foole;
+He sings of love and maketh loving layes,
+And they him heare, and they him highly prayse.
+
+
+With that she powred foorth a brackish flood                    415
+Of bitter teares, and made exceeding mone;
+And all her sisters, seeing her sad mood,
+With lowd laments her answered all at one.
+So ended she: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.                    420
+
+
+To whom shall I my evill case complaine,
+Or tell the anguish of my inward smart,
+Sith none is left to remedie my paine,
+Or deignes to pitie a perplexed hart;
+But rather seekes my sorrow to augment                    425
+With fowle reproach, and cruell banishment?
+
+
+For they to whom I used to applie
+The faithfull service of my learned skill,
+The goodly off-spring of loves progenie,
+That wont the world with famous acts to fill,                    430
+Whose living praises in heroick style,
+It is my chiefe profession to compyle,—
+
+
+They, all corrupted through the rust of time,
+That doth all fairest things on earth deface,
+Or through unnoble sloth, or sinfull crime,                    435
+That doth degenerate the noble race,
+Have both desire of worthie deeds forlorne,
+And name of learning utterly doo scorne.
+
+
+Ne doo they care to have the auncestrie
+Of th’old heroes memorizde anew;                    440
+Ne doo they care that late posteritie
+Should know their names, or speak their praises dew,
+But die, forgot from whence at first they sprong,
+As they themselves shalbe forgot ere long.
+
+
+What bootes it then to come from glorious                    445
+Forefathers, or to have been nobly bredd?
+What oddes twixt Irus and old Inachus,
+Twixt best and worst, when both alike are dedd,
+If none of neither mention should make,
+Nor out of dust their memories awake?                    450
+
+
+Or who would ever care to doo brave deed,
+Or strive in vertue others to excell,
+If none should yeeld him his deserved meed,
+Due praise, that is the spur of doing well?
+For if good were not praised more than ill,                    455
+None would choose goodnes of his owne freewill.
+
+
+Therefore the nurse of vertue I am hight,
+And golden trompet of eternitie,
+That lowly thoughts lift up to heavens hight,
+And mortall men have powre to deifie:                    460
+Bacchus and Hercules I raisd to heaven,
+And Charlemaine amongst the starris seaven.
+
+
+But now I will my golden clarion rend,
+And will henceforth immortalize no more,
+Sith I no more finde worthie to commend                    465
+For prize of value, or for learned lore:
+For noble peeres, whom I was wont to raise,
+Now onely seeke for pleasure, nought for praise.
+
+
+Their great revenues all in sumptuous pride
+They spend, that nought to learning they may spare;
+And the rich fee which poets wont divide                    471
+Now parasites and sycophants doo share:
+Therefore I mourne and endlesse sorrow make,
+Both for my selfe and for my sisters sake.
+
+
+With that she lowdly gan to waile and shrike,                    475
+And from her eyes a sea of teares did powre;
+And all her sisters, with compassion like,
+Did more increase the sharpnes of her showre.
+So ended she: and then the next in rew
+Began her plaint, as doth herein ensew.                    480
+
+URANIA.
+
+
+What wrath of gods, or wicked influence
+Of starres conspiring wretched men t’afflict,
+Hath powrd on earth this noyous pestilence,
+That mortall mindes doth inwardly infect
+With love of blindnesse and of ignorance,                    485
+To dwell in darkenesse without sovenance?*
+  [* _Sovenance_, remembrance.]
+
+
+What difference twixt man and beast is left,
+When th’heavenlie light of knowledge is put out,
+And th’ornaments of wisdome are bereft?
+Then wandreth he in error and in doubt,                    490
+Unweeting* of the danger hee is in,
+Through fleshes frailtie and deceipt of sin.
+  [* _Unweeting_, unknowing.]
+
+
+In this wide world in which they wretches stray,
+It is the onelie comfort which they have,
+It is their light, their loadstarre, and their day;                   
+495
+But hell, and darkenesse, and the grislie grave,
+Is Ignorance, the enemie of Grace,
+That mindes of men borne heavenlie doth debace.
+
+
+Through knowledge we behold the worlds creation,
+How in his cradle first he fostred was;                    500
+And iudge of Natures cunning operation,
+How things she formed of a formelesse mas:
+By knowledge wee do learne our selves to knowe,
+And what to man, and what to God, wee owe.
+
+
+From hence wee mount aloft unto the skie,                    505
+And looke into the christall firmament;
+There we behold the heavens great hierarchie,
+The starres pure light, the spheres swift movëment,
+The spirites and intelligences fayre,
+And angels waighting on th’Almighties chayre.                    510
+
+
+And there, with humble minde and high insight,
+Th’eternall Makers maiestie wee viewe,
+His love, his truth, his glorie, and his might,
+And mercie more than mortall men can vew.
+O soveraigne Lord, O soveraigne happinesse,                    515
+To see thee, and thy mercie measurelesse!
+
+
+Such happines have they that doo embrace
+The precepts of my heavenlie discipline;
+But shame and sorrow and accursed case
+Have they that scorne the schoole of arts divine,                   
+520
+And banish me, which do professe the skill
+To make men heavenly wise through humbled will.
+
+
+However yet they mee despise and spight,
+I feede on sweet contentment of my thought,
+And please my selfe with mine owne self-delight,                    525
+In contemplation of things heavenlie wrought:
+So, loathing earth, I looke up to the sky,
+And being driven hence, I thether fly.
+
+
+Thence I behold the miserie of men,
+Which want the blis that wisedom would them breed.
+And like brute beasts doo lie in loathsome den                    531
+Of ghostly darkenes and of gastlie dreed:
+For whom I mourne, and for my selfe complaine,
+And for my sisters eake whom they disdaine.
+
+
+With that shee wept and waild so pityouslie,                    535
+As if her eyes had beene two springing wells;
+And all the rest, her sorrow to supplie,
+Did throw forth shrieks and cries and dreery yells.
+So ended shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her mournfull plaint, as doth ensew.                    540
+
+POLYHYMNIA.
+
+
+A dolefull case desires a dolefull song,
+Without vaine art or curious complements;
+And squallid Fortune, into basenes flong,
+Doth scorne the pride of wonted ornaments.
+Then fittest are these ragged rimes for mee,                    545
+To tell my sorrowes that exceeding bee.
+
+
+For the sweet numbers and melodious measures
+With which I wont the winged words to tie,
+And make a tunefull diapase of pleasures,
+Now being let to runne at libertie                    550
+By those which have no skill to rule them right,
+Have now quite lost their naturall delight.
+
+
+Heapes of huge words uphoorded hideously,
+With horrid sound, though having little sence,
+They thinke to be chiefe praise of poetry;                    555
+And, thereby wanting due intelligence,
+Have mard the face of goodly poesie,
+And made a monster of their fantasie.
+
+
+Whilom in ages past none might professe
+But princes and high priests that secret skill;                    560
+The sacred lawes therein they wont expresse,
+And with deepe oracles their verses fill:
+Then was shee held in soveraigne dignitie,
+And made the noursling of nobilitie.
+
+
+But now nor prince nor priest doth her maintayne,
+But suffer her prophaned for to bee                    566
+Of the base vulgar, that with hands uncleane
+Dares to pollute her hidden mysterie;
+And treadeth under foote hir holie things,
+Which was the care of kesars* and of kings.                    570
+  [* _Kesars_, emperors.]
+
+
+One onelie lives, her ages ornament,
+And myrrour of her Makers maiestie,
+That with rich bountie and deare cherishment
+Supports the praise of noble poesie;
+Ne onelie favours them which it professe,                    575
+But is her selfe a peereles poetresse.
+
+
+Most peereles Prince, most peereles Poetresse,
+The true Pandora of all heavenly graces,
+Divine Elisa, sacred Emperesse!
+Live she for ever, and her royall p’laces                    580
+Be fild with praises of divinest wits,
+That her eternize with their heavenlie writs!
+
+
+Some few beside this sacred skill esteme,
+Admirers of her glorious excellence;
+Which, being lightned with her beawties beme,                    585
+Are thereby fild with happie influence,
+And lifted up above the worldës gaze,
+To sing with angels her immortall praize.
+
+
+But all the rest, as borne of salvage brood,
+And having beene with acorns alwaies fed,                    590
+Can no whit savour this celestiall food,
+But with base thoughts are into blindnesse led,
+And kept from looking on the lightsome day:
+For whome I waile and weepe all that I may.
+
+
+Eftsoones* such store of teares shee forth did powre,
+As if shee all to water would have gone;                    596
+And all her sisters, seeing her sad stowre**,
+Did weep and waile, and made exceeding mone,
+And all their learned instruments did breake:
+The rest untold no living tongue can speake.                    600
+  [* _Eftsoones_, forthwith.]
+  [** _Stowre_, disturbance, trouble.]
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+Ver 15—_Palici._. The Palici were children of Jupiter and Thalia, not
+Calliope. H.
+
+
+Ver. 205-210.—There are sufficient reasons for believing that these
+lines refer to Shakespeare. He had probably written The Two Gentlemen
+of Verona, and Love’s Labor’s Lost, before the Complaints were
+published (1591), and no other author had up to this time produced a
+comedy that would compare with these. For a discussion of this subject,
+see Collier’s Life, Chap. VII., and Knight’s Biography, pp. 344-348. C.
+
+
+VIRGILS GNAT.
+
+LONG SINCE DEDICATED
+
+TO THE MOST NOBLE AND EXCELLENT LORD,
+
+THE EARLE OF LEICESTER,
+
+LATE DECEASED.
+
+
+    Wrong’d, yet not daring to expresse my paine,
+To you, great Lord, the causer of my care,
+In clowdie teares my case I thus complaine
+Unto your selfe, that onely privie are.
+    But if that any Oedipus unware
+Shall chaunce, through power of some divining spright,
+To reade the secrete of this riddle rare,
+And know the purporte of my evill plight,
+Let him rest pleased with his owne insight,
+Ne further seeke to glose upon the text:
+For griefe enough it is to grieved wight
+To feele his fault, and not be further vext.
+    But what so by my selfe may not be showen,
+May by this Gnatts complaint be easily knowen*.
+
+
+[* This riddle has never been guessed. Upton conjectures that
+Leicester’s displeasure was incurred for “some kind of officious
+sedulity in Spenser, who much desired to see his patron married to the
+Queen.” C.]
+
+
+VIRGILS GNAT.
+
+We now have playde, Augustus, wantonly,
+Tuning our song unto a tender Muse,
+And, like a cobweb weaving slenderly,
+Have onely playde: let thus much then excuse
+This Gnats small poeme, that th’whole history                    5
+Is but a iest; though envie it abuse:
+But who such sports and sweet delights doth blame,
+Shall lighter seeme than this Gnats idle name.
+
+
+Hereafter, when as season more secure
+Shall bring forth fruit, this Muse shall speak to thee                 
+  10
+In bigger notes, that may thy sense allure,
+And for thy worth frame some fit poesie:
+The golden ofspring of Latona pure,
+And ornament of great Ioves progenie,
+Phoebus, shall be the author of my song,                    15
+Playing on yvorie harp with silver strong*.
+  [* _Strong_, strung.]
+
+
+He shall inspire my verse with gentle mood,
+Of poets prince, whether he woon* beside
+Faire Xanthus sprincled with Chimaeras blood,
+Or in the woods of Astery abide,                    20
+Or whereas Mount Parnasse, the Muses brood,
+Doth his broad forhead like two hornes divide,
+And the sweete waves of sounding Castaly
+With liquid foote doth slide downe easily.
+  [* _Woon_, dwell.]
+
+
+Wherefore ye Sisters, which the glorie bee                    25
+Of the Pierian streames, fayre Naiades,
+Go too, and dauncing all in companie,
+Adorne that god: and thou holie Pales,
+To whome the honest care of husbandrie
+Returneth by continuall successe,                    30
+Have care for to pursue his footing light
+Throgh the wide woods and groves with green leaves dight.
+
+
+Professing thee I lifted am aloft
+Betwixt the forrest wide and starrie sky:
+And thou, most dread Octavius, which oft                    35
+To learned wits givest courage worthily,
+O come, thou sacred childe, come sliding soft,
+And favour my beginnings graciously:
+For not these leaves do sing that dreadfull stound*,
+When giants bloud did staine Phlegraean ground;                    40
+  [* _Stound_, time.]
+
+
+Nor how th’halfe-horsy people, Centaures hight,
+Fought with the bloudie Lapithaes at bord;
+Nor how the East with tyranous despight
+Burnt th’Attick towres, and people slew with sword;
+Nor how Mount Athos through exceeding might                    45
+Was digged downe; nor yron bands abord
+The Pontick sea by their huge navy cast,
+My volume shall renowne, so long since past.
+
+
+Nor Hellespont trampled with horses feete,
+When flocking Persians did the Greeks affray:                    50
+But my soft Muse, as for her power more meete,
+Delights (with Phoebus friendly leave) to play
+An easie running verse with tender feete.
+And thou, dread sacred child, to thee alway
+Let everlasting lightsome glory strive,                    55
+Through the worlds endles ages to survive.
+
+
+And let an happie roome remaine for thee
+Mongst heavenly ranks, where blessed soules do rest;
+And let long lasting life with ioyous glee,
+As thy due meede that thou deservest best,                    60
+Hereafter many yeares remembred be
+Amongst good men, of whom thou oft are blest.
+Live thou for ever in all happinesse!
+But let us turne to our first businesse.
+
+
+The fiery Sun was mounted now on Light                    65
+Up to the heavenly towers, and shot each where
+Out of his golden charet glistering light;
+And fayre Aurora, with her rosie heare,
+The hatefull darknes now had put to flight;
+When as the Shepheard, seeing day appeare,                    70
+His little goats gan drive out of their stalls,
+To feede abroad, where pasture best befalls.
+
+
+To an high mountaines top he with them went,
+Where thickest grasse did cloath the open hills:
+They, now amongst the woods and thickets ment*                    75
+Now in the valleies wandring at their wills,
+Spread themselves farre abroad through each descent;
+Some on the soft greene grasse feeding their fills,
+Some, clambring through the hollow cliffes on hy,
+Nibble the bushie shrubs which growe thereby.                    80
+  [* _Ment_, mingled.]
+
+
+Others the utmost boughs of trees doe crop,
+And brouze the woodbine twigges that freshly bud;
+This with full bit* doth catch the utmost top
+Of some soft willow, or new growen stud**;
+This with sharpe teeth the bramble leaves doth lop,                   
+85
+And chaw the tender prickles in her cud;
+The whiles another high doth overlooke
+Her owne like image in a christall brooke.
+  [* _Bit_, bite.]
+  [** _Stud_, stock.]
+
+
+O the great happines which shepheards have,
+Who so loathes not too much the poore estate                    90
+With minde that ill use doth before deprave,
+Ne measures all things by the costly rate
+Of riotise, and semblants outward brave!
+No such sad cares, as wont to macerate
+And rend the greedie mindes of covetous men,                    95
+Do ever creepe into the shepheards den.
+
+
+Ne cares he if the fleece which him arayes
+Be not twice steeped in Assyrian dye;
+Ne glistering of golde, which underlayes*
+The summer beames, doe blinde his gazing eye;                    100
+Ne pictures beautie, nor the glauncing rayes
+Of precious stones, whence no good commeth by;
+Ne yet his cup embost with imagery
+Of Baetus or of Alcons vanity.
+  [* _Underlayes_, surpasses.]
+
+
+Ne ought the whelky* pearles esteemeth hee,                    105
+Which are from Indian seas brought far away:
+But with pure brest, from carefull sorrow free,
+On the soft grasse his limbs doth oft display,
+In sweete spring time, when flowres varietie
+With sundrie colours paints the sprincled lay**;                    110
+There, lying all at ease from guile or spight,
+With pype of fennie reedes doth him delight.
+  [* _Whelky_, shelly (_conchea_).]
+  [** _lay_, lea.]
+
+
+There he, lord of himselfe, with palme bedight,
+His looser locks doth wrap in wreath of vine:
+There his milk-dropping goats be his delight,                    115
+And fruitefull Pales, and the forrest greene,
+And darkesome caves in pleasaunt vallies pight*,
+Wheras continuall shade is to be seene,
+And where fresh springing wells, as christall neate,
+Do alwayes flow, to quench his thirstie heate.                    120
+  [* _Pight_, placed.]
+
+
+O! who can lead then a more happie life
+Than he, that with cleane minde and heart sincere,
+No greedy riches knowes nor bloudie strife,
+No deadly fight of warlick fleete doth feare,
+Ne runs in perill of foes cruell knife,                    125
+That in the sacred temples he may reare
+A trophee of his glittering spoyles and treasure,
+Or may abound in riches above measure.
+
+
+Of him his God is worshipt with his sythe,
+And not with skill of craftsman polished:                    130
+He ioyes in groves, and makes himselfe full blythe
+With sundrie flowers in wilde fieldes gathered,
+Ne frankincens he from Panchaea buyth:
+Sweete Quiet harbours in his harmeles head,
+And perfect Pleasure buildes her ioyous bowre,                    135
+Free from sad cares, that rich mens hearts devowre.
+
+
+This all his care, this all his whole indevour,
+To this his minde and senses he doth bend,
+How he may flow in quiets matchles treasour,
+Content with any food that God doth send;                    140
+And how his limbs, resolv’d through idle leisour,
+Unto sweete sleepe he may securely lend,
+In some coole shadow from the scorching heat,
+The whiles his flock their chawed cuds do eate.
+
+
+O Flocks, O Faunes, and O ye pleasaunt Springs                    145
+Of Tempe, where the countrey nymphs are rife,
+Through whose not costly care each shepheard sings
+As merrie notes upon his rusticke fife
+As that Ascraean bard*, whose fame now rings
+Through the wide world, and leads as ioyfull life;                   
+150
+Free from all troubles and from worldly toyle,
+In which fond men doe all their dayes turmoyle.
+  [* I.e. Hesiod]
+
+
+In such delights whilst thus his carelesse time
+This shepheard drives, upleaning on his batt*,
+And on shrill reedes chaunting his rustick rime,                    155
+Hyperion, throwing foorth his beames full hott,
+Into the highest top of heaven gan clime,
+And the world parting by an equall lott,
+Did shed his whirling flames on either side,
+As the great Ocean doth himselfe divide.                    160
+  [* _Batt_, stick]
+
+
+Then gan the shepheard gather into one
+His stragling goates, and drave them to a foord,
+Whose caerule streame, rombling in pible stone,
+Crept under mosse as greene as any goord.
+Now had the sun halfe heaven overgone,                    165
+When he his heard back from that water foord
+Drave, from the force of Phoebus boyling ray,
+Into thick shadowes, there themselves to lay.
+
+
+Soone as he them plac’d in thy sacred wood,
+O Delian goddesse, saw, to which of yore                    170
+Came the bad daughter of old Cadmus brood,
+Cruell Agavè, flying vengeance sore
+Of King Nictileus for the guiltie blood
+Which she with cursed hands had shed before;
+There she halfe frantick, having slaine her sonne,                   
+175
+Did shrowd her selfe like punishment to shonne.
+
+
+Here also playing on the grassy greene,
+Woodgods, and Satyres, and swift Dryades,
+With many Fairies oft were dauncing seene.
+Not so much did Dan Orpheus represse                    180
+The streames of Hebrus with his songs, I weene,
+As that faire troupe of woodie goddesses
+Staied thee, O Peneus, powring foorth to thee,
+From cheereful lookes, great mirth and gladsome glee.
+
+
+The verie nature of the place, resounding                    185
+With gentle murmure of the breathing ayre,
+A pleasant bowre with all delight abounding
+In the fresh shadowe did for them prepayre,
+To rest their limbs with wearines redounding.
+For first the high palme-trees, with braunches faire,
+Out of the lowly vallies did arise,                    191
+And high shoote up their heads into the skyes.
+
+
+And them amongst the wicked lotos grew,
+Wicked, for holding guilefully away
+Ulysses men, whom rapt with sweetenes new,                    195
+Taking to hoste*, it quite from him did stay;
+And eke those trees, in whose transformed hew
+The Sunnes sad daughters waylde the rash decay
+Of Phaëton, whose limbs with lightening rent
+They gathering up, with sweete teares did lament.                   
+200
+  [* _Hoste_, entertain.]
+
+
+And that same tree*, in which Demophoon,
+By his disloyalty lamented sore,
+Eternall hurte left unto many one:
+Whom als accompanied the oke, of yore                    204
+Through fatall charmes transferred to such an one:
+The oke, whose acornes were our foode before
+That Ceres seede of mortall men were knowne,
+Which first Triptoleme taught how to be sowne.
+  [* I.e. the almond-tree.]
+
+
+Here also grew the rougher-rinded pine,
+The great Argoan ships brave ornament,                    210
+Whom golden fleece did make an heavenly signe;
+Which coveting, with his high tops extent,
+To make the mountaines touch the starres divine,
+Decks all the forrest with embellishment;
+And the blacke holme that loves the watrie vale;                    215
+And the sweete cypresse, signe of deadly bale.
+
+
+Emongst the rest the clambring yvie grew,
+Knitting his wanton armes with grasping hold,
+Least that the poplar happely should rew
+Her brothers strokes, whose boughes she doth enfold                   
+220
+With her lythe twigs, till they the top survew,
+And paint with pallid greene her buds of gold.
+Next did the myrtle tree to her approach,
+Not yet unmindfull of her olde reproach.
+
+
+But the small birds in their wide boughs embowring                   
+225
+Chaunted their sundrie tunes with sweete consent;
+And under them a silver spring, forth powring
+His trickling streames, a gentle murmure sent;
+Thereto the frogs, bred in the slimie scowring
+Of the moist moores, their iarring voyces bent;                    230
+And shrill grashoppers chirped them around:
+All which the ayrie echo did resound.
+
+
+In this so pleasant place the shepheards flocke
+Lay everie where, their wearie limbs to rest,
+On everie bush, and everie hollow rocke,                    235
+Where breathe on them the whistling wind mote best;
+The whiles the shepheard self, tending his stocke,
+Sate by the fountaine side, in shade to rest,
+Where gentle slumbring sleep oppressed him
+Displaid on ground, and seized everie lim.                    240
+
+
+Of trecherie or traines nought tooke he keep,
+But, looslie on the grassie greene dispredd,
+His dearest life did trust to careles sleep;
+Which, weighing down his drouping drowsie hedd,
+In quiet rest his molten heart did steep,                    245
+Devoid of care, and feare of all falshedd:
+Had not inconstant Fortune, bent to ill,
+Bid strange mischance his quietnes to spill.
+
+
+For at his wonted time in that same place
+An huge great Serpent, all with speckles pide,                    250
+To drench himselfe in moorish slime did trace,
+There from the boyling heate himselfe to hide:
+He, passing by with rolling wreathed pace,
+With brandisht tongue the emptie aire did gride*,
+And wrapt his scalie boughts** with fell despight,                   
+255
+That all things seem’d appalled at his sight.
+  [* _Gride_, pierce]
+  [** _Boughts_, knots]
+
+
+Now more and more having himselfe enrolde,
+His glittering breast he lifteth up on hie,
+And with proud vaunt his head aloft doth holde;
+His creste above, spotted with purple die,                    260
+On everie side did shine like scalie golde;
+And his bright eyes, glauncing full dreadfullie,
+Did seeme to flame out flakes of flashing fyre,
+And with sterne lookes to threaten kindled yre.
+
+
+Thus wise long time he did himselfe dispace                    265
+There round about, when as at last he spide,
+Lying along before him in that place,
+That flocks grand captaine and most trustie guide:
+Eftsoones more fierce in visage and in pace,
+Throwing his firie eyes on everie side,                    270
+He commeth on, and all things in his way
+Full stearnly rends that might his passage stay.
+
+
+Much he disdaines that anie one should dare
+To come unto his haunt; for which intent
+He inly burns, and gins straight to prepare                    275
+The weapons which Nature to him hath lent;
+Fellie he hisseth, and doth fiercely stare,
+And hath his iawes with angrie spirits rent,
+That all his tract with bloudie drops is stained,
+And all his foldes are now in length outstrained.                   
+280
+
+
+Whom, thus at point prepared, to prevent,
+A litle noursling of the humid ayre,
+A Gnat, unto the sleepie shepheard went,
+And marking where his ey-lids twinckling rare
+Shewd the two pearles which sight unto him lent,                    285
+Through their thin coverings appearing fayre
+His little needle there infixing deep,
+Warnd him awake, from death himselfe to keep.
+
+
+Wherewith enrag’d, he fiercely gan upstart,
+And with his hand him rashly bruzing slewe                    290
+As in avengement of his heedles smart,
+That streight the spirite out of his senses flew.
+And life out of his members did depart:
+When, suddenly casting aside his vew,
+He spide his foe with felonous intent,                    295
+And fervent eyes to his destruction bent.
+
+
+All suddenly dismaid, and hartles quight,
+He fled abacke, and, catching hastie holde
+Of a yong alder hard beside him pight,
+It rent, and streight about him gan beholde                    300
+What god or fortune would assist his might.
+But whether god or fortune made him bold
+Its hard to read: yet hardie will he had
+To overcome, that made him lesse adrad*.
+  [* _Adrad_, terrified]
+
+
+The scalie backe of that most hideous snake                    305
+Enwrapped round, oft faining to retire
+And oft him to assaile, he fiercely strake
+Whereas his temples did his creast front tyre*;
+And, for he was but slowe, did slowth off shake,
+And, gazing ghastly on, (for feare and yre                    310
+Had blent** so much his sense, that lesse he feard,)—
+Yet, when he saw him slaine, himselfe he cheard.
+  [* _Tyre_, encircle]
+  [** _Blent_, blinded]
+
+
+By this the Night forth from the darksome bowre
+Of Herebus her teemed* steedes gan call,
+And laesie Vesper in his timely howre                    315
+From golden Oeta gan proceede withall;
+Whenas the shepheard after this sharpe stowre**,
+Seing the doubled shadowes low to fall,
+Gathering his straying flocke, does homeward fare,
+And unto rest his wearie ioynts prepare.                    320
+  [* _Teemed_, harnessed in a team]
+  [** _Stowre_, perturbation]
+
+
+Into whose sense so soone as lighter sleepe
+Was entered, and now loosing everie lim,
+Sweete slumbring deaw in carelesnesse did steepe,
+The image of that Gnat appeard to him,
+And in sad tearmes gan sorrowfully weepe,                    325
+With grieslie countenaunce and visage grim,
+Wailing the wrong which he had done of late,
+In steed of good, hastning his cruell fate.
+
+
+Said he, “What have I wretch deserv’d, that thus
+Into this bitter bale I am outcast,                    330
+Whilest that thy life more deare and precious
+Was than mine owne, so long as it did last?
+I now, in lieu of paines so gracious,
+Am tost in th’ayre with everie windie blast:
+Thou, safe delivered from sad decay,                    335
+Thy careles limbs in loose sleep dost display.
+
+
+“So livest thou; but my poore wretched ghost
+Is forst to ferrie over Lethes river,
+And spoyld of Charon too and fro am tost.
+Seest thou not how all places quake and quiver,                    340
+Lightned with deadly lamps on everie post?
+Tisiphone each where doth shake and shiver
+Her flaming fire-brond, encountring me,
+Whose lockes uncombed cruell adders be.
+
+
+“And Cerberus, whose many mouthes doo bay,                    345
+And barke out flames, as if on fire he fed,
+Adowne whose necke, in terrible array,
+Ten thousand snakes, cralling about his hed,
+Doo hang in heapes, that horribly affray,
+And bloodie eyes doo glister firie red,                    350
+He oftentimes me dreadfullie doth threaten
+With painfull torments to be sorely beaten.
+
+
+“Ay me! that thankes so much should faile of meed,
+For that I thee restor’d to life againe,
+Even from the doore of death and deadlie dreed.                    355
+Where then is now the guerdon of my paine?
+Where the reward of my so piteous deed?
+The praise of pitie vanisht is in vaine,
+And th’antique faith of iustice long agone
+Out of the land is fled away and gone.                    360
+
+
+“I saw anothers fate approaching fast,
+And left mine owne his safëtie to tender;
+Into the same mishap I now am cast,
+And shun’d destruction doth destruction render:
+Not unto him that never hath trespást,                    365
+But punishment is due to the offender:
+Yet let destruction be the punishment,
+So long as thankfull will may it relent.
+
+
+“I carried am into waste wildernesse,
+Waste wildernes, amongst Cymerian shades,                    370
+Where endles paines and hideous heavinesse
+Is round about me heapt in darksome glades.
+For there huge Othos sits in sad distresse,
+Fast bound with serpents that him oft invades,
+Far of beholding Ephialtes tide,                    375
+Which once assai’d to burne this world so wide.
+
+
+“And there is mournfull Tityus, mindefull yet
+Of thy displeasure, O Latona faire;
+Displeasure too implacable was it,
+That made him meat for wild foules of the ayre:                    380
+Much do I feare among such fiends to sit;
+Much do I feare back to them to repayre,
+To the black shadowes of the Stygian shore,
+Where wretched ghosts sit wailing evermore.
+
+
+“There next the utmost brinck doth he abide                    385
+That did the bankets of the gods bewray,
+Whose throat through thirst to nought nigh being dride,
+His sense to seeke for ease turnes every way:
+And he that in avengement of his pride,
+For scorning to the sacred gods to pray,                    390
+Against a mountaine rolls a mightie stone,
+Calling in vaine for rest, and can have none.
+
+
+“Go ye with them, go, cursed damosells,
+Whose bridale torches foule Erynnis tynde*,
+And Hymen, at your spousalls sad, foretells                    395
+Tydings of death and massacre unkinde**:
+With them that cruell Colchid mother dwells,
+The which conceiv’d in her revengefull minde
+With bitter woundes her owne deere babes to slay,
+And murdred troupes upon great heapes to lay.                    400
+  [* _Tynde_, kindled.]
+  [** _Unkinde_, unnatural.]
+
+
+“There also those two Pandionian maides,
+Calling on Itis, Itis evermore,
+Whom, wretched boy, they slew with guiltie blades;
+For whome the Thracian king lamenting sore,
+Turn’d to a lapwing, fowlie them upbraydes,                    405
+And flattering round about them still does sore;
+There now they all eternally complaine
+Of others wrong, and suffer endles paine.
+
+
+“But the two brethren* borne of Cadmus blood,
+Whilst each does for the soveraignty contend,                    411
+Blinde through ambition, and with vengeance wood**,
+Each doth against the others bodie bend
+His cursed steele, of neither well withstood,
+And with wide wounds their carcases doth rend;
+That yet they both doe mortall foes remaine,                    415
+Sith each with brothers bloudie hand was slaine.
+  [* I.e. Eteocles and Polynices.]
+  [** _Wood_, mad.]
+
+
+“Ah (waladay!) there is no end of paine,
+Nor chaunge of labour may intreated bee:
+Yet I beyond all these am carried faine,
+Where other powers farre different I see,                    420
+And must passe over to th’Elisian plaine:
+There grim Persephone, encountring mee,
+Doth urge her fellow Furies earnestlie
+With their bright firebronds me to terrifie.
+
+
+“There chast Alceste lives inviolate,                    425
+Free from all care, for that her husbands daies
+She did prolong by changing fate for fate:
+Lo! there lives also the immortall praise
+Of womankinde, most faithfull to her mate,
+Penelope; and from her farre awayes                    430
+A rulesse* rout of yongmen which her woo’d,
+All slaine with darts, lie wallowed in their blood.
+  [* _Rulesse_, rule-less.]
+
+
+“And sad Eurydice thence now no more
+Must turne to life, but there detained bee
+For looking back, being forbid before:                    435
+Yet was the guilt thereof, Orpheus, in thee!
+Bold sure he was, and worthie spirite bore,
+That durst those lowest shadowes goe to see,
+And could beleeve that anie thing could please
+Fell Cerberus, or Stygian powres appease.                    440
+
+
+“Ne feard the burning waves of Phlegeton,
+Nor those same mournfull kingdomes, compassed
+With rustle horrour and fowle fashion;
+And deep digd vawtes*; and Tartar covered
+With bloodie night and darke confusion;                    445
+And iudgement seates, whose iudge is deadlie dred,
+A iudge that after death doth punish sore
+The faults which life hath trespassed before.
+  [* _Vawtes_, vaults.]
+
+
+“But valiant fortune made Dan Orpheus bolde:
+For the swift running rivers still did stand,                    450
+And the wilde beasts their furie did withhold,
+To follow Orpheus musicke through the land:
+And th’okes, deep grounded in the earthly molde,
+Did move, as if they could him understand;                    454
+And the shrill woods, which were of sense bereav’d,
+Through their hard barke his silver sound receav’d.
+
+
+“And eke the Moone her hastie steedes did stay,
+Drawing in teemes along the starrie skie;
+And didst, O monthly Virgin, thou delay
+Thy nightly course, to heare his melodie?                    460
+The same was able, with like lovely lay,
+The Queene of Hell to move as easily
+To yeeld Eurydice unto her fere,
+Backe to be borne, though it unlawfull were.
+
+
+“She, ladie, having well before approoved                    465
+The feends to be too cruell and severe,
+Observ’d th’appointed way, as her behooved,
+Ne ever did her eysight turne arere,
+Ne ever spake, ne cause of speaking mooved;
+But, cruell Orpheus, thou much crueller,                    470
+Seeking to kisse her, brok’st the gods decree,
+And thereby mad’st her ever damn’d to be.
+
+
+“Ah! but sweete love of pardon worthie is,
+And doth deserve to have small faults remitted;
+If Hell at least things lightly done amis                    475
+Knew how to pardon, when ought is omitted:
+Yet are ye both received into blis,
+And to the seates of happie soules admitted.
+And you beside the honourable band
+Of great heroës doo in order stand.                    480
+
+
+“There be the two stout sonnes of AEacus,
+Fierce Peleus, and the hardie Telamon,
+Both seeming now full glad and ioyeous
+Through their syres dreadfull iurisdiction,
+Being the iudge of all that horrid hous:                    488
+And both of them, by strange occasion,
+Renown’d in choyce of happie marriage
+Through Venus grace, and vertues cariage.
+
+
+“For th’one was ravisht of his owne bondmaide,
+The faire Ixione captiv’d from Troy:                    490
+But th’other was with Thetis love assaid,
+Great Nereus his daughter and his ioy.
+On this side them there is a yongman layd,
+Their match in glorie, mightie, fierce, and coy,
+That from th’Argolick ships, with furious yre,                    495
+Bett back the furie of the Troian fyre.
+
+
+“O! who would not recount the strong divorces
+Of that great warre, which Troianes oft behelde,
+And oft beheld the warlike Greekish forces,
+When Teucrian soyle with bloodie rivers swelde,                    500
+And wide Sigraean shores were spred with corses,
+And Simois and Xanthus blood outwelde;
+Whilst Hector raged, with outragious minde,
+Flames, weapons, wounds, in Greeks fleete to have tynde.
+
+
+“For Ida selfe, in ayde of that fierce fight,                    505
+Out of her mountaines ministred supplies;
+And like a kindly nourse did yeeld, for spight,
+Store of firebronds out of her nourseries
+Unto her foster children, that they might
+Inflame the navie of their enemies,                    510
+And all the Rhetaean shore to ashes turne,
+Where lay the ships which they did seeke to burne.
+
+
+“Gainst which the noble sonne of Telamon
+Oppos’d himselfe, and thwarting* his huge shield,
+Them battell bad; gainst whom appeard anon                    515
+Hector, the glorie of the Troian field:
+Both fierce and furious in contention
+Encountred, that their mightie strokes so shrild
+As the great clap of thunder, which doth ryve
+The railing heavens and cloudes asunder dryve.                    520
+  [* _Thwarting_, interposing.]
+
+
+“So th’one with fire and weapons did contend
+To cut the ships from turning home againe
+To Argos; th’other strove for to defend*
+The force of Vulcane with his might and maine.
+Thus th’one Aeacide did his fame extend:                    525
+But th’other ioy’d that, on the Phrygian playne
+Having the blood of vanquisht Hector shedd,
+He compast Troy thrice with his bodie dedd.
+  [* _Defend_, keep off.]
+
+
+“Againe great dole on either partie grewe,
+That him to death unfaithfull Paris sent;                    530
+And also him that false Ulysses slewe,
+Drawne into danger through close ambushment;
+Therefore from him Laërtes sonne his vewe
+Doth turn aside, and boasts his good event
+In working of Strymonian Rhaesus fall,                    535
+And efte* in Dolons slye surprÿsall.
+  [* _Efte_, again.]
+
+
+“Againe the dreadfull Cycones him dismay,
+And blacke Laestrigones, a people stout;
+Then greedie Scilla, under whom there bay
+Manie great bandogs, which her gird about;                    540
+Then doo the AEtnean Cyclops him affray,
+And deep Charybdis gulphing in and out;
+Lastly the squalid lakes of Tartarie,
+And griesly feends of hell him terrifie.
+
+
+“There also goodly Agamemnon bosts,                    545
+The glorie of the stock of Tantalus,
+And famous light of all the Greekish hosts;
+Under whose conduct most victorious,
+The Dorick flames consum’d the Iliack posts.
+Ah! but the Greekes themselves, more dolorous,                    550
+To thee, O Troy, paid penaunce for thy fall,
+In th’Hellespont being nigh drowned all.
+
+
+“Well may appeare by proofe of their mischaunce
+The chaungfull turning of mens slipperie state,
+That none whom fortune freely doth advaunce                    555
+Himselfe therefore to heaven should elevate:
+For loftie type of honour through the glaunce
+Of envies dart is downe in dust prostrate,
+And all that vaunts in worldly vanitie
+Shall fall through fortunes mutabilitie.                    560
+
+
+“Th’Argolicke power returning home againe,
+Enricht with spoyles of th’Ericthonian towre,
+Did happie winde and weather entertaine,
+And with good speed the fomie billowes scowre:
+No signe of storme, no feare of future paine,                    565
+Which soone ensued them with heavie stowre*:
+Nereïs to the seas a token gave,
+The whiles their crooked keeles the surges clave.
+  [* _Stowre_, turmoil, uproar.]
+
+
+“Suddenly, whether through the gods decree,
+Or haplesse rising of some froward starre,                    570
+The heavens on everie side enclowded bee:
+Black stormes and fogs are blowen up from farre,
+That now the pylote can no loadstarre see,
+But skies and seas doo make most dreadfull warre;
+The billowes striving to the heavens to reach,                    575
+And th’heavens striving them for to impeach*.
+  [* _Impeach_, hinder.]
+
+
+“And, in avengement of their bold attempt,
+Both sun and starres and all the heavenly powres
+Conspire in one to wreake their rash contempt,
+And downe on them to fall from highest towres:                    580
+The skie, in pieces seeming to be rent,
+Throwes lightning forth, and haile, and harmful showres,
+That death on everie side to them appeares,
+In thousand formes, to worke more ghastly feares.
+
+
+“Some in the greedie flouds are sunke and drent*;                   
+585
+Some on the rocks of Caphareus are throwne;
+Some on th’Euboick cliffs in pieces rent;
+Some scattred on the Hercaean** shores unknowne;
+And manie lost, of whom no moniment
+Remaines, nor memorie is to be showne:                    590
+Whilst all the purchase@ of the Phrigian pray,
+Tost on salt billowes, round about doth stray.
+[* _Drent_, drowned.]
+[** _Hercaean_ should probably be AEgean.]
+[@ _Purchase_, booty.]
+
+
+“Here manie other like heroës bee,
+Equall in honour to the former crue,
+Whom ye in goodly seates may placed see,                    595
+Descended all from Rome by linage due;
+From Rome, that holds the world in sovereigntie,
+And doth all nations unto her subdue:
+Here Fabii and Decii doo dwell,
+Horatii that in vertue did excell.                    600
+
+
+“And here the antique fame of stout Camill
+Doth ever live; and constant Curtius,
+Who, stifly bent his vowed life to spill
+For countreyes health, a gulph most hideous
+Amidst the towne with his owne corps did fill,                    605
+T’appease the Powers; and prudent Mutius,
+Who in his flesh endur’d the scorching flame,
+To daunt his foe by ensample of the same.
+
+
+“And here wise Curius, companion
+Of noble vertues, lives in endles rest;                    610
+And stout Flaminius, whose devotion
+Taught him the fires scorn’d furie to detest;
+And here the praise of either Scipion
+Abides in highest place above the best,
+To whom the ruin’d walls of Carthage vow’d,                    615
+Trembling their forces, sound their praises lowd.
+
+
+“Live they for ever through their lasting praise!
+But I, poore wretch, am forced to retourne
+To the sad lakes that Phoebus sunnie rayes
+Doo never see, where soules doo alwaies mourne;                    620
+And by the wayling shores to waste my dayes,
+Where Phlegeton with quenchles flames doth burne;
+By which iust Minos righteous soules doth sever
+From wicked ones, to live in blisse for ever.
+
+
+“Me therefore thus the cruell fiends of hell,                    625
+Girt with long snakes and thousand yron chaynes,
+Through doome of that their cruell iudge compell,
+With bitter torture and impatient paines,
+Cause of my death and iust complaint to tell.
+For thou art he whom my poore ghost complaines                    630
+To be the author of her ill unwares,
+That careles hear’st my intollerable cares.
+
+
+“Them therefore as bequeathing to the winde,
+I now depart, returning to thee never,
+And leave this lamentable plaint behinde.                    635
+But doo thou haunt the soft downe-rolling river,
+And wilde greene woods and fruitful pastures minde,
+And let the flitting aire my vaine words sever.”
+Thus having said, he heavily departed
+With piteous crie that anie would have smarted.                    640
+
+
+Now, when the sloathfull fit of lifes sweete rest
+Had left the heavie Shepheard, wondrous cares
+His inly grieved minde full sore opprest;
+That balefull sorrow he no longer beares
+For that Gnats death, which deeply was imprest,                    645
+But bends what ever power his aged yeares
+Him lent, yet being such as through their might
+He lately slue his dreadfull foe in fight.
+
+
+By that same river lurking under greene,
+Eftsoones* he gins to fashion forth a place,                    650
+And, squaring it in compasse well beseene**,
+There plotteth out a tombe by measured space:
+His yron-headed spade tho making cleene,
+To dig up sods out of the flowrie grasse,
+His worke he shortly to good purpose brought,                    655
+Like as he had conceiv’d it in his thought.
+  [* _Eftsoones_, immediately.]
+  [** _Well beseene_, seemly.]
+
+
+An heape of earth he hoorded up on hie,
+Enclosing it with banks on everie side,
+And thereupon did raise full busily
+A little mount, of greene turffs edifide*;                    660
+And on the top of all, that passers by
+Might it behold, the toomb he did provide
+Of smoothest marble stone in order set,
+That never might his luckie scape forget.
+  [* _Edifide_, built.]
+
+
+And round about he taught sweete flowres to growe;                   
+665
+The Rose, engrained in pure scarlet die;
+The Lilly fresh, and Violet belowe;
+The Marigolde, and cherefull Rosemarie;
+The Spartan Mirtle, whence sweet gumb does flowe;
+The purple Hyacinths, and fresh Costmarie,                    670
+And Saffron, sought for in Cilician soyle,
+And Lawrell, th’ornament of Phoebus toyle:
+
+
+Fresh Rhododaphne, and the Sabine flowre*,
+Matching the wealth of th’auncient Frankincence;
+And pallid Yvie, building his owne bowre;                    675
+And Box, yet mindfull of his olde offence;
+Red Amaranthus, lucklesse paramour;
+Oxeye still greene, and bitter Patience;
+Ne wants there pale Narcisse, that, in a well
+Seeing his beautie, in love with it fell.                    680
+  [* _Sabine flowre_, a kind of juniper, the savine.]
+
+
+And whatsoever other flowre of worth,
+And whatso other hearb of lovely hew
+The ioyous Spring out of the ground brings forth,
+To cloath her selfe in colours fresh and new,
+He planted there, and reard a mount of earth,                    685
+In whose high front was writ as doth ensue:
+
+
+_To thee, small Gnat, in lieu of his life saved,_ _The Shepheard hath
+thy deaths record engraved._
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+VIRGILS GNAT. This is a very skilful elaboration of the Culex, a poem
+attributed, without reason, to Virgil. The original, which is crabbed
+and pedantic, where it is not unintelligible from corruption, is here
+rendered with sufficient fidelity to the sense, but with such
+perspicuity, elegance, and sweetness, as to make Spenser’s performance
+too good a poem to be called a translation. C.
+
+
+
+
+PROSOPOPOIA:
+
+OR MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+DEDICATED TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE,
+
+THE LADIE COMPTON AND MOUNTEGLE.
+
+
+
+
+LONDON.
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE,
+DWELLING IN PAULES CHURCHYARD
+AT THE SIGNE OF THE
+BISHOPS HEAD.
+1591.
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE,
+
+THE LADIE COMPTON AND MOUNTEGLE.[*]
+
+
+Most faire and vertuous Ladie: having often sought opportunitie by some
+good meanes to make knowen to your Ladiship the humble affection and
+faithfull duetie which I have alwaies professed, and am bound to beare,
+to that house from whence yee spring, I have at length found occasion
+to remember the same by making a simple present to you of these my idle
+labours; which having long sithens composed in the raw conceipt of my
+youth, I lately amongst other papers lighted upon, and was by others,
+which liked the same, mooved to set them foorth. Simple is the device,
+and the composition meane, yet carrieth some delight, even the rather
+because of the simplicitie and meannesse thus personated. The same I
+beseech your Ladiship take in good part, as a pledge of that profession
+which I have made to you, and keepe with you untill with some other
+more worthie labour redeeme it out of your hands, and discharge my
+utmost dutie. Till then, wishing your Ladiship all increase of honour
+and happinesse, I humblie take leave.
+
+
+Your La: ever humbly,
+        ED. SP.
+
+
+[* “This lady was Anne, the fifth daughter of Sir John Spencer,
+distinguished also, in the pastoral of _Colin Clouts come Home again_,
+by the name of _Charillis_. She was married, first to Sir William
+Stanley, Lord Mountegle; next to Henry Compton, Lord Compton; and
+lastly to Robert Sackvilie, Lord Buckhurst, afterwards Earl of
+Dorset.”—TODD.]
+
+
+PROSOPOPOIA:
+
+OR
+
+MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE.
+
+
+It was the month in which the righteous Maide
+That for disdaine of sinfull worlds upbraide
+Fled back to heaven, whence she was first conceived,
+Into her silver bowre the Sunne received;
+And the hot Syrian Dog on him awayting,                    5
+After the chafed Lyons cruell bayting,
+Corrupted had th’ayre with his noysome breath.
+And powr’d on th’earth plague, pestilence, and death.
+Emongst the rest a wicked maladie
+Raign’d emongst men, that manie did to die,                    10
+Depriv’d of sense and ordinarie reason;
+That it to leaches seemed strange and geason.
+     [_Geason_, rare.]
+My fortune was, mongst manie others moe,
+To be partaker of their common woe;
+And my weake bodie, set on fire with griefe,                    15
+Was rob’d of rest and naturall reliefe.
+In this ill plight, there came to visite mee
+Some friends, who, sorie my sad case to see,
+Began to comfort me in chearfull wise,
+And meanes of gladsome solace to devise.                    20
+But seeing kindly sleep refuse to doe
+His office, and my feeble eyes forgoe,
+They sought my troubled sense how to deceave
+With talke that might unquiet fancies reave;
+     [_Reave_, take away.]
+And sitting all in seates about me round,                    25
+With pleasant tales fit for that idle stound
+     [_Stound_, time.]
+They cast in course to waste the wearie howres.
+Some tolde of ladies, and their paramoures;
+Some of brave knights, and their renowned squires;
+Some of the faeries and their strange attires;                    30
+And some of giaunts hard to be beleeved;
+That the delight thereof me much releeved.
+Amongst the rest a good old woman was,
+Hight Mother Hubberd, who did farre surpas
+The rest in honest mirth, that seem’d her well.                    35
+She, when her turne was come her tale to tell,
+Tolde of a strange adventure that betided
+Betwixt the Foxe and th’Ape by him misguided;
+The which, for that my sense it greatly pleased,
+All were my spirite heavie and diseased,                    40
+Ile write in termes, as she the same did say,
+So well as I her words remember may.
+No Muses aide me needes heretoo to call;
+Base is the style, and matter meane withall.
+     [_Base_, humble.]
+Whilome, said she, before the world was civill,
+The Foxe and th’Ape, disliking of their evill                    46
+And hard estate, determined to seeke
+Their fortunes farre abroad, lyeke with his lyeke:
+For both were craftie and unhappie witted;
+                    [_Unhappie_, mischievous.]
+Two fellowes might no where be better fitted.                    50
+The Foxe, that first this cause of griefe did finde,
+Gan first thus plaine his case with words unkinde:
+“Neighbour Ape, and my gossip eke beside,
+(Both two sure bands in friendship to be tide,)
+To whom may I more trustely complaine                    55
+The evill plight that doth me sore constraine,
+And hope thereof to finde due remedie?
+Heare then my paine and inward agonie.
+Thus manie yeares I now have spent and worne,
+In meane regard, and basest fortunes scorne,                    60
+Dooing my countrey service as I might,
+No lesse I dare saie than the prowdest wight;
+And still I hoped to be up advaunced
+For my good parts; but still it hath mischaunced.
+Now therefore that no lenger hope I see,                    65
+But froward fortune still to follow mee,
+And losels lifted up on high, where I did looke,
+                    [_Losels_, worthless fellows.]
+I meane to turne the next leafe of the booke.
+Yet ere that anie way I doe betake,
+I meane my gossip privie first to make.”                    70
+“Ah! my deare gossip,” answer’d then the Ape,
+“Deeply doo your sad words my wits awhape,
+                    [_Awhape_, astound.]
+Both for because your griefe doth great appeare,
+And eke because my selfe am touched neare:
+For I likewise have wasted much good time,                    75
+Still wayting to preferment up to clime,
+Whilst others alwayes have before me stept,
+And from my beard the fat away have swept;
+That now unto despaire I gin to growe,
+And meane for better winde about to throwe.                    80
+Therefore to me, my trustie friend, aread
+                    [_Aread_, declare.]
+Thy councell: two is better than one head.”
+“Certes,” said he, “I meane me to disguize
+In some straunge habit, after uncouth wize,
+Or like a pilgrime, or a lymiter,                    85
+                    [_Lymiter_, I.e. a friar licensed to beg within a
+                    certain district.]
+Or like a gipsen, or a iuggeler,
+                    [_Gipsen_, gypsy.]
+And so to wander to the worlds ende,
+To seeke my fortune, where I may it mend:
+For worse than that I have I cannot meete.
+Wide is the world I wote, and everie streete                    90
+Is full of fortunes and adventures straunge,
+Continuallie subiect unto chaunge.
+Say, my faire brother now, if this device
+Doth like you, or may you to like entice.”
+“Surely,” said th’Ape, “it likes me wondrous well;                   
+95
+And would ye not poore fellowship expell,
+My selfe would offer you t’accompanie
+In this adventures chauncefull ieopardie.
+For to wexe olde at home in idlenesse
+Is disadventrous, and quite fortunelesse:                    100
+Abroad, where change is, good may gotten bee.”
+The Foxe was glad, and quickly did agree:
+So both resolv’d, the morrow next ensuing,
+So soone as day appeard to peoples vewing,
+On their intended iourney to proceede;                    105
+And over night, whatso theretoo did neede
+Each did prepare, in readines to bee.
+The morrow next, so soone as one might see
+Light out of heavens windowes forth to looke,
+Both their habiliments unto them tooke,                    110
+And put themselves, a Gods name, on their way.
+Whenas the Ape, beginning well to wey
+This hard adventure, thus began t’advise:
+“Now read, Sir Reynold, as ye be right wise,
+What course ye weene is best for us to take,                    115
+That for our selves we may a living make.
+Whether shall we professe some trade or skill?
+Or shall we varie our device at will,
+Even as new occasion appeares?
+Or shall we tie our selves for certaine yeares                    120
+To anie service, or to anie place?
+For it behoves, ere that into the race
+We enter, to resolve first hereupon.”
+“Now surely, brother,” said the Foxe anon,
+“Te have this matter motioned in season:                    125
+For everie thing that is begun with reason
+Will come by readie meanes unto his end;
+But things miscounselled must needs miswend.
+                    [_Miswend_, go wrong.]
+Thus therefore I advize upon the case:
+That not to anie certaine trade or place,                    130
+Nor anie man, we should our selves applie.
+For why should he that is at libertie
+Make himselfe bond? Sith then we are free borne.
+Let us all servile base subiection scorne;
+And as we bee sonnes of the world so wide,                    135
+Let us our fathers heritage divide,
+And chalenge to our selves our portions dew
+Of all the patrimonie, which a few
+Now hold in hugger mugger in their hand,
+                    [_In hugger mugger_, in secret]
+And all the rest doo rob of good and land:                    140
+For now a few have all, and all have nought,
+Yet all be brethren ylike dearly bought.
+There is no right in this partition,
+Ne was it so by institution
+Ordained first, ne by the law of Nature,                    145
+But that she gave like blessing to each creture
+As well of worldly livelode as of life,
+That there might be no difference nor strife,
+Nor ought cald mine or thine: thrice happie then
+Was the condition of mortall men.                    150
+That was the golden age of Saturne old,
+But this might better be the world of gold;
+For without golde now nothing wilbe got.
+Therefore, if please you, this shalbe our plot:
+We will not be of anie occupation;                    155
+Let such vile vassalls, borne to base vocation,
+Drudge in the world and for their living droyle,
+                    [_Droyle_, moil]
+Which have no wit to live withouten toyle.
+But we will walke about the world at pleasure,
+Like two free men, and make our ease our treasure.
+Free men some beggers call; but they be free;                    161
+And they which call them so more beggers bee:
+For they doo swinke and sweate to feed the other,
+                    [_Swinke_, toil.]
+Who live like lords of that which they doo gather,
+And yet doo never thanke them for the same,                    165
+But as their due by nature doo it clame.
+Such will we fashion both our selves to bee,
+Lords of the world; and so will wander free
+Where so us listeth, uncontrol’d of anie.
+Hard is our hap, if we, emongst so manie,                    170
+Light not on some that may our state amend;
+Sildome but some good commeth ere the end.”
+Well seemd the Ape to like this ordinaunce:
+Yet, well considering of the circumstaunce,
+As pausing in great doubt awhile he staid,                    175
+And afterwards with grave advizement said:
+“I cannot, my lief brother, like but well
+                    [_Lief_, dear.]
+The purpose of the complot which ye tell;
+For well I wot (compar’d to all the rest
+Of each degree) that beggers life is best,                    180
+And they that thinke themselves the best of all
+Oft-times to begging are content to fall.
+But this I wot withall, that we shall ronne
+Into great daunger, like to bee undonne,
+Thus wildly to wander in the worlds eye,                    185
+Withouten pasport or good warrantye,
+For feare least we like rogues should be reputed,
+And for eare-marked beasts abroad be bruted.
+Therefore I read that we our counsells call
+How to prevent this mischiefe ere it fall,                    190
+And how we may, with most securitie,
+Beg amongst those that beggars doo defie.”
+“Right well, deere gossip, ye advized have,”
+Said then the Foxe, “but I this doubt will save:
+For ere we farther passe, I will devise                    195
+A pasport for us both in fittest wize,
+And by the names of souldiers us protect,
+That now is thought a civile begging sect.
+Be you the souldier, for you likest are
+For manly semblance, and small skill in warre:                    200
+I will but wayte on you, and, as occasion
+Falls out, my selfe fit for the same will fashion.”
+The pasport ended, both they forward went;
+The Ape clad souldierlike, fit for th’intent,
+In a blew iacket with a crosse of redd                    205
+And manie slits, as if that he had shedd
+Much blood throgh many wounds therein receaved,
+Which had the use of his right arme bereaved,
+Upon his head an old Scotch cap he wore,
+With a plume feather all to peeces tore;                    210
+His breeches were made after the new cut,
+_Al Portugese_, loose like an emptie gut,
+And his hose broken high above the heeling,
+And his shooes beaten out with traveling.
+But neither sword nor dagger he did beare;                    215
+Seemes that no foes revengement he did feare;
+In stead of them a handsome bat he held,
+                    [_Bat_, stick.]
+On which he leaned, as one farre in elde.
+                    [_Elde_, age.]
+Shame light on him, that through so false illusion
+Doth turne the name of souldiers to abusion,                    220
+And that which is the noblest mysterie
+                    [_Mysterie_, profession.]
+Brings to reproach and common infamie!
+Long they thus travailed, yet never met
+Adventure which might them a working set:
+Yet manie waies they sought, and manie tryed;                    225
+Yet for their purposes none fit espyed.
+At last they chaunst to meete upon the way
+A simple husbandman in garments gray;
+Yet, though his vesture were but meane and bace,
+                    [_Bace_, humble.]
+A good yeoman he was of honest place,                    230
+And more for thrift did care than for gay clothing:
+Gay without good is good hearts greatest loathing.
+The Foxe, him spying, bad the Ape him dight
+                    [_Dight_, prepare.]
+To play his part, for loe! he was in sight
+That, if he er’d not, should them entertaine,                    235
+And yeeld them timely profite for their paine.
+Eftsoones the Ape himselfe gan up to reare,
+                    [_Eftsoones_, straightway.]
+And on his shoulders high his bat to beare,
+As if good service he were fit to doo,
+But little thrift for him he did it too:                    240
+And stoutly forward he his steps did straine,
+That like a handsome swaine it him became.
+When as they nigh approached, that good man,
+Seeing them wander loosly, first began
+T’enquire, of custome, what and whence they were.
+To whom the Ape: “I am a souldiere,                    246
+That late in warres have spent my deerest blood,
+And in long service lost both limbs and good;
+And now, constraint that trade to overgive,
+I driven am to seeke some meanes to live:                    250
+Which might it you in pitie please t’afford,
+I would be readie, both in deed and word,
+To doo you faithfull service all my dayes.
+This yron world” (that same he weeping sayes)
+“Brings downe the stowtest hearts to lowest state:                   
+255
+For miserie doth bravest mindes abate,
+And make them seeke for that they wont to scorne,
+Of fortune and of hope at once forlorne.”
+                    [_Forlorne_, deserted.]
+The honest roan that heard him thus complaine
+Was griev’d as he had felt part of his paine;                    260
+And, well dispos’d him some reliefe to showe,
+Askt if in husbandrie he ought did knowe,—
+To plough, to plant, to reap, to rake, to sowe,
+To hedge, to ditch, to thrash, to thetch, to mowe;
+Or to what labour els he was prepar’d:                    265
+For husbands life is labourous and hard.
+                    [_Husbands_, husbandman’s.]
+Whenas the Ape him hard so much to talke
+Of labour, that did from his liking balke,
+He would have slipt the coller handsomly,
+And to him said: “Good Sir, full glad am I                    270
+To take what paines may anie living wight:
+But my late maymed limbs lack wonted might
+To doo their kindly services, as needeth:
+                    [_Kindly_, natural.]
+Scarce this right hand the mouth with diet feedeth;
+So that it may no painfull worke endure,                    275
+Ne to strong labour can it selfe enure.
+But if that anie other place you have,
+Which askes small paines, but thriftines to save,
+Or care to overlooke, or trust to gather,
+Ye may me trust as your owne ghostly father.”                    280
+With that the husbandman gan him avize,
+That it for him were fittest exercise
+Cattell to keep, or grounds to oversee;
+And asked him, if he could willing bee
+To keep his sheep, or to attend his swyne,                    285
+Or watch his mares, or take his charge of kyne.
+“Gladly,” said he, “what ever such like paine
+Ye put on me, I will the same sustaine:
+But gladliest I of your fleecie sheepe
+(Might it you please) would take on me the keep.                    290
+For ere that unto armes I me betooke,
+Unto my fathers sheepe I usde to looke,
+That yet the skill thereof I have not loste:
+Thereto right well this curdog, by my coste,
+(Meaning the Foxe,) will serve my sheepe to gather,
+And drive to follow after their belwether.”                    295
+The husbandman was meanly well content
+                    [_Meanly_, humbly.]
+Triall to make of his endevourment;
+And, home him leading, lent to him the charge
+Of all his flocke, with libertie full large,                    300
+Giving accompt of th’annuall increce
+Both of their lambes, and of their woolly fleece.
+Thus is this Ape become a shepheard swaine,
+And the false Foxe his dog: God give them paine!
+For ere the yeare have halfe his course out-run,                    305
+And doo returne from whence he first begun,
+They shall him make an ill accompt of thrift.
+Now whenas time, flying with wingës swift,
+Expired had the terme that these two iavels
+                    [_Iavels,_ worthless fellows.]
+Should render up a reckning of their travels                    310
+Unto their master, which it of them sought,
+Exceedingly they troubled were in thought,
+Ne wist what answere unto him to frame,
+Ne how to scape great punishment, or shame,
+For their false treason and vile theeverie:                    315
+For not a lambe of all their flockes-supply
+Had they to shew; but ever as they bred,
+They slue them, and upon their fleshes fed:
+For that disguised dog lov’d blood to spill,
+And drew the wicked shepheard to his will.                    320
+So twixt them both they not a lambkin left;
+And when lambes fail’d, the old sheepes lives they reft;
+That how t’acquite themselves unto their lord
+They were in doubt, and flatly set abord.
+                    [_Set abord_, set adrift, at a loss.]
+The Foxe then counsel’d th’Ape for to require                    325
+Respite till morrow t’answere his desire:
+For times delay new hope of helpe still breeds.
+The good man granted, doubting nought their deeds,
+And bad next day that all should readie be.
+But they more subtill meaning had than he:                    330
+For the next morrowes meed they closely ment,
+                    [_Closely_, secretly.]
+For feare of afterclaps, for to prevent:
+                    [_Prevent_, anticipate.]
+And that same evening, when all shrowded were
+In careles sleep, they without care or feare
+Cruelly fell upon their flock in folde,                    335
+And of them slew at pleasure what they wolde.
+Of which whenas they feasted had their fill,
+For a full complement of all their ill,
+They stole away, and tooke their hastie flight,
+Carried in clowdes of all-concealing night.                    340
+So was the husbandman left to his losse,
+And they unto their fortunes change to tosse.
+After which sort they wandered long while,
+Abusing manie through their cloaked guile;
+That at the last they gan to be descryed                    345
+Of everie one, and all their sleights espyed;
+So as their begging now them failed quyte,
+For none would give, but all men would them wyte.
+                    [_Wyte_, blame.]
+Yet would they take no paines to get their living,
+But seeke some other way to gaine by giving,                    350
+Much like to begging, but much better named;
+For manie beg which are thereof ashamed.
+And now the Foxe had gotten him a gowne,
+And th’Ape a cassocke sidelong hanging downe;
+For they their occupation meant to change,                    355
+And now in other state abroad to range:
+For since their souldiers pas no better spedd,
+They forg’d another, as for clerkes booke-redd.
+Who passing foorth, as their adventures fell,
+Through manie haps, which needs not here to tell,                   
+360
+At length chaunst with a formall Priest to meete,
+                    [_Formall_, regular.]
+Whom they in civill manner first did greete,
+And after askt an almes for Gods deare love.
+The man straightway his choler up did move,
+And with reproachfull tearmes gan them revile,                    365
+For following that trade so base and vile;
+And askt what license or what pas they had.
+“Ah!” said the Ape, as sighing wondrous sad,
+“Its an hard case, when men of good deserving
+Must either driven be perforce to sterving,                    370
+Or asked for their pas by everie squib,
+                    [_Squib_, flashy, pretentious fellow]
+That list at will them to revile or snib.
+                    [_Snib_, snub]
+And yet (God wote) small oddes I often see
+Twixt them that aske, and them that asked bee.
+Natheles because you shall not us misdeeme,                    375
+But that we are as honest as we seeme,
+Yee shall our pasport at your pleasure see,
+And then ye will (I hope) well mooved bee.”
+Which when the Priest beheld, he vew’d it nere,
+As if therein some text he studying were,                    380
+But little els (God wote) could thereof skill:
+                    [_Skill_, understand.]
+For read he could not evidence nor will,
+Ne tell a written word, ne write a letter,
+Ne make one title worse, ne make one better.
+Of such deep learning little had he neede,                    385
+Ne yet of Latine ne of Greeke, that breede
+Doubts mongst divines, and difference of texts,
+From whence arise diversitie of sects,
+And hatefull heresies, of God abhor’d.
+But this good Sir did follow the plaine word,                    390
+Ne medled with their controversies vaine;
+All his care was his service well to saine,
+                    [_Saine_, say.]
+And to read homelies upon holidayes;
+When that was done, he might attend his playes:
+An easie life, and fit high God to please.                    395
+He, having overlookt their pas at ease,
+Gan at the length them to rebuke againe,
+That no good trade of life did entertaine,
+But lost their time in wandring loose abroad;
+Seeing the world, in which they bootles boad,                    400
+                    [_Bootless boad_, dwelt unprofitably.]
+Had wayes enough for all therein to live;
+Such grace did God unto his creatures give.
+Said then the Foxe: “Who hath the world not tride
+From the right way full eath may wander wide.
+                    [_Eath_, easy.]
+We are but novices, new come abroad,                    405
+We have not yet the tract of anie troad,
+                    [I.e. routine of any way of life.]
+Nor on us taken anie state of life,
+But readie are of anie to make preife.
+                    [_Preife_, proof.]
+Therefore might please you, which the world have proved,
+Us to advise, which forth but lately moved,                    410
+Of some good course that we might undertake,
+Ye shall for ever us your bondmen make.”
+The priest gan wexe halfe proud to be so praide,
+And thereby willing to affoord them aide,
+“It seemes,” said he, “right well that ye be clerks,                   
+415
+Both by your wittie words and by your works.
+Is not that name enough to make a living
+To him that hath a whit of Natures giving?
+How manie honest men see ye arize
+Daylie thereby, and grow to goodly prize;                    420
+To deanes, to archdeacons, to commissaries,
+To lords, to principalls, to prebendaries?
+All iolly prelates, worthie rule to beare,
+Who ever them envie: yet spite bites neare.
+Why should ye doubt, then, but that ye likewise                    425
+Might unto some of those in time arise?
+In the meane time to live in good estate,
+Loving that love, and hating those that hate;
+Being some honest curate, or some vicker,
+Content with little in condition sicker.”                    430
+                    [_Sicker_, sure.]
+“Ah! but,” said th’Ape, “the charge is wondrous great,
+To feed mens soules, and hath an heavie threat.”
+“To feede mens soules,” quoth he, “is not in man:
+For they must feed themselves, doo what we can.
+We are but charg’d to lay the meate before:                    435
+Eate they that list, we need to doo no more.
+But God it is that feedes them with his grace,
+The bread of life powr’d downe from heavenly place.
+Therefore said he that with the budding rod
+Did rule the lewes, _All shalbe taught of God._                    440
+That same hath Iesus Christ now to him raught,
+                    [_Raught_, reached, taken.]
+By whom the flock is rightly fed and taught:
+He is the shcpheard, and the priest is hee;
+We but his shepheard swaines ordain’d to bee.
+Therefore herewith doo not your selfe dismay;                    445
+Ne is the paines so great, but beare ye may;
+For not so great, as it was wont of yore,
+It’s now a dayes, ne halfe so streight and sore.
+They whilome used duly everie day
+Their service and their holie things to say,                    450
+At morne and even, beside their anthemes sweete,
+Their penie masses, and their complynes meete,
+                    [_Complynes_, even-song; the last service of the
+                    day.]
+Their diriges, their trentals, and their shrifts,
+                    [_Trentals_, thirty masses for the dead.]
+Their memories, their singings, and their gifts.
+                    [_Memories_, services for the dead.]
+Now all those needlesse works are laid away;                    455
+Now once a weeke, upon the Sabbath day,
+It is enough to doo our small devotion,
+And then to follow any merrie motion.
+Ne are we tyde to fast, but when we list;
+Ne to weare garments base of wollen twist,                    460
+But with the finest silkes us to aray,
+That before God we may appeare more gay,
+Resembling Aarons glorie in his place:
+For farre unfit it is, that person bace
+Should with vile cloaths approach Gods maiestie,                    465
+Whom no uncleannes may approachen nie;
+Or that all men, which anie master serve,
+Good garments for their service should deserve,
+But he that serves the Lord of Hoasts Most High,
+And that in highest place, t’approach him nigh,                    470
+And all the peoples prayers to present
+Before his throne, as on ambassage sent
+Both too and fro, should not deserve to weare
+A garment better than of wooll or heare.
+Beside, we may have lying by our sides                    475
+Our lovely lasses, or bright shining brides;
+We be not tyde to wilfull chastitie,
+But have the gospell of free libertie.”
+By that he ended had his ghostly sermon,
+The Foxe was well induc’d to be a parson;                    480
+And of the priest eftsoones gan to enquire
+How to a benefice he might aspire.
+“Marie, there,” said the priest, “is arte indeed:
+Much good deep learning one thereout may reed;
+For that the ground-worke is, and end of all,                    485
+How to obtaine a beneficiall.
+First, therefore, when ye have in handsome wise
+Your selfe attyred, as you can devise,
+Then to some nobleman your selfe applye,
+Or other great one in the worldës eye,                    490
+That hath a zealous disposition
+To God, and so to his religion.
+There must thou fashion eke a godly zeale,
+Such as no carpers may contrayre reveale:
+For each thing fained ought more warie bee.                    495
+There thou must walke in sober gravitee,
+And seeme as saintlike as Saint Radegund:
+Fast much, pray oft, looke lowly on the ground,
+And unto everie one doo curtesie meeke:
+These lookes (nought saying) doo a benefice seeke,
+And be thou sure one not to lacke or long.                    501
+                    [_Or_, ere.]
+But if thee list unto the Court to throng,
+And there to hunt after the hoped pray,
+Then must thou thee dispose another way
+For there thou needs must learne to laugh, to lie,                   
+505
+To face, to forge, to scoffe, to companie,
+To crouche, to please, to be a beetle-stock
+Of thy great masters will, to scorne, or mock:
+So maist thou chaunce mock out a benefice,
+Unlesse thou canst one coniure by device,                    510
+Or cast a figure for a bishoprick:
+And if one could, it were but a schoole trick.
+These be the wayes by which without reward
+Livings in court he gotten, though full hard;
+For nothing there is done without a fee:                    515
+The courtier needes must recompenced bee
+With a benevolence, or have in gage
+                    [_Gage_, pledge.]
+The primitias of your parsonage:
+                    [_Primitias_, first-fruits.]
+Scarse can a bishoprick forpas them by,
+But that it must be gelt in privitie.                    520
+Doo not thou therefore seeke a living there,
+But of more private persons seeke elswhere,
+Whereas thou maist compound a better penie,
+Ne let thy learning question’d be of anie.
+For some good gentleman, that hath the right                    525
+Unto his church for to present a wight,
+Will cope with thee in reasonable wise,
+                    [_Cope_, bargain.]
+That if the living yerely doo arise
+To fortie pound, that then his yongest sonne
+Shall twentie have, and twentie thou hast wonne:                    530
+Thou hast it wonne, for it is of franke gift
+And he will care for all the rest to shift;
+Both that the bishop may admit of thee,
+And that therein thou maist maintained bee.
+This is the way for one that is unlern’d                    535
+Living to get, and not to be discern’d.
+But they that are great clerkes have nearer wayes
+For learning sake to living them to raise:
+Yet manie eke of them (God wote) are driven
+T’accept a benefice in peeces riven.—                    540
+How saist thou, friend, have I not well discourst
+Upon this common-place, though plaine, not wourst?
+Better a short tale than a bad long shriving:
+Needes anie more to learne to get a living?”
+“Now sure, and by my hallidome,” quoth he                    545
+“Yea great master are in your degree:
+Great thankes I yeeld you for your discipline,
+And doo not doubt but duly to encline
+My wits theretoo, as ye shall shortly heare.”
+The priest him wisht good speed and well to fare:                   
+550
+So parted they, as eithers way them led.
+But th’Ape and Foxe ere long so well them sped,
+Through the priests holesome counsell lately tought,
+And throgh their owne faire handling wisely wroght,
+That they a benefice twixt them obtained,                    555
+And craftie Reynold was a priest ordained,
+And th’Ape his parish clarke procur’d to bee:
+Then made they revell route and goodly glee.
+But, ere long time had passed, they so ill
+Did order their affaires, that th’evill will                    560
+Of all their parishners they had constraind;
+Who to the ordinarie of them complain’d,
+How fowlie they their offices abusd,
+And them of crimes and heresies accusd;
+That pursivants he often for them sent.                    565
+But they neglected his commaundëment;
+So long persisted obstinate and bolde,
+Till at the length he published to holde
+A visitation, and them cyted thether.
+Then was high time their wits about to geather;                    570
+What did they then, but made a composition
+With their next neighbor priest for light condition,
+To whom their living they resigned quight
+For a few pence, and ran away by night.
+So passing through the countrey in disguize,                    575
+They fled farre off, where none might them surprize,
+And after that long straied here and there,
+Through everie field and forrest farre and nere;
+Yet never found occasion for their tourne,
+But, almost sterv’d, did much lament and mourne.                    580
+At last they chaunst to meete upon the way
+The Mule, all deckt in goodly rich aray,
+With bells and bosses that full lowdly rung,
+And costly trappings that to ground downe hung.
+Lowly they him saluted in meeke wise;                    585
+But he through pride and fatnes gan despise
+Their meanesse; scarce vouchsafte them to requite.
+Whereat the Foxe deep groning in his sprite,
+Said: “Ah! Sir Mule, now blessed be the day
+That I see you so goodly and so gay                    590
+In your attyres, and eke your silken hyde
+Fil’d with round flesh, that everie bone doth hide.
+Seemes that in fruitfull pastures ye doo live,
+Or fortune doth you secret favour give.”
+“Foolish Foxe!” said the Mule, “thy wretched need
+Praiseth the thing that doth thy sorrow breed.                    596
+For well I weene thou canst not but envie
+My wealth, compar’d to thine owne miserie,
+That art so leane and meagre waxen late
+That scarse thy legs uphold thy feeble gate.”                    600
+“Ay me!” said then the Foxe, “whom evill hap
+Unworthy in such wretchednes doth wrap,
+And makes the scorne of other beasts to bee.
+But read, faire Sir, of grace, from whence come yee;
+Or what of tidings you abroad doo heare;                    605
+Newes may perhaps some good unweeting beare.”
+“From royall court I lately came,” said he,
+“Where all the braverie that eye may see,
+And all the happinesse that heart desire,
+Is to be found; he nothing can admire,                    610
+That hath not seene that heavens portracture.
+But tidings there is none, I you assure,
+Save that which common is, and knowne to all,
+That courtiers as the tide doo rise and fall.”
+“But tell us,” said the Ape, “we doo you pray,                    615
+Who now in court doth beare the greatest sway:
+That, if such fortune doo to us befall,
+We may seeke favour of the best of all.”
+“Marie,” said he, “the highest now in grace,
+Be the wilde beasts, that swiftest are in chase;                    620
+For in their speedie course and nimble flight
+The Lyon now doth take the most delight:
+But chieflie ioyes on foote them to beholde,
+Enchaste with chaine and circulet of golde:
+                    [_Enchaste_, adorned.]
+So wilde a beaste so tame ytaught to bee,                    625
+And buxome to his bands, is ioy to see;
+                    [_Buxome_, obedient.]
+So well his golden circlet him beseemeth.
+But his late chayne his Liege unmeete esteemeth;
+For so brave beasts she loveth best to see
+                    [She: I.e. the queen.]
+In the wilde forrest raunging fresh and free.                    630
+Therefore if fortune thee in court to live,
+In case thou ever there wilt hope to thrive,
+To some of these thou must thy selfe apply;
+Els as a thistle-downe in th’ayre doth flie,
+So vainly shalt thou too and fro be tost,                    635
+And loose thy labour and thy fruitles cost.
+And yet full few which follow them I see
+For vertues bare regard advaunced bee,
+But either for some gainfull benefit,
+Or that they may for their owne turnes be fit.                    640
+Nath’les, perhaps ye things may handle soe,
+That ye may better thrive than thousands moe.”
+“But,” said the Ape, “how shall we first come in,
+That after we may favour seeke to win?”
+“How els,” said he, “but with a good bold face,                    645
+And with big words, and with a stately pace,
+That men may thinke of you in generall
+That to be in you which is not at all:
+For not by that which is the world now deemeth,
+(As it was wont) but by that same that seemeth.                    650
+Ne do I doubt but that ye well can fashion
+Your selves theretoo, according to occasion.
+So fare ye well: good courtiers may ye bee!”
+So, proudlie neighing, from them parted hee.
+Then gan this craftie couple to devize,                    655
+How for the court themselves they might aguize:
+                    [_Aguize_, decorate.]
+For thither they themselves meant to addresse,
+In hope to finde there happier successe.
+So well they shifted, that the Ape anon
+Himselfe had cloathed like a gentleman,                    660
+And the slie Foxe as like to be his groome;
+That to the court in seemly sort they come.
+Where the fond Ape, himselfe uprearing by
+Upon his tiptoes, stalketh stately by,
+As if he were some great magnifico,                    665
+And boldlie doth amongst the boldest go;
+And his man Reynold, with fine counterfesaunce,
+                    [_Counterfesaunce_, counterfeiting.]
+Supports his credite and his countenaunce.
+Then gan the courtiers gaze on everie side,
+And stare on him with big looks basen wide,                    670
+                    [_Basen_, swelled.]
+Wondring what mister wight he was, and whence;
+                    [_Mister wight_, sort of creature.]
+For he was clad in strange accoustrements,
+Fashion’d with queint devises never seene
+In court before, yet there all fashions beene;
+Yet he them in newfanglenesse did pas.                    675
+But his behaviour altogether was
+_Alla Turchesca,_ much the more admyr’d;
+                    [_Alla Turchesca_, in the Turkish fashion.]
+And his lookes loftie, as if he aspyr’d
+To dignitie, and sdeign’d the low degree;
+That all which did such strangenesse in him see                    680
+By secrete meanes gan of his state enquire,
+And privily his servant thereto hire:
+Who, throughly arm’d against such coverture,
+                    [_Coverture_, underhand dealing.]
+Reported unto all that he was sure
+A noble gentleman of high regard,                    685
+Which through the world had with long travel far’d,
+And seene the manners of all beasts on ground,
+Now here arriv’d to see if like he found.
+Thus did the Ape at first him credit gaine,
+Which afterwards he wisely did maintaine                    690
+With gallant showe, and daylie more augment
+Through his fine feates and courtly complement;
+For he could play, and daunce, and vaute, and spring,
+And all that els pertaines to reveling.
+Onely through kindly aptnes of his ioynts.                    695
+                    [_Kindly_, natural.]
+Besides he could doo manie other poynts,
+The which in court him served to good stead:
+For he mongst ladies could their fortunes read
+Out of their hands, and merie leasings tell,
+And iuggle finely, that became him well.                    700
+But he so light was at legierdemaine,
+That what he toucht came not to light againe;
+Yet would he laugh it out, and proudly looke,
+And tell them that they greatly him mistooke.
+So would he scoffe them out with mockcrie,                    705
+For he therein had great felicitie;
+And with sharp quips ioy’d others to deface,
+Thinking that their disgracing did him grace:
+So whilst that other like vaine wits he pleased
+And made to laugh, his heart was greatly eased.                    710
+But the right gentle minde woulde bite his lip,
+To heare the iavell so good men to nip:
+                    [_Iavell_, worthless fellow.]
+For, though the vulgar yeeld an open eare,
+And common courtiers love to gybe and fleare
+At everie thing which they heare spoken ill,                    715
+And the best speaches with ill meaning spill,
+                    [_Spill_, spoil.]
+Yet the brave courtier, in whose beauteous thought
+Regard of honour harbours more than ought,
+Doth loath such base condition, to backbite
+                    [_Condition_, quality.]
+Anies good name for envie or despite.                    720
+He stands on tearmes of honourable minde,
+Ne will be carried with the common winde
+Of courts inconstant mutabilitie,
+Ne after everie tattling fable flie;
+But heares and sees the follies of the rest,                    725
+And thereof gathers for himselfe the best.
+He will not creepe, nor crouche with fained face,
+But walkes upright with comely stedfast pace,
+And unto all doth yeeld due curtesie;
+But not with kissed hand belowe the knee,                    730
+As that same apish crue is wont to doo:
+For he disdaines himselfe t’embase theretoo.
+He hates fowle leasings and vile flatterie,
+Two filthie blots in noble gentrie;
+And lothefull idlenes he doth detest,                    735
+The canker worme of everie gentle brest;
+The which to banish with faire exercise
+Of knightly feates he daylie doth devise:
+Now menaging the mouthes of stubborne steedes,
+Now practising the proofe of warlike deedes,                    740
+Now his bright armes assaying, now his speare,
+Now the nigh aymed ring away to beare:
+At other times he casts to sew the chace
+                    [_Casts_, plans, makes arrangements.]
+Of Swift wilde beasts, or runne on foote a race,
+T’enlarge his breath, (large breath in armes most needfull,)           
+        745
+Or els by wrestling to wex strong and heedfull,
+Or his stiffe armes to stretch with eughen bowe,
+                    [_Eughen_, made of yew.]
+And manly legs, still passing too and fro,
+Without a gowned beast him fast beside;
+A vaine ensample of the Persian pride,                    750
+Who after he had wonne th’Assyrian foe,
+Did ever after scorne on foote to goe.
+Thus when this courtly gentleman with toyle
+Himselfe hath wearied, he doth recoyle
+Unto his rest, and there with sweete delight                    755
+Of musicks skill revives his toyled spright;
+Or els with loves and ladies gentle sports,
+The ioy of youth, himselfe he recomforts:
+Or lastly, when the bodie list to pause,
+His minde unto the Muses he withdrawes,                    760
+Sweete Ladie Muses, ladies of delight,
+Delights of life, and ornaments of light:
+With whom he close confers with wise discourse,
+Of Natures workes, of heavens continuall course,
+Of forreine lands, of people different,                    765
+Of kingdomes change, of divers gouvernment,
+Of dreadfull battailes of renowmed knights;
+With which he kindleth his ambitious sprights
+To like desire and praise of noble fame,
+The onely upshot whereto he doth ayme.                    770
+For all his minde on honour fixed is,
+To which he levels all his purposis,
+And in his Princes service spends his dayes,
+Not so much for to game, or for to raise
+Himselfe to high degree, as for his grace,                    775
+And in his liking to winne worthie place,
+Through due deserts and comely carriage,
+In whatso please employ his personage,
+That may be matter meete to game him praise.
+For he is fit to use in all assayes,                    780
+Whether for armes and warlike amenaunce,
+                    [_Amenaunce_, conduct.]
+Or else for wise and civill governaunce;
+For he is practiz’d well in policie,
+And thereto doth his courting most applie:
+                    [_Courting_, life at court.]
+To learne the enterdeale of princes strange,                    785
+                    [_Enterdeale_, dealing together.]
+To marke th’intent of counsells, and the change
+Of states, and eke of private men somewhile,
+Supplanted by fine falshood and faire guile;
+Of all the which he gathereth what is fit
+T’enrich the storehouse of his powerfull wit,                    790
+Which through wise speaches and grave conference
+He daylie eekes, and brings to excellence.
+                    [_Eekes_, increases.]
+Such is the rightfull courtier in his kinde:
+But unto such the Ape lent not his minde;
+Such were for him no fit companions,                    795
+Such would descrie his lewd conditions:
+But the yong lustie gallants he did chose
+To follow, meete to whom he might disclose
+His witlesse pleasance and ill pleasing vaine.
+A thousand wayes he them could entertaine,                    800
+With all the thriftles games that may be found;
+With mumming and with masking all around,
+With dice, with cards, with balliards farre unfit,
+                    [_Balliards_, billiards.]
+With shuttelcocks, misseeming manlie wit,
+                    [_Misseeming_, unbecoming.]
+With courtizans, and costly riotize,                    805
+Whereof still somewhat to his share did rize:
+Ne, them to pleasure, would he sometimes scorne
+A pandares coate (so basely was he borne);
+Thereto he could fine loving verses frame,
+And play the poet oft. But ah! for shame,                    810
+Let not sweete poets praise, whose onely pride
+Is vertue to advaunce, and vice deride,
+Be with the worke of losels wit defamed,
+Ne let such verses poetrie be named!
+Yet he the name on him would rashly take,                    815
+Maugre the sacred Muses, and it make
+A servant to the vile affection
+Of such as he depended most upon;
+And with the sugrie sweete thereof allure
+Chast ladies eares to fantasies impure.                    820
+To such delights the noble wits he led
+Which him reliev’d, and their vaine humours fed
+With fruitles folies and unsound delights.
+But if perhaps into their noble sprights
+Desire of honor or brave thought of armes                    825
+Did ever creepe, then with his wicked charmes
+And strong conceipts he would it drive away,
+Ne suffer it to house there halfe a day.
+And whenso love of letters did inspire
+Their gentle wits, and kindly wise desire,                    830
+                    [Kindly: Qu. _kindle?_]
+That chieflie doth each noble minde adorne,
+Then he would scoffe at learning, and eke scorne
+The sectaries thereof, as people base
+                    [_Sectaries_, followers.]
+And simple men, which never came in place
+Of worlds affaires, but, in darke corners mewd,                    835
+Muttred of matters as their bookes them shewd,
+Ne other knowledge ever did attaine,
+But with their gownes their gravitie maintaine.
+From them he would his impudent lewde speach
+Against Gods holie ministers oft reach,                    840
+And mocke divines and their profession.
+What else then did he by progression,
+But mocke High God himselfe, whom they professe?
+But what car’d he for God, or godlinesse?
+All his care was himselfe how to advaunce,                    845
+And to uphold his courtly countenaunce
+By all the cunning meanes he could devise;
+“Were it by honest wayes, or otherwise,
+He made small choyce: yet sure his honestie
+Got him small gaines, but shameles flatterie,                    850
+And filthie brocage, and unseemly shifts,
+                    [_Brocage_, pimping.]
+And borowe base, and some good ladies gifts.
+                    [_Borowe_, pledging.]
+But the best helpe, which chiefly him sustain’d,
+Was his man Raynolds purchase which he gain’d:
+                    [_Purchase_, booty.]
+For he was school’d by kinde in all the skill                    855
+                    [_Kinde_, nature.]
+Of close conveyance, and each practise ill
+Of coosinage and cleanly knaverie,
+                    [_Cleanly_, neat, skillful.]
+Which oft maintain’d his masters braverie.
+Besides, he usde another slipprie slight,
+In taking on himselfe, in common sight,                    860
+False personages fit for everie sted,
+With which he thousands cleanly coosined:
+Now like a merchant, merchants to deceave,
+With whom his credite he did often leave
+In gage for his gay masters hopelesse dett:                    865
+Now like a lawyer, when he land would lett,
+Or sell fee-simples in his masters name,
+Which he had never, nor ought like the same;
+Then would he be a broker, and draw in
+Both wares and money, by exchange to win:                    870
+Then would he seeme a farmer, that would sell
+Bargaines of woods, which he did lately fell,
+Or corne, or cattle, or such other ware,
+Thereby to coosin men not well aware:
+Of all the which there came a secret fee                    875
+To th’Ape, that he his countenaunce might bee.
+Besides all this, he us’d oft to beguile
+Poore suters that in court did haunt some while:
+For he would learne their busines secretly,
+And then informe his master hastely,                    880
+That he by meanes might cast them to prevent,
+                    [_Prevent_, anticipate.]
+And beg the sute the which the other ment.
+Or otherwise false Reynold would abuse
+The simple suter, and wish him to chuse
+His master, being one of great regard                    885
+In court, to compas anie sute not hard,
+In case his paines were recompenst with reason:
+So would he worke the silly man by treason
+To buy his masters frivolous good will,
+That had not power to doo him good or ill.                    890
+So pitifull a thing is suters state!
+Most miserable man, whom wicked fate
+Hath brought to court, to sue for had-ywist,
+That few have found, and manie one hath mist!
+Full little knowest thou that hast not tride,                    895
+What hell it is in suing long to bide:
+To loose good dayes, that might be better spent;
+To wast long nights in pensive discontent;
+To speed to day, to be put back to morrow;
+To feed on hope, to pine with feare and sorrow;                    900
+To have thy Princes grace, yet want her Peeres;
+To have thy asking, yet waite manie yeeres;
+To fret thy soule with crosses and with cares;
+To eate thy heart through comfortlesse dispaires;
+To fawne, to crowche, to waite, to ride, to ronne,                   
+905
+To spend, to give, to want, to be undonne.
+Unhappie wight, borne to desastrous end,
+That doth his life in so long tendance spend!
+Who ever leaves sweete home, where meane estate
+In safe assurance, without strife or hate,                    910
+Findes all things needfull for contentment meeke,
+And will to court for shadowes vaine to seeke,
+Or hope to gaine, himselfe will a daw trie:
+That curse God send unto mine enemie!
+For none but such as this bold Ape unblest                    915
+Can ever thrive in that unluckie quest;
+Or such as hath a Reynold to his man,
+That by his shifts his master furnish can.
+But yet this Foxe could not so closely hide
+His craftie feates, but that they were descride                    920
+At length by such as sate in iustice seate,
+Who for the same him fowlie did entreate;
+And, having worthily him punished,
+Out of the court for ever banished.
+And now the Ape, wanting his huckster man,                    925
+That wont provide his necessaries, gan
+To growe into great lacke, ne could upholde
+His countenaunce in those his garments olde;
+Ne new ones could he easily provide,
+Though all men him uncased gan deride,                    930
+Like as a puppit placed in a play,
+Whose part once past all men bid take away:
+So that he driven was to great distresse,
+And shortly brought to hopelesse wretchednesse.
+Then closely as he might he cast to leave                    935
+The court, not asking any passe or leave;
+But ran away in his rent rags by night,
+Ne ever stayd in place, ne spake to wight,
+Till that the Foxe, his copesmate, he had found;
+                    [_Copesmate_, partner in trade.]
+To whome complayning his unhappie stound,                    940
+                    [_Stound_, plight, exigency.]
+At last againe with him in travell ioynd,
+And with him far’d some better chaunee to fynde.
+So in the world long time they wandered,
+And mickle want and hardnesse suffered;
+That them repented much so foolishly                    945
+To come so farre to seeke for misery,
+And leave the sweetnes of contented home,
+Though eating hipps and drinking watry fome.
+                    [_Hipps_, dog-rose berries.]
+Thus as they them complayned too and fro,
+Whilst through the forest rechlesse they did goe,                   
+950
+                    [_Rechlesse_, reckless.]
+Lo! where they spide how in a gloomy glade
+The Lyon sleeping lay in secret shade,
+His crowne and scepter lying him beside,
+And having doft for heate his dreadfull hide:
+Which when they saw, the Ape was sore afrayde,                    955
+And would have fled with terror all dismayde.
+But him the Foxe with hardy words did stay,
+And bad him put all cowardize away;
+For now was time, if ever they would hope,
+To ayme their counsels to the fairest scope,                    960
+And them for ever highly to advaunce,
+In case the good which their owne happie chaunce
+Them freely offred they would wisely take.
+Scarse could the Ape yet speake, so did he quake;
+Yet, as he could, he askt how good might growe                    965
+Where nought but dread and death do seeme in show.
+“Now,” sayd he, “whiles the Lyon sleepeth sound,
+May we his crowne and mace take from the ground,
+And eke his skinne, the terror of the wood,
+Wherewith we may our selves, if we thinke good,                    970
+Make kings of beasts, and lords of forests all
+Subiect unto that powre imperiall.”
+“Ah! but,” sayd the Ape, “who is so bold a wretch,
+That dare his hardy hand to those outstretch,
+When as he knowes his meede, if he be spide,                    975
+To be a thousand deathes, and shame beside?”
+“Fond Ape!” sayd then the Foxe, “into whose brest
+Never crept thought of honor nor brave gest,
+                    [_Gest_, deed.]
+Who will not venture life a king to be,
+And rather rule and raigne in soveraign see,                    980
+Than dwell in dust inglorious and bace,
+Where none shall name the number of his place?
+One ioyous howre in blisfull happines,
+I chose before a life of wretchednes.
+Be therefore counselled herein by me,                    985
+And shake off this vile-harted cowardree.
+If he awake, yet is not death the next,
+For we may colour it with some pretext
+Of this or that, that may excuse the cryme:
+Else we may flye; thou to a tree mayst clyme,                    990
+And I creepe under ground; both from his reach:
+Therefore be rul’d to doo as I doo teach.”
+The Ape, that earst did nought but chill and quake,
+Now gan some courage unto him to take,
+And was content to attempt that enterprise,                    995
+Tickled with glorie and rash covetise.
+But first gan question, whether should assay
+                    [_Whether_, which of the two.]
+Those royall ornaments to steale away?
+“Marie, that shall your selfe,” quoth he theretoo,
+“For ye be fine and nimble it to doo;                    1000
+Of all the beasts which in the forrests bee
+Is not a fitter for this turne than yee:
+Therefore, mine owne deare brother, take good hart,
+And ever thinke a kingdome is your part.”
+Loath was the Ape, though praised, to adventer,                    1005
+Yet faintly gan into his worke to enter,
+Afraid of everie leafe that stir’d him by,
+And everie stick that underneath did ly:
+Upon his tiptoes nicely he up went,
+For making noyse, and still his eare he lent                    1010
+To everie sound that under heaven blew;
+Now went, now stopt, now crept, now backward drew,
+That it good sport had been him to have eyde.
+Yet at the last, so well he him applyde,
+Through his fine handling and cleanly play                    1015
+He all those royall signes had stolne away,
+And with the Foxes helpe them borne aside
+Into a secret corner unespide.
+Whither whenas they came they fell at words,
+Whether of them should be the lords of lords:                    1020
+For th’Ape was stryfull and ambicious,
+And the Foxe guilefull and most covetous;
+That neither pleased was to have the rayne
+Twixt them divided into even twaine,
+But either algates would be lords alone:                    1025
+                    [_Algates_, by all means.]
+For love and lordship bide no paragone.
+                    [_Paragone_, equal, partner.]
+“I am most worthie,” said the Ape, “sith I
+For it did put my life in ieopardie:
+Thereto I am in person and in stature
+Most like a man, the lord of everie creature,                    1030
+So that it seemeth I was made to raigne,
+And borne to be a kingly soveraigne.”
+“Nay,” said the Foxe, “Sir Ape, you are astray;
+For though to steale the diademe away
+Were the worke of your nimble hand, yet I                    1035
+Did first devise the plot by pollicie;
+So that it wholly springeth from my wit:
+For which also I claime my selfe more fit
+Than you to rule: for government of state
+Will without wisedome soone be ruinate.                    1040
+And where ye claime your selfe for outward shape
+Most like a man, man is not like an ape
+In his chiefe parts, that is, in wit and spirite;
+But I therein most like to him doo merite,
+For my slie wyles and subtill craftinesse,                    1045
+The title of the kingdome to possesse.
+Nath’les, my brother, since we passed are
+Unto this point, we will appease our iarre;
+And I with reason meete will rest content,
+That ye shall have both crowne and government,                    1050
+Upon condition that ye ruled bee
+In all affaires, and counselled by mee;
+And that ye let none other ever drawe
+Your minde from me, but keepe this as a lawe:
+And hereupon an oath unto me plight.”                    1055
+The Ape was glad to end the strife so light,
+And thereto swore: for who would not oft sweare,
+And oft unsweare, a diademe to beare?
+Then freely up those royall spoyles he tooke,
+Yet at the Lyons skin he inly quooke;                    1060
+But it dissembled, and upon his head
+The crowne, and on his backe the skin, he did,
+And the false Foxe him helped to array.
+Then when he was all dight he tooke his way
+Into the forest, that he might be seene                    1065
+Of the wilde beasts in his new glory sheene.
+There the two first whome he encountred were
+The Sheepe and th’Asse, who, striken both with feare
+At sight of him, gan fast away to flye;
+But unto them the Foxe alowd did cry,                    1070
+And in the kings name bad them both to stay,
+Upon the payne that thereof follow may.
+Hardly naythles were they restrayned so,
+Till that the Foxe forth toward them did goe,
+And there disswaded them from needlease feare,                    1075
+For that the King did favour to them beare;
+And therefore dreadles bad them come to corte;
+For no wild beasts should do them any torte
+                    [_Torte_, wrong.]
+There or abroad, ne would his Maiestye
+Use them but well, with gracious clemencye,                    1080
+As whome he knew to him both fast and true.
+So he perswaded them with homage due
+Themselves to humble to the Ape prostrate,
+Who, gently to them bowing in his gate,
+                    [_Gate_, way.]
+Receyved them with chearefull entertayne.                    1085
+Thenceforth proceeding with his princely trayne,
+He shortly met the Tygre, and the Bore,
+Which with the simple Camell raged sore
+In bitter words, seeking to take occasion
+Upon his fleshly corpse to make invasion:                    1090
+But soone as they this mock-king did espy,
+Their troublous strife they stinted by and by,
+                    [_Stinted by and by_, stopped at once.]
+Thinking indeed that it the Lyon was.
+He then, to prove whether his powre would pas
+As currant, sent the Foxe to them streight way,                    1095
+Commaunding them their cause of strife bewray;
+And, if that wrong on eyther side there were,
+That he should warne the wronger to appeare
+The morrow next at court, it to defend;
+In the meane time upon the King t’attend.                    1100
+The subtile Foxe so well his message sayd,
+That the proud beasts him readily obayd:
+Whereby the Ape in wondrous stomack woxe,
+Strongly encorag’d by the crafty Foxe;
+That king indeed himselfe he shortly thought,                    1105
+And all the beasts him feared as they ought,
+And followed unto his palaice hye;
+Where taking congé, each one by and by
+Departed to his home in dreadfull awe,
+Full of the feared sight which late they sawe.                    1110
+The Ape, thus seized of the regall throne,
+Eftsones by counsell of the Foxe alone
+Gan to provide for all things in assurance,
+That so his rule might lenger have endurance.
+First, to his gate be pointed a strong gard,                    1115
+That none might enter but with issue hard:
+Then, for the safegard of his personage,
+He did appoint a warlike equipage
+Of forreine beasts, not in the forest bred,
+But part by land and part by water fed;                    1120
+For tyrannie is with strange ayde supported.
+Then unto him all monstrous beasts resorted
+Bred of two kindes, as Griffons, Minotaures,
+Crocodiles, Dragons, Beavers, and Centaures:
+With those himselfe he strengthned mightelie,                    1125
+That feare he neede no force of enemie.
+Then gan he rule and tyrannize at will,
+Like as the Foxe did guide his graceles skill;
+And all wylde beasts made vassals of his pleasures,
+And with their spoyles enlarg’d his private treasures.
+No care of iustice, nor no rule of reason,                    1131
+No temperance, nor no regard of season,
+Did thenceforth ever enter in his minde;
+But crueltie, the signe of currish kinde,
+And sdeignfull pride, and wilfull arrogaunce;                    1135
+Such followes those whom fortune doth advaunce.
+But the false Foxe most kindly plaid his part:
+                    [_Kindly_, according to his nature.]
+For whatsoever mother-wit or arte
+Could worke, he put in proofe: no practise slie,
+No counterpoint of cunning policie,                    1140
+                    [_Counterpoint_, counterplot.]
+Ne reach, no breach, that might him profit bring,
+But he the same did to his purpose wring.
+Nought suffered he the Ape to give or graunt,
+But through his hand must passe the fiaunt.
+                    [_Fiaunt_, fiat.]
+All offices, all leases by him lept,                    1145
+And of them all whatso he likte he kept.
+Iustice he solde iniustice for to buy,
+And for to purchase for his progeny.
+                    [_Purchase_, collect spoil.]
+Ill might it prosper that ill gotten was,
+But, so he got it, little did he pas.                    1150
+                    [_Pas_, care.]
+He fed his cubs with fat of all the soyle,
+And with the sweete of others sweating toyle;
+He crammed them with crumbs of benefices,
+And fild their mouthes with meeds of malefices;
+                    [_Malifices_, evil deeds.]
+He cloathed them with all colours save white,                    1155
+And loded them with lordships and with might,
+So much as they were able well to beare,
+That with the weight their backs nigh broken were.
+He chaffred chayres in which churchmen were set,
+                    [_Chaffred_, bartered.]
+And breach of lawes to privie ferme did let.                    1160
+                    [_Ferme_, farm.]
+No statute so established might bee,
+Nor ordinaunce so needfull, but that hee
+Would violate, though not with violence,
+Yet under colour of the confidence
+The which the Ape repos’d in him alone,                    1165
+And reckned him the kingdomes corner stone.
+And ever, when he ought would bring to pas,
+His long experience the platforme was:
+And when he ought not pleasing would put by
+The cloke was care of thrift, and husbandry,                    1170
+For to encrease the common treasures store.
+But his owne treasure he encreased more,
+And lifted up his loftie towres thereby,
+That they began to threat the neighbour sky;
+The whiles the princes pallaces fell fast                    1175
+To ruine; for what thing can ever last?
+And whilest the other peeres for povertie
+Were forst their auncient houses to let lie,
+And their olde castles to the ground to fall,
+Which their forefathers famous over-all                    1180
+                    [_Over-all_, everywhere.]
+Had founded for the kingdomes ornament,
+And for their memories long moniment.
+But he no count made of nobilitie,
+Nor the wilde beasts whom armes did glorifie,                    1185
+The realmes chiefe strength and girlond of the crowne.
+All these through fained crimes he thrust adowne,
+Or made them dwell in darknes of disgrace:
+For none but whom he list might come in place.
+Of men of armes he had but small regard,
+But kept them lowe, and streigned verie hard.                    1190
+For men of learning little he esteemed;
+His wisedome he above their learning deemed.
+As for the rascall commons, least he cared,
+For not so common was his bountie shared:                    1194
+“Let God,” said he, “if please, care for the manie,
+I for my selfe must care before els anie.”
+So did he good to none, to manie ill,
+So did he all the kingdome rob and pill,
+                    [_Pill_, plunder.]
+Yet none durst speake, ne none durst of him plaine;
+So great he was in grace, and rich through game.
+Ne would he anie let to have accesse                    1201
+Unto the Prince, but by his owne addresse:
+For all that els did come were sure to faile;
+Yet would he further none but for availe.
+For on a time the Sheepe, to whom of yore                    1205
+The Foxe had promised of friendship store,
+What time the Ape the kingdome first did gaine,
+Came to the court, her case there to complaine;
+How that the Wolfe, her mortall enemie,
+Had sithence slaine her lambe most cruellie;                    1210
+                    [_Sithence_, since.]
+And therefore crav’d to come unto the King,
+To let him knowe the order of the thing.
+“Soft, Gooddie Sheepe!” then said the Foxe, “not soe:
+Unto the King so rash ye may not goe;
+He is with greater matter busied                    1215
+Than a lambe, or the lambes owne mothers hed.
+Ne certes may I take it well in part,
+That ye my cousin Wolfe so fowly thwart,
+And seeke with slaunder his good name to blot:
+For there was cause, els doo it he would not:                    1220
+Therefore surcease, good dame, and hence depart.”
+So went the Sheepe away with heavie hart;
+So manie moe, so everie one was used,
+That to give largely to the boxe refused.
+
+
+Now when high Iove, in whose almightie hand                    1225
+The care of kings and power of empires stand,
+Sitting one day within his turret hye,
+From whence he vewes with his black-lidded eye
+Whatso the heaven in his wide vawte containes,
+And all that in the deepest earth remaines,                    1230
+And troubled kingdome of wilde beasts behelde,
+Whom not their kindly sovereigne did welde,
+     [_Welde_, govern.]
+But an usurping Ape, with guile suborn’d,
+Had all subverst, he sdeignfully it scorn’d
+In his great heart, and hardly did refraine                    1235
+But that with thunder bolts he had him slaine,
+And driven downe to hell, his dewest meed.
+But him avizing, he that dreadfull deed
+Forbore, and rather chose with scornfull shame
+Him to avenge, and blot his brutish name                    1240
+Unto the world, that never after anie
+Should of his race be voyd of infamie;
+And his false counsellor, the cause of all,
+To damne to death, or dole perpetuall,
+From whence he never should be quit nor stal’d.
+     [_Stal’d_, forestalled (?).]
+Forthwith he Mercurie unto him cal’d,                    1246
+And bad him flie with never-resting speed
+Unto the forrest, where wilde beasts doo breed,
+And, there enquiring privily, to learne
+What did of late chaunce to the Lyon stearne,                    1250
+That he rul’d not the empire, as he ought;
+And whence were all those plaints unto him brought
+Of wrongs and spoyles by salvage beasts committed:
+Which done, he bad the Lyon be remitted
+Into his seate, and those same treachours vile                    1255
+     [_Treachours_, traitors.]
+Be punished for their presumptuous guile.
+The sonne of Maia, soone as he receiv’d
+That word, streight with his azure wings he cleav’d
+The liquid clowdes and lucid firmament,
+Ne staid till that he came with steep descent                    1260
+Unto the place where his prescript did showe.
+There stouping, like an arrowe from a bowe,
+He soft arrived on the grassie plaine,
+And fairly paced forth with easie paine,
+Till that unto the pallace nigh he came.                    1265
+Then gan he to himselfe new shape to frame,
+And that faire face, and that ambrosiall hew,
+Which wonts to decke the gods immortall crew,
+And beautefie the shinie firmament,
+He doft, unfit for that rude rabblement.                    1270
+So, standing by the gates in strange disguize,
+He gan enquire of some in secret wize,
+Both of the King, and of his government,
+And of the Foxe, and his false blandishment:
+And evermore he heard each one complaine                    1275
+Of foule abuses both in realme and raine:
+Which yet to prove more true, he meant to see,
+And an ey-witnes of each thing to bee.
+Tho on his head his dreadfull hat he dight,
+Which maketh him invisible in sight,                    1280
+And mocketh th’eyes of all the lookers on,
+Making them thinke it but a vision.
+Through power of that he runnes through enemies swerds;
+Through power of that he passeth through the herds
+Of ravenous wilde beasts, and doth beguile                    1285
+Their greedie mouthes of the expected spoyle;
+Through power of that his cunning theeveries
+He wonts to worke, that none the same espies;
+And through the power of that he putteth on
+What shape he list in apparition.                    1290
+That on his head he wore, and in his hand
+He tooke caduceus, his snakie wand,
+With which the damned ghosts he governeth,
+And furies rules, and Tartare tempereth.
+With that he causeth sleep to seize the eyes,                    1295
+And feare the harts, of all his enemyes;
+And when him list, an universall night
+Throughout the world he makes on everie wight;
+As when his syre with Alcumena lay.
+Thus dight, into the court he tooke his way,                    1300
+Both through the gard, which never him descride,
+And through the watchmen, who him never spide:
+Thenceforth he past into each secrete part,
+Whereas he saw, that sorely griev’d his hart,
+Each place abounding with fowle iniuries,                    1305
+And fild with treasure rackt with robberies;
+Each place defilde with blood of guiltles beasts
+Which had been slaine to serve the Apes beheasts;
+Gluttonie, malice, pride, and covetize,
+And lawlesnes raigning with riotize;                    1310
+Besides the infinite extortions,
+Done through the Foxes great oppressions,
+That the complaints thereof could not be tolde.
+Which when he did with lothfull eyes beholde,
+He would no more endure, but came his way,                    1315
+And cast to seeke the Lion, where he may,
+     [_Cast_, projected.]
+That he might worke the avengement for this shame
+On those two caytives which had bred him blame
+And seeking all the forrest busily,
+At last he found where sleeping he did ly.                    1320
+The wicked weed which there the Foxe did lay
+From underneath his head he tooke away,
+And then him, waking, forced up to rize.
+The Lion, looking up, gan him avize,
+     [_Avize_, bethink.]
+As one late in a traunce, what had of long                    1325
+Become of him: for fantasie is strong.
+“Arise,” said Mercurie, “thou sluggish beast,
+That here liest senseles, like the corpse deceast,
+The whilste thy kingdome from thy head is rent,
+And thy throne royall with dishonour blent:                    1330
+     [_Blent_, stained.]
+Arise, and doo thy selfe redeeme from shame,
+And be aveng’d on those that breed thy blame.”
+Thereat enraged, soone he gan upstart,
+Grinding his teeth, and grating his great hart;
+And, rouzing up himselfe, for his rough hide                    1335
+He gan to reach; but no where it espide.
+Therewith he gan full terribly to rore,
+And chafte at that indignitie right sore.
+But when his crowne and scepter both he wanted,
+Lord! how he fum’d, and sweld, and rag’d, and panted,
+And threatned death and thousand deadly dolours
+To them that had purloyn’d his princely honours.
+With that in hast, disroabed as he was,
+He toward his owne pallace forth did pas;
+And all the way he roared as he went,                    1345
+That all the forrest with astonishment
+Thereof did tremble, and the beasts therein
+Fled fast away from that so dreadfull din.
+At last he came unto his mansion,
+Where all the gates he found fast lockt anon                    1350
+And manie warders round about them stood:
+With that he roar’d alowd, as he were wood,
+     [_Wood_, frantic.]
+That all the pallace quaked at the stound,
+     [_Stound_, (time, scene) tumult.]
+As if it quite were riven from the ground,
+And all within were dead and hartles left;                    1355
+And th’Ape himselfe, as one whose wits were reft,
+Fled here and there, and everie corner sought.
+To hide himselfe from his owne feared thought.
+But the false Foxe, when he the Lion heard,
+Fled closely forth, streightway of death afeard,                   
+1360
+     [_Closely_, secretly.]
+And to the Lion came, full lowly creeping,
+With fained face, and watrie eyne halfe weeping,
+T’excuse his former treason and abusion,
+And turning all unto the Apes confusion:
+Nath’les the royall beast forbore beleeving,                    1365
+But bad him stay at ease till further preeving.
+     [_Preeving_, proving.]
+Then when he saw no entrance to him graunted,
+Roaring yet lowder that all harts it daunted,
+Upon those gates with force he fiercely newe,
+And, rending them in pieces, felly slewe                    1370
+Those warders strange, and all that els he met
+But th’Ape still flying he no where might get:
+From rowme to rowme, from beame to beame he fled,
+All breathles, and for feare now almost ded:
+Yet him at last the Lyon spide, and caught,                    1375
+And forth with shame unto his iudgement brought.
+Then all the beasts he causd’ assembled bee,
+To heare their doome, and sad ensample see:
+The Foxe, first author of that treacherie
+He did uncase, and then away let flie.                    1380
+     [_Uncase_, strip of his disguise.]
+But th’Apes long taile (which then he had) he quight
+Cut off, and both eares pared of their hight;
+Since which, all Apes but halfe their eares have left,
+And of their tailes are utterlie bereft.
+
+
+So Mother Hubberd her discourse did end:                    1385
+Which pardon me if I amisse have pend,
+For weake was my remembrance it to hold,
+And bad her tongue that it so bluntly tolde.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE. This charming little poem, Spenser’s only
+successful effort at satire, is stated by the author to have been
+composed in the raw conceit of his youth. There is internal evidence,
+however, that some of the happiest passages were added at the date of
+its publication, at which time the whole was probably retouched.
+Although Mother Hubberds Tale is in its plan an imitation of the
+satires of Reynard the Fox; the treatment of the subject is quite
+original. For the combination of elegance with simplicity, this poem
+will stand a comparison with Goethe’s celebrated translation of the
+Reineke. C.
+
+
+Ver. I.—_It was the month_, &c. August.
+
+
+Ver. 453.—_Diriges_, dirges. The office for the dead received this name
+from the antiphon with which the first nocturne in the mattens
+commenced, taken from Psalm v. 8, “Dirige, Domine Deus meus, in
+conspectu tuo viam meam.” Way’s _Promptorium Parvulorum._ C.
+
+
+Ver. 519.—_Scarse can a bishoprick_, &c. This is probably an allusion
+to the frequent alienations of the lands and manors of bishoprics in
+Elizabeth’s time. TODD.
+
+
+Ver. 562.—_The ordinarie._ An ordinary is a judge having jurisdiction
+in ecclesiastical matters. In England, it is usually the bishop of the
+diocese. H.
+
+
+Ver. 623, 624.—The Queen was so much pleased with the results of the
+Portugal expedition of 1589, that she honored the commanders, and Sir
+Walter Raleigh among the rest, with a gold chain. C.
+
+
+Ver. 717.—_The brave courtier_, &c. This description is perhaps
+intended for Sir Philip Sidney. C.
+
+
+Ver. 893.—Had-ywist. That is, _had I wist! had I known_ that it would
+end so! a proverbial expression for late repentance consequent on
+disappointment. C.
+
+
+Ver. 901.—_To have thy Princes grace, yet want her Peeres._ Elizabeth
+was said to have granted Spenser a pension which Burghley intercepted,
+and to have ordered him a gratuity which her minister neglected to pay.
+C.
+
+
+Ver. 913.—_Himselfe will a daw trie._ So the old copy: the reading
+should probably be _himselfe a daw will trie_, prove or find himself by
+experience to be a daw or fool. C.
+
+
+Ver. 1189.—_Of men of armes,_ &c. This passage certainly provokes an
+application to Lord Burghley, and was probably intended for him. C.
+
+
+
+
+RUINES OF ROME:
+
+BY BELLAY*
+
+
+[* Joachim du Bellay, a French poet of considerable reputation in his
+day, died in 1560. These sonnets are translated from _Le Premier Livre
+des Antiquez de Rome_. Further on we have the Visions of Bellay,
+translated from the _Songes_ of the same author. The best that can be
+said of these sonnets seems to be, that they are not inferior to the
+original. C.]
+
+I.
+
+Ye heavenly spirites, whose ashie cinders lie
+Under deep ruines, with huge walls opprest,
+But not your praise, the which shall never die
+Through your faire verses, ne in ashes rest;
+If so be shrilling voyce of wight alive
+May reach from hence to depth of darkest hell,
+Then let those deep abysses open rive,
+That ye may understand my shreiking yell!
+Thrice having seene under the heavens veale
+Your toombs devoted compasse over all,
+Thrice unto you with lowd voyce I appeale,
+And for your antique furie here doo call,
+  The whiles that I with sacred horror sing
+  Your glorie, fairest of all earthly thing!
+
+II.
+
+Great Babylon her haughtie walls will praise,
+And sharped steeples high shot up in ayre;
+Greece will the olde Ephesian buildings blaze,
+And Nylus nurslings their Pyramides faire;
+The same yet vaunting Greece will tell the storie
+Of Ioves great image in Olympus placed;
+Mausolus worke will be the Carians glorie,
+And Crete will boast the Labyrinth, now raced;
+The antique Rhodian will likewise set forth
+The great Colosse, erect to Memorie;
+And what els in the world is of like worth,
+Some greater learned wit will magnifie.
+  But I will sing above all moniments
+  Seven Romane Hils, the worlds seven wonderments.
+
+III.
+
+Thou stranger, which for Rome in Rome hero seekest,
+And nought of Rome in Rome perceiv’st at all,
+These same olde walls, olde arches, which thou seest,
+Olde palaces, is that which Rome men call.
+Beholde what wreake, what mine, and what wast,
+And how that she which with her mightie powre
+Tam’d all the world hath tam’d herselfe at last;
+The pray of Time, which all things doth devowre!
+Rome now of Rome is th’onely funerall,
+And onely Rome of Rome hath victorie;
+Ne ought save Tyber hastning to his fall
+Remaines of all: O worlds inconstancie!
+  That which is firme doth flit and fall away,
+  And that is flitting doth abide and stay.
+
+IV.
+
+She whose high top above the starres did sore,
+One foote on Thetis, th’other on the Morning,
+One hand on Scythia, th’other on the More,
+Both heaven and earth in roundnesse compassing;
+Iove fearing, least if she should greater growe,
+The old giants should once againe uprise,
+Her whelm’d with hills, these seven hils, which be nowe
+Tombes of her greatnes which did threate the skies:
+Upon her head he heapt Mount Saturnal,
+Upon her bellie th’antique Palatine,
+Upon her stomacke laid Mount Quirinal,
+On her left hand the noysome Esquiline,
+  And Caelian on the right; but both her feete
+  Mount Viminal and Aventine doo meete.
+
+V.
+
+Who lists to see what ever nature, arte,
+And heaven could doo, O Rome, thee let him see,
+In case thy greatnes he can gesse in harte
+By that which but the picture is of thee!
+Rome is no more: but if the shade of Rome
+May of the bodie yeeld a seeming sight,
+It’s like a corse drawne forth out of the tombe
+By magicke skill out of eternall night:
+The corpes of Rome in ashes is entombed,
+And her great spirite, reioyned to the spirite
+Of this great masse, is in the same enwombed;
+But her brave writings, which, her famous merite
+  In spight of Time out of the dust doth reare,
+  Doo make her idole* through the world appeare.
+[* _Idole_, image, idea.]
+
+VI.
+
+Such as the Berecynthian goddesse bright,
+In her swifte charret with high turrets crownde,
+Proud that so manie gods she brought to light,
+Such was this citie in her good daies fownd:
+This citie, more than that great Phrygian mother
+Renowm’d for fruite of famous progenie,
+Whose greatnes by the greatnes of none other,
+But by her selfe, her equall match could see:
+Rome onely might to Rome compared bee,
+And onely Rome could make great Rome to tremble:
+So did the gods by heavenly doome decree,
+That other earthlie power should not resemble
+  Her that did match the whole earths puissaunce,
+  And did her courage to the heavens advaunce.
+
+VII.
+
+Ye sacred ruines, and ye tragick sights,
+Which onely doo the name of Rome retaine,
+Olde moniments, which of so famous sprights
+The honour yet in ashes doo maintaine,
+Triumphant arcks, spyres neighbours to the skie,
+That you to see doth th’heaven it selfe appall,
+Alas! by little ye to nothing flie,
+The peoples fable, and the spoyle of all!
+And though your frames do for a time make warre
+Gainst Time, yet Time in time shall ruinate
+Your workes and names, and your last reliques marre.
+My sad desires, rest therefore moderate!
+  For if that Time make ende of things so sure,
+  It als will end the paine which I endure.
+
+VIII.
+
+Through armes and vassals Rome the world subdu’d,
+That one would weene that one sole cities strength
+Both land and sea in roundnes had survew’d,
+To be the measure of her bredth and length:
+This peoples vertue yet so fruitfull was
+Of vertuous nephewes*, that posteritie,
+Striving in power their grandfathers to passe,
+The lowest earth ioin’d to the heaven hie;
+To th’end that, having all parts in their power,
+Nought from the Romane Empire might be quight**;
+And that though Time doth commonwealths devowre,
+Yet no time should so low embase their hight,
+  That her head, earth’d in her foundations deep,
+  Should not her name and endles honour keep.
+[* _Nephewes_, descendants.]
+[** _Quight_, quit, free.]
+
+IX.
+
+Ye cruell starres, and eke ye gods unkinde,
+Heaven envious, and bitter stepdame Nature!
+Be it by fortune, or by course of kinde*,
+That ye doo weld th’affaires of earthlie creature;
+Why have your hands long sithence traveiled
+To frame this world, that doth endure so long?
+Or why were not these Romane palaces
+Made of some matter no lesse firme and strong?
+I say not, as the common voyce doth say,
+That all things which beneath the moone have being
+Are temporall and subiect to decay:
+But I say rather, though not all agreeing
+  With some that weene the contrarie in thought,
+  That all this whole shall one day come to nought.
+[* _Kinde_, nature.]
+
+X.
+
+As that brave sonne of Aeson, which by charmes
+Atcheiv’d the golden fleece in Colchid land,
+Out of the earth engendred men of armes
+Of dragons teeth, sowne in the sacred sand,
+So this brave towne, that in her youthlie daies
+An hydra was of warriours glorious,
+Did fill with her renowmed nourslings praise
+The firie sunnes both one and other hous:
+But they at last, there being then not living
+An Hercules so ranke seed to represse,
+Emongst themselves with cruell furie striving,
+Mow’d downe themselves with slaughter mercilesse;
+  Renewing in themselves that rage unkinde,
+  Which whilom did those earthborn brethren blinde.
+
+XI.
+
+Mars, shaming to have given so great head
+To his off-spring, that mortall puissaunce,
+Puft up with pride of Romane hardiehead,
+Seem’d above heavens powre it selfe to advaunce,
+Cooling againe his former kindled heate
+With which he had those Romane spirits fild.
+Did blowe new fire, and with enflamed breath
+Into the Gothicke colde hot rage instil’d.
+Then gan that nation, th’earths new giant brood,
+To dart abroad the thunderbolts of warre,
+And, beating downe these walls with furious mood
+Into her mothers bosome, all did marre;
+  To th’end that none, all were it* Iove his sire,
+  Should boast himselfe of the Romane empire.
+[* _All were it_, although it were.]
+
+XII.
+
+Like as whilome the children of the earth
+Heapt hils on hils to scale the starrie skie,
+And fight against the gods of heavenly berth,
+Whiles Iove at them his thunderbolts let flie;
+All suddenly with lightning overthrowne,
+The furious squadrons downe to ground did fall,
+That th’earth under her childrens weight did grone,
+And th’heavens in glorie triumpht over all;
+So did that haughtie front, which heaped was
+On these seven Romane hils, it selfe upreare
+Over the world, and lift her loftie face
+Against the heaven, that gan her force to feare.
+  But now these scorned fields bemone her fall,
+  And gods secure feare not her force at all.
+
+XIII.
+
+Nor the swift furie of the flames aspiring,
+Nor the deep wounds of victours raging blade,
+Nor ruthlesse spoyle of souldiers blood-desiring,
+The which so oft thee, Rome, their conquest made,
+Ne stroke on stroke of fortune variable,
+Ne rust of age hating continuance,
+Nor wrath of gods, nor spight of men unstable,
+Nor thou oppos’d against thine owne puissance,
+Nor th’horrible uprore of windes high blowing,
+Nor swelling streames of that god snakie-paced*
+Which hath so often with his overflowing
+Thee drenched, have thy pride so much abaced,
+  But that this nothing, which they have thee left,
+  Makes the world wonder what they from thee reft.
+[* _Snakie-paced_, winding; or perhaps (like Ovid’s _anguipes_) swift.]
+
+XIV.
+
+As men in summer fearles passe the foord
+Which is in winter lord of all the plaine,
+And with his tumbling streames doth beare aboord*
+The ploughmans hope and shepheards labour vaine,
+And as the coward beasts use to despise
+The noble lion after his lives end,
+Whetting their teeth, and with vaine foolhardise
+Daring the foe that cannot him defend,
+And as at Troy most dastards of the Greekes
+Did brave about the corpes of Hector colde,
+So those which whilome wont with pallid cheekes
+The Romane triumphs glorie to behold,
+  Now on these ashie tombes shew boldnesse vaine,
+  And, conquer’d, dare the conquerour disdaine.
+[*_Aboord_, into the current.]
+
+XV.
+
+Ye pallid spirits, and ye ashie ghoasts,
+Which, ioying in the brightnes of your day,
+Brought foorth those signes of your presumptuous boasts
+Which now their dusty reliques do bewray,
+Tell me, ye spirits! (sith the darksome river
+Of Styx, not passable to soules returning,
+Enclosing you in thrice three wards for ever,
+Doo not restraine your images still mourning,)
+Tell me then, (for perhaps some one of you
+Yet here above him secretly doth hide,)
+Doo ye not feele your torments to accrewe,
+When ye sometimes behold the ruin’d pride
+  Of these old Romane works, built with your hands,
+  To become nought els but heaped sands?
+
+XVI.
+
+Like as ye see the wrathfull sea from farre
+In a great mountaine heap’t with hideous noyse,
+Eftsoones of thousand billowes shouldred narre*,
+Against a rocke to breake with dreadfull poyse;
+Like as ye see fell Boreas with sharpe blast
+Tossing huge tempests through the troubled skie,
+Eftsoones having his wide wings spent in wast,
+To stop his wearie cariere** suddenly;
+And as ye see huge flames spred diverslie,
+Gathered in one up to the heavens to spyre,
+Eftsoones consum’d to fall downe feebily,
+So whilom did this monarchie aspyre
+  As waves, as winde, as fire, spred over all,
+  Till it by fatall doome adowne did fall.
+[* _Narre_, nearer.]
+[** _Cariere_, career.]
+
+XVII.
+
+So long as Ioves great bird did make his flight,
+Bearing the fire with which heaven doth us fray,
+Heaven had not feare of that presumptuous might,
+With which the giaunts did the gods assay:
+But all so soone as scortching sunne had brent*
+His wings which wont the earth to overspredd,
+The earth out of her massie wombe forth sent
+That antique horror which made heaven adredd.
+Then was the Germane raven in disguise
+That Romane eagle seene to cleave asunder,
+And towards heaven freshly to arise
+Out of these mountaines, now consum’d to pouder.
+  In which the foule that serves to beare the lightning
+  Is now no more seen flying nor alighting.
+[* _Brent_, burned.]
+
+XVIII.
+
+These heapes of stones, these old wals which ye see,
+Were first enclosures but of salvage soyle;
+And these brave pallaces, which maystred bee
+Of time, were shepheards cottages somewhile.
+Then tooke the shepheards kingly ornaments
+And the stout hynde arm’d his right hand with steele:
+Eftsoones their rule of yearely presidents
+Grew great, and sixe months greater a great deele;
+Which, made perpetuall, rose to so great might,
+That thence th’imperiall eagle rooting tooke,
+Till th’heaven it selfe, opposing gainst her might,
+Her power to Peters successor betooke,
+  Who, shepheardlike, (as Fates the same foreseeing,)
+  Doth shew that all things turne to their first being.
+[XVIII. 8.—_Sixe months_, &c. The term of the dictatorship at Rome.]
+
+XIX.
+
+All that is perfect, which th’heaven beautefies;
+All that’s imperfect, borne belowe the moone;
+All that doth feede our spirits and our eies;
+And all that doth consume our pleasures soone;
+All the mishap the which our daies outweares;
+All the good hap of th’oldest times afore,
+Rome, in the time of her great ancesters,
+Like a Pandora, locked long in store.
+But destinie this huge chaos turmoyling,
+In which all good and evill was enclosed,
+Their heavenly vertues from these woes assoyling,
+Caried to heaven, from sinfull bondage losed:
+  But their great sinnes, the causers of their paine,
+  Under these antique ruines yet remaine.
+
+XX.
+
+No otherwise than raynie cloud, first fed
+With earthly vapours gathered in the ayre,
+Eftsoones in compas arch’t, to steepe his hed,
+Doth plonge himselfe in Tethys bosome faire,
+And, mounting up againe from whence he came,
+With his great bellie spreds the dimmed world,
+Till at the last, dissolving his moist frame,
+In raine, or snowe, or haile, he forth is horld,
+This citie, which was first but shepheards shade,
+Uprising by degrees, grewe to such height
+That queene of land and sea her selfe she made.
+At last, not able to beare so great weight,
+  Her power, disperst, through all the world did vade*;
+  To shew that all in th’end to nought shall fade.
+[* _Vade_, vanish.]
+
+XXI.
+
+The same which Pyrrhus and the puissaunce
+Of Afrike could not tame, that same brave citie
+Which, with stout courage arm’d against mischaunce,
+Sustein’d the shocke of common enmitie,
+Long as her ship, tost with so manie freakes,
+Had all the world in armes against her bent,
+Was never seene that anie fortunes wreakes
+Could breake her course begun with brave intent.
+But, when the obiect of her vertue failed,
+Her power it selfe against it selfe did arme;
+As he that having long in tempest sailed
+Faine would arive, but cannot for the storme,
+  If too great winde against the port him drive,
+  Doth in the port it selfe his vessell rive.
+
+XXII.
+
+When that brave honour of the Latine name,
+Which mear’d* her rule with Africa and Byze**,
+With Thames inhabitants of noble fame,
+And they which see the dawning day arize,
+Her nourslings did with mutinous uprore
+Harten against her selfe, her conquer’d spoile,
+Which she had wonne from all the world afore,
+Of all the world was spoyl’d within a while:
+So, when the compast course of the universe
+In sixe and thirtie thousand yeares is ronne,
+The bands of th’elements shall backe reverse
+To their first discord, and be quite undonne;
+  The seedes of which all things at first were bred
+  Shall in great Chaos wombe againe be hid.
+[* _Mear’d_, bounded.]
+[** _Byze_, Byzantium.]
+
+XXIII.
+
+O warie wisedome of the man* that would
+That Carthage towres from spoile should be forborne,
+To th’end that his victorious people should
+With cancring laisure not be overworne!
+He well foresaw how that the Romane courage,
+Impatient of pleasures faint desires,
+Through idlenes would turne to civill rage,
+And be her selfe the matter of her fires.
+For in a people given all to ease,
+Ambition is engendred easily;
+As, in a vicious bodie, grose disease
+Soone growes through humours superfluitie.
+  That came to passe, when, swolne with plenties pride,
+  Nor prince, nor peere, nor kin, they would abide.
+[* I.e. Scipio Nasica.]
+
+XXIV.
+
+If the blinde Furie which warres breedeth oft
+Wonts not t’enrage the hearts of equall beasts,
+Whether they fare on foote, or flie aloft,
+Or armed be with clawes, or scalie creasts,
+What fell Erynnis, with hot burning tongs,
+Did grype your hearts with noysome rage imbew’d,
+That, each to other working cruell wrongs,
+Your blades in your owne bowels you embrew’d?
+Was this, ye Romanes, your hard destinie?
+Or some old sinne, whose unappeased guilt
+Powr’d vengeance forth on you eternallie?
+Or brothers blood, the which at first was spilt
+  Upon your walls, that God might not endure
+  Upon the same to set foundation sure?
+
+XXV.
+
+O that I had the Thracian poets harpe,
+For to awake out of th’infernall shade
+Those antique Caesars, sleeping long in darke,
+The which this auncient citie whilome made!
+Or that I had Amphions instrument,
+To quicken with his vitall notes accord
+The stonie ioynts of these old walls now rent,
+By which th’Ausonian light might be restor’d!
+Or that at least I could with pencill fine
+Fashion the pourtraicts of these palacis,
+By paterne of great Virgils spirit divine!
+I would assay with that which in me is
+  To builde, with levell of my loftie style,
+  That which no hands can evermore compyle.
+
+XXVI.
+
+Who list the Romane greatnes forth to figure,
+Him needeth not to seeke for usage right
+Of line, or lead, or rule, or squaire, to measure
+Her length, her breadth, her deepnes, or her hight;
+But him behooves to vew in compasse round
+All that the ocean graspes in his long armes;
+Be it where the yerely starre doth scortch the ground,
+Or where colde Boreas blowes his bitter stormes.
+Rome was th’whole world, and al the world was Rome;
+And if things nam’d their names doo equalize,
+When land and sea ye name, then name ye Rome,
+And, naming Rome, ye land and sea comprize:
+  For th’auncient plot of Rome, displayed plaine,
+  The map of all the wide world doth containe.
+
+XXVII.
+
+Thou that at Rome astonisht dost behold
+The antique pride which menaced the skie,
+These haughtie heapes, these palaces of olde,
+These wals, these arcks, these baths, these temples his,
+Iudge, by these ample ruines vew, the rest
+The which iniurious time hath quite outworne,
+Since, of all workmen helde in reckning best,
+Yet these olde fragments are for paternes borne:
+Then also marke how Rome, from day to day,
+Repayring her decayed fashion,
+Renewes herselfe with buildings rich and gay;
+That one would iudge that the Romaine Daemon*
+  Doth yet himselfe with fatall hand enforce
+  Againe on foot to reare her pouldred** corse.
+[* _Romaine Daemon_, Genius of Rome.]
+[** _Pouldred_, reduced to dust.]
+
+XXVIII.
+
+He that hath seene a great oke drie and dead,
+Yet clad with reliques of some trophees olde,
+Lifting to heaven her aged hoarie head,
+Whose foote in ground hath left but feeble holde,
+But halfe disbowel’d lies above the ground,
+Shewing her wreathed rootes, and naked armes,
+And on her trunke all rotten and unsound
+Onely supports herselfe for meate of wormes,
+And, though she owe her fall to the first winde,
+Yet of the devout people is ador’d,
+And manie yong plants spring out of her rinde;
+Who such an oke hath seene, let him record
+  That such this cities honour was of yore,
+  And mongst all cities florished much more.
+
+XXIX.
+
+All that which Aegypt whilome did devise,
+All that which Greece their temples to embrave,
+After th’Ionicke, Atticke, Doricke guise,
+Or Corinth skil’d in curious workes to grave,
+All that Lysippus practike* arte could forme,
+Apelles wit, or Phidias his skill,
+Was wont this auncient citie to adorne,
+And the heaven it selfe with her wide wonders fill.
+All that which Athens ever brought forth wise,
+All that which Afrike ever brought forth strange,
+All that which Asie ever had of prise,
+Was here to see. O mervelous great change!
+  Rome, living, was the worlds sole ornament;
+  And, dead, is now the worlds sole moniment.
+[* _Practike_, cunning.]
+
+XXX.
+
+Like as the seeded field greene grasse first showes,
+Then from greene grasse into a stalke doth spring,
+And from a stalke into an eare forth-growes,
+Which eare the frutefull graine doth shortly bring,
+And as in season due the husband* mowes
+The waving lockes of those faire yeallow heares,
+Which, bound in sheaves, and layd in comely rowes,
+Upon the naked fields in stalkes he reares,
+So grew the Romane empire by degree,
+Till that barbarian hands it quite did spill,
+And left of it but these olde markes to see,
+Of which all passers by doo somewhat pill**,
+  As they which gleane, the reliques use to gather
+  Which th’husbandman behind him chanst to scater.
+[* _Husband_, husbandman.]
+[** _Pill_, plunder.]
+
+XXXI.
+
+That same is now nought but a champian wide,
+Where all this worlds pride once was situate.
+No blame to thee, whosoever dost abide
+By Nyle, or Gange, or Tygre, or Euphrate;
+Ne Afrike thereof guiltie is, nor Spaine,
+Nor the bolde people by the Thamis brincks,
+Nor the brave warlicke brood of Alemaine,
+Nor the borne souldier which Rhine running drinks.
+Thou onely cause, O Civill Furie, art!
+Which, sowing in th’Aemathian fields thy spight,
+Didst arme thy hand against thy proper hart;
+To th’end that when thou wast in greatest hight
+  To greatnes growne, through long prosperitie,
+  Thou then adowne might’st fall more horriblie.
+[XXXI. 10.—_Aemathian fields_. Thessalian fields; alluding to the
+battle fought at Pharsalia, in Thessaly, between Caesar and Pompey. H.]
+
+XXXII.
+
+Hope ye, my Verses, that posteritie
+Of age ensuing shall you ever read?
+Hope ye that ever immortalitie
+So meane harpes worke may chalenge for her meed?
+If under heaven anie endurance were,
+These moniments, which not in paper writ,
+But in porphyre and marble doo appeare,
+Might well have hop’d to have obtained it.
+Nath’les, my Lute, whom Phoebus deigned to give,
+Cease not to sound these olde antiquities:
+For if that Time doo let thy glorie live,
+Well maist thou boast, how ever base thou bee,
+  That thou art first which of thy nation song
+  Th’olde honour of the people gowned long.
+
+L’ENVOY.
+
+Bellay, first garland of free poesie
+That France brought forth, though fruitfull of brave wits,
+Well worthie thou of immortalitie,
+That long hast traveld*, by thy learned writs,
+Olde Rome out of her ashes to revive,
+And give a second life to dead decayes!
+Needes must he all eternitie survive,
+That can to other give eternall dayes.
+Thy dayes therefore are endles, and thy prayse
+Excelling all that ever went before:
+And, after thee, gins Bartas hie to rayse
+His heavenly Muse, th’Almightie to adore.
+  Live happie spirits, th’honour of your name,
+  And fill the world with never dying fame!
+[* _Traveld_, travailed, toiled.]
+
+
+L’Envoy, 11.—_Bartas_. Guillaume de Salluste du Bartas, a French poet
+of the time of Henry IV, of extraordinary popularity in his day. His
+poem on the Creation is said to have been reprinted more than thirty
+times in six years, and was translated into several languages; among
+others, into English by Joshua Sylvester. H.
+
+
+
+
+MUIOPOTMOS:
+
+OR
+
+THE FATE OF THE BUTTERFLIE.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+DEDICATED TO THE MOST FAIRE AND VERTUOUS LADIE,
+
+THE LADIE CAREY.
+
+LONDON:
+
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE, DWELLING IN PAULES
+
+CHURCHYARD AT THE SIGNE OF THE BISHOPS HEAD.
+
+
+1590*
+
+
+[* This date seems to be an error for 1591; or, as Mr. Craik suggests,
+it may have been used designedly with reference to real events, not yet
+ascertained, which furnished the subject of this very pleasing
+allegory. The Visions of the Worlds Vanitie, which follow this piece,
+may be suspected of a similar application. C.]
+
+TO THE RIGHT WORTHY AND VERTUOUS LADIE, THE LA: CAREY.
+
+Most brave and bountifull La: for so excellent favours as I have
+received at your sweet handes, to offer these fewe leaves as in
+recompence, should be as to offer flowers to the gods for their divine
+benefites. Therefore I have determined to give my selfe wholy to you,
+as quite abandoned from my selfe, and absolutely vowed to your
+services: which in all right is ever held for full recompence of debt
+or damage, to have the person yeelded. My person I wot wel how little
+worth it is. But the faithfull minde and humble zeale which I bear unto
+your La: may perhaps be more of price, as may please you to account and
+use the poore service thereof; which taketh glory to advance your
+excellent partes and noble vertues, and to spend it selfe in honouring
+you; not so much for your great bounty to my self, which yet may not be
+unminded; nor for name or kindreds* sake by you vouchsafed, beeing also
+regardable; as for that honorable name, which yee have by your brave
+deserts purchast to your self, and spred in the mouths of al men: with
+which I have also presumed to grace my verses, and, under your name, to
+commend to the world this smal poeme; the which beseeching your La: to
+take in worth, and of all things therein according to your wonted
+graciousnes to make a milde construction, I humbly pray for your
+happines.
+
+
+Your La: ever humbly,
+
+E. S.
+
+
+[Footnote: “This lady was Elizabeth, one of the six daughters of Sir
+John Spencer, of Althorpe, in Northamptonshire, and was married to Sir
+George Carey, who became Lord Hunsdon on the death of his father, in
+1596.”—TODD.]
+
+MUIOPOTMOS:
+
+OR
+
+THE FATE OF THE BUTTERFLIE.
+
+
+I sing of deadly dolorous debate,
+Stir’d up through wrathful! Nemesis despight,
+Betwixt two mightie ones of great estate,
+Drawne into armes and proofe of mortall fight
+Through prowd ambition and hart-swelling hate,                    5
+Whilest neither could the others greater might
+And sdeignfull scorne endure; that from small iarre
+Their wraths at length broke into open warre.
+
+
+The roote whereof and tragicall effect,
+Vouchsafe, O thou the mournfulst Muse of nyne,                    10
+That wontst the tragick stage for to direct,
+In funerall complaints and waylfull tyne*
+Reveale to me, and all the meanes detect
+Through which sad Clarion did at last declyne
+To lowest wretchednes: And is there then                    15
+Such rancour in the harts of mightie men?
+[* _Tyne_, grief.]
+
+
+Of all the race of silver-winged flies
+Which doo possesse the empire of the aire,
+Betwixt the centred earth and azure skies
+Was none more favourable nor more faire,                    20
+Whilst heaven did favour his felicities,
+Then Clarion, the eldest sonne and haire
+Of Muscaroll, and in his fathers sight
+Of all alive did seeme the fairest wight.
+
+
+With fruitfull hope his aged breast he fed                    25
+Of future good, which his yong toward yeares,
+Full of brave courage and bold hardyhed
+Above th’ensample of his equall peares,
+Did largely promise, and to him fore-red,
+(Whilst oft his heart did melt in tender teares,)                    30
+That he in time would sure prove such an one,
+As should be worthie of his fathers throne.
+
+
+The fresh yong flie, in whom the kindly fire
+Of lustfull yongth* began to kindle fast,
+Did much disdaine to subiect his desire                    35
+To loathsome sloth, or houres in ease to wast;
+But ioy’d to range abroad in fresh attire
+Through the wide compas of the ayrie coast,
+And with unwearied wings each part t’inquire
+Of the wide rule of his renownned sire.                    40
+[* _Yongth_, youth.]
+
+
+For he so swift and nimble was of flight,
+That from this lower tract he dar’d to stie*
+Up to the clowdes, and thence with pineons light
+To mount aloft unto the christall skie,
+To vew the workmanship of heavens hight                    45
+Whence down descending he along would flie
+Upon the streaming rivers, sport to finde,
+And oft would dare to tempt the troublous winde.
+[* _Stie_, mount.]
+
+
+So on a summers day, when season milde
+With gentle calme the world had quieted,                    50
+And high in heaven Hyperions fierie childe
+Ascending did his beames abroad dispred,
+Whiles all the heavens on lower creatures smilde,
+Yong Clarion, with vauntfull lustiehead;
+After his guize did cast abroad to fare,                    55
+And theretoo gan his furnitures prepare.
+
+
+His breastplate first, that was of substance pure,
+Before his noble heart he firmely bound,
+That mought his life from yron death assure,
+And ward his gentle corpes from cruell wound:                    60
+For it by arte was framed to endure
+The bit* of balefull steele and bitter stownd**,
+No lesse than that which Vulcane made to sheild
+Achilles life from fate of Troyan field.
+[* _Bit_, bite.]
+[** _Stownd_, hour.]
+
+
+And then about his shoulders broad he threw                    65
+An hairie hide of some wilde beast, whom hee
+In salvage forrest by adventure slew,
+And reft the spoyle his ornament to bee;
+Which, spredding all his backe with dreadfull vew,
+Made all that him so horrible did see                    70
+Thinke him Alcides with the lyons skin,
+When the Naeméan conquest he did win.
+
+
+Upon his head, his glistering burganet*,
+The which was wrought by wonderous device
+And curiously engraven, he did set:                    75
+The mettall was of rare and passing price;
+Not Bilbo** steele, nor brasse from Corinth fet,
+Nor costly oricalche from strange Phoenice;
+But such as could both Phoebus arrowes ward,
+And th’hayling darts of heaven beating hard.                    80
+[* _Burganet_, helmet.]
+[** _Bilbo_, Bilboa.]
+
+
+Therein two deadly weapons fixt he bore,
+Strongly outlaunced towards either side,
+Like two sharpe speares, his enemies to gore:
+Like as a warlike brigandine, applyde
+To fight, layes forth her threatfull pikes afore,                    85
+The engines which in them sad death doo hyde,
+So did this flie outstretch his fearefull hornes,
+Yet so as him their terrour more adornes.
+
+
+Lastly his shinie wings, as silver bright,
+Painted with thousand colours passing farre                    90
+All painters skill, he did about him dight:
+Not halfe so manie sundrie colours arre
+In Iris bowe; ne heaven doth shine so bright,
+Distinguished with manie a twinckling starre;
+Nor Iunoes bird, in her ey-spotted traine,                    95
+So manie goodly colours doth containe.
+
+
+Ne (may it be withouten perill spoken)
+The Archer-god, the sonne of Cytheree,
+That ioyes on wretched lovers to be wroken*,
+And heaped spoyles of bleeding harts to see,                    100
+Beares in his wings so manie a changefull token.
+Ah! my liege Lord, forgive it unto mee,
+If ought against thine honour I have tolde;
+Yet sure those wings were fairer manifolde.
+[* _Wroken_, avenged.]
+
+
+Full many a ladie faire, in court full oft                    105
+Beholding them, him secretly envide,
+And wisht that two such fannes, so silken soft
+And golden faire, her Love would her provide;
+Or that, when them the gorgeous flie had doft,
+Some one that would with grace be gratifide                    110
+From him would steale them privily away,
+And bring to her so precious a pray.
+
+
+Report is that Dame Venus on a day,
+In spring when flowres doo clothe the fruitful ground,
+Walking abroad with all her nymphes to play,                    115
+Bad her faire damzels flocking her arownd
+To gather flowres, her forhead to array.
+Emongst the rest a gentle nymph was found,
+Hight Astery, excelling all the crewe
+In curteous usage and unstained hewe.                    120
+
+
+Who, being nimbler ioynted than the rest,
+And more industrious, gathered more store
+Of the fields honour than the others best;
+Which they in secret harts envying sore,
+Tolde Venus, when her as the worthiest                    125
+She praisd’, that Cupide (as they heard before)
+Did lend her secret aide in gathering
+Into her lap the children of the Spring,
+
+
+Whereof the goddesse gathering iealous feare,—
+Not yet unmindfull how not long agoe                    130
+Her sonne to Psyche secrete love did beare,
+And long it close conceal’d, till mickle woe
+Thereof arose, and manie a rufull teare,—
+Reason with sudden rage did overgoe;
+And, giving hastie credit to th’accuser,                    135
+Was led away of them that did abuse her.
+
+
+Eftsoones that damzel by her heavenly might
+She turn’d into a winged butterflie,
+In the wide aire to make her wandring flight;
+And all those flowres, with which so plenteouslie                   
+140
+Her lap she filled had, that bred her spight,
+She placed in her wings, for memorie
+Of her pretended crime, though crime none were:
+Since which that flie them in her wings doth beare.
+
+
+Thus the fresh Clarion, being readie dight,                    145
+Unto his iourney did himselfe addresse,
+And with good speed began to take his flight:
+Over the fields, in his franke* lustinesse;
+And all the champion** he soared light;
+And all the countrey wide he did possesse,                    150
+Feeding upon their pleasures bounteouslie,
+That none gainsaid, nor none did him envie.
+[* _Franke_, free.]
+[** _Champion_, champaign.]
+
+
+The woods, the rivers, and the medowes green.
+With his aire-cutting wings he measured wide,
+Ne did he leave the mountaines bare unseene,                    155
+Nor the ranke grassie fennes delights untride.
+But none of these, how ever sweete they beene,
+Mote please his fancie nor him cause t’abide:
+His choicefull sense with everie change doth flit;
+No common things may please a wavering wit.                    160
+
+
+To the gay gardins his unstaid desire
+Him wholly caried, to refresh his sprights:
+There lavish Nature, in her best attire,
+Powres forth sweete odors and alluring sights;
+And Arte, with her contending, doth aspire                    165
+T’excell the naturall with made delights:
+And all that faire or pleasant may be found
+In riotous excesse doth there abound.
+There he arriving round about doth flie,
+From bed to bed, from one to other border;                    170
+And takes survey, with curious busie eye,
+Of every flowre and herbe there set in order;
+Now this, now that, he tasteth tenderly,
+Yet none of them he rudely doth disorder,
+Ne with his feete their silken leaves deface,                    175
+But pastures on the pleasures of each place.
+
+
+And evermore with most varietie,
+And change of sweetnesse, (for all change is sweete,)
+He casts his glutton sense to satisfie;
+Now sucking of the sap of herbe most meete,                    180
+Or of the deaw which yet on them does lie,
+Now in the same bathing his tender feete:
+And then he pearcheth on some braunch thereby,
+To weather him, and his moyst wings to dry.
+
+
+And then againe he turneth to his play,                    185
+To spoyle the pleasures of that paradise;
+The wholsome saulge*, and lavender still gray,
+Ranke-smelling rue, and cummin good for eyes,
+The roses raigning in the pride of May,
+Sharpe isope, good for greene wounds remedies,                    190
+Faire marigoldes, and bees-alluring thime,
+Sweete marioram, and daysies decking prime:
+[* _Saulge_, sage.]
+
+
+Coole violets, and orpine growing still,
+Embathed balme, and chearfull galingale,
+Fresh costmarie, and breathfull camomill,                    195
+Dull poppie, and drink-quickning setuale*,
+Veyne-healing verven, and hed-purging dill,
+Sound savorie, and bazil hartie-hale,
+Fat colworts, and comfórting perseline**,
+Colde lettuce, and refreshing rosmarine.                    200
+[* _Setuale_, valerian.]
+[** _Perseline_, purslain.]
+
+
+And whatso else of vertue good or ill
+Grewe in this gardin, fetcht from farre away,
+Of everie one he takes and tastes at will,
+And on their pleasures greedily doth pray.
+Then when he hath both plaid, and fed his fill,                    205
+In the warme sunne he doth himselfe embay*,
+And there him rests in riotous suffisaunce
+Of all his gladfulnes and kingly ioyaunce.
+[* _Embay_, bathe.]
+
+
+What more felicitie can fall to creature
+Than to enioy delight with libertie,                    210
+And to be lord of all the workes of Nature,
+To raine in th’aire from earth to highest skie,
+To feed on flowres and weeds of glorious feature,
+To take whatever thing doth please the eie?
+Who rests not pleased with such happines,                    215
+Well worthie he to taste of wretchednes.
+
+
+But what on earth can long abide in state?
+Or who can him assure of happie day?
+Sith morning faire may bring fowle evening late,
+And least mishap the most blisse alter may!                    220
+For thousand perills lie in close awaite
+About us daylie, to worke our decay;
+That none, except a God, or God him guide,
+May them avoyde, or remedie provide.
+
+
+And whatso heavens in their secret doome                    225
+Ordained have, how can fraile fleshly wight
+Forecast, but it must needs to issue come?
+The sea, the aire, the fire, the day, the night,
+And th’armies of their creatures, all and some*,
+Do serve to them, and with importune might                    230
+Warre against us, the vassals of their will.
+Who then can save what they dispose to spill?
+[* _All and some_, one and all.]
+
+
+Not thou, O Clarion, though fairest thou
+Of all thy kinde, unhappie happie flie,
+Whose cruell fate is woven even now                    235
+Of loves owne hand, to worke thy miserie!
+Ne may thee helpe the manie hartie vow,
+Which thy olde sire with sacred pietie
+Hath powred forth for thee, and th’altars sprent*
+Nought may thee save from heavens avengëment!                    240
+[* _Sprent_, sprinkled.]
+
+
+It fortuned (as heavens had behight*)
+That in this gardin where yong Clarion
+Was wont to solace him, a wicked wight,
+The foe of faire things, th’author of confusion,
+The shame of Nature, the bondslave of spight,                    245
+Had lately built his hatefull mansion;
+And, lurking closely, in awayte now lay,
+How he might anie in his trap betray.
+[* _Behight_, ordained.]
+
+
+But when he spide the ioyous butterflie
+In this faire plot dispacing* too and fro,                    250
+Fearles of foes and hidden ieopardie,
+Lord! how he gan for to bestirre him tho,
+And to his wicked worke each part applie!
+His heart did earne** against his hated foe,
+And bowels so with rankling poyson swelde,                    255
+That scarce the skin the strong contagion helde.
+[* _Dispacing_, ranging about.]
+[** _Earne_, yearn.]
+
+
+The cause why he this flie so maliced*
+Was (as in stories it is written found)
+For that his mother which him bore and bred,
+The most fine-fingred workwoman on ground,                    260
+Arachne, by his meanes was vanquished
+Of Pallas, and in her owne skill confound**,
+When she with her for excellence contended,
+That wrought her shame, and sorrow never ended.
+[* _Maliced_, bore ill-will to.]
+[** _Confound_, confounded.]
+
+
+For the Tritonian goddesse, having hard                    265
+Her blazed fame, which all the world had fil’d,
+Came downe to prove the truth, and due reward
+For her prais-worthie workmanship to yeild:
+But the presumptuous damzel rashly dar’d
+The goddesse selfe to chalenge to the field,                    270
+And to compare with her in curious skill
+Of workes with loome, with needle, and with quill.
+
+
+Minerva did the chalenge not refuse,
+But deign’d with her the paragon* to make:
+So to their worke they sit, and each doth chuse                    275
+What storie she will for her tapet** take.
+Arachne figur’d how love did abuse
+Europa like a bull, and on his backe
+Her through the sea did beare; so lively*** seene,
+That it true sea and true bull ye would weene.                    280
+[* _Paragon_, comparison.]
+[** _Tapet_, tapestry.]
+[*** _Lively_, life-like.]
+
+
+Shee seem’d still backe unto the land to looke,
+And her play-fellowes aide to call, and feare
+The dashing of the waves, that up she tooke
+Her daintie feete, and garments gathered neare:
+But Lord! how she in everie member shooke,                    285
+When as the land she saw no more appeare,
+But a wilde wildernes of waters deepe:
+Then gan she greatly to lament and weepe.
+
+
+Before the bull she pictur’d winged Love,
+With his yong brother Sport, light fluttering                    290
+Upon the waves, as each had been a dove;
+The one his bowe and shafts, the other spring*
+A burning teade** about his head did move,
+As in their syres new love both triumphing;
+And manie Nymphes about them flocking round,                    295
+And manie Tritons which their homes did sound.
+[* _Spring_, springal, youth.]
+[** _Teade_, torch.]
+
+
+And round about her-worke she did empale*
+With a faire border wrought of sundrie flowres,
+Enwoven with an yviewinding trayle:
+A goodly worke, full fit for kingly bowres,                    300
+Such as Dame Pallas, such as Envie pale,
+That al good things with venemous tooth devowres,
+Could not accuse. Then gan the goddesse bright
+Her selfe likewise unto her worke to dight.
+[* _Empale_, inclose.]
+
+
+She made the storie of the olde debate                    305
+Which she with Neptune did for Athens trie:
+Twelve gods doo sit around in royall state,
+And love in midst with awfull maiestie,
+To iudge the strife betweene them stirred late:
+Each of the gods by his like visnomie*                    310
+Eathe** to be knowen; but love above them all,
+By his great lookes and power imperiall.
+[* _Visnomie_, countenance.]
+[** _Eathe_, easy.]
+
+
+Before them stands the god of seas in place,
+Clayming that sea-coast citie as his right,
+And strikes the rockes with his three-forked mace;
+Whenceforth issues a warlike steed in sight,                    316
+The signe by which he chalengeth the place;
+That all the gods which saw his wondrous might
+Did surely deeme the victorie his due:
+But seldom seene, foreiudgement proveth true.                    320
+
+
+Then to herselfe she gives her Aegide shield,
+And steel-hed speare, and morion * on her hedd,
+Such as she oft is seene in warlicke field:
+Then sets she forth, how with her weapon dredd
+She smote the ground, the which streight foorth did yield              
+     325
+A fruitfull olyve tree, with berries spredd,
+That all the gods admir’d; then all the storie
+She compast with a wreathe of olyves hoarie.
+[* _Morion_, steel cap.]
+
+
+Emongst those leaves she made a butterflie,
+With excellent device and wondrous slight,                    330
+Fluttring among the olives wantonly,
+That seem’d to live, so like it was in sight:
+The velvet nap which on his wings doth lie,
+The silken downe with which his backe is dight,
+His broad outstretched homes, his hayrie thies,                    335
+His glorious colours, and his glistering eies.
+
+
+Which when Arachne saw, as overlaid *
+And mastered with workmanship so rare,
+She stood astonied long, ne ought gainesaid;
+And with fast fixed eyes on her did stare,                    340
+And by her silence, signe of one dismaid,
+The victorie did yeeld her as her share;
+Yet did she inly fret and felly burne,
+And all her blood to poysonous rancor turne:
+[* _Overlaid_, overcome.]
+
+
+That shortly from the shape of womanhed,                    345
+Such as she was when Pallas she attempted,
+She grew to hideous shape of dryrihed*,
+Pined with griefe of follie late repented:
+Eftsoones her white streight legs were altered
+To crooked crawling shankes, of marrowe empted,                    350
+And her faire face to foule and loathsome hewe,
+And her fine corpes to a bag of venim grewe.
+[* _Dryrihed_, sadness, unsightliness.]
+
+
+This cursed creature, mindfull of that olde
+Enfestred grudge the which his mother felt,
+So soone as Clarion he did beholde,                    355
+His heart with vengefull malice inly swelt;
+And weaving straight a net with mame a folde
+About the cave in which he lurking dwelt,
+With fine small cords about it stretched wide,
+So finely sponne that scarce they could be spide,                   
+360
+
+
+Not anie damzell which her vaunteth most
+In skilfull knitting of soft silken twyne,
+Nor anie weaver, which his worke doth boast
+In dieper, in damaske, or in lyne*,
+Nor anie skil’d in workmanship embost,                    365
+Nor anie skil’d in loupes of fingring fine,
+Might in their divers cunning ever dare
+With this so curious networks to compare.
+[* _Lyne_, linen.]
+
+
+Ne doo I thinke that that same subtil gin
+The which the Lemnian god framde craftilie,                    370
+Mars sleeping with his wife to compasse in,
+That all the gods with common mockerie
+Might laugh at them, and scorne their shamefull sin,
+Was like to this. This same he did applie
+For to entrap the careles Clarion,                    375
+That rang’d each where without suspition.
+
+
+Suspition of friend, nor feare of foe,
+That hazarded his health, had he at all,
+But walkt at will, and wandred too and fro,
+In the pride of his freedome principall*:                    380
+Litle wist he his fatall future woe,
+But was secure; the liker he to fall.
+He likest is to fall into mischaunce,
+That is regardles of his governaunce.
+[* _Principall_, princely.]
+
+
+Yet still Aragnoll (so his foe was hight)                    385
+Lay lurking covertly him to surprise;
+And all his gins, that him entangle might,
+Drest in good order as he could devise.
+At length the foolish flie, without foresight,
+As he that did all daunger quite despise,                    390
+Toward those parts came flying careleslie,
+Where hidden was his hatefull enemie.
+
+
+Who, seeing him, with secret ioy therefore
+Did tickle inwardly in everie vaine;
+And his false hart, fraught with all treasons store,                   
+395
+Was fil’d with hope his purpose to obtaine:
+Himselfe he close upgathered more and more
+Into his den, that his deceiptfull traine
+By his there being might not be bewraid,
+Ne anie noyse, ne anie motion made.                    400
+
+
+Like as a wily foxe, that, having spide
+Where on a sunnie banke the lambes doo play,
+Full closely creeping by the hinder side,
+Lyes in ambushment of his hoped pray,
+Ne stirreth limbe, till, seeing readie tide*,                    405
+He rusheth forth, and snatcheth quite away
+One of the litle yonglings unawares;
+So to his worke Aragnoll him prepares.
+[* _Tide_, time.]
+
+
+Who now shall give unto my heavie eyes
+A well of teares, that all may overflow?                    410
+Or where shall I finde lamentable cryes,
+And mournfull tunes enough my griefe to show?
+Helpe, O thou Tragick Muse, me to devise
+Notes sad enough, t’expresse this bitter throw:
+For loe, the drerie stownd* is now arrived,                    415
+That of all happines hath us deprived.
+[* _Stownd_, hour.]
+
+
+The luckles Clarion, whether cruell Fate
+Or wicked Fortune faultles him misled,
+Or some ungracious blast out of the gate
+Of Aeoles raine* perforce him drove on hed**,                    420
+Was (O sad hap and howre unfortunate!)
+With violent swift flight forth caried
+Into the cursed cobweb, which his foe
+Had framed for his finall overthroe.
+[* _Raine_, kingdom.]
+[** _On hed_, head-foremost.]
+
+
+There the fond flie, entangled, strugled long,                    425
+Himselfe to free thereout; but all in vaine.
+For, striving more, the more in laces strong
+Himselfe he tide, and wrapt his wingës twaine
+In lymie snares the subtill loupes among;
+That in the ende he breathelesse did remaine,                    430
+And, all his yongthly* forces idly spent,
+Him to the mercie of th’avenger lent.
+[* _Yongthly_, youthful.]
+
+
+Which when the greisly tyrant did espie,
+Like a grimme lyon rushing with fierce might
+Out of his den, he seized greedelie                    435
+On the resistles pray, and, with fell spight,
+Under the left wing stroke his weapon slie
+Into his heart, that his deepe-groning spright
+In bloodie streames foorth fled into the aire,
+His bodie left the spectacle of care.                    440
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+Ver. 365.—_And Arte, with her contendlng._ Compare the description of
+Aerasia’s garden, Faerie Queene, II. xii. 59; and also v. 29. TODD.
+
+
+Ver. 273.—_Minerva did_, &c. Much of what follows is taken from the
+fable of Arachne in Ovid. JORTIN.
+
+
+
+
+VISIONS
+OF
+THE WORLDS VANITIE.
+
+I.
+
+One day, whiles that my daylie cares did sleepe,
+My spirit, shaking off her earthly prison,
+Began to enter into meditation deepe
+Of things exceeding reach of common reason;
+Such as this age, in which all good is geason*,
+And all that humble is and meane** debaced,
+Hath brought forth in her last declining season,
+Griefe of good mindes, to see goodnesse disgraced!
+On which when as my thought was throghly@ placed,
+Unto my eyes strange showes presented were,
+Picturing that which I in minde embraced,
+That yet those sights empassion$ me full nere.
+  Such as they were, faire Ladie%, take in worth,
+  That when time serves may bring things better forth.
+
+
+[* _Geason_, rare.] [** _Meane_, lowly.] [@ _Throghly_, thoroughly.] [$
+_Empassion_, move.] [% _Faire Ladie._ The names of the ladies to whom
+these Visions and those of Petrarch (see p. 210, VII. 9) were inscribed
+have not been preserved. C.]
+
+II.
+
+In summers day, when Phoebus fairly shone,
+I saw a Bull as white as driven snowe,
+With gilden hornes embowed like the moone,
+In a fresh flowring meadow lying lowe:
+Up to his eares the verdant grasse did growe,
+And the gay floures did offer to be eaten;
+But he with fatnes so did overflows,
+That he all wallowed in the weedes downe beaten,
+Ne car’d with them his daintie lips to sweeten:
+Till that a Brize*, a scorned little creature,
+Through his faire hide his angrie sting did threaten,
+And vext so sore, that all his goodly feature
+  And all his plenteous pasture nought him pleased:
+  So by the small the great is oft diseased**.
+
+III.
+
+Beside the fruitfull shore of muddie Nile,
+Upon a sunnie banke outstretched lay,
+In monstrous length, a mightie Crocodile,
+That, cram’d with guiltles blood and greedie pray
+Of wretched people travailing that way,
+Thought all things lesse than his disdainfull pride.
+I saw a little Bird, cal’d Tedula,
+The least of thousands which on earth abide,
+That forst this hideous beast to open wide
+The greisly gates of his devouring hell,
+And let him feede, as Nature doth provide,
+Upon his iawes, that with blacke venime swell.
+  Why then should greatest things the least disdaine,
+  Sith that so small so mightie can constraine?
+
+
+[* _Brize_, a gadfly.] [** _Diseased_, deprived of ease.]
+
+
+III. 7.—Tedula. Spenser appears to mean the bird Trochilos, which,
+according to Aristotle, enters the mouth of the crocodile, and picks
+her meat out of the monster’s teeth. C.
+
+IV.
+
+The kingly bird that beares Ioves thunder-clap
+One day did scorne the simple Scarabee*,
+Proud of his highest service and good hap,
+That made all other foules his thralls to bee.
+The silly flie, that no redresse did see,
+Spide where the Eagle built his towring nest,
+And, kindling fire within the hollow tree,
+Burnt up his yong ones, and himselfe distrest;
+Ne suffred him in anie place to rest,
+But drove in Ioves owne lap his egs to lay;
+Where gathering also filth him to infest,
+Forst with the filth his egs to fling away:
+  For which, when as the foule was wroth, said Iove,
+  “Lo! how the least the greatest may reprove.”
+
+V.
+
+Toward the sea turning my troubled eye,
+I saw the fish (if fish I may it cleepe**)
+That makes the sea before his face to flye,
+And with his flaggie finnes doth seeme to sweepe
+The fomie waves out of the dreadfull deep;
+The huge Leviathan, dame Natures wonder,
+Making his sport, that manie makes to weep.
+A Sword-fish small him from the rest did sunder
+That, in his throat him pricking softly under,
+His wide abysse him forced forth to spewe,
+That all the sea did roare like heavens thunder,
+And all the waves were stain’d with filthie hewe.
+  Hereby I learned have not to despise
+  Whatever thing seemes small in common eyes.
+
+
+[* _Scarabee,_ beetle.] [** _Cleepe,_ call.]
+
+VI.
+
+An hideous Dragon, dreadfull to behold,
+Whose backe was arm’d against the dint of speare
+With shields of brasse that shone like burnisht golde,
+And forkhed sting that death in it did beare,
+Strove with a Spider, his unequall peare,
+And bad defiance to his enemie.
+The subtill vermin, creeping closely* neare,
+Did in his drinke shed poyson privilie;
+Which, through his entrailes spredding diversly,
+Made him to swell, that nigh his bowells brust,
+And him enforst to yeeld the victorie,
+That did so much in his owne greatnesse trust.
+  O, how great vainnesse is it then to scorne
+  The weake, that hath the strong so oft forlorne!**
+
+
+[* _Closely,_ secretly.] [** _Forlorne,_ ruined.]
+
+VII.
+
+High on a hill a goodly Cedar grewe,
+Of wondrous length and straight proportion,
+That farre abroad her daintie odours threwe;
+Mongst all the daughters of proud Libanon,
+Her match in beautie was not anie one.
+Shortly within her inmost pith there bred
+A litle wicked worme, perceiv’d of none,
+That on her sap and vitall moysture fed:
+Thenceforth her garland so much honoured
+Began to die, O great ruth* for the same!
+And her faire lockes fell from her loftie head,
+That shortly balde and bared she became.
+  I, which this sight beheld, was much dismayed,
+  To see so goodly thing so soone decayed.
+
+
+[* _Ruth,_ pity.]
+
+VIII.
+
+Soone after this I saw an Elephant,
+Adorn’d with bells and bosses gorgeouslie,
+That on his backe did beare, as batteilant*,
+A gilden towre, which shone exceedinglie;
+That he himselfe through foolish vanitie,
+Both for his rich attire and goodly forme,
+Was puffed up with passing surquedrie**,
+And shortly gan all other beasts to scorne,
+Till that a little Ant, a silly worme,
+Into his nosthrils creeping, so him pained,
+That, casting downe his towres, he did deforme
+Both borrowed pride, and native beautie stained.
+  Let therefore nought that great is therein glorie,
+  Sith so small thing his happines may varie.
+
+
+[* _As batteilant,_ as if equipped for battle.] [** _Surquedrie,_
+presumption.]
+
+IX.
+
+Looking far foorth into the ocean wide,
+A goodly Ship with banners bravely dight,
+And flag in her top-gallant, I espide
+Through the maine sea making her merry flight.
+Faire blewe the wind into her bosome right,
+And th’heavens looked lovely all the while,
+That she did seeme to daunce, as in delight,
+And at her owne felicitie did smile.
+All sodainely there clove unto her keele
+A little fish that men call Remora,
+Which stopt her course, and held her by the heele,
+That winde nor tide could move her thence away.
+  Straunge thing me seemeth, that so small a thing
+  Should able be so great an one to wring.
+
+X.
+
+A mighty Lyon, lord of all the wood,
+Having his hunger throughly satisfide
+With pray of beasts and spoyle of living blood,
+Safe in his dreadles den him thought to hide:
+His sternesse was his prayse, his strength his pride,
+And all his glory in his cruell clawes.
+I saw a Wasp, that fiercely him defide,
+And bad him battaile even to his iawes;
+Sore he him stong, that it the blood forth drawes,
+And his proude heart is fild with fretting ire:
+In vaine he threats his teeth, his tayle, his pawes,
+And from his bloodie eyes doth sparkle fire;
+  That dead himselfe he wisheth for despight.
+  So weakest may anoy the most of might!
+
+XI.
+
+What time the Romaine Empire bore the raine
+Of all the world, and florisht most in might,
+The nations gan their soveraigntie disdaine,
+And cast to quitt them from their bondage quight.
+So, when all shrouded were in silent night,
+The Galles were, by corrupting of a mayde,
+Possest nigh of the Capitol through slight,
+Had not a Goose the treachery bewrayde.
+If then a goose great Rome from ruine stayde,
+And Iove himselfe, the patron of the place,
+Preservd from being to his foes betrayde,
+Why do vaine men mean things so much deface*,
+  And in their might repose their most assurance,
+  Sith nought on earth can chalenge long endurance?
+
+
+[* _Deface,_ disparage, despise.]
+
+XII.
+
+When these sad sights were overpast and gone,
+My spright was greatly moved in her rest,
+With inward ruth and deare affection,
+To see so great things by so small distrest.
+Thenceforth I gan in my engrieved brest
+To scorne all difference of great and small,
+Sith that the greatest often are opprest,
+And unawares doe into daunger fall.
+And ye, that read these ruines tragicall,
+Learne, by their losse, to love the low degree;
+And if that Fortune chaunce you up to call
+To honours seat, forget not what you be:
+  For he that of himselfe is most secure
+  Shall finde his state most fickle and unsure.
+
+
+
+
+THE VISIONS OF BELLAY.*
+
+
+[* Eleven of these Visions of Bellay (all except the 6th, 8th, 13th,
+and 14th) differ only by a few changes necessary for rhyme from
+blank-verse translations found in Van der Noodt’s _Theatre of
+Worldlings_, printed in 1569; and the six first of the Visions of
+Petrarch (here said to have been “formerly translated”) occur almost
+word for word in the same publication, where the authorship appears to
+be claimed by one Theodore Roest. The Complaints were collected, not by
+Spenser, but by Ponsonby, his bookseller, and he may have erred in
+ascribing these Visions to our poet. C.]
+
+I.
+
+It was the time when rest, soft sliding downe
+From heavens hight into mens heavy eyes,
+In the forgetfulnes of sleepe doth drowne
+The carefull thoughts of mortall miseries.
+Then did a ghost before mine eyes appeare,
+On that great rivers banck that runnes by Rome;
+Which, calling me by name, bad me to reare
+My lookes to heaven whence all good gifts do come,
+And crying lowd, “Loe! now beholde,” quoth hee,
+“What under this great temple placed is:
+Lo, all is nought but flying vanitee!”
+So I, that know this worlds inconstancies,
+  Sith onely God surmounts all times decay,
+  In God alone my confidence do stay.
+
+II.
+
+On high hills top I saw a stately frame,
+An hundred cubits high by iust assize*,
+With hundreth pillours fronting faire the same,
+All wrought with diamond after Dorick wize.
+Nor brick nor marble was the wall in view,
+But shining christall, which from top to base
+Out of her womb a thousand rayons** threw
+On hundred steps of Afrike golds enchase.@
+Golde was the parget,$ and the seeling bright
+Did shine all scaly with great plates of golde;
+The floore of iasp and emeraude was dight.%
+O worlds vainesse! Whiles thus I did behold,
+  An earthquake shooke the hill from lowest seat,
+  And overthrew this frame with ruine great.
+
+
+[* _Assize_, measure.] [** _Rayons_, beams, rays.] [@ I.e. enchased
+with gold.] [$ _Parget_, varnish, plaster.] [% _Dight_, composed.]
+
+III.
+
+Then did a sharped spyre of diamond bright,
+Ten feete each way in square, appeare to mee,
+Iustly proportion’d up unto his hight,
+So far as archer might his level see.
+The top thereof a pot did seeme to beare,
+Made of the mettall which we most do honour;
+And in this golden vessel couched weare
+The ashes of a mightie emperour:
+Upon foure corners of the base were pight*,
+To beare the frame, foure great lyons of gold;
+A worthy tombe for such a worthy wight.
+Alas! this world doth nought but grievance hold:
+  I saw a tempest from the heaven descend,
+  Which this brave monument with flash did rend.
+[* _Pight_, placed.]
+
+IV.
+
+I saw raysde up on yvorie pillowes tall,
+Whose bases were of richest mettalls warke,
+The chapters* alablaster, the fryses christall,
+The double front of a triumphall arke.
+On each side purtraid was a Victorie,
+Clad like a nimph, that wings of silver weares,
+And in triumphant chayre was set on hie,
+The auncient glory of the Romaine peares.
+No worke it seem’d of earthly craftsmans wit,
+But rather wrought by his owne industry
+That thunder-dartes for Iove his syre doth fit.
+Let me no more see faire thing under sky,
+  Sith that mine eyes have seene so faire a sight
+  With sodain fall to dust consumed quight.
+[* _Chapters_, capitals.]
+
+V.
+
+Then was the faire Dodonian tree far seene
+Upon seaven hills to spread his gladsome gleame,
+And conquerours bedecked with his greene,
+Along the bancks of the Ausonian streame.
+There many an auncient trophee was addrest*,
+And many a spoyle, and many a goodly show,
+Which that brave races greatnes did attest,
+That whilome from the Troyan blood did flow.
+Ravisht I was so rare a thing to vew;
+When lo! a barbarous troupe of clownish fone**
+The honour of these noble boughs down threw:
+Under the wedge I heard the tronck to grone;
+  And since, I saw the roote in great disdaine
+  A twinne of forked trees send forth againe.
+
+
+[* _Addrest_, hung on, arranged.] [** _Fone_, foes.]
+
+VI.
+
+I saw a wolfe under a rockie cave
+Noursing two whelpes; I saw her litle ones
+In wanton dalliance the teate to crave,
+While she her neck wreath’d from them for the nones*.
+I saw her raunge abroad to seeke her food,
+And roming through the field with greedie rage
+T’embrew her teeth and clawes with lukewarm blood
+Of the small heards, her thirst for to asswage.
+I saw a thousand huntsmen, which descended
+Downe from the mountaines bordring Lombardie,
+That with an hundred speares her flank wide rened:
+I saw her on the plaine outstretched lie,
+  Throwing out thousand throbs in her owne soyle**:
+  Soone on a tree uphang’d I saw her spoyle.
+
+
+[* _Nones_, nonce.] [** I.e. the mire made by her blood.]
+
+VII.
+
+I saw the bird that can the sun endure
+With feeble wings assay to mount on hight;
+By more and more she gan her wings t’assure,
+Following th’ensample of her mothers sight.
+I saw her rise, and with a larger flight
+To pierce the cloudes, and with wide pinneons
+To measure the most haughtie* mountaines hight,
+Untill she raught** the gods owne mansions.
+There was she lost; when suddaine I behelde,
+Where, tumbling through the ayre in firie fold,
+All flaming downe she on the plaine was felde,
+And soone her bodie turn’d to ashes colde.
+  I saw the foule that doth the light dispise
+  Out of her dust like to a worme arise.
+[* _Haughtie_, lofty.]
+[** _Raught_, reached.]
+[VII. 1-14.—
+“A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place,
+ Was by a mousing owl hawk’d at and kill’d.” C.]
+
+VIII.
+
+I saw a river swift, whose fomy billowes
+Did wash the ground-work of an old great wall;
+I saw it cover’d all with griesly shadowes,
+That with black horror did the ayre appall:
+Thereout a strange beast with seven heads arose,
+That townes and castles under her brest did coure*,
+And seem’d both milder beasts and fiercer foes
+Alike with equall ravine to devoure.
+Much was I mazde to see this monsters kinde
+In hundred formes to change his fearefull hew;
+When as at length I saw the wrathfull winde,
+Which blows cold storms, burst out of Scithian mew,
+  That sperst these cloudes; and, in so short as thought,
+  This dreadfull shape was vanished to nought.
+[* _Coure_, cover.]
+
+IX.
+
+Then all astonied with this mighty ghoast,
+An hideous bodie, big and strong, I sawe,
+With side* long beard, and locks down hanging loast**,
+Sterne face, and front full of Satúrnlike awe;
+Who, leaning on the belly of a pot,
+Pourd foorth a water, whose out gushing flood
+Ran bathing all the creakie@ shore aflot,
+Whereon the Troyan prince spilt Turnus blood;
+And at his feete a bitch wolfe suck did yeeld
+To two young babes: his left the palme tree stout,
+His right hand did the peacefull olive wield.
+And head with lawrell garnisht was about.
+  Sudden both palme and olive fell away,
+  And faire green lawrell branch did quite decay.
+[* _Side_, long, trailing.]
+[** _Loast_, loosed.]
+[@ _Creakie_, indented with creeks.]
+
+X.
+
+Hard by a rivers side a virgin faire,
+Folding her armes to heaven with thousand throbs,
+And outraging her cheekes and golden haire,
+To falling rivers sound thus tun’d her sobs.
+“Where is,” quoth she, “this whilom honoured face?
+Where the great glorie and the auncient praise,
+In which all worlds felicitie had place,
+When gods and men my honour up did raise?
+Suffisd’ it not that civill warres me made
+The whole worlds spoile, but that this Hydra new,
+Of hundred Hercules to be assaide,
+With seven heads, budding monstrous crimes anew,
+  So many Neroes and Caligulaes
+  Out of these crooked shores must dayly rayse?”
+
+XI.
+
+Upon an hill a bright flame I did see,
+Waving aloft with triple point to skie,
+Which, like incense of precious cedar tree,
+With balmie odours fil’d th’ayre farre and nie.
+A bird all white, well feathered on each wing,
+Hereout up to the throne of gods did flie,
+And all the way most pleasant notes did sing,
+Whilst in the smoake she unto heaven did stie*.
+Of this faire fire the scattered rayes forth threw
+On everie side a thousand shining beames:
+When sudden dropping of a silver dew
+(O grievous chance!) gan quench those precious flames;
+  That it, which earst** so pleasant sent did yeld,
+  Of nothing now but noyous sulphure smeld.
+[* _Stie_, mount.]
+[** _Earst_, at first.]
+
+XII.
+
+I saw a spring out of a rocke forth rayle*,
+As cleare as christall gainst the sunnie beames;
+The bottome yeallow, like the golden grayle*
+That bright Pactolus washeth with his streames.
+It seem’d that Art and Nature had assembled
+All pleasure there for which mans hart could long;
+And there a noyse alluring sleepe soft trembled,
+Of manie accords, more sweete than mermaids song,
+The seates and benches shone as yvorie,
+And hundred nymphes sate side by side about;
+When from nigh hills, with hideous outcrie,
+A troupe of satyres in the place did rout,@
+Which with their villeine feete the streame did ray,$
+Threw down the seats, and drove the nymphs away.
+[* _Rayle_, flow.]
+[** _Grayle_, gravel.]
+[@ _Rout_, burst.]
+[$ _Ray_, defile.]
+
+XIII.
+
+Much richer then that vessell seem’d to bee
+Which did to that sad Florentine appeare,
+Casting mine eyes farre off, I chaunst to see
+Upon the Latine coast herselfe to reare.
+But suddenly arose a tempest great,
+Bearing close envie to these riches rare,
+Which gan assaile this ship with dreadfull threat,
+This ship, to which none other might compare:
+And finally the storme impetuous
+Sunke up these riches, second unto none,
+Within the gulfe of greedie Nereus.
+I saw both ship and mariners each one,
+  And all that treasure, drowned in the maine:
+  But I the ship saw after raisd’ againe.
+[XIII. 1.—_That vessell_. See the second canto of the Purgatorio. C.]
+
+XIV.
+
+Long having deeply gron’d these visions sad,
+I saw a citie like unto that same
+Which saw the messenger of tidings glad,
+But that on sand was built the goodly frame:
+It seem’d her top the firmament did rayse,
+And, no lesse rich than faire, right worthie sure
+(If ought here worthie) of immortall dayes,
+Or if ought under heaven might firme endure.
+Much wondred I to see so faire a wall:
+When from the Northerns coast a storme arose,
+Which, breathing furie from his inward gall
+On all which did against his course oppose,
+  Into a clowde of dust sperst in the aire
+  The weake foundations of this citie faire.
+
+XV.
+
+At length, even at the time when Morpheus
+Most trulie doth unto our eyes appeare,
+Wearie to see the heavens still wavering thus,
+I saw Typhaeus sister* comming neare;
+Whose head, full bravely with a morion** hidd,
+Did seeme to match the gods in maiestie.
+She, by a rivers bancke that swift downe slidd,
+Over all the world did raise a trophee hie;
+An hundred vanquisht kings under her lay,
+With armes bound at their backs in shamefull wize.
+Whilst I thus mazed was with great affray,
+I saw the heavens in warre against her rize:
+  Then downe she stricken fell with clap of thonder,
+  That with great noyse I wakte in sudden wonder.
+[* I.e. (apparently) Change or Mutability. See the two cantos of the
+Seventh Book of the Faerie Queene.]
+[** _Morion_, steel cap.]
+
+
+
+
+THE VISIONS OF PETRARCH:
+
+
+FORMERLY TRANSLATED.
+
+
+[Footnote: The first six of these sonnets are translated (not directly,
+but through the French of Clement Marot) from Petrarch’s third Canzone
+in Morte di Laura. The seventh is by the translator. The circumstance
+that the version is made from Marot renders it probable that these
+sonnets are really by Spenser. C.]
+
+I.
+
+Being one day at my window all alone,
+So manie strange things happened me to see,
+As much it grieveth me to thinke thereon.
+At my right hand a hynde appear’d to mee.
+So faire as mote the greatest god delite;
+Two eager dogs did her pursue in chace,
+Of which the one was blacke, the other white.
+With deadly force so in their cruell race
+They pincht the haunches of that gentle beast,
+That at the last, and in short time, I spide,
+Under a rocke, where she, alas! opprest,
+Fell to the ground, and there untimely dide.
+  Cruell death vanquishing so noble beautie,
+  Oft makes me wayle so hard a destenie.
+
+II.
+
+After, at sea a tall ship did appeare,
+Made all of heben* and white yvorie;
+The sailes of golde, of silke the tackle were.
+Milde was the winde, calme seem’d the sea to bee,
+The skie eachwhere did show full bright and faire:
+With rich treasures this gay ship fraighted was:
+But sudden storme did so turmoyle the aire,
+And tumbled up the sea, that she, alas!
+Strake on a rock, that under water lay,
+And perished past all recoverie.
+O! how great ruth, and sorrow-full assay**,
+Doth vex my spirite with perplexitie,
+  Thus in a moment to see lost and drown’d
+  So great riches as like cannot be found.
+[* _Heben_, ebony.]
+[** _Assay_, trial.]
+
+III.
+
+The heavenly branches did I see arise
+Out of the fresh and lustie lawrell tree,
+Amidst the yong greene wood: of Paradise
+Some noble plant I thought my selfe to see.
+Such store of birds therein yshrowded were,
+Chaunting in shade their sundrie melodie,
+That with their sweetnes I was ravish’t nere.
+While on this lawrell fixed was mine eie,
+The skie gan everie where to overcast,
+And darkned was the welkin all about,
+When sudden flash of heavens fire out brast*,
+And rent this royall tree quite by the roote;
+  Which makes me much and ever to complaine,
+  For no such shadow shalbe had againe.
+[* _Brast_, burst.]
+
+IV.
+
+Within this wood, out of a rocke did rise
+A spring of water, mildly rumbling downe,
+Whereto approched not in anie wise
+The homely shepheard, nor the ruder clowne;
+But manie Muses, and the Nymphes withall,
+That sweetly in accord did tune their voyce
+To the soft sounding of the waters fall;
+That my glad hart thereat did much reioyce.
+But, while herein I tooke my chiefe delight,
+I saw, alas! the gaping earth devoure
+The spring, the place, and all cleane out of sight;
+Which yet aggreeves my hart even to this houre,
+  And wounds my soule with rufull memorie,
+  To see such pleasures gon so suddenly.
+
+V.
+
+I saw a Phoenix in the wood alone,
+With purple wings and crest of golden hewe;
+Strange bird he was, whereby I thought anone
+That of some heavenly wight I had the vewe;
+Untill he came unto the broken tree,
+And to the spring that late devoured was.
+What say I more? Each thing at last we see
+Doth passe away: the Phoenix there, alas!
+Spying the tree destroid, the water dride,
+Himselfe smote with his beake, as in disdaine,
+And so foorthwith in great despight he dide;
+That yet my heart burnes in exceeding paine
+  For ruth and pitie of so haples plight.
+  O, let mine eyes no more see such a sight!
+
+VI.
+
+At last, so faire a ladie did I spie,
+That thinking yet on her I burne and quake:
+On hearbs and flowres she walked pensively;
+Milde, but yet love she proudly did forsake:
+White seem’d her robes, yet woven so they were
+As snow and golde together had been wrought:
+Above the wast a darke clowde shrouded her.
+A stinging serpent by the heele her caught;
+Wherewith she languisht as the gathered floure,
+And, well assur’d, she mounted up to ioy.
+Alas! on earth so nothing doth endure,
+But bitter griefe and sorrowfull annoy:
+  Which make this life wretched and miserable.
+  Tossed with stormes of fortune variable.
+
+VII.
+
+When I behold this tickle* trustles state
+Of vaine worlds glorie, flitting too and fro,
+And mortall men tossed by troublous fate
+In restles seas of wretchednes and woe,
+I wish I might this wearie life forgoe,
+And shortly turne unto my happie rest,
+Where my free spirite might not anie moe
+Be vest with sights that doo her peace molest.
+And ye, faire Ladie, in whose bounteous brest
+All heavenly grace and vertue shrined is,
+When ye these rythmes doo read, and vew the rest,
+Loath this base world, and thinke of heavens blis:
+  And though ye be the fairest of Gods creatures,
+  Yet thinke that death shall spoyle your goodly features.
+[* _Tickle_, uncertain.]
+
+
+
+
+DAPHNAIDA:
+
+AN ELEGIE
+
+UPON THE DEATH OF THE NOBLE AND VERTUOUS
+
+DOUGLAS HOWARD,
+
+DAUGHTER AND HEIRE OF HENRY LORD HOWARD, VISCOUNT BYNDON, AND WIFE OF
+ARTHUR GORGES, ESQUIER.
+
+DEDICATED TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
+
+THE LADIE HELENA,
+
+MARQUESSE OF NORTHAMPTON.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+
+(1591.)
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND VERTUOUS LADY,
+
+HELENA,
+
+MARQUESSE OF NORTH HAMPTON.[*]
+
+
+I have the rather presumed humbly to offer unto your Honour the
+dedication of this little poeme, for that the noble and vertuous
+gentlewoman of whom it is written was by match neere alied, and in
+affection greatly devoted, unto your Ladiship. The occasion why I wrote
+the same was as well the great good fame which I heard of her
+deceassed, as the particular goodwill which I bear unto her husband,
+Master Arthur Gorges, a lover of learning and vertue, whose house, as
+your Ladiship by marriage hath honoured, so doe I find the name of
+them, by many notable records, to be of great antiquitie in this
+realme, and such as have ever borne themselves with honourable
+reputation to the world, and unspotted loyaltie to their prince and
+countrey: besides, so lineally are they descended from the Howards, as
+that the Lady Anne Howard; eldest daughter to John Duke of Norfolke,
+was wife to Sir Edmund, mother to Sir Edward, and grandmother to Sir
+William and Sir Thomas Gorges, Knightes: and therefore I doe assure my
+selfe that no due honour done to the White Lyon, but will be most
+gratefull to your Ladiship, whose husband and children do so neerely
+participate with the bloud of that noble family. So in all dutie I
+recommend this pamphlet, and the good acceptance thereof, to your
+honourable favour and protection. London, this first of Ianuarie, 1591.
+
+
+Your Honours humbly ever.
+
+
+[* This lady, when widow of William Parr, the only person who was ever
+Marquis of Northampton, had married Sir Thomas Gorges, uncle of Lady
+Douglas Howard, the subject of this elegy. Mr. (afterwards Sir) Arthur
+Gorges was himself a poet, and the author of the English translation of
+Bacon’s tract _De Sapientia Veterum_, published in 1619. See Craik’s
+Spenser and his Poetry, Vol. III. p. 187. C.]
+
+
+DAPHNAIDA.
+
+Whatever man he be whose heavie mynd,
+With griefe of mournefull great mishap opprest,
+Fit matter for his cares increase would fynd,
+Let reade the rufull plaint herein exprest,
+Of one, I weene, the wofulst man alive,
+Even sad Alcyon*, whose empierced brest
+Sharpe sorrowe did in thousand peeces rive.
+  [* I.e. Sir Arthur Gorges.]
+
+
+But whoso else in pleasure findeth sense,
+Or in this wretched life doeth take delight,
+Let him he banisht farre away from hence;                    10
+Ne let the Sacred Sisters here be hight*,
+Though they of sorrowe heavilie can sing,
+For even their heavie song would breede delight;
+But here no tunes save sobs and grones shall ring.
+  [* _Hight_, summoned.]
+
+
+In stead of them and their sweet harmonie,                    15
+Let those three Fatall Sisters, whose sad hands
+Doe weave the direfull threeds of destinie,
+And in their wrath break off the vitall bands,
+Approach hereto; and let the dreadfull Queene
+Of Darknes deepe come from the Stygian strands,                    20
+And grisly ghosts, to heare this dolefull teene*,
+  [* _Teene_, sorrow]
+
+
+In gloomy evening, when the wearie sun
+After his dayes long labour drew to rest,
+And sweatie steedes, now having overrun
+The compast skie, gan water in the west,                    25
+I walkt abroad to breath the freshing ayre
+In open fields, whose flowring pride, opprest
+With early frosts, had lost their beautie faire.
+
+
+There came unto my mind a troublous thought,
+Which dayly doth my weaker wit possesse,                    30
+Ne lets it rest untill it forth have brought
+Her long borne infant, fruit of heavinesse,
+Which she conceived hath through meditation
+Of this worlds vainnesse and life’s wretchednesse,
+That yet my soule it deepely doth empassion*.                    35
+  [* _Empassion_, move]
+
+
+So as I muzed on the miserie
+In which men live, and I of many most,
+Most miserable man, I did espie
+Where towards me a sory wight did cost*,
+Clad all in black, that mourning did bewray,                    40
+And Iacob staffe ** in hand devoutly crost,
+Like to some pilgrim come from farre away.
+  [* _Cost_, approach]
+  [** _Iacob staffe_, a pilgrim’s staff, in the form of a cross]
+
+
+His carelesse locks, uncombed and unshorne,
+Hong long adowne, and bearde all overgrowne,
+That well he seemd to be some wight forlorne:                    45
+Downe to the earth his heavie eyes were throwne,
+As loathing light, and ever as he went
+He sighed soft, and inly deepe did grone,
+As if his heart in peeces would have rent.
+
+
+Approaching nigh his face I vewed nere,                    50
+And by the semblant of his countenaunce
+Me seemd I had his person seene elsewhere,
+Most like Alcyon seeming at a glaunce;
+Alcyon he, the iollie shepheard swaine,
+That wont full merrilie to pipe and daunce,                    55
+And fill with pleasance every wood and plaine.
+
+
+Yet halfe in doubt, because of his disguize,
+I softlie sayd, Alcyon! There-withall
+He lookt aside as in disdainefull wise,
+Yet stayed not, till I againe did call:                    60
+Then, turning back, he saide, with hollow sound,
+“Who is it that dooth name me, wofull thrall,
+The wretchedst man that treads this day on ground?”
+
+
+“One whom like wofulnesse, impressed deepe,
+Hath made fit mate thy wretched case to heare,                    65
+And given like cause with thee to waile and wepe;
+Griefe finds some ease by him that like does beare.
+Then stay, Alcyon, gentle shepheard! stay,”
+Quoth I, “till thou have to my trustie eare
+Committed what thee dooth so ill apay*.”                    70
+  [* _Ill apay _, discontent, distress.]
+
+
+“Cease, foolish man!” saide he halfe wrothfully,
+“To seeke to heare that which cannot be told;
+For the huge anguish, which doeth multiply
+My dying paines, no tongue can well unfold;
+Ne doo I care that any should bemone                    75
+My hard mishap, or any weepe that would,
+But seeke alone to weepe, and dye alone.”
+
+
+“Then be it so,” quoth I, “that thou are bent
+To die alone, unpitied, unplained;
+Yet, ere thou die, it were convenient                    80
+To tell the cause which thee thereto constrained,
+Least that the world thee dead accuse of guilt,
+And say, when thou of none shall be maintained,
+That thou for secret crime thy blood hast spilt.”
+
+
+“Who life does loath, and longs to be unbound                    85
+From the strong shackles of fraile flesh,” quoth he,
+“Nought cares at all what they that live on ground
+Deem the occasion of his death to bee;
+Rather desires to be forgotten quight,
+Than question made of his calamitie;                    90
+For harts deep sorrow hates both life and light.
+
+
+“Yet since so much thou seemst to rue my griefe,
+And car’st for one that for himselfe cares nought,
+(Sign of thy love, though nought for my reliefe,
+For my reliefe exceedeth living thought,)                    95
+I will to thee this heavie case relate:
+Then harken well till it to end be brought,
+For never didst thou heare more haplesse fate.
+
+
+“Whilome I usde (as thou right well doest know)
+My little flocke on westerns downes to keep,                    100
+Not far from whence Sabrinaes streame doth flow,
+And flowrie bancks with silver liquor steepe;
+Nought carde I then for worldly change or chaunce,
+For all my ioy was on my gentle sheepe,
+And to my pype to caroll and to daunce.                    105
+
+
+“It there befell, as I the fields did range
+Fearlesse and free, a faire young Lionesse,
+White as the native rose before the chaunge
+Which Venus blood did in her leaves impresse,
+I spied playing on the grassie plaine                    110
+Her youthfull sports and kindlie wantonnesse,
+That did all other beasts in beawtie staine.
+  [Ver. 107.—_A fair young Lionesse,_ So called from the white lion in
+  the arms of the Duke of Norfolk, the head of the family to which Lady
+  Douglas Howard belonged. H.]
+
+
+“Much was I moved at so goodly sight,
+Whose like before mine eye had seldome seene,
+And gan to cast how I her compasse might,                    115
+And bring to hand that yet had never beene:
+So well I wrought with mildnes and with paine,
+That I her caught disporting on the greene,
+And brought away fast bound with silver chaine.
+
+
+“And afterwardes I handled her so fayre,                    120
+That though by kind shee stout and salvage were,
+For being borne an auncient lions hayre,
+And of the race that all wild beastes do feare,
+Yet I her fram’d, and wan so to my bent,
+That shee became so meeke and milde of cheare                    125
+As the least lamb in all my flock that went.
+
+
+“For shee in field, where-ever I did wend,
+Would wend with me, and waite by me all day;
+And all the night that I in watch did spend,
+If cause requir’d, or els in sleepe, if nay,                    130
+Shee would all night by me or watch or sleepe;
+And evermore when I did sleepe or play,
+She of my flock would take full warie keepe*.
+  [* _Keepe_, care.]
+
+
+“Safe then, and safest, were my sillie sheepe,
+Ne fear’d the wolfe, ne fear’d the wildest beast,                   
+135
+All* were I drown’d in carelesse quiet deepe:
+My lovely Lionesse without beheast
+So careful was for them and for my good,
+That when I waked, neither most nor least
+I found miscarried, or in plaine or wood.                    140
+  [* _All_, although.]
+
+
+“Oft did the shepheards which my hap did heare,
+And oft their lasses, which my luck envyde,
+Daylie resort to me from farre and neare,
+To see my Lyonesse, whose praises wyde
+Were spred abroad; and when her worthinesse                    145
+Much greater than the rude report they tryde*,
+They her did praise, and my good fortune blesse.
+  [* _Tryde_, proved, found.]
+
+
+“Long thus I ioyed in my happinesse,
+And well did hope my ioy would have no end;
+But oh! fond man! that in worlds ficklenesse                    150
+Reposedst hope, or weenedst Her thy frend
+That glories most in mortall miseries,
+And daylie doth her changefull counsels bend
+To make new matter fit for tragedies.
+
+
+“For whilest I was thus without dread or dout,                    155
+A cruel Satyre with his murdrous dart,
+Greedie of mischiefe, ranging all about,
+Gave her the fatall wound of deadly smart,
+And reft from me my sweete companion,
+And reft from me my love, my life, my hart:                    160
+My Lyonesse, ah woe is me! is gon!
+
+
+“Out of the world thus was she reft away,
+Out of the world, unworthy such a spoyle,
+And borne to heaven, for heaven a fitter pray;
+Much fitter then the lyon which with toyle                    165
+Alcides slew, and fixt in firmament;
+Her now I seeke throughout this earthly soyle,
+And seeking misse, and missing doe lament.”
+
+
+Therewith he gan afresh to waile and weepe,
+That I for pittie of his heavie plight                    170
+Could not abstain mine eyes with teares to steepe;
+But when I saw the anguish of his spright
+Some deale alaid, I him bespake againe:
+“Certes, Alcyon, painfull is thy plight,
+That it in me breeds almost equall paine,                    175
+
+
+“Yet doth not my dull wit well understand
+The riddle of thy loved Lionesse;
+For rare it seemes in reason to be skand,
+That man, who doth the whole worlds rule possesse,
+Should to a beast his noble hart embase,                    180
+And be the vassall of his vassalesse;
+Therefore more plain areade* this doubtfull case.”
+  [* _Areade_, explain.]
+
+
+Then sighing sore, “Daphne thou knew’st,” quoth he;
+“She now is dead”: no more endur’d to say,
+But fell to ground for great extremitie;                    185
+That I, beholding it, with deepe dismay
+Was much apald, and, lightly him uprearing,
+Revoked life, that would have fled away,
+All were my selfe through grief in deadly drearing*.
+  [* _Drearing_, sorrowing.]
+
+
+Then gan I him to comfort all my best,                    190
+And with milde counsaile strove to mitigate
+The stormie passion of his troubled brest;
+But he thereby was more empassionate,
+As stubborne steed that is with curb restrained
+Becomes more fierce and fervent in his gate,                    195
+And, breaking foorth at last, thus dearnely* plained:
+  [* _Dearnely_, sadly.]
+
+I.
+
+“What man henceforth that breatheth vitall aire
+Will honour Heaven, or heavenly powers adore,
+Which so uniustly doth their iudgements share
+Mongst earthly wights, as to afflict so sore                    200
+The innocent as those which do transgresse,
+And doe not spare the best or fairest more
+Than worst or foulest, but doe both oppresse?
+
+
+“If this be right, why did they then create
+The world so faire, sith fairenesse is neglected?                   
+205
+Or why be they themselves immaculate,
+If purest things be not by them respected?
+She faire, she pure, most faire, most pure she was,
+Yet was by them as thing impure reiected;
+Yet she in purenesse heaven it self did pas.                    210
+
+
+“In purenesse, and in all celestiall grace
+That men admire in goodly womankind,
+She did excell, and seem’d of angels race,
+Living on earth like angell new divinde*,
+Adorn’d with wisedome and with chastitie,                    215
+And all the dowries of a noble mind,
+Which did her beautie much more beautifie.
+  [* _Divinde_, deified.]
+
+
+“No age hath bred (since faire Astræa left
+The sinfull world) more vertue in a wight;
+And, when she parted hence, with her she reft                    220
+Great hope, and robd her race of bounty* quight.
+Well may the shepheard lasses now lament;
+For doubble losse by her hath on them light,
+To loose both her and bounties ornament.
+  [* _Bounty_, goodness.]
+
+
+“Ne let Elisa, royall shepheardesse,                    225
+The praises of my parted* love envy,
+For she hath praises in all plenteousnesse
+Powr’d upon her, like showers of Castaly,
+By her owne shepheard, Colin, her own shepheard,
+That her with heavenly hymnes doth deifie,                    230
+Of rusticke Muse full hardly to be betterd.
+  [* _Parted_, departed.]
+
+
+“She is the rose, the glory of the day,
+And mine the primrose in the lowly shade:
+Mine? ah, not mine! amisse I mine did say:
+Not mine, but His which mine awhile her made;                    235
+Mine to be-his, with him to live for ay.
+O that so faire a flowre so soon should fade,
+And through untimely tempest fall away!
+
+
+“She fell away in her first ages spring,
+Whilst yet her leafe was greene, and fresh her rinde;
+And whilst her braunch faire blossomes foorth did bring,               
+    241
+She fell away against all course of kinde*.
+For age to dye is right, but youth is wrong;
+She fell away like fruit blowne down with winde.
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong**.
+  [* _Kinde_, nature.]
+  [** _Undersong_, accompaniment.]
+
+II.
+
+“What hart so stonie hard but that would weepe.
+And poure forth fountaines of incessant teares?
+What Timon but would let compassion creepe
+Into his breast, and pierce his frosen eares?
+In stead of teares, whose brackish bitter well                    250
+I wasted have, my heart bloud dropping weares,
+To think to ground how that faire blossome fell.
+
+
+“Yet fell she not as one enforst to dye,
+Ne dyde with dread and grudging discontent,
+But as one toyld with travell downe doth lye,                    255
+So lay she downe, as if to sleepe she went,
+And closde her eyes with carelesse quietriesse;
+The whiles soft death away her spirit hent*,
+And soule assoyld** from sinfull fleshlinesse.
+  [* _Hent_, took]
+  [** _Assoyld_, absolved.]
+
+
+“Yet ere that life her lodging did forsake,                    260
+She, all resolv’d, and readie to remove,
+Calling to me (ay me!) this wise bespake;
+‘Alcyon! ah, my first and latest love!
+Ah! why does my Alcyon weepe and mourne,
+And grieve my ghost, that ill mote him behove,                    265
+As if to me had chaunst some evill tourne!
+
+
+“‘I, since the messenger is come for mee
+That summons soules unto the bridale feast
+Of his great Lord, must needs depart from thee,
+And straight obay his soveraine beheast;                    270
+Why should Alcyon then so sore lament
+That I from miserie shall be releast,
+And freed from wretched long imprisonment!
+
+
+“‘Our daies are full of dolour and disease.
+Our life afflicted with incessant paine,                    275
+That nought on earth may lessen or appease;
+Why then should I desire here to remaine!
+Or why should he that loves me sorrie bee
+For my deliverance, or at all complaine
+My good to heare, and toward* ioyes to see!                    280
+  [* _Toward,_ preparing, near at hand.]
+
+
+“‘I goe, and long desired have to goe;
+I goe with gladnesse to my wished rest,
+Whereas* no worlds sad care nor wasting woe
+May come, their happie quiet to molest;
+But saints and angels in celestiall thrones                    285
+Eternally Him praise that hath them blest;
+There shall I be amongst those blessed ones.
+  [* _Whereas,_ where.]
+
+
+“‘Yet, ere I goe, a pledge I leave with thee
+Of the late love the which betwixt us past;
+My young Ambrosia; in lieu of mee,                    290
+Love her; so shall our love for ever last.
+Thus, deare! adieu, whom I expect ere long.’—
+So having said, away she softly past;
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make mine undersong.
+
+III.
+
+“So oft as I record those piercing words,                    295
+Which yet are deepe engraven in my brest,
+And those last deadly accents, which like swords
+Did wound my heart and rend my bleeding chest,
+With those sweet sugred speeches doe compare
+The which my soul first conquerd and possest,                    300
+The first beginners of my endlesse care,
+
+
+“And when those pallid cheekes and ashe hew,
+In which sad Death his pourtraiture had writ,
+And when those hollow eyes and deadly view,
+On which the cloud of ghastly night did sit,                    305
+I match, with that sweete smile and chearful brow,
+Which all the world subdued unto it,
+How happie was I then, and wretched now!
+
+
+“How happie was I when I saw her leade
+The shepheards daughters dauncing in a rownd!                    310
+How trimly would she trace* and softly tread
+The tender grasse, with rosye garland crownd!
+And when she list advaunce her heavenly voyce,
+Both Nymphes and Muses nigh she made astownd,
+And flocks and shepheards caused to reioyce.                    315
+  [* _Trace_, step]
+
+
+“But now, ye shepheard lasses! who shall lead
+Your wandring troupes, or sing your virelayes*?
+Or who shall dight** your bowres, sith she is dead
+That was the lady of your holy-dayes?
+Let now your blisse be turned into bale,                    320
+And into plaints convert your ioyous playes,
+And with the same fill every hill and dale.
+  [* _Virelayes_, roundelays.]
+  [** _Dight_, deck.]
+
+
+“Let bagpipe never more be heard to shrill,
+That may allure the senses to delight,
+Ne ever shepheard sound his oaten quill                    325
+Unto the many*, that provoke them might
+To idle pleasance; but let ghastlinesse
+And drearie horror dim the chearfull light,
+To make the image of true heavinesse.
+  [* _Many_, company.]
+
+
+“Let birds be silent on the naked spray,                    330
+And shady woods resound with dreadfull yells;
+Let streaming floods their hastie courses stay,
+And parching drouth drie up the cristall wells;
+Let th’earth be barren, and bring foorth no flowres,
+And th’ayre be fild with noyse of dolefull knells,                   
+335
+And wandring spirits walke untimely howres.
+
+
+“And Nature, nurse of every living thing,
+Let rest her selfe from her long wearinesse,
+And cease henceforth things kindly forth to bring,
+But hideous monsters full of uglinesse;                    340
+For she it is that hath me done this wrong;
+No nurse, but stepdame cruell, mercilesse.
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+
+IV.
+
+“My little flock, whom earst I lov’d so well,
+And wont to feed with finest grasse that grew,                    345
+Feede ye hencefoorth on bitter astrofell*,
+And stinking smallage, and unsaverie rew;
+And when your mawes are with those weeds corrupted,
+Be ye the pray of wolves; ne will I rew
+That with your carkasses wild beasts be glutted.                    350
+  [* _Astrofell_, (probably) starwort. See _Astrophel_, v. 184-196.]
+
+
+“Ne worse to you, my sillie sheepe, I pray,
+Ne sorer vengeance wish on you to fall
+Than to my selfe, for whose confusde decay**
+To carelesse heavens I doo daylie call;
+But heavens refuse to heare a wretches cry;                    355
+And cruell Death doth scorn to come at call,
+Or graunt his boone that most desires to dye.
+  [* _Decay_, destruction.]
+
+
+“The good and righteous he away doth take,
+To plague th’unrighteous which alive remaine;
+But the ungodly ones he doth forsake,                    360
+By living long to multiplie their paine;
+Else surely death should be no punishment,
+As the Great Iudge at first did it ordaine,
+But rather riddance from long languishment.
+
+
+“Therefore, my Daphne they have tane away;                    365
+For worthie of a better place was she:
+But me unworthie willed here to stay,
+That with her lacke I might tormented be.
+Sith then they so have ordred, I will pay
+Penance to her, according* their decree,                    370
+And to her ghost doe service day by day.
+  [* _According_, according to.]
+
+
+“For I will walke this wandring pilgrimage,
+Throughout the world from one to other end,
+And in affliction waste my better age:
+My bread shall be the anguish of my mynd,                    375
+My drink the teares which fro mine eyes do raine,
+My bed the ground that hardest I may fynd;
+So will I wilfully increase my paine.
+
+
+“And she, my love that was, my saint that is,
+When she beholds from her celestiall throne                    380
+(In which shee ioyeth in eternall blis)
+My bitter penance, will my case bemone,
+And pittie me that living thus doo die;
+For heavenly spirits have compassion
+On mortall men, and rue their miserie.                    385
+
+
+“So when I have with sorrow satisfyde
+Th’importune Fates which vengeance on me seeks,
+And th’heavens with long languor pacifyde,
+She, for pure pitie of my sufferance meeke,
+Will send for me; for which I daily long,                    390
+And will till then my painfull penance eeke,
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+
+V.
+
+“Hencefoorth I hate whatever Nature made,
+And in her workmanship no pleasure finde,
+For they be all but vaine, and quickly fade                    395
+So soone as on them blowes the northern winde;
+They tarrie not, but flit and fall away,
+Leaving behind them nought but griefe of minde,
+And mocking such as thinke they long will stay.
+
+
+“I hate the heaven, because it doth withhould                    400
+Me from my love, and eke my love from me;
+I hate the earth, because it is the mould
+Of fleshly slime and fraile mortalitie;
+I hate the fire, because to nought it flyes;
+I hate the ayre, because sighes of it be;                    405
+I hate the sea, because it teares supplyes.
+
+
+“I hate the day, because it lendeth light
+To see all things, and not my love to see;
+I hate the darknesse and the dreary night,
+Because they breed sad balefulnesse in mee;                    410
+I hate all times, because all times doo fly
+So fast away, and may not stayed bee,
+But as a speedie post that passeth by.
+
+
+“I hate to speake, my voyce is spent with crying;
+I hate to heare, lowd plaints have duld mine eares;
+I hate to tast, for food withholds my dying;                    416
+I hate to see, mine eyes are dimd with teares;
+I hate to smell, no sweet on earth is left;
+I hate to feele, my flesh is numbd with feares:
+So all my senses from me are bereft.                    420
+
+
+“I hate all men, and shun all womankinde;
+The one, because as I they wretched are;
+The other, for because I doo not finde
+My love with them, that wont to be their starre.
+And life I hate, because it will not last;                    425
+And death I hate, because it life doth marre;
+And all I hate that is to come or past.
+
+
+“So all the world, and all in it I hate,
+Because it changeth ever to and fro,
+And never standeth in one certaine state,                    430
+But, still unstedfast, round about doth goe
+Like a mill-wheele in midst of miserie,
+Driven with streames of wretchednesse and woe,
+That dying lives, and living still does dye.
+
+
+“So doo I live, so doo I daylie die,                    435
+And pine away in selfe-consuming paine!
+Sith she that did my vitall powres supplie,
+And feeble spirits in their force maintaine,
+Is fetcht fro me, why seeke I to prolong
+My wearie daies in dolour and disdalne!                    440
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+
+IV.
+
+“Why doo I longer live in lifes despight,
+And doo not dye then in despight of death!
+Why doo I longer see this loathsome light,
+And doo in darknesse not abridge my breath,                    445
+Sith all my sorrow should have end thereby,
+And cares finde quiet! Is it so uneath*
+To leave this life, or dolorous to dye?
+  [* _Uneath_, difficult.]
+
+
+“To live I finde it deadly dolorous,
+For life drawes care, and care continuall woe;                    450
+Therefore to dye must needes be ioyeous,
+And wishfull thing this sad life to forgoe.
+But I must stay; I may it not amend;
+My Daphne hence departing bad me so;
+She bad me stay, till she for me did send.                    455
+
+
+“Yet, whilest I in this wretched vale doo stay,
+My wearie feete shall ever wandring be,
+That still I may be readie on my way
+When, as her messenger doth come for me;
+Ne will I rest my feete for feeblenesse,                    460
+Ne will I rest my limmes for frailtie,
+Ne will I rest mine eyes for heavinesse.
+
+
+“But, as the mother of the gods, that sought
+For faire Euridyce, her daughter dere,
+Throughout the world, with wofull heavie thought,
+So will I travell whilest I tarrie heere,                    466
+Ne will I lodge, ne will I ever lin*,
+Ne, when as drouping Titan draweth nere
+To loose his teeme, will I take up my inne**.
+[* _Lin_, cease.]
+[** _Inne_, lodging.]
+
+
+“Ne sleepe, the harbenger* of wearie wights,                    470
+Shall ever lodge upon mine eye-lids more,
+Ne shall with rest refresh my fainting sprights,
+Nor failing force to former strength restore:
+But I will wake and sorrow all the night
+With Philumene*, my fortune to deplore;                    475
+With Philumene, the partner of my plight.
+  [* _Harbenger_, one who provides lodging or repose.]
+  [** _Philumene_, Philomel.]
+
+
+“And ever as I see the starre to fall,
+And under ground to goe to give them light
+Which dwell in darknesse, I to mind will call
+How my faire starre, that shind on me so bright,                    480
+Fell sodainly and faded under ground;
+Since whose departure, day is turnd to night,
+And night without a Venus starre is found.
+
+
+“But soon as day doth shew his deawie face,
+And cals foorth men unto their toylsome trade,                    485
+I will withdraw me to some darkesome place,
+Or some dere* cave, or solitarie shade;
+There will I sigh, and sorrow all day long,
+And the huge burden of my cares unlade.                    489
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+  [* Qu. _derne_, lonely? Or, _drere?_]
+
+VII.
+
+“Henceforth mine eyes shall never more behold
+Faire thing on earth, ne feed on false delight
+Of ought that framed is of mortall mould,
+Sith that my fairest flower is faded quight;
+For all I see is vaine and transitorie,                    495
+Ne will be held in any stedfast plight,
+But in a moment loose their grace and glorie.
+
+
+“And ye, fond Men! on Fortunes wheele that ride,
+Or in ought under heaven repose assurance,
+Be it riches, beautie, or honours pride,                    500
+Be sure that they shall have no long endurance,
+But ere ye be aware will flit away;
+For nought of them is yours, but th’only usance
+Of a small time, which none ascertains may.
+
+
+“And ye, true Lovers! whom desastrous chaunce,                    505
+Hath farre exiled from your ladies grace,
+To mourne in sorrow and sad sufferauncc,
+When ye doe heare me in that desert place
+Lamenting loud my Daphnes elegie,
+Helpe me to waile my miserable case,                    510
+And when life parts vouchsafe to close mine eye.
+
+
+“And ye, more happie Lovers! which enioy
+The presence of your dearest loves delight,
+“When ye doe heare my sorrowfull annoy,
+Yet pittie me in your empassiond spright,                    515
+And thinke that such mishap as chaunst to me
+May happen unto the most happiest wight;
+For all mens states alike unstedfast be.
+
+
+“And ye, ray fellow Shepheards! which do feed
+Your carelesse flocks on hils and open plaines,                    520
+With better fortune than did me succeed,
+Remember yet my undeserved paines;
+And when ye heare that I am dead or slaine,
+Lament my lot, and tell your fellow-swaines
+That sad Aleyon dyde in lifes disdaine.                    525
+
+
+“And ye, faire Damsels! shepheards deare delights,
+That with your loves do their rude hearts possesse,
+When as my hearse shall happen to your sightes,
+Vouchsafe to deck the same with cyparesse;
+And ever sprinckle brackish teares among,                    530
+In pitie of my undeserv’d distresse,
+The which, I, wretch, endured have thus long.
+
+
+“And ye, poore Pilgrims! that with restlesse toyle
+Wearie your selves in wandring desart wayes,
+Till that you come where ye your vowes assoyle*,                    535
+When passing by ye reade these wofull layes
+On my grave written, rue my Daphnes wrong,
+And mourne for me that languish out my dayes.
+Cease, Shepheard! cease, and end thy undersong.”
+  [* _Assoyle_, absolve, pay.]
+
+
+Thus when he ended had his heavie plaint,                    540
+The heaviest plaint that ever I heard sound,
+His cheekes wext pale, and sprights began to faint,
+As if againe he would have fallen to ground;
+Which when I saw, I, stepping to him light,
+Amooved* him out of his stonie swound,                    545
+And gan him to recomfort as I might.
+  [* _Amooved_, roused.]
+
+
+But he no waie recomforted would be,
+Nor suffer solace to approach him nie,
+But, casting up a sdeinfull eie at me,
+That in his traunce I would not let him lie,                    550
+Did rend his haire, and beat his blubbred face,
+As one disposed wilfullie to die,
+That I sore griev’d to see his wretched case.
+
+
+Tho when the pang was somewhat overpast,
+And the outragious passion nigh appeased,                    555
+I him desyrde, sith daie was overcast
+And darke night fast approched, to be pleased
+To turne aside unto my cabinet*,
+And staie with me, till he were better eased
+Of that strong stownd** which him so sore beset.                    560
+  [* _Cabinet_, cabin.]
+  [** _Stownd_, mood, paroxysm of grief.]
+
+
+But by no meanes I could him win thereto,
+Ne longer him intreate with me to staie,
+But without taking leave he foorth did goe
+With staggring pace and dismall looks dismay,
+As if that Death he in the face had seene,                    565
+Or hellish hags had met upon the way:
+But what of him became I cannot weene.
+
+
+
+
+AMORETTI
+
+AND
+
+EPITHALAMION.
+
+WRITTEN NOT LONG SINCE BY
+
+EDMUNDE SPENSER.
+
+
+PRINTED FOR WILLIAM POSBONBY.
+
+
+1595.
+
+
+G. W. SENIOR*, TO THE AUTHOR.
+
+
+[* These commendatory Sonnets first appeared in the first folio edition
+of Spenser’s entire works (1611). G. W., as Todd conjectures, may be
+George Whetstone. C.]
+
+
+Darke is the day when Phoebus face is shrowded,
+And weaker sights may wander soone astray;
+But when they see his glorious raies unclowded,
+With steddy steps they keepe the perfect way:
+So, while this Muse in forraine land doth stay,
+Invention weepes, and pennes are cast aside;
+The time, like night, deprivd of chearfull day;
+And few doe write, but ah! too soone may slide.
+Then hie thee home, that art our perfect guide,
+And with thy wit illustrate Englands fame,
+Daunting therby our neighbors ancient pride,
+That do for Poesie challenge chiefest name:
+  So we that live, and ages that succeed,
+  With great applause thy learned works shall reed.
+
+
+
+
+Ah! Colin, whether on the lowly plaine,
+Piping to shepheards thy sweet roundelayes,
+Or whether singing, in some loftie vaine,
+Heroicke deeds of past or present dayes,
+Or whether in thy lovely mistresse praise
+Thou list to exercise thy learned quill,
+Thy Muse hath got such grace and power to please,
+With rare invention, beautified by skill,
+As who therin can ever ioy their fill!
+O, therefore let that happy Muse proceed
+To clime the height of Vertues sacred hill,
+Where endlesse honour shal be made thy meed:
+  Because no malice of succeeding daies
+  Can rase those records of thy lasting praise.
+
+
+G. W. I[unior].
+
+
+AMORETTI.[*]
+
+[* These Sonnets furnish us with a circumstantial and very interesting
+history of Spenser’s second courtship, which, after many repulses, was
+successfully terminated by the marriage celebrated in the
+_Epithalamion_. As these poems were entered in the Stationers’
+Registers on the 19th of November, 1594, we may infer that they cover a
+period of time extending from the end of 1592 to the summer of 1594. It
+is possible, however, that these last dates may be a year too late, and
+that Spenser was married in 1593. We cannot be sure of the year, but we
+know, from the 266th verse of the Epithalamion, that the day was the
+feast of St. Barnabas, June 11 of the Old Style. In the 74th sonnet we
+are directly told that the lady’s name was Elizabeth. In the 61st, she
+is said to be of the “Brood of Angels, heavenly born.” From this and
+many similar expressions, interpreted by the laws of Anagram, and taken
+in conjunction with various circumstances which do not require to be
+stated here, it may be inferred that her surname was Nagle. C.]
+
+
+I.
+
+Happy, ye leaves! when as those lilly hands
+Which hold my life in their dead-doing might
+Shall handle you, and hold in loves soft bands,
+Lyke captives trembling at the victors sight.
+And happy lines! on which, with starry light,
+Those lamping eyes will deigne sometimes to look,
+And reade the sorrowes of my dying spright,
+And happy rymes! bath’d in the sacred brooke
+Of Helicon, whence she derived is,
+When ye behold that Angels blessed looke,
+My soules long-lacked food, my heavens blis,
+  Leaves, lines, and rymes, seeke her to please alone,
+  Whom if ye please, I care for other none!
+
+II.
+
+Unquiet thought! whom at the first I bred
+Of th’inward bale of my love-pined hart,
+And sithens have with sighes and sorrowes fed,
+Till greater then my wombe thou woxen art,
+Breake forth at length out of the inner part,
+In which thou lurkest lyke to vipers brood,
+And seeke some succour both to ease my smart,
+And also to sustayne thy selfe with food.
+But if in presence of that fayrest Proud
+Thou chance to come, fall lowly at her feet;
+And with meek humblesse and afflicted mood
+Pardon for thee, and grace for me, intreat:
+  Which if she graunt, then live, and my love cherish:
+  If not, die soone, and I with thee will perish.
+
+III.
+
+The soverayne beauty which I doo admyre,
+Witnesse the world how worthy to be prayzed!
+The light wherof hath kindled heavenly fyre
+In my fraile spirit, by her from basenesse raysed;
+That being now with her huge brightnesse dazed,
+Base thing I can no more endure to view:
+But, looking still on her, I stand amazed
+At wondrous sight of so celestiall hew.
+So when my toung would speak her praises dew,
+It stopped is with thoughts astonishment;
+And when my pen would write her titles true,
+It ravisht is with fancies wonderment:
+  Yet in my hart I then both speak and write
+  The wonder that my wit cannot endite.
+
+IV.
+
+New yeare, forth looking out of Ianus gate,
+Doth seeme to promise hope of new delight,
+And, bidding th’old adieu, his passed date
+Bids all old thoughts to die in dumpish* spright;
+And calling forth out of sad Winters night
+Fresh Love, that long hath slept in cheerlesse bower,
+Wils him awake, and soone about him dight
+His wanton wings and darts of deadly power.
+For lusty Spring now in his timely howre
+Is ready to come forth, him to receive;
+And warns the Earth with divers colord flowre
+To decke hir selfe, and her faire mantle weave.
+  Then you, faire flowre! in whom fresh youth doth raine,
+  Prepare your selfe new love to entertaine.
+[l _Dumpish_, mournful.]
+
+V.
+
+Rudely thou wrongest my deare harts desire,
+In finding fault with her too portly pride:
+The thing which I doo most in her admire,
+Is of the world unworthy most envide.
+For in those lofty lookes is close implide
+Scorn of base things, and sdeigne of foul dishonor;
+Thretning rash eies which gaze on her so wide,
+That loosely they ne dare to looke upon her.
+Such pride is praise, such portlinesse is honor,
+That boldned innocence beares in hir eies,
+And her faire countenaunce, like a goodly banner,
+Spreds in defiaunce of all enemies.
+  Was never in this world ought worthy tride*,
+  Without some spark of such self-pleasing pride.
+[* _Tride_, found.]
+
+VI.
+
+Be nought dismayd that her unmoved mind
+Doth still persist in her rebellious pride:
+Such love, not lyke to lusts of baser kynd,
+The harder wonne, the firmer will abide.
+The durefull oake whose sap is not yet dride
+Is long ere it conceive the kindling fyre;
+But when it once doth burne, it doth divide
+Great heat, and makes his flames to heaven aspire.
+So hard it is to kindle new desire
+In gentle brest, that shall endure for ever:
+Deepe is the wound that dints the parts entire*
+With chaste affects, that naught but death can sever.
+  Then thinke not long in taking litle paine
+  To knit the knot that ever shall remaine.
+[* _Entire_, inward.]
+
+VII.
+
+Fayre eyes! the myrrour of my mazed hart,
+What wondrous vertue is contayn’d in you,
+The which both lyfe and death forth from you dart
+Into the obiect of your mighty view?
+For when ye mildly looke with lovely hew,
+Then is my soule with life and love inspired:
+But when ye lowre, or looke on me askew,
+Then do I die, as one with lightning fyred.
+But since that lyfe is more then death desyred,
+Looke ever lovely, as becomes you best;
+That your bright beams, of my weak eies admyred,
+May kindle living fire within my brest.
+   Such life should be the honor of your light,
+   Such death the sad ensample of your might.
+
+VIII
+
+More then most faire, full of the living fire
+Kindled above unto the Maker nere,
+No eies, but ioyes, in which al powers conspire,
+That to the world naught else be counted deare!
+Thrugh your bright beams doth not the blinded guest
+Shoot out his darts to base affections wound;
+But angels come, to lead fraile mindes to rest
+In chast desires, on heavenly beauty bound.
+You frame my thoughts, and fashion me within;
+You stop my toung, and teach my hart to speake;
+You calme the storme that passion did begin,
+Strong thrugh your cause, but by your vertue weak.
+   Dark is the world where your light shined never;
+   Well is he borne that may behold you ever.
+
+IX.
+
+Long-while I sought to what I might compare
+Those powrefull eies which lighten my dark spright;
+Yet find I nought on earth, to which I dare
+Resemble th’ymage of their goodly light.
+Not to the sun, for they doo shine by night;
+Nor to the moone, for they are changed never;
+Nor to the starres, for they have purer sight;
+Nor to the fire, for they consume not ever;
+Nor to the lightning, for they still persever;
+Nor to the diamond, for they are more tender;
+Nor unto cristall, for nought may them sever;
+Nor unto glasse, such basenesse mought offend her.
+  Then to the Maker selfe they likest be,
+  Whose light doth lighten all that here we see.
+
+X.
+
+Unrighteous Lord of love, what law is this,
+That me thou makest thus tormented be,
+The whiles she lordeth in licentious blisse
+Of her freewill, scorning both thee and me?
+See! how the Tyrannesse doth ioy to see
+The hugh massácres which her eyes do make,
+And humbled harts brings captive unto thee,
+That thou of them mayst mightie vengeance take.
+But her proud hart doe thou a little shake,
+And that high look, with which she doth comptroll
+All this worlds pride, bow to a baser make*,
+And al her faults in thy black booke enroll:
+  That I may laugh at her in equall sort
+  As she doth laugh at me, and makes my pain her sport.
+[* _Make_, mate.]
+
+XI.
+
+Dayly when I do seeke and sew for peace,
+And hostages doe offer for my truth,
+She, cruell warriour, doth her selfe addresse
+To battell, and the weary war renew’th;
+Ne wilbe moov’d, with reason or with rewth*,
+To graunt small respit to my restlesse toile;
+But greedily her fell intent poursewth,
+Of my poore life to make unpittied spoile.
+Yet my poore life, all sorrowes to assoyle,
+I would her yield, her wrath to pacify;
+But then she seeks, with torment and turmoyle,
+To force me live, and will not let me dy.
+  All paine hath end, and every war hath peace;
+  But mine, no price nor prayer may surcease.
+[* _Rewth_, ruth, pity.]
+
+XII.
+
+One day I sought with her hart-thrilling eies
+To make a truce, and termes to entertaine;
+All fearlesse then of so false enimies,
+Which sought me to entrap in treasons traine.
+So, as I then disarmed did remaine,
+A wicked ambush, which lay hidden long
+In the close covert of her guilful eyen,
+Thence breaking forth, did thick about me throng.
+Too feeble I t’abide the brunt so strong,
+Was forst to yield my selfe into their hands;
+Who, me captiving streight with rigorous wrong,
+Have ever since kept me in cruell bands.
+  So, Ladie, now to you I doo complaine
+  Against your eies, that iustice I may gaine.
+
+XIII.
+
+In that proud port which her so goodly graceth,
+Whiles her faire face she reares up to the skie,
+And to the ground her eie-lids low embaseth,
+Most goodly temperature ye may descry;
+Myld humblesse mixt with awfull maiestie.
+For, looking on the earth whence she was borne,
+Her minde remembreth her mortalitie,
+Whatso is fayrest shall to earth returne.
+But that same lofty countenance seemes to scorne
+Base thing, and thinke how she to heaven may clime;
+Treading downe earth as lothsome and forlorne,
+That hinders heavenly thoughts with drossy slime.
+  Yet lowly still vouchsafe to looke on me;
+  Such lowlinesse shall make you lofty be.
+
+XIV.
+
+Retourne agayne, my forces late dismayd,
+Unto the siege by you abandon’d quite.
+Great shame it is to leave, like one afrayd,
+So fayre a peece* for one repulse so light.
+’Gaynst such strong castles needeth greater might
+Then those small forts which ye were wont belay**:
+Such haughty mynds, enur’d to hardy fight,
+Disdayne to yield unto the first assay.
+Bring therefore all the forces that ye may,
+And lay incessant battery to her heart;
+Playnts, prayers, vowes, ruth, sorrow, and dismay;
+Those engins can the proudest love convert:
+   And, if those fayle, fall down and dy before her;
+   So dying live, and living do adore her.
+[l _Peece_, fortress.]
+[** _Belay_, beleaguer.]
+
+XV.
+
+Ye tradefull Merchants, that, with weary toyle,
+Do seeke most pretious things to make your gain,
+And both the Indias of their treasure spoile,
+What needeth you to seeke so farre in vaine?
+For loe, my Love doth in her selfe containe
+All this worlds riches that may farre be found:
+If saphyres, loe, her eies be saphyres plaine;
+If rubies, loe, hir lips be rubies sound;
+If pearles, hir teeth be pearles, both pure and round;
+If yvorie, her forhead yvory weene;
+If gold, her locks are finest gold on ground;
+If silver, her faire hands are silver sheene:
+   But that which fairest is but few behold:—
+   Her mind adornd with vertues manifold.
+
+XVI.
+
+One day as I unwarily did gaze
+On those fayre eyes, my loves immortall light,
+The whiles my stonisht hart stood in amaze,
+Through sweet illusion of her lookes delight,
+I mote perceive how, in her glauncing sight,
+Legions of Loves with little wings did fly,
+Darting their deadly arrows, fyry bright,
+At every rash beholder passing by.
+One of those archers closely I did spy,
+Ayming his arrow at my very hart:
+When suddenly, with twincle of her eye,
+The damzell broke his misintended dart.
+   Had she not so doon, sure I had bene slayne;
+   Yet as it was, I hardly scap’t with paine.
+
+XVII.
+
+The glorious pourtraict of that angels face,
+Made to amaze weake mens confused skil,
+And this worlds worthlesse glory to embase,
+What pen, what pencill, can expresse her fill?
+For though he colours could devize at will,
+And eke his learned hand at pleasure guide,
+Least, trembling, it his workmanship should spill*,
+Yet many wondrous things there are beside:
+The sweet eye-glaunces, that like arrowes glide,
+The charming smiles, that rob sence from the hart,
+The lovely pleasance, and the lofty pride,
+Cannot expressed be by any art.
+  A greater craftesmans hand thereto doth neede,
+  That can expresse the life of things indeed.
+[l _Spill_, spoil.]
+
+XVIII.
+
+The rolling wheele that runneth often round,
+The hardest steele, in tract of time doth teare:
+And drizling drops, that often doe redound*,
+The firmest flint doth in continuance weare:
+Yet cannot I, with many a drooping teare
+And long intreaty, soften her hard hart,
+That she will once vouchsafe my plaint to heare,
+Or looke with pitty on my payneful smart.
+But when I pleade, she bids me play my part;
+And when I weep, she sayes, teares are but water;
+And when I sigh, she sayes, I know the art;
+And when I waile, she turnes hir selfe to laughter.
+  So do I weepe, and wayle, and pleade in vaine,
+  Whiles she as steele and flint doth still remayne.
+[* _Redound_, overflow.]
+
+XIX.
+
+The merry cuckow, messenger of Spring,
+His trompet shrill hath thrise already sounded.
+That warnes al lovers wayte upon their king,
+Who now is coming forth with girland crouned.
+With noyse whereof the quyre of byrds resounded
+Their anthemes sweet, devized of loves prayse,
+That all the woods theyr ecchoes back rebounded,
+As if they knew the meaning of their layes.
+But mongst them all which did Loves honor rayse,
+No word was heard of her that most it ought;
+But she his precept proudly disobayes,
+And doth his ydle message set at nought.
+  Therefore, O Love, unlesse she turne to thee
+  Ere cuckow end, let her a rebell be!
+
+XX.
+
+In vaine I seeke and sew to her for grace,
+And doe myne humbled hart before her poure,
+The whiles her foot she in my necke doth place,
+And tread my life downe in the lowly floure*.
+And yet the lyon, that is lord of power,
+And reigneth over every beast in field,
+In his most pride disdeigneth to devoure
+The silly lambe that to his might doth yield.
+But she, more cruell and more salvage wylde
+Than either lyon or the lyonesse,
+Shames not to be with guiltlesse bloud defylde,
+But taketh glory in her cruelnesse.
+  Fayrer then fayrest! let none ever say
+  That ye were blooded in a yeelded pray.
+[* _Floure_, floor, ground.]
+
+XXI.
+
+Was it the worke of Nature or of Art,
+Which tempred so the feature of her face,
+That pride and meeknesse, mist by equall part,
+Doe both appeare t’adorne her beauties grace?
+For with mild pleasance, which doth pride displace,
+She to her love doth lookers eyes allure;
+And with stern countenance back again doth chace
+Their looser lookes that stir up lustes impure.
+With such strange termes* her eyes she doth inure,
+That with one looke she doth my life dismay,
+And with another doth it streight recure:
+Her smile me drawes; her frowne me drives away.
+  Thus doth she traine and teach me with her lookes;
+  Such art of eyes I never read in bookes!
+[* _Termes_, extremes (?).]
+
+XXII.
+
+This holy season*, fit to fast and pray,
+Men to devotion ought to be inclynd:
+Therefore, I lykewise, on so holy day,
+For my sweet saynt some service fit will find.
+Her temple fayre is built within my mind,
+In which her glorious ymage placed is;
+On which my thoughts doo day and night attend,
+Lyke sacred priests that never thinke amisse.
+There I to her, as th’author of my blisse,
+Will builde an altar to appease her yre;
+And on the same my hart will sacrifise,
+Burning in flames of pure and chaste desyre:
+  The which vouchsafe, O Goddesse, to accept,
+  Amongst thy deerest relicks to be kept.
+[* I.e. Easter.]
+
+XXIII.
+
+Penelope, for her Ulisses sake,
+Deviz’d a web her wooers to deceave;
+In which the worke that she all day did make,
+The same at night she did againe unreave.
+Such subtile craft my damzell doth conceave,
+Th’importune suit of my desire to shonne:
+For all that I in many dayes do weave,
+In one short houre I find by her undonne.
+So when I thinke to end that I begonne,
+I must begin and never bring to end:
+For with one looke she spils that long I sponne,
+And with one word my whole years work doth rend.
+  Such labour like the spyders web I fynd,
+  Whose fruitlesse worke is broken with least wynd.
+
+XXIV.
+
+When I behold that beauties wonderment,
+And rare perfection of each goodly part,
+Of Natures skill the onely complement,
+I honor and admire the Makers art.
+But when I feele the bitter balefull smart
+Which her fayre eyes unwares doe worke in mee,
+That death out of theyr shiny beames doe dart,
+I thinke that I a new Pandora see,
+Whom all the gods in councell did agree
+Into this sinfull world from heaven to send,
+That she to wicked men a scourge should bee,
+For all their faults with which they did offend.
+  But since ye are my scourge, I will intreat
+  That for my faults ye will me gently beat.
+
+XXV.
+
+How long shall this lyke-dying lyfe endure,
+And know no end of her owne mysery,
+But wast and weare away in termes unsure,
+’Twixt feare and hope depending doubtfully!
+Yet better were attonce to let me die,
+And shew the last ensample of your pride,
+Then to torment me thus with cruelty,
+To prove your powre, which I too wel have tride.
+But yet if in your hardned brest ye bide
+A close intent at last to shew me grace,
+Then all the woes and wrecks which I abide,
+As meanes of blisse I gladly wil embrace;
+  And wish that more and greater they might be,
+  That greater meede at last may turne to mee.
+
+XXVI.
+
+Sweet is the rose, but growes upon a brere;
+Sweet is the iunipeer; but sharpe his bough;
+Sweet is the eglantine, but pricketh nere;
+Sweet is the firbloome, but his braunches rough*;
+Sweet is the cypresse, but his rynd is rough;
+Sweet is the nut, but bitter is his pill**;
+Sweet is the broome-flowre, but yet sowre enough;
+And sweet is moly, but his root is ill.
+So every sweet with soure is tempred still,
+That maketh it be coveted the more:
+For easie things, that may be got at will,
+Most sorts of men doe set but little store.
+  Why then should I accompt of little paine,
+  That endlesse pleasure shall unto me gaine!
+[* I.e. raw, crude.]
+[** _Pill_, peel.]
+
+XXVII.
+
+Faire Proud! now tell me, why should faire be proud,
+Sith all worlds glorie is but drosse uncleane,
+And in the shade of death it selfe shall shroud,
+However now thereof ye little weene!
+That goodly idoll, now so gay beseene*,
+Shall doffe her fleshes borrowd fayre attyre,
+And be forgot as it had never beene,
+That many now much worship and admire!
+Ne any then shall after it inquire,
+Ne any mention shall thereof remaine,
+But what this verse, that never shall expyre,
+Shall to you purchas with her thankles pain!
+  Faire! be no lenger proud of that shall perish,
+  But that which shall you make immortall cherish.
+[* _Beseene_, appearing.]
+
+XXVIII.
+
+The laurel-leafe which you this day doe weare
+Gives me great hope of your relenting mynd:
+For since it is the badge which I doe beare*,
+Ye, bearing it, doe seeme to me inclind.
+The powre thereof, which ofte in me I find,
+Let it likewise your gentle brest inspire
+With sweet infusion, and put you in mind
+Of that proud mayd whom now those leaves attyre:
+Proud Daphne, scorning Phœbus lovely** fyre,
+On the Thessalian shore from him did flie;
+For which the gods, in theyr revengefull yre,
+Did her transforme into a laurell-tree.
+  Then fly no more, fayre Love, from Phebus chace,
+  But in your brest his leafe and love embrace.
+[* I. e. as poet-laureate.]
+[** _Lovely_, loving.]
+
+XXIX.
+
+See! how the stubborne damzell doth deprave
+My simple meaning with disdaynfull scorne,
+And by the bay which I unto her gave
+Accoumpts my self her captive quite forlorne.
+The bay, quoth she, is of the victours born,
+Yielded them by the vanquisht as theyr meeds,
+And they therewith doe poetes heads adorne,
+To sing the glory of their famous deeds.
+But sith she will the conquest challeng needs,
+Let her accept me as her faithfull thrall;
+That her great triumph, which my skill exceeds,
+I may in trump of fame blaze over all.
+  Then would I decke her head with glorious bayes,
+  And fill the world with her victorious prayse.
+
+XXX.
+
+My Love is lyke to yse, and I to fyre:
+How comes it then that this her cold so great
+Is not dissolv’d through my so hot desyre,
+But harder growes the more I her intreat?
+Or how comes it that my exceeding heat
+Is not delayd* by her hart-frosen cold,
+But that I burne much more in boyling sweat,
+And feele my flames augmented manifold?
+What more miraculous thing may be told,
+That fire, which all things melts, should harden yse,
+And yse, which is congeald with sencelesse cold,
+Should kindle fyre by wonderful devyse?
+  Such is the powre of love in gentle mind,
+  That it can alter all the course of kynd.
+[* _Delayd_, tempered.]
+
+XXXI.
+
+Ah! why hath Nature to so hard a hart
+Given so goodly giftes of beauties grace,
+Whose pryde depraves each other better part,
+And all those pretious ornaments deface?
+Sith to all other beastes of bloody race
+A dreadfull countenance she given hath,
+That with theyr terrour all the rest may chace,
+And warne to shun the daunger of theyr wrath.
+But my proud one doth worke the greater scath*,
+Through sweet allurement of her lovely hew,
+That she the better may in bloody bath
+Of such poore thralls her cruell hands embrew.
+  But did she know how ill these two accord,
+  Such cruelty she would have soone abhord.
+[* _Scath_, injury.]
+
+XXXII.
+
+The paynefull smith with force of fervent heat
+The hardest yron soone doth mollify,
+That with his heavy sledge he can it beat,
+And fashion to what he it list apply.
+Yet cannot all these flames in which I fry
+Her hart, more hard then yron, soft a whit,
+Ne all the playnts and prayërs with which I
+Doe beat on th’andvile of her stubberne wit:
+But still, the more she fervent sees my fit,
+The more she frieseth in her wilfull pryde,
+And harder growes, the harder she is smit
+With all the playnts which to her be applyde.
+  What then remaines but I to ashes burne,
+  And she to stones at length all frosen turne!
+
+XXXIII.
+
+Great wrong I doe, I can it not deny,
+To that most sacred empresse, my dear dred,
+Not finishing her Queene of Faëry,
+That mote enlarge her living prayses, dead.
+But Lodwick*, this of grace to me aread:
+Do ye not thinck th’accomplishment of it
+Sufficient worke for one mans simple head,
+All were it, as the rest, but rudely writ?
+How then should I, without another wit,
+Thinck ever to endure so tedious toyle,
+Sith that this one is tost with troublous fit
+Of a proud Love, that doth my spirite spoyle?
+  Cease, then, till she vouchsafe to grawnt me rest,
+  Or lend you me another living brest.
+[* I.e. Lodowick Bryskett.]
+
+XXXIV.
+
+Lyke as a ship, that through the ocean wyde
+By conduct of some star doth make her way,
+Whenas a storm hath dimd her trusty guyde,
+Out of her course doth wander far astray,
+So I, whose star, that wont with her bright ray
+Me to direct, with cloudes is over-cast,
+Doe wander now in darknesse and dismay,
+Through hidden perils round about me plast.
+Yet hope I well that, when this storme is past,
+My Helice*, the lodestar of my lyfe,
+Will shine again, and looke on me at last,
+With lovely light to cleare my cloudy grief.
+  Till then I wander carefull, comfortlesse,
+  In secret sorrow and sad pensivenesse.
+[* I. e. Cynosure.]
+
+XXXV.
+
+My hungry eyes, through greedy covetize
+Still to behold the obiect of their paine,
+With no contentment can themselves suffize;
+But having, pine, and having not, complaine.
+For lacking it, they cannot lyfe sustayne;
+And having it, they gaze on it the more,
+In their amazement lyke Narcissus vaine,
+Whose eyes him starv’d: so plenty makes me poore.
+Yet are mine eyes so filled with the store
+Of that faire sight, that nothing else they brooke,
+But lothe the things which they did like before,
+And can no more endure on them to looke.
+  All this worlds glory seemeth vayne to me,
+  And all their showes but shadowes, saving she.
+
+XXXVI.
+
+Tell me, when shall these wearie woes have end;
+Or shall their ruthlesse torment never cease,
+But al my days in pining languor spend,
+Without hope of asswagement or release?
+Is there no meanes for me to purchace peace,
+Or make agreement with her thrilling eyes;
+But that their cruelty doth still increace,
+And dayly more augment my miseryes?
+But when ye have shew’d all extremityes,
+Then think how little glory ye have gayned
+By slaying him, whose lyfe, though ye despyse,
+Mote have your life in honor long maintayned.
+  But by his death, which some perhaps will mone,
+  Ye shall condemned be of many a one.
+
+XXXVII.
+
+What guyle is this, that those her golden tresses
+She doth attyre under a net of gold,
+And with sly skill so cunningly them dresses,
+That which is gold or haire may scarse be told?
+Is it that mens frayle eyes, which gaze too bold,
+She may entangle in that golden snare;
+And, being caught, may craftily enfold
+Their weaker harts, which are not wel aware?
+Take heed therefore, myne eyes, how ye doe stare
+Henceforth too rashly on that guilefull net,
+In which if ever ye entrapped are,
+Out of her bands ye by no meanes shall get.
+  Fondnesse it were for any, being free,
+  To covet fetters, though they golden bee!
+
+XXXVIII.
+
+Arion, when, through tempests cruel wracke,
+He forth was thrown into the greedy seas,
+Through the sweet musick which his harp did make
+Allur’d a dolphin him from death to ease.
+But my rude musick, which was wont to please
+Some dainty eares, cannot, with any skill,
+The dreadfull tempest of her wrath appease,
+Nor move the dolphin from her stubborn will.
+But in her pride she dooth persever still,
+All carelesse how my life for her decayes:
+Yet with one word she can it save or spill.
+To spill were pitty, but to save were prayse!
+  Chuse rather to be praysd for doing good,
+  Then to be blam’d for spilling guiltlesse blood.
+
+XXXIX.
+
+Sweet smile! the daughter of the Queene of Love,
+Expressing all thy mothers powrefull art,
+With which she wonts to temper angry Iove,
+When all the gods he threats with thundring dart,
+Sweet is thy vertue, as thy selfe sweet art.
+For when on me thou shinedst late in sadnesse,
+A melting pleasance ran through every part,
+And me revived with hart-robbing gladnesse;
+Whylest rapt with ioy resembling heavenly madness,
+My soule was ravisht quite as in a traunce,
+And, feeling thence no more her sorrowes sadnesse,
+Fed on the fulnesse of that chearfull glaunce.
+  More sweet than nectar, or ambrosiall meat,
+  Seem’d every bit which thenceforth I did eat.
+
+XL.
+
+Mark when she smiles with amiable cheare,
+And tell me whereto can ye lyken it;
+When on each eyelid sweetly doe appeare
+An hundred Graces as in shade to sit.
+Lykest it seemeth, in my simple wit,
+Unto the fayre sunshine in somers day,
+That, when a dreadfull storme away is flit,
+Thrugh the broad world doth spred his goodly ray
+At sight whereof, each bird that sits on spray,
+And every beast that to his den was fled,
+Comes forth afresh out of their late dismay,
+And to the light lift up their drouping hed.
+  So my storme-beaten hart likewise is cheared
+  With that sunshine, when cloudy looks are cleared.
+[Footnote: XL. 4.—_An hundred Graces._ E.K., in his commentary on the
+Shepheards Calender, quotes a line closely resembling this from
+Spenser’s Pageants:
+
+
+“An hundred Graces on her eyelids sat.”
+
+
+The same fancy occurs in the Faerie Queene, and in the Hymn to Beauty.
+It is copied from a poem ascribed to Musaeus. C.]
+
+XLI.
+
+Is it her nature, or is it her will,
+To be so cruell to an humbled foe?
+If nature, then she may it mend with skill;
+If will, then she at will may will forgoe.
+But if her nature and her will be so,
+That she will plague the man that loves her most,
+And take delight t’encrease a wretches woe,
+Then all her natures goodly guifts are lost;
+And that same glorious beauties ydle boast
+Is but a bayt such wretches to beguile,
+As, being long in her loves tempest tost,
+She meanes at last to make her pitious spoyle.
+  O fayrest fayre! let never it be named,
+  That so fayre beauty was so fowly shamed.
+
+XLII.
+
+The love which me so cruelly tormenteth
+So pleasing is in my extreamest paine,
+That, all the more my sorrow it augmenteth,
+The more I love and doe embrace my bane.
+Ne do I wish (for wishing were but vaine)
+To be acquit fro my continual smart,
+But ioy her thrall for ever to remayne,
+And yield for pledge my poor and captyved hart,
+The which, that it from her may never start,
+Let her, yf please her, bynd with adamant chayne,
+And from all wandring loves, which mote pervart
+His safe assurance, strongly it restrayne.
+  Onely let her abstaine from cruelty,
+  And doe me not before my time to dy.
+
+XLIII.
+
+Shall I then silent be, or shall I speake?
+And if I speake, her wrath renew I shall;
+And if I silent be, my hart will breake,
+Or choked be with overflowing gall.
+What tyranny is this, both my hart to thrall,
+And eke my toung with proud restraint to tie,
+That neither I may speake nor thinke at all,
+But like a stupid stock in silence die!
+Yet I my hart with silence secretly
+Will teach to speak and my just cause to plead,
+And eke mine eies, with meek humility,
+Love-learned letters to her eyes to read;
+Which her deep wit, that true harts thought can spel,
+  Wil soon conceive, and learne to construe well.
+
+XLIV.
+
+When those renoumed noble peres of Greece
+Through stubborn pride among themselves did iar,
+Forgetfull of the famous golden fleece,
+Then Orpheus with his harp theyr strife did bar.
+But this continuall, cruell, civill warre
+The which my selfe against my selfe doe make,
+Whilest my weak powres of passions warreid arre,
+No skill can stint, nor reason can aslake.
+But when in hand my tunelesse harp I take,
+Then doe I more augment my foes despight,
+And griefe renew, and passions doe awake
+To battaile, fresh against my selfe to fight.
+  Mongst whome the more I seeke to settle peace,
+  The more I fynd their malice to increace.
+
+XLV.
+
+Leave, Lady! in your glasse of cristall clene
+Your goodly selfe for evermore to vew,
+And in my selfe, (my inward selfe I meane,)
+Most lively lyke behold your semblant trew.
+Within my hart, though hardly it can shew
+Thing so divine to vew of earthly eye,
+The fayre idea of your celestiall hew
+And every part remaines immortally:
+And were it not that through your cruelty
+With sorrow dimmed and deform’d it were,
+The goodly ymage of your visnomy*,
+Clearer than cristall, would therein appere.
+  But if your selfe in me ye playne will see,
+  Remove the cause by which your fayre beames darkned be.
+[* _Visnomy_, countenance.]
+
+XLVI.
+
+When my abodes prefixed time is spent,
+My cruell fayre streight bids me wend my way:
+But then from heaven most hideous stormes are sent,
+As willing me against her will to stay.
+Whom then shall I—or heaven, or her—obay?
+The heavens know best what is the best for me:
+But as she will, whose will my life doth sway,
+My lower heaven, so it perforce must be.
+But ye high hevens, that all this sorowe see,
+Sith all your tempests cannot hold me backe,
+Aswage your storms, or else both you and she
+Will both together me too sorely wrack.
+  Enough it is for one man to sustaine
+  The stormes which she alone on me doth raine.
+
+XLVII.
+
+Trust not the treason of those smyling lookes,
+Untill ye have their guylefull traynes well tryde;
+For they are lyke but unto golden hookes,
+That from the foolish fish theyr bayts do hyde:
+So she with flattring smyles weake harts doth guyde
+Unto her love, and tempte to theyr decay;
+Whome, being caught, she kills with cruell pryde,
+And feeds at pleasure on the wretched pray.
+Yet even whylst her bloody hands them slay,
+Her eyes looke lovely, and upon them smyle,
+That they take pleasure in their cruell play,
+And, dying, doe themselves of payne beguyle.
+  O mighty charm! which makes men love theyr bane,
+  And thinck they dy with pleasure, live with payne.
+
+XLVIII.
+
+Innocent paper! whom too cruell hand
+Did make the matter to avenge her yre,
+And ere she could thy cause well understand,
+Did sacrifize unto the greedy fyre,
+Well worthy thou to have found better hyre
+Then so bad end, for hereticks ordayned;
+Yet heresy nor treason didst conspire,
+But plead thy maisters cause, unjustly payned:
+Whom she, all carelesse of his grief, constrayned
+To utter forth the anguish of his hart,
+And would not heare, when he to her complayned
+The piteous passion of his dying smart.
+  Yet live for ever, though against her will,
+  And speake her good, though she requite it ill.
+
+XLIX.
+
+Fayre Cruell! why are ye so fierce and cruell?
+Is it because your eyes have powre to kill?
+Then know that mercy is the Mighties iewell,
+And greater glory think to save then spill.
+But if it be your pleasure and proud will
+To shew the powre of your imperious eyes,
+Then not on him that never thought you ill,
+But bend your force against your enemyes.
+Let them feel the utmost of your crueltyes,
+And kill with looks, as cockatrices do:
+But him that at your footstoole humbled lies,
+With mercifull regard give mercy to.
+  Such mercy shall you make admyr’d to be;
+  So shall you live, by giving life to me.
+
+L.
+
+Long languishing in double malady
+Of my harts wound and of my bodies griefe,
+There came to me a leach, that would apply
+Fit medcines for my bodies best reliefe.
+Vayne man, quoth I, that hast but little priefe*
+In deep discovery of the mynds disease;
+Is not the hart of all the body chiefe,
+And rules the members as it selfe doth please?
+Then with some cordialls seeke for to appease
+The inward languor of my wounded hart,
+And then my body shall have shortly ease.
+But such sweet cordialls passe physicians art:
+  Then, my lyfes leach! doe you your skill reveale,
+  And with one salve both hart and body heale.
+[* _Priefe_, proof, experience.]
+
+LI.
+
+Doe I not see that fayrest ymages
+Of hardest marble are of purpose made,
+For that they should endure through many ages,
+Ne let theyr famous moniments to fade?
+Why then doe I, untrainde in lovers trade,
+Her hardnes blame, which I should more commend?
+Sith never ought was excellent assayde
+Which was not hard t’atchive and bring to end;
+Ne ought so hard, but he that would attend
+Mote soften it and to his will allure.
+So do I hope her stubborne hart to bend,
+And that it then more stedfast will endure:
+  Only my paines wil be the more to get her;
+  But, having her, my ioy wil be the greater.
+
+LII.
+
+So oft as homeward I from her depart,
+I go lyke one that, having lost the field,
+Is prisoner led away with heavy hart,
+Despoyld of warlike armes and knowen shield.
+So doe I now my self a prisoner yield
+To sorrow and to solitary paine,
+From presence of my dearest deare exylde,
+Long-while alone in languor to remaine.
+There let no thought of ioy, or pleasure vaine,
+Dare to approch, that may my solace breed;
+But sudden* dumps**, and drery sad disdayne
+Of all worlds gladnesse, more my torment feed.
+  So I her absens will my penaunce make,
+  That of her presens I my meed may take.
+[* _Sudden_, Qu. sullen?]
+[** _Dumps_, lamentations.]
+
+LIII.
+
+The panther, knowing that his spotted hyde
+Doth please all beasts, but that his looks them fray*,
+Within a bush his dreadful head doth hide,
+To let them gaze, whylst he on them may pray.
+Right so my cruell fayre with me doth play;
+For with the goodly semblance of her hew
+She doth allure me to mine owne decay,
+And then no mercy will unto me shew.
+Great shame it is, thing so divine in view,
+Made for to be the worlds most ornament,
+To make the bayte her gazers to embrew:
+Good shames to be to ill an instrument!
+  But mercy doth with beautie best agree,
+  As in theyr Maker ye them best may see.
+[* _Fray_, frighten.]
+
+LIV.
+
+Of this worlds theatre in which we stay,
+My Love, like the spectator, ydly sits,
+Beholding me, that all the pageants play,
+Disguysing diversly my troubled wits.
+Sometimes I ioy when glad occasion fits,
+And mask in myrth lyke to a comedy:
+Soone after, when my ioy to sorrow flits,
+I waile, and make my woes a tragedy.
+Yet she, beholding me with constant eye,
+Delights not in my merth, nor rues my smart:
+But when I laugh, she mocks; and when I cry,
+She laughs, and hardens evermore her hart.
+  What then can move her? If nor merth, nor mone,
+  She is no woman, but a sencelesse stone.
+
+LV.
+
+So oft as I her beauty doe behold,
+And therewith doe her cruelty compare,
+I marvaile of what substance was the mould
+The which her made attonce so cruell faire.
+Not earth; for her high thoughts more heavenly are:
+Not water; for her love doth burne like fyre:
+Not ayre; for she is not so light or rare;
+Not fyre; for she doth friese with faint desire.
+Then needs another element inquire,
+Whereof she mote be made; that is, the skye.
+For to the heaven her haughty looks aspire,
+And eke her love is pure immortall hye.
+  Then sith to heaven ye lykened are the best,
+  Be lyke in mercy as in all the rest.
+
+LVI.
+
+Fayre ye be sure, but cruell and unkind,
+As is a tygre, that with greedinesse
+Hunts after bloud; when he by chance doth find
+A feeble beast, doth felly him oppresse.
+Fayre be ye sure, but proud and pitilesse,
+As is a storme, that all things doth prostrate;
+Finding a tree alone all comfortlesse,
+Beats on it strongly, it to ruinate.
+Fayre be ye sure, but hard and obstinate,
+As is a rocke amidst the raging floods;
+Gaynst which a ship, of succour desolate,
+Doth suffer wreck both of her selfe and goods.
+  That ship, that tree, and that same beast, am I,
+  Whom ye doe wreck, doe ruine, and destroy.
+
+LVII.
+
+Sweet warriour! when shall I have peace with you?
+High time it is this warre now ended were,
+Which I no lenger can endure to sue,
+Ne your incessant battry more to beare.
+So weake my powres, so sore my wounds, appear,
+That wonder is how I should live a iot,
+Seeing my hart through-launced every where
+With thousand arrowes which your eies have shot.
+Yet shoot ye sharpely still, and spare me not,
+But glory thinke to make these cruel stoures*.
+Ye cruell one! what glory can be got,
+In slaying him that would live gladly yours?
+  Make peace therefore, and graunt me timely grace,
+  That al my wounds will heale in little space.
+[* _Stoures_, agitations.]
+
+LVIII.
+
+_By her that is most assured to her selfe._
+
+
+Weake is th’assurance that weake flesh reposeth
+In her own powre, and scorneth others ayde;
+That soonest fals, when as she most supposeth
+Her selfe assur’d, and is of nought affrayd,
+All flesh is frayle, and all her strength unstayd,
+Like a vaine bubble blowen up with ayre:
+Devouring tyme and changeful chance have prayd*
+Her glorious pride, that none may it repayre.
+Ne none so rich or wise, so strong or fayre,
+But fayleth, trusting on his owne assurance:
+And he that standeth on the hyghest stayre
+Fals lowest; for on earth nought hath endurance.
+  Why then doe ye, proud fayre, misdeeme so farre,
+  That to your selfe ye most assured arre!
+
+
+[Footnote: LVIII.—_By her_, &c. _By_ is perhaps a misprint for _to_; or
+this title may belong to Sonnet LIX. H.] [* _Prayd_, preyed upon.]
+
+LIX.
+
+Thrise happie she that is so well assured
+Unto her selfe, and setled so in hart,
+That neither will for better be allured,
+Ne feard with worse to any chaunce to start:
+But, like a steddy ship, doth strongly part
+The raging waves, and keepes her course aright,
+Ne ought for tempest doth from it depart,
+Ne ought for fayrer weathers false delight.
+Such selfe-assurance need not feare the spight
+Of grudging foes, ne favour seek of friends:
+But in the stay of her owne stedfast might,
+Neither to one her selfe nor other bends.
+  Most happy she that most assur’d doth rest;
+  But he most happy who such one loves best.
+
+LX.
+
+They that in course of heavenly spheares are skild
+To every planet point his sundry yeare,
+In which her circles voyage is fulfild:
+As Mars in threescore yeares doth run his spheare.
+So, since the winged god his planet cleare
+Began in me to move, one yeare is spent;
+The which doth longer unto me appeare,
+Then al those fourty which my life out-went.
+Then, by that count which lovers books invent,
+The spheare of Cupid fourty yeares containes,
+Which I have wasted in long languishment,
+That seem’d the longer for my greater paines.
+  But let my Loves fayre planet short her wayes
+  This yeare ensuing, or else short my dayes.
+
+
+[Footnote: LX. 4.—_As Mars in three score yeares_. I do not understand
+Spenser’s astronomy. C.]
+
+LXI.
+
+The glorious image of the Makers beautie,
+My soverayne saynt, the idoll of my thought,
+Dare not henceforth, above the bounds of dewtie,
+T’accuse of pride, or rashly blame for ought.
+For being, as she is, divinely wrought,
+And of the brood of angels heavenly born,
+And with the crew of blessed saynts upbrought,
+Each of which did her with theyr guifts adorne,
+The bud of ioy, the blossome of the morne,
+The beame of light, whom mortal eyes admyre,
+What reason is it then but she should scorne
+Base things, that to her love too bold aspire!
+  Such heavenly formes ought rather worshipt be,
+  Then dare be lov’d by men of meane degree.
+
+LXII.
+
+The weary yeare his race now having run,
+The new begins his compast course anew:
+With shew of morning mylde he hath begun,
+Betokening peace and plenty to ensew.
+So let us, which this chaunge of weather vew,
+Chaunge eke our mynds, and former lives amend;
+The old yeares sinnes forepast let us eschew,
+And fly the faults with which we did offend.
+Then shall the new yeares ioy forth freshly send
+Into the glooming world his gladsome ray,
+And all these stormes, which now his beauty blend*,
+Shall turne to calmes, and tymely cleare away.
+  So, likewise, Love! cheare you your heavy spright,
+  And chaunge old yeares annoy to new delight.
+
+
+[* _Blend_, blemish.]
+
+LXIII.
+
+After long stormes and tempests sad assay,
+Which hardly I endured heretofore,
+In dread of death, and daungerous dismay,
+With which my silly bark was tossed sore,
+I doe at length descry the happy shore,
+In which I hope ere long for to arryve:
+Fayre soyle it seemes from far, and fraught with store
+Of all that deare and daynty is alyve.
+Most happy he that can at last atchyve
+The ioyous safety of so sweet a rest;
+Whose least delight sufficeth to deprive
+Remembrance of all paines which him opprest.
+  All paines are nothing in respect of this;
+  All sorrowes short that gaine eternall blisse.
+
+LXIV.
+
+Comming to kisse her lyps, (such grace I found,)
+Me seemd I smelt a gardin of sweet flowres,
+That dainty odours from them threw around,
+For damzels fit to decke their lovers bowres.
+Her lips did smell lyke unto gillyflowers;
+Her ruddy cheekes lyke unto roses red;
+Her snowy browes lyke budded bellamoures;
+Her lovely eyes lyke pincks but newly spred;
+Her goodly bosome lyke a strawberry bed;
+Her neck lyke to a bounch of cullambynes;
+Her brest lyke lillyes, ere their leaves be shed;
+Her nipples lyke young blossomd jessemynes.
+  Such fragrant flowres doe give most odorous smell;
+  But her sweet odour did them all excell.
+
+
+[Footnote: LXIV. 7.—_Bellamoures_. I have not discovered what flower is
+here meant. C.]
+
+LXV.
+
+The doubt which ye misdeeme, fayre Love, is vaine,
+That fondly feare to lose your liberty,
+When, losing one, two liberties ye gayne,
+And make him bond that bondage earst did fly.
+Sweet be the bands the which true love doth tye,
+Without constraynt or dread of any ill:
+The gentle birde feeles no captivity
+Within her cage, but sings, and feeds her fill.
+There pride dare not approch, nor discord spill
+The league twixt them that loyal love hath bound,
+But simple Truth and mutual Good-will
+Seeks with sweet peace to salve each others wound:
+  There Fayth doth fearless dwell in brasen towre,
+  And spotlesse Pleasure builds her sacred bowre.
+
+LXVI.
+
+To all those happy blessings which ye have
+With plenteous hand by heaven upon you thrown,
+This one disparagement they to you gave,
+That ye your love lent to so meane a one.
+Ye, whose high worths surpassing paragon
+Could not on earth have found one fit for mate,
+Ne but in heaven matchable to none,
+Why did ye stoup unto so lowly state?
+But ye thereby much greater glory gate,
+Then had ye sorted with a princes pere:
+For now your light doth more it selfe dilate,
+And, in my darknesse, greater doth appeare.
+  Yet, since your light hath once enlumind me,
+  With my reflex yours shall encreased be.
+
+LXVII.
+
+Lyke as a huntsman, after weary chace,
+Seeing the game from him escapt away,
+Sits downe to rest him in some shady place,
+With panting hounds, beguiled of their pray,
+So, after long pursuit and vaine assay,
+When I all weary had the chace forsooke,
+The gentle deer returnd the selfe-same way,
+Thinking to quench her thirst at the next brooke.
+There she, beholding me with mylder looke,
+Sought not to fly, but fearlesse still did bide,
+Till I in hand her yet halfe trembling tooke,
+And with her own goodwill her fyrmely tyde.
+  Strange thing, me seemd, to see a beast so wyld
+  So goodly wonne, with her owne will beguyld.
+
+LXVIII
+
+Most glorious Lord of lyfe! that on this day
+Didst make thy triumph over death and sin,
+And, having harrowd* hell, didst bring away
+Captivity thence captive, us to win,
+This ioyous day, dear Lord, with ioy begin;
+And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dy,
+Being with thy deare blood clene washt from sin,
+May live for ever in felicity;
+And that thy love we weighing worthily,
+May likewise love thee for the same againe,
+And for thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy,
+With love may one another entertayne!
+  So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought:
+  Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.
+[* _Harrowd_, despoiled.]
+
+LXIX.
+
+The famous warriors of the anticke world
+Us’d trophees to erect in stately wize,
+In which they would the records have enrold
+Of theyr great deeds and valorous emprize.
+What trophee then shall I most fit devize,
+In which I may record the memory
+Of my loves conquest, peerlesse beauties prise,
+Adorn’d with honour, love, and chastity!
+Even this verse, vowd to eternity,
+Shall be thereof immortall moniment,
+And tell her praise to all posterity,
+That may admire such worlds rare wonderment;
+  The happy purchase of my glorious spoile,
+  Gotten at last with labour and long toyle.
+
+LXX.
+
+Fresh Spring, the herald of loves mighty king,
+In whose cote-armour richly are displayd
+All sorts of flowres the which on earth do spring,
+In goodly colours gloriously arrayd,
+Goe to my Love, where she is carelesse layd,
+Yet in her winters bowre not well awake:
+Tell her the ioyous time wil not be staid,
+Unlesse she doe him by the forelock take;
+Bid her therefore her selfe soone ready make,
+To wayt on Love amongst his lovely crew,
+Where every one that misseth then her make*
+Shall be by him amearst with penance dew.
+  Make haste therefore, sweet Love, while it is prime**;
+  For none can call againe the passed time.
+[* _Make_, mate.]
+[** _Prime_, spring.]
+
+LXXI.
+
+I ioy to see how, in your drawen work,
+Your selfe unto the Bee ye doe compare,
+And me unto the Spyder, that doth lurke
+In close awayt, to catch her unaware.
+Right so your selfe were caught in cunning snare
+Of a deare foe, and thralled to his love;
+In whose streight bands ye now captived are
+So firmely, that ye never may remove.
+But as your worke is woven all about
+With woodbynd flowers and fragrant eglantine,
+So sweet your prison you in time shall prove,
+With many deare delights bedecked fyne:
+  And all thensforth eternall peace shall see
+  Betweene the Spyder and the gentle Bee.
+
+LXXII.
+
+Oft when my spirit doth spred her bolder winges,
+In mind to mount up to the purest sky,
+It down is weighd with thought of earthly things,
+And clogd with burden of mortality:
+Where, when that soverayne beauty it doth spy,
+Resembling heavens glory in her light,
+Drawn with sweet pleasures bayt it back doth fly,
+And unto heaven forgets her former flight.
+There my fraile fancy, fed with full delight,
+Doth bathe in blisse, and mantleth most at ease;
+Ne thinks of other heaven, but how it might
+Her harts desire with most contentment please.
+  Hart need not wish none other happinesse,
+  But here on earth to have such hevens blisse.
+
+LXXIII
+
+Being my self captyved here in care,
+My hart, (whom none with servile bands can tye,
+But the fayre tresses of your golden hayre,)
+Breaking his prison, forth to you doth fly.
+Like as a byrd, that in ones hand doth spy
+Desired food, to it doth make his flight,
+Even so my hart, that wont on your fayre eye
+To feed his fill, flyes backe unto your sight.
+Doe you him take, and in your bosome bright
+Gently encage, that he may be your thrall:
+Perhaps he there may learne, with rare delight,
+To sing your name and prayses over all:
+  That it hereafter may you not repent,
+  Him lodging in your bosome to have lent.
+
+LXXIV
+
+Most happy letters! fram’d by skilfull trade,
+With which that happy name was first desynd
+The which three times thrise happy hath me made,
+With guifts of body, fortune, and of mind.
+The first ray being to me gave by kind,
+From mothers womb deriv’d by dew descent:
+The second is my sovereigne Queene most kind,
+That honour and large richesse to me lent:
+The third my Love, my lives last ornament,
+By whom my spirit out of dust was raysed,
+To speake her prayse and glory excellent,
+Of all alive most worthy to be praysed.
+  Ye three Elizabeths! for ever live,
+  That three such graces did unto me give.
+
+LXXV.
+
+One day I wrote her name upon the strand,
+But came the waves and washed it away:
+Agayne I wrote it with a second hand;
+But came the tyde, and made my paynes his pray.
+“Vayne man,” sayd she, “that doest in vaine assay
+A mortall thing so to immortalize;
+For I my selve shall lyke to this decay,
+And eke my name bee wyped out lykewize.”
+“Not so,” quod I; “let baser things devize
+To dy in dust, but you shall live by fame:
+My verse your vertues rare shall eternize,
+And in the hevens wryte your glorious name.
+  Where, when as death shall all the world subdew,
+  Our love shall live, and later life renew.”
+
+LXXVI
+
+Fayre bosome! fraught with vertues richest tresure,
+The neast of love, the lodging of delight,
+The bowre of blisse, the paradice of pleasure,
+The sacred harbour of that hevenly spright,
+How was I ravisht with your lovely sight,
+And my frayle thoughts too rashly led astray,
+Whiles diving deepe through amorous insight,
+On the sweet spoyle of beautie they did pray,
+And twixt her paps, like early fruit in May,
+Whose harvest seemd to hasten now apace,
+They loosely did theyr wanton winges display,
+And there to rest themselves did boldly place.
+  Sweet thoughts! I envy your so happy rest,
+  Which oft I wisht, yet never was so blest.
+
+LXXVII.
+
+Was it a dreame, or did I see it playne?
+A goodly table of pure yvory,
+All spred with juncats fit to entertayne
+The greatest prince with pompous roialty:
+Mongst which, there in a silver dish did ly
+Two golden apples of unvalewd* price,
+Far passing those which Hercules came by,
+Or those which Atalanta did entice;
+Exceeding sweet, yet voyd of sinfull vice;
+That many sought, yet none could ever taste;
+Sweet fruit of pleasure, brought from Paradice
+By Love himselfe, and in his garden plaste.
+  Her brest that table was, so richly spredd;
+  My thoughts the guests, which would thereon have fedd.
+[* _Unvalewd_, invaluable]
+
+LXXVIII
+
+Lackyng my Love, I go from place to place,
+Lyke a young fawne that late hath lost the hynd,
+And seeke each where where last I sawe her face,
+Whose ymage yet I carry fresh in mynd.
+I seeke the fields with her late footing synd;
+I seeke her bowre with her late presence deckt;
+Yet nor in field nor bowre I can her fynd,
+Yet field and bowre are full of her aspect.
+But when myne eyes I therunto direct,
+They ydly back return to me agayne;
+And when I hope to see theyr trew obiect,
+I fynd my self but fed with fancies vayne.
+  Cease then, myne eyes, to seeke her selfe to see,
+  And let my thoughts behold her selfe in mee.
+
+LXXIX
+
+Men call you fayre, and you doe credit it,
+For that your selfe ye daily such doe see:
+But the trew fayre, that is the gentle wit
+And vertuous mind, is much more praysd of me.
+For all the rest, how ever fayre it be,
+Shall turne to nought and lose that glorious hew;
+But onely that is permanent, and free
+From frayle corruption that doth flesh ensew.
+That is true beautie: that doth argue you
+To be divine, and born of heavenly seed,
+Deriv’d from that fayre Spirit from whom all true
+And perfect beauty did at first proceed.
+  He only fayre, and what he fayre hath made;
+  All other fayre, lyke flowres, untymely fade.
+
+LXXX
+
+After so long a race as I have run
+Through Faery land, which those six books compile,
+Give leave to rest me being half foredonne,
+And gather to my selfe new breath awhile.
+Then, as a steed refreshed after toyle,
+Out of my prison I will break anew,
+And stoutly will that second work assoyle*,
+With strong endevour and attention dew.
+Till then give leave to me in pleasant mew**
+To sport my Muse, and sing my Loves sweet praise,
+The contemplation of whose heavenly hew
+My spirit to an higher pitch will rayse.
+  But let her prayses yet be low and meane,
+  Fit for the handmayd of the Faery Queene.
+[* _Assoyle_, discharge.]
+[** _Mew_, prison, retreat.]
+
+LXXXI.
+
+Fayre is my Love, when her fayre golden haires
+With the loose wynd ye waving chance to marke;
+Fayre, when the rose in her red cheekes appeares,
+Or in her eyes the fyre of love does sparke;
+Fayre, when her brest, lyke a rich laden barke,
+With pretious merchandize she forth doth lay;
+Fayre, when that cloud of pryde, which oft doth dark
+Her goodly light, with smiles she drives away.
+But fayrest she, when so she doth display
+The gate with pearles and rubyes richly dight,
+Throgh which her words so wise do make their way,
+To beare the message of her gentle spright.
+  The rest be works of Natures wonderment;
+  But this the worke of harts astonishment.
+
+LXXXII.
+
+Ioy of my life! full oft for loving you
+I blesse my lot, that was so lucky placed:
+But then the more your owne mishap I rew,
+That are so much by so meane love embased.
+For had the equall hevens so much you graced
+In this as in the rest, ye mote invent*
+Some hevenly wit, whose verse could have enchased
+Your glorious name in golden moniment.
+But since ye deignd so goodly to relent
+To me your thrall, in whom is little worth,
+That little that I am shall all be spent
+In setting your immortal prayses forth:
+  Whose lofty argument, uplifting me,
+  Shall lift you up unto an high degree.
+[* _Invent_, light upon, find.]
+
+LXXXIII
+
+Let not one sparke of filthy lustfull fyre
+Breake out, that may her sacred peace molest;
+Ne one light glance of sensuall desyre
+Attempt to work her gentle mindes unrest:
+But pure affections bred in spotlesse brest,
+And modest thoughts breathd from well-tempred spirits,
+Goe visit her in her chaste bowre of rest,
+Accompanyde with ángelick delightes.
+There fill your selfe with those most ioyous sights,
+The which my selfe could never yet attayne:
+But speake no word to her of these sad plights,
+Which her too constant stiffnesse doth constrayn.
+  Onely behold her rare perfection,
+  And blesse your fortunes fayre election.
+
+LXXXIV.
+
+The world, that cannot deeme of worthy things,
+When I doe praise her, say I doe but flatter:
+So does the cuckow, when the mavis* sings,
+Begin his witlesse note apace to clatter.
+But they, that skill not of so heavenly matter,
+All that they know not, envy or admyre;
+Rather then envy, let them wonder at her,
+But not to deeme of her desert aspyre.
+Deepe in the closet of my parts entyre**,
+Her worth is written with a golden quill,
+That me with heavenly fury doth inspire,
+And my glad mouth with her sweet prayses fill:
+  Which when as Fame in her shril trump shall thunder,
+  Let the world chuse to envy or to wonder.
+[* _Mavis_, song-thrush.]
+[** _Entyre,_ inward.]
+
+LXXXV.
+
+Venemous tongue, tipt with vile adders sting,
+Of that self kynd with which the Furies fell,
+Their snaky heads doe combe, from which a spring
+Of poysoned words and spightfull speeches well,
+Let all the plagues and horrid paines of hell
+Upon thee fall for thine accursed hyre,
+That with false forged lyes, which thou didst tell,
+In my true Love did stirre up coles of yre:
+The sparkes whereof let kindle thine own fyre,
+And, catching hold on thine own wicked hed,
+Consume thee quite, that didst with guile conspire
+In my sweet peace such breaches to have bred!
+  Shame be thy meed, and mischiefe thy reward,
+  Due to thy selfe, that it for me prepard!
+
+LXXXVI.
+
+Since I did leave the presence of my Love,
+Many long weary dayes I have outworne,
+And many nights, that slowly seemd to move
+Theyr sad protract from evening untill morn.
+For, when as day the heaven doth adorne,
+I wish that night the noyous day would end:
+And when as night hath us of light forlorne,
+I wish that day would shortly reascend.
+Thus I the time with expectation spend,
+And faine my griefe with chaunges to beguile,
+That further seemes his terme still to extend,
+And maketh every minute seem a myle.
+  So sorrowe still doth seem too long to last;
+  But ioyous houres do fly away too fast.
+
+LXXXVII.
+
+Since I have lackt the comfort of that light
+The which was wont to lead my thoughts astray,
+I wander as in darknesse of the night,
+Affrayd of every dangers least dismay.
+Ne ought I see, though in the clearest day,
+When others gaze upon theyr shadowes vayne,
+But th’only image of that heavenly ray
+Whereof some glance doth in mine eie remayne.
+Of which beholding the idaea playne,
+Through contemplation of my purest part,
+With light thereof I doe my self sustayne,
+And thereon feed my love-affamisht hart.
+  But with such brightnesse whylest I fill my mind,
+  I starve my body, and mine eyes doe blynd.
+
+LXXXVIII.
+
+Lyke as the culver* on the bared bough
+Sits mourning for the absence of her mate,
+And in her songs sends many a wishful vow
+For his returne, that seemes to linger late,
+So I alone, now left disconsolate,
+Mourne to my selfe the absence of my Love;
+And wandring here and there all desolate,
+Seek with my playnts to match that mournful dove
+Ne ioy of ought that under heaven doth hove**,
+Can comfort me, but her owne ioyous sight,
+Whose sweet aspect both God and man can move,
+In her unspotted pleasauns to delight.
+  Dark is my day, whyles her fayre light I mis,
+  And dead my life that wants such lively blis.
+[* _Culver_, dove.]
+[** _Hove_, hover, exist.]
+
+
+
+
+EPITHALAMION.
+
+
+Ye learned Sisters, which have oftentimes
+Beene to me ayding, others to adorne
+Whom ye thought worthy of your gracefull rymes,
+That even the greatest did not greatly scorne
+To heare theyr names sung in your simple layes,                    5
+But ioyed in theyr praise,
+And when ye list your own mishaps to mourne,
+Which death, or love, or fortunes wreck did rayse,
+Your string could soone to sadder tenor turne,
+And teach the woods and waters to lament                    10
+Your dolefull dreriment,
+Now lay those sorrowfull complaints aside,
+And having all your heads with girlands crownd,
+Helpe me mine owne Loves prayses to resound:
+Ne let the same of any be envide:                    15
+So Orpheus did for his owne bride;
+So I unto my selfe alone will sing;
+The woods shall to me answer, and my eccho ring.
+
+
+Early, before the worlds light-giving lampe
+His golden beame upon the hils doth spred,                    20
+Having disperst the nights unchearfull dampe,
+Doe ye awake, and, with fresh lustyhed,
+Go to the bowre of my beloved Love,
+My truest turtle dove.
+Bid her awake; for Hymen is awake,                    25
+And long since ready forth his maske to move,
+With his bright tead* that flames with many a flake,
+And many a bachelor to waite on him,
+In theyr fresh garments trim.
+Bid her awake therefore, and soone her dight**,                    30
+For loe! the wished day is come at last,
+That shall for all the paynes and sorrowes past
+Pay to her usury of long delight:
+And whylest she doth her dight,
+Doe ye to her of ioy and solace sing,                    35
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* _Tead,_ torch.]
+  [** _Dight,_ deck.]
+
+
+Bring with you all the nymphes that you can heare,
+Both of the rivers and the forrests greene,
+And of the sea that neighbours to her neare,
+All with gay girlands goodly wel beseene*.                    40
+And let them also with them bring in hand
+Another gay girland,
+For my fayre Love, of lillyes and of roses,
+Bound truelove wize with a blew silke riband.
+And let them make great store of bridale poses,                    45
+And let them eke bring store of other flowers,
+To deck the bridale bowers:
+And let the ground whereas her foot shall tread,
+For feare the stones her tender foot should wrong,
+Be strewd with fragrant flowers all along,                    50
+And diapred** lyke the discolored mead.
+Which done, doe at her chamber dore awayt,
+For she will waken strayt;
+The whiles do ye this song unto her sing,
+The woods shall to you answer, and your eccho ring;.
+  [* _Beseene,_ adorned.]
+  [** _Diapred,_ variegated.]
+
+
+Ye Nymphes of Mulla, which with carefull heed                    56
+The silver scaly trouts do tend full well,
+And greedy pikes which use therein to feed,
+(Those trouts and pikes all others doe excell,)
+And ye likewise which keepe the rushy lake,                    60
+Where none doo fishes take,
+Bynd up the locks the which hang scatterd light,
+And in his waters, which your mirror make,
+Behold your faces as the christall bright,
+That when you come whereas my Love doth lie,                    65
+No blemish she may spie.
+And eke, ye lightfoot mayds which keepe the dere
+That on the hoary mountayne use to towre,
+And the wylde wolves, which seeke them to devoure,
+With your steele darts doe chace from coming neer,
+Be also present heere,                    71
+To helpe to decke her, and to help to sing,
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+
+
+Wake now, my Love, awake! for it is time:
+The rosy Morne long since left Tithons bed,                    75
+All ready to her silver coche to clyme,
+And Phoebus gins to shew his glorious hed.
+Hark! how the cheerefull birds do chaunt theyr laies,
+And carroll of Loves praise:
+The merry larke hir mattins sings aloft;                    80
+The thrush replyes; the mavis* descant** playes;
+The ouzell@ shrills; the ruddock$ warbles soft;
+So goodly all agree, with sweet consent,
+To this dayes meriment.
+Ah! my deere Love, why doe ye sleepe thus long,                    85
+When meeter were that ye should now awake,
+T’awayt the comming of your ioyous make,%
+And hearken to the birds love-learned song,
+The deawy leaves among!
+For they of ioy and pleasance to you sing,                    90
+That all the woods them answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Mavis_, song-thrush.]
+  [** _Descant_, variation.]
+  [@ _Ouzell_, blackbird.]
+  [$ _Ruddock_, redbreast.]
+  [% _Make_, mate.]
+
+
+My love is now awake out of her dreame,
+And her fayre eyes, like stars that dimmed were
+With darksome cloud, now shew theyr goodly beams
+More bright then Hesperus his head doth rere.                    95
+Come now, ye damzels, daughters of delight,
+Helpe quickly her to dight.
+But first come, ye fayre Houres, which were begot,
+In Ioves sweet paradice, of Day and Night,
+Which doe the seasons of the year allot,                    100
+And all that ever in this world is fayre
+Do make and still repayre:
+And ye three handmayds of the Cyprian Queene,
+The which doe still adorn her beauties pride,
+Helpe to adorne my beautifullest bride:                    105
+And, as ye her array, still throw betweene
+Some graces to be scene;
+And, as ye use to Venus, to her sing,
+The whiles the woods shal answer, and your eccho ring.
+
+
+Now is my Love all ready forth to come:                    110
+Let all the virgins therefore well awayt,
+And ye fresh boyes, that tend upon her groome,
+Prepare your selves, for he is comming strayt.
+Set all your things in seemely good aray,
+Fit for so ioyfull day,                    115
+The ioyfulst day that ever sunne did see.
+Fair Sun! shew forth thy favourable ray,
+And let thy lifull* heat not fervent be,
+For feare of burning her sunshyny face,
+Her beauty to disgrace.                    120
+O fayrest Phoebus! Father of the Muse!
+If ever I did honour thee aright,
+Or sing the thing that mote thy mind delight,
+Doe not thy servants simple boone refuse,
+But let this day, let this one day, be mine;                    125
+Let all the rest be thine.
+Then I thy soverayne prayses loud wil sing,
+That all the woods shal answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Lifull_, life-full.]
+
+
+Harke! how the minstrils gin to shrill aloud
+Their merry musick that resounds from far,                    130
+The pipe, the tabor, and the trembling croud*,
+That well agree withouten breach or iar.
+But most of all the damzels doe delite,
+When they their tymbrels smyte,
+And thereunto doe daunce and carrol sweet,                    135
+That all the sences they doe ravish quite;
+The whyles the boyes run up and downe the street,
+Crying aloud with strong confused noyce,
+As if it were one voyce,
+“Hymen, Iö Hymen, Hymen,” they do shout;                    140
+That even to the heavens theyr shouting shrill
+Doth reach, and all the firmament doth fill;
+To which the people, standing all about,
+As in approvance, doe thereto applaud,
+And loud advaunce her laud;                    145
+And evermore they “Hymen, Hymen,” sing,
+That all the woods them answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Croud_, violin]
+
+
+Loe! where she comes along with portly pace,
+Lyke Phoebe, from her chamber of the East,
+Arysing forth to run her mighty race,                    150
+Clad all in white, that seems a virgin best.
+So well it her beseems, that ye would weene
+Some angell she had beene.
+Her long loose yellow locks lyke golden wyre,
+Sprinckled with perle, and perling flowres atweene,
+Doe lyke a golden mantle her attyre,                    156
+And, being crowned with a girland greene,
+Seem lyke some mayden queene.
+Her modest eyes, abashed to behold
+So many gazers as on her do stare,                    160
+Upon the lowly ground affixed are,
+Ne dare lift up her countenance too bold,
+But blush to heare her prayses sung so loud,—
+So farre from being proud.
+Nathlesse doe ye still loud her prayses sing,                    165
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+
+
+Tell me, ye merchants daughters, did ye see
+So fayre a creature in your towne before;
+So sweet, so lovely, and so mild as she,
+Adornd with beautyes grace and vertues store?                    170
+Her goodly eyes lyke saphyres shining bright,
+Her forehead yvory white,
+Her cheekes lyke apples which the sun hath rudded,
+Her lips lyke cherries, charming men to byte,
+Her brest like to a bowl of creame uncrudded*,                    175
+Her paps lyke lyllies budded,
+Her snowie necke lyke to a marble towre,
+And all her body like a pallace fayre,
+Ascending up, with many a stately stayre,
+To honors seat and chastities sweet bowre.                    180
+Why stand ye still, ye virgins, in amaze,
+Upon her so to gaze,
+Whiles ye forget your former lay to sing,
+To which the woods did answer, and your eccho ring?
+  [* _Uncrudded_, uncurdled.]
+  [Ver. 168.—_In your towne_. The marriage seems to have taken place in
+  Cork, and we might infer from this passage that the heroine of the
+  song was a merchant’s daughter. C.]
+
+
+But if ye saw that which no eyes can see,                    185
+The inward beauty of her lively spright,
+Garnisht with heavenly guifts of high degree,
+Much more then would ye wonder at that sight,
+And stand astonisht lyke to those which red*
+Medusaes mazeful hed.                    190
+There dwells sweet Love, and constant Chastity,
+Unspotted Fayth, and comely Womanhood,
+Regard of Honour, and mild Modesty;
+There Vertue raynes as queene in royal throne,
+And giveth lawes alone,                    195
+The which the base affections doe obay,
+And yeeld theyr services unto her will;
+Ne thought of things uncomely ever may
+Thereto approch to tempt her mind to ill.
+Had ye once seene these her celestial threasures,                   
+200
+And unrevealed pleasures,
+Then would ye wonder, and her prayses sing,
+That all the woods should answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* _Red_, saw.]
+
+
+Open the temple gates unto my Love,
+Open them wide that she may enter in,                    205
+And all the postes adorne as doth behove,
+And all the pillours deck with girlands trim,
+For to receyve this saynt with honour dew,
+That commeth in to you.
+With trembling steps and humble reverence,                    210
+She commeth in before th’Almighties view:
+Of her, ye virgins, learne obedience,
+When so ye come into those holy places,
+To humble your proud faces.
+Bring her up to th’high altar, that she may                    215
+The sacred ceremonies there partake,
+The which do endlesse matrimony make;
+And let the roring organs loudly play
+The praises of the Lord in lively notes;
+The whiles, with hollow throates,                    220
+The choristers the ioyous antheme sing,
+That all the woods may answer, and their eccho ring.
+
+
+Behold, whiles she before the altar stands,
+Hearing the holy priest that to her speakes
+And blesseth her with his two happy hands,                    225
+How the red roses flush up in her cheekes,
+And the pure snow with goodly vermill stayne,
+Like crimsin dyde in grayne:
+That even the angels, which continually
+About the sacred altar doe remaine,                    230
+Forget their service and about her fly,
+Ofte peeping in her face, that seems more fayre
+The more they on it stare.
+But her sad* eyes, still fastened on the ground,
+Are governed with goodly modesty,                    235
+That suffers not one look to glaunce awry,
+Which may let in a little thought unsownd.
+Why blush ye, Love, to give to me your hand,
+The pledge of all our band?
+Sing, ye sweet angels, Alleluya sing,                    240
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* _Sad_, serious]
+
+
+Now al is done; bring home the bride againe;
+Bring home the triumph of our victory;
+Bring home with you the glory of her game,
+With ioyance bring her and with iollity.                    245
+Never had man more ioyfull day than this,
+Whom heaven would heape with blis.
+Make feast therefore now all this live-long day;
+This day for ever to me holy is.
+Poure out the wine without restraint or stay,
+Poure not by cups, but by the belly full,
+Poure out to all that wull*,
+And sprinkle all the posts and wals with wine,
+That they may sweat, and drunken be withall.
+Crowne ye god Bacchus with a coronall,
+And Hymen also crowne with wreaths of vine;
+And let the Graces daunce unto the rest,
+For they can doo it best:
+The whiles the maydens doe theyr carroll sing,
+To which the woods shall answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Wull_, will.]
+
+
+Ring ye the bels, ye yong men of the towne,
+And leave your wonted labors for this day:
+This day is holy; doe ye write it downe,
+That ye for ever it remember may.
+This day the sunne is in his chiefest hight,
+With Barnaby the bright*,
+From whence declining daily by degrees,
+He somewhat loseth of his heat and light,
+When once the Crab behind his back he sees.
+But for this time it ill ordained was,
+To choose the longest day in all the yeare,
+And shortest night, when longest fitter weare:
+Yet never day so long, but late would passe.
+Ring ye the bels to make it weare away,
+And bonefiers make all day;                    275
+And daunce about them, and about them sing,
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* Ver. 266.—_Barnaby the bright_. The difference between the old and
+  new style at the time this poem was written was ten days. The summer
+  solstice therefore fell on St. Barnabas’s day, the 11th of June. C.]
+
+
+Ah! when will this long weary day have end,
+And lende me leave to come unto my Love?
+How slowly do the houres theyr numbers spend?                    280
+How slowly does sad Time his feathers move?
+Hast thee, O fayrest planet, to thy home,
+Within the Westerne fome:
+Thy tyred steedes long since have need of rest.
+Long though it be, at last I see it gloome,                    285
+And the bright evening-star with golden creast
+Appeare out of the East.
+Fayre childe of beauty! glorious lampe of love!
+That all the host of heaven in rankes doost lead,
+And guidest lovers through the nights sad dread,                    290
+How chearefully thou lookest from above,
+And seemst to laugh atweene thy twinkling light,
+As ioying in the sight
+Of these glad many, which for ioy do sing,                    294
+That all the woods them answer, and their eccho ring!
+
+
+Now ceasse, ye damsels, your delights fore-past;
+Enough it is that all the day was youres:
+Now day is doen, and night is nighing fast;
+Now bring the bryde into the brydall bowres.
+The night is come; now soon her disaray,                    300
+And in her bed her lay;
+Lay her in lillies and in violets,
+And silken curteins over her display,
+And odourd sheets, and Arras coverlets.
+Behold how goodly my faire Love does ly,                    305
+In proud humility!
+Like unto Maia, when as Iove her took
+In Tempe, lying on the flowry gras,
+Twixt sleepe and wake, after she weary was
+With bathing in the Acidalian brooke.                    310
+Now it is night, ye damsels may be gone,
+And leave my Love alone,
+And leave likewise your former lay to sing:
+The woods no more shall answer, nor your eccho ring.
+
+
+Now welcome, Night! thou night so long expected,
+That long daies labour doest at last defray,                    316
+And all my cares, which cruell Love collected,
+Hast sumd in one, and cancelled for aye.
+Spread thy broad wing over my Love and me,
+That no man may us see;                    320
+And in thy sable mantle us enwrap,
+From feare of perrill and foule horror free.
+Let no false treason seeke us to entrap,
+Nor any dread disquiet once annoy
+The safety of our ioy;                    325
+But let the night be calme and quietsome,
+Without tempestuous storms or sad afray;
+Lyke as when Iove with fayre Alemena lay,
+When he begot the great Tirynthian groome;
+Or lyke as when he with thy selfe did lie,                    330
+And begot Maiesty:
+And let the mayds and yongmen cease to sing;
+Ne let the woods them answer, nor theyr eccho ring.
+
+
+Let no lamenting cryes, nor dolefull teares,
+Be heard all night within, nor yet without:                    335
+Ne let false whispers, breeding hidden feares,
+Breake gentle sleepe with misconceived dout.
+Let no deluding dreames, nor dreadful sights,
+Make sudden sad affrights:
+Ne let house-fyres, nor lightnings helpless harmes,                   
+340
+Ne let the Pouke, nor other evill sprights,
+Ne let mischievous witches with theyr charmes,
+Ne let hob-goblins, names whose sence we see not,
+Fray us with things that be not:
+Let not the shriech-owle, nor the storke, be heard,                   
+345
+Nor the night-raven, that still deadly yels,
+Nor damned ghosts, cald up with mighty spels,
+Nor griesly vultures, make us once affeard:
+Ne let th’unpleasant quyre of frogs still croking
+Make us to wish theyr choking.                    350
+Let none of these theyr drery accents sing;
+Ne let the woods them answer, nor theyr eccho ring.
+  [Ver. 341.—The _Pouke_ (Puck is a generic term, signifying fiend, or
+  mischievous imp) is Robin Goodfellow. C.]
+
+
+But let stil Silence trew night-watches keepe,
+That sacred Peace may in assurance rayne,
+And tymely Sleep, when it is tyme to sleepe,                    355
+May poure his limbs forth on your pleasant playne.
+The whiles an hundred little winged Loves,
+Like divers-fethered doves,
+Shall fly and flutter round about the bed,
+And in the secret darke, that none reproves,                    360
+Their prety stealthes shall worke, and snares shall spread
+To filch away sweet snatches of delight,
+Conceald through covert night.
+Ye sonnes of Venus, play your sports at will!
+For greedy Pleasure, carelesse of your toyes,                    365
+Thinks more upon her paradise of ioyes,
+Then what ye do, albe it good or ill.
+All night, therefore, attend your merry play,
+For it will soone be day:
+Now none doth hinder you, that say or sing;                    370
+Ne will the woods now answer, nor your eccho ring.
+
+
+Who is the same which at my window peepes?
+Or whose is that faire face that shines so bright?
+Is it not Cinthia, she that never sleepes,
+But walkes about high heaven al the night?                    375
+O fayrest goddesse! do thou not envy
+My Love with me to spy:
+For thou likewise didst love, though now unthought,
+And for a fleece of wooll, which privily
+The Latmian Shepherd* once unto thee brought,                    380
+His pleasures with thee wrought.
+Therefore to us be favorable now;
+And sith of wemens labours thou hast charge,
+And generation goodly dost enlarge,
+Encline thy will t’effect our wishfull vow,                    385
+And the chast womb informe with timely seed,
+That may our comfort breed:
+Till which we cease our hopefull hap to sing,
+Ne let the woods us answer, nor our eccho ring.
+  [* I.e. Endymion.]
+
+
+And thou, great Iuno! which with awful might                    390
+The lawes of wedlock still dost patronize,
+And the religion of the faith first plight
+With sacred rites hast taught to solemnize,
+And eke for comfort often called art
+Of women in their smart,                    395
+Eternally bind thou this lovely band,
+And all thy blessings unto us impart.
+And thou, glad Genius! in whose gentle hand
+The bridale bowre and geniall bed remaine,
+Without blemish or staine,                    400
+And the sweet pleasures of theyr loves delight
+With secret ayde doost succour and supply,
+Till they bring forth the fruitfull progeny,
+Send us the timely fruit of this same night,
+And thou, fayre Hebe! and thou, Hymen free!                    405
+Grant that it may so be.
+Till which we cease your further prayse to sing,
+Ne any woods shall answer, nor your eccho ring.
+
+
+And ye high heavens, the temple of the gods,
+In which a thousand torches flaming bright                    410
+Doe burne, that to us wretched earthly clods
+In dreadful darknesse lend desired light,
+And all ye powers which in the same remayne,
+More than we men can fayne,
+Poure out your blessing on us plentiously,                    415
+And happy influence upon us raine,
+That we may raise a large posterity,
+Which from the earth, which they may long possesse
+With lasting happinesse,
+Up to your haughty pallaces may mount,                    420
+And for the guerdon of theyr glorious merit,
+May heavenly tabernacles there inherit,
+Of blessed saints for to increase the count.
+So let us rest, sweet Love, in hope of this,
+And cease till then our tymely ioyes to sing:                    425
+The woods no more us answer, nor our eccho ring!
+
+
+_Song, made in lieu of many ornaments
+With which my Love should duly have been dect,
+Which cutting off through hasty accidents,
+Ye would not stay your dew time to expect,                    430
+But promist both to recompens,
+Be unto her a goodly ornament,
+And for short time an endlesse moniment!_
+
+
+
+
+PROTHALAMION:
+
+OR,
+
+A SPOUSALL VERSE,
+
+MADE BY
+
+EDM. SPENSER.
+
+
+IN HONOUR OF THE DOUBLE MARRIAGE OF THE TWO HONORABLE AND VERTUOUS
+LADIES, THE LADIE ELIZABETH, AND THE LADIE KATHERINE SOMERSET,
+DAUGHTERS TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE EARLE OF WORCESTER, AND ESPOUSED
+TO THE TWO WORTHIE GENTLEMEN, M. HENRY GILFORD AND M. WILLIAM PETER,
+ESQUYERS.
+
+(1596)
+
+PROTHALAMION:
+
+OR,
+
+A SPOUSALL VERSE.
+
+
+Calme was the day, and through the trembling ayre
+Sweete-breathing Zephyrus did softly play
+A gentle spirit, that lightly did delay*
+Hot Titans beames, which then did glyster fayre;
+When I (whom sullein care,
+Through discontent of my long fruitlesse stay
+In princes court, and expectation vayne
+Of idle hopes, which still doe fly away
+Like empty shadows, did afflict my brayne,)
+Walkt forth to ease my payne                    10
+Along the shoare of silver streaming Themmes;
+Whose rutty** bank, the which his river hemmes,
+Was paynted all with variable flowers,
+And all the meades adornd with dainty gemmes,
+Fit to decke maydens bowres,                    15
+And crowne their paramours
+Against the brydale day, which is not long@:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Delay_, allay.]
+[** _Rutty_, rooty.]
+[@ _Long_, distant.]
+
+
+There, in a meadow by the rivers side,
+A flocke of Nymphes I chaunced to espy,                    20
+All lovely daughters of the flood thereby,
+With goodly greenish locks, all loose untyde,
+As each had bene a bryde;
+And each one had a little wicker basket,
+Made of fine twigs, entrayled* curiously,                    25
+In which they gathered flowers to fill their flasket**,
+And with fine fingers cropt full feateously@
+The tender stalkes on hye.
+Of every sort which in that meadow grew
+They gathered some; the violet, pallid blew,                    30
+The little dazie, that at evening closes,
+The virgin lillie, and the primrose trew,
+With store of vermeil roses,
+To deck their bridegroomes posies
+Against the brydale day, which was not long:                    35
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Entrayled_, interwoven.]
+[** _Flasket_, a long, shallow basket.]
+[@ _Feateously_, dexterously.]
+
+
+With that I saw two Swannes of goodly hewe
+Come softly swimming downe along the lee*:
+Two fairer birds I yet did never see;
+The snow which doth the top of Pindus strew                    40
+Did never whiter shew,
+Nor Jove himselfe, when he a swan would be
+For love of Leda, whiter did appear;
+Yet Leda was, they say, as white as he,
+Yet not so white as these, nor nothing near:                    45
+So purely white they were,
+That even the gentle stream, the which them bare,
+Seem’d foule to them, and bad his billowes spare
+To wet their silken feathers, least they might
+Soyle their fayre plumes with water not so fayre,                    50
+And marre their beauties bright,
+That shone as heavens light,
+Against their brydale day, which was not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Lee_, stream.]
+
+
+Eftsoones, the Nymphes, which now had flowers their fill,              
+     55
+Ran all in haste to see that silver brood,
+As they came floating on the cristal flood;
+Whom when they sawe, they stood amazed still,
+Their wondring eyes to fill.
+Them seem’d they never saw a sight so fayre                    60
+Of fowles, so lovely, that they sure did deeme
+Them heavenly borne, or to be that same payre
+Which through the skie draw Venus stiver teeme;
+For sure they did not seeme
+To be begot of any earthly seede,                    65
+But rather angels, or of angels breede;
+Yet were they bred of Somers-heat, they say,
+In sweetest season, when each flower and weede
+The earth did fresh aray;
+So fresh they seem’d as day,                    70
+Even as their brydale day, which was not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[Ver. 67—_Somers-heat_. A pun on the name of the Ladies Somerset. C.]
+
+
+Then forth they all out of their baskets drew
+Great store of flowers, the honour of the field,
+That to the sense did fragrant odours yeild,                    75
+All which upon those goodly birds they threw,
+And all the waves did strew,
+That like old Peneus waters they did seeme,
+When downe along by pleasant Tempes shore,
+Scattred with flowres, through Thessaly they streeme,
+That they appeare, through lillies plenteous store,                   
+81
+Like a brydes chamber flore.
+Two of those Nymphes, meane while, two garlands bound
+Of freshest flowres which in that mead they found,
+The which presenting all in trim array,                    85
+Their snowie foreheads therewithall they crownd,
+Whilst one did sing this lay,
+Prepar’d against that day,
+Against their brydale day, which was not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+
+
+“Ye gentle Birdes! the worlds faire ornament,                    91
+And heavens glorie, whom this happie hower
+Doth leade unto your lovers blissfull bower,
+Ioy may you have, and gentle hearts content
+Of your loves couplement;                    95
+And let faire Venus, that is Queene of Love,
+With her heart-quelling sonne upon you smile,
+Whose smile, they say, hath vertue to remove
+All loves dislike, and friendships faultie guile
+For ever to assoile*.                    100
+Let endlesse peace your steadfast hearts accord,
+And blessed plentie wait upon your bord;
+And let your bed with pleasures chast abound.
+That fruitfull issue may to you afford,
+Which may your foes confound,                    105
+And make your ioyes redound
+Upon your brydale day, which is not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softlie, till I end my song.”
+[* _Assoile_, do away with.]
+
+
+So ended she; and all the rest around
+To her redoubled that her undersong*,                    110
+Which said, their brydale daye should not be long:
+And gentle Eccho from the neighbour ground
+Their accents did resound.
+So forth those ioyous birdes did passe along
+Adowne the lee, that to them murmurde low,                    115
+As he would speake, but that he lackt a tong,
+Yet did by signes his glad affection show,
+Making his streame run slow.
+And all the foule which in his flood did dwell
+Gan flock about these twaine, that did excell                    120
+The rest so far as Cynthia doth shend**
+The lesser stars. So they, enranged well,
+Did on those two attend,
+And their best service lend
+Against their wedding day, which was not long:                    125
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Undersong_, burden.]
+[** _Shend_, put to shame.]
+
+
+At length they all to mery London came,
+To mery London, my most kyndly nurse,
+That to me gave this lifes first native sourse,
+Though from another place I take my name,                    130
+An house of auncient fame.
+There when they came whereas those bricky towres
+The which on Themmes brode aged backe doe ryde,
+Where now the studious lawyers have their bowers.—
+There whylome wont the Templer Knights to byde,
+Till they decayd through pride,—                    136
+Next whereunto there standes a stately place,
+Where oft I gayned giftes and goodly grace
+Of that great lord which therein wont to dwell,
+Whose want too well now feels my freendles case:                    140
+But ah! here fits not well
+Olde woes, but ioyes, to tell,
+Against the bridale daye, which is not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[Ver. 137.—_A stately place_ Exeter House, the residence first of the
+Earl of Leicester, and afterwards of Essex. C.]
+
+
+Yet therein now doth lodge a noble peer,                    145
+Great Englands glory and the worlds wide wonder,
+Whose dreadfull name late through all Spaine did thunder,
+And Hercules two pillors standing neere
+Did make to quake and feare.
+Faire branch of honor, flower of chevalrie!                    150
+That fillest England with thy triumphs fame,
+Ioy have thou of thy noble victorie,
+And endlesse happinesse of thine owne name,
+That promiseth the same;
+That through thy prowesse and victorious armes                    155
+Thy country may be freed from forraine harmes,
+And great Elisaes glorious name may ring
+Through al the world, fil’d with thy wide alarmes.
+Which some brave Muse may sing
+To ages following,                    160
+Upon the brydale day, which is not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[Ver. 147.—_Whose dreadfull name, &c_. The allusion here is to the
+expedition against Cadiz, from which Essex returned in August, 1596.
+C.]
+
+
+From those high towers this noble lord issuing,
+Like radiant Hesper, when his golden hayre
+In th’ocean billowes he hath bathed fayre,                    165
+Descended to the rivers open vewing,
+With a great traine ensuing.
+Above the rest were goodly to bee scene
+Two gentle Knights of lovely face and feature,
+Beseeming well the bower of any queene,                    170
+With gifts of wit and ornaments of nature
+Fit for so goodly stature,
+That like the twins of Iove they seem’d in sight,
+Which decke the bauldricke of the heavens bright.
+They two, forth pacing to the rivers side,                    175
+Receiv’d those two faire brides, their loves delight;
+Which, at th’appointed tyde,
+Each one did make his bryde
+Against their brydale day, which is not long:                    179
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+
+
+
+
+FOWRE HYMNES
+
+MADE BY
+
+EDM. SPENSER.
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND MOST VERTUOUS LADIES,
+
+THE LADIE MARGARET,
+
+COUNTESSE OF CUMBERLAND;
+
+AND THE LADIE MARIE*,
+
+COUNTESSE OF WARWICK.
+
+
+Having, in the greener times of my youth, composed these former two
+Hymnes in the praise of love and beautie, and finding that the same too
+much pleased those of like age and disposition, which, being too
+vehemently carried with that kind of affection, do rather sucke out
+poyson to their strong passion, then honey to their honest delight, I
+was moved, by the one of you two most excellent Ladies, to call in the
+same; but being unable so to do, by reason that many copies thereof
+were formerly scattered abroad, I resolved at least to amend, and, by
+way of retraction, to reforme them, making (instead of those two Hymnes
+of earthly or naturall love and beautie) two others of heavenly and
+celestiall; the which I doe dedicate ioyntly unto you two honorable
+sisters, as to the most excellent and rare ornaments of all true love
+and beautie, both in the one and the other kind; humbly beseeching you
+to vouchsafe the patronage of them, and to accept this my humble
+service, in lieu of the great graces and honourable favours which ye
+dayly shew unto me, until such time as I may, by better meanes, yeeld
+you some more notable testimonie of my thankfull mind and dutifull
+devotion. And even so I pray for your happinesse. Greenwich, this first
+of September, 1596. Your Honors most bounden ever,
+
+
+In all humble service,
+
+ED. SP.
+
+
+[* The Countess of Warwick’s name was Anne, not Mary. TODD.]
+
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+IN HONOUR OF LOVE.
+
+
+Love, that long since hast to thy mighty powre
+Perforce subdude my poor captived hart,
+And raging now therein with restlesse stowre*,
+Doest tyrannize in everie weaker part,
+Faine would I seeke to ease my bitter smart                    5
+By any service I might do to thee,
+Or ought that else might to thee pleasing bee.
+  [* _Stowre_, commotion.]
+
+
+And now t’asswage the force of this new flame,
+And make thee more propitious in my need,
+I meane to sing the praises of thy name,                    10
+And thy victorious conquests to areed*,
+By which thou madest many harts to bleed
+Of mighty victors, with wide wounds embrewed,
+And by thy cruell darts to thee subdewed.
+  [* _Areed_, set forth.]
+
+
+Onely I fear my wits, enfeebled late                    15
+Through the sharp sorrowes which thou hast me bred,
+Should faint, and words should faile me to relate
+The wondrous triumphs of thy great god-hed:
+But, if thou wouldst vouchsafe to overspred
+Me with the shadow of thy gentle wing,                    20
+I should enabled be thy actes to sing.
+
+
+Come, then, O come, thou mightie God of Love!
+Out of thy silver bowres and secret blisse,
+Where thou dost sit in Venus lap above,
+Bathing thy wings in her ambrosial kisse,                    25
+That sweeter farre than any nectar is,
+Come softly, and my feeble breast inspire
+With gentle furie, kindled of thy fire.
+
+
+And ye, sweet Muses! which have often proved
+The piercing points of his avengefull darts,                    30
+And ye, fair Nimphs! which oftentimes have loved
+The cruel worker of your kindly smarts,
+Prepare yourselves, and open wide your harts
+For to receive the triumph of your glorie,
+That made you merie oft when ye were sorrie.                    35
+
+
+And ye, faire blossoms of youths wanton breed!
+Which in the conquests of your beautie bost,
+Wherewith your lovers feeble eyes you feed,
+But sterve their harts, that needeth nourture most,
+Prepare your selves to march amongst his host,                    40
+And all the way this sacred hymne do sing,
+Made in the honor of your soveraigne king.
+
+
+Great God of Might, that reignest in the mynd,
+And all the bodie to thy hest doest frame,
+Victor of gods, subduer of mankynd,                    45
+That doest the lions and fell tigers tame,
+Making their cruell rage thy scornfull game,
+And in their roring taking great delight,
+Who can expresse the glorie of thy might?
+
+
+Or who alive can perfectly declare                    50
+The wondrous cradle of thine infancie,
+When thy great mother Venus first thee bare,
+Begot of Plenty and of Penurie,
+Though elder then thine own nativitie,
+And yet a chyld, renewing still thy yeares,                    55
+And yet the eldest of the heavenly peares?
+
+
+For ere this worlds still moving mightie masse
+Out of great Chaos ugly prison crept,
+In which his goodly face long hidden was
+From heavens view, and in deep darknesse kept,                    60
+Love, that had now long time securely slept
+In Venus lap, unarmed then and naked,
+Gan reare his head, by Clotho being waked:
+
+
+And taking to him wings of his own heat,
+Kindled at first from heavens life-giving fyre,                    65
+He gan to move out of his idle seat;
+Weakly at first, but after with desyre
+Lifted aloft, he gan to mount up hyre*,
+And, like fresh eagle, made his hardy flight
+Thro all that great wide wast, yet wanting light.                    70
+  [* _Hyre_, higher.]
+
+
+Yet wanting light to guide his wandring way,
+His own faire mother, for all creatures sake,
+Did lend him light from her owne goodly ray;
+Then through the world his way he gan to take,
+The world, that was not till he did it make,                    75
+Whose sundrie parts he from themselves did sever.
+The which before had lyen confused ever.
+
+
+The earth, the ayre, the water, and the fyre,
+Then gan to raunge themselves in huge array,
+And with contráry forces to conspyre                    80
+Each against other by all meanes they may,
+Threatning their owne confusion and decay:
+Ayre hated earth, and water hated fyre,
+Till Love relented their rebellious yre.
+
+
+He then them tooke, and, tempering goodly well                    85
+Their contrary dislikes with loved meanes,
+Did place them all in order, and compell
+To keepe themselves within their sundrie raines*,
+Together linkt with adamantine chaines;
+Yet so as that in every living wight                    90
+They mix themselves, and shew their kindly might.
+  [* _Raines_, kingdoms.]
+
+
+So ever since they firmely have remained,
+And duly well observed his beheast;
+Through which now all these things that are contained
+Within this goodly cope, both most and least,                    95
+Their being have, and daily are increast
+Through secret sparks of his infused fyre,
+Which in the barraine cold he doth inspyre.
+
+
+Thereby they all do live, and moved are
+To multiply the likenesse of their kynd,                    100
+Whilest they seeke onely, without further care,
+To quench the flame which they in burning fynd;
+But man, that breathes a more immortall mynd,
+Not for lusts sake, but for eternitie,
+Seekes to enlarge his lasting progenie.                    105
+
+
+For having yet in his deducted spright
+Some sparks remaining of that heavenly fyre,
+He is enlumind with that goodly light,
+Unto like goodly semblant to aspyre;
+Therefore in choice of love he doth desyre                    110
+That seemes on earth most heavenly to embrace,
+That same is Beautie, borne of heavenly race.
+
+
+For sure, of all that in this mortall frame
+Contained is, nought more divine doth seeme,
+Or that resembleth more th’immortall flame                    115
+Of heavenly light, than Beauties glorious beam.
+What wonder then, if with such rage extreme
+Frail men, whose eyes seek heavenly things to see,
+At sight thereof so much enravisht bee?
+
+
+Which well perceiving, that imperious boy                    120
+Doth therewith tip his sharp empoisned darts,
+Which glancing thro the eyes with* countenance coy
+Rest not till they have pierst the trembling harts,
+And kindled flame in all their inner parts,
+Which suckes the blood, and drinketh up the lyfe,                   
+125
+Of carefull wretches with consuming griefe.
+  [* Qu. from? WARTON.]
+
+
+Thenceforth they playne, and make full piteous mone
+Unto the author of their balefull bane:
+The daies they waste, the nights they grieve and grone,
+Their lives they loath, and heavens light disdaine;                   
+130
+No light but that whose lampe doth yet remaine
+Fresh burning in the image of their eye,
+They deigne to see, and seeing it still dye.
+
+
+The whylst thou, tyrant Love, doest laugh and scorne
+At their complaints, making their paine thy play;                   
+135
+Whylest they lye languishing like thrals forlorne,
+The whyles thou doest triumph in their decay;
+And otherwhyles, their dying to delay,
+Thou doest emmarble the proud hart of her
+Whose love before their life they doe prefer.                    140
+
+
+So hast thou often done (ay me the more!)
+To me thy vassall, whose yet bleeding hart
+With thousand wounds thou mangled hast so sore,
+That whole remaines scarse any little part;
+Yet to augment the anguish of my smart,                    145
+Thou hast enfrosen her disdainefull brest,
+That no one drop of pitie there doth rest.
+
+
+Why then do I this honor unto thee,
+Thus to ennoble thy victorious name,
+Sith thou doest shew no favour unto mee,                    150
+Ne once move ruth in that rebellious dame,
+
+
+Somewhat to slacke the rigour of my flame?
+Certes small glory doest thou winne hereby,
+To let her live thus free, and me to dy.
+
+
+But if thou be indeede, as men thee call,                    155
+The worlds great parent, the most kind preserver
+Of living wights, the soveraine lord of all,
+How falles it then that with thy furious fervour
+Thou doest afflict as well the not-deserver,
+As him that doeth thy lovely heasts despize,                    160
+And on thy subiects most doth tyrannize?
+
+
+Yet herein eke thy glory seemeth more,
+By so hard handling those which best thee serve,
+That, ere thou doest them unto grace restore,
+Thou mayest well trie if they will ever swerve,                    165
+And mayest them make it better to deserve,
+And, having got it, may it more esteeme;
+For things hard gotten men more dearely deeme.
+
+
+So hard those heavenly beauties be enfyred,
+As things divine least passions doe impresse;                    170
+The more of stedfast mynds to be admyred,
+The more they stayed be on stedfastnesse;
+But baseborne minds such lamps regard the lesse,
+Which at first blowing take not hastie fyre;
+Such fancies feele no love, but loose desyre.                    175
+
+
+For Love is lord of truth and loialtie,
+Lifting himself out of the lowly dust
+On golden plumes up to the purest skie,
+Above the reach of loathly sinfull lust,
+Whose base affect*, through cowardly distrust                    180
+Of his weake wings, dare not to heaven fly,
+But like a moldwarpe** in the earth doth ly.
+  [* _Affect_, affection, passion.]
+  [** _Moldwarpe_, mole.]
+
+
+His dunghill thoughts, which do themselves enure
+To dirtie drosse, no higher dare aspyre;
+Ne can his feeble earthly eyes endure                    185
+The flaming light of that celestiall fyre
+Which kindleth love in generous desyre,
+And makes him mount above the native might
+Of heavie earth, up to the heavens hight.
+
+
+Such is the powre of that sweet passion,                    190
+That it all sordid basenesse doth expell,
+And the refyned mynd doth newly fashion
+Unto a fairer forme, which now doth dwell
+In his high thought, that would it selfe excell;
+Which he beholding still with constant sight,                    195
+Admires the mirrour of so heavenly light.
+
+
+Whose image printing in his deepest wit,
+He thereon feeds his hungrie fantasy,
+Still full, yet never satisfyde with it;
+Like Tantale, that in store doth sterved ly,                    200
+So doth he pine in most satiety;
+For nought may quench his infinite desyre,
+Once kindled through that first conceived fyre.
+
+
+Thereon his mynd affixed wholly is,
+Ne thinks on ought but how it to attaine;                    205
+His care, his ioy, his hope, is all on this,
+That seemes in it all blisses to containe,
+In sight whereof all other blisse seemes vaine:
+Thrice happie man, might he the same possesse,
+He faines himselfe, and doth his fortune blesse.                    210
+
+
+And though he do not win his wish to end,
+Yet thus farre happie he himselfe doth weene,
+That heavens such happie grace did to him lend
+As thing on earth so heavenly to have seene,
+His harts enshrined saint, his heavens queene,                    215
+Fairer then fairest in his fayning eye,
+Whose sole aspect he counts felicitye.
+
+
+Then forth he casts in his unquiet thought,
+What he may do her favour to obtaine;
+What brave exploit, what perill hardly wrought,                    220
+What puissant conquest, what adventurous paine,
+May please her best, and grace unto him gaine;
+He dreads no danger, nor misfortune feares,
+His faith, his fortune, in his breast he beares.
+
+
+Thou art his god, thou art his mightie guyde,                    225
+Thou, being blind, letst him not see his feares,
+But carriest him to that which he had eyde,
+Through seas, through flames, through thousand swords and speares; *
+Ne ought so strong that may his force withstand,
+With which thou armest his resistlesse hand.                    230
+  [* The fifth verse of this stanza appears to have dropped out. C.]
+
+
+Witnesse Leander in the Euxine waves,
+And stout Aeneas in the Troiane fyre,
+Achilles preassing through the Phrygian glaives*,
+And Orpheus, daring to provoke the yre
+Of damned fiends, to get his love retyre;                    235
+For both through heaven and hell thou makest way,
+To win them worship which to thee obay.
+  [* _Glaives_, swords.]
+
+
+And if by all these perils and these paynes
+He may but purchase lyking in her eye,
+What heavens of ioy then to himselfe he faynes!                    240
+Eftsoones he wypes quite out of memory
+Whatever ill before he did aby*:
+Had it beene death, yet would he die againe,
+To live thus happie as her grace to gaine.
+  [* _Aby_, abide.]
+
+
+Yet when he hath found favour to his will,                    245
+He nathëmore can so contented rest,
+But forceth further on, and striveth still
+T’approch more neare, till in her inmost brest
+He may embosomd bee and loved best;
+And yet not best, but to be lov’d alone;                    250
+For love cannot endure a paragone*.
+  [* _Paragone_, competitor.]
+
+
+The fear whereof, O how doth it torment
+His troubled mynd with more then hellish paine!
+And to his fayning fansie represent
+Sights never seene, and thousand shadowes vaine,                    255
+To breake his sleepe and waste his ydle braine:
+Thou that hast never lov’d canst not beleeve
+Least part of th’evils which poore lovers greeve.
+
+
+The gnawing envie, the hart-fretting feare,
+The vaine surmizes, the distrustfull showes,                    260
+The false reports that flying tales doe beare,
+The doubts, the daungers, the delayes, the woes,
+The fayned friends, the unassured foes,
+With thousands more then any tongue can tell,
+Doe make a lovers life a wretches hell.                    265
+
+
+Yet is there one more cursed then they all,
+That cancker-worme, that monster, Gelosie,
+Which eates the heart and feedes upon the gall,
+Turning all Loves delight to miserie,
+Through feare of losing his felicitie.                    270
+Ah, gods! that ever ye that monster placed
+In gentle Love, that all his ioyes defaced!
+
+
+By these, O Love! thou doest thy entrance make
+Unto thy heaven, and doest the more endeere
+Thy pleasures unto those which them partake,                    275
+As after stormes, when clouds begin to cleare,
+The sunne more bright and glorious doth appeare;
+So thou thy folke, through paines of Purgatorie,
+Dost beare unto thy blisse, and heavens glorie.
+
+
+There thou them placest in a paradize                    280
+Of all delight and ioyous happy rest,
+Where they doe feede on nectar heavenly-wize,
+With Hercules and Hebe, and the rest
+Of Venus dearlings, through her bountie blest;
+And lie like gods in yvory beds arayd,                    285
+With rose and lillies over them displayd.
+
+
+There with thy daughter Pleasure they doe play
+Their hurtlesse sports, without rebuke or blame,
+And in her snowy bosome boldly lay
+Their quiet heads, devoyd of guilty shame,                    290
+After full ioyance of their gentle game;
+Then her they crowne their goddesse and their queene,
+And decke with floures thy altars well beseene.
+
+
+Ay me! deare Lord, that ever I might hope,
+For all the paines and woes that I endure,                    295
+To come at length unto the wished scope
+Of my desire, or might myselfe assure
+That happie port for ever to recure*!
+Then would I thinke these paines no paines at all,
+And all my woes to be but penance small.                    300
+  [* _Recure_, recover, gain.]
+
+
+Then would I sing of thine immortal praise
+An heavenly hymne such as the angels sing,
+And thy triumphant name then would I raise
+Bove all the gods, thee only honoring;
+My guide, my god, my victor, and my king:                    305
+Till then, drad Lord! vouchsafe to take of me
+This simple song, thus fram’d in praise of thee.
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+IN HONOUR OF BEAUTIE.
+
+
+Ah! whither, Love! wilt thou now carry mee?
+What wontlesse fury dost thou now inspire
+Into my feeble breast, too full of thee?
+Whylest seeking to aslake thy raging fyre,
+Thou in me kindlest much more great desyre,                    5
+And up aloft above my strength doth rayse
+The wondrous matter of my fire to praise.
+
+
+That as I earst in praise of thine owne name,
+So now in honour of thy mother deare
+An honourable hymne I eke should frame,                    10
+And, with the brightnesse of her beautie cleare,
+The ravisht hearts of gazefull men might reare
+To admiration of that heavenly light,
+From whence proceeds such soule-enchanting might.
+
+
+Therto do thou, great Goddesse! Queene of Beauty,
+Mother of Love and of all worlds delight,                    16
+Without whose soverayne grace and kindly dewty
+Nothing on earth seems fayre to fleshly sight,
+Doe thou vouchsafe with thy love-kindling light
+T’illuminate my dim and dulled eyne,                    20
+And beautifie this sacred hymne of thyne:
+
+
+That both to thee, to whom I meane it most,
+And eke to her whose faire immortall beame
+Hath darted fyre into my feeble ghost,
+That now it wasted is with woes extreame,                    25
+It may so please, that she at length will streame
+Some deaw of grace into my withered hart,
+After long sorrow and consuming smart.
+
+
+WHAT TIME THIS WORLDS GREAT WORKMAISTER did cast
+To make al things such as we now behold,                    30
+It seems that he before his eyes had plast
+A goodly paterne, to whose perfect mould
+He fashiond them as comely as he could,
+That now so faire and seemely they appeare
+As nought may be amended any wheare.                    35
+
+
+That wondrous paterne, wheresoere it bee,
+Whether in earth layd up in secret store,
+Or else in heaven, that no man may it see
+With sinfull eyes, for feare it do deflore,
+Is perfect Beautie, which all men adore;                    40
+Whose face and feature doth so much excell
+All mortal sence, that none the same may tell.
+
+
+Thereof as every earthly thing partakes
+Or more or lesse, by influence divine,
+So it more faire accordingly it makes,                    45
+And the grosse matter of this earthly myne
+Which closeth it thereafter doth refyne,
+Doing away the drosse which dims the light
+Of that faire beame which therein is empight*.
+  [* _Empight_, placed.]
+
+
+For, through infusion of celestiall powre,                    50
+The duller earth it quickneth with delight,
+And life-full spirits privily doth powre
+Through all the parts, that to the lookers sight
+They seeme to please; that is thy soveraine might,
+O Cyprian queene! which, flowing from the beame                    55
+Of thy bright starre, thou into them doest streame.
+
+
+That is the thing which giveth pleasant grace
+To all things faire, that kindleth lively fyre;
+Light of thy lampe; which, shyning in the face,
+Thence to the soule darts amorous desyre,                    60
+And robs the harts of those which it admyre;
+Therewith thou pointest thy sons poysned arrow,
+That wounds the life and wastes the inmost marrow.
+
+
+How vainely then do ydle wits invent
+That Beautie is nought else but mixture made                    65
+Of colours faire, and goodly temp’rament
+Of pure complexions, that shall quickly fade
+And passe away, like to a sommers shade;
+Or that it is but comely composition
+Of parts well measurd, with meet disposition!                    70
+
+
+Hath white and red in it such wondrous powre,
+That it can pierce through th’eyes unto the hart,
+And therein stirre such rage and restlesse stowre*,
+As nought but death can stint his dolours smart?
+Or can proportion of the outward part                    75
+Move such affection in the inward mynd,
+That it can rob both sense, and reason blynd?
+  [* _Stowre_, commotion.]
+
+
+Why doe not then the blossomes of the field,
+Which are arayd with much more orient hew,
+And to the sense most daintie odours yield,                    80
+Worke like impression in the lookers vew?
+Or why doe not faire pictures like powre shew,
+In which oft-times we Nature see of Art
+Exceld, in perfect limming every part?
+
+
+But ah! beleeve me there is more then so,                    85
+That workes such wonders in the minds of men;
+I, that have often prov’d, too well it know,
+And who so list the like assayes to ken
+Shall find by trial, and confesse it then,
+That Beautie is not, as fond men misdeeme,                    90
+An outward shew of things that onely seeme.
+
+
+For that same goodly hew of white and red
+With which the cheekes are sprinckled, shall decay,
+And those sweete rosy leaves, so fairly spred
+Upon the lips, shall fade and fall away                    95
+To that they were, even to corrupted clay:
+That golden wyre, those sparckling stars so bright,
+Shall turne to dust, and lose their goodly light.
+
+
+But that faire lampe, from whose celestiall ray
+That light proceedes which kindleth lovers fire,                    100
+Shall never be extinguisht nor decay;
+But, when the vitall spirits doe espyre,
+Unto her native planet shall retyre;
+For it is heavenly borne, and cannot die,
+Being a parcell of the purest skie.                    105
+
+
+For when the soule, the which derived was,
+At first, out of that great immortall Spright,
+By whom all live to love, whilome did pas
+Down from the top of purest heavens hight
+To be embodied here, it then tooke light                    110
+And lively spirits from that fayrest starre
+Which lights the world forth from his firie carre.
+
+
+Which powre retayning still, or more or lesse,
+When she in fleshly seede is eft* enraced**,
+Through every part she doth the same impresse,                    115
+According as the heavens have her graced,
+And frames her house, in which she will be placed,
+Fit for her selfe, adorning it with spoyle
+Of th’heavenly riches which she robd erewhyle.
+[* _Eft_, afterwards.]
+[** _Enraced_, implanted.]
+
+
+Thereof it comes that these faire soules which have
+The most resemblance of that heavenly light                    121
+Frame to themselves most beautifull and brave
+Their fleshly bowre, most fit for their delight,
+And the grosse matter by a soveraine might
+Temper so trim, that it may well be seene                    125
+A pallace fit for such a virgin queene.
+
+
+So every spirit, as it is most pure,
+And hath in it the more of heavenly light,
+So it the fairer bodie doth procure
+To habit in, and it more fairely dight*                    130
+With chearfull grace and amiable sight:
+For of the soule the bodie forme doth take;
+For soule is forme, and doth the bodie make.
+  [* _Dight_, adorn.]
+
+
+Therefore, where-ever that thou doest behold
+A comely corpse*, with beautie faire endewed,                    135
+Know this for certaine, that the same doth hold
+A beauteous soule with fair conditions thewed**,
+Fit to receive the seede of vertue strewed;
+For all that faire is, is by nature good;
+That is a sign to know the gentle blood.                    140
+  [* _Corpse_, body.]
+  [** i.e. endowed with fair qualities.]
+
+
+Yet oft it falles that many a gentle mynd
+Dwels in deformed tabernacle drownd,
+Either by chaunce, against the course of kynd*,
+Or through unaptnesse in the substance fownd,
+Which it assumed of some stubborne grownd,                    145
+That will not yield unto her formes direction,
+But is deform’d with some foule imperfection.
+  [* _Kynd_, nature.]
+
+
+And oft it falles, (ay me, the more to rew!)
+That goodly Beautie, albe heavenly borne,
+Is foule abusd, and that celestiall hew,                    150
+Which doth the world with her delight adorne,
+Made but the bait of sinne, and sinners scorne,
+Whilest every one doth seeke and sew to have it,
+But every one doth seeke but to deprave it.
+
+
+Yet nathëmore is that faire Beauties blame,                    155
+But theirs that do abuse it unto ill:
+Nothing so good, but that through guilty shame
+May be corrupt*, and wrested unto will.
+Nathelesse the soule is faire and beauteous still,
+However fleshes fault it filthy make;                    160
+For things immortall no corruption take.
+  [* _Corrupt_, corrupted.]
+
+
+But ye, faire Dames! the worlds deare ornaments,
+And lively images of heavens light,
+Let not your beames with such disparagements
+Be dimd, and your bright glorie darkned quight;                    l65
+But mindfull still of your first countries sight,
+Doe still preserve your first informed grace,
+Whose shadow yet shynes in your beauteous face.
+
+
+Loath that foule blot, that hellish fiërbrand,
+Disloiall lust, fair Beauties foulest blame,                    170
+That base affections, which your eares would bland*,
+Commend to you by loves abused name,
+But is indeede the bondslave of defame;
+Which will the garland of your glorie marre,
+And quench the light of your brightshyning starre.                   
+175
+  [* _Bland_, blandish.]
+
+
+But gentle Love, that loiall is and trew,
+Wil more illumine your resplendent ray,
+And add more brightnesse to your goodly hew
+From light of his pure fire; which, by like way
+Kindled of yours, your likenesse doth display;                    180
+Like as two mirrours, by opposd reflection,
+Doe both expresse the faces first impression.
+
+
+Therefore, to make your beautie more appeare,
+It you behoves to love, and forth to lay
+That heavenly riches which in you ye beare,                    185
+That men the more admyre their fountaine may;
+For else what booteth that celestiall ray,
+If it in darknesse be enshrined ever,
+That it of loving eyes be vewed never?
+
+
+But, in your choice of loves, this well advize,                    190
+That likest to your selves ye them select,
+The which your forms first sourse may sympathize,
+And with like beauties parts be inly deckt;
+For if you loosely love without respect,
+It is not love, but a discordant warre,                    195
+Whose unlike parts amongst themselves do iarre.
+
+
+For love is a celestiall harmonie
+Of likely* harts composd of** starres concent,
+Which ioyne together in sweete sympathie,
+To work each others ioy and true content,                    200
+Which they have harbourd since their first descent
+Out of their heavenly bowres, where they did see
+And know ech other here belov’d to bee.
+  [* _Likely_, similar.]
+  [** _Composd of_, combined by.]
+
+
+Then wrong it were that any other twaine
+Should in Loves gentle band combyned bee,                    205
+But those whom Heaven did at first ordaine,
+And made out of one mould the more t’agree;
+For all that like the beautie which they see
+Straight do not love; for Love is not so light
+As straight to burne at first beholders sight.                    210
+
+
+But they which love indeede looke otherwise,
+With pure regard and spotlesse true intent,
+Drawing out of the obiect of their eyes
+A more refyned form, which they present
+Unto their mind, voide of all blemishment;                    215
+Which it reducing to her first perfection,
+Beholdeth free from fleshes frayle infection.
+
+
+And then conforming it unto the light
+Which in it selfe it hath remaining still,
+Of that first sunne, yet sparckling in his sight,                   
+220
+Thereof he fashions in his higher skill
+An heavenly beautie to his fancies will;
+And it embracing in his mind entyre,
+The mirrour of his owne thought doth admyre.
+
+
+Which seeing now so inly faire to be,                    225
+As outward it appeareth to the eye,
+And with his spirits proportion to agree,
+He thereon fixeth all his fantasie,
+And fully setteth his felicitie;
+Counting it fairer then it is indeede,                    230
+And yet indeede her fairnesse doth exeede.
+
+
+For lovers eyes more sharply sighted bee
+Then other mens, and in deare loves delight
+See more then any other eyes can see,
+Through mutuall receipt of beamës bright,                    235
+Which carrie privie message to the spright,
+And to their eyes that inmost faire display,
+As plaine as light discovers dawning day.
+
+
+Therein they see, through amorous eye-glaunces,
+Armies of Loves still flying too and fro,                    240
+Which dart at them their litle fierie launces;
+Whom having wounded, back againe they go,
+Carrying compassion to their lovely foe;
+Who, seeing her faire eyes so sharp effect,
+Cures all their sorrowes with one sweete aspect.                    245
+
+
+In which how many wonders doe they reede
+To their conceipt, that others never see!
+Now of her smiles, with which their soules they feede,
+Like gods with nectar in their bankets free;
+Now of her lookes, which like to cordials bee;                    250
+But when her words embássade* forth she sends,
+Lord, how sweete musicke that unto them lends!
+  [* _Embássade_, embassy.]
+
+
+Sometimes upon her forhead they behold
+A thousand graces masking in delight;
+Sometimes within her eye-lids they unfold                    255
+Ten thousand sweet belgards*, which to their sight
+Doe seeme like twinckling starres in frostie night;
+But on her lips, like rosy buds in May,
+So many millions of chaste pleasures play.
+  [* _Belgards_, fair looks.]
+
+
+All those, O Cytherea! and thousands more,                    260
+Thy handmaides be, which do on thee attend,
+To decke thy beautie with their dainties store,
+That may it more to mortall eyes commend,
+And make it more admyr’d of foe and frend;
+That in men’s harts thou mayst thy throne enstall, 265
+And spred thy lovely kingdome over all.
+
+
+Then Iö, tryumph! O great Beauties Queene,
+Advance the banner of thy conquest hie,
+That all this world, the which thy vassels beene,
+May draw to thee, and with dew fëaltie                    270
+Adore the powre of thy great maiestie,
+Singing this hymne in honour of thy name,
+Compyld by me, which thy poor liegeman am!
+
+
+In lieu whereof graunt, O great soveraine!
+That she whose conquering beauty doth captíve 275
+My trembling hart in her eternall chaine,
+One drop of grace at length will to me give,
+That I her bounden thrall by her may live,
+And this same life, which first fro me she reaved,
+May owe to her, of whom I it receaved.                    280
+
+
+And you, faire Venus dearling, my dear dread!
+Fresh flowre of grace, great goddesse of my life,
+When your faire eyes these fearfull lines shall read,
+Deigne to let fall one drop of dew reliefe,
+That may recure my harts long pyning griefe,                    285
+And shew what wondrous powre your beauty hath,
+That can restore a damned wight from death.
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+OF HEAVENLY LOVE*.
+
+
+[* See the sixth canto of the third book of the Faerie Queene,
+especially the second and the thirty-second stanzas; which, with his
+Hymnes of Heavenly Love and Heavenly Beauty, are evident proofs of
+Spenser’s attachment to the Platonic school. WARTON.]
+
+
+Love, lift me up upon thy golden wings
+From this base world unto thy heavens hight,
+Where I may see those admirable things
+Which there thou workest by thy soveraine might,
+Farre above feeble reach of earthly sight,                    5
+That I thereof an heavenly hymne may sing
+Unto the God of Love, high heavens king.
+
+
+Many lewd layes (ah! woe is me the more!)
+In praise of that mad fit which fooles call Love,
+I have in th’heat of youth made heretofore,                    10
+That in light wits did loose affection move;
+But all those follies now I do reprove,
+And turned have the tenor of my string,
+The heavenly prayses of true Love to sing.
+
+
+And ye that wont with greedy vaine desire                    15
+To reade my fault, and, wondring at my flame,
+To warme your selves at my wide sparckling fire,
+Sith now that heat is quenched, quench my blame,
+And in her ashes shrowd my dying shame;
+For who my passed follies now pursewes,                    20
+Beginnes his owne, and my old fault renewes.
+
+
+BEFORE THIS WORLDS GREAT FRAME, in which al things
+Are now containd, found any being-place,
+Ere flitting Time could wag* his eyas** wings
+About that mightie bound which doth embrace                    25
+The rolling spheres, and parts their houres by space,
+That high eternall Powre, which now doth move
+In all these things, mov’d in it selfe by love.
+  [* _Wag_, move.]
+  [** _Eyas_, unfledged.]
+
+
+It lovd it selfe, because it selfe was faire;
+(For fair is lov’d;) and of it self begot                    30
+Like to it selfe his eldest Sonne and Heire,
+Eternall, pure, and voide of sinfull blot,
+The firstling of his ioy, in whom no iot
+Of loves dislike or pride was to be found,
+Whom he therefore with equall honour crownd.                    35
+
+
+With him he raignd, before all time prescribed,
+In endlesse glorie and immortall might,
+Together with that Third from them derived,
+Most wise, most holy, most almightie Spright!                    39
+Whose kingdomes throne no thoughts of earthly wight
+Can comprehend, much lesse my trembling verse
+With equall words can hope it to reherse.
+
+
+Yet, O most blessed Spirit! pure lampe of light,
+Eternall spring of grace and wisedom trew,
+Vouchsafe to shed into my barren spright                    45
+Some little drop of thy celestiall dew,
+That may my rymes with sweet infuse* embrew,
+And give me words equall unto my thought,
+To tell the marveiles by thy mercie wrought.
+  [* _Infuse_, infusion]
+
+
+Yet being pregnant still with powrefull grace,                    50
+And full of fruitfull Love, that loves to get
+Things like himselfe and to enlarge his race,
+His second brood, though not of powre so great,
+Yet full of beautie, next he did beget,
+An infinite increase of angels bright,                    55
+All glistring glorious in their Makers light.
+
+
+To them the heavens illimitable hight
+(Not this round heaven which we from hence behold,
+Adornd with thousand lamps of burning light,
+And with ten thousand gemmes of shyning gold)                    60
+He gave as their inheritance to hold,
+That they might serve him in eternall blis,
+And be partakers of those ioyes of his.
+
+
+There they in their trinall triplicities
+About him wait, and on his will depend,                    65
+Either with nimble wings to cut the skies,
+When he them on his messages doth send,
+Or on his owne dread presence to attend,
+Where they behold the glorie of his light,
+And caroll hymnes of love both day and night.                    70
+  [Ver. 64.—_Trinall triplicities_. See the Faerie Queene, Book I.
+  Canto XII. 39. H.]
+
+
+Both day and night is unto them all one;
+For he his beames doth unto them extend,
+That darknesse there appeareth never none;
+Ne hath their day, ne hath their blisse, an end,
+But there their termelesse time in pleasure spend;                   
+75
+Ne ever should their happinesse decay,
+Had not they dar’d their Lord to disobay.
+
+
+But pride, impatient of long resting peace,
+Did puffe them up with greedy bold ambition,
+That they gan cast their state how to increase                    80
+Above the fortune of their first condition,
+And sit in Gods own seat without commission:
+The brightest angel, even the Child of Light*,
+Drew millions more against their God to fight.
+  [* I.e. Lucifer.]
+
+
+Th’Almighty, seeing their so bold assay,                    85
+Kindled the flame of his consuming yre,
+And with his onely breath them blew away
+From heavens hight, to which they did aspyre,
+To deepest hell, and lake of damned fyre,
+Where they in darknesse and dread horror dwell,                    90
+Hating the happie light from which they fell.
+
+
+So that next off-spring of the Makers love,
+Next to himselfe in glorious degree,
+Degendering* to hate, fell from above
+Through pride; (for pride and love may ill agree;)                   
+95
+And now of sinne to all ensample bee:
+How then can sinfull flesh it selfe assure,
+Sith purest angels fell to be impure?
+  [* _Degendering_, degenerating.]
+
+
+But that Eternall Fount of love and grace,
+Still flowing forth his goodnesse unto all,                    100
+Now seeing left a waste and emptie place
+In his wyde pallace through those angels fall,
+Cast to supply the same, and to enstall
+A new unknowen colony therein,
+Whose root from earths base groundworke should begin.                  
+ 105
+
+
+Therefore of clay, base, vile, and next to nought,
+Yet form’d by wondrous skill, and by his might
+According to an heavenly patterne wrought,
+Which he had fashiond in his wise foresight,
+He man did make, and breathd a living spright                    110
+Into his face, most beautifull and fayre,
+Endewd with wisedomes riches, heavenly, rare.
+
+
+Such he him made, that he resemble might
+Himselfe, as mortall thing immortall could;
+Him to be lord of every living wight                    115
+He made by love out of his owne like mould,
+In whom he might his mightie selfe behould;
+For Love doth love the thing belov’d to see,
+That like it selfe in lovely shape may bee.
+
+
+But man, forgetfull of his Makers grace                    120
+No lesse than angels, whom he did ensew,
+Fell from the hope of promist heavenly place,
+Into the mouth of Death, to sinners dew,
+And all his off-spring into thraldome threw,
+Where they for ever should in bonds remaine                    125
+Of never-dead, yet ever-dying paine;
+
+
+Till that great Lord of Love, which him at first
+Made of meere love, and after liked well,
+Seeing him lie like creature long accurst
+In that deep horor of despeyred hell,                    130
+Him, wretch, in doole* would let no lenger dwell,
+But cast** out of that bondage to redeeme,
+And pay the price, all@ were his debt extreeme.
+  [* _Doole_, pain.]
+  [** _Cast_, devised.]
+  [@ _All_, although.]
+
+
+Out of the bosome of eternall blisse,
+In which he reigned with his glorious Syre,                    135
+He downe descended, like a most demisse*
+And abiect thrall, in fleshes fraile attyre,
+That he for him might pay sinnes deadly hyre,
+And him restore unto that happie state
+In which he stood before his haplesse fate.                    140
+  [* _Demisse_, humble.]
+
+
+In flesh at first the guilt committed was,
+Therefore in flesh it must be satisfyde;
+Nor spirit, nor angel, though they man surpas,
+Could make amends to God for mans misguyde,
+But onely man himselfe, who selfe did slyde:                    145
+So, taking flesh of sacred virgins wombe,
+For mans deare sake he did a man become.
+
+
+And that most blessed bodie, which was borne
+Without all blemish or reprochfull blame,
+He freely gave to be both rent and torne                    150
+Of cruell hands, who with despightfull shame
+Revyling him, (that them most vile became,)
+At length him nayled on a gallow-tree,
+And slew the iust by most uniust decree.
+
+
+O huge and most unspeakeable impression                    155
+Of Loves deep wound, that pierst the piteous hart
+Of that deare Lord with so entyre affection,
+And, sharply launcing every inner part,
+Dolours of death into his soule did dart,
+Doing him die that never it deserved,                    160
+To free his foes, that from his heast* had swerved!
+  [* _Heast_, command.]
+
+
+What hart can feel least touch of so sore launch,
+Or thought can think the depth of so deare wound?
+Whose bleeding sourse their streames yet never staunch,
+But stil do flow, and freshly still redownd*,                    165
+To heale the sores of sinfull soules unsound,
+And clense the guilt of that infected cryme,
+Which was enrooted in all fleshly slyme.
+  [* _Redownd_, overflow.]
+
+
+O blessed Well of Love! O Floure of Grace!
+O glorious Morning-Starre! O Lampe of Light!                    170
+Most lively image of thy Fathers face,
+Eternal King of Glorie, Lord of Might,
+Meeke Lambe of God, before all worlds behight*,
+How can we thee requite for all this good?
+Or what can prize** that thy most precious blood?                   
+175
+  [* _Behight_, named.]
+  [** _Prize_, price.]
+
+
+Yet nought thou ask’st in lieu of all this love
+But love of us, for guerdon of thy paine:
+Ay me! what can us lesse than that behove?
+Had he required life for us againe,
+Had it beene wrong to ask his owne with gaine?                    180
+He gave us life, he it restored lost;
+Then life were least, that us so little cost.
+
+
+But he our life hath left unto us free,
+Free that was thrall, and blessed that was band*;
+Ne ought demaunds but that we loving bee,                    185
+As he himselfe hath lov’d us afore-hand,
+And bound therto with an eternall band;
+Him first to love that us so dearely bought,
+And next our brethren, to his image wrought.
+  [* _Band_, cursed.]
+
+
+Him first to love great right and reason is,                    190
+Who first to us our life and being gave,
+And after, when we fared* had amisse,
+Us wretches from the second death did save;
+And last, the food of life, which now we have,
+Even he himselfe, in his dear sacrament,                    195
+To feede our hungry soules, unto us lent.
+  [* _Fared_, gone.]
+
+
+Then next, to love our brethren, that were made
+Of that selfe* mould and that self Maker’s hand
+That we, and to the same againe shall fade,
+Where they shall have like heritage of land,                    200
+However here on higher steps we stand,
+Which also were with selfe-same price redeemed
+That we, however of us light esteemed.
+[* _Selfe_, same.]
+
+
+And were they not, yet since that loving Lord
+Commaunded us to love them for his sake,                    205
+Even for his sake, and for his sacred word
+Which in his last bequest he to us spake,
+We should them love, and with their needs partake;
+Knowing that whatsoere to them we give
+We give to him by whom we all doe live.                    210
+
+
+Such mercy he by his most holy reede*
+Unto us taught, and, to approve it trew,
+Ensampled it by his most righteous deede,
+Shewing us mercie, miserable crew!
+That we the like should to the wretches shew,                    215
+And love our brethren; thereby to approve
+How much himselfe that loved us we love.
+[* _Reede_, precept.]
+
+
+Then rouze thy selfe, O Earth! out of thy soyle*,
+In which thou wallowest like to filthy swyne,
+And doest thy mynd in durty pleasures moyle**,                    220
+Unmindfull of that dearest Lord of thyne;
+Lift up to him thy heavie clouded eyne,
+That thou this soveraine bountie mayst behold,
+And read, through love, his mercies manifold.
+  [* _Soyle_, mire.]
+  [** _Moyle_, defile.]
+
+
+Beginne from first, where he encradled was                    225
+In simple cratch*, wrapt in a wad of hay,
+Betweene the toylfull oxe and humble asse,
+And in what rags, and in how base aray,
+The glory of our heavenly riches lay,
+When him the silly shepheards came to see,                    230
+Whom greatest princes sought on lowest knee.
+  [* _Cratch_, manger.]
+
+
+From thence reade on the storie of his life,
+His humble carriage, his unfaulty wayes,
+His cancred foes, his fights, his toyle, his strife,
+His paines, his povertie, his sharpe assayes,                    235
+Through which he past his miserable dayes,
+Offending none, and doing good to all,
+Yet being malist* both by great and small.
+  [* _Malist_, regarded with ill-will.]
+
+
+And look at last, how of most wretched wights
+He taken was, betrayd, and false accused;                    240
+How with most scornfull taunts and fell despights,
+He was revyld, disgrast, and foule abused;
+How scourgd, how crownd, how buffeted, how brused;
+And, lastly, how twixt robbers crucifyde,
+With bitter wounds through hands, through feet, and syde!              
+     245
+
+
+Then let thy flinty hart, that feeles no paine,
+Empierced be with pittifull remorse,
+And let thy bowels bleede in every vaine,
+At sight of his most sacred heavenly corse,
+So torne and mangled with malicious forse;                    250
+And let thy soule, whose sins his sorrows wrought,
+Melt into teares, and grone in grieved thought.
+
+
+With sence whereof whilest so thy softened spirit
+Is inly toucht, and humbled with meeke zeale
+Through meditation of his endlesse merit,                    255
+Lift up thy mind to th’author of thy weale,
+And to his soveraine mercie doe appeale;
+Learne him to love that loved thee so deare,
+And in thy brest his blessed image beare.
+
+
+With all thy hart, with all thy soule and mind,                    260
+Thou must him love, and his beheasts embrace;
+All other loves, with which the world doth blind
+Weake fancies, and stirre up affections base,
+Thou must renounce and utterly displace,
+And give thy self unto him full and free,                    265
+That full and freely gave himselfe to thee.
+
+
+Then shalt thou feele thy spirit so possest,
+And ravisht with devouring great desire
+Of his dear selfe, that shall thy feeble brest
+Inflame with love, and set thee all on fire                    270
+With burning zeale, through every part entire*,
+That in no earthly thing thou shalt delight,
+But in his sweet and amiable sight.
+  [* _Entire_, inward.]
+
+
+Thenceforth all worlds desire will in thee dye,
+And all earthes glorie, on which men do gaze,                    275
+Seeme durt and drosse in thy pure-sighted eye,
+Compar’d to that celestiall beauties blaze,
+Whose glorious beames all fleshly sense doth daze
+With admiration of their passing light,
+Blinding the eyes, and lumining the spright.                    280
+
+
+Then shall thy ravisht soul inspired bee
+With heavenly thoughts, farre above humane skil,
+And thy bright radiant eyes shall plainely see
+Th’idee of his pure glorie present still
+Before thy face, that all thy spirits shall fill                    285
+With sweete enragement of celestiall love,
+Kindled through sight of those faire things above.
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+OF HEAVENLY BEAUTIE.
+
+
+Rapt with the rage of mine own ravisht thought,
+Through contemplation of those goodly sights
+And glorious images in heaven wrought,
+Whose wondrous beauty, breathing sweet delights,
+Do kindle love in high conceipted sprights,                    5
+I faine* to tell the things that I behold,
+But feele my wits to faile and tongue to fold.
+  [* _Faine_, long.]
+
+
+Vouchsafe then, O Thou most Almightie Spright!
+From whom all guifts of wit and knowledge flow,
+To shed into my breast some sparkling light                    10
+Of thine eternall truth, that I may show
+Some little beames to mortall eyes below
+Of that immortall Beautie there with Thee,
+Which in my weake distraughted mynd I see;
+
+
+That with the glorie of so goodly sight                    15
+The hearts of men, which fondly here admyre
+Faire seeming shewes, and feed on vaine delight,
+Transported with celestiall desyre
+Of those faire formes, may lift themselves up hyer,
+And learne to love, with zealous humble dewty,                    20
+Th’Eternall Fountaine of that heavenly Beauty.
+
+
+Beginning then below, with th’easie vew
+Of this base world, subiect to fleshly eye,
+From thence to mount aloft, by order dew,
+To contemplation of th’immortall sky;                    25
+Of the soare faulcon* so I learne to flye.
+That flags a while her fluttering wings beneath,
+Till she her selfe for stronger flight can breath.
+  [* _Soare faulcon_, a young falcon; a hawk that has not shed its
+  first
+  feathers, which are _sorrel_.]
+
+
+Then looke, who list thy gazefull eyes to feed
+With sight of that is faire, looke on the frame                    30
+Of this wyde universe, and therein reed
+The endlesse kinds of creatures which by name
+Thou canst not count, much less their natures aime;
+All which are made with wondrous wise respect,
+And all with admirable beautie deckt.                    35
+
+
+First, th’Earth, on adamantine pillers founded
+Amid the Sea, engirt with brasen bands;
+Then th’Aire, still flitting, but yet firmely bounded
+On everie side with pyles of flaming brands,
+Never consum’d, nor quencht with mortall hands;                    40
+And last, that mightie shining cristall wall,
+Wherewith he hath encompassed this all.
+
+
+By view whereof it plainly may appeare,
+That still as every thing doth upward tend
+And further is from earth, so still more cleare                    45
+And faire it growes, till to his perfect end
+Of purest Beautie it at last ascend;
+Ayre more then water, fire much more then ayre,
+And heaven then fire, appeares more pure and fayre.
+
+
+Looke thou no further, but affixe thine eye                    50
+On that bright shynie round still moving masse,
+The house of blessed God, which men call Skye,
+All sowd with glistring stars more thicke then grasse,
+Whereof each other doth in brightnesse passe,
+But those two most, which, ruling night and day,                    55
+As king and queene the heavens empire sway;
+
+
+And tell me then, what hast thou ever seene
+That to their beautie may compared bee?
+Or can the sight that is most sharpe and keene
+Endure their captains flaming head to see?                    60
+How much lesse those, much higher in degree,
+And so much fairer, and much more then these,
+As these are fairer then the land and seas?
+
+
+For farre above these heavens which here we see,
+Be others farre exceeding these in light,                    65
+Not bounded, not corrupt, as these same bee,
+But infinite in largenesse and in hight,
+Unmoving, uncorrupt, and spotlesse bright,
+That need no sunne t’illuminate their spheres,
+But their owne native light farre passing theirs.                    70
+
+
+And as these heavens still by degrees arize,
+Until they come to their first movers* bound,
+That in his mightie compasse doth comprize
+And carrie all the rest with him around,
+So those likewise doe by degrees redound**,                    75
+And rise more faire, till they at last arive
+To the most faire, whereto they all do strive.
+  [* I.e. the _primum mobile_.]
+  [** I.e. exceed the one the other.]
+
+
+Faire is the heaven where happy soules have place,
+In full enioyment of felicitie,
+Whence they doe still behold the glorious face                    80
+Of the Divine Eternall Maiestie;
+More faire is that where those Idees on hie
+Enraunged be, which Plato so admyred,
+And pure Intelligences from God inspyred.
+
+
+Yet fairer is that heaven in which do raine                    85
+The soveraigne Powres and mightie Potentates,
+Which in their high protections doe containe
+All mortall princes and imperiall states;
+And fayrer yet whereas the royall Seates
+And heavenly Dominations are set,                    90
+From whom all earthly governance is fet*.
+  [* _Fet_, fetched, derived.]
+
+
+Yet farre more faire be those bright Cherubins,
+Which all with golden wings are overdight,
+And those eternall burning Seraphins,
+Which from their faces dart out fierie light;                    95
+Yet fairer then they both, and much more bright,
+Be th’Angels and Archangels, which attend
+On Gods owne person, without rest or end.
+
+
+These thus in faire each other farre excelling,
+As to the Highest they approach more near,                    100
+Yet is that Highest farre beyond all telling,
+Fairer then all the rest which there appeare,
+Though all their beauties ioyn’d together were;
+How then can mortall tongue hope to expresse
+The image of such endlesse perfectnesse?                    105
+
+
+Cease then, my tongue! and lend unto my mynd
+Leave to bethinke how great that Beautie is,
+Whose utmost* parts so beautifull I fynd;
+How much more those essentiall parts of His,
+His truth, his love, his wisedome, and his blis,                    110
+His grace, his doome**, his mercy, and his might,
+By which he lends us of himselfe a sight!
+[* _Utmost_, outmost.]
+[** _Doome_, judgment.]
+
+
+Those unto all he daily doth display,
+And shew himselfe in th’image of his grace,
+As in a looking-glasse, through which he may                    115
+Be seene of all his creatures vile and base,
+That are unable else to see his face;
+His glorious face! which glistereth else so bright,
+That th’angels selves can not endure his sight.
+
+
+But we, fraile wights! whose sight cannot sustaine                   
+120
+The suns bright beames when he on us doth shyne,
+But* that their points rebutted** backe againe
+Are duld, how can we see with feeble eyne
+The glorie of that Maiestie Divine,
+In sight of whom both sun and moone are darke,                    125
+Compared to his least resplendent sparke?
+[* _But_, unless.]
+[** _Rebutted_, reflected.]
+
+
+The meanes, therefore, which unto us is lent
+Him to behold, is on his workes to looke.
+Which he hath made in beauty excellent,
+And in the same, as in a brasen booke,                    130
+To read enregistred in every nooke
+His goodnesse, which his beautie doth declare;
+For all thats good is beautifull and faire.
+
+
+Thence gathering plumes of perfect speculation
+To impe* the wings of thy high flying mynd,                    135
+Mount up aloft through heavenly contemplation
+From this darke world, whose damps the soule do blynd,
+And, like the native brood of eagles kynd,
+On that bright Sunne of Glorie fixe thine eyes,
+Clear’d from grosse mists of fraile infirmities.                    140
+  [* _Impe_, mend, strengthen.]
+
+
+Humbled with feare and awfull reverence,
+Before the footestoole of his Maiestie
+Throw thy selfe downe, with trembling innocence,
+Ne dare looke up with córruptible eye
+On the dred face of that great Deity,                    145
+For feare lest, if he chaunce to look on thee,
+Thou turne to nought, and quite confounded be.
+
+
+But lowly fall before his mercie seate,
+Close covered with the Lambes integrity
+From the iust wrath of His avengefull threate                    150
+That sits upon the righteous throne on hy;
+His throne is built upon Eternity,
+More firme and durable then steele or brasse,
+Or the hard diamond, which them both doth passe.
+
+
+His scepter is the rod of Righteousnesse,                    155
+With which he bruseth all his foes to dust,
+And the great Dragon strongly doth represse
+Under the rigour of his iudgment iust;
+His seate is Truth, to which the faithfull trust,
+From whence proceed her beames so pure and bright,                   
+160
+That all about him sheddeth glorious light:
+
+
+Light farre exceeding that bright blazing sparke
+Which darted is from Titans flaming head,
+That with his beames enlumineth the darke
+And dampish air, wherby al things are red*;                    165
+Whose nature yet so much is marvelled
+Of mortall wits, that it doth much amaze
+The greatest wisards** which thereon do gaze.
+  [* _Red_, perceived.]
+  [** _Wisards_, wise men, _savants_.]
+
+
+But that immortall light which there doth shine
+Is many thousand times more bright, more cleare,                    170
+More excellent, more glorious, more divine;
+Through which to God all mortall actions here,
+And even the thoughts of men, do plaine appeare;
+For from th’Eternall Truth it doth proceed,
+Through heavenly vertue which her beames doe breed.                   
+175
+
+
+With the great glorie of that wondrous light
+His throne is all encompassed around,
+And hid in his owne brightnesse from the sight
+Of all that looke thereon with eyes unsound;
+And underneath his feet are to be found                    180
+Thunder, and lightning, and tempestuous fyre,
+The instruments of his avenging yre.
+
+
+There in his bosome Sapience doth sit,
+The soveraine dearling of the Deity,
+Clad like a queene in royall robes, most fit                    185
+For so great powre and peerelesse maiesty,
+And all with gemmes and iewels gorgeously
+Adornd, that brighter then the starres appeare,
+And make her native brightnes seem more cleare.
+
+
+And on her head a crown of purest gold                    190
+Is set, in signe of highest soverainty;
+And in her hand a scepter she doth hold,
+With which she rules the house of God on hy,
+And menageth the ever-moving sky,
+And in the same these lower creatures all                    195
+Subiected to her powre imperiall.
+
+
+Both heaven and earth obey unto her will,
+And all the creatures which they both containe;
+For of her fulnesse, which the world doth fill,
+They all partake, and do in state remaine                    200
+As their great Maker did at first ordaine,
+Through observation of her high beheast,
+By which they first were made, and still increast.
+
+
+The fairnesse of her face no tongue can tell;
+For she the daughters of all wemens race,                    205
+And angels eke, in beautie doth excell,
+Sparkled on her from Gods owne glorious face,
+And more increast by her owne goodly grace,
+That it doth farre exceed all humane thought,
+Ne can on earth compared be to ought.                    210
+
+
+Ne could that painter (had he lived yet)
+Which pictured Venus with so curious quill
+That all posteritie admyred it,
+Have purtray’d this, for all his maistring* skill;
+Ne she her selfe, had she remained still,                    215
+And were as faire as fabling wits do fayne,
+Could once come neare this Beauty soverayne.
+  [* _Maistring_, superior.]
+
+
+But had those wits, the wonders of their dayes,
+Or that sweete Teian poet*, which did spend
+His plenteous vaine in setting forth her praise,                    220
+Seen but a glims of this which I pretend**,
+How wondrously would he her face commend,
+Above that idole of his fayning thought,
+That all the world should with his rimes be fraught!
+[* I.e. Anacreon.]
+[** _Pretend_, set forth, (or, simply) intend.]
+
+
+How then dare I, the novice of his art,                    225
+Presume to picture so divine a wight,
+Or hope t’expresse her least perfections part,
+Whose beautie filles the heavens with her light,
+And darkes the earth with shadow of her sight?
+Ah, gentle Muse! thou art too weake and faint                    230
+The pourtraict of so heavenly hew to paint.
+
+
+Let angels, which her goodly face behold,
+And see at will, her soveraigne praises sing,
+And those most sacred mysteries unfold
+Of that faire love of mightie Heavens King;                    235
+Enough is me t’admyre so heavenly thing,
+And being thus with her huge love possest,
+In th’only wonder of her selfe to rest.
+
+
+But whoso may, thrise happie man him hold
+Of all on earth, whom God so much doth grace,                    240
+And lets his owne Beloved to behold;
+For in the view of her celestiall face
+All ioy, all blisse, all happinesse, have place;
+Ne ought on earth can want unto the wight
+Who of her selfe can win the wishfull sight.                    245
+
+
+For she out of her secret threasury
+Plentie of riches forth on him will powre,
+Even heavenly riches, which there hidden ly
+Within the closet of her chastest bowre,
+Th’eternall portion of her precious dowre,                    250
+Which Mighty God hath given to her free,
+And to all those which thereof worthy bee.
+
+
+None thereof worthy be, but those whom shee
+Vouchsafeth to her presence to receave,
+And letteth them her lovely face to see,                    255
+Wherof such wondrous pleasures they conceave,
+And sweete contentment, that it doth bereave
+Their soul of sense, through infinite delight,
+And them transport from flesh into the spright.
+
+
+In which they see such admirable things,                    260
+As carries them into an extasy;
+And heare such heavenly notes and carolings
+Of Gods high praise, that filles the brasen sky;
+And feele such ioy and pleasure inwardly,
+That maketh them all worldly cares forget,                    265
+And onely thinke on that before them set.
+
+
+Ne from thenceforth doth any fleshly sense,
+Or idle thought of earthly things, remaine;
+But all that earst seemd sweet seemes now offence,
+And all that pleased earst now seemes to paine:                    270
+Their ioy, their comfort, their desire, their game,
+Is fixed all on that which now they see;
+All other sights but fayned shadowes bee.
+
+
+And that faire lampe which useth to enflame
+The hearts of men with selfe-consuming fyre,                    275
+Thenceforth seemes fowle, and full of sinfull blame
+And all that pompe to which proud minds aspyre
+By name of Honor, and so much desyre,
+Seemes to them basenesse, and all riches drosse,
+And all mirth sadnesse, and all lucre losse.                    280
+
+
+So full their eyes are of that glorious sight,
+And senses fraught with such satietie.
+That in nought else on earth they can delight,
+But in th’aspect of that felicitie
+Which they have written in theyr inward ey;                    285
+On which they feed, and in theyr fastened mynd
+All happie ioy and full contentment fynd.
+
+
+Ah, then, my hungry soule! which long hast fed
+On idle fancies of thy foolish thought,
+And, with false Beauties flattring bait misled,                    290
+Hast after vaine deceiptfull shadowes sought,
+Which all are fled, and now have left thee nought
+But late repentance, through thy follies prief,
+Ah! ceasse to gaze on matter of thy grief:
+
+
+And looke at last up to that Soveraine Light,                    295
+From whose pure beams al perfect Beauty springs,
+That kindleth love in every godly spright,
+Even the love of God; which loathing brings
+Of this vile world and these gay-seeming things;
+With whose sweet pleasures being so possest,                    300
+Thy straying thoughts henceforth for ever rest.
+
+
+
+
+EPIGRAMS AND SONNETS.
+
+EPIGRAMS.
+
+I.*
+
+[* In the folio of 1611, these four short pieces are appended to the
+Sonnets. The second and third are translated from Marot’s Epigrams,
+Liv. III. No. 5, _De Diane_, and No. 24, _De Cupido et de sa Dame_. C.]
+
+
+In youth, before I waxed old,
+The blynd boy, Venus baby,
+For want of cunning, made me bold
+In bitter hyve to grope for honny:
+  But when he saw me stung and cry,
+  He tooke his wings and away did fly.
+
+II.
+
+As Diane hunted on a day,
+She chaunst to come where Cupid lay,
+  His quiver by his head:
+One of his shafts she stole away,
+And one of hers did close convay,
+  Into the others stead:
+With that Love wounded my Loves hart,
+But Diane, beasts with Cupids dart.
+
+III.
+
+I saw, in secret to my dame
+How little Cupid humbly came,
+  And said to her, “All hayle, my mother!”
+But when he saw me laugh, for shame
+His face with bashfull blood did flame,
+  Not knowing Venus from the other.
+“Then, never blush, Cupid,” quoth I,
+“For many have err’d in this beauty.”
+
+IV.
+
+Upon a day, as Love lay sweetly slumbring
+  All in his mothers lap,
+A gentle Bee, with his loud trumpet murm’ring,
+  About him flew by hap.
+Whereof when he was wakened with the noyse,
+  And saw the beast so small,
+“Whats this,” quoth he, “that gives so great a voyce,
+  That wakens men withall?”
+    In angry wize he flies about,
+    And threatens all with corage stout.                    10
+
+
+To whom his mother, closely* smiling, sayd,
+  ’Twixt earnest and ’twixt game:
+“See! thou thy selfe likewise art lyttle made,
+  If thou regard the same.
+And yet thou suffrest neyther gods in sky,                    15
+  Nor men in earth, to rest:
+But when thou art disposed cruelly,
+  Theyr sleepe thou doost molest.
+    Then eyther change thy cruelty,
+    Or give lyke leave unto the fly.”                    20
+[* _Closely_, secretly.]
+
+
+Nathelesse, the cruell boy, not so content,
+  Would needs the fly pursue,
+And in his hand, with heedlesse hardiment,
+  Him caught for to subdue.
+But when on it he hasty hand did lay,                    25
+  The Bee him stung therefore.
+“Now out, alas,” he cryde, “and welaway!
+  I wounded am full sore.
+    The fly, that I so much did scorne,
+    Hath hurt me with his little horne.”                    30
+
+
+Unto his mother straight he weeping came,
+  And of his griefe complayned;
+Who could not chuse but laugh at his fond game,
+  Though sad to see him pained.
+“Think now,” quoth she, “my son, how great the smart                   
+35
+  Of those whom thou dost wound:
+Full many thou hast pricked to the hart,
+  That pitty never found.
+    Therefore, henceforth some pitty take,
+    When thou doest spoyle of lovers make.”                    40
+
+
+She tooke him streight full pitiously lamenting,
+She wrapt him softly, all the while repenting
+  That he the fly did mock.
+She drest his wound, and it embaulmed well                    45
+  With salve of soveraigne might;
+And then she bath’d him in a dainty well,
+  The well of deare delight.
+    Who would not oft be stung as this,
+    To be so bath’d in Venus blis?                    50
+
+
+The wanton boy was shortly wel recured
+  Of that his malady;
+But he soone after fresh again enured*
+  His former cruelty.
+And since that time he wounded hath my selfe                    55
+  With his sharpe dart of love,
+And now forgets the cruell carelesse elfe
+  His mothers heast** to prove.
+    So now I languish, till he please
+    My pining anguish to appease.                    60
+[* _Enured_, practised.]
+[** _Heast_, command.]
+
+
+
+
+SONNETS
+
+WRITTEN BY SPENSER,
+
+COLLECTED FKOM THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS IN WHICH THEY APPEARED.
+
+I*.
+
+_To the right worshipfull, my singular good frend, M. Gabriell Harvey,
+Doctor of the Lawes._
+
+
+Harvey, the happy above happiest men
+I read**; that, sitting like a looker-on
+Of this worldes stage, doest note with critique pen
+The sharpe dislikes of each condition:
+And, as one carelesse of suspition,
+Ne fawnest for the favour of the great,
+Ne fearest foolish reprehension
+Of faulty men, which daunger to thee threat:
+But freely doest of what thee list entreat,@
+Like a great lord of peerelesse liberty,
+Lifting the good up to high Honours seat,
+And the evill damning evermore to dy:
+For life and death is in thy doomeful writing;
+So thy renowme lives ever by endighting.
+
+
+Dublin, this xviij. of July, 1586.
+
+
+Your devoted friend, during life,
+
+EDMUND SPENCER.
+
+
+[* From “Foure Letters and certaine Sonnets especially touching Robert
+Greene, and other parties by him abused,” &c. London, 1592. TODD.]
+[** _Read_, consider.]
+[@ _Entreat_, treat.]
+
+II*.
+
+Whoso wil seeke, by right deserts, t’attaine
+Unto the type of true nobility,
+And not by painted shewes, and titles vaine,
+Derived farre from famous auncestrie,
+Behold them both in their right visnomy**
+Here truly pourtray’d as they ought to be,
+And striving both for termes of dignitie,
+To be advanced highest in degree.
+And when thou doost with equall insight see
+The ods twist both, of both then deem aright,
+And chuse the better of them both to thee;
+But thanks to him that it deserves behight@:
+  To Nenna first, that first this worke created,
+  And next to Iones, that truely it translated.
+
+ED. SPENSER.
+
+[* Prefixed to “Nennio, or A Treatise of Nobility, &c. Written in
+Italian by that famous Doctor and worthy Knight, Sir John Baptista
+Nenna of Bari. Done into English by William Iones, Gent.” 1595. TODD.]
+[** _Visnomy_, features.]
+[@ _Behight_, accord.]
+
+III*.
+
+_Upon the Historie of George Castriot, alias Scanderbeg, King of the
+Epirots, translated into English._
+
+
+Wherefore doth vaine Antiquitie so vaunt
+Her ancient monuments of mightie peeres,
+And old heröes, which their world did daunt
+With their great deedes and fild their childrens eares?
+Who, rapt with wonder of their famous praise,
+Admire their statues, their colossoes great,
+Their rich triumphall arcks which they did raise,
+Their huge pyrámids, which do heaven threat.
+Lo! one, whom later age hath brought to light,
+Matchable to the greatest of those great;
+Great both by name, and great in power and might,
+And meriting a meere** triumphant seate.
+  The scourge of Turkes, and plague of infidels,
+  Thy acts, O Scanderbeg, this volume tels.
+
+ED. SPENSER.
+
+[* Prefixed to the “Historie of George Castriot, alias Scanderbeg, King
+of Albanie: Containing his famous actes, &c. Newly translated out of
+French into English by Z.I. Gentleman.” 1596. TODD.] [** _Meere_,
+absolute, decided.]
+
+IV*.
+
+The antique Babel, empresse of the East,
+Upreard her buildinges to the threatned skie:
+And second Babell, tyrant of the West,
+Her ayry towers upraised much more high.
+But with the weight of their own surquedry**
+They both are fallen, that all the earth did feare,
+And buried now in their own ashes ly,
+Yet shewing, by their heapes, how great they were.
+But in their place doth now a third appeare,
+Fayre Venice, flower of the last worlds delight;
+And next to them in beauty draweth neare,
+But farre exceedes in policie of right.
+  Yet not so fayre her buildinges to behold
+  As Lewkenors stile that hath her beautie told.
+
+EDM. SPENCER.
+
+[* Prefixed to “The Commonwealth and Government of Venice, Written by
+the Cardinall Gaspar Contareno, and translated out of Italian into
+English by Lewes Lewkenor, Esquire.” London, 1599. TODD.] [**
+_Surquedry_, presumption.]
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX I.
+
+VARIATIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITIONS.
+
+
+The Ruines of Time v. 353, covetize, Q. covertize.
+The Ruines of Time v. 541, ocean, Q. Occaean.
+The Ruines of Time v. 551, which (ed. 1611), Q. with.
+The Ruines of Time v. 574, worlds (ed. 1611), Q. words.
+The Ruines of Time v. 675, worldës, Q. worlds.
+The Teares of the Muses v. 600, living (ed. 1611), Q. loving.
+Virgils Gnat v. 149, Ascraean, Q. Astraean.
+Virgils Gnat v. 340, seest thou not (ed. 1611), Q. seest thou.
+Virgils Gnat v. 387, throat (ed. 1611), Q. threat.
+Virgils Gnat v. 575, billowes, Q. billowe.
+Prosopopoia v. 53, gossip, Q. goship.
+Prosopopoia v. 453, diriges, Q. dirges.
+Prosopopoia v. 648, at all, Q. all.
+Prosopopoia v. 997, whether, Q. whither.
+Prosopopoia v. 1012, stopt, Q. stept.
+Prosopopoia v. 1019, whither, Q. whether.
+Ruines of Rome xviii. 5, ornaments, Q. ornament.
+Muiopotmos v. 250, dispacing, Q. displacing.
+Muiopotmos v. 431, yongthly, Q. yougthly.
+The Visions of Bellay ii. 8, one, Q. on.
+The Visions of Bellay ix. 1, astonied, Q. astoined.
+The Visions of Petrarche vii. 1, behold, Q. beheld.
+Amoretti lxxxii. 2, placed, Orig ed*. plac’d. [* According to Todd.]
+Epithalmion v. 67, dere, orig. ed. dore.
+Epithalmion v. 190, mazeful (ed. 1611), orig. ed. amazeful.
+Epithalmion v. 290, sad dread (ed. 1611), orig. ed. dread.
+Epithalmion v. 341, Pouke, orig. ed. ponke.
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 165, they will (ed. 1611), orig. ed. thou
+wilt.
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 169, be enfyred (ed. 1611), orig. ed. he
+enfyred.
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 302, an (ed. 1611), orig. ed. and.
+An Hymne in Honour of Beautie v. 147, deform’d, orig. ed. perform’d.
+An Hymne in Honour of Beautie v. 171, affections (ed. 1611), orig. ed.
+affection.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX II.
+
+
+_To the Worshipfull, his very singular good friend, Maister G. H.,
+Fellow of Trinitie Hall in Cambridge._ *
+
+
+[* Reprinted from “Ancient Critical Essays upon English Poets and
+Poesy. Edited by Joseph Haslewood”. Vol II]
+
+GOOD MAISTER G.:—
+
+
+I perceiue, by your most curteous and frendly letters, your good will
+to be no lesse in deed than I alwayes esteemed. In recompence wherof,
+think, I beseech you, that I wil spare neither speech, nor wryting, nor
+aught else, whensoeuer and wheresoeuer occasion shal be offred me; yea,
+I will not stay till it be offred, but will seeke it in al that
+possibly I may. And that you may perceiue how much your counsel in al
+things preuaileth with me, and how altogither I am ruled and ouer-ruled
+thereby, I am now determined to alter mine owne former purpose, and to
+subscribe to your advizement; being, notwithstanding, resolued stil to
+abide your farther resolution. My principal doubts are these. First, I
+was minded for a while to haue intermitted the vttering of my writings;
+leaste by ouer-much cloying their noble eares, I should gather a
+contempt of myself, or else seeme rather for game and commoditie to doe
+it, for some sweetnesse that I haue already tasted. Then also me
+seemeth the work too base for his excellent lordship, being made in
+honour of a priuate personage vnknowne, which of some ylwillers might
+be vpbraided, not to be so worthie as you knowe she is; or the matter
+not so weightie that it should be offred to so weightie a personage, or
+the like. The selfe former title still liketh me well ynough, and your
+fine addition no lesse. If these and the like doubtes maye be of
+importaunce, in your seeming, to frustrate any parte of your aduice, I
+beeseeche you without the leaste selfe loue of your own purpose,
+councell me for the beste: and the rather doe it faithfullye and
+carefully, for that, in all things, I attribute so muche to your
+iudgement, that I am euermore content to adnihilate mine owne
+determinations in respecte thereof. And, indeede, for your selfe to, it
+sitteth with you now to call your wits & senses togither (which are
+alwaies at call) when occasion is so fairely offered of estimation and
+preferment, For whiles the yron is hote it is good striking, and minds
+of nobles varie, as their estates. _Verum ne quid durius._
+
+I pray you bethinks you well hereof, good Maister G., and forth with
+write me those two or three special points and caueats for the nonce;
+_De quibus in superioribus illis mellitissimus longissimisque litteris
+tuis._ Your desire to heare of my late beeing with hir Maiestie muste
+dye in it selfe. As for the twoo worthy gentle men, Master Sidney and
+Master Dyer, they haue me, I thanke them, in some vse of familiarity;
+of whom and to whome what speache passeth for youre credite and
+estimation I leaue your selfe to conceiue, hauing alwayes so well
+conceiued of my vnfained affection and zeale towardes you. And nowe
+they haue proclaimed in their [Greek: hareiophaga] a generall
+surceasing and silence of balde rymers, and also of the verie beste to;
+in steade whereof they haue, by authoritie of their whole senate,
+prescribed certaine lawes and rules of quantities of English sillables
+for English verse; hauing had thereof already greate practise, and
+drawen mee to their faction. Newe bookes I heare of none, but only of
+one* [* Stephen Gosson.], that writing a certaine booke called _The
+Schoole of Abuse_, and dedicating it to Maister Sidney, was for hys
+labor scorned; if, at leaste, it be in the goodnesse of that nature to
+scorne. Such follie is it not to regard aforehande the inclination and
+qualitie of him to whome wee dedicate oure bookes. Suche mighte I
+happily incurre, entituling _My Slomber_, and the other pamphlets, vnto
+his honor. I meant them rather to Maister Dyer. But I am of late more
+in loue wyth my Englishe versifying than with ryming: whyche I should
+haue done long since, if I would then haue followed your councell. _Sed
+te solum iam tum suspicabar cum Aschamo sapere; nunc aulam video
+egregios alere poetas Anglicos_. Maister E.K. hartily desireth to be
+commended vnto your worshippe: of whome what accompte he maketh youre
+selfe shall hereafter perceiue by hys paynefull and dutifull verses of
+your selfe.
+
+Thus muche was written at Westminster yesternight; but comming this
+morning, beeyng the sixteenth of October [1579], to Mystresse Kerkes,
+to haue it deliuered to the carrier, I receyued youre letter, sente me
+the laste weeke; whereby I perceiue you otherwhiles continue your old
+exercise of versifying in English,—whych glorie I had now thought
+whoulde haue bene onely ours heere at London and the court.
+
+Truste me, your verses I like passingly well, and enuye your hidden
+paines in this kinde, or rather maligne and grudge at your selfe, that
+woulde not once imparte so muche to me. But once or twice you make a
+breache in Maister Drants rules: _quod tamen condonabimus tanto poetae,
+tuaeque ipsius maximae in his rebus autoritati._ You shall see, when we
+meete in London, (whiche when it shall be, certifye vs,) howe fast I
+haue followed after you in that course: beware, leaste in time I
+ouertake you. _Veruntamen te solum sequar, (vt saepenumero sum
+professus,) nunquam sane assequar dum viuam._ And nowe requite I you
+with the like, not with the verye beste, but with the verye shortest,
+namely, with a few _Iambickes_. I dare warrant, they be precisely
+perfect for the feete, (as you can easily iudge,) and varie not one
+inch from the rule. I will imparte yours to Maister Sidney and Maister
+Dyer, at my nexte going to the courte. I praye you keepe mine close to
+your selfe, or your verie entire friendes, Maister Preston, Maister
+Still, and the reste.
+
+                    _Iambicum Trimetrum_
+
+
+Vnhappie Verse, the witnesse of my vnhappie state,
+  Make thy selfe fluttring wings of thy fast flying
+  Thought, and fly forth vnto my love whersoeuer she be:
+
+
+Whether lying reastlesse in heauy bedde, or else
+  Sitting so cheerelesse at the cheerfull boorde, or else
+  Playing alone carelesse on hir heauenlie virginals.
+
+
+If in bed, tell hir, that my eyes can take no reste;
+  If at boorde, tell hir, that my mouth can eate no meate;
+  If at hir virginals, tel hir, I can heare no mirth.
+
+
+Asked why? say, Waking loue suffereth no sleepe;
+  Say, that raging loue dothe appall the weake stomacke;
+  Say, that lamenting loue marreth the musicall.
+
+
+Tell hir, that hir pleasures were wonte to lull me asleepe;
+  Tell hir, that hir beautie was wonte to feede mine eyes;
+  Tell hir, that hir sweete tongue was wonte to make me mirth.
+
+
+Nowe doe I nightly waste, wanting my kindely reste;
+  Nowe doe I dayly starue, wanting my liuely foode;
+  Nowe doe I alwayes dye, wanting thy timely mirth.
+
+
+And if I waste, who will bewaile my heauy chaunce?
+  And if I starue, who will record my cursed end?
+  And if I dye, who will saye, _This was Immerito?_
+
+
+I thought once agayne here to haue made an ende, with heartie _Vale_,
+of the best fashion; but loe, an ylfavoured mys chaunce. My last
+farewell, whereof I made great accompt, and muche maruelled you shoulde
+make no mention thereof, I am nowe tolde, (in the diuel’s name,) was
+thorough one mans negligence quite forgotten, but shoulde nowe
+vndoubtedly haue beene sent, whether I hadde come or no. Seing it can
+now be no otherwise, I pray you take all togither, wyth all their
+faults: and nowe I hope you will vouchsafe mee an answeare of the
+largest size, or else I tell you true, you shall bee verye deepe in my
+debte; notwythstandyng thys other sweete but shorte letter, and fine,
+but fewe verses. But I woulde rather I might yet see youre owne good
+selfe, and receiue a reciprocall farewell from your owne sweete mouth.
+
+
+_Ad ornatissimum virum, multis iam diu nominibus clarissimum, G. H.,
+Immerito sui, mox in Gallias nauigaturi,_ [Greek: Eutuchein]
+
+
+Sic malus egregium, sic non inimicus amicum,
+Sicque nouus veterem iubet ipse poeta poetam
+Saluere, ac caelo, post secula multa, secundo,
+Iam reducem, (caelo mage quam nunc ipse sccundo)
+Vtier. Ecce deus, (modo sit deus ille, renixum
+Qui vocet in scelus, et iuratos perdat amores)
+Ecce deus mihi clara dedit modo signa marinus,
+Et sua veligero lenis parat aequora ligno
+Mox sulcanda; suas etiam pater AEolus iras
+Ponit, et ingentes animos Aquilonis.
+Cuncta vijs sic apta meis: ego solus ineptus.
+Nam mihi nescio quo mens saucia vulnere, dudum
+Fluctuat ancipiti pelago, dum navita proram
+Inualidam validus rapit huc Amor, et rapit illuc
+Consilijs Ratio melioribus vsa, Decusque
+Immortale leui diffissa Cupidinis arcu*:
+     [* This line appears to be corrupt.]
+Angimur hoc dubio, et portu vexamur in ipso.
+Magne pharetrati nunc tu contemptor Amoris,
+(Id tibi Dij nomen precor haud impune remittant)
+Hos nodos exsolue, et eris mihi magnus Apollo!
+Spiritus ad summos, scio, te generosus honores
+Exstimulat, majusque docet spirare poetam.
+Quam leuis est Amor, et tamen haud leuis est Amor omnis.
+Ergo nihil laudi reputas aequale perenni,
+Praeque sacrosancta splendoris imagine tanti,
+Caetera, quae vecors, vti numina, vulgus adorat,
+Praedia, amicitias, vrbana peculia, nummos,
+Quaeque placent oculis, formas, spectacula, amores,
+Conculcare soles, vt humum, et ludibria sensus:
+Digna meo certe Haruejo sententia, digna
+Oratore amplo, et generoso pectore, quam non
+Stoica formidet veterum sapientia vinclis
+Sancire aeternis: sapor haud tamen omnibus idem.
+Dicitur effoeti proles facunda Laertae,
+Quamlibet ignoti iactata per aequora caeli,
+Inque procelloso longum exsul gurgite ponto,
+Prae tamen amplexu lachrymosae conjugis, ortus
+Caelestes, Diuûmque thoros spreuisse beatos.
+Tantum amor, et mulier, vel amore potetitior. Ilium
+Tu tamen illudis; tua magnificentia tanta est:
+Praeque subumbrata splendoris imagine tanti,
+Praeque illo meritis famosis nomine parto,
+Caetera, quae vecors, vti numina, vulgus adorat,
+Praedia, amicitias, armenta, peculia, nummos,
+Quaeque placent oculis, formas, spectacula, amores,
+Quaeque placent ori, quaeque auribus, omnia temnis.
+Nae tu grande sapis! sapor et sapientia non est:
+Omnis et in paruis bene qui scit desipuisse,
+Saepe supercilijs palmam sapientibus aufert.
+Ludit Aristippum modo tetrica turba sophorum,
+Mitia purpureo moderantem verba tyranno;
+Ludit Aristippus dictamina vana sophorum,
+Quos leuis emensi male torquet Culicis vmbra:
+Et quisquis placuisse studet heroibus altis,
+Desipuisse studet; sic gratia crescit ineptis.
+Denique laurigeris quisquis sua tempora vittis
+Insignire volet, populoque placere fauenti,
+Desipere insanus discit, turpemque pudendae
+Stultitiae laudem quaerit. Pater Ennuis vnus
+Dictus in innumeris sapiens: laudatur at ipse
+Carmina vesano fudisse liquentia vino.
+Nec tu, pace tua, nostri Cato Maxime saecli,
+Nomen honorati sacrum mereare poetae,
+Quantumvis illustre canas, et nobile carmen,
+Ni _stultire_ velis; sic stultorum omnia plena.
+Tuta sed in medio superest via gurgite; nam qui
+Nec reliquis nimium vult desipuisse videri,
+Nec sapuisse nimis, sapientem dixeris vnum:
+Hinc te merserit vnda, illine combusserit ignis.
+Nec tu delicias nimis aspernare fluentes,
+Nec sero dominam venientem in vota, nec aurum,
+Si sapis, oblatum: (Curijs ea, Fabricijsque
+Grande sui decus ij, nostri sed dedecus aeui;)
+Nec sectare nimis: res vtraque crimine plena.
+Hoc bene qui callet, (si quis tamen hoc bene callet,)
+Scribe vel invito sapientem hunc Socrate solum.
+Vis facit vna pios, iustos facit altera, et alt’ra
+Egregie cordata ac fortia pectora: verum
+_Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit vtile dulci._
+Dij mihi dulce diu dederant, verum vtile nunquam:
+Vtile nunc etiam, o vtinam quoque dulce dedissent.
+Dij mihi, (quippe Dijs aequalia maxima paruis,)
+Ni nimis inuideant mortalibus esse beatis,
+Dulce simul tribuisse queant, simul vtile: tanta
+Sed fortuna tua est: pariter quaeque vtile, quaeque
+Dulce dat ad placitum: sseuo nos sydere nati
+Quaesitum imus eam per inhospita Caucasa longe,
+Perque Pyrenaeos montes, Babilonaque turpem.
+Quod si quaesitum nec ibi invenerimus, ingens
+AEquor inexhaustis permensi erroribus vltra
+Fluctibus in medijs socij quaeremus Vlyssis:
+Passibus inde deam fessis comitabimur aegram,
+Nobile cui furtum quaerenti defuit orbis.
+Namque sinu pudet in patrio tenebrisque pudendis,
+Non nimis ingenio iuuenem infoelice virentes
+Officijs frustra deperdere vilibus annos,
+Frugibus et vacuas speratis cernere spicas.
+Ibimus ergo statim, (quis eutiti fausta precetur?)
+Et pede clivosas fesso calcabimus Alpes.
+Quis dabit interea, conditas rore Britanno,
+Quis tibi litterulas, quis carmen amore petulcum!
+Musa sub Oebalij desueta cacumine mentis,
+Flebit inexhausto tarn longa silentia planctu,
+Lugebitque sacrum lacrymis Helicona tacentem.
+Harueiusque bonus, (charus licet omnibus idem,)
+Idque suo merito prope suauior omnibus, vnus
+Angelus et Gabriel, quamuis comitatus araicis
+Innumeris, geniûmque choro stipatus amaeno,
+_Immerito_ tamen vnum absentem saepe requiret;
+Optabitque, Utinam meus hic _Edmundus_ adesset,
+Qui noua scripsisset, nee amores conticuisset,
+Ipse suos; et saepe animo verbisque benignis
+Fausta precaretur, _Deus illum aliqaundo reducat_. &c.
+
+
+  Plura vellem per Charites, sed non licet per Musas.
+Vale, Vale plurimum, Mi amabilissime Harueie, meo cordi, meorum
+  omnium longe charissime.
+
+
+I was minded also to haue sent you some English verses, or rymes, for a
+farewell; but, by my troth, I haue no spare time in the world to thinke
+on such toyes, that, you knowe, will demaund a freer head than mine is
+presently. I beseeche you by all your curtesies and graces, let me be
+answered ere I goe; which will be (I hope, I feare, I thinke) the next
+weeke, if I can be dispatched of my Lorde. I goe thither, as sent by
+him, and maintained most what of him; and there am to employ my time,
+my body, my minde, to his Honours seruice. Thus, with many superhartie
+commendations and recommendations to your selfe, and all my friendes
+with you, I ende my last farewell, not thinking any more to write vnto
+you before I goe; and withall committing to your faithfull credence the
+eternall memorie of our euerlasting friendship; the inuiolable memorie
+of our ynspotted friendshippe, the sacred memorie of our vowed
+friendship; which I beseech you continue with vsuall writings, as you
+may, and of all things let me hears some newes from you: as gentle M.
+Sidney, I thanke his good worship, hath required of me, and so promised
+to doe againe. _Qui monet, vt facias, quod iam facis_, you knowe the
+rest. You may alwayes send them most safely to me by Mistresse Kerke,
+and by none other. So once againe, and yet once more, farewell most
+hardly, mine owne good Master H., and loue me, as I loue you, and
+thinke vpon poore Immerito, as he thinketh vppon you.
+
+
+Leyc’ester House, this 5 [16*] of October, 1579.
+[*: See Appendix II, para. 3:2.]
+
+
+_Per mare, per terras, Viuus mortuusque, Tuus Immerito_.
+
+
+
+
+_To my long approoued and singular good frende, Master G. H._
+
+GOOD MASTER H.:—
+
+
+I doubt not but you haue some great important matter in hande, which al
+this while restraineth your penne, and wonted readinesse in prouoking
+me vnto that wherein yourselfe nowe faulte. If there bee any such thing
+in hatching, I pray you hartily lette vs knowe, before al the worlds
+see it. But if happly you dwell altogither in Iustinians Courte, and
+giue your selfe to be devoured of secreate studies, as of all
+likelyhood you doe, yet at least imparte some your olde or newe, Latine
+or Englishe, eloquent and gallant poesies to vs, from whose eves, you
+saye, you keepe in a manner nothing hidden. Little newes is here
+stirred, but that olde greate matter still depending. His Honoure neuer
+better. I thinke the earthquake wyth you (which I would gladly learne),
+as it was here with vs; ouerthrowing diuers old buildings and peeces of
+churches. Sure verye straunge to be hearde of in these countries, and
+yet I heare some saye (I knowe not howe truely) that they haue knowne
+the like before in their dayes. _Sed quid vobis videtur magnis
+philosophis?_ I like your late Englishe hexameters so exceedingly well,
+that I also enure my penne sometime in that kinde: whyche I fynd,
+indeede, as I haue heard you often defende in worde, neither so harde
+nor so harshe, that it will easily and fairely yeelde it selfe to oure
+moother tongue. For the onely or chiefest hardnesse whych seemeth is in
+the accente, whyche sometime gapeth, and as it were yawneth
+ilfauouredly, comming shorte of that it should, and sometime exceeding
+the measure of the number; as in _carpenter_, the middle sillable being
+vsed shorte in speache, when it shall be read long in verse, seemeth
+like a lame gosling, that draweth one legge after hir: and _heauen_,
+beeing vsed shorte as one sillable, when it is in verse, stretched out
+with a _diastole_, is like a lame dogge that holdes vp one legge. But
+it is to be wonne with custome, and rough words must be subdued with
+vse. For why, a God’s name, may not we, as else the Greekes, haue the
+kingdome of oure owne language, and measure our accents by the sounde,
+reseruing the quantitie to the verse? Loe, here I let you see my olde
+vse of toying in rymes, turned into your artificiall straightnesse of
+verse by this _tetrasticon_. I beseech you tell me your fancie, without
+parcialitie.
+
+
+  See yee the blindefolded pretie god, that feathered archer,
+    Of louers miseries which maketh his bloodie game?
+  Wote ye why his moother with a veale hath coouered his face?
+    Trust me, least he my looue happely chaunce to beholde.
+
+
+Seeme they comparable to those two which I translated you _ex tempore_
+in bed, the last time we lay togither in Westminster?
+
+
+     That which I eate, did I ioy, and that which I greedily gorged;
+       As for those many goodly matters leaft I for others.
+
+
+I would hartily wish you would either send me the rules and precepts of
+arte which you obscrue in quantities, or else followe mine, that M.
+Philip Sidney gave me, being the very same which M. Drant deuised, but
+enlarged with M. Sidneys own iudgement, and augmented with my
+obseruations, that we might both accorde and agree in one; leaste we
+ouerthrowe one an other, and be ouerthrown of the rest. Truste me, you
+will hardly beleeue what greate good liking and estimation Maister Dyer
+had of your _Satyricall Verses_, and I, since the viewe thereof, hauing
+before of my selfe had speciall liking of Englishe versifying, am euen
+nowe aboute to giue you some token what and howe well therein I am able
+to doe: for, to tell you trueth, I minde shortely, at conuenient
+leysure, to sette forth a booke in this kinde, whyche I entitle,
+_Epithalamion Thamesis_, whyche booke I dare vndertake wil be very
+profitable for the knowledge, and rare for the inuention and manner of
+handling. For in setting forth the marriage of the Thames, I shewe his
+first beginning, and offspring, and all the countrey that he passeth
+thorough, and also describe all the riuers throughout Englande, whyche
+came to this wedding, and their righte names and right passage, &c.; a
+worke, beleeue me, of much labour, wherein notwithstanding Master
+Holinshed hath muche furthered and aduantaged me, who therein hath
+bestowed singular paines in searching oute their firste heades and
+sourses, and also in tracing and dogging onto all their course, til
+they fall into the sea.
+
+
+_O Tite, siquid ego, Ecquid erit pretij?_
+
+
+But of that more hereafter. Nowe, my _Dreames_ and _Dying Pellicane_
+being fully finished (as I partelye signified in my laste letters) and
+presentlye to bee imprinted, I wil in hande forthwith with my _Faery
+Queene_, whyche I praye you hartily send me with al expedition: and
+your frendly letters, and long expected judgement wythal, whyche let
+not be shorte, but in all pointes suche as you ordinarilye vse and I
+extraordinarily desire. _Multum vale. Westminster. Quarto Nonas
+Aprilis, 1580. Sed, amabo te, meum Corculum tibi se ex animo commendat
+plurimum: iamdiu mirata, te nihil ad literas suas responsi dedisse.
+Vide quaeso, ne id tibi capitale sit: mihi certe quidem erit, neque
+tibi hercle impune, vt opinor. Iterum vale, et quam voles soepe._ Yours
+alwayes, to commaunde, IMMERITO.
+
+
+_Postcripte._
+
+
+I take best my _Dreames_ shoulde come forth alone, being growen, by
+meanes of the Glosse (running continually in maner of a paraphrase),
+full as great as my _Calendar_ Therin be some things excellently, and
+many things wittily, discoursed of E. K., and the pictures so
+singularly set forth and purtrayed, as if Michael Angelo were there, he
+could (I think) nor amende the beste, nor reprehende the worst. I knowe
+you woulde lyke them passing wel. Of my _Stemmata Dudleiana_, and
+especially of the sundry apostrophes therein, addressed you knowe to
+whome, muste more aduisement be had, than so lightly to sende them
+abroade: howbeit, trust me, (though I doe never very well,) yet, in my
+owne fancie, I neuer dyd better: _Veruntamen te sequor solum; nunquam
+vero assequar._
+
+
+
+
+_Extract from Harvey’s Reply._
+
+
+But Master Collin Cloute is not euery body, and albeit his olde
+companions, Master Cuddy & Master Hobbinoll, be as little be holding to
+their Mistresse Poetrie as euer you wist, yet he peraduenture, by the
+meanes of hir speciall fauour, and some personall priuiledge, may
+happely line by Dying Pellicanes, and purchase great landes and
+lordshippes with the money which his Calendar and Dreames haue and will
+affourde him. _Extra iocum_, I like your Dreames passingly well; and
+the rather, bicause they sauour of that singular extraordinarie veine
+and inuention whiche I euer fancied moste, and in a manner admired
+onelye in Lucian, Petrarche, Aretine, Pasquill, and all the most
+delicate and fine conceited Grecians and Italians, (for the Romanes to
+speake of are but verye ciphars in this kinde,) whose chiefest endeuour
+and drifte was to haue nothing vulgare, but, in some respecte or other,
+and especially in liuely hyperbolicall amplifications, rare, queint,
+and odde in euery pointe, and, as a man woulde saye, a degree or two,
+at the leaste, aboue the reache and compasse of a common scholars
+capacitie. In whiche respecte notwithstanding, as well for the
+singularitie of the manner as the diuinitie of the matter, I hearde
+once a diuine preferre Saint Iohns Reuelation before al the veriest
+metaphysicall visions and iolliest conceited dreames or extasies that
+euer were deuised by one or other, howe admirable or super excellent
+soeuer they seemed otherwise to the worlde. And truely I am so
+confirmed in this opinion, that when I bethinke me of the verie
+notablest and moste wonderful propheticall or poeticall vision that
+euer I read, or hearde, meseemeth the proportion is so vnequall, that
+there hardly appeareth anye semblaunce of comparison: no more in a
+manner (specially for poets) than doth betweene the incomprehensible
+wisedome of God and the sensible wit of man. But what needeth this
+digression betweene you and me? I dare saye you wyll holde your selfe
+reasonably wel satisfied, if youre Dreames be but as well esteemed of
+in Englande as Petrarches Visions be in Italy; whiche, I assure you, is
+the very worst I wish you. But see how I haue the arte memoratiue at
+commaundement. In good faith, I had once again nigh forgotten your
+Faerie Queene: howbeit, by good chaunce, I haue nowe sent hir home at
+the laste, neither in better nor worse case than I founde hir. And must
+you of necessitie haue my iudgement of hir indeede? To be plaine, I am
+voyde of al iudgement, if your nine Comoedies, whervnto, in imitation
+of Herodotus, you giue the names of the nine Muses, (and in one mans
+fansie not vnworthily), come not neerer Ariostoes comoedies, eyther for
+the finesse of plausible elocution or the rarenesse of poetical
+inuention, than that Eluish Queene doth to his Orlando Furioso; which,
+notwithstanding, you wil needes seeme to emulate, and hope to ouergo,
+as you flatly professed yourself in one of your last letters. Besides
+that, you know, it hath bene the vsual practise of the most exquisite
+and odde wittes in all nations, and specially in Italie, rather to
+shewe and aduaunce themselues that way than any other; as, namely,
+those three notorious dyscoursing heads, Bibiena, Machiauel, and
+Aretine, did, (to let Bembo and Ariosto passe,) with the great
+admiration and wonderment of the whole countrey: being, in deede,
+reputed matchable in all points, both for conceyt of witte and eloquent
+decyphering of matters, either with Aristophanes and Menander in Greek,
+or with Plautus and Terence in Latin, or with any other in any other
+tong. But I wil not stand greatly with you in your owne matters. If so
+be the Faerye Queeue be fairer in your eie than the nine Muses, and
+Hobgoblin runne away with the garland from Apollo, marke what I saye:
+and yet I will not say that I thought, but there an end for this once,
+and fare you well, till God or some good aungell putte you in a better
+minde.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX III.
+
+INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
+
+
+Abessa, i.
+Abus, ii.
+Achilles, v.
+Acidalian Mount, iii.; iv.
+Acontius, ii.
+Acrasiai, ii.
+Actea, iii.
+Adicia, iii.
+Adin, ii.
+Adonis, Gardens of, ii.; v.
+Aeacidee, iv.
+Aedus, iii.
+Aegerie, ii.
+Aegina, ii.
+Aemylia, iii.
+Aeneas, ii.
+Aesculapius, i.
+Aeson, v.
+Aëtion, iv.
+Agamemnon, v.
+Agape, iii.
+Agave, iii.
+Agdistes, ii.
+Agenor, iii.
+Aggannip of Celtica, ii.
+Aglaia, iv.
+Aglaura, iv.
+Alabaster, iv.
+Aladine, iv.
+Alane, iv.
+Albanact, ii.
+Albania, ii.
+Albany, iii.
+Albion, ii.
+Alceste, v.
+Alcluid, ii.
+Alcmena, ii.; brood of, v.
+Alcon, iv.; v.
+Alcyon, iv.; v.
+Alcides, ii.; iii.
+Alebius, iii.
+Alexander, ii.; iii.
+Alexis, iv.
+Algrind, iv.
+Alimeda, iii.
+Allan, ii.
+Allectus, ii.
+Allo, iii.; iv.
+Alma, ii.
+Alpheus, iii.
+Amaryllis, iv.
+Amavia, i.
+Amazon (river), i.
+Ambition, ii.
+Ambrosia, ii.; v.
+Ambrosius, King, ii.
+America, ii.
+Amidas, iii.
+Amintas, ii.
+Amoret, ii.; iii.
+Amoretta, ii.
+Amphisa, ii.
+Amphitrite (Nereid), iii.
+Amyas, iii.
+Amyntas, iii.
+Anamnestes, ii.
+Anchyses, ii.
+Androgeus, ii.
+Angela, ii.
+Angles, ii.
+Antiochus, i.
+Antiopa, ii.
+Antiquitiee of Faery Lond, ii.
+Antonius, i.
+Aon, iii.
+Ape (the), v.
+Apollo, ii.
+Appetite, ii.
+Aprill, iv.
+Arachne, v.
+Aragnoll, v.
+Arcady, iv.
+Archigald, ii.
+Archimago, i.; ii.
+Ardenne, iii.
+Ardeyn, iv.
+Argante, ii.
+Argo, ii.
+Argonauts, iii.
+Ariadne, iv.
+Arion, iii.
+Arlo-hill, iv.
+Armeddan, iii.
+Armoricke, ii.
+Armulla, iv.
+Arne, ii.
+Arras, ii.
+Artegall, ii.; iii.; iv.
+Artegall, Legend of, iii.
+Arthure, Prince, i.; ii.; iii.; iv.
+Arvirage, ii.
+Asclepiodate, ii.
+Ascraean bard, v.
+Asie, ii.
+Asopus, iii.
+Assaracus, ii.
+Assyrian Lyonesse, v.
+Asterie, ii.; v.
+Astraea, iii.
+Astraeus, iii.
+Astrophell, iv.
+Atalanta, ii.
+Ate, ii.; iii.
+Athens, ii.
+Athos, Mount, v.
+Atin, i.; ii.
+Atlas, ii.
+Atropos, iii.
+Aubrian, iii.
+August, iv.
+Augustine, ii.
+Augustus, v.
+Autonoë, iii.
+Autumne, iv.
+Avarice, i.
+Avon, iii.
+Awe, iii.
+
+
+Babell, ii.
+Babylon, iii.; v.
+Bacchante, ii.
+Bacchus, iii.
+Baetus, v.
+Ball, iv.
+Ban, iii.
+Bandon, iii.
+Bangor, ii.
+Barnaby, v.
+Barow, iii.
+Barry, ii.
+Bartas, v.
+Basciante, ii.
+Bath, i.; iii.
+Bedford, v.
+Belgae, iii.
+Belgard, castle of, iv.
+Belgicke, i.
+Belinus, ii.
+Bellamoure, Sir, iv.
+Bellay, v.
+Bellisont, Sir, iii.
+Bellodant, iii.
+Bellona, ii.; iv.
+Belphoebe, i.; ii.; iii.; v.
+Belus, iii.
+Biblis, ii.
+Berecynthian goddesse, v.
+Bilbo, v.
+Bisaltis, ii.
+Blacke-water, iii.
+Bladud, ii.
+Blandamour, iii.
+Blandford, iii.
+Blandina, iv.
+Blatant Beast, iii.; iv.
+Blomius, iii.
+Boccace, iv.
+Bonfont, iii.
+Bowre of Blis, i.; ii.
+Boyne, iii.
+Bracidas, iii.
+Braggadocchio, i.; ii.; iii.
+Breane, iii.
+Bregog, iv.
+Brennus, ii.
+Briana, iv.
+Brianor, Sir, iii.
+Brigadore, viii.
+Bristow, iii.
+Britany, ii.
+Britomart, ii.; iii.
+Britomartis, Legend of, ii.
+Britonesse, ii.
+Briton Moniments, ii.
+Briton Prince, i.; ii.; iii.
+Broad-water, iv.
+Brockwell, ii.
+Brontes, iii.
+Bronteus, iii.
+Bruin, Sir, iv.
+Bruncheval, iii.
+Brunchild, ii.
+Brunell, iii.
+Brute, ii.
+Brutus, ii.
+Brytayne, Greater, ii.
+Buckhurst, Lord of, i.
+Bunduca, ii.; v.
+Burbon, iii.
+Burleigh, Lord, i.
+Busyrane, ii.; iii.
+Buttevant, iv.
+Byze, v.
+
+
+Cadmus, ii.
+Cador, ii.
+Cadwallader, ii.
+Cadwallin, ii.
+Cadwar, ii.
+Caecily, ii.
+Caelia, i.
+Caelian Hill,
+Caesar, i.; ii.
+Caicus, iii.
+Cairbadon, ii.
+Cairleill, ii.
+Cairleon, ii.
+Calepine, Sir, iv.
+Calidore, ii.; iv.
+Calidore, Sir, Legend of, iv.
+Calliope, iv.; v.
+Cambden, v.
+Cambel and Triamond, Legend of, iii.
+Cambell, iii.
+Camber, ii.
+Cambine, iii.
+Cambria, king of, ii.
+Cambridge, iii.
+Camilla, ii.; v.
+Canacee, iii.
+Candide, iv.
+Cantium, ii.
+Canutus, ii.
+Caphareus, v.
+Carados, ii.
+Carausius, ii.
+Care, ii.; iii.
+Careticus, ii.
+Carew (Cary), Lady, i.
+Cary, Ladie, v.
+Cassibalane, ii.
+Castaly, v.
+Castle Joyeous, ii.
+Castriot, George, v.
+Cayr-Merdin, ii.
+Cayr-Varolame, ii.
+Celeno, ii.
+Centaures, iii.
+Cephise, i.
+Cephisus, ii.
+Cerberus, i.; iv.; v.
+Cestus, iii.
+Change, iv.
+Chaos, iii.
+Charillis, iv.
+Charissa, i.
+Charlemaine, v.
+Charybdis, v.
+Charrwell, iii.
+Chastity, Legend of, ii.
+Chaucer, Dan, iii.
+Chester, iii.
+Cherefulnesse, iii.
+Child of Light (Lucifer), v.
+Chimaera, iv.
+Christ, v.
+Chrysaor (Artegall’s sword), iii.
+Chrysogonee, ii.
+Churne, iii.
+Clare, iii.
+Claribell, i.; iii.; iv.
+Clarin (Clarinda), iii.
+Clarion, v.
+Claudius, ii.
+Cle, iii.
+Cleopatra, i.
+Cleopolis, i.; ii.
+Climene, ii.
+Clio, ii.; v.
+Clonmell, iii.
+Clorinda, iv.
+Clotho, iii.; v.
+Cocytus, i.; ii.
+Colchid mother, v.
+Cole, iii.
+Colin Clout, iv.; v.
+Columbell, ii.
+Compton and Mountegle, Ladie, v.
+Concotion, ii.
+Concord, iii.
+Constantine, ii.
+Constantius, ii.
+Contemplation, i.
+Conway, iii.
+Coradin, i.
+Corceca, i.
+Cordeill, ii.
+Corflambo, iii.
+Coridon, iv.
+Corineus, ii.; iv.
+Cork, iii.
+Cormoraunt, iv.
+Cornwaile, ii.; iv.
+Coronis, ii.
+Corybantes, iv.
+Corydon, iv.
+Corylas, iv.
+Coshma, iv.
+Coulin, ii.
+Countesse of Pembroke, i.; v.
+Courtesie, Legend of, iv.
+Coylchester, ii.
+Coyll, ii.
+Crane, iii.
+Crete, v.
+Creüsa, ii.
+Critias, ii.; iii.
+Croesus, i.
+Crudor, iv.
+Cruelty, ii.
+Cteatus, iii.
+Cuddie, iv.; iii.
+Cumberland, Earle of, i.
+Cundah, ii.
+Cupido, ii.
+Cupid, ii.; iii.; v.;
+  Maske of, ii.;
+  Court of, iv.
+Curius, v.
+Curtesie, iii.
+Curtius, v.
+Cybele, iii.
+Cycones, v.
+Cymo, iii.
+Cymochles, i.
+Cymodoce, iii.
+Cymoënt, ii.
+Cymothoë, iii.
+Cynthia (Moon, Diana), i.; iv.; v.
+Cyparisse, i.
+Cytherea, ii.; v.
+Cytheron, ii.
+
+
+Damon and Pythias, iii.
+Danaë, ii.
+Daniell, iv.
+Danius, ii.
+Daphnaida, iv.
+Daphne, ii.,; iv.; v.
+Darent, iii.
+Dart, iii.
+Daunger, ii.; iii.
+Day, iv.
+Death, iv.
+Debon, ii.
+Debora, ii.
+Decii, v.
+December, iv.
+Decetto, iv.
+Dee, i.; ii.; iii.
+Defetto, iv.
+Deheubarth, ii.
+Delay, iii.
+Dell, ii.
+Delos, ii.
+Demogorgon, iii.
+Demophoon, v.
+Denmarke, ii.
+Despayre, i.
+Despetto, iv.
+Despight, ii.
+Desyre, ii.
+Detraction, iii.
+Devon, Sir, iii.
+Diana, ii.; iv.; v.
+Dice, iii.
+Dido, iv.
+Diet, ii.
+Digestion, ii.
+Diggon Davie, iv.
+Dioclesian, daughters of, ii.
+Discord, iii.
+Disdayne, ii.; iv.
+Displeasure, ii.
+Dissemblaunce, ii.
+Dolon, iii.; v.
+Donwallo, ii.
+Dony, iii.
+Doris (Nereid), iii.
+Doto, iii.
+Doubt, ii.; iii.
+Douglas, Sir, iii.
+Doune, iii.
+Druon, iii.
+Dryope, i.
+Duessa, i.; iii.
+Dumarin, ii.
+Dyamond, iii.
+Dynamene, iii.
+Dynevowre, ii.
+
+
+Easterland, ii.
+Easterlings, ii.
+Ebranck. ii.
+Ecaster, iii.
+Echidna, iii.; iv.
+Eden, ii.; iii.
+Edwin, ii.
+Egaltine of Meriflure, iv.
+Eione, iii.
+Eirene, iii.
+Elfant, ii.
+Elfar, ii.
+Elferon, ii.
+Elficleos, ii.
+Elfiline, ii.
+Elfin, ii.
+Elfinan, ii.
+Elfinell, ii.
+Elfin Knight, i.
+Elfinor, ii.
+Elidure, ii.
+Eliseis (of Alabaster), iv.
+Elissa, i.
+Eliza, i.; iv.; v.
+Elizabeths three, v.
+Elversham, ii.
+Emmilen, ii.
+Emiline, iv.
+Encelade, ii.
+Enias, Sir, iv.
+Ennius, i.
+Envie, i.; iii.
+Ephialtes, v.
+Erate (Nereid), iii.;
+      (Muse), v.
+Erichthonian towre, v.
+Erivan, iii.
+Errant Damzell, ii.
+Errour, i.
+Eryx, iii.
+Esquiline, v.
+Essex, Earle of, i.
+Esthambruges, ii.
+Estrild, Ladie, ii.
+Etheldred, ii.
+Euboick cliffs, v.
+Eucrate, iii.
+Eudore, iii.
+Eulimene, iii.
+Eumenias, iii.
+Eumnestes, ii.
+Eunica, iii.
+Eunomie, iii.
+Euphoemus, iii.
+Euphrates, i.; iii.
+Euphrosyne, iv.
+Eupompe, iii.
+Europa, ii.
+Eurydice, v.
+Eurynome, iv.
+Eurypulus, iii.
+Eurytion, iii.
+Eurytus, iii.
+Euterpe, v.
+Evagore, iii.
+Evarna, iii.
+Excesse, ii.
+
+
+Fabii, v.
+Faery Lond, i.; iii.
+Faery Queene, i.; ii.; iii.; v.
+Fanchin, iv.
+Fansy, ii.
+Father of Philosophie, iii.
+Faunus, iv.
+Feare, ii.
+February, iv.
+Ferramont, iii.
+Ferraugh, Sir, iii.
+Ferrex, ii.
+Fidelia, i.
+Fidessa, i.
+Flaminius, v.
+Flavia, iv.
+Florimell, ii.; iii.
+Flourdelis, iii.
+Force, ii.
+Foules Parley (Chaucer’s), iv.
+Foxe, the, v.
+Fradubio, i.
+Fraud, ii.
+Fraunce, i.; ii.
+Friendship Legend of, iii.
+Frith, iii.
+Fulgent, ii.
+Furor, i.
+Fury, ii.
+
+
+Galathaea, iii.; iv.
+Galene, iii.
+Ganges, iii.
+Gardante, ii.
+Gardin of Proserpina, ii.
+Gate of Good Desert, iii.
+Gealosy, ii.
+Geffrey, Dan, iv.
+Gehon, i.
+Genius, ii.
+Genuissa, ii.
+Georgos, i.
+Germany, ii.
+Geryon, iii.
+Geryoneo, iii.
+Gilford, Henry, v.
+Glamorgan, ii.
+Glauce, ii.; iii.
+Glauconome, iii.
+Glaucus, iii.
+Gloriana, i.; ii.; iv.
+Gluttony, i.
+Gnat, v.
+Gnidas, ii.
+Gobbelines, ii.
+Godmer, ii.
+God of Love, ii.
+Goëmagot, ii.
+Goëmot, ii.
+Golden Fleece, iii.
+Gonorill, ii.
+Gorbogud, ii.
+Gorboman, ii.
+Gorges, Arthur, v.
+Gorgon, i.
+Gorlois, ii.
+Gormond, ii.
+Graces, iv.
+Grant, iii.
+Grantorto, iii.
+Gratian, ii.
+Grecian Libbard, v.
+Greece, ii.; v.
+Greenwich, v.
+Grey, Lord, of Wilton, i.
+Griefe, ii.
+Griffyth, Conan, ii.
+Gryll, ii.
+Gualsever, iii.
+Guendolene, ii.
+Guitheline, ii.
+Guizor, iii.
+Gulfe of Greedinesse, ii.
+Gurgiunt, ii.
+Gurgustus, ii.
+Guyon, i.; ii.; iii.;
+  Legend of Sir, i.
+
+
+Haemony, iv.
+Haemus, iv.
+Hania, ii.
+Hanniball, i.
+Harpalus, iv.
+Harvey, Gabriel, iv.; v.
+Harwitch, iii.
+Hate, ii.; iii.
+Hatton, Sir Christopher, i.
+Hebe, v.
+Hebrus, i.
+Hecate, iv.
+Hector, ii.
+Helena, ii.
+Helena, Marquesse of North Hampton, v.
+Heliconian Maides, ii.
+Helle, ii.
+Hellenore, ii.
+Hellespont, v.
+Hely, ii.
+Hemus, ii.
+Henalois, ii.
+Henault, ii.
+Hengist, ii.
+Hercaean shores, vi.
+Hercules, ii.; iii.
+Hercules and Hyllus, iii.
+Hercules two pillors, v.
+Hevenfield, ii.
+Hippolytus, i.
+Hippothoë, iii.
+Hobbinol, iv.
+Hogh, ii.
+Holland, iii.
+Hope, ii.
+Horror, ii.
+Horsus, ii.
+House of Care, iii.
+House of Holinesse, i.
+House of Pryde, i.
+House of Temperance, ii.
+Howard, Douglas, v.
+Howard, Lord Charles, i.
+Howell, Dha, ii.
+Huddibras, Sir, i.; ii.
+Humber, ii.; iii.
+Humilta, i.
+Hunnes, ii.
+Hunsdon, Lord of, i.
+Huntingdon, iii.
+Huon, Sir, i.
+Hyacinct, ii.
+Hygate, ii.
+Hylas, ii.
+Hymen, v.
+Hypocrisie, i.
+Hyponeo, iii.
+Hypsiphil, ii.
+
+
+Ianuary, iv.
+Ida, ii.
+Idaean Ladies, ii.
+Idle Lake, i.; ii.
+Idlenesse, i.
+Ignaro, i.
+Ignorance, v.
+Ilion, iii.
+Immerito, iv.
+Impatience, ii.
+Impotence, ii.
+Inachus, ii.; iii.
+India, ii.
+Indus, iii.
+Ino, iii.
+Inogene of Italy, ii.
+Inquisition, iii.
+Iocante, ii.
+Iola, iii.
+Ionathan and David, iii.
+Iones, v.
+Iordan, i.
+Ioseph of Arimathy, ii.
+Iove, iv.; v.
+Iphimedia, ii.
+Ireland, i.; ii.; iv.
+Irena, iii.
+Isis, ii.; iii.
+Ismaël Africk, ii.
+Isse, ii.
+Ister, iii.
+Itis, v.
+Iulus, ii.
+Iuly, iv.
+Iune, iv.
+Iuno, ii.; v.
+Iustice, Legend of, iii.
+Ixion, i.
+Ixione, v.
+
+
+Kenet, iii.
+Kent, ii.
+Kilkenny, iii.
+Kilnemullah, iv.
+Kimarus, ii.
+Kimbeline, ii.
+Kingdomes Care (Burleigh), iii.
+King Edmond, v.
+King Nine, ii.
+Kinmarke, ii.
+Kirkrapine, i.
+Knight of the Hebene Speare, iii.
+Knight of the Red Crosse, i.; iii.;
+  Legend of, i.
+Knights of Maidenhead, iii.
+
+
+Labryde, i.
+Lacedaemon, ii.
+Lachesis, iii.
+Lady of Delight, ii.
+Laestrigones, v.
+Lago, ii.
+Lamoracke, Sir, iv.
+Land of Faerie, iv.
+Lansack, iii.
+Laomedia, iii.
+Laomedon, ii.
+Lapithees, iii.; v.
+Latinus, ii.
+Latium, ii.
+Latmian Shepherd, v.
+Latona, ii.; iv.
+Layburne, ii.
+Leander, v.
+Lechery, i.
+Leda, ii.
+Leda (twinnes of), v.
+Lee, iii.
+Legend of Chastity, ii.
+Legend of Courtesie, iv.
+Legend of Friendship, iii.
+Legend of Holinesse, i.
+Legend of Iustice, iii.
+Legend of Temperaunce, i.
+Leicester, Earl of, v.
+Leill, King, ii.
+Lemno, iii.
+Lentulus, i.
+Lewkenor, v.
+Leyr, King, ii.
+Liagore, ii.; iii.
+Life, iv.
+Liffar, iii.
+Liffy, iii.
+Lincolne, ii.; iii.
+Lindus, iii.
+Lionnesse, iv.
+Lipari, iii.
+Lisianassa, iii.
+Lisippus, v.
+Litae, iii.
+Lobbin, iv.
+Locrine, ii.
+Locrinus, iii.
+Lodwick (Bryskett), v.
+Logris, ii.; iii.
+Loncaster, iii.
+London, v.
+Lone, iii.
+Long Alba, ii.
+Louthiane, ii.
+Love, iii.; v.
+Lowder, iv.
+Lucinda, iii.; iv.
+Lucifera, i.
+Lucius, ii.
+Lucy (Lucida), iii.
+Lud, ii.
+Lusitanian soile, i.
+Lycon, iv.
+Lyon, the, v.
+
+
+Maa, iv.
+Maeander, iii.
+Madan, ii.
+Maglan, king of Scottes, ii.
+Mahound, iv.
+Mahoune, ii.
+Maia, v.
+Maidenhed, Order of, i.
+Malbecco, ii.
+Malecasta, ii.
+Maleffort, iv.
+Maleger, ii.
+Malengin, iii.
+Malfont, iii.
+Malgo, ii.
+Malvenu, i.
+Mammon, ii.
+Manild, ii.
+Mansilia, iv.
+Mantuane, iv.
+Marcellus, v.
+March, iv.
+Margaret, Countesse of Cumberland, v.
+Marian, iv.
+Maridunum, ii.
+Marie (Anne), Countesse of Warwick, v.
+Marin, iv.
+Marinell, ii.; iii.
+Marius, i.; ii.
+Maro, i.
+Marot, iv.
+Mars, ii.; iv.
+Martia, ii.
+Mathraval, ii.
+Mathusalem, ii.
+Matilda, ii.; iv.
+Mausolus, v.
+Maximian, ii.
+Maximinian, ii.
+May, iv.
+Mayre, iii.
+Mecaenas, iv.
+Medea, iii.
+Medina, i.
+Medua, iii.
+Medusa, ii.
+Medway, iv.
+Medway and Thames, marriage of, iii.
+Meliboe, iv.; v.
+Meliogras, iv.
+Melissa, iv.
+Melite, iii.
+Memprise, ii.
+Menalcas, iv.
+Melpomene, v.
+Menevia, ii.
+Menippe, iii.
+Mercy, i.
+Mercilla, iii.
+Mercury, iv.; v.
+Merlin, i.; ii.
+Mertia, Dame, ii.
+Mertians, ii.
+Milesio, iii.
+Minerva, v.
+Mirabella, iv.
+Modestie, iii.
+Molanna, iv.
+Mole, iii.; iv.
+Mona, ii.
+Mongiball, ii.
+Morands, ii.
+Mordant, i.
+Morddure, ii.
+More, the, v.
+Morgan, ii.
+Morindus, ii.
+Morpheus, i.
+Morrell, iv.
+Mother Hubberd, v.
+Mount Aventine, v.
+Mount Quirinal, v.
+Mount Saturnal, v.
+Mount Viminal, v.
+Mnemon, ii.
+Mnemosyne, ii.
+Mule, the, v.
+Mulla, iii.; iv.;
+  Nymphes of, v.
+Munera, iii.
+Muscaroll, v.
+Mutability, iv.
+Mutius, v.
+Myrrhe, ii.
+
+
+Naiades, v.
+Nature, iv.
+Nausa, ii.
+Nausicle, ii.
+Neaera, iv.
+Neleus, iii.
+Nemertea, iii.
+Nene, iii.
+Nenna, v.
+Nennius, i.; ii.
+Nepenthe, iii.
+Neptune, ii.; iii.
+Nereus, ii.; iii.
+Nesaea, iii.
+Neso, iii.
+Nestor, ii.
+Neustria, ii.
+New Hierusalem, i.
+Newre, iii.
+Nictileus, v.
+Nide, iii.
+Night, i; iv.
+Nile, iii.
+Nilus, i.
+Nimrod, i; iii.
+Ninus, i.
+Niobe, iv.
+Noctante, ii.
+Norris, Sir John, i.
+Northumber, ii.
+Northumberland, Earle of, i.
+Norveyses, ii.
+Norwitch, iii.
+November, iv.
+Numa, ii.
+Nylus, v.
+
+
+Obedience, iii.
+Oberon, King, i; ii.
+Occasion, i.
+Ocean, iii.
+Octa, ii.
+Octavius, ii.
+October, iv.
+Oenone, ii; v.
+Oeta, v.
+Offricke, ii.
+Ogyges, iii.
+Ollyphant, ii.
+Olympus, Mount, ii.
+Oranochy, iii.
+Oraxes, iii.
+Order, iii.
+Orgoglio, i; iv.
+Origone, iii.
+Orinont, Sir, iii.
+Orion, iii.
+Orkeny, ii.
+Ormond and Ossory, Earle of, i.
+Orown, iv.
+Orpheus, iii; v.
+Orsilochus, ii.
+Orthrus, iii.
+Osricke, ii.
+Oswald, ii.
+Oswin, ii.
+Osyris, iii.
+Othos, v.
+Oure, iii.
+Our Ladyes Bowre, iv.
+Ouze, iii.
+Overt-gate, ii.
+Oxenford, Earle of, i.
+Oxford, iii.
+Oza, ii.
+
+
+Pactolus, iii.
+Paeon, ii.
+Palatine, v.
+Palemon, iii; iv.
+Pales, iv; v.
+Palici, v.
+Palimord, Sir, iii.
+Palin, iv.
+Palinode, iv.
+Palladine, iii.
+Palmer, i; ii.
+Pan, iv.
+Panchaea, v.
+Pandionian maides, v
+Panopae, iii.
+Panope, ii.
+Panthea, ii.
+Panwelt, ii.
+Paphos, ii.
+Paridas, ii.
+Paridell, ii, iii.
+Paris, ii; iii.
+Parius, ii.
+Parlante, ii.
+Parnasse, Mount, v.
+Paros, ii.
+Pasiphaë, ii.
+Pasithee, iii.
+Pastorella, iiv.
+Patience, i.
+Paulinus, ii.
+Payne, ii.
+Paynim king (Philip II.), i.
+Pelasgus, iii.
+Peleus, iv; v.
+Pelias, iii.
+Pelleas, Sir, iv.
+Pellite, ii.
+Pembroke, Countesse of, i.
+Penaunce, i.
+Penda, ii.
+Pendragon, v.
+Penelope, iv.
+Peneus, iii; v.
+Penthesilee, ii.
+Peridue, ii.
+Perigot, iv.
+Perissa, i.
+Persephone, v.
+Persian Beare, v.
+Peru, i.; ii.
+Peter, v.
+Peter, William, v.
+Petrarque, iv.
+Phaedria, i.; ii.
+Phaëton, v.
+Phantastes, ii.
+Phao, ii.; iii.
+Phaon, i.
+Phasides, iii.
+Pherusa, iii.
+Philemon, i.
+Philip (Sidney), iv.
+Phillisides, iv.; v.
+Phillira, ii.
+Philotime, ii.
+Philtera, iii.
+Phison, i.
+Phoeax, iii.
+Phoebe, ii.
+Phoebus, ii.; iv.
+Phoenice, v.
+Phoenix, iii.
+Pholoe, i.
+Phorcys, iii.
+Phyllis, iv.
+Picts, ii.
+Piers, iv.
+Pilate, ii.
+Placidas, iii.
+Plaint of Kinde (Alane’s), iv.
+Pleasaunce, ii.
+Plexippus, iv.
+Plim, iii.
+Plimmouth, iii.
+Podalyrius, iv.
+Poeana, iii.
+Pollente, iii.
+Polyhymnia, v.
+Polynome, iii.
+Pompey, i.
+Pontoporea, iii.
+Poris, iii.
+Porrex, ii.
+Portamore, iv.
+Port Esquiline, ii.
+Praxiteles, ii.
+Prays-Desire, ii.
+Priamond, iii.
+Priest, formall, v.
+Priscilla, iv.
+Prometheus, ii.
+Pronaea, iii.
+Proteus, ii.; iii.; iv.
+Proto, iii.
+Protomedaea, iii.
+Pryene, i.
+Psalmist, iii.
+Psamathe, iii.
+Psyche, ii.; v.
+Ptolomaee, ii.; iii.
+Pubidius, ii.
+Pylades and Orestes, iii.
+Pyracmon, iii.
+Pyrochles, i.; ii.
+Pyrrha and Deucalione, iii.
+Pyrrus, v.
+
+
+Queen Elizabeth, ii.; iv.
+Quickesand of Unthriftyhed, ii.
+
+
+Radegone, iii.
+Radigund, iii.
+Raleigh, Sir Walter, i.; iv.
+Rauran, i.
+Redcrosse Knight, ii.
+Regan, ii.
+Remorse, i.
+Repentaunce, i.; ii.
+Reproch, ii.
+Revenge, ii.
+Reverence, i.; iii.
+Rhaesus, v.
+Rhene, iii.
+Rheüsa, iii.
+Rhodanus, iii.
+Rhodope, ii.
+Rhodoricke the Great, ii.
+Rhy, iii.
+Rich Strond, ii.
+Rinaldo, iii.
+Rivall, ii.
+Rock of Reproch, ii.
+Roffin, iv.
+Rome, ii.; iii.; v.
+Romulus, i.; ii.
+Rosalind, i.; iv.
+Rosseponte, iii.
+Rother, iii.
+Rowne, iii.
+Ruddoe, ii.
+Ruddymane, i.
+Russian, ii.
+Ryence, King, ii.
+
+
+Sabrina, ii.
+Saint George, i.
+Saint Radegund, v.
+Salem, iii.
+Salomon, v.
+Salvage Island, iv.
+Salvage Knight, iii.
+Salvage Man, iv.
+Samient, iii.
+Sanazarius, iv.
+Sangliere, Sir, iii.
+Sansfoy, i.
+Sansioy, i.
+Sansloy, i.
+Sao, iii.
+Sathan, i.
+Saturne, ii.; iv.
+Satyrane, i.; iii.
+Saxons, ii.; v.
+Scaldis, ii.
+Sclaunder, iii.
+Scamander, ii.; iii.
+Sanderbeg, v.
+Scipio, i.
+Scipion, v.
+Scorne, iv.
+Scudamore, Sir, ii.; iii.
+Selinis, i.
+Semelee, ii.
+Semiramis, i.; ii.
+September, iv.
+Serena, iv.
+Sergis, Sir, iii.
+Severne, ii.; iii.
+Severus, ii.
+Shame, ii.
+Shamefastnes, ii.; iii.
+Shenan, iii.
+Shepheard of the Ocean (Raleigh), iv.
+Shield of Love, iii.
+Shure, iii.; iv.
+Sidney, Sir Philip, i.; iv.; v.
+Silence, iii.
+Silo, i.
+Sisera, ii.
+Sisillus, ii.
+Sisyphus, i.
+Skell, iii.
+Slane, iii.
+Sleepe, ii.
+Slewbloome, iii.
+Slewlogher, iii.
+Slowth, i.
+Socrates, ii.
+Somerset, Ladies Elizabeth and Katherine, v.
+Sommer, iv.
+Sophy, ii.
+Sorrow, ii.
+South-Wales, ii.
+Spau, i.
+Spayne, ii.
+Spencer, ii.
+Speranza, i.
+Spio, iii.
+Spring, iv.
+Spumador, ii.
+Squire of Dames, ii.; iii.
+Squire of Low Degree, iii.
+Stamford, iii.
+Stater, ii.
+St. Brigets Bowre, iv.
+St. Michels Mount, iv.
+Stella, iv.
+Sthenoboea, i.
+Stoneheng, ii.
+Stoure, iii.
+Strange, Ladie, v.
+Stremona, i.
+Strife, i.; ii.
+Sture, iii.
+Styx, i.
+Suspect, ii.
+Swale, iii.
+Sylla, i.
+Sylvanus, i.
+Sylvius, ii.
+Syrinx, iv.
+
+
+Talus, iii.
+Tamar, iii.
+Tanaquill, i.; ii.
+Tantalus, i.; ii.
+Tarquin, i.
+Tartar, ii.
+Tartare, ii.
+Tartary, i.; v.
+Teian Poet, v.
+Telamon, v.
+Tempe, ii.
+Temperaunce, ii.; iii.
+Templer Knights, v.
+Tenantius, ii.
+Termagaunt, ii.
+Terwin, Sir, ii.
+Terpsichore, v.
+Tethys, i.; iii.
+Thabor, Mount, iv.
+Thalia, v.
+Thalia (Grace), iv.
+Thalia (Nereid), iii.
+Thame, iii.
+Thames, v.
+Thamesis, v.
+Thamis, ii.; iii.; v.
+Theana, iv.
+Thebes, ii.; iii.
+Theise, iii.
+Themes, iv.; v.
+Themis, iii.
+Themiste, iii.
+Thenot, iv.
+Theocritus, iv.
+Therion, i.
+Theseus, i.
+Theseus and Pirithous, iii.
+Thestylis, iv.
+Thetis, iii.; iv.; v.
+Thomalin, iv.
+Thomiris, ii.
+Thyamis, i.
+Timias, ii.; iv.
+Timon, i.; v.
+Tindarid lasse, iii.
+Titan, iv.
+Titus and Gesippus, iii.
+Tityrus, iv.
+Tityus, i.; v.
+Toure, ii.
+Traherne, ii.
+Treason, ii.
+Trent, iii.
+Trevisan, i.
+Triamond, iii.
+Triptoleme, v.
+Tristram, iv.
+Triton, iv.
+Trompart, i.
+Trowis, iii.
+Troy, ii.
+Troynovant, ii.; iii.; v.
+Tryphon, ii.; iii.
+Turmagant, iv.
+Turpin, Sir, iii.; iv.
+Twede, iii.
+Tybris, iii.
+Tygris, iii.
+Tyne, iii.
+Typhaeus sister, v.
+Typhaon, iii.; iv.
+Typhoeus, i.; ii.
+Typhon, iii.
+
+
+Ulfin, ii.
+Ulysses, v.
+Una, i.
+Urania, iv.
+Uranus, iv.
+Ure, iii.
+Uther, ii.
+
+
+Velntide, Saint, iv.
+Vanitie, i.
+Venus, ii; iii; v.
+   temple and statue of, iii.
+Verdant, ii.
+Verlame, v.
+Vespasian, ii.
+Vigent, ii.
+Virgil, iv.
+Virginia, i.
+Vortigere, ii.
+Vortimere, ii.
+Vortipore, ii.
+Vulcan, iii.
+
+
+Walsingham, Sir Francis, i.
+Wandring Islands, ii.
+Waterford, iii.
+Welland, iii.
+Were, iii.
+Werfe, iii.
+Whirlepoole of Decay, ii.
+Willie, iv.
+Willy, pleasant, v.
+Winborne, iii.
+Winter, iv.
+Wiseman, the, iii.
+Witches Sonne, ii.
+Witch, the, ii.
+Womanhood, iii.
+Wrath, i.
+Wrenock, iv.
+Wyden, ii.
+Wylibourne, iii.
+
+
+Xanthus, ii.; v.
+
+
+Yar, iii.
+Ymner, ii.
+
+
+Zele, i.; iii.
+Zeuxis, ii.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
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+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Edmund Spenser</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 1, 2004 [eBook #10602]<br />
+[Most recently updated: November 13, 2022]</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Joshua Hutchinson, Carol David and PG Distributed Proofreaders</div>
+<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POETICAL WORKS OF EDMUND SPENSER, VOLUME 5 ***</div>
+
+<h1>THE<br/>
+POETICAL WORKS<br/>
+OF<br/>
+EDMUND SPENSER</h1>
+
+<h5>VOLUME V.</h5>
+
+<h4>M.DCCC.LX.</h4>
+
+<hr />
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h4>CONTENTS<br/>
+OF THE FIFTH VOLUME.</h4>
+
+<table summary="" style="">
+
+<tr>
+<td> MISCELLANIES.</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> Complaints</td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap01">The Ruines of Time</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap02">The Teares of the Muses</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap03">Virgils Gnat</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap04">Prosopopoia: or Mother Hubberds Tale</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap05">Ruines of Rome: by Bellay</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap06">Muiopotmos: or the Fate of the Butterflie</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap07">Visions of the Worlds Vanitie</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap08">The Visions of Bellay</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap09">The Visions of Petrarch</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap10">Daphnaida</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap11">Amoretti</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap12">Epithalamion</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap13">Prothalamion</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap14">Fowre Hymnes</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap15">Epigrams</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap16">Sonnets</a><br /><br /></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap17"><b>APPENDIX.</b></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap18">I. Variations from the Original Editions</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap19">II. Two Letters from Spenser to Harvey</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap20">III. Index of Proper Names</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+</table>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h4>MISCELLANIES.</h4>
+
+<h3>COMPLAINTS.</h3>
+
+<h5>CONTAINING SUNDRIE SMALL POEMES OF THE
+WORLDS VANITIE:</h5>
+
+<h5>WHEREOF THE NEXT PAGE MAKETH MENTION.</h5>
+
+<h5>BY ED. SP.</h5>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center">
+LONDON.<br/>
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE,<br/>
+DWELLING IN PAULES CHURCHYARD<br/>
+AT THE SIGNE OF THE<br/>
+BISHOPS HEAD.<br/>
+1591.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h5>A NOTE OF THE SUNDRIE POEMES CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME.</h5>
+
+<p>
+1. The Ruines of Time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+2. The Teares of the Muses.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+3. Virgils Gnat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+4. Prosopopoia, or Mother Hubberds Tale.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+5. The Ruines of Rome: by Bellay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+6. Muiopotmos, or The Tale of the Butterflie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+7. Visions of the Worlds Vanitie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+8. Bellayes Visions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+9. Petrarches Visions.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h5>THE PRINTER TO THE GENTLE READER.</h5>
+
+<p>
+Since my late setting foorth of the Faerie Queene, finding that it hath found a
+favourable passage amongst you, I have sithence endevoured by all good meanes,
+(for the better encrease and accomplishment of your delights,) to get into my
+handes such smale poemes of the same Authors as I heard were disperst abroad in
+sundrie hands, and not easie to bee come by by himselfe; some of them having
+bene diverslie imbeziled and purloyned from him, since his departure over sea.
+Of the which I have by good meanes gathered togeather these fewe parcels
+present, which I have caused to bee imprinted altogeather, for that they al
+seeme to containe like matter of argument in them, being all complaints and
+meditations of the worlds vanitie, verie grave and profitable. To which effect
+I understand that he besides wrote sundrie others, namelie: <i>Ecclesiastes</i>
+and <i>Canticum Canticorum</i> translated, <i>A Senights Slumber, The Hell of
+Lovers, his Purgatorie</i>, being all dedicated to ladies, so as it may seeme
+he ment them all to one volume: besides some other pamphlets looselie scattered
+abroad; as <i>The Dying Pellican, The Howers of the Lord, The Sacrifice of a
+Sinner, The Seven Psalmes</i>, &amp;c., which, when I can either by himselfe or
+otherwise attaine too, I meane likewise for your favour sake to set foorth. In
+the meane time, praying you gentlie to accept of these, and graciouslie to
+entertaine the new Poet*, I take leave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+[* Spenser had printed nothing with his name before the Faerie
+Queene.—Ponsonby’s account of the way in which this volume was collected is
+rather loose. The Ruins of Time and The Tears of the Muses were certainly
+written shortly before they were published, and there can be equally little
+doubt that Mother Hubberd’s Tale was retouched about the same time. C.]
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap01"></a>THE RUINES OF TIME.</h2>
+
+<h4>DEDICATED</h4>
+
+<h5>TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND BEAUTIFULL LADIE,</h5>
+
+<h5>THE LA: MARIE,</h5>
+
+<h5>COUNTESSE OF PEMEBROOKE.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Most honourable and bountifull Ladie, there bee long sithens deepe sowed in my
+brest the seede of most entire love and humble affection unto that most brave
+knight, your noble brother deceased; which, taking roote, began in his life
+time somewhat to bud forth, and to shew themselves to him, as then in the
+weakenes of their first spring; and would in their riper strength (had it
+pleased High God till then to drawe out his daies) spired forth fruit of more
+perfection. But since God hath disdeigned the world of that most noble spirit
+which was the hope of all learned men, and the patron of my young Muses,
+togeather with him both their hope of anie further fruit was cut off, and also
+the tender delight of those their first blossoms nipped and quite dead. Yet,
+sithens my late cumming into England, some frends of mine, which might much
+prevaile with me, and indeede commaund me, knowing with howe straight bandes of
+duetie I was tied to him, as also bound unto that noble house, of which the
+chiefs hope then rested in him, have sought to revive them by upbraiding me,
+for that I have not shewed anie thankefull remembrance towards him or any of
+them, but suffer their names to sleep in silence and forgetfulnesse. Whome
+chieflie to satisfie, or els to avoide that fowle blot of unthankefulnesse, I
+have conceived this small Poeme, intituled by a generall name of <i>The Worlds
+Ruines;</i> yet speciallie intended to the renowming of that noble race from
+which both you and he sprong, and to the eternizing of some of the chiefe of
+them late deceased. The which I dedicate unto your La. as whome it most
+speciallie concerneth, and to whome I acknowledge my selfe bounden by manie
+singular favours and great graces. I pray for your honourable happinesse, and
+so humblie kisse your handes.
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+Your Ladiships ever humblie at commaund,
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+E.S.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h3>THE RUINES OF TIME.</h3>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+It chaunced me on* day beside the shore<br/>
+Of silver streaming Thamesis to bee,<br/>
+Nigh where the goodly Verlame stood of yore,<br/>
+Of which there now remaines no memorie,<br/>
+Nor anie little moniment to see,                    5<br/>
+By which the travailer that fares that way<br/>
+<i>This once was she</i> may warned be to say.<br/>
+  [* <i>On</i>, one.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+There, on the other side, I did behold<br/>
+A Woman sitting sorrowfullie wailing,<br/>
+Rending her yeolow locks, like wyrie golde                    10<br/>
+About her shoulders careleslie downe trailing,<br/>
+And streames of teares from her faire eyes forth railing*:<br/>
+In her right hand a broken rod she held,<br/>
+Which towards heaven shee seemd on high to weld,<br/>
+  [* <i>Railing</i>, flowing.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whether she were one of that rivers nymphes,                    15<br/>
+Which did the losse of some dere Love lament,<br/>
+I doubt; or one of those three fatall impes<br/>
+Which draw the dayes of men forth in extent;<br/>
+Or th’auncient genius of that citie brent*;<br/>
+But, seeing her so piteouslie perplexed,                    20<br/>
+I, to her calling, askt what her so vexed.<br/>
+  [* <i>Brent</i>, burnt.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ah! what delight,” quoth she, “in earthlie thing,<br/>
+Or comfort can I, wretched creature, have?<br/>
+Whose happines the heavens envying,<br/>
+From highest staire to lowest step me drave,                    25<br/>
+And have in mine owne bowels made my grave,<br/>
+That of all nations now I am forlorne*,<br/>
+The worlds sad spectacle, and Fortunes scorne.”<br/>
+  [* <i>Forlorne</i>, forsaken.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Much was I mooved at her piteous plaint,<br/>
+And felt my heart nigh riven in my brest                    30<br/>
+With tender ruth to see her sore constraint;<br/>
+That, shedding teares, a while I still did rest,<br/>
+And after did her name of her request.<br/>
+“Name have I none,” quoth she, “nor anie being,<br/>
+Bereft of both by Fates uniust decreeing.                    35
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“I was that citie which the garland wore<br/>
+Of Britaines pride, delivered unto me<br/>
+By Romane victors which it wonne of yore;<br/>
+Though nought at all but ruines now I bee,<br/>
+And lye in mine owne ashes, as ye see,                    40<br/>
+VERLAME I was; what bootes it that I was,<br/>
+Sith now I am but weedes and wastfull gras?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“O vaine worlds glorie, and unstedfast state<br/>
+Of all that lives on face of sinfull earth!<br/>
+Which, from their first untill their utmost date,                    45<br/>
+Tast no one hower of happines or merth;<br/>
+But like as at the ingate* of their berth<br/>
+They crying creep out of their mothers woomb,<br/>
+So wailing backe go to their wofull toomb.<br/>
+  [* <i>Ingate</i>, entrance, beginning.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Why then dooth flesh, a bubble-glas of breath,                    50<br/>
+Hunt after honour and advauncement vaine,<br/>
+And reare a trophee for devouring death<br/>
+With so great labour and long-lasting paine,<br/>
+As if his daies for ever should remaine?<br/>
+Sith all that in this world is great or gaie                    55<br/>
+Doth as a vapour vanish and decaie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Looke backe, who list, unto the former ages,<br/>
+And call to count what is of them become.<br/>
+Where be those learned wits and antique sages,<br/>
+Which of all wisedome knew the perfect somme?                    60<br/>
+Where those great warriors, which did overcome<br/>
+The world with conquest of their might and maine,<br/>
+And made one meare* of th’earth and of their raine?<br/>
+  [* <i>Meare</i>, boundary.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“What nowe is of th’Assyrian Lyonesse,<br/>
+Of whome no footing now on earth appeares?                    65<br/>
+What of the Persian Beares outragiousnesse,<br/>
+Whose memorie is quite worne out with yeares?<br/>
+Who of the Grecian Libbard* now ought heares,<br/>
+That over-ran the East with greedie powre,<br/>
+And left his whelps their kingdomes to devoure?                    70<br/>
+  [* <i>Libbard</i>, leopard]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And where is that same great seven-headded beast,<br/>
+That made all nations vassals of her pride,<br/>
+To fall before her feete at her beheast,<br/>
+And in the necke of all the world did ride?<br/>
+Where doth she all that wondrous welth nowe hide?                    75<br/>
+With her own weight downe pressed now shee lies,<br/>
+And by her heaps her hugenesse testifies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“O Rome, thy ruine I lament and rue,<br/>
+And in thy fall my fatall overthrowe,<br/>
+That whilom was, whilst heavens with equall vewe                    80<br/>
+Deignd to behold me and their gifts bestowe,<br/>
+The picture of thy pride in pompous shew:<br/>
+And of the whole world as thou wast the empresse,<br/>
+So I of this small Northerne world was princesse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“To tell the beawtie of my buildings fayre,                    85<br/>
+Adornd with purest golde and precious stone,<br/>
+To tell my riches and endowments rare,<br/>
+That by my foes are now all spent and gone,<br/>
+To tell my forces, matchable to none,<br/>
+Were but lost labour that few would beleeve,                    90<br/>
+And with rehearsing would me more agreeve.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“High towers, faire temples, goodly theaters,<br/>
+Strong walls, rich porches, princelie pallaces,<br/>
+Large streetes, brave houses, sacred sepulchers,<br/>
+Sure gates, sweete gardens, stately galleries                    95<br/>
+Wrought with faire pillours and fine imageries,—<br/>
+All those, O pitie! now are turnd to dust,<br/>
+And overgrowen with blacke oblivions rust.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Theretoo, for warlike power and peoples store<br/>
+In Britannie was none to match with mee,                    100<br/>
+That manie often did abie full sore:<br/>
+Ne Troynovant*, though elder sister shee,<br/>
+With my great forces might compared bee;<br/>
+That stout Pendragon to his perill felt,<br/>
+Who in a siege seaven yeres about me dwelt.                    105<br/>
+  [* <i>Troynovant</i>, London]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But long ere this, Bunduca, Britonnesse,<br/>
+Her mightie hoast against my bulwarkes brought;<br/>
+Bunduca! that victorious conqueresse,<br/>
+That, lifting up her brave heroick thought<br/>
+Bove womens weaknes, with the Romanes fought,                    110<br/>
+Fought, and in field against them thrice prevailed:<br/>
+Yet was she foyld, when as she me assailed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And though at last by force I conquered were<br/>
+Of hardie Saxons, and became their thrall,<br/>
+Yet was I with much bloodshed bought full deere,                    115<br/>
+And prizde with slaughter of their generall,<br/>
+The moniment of whose sad funerall,<br/>
+For wonder of the world, long in me lasted,<br/>
+But now to nought, through spoyle of time, is wasted.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Wasted it is, as if it never were;                    120<br/>
+And all the rest that me so honord made,<br/>
+And of the world admired ev’rie where,<br/>
+Is turnd to smoake that doth to nothing fade;<br/>
+And of that brightnes now appeares no shade,<br/>
+But greislie shades, such as doo haunt in hell                    125<br/>
+With fearfull fiends that in deep darknes dwell.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Where my high steeples whilom usde to stand,<br/>
+On which the lordly faulcon wont to towre,<br/>
+There now is but an heap of lyme and sand<br/>
+For the shriche-owle to build her balefull bowre:                    130<br/>
+And where the nightingale wont forth to powre<br/>
+Her restles plaints, to comfort wakefull lovers,<br/>
+There now haunt yelling mewes and whining plovers.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And where the christall Thamis wont to slide<br/>
+In silver channell downe along the lee,                    135<br/>
+About whose flowrie bankes on either side<br/>
+A thousand nymphes, with mirthfull iollitee,<br/>
+Were wont to play, from all annoyance free,<br/>
+There now no rivers course is to be seene,<br/>
+But moorish fennes, and marshes ever greene.                    140
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Seemes that that gentle river, for great griefe<br/>
+Of my mishaps which oft I to him plained,<br/>
+Or for to shunne the horrible mischiefe<br/>
+With which he saw my cruell foes me pained,<br/>
+And his pure streames with guiltles blood oft stained,<br/>
+From my unhappie neighborhood farre fled,                    145<br/>
+And his sweete waters away with him led.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“There also where the winged ships were seene<br/>
+In liquid waves to cut their fomie waie,<br/>
+And thousand fishers numbred to have been,                    150<br/>
+In that wide lake looking for plenteous praie<br/>
+Of fish, which they with baits usde to betraie,<br/>
+Is now no lake, nor anie fishers store,<br/>
+Nor ever ship shall saile there anie more.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“They all are gone, and all with them is gone!                    155<br/>
+Ne ought to me remaines, but to lament<br/>
+My long decay, which no man els doth mone,<br/>
+And mourne my fall with dolefull dreriment:<br/>
+Yet it is comfort in great languishment,<br/>
+To be bemoned with compassion kinde,                    160<br/>
+And mitigates the anguish of the minde.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But me no man bewaileth, but in game<br/>
+Ne sheddeth teares from lamentable eie;<br/>
+Nor anie lives that mentioneth my name<br/>
+To be remembred of posteritie,                    165<br/>
+Save one, that maugre Fortunes iniurie,<br/>
+And Times decay, and Envies cruell tort*,<br/>
+Hath writ my record in true-seeming sort.<br/>
+  [* <i>Tort</i>, wrong]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“CAMBDEN! the nourice* of antiquitie,<br/>
+And lanterne unto late succeding age                    170<br/>
+To see the light of simple veritie<br/>
+Buried in ruines, through the great outrage<br/>
+Of her owne people led with warlike rage,<br/>
+CAMBDEN! though Time all moniments obscure,<br/>
+Yet thy iust labours ever shall endure.                    175<br/>
+  [* <i>Nourice</i>, nurse]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But whie, unhappie wight! doo I thus crie,<br/>
+And grieve that my remembrance quite is raced*<br/>
+Out of the knowledge of posteritie,<br/>
+And all my antique moniments defaced?<br/>
+Sith I doo dailie see things highest placed,                    180<br/>
+So soone as Fates their vitall thred have shorne,<br/>
+Forgotten quite as they were never borne<br/>
+  [* <i>Raced</i>, razed.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“It is not long, since these two eyes beheld<br/>
+A mightie Prince*, of most renowmed race,<br/>
+Whom England high in count of honour held,                    185<br/>
+And greatest ones did sue to game his grace;<br/>
+Of greatest ones he, greatest in his place,<br/>
+Sate in the bosom of his Soveraine,<br/>
+And <i>Right and Loyall</i>** did his word maintaine.<br/>
+  [* I. e. the Earl of Leicester.]<br/>
+  [** Leicester’s motto.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“I saw him die, I saw him die as one                    190<br/>
+Of the meane people, and brought foorth on beare;<br/>
+I saw him die, and no man left to mone<br/>
+His dolefull fate that late him loved deare;<br/>
+Scarse anie left to close his eylids neare;<br/>
+Scarse anie left upon his lips to laie                    195<br/>
+The sacred sod, or requiem to saie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“O trustlesse state of miserable men,<br/>
+That builde your blis on hope of earthly thing,<br/>
+And vainly thinke your selves halfe happie then,<br/>
+When painted faces with smooth flattering                    200<br/>
+Doo fawne on you, and your wide praises sing;<br/>
+And, when the courting masker louteth* lowe,<br/>
+Him true in heart and trustie to you trow!<br/>
+  [* <i>Louteth</i>, boweth.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“All is but fained, and with oaker* dide,<br/>
+That everie shower will wash and wipe away;                    205<br/>
+All things doo change that under heaven abide,<br/>
+And after death all friendship doth decaie.<br/>
+Therefore, what ever man bearst worldlie sway,<br/>
+Living, on God and on thy selfe relie;<br/>
+For, when thou diest, all shall with thee die.                    210<br/>
+  [* <i>Oaker</i>, ochre, paint.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“He now is dead, and all is with him dead,<br/>
+Save what in heavens storehouse he uplaid:<br/>
+His hope is faild, and come to passe his dread,<br/>
+And evill men (now dead) his deeds upbraid:<br/>
+Spite bites the dead, that living never baid.                    215<br/>
+He now is gone, the whiles the foxe is crept<br/>
+Into the hole the which the badger swept.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“He now is dead, and all his glorie gone,<br/>
+And all his greatnes vapoured to nought,<br/>
+That as a glasse upon the water shone,                    220<br/>
+Which vanisht quite so soone as it was sought.<br/>
+His name is worne alreadie out of thought,<br/>
+Ne anie poet seekes him to revive;<br/>
+Yet manie poets honourd him alive.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ne doth his Colin, carelesse Colin Cloute,                    225<br/>
+Care now his idle bagpipe up to raise,<br/>
+Ne tell his sorrow to the listning rout<br/>
+Of shepherd groomes, which wont his songs to praise:<br/>
+Praise who so list, yet I will him dispraise,<br/>
+Untill he quite* him of this guiltie blame.                    230<br/>
+Wake, shepheards boy, at length awake for shame!<br/>
+  [* <i>Quite</i>, acquit.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And who so els did goodnes by him game,<br/>
+And who so els his bounteous minde did trie*,<br/>
+Whether he shepheard be, or shepheards swaine,<br/>
+(For manie did, which doo it now denie,)                    235<br/>
+Awake, and to his song a part applie:<br/>
+And I, the whilest you mourne for his decease,<br/>
+Will with my mourning plaints your plaint increase.<br/>
+  [* <i>Trie</i>, experience.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“He dyde, and after him his brother dyde,<br/>
+His brother prince, his brother noble peere,                    240<br/>
+That whilste he lived was of none envyde,<br/>
+And dead is now, as living, counted deare;<br/>
+Deare unto all that true affection beare,<br/>
+But unto thee most deare, O dearest Dame,<br/>
+His noble spouse and paragon of fame.                    245
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“He, whilest he lived, happie was through thee,<br/>
+And, being dead, is happie now much more;<br/>
+Living, that lincked chaunst with thee to bee,<br/>
+And dead, because him dead thou dost adore<br/>
+As living, and thy lost deare love deplore.                    250<br/>
+So whilst that thou, faire flower of chastitie,<br/>
+Dost live, by thee thy lord shall never die.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Thy lord shall never die, the whiles this verse<br/>
+Shall live, and surely it shall live for ever:<br/>
+For ever it shall live, and shall rehearse                    255<br/>
+His worthie praise, and vertues dying never,<br/>
+Though death his soule doo from his bodie sever:<br/>
+And thou thy selfe herein shalt also live;<br/>
+Such grace the heavens doo to my verses give.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ne shall his sister, ne thy father, die;                    260<br/>
+Thy father, that good earle of rare renowne,<br/>
+And noble patrone of weake povertie;<br/>
+Whose great good deeds, in countrey and in towne.<br/>
+Have purchast him in heaven an happie crowne:<br/>
+Where he now liveth in eternall blis,                    265<br/>
+And left his sonne t’ensue those steps of his.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“He, noble bud, his grandsires livelie hayre,<br/>
+Under the shadow of thy countenaunce<br/>
+Now ginnes to shoote up fast, and flourish fayre<br/>
+In learned artes, and goodlie governaunce,                    270<br/>
+That him to highest honour shall advaunce.<br/>
+Brave impe* of Bedford, grow apace in bountie,<br/>
+And count of wisedome more than of thy countie!<br/>
+  [* <i>Impe</i>, graft, scion.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ne may I let thy husbands sister die,<br/>
+That goodly ladie, sith she eke did spring                    275<br/>
+Out of this stocke and famous familie<br/>
+Whose praises I to future age doo sing;<br/>
+And foorth out of her happie womb did bring<br/>
+The sacred brood of learning and all honour;<br/>
+In whom the heavens powrde all their gifts upon her.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Most gentle spirite breathed from above,                    281<br/>
+Out of the bosome of the Makers blis,<br/>
+In whom all bountie and all vertuous love<br/>
+Appeared in their native propertis,<br/>
+And did enrich that noble breast of his                    285<br/>
+With treasure passing all this worldës worth,<br/>
+Worthie of heaven it selfe, which brought it forth:
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“His blessed spirite, full of power divine<br/>
+And influence of all celestiall grace,<br/>
+Loathing this sinfull earth and earthlie slime,                    290<br/>
+Fled backe too soonc unto his native place;<br/>
+Too soone for all that did his love embrace,<br/>
+Too soone for all this wretched world, whom he<br/>
+Robd of all right and true nobilitie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Yet, ere his happie soule to heaven went                    295<br/>
+Out of this fleshlie goale, he did devise<br/>
+Unto his heavenlie Maker to present<br/>
+His bodie, as a spotles sacrifise,<br/>
+And chose that guiltie hands of enemies<br/>
+Should powre forth th’offring of his guiltles blood:<br/>
+So life exchanging for his countries good.                    300
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“O noble spirite, live there ever blessed,<br/>
+The worlds late wonder, and the heavens new ioy;<br/>
+Live ever there, and leave me here distressed<br/>
+With mortall cares and cumbrous worlds anoy!                    305<br/>
+But, where thou dost that happines enioy,<br/>
+Bid me, O bid me quicklie come to thee,<br/>
+That happie there I maie thee alwaies see!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Yet, whilest the Fates affoord me vitall breath,<br/>
+I will it spend in speaking of thy praise,                    310<br/>
+And sing to thee, untill that timelie death<br/>
+By heavens doome doo ende my earthlie daies:<br/>
+Thereto doo thou my humble spirite raise,<br/>
+And into me that sacred breath inspire,<br/>
+Which thou there breathest perfect and entire.                    315
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Then will I sing; but who can better sing<br/>
+Than thine owne sister, peerles ladie bright,<br/>
+Which to thee sings with deep harts sorrowing,<br/>
+Sorrowing tempered with deare delight,<br/>
+That her to heare I feele my feeble spright                    320<br/>
+Robbed of sense, and ravished with ioy;<br/>
+O sad ioy, made of mourning and anoy!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Yet will I sing; but who can better sing<br/>
+Than thou thyselfe thine owne selfes valiance,<br/>
+That, whilest thou livedst, madest the forrests ring,                    325<br/>
+And fields resownd, and flockes to leap and daunce,<br/>
+And shepheards leave their lambs unto mischaunce,<br/>
+To runne thy shrill Arcadian pipe to heare:<br/>
+O happie were those dayes, thrice happie were!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But now more happie thou, and wretched wee,                    330<br/>
+Which want the wonted sweetnes of thy voice,<br/>
+Whiles thou now in Elisian fields so free,<br/>
+With Orpheus, and with Linus, and the choice<br/>
+Of all that ever did in rimes reioyce,<br/>
+Conversest, and doost heare their heavenlie layes,                    335<br/>
+And they heare thine, and thine doo better praise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“So there thou livest, singing evermore,<br/>
+And here thou livest, being ever song<br/>
+Of us, which living loved thee afore,<br/>
+And now thee worship mongst that blessed throng                    340<br/>
+Of heavenlie poets and heroës strong.<br/>
+So thou both here and there immortall art,<br/>
+And everie where through excellent desart.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But such as neither of themselves can sing,<br/>
+Nor yet are sung of others for reward,                    345<br/>
+Die in obscure oblivion, as the thing<br/>
+Which never was; ne ever with regard<br/>
+Their names shall of the later age be heard,<br/>
+But shall in rustic darknes ever lie,<br/>
+Unles they mentiond be with infamie.                    350
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“What booteth it to have been rich alive?<br/>
+What to be great? what to be gracious?<br/>
+When after death no token doth survive<br/>
+Of former being in this mortall hous,<br/>
+But sleepes in dust dead and inglorious,                    355<br/>
+Like beast, whose breath but in his nostrels is,<br/>
+And hath no hope of happinesse or blis.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“How manie great ones may remembred be,<br/>
+Which in their daies most famouslie did florish,<br/>
+Of whome no word we heare, nor signe now see,                    360<br/>
+But as things wipt out with a sponge to perishe,<br/>
+Because they living cared not to cherishe<br/>
+No gentle wits, through pride or covetize,<br/>
+Which might their names for ever memorize!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Provide therefore, ye Princes, whilst ye live,                    365<br/>
+That of the Muses ye may friended bee,<br/>
+Which unto men eternitie do give;<br/>
+For they be daughters of Dame Memorie<br/>
+And love, the father of Eternitie,<br/>
+And do those men in golden thrones repose,                    370<br/>
+Whose merits they to glorifie do chose.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“The seven-fold yron gates of grislie Hell,<br/>
+And horrid house of sad Proserpina,<br/>
+They able are with power of mightie spell<br/>
+To breake, and thence the soules to bring awaie                    375<br/>
+Out of dread darkenesse to eternall day,<br/>
+And them immortall make which els would die<br/>
+In foule forgetfulnesse, and nameles lie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“So whilome raised they the puissant brood<br/>
+Of golden-girt Alcmena, for great merite,                    380<br/>
+Out of the dust to which the Oetaean wood<br/>
+Had him consum’d, and spent his vitall spirite,<br/>
+To highest heaven, where now he doth inherite<br/>
+All happinesse in Hebes silver bowre,<br/>
+Chosen to be her dearest paramoure.                    385
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“So raisde they eke faire Ledaes warlick twinnes.<br/>
+And interchanged life unto them lent,<br/>
+That, when th’one diës, th’other then beginnes<br/>
+To shew in heaven his brightnes orient;<br/>
+And they, for pittie of the sad wayment*,                    390<br/>
+Which Orpheus for Eurydice did make,<br/>
+Her back againe to life sent for his sake.<br/>
+  [* <i>Wayment</i>, lament.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“So happie are they, and so fortunate,<br/>
+Whom the Pierian sacred sisters love,<br/>
+That freed from bands of impacable** fate,                    395<br/>
+And power of death, they live for aye above,<br/>
+Where mortall wreakes their blis may not remove:<br/>
+But with the gods, for former verities meede,<br/>
+On nectar and ambrosia do feede.<br/>
+  [* <i>Impacable</i>, unappeasable.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“For deeds doe die, how ever noblie donne,                    400<br/>
+And thoughts of men do as themselves decay;<br/>
+But wise wordes taught in numbers for to runne,<br/>
+Recorded by the Muses, live for ay;<br/>
+Ne may with storming showers be washt away,<br/>
+Ne bitter-breathing windes with harmfull blast,                    405<br/>
+Nor age, nor envie, shall them ever wast.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“In vaine doo earthly princes then, in vaine,<br/>
+Seeke with pyramides to heaven aspired,<br/>
+Or huge colosses built with costlie paine,<br/>
+Or brasen pillours never to be fired,                    410<br/>
+Or shrines made of the mettall most desired,<br/>
+To make their memories for ever live:<br/>
+For how can mortall immortalitie give?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Such one Mausolus made, the worlds great wonder,<br/>
+But now no remnant doth thereof remaine:                    415<br/>
+Such one Marcellus, but was torne with thunder:<br/>
+Such one Lisippus, but is worne with raine:<br/>
+Such one King Edmond, but was rent for gaine.<br/>
+All such vaine moniments of earthlie masse,<br/>
+Devour’d of Time, in time to nought doo passe.                    420
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But Fame with golden wings aloft doth flie,<br/>
+Above the reach of ruinous decay,<br/>
+And with brave plumes doth beate the azure skie,<br/>
+Admir’d of base-borne men from farre away:<br/>
+Then who so will with vertuous deeds assay                    425<br/>
+To mount to heaven, on Pegasus must ride,<br/>
+And with sweete Poets verse be glorifide.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“For not to have been dipt in Lethe lake,<br/>
+Could save the sonne of Thetis from to die;<br/>
+But that blinde bard did him immortall make                    430<br/>
+With verses dipt in deaw of Castalie:<br/>
+Which made the Easterne conquerour to crie,<br/>
+O fortunate yong man! whose vertue found<br/>
+So brave a trompe thy noble acts to sound.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Therefore in this halfe happie I doo read*                    435<br/>
+Good Melibae, that hath a poet got<br/>
+To sing his living praises being dead,<br/>
+Deserving never here to be forgot,<br/>
+In spight of envie, that his deeds would spot:<br/>
+Since whose decease, learning lies unregarded,                    440<br/>
+And men of armes doo wander unrewarded.<br/>
+  [* <i>Read</i>, consider]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Those two be those two great calamities,<br/>
+That long agoe did grieve the noble spright<br/>
+Of Salomon with great indignities,<br/>
+Who whilome was alive the wisest wight:                    445<br/>
+But now his wisedome is disprooved quite,<br/>
+For he that now welds* all things at his will<br/>
+Scorns th’one and th’other in his deeper skill.<br/>
+  [* <i>Welds</i>, wields]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“O griefe of griefes! O gall of all good heartes!<br/>
+To see that vertue should dispised bee                    450<br/>
+Of him that first was raisde for vertuous parts,<br/>
+And now, broad spreading like an aged tree,<br/>
+Lets none shoot up that nigh him planted bee.<br/>
+O let the man of whom the Muse is scorned,<br/>
+Nor alive nor dead, be of the Muse adorned!                    455
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“O vile worlds trust! that with such vaine illusion<br/>
+Hath so wise men bewitcht and overkest*,<br/>
+That they see not the way of their confusion:<br/>
+O vainesse to be added to the rest<br/>
+That do my soule with inward griefe infest!                    460<br/>
+Let them behold the piteous fall of mee,<br/>
+And in my case their owne ensample see.<br/>
+  [* <i>Overkest</i>, overcast.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And who so els that sits in highest seate<br/>
+Of this worlds glorie, worshipped of all,<br/>
+Ne feareth change of time, nor fortunes threats,                    465<br/>
+Let him behold the horror of my fall,<br/>
+And his owne end unto remembrance call;<br/>
+That of like ruine he may warned bee,<br/>
+And in himselfe be moov’d to pittie mee.”
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thus having ended all her piteous plaint,                    470<br/>
+With dolefull shrikes shee vanished away,<br/>
+That I, through inward sorrowe wexen faint,<br/>
+And all astonished with deepe dismay<br/>
+For her departure, had no word to say;<br/>
+But sate long time in sencelesse sad affright,                    475<br/>
+Looking still, if I might of her have sight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Which when I missed, having looked long,<br/>
+My thought returned greeved home againe,<br/>
+Renewing her complaint with passion strong,<br/>
+For ruth of that same womans piteous paine;                    480<br/>
+Whose wordes recording in my troubled braine,<br/>
+I felt such anguish wound my feeble heart,<br/>
+That frosen horror ran through everie part.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So inlie greeving in my groning brest,<br/>
+And deepelie muzing at her doubtfull speach,                    485<br/>
+Whose meaning much I labored foorth to wreste,<br/>
+Being above my slender reasons reach,<br/>
+At length, by demonstration me to teach,<br/>
+Before mine eies strange sights presented were,<br/>
+Like tragicke pageants seeming to appeare.                    490
+</p>
+
+<h4>I.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I saw an Image, all of massie gold,<br/>
+Placed on high upon an altare faire,<br/>
+That all which did the same from farre beholde<br/>
+Might worship it, and fall on lowest staire.<br/>
+Not that great idoll might with this compaire,                    495<br/>
+To which th’Assyrian tyrant would have made<br/>
+The holie brethren falslie to have praid.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But th’altare on the which this image staid<br/>
+Was (O great pitie!) built of brickle* clay,<br/>
+That shortly the foundation decaid,                    500<br/>
+With showres of heaven and tempests worne away;<br/>
+Then downe it fell, and low in ashes lay,<br/>
+Scorned of everie one which by it went;<br/>
+That I, it seing, dearelie did lament.<br/>
+  [* <i>Brickle</i>, brittle.]
+</p>
+
+<h5>II.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Next unto this a statelie Towre appeared,                    505<br/>
+Built all of richest stone that might bee found,<br/>
+And nigh unto the heavens in height upreared,<br/>
+But placed on a plot of sandie ground:<br/>
+Not that great towre which is so much renownd<br/>
+For tongues confusion in Holie Writ,                    510<br/>
+King Ninus worke, might be compar’d to it.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But, O vaine labours of terrestriall wit,<br/>
+That buildes so stronglie on so frayle a soyle,<br/>
+As with each storme does fall away and flit,<br/>
+And gives the fruit of all your travailes toyle                    515<br/>
+To be the pray of Tyme, and Fortunes spoyle,<br/>
+I saw this towre fall sodainlie to dust,<br/>
+That nigh with griefe thereof my heart was brust.
+</p>
+
+<h5>III.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then did I see a pleasant Paradize,<br/>
+Full of sweete flowres and daintiest delights,                    520<br/>
+Such as on earth man could not more devize,<br/>
+With pleasures choyce to feed his cheereful sprights:<br/>
+Not that which Merlin by his magicke slights<br/>
+Made for the gentle Squire, to entertaine<br/>
+His fayre Belphoebe, could this gardine staine.                    525
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But O short pleasure bought with lasting paine!<br/>
+Why will hereafter anie flesh delight<br/>
+In earthlie blis, and ioy in pleasures vaine?<br/>
+Since that I sawe this gardine wasted quite,<br/>
+That where it was scarce seemed anie sight;                    530<br/>
+That I, which once that beautie did beholde,<br/>
+Could not from teares my melting eyes with-holde.
+</p>
+
+<h5>IV.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Soone after this a Giaunt came in place,<br/>
+Of wondrous power, and of exceeding stature,<br/>
+That none durst vewe the horror of his face;                    535<br/>
+Yet was he milde of speach, and meeke of nature.<br/>
+Not he which in despight of his Creatour<br/>
+With railing tearmes defied the Iewish hoast,<br/>
+Might with this mightie one in hugenes boast;
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For from the one he could to th’other coast                    540<br/>
+Stretch his strong thighes, and th’ocean overstride,<br/>
+And reatch his hand into his enemies hoast.<br/>
+But see the end of pompe and fleshlie pride!<br/>
+One of his feete unwares from him did slide,<br/>
+That downe hee fell into the deepe abisse,                    545<br/>
+Where drownd with him is all his earthlie blisse.
+</p>
+
+<h5>V.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then did I see a Bridge, made all of golde,<br/>
+Over the sea from one to other side,<br/>
+Withouten prop or pillour it t’upholde,<br/>
+But like the coloured rainbowe arched wide:                    550<br/>
+Not that great arche which Traian edifide,<br/>
+To be a wonder to all age ensuing,<br/>
+Was matchable to this in equall vewing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But ah! what bootes it to see earthlie thing<br/>
+In glorie or in greatnes to excell,                    555<br/>
+Sith time doth greatest things to ruine bring?<br/>
+This goodlie bridge, one foote not fastned well,<br/>
+Gan faile, and all the rest downe shortlie fell,<br/>
+Ne of so brave a building ought remained,<br/>
+That griefe thereof my spirite greatly pained.                    560
+</p>
+
+<h5>VI.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I saw two Beares, as white as anie milke,<br/>
+Lying together in a mightie cave,<br/>
+Of milde aspect, and haire as soft as silke,<br/>
+That salvage nature seemed not to have,<br/>
+Nor after greedie spoyle of blood to crave:                    565<br/>
+Two fairer beasts might not elswhere be found,<br/>
+Although the compast* world were sought around.<br/>
+  [* <i>Compast</i>, rounded.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But what can long abide above this ground<br/>
+In state of blis, or stedfast happinesse?<br/>
+The cave in which these beares lay sleeping sound<br/>
+Was but earth, and with her owne weightinesse                    571<br/>
+Upon them fell, and did unwares oppresse;<br/>
+That, for great sorrow of their sudden fate,<br/>
+Henceforth all worlds felicitie I hate.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Much was I troubled in my heavie spright,                    575<br/>
+At sight of these sad spectacles forepast,<br/>
+That all my senses were bereaved quight,<br/>
+And I in minde remained sore agast,<br/>
+Distraught twixt feare and pitie; when at last<br/>
+I heard a voyce which loudly to me called,                    580<br/>
+That with the suddein shrill I was appalled.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Behold,” said it, “and by ensample see,<br/>
+That all is vanitie and griefe of minde,<br/>
+Ne other comfort in this world can be,<br/>
+But hope of heaven, and heart to God inclinde;                    585<br/>
+For all the rest must needs be left behinde.”<br/>
+With that it bad me to the other side<br/>
+To cast mine eye, where other sights I spide.
+</p>
+
+<h5>I.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Upon that famous rivers further shore,<br/>
+There stood a snowie Swan, of heavenly hiew                    590<br/>
+And gentle kinde as ever fowle afore;<br/>
+A fairer one in all the goodlie criew<br/>
+Of white Strimonian brood might no man view:<br/>
+There he most sweetly sung the prophecie<br/>
+Of his owne death in dolefull elegie.                    595
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+At last, when all his mourning melodie<br/>
+He ended had, that both the shores resounded,<br/>
+Feeling the fit that him forewarnd to die,<br/>
+With loftie flight above the earth he bounded,<br/>
+And out of sight to highest heaven mounted,                    600<br/>
+Where now he is become an heavenly signe;<br/>
+There now the ioy is his, here sorrow mine.
+</p>
+
+<h5>II.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whilest thus I looked, loe! adowne the lee*<br/>
+I sawe an Harpe, stroong all with silver twyne,<br/>
+And made of golde and costlie yvorie,                    605<br/>
+Swimming, that whilome seemed to have been<br/>
+The harpe on which Dan Orpheus was seene<br/>
+Wylde beasts and forrests after him to lead,<br/>
+But was th’harpe of Philisides** now dead.<br/>
+  [* <i>Lee</i>, surface of the stream.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Phili-sid-es</i>, Sir Philip Sidney]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+At length out of the river it was reard,                    610<br/>
+And borne above the cloudes to be divin’d,<br/>
+Whilst all the way most heavenly noyse was heard<br/>
+Of the strings, stirred with the warbling wind,<br/>
+That wrought both ioy and sorrow in my mind:<br/>
+So now in heaven a signe it doth appeare,                    615<br/>
+The Harpe well knowne beside the Northern Beare.
+</p>
+
+<h5>III.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Soone after this I saw on th’other side<br/>
+A curious Coffer made of heben* wood,<br/>
+That in it did most precious treasure hide,<br/>
+Exceeding all this baser worldës good:                    620<br/>
+Yet through the overflowing of the flood<br/>
+It almost drowned was and done to nought,<br/>
+That sight thereof much griev’d my pensive thought.<br/>
+  [* <i>Heben</i>, ebony.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+At length, when most in perill it was brought,<br/>
+Two angels, downe descending with swift flight,                    625<br/>
+Out of the swelling streame it lightly caught,<br/>
+And twixt their blessed armes it carried quight<br/>
+Above the reach of anie living sight:<br/>
+So now it is transform’d into that starre,<br/>
+In which all heavenly treasures locked are.                    630
+</p>
+
+<h5>IV.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Looking aside I saw a stately Bed,<br/>
+Adorned all with costly cloth of gold,<br/>
+That might for anie princes couche be red*,<br/>
+And deckt with daintie flowres, as if it shold<br/>
+Be for some bride, her ioyous night to hold:                    635<br/>
+Therein a goodly virgine sleeping lay;<br/>
+A fairer wight saw never summers day.<br/>
+  [* <i>Red</i>, taken.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I heard a voyce that called farre away,<br/>
+And her awaking bad her quickly dight,<br/>
+For lo! her bridegrome was in readie ray                    640<br/>
+To come to her, and seeke her loves delight:<br/>
+With that she started up with cherefull sight,<br/>
+When suddeinly both bed and all was gone,<br/>
+And I in languor left there all alone.
+</p>
+
+<h5>V.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Still as I gazed, I beheld where stood                    645<br/>
+A Knight all arm’d, upon a winged steed,<br/>
+The same that was bred of Medusaes blood,<br/>
+On which Dan Perseus, borne of heavenly seed,<br/>
+The faire Andromeda from perill freed:<br/>
+Full mortally this knight ywounded was,                    650<br/>
+That streames of blood foorth flowed on the gras.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet was he deckt (small ioy to him, alas!)<br/>
+With manie garlands for his victories,<br/>
+And with rich spoyles, which late he did purchas<br/>
+Through brave atcheivements from his enemies:                    655<br/>
+Fainting at last through long infirmities,<br/>
+He smote his steed, that straight to heaven him bore,<br/>
+And left me here his losse for to deplore.
+</p>
+
+<h5>VI.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Lastly, I saw an Arke of purest golde<br/>
+Upon a brazen pillour standing hie,                    660<br/>
+Which th’ashes seem’d of some great prince to hold,<br/>
+Enclosde therein for endles memorie<br/>
+Of him whom all the world did glorifie:<br/>
+Seemed the heavens with the earth did disagree,<br/>
+Whether should of those ashes keeper bee.                    665
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+At last me seem’d wing-footed Mercurie,<br/>
+From heaven descending to appease their strife,<br/>
+The arke did beare with him above the skie,<br/>
+And to those ashes gave a second life,<br/>
+To live in heaven, where happines is rife:                    670<br/>
+At which the earth did grieve exceedingly,<br/>
+And I for dole was almost like to die.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>L’Envoy.</i>
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Immortall spirite of Philisides,<br/>
+Which now art made the heavens ornament,<br/>
+That whilome wast the worldës chiefst riches.                    675<br/>
+Give leave to him that lov’de thee to lament<br/>
+His losse by lacke of thee to heaven hent*,<br/>
+And with last duties of this broken verse,<br/>
+Broken with sighes, to decke thy sable herse!<br/>
+  [* <i>Hent</i>, taken away.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And ye, faire Ladie! th’honor of your daies                    680<br/>
+And glorie of the world, your high thoughts scorne,<br/>
+Vouchsafe this moniment of his last praise<br/>
+With some few silver dropping teares t’adorne;<br/>
+And as ye be of heavenlie off-spring borne,<br/>
+So unto heaven let your high minde aspire,                    685<br/>
+And loath this drosse of sinfull worlds desire.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h5>FOOTNOTES:</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 8.—<i>Verlame.</i> Veralam, or Verulamium, was a British and Roman
+town, near the present city of St. Alban’s in Hertfordshire. Some
+remains of its walls are still perceptible. H.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 64.—<i>Th’Assyrian Lyonesse.</i>                    These types of nations are taken
+from the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel. H.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 190.—<i>I saw him die</i>. Leicester died at Cornbury Lodge, in
+Oxfordshire. Todd suggests that he may have fallen sick at St. Alban’s,
+and that Spenser, hearing the report in Ireland, may havo concluded
+without inquiry that this was the place of his subsequent death, C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 225.—<i>Colin Cloute.</i> Spenser himself, who had been befriended by<br/>
+Leicester. H.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 239.—<i>His brother.</i> Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 245.—<i>His noble spouse.</i> Anne, the eldest daughter of Francis<br/>
+Russell, Earl of Bedford.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 260.—<i>His sister</i>. Lady Mary Sidney.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 261.—<i>That good earle</i>, &amp;c. This Earl of Bedford died in 1585.—<br/>
+TODD.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 267.—<i>He, noble bud</i>, &amp;c. Edward Russell, grandson of Francis
+Earl of Bedford, succeeded in the earldom, his father, Francis, having
+been slain by the Scots.—OLDYS.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 275.—<i>That goodly ladie</i>, &amp;c.                    Lady Mary Sidney, mother of Sir<br/>
+Philip Sidney and the Countess of Pembroke.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 281.—<i>Most gentle spirite.</i> Sir Philip Sidney.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 317.—<i>Thine owne sister,</i> &amp;c. The Countess of Pembroke, to whom
+this poem is dedicated. “The Dolefull Lay of Clorinda” (Vol. IV. p.
+426) appears to have been written by her.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 436.—<i>Good Melibae</i>. Sir Francis Walsingham, who died April
+6,1590. The <i>poet</i> is Thomas Watson.—OLDYS.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 447-455.—These lines are aimed at Burghley, who was said to have
+opposed the Queen’s intended bounty to the poet. C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver 491.—These allegorical representations of the vanity of exalted
+position, stately buildings, earthly pleasures, bodily strength, and
+works of beauty and magnificence, admit of an easy application to the
+splendid career of the Earl of Leicester,—his favor and influence with
+the Queen, his enlargement of Kenilworth, his princely style of living,
+and particularly (IV.) his military command in the Low Countries. The
+sixth of these “tragick pageants” strongly confirms this
+interpretation. The two bears are Robert and Ambrose Dudley. While
+Leicester was lieutenant in the Netherlands, he was in the habit of
+using the Warwick crest (a bear and ragged staff) instead of his own.
+Naunton, in his Fragmenta Regalia, calls him <i>Ursa Major</i>. C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 497.—<i>The holie brethren</i>, &amp;c. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.<br/>
+Daniel, ch. iii. C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 582-586.—A paraphrase of Sir Philip’s last words to his brother.<br/>
+“Above all, govern your will and affection by the will and word of your<br/>
+Creator, in me beholding the end of this world with all her vanities.”<br/>
+This is pointed out by Zouch, Life of Sidney, p. 263. C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver 590.—This second series of pageants is applicable exclusively to
+Sir Philip Sidney. The meaning of the third and fourth is hard to make
+out; but the third seems to have reference to the collection of the
+scattered sheets of the Arcadia, and the publication of this work by
+the Countess of Pembroke, after it had been condemned to destruction by
+the author. The fourth may indeed signify nothing more than Lady
+Sidney’s bereavement by her husband’s death; but this interpretation
+seems too literal for a professed allegory. The sixth obviously alludes
+to the splendid obsequies to Sidney, performed at the Queen’s expense,
+and to the competition of the States of Holland for the honor of
+burying his body. C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+L’ENVOY: <i>L’Envoy</i> was a sort of postscript <i>sent with</i> poetical
+compositions, and serving either to recommend them to the attention of
+some particular person, or to enforce what we call the moral of them.—
+TYRWHITT.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap02"></a>THE TEARES OF THE MUSES.</h2>
+
+<h5>BY ED. SP.</h5>
+
+<p class="center">
+LONDON.<br/>
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE,<br/>
+DWELLING IN PAULES CHURCHYARD<br/>
+AT THE SIGNE OF THE<br/>
+BISHOPS HEAD.<br/>
+1591.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h5>TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE</h5>
+
+<h5>THE LADIE STRANGE.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Most brave and noble Ladie, the things that make ye so much honored of
+the world as ye bee are such as (without my simple lines testimonie)
+are throughlie knowen to all men; namely, your excellent beautie, your
+vertuous behavior, and your noble match with that most honourable Lord,
+the verie paterne of right nobilitie. But the causes for which ye have
+thus deserved of me to be honoured, (if honour it be at all,) are, both
+your particular bounties, and also some private bands of affinitie*,
+which it hath pleased your Ladiship to acknowledge. Of which whenas I
+found my selfe in no part worthie, I devised this last slender meanes,
+both to intimate my humble affection to your Ladiship, and also to make
+the same universallie knowen to the world; that by honouring you they
+might know me, and by knowing me they might honor you. Vouchsafe, noble
+Lady, to accept this simple remembrance, though not worthy of your
+self, yet such as perhaps by good acceptance thereof ye may hereafter
+cull out a more meet and memorable evidence of your own excellent
+deserts. So recommending the same to your Ladiships good liking, I
+humbly take leave.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Your La: humbly ever.
+</p>
+
+<h5>ED. SP.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[Footnote: Lady Strange was Alice Spencer, sixth daughter of Sir John Spencer
+of Althorpe. C.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h3>THE TEARES OF THE MUSES.</h3>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Rehearse to me, ye sacred Sisters nine,<br/>
+The golden brood of great Apolloes wit,<br/>
+Those piteous plaints and sorowfull sad tine<br/>
+Which late ye powred forth as ye did sit<br/>
+Beside the silver springs of Helicone,                    5<br/>
+Making your musick of hart-breaking mone!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For since the time that Phoebus foolish sonne,<br/>
+Ythundered, through loves avengefull wrath,<br/>
+For traversing the charret of the Sunne<br/>
+Beyond the compasse of his pointed path,                    10<br/>
+Of you, his mournfull sisters, was lamented,<br/>
+Such mournfull tunes were never since invented.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Nor since that faire Calliope did lose<br/>
+Her loved twinnes, the dearlings of her ioy,<br/>
+Her Palici, whom her unkindly foes,                    15<br/>
+The Fatall Sisters, did for spight destroy,<br/>
+Whom all the Muses did bewaile long space,<br/>
+Was ever heard such wayling in this place.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For all their groves, which with the heavenly noyses<br/>
+Of their sweete instruments were wont to sound,                    20<br/>
+And th’hollow hills, from which their silver voyces<br/>
+Were wont redoubled echoes to rebound,<br/>
+Did now rebound with nought but rufull cries,<br/>
+And yelling shrieks throwne up into the skies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The trembling streames which wont in chanels cleare                    25<br/>
+To romble gently downe with murmur soft,<br/>
+And were by them right tunefull taught to beare<br/>
+A bases part amongst their consorts oft;<br/>
+Now forst to overflowe with brackish teares,<br/>
+With troublous noyse did dull their daintie eares.                    30
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The ioyous Nymphes and lightfoote Faëries<br/>
+Which thether came to heare their musick sweet,<br/>
+And to the measure of their melodies<br/>
+Did learne to move their nimble-shifting feete,<br/>
+Now hearing them so heavily lament,                    35<br/>
+Like heavily lamenting from them went.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And all that els was wont to worke delight<br/>
+Through the divine infusion of their skill,<br/>
+And all that els seemd faire and fresh in sight,<br/>
+So made by nature for to serve their will,                    40<br/>
+Was turned now to dismall heavinesse,<br/>
+Was turned now to dreadfull uglinesse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ay me! what thing on earth, that all thing breeds,<br/>
+Might be the cause of so impatient plight?<br/>
+What furie, or what feend, with felon deeds                    45<br/>
+Hath stirred up so mischievous despight?<br/>
+Can griefe then enter into heavenly harts,<br/>
+And pierce immortall breasts with mortall smarts?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Vouchsafe ye then, whom onely it concernes,<br/>
+To me those secret causes to display;                    50<br/>
+For none but you, or who of you it learnes,<br/>
+Can rightfully aread so dolefull lay.<br/>
+Begin, thou eldest sister of the crew,<br/>
+And let the rest in order thee ensew.
+</p>
+
+<h5>CLIO.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Heare, thou great Father of the Gods on hie,                    55<br/>
+That most art dreaded for thy thunder darts;<br/>
+And thou, our Syre? that raignst in Castalie<br/>
+And Mount Parnasse, the god of goodly arts:<br/>
+Heare, and behold the miserable state<br/>
+Of us thy daughters, dolefull desolate.                    60
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Behold the fowle reproach and open shame<br/>
+The which is day by day unto us wrought<br/>
+By such as hate the honour of our name,<br/>
+The foes of learning and each gentle thought;<br/>
+They, not contented us themselves to scorne,                    65<br/>
+Doo seeke to make us of the world forlorne*.<br/>
+  [* Forlorne, abandoned]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ne onely they that dwell in lowly dust,<br/>
+The sonnes of darknes and of ignoraunce;<br/>
+But they whom thou, great love, by doome uniust<br/>
+Didst to the type of honour earst advaunce;                    70<br/>
+They now, puft up with sdeignfull insolence,<br/>
+Despise the brood of blessed Sapience.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The sectaries* of my celestiall skill,<br/>
+That wont to be the worlds chiefe ornament,<br/>
+And learned impes that wont to shoote up still,                    75<br/>
+And grow to hight of kingdomes government,<br/>
+They underkeep, and with their spredding armes<br/>
+Doo beat their buds, that perish through their harmes.<br/>
+  [* <i>Sectaries</i>, followers.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+It most behoves the honorable race<br/>
+Of mightie peeres true wisedome to sustaine,                    80<br/>
+And with their noble countenaunce to grace<br/>
+The learned forheads, without gifts or game:<br/>
+Or rather learnd themselves behoves to bee;<br/>
+That is the girlond of nobilitie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But ah! all otherwise they doo esteeme                    85<br/>
+Of th’heavenly gift of wisdomes influence,<br/>
+And to be learned it a base thing deeme:<br/>
+Base minded they that want intelligence;<br/>
+For God himselfe for wisedome most is praised,<br/>
+And men to God thereby are nighest raised.                    90
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But they doo onely strive themselves to raise<br/>
+Through pompous pride, and foolish vanitie;<br/>
+In th’eyes of people they put all their praise,<br/>
+And onely boast of armes and auncestrie:<br/>
+But vertuous deeds, which did those armes first give<br/>
+To their grandsyres, they care not to atchive.                    96
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So I, that doo all noble feates professe<br/>
+To register and sound in trump of gold,<br/>
+Through their bad dooings, or base slothfulnesse,<br/>
+Finde nothing worthie to be writ, or told:                    100<br/>
+For better farre it were to hide their names,<br/>
+Than telling them to blazon out their blames.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So shall succeeding ages have no light<br/>
+Of things forepast, nor moniments of time;<br/>
+And all that in this world is worthie hight                    105<br/>
+Shall die in darknesse, and lie hid in slime!<br/>
+Therefore I mourne with deep harts sorrowing,<br/>
+Because I nothing noble have to sing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With that she raynd such store of streaming teares,<br/>
+That could have made a stonie heart to weep;                    110<br/>
+And all her sisters rent* their golden heares,<br/>
+And their faire faces with salt humour steep.<br/>
+So ended shee: and then the next anew<br/>
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.<br/>
+  [* <i>Rent</i>, rend.]
+</p>
+
+<h5>MELPOMENE.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+O, who shall powre into my swollen eyes                    115<br/>
+A sea of teares that never may be dryde,<br/>
+A brasen voice that may with shrilling cryes<br/>
+Pierce the dull heavens and fill the ayër wide,<br/>
+And yron sides that sighing may endure,<br/>
+To waile the wretchednes of world impure!                    120
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ah, wretched world! the den of wickednesse,<br/>
+Deformd with filth and fowle iniquitie;<br/>
+Ah, wretched world! the house of heavinesse,<br/>
+Fild with the wreaks of mortall miserie;<br/>
+Ah, wretched world, and all that is therein!                    125<br/>
+The vassals of Gods wrath, and slaves of sin.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Most miserable creature under sky<br/>
+Man without understanding doth appeare;<br/>
+For all this worlds affliction he thereby,<br/>
+And fortunes freakes, is wisely taught to beare:                    130<br/>
+Of wretched life the onely ioy shee is.<br/>
+And th’only comfort in calamities.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+She armes the brest with constant patience<br/>
+Against the bitter throwes of dolours darts:<br/>
+She solaceth with rules of sapience                    135<br/>
+The gentle minds, in midst of worldlie smarts:<br/>
+When he is sad, shee seeks to make him merie,<br/>
+And doth refresh his sprights when they be werie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But he that is of reasons skill bereft,<br/>
+And wants the staffe of wisedome him to stay,                    140<br/>
+Is like a ship in midst of tempest left<br/>
+Withouten helme or pilot her to sway:<br/>
+Full sad and dreadfull is that ships event;<br/>
+So is the man that wants intendiment*.<br/>
+[* <i>Intendiment</i>, understanding.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whie then doo foolish men so much despize                    145<br/>
+The precious store of this celestiall riches?<br/>
+Why doo they banish us, that patronize<br/>
+The name of learning? Most unhappie wretches!<br/>
+The which lie drowned in deep wretchednes,<br/>
+Yet doo not see their owne unhappines.                    150
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+My part it is and my professed skill<br/>
+The stage with tragick buskin to adorne,<br/>
+And fill the scene with plaint and outcries shrill<br/>
+Of wretched persons, to misfortune borne:<br/>
+But none more tragick matter I can finde                    155<br/>
+Than this, of men depriv’d of sense and minde.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For all mans life me seemes a tragedy,<br/>
+Full of sad sights and sore catastrophees;<br/>
+First comming to the world with weeping eye,<br/>
+Where all his dayes, like dolorous trophees,                    160<br/>
+Are heapt with spoyles of fortune and of feare,<br/>
+And he at last laid forth on balefull beare.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So all with rufull spectacles is fild,<br/>
+Fit for Megera or Persephone;<br/>
+But I that in true tragedies am skild,                    165<br/>
+The flowre of wit, finde nought to busie me:<br/>
+Therefore I mourne, and pitifully mone,<br/>
+Because that mourning matter I have none.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then gan she wofully to waile, and wring<br/>
+Her wretched hands in lamentable wise;                    170<br/>
+And all her sisters, thereto answering,<br/>
+Threw forth lowd shrieks and drerie dolefull cries.<br/>
+So rested she: and then the next in rew<br/>
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.
+</p>
+
+<h4>THALIA.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Where be the sweete delights of learnings treasure,                    175<br/>
+That wont with comick sock to beautefie<br/>
+The painted theaters, and fill with pleasure<br/>
+The listners eyes, and eares with melodie,<br/>
+In which I late was wont to raine as queene,<br/>
+And maske in mirth with graces well beseene?                    180
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+O, all is gone! and all that goodly glee,<br/>
+Which wont to be the glorie of gay wits,<br/>
+Is layd abed, and no where now to see;<br/>
+And in her roome unseemly Sorrow sits,<br/>
+With hollow browes and greisly countenaunce                    185<br/>
+Marring my ioyous gentle dalliaunce.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And him beside sits ugly Barbarisme,<br/>
+And brutish Ignorance, ycrept of late<br/>
+Out of dredd darknes of the deep abysme,<br/>
+Where being bredd, he light and heaven does hate:<br/>
+They in the mindes of men now tyrannize,                    191<br/>
+And the faire scene with rudenes foule disguize.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+All places they with follie have possest,<br/>
+And with vaine toyes the vulgare entertaine;<br/>
+But me have banished, with all the rest                    195<br/>
+That whilome wont to wait upon my traine,<br/>
+Fine Counterfesaunce*, and unhurtfull Sport,<br/>
+Delight, and Laughter, deckt in seemly sort.<br/>
+  [* <i>Counterfesaunce</i>, mimicry.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+All these, and all that els the comick stage<br/>
+With seasoned wit and goodly pleasance graced,                    200<br/>
+By which mans life in his likest imáge<br/>
+Was limned forth, are wholly now defaced;<br/>
+And those sweete wits which wont the like to frame<br/>
+Are now despizd, and made a laughing game.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And he, the man whom Nature selfe had made                    205<br/>
+To mock her selfe, and truth to imitate,<br/>
+With kindly counter* under mimick shade,<br/>
+Our pleasant Willy, ah! is dead of late:<br/>
+With whom all ioy and iolly meriment<br/>
+Is also deaded, and in dolour drent**.                    210<br/>
+  [* <i>Counter</i>, counterfeit.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Drent</i>, drowned.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In stead thereof scoffing Scurrilitie,<br/>
+And scornfull Follie with Contempt is crept,<br/>
+Rolling in rymes of shameles ribaudrie<br/>
+Without regard, or due decorum kept;<br/>
+Each idle wit at will presumes to make*,                    215<br/>
+And doth the learneds taske upon him take.<br/>
+  [* <i>Make</i>, write poetry.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But that same gentle spirit, from whose pen<br/>
+Large streames of honnie and sweete nectar flowe,<br/>
+Scorning the boldnes of such base-borne men,<br/>
+Which dare their follies forth so rashlie throwe,                    220<br/>
+Doth rather choose to sit in idle cell,<br/>
+Than so himselfe to mockerie to sell.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So am I made the servant of the manie,<br/>
+And laughing stocke of all that list to scorne,<br/>
+Not honored nor cared for of anie,                    225<br/>
+But loath’d of losels* as a thing forlorne:<br/>
+Therefore I mourne and sorrow with the rest,<br/>
+Untill my cause of sorrow be redrest.<br/>
+  [* <i>Losels</i>, worthless fellows.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Therewith she lowdly did lament and shrike,<br/>
+Pouring forth streames of teares abundantly;                    230<br/>
+And all her sisters, with compassion like,<br/>
+The breaches of her singulfs* did supply.<br/>
+So rested shee: and then the next in rew<br/>
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.<br/>
+  [* I.e. the pauses of her sighs.]
+</p>
+
+<h5>EUTERPE.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Like as the dearling of the summers pryde,                    235<br/>
+Faire Philomele, when winters stormie wrath<br/>
+The goodly fields, that earst so gay were dyde<br/>
+In colours divers, quite despoyled hath,<br/>
+All comfortlesse doth hide her chearlesse head<br/>
+During the time of that her widowhead,                    240
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So we, that earst were wont in sweet accord<br/>
+All places with our pleasant notes to fill,<br/>
+Whilest favourable times did us afford<br/>
+Free libertie to chaunt our charmes at will,<br/>
+All comfortlesse upon the bared bow*,                    245<br/>
+Like wofull culvers**, doo sit wayling now.<br/>
+  [* <i>Bow</i>, bough.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Culvers</i>, doves.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For far more bitter storme than winters stowre*<br/>
+The beautie of the world hath lately wasted,<br/>
+And those fresh buds, which wont so faire to flowre,<br/>
+Hath marred quite, and all their blossoms blasted;                    250<br/>
+And those yong plants, which wont with fruit t’abound,<br/>
+Now without fruite or leaves are to be found.<br/>
+  [* <i>Stowre</i>, violence.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+A stonie coldnesse hath benumbd the sence<br/>
+And livelie spirits of each living wight,<br/>
+And dimd with darknesse their intelligence,                    255<br/>
+Darknesse more than Cymerians daylie night:<br/>
+And monstrous Error, flying in the ayre,<br/>
+Hath mard the face of all that semed fayre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Image of hellish horrour, Ignorance,<br/>
+Borne in the bosome of the black abysse,                    260<br/>
+And fed with Furies milke for sustenaunce<br/>
+Of his weake infancie, begot amisse<br/>
+By yawning Sloth on his owne mother Night,—<br/>
+So hee his sonnes both syre and brother hight,—
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+He, armd with blindnesse and with boldnes stout,                    265<br/>
+(For blind is bold,) hath our fayre light defaced;<br/>
+And, gathering unto him a ragged rout<br/>
+Of Faunes and Satyres, hath our dwellings raced*,<br/>
+And our chast bowers, in which all vertue rained,<br/>
+With brutishnesse and beastlie filth hath stained.                    270<br/>
+  [* <i>Raced</i>, razed.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The sacred springs of horsefoot Helicon,<br/>
+So oft bedeawed with our learned layes,<br/>
+And speaking streames of pure Castalion,<br/>
+The famous witnesse of our wonted praise,<br/>
+They trampled have with their fowle footings trade*,<br/>
+And like to troubled puddles have them made.                    276<br/>
+  [* <i>Trade</i>, tread.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Our pleasant groves, which planted were with paines,<br/>
+That with our musick wont so oft to ring,<br/>
+And arbors sweet, in which the shepheards swaines<br/>
+Were wont so oft their pastoralls to sing,                    280<br/>
+They have cut downe, and all their pleasaunce mard,<br/>
+That now no pastorall is to bee hard.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In stead of them, fowle goblins and shriek-owles<br/>
+With fearfull howling do all places fill,<br/>
+And feeble eccho now laments and howles,                    285<br/>
+The dreadfull accents of their outcries shrill.<br/>
+So all is turned into wildernesse,<br/>
+Whilest Ignorance the Muses doth oppresse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And I, whose ioy was earst with spirit full<br/>
+To teach the warbling pipe to sound aloft,                    290<br/>
+My spirits now dismayd with sorrow dull,<br/>
+Doo mone my miserie in silence soft.<br/>
+Therefore I mourne and waile incessantly,<br/>
+Till please the heavens affoord me remedy.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Therewith shee wayled with exceeding woe,                    295<br/>
+And pitious lamentation did make;<br/>
+And all her sisters, seeing her doo soe,<br/>
+With equall plaints her sorrowe did partake.<br/>
+So rested shee: and then the next in rew<br/>
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.                    300
+</p>
+
+<h4>TERPSICHORE.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whoso hath in the lap of soft delight<br/>
+Beene long time luld, and fed with pleasures sweet,<br/>
+Feareles through his own fault or Fortunes spight<br/>
+To tumble into sorrow and regreet,<br/>
+Yf chaunce him fall into calamitie,                    305<br/>
+Findes greater burthen of his miserie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So wee, that earst in ioyance did abound,<br/>
+And in the bosome of all blis did sit,<br/>
+Like virgin queenes, with laurell garlands cround,<br/>
+For vertues meed and ornament of wit,                    310<br/>
+Sith Ignorance our kingdome did confound,<br/>
+Bee now become most wretched wightes on ground.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And in our royall thrones, which lately stood<br/>
+In th’hearts of men to rule them carefully,<br/>
+He now hath placed his accursed brood,                    315<br/>
+By him begotten of fowle Infamy;<br/>
+Blind Error, scornefull Follie, and base Spight,<br/>
+Who hold by wrong that wee should have by right.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+They to the vulgar sort now pipe and sing,<br/>
+And make them merrie with their fooleries;                    320<br/>
+They cherelie chaunt, and rymes at randon fling,<br/>
+The fruitfull spawne of their ranke fantasies;<br/>
+They feede the eares of fooles with flattery,<br/>
+And good men blame, and losels* magnify.<br/>
+  [* <i>Losels</i>, worthless fellows.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+All places they doo with their toyes possesse,                    325<br/>
+And raigne in liking of the multitude;<br/>
+The schooles they till with fond newfanglenesse,<br/>
+And sway in court with pride and rashnes rude;<br/>
+Mongst simple shepheards they do boast their skill,<br/>
+And say their musicke matcheth Phoebus quill.                    330
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The noble hearts to pleasures they allure,<br/>
+And tell their Prince that learning is but vaine;<br/>
+Faire ladies loves they spot with thoughts impure,<br/>
+And gentle mindes with lewd delights distaine;<br/>
+Clerks* they to loathly idlenes entice,                    335<br/>
+And fill their bookes with discipline of vice.<br/>
+  [* <i>Clerks</i>, scholars.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So every where they rule and tyrannize,<br/>
+For their usurped kingdomes maintenaunce,<br/>
+The whiles we silly maides, whom they dispize<br/>
+And with reprochfull scorne discountenaunce,                    340<br/>
+From our owne native heritage exilde,<br/>
+Walk through the world of every one revilde.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Nor anie one doth care to call us in,<br/>
+Or once vouchsafeth us to entertaine,<br/>
+Unlesse some one perhaps of gentle kin,                    345<br/>
+For pitties sake, compassion our paine,<br/>
+And yeeld us some reliefe in this distresse;<br/>
+Yet to be so reliev’d is wretchednesse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So wander we all carefull comfortlesse,<br/>
+Yet none cloth care to comfort us at all;                    350<br/>
+So seeke we helpe our sorrow to redresse,<br/>
+Yet none vouchsafes to answere to our call;<br/>
+Therefore we mourne and pittilesse complaine,<br/>
+Because none living pittieth our paine.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With that she wept and wofullie waymented,                    355<br/>
+That naught on earth her griefe might pacifie;<br/>
+And all the rest her dolefull din augmented<br/>
+With shrikes, and groanes, and grievous agonie.<br/>
+So ended shee: and then the next in rew<br/>
+Began her piteous plaint, as doth ensew.                    360
+</p>
+
+<h5>ERATO.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ye gentle Spirits breathing from above,<br/>
+Where ye in Venus silver bowre were bred,<br/>
+Thoughts halfe devine, full of the fire of love,<br/>
+With beawtie kindled, and with pleasure fed,<br/>
+Which ye now in securitie possesse,                    365<br/>
+Forgetfull of your former heavinesse,—
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Now change the tenor of your ioyous layes,<br/>
+With which ye use your loves to deifie,<br/>
+And blazon foorth an earthlie beauties praise<br/>
+Above the compasse of the arched skie:                    370<br/>
+Now change your praises into piteous cries,<br/>
+And eulogies turne into elegies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Such as ye wont, whenas those bitter stounds*<br/>
+Of raging love first gan you to torment,<br/>
+And launch your hearts with lamentable wounds                    375<br/>
+Of secret sorrow and sad languishment,<br/>
+Before your loves did take you unto grace;<br/>
+Those now renew, as fitter for this place.<br/>
+  [* <i>Stounds</i>, hours.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For I that rule in measure moderate<br/>
+The tempest of that stormie passion,                    380<br/>
+And use to paint in rimes the troublous state<br/>
+Of lovers life in likest fashion,<br/>
+Am put from practise of my kindlie** skill,<br/>
+Banisht by those that love with leawdnes fill.<br/>
+  [* <i>Kindlie</i>, natural.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Love wont to be schoolmaster of my skill,                    385<br/>
+And the devicefull matter of my song;<br/>
+Sweete love devoyd of villanie or ill,<br/>
+But pure and spotles, as at first he sprong<br/>
+Out of th’Almighties bosome, where he nests;<br/>
+From thence infused into mortall brests.                    390
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Such high conceipt of that celestiall fire,<br/>
+The base-borne brood of Blindnes cannot gesse,<br/>
+Ne ever dare their dunghill thoughts aspire<br/>
+Unto so loftie pitch of perfectnesse,<br/>
+But rime at riot, and doo rage in love,                    395<br/>
+Yet little wote what doth thereto behove.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Faire Cytheree, the mother of delight<br/>
+And queene of beautie, now thou maist go pack;<br/>
+For lo! thy kingdoms is defaced quight,<br/>
+Thy scepter rent, and power put to wrack;                    400<br/>
+And thy gay sonne, that winged God of Love,<br/>
+May now goe prune his plumes like ruffed* dove.<br/>
+  [* <i>Ruffed</i>, ruffled.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And ye three twins, to light by Venus brought,<br/>
+The sweete companions of the Muses late,<br/>
+From whom whatever thing is goodly thought                    405<br/>
+Doth borrow grace, the fancie to aggrate*,<br/>
+Go beg with us, and be companions still,<br/>
+As heretofore of good, so now of ill.<br/>
+  [* <i>Aggrate</i>, please.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For neither you nor we shall anie more<br/>
+Finde entertainment or in court or schoole:                    410<br/>
+For that which was accounted heretofore<br/>
+The learneds meed is now lent to the foole;<br/>
+He sings of love and maketh loving layes,<br/>
+And they him heare, and they him highly prayse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With that she powred foorth a brackish flood                    415<br/>
+Of bitter teares, and made exceeding mone;<br/>
+And all her sisters, seeing her sad mood,<br/>
+With lowd laments her answered all at one.<br/>
+So ended she: and then the next in rew<br/>
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.                    420
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+To whom shall I my evill case complaine,<br/>
+Or tell the anguish of my inward smart,<br/>
+Sith none is left to remedie my paine,<br/>
+Or deignes to pitie a perplexed hart;<br/>
+But rather seekes my sorrow to augment                    425<br/>
+With fowle reproach, and cruell banishment?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For they to whom I used to applie<br/>
+The faithfull service of my learned skill,<br/>
+The goodly off-spring of loves progenie,<br/>
+That wont the world with famous acts to fill,                    430<br/>
+Whose living praises in heroick style,<br/>
+It is my chiefe profession to compyle,—
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+They, all corrupted through the rust of time,<br/>
+That doth all fairest things on earth deface,<br/>
+Or through unnoble sloth, or sinfull crime,                    435<br/>
+That doth degenerate the noble race,<br/>
+Have both desire of worthie deeds forlorne,<br/>
+And name of learning utterly doo scorne.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ne doo they care to have the auncestrie<br/>
+Of th’old heroes memorizde anew;                    440<br/>
+Ne doo they care that late posteritie<br/>
+Should know their names, or speak their praises dew,<br/>
+But die, forgot from whence at first they sprong,<br/>
+As they themselves shalbe forgot ere long.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+What bootes it then to come from glorious                    445<br/>
+Forefathers, or to have been nobly bredd?<br/>
+What oddes twixt Irus and old Inachus,<br/>
+Twixt best and worst, when both alike are dedd,<br/>
+If none of neither mention should make,<br/>
+Nor out of dust their memories awake?                    450
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Or who would ever care to doo brave deed,<br/>
+Or strive in vertue others to excell,<br/>
+If none should yeeld him his deserved meed,<br/>
+Due praise, that is the spur of doing well?<br/>
+For if good were not praised more than ill,                    455<br/>
+None would choose goodnes of his owne freewill.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Therefore the nurse of vertue I am hight,<br/>
+And golden trompet of eternitie,<br/>
+That lowly thoughts lift up to heavens hight,<br/>
+And mortall men have powre to deifie:                    460<br/>
+Bacchus and Hercules I raisd to heaven,<br/>
+And Charlemaine amongst the starris seaven.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But now I will my golden clarion rend,<br/>
+And will henceforth immortalize no more,<br/>
+Sith I no more finde worthie to commend                    465<br/>
+For prize of value, or for learned lore:<br/>
+For noble peeres, whom I was wont to raise,<br/>
+Now onely seeke for pleasure, nought for praise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Their great revenues all in sumptuous pride<br/>
+They spend, that nought to learning they may spare;<br/>
+And the rich fee which poets wont divide                    471<br/>
+Now parasites and sycophants doo share:<br/>
+Therefore I mourne and endlesse sorrow make,<br/>
+Both for my selfe and for my sisters sake.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With that she lowdly gan to waile and shrike,                    475<br/>
+And from her eyes a sea of teares did powre;<br/>
+And all her sisters, with compassion like,<br/>
+Did more increase the sharpnes of her showre.<br/>
+So ended she: and then the next in rew<br/>
+Began her plaint, as doth herein ensew.                    480
+</p>
+
+<h5>URANIA.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+What wrath of gods, or wicked influence<br/>
+Of starres conspiring wretched men t’afflict,<br/>
+Hath powrd on earth this noyous pestilence,<br/>
+That mortall mindes doth inwardly infect<br/>
+With love of blindnesse and of ignorance,                    485<br/>
+To dwell in darkenesse without sovenance?*<br/>
+  [* <i>Sovenance</i>, remembrance.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+What difference twixt man and beast is left,<br/>
+When th’heavenlie light of knowledge is put out,<br/>
+And th’ornaments of wisdome are bereft?<br/>
+Then wandreth he in error and in doubt,                    490<br/>
+Unweeting* of the danger hee is in,<br/>
+Through fleshes frailtie and deceipt of sin.<br/>
+  [* <i>Unweeting</i>, unknowing.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In this wide world in which they wretches stray,<br/>
+It is the onelie comfort which they have,<br/>
+It is their light, their loadstarre, and their day;                    495<br/>
+But hell, and darkenesse, and the grislie grave,<br/>
+Is Ignorance, the enemie of Grace,<br/>
+That mindes of men borne heavenlie doth debace.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Through knowledge we behold the worlds creation,<br/>
+How in his cradle first he fostred was;                    500<br/>
+And iudge of Natures cunning operation,<br/>
+How things she formed of a formelesse mas:<br/>
+By knowledge wee do learne our selves to knowe,<br/>
+And what to man, and what to God, wee owe.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+From hence wee mount aloft unto the skie,                    505<br/>
+And looke into the christall firmament;<br/>
+There we behold the heavens great hierarchie,<br/>
+The starres pure light, the spheres swift movëment,<br/>
+The spirites and intelligences fayre,<br/>
+And angels waighting on th’Almighties chayre.                    510
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And there, with humble minde and high insight,<br/>
+Th’eternall Makers maiestie wee viewe,<br/>
+His love, his truth, his glorie, and his might,<br/>
+And mercie more than mortall men can vew.<br/>
+O soveraigne Lord, O soveraigne happinesse,                    515<br/>
+To see thee, and thy mercie measurelesse!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Such happines have they that doo embrace<br/>
+The precepts of my heavenlie discipline;<br/>
+But shame and sorrow and accursed case<br/>
+Have they that scorne the schoole of arts divine,                    520<br/>
+And banish me, which do professe the skill<br/>
+To make men heavenly wise through humbled will.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+However yet they mee despise and spight,<br/>
+I feede on sweet contentment of my thought,<br/>
+And please my selfe with mine owne self-delight,                    525<br/>
+In contemplation of things heavenlie wrought:<br/>
+So, loathing earth, I looke up to the sky,<br/>
+And being driven hence, I thether fly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thence I behold the miserie of men,<br/>
+Which want the blis that wisedom would them breed.<br/>
+And like brute beasts doo lie in loathsome den                    531<br/>
+Of ghostly darkenes and of gastlie dreed:<br/>
+For whom I mourne, and for my selfe complaine,<br/>
+And for my sisters eake whom they disdaine.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With that shee wept and waild so pityouslie,                    535<br/>
+As if her eyes had beene two springing wells;<br/>
+And all the rest, her sorrow to supplie,<br/>
+Did throw forth shrieks and cries and dreery yells.<br/>
+So ended shee: and then the next in rew<br/>
+Began her mournfull plaint, as doth ensew.                    540
+</p>
+
+<h5>POLYHYMNIA.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+A dolefull case desires a dolefull song,<br/>
+Without vaine art or curious complements;<br/>
+And squallid Fortune, into basenes flong,<br/>
+Doth scorne the pride of wonted ornaments.<br/>
+Then fittest are these ragged rimes for mee,                    545<br/>
+To tell my sorrowes that exceeding bee.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For the sweet numbers and melodious measures<br/>
+With which I wont the winged words to tie,<br/>
+And make a tunefull diapase of pleasures,<br/>
+Now being let to runne at libertie                    550<br/>
+By those which have no skill to rule them right,<br/>
+Have now quite lost their naturall delight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Heapes of huge words uphoorded hideously,<br/>
+With horrid sound, though having little sence,<br/>
+They thinke to be chiefe praise of poetry;                    555<br/>
+And, thereby wanting due intelligence,<br/>
+Have mard the face of goodly poesie,<br/>
+And made a monster of their fantasie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whilom in ages past none might professe<br/>
+But princes and high priests that secret skill;                    560<br/>
+The sacred lawes therein they wont expresse,<br/>
+And with deepe oracles their verses fill:<br/>
+Then was shee held in soveraigne dignitie,<br/>
+And made the noursling of nobilitie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But now nor prince nor priest doth her maintayne,<br/>
+But suffer her prophaned for to bee                    566<br/>
+Of the base vulgar, that with hands uncleane<br/>
+Dares to pollute her hidden mysterie;<br/>
+And treadeth under foote hir holie things,<br/>
+Which was the care of kesars* and of kings.                    570<br/>
+  [* <i>Kesars</i>, emperors.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+One onelie lives, her ages ornament,<br/>
+And myrrour of her Makers maiestie,<br/>
+That with rich bountie and deare cherishment<br/>
+Supports the praise of noble poesie;<br/>
+Ne onelie favours them which it professe,                    575<br/>
+But is her selfe a peereles poetresse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Most peereles Prince, most peereles Poetresse,<br/>
+The true Pandora of all heavenly graces,<br/>
+Divine Elisa, sacred Emperesse!<br/>
+Live she for ever, and her royall p’laces                    580<br/>
+Be fild with praises of divinest wits,<br/>
+That her eternize with their heavenlie writs!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Some few beside this sacred skill esteme,<br/>
+Admirers of her glorious excellence;<br/>
+Which, being lightned with her beawties beme,                    585<br/>
+Are thereby fild with happie influence,<br/>
+And lifted up above the worldës gaze,<br/>
+To sing with angels her immortall praize.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But all the rest, as borne of salvage brood,<br/>
+And having beene with acorns alwaies fed,                    590<br/>
+Can no whit savour this celestiall food,<br/>
+But with base thoughts are into blindnesse led,<br/>
+And kept from looking on the lightsome day:<br/>
+For whome I waile and weepe all that I may.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Eftsoones* such store of teares shee forth did powre,<br/>
+As if shee all to water would have gone;                    596<br/>
+And all her sisters, seeing her sad stowre**,<br/>
+Did weep and waile, and made exceeding mone,<br/>
+And all their learned instruments did breake:<br/>
+The rest untold no living tongue can speake.                    600<br/>
+  [* <i>Eftsoones</i>, forthwith.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Stowre</i>, disturbance, trouble.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h5>FOOTNOTES:</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver 15—<i>Palici.</i>. The Palici were children of Jupiter and Thalia, not<br/>
+Calliope. H.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 205-210.—There are sufficient reasons for believing that these
+lines refer to Shakespeare. He had probably written The Two Gentlemen
+of Verona, and Love’s Labor’s Lost, before the Complaints were
+published (1591), and no other author had up to this time produced a
+comedy that would compare with these. For a discussion of this subject,
+see Collier’s Life, Chap. VII., and Knight’s Biography, pp. 344-348. C.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chap03"></a>VIRGILS GNAT.</h2>
+
+<h5>LONG SINCE DEDICATED</h5>
+
+<h5>TO THE MOST NOBLE AND EXCELLENT LORD,</h5>
+
+<h5>THE EARLE OF LEICESTER,</h5>
+
+<h5>LATE DECEASED.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+    Wrong’d, yet not daring to expresse my paine,<br/>
+To you, great Lord, the causer of my care,<br/>
+In clowdie teares my case I thus complaine<br/>
+Unto your selfe, that onely privie are.<br/>
+    But if that any Oedipus unware<br/>
+Shall chaunce, through power of some divining spright,<br/>
+To reade the secrete of this riddle rare,<br/>
+And know the purporte of my evill plight,<br/>
+Let him rest pleased with his owne insight,<br/>
+Ne further seeke to glose upon the text:<br/>
+For griefe enough it is to grieved wight<br/>
+To feele his fault, and not be further vext.<br/>
+    But what so by my selfe may not be showen,<br/>
+May by this Gnatts complaint be easily knowen*.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* This riddle has never been guessed. Upton conjectures that Leicester’s
+displeasure was incurred for “some kind of officious sedulity in Spenser, who
+much desired to see his patron married to the Queen.” C.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h4>VIRGILS GNAT.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+We now have playde, Augustus, wantonly,<br/>
+Tuning our song unto a tender Muse,<br/>
+And, like a cobweb weaving slenderly,<br/>
+Have onely playde: let thus much then excuse<br/>
+This Gnats small poeme, that th’whole history                    5<br/>
+Is but a iest; though envie it abuse:<br/>
+But who such sports and sweet delights doth blame,<br/>
+Shall lighter seeme than this Gnats idle name.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Hereafter, when as season more secure<br/>
+Shall bring forth fruit, this Muse shall speak to thee                    10<br/>
+In bigger notes, that may thy sense allure,<br/>
+And for thy worth frame some fit poesie:<br/>
+The golden ofspring of Latona pure,<br/>
+And ornament of great Ioves progenie,<br/>
+Phoebus, shall be the author of my song,                    15<br/>
+Playing on yvorie harp with silver strong*.<br/>
+  [* <i>Strong</i>, strung.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+He shall inspire my verse with gentle mood,<br/>
+Of poets prince, whether he woon* beside<br/>
+Faire Xanthus sprincled with Chimaeras blood,<br/>
+Or in the woods of Astery abide,                    20<br/>
+Or whereas Mount Parnasse, the Muses brood,<br/>
+Doth his broad forhead like two hornes divide,<br/>
+And the sweete waves of sounding Castaly<br/>
+With liquid foote doth slide downe easily.<br/>
+  [* <i>Woon</i>, dwell.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Wherefore ye Sisters, which the glorie bee                    25<br/>
+Of the Pierian streames, fayre Naiades,<br/>
+Go too, and dauncing all in companie,<br/>
+Adorne that god: and thou holie Pales,<br/>
+To whome the honest care of husbandrie<br/>
+Returneth by continuall successe,                    30<br/>
+Have care for to pursue his footing light<br/>
+Throgh the wide woods and groves with green leaves dight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Professing thee I lifted am aloft<br/>
+Betwixt the forrest wide and starrie sky:<br/>
+And thou, most dread Octavius, which oft                    35<br/>
+To learned wits givest courage worthily,<br/>
+O come, thou sacred childe, come sliding soft,<br/>
+And favour my beginnings graciously:<br/>
+For not these leaves do sing that dreadfull stound*,<br/>
+When giants bloud did staine Phlegraean ground;                    40<br/>
+  [* <i>Stound</i>, time.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Nor how th’halfe-horsy people, Centaures hight,<br/>
+Fought with the bloudie Lapithaes at bord;<br/>
+Nor how the East with tyranous despight<br/>
+Burnt th’Attick towres, and people slew with sword;<br/>
+Nor how Mount Athos through exceeding might                    45<br/>
+Was digged downe; nor yron bands abord<br/>
+The Pontick sea by their huge navy cast,<br/>
+My volume shall renowne, so long since past.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Nor Hellespont trampled with horses feete,<br/>
+When flocking Persians did the Greeks affray:                    50<br/>
+But my soft Muse, as for her power more meete,<br/>
+Delights (with Phoebus friendly leave) to play<br/>
+An easie running verse with tender feete.<br/>
+And thou, dread sacred child, to thee alway<br/>
+Let everlasting lightsome glory strive,                    55<br/>
+Through the worlds endles ages to survive.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And let an happie roome remaine for thee<br/>
+Mongst heavenly ranks, where blessed soules do rest;<br/>
+And let long lasting life with ioyous glee,<br/>
+As thy due meede that thou deservest best,                    60<br/>
+Hereafter many yeares remembred be<br/>
+Amongst good men, of whom thou oft are blest.<br/>
+Live thou for ever in all happinesse!<br/>
+But let us turne to our first businesse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The fiery Sun was mounted now on Light                    65<br/>
+Up to the heavenly towers, and shot each where<br/>
+Out of his golden charet glistering light;<br/>
+And fayre Aurora, with her rosie heare,<br/>
+The hatefull darknes now had put to flight;<br/>
+When as the Shepheard, seeing day appeare,                    70<br/>
+His little goats gan drive out of their stalls,<br/>
+To feede abroad, where pasture best befalls.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+To an high mountaines top he with them went,<br/>
+Where thickest grasse did cloath the open hills:<br/>
+They, now amongst the woods and thickets ment*                    75<br/>
+Now in the valleies wandring at their wills,<br/>
+Spread themselves farre abroad through each descent;<br/>
+Some on the soft greene grasse feeding their fills,<br/>
+Some, clambring through the hollow cliffes on hy,<br/>
+Nibble the bushie shrubs which growe thereby.                    80<br/>
+  [* <i>Ment</i>, mingled.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Others the utmost boughs of trees doe crop,<br/>
+And brouze the woodbine twigges that freshly bud;<br/>
+This with full bit* doth catch the utmost top<br/>
+Of some soft willow, or new growen stud**;<br/>
+This with sharpe teeth the bramble leaves doth lop,                    85<br/>
+And chaw the tender prickles in her cud;<br/>
+The whiles another high doth overlooke<br/>
+Her owne like image in a christall brooke.<br/>
+  [* <i>Bit</i>, bite.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Stud</i>, stock.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+O the great happines which shepheards have,<br/>
+Who so loathes not too much the poore estate                    90<br/>
+With minde that ill use doth before deprave,<br/>
+Ne measures all things by the costly rate<br/>
+Of riotise, and semblants outward brave!<br/>
+No such sad cares, as wont to macerate<br/>
+And rend the greedie mindes of covetous men,                    95<br/>
+Do ever creepe into the shepheards den.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ne cares he if the fleece which him arayes<br/>
+Be not twice steeped in Assyrian dye;<br/>
+Ne glistering of golde, which underlayes*<br/>
+The summer beames, doe blinde his gazing eye;                    100<br/>
+Ne pictures beautie, nor the glauncing rayes<br/>
+Of precious stones, whence no good commeth by;<br/>
+Ne yet his cup embost with imagery<br/>
+Of Baetus or of Alcons vanity.<br/>
+  [* <i>Underlayes</i>, surpasses.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ne ought the whelky* pearles esteemeth hee,                    105<br/>
+Which are from Indian seas brought far away:<br/>
+But with pure brest, from carefull sorrow free,<br/>
+On the soft grasse his limbs doth oft display,<br/>
+In sweete spring time, when flowres varietie<br/>
+With sundrie colours paints the sprincled lay**;                    110<br/>
+There, lying all at ease from guile or spight,<br/>
+With pype of fennie reedes doth him delight.<br/>
+  [* <i>Whelky</i>, shelly (<i>conchea</i>).]<br/>
+  [** <i>lay</i>, lea.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+There he, lord of himselfe, with palme bedight,<br/>
+His looser locks doth wrap in wreath of vine:<br/>
+There his milk-dropping goats be his delight,                    115<br/>
+And fruitefull Pales, and the forrest greene,<br/>
+And darkesome caves in pleasaunt vallies pight*,<br/>
+Wheras continuall shade is to be seene,<br/>
+And where fresh springing wells, as christall neate,<br/>
+Do alwayes flow, to quench his thirstie heate.                    120<br/>
+  [* <i>Pight</i>, placed.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+O! who can lead then a more happie life<br/>
+Than he, that with cleane minde and heart sincere,<br/>
+No greedy riches knowes nor bloudie strife,<br/>
+No deadly fight of warlick fleete doth feare,<br/>
+Ne runs in perill of foes cruell knife,                    125<br/>
+That in the sacred temples he may reare<br/>
+A trophee of his glittering spoyles and treasure,<br/>
+Or may abound in riches above measure.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Of him his God is worshipt with his sythe,<br/>
+And not with skill of craftsman polished:                    130<br/>
+He ioyes in groves, and makes himselfe full blythe<br/>
+With sundrie flowers in wilde fieldes gathered,<br/>
+Ne frankincens he from Panchaea buyth:<br/>
+Sweete Quiet harbours in his harmeles head,<br/>
+And perfect Pleasure buildes her ioyous bowre,                    135<br/>
+Free from sad cares, that rich mens hearts devowre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+This all his care, this all his whole indevour,<br/>
+To this his minde and senses he doth bend,<br/>
+How he may flow in quiets matchles treasour,<br/>
+Content with any food that God doth send;                    140<br/>
+And how his limbs, resolv’d through idle leisour,<br/>
+Unto sweete sleepe he may securely lend,<br/>
+In some coole shadow from the scorching heat,<br/>
+The whiles his flock their chawed cuds do eate.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+O Flocks, O Faunes, and O ye pleasaunt Springs                    145<br/>
+Of Tempe, where the countrey nymphs are rife,<br/>
+Through whose not costly care each shepheard sings<br/>
+As merrie notes upon his rusticke fife<br/>
+As that Ascraean bard*, whose fame now rings<br/>
+Through the wide world, and leads as ioyfull life;                    150<br/>
+Free from all troubles and from worldly toyle,<br/>
+In which fond men doe all their dayes turmoyle.<br/>
+  [* I.e. Hesiod]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In such delights whilst thus his carelesse time<br/>
+This shepheard drives, upleaning on his batt*,<br/>
+And on shrill reedes chaunting his rustick rime,                    155<br/>
+Hyperion, throwing foorth his beames full hott,<br/>
+Into the highest top of heaven gan clime,<br/>
+And the world parting by an equall lott,<br/>
+Did shed his whirling flames on either side,<br/>
+As the great Ocean doth himselfe divide.                    160<br/>
+  [* <i>Batt</i>, stick]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then gan the shepheard gather into one<br/>
+His stragling goates, and drave them to a foord,<br/>
+Whose caerule streame, rombling in pible stone,<br/>
+Crept under mosse as greene as any goord.<br/>
+Now had the sun halfe heaven overgone,                    165<br/>
+When he his heard back from that water foord<br/>
+Drave, from the force of Phoebus boyling ray,<br/>
+Into thick shadowes, there themselves to lay.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Soone as he them plac’d in thy sacred wood,<br/>
+O Delian goddesse, saw, to which of yore                    170<br/>
+Came the bad daughter of old Cadmus brood,<br/>
+Cruell Agavè, flying vengeance sore<br/>
+Of King Nictileus for the guiltie blood<br/>
+Which she with cursed hands had shed before;<br/>
+There she halfe frantick, having slaine her sonne,                    175<br/>
+Did shrowd her selfe like punishment to shonne.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Here also playing on the grassy greene,<br/>
+Woodgods, and Satyres, and swift Dryades,<br/>
+With many Fairies oft were dauncing seene.<br/>
+Not so much did Dan Orpheus represse                    180<br/>
+The streames of Hebrus with his songs, I weene,<br/>
+As that faire troupe of woodie goddesses<br/>
+Staied thee, O Peneus, powring foorth to thee,<br/>
+From cheereful lookes, great mirth and gladsome glee.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The verie nature of the place, resounding                    185<br/>
+With gentle murmure of the breathing ayre,<br/>
+A pleasant bowre with all delight abounding<br/>
+In the fresh shadowe did for them prepayre,<br/>
+To rest their limbs with wearines redounding.<br/>
+For first the high palme-trees, with braunches faire,<br/>
+Out of the lowly vallies did arise,                    191<br/>
+And high shoote up their heads into the skyes.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And them amongst the wicked lotos grew,<br/>
+Wicked, for holding guilefully away<br/>
+Ulysses men, whom rapt with sweetenes new,                    195<br/>
+Taking to hoste*, it quite from him did stay;<br/>
+And eke those trees, in whose transformed hew<br/>
+The Sunnes sad daughters waylde the rash decay<br/>
+Of Phaëton, whose limbs with lightening rent<br/>
+They gathering up, with sweete teares did lament.                    200<br/>
+  [* <i>Hoste</i>, entertain.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And that same tree*, in which Demophoon,<br/>
+By his disloyalty lamented sore,<br/>
+Eternall hurte left unto many one:<br/>
+Whom als accompanied the oke, of yore                    204<br/>
+Through fatall charmes transferred to such an one:<br/>
+The oke, whose acornes were our foode before<br/>
+That Ceres seede of mortall men were knowne,<br/>
+Which first Triptoleme taught how to be sowne.<br/>
+  [* I.e. the almond-tree.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Here also grew the rougher-rinded pine,<br/>
+The great Argoan ships brave ornament,                    210<br/>
+Whom golden fleece did make an heavenly signe;<br/>
+Which coveting, with his high tops extent,<br/>
+To make the mountaines touch the starres divine,<br/>
+Decks all the forrest with embellishment;<br/>
+And the blacke holme that loves the watrie vale;                    215<br/>
+And the sweete cypresse, signe of deadly bale.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Emongst the rest the clambring yvie grew,<br/>
+Knitting his wanton armes with grasping hold,<br/>
+Least that the poplar happely should rew<br/>
+Her brothers strokes, whose boughes she doth enfold                    220<br/>
+With her lythe twigs, till they the top survew,<br/>
+And paint with pallid greene her buds of gold.<br/>
+Next did the myrtle tree to her approach,<br/>
+Not yet unmindfull of her olde reproach.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But the small birds in their wide boughs embowring                    225<br/>
+Chaunted their sundrie tunes with sweete consent;<br/>
+And under them a silver spring, forth powring<br/>
+His trickling streames, a gentle murmure sent;<br/>
+Thereto the frogs, bred in the slimie scowring<br/>
+Of the moist moores, their iarring voyces bent;                    230<br/>
+And shrill grashoppers chirped them around:<br/>
+All which the ayrie echo did resound.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In this so pleasant place the shepheards flocke<br/>
+Lay everie where, their wearie limbs to rest,<br/>
+On everie bush, and everie hollow rocke,                    235<br/>
+Where breathe on them the whistling wind mote best;<br/>
+The whiles the shepheard self, tending his stocke,<br/>
+Sate by the fountaine side, in shade to rest,<br/>
+Where gentle slumbring sleep oppressed him<br/>
+Displaid on ground, and seized everie lim.                    240
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Of trecherie or traines nought tooke he keep,<br/>
+But, looslie on the grassie greene dispredd,<br/>
+His dearest life did trust to careles sleep;<br/>
+Which, weighing down his drouping drowsie hedd,<br/>
+In quiet rest his molten heart did steep,                    245<br/>
+Devoid of care, and feare of all falshedd:<br/>
+Had not inconstant Fortune, bent to ill,<br/>
+Bid strange mischance his quietnes to spill.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For at his wonted time in that same place<br/>
+An huge great Serpent, all with speckles pide,                    250<br/>
+To drench himselfe in moorish slime did trace,<br/>
+There from the boyling heate himselfe to hide:<br/>
+He, passing by with rolling wreathed pace,<br/>
+With brandisht tongue the emptie aire did gride*,<br/>
+And wrapt his scalie boughts** with fell despight,                    255<br/>
+That all things seem’d appalled at his sight.<br/>
+  [* <i>Gride</i>, pierce]<br/>
+  [** <i>Boughts</i>, knots]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Now more and more having himselfe enrolde,<br/>
+His glittering breast he lifteth up on hie,<br/>
+And with proud vaunt his head aloft doth holde;<br/>
+His creste above, spotted with purple die,                    260<br/>
+On everie side did shine like scalie golde;<br/>
+And his bright eyes, glauncing full dreadfullie,<br/>
+Did seeme to flame out flakes of flashing fyre,<br/>
+And with sterne lookes to threaten kindled yre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thus wise long time he did himselfe dispace                    265<br/>
+There round about, when as at last he spide,<br/>
+Lying along before him in that place,<br/>
+That flocks grand captaine and most trustie guide:<br/>
+Eftsoones more fierce in visage and in pace,<br/>
+Throwing his firie eyes on everie side,                    270<br/>
+He commeth on, and all things in his way<br/>
+Full stearnly rends that might his passage stay.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Much he disdaines that anie one should dare<br/>
+To come unto his haunt; for which intent<br/>
+He inly burns, and gins straight to prepare                    275<br/>
+The weapons which Nature to him hath lent;<br/>
+Fellie he hisseth, and doth fiercely stare,<br/>
+And hath his iawes with angrie spirits rent,<br/>
+That all his tract with bloudie drops is stained,<br/>
+And all his foldes are now in length outstrained.                    280
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whom, thus at point prepared, to prevent,<br/>
+A litle noursling of the humid ayre,<br/>
+A Gnat, unto the sleepie shepheard went,<br/>
+And marking where his ey-lids twinckling rare<br/>
+Shewd the two pearles which sight unto him lent,                    285<br/>
+Through their thin coverings appearing fayre<br/>
+His little needle there infixing deep,<br/>
+Warnd him awake, from death himselfe to keep.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Wherewith enrag’d, he fiercely gan upstart,<br/>
+And with his hand him rashly bruzing slewe                    290<br/>
+As in avengement of his heedles smart,<br/>
+That streight the spirite out of his senses flew.<br/>
+And life out of his members did depart:<br/>
+When, suddenly casting aside his vew,<br/>
+He spide his foe with felonous intent,                    295<br/>
+And fervent eyes to his destruction bent.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+All suddenly dismaid, and hartles quight,<br/>
+He fled abacke, and, catching hastie holde<br/>
+Of a yong alder hard beside him pight,<br/>
+It rent, and streight about him gan beholde                    300<br/>
+What god or fortune would assist his might.<br/>
+But whether god or fortune made him bold<br/>
+Its hard to read: yet hardie will he had<br/>
+To overcome, that made him lesse adrad*.<br/>
+  [* <i>Adrad</i>, terrified]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The scalie backe of that most hideous snake                    305<br/>
+Enwrapped round, oft faining to retire<br/>
+And oft him to assaile, he fiercely strake<br/>
+Whereas his temples did his creast front tyre*;<br/>
+And, for he was but slowe, did slowth off shake,<br/>
+And, gazing ghastly on, (for feare and yre                    310<br/>
+Had blent** so much his sense, that lesse he feard,)—<br/>
+Yet, when he saw him slaine, himselfe he cheard.<br/>
+  [* <i>Tyre</i>, encircle]<br/>
+  [** <i>Blent</i>, blinded]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+By this the Night forth from the darksome bowre<br/>
+Of Herebus her teemed* steedes gan call,<br/>
+And laesie Vesper in his timely howre                    315<br/>
+From golden Oeta gan proceede withall;<br/>
+Whenas the shepheard after this sharpe stowre**,<br/>
+Seing the doubled shadowes low to fall,<br/>
+Gathering his straying flocke, does homeward fare,<br/>
+And unto rest his wearie ioynts prepare.                    320<br/>
+  [* <i>Teemed</i>, harnessed in a team]<br/>
+  [** <i>Stowre</i>, perturbation]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Into whose sense so soone as lighter sleepe<br/>
+Was entered, and now loosing everie lim,<br/>
+Sweete slumbring deaw in carelesnesse did steepe,<br/>
+The image of that Gnat appeard to him,<br/>
+And in sad tearmes gan sorrowfully weepe,                    325<br/>
+With grieslie countenaunce and visage grim,<br/>
+Wailing the wrong which he had done of late,<br/>
+In steed of good, hastning his cruell fate.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Said he, “What have I wretch deserv’d, that thus<br/>
+Into this bitter bale I am outcast,                    330<br/>
+Whilest that thy life more deare and precious<br/>
+Was than mine owne, so long as it did last?<br/>
+I now, in lieu of paines so gracious,<br/>
+Am tost in th’ayre with everie windie blast:<br/>
+Thou, safe delivered from sad decay,                    335<br/>
+Thy careles limbs in loose sleep dost display.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“So livest thou; but my poore wretched ghost<br/>
+Is forst to ferrie over Lethes river,<br/>
+And spoyld of Charon too and fro am tost.<br/>
+Seest thou not how all places quake and quiver,                    340<br/>
+Lightned with deadly lamps on everie post?<br/>
+Tisiphone each where doth shake and shiver<br/>
+Her flaming fire-brond, encountring me,<br/>
+Whose lockes uncombed cruell adders be.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And Cerberus, whose many mouthes doo bay,                    345<br/>
+And barke out flames, as if on fire he fed,<br/>
+Adowne whose necke, in terrible array,<br/>
+Ten thousand snakes, cralling about his hed,<br/>
+Doo hang in heapes, that horribly affray,<br/>
+And bloodie eyes doo glister firie red,                    350<br/>
+He oftentimes me dreadfullie doth threaten<br/>
+With painfull torments to be sorely beaten.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ay me! that thankes so much should faile of meed,<br/>
+For that I thee restor’d to life againe,<br/>
+Even from the doore of death and deadlie dreed.                    355<br/>
+Where then is now the guerdon of my paine?<br/>
+Where the reward of my so piteous deed?<br/>
+The praise of pitie vanisht is in vaine,<br/>
+And th’antique faith of iustice long agone<br/>
+Out of the land is fled away and gone.                    360
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“I saw anothers fate approaching fast,<br/>
+And left mine owne his safëtie to tender;<br/>
+Into the same mishap I now am cast,<br/>
+And shun’d destruction doth destruction render:<br/>
+Not unto him that never hath trespást,                    365<br/>
+But punishment is due to the offender:<br/>
+Yet let destruction be the punishment,<br/>
+So long as thankfull will may it relent.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“I carried am into waste wildernesse,<br/>
+Waste wildernes, amongst Cymerian shades,                    370<br/>
+Where endles paines and hideous heavinesse<br/>
+Is round about me heapt in darksome glades.<br/>
+For there huge Othos sits in sad distresse,<br/>
+Fast bound with serpents that him oft invades,<br/>
+Far of beholding Ephialtes tide,                    375<br/>
+Which once assai’d to burne this world so wide.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And there is mournfull Tityus, mindefull yet<br/>
+Of thy displeasure, O Latona faire;<br/>
+Displeasure too implacable was it,<br/>
+That made him meat for wild foules of the ayre:                    380<br/>
+Much do I feare among such fiends to sit;<br/>
+Much do I feare back to them to repayre,<br/>
+To the black shadowes of the Stygian shore,<br/>
+Where wretched ghosts sit wailing evermore.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“There next the utmost brinck doth he abide                    385<br/>
+That did the bankets of the gods bewray,<br/>
+Whose throat through thirst to nought nigh being dride,<br/>
+His sense to seeke for ease turnes every way:<br/>
+And he that in avengement of his pride,<br/>
+For scorning to the sacred gods to pray,                    390<br/>
+Against a mountaine rolls a mightie stone,<br/>
+Calling in vaine for rest, and can have none.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Go ye with them, go, cursed damosells,<br/>
+Whose bridale torches foule Erynnis tynde*,<br/>
+And Hymen, at your spousalls sad, foretells                    395<br/>
+Tydings of death and massacre unkinde**:<br/>
+With them that cruell Colchid mother dwells,<br/>
+The which conceiv’d in her revengefull minde<br/>
+With bitter woundes her owne deere babes to slay,<br/>
+And murdred troupes upon great heapes to lay.                    400<br/>
+  [* <i>Tynde</i>, kindled.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Unkinde</i>, unnatural.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“There also those two Pandionian maides,<br/>
+Calling on Itis, Itis evermore,<br/>
+Whom, wretched boy, they slew with guiltie blades;<br/>
+For whome the Thracian king lamenting sore,<br/>
+Turn’d to a lapwing, fowlie them upbraydes,                    405<br/>
+And flattering round about them still does sore;<br/>
+There now they all eternally complaine<br/>
+Of others wrong, and suffer endles paine.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But the two brethren* borne of Cadmus blood,<br/>
+Whilst each does for the soveraignty contend,                    411<br/>
+Blinde through ambition, and with vengeance wood**,<br/>
+Each doth against the others bodie bend<br/>
+His cursed steele, of neither well withstood,<br/>
+And with wide wounds their carcases doth rend;<br/>
+That yet they both doe mortall foes remaine,                    415<br/>
+Sith each with brothers bloudie hand was slaine.<br/>
+  [* I.e. Eteocles and Polynices.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Wood</i>, mad.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ah (waladay!) there is no end of paine,<br/>
+Nor chaunge of labour may intreated bee:<br/>
+Yet I beyond all these am carried faine,<br/>
+Where other powers farre different I see,                    420<br/>
+And must passe over to th’Elisian plaine:<br/>
+There grim Persephone, encountring mee,<br/>
+Doth urge her fellow Furies earnestlie<br/>
+With their bright firebronds me to terrifie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“There chast Alceste lives inviolate,                    425<br/>
+Free from all care, for that her husbands daies<br/>
+She did prolong by changing fate for fate:<br/>
+Lo! there lives also the immortall praise<br/>
+Of womankinde, most faithfull to her mate,<br/>
+Penelope; and from her farre awayes                    430<br/>
+A rulesse* rout of yongmen which her woo’d,<br/>
+All slaine with darts, lie wallowed in their blood.<br/>
+  [* <i>Rulesse</i>, rule-less.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And sad Eurydice thence now no more<br/>
+Must turne to life, but there detained bee<br/>
+For looking back, being forbid before:                    435<br/>
+Yet was the guilt thereof, Orpheus, in thee!<br/>
+Bold sure he was, and worthie spirite bore,<br/>
+That durst those lowest shadowes goe to see,<br/>
+And could beleeve that anie thing could please<br/>
+Fell Cerberus, or Stygian powres appease.                    440
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ne feard the burning waves of Phlegeton,<br/>
+Nor those same mournfull kingdomes, compassed<br/>
+With rustle horrour and fowle fashion;<br/>
+And deep digd vawtes*; and Tartar covered<br/>
+With bloodie night and darke confusion;                    445<br/>
+And iudgement seates, whose iudge is deadlie dred,<br/>
+A iudge that after death doth punish sore<br/>
+The faults which life hath trespassed before.<br/>
+  [* <i>Vawtes</i>, vaults.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But valiant fortune made Dan Orpheus bolde:<br/>
+For the swift running rivers still did stand,                    450<br/>
+And the wilde beasts their furie did withhold,<br/>
+To follow Orpheus musicke through the land:<br/>
+And th’okes, deep grounded in the earthly molde,<br/>
+Did move, as if they could him understand;                    454<br/>
+And the shrill woods, which were of sense bereav’d,<br/>
+Through their hard barke his silver sound receav’d.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And eke the Moone her hastie steedes did stay,<br/>
+Drawing in teemes along the starrie skie;<br/>
+And didst, O monthly Virgin, thou delay<br/>
+Thy nightly course, to heare his melodie?                    460<br/>
+The same was able, with like lovely lay,<br/>
+The Queene of Hell to move as easily<br/>
+To yeeld Eurydice unto her fere,<br/>
+Backe to be borne, though it unlawfull were.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“She, ladie, having well before approoved                    465<br/>
+The feends to be too cruell and severe,<br/>
+Observ’d th’appointed way, as her behooved,<br/>
+Ne ever did her eysight turne arere,<br/>
+Ne ever spake, ne cause of speaking mooved;<br/>
+But, cruell Orpheus, thou much crueller,                    470<br/>
+Seeking to kisse her, brok’st the gods decree,<br/>
+And thereby mad’st her ever damn’d to be.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ah! but sweete love of pardon worthie is,<br/>
+And doth deserve to have small faults remitted;<br/>
+If Hell at least things lightly done amis                    475<br/>
+Knew how to pardon, when ought is omitted:<br/>
+Yet are ye both received into blis,<br/>
+And to the seates of happie soules admitted.<br/>
+And you beside the honourable band<br/>
+Of great heroës doo in order stand.                    480
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“There be the two stout sonnes of AEacus,<br/>
+Fierce Peleus, and the hardie Telamon,<br/>
+Both seeming now full glad and ioyeous<br/>
+Through their syres dreadfull iurisdiction,<br/>
+Being the iudge of all that horrid hous:                    488<br/>
+And both of them, by strange occasion,<br/>
+Renown’d in choyce of happie marriage<br/>
+Through Venus grace, and vertues cariage.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“For th’one was ravisht of his owne bondmaide,<br/>
+The faire Ixione captiv’d from Troy:                    490<br/>
+But th’other was with Thetis love assaid,<br/>
+Great Nereus his daughter and his ioy.<br/>
+On this side them there is a yongman layd,<br/>
+Their match in glorie, mightie, fierce, and coy,<br/>
+That from th’Argolick ships, with furious yre,                    495<br/>
+Bett back the furie of the Troian fyre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“O! who would not recount the strong divorces<br/>
+Of that great warre, which Troianes oft behelde,<br/>
+And oft beheld the warlike Greekish forces,<br/>
+When Teucrian soyle with bloodie rivers swelde,                    500<br/>
+And wide Sigraean shores were spred with corses,<br/>
+And Simois and Xanthus blood outwelde;<br/>
+Whilst Hector raged, with outragious minde,<br/>
+Flames, weapons, wounds, in Greeks fleete to have tynde.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“For Ida selfe, in ayde of that fierce fight,                    505<br/>
+Out of her mountaines ministred supplies;<br/>
+And like a kindly nourse did yeeld, for spight,<br/>
+Store of firebronds out of her nourseries<br/>
+Unto her foster children, that they might<br/>
+Inflame the navie of their enemies,                    510<br/>
+And all the Rhetaean shore to ashes turne,<br/>
+Where lay the ships which they did seeke to burne.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Gainst which the noble sonne of Telamon<br/>
+Oppos’d himselfe, and thwarting* his huge shield,<br/>
+Them battell bad; gainst whom appeard anon                    515<br/>
+Hector, the glorie of the Troian field:<br/>
+Both fierce and furious in contention<br/>
+Encountred, that their mightie strokes so shrild<br/>
+As the great clap of thunder, which doth ryve<br/>
+The railing heavens and cloudes asunder dryve.                    520<br/>
+  [* <i>Thwarting</i>, interposing.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“So th’one with fire and weapons did contend<br/>
+To cut the ships from turning home againe<br/>
+To Argos; th’other strove for to defend*<br/>
+The force of Vulcane with his might and maine.<br/>
+Thus th’one Aeacide did his fame extend:                    525<br/>
+But th’other ioy’d that, on the Phrygian playne<br/>
+Having the blood of vanquisht Hector shedd,<br/>
+He compast Troy thrice with his bodie dedd.<br/>
+  [* <i>Defend</i>, keep off.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Againe great dole on either partie grewe,<br/>
+That him to death unfaithfull Paris sent;                    530<br/>
+And also him that false Ulysses slewe,<br/>
+Drawne into danger through close ambushment;<br/>
+Therefore from him Laërtes sonne his vewe<br/>
+Doth turn aside, and boasts his good event<br/>
+In working of Strymonian Rhaesus fall,                    535<br/>
+And efte* in Dolons slye surprÿsall.<br/>
+  [* <i>Efte</i>, again.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Againe the dreadfull Cycones him dismay,<br/>
+And blacke Laestrigones, a people stout;<br/>
+Then greedie Scilla, under whom there bay<br/>
+Manie great bandogs, which her gird about;                    540<br/>
+Then doo the AEtnean Cyclops him affray,<br/>
+And deep Charybdis gulphing in and out;<br/>
+Lastly the squalid lakes of Tartarie,<br/>
+And griesly feends of hell him terrifie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“There also goodly Agamemnon bosts,                    545<br/>
+The glorie of the stock of Tantalus,<br/>
+And famous light of all the Greekish hosts;<br/>
+Under whose conduct most victorious,<br/>
+The Dorick flames consum’d the Iliack posts.<br/>
+Ah! but the Greekes themselves, more dolorous,                    550<br/>
+To thee, O Troy, paid penaunce for thy fall,<br/>
+In th’Hellespont being nigh drowned all.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Well may appeare by proofe of their mischaunce<br/>
+The chaungfull turning of mens slipperie state,<br/>
+That none whom fortune freely doth advaunce                    555<br/>
+Himselfe therefore to heaven should elevate:<br/>
+For loftie type of honour through the glaunce<br/>
+Of envies dart is downe in dust prostrate,<br/>
+And all that vaunts in worldly vanitie<br/>
+Shall fall through fortunes mutabilitie.                    560
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Th’Argolicke power returning home againe,<br/>
+Enricht with spoyles of th’Ericthonian towre,<br/>
+Did happie winde and weather entertaine,<br/>
+And with good speed the fomie billowes scowre:<br/>
+No signe of storme, no feare of future paine,                    565<br/>
+Which soone ensued them with heavie stowre*:<br/>
+Nereïs to the seas a token gave,<br/>
+The whiles their crooked keeles the surges clave.<br/>
+  [* <i>Stowre</i>, turmoil, uproar.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Suddenly, whether through the gods decree,<br/>
+Or haplesse rising of some froward starre,                    570<br/>
+The heavens on everie side enclowded bee:<br/>
+Black stormes and fogs are blowen up from farre,<br/>
+That now the pylote can no loadstarre see,<br/>
+But skies and seas doo make most dreadfull warre;<br/>
+The billowes striving to the heavens to reach,                    575<br/>
+And th’heavens striving them for to impeach*.<br/>
+  [* <i>Impeach</i>, hinder.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And, in avengement of their bold attempt,<br/>
+Both sun and starres and all the heavenly powres<br/>
+Conspire in one to wreake their rash contempt,<br/>
+And downe on them to fall from highest towres:                    580<br/>
+The skie, in pieces seeming to be rent,<br/>
+Throwes lightning forth, and haile, and harmful showres,<br/>
+That death on everie side to them appeares,<br/>
+In thousand formes, to worke more ghastly feares.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Some in the greedie flouds are sunke and drent*;                    585<br/>
+Some on the rocks of Caphareus are throwne;<br/>
+Some on th’Euboick cliffs in pieces rent;<br/>
+Some scattred on the Hercaean** shores unknowne;<br/>
+And manie lost, of whom no moniment<br/>
+Remaines, nor memorie is to be showne:                    590<br/>
+Whilst all the purchase@ of the Phrigian pray,<br/>
+Tost on salt billowes, round about doth stray.<br/>
+[* <i>Drent</i>, drowned.]<br/>
+[** <i>Hercaean</i> should probably be AEgean.]<br/>
+[@ <i>Purchase</i>, booty.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Here manie other like heroës bee,<br/>
+Equall in honour to the former crue,<br/>
+Whom ye in goodly seates may placed see,                    595<br/>
+Descended all from Rome by linage due;<br/>
+From Rome, that holds the world in sovereigntie,<br/>
+And doth all nations unto her subdue:<br/>
+Here Fabii and Decii doo dwell,<br/>
+Horatii that in vertue did excell.                    600
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And here the antique fame of stout Camill<br/>
+Doth ever live; and constant Curtius,<br/>
+Who, stifly bent his vowed life to spill<br/>
+For countreyes health, a gulph most hideous<br/>
+Amidst the towne with his owne corps did fill,                    605<br/>
+T’appease the Powers; and prudent Mutius,<br/>
+Who in his flesh endur’d the scorching flame,<br/>
+To daunt his foe by ensample of the same.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And here wise Curius, companion<br/>
+Of noble vertues, lives in endles rest;                    610<br/>
+And stout Flaminius, whose devotion<br/>
+Taught him the fires scorn’d furie to detest;<br/>
+And here the praise of either Scipion<br/>
+Abides in highest place above the best,<br/>
+To whom the ruin’d walls of Carthage vow’d,                    615<br/>
+Trembling their forces, sound their praises lowd.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Live they for ever through their lasting praise!<br/>
+But I, poore wretch, am forced to retourne<br/>
+To the sad lakes that Phoebus sunnie rayes<br/>
+Doo never see, where soules doo alwaies mourne;                    620<br/>
+And by the wayling shores to waste my dayes,<br/>
+Where Phlegeton with quenchles flames doth burne;<br/>
+By which iust Minos righteous soules doth sever<br/>
+From wicked ones, to live in blisse for ever.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Me therefore thus the cruell fiends of hell,                    625<br/>
+Girt with long snakes and thousand yron chaynes,<br/>
+Through doome of that their cruell iudge compell,<br/>
+With bitter torture and impatient paines,<br/>
+Cause of my death and iust complaint to tell.<br/>
+For thou art he whom my poore ghost complaines                    630<br/>
+To be the author of her ill unwares,<br/>
+That careles hear’st my intollerable cares.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Them therefore as bequeathing to the winde,<br/>
+I now depart, returning to thee never,<br/>
+And leave this lamentable plaint behinde.                    635<br/>
+But doo thou haunt the soft downe-rolling river,<br/>
+And wilde greene woods and fruitful pastures minde,<br/>
+And let the flitting aire my vaine words sever.”<br/>
+Thus having said, he heavily departed<br/>
+With piteous crie that anie would have smarted.                    640
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Now, when the sloathfull fit of lifes sweete rest<br/>
+Had left the heavie Shepheard, wondrous cares<br/>
+His inly grieved minde full sore opprest;<br/>
+That balefull sorrow he no longer beares<br/>
+For that Gnats death, which deeply was imprest,                    645<br/>
+But bends what ever power his aged yeares<br/>
+Him lent, yet being such as through their might<br/>
+He lately slue his dreadfull foe in fight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+By that same river lurking under greene,<br/>
+Eftsoones* he gins to fashion forth a place,                    650<br/>
+And, squaring it in compasse well beseene**,<br/>
+There plotteth out a tombe by measured space:<br/>
+His yron-headed spade tho making cleene,<br/>
+To dig up sods out of the flowrie grasse,<br/>
+His worke he shortly to good purpose brought,                    655<br/>
+Like as he had conceiv’d it in his thought.<br/>
+  [* <i>Eftsoones</i>, immediately.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Well beseene</i>, seemly.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+An heape of earth he hoorded up on hie,<br/>
+Enclosing it with banks on everie side,<br/>
+And thereupon did raise full busily<br/>
+A little mount, of greene turffs edifide*;                    660<br/>
+And on the top of all, that passers by<br/>
+Might it behold, the toomb he did provide<br/>
+Of smoothest marble stone in order set,<br/>
+That never might his luckie scape forget.<br/>
+  [* <i>Edifide</i>, built.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And round about he taught sweete flowres to growe;                    665<br/>
+The Rose, engrained in pure scarlet die;<br/>
+The Lilly fresh, and Violet belowe;<br/>
+The Marigolde, and cherefull Rosemarie;<br/>
+The Spartan Mirtle, whence sweet gumb does flowe;<br/>
+The purple Hyacinths, and fresh Costmarie,                    670<br/>
+And Saffron, sought for in Cilician soyle,<br/>
+And Lawrell, th’ornament of Phoebus toyle:
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Fresh Rhododaphne, and the Sabine flowre*,<br/>
+Matching the wealth of th’auncient Frankincence;<br/>
+And pallid Yvie, building his owne bowre;                    675<br/>
+And Box, yet mindfull of his olde offence;<br/>
+Red Amaranthus, lucklesse paramour;<br/>
+Oxeye still greene, and bitter Patience;<br/>
+Ne wants there pale Narcisse, that, in a well<br/>
+Seeing his beautie, in love with it fell.                    680<br/>
+  [* <i>Sabine flowre</i>, a kind of juniper, the savine.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And whatsoever other flowre of worth,<br/>
+And whatso other hearb of lovely hew<br/>
+The ioyous Spring out of the ground brings forth,<br/>
+To cloath her selfe in colours fresh and new,<br/>
+He planted there, and reard a mount of earth,                    685<br/>
+In whose high front was writ as doth ensue:
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>To thee, small Gnat, in lieu of his life saved,</i>
+<i>The Shepheard hath thy deaths record engraved.</i>
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h5>FOOTNOTES:</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+VIRGILS GNAT. This is a very skilful elaboration of the Culex, a poem
+attributed, without reason, to Virgil. The original, which is crabbed
+and pedantic, where it is not unintelligible from corruption, is here
+rendered with sufficient fidelity to the sense, but with such
+perspicuity, elegance, and sweetness, as to make Spenser’s performance
+too good a poem to be called a translation. C.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap04"></a>PROSOPOPOIA:</h2>
+
+<h5>OR
+MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE.</h5>
+
+<h5>BY ED. SP.</h5>
+
+<h5>DEDICATED TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE,</h5>
+
+<h5>THE LADIE COMPTON AND MOUNTEGLE.</h5>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center">
+LONDON.<br/>
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE,<br/>
+DWELLING IN PAULES CHURCHYARD<br/>
+AT THE SIGNE OF THE<br/>
+BISHOPS HEAD.<br/>
+1591.
+</p>
+
+<h3>TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE,</h3>
+
+<h5>THE LADIE COMPTON AND MOUNTEGLE.[*]</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Most faire and vertuous Ladie: having often sought opportunitie by some good
+meanes to make knowen to your Ladiship the humble affection and faithfull
+duetie which I have alwaies professed, and am bound to beare, to that house
+from whence yee spring, I have at length found occasion to remember the same by
+making a simple present to you of these my idle labours; which having long
+sithens composed in the raw conceipt of my youth, I lately amongst other papers
+lighted upon, and was by others, which liked the same, mooved to set them
+foorth. Simple is the device, and the composition meane, yet carrieth some
+delight, even the rather because of the simplicitie and meannesse thus
+personated. The same I beseech your Ladiship take in good part, as a pledge of
+that profession which I have made to you, and keepe with you untill with some
+other more worthie labour redeeme it out of your hands, and discharge my utmost
+dutie. Till then, wishing your Ladiship all increase of honour and happinesse,
+I humblie take leave.
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+Your La: ever humbly,<br/>
+        ED. SP.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* “This lady was Anne, the fifth daughter of Sir John Spencer, distinguished
+also, in the pastoral of <i>Colin Clouts come Home again</i>, by the name of
+<i>Charillis</i>. She was married, first to Sir William Stanley, Lord
+Mountegle; next to Henry Compton, Lord Compton; and lastly to Robert Sackvilie,
+Lord Buckhurst, afterwards Earl of Dorset.”—TODD.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h3>PROSOPOPOIA:</h3>
+
+<h5>OR</h5>
+
+<h5>MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+It was the month in which the righteous Maide<br/>
+That for disdaine of sinfull worlds upbraide<br/>
+Fled back to heaven, whence she was first conceived,<br/>
+Into her silver bowre the Sunne received;<br/>
+And the hot Syrian Dog on him awayting,                    5<br/>
+After the chafed Lyons cruell bayting,<br/>
+Corrupted had th’ayre with his noysome breath.<br/>
+And powr’d on th’earth plague, pestilence, and death.<br/>
+Emongst the rest a wicked maladie<br/>
+Raign’d emongst men, that manie did to die,                    10<br/>
+Depriv’d of sense and ordinarie reason;<br/>
+That it to leaches seemed strange and geason.<br/>
+     [<i>Geason</i>, rare.]<br/>
+My fortune was, mongst manie others moe,<br/>
+To be partaker of their common woe;<br/>
+And my weake bodie, set on fire with griefe,                    15<br/>
+Was rob’d of rest and naturall reliefe.<br/>
+In this ill plight, there came to visite mee<br/>
+Some friends, who, sorie my sad case to see,<br/>
+Began to comfort me in chearfull wise,<br/>
+And meanes of gladsome solace to devise.                    20<br/>
+But seeing kindly sleep refuse to doe<br/>
+His office, and my feeble eyes forgoe,<br/>
+They sought my troubled sense how to deceave<br/>
+With talke that might unquiet fancies reave;<br/>
+     [<i>Reave</i>, take away.]<br/>
+And sitting all in seates about me round,                    25<br/>
+With pleasant tales fit for that idle stound<br/>
+     [<i>Stound</i>, time.]<br/>
+They cast in course to waste the wearie howres.<br/>
+Some tolde of ladies, and their paramoures;<br/>
+Some of brave knights, and their renowned squires;<br/>
+Some of the faeries and their strange attires;                    30<br/>
+And some of giaunts hard to be beleeved;<br/>
+That the delight thereof me much releeved.<br/>
+Amongst the rest a good old woman was,<br/>
+Hight Mother Hubberd, who did farre surpas<br/>
+The rest in honest mirth, that seem’d her well.                    35<br/>
+She, when her turne was come her tale to tell,<br/>
+Tolde of a strange adventure that betided<br/>
+Betwixt the Foxe and th’Ape by him misguided;<br/>
+The which, for that my sense it greatly pleased,<br/>
+All were my spirite heavie and diseased,                    40<br/>
+Ile write in termes, as she the same did say,<br/>
+So well as I her words remember may.<br/>
+No Muses aide me needes heretoo to call;<br/>
+Base is the style, and matter meane withall.<br/>
+     [<i>Base</i>, humble.]<br/>
+Whilome, said she, before the world was civill,<br/>
+The Foxe and th’Ape, disliking of their evill                    46<br/>
+And hard estate, determined to seeke<br/>
+Their fortunes farre abroad, lyeke with his lyeke:<br/>
+For both were craftie and unhappie witted;<br/>
+                    [<i>Unhappie</i>, mischievous.]<br/>
+Two fellowes might no where be better fitted.                    50<br/>
+The Foxe, that first this cause of griefe did finde,<br/>
+Gan first thus plaine his case with words unkinde:<br/>
+“Neighbour Ape, and my gossip eke beside,<br/>
+(Both two sure bands in friendship to be tide,)<br/>
+To whom may I more trustely complaine                    55<br/>
+The evill plight that doth me sore constraine,<br/>
+And hope thereof to finde due remedie?<br/>
+Heare then my paine and inward agonie.<br/>
+Thus manie yeares I now have spent and worne,<br/>
+In meane regard, and basest fortunes scorne,                    60<br/>
+Dooing my countrey service as I might,<br/>
+No lesse I dare saie than the prowdest wight;<br/>
+And still I hoped to be up advaunced<br/>
+For my good parts; but still it hath mischaunced.<br/>
+Now therefore that no lenger hope I see,                    65<br/>
+But froward fortune still to follow mee,<br/>
+And losels lifted up on high, where I did looke,<br/>
+                    [<i>Losels</i>, worthless fellows.]<br/>
+I meane to turne the next leafe of the booke.<br/>
+Yet ere that anie way I doe betake,<br/>
+I meane my gossip privie first to make.”                    70<br/>
+“Ah! my deare gossip,” answer’d then the Ape,<br/>
+“Deeply doo your sad words my wits awhape,<br/>
+                    [<i>Awhape</i>, astound.]<br/>
+Both for because your griefe doth great appeare,<br/>
+And eke because my selfe am touched neare:<br/>
+For I likewise have wasted much good time,                    75<br/>
+Still wayting to preferment up to clime,<br/>
+Whilst others alwayes have before me stept,<br/>
+And from my beard the fat away have swept;<br/>
+That now unto despaire I gin to growe,<br/>
+And meane for better winde about to throwe.                    80<br/>
+Therefore to me, my trustie friend, aread<br/>
+                    [<i>Aread</i>, declare.]<br/>
+Thy councell: two is better than one head.”<br/>
+“Certes,” said he, “I meane me to disguize<br/>
+In some straunge habit, after uncouth wize,<br/>
+Or like a pilgrime, or a lymiter,                    85<br/>
+                    [<i>Lymiter</i>, I.e. a friar licensed to beg within a certain district.]<br/>
+Or like a gipsen, or a iuggeler,<br/>
+                    [<i>Gipsen</i>, gypsy.]<br/>
+And so to wander to the worlds ende,<br/>
+To seeke my fortune, where I may it mend:<br/>
+For worse than that I have I cannot meete.<br/>
+Wide is the world I wote, and everie streete                    90<br/>
+Is full of fortunes and adventures straunge,<br/>
+Continuallie subiect unto chaunge.<br/>
+Say, my faire brother now, if this device<br/>
+Doth like you, or may you to like entice.”<br/>
+“Surely,” said th’Ape, “it likes me wondrous well;                    95<br/>
+And would ye not poore fellowship expell,<br/>
+My selfe would offer you t’accompanie<br/>
+In this adventures chauncefull ieopardie.<br/>
+For to wexe olde at home in idlenesse<br/>
+Is disadventrous, and quite fortunelesse:                    100<br/>
+Abroad, where change is, good may gotten bee.”<br/>
+The Foxe was glad, and quickly did agree:<br/>
+So both resolv’d, the morrow next ensuing,<br/>
+So soone as day appeard to peoples vewing,<br/>
+On their intended iourney to proceede;                    105<br/>
+And over night, whatso theretoo did neede<br/>
+Each did prepare, in readines to bee.<br/>
+The morrow next, so soone as one might see<br/>
+Light out of heavens windowes forth to looke,<br/>
+Both their habiliments unto them tooke,                    110<br/>
+And put themselves, a Gods name, on their way.<br/>
+Whenas the Ape, beginning well to wey<br/>
+This hard adventure, thus began t’advise:<br/>
+“Now read, Sir Reynold, as ye be right wise,<br/>
+What course ye weene is best for us to take,                    115<br/>
+That for our selves we may a living make.<br/>
+Whether shall we professe some trade or skill?<br/>
+Or shall we varie our device at will,<br/>
+Even as new occasion appeares?<br/>
+Or shall we tie our selves for certaine yeares                    120<br/>
+To anie service, or to anie place?<br/>
+For it behoves, ere that into the race<br/>
+We enter, to resolve first hereupon.”<br/>
+“Now surely, brother,” said the Foxe anon,<br/>
+“Te have this matter motioned in season:                    125<br/>
+For everie thing that is begun with reason<br/>
+Will come by readie meanes unto his end;<br/>
+But things miscounselled must needs miswend.<br/>
+                    [<i>Miswend</i>, go wrong.]<br/>
+Thus therefore I advize upon the case:<br/>
+That not to anie certaine trade or place,                    130<br/>
+Nor anie man, we should our selves applie.<br/>
+For why should he that is at libertie<br/>
+Make himselfe bond? Sith then we are free borne.<br/>
+Let us all servile base subiection scorne;<br/>
+And as we bee sonnes of the world so wide,                    135<br/>
+Let us our fathers heritage divide,<br/>
+And chalenge to our selves our portions dew<br/>
+Of all the patrimonie, which a few<br/>
+Now hold in hugger mugger in their hand,<br/>
+                    [<i>In hugger mugger</i>, in secret]<br/>
+And all the rest doo rob of good and land:                    140<br/>
+For now a few have all, and all have nought,<br/>
+Yet all be brethren ylike dearly bought.<br/>
+There is no right in this partition,<br/>
+Ne was it so by institution<br/>
+Ordained first, ne by the law of Nature,                    145<br/>
+But that she gave like blessing to each creture<br/>
+As well of worldly livelode as of life,<br/>
+That there might be no difference nor strife,<br/>
+Nor ought cald mine or thine: thrice happie then<br/>
+Was the condition of mortall men.                    150<br/>
+That was the golden age of Saturne old,<br/>
+But this might better be the world of gold;<br/>
+For without golde now nothing wilbe got.<br/>
+Therefore, if please you, this shalbe our plot:<br/>
+We will not be of anie occupation;                    155<br/>
+Let such vile vassalls, borne to base vocation,<br/>
+Drudge in the world and for their living droyle,<br/>
+                    [<i>Droyle</i>, moil]<br/>
+Which have no wit to live withouten toyle.<br/>
+But we will walke about the world at pleasure,<br/>
+Like two free men, and make our ease our treasure.<br/>
+Free men some beggers call; but they be free;                    161<br/>
+And they which call them so more beggers bee:<br/>
+For they doo swinke and sweate to feed the other,<br/>
+                    [<i>Swinke</i>, toil.]<br/>
+Who live like lords of that which they doo gather,<br/>
+And yet doo never thanke them for the same,                    165<br/>
+But as their due by nature doo it clame.<br/>
+Such will we fashion both our selves to bee,<br/>
+Lords of the world; and so will wander free<br/>
+Where so us listeth, uncontrol’d of anie.<br/>
+Hard is our hap, if we, emongst so manie,                    170<br/>
+Light not on some that may our state amend;<br/>
+Sildome but some good commeth ere the end.”<br/>
+Well seemd the Ape to like this ordinaunce:<br/>
+Yet, well considering of the circumstaunce,<br/>
+As pausing in great doubt awhile he staid,                    175<br/>
+And afterwards with grave advizement said:<br/>
+“I cannot, my lief brother, like but well<br/>
+                    [<i>Lief</i>, dear.]<br/>
+The purpose of the complot which ye tell;<br/>
+For well I wot (compar’d to all the rest<br/>
+Of each degree) that beggers life is best,                    180<br/>
+And they that thinke themselves the best of all<br/>
+Oft-times to begging are content to fall.<br/>
+But this I wot withall, that we shall ronne<br/>
+Into great daunger, like to bee undonne,<br/>
+Thus wildly to wander in the worlds eye,                    185<br/>
+Withouten pasport or good warrantye,<br/>
+For feare least we like rogues should be reputed,<br/>
+And for eare-marked beasts abroad be bruted.<br/>
+Therefore I read that we our counsells call<br/>
+How to prevent this mischiefe ere it fall,                    190<br/>
+And how we may, with most securitie,<br/>
+Beg amongst those that beggars doo defie.”<br/>
+“Right well, deere gossip, ye advized have,”<br/>
+Said then the Foxe, “but I this doubt will save:<br/>
+For ere we farther passe, I will devise                    195<br/>
+A pasport for us both in fittest wize,<br/>
+And by the names of souldiers us protect,<br/>
+That now is thought a civile begging sect.<br/>
+Be you the souldier, for you likest are<br/>
+For manly semblance, and small skill in warre:                    200<br/>
+I will but wayte on you, and, as occasion<br/>
+Falls out, my selfe fit for the same will fashion.”<br/>
+The pasport ended, both they forward went;<br/>
+The Ape clad souldierlike, fit for th’intent,<br/>
+In a blew iacket with a crosse of redd                    205<br/>
+And manie slits, as if that he had shedd<br/>
+Much blood throgh many wounds therein receaved,<br/>
+Which had the use of his right arme bereaved,<br/>
+Upon his head an old Scotch cap he wore,<br/>
+With a plume feather all to peeces tore;                    210<br/>
+His breeches were made after the new cut,<br/>
+<i>Al Portugese</i>, loose like an emptie gut,<br/>
+And his hose broken high above the heeling,<br/>
+And his shooes beaten out with traveling.<br/>
+But neither sword nor dagger he did beare;                    215<br/>
+Seemes that no foes revengement he did feare;<br/>
+In stead of them a handsome bat he held,<br/>
+                    [<i>Bat</i>, stick.]<br/>
+On which he leaned, as one farre in elde.<br/>
+                    [<i>Elde</i>, age.]<br/>
+Shame light on him, that through so false illusion<br/>
+Doth turne the name of souldiers to abusion,                    220<br/>
+And that which is the noblest mysterie<br/>
+                    [<i>Mysterie</i>, profession.]<br/>
+Brings to reproach and common infamie!<br/>
+Long they thus travailed, yet never met<br/>
+Adventure which might them a working set:<br/>
+Yet manie waies they sought, and manie tryed;                    225<br/>
+Yet for their purposes none fit espyed.<br/>
+At last they chaunst to meete upon the way<br/>
+A simple husbandman in garments gray;<br/>
+Yet, though his vesture were but meane and bace,<br/>
+                    [<i>Bace</i>, humble.]<br/>
+A good yeoman he was of honest place,                    230<br/>
+And more for thrift did care than for gay clothing:<br/>
+Gay without good is good hearts greatest loathing.<br/>
+The Foxe, him spying, bad the Ape him dight<br/>
+                    [<i>Dight</i>, prepare.]<br/>
+To play his part, for loe! he was in sight<br/>
+That, if he er’d not, should them entertaine,                    235<br/>
+And yeeld them timely profite for their paine.<br/>
+Eftsoones the Ape himselfe gan up to reare,<br/>
+                    [<i>Eftsoones</i>, straightway.]<br/>
+And on his shoulders high his bat to beare,<br/>
+As if good service he were fit to doo,<br/>
+But little thrift for him he did it too:                    240<br/>
+And stoutly forward he his steps did straine,<br/>
+That like a handsome swaine it him became.<br/>
+When as they nigh approached, that good man,<br/>
+Seeing them wander loosly, first began<br/>
+T’enquire, of custome, what and whence they were.<br/>
+To whom the Ape: “I am a souldiere,                    246<br/>
+That late in warres have spent my deerest blood,<br/>
+And in long service lost both limbs and good;<br/>
+And now, constraint that trade to overgive,<br/>
+I driven am to seeke some meanes to live:                    250<br/>
+Which might it you in pitie please t’afford,<br/>
+I would be readie, both in deed and word,<br/>
+To doo you faithfull service all my dayes.<br/>
+This yron world” (that same he weeping sayes)<br/>
+“Brings downe the stowtest hearts to lowest state:                    255<br/>
+For miserie doth bravest mindes abate,<br/>
+And make them seeke for that they wont to scorne,<br/>
+Of fortune and of hope at once forlorne.”<br/>
+                    [<i>Forlorne</i>, deserted.]<br/>
+The honest roan that heard him thus complaine<br/>
+Was griev’d as he had felt part of his paine;                    260<br/>
+And, well dispos’d him some reliefe to showe,<br/>
+Askt if in husbandrie he ought did knowe,—<br/>
+To plough, to plant, to reap, to rake, to sowe,<br/>
+To hedge, to ditch, to thrash, to thetch, to mowe;<br/>
+Or to what labour els he was prepar’d:                    265<br/>
+For husbands life is labourous and hard.<br/>
+                    [<i>Husbands</i>, husbandman’s.]<br/>
+Whenas the Ape him hard so much to talke<br/>
+Of labour, that did from his liking balke,<br/>
+He would have slipt the coller handsomly,<br/>
+And to him said: “Good Sir, full glad am I                    270<br/>
+To take what paines may anie living wight:<br/>
+But my late maymed limbs lack wonted might<br/>
+To doo their kindly services, as needeth:<br/>
+                    [<i>Kindly</i>, natural.]<br/>
+Scarce this right hand the mouth with diet feedeth;<br/>
+So that it may no painfull worke endure,                    275<br/>
+Ne to strong labour can it selfe enure.<br/>
+But if that anie other place you have,<br/>
+Which askes small paines, but thriftines to save,<br/>
+Or care to overlooke, or trust to gather,<br/>
+Ye may me trust as your owne ghostly father.”                    280<br/>
+With that the husbandman gan him avize,<br/>
+That it for him were fittest exercise<br/>
+Cattell to keep, or grounds to oversee;<br/>
+And asked him, if he could willing bee<br/>
+To keep his sheep, or to attend his swyne,                    285<br/>
+Or watch his mares, or take his charge of kyne.<br/>
+“Gladly,” said he, “what ever such like paine<br/>
+Ye put on me, I will the same sustaine:<br/>
+But gladliest I of your fleecie sheepe<br/>
+(Might it you please) would take on me the keep.                    290<br/>
+For ere that unto armes I me betooke,<br/>
+Unto my fathers sheepe I usde to looke,<br/>
+That yet the skill thereof I have not loste:<br/>
+Thereto right well this curdog, by my coste,<br/>
+(Meaning the Foxe,) will serve my sheepe to gather,<br/>
+And drive to follow after their belwether.”                    295<br/>
+The husbandman was meanly well content<br/>
+                    [<i>Meanly</i>, humbly.]<br/>
+Triall to make of his endevourment;<br/>
+And, home him leading, lent to him the charge<br/>
+Of all his flocke, with libertie full large,                    300<br/>
+Giving accompt of th’annuall increce<br/>
+Both of their lambes, and of their woolly fleece.<br/>
+Thus is this Ape become a shepheard swaine,<br/>
+And the false Foxe his dog: God give them paine!<br/>
+For ere the yeare have halfe his course out-run,                    305<br/>
+And doo returne from whence he first begun,<br/>
+They shall him make an ill accompt of thrift.<br/>
+Now whenas time, flying with wingës swift,<br/>
+Expired had the terme that these two iavels<br/>
+                    [<i>Iavels,</i> worthless fellows.]<br/>
+Should render up a reckning of their travels                    310<br/>
+Unto their master, which it of them sought,<br/>
+Exceedingly they troubled were in thought,<br/>
+Ne wist what answere unto him to frame,<br/>
+Ne how to scape great punishment, or shame,<br/>
+For their false treason and vile theeverie:                    315<br/>
+For not a lambe of all their flockes-supply<br/>
+Had they to shew; but ever as they bred,<br/>
+They slue them, and upon their fleshes fed:<br/>
+For that disguised dog lov’d blood to spill,<br/>
+And drew the wicked shepheard to his will.                    320<br/>
+So twixt them both they not a lambkin left;<br/>
+And when lambes fail’d, the old sheepes lives they reft;<br/>
+That how t’acquite themselves unto their lord<br/>
+They were in doubt, and flatly set abord.<br/>
+                    [<i>Set abord</i>, set adrift, at a loss.]<br/>
+The Foxe then counsel’d th’Ape for to require                    325<br/>
+Respite till morrow t’answere his desire:<br/>
+For times delay new hope of helpe still breeds.<br/>
+The good man granted, doubting nought their deeds,<br/>
+And bad next day that all should readie be.<br/>
+But they more subtill meaning had than he:                    330<br/>
+For the next morrowes meed they closely ment,<br/>
+                    [<i>Closely</i>, secretly.]<br/>
+For feare of afterclaps, for to prevent:<br/>
+                    [<i>Prevent</i>, anticipate.]<br/>
+And that same evening, when all shrowded were<br/>
+In careles sleep, they without care or feare<br/>
+Cruelly fell upon their flock in folde,                    335<br/>
+And of them slew at pleasure what they wolde.<br/>
+Of which whenas they feasted had their fill,<br/>
+For a full complement of all their ill,<br/>
+They stole away, and tooke their hastie flight,<br/>
+Carried in clowdes of all-concealing night.                    340<br/>
+So was the husbandman left to his losse,<br/>
+And they unto their fortunes change to tosse.<br/>
+After which sort they wandered long while,<br/>
+Abusing manie through their cloaked guile;<br/>
+That at the last they gan to be descryed                    345<br/>
+Of everie one, and all their sleights espyed;<br/>
+So as their begging now them failed quyte,<br/>
+For none would give, but all men would them wyte.<br/>
+                    [<i>Wyte</i>, blame.]<br/>
+Yet would they take no paines to get their living,<br/>
+But seeke some other way to gaine by giving,                    350<br/>
+Much like to begging, but much better named;<br/>
+For manie beg which are thereof ashamed.<br/>
+And now the Foxe had gotten him a gowne,<br/>
+And th’Ape a cassocke sidelong hanging downe;<br/>
+For they their occupation meant to change,                    355<br/>
+And now in other state abroad to range:<br/>
+For since their souldiers pas no better spedd,<br/>
+They forg’d another, as for clerkes booke-redd.<br/>
+Who passing foorth, as their adventures fell,<br/>
+Through manie haps, which needs not here to tell,                    360<br/>
+At length chaunst with a formall Priest to meete,<br/>
+                    [<i>Formall</i>, regular.]<br/>
+Whom they in civill manner first did greete,<br/>
+And after askt an almes for Gods deare love.<br/>
+The man straightway his choler up did move,<br/>
+And with reproachfull tearmes gan them revile,                    365<br/>
+For following that trade so base and vile;<br/>
+And askt what license or what pas they had.<br/>
+“Ah!” said the Ape, as sighing wondrous sad,<br/>
+“Its an hard case, when men of good deserving<br/>
+Must either driven be perforce to sterving,                    370<br/>
+Or asked for their pas by everie squib,<br/>
+                    [<i>Squib</i>, flashy, pretentious fellow]<br/>
+That list at will them to revile or snib.<br/>
+                    [<i>Snib</i>, snub]<br/>
+And yet (God wote) small oddes I often see<br/>
+Twixt them that aske, and them that asked bee.<br/>
+Natheles because you shall not us misdeeme,                    375<br/>
+But that we are as honest as we seeme,<br/>
+Yee shall our pasport at your pleasure see,<br/>
+And then ye will (I hope) well mooved bee.”<br/>
+Which when the Priest beheld, he vew’d it nere,<br/>
+As if therein some text he studying were,                    380<br/>
+But little els (God wote) could thereof skill:<br/>
+                    [<i>Skill</i>, understand.]<br/>
+For read he could not evidence nor will,<br/>
+Ne tell a written word, ne write a letter,<br/>
+Ne make one title worse, ne make one better.<br/>
+Of such deep learning little had he neede,                    385<br/>
+Ne yet of Latine ne of Greeke, that breede<br/>
+Doubts mongst divines, and difference of texts,<br/>
+From whence arise diversitie of sects,<br/>
+And hatefull heresies, of God abhor’d.<br/>
+But this good Sir did follow the plaine word,                    390<br/>
+Ne medled with their controversies vaine;<br/>
+All his care was his service well to saine,<br/>
+                    [<i>Saine</i>, say.]<br/>
+And to read homelies upon holidayes;<br/>
+When that was done, he might attend his playes:<br/>
+An easie life, and fit high God to please.                    395<br/>
+He, having overlookt their pas at ease,<br/>
+Gan at the length them to rebuke againe,<br/>
+That no good trade of life did entertaine,<br/>
+But lost their time in wandring loose abroad;<br/>
+Seeing the world, in which they bootles boad,                    400<br/>
+                    [<i>Bootless boad</i>, dwelt unprofitably.]<br/>
+Had wayes enough for all therein to live;<br/>
+Such grace did God unto his creatures give.<br/>
+Said then the Foxe: “Who hath the world not tride<br/>
+From the right way full eath may wander wide.<br/>
+                    [<i>Eath</i>, easy.]<br/>
+We are but novices, new come abroad,                    405<br/>
+We have not yet the tract of anie troad,<br/>
+                    [I.e. routine of any way of life.]<br/>
+Nor on us taken anie state of life,<br/>
+But readie are of anie to make preife.<br/>
+                    [<i>Preife</i>, proof.]<br/>
+Therefore might please you, which the world have proved,<br/>
+Us to advise, which forth but lately moved,                    410<br/>
+Of some good course that we might undertake,<br/>
+Ye shall for ever us your bondmen make.”<br/>
+The priest gan wexe halfe proud to be so praide,<br/>
+And thereby willing to affoord them aide,<br/>
+“It seemes,” said he, “right well that ye be clerks,                    415<br/>
+Both by your wittie words and by your works.<br/>
+Is not that name enough to make a living<br/>
+To him that hath a whit of Natures giving?<br/>
+How manie honest men see ye arize<br/>
+Daylie thereby, and grow to goodly prize;                    420<br/>
+To deanes, to archdeacons, to commissaries,<br/>
+To lords, to principalls, to prebendaries?<br/>
+All iolly prelates, worthie rule to beare,<br/>
+Who ever them envie: yet spite bites neare.<br/>
+Why should ye doubt, then, but that ye likewise                    425<br/>
+Might unto some of those in time arise?<br/>
+In the meane time to live in good estate,<br/>
+Loving that love, and hating those that hate;<br/>
+Being some honest curate, or some vicker,<br/>
+Content with little in condition sicker.”                    430<br/>
+                    [<i>Sicker</i>, sure.]<br/>
+“Ah! but,” said th’Ape, “the charge is wondrous great,<br/>
+To feed mens soules, and hath an heavie threat.”<br/>
+“To feede mens soules,” quoth he, “is not in man:<br/>
+For they must feed themselves, doo what we can.<br/>
+We are but charg’d to lay the meate before:                    435<br/>
+Eate they that list, we need to doo no more.<br/>
+But God it is that feedes them with his grace,<br/>
+The bread of life powr’d downe from heavenly place.<br/>
+Therefore said he that with the budding rod<br/>
+Did rule the lewes, <i>All shalbe taught of God.</i>                    440<br/>
+That same hath Iesus Christ now to him raught,<br/>
+                    [<i>Raught</i>, reached, taken.]<br/>
+By whom the flock is rightly fed and taught:<br/>
+He is the shcpheard, and the priest is hee;<br/>
+We but his shepheard swaines ordain’d to bee.<br/>
+Therefore herewith doo not your selfe dismay;                    445<br/>
+Ne is the paines so great, but beare ye may;<br/>
+For not so great, as it was wont of yore,<br/>
+It’s now a dayes, ne halfe so streight and sore.<br/>
+They whilome used duly everie day<br/>
+Their service and their holie things to say,                    450<br/>
+At morne and even, beside their anthemes sweete,<br/>
+Their penie masses, and their complynes meete,<br/>
+                    [<i>Complynes</i>, even-song; the last service of the day.]<br/>
+Their diriges, their trentals, and their shrifts,<br/>
+                    [<i>Trentals</i>, thirty masses for the dead.]<br/>
+Their memories, their singings, and their gifts.<br/>
+                    [<i>Memories</i>, services for the dead.]<br/>
+Now all those needlesse works are laid away;                    455<br/>
+Now once a weeke, upon the Sabbath day,<br/>
+It is enough to doo our small devotion,<br/>
+And then to follow any merrie motion.<br/>
+Ne are we tyde to fast, but when we list;<br/>
+Ne to weare garments base of wollen twist,                    460<br/>
+But with the finest silkes us to aray,<br/>
+That before God we may appeare more gay,<br/>
+Resembling Aarons glorie in his place:<br/>
+For farre unfit it is, that person bace<br/>
+Should with vile cloaths approach Gods maiestie,                    465<br/>
+Whom no uncleannes may approachen nie;<br/>
+Or that all men, which anie master serve,<br/>
+Good garments for their service should deserve,<br/>
+But he that serves the Lord of Hoasts Most High,<br/>
+And that in highest place, t’approach him nigh,                    470<br/>
+And all the peoples prayers to present<br/>
+Before his throne, as on ambassage sent<br/>
+Both too and fro, should not deserve to weare<br/>
+A garment better than of wooll or heare.<br/>
+Beside, we may have lying by our sides                    475<br/>
+Our lovely lasses, or bright shining brides;<br/>
+We be not tyde to wilfull chastitie,<br/>
+But have the gospell of free libertie.”<br/>
+By that he ended had his ghostly sermon,<br/>
+The Foxe was well induc’d to be a parson;                    480<br/>
+And of the priest eftsoones gan to enquire<br/>
+How to a benefice he might aspire.<br/>
+“Marie, there,” said the priest, “is arte indeed:<br/>
+Much good deep learning one thereout may reed;<br/>
+For that the ground-worke is, and end of all,                    485<br/>
+How to obtaine a beneficiall.<br/>
+First, therefore, when ye have in handsome wise<br/>
+Your selfe attyred, as you can devise,<br/>
+Then to some nobleman your selfe applye,<br/>
+Or other great one in the worldës eye,                    490<br/>
+That hath a zealous disposition<br/>
+To God, and so to his religion.<br/>
+There must thou fashion eke a godly zeale,<br/>
+Such as no carpers may contrayre reveale:<br/>
+For each thing fained ought more warie bee.                    495<br/>
+There thou must walke in sober gravitee,<br/>
+And seeme as saintlike as Saint Radegund:<br/>
+Fast much, pray oft, looke lowly on the ground,<br/>
+And unto everie one doo curtesie meeke:<br/>
+These lookes (nought saying) doo a benefice seeke,<br/>
+And be thou sure one not to lacke or long.                    501<br/>
+                    [<i>Or</i>, ere.]<br/>
+But if thee list unto the Court to throng,<br/>
+And there to hunt after the hoped pray,<br/>
+Then must thou thee dispose another way<br/>
+For there thou needs must learne to laugh, to lie,                    505<br/>
+To face, to forge, to scoffe, to companie,<br/>
+To crouche, to please, to be a beetle-stock<br/>
+Of thy great masters will, to scorne, or mock:<br/>
+So maist thou chaunce mock out a benefice,<br/>
+Unlesse thou canst one coniure by device,                    510<br/>
+Or cast a figure for a bishoprick:<br/>
+And if one could, it were but a schoole trick.<br/>
+These be the wayes by which without reward<br/>
+Livings in court he gotten, though full hard;<br/>
+For nothing there is done without a fee:                    515<br/>
+The courtier needes must recompenced bee<br/>
+With a benevolence, or have in gage<br/>
+                    [<i>Gage</i>, pledge.]<br/>
+The primitias of your parsonage:<br/>
+                    [<i>Primitias</i>, first-fruits.]<br/>
+Scarse can a bishoprick forpas them by,<br/>
+But that it must be gelt in privitie.                    520<br/>
+Doo not thou therefore seeke a living there,<br/>
+But of more private persons seeke elswhere,<br/>
+Whereas thou maist compound a better penie,<br/>
+Ne let thy learning question’d be of anie.<br/>
+For some good gentleman, that hath the right                    525<br/>
+Unto his church for to present a wight,<br/>
+Will cope with thee in reasonable wise,<br/>
+                    [<i>Cope</i>, bargain.]<br/>
+That if the living yerely doo arise<br/>
+To fortie pound, that then his yongest sonne<br/>
+Shall twentie have, and twentie thou hast wonne:                    530<br/>
+Thou hast it wonne, for it is of franke gift<br/>
+And he will care for all the rest to shift;<br/>
+Both that the bishop may admit of thee,<br/>
+And that therein thou maist maintained bee.<br/>
+This is the way for one that is unlern’d                    535<br/>
+Living to get, and not to be discern’d.<br/>
+But they that are great clerkes have nearer wayes<br/>
+For learning sake to living them to raise:<br/>
+Yet manie eke of them (God wote) are driven<br/>
+T’accept a benefice in peeces riven.—                    540<br/>
+How saist thou, friend, have I not well discourst<br/>
+Upon this common-place, though plaine, not wourst?<br/>
+Better a short tale than a bad long shriving:<br/>
+Needes anie more to learne to get a living?”<br/>
+“Now sure, and by my hallidome,” quoth he                    545<br/>
+“Yea great master are in your degree:<br/>
+Great thankes I yeeld you for your discipline,<br/>
+And doo not doubt but duly to encline<br/>
+My wits theretoo, as ye shall shortly heare.”<br/>
+The priest him wisht good speed and well to fare:                    550<br/>
+So parted they, as eithers way them led.<br/>
+But th’Ape and Foxe ere long so well them sped,<br/>
+Through the priests holesome counsell lately tought,<br/>
+And throgh their owne faire handling wisely wroght,<br/>
+That they a benefice twixt them obtained,                    555<br/>
+And craftie Reynold was a priest ordained,<br/>
+And th’Ape his parish clarke procur’d to bee:<br/>
+Then made they revell route and goodly glee.<br/>
+But, ere long time had passed, they so ill<br/>
+Did order their affaires, that th’evill will                    560<br/>
+Of all their parishners they had constraind;<br/>
+Who to the ordinarie of them complain’d,<br/>
+How fowlie they their offices abusd,<br/>
+And them of crimes and heresies accusd;<br/>
+That pursivants he often for them sent.                    565<br/>
+But they neglected his commaundëment;<br/>
+So long persisted obstinate and bolde,<br/>
+Till at the length he published to holde<br/>
+A visitation, and them cyted thether.<br/>
+Then was high time their wits about to geather;                    570<br/>
+What did they then, but made a composition<br/>
+With their next neighbor priest for light condition,<br/>
+To whom their living they resigned quight<br/>
+For a few pence, and ran away by night.<br/>
+So passing through the countrey in disguize,                    575<br/>
+They fled farre off, where none might them surprize,<br/>
+And after that long straied here and there,<br/>
+Through everie field and forrest farre and nere;<br/>
+Yet never found occasion for their tourne,<br/>
+But, almost sterv’d, did much lament and mourne.                    580<br/>
+At last they chaunst to meete upon the way<br/>
+The Mule, all deckt in goodly rich aray,<br/>
+With bells and bosses that full lowdly rung,<br/>
+And costly trappings that to ground downe hung.<br/>
+Lowly they him saluted in meeke wise;                    585<br/>
+But he through pride and fatnes gan despise<br/>
+Their meanesse; scarce vouchsafte them to requite.<br/>
+Whereat the Foxe deep groning in his sprite,<br/>
+Said: “Ah! Sir Mule, now blessed be the day<br/>
+That I see you so goodly and so gay                    590<br/>
+In your attyres, and eke your silken hyde<br/>
+Fil’d with round flesh, that everie bone doth hide.<br/>
+Seemes that in fruitfull pastures ye doo live,<br/>
+Or fortune doth you secret favour give.”<br/>
+“Foolish Foxe!” said the Mule, “thy wretched need<br/>
+Praiseth the thing that doth thy sorrow breed.                    596<br/>
+For well I weene thou canst not but envie<br/>
+My wealth, compar’d to thine owne miserie,<br/>
+That art so leane and meagre waxen late<br/>
+That scarse thy legs uphold thy feeble gate.”                    600<br/>
+“Ay me!” said then the Foxe, “whom evill hap<br/>
+Unworthy in such wretchednes doth wrap,<br/>
+And makes the scorne of other beasts to bee.<br/>
+But read, faire Sir, of grace, from whence come yee;<br/>
+Or what of tidings you abroad doo heare;                    605<br/>
+Newes may perhaps some good unweeting beare.”<br/>
+“From royall court I lately came,” said he,<br/>
+“Where all the braverie that eye may see,<br/>
+And all the happinesse that heart desire,<br/>
+Is to be found; he nothing can admire,                    610<br/>
+That hath not seene that heavens portracture.<br/>
+But tidings there is none, I you assure,<br/>
+Save that which common is, and knowne to all,<br/>
+That courtiers as the tide doo rise and fall.”<br/>
+“But tell us,” said the Ape, “we doo you pray,                    615<br/>
+Who now in court doth beare the greatest sway:<br/>
+That, if such fortune doo to us befall,<br/>
+We may seeke favour of the best of all.”<br/>
+“Marie,” said he, “the highest now in grace,<br/>
+Be the wilde beasts, that swiftest are in chase;                    620<br/>
+For in their speedie course and nimble flight<br/>
+The Lyon now doth take the most delight:<br/>
+But chieflie ioyes on foote them to beholde,<br/>
+Enchaste with chaine and circulet of golde:<br/>
+                    [<i>Enchaste</i>, adorned.]<br/>
+So wilde a beaste so tame ytaught to bee,                    625<br/>
+And buxome to his bands, is ioy to see;<br/>
+                    [<i>Buxome</i>, obedient.]<br/>
+So well his golden circlet him beseemeth.<br/>
+But his late chayne his Liege unmeete esteemeth;<br/>
+For so brave beasts she loveth best to see<br/>
+                    [She: I.e. the queen.]<br/>
+In the wilde forrest raunging fresh and free.                    630<br/>
+Therefore if fortune thee in court to live,<br/>
+In case thou ever there wilt hope to thrive,<br/>
+To some of these thou must thy selfe apply;<br/>
+Els as a thistle-downe in th’ayre doth flie,<br/>
+So vainly shalt thou too and fro be tost,                    635<br/>
+And loose thy labour and thy fruitles cost.<br/>
+And yet full few which follow them I see<br/>
+For vertues bare regard advaunced bee,<br/>
+But either for some gainfull benefit,<br/>
+Or that they may for their owne turnes be fit.                    640<br/>
+Nath’les, perhaps ye things may handle soe,<br/>
+That ye may better thrive than thousands moe.”<br/>
+“But,” said the Ape, “how shall we first come in,<br/>
+That after we may favour seeke to win?”<br/>
+“How els,” said he, “but with a good bold face,                    645<br/>
+And with big words, and with a stately pace,<br/>
+That men may thinke of you in generall<br/>
+That to be in you which is not at all:<br/>
+For not by that which is the world now deemeth,<br/>
+(As it was wont) but by that same that seemeth.                    650<br/>
+Ne do I doubt but that ye well can fashion<br/>
+Your selves theretoo, according to occasion.<br/>
+So fare ye well: good courtiers may ye bee!”<br/>
+So, proudlie neighing, from them parted hee.<br/>
+Then gan this craftie couple to devize,                    655<br/>
+How for the court themselves they might aguize:<br/>
+                    [<i>Aguize</i>, decorate.]<br/>
+For thither they themselves meant to addresse,<br/>
+In hope to finde there happier successe.<br/>
+So well they shifted, that the Ape anon<br/>
+Himselfe had cloathed like a gentleman,                    660<br/>
+And the slie Foxe as like to be his groome;<br/>
+That to the court in seemly sort they come.<br/>
+Where the fond Ape, himselfe uprearing by<br/>
+Upon his tiptoes, stalketh stately by,<br/>
+As if he were some great magnifico,                    665<br/>
+And boldlie doth amongst the boldest go;<br/>
+And his man Reynold, with fine counterfesaunce,<br/>
+                    [<i>Counterfesaunce</i>, counterfeiting.]<br/>
+Supports his credite and his countenaunce.<br/>
+Then gan the courtiers gaze on everie side,<br/>
+And stare on him with big looks basen wide,                    670<br/>
+                    [<i>Basen</i>, swelled.]<br/>
+Wondring what mister wight he was, and whence;<br/>
+                    [<i>Mister wight</i>, sort of creature.]<br/>
+For he was clad in strange accoustrements,<br/>
+Fashion’d with queint devises never seene<br/>
+In court before, yet there all fashions beene;<br/>
+Yet he them in newfanglenesse did pas.                    675<br/>
+But his behaviour altogether was<br/>
+<i>Alla Turchesca,</i> much the more admyr’d;<br/>
+                    [<i>Alla Turchesca</i>, in the Turkish fashion.]<br/>
+And his lookes loftie, as if he aspyr’d<br/>
+To dignitie, and sdeign’d the low degree;<br/>
+That all which did such strangenesse in him see                    680<br/>
+By secrete meanes gan of his state enquire,<br/>
+And privily his servant thereto hire:<br/>
+Who, throughly arm’d against such coverture,<br/>
+                    [<i>Coverture</i>, underhand dealing.]<br/>
+Reported unto all that he was sure<br/>
+A noble gentleman of high regard,                    685<br/>
+Which through the world had with long travel far’d,<br/>
+And seene the manners of all beasts on ground,<br/>
+Now here arriv’d to see if like he found.<br/>
+Thus did the Ape at first him credit gaine,<br/>
+Which afterwards he wisely did maintaine                    690<br/>
+With gallant showe, and daylie more augment<br/>
+Through his fine feates and courtly complement;<br/>
+For he could play, and daunce, and vaute, and spring,<br/>
+And all that els pertaines to reveling.<br/>
+Onely through kindly aptnes of his ioynts.                    695<br/>
+                    [<i>Kindly</i>, natural.]<br/>
+Besides he could doo manie other poynts,<br/>
+The which in court him served to good stead:<br/>
+For he mongst ladies could their fortunes read<br/>
+Out of their hands, and merie leasings tell,<br/>
+And iuggle finely, that became him well.                    700<br/>
+But he so light was at legierdemaine,<br/>
+That what he toucht came not to light againe;<br/>
+Yet would he laugh it out, and proudly looke,<br/>
+And tell them that they greatly him mistooke.<br/>
+So would he scoffe them out with mockcrie,                    705<br/>
+For he therein had great felicitie;<br/>
+And with sharp quips ioy’d others to deface,<br/>
+Thinking that their disgracing did him grace:<br/>
+So whilst that other like vaine wits he pleased<br/>
+And made to laugh, his heart was greatly eased.                    710<br/>
+But the right gentle minde woulde bite his lip,<br/>
+To heare the iavell so good men to nip:<br/>
+                    [<i>Iavell</i>, worthless fellow.]<br/>
+For, though the vulgar yeeld an open eare,<br/>
+And common courtiers love to gybe and fleare<br/>
+At everie thing which they heare spoken ill,                    715<br/>
+And the best speaches with ill meaning spill,<br/>
+                    [<i>Spill</i>, spoil.]<br/>
+Yet the brave courtier, in whose beauteous thought<br/>
+Regard of honour harbours more than ought,<br/>
+Doth loath such base condition, to backbite<br/>
+                    [<i>Condition</i>, quality.]<br/>
+Anies good name for envie or despite.                    720<br/>
+He stands on tearmes of honourable minde,<br/>
+Ne will be carried with the common winde<br/>
+Of courts inconstant mutabilitie,<br/>
+Ne after everie tattling fable flie;<br/>
+But heares and sees the follies of the rest,                    725<br/>
+And thereof gathers for himselfe the best.<br/>
+He will not creepe, nor crouche with fained face,<br/>
+But walkes upright with comely stedfast pace,<br/>
+And unto all doth yeeld due curtesie;<br/>
+But not with kissed hand belowe the knee,                    730<br/>
+As that same apish crue is wont to doo:<br/>
+For he disdaines himselfe t’embase theretoo.<br/>
+He hates fowle leasings and vile flatterie,<br/>
+Two filthie blots in noble gentrie;<br/>
+And lothefull idlenes he doth detest,                    735<br/>
+The canker worme of everie gentle brest;<br/>
+The which to banish with faire exercise<br/>
+Of knightly feates he daylie doth devise:<br/>
+Now menaging the mouthes of stubborne steedes,<br/>
+Now practising the proofe of warlike deedes,                    740<br/>
+Now his bright armes assaying, now his speare,<br/>
+Now the nigh aymed ring away to beare:<br/>
+At other times he casts to sew the chace<br/>
+                    [<i>Casts</i>, plans, makes arrangements.]<br/>
+Of Swift wilde beasts, or runne on foote a race,<br/>
+T’enlarge his breath, (large breath in armes most needfull,)                    745<br/>
+Or els by wrestling to wex strong and heedfull,<br/>
+Or his stiffe armes to stretch with eughen bowe,<br/>
+                    [<i>Eughen</i>, made of yew.]<br/>
+And manly legs, still passing too and fro,<br/>
+Without a gowned beast him fast beside;<br/>
+A vaine ensample of the Persian pride,                    750<br/>
+Who after he had wonne th’Assyrian foe,<br/>
+Did ever after scorne on foote to goe.<br/>
+Thus when this courtly gentleman with toyle<br/>
+Himselfe hath wearied, he doth recoyle<br/>
+Unto his rest, and there with sweete delight                    755<br/>
+Of musicks skill revives his toyled spright;<br/>
+Or els with loves and ladies gentle sports,<br/>
+The ioy of youth, himselfe he recomforts:<br/>
+Or lastly, when the bodie list to pause,<br/>
+His minde unto the Muses he withdrawes,                    760<br/>
+Sweete Ladie Muses, ladies of delight,<br/>
+Delights of life, and ornaments of light:<br/>
+With whom he close confers with wise discourse,<br/>
+Of Natures workes, of heavens continuall course,<br/>
+Of forreine lands, of people different,                    765<br/>
+Of kingdomes change, of divers gouvernment,<br/>
+Of dreadfull battailes of renowmed knights;<br/>
+With which he kindleth his ambitious sprights<br/>
+To like desire and praise of noble fame,<br/>
+The onely upshot whereto he doth ayme.                    770<br/>
+For all his minde on honour fixed is,<br/>
+To which he levels all his purposis,<br/>
+And in his Princes service spends his dayes,<br/>
+Not so much for to game, or for to raise<br/>
+Himselfe to high degree, as for his grace,                    775<br/>
+And in his liking to winne worthie place,<br/>
+Through due deserts and comely carriage,<br/>
+In whatso please employ his personage,<br/>
+That may be matter meete to game him praise.<br/>
+For he is fit to use in all assayes,                    780<br/>
+Whether for armes and warlike amenaunce,<br/>
+                    [<i>Amenaunce</i>, conduct.]<br/>
+Or else for wise and civill governaunce;<br/>
+For he is practiz’d well in policie,<br/>
+And thereto doth his courting most applie:<br/>
+                    [<i>Courting</i>, life at court.]<br/>
+To learne the enterdeale of princes strange,                    785<br/>
+                    [<i>Enterdeale</i>, dealing together.]<br/>
+To marke th’intent of counsells, and the change<br/>
+Of states, and eke of private men somewhile,<br/>
+Supplanted by fine falshood and faire guile;<br/>
+Of all the which he gathereth what is fit<br/>
+T’enrich the storehouse of his powerfull wit,                    790<br/>
+Which through wise speaches and grave conference<br/>
+He daylie eekes, and brings to excellence.<br/>
+                    [<i>Eekes</i>, increases.]<br/>
+Such is the rightfull courtier in his kinde:<br/>
+But unto such the Ape lent not his minde;<br/>
+Such were for him no fit companions,                    795<br/>
+Such would descrie his lewd conditions:<br/>
+But the yong lustie gallants he did chose<br/>
+To follow, meete to whom he might disclose<br/>
+His witlesse pleasance and ill pleasing vaine.<br/>
+A thousand wayes he them could entertaine,                    800<br/>
+With all the thriftles games that may be found;<br/>
+With mumming and with masking all around,<br/>
+With dice, with cards, with balliards farre unfit,<br/>
+                    [<i>Balliards</i>, billiards.]<br/>
+With shuttelcocks, misseeming manlie wit,<br/>
+                    [<i>Misseeming</i>, unbecoming.]<br/>
+With courtizans, and costly riotize,                    805<br/>
+Whereof still somewhat to his share did rize:<br/>
+Ne, them to pleasure, would he sometimes scorne<br/>
+A pandares coate (so basely was he borne);<br/>
+Thereto he could fine loving verses frame,<br/>
+And play the poet oft. But ah! for shame,                    810<br/>
+Let not sweete poets praise, whose onely pride<br/>
+Is vertue to advaunce, and vice deride,<br/>
+Be with the worke of losels wit defamed,<br/>
+Ne let such verses poetrie be named!<br/>
+Yet he the name on him would rashly take,                    815<br/>
+Maugre the sacred Muses, and it make<br/>
+A servant to the vile affection<br/>
+Of such as he depended most upon;<br/>
+And with the sugrie sweete thereof allure<br/>
+Chast ladies eares to fantasies impure.                    820<br/>
+To such delights the noble wits he led<br/>
+Which him reliev’d, and their vaine humours fed<br/>
+With fruitles folies and unsound delights.<br/>
+But if perhaps into their noble sprights<br/>
+Desire of honor or brave thought of armes                    825<br/>
+Did ever creepe, then with his wicked charmes<br/>
+And strong conceipts he would it drive away,<br/>
+Ne suffer it to house there halfe a day.<br/>
+And whenso love of letters did inspire<br/>
+Their gentle wits, and kindly wise desire,                    830<br/>
+                    [Kindly: Qu. <i>kindle?</i>]<br/>
+That chieflie doth each noble minde adorne,<br/>
+Then he would scoffe at learning, and eke scorne<br/>
+The sectaries thereof, as people base<br/>
+                    [<i>Sectaries</i>, followers.]<br/>
+And simple men, which never came in place<br/>
+Of worlds affaires, but, in darke corners mewd,                    835<br/>
+Muttred of matters as their bookes them shewd,<br/>
+Ne other knowledge ever did attaine,<br/>
+But with their gownes their gravitie maintaine.<br/>
+From them he would his impudent lewde speach<br/>
+Against Gods holie ministers oft reach,                    840<br/>
+And mocke divines and their profession.<br/>
+What else then did he by progression,<br/>
+But mocke High God himselfe, whom they professe?<br/>
+But what car’d he for God, or godlinesse?<br/>
+All his care was himselfe how to advaunce,                    845<br/>
+And to uphold his courtly countenaunce<br/>
+By all the cunning meanes he could devise;<br/>
+“Were it by honest wayes, or otherwise,<br/>
+He made small choyce: yet sure his honestie<br/>
+Got him small gaines, but shameles flatterie,                    850<br/>
+And filthie brocage, and unseemly shifts,<br/>
+                    [<i>Brocage</i>, pimping.]<br/>
+And borowe base, and some good ladies gifts.<br/>
+                    [<i>Borowe</i>, pledging.]<br/>
+But the best helpe, which chiefly him sustain’d,<br/>
+Was his man Raynolds purchase which he gain’d:<br/>
+                    [<i>Purchase</i>, booty.]<br/>
+For he was school’d by kinde in all the skill                    855<br/>
+                    [<i>Kinde</i>, nature.]<br/>
+Of close conveyance, and each practise ill<br/>
+Of coosinage and cleanly knaverie,<br/>
+                    [<i>Cleanly</i>, neat, skillful.]<br/>
+Which oft maintain’d his masters braverie.<br/>
+Besides, he usde another slipprie slight,<br/>
+In taking on himselfe, in common sight,                    860<br/>
+False personages fit for everie sted,<br/>
+With which he thousands cleanly coosined:<br/>
+Now like a merchant, merchants to deceave,<br/>
+With whom his credite he did often leave<br/>
+In gage for his gay masters hopelesse dett:                    865<br/>
+Now like a lawyer, when he land would lett,<br/>
+Or sell fee-simples in his masters name,<br/>
+Which he had never, nor ought like the same;<br/>
+Then would he be a broker, and draw in<br/>
+Both wares and money, by exchange to win:                    870<br/>
+Then would he seeme a farmer, that would sell<br/>
+Bargaines of woods, which he did lately fell,<br/>
+Or corne, or cattle, or such other ware,<br/>
+Thereby to coosin men not well aware:<br/>
+Of all the which there came a secret fee                    875<br/>
+To th’Ape, that he his countenaunce might bee.<br/>
+Besides all this, he us’d oft to beguile<br/>
+Poore suters that in court did haunt some while:<br/>
+For he would learne their busines secretly,<br/>
+And then informe his master hastely,                    880<br/>
+That he by meanes might cast them to prevent,<br/>
+                    [<i>Prevent</i>, anticipate.]<br/>
+And beg the sute the which the other ment.<br/>
+Or otherwise false Reynold would abuse<br/>
+The simple suter, and wish him to chuse<br/>
+His master, being one of great regard                    885<br/>
+In court, to compas anie sute not hard,<br/>
+In case his paines were recompenst with reason:<br/>
+So would he worke the silly man by treason<br/>
+To buy his masters frivolous good will,<br/>
+That had not power to doo him good or ill.                    890<br/>
+So pitifull a thing is suters state!<br/>
+Most miserable man, whom wicked fate<br/>
+Hath brought to court, to sue for had-ywist,<br/>
+That few have found, and manie one hath mist!<br/>
+Full little knowest thou that hast not tride,                    895<br/>
+What hell it is in suing long to bide:<br/>
+To loose good dayes, that might be better spent;<br/>
+To wast long nights in pensive discontent;<br/>
+To speed to day, to be put back to morrow;<br/>
+To feed on hope, to pine with feare and sorrow;                    900<br/>
+To have thy Princes grace, yet want her Peeres;<br/>
+To have thy asking, yet waite manie yeeres;<br/>
+To fret thy soule with crosses and with cares;<br/>
+To eate thy heart through comfortlesse dispaires;<br/>
+To fawne, to crowche, to waite, to ride, to ronne,                    905<br/>
+To spend, to give, to want, to be undonne.<br/>
+Unhappie wight, borne to desastrous end,<br/>
+That doth his life in so long tendance spend!<br/>
+Who ever leaves sweete home, where meane estate<br/>
+In safe assurance, without strife or hate,                    910<br/>
+Findes all things needfull for contentment meeke,<br/>
+And will to court for shadowes vaine to seeke,<br/>
+Or hope to gaine, himselfe will a daw trie:<br/>
+That curse God send unto mine enemie!<br/>
+For none but such as this bold Ape unblest                    915<br/>
+Can ever thrive in that unluckie quest;<br/>
+Or such as hath a Reynold to his man,<br/>
+That by his shifts his master furnish can.<br/>
+But yet this Foxe could not so closely hide<br/>
+His craftie feates, but that they were descride                    920<br/>
+At length by such as sate in iustice seate,<br/>
+Who for the same him fowlie did entreate;<br/>
+And, having worthily him punished,<br/>
+Out of the court for ever banished.<br/>
+And now the Ape, wanting his huckster man,                    925<br/>
+That wont provide his necessaries, gan<br/>
+To growe into great lacke, ne could upholde<br/>
+His countenaunce in those his garments olde;<br/>
+Ne new ones could he easily provide,<br/>
+Though all men him uncased gan deride,                    930<br/>
+Like as a puppit placed in a play,<br/>
+Whose part once past all men bid take away:<br/>
+So that he driven was to great distresse,<br/>
+And shortly brought to hopelesse wretchednesse.<br/>
+Then closely as he might he cast to leave                    935<br/>
+The court, not asking any passe or leave;<br/>
+But ran away in his rent rags by night,<br/>
+Ne ever stayd in place, ne spake to wight,<br/>
+Till that the Foxe, his copesmate, he had found;<br/>
+                    [<i>Copesmate</i>, partner in trade.]<br/>
+To whome complayning his unhappie stound,                    940<br/>
+                    [<i>Stound</i>, plight, exigency.]<br/>
+At last againe with him in travell ioynd,<br/>
+And with him far’d some better chaunee to fynde.<br/>
+So in the world long time they wandered,<br/>
+And mickle want and hardnesse suffered;<br/>
+That them repented much so foolishly                    945<br/>
+To come so farre to seeke for misery,<br/>
+And leave the sweetnes of contented home,<br/>
+Though eating hipps and drinking watry fome.<br/>
+                    [<i>Hipps</i>, dog-rose berries.]<br/>
+Thus as they them complayned too and fro,<br/>
+Whilst through the forest rechlesse they did goe,                    950<br/>
+                    [<i>Rechlesse</i>, reckless.]<br/>
+Lo! where they spide how in a gloomy glade<br/>
+The Lyon sleeping lay in secret shade,<br/>
+His crowne and scepter lying him beside,<br/>
+And having doft for heate his dreadfull hide:<br/>
+Which when they saw, the Ape was sore afrayde,                    955<br/>
+And would have fled with terror all dismayde.<br/>
+But him the Foxe with hardy words did stay,<br/>
+And bad him put all cowardize away;<br/>
+For now was time, if ever they would hope,<br/>
+To ayme their counsels to the fairest scope,                    960<br/>
+And them for ever highly to advaunce,<br/>
+In case the good which their owne happie chaunce<br/>
+Them freely offred they would wisely take.<br/>
+Scarse could the Ape yet speake, so did he quake;<br/>
+Yet, as he could, he askt how good might growe                    965<br/>
+Where nought but dread and death do seeme in show.<br/>
+“Now,” sayd he, “whiles the Lyon sleepeth sound,<br/>
+May we his crowne and mace take from the ground,<br/>
+And eke his skinne, the terror of the wood,<br/>
+Wherewith we may our selves, if we thinke good,                    970<br/>
+Make kings of beasts, and lords of forests all<br/>
+Subiect unto that powre imperiall.”<br/>
+“Ah! but,” sayd the Ape, “who is so bold a wretch,<br/>
+That dare his hardy hand to those outstretch,<br/>
+When as he knowes his meede, if he be spide,                    975<br/>
+To be a thousand deathes, and shame beside?”<br/>
+“Fond Ape!” sayd then the Foxe, “into whose brest<br/>
+Never crept thought of honor nor brave gest,<br/>
+                    [<i>Gest</i>, deed.]<br/>
+Who will not venture life a king to be,<br/>
+And rather rule and raigne in soveraign see,                    980<br/>
+Than dwell in dust inglorious and bace,<br/>
+Where none shall name the number of his place?<br/>
+One ioyous howre in blisfull happines,<br/>
+I chose before a life of wretchednes.<br/>
+Be therefore counselled herein by me,                    985<br/>
+And shake off this vile-harted cowardree.<br/>
+If he awake, yet is not death the next,<br/>
+For we may colour it with some pretext<br/>
+Of this or that, that may excuse the cryme:<br/>
+Else we may flye; thou to a tree mayst clyme,                    990<br/>
+And I creepe under ground; both from his reach:<br/>
+Therefore be rul’d to doo as I doo teach.”<br/>
+The Ape, that earst did nought but chill and quake,<br/>
+Now gan some courage unto him to take,<br/>
+And was content to attempt that enterprise,                    995<br/>
+Tickled with glorie and rash covetise.<br/>
+But first gan question, whether should assay<br/>
+                    [<i>Whether</i>, which of the two.]<br/>
+Those royall ornaments to steale away?<br/>
+“Marie, that shall your selfe,” quoth he theretoo,<br/>
+“For ye be fine and nimble it to doo;                    1000<br/>
+Of all the beasts which in the forrests bee<br/>
+Is not a fitter for this turne than yee:<br/>
+Therefore, mine owne deare brother, take good hart,<br/>
+And ever thinke a kingdome is your part.”<br/>
+Loath was the Ape, though praised, to adventer,                    1005<br/>
+Yet faintly gan into his worke to enter,<br/>
+Afraid of everie leafe that stir’d him by,<br/>
+And everie stick that underneath did ly:<br/>
+Upon his tiptoes nicely he up went,<br/>
+For making noyse, and still his eare he lent                    1010<br/>
+To everie sound that under heaven blew;<br/>
+Now went, now stopt, now crept, now backward drew,<br/>
+That it good sport had been him to have eyde.<br/>
+Yet at the last, so well he him applyde,<br/>
+Through his fine handling and cleanly play                    1015<br/>
+He all those royall signes had stolne away,<br/>
+And with the Foxes helpe them borne aside<br/>
+Into a secret corner unespide.<br/>
+Whither whenas they came they fell at words,<br/>
+Whether of them should be the lords of lords:                    1020<br/>
+For th’Ape was stryfull and ambicious,<br/>
+And the Foxe guilefull and most covetous;<br/>
+That neither pleased was to have the rayne<br/>
+Twixt them divided into even twaine,<br/>
+But either algates would be lords alone:                    1025<br/>
+                    [<i>Algates</i>, by all means.]<br/>
+For love and lordship bide no paragone.<br/>
+                    [<i>Paragone</i>, equal, partner.]<br/>
+“I am most worthie,” said the Ape, “sith I<br/>
+For it did put my life in ieopardie:<br/>
+Thereto I am in person and in stature<br/>
+Most like a man, the lord of everie creature,                    1030<br/>
+So that it seemeth I was made to raigne,<br/>
+And borne to be a kingly soveraigne.”<br/>
+“Nay,” said the Foxe, “Sir Ape, you are astray;<br/>
+For though to steale the diademe away<br/>
+Were the worke of your nimble hand, yet I                    1035<br/>
+Did first devise the plot by pollicie;<br/>
+So that it wholly springeth from my wit:<br/>
+For which also I claime my selfe more fit<br/>
+Than you to rule: for government of state<br/>
+Will without wisedome soone be ruinate.                    1040<br/>
+And where ye claime your selfe for outward shape<br/>
+Most like a man, man is not like an ape<br/>
+In his chiefe parts, that is, in wit and spirite;<br/>
+But I therein most like to him doo merite,<br/>
+For my slie wyles and subtill craftinesse,                    1045<br/>
+The title of the kingdome to possesse.<br/>
+Nath’les, my brother, since we passed are<br/>
+Unto this point, we will appease our iarre;<br/>
+And I with reason meete will rest content,<br/>
+That ye shall have both crowne and government,                    1050<br/>
+Upon condition that ye ruled bee<br/>
+In all affaires, and counselled by mee;<br/>
+And that ye let none other ever drawe<br/>
+Your minde from me, but keepe this as a lawe:<br/>
+And hereupon an oath unto me plight.”                    1055<br/>
+The Ape was glad to end the strife so light,<br/>
+And thereto swore: for who would not oft sweare,<br/>
+And oft unsweare, a diademe to beare?<br/>
+Then freely up those royall spoyles he tooke,<br/>
+Yet at the Lyons skin he inly quooke;                    1060<br/>
+But it dissembled, and upon his head<br/>
+The crowne, and on his backe the skin, he did,<br/>
+And the false Foxe him helped to array.<br/>
+Then when he was all dight he tooke his way<br/>
+Into the forest, that he might be seene                    1065<br/>
+Of the wilde beasts in his new glory sheene.<br/>
+There the two first whome he encountred were<br/>
+The Sheepe and th’Asse, who, striken both with feare<br/>
+At sight of him, gan fast away to flye;<br/>
+But unto them the Foxe alowd did cry,                    1070<br/>
+And in the kings name bad them both to stay,<br/>
+Upon the payne that thereof follow may.<br/>
+Hardly naythles were they restrayned so,<br/>
+Till that the Foxe forth toward them did goe,<br/>
+And there disswaded them from needlease feare,                    1075<br/>
+For that the King did favour to them beare;<br/>
+And therefore dreadles bad them come to corte;<br/>
+For no wild beasts should do them any torte<br/>
+                    [<i>Torte</i>, wrong.]<br/>
+There or abroad, ne would his Maiestye<br/>
+Use them but well, with gracious clemencye,                    1080<br/>
+As whome he knew to him both fast and true.<br/>
+So he perswaded them with homage due<br/>
+Themselves to humble to the Ape prostrate,<br/>
+Who, gently to them bowing in his gate,<br/>
+                    [<i>Gate</i>, way.]<br/>
+Receyved them with chearefull entertayne.                    1085<br/>
+Thenceforth proceeding with his princely trayne,<br/>
+He shortly met the Tygre, and the Bore,<br/>
+Which with the simple Camell raged sore<br/>
+In bitter words, seeking to take occasion<br/>
+Upon his fleshly corpse to make invasion:                    1090<br/>
+But soone as they this mock-king did espy,<br/>
+Their troublous strife they stinted by and by,<br/>
+                    [<i>Stinted by and by</i>, stopped at once.]<br/>
+Thinking indeed that it the Lyon was.<br/>
+He then, to prove whether his powre would pas<br/>
+As currant, sent the Foxe to them streight way,                    1095<br/>
+Commaunding them their cause of strife bewray;<br/>
+And, if that wrong on eyther side there were,<br/>
+That he should warne the wronger to appeare<br/>
+The morrow next at court, it to defend;<br/>
+In the meane time upon the King t’attend.                    1100<br/>
+The subtile Foxe so well his message sayd,<br/>
+That the proud beasts him readily obayd:<br/>
+Whereby the Ape in wondrous stomack woxe,<br/>
+Strongly encorag’d by the crafty Foxe;<br/>
+That king indeed himselfe he shortly thought,                    1105<br/>
+And all the beasts him feared as they ought,<br/>
+And followed unto his palaice hye;<br/>
+Where taking congé, each one by and by<br/>
+Departed to his home in dreadfull awe,<br/>
+Full of the feared sight which late they sawe.                    1110<br/>
+The Ape, thus seized of the regall throne,<br/>
+Eftsones by counsell of the Foxe alone<br/>
+Gan to provide for all things in assurance,<br/>
+That so his rule might lenger have endurance.<br/>
+First, to his gate be pointed a strong gard,                    1115<br/>
+That none might enter but with issue hard:<br/>
+Then, for the safegard of his personage,<br/>
+He did appoint a warlike equipage<br/>
+Of forreine beasts, not in the forest bred,<br/>
+But part by land and part by water fed;                    1120<br/>
+For tyrannie is with strange ayde supported.<br/>
+Then unto him all monstrous beasts resorted<br/>
+Bred of two kindes, as Griffons, Minotaures,<br/>
+Crocodiles, Dragons, Beavers, and Centaures:<br/>
+With those himselfe he strengthned mightelie,                    1125<br/>
+That feare he neede no force of enemie.<br/>
+Then gan he rule and tyrannize at will,<br/>
+Like as the Foxe did guide his graceles skill;<br/>
+And all wylde beasts made vassals of his pleasures,<br/>
+And with their spoyles enlarg’d his private treasures.<br/>
+No care of iustice, nor no rule of reason,                    1131<br/>
+No temperance, nor no regard of season,<br/>
+Did thenceforth ever enter in his minde;<br/>
+But crueltie, the signe of currish kinde,<br/>
+And sdeignfull pride, and wilfull arrogaunce;                    1135<br/>
+Such followes those whom fortune doth advaunce.<br/>
+But the false Foxe most kindly plaid his part:<br/>
+                    [<i>Kindly</i>, according to his nature.]<br/>
+For whatsoever mother-wit or arte<br/>
+Could worke, he put in proofe: no practise slie,<br/>
+No counterpoint of cunning policie,                    1140<br/>
+                    [<i>Counterpoint</i>, counterplot.]<br/>
+Ne reach, no breach, that might him profit bring,<br/>
+But he the same did to his purpose wring.<br/>
+Nought suffered he the Ape to give or graunt,<br/>
+But through his hand must passe the fiaunt.<br/>
+                    [<i>Fiaunt</i>, fiat.]<br/>
+All offices, all leases by him lept,                    1145<br/>
+And of them all whatso he likte he kept.<br/>
+Iustice he solde iniustice for to buy,<br/>
+And for to purchase for his progeny.<br/>
+                    [<i>Purchase</i>, collect spoil.]<br/>
+Ill might it prosper that ill gotten was,<br/>
+But, so he got it, little did he pas.                    1150<br/>
+                    [<i>Pas</i>, care.]<br/>
+He fed his cubs with fat of all the soyle,<br/>
+And with the sweete of others sweating toyle;<br/>
+He crammed them with crumbs of benefices,<br/>
+And fild their mouthes with meeds of malefices;<br/>
+                    [<i>Malifices</i>, evil deeds.]<br/>
+He cloathed them with all colours save white,                    1155<br/>
+And loded them with lordships and with might,<br/>
+So much as they were able well to beare,<br/>
+That with the weight their backs nigh broken were.<br/>
+He chaffred chayres in which churchmen were set,<br/>
+                    [<i>Chaffred</i>, bartered.]<br/>
+And breach of lawes to privie ferme did let.                    1160<br/>
+                    [<i>Ferme</i>, farm.]<br/>
+No statute so established might bee,<br/>
+Nor ordinaunce so needfull, but that hee<br/>
+Would violate, though not with violence,<br/>
+Yet under colour of the confidence<br/>
+The which the Ape repos’d in him alone,                    1165<br/>
+And reckned him the kingdomes corner stone.<br/>
+And ever, when he ought would bring to pas,<br/>
+His long experience the platforme was:<br/>
+And when he ought not pleasing would put by<br/>
+The cloke was care of thrift, and husbandry,                    1170<br/>
+For to encrease the common treasures store.<br/>
+But his owne treasure he encreased more,<br/>
+And lifted up his loftie towres thereby,<br/>
+That they began to threat the neighbour sky;<br/>
+The whiles the princes pallaces fell fast                    1175<br/>
+To ruine; for what thing can ever last?<br/>
+And whilest the other peeres for povertie<br/>
+Were forst their auncient houses to let lie,<br/>
+And their olde castles to the ground to fall,<br/>
+Which their forefathers famous over-all                    1180<br/>
+                    [<i>Over-all</i>, everywhere.]<br/>
+Had founded for the kingdomes ornament,<br/>
+And for their memories long moniment.<br/>
+But he no count made of nobilitie,<br/>
+Nor the wilde beasts whom armes did glorifie,                    1185<br/>
+The realmes chiefe strength and girlond of the crowne.<br/>
+All these through fained crimes he thrust adowne,<br/>
+Or made them dwell in darknes of disgrace:<br/>
+For none but whom he list might come in place.<br/>
+Of men of armes he had but small regard,<br/>
+But kept them lowe, and streigned verie hard.                    1190<br/>
+For men of learning little he esteemed;<br/>
+His wisedome he above their learning deemed.<br/>
+As for the rascall commons, least he cared,<br/>
+For not so common was his bountie shared:                    1194<br/>
+“Let God,” said he, “if please, care for the manie,<br/>
+I for my selfe must care before els anie.”<br/>
+So did he good to none, to manie ill,<br/>
+So did he all the kingdome rob and pill,<br/>
+                    [<i>Pill</i>, plunder.]<br/>
+Yet none durst speake, ne none durst of him plaine;<br/>
+So great he was in grace, and rich through game.<br/>
+Ne would he anie let to have accesse                    1201<br/>
+Unto the Prince, but by his owne addresse:<br/>
+For all that els did come were sure to faile;<br/>
+Yet would he further none but for availe.<br/>
+For on a time the Sheepe, to whom of yore                    1205<br/>
+The Foxe had promised of friendship store,<br/>
+What time the Ape the kingdome first did gaine,<br/>
+Came to the court, her case there to complaine;<br/>
+How that the Wolfe, her mortall enemie,<br/>
+Had sithence slaine her lambe most cruellie;                    1210<br/>
+                    [<i>Sithence</i>, since.]<br/>
+And therefore crav’d to come unto the King,<br/>
+To let him knowe the order of the thing.<br/>
+“Soft, Gooddie Sheepe!” then said the Foxe, “not soe:<br/>
+Unto the King so rash ye may not goe;<br/>
+He is with greater matter busied                    1215<br/>
+Than a lambe, or the lambes owne mothers hed.<br/>
+Ne certes may I take it well in part,<br/>
+That ye my cousin Wolfe so fowly thwart,<br/>
+And seeke with slaunder his good name to blot:<br/>
+For there was cause, els doo it he would not:                    1220<br/>
+Therefore surcease, good dame, and hence depart.”<br/>
+So went the Sheepe away with heavie hart;<br/>
+So manie moe, so everie one was used,<br/>
+That to give largely to the boxe refused.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Now when high Iove, in whose almightie hand                    1225<br/>
+The care of kings and power of empires stand,<br/>
+Sitting one day within his turret hye,<br/>
+From whence he vewes with his black-lidded eye<br/>
+Whatso the heaven in his wide vawte containes,<br/>
+And all that in the deepest earth remaines,                    1230<br/>
+And troubled kingdome of wilde beasts behelde,<br/>
+Whom not their kindly sovereigne did welde,<br/>
+     [<i>Welde</i>, govern.]<br/>
+But an usurping Ape, with guile suborn’d,<br/>
+Had all subverst, he sdeignfully it scorn’d<br/>
+In his great heart, and hardly did refraine                    1235<br/>
+But that with thunder bolts he had him slaine,<br/>
+And driven downe to hell, his dewest meed.<br/>
+But him avizing, he that dreadfull deed<br/>
+Forbore, and rather chose with scornfull shame<br/>
+Him to avenge, and blot his brutish name                    1240<br/>
+Unto the world, that never after anie<br/>
+Should of his race be voyd of infamie;<br/>
+And his false counsellor, the cause of all,<br/>
+To damne to death, or dole perpetuall,<br/>
+From whence he never should be quit nor stal’d.<br/>
+     [<i>Stal’d</i>, forestalled (?).]<br/>
+Forthwith he Mercurie unto him cal’d,                    1246<br/>
+And bad him flie with never-resting speed<br/>
+Unto the forrest, where wilde beasts doo breed,<br/>
+And, there enquiring privily, to learne<br/>
+What did of late chaunce to the Lyon stearne,                    1250<br/>
+That he rul’d not the empire, as he ought;<br/>
+And whence were all those plaints unto him brought<br/>
+Of wrongs and spoyles by salvage beasts committed:<br/>
+Which done, he bad the Lyon be remitted<br/>
+Into his seate, and those same treachours vile                    1255<br/>
+     [<i>Treachours</i>, traitors.]<br/>
+Be punished for their presumptuous guile.<br/>
+The sonne of Maia, soone as he receiv’d<br/>
+That word, streight with his azure wings he cleav’d<br/>
+The liquid clowdes and lucid firmament,<br/>
+Ne staid till that he came with steep descent                    1260<br/>
+Unto the place where his prescript did showe.<br/>
+There stouping, like an arrowe from a bowe,<br/>
+He soft arrived on the grassie plaine,<br/>
+And fairly paced forth with easie paine,<br/>
+Till that unto the pallace nigh he came.                    1265<br/>
+Then gan he to himselfe new shape to frame,<br/>
+And that faire face, and that ambrosiall hew,<br/>
+Which wonts to decke the gods immortall crew,<br/>
+And beautefie the shinie firmament,<br/>
+He doft, unfit for that rude rabblement.                    1270<br/>
+So, standing by the gates in strange disguize,<br/>
+He gan enquire of some in secret wize,<br/>
+Both of the King, and of his government,<br/>
+And of the Foxe, and his false blandishment:<br/>
+And evermore he heard each one complaine                    1275<br/>
+Of foule abuses both in realme and raine:<br/>
+Which yet to prove more true, he meant to see,<br/>
+And an ey-witnes of each thing to bee.<br/>
+Tho on his head his dreadfull hat he dight,<br/>
+Which maketh him invisible in sight,                    1280<br/>
+And mocketh th’eyes of all the lookers on,<br/>
+Making them thinke it but a vision.<br/>
+Through power of that he runnes through enemies swerds;<br/>
+Through power of that he passeth through the herds<br/>
+Of ravenous wilde beasts, and doth beguile                    1285<br/>
+Their greedie mouthes of the expected spoyle;<br/>
+Through power of that his cunning theeveries<br/>
+He wonts to worke, that none the same espies;<br/>
+And through the power of that he putteth on<br/>
+What shape he list in apparition.                    1290<br/>
+That on his head he wore, and in his hand<br/>
+He tooke caduceus, his snakie wand,<br/>
+With which the damned ghosts he governeth,<br/>
+And furies rules, and Tartare tempereth.<br/>
+With that he causeth sleep to seize the eyes,                    1295<br/>
+And feare the harts, of all his enemyes;<br/>
+And when him list, an universall night<br/>
+Throughout the world he makes on everie wight;<br/>
+As when his syre with Alcumena lay.<br/>
+Thus dight, into the court he tooke his way,                    1300<br/>
+Both through the gard, which never him descride,<br/>
+And through the watchmen, who him never spide:<br/>
+Thenceforth he past into each secrete part,<br/>
+Whereas he saw, that sorely griev’d his hart,<br/>
+Each place abounding with fowle iniuries,                    1305<br/>
+And fild with treasure rackt with robberies;<br/>
+Each place defilde with blood of guiltles beasts<br/>
+Which had been slaine to serve the Apes beheasts;<br/>
+Gluttonie, malice, pride, and covetize,<br/>
+And lawlesnes raigning with riotize;                    1310<br/>
+Besides the infinite extortions,<br/>
+Done through the Foxes great oppressions,<br/>
+That the complaints thereof could not be tolde.<br/>
+Which when he did with lothfull eyes beholde,<br/>
+He would no more endure, but came his way,                    1315<br/>
+And cast to seeke the Lion, where he may,<br/>
+     [<i>Cast</i>, projected.]<br/>
+That he might worke the avengement for this shame<br/>
+On those two caytives which had bred him blame<br/>
+And seeking all the forrest busily,<br/>
+At last he found where sleeping he did ly.                    1320<br/>
+The wicked weed which there the Foxe did lay<br/>
+From underneath his head he tooke away,<br/>
+And then him, waking, forced up to rize.<br/>
+The Lion, looking up, gan him avize,<br/>
+     [<i>Avize</i>, bethink.]<br/>
+As one late in a traunce, what had of long                    1325<br/>
+Become of him: for fantasie is strong.<br/>
+“Arise,” said Mercurie, “thou sluggish beast,<br/>
+That here liest senseles, like the corpse deceast,<br/>
+The whilste thy kingdome from thy head is rent,<br/>
+And thy throne royall with dishonour blent:                    1330<br/>
+     [<i>Blent</i>, stained.]<br/>
+Arise, and doo thy selfe redeeme from shame,<br/>
+And be aveng’d on those that breed thy blame.”<br/>
+Thereat enraged, soone he gan upstart,<br/>
+Grinding his teeth, and grating his great hart;<br/>
+And, rouzing up himselfe, for his rough hide                    1335<br/>
+He gan to reach; but no where it espide.<br/>
+Therewith he gan full terribly to rore,<br/>
+And chafte at that indignitie right sore.<br/>
+But when his crowne and scepter both he wanted,<br/>
+Lord! how he fum’d, and sweld, and rag’d, and panted,<br/>
+And threatned death and thousand deadly dolours<br/>
+To them that had purloyn’d his princely honours.<br/>
+With that in hast, disroabed as he was,<br/>
+He toward his owne pallace forth did pas;<br/>
+And all the way he roared as he went,                    1345<br/>
+That all the forrest with astonishment<br/>
+Thereof did tremble, and the beasts therein<br/>
+Fled fast away from that so dreadfull din.<br/>
+At last he came unto his mansion,<br/>
+Where all the gates he found fast lockt anon                    1350<br/>
+And manie warders round about them stood:<br/>
+With that he roar’d alowd, as he were wood,<br/>
+     [<i>Wood</i>, frantic.]<br/>
+That all the pallace quaked at the stound,<br/>
+     [<i>Stound</i>, (time, scene) tumult.]<br/>
+As if it quite were riven from the ground,<br/>
+And all within were dead and hartles left;                    1355<br/>
+And th’Ape himselfe, as one whose wits were reft,<br/>
+Fled here and there, and everie corner sought.<br/>
+To hide himselfe from his owne feared thought.<br/>
+But the false Foxe, when he the Lion heard,<br/>
+Fled closely forth, streightway of death afeard,                    1360<br/>
+     [<i>Closely</i>, secretly.]<br/>
+And to the Lion came, full lowly creeping,<br/>
+With fained face, and watrie eyne halfe weeping,<br/>
+T’excuse his former treason and abusion,<br/>
+And turning all unto the Apes confusion:<br/>
+Nath’les the royall beast forbore beleeving,                    1365<br/>
+But bad him stay at ease till further preeving.<br/>
+     [<i>Preeving</i>, proving.]<br/>
+Then when he saw no entrance to him graunted,<br/>
+Roaring yet lowder that all harts it daunted,<br/>
+Upon those gates with force he fiercely newe,<br/>
+And, rending them in pieces, felly slewe                    1370<br/>
+Those warders strange, and all that els he met<br/>
+But th’Ape still flying he no where might get:<br/>
+From rowme to rowme, from beame to beame he fled,<br/>
+All breathles, and for feare now almost ded:<br/>
+Yet him at last the Lyon spide, and caught,                    1375<br/>
+And forth with shame unto his iudgement brought.<br/>
+Then all the beasts he causd’ assembled bee,<br/>
+To heare their doome, and sad ensample see:<br/>
+The Foxe, first author of that treacherie<br/>
+He did uncase, and then away let flie.                    1380<br/>
+     [<i>Uncase</i>, strip of his disguise.]<br/>
+But th’Apes long taile (which then he had) he quight<br/>
+Cut off, and both eares pared of their hight;<br/>
+Since which, all Apes but halfe their eares have left,<br/>
+And of their tailes are utterlie bereft.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So Mother Hubberd her discourse did end:                    1385<br/>
+Which pardon me if I amisse have pend,<br/>
+For weake was my remembrance it to hold,<br/>
+And bad her tongue that it so bluntly tolde.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h5>FOOTNOTES:</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE. This charming little poem, Spenser’s only
+successful effort at satire, is stated by the author to have been
+composed in the raw conceit of his youth. There is internal evidence,
+however, that some of the happiest passages were added at the date of
+its publication, at which time the whole was probably retouched.
+Although Mother Hubberds Tale is in its plan an imitation of the
+satires of Reynard the Fox; the treatment of the subject is quite
+original. For the combination of elegance with simplicity, this poem
+will stand a comparison with Goethe’s celebrated translation of the
+Reineke. C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. I.—<i>It was the month</i>, &amp;c. August.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 453.—<i>Diriges</i>, dirges. The office for the dead received this
+name from the antiphon with which the first nocturne in the mattens
+commenced, taken from Psalm v. 8, “Dirige, Domine Deus meus, in
+conspectu tuo viam meam.” Way’s <i>Promptorium Parvulorum.</i> C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 519.—<i>Scarse can a bishoprick</i>, &amp;c. This is probably an allusion
+to the frequent alienations of the lands and manors of bishoprics in
+Elizabeth’s time. TODD.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 562.—<i>The ordinarie.</i> An ordinary is a judge having jurisdiction
+in ecclesiastical matters. In England, it is usually the bishop of the
+diocese. H.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 623, 624.—The Queen was so much pleased with the results of the<br/>
+Portugal expedition of 1589, that she honored the commanders, and Sir<br/>
+Walter Raleigh among the rest, with a gold chain. C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 717.—<i>The brave courtier</i>, &amp;c. This description is perhaps
+intended for Sir Philip Sidney. C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 893.—Had-ywist. That is, <i>had I wist! had I known</i> that it would
+end so! a proverbial expression for late repentance consequent on
+disappointment. C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 901.—<i>To have thy Princes grace, yet want her Peeres.</i> Elizabeth
+was said to have granted Spenser a pension which Burghley intercepted,
+and to have ordered him a gratuity which her minister neglected to pay.
+C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 913.—<i>Himselfe will a daw trie.</i> So the old copy: the reading
+should probably be <i>himselfe a daw will trie</i>, prove or find himself by
+experience to be a daw or fool. C.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 1189.—<i>Of men of armes,</i> &amp;c. This passage certainly provokes an
+application to Lord Burghley, and was probably intended for him. C.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap05"></a>RUINES OF ROME:</h2>
+
+<h5>BY BELLAY*</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* Joachim du Bellay, a French poet of considerable reputation in his day, died
+in 1560. These sonnets are translated from <i>Le Premier Livre des Antiquez de
+Rome</i>. Further on we have the Visions of Bellay, translated from the
+<i>Songes</i> of the same author. The best that can be said of these sonnets
+seems to be, that they are not inferior to the original. C.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>I.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ye heavenly spirites, whose ashie cinders lie<br/>
+Under deep ruines, with huge walls opprest,<br/>
+But not your praise, the which shall never die<br/>
+Through your faire verses, ne in ashes rest;<br/>
+If so be shrilling voyce of wight alive<br/>
+May reach from hence to depth of darkest hell,<br/>
+Then let those deep abysses open rive,<br/>
+That ye may understand my shreiking yell!<br/>
+Thrice having seene under the heavens veale<br/>
+Your toombs devoted compasse over all,<br/>
+Thrice unto you with lowd voyce I appeale,<br/>
+And for your antique furie here doo call,<br/>
+  The whiles that I with sacred horror sing<br/>
+  Your glorie, fairest of all earthly thing!
+</p>
+
+<h4>II.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Great Babylon her haughtie walls will praise,<br/>
+And sharped steeples high shot up in ayre;<br/>
+Greece will the olde Ephesian buildings blaze,<br/>
+And Nylus nurslings their Pyramides faire;<br/>
+The same yet vaunting Greece will tell the storie<br/>
+Of Ioves great image in Olympus placed;<br/>
+Mausolus worke will be the Carians glorie,<br/>
+And Crete will boast the Labyrinth, now raced;<br/>
+The antique Rhodian will likewise set forth<br/>
+The great Colosse, erect to Memorie;<br/>
+And what els in the world is of like worth,<br/>
+Some greater learned wit will magnifie.<br/>
+  But I will sing above all moniments<br/>
+  Seven Romane Hils, the worlds seven wonderments.
+</p>
+
+<h4>III.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thou stranger, which for Rome in Rome hero seekest,<br/>
+And nought of Rome in Rome perceiv’st at all,<br/>
+These same olde walls, olde arches, which thou seest,<br/>
+Olde palaces, is that which Rome men call.<br/>
+Beholde what wreake, what mine, and what wast,<br/>
+And how that she which with her mightie powre<br/>
+Tam’d all the world hath tam’d herselfe at last;<br/>
+The pray of Time, which all things doth devowre!<br/>
+Rome now of Rome is th’onely funerall,<br/>
+And onely Rome of Rome hath victorie;<br/>
+Ne ought save Tyber hastning to his fall<br/>
+Remaines of all: O worlds inconstancie!<br/>
+  That which is firme doth flit and fall away,<br/>
+  And that is flitting doth abide and stay.
+</p>
+
+<h4>IV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+She whose high top above the starres did sore,<br/>
+One foote on Thetis, th’other on the Morning,<br/>
+One hand on Scythia, th’other on the More,<br/>
+Both heaven and earth in roundnesse compassing;<br/>
+Iove fearing, least if she should greater growe,<br/>
+The old giants should once againe uprise,<br/>
+Her whelm’d with hills, these seven hils, which be nowe<br/>
+Tombes of her greatnes which did threate the skies:<br/>
+Upon her head he heapt Mount Saturnal,<br/>
+Upon her bellie th’antique Palatine,<br/>
+Upon her stomacke laid Mount Quirinal,<br/>
+On her left hand the noysome Esquiline,<br/>
+  And Caelian on the right; but both her feete<br/>
+  Mount Viminal and Aventine doo meete.
+</p>
+
+<h4>V.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Who lists to see what ever nature, arte,<br/>
+And heaven could doo, O Rome, thee let him see,<br/>
+In case thy greatnes he can gesse in harte<br/>
+By that which but the picture is of thee!<br/>
+Rome is no more: but if the shade of Rome<br/>
+May of the bodie yeeld a seeming sight,<br/>
+It’s like a corse drawne forth out of the tombe<br/>
+By magicke skill out of eternall night:<br/>
+The corpes of Rome in ashes is entombed,<br/>
+And her great spirite, reioyned to the spirite<br/>
+Of this great masse, is in the same enwombed;<br/>
+But her brave writings, which, her famous merite<br/>
+  In spight of Time out of the dust doth reare,<br/>
+  Doo make her idole* through the world appeare.<br/>
+[* <i>Idole</i>, image, idea.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>VI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Such as the Berecynthian goddesse bright,<br/>
+In her swifte charret with high turrets crownde,<br/>
+Proud that so manie gods she brought to light,<br/>
+Such was this citie in her good daies fownd:<br/>
+This citie, more than that great Phrygian mother<br/>
+Renowm’d for fruite of famous progenie,<br/>
+Whose greatnes by the greatnes of none other,<br/>
+But by her selfe, her equall match could see:<br/>
+Rome onely might to Rome compared bee,<br/>
+And onely Rome could make great Rome to tremble:<br/>
+So did the gods by heavenly doome decree,<br/>
+That other earthlie power should not resemble<br/>
+  Her that did match the whole earths puissaunce,<br/>
+  And did her courage to the heavens advaunce.
+</p>
+
+<h4>VII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ye sacred ruines, and ye tragick sights,<br/>
+Which onely doo the name of Rome retaine,<br/>
+Olde moniments, which of so famous sprights<br/>
+The honour yet in ashes doo maintaine,<br/>
+Triumphant arcks, spyres neighbours to the skie,<br/>
+That you to see doth th’heaven it selfe appall,<br/>
+Alas! by little ye to nothing flie,<br/>
+The peoples fable, and the spoyle of all!<br/>
+And though your frames do for a time make warre<br/>
+Gainst Time, yet Time in time shall ruinate<br/>
+Your workes and names, and your last reliques marre.<br/>
+My sad desires, rest therefore moderate!<br/>
+  For if that Time make ende of things so sure,<br/>
+  It als will end the paine which I endure.
+</p>
+
+<h4>VIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Through armes and vassals Rome the world subdu’d,<br/>
+That one would weene that one sole cities strength<br/>
+Both land and sea in roundnes had survew’d,<br/>
+To be the measure of her bredth and length:<br/>
+This peoples vertue yet so fruitfull was<br/>
+Of vertuous nephewes*, that posteritie,<br/>
+Striving in power their grandfathers to passe,<br/>
+The lowest earth ioin’d to the heaven hie;<br/>
+To th’end that, having all parts in their power,<br/>
+Nought from the Romane Empire might be quight**;<br/>
+And that though Time doth commonwealths devowre,<br/>
+Yet no time should so low embase their hight,<br/>
+  That her head, earth’d in her foundations deep,<br/>
+  Should not her name and endles honour keep.<br/>
+[* <i>Nephewes</i>, descendants.]<br/>
+[** <i>Quight</i>, quit, free.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>IX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ye cruell starres, and eke ye gods unkinde,<br/>
+Heaven envious, and bitter stepdame Nature!<br/>
+Be it by fortune, or by course of kinde*,<br/>
+That ye doo weld th’affaires of earthlie creature;<br/>
+Why have your hands long sithence traveiled<br/>
+To frame this world, that doth endure so long?<br/>
+Or why were not these Romane palaces<br/>
+Made of some matter no lesse firme and strong?<br/>
+I say not, as the common voyce doth say,<br/>
+That all things which beneath the moone have being<br/>
+Are temporall and subiect to decay:<br/>
+But I say rather, though not all agreeing<br/>
+  With some that weene the contrarie in thought,<br/>
+  That all this whole shall one day come to nought.<br/>
+[* <i>Kinde</i>, nature.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>X.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+As that brave sonne of Aeson, which by charmes<br/>
+Atcheiv’d the golden fleece in Colchid land,<br/>
+Out of the earth engendred men of armes<br/>
+Of dragons teeth, sowne in the sacred sand,<br/>
+So this brave towne, that in her youthlie daies<br/>
+An hydra was of warriours glorious,<br/>
+Did fill with her renowmed nourslings praise<br/>
+The firie sunnes both one and other hous:<br/>
+But they at last, there being then not living<br/>
+An Hercules so ranke seed to represse,<br/>
+Emongst themselves with cruell furie striving,<br/>
+Mow’d downe themselves with slaughter mercilesse;<br/>
+  Renewing in themselves that rage unkinde,<br/>
+  Which whilom did those earthborn brethren blinde.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Mars, shaming to have given so great head<br/>
+To his off-spring, that mortall puissaunce,<br/>
+Puft up with pride of Romane hardiehead,<br/>
+Seem’d above heavens powre it selfe to advaunce,<br/>
+Cooling againe his former kindled heate<br/>
+With which he had those Romane spirits fild.<br/>
+Did blowe new fire, and with enflamed breath<br/>
+Into the Gothicke colde hot rage instil’d.<br/>
+Then gan that nation, th’earths new giant brood,<br/>
+To dart abroad the thunderbolts of warre,<br/>
+And, beating downe these walls with furious mood<br/>
+Into her mothers bosome, all did marre;<br/>
+  To th’end that none, all were it* Iove his sire,<br/>
+  Should boast himselfe of the Romane empire.<br/>
+[* <i>All were it</i>, although it were.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Like as whilome the children of the earth<br/>
+Heapt hils on hils to scale the starrie skie,<br/>
+And fight against the gods of heavenly berth,<br/>
+Whiles Iove at them his thunderbolts let flie;<br/>
+All suddenly with lightning overthrowne,<br/>
+The furious squadrons downe to ground did fall,<br/>
+That th’earth under her childrens weight did grone,<br/>
+And th’heavens in glorie triumpht over all;<br/>
+So did that haughtie front, which heaped was<br/>
+On these seven Romane hils, it selfe upreare<br/>
+Over the world, and lift her loftie face<br/>
+Against the heaven, that gan her force to feare.<br/>
+  But now these scorned fields bemone her fall,<br/>
+  And gods secure feare not her force at all.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Nor the swift furie of the flames aspiring,<br/>
+Nor the deep wounds of victours raging blade,<br/>
+Nor ruthlesse spoyle of souldiers blood-desiring,<br/>
+The which so oft thee, Rome, their conquest made,<br/>
+Ne stroke on stroke of fortune variable,<br/>
+Ne rust of age hating continuance,<br/>
+Nor wrath of gods, nor spight of men unstable,<br/>
+Nor thou oppos’d against thine owne puissance,<br/>
+Nor th’horrible uprore of windes high blowing,<br/>
+Nor swelling streames of that god snakie-paced*<br/>
+Which hath so often with his overflowing<br/>
+Thee drenched, have thy pride so much abaced,<br/>
+  But that this nothing, which they have thee left,<br/>
+  Makes the world wonder what they from thee reft.<br/>
+[* <i>Snakie-paced</i>, winding; or perhaps (like Ovid’s <i>anguipes</i>) swift.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XIV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+As men in summer fearles passe the foord<br/>
+Which is in winter lord of all the plaine,<br/>
+And with his tumbling streames doth beare aboord*<br/>
+The ploughmans hope and shepheards labour vaine,<br/>
+And as the coward beasts use to despise<br/>
+The noble lion after his lives end,<br/>
+Whetting their teeth, and with vaine foolhardise<br/>
+Daring the foe that cannot him defend,<br/>
+And as at Troy most dastards of the Greekes<br/>
+Did brave about the corpes of Hector colde,<br/>
+So those which whilome wont with pallid cheekes<br/>
+The Romane triumphs glorie to behold,<br/>
+  Now on these ashie tombes shew boldnesse vaine,<br/>
+  And, conquer’d, dare the conquerour disdaine.<br/>
+[*<i>Aboord</i>, into the current.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ye pallid spirits, and ye ashie ghoasts,<br/>
+Which, ioying in the brightnes of your day,<br/>
+Brought foorth those signes of your presumptuous boasts<br/>
+Which now their dusty reliques do bewray,<br/>
+Tell me, ye spirits! (sith the darksome river<br/>
+Of Styx, not passable to soules returning,<br/>
+Enclosing you in thrice three wards for ever,<br/>
+Doo not restraine your images still mourning,)<br/>
+Tell me then, (for perhaps some one of you<br/>
+Yet here above him secretly doth hide,)<br/>
+Doo ye not feele your torments to accrewe,<br/>
+When ye sometimes behold the ruin’d pride<br/>
+  Of these old Romane works, built with your hands,<br/>
+  To become nought els but heaped sands?
+</p>
+
+<h4>XVI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Like as ye see the wrathfull sea from farre<br/>
+In a great mountaine heap’t with hideous noyse,<br/>
+Eftsoones of thousand billowes shouldred narre*,<br/>
+Against a rocke to breake with dreadfull poyse;<br/>
+Like as ye see fell Boreas with sharpe blast<br/>
+Tossing huge tempests through the troubled skie,<br/>
+Eftsoones having his wide wings spent in wast,<br/>
+To stop his wearie cariere** suddenly;<br/>
+And as ye see huge flames spred diverslie,<br/>
+Gathered in one up to the heavens to spyre,<br/>
+Eftsoones consum’d to fall downe feebily,<br/>
+So whilom did this monarchie aspyre<br/>
+  As waves, as winde, as fire, spred over all,<br/>
+  Till it by fatall doome adowne did fall.<br/>
+[* <i>Narre</i>, nearer.]<br/>
+[** <i>Cariere</i>, career.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XVII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So long as Ioves great bird did make his flight,<br/>
+Bearing the fire with which heaven doth us fray,<br/>
+Heaven had not feare of that presumptuous might,<br/>
+With which the giaunts did the gods assay:<br/>
+But all so soone as scortching sunne had brent*<br/>
+His wings which wont the earth to overspredd,<br/>
+The earth out of her massie wombe forth sent<br/>
+That antique horror which made heaven adredd.<br/>
+Then was the Germane raven in disguise<br/>
+That Romane eagle seene to cleave asunder,<br/>
+And towards heaven freshly to arise<br/>
+Out of these mountaines, now consum’d to pouder.<br/>
+  In which the foule that serves to beare the lightning<br/>
+  Is now no more seen flying nor alighting.<br/>
+[* <i>Brent</i>, burned.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XVIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+These heapes of stones, these old wals which ye see,<br/>
+Were first enclosures but of salvage soyle;<br/>
+And these brave pallaces, which maystred bee<br/>
+Of time, were shepheards cottages somewhile.<br/>
+Then tooke the shepheards kingly ornaments<br/>
+And the stout hynde arm’d his right hand with steele:<br/>
+Eftsoones their rule of yearely presidents<br/>
+Grew great, and sixe months greater a great deele;<br/>
+Which, made perpetuall, rose to so great might,<br/>
+That thence th’imperiall eagle rooting tooke,<br/>
+Till th’heaven it selfe, opposing gainst her might,<br/>
+Her power to Peters successor betooke,<br/>
+  Who, shepheardlike, (as Fates the same foreseeing,)<br/>
+  Doth shew that all things turne to their first being.<br/>
+[XVIII. 8.—<i>Sixe months</i>, &amp;c. The term of the dictatorship at Rome.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XIX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+All that is perfect, which th’heaven beautefies;<br/>
+All that’s imperfect, borne belowe the moone;<br/>
+All that doth feede our spirits and our eies;<br/>
+And all that doth consume our pleasures soone;<br/>
+All the mishap the which our daies outweares;<br/>
+All the good hap of th’oldest times afore,<br/>
+Rome, in the time of her great ancesters,<br/>
+Like a Pandora, locked long in store.<br/>
+But destinie this huge chaos turmoyling,<br/>
+In which all good and evill was enclosed,<br/>
+Their heavenly vertues from these woes assoyling,<br/>
+Caried to heaven, from sinfull bondage losed:<br/>
+  But their great sinnes, the causers of their paine,<br/>
+  Under these antique ruines yet remaine.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+No otherwise than raynie cloud, first fed<br/>
+With earthly vapours gathered in the ayre,<br/>
+Eftsoones in compas arch’t, to steepe his hed,<br/>
+Doth plonge himselfe in Tethys bosome faire,<br/>
+And, mounting up againe from whence he came,<br/>
+With his great bellie spreds the dimmed world,<br/>
+Till at the last, dissolving his moist frame,<br/>
+In raine, or snowe, or haile, he forth is horld,<br/>
+This citie, which was first but shepheards shade,<br/>
+Uprising by degrees, grewe to such height<br/>
+That queene of land and sea her selfe she made.<br/>
+At last, not able to beare so great weight,<br/>
+  Her power, disperst, through all the world did vade*;<br/>
+  To shew that all in th’end to nought shall fade.<br/>
+[* <i>Vade</i>, vanish.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The same which Pyrrhus and the puissaunce<br/>
+Of Afrike could not tame, that same brave citie<br/>
+Which, with stout courage arm’d against mischaunce,<br/>
+Sustein’d the shocke of common enmitie,<br/>
+Long as her ship, tost with so manie freakes,<br/>
+Had all the world in armes against her bent,<br/>
+Was never seene that anie fortunes wreakes<br/>
+Could breake her course begun with brave intent.<br/>
+But, when the obiect of her vertue failed,<br/>
+Her power it selfe against it selfe did arme;<br/>
+As he that having long in tempest sailed<br/>
+Faine would arive, but cannot for the storme,<br/>
+  If too great winde against the port him drive,<br/>
+  Doth in the port it selfe his vessell rive.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+When that brave honour of the Latine name,<br/>
+Which mear’d* her rule with Africa and Byze**,<br/>
+With Thames inhabitants of noble fame,<br/>
+And they which see the dawning day arize,<br/>
+Her nourslings did with mutinous uprore<br/>
+Harten against her selfe, her conquer’d spoile,<br/>
+Which she had wonne from all the world afore,<br/>
+Of all the world was spoyl’d within a while:<br/>
+So, when the compast course of the universe<br/>
+In sixe and thirtie thousand yeares is ronne,<br/>
+The bands of th’elements shall backe reverse<br/>
+To their first discord, and be quite undonne;<br/>
+  The seedes of which all things at first were bred<br/>
+  Shall in great Chaos wombe againe be hid.<br/>
+[* <i>Mear’d</i>, bounded.]<br/>
+[** <i>Byze</i>, Byzantium.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+O warie wisedome of the man* that would<br/>
+That Carthage towres from spoile should be forborne,<br/>
+To th’end that his victorious people should<br/>
+With cancring laisure not be overworne!<br/>
+He well foresaw how that the Romane courage,<br/>
+Impatient of pleasures faint desires,<br/>
+Through idlenes would turne to civill rage,<br/>
+And be her selfe the matter of her fires.<br/>
+For in a people given all to ease,<br/>
+Ambition is engendred easily;<br/>
+As, in a vicious bodie, grose disease<br/>
+Soone growes through humours superfluitie.<br/>
+  That came to passe, when, swolne with plenties pride,<br/>
+  Nor prince, nor peere, nor kin, they would abide.<br/>
+[* I.e. Scipio Nasica.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXIV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+If the blinde Furie which warres breedeth oft<br/>
+Wonts not t’enrage the hearts of equall beasts,<br/>
+Whether they fare on foote, or flie aloft,<br/>
+Or armed be with clawes, or scalie creasts,<br/>
+What fell Erynnis, with hot burning tongs,<br/>
+Did grype your hearts with noysome rage imbew’d,<br/>
+That, each to other working cruell wrongs,<br/>
+Your blades in your owne bowels you embrew’d?<br/>
+Was this, ye Romanes, your hard destinie?<br/>
+Or some old sinne, whose unappeased guilt<br/>
+Powr’d vengeance forth on you eternallie?<br/>
+Or brothers blood, the which at first was spilt<br/>
+  Upon your walls, that God might not endure<br/>
+  Upon the same to set foundation sure?
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+O that I had the Thracian poets harpe,<br/>
+For to awake out of th’infernall shade<br/>
+Those antique Caesars, sleeping long in darke,<br/>
+The which this auncient citie whilome made!<br/>
+Or that I had Amphions instrument,<br/>
+To quicken with his vitall notes accord<br/>
+The stonie ioynts of these old walls now rent,<br/>
+By which th’Ausonian light might be restor’d!<br/>
+Or that at least I could with pencill fine<br/>
+Fashion the pourtraicts of these palacis,<br/>
+By paterne of great Virgils spirit divine!<br/>
+I would assay with that which in me is<br/>
+  To builde, with levell of my loftie style,<br/>
+  That which no hands can evermore compyle.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXVI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Who list the Romane greatnes forth to figure,<br/>
+Him needeth not to seeke for usage right<br/>
+Of line, or lead, or rule, or squaire, to measure<br/>
+Her length, her breadth, her deepnes, or her hight;<br/>
+But him behooves to vew in compasse round<br/>
+All that the ocean graspes in his long armes;<br/>
+Be it where the yerely starre doth scortch the ground,<br/>
+Or where colde Boreas blowes his bitter stormes.<br/>
+Rome was th’whole world, and al the world was Rome;<br/>
+And if things nam’d their names doo equalize,<br/>
+When land and sea ye name, then name ye Rome,<br/>
+And, naming Rome, ye land and sea comprize:<br/>
+  For th’auncient plot of Rome, displayed plaine,<br/>
+  The map of all the wide world doth containe.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXVII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thou that at Rome astonisht dost behold<br/>
+The antique pride which menaced the skie,<br/>
+These haughtie heapes, these palaces of olde,<br/>
+These wals, these arcks, these baths, these temples his,<br/>
+Iudge, by these ample ruines vew, the rest<br/>
+The which iniurious time hath quite outworne,<br/>
+Since, of all workmen helde in reckning best,<br/>
+Yet these olde fragments are for paternes borne:<br/>
+Then also marke how Rome, from day to day,<br/>
+Repayring her decayed fashion,<br/>
+Renewes herselfe with buildings rich and gay;<br/>
+That one would iudge that the Romaine Daemon*<br/>
+  Doth yet himselfe with fatall hand enforce<br/>
+  Againe on foot to reare her pouldred** corse.<br/>
+[* <i>Romaine Daemon</i>, Genius of Rome.]<br/>
+[** <i>Pouldred</i>, reduced to dust.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXVIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+He that hath seene a great oke drie and dead,<br/>
+Yet clad with reliques of some trophees olde,<br/>
+Lifting to heaven her aged hoarie head,<br/>
+Whose foote in ground hath left but feeble holde,<br/>
+But halfe disbowel’d lies above the ground,<br/>
+Shewing her wreathed rootes, and naked armes,<br/>
+And on her trunke all rotten and unsound<br/>
+Onely supports herselfe for meate of wormes,<br/>
+And, though she owe her fall to the first winde,<br/>
+Yet of the devout people is ador’d,<br/>
+And manie yong plants spring out of her rinde;<br/>
+Who such an oke hath seene, let him record<br/>
+  That such this cities honour was of yore,<br/>
+  And mongst all cities florished much more.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXIX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+All that which Aegypt whilome did devise,<br/>
+All that which Greece their temples to embrave,<br/>
+After th’Ionicke, Atticke, Doricke guise,<br/>
+Or Corinth skil’d in curious workes to grave,<br/>
+All that Lysippus practike* arte could forme,<br/>
+Apelles wit, or Phidias his skill,<br/>
+Was wont this auncient citie to adorne,<br/>
+And the heaven it selfe with her wide wonders fill.<br/>
+All that which Athens ever brought forth wise,<br/>
+All that which Afrike ever brought forth strange,<br/>
+All that which Asie ever had of prise,<br/>
+Was here to see. O mervelous great change!<br/>
+  Rome, living, was the worlds sole ornament;<br/>
+  And, dead, is now the worlds sole moniment.<br/>
+[* <i>Practike</i>, cunning.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Like as the seeded field greene grasse first showes,<br/>
+Then from greene grasse into a stalke doth spring,<br/>
+And from a stalke into an eare forth-growes,<br/>
+Which eare the frutefull graine doth shortly bring,<br/>
+And as in season due the husband* mowes<br/>
+The waving lockes of those faire yeallow heares,<br/>
+Which, bound in sheaves, and layd in comely rowes,<br/>
+Upon the naked fields in stalkes he reares,<br/>
+So grew the Romane empire by degree,<br/>
+Till that barbarian hands it quite did spill,<br/>
+And left of it but these olde markes to see,<br/>
+Of which all passers by doo somewhat pill**,<br/>
+  As they which gleane, the reliques use to gather<br/>
+  Which th’husbandman behind him chanst to scater.<br/>
+[* <i>Husband</i>, husbandman.]<br/>
+[** <i>Pill</i>, plunder.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+That same is now nought but a champian wide,<br/>
+Where all this worlds pride once was situate.<br/>
+No blame to thee, whosoever dost abide<br/>
+By Nyle, or Gange, or Tygre, or Euphrate;<br/>
+Ne Afrike thereof guiltie is, nor Spaine,<br/>
+Nor the bolde people by the Thamis brincks,<br/>
+Nor the brave warlicke brood of Alemaine,<br/>
+Nor the borne souldier which Rhine running drinks.<br/>
+Thou onely cause, O Civill Furie, art!<br/>
+Which, sowing in th’Aemathian fields thy spight,<br/>
+Didst arme thy hand against thy proper hart;<br/>
+To th’end that when thou wast in greatest hight<br/>
+  To greatnes growne, through long prosperitie,<br/>
+  Thou then adowne might’st fall more horriblie.<br/>
+[XXXI. 10.—<i>Aemathian fields</i>. Thessalian fields; alluding to the<br/>
+battle fought at Pharsalia, in Thessaly, between Caesar and Pompey. H.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Hope ye, my Verses, that posteritie<br/>
+Of age ensuing shall you ever read?<br/>
+Hope ye that ever immortalitie<br/>
+So meane harpes worke may chalenge for her meed?<br/>
+If under heaven anie endurance were,<br/>
+These moniments, which not in paper writ,<br/>
+But in porphyre and marble doo appeare,<br/>
+Might well have hop’d to have obtained it.<br/>
+Nath’les, my Lute, whom Phoebus deigned to give,<br/>
+Cease not to sound these olde antiquities:<br/>
+For if that Time doo let thy glorie live,<br/>
+Well maist thou boast, how ever base thou bee,<br/>
+  That thou art first which of thy nation song<br/>
+  Th’olde honour of the people gowned long.
+</p>
+
+<h4>L’ENVOY.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Bellay, first garland of free poesie<br/>
+That France brought forth, though fruitfull of brave wits,<br/>
+Well worthie thou of immortalitie,<br/>
+That long hast traveld*, by thy learned writs,<br/>
+Olde Rome out of her ashes to revive,<br/>
+And give a second life to dead decayes!<br/>
+Needes must he all eternitie survive,<br/>
+That can to other give eternall dayes.<br/>
+Thy dayes therefore are endles, and thy prayse<br/>
+Excelling all that ever went before:<br/>
+And, after thee, gins Bartas hie to rayse<br/>
+His heavenly Muse, th’Almightie to adore.<br/>
+  Live happie spirits, th’honour of your name,<br/>
+  And fill the world with never dying fame!<br/>
+[* <i>Traveld</i>, travailed, toiled.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+L’Envoy, 11.—<i>Bartas</i>. Guillaume de Salluste du Bartas, a French poet
+of the time of Henry IV, of extraordinary popularity in his day. His
+poem on the Creation is said to have been reprinted more than thirty
+times in six years, and was translated into several languages; among
+others, into English by Joshua Sylvester. H.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap06"></a>MUIOPOTMOS:</h2>
+
+<h3>OR</h3>
+
+<h3>THE FATE OF THE BUTTERFLIE.</h3>
+
+<h3>BY ED. SP.</h3>
+
+<h4>DEDICATED TO THE MOST FAIRE AND VERTUOUS LADIE,</h4>
+
+<h5>THE LADIE CAREY.</h5>
+
+<h2>LONDON:</h2>
+
+<h5>IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE, DWELLING IN PAULES</h5>
+
+<h5>CHURCHYARD AT THE SIGNE OF THE BISHOPS HEAD.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+1590*
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* This date seems to be an error for 1591; or, as Mr. Craik suggests,
+it may have been used designedly with reference to real events, not yet
+ascertained, which furnished the subject of this very pleasing
+allegory. The Visions of the Worlds Vanitie, which follow this piece,
+may be suspected of a similar application. C.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>TO THE RIGHT WORTHY AND VERTUOUS LADIE, THE LA: CAREY.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Most brave and bountifull La: for so excellent favours as I have
+received at your sweet handes, to offer these fewe leaves as in
+recompence, should be as to offer flowers to the gods for their divine
+benefites. Therefore I have determined to give my selfe wholy to you,
+as quite abandoned from my selfe, and absolutely vowed to your
+services: which in all right is ever held for full recompence of debt
+or damage, to have the person yeelded. My person I wot wel how little
+worth it is. But the faithfull minde and humble zeale which I bear unto
+your La: may perhaps be more of price, as may please you to account and
+use the poore service thereof; which taketh glory to advance your
+excellent partes and noble vertues, and to spend it selfe in honouring
+you; not so much for your great bounty to my self, which yet may not be
+unminded; nor for name or kindreds* sake by you vouchsafed, beeing
+also regardable; as for that honorable name, which yee have by your
+brave deserts purchast to your self, and spred in the mouths of al men:
+with which I have also presumed to grace my verses, and, under your
+name, to commend to the world this smal poeme; the which beseeching
+your La: to take in worth, and of all things therein according to your
+wonted graciousnes to make a milde construction, I humbly pray for your
+happines.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Your La: ever humbly,
+</p>
+
+<h5>E. S.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[Footnote: “This lady was Elizabeth, one of the six daughters of Sir John
+Spencer, of Althorpe, in Northamptonshire, and was married to Sir George Carey,
+who became Lord Hunsdon on the death of his father, in 1596.”—TODD.]
+</p>
+
+<h3>MUIOPOTMOS:</h3>
+
+<h5>OR</h5>
+
+<h5>THE FATE OF THE BUTTERFLIE.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I sing of deadly dolorous debate,<br/>
+Stir’d up through wrathful! Nemesis despight,<br/>
+Betwixt two mightie ones of great estate,<br/>
+Drawne into armes and proofe of mortall fight<br/>
+Through prowd ambition and hart-swelling hate,                    5<br/>
+Whilest neither could the others greater might<br/>
+And sdeignfull scorne endure; that from small iarre<br/>
+Their wraths at length broke into open warre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The roote whereof and tragicall effect,<br/>
+Vouchsafe, O thou the mournfulst Muse of nyne,                    10<br/>
+That wontst the tragick stage for to direct,<br/>
+In funerall complaints and waylfull tyne*<br/>
+Reveale to me, and all the meanes detect<br/>
+Through which sad Clarion did at last declyne<br/>
+To lowest wretchednes: And is there then                    15<br/>
+Such rancour in the harts of mightie men?<br/>
+[* <i>Tyne</i>, grief.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Of all the race of silver-winged flies<br/>
+Which doo possesse the empire of the aire,<br/>
+Betwixt the centred earth and azure skies<br/>
+Was none more favourable nor more faire,                    20<br/>
+Whilst heaven did favour his felicities,<br/>
+Then Clarion, the eldest sonne and haire<br/>
+Of Muscaroll, and in his fathers sight<br/>
+Of all alive did seeme the fairest wight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With fruitfull hope his aged breast he fed                    25<br/>
+Of future good, which his yong toward yeares,<br/>
+Full of brave courage and bold hardyhed<br/>
+Above th’ensample of his equall peares,<br/>
+Did largely promise, and to him fore-red,<br/>
+(Whilst oft his heart did melt in tender teares,)                    30<br/>
+That he in time would sure prove such an one,<br/>
+As should be worthie of his fathers throne.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The fresh yong flie, in whom the kindly fire<br/>
+Of lustfull yongth* began to kindle fast,<br/>
+Did much disdaine to subiect his desire                    35<br/>
+To loathsome sloth, or houres in ease to wast;<br/>
+But ioy’d to range abroad in fresh attire<br/>
+Through the wide compas of the ayrie coast,<br/>
+And with unwearied wings each part t’inquire<br/>
+Of the wide rule of his renownned sire.                    40<br/>
+[* <i>Yongth</i>, youth.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For he so swift and nimble was of flight,<br/>
+That from this lower tract he dar’d to stie*<br/>
+Up to the clowdes, and thence with pineons light<br/>
+To mount aloft unto the christall skie,<br/>
+To vew the workmanship of heavens hight                    45<br/>
+Whence down descending he along would flie<br/>
+Upon the streaming rivers, sport to finde,<br/>
+And oft would dare to tempt the troublous winde.<br/>
+[* <i>Stie</i>, mount.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So on a summers day, when season milde<br/>
+With gentle calme the world had quieted,                    50<br/>
+And high in heaven Hyperions fierie childe<br/>
+Ascending did his beames abroad dispred,<br/>
+Whiles all the heavens on lower creatures smilde,<br/>
+Yong Clarion, with vauntfull lustiehead;<br/>
+After his guize did cast abroad to fare,                    55<br/>
+And theretoo gan his furnitures prepare.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+His breastplate first, that was of substance pure,<br/>
+Before his noble heart he firmely bound,<br/>
+That mought his life from yron death assure,<br/>
+And ward his gentle corpes from cruell wound:                    60<br/>
+For it by arte was framed to endure<br/>
+The bit* of balefull steele and bitter stownd**,<br/>
+No lesse than that which Vulcane made to sheild<br/>
+Achilles life from fate of Troyan field.<br/>
+[* <i>Bit</i>, bite.]<br/>
+[** <i>Stownd</i>, hour.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And then about his shoulders broad he threw                    65<br/>
+An hairie hide of some wilde beast, whom hee<br/>
+In salvage forrest by adventure slew,<br/>
+And reft the spoyle his ornament to bee;<br/>
+Which, spredding all his backe with dreadfull vew,<br/>
+Made all that him so horrible did see                    70<br/>
+Thinke him Alcides with the lyons skin,<br/>
+When the Naeméan conquest he did win.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Upon his head, his glistering burganet*,<br/>
+The which was wrought by wonderous device<br/>
+And curiously engraven, he did set:                    75<br/>
+The mettall was of rare and passing price;<br/>
+Not Bilbo** steele, nor brasse from Corinth fet,<br/>
+Nor costly oricalche from strange Phoenice;<br/>
+But such as could both Phoebus arrowes ward,<br/>
+And th’hayling darts of heaven beating hard.                    80<br/>
+[* <i>Burganet</i>, helmet.]<br/>
+[** <i>Bilbo</i>, Bilboa.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Therein two deadly weapons fixt he bore,<br/>
+Strongly outlaunced towards either side,<br/>
+Like two sharpe speares, his enemies to gore:<br/>
+Like as a warlike brigandine, applyde<br/>
+To fight, layes forth her threatfull pikes afore,                    85<br/>
+The engines which in them sad death doo hyde,<br/>
+So did this flie outstretch his fearefull hornes,<br/>
+Yet so as him their terrour more adornes.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Lastly his shinie wings, as silver bright,<br/>
+Painted with thousand colours passing farre                    90<br/>
+All painters skill, he did about him dight:<br/>
+Not halfe so manie sundrie colours arre<br/>
+In Iris bowe; ne heaven doth shine so bright,<br/>
+Distinguished with manie a twinckling starre;<br/>
+Nor Iunoes bird, in her ey-spotted traine,                    95<br/>
+So manie goodly colours doth containe.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ne (may it be withouten perill spoken)<br/>
+The Archer-god, the sonne of Cytheree,<br/>
+That ioyes on wretched lovers to be wroken*,<br/>
+And heaped spoyles of bleeding harts to see,                    100<br/>
+Beares in his wings so manie a changefull token.<br/>
+Ah! my liege Lord, forgive it unto mee,<br/>
+If ought against thine honour I have tolde;<br/>
+Yet sure those wings were fairer manifolde.<br/>
+[* <i>Wroken</i>, avenged.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Full many a ladie faire, in court full oft                    105<br/>
+Beholding them, him secretly envide,<br/>
+And wisht that two such fannes, so silken soft<br/>
+And golden faire, her Love would her provide;<br/>
+Or that, when them the gorgeous flie had doft,<br/>
+Some one that would with grace be gratifide                    110<br/>
+From him would steale them privily away,<br/>
+And bring to her so precious a pray.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Report is that Dame Venus on a day,<br/>
+In spring when flowres doo clothe the fruitful ground,<br/>
+Walking abroad with all her nymphes to play,                    115<br/>
+Bad her faire damzels flocking her arownd<br/>
+To gather flowres, her forhead to array.<br/>
+Emongst the rest a gentle nymph was found,<br/>
+Hight Astery, excelling all the crewe<br/>
+In curteous usage and unstained hewe.                    120
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Who, being nimbler ioynted than the rest,<br/>
+And more industrious, gathered more store<br/>
+Of the fields honour than the others best;<br/>
+Which they in secret harts envying sore,<br/>
+Tolde Venus, when her as the worthiest                    125<br/>
+She praisd’, that Cupide (as they heard before)<br/>
+Did lend her secret aide in gathering<br/>
+Into her lap the children of the Spring,
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whereof the goddesse gathering iealous feare,—<br/>
+Not yet unmindfull how not long agoe                    130<br/>
+Her sonne to Psyche secrete love did beare,<br/>
+And long it close conceal’d, till mickle woe<br/>
+Thereof arose, and manie a rufull teare,—<br/>
+Reason with sudden rage did overgoe;<br/>
+And, giving hastie credit to th’accuser,                    135<br/>
+Was led away of them that did abuse her.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Eftsoones that damzel by her heavenly might<br/>
+She turn’d into a winged butterflie,<br/>
+In the wide aire to make her wandring flight;<br/>
+And all those flowres, with which so plenteouslie                    140<br/>
+Her lap she filled had, that bred her spight,<br/>
+She placed in her wings, for memorie<br/>
+Of her pretended crime, though crime none were:<br/>
+Since which that flie them in her wings doth beare.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thus the fresh Clarion, being readie dight,                    145<br/>
+Unto his iourney did himselfe addresse,<br/>
+And with good speed began to take his flight:<br/>
+Over the fields, in his franke* lustinesse;<br/>
+And all the champion** he soared light;<br/>
+And all the countrey wide he did possesse,                    150<br/>
+Feeding upon their pleasures bounteouslie,<br/>
+That none gainsaid, nor none did him envie.<br/>
+[* <i>Franke</i>, free.]<br/>
+[** <i>Champion</i>, champaign.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The woods, the rivers, and the medowes green.<br/>
+With his aire-cutting wings he measured wide,<br/>
+Ne did he leave the mountaines bare unseene,                    155<br/>
+Nor the ranke grassie fennes delights untride.<br/>
+But none of these, how ever sweete they beene,<br/>
+Mote please his fancie nor him cause t’abide:<br/>
+His choicefull sense with everie change doth flit;<br/>
+No common things may please a wavering wit.                    160
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+To the gay gardins his unstaid desire<br/>
+Him wholly caried, to refresh his sprights:<br/>
+There lavish Nature, in her best attire,<br/>
+Powres forth sweete odors and alluring sights;<br/>
+And Arte, with her contending, doth aspire                    165<br/>
+T’excell the naturall with made delights:<br/>
+And all that faire or pleasant may be found<br/>
+In riotous excesse doth there abound.<br/>
+There he arriving round about doth flie,<br/>
+From bed to bed, from one to other border;                    170<br/>
+And takes survey, with curious busie eye,<br/>
+Of every flowre and herbe there set in order;<br/>
+Now this, now that, he tasteth tenderly,<br/>
+Yet none of them he rudely doth disorder,<br/>
+Ne with his feete their silken leaves deface,                    175<br/>
+But pastures on the pleasures of each place.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And evermore with most varietie,<br/>
+And change of sweetnesse, (for all change is sweete,)<br/>
+He casts his glutton sense to satisfie;<br/>
+Now sucking of the sap of herbe most meete,                    180<br/>
+Or of the deaw which yet on them does lie,<br/>
+Now in the same bathing his tender feete:<br/>
+And then he pearcheth on some braunch thereby,<br/>
+To weather him, and his moyst wings to dry.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And then againe he turneth to his play,                    185<br/>
+To spoyle the pleasures of that paradise;<br/>
+The wholsome saulge*, and lavender still gray,<br/>
+Ranke-smelling rue, and cummin good for eyes,<br/>
+The roses raigning in the pride of May,<br/>
+Sharpe isope, good for greene wounds remedies,                    190<br/>
+Faire marigoldes, and bees-alluring thime,<br/>
+Sweete marioram, and daysies decking prime:<br/>
+[* <i>Saulge</i>, sage.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Coole violets, and orpine growing still,<br/>
+Embathed balme, and chearfull galingale,<br/>
+Fresh costmarie, and breathfull camomill,                    195<br/>
+Dull poppie, and drink-quickning setuale*,<br/>
+Veyne-healing verven, and hed-purging dill,<br/>
+Sound savorie, and bazil hartie-hale,<br/>
+Fat colworts, and comfórting perseline**,<br/>
+Colde lettuce, and refreshing rosmarine.                    200<br/>
+[* <i>Setuale</i>, valerian.]<br/>
+[** <i>Perseline</i>, purslain.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And whatso else of vertue good or ill<br/>
+Grewe in this gardin, fetcht from farre away,<br/>
+Of everie one he takes and tastes at will,<br/>
+And on their pleasures greedily doth pray.<br/>
+Then when he hath both plaid, and fed his fill,                    205<br/>
+In the warme sunne he doth himselfe embay*,<br/>
+And there him rests in riotous suffisaunce<br/>
+Of all his gladfulnes and kingly ioyaunce.<br/>
+[* <i>Embay</i>, bathe.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+What more felicitie can fall to creature<br/>
+Than to enioy delight with libertie,                    210<br/>
+And to be lord of all the workes of Nature,<br/>
+To raine in th’aire from earth to highest skie,<br/>
+To feed on flowres and weeds of glorious feature,<br/>
+To take whatever thing doth please the eie?<br/>
+Who rests not pleased with such happines,                    215<br/>
+Well worthie he to taste of wretchednes.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But what on earth can long abide in state?<br/>
+Or who can him assure of happie day?<br/>
+Sith morning faire may bring fowle evening late,<br/>
+And least mishap the most blisse alter may!                    220<br/>
+For thousand perills lie in close awaite<br/>
+About us daylie, to worke our decay;<br/>
+That none, except a God, or God him guide,<br/>
+May them avoyde, or remedie provide.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And whatso heavens in their secret doome                    225<br/>
+Ordained have, how can fraile fleshly wight<br/>
+Forecast, but it must needs to issue come?<br/>
+The sea, the aire, the fire, the day, the night,<br/>
+And th’armies of their creatures, all and some*,<br/>
+Do serve to them, and with importune might                    230<br/>
+Warre against us, the vassals of their will.<br/>
+Who then can save what they dispose to spill?<br/>
+[* <i>All and some</i>, one and all.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Not thou, O Clarion, though fairest thou<br/>
+Of all thy kinde, unhappie happie flie,<br/>
+Whose cruell fate is woven even now                    235<br/>
+Of loves owne hand, to worke thy miserie!<br/>
+Ne may thee helpe the manie hartie vow,<br/>
+Which thy olde sire with sacred pietie<br/>
+Hath powred forth for thee, and th’altars sprent*<br/>
+Nought may thee save from heavens avengëment!                    240<br/>
+[* <i>Sprent</i>, sprinkled.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+It fortuned (as heavens had behight*)<br/>
+That in this gardin where yong Clarion<br/>
+Was wont to solace him, a wicked wight,<br/>
+The foe of faire things, th’author of confusion,<br/>
+The shame of Nature, the bondslave of spight,                    245<br/>
+Had lately built his hatefull mansion;<br/>
+And, lurking closely, in awayte now lay,<br/>
+How he might anie in his trap betray.<br/>
+[* <i>Behight</i>, ordained.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But when he spide the ioyous butterflie<br/>
+In this faire plot dispacing* too and fro,                    250<br/>
+Fearles of foes and hidden ieopardie,<br/>
+Lord! how he gan for to bestirre him tho,<br/>
+And to his wicked worke each part applie!<br/>
+His heart did earne** against his hated foe,<br/>
+And bowels so with rankling poyson swelde,                    255<br/>
+That scarce the skin the strong contagion helde.<br/>
+[* <i>Dispacing</i>, ranging about.]<br/>
+[** <i>Earne</i>, yearn.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The cause why he this flie so maliced*<br/>
+Was (as in stories it is written found)<br/>
+For that his mother which him bore and bred,<br/>
+The most fine-fingred workwoman on ground,                    260<br/>
+Arachne, by his meanes was vanquished<br/>
+Of Pallas, and in her owne skill confound**,<br/>
+When she with her for excellence contended,<br/>
+That wrought her shame, and sorrow never ended.<br/>
+[* <i>Maliced</i>, bore ill-will to.]<br/>
+[** <i>Confound</i>, confounded.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For the Tritonian goddesse, having hard                    265<br/>
+Her blazed fame, which all the world had fil’d,<br/>
+Came downe to prove the truth, and due reward<br/>
+For her prais-worthie workmanship to yeild:<br/>
+But the presumptuous damzel rashly dar’d<br/>
+The goddesse selfe to chalenge to the field,                    270<br/>
+And to compare with her in curious skill<br/>
+Of workes with loome, with needle, and with quill.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Minerva did the chalenge not refuse,<br/>
+But deign’d with her the paragon* to make:<br/>
+So to their worke they sit, and each doth chuse                    275<br/>
+What storie she will for her tapet** take.<br/>
+Arachne figur’d how love did abuse<br/>
+Europa like a bull, and on his backe<br/>
+Her through the sea did beare; so lively*** seene,<br/>
+That it true sea and true bull ye would weene.                    280<br/>
+[* <i>Paragon</i>, comparison.]<br/>
+[** <i>Tapet</i>, tapestry.]<br/>
+[*** <i>Lively</i>, life-like.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Shee seem’d still backe unto the land to looke,<br/>
+And her play-fellowes aide to call, and feare<br/>
+The dashing of the waves, that up she tooke<br/>
+Her daintie feete, and garments gathered neare:<br/>
+But Lord! how she in everie member shooke,                    285<br/>
+When as the land she saw no more appeare,<br/>
+But a wilde wildernes of waters deepe:<br/>
+Then gan she greatly to lament and weepe.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Before the bull she pictur’d winged Love,<br/>
+With his yong brother Sport, light fluttering                    290<br/>
+Upon the waves, as each had been a dove;<br/>
+The one his bowe and shafts, the other spring*<br/>
+A burning teade** about his head did move,<br/>
+As in their syres new love both triumphing;<br/>
+And manie Nymphes about them flocking round,                    295<br/>
+And manie Tritons which their homes did sound.<br/>
+[* <i>Spring</i>, springal, youth.]<br/>
+[** <i>Teade</i>, torch.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And round about her-worke she did empale*<br/>
+With a faire border wrought of sundrie flowres,<br/>
+Enwoven with an yviewinding trayle:<br/>
+A goodly worke, full fit for kingly bowres,                    300<br/>
+Such as Dame Pallas, such as Envie pale,<br/>
+That al good things with venemous tooth devowres,<br/>
+Could not accuse. Then gan the goddesse bright<br/>
+Her selfe likewise unto her worke to dight.<br/>
+[* <i>Empale</i>, inclose.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+She made the storie of the olde debate                    305<br/>
+Which she with Neptune did for Athens trie:<br/>
+Twelve gods doo sit around in royall state,<br/>
+And love in midst with awfull maiestie,<br/>
+To iudge the strife betweene them stirred late:<br/>
+Each of the gods by his like visnomie*                    310<br/>
+Eathe** to be knowen; but love above them all,<br/>
+By his great lookes and power imperiall.<br/>
+[* <i>Visnomie</i>, countenance.]<br/>
+[** <i>Eathe</i>, easy.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Before them stands the god of seas in place,<br/>
+Clayming that sea-coast citie as his right,<br/>
+And strikes the rockes with his three-forked mace;<br/>
+Whenceforth issues a warlike steed in sight,                    316<br/>
+The signe by which he chalengeth the place;<br/>
+That all the gods which saw his wondrous might<br/>
+Did surely deeme the victorie his due:<br/>
+But seldom seene, foreiudgement proveth true.                    320
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then to herselfe she gives her Aegide shield,<br/>
+And steel-hed speare, and morion * on her hedd,<br/>
+Such as she oft is seene in warlicke field:<br/>
+Then sets she forth, how with her weapon dredd<br/>
+She smote the ground, the which streight foorth did yield                    325<br/>
+A fruitfull olyve tree, with berries spredd,<br/>
+That all the gods admir’d; then all the storie<br/>
+She compast with a wreathe of olyves hoarie.<br/>
+[* <i>Morion</i>, steel cap.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Emongst those leaves she made a butterflie,<br/>
+With excellent device and wondrous slight,                    330<br/>
+Fluttring among the olives wantonly,<br/>
+That seem’d to live, so like it was in sight:<br/>
+The velvet nap which on his wings doth lie,<br/>
+The silken downe with which his backe is dight,<br/>
+His broad outstretched homes, his hayrie thies,                    335<br/>
+His glorious colours, and his glistering eies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Which when Arachne saw, as overlaid *<br/>
+And mastered with workmanship so rare,<br/>
+She stood astonied long, ne ought gainesaid;<br/>
+And with fast fixed eyes on her did stare,                    340<br/>
+And by her silence, signe of one dismaid,<br/>
+The victorie did yeeld her as her share;<br/>
+Yet did she inly fret and felly burne,<br/>
+And all her blood to poysonous rancor turne:<br/>
+[* <i>Overlaid</i>, overcome.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+That shortly from the shape of womanhed,                    345<br/>
+Such as she was when Pallas she attempted,<br/>
+She grew to hideous shape of dryrihed*,<br/>
+Pined with griefe of follie late repented:<br/>
+Eftsoones her white streight legs were altered<br/>
+To crooked crawling shankes, of marrowe empted,                    350<br/>
+And her faire face to foule and loathsome hewe,<br/>
+And her fine corpes to a bag of venim grewe.<br/>
+[* <i>Dryrihed</i>, sadness, unsightliness.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+This cursed creature, mindfull of that olde<br/>
+Enfestred grudge the which his mother felt,<br/>
+So soone as Clarion he did beholde,                    355<br/>
+His heart with vengefull malice inly swelt;<br/>
+And weaving straight a net with mame a folde<br/>
+About the cave in which he lurking dwelt,<br/>
+With fine small cords about it stretched wide,<br/>
+So finely sponne that scarce they could be spide,                    360
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Not anie damzell which her vaunteth most<br/>
+In skilfull knitting of soft silken twyne,<br/>
+Nor anie weaver, which his worke doth boast<br/>
+In dieper, in damaske, or in lyne*,<br/>
+Nor anie skil’d in workmanship embost,                    365<br/>
+Nor anie skil’d in loupes of fingring fine,<br/>
+Might in their divers cunning ever dare<br/>
+With this so curious networks to compare.<br/>
+[* <i>Lyne</i>, linen.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ne doo I thinke that that same subtil gin<br/>
+The which the Lemnian god framde craftilie,                    370<br/>
+Mars sleeping with his wife to compasse in,<br/>
+That all the gods with common mockerie<br/>
+Might laugh at them, and scorne their shamefull sin,<br/>
+Was like to this. This same he did applie<br/>
+For to entrap the careles Clarion,                    375<br/>
+That rang’d each where without suspition.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Suspition of friend, nor feare of foe,<br/>
+That hazarded his health, had he at all,<br/>
+But walkt at will, and wandred too and fro,<br/>
+In the pride of his freedome principall*:                    380<br/>
+Litle wist he his fatall future woe,<br/>
+But was secure; the liker he to fall.<br/>
+He likest is to fall into mischaunce,<br/>
+That is regardles of his governaunce.<br/>
+[* <i>Principall</i>, princely.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet still Aragnoll (so his foe was hight)                    385<br/>
+Lay lurking covertly him to surprise;<br/>
+And all his gins, that him entangle might,<br/>
+Drest in good order as he could devise.<br/>
+At length the foolish flie, without foresight,<br/>
+As he that did all daunger quite despise,                    390<br/>
+Toward those parts came flying careleslie,<br/>
+Where hidden was his hatefull enemie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Who, seeing him, with secret ioy therefore<br/>
+Did tickle inwardly in everie vaine;<br/>
+And his false hart, fraught with all treasons store,                    395<br/>
+Was fil’d with hope his purpose to obtaine:<br/>
+Himselfe he close upgathered more and more<br/>
+Into his den, that his deceiptfull traine<br/>
+By his there being might not be bewraid,<br/>
+Ne anie noyse, ne anie motion made.                    400
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Like as a wily foxe, that, having spide<br/>
+Where on a sunnie banke the lambes doo play,<br/>
+Full closely creeping by the hinder side,<br/>
+Lyes in ambushment of his hoped pray,<br/>
+Ne stirreth limbe, till, seeing readie tide*,                    405<br/>
+He rusheth forth, and snatcheth quite away<br/>
+One of the litle yonglings unawares;<br/>
+So to his worke Aragnoll him prepares.<br/>
+[* <i>Tide</i>, time.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Who now shall give unto my heavie eyes<br/>
+A well of teares, that all may overflow?                    410<br/>
+Or where shall I finde lamentable cryes,<br/>
+And mournfull tunes enough my griefe to show?<br/>
+Helpe, O thou Tragick Muse, me to devise<br/>
+Notes sad enough, t’expresse this bitter throw:<br/>
+For loe, the drerie stownd* is now arrived,                    415<br/>
+That of all happines hath us deprived.<br/>
+[* <i>Stownd</i>, hour.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The luckles Clarion, whether cruell Fate<br/>
+Or wicked Fortune faultles him misled,<br/>
+Or some ungracious blast out of the gate<br/>
+Of Aeoles raine* perforce him drove on hed**,                    420<br/>
+Was (O sad hap and howre unfortunate!)<br/>
+With violent swift flight forth caried<br/>
+Into the cursed cobweb, which his foe<br/>
+Had framed for his finall overthroe.<br/>
+[* <i>Raine</i>, kingdom.]<br/>
+[** <i>On hed</i>, head-foremost.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+There the fond flie, entangled, strugled long,                    425<br/>
+Himselfe to free thereout; but all in vaine.<br/>
+For, striving more, the more in laces strong<br/>
+Himselfe he tide, and wrapt his wingës twaine<br/>
+In lymie snares the subtill loupes among;<br/>
+That in the ende he breathelesse did remaine,                    430<br/>
+And, all his yongthly* forces idly spent,<br/>
+Him to the mercie of th’avenger lent.<br/>
+[* <i>Yongthly</i>, youthful.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Which when the greisly tyrant did espie,<br/>
+Like a grimme lyon rushing with fierce might<br/>
+Out of his den, he seized greedelie                    435<br/>
+On the resistles pray, and, with fell spight,<br/>
+Under the left wing stroke his weapon slie<br/>
+Into his heart, that his deepe-groning spright<br/>
+In bloodie streames foorth fled into the aire,<br/>
+His bodie left the spectacle of care.                    440
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h5>FOOTNOTES</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 365.—<i>And Arte, with her contendlng.</i> Compare the description of<br/>
+Aerasia’s garden, Faerie Queene, II. xii. 59; and also v. 29. TODD.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ver. 273.—<i>Minerva did</i>, &amp;c. Much of what follows is taken from the
+fable of Arachne in Ovid. JORTIN.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap07"></a>VISIONS<br/>
+OF<br/>
+THE WORLDS VANITIE.</h2>
+
+<h4>I.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+One day, whiles that my daylie cares did sleepe,<br/>
+My spirit, shaking off her earthly prison,<br/>
+Began to enter into meditation deepe<br/>
+Of things exceeding reach of common reason;<br/>
+Such as this age, in which all good is geason*,<br/>
+And all that humble is and meane** debaced,<br/>
+Hath brought forth in her last declining season,<br/>
+Griefe of good mindes, to see goodnesse disgraced!<br/>
+On which when as my thought was throghly@ placed,<br/>
+Unto my eyes strange showes presented were,<br/>
+Picturing that which I in minde embraced,<br/>
+That yet those sights empassion$ me full nere.<br/>
+  Such as they were, faire Ladie%, take in worth,<br/>
+  That when time serves may bring things better forth.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>Geason</i>, rare.]
+[** <i>Meane</i>, lowly.]
+[@ <i>Throghly</i>, thoroughly.]
+[$ <i>Empassion</i>, move.]
+[% <i>Faire Ladie.</i> The names of the ladies to whom these Visions and
+those of Petrarch (see p. 210, VII. 9) were inscribed have not been
+preserved. C.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>II.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In summers day, when Phoebus fairly shone,<br/>
+I saw a Bull as white as driven snowe,<br/>
+With gilden hornes embowed like the moone,<br/>
+In a fresh flowring meadow lying lowe:<br/>
+Up to his eares the verdant grasse did growe,<br/>
+And the gay floures did offer to be eaten;<br/>
+But he with fatnes so did overflows,<br/>
+That he all wallowed in the weedes downe beaten,<br/>
+Ne car’d with them his daintie lips to sweeten:<br/>
+Till that a Brize*, a scorned little creature,<br/>
+Through his faire hide his angrie sting did threaten,<br/>
+And vext so sore, that all his goodly feature<br/>
+  And all his plenteous pasture nought him pleased:<br/>
+  So by the small the great is oft diseased**.
+</p>
+
+<h4>III.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Beside the fruitfull shore of muddie Nile,<br/>
+Upon a sunnie banke outstretched lay,<br/>
+In monstrous length, a mightie Crocodile,<br/>
+That, cram’d with guiltles blood and greedie pray<br/>
+Of wretched people travailing that way,<br/>
+Thought all things lesse than his disdainfull pride.<br/>
+I saw a little Bird, cal’d Tedula,<br/>
+The least of thousands which on earth abide,<br/>
+That forst this hideous beast to open wide<br/>
+The greisly gates of his devouring hell,<br/>
+And let him feede, as Nature doth provide,<br/>
+Upon his iawes, that with blacke venime swell.<br/>
+  Why then should greatest things the least disdaine,<br/>
+  Sith that so small so mightie can constraine?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>Brize</i>, a gadfly.]
+[** <i>Diseased</i>, deprived of ease.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+III. 7.—Tedula. Spenser appears to mean the bird Trochilos, which,
+according to Aristotle, enters the mouth of the crocodile, and picks her
+meat out of the monster’s teeth. C.
+</p>
+
+<h4>IV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The kingly bird that beares Ioves thunder-clap<br/>
+One day did scorne the simple Scarabee*,<br/>
+Proud of his highest service and good hap,<br/>
+That made all other foules his thralls to bee.<br/>
+The silly flie, that no redresse did see,<br/>
+Spide where the Eagle built his towring nest,<br/>
+And, kindling fire within the hollow tree,<br/>
+Burnt up his yong ones, and himselfe distrest;<br/>
+Ne suffred him in anie place to rest,<br/>
+But drove in Ioves owne lap his egs to lay;<br/>
+Where gathering also filth him to infest,<br/>
+Forst with the filth his egs to fling away:<br/>
+  For which, when as the foule was wroth, said Iove,<br/>
+  “Lo! how the least the greatest may reprove.”
+</p>
+
+<h4>V.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Toward the sea turning my troubled eye,<br/>
+I saw the fish (if fish I may it cleepe**)<br/>
+That makes the sea before his face to flye,<br/>
+And with his flaggie finnes doth seeme to sweepe<br/>
+The fomie waves out of the dreadfull deep;<br/>
+The huge Leviathan, dame Natures wonder,<br/>
+Making his sport, that manie makes to weep.<br/>
+A Sword-fish small him from the rest did sunder<br/>
+That, in his throat him pricking softly under,<br/>
+His wide abysse him forced forth to spewe,<br/>
+That all the sea did roare like heavens thunder,<br/>
+And all the waves were stain’d with filthie hewe.<br/>
+  Hereby I learned have not to despise<br/>
+  Whatever thing seemes small in common eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>Scarabee,</i> beetle.]
+[** <i>Cleepe,</i> call.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>VI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+An hideous Dragon, dreadfull to behold,<br/>
+Whose backe was arm’d against the dint of speare<br/>
+With shields of brasse that shone like burnisht golde,<br/>
+And forkhed sting that death in it did beare,<br/>
+Strove with a Spider, his unequall peare,<br/>
+And bad defiance to his enemie.<br/>
+The subtill vermin, creeping closely* neare,<br/>
+Did in his drinke shed poyson privilie;<br/>
+Which, through his entrailes spredding diversly,<br/>
+Made him to swell, that nigh his bowells brust,<br/>
+And him enforst to yeeld the victorie,<br/>
+That did so much in his owne greatnesse trust.<br/>
+  O, how great vainnesse is it then to scorne<br/>
+  The weake, that hath the strong so oft forlorne!**
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>Closely,</i> secretly.]
+[** <i>Forlorne,</i> ruined.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>VII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+High on a hill a goodly Cedar grewe,<br/>
+Of wondrous length and straight proportion,<br/>
+That farre abroad her daintie odours threwe;<br/>
+Mongst all the daughters of proud Libanon,<br/>
+Her match in beautie was not anie one.<br/>
+Shortly within her inmost pith there bred<br/>
+A litle wicked worme, perceiv’d of none,<br/>
+That on her sap and vitall moysture fed:<br/>
+Thenceforth her garland so much honoured<br/>
+Began to die, O great ruth* for the same!<br/>
+And her faire lockes fell from her loftie head,<br/>
+That shortly balde and bared she became.<br/>
+  I, which this sight beheld, was much dismayed,<br/>
+  To see so goodly thing so soone decayed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>Ruth,</i> pity.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>VIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Soone after this I saw an Elephant,<br/>
+Adorn’d with bells and bosses gorgeouslie,<br/>
+That on his backe did beare, as batteilant*,<br/>
+A gilden towre, which shone exceedinglie;<br/>
+That he himselfe through foolish vanitie,<br/>
+Both for his rich attire and goodly forme,<br/>
+Was puffed up with passing surquedrie**,<br/>
+And shortly gan all other beasts to scorne,<br/>
+Till that a little Ant, a silly worme,<br/>
+Into his nosthrils creeping, so him pained,<br/>
+That, casting downe his towres, he did deforme<br/>
+Both borrowed pride, and native beautie stained.<br/>
+  Let therefore nought that great is therein glorie,<br/>
+  Sith so small thing his happines may varie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>As batteilant,</i> as if equipped for battle.]
+[** <i>Surquedrie,</i> presumption.]
+</p>
+
+<h3>IX.</h3>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Looking far foorth into the ocean wide,<br/>
+A goodly Ship with banners bravely dight,<br/>
+And flag in her top-gallant, I espide<br/>
+Through the maine sea making her merry flight.<br/>
+Faire blewe the wind into her bosome right,<br/>
+And th’heavens looked lovely all the while,<br/>
+That she did seeme to daunce, as in delight,<br/>
+And at her owne felicitie did smile.<br/>
+All sodainely there clove unto her keele<br/>
+A little fish that men call Remora,<br/>
+Which stopt her course, and held her by the heele,<br/>
+That winde nor tide could move her thence away.<br/>
+  Straunge thing me seemeth, that so small a thing<br/>
+  Should able be so great an one to wring.
+</p>
+
+<h4>X.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+A mighty Lyon, lord of all the wood,<br/>
+Having his hunger throughly satisfide<br/>
+With pray of beasts and spoyle of living blood,<br/>
+Safe in his dreadles den him thought to hide:<br/>
+His sternesse was his prayse, his strength his pride,<br/>
+And all his glory in his cruell clawes.<br/>
+I saw a Wasp, that fiercely him defide,<br/>
+And bad him battaile even to his iawes;<br/>
+Sore he him stong, that it the blood forth drawes,<br/>
+And his proude heart is fild with fretting ire:<br/>
+In vaine he threats his teeth, his tayle, his pawes,<br/>
+And from his bloodie eyes doth sparkle fire;<br/>
+  That dead himselfe he wisheth for despight.<br/>
+  So weakest may anoy the most of might!
+</p>
+
+<h3>XI.</h3>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+What time the Romaine Empire bore the raine<br/>
+Of all the world, and florisht most in might,<br/>
+The nations gan their soveraigntie disdaine,<br/>
+And cast to quitt them from their bondage quight.<br/>
+So, when all shrouded were in silent night,<br/>
+The Galles were, by corrupting of a mayde,<br/>
+Possest nigh of the Capitol through slight,<br/>
+Had not a Goose the treachery bewrayde.<br/>
+If then a goose great Rome from ruine stayde,<br/>
+And Iove himselfe, the patron of the place,<br/>
+Preservd from being to his foes betrayde,<br/>
+Why do vaine men mean things so much deface*,<br/>
+  And in their might repose their most assurance,<br/>
+  Sith nought on earth can chalenge long endurance?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>Deface,</i> disparage, despise.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+When these sad sights were overpast and gone,<br/>
+My spright was greatly moved in her rest,<br/>
+With inward ruth and deare affection,<br/>
+To see so great things by so small distrest.<br/>
+Thenceforth I gan in my engrieved brest<br/>
+To scorne all difference of great and small,<br/>
+Sith that the greatest often are opprest,<br/>
+And unawares doe into daunger fall.<br/>
+And ye, that read these ruines tragicall,<br/>
+Learne, by their losse, to love the low degree;<br/>
+And if that Fortune chaunce you up to call<br/>
+To honours seat, forget not what you be:<br/>
+  For he that of himselfe is most secure<br/>
+  Shall finde his state most fickle and unsure.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap08"></a>THE VISIONS OF BELLAY.*</h2>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* Eleven of these Visions of Bellay (all except the 6th, 8th, 13th, and 14th)
+differ only by a few changes necessary for rhyme from blank-verse translations
+found in Van der Noodt’s <i>Theatre of Worldlings</i>, printed in 1569; and the
+six first of the Visions of Petrarch (here said to have been “formerly
+translated”) occur almost word for word in the same publication, where the
+authorship appears to be claimed by one Theodore Roest. The Complaints were
+collected, not by Spenser, but by Ponsonby, his bookseller, and he may have
+erred in ascribing these Visions to our poet. C.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>I.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+It was the time when rest, soft sliding downe<br/>
+From heavens hight into mens heavy eyes,<br/>
+In the forgetfulnes of sleepe doth drowne<br/>
+The carefull thoughts of mortall miseries.<br/>
+Then did a ghost before mine eyes appeare,<br/>
+On that great rivers banck that runnes by Rome;<br/>
+Which, calling me by name, bad me to reare<br/>
+My lookes to heaven whence all good gifts do come,<br/>
+And crying lowd, “Loe! now beholde,” quoth hee,<br/>
+“What under this great temple placed is:<br/>
+Lo, all is nought but flying vanitee!”<br/>
+So I, that know this worlds inconstancies,<br/>
+  Sith onely God surmounts all times decay,<br/>
+  In God alone my confidence do stay.
+</p>
+
+<h4>II.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+On high hills top I saw a stately frame,<br/>
+An hundred cubits high by iust assize*,<br/>
+With hundreth pillours fronting faire the same,<br/>
+All wrought with diamond after Dorick wize.<br/>
+Nor brick nor marble was the wall in view,<br/>
+But shining christall, which from top to base<br/>
+Out of her womb a thousand rayons** threw<br/>
+On hundred steps of Afrike golds enchase.@<br/>
+Golde was the parget,$ and the seeling bright<br/>
+Did shine all scaly with great plates of golde;<br/>
+The floore of iasp and emeraude was dight.%<br/>
+O worlds vainesse! Whiles thus I did behold,<br/>
+  An earthquake shooke the hill from lowest seat,<br/>
+  And overthrew this frame with ruine great.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>Assize</i>, measure.]
+[** <i>Rayons</i>, beams, rays.]
+[@ I.e. enchased with gold.]
+[$ <i>Parget</i>, varnish, plaster.]
+[% <i>Dight</i>, composed.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>III.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then did a sharped spyre of diamond bright,<br/>
+Ten feete each way in square, appeare to mee,<br/>
+Iustly proportion’d up unto his hight,<br/>
+So far as archer might his level see.<br/>
+The top thereof a pot did seeme to beare,<br/>
+Made of the mettall which we most do honour;<br/>
+And in this golden vessel couched weare<br/>
+The ashes of a mightie emperour:<br/>
+Upon foure corners of the base were pight*,<br/>
+To beare the frame, foure great lyons of gold;<br/>
+A worthy tombe for such a worthy wight.<br/>
+Alas! this world doth nought but grievance hold:<br/>
+  I saw a tempest from the heaven descend,<br/>
+  Which this brave monument with flash did rend.<br/>
+[* <i>Pight</i>, placed.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>IV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I saw raysde up on yvorie pillowes tall,<br/>
+Whose bases were of richest mettalls warke,<br/>
+The chapters* alablaster, the fryses christall,<br/>
+The double front of a triumphall arke.<br/>
+On each side purtraid was a Victorie,<br/>
+Clad like a nimph, that wings of silver weares,<br/>
+And in triumphant chayre was set on hie,<br/>
+The auncient glory of the Romaine peares.<br/>
+No worke it seem’d of earthly craftsmans wit,<br/>
+But rather wrought by his owne industry<br/>
+That thunder-dartes for Iove his syre doth fit.<br/>
+Let me no more see faire thing under sky,<br/>
+  Sith that mine eyes have seene so faire a sight<br/>
+  With sodain fall to dust consumed quight.<br/>
+[* <i>Chapters</i>, capitals.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>V.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then was the faire Dodonian tree far seene<br/>
+Upon seaven hills to spread his gladsome gleame,<br/>
+And conquerours bedecked with his greene,<br/>
+Along the bancks of the Ausonian streame.<br/>
+There many an auncient trophee was addrest*,<br/>
+And many a spoyle, and many a goodly show,<br/>
+Which that brave races greatnes did attest,<br/>
+That whilome from the Troyan blood did flow.<br/>
+Ravisht I was so rare a thing to vew;<br/>
+When lo! a barbarous troupe of clownish fone**<br/>
+The honour of these noble boughs down threw:<br/>
+Under the wedge I heard the tronck to grone;<br/>
+  And since, I saw the roote in great disdaine<br/>
+  A twinne of forked trees send forth againe.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>Addrest</i>, hung on, arranged.]
+[** <i>Fone</i>, foes.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>VI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I saw a wolfe under a rockie cave<br/>
+Noursing two whelpes; I saw her litle ones<br/>
+In wanton dalliance the teate to crave,<br/>
+While she her neck wreath’d from them for the nones*.<br/>
+I saw her raunge abroad to seeke her food,<br/>
+And roming through the field with greedie rage<br/>
+T’embrew her teeth and clawes with lukewarm blood<br/>
+Of the small heards, her thirst for to asswage.<br/>
+I saw a thousand huntsmen, which descended<br/>
+Downe from the mountaines bordring Lombardie,<br/>
+That with an hundred speares her flank wide rened:<br/>
+I saw her on the plaine outstretched lie,<br/>
+  Throwing out thousand throbs in her owne soyle**:<br/>
+  Soone on a tree uphang’d I saw her spoyle.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>Nones</i>, nonce.]
+[** I.e. the mire made by her blood.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>VII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I saw the bird that can the sun endure<br/>
+With feeble wings assay to mount on hight;<br/>
+By more and more she gan her wings t’assure,<br/>
+Following th’ensample of her mothers sight.<br/>
+I saw her rise, and with a larger flight<br/>
+To pierce the cloudes, and with wide pinneons<br/>
+To measure the most haughtie* mountaines hight,<br/>
+Untill she raught** the gods owne mansions.<br/>
+There was she lost; when suddaine I behelde,<br/>
+Where, tumbling through the ayre in firie fold,<br/>
+All flaming downe she on the plaine was felde,<br/>
+And soone her bodie turn’d to ashes colde.<br/>
+  I saw the foule that doth the light dispise<br/>
+  Out of her dust like to a worme arise.<br/>
+[* <i>Haughtie</i>, lofty.]<br/>
+[** <i>Raught</i>, reached.]<br/>
+[VII. 1-14.—<br/>
+“A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place,<br/>
+ Was by a mousing owl hawk’d at and kill’d.” C.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>VIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I saw a river swift, whose fomy billowes<br/>
+Did wash the ground-work of an old great wall;<br/>
+I saw it cover’d all with griesly shadowes,<br/>
+That with black horror did the ayre appall:<br/>
+Thereout a strange beast with seven heads arose,<br/>
+That townes and castles under her brest did coure*,<br/>
+And seem’d both milder beasts and fiercer foes<br/>
+Alike with equall ravine to devoure.<br/>
+Much was I mazde to see this monsters kinde<br/>
+In hundred formes to change his fearefull hew;<br/>
+When as at length I saw the wrathfull winde,<br/>
+Which blows cold storms, burst out of Scithian mew,<br/>
+  That sperst these cloudes; and, in so short as thought,<br/>
+  This dreadfull shape was vanished to nought.<br/>
+[* <i>Coure</i>, cover.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>IX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then all astonied with this mighty ghoast,<br/>
+An hideous bodie, big and strong, I sawe,<br/>
+With side* long beard, and locks down hanging loast**,<br/>
+Sterne face, and front full of Satúrnlike awe;<br/>
+Who, leaning on the belly of a pot,<br/>
+Pourd foorth a water, whose out gushing flood<br/>
+Ran bathing all the creakie@ shore aflot,<br/>
+Whereon the Troyan prince spilt Turnus blood;<br/>
+And at his feete a bitch wolfe suck did yeeld<br/>
+To two young babes: his left the palme tree stout,<br/>
+His right hand did the peacefull olive wield.<br/>
+And head with lawrell garnisht was about.<br/>
+  Sudden both palme and olive fell away,<br/>
+  And faire green lawrell branch did quite decay.<br/>
+[* <i>Side</i>, long, trailing.]<br/>
+[** <i>Loast</i>, loosed.]<br/>
+[@ <i>Creakie</i>, indented with creeks.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>X.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Hard by a rivers side a virgin faire,<br/>
+Folding her armes to heaven with thousand throbs,<br/>
+And outraging her cheekes and golden haire,<br/>
+To falling rivers sound thus tun’d her sobs.<br/>
+“Where is,” quoth she, “this whilom honoured face?<br/>
+Where the great glorie and the auncient praise,<br/>
+In which all worlds felicitie had place,<br/>
+When gods and men my honour up did raise?<br/>
+Suffisd’ it not that civill warres me made<br/>
+The whole worlds spoile, but that this Hydra new,<br/>
+Of hundred Hercules to be assaide,<br/>
+With seven heads, budding monstrous crimes anew,<br/>
+  So many Neroes and Caligulaes<br/>
+  Out of these crooked shores must dayly rayse?”
+</p>
+
+<h4>XI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Upon an hill a bright flame I did see,<br/>
+Waving aloft with triple point to skie,<br/>
+Which, like incense of precious cedar tree,<br/>
+With balmie odours fil’d th’ayre farre and nie.<br/>
+A bird all white, well feathered on each wing,<br/>
+Hereout up to the throne of gods did flie,<br/>
+And all the way most pleasant notes did sing,<br/>
+Whilst in the smoake she unto heaven did stie*.<br/>
+Of this faire fire the scattered rayes forth threw<br/>
+On everie side a thousand shining beames:<br/>
+When sudden dropping of a silver dew<br/>
+(O grievous chance!) gan quench those precious flames;<br/>
+  That it, which earst** so pleasant sent did yeld,<br/>
+  Of nothing now but noyous sulphure smeld.<br/>
+[* <i>Stie</i>, mount.]<br/>
+[** <i>Earst</i>, at first.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I saw a spring out of a rocke forth rayle*,<br/>
+As cleare as christall gainst the sunnie beames;<br/>
+The bottome yeallow, like the golden grayle*<br/>
+That bright Pactolus washeth with his streames.<br/>
+It seem’d that Art and Nature had assembled<br/>
+All pleasure there for which mans hart could long;<br/>
+And there a noyse alluring sleepe soft trembled,<br/>
+Of manie accords, more sweete than mermaids song,<br/>
+The seates and benches shone as yvorie,<br/>
+And hundred nymphes sate side by side about;<br/>
+When from nigh hills, with hideous outcrie,<br/>
+A troupe of satyres in the place did rout,@<br/>
+Which with their villeine feete the streame did ray,$<br/>
+Threw down the seats, and drove the nymphs away.<br/>
+[* <i>Rayle</i>, flow.]<br/>
+[** <i>Grayle</i>, gravel.]<br/>
+[@ <i>Rout</i>, burst.]<br/>
+[$ <i>Ray</i>, defile.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Much richer then that vessell seem’d to bee<br/>
+Which did to that sad Florentine appeare,<br/>
+Casting mine eyes farre off, I chaunst to see<br/>
+Upon the Latine coast herselfe to reare.<br/>
+But suddenly arose a tempest great,<br/>
+Bearing close envie to these riches rare,<br/>
+Which gan assaile this ship with dreadfull threat,<br/>
+This ship, to which none other might compare:<br/>
+And finally the storme impetuous<br/>
+Sunke up these riches, second unto none,<br/>
+Within the gulfe of greedie Nereus.<br/>
+I saw both ship and mariners each one,<br/>
+  And all that treasure, drowned in the maine:<br/>
+  But I the ship saw after raisd’ againe.<br/>
+[XIII. 1.—<i>That vessell</i>. See the second canto of the Purgatorio. C.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XIV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Long having deeply gron’d these visions sad,<br/>
+I saw a citie like unto that same<br/>
+Which saw the messenger of tidings glad,<br/>
+But that on sand was built the goodly frame:<br/>
+It seem’d her top the firmament did rayse,<br/>
+And, no lesse rich than faire, right worthie sure<br/>
+(If ought here worthie) of immortall dayes,<br/>
+Or if ought under heaven might firme endure.<br/>
+Much wondred I to see so faire a wall:<br/>
+When from the Northerns coast a storme arose,<br/>
+Which, breathing furie from his inward gall<br/>
+On all which did against his course oppose,<br/>
+  Into a clowde of dust sperst in the aire<br/>
+  The weake foundations of this citie faire.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+At length, even at the time when Morpheus<br/>
+Most trulie doth unto our eyes appeare,<br/>
+Wearie to see the heavens still wavering thus,<br/>
+I saw Typhaeus sister* comming neare;<br/>
+Whose head, full bravely with a morion** hidd,<br/>
+Did seeme to match the gods in maiestie.<br/>
+She, by a rivers bancke that swift downe slidd,<br/>
+Over all the world did raise a trophee hie;<br/>
+An hundred vanquisht kings under her lay,<br/>
+With armes bound at their backs in shamefull wize.<br/>
+Whilst I thus mazed was with great affray,<br/>
+I saw the heavens in warre against her rize:<br/>
+  Then downe she stricken fell with clap of thonder,<br/>
+  That with great noyse I wakte in sudden wonder.<br/>
+[* I.e. (apparently) Change or Mutability. See the two cantos of the<br/>
+Seventh Book of the Faerie Queene.]<br/>
+[** <i>Morion</i>, steel cap.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap09"></a>THE VISIONS OF PETRARCH:</h2>
+
+<p class="center">
+FORMERLY TRANSLATED.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[Footnote: The first six of these sonnets are translated (not directly, but
+through the French of Clement Marot) from Petrarch’s third Canzone in Morte di
+Laura. The seventh is by the translator. The circumstance that the version is
+made from Marot renders it probable that these sonnets are really by Spenser.
+C.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>I.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Being one day at my window all alone,<br/>
+So manie strange things happened me to see,<br/>
+As much it grieveth me to thinke thereon.<br/>
+At my right hand a hynde appear’d to mee.<br/>
+So faire as mote the greatest god delite;<br/>
+Two eager dogs did her pursue in chace,<br/>
+Of which the one was blacke, the other white.<br/>
+With deadly force so in their cruell race<br/>
+They pincht the haunches of that gentle beast,<br/>
+That at the last, and in short time, I spide,<br/>
+Under a rocke, where she, alas! opprest,<br/>
+Fell to the ground, and there untimely dide.<br/>
+  Cruell death vanquishing so noble beautie,<br/>
+  Oft makes me wayle so hard a destenie.
+</p>
+
+<h4>II.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+After, at sea a tall ship did appeare,<br/>
+Made all of heben* and white yvorie;<br/>
+The sailes of golde, of silke the tackle were.<br/>
+Milde was the winde, calme seem’d the sea to bee,<br/>
+The skie eachwhere did show full bright and faire:<br/>
+With rich treasures this gay ship fraighted was:<br/>
+But sudden storme did so turmoyle the aire,<br/>
+And tumbled up the sea, that she, alas!<br/>
+Strake on a rock, that under water lay,<br/>
+And perished past all recoverie.<br/>
+O! how great ruth, and sorrow-full assay**,<br/>
+Doth vex my spirite with perplexitie,<br/>
+  Thus in a moment to see lost and drown’d<br/>
+  So great riches as like cannot be found.<br/>
+[* <i>Heben</i>, ebony.]<br/>
+[** <i>Assay</i>, trial.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>III.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The heavenly branches did I see arise<br/>
+Out of the fresh and lustie lawrell tree,<br/>
+Amidst the yong greene wood: of Paradise<br/>
+Some noble plant I thought my selfe to see.<br/>
+Such store of birds therein yshrowded were,<br/>
+Chaunting in shade their sundrie melodie,<br/>
+That with their sweetnes I was ravish’t nere.<br/>
+While on this lawrell fixed was mine eie,<br/>
+The skie gan everie where to overcast,<br/>
+And darkned was the welkin all about,<br/>
+When sudden flash of heavens fire out brast*,<br/>
+And rent this royall tree quite by the roote;<br/>
+  Which makes me much and ever to complaine,<br/>
+  For no such shadow shalbe had againe.<br/>
+[* <i>Brast</i>, burst.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>IV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Within this wood, out of a rocke did rise<br/>
+A spring of water, mildly rumbling downe,<br/>
+Whereto approched not in anie wise<br/>
+The homely shepheard, nor the ruder clowne;<br/>
+But manie Muses, and the Nymphes withall,<br/>
+That sweetly in accord did tune their voyce<br/>
+To the soft sounding of the waters fall;<br/>
+That my glad hart thereat did much reioyce.<br/>
+But, while herein I tooke my chiefe delight,<br/>
+I saw, alas! the gaping earth devoure<br/>
+The spring, the place, and all cleane out of sight;<br/>
+Which yet aggreeves my hart even to this houre,<br/>
+  And wounds my soule with rufull memorie,<br/>
+  To see such pleasures gon so suddenly.
+</p>
+
+<h4>V.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I saw a Phoenix in the wood alone,<br/>
+With purple wings and crest of golden hewe;<br/>
+Strange bird he was, whereby I thought anone<br/>
+That of some heavenly wight I had the vewe;<br/>
+Untill he came unto the broken tree,<br/>
+And to the spring that late devoured was.<br/>
+What say I more? Each thing at last we see<br/>
+Doth passe away: the Phoenix there, alas!<br/>
+Spying the tree destroid, the water dride,<br/>
+Himselfe smote with his beake, as in disdaine,<br/>
+And so foorthwith in great despight he dide;<br/>
+That yet my heart burnes in exceeding paine<br/>
+  For ruth and pitie of so haples plight.<br/>
+  O, let mine eyes no more see such a sight!
+</p>
+
+<h4>VI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+At last, so faire a ladie did I spie,<br/>
+That thinking yet on her I burne and quake:<br/>
+On hearbs and flowres she walked pensively;<br/>
+Milde, but yet love she proudly did forsake:<br/>
+White seem’d her robes, yet woven so they were<br/>
+As snow and golde together had been wrought:<br/>
+Above the wast a darke clowde shrouded her.<br/>
+A stinging serpent by the heele her caught;<br/>
+Wherewith she languisht as the gathered floure,<br/>
+And, well assur’d, she mounted up to ioy.<br/>
+Alas! on earth so nothing doth endure,<br/>
+But bitter griefe and sorrowfull annoy:<br/>
+  Which make this life wretched and miserable.<br/>
+  Tossed with stormes of fortune variable.
+</p>
+
+<h4>VII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+When I behold this tickle* trustles state<br/>
+Of vaine worlds glorie, flitting too and fro,<br/>
+And mortall men tossed by troublous fate<br/>
+In restles seas of wretchednes and woe,<br/>
+I wish I might this wearie life forgoe,<br/>
+And shortly turne unto my happie rest,<br/>
+Where my free spirite might not anie moe<br/>
+Be vest with sights that doo her peace molest.<br/>
+And ye, faire Ladie, in whose bounteous brest<br/>
+All heavenly grace and vertue shrined is,<br/>
+When ye these rythmes doo read, and vew the rest,<br/>
+Loath this base world, and thinke of heavens blis:<br/>
+  And though ye be the fairest of Gods creatures,<br/>
+  Yet thinke that death shall spoyle your goodly features.<br/>
+[* <i>Tickle</i>, uncertain.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap10"></a>DAPHNAIDA:</h2>
+
+<h5>AN ELEGIE</h5>
+
+<h5>UPON THE DEATH OF THE NOBLE AND VERTUOUS</h5>
+
+<h5>DOUGLAS HOWARD,</h5>
+
+<h5>DAUGHTER AND HEIRE OF HENRY LORD HOWARD, VISCOUNT
+BYNDON, AND WIFE OF ARTHUR GORGES, ESQUIER.</h5>
+
+<h5>DEDICATED TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE</h5>
+
+<h5>THE LADIE HELENA,</h5>
+
+<h5>MARQUESSE OF NORTHAMPTON.</h5>
+
+<h5>BY ED. SP.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+(1591.)
+</p>
+
+<h4>TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND VERTUOUS LADY,</h4>
+
+<h5>HELENA,</h5>
+
+<h5>MARQUESSE OF NORTH HAMPTON.[*]</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I have the rather presumed humbly to offer unto your Honour the dedication of
+this little poeme, for that the noble and vertuous gentlewoman of whom it is
+written was by match neere alied, and in affection greatly devoted, unto your
+Ladiship. The occasion why I wrote the same was as well the great good fame
+which I heard of her deceassed, as the particular goodwill which I bear unto
+her husband, Master Arthur Gorges, a lover of learning and vertue, whose house,
+as your Ladiship by marriage hath honoured, so doe I find the name of them, by
+many notable records, to be of great antiquitie in this realme, and such as
+have ever borne themselves with honourable reputation to the world, and
+unspotted loyaltie to their prince and countrey: besides, so lineally are they
+descended from the Howards, as that the Lady Anne Howard; eldest daughter to
+John Duke of Norfolke, was wife to Sir Edmund, mother to Sir Edward, and
+grandmother to Sir William and Sir Thomas Gorges, Knightes: and therefore I doe
+assure my selfe that no due honour done to the White Lyon, but will be most
+gratefull to your Ladiship, whose husband and children do so neerely
+participate with the bloud of that noble family. So in all dutie I recommend
+this pamphlet, and the good acceptance thereof, to your honourable favour and
+protection. London, this first of Ianuarie, 1591.
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+Your Honours humbly ever.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* This lady, when widow of William Parr, the only person who was ever Marquis
+of Northampton, had married Sir Thomas Gorges, uncle of Lady Douglas Howard,
+the subject of this elegy. Mr. (afterwards Sir) Arthur Gorges was himself a
+poet, and the author of the English translation of Bacon’s tract <i>De
+Sapientia Veterum</i>, published in 1619. See Craik’s Spenser and his Poetry,
+Vol. III. p. 187. C.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h3>DAPHNAIDA.</h3>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whatever man he be whose heavie mynd,<br/>
+With griefe of mournefull great mishap opprest,<br/>
+Fit matter for his cares increase would fynd,<br/>
+Let reade the rufull plaint herein exprest,<br/>
+Of one, I weene, the wofulst man alive,<br/>
+Even sad Alcyon*, whose empierced brest<br/>
+Sharpe sorrowe did in thousand peeces rive.<br/>
+  [* I.e. Sir Arthur Gorges.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But whoso else in pleasure findeth sense,<br/>
+Or in this wretched life doeth take delight,<br/>
+Let him he banisht farre away from hence;                    10<br/>
+Ne let the Sacred Sisters here be hight*,<br/>
+Though they of sorrowe heavilie can sing,<br/>
+For even their heavie song would breede delight;<br/>
+But here no tunes save sobs and grones shall ring.<br/>
+  [* <i>Hight</i>, summoned.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In stead of them and their sweet harmonie,                    15<br/>
+Let those three Fatall Sisters, whose sad hands<br/>
+Doe weave the direfull threeds of destinie,<br/>
+And in their wrath break off the vitall bands,<br/>
+Approach hereto; and let the dreadfull Queene<br/>
+Of Darknes deepe come from the Stygian strands,                    20<br/>
+And grisly ghosts, to heare this dolefull teene*,<br/>
+  [* <i>Teene</i>, sorrow]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In gloomy evening, when the wearie sun<br/>
+After his dayes long labour drew to rest,<br/>
+And sweatie steedes, now having overrun<br/>
+The compast skie, gan water in the west,                    25<br/>
+I walkt abroad to breath the freshing ayre<br/>
+In open fields, whose flowring pride, opprest<br/>
+With early frosts, had lost their beautie faire.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+There came unto my mind a troublous thought,<br/>
+Which dayly doth my weaker wit possesse,                    30<br/>
+Ne lets it rest untill it forth have brought<br/>
+Her long borne infant, fruit of heavinesse,<br/>
+Which she conceived hath through meditation<br/>
+Of this worlds vainnesse and life’s wretchednesse,<br/>
+That yet my soule it deepely doth empassion*.                    35<br/>
+  [* <i>Empassion</i>, move]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So as I muzed on the miserie<br/>
+In which men live, and I of many most,<br/>
+Most miserable man, I did espie<br/>
+Where towards me a sory wight did cost*,<br/>
+Clad all in black, that mourning did bewray,                    40<br/>
+And Iacob staffe ** in hand devoutly crost,<br/>
+Like to some pilgrim come from farre away.<br/>
+  [* <i>Cost</i>, approach]<br/>
+  [** <i>Iacob staffe</i>, a pilgrim’s staff, in the form of a cross]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+His carelesse locks, uncombed and unshorne,<br/>
+Hong long adowne, and bearde all overgrowne,<br/>
+That well he seemd to be some wight forlorne:                    45<br/>
+Downe to the earth his heavie eyes were throwne,<br/>
+As loathing light, and ever as he went<br/>
+He sighed soft, and inly deepe did grone,<br/>
+As if his heart in peeces would have rent.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Approaching nigh his face I vewed nere,                    50<br/>
+And by the semblant of his countenaunce<br/>
+Me seemd I had his person seene elsewhere,<br/>
+Most like Alcyon seeming at a glaunce;<br/>
+Alcyon he, the iollie shepheard swaine,<br/>
+That wont full merrilie to pipe and daunce,                    55<br/>
+And fill with pleasance every wood and plaine.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet halfe in doubt, because of his disguize,<br/>
+I softlie sayd, Alcyon! There-withall<br/>
+He lookt aside as in disdainefull wise,<br/>
+Yet stayed not, till I againe did call:                    60<br/>
+Then, turning back, he saide, with hollow sound,<br/>
+“Who is it that dooth name me, wofull thrall,<br/>
+The wretchedst man that treads this day on ground?”
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“One whom like wofulnesse, impressed deepe,<br/>
+Hath made fit mate thy wretched case to heare,                    65<br/>
+And given like cause with thee to waile and wepe;<br/>
+Griefe finds some ease by him that like does beare.<br/>
+Then stay, Alcyon, gentle shepheard! stay,”<br/>
+Quoth I, “till thou have to my trustie eare<br/>
+Committed what thee dooth so ill apay*.”                    70<br/>
+  [* <i>Ill apay </i>, discontent, distress.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Cease, foolish man!” saide he halfe wrothfully,<br/>
+“To seeke to heare that which cannot be told;<br/>
+For the huge anguish, which doeth multiply<br/>
+My dying paines, no tongue can well unfold;<br/>
+Ne doo I care that any should bemone                    75<br/>
+My hard mishap, or any weepe that would,<br/>
+But seeke alone to weepe, and dye alone.”
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Then be it so,” quoth I, “that thou are bent<br/>
+To die alone, unpitied, unplained;<br/>
+Yet, ere thou die, it were convenient                    80<br/>
+To tell the cause which thee thereto constrained,<br/>
+Least that the world thee dead accuse of guilt,<br/>
+And say, when thou of none shall be maintained,<br/>
+That thou for secret crime thy blood hast spilt.”
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Who life does loath, and longs to be unbound                    85<br/>
+From the strong shackles of fraile flesh,” quoth he,<br/>
+“Nought cares at all what they that live on ground<br/>
+Deem the occasion of his death to bee;<br/>
+Rather desires to be forgotten quight,<br/>
+Than question made of his calamitie;                    90<br/>
+For harts deep sorrow hates both life and light.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Yet since so much thou seemst to rue my griefe,<br/>
+And car’st for one that for himselfe cares nought,<br/>
+(Sign of thy love, though nought for my reliefe,<br/>
+For my reliefe exceedeth living thought,)                    95<br/>
+I will to thee this heavie case relate:<br/>
+Then harken well till it to end be brought,<br/>
+For never didst thou heare more haplesse fate.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Whilome I usde (as thou right well doest know)<br/>
+My little flocke on westerns downes to keep,                    100<br/>
+Not far from whence Sabrinaes streame doth flow,<br/>
+And flowrie bancks with silver liquor steepe;<br/>
+Nought carde I then for worldly change or chaunce,<br/>
+For all my ioy was on my gentle sheepe,<br/>
+And to my pype to caroll and to daunce.                    105
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“It there befell, as I the fields did range<br/>
+Fearlesse and free, a faire young Lionesse,<br/>
+White as the native rose before the chaunge<br/>
+Which Venus blood did in her leaves impresse,<br/>
+I spied playing on the grassie plaine                    110<br/>
+Her youthfull sports and kindlie wantonnesse,<br/>
+That did all other beasts in beawtie staine.<br/>
+  [Ver. 107.—<i>A fair young Lionesse,</i> So called from the white lion in
+the arms of the Duke of Norfolk, the head of the family to which Lady
+Douglas Howard belonged. H.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Much was I moved at so goodly sight,<br/>
+Whose like before mine eye had seldome seene,<br/>
+And gan to cast how I her compasse might,                    115<br/>
+And bring to hand that yet had never beene:<br/>
+So well I wrought with mildnes and with paine,<br/>
+That I her caught disporting on the greene,<br/>
+And brought away fast bound with silver chaine.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And afterwardes I handled her so fayre,                    120<br/>
+That though by kind shee stout and salvage were,<br/>
+For being borne an auncient lions hayre,<br/>
+And of the race that all wild beastes do feare,<br/>
+Yet I her fram’d, and wan so to my bent,<br/>
+That shee became so meeke and milde of cheare                    125<br/>
+As the least lamb in all my flock that went.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“For shee in field, where-ever I did wend,<br/>
+Would wend with me, and waite by me all day;<br/>
+And all the night that I in watch did spend,<br/>
+If cause requir’d, or els in sleepe, if nay,                    130<br/>
+Shee would all night by me or watch or sleepe;<br/>
+And evermore when I did sleepe or play,<br/>
+She of my flock would take full warie keepe*.<br/>
+  [* <i>Keepe</i>, care.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Safe then, and safest, were my sillie sheepe,<br/>
+Ne fear’d the wolfe, ne fear’d the wildest beast,                    135<br/>
+All* were I drown’d in carelesse quiet deepe:<br/>
+My lovely Lionesse without beheast<br/>
+So careful was for them and for my good,<br/>
+That when I waked, neither most nor least<br/>
+I found miscarried, or in plaine or wood.                    140<br/>
+  [* <i>All</i>, although.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Oft did the shepheards which my hap did heare,<br/>
+And oft their lasses, which my luck envyde,<br/>
+Daylie resort to me from farre and neare,<br/>
+To see my Lyonesse, whose praises wyde<br/>
+Were spred abroad; and when her worthinesse                    145<br/>
+Much greater than the rude report they tryde*,<br/>
+They her did praise, and my good fortune blesse.<br/>
+  [* <i>Tryde</i>, proved, found.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Long thus I ioyed in my happinesse,<br/>
+And well did hope my ioy would have no end;<br/>
+But oh! fond man! that in worlds ficklenesse                    150<br/>
+Reposedst hope, or weenedst Her thy frend<br/>
+That glories most in mortall miseries,<br/>
+And daylie doth her changefull counsels bend<br/>
+To make new matter fit for tragedies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“For whilest I was thus without dread or dout,                    155<br/>
+A cruel Satyre with his murdrous dart,<br/>
+Greedie of mischiefe, ranging all about,<br/>
+Gave her the fatall wound of deadly smart,<br/>
+And reft from me my sweete companion,<br/>
+And reft from me my love, my life, my hart:                    160<br/>
+My Lyonesse, ah woe is me! is gon!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Out of the world thus was she reft away,<br/>
+Out of the world, unworthy such a spoyle,<br/>
+And borne to heaven, for heaven a fitter pray;<br/>
+Much fitter then the lyon which with toyle                    165<br/>
+Alcides slew, and fixt in firmament;<br/>
+Her now I seeke throughout this earthly soyle,<br/>
+And seeking misse, and missing doe lament.”
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Therewith he gan afresh to waile and weepe,<br/>
+That I for pittie of his heavie plight                    170<br/>
+Could not abstain mine eyes with teares to steepe;<br/>
+But when I saw the anguish of his spright<br/>
+Some deale alaid, I him bespake againe:<br/>
+“Certes, Alcyon, painfull is thy plight,<br/>
+That it in me breeds almost equall paine,                    175
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Yet doth not my dull wit well understand<br/>
+The riddle of thy loved Lionesse;<br/>
+For rare it seemes in reason to be skand,<br/>
+That man, who doth the whole worlds rule possesse,<br/>
+Should to a beast his noble hart embase,                    180<br/>
+And be the vassall of his vassalesse;<br/>
+Therefore more plain areade* this doubtfull case.”<br/>
+  [* <i>Areade</i>, explain.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then sighing sore, “Daphne thou knew’st,” quoth he;<br/>
+“She now is dead”: no more endur’d to say,<br/>
+But fell to ground for great extremitie;                    185<br/>
+That I, beholding it, with deepe dismay<br/>
+Was much apald, and, lightly him uprearing,<br/>
+Revoked life, that would have fled away,<br/>
+All were my selfe through grief in deadly drearing*.<br/>
+  [* <i>Drearing</i>, sorrowing.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then gan I him to comfort all my best,                    190<br/>
+And with milde counsaile strove to mitigate<br/>
+The stormie passion of his troubled brest;<br/>
+But he thereby was more empassionate,<br/>
+As stubborne steed that is with curb restrained<br/>
+Becomes more fierce and fervent in his gate,                    195<br/>
+And, breaking foorth at last, thus dearnely* plained:<br/>
+  [* <i>Dearnely</i>, sadly.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>I.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“What man henceforth that breatheth vitall aire<br/>
+Will honour Heaven, or heavenly powers adore,<br/>
+Which so uniustly doth their iudgements share<br/>
+Mongst earthly wights, as to afflict so sore                    200<br/>
+The innocent as those which do transgresse,<br/>
+And doe not spare the best or fairest more<br/>
+Than worst or foulest, but doe both oppresse?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“If this be right, why did they then create<br/>
+The world so faire, sith fairenesse is neglected?                    205<br/>
+Or why be they themselves immaculate,<br/>
+If purest things be not by them respected?<br/>
+She faire, she pure, most faire, most pure she was,<br/>
+Yet was by them as thing impure reiected;<br/>
+Yet she in purenesse heaven it self did pas.                    210
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“In purenesse, and in all celestiall grace<br/>
+That men admire in goodly womankind,<br/>
+She did excell, and seem’d of angels race,<br/>
+Living on earth like angell new divinde*,<br/>
+Adorn’d with wisedome and with chastitie,                    215<br/>
+And all the dowries of a noble mind,<br/>
+Which did her beautie much more beautifie.<br/>
+  [* <i>Divinde</i>, deified.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“No age hath bred (since faire Astræa left<br/>
+The sinfull world) more vertue in a wight;<br/>
+And, when she parted hence, with her she reft                    220<br/>
+Great hope, and robd her race of bounty* quight.<br/>
+Well may the shepheard lasses now lament;<br/>
+For doubble losse by her hath on them light,<br/>
+To loose both her and bounties ornament.<br/>
+  [* <i>Bounty</i>, goodness.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ne let Elisa, royall shepheardesse,                    225<br/>
+The praises of my parted* love envy,<br/>
+For she hath praises in all plenteousnesse<br/>
+Powr’d upon her, like showers of Castaly,<br/>
+By her owne shepheard, Colin, her own shepheard,<br/>
+That her with heavenly hymnes doth deifie,                    230<br/>
+Of rusticke Muse full hardly to be betterd.<br/>
+  [* <i>Parted</i>, departed.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“She is the rose, the glory of the day,<br/>
+And mine the primrose in the lowly shade:<br/>
+Mine? ah, not mine! amisse I mine did say:<br/>
+Not mine, but His which mine awhile her made;                    235<br/>
+Mine to be-his, with him to live for ay.<br/>
+O that so faire a flowre so soon should fade,<br/>
+And through untimely tempest fall away!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“She fell away in her first ages spring,<br/>
+Whilst yet her leafe was greene, and fresh her rinde;<br/>
+And whilst her braunch faire blossomes foorth did bring,                    241<br/>
+She fell away against all course of kinde*.<br/>
+For age to dye is right, but youth is wrong;<br/>
+She fell away like fruit blowne down with winde.<br/>
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong**.<br/>
+  [* <i>Kinde</i>, nature.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Undersong</i>, accompaniment.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>II.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“What hart so stonie hard but that would weepe.<br/>
+And poure forth fountaines of incessant teares?<br/>
+What Timon but would let compassion creepe<br/>
+Into his breast, and pierce his frosen eares?<br/>
+In stead of teares, whose brackish bitter well                    250<br/>
+I wasted have, my heart bloud dropping weares,<br/>
+To think to ground how that faire blossome fell.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Yet fell she not as one enforst to dye,<br/>
+Ne dyde with dread and grudging discontent,<br/>
+But as one toyld with travell downe doth lye,                    255<br/>
+So lay she downe, as if to sleepe she went,<br/>
+And closde her eyes with carelesse quietriesse;<br/>
+The whiles soft death away her spirit hent*,<br/>
+And soule assoyld** from sinfull fleshlinesse.<br/>
+  [* <i>Hent</i>, took]<br/>
+  [** <i>Assoyld</i>, absolved.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Yet ere that life her lodging did forsake,                    260<br/>
+She, all resolv’d, and readie to remove,<br/>
+Calling to me (ay me!) this wise bespake;<br/>
+‘Alcyon! ah, my first and latest love!<br/>
+Ah! why does my Alcyon weepe and mourne,<br/>
+And grieve my ghost, that ill mote him behove,                    265<br/>
+As if to me had chaunst some evill tourne!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“‘I, since the messenger is come for mee<br/>
+That summons soules unto the bridale feast<br/>
+Of his great Lord, must needs depart from thee,<br/>
+And straight obay his soveraine beheast;                    270<br/>
+Why should Alcyon then so sore lament<br/>
+That I from miserie shall be releast,<br/>
+And freed from wretched long imprisonment!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“‘Our daies are full of dolour and disease.<br/>
+Our life afflicted with incessant paine,                    275<br/>
+That nought on earth may lessen or appease;<br/>
+Why then should I desire here to remaine!<br/>
+Or why should he that loves me sorrie bee<br/>
+For my deliverance, or at all complaine<br/>
+My good to heare, and toward* ioyes to see!                    280<br/>
+  [* <i>Toward,</i> preparing, near at hand.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“‘I goe, and long desired have to goe;<br/>
+I goe with gladnesse to my wished rest,<br/>
+Whereas* no worlds sad care nor wasting woe<br/>
+May come, their happie quiet to molest;<br/>
+But saints and angels in celestiall thrones                    285<br/>
+Eternally Him praise that hath them blest;<br/>
+There shall I be amongst those blessed ones.<br/>
+  [* <i>Whereas,</i> where.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“‘Yet, ere I goe, a pledge I leave with thee<br/>
+Of the late love the which betwixt us past;<br/>
+My young Ambrosia; in lieu of mee,                    290<br/>
+Love her; so shall our love for ever last.<br/>
+Thus, deare! adieu, whom I expect ere long.’—<br/>
+So having said, away she softly past;<br/>
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make mine undersong.
+</p>
+
+<h4>III.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“So oft as I record those piercing words,                    295<br/>
+Which yet are deepe engraven in my brest,<br/>
+And those last deadly accents, which like swords<br/>
+Did wound my heart and rend my bleeding chest,<br/>
+With those sweet sugred speeches doe compare<br/>
+The which my soul first conquerd and possest,                    300<br/>
+The first beginners of my endlesse care,
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And when those pallid cheekes and ashe hew,<br/>
+In which sad Death his pourtraiture had writ,<br/>
+And when those hollow eyes and deadly view,<br/>
+On which the cloud of ghastly night did sit,                    305<br/>
+I match, with that sweete smile and chearful brow,<br/>
+Which all the world subdued unto it,<br/>
+How happie was I then, and wretched now!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“How happie was I when I saw her leade<br/>
+The shepheards daughters dauncing in a rownd!                    310<br/>
+How trimly would she trace* and softly tread<br/>
+The tender grasse, with rosye garland crownd!<br/>
+And when she list advaunce her heavenly voyce,<br/>
+Both Nymphes and Muses nigh she made astownd,<br/>
+And flocks and shepheards caused to reioyce.                    315<br/>
+  [* <i>Trace</i>, step]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But now, ye shepheard lasses! who shall lead<br/>
+Your wandring troupes, or sing your virelayes*?<br/>
+Or who shall dight** your bowres, sith she is dead<br/>
+That was the lady of your holy-dayes?<br/>
+Let now your blisse be turned into bale,                    320<br/>
+And into plaints convert your ioyous playes,<br/>
+And with the same fill every hill and dale.<br/>
+  [* <i>Virelayes</i>, roundelays.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Dight</i>, deck.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Let bagpipe never more be heard to shrill,<br/>
+That may allure the senses to delight,<br/>
+Ne ever shepheard sound his oaten quill                    325<br/>
+Unto the many*, that provoke them might<br/>
+To idle pleasance; but let ghastlinesse<br/>
+And drearie horror dim the chearfull light,<br/>
+To make the image of true heavinesse.<br/>
+  [* <i>Many</i>, company.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Let birds be silent on the naked spray,                    330<br/>
+And shady woods resound with dreadfull yells;<br/>
+Let streaming floods their hastie courses stay,<br/>
+And parching drouth drie up the cristall wells;<br/>
+Let th’earth be barren, and bring foorth no flowres,<br/>
+And th’ayre be fild with noyse of dolefull knells,                    335<br/>
+And wandring spirits walke untimely howres.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And Nature, nurse of every living thing,<br/>
+Let rest her selfe from her long wearinesse,<br/>
+And cease henceforth things kindly forth to bring,<br/>
+But hideous monsters full of uglinesse;                    340<br/>
+For she it is that hath me done this wrong;<br/>
+No nurse, but stepdame cruell, mercilesse.<br/>
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+</p>
+
+<h4>IV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“My little flock, whom earst I lov’d so well,<br/>
+And wont to feed with finest grasse that grew,                    345<br/>
+Feede ye hencefoorth on bitter astrofell*,<br/>
+And stinking smallage, and unsaverie rew;<br/>
+And when your mawes are with those weeds corrupted,<br/>
+Be ye the pray of wolves; ne will I rew<br/>
+That with your carkasses wild beasts be glutted.                    350<br/>
+  [* <i>Astrofell</i>, (probably) starwort. See <i>Astrophel</i>, v. 184-196.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ne worse to you, my sillie sheepe, I pray,<br/>
+Ne sorer vengeance wish on you to fall<br/>
+Than to my selfe, for whose confusde decay**<br/>
+To carelesse heavens I doo daylie call;<br/>
+But heavens refuse to heare a wretches cry;                    355<br/>
+And cruell Death doth scorn to come at call,<br/>
+Or graunt his boone that most desires to dye.<br/>
+  [* <i>Decay</i>, destruction.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“The good and righteous he away doth take,<br/>
+To plague th’unrighteous which alive remaine;<br/>
+But the ungodly ones he doth forsake,                    360<br/>
+By living long to multiplie their paine;<br/>
+Else surely death should be no punishment,<br/>
+As the Great Iudge at first did it ordaine,<br/>
+But rather riddance from long languishment.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Therefore, my Daphne they have tane away;                    365<br/>
+For worthie of a better place was she:<br/>
+But me unworthie willed here to stay,<br/>
+That with her lacke I might tormented be.<br/>
+Sith then they so have ordred, I will pay<br/>
+Penance to her, according* their decree,                    370<br/>
+And to her ghost doe service day by day.<br/>
+  [* <i>According</i>, according to.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“For I will walke this wandring pilgrimage,<br/>
+Throughout the world from one to other end,<br/>
+And in affliction waste my better age:<br/>
+My bread shall be the anguish of my mynd,                    375<br/>
+My drink the teares which fro mine eyes do raine,<br/>
+My bed the ground that hardest I may fynd;<br/>
+So will I wilfully increase my paine.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And she, my love that was, my saint that is,<br/>
+When she beholds from her celestiall throne                    380<br/>
+(In which shee ioyeth in eternall blis)<br/>
+My bitter penance, will my case bemone,<br/>
+And pittie me that living thus doo die;<br/>
+For heavenly spirits have compassion<br/>
+On mortall men, and rue their miserie.                    385
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“So when I have with sorrow satisfyde<br/>
+Th’importune Fates which vengeance on me seeks,<br/>
+And th’heavens with long languor pacifyde,<br/>
+She, for pure pitie of my sufferance meeke,<br/>
+Will send for me; for which I daily long,                    390<br/>
+And will till then my painfull penance eeke,<br/>
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+</p>
+
+<h4>V.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Hencefoorth I hate whatever Nature made,<br/>
+And in her workmanship no pleasure finde,<br/>
+For they be all but vaine, and quickly fade                    395<br/>
+So soone as on them blowes the northern winde;<br/>
+They tarrie not, but flit and fall away,<br/>
+Leaving behind them nought but griefe of minde,<br/>
+And mocking such as thinke they long will stay.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“I hate the heaven, because it doth withhould                    400<br/>
+Me from my love, and eke my love from me;<br/>
+I hate the earth, because it is the mould<br/>
+Of fleshly slime and fraile mortalitie;<br/>
+I hate the fire, because to nought it flyes;<br/>
+I hate the ayre, because sighes of it be;                    405<br/>
+I hate the sea, because it teares supplyes.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“I hate the day, because it lendeth light<br/>
+To see all things, and not my love to see;<br/>
+I hate the darknesse and the dreary night,<br/>
+Because they breed sad balefulnesse in mee;                    410<br/>
+I hate all times, because all times doo fly<br/>
+So fast away, and may not stayed bee,<br/>
+But as a speedie post that passeth by.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“I hate to speake, my voyce is spent with crying;<br/>
+I hate to heare, lowd plaints have duld mine eares;<br/>
+I hate to tast, for food withholds my dying;                    416<br/>
+I hate to see, mine eyes are dimd with teares;<br/>
+I hate to smell, no sweet on earth is left;<br/>
+I hate to feele, my flesh is numbd with feares:<br/>
+So all my senses from me are bereft.                    420
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“I hate all men, and shun all womankinde;<br/>
+The one, because as I they wretched are;<br/>
+The other, for because I doo not finde<br/>
+My love with them, that wont to be their starre.<br/>
+And life I hate, because it will not last;                    425<br/>
+And death I hate, because it life doth marre;<br/>
+And all I hate that is to come or past.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“So all the world, and all in it I hate,<br/>
+Because it changeth ever to and fro,<br/>
+And never standeth in one certaine state,                    430<br/>
+But, still unstedfast, round about doth goe<br/>
+Like a mill-wheele in midst of miserie,<br/>
+Driven with streames of wretchednesse and woe,<br/>
+That dying lives, and living still does dye.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“So doo I live, so doo I daylie die,                    435<br/>
+And pine away in selfe-consuming paine!<br/>
+Sith she that did my vitall powres supplie,<br/>
+And feeble spirits in their force maintaine,<br/>
+Is fetcht fro me, why seeke I to prolong<br/>
+My wearie daies in dolour and disdalne!                    440<br/>
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+</p>
+
+<h4>IV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Why doo I longer live in lifes despight,<br/>
+And doo not dye then in despight of death!<br/>
+Why doo I longer see this loathsome light,<br/>
+And doo in darknesse not abridge my breath,                    445<br/>
+Sith all my sorrow should have end thereby,<br/>
+And cares finde quiet! Is it so uneath*<br/>
+To leave this life, or dolorous to dye?<br/>
+  [* <i>Uneath</i>, difficult.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“To live I finde it deadly dolorous,<br/>
+For life drawes care, and care continuall woe;                    450<br/>
+Therefore to dye must needes be ioyeous,<br/>
+And wishfull thing this sad life to forgoe.<br/>
+But I must stay; I may it not amend;<br/>
+My Daphne hence departing bad me so;<br/>
+She bad me stay, till she for me did send.                    455
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Yet, whilest I in this wretched vale doo stay,<br/>
+My wearie feete shall ever wandring be,<br/>
+That still I may be readie on my way<br/>
+When, as her messenger doth come for me;<br/>
+Ne will I rest my feete for feeblenesse,                    460<br/>
+Ne will I rest my limmes for frailtie,<br/>
+Ne will I rest mine eyes for heavinesse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But, as the mother of the gods, that sought<br/>
+For faire Euridyce, her daughter dere,<br/>
+Throughout the world, with wofull heavie thought,<br/>
+So will I travell whilest I tarrie heere,                    466<br/>
+Ne will I lodge, ne will I ever lin*,<br/>
+Ne, when as drouping Titan draweth nere<br/>
+To loose his teeme, will I take up my inne**.<br/>
+[* <i>Lin</i>, cease.]<br/>
+[** <i>Inne</i>, lodging.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ne sleepe, the harbenger* of wearie wights,                    470<br/>
+Shall ever lodge upon mine eye-lids more,<br/>
+Ne shall with rest refresh my fainting sprights,<br/>
+Nor failing force to former strength restore:<br/>
+But I will wake and sorrow all the night<br/>
+With Philumene*, my fortune to deplore;                    475<br/>
+With Philumene, the partner of my plight.<br/>
+  [* <i>Harbenger</i>, one who provides lodging or repose.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Philumene</i>, Philomel.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And ever as I see the starre to fall,<br/>
+And under ground to goe to give them light<br/>
+Which dwell in darknesse, I to mind will call<br/>
+How my faire starre, that shind on me so bright,                    480<br/>
+Fell sodainly and faded under ground;<br/>
+Since whose departure, day is turnd to night,<br/>
+And night without a Venus starre is found.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“But soon as day doth shew his deawie face,<br/>
+And cals foorth men unto their toylsome trade,                    485<br/>
+I will withdraw me to some darkesome place,<br/>
+Or some dere* cave, or solitarie shade;<br/>
+There will I sigh, and sorrow all day long,<br/>
+And the huge burden of my cares unlade.                    489<br/>
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.<br/>
+  [* Qu. <i>derne</i>, lonely? Or, <i>drere?</i>]
+</p>
+
+<h4>VII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Henceforth mine eyes shall never more behold<br/>
+Faire thing on earth, ne feed on false delight<br/>
+Of ought that framed is of mortall mould,<br/>
+Sith that my fairest flower is faded quight;<br/>
+For all I see is vaine and transitorie,                    495<br/>
+Ne will be held in any stedfast plight,<br/>
+But in a moment loose their grace and glorie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And ye, fond Men! on Fortunes wheele that ride,<br/>
+Or in ought under heaven repose assurance,<br/>
+Be it riches, beautie, or honours pride,                    500<br/>
+Be sure that they shall have no long endurance,<br/>
+But ere ye be aware will flit away;<br/>
+For nought of them is yours, but th’only usance<br/>
+Of a small time, which none ascertains may.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And ye, true Lovers! whom desastrous chaunce,                    505<br/>
+Hath farre exiled from your ladies grace,<br/>
+To mourne in sorrow and sad sufferauncc,<br/>
+When ye doe heare me in that desert place<br/>
+Lamenting loud my Daphnes elegie,<br/>
+Helpe me to waile my miserable case,                    510<br/>
+And when life parts vouchsafe to close mine eye.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And ye, more happie Lovers! which enioy<br/>
+The presence of your dearest loves delight,<br/>
+“When ye doe heare my sorrowfull annoy,<br/>
+Yet pittie me in your empassiond spright,                    515<br/>
+And thinke that such mishap as chaunst to me<br/>
+May happen unto the most happiest wight;<br/>
+For all mens states alike unstedfast be.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And ye, ray fellow Shepheards! which do feed<br/>
+Your carelesse flocks on hils and open plaines,                    520<br/>
+With better fortune than did me succeed,<br/>
+Remember yet my undeserved paines;<br/>
+And when ye heare that I am dead or slaine,<br/>
+Lament my lot, and tell your fellow-swaines<br/>
+That sad Aleyon dyde in lifes disdaine.                    525
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And ye, faire Damsels! shepheards deare delights,<br/>
+That with your loves do their rude hearts possesse,<br/>
+When as my hearse shall happen to your sightes,<br/>
+Vouchsafe to deck the same with cyparesse;<br/>
+And ever sprinckle brackish teares among,                    530<br/>
+In pitie of my undeserv’d distresse,<br/>
+The which, I, wretch, endured have thus long.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“And ye, poore Pilgrims! that with restlesse toyle<br/>
+Wearie your selves in wandring desart wayes,<br/>
+Till that you come where ye your vowes assoyle*,                    535<br/>
+When passing by ye reade these wofull layes<br/>
+On my grave written, rue my Daphnes wrong,<br/>
+And mourne for me that languish out my dayes.<br/>
+Cease, Shepheard! cease, and end thy undersong.”<br/>
+  [* <i>Assoyle</i>, absolve, pay.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thus when he ended had his heavie plaint,                    540<br/>
+The heaviest plaint that ever I heard sound,<br/>
+His cheekes wext pale, and sprights began to faint,<br/>
+As if againe he would have fallen to ground;<br/>
+Which when I saw, I, stepping to him light,<br/>
+Amooved* him out of his stonie swound,                    545<br/>
+And gan him to recomfort as I might.<br/>
+  [* <i>Amooved</i>, roused.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But he no waie recomforted would be,<br/>
+Nor suffer solace to approach him nie,<br/>
+But, casting up a sdeinfull eie at me,<br/>
+That in his traunce I would not let him lie,                    550<br/>
+Did rend his haire, and beat his blubbred face,<br/>
+As one disposed wilfullie to die,<br/>
+That I sore griev’d to see his wretched case.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Tho when the pang was somewhat overpast,<br/>
+And the outragious passion nigh appeased,                    555<br/>
+I him desyrde, sith daie was overcast<br/>
+And darke night fast approched, to be pleased<br/>
+To turne aside unto my cabinet*,<br/>
+And staie with me, till he were better eased<br/>
+Of that strong stownd** which him so sore beset.                    560<br/>
+  [* <i>Cabinet</i>, cabin.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Stownd</i>, mood, paroxysm of grief.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But by no meanes I could him win thereto,<br/>
+Ne longer him intreate with me to staie,<br/>
+But without taking leave he foorth did goe<br/>
+With staggring pace and dismall looks dismay,<br/>
+As if that Death he in the face had seene,                    565<br/>
+Or hellish hags had met upon the way:<br/>
+But what of him became I cannot weene.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap11"></a>AMORETTI</h2>
+
+<h5>AND</h5>
+
+<h5>EPITHALAMION.</h5>
+
+<h5>WRITTEN NOT LONG SINCE BY</h5>
+
+<h5>EDMUNDE SPENSER.</h5>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h5>PRINTED FOR WILLIAM POSBONBY.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+1595.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+G. W. SENIOR*, TO THE AUTHOR.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* These commendatory Sonnets first appeared in the first folio edition of
+Spenser’s entire works (1611). G. W., as Todd conjectures, may be George
+Whetstone. C.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Darke is the day when Phoebus face is shrowded,<br/>
+And weaker sights may wander soone astray;<br/>
+But when they see his glorious raies unclowded,<br/>
+With steddy steps they keepe the perfect way:<br/>
+So, while this Muse in forraine land doth stay,<br/>
+Invention weepes, and pennes are cast aside;<br/>
+The time, like night, deprivd of chearfull day;<br/>
+And few doe write, but ah! too soone may slide.<br/>
+Then hie thee home, that art our perfect guide,<br/>
+And with thy wit illustrate Englands fame,<br/>
+Daunting therby our neighbors ancient pride,<br/>
+That do for Poesie challenge chiefest name:<br/>
+  So we that live, and ages that succeed,<br/>
+  With great applause thy learned works shall reed.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ah! Colin, whether on the lowly plaine,<br/>
+Piping to shepheards thy sweet roundelayes,<br/>
+Or whether singing, in some loftie vaine,<br/>
+Heroicke deeds of past or present dayes,<br/>
+Or whether in thy lovely mistresse praise<br/>
+Thou list to exercise thy learned quill,<br/>
+Thy Muse hath got such grace and power to please,<br/>
+With rare invention, beautified by skill,<br/>
+As who therin can ever ioy their fill!<br/>
+O, therefore let that happy Muse proceed<br/>
+To clime the height of Vertues sacred hill,<br/>
+Where endlesse honour shal be made thy meed:<br/>
+  Because no malice of succeeding daies<br/>
+  Can rase those records of thy lasting praise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+G. W. I[unior].
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h3>AMORETTI.[*]</h3>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* These Sonnets furnish us with a circumstantial and very interesting history
+of Spenser’s second courtship, which, after many repulses, was successfully
+terminated by the marriage celebrated in the <i>Epithalamion</i>. As these
+poems were entered in the Stationers’ Registers on the 19th of November, 1594,
+we may infer that they cover a period of time extending from the end of 1592 to
+the summer of 1594. It is possible, however, that these last dates may be a
+year too late, and that Spenser was married in 1593. We cannot be sure of the
+year, but we know, from the 266th verse of the Epithalamion, that the day was
+the feast of St. Barnabas, June 11 of the Old Style. In the 74th sonnet we are
+directly told that the lady’s name was Elizabeth. In the 61st, she is said to
+be of the “Brood of Angels, heavenly born.” From this and many similar
+expressions, interpreted by the laws of Anagram, and taken in conjunction with
+various circumstances which do not require to be stated here, it may be
+inferred that her surname was Nagle. C.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h4>I.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Happy, ye leaves! when as those lilly hands<br/>
+Which hold my life in their dead-doing might<br/>
+Shall handle you, and hold in loves soft bands,<br/>
+Lyke captives trembling at the victors sight.<br/>
+And happy lines! on which, with starry light,<br/>
+Those lamping eyes will deigne sometimes to look,<br/>
+And reade the sorrowes of my dying spright,<br/>
+And happy rymes! bath’d in the sacred brooke<br/>
+Of Helicon, whence she derived is,<br/>
+When ye behold that Angels blessed looke,<br/>
+My soules long-lacked food, my heavens blis,<br/>
+  Leaves, lines, and rymes, seeke her to please alone,<br/>
+  Whom if ye please, I care for other none!
+</p>
+
+<h4>II.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Unquiet thought! whom at the first I bred<br/>
+Of th’inward bale of my love-pined hart,<br/>
+And sithens have with sighes and sorrowes fed,<br/>
+Till greater then my wombe thou woxen art,<br/>
+Breake forth at length out of the inner part,<br/>
+In which thou lurkest lyke to vipers brood,<br/>
+And seeke some succour both to ease my smart,<br/>
+And also to sustayne thy selfe with food.<br/>
+But if in presence of that fayrest Proud<br/>
+Thou chance to come, fall lowly at her feet;<br/>
+And with meek humblesse and afflicted mood<br/>
+Pardon for thee, and grace for me, intreat:<br/>
+  Which if she graunt, then live, and my love cherish:<br/>
+  If not, die soone, and I with thee will perish.
+</p>
+
+<h4>III.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The soverayne beauty which I doo admyre,<br/>
+Witnesse the world how worthy to be prayzed!<br/>
+The light wherof hath kindled heavenly fyre<br/>
+In my fraile spirit, by her from basenesse raysed;<br/>
+That being now with her huge brightnesse dazed,<br/>
+Base thing I can no more endure to view:<br/>
+But, looking still on her, I stand amazed<br/>
+At wondrous sight of so celestiall hew.<br/>
+So when my toung would speak her praises dew,<br/>
+It stopped is with thoughts astonishment;<br/>
+And when my pen would write her titles true,<br/>
+It ravisht is with fancies wonderment:<br/>
+  Yet in my hart I then both speak and write<br/>
+  The wonder that my wit cannot endite.
+</p>
+
+<h4>IV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+New yeare, forth looking out of Ianus gate,<br/>
+Doth seeme to promise hope of new delight,<br/>
+And, bidding th’old adieu, his passed date<br/>
+Bids all old thoughts to die in dumpish* spright;<br/>
+And calling forth out of sad Winters night<br/>
+Fresh Love, that long hath slept in cheerlesse bower,<br/>
+Wils him awake, and soone about him dight<br/>
+His wanton wings and darts of deadly power.<br/>
+For lusty Spring now in his timely howre<br/>
+Is ready to come forth, him to receive;<br/>
+And warns the Earth with divers colord flowre<br/>
+To decke hir selfe, and her faire mantle weave.<br/>
+  Then you, faire flowre! in whom fresh youth doth raine,<br/>
+  Prepare your selfe new love to entertaine.<br/>
+[l <i>Dumpish</i>, mournful.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>V.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Rudely thou wrongest my deare harts desire,<br/>
+In finding fault with her too portly pride:<br/>
+The thing which I doo most in her admire,<br/>
+Is of the world unworthy most envide.<br/>
+For in those lofty lookes is close implide<br/>
+Scorn of base things, and sdeigne of foul dishonor;<br/>
+Thretning rash eies which gaze on her so wide,<br/>
+That loosely they ne dare to looke upon her.<br/>
+Such pride is praise, such portlinesse is honor,<br/>
+That boldned innocence beares in hir eies,<br/>
+And her faire countenaunce, like a goodly banner,<br/>
+Spreds in defiaunce of all enemies.<br/>
+  Was never in this world ought worthy tride*,<br/>
+  Without some spark of such self-pleasing pride.<br/>
+[* <i>Tride</i>, found.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>VI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Be nought dismayd that her unmoved mind<br/>
+Doth still persist in her rebellious pride:<br/>
+Such love, not lyke to lusts of baser kynd,<br/>
+The harder wonne, the firmer will abide.<br/>
+The durefull oake whose sap is not yet dride<br/>
+Is long ere it conceive the kindling fyre;<br/>
+But when it once doth burne, it doth divide<br/>
+Great heat, and makes his flames to heaven aspire.<br/>
+So hard it is to kindle new desire<br/>
+In gentle brest, that shall endure for ever:<br/>
+Deepe is the wound that dints the parts entire*<br/>
+With chaste affects, that naught but death can sever.<br/>
+  Then thinke not long in taking litle paine<br/>
+  To knit the knot that ever shall remaine.<br/>
+[* <i>Entire</i>, inward.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>VII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Fayre eyes! the myrrour of my mazed hart,<br/>
+What wondrous vertue is contayn’d in you,<br/>
+The which both lyfe and death forth from you dart<br/>
+Into the obiect of your mighty view?<br/>
+For when ye mildly looke with lovely hew,<br/>
+Then is my soule with life and love inspired:<br/>
+But when ye lowre, or looke on me askew,<br/>
+Then do I die, as one with lightning fyred.<br/>
+But since that lyfe is more then death desyred,<br/>
+Looke ever lovely, as becomes you best;<br/>
+That your bright beams, of my weak eies admyred,<br/>
+May kindle living fire within my brest.<br/>
+   Such life should be the honor of your light,<br/>
+   Such death the sad ensample of your might.
+</p>
+
+<h4>VIII</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+More then most faire, full of the living fire<br/>
+Kindled above unto the Maker nere,<br/>
+No eies, but ioyes, in which al powers conspire,<br/>
+That to the world naught else be counted deare!<br/>
+Thrugh your bright beams doth not the blinded guest<br/>
+Shoot out his darts to base affections wound;<br/>
+But angels come, to lead fraile mindes to rest<br/>
+In chast desires, on heavenly beauty bound.<br/>
+You frame my thoughts, and fashion me within;<br/>
+You stop my toung, and teach my hart to speake;<br/>
+You calme the storme that passion did begin,<br/>
+Strong thrugh your cause, but by your vertue weak.<br/>
+   Dark is the world where your light shined never;<br/>
+   Well is he borne that may behold you ever.
+</p>
+
+<h4>IX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Long-while I sought to what I might compare<br/>
+Those powrefull eies which lighten my dark spright;<br/>
+Yet find I nought on earth, to which I dare<br/>
+Resemble th’ymage of their goodly light.<br/>
+Not to the sun, for they doo shine by night;<br/>
+Nor to the moone, for they are changed never;<br/>
+Nor to the starres, for they have purer sight;<br/>
+Nor to the fire, for they consume not ever;<br/>
+Nor to the lightning, for they still persever;<br/>
+Nor to the diamond, for they are more tender;<br/>
+Nor unto cristall, for nought may them sever;<br/>
+Nor unto glasse, such basenesse mought offend her.<br/>
+  Then to the Maker selfe they likest be,<br/>
+  Whose light doth lighten all that here we see.
+</p>
+
+<h4>X.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Unrighteous Lord of love, what law is this,<br/>
+That me thou makest thus tormented be,<br/>
+The whiles she lordeth in licentious blisse<br/>
+Of her freewill, scorning both thee and me?<br/>
+See! how the Tyrannesse doth ioy to see<br/>
+The hugh massácres which her eyes do make,<br/>
+And humbled harts brings captive unto thee,<br/>
+That thou of them mayst mightie vengeance take.<br/>
+But her proud hart doe thou a little shake,<br/>
+And that high look, with which she doth comptroll<br/>
+All this worlds pride, bow to a baser make*,<br/>
+And al her faults in thy black booke enroll:<br/>
+  That I may laugh at her in equall sort<br/>
+  As she doth laugh at me, and makes my pain her sport.<br/>
+[* <i>Make</i>, mate.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Dayly when I do seeke and sew for peace,<br/>
+And hostages doe offer for my truth,<br/>
+She, cruell warriour, doth her selfe addresse<br/>
+To battell, and the weary war renew’th;<br/>
+Ne wilbe moov’d, with reason or with rewth*,<br/>
+To graunt small respit to my restlesse toile;<br/>
+But greedily her fell intent poursewth,<br/>
+Of my poore life to make unpittied spoile.<br/>
+Yet my poore life, all sorrowes to assoyle,<br/>
+I would her yield, her wrath to pacify;<br/>
+But then she seeks, with torment and turmoyle,<br/>
+To force me live, and will not let me dy.<br/>
+  All paine hath end, and every war hath peace;<br/>
+  But mine, no price nor prayer may surcease.<br/>
+[* <i>Rewth</i>, ruth, pity.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+One day I sought with her hart-thrilling eies<br/>
+To make a truce, and termes to entertaine;<br/>
+All fearlesse then of so false enimies,<br/>
+Which sought me to entrap in treasons traine.<br/>
+So, as I then disarmed did remaine,<br/>
+A wicked ambush, which lay hidden long<br/>
+In the close covert of her guilful eyen,<br/>
+Thence breaking forth, did thick about me throng.<br/>
+Too feeble I t’abide the brunt so strong,<br/>
+Was forst to yield my selfe into their hands;<br/>
+Who, me captiving streight with rigorous wrong,<br/>
+Have ever since kept me in cruell bands.<br/>
+  So, Ladie, now to you I doo complaine<br/>
+  Against your eies, that iustice I may gaine.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In that proud port which her so goodly graceth,<br/>
+Whiles her faire face she reares up to the skie,<br/>
+And to the ground her eie-lids low embaseth,<br/>
+Most goodly temperature ye may descry;<br/>
+Myld humblesse mixt with awfull maiestie.<br/>
+For, looking on the earth whence she was borne,<br/>
+Her minde remembreth her mortalitie,<br/>
+Whatso is fayrest shall to earth returne.<br/>
+But that same lofty countenance seemes to scorne<br/>
+Base thing, and thinke how she to heaven may clime;<br/>
+Treading downe earth as lothsome and forlorne,<br/>
+That hinders heavenly thoughts with drossy slime.<br/>
+  Yet lowly still vouchsafe to looke on me;<br/>
+  Such lowlinesse shall make you lofty be.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XIV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Retourne agayne, my forces late dismayd,<br/>
+Unto the siege by you abandon’d quite.<br/>
+Great shame it is to leave, like one afrayd,<br/>
+So fayre a peece* for one repulse so light.<br/>
+’Gaynst such strong castles needeth greater might<br/>
+Then those small forts which ye were wont belay**:<br/>
+Such haughty mynds, enur’d to hardy fight,<br/>
+Disdayne to yield unto the first assay.<br/>
+Bring therefore all the forces that ye may,<br/>
+And lay incessant battery to her heart;<br/>
+Playnts, prayers, vowes, ruth, sorrow, and dismay;<br/>
+Those engins can the proudest love convert:<br/>
+   And, if those fayle, fall down and dy before her;<br/>
+   So dying live, and living do adore her.<br/>
+[l <i>Peece</i>, fortress.]<br/>
+[** <i>Belay</i>, beleaguer.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ye tradefull Merchants, that, with weary toyle,<br/>
+Do seeke most pretious things to make your gain,<br/>
+And both the Indias of their treasure spoile,<br/>
+What needeth you to seeke so farre in vaine?<br/>
+For loe, my Love doth in her selfe containe<br/>
+All this worlds riches that may farre be found:<br/>
+If saphyres, loe, her eies be saphyres plaine;<br/>
+If rubies, loe, hir lips be rubies sound;<br/>
+If pearles, hir teeth be pearles, both pure and round;<br/>
+If yvorie, her forhead yvory weene;<br/>
+If gold, her locks are finest gold on ground;<br/>
+If silver, her faire hands are silver sheene:<br/>
+   But that which fairest is but few behold:—<br/>
+   Her mind adornd with vertues manifold.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XVI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+One day as I unwarily did gaze<br/>
+On those fayre eyes, my loves immortall light,<br/>
+The whiles my stonisht hart stood in amaze,<br/>
+Through sweet illusion of her lookes delight,<br/>
+I mote perceive how, in her glauncing sight,<br/>
+Legions of Loves with little wings did fly,<br/>
+Darting their deadly arrows, fyry bright,<br/>
+At every rash beholder passing by.<br/>
+One of those archers closely I did spy,<br/>
+Ayming his arrow at my very hart:<br/>
+When suddenly, with twincle of her eye,<br/>
+The damzell broke his misintended dart.<br/>
+   Had she not so doon, sure I had bene slayne;<br/>
+   Yet as it was, I hardly scap’t with paine.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XVII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The glorious pourtraict of that angels face,<br/>
+Made to amaze weake mens confused skil,<br/>
+And this worlds worthlesse glory to embase,<br/>
+What pen, what pencill, can expresse her fill?<br/>
+For though he colours could devize at will,<br/>
+And eke his learned hand at pleasure guide,<br/>
+Least, trembling, it his workmanship should spill*,<br/>
+Yet many wondrous things there are beside:<br/>
+The sweet eye-glaunces, that like arrowes glide,<br/>
+The charming smiles, that rob sence from the hart,<br/>
+The lovely pleasance, and the lofty pride,<br/>
+Cannot expressed be by any art.<br/>
+  A greater craftesmans hand thereto doth neede,<br/>
+  That can expresse the life of things indeed.<br/>
+[l <i>Spill</i>, spoil.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XVIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The rolling wheele that runneth often round,<br/>
+The hardest steele, in tract of time doth teare:<br/>
+And drizling drops, that often doe redound*,<br/>
+The firmest flint doth in continuance weare:<br/>
+Yet cannot I, with many a drooping teare<br/>
+And long intreaty, soften her hard hart,<br/>
+That she will once vouchsafe my plaint to heare,<br/>
+Or looke with pitty on my payneful smart.<br/>
+But when I pleade, she bids me play my part;<br/>
+And when I weep, she sayes, teares are but water;<br/>
+And when I sigh, she sayes, I know the art;<br/>
+And when I waile, she turnes hir selfe to laughter.<br/>
+  So do I weepe, and wayle, and pleade in vaine,<br/>
+  Whiles she as steele and flint doth still remayne.<br/>
+[* <i>Redound</i>, overflow.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XIX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The merry cuckow, messenger of Spring,<br/>
+His trompet shrill hath thrise already sounded.<br/>
+That warnes al lovers wayte upon their king,<br/>
+Who now is coming forth with girland crouned.<br/>
+With noyse whereof the quyre of byrds resounded<br/>
+Their anthemes sweet, devized of loves prayse,<br/>
+That all the woods theyr ecchoes back rebounded,<br/>
+As if they knew the meaning of their layes.<br/>
+But mongst them all which did Loves honor rayse,<br/>
+No word was heard of her that most it ought;<br/>
+But she his precept proudly disobayes,<br/>
+And doth his ydle message set at nought.<br/>
+  Therefore, O Love, unlesse she turne to thee<br/>
+  Ere cuckow end, let her a rebell be!
+</p>
+
+<h4>XX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In vaine I seeke and sew to her for grace,<br/>
+And doe myne humbled hart before her poure,<br/>
+The whiles her foot she in my necke doth place,<br/>
+And tread my life downe in the lowly floure*.<br/>
+And yet the lyon, that is lord of power,<br/>
+And reigneth over every beast in field,<br/>
+In his most pride disdeigneth to devoure<br/>
+The silly lambe that to his might doth yield.<br/>
+But she, more cruell and more salvage wylde<br/>
+Than either lyon or the lyonesse,<br/>
+Shames not to be with guiltlesse bloud defylde,<br/>
+But taketh glory in her cruelnesse.<br/>
+  Fayrer then fayrest! let none ever say<br/>
+  That ye were blooded in a yeelded pray.<br/>
+[* <i>Floure</i>, floor, ground.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Was it the worke of Nature or of Art,<br/>
+Which tempred so the feature of her face,<br/>
+That pride and meeknesse, mist by equall part,<br/>
+Doe both appeare t’adorne her beauties grace?<br/>
+For with mild pleasance, which doth pride displace,<br/>
+She to her love doth lookers eyes allure;<br/>
+And with stern countenance back again doth chace<br/>
+Their looser lookes that stir up lustes impure.<br/>
+With such strange termes* her eyes she doth inure,<br/>
+That with one looke she doth my life dismay,<br/>
+And with another doth it streight recure:<br/>
+Her smile me drawes; her frowne me drives away.<br/>
+  Thus doth she traine and teach me with her lookes;<br/>
+  Such art of eyes I never read in bookes!<br/>
+[* <i>Termes</i>, extremes (?).]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+This holy season*, fit to fast and pray,<br/>
+Men to devotion ought to be inclynd:<br/>
+Therefore, I lykewise, on so holy day,<br/>
+For my sweet saynt some service fit will find.<br/>
+Her temple fayre is built within my mind,<br/>
+In which her glorious ymage placed is;<br/>
+On which my thoughts doo day and night attend,<br/>
+Lyke sacred priests that never thinke amisse.<br/>
+There I to her, as th’author of my blisse,<br/>
+Will builde an altar to appease her yre;<br/>
+And on the same my hart will sacrifise,<br/>
+Burning in flames of pure and chaste desyre:<br/>
+  The which vouchsafe, O Goddesse, to accept,<br/>
+  Amongst thy deerest relicks to be kept.<br/>
+[* I.e. Easter.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Penelope, for her Ulisses sake,<br/>
+Deviz’d a web her wooers to deceave;<br/>
+In which the worke that she all day did make,<br/>
+The same at night she did againe unreave.<br/>
+Such subtile craft my damzell doth conceave,<br/>
+Th’importune suit of my desire to shonne:<br/>
+For all that I in many dayes do weave,<br/>
+In one short houre I find by her undonne.<br/>
+So when I thinke to end that I begonne,<br/>
+I must begin and never bring to end:<br/>
+For with one looke she spils that long I sponne,<br/>
+And with one word my whole years work doth rend.<br/>
+  Such labour like the spyders web I fynd,<br/>
+  Whose fruitlesse worke is broken with least wynd.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXIV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+When I behold that beauties wonderment,<br/>
+And rare perfection of each goodly part,<br/>
+Of Natures skill the onely complement,<br/>
+I honor and admire the Makers art.<br/>
+But when I feele the bitter balefull smart<br/>
+Which her fayre eyes unwares doe worke in mee,<br/>
+That death out of theyr shiny beames doe dart,<br/>
+I thinke that I a new Pandora see,<br/>
+Whom all the gods in councell did agree<br/>
+Into this sinfull world from heaven to send,<br/>
+That she to wicked men a scourge should bee,<br/>
+For all their faults with which they did offend.<br/>
+  But since ye are my scourge, I will intreat<br/>
+  That for my faults ye will me gently beat.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+How long shall this lyke-dying lyfe endure,<br/>
+And know no end of her owne mysery,<br/>
+But wast and weare away in termes unsure,<br/>
+’Twixt feare and hope depending doubtfully!<br/>
+Yet better were attonce to let me die,<br/>
+And shew the last ensample of your pride,<br/>
+Then to torment me thus with cruelty,<br/>
+To prove your powre, which I too wel have tride.<br/>
+But yet if in your hardned brest ye bide<br/>
+A close intent at last to shew me grace,<br/>
+Then all the woes and wrecks which I abide,<br/>
+As meanes of blisse I gladly wil embrace;<br/>
+  And wish that more and greater they might be,<br/>
+  That greater meede at last may turne to mee.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXVI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Sweet is the rose, but growes upon a brere;<br/>
+Sweet is the iunipeer; but sharpe his bough;<br/>
+Sweet is the eglantine, but pricketh nere;<br/>
+Sweet is the firbloome, but his braunches rough*;<br/>
+Sweet is the cypresse, but his rynd is rough;<br/>
+Sweet is the nut, but bitter is his pill**;<br/>
+Sweet is the broome-flowre, but yet sowre enough;<br/>
+And sweet is moly, but his root is ill.<br/>
+So every sweet with soure is tempred still,<br/>
+That maketh it be coveted the more:<br/>
+For easie things, that may be got at will,<br/>
+Most sorts of men doe set but little store.<br/>
+  Why then should I accompt of little paine,<br/>
+  That endlesse pleasure shall unto me gaine!<br/>
+[* I.e. raw, crude.]<br/>
+[** <i>Pill</i>, peel.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXVII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Faire Proud! now tell me, why should faire be proud,<br/>
+Sith all worlds glorie is but drosse uncleane,<br/>
+And in the shade of death it selfe shall shroud,<br/>
+However now thereof ye little weene!<br/>
+That goodly idoll, now so gay beseene*,<br/>
+Shall doffe her fleshes borrowd fayre attyre,<br/>
+And be forgot as it had never beene,<br/>
+That many now much worship and admire!<br/>
+Ne any then shall after it inquire,<br/>
+Ne any mention shall thereof remaine,<br/>
+But what this verse, that never shall expyre,<br/>
+Shall to you purchas with her thankles pain!<br/>
+  Faire! be no lenger proud of that shall perish,<br/>
+  But that which shall you make immortall cherish.<br/>
+[* <i>Beseene</i>, appearing.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXVIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The laurel-leafe which you this day doe weare<br/>
+Gives me great hope of your relenting mynd:<br/>
+For since it is the badge which I doe beare*,<br/>
+Ye, bearing it, doe seeme to me inclind.<br/>
+The powre thereof, which ofte in me I find,<br/>
+Let it likewise your gentle brest inspire<br/>
+With sweet infusion, and put you in mind<br/>
+Of that proud mayd whom now those leaves attyre:<br/>
+Proud Daphne, scorning Phœbus lovely** fyre,<br/>
+On the Thessalian shore from him did flie;<br/>
+For which the gods, in theyr revengefull yre,<br/>
+Did her transforme into a laurell-tree.<br/>
+  Then fly no more, fayre Love, from Phebus chace,<br/>
+  But in your brest his leafe and love embrace.<br/>
+[* I. e. as poet-laureate.]<br/>
+[** <i>Lovely</i>, loving.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXIX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+See! how the stubborne damzell doth deprave<br/>
+My simple meaning with disdaynfull scorne,<br/>
+And by the bay which I unto her gave<br/>
+Accoumpts my self her captive quite forlorne.<br/>
+The bay, quoth she, is of the victours born,<br/>
+Yielded them by the vanquisht as theyr meeds,<br/>
+And they therewith doe poetes heads adorne,<br/>
+To sing the glory of their famous deeds.<br/>
+But sith she will the conquest challeng needs,<br/>
+Let her accept me as her faithfull thrall;<br/>
+That her great triumph, which my skill exceeds,<br/>
+I may in trump of fame blaze over all.<br/>
+  Then would I decke her head with glorious bayes,<br/>
+  And fill the world with her victorious prayse.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+My Love is lyke to yse, and I to fyre:<br/>
+How comes it then that this her cold so great<br/>
+Is not dissolv’d through my so hot desyre,<br/>
+But harder growes the more I her intreat?<br/>
+Or how comes it that my exceeding heat<br/>
+Is not delayd* by her hart-frosen cold,<br/>
+But that I burne much more in boyling sweat,<br/>
+And feele my flames augmented manifold?<br/>
+What more miraculous thing may be told,<br/>
+That fire, which all things melts, should harden yse,<br/>
+And yse, which is congeald with sencelesse cold,<br/>
+Should kindle fyre by wonderful devyse?<br/>
+  Such is the powre of love in gentle mind,<br/>
+  That it can alter all the course of kynd.<br/>
+[* <i>Delayd</i>, tempered.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ah! why hath Nature to so hard a hart<br/>
+Given so goodly giftes of beauties grace,<br/>
+Whose pryde depraves each other better part,<br/>
+And all those pretious ornaments deface?<br/>
+Sith to all other beastes of bloody race<br/>
+A dreadfull countenance she given hath,<br/>
+That with theyr terrour all the rest may chace,<br/>
+And warne to shun the daunger of theyr wrath.<br/>
+But my proud one doth worke the greater scath*,<br/>
+Through sweet allurement of her lovely hew,<br/>
+That she the better may in bloody bath<br/>
+Of such poore thralls her cruell hands embrew.<br/>
+  But did she know how ill these two accord,<br/>
+  Such cruelty she would have soone abhord.<br/>
+[* <i>Scath</i>, injury.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The paynefull smith with force of fervent heat<br/>
+The hardest yron soone doth mollify,<br/>
+That with his heavy sledge he can it beat,<br/>
+And fashion to what he it list apply.<br/>
+Yet cannot all these flames in which I fry<br/>
+Her hart, more hard then yron, soft a whit,<br/>
+Ne all the playnts and prayërs with which I<br/>
+Doe beat on th’andvile of her stubberne wit:<br/>
+But still, the more she fervent sees my fit,<br/>
+The more she frieseth in her wilfull pryde,<br/>
+And harder growes, the harder she is smit<br/>
+With all the playnts which to her be applyde.<br/>
+  What then remaines but I to ashes burne,<br/>
+  And she to stones at length all frosen turne!
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Great wrong I doe, I can it not deny,<br/>
+To that most sacred empresse, my dear dred,<br/>
+Not finishing her Queene of Faëry,<br/>
+That mote enlarge her living prayses, dead.<br/>
+But Lodwick*, this of grace to me aread:<br/>
+Do ye not thinck th’accomplishment of it<br/>
+Sufficient worke for one mans simple head,<br/>
+All were it, as the rest, but rudely writ?<br/>
+How then should I, without another wit,<br/>
+Thinck ever to endure so tedious toyle,<br/>
+Sith that this one is tost with troublous fit<br/>
+Of a proud Love, that doth my spirite spoyle?<br/>
+  Cease, then, till she vouchsafe to grawnt me rest,<br/>
+  Or lend you me another living brest.<br/>
+[* I.e. Lodowick Bryskett.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXIV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Lyke as a ship, that through the ocean wyde<br/>
+By conduct of some star doth make her way,<br/>
+Whenas a storm hath dimd her trusty guyde,<br/>
+Out of her course doth wander far astray,<br/>
+So I, whose star, that wont with her bright ray<br/>
+Me to direct, with cloudes is over-cast,<br/>
+Doe wander now in darknesse and dismay,<br/>
+Through hidden perils round about me plast.<br/>
+Yet hope I well that, when this storme is past,<br/>
+My Helice*, the lodestar of my lyfe,<br/>
+Will shine again, and looke on me at last,<br/>
+With lovely light to cleare my cloudy grief.<br/>
+  Till then I wander carefull, comfortlesse,<br/>
+  In secret sorrow and sad pensivenesse.<br/>
+[* I. e. Cynosure.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+My hungry eyes, through greedy covetize<br/>
+Still to behold the obiect of their paine,<br/>
+With no contentment can themselves suffize;<br/>
+But having, pine, and having not, complaine.<br/>
+For lacking it, they cannot lyfe sustayne;<br/>
+And having it, they gaze on it the more,<br/>
+In their amazement lyke Narcissus vaine,<br/>
+Whose eyes him starv’d: so plenty makes me poore.<br/>
+Yet are mine eyes so filled with the store<br/>
+Of that faire sight, that nothing else they brooke,<br/>
+But lothe the things which they did like before,<br/>
+And can no more endure on them to looke.<br/>
+  All this worlds glory seemeth vayne to me,<br/>
+  And all their showes but shadowes, saving she.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXVI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Tell me, when shall these wearie woes have end;<br/>
+Or shall their ruthlesse torment never cease,<br/>
+But al my days in pining languor spend,<br/>
+Without hope of asswagement or release?<br/>
+Is there no meanes for me to purchace peace,<br/>
+Or make agreement with her thrilling eyes;<br/>
+But that their cruelty doth still increace,<br/>
+And dayly more augment my miseryes?<br/>
+But when ye have shew’d all extremityes,<br/>
+Then think how little glory ye have gayned<br/>
+By slaying him, whose lyfe, though ye despyse,<br/>
+Mote have your life in honor long maintayned.<br/>
+  But by his death, which some perhaps will mone,<br/>
+  Ye shall condemned be of many a one.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXVII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+What guyle is this, that those her golden tresses<br/>
+She doth attyre under a net of gold,<br/>
+And with sly skill so cunningly them dresses,<br/>
+That which is gold or haire may scarse be told?<br/>
+Is it that mens frayle eyes, which gaze too bold,<br/>
+She may entangle in that golden snare;<br/>
+And, being caught, may craftily enfold<br/>
+Their weaker harts, which are not wel aware?<br/>
+Take heed therefore, myne eyes, how ye doe stare<br/>
+Henceforth too rashly on that guilefull net,<br/>
+In which if ever ye entrapped are,<br/>
+Out of her bands ye by no meanes shall get.<br/>
+  Fondnesse it were for any, being free,<br/>
+  To covet fetters, though they golden bee!
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXVIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Arion, when, through tempests cruel wracke,<br/>
+He forth was thrown into the greedy seas,<br/>
+Through the sweet musick which his harp did make<br/>
+Allur’d a dolphin him from death to ease.<br/>
+But my rude musick, which was wont to please<br/>
+Some dainty eares, cannot, with any skill,<br/>
+The dreadfull tempest of her wrath appease,<br/>
+Nor move the dolphin from her stubborn will.<br/>
+But in her pride she dooth persever still,<br/>
+All carelesse how my life for her decayes:<br/>
+Yet with one word she can it save or spill.<br/>
+To spill were pitty, but to save were prayse!<br/>
+  Chuse rather to be praysd for doing good,<br/>
+  Then to be blam’d for spilling guiltlesse blood.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XXXIX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Sweet smile! the daughter of the Queene of Love,<br/>
+Expressing all thy mothers powrefull art,<br/>
+With which she wonts to temper angry Iove,<br/>
+When all the gods he threats with thundring dart,<br/>
+Sweet is thy vertue, as thy selfe sweet art.<br/>
+For when on me thou shinedst late in sadnesse,<br/>
+A melting pleasance ran through every part,<br/>
+And me revived with hart-robbing gladnesse;<br/>
+Whylest rapt with ioy resembling heavenly madness,<br/>
+My soule was ravisht quite as in a traunce,<br/>
+And, feeling thence no more her sorrowes sadnesse,<br/>
+Fed on the fulnesse of that chearfull glaunce.<br/>
+  More sweet than nectar, or ambrosiall meat,<br/>
+  Seem’d every bit which thenceforth I did eat.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XL.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Mark when she smiles with amiable cheare,<br/>
+And tell me whereto can ye lyken it;<br/>
+When on each eyelid sweetly doe appeare<br/>
+An hundred Graces as in shade to sit.<br/>
+Lykest it seemeth, in my simple wit,<br/>
+Unto the fayre sunshine in somers day,<br/>
+That, when a dreadfull storme away is flit,<br/>
+Thrugh the broad world doth spred his goodly ray<br/>
+At sight whereof, each bird that sits on spray,<br/>
+And every beast that to his den was fled,<br/>
+Comes forth afresh out of their late dismay,<br/>
+And to the light lift up their drouping hed.<br/>
+  So my storme-beaten hart likewise is cheared<br/>
+  With that sunshine, when cloudy looks are cleared.<br/>
+[Footnote: XL. 4.—<i>An hundred Graces.</i> E.K., in his commentary on the
+Shepheards Calender, quotes a line closely resembling this from Spenser’s
+Pageants:
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“An hundred Graces on her eyelids sat.”
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The same fancy occurs in the Faerie Queene, and in the Hymn to Beauty.<br/>
+It is copied from a poem ascribed to Musaeus. C.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XLI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Is it her nature, or is it her will,<br/>
+To be so cruell to an humbled foe?<br/>
+If nature, then she may it mend with skill;<br/>
+If will, then she at will may will forgoe.<br/>
+But if her nature and her will be so,<br/>
+That she will plague the man that loves her most,<br/>
+And take delight t’encrease a wretches woe,<br/>
+Then all her natures goodly guifts are lost;<br/>
+And that same glorious beauties ydle boast<br/>
+Is but a bayt such wretches to beguile,<br/>
+As, being long in her loves tempest tost,<br/>
+She meanes at last to make her pitious spoyle.<br/>
+  O fayrest fayre! let never it be named,<br/>
+  That so fayre beauty was so fowly shamed.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XLII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The love which me so cruelly tormenteth<br/>
+So pleasing is in my extreamest paine,<br/>
+That, all the more my sorrow it augmenteth,<br/>
+The more I love and doe embrace my bane.<br/>
+Ne do I wish (for wishing were but vaine)<br/>
+To be acquit fro my continual smart,<br/>
+But ioy her thrall for ever to remayne,<br/>
+And yield for pledge my poor and captyved hart,<br/>
+The which, that it from her may never start,<br/>
+Let her, yf please her, bynd with adamant chayne,<br/>
+And from all wandring loves, which mote pervart<br/>
+His safe assurance, strongly it restrayne.<br/>
+  Onely let her abstaine from cruelty,<br/>
+  And doe me not before my time to dy.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XLIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Shall I then silent be, or shall I speake?<br/>
+And if I speake, her wrath renew I shall;<br/>
+And if I silent be, my hart will breake,<br/>
+Or choked be with overflowing gall.<br/>
+What tyranny is this, both my hart to thrall,<br/>
+And eke my toung with proud restraint to tie,<br/>
+That neither I may speake nor thinke at all,<br/>
+But like a stupid stock in silence die!<br/>
+Yet I my hart with silence secretly<br/>
+Will teach to speak and my just cause to plead,<br/>
+And eke mine eies, with meek humility,<br/>
+Love-learned letters to her eyes to read;<br/>
+Which her deep wit, that true harts thought can spel,<br/>
+  Wil soon conceive, and learne to construe well.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XLIV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+When those renoumed noble peres of Greece<br/>
+Through stubborn pride among themselves did iar,<br/>
+Forgetfull of the famous golden fleece,<br/>
+Then Orpheus with his harp theyr strife did bar.<br/>
+But this continuall, cruell, civill warre<br/>
+The which my selfe against my selfe doe make,<br/>
+Whilest my weak powres of passions warreid arre,<br/>
+No skill can stint, nor reason can aslake.<br/>
+But when in hand my tunelesse harp I take,<br/>
+Then doe I more augment my foes despight,<br/>
+And griefe renew, and passions doe awake<br/>
+To battaile, fresh against my selfe to fight.<br/>
+  Mongst whome the more I seeke to settle peace,<br/>
+  The more I fynd their malice to increace.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XLV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Leave, Lady! in your glasse of cristall clene<br/>
+Your goodly selfe for evermore to vew,<br/>
+And in my selfe, (my inward selfe I meane,)<br/>
+Most lively lyke behold your semblant trew.<br/>
+Within my hart, though hardly it can shew<br/>
+Thing so divine to vew of earthly eye,<br/>
+The fayre idea of your celestiall hew<br/>
+And every part remaines immortally:<br/>
+And were it not that through your cruelty<br/>
+With sorrow dimmed and deform’d it were,<br/>
+The goodly ymage of your visnomy*,<br/>
+Clearer than cristall, would therein appere.<br/>
+  But if your selfe in me ye playne will see,<br/>
+  Remove the cause by which your fayre beames darkned be.<br/>
+[* <i>Visnomy</i>, countenance.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>XLVI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+When my abodes prefixed time is spent,<br/>
+My cruell fayre streight bids me wend my way:<br/>
+But then from heaven most hideous stormes are sent,<br/>
+As willing me against her will to stay.<br/>
+Whom then shall I—or heaven, or her—obay?<br/>
+The heavens know best what is the best for me:<br/>
+But as she will, whose will my life doth sway,<br/>
+My lower heaven, so it perforce must be.<br/>
+But ye high hevens, that all this sorowe see,<br/>
+Sith all your tempests cannot hold me backe,<br/>
+Aswage your storms, or else both you and she<br/>
+Will both together me too sorely wrack.<br/>
+  Enough it is for one man to sustaine<br/>
+  The stormes which she alone on me doth raine.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XLVII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Trust not the treason of those smyling lookes,<br/>
+Untill ye have their guylefull traynes well tryde;<br/>
+For they are lyke but unto golden hookes,<br/>
+That from the foolish fish theyr bayts do hyde:<br/>
+So she with flattring smyles weake harts doth guyde<br/>
+Unto her love, and tempte to theyr decay;<br/>
+Whome, being caught, she kills with cruell pryde,<br/>
+And feeds at pleasure on the wretched pray.<br/>
+Yet even whylst her bloody hands them slay,<br/>
+Her eyes looke lovely, and upon them smyle,<br/>
+That they take pleasure in their cruell play,<br/>
+And, dying, doe themselves of payne beguyle.<br/>
+  O mighty charm! which makes men love theyr bane,<br/>
+  And thinck they dy with pleasure, live with payne.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XLVIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Innocent paper! whom too cruell hand<br/>
+Did make the matter to avenge her yre,<br/>
+And ere she could thy cause well understand,<br/>
+Did sacrifize unto the greedy fyre,<br/>
+Well worthy thou to have found better hyre<br/>
+Then so bad end, for hereticks ordayned;<br/>
+Yet heresy nor treason didst conspire,<br/>
+But plead thy maisters cause, unjustly payned:<br/>
+Whom she, all carelesse of his grief, constrayned<br/>
+To utter forth the anguish of his hart,<br/>
+And would not heare, when he to her complayned<br/>
+The piteous passion of his dying smart.<br/>
+  Yet live for ever, though against her will,<br/>
+  And speake her good, though she requite it ill.
+</p>
+
+<h4>XLIX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Fayre Cruell! why are ye so fierce and cruell?<br/>
+Is it because your eyes have powre to kill?<br/>
+Then know that mercy is the Mighties iewell,<br/>
+And greater glory think to save then spill.<br/>
+But if it be your pleasure and proud will<br/>
+To shew the powre of your imperious eyes,<br/>
+Then not on him that never thought you ill,<br/>
+But bend your force against your enemyes.<br/>
+Let them feel the utmost of your crueltyes,<br/>
+And kill with looks, as cockatrices do:<br/>
+But him that at your footstoole humbled lies,<br/>
+With mercifull regard give mercy to.<br/>
+  Such mercy shall you make admyr’d to be;<br/>
+  So shall you live, by giving life to me.
+</p>
+
+<h4>L.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Long languishing in double malady<br/>
+Of my harts wound and of my bodies griefe,<br/>
+There came to me a leach, that would apply<br/>
+Fit medcines for my bodies best reliefe.<br/>
+Vayne man, quoth I, that hast but little priefe*<br/>
+In deep discovery of the mynds disease;<br/>
+Is not the hart of all the body chiefe,<br/>
+And rules the members as it selfe doth please?<br/>
+Then with some cordialls seeke for to appease<br/>
+The inward languor of my wounded hart,<br/>
+And then my body shall have shortly ease.<br/>
+But such sweet cordialls passe physicians art:<br/>
+  Then, my lyfes leach! doe you your skill reveale,<br/>
+  And with one salve both hart and body heale.<br/>
+[* <i>Priefe</i>, proof, experience.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Doe I not see that fayrest ymages<br/>
+Of hardest marble are of purpose made,<br/>
+For that they should endure through many ages,<br/>
+Ne let theyr famous moniments to fade?<br/>
+Why then doe I, untrainde in lovers trade,<br/>
+Her hardnes blame, which I should more commend?<br/>
+Sith never ought was excellent assayde<br/>
+Which was not hard t’atchive and bring to end;<br/>
+Ne ought so hard, but he that would attend<br/>
+Mote soften it and to his will allure.<br/>
+So do I hope her stubborne hart to bend,<br/>
+And that it then more stedfast will endure:<br/>
+  Only my paines wil be the more to get her;<br/>
+  But, having her, my ioy wil be the greater.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So oft as homeward I from her depart,<br/>
+I go lyke one that, having lost the field,<br/>
+Is prisoner led away with heavy hart,<br/>
+Despoyld of warlike armes and knowen shield.<br/>
+So doe I now my self a prisoner yield<br/>
+To sorrow and to solitary paine,<br/>
+From presence of my dearest deare exylde,<br/>
+Long-while alone in languor to remaine.<br/>
+There let no thought of ioy, or pleasure vaine,<br/>
+Dare to approch, that may my solace breed;<br/>
+But sudden* dumps**, and drery sad disdayne<br/>
+Of all worlds gladnesse, more my torment feed.<br/>
+  So I her absens will my penaunce make,<br/>
+  That of her presens I my meed may take.<br/>
+[* <i>Sudden</i>, Qu. sullen?]<br/>
+[** <i>Dumps</i>, lamentations.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The panther, knowing that his spotted hyde<br/>
+Doth please all beasts, but that his looks them fray*,<br/>
+Within a bush his dreadful head doth hide,<br/>
+To let them gaze, whylst he on them may pray.<br/>
+Right so my cruell fayre with me doth play;<br/>
+For with the goodly semblance of her hew<br/>
+She doth allure me to mine owne decay,<br/>
+And then no mercy will unto me shew.<br/>
+Great shame it is, thing so divine in view,<br/>
+Made for to be the worlds most ornament,<br/>
+To make the bayte her gazers to embrew:<br/>
+Good shames to be to ill an instrument!<br/>
+  But mercy doth with beautie best agree,<br/>
+  As in theyr Maker ye them best may see.<br/>
+[* <i>Fray</i>, frighten.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LIV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Of this worlds theatre in which we stay,<br/>
+My Love, like the spectator, ydly sits,<br/>
+Beholding me, that all the pageants play,<br/>
+Disguysing diversly my troubled wits.<br/>
+Sometimes I ioy when glad occasion fits,<br/>
+And mask in myrth lyke to a comedy:<br/>
+Soone after, when my ioy to sorrow flits,<br/>
+I waile, and make my woes a tragedy.<br/>
+Yet she, beholding me with constant eye,<br/>
+Delights not in my merth, nor rues my smart:<br/>
+But when I laugh, she mocks; and when I cry,<br/>
+She laughs, and hardens evermore her hart.<br/>
+  What then can move her? If nor merth, nor mone,<br/>
+  She is no woman, but a sencelesse stone.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So oft as I her beauty doe behold,<br/>
+And therewith doe her cruelty compare,<br/>
+I marvaile of what substance was the mould<br/>
+The which her made attonce so cruell faire.<br/>
+Not earth; for her high thoughts more heavenly are:<br/>
+Not water; for her love doth burne like fyre:<br/>
+Not ayre; for she is not so light or rare;<br/>
+Not fyre; for she doth friese with faint desire.<br/>
+Then needs another element inquire,<br/>
+Whereof she mote be made; that is, the skye.<br/>
+For to the heaven her haughty looks aspire,<br/>
+And eke her love is pure immortall hye.<br/>
+  Then sith to heaven ye lykened are the best,<br/>
+  Be lyke in mercy as in all the rest.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LVI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Fayre ye be sure, but cruell and unkind,<br/>
+As is a tygre, that with greedinesse<br/>
+Hunts after bloud; when he by chance doth find<br/>
+A feeble beast, doth felly him oppresse.<br/>
+Fayre be ye sure, but proud and pitilesse,<br/>
+As is a storme, that all things doth prostrate;<br/>
+Finding a tree alone all comfortlesse,<br/>
+Beats on it strongly, it to ruinate.<br/>
+Fayre be ye sure, but hard and obstinate,<br/>
+As is a rocke amidst the raging floods;<br/>
+Gaynst which a ship, of succour desolate,<br/>
+Doth suffer wreck both of her selfe and goods.<br/>
+  That ship, that tree, and that same beast, am I,<br/>
+  Whom ye doe wreck, doe ruine, and destroy.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LVII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Sweet warriour! when shall I have peace with you?<br/>
+High time it is this warre now ended were,<br/>
+Which I no lenger can endure to sue,<br/>
+Ne your incessant battry more to beare.<br/>
+So weake my powres, so sore my wounds, appear,<br/>
+That wonder is how I should live a iot,<br/>
+Seeing my hart through-launced every where<br/>
+With thousand arrowes which your eies have shot.<br/>
+Yet shoot ye sharpely still, and spare me not,<br/>
+But glory thinke to make these cruel stoures*.<br/>
+Ye cruell one! what glory can be got,<br/>
+In slaying him that would live gladly yours?<br/>
+  Make peace therefore, and graunt me timely grace,<br/>
+  That al my wounds will heale in little space.<br/>
+[* <i>Stoures</i>, agitations.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LVIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>By her that is most assured to her selfe.</i>
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Weake is th’assurance that weake flesh reposeth<br/>
+In her own powre, and scorneth others ayde;<br/>
+That soonest fals, when as she most supposeth<br/>
+Her selfe assur’d, and is of nought affrayd,<br/>
+All flesh is frayle, and all her strength unstayd,<br/>
+Like a vaine bubble blowen up with ayre:<br/>
+Devouring tyme and changeful chance have prayd*<br/>
+Her glorious pride, that none may it repayre.<br/>
+Ne none so rich or wise, so strong or fayre,<br/>
+But fayleth, trusting on his owne assurance:<br/>
+And he that standeth on the hyghest stayre<br/>
+Fals lowest; for on earth nought hath endurance.<br/>
+  Why then doe ye, proud fayre, misdeeme so farre,<br/>
+  That to your selfe ye most assured arre!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[Footnote: LVIII.—<i>By her</i>, &amp;c. <i>By</i> is perhaps a misprint for <i>to</i>; or
+this title may belong to Sonnet LIX. H.]
+[* <i>Prayd</i>, preyed upon.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LIX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thrise happie she that is so well assured<br/>
+Unto her selfe, and setled so in hart,<br/>
+That neither will for better be allured,<br/>
+Ne feard with worse to any chaunce to start:<br/>
+But, like a steddy ship, doth strongly part<br/>
+The raging waves, and keepes her course aright,<br/>
+Ne ought for tempest doth from it depart,<br/>
+Ne ought for fayrer weathers false delight.<br/>
+Such selfe-assurance need not feare the spight<br/>
+Of grudging foes, ne favour seek of friends:<br/>
+But in the stay of her owne stedfast might,<br/>
+Neither to one her selfe nor other bends.<br/>
+  Most happy she that most assur’d doth rest;<br/>
+  But he most happy who such one loves best.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+They that in course of heavenly spheares are skild<br/>
+To every planet point his sundry yeare,<br/>
+In which her circles voyage is fulfild:<br/>
+As Mars in threescore yeares doth run his spheare.<br/>
+So, since the winged god his planet cleare<br/>
+Began in me to move, one yeare is spent;<br/>
+The which doth longer unto me appeare,<br/>
+Then al those fourty which my life out-went.<br/>
+Then, by that count which lovers books invent,<br/>
+The spheare of Cupid fourty yeares containes,<br/>
+Which I have wasted in long languishment,<br/>
+That seem’d the longer for my greater paines.<br/>
+  But let my Loves fayre planet short her wayes<br/>
+  This yeare ensuing, or else short my dayes.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[Footnote: LX. 4.—<i>As Mars in three score yeares</i>. I do not understand
+Spenser’s astronomy. C.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The glorious image of the Makers beautie,<br/>
+My soverayne saynt, the idoll of my thought,<br/>
+Dare not henceforth, above the bounds of dewtie,<br/>
+T’accuse of pride, or rashly blame for ought.<br/>
+For being, as she is, divinely wrought,<br/>
+And of the brood of angels heavenly born,<br/>
+And with the crew of blessed saynts upbrought,<br/>
+Each of which did her with theyr guifts adorne,<br/>
+The bud of ioy, the blossome of the morne,<br/>
+The beame of light, whom mortal eyes admyre,<br/>
+What reason is it then but she should scorne<br/>
+Base things, that to her love too bold aspire!<br/>
+  Such heavenly formes ought rather worshipt be,<br/>
+  Then dare be lov’d by men of meane degree.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The weary yeare his race now having run,<br/>
+The new begins his compast course anew:<br/>
+With shew of morning mylde he hath begun,<br/>
+Betokening peace and plenty to ensew.<br/>
+So let us, which this chaunge of weather vew,<br/>
+Chaunge eke our mynds, and former lives amend;<br/>
+The old yeares sinnes forepast let us eschew,<br/>
+And fly the faults with which we did offend.<br/>
+Then shall the new yeares ioy forth freshly send<br/>
+Into the glooming world his gladsome ray,<br/>
+And all these stormes, which now his beauty blend*,<br/>
+Shall turne to calmes, and tymely cleare away.<br/>
+  So, likewise, Love! cheare you your heavy spright,<br/>
+  And chaunge old yeares annoy to new delight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* <i>Blend</i>, blemish.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+After long stormes and tempests sad assay,<br/>
+Which hardly I endured heretofore,<br/>
+In dread of death, and daungerous dismay,<br/>
+With which my silly bark was tossed sore,<br/>
+I doe at length descry the happy shore,<br/>
+In which I hope ere long for to arryve:<br/>
+Fayre soyle it seemes from far, and fraught with store<br/>
+Of all that deare and daynty is alyve.<br/>
+Most happy he that can at last atchyve<br/>
+The ioyous safety of so sweet a rest;<br/>
+Whose least delight sufficeth to deprive<br/>
+Remembrance of all paines which him opprest.<br/>
+  All paines are nothing in respect of this;<br/>
+  All sorrowes short that gaine eternall blisse.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXIV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Comming to kisse her lyps, (such grace I found,)<br/>
+Me seemd I smelt a gardin of sweet flowres,<br/>
+That dainty odours from them threw around,<br/>
+For damzels fit to decke their lovers bowres.<br/>
+Her lips did smell lyke unto gillyflowers;<br/>
+Her ruddy cheekes lyke unto roses red;<br/>
+Her snowy browes lyke budded bellamoures;<br/>
+Her lovely eyes lyke pincks but newly spred;<br/>
+Her goodly bosome lyke a strawberry bed;<br/>
+Her neck lyke to a bounch of cullambynes;<br/>
+Her brest lyke lillyes, ere their leaves be shed;<br/>
+Her nipples lyke young blossomd jessemynes.<br/>
+  Such fragrant flowres doe give most odorous smell;<br/>
+  But her sweet odour did them all excell.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[Footnote: LXIV. 7.—<i>Bellamoures</i>. I have not discovered what flower is
+here meant. C.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The doubt which ye misdeeme, fayre Love, is vaine,<br/>
+That fondly feare to lose your liberty,<br/>
+When, losing one, two liberties ye gayne,<br/>
+And make him bond that bondage earst did fly.<br/>
+Sweet be the bands the which true love doth tye,<br/>
+Without constraynt or dread of any ill:<br/>
+The gentle birde feeles no captivity<br/>
+Within her cage, but sings, and feeds her fill.<br/>
+There pride dare not approch, nor discord spill<br/>
+The league twixt them that loyal love hath bound,<br/>
+But simple Truth and mutual Good-will<br/>
+Seeks with sweet peace to salve each others wound:<br/>
+  There Fayth doth fearless dwell in brasen towre,<br/>
+  And spotlesse Pleasure builds her sacred bowre.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXVI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+To all those happy blessings which ye have<br/>
+With plenteous hand by heaven upon you thrown,<br/>
+This one disparagement they to you gave,<br/>
+That ye your love lent to so meane a one.<br/>
+Ye, whose high worths surpassing paragon<br/>
+Could not on earth have found one fit for mate,<br/>
+Ne but in heaven matchable to none,<br/>
+Why did ye stoup unto so lowly state?<br/>
+But ye thereby much greater glory gate,<br/>
+Then had ye sorted with a princes pere:<br/>
+For now your light doth more it selfe dilate,<br/>
+And, in my darknesse, greater doth appeare.<br/>
+  Yet, since your light hath once enlumind me,<br/>
+  With my reflex yours shall encreased be.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXVII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Lyke as a huntsman, after weary chace,<br/>
+Seeing the game from him escapt away,<br/>
+Sits downe to rest him in some shady place,<br/>
+With panting hounds, beguiled of their pray,<br/>
+So, after long pursuit and vaine assay,<br/>
+When I all weary had the chace forsooke,<br/>
+The gentle deer returnd the selfe-same way,<br/>
+Thinking to quench her thirst at the next brooke.<br/>
+There she, beholding me with mylder looke,<br/>
+Sought not to fly, but fearlesse still did bide,<br/>
+Till I in hand her yet halfe trembling tooke,<br/>
+And with her own goodwill her fyrmely tyde.<br/>
+  Strange thing, me seemd, to see a beast so wyld<br/>
+  So goodly wonne, with her owne will beguyld.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXVIII</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Most glorious Lord of lyfe! that on this day<br/>
+Didst make thy triumph over death and sin,<br/>
+And, having harrowd* hell, didst bring away<br/>
+Captivity thence captive, us to win,<br/>
+This ioyous day, dear Lord, with ioy begin;<br/>
+And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dy,<br/>
+Being with thy deare blood clene washt from sin,<br/>
+May live for ever in felicity;<br/>
+And that thy love we weighing worthily,<br/>
+May likewise love thee for the same againe,<br/>
+And for thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy,<br/>
+With love may one another entertayne!<br/>
+  So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought:<br/>
+  Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.<br/>
+[* <i>Harrowd</i>, despoiled.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXIX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The famous warriors of the anticke world<br/>
+Us’d trophees to erect in stately wize,<br/>
+In which they would the records have enrold<br/>
+Of theyr great deeds and valorous emprize.<br/>
+What trophee then shall I most fit devize,<br/>
+In which I may record the memory<br/>
+Of my loves conquest, peerlesse beauties prise,<br/>
+Adorn’d with honour, love, and chastity!<br/>
+Even this verse, vowd to eternity,<br/>
+Shall be thereof immortall moniment,<br/>
+And tell her praise to all posterity,<br/>
+That may admire such worlds rare wonderment;<br/>
+  The happy purchase of my glorious spoile,<br/>
+  Gotten at last with labour and long toyle.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXX.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Fresh Spring, the herald of loves mighty king,<br/>
+In whose cote-armour richly are displayd<br/>
+All sorts of flowres the which on earth do spring,<br/>
+In goodly colours gloriously arrayd,<br/>
+Goe to my Love, where she is carelesse layd,<br/>
+Yet in her winters bowre not well awake:<br/>
+Tell her the ioyous time wil not be staid,<br/>
+Unlesse she doe him by the forelock take;<br/>
+Bid her therefore her selfe soone ready make,<br/>
+To wayt on Love amongst his lovely crew,<br/>
+Where every one that misseth then her make*<br/>
+Shall be by him amearst with penance dew.<br/>
+  Make haste therefore, sweet Love, while it is prime**;<br/>
+  For none can call againe the passed time.<br/>
+[* <i>Make</i>, mate.]<br/>
+[** <i>Prime</i>, spring.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I ioy to see how, in your drawen work,<br/>
+Your selfe unto the Bee ye doe compare,<br/>
+And me unto the Spyder, that doth lurke<br/>
+In close awayt, to catch her unaware.<br/>
+Right so your selfe were caught in cunning snare<br/>
+Of a deare foe, and thralled to his love;<br/>
+In whose streight bands ye now captived are<br/>
+So firmely, that ye never may remove.<br/>
+But as your worke is woven all about<br/>
+With woodbynd flowers and fragrant eglantine,<br/>
+So sweet your prison you in time shall prove,<br/>
+With many deare delights bedecked fyne:<br/>
+  And all thensforth eternall peace shall see<br/>
+  Betweene the Spyder and the gentle Bee.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Oft when my spirit doth spred her bolder winges,<br/>
+In mind to mount up to the purest sky,<br/>
+It down is weighd with thought of earthly things,<br/>
+And clogd with burden of mortality:<br/>
+Where, when that soverayne beauty it doth spy,<br/>
+Resembling heavens glory in her light,<br/>
+Drawn with sweet pleasures bayt it back doth fly,<br/>
+And unto heaven forgets her former flight.<br/>
+There my fraile fancy, fed with full delight,<br/>
+Doth bathe in blisse, and mantleth most at ease;<br/>
+Ne thinks of other heaven, but how it might<br/>
+Her harts desire with most contentment please.<br/>
+  Hart need not wish none other happinesse,<br/>
+  But here on earth to have such hevens blisse.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXIII</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Being my self captyved here in care,<br/>
+My hart, (whom none with servile bands can tye,<br/>
+But the fayre tresses of your golden hayre,)<br/>
+Breaking his prison, forth to you doth fly.<br/>
+Like as a byrd, that in ones hand doth spy<br/>
+Desired food, to it doth make his flight,<br/>
+Even so my hart, that wont on your fayre eye<br/>
+To feed his fill, flyes backe unto your sight.<br/>
+Doe you him take, and in your bosome bright<br/>
+Gently encage, that he may be your thrall:<br/>
+Perhaps he there may learne, with rare delight,<br/>
+To sing your name and prayses over all:<br/>
+  That it hereafter may you not repent,<br/>
+  Him lodging in your bosome to have lent.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXIV</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Most happy letters! fram’d by skilfull trade,<br/>
+With which that happy name was first desynd<br/>
+The which three times thrise happy hath me made,<br/>
+With guifts of body, fortune, and of mind.<br/>
+The first ray being to me gave by kind,<br/>
+From mothers womb deriv’d by dew descent:<br/>
+The second is my sovereigne Queene most kind,<br/>
+That honour and large richesse to me lent:<br/>
+The third my Love, my lives last ornament,<br/>
+By whom my spirit out of dust was raysed,<br/>
+To speake her prayse and glory excellent,<br/>
+Of all alive most worthy to be praysed.<br/>
+  Ye three Elizabeths! for ever live,<br/>
+  That three such graces did unto me give.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+One day I wrote her name upon the strand,<br/>
+But came the waves and washed it away:<br/>
+Agayne I wrote it with a second hand;<br/>
+But came the tyde, and made my paynes his pray.<br/>
+“Vayne man,” sayd she, “that doest in vaine assay<br/>
+A mortall thing so to immortalize;<br/>
+For I my selve shall lyke to this decay,<br/>
+And eke my name bee wyped out lykewize.”<br/>
+“Not so,” quod I; “let baser things devize<br/>
+To dy in dust, but you shall live by fame:<br/>
+My verse your vertues rare shall eternize,<br/>
+And in the hevens wryte your glorious name.<br/>
+  Where, when as death shall all the world subdew,<br/>
+  Our love shall live, and later life renew.”
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXVI</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Fayre bosome! fraught with vertues richest tresure,<br/>
+The neast of love, the lodging of delight,<br/>
+The bowre of blisse, the paradice of pleasure,<br/>
+The sacred harbour of that hevenly spright,<br/>
+How was I ravisht with your lovely sight,<br/>
+And my frayle thoughts too rashly led astray,<br/>
+Whiles diving deepe through amorous insight,<br/>
+On the sweet spoyle of beautie they did pray,<br/>
+And twixt her paps, like early fruit in May,<br/>
+Whose harvest seemd to hasten now apace,<br/>
+They loosely did theyr wanton winges display,<br/>
+And there to rest themselves did boldly place.<br/>
+  Sweet thoughts! I envy your so happy rest,<br/>
+  Which oft I wisht, yet never was so blest.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXVII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Was it a dreame, or did I see it playne?<br/>
+A goodly table of pure yvory,<br/>
+All spred with juncats fit to entertayne<br/>
+The greatest prince with pompous roialty:<br/>
+Mongst which, there in a silver dish did ly<br/>
+Two golden apples of unvalewd* price,<br/>
+Far passing those which Hercules came by,<br/>
+Or those which Atalanta did entice;<br/>
+Exceeding sweet, yet voyd of sinfull vice;<br/>
+That many sought, yet none could ever taste;<br/>
+Sweet fruit of pleasure, brought from Paradice<br/>
+By Love himselfe, and in his garden plaste.<br/>
+  Her brest that table was, so richly spredd;<br/>
+  My thoughts the guests, which would thereon have fedd.<br/>
+[* <i>Unvalewd</i>, invaluable]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXVIII</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Lackyng my Love, I go from place to place,<br/>
+Lyke a young fawne that late hath lost the hynd,<br/>
+And seeke each where where last I sawe her face,<br/>
+Whose ymage yet I carry fresh in mynd.<br/>
+I seeke the fields with her late footing synd;<br/>
+I seeke her bowre with her late presence deckt;<br/>
+Yet nor in field nor bowre I can her fynd,<br/>
+Yet field and bowre are full of her aspect.<br/>
+But when myne eyes I therunto direct,<br/>
+They ydly back return to me agayne;<br/>
+And when I hope to see theyr trew obiect,<br/>
+I fynd my self but fed with fancies vayne.<br/>
+  Cease then, myne eyes, to seeke her selfe to see,<br/>
+  And let my thoughts behold her selfe in mee.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXIX</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Men call you fayre, and you doe credit it,<br/>
+For that your selfe ye daily such doe see:<br/>
+But the trew fayre, that is the gentle wit<br/>
+And vertuous mind, is much more praysd of me.<br/>
+For all the rest, how ever fayre it be,<br/>
+Shall turne to nought and lose that glorious hew;<br/>
+But onely that is permanent, and free<br/>
+From frayle corruption that doth flesh ensew.<br/>
+That is true beautie: that doth argue you<br/>
+To be divine, and born of heavenly seed,<br/>
+Deriv’d from that fayre Spirit from whom all true<br/>
+And perfect beauty did at first proceed.<br/>
+  He only fayre, and what he fayre hath made;<br/>
+  All other fayre, lyke flowres, untymely fade.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXX</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+After so long a race as I have run<br/>
+Through Faery land, which those six books compile,<br/>
+Give leave to rest me being half foredonne,<br/>
+And gather to my selfe new breath awhile.<br/>
+Then, as a steed refreshed after toyle,<br/>
+Out of my prison I will break anew,<br/>
+And stoutly will that second work assoyle*,<br/>
+With strong endevour and attention dew.<br/>
+Till then give leave to me in pleasant mew**<br/>
+To sport my Muse, and sing my Loves sweet praise,<br/>
+The contemplation of whose heavenly hew<br/>
+My spirit to an higher pitch will rayse.<br/>
+  But let her prayses yet be low and meane,<br/>
+  Fit for the handmayd of the Faery Queene.<br/>
+[* <i>Assoyle</i>, discharge.]<br/>
+[** <i>Mew</i>, prison, retreat.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXXI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Fayre is my Love, when her fayre golden haires<br/>
+With the loose wynd ye waving chance to marke;<br/>
+Fayre, when the rose in her red cheekes appeares,<br/>
+Or in her eyes the fyre of love does sparke;<br/>
+Fayre, when her brest, lyke a rich laden barke,<br/>
+With pretious merchandize she forth doth lay;<br/>
+Fayre, when that cloud of pryde, which oft doth dark<br/>
+Her goodly light, with smiles she drives away.<br/>
+But fayrest she, when so she doth display<br/>
+The gate with pearles and rubyes richly dight,<br/>
+Throgh which her words so wise do make their way,<br/>
+To beare the message of her gentle spright.<br/>
+  The rest be works of Natures wonderment;<br/>
+  But this the worke of harts astonishment.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXXII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ioy of my life! full oft for loving you<br/>
+I blesse my lot, that was so lucky placed:<br/>
+But then the more your owne mishap I rew,<br/>
+That are so much by so meane love embased.<br/>
+For had the equall hevens so much you graced<br/>
+In this as in the rest, ye mote invent*<br/>
+Some hevenly wit, whose verse could have enchased<br/>
+Your glorious name in golden moniment.<br/>
+But since ye deignd so goodly to relent<br/>
+To me your thrall, in whom is little worth,<br/>
+That little that I am shall all be spent<br/>
+In setting your immortal prayses forth:<br/>
+  Whose lofty argument, uplifting me,<br/>
+  Shall lift you up unto an high degree.<br/>
+[* <i>Invent</i>, light upon, find.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXXIII</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Let not one sparke of filthy lustfull fyre<br/>
+Breake out, that may her sacred peace molest;<br/>
+Ne one light glance of sensuall desyre<br/>
+Attempt to work her gentle mindes unrest:<br/>
+But pure affections bred in spotlesse brest,<br/>
+And modest thoughts breathd from well-tempred spirits,<br/>
+Goe visit her in her chaste bowre of rest,<br/>
+Accompanyde with ángelick delightes.<br/>
+There fill your selfe with those most ioyous sights,<br/>
+The which my selfe could never yet attayne:<br/>
+But speake no word to her of these sad plights,<br/>
+Which her too constant stiffnesse doth constrayn.<br/>
+  Onely behold her rare perfection,<br/>
+  And blesse your fortunes fayre election.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXXIV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The world, that cannot deeme of worthy things,<br/>
+When I doe praise her, say I doe but flatter:<br/>
+So does the cuckow, when the mavis* sings,<br/>
+Begin his witlesse note apace to clatter.<br/>
+But they, that skill not of so heavenly matter,<br/>
+All that they know not, envy or admyre;<br/>
+Rather then envy, let them wonder at her,<br/>
+But not to deeme of her desert aspyre.<br/>
+Deepe in the closet of my parts entyre**,<br/>
+Her worth is written with a golden quill,<br/>
+That me with heavenly fury doth inspire,<br/>
+And my glad mouth with her sweet prayses fill:<br/>
+  Which when as Fame in her shril trump shall thunder,<br/>
+  Let the world chuse to envy or to wonder.<br/>
+[* <i>Mavis</i>, song-thrush.]<br/>
+[** <i>Entyre,</i> inward.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXXV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Venemous tongue, tipt with vile adders sting,<br/>
+Of that self kynd with which the Furies fell,<br/>
+Their snaky heads doe combe, from which a spring<br/>
+Of poysoned words and spightfull speeches well,<br/>
+Let all the plagues and horrid paines of hell<br/>
+Upon thee fall for thine accursed hyre,<br/>
+That with false forged lyes, which thou didst tell,<br/>
+In my true Love did stirre up coles of yre:<br/>
+The sparkes whereof let kindle thine own fyre,<br/>
+And, catching hold on thine own wicked hed,<br/>
+Consume thee quite, that didst with guile conspire<br/>
+In my sweet peace such breaches to have bred!<br/>
+  Shame be thy meed, and mischiefe thy reward,<br/>
+  Due to thy selfe, that it for me prepard!
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXXVI.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Since I did leave the presence of my Love,<br/>
+Many long weary dayes I have outworne,<br/>
+And many nights, that slowly seemd to move<br/>
+Theyr sad protract from evening untill morn.<br/>
+For, when as day the heaven doth adorne,<br/>
+I wish that night the noyous day would end:<br/>
+And when as night hath us of light forlorne,<br/>
+I wish that day would shortly reascend.<br/>
+Thus I the time with expectation spend,<br/>
+And faine my griefe with chaunges to beguile,<br/>
+That further seemes his terme still to extend,<br/>
+And maketh every minute seem a myle.<br/>
+  So sorrowe still doth seem too long to last;<br/>
+  But ioyous houres do fly away too fast.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXXVII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Since I have lackt the comfort of that light<br/>
+The which was wont to lead my thoughts astray,<br/>
+I wander as in darknesse of the night,<br/>
+Affrayd of every dangers least dismay.<br/>
+Ne ought I see, though in the clearest day,<br/>
+When others gaze upon theyr shadowes vayne,<br/>
+But th’only image of that heavenly ray<br/>
+Whereof some glance doth in mine eie remayne.<br/>
+Of which beholding the idaea playne,<br/>
+Through contemplation of my purest part,<br/>
+With light thereof I doe my self sustayne,<br/>
+And thereon feed my love-affamisht hart.<br/>
+  But with such brightnesse whylest I fill my mind,<br/>
+  I starve my body, and mine eyes doe blynd.
+</p>
+
+<h4>LXXXVIII.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Lyke as the culver* on the bared bough<br/>
+Sits mourning for the absence of her mate,<br/>
+And in her songs sends many a wishful vow<br/>
+For his returne, that seemes to linger late,<br/>
+So I alone, now left disconsolate,<br/>
+Mourne to my selfe the absence of my Love;<br/>
+And wandring here and there all desolate,<br/>
+Seek with my playnts to match that mournful dove<br/>
+Ne ioy of ought that under heaven doth hove**,<br/>
+Can comfort me, but her owne ioyous sight,<br/>
+Whose sweet aspect both God and man can move,<br/>
+In her unspotted pleasauns to delight.<br/>
+  Dark is my day, whyles her fayre light I mis,<br/>
+  And dead my life that wants such lively blis.<br/>
+[* <i>Culver</i>, dove.]<br/>
+[** <i>Hove</i>, hover, exist.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap12"></a>EPITHALAMION.</h2>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ye learned Sisters, which have oftentimes<br/>
+Beene to me ayding, others to adorne<br/>
+Whom ye thought worthy of your gracefull rymes,<br/>
+That even the greatest did not greatly scorne<br/>
+To heare theyr names sung in your simple layes,                    5<br/>
+But ioyed in theyr praise,<br/>
+And when ye list your own mishaps to mourne,<br/>
+Which death, or love, or fortunes wreck did rayse,<br/>
+Your string could soone to sadder tenor turne,<br/>
+And teach the woods and waters to lament                    10<br/>
+Your dolefull dreriment,<br/>
+Now lay those sorrowfull complaints aside,<br/>
+And having all your heads with girlands crownd,<br/>
+Helpe me mine owne Loves prayses to resound:<br/>
+Ne let the same of any be envide:                    15<br/>
+So Orpheus did for his owne bride;<br/>
+So I unto my selfe alone will sing;<br/>
+The woods shall to me answer, and my eccho ring.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Early, before the worlds light-giving lampe<br/>
+His golden beame upon the hils doth spred,                    20<br/>
+Having disperst the nights unchearfull dampe,<br/>
+Doe ye awake, and, with fresh lustyhed,<br/>
+Go to the bowre of my beloved Love,<br/>
+My truest turtle dove.<br/>
+Bid her awake; for Hymen is awake,                    25<br/>
+And long since ready forth his maske to move,<br/>
+With his bright tead* that flames with many a flake,<br/>
+And many a bachelor to waite on him,<br/>
+In theyr fresh garments trim.<br/>
+Bid her awake therefore, and soone her dight**,                    30<br/>
+For loe! the wished day is come at last,<br/>
+That shall for all the paynes and sorrowes past<br/>
+Pay to her usury of long delight:<br/>
+And whylest she doth her dight,<br/>
+Doe ye to her of ioy and solace sing,                    35<br/>
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.<br/>
+  [* <i>Tead,</i> torch.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Dight,</i> deck.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Bring with you all the nymphes that you can heare,<br/>
+Both of the rivers and the forrests greene,<br/>
+And of the sea that neighbours to her neare,<br/>
+All with gay girlands goodly wel beseene*.                    40<br/>
+And let them also with them bring in hand<br/>
+Another gay girland,<br/>
+For my fayre Love, of lillyes and of roses,<br/>
+Bound truelove wize with a blew silke riband.<br/>
+And let them make great store of bridale poses,                    45<br/>
+And let them eke bring store of other flowers,<br/>
+To deck the bridale bowers:<br/>
+And let the ground whereas her foot shall tread,<br/>
+For feare the stones her tender foot should wrong,<br/>
+Be strewd with fragrant flowers all along,                    50<br/>
+And diapred** lyke the discolored mead.<br/>
+Which done, doe at her chamber dore awayt,<br/>
+For she will waken strayt;<br/>
+The whiles do ye this song unto her sing,<br/>
+The woods shall to you answer, and your eccho ring;.<br/>
+  [* <i>Beseene,</i> adorned.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Diapred,</i> variegated.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ye Nymphes of Mulla, which with carefull heed                    56<br/>
+The silver scaly trouts do tend full well,<br/>
+And greedy pikes which use therein to feed,<br/>
+(Those trouts and pikes all others doe excell,)<br/>
+And ye likewise which keepe the rushy lake,                    60<br/>
+Where none doo fishes take,<br/>
+Bynd up the locks the which hang scatterd light,<br/>
+And in his waters, which your mirror make,<br/>
+Behold your faces as the christall bright,<br/>
+That when you come whereas my Love doth lie,                    65<br/>
+No blemish she may spie.<br/>
+And eke, ye lightfoot mayds which keepe the dere<br/>
+That on the hoary mountayne use to towre,<br/>
+And the wylde wolves, which seeke them to devoure,<br/>
+With your steele darts doe chace from coming neer,<br/>
+Be also present heere,                    71<br/>
+To helpe to decke her, and to help to sing,<br/>
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Wake now, my Love, awake! for it is time:<br/>
+The rosy Morne long since left Tithons bed,                    75<br/>
+All ready to her silver coche to clyme,<br/>
+And Phoebus gins to shew his glorious hed.<br/>
+Hark! how the cheerefull birds do chaunt theyr laies,<br/>
+And carroll of Loves praise:<br/>
+The merry larke hir mattins sings aloft;                    80<br/>
+The thrush replyes; the mavis* descant** playes;<br/>
+The ouzell@ shrills; the ruddock$ warbles soft;<br/>
+So goodly all agree, with sweet consent,<br/>
+To this dayes meriment.<br/>
+Ah! my deere Love, why doe ye sleepe thus long,                    85<br/>
+When meeter were that ye should now awake,<br/>
+T’awayt the comming of your ioyous make,%<br/>
+And hearken to the birds love-learned song,<br/>
+The deawy leaves among!<br/>
+For they of ioy and pleasance to you sing,                    90<br/>
+That all the woods them answer, and theyr eccho ring.<br/>
+  [* <i>Mavis</i>, song-thrush.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Descant</i>, variation.]<br/>
+  [@ <i>Ouzell</i>, blackbird.]<br/>
+  [$ <i>Ruddock</i>, redbreast.]<br/>
+  [% <i>Make</i>, mate.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+My love is now awake out of her dreame,<br/>
+And her fayre eyes, like stars that dimmed were<br/>
+With darksome cloud, now shew theyr goodly beams<br/>
+More bright then Hesperus his head doth rere.                    95<br/>
+Come now, ye damzels, daughters of delight,<br/>
+Helpe quickly her to dight.<br/>
+But first come, ye fayre Houres, which were begot,<br/>
+In Ioves sweet paradice, of Day and Night,<br/>
+Which doe the seasons of the year allot,                    100<br/>
+And all that ever in this world is fayre<br/>
+Do make and still repayre:<br/>
+And ye three handmayds of the Cyprian Queene,<br/>
+The which doe still adorn her beauties pride,<br/>
+Helpe to adorne my beautifullest bride:                    105<br/>
+And, as ye her array, still throw betweene<br/>
+Some graces to be scene;<br/>
+And, as ye use to Venus, to her sing,<br/>
+The whiles the woods shal answer, and your eccho ring.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Now is my Love all ready forth to come:                    110<br/>
+Let all the virgins therefore well awayt,<br/>
+And ye fresh boyes, that tend upon her groome,<br/>
+Prepare your selves, for he is comming strayt.<br/>
+Set all your things in seemely good aray,<br/>
+Fit for so ioyfull day,                    115<br/>
+The ioyfulst day that ever sunne did see.<br/>
+Fair Sun! shew forth thy favourable ray,<br/>
+And let thy lifull* heat not fervent be,<br/>
+For feare of burning her sunshyny face,<br/>
+Her beauty to disgrace.                    120<br/>
+O fayrest Phoebus! Father of the Muse!<br/>
+If ever I did honour thee aright,<br/>
+Or sing the thing that mote thy mind delight,<br/>
+Doe not thy servants simple boone refuse,<br/>
+But let this day, let this one day, be mine;                    125<br/>
+Let all the rest be thine.<br/>
+Then I thy soverayne prayses loud wil sing,<br/>
+That all the woods shal answer, and theyr eccho ring.<br/>
+  [* <i>Lifull</i>, life-full.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Harke! how the minstrils gin to shrill aloud<br/>
+Their merry musick that resounds from far,                    130<br/>
+The pipe, the tabor, and the trembling croud*,<br/>
+That well agree withouten breach or iar.<br/>
+But most of all the damzels doe delite,<br/>
+When they their tymbrels smyte,<br/>
+And thereunto doe daunce and carrol sweet,                    135<br/>
+That all the sences they doe ravish quite;<br/>
+The whyles the boyes run up and downe the street,<br/>
+Crying aloud with strong confused noyce,<br/>
+As if it were one voyce,<br/>
+“Hymen, Iö Hymen, Hymen,” they do shout;                    140<br/>
+That even to the heavens theyr shouting shrill<br/>
+Doth reach, and all the firmament doth fill;<br/>
+To which the people, standing all about,<br/>
+As in approvance, doe thereto applaud,<br/>
+And loud advaunce her laud;                    145<br/>
+And evermore they “Hymen, Hymen,” sing,<br/>
+That all the woods them answer, and theyr eccho ring.<br/>
+  [* <i>Croud</i>, violin]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Loe! where she comes along with portly pace,<br/>
+Lyke Phoebe, from her chamber of the East,<br/>
+Arysing forth to run her mighty race,                    150<br/>
+Clad all in white, that seems a virgin best.<br/>
+So well it her beseems, that ye would weene<br/>
+Some angell she had beene.<br/>
+Her long loose yellow locks lyke golden wyre,<br/>
+Sprinckled with perle, and perling flowres atweene,<br/>
+Doe lyke a golden mantle her attyre,                    156<br/>
+And, being crowned with a girland greene,<br/>
+Seem lyke some mayden queene.<br/>
+Her modest eyes, abashed to behold<br/>
+So many gazers as on her do stare,                    160<br/>
+Upon the lowly ground affixed are,<br/>
+Ne dare lift up her countenance too bold,<br/>
+But blush to heare her prayses sung so loud,—<br/>
+So farre from being proud.<br/>
+Nathlesse doe ye still loud her prayses sing,                    165<br/>
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Tell me, ye merchants daughters, did ye see<br/>
+So fayre a creature in your towne before;<br/>
+So sweet, so lovely, and so mild as she,<br/>
+Adornd with beautyes grace and vertues store?                    170<br/>
+Her goodly eyes lyke saphyres shining bright,<br/>
+Her forehead yvory white,<br/>
+Her cheekes lyke apples which the sun hath rudded,<br/>
+Her lips lyke cherries, charming men to byte,<br/>
+Her brest like to a bowl of creame uncrudded*,                    175<br/>
+Her paps lyke lyllies budded,<br/>
+Her snowie necke lyke to a marble towre,<br/>
+And all her body like a pallace fayre,<br/>
+Ascending up, with many a stately stayre,<br/>
+To honors seat and chastities sweet bowre.                    180<br/>
+Why stand ye still, ye virgins, in amaze,<br/>
+Upon her so to gaze,<br/>
+Whiles ye forget your former lay to sing,<br/>
+To which the woods did answer, and your eccho ring?<br/>
+  [* <i>Uncrudded</i>, uncurdled.]<br/>
+  [Ver. 168.—<i>In your towne</i>. The marriage seems to have taken place in
+Cork, and we might infer from this passage that the heroine of the song was a
+merchant’s daughter. C.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But if ye saw that which no eyes can see,                    185<br/>
+The inward beauty of her lively spright,<br/>
+Garnisht with heavenly guifts of high degree,<br/>
+Much more then would ye wonder at that sight,<br/>
+And stand astonisht lyke to those which red*<br/>
+Medusaes mazeful hed.                    190<br/>
+There dwells sweet Love, and constant Chastity,<br/>
+Unspotted Fayth, and comely Womanhood,<br/>
+Regard of Honour, and mild Modesty;<br/>
+There Vertue raynes as queene in royal throne,<br/>
+And giveth lawes alone,                    195<br/>
+The which the base affections doe obay,<br/>
+And yeeld theyr services unto her will;<br/>
+Ne thought of things uncomely ever may<br/>
+Thereto approch to tempt her mind to ill.<br/>
+Had ye once seene these her celestial threasures,                    200<br/>
+And unrevealed pleasures,<br/>
+Then would ye wonder, and her prayses sing,<br/>
+That all the woods should answer, and your eccho ring.<br/>
+  [* <i>Red</i>, saw.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Open the temple gates unto my Love,<br/>
+Open them wide that she may enter in,                    205<br/>
+And all the postes adorne as doth behove,<br/>
+And all the pillours deck with girlands trim,<br/>
+For to receyve this saynt with honour dew,<br/>
+That commeth in to you.<br/>
+With trembling steps and humble reverence,                    210<br/>
+She commeth in before th’Almighties view:<br/>
+Of her, ye virgins, learne obedience,<br/>
+When so ye come into those holy places,<br/>
+To humble your proud faces.<br/>
+Bring her up to th’high altar, that she may                    215<br/>
+The sacred ceremonies there partake,<br/>
+The which do endlesse matrimony make;<br/>
+And let the roring organs loudly play<br/>
+The praises of the Lord in lively notes;<br/>
+The whiles, with hollow throates,                    220<br/>
+The choristers the ioyous antheme sing,<br/>
+That all the woods may answer, and their eccho ring.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Behold, whiles she before the altar stands,<br/>
+Hearing the holy priest that to her speakes<br/>
+And blesseth her with his two happy hands,                    225<br/>
+How the red roses flush up in her cheekes,<br/>
+And the pure snow with goodly vermill stayne,<br/>
+Like crimsin dyde in grayne:<br/>
+That even the angels, which continually<br/>
+About the sacred altar doe remaine,                    230<br/>
+Forget their service and about her fly,<br/>
+Ofte peeping in her face, that seems more fayre<br/>
+The more they on it stare.<br/>
+But her sad* eyes, still fastened on the ground,<br/>
+Are governed with goodly modesty,                    235<br/>
+That suffers not one look to glaunce awry,<br/>
+Which may let in a little thought unsownd.<br/>
+Why blush ye, Love, to give to me your hand,<br/>
+The pledge of all our band?<br/>
+Sing, ye sweet angels, Alleluya sing,                    240<br/>
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.<br/>
+  [* <i>Sad</i>, serious]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Now al is done; bring home the bride againe;<br/>
+Bring home the triumph of our victory;<br/>
+Bring home with you the glory of her game,<br/>
+With ioyance bring her and with iollity.                    245<br/>
+Never had man more ioyfull day than this,<br/>
+Whom heaven would heape with blis.<br/>
+Make feast therefore now all this live-long day;<br/>
+This day for ever to me holy is.<br/>
+Poure out the wine without restraint or stay,<br/>
+Poure not by cups, but by the belly full,<br/>
+Poure out to all that wull*,<br/>
+And sprinkle all the posts and wals with wine,<br/>
+That they may sweat, and drunken be withall.<br/>
+Crowne ye god Bacchus with a coronall,<br/>
+And Hymen also crowne with wreaths of vine;<br/>
+And let the Graces daunce unto the rest,<br/>
+For they can doo it best:<br/>
+The whiles the maydens doe theyr carroll sing,<br/>
+To which the woods shall answer, and theyr eccho ring.<br/>
+  [* <i>Wull</i>, will.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ring ye the bels, ye yong men of the towne,<br/>
+And leave your wonted labors for this day:<br/>
+This day is holy; doe ye write it downe,<br/>
+That ye for ever it remember may.<br/>
+This day the sunne is in his chiefest hight,<br/>
+With Barnaby the bright*,<br/>
+From whence declining daily by degrees,<br/>
+He somewhat loseth of his heat and light,<br/>
+When once the Crab behind his back he sees.<br/>
+But for this time it ill ordained was,<br/>
+To choose the longest day in all the yeare,<br/>
+And shortest night, when longest fitter weare:<br/>
+Yet never day so long, but late would passe.<br/>
+Ring ye the bels to make it weare away,<br/>
+And bonefiers make all day;                    275<br/>
+And daunce about them, and about them sing,<br/>
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.<br/>
+  [* Ver. 266.—<i>Barnaby the bright</i>. The difference between the old and
+new style at the time this poem was written was ten days. The summer solstice
+therefore fell on St. Barnabas’s day, the 11th of June. C.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ah! when will this long weary day have end,<br/>
+And lende me leave to come unto my Love?<br/>
+How slowly do the houres theyr numbers spend?                    280<br/>
+How slowly does sad Time his feathers move?<br/>
+Hast thee, O fayrest planet, to thy home,<br/>
+Within the Westerne fome:<br/>
+Thy tyred steedes long since have need of rest.<br/>
+Long though it be, at last I see it gloome,                    285<br/>
+And the bright evening-star with golden creast<br/>
+Appeare out of the East.<br/>
+Fayre childe of beauty! glorious lampe of love!<br/>
+That all the host of heaven in rankes doost lead,<br/>
+And guidest lovers through the nights sad dread,                    290<br/>
+How chearefully thou lookest from above,<br/>
+And seemst to laugh atweene thy twinkling light,<br/>
+As ioying in the sight<br/>
+Of these glad many, which for ioy do sing,                    294<br/>
+That all the woods them answer, and their eccho ring!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Now ceasse, ye damsels, your delights fore-past;<br/>
+Enough it is that all the day was youres:<br/>
+Now day is doen, and night is nighing fast;<br/>
+Now bring the bryde into the brydall bowres.<br/>
+The night is come; now soon her disaray,                    300<br/>
+And in her bed her lay;<br/>
+Lay her in lillies and in violets,<br/>
+And silken curteins over her display,<br/>
+And odourd sheets, and Arras coverlets.<br/>
+Behold how goodly my faire Love does ly,                    305<br/>
+In proud humility!<br/>
+Like unto Maia, when as Iove her took<br/>
+In Tempe, lying on the flowry gras,<br/>
+Twixt sleepe and wake, after she weary was<br/>
+With bathing in the Acidalian brooke.                    310<br/>
+Now it is night, ye damsels may be gone,<br/>
+And leave my Love alone,<br/>
+And leave likewise your former lay to sing:<br/>
+The woods no more shall answer, nor your eccho ring.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Now welcome, Night! thou night so long expected,<br/>
+That long daies labour doest at last defray,                    316<br/>
+And all my cares, which cruell Love collected,<br/>
+Hast sumd in one, and cancelled for aye.<br/>
+Spread thy broad wing over my Love and me,<br/>
+That no man may us see;                    320<br/>
+And in thy sable mantle us enwrap,<br/>
+From feare of perrill and foule horror free.<br/>
+Let no false treason seeke us to entrap,<br/>
+Nor any dread disquiet once annoy<br/>
+The safety of our ioy;                    325<br/>
+But let the night be calme and quietsome,<br/>
+Without tempestuous storms or sad afray;<br/>
+Lyke as when Iove with fayre Alemena lay,<br/>
+When he begot the great Tirynthian groome;<br/>
+Or lyke as when he with thy selfe did lie,                    330<br/>
+And begot Maiesty:<br/>
+And let the mayds and yongmen cease to sing;<br/>
+Ne let the woods them answer, nor theyr eccho ring.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Let no lamenting cryes, nor dolefull teares,<br/>
+Be heard all night within, nor yet without:                    335<br/>
+Ne let false whispers, breeding hidden feares,<br/>
+Breake gentle sleepe with misconceived dout.<br/>
+Let no deluding dreames, nor dreadful sights,<br/>
+Make sudden sad affrights:<br/>
+Ne let house-fyres, nor lightnings helpless harmes,                    340<br/>
+Ne let the Pouke, nor other evill sprights,<br/>
+Ne let mischievous witches with theyr charmes,<br/>
+Ne let hob-goblins, names whose sence we see not,<br/>
+Fray us with things that be not:<br/>
+Let not the shriech-owle, nor the storke, be heard,                    345<br/>
+Nor the night-raven, that still deadly yels,<br/>
+Nor damned ghosts, cald up with mighty spels,<br/>
+Nor griesly vultures, make us once affeard:<br/>
+Ne let th’unpleasant quyre of frogs still croking<br/>
+Make us to wish theyr choking.                    350<br/>
+Let none of these theyr drery accents sing;<br/>
+Ne let the woods them answer, nor theyr eccho ring.<br/>
+  [Ver. 341.—The <i>Pouke</i> (Puck is a generic term, signifying fiend, or
+mischievous imp) is Robin Goodfellow. C.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But let stil Silence trew night-watches keepe,<br/>
+That sacred Peace may in assurance rayne,<br/>
+And tymely Sleep, when it is tyme to sleepe,                    355<br/>
+May poure his limbs forth on your pleasant playne.<br/>
+The whiles an hundred little winged Loves,<br/>
+Like divers-fethered doves,<br/>
+Shall fly and flutter round about the bed,<br/>
+And in the secret darke, that none reproves,                    360<br/>
+Their prety stealthes shall worke, and snares shall spread<br/>
+To filch away sweet snatches of delight,<br/>
+Conceald through covert night.<br/>
+Ye sonnes of Venus, play your sports at will!<br/>
+For greedy Pleasure, carelesse of your toyes,                    365<br/>
+Thinks more upon her paradise of ioyes,<br/>
+Then what ye do, albe it good or ill.<br/>
+All night, therefore, attend your merry play,<br/>
+For it will soone be day:<br/>
+Now none doth hinder you, that say or sing;                    370<br/>
+Ne will the woods now answer, nor your eccho ring.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Who is the same which at my window peepes?<br/>
+Or whose is that faire face that shines so bright?<br/>
+Is it not Cinthia, she that never sleepes,<br/>
+But walkes about high heaven al the night?                    375<br/>
+O fayrest goddesse! do thou not envy<br/>
+My Love with me to spy:<br/>
+For thou likewise didst love, though now unthought,<br/>
+And for a fleece of wooll, which privily<br/>
+The Latmian Shepherd* once unto thee brought,                    380<br/>
+His pleasures with thee wrought.<br/>
+Therefore to us be favorable now;<br/>
+And sith of wemens labours thou hast charge,<br/>
+And generation goodly dost enlarge,<br/>
+Encline thy will t’effect our wishfull vow,                    385<br/>
+And the chast womb informe with timely seed,<br/>
+That may our comfort breed:<br/>
+Till which we cease our hopefull hap to sing,<br/>
+Ne let the woods us answer, nor our eccho ring.<br/>
+  [* I.e. Endymion.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And thou, great Iuno! which with awful might                    390<br/>
+The lawes of wedlock still dost patronize,<br/>
+And the religion of the faith first plight<br/>
+With sacred rites hast taught to solemnize,<br/>
+And eke for comfort often called art<br/>
+Of women in their smart,                    395<br/>
+Eternally bind thou this lovely band,<br/>
+And all thy blessings unto us impart.<br/>
+And thou, glad Genius! in whose gentle hand<br/>
+The bridale bowre and geniall bed remaine,<br/>
+Without blemish or staine,                    400<br/>
+And the sweet pleasures of theyr loves delight<br/>
+With secret ayde doost succour and supply,<br/>
+Till they bring forth the fruitfull progeny,<br/>
+Send us the timely fruit of this same night,<br/>
+And thou, fayre Hebe! and thou, Hymen free!                    405<br/>
+Grant that it may so be.<br/>
+Till which we cease your further prayse to sing,<br/>
+Ne any woods shall answer, nor your eccho ring.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And ye high heavens, the temple of the gods,<br/>
+In which a thousand torches flaming bright                    410<br/>
+Doe burne, that to us wretched earthly clods<br/>
+In dreadful darknesse lend desired light,<br/>
+And all ye powers which in the same remayne,<br/>
+More than we men can fayne,<br/>
+Poure out your blessing on us plentiously,                    415<br/>
+And happy influence upon us raine,<br/>
+That we may raise a large posterity,<br/>
+Which from the earth, which they may long possesse<br/>
+With lasting happinesse,<br/>
+Up to your haughty pallaces may mount,                    420<br/>
+And for the guerdon of theyr glorious merit,<br/>
+May heavenly tabernacles there inherit,<br/>
+Of blessed saints for to increase the count.<br/>
+So let us rest, sweet Love, in hope of this,<br/>
+And cease till then our tymely ioyes to sing:                    425<br/>
+The woods no more us answer, nor our eccho ring!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>Song, made in lieu of many ornaments<br/>
+With which my Love should duly have been dect,<br/>
+Which cutting off through hasty accidents,<br/>
+Ye would not stay your dew time to expect,                    430<br/>
+But promist both to recompens,<br/>
+Be unto her a goodly ornament,<br/>
+And for short time an endlesse moniment!</i>
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap13"></a>PROTHALAMION:</h2>
+
+<h5>OR,</h5>
+
+<h5>A SPOUSALL VERSE,</h5>
+
+<h5>MADE BY</h5>
+
+<h5>EDM. SPENSER.</h5>
+
+<h4>
+IN HONOUR OF THE DOUBLE MARRIAGE OF THE TWO HONORABLE AND VERTUOUS LADIES, THE
+LADIE ELIZABETH, AND THE LADIE KATHERINE SOMERSET, DAUGHTERS TO THE RIGHT
+HONORABLE THE EARLE OF WORCESTER, AND ESPOUSED TO THE TWO WORTHIE GENTLEMEN, M.
+HENRY GILFORD AND M. WILLIAM PETER, ESQUYERS.
+</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+(1596)
+</p>
+
+<h3>PROTHALAMION:</h3>
+
+<h5>OR,</h5>
+
+<h5>A SPOUSALL VERSE.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Calme was the day, and through the trembling ayre<br/>
+Sweete-breathing Zephyrus did softly play<br/>
+A gentle spirit, that lightly did delay*<br/>
+Hot Titans beames, which then did glyster fayre;<br/>
+When I (whom sullein care,<br/>
+Through discontent of my long fruitlesse stay<br/>
+In princes court, and expectation vayne<br/>
+Of idle hopes, which still doe fly away<br/>
+Like empty shadows, did afflict my brayne,)<br/>
+Walkt forth to ease my payne                    10<br/>
+Along the shoare of silver streaming Themmes;<br/>
+Whose rutty** bank, the which his river hemmes,<br/>
+Was paynted all with variable flowers,<br/>
+And all the meades adornd with dainty gemmes,<br/>
+Fit to decke maydens bowres,                    15<br/>
+And crowne their paramours<br/>
+Against the brydale day, which is not long@:<br/>
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.<br/>
+[* <i>Delay</i>, allay.]<br/>
+[** <i>Rutty</i>, rooty.]<br/>
+[@ <i>Long</i>, distant.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+There, in a meadow by the rivers side,<br/>
+A flocke of Nymphes I chaunced to espy,                    20<br/>
+All lovely daughters of the flood thereby,<br/>
+With goodly greenish locks, all loose untyde,<br/>
+As each had bene a bryde;<br/>
+And each one had a little wicker basket,<br/>
+Made of fine twigs, entrayled* curiously,                    25<br/>
+In which they gathered flowers to fill their flasket**,<br/>
+And with fine fingers cropt full feateously@<br/>
+The tender stalkes on hye.<br/>
+Of every sort which in that meadow grew<br/>
+They gathered some; the violet, pallid blew,                    30<br/>
+The little dazie, that at evening closes,<br/>
+The virgin lillie, and the primrose trew,<br/>
+With store of vermeil roses,<br/>
+To deck their bridegroomes posies<br/>
+Against the brydale day, which was not long:                    35<br/>
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.<br/>
+[* <i>Entrayled</i>, interwoven.]<br/>
+[** <i>Flasket</i>, a long, shallow basket.]<br/>
+[@ <i>Feateously</i>, dexterously.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With that I saw two Swannes of goodly hewe<br/>
+Come softly swimming downe along the lee*:<br/>
+Two fairer birds I yet did never see;<br/>
+The snow which doth the top of Pindus strew                    40<br/>
+Did never whiter shew,<br/>
+Nor Jove himselfe, when he a swan would be<br/>
+For love of Leda, whiter did appear;<br/>
+Yet Leda was, they say, as white as he,<br/>
+Yet not so white as these, nor nothing near:                    45<br/>
+So purely white they were,<br/>
+That even the gentle stream, the which them bare,<br/>
+Seem’d foule to them, and bad his billowes spare<br/>
+To wet their silken feathers, least they might<br/>
+Soyle their fayre plumes with water not so fayre,                    50<br/>
+And marre their beauties bright,<br/>
+That shone as heavens light,<br/>
+Against their brydale day, which was not long:<br/>
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.<br/>
+[* <i>Lee</i>, stream.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Eftsoones, the Nymphes, which now had flowers their fill,                    55<br/>
+Ran all in haste to see that silver brood,<br/>
+As they came floating on the cristal flood;<br/>
+Whom when they sawe, they stood amazed still,<br/>
+Their wondring eyes to fill.<br/>
+Them seem’d they never saw a sight so fayre                    60<br/>
+Of fowles, so lovely, that they sure did deeme<br/>
+Them heavenly borne, or to be that same payre<br/>
+Which through the skie draw Venus stiver teeme;<br/>
+For sure they did not seeme<br/>
+To be begot of any earthly seede,                    65<br/>
+But rather angels, or of angels breede;<br/>
+Yet were they bred of Somers-heat, they say,<br/>
+In sweetest season, when each flower and weede<br/>
+The earth did fresh aray;<br/>
+So fresh they seem’d as day,                    70<br/>
+Even as their brydale day, which was not long:<br/>
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.<br/>
+[Ver. 67—<i>Somers-heat</i>. A pun on the name of the Ladies Somerset. C.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then forth they all out of their baskets drew<br/>
+Great store of flowers, the honour of the field,<br/>
+That to the sense did fragrant odours yeild,                    75<br/>
+All which upon those goodly birds they threw,<br/>
+And all the waves did strew,<br/>
+That like old Peneus waters they did seeme,<br/>
+When downe along by pleasant Tempes shore,<br/>
+Scattred with flowres, through Thessaly they streeme,<br/>
+That they appeare, through lillies plenteous store,                    81<br/>
+Like a brydes chamber flore.<br/>
+Two of those Nymphes, meane while, two garlands bound<br/>
+Of freshest flowres which in that mead they found,<br/>
+The which presenting all in trim array,                    85<br/>
+Their snowie foreheads therewithall they crownd,<br/>
+Whilst one did sing this lay,<br/>
+Prepar’d against that day,<br/>
+Against their brydale day, which was not long:<br/>
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+“Ye gentle Birdes! the worlds faire ornament,                    91<br/>
+And heavens glorie, whom this happie hower<br/>
+Doth leade unto your lovers blissfull bower,<br/>
+Ioy may you have, and gentle hearts content<br/>
+Of your loves couplement;                    95<br/>
+And let faire Venus, that is Queene of Love,<br/>
+With her heart-quelling sonne upon you smile,<br/>
+Whose smile, they say, hath vertue to remove<br/>
+All loves dislike, and friendships faultie guile<br/>
+For ever to assoile*.                    100<br/>
+Let endlesse peace your steadfast hearts accord,<br/>
+And blessed plentie wait upon your bord;<br/>
+And let your bed with pleasures chast abound.<br/>
+That fruitfull issue may to you afford,<br/>
+Which may your foes confound,                    105<br/>
+And make your ioyes redound<br/>
+Upon your brydale day, which is not long:<br/>
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softlie, till I end my song.”<br/>
+[* <i>Assoile</i>, do away with.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So ended she; and all the rest around<br/>
+To her redoubled that her undersong*,                    110<br/>
+Which said, their brydale daye should not be long:<br/>
+And gentle Eccho from the neighbour ground<br/>
+Their accents did resound.<br/>
+So forth those ioyous birdes did passe along<br/>
+Adowne the lee, that to them murmurde low,                    115<br/>
+As he would speake, but that he lackt a tong,<br/>
+Yet did by signes his glad affection show,<br/>
+Making his streame run slow.<br/>
+And all the foule which in his flood did dwell<br/>
+Gan flock about these twaine, that did excell                    120<br/>
+The rest so far as Cynthia doth shend**<br/>
+The lesser stars. So they, enranged well,<br/>
+Did on those two attend,<br/>
+And their best service lend<br/>
+Against their wedding day, which was not long:                    125<br/>
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.<br/>
+[* <i>Undersong</i>, burden.]<br/>
+[** <i>Shend</i>, put to shame.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+At length they all to mery London came,<br/>
+To mery London, my most kyndly nurse,<br/>
+That to me gave this lifes first native sourse,<br/>
+Though from another place I take my name,                    130<br/>
+An house of auncient fame.<br/>
+There when they came whereas those bricky towres<br/>
+The which on Themmes brode aged backe doe ryde,<br/>
+Where now the studious lawyers have their bowers.—<br/>
+There whylome wont the Templer Knights to byde,<br/>
+Till they decayd through pride,—                    136<br/>
+Next whereunto there standes a stately place,<br/>
+Where oft I gayned giftes and goodly grace<br/>
+Of that great lord which therein wont to dwell,<br/>
+Whose want too well now feels my freendles case:                    140<br/>
+But ah! here fits not well<br/>
+Olde woes, but ioyes, to tell,<br/>
+Against the bridale daye, which is not long:<br/>
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.<br/>
+[Ver. 137.—<i>A stately place</i> Exeter House, the residence first of the
+Earl of Leicester, and afterwards of Essex. C.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet therein now doth lodge a noble peer,                    145<br/>
+Great Englands glory and the worlds wide wonder,<br/>
+Whose dreadfull name late through all Spaine did thunder,<br/>
+And Hercules two pillors standing neere<br/>
+Did make to quake and feare.<br/>
+Faire branch of honor, flower of chevalrie!                    150<br/>
+That fillest England with thy triumphs fame,<br/>
+Ioy have thou of thy noble victorie,<br/>
+And endlesse happinesse of thine owne name,<br/>
+That promiseth the same;<br/>
+That through thy prowesse and victorious armes                    155<br/>
+Thy country may be freed from forraine harmes,<br/>
+And great Elisaes glorious name may ring<br/>
+Through al the world, fil’d with thy wide alarmes.<br/>
+Which some brave Muse may sing<br/>
+To ages following,                    160<br/>
+Upon the brydale day, which is not long:<br/>
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.<br/>
+[Ver. 147.—<i>Whose dreadfull name, &amp;c</i>. The allusion here is to the
+expedition against Cadiz, from which Essex returned in August, 1596. C.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+From those high towers this noble lord issuing,<br/>
+Like radiant Hesper, when his golden hayre<br/>
+In th’ocean billowes he hath bathed fayre,                    165<br/>
+Descended to the rivers open vewing,<br/>
+With a great traine ensuing.<br/>
+Above the rest were goodly to bee scene<br/>
+Two gentle Knights of lovely face and feature,<br/>
+Beseeming well the bower of any queene,                    170<br/>
+With gifts of wit and ornaments of nature<br/>
+Fit for so goodly stature,<br/>
+That like the twins of Iove they seem’d in sight,<br/>
+Which decke the bauldricke of the heavens bright.<br/>
+They two, forth pacing to the rivers side,                    175<br/>
+Receiv’d those two faire brides, their loves delight;<br/>
+Which, at th’appointed tyde,<br/>
+Each one did make his bryde<br/>
+Against their brydale day, which is not long:                    179<br/>
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap14"></a>FOWRE HYMNES</h2>
+
+<h5>MADE BY</h5>
+
+<h5>EDM. SPENSER.</h5>
+
+<h4>TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND MOST VERTUOUS LADIES,</h4>
+
+<h5>THE LADIE MARGARET,</h5>
+
+<h5>COUNTESSE OF CUMBERLAND;</h5>
+
+<h5>AND THE LADIE MARIE*,</h5>
+
+<h5>COUNTESSE OF WARWICK.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Having, in the greener times of my youth, composed these former two
+Hymnes in the praise of love and beautie, and finding that the same too
+much pleased those of like age and disposition, which, being too
+vehemently carried with that kind of affection, do rather sucke out
+poyson to their strong passion, then honey to their honest delight, I
+was moved, by the one of you two most excellent Ladies, to call in the
+same; but being unable so to do, by reason that many copies thereof were
+formerly scattered abroad, I resolved at least to amend, and, by way of
+retraction, to reforme them, making (instead of those two Hymnes of
+earthly or naturall love and beautie) two others of heavenly and
+celestiall; the which I doe dedicate ioyntly unto you two honorable
+sisters, as to the most excellent and rare ornaments of all true love
+and beautie, both in the one and the other kind; humbly beseeching you
+to vouchsafe the patronage of them, and to accept this my humble
+service, in lieu of the great graces and honourable favours which ye
+dayly shew unto me, until such time as I may, by better meanes, yeeld
+you some more notable testimonie of my thankfull mind and dutifull
+devotion. And even so I pray for your happinesse. Greenwich, this first
+of September, 1596. Your Honors most bounden ever,
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In all humble service,
+</p>
+
+<h5>ED. SP.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* The Countess of Warwick’s name was Anne, not Mary. TODD.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h3>AN HYMNE</h3>
+
+<h5>IN HONOUR OF LOVE.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Love, that long since hast to thy mighty powre<br/>
+Perforce subdude my poor captived hart,<br/>
+And raging now therein with restlesse stowre*,<br/>
+Doest tyrannize in everie weaker part,<br/>
+Faine would I seeke to ease my bitter smart                    5<br/>
+By any service I might do to thee,<br/>
+Or ought that else might to thee pleasing bee.<br/>
+  [* <i>Stowre</i>, commotion.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And now t’asswage the force of this new flame,<br/>
+And make thee more propitious in my need,<br/>
+I meane to sing the praises of thy name,                    10<br/>
+And thy victorious conquests to areed*,<br/>
+By which thou madest many harts to bleed<br/>
+Of mighty victors, with wide wounds embrewed,<br/>
+And by thy cruell darts to thee subdewed.<br/>
+  [* <i>Areed</i>, set forth.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Onely I fear my wits, enfeebled late                    15<br/>
+Through the sharp sorrowes which thou hast me bred,<br/>
+Should faint, and words should faile me to relate<br/>
+The wondrous triumphs of thy great god-hed:<br/>
+But, if thou wouldst vouchsafe to overspred<br/>
+Me with the shadow of thy gentle wing,                    20<br/>
+I should enabled be thy actes to sing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Come, then, O come, thou mightie God of Love!<br/>
+Out of thy silver bowres and secret blisse,<br/>
+Where thou dost sit in Venus lap above,<br/>
+Bathing thy wings in her ambrosial kisse,                    25<br/>
+That sweeter farre than any nectar is,<br/>
+Come softly, and my feeble breast inspire<br/>
+With gentle furie, kindled of thy fire.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And ye, sweet Muses! which have often proved<br/>
+The piercing points of his avengefull darts,                    30<br/>
+And ye, fair Nimphs! which oftentimes have loved<br/>
+The cruel worker of your kindly smarts,<br/>
+Prepare yourselves, and open wide your harts<br/>
+For to receive the triumph of your glorie,<br/>
+That made you merie oft when ye were sorrie.                    35
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And ye, faire blossoms of youths wanton breed!<br/>
+Which in the conquests of your beautie bost,<br/>
+Wherewith your lovers feeble eyes you feed,<br/>
+But sterve their harts, that needeth nourture most,<br/>
+Prepare your selves to march amongst his host,                    40<br/>
+And all the way this sacred hymne do sing,<br/>
+Made in the honor of your soveraigne king.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Great God of Might, that reignest in the mynd,<br/>
+And all the bodie to thy hest doest frame,<br/>
+Victor of gods, subduer of mankynd,                    45<br/>
+That doest the lions and fell tigers tame,<br/>
+Making their cruell rage thy scornfull game,<br/>
+And in their roring taking great delight,<br/>
+Who can expresse the glorie of thy might?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Or who alive can perfectly declare                    50<br/>
+The wondrous cradle of thine infancie,<br/>
+When thy great mother Venus first thee bare,<br/>
+Begot of Plenty and of Penurie,<br/>
+Though elder then thine own nativitie,<br/>
+And yet a chyld, renewing still thy yeares,                    55<br/>
+And yet the eldest of the heavenly peares?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For ere this worlds still moving mightie masse<br/>
+Out of great Chaos ugly prison crept,<br/>
+In which his goodly face long hidden was<br/>
+From heavens view, and in deep darknesse kept,                    60<br/>
+Love, that had now long time securely slept<br/>
+In Venus lap, unarmed then and naked,<br/>
+Gan reare his head, by Clotho being waked:
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And taking to him wings of his own heat,<br/>
+Kindled at first from heavens life-giving fyre,                    65<br/>
+He gan to move out of his idle seat;<br/>
+Weakly at first, but after with desyre<br/>
+Lifted aloft, he gan to mount up hyre*,<br/>
+And, like fresh eagle, made his hardy flight<br/>
+Thro all that great wide wast, yet wanting light.                    70<br/>
+  [* <i>Hyre</i>, higher.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet wanting light to guide his wandring way,<br/>
+His own faire mother, for all creatures sake,<br/>
+Did lend him light from her owne goodly ray;<br/>
+Then through the world his way he gan to take,<br/>
+The world, that was not till he did it make,                    75<br/>
+Whose sundrie parts he from themselves did sever.<br/>
+The which before had lyen confused ever.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The earth, the ayre, the water, and the fyre,<br/>
+Then gan to raunge themselves in huge array,<br/>
+And with contráry forces to conspyre                    80<br/>
+Each against other by all meanes they may,<br/>
+Threatning their owne confusion and decay:<br/>
+Ayre hated earth, and water hated fyre,<br/>
+Till Love relented their rebellious yre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+He then them tooke, and, tempering goodly well                    85<br/>
+Their contrary dislikes with loved meanes,<br/>
+Did place them all in order, and compell<br/>
+To keepe themselves within their sundrie raines*,<br/>
+Together linkt with adamantine chaines;<br/>
+Yet so as that in every living wight                    90<br/>
+They mix themselves, and shew their kindly might.<br/>
+  [* <i>Raines</i>, kingdoms.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So ever since they firmely have remained,<br/>
+And duly well observed his beheast;<br/>
+Through which now all these things that are contained<br/>
+Within this goodly cope, both most and least,                    95<br/>
+Their being have, and daily are increast<br/>
+Through secret sparks of his infused fyre,<br/>
+Which in the barraine cold he doth inspyre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thereby they all do live, and moved are<br/>
+To multiply the likenesse of their kynd,                    100<br/>
+Whilest they seeke onely, without further care,<br/>
+To quench the flame which they in burning fynd;<br/>
+But man, that breathes a more immortall mynd,<br/>
+Not for lusts sake, but for eternitie,<br/>
+Seekes to enlarge his lasting progenie.                    105
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For having yet in his deducted spright<br/>
+Some sparks remaining of that heavenly fyre,<br/>
+He is enlumind with that goodly light,<br/>
+Unto like goodly semblant to aspyre;<br/>
+Therefore in choice of love he doth desyre                    110<br/>
+That seemes on earth most heavenly to embrace,<br/>
+That same is Beautie, borne of heavenly race.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For sure, of all that in this mortall frame<br/>
+Contained is, nought more divine doth seeme,<br/>
+Or that resembleth more th’immortall flame                    115<br/>
+Of heavenly light, than Beauties glorious beam.<br/>
+What wonder then, if with such rage extreme<br/>
+Frail men, whose eyes seek heavenly things to see,<br/>
+At sight thereof so much enravisht bee?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Which well perceiving, that imperious boy                    120<br/>
+Doth therewith tip his sharp empoisned darts,<br/>
+Which glancing thro the eyes with* countenance coy<br/>
+Rest not till they have pierst the trembling harts,<br/>
+And kindled flame in all their inner parts,<br/>
+Which suckes the blood, and drinketh up the lyfe,                    125<br/>
+Of carefull wretches with consuming griefe.<br/>
+  [* Qu. from? WARTON.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thenceforth they playne, and make full piteous mone<br/>
+Unto the author of their balefull bane:<br/>
+The daies they waste, the nights they grieve and grone,<br/>
+Their lives they loath, and heavens light disdaine;                    130<br/>
+No light but that whose lampe doth yet remaine<br/>
+Fresh burning in the image of their eye,<br/>
+They deigne to see, and seeing it still dye.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The whylst thou, tyrant Love, doest laugh and scorne<br/>
+At their complaints, making their paine thy play;                    135<br/>
+Whylest they lye languishing like thrals forlorne,<br/>
+The whyles thou doest triumph in their decay;<br/>
+And otherwhyles, their dying to delay,<br/>
+Thou doest emmarble the proud hart of her<br/>
+Whose love before their life they doe prefer.                    140
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So hast thou often done (ay me the more!)<br/>
+To me thy vassall, whose yet bleeding hart<br/>
+With thousand wounds thou mangled hast so sore,<br/>
+That whole remaines scarse any little part;<br/>
+Yet to augment the anguish of my smart,                    145<br/>
+Thou hast enfrosen her disdainefull brest,<br/>
+That no one drop of pitie there doth rest.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Why then do I this honor unto thee,<br/>
+Thus to ennoble thy victorious name,<br/>
+Sith thou doest shew no favour unto mee,                    150<br/>
+Ne once move ruth in that rebellious dame,
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Somewhat to slacke the rigour of my flame?<br/>
+Certes small glory doest thou winne hereby,<br/>
+To let her live thus free, and me to dy.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But if thou be indeede, as men thee call,                    155<br/>
+The worlds great parent, the most kind preserver<br/>
+Of living wights, the soveraine lord of all,<br/>
+How falles it then that with thy furious fervour<br/>
+Thou doest afflict as well the not-deserver,<br/>
+As him that doeth thy lovely heasts despize,                    160<br/>
+And on thy subiects most doth tyrannize?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet herein eke thy glory seemeth more,<br/>
+By so hard handling those which best thee serve,<br/>
+That, ere thou doest them unto grace restore,<br/>
+Thou mayest well trie if they will ever swerve,                    165<br/>
+And mayest them make it better to deserve,<br/>
+And, having got it, may it more esteeme;<br/>
+For things hard gotten men more dearely deeme.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So hard those heavenly beauties be enfyred,<br/>
+As things divine least passions doe impresse;                    170<br/>
+The more of stedfast mynds to be admyred,<br/>
+The more they stayed be on stedfastnesse;<br/>
+But baseborne minds such lamps regard the lesse,<br/>
+Which at first blowing take not hastie fyre;<br/>
+Such fancies feele no love, but loose desyre.                    175
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For Love is lord of truth and loialtie,<br/>
+Lifting himself out of the lowly dust<br/>
+On golden plumes up to the purest skie,<br/>
+Above the reach of loathly sinfull lust,<br/>
+Whose base affect*, through cowardly distrust                    180<br/>
+Of his weake wings, dare not to heaven fly,<br/>
+But like a moldwarpe** in the earth doth ly.<br/>
+  [* <i>Affect</i>, affection, passion.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Moldwarpe</i>, mole.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+His dunghill thoughts, which do themselves enure<br/>
+To dirtie drosse, no higher dare aspyre;<br/>
+Ne can his feeble earthly eyes endure                    185<br/>
+The flaming light of that celestiall fyre<br/>
+Which kindleth love in generous desyre,<br/>
+And makes him mount above the native might<br/>
+Of heavie earth, up to the heavens hight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Such is the powre of that sweet passion,                    190<br/>
+That it all sordid basenesse doth expell,<br/>
+And the refyned mynd doth newly fashion<br/>
+Unto a fairer forme, which now doth dwell<br/>
+In his high thought, that would it selfe excell;<br/>
+Which he beholding still with constant sight,                    195<br/>
+Admires the mirrour of so heavenly light.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whose image printing in his deepest wit,<br/>
+He thereon feeds his hungrie fantasy,<br/>
+Still full, yet never satisfyde with it;<br/>
+Like Tantale, that in store doth sterved ly,                    200<br/>
+So doth he pine in most satiety;<br/>
+For nought may quench his infinite desyre,<br/>
+Once kindled through that first conceived fyre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thereon his mynd affixed wholly is,<br/>
+Ne thinks on ought but how it to attaine;                    205<br/>
+His care, his ioy, his hope, is all on this,<br/>
+That seemes in it all blisses to containe,<br/>
+In sight whereof all other blisse seemes vaine:<br/>
+Thrice happie man, might he the same possesse,<br/>
+He faines himselfe, and doth his fortune blesse.                    210
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And though he do not win his wish to end,<br/>
+Yet thus farre happie he himselfe doth weene,<br/>
+That heavens such happie grace did to him lend<br/>
+As thing on earth so heavenly to have seene,<br/>
+His harts enshrined saint, his heavens queene,                    215<br/>
+Fairer then fairest in his fayning eye,<br/>
+Whose sole aspect he counts felicitye.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then forth he casts in his unquiet thought,<br/>
+What he may do her favour to obtaine;<br/>
+What brave exploit, what perill hardly wrought,                    220<br/>
+What puissant conquest, what adventurous paine,<br/>
+May please her best, and grace unto him gaine;<br/>
+He dreads no danger, nor misfortune feares,<br/>
+His faith, his fortune, in his breast he beares.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thou art his god, thou art his mightie guyde,                    225<br/>
+Thou, being blind, letst him not see his feares,<br/>
+But carriest him to that which he had eyde,<br/>
+Through seas, through flames, through thousand swords and speares; *<br/>
+Ne ought so strong that may his force withstand,<br/>
+With which thou armest his resistlesse hand.                    230<br/>
+  [* The fifth verse of this stanza appears to have dropped out. C.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Witnesse Leander in the Euxine waves,<br/>
+And stout Aeneas in the Troiane fyre,<br/>
+Achilles preassing through the Phrygian glaives*,<br/>
+And Orpheus, daring to provoke the yre<br/>
+Of damned fiends, to get his love retyre;                    235<br/>
+For both through heaven and hell thou makest way,<br/>
+To win them worship which to thee obay.<br/>
+  [* <i>Glaives</i>, swords.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And if by all these perils and these paynes<br/>
+He may but purchase lyking in her eye,<br/>
+What heavens of ioy then to himselfe he faynes!                    240<br/>
+Eftsoones he wypes quite out of memory<br/>
+Whatever ill before he did aby*:<br/>
+Had it beene death, yet would he die againe,<br/>
+To live thus happie as her grace to gaine.<br/>
+  [* <i>Aby</i>, abide.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet when he hath found favour to his will,                    245<br/>
+He nathëmore can so contented rest,<br/>
+But forceth further on, and striveth still<br/>
+T’approch more neare, till in her inmost brest<br/>
+He may embosomd bee and loved best;<br/>
+And yet not best, but to be lov’d alone;                    250<br/>
+For love cannot endure a paragone*.<br/>
+  [* <i>Paragone</i>, competitor.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The fear whereof, O how doth it torment<br/>
+His troubled mynd with more then hellish paine!<br/>
+And to his fayning fansie represent<br/>
+Sights never seene, and thousand shadowes vaine,                    255<br/>
+To breake his sleepe and waste his ydle braine:<br/>
+Thou that hast never lov’d canst not beleeve<br/>
+Least part of th’evils which poore lovers greeve.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The gnawing envie, the hart-fretting feare,<br/>
+The vaine surmizes, the distrustfull showes,                    260<br/>
+The false reports that flying tales doe beare,<br/>
+The doubts, the daungers, the delayes, the woes,<br/>
+The fayned friends, the unassured foes,<br/>
+With thousands more then any tongue can tell,<br/>
+Doe make a lovers life a wretches hell.                    265
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet is there one more cursed then they all,<br/>
+That cancker-worme, that monster, Gelosie,<br/>
+Which eates the heart and feedes upon the gall,<br/>
+Turning all Loves delight to miserie,<br/>
+Through feare of losing his felicitie.                    270<br/>
+Ah, gods! that ever ye that monster placed<br/>
+In gentle Love, that all his ioyes defaced!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+By these, O Love! thou doest thy entrance make<br/>
+Unto thy heaven, and doest the more endeere<br/>
+Thy pleasures unto those which them partake,                    275<br/>
+As after stormes, when clouds begin to cleare,<br/>
+The sunne more bright and glorious doth appeare;<br/>
+So thou thy folke, through paines of Purgatorie,<br/>
+Dost beare unto thy blisse, and heavens glorie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+There thou them placest in a paradize                    280<br/>
+Of all delight and ioyous happy rest,<br/>
+Where they doe feede on nectar heavenly-wize,<br/>
+With Hercules and Hebe, and the rest<br/>
+Of Venus dearlings, through her bountie blest;<br/>
+And lie like gods in yvory beds arayd,                    285<br/>
+With rose and lillies over them displayd.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+There with thy daughter Pleasure they doe play<br/>
+Their hurtlesse sports, without rebuke or blame,<br/>
+And in her snowy bosome boldly lay<br/>
+Their quiet heads, devoyd of guilty shame,                    290<br/>
+After full ioyance of their gentle game;<br/>
+Then her they crowne their goddesse and their queene,<br/>
+And decke with floures thy altars well beseene.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ay me! deare Lord, that ever I might hope,<br/>
+For all the paines and woes that I endure,                    295<br/>
+To come at length unto the wished scope<br/>
+Of my desire, or might myselfe assure<br/>
+That happie port for ever to recure*!<br/>
+Then would I thinke these paines no paines at all,<br/>
+And all my woes to be but penance small.                    300<br/>
+  [* <i>Recure</i>, recover, gain.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then would I sing of thine immortal praise<br/>
+An heavenly hymne such as the angels sing,<br/>
+And thy triumphant name then would I raise<br/>
+Bove all the gods, thee only honoring;<br/>
+My guide, my god, my victor, and my king:                    305<br/>
+Till then, drad Lord! vouchsafe to take of me<br/>
+This simple song, thus fram’d in praise of thee.
+</p>
+
+<h3>AN HYMNE</h3>
+
+<h5>IN HONOUR OF BEAUTIE.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ah! whither, Love! wilt thou now carry mee?<br/>
+What wontlesse fury dost thou now inspire<br/>
+Into my feeble breast, too full of thee?<br/>
+Whylest seeking to aslake thy raging fyre,<br/>
+Thou in me kindlest much more great desyre,                    5<br/>
+And up aloft above my strength doth rayse<br/>
+The wondrous matter of my fire to praise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+That as I earst in praise of thine owne name,<br/>
+So now in honour of thy mother deare<br/>
+An honourable hymne I eke should frame,                    10<br/>
+And, with the brightnesse of her beautie cleare,<br/>
+The ravisht hearts of gazefull men might reare<br/>
+To admiration of that heavenly light,<br/>
+From whence proceeds such soule-enchanting might.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Therto do thou, great Goddesse! Queene of Beauty,<br/>
+Mother of Love and of all worlds delight,                    16<br/>
+Without whose soverayne grace and kindly dewty<br/>
+Nothing on earth seems fayre to fleshly sight,<br/>
+Doe thou vouchsafe with thy love-kindling light<br/>
+T’illuminate my dim and dulled eyne,                    20<br/>
+And beautifie this sacred hymne of thyne:
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+That both to thee, to whom I meane it most,<br/>
+And eke to her whose faire immortall beame<br/>
+Hath darted fyre into my feeble ghost,<br/>
+That now it wasted is with woes extreame,                    25<br/>
+It may so please, that she at length will streame<br/>
+Some deaw of grace into my withered hart,<br/>
+After long sorrow and consuming smart.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+WHAT TIME THIS WORLDS GREAT WORKMAISTER did cast<br/>
+To make al things such as we now behold,                    30<br/>
+It seems that he before his eyes had plast<br/>
+A goodly paterne, to whose perfect mould<br/>
+He fashiond them as comely as he could,<br/>
+That now so faire and seemely they appeare<br/>
+As nought may be amended any wheare.                    35
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+That wondrous paterne, wheresoere it bee,<br/>
+Whether in earth layd up in secret store,<br/>
+Or else in heaven, that no man may it see<br/>
+With sinfull eyes, for feare it do deflore,<br/>
+Is perfect Beautie, which all men adore;                    40<br/>
+Whose face and feature doth so much excell<br/>
+All mortal sence, that none the same may tell.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thereof as every earthly thing partakes<br/>
+Or more or lesse, by influence divine,<br/>
+So it more faire accordingly it makes,                    45<br/>
+And the grosse matter of this earthly myne<br/>
+Which closeth it thereafter doth refyne,<br/>
+Doing away the drosse which dims the light<br/>
+Of that faire beame which therein is empight*.<br/>
+  [* <i>Empight</i>, placed.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For, through infusion of celestiall powre,                    50<br/>
+The duller earth it quickneth with delight,<br/>
+And life-full spirits privily doth powre<br/>
+Through all the parts, that to the lookers sight<br/>
+They seeme to please; that is thy soveraine might,<br/>
+O Cyprian queene! which, flowing from the beame                    55<br/>
+Of thy bright starre, thou into them doest streame.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+That is the thing which giveth pleasant grace<br/>
+To all things faire, that kindleth lively fyre;<br/>
+Light of thy lampe; which, shyning in the face,<br/>
+Thence to the soule darts amorous desyre,                    60<br/>
+And robs the harts of those which it admyre;<br/>
+Therewith thou pointest thy sons poysned arrow,<br/>
+That wounds the life and wastes the inmost marrow.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+How vainely then do ydle wits invent<br/>
+That Beautie is nought else but mixture made                    65<br/>
+Of colours faire, and goodly temp’rament<br/>
+Of pure complexions, that shall quickly fade<br/>
+And passe away, like to a sommers shade;<br/>
+Or that it is but comely composition<br/>
+Of parts well measurd, with meet disposition!                    70
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Hath white and red in it such wondrous powre,<br/>
+That it can pierce through th’eyes unto the hart,<br/>
+And therein stirre such rage and restlesse stowre*,<br/>
+As nought but death can stint his dolours smart?<br/>
+Or can proportion of the outward part                    75<br/>
+Move such affection in the inward mynd,<br/>
+That it can rob both sense, and reason blynd?<br/>
+  [* <i>Stowre</i>, commotion.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Why doe not then the blossomes of the field,<br/>
+Which are arayd with much more orient hew,<br/>
+And to the sense most daintie odours yield,                    80<br/>
+Worke like impression in the lookers vew?<br/>
+Or why doe not faire pictures like powre shew,<br/>
+In which oft-times we Nature see of Art<br/>
+Exceld, in perfect limming every part?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But ah! beleeve me there is more then so,                    85<br/>
+That workes such wonders in the minds of men;<br/>
+I, that have often prov’d, too well it know,<br/>
+And who so list the like assayes to ken<br/>
+Shall find by trial, and confesse it then,<br/>
+That Beautie is not, as fond men misdeeme,                    90<br/>
+An outward shew of things that onely seeme.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For that same goodly hew of white and red<br/>
+With which the cheekes are sprinckled, shall decay,<br/>
+And those sweete rosy leaves, so fairly spred<br/>
+Upon the lips, shall fade and fall away                    95<br/>
+To that they were, even to corrupted clay:<br/>
+That golden wyre, those sparckling stars so bright,<br/>
+Shall turne to dust, and lose their goodly light.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But that faire lampe, from whose celestiall ray<br/>
+That light proceedes which kindleth lovers fire,                    100<br/>
+Shall never be extinguisht nor decay;<br/>
+But, when the vitall spirits doe espyre,<br/>
+Unto her native planet shall retyre;<br/>
+For it is heavenly borne, and cannot die,<br/>
+Being a parcell of the purest skie.                    105
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For when the soule, the which derived was,<br/>
+At first, out of that great immortall Spright,<br/>
+By whom all live to love, whilome did pas<br/>
+Down from the top of purest heavens hight<br/>
+To be embodied here, it then tooke light                    110<br/>
+And lively spirits from that fayrest starre<br/>
+Which lights the world forth from his firie carre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Which powre retayning still, or more or lesse,<br/>
+When she in fleshly seede is eft* enraced**,<br/>
+Through every part she doth the same impresse,                    115<br/>
+According as the heavens have her graced,<br/>
+And frames her house, in which she will be placed,<br/>
+Fit for her selfe, adorning it with spoyle<br/>
+Of th’heavenly riches which she robd erewhyle.<br/>
+[* <i>Eft</i>, afterwards.]<br/>
+[** <i>Enraced</i>, implanted.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thereof it comes that these faire soules which have<br/>
+The most resemblance of that heavenly light                    121<br/>
+Frame to themselves most beautifull and brave<br/>
+Their fleshly bowre, most fit for their delight,<br/>
+And the grosse matter by a soveraine might<br/>
+Temper so trim, that it may well be seene                    125<br/>
+A pallace fit for such a virgin queene.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So every spirit, as it is most pure,<br/>
+And hath in it the more of heavenly light,<br/>
+So it the fairer bodie doth procure<br/>
+To habit in, and it more fairely dight*                    130<br/>
+With chearfull grace and amiable sight:<br/>
+For of the soule the bodie forme doth take;<br/>
+For soule is forme, and doth the bodie make.<br/>
+  [* <i>Dight</i>, adorn.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Therefore, where-ever that thou doest behold<br/>
+A comely corpse*, with beautie faire endewed,                    135<br/>
+Know this for certaine, that the same doth hold<br/>
+A beauteous soule with fair conditions thewed**,<br/>
+Fit to receive the seede of vertue strewed;<br/>
+For all that faire is, is by nature good;<br/>
+That is a sign to know the gentle blood.                    140<br/>
+  [* <i>Corpse</i>, body.]<br/>
+  [** i.e. endowed with fair qualities.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet oft it falles that many a gentle mynd<br/>
+Dwels in deformed tabernacle drownd,<br/>
+Either by chaunce, against the course of kynd*,<br/>
+Or through unaptnesse in the substance fownd,<br/>
+Which it assumed of some stubborne grownd,                    145<br/>
+That will not yield unto her formes direction,<br/>
+But is deform’d with some foule imperfection.<br/>
+  [* <i>Kynd</i>, nature.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And oft it falles, (ay me, the more to rew!)<br/>
+That goodly Beautie, albe heavenly borne,<br/>
+Is foule abusd, and that celestiall hew,                    150<br/>
+Which doth the world with her delight adorne,<br/>
+Made but the bait of sinne, and sinners scorne,<br/>
+Whilest every one doth seeke and sew to have it,<br/>
+But every one doth seeke but to deprave it.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet nathëmore is that faire Beauties blame,                    155<br/>
+But theirs that do abuse it unto ill:<br/>
+Nothing so good, but that through guilty shame<br/>
+May be corrupt*, and wrested unto will.<br/>
+Nathelesse the soule is faire and beauteous still,<br/>
+However fleshes fault it filthy make;                    160<br/>
+For things immortall no corruption take.<br/>
+  [* <i>Corrupt</i>, corrupted.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But ye, faire Dames! the worlds deare ornaments,<br/>
+And lively images of heavens light,<br/>
+Let not your beames with such disparagements<br/>
+Be dimd, and your bright glorie darkned quight;                    l65<br/>
+But mindfull still of your first countries sight,<br/>
+Doe still preserve your first informed grace,<br/>
+Whose shadow yet shynes in your beauteous face.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Loath that foule blot, that hellish fiërbrand,<br/>
+Disloiall lust, fair Beauties foulest blame,                    170<br/>
+That base affections, which your eares would bland*,<br/>
+Commend to you by loves abused name,<br/>
+But is indeede the bondslave of defame;<br/>
+Which will the garland of your glorie marre,<br/>
+And quench the light of your brightshyning starre.                    175<br/>
+  [* <i>Bland</i>, blandish.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But gentle Love, that loiall is and trew,<br/>
+Wil more illumine your resplendent ray,<br/>
+And add more brightnesse to your goodly hew<br/>
+From light of his pure fire; which, by like way<br/>
+Kindled of yours, your likenesse doth display;                    180<br/>
+Like as two mirrours, by opposd reflection,<br/>
+Doe both expresse the faces first impression.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Therefore, to make your beautie more appeare,<br/>
+It you behoves to love, and forth to lay<br/>
+That heavenly riches which in you ye beare,                    185<br/>
+That men the more admyre their fountaine may;<br/>
+For else what booteth that celestiall ray,<br/>
+If it in darknesse be enshrined ever,<br/>
+That it of loving eyes be vewed never?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But, in your choice of loves, this well advize,                    190<br/>
+That likest to your selves ye them select,<br/>
+The which your forms first sourse may sympathize,<br/>
+And with like beauties parts be inly deckt;<br/>
+For if you loosely love without respect,<br/>
+It is not love, but a discordant warre,                    195<br/>
+Whose unlike parts amongst themselves do iarre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For love is a celestiall harmonie<br/>
+Of likely* harts composd of** starres concent,<br/>
+Which ioyne together in sweete sympathie,<br/>
+To work each others ioy and true content,                    200<br/>
+Which they have harbourd since their first descent<br/>
+Out of their heavenly bowres, where they did see<br/>
+And know ech other here belov’d to bee.<br/>
+  [* <i>Likely</i>, similar.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Composd of</i>, combined by.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then wrong it were that any other twaine<br/>
+Should in Loves gentle band combyned bee,                    205<br/>
+But those whom Heaven did at first ordaine,<br/>
+And made out of one mould the more t’agree;<br/>
+For all that like the beautie which they see<br/>
+Straight do not love; for Love is not so light<br/>
+As straight to burne at first beholders sight.                    210
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But they which love indeede looke otherwise,<br/>
+With pure regard and spotlesse true intent,<br/>
+Drawing out of the obiect of their eyes<br/>
+A more refyned form, which they present<br/>
+Unto their mind, voide of all blemishment;                    215<br/>
+Which it reducing to her first perfection,<br/>
+Beholdeth free from fleshes frayle infection.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And then conforming it unto the light<br/>
+Which in it selfe it hath remaining still,<br/>
+Of that first sunne, yet sparckling in his sight,                    220<br/>
+Thereof he fashions in his higher skill<br/>
+An heavenly beautie to his fancies will;<br/>
+And it embracing in his mind entyre,<br/>
+The mirrour of his owne thought doth admyre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Which seeing now so inly faire to be,                    225<br/>
+As outward it appeareth to the eye,<br/>
+And with his spirits proportion to agree,<br/>
+He thereon fixeth all his fantasie,<br/>
+And fully setteth his felicitie;<br/>
+Counting it fairer then it is indeede,                    230<br/>
+And yet indeede her fairnesse doth exeede.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For lovers eyes more sharply sighted bee<br/>
+Then other mens, and in deare loves delight<br/>
+See more then any other eyes can see,<br/>
+Through mutuall receipt of beamës bright,                    235<br/>
+Which carrie privie message to the spright,<br/>
+And to their eyes that inmost faire display,<br/>
+As plaine as light discovers dawning day.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Therein they see, through amorous eye-glaunces,<br/>
+Armies of Loves still flying too and fro,                    240<br/>
+Which dart at them their litle fierie launces;<br/>
+Whom having wounded, back againe they go,<br/>
+Carrying compassion to their lovely foe;<br/>
+Who, seeing her faire eyes so sharp effect,<br/>
+Cures all their sorrowes with one sweete aspect.                    245
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In which how many wonders doe they reede<br/>
+To their conceipt, that others never see!<br/>
+Now of her smiles, with which their soules they feede,<br/>
+Like gods with nectar in their bankets free;<br/>
+Now of her lookes, which like to cordials bee;                    250<br/>
+But when her words embássade* forth she sends,<br/>
+Lord, how sweete musicke that unto them lends!<br/>
+  [* <i>Embássade</i>, embassy.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Sometimes upon her forhead they behold<br/>
+A thousand graces masking in delight;<br/>
+Sometimes within her eye-lids they unfold                    255<br/>
+Ten thousand sweet belgards*, which to their sight<br/>
+Doe seeme like twinckling starres in frostie night;<br/>
+But on her lips, like rosy buds in May,<br/>
+So many millions of chaste pleasures play.<br/>
+  [* <i>Belgards</i>, fair looks.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+All those, O Cytherea! and thousands more,                    260<br/>
+Thy handmaides be, which do on thee attend,<br/>
+To decke thy beautie with their dainties store,<br/>
+That may it more to mortall eyes commend,<br/>
+And make it more admyr’d of foe and frend;<br/>
+That in men’s harts thou mayst thy throne enstall, 265<br/>
+And spred thy lovely kingdome over all.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then Iö, tryumph! O great Beauties Queene,<br/>
+Advance the banner of thy conquest hie,<br/>
+That all this world, the which thy vassels beene,<br/>
+May draw to thee, and with dew fëaltie                    270<br/>
+Adore the powre of thy great maiestie,<br/>
+Singing this hymne in honour of thy name,<br/>
+Compyld by me, which thy poor liegeman am!
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In lieu whereof graunt, O great soveraine!<br/>
+That she whose conquering beauty doth captíve 275<br/>
+My trembling hart in her eternall chaine,<br/>
+One drop of grace at length will to me give,<br/>
+That I her bounden thrall by her may live,<br/>
+And this same life, which first fro me she reaved,<br/>
+May owe to her, of whom I it receaved.                    280
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And you, faire Venus dearling, my dear dread!<br/>
+Fresh flowre of grace, great goddesse of my life,<br/>
+When your faire eyes these fearfull lines shall read,<br/>
+Deigne to let fall one drop of dew reliefe,<br/>
+That may recure my harts long pyning griefe,                    285<br/>
+And shew what wondrous powre your beauty hath,<br/>
+That can restore a damned wight from death.
+</p>
+
+<h3>AN HYMNE</h3>
+
+<h5>OF HEAVENLY LOVE*.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* See the sixth canto of the third book of the Faerie Queene, especially the
+second and the thirty-second stanzas; which, with his Hymnes of Heavenly Love
+and Heavenly Beauty, are evident proofs of Spenser’s attachment to the Platonic
+school. WARTON.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Love, lift me up upon thy golden wings<br/>
+From this base world unto thy heavens hight,<br/>
+Where I may see those admirable things<br/>
+Which there thou workest by thy soveraine might,<br/>
+Farre above feeble reach of earthly sight,                    5<br/>
+That I thereof an heavenly hymne may sing<br/>
+Unto the God of Love, high heavens king.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Many lewd layes (ah! woe is me the more!)<br/>
+In praise of that mad fit which fooles call Love,<br/>
+I have in th’heat of youth made heretofore,                    10<br/>
+That in light wits did loose affection move;<br/>
+But all those follies now I do reprove,<br/>
+And turned have the tenor of my string,<br/>
+The heavenly prayses of true Love to sing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And ye that wont with greedy vaine desire                    15<br/>
+To reade my fault, and, wondring at my flame,<br/>
+To warme your selves at my wide sparckling fire,<br/>
+Sith now that heat is quenched, quench my blame,<br/>
+And in her ashes shrowd my dying shame;<br/>
+For who my passed follies now pursewes,                    20<br/>
+Beginnes his owne, and my old fault renewes.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+BEFORE THIS WORLDS GREAT FRAME, in which al things<br/>
+Are now containd, found any being-place,<br/>
+Ere flitting Time could wag* his eyas** wings<br/>
+About that mightie bound which doth embrace                    25<br/>
+The rolling spheres, and parts their houres by space,<br/>
+That high eternall Powre, which now doth move<br/>
+In all these things, mov’d in it selfe by love.<br/>
+  [* <i>Wag</i>, move.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Eyas</i>, unfledged.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+It lovd it selfe, because it selfe was faire;<br/>
+(For fair is lov’d;) and of it self begot                    30<br/>
+Like to it selfe his eldest Sonne and Heire,<br/>
+Eternall, pure, and voide of sinfull blot,<br/>
+The firstling of his ioy, in whom no iot<br/>
+Of loves dislike or pride was to be found,<br/>
+Whom he therefore with equall honour crownd.                    35
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With him he raignd, before all time prescribed,<br/>
+In endlesse glorie and immortall might,<br/>
+Together with that Third from them derived,<br/>
+Most wise, most holy, most almightie Spright!                    39<br/>
+Whose kingdomes throne no thoughts of earthly wight<br/>
+Can comprehend, much lesse my trembling verse<br/>
+With equall words can hope it to reherse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet, O most blessed Spirit! pure lampe of light,<br/>
+Eternall spring of grace and wisedom trew,<br/>
+Vouchsafe to shed into my barren spright                    45<br/>
+Some little drop of thy celestiall dew,<br/>
+That may my rymes with sweet infuse* embrew,<br/>
+And give me words equall unto my thought,<br/>
+To tell the marveiles by thy mercie wrought.<br/>
+  [* <i>Infuse</i>, infusion]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet being pregnant still with powrefull grace,                    50<br/>
+And full of fruitfull Love, that loves to get<br/>
+Things like himselfe and to enlarge his race,<br/>
+His second brood, though not of powre so great,<br/>
+Yet full of beautie, next he did beget,<br/>
+An infinite increase of angels bright,                    55<br/>
+All glistring glorious in their Makers light.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+To them the heavens illimitable hight<br/>
+(Not this round heaven which we from hence behold,<br/>
+Adornd with thousand lamps of burning light,<br/>
+And with ten thousand gemmes of shyning gold)                    60<br/>
+He gave as their inheritance to hold,<br/>
+That they might serve him in eternall blis,<br/>
+And be partakers of those ioyes of his.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+There they in their trinall triplicities<br/>
+About him wait, and on his will depend,                    65<br/>
+Either with nimble wings to cut the skies,<br/>
+When he them on his messages doth send,<br/>
+Or on his owne dread presence to attend,<br/>
+Where they behold the glorie of his light,<br/>
+And caroll hymnes of love both day and night.                    70<br/>
+  [Ver. 64.—<i>Trinall triplicities</i>. See the Faerie Queene, Book I.<br/>
+  Canto XII. 39. H.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Both day and night is unto them all one;<br/>
+For he his beames doth unto them extend,<br/>
+That darknesse there appeareth never none;<br/>
+Ne hath their day, ne hath their blisse, an end,<br/>
+But there their termelesse time in pleasure spend;                    75<br/>
+Ne ever should their happinesse decay,<br/>
+Had not they dar’d their Lord to disobay.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But pride, impatient of long resting peace,<br/>
+Did puffe them up with greedy bold ambition,<br/>
+That they gan cast their state how to increase                    80<br/>
+Above the fortune of their first condition,<br/>
+And sit in Gods own seat without commission:<br/>
+The brightest angel, even the Child of Light*,<br/>
+Drew millions more against their God to fight.<br/>
+  [* I.e. Lucifer.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Th’Almighty, seeing their so bold assay,                    85<br/>
+Kindled the flame of his consuming yre,<br/>
+And with his onely breath them blew away<br/>
+From heavens hight, to which they did aspyre,<br/>
+To deepest hell, and lake of damned fyre,<br/>
+Where they in darknesse and dread horror dwell,                    90<br/>
+Hating the happie light from which they fell.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So that next off-spring of the Makers love,<br/>
+Next to himselfe in glorious degree,<br/>
+Degendering* to hate, fell from above<br/>
+Through pride; (for pride and love may ill agree;)                    95<br/>
+And now of sinne to all ensample bee:<br/>
+How then can sinfull flesh it selfe assure,<br/>
+Sith purest angels fell to be impure?<br/>
+  [* <i>Degendering</i>, degenerating.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But that Eternall Fount of love and grace,<br/>
+Still flowing forth his goodnesse unto all,                    100<br/>
+Now seeing left a waste and emptie place<br/>
+In his wyde pallace through those angels fall,<br/>
+Cast to supply the same, and to enstall<br/>
+A new unknowen colony therein,<br/>
+Whose root from earths base groundworke should begin.                    105
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Therefore of clay, base, vile, and next to nought,<br/>
+Yet form’d by wondrous skill, and by his might<br/>
+According to an heavenly patterne wrought,<br/>
+Which he had fashiond in his wise foresight,<br/>
+He man did make, and breathd a living spright                    110<br/>
+Into his face, most beautifull and fayre,<br/>
+Endewd with wisedomes riches, heavenly, rare.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Such he him made, that he resemble might<br/>
+Himselfe, as mortall thing immortall could;<br/>
+Him to be lord of every living wight                    115<br/>
+He made by love out of his owne like mould,<br/>
+In whom he might his mightie selfe behould;<br/>
+For Love doth love the thing belov’d to see,<br/>
+That like it selfe in lovely shape may bee.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But man, forgetfull of his Makers grace                    120<br/>
+No lesse than angels, whom he did ensew,<br/>
+Fell from the hope of promist heavenly place,<br/>
+Into the mouth of Death, to sinners dew,<br/>
+And all his off-spring into thraldome threw,<br/>
+Where they for ever should in bonds remaine                    125<br/>
+Of never-dead, yet ever-dying paine;
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Till that great Lord of Love, which him at first<br/>
+Made of meere love, and after liked well,<br/>
+Seeing him lie like creature long accurst<br/>
+In that deep horor of despeyred hell,                    130<br/>
+Him, wretch, in doole* would let no lenger dwell,<br/>
+But cast** out of that bondage to redeeme,<br/>
+And pay the price, all@ were his debt extreeme.<br/>
+  [* <i>Doole</i>, pain.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Cast</i>, devised.]<br/>
+  [@ <i>All</i>, although.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Out of the bosome of eternall blisse,<br/>
+In which he reigned with his glorious Syre,                    135<br/>
+He downe descended, like a most demisse*<br/>
+And abiect thrall, in fleshes fraile attyre,<br/>
+That he for him might pay sinnes deadly hyre,<br/>
+And him restore unto that happie state<br/>
+In which he stood before his haplesse fate.                    140<br/>
+  [* <i>Demisse</i>, humble.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In flesh at first the guilt committed was,<br/>
+Therefore in flesh it must be satisfyde;<br/>
+Nor spirit, nor angel, though they man surpas,<br/>
+Could make amends to God for mans misguyde,<br/>
+But onely man himselfe, who selfe did slyde:                    145<br/>
+So, taking flesh of sacred virgins wombe,<br/>
+For mans deare sake he did a man become.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And that most blessed bodie, which was borne<br/>
+Without all blemish or reprochfull blame,<br/>
+He freely gave to be both rent and torne                    150<br/>
+Of cruell hands, who with despightfull shame<br/>
+Revyling him, (that them most vile became,)<br/>
+At length him nayled on a gallow-tree,<br/>
+And slew the iust by most uniust decree.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+O huge and most unspeakeable impression                    155<br/>
+Of Loves deep wound, that pierst the piteous hart<br/>
+Of that deare Lord with so entyre affection,<br/>
+And, sharply launcing every inner part,<br/>
+Dolours of death into his soule did dart,<br/>
+Doing him die that never it deserved,                    160<br/>
+To free his foes, that from his heast* had swerved!<br/>
+  [* <i>Heast</i>, command.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+What hart can feel least touch of so sore launch,<br/>
+Or thought can think the depth of so deare wound?<br/>
+Whose bleeding sourse their streames yet never staunch,<br/>
+But stil do flow, and freshly still redownd*,                    165<br/>
+To heale the sores of sinfull soules unsound,<br/>
+And clense the guilt of that infected cryme,<br/>
+Which was enrooted in all fleshly slyme.<br/>
+  [* <i>Redownd</i>, overflow.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+O blessed Well of Love! O Floure of Grace!<br/>
+O glorious Morning-Starre! O Lampe of Light!                    170<br/>
+Most lively image of thy Fathers face,<br/>
+Eternal King of Glorie, Lord of Might,<br/>
+Meeke Lambe of God, before all worlds behight*,<br/>
+How can we thee requite for all this good?<br/>
+Or what can prize** that thy most precious blood?                    175<br/>
+  [* <i>Behight</i>, named.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Prize</i>, price.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet nought thou ask’st in lieu of all this love<br/>
+But love of us, for guerdon of thy paine:<br/>
+Ay me! what can us lesse than that behove?<br/>
+Had he required life for us againe,<br/>
+Had it beene wrong to ask his owne with gaine?                    180<br/>
+He gave us life, he it restored lost;<br/>
+Then life were least, that us so little cost.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But he our life hath left unto us free,<br/>
+Free that was thrall, and blessed that was band*;<br/>
+Ne ought demaunds but that we loving bee,                    185<br/>
+As he himselfe hath lov’d us afore-hand,<br/>
+And bound therto with an eternall band;<br/>
+Him first to love that us so dearely bought,<br/>
+And next our brethren, to his image wrought.<br/>
+  [* <i>Band</i>, cursed.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Him first to love great right and reason is,                    190<br/>
+Who first to us our life and being gave,<br/>
+And after, when we fared* had amisse,<br/>
+Us wretches from the second death did save;<br/>
+And last, the food of life, which now we have,<br/>
+Even he himselfe, in his dear sacrament,                    195<br/>
+To feede our hungry soules, unto us lent.<br/>
+  [* <i>Fared</i>, gone.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then next, to love our brethren, that were made<br/>
+Of that selfe* mould and that self Maker’s hand<br/>
+That we, and to the same againe shall fade,<br/>
+Where they shall have like heritage of land,                    200<br/>
+However here on higher steps we stand,<br/>
+Which also were with selfe-same price redeemed<br/>
+That we, however of us light esteemed.<br/>
+[* <i>Selfe</i>, same.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And were they not, yet since that loving Lord<br/>
+Commaunded us to love them for his sake,                    205<br/>
+Even for his sake, and for his sacred word<br/>
+Which in his last bequest he to us spake,<br/>
+We should them love, and with their needs partake;<br/>
+Knowing that whatsoere to them we give<br/>
+We give to him by whom we all doe live.                    210
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Such mercy he by his most holy reede*<br/>
+Unto us taught, and, to approve it trew,<br/>
+Ensampled it by his most righteous deede,<br/>
+Shewing us mercie, miserable crew!<br/>
+That we the like should to the wretches shew,                    215<br/>
+And love our brethren; thereby to approve<br/>
+How much himselfe that loved us we love.<br/>
+[* <i>Reede</i>, precept.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then rouze thy selfe, O Earth! out of thy soyle*,<br/>
+In which thou wallowest like to filthy swyne,<br/>
+And doest thy mynd in durty pleasures moyle**,                    220<br/>
+Unmindfull of that dearest Lord of thyne;<br/>
+Lift up to him thy heavie clouded eyne,<br/>
+That thou this soveraine bountie mayst behold,<br/>
+And read, through love, his mercies manifold.<br/>
+  [* <i>Soyle</i>, mire.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Moyle</i>, defile.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Beginne from first, where he encradled was                    225<br/>
+In simple cratch*, wrapt in a wad of hay,<br/>
+Betweene the toylfull oxe and humble asse,<br/>
+And in what rags, and in how base aray,<br/>
+The glory of our heavenly riches lay,<br/>
+When him the silly shepheards came to see,                    230<br/>
+Whom greatest princes sought on lowest knee.<br/>
+  [* <i>Cratch</i>, manger.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+From thence reade on the storie of his life,<br/>
+His humble carriage, his unfaulty wayes,<br/>
+His cancred foes, his fights, his toyle, his strife,<br/>
+His paines, his povertie, his sharpe assayes,                    235<br/>
+Through which he past his miserable dayes,<br/>
+Offending none, and doing good to all,<br/>
+Yet being malist* both by great and small.<br/>
+  [* <i>Malist</i>, regarded with ill-will.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And look at last, how of most wretched wights<br/>
+He taken was, betrayd, and false accused;                    240<br/>
+How with most scornfull taunts and fell despights,<br/>
+He was revyld, disgrast, and foule abused;<br/>
+How scourgd, how crownd, how buffeted, how brused;<br/>
+And, lastly, how twixt robbers crucifyde,<br/>
+With bitter wounds through hands, through feet, and syde!                    245
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then let thy flinty hart, that feeles no paine,<br/>
+Empierced be with pittifull remorse,<br/>
+And let thy bowels bleede in every vaine,<br/>
+At sight of his most sacred heavenly corse,<br/>
+So torne and mangled with malicious forse;                    250<br/>
+And let thy soule, whose sins his sorrows wrought,<br/>
+Melt into teares, and grone in grieved thought.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With sence whereof whilest so thy softened spirit<br/>
+Is inly toucht, and humbled with meeke zeale<br/>
+Through meditation of his endlesse merit,                    255<br/>
+Lift up thy mind to th’author of thy weale,<br/>
+And to his soveraine mercie doe appeale;<br/>
+Learne him to love that loved thee so deare,<br/>
+And in thy brest his blessed image beare.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With all thy hart, with all thy soule and mind,                    260<br/>
+Thou must him love, and his beheasts embrace;<br/>
+All other loves, with which the world doth blind<br/>
+Weake fancies, and stirre up affections base,<br/>
+Thou must renounce and utterly displace,<br/>
+And give thy self unto him full and free,                    265<br/>
+That full and freely gave himselfe to thee.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then shalt thou feele thy spirit so possest,<br/>
+And ravisht with devouring great desire<br/>
+Of his dear selfe, that shall thy feeble brest<br/>
+Inflame with love, and set thee all on fire                    270<br/>
+With burning zeale, through every part entire*,<br/>
+That in no earthly thing thou shalt delight,<br/>
+But in his sweet and amiable sight.<br/>
+  [* <i>Entire</i>, inward.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thenceforth all worlds desire will in thee dye,<br/>
+And all earthes glorie, on which men do gaze,                    275<br/>
+Seeme durt and drosse in thy pure-sighted eye,<br/>
+Compar’d to that celestiall beauties blaze,<br/>
+Whose glorious beames all fleshly sense doth daze<br/>
+With admiration of their passing light,<br/>
+Blinding the eyes, and lumining the spright.                    280
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then shall thy ravisht soul inspired bee<br/>
+With heavenly thoughts, farre above humane skil,<br/>
+And thy bright radiant eyes shall plainely see<br/>
+Th’idee of his pure glorie present still<br/>
+Before thy face, that all thy spirits shall fill                    285<br/>
+With sweete enragement of celestiall love,<br/>
+Kindled through sight of those faire things above.
+</p>
+
+<h3>AN HYMNE</h3>
+
+<h5>OF HEAVENLY BEAUTIE.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Rapt with the rage of mine own ravisht thought,<br/>
+Through contemplation of those goodly sights<br/>
+And glorious images in heaven wrought,<br/>
+Whose wondrous beauty, breathing sweet delights,<br/>
+Do kindle love in high conceipted sprights,                    5<br/>
+I faine* to tell the things that I behold,<br/>
+But feele my wits to faile and tongue to fold.<br/>
+  [* <i>Faine</i>, long.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Vouchsafe then, O Thou most Almightie Spright!<br/>
+From whom all guifts of wit and knowledge flow,<br/>
+To shed into my breast some sparkling light                    10<br/>
+Of thine eternall truth, that I may show<br/>
+Some little beames to mortall eyes below<br/>
+Of that immortall Beautie there with Thee,<br/>
+Which in my weake distraughted mynd I see;
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+That with the glorie of so goodly sight                    15<br/>
+The hearts of men, which fondly here admyre<br/>
+Faire seeming shewes, and feed on vaine delight,<br/>
+Transported with celestiall desyre<br/>
+Of those faire formes, may lift themselves up hyer,<br/>
+And learne to love, with zealous humble dewty,                    20<br/>
+Th’Eternall Fountaine of that heavenly Beauty.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Beginning then below, with th’easie vew<br/>
+Of this base world, subiect to fleshly eye,<br/>
+From thence to mount aloft, by order dew,<br/>
+To contemplation of th’immortall sky;                    25<br/>
+Of the soare faulcon* so I learne to flye.<br/>
+That flags a while her fluttering wings beneath,<br/>
+Till she her selfe for stronger flight can breath.<br/>
+  [* <i>Soare faulcon</i>, a young falcon; a hawk that has not shed its first<br/>
+  feathers, which are <i>sorrel</i>.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Then looke, who list thy gazefull eyes to feed<br/>
+With sight of that is faire, looke on the frame                    30<br/>
+Of this wyde universe, and therein reed<br/>
+The endlesse kinds of creatures which by name<br/>
+Thou canst not count, much less their natures aime;<br/>
+All which are made with wondrous wise respect,<br/>
+And all with admirable beautie deckt.                    35
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+First, th’Earth, on adamantine pillers founded<br/>
+Amid the Sea, engirt with brasen bands;<br/>
+Then th’Aire, still flitting, but yet firmely bounded<br/>
+On everie side with pyles of flaming brands,<br/>
+Never consum’d, nor quencht with mortall hands;                    40<br/>
+And last, that mightie shining cristall wall,<br/>
+Wherewith he hath encompassed this all.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+By view whereof it plainly may appeare,<br/>
+That still as every thing doth upward tend<br/>
+And further is from earth, so still more cleare                    45<br/>
+And faire it growes, till to his perfect end<br/>
+Of purest Beautie it at last ascend;<br/>
+Ayre more then water, fire much more then ayre,<br/>
+And heaven then fire, appeares more pure and fayre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Looke thou no further, but affixe thine eye                    50<br/>
+On that bright shynie round still moving masse,<br/>
+The house of blessed God, which men call Skye,<br/>
+All sowd with glistring stars more thicke then grasse,<br/>
+Whereof each other doth in brightnesse passe,<br/>
+But those two most, which, ruling night and day,                    55<br/>
+As king and queene the heavens empire sway;
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And tell me then, what hast thou ever seene<br/>
+That to their beautie may compared bee?<br/>
+Or can the sight that is most sharpe and keene<br/>
+Endure their captains flaming head to see?                    60<br/>
+How much lesse those, much higher in degree,<br/>
+And so much fairer, and much more then these,<br/>
+As these are fairer then the land and seas?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For farre above these heavens which here we see,<br/>
+Be others farre exceeding these in light,                    65<br/>
+Not bounded, not corrupt, as these same bee,<br/>
+But infinite in largenesse and in hight,<br/>
+Unmoving, uncorrupt, and spotlesse bright,<br/>
+That need no sunne t’illuminate their spheres,<br/>
+But their owne native light farre passing theirs.                    70
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And as these heavens still by degrees arize,<br/>
+Until they come to their first movers* bound,<br/>
+That in his mightie compasse doth comprize<br/>
+And carrie all the rest with him around,<br/>
+So those likewise doe by degrees redound**,                    75<br/>
+And rise more faire, till they at last arive<br/>
+To the most faire, whereto they all do strive.<br/>
+  [* I.e. the <i>primum mobile</i>.]<br/>
+  [** I.e. exceed the one the other.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Faire is the heaven where happy soules have place,<br/>
+In full enioyment of felicitie,<br/>
+Whence they doe still behold the glorious face                    80<br/>
+Of the Divine Eternall Maiestie;<br/>
+More faire is that where those Idees on hie<br/>
+Enraunged be, which Plato so admyred,<br/>
+And pure Intelligences from God inspyred.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet fairer is that heaven in which do raine                    85<br/>
+The soveraigne Powres and mightie Potentates,<br/>
+Which in their high protections doe containe<br/>
+All mortall princes and imperiall states;<br/>
+And fayrer yet whereas the royall Seates<br/>
+And heavenly Dominations are set,                    90<br/>
+From whom all earthly governance is fet*.<br/>
+  [* <i>Fet</i>, fetched, derived.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yet farre more faire be those bright Cherubins,<br/>
+Which all with golden wings are overdight,<br/>
+And those eternall burning Seraphins,<br/>
+Which from their faces dart out fierie light;                    95<br/>
+Yet fairer then they both, and much more bright,<br/>
+Be th’Angels and Archangels, which attend<br/>
+On Gods owne person, without rest or end.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+These thus in faire each other farre excelling,<br/>
+As to the Highest they approach more near,                    100<br/>
+Yet is that Highest farre beyond all telling,<br/>
+Fairer then all the rest which there appeare,<br/>
+Though all their beauties ioyn’d together were;<br/>
+How then can mortall tongue hope to expresse<br/>
+The image of such endlesse perfectnesse?                    105
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Cease then, my tongue! and lend unto my mynd<br/>
+Leave to bethinke how great that Beautie is,<br/>
+Whose utmost* parts so beautifull I fynd;<br/>
+How much more those essentiall parts of His,<br/>
+His truth, his love, his wisedome, and his blis,                    110<br/>
+His grace, his doome**, his mercy, and his might,<br/>
+By which he lends us of himselfe a sight!<br/>
+[* <i>Utmost</i>, outmost.]<br/>
+[** <i>Doome</i>, judgment.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Those unto all he daily doth display,<br/>
+And shew himselfe in th’image of his grace,<br/>
+As in a looking-glasse, through which he may                    115<br/>
+Be seene of all his creatures vile and base,<br/>
+That are unable else to see his face;<br/>
+His glorious face! which glistereth else so bright,<br/>
+That th’angels selves can not endure his sight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But we, fraile wights! whose sight cannot sustaine                    120<br/>
+The suns bright beames when he on us doth shyne,<br/>
+But* that their points rebutted** backe againe<br/>
+Are duld, how can we see with feeble eyne<br/>
+The glorie of that Maiestie Divine,<br/>
+In sight of whom both sun and moone are darke,                    125<br/>
+Compared to his least resplendent sparke?<br/>
+[* <i>But</i>, unless.]<br/>
+[** <i>Rebutted</i>, reflected.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The meanes, therefore, which unto us is lent<br/>
+Him to behold, is on his workes to looke.<br/>
+Which he hath made in beauty excellent,<br/>
+And in the same, as in a brasen booke,                    130<br/>
+To read enregistred in every nooke<br/>
+His goodnesse, which his beautie doth declare;<br/>
+For all thats good is beautifull and faire.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Thence gathering plumes of perfect speculation<br/>
+To impe* the wings of thy high flying mynd,                    135<br/>
+Mount up aloft through heavenly contemplation<br/>
+From this darke world, whose damps the soule do blynd,<br/>
+And, like the native brood of eagles kynd,<br/>
+On that bright Sunne of Glorie fixe thine eyes,<br/>
+Clear’d from grosse mists of fraile infirmities.                    140<br/>
+  [* <i>Impe</i>, mend, strengthen.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Humbled with feare and awfull reverence,<br/>
+Before the footestoole of his Maiestie<br/>
+Throw thy selfe downe, with trembling innocence,<br/>
+Ne dare looke up with córruptible eye<br/>
+On the dred face of that great Deity,                    145<br/>
+For feare lest, if he chaunce to look on thee,<br/>
+Thou turne to nought, and quite confounded be.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But lowly fall before his mercie seate,<br/>
+Close covered with the Lambes integrity<br/>
+From the iust wrath of His avengefull threate                    150<br/>
+That sits upon the righteous throne on hy;<br/>
+His throne is built upon Eternity,<br/>
+More firme and durable then steele or brasse,<br/>
+Or the hard diamond, which them both doth passe.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+His scepter is the rod of Righteousnesse,                    155<br/>
+With which he bruseth all his foes to dust,<br/>
+And the great Dragon strongly doth represse<br/>
+Under the rigour of his iudgment iust;<br/>
+His seate is Truth, to which the faithfull trust,<br/>
+From whence proceed her beames so pure and bright,                    160<br/>
+That all about him sheddeth glorious light:
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Light farre exceeding that bright blazing sparke<br/>
+Which darted is from Titans flaming head,<br/>
+That with his beames enlumineth the darke<br/>
+And dampish air, wherby al things are red*;                    165<br/>
+Whose nature yet so much is marvelled<br/>
+Of mortall wits, that it doth much amaze<br/>
+The greatest wisards** which thereon do gaze.<br/>
+  [* <i>Red</i>, perceived.]<br/>
+  [** <i>Wisards</i>, wise men, <i>savants</i>.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But that immortall light which there doth shine<br/>
+Is many thousand times more bright, more cleare,                    170<br/>
+More excellent, more glorious, more divine;<br/>
+Through which to God all mortall actions here,<br/>
+And even the thoughts of men, do plaine appeare;<br/>
+For from th’Eternall Truth it doth proceed,<br/>
+Through heavenly vertue which her beames doe breed.                    175
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+With the great glorie of that wondrous light<br/>
+His throne is all encompassed around,<br/>
+And hid in his owne brightnesse from the sight<br/>
+Of all that looke thereon with eyes unsound;<br/>
+And underneath his feet are to be found                    180<br/>
+Thunder, and lightning, and tempestuous fyre,<br/>
+The instruments of his avenging yre.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+There in his bosome Sapience doth sit,<br/>
+The soveraine dearling of the Deity,<br/>
+Clad like a queene in royall robes, most fit                    185<br/>
+For so great powre and peerelesse maiesty,<br/>
+And all with gemmes and iewels gorgeously<br/>
+Adornd, that brighter then the starres appeare,<br/>
+And make her native brightnes seem more cleare.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And on her head a crown of purest gold                    190<br/>
+Is set, in signe of highest soverainty;<br/>
+And in her hand a scepter she doth hold,<br/>
+With which she rules the house of God on hy,<br/>
+And menageth the ever-moving sky,<br/>
+And in the same these lower creatures all                    195<br/>
+Subiected to her powre imperiall.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Both heaven and earth obey unto her will,<br/>
+And all the creatures which they both containe;<br/>
+For of her fulnesse, which the world doth fill,<br/>
+They all partake, and do in state remaine                    200<br/>
+As their great Maker did at first ordaine,<br/>
+Through observation of her high beheast,<br/>
+By which they first were made, and still increast.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The fairnesse of her face no tongue can tell;<br/>
+For she the daughters of all wemens race,                    205<br/>
+And angels eke, in beautie doth excell,<br/>
+Sparkled on her from Gods owne glorious face,<br/>
+And more increast by her owne goodly grace,<br/>
+That it doth farre exceed all humane thought,<br/>
+Ne can on earth compared be to ought.                    210
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ne could that painter (had he lived yet)<br/>
+Which pictured Venus with so curious quill<br/>
+That all posteritie admyred it,<br/>
+Have purtray’d this, for all his maistring* skill;<br/>
+Ne she her selfe, had she remained still,                    215<br/>
+And were as faire as fabling wits do fayne,<br/>
+Could once come neare this Beauty soverayne.<br/>
+  [* <i>Maistring</i>, superior.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But had those wits, the wonders of their dayes,<br/>
+Or that sweete Teian poet*, which did spend<br/>
+His plenteous vaine in setting forth her praise,                    220<br/>
+Seen but a glims of this which I pretend**,<br/>
+How wondrously would he her face commend,<br/>
+Above that idole of his fayning thought,<br/>
+That all the world should with his rimes be fraught!<br/>
+[* I.e. Anacreon.]<br/>
+[** <i>Pretend</i>, set forth, (or, simply) intend.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+How then dare I, the novice of his art,                    225<br/>
+Presume to picture so divine a wight,<br/>
+Or hope t’expresse her least perfections part,<br/>
+Whose beautie filles the heavens with her light,<br/>
+And darkes the earth with shadow of her sight?<br/>
+Ah, gentle Muse! thou art too weake and faint                    230<br/>
+The pourtraict of so heavenly hew to paint.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Let angels, which her goodly face behold,<br/>
+And see at will, her soveraigne praises sing,<br/>
+And those most sacred mysteries unfold<br/>
+Of that faire love of mightie Heavens King;                    235<br/>
+Enough is me t’admyre so heavenly thing,<br/>
+And being thus with her huge love possest,<br/>
+In th’only wonder of her selfe to rest.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But whoso may, thrise happie man him hold<br/>
+Of all on earth, whom God so much doth grace,                    240<br/>
+And lets his owne Beloved to behold;<br/>
+For in the view of her celestiall face<br/>
+All ioy, all blisse, all happinesse, have place;<br/>
+Ne ought on earth can want unto the wight<br/>
+Who of her selfe can win the wishfull sight.                    245
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+For she out of her secret threasury<br/>
+Plentie of riches forth on him will powre,<br/>
+Even heavenly riches, which there hidden ly<br/>
+Within the closet of her chastest bowre,<br/>
+Th’eternall portion of her precious dowre,                    250<br/>
+Which Mighty God hath given to her free,<br/>
+And to all those which thereof worthy bee.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+None thereof worthy be, but those whom shee<br/>
+Vouchsafeth to her presence to receave,<br/>
+And letteth them her lovely face to see,                    255<br/>
+Wherof such wondrous pleasures they conceave,<br/>
+And sweete contentment, that it doth bereave<br/>
+Their soul of sense, through infinite delight,<br/>
+And them transport from flesh into the spright.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In which they see such admirable things,                    260<br/>
+As carries them into an extasy;<br/>
+And heare such heavenly notes and carolings<br/>
+Of Gods high praise, that filles the brasen sky;<br/>
+And feele such ioy and pleasure inwardly,<br/>
+That maketh them all worldly cares forget,                    265<br/>
+And onely thinke on that before them set.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ne from thenceforth doth any fleshly sense,<br/>
+Or idle thought of earthly things, remaine;<br/>
+But all that earst seemd sweet seemes now offence,<br/>
+And all that pleased earst now seemes to paine:                    270<br/>
+Their ioy, their comfort, their desire, their game,<br/>
+Is fixed all on that which now they see;<br/>
+All other sights but fayned shadowes bee.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And that faire lampe which useth to enflame<br/>
+The hearts of men with selfe-consuming fyre,                    275<br/>
+Thenceforth seemes fowle, and full of sinfull blame<br/>
+And all that pompe to which proud minds aspyre<br/>
+By name of Honor, and so much desyre,<br/>
+Seemes to them basenesse, and all riches drosse,<br/>
+And all mirth sadnesse, and all lucre losse.                    280
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+So full their eyes are of that glorious sight,<br/>
+And senses fraught with such satietie.<br/>
+That in nought else on earth they can delight,<br/>
+But in th’aspect of that felicitie<br/>
+Which they have written in theyr inward ey;                    285<br/>
+On which they feed, and in theyr fastened mynd<br/>
+All happie ioy and full contentment fynd.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ah, then, my hungry soule! which long hast fed<br/>
+On idle fancies of thy foolish thought,<br/>
+And, with false Beauties flattring bait misled,                    290<br/>
+Hast after vaine deceiptfull shadowes sought,<br/>
+Which all are fled, and now have left thee nought<br/>
+But late repentance, through thy follies prief,<br/>
+Ah! ceasse to gaze on matter of thy grief:
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And looke at last up to that Soveraine Light,                    295<br/>
+From whose pure beams al perfect Beauty springs,<br/>
+That kindleth love in every godly spright,<br/>
+Even the love of God; which loathing brings<br/>
+Of this vile world and these gay-seeming things;<br/>
+With whose sweet pleasures being so possest,                    300<br/>
+Thy straying thoughts henceforth for ever rest.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap15"></a>EPIGRAMS AND SONNETS.</h2>
+
+<h3>EPIGRAMS.</h3>
+
+<h4>I.*</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* In the folio of 1611, these four short pieces are appended to the Sonnets.
+The second and third are translated from Marot’s Epigrams, Liv. III. No. 5,
+<i>De Diane</i>, and No. 24, <i>De Cupido et de sa Dame</i>. C.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+In youth, before I waxed old,<br/>
+The blynd boy, Venus baby,<br/>
+For want of cunning, made me bold<br/>
+In bitter hyve to grope for honny:<br/>
+  But when he saw me stung and cry,<br/>
+  He tooke his wings and away did fly.
+</p>
+
+<h4>II.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+As Diane hunted on a day,<br/>
+She chaunst to come where Cupid lay,<br/>
+  His quiver by his head:<br/>
+One of his shafts she stole away,<br/>
+And one of hers did close convay,<br/>
+  Into the others stead:<br/>
+With that Love wounded my Loves hart,<br/>
+But Diane, beasts with Cupids dart.
+</p>
+
+<h4>III.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I saw, in secret to my dame<br/>
+How little Cupid humbly came,<br/>
+  And said to her, “All hayle, my mother!”<br/>
+But when he saw me laugh, for shame<br/>
+His face with bashfull blood did flame,<br/>
+  Not knowing Venus from the other.<br/>
+“Then, never blush, Cupid,” quoth I,<br/>
+“For many have err’d in this beauty.”
+</p>
+
+<h4>IV.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Upon a day, as Love lay sweetly slumbring<br/>
+  All in his mothers lap,<br/>
+A gentle Bee, with his loud trumpet murm’ring,<br/>
+  About him flew by hap.<br/>
+Whereof when he was wakened with the noyse,<br/>
+  And saw the beast so small,<br/>
+“Whats this,” quoth he, “that gives so great a voyce,<br/>
+  That wakens men withall?”<br/>
+    In angry wize he flies about,<br/>
+    And threatens all with corage stout.                    10
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+To whom his mother, closely* smiling, sayd,<br/>
+  ’Twixt earnest and ’twixt game:<br/>
+“See! thou thy selfe likewise art lyttle made,<br/>
+  If thou regard the same.<br/>
+And yet thou suffrest neyther gods in sky,                    15<br/>
+  Nor men in earth, to rest:<br/>
+But when thou art disposed cruelly,<br/>
+  Theyr sleepe thou doost molest.<br/>
+    Then eyther change thy cruelty,<br/>
+    Or give lyke leave unto the fly.”                    20<br/>
+[* <i>Closely</i>, secretly.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Nathelesse, the cruell boy, not so content,<br/>
+  Would needs the fly pursue,<br/>
+And in his hand, with heedlesse hardiment,<br/>
+  Him caught for to subdue.<br/>
+But when on it he hasty hand did lay,                    25<br/>
+  The Bee him stung therefore.<br/>
+“Now out, alas,” he cryde, “and welaway!<br/>
+  I wounded am full sore.<br/>
+    The fly, that I so much did scorne,<br/>
+    Hath hurt me with his little horne.”                    30
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Unto his mother straight he weeping came,<br/>
+  And of his griefe complayned;<br/>
+Who could not chuse but laugh at his fond game,<br/>
+  Though sad to see him pained.<br/>
+“Think now,” quoth she, “my son, how great the smart                    35<br/>
+  Of those whom thou dost wound:<br/>
+Full many thou hast pricked to the hart,<br/>
+  That pitty never found.<br/>
+    Therefore, henceforth some pitty take,<br/>
+    When thou doest spoyle of lovers make.”                    40
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+She tooke him streight full pitiously lamenting,<br/>
+She wrapt him softly, all the while repenting<br/>
+  That he the fly did mock.<br/>
+She drest his wound, and it embaulmed well                    45<br/>
+  With salve of soveraigne might;<br/>
+And then she bath’d him in a dainty well,<br/>
+  The well of deare delight.<br/>
+    Who would not oft be stung as this,<br/>
+    To be so bath’d in Venus blis?                    50
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The wanton boy was shortly wel recured<br/>
+  Of that his malady;<br/>
+But he soone after fresh again enured*<br/>
+  His former cruelty.<br/>
+And since that time he wounded hath my selfe                    55<br/>
+  With his sharpe dart of love,<br/>
+And now forgets the cruell carelesse elfe<br/>
+  His mothers heast** to prove.<br/>
+    So now I languish, till he please<br/>
+    My pining anguish to appease.                    60<br/>
+[* <i>Enured</i>, practised.]<br/>
+[** <i>Heast</i>, command.]
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap16"></a>SONNETS</h2>
+
+<h5>WRITTEN BY SPENSER,</h5>
+
+<h5>COLLECTED FKOM THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS IN
+WHICH THEY APPEARED.</h5>
+
+<h4>I*.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>To the right worshipfull, my singular good frend,
+M. Gabriell Harvey, Doctor of the Lawes.</i>
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Harvey, the happy above happiest men<br/>
+I read**; that, sitting like a looker-on<br/>
+Of this worldes stage, doest note with critique pen<br/>
+The sharpe dislikes of each condition:<br/>
+And, as one carelesse of suspition,<br/>
+Ne fawnest for the favour of the great,<br/>
+Ne fearest foolish reprehension<br/>
+Of faulty men, which daunger to thee threat:<br/>
+But freely doest of what thee list entreat,@<br/>
+Like a great lord of peerelesse liberty,<br/>
+Lifting the good up to high Honours seat,<br/>
+And the evill damning evermore to dy:<br/>
+For life and death is in thy doomeful writing;<br/>
+So thy renowme lives ever by endighting.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Dublin, this xviij. of July, 1586.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Your devoted friend, during life,
+</p>
+
+<h5>EDMUND SPENCER.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* From “Foure Letters and certaine Sonnets especially touching Robert<br/>
+Greene, and other parties by him abused,” &amp;c. London, 1592. TODD.]<br/>
+[** <i>Read</i>, consider.]<br/>
+[@ <i>Entreat</i>, treat.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>II*.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whoso wil seeke, by right deserts, t’attaine<br/>
+Unto the type of true nobility,<br/>
+And not by painted shewes, and titles vaine,<br/>
+Derived farre from famous auncestrie,<br/>
+Behold them both in their right visnomy**<br/>
+Here truly pourtray’d as they ought to be,<br/>
+And striving both for termes of dignitie,<br/>
+To be advanced highest in degree.<br/>
+And when thou doost with equall insight see<br/>
+The ods twist both, of both then deem aright,<br/>
+And chuse the better of them both to thee;<br/>
+But thanks to him that it deserves behight@:<br/>
+  To Nenna first, that first this worke created,<br/>
+  And next to Iones, that truely it translated.
+</p>
+
+<h4>ED. SPENSER.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* Prefixed to “Nennio, or A Treatise of Nobility, &amp;c. Written in<br/>
+Italian by that famous Doctor and worthy Knight, Sir John Baptista<br/>
+Nenna of Bari. Done into English by William Iones, Gent.” 1595. TODD.]<br/>
+[** <i>Visnomy</i>, features.]<br/>
+[@ <i>Behight</i>, accord.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>III*.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>Upon the Historie of George Castriot, alias Scanderbeg, King of the
+Epirots, translated into English.</i>
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Wherefore doth vaine Antiquitie so vaunt<br/>
+Her ancient monuments of mightie peeres,<br/>
+And old heröes, which their world did daunt<br/>
+With their great deedes and fild their childrens eares?<br/>
+Who, rapt with wonder of their famous praise,<br/>
+Admire their statues, their colossoes great,<br/>
+Their rich triumphall arcks which they did raise,<br/>
+Their huge pyrámids, which do heaven threat.<br/>
+Lo! one, whom later age hath brought to light,<br/>
+Matchable to the greatest of those great;<br/>
+Great both by name, and great in power and might,<br/>
+And meriting a meere** triumphant seate.<br/>
+  The scourge of Turkes, and plague of infidels,<br/>
+  Thy acts, O Scanderbeg, this volume tels.
+</p>
+
+<h4>ED. SPENSER.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* Prefixed to the “Historie of George Castriot, alias Scanderbeg, King
+of Albanie: Containing his famous actes, &amp;c. Newly translated out of
+French into English by Z.I. Gentleman.” 1596. TODD.]
+[** <i>Meere</i>, absolute, decided.]
+</p>
+
+<h4>IV*.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The antique Babel, empresse of the East,<br/>
+Upreard her buildinges to the threatned skie:<br/>
+And second Babell, tyrant of the West,<br/>
+Her ayry towers upraised much more high.<br/>
+But with the weight of their own surquedry**<br/>
+They both are fallen, that all the earth did feare,<br/>
+And buried now in their own ashes ly,<br/>
+Yet shewing, by their heapes, how great they were.<br/>
+But in their place doth now a third appeare,<br/>
+Fayre Venice, flower of the last worlds delight;<br/>
+And next to them in beauty draweth neare,<br/>
+But farre exceedes in policie of right.<br/>
+  Yet not so fayre her buildinges to behold<br/>
+  As Lewkenors stile that hath her beautie told.
+</p>
+
+<h4>EDM. SPENCER.</h4>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* Prefixed to “The Commonwealth and Government of Venice,
+Written by the Cardinall Gaspar Contareno, and translated out of Italian
+into English by Lewes Lewkenor, Esquire.” London, 1599. TODD.]
+[** <i>Surquedry</i>, presumption.]
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap17"></a>APPENDIX.</h2>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap18"></a>APPENDIX I.</h2>
+
+<h5>VARIATIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITIONS.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+The Ruines of Time v. 353, covetize, Q. covertize.<br/>
+The Ruines of Time v. 541, ocean, Q. Occaean.<br/>
+The Ruines of Time v. 551, which (ed. 1611), Q. with.<br/>
+The Ruines of Time v. 574, worlds (ed. 1611), Q. words.<br/>
+The Ruines of Time v. 675, worldës, Q. worlds.<br/>
+The Teares of the Muses v. 600, living (ed. 1611), Q. loving.<br/>
+Virgils Gnat v. 149, Ascraean, Q. Astraean.<br/>
+Virgils Gnat v. 340, seest thou not (ed. 1611), Q. seest thou.<br/>
+Virgils Gnat v. 387, throat (ed. 1611), Q. threat.<br/>
+Virgils Gnat v. 575, billowes, Q. billowe.<br/>
+Prosopopoia v. 53, gossip, Q. goship.<br/>
+Prosopopoia v. 453, diriges, Q. dirges.<br/>
+Prosopopoia v. 648, at all, Q. all.<br/>
+Prosopopoia v. 997, whether, Q. whither.<br/>
+Prosopopoia v. 1012, stopt, Q. stept.<br/>
+Prosopopoia v. 1019, whither, Q. whether.<br/>
+Ruines of Rome xviii. 5, ornaments, Q. ornament.<br/>
+Muiopotmos v. 250, dispacing, Q. displacing.<br/>
+Muiopotmos v. 431, yongthly, Q. yougthly.<br/>
+The Visions of Bellay ii. 8, one, Q. on.<br/>
+The Visions of Bellay ix. 1, astonied, Q. astoined.<br/>
+The Visions of Petrarche vii. 1, behold, Q. beheld.<br/>
+Amoretti lxxxii. 2, placed, Orig ed*. plac’d. [* According to Todd.]<br/>
+Epithalmion v. 67, dere, orig. ed. dore.<br/>
+Epithalmion v. 190, mazeful (ed. 1611), orig. ed. amazeful.<br/>
+Epithalmion v. 290, sad dread (ed. 1611), orig. ed. dread.<br/>
+Epithalmion v. 341, Pouke, orig. ed. ponke.<br/>
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 165, they will (ed. 1611), orig. ed. thou<br/>
+wilt.<br/>
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 169, be enfyred (ed. 1611), orig. ed. he<br/>
+enfyred.<br/>
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 302, an (ed. 1611), orig. ed. and.<br/>
+An Hymne in Honour of Beautie v. 147, deform’d, orig. ed. perform’d.<br/>
+An Hymne in Honour of Beautie v. 171, affections (ed. 1611), orig. ed.<br/>
+affection.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap19"></a>APPENDIX II.</h2>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>To the Worshipfull, his very singular good friend, Maister G. H., Fellow of
+Trinitie Hall in Cambridge.</i> *
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+[* Reprinted from “Ancient Critical Essays upon English Poets and Poesy. Edited
+by Joseph Haslewood”. Vol II]
+</p>
+
+<h5>GOOD MAISTER G.:—</h5>
+
+<p>
+I perceiue, by your most curteous and frendly letters, your good will to be no
+lesse in deed than I alwayes esteemed. In recompence wherof, think, I beseech
+you, that I wil spare neither speech, nor wryting, nor aught else, whensoeuer
+and wheresoeuer occasion shal be offred me; yea, I will not stay till it be
+offred, but will seeke it in al that possibly I may. And that you may perceiue
+how much your counsel in al things preuaileth with me, and how altogither I am
+ruled and ouer-ruled thereby, I am now determined to alter mine owne former
+purpose, and to subscribe to your advizement; being, notwithstanding, resolued
+stil to abide your farther resolution. My principal doubts are these. First, I
+was minded for a while to haue intermitted the vttering of my writings; leaste
+by ouer-much cloying their noble eares, I should gather a contempt of myself,
+or else seeme rather for game and commoditie to doe it, for some sweetnesse
+that I haue already tasted. Then also me seemeth the work too base for his
+excellent lordship, being made in honour of a priuate personage vnknowne, which
+of some ylwillers might be vpbraided, not to be so worthie as you knowe she is;
+or the matter not so weightie that it should be offred to so weightie a
+personage, or the like. The selfe former title still liketh me well ynough, and
+your fine addition no lesse. If these and the like doubtes maye be of
+importaunce, in your seeming, to frustrate any parte of your aduice, I
+beeseeche you without the leaste selfe loue of your own purpose, councell me
+for the beste: and the rather doe it faithfullye and carefully, for that, in
+all things, I attribute so muche to your iudgement, that I am euermore content
+to adnihilate mine owne determinations in respecte thereof. And, indeede, for
+your selfe to, it sitteth with you now to call your wits &amp; senses togither
+(which are alwaies at call) when occasion is so fairely offered of estimation
+and preferment, For whiles the yron is hote it is good striking, and minds of
+nobles varie, as their estates. <i>Verum ne quid durius.</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I pray you bethinks you well hereof, good Maister G., and forth with write me
+those two or three special points and caueats for the nonce; <i>De quibus in
+superioribus illis mellitissimus longissimisque litteris tuis.</i> Your desire
+to heare of my late beeing with hir Maiestie muste dye in it selfe. As for the
+twoo worthy gentle men, Master Sidney and Master Dyer, they haue me, I thanke
+them, in some vse of familiarity; of whom and to whome what speache passeth for
+youre credite and estimation I leaue your selfe to conceiue, hauing alwayes so
+well conceiued of my vnfained affection and zeale towardes you. And nowe they
+haue proclaimed in their [Greek: hareiophaga] a generall surceasing and silence
+of balde rymers, and also of the verie beste to; in steade whereof they haue,
+by authoritie of their whole senate, prescribed certaine lawes and rules of
+quantities of English sillables for English verse; hauing had thereof already
+greate practise, and drawen mee to their faction. Newe bookes I heare of none,
+but only of one* [* Stephen Gosson.], that writing a certaine booke called
+<i>The Schoole of Abuse</i>, and dedicating it to Maister Sidney, was for hys
+labor scorned; if, at leaste, it be in the goodnesse of that nature to scorne.
+Such follie is it not to regard aforehande the inclination and qualitie of him
+to whome wee dedicate oure bookes. Suche mighte I happily incurre, entituling
+<i>My Slomber</i>, and the other pamphlets, vnto his honor. I meant them rather
+to Maister Dyer. But I am of late more in loue wyth my Englishe versifying than
+with ryming: whyche I should haue done long since, if I would then haue
+followed your councell. <i>Sed te solum iam tum suspicabar cum Aschamo sapere;
+nunc aulam video egregios alere poetas Anglicos</i>. Maister E.K. hartily
+desireth to be commended vnto your worshippe: of whome what accompte he maketh
+youre selfe shall hereafter perceiue by hys paynefull and dutifull verses of
+your selfe.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Thus muche was written at Westminster yesternight; but comming this morning,
+beeyng the sixteenth of October [1579], to Mystresse Kerkes, to haue it
+deliuered to the carrier, I receyued youre letter, sente me the laste weeke;
+whereby I perceiue you otherwhiles continue your old exercise of versifying in
+English,—whych glorie I had now thought whoulde haue bene onely ours heere at
+London and the court.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Truste me, your verses I like passingly well, and enuye your hidden paines in
+this kinde, or rather maligne and grudge at your selfe, that woulde not once
+imparte so muche to me. But once or twice you make a breache in Maister Drants
+rules: <i>quod tamen condonabimus tanto poetae, tuaeque ipsius maximae in his
+rebus autoritati.</i> You shall see, when we meete in London, (whiche when it
+shall be, certifye vs,) howe fast I haue followed after you in that course:
+beware, leaste in time I ouertake you. <i>Veruntamen te solum sequar, (vt
+saepenumero sum professus,) nunquam sane assequar dum viuam.</i> And nowe
+requite I you with the like, not with the verye beste, but with the verye
+shortest, namely, with a few <i>Iambickes</i>. I dare warrant, they be
+precisely perfect for the feete, (as you can easily iudge,) and varie not one
+inch from the rule. I will imparte yours to Maister Sidney and Maister Dyer, at
+my nexte going to the courte. I praye you keepe mine close to your selfe, or
+your verie entire friendes, Maister Preston, Maister Still, and the reste.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+                    <i>Iambicum Trimetrum</i>
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Vnhappie Verse, the witnesse of my vnhappie state,<br/>
+  Make thy selfe fluttring wings of thy fast flying<br/>
+  Thought, and fly forth vnto my love whersoeuer she be:
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Whether lying reastlesse in heauy bedde, or else<br/>
+  Sitting so cheerelesse at the cheerfull boorde, or else<br/>
+  Playing alone carelesse on hir heauenlie virginals.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+If in bed, tell hir, that my eyes can take no reste;<br/>
+  If at boorde, tell hir, that my mouth can eate no meate;<br/>
+  If at hir virginals, tel hir, I can heare no mirth.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Asked why? say, Waking loue suffereth no sleepe;<br/>
+  Say, that raging loue dothe appall the weake stomacke;<br/>
+  Say, that lamenting loue marreth the musicall.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Tell hir, that hir pleasures were wonte to lull me asleepe;<br/>
+  Tell hir, that hir beautie was wonte to feede mine eyes;<br/>
+  Tell hir, that hir sweete tongue was wonte to make me mirth.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Nowe doe I nightly waste, wanting my kindely reste;<br/>
+  Nowe doe I dayly starue, wanting my liuely foode;<br/>
+  Nowe doe I alwayes dye, wanting thy timely mirth.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+And if I waste, who will bewaile my heauy chaunce?<br/>
+  And if I starue, who will record my cursed end?<br/>
+  And if I dye, who will saye, <i>This was Immerito?</i>
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I thought once agayne here to haue made an ende, with heartie <i>Vale</i>, of
+the best fashion; but loe, an ylfavoured mys chaunce. My last farewell,
+whereof I made great accompt, and muche maruelled you shoulde make no
+mention thereof, I am nowe tolde, (in the diuel’s name,) was thorough
+one mans negligence quite forgotten, but shoulde nowe vndoubtedly haue
+beene sent, whether I hadde come or no. Seing it can now be no
+otherwise, I pray you take all togither, wyth all their faults: and nowe
+I hope you will vouchsafe mee an answeare of the largest size, or else I
+tell you true, you shall bee verye deepe in my debte; notwythstandyng
+thys other sweete but shorte letter, and fine, but fewe verses. But I
+woulde rather I might yet see youre owne good selfe, and receiue a
+reciprocall farewell from your owne sweete mouth.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>Ad ornatissimum virum, multis iam diu nominibus clarissimum,
+G. H., Immerito sui, mox in Gallias nauigaturi,</i> [Greek: Eutuchein]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Sic malus egregium, sic non inimicus amicum,<br/>
+Sicque nouus veterem iubet ipse poeta poetam<br/>
+Saluere, ac caelo, post secula multa, secundo,<br/>
+Iam reducem, (caelo mage quam nunc ipse sccundo)<br/>
+Vtier. Ecce deus, (modo sit deus ille, renixum<br/>
+Qui vocet in scelus, et iuratos perdat amores)<br/>
+Ecce deus mihi clara dedit modo signa marinus,<br/>
+Et sua veligero lenis parat aequora ligno<br/>
+Mox sulcanda; suas etiam pater AEolus iras<br/>
+Ponit, et ingentes animos Aquilonis.<br/>
+Cuncta vijs sic apta meis: ego solus ineptus.<br/>
+Nam mihi nescio quo mens saucia vulnere, dudum<br/>
+Fluctuat ancipiti pelago, dum navita proram<br/>
+Inualidam validus rapit huc Amor, et rapit illuc<br/>
+Consilijs Ratio melioribus vsa, Decusque<br/>
+Immortale leui diffissa Cupidinis arcu*:<br/>
+     [* This line appears to be corrupt.]<br/>
+Angimur hoc dubio, et portu vexamur in ipso.<br/>
+Magne pharetrati nunc tu contemptor Amoris,<br/>
+(Id tibi Dij nomen precor haud impune remittant)<br/>
+Hos nodos exsolue, et eris mihi magnus Apollo!<br/>
+Spiritus ad summos, scio, te generosus honores<br/>
+Exstimulat, majusque docet spirare poetam.<br/>
+Quam leuis est Amor, et tamen haud leuis est Amor omnis.<br/>
+Ergo nihil laudi reputas aequale perenni,<br/>
+Praeque sacrosancta splendoris imagine tanti,<br/>
+Caetera, quae vecors, vti numina, vulgus adorat,<br/>
+Praedia, amicitias, vrbana peculia, nummos,<br/>
+Quaeque placent oculis, formas, spectacula, amores,<br/>
+Conculcare soles, vt humum, et ludibria sensus:<br/>
+Digna meo certe Haruejo sententia, digna<br/>
+Oratore amplo, et generoso pectore, quam non<br/>
+Stoica formidet veterum sapientia vinclis<br/>
+Sancire aeternis: sapor haud tamen omnibus idem.<br/>
+Dicitur effoeti proles facunda Laertae,<br/>
+Quamlibet ignoti iactata per aequora caeli,<br/>
+Inque procelloso longum exsul gurgite ponto,<br/>
+Prae tamen amplexu lachrymosae conjugis, ortus<br/>
+Caelestes, Diuûmque thoros spreuisse beatos.<br/>
+Tantum amor, et mulier, vel amore potetitior. Ilium<br/>
+Tu tamen illudis; tua magnificentia tanta est:<br/>
+Praeque subumbrata splendoris imagine tanti,<br/>
+Praeque illo meritis famosis nomine parto,<br/>
+Caetera, quae vecors, vti numina, vulgus adorat,<br/>
+Praedia, amicitias, armenta, peculia, nummos,<br/>
+Quaeque placent oculis, formas, spectacula, amores,<br/>
+Quaeque placent ori, quaeque auribus, omnia temnis.<br/>
+Nae tu grande sapis! sapor et sapientia non est:<br/>
+Omnis et in paruis bene qui scit desipuisse,<br/>
+Saepe supercilijs palmam sapientibus aufert.<br/>
+Ludit Aristippum modo tetrica turba sophorum,<br/>
+Mitia purpureo moderantem verba tyranno;<br/>
+Ludit Aristippus dictamina vana sophorum,<br/>
+Quos leuis emensi male torquet Culicis vmbra:<br/>
+Et quisquis placuisse studet heroibus altis,<br/>
+Desipuisse studet; sic gratia crescit ineptis.<br/>
+Denique laurigeris quisquis sua tempora vittis<br/>
+Insignire volet, populoque placere fauenti,<br/>
+Desipere insanus discit, turpemque pudendae<br/>
+Stultitiae laudem quaerit. Pater Ennuis vnus<br/>
+Dictus in innumeris sapiens: laudatur at ipse<br/>
+Carmina vesano fudisse liquentia vino.<br/>
+Nec tu, pace tua, nostri Cato Maxime saecli,<br/>
+Nomen honorati sacrum mereare poetae,<br/>
+Quantumvis illustre canas, et nobile carmen,<br/>
+Ni <i>stultire</i> velis; sic stultorum omnia plena.<br/>
+Tuta sed in medio superest via gurgite; nam qui<br/>
+Nec reliquis nimium vult desipuisse videri,<br/>
+Nec sapuisse nimis, sapientem dixeris vnum:<br/>
+Hinc te merserit vnda, illine combusserit ignis.<br/>
+Nec tu delicias nimis aspernare fluentes,<br/>
+Nec sero dominam venientem in vota, nec aurum,<br/>
+Si sapis, oblatum: (Curijs ea, Fabricijsque<br/>
+Grande sui decus ij, nostri sed dedecus aeui;)<br/>
+Nec sectare nimis: res vtraque crimine plena.<br/>
+Hoc bene qui callet, (si quis tamen hoc bene callet,)<br/>
+Scribe vel invito sapientem hunc Socrate solum.<br/>
+Vis facit vna pios, iustos facit altera, et alt’ra<br/>
+Egregie cordata ac fortia pectora: verum<br/>
+<i>Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit vtile dulci.</i><br/>
+Dij mihi dulce diu dederant, verum vtile nunquam:<br/>
+Vtile nunc etiam, o vtinam quoque dulce dedissent.<br/>
+Dij mihi, (quippe Dijs aequalia maxima paruis,)<br/>
+Ni nimis inuideant mortalibus esse beatis,<br/>
+Dulce simul tribuisse queant, simul vtile: tanta<br/>
+Sed fortuna tua est: pariter quaeque vtile, quaeque<br/>
+Dulce dat ad placitum: sseuo nos sydere nati<br/>
+Quaesitum imus eam per inhospita Caucasa longe,<br/>
+Perque Pyrenaeos montes, Babilonaque turpem.<br/>
+Quod si quaesitum nec ibi invenerimus, ingens<br/>
+AEquor inexhaustis permensi erroribus vltra<br/>
+Fluctibus in medijs socij quaeremus Vlyssis:<br/>
+Passibus inde deam fessis comitabimur aegram,<br/>
+Nobile cui furtum quaerenti defuit orbis.<br/>
+Namque sinu pudet in patrio tenebrisque pudendis,<br/>
+Non nimis ingenio iuuenem infoelice virentes<br/>
+Officijs frustra deperdere vilibus annos,<br/>
+Frugibus et vacuas speratis cernere spicas.<br/>
+Ibimus ergo statim, (quis eutiti fausta precetur?)<br/>
+Et pede clivosas fesso calcabimus Alpes.<br/>
+Quis dabit interea, conditas rore Britanno,<br/>
+Quis tibi litterulas, quis carmen amore petulcum!<br/>
+Musa sub Oebalij desueta cacumine mentis,<br/>
+Flebit inexhausto tarn longa silentia planctu,<br/>
+Lugebitque sacrum lacrymis Helicona tacentem.<br/>
+Harueiusque bonus, (charus licet omnibus idem,)<br/>
+Idque suo merito prope suauior omnibus, vnus<br/>
+Angelus et Gabriel, quamuis comitatus araicis<br/>
+Innumeris, geniûmque choro stipatus amaeno,<br/>
+<i>Immerito</i> tamen vnum absentem saepe requiret;<br/>
+Optabitque, Utinam meus hic <i>Edmundus</i> adesset,<br/>
+Qui noua scripsisset, nee amores conticuisset,<br/>
+Ipse suos; et saepe animo verbisque benignis<br/>
+Fausta precaretur, <i>Deus illum aliqaundo reducat</i>. &amp;c.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+  Plura vellem per Charites, sed non licet per Musas.<br/>
+Vale, Vale plurimum, Mi amabilissime Harueie, meo cordi, meorum<br/>
+  omnium longe charissime.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I was minded also to haue sent you some English verses, or rymes, for a
+farewell; but, by my troth, I haue no spare time in the world to thinke
+on such toyes, that, you knowe, will demaund a freer head than mine is
+presently. I beseeche you by all your curtesies and graces, let me be
+answered ere I goe; which will be (I hope, I feare, I thinke) the next
+weeke, if I can be dispatched of my Lorde. I goe thither, as sent by
+him, and maintained most what of him; and there am to employ my time, my
+body, my minde, to his Honours seruice. Thus, with many superhartie
+commendations and recommendations to your selfe, and all my friendes
+with you, I ende my last farewell, not thinking any more to write vnto
+you before I goe; and withall committing to your faithfull credence the
+eternall memorie of our euerlasting friendship; the inuiolable memorie
+of our ynspotted friendshippe, the sacred memorie of our vowed
+friendship; which I beseech you continue with vsuall writings, as you
+may, and of all things let me hears some newes from you: as gentle M.
+Sidney, I thanke his good worship, hath required of me, and so promised
+to doe againe. <i>Qui monet, vt facias, quod iam facis</i>, you knowe the
+rest. You may alwayes send them most safely to me by Mistresse Kerke,
+and by none other. So once againe, and yet once more, farewell most
+hardly, mine owne good Master H., and loue me, as I loue you, and thinke
+vpon poore Immerito, as he thinketh vppon you.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Leyc’ester House, this 5 [16*] of October, 1579.<br/>
+[*: See Appendix II, para. 3:2.]
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>Per mare, per terras,
+Viuus mortuusque,
+Tuus Immerito</i>.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>To my long approoued and singular good frende,
+Master G. H.</i>
+</p>
+
+<h5>GOOD MASTER H.:—</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I doubt not but you haue some great important matter in hande, which al
+this while restraineth your penne, and wonted readinesse in prouoking me
+vnto that wherein yourselfe nowe faulte. If there bee any such thing in
+hatching, I pray you hartily lette vs knowe, before al the worlds see
+it. But if happly you dwell altogither in Iustinians Courte, and giue
+your selfe to be devoured of secreate studies, as of all likelyhood you
+doe, yet at least imparte some your olde or newe, Latine or Englishe,
+eloquent and gallant poesies to vs, from whose eves, you saye, you keepe
+in a manner nothing hidden. Little newes is here stirred, but that olde
+greate matter still depending. His Honoure neuer better. I thinke the
+earthquake wyth you (which I would gladly learne), as it was here with
+vs; ouerthrowing diuers old buildings and peeces of churches. Sure verye
+straunge to be hearde of in these countries, and yet I heare some saye
+(I knowe not howe truely) that they haue knowne the like before in their
+dayes. <i>Sed quid vobis videtur magnis philosophis?</i> I like your late
+Englishe hexameters so exceedingly well, that I also enure my penne
+sometime in that kinde: whyche I fynd, indeede, as I haue heard you
+often defende in worde, neither so harde nor so harshe, that it will
+easily and fairely yeelde it selfe to oure moother tongue. For the onely
+or chiefest hardnesse whych seemeth is in the accente, whyche sometime
+gapeth, and as it were yawneth ilfauouredly, comming shorte of that it
+should, and sometime exceeding the measure of the number; as in
+<i>carpenter</i>, the middle sillable being vsed shorte in speache, when it
+shall be read long in verse, seemeth like a lame gosling, that draweth
+one legge after hir: and <i>heauen</i>, beeing vsed shorte as one sillable,
+when it is in verse, stretched out with a <i>diastole</i>, is like a lame
+dogge that holdes vp one legge. But it is to be wonne with custome, and
+rough words must be subdued with vse. For why, a God’s name, may not we,
+as else the Greekes, haue the kingdome of oure owne language, and
+measure our accents by the sounde, reseruing the quantitie to the verse?
+Loe, here I let you see my olde vse of toying in rymes, turned into your
+artificiall straightnesse of verse by this <i>tetrasticon</i>. I beseech you
+tell me your fancie, without parcialitie.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+  See yee the blindefolded pretie god, that feathered archer,<br/>
+    Of louers miseries which maketh his bloodie game?<br/>
+  Wote ye why his moother with a veale hath coouered his face?<br/>
+    Trust me, least he my looue happely chaunce to beholde.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Seeme they comparable to those two which I translated you <i>ex tempore</i>
+in bed, the last time we lay togither in Westminster?
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+     That which I eate, did I ioy, and that which I greedily gorged;<br/>
+       As for those many goodly matters leaft I for others.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I would hartily wish you would either send me the rules and precepts of
+arte which you obscrue in quantities, or else followe mine, that M.
+Philip Sidney gave me, being the very same which M. Drant deuised, but
+enlarged with M. Sidneys own iudgement, and augmented with my
+obseruations, that we might both accorde and agree in one; leaste we
+ouerthrowe one an other, and be ouerthrown of the rest. Truste me, you
+will hardly beleeue what greate good liking and estimation Maister Dyer
+had of your <i>Satyricall Verses</i>, and I, since the viewe thereof, hauing
+before of my selfe had speciall liking of Englishe versifying, am euen
+nowe aboute to giue you some token what and howe well therein I am able
+to doe: for, to tell you trueth, I minde shortely, at conuenient
+leysure, to sette forth a booke in this kinde, whyche I entitle,
+<i>Epithalamion Thamesis</i>, whyche booke I dare vndertake wil be very
+profitable for the knowledge, and rare for the inuention and manner of
+handling. For in setting forth the marriage of the Thames, I shewe his
+first beginning, and offspring, and all the countrey that he passeth
+thorough, and also describe all the riuers throughout Englande, whyche
+came to this wedding, and their righte names and right passage, &amp;c.; a
+worke, beleeue me, of much labour, wherein notwithstanding Master
+Holinshed hath muche furthered and aduantaged me, who therein hath
+bestowed singular paines in searching oute their firste heades and
+sourses, and also in tracing and dogging onto all their course, til they
+fall into the sea.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>O Tite, siquid ego,
+Ecquid erit pretij?</i>
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But of that more hereafter. Nowe, my <i>Dreames</i> and <i>Dying Pellicane</i>
+being fully finished (as I partelye signified in my laste letters) and
+presentlye to bee imprinted, I wil in hande forthwith with my <i>Faery
+Queene</i>, whyche I praye you hartily send me with al expedition: and your
+frendly letters, and long expected judgement wythal, whyche let not be
+shorte, but in all pointes suche as you ordinarilye vse and I
+extraordinarily desire. <i>Multum vale. Westminster. Quarto Nonas
+Aprilis, 1580. Sed, amabo te, meum Corculum tibi se ex animo commendat
+plurimum: iamdiu mirata, te nihil ad literas suas responsi dedisse.
+Vide quaeso, ne id tibi capitale sit: mihi certe quidem erit, neque tibi
+hercle impune, vt opinor. Iterum vale, et quam voles soepe.</i>
+Yours alwayes, to commaunde,
+IMMERITO.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>Postcripte.</i>
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+I take best my <i>Dreames</i> shoulde come forth alone, being growen, by
+meanes of the Glosse (running continually in maner of a paraphrase),
+full as great as my <i>Calendar</i> Therin be some things excellently, and
+many things wittily, discoursed of E. K., and the pictures so singularly
+set forth and purtrayed, as if Michael Angelo were there, he could (I
+think) nor amende the beste, nor reprehende the worst. I knowe you
+woulde lyke them passing wel. Of my <i>Stemmata Dudleiana</i>, and especially
+of the sundry apostrophes therein, addressed you knowe to whome, muste
+more aduisement be had, than so lightly to sende them abroade: howbeit,
+trust me, (though I doe never very well,) yet, in my owne fancie, I
+neuer dyd better: <i>Veruntamen te sequor solum; nunquam vero assequar.</i>
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="stanza">
+<i>Extract from Harvey’s Reply.</i>
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+But Master Collin Cloute is not euery body, and albeit his olde
+companions, Master Cuddy &amp; Master Hobbinoll, be as little be holding to
+their Mistresse Poetrie as euer you wist, yet he peraduenture, by the
+meanes of hir speciall fauour, and some personall priuiledge, may
+happely line by Dying Pellicanes, and purchase great landes and
+lordshippes with the money which his Calendar and Dreames haue and will
+affourde him. <i>Extra iocum</i>, I like your Dreames passingly well; and the
+rather, bicause they sauour of that singular extraordinarie veine and
+inuention whiche I euer fancied moste, and in a manner admired onelye in
+Lucian, Petrarche, Aretine, Pasquill, and all the most delicate and fine
+conceited Grecians and Italians, (for the Romanes to speake of are but
+verye ciphars in this kinde,) whose chiefest endeuour and drifte was to
+haue nothing vulgare, but, in some respecte or other, and especially in
+liuely hyperbolicall amplifications, rare, queint, and odde in euery
+pointe, and, as a man woulde saye, a degree or two, at the leaste, aboue
+the reache and compasse of a common scholars capacitie. In whiche
+respecte notwithstanding, as well for the singularitie of the manner as
+the diuinitie of the matter, I hearde once a diuine preferre Saint Iohns
+Reuelation before al the veriest metaphysicall visions and iolliest
+conceited dreames or extasies that euer were deuised by one or other,
+howe admirable or super excellent soeuer they seemed otherwise to the
+worlde. And truely I am so confirmed in this opinion, that when I
+bethinke me of the verie notablest and moste wonderful propheticall or
+poeticall vision that euer I read, or hearde, meseemeth the proportion
+is so vnequall, that there hardly appeareth anye semblaunce of
+comparison: no more in a manner (specially for poets) than doth betweene
+the incomprehensible wisedome of God and the sensible wit of man. But
+what needeth this digression betweene you and me? I dare saye you wyll
+holde your selfe reasonably wel satisfied, if youre Dreames be but as
+well esteemed of in Englande as Petrarches Visions be in Italy; whiche,
+I assure you, is the very worst I wish you. But see how I haue the arte
+memoratiue at commaundement. In good faith, I had once again nigh
+forgotten your Faerie Queene: howbeit, by good chaunce, I haue nowe sent
+hir home at the laste, neither in better nor worse case than I founde
+hir. And must you of necessitie haue my iudgement of hir indeede? To be
+plaine, I am voyde of al iudgement, if your nine Comoedies, whervnto, in
+imitation of Herodotus, you giue the names of the nine Muses, (and in
+one mans fansie not vnworthily), come not neerer Ariostoes comoedies,
+eyther for the finesse of plausible elocution or the rarenesse of
+poetical inuention, than that Eluish Queene doth to his Orlando Furioso;
+which, notwithstanding, you wil needes seeme to emulate, and hope to
+ouergo, as you flatly professed yourself in one of your last letters.
+Besides that, you know, it hath bene the vsual practise of the most
+exquisite and odde wittes in all nations, and specially in Italie,
+rather to shewe and aduaunce themselues that way than any other; as,
+namely, those three notorious dyscoursing heads, Bibiena, Machiauel, and
+Aretine, did, (to let Bembo and Ariosto passe,) with the great
+admiration and wonderment of the whole countrey: being, in deede,
+reputed matchable in all points, both for conceyt of witte and eloquent
+decyphering of matters, either with Aristophanes and Menander in Greek,
+or with Plautus and Terence in Latin, or with any other in any other
+tong. But I wil not stand greatly with you in your owne matters. If so
+be the Faerye Queeue be fairer in your eie than the nine Muses, and
+Hobgoblin runne away with the garland from Apollo, marke what I saye:
+and yet I will not say that I thought, but there an end for this once,
+and fare you well, till God or some good aungell putte you in a better
+minde.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap20"></a>APPENDIX III.</h2>
+
+<h5>INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.</h5>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Abessa, i.<br/>
+Abus, ii.<br/>
+Achilles, v.<br/>
+Acidalian Mount, iii.; iv.<br/>
+Acontius, ii.<br/>
+Acrasiai, ii.<br/>
+Actea, iii.<br/>
+Adicia, iii.<br/>
+Adin, ii.<br/>
+Adonis, Gardens of, ii.; v.<br/>
+Aeacidee, iv.<br/>
+Aedus, iii.<br/>
+Aegerie, ii.<br/>
+Aegina, ii.<br/>
+Aemylia, iii.<br/>
+Aeneas, ii.<br/>
+Aesculapius, i.<br/>
+Aeson, v.<br/>
+Aëtion, iv.<br/>
+Agamemnon, v.<br/>
+Agape, iii.<br/>
+Agave, iii.<br/>
+Agdistes, ii.<br/>
+Agenor, iii.<br/>
+Aggannip of Celtica, ii.<br/>
+Aglaia, iv.<br/>
+Aglaura, iv.<br/>
+Alabaster, iv.<br/>
+Aladine, iv.<br/>
+Alane, iv.<br/>
+Albanact, ii.<br/>
+Albania, ii.<br/>
+Albany, iii.<br/>
+Albion, ii.<br/>
+Alceste, v.<br/>
+Alcluid, ii.<br/>
+Alcmena, ii.; brood of, v.<br/>
+Alcon, iv.; v.<br/>
+Alcyon, iv.; v.<br/>
+Alcides, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Alebius, iii.<br/>
+Alexander, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Alexis, iv.<br/>
+Algrind, iv.<br/>
+Alimeda, iii.<br/>
+Allan, ii.<br/>
+Allectus, ii.<br/>
+Allo, iii.; iv.<br/>
+Alma, ii.<br/>
+Alpheus, iii.<br/>
+Amaryllis, iv.<br/>
+Amavia, i.<br/>
+Amazon (river), i.<br/>
+Ambition, ii.<br/>
+Ambrosia, ii.; v.<br/>
+Ambrosius, King, ii.<br/>
+America, ii.<br/>
+Amidas, iii.<br/>
+Amintas, ii.<br/>
+Amoret, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Amoretta, ii.<br/>
+Amphisa, ii.<br/>
+Amphitrite (Nereid), iii.<br/>
+Amyas, iii.<br/>
+Amyntas, iii.<br/>
+Anamnestes, ii.<br/>
+Anchyses, ii.<br/>
+Androgeus, ii.<br/>
+Angela, ii.<br/>
+Angles, ii.<br/>
+Antiochus, i.<br/>
+Antiopa, ii.<br/>
+Antiquitiee of Faery Lond, ii.<br/>
+Antonius, i.<br/>
+Aon, iii.<br/>
+Ape (the), v.<br/>
+Apollo, ii.<br/>
+Appetite, ii.<br/>
+Aprill, iv.<br/>
+Arachne, v.<br/>
+Aragnoll, v.<br/>
+Arcady, iv.<br/>
+Archigald, ii.<br/>
+Archimago, i.; ii.<br/>
+Ardenne, iii.<br/>
+Ardeyn, iv.<br/>
+Argante, ii.<br/>
+Argo, ii.<br/>
+Argonauts, iii.<br/>
+Ariadne, iv.<br/>
+Arion, iii.<br/>
+Arlo-hill, iv.<br/>
+Armeddan, iii.<br/>
+Armoricke, ii.<br/>
+Armulla, iv.<br/>
+Arne, ii.<br/>
+Arras, ii.<br/>
+Artegall, ii.; iii.; iv.<br/>
+Artegall, Legend of, iii.<br/>
+Arthure, Prince, i.; ii.; iii.; iv.<br/>
+Arvirage, ii.<br/>
+Asclepiodate, ii.<br/>
+Ascraean bard, v.<br/>
+Asie, ii.<br/>
+Asopus, iii.<br/>
+Assaracus, ii.<br/>
+Assyrian Lyonesse, v.<br/>
+Asterie, ii.; v.<br/>
+Astraea, iii.<br/>
+Astraeus, iii.<br/>
+Astrophell, iv.<br/>
+Atalanta, ii.<br/>
+Ate, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Athens, ii.<br/>
+Athos, Mount, v.<br/>
+Atin, i.; ii.<br/>
+Atlas, ii.<br/>
+Atropos, iii.<br/>
+Aubrian, iii.<br/>
+August, iv.<br/>
+Augustine, ii.<br/>
+Augustus, v.<br/>
+Autonoë, iii.<br/>
+Autumne, iv.<br/>
+Avarice, i.<br/>
+Avon, iii.<br/>
+Awe, iii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Babell, ii.<br/>
+Babylon, iii.; v.<br/>
+Bacchante, ii.<br/>
+Bacchus, iii.<br/>
+Baetus, v.<br/>
+Ball, iv.<br/>
+Ban, iii.<br/>
+Bandon, iii.<br/>
+Bangor, ii.<br/>
+Barnaby, v.<br/>
+Barow, iii.<br/>
+Barry, ii.<br/>
+Bartas, v.<br/>
+Basciante, ii.<br/>
+Bath, i.; iii.<br/>
+Bedford, v.<br/>
+Belgae, iii.<br/>
+Belgard, castle of, iv.<br/>
+Belgicke, i.<br/>
+Belinus, ii.<br/>
+Bellamoure, Sir, iv.<br/>
+Bellay, v.<br/>
+Bellisont, Sir, iii.<br/>
+Bellodant, iii.<br/>
+Bellona, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Belphoebe, i.; ii.; iii.; v.<br/>
+Belus, iii.<br/>
+Biblis, ii.<br/>
+Berecynthian goddesse, v.<br/>
+Bilbo, v.<br/>
+Bisaltis, ii.<br/>
+Blacke-water, iii.<br/>
+Bladud, ii.<br/>
+Blandamour, iii.<br/>
+Blandford, iii.<br/>
+Blandina, iv.<br/>
+Blatant Beast, iii.; iv.<br/>
+Blomius, iii.<br/>
+Boccace, iv.<br/>
+Bonfont, iii.<br/>
+Bowre of Blis, i.; ii.<br/>
+Boyne, iii.<br/>
+Bracidas, iii.<br/>
+Braggadocchio, i.; ii.; iii.<br/>
+Breane, iii.<br/>
+Bregog, iv.<br/>
+Brennus, ii.<br/>
+Briana, iv.<br/>
+Brianor, Sir, iii.<br/>
+Brigadore, viii.<br/>
+Bristow, iii.<br/>
+Britany, ii.<br/>
+Britomart, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Britomartis, Legend of, ii.<br/>
+Britonesse, ii.<br/>
+Briton Moniments, ii.<br/>
+Briton Prince, i.; ii.; iii.<br/>
+Broad-water, iv.<br/>
+Brockwell, ii.<br/>
+Brontes, iii.<br/>
+Bronteus, iii.<br/>
+Bruin, Sir, iv.<br/>
+Bruncheval, iii.<br/>
+Brunchild, ii.<br/>
+Brunell, iii.<br/>
+Brute, ii.<br/>
+Brutus, ii.<br/>
+Brytayne, Greater, ii.<br/>
+Buckhurst, Lord of, i.<br/>
+Bunduca, ii.; v.<br/>
+Burbon, iii.<br/>
+Burleigh, Lord, i.<br/>
+Busyrane, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Buttevant, iv.<br/>
+Byze, v.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Cadmus, ii.<br/>
+Cador, ii.<br/>
+Cadwallader, ii.<br/>
+Cadwallin, ii.<br/>
+Cadwar, ii.<br/>
+Caecily, ii.<br/>
+Caelia, i.<br/>
+Caelian Hill,<br/>
+Caesar, i.; ii.<br/>
+Caicus, iii.<br/>
+Cairbadon, ii.<br/>
+Cairleill, ii.<br/>
+Cairleon, ii.<br/>
+Calepine, Sir, iv.<br/>
+Calidore, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Calidore, Sir, Legend of, iv.<br/>
+Calliope, iv.; v.<br/>
+Cambden, v.<br/>
+Cambel and Triamond, Legend of, iii.<br/>
+Cambell, iii.<br/>
+Camber, ii.<br/>
+Cambine, iii.<br/>
+Cambria, king of, ii.<br/>
+Cambridge, iii.<br/>
+Camilla, ii.; v.<br/>
+Canacee, iii.<br/>
+Candide, iv.<br/>
+Cantium, ii.<br/>
+Canutus, ii.<br/>
+Caphareus, v.<br/>
+Carados, ii.<br/>
+Carausius, ii.<br/>
+Care, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Careticus, ii.<br/>
+Carew (Cary), Lady, i.<br/>
+Cary, Ladie, v.<br/>
+Cassibalane, ii.<br/>
+Castaly, v.<br/>
+Castle Joyeous, ii.<br/>
+Castriot, George, v.<br/>
+Cayr-Merdin, ii.<br/>
+Cayr-Varolame, ii.<br/>
+Celeno, ii.<br/>
+Centaures, iii.<br/>
+Cephise, i.<br/>
+Cephisus, ii.<br/>
+Cerberus, i.; iv.; v.<br/>
+Cestus, iii.<br/>
+Change, iv.<br/>
+Chaos, iii.<br/>
+Charillis, iv.<br/>
+Charissa, i.<br/>
+Charlemaine, v.<br/>
+Charybdis, v.<br/>
+Charrwell, iii.<br/>
+Chastity, Legend of, ii.<br/>
+Chaucer, Dan, iii.<br/>
+Chester, iii.<br/>
+Cherefulnesse, iii.<br/>
+Child of Light (Lucifer), v.<br/>
+Chimaera, iv.<br/>
+Christ, v.<br/>
+Chrysaor (Artegall’s sword), iii.<br/>
+Chrysogonee, ii.<br/>
+Churne, iii.<br/>
+Clare, iii.<br/>
+Claribell, i.; iii.; iv.<br/>
+Clarin (Clarinda), iii.<br/>
+Clarion, v.<br/>
+Claudius, ii.<br/>
+Cle, iii.<br/>
+Cleopatra, i.<br/>
+Cleopolis, i.; ii.<br/>
+Climene, ii.<br/>
+Clio, ii.; v.<br/>
+Clonmell, iii.<br/>
+Clorinda, iv.<br/>
+Clotho, iii.; v.<br/>
+Cocytus, i.; ii.<br/>
+Colchid mother, v.<br/>
+Cole, iii.<br/>
+Colin Clout, iv.; v.<br/>
+Columbell, ii.<br/>
+Compton and Mountegle, Ladie, v.<br/>
+Concotion, ii.<br/>
+Concord, iii.<br/>
+Constantine, ii.<br/>
+Constantius, ii.<br/>
+Contemplation, i.<br/>
+Conway, iii.<br/>
+Coradin, i.<br/>
+Corceca, i.<br/>
+Cordeill, ii.<br/>
+Corflambo, iii.<br/>
+Coridon, iv.<br/>
+Corineus, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Cork, iii.<br/>
+Cormoraunt, iv.<br/>
+Cornwaile, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Coronis, ii.<br/>
+Corybantes, iv.<br/>
+Corydon, iv.<br/>
+Corylas, iv.<br/>
+Coshma, iv.<br/>
+Coulin, ii.<br/>
+Countesse of Pembroke, i.; v.<br/>
+Courtesie, Legend of, iv.<br/>
+Coylchester, ii.<br/>
+Coyll, ii.<br/>
+Crane, iii.<br/>
+Crete, v.<br/>
+Creüsa, ii.<br/>
+Critias, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Croesus, i.<br/>
+Crudor, iv.<br/>
+Cruelty, ii.<br/>
+Cteatus, iii.<br/>
+Cuddie, iv.; iii.<br/>
+Cumberland, Earle of, i.<br/>
+Cundah, ii.<br/>
+Cupido, ii.<br/>
+Cupid, ii.; iii.; v.;<br/>
+  Maske of, ii.;<br/>
+  Court of, iv.<br/>
+Curius, v.<br/>
+Curtesie, iii.<br/>
+Curtius, v.<br/>
+Cybele, iii.<br/>
+Cycones, v.<br/>
+Cymo, iii.<br/>
+Cymochles, i.<br/>
+Cymodoce, iii.<br/>
+Cymoënt, ii.<br/>
+Cymothoë, iii.<br/>
+Cynthia (Moon, Diana), i.; iv.; v.<br/>
+Cyparisse, i.<br/>
+Cytherea, ii.; v.<br/>
+Cytheron, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Damon and Pythias, iii.<br/>
+Danaë, ii.<br/>
+Daniell, iv.<br/>
+Danius, ii.<br/>
+Daphnaida, iv.<br/>
+Daphne, ii.,; iv.; v.<br/>
+Darent, iii.<br/>
+Dart, iii.<br/>
+Daunger, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Day, iv.<br/>
+Death, iv.<br/>
+Debon, ii.<br/>
+Debora, ii.<br/>
+Decii, v.<br/>
+December, iv.<br/>
+Decetto, iv.<br/>
+Dee, i.; ii.; iii.<br/>
+Defetto, iv.<br/>
+Deheubarth, ii.<br/>
+Delay, iii.<br/>
+Dell, ii.<br/>
+Delos, ii.<br/>
+Demogorgon, iii.<br/>
+Demophoon, v.<br/>
+Denmarke, ii.<br/>
+Despayre, i.<br/>
+Despetto, iv.<br/>
+Despight, ii.<br/>
+Desyre, ii.<br/>
+Detraction, iii.<br/>
+Devon, Sir, iii.<br/>
+Diana, ii.; iv.; v.<br/>
+Dice, iii.<br/>
+Dido, iv.<br/>
+Diet, ii.<br/>
+Digestion, ii.<br/>
+Diggon Davie, iv.<br/>
+Dioclesian, daughters of, ii.<br/>
+Discord, iii.<br/>
+Disdayne, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Displeasure, ii.<br/>
+Dissemblaunce, ii.<br/>
+Dolon, iii.; v.<br/>
+Donwallo, ii.<br/>
+Dony, iii.<br/>
+Doris (Nereid), iii.<br/>
+Doto, iii.<br/>
+Doubt, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Douglas, Sir, iii.<br/>
+Doune, iii.<br/>
+Druon, iii.<br/>
+Dryope, i.<br/>
+Duessa, i.; iii.<br/>
+Dumarin, ii.<br/>
+Dyamond, iii.<br/>
+Dynamene, iii.<br/>
+Dynevowre, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Easterland, ii.<br/>
+Easterlings, ii.<br/>
+Ebranck. ii.<br/>
+Ecaster, iii.<br/>
+Echidna, iii.; iv.<br/>
+Eden, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Edwin, ii.<br/>
+Egaltine of Meriflure, iv.<br/>
+Eione, iii.<br/>
+Eirene, iii.<br/>
+Elfant, ii.<br/>
+Elfar, ii.<br/>
+Elferon, ii.<br/>
+Elficleos, ii.<br/>
+Elfiline, ii.<br/>
+Elfin, ii.<br/>
+Elfinan, ii.<br/>
+Elfinell, ii.<br/>
+Elfin Knight, i.<br/>
+Elfinor, ii.<br/>
+Elidure, ii.<br/>
+Eliseis (of Alabaster), iv.<br/>
+Elissa, i.<br/>
+Eliza, i.; iv.; v.<br/>
+Elizabeths three, v.<br/>
+Elversham, ii.<br/>
+Emmilen, ii.<br/>
+Emiline, iv.<br/>
+Encelade, ii.<br/>
+Enias, Sir, iv.<br/>
+Ennius, i.<br/>
+Envie, i.; iii.<br/>
+Ephialtes, v.<br/>
+Erate (Nereid), iii.;<br/>
+      (Muse), v.<br/>
+Erichthonian towre, v.<br/>
+Erivan, iii.<br/>
+Errant Damzell, ii.<br/>
+Errour, i.<br/>
+Eryx, iii.<br/>
+Esquiline, v.<br/>
+Essex, Earle of, i.<br/>
+Esthambruges, ii.<br/>
+Estrild, Ladie, ii.<br/>
+Etheldred, ii.<br/>
+Euboick cliffs, v.<br/>
+Eucrate, iii.<br/>
+Eudore, iii.<br/>
+Eulimene, iii.<br/>
+Eumenias, iii.<br/>
+Eumnestes, ii.<br/>
+Eunica, iii.<br/>
+Eunomie, iii.<br/>
+Euphoemus, iii.<br/>
+Euphrates, i.; iii.<br/>
+Euphrosyne, iv.<br/>
+Eupompe, iii.<br/>
+Europa, ii.<br/>
+Eurydice, v.<br/>
+Eurynome, iv.<br/>
+Eurypulus, iii.<br/>
+Eurytion, iii.<br/>
+Eurytus, iii.<br/>
+Euterpe, v.<br/>
+Evagore, iii.<br/>
+Evarna, iii.<br/>
+Excesse, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Fabii, v.<br/>
+Faery Lond, i.; iii.<br/>
+Faery Queene, i.; ii.; iii.; v.<br/>
+Fanchin, iv.<br/>
+Fansy, ii.<br/>
+Father of Philosophie, iii.<br/>
+Faunus, iv.<br/>
+Feare, ii.<br/>
+February, iv.<br/>
+Ferramont, iii.<br/>
+Ferraugh, Sir, iii.<br/>
+Ferrex, ii.<br/>
+Fidelia, i.<br/>
+Fidessa, i.<br/>
+Flaminius, v.<br/>
+Flavia, iv.<br/>
+Florimell, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Flourdelis, iii.<br/>
+Force, ii.<br/>
+Foules Parley (Chaucer’s), iv.<br/>
+Foxe, the, v.<br/>
+Fradubio, i.<br/>
+Fraud, ii.<br/>
+Fraunce, i.; ii.<br/>
+Friendship Legend of, iii.<br/>
+Frith, iii.<br/>
+Fulgent, ii.<br/>
+Furor, i.<br/>
+Fury, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Galathaea, iii.; iv.<br/>
+Galene, iii.<br/>
+Ganges, iii.<br/>
+Gardante, ii.<br/>
+Gardin of Proserpina, ii.<br/>
+Gate of Good Desert, iii.<br/>
+Gealosy, ii.<br/>
+Geffrey, Dan, iv.<br/>
+Gehon, i.<br/>
+Genius, ii.<br/>
+Genuissa, ii.<br/>
+Georgos, i.<br/>
+Germany, ii.<br/>
+Geryon, iii.<br/>
+Geryoneo, iii.<br/>
+Gilford, Henry, v.<br/>
+Glamorgan, ii.<br/>
+Glauce, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Glauconome, iii.<br/>
+Glaucus, iii.<br/>
+Gloriana, i.; ii.; iv.<br/>
+Gluttony, i.<br/>
+Gnat, v.<br/>
+Gnidas, ii.<br/>
+Gobbelines, ii.<br/>
+Godmer, ii.<br/>
+God of Love, ii.<br/>
+Goëmagot, ii.<br/>
+Goëmot, ii.<br/>
+Golden Fleece, iii.<br/>
+Gonorill, ii.<br/>
+Gorbogud, ii.<br/>
+Gorboman, ii.<br/>
+Gorges, Arthur, v.<br/>
+Gorgon, i.<br/>
+Gorlois, ii.<br/>
+Gormond, ii.<br/>
+Graces, iv.<br/>
+Grant, iii.<br/>
+Grantorto, iii.<br/>
+Gratian, ii.<br/>
+Grecian Libbard, v.<br/>
+Greece, ii.; v.<br/>
+Greenwich, v.<br/>
+Grey, Lord, of Wilton, i.<br/>
+Griefe, ii.<br/>
+Griffyth, Conan, ii.<br/>
+Gryll, ii.<br/>
+Gualsever, iii.<br/>
+Guendolene, ii.<br/>
+Guitheline, ii.<br/>
+Guizor, iii.<br/>
+Gulfe of Greedinesse, ii.<br/>
+Gurgiunt, ii.<br/>
+Gurgustus, ii.<br/>
+Guyon, i.; ii.; iii.;<br/>
+  Legend of Sir, i.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Haemony, iv.<br/>
+Haemus, iv.<br/>
+Hania, ii.<br/>
+Hanniball, i.<br/>
+Harpalus, iv.<br/>
+Harvey, Gabriel, iv.; v.<br/>
+Harwitch, iii.<br/>
+Hate, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Hatton, Sir Christopher, i.<br/>
+Hebe, v.<br/>
+Hebrus, i.<br/>
+Hecate, iv.<br/>
+Hector, ii.<br/>
+Helena, ii.<br/>
+Helena, Marquesse of North Hampton, v.<br/>
+Heliconian Maides, ii.<br/>
+Helle, ii.<br/>
+Hellenore, ii.<br/>
+Hellespont, v.<br/>
+Hely, ii.<br/>
+Hemus, ii.<br/>
+Henalois, ii.<br/>
+Henault, ii.<br/>
+Hengist, ii.<br/>
+Hercaean shores, vi.<br/>
+Hercules, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Hercules and Hyllus, iii.<br/>
+Hercules two pillors, v.<br/>
+Hevenfield, ii.<br/>
+Hippolytus, i.<br/>
+Hippothoë, iii.<br/>
+Hobbinol, iv.<br/>
+Hogh, ii.<br/>
+Holland, iii.<br/>
+Hope, ii.<br/>
+Horror, ii.<br/>
+Horsus, ii.<br/>
+House of Care, iii.<br/>
+House of Holinesse, i.<br/>
+House of Pryde, i.<br/>
+House of Temperance, ii.<br/>
+Howard, Douglas, v.<br/>
+Howard, Lord Charles, i.<br/>
+Howell, Dha, ii.<br/>
+Huddibras, Sir, i.; ii.<br/>
+Humber, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Humilta, i.<br/>
+Hunnes, ii.<br/>
+Hunsdon, Lord of, i.<br/>
+Huntingdon, iii.<br/>
+Huon, Sir, i.<br/>
+Hyacinct, ii.<br/>
+Hygate, ii.<br/>
+Hylas, ii.<br/>
+Hymen, v.<br/>
+Hypocrisie, i.<br/>
+Hyponeo, iii.<br/>
+Hypsiphil, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ianuary, iv.<br/>
+Ida, ii.<br/>
+Idaean Ladies, ii.<br/>
+Idle Lake, i.; ii.<br/>
+Idlenesse, i.<br/>
+Ignaro, i.<br/>
+Ignorance, v.<br/>
+Ilion, iii.<br/>
+Immerito, iv.<br/>
+Impatience, ii.<br/>
+Impotence, ii.<br/>
+Inachus, ii.; iii.<br/>
+India, ii.<br/>
+Indus, iii.<br/>
+Ino, iii.<br/>
+Inogene of Italy, ii.<br/>
+Inquisition, iii.<br/>
+Iocante, ii.<br/>
+Iola, iii.<br/>
+Ionathan and David, iii.<br/>
+Iones, v.<br/>
+Iordan, i.<br/>
+Ioseph of Arimathy, ii.<br/>
+Iove, iv.; v.<br/>
+Iphimedia, ii.<br/>
+Ireland, i.; ii.; iv.<br/>
+Irena, iii.<br/>
+Isis, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Ismaël Africk, ii.<br/>
+Isse, ii.<br/>
+Ister, iii.<br/>
+Itis, v.<br/>
+Iulus, ii.<br/>
+Iuly, iv.<br/>
+Iune, iv.<br/>
+Iuno, ii.; v.<br/>
+Iustice, Legend of, iii.<br/>
+Ixion, i.<br/>
+Ixione, v.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Kenet, iii.<br/>
+Kent, ii.<br/>
+Kilkenny, iii.<br/>
+Kilnemullah, iv.<br/>
+Kimarus, ii.<br/>
+Kimbeline, ii.<br/>
+Kingdomes Care (Burleigh), iii.<br/>
+King Edmond, v.<br/>
+King Nine, ii.<br/>
+Kinmarke, ii.<br/>
+Kirkrapine, i.<br/>
+Knight of the Hebene Speare, iii.<br/>
+Knight of the Red Crosse, i.; iii.;<br/>
+  Legend of, i.<br/>
+Knights of Maidenhead, iii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Labryde, i.<br/>
+Lacedaemon, ii.<br/>
+Lachesis, iii.<br/>
+Lady of Delight, ii.<br/>
+Laestrigones, v.<br/>
+Lago, ii.<br/>
+Lamoracke, Sir, iv.<br/>
+Land of Faerie, iv.<br/>
+Lansack, iii.<br/>
+Laomedia, iii.<br/>
+Laomedon, ii.<br/>
+Lapithees, iii.; v.<br/>
+Latinus, ii.<br/>
+Latium, ii.<br/>
+Latmian Shepherd, v.<br/>
+Latona, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Layburne, ii.<br/>
+Leander, v.<br/>
+Lechery, i.<br/>
+Leda, ii.<br/>
+Leda (twinnes of), v.<br/>
+Lee, iii.<br/>
+Legend of Chastity, ii.<br/>
+Legend of Courtesie, iv.<br/>
+Legend of Friendship, iii.<br/>
+Legend of Holinesse, i.<br/>
+Legend of Iustice, iii.<br/>
+Legend of Temperaunce, i.<br/>
+Leicester, Earl of, v.<br/>
+Leill, King, ii.<br/>
+Lemno, iii.<br/>
+Lentulus, i.<br/>
+Lewkenor, v.<br/>
+Leyr, King, ii.<br/>
+Liagore, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Life, iv.<br/>
+Liffar, iii.<br/>
+Liffy, iii.<br/>
+Lincolne, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Lindus, iii.<br/>
+Lionnesse, iv.<br/>
+Lipari, iii.<br/>
+Lisianassa, iii.<br/>
+Lisippus, v.<br/>
+Litae, iii.<br/>
+Lobbin, iv.<br/>
+Locrine, ii.<br/>
+Locrinus, iii.<br/>
+Lodwick (Bryskett), v.<br/>
+Logris, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Loncaster, iii.<br/>
+London, v.<br/>
+Lone, iii.<br/>
+Long Alba, ii.<br/>
+Louthiane, ii.<br/>
+Love, iii.; v.<br/>
+Lowder, iv.<br/>
+Lucinda, iii.; iv.<br/>
+Lucifera, i.<br/>
+Lucius, ii.<br/>
+Lucy (Lucida), iii.<br/>
+Lud, ii.<br/>
+Lusitanian soile, i.<br/>
+Lycon, iv.<br/>
+Lyon, the, v.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Maa, iv.<br/>
+Maeander, iii.<br/>
+Madan, ii.<br/>
+Maglan, king of Scottes, ii.<br/>
+Mahound, iv.<br/>
+Mahoune, ii.<br/>
+Maia, v.<br/>
+Maidenhed, Order of, i.<br/>
+Malbecco, ii.<br/>
+Malecasta, ii.<br/>
+Maleffort, iv.<br/>
+Maleger, ii.<br/>
+Malengin, iii.<br/>
+Malfont, iii.<br/>
+Malgo, ii.<br/>
+Malvenu, i.<br/>
+Mammon, ii.<br/>
+Manild, ii.<br/>
+Mansilia, iv.<br/>
+Mantuane, iv.<br/>
+Marcellus, v.<br/>
+March, iv.<br/>
+Margaret, Countesse of Cumberland, v.<br/>
+Marian, iv.<br/>
+Maridunum, ii.<br/>
+Marie (Anne), Countesse of Warwick, v.<br/>
+Marin, iv.<br/>
+Marinell, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Marius, i.; ii.<br/>
+Maro, i.<br/>
+Marot, iv.<br/>
+Mars, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Martia, ii.<br/>
+Mathraval, ii.<br/>
+Mathusalem, ii.<br/>
+Matilda, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Mausolus, v.<br/>
+Maximian, ii.<br/>
+Maximinian, ii.<br/>
+May, iv.<br/>
+Mayre, iii.<br/>
+Mecaenas, iv.<br/>
+Medea, iii.<br/>
+Medina, i.<br/>
+Medua, iii.<br/>
+Medusa, ii.<br/>
+Medway, iv.<br/>
+Medway and Thames, marriage of, iii.<br/>
+Meliboe, iv.; v.<br/>
+Meliogras, iv.<br/>
+Melissa, iv.<br/>
+Melite, iii.<br/>
+Memprise, ii.<br/>
+Menalcas, iv.<br/>
+Melpomene, v.<br/>
+Menevia, ii.<br/>
+Menippe, iii.<br/>
+Mercy, i.<br/>
+Mercilla, iii.<br/>
+Mercury, iv.; v.<br/>
+Merlin, i.; ii.<br/>
+Mertia, Dame, ii.<br/>
+Mertians, ii.<br/>
+Milesio, iii.<br/>
+Minerva, v.<br/>
+Mirabella, iv.<br/>
+Modestie, iii.<br/>
+Molanna, iv.<br/>
+Mole, iii.; iv.<br/>
+Mona, ii.<br/>
+Mongiball, ii.<br/>
+Morands, ii.<br/>
+Mordant, i.<br/>
+Morddure, ii.<br/>
+More, the, v.<br/>
+Morgan, ii.<br/>
+Morindus, ii.<br/>
+Morpheus, i.<br/>
+Morrell, iv.<br/>
+Mother Hubberd, v.<br/>
+Mount Aventine, v.<br/>
+Mount Quirinal, v.<br/>
+Mount Saturnal, v.<br/>
+Mount Viminal, v.<br/>
+Mnemon, ii.<br/>
+Mnemosyne, ii.<br/>
+Mule, the, v.<br/>
+Mulla, iii.; iv.;<br/>
+  Nymphes of, v.<br/>
+Munera, iii.<br/>
+Muscaroll, v.<br/>
+Mutability, iv.<br/>
+Mutius, v.<br/>
+Myrrhe, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Naiades, v.<br/>
+Nature, iv.<br/>
+Nausa, ii.<br/>
+Nausicle, ii.<br/>
+Neaera, iv.<br/>
+Neleus, iii.<br/>
+Nemertea, iii.<br/>
+Nene, iii.<br/>
+Nenna, v.<br/>
+Nennius, i.; ii.<br/>
+Nepenthe, iii.<br/>
+Neptune, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Nereus, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Nesaea, iii.<br/>
+Neso, iii.<br/>
+Nestor, ii.<br/>
+Neustria, ii.<br/>
+New Hierusalem, i.<br/>
+Newre, iii.<br/>
+Nictileus, v.<br/>
+Nide, iii.<br/>
+Night, i; iv.<br/>
+Nile, iii.<br/>
+Nilus, i.<br/>
+Nimrod, i; iii.<br/>
+Ninus, i.<br/>
+Niobe, iv.<br/>
+Noctante, ii.<br/>
+Norris, Sir John, i.<br/>
+Northumber, ii.<br/>
+Northumberland, Earle of, i.<br/>
+Norveyses, ii.<br/>
+Norwitch, iii.<br/>
+November, iv.<br/>
+Numa, ii.<br/>
+Nylus, v.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Obedience, iii.<br/>
+Oberon, King, i; ii.<br/>
+Occasion, i.<br/>
+Ocean, iii.<br/>
+Octa, ii.<br/>
+Octavius, ii.<br/>
+October, iv.<br/>
+Oenone, ii; v.<br/>
+Oeta, v.<br/>
+Offricke, ii.<br/>
+Ogyges, iii.<br/>
+Ollyphant, ii.<br/>
+Olympus, Mount, ii.<br/>
+Oranochy, iii.<br/>
+Oraxes, iii.<br/>
+Order, iii.<br/>
+Orgoglio, i; iv.<br/>
+Origone, iii.<br/>
+Orinont, Sir, iii.<br/>
+Orion, iii.<br/>
+Orkeny, ii.<br/>
+Ormond and Ossory, Earle of, i.<br/>
+Orown, iv.<br/>
+Orpheus, iii; v.<br/>
+Orsilochus, ii.<br/>
+Orthrus, iii.<br/>
+Osricke, ii.<br/>
+Oswald, ii.<br/>
+Oswin, ii.<br/>
+Osyris, iii.<br/>
+Othos, v.<br/>
+Oure, iii.<br/>
+Our Ladyes Bowre, iv.<br/>
+Ouze, iii.<br/>
+Overt-gate, ii.<br/>
+Oxenford, Earle of, i.<br/>
+Oxford, iii.<br/>
+Oza, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Pactolus, iii.<br/>
+Paeon, ii.<br/>
+Palatine, v.<br/>
+Palemon, iii; iv.<br/>
+Pales, iv; v.<br/>
+Palici, v.<br/>
+Palimord, Sir, iii.<br/>
+Palin, iv.<br/>
+Palinode, iv.<br/>
+Palladine, iii.<br/>
+Palmer, i; ii.<br/>
+Pan, iv.<br/>
+Panchaea, v.<br/>
+Pandionian maides, v<br/>
+Panopae, iii.<br/>
+Panope, ii.<br/>
+Panthea, ii.<br/>
+Panwelt, ii.<br/>
+Paphos, ii.<br/>
+Paridas, ii.<br/>
+Paridell, ii, iii.<br/>
+Paris, ii; iii.<br/>
+Parius, ii.<br/>
+Parlante, ii.<br/>
+Parnasse, Mount, v.<br/>
+Paros, ii.<br/>
+Pasiphaë, ii.<br/>
+Pasithee, iii.<br/>
+Pastorella, iiv.<br/>
+Patience, i.<br/>
+Paulinus, ii.<br/>
+Payne, ii.<br/>
+Paynim king (Philip II.), i.<br/>
+Pelasgus, iii.<br/>
+Peleus, iv; v.<br/>
+Pelias, iii.<br/>
+Pelleas, Sir, iv.<br/>
+Pellite, ii.<br/>
+Pembroke, Countesse of, i.<br/>
+Penaunce, i.<br/>
+Penda, ii.<br/>
+Pendragon, v.<br/>
+Penelope, iv.<br/>
+Peneus, iii; v.<br/>
+Penthesilee, ii.<br/>
+Peridue, ii.<br/>
+Perigot, iv.<br/>
+Perissa, i.<br/>
+Persephone, v.<br/>
+Persian Beare, v.<br/>
+Peru, i.; ii.<br/>
+Peter, v.<br/>
+Peter, William, v.<br/>
+Petrarque, iv.<br/>
+Phaedria, i.; ii.<br/>
+Phaëton, v.<br/>
+Phantastes, ii.<br/>
+Phao, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Phaon, i.<br/>
+Phasides, iii.<br/>
+Pherusa, iii.<br/>
+Philemon, i.<br/>
+Philip (Sidney), iv.<br/>
+Phillisides, iv.; v.<br/>
+Phillira, ii.<br/>
+Philotime, ii.<br/>
+Philtera, iii.<br/>
+Phison, i.<br/>
+Phoeax, iii.<br/>
+Phoebe, ii.<br/>
+Phoebus, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Phoenice, v.<br/>
+Phoenix, iii.<br/>
+Pholoe, i.<br/>
+Phorcys, iii.<br/>
+Phyllis, iv.<br/>
+Picts, ii.<br/>
+Piers, iv.<br/>
+Pilate, ii.<br/>
+Placidas, iii.<br/>
+Plaint of Kinde (Alane’s), iv.<br/>
+Pleasaunce, ii.<br/>
+Plexippus, iv.<br/>
+Plim, iii.<br/>
+Plimmouth, iii.<br/>
+Podalyrius, iv.<br/>
+Poeana, iii.<br/>
+Pollente, iii.<br/>
+Polyhymnia, v.<br/>
+Polynome, iii.<br/>
+Pompey, i.<br/>
+Pontoporea, iii.<br/>
+Poris, iii.<br/>
+Porrex, ii.<br/>
+Portamore, iv.<br/>
+Port Esquiline, ii.<br/>
+Praxiteles, ii.<br/>
+Prays-Desire, ii.<br/>
+Priamond, iii.<br/>
+Priest, formall, v.<br/>
+Priscilla, iv.<br/>
+Prometheus, ii.<br/>
+Pronaea, iii.<br/>
+Proteus, ii.; iii.; iv.<br/>
+Proto, iii.<br/>
+Protomedaea, iii.<br/>
+Pryene, i.<br/>
+Psalmist, iii.<br/>
+Psamathe, iii.<br/>
+Psyche, ii.; v.<br/>
+Ptolomaee, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Pubidius, ii.<br/>
+Pylades and Orestes, iii.<br/>
+Pyracmon, iii.<br/>
+Pyrochles, i.; ii.<br/>
+Pyrrha and Deucalione, iii.<br/>
+Pyrrus, v.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Queen Elizabeth, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Quickesand of Unthriftyhed, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Radegone, iii.<br/>
+Radigund, iii.<br/>
+Raleigh, Sir Walter, i.; iv.<br/>
+Rauran, i.<br/>
+Redcrosse Knight, ii.<br/>
+Regan, ii.<br/>
+Remorse, i.<br/>
+Repentaunce, i.; ii.<br/>
+Reproch, ii.<br/>
+Revenge, ii.<br/>
+Reverence, i.; iii.<br/>
+Rhaesus, v.<br/>
+Rhene, iii.<br/>
+Rheüsa, iii.<br/>
+Rhodanus, iii.<br/>
+Rhodope, ii.<br/>
+Rhodoricke the Great, ii.<br/>
+Rhy, iii.<br/>
+Rich Strond, ii.<br/>
+Rinaldo, iii.<br/>
+Rivall, ii.<br/>
+Rock of Reproch, ii.<br/>
+Roffin, iv.<br/>
+Rome, ii.; iii.; v.<br/>
+Romulus, i.; ii.<br/>
+Rosalind, i.; iv.<br/>
+Rosseponte, iii.<br/>
+Rother, iii.<br/>
+Rowne, iii.<br/>
+Ruddoe, ii.<br/>
+Ruddymane, i.<br/>
+Russian, ii.<br/>
+Ryence, King, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Sabrina, ii.<br/>
+Saint George, i.<br/>
+Saint Radegund, v.<br/>
+Salem, iii.<br/>
+Salomon, v.<br/>
+Salvage Island, iv.<br/>
+Salvage Knight, iii.<br/>
+Salvage Man, iv.<br/>
+Samient, iii.<br/>
+Sanazarius, iv.<br/>
+Sangliere, Sir, iii.<br/>
+Sansfoy, i.<br/>
+Sansioy, i.<br/>
+Sansloy, i.<br/>
+Sao, iii.<br/>
+Sathan, i.<br/>
+Saturne, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Satyrane, i.; iii.<br/>
+Saxons, ii.; v.<br/>
+Scaldis, ii.<br/>
+Sclaunder, iii.<br/>
+Scamander, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Sanderbeg, v.<br/>
+Scipio, i.<br/>
+Scipion, v.<br/>
+Scorne, iv.<br/>
+Scudamore, Sir, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Selinis, i.<br/>
+Semelee, ii.<br/>
+Semiramis, i.; ii.<br/>
+September, iv.<br/>
+Serena, iv.<br/>
+Sergis, Sir, iii.<br/>
+Severne, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Severus, ii.<br/>
+Shame, ii.<br/>
+Shamefastnes, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Shenan, iii.<br/>
+Shepheard of the Ocean (Raleigh), iv.<br/>
+Shield of Love, iii.<br/>
+Shure, iii.; iv.<br/>
+Sidney, Sir Philip, i.; iv.; v.<br/>
+Silence, iii.<br/>
+Silo, i.<br/>
+Sisera, ii.<br/>
+Sisillus, ii.<br/>
+Sisyphus, i.<br/>
+Skell, iii.<br/>
+Slane, iii.<br/>
+Sleepe, ii.<br/>
+Slewbloome, iii.<br/>
+Slewlogher, iii.<br/>
+Slowth, i.<br/>
+Socrates, ii.<br/>
+Somerset, Ladies Elizabeth and Katherine, v.<br/>
+Sommer, iv.<br/>
+Sophy, ii.<br/>
+Sorrow, ii.<br/>
+South-Wales, ii.<br/>
+Spau, i.<br/>
+Spayne, ii.<br/>
+Spencer, ii.<br/>
+Speranza, i.<br/>
+Spio, iii.<br/>
+Spring, iv.<br/>
+Spumador, ii.<br/>
+Squire of Dames, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Squire of Low Degree, iii.<br/>
+Stamford, iii.<br/>
+Stater, ii.<br/>
+St. Brigets Bowre, iv.<br/>
+St. Michels Mount, iv.<br/>
+Stella, iv.<br/>
+Sthenoboea, i.<br/>
+Stoneheng, ii.<br/>
+Stoure, iii.<br/>
+Strange, Ladie, v.<br/>
+Stremona, i.<br/>
+Strife, i.; ii.<br/>
+Sture, iii.<br/>
+Styx, i.<br/>
+Suspect, ii.<br/>
+Swale, iii.<br/>
+Sylla, i.<br/>
+Sylvanus, i.<br/>
+Sylvius, ii.<br/>
+Syrinx, iv.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Talus, iii.<br/>
+Tamar, iii.<br/>
+Tanaquill, i.; ii.<br/>
+Tantalus, i.; ii.<br/>
+Tarquin, i.<br/>
+Tartar, ii.<br/>
+Tartare, ii.<br/>
+Tartary, i.; v.<br/>
+Teian Poet, v.<br/>
+Telamon, v.<br/>
+Tempe, ii.<br/>
+Temperaunce, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Templer Knights, v.<br/>
+Tenantius, ii.<br/>
+Termagaunt, ii.<br/>
+Terwin, Sir, ii.<br/>
+Terpsichore, v.<br/>
+Tethys, i.; iii.<br/>
+Thabor, Mount, iv.<br/>
+Thalia, v.<br/>
+Thalia (Grace), iv.<br/>
+Thalia (Nereid), iii.<br/>
+Thame, iii.<br/>
+Thames, v.<br/>
+Thamesis, v.<br/>
+Thamis, ii.; iii.; v.<br/>
+Theana, iv.<br/>
+Thebes, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Theise, iii.<br/>
+Themes, iv.; v.<br/>
+Themis, iii.<br/>
+Themiste, iii.<br/>
+Thenot, iv.<br/>
+Theocritus, iv.<br/>
+Therion, i.<br/>
+Theseus, i.<br/>
+Theseus and Pirithous, iii.<br/>
+Thestylis, iv.<br/>
+Thetis, iii.; iv.; v.<br/>
+Thomalin, iv.<br/>
+Thomiris, ii.<br/>
+Thyamis, i.<br/>
+Timias, ii.; iv.<br/>
+Timon, i.; v.<br/>
+Tindarid lasse, iii.<br/>
+Titan, iv.<br/>
+Titus and Gesippus, iii.<br/>
+Tityrus, iv.<br/>
+Tityus, i.; v.<br/>
+Toure, ii.<br/>
+Traherne, ii.<br/>
+Treason, ii.<br/>
+Trent, iii.<br/>
+Trevisan, i.<br/>
+Triamond, iii.<br/>
+Triptoleme, v.<br/>
+Tristram, iv.<br/>
+Triton, iv.<br/>
+Trompart, i.<br/>
+Trowis, iii.<br/>
+Troy, ii.<br/>
+Troynovant, ii.; iii.; v.<br/>
+Tryphon, ii.; iii.<br/>
+Turmagant, iv.<br/>
+Turpin, Sir, iii.; iv.<br/>
+Twede, iii.<br/>
+Tybris, iii.<br/>
+Tygris, iii.<br/>
+Tyne, iii.<br/>
+Typhaeus sister, v.<br/>
+Typhaon, iii.; iv.<br/>
+Typhoeus, i.; ii.<br/>
+Typhon, iii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Ulfin, ii.<br/>
+Ulysses, v.<br/>
+Una, i.<br/>
+Urania, iv.<br/>
+Uranus, iv.<br/>
+Ure, iii.<br/>
+Uther, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Velntide, Saint, iv.<br/>
+Vanitie, i.<br/>
+Venus, ii; iii; v.<br/>
+   temple and statue of, iii.<br/>
+Verdant, ii.<br/>
+Verlame, v.<br/>
+Vespasian, ii.<br/>
+Vigent, ii.<br/>
+Virgil, iv.<br/>
+Virginia, i.<br/>
+Vortigere, ii.<br/>
+Vortimere, ii.<br/>
+Vortipore, ii.<br/>
+Vulcan, iii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Walsingham, Sir Francis, i.<br/>
+Wandring Islands, ii.<br/>
+Waterford, iii.<br/>
+Welland, iii.<br/>
+Were, iii.<br/>
+Werfe, iii.<br/>
+Whirlepoole of Decay, ii.<br/>
+Willie, iv.<br/>
+Willy, pleasant, v.<br/>
+Winborne, iii.<br/>
+Winter, iv.<br/>
+Wiseman, the, iii.<br/>
+Witches Sonne, ii.<br/>
+Witch, the, ii.<br/>
+Womanhood, iii.<br/>
+Wrath, i.<br/>
+Wrenock, iv.<br/>
+Wyden, ii.<br/>
+Wylibourne, iii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Xanthus, ii.; v.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Yar, iii.<br/>
+Ymner, ii.
+</p>
+
+<p class="stanza">
+Zele, i.; iii.<br/>
+Zeuxis, ii.
+</p>
+
+<h5>THE END.</h5>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POETICAL WORKS OF EDMUND SPENSER, VOLUME 5 ***</div>
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diff --git a/old/old/10602-8.txt b/old/old/10602-8.txt
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/old/old/10602-8.txt
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser,
+Volume 5, by Edmund Spenser, Edited by Francis J. Child
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5
+
+Author: Edmund Spenser
+
+Release Date: January 5, 2004 [EBook #10602]
+[Last updated: June 21, 2022]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POETICAL WORKS OF SPENSER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Carol David and PG Distributed
+Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+POETICAL WORKS
+
+OF
+
+EDMUND SPENSER.
+
+VOLUME V.
+
+
+M.DCCC.LX.
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+OF THE FIFTH VOLUME.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+MISCELLANIES.
+
+Complaints
+
+  The Ruines of Time
+  The Teares of the Muses
+  Virgils Gnat
+  Prosopopoia: or Mother Hubberds Tale
+  Ruines of Rome: by Bellay
+  Muiopotmos: or the Fate of the Butterflie
+  Visions of the Worlds Vanitie
+  The Visions of Bellay
+  The Visions of Petrarch
+
+Daphnaida
+
+Amoretti
+
+Epithalamion
+
+Prothalamion
+
+Fowre Hymnes
+
+Epigrams
+
+Sonnets
+
+APPENDIX.
+
+I. Variations from the Original Editions
+
+II. Two Letters from Spenser to Harvey
+
+III. Index of Proper Names
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+MISCELLANIES.
+
+
+
+COMPLAINTS.
+
+CONTAINING SUNDRIE SMALL POEMES OF THE
+WORLDS VANITIE:
+
+WHEREOF THE NEXT PAGE MAKETH MENTION.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LONDON:
+
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE, DWELLING IN PAULES
+CHURCHYARD AT THE SIGNE OF THE BISHOPS HEAD.
+
+1591.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A NOTE OF THE SUNDRIE POEMES CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME.
+
+1. The Ruines of Time.
+
+2. The Teares of the Muses.
+
+3. Virgils Gnat.
+
+4. Prosopopoia, or Mother Hubberds Tale.
+
+5. The Ruines of Rome: by Bellay.
+
+6. Muiopotmos, or The Tale of the Butterflie.
+
+7. Visions of the Worlds Vanitie.
+
+8. Bellayes Visions.
+
+9. Petrarches Visions.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE PRINTER TO THE GENTLE READER.
+
+
+Since my late setting foorth of the Faerie Queene, finding that it hath
+found a favourable passage amongst you, I have sithence endevoured by
+all good meanes, (for the better encrease and accomplishment of your
+delights,) to get into my handes such smale poemes of the same Authors
+as I heard were disperst abroad in sundrie hands, and not easie to bee
+come by by himselfe; some of them having bene diverslie imbeziled and
+purloyned from him, since his departure over sea. Of the which I have
+by good meanes gathered togeather these fewe parcels present, which I
+have caused to bee imprinted altogeather, for that they al seeme to
+containe like matter of argument in them, being all complaints and
+meditations of the worlds vanitie, verie grave and profitable. To which
+effect I understand that he besides wrote sundrie others, namelie:
+_Ecclesiastes_ and _Canticum Canticorum_ translated, _A Senights
+Slumber, The Hell of Lovers, his Purgatorie_, being all dedicated to
+ladies, so as it may seeme he ment them all to one volume: besides some
+other pamphlets looselie scattered abroad; as _The Dying Pellican, The
+Howers of the Lord, The Sacrifice of a Sinner, The Seven Psalmes_, &c.,
+which, when I can either by himselfe or otherwise attaine too, I meane
+likewise for your favour sake to set foorth. In the meane time, praying
+you gentlie to accept of these, and graciouslie to entertaine the new
+Poet*, I take leave.
+
+[* Spenser had printed nothing with his name before the Faerie
+Queene.--Ponsonby's account of the way in which this volume was
+collected is rather loose. The Ruins of Time and The Tears of the Muses
+were certainly written shortly before they were published, and there
+can be equally little doubt that Mother Hubberd's Tale was retouched
+about the same time. C.]
+
+
+
+THE RUINES OF TIME.
+
+
+DEDICATED
+
+TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND BEAUTIFULL LADIE,
+
+THE LA: MARIE,
+
+COUNTESSE OF PEMEBROOKE.
+
+
+Most honourable and bountifull Ladie, there bee long sithens deepe
+sowed in my brest the seede of most entire love and humble affection
+unto that most brave knight, your noble brother deceased; which, taking
+roote, began in his life time somewhat to bud forth, and to shew
+themselves to him, as then in the weakenes of their first spring; and
+would in their riper strength (had it pleased High God till then to
+drawe out his daies) spired forth fruit of more perfection. But since
+God hath disdeigned the world of that most noble spirit which was the
+hope of all learned men, and the patron of my young Muses, togeather
+with him both their hope of anie further fruit was cut off, and also
+the tender delight of those their first blossoms nipped and quite dead.
+Yet, sithens my late cumming into England, some frends of mine, which
+might much prevaile with me, and indeede commaund me, knowing with howe
+straight bandes of duetie I was tied to him, as also bound unto that
+noble house, of which the chiefs hope then rested in him, have sought
+to revive them by upbraiding me, for that I have not shewed anie
+thankefull remembrance towards him or any of them, but suffer their
+names to sleep in silence and forgetfulnesse. Whome chieflie to
+satisfie, or els to avoide that fowle blot of unthankefulnesse, I have
+conceived this small Poeme, intituled by a generall name of _The Worlds
+Ruines;_ yet speciallie intended to the renowming of that noble race
+from which both you and he sprong, and to the eternizing of some of the
+chiefe of them late deceased. The which I dedicate unto your La. as
+whome it most speciallie concerneth, and to whome I acknowledge my
+selfe bounden by manie singular favours and great graces. I pray for
+your honourable happinesse, and so humblie kisse your handes.
+
+Your Ladiships ever
+
+humblie at commaund,
+
+E.S.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE RUINES OF TIME.
+
+
+It chaunced me on* day beside the shore
+Of silver streaming Thamesis to bee,
+Nigh where the goodly Verlame stood of yore,
+Of which there now remaines no memorie,
+Nor anie little moniment to see,                                       5
+By which the travailer that fares that way
+_This once was she_ may warned be to say.
+  [* _On_, one.]
+
+There, on the other side, I did behold
+A Woman sitting sorrowfullie wailing,
+Rending her yeolow locks, like wyrie golde                            10
+About her shoulders careleslie downe trailing,
+And streames of teares from her faire eyes forth railing*:
+In her right hand a broken rod she held,
+Which towards heaven shee seemd on high to weld,
+  [* _Railing_, flowing.]
+
+Whether she were one of that rivers nymphes,                          15
+Which did the losse of some dere Love lament,
+I doubt; or one of those three fatall impes
+Which draw the dayes of men forth in extent;
+Or th'auncient genius of that citie brent*;
+But, seeing her so piteouslie perplexed,                              20
+I, to her calling, askt what her so vexed.
+  [* _Brent_, burnt.]
+
+"Ah! what delight," quoth she, "in earthlie thing,
+Or comfort can I, wretched creature, have?
+Whose happines the heavens envying,
+From highest staire to lowest step me drave,                          25
+And have in mine owne bowels made my grave,
+That of all nations now I am forlorne*,
+The worlds sad spectacle, and Fortunes scorne."
+  [* _Forlorne_, forsaken.]
+
+Much was I mooved at her piteous plaint,
+And felt my heart nigh riven in my brest                              30
+With tender ruth to see her sore constraint;
+That, shedding teares, a while I still did rest,
+And after did her name of her request.
+"Name have I none," quoth she, "nor anie being,
+Bereft of both by Fates uniust decreeing.                             35
+
+"I was that citie which the garland wore
+Of Britaines pride, delivered unto me
+By Romane victors which it wonne of yore;
+Though nought at all but ruines now I bee,
+And lye in mine owne ashes, as ye see,                                40
+VERLAME I was; what bootes it that I was,
+Sith now I am but weedes and wastfull gras?
+
+"O vaine worlds glorie, and unstedfast state
+Of all that lives on face of sinfull earth!
+Which, from their first untill their utmost date,                     45
+Tast no one hower of happines or merth;
+But like as at the ingate* of their berth
+They crying creep out of their mothers woomb,
+So wailing backe go to their wofull toomb.
+  [* _Ingate_, entrance, beginning.]
+
+"Why then dooth flesh, a bubble-glas of breath,                       50
+Hunt after honour and advauncement vaine,
+And reare a trophee for devouring death
+With so great labour and long-lasting paine,
+As if his daies for ever should remaine?
+Sith all that in this world is great or gaie                          55
+Doth as a vapour vanish and decaie.
+
+"Looke backe, who list, unto the former ages,
+And call to count what is of them become.
+Where be those learned wits and antique sages,
+Which of all wisedome knew the perfect somme?                         60
+Where those great warriors, which did overcome
+The world with conquest of their might and maine,
+And made one meare* of th'earth and of their raine?
+  [* _Meare_, boundary.]
+
+"What nowe is of th'Assyrian Lyonesse,
+Of whome no footing now on earth appeares?                            65
+What of the Persian Beares outragiousnesse,
+Whose memorie is quite worne out with yeares?
+Who of the Grecian Libbard* now ought heares,
+That over-ran the East with greedie powre,
+And left his whelps their kingdomes to devoure?                       70
+  [* _Libbard_, leopard]
+
+"And where is that same great seven-headded beast,
+That made all nations vassals of her pride,
+To fall before her feete at her beheast,
+And in the necke of all the world did ride?
+Where doth she all that wondrous welth nowe hide?                     75
+With her own weight downe pressed now shee lies,
+And by her heaps her hugenesse testifies.
+
+"O Rome, thy ruine I lament and rue,
+And in thy fall my fatall overthrowe,
+That whilom was, whilst heavens with equall vewe                      80
+Deignd to behold me and their gifts bestowe,
+The picture of thy pride in pompous shew:
+And of the whole world as thou wast the empresse,
+So I of this small Northerne world was princesse.
+
+"To tell the beawtie of my buildings fayre,                           85
+Adornd with purest golde and precious stone,
+To tell my riches and endowments rare,
+That by my foes are now all spent and gone,
+To tell my forces, matchable to none,
+Were but lost labour that few would beleeve,                          90
+And with rehearsing would me more agreeve.
+
+"High towers, faire temples, goodly theaters,
+Strong walls, rich porches, princelie pallaces,
+Large streetes, brave houses, sacred sepulchers,
+Sure gates, sweete gardens, stately galleries                         95
+Wrought with faire pillours and fine imageries,--
+All those, O pitie! now are turnd to dust,
+And overgrowen with blacke oblivions rust.
+
+"Theretoo, for warlike power and peoples store
+In Britannie was none to match with mee,                             100
+That manie often did abie full sore:
+Ne Troynovant*, though elder sister shee,
+With my great forces might compared bee;
+That stout Pendragon to his perill felt,
+Who in a siege seaven yeres about me dwelt.                          105
+  [* _Troynovant_, London]
+
+"But long ere this, Bunduca, Britonnesse,
+Her mightie hoast against my bulwarkes brought;
+Bunduca! that victorious conqueresse,
+That, lifting up her brave heroick thought
+Bove womens weaknes, with the Romanes fought,                        110
+Fought, and in field against them thrice prevailed:
+Yet was she foyld, when as she me assailed.
+
+"And though at last by force I conquered were
+Of hardie Saxons, and became their thrall,
+Yet was I with much bloodshed bought full deere,                     115
+And prizde with slaughter of their generall,
+The moniment of whose sad funerall,
+For wonder of the world, long in me lasted,
+But now to nought, through spoyle of time, is wasted.
+
+"Wasted it is, as if it never were;                                  120
+And all the rest that me so honord made,
+And of the world admired ev'rie where,
+Is turnd to smoake that doth to nothing fade;
+And of that brightnes now appeares no shade,
+But greislie shades, such as doo haunt in hell                       125
+With fearfull fiends that in deep darknes dwell.
+
+"Where my high steeples whilom usde to stand,
+On which the lordly faulcon wont to towre,
+There now is but an heap of lyme and sand
+For the shriche-owle to build her balefull bowre:                    130
+And where the nightingale wont forth to powre
+Her restles plaints, to comfort wakefull lovers,
+There now haunt yelling mewes and whining plovers.
+
+"And where the christall Thamis wont to slide
+In silver channell downe along the lee,                              135
+About whose flowrie bankes on either side
+A thousand nymphes, with mirthfull iollitee,
+Were wont to play, from all annoyance free,
+There now no rivers course is to be seene,
+But moorish fennes, and marshes ever greene.                         140
+
+"Seemes that that gentle river, for great griefe
+Of my mishaps which oft I to him plained,
+Or for to shunne the horrible mischiefe
+With which he saw my cruell foes me pained,
+And his pure streames with guiltles blood oft stained,
+From my unhappie neighborhood farre fled,                            145
+And his sweete waters away with him led.
+
+"There also where the winged ships were seene
+In liquid waves to cut their fomie waie,
+And thousand fishers numbred to have been,                           150
+In that wide lake looking for plenteous praie
+Of fish, which they with baits usde to betraie,
+Is now no lake, nor anie fishers store,
+Nor ever ship shall saile there anie more.
+
+"They all are gone, and all with them is gone!                       155
+Ne ought to me remaines, but to lament
+My long decay, which no man els doth mone,
+And mourne my fall with dolefull dreriment:
+Yet it is comfort in great languishment,
+To be bemoned with compassion kinde,                                 160
+And mitigates the anguish of the minde.
+
+"But me no man bewaileth, but in game
+Ne sheddeth teares from lamentable eie;
+Nor anie lives that mentioneth my name
+To be remembred of posteritie,                                       165
+Save one, that maugre Fortunes iniurie,
+And Times decay, and Envies cruell tort*,
+Hath writ my record in true-seeming sort.
+  [* _Tort_, wrong]
+
+"CAMBDEN! the nourice* of antiquitie,
+And lanterne unto late succeding age                                 170
+To see the light of simple veritie
+Buried in ruines, through the great outrage
+Of her owne people led with warlike rage,
+CAMBDEN! though Time all moniments obscure,
+Yet thy iust labours ever shall endure.                              175
+  [* _Nourice_, nurse]
+
+"But whie, unhappie wight! doo I thus crie,
+And grieve that my remembrance quite is raced*
+Out of the knowledge of posteritie,
+And all my antique moniments defaced?
+Sith I doo dailie see things highest placed,                         180
+So soone as Fates their vitall thred have shorne,
+Forgotten quite as they were never borne
+  [* _Raced_, razed.]
+
+"It is not long, since these two eyes beheld
+A mightie Prince*, of most renowmed race,
+Whom England high in count of honour held,                           185
+And greatest ones did sue to game his grace;
+Of greatest ones he, greatest in his place,
+Sate in the bosom of his Soveraine,
+And _Right and Loyall_** did his word maintaine.
+  [* I. e. the Earl of Leicester.]
+  [** Leicester's motto.]
+
+"I saw him die, I saw him die as one                                 190
+Of the meane people, and brought foorth on beare;
+I saw him die, and no man left to mone
+His dolefull fate that late him loved deare;
+Scarse anie left to close his eylids neare;
+Scarse anie left upon his lips to laie                               195
+The sacred sod, or requiem to saie.
+
+"O trustlesse state of miserable men,
+That builde your blis on hope of earthly thing,
+And vainly thinke your selves halfe happie then,
+When painted faces with smooth flattering                            200
+Doo fawne on you, and your wide praises sing;
+And, when the courting masker louteth* lowe,
+Him true in heart and trustie to you trow!
+  [* _Louteth_, boweth.]
+
+"All is but fained, and with oaker* dide,
+That everie shower will wash and wipe away;                          205
+All things doo change that under heaven abide,
+And after death all friendship doth decaie.
+Therefore, what ever man bearst worldlie sway,
+Living, on God and on thy selfe relie;
+For, when thou diest, all shall with thee die.                       210
+  [* _Oaker_, ochre, paint.]
+
+"He now is dead, and all is with him dead,
+Save what in heavens storehouse he uplaid:
+His hope is faild, and come to passe his dread,
+And evill men (now dead) his deeds upbraid:
+Spite bites the dead, that living never baid.                        215
+He now is gone, the whiles the foxe is crept
+Into the hole the which the badger swept.
+
+"He now is dead, and all his glorie gone,
+And all his greatnes vapoured to nought,
+That as a glasse upon the water shone,                               220
+Which vanisht quite so soone as it was sought.
+His name is worne alreadie out of thought,
+Ne anie poet seekes him to revive;
+Yet manie poets honourd him alive.
+
+"Ne doth his Colin, carelesse Colin Cloute,                          225
+Care now his idle bagpipe up to raise,
+Ne tell his sorrow to the listning rout
+Of shepherd groomes, which wont his songs to praise:
+Praise who so list, yet I will him dispraise,
+Untill he quite* him of this guiltie blame.                          230
+Wake, shepheards boy, at length awake for shame!
+  [* _Quite_, acquit.]
+
+"And who so els did goodnes by him game,
+And who so els his bounteous minde did trie*,
+Whether he shepheard be, or shepheards swaine,
+(For manie did, which doo it now denie,)                             235
+Awake, and to his song a part applie:
+And I, the whilest you mourne for his decease,
+Will with my mourning plaints your plaint increase.
+  [* _Trie_, experience.]
+
+"He dyde, and after him his brother dyde,
+His brother prince, his brother noble peere,                         240
+That whilste he lived was of none envyde,
+And dead is now, as living, counted deare;
+Deare unto all that true affection beare,
+But unto thee most deare, O dearest Dame,
+His noble spouse and paragon of fame.                                245
+
+"He, whilest he lived, happie was through thee,
+And, being dead, is happie now much more;
+Living, that lincked chaunst with thee to bee,
+And dead, because him dead thou dost adore
+As living, and thy lost deare love deplore.                          250
+So whilst that thou, faire flower of chastitie,
+Dost live, by thee thy lord shall never die.
+
+"Thy lord shall never die, the whiles this verse
+Shall live, and surely it shall live for ever:
+For ever it shall live, and shall rehearse                           255
+His worthie praise, and vertues dying never,
+Though death his soule doo from his bodie sever:
+And thou thy selfe herein shalt also live;
+Such grace the heavens doo to my verses give.
+
+"Ne shall his sister, ne thy father, die;                            260
+Thy father, that good earle of rare renowne,
+And noble patrone of weake povertie;
+Whose great good deeds, in countrey and in towne.
+Have purchast him in heaven an happie crowne:
+Where he now liveth in eternall blis,                                265
+And left his sonne t'ensue those steps of his.
+
+"He, noble bud, his grandsires livelie hayre,
+Under the shadow of thy countenaunce
+Now ginnes to shoote up fast, and flourish fayre
+In learned artes, and goodlie governaunce,                           270
+That him to highest honour shall advaunce.
+Brave impe* of Bedford, grow apace in bountie,
+And count of wisedome more than of thy countie!
+  [* _Impe_, graft, scion.]
+
+"Ne may I let thy husbands sister die,
+That goodly ladie, sith she eke did spring                           275
+Out of this stocke and famous familie
+Whose praises I to future age doo sing;
+And foorth out of her happie womb did bring
+The sacred brood of learning and all honour;
+In whom the heavens powrde all their gifts upon her.
+
+"Most gentle spirite breathed from above,                            281
+Out of the bosome of the Makers blis,
+In whom all bountie and all vertuous love
+Appeared in their native propertis,
+And did enrich that noble breast of his                              285
+With treasure passing all this world�s worth,
+Worthie of heaven it selfe, which brought it forth:
+
+"His blessed spirite, full of power divine
+And influence of all celestiall grace,
+Loathing this sinfull earth and earthlie slime,                      290
+Fled backe too soonc unto his native place;
+Too soone for all that did his love embrace,
+Too soone for all this wretched world, whom he
+Robd of all right and true nobilitie.
+
+"Yet, ere his happie soule to heaven went                            295
+Out of this fleshlie goale, he did devise
+Unto his heavenlie Maker to present
+His bodie, as a spotles sacrifise,
+And chose that guiltie hands of enemies
+Should powre forth th'offring of his guiltles blood:
+So life exchanging for his countries good.                           300
+
+"O noble spirite, live there ever blessed,
+The worlds late wonder, and the heavens new ioy;
+Live ever there, and leave me here distressed
+With mortall cares and cumbrous worlds anoy!                         305
+But, where thou dost that happines enioy,
+Bid me, O bid me quicklie come to thee,
+That happie there I maie thee alwaies see!
+
+"Yet, whilest the Fates affoord me vitall breath,
+I will it spend in speaking of thy praise,                           310
+And sing to thee, untill that timelie death
+By heavens doome doo ende my earthlie daies:
+Thereto doo thou my humble spirite raise,
+And into me that sacred breath inspire,
+Which thou there breathest perfect and entire.                       315
+
+"Then will I sing; but who can better sing
+Than thine owne sister, peerles ladie bright,
+Which to thee sings with deep harts sorrowing,
+Sorrowing tempered with deare delight,
+That her to heare I feele my feeble spright                          320
+Robbed of sense, and ravished with ioy;
+O sad ioy, made of mourning and anoy!
+
+"Yet will I sing; but who can better sing
+Than thou thyselfe thine owne selfes valiance,
+That, whilest thou livedst, madest the forrests ring,                325
+And fields resownd, and flockes to leap and daunce,
+And shepheards leave their lambs unto mischaunce,
+To runne thy shrill Arcadian pipe to heare:
+O happie were those dayes, thrice happie were!
+
+"But now more happie thou, and wretched wee,                         330
+Which want the wonted sweetnes of thy voice,
+Whiles thou now in Elisian fields so free,
+With Orpheus, and with Linus, and the choice
+Of all that ever did in rimes reioyce,
+Conversest, and doost heare their heavenlie layes,                   335
+And they heare thine, and thine doo better praise.
+
+"So there thou livest, singing evermore,
+And here thou livest, being ever song
+Of us, which living loved thee afore,
+And now thee worship mongst that blessed throng                      340
+Of heavenlie poets and hero�s strong.
+So thou both here and there immortall art,
+And everie where through excellent desart.
+
+"But such as neither of themselves can sing,
+Nor yet are sung of others for reward,                               345
+Die in obscure oblivion, as the thing
+Which never was; ne ever with regard
+Their names shall of the later age be heard,
+But shall in rustic darknes ever lie,
+Unles they mentiond be with infamie.                                 350
+
+"What booteth it to have been rich alive?
+What to be great? what to be gracious?
+When after death no token doth survive
+Of former being in this mortall hous,
+But sleepes in dust dead and inglorious,                             355
+Like beast, whose breath but in his nostrels is,
+And hath no hope of happinesse or blis.
+
+"How manie great ones may remembred be,
+Which in their daies most famouslie did florish,
+Of whome no word we heare, nor signe now see,                        360
+But as things wipt out with a sponge to perishe,
+Because they living cared not to cherishe
+No gentle wits, through pride or covetize,
+Which might their names for ever memorize!
+
+"Provide therefore, ye Princes, whilst ye live,                      365
+That of the Muses ye may friended bee,
+Which unto men eternitie do give;
+For they be daughters of Dame Memorie
+And love, the father of Eternitie,
+And do those men in golden thrones repose,                           370
+Whose merits they to glorifie do chose.
+
+"The seven-fold yron gates of grislie Hell,
+And horrid house of sad Proserpina,
+They able are with power of mightie spell
+To breake, and thence the soules to bring awaie                      375
+Out of dread darkenesse to eternall day,
+And them immortall make which els would die
+In foule forgetfulnesse, and nameles lie.
+
+"So whilome raised they the puissant brood
+Of golden-girt Alcmena, for great merite,                            380
+Out of the dust to which the Oetaean wood
+Had him consum'd, and spent his vitall spirite,
+To highest heaven, where now he doth inherite
+All happinesse in Hebes silver bowre,
+Chosen to be her dearest paramoure.                                  385
+
+"So raisde they eke faire Ledaes warlick twinnes.
+And interchanged life unto them lent,
+That, when th'one di�s, th'other then beginnes
+To shew in heaven his brightnes orient;
+And they, for pittie of the sad wayment*,                            390
+Which Orpheus for Eurydice did make,
+Her back againe to life sent for his sake.
+  [* _Wayment_, lament.]
+
+"So happie are they, and so fortunate,
+Whom the Pierian sacred sisters love,
+That freed from bands of impacable** fate,                           395
+And power of death, they live for aye above,
+Where mortall wreakes their blis may not remove:
+But with the gods, for former verities meede,
+On nectar and ambrosia do feede.
+  [* _Impacable_, unappeasable.]
+
+"For deeds doe die, how ever noblie donne,                           400
+And thoughts of men do as themselves decay;
+But wise wordes taught in numbers for to runne,
+Recorded by the Muses, live for ay;
+Ne may with storming showers be washt away,
+Ne bitter-breathing windes with harmfull blast,                      405
+Nor age, nor envie, shall them ever wast.
+
+"In vaine doo earthly princes then, in vaine,
+Seeke with pyramides to heaven aspired,
+Or huge colosses built with costlie paine,
+Or brasen pillours never to be fired,                                410
+Or shrines made of the mettall most desired,
+To make their memories for ever live:
+For how can mortall immortalitie give?
+
+"Such one Mausolus made, the worlds great wonder,
+But now no remnant doth thereof remaine:                             415
+Such one Marcellus, but was torne with thunder:
+Such one Lisippus, but is worne with raine:
+Such one King Edmond, but was rent for gaine.
+All such vaine moniments of earthlie masse,
+Devour'd of Time, in time to nought doo passe.                       420
+
+"But Fame with golden wings aloft doth flie,
+Above the reach of ruinous decay,
+And with brave plumes doth beate the azure skie,
+Admir'd of base-borne men from farre away:
+Then who so will with vertuous deeds assay                           425
+To mount to heaven, on Pegasus must ride,
+And with sweete Poets verse be glorifide.
+
+"For not to have been dipt in Lethe lake,
+Could save the sonne of Thetis from to die;
+But that blinde bard did him immortall make                          430
+With verses dipt in deaw of Castalie:
+Which made the Easterne conquerour to crie,
+O fortunate yong man! whose vertue found
+So brave a trompe thy noble acts to sound.
+
+"Therefore in this halfe happie I doo read*                          435
+Good Melibae, that hath a poet got
+To sing his living praises being dead,
+Deserving never here to be forgot,
+In spight of envie, that his deeds would spot:
+Since whose decease, learning lies unregarded,                       440
+And men of armes doo wander unrewarded.
+  [* _Read_, consider]
+
+"Those two be those two great calamities,
+That long agoe did grieve the noble spright
+Of Salomon with great indignities,
+Who whilome was alive the wisest wight:                              445
+But now his wisedome is disprooved quite,
+For he that now welds* all things at his will
+Scorns th'one and th'other in his deeper skill.
+  [* _Welds_, wields]
+
+"O griefe of griefes! O gall of all good heartes!
+To see that vertue should dispised bee                               450
+Of him that first was raisde for vertuous parts,
+And now, broad spreading like an aged tree,
+Lets none shoot up that nigh him planted bee.
+O let the man of whom the Muse is scorned,
+Nor alive nor dead, be of the Muse adorned!                          455
+
+"O vile worlds trust! that with such vaine illusion
+Hath so wise men bewitcht and overkest*,
+That they see not the way of their confusion:
+O vainesse to be added to the rest
+That do my soule with inward griefe infest!                          460
+Let them behold the piteous fall of mee,
+And in my case their owne ensample see.
+  [* _Overkest_, overcast.]
+
+"And who so els that sits in highest seate
+Of this worlds glorie, worshipped of all,
+Ne feareth change of time, nor fortunes threats,                     465
+Let him behold the horror of my fall,
+And his owne end unto remembrance call;
+That of like ruine he may warned bee,
+And in himselfe be moov'd to pittie mee."
+
+Thus having ended all her piteous plaint,                            470
+With dolefull shrikes shee vanished away,
+That I, through inward sorrowe wexen faint,
+And all astonished with deepe dismay
+For her departure, had no word to say;
+But sate long time in sencelesse sad affright,                       475
+Looking still, if I might of her have sight.
+
+Which when I missed, having looked long,
+My thought returned greeved home againe,
+Renewing her complaint with passion strong,
+For ruth of that same womans piteous paine;                          480
+Whose wordes recording in my troubled braine,
+I felt such anguish wound my feeble heart,
+That frosen horror ran through everie part.
+
+So inlie greeving in my groning brest,
+And deepelie muzing at her doubtfull speach,                         485
+Whose meaning much I labored foorth to wreste,
+Being above my slender reasons reach,
+At length, by demonstration me to teach,
+Before mine eies strange sights presented were,
+Like tragicke pageants seeming to appeare.                           490
+
+
+I.
+
+I saw an Image, all of massie gold,
+Placed on high upon an altare faire,
+That all which did the same from farre beholde
+Might worship it, and fall on lowest staire.
+Not that great idoll might with this compaire,                       495
+To which th'Assyrian tyrant would have made
+The holie brethren falslie to have praid.
+
+But th'altare on the which this image staid
+Was (O great pitie!) built of brickle* clay,
+That shortly the foundation decaid,                                  500
+With showres of heaven and tempests worne away;
+Then downe it fell, and low in ashes lay,
+Scorned of everie one which by it went;
+That I, it seing, dearelie did lament.
+  [* _Brickle_, brittle.]
+
+II.
+
+Next unto this a statelie Towre appeared,                            505
+Built all of richest stone that might bee found,
+And nigh unto the heavens in height upreared,
+But placed on a plot of sandie ground:
+Not that great towre which is so much renownd
+For tongues confusion in Holie Writ,                                 510
+King Ninus worke, might be compar'd to it.
+
+But, O vaine labours of terrestriall wit,
+That buildes so stronglie on so frayle a soyle,
+As with each storme does fall away and flit,
+And gives the fruit of all your travailes toyle                      515
+To be the pray of Tyme, and Fortunes spoyle,
+I saw this towre fall sodainlie to dust,
+That nigh with griefe thereof my heart was brust.
+
+III.
+
+Then did I see a pleasant Paradize,
+Full of sweete flowres and daintiest delights,                       520
+Such as on earth man could not more devize,
+With pleasures choyce to feed his cheereful sprights:
+Not that which Merlin by his magicke slights
+Made for the gentle Squire, to entertaine
+His fayre Belphoebe, could this gardine staine.                      525
+
+But O short pleasure bought with lasting paine!
+Why will hereafter anie flesh delight
+In earthlie blis, and ioy in pleasures vaine?
+Since that I sawe this gardine wasted quite,
+That where it was scarce seemed anie sight;                          530
+That I, which once that beautie did beholde,
+Could not from teares my melting eyes with-holde.
+
+IV.
+
+Soone after this a Giaunt came in place,
+Of wondrous power, and of exceeding stature,
+That none durst vewe the horror of his face;                         535
+Yet was he milde of speach, and meeke of nature.
+Not he which in despight of his Creatour
+With railing tearmes defied the Iewish hoast,
+Might with this mightie one in hugenes boast;
+
+For from the one he could to th'other coast                          540
+Stretch his strong thighes, and th'ocean overstride,
+And reatch his hand into his enemies hoast.
+But see the end of pompe and fleshlie pride!
+One of his feete unwares from him did slide,
+That downe hee fell into the deepe abisse,                           545
+Where drownd with him is all his earthlie blisse.
+
+V.
+
+Then did I see a Bridge, made all of golde,
+Over the sea from one to other side,
+Withouten prop or pillour it t'upholde,
+But like the coloured rainbowe arched wide:                          550
+Not that great arche which Traian edifide,
+To be a wonder to all age ensuing,
+Was matchable to this in equall vewing.
+
+But ah! what bootes it to see earthlie thing
+In glorie or in greatnes to excell,                                  555
+Sith time doth greatest things to ruine bring?
+This goodlie bridge, one foote not fastned well,
+Gan faile, and all the rest downe shortlie fell,
+Ne of so brave a building ought remained,
+That griefe thereof my spirite greatly pained.                       560
+
+VI.
+I saw two Beares, as white as anie milke,
+Lying together in a mightie cave,
+Of milde aspect, and haire as soft as silke,
+That salvage nature seemed not to have,
+Nor after greedie spoyle of blood to crave:                          565
+Two fairer beasts might not elswhere be found,
+Although the compast* world were sought around.
+  [* _Compast_, rounded.]
+
+But what can long abide above this ground
+In state of blis, or stedfast happinesse?
+The cave in which these beares lay sleeping sound
+Was but earth, and with her owne weightinesse                        571
+Upon them fell, and did unwares oppresse;
+That, for great sorrow of their sudden fate,
+Henceforth all worlds felicitie I hate.
+
+Much was I troubled in my heavie spright,                            575
+At sight of these sad spectacles forepast,
+That all my senses were bereaved quight,
+And I in minde remained sore agast,
+Distraught twixt feare and pitie; when at last
+I heard a voyce which loudly to me called,                           580
+That with the suddein shrill I was appalled.
+
+"Behold," said it, "and by ensample see,
+That all is vanitie and griefe of minde,
+Ne other comfort in this world can be,
+But hope of heaven, and heart to God inclinde;                       585
+For all the rest must needs be left behinde."
+With that it bad me to the other side
+To cast mine eye, where other sights I spide.
+
+I.
+
+Upon that famous rivers further shore,
+There stood a snowie Swan, of heavenly hiew                          590
+And gentle kinde as ever fowle afore;
+A fairer one in all the goodlie criew
+Of white Strimonian brood might no man view:
+There he most sweetly sung the prophecie
+Of his owne death in dolefull elegie.                                595
+
+At last, when all his mourning melodie
+He ended had, that both the shores resounded,
+Feeling the fit that him forewarnd to die,
+With loftie flight above the earth he bounded,
+And out of sight to highest heaven mounted,                          600
+Where now he is become an heavenly signe;
+There now the ioy is his, here sorrow mine.
+
+II.
+
+Whilest thus I looked, loe! adowne the lee*
+I sawe an Harpe, stroong all with silver twyne,
+And made of golde and costlie yvorie,                                605
+Swimming, that whilome seemed to have been
+The harpe on which Dan Orpheus was seene
+Wylde beasts and forrests after him to lead,
+But was th'harpe of Philisides** now dead.
+  [* _Lee_, surface of the stream.]
+  [** _Phili-sid-es_, Sir Philip Sidney]
+
+At length out of the river it was reard,                             610
+And borne above the cloudes to be divin'd,
+Whilst all the way most heavenly noyse was heard
+Of the strings, stirred with the warbling wind,
+That wrought both ioy and sorrow in my mind:
+So now in heaven a signe it doth appeare,                            615
+The Harpe well knowne beside the Northern Beare.
+
+III.
+
+Soone after this I saw on th'other side
+A curious Coffer made of heben* wood,
+That in it did most precious treasure hide,
+Exceeding all this baser world�s good:                               620
+Yet through the overflowing of the flood
+It almost drowned was and done to nought,
+That sight thereof much griev'd my pensive thought.
+  [* _Heben_, ebony.]
+
+At length, when most in perill it was brought,
+Two angels, downe descending with swift flight,                      625
+Out of the swelling streame it lightly caught,
+And twixt their blessed armes it carried quight
+Above the reach of anie living sight:
+So now it is transform'd into that starre,
+In which all heavenly treasures locked are.                          630
+
+IV.
+
+Looking aside I saw a stately Bed,
+Adorned all with costly cloth of gold,
+That might for anie princes couche be red*,
+And deckt with daintie flowres, as if it shold
+Be for some bride, her ioyous night to hold:                         635
+Therein a goodly virgine sleeping lay;
+A fairer wight saw never summers day.
+  [* _Red_, taken.]
+
+I heard a voyce that called farre away,
+And her awaking bad her quickly dight,
+For lo! her bridegrome was in readie ray                             640
+To come to her, and seeke her loves delight:
+With that she started up with cherefull sight,
+When suddeinly both bed and all was gone,
+And I in languor left there all alone.
+
+V.
+
+Still as I gazed, I beheld where stood                               645
+A Knight all arm'd, upon a winged steed,
+The same that was bred of Medusaes blood,
+On which Dan Perseus, borne of heavenly seed,
+The faire Andromeda from perill freed:
+Full mortally this knight ywounded was,                              650
+That streames of blood foorth flowed on the gras.
+
+Yet was he deckt (small ioy to him, alas!)
+With manie garlands for his victories,
+And with rich spoyles, which late he did purchas
+Through brave atcheivements from his enemies:                        655
+Fainting at last through long infirmities,
+He smote his steed, that straight to heaven him bore,
+And left me here his losse for to deplore.
+
+VI.
+
+Lastly, I saw an Arke of purest golde
+Upon a brazen pillour standing hie,                                  660
+Which th'ashes seem'd of some great prince to hold,
+Enclosde therein for endles memorie
+Of him whom all the world did glorifie:
+Seemed the heavens with the earth did disagree,
+Whether should of those ashes keeper bee.                            665
+
+At last me seem'd wing-footed Mercurie,
+From heaven descending to appease their strife,
+The arke did beare with him above the skie,
+And to those ashes gave a second life,
+To live in heaven, where happines is rife:                           670
+At which the earth did grieve exceedingly,
+And I for dole was almost like to die.
+
+_L'Envoy._
+
+Immortall spirite of Philisides,
+Which now art made the heavens ornament,
+That whilome wast the world�s chiefst riches.                        675
+Give leave to him that lov'de thee to lament
+His losse by lacke of thee to heaven hent*,
+And with last duties of this broken verse,
+Broken with sighes, to decke thy sable herse!
+  [* _Hent_, taken away.]
+
+And ye, faire Ladie! th'honor of your daies                          680
+And glorie of the world, your high thoughts scorne,
+Vouchsafe this moniment of his last praise
+With some few silver dropping teares t'adorne;
+And as ye be of heavenlie off-spring borne,
+So unto heaven let your high minde aspire,                           685
+And loath this drosse of sinfull worlds desire.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+Ver. 8.--_Verlame._  Veralam, or Verulamium, was a British and Roman
+town, near the present city of St. Alban's in Hertfordshire. Some
+remains of its walls are still perceptible. H.
+
+Ver. 64.--_Th'Assyrian Lyonesse._   These types of nations are taken
+from the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel. H.
+
+Ver. 190.--_I saw him die_. Leicester died at Cornbury Lodge, in
+Oxfordshire. Todd suggests that he may have fallen sick at St. Alban's,
+and that Spenser, hearing the report in Ireland, may havo concluded
+without inquiry that this was the place of his subsequent death, C.
+
+Ver. 225.--_Colin Cloute._ Spenser himself, who had been befriended by
+Leicester. H.
+
+Ver. 239.--_His brother._ Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick.
+
+Ver. 245.--_His noble spouse._ Anne, the eldest daughter of Francis
+Russell, Earl of Bedford.
+
+Ver. 260.--_His sister_. Lady Mary Sidney.
+
+Ver. 261.--_That good earle_, &c. This Earl of Bedford died in 1585.--
+TODD.
+
+Ver. 267.--_He, noble bud_, &c. Edward Russell, grandson of Francis
+Earl of Bedford, succeeded in the earldom, his father, Francis, having
+been slain by the Scots.--OLDYS.
+
+Ver. 275.--_That goodly ladie_, &c.   Lady Mary Sidney, mother of Sir
+Philip Sidney and the Countess of Pembroke.
+
+Ver. 281.--_Most gentle spirite._  Sir Philip Sidney.
+
+Ver. 317.--_Thine owne sister,_ &c. The Countess of Pembroke, to whom
+this poem is dedicated. "The Dolefull Lay of Clorinda" (Vol. IV. p.
+426) appears to have been written by her.
+
+Ver. 436.--_Good Melibae_. Sir Francis Walsingham, who died April
+6,1590. The _poet_ is Thomas Watson.--OLDYS.
+
+Ver. 447-455.--These lines are aimed at Burghley, who was said to have
+opposed the Queen's intended bounty to the poet. C.
+
+Ver 491.--These allegorical representations of the vanity of exalted
+position, stately buildings, earthly pleasures, bodily strength, and
+works of beauty and magnificence, admit of an easy application to the
+splendid career of the Earl of Leicester,--his favor and influence with
+the Queen, his enlargement of Kenilworth, his princely style of living,
+and particularly (IV.) his military command in the Low Countries. The
+sixth of these "tragick pageants" strongly confirms this
+interpretation. The two bears are Robert and Ambrose Dudley. While
+Leicester was lieutenant in the Netherlands, he was in the habit of
+using the Warwick crest (a bear and ragged staff) instead of his own.
+Naunton, in his Fragmenta Regalia, calls him _Ursa Major_. C.
+
+Ver. 497.--_The holie brethren_, &c. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
+Daniel, ch. iii. C.
+
+Ver. 582-586.--A paraphrase of Sir Philip's last words to his brother.
+"Above all, govern your will and affection by the will and word of your
+Creator, in me beholding the end of this world with all her vanities."
+This is pointed out by Zouch, Life of Sidney, p. 263. C.
+
+Ver 590.--This second series of pageants is applicable exclusively to
+Sir Philip Sidney. The meaning of the third and fourth is hard to make
+out; but the third seems to have reference to the collection of the
+scattered sheets of the Arcadia, and the publication of this work by
+the Countess of Pembroke, after it had been condemned to destruction by
+the author. The fourth may indeed signify nothing more than Lady
+Sidney's bereavement by her husband's death; but this interpretation
+seems too literal for a professed allegory. The sixth obviously alludes
+to the splendid obsequies to Sidney, performed at the Queen's expense,
+and to the competition of the States of Holland for the honor of
+burying his body. C.
+
+L'ENVOY: _L'Envoy_ was a sort of postscript _sent with_ poetical
+compositions, and serving either to recommend them to the attention of
+some particular person, or to enforce what we call the moral of them.--
+TYRWHITT.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+THE TEARES OF THE MUSES.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+
+
+LONDON:
+
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE, DWELLING IN PAULES CHURCHYARD AT THE
+SIGNE OF THE BISHOPS HEAD.
+
+1591.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
+
+THE LADIE STRANGE.
+
+Most brave and noble Ladie, the things that make ye so much honored of
+the world as ye bee are such as (without my simple lines testimonie)
+are throughlie knowen to all men; namely, your excellent beautie, your
+vertuous behavior, and your noble match with that most honourable Lord,
+the verie paterne of right nobilitie. But the causes for which ye have
+thus deserved of me to be honoured, (if honour it be at all,) are, both
+your particular bounties, and also some private bands of affinitie*,
+which it hath pleased your Ladiship to acknowledge. Of which whenas I
+found my selfe in no part worthie, I devised this last slender meanes,
+both to intimate my humble affection to your Ladiship, and also to make
+the same universallie knowen to the world; that by honouring you they
+might know me, and by knowing me they might honor you. Vouchsafe, noble
+Lady, to accept this simple remembrance, though not worthy of your
+self, yet such as perhaps by good acceptance thereof ye may hereafter
+cull out a more meet and memorable evidence of your own excellent
+deserts. So recommending the same to your Ladiships good liking, I
+humbly take leave.
+
+Your La: humbly ever.
+
+ED. SP.
+
+[Footnote: Lady Strange was Alice Spencer, sixth daughter of Sir John
+Spencer of Althorpe. C.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE TEARES OF THE MUSES.
+
+
+Rehearse to me, ye sacred Sisters nine,
+The golden brood of great Apolloes wit,
+Those piteous plaints and sorowfull sad tine
+Which late ye powred forth as ye did sit
+Beside the silver springs of Helicone,                                 5
+Making your musick of hart-breaking mone!
+
+For since the time that Phoebus foolish sonne,
+Ythundered, through loves avengefull wrath,
+For traversing the charret of the Sunne
+Beyond the compasse of his pointed path,                              10
+Of you, his mournfull sisters, was lamented,
+Such mournfull tunes were never since invented.
+
+Nor since that faire Calliope did lose
+Her loved twinnes, the dearlings of her ioy,
+Her Palici, whom her unkindly foes,                                   15
+The Fatall Sisters, did for spight destroy,
+Whom all the Muses did bewaile long space,
+Was ever heard such wayling in this place.
+
+For all their groves, which with the heavenly noyses
+Of their sweete instruments were wont to sound,                       20
+And th'hollow hills, from which their silver voyces
+Were wont redoubled echoes to rebound,
+Did now rebound with nought but rufull cries,
+And yelling shrieks throwne up into the skies.
+
+The trembling streames which wont in chanels cleare                   25
+To romble gently downe with murmur soft,
+And were by them right tunefull taught to beare
+A bases part amongst their consorts oft;
+Now forst to overflowe with brackish teares,
+With troublous noyse did dull their daintie eares.                    30
+
+The ioyous Nymphes and lightfoote Fa�ries
+Which thether came to heare their musick sweet,
+And to the measure of their melodies
+Did learne to move their nimble-shifting feete,
+Now hearing them so heavily lament,                                   35
+Like heavily lamenting from them went.
+
+And all that els was wont to worke delight
+Through the divine infusion of their skill,
+And all that els seemd faire and fresh in sight,
+So made by nature for to serve their will,                            40
+Was turned now to dismall heavinesse,
+Was turned now to dreadfull uglinesse.
+
+Ay me! what thing on earth, that all thing breeds,
+Might be the cause of so impatient plight?
+What furie, or what feend, with felon deeds                           45
+Hath stirred up so mischievous despight?
+Can griefe then enter into heavenly harts,
+And pierce immortall breasts with mortall smarts?
+
+Vouchsafe ye then, whom onely it concernes,
+To me those secret causes to display;                                 50
+For none but you, or who of you it learnes,
+Can rightfully aread so dolefull lay.
+Begin, thou eldest sister of the crew,
+And let the rest in order thee ensew.
+
+CLIO.
+
+Heare, thou great Father of the Gods on hie,                          55
+That most art dreaded for thy thunder darts;
+And thou, our Syre? that raignst in Castalie
+And Mount Parnasse, the god of goodly arts:
+Heare, and behold the miserable state
+Of us thy daughters, dolefull desolate.                               60
+
+Behold the fowle reproach and open shame
+The which is day by day unto us wrought
+By such as hate the honour of our name,
+The foes of learning and each gentle thought;
+They, not contented us themselves to scorne,                          65
+Doo seeke to make us of the world forlorne*.
+  [* Forlorne, abandoned]
+
+Ne onely they that dwell in lowly dust,
+The sonnes of darknes and of ignoraunce;
+But they whom thou, great love, by doome uniust
+Didst to the type of honour earst advaunce;                           70
+They now, puft up with sdeignfull insolence,
+Despise the brood of blessed Sapience.
+
+The sectaries* of my celestiall skill,
+That wont to be the worlds chiefe ornament,
+And learned impes that wont to shoote up still,                       75
+And grow to hight of kingdomes government,
+They underkeep, and with their spredding armes
+Doo beat their buds, that perish through their harmes.
+  [* _Sectaries_, followers.]
+
+It most behoves the honorable race
+Of mightie peeres true wisedome to sustaine,                          80
+And with their noble countenaunce to grace
+The learned forheads, without gifts or game:
+Or rather learnd themselves behoves to bee;
+That is the girlond of nobilitie.
+
+But ah! all otherwise they doo esteeme                                85
+Of th'heavenly gift of wisdomes influence,
+And to be learned it a base thing deeme:
+Base minded they that want intelligence;
+For God himselfe for wisedome most is praised,
+And men to God thereby are nighest raised.                            90
+
+But they doo onely strive themselves to raise
+Through pompous pride, and foolish vanitie;
+In th'eyes of people they put all their praise,
+And onely boast of armes and auncestrie:
+But vertuous deeds, which did those armes first give
+To their grandsyres, they care not to atchive.                        96
+
+So I, that doo all noble feates professe
+To register and sound in trump of gold,
+Through their bad dooings, or base slothfulnesse,
+Finde nothing worthie to be writ, or told:                           100
+For better farre it were to hide their names,
+Than telling them to blazon out their blames.
+
+So shall succeeding ages have no light
+Of things forepast, nor moniments of time;
+And all that in this world is worthie hight                          105
+Shall die in darknesse, and lie hid in slime!
+Therefore I mourne with deep harts sorrowing,
+Because I nothing noble have to sing.
+
+With that she raynd such store of streaming teares,
+That could have made a stonie heart to weep;                         110
+And all her sisters rent* their golden heares,
+And their faire faces with salt humour steep.
+So ended shee: and then the next anew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.
+  [* _Rent_, rend.]
+
+MELPOMENE.
+
+O, who shall powre into my swollen eyes                              115
+A sea of teares that never may be dryde,
+A brasen voice that may with shrilling cryes
+Pierce the dull heavens and fill the ay�r wide,
+And yron sides that sighing may endure,
+To waile the wretchednes of world impure!                            120
+
+Ah, wretched world! the den of wickednesse,
+Deformd with filth and fowle iniquitie;
+Ah, wretched world! the house of heavinesse,
+Fild with the wreaks of mortall miserie;
+Ah, wretched world, and all that is therein!                         125
+The vassals of Gods wrath, and slaves of sin.
+
+Most miserable creature under sky
+Man without understanding doth appeare;
+For all this worlds affliction he thereby,
+And fortunes freakes, is wisely taught to beare:                     130
+Of wretched life the onely ioy shee is.
+And th'only comfort in calamities.
+
+She armes the brest with constant patience
+Against the bitter throwes of dolours darts:
+She solaceth with rules of sapience                                  135
+The gentle minds, in midst of worldlie smarts:
+When he is sad, shee seeks to make him merie,
+And doth refresh his sprights when they be werie.
+
+But he that is of reasons skill bereft,
+And wants the staffe of wisedome him to stay,                        140
+Is like a ship in midst of tempest left
+Withouten helme or pilot her to sway:
+Full sad and dreadfull is that ships event;
+So is the man that wants intendiment*.
+[* _Intendiment_, understanding.]
+
+Whie then doo foolish men so much despize                            145
+The precious store of this celestiall riches?
+Why doo they banish us, that patronize
+The name of learning? Most unhappie wretches!
+The which lie drowned in deep wretchednes,
+Yet doo not see their owne unhappines.                               150
+
+My part it is and my professed skill
+The stage with tragick buskin to adorne,
+And fill the scene with plaint and outcries shrill
+Of wretched persons, to misfortune borne:
+But none more tragick matter I can finde                             155
+Than this, of men depriv'd of sense and minde.
+
+For all mans life me seemes a tragedy,
+Full of sad sights and sore catastrophees;
+First comming to the world with weeping eye,
+Where all his dayes, like dolorous trophees,                         160
+Are heapt with spoyles of fortune and of feare,
+And he at last laid forth on balefull beare.
+
+So all with rufull spectacles is fild,
+Fit for Megera or Persephone;
+But I that in true tragedies am skild,                               165
+The flowre of wit, finde nought to busie me:
+Therefore I mourne, and pitifully mone,
+Because that mourning matter I have none.
+
+Then gan she wofully to waile, and wring
+Her wretched hands in lamentable wise;                               170
+And all her sisters, thereto answering,
+Threw forth lowd shrieks and drerie dolefull cries.
+So rested she: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.
+
+
+THALIA.
+
+Where be the sweete delights of learnings treasure,                  175
+That wont with comick sock to beautefie
+The painted theaters, and fill with pleasure
+The listners eyes, and eares with melodie,
+In which I late was wont to raine as queene,
+And maske in mirth with graces well beseene?                         180
+
+O, all is gone! and all that goodly glee,
+Which wont to be the glorie of gay wits,
+Is layd abed, and no where now to see;
+And in her roome unseemly Sorrow sits,
+With hollow browes and greisly countenaunce                          185
+Marring my ioyous gentle dalliaunce.
+
+And him beside sits ugly Barbarisme,
+And brutish Ignorance, ycrept of late
+Out of dredd darknes of the deep abysme,
+Where being bredd, he light and heaven does hate:
+They in the mindes of men now tyrannize,                             191
+And the faire scene with rudenes foule disguize.
+
+All places they with follie have possest,
+And with vaine toyes the vulgare entertaine;
+But me have banished, with all the rest                              195
+That whilome wont to wait upon my traine,
+Fine Counterfesaunce*, and unhurtfull Sport,
+Delight, and Laughter, deckt in seemly sort.
+  [* _Counterfesaunce_, mimicry.]
+
+All these, and all that els the comick stage
+With seasoned wit and goodly pleasance graced,                       200
+By which mans life in his likest im�ge
+Was limned forth, are wholly now defaced;
+And those sweete wits which wont the like to frame
+Are now despizd, and made a laughing game.
+
+And he, the man whom Nature selfe had made                           205
+To mock her selfe, and truth to imitate,
+With kindly counter* under mimick shade,
+Our pleasant Willy, ah! is dead of late:
+With whom all ioy and iolly meriment
+Is also deaded, and in dolour drent**.                               210
+  [* _Counter_, counterfeit.]
+  [** _Drent_, drowned.]
+
+In stead thereof scoffing Scurrilitie,
+And scornfull Follie with Contempt is crept,
+Rolling in rymes of shameles ribaudrie
+Without regard, or due decorum kept;
+Each idle wit at will presumes to make*,                             215
+And doth the learneds taske upon him take.
+  [* _Make_, write poetry.]
+
+But that same gentle spirit, from whose pen
+Large streames of honnie and sweete nectar flowe,
+Scorning the boldnes of such base-borne men,
+Which dare their follies forth so rashlie throwe,                    220
+Doth rather choose to sit in idle cell,
+Than so himselfe to mockerie to sell.
+
+So am I made the servant of the manie,
+And laughing stocke of all that list to scorne,
+Not honored nor cared for of anie,                                   225
+But loath'd of losels* as a thing forlorne:
+Therefore I mourne and sorrow with the rest,
+Untill my cause of sorrow be redrest.
+  [* _Losels_, worthless fellows.]
+
+Therewith she lowdly did lament and shrike,
+Pouring forth streames of teares abundantly;                         230
+And all her sisters, with compassion like,
+The breaches of her singulfs* did supply.
+So rested shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.
+  [* I.e. the pauses of her sighs.]
+
+EUTERPE.
+
+Like as the dearling of the summers pryde,                           235
+Faire Philomele, when winters stormie wrath
+The goodly fields, that earst so gay were dyde
+In colours divers, quite despoyled hath,
+All comfortlesse doth hide her chearlesse head
+During the time of that her widowhead,                               240
+
+So we, that earst were wont in sweet accord
+All places with our pleasant notes to fill,
+Whilest favourable times did us afford
+Free libertie to chaunt our charmes at will,
+All comfortlesse upon the bared bow*,                                245
+Like wofull culvers**, doo sit wayling now.
+  [* _Bow_, bough.]
+  [** _Culvers_, doves.]
+
+For far more bitter storme than winters stowre*
+The beautie of the world hath lately wasted,
+And those fresh buds, which wont so faire to flowre,
+Hath marred quite, and all their blossoms blasted;                   250
+And those yong plants, which wont with fruit t'abound,
+Now without fruite or leaves are to be found.
+  [* _Stowre_, violence.]
+
+A stonie coldnesse hath benumbd the sence
+And livelie spirits of each living wight,
+And dimd with darknesse their intelligence,                          255
+Darknesse more than Cymerians daylie night:
+And monstrous Error, flying in the ayre,
+Hath mard the face of all that semed fayre.
+
+Image of hellish horrour, Ignorance,
+Borne in the bosome of the black abysse,                             260
+And fed with Furies milke for sustenaunce
+Of his weake infancie, begot amisse
+By yawning Sloth on his owne mother Night,--
+So hee his sonnes both syre and brother hight,--
+
+He, armd with blindnesse and with boldnes stout,                     265
+(For blind is bold,) hath our fayre light defaced;
+And, gathering unto him a ragged rout
+Of Faunes and Satyres, hath our dwellings raced*,
+And our chast bowers, in which all vertue rained,
+With brutishnesse and beastlie filth hath stained.                   270
+  [* _Raced_, razed.]
+
+The sacred springs of horsefoot Helicon,
+So oft bedeawed with our learned layes,
+And speaking streames of pure Castalion,
+The famous witnesse of our wonted praise,
+They trampled have with their fowle footings trade*,
+And like to troubled puddles have them made.                         276
+  [* _Trade_, tread.]
+
+Our pleasant groves, which planted were with paines,
+That with our musick wont so oft to ring,
+And arbors sweet, in which the shepheards swaines
+Were wont so oft their pastoralls to sing,                           280
+They have cut downe, and all their pleasaunce mard,
+That now no pastorall is to bee hard.
+
+In stead of them, fowle goblins and shriek-owles
+With fearfull howling do all places fill,
+And feeble eccho now laments and howles,                             285
+The dreadfull accents of their outcries shrill.
+So all is turned into wildernesse,
+Whilest Ignorance the Muses doth oppresse.
+
+And I, whose ioy was earst with spirit full
+To teach the warbling pipe to sound aloft,                           290
+My spirits now dismayd with sorrow dull,
+Doo mone my miserie in silence soft.
+Therefore I mourne and waile incessantly,
+Till please the heavens affoord me remedy.
+
+Therewith shee wayled with exceeding woe,                            295
+And pitious lamentation did make;
+And all her sisters, seeing her doo soe,
+With equall plaints her sorrowe did partake.
+So rested shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.                            300
+
+
+TERPSICHORE.
+
+Whoso hath in the lap of soft delight
+Beene long time luld, and fed with pleasures sweet,
+Feareles through his own fault or Fortunes spight
+To tumble into sorrow and regreet,
+Yf chaunce him fall into calamitie,                                  305
+Findes greater burthen of his miserie.
+
+So wee, that earst in ioyance did abound,
+And in the bosome of all blis did sit,
+Like virgin queenes, with laurell garlands cround,
+For vertues meed and ornament of wit,                                310
+Sith Ignorance our kingdome did confound,
+Bee now become most wretched wightes on ground.
+
+And in our royall thrones, which lately stood
+In th'hearts of men to rule them carefully,
+He now hath placed his accursed brood,                               315
+By him begotten of fowle Infamy;
+Blind Error, scornefull Follie, and base Spight,
+Who hold by wrong that wee should have by right.
+
+They to the vulgar sort now pipe and sing,
+And make them merrie with their fooleries;                           320
+They cherelie chaunt, and rymes at randon fling,
+The fruitfull spawne of their ranke fantasies;
+They feede the eares of fooles with flattery,
+And good men blame, and losels* magnify.
+  [* _Losels_, worthless fellows.]
+
+All places they doo with their toyes possesse,                       325
+And raigne in liking of the multitude;
+The schooles they till with fond newfanglenesse,
+And sway in court with pride and rashnes rude;
+Mongst simple shepheards they do boast their skill,
+And say their musicke matcheth Phoebus quill.                        330
+
+The noble hearts to pleasures they allure,
+And tell their Prince that learning is but vaine;
+Faire ladies loves they spot with thoughts impure,
+And gentle mindes with lewd delights distaine;
+Clerks* they to loathly idlenes entice,                              335
+And fill their bookes with discipline of vice.
+  [* _Clerks_, scholars.]
+
+So every where they rule and tyrannize,
+For their usurped kingdomes maintenaunce,
+The whiles we silly maides, whom they dispize
+And with reprochfull scorne discountenaunce,                         340
+From our owne native heritage exilde,
+Walk through the world of every one revilde.
+
+Nor anie one doth care to call us in,
+Or once vouchsafeth us to entertaine,
+Unlesse some one perhaps of gentle kin,                              345
+For pitties sake, compassion our paine,
+And yeeld us some reliefe in this distresse;
+Yet to be so reliev'd is wretchednesse.
+
+So wander we all carefull comfortlesse,
+Yet none cloth care to comfort us at all;                            350
+So seeke we helpe our sorrow to redresse,
+Yet none vouchsafes to answere to our call;
+Therefore we mourne and pittilesse complaine,
+Because none living pittieth our paine.
+
+With that she wept and wofullie waymented,                           355
+That naught on earth her griefe might pacifie;
+And all the rest her dolefull din augmented
+With shrikes, and groanes, and grievous agonie.
+So ended shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her piteous plaint, as doth ensew.                             360
+
+ERATO.
+
+Ye gentle Spirits breathing from above,
+Where ye in Venus silver bowre were bred,
+Thoughts halfe devine, full of the fire of love,
+With beawtie kindled, and with pleasure fed,
+Which ye now in securitie possesse,                                  365
+Forgetfull of your former heavinesse,--
+
+Now change the tenor of your ioyous layes,
+With which ye use your loves to deifie,
+And blazon foorth an earthlie beauties praise
+Above the compasse of the arched skie:                               370
+Now change your praises into piteous cries,
+And eulogies turne into elegies.
+
+Such as ye wont, whenas those bitter stounds*
+Of raging love first gan you to torment,
+And launch your hearts with lamentable wounds                        375
+Of secret sorrow and sad languishment,
+Before your loves did take you unto grace;
+Those now renew, as fitter for this place.
+  [* _Stounds_, hours.]
+
+For I that rule in measure moderate
+The tempest of that stormie passion,                                 380
+And use to paint in rimes the troublous state
+Of lovers life in likest fashion,
+Am put from practise of my kindlie** skill,
+Banisht by those that love with leawdnes fill.
+  [* _Kindlie_, natural.]
+
+Love wont to be schoolmaster of my skill,                            385
+And the devicefull matter of my song;
+Sweete love devoyd of villanie or ill,
+But pure and spotles, as at first he sprong
+Out of th'Almighties bosome, where he nests;
+From thence infused into mortall brests.                             390
+
+Such high conceipt of that celestiall fire,
+The base-borne brood of Blindnes cannot gesse,
+Ne ever dare their dunghill thoughts aspire
+Unto so loftie pitch of perfectnesse,
+But rime at riot, and doo rage in love,                              395
+Yet little wote what doth thereto behove.
+
+Faire Cytheree, the mother of delight
+And queene of beautie, now thou maist go pack;
+For lo! thy kingdoms is defaced quight,
+Thy scepter rent, and power put to wrack;                            400
+And thy gay sonne, that winged God of Love,
+May now goe prune his plumes like ruffed* dove.
+  [* _Ruffed_, ruffled.]
+
+And ye three twins, to light by Venus brought,
+The sweete companions of the Muses late,
+From whom whatever thing is goodly thought                           405
+Doth borrow grace, the fancie to aggrate*,
+Go beg with us, and be companions still,
+As heretofore of good, so now of ill.
+  [* _Aggrate_, please.]
+
+For neither you nor we shall anie more
+Finde entertainment or in court or schoole:                          410
+For that which was accounted heretofore
+The learneds meed is now lent to the foole;
+He sings of love and maketh loving layes,
+And they him heare, and they him highly prayse.
+
+With that she powred foorth a brackish flood                         415
+Of bitter teares, and made exceeding mone;
+And all her sisters, seeing her sad mood,
+With lowd laments her answered all at one.
+So ended she: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.                            420
+
+To whom shall I my evill case complaine,
+Or tell the anguish of my inward smart,
+Sith none is left to remedie my paine,
+Or deignes to pitie a perplexed hart;
+But rather seekes my sorrow to augment                               425
+With fowle reproach, and cruell banishment?
+
+For they to whom I used to applie
+The faithfull service of my learned skill,
+The goodly off-spring of loves progenie,
+That wont the world with famous acts to fill,                        430
+Whose living praises in heroick style,
+It is my chiefe profession to compyle,--
+
+They, all corrupted through the rust of time,
+That doth all fairest things on earth deface,
+Or through unnoble sloth, or sinfull crime,                          435
+That doth degenerate the noble race,
+Have both desire of worthie deeds forlorne,
+And name of learning utterly doo scorne.
+
+Ne doo they care to have the auncestrie
+Of th'old heroes memorizde anew;                                     440
+Ne doo they care that late posteritie
+Should know their names, or speak their praises dew,
+But die, forgot from whence at first they sprong,
+As they themselves shalbe forgot ere long.
+
+What bootes it then to come from glorious                            445
+Forefathers, or to have been nobly bredd?
+What oddes twixt Irus and old Inachus,
+Twixt best and worst, when both alike are dedd,
+If none of neither mention should make,
+Nor out of dust their memories awake?                                450
+
+Or who would ever care to doo brave deed,
+Or strive in vertue others to excell,
+If none should yeeld him his deserved meed,
+Due praise, that is the spur of doing well?
+For if good were not praised more than ill,                          455
+None would choose goodnes of his owne freewill.
+
+Therefore the nurse of vertue I am hight,
+And golden trompet of eternitie,
+That lowly thoughts lift up to heavens hight,
+And mortall men have powre to deifie:                                460
+Bacchus and Hercules I raisd to heaven,
+And Charlemaine amongst the starris seaven.
+
+But now I will my golden clarion rend,
+And will henceforth immortalize no more,
+Sith I no more finde worthie to commend                              465
+For prize of value, or for learned lore:
+For noble peeres, whom I was wont to raise,
+Now onely seeke for pleasure, nought for praise.
+
+Their great revenues all in sumptuous pride
+They spend, that nought to learning they may spare;
+And the rich fee which poets wont divide                             471
+Now parasites and sycophants doo share:
+Therefore I mourne and endlesse sorrow make,
+Both for my selfe and for my sisters sake.
+
+With that she lowdly gan to waile and shrike,                        475
+And from her eyes a sea of teares did powre;
+And all her sisters, with compassion like,
+Did more increase the sharpnes of her showre.
+So ended she: and then the next in rew
+Began her plaint, as doth herein ensew.                              480
+
+URANIA.
+
+What wrath of gods, or wicked influence
+Of starres conspiring wretched men t'afflict,
+Hath powrd on earth this noyous pestilence,
+That mortall mindes doth inwardly infect
+With love of blindnesse and of ignorance,                            485
+To dwell in darkenesse without sovenance?*
+  [* _Sovenance_, remembrance.]
+
+What difference twixt man and beast is left,
+When th'heavenlie light of knowledge is put out,
+And th'ornaments of wisdome are bereft?
+Then wandreth he in error and in doubt,                              490
+Unweeting* of the danger hee is in,
+Through fleshes frailtie and deceipt of sin.
+  [* _Unweeting_, unknowing.]
+
+In this wide world in which they wretches stray,
+It is the onelie comfort which they have,
+It is their light, their loadstarre, and their day;                  495
+But hell, and darkenesse, and the grislie grave,
+Is Ignorance, the enemie of Grace,
+That mindes of men borne heavenlie doth debace.
+
+Through knowledge we behold the worlds creation,
+How in his cradle first he fostred was;                              500
+And iudge of Natures cunning operation,
+How things she formed of a formelesse mas:
+By knowledge wee do learne our selves to knowe,
+And what to man, and what to God, wee owe.
+
+From hence wee mount aloft unto the skie,                            505
+And looke into the christall firmament;
+There we behold the heavens great hierarchie,
+The starres pure light, the spheres swift mov�ment,
+The spirites and intelligences fayre,
+And angels waighting on th'Almighties chayre.                        510
+
+And there, with humble minde and high insight,
+Th'eternall Makers maiestie wee viewe,
+His love, his truth, his glorie, and his might,
+And mercie more than mortall men can vew.
+O soveraigne Lord, O soveraigne happinesse,                          515
+To see thee, and thy mercie measurelesse!
+
+Such happines have they that doo embrace
+The precepts of my heavenlie discipline;
+But shame and sorrow and accursed case
+Have they that scorne the schoole of arts divine,                    520
+And banish me, which do professe the skill
+To make men heavenly wise through humbled will.
+
+However yet they mee despise and spight,
+I feede on sweet contentment of my thought,
+And please my selfe with mine owne self-delight,                     525
+In contemplation of things heavenlie wrought:
+So, loathing earth, I looke up to the sky,
+And being driven hence, I thether fly.
+
+Thence I behold the miserie of men,
+Which want the blis that wisedom would them breed.
+And like brute beasts doo lie in loathsome den                       531
+Of ghostly darkenes and of gastlie dreed:
+For whom I mourne, and for my selfe complaine,
+And for my sisters eake whom they disdaine.
+
+With that shee wept and waild so pityouslie,                         535
+As if her eyes had beene two springing wells;
+And all the rest, her sorrow to supplie,
+Did throw forth shrieks and cries and dreery yells.
+So ended shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her mournfull plaint, as doth ensew.                           540
+
+POLYHYMNIA.
+
+A dolefull case desires a dolefull song,
+Without vaine art or curious complements;
+And squallid Fortune, into basenes flong,
+Doth scorne the pride of wonted ornaments.
+Then fittest are these ragged rimes for mee,                         545
+To tell my sorrowes that exceeding bee.
+
+For the sweet numbers and melodious measures
+With which I wont the winged words to tie,
+And make a tunefull diapase of pleasures,
+Now being let to runne at libertie                                   550
+By those which have no skill to rule them right,
+Have now quite lost their naturall delight.
+
+Heapes of huge words uphoorded hideously,
+With horrid sound, though having little sence,
+They thinke to be chiefe praise of poetry;                           555
+And, thereby wanting due intelligence,
+Have mard the face of goodly poesie,
+And made a monster of their fantasie.
+
+Whilom in ages past none might professe
+But princes and high priests that secret skill;                      560
+The sacred lawes therein they wont expresse,
+And with deepe oracles their verses fill:
+Then was shee held in soveraigne dignitie,
+And made the noursling of nobilitie.
+
+But now nor prince nor priest doth her maintayne,
+But suffer her prophaned for to bee                                  566
+Of the base vulgar, that with hands uncleane
+Dares to pollute her hidden mysterie;
+And treadeth under foote hir holie things,
+Which was the care of kesars* and of kings.                          570
+  [* _Kesars_, emperors.]
+
+One onelie lives, her ages ornament,
+And myrrour of her Makers maiestie,
+That with rich bountie and deare cherishment
+Supports the praise of noble poesie;
+Ne onelie favours them which it professe,                            575
+But is her selfe a peereles poetresse.
+
+Most peereles Prince, most peereles Poetresse,
+The true Pandora of all heavenly graces,
+Divine Elisa, sacred Emperesse!
+Live she for ever, and her royall p'laces                            580
+Be fild with praises of divinest wits,
+That her eternize with their heavenlie writs!
+
+Some few beside this sacred skill esteme,
+Admirers of her glorious excellence;
+Which, being lightned with her beawties beme,                        585
+Are thereby fild with happie influence,
+And lifted up above the world�s gaze,
+To sing with angels her immortall praize.
+
+But all the rest, as borne of salvage brood,
+And having beene with acorns alwaies fed,                            590
+Can no whit savour this celestiall food,
+But with base thoughts are into blindnesse led,
+And kept from looking on the lightsome day:
+For whome I waile and weepe all that I may.
+
+Eftsoones* such store of teares shee forth did powre,
+As if shee all to water would have gone;                             596
+And all her sisters, seeing her sad stowre**,
+Did weep and waile, and made exceeding mone,
+And all their learned instruments did breake:
+The rest untold no living tongue can speake.                         600
+  [* _Eftsoones_, forthwith.]
+  [** _Stowre_, disturbance, trouble.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+Ver 15--_Palici._. The Palici were children of Jupiter and Thalia, not
+Calliope. H.
+
+Ver. 205-210.--There are sufficient reasons for believing that these
+lines refer to Shakespeare. He had probably written The Two Gentlemen
+of Verona, and Love's Labor's Lost, before the Complaints were
+published (1591), and no other author had up to this time produced a
+comedy that would compare with these. For a discussion of this subject,
+see Collier's Life, Chap. VII., and Knight's Biography, pp. 344-348. C.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+VIRGILS GNAT.
+
+LONG SINCE DEDICATED
+
+TO THE MOST NOBLE AND EXCELLENT LORD,
+
+THE EARLE OF LEICESTER,
+
+LATE DECEASED.
+
+Wrong'd, yet not daring to expresse my paine,
+To you, great Lord, the causer of my care,
+In clowdie teares my case I thus complaine
+Unto your selfe, that onely privie are.
+  But if that any Oedipus unware
+Shall chaunce, through power of some divining spright,
+To reade the secrete of this riddle rare,
+And know the purporte of my evill plight,
+Let him rest pleased with his owne insight,
+Ne further seeke to glose upon the text:
+For griefe enough it is to grieved wight
+To feele his fault, and not be further vext.
+
+  But what so by my selfe may not be showen,
+May by this Gnatts complaint be easily knowen*.
+
+  [* This riddle has never been guessed. Upton conjectures that
+Leicester's displeasure was incurred for "some kind of officious
+sedulity in Spenser, who much desired to see his patron married to the
+Queen." C.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+VIRGILS GNAT.
+
+
+We now have playde, Augustus, wantonly,
+Tuning our song unto a tender Muse,
+And, like a cobweb weaving slenderly,
+Have onely playde: let thus much then excuse
+This Gnats small poeme, that th'whole history                          5
+Is but a iest; though envie it abuse:
+But who such sports and sweet delights doth blame,
+Shall lighter seeme than this Gnats idle name.
+
+Hereafter, when as season more secure
+Shall bring forth fruit, this Muse shall speak to thee                10
+In bigger notes, that may thy sense allure,
+And for thy worth frame some fit poesie:
+The golden ofspring of Latona pure,
+And ornament of great Ioves progenie,
+Phoebus, shall be the author of my song,                              15
+Playing on yvorie harp with silver strong*.
+  [* _Strong_, strung.]
+
+He shall inspire my verse with gentle mood,
+Of poets prince, whether he woon* beside
+Faire Xanthus sprincled with Chimaeras blood,
+Or in the woods of Astery abide,                                      20
+Or whereas Mount Parnasse, the Muses brood,
+Doth his broad forhead like two hornes divide,
+And the sweete waves of sounding Castaly
+With liquid foote doth slide downe easily.
+  [* _Woon_, dwell.]
+
+Wherefore ye Sisters, which the glorie bee                            25
+Of the Pierian streames, fayre Naiades,
+Go too, and dauncing all in companie,
+Adorne that god: and thou holie Pales,
+To whome the honest care of husbandrie
+Returneth by continuall successe,                                     30
+Have care for to pursue his footing light
+Throgh the wide woods and groves with green leaves dight.
+
+Professing thee I lifted am aloft
+Betwixt the forrest wide and starrie sky:
+And thou, most dread Octavius, which oft                              35
+To learned wits givest courage worthily,
+O come, thou sacred childe, come sliding soft,
+And favour my beginnings graciously:
+For not these leaves do sing that dreadfull stound*,
+When giants bloud did staine Phlegraean ground;                       40
+  [* _Stound_, time.]
+
+Nor how th'halfe-horsy people, Centaures hight,
+Fought with the bloudie Lapithaes at bord;
+Nor how the East with tyranous despight
+Burnt th'Attick towres, and people slew with sword;
+Nor how Mount Athos through exceeding might                           45
+Was digged downe; nor yron bands abord
+The Pontick sea by their huge navy cast,
+My volume shall renowne, so long since past.
+
+Nor Hellespont trampled with horses feete,
+When flocking Persians did the Greeks affray:                         50
+But my soft Muse, as for her power more meete,
+Delights (with Phoebus friendly leave) to play
+An easie running verse with tender feete.
+And thou, dread sacred child, to thee alway
+Let everlasting lightsome glory strive,                               55
+Through the worlds endles ages to survive.
+
+And let an happie roome remaine for thee
+Mongst heavenly ranks, where blessed soules do rest;
+And let long lasting life with ioyous glee,
+As thy due meede that thou deservest best,                            60
+Hereafter many yeares remembred be
+Amongst good men, of whom thou oft are blest.
+Live thou for ever in all happinesse!
+But let us turne to our first businesse.
+
+The fiery Sun was mounted now on Light                                65
+Up to the heavenly towers, and shot each where
+Out of his golden charet glistering light;
+And fayre Aurora, with her rosie heare,
+The hatefull darknes now had put to flight;
+When as the Shepheard, seeing day appeare,                            70
+His little goats gan drive out of their stalls,
+To feede abroad, where pasture best befalls.
+
+To an high mountaines top he with them went,
+Where thickest grasse did cloath the open hills:
+They, now amongst the woods and thickets ment*                        75
+Now in the valleies wandring at their wills,
+Spread themselves farre abroad through each descent;
+Some on the soft greene grasse feeding their fills,
+Some, clambring through the hollow cliffes on hy,
+Nibble the bushie shrubs which growe thereby.                         80
+  [* _Ment_, mingled.]
+
+Others the utmost boughs of trees doe crop,
+And brouze the woodbine twigges that freshly bud;
+This with full bit* doth catch the utmost top
+Of some soft willow, or new growen stud**;
+This with sharpe teeth the bramble leaves doth lop,                   85
+And chaw the tender prickles in her cud;
+The whiles another high doth overlooke
+Her owne like image in a christall brooke.
+  [* _Bit_, bite.]
+  [** _Stud_, stock.]
+
+O the great happines which shepheards have,
+Who so loathes not too much the poore estate                          90
+With minde that ill use doth before deprave,
+Ne measures all things by the costly rate
+Of riotise, and semblants outward brave!
+No such sad cares, as wont to macerate
+And rend the greedie mindes of covetous men,                          95
+Do ever creepe into the shepheards den.
+
+Ne cares he if the fleece which him arayes
+Be not twice steeped in Assyrian dye;
+Ne glistering of golde, which underlayes*
+The summer beames, doe blinde his gazing eye;                        100
+Ne pictures beautie, nor the glauncing rayes
+Of precious stones, whence no good commeth by;
+Ne yet his cup embost with imagery
+Of Baetus or of Alcons vanity.
+  [* _Underlayes_, surpasses.]
+
+Ne ought the whelky* pearles esteemeth hee,                          105
+Which are from Indian seas brought far away:
+But with pure brest, from carefull sorrow free,
+On the soft grasse his limbs doth oft display,
+In sweete spring time, when flowres varietie
+With sundrie colours paints the sprincled lay**;                     110
+There, lying all at ease from guile or spight,
+With pype of fennie reedes doth him delight.
+  [* _Whelky_, shelly (_conchea_).]
+  [** _lay_, lea.]
+
+There he, lord of himselfe, with palme bedight,
+His looser locks doth wrap in wreath of vine:
+There his milk-dropping goats be his delight,                        115
+And fruitefull Pales, and the forrest greene,
+And darkesome caves in pleasaunt vallies pight*,
+Wheras continuall shade is to be seene,
+And where fresh springing wells, as christall neate,
+Do alwayes flow, to quench his thirstie heate.                       120
+  [* _Pight_, placed.]
+
+O! who can lead then a more happie life
+Than he, that with cleane minde and heart sincere,
+No greedy riches knowes nor bloudie strife,
+No deadly fight of warlick fleete doth feare,
+Ne runs in perill of foes cruell knife,                              125
+That in the sacred temples he may reare
+A trophee of his glittering spoyles and treasure,
+Or may abound in riches above measure.
+
+Of him his God is worshipt with his sythe,
+And not with skill of craftsman polished:                            130
+He ioyes in groves, and makes himselfe full blythe
+With sundrie flowers in wilde fieldes gathered,
+Ne frankincens he from Panchaea buyth:
+Sweete Quiet harbours in his harmeles head,
+And perfect Pleasure buildes her ioyous bowre,                       135
+Free from sad cares, that rich mens hearts devowre.
+
+This all his care, this all his whole indevour,
+To this his minde and senses he doth bend,
+How he may flow in quiets matchles treasour,
+Content with any food that God doth send;                            140
+And how his limbs, resolv'd through idle leisour,
+Unto sweete sleepe he may securely lend,
+In some coole shadow from the scorching heat,
+The whiles his flock their chawed cuds do eate.
+
+O Flocks, O Faunes, and O ye pleasaunt Springs                       145
+Of Tempe, where the countrey nymphs are rife,
+Through whose not costly care each shepheard sings
+As merrie notes upon his rusticke fife
+As that Ascraean bard*, whose fame now rings
+Through the wide world, and leads as ioyfull life;                   150
+Free from all troubles and from worldly toyle,
+In which fond men doe all their dayes turmoyle.
+  [* I.e. Hesiod]
+
+In such delights whilst thus his carelesse time
+This shepheard drives, upleaning on his batt*,
+And on shrill reedes chaunting his rustick rime,                     155
+Hyperion, throwing foorth his beames full hott,
+Into the highest top of heaven gan clime,
+And the world parting by an equall lott,
+Did shed his whirling flames on either side,
+As the great Ocean doth himselfe divide.                             160
+  [* _Batt_, stick]
+
+Then gan the shepheard gather into one
+His stragling goates, and drave them to a foord,
+Whose caerule streame, rombling in pible stone,
+Crept under mosse as greene as any goord.
+Now had the sun halfe heaven overgone,                               165
+When he his heard back from that water foord
+Drave, from the force of Phoebus boyling ray,
+Into thick shadowes, there themselves to lay.
+
+Soone as he them plac'd in thy sacred wood,
+O Delian goddesse, saw, to which of yore                             170
+Came the bad daughter of old Cadmus brood,
+Cruell Agav�, flying vengeance sore
+Of King Nictileus for the guiltie blood
+Which she with cursed hands had shed before;
+There she halfe frantick, having slaine her sonne,                   175
+Did shrowd her selfe like punishment to shonne.
+
+Here also playing on the grassy greene,
+Woodgods, and Satyres, and swift Dryades,
+With many Fairies oft were dauncing seene.
+Not so much did Dan Orpheus represse                                 180
+The streames of Hebrus with his songs, I weene,
+As that faire troupe of woodie goddesses
+Staied thee, O Peneus, powring foorth to thee,
+From cheereful lookes, great mirth and gladsome glee.
+
+The verie nature of the place, resounding                            185
+With gentle murmure of the breathing ayre,
+A pleasant bowre with all delight abounding
+In the fresh shadowe did for them prepayre,
+To rest their limbs with wearines redounding.
+For first the high palme-trees, with braunches faire,
+Out of the lowly vallies did arise,                                  191
+And high shoote up their heads into the skyes.
+
+And them amongst the wicked lotos grew,
+Wicked, for holding guilefully away
+Ulysses men, whom rapt with sweetenes new,                           195
+Taking to hoste*, it quite from him did stay;
+And eke those trees, in whose transformed hew
+The Sunnes sad daughters waylde the rash decay
+Of Pha�ton, whose limbs with lightening rent
+They gathering up, with sweete teares did lament.                    200
+  [* _Hoste_, entertain.]
+
+And that same tree*, in which Demophoon,
+By his disloyalty lamented sore,
+Eternall hurte left unto many one:
+Whom als accompanied the oke, of yore                                204
+Through fatall charmes transferred to such an one:
+The oke, whose acornes were our foode before
+That Ceres seede of mortall men were knowne,
+Which first Triptoleme taught how to be sowne.
+  [* I.e. the almond-tree.]
+
+Here also grew the rougher-rinded pine,
+The great Argoan ships brave ornament,                               210
+Whom golden fleece did make an heavenly signe;
+Which coveting, with his high tops extent,
+To make the mountaines touch the starres divine,
+Decks all the forrest with embellishment;
+And the blacke holme that loves the watrie vale;                     215
+And the sweete cypresse, signe of deadly bale.
+
+Emongst the rest the clambring yvie grew,
+Knitting his wanton armes with grasping hold,
+Least that the poplar happely should rew
+Her brothers strokes, whose boughes she doth enfold                  220
+With her lythe twigs, till they the top survew,
+And paint with pallid greene her buds of gold.
+Next did the myrtle tree to her approach,
+Not yet unmindfull of her olde reproach.
+
+But the small birds in their wide boughs embowring                   225
+Chaunted their sundrie tunes with sweete consent;
+And under them a silver spring, forth powring
+His trickling streames, a gentle murmure sent;
+Thereto the frogs, bred in the slimie scowring
+Of the moist moores, their iarring voyces bent;                      230
+And shrill grashoppers chirped them around:
+All which the ayrie echo did resound.
+
+In this so pleasant place the shepheards flocke
+Lay everie where, their wearie limbs to rest,
+On everie bush, and everie hollow rocke,                             235
+Where breathe on them the whistling wind mote best;
+The whiles the shepheard self, tending his stocke,
+Sate by the fountaine side, in shade to rest,
+Where gentle slumbring sleep oppressed him
+Displaid on ground, and seized everie lim.                           240
+
+Of trecherie or traines nought tooke he keep,
+But, looslie on the grassie greene dispredd,
+His dearest life did trust to careles sleep;
+Which, weighing down his drouping drowsie hedd,
+In quiet rest his molten heart did steep,                            245
+Devoid of care, and feare of all falshedd:
+Had not inconstant Fortune, bent to ill,
+Bid strange mischance his quietnes to spill.
+
+For at his wonted time in that same place
+An huge great Serpent, all with speckles pide,                       250
+To drench himselfe in moorish slime did trace,
+There from the boyling heate himselfe to hide:
+He, passing by with rolling wreathed pace,
+With brandisht tongue the emptie aire did gride*,
+And wrapt his scalie boughts** with fell despight,                   255
+That all things seem'd appalled at his sight.
+  [* _Gride_, pierce]
+  [** _Boughts_, knots]
+
+Now more and more having himselfe enrolde,
+His glittering breast he lifteth up on hie,
+And with proud vaunt his head aloft doth holde;
+His creste above, spotted with purple die,                           260
+On everie side did shine like scalie golde;
+And his bright eyes, glauncing full dreadfullie,
+Did seeme to flame out flakes of flashing fyre,
+And with sterne lookes to threaten kindled yre.
+
+Thus wise long time he did himselfe dispace                          265
+There round about, when as at last he spide,
+Lying along before him in that place,
+That flocks grand captaine and most trustie guide:
+Eftsoones more fierce in visage and in pace,
+Throwing his firie eyes on everie side,                              270
+He commeth on, and all things in his way
+Full stearnly rends that might his passage stay.
+
+Much he disdaines that anie one should dare
+To come unto his haunt; for which intent
+He inly burns, and gins straight to prepare                          275
+The weapons which Nature to him hath lent;
+Fellie he hisseth, and doth fiercely stare,
+And hath his iawes with angrie spirits rent,
+That all his tract with bloudie drops is stained,
+And all his foldes are now in length outstrained.                    280
+
+Whom, thus at point prepared, to prevent,
+A litle noursling of the humid ayre,
+A Gnat, unto the sleepie shepheard went,
+And marking where his ey-lids twinckling rare
+Shewd the two pearles which sight unto him lent,                     285
+Through their thin coverings appearing fayre
+His little needle there infixing deep,
+Warnd him awake, from death himselfe to keep.
+
+Wherewith enrag'd, he fiercely gan upstart,
+And with his hand him rashly bruzing slewe                           290
+As in avengement of his heedles smart,
+That streight the spirite out of his senses flew.
+And life out of his members did depart:
+When, suddenly casting aside his vew,
+He spide his foe with felonous intent,                               295
+And fervent eyes to his destruction bent.
+
+All suddenly dismaid, and hartles quight,
+He fled abacke, and, catching hastie holde
+Of a yong alder hard beside him pight,
+It rent, and streight about him gan beholde                          300
+What god or fortune would assist his might.
+But whether god or fortune made him bold
+Its hard to read: yet hardie will he had
+To overcome, that made him lesse adrad*.
+  [* _Adrad_, terrified]
+
+The scalie backe of that most hideous snake                          305
+Enwrapped round, oft faining to retire
+And oft him to assaile, he fiercely strake
+Whereas his temples did his creast front tyre*;
+And, for he was but slowe, did slowth off shake,
+And, gazing ghastly on, (for feare and yre                           310
+Had blent** so much his sense, that lesse he feard,)--
+Yet, when he saw him slaine, himselfe he cheard.
+  [* _Tyre_, encircle]
+  [** _Blent_, blinded]
+
+By this the Night forth from the darksome bowre
+Of Herebus her teemed* steedes gan call,
+And laesie Vesper in his timely howre                                315
+From golden Oeta gan proceede withall;
+Whenas the shepheard after this sharpe stowre**,
+Seing the doubled shadowes low to fall,
+Gathering his straying flocke, does homeward fare,
+And unto rest his wearie ioynts prepare.                             320
+  [* _Teemed_, harnessed in a team]
+  [** _Stowre_, perturbation]
+
+Into whose sense so soone as lighter sleepe
+Was entered, and now loosing everie lim,
+Sweete slumbring deaw in carelesnesse did steepe,
+The image of that Gnat appeard to him,
+And in sad tearmes gan sorrowfully weepe,                            325
+With grieslie countenaunce and visage grim,
+Wailing the wrong which he had done of late,
+In steed of good, hastning his cruell fate.
+
+Said he, "What have I wretch deserv'd, that thus
+Into this bitter bale I am outcast,                                  330
+Whilest that thy life more deare and precious
+Was than mine owne, so long as it did last?
+I now, in lieu of paines so gracious,
+Am tost in th'ayre with everie windie blast:
+Thou, safe delivered from sad decay,                                 335
+Thy careles limbs in loose sleep dost display.
+
+"So livest thou; but my poore wretched ghost
+Is forst to ferrie over Lethes river,
+And spoyld of Charon too and fro am tost.
+Seest thou not how all places quake and quiver,                      340
+Lightned with deadly lamps on everie post?
+Tisiphone each where doth shake and shiver
+Her flaming fire-brond, encountring me,
+Whose lockes uncombed cruell adders be.
+
+"And Cerberus, whose many mouthes doo bay,                           345
+And barke out flames, as if on fire he fed,
+Adowne whose necke, in terrible array,
+Ten thousand snakes, cralling about his hed,
+Doo hang in heapes, that horribly affray,
+And bloodie eyes doo glister firie red,                              350
+He oftentimes me dreadfullie doth threaten
+With painfull torments to be sorely beaten.
+
+"Ay me! that thankes so much should faile of meed,
+For that I thee restor'd to life againe,
+Even from the doore of death and deadlie dreed.                      355
+Where then is now the guerdon of my paine?
+Where the reward of my so piteous deed?
+The praise of pitie vanisht is in vaine,
+And th'antique faith of iustice long agone
+Out of the land is fled away and gone.                               360
+
+"I saw anothers fate approaching fast,
+And left mine owne his saf�tie to tender;
+Into the same mishap I now am cast,
+And shun'd destruction doth destruction render:
+Not unto him that never hath tresp�st,                               365
+But punishment is due to the offender:
+Yet let destruction be the punishment,
+So long as thankfull will may it relent.
+
+"I carried am into waste wildernesse,
+Waste wildernes, amongst Cymerian shades,                            370
+Where endles paines and hideous heavinesse
+Is round about me heapt in darksome glades.
+For there huge Othos sits in sad distresse,
+Fast bound with serpents that him oft invades,
+Far of beholding Ephialtes tide,                                     375
+Which once assai'd to burne this world so wide.
+
+"And there is mournfull Tityus, mindefull yet
+Of thy displeasure, O Latona faire;
+Displeasure too implacable was it,
+That made him meat for wild foules of the ayre:                      380
+Much do I feare among such fiends to sit;
+Much do I feare back to them to repayre,
+To the black shadowes of the Stygian shore,
+Where wretched ghosts sit wailing evermore.
+
+"There next the utmost brinck doth he abide                          385
+That did the bankets of the gods bewray,
+Whose throat through thirst to nought nigh being dride,
+His sense to seeke for ease turnes every way:
+And he that in avengement of his pride,
+For scorning to the sacred gods to pray,                             390
+Against a mountaine rolls a mightie stone,
+Calling in vaine for rest, and can have none.
+
+"Go ye with them, go, cursed damosells,
+Whose bridale torches foule Erynnis tynde*,
+And Hymen, at your spousalls sad, foretells                          395
+Tydings of death and massacre unkinde**:
+With them that cruell Colchid mother dwells,
+The which conceiv'd in her revengefull minde
+With bitter woundes her owne deere babes to slay,
+And murdred troupes upon great heapes to lay.                        400
+  [* _Tynde_, kindled.]
+  [** _Unkinde_, unnatural.]
+
+"There also those two Pandionian maides,
+Calling on Itis, Itis evermore,
+Whom, wretched boy, they slew with guiltie blades;
+For whome the Thracian king lamenting sore,
+Turn'd to a lapwing, fowlie them upbraydes,                          405
+And flattering round about them still does sore;
+There now they all eternally complaine
+Of others wrong, and suffer endles paine.
+
+"But the two brethren* borne of Cadmus blood,
+Whilst each does for the soveraignty contend,                        411
+Blinde through ambition, and with vengeance wood**,
+Each doth against the others bodie bend
+His cursed steele, of neither well withstood,
+And with wide wounds their carcases doth rend;
+That yet they both doe mortall foes remaine,                         415
+Sith each with brothers bloudie hand was slaine.
+  [* I.e. Eteocles and Polynices.]
+  [** _Wood_, mad.]
+
+"Ah (waladay!) there is no end of paine,
+Nor chaunge of labour may intreated bee:
+Yet I beyond all these am carried faine,
+Where other powers farre different I see,                            420
+And must passe over to th'Elisian plaine:
+There grim Persephone, encountring mee,
+Doth urge her fellow Furies earnestlie
+With their bright firebronds me to terrifie.
+
+"There chast Alceste lives inviolate,                                425
+Free from all care, for that her husbands daies
+She did prolong by changing fate for fate:
+Lo! there lives also the immortall praise
+Of womankinde, most faithfull to her mate,
+Penelope; and from her farre awayes                                  430
+A rulesse* rout of yongmen which her woo'd,
+All slaine with darts, lie wallowed in their blood.
+  [* _Rulesse_, rule-less.]
+
+"And sad Eurydice thence now no more
+Must turne to life, but there detained bee
+For looking back, being forbid before:                               435
+Yet was the guilt thereof, Orpheus, in thee!
+Bold sure he was, and worthie spirite bore,
+That durst those lowest shadowes goe to see,
+And could beleeve that anie thing could please
+Fell Cerberus, or Stygian powres appease.                            440
+
+"Ne feard the burning waves of Phlegeton,
+Nor those same mournfull kingdomes, compassed
+With rustle horrour and fowle fashion;
+And deep digd vawtes*; and Tartar covered
+With bloodie night and darke confusion;                              445
+And iudgement seates, whose iudge is deadlie dred,
+A iudge that after death doth punish sore
+The faults which life hath trespassed before.
+  [* _Vawtes_, vaults.]
+
+"But valiant fortune made Dan Orpheus bolde:
+For the swift running rivers still did stand,                        450
+And the wilde beasts their furie did withhold,
+To follow Orpheus musicke through the land:
+And th'okes, deep grounded in the earthly molde,
+Did move, as if they could him understand;                           454
+And the shrill woods, which were of sense bereav'd,
+Through their hard barke his silver sound receav'd.
+
+"And eke the Moone her hastie steedes did stay,
+Drawing in teemes along the starrie skie;
+And didst, O monthly Virgin, thou delay
+Thy nightly course, to heare his melodie?                            460
+The same was able, with like lovely lay,
+The Queene of Hell to move as easily
+To yeeld Eurydice unto her fere,
+Backe to be borne, though it unlawfull were.
+
+"She, ladie, having well before approoved                            465
+The feends to be too cruell and severe,
+Observ'd th'appointed way, as her behooved,
+Ne ever did her eysight turne arere,
+Ne ever spake, ne cause of speaking mooved;
+But, cruell Orpheus, thou much crueller,                             470
+Seeking to kisse her, brok'st the gods decree,
+And thereby mad'st her ever damn'd to be.
+
+"Ah! but sweete love of pardon worthie is,
+And doth deserve to have small faults remitted;
+If Hell at least things lightly done amis                            475
+Knew how to pardon, when ought is omitted:
+Yet are ye both received into blis,
+And to the seates of happie soules admitted.
+And you beside the honourable band
+Of great hero�s doo in order stand.                                  480
+
+"There be the two stout sonnes of AEacus,
+Fierce Peleus, and the hardie Telamon,
+Both seeming now full glad and ioyeous
+Through their syres dreadfull iurisdiction,
+Being the iudge of all that horrid hous:                             488
+And both of them, by strange occasion,
+Renown'd in choyce of happie marriage
+Through Venus grace, and vertues cariage.
+
+"For th'one was ravisht of his owne bondmaide,
+The faire Ixione captiv'd from Troy:                                 490
+But th'other was with Thetis love assaid,
+Great Nereus his daughter and his ioy.
+On this side them there is a yongman layd,
+Their match in glorie, mightie, fierce, and coy,
+That from th'Argolick ships, with furious yre,                       495
+Bett back the furie of the Troian fyre.
+
+"O! who would not recount the strong divorces
+Of that great warre, which Troianes oft behelde,
+And oft beheld the warlike Greekish forces,
+When Teucrian soyle with bloodie rivers swelde,                      500
+And wide Sigraean shores were spred with corses,
+And Simois and Xanthus blood outwelde;
+Whilst Hector raged, with outragious minde,
+Flames, weapons, wounds, in Greeks fleete to have tynde.
+
+"For Ida selfe, in ayde of that fierce fight,                        505
+Out of her mountaines ministred supplies;
+And like a kindly nourse did yeeld, for spight,
+Store of firebronds out of her nourseries
+Unto her foster children, that they might
+Inflame the navie of their enemies,                                  510
+And all the Rhetaean shore to ashes turne,
+Where lay the ships which they did seeke to burne.
+
+"Gainst which the noble sonne of Telamon
+Oppos'd himselfe, and thwarting* his huge shield,
+Them battell bad; gainst whom appeard anon                           515
+Hector, the glorie of the Troian field:
+Both fierce and furious in contention
+Encountred, that their mightie strokes so shrild
+As the great clap of thunder, which doth ryve
+The railing heavens and cloudes asunder dryve.                       520
+  [* _Thwarting_, interposing.]
+
+"So th'one with fire and weapons did contend
+To cut the ships from turning home againe
+To Argos; th'other strove for to defend*
+The force of Vulcane with his might and maine.
+Thus th'one Aeacide did his fame extend:                             525
+But th'other ioy'd that, on the Phrygian playne
+Having the blood of vanquisht Hector shedd,
+He compast Troy thrice with his bodie dedd.
+  [* _Defend_, keep off.]
+
+"Againe great dole on either partie grewe,
+That him to death unfaithfull Paris sent;                            530
+And also him that false Ulysses slewe,
+Drawne into danger through close ambushment;
+Therefore from him La�rtes sonne his vewe
+Doth turn aside, and boasts his good event
+In working of Strymonian Rhaesus fall,                               535
+And efte* in Dolons slye surpr�sall.
+  [* _Efte_, again.]
+
+"Againe the dreadfull Cycones him dismay,
+And blacke Laestrigones, a people stout;
+Then greedie Scilla, under whom there bay
+Manie great bandogs, which her gird about;                           540
+Then doo the AEtnean Cyclops him affray,
+And deep Charybdis gulphing in and out;
+Lastly the squalid lakes of Tartarie,
+And griesly feends of hell him terrifie.
+
+"There also goodly Agamemnon bosts,                                  545
+The glorie of the stock of Tantalus,
+And famous light of all the Greekish hosts;
+Under whose conduct most victorious,
+The Dorick flames consum'd the Iliack posts.
+Ah! but the Greekes themselves, more dolorous,                       550
+To thee, O Troy, paid penaunce for thy fall,
+In th'Hellespont being nigh drowned all.
+
+"Well may appeare by proofe of their mischaunce
+The chaungfull turning of mens slipperie state,
+That none whom fortune freely doth advaunce                          555
+Himselfe therefore to heaven should elevate:
+For loftie type of honour through the glaunce
+Of envies dart is downe in dust prostrate,
+And all that vaunts in worldly vanitie
+Shall fall through fortunes mutabilitie.                             560
+
+"Th'Argolicke power returning home againe,
+Enricht with spoyles of th'Ericthonian towre,
+Did happie winde and weather entertaine,
+And with good speed the fomie billowes scowre:
+No signe of storme, no feare of future paine,                        565
+Which soone ensued them with heavie stowre*:
+Nere�s to the seas a token gave,
+The whiles their crooked keeles the surges clave.
+  [* _Stowre_, turmoil, uproar.]
+
+"Suddenly, whether through the gods decree,
+Or haplesse rising of some froward starre,                           570
+The heavens on everie side enclowded bee:
+Black stormes and fogs are blowen up from farre,
+That now the pylote can no loadstarre see,
+But skies and seas doo make most dreadfull warre;
+The billowes striving to the heavens to reach,                       575
+And th'heavens striving them for to impeach*.
+  [* _Impeach_, hinder.]
+
+"And, in avengement of their bold attempt,
+Both sun and starres and all the heavenly powres
+Conspire in one to wreake their rash contempt,
+And downe on them to fall from highest towres:                       580
+The skie, in pieces seeming to be rent,
+Throwes lightning forth, and haile, and harmful showres,
+That death on everie side to them appeares,
+In thousand formes, to worke more ghastly feares.
+
+"Some in the greedie flouds are sunke and drent*;                    585
+Some on the rocks of Caphareus are throwne;
+Some on th'Euboick cliffs in pieces rent;
+Some scattred on the Hercaean** shores unknowne;
+And manie lost, of whom no moniment
+Remaines, nor memorie is to be showne:                               590
+Whilst all the purchase@ of the Phrigian pray,
+Tost on salt billowes, round about doth stray.
+[* _Drent_, drowned.]
+[** _Hercaean_ should probably be AEgean.]
+[@ _Purchase_, booty.]
+
+"Here manie other like hero�s bee,
+Equall in honour to the former crue,
+Whom ye in goodly seates may placed see,                             595
+Descended all from Rome by linage due;
+From Rome, that holds the world in sovereigntie,
+And doth all nations unto her subdue:
+Here Fabii and Decii doo dwell,
+Horatii that in vertue did excell.                                   600
+
+"And here the antique fame of stout Camill
+Doth ever live; and constant Curtius,
+Who, stifly bent his vowed life to spill
+For countreyes health, a gulph most hideous
+Amidst the towne with his owne corps did fill,                       605
+T'appease the Powers; and prudent Mutius,
+Who in his flesh endur'd the scorching flame,
+To daunt his foe by ensample of the same.
+
+"And here wise Curius, companion
+Of noble vertues, lives in endles rest;                              610
+And stout Flaminius, whose devotion
+Taught him the fires scorn'd furie to detest;
+And here the praise of either Scipion
+Abides in highest place above the best,
+To whom the ruin'd walls of Carthage vow'd,                          615
+Trembling their forces, sound their praises lowd.
+
+"Live they for ever through their lasting praise!
+But I, poore wretch, am forced to retourne
+To the sad lakes that Phoebus sunnie rayes
+Doo never see, where soules doo alwaies mourne;                      620
+And by the wayling shores to waste my dayes,
+Where Phlegeton with quenchles flames doth burne;
+By which iust Minos righteous soules doth sever
+From wicked ones, to live in blisse for ever.
+
+"Me therefore thus the cruell fiends of hell,                        625
+Girt with long snakes and thousand yron chaynes,
+Through doome of that their cruell iudge compell,
+With bitter torture and impatient paines,
+Cause of my death and iust complaint to tell.
+For thou art he whom my poore ghost complaines                       630
+To be the author of her ill unwares,
+That careles hear'st my intollerable cares.
+
+"Them therefore as bequeathing to the winde,
+I now depart, returning to thee never,
+And leave this lamentable plaint behinde.                            635
+But doo thou haunt the soft downe-rolling river,
+And wilde greene woods and fruitful pastures minde,
+And let the flitting aire my vaine words sever."
+Thus having said, he heavily departed
+With piteous crie that anie would have smarted.                      640
+
+Now, when the sloathfull fit of lifes sweete rest
+Had left the heavie Shepheard, wondrous cares
+His inly grieved minde full sore opprest;
+That balefull sorrow he no longer beares
+For that Gnats death, which deeply was imprest,                      645
+But bends what ever power his aged yeares
+Him lent, yet being such as through their might
+He lately slue his dreadfull foe in fight.
+
+By that same river lurking under greene,
+Eftsoones* he gins to fashion forth a place,                         650
+And, squaring it in compasse well beseene**,
+There plotteth out a tombe by measured space:
+His yron-headed spade tho making cleene,
+To dig up sods out of the flowrie grasse,
+His worke he shortly to good purpose brought,                        655
+Like as he had conceiv'd it in his thought.
+  [* _Eftsoones_, immediately.]
+  [** _Well beseene_, seemly.]
+
+An heape of earth he hoorded up on hie,
+Enclosing it with banks on everie side,
+And thereupon did raise full busily
+A little mount, of greene turffs edifide*;                           660
+And on the top of all, that passers by
+Might it behold, the toomb he did provide
+Of smoothest marble stone in order set,
+That never might his luckie scape forget.
+  [* _Edifide_, built.]
+
+And round about he taught sweete flowres to growe;                   665
+The Rose, engrained in pure scarlet die;
+The Lilly fresh, and Violet belowe;
+The Marigolde, and cherefull Rosemarie;
+The Spartan Mirtle, whence sweet gumb does flowe;
+The purple Hyacinths, and fresh Costmarie,                           670
+And Saffron, sought for in Cilician soyle,
+And Lawrell, th'ornament of Phoebus toyle:
+
+Fresh Rhododaphne, and the Sabine flowre*,
+Matching the wealth of th'auncient Frankincence;
+And pallid Yvie, building his owne bowre;                            675
+And Box, yet mindfull of his olde offence;
+Red Amaranthus, lucklesse paramour;
+Oxeye still greene, and bitter Patience;
+Ne wants there pale Narcisse, that, in a well
+Seeing his beautie, in love with it fell.                            680
+  [* _Sabine flowre_, a kind of juniper, the savine.]
+
+And whatsoever other flowre of worth,
+And whatso other hearb of lovely hew
+The ioyous Spring out of the ground brings forth,
+To cloath her selfe in colours fresh and new,
+He planted there, and reard a mount of earth,                        685
+In whose high front was writ as doth ensue:
+
+_To thee, small Gnat, in lieu of his life saved,_
+_The Shepheard hath thy deaths record engraved._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+VIRGILS GNAT. This is a very skilful elaboration of the Culex, a poem
+attributed, without reason, to Virgil. The original, which is crabbed
+and pedantic, where it is not unintelligible from corruption, is here
+rendered with sufficient fidelity to the sense, but with such
+perspicuity, elegance, and sweetness, as to make Spenser's performance
+too good a poem to be called a translation. C.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+PROSOPOPOIA:
+
+OR
+MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+DEDICATED TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE,
+
+THE LADIE COMPTON AND MOUNTEGLE.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LONDON:
+
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE, DWELLING IN PAULES
+CHURCHYARD AT THE SIGNE OF THE BISHOPS HEAD.
+
+1591.
+
+
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE,
+
+THE LADIE COMPTON AND MOUNTEGLE.[*]
+
+Most faire and vertuous Ladie: having often sought opportunitie by some
+good meanes to make knowen to your Ladiship the humble affection and
+faithfull duetie which I have alwaies professed, and am bound to beare,
+to that house from whence yee spring, I have at length found occasion
+to remember the same by making a simple present to you of these my idle
+labours; which having long sithens composed in the raw conceipt of my
+youth, I lately amongst other papers lighted upon, and was by others,
+which liked the same, mooved to set them foorth. Simple is the device,
+and the composition meane, yet carrieth some delight, even the rather
+because of the simplicitie and meannesse thus personated. The same I
+beseech your Ladiship take in good part, as a pledge of that profession
+which I have made to you, and keepe with you untill with some other
+more worthie labour redeeme it out of your hands, and discharge my
+utmost dutie. Till then, wishing your Ladiship all increase of honour
+and happinesse, I humblie take
+leave.
+
+Your La: ever
+    humbly,
+        ED. SP.
+
+[* "This lady was Anne, the fifth daughter of Sir John
+Spencer, distinguished also, in the pastoral of _Colin Clouts come Home
+again_, by the name of _Charillis_. She was married, first to Sir
+William Stanley, Lord Mountegle; next to Henry Compton, Lord Compton;
+and lastly to Robert Sackvilie, Lord Buckhurst, afterwards Earl of
+Dorset."--TODD.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+PROSOPOPOIA:
+
+OR
+
+MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE.
+
+
+It was the month in which the righteous Maide
+That for disdaine of sinfull worlds upbraide
+Fled back to heaven, whence she was first conceived,
+Into her silver bowre the Sunne received;
+And the hot Syrian Dog on him awayting,                                5
+After the chafed Lyons cruell bayting,
+Corrupted had th'ayre with his noysome breath.
+And powr'd on th'earth plague, pestilence, and death.
+Emongst the rest a wicked maladie
+Raign'd emongst men, that manie did to die,                           10
+Depriv'd of sense and ordinarie reason;
+That it to leaches seemed strange and geason.
+     [_Geason_, rare.]
+My fortune was, mongst manie others moe,
+To be partaker of their common woe;
+And my weake bodie, set on fire with griefe,                          15
+Was rob'd of rest and naturall reliefe.
+In this ill plight, there came to visite mee
+Some friends, who, sorie my sad case to see,
+Began to comfort me in chearfull wise,
+And meanes of gladsome solace to devise.                              20
+But seeing kindly sleep refuse to doe
+His office, and my feeble eyes forgoe,
+They sought my troubled sense how to deceave
+With talke that might unquiet fancies reave;
+     [_Reave_, take away.]
+And sitting all in seates about me round,                             25
+With pleasant tales fit for that idle stound
+     [_Stound_, time.]
+They cast in course to waste the wearie howres.
+Some tolde of ladies, and their paramoures;
+Some of brave knights, and their renowned squires;
+Some of the faeries and their strange attires;                        30
+And some of giaunts hard to be beleeved;
+That the delight thereof me much releeved.
+Amongst the rest a good old woman was,
+Hight Mother Hubberd, who did farre surpas
+The rest in honest mirth, that seem'd her well.                       35
+She, when her turne was come her tale to tell,
+Tolde of a strange adventure that betided
+Betwixt the Foxe and th'Ape by him misguided;
+The which, for that my sense it greatly pleased,
+All were my spirite heavie and diseased,                              40
+Ile write in termes, as she the same did say,
+So well as I her words remember may.
+No Muses aide me needes heretoo to call;
+Base is the style, and matter meane withall.
+     [_Base_, humble.]
+
+[Symbol: Paragraph mark to indicate beginning of story.]
+Whilome, said she, before the world was civill,
+The Foxe and th'Ape, disliking of their evill                         46
+And hard estate, determined to seeke
+Their fortunes farre abroad, lyeke with his lyeke:
+For both were craftie and unhappie witted;
+     [_Unhappie_, mischievous.]
+Two fellowes might no where be better fitted.                         50
+The Foxe, that first this cause of griefe did finde,
+Gan first thus plaine his case with words unkinde:
+"Neighbour Ape, and my gossip eke beside,
+(Both two sure bands in friendship to be tide,)
+To whom may I more trustely complaine                                 55
+The evill plight that doth me sore constraine,
+And hope thereof to finde due remedie?
+Heare then my paine and inward agonie.
+Thus manie yeares I now have spent and worne,
+In meane regard, and basest fortunes scorne,                          60
+Dooing my countrey service as I might,
+No lesse I dare saie than the prowdest wight;
+And still I hoped to be up advaunced
+For my good parts; but still it hath mischaunced.
+Now therefore that no lenger hope I see,                              65
+But froward fortune still to follow mee,
+And losels lifted up on high, where I did looke,
+     [_Losels_, worthless fellows.]
+I meane to turne the next leafe of the booke.
+Yet ere that anie way I doe betake,
+I meane my gossip privie first to make."                              70
+"Ah! my deare gossip," answer'd then the Ape,
+"Deeply doo your sad words my wits awhape,
+     [_Awhape_, astound.]
+Both for because your griefe doth great appeare,
+And eke because my selfe am touched neare:
+For I likewise have wasted much good time,                            75
+Still wayting to preferment up to clime,
+Whilst others alwayes have before me stept,
+And from my beard the fat away have swept;
+That now unto despaire I gin to growe,
+And meane for better winde about to throwe.                           80
+Therefore to me, my trustie friend, aread
+     [_Aread_, declare.]
+Thy councell: two is better than one head."
+"Certes," said he, "I meane me to disguize
+In some straunge habit, after uncouth wize,
+Or like a pilgrime, or a lymiter,                                     85
+     [_Lymiter_, I.e. a friar licensed to beg within a certain
+district.]
+Or like a gipsen, or a iuggeler,
+     [_Gipsen_, gypsy.]
+And so to wander to the worlds ende,
+To seeke my fortune, where I may it mend:
+For worse than that I have I cannot meete.
+Wide is the world I wote, and everie streete                          90
+Is full of fortunes and adventures straunge,
+Continuallie subiect unto chaunge.
+Say, my faire brother now, if this device
+Doth like you, or may you to like entice."
+"Surely," said th'Ape, "it likes me wondrous well;                    95
+And would ye not poore fellowship expell,
+My selfe would offer you t'accompanie
+In this adventures chauncefull ieopardie.
+For to wexe olde at home in idlenesse
+Is disadventrous, and quite fortunelesse:                            100
+Abroad, where change is, good may gotten bee."
+The Foxe was glad, and quickly did agree:
+So both resolv'd, the morrow next ensuing,
+So soone as day appeard to peoples vewing,
+On their intended iourney to proceede;                               105
+And over night, whatso theretoo did neede
+Each did prepare, in readines to bee.
+The morrow next, so soone as one might see
+Light out of heavens windowes forth to looke,
+Both their habiliments unto them tooke,                              110
+And put themselves, a Gods name, on their way.
+Whenas the Ape, beginning well to wey
+This hard adventure, thus began t'advise:
+"Now read, Sir Reynold, as ye be right wise,
+What course ye weene is best for us to take,                         115
+That for our selves we may a living make.
+Whether shall we professe some trade or skill?
+Or shall we varie our device at will,
+Even as new occasion appeares?
+Or shall we tie our selves for certaine yeares                       120
+To anie service, or to anie place?
+For it behoves, ere that into the race
+We enter, to resolve first hereupon."
+"Now surely, brother," said the Foxe anon,
+"Te have this matter motioned in season:                             125
+For everie thing that is begun with reason
+Will come by readie meanes unto his end;
+But things miscounselled must needs miswend.
+     [_Miswend_, go wrong.]
+Thus therefore I advize upon the case:
+That not to anie certaine trade or place,                            130
+Nor anie man, we should our selves applie.
+For why should he that is at libertie
+Make himselfe bond? Sith then we are free borne.
+Let us all servile base subiection scorne;
+And as we bee sonnes of the world so wide,                           135
+Let us our fathers heritage divide,
+And chalenge to our selves our portions dew
+Of all the patrimonie, which a few
+Now hold in hugger mugger in their hand,
+     [_In hugger mugger_, in secret]
+And all the rest doo rob of good and land:                           140
+For now a few have all, and all have nought,
+Yet all be brethren ylike dearly bought.
+There is no right in this partition,
+Ne was it so by institution
+Ordained first, ne by the law of Nature,                             145
+But that she gave like blessing to each creture
+As well of worldly livelode as of life,
+That there might be no difference nor strife,
+Nor ought cald mine or thine: thrice happie then
+Was the condition of mortall men.                                    150
+That was the golden age of Saturne old,
+But this might better be the world of gold;
+For without golde now nothing wilbe got.
+Therefore, if please you, this shalbe our plot:
+We will not be of anie occupation;                                   155
+Let such vile vassalls, borne to base vocation,
+Drudge in the world and for their living droyle,
+     [_Droyle_, moil]
+Which have no wit to live withouten toyle.
+But we will walke about the world at pleasure,
+Like two free men, and make our ease our treasure.
+Free men some beggers call; but they be free;                        161
+And they which call them so more beggers bee:
+For they doo swinke and sweate to feed the other,
+     [_Swinke_, toil.]
+Who live like lords of that which they doo gather,
+And yet doo never thanke them for the same,                          165
+But as their due by nature doo it clame.
+Such will we fashion both our selves to bee,
+Lords of the world; and so will wander free
+Where so us listeth, uncontrol'd of anie.
+Hard is our hap, if we, emongst so manie,                            170
+Light not on some that may our state amend;
+Sildome but some good commeth ere the end."
+Well seemd the Ape to like this ordinaunce:
+Yet, well considering of the circumstaunce,
+As pausing in great doubt awhile he staid,                           175
+And afterwards with grave advizement said:
+"I cannot, my lief brother, like but well
+     [_Lief_, dear.]
+The purpose of the complot which ye tell;
+For well I wot (compar'd to all the rest
+Of each degree) that beggers life is best,                           180
+And they that thinke themselves the best of all
+Oft-times to begging are content to fall.
+But this I wot withall, that we shall ronne
+Into great daunger, like to bee undonne,
+Thus wildly to wander in the worlds eye,                             185
+Withouten pasport or good warrantye,
+For feare least we like rogues should be reputed,
+And for eare-marked beasts abroad be bruted.
+Therefore I read that we our counsells call
+How to prevent this mischiefe ere it fall,                           190
+And how we may, with most securitie,
+Beg amongst those that beggars doo defie."
+"Right well, deere gossip, ye advized have,"
+Said then the Foxe, "but I this doubt will save:
+For ere we farther passe, I will devise                              195
+A pasport for us both in fittest wize,
+And by the names of souldiers us protect,
+That now is thought a civile begging sect.
+Be you the souldier, for you likest are
+For manly semblance, and small skill in warre:                       200
+I will but wayte on you, and, as occasion
+Falls out, my selfe fit for the same will fashion."
+The pasport ended, both they forward went;
+The Ape clad souldierlike, fit for th'intent,
+In a blew iacket with a crosse of redd                               205
+And manie slits, as if that he had shedd
+Much blood throgh many wounds therein receaved,
+Which had the use of his right arme bereaved,
+Upon his head an old Scotch cap he wore,
+With a plume feather all to peeces tore;                             210
+His breeches were made after the new cut,
+_Al Portugese_, loose like an emptie gut,
+And his hose broken high above the heeling,
+And his shooes beaten out with traveling.
+But neither sword nor dagger he did beare;                           215
+Seemes that no foes revengement he did feare;
+In stead of them a handsome bat he held,
+     [_Bat_, stick.]
+On which he leaned, as one farre in elde.
+     [_Elde_, age.]
+Shame light on him, that through so false illusion
+Doth turne the name of souldiers to abusion,                         220
+And that which is the noblest mysterie
+     [_Mysterie_, profession.]
+Brings to reproach and common infamie!
+Long they thus travailed, yet never met
+Adventure which might them a working set:
+Yet manie waies they sought, and manie tryed;                        225
+Yet for their purposes none fit espyed.
+At last they chaunst to meete upon the way
+A simple husbandman in garments gray;
+Yet, though his vesture were but meane and bace,
+     [_Bace_, humble.]
+A good yeoman he was of honest place,                                230
+And more for thrift did care than for gay clothing:
+Gay without good is good hearts greatest loathing.
+The Foxe, him spying, bad the Ape him dight
+     [_Dight_, prepare.]
+To play his part, for loe! he was in sight
+That, if he er'd not, should them entertaine,                        235
+And yeeld them timely profite for their paine.
+Eftsoones the Ape himselfe gan up to reare,
+     [_Eftsoones_, straightway.]
+And on his shoulders high his bat to beare,
+As if good service he were fit to doo,
+But little thrift for him he did it too:                             240
+And stoutly forward he his steps did straine,
+That like a handsome swaine it him became.
+When as they nigh approached, that good man,
+Seeing them wander loosly, first began
+T'enquire, of custome, what and whence they were.
+To whom the Ape: "I am a souldiere,                                  246
+That late in warres have spent my deerest blood,
+And in long service lost both limbs and good;
+And now, constraint that trade to overgive,
+I driven am to seeke some meanes to live:                            250
+Which might it you in pitie please t'afford,
+I would be readie, both in deed and word,
+To doo you faithfull service all my dayes.
+This yron world" (that same he weeping sayes)
+"Brings downe the stowtest hearts to lowest state:                   255
+For miserie doth bravest mindes abate,
+And make them seeke for that they wont to scorne,
+Of fortune and of hope at once forlorne."
+     [_Forlorne_, deserted.]
+The honest roan that heard him thus complaine
+Was griev'd as he had felt part of his paine;                        260
+And, well dispos'd him some reliefe to showe,
+Askt if in husbandrie he ought did knowe,--
+To plough, to plant, to reap, to rake, to sowe,
+To hedge, to ditch, to thrash, to thetch, to mowe;
+Or to what labour els he was prepar'd:                               265
+For husbands life is labourous and hard.
+     [_Husbands_, husbandman's.]
+Whenas the Ape him hard so much to talke
+Of labour, that did from his liking balke,
+He would have slipt the coller handsomly,
+And to him said: "Good Sir, full glad am I                           270
+To take what paines may anie living wight:
+But my late maymed limbs lack wonted might
+To doo their kindly services, as needeth:
+     [_Kindly_, natural.]
+Scarce this right hand the mouth with diet feedeth;
+So that it may no painfull worke endure,                             275
+Ne to strong labour can it selfe enure.
+But if that anie other place you have,
+Which askes small paines, but thriftines to save,
+Or care to overlooke, or trust to gather,
+Ye may me trust as your owne ghostly father."                        280
+With that the husbandman gan him avize,
+That it for him were fittest exercise
+Cattell to keep, or grounds to oversee;
+And asked him, if he could willing bee
+To keep his sheep, or to attend his swyne,                           285
+Or watch his mares, or take his charge of kyne.
+"Gladly," said he, "what ever such like paine
+Ye put on me, I will the same sustaine:
+But gladliest I of your fleecie sheepe
+(Might it you please) would take on me the keep.                     290
+For ere that unto armes I me betooke,
+Unto my fathers sheepe I usde to looke,
+That yet the skill thereof I have not loste:
+Thereto right well this curdog, by my coste,
+(Meaning the Foxe,) will serve my sheepe to gather,
+And drive to follow after their belwether."                          295
+The husbandman was meanly well content
+     [_Meanly_, humbly.]
+Triall to make of his endevourment;
+And, home him leading, lent to him the charge
+Of all his flocke, with libertie full large,                         300
+Giving accompt of th'annuall increce
+Both of their lambes, and of their woolly fleece.
+Thus is this Ape become a shepheard swaine,
+And the false Foxe his dog: God give them paine!
+For ere the yeare have halfe his course out-run,                     305
+And doo returne from whence he first begun,
+They shall him make an ill accompt of thrift.
+Now whenas time, flying with wing�s swift,
+Expired had the terme that these two iavels
+     [_Iavels,_ worthless fellows.]
+Should render up a reckning of their travels                         310
+Unto their master, which it of them sought,
+Exceedingly they troubled were in thought,
+Ne wist what answere unto him to frame,
+Ne how to scape great punishment, or shame,
+For their false treason and vile theeverie:                          315
+For not a lambe of all their flockes-supply
+Had they to shew; but ever as they bred,
+They slue them, and upon their fleshes fed:
+For that disguised dog lov'd blood to spill,
+And drew the wicked shepheard to his will.                           320
+So twixt them both they not a lambkin left;
+And when lambes fail'd, the old sheepes lives they reft;
+That how t'acquite themselves unto their lord
+They were in doubt, and flatly set abord.
+     [_Set abord_, set adrift, at a loss.]
+The Foxe then counsel'd th'Ape for to require                        325
+Respite till morrow t'answere his desire:
+For times delay new hope of helpe still breeds.
+The good man granted, doubting nought their deeds,
+And bad next day that all should readie be.
+But they more subtill meaning had than he:                           330
+For the next morrowes meed they closely ment,
+     [_Closely_, secretly.]
+For feare of afterclaps, for to prevent:
+     [_Prevent_, anticipate.]
+And that same evening, when all shrowded were
+In careles sleep, they without care or feare
+Cruelly fell upon their flock in folde,                              335
+And of them slew at pleasure what they wolde.
+Of which whenas they feasted had their fill,
+For a full complement of all their ill,
+They stole away, and tooke their hastie flight,
+Carried in clowdes of all-concealing night.                          340
+So was the husbandman left to his losse,
+And they unto their fortunes change to tosse.
+After which sort they wandered long while,
+Abusing manie through their cloaked guile;
+That at the last they gan to be descryed                             345
+Of everie one, and all their sleights espyed;
+So as their begging now them failed quyte,
+For none would give, but all men would them wyte.
+     [_Wyte_, blame.]
+Yet would they take no paines to get their living,
+But seeke some other way to gaine by giving,                         350
+Much like to begging, but much better named;
+For manie beg which are thereof ashamed.
+And now the Foxe had gotten him a gowne,
+And th'Ape a cassocke sidelong hanging downe;
+For they their occupation meant to change,                           355
+And now in other state abroad to range:
+For since their souldiers pas no better spedd,
+They forg'd another, as for clerkes booke-redd.
+Who passing foorth, as their adventures fell,
+Through manie haps, which needs not here to tell,                    360
+At length chaunst with a formall Priest to meete,
+     [_Formall_, regular.]
+Whom they in civill manner first did greete,
+And after askt an almes for Gods deare love.
+The man straightway his choler up did move,
+And with reproachfull tearmes gan them revile,                       365
+For following that trade so base and vile;
+And askt what license or what pas they had.
+"Ah!" said the Ape, as sighing wondrous sad,
+"Its an hard case, when men of good deserving
+Must either driven be perforce to sterving,                          370
+Or asked for their pas by everie squib,
+     [_Squib_, flashy, pretentious fellow]
+That list at will them to revile or snib.
+     [_Snib_, snub]
+And yet (God wote) small oddes I often see
+Twixt them that aske, and them that asked bee.
+Natheles because you shall not us misdeeme,                          375
+But that we are as honest as we seeme,
+Yee shall our pasport at your pleasure see,
+And then ye will (I hope) well mooved bee."
+Which when the Priest beheld, he vew'd it nere,
+As if therein some text he studying were,                            380
+But little els (God wote) could thereof skill:
+     [_Skill_, understand.]
+For read he could not evidence nor will,
+Ne tell a written word, ne write a letter,
+Ne make one title worse, ne make one better.
+Of such deep learning little had he neede,                           385
+Ne yet of Latine ne of Greeke, that breede
+Doubts mongst divines, and difference of texts,
+From whence arise diversitie of sects,
+And hatefull heresies, of God abhor'd.
+But this good Sir did follow the plaine word,                        390
+Ne medled with their controversies vaine;
+All his care was his service well to saine,
+     [_Saine_, say.]
+And to read homelies upon holidayes;
+When that was done, he might attend his playes:
+An easie life, and fit high God to please.                           395
+He, having overlookt their pas at ease,
+Gan at the length them to rebuke againe,
+That no good trade of life did entertaine,
+But lost their time in wandring loose abroad;
+Seeing the world, in which they bootles boad,                        400
+     [_Bootless boad_, dwelt unprofitably.]
+Had wayes enough for all therein to live;
+Such grace did God unto his creatures give.
+Said then the Foxe: "Who hath the world not tride
+From the right way full eath may wander wide.
+     [_Eath_, easy.]
+We are but novices, new come abroad,                                 405
+We have not yet the tract of anie troad,
+     [I.e. routine of any way of life.]
+Nor on us taken anie state of life,
+But readie are of anie to make preife.
+     [_Preife_, proof.]
+Therefore might please you, which the world have proved,
+Us to advise, which forth but lately moved,                          410
+Of some good course that we might undertake,
+Ye shall for ever us your bondmen make."
+The priest gan wexe halfe proud to be so praide,
+And thereby willing to affoord them aide,
+"It seemes," said he, "right well that ye be clerks,                 415
+Both by your wittie words and by your works.
+Is not that name enough to make a living
+To him that hath a whit of Natures giving?
+How manie honest men see ye arize
+Daylie thereby, and grow to goodly prize;                            420
+To deanes, to archdeacons, to commissaries,
+To lords, to principalls, to prebendaries?
+All iolly prelates, worthie rule to beare,
+Who ever them envie: yet spite bites neare.
+Why should ye doubt, then, but that ye likewise                      425
+Might unto some of those in time arise?
+In the meane time to live in good estate,
+Loving that love, and hating those that hate;
+Being some honest curate, or some vicker,
+Content with little in condition sicker."                            430
+     [_Sicker_, sure.]
+"Ah! but," said th'Ape, "the charge is wondrous great,
+To feed mens soules, and hath an heavie threat."
+"To feede mens soules," quoth he, "is not in man:
+For they must feed themselves, doo what we can.
+We are but charg'd to lay the meate before:                          435
+Eate they that list, we need to doo no more.
+But God it is that feedes them with his grace,
+The bread of life powr'd downe from heavenly place.
+Therefore said he that with the budding rod
+Did rule the lewes, _All shalbe taught of God._                      440
+That same hath Iesus Christ now to him raught,
+     [_Raught_, reached, taken.]
+By whom the flock is rightly fed and taught:
+He is the shcpheard, and the priest is hee;
+We but his shepheard swaines ordain'd to bee.
+Therefore herewith doo not your selfe dismay;                        445
+Ne is the paines so great, but beare ye may;
+For not so great, as it was wont of yore,
+It's now a dayes, ne halfe so streight and sore.
+They whilome used duly everie day
+Their service and their holie things to say,                         450
+At morne and even, beside their anthemes sweete,
+Their penie masses, and their complynes meete,
+     [_Complynes_, even-song; the last service of the day.]
+Their diriges, their trentals, and their shrifts,
+     [_Trentals_, thirty masses for the dead.]
+Their memories, their singings, and their gifts.
+     [_Memories_, services for the dead.]
+Now all those needlesse works are laid away;                         455
+Now once a weeke, upon the Sabbath day,
+It is enough to doo our small devotion,
+And then to follow any merrie motion.
+Ne are we tyde to fast, but when we list;
+Ne to weare garments base of wollen twist,                           460
+But with the finest silkes us to aray,
+That before God we may appeare more gay,
+Resembling Aarons glorie in his place:
+For farre unfit it is, that person bace
+Should with vile cloaths approach Gods maiestie,                     465
+Whom no uncleannes may approachen nie;
+Or that all men, which anie master serve,
+Good garments for their service should deserve,
+But he that serves the Lord of Hoasts Most High,
+And that in highest place, t'approach him nigh,                      470
+And all the peoples prayers to present
+Before his throne, as on ambassage sent
+Both too and fro, should not deserve to weare
+A garment better than of wooll or heare.
+Beside, we may have lying by our sides                               475
+Our lovely lasses, or bright shining brides;
+We be not tyde to wilfull chastitie,
+But have the gospell of free libertie."
+By that he ended had his ghostly sermon,
+The Foxe was well induc'd to be a parson;                            480
+And of the priest eftsoones gan to enquire
+How to a benefice he might aspire.
+"Marie, there," said the priest, "is arte indeed:
+Much good deep learning one thereout may reed;
+For that the ground-worke is, and end of all,                        485
+How to obtaine a beneficiall.
+First, therefore, when ye have in handsome wise
+Your selfe attyred, as you can devise,
+Then to some nobleman your selfe applye,
+Or other great one in the world�s eye,                               490
+That hath a zealous disposition
+To God, and so to his religion.
+There must thou fashion eke a godly zeale,
+Such as no carpers may contrayre reveale:
+For each thing fained ought more warie bee.                          495
+There thou must walke in sober gravitee,
+And seeme as saintlike as Saint Radegund:
+Fast much, pray oft, looke lowly on the ground,
+And unto everie one doo curtesie meeke:
+These lookes (nought saying) doo a benefice seeke,
+And be thou sure one not to lacke or long.                           501
+     [_Or_, ere.]
+But if thee list unto the Court to throng,
+And there to hunt after the hoped pray,
+Then must thou thee dispose another way
+For there thou needs must learne to laugh, to lie,                   505
+To face, to forge, to scoffe, to companie,
+To crouche, to please, to be a beetle-stock
+Of thy great masters will, to scorne, or mock:
+So maist thou chaunce mock out a benefice,
+Unlesse thou canst one coniure by device,                            510
+Or cast a figure for a bishoprick:
+And if one could, it were but a schoole trick.
+These be the wayes by which without reward
+Livings in court he gotten, though full hard;
+For nothing there is done without a fee:                             515
+The courtier needes must recompenced bee
+With a benevolence, or have in gage
+     [_Gage_, pledge.]
+The primitias of your parsonage:
+     [_Primitias_, first-fruits.]
+Scarse can a bishoprick forpas them by,
+But that it must be gelt in privitie.                                520
+Doo not thou therefore seeke a living there,
+But of more private persons seeke elswhere,
+Whereas thou maist compound a better penie,
+Ne let thy learning question'd be of anie.
+For some good gentleman, that hath the right                         525
+Unto his church for to present a wight,
+Will cope with thee in reasonable wise,
+     [_Cope_, bargain.]
+That if the living yerely doo arise
+To fortie pound, that then his yongest sonne
+Shall twentie have, and twentie thou hast wonne:                     530
+Thou hast it wonne, for it is of franke gift
+And he will care for all the rest to shift;
+Both that the bishop may admit of thee,
+And that therein thou maist maintained bee.
+This is the way for one that is unlern'd                             535
+Living to get, and not to be discern'd.
+But they that are great clerkes have nearer wayes
+For learning sake to living them to raise:
+Yet manie eke of them (God wote) are driven
+T'accept a benefice in peeces riven.--                               540
+How saist thou, friend, have I not well discourst
+Upon this common-place, though plaine, not wourst?
+Better a short tale than a bad long shriving:
+Needes anie more to learne to get a living?"
+"Now sure, and by my hallidome," quoth he                            545
+"Yea great master are in your degree:
+Great thankes I yeeld you for your discipline,
+And doo not doubt but duly to encline
+My wits theretoo, as ye shall shortly heare."
+The priest him wisht good speed and well to fare:                    550
+So parted they, as eithers way them led.
+But th'Ape and Foxe ere long so well them sped,
+Through the priests holesome counsell lately tought,
+And throgh their owne faire handling wisely wroght,
+That they a benefice twixt them obtained,                            555
+And craftie Reynold was a priest ordained,
+And th'Ape his parish clarke procur'd to bee:
+Then made they revell route and goodly glee.
+But, ere long time had passed, they so ill
+Did order their affaires, that th'evill will                         560
+Of all their parishners they had constraind;
+Who to the ordinarie of them complain'd,
+How fowlie they their offices abusd,
+And them of crimes and heresies accusd;
+That pursivants he often for them sent.                              565
+But they neglected his commaund�ment;
+So long persisted obstinate and bolde,
+Till at the length he published to holde
+A visitation, and them cyted thether.
+Then was high time their wits about to geather;                      570
+What did they then, but made a composition
+With their next neighbor priest for light condition,
+To whom their living they resigned quight
+For a few pence, and ran away by night.
+So passing through the countrey in disguize,                         575
+They fled farre off, where none might them surprize,
+And after that long straied here and there,
+Through everie field and forrest farre and nere;
+Yet never found occasion for their tourne,
+But, almost sterv'd, did much lament and mourne.                     580
+At last they chaunst to meete upon the way
+The Mule, all deckt in goodly rich aray,
+With bells and bosses that full lowdly rung,
+And costly trappings that to ground downe hung.
+Lowly they him saluted in meeke wise;                                585
+But he through pride and fatnes gan despise
+Their meanesse; scarce vouchsafte them to requite.
+Whereat the Foxe deep groning in his sprite,
+Said: "Ah! Sir Mule, now blessed be the day
+That I see you so goodly and so gay                                  590
+In your attyres, and eke your silken hyde
+Fil'd with round flesh, that everie bone doth hide.
+Seemes that in fruitfull pastures ye doo live,
+Or fortune doth you secret favour give."
+"Foolish Foxe!" said the Mule, "thy wretched need
+Praiseth the thing that doth thy sorrow breed.                       596
+For well I weene thou canst not but envie
+My wealth, compar'd to thine owne miserie,
+That art so leane and meagre waxen late
+That scarse thy legs uphold thy feeble gate."                        600
+"Ay me!" said then the Foxe, "whom evill hap
+Unworthy in such wretchednes doth wrap,
+And makes the scorne of other beasts to bee.
+But read, faire Sir, of grace, from whence come yee;
+Or what of tidings you abroad doo heare;                             605
+Newes may perhaps some good unweeting beare."
+"From royall court I lately came," said he,
+"Where all the braverie that eye may see,
+And all the happinesse that heart desire,
+Is to be found; he nothing can admire,                               610
+That hath not seene that heavens portracture.
+But tidings there is none, I you assure,
+Save that which common is, and knowne to all,
+That courtiers as the tide doo rise and fall."
+"But tell us," said the Ape, "we doo you pray,                       615
+Who now in court doth beare the greatest sway:
+That, if such fortune doo to us befall,
+We may seeke favour of the best of all."
+"Marie," said he, "the highest now in grace,
+Be the wilde beasts, that swiftest are in chase;                     620
+For in their speedie course and nimble flight
+The Lyon now doth take the most delight:
+But chieflie ioyes on foote them to beholde,
+Enchaste with chaine and circulet of golde:
+     [_Enchaste_, adorned.]
+So wilde a beaste so tame ytaught to bee,                            625
+And buxome to his bands, is ioy to see;
+     [_Buxome_, obedient.]
+So well his golden circlet him beseemeth.
+But his late chayne his Liege unmeete esteemeth;
+For so brave beasts she loveth best to see
+     [She: I.e. the queen.]
+In the wilde forrest raunging fresh and free.                        630
+Therefore if fortune thee in court to live,
+In case thou ever there wilt hope to thrive,
+To some of these thou must thy selfe apply;
+Els as a thistle-downe in th'ayre doth flie,
+So vainly shalt thou too and fro be tost,                            635
+And loose thy labour and thy fruitles cost.
+And yet full few which follow them I see
+For vertues bare regard advaunced bee,
+But either for some gainfull benefit,
+Or that they may for their owne turnes be fit.                       640
+Nath'les, perhaps ye things may handle soe,
+That ye may better thrive than thousands moe."
+"But," said the Ape, "how shall we first come in,
+That after we may favour seeke to win?"
+"How els," said he, "but with a good bold face,                      645
+And with big words, and with a stately pace,
+That men may thinke of you in generall
+That to be in you which is not at all:
+For not by that which is the world now deemeth,
+(As it was wont) but by that same that seemeth.                      650
+Ne do I doubt but that ye well can fashion
+Your selves theretoo, according to occasion.
+So fare ye well: good courtiers may ye bee!"
+So, proudlie neighing, from them parted hee.
+Then gan this craftie couple to devize,                              655
+How for the court themselves they might aguize:
+     [_Aguize_, decorate.]
+For thither they themselves meant to addresse,
+In hope to finde there happier successe.
+So well they shifted, that the Ape anon
+Himselfe had cloathed like a gentleman,                              660
+And the slie Foxe as like to be his groome;
+That to the court in seemly sort they come.
+Where the fond Ape, himselfe uprearing by
+Upon his tiptoes, stalketh stately by,
+As if he were some great magnifico,                                  665
+And boldlie doth amongst the boldest go;
+And his man Reynold, with fine counterfesaunce,
+     [_Counterfesaunce_, counterfeiting.]
+Supports his credite and his countenaunce.
+Then gan the courtiers gaze on everie side,
+And stare on him with big looks basen wide,                          670
+     [_Basen_, swelled.]
+Wondring what mister wight he was, and whence;
+     [_Mister wight_, sort of creature.]
+For he was clad in strange accoustrements,
+Fashion'd with queint devises never seene
+In court before, yet there all fashions beene;
+Yet he them in newfanglenesse did pas.                               675
+But his behaviour altogether was
+_Alla Turchesca,_ much the more admyr'd;
+     [_Alla Turchesca_, in the Turkish fashion.]
+And his lookes loftie, as if he aspyr'd
+To dignitie, and sdeign'd the low degree;
+That all which did such strangenesse in him see                      680
+By secrete meanes gan of his state enquire,
+And privily his servant thereto hire:
+Who, throughly arm'd against such coverture,
+     [_Coverture_, underhand dealing.]
+Reported unto all that he was sure
+A noble gentleman of high regard,                                    685
+Which through the world had with long travel far'd,
+And seene the manners of all beasts on ground,
+Now here arriv'd to see if like he found.
+Thus did the Ape at first him credit gaine,
+Which afterwards he wisely did maintaine                             690
+With gallant showe, and daylie more augment
+Through his fine feates and courtly complement;
+For he could play, and daunce, and vaute, and spring,
+And all that els pertaines to reveling.
+Onely through kindly aptnes of his ioynts.                           695
+     [_Kindly_, natural.]
+Besides he could doo manie other poynts,
+The which in court him served to good stead:
+For he mongst ladies could their fortunes read
+Out of their hands, and merie leasings tell,
+And iuggle finely, that became him well.                             700
+But he so light was at legierdemaine,
+That what he toucht came not to light againe;
+Yet would he laugh it out, and proudly looke,
+And tell them that they greatly him mistooke.
+So would he scoffe them out with mockcrie,                           705
+For he therein had great felicitie;
+And with sharp quips ioy'd others to deface,
+Thinking that their disgracing did him grace:
+So whilst that other like vaine wits he pleased
+And made to laugh, his heart was greatly eased.                      710
+But the right gentle minde woulde bite his lip,
+To heare the iavell so good men to nip:
+     [_Iavell_, worthless fellow.]
+For, though the vulgar yeeld an open eare,
+And common courtiers love to gybe and fleare
+At everie thing which they heare spoken ill,                         715
+And the best speaches with ill meaning spill,
+     [_Spill_, spoil.]
+Yet the brave courtier, in whose beauteous thought
+Regard of honour harbours more than ought,
+Doth loath such base condition, to backbite
+     [_Condition_, quality.]
+Anies good name for envie or despite.                                720
+He stands on tearmes of honourable minde,
+Ne will be carried with the common winde
+Of courts inconstant mutabilitie,
+Ne after everie tattling fable flie;
+But heares and sees the follies of the rest,                         725
+And thereof gathers for himselfe the best.
+He will not creepe, nor crouche with fained face,
+But walkes upright with comely stedfast pace,
+And unto all doth yeeld due curtesie;
+But not with kissed hand belowe the knee,                            730
+As that same apish crue is wont to doo:
+For he disdaines himselfe t'embase theretoo.
+He hates fowle leasings and vile flatterie,
+Two filthie blots in noble gentrie;
+And lothefull idlenes he doth detest,                                735
+The canker worme of everie gentle brest;
+The which to banish with faire exercise
+Of knightly feates he daylie doth devise:
+Now menaging the mouthes of stubborne steedes,
+Now practising the proofe of warlike deedes,                         740
+Now his bright armes assaying, now his speare,
+Now the nigh aymed ring away to beare:
+At other times he casts to sew the chace
+     [_Casts_, plans, makes arrangements.]
+Of Swift wilde beasts, or runne on foote a race,
+T'enlarge his breath, (large breath in armes most needfull,)         745
+Or els by wrestling to wex strong and heedfull,
+Or his stiffe armes to stretch with eughen bowe,
+     [_Eughen_, made of yew.]
+And manly legs, still passing too and fro,
+Without a gowned beast him fast beside;
+A vaine ensample of the Persian pride,                               750
+Who after he had wonne th'Assyrian foe,
+Did ever after scorne on foote to goe.
+Thus when this courtly gentleman with toyle
+Himselfe hath wearied, he doth recoyle
+Unto his rest, and there with sweete delight                         755
+Of musicks skill revives his toyled spright;
+Or els with loves and ladies gentle sports,
+The ioy of youth, himselfe he recomforts:
+Or lastly, when the bodie list to pause,
+His minde unto the Muses he withdrawes,                              760
+Sweete Ladie Muses, ladies of delight,
+Delights of life, and ornaments of light:
+With whom he close confers with wise discourse,
+Of Natures workes, of heavens continuall course,
+Of forreine lands, of people different,                              765
+Of kingdomes change, of divers gouvernment,
+Of dreadfull battailes of renowmed knights;
+With which he kindleth his ambitious sprights
+To like desire and praise of noble fame,
+The onely upshot whereto he doth ayme.                               770
+For all his minde on honour fixed is,
+To which he levels all his purposis,
+And in his Princes service spends his dayes,
+Not so much for to game, or for to raise
+Himselfe to high degree, as for his grace,                           775
+And in his liking to winne worthie place,
+Through due deserts and comely carriage,
+In whatso please employ his personage,
+That may be matter meete to game him praise.
+For he is fit to use in all assayes,                                 780
+Whether for armes and warlike amenaunce,
+     [_Amenaunce_, conduct.]
+Or else for wise and civill governaunce;
+For he is practiz'd well in policie,
+And thereto doth his courting most applie:
+     [_Courting_, life at court.]
+To learne the enterdeale of princes strange,                         785
+     [_Enterdeale_, dealing together.]
+To marke th'intent of counsells, and the change
+Of states, and eke of private men somewhile,
+Supplanted by fine falshood and faire guile;
+Of all the which he gathereth what is fit
+T'enrich the storehouse of his powerfull wit,                        790
+Which through wise speaches and grave conference
+He daylie eekes, and brings to excellence.
+     [_Eekes_, increases.]
+Such is the rightfull courtier in his kinde:
+But unto such the Ape lent not his minde;
+Such were for him no fit companions,                                 795
+Such would descrie his lewd conditions:
+But the yong lustie gallants he did chose
+To follow, meete to whom he might disclose
+His witlesse pleasance and ill pleasing vaine.
+A thousand wayes he them could entertaine,                           800
+With all the thriftles games that may be found;
+With mumming and with masking all around,
+With dice, with cards, with balliards farre unfit,
+     [_Balliards_, billiards.]
+With shuttelcocks, misseeming manlie wit,
+     [_Misseeming_, unbecoming.]
+With courtizans, and costly riotize,                                 805
+Whereof still somewhat to his share did rize:
+Ne, them to pleasure, would he sometimes scorne
+A pandares coate (so basely was he borne);
+Thereto he could fine loving verses frame,
+And play the poet oft. But ah! for shame,                            810
+Let not sweete poets praise, whose onely pride
+Is vertue to advaunce, and vice deride,
+Be with the worke of losels wit defamed,
+Ne let such verses poetrie be named!
+Yet he the name on him would rashly take,                            815
+Maugre the sacred Muses, and it make
+A servant to the vile affection
+Of such as he depended most upon;
+And with the sugrie sweete thereof allure
+Chast ladies eares to fantasies impure.                              820
+To such delights the noble wits he led
+Which him reliev'd, and their vaine humours fed
+With fruitles folies and unsound delights.
+But if perhaps into their noble sprights
+Desire of honor or brave thought of armes                            825
+Did ever creepe, then with his wicked charmes
+And strong conceipts he would it drive away,
+Ne suffer it to house there halfe a day.
+And whenso love of letters did inspire
+Their gentle wits, and kindly wise desire,                           830
+     [Kindly: Qu. _kindle?_]
+That chieflie doth each noble minde adorne,
+Then he would scoffe at learning, and eke scorne
+The sectaries thereof, as people base
+     [_Sectaries_, followers.]
+And simple men, which never came in place
+Of worlds affaires, but, in darke corners mewd,                      835
+Muttred of matters as their bookes them shewd,
+Ne other knowledge ever did attaine,
+But with their gownes their gravitie maintaine.
+From them he would his impudent lewde speach
+Against Gods holie ministers oft reach,                              840
+And mocke divines and their profession.
+What else then did he by progression,
+But mocke High God himselfe, whom they professe?
+But what car'd he for God, or godlinesse?
+All his care was himselfe how to advaunce,                           845
+And to uphold his courtly countenaunce
+By all the cunning meanes he could devise;
+"Were it by honest wayes, or otherwise,
+He made small choyce: yet sure his honestie
+Got him small gaines, but shameles flatterie,                        850
+And filthie brocage, and unseemly shifts,
+     [_Brocage_, pimping.]
+And borowe base, and some good ladies gifts.
+     [_Borowe_, pledging.]
+But the best helpe, which chiefly him sustain'd,
+Was his man Raynolds purchase which he gain'd:
+     [_Purchase_, booty.]
+For he was school'd by kinde in all the skill                        855
+     [_Kinde_, nature.]
+Of close conveyance, and each practise ill
+Of coosinage and cleanly knaverie,
+     [_Cleanly_, neat, skillful.]
+Which oft maintain'd his masters braverie.
+Besides, he usde another slipprie slight,
+In taking on himselfe, in common sight,                              860
+False personages fit for everie sted,
+With which he thousands cleanly coosined:
+Now like a merchant, merchants to deceave,
+With whom his credite he did often leave
+In gage for his gay masters hopelesse dett:                          865
+Now like a lawyer, when he land would lett,
+Or sell fee-simples in his masters name,
+Which he had never, nor ought like the same;
+Then would he be a broker, and draw in
+Both wares and money, by exchange to win:                            870
+Then would he seeme a farmer, that would sell
+Bargaines of woods, which he did lately fell,
+Or corne, or cattle, or such other ware,
+Thereby to coosin men not well aware:
+Of all the which there came a secret fee                             875
+To th'Ape, that he his countenaunce might bee.
+Besides all this, he us'd oft to beguile
+Poore suters that in court did haunt some while:
+For he would learne their busines secretly,
+And then informe his master hastely,                                 880
+That he by meanes might cast them to prevent,
+     [_Prevent_, anticipate.]
+And beg the sute the which the other ment.
+Or otherwise false Reynold would abuse
+The simple suter, and wish him to chuse
+His master, being one of great regard                                885
+In court, to compas anie sute not hard,
+In case his paines were recompenst with reason:
+So would he worke the silly man by treason
+To buy his masters frivolous good will,
+That had not power to doo him good or ill.                           890
+So pitifull a thing is suters state!
+Most miserable man, whom wicked fate
+Hath brought to court, to sue for had-ywist,
+That few have found, and manie one hath mist!
+Full little knowest thou that hast not tride,                        895
+What hell it is in suing long to bide:
+To loose good dayes, that might be better spent;
+To wast long nights in pensive discontent;
+To speed to day, to be put back to morrow;
+To feed on hope, to pine with feare and sorrow;                      900
+To have thy Princes grace, yet want her Peeres;
+To have thy asking, yet waite manie yeeres;
+To fret thy soule with crosses and with cares;
+To eate thy heart through comfortlesse dispaires;
+To fawne, to crowche, to waite, to ride, to ronne,                   905
+To spend, to give, to want, to be undonne.
+Unhappie wight, borne to desastrous end,
+That doth his life in so long tendance spend!
+Who ever leaves sweete home, where meane estate
+In safe assurance, without strife or hate,                           910
+Findes all things needfull for contentment meeke,
+And will to court for shadowes vaine to seeke,
+Or hope to gaine, himselfe will a daw trie:
+That curse God send unto mine enemie!
+For none but such as this bold Ape unblest                           915
+Can ever thrive in that unluckie quest;
+Or such as hath a Reynold to his man,
+That by his shifts his master furnish can.
+But yet this Foxe could not so closely hide
+His craftie feates, but that they were descride                      920
+At length by such as sate in iustice seate,
+Who for the same him fowlie did entreate;
+And, having worthily him punished,
+Out of the court for ever banished.
+And now the Ape, wanting his huckster man,                           925
+That wont provide his necessaries, gan
+To growe into great lacke, ne could upholde
+His countenaunce in those his garments olde;
+Ne new ones could he easily provide,
+Though all men him uncased gan deride,                               930
+Like as a puppit placed in a play,
+Whose part once past all men bid take away:
+So that he driven was to great distresse,
+And shortly brought to hopelesse wretchednesse.
+Then closely as he might he cast to leave                            935
+The court, not asking any passe or leave;
+But ran away in his rent rags by night,
+Ne ever stayd in place, ne spake to wight,
+Till that the Foxe, his copesmate, he had found;
+     [_Copesmate_, partner in trade.]
+To whome complayning his unhappie stound,                            940
+     [_Stound_, plight, exigency.]
+At last againe with him in travell ioynd,
+And with him far'd some better chaunee to fynde.
+So in the world long time they wandered,
+And mickle want and hardnesse suffered;
+That them repented much so foolishly                                 945
+To come so farre to seeke for misery,
+And leave the sweetnes of contented home,
+Though eating hipps and drinking watry fome.
+     [_Hipps_, dog-rose berries.]
+Thus as they them complayned too and fro,
+Whilst through the forest rechlesse they did goe,                    950
+     [_Rechlesse_, reckless.]
+Lo! where they spide how in a gloomy glade
+The Lyon sleeping lay in secret shade,
+His crowne and scepter lying him beside,
+And having doft for heate his dreadfull hide:
+Which when they saw, the Ape was sore afrayde,                       955
+And would have fled with terror all dismayde.
+But him the Foxe with hardy words did stay,
+And bad him put all cowardize away;
+For now was time, if ever they would hope,
+To ayme their counsels to the fairest scope,                         960
+And them for ever highly to advaunce,
+In case the good which their owne happie chaunce
+Them freely offred they would wisely take.
+Scarse could the Ape yet speake, so did he quake;
+Yet, as he could, he askt how good might growe                       965
+Where nought but dread and death do seeme in show.
+"Now," sayd he, "whiles the Lyon sleepeth sound,
+May we his crowne and mace take from the ground,
+And eke his skinne, the terror of the wood,
+Wherewith we may our selves, if we thinke good,                      970
+Make kings of beasts, and lords of forests all
+Subiect unto that powre imperiall."
+"Ah! but," sayd the Ape, "who is so bold a wretch,
+That dare his hardy hand to those outstretch,
+When as he knowes his meede, if he be spide,                         975
+To be a thousand deathes, and shame beside?"
+"Fond Ape!" sayd then the Foxe, "into whose brest
+Never crept thought of honor nor brave gest,
+     [_Gest_, deed.]
+Who will not venture life a king to be,
+And rather rule and raigne in soveraign see,                         980
+Than dwell in dust inglorious and bace,
+Where none shall name the number of his place?
+One ioyous howre in blisfull happines,
+I chose before a life of wretchednes.
+Be therefore counselled herein by me,                                985
+And shake off this vile-harted cowardree.
+If he awake, yet is not death the next,
+For we may colour it with some pretext
+Of this or that, that may excuse the cryme:
+Else we may flye; thou to a tree mayst clyme,                        990
+And I creepe under ground; both from his reach:
+Therefore be rul'd to doo as I doo teach."
+The Ape, that earst did nought but chill and quake,
+Now gan some courage unto him to take,
+And was content to attempt that enterprise,                          995
+Tickled with glorie and rash covetise.
+But first gan question, whether should assay
+     [_Whether_, which of the two.]
+Those royall ornaments to steale away?
+"Marie, that shall your selfe," quoth he theretoo,
+"For ye be fine and nimble it to doo;                               1000
+Of all the beasts which in the forrests bee
+Is not a fitter for this turne than yee:
+Therefore, mine owne deare brother, take good hart,
+And ever thinke a kingdome is your part."
+Loath was the Ape, though praised, to adventer,                     1005
+Yet faintly gan into his worke to enter,
+Afraid of everie leafe that stir'd him by,
+And everie stick that underneath did ly:
+Upon his tiptoes nicely he up went,
+For making noyse, and still his eare he lent                        1010
+To everie sound that under heaven blew;
+Now went, now stopt, now crept, now backward drew,
+That it good sport had been him to have eyde.
+Yet at the last, so well he him applyde,
+Through his fine handling and cleanly play                          1015
+He all those royall signes had stolne away,
+And with the Foxes helpe them borne aside
+Into a secret corner unespide.
+Whither whenas they came they fell at words,
+Whether of them should be the lords of lords:                       1020
+For th'Ape was stryfull and ambicious,
+And the Foxe guilefull and most covetous;
+That neither pleased was to have the rayne
+Twixt them divided into even twaine,
+But either algates would be lords alone:                            1025
+     [_Algates_, by all means.]
+For love and lordship bide no paragone.
+     [_Paragone_, equal, partner.]
+"I am most worthie," said the Ape, "sith I
+For it did put my life in ieopardie:
+Thereto I am in person and in stature
+Most like a man, the lord of everie creature,                       1030
+So that it seemeth I was made to raigne,
+And borne to be a kingly soveraigne."
+"Nay," said the Foxe, "Sir Ape, you are astray;
+For though to steale the diademe away
+Were the worke of your nimble hand, yet I                           1035
+Did first devise the plot by pollicie;
+So that it wholly springeth from my wit:
+For which also I claime my selfe more fit
+Than you to rule: for government of state
+Will without wisedome soone be ruinate.                             1040
+And where ye claime your selfe for outward shape
+Most like a man, man is not like an ape
+In his chiefe parts, that is, in wit and spirite;
+But I therein most like to him doo merite,
+For my slie wyles and subtill craftinesse,                          1045
+The title of the kingdome to possesse.
+Nath'les, my brother, since we passed are
+Unto this point, we will appease our iarre;
+And I with reason meete will rest content,
+That ye shall have both crowne and government,                      1050
+Upon condition that ye ruled bee
+In all affaires, and counselled by mee;
+And that ye let none other ever drawe
+Your minde from me, but keepe this as a lawe:
+And hereupon an oath unto me plight."                               1055
+The Ape was glad to end the strife so light,
+And thereto swore: for who would not oft sweare,
+And oft unsweare, a diademe to beare?
+Then freely up those royall spoyles he tooke,
+Yet at the Lyons skin he inly quooke;                               1060
+But it dissembled, and upon his head
+The crowne, and on his backe the skin, he did,
+And the false Foxe him helped to array.
+Then when he was all dight he tooke his way
+Into the forest, that he might be seene                             1065
+Of the wilde beasts in his new glory sheene.
+There the two first whome he encountred were
+The Sheepe and th'Asse, who, striken both with feare
+At sight of him, gan fast away to flye;
+But unto them the Foxe alowd did cry,                               1070
+And in the kings name bad them both to stay,
+Upon the payne that thereof follow may.
+Hardly naythles were they restrayned so,
+Till that the Foxe forth toward them did goe,
+And there disswaded them from needlease feare,                      1075
+For that the King did favour to them beare;
+And therefore dreadles bad them come to corte;
+For no wild beasts should do them any torte
+     [_Torte_, wrong.]
+There or abroad, ne would his Maiestye
+Use them but well, with gracious clemencye,                         1080
+As whome he knew to him both fast and true.
+So he perswaded them with homage due
+Themselves to humble to the Ape prostrate,
+Who, gently to them bowing in his gate,
+     [_Gate_, way.]
+Receyved them with chearefull entertayne.                           1085
+Thenceforth proceeding with his princely trayne,
+He shortly met the Tygre, and the Bore,
+Which with the simple Camell raged sore
+In bitter words, seeking to take occasion
+Upon his fleshly corpse to make invasion:                           1090
+But soone as they this mock-king did espy,
+Their troublous strife they stinted by and by,
+     [_Stinted by and by_, stopped at once.]
+Thinking indeed that it the Lyon was.
+He then, to prove whether his powre would pas
+As currant, sent the Foxe to them streight way,                     1095
+Commaunding them their cause of strife bewray;
+And, if that wrong on eyther side there were,
+That he should warne the wronger to appeare
+The morrow next at court, it to defend;
+In the meane time upon the King t'attend.                           1100
+The subtile Foxe so well his message sayd,
+That the proud beasts him readily obayd:
+Whereby the Ape in wondrous stomack woxe,
+Strongly encorag'd by the crafty Foxe;
+That king indeed himselfe he shortly thought,                       1105
+And all the beasts him feared as they ought,
+And followed unto his palaice hye;
+Where taking cong�, each one by and by
+Departed to his home in dreadfull awe,
+Full of the feared sight which late they sawe.                      1110
+The Ape, thus seized of the regall throne,
+Eftsones by counsell of the Foxe alone
+Gan to provide for all things in assurance,
+That so his rule might lenger have endurance.
+First, to his gate be pointed a strong gard,                        1115
+That none might enter but with issue hard:
+Then, for the safegard of his personage,
+He did appoint a warlike equipage
+Of forreine beasts, not in the forest bred,
+But part by land and part by water fed;                             1120
+For tyrannie is with strange ayde supported.
+Then unto him all monstrous beasts resorted
+Bred of two kindes, as Griffons, Minotaures,
+Crocodiles, Dragons, Beavers, and Centaures:
+With those himselfe he strengthned mightelie,                       1125
+That feare he neede no force of enemie.
+Then gan he rule and tyrannize at will,
+Like as the Foxe did guide his graceles skill;
+And all wylde beasts made vassals of his pleasures,
+And with their spoyles enlarg'd his private treasures.
+No care of iustice, nor no rule of reason,                          1131
+No temperance, nor no regard of season,
+Did thenceforth ever enter in his minde;
+But crueltie, the signe of currish kinde,
+And sdeignfull pride, and wilfull arrogaunce;                       1135
+Such followes those whom fortune doth advaunce.
+But the false Foxe most kindly plaid his part:
+     [_Kindly_, according to his nature.]
+For whatsoever mother-wit or arte
+Could worke, he put in proofe: no practise slie,
+No counterpoint of cunning policie,                                 1140
+     [_Counterpoint_, counterplot.]
+Ne reach, no breach, that might him profit bring,
+But he the same did to his purpose wring.
+Nought suffered he the Ape to give or graunt,
+But through his hand must passe the fiaunt.
+     [_Fiaunt_, fiat.]
+All offices, all leases by him lept,                                1145
+And of them all whatso he likte he kept.
+Iustice he solde iniustice for to buy,
+And for to purchase for his progeny.
+     [_Purchase_, collect spoil.]
+Ill might it prosper that ill gotten was,
+But, so he got it, little did he pas.                               1150
+     [_Pas_, care.]
+He fed his cubs with fat of all the soyle,
+And with the sweete of others sweating toyle;
+He crammed them with crumbs of benefices,
+And fild their mouthes with meeds of malefices;
+     [_Malifices_, evil deeds.]
+He cloathed them with all colours save white,                       1155
+And loded them with lordships and with might,
+So much as they were able well to beare,
+That with the weight their backs nigh broken were.
+He chaffred chayres in which churchmen were set,
+     [_Chaffred_, bartered.]
+And breach of lawes to privie ferme did let.                        1160
+     [_Ferme_, farm.]
+No statute so established might bee,
+Nor ordinaunce so needfull, but that hee
+Would violate, though not with violence,
+Yet under colour of the confidence
+The which the Ape repos'd in him alone,                             1165
+And reckned him the kingdomes corner stone.
+And ever, when he ought would bring to pas,
+His long experience the platforme was:
+And when he ought not pleasing would put by
+The cloke was care of thrift, and husbandry,                        1170
+For to encrease the common treasures store.
+But his owne treasure he encreased more,
+And lifted up his loftie towres thereby,
+That they began to threat the neighbour sky;
+The whiles the princes pallaces fell fast                           1175
+To ruine; for what thing can ever last?
+And whilest the other peeres for povertie
+Were forst their auncient houses to let lie,
+And their olde castles to the ground to fall,
+Which their forefathers famous over-all                             1180
+     [_Over-all_, everywhere.]
+Had founded for the kingdomes ornament,
+And for their memories long moniment.
+But he no count made of nobilitie,
+Nor the wilde beasts whom armes did glorifie,                       1185
+The realmes chiefe strength and girlond of the crowne.
+All these through fained crimes he thrust adowne,
+Or made them dwell in darknes of disgrace:
+For none but whom he list might come in place.
+Of men of armes he had but small regard,
+But kept them lowe, and streigned verie hard.                       1190
+For men of learning little he esteemed;
+His wisedome he above their learning deemed.
+As for the rascall commons, least he cared,
+For not so common was his bountie shared:                           1194
+"Let God," said he, "if please, care for the manie,
+I for my selfe must care before els anie."
+So did he good to none, to manie ill,
+So did he all the kingdome rob and pill,
+     [_Pill_, plunder.]
+Yet none durst speake, ne none durst of him plaine;
+So great he was in grace, and rich through game.
+Ne would he anie let to have accesse                                1201
+Unto the Prince, but by his owne addresse:
+For all that els did come were sure to faile;
+Yet would he further none but for availe.
+For on a time the Sheepe, to whom of yore                           1205
+The Foxe had promised of friendship store,
+What time the Ape the kingdome first did gaine,
+Came to the court, her case there to complaine;
+How that the Wolfe, her mortall enemie,
+Had sithence slaine her lambe most cruellie;                        1210
+     [_Sithence_, since.]
+And therefore crav'd to come unto the King,
+To let him knowe the order of the thing.
+"Soft, Gooddie Sheepe!" then said the Foxe, "not soe:
+Unto the King so rash ye may not goe;
+He is with greater matter busied                                    1215
+Than a lambe, or the lambes owne mothers hed.
+Ne certes may I take it well in part,
+That ye my cousin Wolfe so fowly thwart,
+And seeke with slaunder his good name to blot:
+For there was cause, els doo it he would not:                       1220
+Therefore surcease, good dame, and hence depart."
+So went the Sheepe away with heavie hart;
+So manie moe, so everie one was used,
+That to give largely to the boxe refused.
+
+Now when high Iove, in whose almightie hand                         1225
+The care of kings and power of empires stand,
+Sitting one day within his turret hye,
+From whence he vewes with his black-lidded eye
+Whatso the heaven in his wide vawte containes,
+And all that in the deepest earth remaines,                         1230
+And troubled kingdome of wilde beasts behelde,
+Whom not their kindly sovereigne did welde,
+     [_Welde_, govern.]
+But an usurping Ape, with guile suborn'd,
+Had all subverst, he sdeignfully it scorn'd
+In his great heart, and hardly did refraine                         1235
+But that with thunder bolts he had him slaine,
+And driven downe to hell, his dewest meed.
+But him avizing, he that dreadfull deed
+Forbore, and rather chose with scornfull shame
+Him to avenge, and blot his brutish name                            1240
+Unto the world, that never after anie
+Should of his race be voyd of infamie;
+And his false counsellor, the cause of all,
+To damne to death, or dole perpetuall,
+From whence he never should be quit nor stal'd.
+     [_Stal'd_, forestalled (?).]
+Forthwith he Mercurie unto him cal'd,                               1246
+And bad him flie with never-resting speed
+Unto the forrest, where wilde beasts doo breed,
+And, there enquiring privily, to learne
+What did of late chaunce to the Lyon stearne,                       1250
+That he rul'd not the empire, as he ought;
+And whence were all those plaints unto him brought
+Of wrongs and spoyles by salvage beasts committed:
+Which done, he bad the Lyon be remitted
+Into his seate, and those same treachours vile                      1255
+     [_Treachours_, traitors.]
+Be punished for their presumptuous guile.
+The sonne of Maia, soone as he receiv'd
+That word, streight with his azure wings he cleav'd
+The liquid clowdes and lucid firmament,
+Ne staid till that he came with steep descent                       1260
+Unto the place where his prescript did showe.
+There stouping, like an arrowe from a bowe,
+He soft arrived on the grassie plaine,
+And fairly paced forth with easie paine,
+Till that unto the pallace nigh he came.                            1265
+Then gan he to himselfe new shape to frame,
+And that faire face, and that ambrosiall hew,
+Which wonts to decke the gods immortall crew,
+And beautefie the shinie firmament,
+He doft, unfit for that rude rabblement.                            1270
+So, standing by the gates in strange disguize,
+He gan enquire of some in secret wize,
+Both of the King, and of his government,
+And of the Foxe, and his false blandishment:
+And evermore he heard each one complaine                            1275
+Of foule abuses both in realme and raine:
+Which yet to prove more true, he meant to see,
+And an ey-witnes of each thing to bee.
+Tho on his head his dreadfull hat he dight,
+Which maketh him invisible in sight,                                1280
+And mocketh th'eyes of all the lookers on,
+Making them thinke it but a vision.
+Through power of that he runnes through enemies swerds;
+Through power of that he passeth through the herds
+Of ravenous wilde beasts, and doth beguile                          1285
+Their greedie mouthes of the expected spoyle;
+Through power of that his cunning theeveries
+He wonts to worke, that none the same espies;
+And through the power of that he putteth on
+What shape he list in apparition.                                   1290
+That on his head he wore, and in his hand
+He tooke caduceus, his snakie wand,
+With which the damned ghosts he governeth,
+And furies rules, and Tartare tempereth.
+With that he causeth sleep to seize the eyes,                       1295
+And feare the harts, of all his enemyes;
+And when him list, an universall night
+Throughout the world he makes on everie wight;
+As when his syre with Alcumena lay.
+Thus dight, into the court he tooke his way,                        1300
+Both through the gard, which never him descride,
+And through the watchmen, who him never spide:
+Thenceforth he past into each secrete part,
+Whereas he saw, that sorely griev'd his hart,
+Each place abounding with fowle iniuries,                           1305
+And fild with treasure rackt with robberies;
+Each place defilde with blood of guiltles beasts
+Which had been slaine to serve the Apes beheasts;
+Gluttonie, malice, pride, and covetize,
+And lawlesnes raigning with riotize;                                1310
+Besides the infinite extortions,
+Done through the Foxes great oppressions,
+That the complaints thereof could not be tolde.
+Which when he did with lothfull eyes beholde,
+He would no more endure, but came his way,                          1315
+And cast to seeke the Lion, where he may,
+     [_Cast_, projected.]
+That he might worke the avengement for this shame
+On those two caytives which had bred him blame
+And seeking all the forrest busily,
+At last he found where sleeping he did ly.                          1320
+The wicked weed which there the Foxe did lay
+From underneath his head he tooke away,
+And then him, waking, forced up to rize.
+The Lion, looking up, gan him avize,
+     [_Avize_, bethink.]
+As one late in a traunce, what had of long                          1325
+Become of him: for fantasie is strong.
+"Arise," said Mercurie, "thou sluggish beast,
+That here liest senseles, like the corpse deceast,
+The whilste thy kingdome from thy head is rent,
+And thy throne royall with dishonour blent:                         1330
+     [_Blent_, stained.]
+Arise, and doo thy selfe redeeme from shame,
+And be aveng'd on those that breed thy blame."
+Thereat enraged, soone he gan upstart,
+Grinding his teeth, and grating his great hart;
+And, rouzing up himselfe, for his rough hide                        1335
+He gan to reach; but no where it espide.
+Therewith he gan full terribly to rore,
+And chafte at that indignitie right sore.
+But when his crowne and scepter both he wanted,
+Lord! how he fum'd, and sweld, and rag'd, and panted,
+And threatned death and thousand deadly dolours
+To them that had purloyn'd his princely honours.
+With that in hast, disroabed as he was,
+He toward his owne pallace forth did pas;
+And all the way he roared as he went,                               1345
+That all the forrest with astonishment
+Thereof did tremble, and the beasts therein
+Fled fast away from that so dreadfull din.
+At last he came unto his mansion,
+Where all the gates he found fast lockt anon                        1350
+And manie warders round about them stood:
+With that he roar'd alowd, as he were wood,
+     [_Wood_, frantic.]
+That all the pallace quaked at the stound,
+     [_Stound_, (time, scene) tumult.]
+As if it quite were riven from the ground,
+And all within were dead and hartles left;                          1355
+And th'Ape himselfe, as one whose wits were reft,
+Fled here and there, and everie corner sought.
+To hide himselfe from his owne feared thought.
+But the false Foxe, when he the Lion heard,
+Fled closely forth, streightway of death afeard,                    1360
+     [_Closely_, secretly.]
+And to the Lion came, full lowly creeping,
+With fained face, and watrie eyne halfe weeping,
+T'excuse his former treason and abusion,
+And turning all unto the Apes confusion:
+Nath'les the royall beast forbore beleeving,                        1365
+But bad him stay at ease till further preeving.
+     [_Preeving_, proving.]
+Then when he saw no entrance to him graunted,
+Roaring yet lowder that all harts it daunted,
+Upon those gates with force he fiercely newe,
+And, rending them in pieces, felly slewe                            1370
+Those warders strange, and all that els he met
+But th'Ape still flying he no where might get:
+From rowme to rowme, from beame to beame he fled,
+All breathles, and for feare now almost ded:
+Yet him at last the Lyon spide, and caught,                         1375
+And forth with shame unto his iudgement brought.
+Then all the beasts he causd' assembled bee,
+To heare their doome, and sad ensample see:
+The Foxe, first author of that treacherie
+He did uncase, and then away let flie.                              1380
+     [_Uncase_, strip of his disguise.]
+But th'Apes long taile (which then he had) he quight
+Cut off, and both eares pared of their hight;
+Since which, all Apes but halfe their eares have left,
+And of their tailes are utterlie bereft.
+
+So Mother Hubberd her discourse did end:                            1385
+Which pardon me if I amisse have pend,
+For weake was my remembrance it to hold,
+And bad her tongue that it so bluntly tolde.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE. This charming little poem, Spenser's only
+successful effort at satire, is stated by the author to have been
+composed in the raw conceit of his youth. There is internal evidence,
+however, that some of the happiest passages were added at the date of
+its publication, at which time the whole was probably retouched.
+Although Mother Hubberds Tale is in its plan an imitation of the
+satires of Reynard the Fox; the treatment of the subject is quite
+original. For the combination of elegance with simplicity, this poem
+will stand a comparison with Goethe's celebrated translation of the
+Reineke. C.
+
+Ver. I.--_It was the month_, &c. August.
+
+Ver. 453.--_Diriges_, dirges. The office for the dead received this
+name from the antiphon with which the first nocturne in the mattens
+commenced, taken from Psalm v. 8, "Dirige, Domine Deus meus, in
+conspectu tuo viam meam." Way's _Promptorium Parvulorum._ C.
+
+Ver. 519.--_Scarse can a bishoprick_, &c. This is probably an allusion
+to the frequent alienations of the lands and manors of bishoprics in
+Elizabeth's time. TODD.
+
+Ver. 562.--_The ordinarie._ An ordinary is a judge having jurisdiction
+in ecclesiastical matters. In England, it is usually the bishop of the
+diocese. H.
+
+Ver. 623, 624.--The Queen was so much pleased with the results of the
+Portugal expedition of 1589, that she honored the commanders, and Sir
+Walter Raleigh among the rest, with a gold chain. C.
+
+Ver. 717.--_The brave courtier_, &c. This description is perhaps
+intended for Sir Philip Sidney. C.
+
+Ver. 893.--Had-ywist. That is, _had I wist! had I known_ that it would
+end so! a proverbial expression for late repentance consequent on
+disappointment. C.
+
+Ver. 901.--_To have thy Princes grace, yet want her Peeres._ Elizabeth
+was said to have granted Spenser a pension which Burghley intercepted,
+and to have ordered him a gratuity which her minister neglected to pay.
+C.
+
+Ver. 913.--_Himselfe will a daw trie._ So the old copy: the reading
+should probably be _himselfe a daw will trie_, prove or find himself by
+experience to be a daw or fool. C.
+
+Ver. 1189.--_Of men of armes,_ &c. This passage certainly provokes an
+application to Lord Burghley, and was probably intended for him. C.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+RUINES OF ROME:
+
+BY BELLAY*
+
+[* Joachim du Bellay, a French poet of considerable reputation in his
+day, died in 1560. These sonnets are translated from _Le Premier Livre
+des Antiquez de Rome_. Further on we have the Visions of Bellay,
+translated from the _Songes_ of the same author. The best that can be
+said of these sonnets seems to be, that they are not inferior to the
+original. C.]
+
+
+I.
+
+Ye heavenly spirites, whose ashie cinders lie
+Under deep ruines, with huge walls opprest,
+But not your praise, the which shall never die
+Through your faire verses, ne in ashes rest;
+If so be shrilling voyce of wight alive
+May reach from hence to depth of darkest hell,
+Then let those deep abysses open rive,
+That ye may understand my shreiking yell!
+Thrice having seene under the heavens veale
+Your toombs devoted compasse over all,
+Thrice unto you with lowd voyce I appeale,
+And for your antique furie here doo call,
+  The whiles that I with sacred horror sing
+  Your glorie, fairest of all earthly thing!
+
+
+II.
+
+Great Babylon her haughtie walls will praise,
+And sharped steeples high shot up in ayre;
+Greece will the olde Ephesian buildings blaze,
+And Nylus nurslings their Pyramides faire;
+The same yet vaunting Greece will tell the storie
+Of Ioves great image in Olympus placed;
+Mausolus worke will be the Carians glorie,
+And Crete will boast the Labyrinth, now raced;
+The antique Rhodian will likewise set forth
+The great Colosse, erect to Memorie;
+And what els in the world is of like worth,
+Some greater learned wit will magnifie.
+  But I will sing above all moniments
+  Seven Romane Hils, the worlds seven wonderments.
+
+
+III.
+
+Thou stranger, which for Rome in Rome hero seekest,
+And nought of Rome in Rome perceiv'st at all,
+These same olde walls, olde arches, which thou seest,
+Olde palaces, is that which Rome men call.
+Beholde what wreake, what mine, and what wast,
+And how that she which with her mightie powre
+Tam'd all the world hath tam'd herselfe at last;
+The pray of Time, which all things doth devowre!
+Rome now of Rome is th'onely funerall,
+And onely Rome of Rome hath victorie;
+Ne ought save Tyber hastning to his fall
+Remaines of all: O worlds inconstancie!
+  That which is firme doth flit and fall away,
+  And that is flitting doth abide and stay.
+
+
+IV.
+
+She whose high top above the starres did sore,
+One foote on Thetis, th'other on the Morning,
+One hand on Scythia, th'other on the More,
+Both heaven and earth in roundnesse compassing;
+Iove fearing, least if she should greater growe,
+The old giants should once againe uprise,
+Her whelm'd with hills, these seven hils, which be nowe
+Tombes of her greatnes which did threate the skies:
+Upon her head he heapt Mount Saturnal,
+Upon her bellie th'antique Palatine,
+Upon her stomacke laid Mount Quirinal,
+On her left hand the noysome Esquiline,
+  And Caelian on the right; but both her feete
+  Mount Viminal and Aventine doo meete.
+
+
+V.
+
+Who lists to see what ever nature, arte,
+And heaven could doo, O Rome, thee let him see,
+In case thy greatnes he can gesse in harte
+By that which but the picture is of thee!
+Rome is no more: but if the shade of Rome
+May of the bodie yeeld a seeming sight,
+It's like a corse drawne forth out of the tombe
+By magicke skill out of eternall night:
+The corpes of Rome in ashes is entombed,
+And her great spirite, reioyned to the spirite
+Of this great masse, is in the same enwombed;
+But her brave writings, which, her famous merite
+  In spight of Time out of the dust doth reare,
+  Doo make her idole* through the world appeare.
+[* _Idole_, image, idea.]
+
+
+VI.
+
+Such as the Berecynthian goddesse bright,
+In her swifte charret with high turrets crownde,
+Proud that so manie gods she brought to light,
+Such was this citie in her good daies fownd:
+This citie, more than that great Phrygian mother
+Renowm'd for fruite of famous progenie,
+Whose greatnes by the greatnes of none other,
+But by her selfe, her equall match could see:
+Rome onely might to Rome compared bee,
+And onely Rome could make great Rome to tremble:
+So did the gods by heavenly doome decree,
+That other earthlie power should not resemble
+  Her that did match the whole earths puissaunce,
+  And did her courage to the heavens advaunce.
+
+
+VII.
+
+Ye sacred ruines, and ye tragick sights,
+Which onely doo the name of Rome retaine,
+Olde moniments, which of so famous sprights
+The honour yet in ashes doo maintaine,
+Triumphant arcks, spyres neighbours to the skie,
+That you to see doth th'heaven it selfe appall,
+Alas! by little ye to nothing flie,
+The peoples fable, and the spoyle of all!
+And though your frames do for a time make warre
+Gainst Time, yet Time in time shall ruinate
+Your workes and names, and your last reliques marre.
+My sad desires, rest therefore moderate!
+  For if that Time make ende of things so sure,
+  It als will end the paine which I endure.
+
+
+VIII.
+
+Through armes and vassals Rome the world subdu'd,
+That one would weene that one sole cities strength
+Both land and sea in roundnes had survew'd,
+To be the measure of her bredth and length:
+This peoples vertue yet so fruitfull was
+Of vertuous nephewes*, that posteritie,
+Striving in power their grandfathers to passe,
+The lowest earth ioin'd to the heaven hie;
+To th'end that, having all parts in their power,
+Nought from the Romane Empire might be quight**;
+And that though Time doth commonwealths devowre,
+Yet no time should so low embase their hight,
+  That her head, earth'd in her foundations deep,
+  Should not her name and endles honour keep.
+[* _Nephewes_, descendants.]
+[** _Quight_, quit, free.]
+
+
+IX.
+
+Ye cruell starres, and eke ye gods unkinde,
+Heaven envious, and bitter stepdame Nature!
+Be it by fortune, or by course of kinde*,
+That ye doo weld th'affaires of earthlie creature;
+Why have your hands long sithence traveiled
+To frame this world, that doth endure so long?
+Or why were not these Romane palaces
+Made of some matter no lesse firme and strong?
+I say not, as the common voyce doth say,
+That all things which beneath the moone have being
+Are temporall and subiect to decay:
+But I say rather, though not all agreeing
+  With some that weene the contrarie in thought,
+  That all this whole shall one day come to nought.
+[* _Kinde_, nature.]
+
+
+X.
+
+As that brave sonne of Aeson, which by charmes
+Atcheiv'd the golden fleece in Colchid land,
+Out of the earth engendred men of armes
+Of dragons teeth, sowne in the sacred sand,
+So this brave towne, that in her youthlie daies
+An hydra was of warriours glorious,
+Did fill with her renowmed nourslings praise
+The firie sunnes both one and other hous:
+But they at last, there being then not living
+An Hercules so ranke seed to represse,
+Emongst themselves with cruell furie striving,
+Mow'd downe themselves with slaughter mercilesse;
+  Renewing in themselves that rage unkinde,
+  Which whilom did those earthborn brethren blinde.
+
+
+XI.
+
+Mars, shaming to have given so great head
+To his off-spring, that mortall puissaunce,
+Puft up with pride of Romane hardiehead,
+Seem'd above heavens powre it selfe to advaunce,
+Cooling againe his former kindled heate
+With which he had those Romane spirits fild.
+Did blowe new fire, and with enflamed breath
+Into the Gothicke colde hot rage instil'd.
+Then gan that nation, th'earths new giant brood,
+To dart abroad the thunderbolts of warre,
+And, beating downe these walls with furious mood
+Into her mothers bosome, all did marre;
+  To th'end that none, all were it* Iove his sire,
+  Should boast himselfe of the Romane empire.
+[* _All were it_, although it were.]
+
+
+XII.
+
+Like as whilome the children of the earth
+Heapt hils on hils to scale the starrie skie,
+And fight against the gods of heavenly berth,
+Whiles Iove at them his thunderbolts let flie;
+All suddenly with lightning overthrowne,
+The furious squadrons downe to ground did fall,
+That th'earth under her childrens weight did grone,
+And th'heavens in glorie triumpht over all;
+So did that haughtie front, which heaped was
+On these seven Romane hils, it selfe upreare
+Over the world, and lift her loftie face
+Against the heaven, that gan her force to feare.
+  But now these scorned fields bemone her fall,
+  And gods secure feare not her force at all.
+
+
+XIII.
+
+Nor the swift furie of the flames aspiring,
+Nor the deep wounds of victours raging blade,
+Nor ruthlesse spoyle of souldiers blood-desiring,
+The which so oft thee, Rome, their conquest made,
+Ne stroke on stroke of fortune variable,
+Ne rust of age hating continuance,
+Nor wrath of gods, nor spight of men unstable,
+Nor thou oppos'd against thine owne puissance,
+Nor th'horrible uprore of windes high blowing,
+Nor swelling streames of that god snakie-paced*
+Which hath so often with his overflowing
+Thee drenched, have thy pride so much abaced,
+  But that this nothing, which they have thee left,
+  Makes the world wonder what they from thee reft.
+[* _Snakie-paced_, winding; or perhaps (like Ovid's _anguipes_) swift.]
+
+
+XIV.
+
+As men in summer fearles passe the foord
+Which is in winter lord of all the plaine,
+And with his tumbling streames doth beare aboord*
+The ploughmans hope and shepheards labour vaine,
+And as the coward beasts use to despise
+The noble lion after his lives end,
+Whetting their teeth, and with vaine foolhardise
+Daring the foe that cannot him defend,
+And as at Troy most dastards of the Greekes
+Did brave about the corpes of Hector colde,
+So those which whilome wont with pallid cheekes
+The Romane triumphs glorie to behold,
+  Now on these ashie tombes shew boldnesse vaine,
+  And, conquer'd, dare the conquerour disdaine.
+[*_Aboord_, into the current.]
+
+
+XV.
+
+Ye pallid spirits, and ye ashie ghoasts,
+Which, ioying in the brightnes of your day,
+Brought foorth those signes of your presumptuous boasts
+Which now their dusty reliques do bewray,
+Tell me, ye spirits! (sith the darksome river
+Of Styx, not passable to soules returning,
+Enclosing you in thrice three wards for ever,
+Doo not restraine your images still mourning,)
+Tell me then, (for perhaps some one of you
+Yet here above him secretly doth hide,)
+Doo ye not feele your torments to accrewe,
+When ye sometimes behold the ruin'd pride
+  Of these old Romane works, built with your hands,
+  To become nought els but heaped sands?
+
+
+XVI.
+
+Like as ye see the wrathfull sea from farre
+In a great mountaine heap't with hideous noyse,
+Eftsoones of thousand billowes shouldred narre*,
+Against a rocke to breake with dreadfull poyse;
+Like as ye see fell Boreas with sharpe blast
+Tossing huge tempests through the troubled skie,
+Eftsoones having his wide wings spent in wast,
+To stop his wearie cariere** suddenly;
+And as ye see huge flames spred diverslie,
+Gathered in one up to the heavens to spyre,
+Eftsoones consum'd to fall downe feebily,
+So whilom did this monarchie aspyre
+  As waves, as winde, as fire, spred over all,
+  Till it by fatall doome adowne did fall.
+[* _Narre_, nearer.]
+[** _Cariere_, career.]
+
+
+XVII.
+
+So long as Ioves great bird did make his flight,
+Bearing the fire with which heaven doth us fray,
+Heaven had not feare of that presumptuous might,
+With which the giaunts did the gods assay:
+But all so soone as scortching sunne had brent*
+His wings which wont the earth to overspredd,
+The earth out of her massie wombe forth sent
+That antique horror which made heaven adredd.
+Then was the Germane raven in disguise
+That Romane eagle seene to cleave asunder,
+And towards heaven freshly to arise
+Out of these mountaines, now consum'd to pouder.
+  In which the foule that serves to beare the lightning
+  Is now no more seen flying nor alighting.
+[* _Brent_, burned.]
+
+
+XVIII.
+
+These heapes of stones, these old wals which ye see,
+Were first enclosures but of salvage soyle;
+And these brave pallaces, which maystred bee
+Of time, were shepheards cottages somewhile.
+Then tooke the shepheards kingly ornaments
+And the stout hynde arm'd his right hand with steele:
+Eftsoones their rule of yearely presidents
+Grew great, and sixe months greater a great deele;
+Which, made perpetuall, rose to so great might,
+That thence th'imperiall eagle rooting tooke,
+Till th'heaven it selfe, opposing gainst her might,
+Her power to Peters successor betooke,
+  Who, shepheardlike, (as Fates the same foreseeing,)
+  Doth shew that all things turne to their first being.
+[XVIII. 8.--_Sixe months_, &c. The term of the dictatorship at Rome.]
+
+
+XIX.
+
+All that is perfect, which th'heaven beautefies;
+All that's imperfect, borne belowe the moone;
+All that doth feede our spirits and our eies;
+And all that doth consume our pleasures soone;
+All the mishap the which our daies outweares;
+All the good hap of th'oldest times afore,
+Rome, in the time of her great ancesters,
+Like a Pandora, locked long in store.
+But destinie this huge chaos turmoyling,
+In which all good and evill was enclosed,
+Their heavenly vertues from these woes assoyling,
+Caried to heaven, from sinfull bondage losed:
+  But their great sinnes, the causers of their paine,
+  Under these antique ruines yet remaine.
+
+
+XX.
+
+No otherwise than raynie cloud, first fed
+With earthly vapours gathered in the ayre,
+Eftsoones in compas arch't, to steepe his hed,
+Doth plonge himselfe in Tethys bosome faire,
+And, mounting up againe from whence he came,
+With his great bellie spreds the dimmed world,
+Till at the last, dissolving his moist frame,
+In raine, or snowe, or haile, he forth is horld,
+This citie, which was first but shepheards shade,
+Uprising by degrees, grewe to such height
+That queene of land and sea her selfe she made.
+At last, not able to beare so great weight,
+  Her power, disperst, through all the world did vade*;
+  To shew that all in th'end to nought shall fade.
+[* _Vade_, vanish.]
+
+
+XXI.
+
+The same which Pyrrhus and the puissaunce
+Of Afrike could not tame, that same brave citie
+Which, with stout courage arm'd against mischaunce,
+Sustein'd the shocke of common enmitie,
+Long as her ship, tost with so manie freakes,
+Had all the world in armes against her bent,
+Was never seene that anie fortunes wreakes
+Could breake her course begun with brave intent.
+But, when the obiect of her vertue failed,
+Her power it selfe against it selfe did arme;
+As he that having long in tempest sailed
+Faine would arive, but cannot for the storme,
+  If too great winde against the port him drive,
+  Doth in the port it selfe his vessell rive.
+
+
+XXII.
+
+When that brave honour of the Latine name,
+Which mear'd* her rule with Africa and Byze**,
+With Thames inhabitants of noble fame,
+And they which see the dawning day arize,
+Her nourslings did with mutinous uprore
+Harten against her selfe, her conquer'd spoile,
+Which she had wonne from all the world afore,
+Of all the world was spoyl'd within a while:
+So, when the compast course of the universe
+In sixe and thirtie thousand yeares is ronne,
+The bands of th'elements shall backe reverse
+To their first discord, and be quite undonne;
+  The seedes of which all things at first were bred
+  Shall in great Chaos wombe againe be hid.
+[* _Mear'd_, bounded.]
+[** _Byze_, Byzantium.]
+
+
+XXIII.
+
+O warie wisedome of the man* that would
+That Carthage towres from spoile should be forborne,
+To th'end that his victorious people should
+With cancring laisure not be overworne!
+He well foresaw how that the Romane courage,
+Impatient of pleasures faint desires,
+Through idlenes would turne to civill rage,
+And be her selfe the matter of her fires.
+For in a people given all to ease,
+Ambition is engendred easily;
+As, in a vicious bodie, grose disease
+Soone growes through humours superfluitie.
+  That came to passe, when, swolne with plenties pride,
+  Nor prince, nor peere, nor kin, they would abide.
+[* I.e. Scipio Nasica.]
+
+
+XXIV.
+
+If the blinde Furie which warres breedeth oft
+Wonts not t'enrage the hearts of equall beasts,
+Whether they fare on foote, or flie aloft,
+Or armed be with clawes, or scalie creasts,
+What fell Erynnis, with hot burning tongs,
+Did grype your hearts with noysome rage imbew'd,
+That, each to other working cruell wrongs,
+Your blades in your owne bowels you embrew'd?
+Was this, ye Romanes, your hard destinie?
+Or some old sinne, whose unappeased guilt
+Powr'd vengeance forth on you eternallie?
+Or brothers blood, the which at first was spilt
+  Upon your walls, that God might not endure
+  Upon the same to set foundation sure?
+
+
+XXV.
+
+O that I had the Thracian poets harpe,
+For to awake out of th'infernall shade
+Those antique Caesars, sleeping long in darke,
+The which this auncient citie whilome made!
+Or that I had Amphions instrument,
+To quicken with his vitall notes accord
+The stonie ioynts of these old walls now rent,
+By which th'Ausonian light might be restor'd!
+Or that at least I could with pencill fine
+Fashion the pourtraicts of these palacis,
+By paterne of great Virgils spirit divine!
+I would assay with that which in me is
+  To builde, with levell of my loftie style,
+  That which no hands can evermore compyle.
+
+
+XXVI.
+
+Who list the Romane greatnes forth to figure,
+Him needeth not to seeke for usage right
+Of line, or lead, or rule, or squaire, to measure
+Her length, her breadth, her deepnes, or her hight;
+But him behooves to vew in compasse round
+All that the ocean graspes in his long armes;
+Be it where the yerely starre doth scortch the ground,
+Or where colde Boreas blowes his bitter stormes.
+Rome was th'whole world, and al the world was Rome;
+And if things nam'd their names doo equalize,
+When land and sea ye name, then name ye Rome,
+And, naming Rome, ye land and sea comprize:
+  For th'auncient plot of Rome, displayed plaine,
+  The map of all the wide world doth containe.
+
+
+XXVII.
+
+Thou that at Rome astonisht dost behold
+The antique pride which menaced the skie,
+These haughtie heapes, these palaces of olde,
+These wals, these arcks, these baths, these temples his,
+Iudge, by these ample ruines vew, the rest
+The which iniurious time hath quite outworne,
+Since, of all workmen helde in reckning best,
+Yet these olde fragments are for paternes borne:
+Then also marke how Rome, from day to day,
+Repayring her decayed fashion,
+Renewes herselfe with buildings rich and gay;
+That one would iudge that the Romaine Daemon*
+  Doth yet himselfe with fatall hand enforce
+  Againe on foot to reare her pouldred** corse.
+[* _Romaine Daemon_, Genius of Rome.]
+[** _Pouldred_, reduced to dust.]
+
+
+XXVIII.
+
+He that hath seene a great oke drie and dead,
+Yet clad with reliques of some trophees olde,
+Lifting to heaven her aged hoarie head,
+Whose foote in ground hath left but feeble holde,
+But halfe disbowel'd lies above the ground,
+Shewing her wreathed rootes, and naked armes,
+And on her trunke all rotten and unsound
+Onely supports herselfe for meate of wormes,
+And, though she owe her fall to the first winde,
+Yet of the devout people is ador'd,
+And manie yong plants spring out of her rinde;
+Who such an oke hath seene, let him record
+  That such this cities honour was of yore,
+  And mongst all cities florished much more.
+
+
+XXIX.
+
+All that which Aegypt whilome did devise,
+All that which Greece their temples to embrave,
+After th'Ionicke, Atticke, Doricke guise,
+Or Corinth skil'd in curious workes to grave,
+All that Lysippus practike* arte could forme,
+Apelles wit, or Phidias his skill,
+Was wont this auncient citie to adorne,
+And the heaven it selfe with her wide wonders fill.
+All that which Athens ever brought forth wise,
+All that which Afrike ever brought forth strange,
+All that which Asie ever had of prise,
+Was here to see. O mervelous great change!
+  Rome, living, was the worlds sole ornament;
+  And, dead, is now the worlds sole moniment.
+[* _Practike_, cunning.]
+
+
+XXX.
+
+Like as the seeded field greene grasse first showes,
+Then from greene grasse into a stalke doth spring,
+And from a stalke into an eare forth-growes,
+Which eare the frutefull graine doth shortly bring,
+And as in season due the husband* mowes
+The waving lockes of those faire yeallow heares,
+Which, bound in sheaves, and layd in comely rowes,
+Upon the naked fields in stalkes he reares,
+So grew the Romane empire by degree,
+Till that barbarian hands it quite did spill,
+And left of it but these olde markes to see,
+Of which all passers by doo somewhat pill**,
+  As they which gleane, the reliques use to gather
+  Which th'husbandman behind him chanst to scater.
+[* _Husband_, husbandman.]
+[** _Pill_, plunder.]
+
+
+XXXI.
+
+That same is now nought but a champian wide,
+Where all this worlds pride once was situate.
+No blame to thee, whosoever dost abide
+By Nyle, or Gange, or Tygre, or Euphrate;
+Ne Afrike thereof guiltie is, nor Spaine,
+Nor the bolde people by the Thamis brincks,
+Nor the brave warlicke brood of Alemaine,
+Nor the borne souldier which Rhine running drinks.
+Thou onely cause, O Civill Furie, art!
+Which, sowing in th'Aemathian fields thy spight,
+Didst arme thy hand against thy proper hart;
+To th'end that when thou wast in greatest hight
+  To greatnes growne, through long prosperitie,
+  Thou then adowne might'st fall more horriblie.
+[XXXI. 10.--_Aemathian fields_. Thessalian fields; alluding to the
+battle fought at Pharsalia, in Thessaly, between Caesar and Pompey. H.]
+
+
+XXXII.
+
+Hope ye, my Verses, that posteritie
+Of age ensuing shall you ever read?
+Hope ye that ever immortalitie
+So meane harpes worke may chalenge for her meed?
+If under heaven anie endurance were,
+These moniments, which not in paper writ,
+But in porphyre and marble doo appeare,
+Might well have hop'd to have obtained it.
+Nath'les, my Lute, whom Phoebus deigned to give,
+Cease not to sound these olde antiquities:
+For if that Time doo let thy glorie live,
+Well maist thou boast, how ever base thou bee,
+  That thou art first which of thy nation song
+  Th'olde honour of the people gowned long.
+
+
+L'ENVOY.
+
+Bellay, first garland of free poesie
+That France brought forth, though fruitfull of brave wits,
+Well worthie thou of immortalitie,
+That long hast traveld*, by thy learned writs,
+Olde Rome out of her ashes to revive,
+And give a second life to dead decayes!
+Needes must he all eternitie survive,
+That can to other give eternall dayes.
+Thy dayes therefore are endles, and thy prayse
+Excelling all that ever went before:
+And, after thee, gins Bartas hie to rayse
+His heavenly Muse, th'Almightie to adore.
+  Live happie spirits, th'honour of your name,
+  And fill the world with never dying fame!
+[* _Traveld_, travailed, toiled.]
+
+L'Envoy, 11.--_Bartas_. Guillaume de Salluste du Bartas, a French poet
+of the time of Henry IV, of extraordinary popularity in his day. His
+poem on the Creation is said to have been reprinted more than thirty
+times in six years, and was translated into several languages; among
+others, into English by Joshua Sylvester. H.
+
+
+
+
+MUIOPOTMOS:
+
+
+
+OR
+
+
+
+THE FATE OF THE BUTTERFLIE.
+
+
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATED TO THE MOST FAIRE AND VERTUOUS LADIE,
+
+THE LADIE CAREY.
+
+
+
+
+LONDON:
+
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE, DWELLING IN PAULES
+
+CHURCHYARD AT THE SIGNE OF THE BISHOPS HEAD.
+
+
+1590*
+
+
+[* This date seems to be an error for 1591; or, as Mr. Craik suggests,
+it may have been used designedly with reference to real events, not yet
+ascertained, which furnished the subject of this very pleasing
+allegory. The Visions of the Worlds Vanitie, which follow this piece,
+may be suspected of a similar application. C.]
+
+
+TO THE RIGHT WORTHY AND VERTUOUS LADIE, THE LA: CAREY.
+
+
+Most brave and bountifull La: for so excellent favours as I have
+received at your sweet handes, to offer these fewe leaves as in
+recompence, should be as to offer flowers to the gods for their divine
+benefites. Therefore I have determined to give my selfe wholy to you,
+as quite abandoned from my selfe, and absolutely vowed to your
+services: which in all right is ever held for full recompence of debt
+or damage, to have the person yeelded. My person I wot wel how little
+worth it is. But the faithfull minde and humble zeale which I bear unto
+your La: may perhaps be more of price, as may please you to account and
+use the poore service thereof; which taketh glory to advance your
+excellent partes and noble vertues, and to spend it selfe in honouring
+you; not so much for your great bounty to my self, which yet may not be
+unminded; nor for name or kindreds* sake by you vouchsafed, beeing
+also regardable; as for that honorable name, which yee have by your
+brave deserts purchast to your self, and spred in the mouths of al men:
+with which I have also presumed to grace my verses, and, under your
+name, to commend to the world this smal poeme; the which beseeching
+your La: to take in worth, and of all things therein according to your
+wonted graciousnes to make a milde construction, I humbly pray for your
+happines.
+
+Your La: ever
+
+humbly,
+
+E. S.
+
+[Footnote: "This lady was Elizabeth, one of the six daughters of Sir
+John Spencer, of Althorpe, in Northamptonshire, and was married to Sir
+George Carey, who became Lord Hunsdon on the death of his father, in
+1596."--TODD.]
+
+
+
+
+MUIOPOTMOS:
+
+OR
+
+THE FATE OF THE BUTTERFLIE.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I sing of deadly dolorous debate,
+Stir'd up through wrathful! Nemesis despight,
+Betwixt two mightie ones of great estate,
+Drawne into armes and proofe of mortall fight
+Through prowd ambition and hart-swelling hate,                         5
+Whilest neither could the others greater might
+And sdeignfull scorne endure; that from small iarre
+Their wraths at length broke into open warre.
+
+The roote whereof and tragicall effect,
+Vouchsafe, O thou the mournfulst Muse of nyne,                        10
+That wontst the tragick stage for to direct,
+In funerall complaints and waylfull tyne*
+Reveale to me, and all the meanes detect
+Through which sad Clarion did at last declyne
+To lowest wretchednes: And is there then                              15
+Such rancour in the harts of mightie men?
+[* _Tyne_, grief.]
+
+Of all the race of silver-winged flies
+Which doo possesse the empire of the aire,
+Betwixt the centred earth and azure skies
+Was none more favourable nor more faire,                              20
+Whilst heaven did favour his felicities,
+Then Clarion, the eldest sonne and haire
+Of Muscaroll, and in his fathers sight
+Of all alive did seeme the fairest wight.
+
+With fruitfull hope his aged breast he fed                            25
+Of future good, which his yong toward yeares,
+Full of brave courage and bold hardyhed
+Above th'ensample of his equall peares,
+Did largely promise, and to him fore-red,
+(Whilst oft his heart did melt in tender teares,)                     30
+That he in time would sure prove such an one,
+As should be worthie of his fathers throne.
+
+The fresh yong flie, in whom the kindly fire
+Of lustfull yongth* began to kindle fast,
+Did much disdaine to subiect his desire                               35
+To loathsome sloth, or houres in ease to wast;
+But ioy'd to range abroad in fresh attire
+Through the wide compas of the ayrie coast,
+And with unwearied wings each part t'inquire
+Of the wide rule of his renownned sire.                               40
+[* _Yongth_, youth.]
+
+For he so swift and nimble was of flight,
+That from this lower tract he dar'd to stie*
+Up to the clowdes, and thence with pineons light
+To mount aloft unto the christall skie,
+To vew the workmanship of heavens hight                               45
+Whence down descending he along would flie
+Upon the streaming rivers, sport to finde,
+And oft would dare to tempt the troublous winde.
+[* _Stie_, mount.]
+
+So on a summers day, when season milde
+With gentle calme the world had quieted,                              50
+And high in heaven Hyperions fierie childe
+Ascending did his beames abroad dispred,
+Whiles all the heavens on lower creatures smilde,
+Yong Clarion, with vauntfull lustiehead;
+After his guize did cast abroad to fare,                              55
+And theretoo gan his furnitures prepare.
+
+His breastplate first, that was of substance pure,
+Before his noble heart he firmely bound,
+That mought his life from yron death assure,
+And ward his gentle corpes from cruell wound:                         60
+For it by arte was framed to endure
+The bit* of balefull steele and bitter stownd**,
+No lesse than that which Vulcane made to sheild
+Achilles life from fate of Troyan field.
+[* _Bit_, bite.]
+[** _Stownd_, hour.]
+
+And then about his shoulders broad he threw                           65
+An hairie hide of some wilde beast, whom hee
+In salvage forrest by adventure slew,
+And reft the spoyle his ornament to bee;
+Which, spredding all his backe with dreadfull vew,
+Made all that him so horrible did see                                 70
+Thinke him Alcides with the lyons skin,
+When the Naem�an conquest he did win.
+
+Upon his head, his glistering burganet*,
+The which was wrought by wonderous device
+And curiously engraven, he did set:                                   75
+The mettall was of rare and passing price;
+Not Bilbo** steele, nor brasse from Corinth fet,
+Nor costly oricalche from strange Phoenice;
+But such as could both Phoebus arrowes ward,
+And th'hayling darts of heaven beating hard.                          80
+[* _Burganet_, helmet.]
+[** _Bilbo_, Bilboa.]
+
+Therein two deadly weapons fixt he bore,
+Strongly outlaunced towards either side,
+Like two sharpe speares, his enemies to gore:
+Like as a warlike brigandine, applyde
+To fight, layes forth her threatfull pikes afore,                     85
+The engines which in them sad death doo hyde,
+So did this flie outstretch his fearefull hornes,
+Yet so as him their terrour more adornes.
+
+Lastly his shinie wings, as silver bright,
+Painted with thousand colours passing farre                           90
+All painters skill, he did about him dight:
+Not halfe so manie sundrie colours arre
+In Iris bowe; ne heaven doth shine so bright,
+Distinguished with manie a twinckling starre;
+Nor Iunoes bird, in her ey-spotted traine,                            95
+So manie goodly colours doth containe.
+
+Ne (may it be withouten perill spoken)
+The Archer-god, the sonne of Cytheree,
+That ioyes on wretched lovers to be wroken*,
+And heaped spoyles of bleeding harts to see,                         100
+Beares in his wings so manie a changefull token.
+Ah! my liege Lord, forgive it unto mee,
+If ought against thine honour I have tolde;
+Yet sure those wings were fairer manifolde.
+[* _Wroken_, avenged.]
+
+Full many a ladie faire, in court full oft                           105
+Beholding them, him secretly envide,
+And wisht that two such fannes, so silken soft
+And golden faire, her Love would her provide;
+Or that, when them the gorgeous flie had doft,
+Some one that would with grace be gratifide                          110
+From him would steale them privily away,
+And bring to her so precious a pray.
+
+Report is that Dame Venus on a day,
+In spring when flowres doo clothe the fruitful ground,
+Walking abroad with all her nymphes to play,                         115
+Bad her faire damzels flocking her arownd
+To gather flowres, her forhead to array.
+Emongst the rest a gentle nymph was found,
+Hight Astery, excelling all the crewe
+In curteous usage and unstained hewe.                                120
+
+Who, being nimbler ioynted than the rest,
+And more industrious, gathered more store
+Of the fields honour than the others best;
+Which they in secret harts envying sore,
+Tolde Venus, when her as the worthiest                               125
+She praisd', that Cupide (as they heard before)
+Did lend her secret aide in gathering
+Into her lap the children of the Spring,
+
+Whereof the goddesse gathering iealous feare,--
+Not yet unmindfull how not long agoe                                 130
+Her sonne to Psyche secrete love did beare,
+And long it close conceal'd, till mickle woe
+Thereof arose, and manie a rufull teare,--
+Reason with sudden rage did overgoe;
+And, giving hastie credit to th'accuser,                             135
+Was led away of them that did abuse her.
+
+Eftsoones that damzel by her heavenly might
+She turn'd into a winged butterflie,
+In the wide aire to make her wandring flight;
+And all those flowres, with which so plenteouslie                    140
+Her lap she filled had, that bred her spight,
+She placed in her wings, for memorie
+Of her pretended crime, though crime none were:
+Since which that flie them in her wings doth beare.
+
+Thus the fresh Clarion, being readie dight,                          145
+Unto his iourney did himselfe addresse,
+And with good speed began to take his flight:
+Over the fields, in his franke* lustinesse;
+And all the champion** he soared light;
+And all the countrey wide he did possesse,                           150
+Feeding upon their pleasures bounteouslie,
+That none gainsaid, nor none did him envie.
+[* _Franke_, free.]
+[** _Champion_, champaign.]
+
+The woods, the rivers, and the medowes green.
+With his aire-cutting wings he measured wide,
+Ne did he leave the mountaines bare unseene,                         155
+Nor the ranke grassie fennes delights untride.
+But none of these, how ever sweete they beene,
+Mote please his fancie nor him cause t'abide:
+His choicefull sense with everie change doth flit;
+No common things may please a wavering wit.                          160
+
+To the gay gardins his unstaid desire
+Him wholly caried, to refresh his sprights:
+There lavish Nature, in her best attire,
+Powres forth sweete odors and alluring sights;
+And Arte, with her contending, doth aspire                           165
+T'excell the naturall with made delights:
+And all that faire or pleasant may be found
+In riotous excesse doth there abound.
+There he arriving round about doth flie,
+From bed to bed, from one to other border;                           170
+And takes survey, with curious busie eye,
+Of every flowre and herbe there set in order;
+Now this, now that, he tasteth tenderly,
+Yet none of them he rudely doth disorder,
+Ne with his feete their silken leaves deface,                        175
+But pastures on the pleasures of each place.
+
+And evermore with most varietie,
+And change of sweetnesse, (for all change is sweete,)
+He casts his glutton sense to satisfie;
+Now sucking of the sap of herbe most meete,                          180
+Or of the deaw which yet on them does lie,
+Now in the same bathing his tender feete:
+And then he pearcheth on some braunch thereby,
+To weather him, and his moyst wings to dry.
+
+And then againe he turneth to his play,                              185
+To spoyle the pleasures of that paradise;
+The wholsome saulge*, and lavender still gray,
+Ranke-smelling rue, and cummin good for eyes,
+The roses raigning in the pride of May,
+Sharpe isope, good for greene wounds remedies,                       190
+Faire marigoldes, and bees-alluring thime,
+Sweete marioram, and daysies decking prime:
+[* _Saulge_, sage.]
+
+Coole violets, and orpine growing still,
+Embathed balme, and chearfull galingale,
+Fresh costmarie, and breathfull camomill,                            195
+Dull poppie, and drink-quickning setuale*,
+Veyne-healing verven, and hed-purging dill,
+Sound savorie, and bazil hartie-hale,
+Fat colworts, and comf�rting perseline**,
+Colde lettuce, and refreshing rosmarine.                             200
+[* _Setuale_, valerian.]
+[** _Perseline_, purslain.]
+
+And whatso else of vertue good or ill
+Grewe in this gardin, fetcht from farre away,
+Of everie one he takes and tastes at will,
+And on their pleasures greedily doth pray.
+Then when he hath both plaid, and fed his fill,                      205
+In the warme sunne he doth himselfe embay*,
+And there him rests in riotous suffisaunce
+Of all his gladfulnes and kingly ioyaunce.
+[* _Embay_, bathe.]
+
+What more felicitie can fall to creature
+Than to enioy delight with libertie,                                 210
+And to be lord of all the workes of Nature,
+To raine in th'aire from earth to highest skie,
+To feed on flowres and weeds of glorious feature,
+To take whatever thing doth please the eie?
+Who rests not pleased with such happines,                            215
+Well worthie he to taste of wretchednes.
+
+But what on earth can long abide in state?
+Or who can him assure of happie day?
+Sith morning faire may bring fowle evening late,
+And least mishap the most blisse alter may!                          220
+For thousand perills lie in close awaite
+About us daylie, to worke our decay;
+That none, except a God, or God him guide,
+May them avoyde, or remedie provide.
+
+And whatso heavens in their secret doome                             225
+Ordained have, how can fraile fleshly wight
+Forecast, but it must needs to issue come?
+The sea, the aire, the fire, the day, the night,
+And th'armies of their creatures, all and some*,
+Do serve to them, and with importune might                           230
+Warre against us, the vassals of their will.
+Who then can save what they dispose to spill?
+[* _All and some_, one and all.]
+
+Not thou, O Clarion, though fairest thou
+Of all thy kinde, unhappie happie flie,
+Whose cruell fate is woven even now                                  235
+Of loves owne hand, to worke thy miserie!
+Ne may thee helpe the manie hartie vow,
+Which thy olde sire with sacred pietie
+Hath powred forth for thee, and th'altars sprent*
+Nought may thee save from heavens aveng�ment!                        240
+[* _Sprent_, sprinkled.]
+
+It fortuned (as heavens had behight*)
+That in this gardin where yong Clarion
+Was wont to solace him, a wicked wight,
+The foe of faire things, th'author of confusion,
+The shame of Nature, the bondslave of spight,                        245
+Had lately built his hatefull mansion;
+And, lurking closely, in awayte now lay,
+How he might anie in his trap betray.
+[* _Behight_, ordained.]
+
+But when he spide the ioyous butterflie
+In this faire plot dispacing* too and fro,                           250
+Fearles of foes and hidden ieopardie,
+Lord! how he gan for to bestirre him tho,
+And to his wicked worke each part applie!
+His heart did earne** against his hated foe,
+And bowels so with rankling poyson swelde,                           255
+That scarce the skin the strong contagion helde.
+[* _Dispacing_, ranging about.]
+[** _Earne_, yearn.]
+
+The cause why he this flie so maliced*
+Was (as in stories it is written found)
+For that his mother which him bore and bred,
+The most fine-fingred workwoman on ground,                           260
+Arachne, by his meanes was vanquished
+Of Pallas, and in her owne skill confound**,
+When she with her for excellence contended,
+That wrought her shame, and sorrow never ended.
+[* _Maliced_, bore ill-will to.]
+[** _Confound_, confounded.]
+
+For the Tritonian goddesse, having hard                              265
+Her blazed fame, which all the world had fil'd,
+Came downe to prove the truth, and due reward
+For her prais-worthie workmanship to yeild:
+But the presumptuous damzel rashly dar'd
+The goddesse selfe to chalenge to the field,                         270
+And to compare with her in curious skill
+Of workes with loome, with needle, and with quill.
+
+Minerva did the chalenge not refuse,
+But deign'd with her the paragon* to make:
+So to their worke they sit, and each doth chuse                      275
+What storie she will for her tapet** take.
+Arachne figur'd how love did abuse
+Europa like a bull, and on his backe
+Her through the sea did beare; so lively@ seene,
+That it true sea and true bull ye would weene.                       280
+[* _Paragon_, comparison.]
+[** _Tapet_, tapestry.]
+[@ _Lively_, life-like.]
+
+Shee seem'd still backe unto the land to looke,
+And her play-fellowes aide to call, and feare
+The dashing of the waves, that up she tooke
+Her daintie feete, and garments gathered neare:
+But Lord! how she in everie member shooke,                           285
+When as the land she saw no more appeare,
+But a wilde wildernes of waters deepe:
+Then gan she greatly to lament and weepe.
+
+Before the bull she pictur'd winged Love,
+With his yong brother Sport, light fluttering                        290
+Upon the waves, as each had been a dove;
+The one his bowe and shafts, the other spring*
+A burning teade** about his head did move,
+As in their syres new love both triumphing;
+And manie Nymphes about them flocking round,                         295
+And manie Tritons which their homes did sound.
+[* _Spring_, springal, youth.]
+[** _Teade_, torch.]
+
+And round about her-worke she did empale*
+With a faire border wrought of sundrie flowres,
+Enwoven with an yviewinding trayle:
+A goodly worke, full fit for kingly bowres,                          300
+Such as Dame Pallas, such as Envie pale,
+That al good things with venemous tooth devowres,
+Could not accuse. Then gan the goddesse bright
+Her selfe likewise unto her worke to dight.
+[* _Empale_, inclose.]
+
+She made the storie of the olde debate                               305
+Which she with Neptune did for Athens trie:
+Twelve gods doo sit around in royall state,
+And love in midst with awfull maiestie,
+To iudge the strife betweene them stirred late:
+Each of the gods by his like visnomie*                               310
+Eathe** to be knowen; but love above them all,
+By his great lookes and power imperiall.
+[* _Visnomie_, countenance.]
+[** _Eathe_, easy.]
+
+Before them stands the god of seas in place,
+Clayming that sea-coast citie as his right,
+And strikes the rockes with his three-forked mace;
+Whenceforth issues a warlike steed in sight,                         316
+The signe by which he chalengeth the place;
+That all the gods which saw his wondrous might
+Did surely deeme the victorie his due:
+But seldom seene, foreiudgement proveth true.                        320
+
+Then to herselfe she gives her Aegide shield,
+And steel-hed speare, and morion * on her hedd,
+Such as she oft is seene in warlicke field:
+Then sets she forth, how with her weapon dredd
+She smote the ground, the which streight foorth did yield            325
+A fruitfull olyve tree, with berries spredd,
+That all the gods admir'd; then all the storie
+She compast with a wreathe of olyves hoarie.
+[* _Morion_, steel cap.]
+
+Emongst those leaves she made a butterflie,
+With excellent device and wondrous slight,                           330
+Fluttring among the olives wantonly,
+That seem'd to live, so like it was in sight:
+The velvet nap which on his wings doth lie,
+The silken downe with which his backe is dight,
+His broad outstretched homes, his hayrie thies,                      335
+His glorious colours, and his glistering eies.
+
+Which when Arachne saw, as overlaid *
+And mastered with workmanship so rare,
+She stood astonied long, ne ought gainesaid;
+And with fast fixed eyes on her did stare,                           340
+And by her silence, signe of one dismaid,
+The victorie did yeeld her as her share;
+Yet did she inly fret and felly burne,
+And all her blood to poysonous rancor turne:
+[* _Overlaid_, overcome.]
+
+That shortly from the shape of womanhed,                             345
+Such as she was when Pallas she attempted,
+She grew to hideous shape of dryrihed*,
+Pined with griefe of follie late repented:
+Eftsoones her white streight legs were altered
+To crooked crawling shankes, of marrowe empted,                      350
+And her faire face to foule and loathsome hewe,
+And her fine corpes to a bag of venim grewe.
+[* _Dryrihed_, sadness, unsightliness.]
+
+This cursed creature, mindfull of that olde
+Enfestred grudge the which his mother felt,
+So soone as Clarion he did beholde,                                  355
+His heart with vengefull malice inly swelt;
+And weaving straight a net with mame a folde
+About the cave in which he lurking dwelt,
+With fine small cords about it stretched wide,
+So finely sponne that scarce they could be spide,                    360
+
+Not anie damzell which her vaunteth most
+In skilfull knitting of soft silken twyne,
+Nor anie weaver, which his worke doth boast
+In dieper, in damaske, or in lyne*,
+Nor anie skil'd in workmanship embost,                               365
+Nor anie skil'd in loupes of fingring fine,
+Might in their divers cunning ever dare
+With this so curious networks to compare.
+[* _Lyne_, linen.]
+
+Ne doo I thinke that that same subtil gin
+The which the Lemnian god framde craftilie,                          370
+Mars sleeping with his wife to compasse in,
+That all the gods with common mockerie
+Might laugh at them, and scorne their shamefull sin,
+Was like to this. This same he did applie
+For to entrap the careles Clarion,                                   375
+That rang'd each where without suspition.
+
+Suspition of friend, nor feare of foe,
+That hazarded his health, had he at all,
+But walkt at will, and wandred too and fro,
+In the pride of his freedome principall*:                            380
+Litle wist he his fatall future woe,
+But was secure; the liker he to fall.
+He likest is to fall into mischaunce,
+That is regardles of his governaunce.
+[* _Principall_, princely.]
+
+Yet still Aragnoll (so his foe was hight)                            385
+Lay lurking covertly him to surprise;
+And all his gins, that him entangle might,
+Drest in good order as he could devise.
+At length the foolish flie, without foresight,
+As he that did all daunger quite despise,                            390
+Toward those parts came flying careleslie,
+Where hidden was his hatefull enemie.
+
+Who, seeing him, with secret ioy therefore
+Did tickle inwardly in everie vaine;
+And his false hart, fraught with all treasons store,                 395
+Was fil'd with hope his purpose to obtaine:
+Himselfe he close upgathered more and more
+Into his den, that his deceiptfull traine
+By his there being might not be bewraid,
+Ne anie noyse, ne anie motion made.                                  400
+
+Like as a wily foxe, that, having spide
+Where on a sunnie banke the lambes doo play,
+Full closely creeping by the hinder side,
+Lyes in ambushment of his hoped pray,
+Ne stirreth limbe, till, seeing readie tide*,                        405
+He rusheth forth, and snatcheth quite away
+One of the litle yonglings unawares;
+So to his worke Aragnoll him prepares.
+[* _Tide_, time.]
+
+Who now shall give unto my heavie eyes
+A well of teares, that all may overflow?                             410
+Or where shall I finde lamentable cryes,
+And mournfull tunes enough my griefe to show?
+Helpe, O thou Tragick Muse, me to devise
+Notes sad enough, t'expresse this bitter throw:
+For loe, the drerie stownd* is now arrived,                          415
+That of all happines hath us deprived.
+[* _Stownd_, hour.]
+
+The luckles Clarion, whether cruell Fate
+Or wicked Fortune faultles him misled,
+Or some ungracious blast out of the gate
+Of Aeoles raine* perforce him drove on hed**,                        420
+Was (O sad hap and howre unfortunate!)
+With violent swift flight forth caried
+Into the cursed cobweb, which his foe
+Had framed for his finall overthroe.
+[* _Raine_, kingdom.]
+[** _On hed_, head-foremost.]
+
+There the fond flie, entangled, strugled long,                       425
+Himselfe to free thereout; but all in vaine.
+For, striving more, the more in laces strong
+Himselfe he tide, and wrapt his wing�s twaine
+In lymie snares the subtill loupes among;
+That in the ende he breathelesse did remaine,                        430
+And, all his yongthly* forces idly spent,
+Him to the mercie of th'avenger lent.
+[* _Yongthly_, youthful.]
+
+Which when the greisly tyrant did espie,
+Like a grimme lyon rushing with fierce might
+Out of his den, he seized greedelie                                  435
+On the resistles pray, and, with fell spight,
+Under the left wing stroke his weapon slie
+Into his heart, that his deepe-groning spright
+In bloodie streames foorth fled into the aire,
+His bodie left the spectacle of care.                                440
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+Ver. 365.--_And Arte, with her contendlng._ Compare the description of
+Aerasia's garden, Faerie Queene, II. xii. 59; and also v. 29. TODD.
+
+Ver. 273.--_Minerva did_, &c. Much of what follows is taken from the
+fable of Arachne in Ovid. JORTIN.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+VISIONS
+
+OF
+
+THE WORLDS VANITIE.
+
+
+I.
+
+One day, whiles that my daylie cares did sleepe,
+My spirit, shaking off her earthly prison,
+Began to enter into meditation deepe
+Of things exceeding reach of common reason;
+Such as this age, in which all good is geason*,
+And all that humble is and meane** debaced,
+Hath brought forth in her last declining season,
+Griefe of good mindes, to see goodnesse disgraced!
+On which when as my thought was throghly@ placed,
+Unto my eyes strange showes presented were,
+Picturing that which I in minde embraced,
+That yet those sights empassion$ me full nere.
+  Such as they were, faire Ladie%, take in worth,
+  That when time serves may bring things better forth.
+
+[* _Geason_, rare.]
+[** _Meane_, lowly.]
+[@ _Throghly_, thoroughly.]
+[$ _Empassion_, move.]
+[% _Faire Ladie._ The names of the ladies to whom these Visions and
+those of Petrarch (see p. 210, VII. 9) were inscribed have not been
+preserved. C.]
+
+
+II.
+
+In summers day, when Phoebus fairly shone,
+I saw a Bull as white as driven snowe,
+With gilden hornes embowed like the moone,
+In a fresh flowring meadow lying lowe:
+Up to his eares the verdant grasse did growe,
+And the gay floures did offer to be eaten;
+But he with fatnes so did overflows,
+That he all wallowed in the weedes downe beaten,
+Ne car'd with them his daintie lips to sweeten:
+Till that a Brize*, a scorned little creature,
+Through his faire hide his angrie sting did threaten,
+And vext so sore, that all his goodly feature
+  And all his plenteous pasture nought him pleased:
+  So by the small the great is oft diseased**.
+
+
+III.
+
+Beside the fruitfull shore of muddie Nile,
+Upon a sunnie banke outstretched lay,
+In monstrous length, a mightie Crocodile,
+That, cram'd with guiltles blood and greedie pray
+Of wretched people travailing that way,
+Thought all things lesse than his disdainfull pride.
+I saw a little Bird, cal'd Tedula,
+The least of thousands which on earth abide,
+That forst this hideous beast to open wide
+The greisly gates of his devouring hell,
+And let him feede, as Nature doth provide,
+Upon his iawes, that with blacke venime swell.
+  Why then should greatest things the least disdaine,
+  Sith that so small so mightie can constraine?
+
+[* _Brize_, a gadfly.]
+[** _Diseased_, deprived of ease.]
+
+III. 7.--Tedula. Spenser appears to mean the bird Trochilos, which,
+according to Aristotle, enters the mouth of the crocodile, and picks her
+meat out of the monster's teeth. C.
+
+
+IV.
+
+The kingly bird that beares Ioves thunder-clap
+One day did scorne the simple Scarabee*,
+Proud of his highest service and good hap,
+That made all other foules his thralls to bee.
+The silly flie, that no redresse did see,
+Spide where the Eagle built his towring nest,
+And, kindling fire within the hollow tree,
+Burnt up his yong ones, and himselfe distrest;
+Ne suffred him in anie place to rest,
+But drove in Ioves owne lap his egs to lay;
+Where gathering also filth him to infest,
+Forst with the filth his egs to fling away:
+  For which, when as the foule was wroth, said Iove,
+  "Lo! how the least the greatest may reprove."
+
+
+V.
+
+Toward the sea turning my troubled eye,
+I saw the fish (if fish I may it cleepe**)
+That makes the sea before his face to flye,
+And with his flaggie finnes doth seeme to sweepe
+The fomie waves out of the dreadfull deep;
+The huge Leviathan, dame Natures wonder,
+Making his sport, that manie makes to weep.
+A Sword-fish small him from the rest did sunder
+That, in his throat him pricking softly under,
+His wide abysse him forced forth to spewe,
+That all the sea did roare like heavens thunder,
+And all the waves were stain'd with filthie hewe.
+  Hereby I learned have not to despise
+  Whatever thing seemes small in common eyes.
+
+[* _Scarabee,_ beetle.]
+[** _Cleepe,_ call.]
+
+
+VI.
+
+An hideous Dragon, dreadfull to behold,
+Whose backe was arm'd against the dint of speare
+With shields of brasse that shone like burnisht golde,
+And forkhed sting that death in it did beare,
+Strove with a Spider, his unequall peare,
+And bad defiance to his enemie.
+The subtill vermin, creeping closely* neare,
+Did in his drinke shed poyson privilie;
+Which, through his entrailes spredding diversly,
+Made him to swell, that nigh his bowells brust,
+And him enforst to yeeld the victorie,
+That did so much in his owne greatnesse trust.
+  O, how great vainnesse is it then to scorne
+  The weake, that hath the strong so oft forlorne!**
+
+[* _Closely,_ secretly.]
+[** _Forlorne,_ ruined.]
+
+
+VII.
+
+High on a hill a goodly Cedar grewe,
+Of wondrous length and straight proportion,
+That farre abroad her daintie odours threwe;
+Mongst all the daughters of proud Libanon,
+Her match in beautie was not anie one.
+Shortly within her inmost pith there bred
+A litle wicked worme, perceiv'd of none,
+That on her sap and vitall moysture fed:
+Thenceforth her garland so much honoured
+Began to die, O great ruth* for the same!
+And her faire lockes fell from her loftie head,
+That shortly balde and bared she became.
+  I, which this sight beheld, was much dismayed,
+  To see so goodly thing so soone decayed.
+
+[* _Ruth,_ pity.]
+
+
+VIII.
+
+Soone after this I saw an Elephant,
+Adorn'd with bells and bosses gorgeouslie,
+That on his backe did beare, as batteilant*,
+A gilden towre, which shone exceedinglie;
+That he himselfe through foolish vanitie,
+Both for his rich attire and goodly forme,
+Was puffed up with passing surquedrie**,
+And shortly gan all other beasts to scorne,
+Till that a little Ant, a silly worme,
+Into his nosthrils creeping, so him pained,
+That, casting downe his towres, he did deforme
+Both borrowed pride, and native beautie stained.
+  Let therefore nought that great is therein glorie,
+  Sith so small thing his happines may varie.
+
+[* _As batteilant,_ as if equipped for battle.]
+[** _Surquedrie,_ presumption.]
+
+
+
+IX.
+
+Looking far foorth into the ocean wide,
+A goodly Ship with banners bravely dight,
+And flag in her top-gallant, I espide
+Through the maine sea making her merry flight.
+Faire blewe the wind into her bosome right,
+And th'heavens looked lovely all the while,
+That she did seeme to daunce, as in delight,
+And at her owne felicitie did smile.
+All sodainely there clove unto her keele
+A little fish that men call Remora,
+Which stopt her course, and held her by the heele,
+That winde nor tide could move her thence away.
+  Straunge thing me seemeth, that so small a thing
+  Should able be so great an one to wring.
+
+
+X.
+
+A mighty Lyon, lord of all the wood,
+Having his hunger throughly satisfide
+With pray of beasts and spoyle of living blood,
+Safe in his dreadles den him thought to hide:
+His sternesse was his prayse, his strength his pride,
+And all his glory in his cruell clawes.
+I saw a Wasp, that fiercely him defide,
+And bad him battaile even to his iawes;
+Sore he him stong, that it the blood forth drawes,
+And his proude heart is fild with fretting ire:
+In vaine he threats his teeth, his tayle, his pawes,
+And from his bloodie eyes doth sparkle fire;
+  That dead himselfe he wisheth for despight.
+  So weakest may anoy the most of might!
+
+
+
+XI.
+
+What time the Romaine Empire bore the raine
+Of all the world, and florisht most in might,
+The nations gan their soveraigntie disdaine,
+And cast to quitt them from their bondage quight.
+So, when all shrouded were in silent night,
+The Galles were, by corrupting of a mayde,
+Possest nigh of the Capitol through slight,
+Had not a Goose the treachery bewrayde.
+If then a goose great Rome from ruine stayde,
+And Iove himselfe, the patron of the place,
+Preservd from being to his foes betrayde,
+Why do vaine men mean things so much deface*,
+  And in their might repose their most assurance,
+  Sith nought on earth can chalenge long endurance?
+
+[* _Deface,_ disparage, despise.]
+
+
+XII.
+
+When these sad sights were overpast and gone,
+My spright was greatly moved in her rest,
+With inward ruth and deare affection,
+To see so great things by so small distrest.
+Thenceforth I gan in my engrieved brest
+To scorne all difference of great and small,
+Sith that the greatest often are opprest,
+And unawares doe into daunger fall.
+And ye, that read these ruines tragicall,
+Learne, by their losse, to love the low degree;
+And if that Fortune chaunce you up to call
+To honours seat, forget not what you be:
+  For he that of himselfe is most secure
+  Shall finde his state most fickle and unsure.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+THE
+
+VISIONS OF BELLAY.*
+
+[* Eleven of these Visions of Bellay (all except the 6th, 8th,
+13th, and 14th) differ only by a few changes necessary for rhyme from
+blank-verse translations found in Van der Noodt's _Theatre of
+Worldlings_, printed in 1569; and the six first of the Visions of
+Petrarch (here said to have been "formerly translated") occur almost
+word for word in the same publication, where the authorship appears to
+be claimed by one Theodore Roest. The Complaints were collected, not by
+Spenser, but by Ponsonby, his bookseller, and he may have erred in
+ascribing these Visions to our poet. C.]
+
+
+I.
+
+It was the time when rest, soft sliding downe
+From heavens hight into mens heavy eyes,
+In the forgetfulnes of sleepe doth drowne
+The carefull thoughts of mortall miseries.
+Then did a ghost before mine eyes appeare,
+On that great rivers banck that runnes by Rome;
+Which, calling me by name, bad me to reare
+My lookes to heaven whence all good gifts do come,
+And crying lowd, "Loe! now beholde," quoth hee,
+"What under this great temple placed is:
+Lo, all is nought but flying vanitee!"
+So I, that know this worlds inconstancies,
+  Sith onely God surmounts all times decay,
+  In God alone my confidence do stay.
+
+
+II.
+
+On high hills top I saw a stately frame,
+An hundred cubits high by iust assize*,
+With hundreth pillours fronting faire the same,
+All wrought with diamond after Dorick wize.
+Nor brick nor marble was the wall in view,
+But shining christall, which from top to base
+Out of her womb a thousand rayons** threw
+On hundred steps of Afrike golds enchase.@
+Golde was the parget,$ and the seeling bright
+Did shine all scaly with great plates of golde;
+The floore of iasp and emeraude was dight.%
+O worlds vainesse! Whiles thus I did behold,
+  An earthquake shooke the hill from lowest seat,
+  And overthrew this frame with ruine great.
+
+[* _Assize_, measure.]
+[** _Rayons_, beams, rays.]
+[@ I.e. enchased with gold.]
+[$ _Parget_, varnish, plaster.]
+[% _Dight_, composed.]
+
+
+III.
+
+Then did a sharped spyre of diamond bright,
+Ten feete each way in square, appeare to mee,
+Iustly proportion'd up unto his hight,
+So far as archer might his level see.
+The top thereof a pot did seeme to beare,
+Made of the mettall which we most do honour;
+And in this golden vessel couched weare
+The ashes of a mightie emperour:
+Upon foure corners of the base were pight*,
+To beare the frame, foure great lyons of gold;
+A worthy tombe for such a worthy wight.
+Alas! this world doth nought but grievance hold:
+  I saw a tempest from the heaven descend,
+  Which this brave monument with flash did rend.
+[* _Pight_, placed.]
+
+
+IV.
+
+I saw raysde up on yvorie pillowes tall,
+Whose bases were of richest mettalls warke,
+The chapters* alablaster, the fryses christall,
+The double front of a triumphall arke.
+On each side purtraid was a Victorie,
+Clad like a nimph, that wings of silver weares,
+And in triumphant chayre was set on hie,
+The auncient glory of the Romaine peares.
+No worke it seem'd of earthly craftsmans wit,
+But rather wrought by his owne industry
+That thunder-dartes for Iove his syre doth fit.
+Let me no more see faire thing under sky,
+  Sith that mine eyes have seene so faire a sight
+  With sodain fall to dust consumed quight.
+[* _Chapters_, capitals.]
+
+
+V.
+
+Then was the faire Dodonian tree far seene
+Upon seaven hills to spread his gladsome gleame,
+And conquerours bedecked with his greene,
+Along the bancks of the Ausonian streame.
+There many an auncient trophee was addrest*,
+And many a spoyle, and many a goodly show,
+Which that brave races greatnes did attest,
+That whilome from the Troyan blood did flow.
+Ravisht I was so rare a thing to vew;
+When lo! a barbarous troupe of clownish fone**
+The honour of these noble boughs down threw:
+Under the wedge I heard the tronck to grone;
+  And since, I saw the roote in great disdaine
+  A twinne of forked trees send forth againe.
+
+[* _Addrest_, hung on, arranged.]
+[** _Fone_, foes.]
+
+
+VI.
+
+I saw a wolfe under a rockie cave
+Noursing two whelpes; I saw her litle ones
+In wanton dalliance the teate to crave,
+While she her neck wreath'd from them for the nones*.
+I saw her raunge abroad to seeke her food,
+And roming through the field with greedie rage
+T'embrew her teeth and clawes with lukewarm blood
+Of the small heards, her thirst for to asswage.
+I saw a thousand huntsmen, which descended
+Downe from the mountaines bordring Lombardie,
+That with an hundred speares her flank wide rened:
+I saw her on the plaine outstretched lie,
+  Throwing out thousand throbs in her owne soyle**:
+  Soone on a tree uphang'd I saw her spoyle.
+
+[* _Nones_, nonce.]
+[** I.e. the mire made by her blood.]
+
+
+VII.
+
+I saw the bird that can the sun endure
+With feeble wings assay to mount on hight;
+By more and more she gan her wings t'assure,
+Following th'ensample of her mothers sight.
+I saw her rise, and with a larger flight
+To pierce the cloudes, and with wide pinneons
+To measure the most haughtie* mountaines hight,
+Untill she raught** the gods owne mansions.
+There was she lost; when suddaine I behelde,
+Where, tumbling through the ayre in firie fold,
+All flaming downe she on the plaine was felde,
+And soone her bodie turn'd to ashes colde.
+  I saw the foule that doth the light dispise
+  Out of her dust like to a worme arise.
+[* _Haughtie_, lofty.]
+[** _Raught_, reached.]
+[VII. 1-14.--
+"A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place,
+ Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd." C.]
+
+
+VIII.
+
+I saw a river swift, whose fomy billowes
+Did wash the ground-work of an old great wall;
+I saw it cover'd all with griesly shadowes,
+That with black horror did the ayre appall:
+Thereout a strange beast with seven heads arose,
+That townes and castles under her brest did coure*,
+And seem'd both milder beasts and fiercer foes
+Alike with equall ravine to devoure.
+Much was I mazde to see this monsters kinde
+In hundred formes to change his fearefull hew;
+When as at length I saw the wrathfull winde,
+Which blows cold storms, burst out of Scithian mew,
+  That sperst these cloudes; and, in so short as thought,
+  This dreadfull shape was vanished to nought.
+[* _Coure_, cover.]
+
+
+IX.
+
+Then all astonied with this mighty ghoast,
+An hideous bodie, big and strong, I sawe,
+With side* long beard, and locks down hanging loast**,
+Sterne face, and front full of Sat�rnlike awe;
+Who, leaning on the belly of a pot,
+Pourd foorth a water, whose out gushing flood
+Ran bathing all the creakie@ shore aflot,
+Whereon the Troyan prince spilt Turnus blood;
+And at his feete a bitch wolfe suck did yeeld
+To two young babes: his left the palme tree stout,
+His right hand did the peacefull olive wield.
+And head with lawrell garnisht was about.
+  Sudden both palme and olive fell away,
+  And faire green lawrell branch did quite decay.
+[* _Side_, long, trailing.]
+[** _Loast_, loosed.]
+[@ _Creakie_, indented with creeks.]
+
+
+X.
+
+Hard by a rivers side a virgin faire,
+Folding her armes to heaven with thousand throbs,
+And outraging her cheekes and golden haire,
+To falling rivers sound thus tun'd her sobs.
+"Where is," quoth she, "this whilom honoured face?
+Where the great glorie and the auncient praise,
+In which all worlds felicitie had place,
+When gods and men my honour up did raise?
+Suffisd' it not that civill warres me made
+The whole worlds spoile, but that this Hydra new,
+Of hundred Hercules to be assaide,
+With seven heads, budding monstrous crimes anew,
+  So many Neroes and Caligulaes
+  Out of these crooked shores must dayly rayse?"
+
+
+XI.
+
+Upon an hill a bright flame I did see,
+Waving aloft with triple point to skie,
+Which, like incense of precious cedar tree,
+With balmie odours fil'd th'ayre farre and nie.
+A bird all white, well feathered on each wing,
+Hereout up to the throne of gods did flie,
+And all the way most pleasant notes did sing,
+Whilst in the smoake she unto heaven did stie*.
+Of this faire fire the scattered rayes forth threw
+On everie side a thousand shining beames:
+When sudden dropping of a silver dew
+(O grievous chance!) gan quench those precious flames;
+  That it, which earst** so pleasant sent did yeld,
+  Of nothing now but noyous sulphure smeld.
+[* _Stie_, mount.]
+[** _Earst_, at first.]
+
+
+XII.
+
+I saw a spring out of a rocke forth rayle*,
+As cleare as christall gainst the sunnie beames;
+The bottome yeallow, like the golden grayle*
+That bright Pactolus washeth with his streames.
+It seem'd that Art and Nature had assembled
+All pleasure there for which mans hart could long;
+And there a noyse alluring sleepe soft trembled,
+Of manie accords, more sweete than mermaids song,
+The seates and benches shone as yvorie,
+And hundred nymphes sate side by side about;
+When from nigh hills, with hideous outcrie,
+A troupe of satyres in the place did rout,@
+Which with their villeine feete the streame did ray,$
+Threw down the seats, and drove the nymphs away.
+[* _Rayle_, flow.]
+[** _Grayle_, gravel.]
+[@ _Rout_, burst.]
+[$ _Ray_, defile.]
+
+
+XIII.
+
+Much richer then that vessell seem'd to bee
+Which did to that sad Florentine appeare,
+Casting mine eyes farre off, I chaunst to see
+Upon the Latine coast herselfe to reare.
+But suddenly arose a tempest great,
+Bearing close envie to these riches rare,
+Which gan assaile this ship with dreadfull threat,
+This ship, to which none other might compare:
+And finally the storme impetuous
+Sunke up these riches, second unto none,
+Within the gulfe of greedie Nereus.
+I saw both ship and mariners each one,
+  And all that treasure, drowned in the maine:
+  But I the ship saw after raisd' againe.
+[XIII. 1.--_That vessell_. See the second canto of the Purgatorio. C.]
+
+
+XIV.
+
+Long having deeply gron'd these visions sad,
+I saw a citie like unto that same
+Which saw the messenger of tidings glad,
+But that on sand was built the goodly frame:
+It seem'd her top the firmament did rayse,
+And, no lesse rich than faire, right worthie sure
+(If ought here worthie) of immortall dayes,
+Or if ought under heaven might firme endure.
+Much wondred I to see so faire a wall:
+When from the Northerns coast a storme arose,
+Which, breathing furie from his inward gall
+On all which did against his course oppose,
+  Into a clowde of dust sperst in the aire
+  The weake foundations of this citie faire.
+
+
+XV.
+
+At length, even at the time when Morpheus
+Most trulie doth unto our eyes appeare,
+Wearie to see the heavens still wavering thus,
+I saw Typhaeus sister* comming neare;
+Whose head, full bravely with a morion** hidd,
+Did seeme to match the gods in maiestie.
+She, by a rivers bancke that swift downe slidd,
+Over all the world did raise a trophee hie;
+An hundred vanquisht kings under her lay,
+With armes bound at their backs in shamefull wize.
+Whilst I thus mazed was with great affray,
+I saw the heavens in warre against her rize:
+  Then downe she stricken fell with clap of thonder,
+  That with great noyse I wakte in sudden wonder.
+[* I.e. (apparently) Change or Mutability. See the two cantos of the
+Seventh Book of the Faerie Queene.]
+[** _Morion_, steel cap.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE VISIONS OF PETRARCH:
+
+FORMERLY TRANSLATED.
+[Footnote: The first six of these sonnets are translated (not directly,
+but through the French of Clement Marot) from Petrarch's third Canzone
+in Morte di Laura. The seventh is by the translator. The circumstance
+that the version is made from Marot renders it probable that these
+sonnets are really by Spenser. C.]
+
+
+I.
+
+Being one day at my window all alone,
+So manie strange things happened me to see,
+As much it grieveth me to thinke thereon.
+At my right hand a hynde appear'd to mee.
+So faire as mote the greatest god delite;
+Two eager dogs did her pursue in chace,
+Of which the one was blacke, the other white.
+With deadly force so in their cruell race
+They pincht the haunches of that gentle beast,
+That at the last, and in short time, I spide,
+Under a rocke, where she, alas! opprest,
+Fell to the ground, and there untimely dide.
+  Cruell death vanquishing so noble beautie,
+  Oft makes me wayle so hard a destenie.
+
+
+II.
+
+After, at sea a tall ship did appeare,
+Made all of heben* and white yvorie;
+The sailes of golde, of silke the tackle were.
+Milde was the winde, calme seem'd the sea to bee,
+The skie eachwhere did show full bright and faire:
+With rich treasures this gay ship fraighted was:
+But sudden storme did so turmoyle the aire,
+And tumbled up the sea, that she, alas!
+Strake on a rock, that under water lay,
+And perished past all recoverie.
+O! how great ruth, and sorrow-full assay**,
+Doth vex my spirite with perplexitie,
+  Thus in a moment to see lost and drown'd
+  So great riches as like cannot be found.
+[* _Heben_, ebony.]
+[** _Assay_, trial.]
+
+
+III.
+
+The heavenly branches did I see arise
+Out of the fresh and lustie lawrell tree,
+Amidst the yong greene wood: of Paradise
+Some noble plant I thought my selfe to see.
+Such store of birds therein yshrowded were,
+Chaunting in shade their sundrie melodie,
+That with their sweetnes I was ravish't nere.
+While on this lawrell fixed was mine eie,
+The skie gan everie where to overcast,
+And darkned was the welkin all about,
+When sudden flash of heavens fire out brast*,
+And rent this royall tree quite by the roote;
+  Which makes me much and ever to complaine,
+  For no such shadow shalbe had againe.
+[* _Brast_, burst.]
+
+
+IV.
+
+Within this wood, out of a rocke did rise
+A spring of water, mildly rumbling downe,
+Whereto approched not in anie wise
+The homely shepheard, nor the ruder clowne;
+But manie Muses, and the Nymphes withall,
+That sweetly in accord did tune their voyce
+To the soft sounding of the waters fall;
+That my glad hart thereat did much reioyce.
+But, while herein I tooke my chiefe delight,
+I saw, alas! the gaping earth devoure
+The spring, the place, and all cleane out of sight;
+Which yet aggreeves my hart even to this houre,
+  And wounds my soule with rufull memorie,
+  To see such pleasures gon so suddenly.
+
+
+V.
+
+I saw a Phoenix in the wood alone,
+With purple wings and crest of golden hewe;
+Strange bird he was, whereby I thought anone
+That of some heavenly wight I had the vewe;
+Untill he came unto the broken tree,
+And to the spring that late devoured was.
+What say I more? Each thing at last we see
+Doth passe away: the Phoenix there, alas!
+Spying the tree destroid, the water dride,
+Himselfe smote with his beake, as in disdaine,
+And so foorthwith in great despight he dide;
+That yet my heart burnes in exceeding paine
+  For ruth and pitie of so haples plight.
+  O, let mine eyes no more see such a sight!
+
+
+VI.
+
+At last, so faire a ladie did I spie,
+That thinking yet on her I burne and quake:
+On hearbs and flowres she walked pensively;
+Milde, but yet love she proudly did forsake:
+White seem'd her robes, yet woven so they were
+As snow and golde together had been wrought:
+Above the wast a darke clowde shrouded her.
+A stinging serpent by the heele her caught;
+Wherewith she languisht as the gathered floure,
+And, well assur'd, she mounted up to ioy.
+Alas! on earth so nothing doth endure,
+But bitter griefe and sorrowfull annoy:
+  Which make this life wretched and miserable.
+  Tossed with stormes of fortune variable.
+
+
+VII.
+
+When I behold this tickle* trustles state
+Of vaine worlds glorie, flitting too and fro,
+And mortall men tossed by troublous fate
+In restles seas of wretchednes and woe,
+I wish I might this wearie life forgoe,
+And shortly turne unto my happie rest,
+Where my free spirite might not anie moe
+Be vest with sights that doo her peace molest.
+And ye, faire Ladie, in whose bounteous brest
+All heavenly grace and vertue shrined is,
+When ye these rythmes doo read, and vew the rest,
+Loath this base world, and thinke of heavens blis:
+  And though ye be the fairest of Gods creatures,
+  Yet thinke that death shall spoyle your goodly features.
+[* _Tickle_, uncertain.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+DAPHNAIDA:
+
+AN ELEGIE
+
+UPON THE DEATH OF THE NOBLE AND VERTUOUS
+
+DOUGLAS HOWARD,
+
+DAUGHTER AND HEIRE OF HENRY LORD HOWARD, VISCOUNT
+BYNDON, AND WIFE OF ARTHUR GORGES, ESQUIER.
+
+DEDICATED TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
+
+THE LADIE HELENA,
+
+MARQUESSE OF NORTHAMPTON.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+(1591.)
+
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND VERTUOUS LADY,
+
+HELENA,
+
+MARQUESSE OF NORTH HAMPTON.[*]
+
+I have the rather presumed humbly to offer unto your Honour the
+dedication of this little poeme, for that the noble and vertuous
+gentlewoman of whom it is written was by match neere alied, and in
+affection greatly devoted, unto your Ladiship. The occasion why I wrote
+the same was as well the great good fame which I heard of her deceassed,
+as the particular goodwill which I bear unto her husband, Master Arthur
+Gorges, a lover of learning and vertue, whose house, as your Ladiship by
+marriage hath honoured, so doe I find the name of them, by many notable
+records, to be of great antiquitie in this realme, and such as have ever
+borne themselves with honourable reputation to the world, and unspotted
+loyaltie to their prince and countrey: besides, so lineally are they
+descended from the Howards, as that the Lady Anne Howard; eldest
+daughter to John Duke of Norfolke, was wife to Sir Edmund, mother to Sir
+Edward, and grandmother to Sir William and Sir Thomas Gorges, Knightes:
+and therefore I doe assure my selfe that no due honour done to the White
+Lyon, but will be most gratefull to your Ladiship, whose husband and
+children do so neerely participate with the bloud of that noble family.
+So in all dutie I recommend this pamphlet, and the good acceptance
+thereof, to your honourable favour and protection. London, this first of
+Ianuarie, 1591.
+Your Honours humbly ever.
+
+[* This lady, when widow of William Parr, the only person who was ever
+Marquis of Northampton, had married Sir Thomas Gorges, uncle of Lady
+Douglas Howard, the subject of this elegy. Mr. (afterwards Sir) Arthur
+Gorges was himself a poet, and the author of the English translation of
+Bacon's tract _De Sapientia Veterum_, published in 1619. See Craik's
+Spenser and his Poetry, Vol. III. p. 187. C.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+DAPHNAIDA.
+
+
+Whatever man he be whose heavie mynd,
+With griefe of mournefull great mishap opprest,
+Fit matter for his cares increase would fynd,
+Let reade the rufull plaint herein exprest,
+Of one, I weene, the wofulst man alive,
+Even sad Alcyon*, whose empierced brest
+Sharpe sorrowe did in thousand peeces rive.
+  [* I.e. Sir Arthur Gorges.]
+
+But whoso else in pleasure findeth sense,
+Or in this wretched life doeth take delight,
+Let him he banisht farre away from hence;                             10
+Ne let the Sacred Sisters here be hight*,
+Though they of sorrowe heavilie can sing,
+For even their heavie song would breede delight;
+But here no tunes save sobs and grones shall ring.
+  [* _Hight_, summoned.]
+
+In stead of them and their sweet harmonie,                            15
+Let those three Fatall Sisters, whose sad hands
+Doe weave the direfull threeds of destinie,
+And in their wrath break off the vitall bands,
+Approach hereto; and let the dreadfull Queene
+Of Darknes deepe come from the Stygian strands,                       20
+And grisly ghosts, to heare this dolefull teene*,
+  [* _Teene_, sorrow]
+
+In gloomy evening, when the wearie sun
+After his dayes long labour drew to rest,
+And sweatie steedes, now having overrun
+The compast skie, gan water in the west,                              25
+I walkt abroad to breath the freshing ayre
+In open fields, whose flowring pride, opprest
+With early frosts, had lost their beautie faire.
+
+There came unto my mind a troublous thought,
+Which dayly doth my weaker wit possesse,                              30
+Ne lets it rest untill it forth have brought
+Her long borne infant, fruit of heavinesse,
+Which she conceived hath through meditation
+Of this worlds vainnesse and life's wretchednesse,
+That yet my soule it deepely doth empassion*.                         35
+  [* _Empassion_, move]
+
+So as I muzed on the miserie
+In which men live, and I of many most,
+Most miserable man, I did espie
+Where towards me a sory wight did cost*,
+Clad all in black, that mourning did bewray,                          40
+And Iacob staffe ** in hand devoutly crost,
+Like to some pilgrim come from farre away.
+  [* _Cost_, approach]
+  [** _Iacob staffe_, a pilgrim's staff, in the form of a cross]
+
+His carelesse locks, uncombed and unshorne,
+Hong long adowne, and bearde all overgrowne,
+That well he seemd to be some wight forlorne:                         45
+Downe to the earth his heavie eyes were throwne,
+As loathing light, and ever as he went
+He sighed soft, and inly deepe did grone,
+As if his heart in peeces would have rent.
+
+Approaching nigh his face I vewed nere,                               50
+And by the semblant of his countenaunce
+Me seemd I had his person seene elsewhere,
+Most like Alcyon seeming at a glaunce;
+Alcyon he, the iollie shepheard swaine,
+That wont full merrilie to pipe and daunce,                           55
+And fill with pleasance every wood and plaine.
+
+Yet halfe in doubt, because of his disguize,
+I softlie sayd, Alcyon! There-withall
+He lookt aside as in disdainefull wise,
+Yet stayed not, till I againe did call:                               60
+Then, turning back, he saide, with hollow sound,
+"Who is it that dooth name me, wofull thrall,
+The wretchedst man that treads this day on ground?"
+
+"One whom like wofulnesse, impressed deepe,
+Hath made fit mate thy wretched case to heare,                        65
+And given like cause with thee to waile and wepe;
+Griefe finds some ease by him that like does beare.
+Then stay, Alcyon, gentle shepheard! stay,"
+Quoth I, "till thou have to my trustie eare
+Committed what thee dooth so ill apay*."                              70
+  [* _Ill apay _, discontent, distress.]
+
+"Cease, foolish man!" saide he halfe wrothfully,
+"To seeke to heare that which cannot be told;
+For the huge anguish, which doeth multiply
+My dying paines, no tongue can well unfold;
+Ne doo I care that any should bemone                                  75
+My hard mishap, or any weepe that would,
+But seeke alone to weepe, and dye alone."
+
+"Then be it so," quoth I, "that thou are bent
+To die alone, unpitied, unplained;
+Yet, ere thou die, it were convenient                                 80
+To tell the cause which thee thereto constrained,
+Least that the world thee dead accuse of guilt,
+And say, when thou of none shall be maintained,
+That thou for secret crime thy blood hast spilt."
+
+"Who life does loath, and longs to be unbound                         85
+From the strong shackles of fraile flesh," quoth he,
+"Nought cares at all what they that live on ground
+Deem the occasion of his death to bee;
+Rather desires to be forgotten quight,
+Than question made of his calamitie;                                  90
+For harts deep sorrow hates both life and light.
+
+"Yet since so much thou seemst to rue my griefe,
+And car'st for one that for himselfe cares nought,
+(Sign of thy love, though nought for my reliefe,
+For my reliefe exceedeth living thought,)                             95
+I will to thee this heavie case relate:
+Then harken well till it to end be brought,
+For never didst thou heare more haplesse fate.
+
+"Whilome I usde (as thou right well doest know)
+My little flocke on westerns downes to keep,                         100
+Not far from whence Sabrinaes streame doth flow,
+And flowrie bancks with silver liquor steepe;
+Nought carde I then for worldly change or chaunce,
+For all my ioy was on my gentle sheepe,
+And to my pype to caroll and to daunce.                              105
+
+"It there befell, as I the fields did range
+Fearlesse and free, a faire young Lionesse,
+White as the native rose before the chaunge
+Which Venus blood did in her leaves impresse,
+I spied playing on the grassie plaine                                110
+Her youthfull sports and kindlie wantonnesse,
+That did all other beasts in beawtie staine.
+  [Ver. 107.--_A fair young Lionesse,_ So called from the white lion in
+  the arms of the Duke of Norfolk, the head of the family to which Lady
+  Douglas Howard belonged. H.]
+
+"Much was I moved at so goodly sight,
+Whose like before mine eye had seldome seene,
+And gan to cast how I her compasse might,                            115
+And bring to hand that yet had never beene:
+So well I wrought with mildnes and with paine,
+That I her caught disporting on the greene,
+And brought away fast bound with silver chaine.
+
+"And afterwardes I handled her so fayre,                             120
+That though by kind shee stout and salvage were,
+For being borne an auncient lions hayre,
+And of the race that all wild beastes do feare,
+Yet I her fram'd, and wan so to my bent,
+That shee became so meeke and milde of cheare                        125
+As the least lamb in all my flock that went.
+
+"For shee in field, where-ever I did wend,
+Would wend with me, and waite by me all day;
+And all the night that I in watch did spend,
+If cause requir'd, or els in sleepe, if nay,                         130
+Shee would all night by me or watch or sleepe;
+And evermore when I did sleepe or play,
+She of my flock would take full warie keepe*.
+  [* _Keepe_, care.]
+
+"Safe then, and safest, were my sillie sheepe,
+Ne fear'd the wolfe, ne fear'd the wildest beast,                    135
+All* were I drown'd in carelesse quiet deepe:
+My lovely Lionesse without beheast
+So careful was for them and for my good,
+That when I waked, neither most nor least
+I found miscarried, or in plaine or wood.                            140
+  [* _All_, although.]
+
+"Oft did the shepheards which my hap did heare,
+And oft their lasses, which my luck envyde,
+Daylie resort to me from farre and neare,
+To see my Lyonesse, whose praises wyde
+Were spred abroad; and when her worthinesse                          145
+Much greater than the rude report they tryde*,
+They her did praise, and my good fortune blesse.
+  [* _Tryde_, proved, found.]
+
+"Long thus I ioyed in my happinesse,
+And well did hope my ioy would have no end;
+But oh! fond man! that in worlds ficklenesse                         150
+Reposedst hope, or weenedst Her thy frend
+That glories most in mortall miseries,
+And daylie doth her changefull counsels bend
+To make new matter fit for tragedies.
+
+"For whilest I was thus without dread or dout,                       155
+A cruel Satyre with his murdrous dart,
+Greedie of mischiefe, ranging all about,
+Gave her the fatall wound of deadly smart,
+And reft from me my sweete companion,
+And reft from me my love, my life, my hart:                          160
+My Lyonesse, ah woe is me! is gon!
+
+"Out of the world thus was she reft away,
+Out of the world, unworthy such a spoyle,
+And borne to heaven, for heaven a fitter pray;
+Much fitter then the lyon which with toyle                           165
+Alcides slew, and fixt in firmament;
+Her now I seeke throughout this earthly soyle,
+And seeking misse, and missing doe lament."
+
+Therewith he gan afresh to waile and weepe,
+That I for pittie of his heavie plight                               170
+Could not abstain mine eyes with teares to steepe;
+But when I saw the anguish of his spright
+Some deale alaid, I him bespake againe:
+"Certes, Alcyon, painfull is thy plight,
+That it in me breeds almost equall paine,                            175
+
+"Yet doth not my dull wit well understand
+The riddle of thy loved Lionesse;
+For rare it seemes in reason to be skand,
+That man, who doth the whole worlds rule possesse,
+Should to a beast his noble hart embase,                             180
+And be the vassall of his vassalesse;
+Therefore more plain areade* this doubtfull case."
+  [* _Areade_, explain.]
+
+Then sighing sore, "Daphne thou knew'st," quoth he;
+"She now is dead": no more endur'd to say,
+But fell to ground for great extremitie;                             185
+That I, beholding it, with deepe dismay
+Was much apald, and, lightly him uprearing,
+Revoked life, that would have fled away,
+All were my selfe through grief in deadly drearing*.
+  [* _Drearing_, sorrowing.]
+
+Then gan I him to comfort all my best,                               190
+And with milde counsaile strove to mitigate
+The stormie passion of his troubled brest;
+But he thereby was more empassionate,
+As stubborne steed that is with curb restrained
+Becomes more fierce and fervent in his gate,                         195
+And, breaking foorth at last, thus dearnely* plained:
+  [* _Dearnely_, sadly.]
+
+
+I.
+
+"What man henceforth that breatheth vitall aire
+Will honour Heaven, or heavenly powers adore,
+Which so uniustly doth their iudgements share
+Mongst earthly wights, as to afflict so sore                         200
+The innocent as those which do transgresse,
+And doe not spare the best or fairest more
+Than worst or foulest, but doe both oppresse?
+
+"If this be right, why did they then create
+The world so faire, sith fairenesse is neglected?                    205
+Or why be they themselves immaculate,
+If purest things be not by them respected?
+She faire, she pure, most faire, most pure she was,
+Yet was by them as thing impure reiected;
+Yet she in purenesse heaven it self did pas.                         210
+
+"In purenesse, and in all celestiall grace
+That men admire in goodly womankind,
+She did excell, and seem'd of angels race,
+Living on earth like angell new divinde*,
+Adorn'd with wisedome and with chastitie,                            215
+And all the dowries of a noble mind,
+Which did her beautie much more beautifie.
+  [* _Divinde_, deified.]
+
+"No age hath bred (since faire Astr�a left
+The sinfull world) more vertue in a wight;
+And, when she parted hence, with her she reft                        220
+Great hope, and robd her race of bounty* quight.
+Well may the shepheard lasses now lament;
+For doubble losse by her hath on them light,
+To loose both her and bounties ornament.
+  [* _Bounty_, goodness.]
+
+"Ne let Elisa, royall shepheardesse,                                 225
+The praises of my parted* love envy,
+For she hath praises in all plenteousnesse
+Powr'd upon her, like showers of Castaly,
+By her owne shepheard, Colin, her own shepheard,
+That her with heavenly hymnes doth deifie,                           230
+Of rusticke Muse full hardly to be betterd.
+  [* _Parted_, departed.]
+
+"She is the rose, the glory of the day,
+And mine the primrose in the lowly shade:
+Mine? ah, not mine! amisse I mine did say:
+Not mine, but His which mine awhile her made;                        235
+Mine to be-his, with him to live for ay.
+O that so faire a flowre so soon should fade,
+And through untimely tempest fall away!
+
+"She fell away in her first ages spring,
+Whilst yet her leafe was greene, and fresh her rinde;
+And whilst her braunch faire blossomes foorth did bring,             241
+She fell away against all course of kinde*.
+For age to dye is right, but youth is wrong;
+She fell away like fruit blowne down with winde.
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong**.
+  [* _Kinde_, nature.]
+  [** _Undersong_, accompaniment.]
+
+
+II.
+
+"What hart so stonie hard but that would weepe.
+And poure forth fountaines of incessant teares?
+What Timon but would let compassion creepe
+Into his breast, and pierce his frosen eares?
+In stead of teares, whose brackish bitter well                       250
+I wasted have, my heart bloud dropping weares,
+To think to ground how that faire blossome fell.
+
+"Yet fell she not as one enforst to dye,
+Ne dyde with dread and grudging discontent,
+But as one toyld with travell downe doth lye,                        255
+So lay she downe, as if to sleepe she went,
+And closde her eyes with carelesse quietriesse;
+The whiles soft death away her spirit hent*,
+And soule assoyld** from sinfull fleshlinesse.
+  [* _Hent_, took]
+  [** _Assoyld_, absolved.]
+
+"Yet ere that life her lodging did forsake,                          260
+She, all resolv'd, and readie to remove,
+Calling to me (ay me!) this wise bespake;
+'Alcyon! ah, my first and latest love!
+Ah! why does my Alcyon weepe and mourne,
+And grieve my ghost, that ill mote him behove,                       265
+As if to me had chaunst some evill tourne!
+
+"'I, since the messenger is come for mee
+That summons soules unto the bridale feast
+Of his great Lord, must needs depart from thee,
+And straight obay his soveraine beheast;                             270
+Why should Alcyon then so sore lament
+That I from miserie shall be releast,
+And freed from wretched long imprisonment!
+
+"'Our daies are full of dolour and disease.
+Our life afflicted with incessant paine,                             275
+That nought on earth may lessen or appease;
+Why then should I desire here to remaine!
+Or why should he that loves me sorrie bee
+For my deliverance, or at all complaine
+My good to heare, and toward* ioyes to see!                          280
+  [* _Toward,_ preparing, near at hand.]
+
+"'I goe, and long desired have to goe;
+I goe with gladnesse to my wished rest,
+Whereas* no worlds sad care nor wasting woe
+May come, their happie quiet to molest;
+But saints and angels in celestiall thrones                          285
+Eternally Him praise that hath them blest;
+There shall I be amongst those blessed ones.
+  [* _Whereas,_ where.]
+
+"'Yet, ere I goe, a pledge I leave with thee
+Of the late love the which betwixt us past;
+My young Ambrosia; in lieu of mee,                                   290
+Love her; so shall our love for ever last.
+Thus, deare! adieu, whom I expect ere long.'--
+So having said, away she softly past;
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make mine undersong.
+
+
+III.
+
+"So oft as I record those piercing words,                            295
+Which yet are deepe engraven in my brest,
+And those last deadly accents, which like swords
+Did wound my heart and rend my bleeding chest,
+With those sweet sugred speeches doe compare
+The which my soul first conquerd and possest,                        300
+The first beginners of my endlesse care,
+
+"And when those pallid cheekes and ashe hew,
+In which sad Death his pourtraiture had writ,
+And when those hollow eyes and deadly view,
+On which the cloud of ghastly night did sit,                         305
+I match, with that sweete smile and chearful brow,
+Which all the world subdued unto it,
+How happie was I then, and wretched now!
+
+"How happie was I when I saw her leade
+The shepheards daughters dauncing in a rownd!                        310
+How trimly would she trace* and softly tread
+The tender grasse, with rosye garland crownd!
+And when she list advaunce her heavenly voyce,
+Both Nymphes and Muses nigh she made astownd,
+And flocks and shepheards caused to reioyce.                         315
+  [* _Trace_, step]
+
+"But now, ye shepheard lasses! who shall lead
+Your wandring troupes, or sing your virelayes*?
+Or who shall dight** your bowres, sith she is dead
+That was the lady of your holy-dayes?
+Let now your blisse be turned into bale,                             320
+And into plaints convert your ioyous playes,
+And with the same fill every hill and dale.
+  [* _Virelayes_, roundelays.]
+  [** _Dight_, deck.]
+
+"Let bagpipe never more be heard to shrill,
+That may allure the senses to delight,
+Ne ever shepheard sound his oaten quill                              325
+Unto the many*, that provoke them might
+To idle pleasance; but let ghastlinesse
+And drearie horror dim the chearfull light,
+To make the image of true heavinesse.
+  [* _Many_, company.]
+
+"Let birds be silent on the naked spray,                             330
+And shady woods resound with dreadfull yells;
+Let streaming floods their hastie courses stay,
+And parching drouth drie up the cristall wells;
+Let th'earth be barren, and bring foorth no flowres,
+And th'ayre be fild with noyse of dolefull knells,                   335
+And wandring spirits walke untimely howres.
+
+"And Nature, nurse of every living thing,
+Let rest her selfe from her long wearinesse,
+And cease henceforth things kindly forth to bring,
+But hideous monsters full of uglinesse;                              340
+For she it is that hath me done this wrong;
+No nurse, but stepdame cruell, mercilesse.
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+
+
+IV.
+
+
+"My little flock, whom earst I lov'd so well,
+And wont to feed with finest grasse that grew,                       345
+Feede ye hencefoorth on bitter astrofell*,
+And stinking smallage, and unsaverie rew;
+And when your mawes are with those weeds corrupted,
+Be ye the pray of wolves; ne will I rew
+That with your carkasses wild beasts be glutted.                     350
+  [* _Astrofell_, (probably) starwort. See _Astrophel_, v. 184-196.]
+
+"Ne worse to you, my sillie sheepe, I pray,
+Ne sorer vengeance wish on you to fall
+Than to my selfe, for whose confusde decay**
+To carelesse heavens I doo daylie call;
+But heavens refuse to heare a wretches cry;                          355
+And cruell Death doth scorn to come at call,
+Or graunt his boone that most desires to dye.
+  [* _Decay_, destruction.]
+
+"The good and righteous he away doth take,
+To plague th'unrighteous which alive remaine;
+But the ungodly ones he doth forsake,                                360
+By living long to multiplie their paine;
+Else surely death should be no punishment,
+As the Great Iudge at first did it ordaine,
+But rather riddance from long languishment.
+
+"Therefore, my Daphne they have tane away;                           365
+For worthie of a better place was she:
+But me unworthie willed here to stay,
+That with her lacke I might tormented be.
+Sith then they so have ordred, I will pay
+Penance to her, according* their decree,                             370
+And to her ghost doe service day by day.
+  [* _According_, according to.]
+
+"For I will walke this wandring pilgrimage,
+Throughout the world from one to other end,
+And in affliction waste my better age:
+My bread shall be the anguish of my mynd,                            375
+My drink the teares which fro mine eyes do raine,
+My bed the ground that hardest I may fynd;
+So will I wilfully increase my paine.
+
+"And she, my love that was, my saint that is,
+When she beholds from her celestiall throne                          380
+(In which shee ioyeth in eternall blis)
+My bitter penance, will my case bemone,
+And pittie me that living thus doo die;
+For heavenly spirits have compassion
+On mortall men, and rue their miserie.                               385
+
+"So when I have with sorrow satisfyde
+Th'importune Fates which vengeance on me seeks,
+And th'heavens with long languor pacifyde,
+She, for pure pitie of my sufferance meeke,
+Will send for me; for which I daily long,                            390
+And will till then my painfull penance eeke,
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+
+
+V.
+
+"Hencefoorth I hate whatever Nature made,
+And in her workmanship no pleasure finde,
+For they be all but vaine, and quickly fade                          395
+So soone as on them blowes the northern winde;
+They tarrie not, but flit and fall away,
+Leaving behind them nought but griefe of minde,
+And mocking such as thinke they long will stay.
+
+"I hate the heaven, because it doth withhould                        400
+Me from my love, and eke my love from me;
+I hate the earth, because it is the mould
+Of fleshly slime and fraile mortalitie;
+I hate the fire, because to nought it flyes;
+I hate the ayre, because sighes of it be;                            405
+I hate the sea, because it teares supplyes.
+
+"I hate the day, because it lendeth light
+To see all things, and not my love to see;
+I hate the darknesse and the dreary night,
+Because they breed sad balefulnesse in mee;                          410
+I hate all times, because all times doo fly
+So fast away, and may not stayed bee,
+But as a speedie post that passeth by.
+
+"I hate to speake, my voyce is spent with crying;
+I hate to heare, lowd plaints have duld mine eares;
+I hate to tast, for food withholds my dying;                         416
+I hate to see, mine eyes are dimd with teares;
+I hate to smell, no sweet on earth is left;
+I hate to feele, my flesh is numbd with feares:
+So all my senses from me are bereft.                                 420
+
+"I hate all men, and shun all womankinde;
+The one, because as I they wretched are;
+The other, for because I doo not finde
+My love with them, that wont to be their starre.
+And life I hate, because it will not last;                           425
+And death I hate, because it life doth marre;
+And all I hate that is to come or past.
+
+"So all the world, and all in it I hate,
+Because it changeth ever to and fro,
+And never standeth in one certaine state,                            430
+But, still unstedfast, round about doth goe
+Like a mill-wheele in midst of miserie,
+Driven with streames of wretchednesse and woe,
+That dying lives, and living still does dye.
+
+"So doo I live, so doo I daylie die,                                 435
+And pine away in selfe-consuming paine!
+Sith she that did my vitall powres supplie,
+And feeble spirits in their force maintaine,
+Is fetcht fro me, why seeke I to prolong
+My wearie daies in dolour and disdalne!                              440
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+
+
+IV.
+
+"Why doo I longer live in lifes despight,
+And doo not dye then in despight of death!
+Why doo I longer see this loathsome light,
+And doo in darknesse not abridge my breath,                          445
+Sith all my sorrow should have end thereby,
+And cares finde quiet! Is it so uneath*
+To leave this life, or dolorous to dye?
+  [* _Uneath_, difficult.]
+
+"To live I finde it deadly dolorous,
+For life drawes care, and care continuall woe;                       450
+Therefore to dye must needes be ioyeous,
+And wishfull thing this sad life to forgoe.
+But I must stay; I may it not amend;
+My Daphne hence departing bad me so;
+She bad me stay, till she for me did send.                           455
+
+"Yet, whilest I in this wretched vale doo stay,
+My wearie feete shall ever wandring be,
+That still I may be readie on my way
+When, as her messenger doth come for me;
+Ne will I rest my feete for feeblenesse,                             460
+Ne will I rest my limmes for frailtie,
+Ne will I rest mine eyes for heavinesse.
+
+"But, as the mother of the gods, that sought
+For faire Euridyce, her daughter dere,
+Throughout the world, with wofull heavie thought,
+So will I travell whilest I tarrie heere,                            466
+Ne will I lodge, ne will I ever lin*,
+Ne, when as drouping Titan draweth nere
+To loose his teeme, will I take up my inne**.
+[* _Lin_, cease.]
+[** _Inne_, lodging.]
+
+"Ne sleepe, the harbenger* of wearie wights,                         470
+Shall ever lodge upon mine eye-lids more,
+Ne shall with rest refresh my fainting sprights,
+Nor failing force to former strength restore:
+But I will wake and sorrow all the night
+With Philumene*, my fortune to deplore;                              475
+With Philumene, the partner of my plight.
+  [* _Harbenger_, one who provides lodging or repose.]
+  [** _Philumene_, Philomel.]
+
+
+"And ever as I see the starre to fall,
+And under ground to goe to give them light
+Which dwell in darknesse, I to mind will call
+How my faire starre, that shind on me so bright,                     480
+Fell sodainly and faded under ground;
+Since whose departure, day is turnd to night,
+And night without a Venus starre is found.
+
+"But soon as day doth shew his deawie face,
+And cals foorth men unto their toylsome trade,                       485
+I will withdraw me to some darkesome place,
+Or some dere* cave, or solitarie shade;
+There will I sigh, and sorrow all day long,
+And the huge burden of my cares unlade.                              489
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+  [* Qu. _derne_, lonely? Or, _drere?_]
+
+
+VII.
+
+
+"Henceforth mine eyes shall never more behold
+Faire thing on earth, ne feed on false delight
+Of ought that framed is of mortall mould,
+Sith that my fairest flower is faded quight;
+For all I see is vaine and transitorie,                              495
+Ne will be held in any stedfast plight,
+But in a moment loose their grace and glorie.
+
+"And ye, fond Men! on Fortunes wheele that ride,
+Or in ought under heaven repose assurance,
+Be it riches, beautie, or honours pride,                             500
+Be sure that they shall have no long endurance,
+But ere ye be aware will flit away;
+For nought of them is yours, but th'only usance
+Of a small time, which none ascertains may.
+
+"And ye, true Lovers! whom desastrous chaunce,                       505
+Hath farre exiled from your ladies grace,
+To mourne in sorrow and sad sufferauncc,
+When ye doe heare me in that desert place
+Lamenting loud my Daphnes elegie,
+Helpe me to waile my miserable case,                                 510
+And when life parts vouchsafe to close mine eye.
+
+"And ye, more happie Lovers! which enioy
+The presence of your dearest loves delight,
+"When ye doe heare my sorrowfull annoy,
+Yet pittie me in your empassiond spright,                            515
+And thinke that such mishap as chaunst to me
+May happen unto the most happiest wight;
+For all mens states alike unstedfast be.
+
+"And ye, ray fellow Shepheards! which do feed
+Your carelesse flocks on hils and open plaines,                      520
+With better fortune than did me succeed,
+Remember yet my undeserved paines;
+And when ye heare that I am dead or slaine,
+Lament my lot, and tell your fellow-swaines
+That sad Aleyon dyde in lifes disdaine.                              525
+
+"And ye, faire Damsels! shepheards deare delights,
+That with your loves do their rude hearts possesse,
+When as my hearse shall happen to your sightes,
+Vouchsafe to deck the same with cyparesse;
+And ever sprinckle brackish teares among,                            530
+In pitie of my undeserv'd distresse,
+The which, I, wretch, endured have thus long.
+
+"And ye, poore Pilgrims! that with restlesse toyle
+Wearie your selves in wandring desart wayes,
+Till that you come where ye your vowes assoyle*,                     535
+When passing by ye reade these wofull layes
+On my grave written, rue my Daphnes wrong,
+And mourne for me that languish out my dayes.
+Cease, Shepheard! cease, and end thy undersong."
+  [* _Assoyle_, absolve, pay.]
+
+Thus when he ended had his heavie plaint,                            540
+The heaviest plaint that ever I heard sound,
+His cheekes wext pale, and sprights began to faint,
+As if againe he would have fallen to ground;
+Which when I saw, I, stepping to him light,
+Amooved* him out of his stonie swound,                               545
+And gan him to recomfort as I might.
+  [* _Amooved_, roused.]
+
+But he no waie recomforted would be,
+Nor suffer solace to approach him nie,
+But, casting up a sdeinfull eie at me,
+That in his traunce I would not let him lie,                         550
+Did rend his haire, and beat his blubbred face,
+As one disposed wilfullie to die,
+That I sore griev'd to see his wretched case.
+
+Tho when the pang was somewhat overpast,
+And the outragious passion nigh appeased,                            555
+I him desyrde, sith daie was overcast
+And darke night fast approched, to be pleased
+To turne aside unto my cabinet*,
+And staie with me, till he were better eased
+Of that strong stownd** which him so sore beset.                     560
+  [* _Cabinet_, cabin.]
+  [** _Stownd_, mood, paroxysm of grief.]
+
+But by no meanes I could him win thereto,
+Ne longer him intreate with me to staie,
+But without taking leave he foorth did goe
+With staggring pace and dismall looks dismay,
+As if that Death he in the face had seene,                           565
+Or hellish hags had met upon the way:
+But what of him became I cannot weene.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+AMORETTI
+
+AND
+
+EPITHALAMION.
+
+WRITTEN NOT LONG SINCE BY
+
+EDMUNDE SPENSER.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+PRINTED FOR WILLIAM POSBONBY.
+
+1595.
+
+
+G. W. SENIOR*,
+TO THE AUTHOR.
+[* These commendatory Sonnets first appeared in the first folio edition
+of Spenser's entire works (1611). G. W., as Todd conjectures, may be
+George Whetstone. C.]
+
+Darke is the day when Phoebus face is shrowded,
+And weaker sights may wander soone astray;
+But when they see his glorious raies unclowded,
+With steddy steps they keepe the perfect way:
+So, while this Muse in forraine land doth stay,
+Invention weepes, and pennes are cast aside;
+The time, like night, deprivd of chearfull day;
+And few doe write, but ah! too soone may slide.
+Then hie thee home, that art our perfect guide,
+And with thy wit illustrate Englands fame,
+Daunting therby our neighbors ancient pride,
+That do for Poesie challenge chiefest name:
+
+  So we that live, and ages that succeed,
+  With great applause thy learned works shall reed.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Ah! Colin, whether on the lowly plaine,
+Piping to shepheards thy sweet roundelayes,
+Or whether singing, in some loftie vaine,
+Heroicke deeds of past or present dayes,
+Or whether in thy lovely mistresse praise
+Thou list to exercise thy learned quill,
+Thy Muse hath got such grace and power to please,
+With rare invention, beautified by skill,
+As who therin can ever ioy their fill!
+O, therefore let that happy Muse proceed
+To clime the height of Vertues sacred hill,
+Where endlesse honour shal be made thy meed:
+  Because no malice of succeeding daies
+  Can rase those records of thy lasting praise.
+
+G. W. I[unior].
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+AMORETTI.[*]
+
+[* These Sonnets furnish us with a circumstantial and very interesting
+history of Spenser's second courtship, which, after many repulses, was
+successfully terminated by the marriage celebrated in the
+_Epithalamion_. As these poems were entered in the Stationers' Registers
+on the 19th of November, 1594, we may infer that they cover a period of
+time extending from the end of 1592 to the summer of 1594. It is
+possible, however, that these last dates may be a year too late, and
+that Spenser was married in 1593. We cannot be sure of the year, but we
+know, from the 266th verse of the Epithalamion, that the day was the
+feast of St. Barnabas, June 11 of the Old Style. In the 74th sonnet we
+are directly told that the lady's name was Elizabeth. In the 61st, she
+is said to be of the "Brood of Angels, heavenly born." From this and
+many similar expressions, interpreted by the laws of Anagram, and taken
+in conjunction with various circumstances which do not require to be
+stated here, it may be inferred that her surname was Nagle. C.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+I.
+
+Happy, ye leaves! when as those lilly hands
+Which hold my life in their dead-doing might
+Shall handle you, and hold in loves soft bands,
+Lyke captives trembling at the victors sight.
+And happy lines! on which, with starry light,
+Those lamping eyes will deigne sometimes to look,
+And reade the sorrowes of my dying spright,
+And happy rymes! bath'd in the sacred brooke
+Of Helicon, whence she derived is,
+When ye behold that Angels blessed looke,
+My soules long-lacked food, my heavens blis,
+  Leaves, lines, and rymes, seeke her to please alone,
+  Whom if ye please, I care for other none!
+
+
+II.
+
+Unquiet thought! whom at the first I bred
+Of th'inward bale of my love-pined hart,
+And sithens have with sighes and sorrowes fed,
+Till greater then my wombe thou woxen art,
+Breake forth at length out of the inner part,
+In which thou lurkest lyke to vipers brood,
+And seeke some succour both to ease my smart,
+And also to sustayne thy selfe with food.
+But if in presence of that fayrest Proud
+Thou chance to come, fall lowly at her feet;
+And with meek humblesse and afflicted mood
+Pardon for thee, and grace for me, intreat:
+  Which if she graunt, then live, and my love cherish:
+  If not, die soone, and I with thee will perish.
+
+
+III.
+
+The soverayne beauty which I doo admyre,
+Witnesse the world how worthy to be prayzed!
+The light wherof hath kindled heavenly fyre
+In my fraile spirit, by her from basenesse raysed;
+That being now with her huge brightnesse dazed,
+Base thing I can no more endure to view:
+But, looking still on her, I stand amazed
+At wondrous sight of so celestiall hew.
+So when my toung would speak her praises dew,
+It stopped is with thoughts astonishment;
+And when my pen would write her titles true,
+It ravisht is with fancies wonderment:
+  Yet in my hart I then both speak and write
+  The wonder that my wit cannot endite.
+
+
+IV.
+
+New yeare, forth looking out of Ianus gate,
+Doth seeme to promise hope of new delight,
+And, bidding th'old adieu, his passed date
+Bids all old thoughts to die in dumpish* spright;
+And calling forth out of sad Winters night
+Fresh Love, that long hath slept in cheerlesse bower,
+Wils him awake, and soone about him dight
+His wanton wings and darts of deadly power.
+For lusty Spring now in his timely howre
+Is ready to come forth, him to receive;
+And warns the Earth with divers colord flowre
+To decke hir selfe, and her faire mantle weave.
+  Then you, faire flowre! in whom fresh youth doth raine,
+  Prepare your selfe new love to entertaine.
+[l _Dumpish_, mournful.]
+
+
+V.
+
+Rudely thou wrongest my deare harts desire,
+In finding fault with her too portly pride:
+The thing which I doo most in her admire,
+Is of the world unworthy most envide.
+For in those lofty lookes is close implide
+Scorn of base things, and sdeigne of foul dishonor;
+Thretning rash eies which gaze on her so wide,
+That loosely they ne dare to looke upon her.
+Such pride is praise, such portlinesse is honor,
+That boldned innocence beares in hir eies,
+And her faire countenaunce, like a goodly banner,
+Spreds in defiaunce of all enemies.
+  Was never in this world ought worthy tride*,
+  Without some spark of such self-pleasing pride.
+[* _Tride_, found.]
+
+
+VI.
+
+Be nought dismayd that her unmoved mind
+Doth still persist in her rebellious pride:
+Such love, not lyke to lusts of baser kynd,
+The harder wonne, the firmer will abide.
+The durefull oake whose sap is not yet dride
+Is long ere it conceive the kindling fyre;
+But when it once doth burne, it doth divide
+Great heat, and makes his flames to heaven aspire.
+So hard it is to kindle new desire
+In gentle brest, that shall endure for ever:
+Deepe is the wound that dints the parts entire*
+With chaste affects, that naught but death can sever.
+  Then thinke not long in taking litle paine
+  To knit the knot that ever shall remaine.
+[* _Entire_, inward.]
+
+
+VII.
+
+Fayre eyes! the myrrour of my mazed hart,
+What wondrous vertue is contayn'd in you,
+The which both lyfe and death forth from you dart
+Into the obiect of your mighty view?
+For when ye mildly looke with lovely hew,
+Then is my soule with life and love inspired:
+But when ye lowre, or looke on me askew,
+Then do I die, as one with lightning fyred.
+But since that lyfe is more then death desyred,
+Looke ever lovely, as becomes you best;
+That your bright beams, of my weak eies admyred,
+May kindle living fire within my brest.
+   Such life should be the honor of your light,
+   Such death the sad ensample of your might.
+
+
+VIII
+
+More then most faire, full of the living fire
+Kindled above unto the Maker nere,
+No eies, but ioyes, in which al powers conspire,
+That to the world naught else be counted deare!
+Thrugh your bright beams doth not the blinded guest
+Shoot out his darts to base affections wound;
+But angels come, to lead fraile mindes to rest
+In chast desires, on heavenly beauty bound.
+You frame my thoughts, and fashion me within;
+You stop my toung, and teach my hart to speake;
+You calme the storme that passion did begin,
+Strong thrugh your cause, but by your vertue weak.
+   Dark is the world where your light shined never;
+   Well is he borne that may behold you ever.
+
+
+IX.
+
+Long-while I sought to what I might compare
+Those powrefull eies which lighten my dark spright;
+Yet find I nought on earth, to which I dare
+Resemble th'ymage of their goodly light.
+Not to the sun, for they doo shine by night;
+Nor to the moone, for they are changed never;
+Nor to the starres, for they have purer sight;
+Nor to the fire, for they consume not ever;
+Nor to the lightning, for they still persever;
+Nor to the diamond, for they are more tender;
+Nor unto cristall, for nought may them sever;
+Nor unto glasse, such basenesse mought offend her.
+  Then to the Maker selfe they likest be,
+  Whose light doth lighten all that here we see.
+
+
+X.
+
+Unrighteous Lord of love, what law is this,
+That me thou makest thus tormented be,
+The whiles she lordeth in licentious blisse
+Of her freewill, scorning both thee and me?
+See! how the Tyrannesse doth ioy to see
+The hugh mass�cres which her eyes do make,
+And humbled harts brings captive unto thee,
+That thou of them mayst mightie vengeance take.
+But her proud hart doe thou a little shake,
+And that high look, with which she doth comptroll
+All this worlds pride, bow to a baser make*,
+And al her faults in thy black booke enroll:
+  That I may laugh at her in equall sort
+  As she doth laugh at me, and makes my pain her sport.
+[* _Make_, mate.]
+
+
+XI.
+
+Dayly when I do seeke and sew for peace,
+And hostages doe offer for my truth,
+She, cruell warriour, doth her selfe addresse
+To battell, and the weary war renew'th;
+Ne wilbe moov'd, with reason or with rewth*,
+To graunt small respit to my restlesse toile;
+But greedily her fell intent poursewth,
+Of my poore life to make unpittied spoile.
+Yet my poore life, all sorrowes to assoyle,
+I would her yield, her wrath to pacify;
+But then she seeks, with torment and turmoyle,
+To force me live, and will not let me dy.
+  All paine hath end, and every war hafh peace;
+  But mine, no price nor prayer may surcease.
+[* _Rewth_, ruth, pity.]
+
+
+XII.
+
+One day I sought with her hart-thrilling eies
+To make a truce, and termes to entertaine;
+All fearlesse then of so false enimies,
+Which sought me to entrap in treasons traine.
+So, as I then disarmed did remaine,
+A wicked ambush, which lay hidden long
+In the close covert of her guilful eyen,
+Thence breaking forth, did thick about me throng.
+Too feeble I t'abide the brunt so strong,
+Was forst to yield my selfe into their hands;
+Who, me captiving streight with rigorous wrong,
+Have ever since kept me in cruell bands.
+  So, Ladie, now to you I doo complaine
+  Against your eies, that iustice I may gaine.
+
+
+XIII.
+
+In that proud port which her so goodly graceth,
+Whiles her faire face she reares up to the skie,
+And to the ground her eie-lids low embaseth,
+Most goodly temperature ye may descry;
+Myld humblesse mixt with awfull maiestie.
+For, looking on the earth whence she was borne,
+Her minde remembreth her mortalitie,
+Whatso is fayrest shall to earth returne.
+But that same lofty countenance seemes to scorne
+Base thing, and thinke how she to heaven may clime;
+Treading downe earth as lothsome and forlorne,
+That hinders heavenly thoughts with drossy slime.
+  Yet lowly still vouchsafe to looke on me;
+  Such lowlinesse shall make you lofty be.
+
+
+XIV.
+
+Retourne agayne, my forces late dismayd,
+Unto the siege by you abandon'd quite.
+Great shame it is to leave, like one afrayd,
+So fayre a peece* for one repulse so light.
+'Gaynst such strong castles needeth greater might
+Then those small forts which ye were wont belay**:
+Such haughty mynds, enur'd to hardy fight,
+Disdayne to yield unto the first assay.
+Bring therefore all the forces that ye may,
+And lay incessant battery to her heart;
+Playnts, prayers, vowes, ruth, sorrow, and dismay;
+Those engins can the proudest love convert:
+   And, if those fayle, fall down and dy before her;
+   So dying live, and living do adore her.
+[l _Peece_, fortress.]
+[** _Belay_, beleaguer.]
+
+
+XV.
+
+Ye tradefull Merchants, that, with weary toyle,
+Do seeke most pretious things to make your gain,
+And both the Indias of their treasure spoile,
+What needeth you to seeke so farre in vaine?
+For loe, my Love doth in her selfe containe
+All this worlds riches that may farre be found:
+If saphyres, loe, her eies be saphyres plaine;
+If rubies, loe, hir lips be rubies sound;
+If pearles, hir teeth be pearles, both pure and round;
+If yvorie, her forhead yvory weene;
+If gold, her locks are finest gold on ground;
+If silver, her faire hands are silver sheene:
+   But that which fairest is but few behold:--
+   Her mind adornd with vertues manifold.
+
+
+XVI.
+
+One day as I unwarily did gaze
+On those fayre eyes, my loves immortall light,
+The whiles my stonisht hart stood in amaze,
+Through sweet illusion of her lookes delight,
+I mote perceive how, in her glauncing sight,
+Legions of Loves with little wings did fly,
+Darting their deadly arrows, fyry bright,
+At every rash beholder passing by.
+One of those archers closely I did spy,
+Ayming his arrow at my very hart:
+When suddenly, with twincle of her eye,
+The damzell broke his misintended dart.
+   Had she not so doon, sure I had bene slayne;
+   Yet as it was, I hardly scap't with paine.
+
+
+XVII.
+
+The glorious pourtraict of that angels face,
+Made to amaze weake mens confused skil,
+And this worlds worthlesse glory to embase,
+What pen, what pencill, can expresse her fill?
+For though he colours could devize at will,
+And eke his learned hand at pleasure guide,
+Least, trembling, it his workmanship should spill*,
+Yet many wondrous things there are beside:
+The sweet eye-glaunces, that like arrowes glide,
+The charming smiles, that rob sence from the hart,
+The lovely pleasance, and the lofty pride,
+Cannot expressed be by any art.
+  A greater craftesmans hand thereto doth neede,
+  That can expresse the life of things indeed.
+[l _Spill_, spoil.]
+
+
+XVIII.
+
+The rolling wheele that runneth often round,
+The hardest steele, in tract of time doth teare:
+And drizling drops, that often doe redound*,
+The firmest flint doth in continuance weare:
+Yet cannot I, with many a drooping teare
+And long intreaty, soften her hard hart,
+That she will once vouchsafe my plaint to heare,
+Or looke with pitty on my payneful smart.
+But when I pleade, she bids me play my part;
+And when I weep, she sayes, teares are but water;
+And when I sigh, she sayes, I know the art;
+And when I waile, she turnes hir selfe to laughter.
+  So do I weepe, and wayle, and pleade in vaine,
+  Whiles she as steele and flint doth still remayne.
+[* _Redound_, overflow.]
+
+
+XIX.
+
+The merry cuckow, messenger of Spring,
+His trompet shrill hath thrise already sounded.
+That warnes al lovers wayte upon their king,
+Who now is coming forth with girland crouned.
+With noyse whereof the quyre of byrds resounded
+Their anthemes sweet, devized of loves prayse,
+That all the woods theyr ecchoes back rebounded,
+As if they knew the meaning of their layes.
+But mongst them all which did Loves honor rayse,
+No word was heard of her that most it ought;
+But she his precept proudly disobayes,
+And doth his ydle message set at nought.
+  Therefore, O Love, unlesse she turne to thee
+  Ere cuckow end, let her a rebell be!
+
+
+XX.
+
+In vaine I seeke and sew to her for grace,
+And doe myne humbled hart before her poure,
+The whiles her foot she in my necke doth place,
+And tread my life downe in the lowly floure*.
+And yet the lyon, that is lord of power,
+And reigneth over every beast in field,
+In his most pride disdeigneth to devoure
+The silly lambe that to his might doth yield.
+But she, more cruell and more salvage wylde
+Than either lyon or the lyonesse,
+Shames not to be with guiltlesse bloud defylde,
+But taketh glory in her cruelnesse.
+  Fayrer then fayrest! let none ever say
+  That ye were blooded in a yeelded pray.
+[* _Floure_, floor, ground.]
+
+
+XXI.
+
+Was it the worke of Nature or of Art,
+Which tempred so the feature of her face,
+That pride and meeknesse, mist by equall part,
+Doe both appeare t'adorne her beauties grace?
+For with mild pleasance, which doth pride displace,
+She to her love doth lookers eyes allure;
+And with stern countenance back again doth chace
+Their looser lookes that stir up lustes impure.
+With such strange termes* her eyes she doth inure,
+That with one looke she doth my life dismay,
+And with another doth it streight recure:
+Her smile me drawes; her frowne me drives away.
+  Thus doth she traine and teach me with her lookes;
+  Such art of eyes I never read in bookes!
+[* _Termes_, extremes (?).]
+
+
+XXII.
+
+This holy season*, fit to fast and pray,
+Men to devotion ought to be inclynd:
+Therefore, I lykewise, on so holy day,
+For my sweet saynt some service fit will find.
+Her temple fayre is built within my mind,
+In which her glorious ymage placed is;
+On which my thoughts doo day and night attend,
+Lyke sacred priests that never thinke amisse.
+There I to her, as th'author of my blisse,
+Will builde an altar to appease her yre;
+And on the same my hart will sacrifise,
+Burning in flames of pure and chaste desyre:
+  The which vouchsafe, O Goddesse, to accept,
+  Amongst thy deerest relicks to be kept.
+[* I.e. Easter.]
+
+
+XXIII.
+
+Penelope, for her Ulisses sake,
+Deviz'd a web her wooers to deceave;
+In which the worke that she all day did make,
+The same at night she did againe unreave.
+Such subtile craft my damzell doth conceave,
+Th'importune suit of my desire to shonne:
+For all that I in many dayes do weave,
+In one short houre I find by her undonne.
+So when I thinke to end that I begonne,
+I must begin and never bring to end:
+For with one looke she spils that long I sponne,
+And with one word my whole years work doth rend.
+  Such labour like the spyders web I fynd,
+  Whose fruitlesse worke is broken with least wynd.
+
+
+XXIV.
+
+When I behold that beauties wonderment,
+And rare perfection of each goodly part,
+Of Natures skill the onely complement,
+I honor and admire the Makers art.
+But when I feele the bitter balefull smart
+Which her fayre eyes unwares doe worke in mee,
+That death out of theyr shiny beames doe dart,
+I thinke that I a new Pandora see,
+Whom all the gods in councell did agree
+Into this sinfull world from heaven to send,
+That she to wicked men a scourge should bee,
+For all their faults with which they did offend.
+  But since ye are my scourge, I will intreat
+  That for my faults ye will me gently beat.
+
+
+XXV.
+
+How long shall this lyke-dying lyfe endure,
+And know no end of her owne mysery,
+But wast and weare away in termes unsure,
+'Twixt feare and hope depending doubtfully!
+Yet better were attonce to let me die,
+And shew the last ensample of your pride,
+Then to torment me thus with cruelty,
+To prove your powre, which I too wel have tride.
+But yet if in your hardned brest ye bide
+A close intent at last to shew me grace,
+Then all the woes and wrecks which I abide,
+As meanes of blisse I gladly wil embrace;
+  And wish that more and greater they might be,
+  That greater meede at last may turne to mee.
+
+
+XXVI.
+
+Sweet is the rose, but growes upon a brere;
+Sweet is the iunipeer; but sharpe his bough;
+Sweet is the eglantine, but pricketh nere;
+Sweet is the firbloome, but his braunches rough*;
+Sweet is the cypresse, but his rynd is rough;
+Sweet is the nut, but bitter is his pill**;
+Sweet is the broome-flowre, but yet sowre enough;
+And sweet is moly, but his root is ill.
+So every sweet with soure is tempred still,
+That maketh it be coveted the more:
+For easie things, that may be got at will,
+Most sorts of men doe set but little store.
+  Why then should I accompt of little paine,
+  That endlesse pleasure shall unto me gaine!
+[* I.e. raw, crude.]
+[** _Pill_, peel.]
+
+
+XXVII.
+
+Faire Proud! now tell me, why should faire be proud,
+Sith all worlds glorie is but drosse uncleane,
+And in the shade of death it selfe shall shroud,
+However now thereof ye little weene!
+That goodly idoll, now so gay beseene*,
+Shall doffe her fleshes borrowd fayre attyre,
+And be forgot as it had never beene,
+That many now much worship and admire!
+Ne any then shall after it inquire,
+Ne any mention shall thereof remaine,
+But what this verse, that never shall expyre,
+Shall to you purchas with her thankles pain!
+  Faire! be no lenger proud of that shall perish,
+  But that which shall you make immortall cherish.
+[* _Beseene_, appearing.]
+
+
+XVIII.
+
+The laurel-leafe which you this day doe weare
+Gives me great hope of your relenting mynd:
+For since it is the badge which I doe beare*,
+Ye, bearing it, doe seeme to me inclind.
+The powre thereof, which ofte in me I find,
+Let it likewise your gentle brest inspire
+With sweet infusion, and put you in mind
+Of that proud mayd whom now those leaves attyre:
+Proud Daphne, scorning Phrebus lovely** fyre,
+On the Thessalian shore from him did flie;
+For which the gods, in theyr revengefull yre,
+Did her transforme into a laurell-tree.
+  Then fly no more, fayre Love, from Phebus chace,
+  But in your brest his leafe and love embrace.
+[* I. e. as poet-laureate.]
+[** _Lovely_, loving.]
+
+
+XXIX.
+
+See! how the stubborne damzell doth deprave
+My simple meaning with disdaynfull scorne,
+And by the bay which I unto her gave
+Accoumpts my self her captive quite forlorne.
+The bay, quoth she, is of the victours born,
+Yielded them by the vanquisht as theyr meeds,
+And they therewith doe poetes heads adorne,
+To sing the glory of their famous deeds.
+But sith she will the conquest challeng needs,
+Let her accept me as her faithfull thrall;
+That her great triumph, which my skill exceeds,
+I may in trump of fame blaze over all.
+  Then would I decke her head with glorious bayes,
+  And fill the world with her victorious prayse.
+
+
+XXX.
+
+My Love is lyke to yse, and I to fyre:
+How comes it then that this her cold so great
+Is not dissolv'd through my so hot desyre,
+But harder growes the more I her intreat?
+Or how comes it that my exceeding heat
+Is not delayd* by her hart-frosen cold,
+But that I burne much more in boyling sweat,
+And feele my flames augmented manifold?
+What more miraculous thing may be told,
+That fire, which all things melts, should harden yse,
+And yse, which is congeald with sencelesse cold,
+Should kindle fyre by wonderful devyse?
+  Such is the powre of love in gentle mind,
+  That it can alter all the course of kynd.
+[* _Delayd_, tempered.]
+
+
+XXXI.
+
+Ah! why hath Nature to so hard a hart
+Given so goodly giftes of beauties grace,
+Whose pryde depraves each other better part,
+And all those pretious ornaments deface?
+Sith to all other beastes of bloody race
+A dreadfull countenance she given hath,
+That with theyr terrour all the rest may chace,
+And warne to shun the daunger of theyr wrath.
+But my proud one doth worke the greater scath*,
+Through sweet allurement of her lovely hew,
+That she the better may in bloody bath
+Of such poore thralls her cruell hands embrew.
+  But did she know how ill these two accord,
+  Such cruelty she would have soone abhord.
+[* _Scath_, injury.]
+
+
+XXXII.
+
+The paynefull smith with force of fervent heat
+The hardest yron soone doth mollify,
+That with his heavy sledge he can it beat,
+And fashion to what he it list apply.
+Yet cannot all these flames in which I fry
+Her hart, more hard then yron, soft a whit,
+Ne all the playnts and pray�rs with which I
+Doe beat on th'andvile of her stubberne wit:
+But still, the more she fervent sees my fit,
+The more she frieseth in her wilfull pryde,
+And harder growes, the harder she is smit
+With all the playnts which to her be applyde.
+  What then remaines but I to ashes burne,
+  And she to stones at length all frosen turne!
+
+
+XXXIII.
+
+Great wrong I doe, I can it not deny,
+To that most sacred empresse, my dear dred,
+Not finishing her Queene of Fa�ry,
+That mote enlarge her living prayses, dead.
+But Lodwick*, this of grace to me aread:
+Do ye not thinck th'accomplishment of it
+Sufficient worke for one mans simple head,
+All were it, as the rest, but rudely writ?
+How then should I, without another wit,
+Thinck ever to endure so tedious toyle,
+Sith that this one is tost with troublous fit
+Of a proud Love, that doth my spirite spoyle?
+  Cease, then, till she vouchsafe to grawnt me rest,
+  Or lend you me another living brest.
+[* I.e. Lodowick Bryskett.]
+
+
+XXXIV.
+
+Lyke as a ship, that through the ocean wyde
+By conduct of some star doth make her way,
+Whenas a storm hath dimd her trusty guyde,
+Out of her course doth wander far astray,
+So I, whose star, that wont with her bright ray
+Me to direct, with cloudes is over-cast,
+Doe wander now in darknesse and dismay,
+Through hidden perils round about me plast.
+Yet hope I well that, when this storme is past,
+My Helice*, the lodestar of my lyfe,
+Will shine again, and looke on me at last,
+With lovely light to cleare my cloudy grief.
+  Till then I wander carefull, comfortlesse,
+  In secret sorrow and sad pensivenesse.
+[* I. e. Cynosure.]
+
+
+XXXV.
+
+My hungry eyes, through greedy covetize
+Still to behold the obiect of their paine,
+With no contentment can themselves suffize;
+But having, pine, and having not, complaine.
+For lacking it, they cannot lyfe sustayne;
+And having it, they gaze on it the more,
+In their amazement lyke Narcissus vaine,
+Whose eyes him starv'd: so plenty makes me poore.
+Yet are mine eyes so filled with the store
+Of that faire sight, that nothing else they brooke,
+But lothe the things which they did like before,
+And can no more endure on them to looke.
+  All this worlds glory seemeth vayne to me,
+  And all their showes but shadowes, saving she.
+
+
+XXXVI.
+
+Tell me, when shall these wearie woes have end;
+Or shall their ruthlesse torment never cease,
+But al my days in pining languor spend,
+Without hope of asswagement or release?
+Is there no meanes for me to purchace peace,
+Or make agreement with her thrilling eyes;
+But that their cruelty doth still increace,
+And dayly more augment my miseryes?
+But when ye have shew'd all extremityes,
+Then think how little glory ye have gayned
+By slaying him, whose lyfe, though ye despyse,
+Mote have your life in honor long maintayned.
+  But by his death, which some perhaps will mone,
+  Ye shall condemned be of many a one.
+
+
+XXXVII.
+
+What guyle is this, that those her golden tresses
+She doth attyre under a net of gold,
+And with sly skill so cunningly them dresses,
+That which is gold or haire may scarse be told?
+Is it that mens frayle eyes, which gaze too bold,
+She may entangle in that golden snare;
+And, being caught, may craftily enfold
+Their weaker harts, which are not wel aware?
+Take heed therefore, myne eyes, how ye doe stare
+Henceforth too rashly on that guilefull net,
+In which if ever ye entrapped are,
+Out of her bands ye by no meanes shall get.
+  Fondnesse it were for any, being free,
+  To covet fetters, though they golden bee!
+
+
+XXXVIII.
+
+Arion, when, through tempests cruel wracke,
+He forth was thrown into the greedy seas,
+Through the sweet musick which his harp did make
+Allur'd a dolphin him from death to ease.
+But my rude musick, which was wont to please
+Some dainty eares, cannot, with any skill,
+The dreadfull tempest of her wrath appease,
+Nor move the dolphin from her stubborn will.
+But in her pride she dooth persever still,
+All carelesse how my life for her decayes:
+Yet with one word she can it save or spill.
+To spill were pitty, but to save were prayse!
+  Chuse rather to be praysd for doing good,
+  Then to be blam'd for spilling guiltlesse blood.
+
+
+XXXIX.
+
+Sweet smile! the daughter of the Queene of Love,
+Expressing all thy mothers powrefull art,
+With which she wonts to temper angry Iove,
+When all the gods he threats with thundring dart,
+Sweet is thy vertue, as thy selfe sweet art.
+For when on me thou shinedst late in sadnesse,
+A melting pleasance ran through every part,
+And me revived with hart-robbing gladnesse;
+Whylest rapt with ioy resembling heavenly madness,
+My soule was ravisht quite as in a traunce,
+And, feeling thence no more her sorrowes sadnesse,
+Fed on the fulnesse of that chearfull glaunce.
+  More sweet than nectar, or ambrosiall meat,
+  Seem'd every bit which thenceforth I did eat.
+
+
+XL.
+
+Mark when she smiles with amiable cheare,
+And tell me whereto can ye lyken it;
+When on each eyelid sweetly doe appeare
+An hundred Graces as in shade to sit.
+Lykest it seemeth, in my simple wit,
+Unto the fayre sunshine in somers day,
+That, when a dreadfull storme away is flit,
+Thrugh the broad world doth spred his goodly ray
+At sight whereof, each bird that sits on spray,
+And every beast that to his den was fled,
+Comes forth afresh out of their late dismay,
+And to the light lift up their drouping hed.
+  So my storme-beaten hart likewise is cheared
+  With that sunshine, when cloudy looks are cleared.
+[Footnote: XL. 4.--_An hundred Graces._ E.K., in his commentary on the
+Shepheards Calender, quotes a line closely resembling this from
+Spenser's Pageants:
+
+"An hundred Graces on her eyelids sat."
+
+The same fancy occurs in the Faerie Queene, and in the Hymn to Beauty.
+It is copied from a poem ascribed to Musaeus. C.]
+
+
+XLI.
+
+Is it her nature, or is it her will,
+To be so cruell to an humbled foe?
+If nature, then she may it mend with skill;
+If will, then she at will may will forgoe.
+But if her nature and her will be so,
+That she will plague the man that loves her most,
+And take delight t'encrease a wretches woe,
+Then all her natures goodly guifts are lost;
+And that same glorious beauties ydle boast
+Is but a bayt such wretches to beguile,
+As, being long in her loves tempest tost,
+She meanes at last to make her pitious spoyle.
+  O fayrest fayre! let never it be named,
+  That so fayre beauty was so fowly shamed.
+
+
+XLII.
+
+The love which me so cruelly tormenteth
+So pleasing is in my extreamest paine,
+That, all the more my sorrow it augmenteth,
+The more I love and doe embrace my bane.
+Ne do I wish (for wishing were but vaine)
+To be acquit fro my continual smart,
+But ioy her thrall for ever to remayne,
+And yield for pledge my poor and captyved hart,
+The which, that it from her may never start,
+Let her, yf please her, bynd with adamant chayne,
+And from all wandring loves, which mote pervart
+His safe assurance, strongly it restrayne.
+  Onely let her abstaine from cruelty,
+  And doe me not before my time to dy.
+
+
+XLIII.
+
+Shall I then silent be, or shall I speake?
+And if I speake, her wrath renew I shall;
+And if I silent be, my hart will breake,
+Or choked be with overflowing gall.
+What tyranny is this, both my hart to thrall,
+And eke my toung with proud restraint to tie,
+That neither I may speake nor thinke at all,
+But like a stupid stock in silence die!
+Yet I my hart with silence secretly
+Will teach to speak and my just cause to plead,
+And eke mine eies, with meek humility,
+Love-learned letters to her eyes to read;
+Which her deep wit, that true harts thought can spel,
+  Wil soon conceive, and learne to construe well.
+
+
+XLIV.
+
+When those renoumed noble peres of Greece
+Through stubborn pride among themselves did iar,
+Forgetfull of the famous golden fleece,
+Then Orpheus with his harp theyr strife did bar.
+But this continuall, cruell, civill warre
+The which my selfe against my selfe doe make,
+Whilest my weak powres of passions warreid arre,
+No skill can stint, nor reason can aslake.
+But when in hand my tunelesse harp I take,
+Then doe I more augment my foes despight,
+And griefe renew, and passions doe awake
+To battaile, fresh against my selfe to fight.
+  Mongst whome the more I seeke to settle peace,
+  The more I fynd their malice to increace.
+
+
+XLV.
+
+Leave, Lady! in your glasse of cristall clene
+Your goodly selfe for evermore to vew,
+And in my selfe, (my inward selfe I meane,)
+Most lively lyke behold your semblant trew.
+Within my hart, though hardly it can shew
+Thing so divine to vew of earthly eye,
+The fayre idea of your celestiall hew
+And every part remaines immortally:
+And were it not that through your cruelty
+With sorrow dimmed and deform'd it were,
+The goodly ymage of your visnomy*,
+Clearer than cristall, would therein appere.
+  But if your selfe in me ye playne will see,
+  Remove the cause by which your fayre beames darkned be.
+[* _Visnomy_, countenance.]
+
+
+XLVI.
+
+When my abodes prefixed time is spent,
+My cruell fayre streight bids me wend my way:
+But then from heaven most hideous stormes are sent,
+As willing me against her will to stay.
+Whom then shall I--or heaven, or her--obay?
+The heavens know best what is the best for me:
+But as she will, whose will my life doth sway,
+My lower heaven, so it perforce must be.
+But ye high hevens, that all this sorowe see,
+Sith all your tempests cannot hold me backe,
+Aswage your storms, or else both you and she
+Will both together me too sorely wrack.
+  Enough it is for one man to sustaine
+  The stormes which she alone on me doth raine.
+
+
+XLVII.
+
+Trust not the treason of those smyling lookes,
+Untill ye have their guylefull traynes well tryde;
+For they are lyke but unto golden hookes,
+That from the foolish fish theyr bayts do hyde:
+So she with flattring smyles weake harts doth guyde
+Unto her love, and tempte to theyr decay;
+Whome, being caught, she kills with cruell pryde,
+And feeds at pleasure on the wretched pray.
+Yet even whylst her bloody hands them slay,
+Her eyes looke lovely, and upon them smyle,
+That they take pleasure in their cruell play,
+And, dying, doe themselves of payne beguyle.
+  O mighty charm! which makes men love theyr bane,
+  And thinck they dy with pleasure, live with payne.
+
+
+XLVIII.
+
+Innocent paper! whom too cruell hand
+Did make the matter to avenge her yre,
+And ere she could thy cause well understand,
+Did sacrifize unto the greedy fyre,
+Well worthy thou to have found better hyre
+Then so bad end, for hereticks ordayned;
+Yet heresy nor treason didst conspire,
+But plead thy maisters cause, unjustly payned:
+Whom she, all carelesse of his grief, constrayned
+To utter forth the anguish of his hart,
+And would not heare, when he to her complayned
+The piteous passion of his dying smart.
+  Yet live for ever, though against her will,
+  And speake her good, though she requite it ill.
+
+
+XLIX.
+
+Fayre Cruell! why are ye so fierce and cruell?
+Is it because your eyes have powre to kill?
+Then know that mercy is the Mighties iewell,
+And greater glory think to save then spill.
+But if it be your pleasure and proud will
+To shew the powre of your imperious eyes,
+Then not on him that never thought you ill,
+But bend your force against your enemyes.
+Let them feel the utmost of your crueltyes,
+And kill with looks, as cockatrices do:
+But him that at your footstoole humbled lies,
+With mercifull regard give mercy to.
+  Such mercy shall you make admyr'd to be;
+  So shall you live, by giving life to me.
+
+
+L.
+
+Long languishing in double malady
+Of my harts wound and of my bodies griefe,
+There came to me a leach, that would apply
+Fit medcines for my bodies best reliefe.
+Vayne man, quoth I, that hast but little priefe*
+In deep discovery of the mynds disease;
+Is not the hart of all the body chiefe,
+And rules the members as it selfe doth please?
+Then with some cordialls seeke for to appease
+The inward languor of my wounded hart,
+And then my body shall have shortly ease.
+But such sweet cordialls passe physicians art:
+  Then, my lyfes leach! doe you your skill reveale,
+  And with one salve both hart and body heale.
+[* _Priefe_, proof, experience.]
+
+
+LI.
+
+Doe I not see that fayrest ymages
+Of hardest marble are of purpose made,
+For that they should endure through many ages,
+Ne let theyr famous moniments to fade?
+Why then doe I, untrainde in lovers trade,
+Her hardnes blame, which I should more commend?
+Sith never ought was excellent assayde
+Which was not hard t'atchive and bring to end;
+Ne ought so hard, but he that would attend
+Mote soften it and to his will allure.
+So do I hope her stubborne hart to bend,
+And that it then more stedfast will endure:
+  Only my paines wil be the more to get her;
+  But, having her, my ioy wil be the greater.
+
+
+LII.
+
+So oft as homeward I from her depart,
+I go lyke one that, having lost the field,
+Is prisoner led away with heavy hart,
+Despoyld of warlike armes and knowen shield.
+So doe I now my self a prisoner yield
+To sorrow and to solitary paine,
+From presence of my dearest deare exylde,
+Long-while alone in languor to remaine.
+There let no thought of ioy, or pleasure vaine,
+Dare to approch, that may my solace breed;
+But sudden* dumps**, and drery sad disdayne
+Of all worlds gladnesse, more my torment feed.
+  So I her absens will my penaunce make,
+  That of her presens I my meed may take.
+[* _Sudden_, Qu. sullen?]
+[** _Dumps_, lamentations.]
+
+
+LIII.
+
+The panther, knowing that his spotted hyde
+Doth please all beasts, but that his looks them fray*,
+Within a bush his dreadful head doth hide,
+To let them gaze, whylst he on them may pray.
+Right so my cruell fayre with me doth play;
+For with the goodly semblance of her hew
+She doth allure me to mine owne decay,
+And then no mercy will unto me shew.
+Great shame it is, thing so divine in view,
+Made for to be the worlds most ornament,
+To make the bayte her gazers to embrew:
+Good shames to be to ill an instrument!
+  But mercy doth with beautie best agree,
+  As in theyr Maker ye them best may see.
+[* _Fray_, frighten.]
+
+
+LIV.
+
+Of this worlds theatre in which we stay,
+My Love, like the spectator, ydly sits,
+Beholding me, that all the pageants play,
+Disguysing diversly my troubled wits.
+Sometimes I ioy when glad occasion fits,
+And mask in myrth lyke to a comedy:
+Soone after, when my ioy to sorrow flits,
+I waile, and make my woes a tragedy.
+Yet she, beholding me with constant eye,
+Delights not in my merth, nor rues my smart:
+But when I laugh, she mocks; and when I cry,
+She laughs, and hardens evermore her hart.
+  What then can move her? If nor merth, nor mone,
+  She is no woman, but a sencelesse stone.
+
+
+LV.
+
+So oft as I her beauty doe behold,
+And therewith doe her cruelty compare,
+I marvaile of what substance was the mould
+The which her made attonce so cruell faire.
+Not earth; for her high thoughts more heavenly are:
+Not water; for her love doth burne like fyre:
+Not ayre; for she is not so light or rare;
+Not fyre; for she doth friese with faint desire.
+Then needs another element inquire,
+Whereof she mote be made; that is, the skye.
+For to the heaven her haughty looks aspire,
+And eke her love is pure immortall hye.
+  Then sith to heaven ye lykened are the best,
+  Be lyke in mercy as in all the rest.
+
+
+LVI.
+
+Fayre ye be sure, but cruell and unkind,
+As is a tygre, that with greedinesse
+Hunts after bloud; when he by chance doth find
+A feeble beast, doth felly him oppresse.
+Fayre be ye sure, but proud and pitilesse,
+As is a storme, that all things doth prostrate;
+Finding a tree alone all comfortlesse,
+Beats on it strongly, it to ruinate.
+Fayre be ye sure, but hard and obstinate,
+As is a rocke amidst the raging floods;
+Gaynst which a ship, of succour desolate,
+Doth suffer wreck both of her selfe and goods.
+  That ship, that tree, and that same beast, am I,
+  Whom ye doe wreck, doe ruine, and destroy.
+
+
+LVII.
+
+Sweet warriour! when shall I have peace with you?
+High time it is this warre now ended were,
+Which I no lenger can endure to sue,
+Ne your incessant battry more to beare.
+So weake my powres, so sore my wounds, appear,
+That wonder is how I should live a iot,
+Seeing my hart through-launced every where
+With thousand arrowes which your eies have shot.
+Yet shoot ye sharpely still, and spare me not,
+But glory thinke to make these cruel stoures*.
+Ye cruell one! what glory can be got,
+In slaying him that would live gladly yours?
+  Make peace therefore, and graunt me timely grace,
+  That al my wounds will heale in little space.
+[* _Stoures_, agitations.]
+
+
+LVIII.
+
+_By her that is most assured to her selfe._
+
+Weake is th'assurance that weake flesh reposeth
+In her own powre, and scorneth others ayde;
+That soonest fals, when as she most supposeth
+Her selfe assur'd, and is of nought affrayd,
+All flesh is frayle, and all her strength unstayd,
+Like a vaine bubble blowen up with ayre:
+Devouring tyme and changeful chance have prayd*
+Her glorious pride, that none may it repayre.
+Ne none so rich or wise, so strong or fayre,
+But fayleth, trusting on his owne assurance:
+And he that standeth on the hyghest stayre
+Fals lowest; for on earth nought hath endurance.
+  Why then doe ye, proud fayre, misdeeme so farre,
+  That to your selfe ye most assured arre!
+
+[Footnote: LVIII.--_By her_, &c. _By_ is perhaps a misprint for _to_; or
+this title may belong to Sonnet LIX. H.]
+[* _Prayd_, preyed upon.]
+
+
+LIX.
+
+Thrise happie she that is so well assured
+Unto her selfe, and setled so in hart,
+That neither will for better be allured,
+Ne feard with worse to any chaunce to start:
+But, like a steddy ship, doth strongly part
+The raging waves, and keepes her course aright,
+Ne ought for tempest doth from it depart,
+Ne ought for fayrer weathers false delight.
+Such selfe-assurance need not feare the spight
+Of grudging foes, ne favour seek of friends:
+But in the stay of her owne stedfast might,
+Neither to one her selfe nor other bends.
+  Most happy she that most assur'd doth rest;
+  But he most happy who such one loves best.
+
+
+LX.
+
+They that in course of heavenly spheares are skild
+To every planet point his sundry yeare,
+In which her circles voyage is fulfild:
+As Mars in threescore yeares doth run his spheare.
+So, since the winged god his planet cleare
+Began in me to move, one yeare is spent;
+The which doth longer unto me appeare,
+Then al those fourty which my life out-went.
+Then, by that count which lovers books invent,
+The spheare of Cupid fourty yeares containes,
+Which I have wasted in long languishment,
+That seem'd the longer for my greater paines.
+  But let my Loves fayre planet short her wayes
+  This yeare ensuing, or else short my dayes.
+
+[Footnote: LX. 4.--_As Mars in three score yeares_. I do not understand
+Spenser's astronomy. C.]
+
+
+LXI.
+
+The glorious image of the Makers beautie,
+My soverayne saynt, the idoll of my thought,
+Dare not henceforth, above the bounds of dewtie,
+T'accuse of pride, or rashly blame for ought.
+For being, as she is, divinely wrought,
+And of the brood of angels heavenly born,
+And with the crew of blessed saynts upbrought,
+Each of which did her with theyr guifts adorne,
+The bud of ioy, the blossome of the morne,
+The beame of light, whom mortal eyes admyre,
+What reason is it then but she should scorne
+Base things, that to her love too bold aspire!
+  Such heavenly formes ought rather worshipt be,
+  Then dare be lov'd by men of meane degree.
+
+
+LXII.
+
+The weary yeare his race now having run,
+The new begins his compast course anew:
+With shew of morning mylde he hath begun,
+Betokening peace and plenty to ensew.
+So let us, which this chaunge of weather vew,
+Chaunge eke our mynds, and former lives amend;
+The old yeares sinnes forepast let us eschew,
+And fly the faults with which we did offend.
+Then shall the new yeares ioy forth freshly send
+Into the glooming world his gladsome ray,
+And all these stormes, which now his beauty blend*,
+Shall turne to calmes, and tymely cleare away.
+  So, likewise, Love! cheare you your heavy spright,
+  And chaunge old yeares annoy to new delight.
+
+[* _Blend_, blemish.]
+
+
+LXIII.
+
+After long stormes and tempests sad assay,
+Which hardly I endured heretofore,
+In dread of death, and daungerous dismay,
+With which my silly bark was tossed sore,
+I doe at length descry the happy shore,
+In which I hope ere long for to arryve:
+Fayre soyle it seemes from far, and fraught with store
+Of all that deare and daynty is alyve.
+Most happy he that can at last atchyve
+The ioyous safety of so sweet a rest;
+Whose least delight sufficeth to deprive
+Remembrance of all paines which him opprest.
+  All paines are nothing in respect of this;
+  All sorrowes short that gaine eternall blisse.
+
+
+LXIV.
+
+Comming to kisse her lyps, (such grace I found,)
+Me seemd I smelt a gardin of sweet flowres,
+That dainty odours from them threw around,
+For damzels fit to decke their lovers bowres.
+Her lips did smell lyke unto gillyflowers;
+Her ruddy cheekes lyke unto roses red;
+Her snowy browes lyke budded bellamoures;
+Her lovely eyes lyke pincks but newly spred;
+Her goodly bosome lyke a strawberry bed;
+Her neck lyke to a bounch of cullambynes;
+Her brest lyke lillyes, ere their leaves be shed;
+Her nipples lyke young blossomd jessemynes.
+  Such fragrant flowres doe give most odorous smell;
+  But her sweet odour did them all excell.
+
+[Footnote: LXIV. 7.--_Bellamoures_. I have not discovered what flower is
+here meant. C.]
+
+
+LXV.
+
+The doubt which ye misdeeme, fayre Love, is vaine,
+That fondly feare to lose your liberty,
+When, losing one, two liberties ye gayne,
+And make him bond that bondage earst did fly.
+Sweet be the bands the which true love doth tye,
+Without constraynt or dread of any ill:
+The gentle birde feeles no captivity
+Within her cage, but sings, and feeds her fill.
+There pride dare not approch, nor discord spill
+The league twixt them that loyal love hath bound,
+But simple Truth and mutual Good-will
+Seeks with sweet peace to salve each others wound:
+  There Fayth doth fearless dwell in brasen towre,
+  And spotlesse Pleasure builds her sacred bowre.
+
+
+LXVI.
+
+To all those happy blessings which ye have
+With plenteous hand by heaven upon you thrown,
+This one disparagement they to you gave,
+That ye your love lent to so meane a one.
+Ye, whose high worths surpassing paragon
+Could not on earth have found one fit for mate,
+Ne but in heaven matchable to none,
+Why did ye stoup unto so lowly state?
+But ye thereby much greater glory gate,
+Then had ye sorted with a princes pere:
+For now your light doth more it selfe dilate,
+And, in my darknesse, greater doth appeare.
+  Yet, since your light hath once enlumind me,
+  With my reflex yours shall encreased be.
+
+
+LXVII.
+
+Lyke as a huntsman, after weary chace,
+Seeing the game from him escapt away,
+Sits downe to rest him in some shady place,
+With panting hounds, beguiled of their pray,
+So, after long pursuit and vaine assay,
+When I all weary had the chace forsooke,
+The gentle deer returnd the selfe-same way,
+Thinking to quench her thirst at the next brooke.
+There she, beholding me with mylder looke,
+Sought not to fly, but fearlesse still did bide,
+Till I in hand her yet halfe trembling tooke,
+And with her own goodwill her fyrmely tyde.
+  Strange thing, me seemd, to see a beast so wyld
+  So goodly wonne, with her owne will beguyld.
+
+
+LXVIII
+
+Most glorious Lord of lyfe! that on this day
+Didst make thy triumph over death and sin,
+And, having harrowd* hell, didst bring away
+Captivity thence captive, us to win,
+This ioyous day, dear Lord, with ioy begin;
+And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dy,
+Being with thy deare blood clene washt from sin,
+May live for ever in felicity;
+And that thy love we weighing worthily,
+May likewise love thee for the same againe,
+And for thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy,
+With love may one another entertayne!
+  So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought:
+  Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.
+[* _Harrowd_, despoiled.]
+
+
+LXIX.
+
+The famous warriors of the anticke world
+Us'd trophees to erect in stately wize,
+In which they would the records have enrold
+Of theyr great deeds and valorous emprize.
+What trophee then shall I most fit devize,
+In which I may record the memory
+Of my loves conquest, peerlesse beauties prise,
+Adorn'd with honour, love, and chastity!
+Even this verse, vowd to eternity,
+Shall be thereof immortall moniment,
+And tell her praise to all posterity,
+That may admire such worlds rare wonderment;
+  The happy purchase of my glorious spoile,
+  Gotten at last with labour and long toyle.
+
+
+LXX.
+
+Fresh Spring, the herald of loves mighty king,
+In whose cote-armour richly are displayd
+All sorts of flowres the which on earth do spring,
+In goodly colours gloriously arrayd,
+Goe to my Love, where she is carelesse layd,
+Yet in her winters bowre not well awake:
+Tell her the ioyous time wil not be staid,
+Unlesse she doe him by the forelock take;
+Bid her therefore her selfe soone ready make,
+To wayt on Love amongst his lovely crew,
+Where every one that misseth then her make*
+Shall be by him amearst with penance dew.
+  Make haste therefore, sweet Love, while it is prime**;
+  For none can call againe the passed time.
+[* _Make_, mate.]
+[** _Prime_, spring.]
+
+
+LXXI.
+
+I ioy to see how, in your drawen work,
+Your selfe unto the Bee ye doe compare,
+And me unto the Spyder, that doth lurke
+In close awayt, to catch her unaware.
+Right so your selfe were caught in cunning snare
+Of a deare foe, and thralled to his love;
+In whose streight bands ye now captived are
+So firmely, that ye never may remove.
+But as your worke is woven all about
+With woodbynd flowers and fragrant eglantine,
+So sweet your prison you in time shall prove,
+With many deare delights bedecked fyne:
+  And all thensforth eternall peace shall see
+  Betweene the Spyder and the gentle Bee.
+
+
+LXXII.
+
+Oft when my spirit doth spred her bolder winges,
+In mind to mount up to the purest sky,
+It down is weighd with thought of earthly things,
+And clogd with burden of mortality:
+Where, when that soverayne beauty it doth spy,
+Resembling heavens glory in her light,
+Drawn with sweet pleasures bayt it back doth fly,
+And unto heaven forgets her former flight.
+There my fraile fancy, fed with full delight,
+Doth bathe in blisse, and mantleth most at ease;
+Ne thinks of other heaven, but how it might
+Her harts desire with most contentment please.
+  Hart need not wish none other happinesse,
+  But here on earth to have such hevens blisse.
+
+
+LXXIII
+
+Being my self captyved here in care,
+My hart, (whom none with servile bands can tye,
+But the fayre tresses of your golden hayre,)
+Breaking his prison, forth to you doth fly.
+Like as a byrd, that in ones hand doth spy
+Desired food, to it doth make his flight,
+Even so my hart, that wont on your fayre eye
+To feed his fill, flyes backe unto your sight.
+Doe you him take, and in your bosome bright
+Gently encage, that he may be your thrall:
+Perhaps he there may learne, with rare delight,
+To sing your name and prayses over all:
+  That it hereafter may you not repent,
+  Him lodging in your bosome to have lent.
+
+
+LXXIV
+
+Most happy letters! fram'd by skilfull trade,
+With which that happy name was first desynd
+The which three times thrise happy hath me made,
+With guifts of body, fortune, and of mind.
+The first ray being to me gave by kind,
+From mothers womb deriv'd by dew descent:
+The second is my sovereigne Queene most kind,
+That honour and large richesse to me lent:
+The third my Love, my lives last ornament,
+By whom my spirit out of dust was raysed,
+To speake her prayse and glory excellent,
+Of all alive most worthy to be praysed.
+  Ye three Elizabeths! for ever live,
+  That three such graces did unto me give.
+
+
+LXXV.
+
+One day I wrote her name upon the strand,
+But came the waves and washed it away:
+Agayne I wrote it with a second hand;
+But came the tyde, and made my paynes his pray.
+"Vayne man," sayd she, "that doest in vaine assay
+A mortall thing so to immortalize;
+For I my selve shall lyke to this decay,
+And eke my name bee wyped out lykewize."
+"Not so," quod I; "let baser things devize
+To dy in dust, but you shall live by fame:
+My verse your vertues rare shall eternize,
+And in the hevens wryte your glorious name.
+  Where, when as death shall all the world subdew,
+  Our love shall live, and later life renew."
+
+
+LXXVI
+
+Fayre bosome! fraught with vertues richest tresure,
+The neast of love, the lodging of delight,
+The bowre of blisse, the paradice of pleasure,
+The sacred harbour of that hevenly spright,
+How was I ravisht with your lovely sight,
+And my frayle thoughts too rashly led astray,
+Whiles diving deepe through amorous insight,
+On the sweet spoyle of beautie they did pray,
+And twixt her paps, like early fruit in May,
+Whose harvest seemd to hasten now apace,
+They loosely did theyr wanton winges display,
+And there to rest themselves did boldly place.
+  Sweet thoughts! I envy your so happy rest,
+  Which oft I wisht, yet never was so blest.
+
+
+LXXVII.
+
+Was it a dreame, or did I see it playne?
+A goodly table of pure yvory,
+All spred with juncats fit to entertayne
+The greatest prince with pompous roialty:
+Mongst which, there in a silver dish did ly
+Two golden apples of unvalewd* price,
+Far passing those which Hercules came by,
+Or those which Atalanta did entice;
+Exceeding sweet, yet voyd of sinfull vice;
+That many sought, yet none could ever taste;
+Sweet fruit of pleasure, brought from Paradice
+By Love himselfe, and in his garden plaste.
+  Her brest that table was, so richly spredd;
+  My thoughts the guests, which would thereon have fedd.
+[* _Unvalewd_, invaluable]
+
+
+LXXVIII
+
+Lackyng my Love, I go from place to place,
+Lyke a young fawne that late hath lost the hynd,
+And seeke each where where last I sawe her face,
+Whose ymage yet I carry fresh in mynd.
+I seeke the fields with her late footing synd;
+I seeke her bowre with her late presence deckt;
+Yet nor in field nor bowre I can her fynd,
+Yet field and bowre are full of her aspect.
+But when myne eyes I therunto direct,
+They ydly back return to me agayne;
+And when I hope to see theyr trew obiect,
+I fynd my self but fed with fancies vayne.
+  Cease then, myne eyes, to seeke her selfe to see,
+  And let my thoughts behold her selfe in mee.
+
+
+LXXIX
+
+Men call you fayre, and you doe credit it,
+For that your selfe ye daily such doe see:
+But the trew fayre, that is the gentle wit
+And vertuous mind, is much more praysd of me.
+For all the rest, how ever fayre it be,
+Shall turne to nought and lose that glorious hew;
+But onely that is permanent, and free
+From frayle corruption that doth flesh ensew.
+That is true beautie: that doth argue you
+To be divine, and born of heavenly seed,
+Deriv'd from that fayre Spirit from whom all true
+And perfect beauty did at first proceed.
+  He only fayre, and what he fayre hath made;
+  All other fayre, lyke flowres, untymely fade.
+
+
+LXXX
+
+After so long a race as I have run
+Through Faery land, which those six books compile,
+Give leave to rest me being half foredonne,
+And gather to my selfe new breath awhile.
+Then, as a steed refreshed after toyle,
+Out of my prison I will break anew,
+And stoutly will that second work assoyle*,
+With strong endevour and attention dew.
+Till then give leave to me in pleasant mew**
+To sport my Muse, and sing my Loves sweet praise,
+The contemplation of whose heavenly hew
+My spirit to an higher pitch will rayse.
+  But let her prayses yet be low and meane,
+  Fit for the handmayd of the Faery Queene.
+[* _Assoyle_, discharge.]
+[** _Mew_, prison, retreat.]
+
+
+LXXXI.
+
+Fayre is my Love, when her fayre golden haires
+With the loose wynd ye waving chance to marke;
+Fayre, when the rose in her red cheekes appeares,
+Or in her eyes the fyre of love does sparke;
+Fayre, when her brest, lyke a rich laden barke,
+With pretious merchandize she forth doth lay;
+Fayre, when that cloud of pryde, which oft doth dark
+Her goodly light, with smiles she drives away.
+But fayrest she, when so she doth display
+The gate with pearles and rubyes richly dight,
+Throgh which her words so wise do make their way,
+To beare the message of her gentle spright.
+  The rest be works of Natures wonderment;
+  But this the worke of harts astonishment.
+
+
+LXXXII.
+
+Ioy of my life! full oft for loving you
+I blesse my lot, that was so lucky placed:
+But then the more your owne mishap I rew,
+That are so much by so meane love embased.
+For had the equall hevens so much you graced
+In this as in the rest, ye mote invent*
+Some hevenly wit, whose verse could have enchased
+Your glorious name in golden moniment.
+But since ye deignd so goodly to relent
+To me your thrall, in whom is little worth,
+That little that I am shall all be spent
+In setting your immortal prayses forth:
+  Whose lofty argument, uplifting me,
+  Shall lift you up unto an high degree.
+[* _Invent_, light upon, find.]
+
+
+LXXXIII
+
+Let not one sparke of filthy lustfull fyre
+Breake out, that may her sacred peace molest;
+Ne one light glance of sensuall desyre
+Attempt to work her gentle mindes unrest:
+But pure affections bred in spotlesse brest,
+And modest thoughts breathd from well-tempred spirits,
+Goe visit her in her chaste bowre of rest,
+Accompanyde with �ngelick delightes.
+There fill your selfe with those most ioyous sights,
+The which my selfe could never yet attayne:
+But speake no word to her of these sad plights,
+Which her too constant stiffnesse doth constrayn.
+  Onely behold her rare perfection,
+  And blesse your fortunes fayre election.
+
+
+LXXXIV.
+
+The world, that cannot deeme of worthy things,
+When I doe praise her, say I doe but flatter:
+So does the cuckow, when the mavis* sings,
+Begin his witlesse note apace to clatter.
+But they, that skill not of so heavenly matter,
+All that they know not, envy or admyre;
+Rather then envy, let them wonder at her,
+But not to deeme of her desert aspyre.
+Deepe in the closet of my parts entyre**,
+Her worth is written with a golden quill,
+That me with heavenly fury doth inspire,
+And my glad mouth with her sweet prayses fill:
+  Which when as Fame in her shril trump shall thunder,
+  Let the world chuse to envy or to wonder.
+[* _Mavis_, song-thrush.]
+[** _Entyre,_ inward.]
+
+
+LXXXV.
+
+Venemous tongue, tipt with vile adders sting,
+Of that self kynd with which the Furies fell,
+Their snaky heads doe combe, from which a spring
+Of poysoned words and spightfull speeches well,
+Let all the plagues and horrid paines of hell
+Upon thee fall for thine accursed hyre,
+That with false forged lyes, which thou didst tell.
+In my true Love did stirre up coles of yre:
+The sparkes whereof let kindle thine own fyre,
+And, catching hold on thine own wicked bed,
+Consume thee quite, that didst with guile conspire
+In my sweet peace such breaches to have bred!
+  Shame be thy meed, and mischiefe thy reward,
+  Due to thy selfe, that it for me prepard!
+
+
+LXXXVI.
+
+Since I did leave the presence of my Love,
+Many long weary dayes I have outworne,
+And many nights, that slowly seemd to move
+Theyr sad protract from evening untill morn.
+For, when as day the heaven doth adorne,
+I wish that night the noyous day would end:
+And when as night hath us of light forlorne,
+I wish that day would shortly reascend.
+Thus I the time with expectation spend,
+And faine my griefe with chaunges to beguile,
+That further seemes his terme still to extend,
+And maketh every minute seem a myle.
+  So sorrowe still doth seem too long to last;
+  But ioyous houres do fly away too fast.
+
+
+LXXXVII.
+
+Since I have lackt the comfort of that light
+The which was wont to lead my thoughts astray,
+I wander as in darknesse of the night,
+Affrayd of every dangers least dismay.
+Ne ought I see, though in the clearest day,
+When others gaze upon theyr shadowes vayne,
+But th'only image of that heavenly ray
+Whereof some glance doth in mine eie remayne.
+Of which beholding the idaea playne,
+Through contemplation of my purest part,
+With light thereof I doe my self sustayne,
+And thereon feed my love-affamisht hart.
+  But with such brightnesse whylest I fill my mind,
+  I starve my body, and mine eyes doe blynd.
+
+
+LXXXVIII.
+
+Lyke as the culver* on the bared bough
+Sits mourning for the absence of her mate,
+And in her songs sends many a wishful vow
+For his returns, that seemes to linger late,
+So I alone, now left disconsolate,
+Mourne to my selfe the absence of my Love;
+And wandring here and there all desolate,
+Seek with my playnts to match that mournful dove
+Ne ioy of ought that under heaven doth hove**,
+Can comfort me, but her owne ioyous sight,
+Whose sweet aspect both God and man can move,
+In her unspotted pleasauns to delight.
+  Dark is my day, whyles her fayre light I mis,
+  And dead my life that wants such lively blis.
+[* _Culver_, dove.]
+[** _Hove_, hover, exist.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+EPITHALAMION.
+
+
+Ye learned Sisters, which have oftentimes
+Beene to me ayding, others to adorne
+Whom ye thought worthy of your gracefull rymes,
+That even the greatest did not greatly scorne
+To heare theyr names sung in your simple layes,                        5
+But ioyed in theyr praise,
+And when ye list your own mishaps to mourne,
+Which death, or love, or fortunes wreck did rayse,
+Your string could soone to sadder tenor turne,
+And teach the woods and waters to lament                              10
+Your dolefull dreriment,
+Now lay those sorrowfull complaints aside,
+And having all your heads with girlands crownd,
+Helpe me mine owne Loves prayses to resound:
+Ne let the same of any be envide:                                     15
+So Orpheus did for his owne bride;
+So I unto my selfe alone will sing;
+The woods shall to me answer, and my eccho ring.
+
+Early, before the worlds light-giving lampe
+His golden beame upon the hils doth spred,                            20
+Having disperst the nights unchearfull dampe,
+Doe ye awake, and, with fresh lustyhed,
+Go to the bowre of my beloved Love,
+My truest turtle dove.
+Bid her awake; for Hymen is awake,                                    25
+And long since ready forth his maske to move,
+With his bright tead* that flames with many a flake,
+And many a bachelor to waite on him,
+In theyr fresh garments trim.
+Bid her awake therefore, and soone her dight**,                       30
+For loe! the wished day is come at last,
+That shall for all the paynes and sorrowes past
+Pay to her usury of long delight:
+And whylest she doth her dight,
+Doe ye to her of ioy and solace sing,                                 35
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* _Tead,_ torch.]
+  [** _Dight,_ deck.]
+
+Bring with you all the nymphes that you can heare,
+Both of the rivers and the forrests greene,
+And of the sea that neighbours to her neare,
+All with gay girlands goodly wel beseene*.                            40
+And let them also with them bring in hand
+Another gay girland,
+For my fayre Love, of lillyes and of roses,
+Bound truelove wize with a blew silke riband.
+And let them make great store of bridale poses,                       45
+And let them eke bring store of other flowers,
+To deck the bridale bowers:
+And let the ground whereas her foot shall tread,
+For feare the stones her tender foot should wrong,
+Be strewd with fragrant flowers all along,                            50
+And diapred** lyke the discolored mead.
+Which done, doe at her chamber dore awayt,
+For she will waken strayt;
+The whiles do ye this song unto her sing,
+The woods shall to you answer, and your eccho ring;.
+  [* _Beseene,_ adorned.]
+  [** _Diapred,_ variegated.]
+
+Ye Nymphes of Mulla, which with carefull heed                         56
+The silver scaly trouts do tend full well,
+And greedy pikes which use therein to feed,
+(Those trouts and pikes all others doe excell,)
+And ye likewise which keepe the rushy lake,                           60
+Where none doo fishes take,
+Bynd up the locks the which hang scatterd light,
+And in his waters, which your mirror make,
+Behold your faces as the christall bright,
+That when you come whereas my Love doth lie,                          65
+No blemish she may spie.
+And eke, ye lightfoot mayds which keepe the dere
+That on the hoary mountayne use to towre,
+And the wylde wolves, which seeke them to devoure,
+With your steele darts doe chace from coming neer,
+Be also present heere,                                                71
+To helpe to decke her, and to help to sing,
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+
+Wake now, my Love, awake! for it is time:
+The rosy Morne long since left Tithons bed,                           75
+All ready to her silver coche to clyme,
+And Phoebus gins to shew his glorious hed.
+Hark! how the cheerefull birds do chaunt theyr laies,
+And carroll of Loves praise:
+The merry larke hir mattins sings aloft;                              80
+The thrush replyes; the mavis* descant** playes;
+The ouzell@ shrills; the ruddock$ warbles soft;
+So goodly all agree, with sweet consent,
+To this dayes meriment.
+Ah! my deere Love, why doe ye sleepe thus long,                       85
+When meeter were that ye should now awake,
+T'awayt the comming of your ioyous make,%
+And hearken to the birds love-learned song,
+The deawy leaves among!
+For they of ioy and pleasance to you sing,                            90
+That all the woods them answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Mavis_, song-thrush.]
+  [** _Descant_, variation.]
+  [@ _Ouzell_, blackbird.]
+  [$ _Ruddock_, redbreast.]
+  [% _Make_, mate.]
+
+My love is now awake out of her dreame,
+And her fayre eyes, like stars that dimmed were
+With darksome cloud, now shew theyr goodly beams
+More bright then Hesperus his head doth rere.                         95
+Come now, ye damzels, daughters of delight,
+Helpe quickly her to dight.
+But first come, ye fayre Houres, which were begot,
+In Ioves sweet paradice, of Day and Night,
+Which doe the seasons of the year allot,                             100
+And all that ever in this world is fayre
+Do make and still repayre:
+And ye three handmayds of the Cyprian Queene,
+The which doe still adorn her beauties pride,
+Helpe to adorne my beautifullest bride:                              105
+And, as ye her array, still throw betweene
+Some graces to be scene;
+And, as ye use to Venus, to her sing,
+The whiles the woods shal answer, and your eccho ring.
+
+Now is my Love all ready forth to come:                              110
+Let all the virgins therefore well awayt,
+And ye fresh boyes, that tend upon her groome,
+Prepare your selves, for he is comming strayt.
+Set all your things in seemely good aray,
+Fit for so ioyfull day,                                              115
+The ioyfulst day that ever sunne did see.
+Fair Sun! shew forth thy favourable ray,
+And let thy lifull* heat not fervent be,
+For feare of burning her sunshyny face,
+Her beauty to disgrace.                                              120
+O fayrest Phoebus! Father of the Muse!
+If ever I did honour thee aright,
+Or sing the thing that mote thy mind delight,
+Doe not thy servants simple boone refuse,
+But let this day, let this one day, be mine;                         125
+Let all the rest be thine.
+Then I thy soverayne prayses loud wil sing,
+That all the woods shal answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Lifull_, life-full.]
+
+Harke! how the minstrils gin to shrill aloud
+Their merry musick that resounds from far,                           130
+The pipe, the tabor, and the trembling croud*,
+That well agree withouten breach or iar.
+But most of all the damzels doe delite,
+When they their tymbrels smyte,
+And thereunto doe daunce and carrol sweet,                           135
+That all the sences they doe ravish quite;
+The whyles the boyes run up and downe the street,
+Crying aloud with strong confused noyce,
+As if it were one voyce,
+"Hymen, I� Hymen, Hymen," they do shout;                             140
+That even to the heavens theyr shouting shrill
+Doth reach, and all the firmament doth fill;
+To which the people, standing all about,
+As in approvance, doe thereto applaud,
+And loud advaunce her laud;                                          145
+And evermore they "Hymen, Hymen," sing,
+That all the woods them answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Croud_, violin]
+
+Loe! where she comes along with portly pace,
+Lyke Phoebe, from her chamber of the East,
+Arysing forth to run her mighty race,                                150
+Clad all in white, that seems a virgin best.
+So well it her beseems, that ye would weene
+Some angell she had beene.
+Her long loose yellow locks lyke golden wyre,
+Sprinckled with perle, and perling flowres atweene,
+Doe lyke a golden mantle her attyre,                                 156
+And, being crowned with a girland greene,
+Seem lyke some mayden queene.
+Her modest eyes, abashed to behold
+So many gazers as on her do stare,                                   160
+Upon the lowly ground affixed are,
+Ne dare lift up her countenance too bold,
+But blush to heare her prayses sung so loud,--
+So farre from being proud.
+Nathlesse doe ye still loud her prayses sing,                        165
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+
+Tell me, ye merchants daughters, did ye see
+So fayre a creature in your towne before;
+So sweet, so lovely, and so mild as she,
+Adornd with beautyes grace and vertues store?                        170
+Her goodly eyes lyke saphyres shining bright,
+Her forehead yvory white,
+Her cheekes lyke apples which the sun hath rudded,
+Her lips lyke cherries, charming men to byte,
+Her brest like to a bowl of creame uncrudded*,                       175
+Her paps lyke lyllies budded,
+Her snowie necke lyke to a marble towre,
+And all her body like a pallace fayre,
+Ascending up, with many a stately stayre,
+To honors seat and chastities sweet bowre.                           180
+Why stand ye still, ye virgins, in amaze,
+Upon her so to gaze,
+Whiles ye forget your former lay to sing,
+To which the woods did answer, and your eccho ring?
+  [* _Uncrudded_, uncurdled.]
+  [Ver. 168.--_In your towne_. The marriage seems to have taken place in
+  Cork, and we might infer from this passage that the heroine of the
+  song was a merchant's daughter. C.]
+
+But if ye saw that which no eyes can see,                            185
+The inward beauty of her lively spright,
+Garnisht with heavenly guifts of high degree,
+Much more then would ye wonder at that sight,
+And stand astonisht lyke to those which red*
+Medusaes mazeful hed.                                                190
+There dwells sweet Love, and constant Chastity,
+Unspotted Fayth, and comely Womanhood,
+Regard of Honour, and mild Modesty;
+There Vertue raynes as queene in royal throne,
+And giveth lawes alone,                                              195
+The which the base affections doe obay,
+And yeeld theyr services unto her will;
+Ne thought of things uncomely ever may
+Thereto approch to tempt her mind to ill.
+Had ye once seene these her celestial threasures,                    200
+And unrevealed pleasures,
+Then would ye wonder, and her prayses sing,
+That all the woods should answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* _Red_, saw.]
+
+Open the temple gates unto my Love,
+Open them wide that she may enter in,                                205
+And all the postes adorne as doth behove,
+And all the pillours deck with girlands trim,
+For to receyve this saynt with honour dew,
+That commeth in to you.
+With trembling steps and humble reverence,                           210
+She commeth in before th'Almighties view:
+Of her, ye virgins, learne obedience,
+When so ye come into those holy places,
+To humble your proud faces.
+Bring her up to th'high altar, that she may                          215
+The sacred ceremonies there partake,
+The which do endlesse matrimony make;
+And let the roring organs loudly play
+The praises of the Lord in lively notes;
+The whiles, with hollow throates,                                    220
+The choristers the ioyous antheme sing,
+That all the woods may answer, and their eccho ring.
+
+Behold, whiles she before the altar stands,
+Hearing the holy priest that to her speakes
+And blesseth her with his two happy hands,                           225
+How the red roses flush up in her cheekes,
+And the pure snow with goodly vermill stayne,
+Like crimsin dyde in grayne:
+That even the angels, which continually
+About the sacred altar doe remaine,                                  230
+Forget their service and about her fly,
+Ofte peeping in her face, that seems more fayre
+The more they on it stare.
+But her sad* eyes, still fastened on the ground,
+Are governed with goodly modesty,                                    235
+That suffers not one look to glaunce awry,
+Which may let in a little thought unsownd.
+Why blush ye, Love, to give to me your hand,
+The pledge of all our band?
+Sing, ye sweet angels, Alleluya sing,                                240
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* _Sad_, serious]
+
+Now al is done; bring home the bride againe;
+Bring home the triumph of our victory;
+Bring home with you the glory of her game,
+With ioyance bring her and with iollity.                             245
+Never had man more ioyfull day than this,
+Whom heaven would heape with blis.
+Make feast therefore now all this live-long day;
+This day for ever to me holy is.
+Poure out the wine without restraint or stay,
+Poure not by cups, but by the belly full,
+Poure out to all that wull*,
+And sprinkle all the posts and wals with wine,
+That they may sweat, and drunken be withall.
+Crowne ye god Bacchus with a coronall,
+And Hymen also crowne with wreaths of vine;
+And let the Graces daunce unto the rest,
+For they can doo it best:
+The whiles the maydens doe theyr carroll sing,
+To which the woods shall answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Wull_, will.]
+
+Ring ye the bels, ye yong men of the towne,
+And leave your wonted labors for this day:
+This day is holy; doe ye write it downe,
+That ye for ever it remember may.
+This day the sunne is in his chiefest hight,
+With Barnaby the bright*,
+From whence declining daily by degrees,
+He somewhat loseth of his heat and light,
+When once the Crab behind his back he sees.
+But for this time it ill ordained was,
+To choose the longest day in all the yeare,
+And shortest night, when longest fitter weare:
+Yet never day so long, but late would passe.
+Ring ye the bels to make it weare away,
+And bonefiers make all day;                                          275
+And daunce about them, and about them sing,
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* Ver. 266.--_Barnaby the bright_. The difference between the  old
+  and new style at the time this poem was written was ten days. The
+  summer solstice therefore fell on St. Barnabas's day, the 11th of
+  June.  C.]
+
+Ah! when will this long weary day have end,
+And lende me leave to come unto my Love?
+How slowly do the houres theyr numbers spend?                        280
+How slowly does sad Time his feathers move?
+Hast thee, O fayrest planet, to thy home,
+Within the Westerne fome:
+Thy tyred steedes long since have need of rest.
+Long though it be, at last I see it gloome,                          285
+And the bright evening-star with golden creast
+Appeare out of the East.
+Fayre childe of beauty! glorious lampe of love!
+That all the host of heaven in rankes doost lead,
+And guidest lovers through the nights sad dread,                     290
+How chearefully thou lookest from above,
+And seemst to laugh atweene thy twinkling light,
+As ioying in the sight
+Of these glad many, which for ioy do sing,                           294
+That all the woods them answer, and their eccho ring!
+
+Now ceasse, ye damsels, your delights fore-past;
+Enough it is that all the day was youres:
+Now day is doen, and night is nighing fast;
+Now bring the bryde into the brydall bowres.
+The night is come; now soon her disaray,                             300
+And in her bed her lay;
+Lay her in lillies and in violets,
+And silken curteins over her display,
+And odourd sheets, and Arras coverlets.
+Behold how goodly my faire Love does ly,                             305
+In proud humility!
+Like unto Maia, when as Iove her took
+In Tempe, lying on the flowry gras,
+Twixt sleepe and wake, after she weary was
+With bathing in the Acidalian brooke.                                310
+Now it is night, ye damsels may be gone,
+And leave my Love alone,
+And leave likewise your former lay to sing:
+The woods no more shall answer, nor your eccho ring.
+
+Now welcome, Night! thou night so long expected,
+That long daies labour doest at last defray,                         316
+And all my cares, which cruell Love collected,
+Hast sumd in one, and cancelled for aye.
+Spread thy broad wing over my Love and me,
+That no man may us see;                                              320
+And in thy sable mantle us enwrap,
+From feare of perrill and foule horror free.
+Let no false treason seeke us to entrap,
+Nor any dread disquiet once annoy
+The safety of our ioy;                                               325
+But let the night be calme and quietsome,
+Without tempestuous storms or sad afray;
+Lyke as when Iove with fayre Alemena lay,
+When he begot the great Tirynthian groome;
+Or lyke as when he with thy selfe did lie,                           330
+And begot Maiesty:
+And let the mayds and yongmen cease to sing;
+Ne let the woods them answer, nor theyr eccho ring.
+
+Let no lamenting cryes, nor dolefull teares,
+Be heard all night within, nor yet without:                          335
+Ne let false whispers, breeding hidden feares,
+Breake gentle sleepe with misconceived dout.
+Let no deluding dreames, nor dreadful sights,
+Make sudden sad affrights:
+Ne let house-fyres, nor lightnings helpless harmes,                  340
+Ne let the Pouke, nor other evill sprights,
+Ne let mischievous witches with theyr charmes,
+Ne let hob-goblins, names whose sence we see not,
+Fray us with things that be not:
+Let not the shriech-owle, nor the storke, be heard,                  345
+Nor the night-raven, that still deadly yels,
+Nor damned ghosts, cald up with mighty spels,
+Nor griesly vultures, make us once affeard:
+Ne let th'unpleasant quyre of frogs still croking
+Make us to wish theyr choking.                                       350
+Let none of these theyr drery accents sing;
+Ne let the woods them answer, nor theyr eccho ring.
+  [Ver. 341.--The _Pouke_ (Puck is a generic term, signifying fiend, or
+  mischievous imp) is Robin Goodfellow. C.]
+
+But let stil Silence trew night-watches keepe,
+That sacred Peace may in assurance rayne,
+And tymely Sleep, when it is tyme to sleepe,                         355
+May poure his limbs forth on your pleasant playne.
+The whiles an hundred little winged Loves,
+Like divers-fethered doves,
+Shall fly and flutter round about the bed,
+And in the secret darke, that none reproves,                         360
+Their prety stealthes shall worke, and snares shall spread
+To filch away sweet snatches of delight,
+Conceald through covert night.
+Ye sonnes of Venus, play your sports at will!
+For greedy Pleasure, carelesse of your toyes,                        365
+Thinks more upon her paradise of ioyes,
+Then what ye do, albe it good or ill.
+All night, therefore, attend your merry play,
+For it will soone be day:
+Now none doth hinder you, that say or sing;                          370
+Ne will the woods now answer, nor your eccho ring.
+
+Who is the same which at my window peepes?
+Or whose is that faire face that shines so bright?
+Is it not Cinthia, she that never sleepes,
+But walkes about high heaven al the night?                           375
+O fayrest goddesse! do thou not envy
+My Love with me to spy:
+For thou likewise didst love, though now unthought,
+And for a fleece of wooll, which privily
+The Latmian Shepherd* once unto thee brought,                        380
+His pleasures with thee wrought.
+Therefore to us be favorable now;
+And sith of wemens labours thou hast charge,
+And generation goodly dost enlarge,
+Encline thy will t'effect our wishfull vow,                          385
+And the chast womb informe with timely seed,
+That may our comfort breed:
+Till which we cease our hopefull hap to sing,
+Ne let the woods us answer, nor our eccho ring.
+  [* I.e. Endymion.]
+
+And thou, great Iuno! which with awful might                         390
+The lawes of wedlock still dost patronize,
+And the religion of the faith first plight
+With sacred rites hast taught to solemnize,
+And eke for comfort often called art
+Of women in their smart,                                             395
+Eternally bind thou this lovely band,
+And all thy blessings unto us impart.
+And thou, glad Genius! in whose gentle hand
+The bridale bowre and geniall bed remaine,
+Without blemish or staine,                                           400
+And the sweet pleasures of theyr loves delight
+With secret ayde doost succour and supply,
+Till they bring forth the fruitfull progeny,
+Send us the timely fruit of this same night,
+And thou, fayre Hebe! and thou, Hymen free!                          405
+Grant that it may so be.
+Till which we cease your further prayse to sing,
+Ne any woods shall answer, nor your eccho ring.
+
+And ye high heavens, the temple of the gods,
+In which a thousand torches flaming bright                           410
+Doe burne, that to us wretched earthly clods
+In dreadful darknesse lend desired light,
+And all ye powers which in the same remayne,
+More than we men can fayne,
+Poure out your blessing on us plentiously,                           415
+And happy influence upon us raine,
+That we may raise a large posterity,
+Which from the earth, which they may long possesse
+With lasting happinesse,
+Up to your haughty pallaces may mount,                               420
+And for the guerdon of theyr glorious merit,
+May heavenly tabernacles there inherit,
+Of blessed saints for to increase the count.
+So let us rest, sweet Love, in hope of this,
+And cease till then our tymely ioyes to sing:                        425
+The woods no more us answer, nor our eccho ring!
+
+_Song, made in lieu of many ornaments
+With which my Love should duly have been dect,
+Which cutting off through hasty accidents,
+Ye would not stay your dew time to expect,                           430
+But promist both to recompens,
+Be unto her a goodly ornament,
+And for short time an endlesse moniment!_
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+PROTHALAMION:
+
+OR,
+
+A SPOUSALL VERSE,
+
+MADE BY
+
+EDM. SPENSER.
+
+
+IN HONOUR OF THE DOUBLE MARRIAGE OF THE TWO HONORABLE
+AND VERTUOUS LADIES, THE LADIE ELIZABETH,
+AND THE LADIE KATHERINE SOMERSET, DAUGHTERS
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE EARLE
+OF WORCESTER, AND ESPOUSED TO THE
+TWO WORTHIE GENTLEMEN, M. HENRY
+GILFORD AND M. WILLIAM PETER,
+ESQUYERS.
+
+
+(1596)
+
+
+
+PROTHALAMION:
+
+OR,
+
+A SPOUSALL VERSE.
+
+
+Calme was the day, and through the trembling ayre
+Sweete-breathing Zephyrus did softly play
+A gentle spirit, that lightly did delay*
+Hot Titans beames, which then did glyster fayre;
+When I (whom sullein care,
+Through discontent of my long fruitlesse stay
+In princes court, and expectation vayne
+Of idle hopes, which still doe fly away
+Like empty shadows, did afflict my brayne,)
+Walkt forth to ease my payne                                          10
+Along the shoare of silver streaming Themmes;
+Whose rutty** bank, the which his river hemmes,
+Was paynted all with variable flowers,
+And all the meades adornd with dainty gemmes,
+Fit to decke maydens bowres,                                          15
+And crowne their paramours
+Against the brydale day, which is not long@:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Delay_, allay.]
+[** _Rutty_, rooty.]
+[@ _Long_, distant.]
+
+There, in a meadow by the rivers side,
+A flocke of Nymphes I chaunced to espy,                               20
+All lovely daughters of the flood thereby,
+With goodly greenish locks, all loose untyde,
+As each had bene a bryde;
+And each one had a little wicker basket,
+Made of fine twigs, entrayled* curiously,                             25
+In which they gathered flowers to fill their flasket**,
+And with fine fingers cropt full feateously@
+The tender stalkes on hye.
+Of every sort which in that meadow grew
+They gathered some; the violet, pallid blew,                          30
+The little dazie, that at evening closes,
+The virgin lillie, and the primrose trew,
+With store of vermeil roses,
+To deck their bridegroomes posies
+Against the brydale day, which was not long:                          35
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Entrayled_, interwoven.]
+[** _Flasket_, a long, shallow basket.]
+[@ _Feateously_, dexterously.]
+
+With that I saw two Swannes of goodly hewe
+Come softly swimming downe along the lee*:
+Two fairer birds I yet did never see;
+The snow which doth the top of Pindus strew                           40
+Did never whiter shew,
+Nor Jove himselfe, when he a swan would be
+For love of Leda, whiter did appear;
+Yet Leda was, they say, as white as he,
+Yet not so white as these, nor nothing near:                          45
+So purely white they were,
+That even the gentle stream, the which them bare,
+Seem'd foule to them, and bad his billowes spare
+To wet their silken feathers, least they might
+Soyle their fayre plumes with water not so fayre,                     50
+And marre their beauties bright,
+That shone as heavens light,
+Against their brydale day, which was not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Lee_, stream.]
+
+Eftsoones, the Nymphes, which now had flowers their fill,             55
+Ran all in haste to see that silver brood,
+As they came floating on the cristal flood;
+Whom when they sawe, they stood amazed still,
+Their wondring eyes to fill.
+Them seem'd they never saw a sight so fayre                           60
+Of fowles, so lovely, that they sure did deeme
+Them heavenly borne, or to be that same payre
+Which through the skie draw Venus stiver teeme;
+For sure they did not seeme
+To be begot of any earthly seede,                                     65
+But rather angels, or of angels breede;
+Yet were they bred of Somers-heat, they say,
+In sweetest season, when each flower and weede
+The earth did fresh aray;
+So fresh they seem'd as day,                                          70
+Even as their brydale day, which was not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[Ver. 67--_Somers-heat_. A pun on the name of the Ladies Somerset. C.]
+
+Then forth they all out of their baskets drew
+Great store of flowers, the honour of the field,
+That to the sense did fragrant odours yeild,                          75
+All which upon those goodly birds they threw,
+And all the waves did strew,
+That like old Peneus waters they did seeme,
+When downe along by pleasant Tempes shore,
+Scattred with flowres, through Thessaly they streeme,
+That they appeare, through lillies plenteous store,                   81
+Like a brydes chamber flore.
+Two of those Nymphes, meane while, two garlands bound
+Of freshest flowres which in that mead they found,
+The which presenting all in trim array,                               85
+Their snowie foreheads therewithall they crownd,
+Whilst one did sing this lay,
+Prepar'd against that day,
+Against their brydale day, which was not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+
+"Ye gentle Birdes! the worlds faire ornament,                         91
+And heavens glorie, whom this happie hower
+Doth leade unto your lovers blissfull bower,
+Ioy may you have, and gentle hearts content
+Of your loves couplement;                                             95
+And let faire Venus, that is Queene of Love,
+With her heart-quelling sonne upon you smile,
+Whose smile, they say, hath vertue to remove
+All loves dislike, and friendships faultie guile
+For ever to assoile*.                                                100
+Let endlesse peace your steadfast hearts accord,
+And blessed plentie wait upon your bord;
+And let your bed with pleasures chast abound.
+That fruitfull issue may to you afford,
+Which may your foes confound,                                        105
+And make your ioyes redound
+Upon your brydale day, which is not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softlie, till I end my song."
+[* _Assoile_, do away with.]
+
+So ended she; and all the rest around
+To her redoubled that her undersong*,                                110
+Which said, their brydale daye should not be long:
+And gentle Eccho from the neighbour ground
+Their accents did resound.
+So forth those ioyous birdes did passe along
+Adowne the lee, that to them murmurde low,                           115
+As he would speake, but that he lackt a tong,
+Yet did by signes his glad affection show,
+Making his streame run slow.
+And all the foule which in his flood did dwell
+Gan flock about these twaine, that did excell                        120
+The rest so far as Cynthia doth shend**
+The lesser stars. So they, enranged well,
+Did on those two attend,
+And their best service lend
+Against their wedding day, which was not long:                       125
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Undersong_, burden.]
+[** _Shend_, put to shame.]
+
+At length they all to mery London came,
+To mery London, my most kyndly nurse,
+That to me gave this lifes first native sourse,
+Though from another place I take my name,                            130
+An house of auncient fame.
+There when they came whereas those bricky towres
+The which on Themmes brode aged backe doe ryde,
+Where now the studious lawyers have their bowers.--
+There whylome wont the Templer Knights to byde,
+Till they decayd through pride,--                                    136
+Next whereunto there standes a stately place,
+Where oft I gayned giftes and goodly grace
+Of that great lord which therein wont to dwell,
+Whose want too well now feels my freendles case:                     140
+But ah! here fits not well
+Olde woes, but ioyes, to tell,
+Against the bridale daye, which is not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[Ver. 137.--_A stately place_ Exeter House, the residence first of the
+Earl of Leicester, and afterwards of Essex. C.]
+
+Yet therein now doth lodge a noble peer,                             145
+Great Englands glory and the worlds wide wonder,
+Whose dreadfull name late through all Spaine did thunder,
+And Hercules two pillors standing neere
+Did make to quake and feare.
+Faire branch of honor, flower of chevalrie!                          150
+That fillest England with thy triumphs fame,
+Ioy have thou of thy noble victorie,
+And endlesse happinesse of thine owne name,
+That promiseth the same;
+That through thy prowesse and victorious armes                       155
+Thy country may be freed from forraine harmes,
+And great Elisaes glorious name may ring
+Through al the world, fil'd with thy wide alarmes.
+Which some brave Muse may sing
+To ages following,                                                   160
+Upon the brydale day, which is not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[Ver. 147.--_Whose dreadfull name, &c_. The allusion here is to the
+expedition against Cadiz, from which Essex returned in August, 1596. C.]
+
+From those high towers this noble lord issuing,
+Like radiant Hesper, when his golden hayre
+In th'ocean billowes he hath bathed fayre,                           165
+Descended to the rivers open vewing,
+With a great traine ensuing.
+Above the rest were goodly to bee scene
+Two gentle Knights of lovely face and feature,
+Beseeming well the bower of any queene,                              170
+With gifts of wit and ornaments of nature
+Fit for so goodly stature,
+That like the twins of Iove they seem'd in sight,
+Which decke the bauldricke of the heavens bright.
+They two, forth pacing to the rivers side,                           175
+Receiv'd those two faire brides, their loves delight;
+Which, at th'appointed tyde,
+Each one did make his bryde
+Against their brydale day, which is not long:                        179
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+FOWRE HYMNES
+
+MADE BY
+
+EDM. SPENSER.
+
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND MOST VERTUOUS LADIES,
+
+THE LADIE MARGARET,
+
+COUNTESSE OF CUMBERLAND;
+
+AND THE LADIE MARIE*,
+
+COUNTESSE OF WARWICK.
+
+
+Having, in the greener times of my youth, composed these former two
+Hymnes in the praise of love and beautie, and finding that the same too
+much pleased those of like age and disposition, which, being too
+vehemently carried with that kind of affection, do rather sucke out
+poyson to their strong passion, then honey to their honest delight, I
+was moved, by the one of you two most excellent Ladies, to call in the
+same; but being unable so to do, by reason that many copies thereof were
+formerly scattered abroad, I resolved at least to amend, and, by way of
+retraction, to reforme them, making (instead of those two Hymnes of
+earthly or naturall love and beautie) two others of heavenly and
+celestiall; the which I doe dedicate ioyntly unto you two honorable
+sisters, as to the most excellent and rare ornaments of all true love
+and beautie, both in the one and the other kind; humbly beseeching you
+to vouchsafe the patronage of them, and to accept this my humble
+service, in lieu of the great graces and honourable favours which ye
+dayly shew unto me, until such time as I may, by better meanes, yeeld
+you some more notable testimonie of my thankfull mind and dutifull
+devotion. And even so I pray for your happinesse. Greenwich, this first
+of September, 1596. Your Honors most bounden ever,
+
+In all humble service,
+
+ED. SP.
+
+[* The Countess of Warwick's name was Anne, not Mary. TODD.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+IN HONOUR OF LOVE.
+
+Love, that long since hast to thy mighty powre
+Perforce subdude my poor captived hart,
+And raging now therein with restlesse stowre*,
+Doest tyrannize in everie weaker part,
+Faine would I seeke to ease my bitter smart                            5
+By any service I might do to thee,
+Or ought that else might to thee pleasing bee.
+  [* _Stowre_, commotion.]
+
+And now t'asswage the force of this new flame,
+And make thee more propitious in my need,
+I meane to sing the praises of thy name,                              10
+And thy victorious conquests to areed*,
+By which thou madest many harts to bleed
+Of mighty victors, with wide wounds embrewed,
+And by thy cruell darts to thee subdewed.
+  [* _Areed_, set forth.]
+
+Onely I fear my wits, enfeebled late                                  15
+Through the sharp sorrowes which thou hast me bred,
+Should faint, and words should faile me to relate
+The wondrous triumphs of thy great god-hed:
+But, if thou wouldst vouchsafe to overspred
+Me with the shadow of thy gentle wing,                                20
+I should enabled be thy actes to sing.
+
+Come, then, O come, thou mightie God of Love!
+Out of thy silver bowres and secret blisse,
+Where thou dost sit in Venus lap above,
+Bathing thy wings in her ambrosial kisse,                             25
+That sweeter farre than any nectar is,
+Come softly, and my feeble breast inspire
+With gentle furie, kindled of thy fire.
+
+And ye, sweet Muses! which have often proved
+The piercing points of his avengefull darts,                          30
+And ye, fair Nimphs! which oftentimes have loved
+The cruel worker of your kindly smarts,
+Prepare yourselves, and open wide your harts
+For to receive the triumph of your glorie,
+That made you merie oft when ye were sorrie.                          35
+
+And ye, faire blossoms of youths wanton breed!
+Which in the conquests of your beautie bost,
+Wherewith your lovers feeble eyes you feed,
+But sterve their harts, that needeth nourture most,
+Prepare your selves to march amongst his host,                        40
+And all the way this sacred hymne do sing,
+Made in the honor of your soveraigne king.
+
+Great God of Might, that reignest in the mynd,
+And all the bodie to thy hest doest frame,
+Victor of gods, subduer of mankynd,                                   45
+That doest the lions and fell tigers tame,
+Making their cruell rage thy scornfull game,
+And in their roring taking great delight,
+Who can expresse the glorie of thy might?
+
+Or who alive can perfectly declare                                    50
+The wondrous cradle of thine infancie,
+When thy great mother Venus first thee bare,
+Begot of Plenty and of Penurie,
+Though elder then thine own nativitie,
+And yet a chyld, renewing still thy yeares,                           55
+And yet the eldest of the heavenly peares?
+
+For ere this worlds still moving mightie masse
+Out of great Chaos ugly prison crept,
+In which his goodly face long hidden was
+From heavens view, and in deep darknesse kept,                        60
+Love, that had now long time securely slept
+In Venus lap, unarmed then and naked,
+Gan reare his head, by Clotho being waked:
+
+And taking to him wings of his own heat,
+Kindled at first from heavens life-giving fyre,                       65
+He gan to move out of his idle seat;
+Weakly at first, but after with desyre
+Lifted aloft, he gan to mount up hyre*,
+And, like fresh eagle, made his hardy flight
+Thro all that great wide wast, yet wanting light.                     70
+  [* _Hyre_, higher.]
+
+Yet wanting light to guide his wandring way,
+His own faire mother, for all creatures sake,
+Did lend him light from her owne goodly ray;
+Then through the world his way he gan to take,
+The world, that was not till he did it make,                          75
+Whose sundrie parts he from themselves did sever.
+The which before had lyen confused ever.
+
+The earth, the ayre, the water, and the fyre,
+Then gan to raunge themselves in huge array,
+And with contr�ry forces to conspyre                                  80
+Each against other by all meanes they may,
+Threatning their owne confusion and decay:
+Ayre hated earth, and water hated fyre,
+Till Love relented their rebellious yre.
+
+He then them tooke, and, tempering goodly well                        85
+Their contrary dislikes with loved meanes,
+Did place them all in order, and compell
+To keepe themselves within their sundrie raines*,
+Together linkt with adamantine chaines;
+Yet so as that in every living wight                                  90
+They mix themselves, and shew their kindly might.
+  [* _Raines_, kingdoms.]
+
+So ever since they firmely have remained,
+And duly well observed his beheast;
+Through which now all these things that are contained
+Within this goodly cope, both most and least,                         95
+Their being have, and daily are increast
+Through secret sparks of his infused fyre,
+Which in the barraine cold he doth inspyre.
+
+Thereby they all do live, and moved are
+To multiply the likenesse of their kynd,                             100
+Whilest they seeke onely, without further care,
+To quench the flame which they in burning fynd;
+But man, that breathes a more immortall mynd,
+Not for lusts sake, but for eternitie,
+Seekes to enlarge his lasting progenie.                              105
+
+For having yet in his deducted spright
+Some sparks remaining of that heavenly fyre,
+He is enlumind with that goodly light,
+Unto like goodly semblant to aspyre;
+Therefore in choice of love he doth desyre                           110
+That seemes on earth most heavenly to embrace,
+That same is Beautie, borne of heavenly race.
+
+For sure, of all that in this mortall frame
+Contained is, nought more divine doth seeme,
+Or that resembleth more th'immortall flame                           115
+Of heavenly light, than Beauties glorious beam.
+What wonder then, if with such rage extreme
+Frail men, whose eyes seek heavenly things to see,
+At sight thereof so much enravisht bee?
+
+Which well perceiving, that imperious boy                            120
+Doth therewith tip his sharp empoisned darts,
+Which glancing thro the eyes with* countenance coy
+Rest not till they have pierst the trembling harts,
+And kindled flame in all their inner parts,
+Which suckes the blood, and drinketh up the lyfe,                    125
+Of carefull wretches with consuming griefe.
+  [* Qu. from? WARTON.]
+
+Thenceforth they playne, and make full piteous mone
+Unto the author of their balefull bane:
+The daies they waste, the nights they grieve and grone,
+Their lives they loath, and heavens light disdaine;                  130
+No light but that whose lampe doth yet remaine
+Fresh burning in the image of their eye,
+They deigne to see, and seeing it still dye.
+
+The whylst thou, tyrant Love, doest laugh and scorne
+At their complaints, making their paine thy play;                    135
+Whylest they lye languishing like thrals forlorne,
+The whyles thou doest triumph in their decay;
+And otherwhyles, their dying to delay,
+Thou doest emmarble the proud hart of her
+Whose love before their life they doe prefer.                        140
+
+So hast thou often done (ay me the more!)
+To me thy vassall, whose yet bleeding hart
+With thousand wounds thou mangled hast so sore,
+That whole remaines scarse any little part;
+Yet to augment the anguish of my smart,                              145
+Thou hast enfrosen her disdainefull brest,
+That no one drop of pitie there doth rest.
+
+Why then do I this honor unto thee,
+Thus to ennoble thy victorious name,
+Sith thou doest shew no favour unto mee,                             150
+Ne once move ruth in that rebellious dame,
+
+Somewhat to slacke the rigour of my flame?
+Certes small glory doest thou winne hereby,
+To let her live thus free, and me to dy.
+
+But if thou be indeede, as men thee call,                            155
+The worlds great parent, the most kind preserver
+Of living wights, the soveraine lord of all,
+How falles it then that with thy furious fervour
+Thou doest afflict as well the not-deserver,
+As him that doeth thy lovely heasts despize,                         160
+And on thy subiects most doth tyrannize?
+
+Yet herein eke thy glory seemeth more,
+By so hard handling those which best thee serve,
+That, ere thou doest them unto grace restore,
+Thou mayest well trie if they will ever swerve,                      165
+And mayest them make it better to deserve,
+And, having got it, may it more esteeme;
+For things hard gotten men more dearely deeme.
+
+So hard those heavenly beauties be enfyred,
+As things divine least passions doe impresse;                        170
+The more of stedfast mynds to be admyred,
+The more they stayed be on stedfastnesse;
+But baseborne minds such lamps regard the lesse,
+Which at first blowing take not hastie fyre;
+Such fancies feele no love, but loose desyre.                        175
+
+For Love is lord of truth and loialtie,
+Lifting himself out of the lowly dust
+On golden plumes up to the purest skie,
+Above the reach of loathly sinfull lust,
+Whose base affect*, through cowardly distrust                        180
+Of his weake wings, dare not to heaven fly,
+But like a moldwarpe** in the earth doth ly.
+  [* _Affect_, affection, passion.]
+  [** _Moldwarpe_, mole.]
+
+His dunghill thoughts, which do themselves enure
+To dirtie drosse, no higher dare aspyre;
+Ne can his feeble earthly eyes endure                                185
+The flaming light of that celestiall fyre
+Which kindleth love in generous desyre,
+And makes him mount above the native might
+Of heavie earth, up to the heavens hight.
+
+Such is the powre of that sweet passion,                             190
+That it all sordid basenesse doth expell,
+And the refyned mynd doth newly fashion
+Unto a fairer forme, which now doth dwell
+In his high thought, that would it selfe excell;
+Which he beholding still with constant sight,                        195
+Admires the mirrour of so heavenly light.
+
+Whose image printing in his deepest wit,
+He thereon feeds his hungrie fantasy,
+Still full, yet never satisfyde with it;
+Like Tantale, that in store doth sterved ly,                         200
+So doth he pine in most satiety;
+For nought may quench his infinite desyre,
+Once kindled through that first conceived fyre.
+
+Thereon his mynd affixed wholly is,
+Ne thinks on ought but how it to attaine;                            205
+His care, his ioy, his hope, is all on this,
+That seemes in it all blisses to containe,
+In sight whereof all other blisse seemes vaine:
+Thrice happie man, might he the same possesse,
+He faines himselfe, and doth his fortune blesse.                     210
+
+And though he do not win his wish to end,
+Yet thus farre happie he himselfe doth weene,
+That heavens such happie grace did to him lend
+As thing on earth so heavenly to have seene,
+His harts enshrined saint, his heavens queene,                       215
+Fairer then fairest in his fayning eye,
+Whose sole aspect he counts felicitye.
+
+Then forth he casts in his unquiet thought,
+What he may do her favour to obtaine;
+What brave exploit, what perill hardly wrought,                      220
+What puissant conquest, what adventurous paine,
+May please her best, and grace unto him gaine;
+He dreads no danger, nor misfortune feares,
+His faith, his fortune, in his breast he beares.
+
+Thou art his god, thou art his mightie guyde,                        225
+Thou, being blind, letst him not see his feares,
+But carriest him to that which he had eyde,
+Through seas, through flames, through thousand swords and speares; *
+Ne ought so strong that may his force withstand,
+With which thou armest his resistlesse hand.                         230
+  [* The fifth verse of this stanza appears to have dropped out. C.]
+
+Witnesse Leander in the Euxine waves,
+And stout Aeneas in the Troiane fyre,
+Achilles preassing through the Phrygian glaives*,
+And Orpheus, daring to provoke the yre
+Of damned fiends, to get his love retyre;                            235
+For both through heaven and hell thou makest way,
+To win them worship which to thee obay.
+  [* _Glaives_, swords.]
+
+And if by all these perils and these paynes
+He may but purchase lyking in her eye,
+What heavens of ioy then to himselfe he faynes!                      240
+Eftsoones he wypes quite out of memory
+Whatever ill before he did aby*:
+Had it beene death, yet would he die againe,
+To live thus happie as her grace to gaine.
+  [* _Aby_, abide.]
+
+Yet when he hath found favour to his will,                           245
+He nath�more can so contented rest,
+But forceth further on, and striveth still
+T'approch more neare, till in her inmost brest
+He may embosomd bee and loved best;
+And yet not best, but to be lov'd alone;                             250
+For love cannot endure a paragone*.
+  [* _Paragone_, competitor.]
+
+The fear whereof, O how doth it torment
+His troubled mynd with more then hellish paine!
+And to his fayning fansie represent
+Sights never seene, and thousand shadowes vaine,                     255
+To breake his sleepe and waste his ydle braine:
+Thou that hast never lov'd canst not beleeve
+Least part of th'evils which poore lovers greeve.
+
+The gnawing envie, the hart-fretting feare,
+The vaine surmizes, the distrustfull showes,                         260
+The false reports that flying tales doe beare,
+The doubts, the daungers, the delayes, the woes,
+The fayned friends, the unassured foes,
+With thousands more then any tongue can tell,
+Doe make a lovers life a wretches hell.                              265
+
+Yet is there one more cursed then they all,
+That cancker-worme, that monster, Gelosie,
+Which eates the heart and feedes upon the gall,
+Turning all Loves delight to miserie,
+Through feare of losing his felicitie.                               270
+Ah, gods! that ever ye that monster placed
+In gentle Love, that all his ioyes defaced!
+
+By these, O Love! thou doest thy entrance make
+Unto thy heaven, and doest the more endeere
+Thy pleasures unto those which them partake,                         275
+As after stormes, when clouds begin to cleare,
+The sunne more bright and glorious doth appeare;
+So thou thy folke, through paines of Purgatorie,
+Dost beare unto thy blisse, and heavens glorie.
+
+There thou them placest in a paradize                                280
+Of all delight and ioyous happy rest,
+Where they doe feede on nectar heavenly-wize,
+With Hercules and Hebe, and the rest
+Of Venus dearlings, through her bountie blest;
+And lie like gods in yvory beds arayd,                               285
+With rose and lillies over them displayd.
+
+There with thy daughter Pleasure they doe play
+Their hurtlesse sports, without rebuke or blame,
+And in her snowy bosome boldly lay
+Their quiet heads, devoyd of guilty shame,                           290
+After full ioyance of their gentle game;
+Then her they crowne their goddesse and their queene,
+And decke with floures thy altars well beseene.
+
+Ay me! deare Lord, that ever I might hope,
+For all the paines and woes that I endure,                           295
+To come at length unto the wished scope
+Of my desire, or might myselfe assure
+That happie port for ever to recure*!
+Then would I thinke these paines no paines at all,
+And all my woes to be but penance small.                             300
+  [* _Recure_, recover, gain.]
+
+Then would I sing of thine immortal praise
+An heavenly hymne such as the angels sing,
+And thy triumphant name then would I raise
+Bove all the gods, thee only honoring;
+My guide, my god, my victor, and my king:                            305
+Till then, drad Lord! vouchsafe to take of me
+This simple song, thus fram'd in praise of thee.
+
+
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+IN HONOUR OF BEAUTIE.
+
+Ah! whither, Love! wilt thou now carry mee?
+What wontlesse fury dost thou now inspire
+Into my feeble breast, too full of thee?
+Whylest seeking to aslake thy raging fyre,
+Thou in me kindlest much more great desyre,                            5
+And up aloft above my strength doth rayse
+The wondrous matter of my fire to praise.
+
+That as I earst in praise of thine owne name,
+So now in honour of thy mother deare
+An honourable hymne I eke should frame,                               10
+And, with the brightnesse of her beautie cleare,
+The ravisht hearts of gazefull men might reare
+To admiration of that heavenly light,
+From whence proceeds such soule-enchanting might.
+
+Therto do thou, great Goddesse! Queene of Beauty,
+Mother of Love and of all worlds delight,                             16
+Without whose soverayne grace and kindly dewty
+Nothing on earth seems fayre to fleshly sight,
+Doe thou vouchsafe with thy love-kindling light
+T'illuminate my dim and dulled eyne,                                  20
+And beautifie this sacred hymne of thyne:
+
+That both to thee, to whom I meane it most,
+And eke to her whose faire immortall beame
+Hath darted fyre into my feeble ghost,
+That now it wasted is with woes extreame,                             25
+It may so please, that she at length will streame
+Some deaw of grace into my withered hart,
+After long sorrow and consuming smart.
+
+WHAT TIME THIS WORLDS GREAT WORKMAISTER did cast
+To make al things such as we now behold,                              30
+It seems that he before his eyes had plast
+A goodly paterne, to whose perfect mould
+He fashiond them as comely as he could,
+That now so faire and seemely they appeare
+As nought may be amended any wheare.                                  35
+
+That wondrous paterne, wheresoere it bee,
+Whether in earth layd up in secret store,
+Or else in heaven, that no man may it see
+With sinfull eyes, for feare it do deflore,
+Is perfect Beautie, which all men adore;                              40
+Whose face and feature doth so much excell
+All mortal sence, that none the same may tell.
+
+Thereof as every earthly thing partakes
+Or more or lesse, by influence divine,
+So it more faire accordingly it makes,                                45
+And the grosse matter of this earthly myne
+Which closeth it thereafter doth refyne,
+Doing away the drosse which dims the light
+Of that faire beame which therein is empight*.
+  [* _Empight_, placed.]
+
+For, through infusion of celestiall powre,                            50
+The duller earth it quickneth with delight,
+And life-full spirits privily doth powre
+Through all the parts, that to the lookers sight
+They seeme to please; that is thy soveraine might,
+O Cyprian queene! which, flowing from the beame                       55
+Of thy bright starre, thou into them doest streame.
+
+That is the thing which giveth pleasant grace
+To all things faire, that kindleth lively fyre;
+Light of thy lampe; which, shyning in the face,
+Thence to the soule darts amorous desyre,                             60
+And robs the harts of those which it admyre;
+Therewith thou pointest thy sons poysned arrow,
+That wounds the life and wastes the inmost marrow.
+
+How vainely then do ydle wits invent
+That Beautie is nought else but mixture made                          65
+Of colours faire, and goodly temp'rament
+Of pure complexions, that shall quickly fade
+And passe away, like to a sommers shade;
+Or that it is but comely composition
+Of parts well measurd, with meet disposition!                         70
+
+Hath white and red in it such wondrous powre,
+That it can pierce through th'eyes unto the hart,
+And therein stirre such rage and restlesse stowre*,
+As nought but death can stint his dolours smart?
+Or can proportion of the outward part                                 75
+Move such affection in the inward mynd,
+That it can rob both sense, and reason blynd?
+  [* _Stowre_, commotion.]
+
+Why doe not then the blossomes of the field,
+Which are arayd with much more orient hew,
+And to the sense most daintie odours yield,                           80
+Worke like impression in the lookers vew?
+Or why doe not faire pictures like powre shew,
+In which oft-times we Nature see of Art
+Exceld, in perfect limming every part?
+
+But ah! beleeve me there is more then so,                             85
+That workes such wonders in the minds of men;
+I, that have often prov'd, too well it know,
+And who so list the like assayes to ken
+Shall find by trial, and confesse it then,
+That Beautie is not, as fond men misdeeme,                            90
+An outward shew of things that onely seeme.
+
+For that same goodly hew of white and red
+With which the cheekes are sprinckled, shall decay,
+And those sweete rosy leaves, so fairly spred
+Upon the lips, shall fade and fall away                               95
+To that they were, even to corrupted clay:
+That golden wyre, those sparckling stars so bright,
+Shall turne to dust, and lose their goodly light.
+
+But that faire lampe, from whose celestiall ray
+That light proceedes which kindleth lovers fire,                     100
+Shall never be extinguisht nor decay;
+But, when the vitall spirits doe espyre,
+Unto her native planet shall retyre;
+For it is heavenly borne, and cannot die,
+Being a parcell of the purest skie.                                  105
+
+For when the soule, the which derived was,
+At first, out of that great immortall Spright,
+By whom all live to love, whilome did pas
+Down from the top of purest heavens hight
+To be embodied here, it then tooke light                             110
+And lively spirits from that fayrest starre
+Which lights the world forth from his firie carre.
+
+Which powre retayning still, or more or lesse,
+When she in fleshly seede is eft* enraced**,
+Through every part she doth the same impresse,                       115
+According as the heavens have her graced,
+And frames her house, in which she will be placed,
+Fit for her selfe, adorning it with spoyle
+Of th'heavenly riches which she robd erewhyle.
+[* _Eft_, afterwards.]
+[** _Enraced_, implanted.]
+
+Thereof it comes that these faire soules which have
+The most resemblance of that heavenly light                          121
+Frame to themselves most beautifull and brave
+Their fleshly bowre, most fit for their delight,
+And the grosse matter by a soveraine might
+Temper so trim, that it may well be seene                            125
+A pallace fit for such a virgin queene.
+
+So every spirit, as it is most pure,
+And hath in it the more of heavenly light,
+So it the fairer bodie doth procure
+To habit in, and it more fairely dight*                              130
+With chearfull grace and amiable sight:
+For of the soule the bodie forme doth take;
+For soule is forme, and doth the bodie make.
+  [* _Dight_, adorn.]
+
+Therefore, where-ever that thou doest behold
+A comely corpse*, with beautie faire endewed,                        135
+Know this for certaine, that the same doth hold
+A beauteous soule with fair conditions thewed**,
+Fit to receive the seede of vertue strewed;
+For all that faire is, is by nature good;
+That is a sign to know the gentle blood.                             140
+  [* _Corpse_, body.]
+  [** i.e. endowed with fair qualities.]
+
+Yet oft it falles that many a gentle mynd
+Dwels in deformed tabernacle drownd,
+Either by chaunce, against the course of kynd*,
+Or through unaptnesse in the substance fownd,
+Which it assumed of some stubborne grownd,                           145
+That will not yield unto her formes direction,
+But is deform'd with some foule imperfection.
+  [* _Kynd_, nature.]
+
+And oft it falles, (ay me, the more to rew!)
+That goodly Beautie, albe heavenly borne,
+Is foule abusd, and that celestiall hew,                             150
+Which doth the world with her delight adorne,
+Made but the bait of sinne, and sinners scorne,
+Whilest every one doth seeke and sew to have it,
+But every one doth seeke but to deprave it.
+
+Yet nath�more is that faire Beauties blame,                          155
+But theirs that do abuse it unto ill:
+Nothing so good, but that through guilty shame
+May be corrupt*, and wrested unto will.
+Nathelesse the soule is faire and beauteous still,
+However fleshes fault it filthy make;                                160
+For things immortall no corruption take.
+  [* _Corrupt_, corrupted.]
+
+But ye, faire Dames! the worlds deare ornaments,
+And lively images of heavens light,
+Let not your beames with such disparagements
+Be dimd, and your bright glorie darkned quight;                      l65
+But mindfull still of your first countries sight,
+Doe still preserve your first informed grace,
+Whose shadow yet shynes in your beauteous face.
+
+Loath that foule blot, that hellish fi�rbrand,
+Disloiall lust, fair Beauties foulest blame,                         170
+That base affections, which your eares would bland*,
+Commend to you by loves abused name,
+But is indeede the bondslave of defame;
+Which will the garland of your glorie marre,
+And quench the light of your brightshyning starre.                   175
+  [* _Bland_, blandish.]
+
+But gentle Love, that loiall is and trew,
+Wil more illumine your resplendent ray,
+And add more brightnesse to your goodly hew
+From light of his pure fire; which, by like way
+Kindled of yours, your likenesse doth display;                       180
+Like as two mirrours, by opposd reflection,
+Doe both expresse the faces first impression.
+
+Therefore, to make your beautie more appeare,
+It you behoves to love, and forth to lay
+That heavenly riches which in you ye beare,                          185
+That men the more admyre their fountaine may;
+For else what booteth that celestiall ray,
+If it in darknesse be enshrined ever,
+That it of loving eyes be vewed never?
+
+But, in your choice of loves, this well advize,                      190
+That likest to your selves ye them select,
+The which your forms first sourse may sympathize,
+And with like beauties parts be inly deckt;
+For if you loosely love without respect,
+It is not love, but a discordant warre,                              195
+Whose unlike parts amongst themselves do iarre.
+
+For love is a celestiall harmonie
+Of likely* harts composd of** starres concent,
+Which ioyne together in sweete sympathie,
+To work each others ioy and true content,                            200
+Which they have harbourd since their first descent
+Out of their heavenly bowres, where they did see
+And know ech other here belov'd to bee.
+  [* _Likely_, similar.]
+  [** _Composd of_, combined by.]
+
+Then wrong it were that any other twaine
+Should in Loves gentle band combyned bee,                            205
+But those whom Heaven did at first ordaine,
+And made out of one mould the more t'agree;
+For all that like the beautie which they see
+Straight do not love; for Love is not so light
+As straight to burne at first beholders sight.                       210
+
+But they which love indeede looke otherwise,
+With pure regard and spotlesse true intent,
+Drawing out of the obiect of their eyes
+A more refyned form, which they present
+Unto their mind, voide of all blemishment;                           215
+Which it reducing to her first perfection,
+Beholdeth free from fleshes frayle infection.
+
+And then conforming it unto the light
+Which in it selfe it hath remaining still,
+Of that first sunne, yet sparckling in his sight,                    220
+Thereof he fashions in his higher skill
+An heavenly beautie to his fancies will;
+And it embracing in his mind entyre,
+The mirrour of his owne thought doth admyre.
+
+Which seeing now so inly faire to be,                                225
+As outward it appeareth to the eye,
+And with his spirits proportion to agree,
+He thereon fixeth all his fantasie,
+And fully setteth his felicitie;
+Counting it fairer then it is indeede,                               230
+And yet indeede her fairnesse doth exeede.
+
+For lovers eyes more sharply sighted bee
+Then other mens, and in deare loves delight
+See more then any other eyes can see,
+Through mutuall receipt of beam�s bright,                            235
+Which carrie privie message to the spright,
+And to their eyes that inmost faire display,
+As plaine as light discovers dawning day.
+
+Therein they see, through amorous eye-glaunces,
+Armies of Loves still flying too and fro,                            240
+Which dart at them their litle fierie launces;
+Whom having wounded, back againe they go,
+Carrying compassion to their lovely foe;
+Who, seeing her faire eyes so sharp effect,
+Cures all their sorrowes with one sweete aspect.                     245
+
+In which how many wonders doe they reede
+To their conceipt, that others never see!
+Now of her smiles, with which their soules they feede,
+Like gods with nectar in their bankets free;
+Now of her lookes, which like to cordials bee;                       250
+But when her words emb�ssade* forth she sends,
+Lord, how sweete musicke that unto them lends!
+  [* _Emb�ssade_, embassy.]
+
+Sometimes upon her forhead they behold
+A thousand graces masking in delight;
+Sometimes within her eye-lids they unfold                            255
+Ten thousand sweet belgards*, which to their sight
+Doe seeme like twinckling starres in frostie night;
+But on her lips, like rosy buds in May,
+So many millions of chaste pleasures play.
+  [* _Belgards_, fair looks.]
+
+All those, O Cytherea! and thousands more,                           260
+Thy handmaides be, which do on thee attend,
+To decke thy beautie with their dainties store,
+That may it more to mortall eyes commend,
+And make it more admyr'd of foe and frend;
+That in men's harts thou mayst thy throne enstall, 265
+And spred thy lovely kingdome over all.
+
+Then I�, tryumph! O great Beauties Queene,
+Advance the banner of thy conquest hie,
+That all this world, the which thy vassels beene,
+May draw to thee, and with dew f�altie                               270
+Adore the powre of thy great maiestie,
+Singing this hymne in honour of thy name,
+Compyld by me, which thy poor liegeman am!
+
+In lieu whereof graunt, O great soveraine!
+That she whose conquering beauty doth capt�ve 275
+My trembling hart in her eternall chaine,
+One drop of grace at length will to me give,
+That I her bounden thrall by her may live,
+And this same life, which first fro me she reaved,
+May owe to her, of whom I it receaved.                               280
+
+And you, faire Venus dearling, my dear dread!
+Fresh flowre of grace, great goddesse of my life,
+When your faire eyes these fearfull lines shall read,
+Deigne to let fall one drop of dew reliefe,
+That may recure my harts long pyning griefe,                         285
+And shew what wondrous powre your beauty hath,
+That can restore a damned wight from death.
+
+
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+OF HEAVENLY LOVE*.
+
+  [* See the sixth canto of the third book of the Faerie Queene,
+  especially the second and the thirty-second stanzas; which, with his
+  Hymnes of Heavenly Love and Heavenly Beauty, are evident proofs of
+  Spenser's attachment to the Platonic school. WARTON.]
+
+Love, lift me up upon thy golden wings
+From this base world unto thy heavens hight,
+Where I may see those admirable things
+Which there thou workest by thy soveraine might,
+Farre above feeble reach of earthly sight,                             5
+That I thereof an heavenly hymne may sing
+Unto the God of Love, high heavens king.
+
+Many lewd layes (ah! woe is me the more!)
+In praise of that mad fit which fooles call Love,
+I have in th'heat of youth made heretofore,                           10
+That in light wits did loose affection move;
+But all those follies now I do reprove,
+And turned have the tenor of my string,
+The heavenly prayses of true Love to sing.
+
+And ye that wont with greedy vaine desire                             15
+To reade my fault, and, wondring at my flame,
+To warme your selves at my wide sparckling fire,
+Sith now that heat is quenched, quench my blame,
+And in her ashes shrowd my dying shame;
+For who my passed follies now pursewes,                               20
+Beginnes his owne, and my old fault renewes.
+
+BEFORE THIS WORLDS GREAT FRAME, in which al things
+Are now containd, found any being-place,
+Ere flitting Time could wag* his eyas** wings
+About that mightie bound which doth embrace                           25
+The rolling spheres, and parts their houres by space,
+That high eternall Powre, which now doth move
+In all these things, mov'd in it selfe by love.
+  [* _Wag_, move.]
+  [** _Eyas_, unfledged.]
+
+It lovd it selfe, because it selfe was faire;
+(For fair is lov'd;) and of it self begot                             30
+Like to it selfe his eldest Sonne and Heire,
+Eternall, pure, and voide of sinfull blot,
+The firstling of his ioy, in whom no iot
+Of loves dislike or pride was to be found,
+Whom he therefore with equall honour crownd.                          35
+
+With him he raignd, before all time prescribed,
+In endlesse glorie and immortall might,
+Together with that Third from them derived,
+Most wise, most holy, most almightie Spright!                         39
+Whose kingdomes throne no thoughts of earthly wight
+Can comprehend, much lesse my trembling verse
+With equall words can hope it to reherse.
+
+Yet, O most blessed Spirit! pure lampe of light,
+Eternall spring of grace and wisedom trew,
+Vouchsafe to shed into my barren spright                              45
+Some little drop of thy celestiall dew,
+That may my rymes with sweet infuse* embrew,
+And give me words equall unto my thought,
+To tell the marveiles by thy mercie wrought.
+  [* _Infuse_, infusion]
+
+Yet being pregnant still with powrefull grace,                        50
+And full of fruitfull Love, that loves to get
+Things like himselfe and to enlarge his race,
+His second brood, though not of powre so great,
+Yet full of beautie, next he did beget,
+An infinite increase of angels bright,                                55
+All glistring glorious in their Makers light.
+
+To them the heavens illimitable hight
+(Not this round heaven which we from hence behold,
+Adornd with thousand lamps of burning light,
+And with ten thousand gemmes of shyning gold)                         60
+He gave as their inheritance to hold,
+That they might serve him in eternall blis,
+And be partakers of those ioyes of his.
+
+There they in their trinall triplicities
+About him wait, and on his will depend,                               65
+Either with nimble wings to cut the skies,
+When he them on his messages doth send,
+Or on his owne dread presence to attend,
+Where they behold the glorie of his light,
+And caroll hymnes of love both day and night.                         70
+  [Ver. 64.--_Trinall triplicities_. See the Faerie Queene, Book I.
+  Canto XII. 39. H.]
+
+Both day and night is unto them all one;
+For he his beames doth unto them extend,
+That darknesse there appeareth never none;
+Ne hath their day, ne hath their blisse, an end,
+But there their termelesse time in pleasure spend;                    75
+Ne ever should their happinesse decay,
+Had not they dar'd their Lord to disobay.
+
+But pride, impatient of long resting peace,
+Did puffe them up with greedy bold ambition,
+That they gan cast their state how to increase                        80
+Above the fortune of their first condition,
+And sit in Gods own seat without commission:
+The brightest angel, even the Child of Light*,
+Drew millions more against their God to fight.
+  [* I.e. Lucifer.]
+
+Th'Almighty, seeing their so bold assay,                              85
+Kindled the flame of his consuming yre,
+And with his onely breath them blew away
+From heavens hight, to which they did aspyre,
+To deepest hell, and lake of damned fyre,
+Where they in darknesse and dread horror dwell,                       90
+Hating the happie light from which they fell.
+
+So that next off-spring of the Makers love,
+Next to himselfe in glorious degree,
+Degendering* to hate, fell from above
+Through pride; (for pride and love may ill agree;)                    95
+And now of sinne to all ensample bee:
+How then can sinfull flesh it selfe assure,
+Sith purest angels fell to be impure?
+  [* _Degendering_, degenerating.]
+
+But that Eternall Fount of love and grace,
+Still flowing forth his goodnesse unto all,                          100
+Now seeing left a waste and emptie place
+In his wyde pallace through those angels fall,
+Cast to supply the same, and to enstall
+A new unknowen colony therein,
+Whose root from earths base groundworke should begin.                105
+
+Therefore of clay, base, vile, and next to nought,
+Yet form'd by wondrous skill, and by his might
+According to an heavenly patterne wrought,
+Which he had fashiond in his wise foresight,
+He man did make, and breathd a living spright                        110
+Into his face, most beautifull and fayre,
+Endewd with wisedomes riches, heavenly, rare.
+
+Such he him made, that he resemble might
+Himselfe, as mortall thing immortall could;
+Him to be lord of every living wight                                 115
+He made by love out of his owne like mould,
+In whom he might his mightie selfe behould;
+For Love doth love the thing belov'd to see,
+That like it selfe in lovely shape may bee.
+
+But man, forgetfull of his Makers grace                              120
+No lesse than angels, whom he did ensew,
+Fell from the hope of promist heavenly place,
+Into the mouth of Death, to sinners dew,
+And all his off-spring into thraldome threw,
+Where they for ever should in bonds remaine                          125
+Of never-dead, yet ever-dying paine;
+
+Till that great Lord of Love, which him at first
+Made of meere love, and after liked well,
+Seeing him lie like creature long accurst
+In that deep horor of despeyred hell,                                130
+Him, wretch, in doole* would let no lenger dwell,
+But cast** out of that bondage to redeeme,
+And pay the price, all@ were his debt extreeme.
+  [* _Doole_, pain.]
+  [** _Cast_, devised.]
+  [@ _All_, although.]
+
+Out of the bosome of eternall blisse,
+In which he reigned with his glorious Syre,                          135
+He downe descended, like a most demisse*
+And abiect thrall, in fleshes fraile attyre,
+That he for him might pay sinnes deadly hyre,
+And him restore unto that happie state
+In which he stood before his haplesse fate.                          140
+  [* _Demisse_, humble.]
+
+In flesh at first the guilt committed was,
+Therefore in flesh it must be satisfyde;
+Nor spirit, nor angel, though they man surpas,
+Could make amends to God for mans misguyde,
+But onely man himselfe, who selfe did slyde:                         145
+So, taking flesh of sacred virgins wombe,
+For mans deare sake he did a man become.
+
+And that most blessed bodie, which was borne
+Without all blemish or reprochfull blame,
+He freely gave to be both rent and torne                             150
+Of cruell hands, who with despightfull shame
+Revyling him, (that them most vile became,)
+At length him nayled on a gallow-tree,
+And slew the iust by most uniust decree.
+
+O huge and most unspeakeable impression                              155
+Of Loves deep wound, that pierst the piteous hart
+Of that deare Lord with so entyre affection,
+And, sharply launcing every inner part,
+Dolours of death into his soule did dart,
+Doing him die that never it deserved,                                160
+To free his foes, that from his heast* had swerved!
+  [* _Heast_, command.]
+
+What hart can feel least touch of so sore launch,
+Or thought can think the depth of so deare wound?
+Whose bleeding sourse their streames yet never staunch,
+But stil do flow, and freshly still redownd*,                        165
+To heale the sores of sinfull soules unsound,
+And clense the guilt of that infected cryme,
+Which was enrooted in all fleshly slyme.
+  [* _Redownd_, overflow.]
+
+O blessed Well of Love! O Floure of Grace!
+O glorious Morning-Starre! O Lampe of Light!                         170
+Most lively image of thy Fathers face,
+Eternal King of Glorie, Lord of Might,
+Meeke Lambe of God, before all worlds behight*,
+How can we thee requite for all this good?
+Or what can prize** that thy most precious blood?                    175
+  [* _Behight_, named.]
+  [** _Prize_, price.]
+
+Yet nought thou ask'st in lieu of all this love
+But love of us, for guerdon of thy paine:
+Ay me! what can us lesse than that behove?
+Had he required life for us againe,
+Had it beene wrong to ask his owne with gaine?                        180
+He gave us life, he it restored lost;
+Then life were least, that us so little cost.
+
+But he our life hath left unto us free,
+Free that was thrall, and blessed that was band*;
+Ne ought demaunds but that we loving bee,                            185
+As he himselfe hath lov'd us afore-hand,
+And bound therto with an eternall band;
+Him first to love that us so dearely bought,
+And next our brethren, to his image wrought.
+  [* _Band_, cursed.]
+
+Him first to love great right and reason is,                         190
+Who first to us our life and being gave,
+And after, when we fared* had amisse,
+Us wretches from the second death did save;
+And last, the food of life, which now we have,
+Even he himselfe, in his dear sacrament,                             195
+To feede our hungry soules, unto us lent.
+  [* _Fared_, gone.]
+
+Then next, to love our brethren, that were made
+Of that selfe* mould and that self Maker's hand
+That we, and to the same againe shall fade,
+Where they shall have like heritage of land,                         200
+However here on higher steps we stand,
+Which also were with selfe-same price redeemed
+That we, however of us light esteemed.
+[* _Selfe_, same.]
+
+And were they not, yet since that loving Lord
+Commaunded us to love them for his sake,                             205
+Even for his sake, and for his sacred word
+Which in his last bequest he to us spake,
+We should them love, and with their needs partake;
+Knowing that whatsoere to them we give
+We give to him by whom we all doe live.                              210
+
+Such mercy he by his most holy reede*
+Unto us taught, and, to approve it trew,
+Ensampled it by his most righteous deede,
+Shewing us mercie, miserable crew!
+That we the like should to the wretches shew,                        215
+And love our brethren; thereby to approve
+How much himselfe that loved us we love.
+[* _Reede_, precept.]
+
+Then rouze thy selfe, O Earth! out of thy soyle*,
+In which thou wallowest like to filthy swyne,
+And doest thy mynd in durty pleasures moyle**,                       220
+Unmindfull of that dearest Lord of thyne;
+Lift up to him thy heavie clouded eyne,
+That thou this soveraine bountie mayst behold,
+And read, through love, his mercies manifold.
+  [* _Soyle_, mire.]
+  [** _Moyle_, defile.]
+
+Beginne from first, where he encradled was                           225
+In simple cratch*, wrapt in a wad of hay,
+Betweene the toylfull oxe and humble asse,
+And in what rags, and in how base aray,
+The glory of our heavenly riches lay,
+When him the silly shepheards came to see,                           230
+Whom greatest princes sought on lowest knee.
+  [* _Cratch_, manger.]
+
+From thence reade on the storie of his life,
+His humble carriage, his unfaulty wayes,
+His cancred foes, his fights, his toyle, his strife,
+His paines, his povertie, his sharpe assayes,                        235
+Through which he past his miserable dayes,
+Offending none, and doing good to all,
+Yet being malist* both by great and small.
+  [* _Malist_, regarded with ill-will.]
+
+And look at last, how of most wretched wights
+He taken was, betrayd, and false accused;                            240
+How with most scornfull taunts and fell despights,
+He was revyld, disgrast, and foule abused;
+How scourgd, how crownd, how buffeted, how brused;
+And, lastly, how twixt robbers crucifyde,
+With bitter wounds through hands, through feet, and syde!            245
+
+Then let thy flinty hart, that feeles no paine,
+Empierced be with pittifull remorse,
+And let thy bowels bleede in every vaine,
+At sight of his most sacred heavenly corse,
+So torne and mangled with malicious forse;                           250
+And let thy soule, whose sins his sorrows wrought,
+Melt into teares, and grone in grieved thought.
+
+With sence whereof whilest so thy softened spirit
+Is inly toucht, and humbled with meeke zeale
+Through meditation of his endlesse merit,                            255
+Lift up thy mind to th'author of thy weale,
+And to his soveraine mercie doe appeale;
+Learne him to love that loved thee so deare,
+And in thy brest his blessed image beare.
+
+With all thy hart, with all thy soule and mind,                      260
+Thou must him love, and his beheasts embrace;
+All other loves, with which the world doth blind
+Weake fancies, and stirre up affections base,
+Thou must renounce and utterly displace,
+And give thy self unto him full and free,                            265
+That full and freely gave himselfe to thee.
+
+Then shalt thou feele thy spirit so possest,
+And ravisht with devouring great desire
+Of his dear selfe, that shall thy feeble brest
+Inflame with love, and set thee all on fire                          270
+With burning zeale, through every part entire*,
+That in no earthly thing thou shalt delight,
+But in his sweet and amiable sight.
+  [* _Entire_, inward.]
+
+Thenceforth all worlds desire will in thee dye,
+And all earthes glorie, on which men do gaze,                        275
+Seeme durt and drosse in thy pure-sighted eye,
+Compar'd to that celestiall beauties blaze,
+Whose glorious beames all fleshly sense doth daze
+With admiration of their passing light,
+Blinding the eyes, and lumining the spright.                         280
+
+Then shall thy ravisht soul inspired bee
+With heavenly thoughts, farre above humane skil,
+And thy bright radiant eyes shall plainely see
+Th'idee of his pure glorie present still
+Before thy face, that all thy spirits shall fill                     285
+With sweete enragement of celestiall love,
+Kindled through sight of those faire things above.
+
+
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+OF HEAVENLY BEAUTIE.
+
+Rapt with the rage of mine own ravisht thought,
+Through contemplation of those goodly sights
+And glorious images in heaven wrought,
+Whose wondrous beauty, breathing sweet delights,
+Do kindle love in high conceipted sprights,                            5
+I faine* to tell the things that I behold,
+But feele my wits to faile and tongue to fold.
+  [* _Faine_, long.]
+
+Vouchsafe then, O Thou most Almightie Spright!
+From whom all guifts of wit and knowledge flow,
+To shed into my breast some sparkling light                           10
+Of thine eternall truth, that I may show
+Some little beames to mortall eyes below
+Of that immortall Beautie there with Thee,
+Which in my weake distraughted mynd I see;
+
+That with the glorie of so goodly sight                               15
+The hearts of men, which fondly here admyre
+Faire seeming shewes, and feed on vaine delight,
+Transported with celestiall desyre
+Of those faire formes, may lift themselves up hyer,
+And learne to love, with zealous humble dewty,                        20
+Th'Eternall Fountaine of that heavenly Beauty.
+
+Beginning then below, with th'easie vew
+Of this base world, subiect to fleshly eye,
+From thence to mount aloft, by order dew,
+To contemplation of th'immortall sky;                                 25
+Of the soare faulcon* so I learne to flye.
+That flags a while her fluttering wings beneath,
+Till she her selfe for stronger flight can breath.
+  [* _Soare faulcon_, a young falcon; a hawk that has not shed its first
+  feathers, which are _sorrel_.]
+
+Then looke, who list thy gazefull eyes to feed
+With sight of that is faire, looke on the frame                       30
+Of this wyde universe, and therein reed
+The endlesse kinds of creatures which by name
+Thou canst not count, much less their natures aime;
+All which are made with wondrous wise respect,
+And all with admirable beautie deckt.                                 35
+
+First, th'Earth, on adamantine pillers founded
+Amid the Sea, engirt with brasen bands;
+Then th'Aire, still flitting, but yet firmely bounded
+On everie side with pyles of flaming brands,
+Never consum'd, nor quencht with mortall hands;                       40
+And last, that mightie shining cristall wall,
+Wherewith he hath encompassed this all.
+
+By view whereof it plainly may appeare,
+That still as every thing doth upward tend
+And further is from earth, so still more cleare                       45
+And faire it growes, till to his perfect end
+Of purest Beautie it at last ascend;
+Ayre more then water, fire much more then ayre,
+And heaven then fire, appeares more pure and fayre.
+
+Looke thou no further, but affixe thine eye                           50
+On that bright shynie round still moving masse,
+The house of blessed God, which men call Skye,
+All sowd with glistring stars more thicke then grasse,
+Whereof each other doth in brightnesse passe,
+But those two most, which, ruling night and day,                      55
+As king and queene the heavens empire sway;
+
+And tell me then, what hast thou ever seene
+That to their beautie may compared bee?
+Or can the sight that is most sharpe and keene
+Endure their captains flaming head to see?                            60
+How much lesse those, much higher in degree,
+And so much fairer, and much more then these,
+As these are fairer then the land and seas?
+
+For farre above these heavens which here we see,
+Be others farre exceeding these in light,                             65
+Not bounded, not corrupt, as these same bee,
+But infinite in largenesse and in hight,
+Unmoving, uncorrupt, and spotlesse bright,
+That need no sunne t'illuminate their spheres,
+But their owne native light farre passing theirs.                     70
+
+And as these heavens still by degrees arize,
+Until they come to their first movers* bound,
+That in his mightie compasse doth comprize
+And carrie all the rest with him around,
+So those likewise doe by degrees redound**,                           75
+And rise more faire, till they at last arive
+To the most faire, whereto they all do strive.
+  [* I.e. the _primum mobile_.]
+  [** I.e. exceed the one the other.]
+
+Faire is the heaven where happy soules have place,
+In full enioyment of felicitie,
+Whence they doe still behold the glorious face                        80
+Of the Divine Eternall Maiestie;
+More faire is that where those Idees on hie
+Enraunged be, which Plato so admyred,
+And pure Intelligences from God inspyred.
+
+Yet fairer is that heaven in which do raine                           85
+The soveraigne Powres and mightie Potentates,
+Which in their high protections doe containe
+All mortall princes and imperiall states;
+And fayrer yet whereas the royall Seates
+And heavenly Dominations are set,                                     90
+From whom all earthly governance is fet*.
+  [* _Fet_, fetched, derived.]
+
+Yet farre more faire be those bright Cherubins,
+Which all with golden wings are overdight,
+And those eternall burning Seraphins,
+Which from their faces dart out fierie light;                         95
+Yet fairer then they both, and much more bright,
+Be th'Angels and Archangels, which attend
+On Gods owne person, without rest or end.
+
+These thus in faire each other farre excelling,
+As to the Highest they approach more near,                           100
+Yet is that Highest farre beyond all telling,
+Fairer then all the rest which there appeare,
+Though all their beauties ioyn'd together were;
+How then can mortall tongue hope to expresse
+The image of such endlesse perfectnesse?                             105
+
+Cease then, my tongue! and lend unto my mynd
+Leave to bethinke how great that Beautie is,
+Whose utmost* parts so beautifull I fynd;
+How much more those essentiall parts of His,
+His truth, his love, his wisedome, and his blis,                     110
+His grace, his doome**, his mercy, and his might,
+By which he lends us of himselfe a sight!
+[* _Utmost_, outmost.]
+[** _Doome_, judgment.]
+
+Those unto all he daily doth display,
+And shew himselfe in th'image of his grace,
+As in a looking-glasse, through which he may                         115
+Be seene of all his creatures vile and base,
+That are unable else to see his face;
+His glorious face! which glistereth else so bright,
+That th'angels selves can not endure his sight.
+
+But we, fraile wights! whose sight cannot sustaine                   120
+The suns bright beames when he on us doth shyne,
+But* that their points rebutted** backe againe
+Are duld, how can we see with feeble eyne
+The glorie of that Maiestie Divine,
+In sight of whom both sun and moone are darke,                       125
+Compared to his least resplendent sparke?
+[* _But_, unless.]
+[** _Rebutted_, reflected.]
+
+The meanes, therefore, which unto us is lent
+Him to behold, is on his workes to looke.
+Which he hath made in beauty excellent,
+And in the same, as in a brasen booke,                               130
+To read enregistred in every nooke
+His goodnesse, which his beautie doth declare;
+For all thats good is beautifull and faire.
+
+Thence gathering plumes of perfect speculation
+To impe* the wings of thy high flying mynd,                          135
+Mount up aloft through heavenly contemplation
+From this darke world, whose damps the soule do blynd,
+And, like the native brood of eagles kynd,
+On that bright Sunne of Glorie fixe thine eyes,
+Clear'd from grosse mists of fraile infirmities.                     140
+  [* _Impe_, mend, strengthen.]
+
+Humbled with feare and awfull reverence,
+Before the footestoole of his Maiestie
+Throw thy selfe downe, with trembling innocence,
+Ne dare looke up with c�rruptible eye
+On the dred face of that great Deity,                                145
+For feare lest, if he chaunce to look on thee,
+Thou turne to nought, and quite confounded be.
+
+But lowly fall before his mercie seate,
+Close covered with the Lambes integrity
+From the iust wrath of His avengefull threate                        150
+That sits upon the righteous throne on hy;
+His throne is built upon Eternity,
+More firme and durable then steele or brasse,
+Or the hard diamond, which them both doth passe.
+
+His scepter is the rod of Righteousnesse,                            155
+With which he bruseth all his foes to dust,
+And the great Dragon strongly doth represse
+Under the rigour of his iudgment iust;
+His seate is Truth, to which the faithfull trust,
+From whence proceed her beames so pure and bright,                   160
+That all about him sheddeth glorious light:
+
+Light farre exceeding that bright blazing sparke
+Which darted is from Titans flaming head,
+That with his beames enlumineth the darke
+And dampish air, wherby al things are red*;                          165
+Whose nature yet so much is marvelled
+Of mortall wits, that it doth much amaze
+The greatest wisards** which thereon do gaze.
+  [* _Red_, perceived.]
+  [** _Wisards_, wise men, _savants_.]
+
+But that immortall light which there doth shine
+Is many thousand times more bright, more cleare,                     170
+More excellent, more glorious, more divine;
+Through which to God all mortall actions here,
+And even the thoughts of men, do plaine appeare;
+For from th'Eternall Truth it doth proceed,
+Through heavenly vertue which her beames doe breed.                  175
+
+With the great glorie of that wondrous light
+His throne is all encompassed around,
+And hid in his owne brightnesse from the sight
+Of all that looke thereon with eyes unsound;
+And underneath his feet are to be found                              180
+Thunder, and lightning, and tempestuous fyre,
+The instruments of his avenging yre.
+
+There in his bosome Sapience doth sit,
+The soveraine dearling of the Deity,
+Clad like a queene in royall robes, most fit                         185
+For so great powre and peerelesse maiesty,
+And all with gemmes and iewels gorgeously
+Adornd, that brighter then the starres appeare,
+And make her native brightnes seem more cleare.
+
+And on her head a crown of purest gold                               190
+Is set, in signe of highest soverainty;
+And in her hand a scepter she doth hold,
+With which she rules the house of God on hy,
+And menageth the ever-moving sky,
+And in the same these lower creatures all                            195
+Subiected to her powre imperiall.
+
+Both heaven and earth obey unto her will,
+And all the creatures which they both containe;
+For of her fulnesse, which the world doth fill,
+They all partake, and do in state remaine                            200
+As their great Maker did at first ordaine,
+Through observation of her high beheast,
+By which they first were made, and still increast.
+
+The fairnesse of her face no tongue can tell;
+For she the daughters of all wemens race,                            205
+And angels eke, in beautie doth excell,
+Sparkled on her from Gods owne glorious face,
+And more increast by her owne goodly grace,
+That it doth farre exceed all humane thought,
+Ne can on earth compared be to ought.                                210
+
+Ne could that painter (had he lived yet)
+Which pictured Venus with so curious quill
+That all posteritie admyred it,
+Have purtray'd this, for all his maistring* skill;
+Ne she her selfe, had she remained still,                            215
+And were as faire as fabling wits do fayne,
+Could once come neare this Beauty soverayne.
+  [* _Maistring_, superior.]
+
+But had those wits, the wonders of their dayes,
+Or that sweete Teian poet*, which did spend
+His plenteous vaine in setting forth her praise,                     220
+Seen but a glims of this which I pretend**,
+How wondrously would he her face commend,
+Above that idole of his fayning thought,
+That all the world should with his rimes be fraught!
+[* I.e. Anacreon.]
+[** _Pretend_, set forth, (or, simply) intend.]
+
+How then dare I, the novice of his art,                              225
+Presume to picture so divine a wight,
+Or hope t'expresse her least perfections part,
+Whose beautie filles the heavens with her light,
+And darkes the earth with shadow of her sight?
+Ah, gentle Muse! thou art too weake and faint                        230
+The pourtraict of so heavenly hew to paint.
+
+Let angels, which her goodly face behold,
+And see at will, her soveraigne praises sing,
+And those most sacred mysteries unfold
+Of that faire love of mightie Heavens King;                          235
+Enough is me t'admyre so heavenly thing,
+And being thus with her huge love possest,
+In th'only wonder of her selfe to rest.
+
+But whoso may, thrise happie man him hold
+Of all on earth, whom God so much doth grace,                        240
+And lets his owne Beloved to behold;
+For in the view of her celestiall face
+All ioy, all blisse, all happinesse, have place;
+Ne ought on earth can want unto the wight
+Who of her selfe can win the wishfull sight.                         245
+
+For she out of her secret threasury
+Plentie of riches forth on him will powre,
+Even heavenly riches, which there hidden ly
+Within the closet of her chastest bowre,
+Th'eternall portion of her precious dowre,                           250
+Which Mighty God hath given to her free,
+And to all those which thereof worthy bee.
+
+None thereof worthy be, but those whom shee
+Vouchsafeth to her presence to receave,
+And letteth them her lovely face to see,                             255
+Wherof such wondrous pleasures they conceave,
+And sweete contentment, that it doth bereave
+Their soul of sense, through infinite delight,
+And them transport from flesh into the spright.
+
+In which they see such admirable things,                             260
+As carries them into an extasy;
+And heare such heavenly notes and carolings
+Of Gods high praise, that filles the brasen sky;
+And feele such ioy and pleasure inwardly,
+That maketh them all worldly cares forget,                           265
+And onely thinke on that before them set.
+
+Ne from thenceforth doth any fleshly sense,
+Or idle thought of earthly things, remaine;
+But all that earst seemd sweet seemes now offence,
+And all that pleased earst now seemes to paine:                      270
+Their ioy, their comfort, their desire, their game,
+Is fixed all on that which now they see;
+All other sights but fayned shadowes bee.
+
+And that faire lampe which useth to enflame
+The hearts of men with selfe-consuming fyre,                         275
+Thenceforth seemes fowle, and full of sinfull blame
+And all that pompe to which proud minds aspyre
+By name of Honor, and so much desyre,
+Seemes to them basenesse, and all riches drosse,
+And all mirth sadnesse, and all lucre losse.                         280
+
+So full their eyes are of that glorious sight,
+And senses fraught with such satietie.
+That in nought else on earth they can delight,
+But in th'aspect of that felicitie
+Which they have written in theyr inward ey;                          285
+On which they feed, and in theyr fastened mynd
+All happie ioy and full contentment fynd.
+
+Ah, then, my hungry soule! which long hast fed
+On idle fancies of thy foolish thought,
+And, with false Beauties flattring bait misled,                      290
+Hast after vaine deceiptfull shadowes sought,
+Which all are fled, and now have left thee nought
+But late repentance, through thy follies prief,
+Ah! ceasse to gaze on matter of thy grief:
+
+And looke at last up to that Soveraine Light,                        295
+From whose pure beams al perfect Beauty springs,
+That kindleth love in every godly spright,
+Even the love of God; which loathing brings
+Of this vile world and these gay-seeming things;
+With whose sweet pleasures being so possest,                         300
+Thy straying thoughts henceforth for ever rest.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+EPIGRAMS AND SONNETS.
+
+
+
+EPIGRAMS.
+
+
+I*.
+[* In the folio of 1611, these four short pieces are appended
+to the Sonnets. The second and third are translated from Marot's
+Epigrams, Liv. III. No. 5, _De Diane_, and No. 24, _De Cupido et de sa
+Dame_. C.]
+
+In youth, before I waxed old,
+The blynd boy, Venus baby,
+For want of cunning, made me bold
+In bitter hyve to grope for honny:
+  But when he saw me stung and cry,
+  He tooke his wings and away did fly.
+
+
+II.
+
+As Diane hunted on a day,
+She chaunst to come where Cupid lay,
+  His quiver by his head:
+One of his shafts she stole away,
+And one of hers did close convay,
+  Into the others stead:
+With that Love wounded my Loves hart,
+But Diane, beasts with Cupids dart.
+
+
+III.
+
+I saw, in secret to my dame
+How little Cupid humbly came,
+  And said to her, "All hayle, my mother!"
+But when he saw me laugh, for shame
+His face with bashfull blood did flame,
+  Not knowing Venus from the other.
+"Then, never blush, Cupid," quoth I,
+"For many have err'd in this beauty."
+
+
+IV.
+
+Upon a day, as Love lay sweetly slumbring
+  All in his mothers lap,
+A gentle Bee, with his loud trumpet murm'ring,
+  About him flew by hap.
+Whereof when he was wakened with the noyse,
+  And saw the beast so small,
+"Whats this," quoth he, "that gives so great a voyce,
+  That wakens men withall?"
+    In angry wize he flies about,
+    And threatens all with corage stout.                              10
+
+To whom his mother, closely* smiling, sayd,
+  'Twixt earnest and 'twixt game:
+"See! thou thy selfe likewise art lyttle made,
+  If thou regard the same.
+And yet thou suffrest neyther gods in sky,                            15
+  Nor men in earth, to rest:
+But when thou art disposed cruelly,
+  Theyr sleepe thou doost molest.
+    Then eyther change thy cruelty,
+    Or give lyke leave unto the fly."                                 20
+[* _Closely_, secretly.]
+
+Nathelesse, the cruell boy, not so content,
+  Would needs the fly pursue,
+And in his hand, with heedlesse hardiment,
+  Him caught for to subdue.
+But when on it he hasty hand did lay,                                 25
+  The Bee him stung therefore.
+"Now out, alas," he cryde, "and welaway!
+  I wounded am full sore.
+    The fly, that I so much did scorne,
+    Hath hurt me with his little horne."                              30
+
+Unto his mother straight he weeping came,
+  And of his griefe complayned;
+Who could not chuse but laugh at his fond game,
+  Though sad to see him pained.
+"Think now," quoth she, "my son, how great the smart                  35
+  Of those whom thou dost wound:
+Full many thou hast pricked to the hart,
+  That pitty never found.
+    Therefore, henceforth some pitty take,
+    When thou doest spoyle of lovers make."                           40
+
+She tooke him streight full pitiously lamenting,
+She wrapt him softly, all the while repenting
+  That he the fly did mock.
+She drest his wound, and it embaulmed well                            45
+  With salve of soveraigne might;
+And then she bath'd him in a dainty well,
+  The well of deare delight.
+    Who would not oft be stung as this,
+    To be so bath'd in Venus blis?                                    50
+
+The wanton boy was shortly wel recured
+  Of that his malady;
+But he soone after fresh again enured*
+  His former cruelty.
+And since that time he wounded hath my selfe                          55
+  With his sharpe dart of love,
+And now forgets the cruell carelesse elfe
+  His mothers heast** to prove.
+    So now I languish, till he please
+    My pining anguish to appease.                                     60
+[* _Enured_, practised.]
+[** _Heast_, command.]
+
+
+
+
+
+SONNETS
+
+WRITTEN BY SPENSER,
+
+COLLECTED FKOM THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS IN
+WHICH THEY APPEARED.
+
+
+I*.
+
+_To the right worshipfull, my singular good frend,
+M. Gabriell Harvey, Doctor of the Lawes._
+
+Harvey, the happy above happiest men
+I read**; that, sitting like a looker-on
+Of this worldes stage, doest note with critique pen
+The sharpe dislikes of each condition:
+And, as one carelesse of suspition,
+Ne fawnest for the favour of the great,
+Ne fearest foolish reprehension
+Of faulty men, which daunger to thee threat:
+But freely doest of what thee list entreat,@
+Like a great lord of peerelesse liberty,
+Lifting the good up to high Honours seat,
+And the evill damning evermore to dy:
+For life and death is in thy doomeful writing;
+So thy renowme lives ever by endighting.
+
+
+Dublin, this xviij. of July, 1586.
+
+Your devoted friend, during life,
+
+EDMUND SPENCER.
+
+[* From "Foure Letters and certaine Sonnets especially touching Robert
+Greene, and other parties by him abused," &c. London, 1592. TODD.]
+[** _Read_, consider.]
+[@ _Entreat_, treat.]
+
+
+II*.
+
+Whoso wil seeke, by right deserts, t'attaine
+Unto the type of true nobility,
+And not by painted shewes, and titles vaine,
+Derived farre from famous auncestrie,
+Behold them both in their right visnomy**
+Here truly pourtray'd as they ought to be,
+And striving both for termes of dignitie,
+To be advanced highest in degree.
+And when thou doost with equall insight see
+The ods twist both, of both then deem aright,
+And chuse the better of them both to thee;
+But thanks to him that it deserves behight@:
+  To Nenna first, that first this worke created,
+  And next to Iones, that truely it translated.
+
+
+ED. SPENSER.
+
+[* Prefixed to "Nennio, or A Treatise of Nobility, &c. Written  in
+Italian by that famous Doctor and worthy Knight, Sir John Baptista
+Nenna of Bari. Done into English by William Iones, Gent." 1595. TODD.]
+[** _Visnomy_, features.]
+[@ _Behight_, accord.]
+
+
+III*.
+
+_Upon the Historie of George Castriot, alias Scanderbeg, King of the
+Epirots, translated into English._
+
+Wherefore doth vaine Antiquitie so vaunt
+Her ancient monuments of mightie peeres,
+And old her�es, which their world did daunt
+With their great deedes and fild their childrens eares?
+Who, rapt with wonder of their famous praise,
+Admire their statues, their colossoes great,
+Their rich triumphall arcks which they did raise,
+Their huge pyr�mids, which do heaven threat.
+Lo! one, whom later age hath brought to light,
+Matchable to the greatest of those great;
+Great both by name, and great in power and might,
+And meriting a meere** triumphant seate.
+  The scourge of Turkes, and plague of infidels,
+  Thy acts, O Scanderbeg, this volume tels.
+
+
+ED. SPENSER.
+
+[* Prefixed to the "Historie of George Castriot, alias  Scanderbeg, King
+of Albanie: Containing his famous actes, &c. Newly  translated out of
+French into English by Z.I. Gentleman." 1596. TODD.]
+[** _Meere_, absolute, decided.]
+
+
+IV*.
+
+The antique Babel, empresse of the East,
+Upreard her buildinges to the threatned skie:
+And second Babell, tyrant of the West,
+Her ayry towers upraised much more high.
+But with the weight of their own surquedry**
+They both are fallen, that all the earth did feare,
+And buried now in their own ashes ly,
+Yet shewing, by their heapes, how great they were.
+But in their place doth now a third appeare,
+Fayre Venice, flower of the last worlds delight;
+And next to them in beauty draweth neare,
+But farre exceedes in policie of right.
+  Yet not so fayre her buildinges to behold
+  As Lewkenors stile that hath her beautie told.
+
+
+EDM. SPENCER.
+
+[* Prefixed to "The Commonwealth and Government of Venice,
+Written by the Cardinall Gaspar Contareno, and translated out of Italian
+into English by Lewes Lewkenor, Esquire." London, 1599. TODD.]
+[** _Surquedry_, presumption.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+APPENDIX.
+
+APPENDIX I.
+
+VARIATIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITIONS.
+
+The Ruines of Time v. 353, covetize, Q. covertize.
+The Ruines of Time v. 541, ocean, Q. Occaean.
+The Ruines of Time v. 551, which (ed. 1611), Q. with.
+The Ruines of Time v. 574, worlds (ed. 1611), Q. words.
+The Ruines of Time v. 675, world�s, Q. worlds.
+The Teares of the Muses v. 600, living (ed. 1611), Q. loving.
+Virgils Gnat v. 149, Ascraean, Q. Astraean.
+Virgils Gnat v. 340, seest thou not (ed. 1611), Q. seest thou.
+Virgils Gnat v. 387, throat (ed. 1611), Q. threat.
+Virgils Gnat v. 575, billowes, Q. billowe.
+Prosopopoia v. 53, gossip, Q. goship.
+Prosopopoia v. 453, diriges, Q. dirges.
+Prosopopoia v. 648, at all, Q. all.
+Prosopopoia v. 997, whether, Q. whither.
+Prosopopoia v. 1012, stopt, Q. stept.
+Prosopopoia v. 1019, whither, Q. whether.
+Ruines of Rome xviii. 5, ornaments, Q. ornament.
+Muiopotmos v. 250, dispacing, Q. displacing.
+Muiopotmos v. 431, yongthly, Q. yougthly.
+The Visions of Bellay ii. 8, one, Q. on.
+The Visions of Bellay ix. 1, astonied, Q. astoined.
+The Visions of Petrarche vii. 1, behold, Q. beheld.
+Amoretti lxxxii. 2, placed, Orig ed*. plac'd. [* According to Todd.]
+Epithalmion v. 67, dere, orig. ed. dore.
+Epithalmion v. 190, mazeful (ed. 1611), orig. ed. amazeful.
+Epithalmion v. 290, sad dread (ed. 1611), orig. ed. dread.
+Epithalmion v. 341, Pouke, orig. ed. ponke.
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 165, they will (ed. 1611), orig. ed. thou
+wilt.
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 169, be enfyred (ed. 1611), orig. ed. he
+enfyred.
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 302, an (ed. 1611), orig. ed. and.
+An Hymne in Honour of Beautie v. 147, deform'd, orig. ed. perform'd.
+An Hymne in Honour of Beautie v. 171, affections (ed. 1611), orig. ed.
+affection.
+
+
+
+APPENDIX II.
+
+_To the Worshipfull, his very singular good friend,
+Maister G. H., Fellow of Trinitie Hall in Cambridge._ *
+[* Reprinted from "Ancient Critical Essays upon English Poets
+and Poesy. Edited by Joseph Haslewood". Vol II]
+
+GOOD MAISTER G.:--
+
+I perceiue, by your most curteous and frendly letters, your good will to
+be no lesse in deed than I alwayes esteemed. In recompence wherof,
+think, I beseech you, that I wil spare neither speech, nor wryting, nor
+aught else, whensoeuer and wheresoeuer occasion shal be offred me; yea,
+I will not stay till it be offred, but will seeke it in al that possibly
+I may. And that you may perceiue how much your counsel in al things
+preuaileth with me, and how altogither I am ruled and ouer-ruled
+thereby, I am now determined to alter mine owne former purpose, and to
+subscribe to your advizement; being, notwithstanding, resolued stil to
+abide your farther resolution. My principal doubts are these. First, I
+was minded for a while to haue intermitted the vttering of my writings;
+leaste by ouer-much cloying their noble eares, I should gather a
+contempt of myself, or else seeme rather for game and commoditie to doe
+it, for some sweetnesse that I haue already tasted. Then also me seemeth
+the work too base for his excellent lordship, being made in honour of a
+priuate personage vnknowne, which of some ylwillers might be vpbraided,
+not to be so worthie as you knowe she is; or the matter not so weightie
+that it should be offred to so weightie a personage, or the like. The
+selfe former title still liketh me well ynough, and your fine addition
+no lesse. If these and the like doubtes maye be of importaunce, in your
+seeming, to frustrate any parte of your aduice, I beeseeche you without
+the leaste selfe loue of your own purpose, councell me for the beste:
+and the rather doe it faithfullye and carefully, for that, in all
+things, I attribute so muche to your iudgement, that I am euermore
+content to adnihilate mine owne determinations in respecte thereof. And,
+indeede, for your selfe to, it sitteth with you now to call your wits &
+senses togither (which are alwaies at call) when occasion is so fairely
+offered of estimation and preferment, For whiles the yron is hote it is
+good striking, and minds of nobles varie, as their estates. _Verum ne
+quid durius._
+
+I pray you bethinks you well hereof, good Maister G., and forth with
+write me those two or three special points and caueats for the nonce;
+_De quibus in superioribus illis mellitissimus longissimisque litteris
+tuis._ Your desire to heare of my late beeing with hir Maiestie muste
+dye in it selfe. As for the twoo worthy gentle men, Master Sidney and
+Master Dyer, they haue me, I thanke them, in some vse of familiarity; of
+whom and to whome what speache passeth for youre credite and estimation
+I leaue your selfe to conceiue, hauing alwayes so well conceiued of my
+vnfained affection and zeale towardes you. And nowe they haue proclaimed
+in their [Greek: hareiophaga] a generall surceasing and silence of balde
+rymers, and also of the verie beste to; in steade whereof they haue, by
+authoritie of their whole senate, prescribed certaine lawes and rules of
+quantities of English sillables for English verse; hauing had thereof
+already greate practise, and drawen mee to their faction. Newe bookes I
+heare of none, but only of one* [* Stephen Gosson.], that
+writing a certaine booke called _The Schoole of Abuse_, and dedicating
+it to Maister Sidney, was for hys labor scorned; if, at leaste, it be in
+the goodnesse of that nature to scorne. Such follie is it not to regard
+aforehande the inclination and qualitie of him to whome wee dedicate
+oure bookes. Suche mighte I happily incurre, entituling _My Slomber_,
+and the other pamphlets, vnto his honor. I meant them rather to Maister
+Dyer. But I am of late more in loue wyth my Englishe versifying than
+with ryming: whyche I should haue done long since, if I would then haue
+followed your councell. _Sed te solum iam tum suspicabar cum Aschamo
+sapere; nunc aulam video egregios alere poetas Anglicos_. Maister E.K.
+hartily desireth to be commended vnto your worshippe: of whome what
+accompte he maketh youre selfe shall hereafter perceiue by hys paynefull
+and dutifull verses of your selfe.
+
+Thus muche was written at Westminster yesternight; but comming this
+morning, beeyng the sixteenth of October [1579], to Mystresse Kerkes, to
+haue it deliuered to the carrier, I receyued youre letter, sente me the
+laste weeke; whereby I perceiue you otherwhiles continue your old
+exercise of versifying in English,--whych glorie I had now thought
+whoulde haue bene onely ours heere at London and the court.
+
+Truste me, your verses I like passingly well, and enuye your hidden
+paines in this kinde, or rather maligne and grudge at your selfe, that
+woulde not once imparte so muche to me. But once or twice you make a
+breache in Maister Drants rules: _quod tamen condonabimus tanto poetae,
+tuaeque ipsius maximae in his rebus autoritati._ You shall see, when we
+meete in London, (whiche when it shall be, certifye vs,) howe fast I
+haue followed after you in that course: beware, leaste in time I
+ouertake you. _Veruntamen te solum sequar, (vt saepenumero sum
+professus,) nunquam sane assequar dum viuam._ And nowe requite I you
+with the like, not with the verye beste, but with the verye shortest,
+namely, with a few _Iambickes_. I dare warrant, they be precisely
+perfect for the feete, (as you can easily iudge,) and varie not one inch
+from the rule. I will imparte yours to Maister Sidney and Maister Dyer,
+at my nexte going to the courte. I praye you keepe mine close to your
+selfe, or your verie entire friendes, Maister Preston, Maister Still,
+and the reste.
+
+              _Iambicum Trimetrum_
+
+Vnhappie Verse, the witnesse of my vnhappie state,
+  Make thy selfe fluttring wings of thy fast flying
+  Thought, and fly forth vnto my love whersoeuer she be:
+
+Whether lying reastlesse in heauy bedde, or else
+  Sitting so cheerelesse at the cheerfull boorde, or else
+  Playing alone carelesse on hir heauenlie virginals.
+
+If in bed, tell hir, that my eyes can take no reste;
+  If at boorde, tell hir, that my mouth can eate no meate;
+  If at hir virginals, tel hir, I can heare no mirth.
+
+Asked why? say, Waking loue suffereth no sleepe;
+  Say, that raging loue dothe appall the weake stomacke;
+  Say, that lamenting loue marreth the musicall.
+
+Tell hir, that hir pleasures were wonte to lull me asleepe;
+  Tell hir, that hir beautie was wonte to feede mine eyes;
+  Tell hir, that hir sweete tongue was wonte to make me mirth.
+
+Nowe doe I nightly waste, wanting my kindely reste;
+  Nowe doe I dayly starue, wanting my liuely foode;
+  Nowe doe I alwayes dye, wanting thy timely mirth.
+
+And if I waste, who will bewaile my heauy chaunce?
+  And if I starue, who will record my cursed end?
+  And if I dye, who will saye, _This was Immerito?_
+
+
+I thought once agayne here to haue made an ende, with heartie _Vale_, of
+the best fashion; but loe, an ylfavoured mys chaunce. My last farewell,
+whereof I made great accompt, and muche maruelled you shoulde make no
+mention thereof, I am nowe tolde, (in the diuel's name,) was thorough
+one mans negligence quite forgotten, but shoulde nowe vndoubtedly haue
+beene sent, whether I hadde come or no. Seing it can now be no
+otherwise, I pray you take all togither, wyth all their faults: and nowe
+I hope you will vouchsafe mee an answeare of the largest size, or else I
+tell you true, you shall bee verye deepe in my debte; notwythstandyng
+thys other sweete but shorte letter, and fine, but fewe verses. But I
+woulde rather I might yet see youre owne good selfe, and receiue a
+reciprocall farewell from your owne sweete mouth.
+
+_Ad ornatissimum virum, multis iam diu nominibus clarissimum,
+G. H., Immerito sui, mox in Gallias nauigaturi,_ [Greek: Eutuchein]
+
+Sic malus egregium, sic non inimicus amicum,
+Sicque nouus veterem iubet ipse poeta poetam
+Saluere, ac caelo, post secula multa, secundo,
+Iam reducem, (caelo mage quam nunc ipse sccundo)
+Vtier. Ecce deus, (modo sit deus ille, renixum
+Qui vocet in scelus, et iuratos perdat amores)
+Ecce deus mihi clara dedit modo signa marinus,
+Et sua veligero lenis parat aequora ligno
+Mox sulcanda; suas etiam pater AEolus iras
+Ponit, et ingentes animos Aquilonis.
+Cuncta vijs sic apta meis: ego solus ineptus.
+Nam mihi nescio quo mens saucia vulnere, dudum
+Fluctuat ancipiti pelago, dum navita proram
+Inualidam validus rapit huc Amor, et rapit illuc
+Consilijs Ratio melioribus vsa, Decusque
+Immortale leui diffissa Cupidinis arcu*:
+     [* This line appears to be corrupt.]
+Angimur hoc dubio, et portu vexamur in ipso.
+Magne pharetrati nunc tu contemptor Amoris,
+(Id tibi Dij nomen precor haud impune remittant)
+Hos nodos exsolue, et eris mihi magnus Apollo!
+Spiritus ad summos, scio, te generosus honores
+Exstimulat, majusque docet spirare poetam.
+Quam leuis est Amor, et tamen haud leuis est Amor omnis.
+Ergo nihil laudi reputas aequale perenni,
+Praeque sacrosancta splendoris imagine tanti,
+Caetera, quae vecors, vti numina, vulgus adorat,
+Praedia, amicitias, vrbana peculia, nummos,
+Quaeque placent oculis, formas, spectacula, amores,
+Conculcare soles, vt humum, et ludibria sensus:
+Digna meo certe Haruejo sententia, digna
+Oratore amplo, et generoso pectore, quam non
+Stoica formidet veterum sapientia vinclis
+Sancire aeternis: sapor haud tamen omnibus idem.
+Dicitur effoeti proles facunda Laertae,
+Quamlibet ignoti iactata per aequora caeli,
+Inque procelloso longum exsul gurgite ponto,
+Prae tamen amplexu lachrymosae conjugis, ortus
+Caelestes, Diu�mque thoros spreuisse beatos.
+Tantum amor, et mulier, vel amore potetitior. Ilium
+Tu tamen illudis; tua magnificentia tanta est:
+Praeque subumbrata splendoris imagine tanti,
+Praeque illo meritis famosis nomine parto,
+Caetera, quae vecors, vti numina, vulgus adorat,
+Praedia, amicitias, armenta, peculia, nummos,
+Quaeque placent oculis, formas, spectacula, amores,
+Quaeque placent ori, quaeque auribus, omnia temnis.
+Nae tu grande sapis! sapor et sapientia non est:
+Omnis et in paruis bene qui scit desipuisse,
+Saepe supercilijs palmam sapientibus aufert.
+Ludit Aristippum modo tetrica turba sophorum,
+Mitia purpureo moderantem verba tyranno;
+Ludit Aristippus dictamina vana sophorum,
+Quos leuis emensi male torquet Culicis vmbra:
+Et quisquis placuisse studet heroibus altis,
+Desipuisse studet; sic gratia crescit ineptis.
+Denique laurigeris quisquis sua tempora vittis
+Insignire volet, populoque placere fauenti,
+Desipere insanus discit, turpemque pudendae
+Stultitiae laudem quaerit. Pater Ennuis vnus
+Dictus in innumeris sapiens: laudatur at ipse
+Carmina vesano fudisse liquentia vino.
+Nec tu, pace tua, nostri Cato Maxime saecli,
+Nomen honorati sacrum mereare poetae,
+Quantumvis illustre canas, et nobile carmen,
+Ni _stultire_ velis; sic stultorum omnia plena.
+Tuta sed in medio superest via gurgite; nam qui
+Nec reliquis nimium vult desipuisse videri,
+Nec sapuisse nimis, sapientem dixeris vnum:
+Hinc te merserit vnda, illine combusserit ignis.
+Nec tu delicias nimis aspernare fluentes,
+Nec sero dominam venientem in vota, nec aurum,
+Si sapis, oblatum: (Curijs ea, Fabricijsque
+Grande sui decus ij, nostri sed dedecus aeui;)
+Nec sectare nimis: res vtraque crimine plena.
+Hoc bene qui callet, (si quis tamen hoc bene callet,)
+Scribe vel invito sapientem hunc Socrate solum.
+Vis facit vna pios, iustos facit altera, et alt'ra
+Egregie cordata ac fortia pectora: verum
+_Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit vtile dulci._
+Dij mihi dulce diu dederant, verum vtile nunquam:
+Vtile nunc etiam, o vtinam quoque dulce dedissent.
+Dij mihi, (quippe Dijs aequalia maxima paruis,)
+Ni nimis inuideant mortalibus esse beatis,
+Dulce simul tribuisse queant, simul vtile: tanta
+Sed fortuna tua est: pariter quaeque vtile, quaeque
+Dulce dat ad placitum: sseuo nos sydere nati
+Quaesitum imus eam per inhospita Caucasa longe,
+Perque Pyrenaeos montes, Babilonaque turpem.
+Quod si quaesitum nec ibi invenerimus, ingens
+AEquor inexhaustis permensi erroribus vltra
+Fluctibus in medijs socij quaeremus Vlyssis:
+Passibus inde deam fessis comitabimur aegram,
+Nobile cui furtum quaerenti defuit orbis.
+Namque sinu pudet in patrio tenebrisque pudendis,
+Non nimis ingenio iuuenem infoelice virentes
+Officijs frustra deperdere vilibus annos,
+Frugibus et vacuas speratis cernere spicas.
+Ibimus ergo statim, (quis eutiti fausta precetur?)
+Et pede clivosas fesso calcabimus Alpes.
+Quis dabit interea, conditas rore Britanno,
+Quis tibi litterulas, quis carmen amore petulcum!
+Musa sub Oebalij desueta cacumine mentis,
+Flebit inexhausto tarn longa silentia planctu,
+Lugebitque sacrum lacrymis Helicona tacentem.
+Harueiusque bonus, (charus licet omnibus idem,)
+Idque suo merito prope suauior omnibus, vnus
+Angelus et Gabriel, quamuis comitatus araicis
+Innumeris, geni�mque choro stipatus amaeno,
+_Immerito_ tamen vnum absentem saepe requiret;
+Optabitque, Utinam meus hic _Edmundus_ adesset,
+Qui noua scripsisset, nee amores conticuisset,
+Ipse suos; et saepe animo verbisque benignis
+Fausta precaretur, _Deus illum aliqaundo reducat_. &c.
+
+  Plura vellem per Charites, sed non licet per Musas.
+Vale, Vale plurimum, Mi amabilissime Harueie, meo cordi, meorum
+  omnium longe charissime.
+
+
+I was minded also to haue sent you some English verses, or rymes, for a
+farewell; but, by my troth, I haue no spare time in the world to thinke
+on such toyes, that, you knowe, will demaund a freer head than mine is
+presently. I beseeche you by all your curtesies and graces, let me be
+answered ere I goe; which will be (I hope, I feare, I thinke) the next
+weeke, if I can be dispatched of my Lorde. I goe thither, as sent by
+him, and maintained most what of him; and there am to employ my time, my
+body, my minde, to his Honours seruice. Thus, with many superhartie
+commendations and recommendations to your selfe, and all my friendes
+with you, I ende my last farewell, not thinking any more to write vnto
+you before I goe; and withall committing to your faithfull credence the
+eternall memorie of our euerlasting friendship; the inuiolable memorie
+of our ynspotted friendshippe, the sacred memorie of our vowed
+friendship; which I beseech you continue with vsuall writings, as you
+may, and of all things let me hears some newes from you: as gentle M.
+Sidney, I thanke his good worship, hath required of me, and so promised
+to doe againe. _Qui monet, vt facias, quod iam facis_, you knowe the
+rest. You may alwayes send them most safely to me by Mistresse Kerke,
+and by none other. So once againe, and yet once more, farewell most
+hardly, mine owne good Master H., and loue me, as I loue you, and thinke
+vpon poore Immerito, as he thinketh vppon you.
+
+Leyc'ester House, this 5 [16*] of October, 1579.
+[*: See Appendix II, para. 3:2.]
+
+
+_Per mare, per terras,
+Viuus mortuusque,
+Tuus Immerito_.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_To my long approoued and singular good frende,
+Master G. H._
+
+GOOD MASTER H.:--
+
+I doubt not but you haue some great important matter in hande, which al
+this while restraineth your penne, and wonted readinesse in prouoking me
+vnto that wherein yourselfe nowe faulte. If there bee any such thing in
+hatching, I pray you hartily lette vs knowe, before al the worlds see
+it. But if happly you dwell altogither in Iustinians Courte, and giue
+your selfe to be devoured of secreate studies, as of all likelyhood you
+doe, yet at least imparte some your olde or newe, Latine or Englishe,
+eloquent and gallant poesies to vs, from whose eves, you saye, you keepe
+in a manner nothing hidden. Little newes is here stirred, but that olde
+greate matter still depending. His Honoure neuer better. I thinke the
+earthquake wyth you (which I would gladly learne), as it was here with
+vs; ouerthrowing diuers old buildings and peeces of churches. Sure verye
+straunge to be hearde of in these countries, and yet I heare some saye
+(I knowe not howe truely) that they haue knowne the like before in their
+dayes. _Sed quid vobis videtur magnis philosophis?_ I like your late
+Englishe hexameters so exceedingly well, that I also enure my penne
+sometime in that kinde: whyche I fynd, indeede, as I haue heard you
+often defende in worde, neither so harde nor so harshe, that it will
+easily and fairely yeelde it selfe to oure moother tongue. For the onely
+or chiefest hardnesse whych seemeth is in the accente, whyche sometime
+gapeth, and as it were yawneth ilfauouredly, comming shorte of that it
+should, and sometime exceeding the measure of the number; as in
+_carpenter_, the middle sillable being vsed shorte in speache, when it
+shall be read long in verse, seemeth like a lame gosling, that draweth
+one legge after hir: and _heauen_, beeing vsed shorte as one sillable,
+when it is in verse, stretched out with a _diastole_, is like a lame
+dogge that holdes vp one legge. But it is to be wonne with custome, and
+rough words must be subdued with vse. For why, a God's name, may not we,
+as else the Greekes, haue the kingdome of oure owne language, and
+measure our accents by the sounde, reseruing the quantitie to the verse?
+Loe, here I let you see my olde vse of toying in rymes, turned into your
+artificiall straightnesse of verse by this _tetrasticon_. I beseech you
+tell me your fancie, without parcialitie.
+
+  See yee the blindefolded pretie god, that feathered archer,
+    Of louers miseries which maketh his bloodie game?
+  Wote ye why his moother with a veale hath coouered his face?
+    Trust me, least he my looue happely chaunce to beholde.
+
+Seeme they comparable to those two which I translated you _ex tempore_
+in bed, the last time we lay togither in Westminster?
+
+     That which I eate, did I ioy, and that which I greedily gorged;
+       As for those many goodly matters leaft I for others.
+
+I would hartily wish you would either send me the rules and precepts of
+arte which you obscrue in quantities, or else followe mine, that M.
+Philip Sidney gave me, being the very same which M. Drant deuised, but
+enlarged with M. Sidneys own iudgement, and augmented with my
+obseruations, that we might both accorde and agree in one; leaste we
+ouerthrowe one an other, and be ouerthrown of the rest. Truste me, you
+will hardly beleeue what greate good liking and estimation Maister Dyer
+had of your _Satyricall Verses_, and I, since the viewe thereof, hauing
+before of my selfe had speciall liking of Englishe versifying, am euen
+nowe aboute to giue you some token what and howe well therein I am able
+to doe: for, to tell you trueth, I minde shortely, at conuenient
+leysure, to sette forth a booke in this kinde, whyche I entitle,
+_Epithalamion Thamesis_, whyche booke I dare vndertake wil be very
+profitable for the knowledge, and rare for the inuention and manner of
+handling. For in setting forth the marriage of the Thames, I shewe his
+first beginning, and offspring, and all the countrey that he passeth
+thorough, and also describe all the riuers throughout Englande, whyche
+came to this wedding, and their righte names and right passage, &c.; a
+worke, beleeue me, of much labour, wherein notwithstanding Master
+Holinshed hath muche furthered and aduantaged me, who therein hath
+bestowed singular paines in searching oute their firste heades and
+sourses, and also in tracing and dogging onto all their course, til they
+fall into the sea.
+
+_O Tite, siquid ego,
+Ecquid erit pretij?_
+
+But of that more hereafter. Nowe, my _Dreames_ and _Dying Pellicane_
+being fully finished (as I partelye signified in my laste letters) and
+presentlye to bee imprinted, I wil in hande forthwith with my _Faery
+Queene_, whyche I praye you hartily send me with al expedition: and your
+frendly letters, and long expected judgement wythal, whyche let not be
+shorte, but in all pointes suche as you ordinarilye vse and I
+extraordinarily desire. _Multum vale.  Westminster.  Quarto Nonas
+Aprilis, 1580.  Sed, amabo te, meum Corculum tibi se ex animo commendat
+plurimum:  iamdiu mirata, te nihil ad literas suas responsi dedisse.
+Vide quaeso, ne id tibi capitale sit: mihi certe quidem erit, neque tibi
+hercle impune, vt opinor. Iterum vale, et quam voles soepe._
+Yours alwayes, to commaunde,
+IMMERITO.
+
+_Postcripte._
+
+I take best my _Dreames_ shoulde come forth alone, being growen, by
+meanes of the Glosse (running continually in maner of a paraphrase),
+full as great as my _Calendar_ Therin be some things excellently, and
+many things wittily, discoursed of E. K., and the pictures so singularly
+set forth and purtrayed, as if Michael Angelo were there, he could (I
+think) nor amende the beste, nor reprehende the worst. I knowe you
+woulde lyke them passing wel. Of my _Stemmata Dudleiana_, and especially
+of the sundry apostrophes therein, addressed you knowe to whome, muste
+more aduisement be had, than so lightly to sende them abroade: howbeit,
+trust me, (though I doe never very well,) yet, in my owne fancie, I
+neuer dyd better: _Veruntamen te sequor solum; nunquam vero assequar._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Extract from Harvey's Reply._
+
+But Master Collin Cloute is not euery body, and albeit his olde
+companions, Master Cuddy & Master Hobbinoll, be as little be holding to
+their Mistresse Poetrie as euer you wist, yet he peraduenture, by the
+meanes of hir speciall fauour, and some personall priuiledge, may
+happely line by Dying Pellicanes, and purchase great landes and
+lordshippes with the money which his Calendar and Dreames haue and will
+affourde him. _Extra iocum_, I like your Dreames passingly well; and the
+rather, bicause they sauour of that singular extraordinarie veine and
+inuention whiche I euer fancied moste, and in a manner admired onelye in
+Lucian, Petrarche, Aretine, Pasquill, and all the most delicate and fine
+conceited Grecians and Italians, (for the Romanes to speake of are but
+verye ciphars in this kinde,) whose chiefest endeuour and drifte was to
+haue nothing vulgare, but, in some respecte or other, and especially in
+liuely hyperbolicall amplifications, rare, queint, and odde in euery
+pointe, and, as a man woulde saye, a degree or two, at the leaste, aboue
+the reache and compasse of a common scholars capacitie. In whiche
+respecte notwithstanding, as well for the singularitie of the manner as
+the diuinitie of the matter, I hearde once a diuine preferre Saint Iohns
+Reuelation before al the veriest metaphysicall visions and iolliest
+conceited dreames or extasies that euer were deuised by one or other,
+howe admirable or super excellent soeuer they seemed otherwise to the
+worlde. And truely I am so confirmed in this opinion, that when I
+bethinke me of the verie notablest and moste wonderful propheticall or
+poeticall vision that euer I read, or hearde, meseemeth the proportion
+is so vnequall, that there hardly appeareth anye semblaunce of
+comparison: no more in a manner (specially for poets) than doth betweene
+the incomprehensible wisedome of God and the sensible wit of man. But
+what needeth this digression betweene you and me? I dare saye you wyll
+holde your selfe reasonably wel satisfied, if youre Dreames be but as
+well esteemed of in Englande as Petrarches Visions be in Italy; whiche,
+I assure you, is the very worst I wish you. But see how I haue the arte
+memoratiue at commaundement. In good faith, I had once again nigh
+forgotten your Faerie Queene: howbeit, by good chaunce, I haue nowe sent
+hir home at the laste, neither in better nor worse case than I founde
+hir. And must you of necessitie haue my iudgement of hir indeede? To be
+plaine, I am voyde of al iudgement, if your nine Comoedies, whervnto, in
+imitation of Herodotus, you giue the names of the nine Muses, (and in
+one mans fansie not vnworthily), come not neerer Ariostoes comoedies,
+eyther for the finesse of plausible elocution or the rarenesse of
+poetical inuention, than that Eluish Queene doth to his Orlando Furioso;
+which, notwithstanding, you wil needes seeme to emulate, and hope to
+ouergo, as you flatly professed yourself in one of your last letters.
+Besides that, you know, it hath bene the vsual practise of the most
+exquisite and odde wittes in all nations, and specially in Italie,
+rather to shewe and aduaunce themselues that way than any other; as,
+namely, those three notorious dyscoursing heads, Bibiena, Machiauel, and
+Aretine, did, (to let Bembo and Ariosto passe,) with the great
+admiration and wonderment of the whole countrey: being, in deede,
+reputed matchable in all points, both for conceyt of witte and eloquent
+decyphering of matters, either with Aristophanes and Menander in Greek,
+or with Plautus and Terence in Latin, or with any other in any other
+tong. But I wil not stand greatly with you in your owne matters. If so
+be the Faerye Queeue be fairer in your eie than the nine Muses, and
+Hobgoblin runne away with the garland from Apollo, marke what I saye:
+and yet I will not say that I thought, but there an end for this once,
+and fare you well, till God or some good aungell putte you in a better
+minde.
+
+
+
+APPENDIX III.
+
+INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
+
+Abessa, i.
+Abus, ii.
+Achilles, v.
+Acidalian Mount, iii.; iv.
+Acontius, ii.
+Acrasiai, ii.
+Actea, iii.
+Adicia, iii.
+Adin, ii.
+Adonis, Gardens of, ii.; v.
+Aeacidee, iv.
+Aedus, iii.
+Aegerie, ii.
+Aegina, ii.
+Aemylia, iii.
+Aeneas, ii.
+Aesculapius, i.
+Aeson, v.
+A�tion, iv.
+Agamemnon, v.
+Agape, iii.
+Agave, iii.
+Agdistes, ii.
+Agenor, iii.
+Aggannip of Celtica, ii.
+Aglaia, iv.
+Aglaura, iv.
+Alabaster, iv.
+Aladine, iv.
+Alane, iv.
+Albanact, ii.
+Albania, ii.
+Albany, iii.
+Albion, ii.
+Alceste, v.
+Alcluid, ii.
+Alcmena, ii.; brood of, v.
+Alcon, iv.; v.
+Alcyon, iv.; v.
+Alcides, ii.; iii.
+Alebius, iii.
+Alexander, ii.; iii.
+Alexis, iv.
+Algrind, iv.
+Alimeda, iii.
+Allan, ii.
+Allectus, ii.
+Allo, iii.; iv.
+Alma, ii.
+Alpheus, iii.
+Amaryllis, iv.
+Amavia, i.
+Amazon (river), i.
+Ambition, ii.
+Ambrosia, ii.; v.
+Ambrosius, King, ii.
+America, ii.
+Amidas, iii.
+Amintas, ii.
+Amoret, ii.; iii.
+Amoretta, ii.
+Amphisa, ii.
+Amphitrite (Nereid), iii.
+Amyas, iii.
+Amyntas, iii.
+Anamnestes, ii.
+Anchyses, ii.
+Androgeus, ii.
+Angela, ii.
+Angles, ii.
+Antiochus, i.
+Antiopa, ii.
+Antiquitiee of Faery Lond, ii.
+Antonius, i.
+Aon, iii.
+Ape (the), v.
+Apollo, ii.
+Appetite, ii.
+Aprill, iv.
+Arachne, v.
+Aragnoll, v.
+Arcady, iv.
+Archigald, ii.
+Archimago, i.; ii.
+Ardenne, iii.
+Ardeyn, iv.
+Argante, ii.
+Argo, ii.
+Argonauts, iii.
+Ariadne, iv.
+Arion, iii.
+Arlo-hill, iv.
+Armeddan, iii.
+Armoricke, ii.
+Armulla, iv.
+Arne, ii.
+Arras, ii.
+Artegall, ii.; iii.; iv.
+Artegall, Legend of, iii.
+Arthure, Prince, i.; ii.; iii.; iv.
+Arvirage, ii.
+Asclepiodate, ii.
+Ascraean bard, v.
+Asie, ii.
+Asopus, iii.
+Assaracus, ii.
+Assyrian Lyonesse, v.
+Asterie, ii.; v.
+Astraea, iii.
+Astraeus, iii.
+Astrophell, iv.
+Atalanta, ii.
+Ate, ii.; iii.
+Athens, ii.
+Athos, Mount, v.
+Atin, i.; ii.
+Atlas, ii.
+Atropos, iii.
+Aubrian, iii.
+August, iv.
+Augustine, ii.
+Augustus, v.
+Autono�, iii.
+Autumne, iv.
+Avarice, i.
+Avon, iii.
+Awe, iii.
+
+Babell, ii.
+Babylon, iii.; v.
+Bacchante, ii.
+Bacchus, iii.
+Baetus, v.
+Ball, iv.
+Ban, iii.
+Bandon, iii.
+Bangor, ii.
+Barnaby, v.
+Barow, iii.
+Barry, ii.
+Bartas, v.
+Basciante, ii.
+Bath, i.; iii.
+Bedford, v.
+Belgae, iii.
+Belgard, castle of, iv.
+Belgicke, i.
+Belinus, ii.
+Bellamoure, Sir, iv.
+Bellay, v.
+Bellisont, Sir, iii.
+Bellodant, iii.
+Bellona, ii.; iv.
+Belphoebe, i.; ii.; iii.; v.
+Belus, iii.
+Biblis, ii.
+Berecynthian goddesse, v.
+Bilbo, v.
+Bisaltis, ii.
+Blacke-water, iii.
+Bladud, ii.
+Blandamour, iii.
+Blandford, iii.
+Blandina, iv.
+Blatant Beast, iii.; iv.
+Blomius, iii.
+Boccace, iv.
+Bonfont, iii.
+Bowre of Blis, i.; ii.
+Boyne, iii.
+Bracidas, iii.
+Braggadocchio, i.; ii.; iii.
+Breane, iii.
+Bregog, iv.
+Brennus, ii.
+Briana, iv.
+Brianor, Sir, iii.
+Brigadore, viii.
+Bristow, iii.
+Britany, ii.
+Britomart, ii.; iii.
+Britomartis, Legend of, ii.
+Britonesse, ii.
+Briton Moniments, ii.
+Briton Prince, i.; ii.; iii.
+Broad-water, iv.
+Brockwell, ii.
+Brontes, iii.
+Bronteus, iii.
+Bruin, Sir, iv.
+Bruncheval, iii.
+Brunchild, ii.
+Brunell, iii.
+Brute, ii.
+Brutus, ii.
+Brytayne, Greater, ii.
+Buckhurst, Lord of, i.
+Bunduca, ii.; v.
+Burbon, iii.
+Burleigh, Lord, i.
+Busyrane, ii.; iii.
+Buttevant, iv.
+Byze, v.
+
+Cadmus, ii.
+Cador, ii.
+Cadwallader, ii.
+Cadwallin, ii.
+Cadwar, ii.
+Caecily, ii.
+Caelia, i.
+Caelian Hill,
+Caesar, i.; ii.
+Caicus, iii.
+Cairbadon, ii.
+Cairleill, ii.
+Cairleon, ii.
+Calepine, Sir, iv.
+Calidore, ii.; iv.
+Calidore, Sir, Legend of, iv.
+Calliope, iv.; v.
+Cambden, v.
+Cambel and Triamond, Legend of, iii.
+Cambell, iii.
+Camber, ii.
+Cambine, iii.
+Cambria, king of, ii.
+Cambridge, iii.
+Camilla, ii.; v.
+Canacee, iii.
+Candide, iv.
+Cantium, ii.
+Canutus, ii.
+Caphareus, v.
+Carados, ii.
+Carausius, ii.
+Care, ii.; iii.
+Careticus, ii.
+Carew (Cary), Lady, i.
+Cary, Ladie, v.
+Cassibalane, ii.
+Castaly, v.
+Castle Joyeous, ii.
+Castriot, George, v.
+Cayr-Merdin, ii.
+Cayr-Varolame, ii.
+Celeno, ii.
+Centaures, iii.
+Cephise, i.
+Cephisus, ii.
+Cerberus, i.; iv.; v.
+Cestus, iii.
+Change, iv.
+Chaos, iii.
+Charillis, iv.
+Charissa, i.
+Charlemaine, v.
+Charybdis, v.
+Charrwell, iii.
+Chastity, Legend of, ii.
+Chaucer, Dan, iii.
+Chester, iii.
+Cherefulnesse, iii.
+Child of Light (Lucifer), v.
+Chimaera, iv.
+Christ, v.
+Chrysaor (Artegall's sword), iii.
+Chrysogonee, ii.
+Churne, iii.
+Clare, iii.
+Claribell, i.; iii.; iv.
+Clarin (Clarinda), iii.
+Clarion, v.
+Claudius, ii.
+Cle, iii.
+Cleopatra, i.
+Cleopolis, i.; ii.
+Climene, ii.
+Clio, ii.; v.
+Clonmell, iii.
+Clorinda, iv.
+Clotho, iii.; v.
+Cocytus, i.; ii.
+Colchid mother, v.
+Cole, iii.
+Colin Clout, iv.; v.
+Columbell, ii.
+Compton and Mountegle, Ladie, v.
+Concotion, ii.
+Concord, iii.
+Constantine, ii.
+Constantius, ii.
+Contemplation, i.
+Conway, iii.
+Coradin, i.
+Corceca, i.
+Cordeill, ii.
+Corflambo, iii.
+Coridon, iv.
+Corineus, ii.; iv.
+Cork, iii.
+Cormoraunt, iv.
+Cornwaile, ii.; iv.
+Coronis, ii.
+Corybantes, iv.
+Corydon, iv.
+Corylas, iv.
+Coshma, iv.
+Coulin, ii.
+Countesse of Pembroke, i.; v.
+Courtesie, Legend of, iv.
+Coylchester, ii.
+Coyll, ii.
+Crane, iii.
+Crete, v.
+Cre�sa, ii.
+Critias, ii.; iii.
+Croesus, i.
+Crudor, iv.
+Cruelty, ii.
+Cteatus, iii.
+Cuddie, iv.; iii.
+Cumberland, Earle of, i.
+Cundah, ii.
+Cupido, ii.
+Cupid, ii.; iii.; v.;
+  Maske of, ii.;
+  Court of, iv.
+Curius, v.
+Curtesie, iii.
+Curtius, v.
+Cybele, iii.
+Cycones, v.
+Cymo, iii.
+Cymochles, i.
+Cymodoce, iii.
+Cymo�nt, ii.
+Cymotho�, iii.
+Cynthia (Moon, Diana), i.; iv.; v.
+Cyparisse, i.
+Cytherea, ii.; v.
+Cytheron, ii.
+
+Damon and Pythias, iii.
+Dana�, ii.
+Daniell, iv.
+Danius, ii.
+Daphnaida, iv.
+Daphne, ii.,; iv.; v.
+Darent, iii.
+Dart, iii.
+Daunger, ii.; iii.
+Day, iv.
+Death, iv.
+Debon, ii.
+Debora, ii.
+Decii, v.
+December, iv.
+Decetto, iv.
+Dee, i.; ii.; iii.
+Defetto, iv.
+Deheubarth, ii.
+Delay, iii.
+Dell, ii.
+Delos, ii.
+Demogorgon, iii.
+Demophoon, v.
+Denmarke, ii.
+Despayre, i.
+Despetto, iv.
+Despight, ii.
+Desyre, ii.
+Detraction, iii.
+Devon, Sir, iii.
+Diana, ii.; iv.; v.
+Dice, iii.
+Dido, iv.
+Diet, ii.
+Digestion, ii.
+Diggon Davie, iv.
+Dioclesian, daughters of, ii.
+Discord, iii.
+Disdayne, ii.; iv.
+Displeasure, ii.
+Dissemblaunce, ii.
+Dolon, iii.; v.
+Donwallo, ii.
+Dony, iii.
+Doris (Nereid), iii.
+Doto, iii.
+Doubt, ii.; iii.
+Douglas, Sir, iii.
+Doune, iii.
+Druon, iii.
+Dryope, i.
+Duessa, i.; iii.
+Dumarin, ii.
+Dyamond, iii.
+Dynamene, iii.
+Dynevowre, ii.
+
+Easterland, ii.
+Easterlings, ii.
+Ebranck. ii.
+Ecaster, iii.
+Echidna, iii.; iv.
+Eden, ii.; iii.
+Edwin, ii.
+Egaltine of Meriflure, iv.
+Eione, iii.
+Eirene, iii.
+Elfant, ii.
+Elfar, ii.
+Elferon, ii.
+Elficleos, ii.
+Elfiline, ii.
+Elfin, ii.
+Elfinan, ii.
+Elfinell, ii.
+Elfin Knight, i.
+Elfinor, ii.
+Elidure, ii.
+Eliseis (of Alabaster), iv.
+Elissa, i.
+Eliza, i.; iv.; v.
+Elizabeths three, v.
+Elversham, ii.
+Emmilen, ii.
+Emiline, iv.
+Encelade, ii.
+Enias, Sir, iv.
+Ennius, i.
+Envie, i.; iii.
+Ephialtes, v.
+Erate (Nereid), iii.;
+      (Muse), v.
+Erichthonian towre, v.
+Erivan, iii.
+Errant Damzell, ii.
+Errour, i.
+Eryx, iii.
+Esquiline, v.
+Essex, Earle of, i.
+Esthambruges, ii.
+Estrild, Ladie, ii.
+Etheldred, ii.
+Euboick cliffs, v.
+Eucrate, iii.
+Eudore, iii.
+Eulimene, iii.
+Eumenias, iii.
+Eumnestes, ii.
+Eunica, iii.
+Eunomie, iii.
+Euphoemus, iii.
+Euphrates, i.; iii.
+Euphrosyne, iv.
+Eupompe, iii.
+Europa, ii.
+Eurydice, v.
+Eurynome, iv.
+Eurypulus, iii.
+Eurytion, iii.
+Eurytus, iii.
+Euterpe, v.
+Evagore, iii.
+Evarna, iii.
+Excesse, ii.
+
+Fabii, v.
+Faery Lond, i.; iii.
+Faery Queene, i.; ii.; iii.; v.
+Fanchin, iv.
+Fansy, ii.
+Father of Philosophie, iii.
+Faunus, iv.
+Feare, ii.
+February, iv.
+Ferramont, iii.
+Ferraugh, Sir, iii.
+Ferrex, ii.
+Fidelia, i.
+Fidessa, i.
+Flaminius, v.
+Flavia, iv.
+Florimell, ii.; iii.
+Flourdelis, iii.
+Force, ii.
+Foules Parley (Chaucer's), iv.
+Foxe, the, v.
+Fradubio, i.
+Fraud, ii.
+Fraunce, i.; ii.
+Friendship Legend of, iii.
+Frith, iii.
+Fulgent, ii.
+Furor, i.
+Fury, ii.
+
+Galathaea, iii.; iv.
+Galene, iii.
+Ganges, iii.
+Gardante, ii.
+Gardin of Proserpina, ii.
+Gate of Good Desert, iii.
+Gealosy, ii.
+Geffrey, Dan, iv.
+Gehon, i.
+Genius, ii.
+Genuissa, ii.
+Georgos, i.
+Germany, ii.
+Geryon, iii.
+Geryoneo, iii.
+Gilford, Henry, v.
+Glamorgan, ii.
+Glauce, ii.; iii.
+Glauconome, iii.
+Glaucus, iii.
+Gloriana, i.; ii.; iv.
+Gluttony, i.
+Gnat, v.
+Gnidas, ii.
+Gobbelines, ii.
+Godmer, ii.
+God of Love, ii.
+Go�magot, ii.
+Go�mot, ii.
+Golden Fleece, iii.
+Gonorill, ii.
+Gorbogud, ii.
+Gorboman, ii.
+Gorges, Arthur, v.
+Gorgon, i.
+Gorlois, ii.
+Gormond, ii.
+Graces, iv.
+Grant, iii.
+Grantorto, iii.
+Gratian, ii.
+Grecian Libbard, v.
+Greece, ii.; v.
+Greenwich, v.
+Grey, Lord, of Wilton, i.
+Griefe, ii.
+Griffyth, Conan, ii.
+Gryll, ii.
+Gualsever, iii.
+Guendolene, ii.
+Guitheline, ii.
+Guizor, iii.
+Gulfe of Greedinesse, ii.
+Gurgiunt, ii.
+Gurgustus, ii.
+Guyon, i.; ii.; iii.;
+  Legend of Sir, i.
+
+Haemony, iv.
+Haemus, iv.
+Hania, ii.
+Hanniball, i.
+Harpalus, iv.
+Harvey, Gabriel, iv.; v.
+Harwitch, iii.
+Hate, ii.; iii.
+Hatton, Sir Christopher, i.
+Hebe, v.
+Hebrus, i.
+Hecate, iv.
+Hector, ii.
+Helena, ii.
+Helena, Marquesse of North Hampton, v.
+Heliconian Maides, ii.
+Helle, ii.
+Hellenore, ii.
+Hellespont, v.
+Hely, ii.
+Hemus, ii.
+Henalois, ii.
+Henault, ii.
+Hengist, ii.
+Hercaean shores, vi.
+Hercules, ii.; iii.
+Hercules and Hyllus, iii.
+Hercules two pillors, v.
+Hevenfield, ii.
+Hippolytus, i.
+Hippotho�, iii.
+Hobbinol, iv.
+Hogh, ii.
+Holland, iii.
+Hope, ii.
+Horror, ii.
+Horsus, ii.
+House of Care, iii.
+House of Holinesse, i.
+House of Pryde, i.
+House of Temperance, ii.
+Howard, Douglas, v.
+Howard, Lord Charles, i.
+Howell, Dha, ii.
+Huddibras, Sir, i.; ii.
+Humber, ii.; iii.
+Humilta, i.
+Hunnes, ii.
+Hunsdon, Lord of, i.
+Huntingdon, iii.
+Huon, Sir, i.
+Hyacinct, ii.
+Hygate, ii.
+Hylas, ii.
+Hymen, v.
+Hypocrisie, i.
+Hyponeo, iii.
+Hypsiphil, ii.
+
+Ianuary, iv.
+Ida, ii.
+Idaean Ladies, ii.
+Idle Lake, i.; ii.
+Idlenesse, i.
+Ignaro, i.
+Ignorance, v.
+Ilion, iii.
+Immerito, iv.
+Impatience, ii.
+Impotence, ii.
+Inachus, ii.; iii.
+India, ii.
+Indus, iii.
+Ino, iii.
+Inogene of Italy, ii.
+Inquisition, iii.
+Iocante, ii.
+Iola, iii.
+Ionathan and David, iii.
+Iones, v.
+Iordan, i.
+Ioseph of Arimathy, ii.
+Iove, iv.; v.
+Iphimedia, ii.
+Ireland, i.; ii.; iv.
+Irena, iii.
+Isis, ii.; iii.
+Isma�l Africk, ii.
+Isse, ii.
+Ister, iii.
+Itis, v.
+Iulus, ii.
+Iuly, iv.
+Iune, iv.
+Iuno, ii.; v.
+Iustice, Legend of, iii.
+Ixion, i.
+Ixione, v.
+
+Kenet, iii.
+Kent, ii.
+Kilkenny, iii.
+Kilnemullah, iv.
+Kimarus, ii.
+Kimbeline, ii.
+Kingdomes Care (Burleigh), iii.
+King Edmond, v.
+King Nine, ii.
+Kinmarke, ii.
+Kirkrapine, i.
+Knight of the Hebene Speare, iii.
+Knight of the Red Crosse, i.; iii.;
+  Legend of, i.
+Knights of Maidenhead, iii.
+
+Labryde, i.
+Lacedaemon, ii.
+Lachesis, iii.
+Lady of Delight, ii.
+Laestrigones, v.
+Lago, ii.
+Lamoracke, Sir, iv.
+Land of Faerie, iv.
+Lansack, iii.
+Laomedia, iii.
+Laomedon, ii.
+Lapithees, iii.; v.
+Latinus, ii.
+Latium, ii.
+Latmian Shepherd, v.
+Latona, ii.; iv.
+Layburne, ii.
+Leander, v.
+Lechery, i.
+Leda, ii.
+Leda (twinnes of), v.
+Lee, iii.
+Legend of Chastity, ii.
+Legend of Courtesie, iv.
+Legend of Friendship, iii.
+Legend of Holinesse, i.
+Legend of Iustice, iii.
+Legend of Temperaunce, i.
+Leicester, Earl of, v.
+Leill, King, ii.
+Lemno, iii.
+Lentulus, i.
+Lewkenor, v.
+Leyr, King, ii.
+Liagore, ii.; iii.
+Life, iv.
+Liffar, iii.
+Liffy, iii.
+Lincolne, ii.; iii.
+Lindus, iii.
+Lionnesse, iv.
+Lipari, iii.
+Lisianassa, iii.
+Lisippus, v.
+Litae, iii.
+Lobbin, iv.
+Locrine, ii.
+Locrinus, iii.
+Lodwick (Bryskett), v.
+Logris, ii.; iii.
+Loncaster, iii.
+London, v.
+Lone, iii.
+Long Alba, ii.
+Louthiane, ii.
+Love, iii.; v.
+Lowder, iv.
+Lucinda, iii.; iv.
+Lucifera, i.
+Lucius, ii.
+Lucy (Lucida), iii.
+Lud, ii.
+Lusitanian soile, i.
+Lycon, iv.
+Lyon, the, v.
+
+Maa, iv.
+Maeander, iii.
+Madan, ii.
+Maglan, king of Scottes, ii.
+Mahound, iv.
+Mahoune, ii.
+Maia, v.
+Maidenhed, Order of, i.
+Malbecco, ii.
+Malecasta, ii.
+Maleffort, iv.
+Maleger, ii.
+Malengin, iii.
+Malfont, iii.
+Malgo, ii.
+Malvenu, i.
+Mammon, ii.
+Manild, ii.
+Mansilia, iv.
+Mantuane, iv.
+Marcellus, v.
+March, iv.
+Margaret, Countesse of Cumberland, v.
+Marian, iv.
+Maridunum, ii.
+Marie (Anne), Countesse of Warwick, v.
+Marin, iv.
+Marinell, ii.; iii.
+Marius, i.; ii.
+Maro, i.
+Marot, iv.
+Mars, ii.; iv.
+Martia, ii.
+Mathraval, ii.
+Mathusalem, ii.
+Matilda, ii.; iv.
+Mausolus, v.
+Maximian, ii.
+Maximinian, ii.
+May, iv.
+Mayre, iii.
+Mecaenas, iv.
+Medea, iii.
+Medina, i.
+Medua, iii.
+Medusa, ii.
+Medway, iv.
+Medway and Thames, marriage of, iii.
+Meliboe, iv.; v.
+Meliogras, iv.
+Melissa, iv.
+Melite, iii.
+Memprise, ii.
+Menalcas, iv.
+Melpomene, v.
+Menevia, ii.
+Menippe, iii.
+Mercy, i.
+Mercilla, iii.
+Mercury, iv.; v.
+Merlin, i.; ii.
+Mertia, Dame, ii.
+Mertians, ii.
+Milesio, iii.
+Minerva, v.
+Mirabella, iv.
+Modestie, iii.
+Molanna, iv.
+Mole, iii.; iv.
+Mona, ii.
+Mongiball, ii.
+Morands, ii.
+Mordant, i.
+Morddure, ii.
+More, the, v.
+Morgan, ii.
+Morindus, ii.
+Morpheus, i.
+Morrell, iv.
+Mother Hubberd, v.
+Mount Aventine, v.
+Mount Quirinal, v.
+Mount Saturnal, v.
+Mount Viminal, v.
+Mnemon, ii.
+Mnemosyne, ii.
+Mule, the, v.
+Mulla, iii.; iv.;
+  Nymphes of, v.
+Munera, iii.
+Muscaroll, v.
+Mutability, iv.
+Mutius, v.
+Myrrhe, ii.
+
+Naiades, v.
+Nature, iv.
+Nausa, ii.
+Nausicle, ii.
+Neaera, iv.
+Neleus, iii.
+Nemertea, iii.
+Nene, iii.
+Nenna, v.
+Nennius, i.; ii.
+Nepenthe, iii.
+Neptune, ii.; iii.
+Nereus, ii.; iii.
+Nesaea, iii.
+Neso, iii.
+Nestor, ii.
+Neustria, ii.
+New Hierusalem, i.
+Newre, iii.
+Nictileus, v.
+Nide, iii.
+Night, i; iv.
+Nile, iii.
+Nilus, i.
+Nimrod, i; iii.
+Ninus, i.
+Niobe, iv.
+Noctante, ii.
+Norris, Sir John, i.
+Northumber, ii.
+Northumberland, Earle of, i.
+Norveyses, ii.
+Norwitch, iii.
+November, iv.
+Numa, ii.
+Nylus, v.
+
+Obedience, iii.
+Oberon, King, i; ii.
+Occasion, i.
+Ocean, iii.
+Octa, ii.
+Octavius, ii.
+October, iv.
+Oenone, ii; v.
+Oeta, v.
+Offricke, ii.
+Ogyges, iii.
+Ollyphant, ii.
+Olympus, Mount, ii.
+Oranochy, iii.
+Oraxes, iii.
+Order, iii.
+Orgoglio, i; iv.
+Origone, iii.
+Orinont, Sir, iii.
+Orion, iii.
+Orkeny, ii.
+Ormond and Ossory, Earle of, i.
+Orown, iv.
+Orpheus, iii; v.
+Orsilochus, ii.
+Orthrus, iii.
+Osricke, ii.
+Oswald, ii.
+Oswin, ii.
+Osyris, iii.
+Othos, v.
+Oure, iii.
+Our Ladyes Bowre, iv.
+Ouze, iii.
+Overt-gate, ii.
+Oxenford, Earle of, i.
+Oxford, iii.
+Oza, ii.
+
+Pactolus, iii.
+Paeon, ii.
+Palatine, v.
+Palemon, iii; iv.
+Pales, iv; v.
+Palici, v.
+Palimord, Sir, iii.
+Palin, iv.
+Palinode, iv.
+Palladine, iii.
+Palmer, i; ii.
+Pan, iv.
+Panchaea, v.
+Pandionian maides, v
+Panopae, iii.
+Panope, ii.
+Panthea, ii.
+Panwelt, ii.
+Paphos, ii.
+Paridas, ii.
+Paridell, ii, iii.
+Paris, ii; iii.
+Parius, ii.
+Parlante, ii.
+Parnasse, Mount, v.
+Paros, ii.
+Pasipha�, ii.
+Pasithee, iii.
+Pastorella, iiv.
+Patience, i.
+Paulinus, ii.
+Payne, ii.
+Paynim king (Philip II.), i.
+Pelasgus, iii.
+Peleus, iv; v.
+Pelias, iii.
+Pelleas, Sir, iv.
+Pellite, ii.
+Pembroke, Countesse of, i.
+Penaunce, i.
+Penda, ii.
+Pendragon, v.
+Penelope, iv.
+Peneus, iii; v.
+Penthesilee, ii.
+Peridue, ii.
+Perigot, iv.
+Perissa, i.
+Persephone, v.
+Persian Beare, v.
+Peru, i.; ii.
+Peter, v.
+Peter, William, v.
+Petrarque, iv.
+Phaedria, i.; ii.
+Pha�ton, v.
+Phantastes, ii.
+Phao, ii.; iii.
+Phaon, i.
+Phasides, iii.
+Pherusa, iii.
+Philemon, i.
+Philip (Sidney), iv.
+Phillisides, iv.; v.
+Phillira, ii.
+Philotime, ii.
+Philtera, iii.
+Phison, i.
+Phoeax, iii.
+Phoebe, ii.
+Phoebus, ii.; iv.
+Phoenice, v.
+Phoenix, iii.
+Pholoe, i.
+Phorcys, iii.
+Phyllis, iv.
+Picts, ii.
+Piers, iv.
+Pilate, ii.
+Placidas, iii.
+Plaint of Kinde (Alane's), iv.
+Pleasaunce, ii.
+Plexippus, iv.
+Plim, iii.
+Plimmouth, iii.
+Podalyrius, iv.
+Poeana, iii.
+Pollente, iii.
+Polyhymnia, v.
+Polynome, iii.
+Pompey, i.
+Pontoporea, iii.
+Poris, iii.
+Porrex, ii.
+Portamore, iv.
+Port Esquiline, ii.
+Praxiteles, ii.
+Prays-Desire, ii.
+Priamond, iii.
+Priest, formall, v.
+Priscilla, iv.
+Prometheus, ii.
+Pronaea, iii.
+Proteus, ii.; iii.; iv.
+Proto, iii.
+Protomedaea, iii.
+Pryene, i.
+Psalmist, iii.
+Psamathe, iii.
+Psyche, ii.; v.
+Ptolomaee, ii.; iii.
+Pubidius, ii.
+Pylades and Orestes, iii.
+Pyracmon, iii.
+Pyrochles, i.; ii.
+Pyrrha and Deucalione, iii.
+Pyrrus, v.
+
+Queen Elizabeth, ii.; iv.
+Quickesand of Unthriftyhed, ii.
+
+Radegone, iii.
+Radigund, iii.
+Raleigh, Sir Walter, i.; iv.
+Rauran, i.
+Redcrosse Knight, ii.
+Regan, ii.
+Remorse, i.
+Repentaunce, i.; ii.
+Reproch, ii.
+Revenge, ii.
+Reverence, i.; iii.
+Rhaesus, v.
+Rhene, iii.
+Rhe�sa, iii.
+Rhodanus, iii.
+Rhodope, ii.
+Rhodoricke the Great, ii.
+Rhy, iii.
+Rich Strond, ii.
+Rinaldo, iii.
+Rivall, ii.
+Rock of Reproch, ii.
+Roffin, iv.
+Rome, ii.; iii.; v.
+Romulus, i.; ii.
+Rosalind, i.; iv.
+Rosseponte, iii.
+Rother, iii.
+Rowne, iii.
+Ruddoe, ii.
+Ruddymane, i.
+Russian, ii.
+Ryence, King, ii.
+
+Sabrina, ii.
+Saint George, i.
+Saint Radegund, v.
+Salem, iii.
+Salomon, v.
+Salvage Island, iv.
+Salvage Knight, iii.
+Salvage Man, iv.
+Samient, iii.
+Sanazarius, iv.
+Sangliere, Sir, iii.
+Sansfoy, i.
+Sansioy, i.
+Sansloy, i.
+Sao, iii.
+Sathan, i.
+Saturne, ii.; iv.
+Satyrane, i.; iii.
+Saxons, ii.; v.
+Scaldis, ii.
+Sclaunder, iii.
+Scamander, ii.; iii.
+Sanderbeg, v.
+Scipio, i.
+Scipion, v.
+Scorne, iv.
+Scudamore, Sir, ii.; iii.
+Selinis, i.
+Semelee, ii.
+Semiramis, i.; ii.
+September, iv.
+Serena, iv.
+Sergis, Sir, iii.
+Severne, ii.; iii.
+Severus, ii.
+Shame, ii.
+Shamefastnes, ii.; iii.
+Shenan, iii.
+Shepheard of the Ocean (Raleigh), iv.
+Shield of Love, iii.
+Shure, iii.; iv.
+Sidney, Sir Philip, i.; iv.; v.
+Silence, iii.
+Silo, i.
+Sisera, ii.
+Sisillus, ii.
+Sisyphus, i.
+Skell, iii.
+Slane, iii.
+Sleepe, ii.
+Slewbloome, iii.
+Slewlogher, iii.
+Slowth, i.
+Socrates, ii.
+Somerset, Ladies Elizabeth and Katherine, v.
+Sommer, iv.
+Sophy, ii.
+Sorrow, ii.
+South-Wales, ii.
+Spau, i.
+Spayne, ii.
+Spencer, ii.
+Speranza, i.
+Spio, iii.
+Spring, iv.
+Spumador, ii.
+Squire of Dames, ii.; iii.
+Squire of Low Degree, iii.
+Stamford, iii.
+Stater, ii.
+St. Brigets Bowre, iv.
+St. Michels Mount, iv.
+Stella, iv.
+Sthenoboea, i.
+Stoneheng, ii.
+Stoure, iii.
+Strange, Ladie, v.
+Stremona, i.
+Strife, i.; ii.
+Sture, iii.
+Styx, i.
+Suspect, ii.
+Swale, iii.
+Sylla, i.
+Sylvanus, i.
+Sylvius, ii.
+Syrinx, iv.
+
+Talus, iii.
+Tamar, iii.
+Tanaquill, i.; ii.
+Tantalus, i.; ii.
+Tarquin, i.
+Tartar, ii.
+Tartare, ii.
+Tartary, i.; v.
+Teian Poet, v.
+Telamon, v.
+Tempe, ii.
+Temperaunce, ii.; iii.
+Templer Knights, v.
+Tenantius, ii.
+Termagaunt, ii.
+Terwin, Sir, ii.
+Terpsichore, v.
+Tethys, i.; iii.
+Thabor, Mount, iv.
+Thalia, v.
+Thalia (Grace), iv.
+Thalia (Nereid), iii.
+Thame, iii.
+Thames, v.
+Thamesis, v.
+Thamis, ii.; iii.; v.
+Theana, iv.
+Thebes, ii.; iii.
+Theise, iii.
+Themes, iv.; v.
+Themis, iii.
+Themiste, iii.
+Thenot, iv.
+Theocritus, iv.
+Therion, i.
+Theseus, i.
+Theseus and Pirithous, iii.
+Thestylis, iv.
+Thetis, iii.; iv.; v.
+Thomalin, iv.
+Thomiris, ii.
+Thyamis, i.
+Timias, ii.; iv.
+Timon, i.; v.
+Tindarid lasse, iii.
+Titan, iv.
+Titus and Gesippus, iii.
+Tityrus, iv.
+Tityus, i.; v.
+Toure, ii.
+Traherne, ii.
+Treason, ii.
+Trent, iii.
+Trevisan, i.
+Triamond, iii.
+Triptoleme, v.
+Tristram, iv.
+Triton, iv.
+Trompart, i.
+Trowis, iii.
+Troy, ii.
+Troynovant, ii.; iii.; v.
+Tryphon, ii.; iii.
+Turmagant, iv.
+Turpin, Sir, iii.; iv.
+Twede, iii.
+Tybris, iii.
+Tygris, iii.
+Tyne, iii.
+Typhaeus sister, v.
+Typhaon, iii.; iv.
+Typhoeus, i.; ii.
+Typhon, iii.
+
+Ulfin, ii.
+Ulysses, v.
+Una, i.
+Urania, iv.
+Uranus, iv.
+Ure, iii.
+Uther, ii.
+
+Velntide, Saint, iv.
+Vanitie, i.
+Venus, ii; iii; v.
+   temple and statue of, iii.
+Verdant, ii.
+Verlame, v.
+Vespasian, ii.
+Vigent, ii.
+Virgil, iv.
+Virginia, i.
+Vortigere, ii.
+Vortimere, ii.
+Vortipore, ii.
+Vulcan, iii.
+
+Walsingham, Sir Francis, i.
+Wandring Islands, ii.
+Waterford, iii.
+Welland, iii.
+Were, iii.
+Werfe, iii.
+Whirlepoole of Decay, ii.
+Willie, iv.
+Willy, pleasant, v.
+Winborne, iii.
+Winter, iv.
+Wiseman, the, iii.
+Witches Sonne, ii.
+Witch, the, ii.
+Womanhood, iii.
+Wrath, i.
+Wrenock, iv.
+Wyden, ii.
+Wylibourne, iii.
+
+Xanthus, ii.; v.
+
+Yar, iii.
+Ymner, ii.
+
+Zele, i.; iii.
+Zeuxis, ii.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser,
+Volume 5, by Edmund Spenser
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POETICAL WORKS OF SPENSER ***
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser,
+Volume 5, by Edmund Spenser, Edited by Francis J. Child
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5
+
+Author: Edmund Spenser
+
+Release Date: January 5, 2004 [EBook #10602]
+[Last updated: November 25, 2020]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POETICAL WORKS OF SPENSER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Carol David and PG Distributed
+Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+POETICAL WORKS
+
+OF
+
+EDMUND SPENSER.
+
+VOLUME V.
+
+
+M.DCCC.LX.
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+OF THE FIFTH VOLUME.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+MISCELLANIES.
+
+Complaints
+
+  The Ruines of Time
+  The Teares of the Muses
+  Virgils Gnat
+  Prosopopoia: or Mother Hubberds Tale
+  Ruines of Rome: by Bellay
+  Muiopotmos: or the Fate of the Butterflie
+  Visions of the Worlds Vanitie
+  The Visions of Bellay
+  The Visions of Petrarch
+
+Daphnaida
+
+Amoretti
+
+Epithalamion
+
+Prothalamion
+
+Fowre Hymnes
+
+Epigrams
+
+Sonnets
+
+APPENDIX.
+
+I. Variations from the Original Editions
+
+II. Two Letters from Spenser to Harvey
+
+III. Index of Proper Names
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+MISCELLANIES.
+
+
+
+COMPLAINTS.
+
+CONTAINING SUNDRIE SMALL POEMES OF THE
+WORLDS VANITIE:
+
+WHEREOF THE NEXT PAGE MAKETH MENTION.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LONDON:
+
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE, DWELLING IN PAULES
+CHURCHYARD AT THE SIGNE OF THE BISHOPS HEAD.
+
+1591.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A NOTE OF THE SUNDRIE POEMES CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME.
+
+1. The Ruines of Time.
+
+2. The Teares of the Muses.
+
+3. Virgils Gnat.
+
+4. Prosopopoia, or Mother Hubberds Tale.
+
+5. The Ruines of Rome: by Bellay.
+
+6. Muiopotmos, or The Tale of the Butterflie.
+
+7. Visions of the Worlds Vanitie.
+
+8. Bellayes Visions.
+
+9. Petrarches Visions.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE PRINTER TO THE GENTLE READER.
+
+
+Since my late setting foorth of the Faerie Queene, finding that it hath
+found a favourable passage amongst you, I have sithence endevoured by
+all good meanes, (for the better encrease and accomplishment of your
+delights,) to get into my handes such smale poemes of the same Authors
+as I heard were disperst abroad in sundrie hands, and not easie to bee
+come by by himselfe; some of them having bene diverslie imbeziled and
+purloyned from him, since his departure over sea. Of the which I have
+by good meanes gathered togeather these fewe parcels present, which I
+have caused to bee imprinted altogeather, for that they al seeme to
+containe like matter of argument in them, being all complaints and
+meditations of the worlds vanitie, verie grave and profitable. To which
+effect I understand that he besides wrote sundrie others, namelie:
+_Ecclesiastes_ and _Canticum Canticorum_ translated, _A Senights
+Slumber, The Hell of Lovers, his Purgatorie_, being all dedicated to
+ladies, so as it may seeme he ment them all to one volume: besides some
+other pamphlets looselie scattered abroad; as _The Dying Pellican, The
+Howers of the Lord, The Sacrifice of a Sinner, The Seven Psalmes_, &c.,
+which, when I can either by himselfe or otherwise attaine too, I meane
+likewise for your favour sake to set foorth. In the meane time, praying
+you gentlie to accept of these, and graciouslie to entertaine the new
+Poet*, I take leave.
+
+[* Spenser had printed nothing with his name before the Faerie
+Queene.--Ponsonby's account of the way in which this volume was
+collected is rather loose. The Ruins of Time and The Tears of the Muses
+were certainly written shortly before they were published, and there
+can be equally little doubt that Mother Hubberd's Tale was retouched
+about the same time. C.]
+
+
+
+THE RUINES OF TIME.
+
+
+DEDICATED
+
+TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND BEAUTIFULL LADIE,
+
+THE LA: MARIE,
+
+COUNTESSE OF PEMEBROOKE.
+
+
+Most honourable and bountifull Ladie, there bee long sithens deepe
+sowed in my brest the seede of most entire love and humble affection
+unto that most brave knight, your noble brother deceased; which, taking
+roote, began in his life time somewhat to bud forth, and to shew
+themselves to him, as then in the weakenes of their first spring; and
+would in their riper strength (had it pleased High God till then to
+drawe out his daies) spired forth fruit of more perfection. But since
+God hath disdeigned the world of that most noble spirit which was the
+hope of all learned men, and the patron of my young Muses, togeather
+with him both their hope of anie further fruit was cut off, and also
+the tender delight of those their first blossoms nipped and quite dead.
+Yet, sithens my late cumming into England, some frends of mine, which
+might much prevaile with me, and indeede commaund me, knowing with howe
+straight bandes of duetie I was tied to him, as also bound unto that
+noble house, of which the chiefs hope then rested in him, have sought
+to revive them by upbraiding me, for that I have not shewed anie
+thankefull remembrance towards him or any of them, but suffer their
+names to sleep in silence and forgetfulnesse. Whome chieflie to
+satisfie, or els to avoide that fowle blot of unthankefulnesse, I have
+conceived this small Poeme, intituled by a generall name of _The Worlds
+Ruines;_ yet speciallie intended to the renowming of that noble race
+from which both you and he sprong, and to the eternizing of some of the
+chiefe of them late deceased. The which I dedicate unto your La. as
+whome it most speciallie concerneth, and to whome I acknowledge my
+selfe bounden by manie singular favours and great graces. I pray for
+your honourable happinesse, and so humblie kisse your handes.
+
+Your Ladiships ever
+
+humblie at commaund,
+
+E.S.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE RUINES OF TIME.
+
+
+It chaunced me on* day beside the shore
+Of silver streaming Thamesis to bee,
+Nigh where the goodly Verlame stood of yore,
+Of which there now remaines no memorie,
+Nor anie little moniment to see,                                       5
+By which the travailer that fares that way
+_This once was she_ may warned be to say.
+  [* _On_, one.]
+
+There, on the other side, I did behold
+A Woman sitting sorrowfullie wailing,
+Rending her yeolow locks, like wyrie golde                            10
+About her shoulders careleslie downe trailing,
+And streames of teares from her faire eyes forth railing*:
+In her right hand a broken rod she held,
+Which towards heaven shee seemd on high to weld,
+  [* _Railing_, flowing.]
+
+Whether she were one of that rivers nymphes,                          15
+Which did the losse of some dere Love lament,
+I doubt; or one of those three fatall impes
+Which draw the dayes of men forth in extent;
+Or th'auncient genius of that citie brent*;
+But, seeing her so piteouslie perplexed,                              20
+I, to her calling, askt what her so vexed.
+  [* _Brent_, burnt.]
+
+"Ah! what delight," quoth she, "in earthlie thing,
+Or comfort can I, wretched creature, have?
+Whose happines the heavens envying,
+From highest staire to lowest step me drave,                          25
+And have in mine owne bowels made my grave,
+That of all nations now I am forlorne*,
+The worlds sad spectacle, and Fortunes scorne."
+  [* _Forlorne_, forsaken.]
+
+Much was I mooved at her piteous plaint,
+And felt my heart nigh riven in my brest                              30
+With tender ruth to see her sore constraint;
+That, shedding teares, a while I still did rest,
+And after did her name of her request.
+"Name have I none," quoth she, "nor anie being,
+Bereft of both by Fates uniust decreeing.                             35
+
+"I was that citie which the garland wore
+Of Britaines pride, delivered unto me
+By Romane victors which it wonne of yore;
+Though nought at all but ruines now I bee,
+And lye in mine owne ashes, as ye see,                                40
+VERLAME I was; what bootes it that I was,
+Sith now I am but weedes and wastfull gras?
+
+"O vaine worlds glorie, and unstedfast state
+Of all that lives on face of sinfull earth!
+Which, from their first untill their utmost date,                     45
+Tast no one hower of happines or merth;
+But like as at the ingate* of their berth
+They crying creep out of their mothers woomb,
+So wailing backe go to their wofull toomb.
+  [* _Ingate_, entrance, beginning.]
+
+"Why then dooth flesh, a bubble-glas of breath,                       50
+Hunt after honour and advauncement vaine,
+And reare a trophee for devouring death
+With so great labour and long-lasting paine,
+As if his daies for ever should remaine?
+Sith all that in this world is great or gaie                          55
+Doth as a vapour vanish and decaie.
+
+"Looke backe, who list, unto the former ages,
+And call to count what is of them become.
+Where be those learned wits and antique sages,
+Which of all wisedome knew the perfect somme?                         60
+Where those great warriors, which did overcome
+The world with conquest of their might and maine,
+And made one meare* of th'earth and of their raine?
+  [* _Meare_, boundary.]
+
+"What nowe is of th'Assyrian Lyonesse,
+Of whome no footing now on earth appeares?                            65
+What of the Persian Beares outragiousnesse,
+Whose memorie is quite worne out with yeares?
+Who of the Grecian Libbard* now ought heares,
+That over-ran the East with greedie powre,
+And left his whelps their kingdomes to devoure?                       70
+  [* _Libbard_, leopard]
+
+"And where is that same great seven-headded beast,
+That made all nations vassals of her pride,
+To fall before her feete at her beheast,
+And in the necke of all the world did ride?
+Where doth she all that wondrous welth nowe hide?                     75
+With her own weight downe pressed now shee lies,
+And by her heaps her hugenesse testifies.
+
+"O Rome, thy ruine I lament and rue,
+And in thy fall my fatall overthrowe,
+That whilom was, whilst heavens with equall vewe                      80
+Deignd to behold me and their gifts bestowe,
+The picture of thy pride in pompous shew:
+And of the whole world as thou wast the empresse,
+So I of this small Northerne world was princesse.
+
+"To tell the beawtie of my buildings fayre,                           85
+Adornd with purest golde and precious stone,
+To tell my riches and endowments rare,
+That by my foes are now all spent and gone,
+To tell my forces, matchable to none,
+Were but lost labour that few would beleeve,                          90
+And with rehearsing would me more agreeve.
+
+"High towers, faire temples, goodly theaters,
+Strong walls, rich porches, princelie pallaces,
+Large streetes, brave houses, sacred sepulchers,
+Sure gates, sweete gardens, stately galleries                         95
+Wrought with faire pillours and fine imageries,--
+All those, O pitie! now are turnd to dust,
+And overgrowen with blacke oblivions rust.
+
+"Theretoo, for warlike power and peoples store
+In Britannie was none to match with mee,                             100
+That manie often did abie full sore:
+Ne Troynovant*, though elder sister shee,
+With my great forces might compared bee;
+That stout Pendragon to his perill felt,
+Who in a siege seaven yeres about me dwelt.                          105
+  [* _Troynovant_, London]
+
+"But long ere this, Bunduca, Britonnesse,
+Her mightie hoast against my bulwarkes brought;
+Bunduca! that victorious conqueresse,
+That, lifting up her brave heroick thought
+Bove womens weaknes, with the Romanes fought,                        110
+Fought, and in field against them thrice prevailed:
+Yet was she foyld, when as she me assailed.
+
+"And though at last by force I conquered were
+Of hardie Saxons, and became their thrall,
+Yet was I with much bloodshed bought full deere,                     115
+And prizde with slaughter of their generall,
+The moniment of whose sad funerall,
+For wonder of the world, long in me lasted,
+But now to nought, through spoyle of time, is wasted.
+
+"Wasted it is, as if it never were;                                  120
+And all the rest that me so honord made,
+And of the world admired ev'rie where,
+Is turnd to smoake that doth to nothing fade;
+And of that brightnes now appeares no shade,
+But greislie shades, such as doo haunt in hell                       125
+With fearfull fiends that in deep darknes dwell.
+
+"Where my high steeples whilom usde to stand,
+On which the lordly faulcon wont to towre,
+There now is but an heap of lyme and sand
+For the shriche-owle to build her balefull bowre:                    130
+And where the nightingale wont forth to powre
+Her restles plaints, to comfort wakefull lovers,
+There now haunt yelling mewes and whining plovers.
+
+"And where the christall Thamis wont to slide
+In silver channell downe along the lee,                              135
+About whose flowrie bankes on either side
+A thousand nymphes, with mirthfull iollitee,
+Were wont to play, from all annoyance free,
+There now no rivers course is to be seene,
+But moorish fennes, and marshes ever greene.                         140
+
+"Seemes that that gentle river, for great griefe
+Of my mishaps which oft I to him plained,
+Or for to shunne the horrible mischiefe
+With which he saw my cruell foes me pained,
+And his pure streames with guiltles blood oft stained,
+From my unhappie neighborhood farre fled,                            145
+And his sweete waters away with him led.
+
+"There also where the winged ships were seene
+In liquid waves to cut their fomie waie,
+And thousand fishers numbred to have been,                           150
+In that wide lake looking for plenteous praie
+Of fish, which they with baits usde to betraie,
+Is now no lake, nor anie fishers store,
+Nor ever ship shall saile there anie more.
+
+"They all are gone, and all with them is gone!                       155
+Ne ought to me remaines, but to lament
+My long decay, which no man els doth mone,
+And mourne my fall with dolefull dreriment:
+Yet it is comfort in great languishment,
+To be bemoned with compassion kinde,                                 160
+And mitigates the anguish of the minde.
+
+"But me no man bewaileth, but in game
+Ne sheddeth teares from lamentable eie;
+Nor anie lives that mentioneth my name
+To be remembred of posteritie,                                       165
+Save one, that maugre Fortunes iniurie,
+And Times decay, and Envies cruell tort*,
+Hath writ my record in true-seeming sort.
+  [* _Tort_, wrong]
+
+"CAMBDEN! the nourice* of antiquitie,
+And lanterne unto late succeding age                                 170
+To see the light of simple veritie
+Buried in ruines, through the great outrage
+Of her owne people led with warlike rage,
+CAMBDEN! though Time all moniments obscure,
+Yet thy iust labours ever shall endure.                              175
+  [* _Nourice_, nurse]
+
+"But whie, unhappie wight! doo I thus crie,
+And grieve that my remembrance quite is raced*
+Out of the knowledge of posteritie,
+And all my antique moniments defaced?
+Sith I doo dailie see things highest placed,                         180
+So soone as Fates their vitall thred have shorne,
+Forgotten quite as they were never borne
+  [* _Raced_, razed.]
+
+"It is not long, since these two eyes beheld
+A mightie Prince*, of most renowmed race,
+Whom England high in count of honour held,                           185
+And greatest ones did sue to game his grace;
+Of greatest ones he, greatest in his place,
+Sate in the bosom of his Soveraine,
+And _Right and Loyall_** did his word maintaine.
+  [* I. e. the Earl of Leicester.]
+  [** Leicester's motto.]
+
+"I saw him die, I saw him die as one                                 190
+Of the meane people, and brought foorth on beare;
+I saw him die, and no man left to mone
+His dolefull fate that late him loved deare;
+Scarse anie left to close his eylids neare;
+Scarse anie left upon his lips to laie                               195
+The sacred sod, or requiem to saie.
+
+"O trustlesse state of miserable men,
+That builde your blis on hope of earthly thing,
+And vainly thinke your selves halfe happie then,
+When painted faces with smooth flattering                            200
+Doo fawne on you, and your wide praises sing;
+And, when the courting masker louteth* lowe,
+Him true in heart and trustie to you trow!
+  [* _Louteth_, boweth.]
+
+"All is but fained, and with oaker* dide,
+That everie shower will wash and wipe away;                          205
+All things doo change that under heaven abide,
+And after death all friendship doth decaie.
+Therefore, what ever man bearst worldlie sway,
+Living, on God and on thy selfe relie;
+For, when thou diest, all shall with thee die.                       210
+  [* _Oaker_, ochre, paint.]
+
+"He now is dead, and all is with him dead,
+Save what in heavens storehouse he uplaid:
+His hope is faild, and come to passe his dread,
+And evill men (now dead) his deeds upbraid:
+Spite bites the dead, that living never baid.                        215
+He now is gone, the whiles the foxe is crept
+Into the hole the which the badger swept.
+
+"He now is dead, and all his glorie gone,
+And all his greatnes vapoured to nought,
+That as a glasse upon the water shone,                               220
+Which vanisht quite so soone as it was sought.
+His name is worne alreadie out of thought,
+Ne anie poet seekes him to revive;
+Yet manie poets honourd him alive.
+
+"Ne doth his Colin, carelesse Colin Cloute,                          225
+Care now his idle bagpipe up to raise,
+Ne tell his sorrow to the listning rout
+Of shepherd groomes, which wont his songs to praise:
+Praise who so list, yet I will him dispraise,
+Untill he quite* him of this guiltie blame.                          230
+Wake, shepheards boy, at length awake for shame!
+  [* _Quite_, acquit.]
+
+"And who so els did goodnes by him game,
+And who so els his bounteous minde did trie*,
+Whether he shepheard be, or shepheards swaine,
+(For manie did, which doo it now denie,)                             235
+Awake, and to his song a part applie:
+And I, the whilest you mourne for his decease,
+Will with my mourning plaints your plaint increase.
+  [* _Trie_, experience.]
+
+"He dyde, and after him his brother dyde,
+His brother prince, his brother noble peere,                         240
+That whilste he lived was of none envyde,
+And dead is now, as living, counted deare;
+Deare unto all that true affection beare,
+But unto thee most deare, O dearest Dame,
+His noble spouse and paragon of fame.                                245
+
+"He, whilest he lived, happie was through thee,
+And, being dead, is happie now much more;
+Living, that lincked chaunst with thee to bee,
+And dead, because him dead thou dost adore
+As living, and thy lost deare love deplore.                          250
+So whilst that thou, faire flower of chastitie,
+Dost live, by thee thy lord shall never die.
+
+"Thy lord shall never die, the whiles this verse
+Shall live, and surely it shall live for ever:
+For ever it shall live, and shall rehearse                           255
+His worthie praise, and vertues dying never,
+Though death his soule doo from his bodie sever:
+And thou thy selfe herein shalt also live;
+Such grace the heavens doo to my verses give.
+
+"Ne shall his sister, ne thy father, die;                            260
+Thy father, that good earle of rare renowne,
+And noble patrone of weake povertie;
+Whose great good deeds, in countrey and in towne.
+Have purchast him in heaven an happie crowne:
+Where he now liveth in eternall blis,                                265
+And left his sonne t'ensue those steps of his.
+
+"He, noble bud, his grandsires livelie hayre,
+Under the shadow of thy countenaunce
+Now ginnes to shoote up fast, and flourish fayre
+In learned artes, and goodlie governaunce,                           270
+That him to highest honour shall advaunce.
+Brave impe* of Bedford, grow apace in bountie,
+And count of wisedome more than of thy countie!
+  [* _Impe_, graft, scion.]
+
+"Ne may I let thy husbands sister die,
+That goodly ladie, sith she eke did spring                           275
+Out of this stocke and famous familie
+Whose praises I to future age doo sing;
+And foorth out of her happie womb did bring
+The sacred brood of learning and all honour;
+In whom the heavens powrde all their gifts upon her.
+
+"Most gentle spirite breathed from above,                            281
+Out of the bosome of the Makers blis,
+In whom all bountie and all vertuous love
+Appeared in their native propertis,
+And did enrich that noble breast of his                              285
+With treasure passing all this worldes worth,
+Worthie of heaven it selfe, which brought it forth:
+
+"His blessed spirite, full of power divine
+And influence of all celestiall grace,
+Loathing this sinfull earth and earthlie slime,                      290
+Fled backe too soonc unto his native place;
+Too soone for all that did his love embrace,
+Too soone for all this wretched world, whom he
+Robd of all right and true nobilitie.
+
+"Yet, ere his happie soule to heaven went                            295
+Out of this fleshlie goale, he did devise
+Unto his heavenlie Maker to present
+His bodie, as a spotles sacrifise,
+And chose that guiltie hands of enemies
+Should powre forth th'offring of his guiltles blood:
+So life exchanging for his countries good.                           300
+
+"O noble spirite, live there ever blessed,
+The worlds late wonder, and the heavens new ioy;
+Live ever there, and leave me here distressed
+With mortall cares and cumbrous worlds anoy!                         305
+But, where thou dost that happines enioy,
+Bid me, O bid me quicklie come to thee,
+That happie there I maie thee alwaies see!
+
+"Yet, whilest the Fates affoord me vitall breath,
+I will it spend in speaking of thy praise,                           310
+And sing to thee, untill that timelie death
+By heavens doome doo ende my earthlie daies:
+Thereto doo thou my humble spirite raise,
+And into me that sacred breath inspire,
+Which thou there breathest perfect and entire.                       315
+
+"Then will I sing; but who can better sing
+Than thine owne sister, peerles ladie bright,
+Which to thee sings with deep harts sorrowing,
+Sorrowing tempered with deare delight,
+That her to heare I feele my feeble spright                          320
+Robbed of sense, and ravished with ioy;
+O sad ioy, made of mourning and anoy!
+
+"Yet will I sing; but who can better sing
+Than thou thyselfe thine owne selfes valiance,
+That, whilest thou livedst, madest the forrests ring,                325
+And fields resownd, and flockes to leap and daunce,
+And shepheards leave their lambs unto mischaunce,
+To runne thy shrill Arcadian pipe to heare:
+O happie were those dayes, thrice happie were!
+
+"But now more happie thou, and wretched wee,                         330
+Which want the wonted sweetnes of thy voice,
+Whiles thou now in Elisian fields so free,
+With Orpheus, and with Linus, and the choice
+Of all that ever did in rimes reioyce,
+Conversest, and doost heare their heavenlie layes,                   335
+And they heare thine, and thine doo better praise.
+
+"So there thou livest, singing evermore,
+And here thou livest, being ever song
+Of us, which living loved thee afore,
+And now thee worship mongst that blessed throng                      340
+Of heavenlie poets and heroes strong.
+So thou both here and there immortall art,
+And everie where through excellent desart.
+
+"But such as neither of themselves can sing,
+Nor yet are sung of others for reward,                               345
+Die in obscure oblivion, as the thing
+Which never was; ne ever with regard
+Their names shall of the later age be heard,
+But shall in rustic darknes ever lie,
+Unles they mentiond be with infamie.                                 350
+
+"What booteth it to have been rich alive?
+What to be great? what to be gracious?
+When after death no token doth survive
+Of former being in this mortall hous,
+But sleepes in dust dead and inglorious,                             355
+Like beast, whose breath but in his nostrels is,
+And hath no hope of happinesse or blis.
+
+"How manie great ones may remembred be,
+Which in their daies most famouslie did florish,
+Of whome no word we heare, nor signe now see,                        360
+But as things wipt out with a sponge to perishe,
+Because they living cared not to cherishe
+No gentle wits, through pride or covetize,
+Which might their names for ever memorize!
+
+"Provide therefore, ye Princes, whilst ye live,                      365
+That of the Muses ye may friended bee,
+Which unto men eternitie do give;
+For they be daughters of Dame Memorie
+And love, the father of Eternitie,
+And do those men in golden thrones repose,                           370
+Whose merits they to glorifie do chose.
+
+"The seven-fold yron gates of grislie Hell,
+And horrid house of sad Proserpina,
+They able are with power of mightie spell
+To breake, and thence the soules to bring awaie                      375
+Out of dread darkenesse to eternall day,
+And them immortall make which els would die
+In foule forgetfulnesse, and nameles lie.
+
+"So whilome raised they the puissant brood
+Of golden-girt Alcmena, for great merite,                            380
+Out of the dust to which the Oetaean wood
+Had him consum'd, and spent his vitall spirite,
+To highest heaven, where now he doth inherite
+All happinesse in Hebes silver bowre,
+Chosen to be her dearest paramoure.                                  385
+
+"So raisde they eke faire Ledaes warlick twinnes.
+And interchanged life unto them lent,
+That, when th'one dies, th'other then beginnes
+To shew in heaven his brightnes orient;
+And they, for pittie of the sad wayment*,                            390
+Which Orpheus for Eurydice did make,
+Her back againe to life sent for his sake.
+  [* _Wayment_, lament.]
+
+"So happie are they, and so fortunate,
+Whom the Pierian sacred sisters love,
+That freed from bands of impacable** fate,                           395
+And power of death, they live for aye above,
+Where mortall wreakes their blis may not remove:
+But with the gods, for former verities meede,
+On nectar and ambrosia do feede.
+  [* _Impacable_, unappeasable.]
+
+"For deeds doe die, how ever noblie donne,                           400
+And thoughts of men do as themselves decay;
+But wise wordes taught in numbers for to runne,
+Recorded by the Muses, live for ay;
+Ne may with storming showers be washt away,
+Ne bitter-breathing windes with harmfull blast,                      405
+Nor age, nor envie, shall them ever wast.
+
+"In vaine doo earthly princes then, in vaine,
+Seeke with pyramides to heaven aspired,
+Or huge colosses built with costlie paine,
+Or brasen pillours never to be fired,                                410
+Or shrines made of the mettall most desired,
+To make their memories for ever live:
+For how can mortall immortalitie give?
+
+"Such one Mausolus made, the worlds great wonder,
+But now no remnant doth thereof remaine:                             415
+Such one Marcellus, but was torne with thunder:
+Such one Lisippus, but is worne with raine:
+Such one King Edmond, but was rent for gaine.
+All such vaine moniments of earthlie masse,
+Devour'd of Time, in time to nought doo passe.                       420
+
+"But Fame with golden wings aloft doth flie,
+Above the reach of ruinous decay,
+And with brave plumes doth beate the azure skie,
+Admir'd of base-borne men from farre away:
+Then who so will with vertuous deeds assay                           425
+To mount to heaven, on Pegasus must ride,
+And with sweete Poets verse be glorifide.
+
+"For not to have been dipt in Lethe lake,
+Could save the sonne of Thetis from to die;
+But that blinde bard did him immortall make                          430
+With verses dipt in deaw of Castalie:
+Which made the Easterne conquerour to crie,
+O fortunate yong man! whose vertue found
+So brave a trompe thy noble acts to sound.
+
+"Therefore in this halfe happie I doo read*                          435
+Good Melibae, that hath a poet got
+To sing his living praises being dead,
+Deserving never here to be forgot,
+In spight of envie, that his deeds would spot:
+Since whose decease, learning lies unregarded,                       440
+And men of armes doo wander unrewarded.
+  [* _Read_, consider]
+
+"Those two be those two great calamities,
+That long agoe did grieve the noble spright
+Of Salomon with great indignities,
+Who whilome was alive the wisest wight:                              445
+But now his wisedome is disprooved quite,
+For he that now welds* all things at his will
+Scorns th'one and th'other in his deeper skill.
+  [* _Welds_, wields]
+
+"O griefe of griefes! O gall of all good heartes!
+To see that vertue should dispised bee                               450
+Of him that first was raisde for vertuous parts,
+And now, broad spreading like an aged tree,
+Lets none shoot up that nigh him planted bee.
+O let the man of whom the Muse is scorned,
+Nor alive nor dead, be of the Muse adorned!                          455
+
+"O vile worlds trust! that with such vaine illusion
+Hath so wise men bewitcht and overkest*,
+That they see not the way of their confusion:
+O vainesse to be added to the rest
+That do my soule with inward griefe infest!                          460
+Let them behold the piteous fall of mee,
+And in my case their owne ensample see.
+  [* _Overkest_, overcast.]
+
+"And who so els that sits in highest seate
+Of this worlds glorie, worshipped of all,
+Ne feareth change of time, nor fortunes threats,                     465
+Let him behold the horror of my fall,
+And his owne end unto remembrance call;
+That of like ruine he may warned bee,
+And in himselfe be moov'd to pittie mee."
+
+Thus having ended all her piteous plaint,                            470
+With dolefull shrikes shee vanished away,
+That I, through inward sorrowe wexen faint,
+And all astonished with deepe dismay
+For her departure, had no word to say;
+But sate long time in sencelesse sad affright,                       475
+Looking still, if I might of her have sight.
+
+Which when I missed, having looked long,
+My thought returned greeved home againe,
+Renewing her complaint with passion strong,
+For ruth of that same womans piteous paine;                          480
+Whose wordes recording in my troubled braine,
+I felt such anguish wound my feeble heart,
+That frosen horror ran through everie part.
+
+So inlie greeving in my groning brest,
+And deepelie muzing at her doubtfull speach,                         485
+Whose meaning much I labored foorth to wreste,
+Being above my slender reasons reach,
+At length, by demonstration me to teach,
+Before mine eies strange sights presented were,
+Like tragicke pageants seeming to appeare.                           490
+
+
+I.
+
+I saw an Image, all of massie gold,
+Placed on high upon an altare faire,
+That all which did the same from farre beholde
+Might worship it, and fall on lowest staire.
+Not that great idoll might with this compaire,                       495
+To which th'Assyrian tyrant would have made
+The holie brethren falslie to have praid.
+
+But th'altare on the which this image staid
+Was (O great pitie!) built of brickle* clay,
+That shortly the foundation decaid,                                  500
+With showres of heaven and tempests worne away;
+Then downe it fell, and low in ashes lay,
+Scorned of everie one which by it went;
+That I, it seing, dearelie did lament.
+  [* _Brickle_, brittle.]
+
+II.
+
+Next unto this a statelie Towre appeared,                            505
+Built all of richest stone that might bee found,
+And nigh unto the heavens in height upreared,
+But placed on a plot of sandie ground:
+Not that great towre which is so much renownd
+For tongues confusion in Holie Writ,                                 510
+King Ninus worke, might be compar'd to it.
+
+But, O vaine labours of terrestriall wit,
+That buildes so stronglie on so frayle a soyle,
+As with each storme does fall away and flit,
+And gives the fruit of all your travailes toyle                      515
+To be the pray of Tyme, and Fortunes spoyle,
+I saw this towre fall sodainlie to dust,
+That nigh with griefe thereof my heart was brust.
+
+III.
+
+Then did I see a pleasant Paradize,
+Full of sweete flowres and daintiest delights,                       520
+Such as on earth man could not more devize,
+With pleasures choyce to feed his cheereful sprights:
+Not that which Merlin by his magicke slights
+Made for the gentle Squire, to entertaine
+His fayre Belphoebe, could this gardine staine.                      525
+
+But O short pleasure bought with lasting paine!
+Why will hereafter anie flesh delight
+In earthlie blis, and ioy in pleasures vaine?
+Since that I sawe this gardine wasted quite,
+That where it was scarce seemed anie sight;                          530
+That I, which once that beautie did beholde,
+Could not from teares my melting eyes with-holde.
+
+IV.
+
+Soone after this a Giaunt came in place,
+Of wondrous power, and of exceeding stature,
+That none durst vewe the horror of his face;                         535
+Yet was he milde of speach, and meeke of nature.
+Not he which in despight of his Creatour
+With railing tearmes defied the Iewish hoast,
+Might with this mightie one in hugenes boast;
+
+For from the one he could to th'other coast                          540
+Stretch his strong thighes, and th'ocean overstride,
+And reatch his hand into his enemies hoast.
+But see the end of pompe and fleshlie pride!
+One of his feete unwares from him did slide,
+That downe hee fell into the deepe abisse,                           545
+Where drownd with him is all his earthlie blisse.
+
+V.
+
+Then did I see a Bridge, made all of golde,
+Over the sea from one to other side,
+Withouten prop or pillour it t'upholde,
+But like the coloured rainbowe arched wide:                          550
+Not that great arche which Traian edifide,
+To be a wonder to all age ensuing,
+Was matchable to this in equall vewing.
+
+But ah! what bootes it to see earthlie thing
+In glorie or in greatnes to excell,                                  555
+Sith time doth greatest things to ruine bring?
+This goodlie bridge, one foote not fastned well,
+Gan faile, and all the rest downe shortlie fell,
+Ne of so brave a building ought remained,
+That griefe thereof my spirite greatly pained.                       560
+
+VI.
+I saw two Beares, as white as anie milke,
+Lying together in a mightie cave,
+Of milde aspect, and haire as soft as silke,
+That salvage nature seemed not to have,
+Nor after greedie spoyle of blood to crave:                          565
+Two fairer beasts might not elswhere be found,
+Although the compast* world were sought around.
+  [* _Compast_, rounded.]
+
+But what can long abide above this ground
+In state of blis, or stedfast happinesse?
+The cave in which these beares lay sleeping sound
+Was but earth, and with her owne weightinesse                        571
+Upon them fell, and did unwares oppresse;
+That, for great sorrow of their sudden fate,
+Henceforth all worlds felicitie I hate.
+
+Much was I troubled in my heavie spright,                            575
+At sight of these sad spectacles forepast,
+That all my senses were bereaved quight,
+And I in minde remained sore agast,
+Distraught twixt feare and pitie; when at last
+I heard a voyce which loudly to me called,                           580
+That with the suddein shrill I was appalled.
+
+"Behold," said it, "and by ensample see,
+That all is vanitie and griefe of minde,
+Ne other comfort in this world can be,
+But hope of heaven, and heart to God inclinde;                       585
+For all the rest must needs be left behinde."
+With that it bad me to the other side
+To cast mine eye, where other sights I spide.
+
+I.
+
+Upon that famous rivers further shore,
+There stood a snowie Swan, of heavenly hiew                          590
+And gentle kinde as ever fowle afore;
+A fairer one in all the goodlie criew
+Of white Strimonian brood might no man view:
+There he most sweetly sung the prophecie
+Of his owne death in dolefull elegie.                                595
+
+At last, when all his mourning melodie
+He ended had, that both the shores resounded,
+Feeling the fit that him forewarnd to die,
+With loftie flight above the earth he bounded,
+And out of sight to highest heaven mounted,                          600
+Where now he is become an heavenly signe;
+There now the ioy is his, here sorrow mine.
+
+II.
+
+Whilest thus I looked, loe! adowne the lee*
+I sawe an Harpe, stroong all with silver twyne,
+And made of golde and costlie yvorie,                                605
+Swimming, that whilome seemed to have been
+The harpe on which Dan Orpheus was seene
+Wylde beasts and forrests after him to lead,
+But was th'harpe of Philisides** now dead.
+  [* _Lee_, surface of the stream.]
+  [** _Phili-sid-es_, Sir Philip Sidney]
+
+At length out of the river it was reard,                             610
+And borne above the cloudes to be divin'd,
+Whilst all the way most heavenly noyse was heard
+Of the strings, stirred with the warbling wind,
+That wrought both ioy and sorrow in my mind:
+So now in heaven a signe it doth appeare,                            615
+The Harpe well knowne beside the Northern Beare.
+
+III.
+
+Soone after this I saw on th'other side
+A curious Coffer made of heben* wood,
+That in it did most precious treasure hide,
+Exceeding all this baser worldes good:                               620
+Yet through the overflowing of the flood
+It almost drowned was and done to nought,
+That sight thereof much griev'd my pensive thought.
+  [* _Heben_, ebony.]
+
+At length, when most in perill it was brought,
+Two angels, downe descending with swift flight,                      625
+Out of the swelling streame it lightly caught,
+And twixt their blessed armes it carried quight
+Above the reach of anie living sight:
+So now it is transform'd into that starre,
+In which all heavenly treasures locked are.                          630
+
+IV.
+
+Looking aside I saw a stately Bed,
+Adorned all with costly cloth of gold,
+That might for anie princes couche be red*,
+And deckt with daintie flowres, as if it shold
+Be for some bride, her ioyous night to hold:                         635
+Therein a goodly virgine sleeping lay;
+A fairer wight saw never summers day.
+  [* _Red_, taken.]
+
+I heard a voyce that called farre away,
+And her awaking bad her quickly dight,
+For lo! her bridegrome was in readie ray                             640
+To come to her, and seeke her loves delight:
+With that she started up with cherefull sight,
+When suddeinly both bed and all was gone,
+And I in languor left there all alone.
+
+V.
+
+Still as I gazed, I beheld where stood                               645
+A Knight all arm'd, upon a winged steed,
+The same that was bred of Medusaes blood,
+On which Dan Perseus, borne of heavenly seed,
+The faire Andromeda from perill freed:
+Full mortally this knight ywounded was,                              650
+That streames of blood foorth flowed on the gras.
+
+Yet was he deckt (small ioy to him, alas!)
+With manie garlands for his victories,
+And with rich spoyles, which late he did purchas
+Through brave atcheivements from his enemies:                        655
+Fainting at last through long infirmities,
+He smote his steed, that straight to heaven him bore,
+And left me here his losse for to deplore.
+
+VI.
+
+Lastly, I saw an Arke of purest golde
+Upon a brazen pillour standing hie,                                  660
+Which th'ashes seem'd of some great prince to hold,
+Enclosde therein for endles memorie
+Of him whom all the world did glorifie:
+Seemed the heavens with the earth did disagree,
+Whether should of those ashes keeper bee.                            665
+
+At last me seem'd wing-footed Mercurie,
+From heaven descending to appease their strife,
+The arke did beare with him above the skie,
+And to those ashes gave a second life,
+To live in heaven, where happines is rife:                           670
+At which the earth did grieve exceedingly,
+And I for dole was almost like to die.
+
+_L'Envoy._
+
+Immortall spirite of Philisides,
+Which now art made the heavens ornament,
+That whilome wast the worldes chiefst riches.                        675
+Give leave to him that lov'de thee to lament
+His losse by lacke of thee to heaven hent*,
+And with last duties of this broken verse,
+Broken with sighes, to decke thy sable herse!
+  [* _Hent_, taken away.]
+
+And ye, faire Ladie! th'honor of your daies                          680
+And glorie of the world, your high thoughts scorne,
+Vouchsafe this moniment of his last praise
+With some few silver dropping teares t'adorne;
+And as ye be of heavenlie off-spring borne,
+So unto heaven let your high minde aspire,                           685
+And loath this drosse of sinfull worlds desire.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+Ver. 8.--_Verlame._  Veralam, or Verulamium, was a British and Roman
+town, near the present city of St. Alban's in Hertfordshire. Some
+remains of its walls are still perceptible. H.
+
+Ver. 64.--_Th'Assyrian Lyonesse._   These types of nations are taken
+from the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel. H.
+
+Ver. 190.--_I saw him die_. Leicester died at Cornbury Lodge, in
+Oxfordshire. Todd suggests that he may have fallen sick at St. Alban's,
+and that Spenser, hearing the report in Ireland, may havo concluded
+without inquiry that this was the place of his subsequent death, C.
+
+Ver. 225.--_Colin Cloute._ Spenser himself, who had been befriended by
+Leicester. H.
+
+Ver. 239.--_His brother._ Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick.
+
+Ver. 245.--_His noble spouse._ Anne, the eldest daughter of Francis
+Russell, Earl of Bedford.
+
+Ver. 260.--_His sister_. Lady Mary Sidney.
+
+Ver. 261.--_That good earle_, &c. This Earl of Bedford died in 1585.--
+TODD.
+
+Ver. 267.--_He, noble bud_, &c. Edward Russell, grandson of Francis
+Earl of Bedford, succeeded in the earldom, his father, Francis, having
+been slain by the Scots.--OLDYS.
+
+Ver. 275.--_That goodly ladie_, &c.   Lady Mary Sidney, mother of Sir
+Philip Sidney and the Countess of Pembroke.
+
+Ver. 281.--_Most gentle spirite._  Sir Philip Sidney.
+
+Ver. 317.--_Thine owne sister,_ &c. The Countess of Pembroke, to whom
+this poem is dedicated. "The Dolefull Lay of Clorinda" (Vol. IV. p.
+426) appears to have been written by her.
+
+Ver. 436.--_Good Melibae_. Sir Francis Walsingham, who died April
+6,1590. The _poet_ is Thomas Watson.--OLDYS.
+
+Ver. 447-455.--These lines are aimed at Burghley, who was said to have
+opposed the Queen's intended bounty to the poet. C.
+
+Ver 491.--These allegorical representations of the vanity of exalted
+position, stately buildings, earthly pleasures, bodily strength, and
+works of beauty and magnificence, admit of an easy application to the
+splendid career of the Earl of Leicester,--his favor and influence with
+the Queen, his enlargement of Kenilworth, his princely style of living,
+and particularly (IV.) his military command in the Low Countries. The
+sixth of these "tragick pageants" strongly confirms this
+interpretation. The two bears are Robert and Ambrose Dudley. While
+Leicester was lieutenant in the Netherlands, he was in the habit of
+using the Warwick crest (a bear and ragged staff) instead of his own.
+Naunton, in his Fragmenta Regalia, calls him _Ursa Major_. C.
+
+Ver. 497.--_The holie brethren_, &c. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
+Daniel, ch. iii. C.
+
+Ver. 582-586.--A paraphrase of Sir Philip's last words to his brother.
+"Above all, govern your will and affection by the will and word of your
+Creator, in me beholding the end of this world with all her vanities."
+This is pointed out by Zouch, Life of Sidney, p. 263. C.
+
+Ver 590.--This second series of pageants is applicable exclusively to
+Sir Philip Sidney. The meaning of the third and fourth is hard to make
+out; but the third seems to have reference to the collection of the
+scattered sheets of the Arcadia, and the publication of this work by
+the Countess of Pembroke, after it had been condemned to destruction by
+the author. The fourth may indeed signify nothing more than Lady
+Sidney's bereavement by her husband's death; but this interpretation
+seems too literal for a professed allegory. The sixth obviously alludes
+to the splendid obsequies to Sidney, performed at the Queen's expense,
+and to the competition of the States of Holland for the honor of
+burying his body. C.
+
+L'ENVOY: _L'Envoy_ was a sort of postscript _sent with_ poetical
+compositions, and serving either to recommend them to the attention of
+some particular person, or to enforce what we call the moral of them.--
+TYRWHITT.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+THE TEARES OF THE MUSES.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+
+
+LONDON:
+
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE, DWELLING IN PAULES CHURCHYARD AT THE
+SIGNE OF THE BISHOPS HEAD.
+
+1591.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
+
+THE LADIE STRANGE.
+
+Most brave and noble Ladie, the things that make ye so much honored of
+the world as ye bee are such as (without my simple lines testimonie)
+are throughlie knowen to all men; namely, your excellent beautie, your
+vertuous behavior, and your noble match with that most honourable Lord,
+the verie paterne of right nobilitie. But the causes for which ye have
+thus deserved of me to be honoured, (if honour it be at all,) are, both
+your particular bounties, and also some private bands of affinitie*,
+which it hath pleased your Ladiship to acknowledge. Of which whenas I
+found my selfe in no part worthie, I devised this last slender meanes,
+both to intimate my humble affection to your Ladiship, and also to make
+the same universallie knowen to the world; that by honouring you they
+might know me, and by knowing me they might honor you. Vouchsafe, noble
+Lady, to accept this simple remembrance, though not worthy of your
+self, yet such as perhaps by good acceptance thereof ye may hereafter
+cull out a more meet and memorable evidence of your own excellent
+deserts. So recommending the same to your Ladiships good liking, I
+humbly take leave.
+
+Your La: humbly ever.
+
+ED. SP.
+
+[Footnote: Lady Strange was Alice Spencer, sixth daughter of Sir John
+Spencer of Althorpe. C.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE TEARES OF THE MUSES.
+
+
+Rehearse to me, ye sacred Sisters nine,
+The golden brood of great Apolloes wit,
+Those piteous plaints and sorowfull sad tine
+Which late ye powred forth as ye did sit
+Beside the silver springs of Helicone,                                 5
+Making your musick of hart-breaking mone!
+
+For since the time that Phoebus foolish sonne,
+Ythundered, through loves avengefull wrath,
+For traversing the charret of the Sunne
+Beyond the compasse of his pointed path,                              10
+Of you, his mournfull sisters, was lamented,
+Such mournfull tunes were never since invented.
+
+Nor since that faire Calliope did lose
+Her loved twinnes, the dearlings of her ioy,
+Her Palici, whom her unkindly foes,                                   15
+The Fatall Sisters, did for spight destroy,
+Whom all the Muses did bewaile long space,
+Was ever heard such wayling in this place.
+
+For all their groves, which with the heavenly noyses
+Of their sweete instruments were wont to sound,                       20
+And th'hollow hills, from which their silver voyces
+Were wont redoubled echoes to rebound,
+Did now rebound with nought but rufull cries,
+And yelling shrieks throwne up into the skies.
+
+The trembling streames which wont in chanels cleare                   25
+To romble gently downe with murmur soft,
+And were by them right tunefull taught to beare
+A bases part amongst their consorts oft;
+Now forst to overflowe with brackish teares,
+With troublous noyse did dull their daintie eares.                    30
+
+The ioyous Nymphes and lightfoote Faeries
+Which thether came to heare their musick sweet,
+And to the measure of their melodies
+Did learne to move their nimble-shifting feete,
+Now hearing them so heavily lament,                                   35
+Like heavily lamenting from them went.
+
+And all that els was wont to worke delight
+Through the divine infusion of their skill,
+And all that els seemd faire and fresh in sight,
+So made by nature for to serve their will,                            40
+Was turned now to dismall heavinesse,
+Was turned now to dreadfull uglinesse.
+
+Ay me! what thing on earth, that all thing breeds,
+Might be the cause of so impatient plight?
+What furie, or what feend, with felon deeds                           45
+Hath stirred up so mischievous despight?
+Can griefe then enter into heavenly harts,
+And pierce immortall breasts with mortall smarts?
+
+Vouchsafe ye then, whom onely it concernes,
+To me those secret causes to display;                                 50
+For none but you, or who of you it learnes,
+Can rightfully aread so dolefull lay.
+Begin, thou eldest sister of the crew,
+And let the rest in order thee ensew.
+
+CLIO.
+
+Heare, thou great Father of the Gods on hie,                          55
+That most art dreaded for thy thunder darts;
+And thou, our Syre? that raignst in Castalie
+And Mount Parnasse, the god of goodly arts:
+Heare, and behold the miserable state
+Of us thy daughters, dolefull desolate.                               60
+
+Behold the fowle reproach and open shame
+The which is day by day unto us wrought
+By such as hate the honour of our name,
+The foes of learning and each gentle thought;
+They, not contented us themselves to scorne,                          65
+Doo seeke to make us of the world forlorne*.
+  [* Forlorne, abandoned]
+
+Ne onely they that dwell in lowly dust,
+The sonnes of darknes and of ignoraunce;
+But they whom thou, great love, by doome uniust
+Didst to the type of honour earst advaunce;                           70
+They now, puft up with sdeignfull insolence,
+Despise the brood of blessed Sapience.
+
+The sectaries* of my celestiall skill,
+That wont to be the worlds chiefe ornament,
+And learned impes that wont to shoote up still,                       75
+And grow to hight of kingdomes government,
+They underkeep, and with their spredding armes
+Doo beat their buds, that perish through their harmes.
+  [* _Sectaries_, followers.]
+
+It most behoves the honorable race
+Of mightie peeres true wisedome to sustaine,                          80
+And with their noble countenaunce to grace
+The learned forheads, without gifts or game:
+Or rather learnd themselves behoves to bee;
+That is the girlond of nobilitie.
+
+But ah! all otherwise they doo esteeme                                85
+Of th'heavenly gift of wisdomes influence,
+And to be learned it a base thing deeme:
+Base minded they that want intelligence;
+For God himselfe for wisedome most is praised,
+And men to God thereby are nighest raised.                            90
+
+But they doo onely strive themselves to raise
+Through pompous pride, and foolish vanitie;
+In th'eyes of people they put all their praise,
+And onely boast of armes and auncestrie:
+But vertuous deeds, which did those armes first give
+To their grandsyres, they care not to atchive.                        96
+
+So I, that doo all noble feates professe
+To register and sound in trump of gold,
+Through their bad dooings, or base slothfulnesse,
+Finde nothing worthie to be writ, or told:                           100
+For better farre it were to hide their names,
+Than telling them to blazon out their blames.
+
+So shall succeeding ages have no light
+Of things forepast, nor moniments of time;
+And all that in this world is worthie hight                          105
+Shall die in darknesse, and lie hid in slime!
+Therefore I mourne with deep harts sorrowing,
+Because I nothing noble have to sing.
+
+With that she raynd such store of streaming teares,
+That could have made a stonie heart to weep;                         110
+And all her sisters rent* their golden heares,
+And their faire faces with salt humour steep.
+So ended shee: and then the next anew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.
+  [* _Rent_, rend.]
+
+MELPOMENE.
+
+O, who shall powre into my swollen eyes                              115
+A sea of teares that never may be dryde,
+A brasen voice that may with shrilling cryes
+Pierce the dull heavens and fill the ayer wide,
+And yron sides that sighing may endure,
+To waile the wretchednes of world impure!                            120
+
+Ah, wretched world! the den of wickednesse,
+Deformd with filth and fowle iniquitie;
+Ah, wretched world! the house of heavinesse,
+Fild with the wreaks of mortall miserie;
+Ah, wretched world, and all that is therein!                         125
+The vassals of Gods wrath, and slaves of sin.
+
+Most miserable creature under sky
+Man without understanding doth appeare;
+For all this worlds affliction he thereby,
+And fortunes freakes, is wisely taught to beare:                     130
+Of wretched life the onely ioy shee is.
+And th'only comfort in calamities.
+
+She armes the brest with constant patience
+Against the bitter throwes of dolours darts:
+She solaceth with rules of sapience                                  135
+The gentle minds, in midst of worldlie smarts:
+When he is sad, shee seeks to make him merie,
+And doth refresh his sprights when they be werie.
+
+But he that is of reasons skill bereft,
+And wants the staffe of wisedome him to stay,                        140
+Is like a ship in midst of tempest left
+Withouten helme or pilot her to sway:
+Full sad and dreadfull is that ships event;
+So is the man that wants intendiment*.
+[* _Intendiment_, understanding.]
+
+Whie then doo foolish men so much despize                            145
+The precious store of this celestiall riches?
+Why doo they banish us, that patronize
+The name of learning? Most unhappie wretches!
+The which lie drowned in deep wretchednes,
+Yet doo not see their owne unhappines.                               150
+
+My part it is and my professed skill
+The stage with tragick buskin to adorne,
+And fill the scene with plaint and outcries shrill
+Of wretched persons, to misfortune borne:
+But none more tragick matter I can finde                             155
+Than this, of men depriv'd of sense and minde.
+
+For all mans life me seemes a tragedy,
+Full of sad sights and sore catastrophees;
+First comming to the world with weeping eye,
+Where all his dayes, like dolorous trophees,                         160
+Are heapt with spoyles of fortune and of feare,
+And he at last laid forth on balefull beare.
+
+So all with rufull spectacles is fild,
+Fit for Megera or Persephone;
+But I that in true tragedies am skild,                               165
+The flowre of wit, finde nought to busie me:
+Therefore I mourne, and pitifully mone,
+Because that mourning matter I have none.
+
+Then gan she wofully to waile, and wring
+Her wretched hands in lamentable wise;                               170
+And all her sisters, thereto answering,
+Threw forth lowd shrieks and drerie dolefull cries.
+So rested she: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.
+
+
+THALIA.
+
+Where be the sweete delights of learnings treasure,                  175
+That wont with comick sock to beautefie
+The painted theaters, and fill with pleasure
+The listners eyes, and eares with melodie,
+In which I late was wont to raine as queene,
+And maske in mirth with graces well beseene?                         180
+
+O, all is gone! and all that goodly glee,
+Which wont to be the glorie of gay wits,
+Is layd abed, and no where now to see;
+And in her roome unseemly Sorrow sits,
+With hollow browes and greisly countenaunce                          185
+Marring my ioyous gentle dalliaunce.
+
+And him beside sits ugly Barbarisme,
+And brutish Ignorance, ycrept of late
+Out of dredd darknes of the deep abysme,
+Where being bredd, he light and heaven does hate:
+They in the mindes of men now tyrannize,                             191
+And the faire scene with rudenes foule disguize.
+
+All places they with follie have possest,
+And with vaine toyes the vulgare entertaine;
+But me have banished, with all the rest                              195
+That whilome wont to wait upon my traine,
+Fine Counterfesaunce*, and unhurtfull Sport,
+Delight, and Laughter, deckt in seemly sort.
+  [* _Counterfesaunce_, mimicry.]
+
+All these, and all that els the comick stage
+With seasoned wit and goodly pleasance graced,                       200
+By which mans life in his likest image
+Was limned forth, are wholly now defaced;
+And those sweete wits which wont the like to frame
+Are now despizd, and made a laughing game.
+
+And he, the man whom Nature selfe had made                           205
+To mock her selfe, and truth to imitate,
+With kindly counter* under mimick shade,
+Our pleasant Willy, ah! is dead of late:
+With whom all ioy and iolly meriment
+Is also deaded, and in dolour drent**.                               210
+  [* _Counter_, counterfeit.]
+  [** _Drent_, drowned.]
+
+In stead thereof scoffing Scurrilitie,
+And scornfull Follie with Contempt is crept,
+Rolling in rymes of shameles ribaudrie
+Without regard, or due decorum kept;
+Each idle wit at will presumes to make*,                             215
+And doth the learneds taske upon him take.
+  [* _Make_, write poetry.]
+
+But that same gentle spirit, from whose pen
+Large streames of honnie and sweete nectar flowe,
+Scorning the boldnes of such base-borne men,
+Which dare their follies forth so rashlie throwe,                    220
+Doth rather choose to sit in idle cell,
+Than so himselfe to mockerie to sell.
+
+So am I made the servant of the manie,
+And laughing stocke of all that list to scorne,
+Not honored nor cared for of anie,                                   225
+But loath'd of losels* as a thing forlorne:
+Therefore I mourne and sorrow with the rest,
+Untill my cause of sorrow be redrest.
+  [* _Losels_, worthless fellows.]
+
+Therewith she lowdly did lament and shrike,
+Pouring forth streames of teares abundantly;                         230
+And all her sisters, with compassion like,
+The breaches of her singulfs* did supply.
+So rested shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.
+  [* I.e. the pauses of her sighs.]
+
+EUTERPE.
+
+Like as the dearling of the summers pryde,                           235
+Faire Philomele, when winters stormie wrath
+The goodly fields, that earst so gay were dyde
+In colours divers, quite despoyled hath,
+All comfortlesse doth hide her chearlesse head
+During the time of that her widowhead,                               240
+
+So we, that earst were wont in sweet accord
+All places with our pleasant notes to fill,
+Whilest favourable times did us afford
+Free libertie to chaunt our charmes at will,
+All comfortlesse upon the bared bow*,                                245
+Like wofull culvers**, doo sit wayling now.
+  [* _Bow_, bough.]
+  [** _Culvers_, doves.]
+
+For far more bitter storme than winters stowre*
+The beautie of the world hath lately wasted,
+And those fresh buds, which wont so faire to flowre,
+Hath marred quite, and all their blossoms blasted;                   250
+And those yong plants, which wont with fruit t'abound,
+Now without fruite or leaves are to be found.
+  [* _Stowre_, violence.]
+
+A stonie coldnesse hath benumbd the sence
+And livelie spirits of each living wight,
+And dimd with darknesse their intelligence,                          255
+Darknesse more than Cymerians daylie night:
+And monstrous Error, flying in the ayre,
+Hath mard the face of all that semed fayre.
+
+Image of hellish horrour, Ignorance,
+Borne in the bosome of the black abysse,                             260
+And fed with Furies milke for sustenaunce
+Of his weake infancie, begot amisse
+By yawning Sloth on his owne mother Night,--
+So hee his sonnes both syre and brother hight,--
+
+He, armd with blindnesse and with boldnes stout,                     265
+(For blind is bold,) hath our fayre light defaced;
+And, gathering unto him a ragged rout
+Of Faunes and Satyres, hath our dwellings raced*,
+And our chast bowers, in which all vertue rained,
+With brutishnesse and beastlie filth hath stained.                   270
+  [* _Raced_, razed.]
+
+The sacred springs of horsefoot Helicon,
+So oft bedeawed with our learned layes,
+And speaking streames of pure Castalion,
+The famous witnesse of our wonted praise,
+They trampled have with their fowle footings trade*,
+And like to troubled puddles have them made.                         276
+  [* _Trade_, tread.]
+
+Our pleasant groves, which planted were with paines,
+That with our musick wont so oft to ring,
+And arbors sweet, in which the shepheards swaines
+Were wont so oft their pastoralls to sing,                           280
+They have cut downe, and all their pleasaunce mard,
+That now no pastorall is to bee hard.
+
+In stead of them, fowle goblins and shriek-owles
+With fearfull howling do all places fill,
+And feeble eccho now laments and howles,                             285
+The dreadfull accents of their outcries shrill.
+So all is turned into wildernesse,
+Whilest Ignorance the Muses doth oppresse.
+
+And I, whose ioy was earst with spirit full
+To teach the warbling pipe to sound aloft,                           290
+My spirits now dismayd with sorrow dull,
+Doo mone my miserie in silence soft.
+Therefore I mourne and waile incessantly,
+Till please the heavens affoord me remedy.
+
+Therewith shee wayled with exceeding woe,                            295
+And pitious lamentation did make;
+And all her sisters, seeing her doo soe,
+With equall plaints her sorrowe did partake.
+So rested shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.                            300
+
+
+TERPSICHORE.
+
+Whoso hath in the lap of soft delight
+Beene long time luld, and fed with pleasures sweet,
+Feareles through his own fault or Fortunes spight
+To tumble into sorrow and regreet,
+Yf chaunce him fall into calamitie,                                  305
+Findes greater burthen of his miserie.
+
+So wee, that earst in ioyance did abound,
+And in the bosome of all blis did sit,
+Like virgin queenes, with laurell garlands cround,
+For vertues meed and ornament of wit,                                310
+Sith Ignorance our kingdome did confound,
+Bee now become most wretched wightes on ground.
+
+And in our royall thrones, which lately stood
+In th'hearts of men to rule them carefully,
+He now hath placed his accursed brood,                               315
+By him begotten of fowle Infamy;
+Blind Error, scornefull Follie, and base Spight,
+Who hold by wrong that wee should have by right.
+
+They to the vulgar sort now pipe and sing,
+And make them merrie with their fooleries;                           320
+They cherelie chaunt, and rymes at randon fling,
+The fruitfull spawne of their ranke fantasies;
+They feede the eares of fooles with flattery,
+And good men blame, and losels* magnify.
+  [* _Losels_, worthless fellows.]
+
+All places they doo with their toyes possesse,                       325
+And raigne in liking of the multitude;
+The schooles they till with fond newfanglenesse,
+And sway in court with pride and rashnes rude;
+Mongst simple shepheards they do boast their skill,
+And say their musicke matcheth Phoebus quill.                        330
+
+The noble hearts to pleasures they allure,
+And tell their Prince that learning is but vaine;
+Faire ladies loves they spot with thoughts impure,
+And gentle mindes with lewd delights distaine;
+Clerks* they to loathly idlenes entice,                              335
+And fill their bookes with discipline of vice.
+  [* _Clerks_, scholars.]
+
+So every where they rule and tyrannize,
+For their usurped kingdomes maintenaunce,
+The whiles we silly maides, whom they dispize
+And with reprochfull scorne discountenaunce,                         340
+From our owne native heritage exilde,
+Walk through the world of every one revilde.
+
+Nor anie one doth care to call us in,
+Or once vouchsafeth us to entertaine,
+Unlesse some one perhaps of gentle kin,                              345
+For pitties sake, compassion our paine,
+And yeeld us some reliefe in this distresse;
+Yet to be so reliev'd is wretchednesse.
+
+So wander we all carefull comfortlesse,
+Yet none cloth care to comfort us at all;                            350
+So seeke we helpe our sorrow to redresse,
+Yet none vouchsafes to answere to our call;
+Therefore we mourne and pittilesse complaine,
+Because none living pittieth our paine.
+
+With that she wept and wofullie waymented,                           355
+That naught on earth her griefe might pacifie;
+And all the rest her dolefull din augmented
+With shrikes, and groanes, and grievous agonie.
+So ended shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her piteous plaint, as doth ensew.                             360
+
+ERATO.
+
+Ye gentle Spirits breathing from above,
+Where ye in Venus silver bowre were bred,
+Thoughts halfe devine, full of the fire of love,
+With beawtie kindled, and with pleasure fed,
+Which ye now in securitie possesse,                                  365
+Forgetfull of your former heavinesse,--
+
+Now change the tenor of your ioyous layes,
+With which ye use your loves to deifie,
+And blazon foorth an earthlie beauties praise
+Above the compasse of the arched skie:                               370
+Now change your praises into piteous cries,
+And eulogies turne into elegies.
+
+Such as ye wont, whenas those bitter stounds*
+Of raging love first gan you to torment,
+And launch your hearts with lamentable wounds                        375
+Of secret sorrow and sad languishment,
+Before your loves did take you unto grace;
+Those now renew, as fitter for this place.
+  [* _Stounds_, hours.]
+
+For I that rule in measure moderate
+The tempest of that stormie passion,                                 380
+And use to paint in rimes the troublous state
+Of lovers life in likest fashion,
+Am put from practise of my kindlie** skill,
+Banisht by those that love with leawdnes fill.
+  [* _Kindlie_, natural.]
+
+Love wont to be schoolmaster of my skill,                            385
+And the devicefull matter of my song;
+Sweete love devoyd of villanie or ill,
+But pure and spotles, as at first he sprong
+Out of th'Almighties bosome, where he nests;
+From thence infused into mortall brests.                             390
+
+Such high conceipt of that celestiall fire,
+The base-borne brood of Blindnes cannot gesse,
+Ne ever dare their dunghill thoughts aspire
+Unto so loftie pitch of perfectnesse,
+But rime at riot, and doo rage in love,                              395
+Yet little wote what doth thereto behove.
+
+Faire Cytheree, the mother of delight
+And queene of beautie, now thou maist go pack;
+For lo! thy kingdoms is defaced quight,
+Thy scepter rent, and power put to wrack;                            400
+And thy gay sonne, that winged God of Love,
+May now goe prune his plumes like ruffed* dove.
+  [* _Ruffed_, ruffled.]
+
+And ye three twins, to light by Venus brought,
+The sweete companions of the Muses late,
+From whom whatever thing is goodly thought                           405
+Doth borrow grace, the fancie to aggrate*,
+Go beg with us, and be companions still,
+As heretofore of good, so now of ill.
+  [* _Aggrate_, please.]
+
+For neither you nor we shall anie more
+Finde entertainment or in court or schoole:                          410
+For that which was accounted heretofore
+The learneds meed is now lent to the foole;
+He sings of love and maketh loving layes,
+And they him heare, and they him highly prayse.
+
+With that she powred foorth a brackish flood                         415
+Of bitter teares, and made exceeding mone;
+And all her sisters, seeing her sad mood,
+With lowd laments her answered all at one.
+So ended she: and then the next in rew
+Began her grievous plaint, as doth ensew.                            420
+
+To whom shall I my evill case complaine,
+Or tell the anguish of my inward smart,
+Sith none is left to remedie my paine,
+Or deignes to pitie a perplexed hart;
+But rather seekes my sorrow to augment                               425
+With fowle reproach, and cruell banishment?
+
+For they to whom I used to applie
+The faithfull service of my learned skill,
+The goodly off-spring of loves progenie,
+That wont the world with famous acts to fill,                        430
+Whose living praises in heroick style,
+It is my chiefe profession to compyle,--
+
+They, all corrupted through the rust of time,
+That doth all fairest things on earth deface,
+Or through unnoble sloth, or sinfull crime,                          435
+That doth degenerate the noble race,
+Have both desire of worthie deeds forlorne,
+And name of learning utterly doo scorne.
+
+Ne doo they care to have the auncestrie
+Of th'old heroes memorizde anew;                                     440
+Ne doo they care that late posteritie
+Should know their names, or speak their praises dew,
+But die, forgot from whence at first they sprong,
+As they themselves shalbe forgot ere long.
+
+What bootes it then to come from glorious                            445
+Forefathers, or to have been nobly bredd?
+What oddes twixt Irus and old Inachus,
+Twixt best and worst, when both alike are dedd,
+If none of neither mention should make,
+Nor out of dust their memories awake?                                450
+
+Or who would ever care to doo brave deed,
+Or strive in vertue others to excell,
+If none should yeeld him his deserved meed,
+Due praise, that is the spur of doing well?
+For if good were not praised more than ill,                          455
+None would choose goodnes of his owne freewill.
+
+Therefore the nurse of vertue I am hight,
+And golden trompet of eternitie,
+That lowly thoughts lift up to heavens hight,
+And mortall men have powre to deifie:                                460
+Bacchus and Hercules I raisd to heaven,
+And Charlemaine amongst the starris seaven.
+
+But now I will my golden clarion rend,
+And will henceforth immortalize no more,
+Sith I no more finde worthie to commend                              465
+For prize of value, or for learned lore:
+For noble peeres, whom I was wont to raise,
+Now onely seeke for pleasure, nought for praise.
+
+Their great revenues all in sumptuous pride
+They spend, that nought to learning they may spare;
+And the rich fee which poets wont divide                             471
+Now parasites and sycophants doo share:
+Therefore I mourne and endlesse sorrow make,
+Both for my selfe and for my sisters sake.
+
+With that she lowdly gan to waile and shrike,                        475
+And from her eyes a sea of teares did powre;
+And all her sisters, with compassion like,
+Did more increase the sharpnes of her showre.
+So ended she: and then the next in rew
+Began her plaint, as doth herein ensew.                              480
+
+URANIA.
+
+What wrath of gods, or wicked influence
+Of starres conspiring wretched men t'afflict,
+Hath powrd on earth this noyous pestilence,
+That mortall mindes doth inwardly infect
+With love of blindnesse and of ignorance,                            485
+To dwell in darkenesse without sovenance?*
+  [* _Sovenance_, remembrance.]
+
+What difference twixt man and beast is left,
+When th'heavenlie light of knowledge is put out,
+And th'ornaments of wisdome are bereft?
+Then wandreth he in error and in doubt,                              490
+Unweeting* of the danger hee is in,
+Through fleshes frailtie and deceipt of sin.
+  [* _Unweeting_, unknowing.]
+
+In this wide world in which they wretches stray,
+It is the onelie comfort which they have,
+It is their light, their loadstarre, and their day;                  495
+But hell, and darkenesse, and the grislie grave,
+Is Ignorance, the enemie of Grace,
+That mindes of men borne heavenlie doth debace.
+
+Through knowledge we behold the worlds creation,
+How in his cradle first he fostred was;                              500
+And iudge of Natures cunning operation,
+How things she formed of a formelesse mas:
+By knowledge wee do learne our selves to knowe,
+And what to man, and what to God, wee owe.
+
+From hence wee mount aloft unto the skie,                            505
+And looke into the christall firmament;
+There we behold the heavens great hierarchie,
+The starres pure light, the spheres swift movement,
+The spirites and intelligences fayre,
+And angels waighting on th'Almighties chayre.                        510
+
+And there, with humble minde and high insight,
+Th'eternall Makers maiestie wee viewe,
+His love, his truth, his glorie, and his might,
+And mercie more than mortall men can vew.
+O soveraigne Lord, O soveraigne happinesse,                          515
+To see thee, and thy mercie measurelesse!
+
+Such happines have they that doo embrace
+The precepts of my heavenlie discipline;
+But shame and sorrow and accursed case
+Have they that scorne the schoole of arts divine,                    520
+And banish me, which do professe the skill
+To make men heavenly wise through humbled will.
+
+However yet they mee despise and spight,
+I feede on sweet contentment of my thought,
+And please my selfe with mine owne self-delight,                     525
+In contemplation of things heavenlie wrought:
+So, loathing earth, I looke up to the sky,
+And being driven hence, I thether fly.
+
+Thence I behold the miserie of men,
+Which want the blis that wisedom would them breed.
+And like brute beasts doo lie in loathsome den                       531
+Of ghostly darkenes and of gastlie dreed:
+For whom I mourne, and for my selfe complaine,
+And for my sisters eake whom they disdaine.
+
+With that shee wept and waild so pityouslie,                         535
+As if her eyes had beene two springing wells;
+And all the rest, her sorrow to supplie,
+Did throw forth shrieks and cries and dreery yells.
+So ended shee: and then the next in rew
+Began her mournfull plaint, as doth ensew.                           540
+
+POLYHYMNIA.
+
+A dolefull case desires a dolefull song,
+Without vaine art or curious complements;
+And squallid Fortune, into basenes flong,
+Doth scorne the pride of wonted ornaments.
+Then fittest are these ragged rimes for mee,                         545
+To tell my sorrowes that exceeding bee.
+
+For the sweet numbers and melodious measures
+With which I wont the winged words to tie,
+And make a tunefull diapase of pleasures,
+Now being let to runne at libertie                                   550
+By those which have no skill to rule them right,
+Have now quite lost their naturall delight.
+
+Heapes of huge words uphoorded hideously,
+With horrid sound, though having little sence,
+They thinke to be chiefe praise of poetry;                           555
+And, thereby wanting due intelligence,
+Have mard the face of goodly poesie,
+And made a monster of their fantasie.
+
+Whilom in ages past none might professe
+But princes and high priests that secret skill;                      560
+The sacred lawes therein they wont expresse,
+And with deepe oracles their verses fill:
+Then was shee held in soveraigne dignitie,
+And made the noursling of nobilitie.
+
+But now nor prince nor priest doth her maintayne,
+But suffer her prophaned for to bee                                  566
+Of the base vulgar, that with hands uncleane
+Dares to pollute her hidden mysterie;
+And treadeth under foote hir holie things,
+Which was the care of kesars* and of kings.                          570
+  [* _Kesars_, emperors.]
+
+One onelie lives, her ages ornament,
+And myrrour of her Makers maiestie,
+That with rich bountie and deare cherishment
+Supports the praise of noble poesie;
+Ne onelie favours them which it professe,                            575
+But is her selfe a peereles poetresse.
+
+Most peereles Prince, most peereles Poetresse,
+The true Pandora of all heavenly graces,
+Divine Elisa, sacred Emperesse!
+Live she for ever, and her royall p'laces                            580
+Be fild with praises of divinest wits,
+That her eternize with their heavenlie writs!
+
+Some few beside this sacred skill esteme,
+Admirers of her glorious excellence;
+Which, being lightned with her beawties beme,                        585
+Are thereby fild with happie influence,
+And lifted up above the worldes gaze,
+To sing with angels her immortall praize.
+
+But all the rest, as borne of salvage brood,
+And having beene with acorns alwaies fed,                            590
+Can no whit savour this celestiall food,
+But with base thoughts are into blindnesse led,
+And kept from looking on the lightsome day:
+For whome I waile and weepe all that I may.
+
+Eftsoones* such store of teares shee forth did powre,
+As if shee all to water would have gone;                             596
+And all her sisters, seeing her sad stowre**,
+Did weep and waile, and made exceeding mone,
+And all their learned instruments did breake:
+The rest untold no living tongue can speake.                         600
+  [* _Eftsoones_, forthwith.]
+  [** _Stowre_, disturbance, trouble.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+Ver 15--_Palici._. The Palici were children of Jupiter and Thalia, not
+Calliope. H.
+
+Ver. 205-210.--There are sufficient reasons for believing that these
+lines refer to Shakespeare. He had probably written The Two Gentlemen
+of Verona, and Love's Labor's Lost, before the Complaints were
+published (1591), and no other author had up to this time produced a
+comedy that would compare with these. For a discussion of this subject,
+see Collier's Life, Chap. VII., and Knight's Biography, pp. 344-348. C.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+VIRGILS GNAT.
+
+LONG SINCE DEDICATED
+
+TO THE MOST NOBLE AND EXCELLENT LORD,
+
+THE EARLE OF LEICESTER,
+
+LATE DECEASED.
+
+Wrong'd, yet not daring to expresse my paine,
+To you, great Lord, the causer of my care,
+In clowdie teares my case I thus complaine
+Unto your selfe, that onely privie are.
+  But if that any Oedipus unware
+Shall chaunce, through power of some divining spright,
+To reade the secrete of this riddle rare,
+And know the purporte of my evill plight,
+Let him rest pleased with his owne insight,
+Ne further seeke to glose upon the text:
+For griefe enough it is to grieved wight
+To feele his fault, and not be further vext.
+
+  But what so by my selfe may not be showen,
+May by this Gnatts complaint be easily knowen*.
+
+  [* This riddle has never been guessed. Upton conjectures that
+Leicester's displeasure was incurred for "some kind of officious
+sedulity in Spenser, who much desired to see his patron married to the
+Queen." C.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+VIRGILS GNAT.
+
+
+We now have playde, Augustus, wantonly,
+Tuning our song unto a tender Muse,
+And, like a cobweb weaving slenderly,
+Have onely playde: let thus much then excuse
+This Gnats small poeme, that th'whole history                          5
+Is but a iest; though envie it abuse:
+But who such sports and sweet delights doth blame,
+Shall lighter seeme than this Gnats idle name.
+
+Hereafter, when as season more secure
+Shall bring forth fruit, this Muse shall speak to thee                10
+In bigger notes, that may thy sense allure,
+And for thy worth frame some fit poesie:
+The golden ofspring of Latona pure,
+And ornament of great Ioves progenie,
+Phoebus, shall be the author of my song,                              15
+Playing on yvorie harp with silver strong*.
+  [* _Strong_, strung.]
+
+He shall inspire my verse with gentle mood,
+Of poets prince, whether he woon* beside
+Faire Xanthus sprincled with Chimaeras blood,
+Or in the woods of Astery abide,                                      20
+Or whereas Mount Parnasse, the Muses brood,
+Doth his broad forhead like two hornes divide,
+And the sweete waves of sounding Castaly
+With liquid foote doth slide downe easily.
+  [* _Woon_, dwell.]
+
+Wherefore ye Sisters, which the glorie bee                            25
+Of the Pierian streames, fayre Naiades,
+Go too, and dauncing all in companie,
+Adorne that god: and thou holie Pales,
+To whome the honest care of husbandrie
+Returneth by continuall successe,                                     30
+Have care for to pursue his footing light
+Throgh the wide woods and groves with green leaves dight.
+
+Professing thee I lifted am aloft
+Betwixt the forrest wide and starrie sky:
+And thou, most dread Octavius, which oft                              35
+To learned wits givest courage worthily,
+O come, thou sacred childe, come sliding soft,
+And favour my beginnings graciously:
+For not these leaves do sing that dreadfull stound*,
+When giants bloud did staine Phlegraean ground;                       40
+  [* _Stound_, time.]
+
+Nor how th'halfe-horsy people, Centaures hight,
+Fought with the bloudie Lapithaes at bord;
+Nor how the East with tyranous despight
+Burnt th'Attick towres, and people slew with sword;
+Nor how Mount Athos through exceeding might                           45
+Was digged downe; nor yron bands abord
+The Pontick sea by their huge navy cast,
+My volume shall renowne, so long since past.
+
+Nor Hellespont trampled with horses feete,
+When flocking Persians did the Greeks affray:                         50
+But my soft Muse, as for her power more meete,
+Delights (with Phoebus friendly leave) to play
+An easie running verse with tender feete.
+And thou, dread sacred child, to thee alway
+Let everlasting lightsome glory strive,                               55
+Through the worlds endles ages to survive.
+
+And let an happie roome remaine for thee
+Mongst heavenly ranks, where blessed soules do rest;
+And let long lasting life with ioyous glee,
+As thy due meede that thou deservest best,                            60
+Hereafter many yeares remembred be
+Amongst good men, of whom thou oft are blest.
+Live thou for ever in all happinesse!
+But let us turne to our first businesse.
+
+The fiery Sun was mounted now on Light                                65
+Up to the heavenly towers, and shot each where
+Out of his golden charet glistering light;
+And fayre Aurora, with her rosie heare,
+The hatefull darknes now had put to flight;
+When as the Shepheard, seeing day appeare,                            70
+His little goats gan drive out of their stalls,
+To feede abroad, where pasture best befalls.
+
+To an high mountaines top he with them went,
+Where thickest grasse did cloath the open hills:
+They, now amongst the woods and thickets ment*                        75
+Now in the valleies wandring at their wills,
+Spread themselves farre abroad through each descent;
+Some on the soft greene grasse feeding their fills,
+Some, clambring through the hollow cliffes on hy,
+Nibble the bushie shrubs which growe thereby.                         80
+  [* _Ment_, mingled.]
+
+Others the utmost boughs of trees doe crop,
+And brouze the woodbine twigges that freshly bud;
+This with full bit* doth catch the utmost top
+Of some soft willow, or new growen stud**;
+This with sharpe teeth the bramble leaves doth lop,                   85
+And chaw the tender prickles in her cud;
+The whiles another high doth overlooke
+Her owne like image in a christall brooke.
+  [* _Bit_, bite.]
+  [** _Stud_, stock.]
+
+O the great happines which shepheards have,
+Who so loathes not too much the poore estate                          90
+With minde that ill use doth before deprave,
+Ne measures all things by the costly rate
+Of riotise, and semblants outward brave!
+No such sad cares, as wont to macerate
+And rend the greedie mindes of covetous men,                          95
+Do ever creepe into the shepheards den.
+
+Ne cares he if the fleece which him arayes
+Be not twice steeped in Assyrian dye;
+Ne glistering of golde, which underlayes*
+The summer beames, doe blinde his gazing eye;                        100
+Ne pictures beautie, nor the glauncing rayes
+Of precious stones, whence no good commeth by;
+Ne yet his cup embost with imagery
+Of Baetus or of Alcons vanity.
+  [* _Underlayes_, surpasses.]
+
+Ne ought the whelky* pearles esteemeth hee,                          105
+Which are from Indian seas brought far away:
+But with pure brest, from carefull sorrow free,
+On the soft grasse his limbs doth oft display,
+In sweete spring time, when flowres varietie
+With sundrie colours paints the sprincled lay**;                     110
+There, lying all at ease from guile or spight,
+With pype of fennie reedes doth him delight.
+  [* _Whelky_, shelly (_conchea_).]
+  [** _lay_, lea.]
+
+There he, lord of himselfe, with palme bedight,
+His looser locks doth wrap in wreath of vine:
+There his milk-dropping goats be his delight,                        115
+And fruitefull Pales, and the forrest greene,
+And darkesome caves in pleasaunt vallies pight*,
+Wheras continuall shade is to be seene,
+And where fresh springing wells, as christall neate,
+Do alwayes flow, to quench his thirstie heate.                       120
+  [* _Pight_, placed.]
+
+O! who can lead then a more happie life
+Than he, that with cleane minde and heart sincere,
+No greedy riches knowes nor bloudie strife,
+No deadly fight of warlick fleete doth feare,
+Ne runs in perill of foes cruell knife,                              125
+That in the sacred temples he may reare
+A trophee of his glittering spoyles and treasure,
+Or may abound in riches above measure.
+
+Of him his God is worshipt with his sythe,
+And not with skill of craftsman polished:                            130
+He ioyes in groves, and makes himselfe full blythe
+With sundrie flowers in wilde fieldes gathered,
+Ne frankincens he from Panchaea buyth:
+Sweete Quiet harbours in his harmeles head,
+And perfect Pleasure buildes her ioyous bowre,                       135
+Free from sad cares, that rich mens hearts devowre.
+
+This all his care, this all his whole indevour,
+To this his minde and senses he doth bend,
+How he may flow in quiets matchles treasour,
+Content with any food that God doth send;                            140
+And how his limbs, resolv'd through idle leisour,
+Unto sweete sleepe he may securely lend,
+In some coole shadow from the scorching heat,
+The whiles his flock their chawed cuds do eate.
+
+O Flocks, O Faunes, and O ye pleasaunt Springs                       145
+Of Tempe, where the countrey nymphs are rife,
+Through whose not costly care each shepheard sings
+As merrie notes upon his rusticke fife
+As that Ascraean bard*, whose fame now rings
+Through the wide world, and leads as ioyfull life;                   150
+Free from all troubles and from worldly toyle,
+In which fond men doe all their dayes turmoyle.
+  [* I.e. Hesiod]
+
+In such delights whilst thus his carelesse time
+This shepheard drives, upleaning on his batt*,
+And on shrill reedes chaunting his rustick rime,                     155
+Hyperion, throwing foorth his beames full hott,
+Into the highest top of heaven gan clime,
+And the world parting by an equall lott,
+Did shed his whirling flames on either side,
+As the great Ocean doth himselfe divide.                             160
+  [* _Batt_, stick]
+
+Then gan the shepheard gather into one
+His stragling goates, and drave them to a foord,
+Whose caerule streame, rombling in pible stone,
+Crept under mosse as greene as any goord.
+Now had the sun halfe heaven overgone,                               165
+When he his heard back from that water foord
+Drave, from the force of Phoebus boyling ray,
+Into thick shadowes, there themselves to lay.
+
+Soone as he them plac'd in thy sacred wood,
+O Delian goddesse, saw, to which of yore                             170
+Came the bad daughter of old Cadmus brood,
+Cruell Agave, flying vengeance sore
+Of King Nictileus for the guiltie blood
+Which she with cursed hands had shed before;
+There she halfe frantick, having slaine her sonne,                   175
+Did shrowd her selfe like punishment to shonne.
+
+Here also playing on the grassy greene,
+Woodgods, and Satyres, and swift Dryades,
+With many Fairies oft were dauncing seene.
+Not so much did Dan Orpheus represse                                 180
+The streames of Hebrus with his songs, I weene,
+As that faire troupe of woodie goddesses
+Staied thee, O Peneus, powring foorth to thee,
+From cheereful lookes, great mirth and gladsome glee.
+
+The verie nature of the place, resounding                            185
+With gentle murmure of the breathing ayre,
+A pleasant bowre with all delight abounding
+In the fresh shadowe did for them prepayre,
+To rest their limbs with wearines redounding.
+For first the high palme-trees, with braunches faire,
+Out of the lowly vallies did arise,                                  191
+And high shoote up their heads into the skyes.
+
+And them amongst the wicked lotos grew,
+Wicked, for holding guilefully away
+Ulysses men, whom rapt with sweetenes new,                           195
+Taking to hoste*, it quite from him did stay;
+And eke those trees, in whose transformed hew
+The Sunnes sad daughters waylde the rash decay
+Of Phaeton, whose limbs with lightening rent
+They gathering up, with sweete teares did lament.                    200
+  [* _Hoste_, entertain.]
+
+And that same tree*, in which Demophoon,
+By his disloyalty lamented sore,
+Eternall hurte left unto many one:
+Whom als accompanied the oke, of yore                                204
+Through fatall charmes transferred to such an one:
+The oke, whose acornes were our foode before
+That Ceres seede of mortall men were knowne,
+Which first Triptoleme taught how to be sowne.
+  [* I.e. the almond-tree.]
+
+Here also grew the rougher-rinded pine,
+The great Argoan ships brave ornament,                               210
+Whom golden fleece did make an heavenly signe;
+Which coveting, with his high tops extent,
+To make the mountaines touch the starres divine,
+Decks all the forrest with embellishment;
+And the blacke holme that loves the watrie vale;                     215
+And the sweete cypresse, signe of deadly bale.
+
+Emongst the rest the clambring yvie grew,
+Knitting his wanton armes with grasping hold,
+Least that the poplar happely should rew
+Her brothers strokes, whose boughes she doth enfold                  220
+With her lythe twigs, till they the top survew,
+And paint with pallid greene her buds of gold.
+Next did the myrtle tree to her approach,
+Not yet unmindfull of her olde reproach.
+
+But the small birds in their wide boughs embowring                   225
+Chaunted their sundrie tunes with sweete consent;
+And under them a silver spring, forth powring
+His trickling streames, a gentle murmure sent;
+Thereto the frogs, bred in the slimie scowring
+Of the moist moores, their iarring voyces bent;                      230
+And shrill grashoppers chirped them around:
+All which the ayrie echo did resound.
+
+In this so pleasant place the shepheards flocke
+Lay everie where, their wearie limbs to rest,
+On everie bush, and everie hollow rocke,                             235
+Where breathe on them the whistling wind mote best;
+The whiles the shepheard self, tending his stocke,
+Sate by the fountaine side, in shade to rest,
+Where gentle slumbring sleep oppressed him
+Displaid on ground, and seized everie lim.                           240
+
+Of trecherie or traines nought tooke he keep,
+But, looslie on the grassie greene dispredd,
+His dearest life did trust to careles sleep;
+Which, weighing down his drouping drowsie hedd,
+In quiet rest his molten heart did steep,                            245
+Devoid of care, and feare of all falshedd:
+Had not inconstant Fortune, bent to ill,
+Bid strange mischance his quietnes to spill.
+
+For at his wonted time in that same place
+An huge great Serpent, all with speckles pide,                       250
+To drench himselfe in moorish slime did trace,
+There from the boyling heate himselfe to hide:
+He, passing by with rolling wreathed pace,
+With brandisht tongue the emptie aire did gride*,
+And wrapt his scalie boughts** with fell despight,                   255
+That all things seem'd appalled at his sight.
+  [* _Gride_, pierce]
+  [** _Boughts_, knots]
+
+Now more and more having himselfe enrolde,
+His glittering breast he lifteth up on hie,
+And with proud vaunt his head aloft doth holde;
+His creste above, spotted with purple die,                           260
+On everie side did shine like scalie golde;
+And his bright eyes, glauncing full dreadfullie,
+Did seeme to flame out flakes of flashing fyre,
+And with sterne lookes to threaten kindled yre.
+
+Thus wise long time he did himselfe dispace                          265
+There round about, when as at last he spide,
+Lying along before him in that place,
+That flocks grand captaine and most trustie guide:
+Eftsoones more fierce in visage and in pace,
+Throwing his firie eyes on everie side,                              270
+He commeth on, and all things in his way
+Full stearnly rends that might his passage stay.
+
+Much he disdaines that anie one should dare
+To come unto his haunt; for which intent
+He inly burns, and gins straight to prepare                          275
+The weapons which Nature to him hath lent;
+Fellie he hisseth, and doth fiercely stare,
+And hath his iawes with angrie spirits rent,
+That all his tract with bloudie drops is stained,
+And all his foldes are now in length outstrained.                    280
+
+Whom, thus at point prepared, to prevent,
+A litle noursling of the humid ayre,
+A Gnat, unto the sleepie shepheard went,
+And marking where his ey-lids twinckling rare
+Shewd the two pearles which sight unto him lent,                     285
+Through their thin coverings appearing fayre
+His little needle there infixing deep,
+Warnd him awake, from death himselfe to keep.
+
+Wherewith enrag'd, he fiercely gan upstart,
+And with his hand him rashly bruzing slewe                           290
+As in avengement of his heedles smart,
+That streight the spirite out of his senses flew.
+And life out of his members did depart:
+When, suddenly casting aside his vew,
+He spide his foe with felonous intent,                               295
+And fervent eyes to his destruction bent.
+
+All suddenly dismaid, and hartles quight,
+He fled abacke, and, catching hastie holde
+Of a yong alder hard beside him pight,
+It rent, and streight about him gan beholde                          300
+What god or fortune would assist his might.
+But whether god or fortune made him bold
+Its hard to read: yet hardie will he had
+To overcome, that made him lesse adrad*.
+  [* _Adrad_, terrified]
+
+The scalie backe of that most hideous snake                          305
+Enwrapped round, oft faining to retire
+And oft him to assaile, he fiercely strake
+Whereas his temples did his creast front tyre*;
+And, for he was but slowe, did slowth off shake,
+And, gazing ghastly on, (for feare and yre                           310
+Had blent** so much his sense, that lesse he feard,)--
+Yet, when he saw him slaine, himselfe he cheard.
+  [* _Tyre_, encircle]
+  [** _Blent_, blinded]
+
+By this the Night forth from the darksome bowre
+Of Herebus her teemed* steedes gan call,
+And laesie Vesper in his timely howre                                315
+From golden Oeta gan proceede withall;
+Whenas the shepheard after this sharpe stowre**,
+Seing the doubled shadowes low to fall,
+Gathering his straying flocke, does homeward fare,
+And unto rest his wearie ioynts prepare.                             320
+  [* _Teemed_, harnessed in a team]
+  [** _Stowre_, perturbation]
+
+Into whose sense so soone as lighter sleepe
+Was entered, and now loosing everie lim,
+Sweete slumbring deaw in carelesnesse did steepe,
+The image of that Gnat appeard to him,
+And in sad tearmes gan sorrowfully weepe,                            325
+With grieslie countenaunce and visage grim,
+Wailing the wrong which he had done of late,
+In steed of good, hastning his cruell fate.
+
+Said he, "What have I wretch deserv'd, that thus
+Into this bitter bale I am outcast,                                  330
+Whilest that thy life more deare and precious
+Was than mine owne, so long as it did last?
+I now, in lieu of paines so gracious,
+Am tost in th'ayre with everie windie blast:
+Thou, safe delivered from sad decay,                                 335
+Thy careles limbs in loose sleep dost display.
+
+"So livest thou; but my poore wretched ghost
+Is forst to ferrie over Lethes river,
+And spoyld of Charon too and fro am tost.
+Seest thou not how all places quake and quiver,                      340
+Lightned with deadly lamps on everie post?
+Tisiphone each where doth shake and shiver
+Her flaming fire-brond, encountring me,
+Whose lockes uncombed cruell adders be.
+
+"And Cerberus, whose many mouthes doo bay,                           345
+And barke out flames, as if on fire he fed,
+Adowne whose necke, in terrible array,
+Ten thousand snakes, cralling about his hed,
+Doo hang in heapes, that horribly affray,
+And bloodie eyes doo glister firie red,                              350
+He oftentimes me dreadfullie doth threaten
+With painfull torments to be sorely beaten.
+
+"Ay me! that thankes so much should faile of meed,
+For that I thee restor'd to life againe,
+Even from the doore of death and deadlie dreed.                      355
+Where then is now the guerdon of my paine?
+Where the reward of my so piteous deed?
+The praise of pitie vanisht is in vaine,
+And th'antique faith of iustice long agone
+Out of the land is fled away and gone.                               360
+
+"I saw anothers fate approaching fast,
+And left mine owne his safetie to tender;
+Into the same mishap I now am cast,
+And shun'd destruction doth destruction render:
+Not unto him that never hath trespast,                               365
+But punishment is due to the offender:
+Yet let destruction be the punishment,
+So long as thankfull will may it relent.
+
+"I carried am into waste wildernesse,
+Waste wildernes, amongst Cymerian shades,                            370
+Where endles paines and hideous heavinesse
+Is round about me heapt in darksome glades.
+For there huge Othos sits in sad distresse,
+Fast bound with serpents that him oft invades,
+Far of beholding Ephialtes tide,                                     375
+Which once assai'd to burne this world so wide.
+
+"And there is mournfull Tityus, mindefull yet
+Of thy displeasure, O Latona faire;
+Displeasure too implacable was it,
+That made him meat for wild foules of the ayre:                      380
+Much do I feare among such fiends to sit;
+Much do I feare back to them to repayre,
+To the black shadowes of the Stygian shore,
+Where wretched ghosts sit wailing evermore.
+
+"There next the utmost brinck doth he abide                          385
+That did the bankets of the gods bewray,
+Whose throat through thirst to nought nigh being dride,
+His sense to seeke for ease turnes every way:
+And he that in avengement of his pride,
+For scorning to the sacred gods to pray,                             390
+Against a mountaine rolls a mightie stone,
+Calling in vaine for rest, and can have none.
+
+"Go ye with them, go, cursed damosells,
+Whose bridale torches foule Erynnis tynde*,
+And Hymen, at your spousalls sad, foretells                          395
+Tydings of death and massacre unkinde**:
+With them that cruell Colchid mother dwells,
+The which conceiv'd in her revengefull minde
+With bitter woundes her owne deere babes to slay,
+And murdred troupes upon great heapes to lay.                        400
+  [* _Tynde_, kindled.]
+  [** _Unkinde_, unnatural.]
+
+"There also those two Pandionian maides,
+Calling on Itis, Itis evermore,
+Whom, wretched boy, they slew with guiltie blades;
+For whome the Thracian king lamenting sore,
+Turn'd to a lapwing, fowlie them upbraydes,                          405
+And flattering round about them still does sore;
+There now they all eternally complaine
+Of others wrong, and suffer endles paine.
+
+"But the two brethren* borne of Cadmus blood,
+Whilst each does for the soveraignty contend,                        411
+Blinde through ambition, and with vengeance wood**,
+Each doth against the others bodie bend
+His cursed steele, of neither well withstood,
+And with wide wounds their carcases doth rend;
+That yet they both doe mortall foes remaine,                         415
+Sith each with brothers bloudie hand was slaine.
+  [* I.e. Eteocles and Polynices.]
+  [** _Wood_, mad.]
+
+"Ah (waladay!) there is no end of paine,
+Nor chaunge of labour may intreated bee:
+Yet I beyond all these am carried faine,
+Where other powers farre different I see,                            420
+And must passe over to th'Elisian plaine:
+There grim Persephone, encountring mee,
+Doth urge her fellow Furies earnestlie
+With their bright firebronds me to terrifie.
+
+"There chast Alceste lives inviolate,                                425
+Free from all care, for that her husbands daies
+She did prolong by changing fate for fate:
+Lo! there lives also the immortall praise
+Of womankinde, most faithfull to her mate,
+Penelope; and from her farre awayes                                  430
+A rulesse* rout of yongmen which her woo'd,
+All slaine with darts, lie wallowed in their blood.
+  [* _Rulesse_, rule-less.]
+
+"And sad Eurydice thence now no more
+Must turne to life, but there detained bee
+For looking back, being forbid before:                               435
+Yet was the guilt thereof, Orpheus, in thee!
+Bold sure he was, and worthie spirite bore,
+That durst those lowest shadowes goe to see,
+And could beleeve that anie thing could please
+Fell Cerberus, or Stygian powres appease.                            440
+
+"Ne feard the burning waves of Phlegeton,
+Nor those same mournfull kingdomes, compassed
+With rustle horrour and fowle fashion;
+And deep digd vawtes*; and Tartar covered
+With bloodie night and darke confusion;                              445
+And iudgement seates, whose iudge is deadlie dred,
+A iudge that after death doth punish sore
+The faults which life hath trespassed before.
+  [* _Vawtes_, vaults.]
+
+"But valiant fortune made Dan Orpheus bolde:
+For the swift running rivers still did stand,                        450
+And the wilde beasts their furie did withhold,
+To follow Orpheus musicke through the land:
+And th'okes, deep grounded in the earthly molde,
+Did move, as if they could him understand;                           454
+And the shrill woods, which were of sense bereav'd,
+Through their hard barke his silver sound receav'd.
+
+"And eke the Moone her hastie steedes did stay,
+Drawing in teemes along the starrie skie;
+And didst, O monthly Virgin, thou delay
+Thy nightly course, to heare his melodie?                            460
+The same was able, with like lovely lay,
+The Queene of Hell to move as easily
+To yeeld Eurydice unto her fere,
+Backe to be borne, though it unlawfull were.
+
+"She, ladie, having well before approoved                            465
+The feends to be too cruell and severe,
+Observ'd th'appointed way, as her behooved,
+Ne ever did her eysight turne arere,
+Ne ever spake, ne cause of speaking mooved;
+But, cruell Orpheus, thou much crueller,                             470
+Seeking to kisse her, brok'st the gods decree,
+And thereby mad'st her ever damn'd to be.
+
+"Ah! but sweete love of pardon worthie is,
+And doth deserve to have small faults remitted;
+If Hell at least things lightly done amis                            475
+Knew how to pardon, when ought is omitted:
+Yet are ye both received into blis,
+And to the seates of happie soules admitted.
+And you beside the honourable band
+Of great heroes doo in order stand.                                  480
+
+"There be the two stout sonnes of AEacus,
+Fierce Peleus, and the hardie Telamon,
+Both seeming now full glad and ioyeous
+Through their syres dreadfull iurisdiction,
+Being the iudge of all that horrid hous:                             488
+And both of them, by strange occasion,
+Renown'd in choyce of happie marriage
+Through Venus grace, and vertues cariage.
+
+"For th'one was ravisht of his owne bondmaide,
+The faire Ixione captiv'd from Troy:                                 490
+But th'other was with Thetis love assaid,
+Great Nereus his daughter and his ioy.
+On this side them there is a yongman layd,
+Their match in glorie, mightie, fierce, and coy,
+That from th'Argolick ships, with furious yre,                       495
+Bett back the furie of the Troian fyre.
+
+"O! who would not recount the strong divorces
+Of that great warre, which Troianes oft behelde,
+And oft beheld the warlike Greekish forces,
+When Teucrian soyle with bloodie rivers swelde,                      500
+And wide Sigraean shores were spred with corses,
+And Simois and Xanthus blood outwelde;
+Whilst Hector raged, with outragious minde,
+Flames, weapons, wounds, in Greeks fleete to have tynde.
+
+"For Ida selfe, in ayde of that fierce fight,                        505
+Out of her mountaines ministred supplies;
+And like a kindly nourse did yeeld, for spight,
+Store of firebronds out of her nourseries
+Unto her foster children, that they might
+Inflame the navie of their enemies,                                  510
+And all the Rhetaean shore to ashes turne,
+Where lay the ships which they did seeke to burne.
+
+"Gainst which the noble sonne of Telamon
+Oppos'd himselfe, and thwarting* his huge shield,
+Them battell bad; gainst whom appeard anon                           515
+Hector, the glorie of the Troian field:
+Both fierce and furious in contention
+Encountred, that their mightie strokes so shrild
+As the great clap of thunder, which doth ryve
+The railing heavens and cloudes asunder dryve.                       520
+  [* _Thwarting_, interposing.]
+
+"So th'one with fire and weapons did contend
+To cut the ships from turning home againe
+To Argos; th'other strove for to defend*
+The force of Vulcane with his might and maine.
+Thus th'one Aeacide did his fame extend:                             525
+But th'other ioy'd that, on the Phrygian playne
+Having the blood of vanquisht Hector shedd,
+He compast Troy thrice with his bodie dedd.
+  [* _Defend_, keep off.]
+
+"Againe great dole on either partie grewe,
+That him to death unfaithfull Paris sent;                            530
+And also him that false Ulysses slewe,
+Drawne into danger through close ambushment;
+Therefore from him Laertes sonne his vewe
+Doth turn aside, and boasts his good event
+In working of Strymonian Rhaesus fall,                               535
+And efte* in Dolons slye surprysall.
+  [* _Efte_, again.]
+
+"Againe the dreadfull Cycones him dismay,
+And blacke Laestrigones, a people stout;
+Then greedie Scilla, under whom there bay
+Manie great bandogs, which her gird about;                           540
+Then doo the AEtnean Cyclops him affray,
+And deep Charybdis gulphing in and out;
+Lastly the squalid lakes of Tartarie,
+And griesly feends of hell him terrifie.
+
+"There also goodly Agamemnon bosts,                                  545
+The glorie of the stock of Tantalus,
+And famous light of all the Greekish hosts;
+Under whose conduct most victorious,
+The Dorick flames consum'd the Iliack posts.
+Ah! but the Greekes themselves, more dolorous,                       550
+To thee, O Troy, paid penaunce for thy fall,
+In th'Hellespont being nigh drowned all.
+
+"Well may appeare by proofe of their mischaunce
+The chaungfull turning of mens slipperie state,
+That none whom fortune freely doth advaunce                          555
+Himselfe therefore to heaven should elevate:
+For loftie type of honour through the glaunce
+Of envies dart is downe in dust prostrate,
+And all that vaunts in worldly vanitie
+Shall fall through fortunes mutabilitie.                             560
+
+"Th'Argolicke power returning home againe,
+Enricht with spoyles of th'Ericthonian towre,
+Did happie winde and weather entertaine,
+And with good speed the fomie billowes scowre:
+No signe of storme, no feare of future paine,                        565
+Which soone ensued them with heavie stowre*:
+Nereis to the seas a token gave,
+The whiles their crooked keeles the surges clave.
+  [* _Stowre_, turmoil, uproar.]
+
+"Suddenly, whether through the gods decree,
+Or haplesse rising of some froward starre,                           570
+The heavens on everie side enclowded bee:
+Black stormes and fogs are blowen up from farre,
+That now the pylote can no loadstarre see,
+But skies and seas doo make most dreadfull warre;
+The billowes striving to the heavens to reach,                       575
+And th'heavens striving them for to impeach*.
+  [* _Impeach_, hinder.]
+
+"And, in avengement of their bold attempt,
+Both sun and starres and all the heavenly powres
+Conspire in one to wreake their rash contempt,
+And downe on them to fall from highest towres:                       580
+The skie, in pieces seeming to be rent,
+Throwes lightning forth, and haile, and harmful showres,
+That death on everie side to them appeares,
+In thousand formes, to worke more ghastly feares.
+
+"Some in the greedie flouds are sunke and drent*;                    585
+Some on the rocks of Caphareus are throwne;
+Some on th'Euboick cliffs in pieces rent;
+Some scattred on the Hercaean** shores unknowne;
+And manie lost, of whom no moniment
+Remaines, nor memorie is to be showne:                               590
+Whilst all the purchase@ of the Phrigian pray,
+Tost on salt billowes, round about doth stray.
+[* _Drent_, drowned.]
+[** _Hercaean_ should probably be AEgean.]
+[@ _Purchase_, booty.]
+
+"Here manie other like heroes bee,
+Equall in honour to the former crue,
+Whom ye in goodly seates may placed see,                             595
+Descended all from Rome by linage due;
+From Rome, that holds the world in sovereigntie,
+And doth all nations unto her subdue:
+Here Fabii and Decii doo dwell,
+Horatii that in vertue did excell.                                   600
+
+"And here the antique fame of stout Camill
+Doth ever live; and constant Curtius,
+Who, stifly bent his vowed life to spill
+For countreyes health, a gulph most hideous
+Amidst the towne with his owne corps did fill,                       605
+T'appease the Powers; and prudent Mutius,
+Who in his flesh endur'd the scorching flame,
+To daunt his foe by ensample of the same.
+
+"And here wise Curius, companion
+Of noble vertues, lives in endles rest;                              610
+And stout Flaminius, whose devotion
+Taught him the fires scorn'd furie to detest;
+And here the praise of either Scipion
+Abides in highest place above the best,
+To whom the ruin'd walls of Carthage vow'd,                          615
+Trembling their forces, sound their praises lowd.
+
+"Live they for ever through their lasting praise!
+But I, poore wretch, am forced to retourne
+To the sad lakes that Phoebus sunnie rayes
+Doo never see, where soules doo alwaies mourne;                      620
+And by the wayling shores to waste my dayes,
+Where Phlegeton with quenchles flames doth burne;
+By which iust Minos righteous soules doth sever
+From wicked ones, to live in blisse for ever.
+
+"Me therefore thus the cruell fiends of hell,                        625
+Girt with long snakes and thousand yron chaynes,
+Through doome of that their cruell iudge compell,
+With bitter torture and impatient paines,
+Cause of my death and iust complaint to tell.
+For thou art he whom my poore ghost complaines                       630
+To be the author of her ill unwares,
+That careles hear'st my intollerable cares.
+
+"Them therefore as bequeathing to the winde,
+I now depart, returning to thee never,
+And leave this lamentable plaint behinde.                            635
+But doo thou haunt the soft downe-rolling river,
+And wilde greene woods and fruitful pastures minde,
+And let the flitting aire my vaine words sever."
+Thus having said, he heavily departed
+With piteous crie that anie would have smarted.                      640
+
+Now, when the sloathfull fit of lifes sweete rest
+Had left the heavie Shepheard, wondrous cares
+His inly grieved minde full sore opprest;
+That balefull sorrow he no longer beares
+For that Gnats death, which deeply was imprest,                      645
+But bends what ever power his aged yeares
+Him lent, yet being such as through their might
+He lately slue his dreadfull foe in fight.
+
+By that same river lurking under greene,
+Eftsoones* he gins to fashion forth a place,                         650
+And, squaring it in compasse well beseene**,
+There plotteth out a tombe by measured space:
+His yron-headed spade tho making cleene,
+To dig up sods out of the flowrie grasse,
+His worke he shortly to good purpose brought,                        655
+Like as he had conceiv'd it in his thought.
+  [* _Eftsoones_, immediately.]
+  [** _Well beseene_, seemly.]
+
+An heape of earth he hoorded up on hie,
+Enclosing it with banks on everie side,
+And thereupon did raise full busily
+A little mount, of greene turffs edifide*;                           660
+And on the top of all, that passers by
+Might it behold, the toomb he did provide
+Of smoothest marble stone in order set,
+That never might his luckie scape forget.
+  [* _Edifide_, built.]
+
+And round about he taught sweete flowres to growe;                   665
+The Rose, engrained in pure scarlet die;
+The Lilly fresh, and Violet belowe;
+The Marigolde, and cherefull Rosemarie;
+The Spartan Mirtle, whence sweet gumb does flowe;
+The purple Hyacinths, and fresh Costmarie,                           670
+And Saffron, sought for in Cilician soyle,
+And Lawrell, th'ornament of Phoebus toyle:
+
+Fresh Rhododaphne, and the Sabine flowre*,
+Matching the wealth of th'auncient Frankincence;
+And pallid Yvie, building his owne bowre;                            675
+And Box, yet mindfull of his olde offence;
+Red Amaranthus, lucklesse paramour;
+Oxeye still greene, and bitter Patience;
+Ne wants there pale Narcisse, that, in a well
+Seeing his beautie, in love with it fell.                            680
+  [* _Sabine flowre_, a kind of juniper, the savine.]
+
+And whatsoever other flowre of worth,
+And whatso other hearb of lovely hew
+The ioyous Spring out of the ground brings forth,
+To cloath her selfe in colours fresh and new,
+He planted there, and reard a mount of earth,                        685
+In whose high front was writ as doth ensue:
+
+_To thee, small Gnat, in lieu of his life saved,_
+_The Shepheard hath thy deaths record engraved._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+VIRGILS GNAT. This is a very skilful elaboration of the Culex, a poem
+attributed, without reason, to Virgil. The original, which is crabbed
+and pedantic, where it is not unintelligible from corruption, is here
+rendered with sufficient fidelity to the sense, but with such
+perspicuity, elegance, and sweetness, as to make Spenser's performance
+too good a poem to be called a translation. C.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+PROSOPOPOIA:
+
+OR
+MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+DEDICATED TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE,
+
+THE LADIE COMPTON AND MOUNTEGLE.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LONDON:
+
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE, DWELLING IN PAULES
+CHURCHYARD AT THE SIGNE OF THE BISHOPS HEAD.
+
+1591.
+
+
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE,
+
+THE LADIE COMPTON AND MOUNTEGLE.[*]
+
+Most faire and vertuous Ladie: having often sought opportunitie by some
+good meanes to make knowen to your Ladiship the humble affection and
+faithfull duetie which I have alwaies professed, and am bound to beare,
+to that house from whence yee spring, I have at length found occasion
+to remember the same by making a simple present to you of these my idle
+labours; which having long sithens composed in the raw conceipt of my
+youth, I lately amongst other papers lighted upon, and was by others,
+which liked the same, mooved to set them foorth. Simple is the device,
+and the composition meane, yet carrieth some delight, even the rather
+because of the simplicitie and meannesse thus personated. The same I
+beseech your Ladiship take in good part, as a pledge of that profession
+which I have made to you, and keepe with you untill with some other
+more worthie labour redeeme it out of your hands, and discharge my
+utmost dutie. Till then, wishing your Ladiship all increase of honour
+and happinesse, I humblie take
+leave.
+
+Your La: ever
+    humbly,
+        ED. SP.
+
+[* "This lady was Anne, the fifth daughter of Sir John
+Spencer, distinguished also, in the pastoral of _Colin Clouts come Home
+again_, by the name of _Charillis_. She was married, first to Sir
+William Stanley, Lord Mountegle; next to Henry Compton, Lord Compton;
+and lastly to Robert Sackvilie, Lord Buckhurst, afterwards Earl of
+Dorset."--TODD.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+PROSOPOPOIA:
+
+OR
+
+MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE.
+
+
+It was the month in which the righteous Maide
+That for disdaine of sinfull worlds upbraide
+Fled back to heaven, whence she was first conceived,
+Into her silver bowre the Sunne received;
+And the hot Syrian Dog on him awayting,                                5
+After the chafed Lyons cruell bayting,
+Corrupted had th'ayre with his noysome breath.
+And powr'd on th'earth plague, pestilence, and death.
+Emongst the rest a wicked maladie
+Raign'd emongst men, that manie did to die,                           10
+Depriv'd of sense and ordinarie reason;
+That it to leaches seemed strange and geason.
+     [_Geason_, rare.]
+My fortune was, mongst manie others moe,
+To be partaker of their common woe;
+And my weake bodie, set on fire with griefe,                          15
+Was rob'd of rest and naturall reliefe.
+In this ill plight, there came to visite mee
+Some friends, who, sorie my sad case to see,
+Began to comfort me in chearfull wise,
+And meanes of gladsome solace to devise.                              20
+But seeing kindly sleep refuse to doe
+His office, and my feeble eyes forgoe,
+They sought my troubled sense how to deceave
+With talke that might unquiet fancies reave;
+     [_Reave_, take away.]
+And sitting all in seates about me round,                             25
+With pleasant tales fit for that idle stound
+     [_Stound_, time.]
+They cast in course to waste the wearie howres.
+Some tolde of ladies, and their paramoures;
+Some of brave knights, and their renowned squires;
+Some of the faeries and their strange attires;                        30
+And some of giaunts hard to be beleeved;
+That the delight thereof me much releeved.
+Amongst the rest a good old woman was,
+Hight Mother Hubberd, who did farre surpas
+The rest in honest mirth, that seem'd her well.                       35
+She, when her turne was come her tale to tell,
+Tolde of a strange adventure that betided
+Betwixt the Foxe and th'Ape by him misguided;
+The which, for that my sense it greatly pleased,
+All were my spirite heavie and diseased,                              40
+Ile write in termes, as she the same did say,
+So well as I her words remember may.
+No Muses aide me needes heretoo to call;
+Base is the style, and matter meane withall.
+     [_Base_, humble.]
+
+[Symbol: Paragraph mark to indicate beginning of story.]
+Whilome, said she, before the world was civill,
+The Foxe and th'Ape, disliking of their evill                         46
+And hard estate, determined to seeke
+Their fortunes farre abroad, lyeke with his lyeke:
+For both were craftie and unhappie witted;
+     [_Unhappie_, mischievous.]
+Two fellowes might no where be better fitted.                         50
+The Foxe, that first this cause of griefe did finde,
+Gan first thus plaine his case with words unkinde:
+"Neighbour Ape, and my gossip eke beside,
+(Both two sure bands in friendship to be tide,)
+To whom may I more trustely complaine                                 55
+The evill plight that doth me sore constraine,
+And hope thereof to finde due remedie?
+Heare then my paine and inward agonie.
+Thus manie yeares I now have spent and worne,
+In meane regard, and basest fortunes scorne,                          60
+Dooing my countrey service as I might,
+No lesse I dare saie than the prowdest wight;
+And still I hoped to be up advaunced
+For my good parts; but still it hath mischaunced.
+Now therefore that no lenger hope I see,                              65
+But froward fortune still to follow mee,
+And losels lifted up on high, where I did looke,
+     [_Losels_, worthless fellows.]
+I meane to turne the next leafe of the booke.
+Yet ere that anie way I doe betake,
+I meane my gossip privie first to make."                              70
+"Ah! my deare gossip," answer'd then the Ape,
+"Deeply doo your sad words my wits awhape,
+     [_Awhape_, astound.]
+Both for because your griefe doth great appeare,
+And eke because my selfe am touched neare:
+For I likewise have wasted much good time,                            75
+Still wayting to preferment up to clime,
+Whilst others alwayes have before me stept,
+And from my beard the fat away have swept;
+That now unto despaire I gin to growe,
+And meane for better winde about to throwe.                           80
+Therefore to me, my trustie friend, aread
+     [_Aread_, declare.]
+Thy councell: two is better than one head."
+"Certes," said he, "I meane me to disguize
+In some straunge habit, after uncouth wize,
+Or like a pilgrime, or a lymiter,                                     85
+     [_Lymiter_, I.e. a friar licensed to beg within a certain
+district.]
+Or like a gipsen, or a iuggeler,
+     [_Gipsen_, gypsy.]
+And so to wander to the worlds ende,
+To seeke my fortune, where I may it mend:
+For worse than that I have I cannot meete.
+Wide is the world I wote, and everie streete                          90
+Is full of fortunes and adventures straunge,
+Continuallie subiect unto chaunge.
+Say, my faire brother now, if this device
+Doth like you, or may you to like entice."
+"Surely," said th'Ape, "it likes me wondrous well;                    95
+And would ye not poore fellowship expell,
+My selfe would offer you t'accompanie
+In this adventures chauncefull ieopardie.
+For to wexe olde at home in idlenesse
+Is disadventrous, and quite fortunelesse:                            100
+Abroad, where change is, good may gotten bee."
+The Foxe was glad, and quickly did agree:
+So both resolv'd, the morrow next ensuing,
+So soone as day appeard to peoples vewing,
+On their intended iourney to proceede;                               105
+And over night, whatso theretoo did neede
+Each did prepare, in readines to bee.
+The morrow next, so soone as one might see
+Light out of heavens windowes forth to looke,
+Both their habiliments unto them tooke,                              110
+And put themselves, a Gods name, on their way.
+Whenas the Ape, beginning well to wey
+This hard adventure, thus began t'advise:
+"Now read, Sir Reynold, as ye be right wise,
+What course ye weene is best for us to take,                         115
+That for our selves we may a living make.
+Whether shall we professe some trade or skill?
+Or shall we varie our device at will,
+Even as new occasion appeares?
+Or shall we tie our selves for certaine yeares                       120
+To anie service, or to anie place?
+For it behoves, ere that into the race
+We enter, to resolve first hereupon."
+"Now surely, brother," said the Foxe anon,
+"Te have this matter motioned in season:                             125
+For everie thing that is begun with reason
+Will come by readie meanes unto his end;
+But things miscounselled must needs miswend.
+     [_Miswend_, go wrong.]
+Thus therefore I advize upon the case:
+That not to anie certaine trade or place,                            130
+Nor anie man, we should our selves applie.
+For why should he that is at libertie
+Make himselfe bond? Sith then we are free borne.
+Let us all servile base subiection scorne;
+And as we bee sonnes of the world so wide,                           135
+Let us our fathers heritage divide,
+And chalenge to our selves our portions dew
+Of all the patrimonie, which a few
+Now hold in hugger mugger in their hand,
+     [_In hugger mugger_, in secret]
+And all the rest doo rob of good and land:                           140
+For now a few have all, and all have nought,
+Yet all be brethren ylike dearly bought.
+There is no right in this partition,
+Ne was it so by institution
+Ordained first, ne by the law of Nature,                             145
+But that she gave like blessing to each creture
+As well of worldly livelode as of life,
+That there might be no difference nor strife,
+Nor ought cald mine or thine: thrice happie then
+Was the condition of mortall men.                                    150
+That was the golden age of Saturne old,
+But this might better be the world of gold;
+For without golde now nothing wilbe got.
+Therefore, if please you, this shalbe our plot:
+We will not be of anie occupation;                                   155
+Let such vile vassalls, borne to base vocation,
+Drudge in the world and for their living droyle,
+     [_Droyle_, moil]
+Which have no wit to live withouten toyle.
+But we will walke about the world at pleasure,
+Like two free men, and make our ease our treasure.
+Free men some beggers call; but they be free;                        161
+And they which call them so more beggers bee:
+For they doo swinke and sweate to feed the other,
+     [_Swinke_, toil.]
+Who live like lords of that which they doo gather,
+And yet doo never thanke them for the same,                          165
+But as their due by nature doo it clame.
+Such will we fashion both our selves to bee,
+Lords of the world; and so will wander free
+Where so us listeth, uncontrol'd of anie.
+Hard is our hap, if we, emongst so manie,                            170
+Light not on some that may our state amend;
+Sildome but some good commeth ere the end."
+Well seemd the Ape to like this ordinaunce:
+Yet, well considering of the circumstaunce,
+As pausing in great doubt awhile he staid,                           175
+And afterwards with grave advizement said:
+"I cannot, my lief brother, like but well
+     [_Lief_, dear.]
+The purpose of the complot which ye tell;
+For well I wot (compar'd to all the rest
+Of each degree) that beggers life is best,                           180
+And they that thinke themselves the best of all
+Oft-times to begging are content to fall.
+But this I wot withall, that we shall ronne
+Into great daunger, like to bee undonne,
+Thus wildly to wander in the worlds eye,                             185
+Withouten pasport or good warrantye,
+For feare least we like rogues should be reputed,
+And for eare-marked beasts abroad be bruted.
+Therefore I read that we our counsells call
+How to prevent this mischiefe ere it fall,                           190
+And how we may, with most securitie,
+Beg amongst those that beggars doo defie."
+"Right well, deere gossip, ye advized have,"
+Said then the Foxe, "but I this doubt will save:
+For ere we farther passe, I will devise                              195
+A pasport for us both in fittest wize,
+And by the names of souldiers us protect,
+That now is thought a civile begging sect.
+Be you the souldier, for you likest are
+For manly semblance, and small skill in warre:                       200
+I will but wayte on you, and, as occasion
+Falls out, my selfe fit for the same will fashion."
+The pasport ended, both they forward went;
+The Ape clad souldierlike, fit for th'intent,
+In a blew iacket with a crosse of redd                               205
+And manie slits, as if that he had shedd
+Much blood throgh many wounds therein receaved,
+Which had the use of his right arme bereaved,
+Upon his head an old Scotch cap he wore,
+With a plume feather all to peeces tore;                             210
+His breeches were made after the new cut,
+_Al Portugese_, loose like an emptie gut,
+And his hose broken high above the heeling,
+And his shooes beaten out with traveling.
+But neither sword nor dagger he did beare;                           215
+Seemes that no foes revengement he did feare;
+In stead of them a handsome bat he held,
+     [_Bat_, stick.]
+On which he leaned, as one farre in elde.
+     [_Elde_, age.]
+Shame light on him, that through so false illusion
+Doth turne the name of souldiers to abusion,                         220
+And that which is the noblest mysterie
+     [_Mysterie_, profession.]
+Brings to reproach and common infamie!
+Long they thus travailed, yet never met
+Adventure which might them a working set:
+Yet manie waies they sought, and manie tryed;                        225
+Yet for their purposes none fit espyed.
+At last they chaunst to meete upon the way
+A simple husbandman in garments gray;
+Yet, though his vesture were but meane and bace,
+     [_Bace_, humble.]
+A good yeoman he was of honest place,                                230
+And more for thrift did care than for gay clothing:
+Gay without good is good hearts greatest loathing.
+The Foxe, him spying, bad the Ape him dight
+     [_Dight_, prepare.]
+To play his part, for loe! he was in sight
+That, if he er'd not, should them entertaine,                        235
+And yeeld them timely profite for their paine.
+Eftsoones the Ape himselfe gan up to reare,
+     [_Eftsoones_, straightway.]
+And on his shoulders high his bat to beare,
+As if good service he were fit to doo,
+But little thrift for him he did it too:                             240
+And stoutly forward he his steps did straine,
+That like a handsome swaine it him became.
+When as they nigh approached, that good man,
+Seeing them wander loosly, first began
+T'enquire, of custome, what and whence they were.
+To whom the Ape: "I am a souldiere,                                  246
+That late in warres have spent my deerest blood,
+And in long service lost both limbs and good;
+And now, constraint that trade to overgive,
+I driven am to seeke some meanes to live:                            250
+Which might it you in pitie please t'afford,
+I would be readie, both in deed and word,
+To doo you faithfull service all my dayes.
+This yron world" (that same he weeping sayes)
+"Brings downe the stowtest hearts to lowest state:                   255
+For miserie doth bravest mindes abate,
+And make them seeke for that they wont to scorne,
+Of fortune and of hope at once forlorne."
+     [_Forlorne_, deserted.]
+The honest roan that heard him thus complaine
+Was griev'd as he had felt part of his paine;                        260
+And, well dispos'd him some reliefe to showe,
+Askt if in husbandrie he ought did knowe,--
+To plough, to plant, to reap, to rake, to sowe,
+To hedge, to ditch, to thrash, to thetch, to mowe;
+Or to what labour els he was prepar'd:                               265
+For husbands life is labourous and hard.
+     [_Husbands_, husbandman's.]
+Whenas the Ape him hard so much to talke
+Of labour, that did from his liking balke,
+He would have slipt the coller handsomly,
+And to him said: "Good Sir, full glad am I                           270
+To take what paines may anie living wight:
+But my late maymed limbs lack wonted might
+To doo their kindly services, as needeth:
+     [_Kindly_, natural.]
+Scarce this right hand the mouth with diet feedeth;
+So that it may no painfull worke endure,                             275
+Ne to strong labour can it selfe enure.
+But if that anie other place you have,
+Which askes small paines, but thriftines to save,
+Or care to overlooke, or trust to gather,
+Ye may me trust as your owne ghostly father."                        280
+With that the husbandman gan him avize,
+That it for him were fittest exercise
+Cattell to keep, or grounds to oversee;
+And asked him, if he could willing bee
+To keep his sheep, or to attend his swyne,                           285
+Or watch his mares, or take his charge of kyne.
+"Gladly," said he, "what ever such like paine
+Ye put on me, I will the same sustaine:
+But gladliest I of your fleecie sheepe
+(Might it you please) would take on me the keep.                     290
+For ere that unto armes I me betooke,
+Unto my fathers sheepe I usde to looke,
+That yet the skill thereof I have not loste:
+Thereto right well this curdog, by my coste,
+(Meaning the Foxe,) will serve my sheepe to gather,
+And drive to follow after their belwether."                          295
+The husbandman was meanly well content
+     [_Meanly_, humbly.]
+Triall to make of his endevourment;
+And, home him leading, lent to him the charge
+Of all his flocke, with libertie full large,                         300
+Giving accompt of th'annuall increce
+Both of their lambes, and of their woolly fleece.
+Thus is this Ape become a shepheard swaine,
+And the false Foxe his dog: God give them paine!
+For ere the yeare have halfe his course out-run,                     305
+And doo returne from whence he first begun,
+They shall him make an ill accompt of thrift.
+Now whenas time, flying with winges swift,
+Expired had the terme that these two iavels
+     [_Iavels,_ worthless fellows.]
+Should render up a reckning of their travels                         310
+Unto their master, which it of them sought,
+Exceedingly they troubled were in thought,
+Ne wist what answere unto him to frame,
+Ne how to scape great punishment, or shame,
+For their false treason and vile theeverie:                          315
+For not a lambe of all their flockes-supply
+Had they to shew; but ever as they bred,
+They slue them, and upon their fleshes fed:
+For that disguised dog lov'd blood to spill,
+And drew the wicked shepheard to his will.                           320
+So twixt them both they not a lambkin left;
+And when lambes fail'd, the old sheepes lives they reft;
+That how t'acquite themselves unto their lord
+They were in doubt, and flatly set abord.
+     [_Set abord_, set adrift, at a loss.]
+The Foxe then counsel'd th'Ape for to require                        325
+Respite till morrow t'answere his desire:
+For times delay new hope of helpe still breeds.
+The good man granted, doubting nought their deeds,
+And bad next day that all should readie be.
+But they more subtill meaning had than he:                           330
+For the next morrowes meed they closely ment,
+     [_Closely_, secretly.]
+For feare of afterclaps, for to prevent:
+     [_Prevent_, anticipate.]
+And that same evening, when all shrowded were
+In careles sleep, they without care or feare
+Cruelly fell upon their flock in folde,                              335
+And of them slew at pleasure what they wolde.
+Of which whenas they feasted had their fill,
+For a full complement of all their ill,
+They stole away, and tooke their hastie flight,
+Carried in clowdes of all-concealing night.                          340
+So was the husbandman left to his losse,
+And they unto their fortunes change to tosse.
+After which sort they wandered long while,
+Abusing manie through their cloaked guile;
+That at the last they gan to be descryed                             345
+Of everie one, and all their sleights espyed;
+So as their begging now them failed quyte,
+For none would give, but all men would them wyte.
+     [_Wyte_, blame.]
+Yet would they take no paines to get their living,
+But seeke some other way to gaine by giving,                         350
+Much like to begging, but much better named;
+For manie beg which are thereof ashamed.
+And now the Foxe had gotten him a gowne,
+And th'Ape a cassocke sidelong hanging downe;
+For they their occupation meant to change,                           355
+And now in other state abroad to range:
+For since their souldiers pas no better spedd,
+They forg'd another, as for clerkes booke-redd.
+Who passing foorth, as their adventures fell,
+Through manie haps, which needs not here to tell,                    360
+At length chaunst with a formall Priest to meete,
+     [_Formall_, regular.]
+Whom they in civill manner first did greete,
+And after askt an almes for Gods deare love.
+The man straightway his choler up did move,
+And with reproachfull tearmes gan them revile,                       365
+For following that trade so base and vile;
+And askt what license or what pas they had.
+"Ah!" said the Ape, as sighing wondrous sad,
+"Its an hard case, when men of good deserving
+Must either driven be perforce to sterving,                          370
+Or asked for their pas by everie squib,
+     [_Squib_, flashy, pretentious fellow]
+That list at will them to revile or snib.
+     [_Snib_, snub]
+And yet (God wote) small oddes I often see
+Twixt them that aske, and them that asked bee.
+Natheles because you shall not us misdeeme,                          375
+But that we are as honest as we seeme,
+Yee shall our pasport at your pleasure see,
+And then ye will (I hope) well mooved bee."
+Which when the Priest beheld, he vew'd it nere,
+As if therein some text he studying were,                            380
+But little els (God wote) could thereof skill:
+     [_Skill_, understand.]
+For read he could not evidence nor will,
+Ne tell a written word, ne write a letter,
+Ne make one title worse, ne make one better.
+Of such deep learning little had he neede,                           385
+Ne yet of Latine ne of Greeke, that breede
+Doubts mongst divines, and difference of texts,
+From whence arise diversitie of sects,
+And hatefull heresies, of God abhor'd.
+But this good Sir did follow the plaine word,                        390
+Ne medled with their controversies vaine;
+All his care was his service well to saine,
+     [_Saine_, say.]
+And to read homelies upon holidayes;
+When that was done, he might attend his playes:
+An easie life, and fit high God to please.                           395
+He, having overlookt their pas at ease,
+Gan at the length them to rebuke againe,
+That no good trade of life did entertaine,
+But lost their time in wandring loose abroad;
+Seeing the world, in which they bootles boad,                        400
+     [_Bootless boad_, dwelt unprofitably.]
+Had wayes enough for all therein to live;
+Such grace did God unto his creatures give.
+Said then the Foxe: "Who hath the world not tride
+From the right way full eath may wander wide.
+     [_Eath_, easy.]
+We are but novices, new come abroad,                                 405
+We have not yet the tract of anie troad,
+     [I.e. routine of any way of life.]
+Nor on us taken anie state of life,
+But readie are of anie to make preife.
+     [_Preife_, proof.]
+Therefore might please you, which the world have proved,
+Us to advise, which forth but lately moved,                          410
+Of some good course that we might undertake,
+Ye shall for ever us your bondmen make."
+The priest gan wexe halfe proud to be so praide,
+And thereby willing to affoord them aide,
+"It seemes," said he, "right well that ye be clerks,                 415
+Both by your wittie words and by your works.
+Is not that name enough to make a living
+To him that hath a whit of Natures giving?
+How manie honest men see ye arize
+Daylie thereby, and grow to goodly prize;                            420
+To deanes, to archdeacons, to commissaries,
+To lords, to principalls, to prebendaries?
+All iolly prelates, worthie rule to beare,
+Who ever them envie: yet spite bites neare.
+Why should ye doubt, then, but that ye likewise                      425
+Might unto some of those in time arise?
+In the meane time to live in good estate,
+Loving that love, and hating those that hate;
+Being some honest curate, or some vicker,
+Content with little in condition sicker."                            430
+     [_Sicker_, sure.]
+"Ah! but," said th'Ape, "the charge is wondrous great,
+To feed mens soules, and hath an heavie threat."
+"To feede mens soules," quoth he, "is not in man:
+For they must feed themselves, doo what we can.
+We are but charg'd to lay the meate before:                          435
+Eate they that list, we need to doo no more.
+But God it is that feedes them with his grace,
+The bread of life powr'd downe from heavenly place.
+Therefore said he that with the budding rod
+Did rule the lewes, _All shalbe taught of God._                      440
+That same hath Iesus Christ now to him raught,
+     [_Raught_, reached, taken.]
+By whom the flock is rightly fed and taught:
+He is the shcpheard, and the priest is hee;
+We but his shepheard swaines ordain'd to bee.
+Therefore herewith doo not your selfe dismay;                        445
+Ne is the paines so great, but beare ye may;
+For not so great, as it was wont of yore,
+It's now a dayes, ne halfe so streight and sore.
+They whilome used duly everie day
+Their service and their holie things to say,                         450
+At morne and even, beside their anthemes sweete,
+Their penie masses, and their complynes meete,
+     [_Complynes_, even-song; the last service of the day.]
+Their diriges, their trentals, and their shrifts,
+     [_Trentals_, thirty masses for the dead.]
+Their memories, their singings, and their gifts.
+     [_Memories_, services for the dead.]
+Now all those needlesse works are laid away;                         455
+Now once a weeke, upon the Sabbath day,
+It is enough to doo our small devotion,
+And then to follow any merrie motion.
+Ne are we tyde to fast, but when we list;
+Ne to weare garments base of wollen twist,                           460
+But with the finest silkes us to aray,
+That before God we may appeare more gay,
+Resembling Aarons glorie in his place:
+For farre unfit it is, that person bace
+Should with vile cloaths approach Gods maiestie,                     465
+Whom no uncleannes may approachen nie;
+Or that all men, which anie master serve,
+Good garments for their service should deserve,
+But he that serves the Lord of Hoasts Most High,
+And that in highest place, t'approach him nigh,                      470
+And all the peoples prayers to present
+Before his throne, as on ambassage sent
+Both too and fro, should not deserve to weare
+A garment better than of wooll or heare.
+Beside, we may have lying by our sides                               475
+Our lovely lasses, or bright shining brides;
+We be not tyde to wilfull chastitie,
+But have the gospell of free libertie."
+By that he ended had his ghostly sermon,
+The Foxe was well induc'd to be a parson;                            480
+And of the priest eftsoones gan to enquire
+How to a benefice he might aspire.
+"Marie, there," said the priest, "is arte indeed:
+Much good deep learning one thereout may reed;
+For that the ground-worke is, and end of all,                        485
+How to obtaine a beneficiall.
+First, therefore, when ye have in handsome wise
+Your selfe attyred, as you can devise,
+Then to some nobleman your selfe applye,
+Or other great one in the worldes eye,                               490
+That hath a zealous disposition
+To God, and so to his religion.
+There must thou fashion eke a godly zeale,
+Such as no carpers may contrayre reveale:
+For each thing fained ought more warie bee.                          495
+There thou must walke in sober gravitee,
+And seeme as saintlike as Saint Radegund:
+Fast much, pray oft, looke lowly on the ground,
+And unto everie one doo curtesie meeke:
+These lookes (nought saying) doo a benefice seeke,
+And be thou sure one not to lacke or long.                           501
+     [_Or_, ere.]
+But if thee list unto the Court to throng,
+And there to hunt after the hoped pray,
+Then must thou thee dispose another way
+For there thou needs must learne to laugh, to lie,                   505
+To face, to forge, to scoffe, to companie,
+To crouche, to please, to be a beetle-stock
+Of thy great masters will, to scorne, or mock:
+So maist thou chaunce mock out a benefice,
+Unlesse thou canst one coniure by device,                            510
+Or cast a figure for a bishoprick:
+And if one could, it were but a schoole trick.
+These be the wayes by which without reward
+Livings in court he gotten, though full hard;
+For nothing there is done without a fee:                             515
+The courtier needes must recompenced bee
+With a benevolence, or have in gage
+     [_Gage_, pledge.]
+The primitias of your parsonage:
+     [_Primitias_, first-fruits.]
+Scarse can a bishoprick forpas them by,
+But that it must be gelt in privitie.                                520
+Doo not thou therefore seeke a living there,
+But of more private persons seeke elswhere,
+Whereas thou maist compound a better penie,
+Ne let thy learning question'd be of anie.
+For some good gentleman, that hath the right                         525
+Unto his church for to present a wight,
+Will cope with thee in reasonable wise,
+     [_Cope_, bargain.]
+That if the living yerely doo arise
+To fortie pound, that then his yongest sonne
+Shall twentie have, and twentie thou hast wonne:                     530
+Thou hast it wonne, for it is of franke gift
+And he will care for all the rest to shift;
+Both that the bishop may admit of thee,
+And that therein thou maist maintained bee.
+This is the way for one that is unlern'd                             535
+Living to get, and not to be discern'd.
+But they that are great clerkes have nearer wayes
+For learning sake to living them to raise:
+Yet manie eke of them (God wote) are driven
+T'accept a benefice in peeces riven.--                               540
+How saist thou, friend, have I not well discourst
+Upon this common-place, though plaine, not wourst?
+Better a short tale than a bad long shriving:
+Needes anie more to learne to get a living?"
+"Now sure, and by my hallidome," quoth he                            545
+"Yea great master are in your degree:
+Great thankes I yeeld you for your discipline,
+And doo not doubt but duly to encline
+My wits theretoo, as ye shall shortly heare."
+The priest him wisht good speed and well to fare:                    550
+So parted they, as eithers way them led.
+But th'Ape and Foxe ere long so well them sped,
+Through the priests holesome counsell lately tought,
+And throgh their owne faire handling wisely wroght,
+That they a benefice twixt them obtained,                            555
+And craftie Reynold was a priest ordained,
+And th'Ape his parish clarke procur'd to bee:
+Then made they revell route and goodly glee.
+But, ere long time had passed, they so ill
+Did order their affaires, that th'evill will                         560
+Of all their parishners they had constraind;
+Who to the ordinarie of them complain'd,
+How fowlie they their offices abusd,
+And them of crimes and heresies accusd;
+That pursivants he often for them sent.                              565
+But they neglected his commaundement;
+So long persisted obstinate and bolde,
+Till at the length he published to holde
+A visitation, and them cyted thether.
+Then was high time their wits about to geather;                      570
+What did they then, but made a composition
+With their next neighbor priest for light condition,
+To whom their living they resigned quight
+For a few pence, and ran away by night.
+So passing through the countrey in disguize,                         575
+They fled farre off, where none might them surprize,
+And after that long straied here and there,
+Through everie field and forrest farre and nere;
+Yet never found occasion for their tourne,
+But, almost sterv'd, did much lament and mourne.                     580
+At last they chaunst to meete upon the way
+The Mule, all deckt in goodly rich aray,
+With bells and bosses that full lowdly rung,
+And costly trappings that to ground downe hung.
+Lowly they him saluted in meeke wise;                                585
+But he through pride and fatnes gan despise
+Their meanesse; scarce vouchsafte them to requite.
+Whereat the Foxe deep groning in his sprite,
+Said: "Ah! Sir Mule, now blessed be the day
+That I see you so goodly and so gay                                  590
+In your attyres, and eke your silken hyde
+Fil'd with round flesh, that everie bone doth hide.
+Seemes that in fruitfull pastures ye doo live,
+Or fortune doth you secret favour give."
+"Foolish Foxe!" said the Mule, "thy wretched need
+Praiseth the thing that doth thy sorrow breed.                       596
+For well I weene thou canst not but envie
+My wealth, compar'd to thine owne miserie,
+That art so leane and meagre waxen late
+That scarse thy legs uphold thy feeble gate."                        600
+"Ay me!" said then the Foxe, "whom evill hap
+Unworthy in such wretchednes doth wrap,
+And makes the scorne of other beasts to bee.
+But read, faire Sir, of grace, from whence come yee;
+Or what of tidings you abroad doo heare;                             605
+Newes may perhaps some good unweeting beare."
+"From royall court I lately came," said he,
+"Where all the braverie that eye may see,
+And all the happinesse that heart desire,
+Is to be found; he nothing can admire,                               610
+That hath not seene that heavens portracture.
+But tidings there is none, I you assure,
+Save that which common is, and knowne to all,
+That courtiers as the tide doo rise and fall."
+"But tell us," said the Ape, "we doo you pray,                       615
+Who now in court doth beare the greatest sway:
+That, if such fortune doo to us befall,
+We may seeke favour of the best of all."
+"Marie," said he, "the highest now in grace,
+Be the wilde beasts, that swiftest are in chase;                     620
+For in their speedie course and nimble flight
+The Lyon now doth take the most delight:
+But chieflie ioyes on foote them to beholde,
+Enchaste with chaine and circulet of golde:
+     [_Enchaste_, adorned.]
+So wilde a beaste so tame ytaught to bee,                            625
+And buxome to his bands, is ioy to see;
+     [_Buxome_, obedient.]
+So well his golden circlet him beseemeth.
+But his late chayne his Liege unmeete esteemeth;
+For so brave beasts she loveth best to see
+     [She: I.e. the queen.]
+In the wilde forrest raunging fresh and free.                        630
+Therefore if fortune thee in court to live,
+In case thou ever there wilt hope to thrive,
+To some of these thou must thy selfe apply;
+Els as a thistle-downe in th'ayre doth flie,
+So vainly shalt thou too and fro be tost,                            635
+And loose thy labour and thy fruitles cost.
+And yet full few which follow them I see
+For vertues bare regard advaunced bee,
+But either for some gainfull benefit,
+Or that they may for their owne turnes be fit.                       640
+Nath'les, perhaps ye things may handle soe,
+That ye may better thrive than thousands moe."
+"But," said the Ape, "how shall we first come in,
+That after we may favour seeke to win?"
+"How els," said he, "but with a good bold face,                      645
+And with big words, and with a stately pace,
+That men may thinke of you in generall
+That to be in you which is not at all:
+For not by that which is the world now deemeth,
+(As it was wont) but by that same that seemeth.                      650
+Ne do I doubt but that ye well can fashion
+Your selves theretoo, according to occasion.
+So fare ye well: good courtiers may ye bee!"
+So, proudlie neighing, from them parted hee.
+Then gan this craftie couple to devize,                              655
+How for the court themselves they might aguize:
+     [_Aguize_, decorate.]
+For thither they themselves meant to addresse,
+In hope to finde there happier successe.
+So well they shifted, that the Ape anon
+Himselfe had cloathed like a gentleman,                              660
+And the slie Foxe as like to be his groome;
+That to the court in seemly sort they come.
+Where the fond Ape, himselfe uprearing by
+Upon his tiptoes, stalketh stately by,
+As if he were some great magnifico,                                  665
+And boldlie doth amongst the boldest go;
+And his man Reynold, with fine counterfesaunce,
+     [_Counterfesaunce_, counterfeiting.]
+Supports his credite and his countenaunce.
+Then gan the courtiers gaze on everie side,
+And stare on him with big looks basen wide,                          670
+     [_Basen_, swelled.]
+Wondring what mister wight he was, and whence;
+     [_Mister wight_, sort of creature.]
+For he was clad in strange accoustrements,
+Fashion'd with queint devises never seene
+In court before, yet there all fashions beene;
+Yet he them in newfanglenesse did pas.                               675
+But his behaviour altogether was
+_Alla Turchesca,_ much the more admyr'd;
+     [_Alla Turchesca_, in the Turkish fashion.]
+And his lookes loftie, as if he aspyr'd
+To dignitie, and sdeign'd the low degree;
+That all which did such strangenesse in him see                      680
+By secrete meanes gan of his state enquire,
+And privily his servant thereto hire:
+Who, throughly arm'd against such coverture,
+     [_Coverture_, underhand dealing.]
+Reported unto all that he was sure
+A noble gentleman of high regard,                                    685
+Which through the world had with long travel far'd,
+And seene the manners of all beasts on ground,
+Now here arriv'd to see if like he found.
+Thus did the Ape at first him credit gaine,
+Which afterwards he wisely did maintaine                             690
+With gallant showe, and daylie more augment
+Through his fine feates and courtly complement;
+For he could play, and daunce, and vaute, and spring,
+And all that els pertaines to reveling.
+Onely through kindly aptnes of his ioynts.                           695
+     [_Kindly_, natural.]
+Besides he could doo manie other poynts,
+The which in court him served to good stead:
+For he mongst ladies could their fortunes read
+Out of their hands, and merie leasings tell,
+And iuggle finely, that became him well.                             700
+But he so light was at legierdemaine,
+That what he toucht came not to light againe;
+Yet would he laugh it out, and proudly looke,
+And tell them that they greatly him mistooke.
+So would he scoffe them out with mockcrie,                           705
+For he therein had great felicitie;
+And with sharp quips ioy'd others to deface,
+Thinking that their disgracing did him grace:
+So whilst that other like vaine wits he pleased
+And made to laugh, his heart was greatly eased.                      710
+But the right gentle minde woulde bite his lip,
+To heare the iavell so good men to nip:
+     [_Iavell_, worthless fellow.]
+For, though the vulgar yeeld an open eare,
+And common courtiers love to gybe and fleare
+At everie thing which they heare spoken ill,                         715
+And the best speaches with ill meaning spill,
+     [_Spill_, spoil.]
+Yet the brave courtier, in whose beauteous thought
+Regard of honour harbours more than ought,
+Doth loath such base condition, to backbite
+     [_Condition_, quality.]
+Anies good name for envie or despite.                                720
+He stands on tearmes of honourable minde,
+Ne will be carried with the common winde
+Of courts inconstant mutabilitie,
+Ne after everie tattling fable flie;
+But heares and sees the follies of the rest,                         725
+And thereof gathers for himselfe the best.
+He will not creepe, nor crouche with fained face,
+But walkes upright with comely stedfast pace,
+And unto all doth yeeld due curtesie;
+But not with kissed hand belowe the knee,                            730
+As that same apish crue is wont to doo:
+For he disdaines himselfe t'embase theretoo.
+He hates fowle leasings and vile flatterie,
+Two filthie blots in noble gentrie;
+And lothefull idlenes he doth detest,                                735
+The canker worme of everie gentle brest;
+The which to banish with faire exercise
+Of knightly feates he daylie doth devise:
+Now menaging the mouthes of stubborne steedes,
+Now practising the proofe of warlike deedes,                         740
+Now his bright armes assaying, now his speare,
+Now the nigh aymed ring away to beare:
+At other times he casts to sew the chace
+     [_Casts_, plans, makes arrangements.]
+Of Swift wilde beasts, or runne on foote a race,
+T'enlarge his breath, (large breath in armes most needfull,)         745
+Or els by wrestling to wex strong and heedfull,
+Or his stiffe armes to stretch with eughen bowe,
+     [_Eughen_, made of yew.]
+And manly legs, still passing too and fro,
+Without a gowned beast him fast beside;
+A vaine ensample of the Persian pride,                               750
+Who after he had wonne th'Assyrian foe,
+Did ever after scorne on foote to goe.
+Thus when this courtly gentleman with toyle
+Himselfe hath wearied, he doth recoyle
+Unto his rest, and there with sweete delight                         755
+Of musicks skill revives his toyled spright;
+Or els with loves and ladies gentle sports,
+The ioy of youth, himselfe he recomforts:
+Or lastly, when the bodie list to pause,
+His minde unto the Muses he withdrawes,                              760
+Sweete Ladie Muses, ladies of delight,
+Delights of life, and ornaments of light:
+With whom he close confers with wise discourse,
+Of Natures workes, of heavens continuall course,
+Of forreine lands, of people different,                              765
+Of kingdomes change, of divers gouvernment,
+Of dreadfull battailes of renowmed knights;
+With which he kindleth his ambitious sprights
+To like desire and praise of noble fame,
+The onely upshot whereto he doth ayme.                               770
+For all his minde on honour fixed is,
+To which he levels all his purposis,
+And in his Princes service spends his dayes,
+Not so much for to game, or for to raise
+Himselfe to high degree, as for his grace,                           775
+And in his liking to winne worthie place,
+Through due deserts and comely carriage,
+In whatso please employ his personage,
+That may be matter meete to game him praise.
+For he is fit to use in all assayes,                                 780
+Whether for armes and warlike amenaunce,
+     [_Amenaunce_, conduct.]
+Or else for wise and civill governaunce;
+For he is practiz'd well in policie,
+And thereto doth his courting most applie:
+     [_Courting_, life at court.]
+To learne the enterdeale of princes strange,                         785
+     [_Enterdeale_, dealing together.]
+To marke th'intent of counsells, and the change
+Of states, and eke of private men somewhile,
+Supplanted by fine falshood and faire guile;
+Of all the which he gathereth what is fit
+T'enrich the storehouse of his powerfull wit,                        790
+Which through wise speaches and grave conference
+He daylie eekes, and brings to excellence.
+     [_Eekes_, increases.]
+Such is the rightfull courtier in his kinde:
+But unto such the Ape lent not his minde;
+Such were for him no fit companions,                                 795
+Such would descrie his lewd conditions:
+But the yong lustie gallants he did chose
+To follow, meete to whom he might disclose
+His witlesse pleasance and ill pleasing vaine.
+A thousand wayes he them could entertaine,                           800
+With all the thriftles games that may be found;
+With mumming and with masking all around,
+With dice, with cards, with balliards farre unfit,
+     [_Balliards_, billiards.]
+With shuttelcocks, misseeming manlie wit,
+     [_Misseeming_, unbecoming.]
+With courtizans, and costly riotize,                                 805
+Whereof still somewhat to his share did rize:
+Ne, them to pleasure, would he sometimes scorne
+A pandares coate (so basely was he borne);
+Thereto he could fine loving verses frame,
+And play the poet oft. But ah! for shame,                            810
+Let not sweete poets praise, whose onely pride
+Is vertue to advaunce, and vice deride,
+Be with the worke of losels wit defamed,
+Ne let such verses poetrie be named!
+Yet he the name on him would rashly take,                            815
+Maugre the sacred Muses, and it make
+A servant to the vile affection
+Of such as he depended most upon;
+And with the sugrie sweete thereof allure
+Chast ladies eares to fantasies impure.                              820
+To such delights the noble wits he led
+Which him reliev'd, and their vaine humours fed
+With fruitles folies and unsound delights.
+But if perhaps into their noble sprights
+Desire of honor or brave thought of armes                            825
+Did ever creepe, then with his wicked charmes
+And strong conceipts he would it drive away,
+Ne suffer it to house there halfe a day.
+And whenso love of letters did inspire
+Their gentle wits, and kindly wise desire,                           830
+     [Kindly: Qu. _kindle?_]
+That chieflie doth each noble minde adorne,
+Then he would scoffe at learning, and eke scorne
+The sectaries thereof, as people base
+     [_Sectaries_, followers.]
+And simple men, which never came in place
+Of worlds affaires, but, in darke corners mewd,                      835
+Muttred of matters as their bookes them shewd,
+Ne other knowledge ever did attaine,
+But with their gownes their gravitie maintaine.
+From them he would his impudent lewde speach
+Against Gods holie ministers oft reach,                              840
+And mocke divines and their profession.
+What else then did he by progression,
+But mocke High God himselfe, whom they professe?
+But what car'd he for God, or godlinesse?
+All his care was himselfe how to advaunce,                           845
+And to uphold his courtly countenaunce
+By all the cunning meanes he could devise;
+"Were it by honest wayes, or otherwise,
+He made small choyce: yet sure his honestie
+Got him small gaines, but shameles flatterie,                        850
+And filthie brocage, and unseemly shifts,
+     [_Brocage_, pimping.]
+And borowe base, and some good ladies gifts.
+     [_Borowe_, pledging.]
+But the best helpe, which chiefly him sustain'd,
+Was his man Raynolds purchase which he gain'd:
+     [_Purchase_, booty.]
+For he was school'd by kinde in all the skill                        855
+     [_Kinde_, nature.]
+Of close conveyance, and each practise ill
+Of coosinage and cleanly knaverie,
+     [_Cleanly_, neat, skillful.]
+Which oft maintain'd his masters braverie.
+Besides, he usde another slipprie slight,
+In taking on himselfe, in common sight,                              860
+False personages fit for everie sted,
+With which he thousands cleanly coosined:
+Now like a merchant, merchants to deceave,
+With whom his credite he did often leave
+In gage for his gay masters hopelesse dett:                          865
+Now like a lawyer, when he land would lett,
+Or sell fee-simples in his masters name,
+Which he had never, nor ought like the same;
+Then would he be a broker, and draw in
+Both wares and money, by exchange to win:                            870
+Then would he seeme a farmer, that would sell
+Bargaines of woods, which he did lately fell,
+Or corne, or cattle, or such other ware,
+Thereby to coosin men not well aware:
+Of all the which there came a secret fee                             875
+To th'Ape, that he his countenaunce might bee.
+Besides all this, he us'd oft to beguile
+Poore suters that in court did haunt some while:
+For he would learne their busines secretly,
+And then informe his master hastely,                                 880
+That he by meanes might cast them to prevent,
+     [_Prevent_, anticipate.]
+And beg the sute the which the other ment.
+Or otherwise false Reynold would abuse
+The simple suter, and wish him to chuse
+His master, being one of great regard                                885
+In court, to compas anie sute not hard,
+In case his paines were recompenst with reason:
+So would he worke the silly man by treason
+To buy his masters frivolous good will,
+That had not power to doo him good or ill.                           890
+So pitifull a thing is suters state!
+Most miserable man, whom wicked fate
+Hath brought to court, to sue for had-ywist,
+That few have found, and manie one hath mist!
+Full little knowest thou that hast not tride,                        895
+What hell it is in suing long to bide:
+To loose good dayes, that might be better spent;
+To wast long nights in pensive discontent;
+To speed to day, to be put back to morrow;
+To feed on hope, to pine with feare and sorrow;                      900
+To have thy Princes grace, yet want her Peeres;
+To have thy asking, yet waite manie yeeres;
+To fret thy soule with crosses and with cares;
+To eate thy heart through comfortlesse dispaires;
+To fawne, to crowche, to waite, to ride, to ronne,                   905
+To spend, to give, to want, to be undonne.
+Unhappie wight, borne to desastrous end,
+That doth his life in so long tendance spend!
+Who ever leaves sweete home, where meane estate
+In safe assurance, without strife or hate,                           910
+Findes all things needfull for contentment meeke,
+And will to court for shadowes vaine to seeke,
+Or hope to gaine, himselfe will a daw trie:
+That curse God send unto mine enemie!
+For none but such as this bold Ape unblest                           915
+Can ever thrive in that unluckie quest;
+Or such as hath a Reynold to his man,
+That by his shifts his master furnish can.
+But yet this Foxe could not so closely hide
+His craftie feates, but that they were descride                      920
+At length by such as sate in iustice seate,
+Who for the same him fowlie did entreate;
+And, having worthily him punished,
+Out of the court for ever banished.
+And now the Ape, wanting his huckster man,                           925
+That wont provide his necessaries, gan
+To growe into great lacke, ne could upholde
+His countenaunce in those his garments olde;
+Ne new ones could he easily provide,
+Though all men him uncased gan deride,                               930
+Like as a puppit placed in a play,
+Whose part once past all men bid take away:
+So that he driven was to great distresse,
+And shortly brought to hopelesse wretchednesse.
+Then closely as he might he cast to leave                            935
+The court, not asking any passe or leave;
+But ran away in his rent rags by night,
+Ne ever stayd in place, ne spake to wight,
+Till that the Foxe, his copesmate, he had found;
+     [_Copesmate_, partner in trade.]
+To whome complayning his unhappie stound,                            940
+     [_Stound_, plight, exigency.]
+At last againe with him in travell ioynd,
+And with him far'd some better chaunee to fynde.
+So in the world long time they wandered,
+And mickle want and hardnesse suffered;
+That them repented much so foolishly                                 945
+To come so farre to seeke for misery,
+And leave the sweetnes of contented home,
+Though eating hipps and drinking watry fome.
+     [_Hipps_, dog-rose berries.]
+Thus as they them complayned too and fro,
+Whilst through the forest rechlesse they did goe,                    950
+     [_Rechlesse_, reckless.]
+Lo! where they spide how in a gloomy glade
+The Lyon sleeping lay in secret shade,
+His crowne and scepter lying him beside,
+And having doft for heate his dreadfull hide:
+Which when they saw, the Ape was sore afrayde,                       955
+And would have fled with terror all dismayde.
+But him the Foxe with hardy words did stay,
+And bad him put all cowardize away;
+For now was time, if ever they would hope,
+To ayme their counsels to the fairest scope,                         960
+And them for ever highly to advaunce,
+In case the good which their owne happie chaunce
+Them freely offred they would wisely take.
+Scarse could the Ape yet speake, so did he quake;
+Yet, as he could, he askt how good might growe                       965
+Where nought but dread and death do seeme in show.
+"Now," sayd he, "whiles the Lyon sleepeth sound,
+May we his crowne and mace take from the ground,
+And eke his skinne, the terror of the wood,
+Wherewith we may our selves, if we thinke good,                      970
+Make kings of beasts, and lords of forests all
+Subiect unto that powre imperiall."
+"Ah! but," sayd the Ape, "who is so bold a wretch,
+That dare his hardy hand to those outstretch,
+When as he knowes his meede, if he be spide,                         975
+To be a thousand deathes, and shame beside?"
+"Fond Ape!" sayd then the Foxe, "into whose brest
+Never crept thought of honor nor brave gest,
+     [_Gest_, deed.]
+Who will not venture life a king to be,
+And rather rule and raigne in soveraign see,                         980
+Than dwell in dust inglorious and bace,
+Where none shall name the number of his place?
+One ioyous howre in blisfull happines,
+I chose before a life of wretchednes.
+Be therefore counselled herein by me,                                985
+And shake off this vile-harted cowardree.
+If he awake, yet is not death the next,
+For we may colour it with some pretext
+Of this or that, that may excuse the cryme:
+Else we may flye; thou to a tree mayst clyme,                        990
+And I creepe under ground; both from his reach:
+Therefore be rul'd to doo as I doo teach."
+The Ape, that earst did nought but chill and quake,
+Now gan some courage unto him to take,
+And was content to attempt that enterprise,                          995
+Tickled with glorie and rash covetise.
+But first gan question, whether should assay
+     [_Whether_, which of the two.]
+Those royall ornaments to steale away?
+"Marie, that shall your selfe," quoth he theretoo,
+"For ye be fine and nimble it to doo;                               1000
+Of all the beasts which in the forrests bee
+Is not a fitter for this turne than yee:
+Therefore, mine owne deare brother, take good hart,
+And ever thinke a kingdome is your part."
+Loath was the Ape, though praised, to adventer,                     1005
+Yet faintly gan into his worke to enter,
+Afraid of everie leafe that stir'd him by,
+And everie stick that underneath did ly:
+Upon his tiptoes nicely he up went,
+For making noyse, and still his eare he lent                        1010
+To everie sound that under heaven blew;
+Now went, now stopt, now crept, now backward drew,
+That it good sport had been him to have eyde.
+Yet at the last, so well he him applyde,
+Through his fine handling and cleanly play                          1015
+He all those royall signes had stolne away,
+And with the Foxes helpe them borne aside
+Into a secret corner unespide.
+Whither whenas they came they fell at words,
+Whether of them should be the lords of lords:                       1020
+For th'Ape was stryfull and ambicious,
+And the Foxe guilefull and most covetous;
+That neither pleased was to have the rayne
+Twixt them divided into even twaine,
+But either algates would be lords alone:                            1025
+     [_Algates_, by all means.]
+For love and lordship bide no paragone.
+     [_Paragone_, equal, partner.]
+"I am most worthie," said the Ape, "sith I
+For it did put my life in ieopardie:
+Thereto I am in person and in stature
+Most like a man, the lord of everie creature,                       1030
+So that it seemeth I was made to raigne,
+And borne to be a kingly soveraigne."
+"Nay," said the Foxe, "Sir Ape, you are astray;
+For though to steale the diademe away
+Were the worke of your nimble hand, yet I                           1035
+Did first devise the plot by pollicie;
+So that it wholly springeth from my wit:
+For which also I claime my selfe more fit
+Than you to rule: for government of state
+Will without wisedome soone be ruinate.                             1040
+And where ye claime your selfe for outward shape
+Most like a man, man is not like an ape
+In his chiefe parts, that is, in wit and spirite;
+But I therein most like to him doo merite,
+For my slie wyles and subtill craftinesse,                          1045
+The title of the kingdome to possesse.
+Nath'les, my brother, since we passed are
+Unto this point, we will appease our iarre;
+And I with reason meete will rest content,
+That ye shall have both crowne and government,                      1050
+Upon condition that ye ruled bee
+In all affaires, and counselled by mee;
+And that ye let none other ever drawe
+Your minde from me, but keepe this as a lawe:
+And hereupon an oath unto me plight."                               1055
+The Ape was glad to end the strife so light,
+And thereto swore: for who would not oft sweare,
+And oft unsweare, a diademe to beare?
+Then freely up those royall spoyles he tooke,
+Yet at the Lyons skin he inly quooke;                               1060
+But it dissembled, and upon his head
+The crowne, and on his backe the skin, he did,
+And the false Foxe him helped to array.
+Then when he was all dight he tooke his way
+Into the forest, that he might be seene                             1065
+Of the wilde beasts in his new glory sheene.
+There the two first whome he encountred were
+The Sheepe and th'Asse, who, striken both with feare
+At sight of him, gan fast away to flye;
+But unto them the Foxe alowd did cry,                               1070
+And in the kings name bad them both to stay,
+Upon the payne that thereof follow may.
+Hardly naythles were they restrayned so,
+Till that the Foxe forth toward them did goe,
+And there disswaded them from needlease feare,                      1075
+For that the King did favour to them beare;
+And therefore dreadles bad them come to corte;
+For no wild beasts should do them any torte
+     [_Torte_, wrong.]
+There or abroad, ne would his Maiestye
+Use them but well, with gracious clemencye,                         1080
+As whome he knew to him both fast and true.
+So he perswaded them with homage due
+Themselves to humble to the Ape prostrate,
+Who, gently to them bowing in his gate,
+     [_Gate_, way.]
+Receyved them with chearefull entertayne.                           1085
+Thenceforth proceeding with his princely trayne,
+He shortly met the Tygre, and the Bore,
+Which with the simple Camell raged sore
+In bitter words, seeking to take occasion
+Upon his fleshly corpse to make invasion:                           1090
+But soone as they this mock-king did espy,
+Their troublous strife they stinted by and by,
+     [_Stinted by and by_, stopped at once.]
+Thinking indeed that it the Lyon was.
+He then, to prove whether his powre would pas
+As currant, sent the Foxe to them streight way,                     1095
+Commaunding them their cause of strife bewray;
+And, if that wrong on eyther side there were,
+That he should warne the wronger to appeare
+The morrow next at court, it to defend;
+In the meane time upon the King t'attend.                           1100
+The subtile Foxe so well his message sayd,
+That the proud beasts him readily obayd:
+Whereby the Ape in wondrous stomack woxe,
+Strongly encorag'd by the crafty Foxe;
+That king indeed himselfe he shortly thought,                       1105
+And all the beasts him feared as they ought,
+And followed unto his palaice hye;
+Where taking conge, each one by and by
+Departed to his home in dreadfull awe,
+Full of the feared sight which late they sawe.                      1110
+The Ape, thus seized of the regall throne,
+Eftsones by counsell of the Foxe alone
+Gan to provide for all things in assurance,
+That so his rule might lenger have endurance.
+First, to his gate be pointed a strong gard,                        1115
+That none might enter but with issue hard:
+Then, for the safegard of his personage,
+He did appoint a warlike equipage
+Of forreine beasts, not in the forest bred,
+But part by land and part by water fed;                             1120
+For tyrannie is with strange ayde supported.
+Then unto him all monstrous beasts resorted
+Bred of two kindes, as Griffons, Minotaures,
+Crocodiles, Dragons, Beavers, and Centaures:
+With those himselfe he strengthned mightelie,                       1125
+That feare he neede no force of enemie.
+Then gan he rule and tyrannize at will,
+Like as the Foxe did guide his graceles skill;
+And all wylde beasts made vassals of his pleasures,
+And with their spoyles enlarg'd his private treasures.
+No care of iustice, nor no rule of reason,                          1131
+No temperance, nor no regard of season,
+Did thenceforth ever enter in his minde;
+But crueltie, the signe of currish kinde,
+And sdeignfull pride, and wilfull arrogaunce;                       1135
+Such followes those whom fortune doth advaunce.
+But the false Foxe most kindly plaid his part:
+     [_Kindly_, according to his nature.]
+For whatsoever mother-wit or arte
+Could worke, he put in proofe: no practise slie,
+No counterpoint of cunning policie,                                 1140
+     [_Counterpoint_, counterplot.]
+Ne reach, no breach, that might him profit bring,
+But he the same did to his purpose wring.
+Nought suffered he the Ape to give or graunt,
+But through his hand must passe the fiaunt.
+     [_Fiaunt_, fiat.]
+All offices, all leases by him lept,                                1145
+And of them all whatso he likte he kept.
+Iustice he solde iniustice for to buy,
+And for to purchase for his progeny.
+     [_Purchase_, collect spoil.]
+Ill might it prosper that ill gotten was,
+But, so he got it, little did he pas.                               1150
+     [_Pas_, care.]
+He fed his cubs with fat of all the soyle,
+And with the sweete of others sweating toyle;
+He crammed them with crumbs of benefices,
+And fild their mouthes with meeds of malefices;
+     [_Malifices_, evil deeds.]
+He cloathed them with all colours save white,                       1155
+And loded them with lordships and with might,
+So much as they were able well to beare,
+That with the weight their backs nigh broken were.
+He chaffred chayres in which churchmen were set,
+     [_Chaffred_, bartered.]
+And breach of lawes to privie ferme did let.                        1160
+     [_Ferme_, farm.]
+No statute so established might bee,
+Nor ordinaunce so needfull, but that hee
+Would violate, though not with violence,
+Yet under colour of the confidence
+The which the Ape repos'd in him alone,                             1165
+And reckned him the kingdomes corner stone.
+And ever, when he ought would bring to pas,
+His long experience the platforme was:
+And when he ought not pleasing would put by
+The cloke was care of thrift, and husbandry,                        1170
+For to encrease the common treasures store.
+But his owne treasure he encreased more,
+And lifted up his loftie towres thereby,
+That they began to threat the neighbour sky;
+The whiles the princes pallaces fell fast                           1175
+To ruine; for what thing can ever last?
+And whilest the other peeres for povertie
+Were forst their auncient houses to let lie,
+And their olde castles to the ground to fall,
+Which their forefathers famous over-all                             1180
+     [_Over-all_, everywhere.]
+Had founded for the kingdomes ornament,
+And for their memories long moniment.
+But he no count made of nobilitie,
+Nor the wilde beasts whom armes did glorifie,                       1185
+The realmes chiefe strength and girlond of the crowne.
+All these through fained crimes he thrust adowne,
+Or made them dwell in darknes of disgrace:
+For none but whom he list might come in place.
+Of men of armes he had but small regard,
+But kept them lowe, and streigned verie hard.                       1190
+For men of learning little he esteemed;
+His wisedome he above their learning deemed.
+As for the rascall commons, least he cared,
+For not so common was his bountie shared:                           1194
+"Let God," said he, "if please, care for the manie,
+I for my selfe must care before els anie."
+So did he good to none, to manie ill,
+So did he all the kingdome rob and pill,
+     [_Pill_, plunder.]
+Yet none durst speake, ne none durst of him plaine;
+So great he was in grace, and rich through game.
+Ne would he anie let to have accesse                                1201
+Unto the Prince, but by his owne addresse:
+For all that els did come were sure to faile;
+Yet would he further none but for availe.
+For on a time the Sheepe, to whom of yore                           1205
+The Foxe had promised of friendship store,
+What time the Ape the kingdome first did gaine,
+Came to the court, her case there to complaine;
+How that the Wolfe, her mortall enemie,
+Had sithence slaine her lambe most cruellie;                        1210
+     [_Sithence_, since.]
+And therefore crav'd to come unto the King,
+To let him knowe the order of the thing.
+"Soft, Gooddie Sheepe!" then said the Foxe, "not soe:
+Unto the King so rash ye may not goe;
+He is with greater matter busied                                    1215
+Than a lambe, or the lambes owne mothers hed.
+Ne certes may I take it well in part,
+That ye my cousin Wolfe so fowly thwart,
+And seeke with slaunder his good name to blot:
+For there was cause, els doo it he would not:                       1220
+Therefore surcease, good dame, and hence depart."
+So went the Sheepe away with heavie hart;
+So manie moe, so everie one was used,
+That to give largely to the boxe refused.
+
+Now when high Iove, in whose almightie hand                         1225
+The care of kings and power of empires stand,
+Sitting one day within his turret hye,
+From whence he vewes with his black-lidded eye
+Whatso the heaven in his wide vawte containes,
+And all that in the deepest earth remaines,                         1230
+And troubled kingdome of wilde beasts behelde,
+Whom not their kindly sovereigne did welde,
+     [_Welde_, govern.]
+But an usurping Ape, with guile suborn'd,
+Had all subverst, he sdeignfully it scorn'd
+In his great heart, and hardly did refraine                         1235
+But that with thunder bolts he had him slaine,
+And driven downe to hell, his dewest meed.
+But him avizing, he that dreadfull deed
+Forbore, and rather chose with scornfull shame
+Him to avenge, and blot his brutish name                            1240
+Unto the world, that never after anie
+Should of his race be voyd of infamie;
+And his false counsellor, the cause of all,
+To damne to death, or dole perpetuall,
+From whence he never should be quit nor stal'd.
+     [_Stal'd_, forestalled (?).]
+Forthwith he Mercurie unto him cal'd,                               1246
+And bad him flie with never-resting speed
+Unto the forrest, where wilde beasts doo breed,
+And, there enquiring privily, to learne
+What did of late chaunce to the Lyon stearne,                       1250
+That he rul'd not the empire, as he ought;
+And whence were all those plaints unto him brought
+Of wrongs and spoyles by salvage beasts committed:
+Which done, he bad the Lyon be remitted
+Into his seate, and those same treachours vile                      1255
+     [_Treachours_, traitors.]
+Be punished for their presumptuous guile.
+The sonne of Maia, soone as he receiv'd
+That word, streight with his azure wings he cleav'd
+The liquid clowdes and lucid firmament,
+Ne staid till that he came with steep descent                       1260
+Unto the place where his prescript did showe.
+There stouping, like an arrowe from a bowe,
+He soft arrived on the grassie plaine,
+And fairly paced forth with easie paine,
+Till that unto the pallace nigh he came.                            1265
+Then gan he to himselfe new shape to frame,
+And that faire face, and that ambrosiall hew,
+Which wonts to decke the gods immortall crew,
+And beautefie the shinie firmament,
+He doft, unfit for that rude rabblement.                            1270
+So, standing by the gates in strange disguize,
+He gan enquire of some in secret wize,
+Both of the King, and of his government,
+And of the Foxe, and his false blandishment:
+And evermore he heard each one complaine                            1275
+Of foule abuses both in realme and raine:
+Which yet to prove more true, he meant to see,
+And an ey-witnes of each thing to bee.
+Tho on his head his dreadfull hat he dight,
+Which maketh him invisible in sight,                                1280
+And mocketh th'eyes of all the lookers on,
+Making them thinke it but a vision.
+Through power of that he runnes through enemies swerds;
+Through power of that he passeth through the herds
+Of ravenous wilde beasts, and doth beguile                          1285
+Their greedie mouthes of the expected spoyle;
+Through power of that his cunning theeveries
+He wonts to worke, that none the same espies;
+And through the power of that he putteth on
+What shape he list in apparition.                                   1290
+That on his head he wore, and in his hand
+He tooke caduceus, his snakie wand,
+With which the damned ghosts he governeth,
+And furies rules, and Tartare tempereth.
+With that he causeth sleep to seize the eyes,                       1295
+And feare the harts, of all his enemyes;
+And when him list, an universall night
+Throughout the world he makes on everie wight;
+As when his syre with Alcumena lay.
+Thus dight, into the court he tooke his way,                        1300
+Both through the gard, which never him descride,
+And through the watchmen, who him never spide:
+Thenceforth he past into each secrete part,
+Whereas he saw, that sorely griev'd his hart,
+Each place abounding with fowle iniuries,                           1305
+And fild with treasure rackt with robberies;
+Each place defilde with blood of guiltles beasts
+Which had been slaine to serve the Apes beheasts;
+Gluttonie, malice, pride, and covetize,
+And lawlesnes raigning with riotize;                                1310
+Besides the infinite extortions,
+Done through the Foxes great oppressions,
+That the complaints thereof could not be tolde.
+Which when he did with lothfull eyes beholde,
+He would no more endure, but came his way,                          1315
+And cast to seeke the Lion, where he may,
+     [_Cast_, projected.]
+That he might worke the avengement for this shame
+On those two caytives which had bred him blame
+And seeking all the forrest busily,
+At last he found where sleeping he did ly.                          1320
+The wicked weed which there the Foxe did lay
+From underneath his head he tooke away,
+And then him, waking, forced up to rize.
+The Lion, looking up, gan him avize,
+     [_Avize_, bethink.]
+As one late in a traunce, what had of long                          1325
+Become of him: for fantasie is strong.
+"Arise," said Mercurie, "thou sluggish beast,
+That here liest senseles, like the corpse deceast,
+The whilste thy kingdome from thy head is rent,
+And thy throne royall with dishonour blent:                         1330
+     [_Blent_, stained.]
+Arise, and doo thy selfe redeeme from shame,
+And be aveng'd on those that breed thy blame."
+Thereat enraged, soone he gan upstart,
+Grinding his teeth, and grating his great hart;
+And, rouzing up himselfe, for his rough hide                        1335
+He gan to reach; but no where it espide.
+Therewith he gan full terribly to rore,
+And chafte at that indignitie right sore.
+But when his crowne and scepter both he wanted,
+Lord! how he fum'd, and sweld, and rag'd, and panted,
+And threatned death and thousand deadly dolours
+To them that had purloyn'd his princely honours.
+With that in hast, disroabed as he was,
+He toward his owne pallace forth did pas;
+And all the way he roared as he went,                               1345
+That all the forrest with astonishment
+Thereof did tremble, and the beasts therein
+Fled fast away from that so dreadfull din.
+At last he came unto his mansion,
+Where all the gates he found fast lockt anon                        1350
+And manie warders round about them stood:
+With that he roar'd alowd, as he were wood,
+     [_Wood_, frantic.]
+That all the pallace quaked at the stound,
+     [_Stound_, (time, scene) tumult.]
+As if it quite were riven from the ground,
+And all within were dead and hartles left;                          1355
+And th'Ape himselfe, as one whose wits were reft,
+Fled here and there, and everie corner sought.
+To hide himselfe from his owne feared thought.
+But the false Foxe, when he the Lion heard,
+Fled closely forth, streightway of death afeard,                    1360
+     [_Closely_, secretly.]
+And to the Lion came, full lowly creeping,
+With fained face, and watrie eyne halfe weeping,
+T'excuse his former treason and abusion,
+And turning all unto the Apes confusion:
+Nath'les the royall beast forbore beleeving,                        1365
+But bad him stay at ease till further preeving.
+     [_Preeving_, proving.]
+Then when he saw no entrance to him graunted,
+Roaring yet lowder that all harts it daunted,
+Upon those gates with force he fiercely newe,
+And, rending them in pieces, felly slewe                            1370
+Those warders strange, and all that els he met
+But th'Ape still flying he no where might get:
+From rowme to rowme, from beame to beame he fled,
+All breathles, and for feare now almost ded:
+Yet him at last the Lyon spide, and caught,                         1375
+And forth with shame unto his iudgement brought.
+Then all the beasts he causd' assembled bee,
+To heare their doome, and sad ensample see:
+The Foxe, first author of that treacherie
+He did uncase, and then away let flie.                              1380
+     [_Uncase_, strip of his disguise.]
+But th'Apes long taile (which then he had) he quight
+Cut off, and both eares pared of their hight;
+Since which, all Apes but halfe their eares have left,
+And of their tailes are utterlie bereft.
+
+So Mother Hubberd her discourse did end:                            1385
+Which pardon me if I amisse have pend,
+For weake was my remembrance it to hold,
+And bad her tongue that it so bluntly tolde.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE. This charming little poem, Spenser's only
+successful effort at satire, is stated by the author to have been
+composed in the raw conceit of his youth. There is internal evidence,
+however, that some of the happiest passages were added at the date of
+its publication, at which time the whole was probably retouched.
+Although Mother Hubberds Tale is in its plan an imitation of the
+satires of Reynard the Fox; the treatment of the subject is quite
+original. For the combination of elegance with simplicity, this poem
+will stand a comparison with Goethe's celebrated translation of the
+Reineke. C.
+
+Ver. I.--_It was the month_, &c. August.
+
+Ver. 453.--_Diriges_, dirges. The office for the dead received this
+name from the antiphon with which the first nocturne in the mattens
+commenced, taken from Psalm v. 8, "Dirige, Domine Deus meus, in
+conspectu tuo viam meam." Way's _Promptorium Parvulorum._ C.
+
+Ver. 519.--_Scarse can a bishoprick_, &c. This is probably an allusion
+to the frequent alienations of the lands and manors of bishoprics in
+Elizabeth's time. TODD.
+
+Ver. 562.--_The ordinarie._ An ordinary is a judge having jurisdiction
+in ecclesiastical matters. In England, it is usually the bishop of the
+diocese. H.
+
+Ver. 623, 624.--The Queen was so much pleased with the results of the
+Portugal expedition of 1589, that she honored the commanders, and Sir
+Walter Raleigh among the rest, with a gold chain. C.
+
+Ver. 717.--_The brave courtier_, &c. This description is perhaps
+intended for Sir Philip Sidney. C.
+
+Ver. 893.--Had-ywist. That is, _had I wist! had I known_ that it would
+end so! a proverbial expression for late repentance consequent on
+disappointment. C.
+
+Ver. 901.--_To have thy Princes grace, yet want her Peeres._ Elizabeth
+was said to have granted Spenser a pension which Burghley intercepted,
+and to have ordered him a gratuity which her minister neglected to pay.
+C.
+
+Ver. 913.--_Himselfe will a daw trie._ So the old copy: the reading
+should probably be _himselfe a daw will trie_, prove or find himself by
+experience to be a daw or fool. C.
+
+Ver. 1189.--_Of men of armes,_ &c. This passage certainly provokes an
+application to Lord Burghley, and was probably intended for him. C.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+RUINES OF ROME:
+
+BY BELLAY*
+
+[* Joachim du Bellay, a French poet of considerable reputation in his
+day, died in 1560. These sonnets are translated from _Le Premier Livre
+des Antiquez de Rome_. Further on we have the Visions of Bellay,
+translated from the _Songes_ of the same author. The best that can be
+said of these sonnets seems to be, that they are not inferior to the
+original. C.]
+
+
+I.
+
+Ye heavenly spirites, whose ashie cinders lie
+Under deep ruines, with huge walls opprest,
+But not your praise, the which shall never die
+Through your faire verses, ne in ashes rest;
+If so be shrilling voyce of wight alive
+May reach from hence to depth of darkest hell,
+Then let those deep abysses open rive,
+That ye may understand my shreiking yell!
+Thrice having seene under the heavens veale
+Your toombs devoted compasse over all,
+Thrice unto you with lowd voyce I appeale,
+And for your antique furie here doo call,
+  The whiles that I with sacred horror sing
+  Your glorie, fairest of all earthly thing!
+
+
+II.
+
+Great Babylon her haughtie walls will praise,
+And sharped steeples high shot up in ayre;
+Greece will the olde Ephesian buildings blaze,
+And Nylus nurslings their Pyramides faire;
+The same yet vaunting Greece will tell the storie
+Of Ioves great image in Olympus placed;
+Mausolus worke will be the Carians glorie,
+And Crete will boast the Labyrinth, now raced;
+The antique Rhodian will likewise set forth
+The great Colosse, erect to Memorie;
+And what els in the world is of like worth,
+Some greater learned wit will magnifie.
+  But I will sing above all moniments
+  Seven Romane Hils, the worlds seven wonderments.
+
+
+III.
+
+Thou stranger, which for Rome in Rome hero seekest,
+And nought of Rome in Rome perceiv'st at all,
+These same olde walls, olde arches, which thou seest,
+Olde palaces, is that which Rome men call.
+Beholde what wreake, what mine, and what wast,
+And how that she which with her mightie powre
+Tam'd all the world hath tam'd herselfe at last;
+The pray of Time, which all things doth devowre!
+Rome now of Rome is th'onely funerall,
+And onely Rome of Rome hath victorie;
+Ne ought save Tyber hastning to his fall
+Remaines of all: O worlds inconstancie!
+  That which is firme doth flit and fall away,
+  And that is flitting doth abide and stay.
+
+
+IV.
+
+She whose high top above the starres did sore,
+One foote on Thetis, th'other on the Morning,
+One hand on Scythia, th'other on the More,
+Both heaven and earth in roundnesse compassing;
+Iove fearing, least if she should greater growe,
+The old giants should once againe uprise,
+Her whelm'd with hills, these seven hils, which be nowe
+Tombes of her greatnes which did threate the skies:
+Upon her head he heapt Mount Saturnal,
+Upon her bellie th'antique Palatine,
+Upon her stomacke laid Mount Quirinal,
+On her left hand the noysome Esquiline,
+  And Caelian on the right; but both her feete
+  Mount Viminal and Aventine doo meete.
+
+
+V.
+
+Who lists to see what ever nature, arte,
+And heaven could doo, O Rome, thee let him see,
+In case thy greatnes he can gesse in harte
+By that which but the picture is of thee!
+Rome is no more: but if the shade of Rome
+May of the bodie yeeld a seeming sight,
+It's like a corse drawne forth out of the tombe
+By magicke skill out of eternall night:
+The corpes of Rome in ashes is entombed,
+And her great spirite, reioyned to the spirite
+Of this great masse, is in the same enwombed;
+But her brave writings, which, her famous merite
+  In spight of Time out of the dust doth reare,
+  Doo make her idole* through the world appeare.
+[* _Idole_, image, idea.]
+
+
+VI.
+
+Such as the Berecynthian goddesse bright,
+In her swifte charret with high turrets crownde,
+Proud that so manie gods she brought to light,
+Such was this citie in her good daies fownd:
+This citie, more than that great Phrygian mother
+Renowm'd for fruite of famous progenie,
+Whose greatnes by the greatnes of none other,
+But by her selfe, her equall match could see:
+Rome onely might to Rome compared bee,
+And onely Rome could make great Rome to tremble:
+So did the gods by heavenly doome decree,
+That other earthlie power should not resemble
+  Her that did match the whole earths puissaunce,
+  And did her courage to the heavens advaunce.
+
+
+VII.
+
+Ye sacred ruines, and ye tragick sights,
+Which onely doo the name of Rome retaine,
+Olde moniments, which of so famous sprights
+The honour yet in ashes doo maintaine,
+Triumphant arcks, spyres neighbours to the skie,
+That you to see doth th'heaven it selfe appall,
+Alas! by little ye to nothing flie,
+The peoples fable, and the spoyle of all!
+And though your frames do for a time make warre
+Gainst Time, yet Time in time shall ruinate
+Your workes and names, and your last reliques marre.
+My sad desires, rest therefore moderate!
+  For if that Time make ende of things so sure,
+  It als will end the paine which I endure.
+
+
+VIII.
+
+Through armes and vassals Rome the world subdu'd,
+That one would weene that one sole cities strength
+Both land and sea in roundnes had survew'd,
+To be the measure of her bredth and length:
+This peoples vertue yet so fruitfull was
+Of vertuous nephewes*, that posteritie,
+Striving in power their grandfathers to passe,
+The lowest earth ioin'd to the heaven hie;
+To th'end that, having all parts in their power,
+Nought from the Romane Empire might be quight**;
+And that though Time doth commonwealths devowre,
+Yet no time should so low embase their hight,
+  That her head, earth'd in her foundations deep,
+  Should not her name and endles honour keep.
+[* _Nephewes_, descendants.]
+[** _Quight_, quit, free.]
+
+
+IX.
+
+Ye cruell starres, and eke ye gods unkinde,
+Heaven envious, and bitter stepdame Nature!
+Be it by fortune, or by course of kinde*,
+That ye doo weld th'affaires of earthlie creature;
+Why have your hands long sithence traveiled
+To frame this world, that doth endure so long?
+Or why were not these Romane palaces
+Made of some matter no lesse firme and strong?
+I say not, as the common voyce doth say,
+That all things which beneath the moone have being
+Are temporall and subiect to decay:
+But I say rather, though not all agreeing
+  With some that weene the contrarie in thought,
+  That all this whole shall one day come to nought.
+[* _Kinde_, nature.]
+
+
+X.
+
+As that brave sonne of Aeson, which by charmes
+Atcheiv'd the golden fleece in Colchid land,
+Out of the earth engendred men of armes
+Of dragons teeth, sowne in the sacred sand,
+So this brave towne, that in her youthlie daies
+An hydra was of warriours glorious,
+Did fill with her renowmed nourslings praise
+The firie sunnes both one and other hous:
+But they at last, there being then not living
+An Hercules so ranke seed to represse,
+Emongst themselves with cruell furie striving,
+Mow'd downe themselves with slaughter mercilesse;
+  Renewing in themselves that rage unkinde,
+  Which whilom did those earthborn brethren blinde.
+
+
+XI.
+
+Mars, shaming to have given so great head
+To his off-spring, that mortall puissaunce,
+Puft up with pride of Romane hardiehead,
+Seem'd above heavens powre it selfe to advaunce,
+Cooling againe his former kindled heate
+With which he had those Romane spirits fild.
+Did blowe new fire, and with enflamed breath
+Into the Gothicke colde hot rage instil'd.
+Then gan that nation, th'earths new giant brood,
+To dart abroad the thunderbolts of warre,
+And, beating downe these walls with furious mood
+Into her mothers bosome, all did marre;
+  To th'end that none, all were it* Iove his sire,
+  Should boast himselfe of the Romane empire.
+[* _All were it_, although it were.]
+
+
+XII.
+
+Like as whilome the children of the earth
+Heapt hils on hils to scale the starrie skie,
+And fight against the gods of heavenly berth,
+Whiles Iove at them his thunderbolts let flie;
+All suddenly with lightning overthrowne,
+The furious squadrons downe to ground did fall,
+That th'earth under her childrens weight did grone,
+And th'heavens in glorie triumpht over all;
+So did that haughtie front, which heaped was
+On these seven Romane hils, it selfe upreare
+Over the world, and lift her loftie face
+Against the heaven, that gan her force to feare.
+  But now these scorned fields bemone her fall,
+  And gods secure feare not her force at all.
+
+
+XIII.
+
+Nor the swift furie of the flames aspiring,
+Nor the deep wounds of victours raging blade,
+Nor ruthlesse spoyle of souldiers blood-desiring,
+The which so oft thee, Rome, their conquest made,
+Ne stroke on stroke of fortune variable,
+Ne rust of age hating continuance,
+Nor wrath of gods, nor spight of men unstable,
+Nor thou oppos'd against thine owne puissance,
+Nor th'horrible uprore of windes high blowing,
+Nor swelling streames of that god snakie-paced*
+Which hath so often with his overflowing
+Thee drenched, have thy pride so much abaced,
+  But that this nothing, which they have thee left,
+  Makes the world wonder what they from thee reft.
+[* _Snakie-paced_, winding; or perhaps (like Ovid's _anguipes_) swift.]
+
+
+XIV.
+
+As men in summer fearles passe the foord
+Which is in winter lord of all the plaine,
+And with his tumbling streames doth beare aboord*
+The ploughmans hope and shepheards labour vaine,
+And as the coward beasts use to despise
+The noble lion after his lives end,
+Whetting their teeth, and with vaine foolhardise
+Daring the foe that cannot him defend,
+And as at Troy most dastards of the Greekes
+Did brave about the corpes of Hector colde,
+So those which whilome wont with pallid cheekes
+The Romane triumphs glorie to behold,
+  Now on these ashie tombes shew boldnesse vaine,
+  And, conquer'd, dare the conquerour disdaine.
+[*_Aboord_, into the current.]
+
+
+XV.
+
+Ye pallid spirits, and ye ashie ghoasts,
+Which, ioying in the brightnes of your day,
+Brought foorth those signes of your presumptuous boasts
+Which now their dusty reliques do bewray,
+Tell me, ye spirits! (sith the darksome river
+Of Styx, not passable to soules returning,
+Enclosing you in thrice three wards for ever,
+Doo not restraine your images still mourning,)
+Tell me then, (for perhaps some one of you
+Yet here above him secretly doth hide,)
+Doo ye not feele your torments to accrewe,
+When ye sometimes behold the ruin'd pride
+  Of these old Romane works, built with your hands,
+  To become nought els but heaped sands?
+
+
+XVI.
+
+Like as ye see the wrathfull sea from farre
+In a great mountaine heap't with hideous noyse,
+Eftsoones of thousand billowes shouldred narre*,
+Against a rocke to breake with dreadfull poyse;
+Like as ye see fell Boreas with sharpe blast
+Tossing huge tempests through the troubled skie,
+Eftsoones having his wide wings spent in wast,
+To stop his wearie cariere** suddenly;
+And as ye see huge flames spred diverslie,
+Gathered in one up to the heavens to spyre,
+Eftsoones consum'd to fall downe feebily,
+So whilom did this monarchie aspyre
+  As waves, as winde, as fire, spred over all,
+  Till it by fatall doome adowne did fall.
+[* _Narre_, nearer.]
+[** _Cariere_, career.]
+
+
+XVII.
+
+So long as Ioves great bird did make his flight,
+Bearing the fire with which heaven doth us fray,
+Heaven had not feare of that presumptuous might,
+With which the giaunts did the gods assay:
+But all so soone as scortching sunne had brent*
+His wings which wont the earth to overspredd,
+The earth out of her massie wombe forth sent
+That antique horror which made heaven adredd.
+Then was the Germane raven in disguise
+That Romane eagle seene to cleave asunder,
+And towards heaven freshly to arise
+Out of these mountaines, now consum'd to pouder.
+  In which the foule that serves to beare the lightning
+  Is now no more seen flying nor alighting.
+[* _Brent_, burned.]
+
+
+XVIII.
+
+These heapes of stones, these old wals which ye see,
+Were first enclosures but of salvage soyle;
+And these brave pallaces, which maystred bee
+Of time, were shepheards cottages somewhile.
+Then tooke the shepheards kingly ornaments
+And the stout hynde arm'd his right hand with steele:
+Eftsoones their rule of yearely presidents
+Grew great, and sixe months greater a great deele;
+Which, made perpetuall, rose to so great might,
+That thence th'imperiall eagle rooting tooke,
+Till th'heaven it selfe, opposing gainst her might,
+Her power to Peters successor betooke,
+  Who, shepheardlike, (as Fates the same foreseeing,)
+  Doth shew that all things turne to their first being.
+[XVIII. 8.--_Sixe months_, &c. The term of the dictatorship at Rome.]
+
+
+XIX.
+
+All that is perfect, which th'heaven beautefies;
+All that's imperfect, borne belowe the moone;
+All that doth feede our spirits and our eies;
+And all that doth consume our pleasures soone;
+All the mishap the which our daies outweares;
+All the good hap of th'oldest times afore,
+Rome, in the time of her great ancesters,
+Like a Pandora, locked long in store.
+But destinie this huge chaos turmoyling,
+In which all good and evill was enclosed,
+Their heavenly vertues from these woes assoyling,
+Caried to heaven, from sinfull bondage losed:
+  But their great sinnes, the causers of their paine,
+  Under these antique ruines yet remaine.
+
+
+XX.
+
+No otherwise than raynie cloud, first fed
+With earthly vapours gathered in the ayre,
+Eftsoones in compas arch't, to steepe his hed,
+Doth plonge himselfe in Tethys bosome faire,
+And, mounting up againe from whence he came,
+With his great bellie spreds the dimmed world,
+Till at the last, dissolving his moist frame,
+In raine, or snowe, or haile, he forth is horld,
+This citie, which was first but shepheards shade,
+Uprising by degrees, grewe to such height
+That queene of land and sea her selfe she made.
+At last, not able to beare so great weight,
+  Her power, disperst, through all the world did vade*;
+  To shew that all in th'end to nought shall fade.
+[* _Vade_, vanish.]
+
+
+XXI.
+
+The same which Pyrrhus and the puissaunce
+Of Afrike could not tame, that same brave citie
+Which, with stout courage arm'd against mischaunce,
+Sustein'd the shocke of common enmitie,
+Long as her ship, tost with so manie freakes,
+Had all the world in armes against her bent,
+Was never seene that anie fortunes wreakes
+Could breake her course begun with brave intent.
+But, when the obiect of her vertue failed,
+Her power it selfe against it selfe did arme;
+As he that having long in tempest sailed
+Faine would arive, but cannot for the storme,
+  If too great winde against the port him drive,
+  Doth in the port it selfe his vessell rive.
+
+
+XXII.
+
+When that brave honour of the Latine name,
+Which mear'd* her rule with Africa and Byze**,
+With Thames inhabitants of noble fame,
+And they which see the dawning day arize,
+Her nourslings did with mutinous uprore
+Harten against her selfe, her conquer'd spoile,
+Which she had wonne from all the world afore,
+Of all the world was spoyl'd within a while:
+So, when the compast course of the universe
+In sixe and thirtie thousand yeares is ronne,
+The bands of th'elements shall backe reverse
+To their first discord, and be quite undonne;
+  The seedes of which all things at first were bred
+  Shall in great Chaos wombe againe be hid.
+[* _Mear'd_, bounded.]
+[** _Byze_, Byzantium.]
+
+
+XXIII.
+
+O warie wisedome of the man* that would
+That Carthage towres from spoile should be forborne,
+To th'end that his victorious people should
+With cancring laisure not be overworne!
+He well foresaw how that the Romane courage,
+Impatient of pleasures faint desires,
+Through idlenes would turne to civill rage,
+And be her selfe the matter of her fires.
+For in a people given all to ease,
+Ambition is engendred easily;
+As, in a vicious bodie, grose disease
+Soone growes through humours superfluitie.
+  That came to passe, when, swolne with plenties pride,
+  Nor prince, nor peere, nor kin, they would abide.
+[* I.e. Scipio Nasica.]
+
+
+XXIV.
+
+If the blinde Furie which warres breedeth oft
+Wonts not t'enrage the hearts of equall beasts,
+Whether they fare on foote, or flie aloft,
+Or armed be with clawes, or scalie creasts,
+What fell Erynnis, with hot burning tongs,
+Did grype your hearts with noysome rage imbew'd,
+That, each to other working cruell wrongs,
+Your blades in your owne bowels you embrew'd?
+Was this, ye Romanes, your hard destinie?
+Or some old sinne, whose unappeased guilt
+Powr'd vengeance forth on you eternallie?
+Or brothers blood, the which at first was spilt
+  Upon your walls, that God might not endure
+  Upon the same to set foundation sure?
+
+
+XXV.
+
+O that I had the Thracian poets harpe,
+For to awake out of th'infernall shade
+Those antique Caesars, sleeping long in darke,
+The which this auncient citie whilome made!
+Or that I had Amphions instrument,
+To quicken with his vitall notes accord
+The stonie ioynts of these old walls now rent,
+By which th'Ausonian light might be restor'd!
+Or that at least I could with pencill fine
+Fashion the pourtraicts of these palacis,
+By paterne of great Virgils spirit divine!
+I would assay with that which in me is
+  To builde, with levell of my loftie style,
+  That which no hands can evermore compyle.
+
+
+XXVI.
+
+Who list the Romane greatnes forth to figure,
+Him needeth not to seeke for usage right
+Of line, or lead, or rule, or squaire, to measure
+Her length, her breadth, her deepnes, or her hight;
+But him behooves to vew in compasse round
+All that the ocean graspes in his long armes;
+Be it where the yerely starre doth scortch the ground,
+Or where colde Boreas blowes his bitter stormes.
+Rome was th'whole world, and al the world was Rome;
+And if things nam'd their names doo equalize,
+When land and sea ye name, then name ye Rome,
+And, naming Rome, ye land and sea comprize:
+  For th'auncient plot of Rome, displayed plaine,
+  The map of all the wide world doth containe.
+
+
+XXVII.
+
+Thou that at Rome astonisht dost behold
+The antique pride which menaced the skie,
+These haughtie heapes, these palaces of olde,
+These wals, these arcks, these baths, these temples his,
+Iudge, by these ample ruines vew, the rest
+The which iniurious time hath quite outworne,
+Since, of all workmen helde in reckning best,
+Yet these olde fragments are for paternes borne:
+Then also marke how Rome, from day to day,
+Repayring her decayed fashion,
+Renewes herselfe with buildings rich and gay;
+That one would iudge that the Romaine Daemon*
+  Doth yet himselfe with fatall hand enforce
+  Againe on foot to reare her pouldred** corse.
+[* _Romaine Daemon_, Genius of Rome.]
+[** _Pouldred_, reduced to dust.]
+
+
+XXVIII.
+
+He that hath seene a great oke drie and dead,
+Yet clad with reliques of some trophees olde,
+Lifting to heaven her aged hoarie head,
+Whose foote in ground hath left but feeble holde,
+But halfe disbowel'd lies above the ground,
+Shewing her wreathed rootes, and naked armes,
+And on her trunke all rotten and unsound
+Onely supports herselfe for meate of wormes,
+And, though she owe her fall to the first winde,
+Yet of the devout people is ador'd,
+And manie yong plants spring out of her rinde;
+Who such an oke hath seene, let him record
+  That such this cities honour was of yore,
+  And mongst all cities florished much more.
+
+
+XXIX.
+
+All that which Aegypt whilome did devise,
+All that which Greece their temples to embrave,
+After th'Ionicke, Atticke, Doricke guise,
+Or Corinth skil'd in curious workes to grave,
+All that Lysippus practike* arte could forme,
+Apelles wit, or Phidias his skill,
+Was wont this auncient citie to adorne,
+And the heaven it selfe with her wide wonders fill.
+All that which Athens ever brought forth wise,
+All that which Afrike ever brought forth strange,
+All that which Asie ever had of prise,
+Was here to see. O mervelous great change!
+  Rome, living, was the worlds sole ornament;
+  And, dead, is now the worlds sole moniment.
+[* _Practike_, cunning.]
+
+
+XXX.
+
+Like as the seeded field greene grasse first showes,
+Then from greene grasse into a stalke doth spring,
+And from a stalke into an eare forth-growes,
+Which eare the frutefull graine doth shortly bring,
+And as in season due the husband* mowes
+The waving lockes of those faire yeallow heares,
+Which, bound in sheaves, and layd in comely rowes,
+Upon the naked fields in stalkes he reares,
+So grew the Romane empire by degree,
+Till that barbarian hands it quite did spill,
+And left of it but these olde markes to see,
+Of which all passers by doo somewhat pill**,
+  As they which gleane, the reliques use to gather
+  Which th'husbandman behind him chanst to scater.
+[* _Husband_, husbandman.]
+[** _Pill_, plunder.]
+
+
+XXXI.
+
+That same is now nought but a champian wide,
+Where all this worlds pride once was situate.
+No blame to thee, whosoever dost abide
+By Nyle, or Gange, or Tygre, or Euphrate;
+Ne Afrike thereof guiltie is, nor Spaine,
+Nor the bolde people by the Thamis brincks,
+Nor the brave warlicke brood of Alemaine,
+Nor the borne souldier which Rhine running drinks.
+Thou onely cause, O Civill Furie, art!
+Which, sowing in th'Aemathian fields thy spight,
+Didst arme thy hand against thy proper hart;
+To th'end that when thou wast in greatest hight
+  To greatnes growne, through long prosperitie,
+  Thou then adowne might'st fall more horriblie.
+[XXXI. 10.--_Aemathian fields_. Thessalian fields; alluding to the
+battle fought at Pharsalia, in Thessaly, between Caesar and Pompey. H.]
+
+
+XXXII.
+
+Hope ye, my Verses, that posteritie
+Of age ensuing shall you ever read?
+Hope ye that ever immortalitie
+So meane harpes worke may chalenge for her meed?
+If under heaven anie endurance were,
+These moniments, which not in paper writ,
+But in porphyre and marble doo appeare,
+Might well have hop'd to have obtained it.
+Nath'les, my Lute, whom Phoebus deigned to give,
+Cease not to sound these olde antiquities:
+For if that Time doo let thy glorie live,
+Well maist thou boast, how ever base thou bee,
+  That thou art first which of thy nation song
+  Th'olde honour of the people gowned long.
+
+
+L'ENVOY.
+
+Bellay, first garland of free poesie
+That France brought forth, though fruitfull of brave wits,
+Well worthie thou of immortalitie,
+That long hast traveld*, by thy learned writs,
+Olde Rome out of her ashes to revive,
+And give a second life to dead decayes!
+Needes must he all eternitie survive,
+That can to other give eternall dayes.
+Thy dayes therefore are endles, and thy prayse
+Excelling all that ever went before:
+And, after thee, gins Bartas hie to rayse
+His heavenly Muse, th'Almightie to adore.
+  Live happie spirits, th'honour of your name,
+  And fill the world with never dying fame!
+[* _Traveld_, travailed, toiled.]
+
+L'Envoy, 11.--_Bartas_. Guillaume de Salluste du Bartas, a French poet
+of the time of Henry IV, of extraordinary popularity in his day. His
+poem on the Creation is said to have been reprinted more than thirty
+times in six years, and was translated into several languages; among
+others, into English by Joshua Sylvester. H.
+
+
+
+
+MUIOPOTMOS:
+
+
+
+OR
+
+
+
+THE FATE OF THE BUTTERFLIE.
+
+
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATED TO THE MOST FAIRE AND VERTUOUS LADIE,
+
+THE LADIE CAREY.
+
+
+
+
+LONDON:
+
+IMPRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBIE, DWELLING IN PAULES
+
+CHURCHYARD AT THE SIGNE OF THE BISHOPS HEAD.
+
+
+1590*
+
+
+[* This date seems to be an error for 1591; or, as Mr. Craik suggests,
+it may have been used designedly with reference to real events, not yet
+ascertained, which furnished the subject of this very pleasing
+allegory. The Visions of the Worlds Vanitie, which follow this piece,
+may be suspected of a similar application. C.]
+
+
+TO THE RIGHT WORTHY AND VERTUOUS LADIE, THE LA: CAREY.
+
+
+Most brave and bountifull La: for so excellent favours as I have
+received at your sweet handes, to offer these fewe leaves as in
+recompence, should be as to offer flowers to the gods for their divine
+benefites. Therefore I have determined to give my selfe wholy to you,
+as quite abandoned from my selfe, and absolutely vowed to your
+services: which in all right is ever held for full recompence of debt
+or damage, to have the person yeelded. My person I wot wel how little
+worth it is. But the faithfull minde and humble zeale which I bear unto
+your La: may perhaps be more of price, as may please you to account and
+use the poore service thereof; which taketh glory to advance your
+excellent partes and noble vertues, and to spend it selfe in honouring
+you; not so much for your great bounty to my self, which yet may not be
+unminded; nor for name or kindreds* sake by you vouchsafed, beeing
+also regardable; as for that honorable name, which yee have by your
+brave deserts purchast to your self, and spred in the mouths of al men:
+with which I have also presumed to grace my verses, and, under your
+name, to commend to the world this smal poeme; the which beseeching
+your La: to take in worth, and of all things therein according to your
+wonted graciousnes to make a milde construction, I humbly pray for your
+happines.
+
+Your La: ever
+
+humbly,
+
+E. S.
+
+[Footnote: "This lady was Elizabeth, one of the six daughters of Sir
+John Spencer, of Althorpe, in Northamptonshire, and was married to Sir
+George Carey, who became Lord Hunsdon on the death of his father, in
+1596."--TODD.]
+
+
+
+
+MUIOPOTMOS:
+
+OR
+
+THE FATE OF THE BUTTERFLIE.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I sing of deadly dolorous debate,
+Stir'd up through wrathful! Nemesis despight,
+Betwixt two mightie ones of great estate,
+Drawne into armes and proofe of mortall fight
+Through prowd ambition and hart-swelling hate,                         5
+Whilest neither could the others greater might
+And sdeignfull scorne endure; that from small iarre
+Their wraths at length broke into open warre.
+
+The roote whereof and tragicall effect,
+Vouchsafe, O thou the mournfulst Muse of nyne,                        10
+That wontst the tragick stage for to direct,
+In funerall complaints and waylfull tyne*
+Reveale to me, and all the meanes detect
+Through which sad Clarion did at last declyne
+To lowest wretchednes: And is there then                              15
+Such rancour in the harts of mightie men?
+[* _Tyne_, grief.]
+
+Of all the race of silver-winged flies
+Which doo possesse the empire of the aire,
+Betwixt the centred earth and azure skies
+Was none more favourable nor more faire,                              20
+Whilst heaven did favour his felicities,
+Then Clarion, the eldest sonne and haire
+Of Muscaroll, and in his fathers sight
+Of all alive did seeme the fairest wight.
+
+With fruitfull hope his aged breast he fed                            25
+Of future good, which his yong toward yeares,
+Full of brave courage and bold hardyhed
+Above th'ensample of his equall peares,
+Did largely promise, and to him fore-red,
+(Whilst oft his heart did melt in tender teares,)                     30
+That he in time would sure prove such an one,
+As should be worthie of his fathers throne.
+
+The fresh yong flie, in whom the kindly fire
+Of lustfull yongth* began to kindle fast,
+Did much disdaine to subiect his desire                               35
+To loathsome sloth, or houres in ease to wast;
+But ioy'd to range abroad in fresh attire
+Through the wide compas of the ayrie coast,
+And with unwearied wings each part t'inquire
+Of the wide rule of his renownned sire.                               40
+[* _Yongth_, youth.]
+
+For he so swift and nimble was of flight,
+That from this lower tract he dar'd to stie*
+Up to the clowdes, and thence with pineons light
+To mount aloft unto the christall skie,
+To vew the workmanship of heavens hight                               45
+Whence down descending he along would flie
+Upon the streaming rivers, sport to finde,
+And oft would dare to tempt the troublous winde.
+[* _Stie_, mount.]
+
+So on a summers day, when season milde
+With gentle calme the world had quieted,                              50
+And high in heaven Hyperions fierie childe
+Ascending did his beames abroad dispred,
+Whiles all the heavens on lower creatures smilde,
+Yong Clarion, with vauntfull lustiehead;
+After his guize did cast abroad to fare,                              55
+And theretoo gan his furnitures prepare.
+
+His breastplate first, that was of substance pure,
+Before his noble heart he firmely bound,
+That mought his life from yron death assure,
+And ward his gentle corpes from cruell wound:                         60
+For it by arte was framed to endure
+The bit* of balefull steele and bitter stownd**,
+No lesse than that which Vulcane made to sheild
+Achilles life from fate of Troyan field.
+[* _Bit_, bite.]
+[** _Stownd_, hour.]
+
+And then about his shoulders broad he threw                           65
+An hairie hide of some wilde beast, whom hee
+In salvage forrest by adventure slew,
+And reft the spoyle his ornament to bee;
+Which, spredding all his backe with dreadfull vew,
+Made all that him so horrible did see                                 70
+Thinke him Alcides with the lyons skin,
+When the Naemean conquest he did win.
+
+Upon his head, his glistering burganet*,
+The which was wrought by wonderous device
+And curiously engraven, he did set:                                   75
+The mettall was of rare and passing price;
+Not Bilbo** steele, nor brasse from Corinth fet,
+Nor costly oricalche from strange Phoenice;
+But such as could both Phoebus arrowes ward,
+And th'hayling darts of heaven beating hard.                          80
+[* _Burganet_, helmet.]
+[** _Bilbo_, Bilboa.]
+
+Therein two deadly weapons fixt he bore,
+Strongly outlaunced towards either side,
+Like two sharpe speares, his enemies to gore:
+Like as a warlike brigandine, applyde
+To fight, layes forth her threatfull pikes afore,                     85
+The engines which in them sad death doo hyde,
+So did this flie outstretch his fearefull hornes,
+Yet so as him their terrour more adornes.
+
+Lastly his shinie wings, as silver bright,
+Painted with thousand colours passing farre                           90
+All painters skill, he did about him dight:
+Not halfe so manie sundrie colours arre
+In Iris bowe; ne heaven doth shine so bright,
+Distinguished with manie a twinckling starre;
+Nor Iunoes bird, in her ey-spotted traine,                            95
+So manie goodly colours doth containe.
+
+Ne (may it be withouten perill spoken)
+The Archer-god, the sonne of Cytheree,
+That ioyes on wretched lovers to be wroken*,
+And heaped spoyles of bleeding harts to see,                         100
+Beares in his wings so manie a changefull token.
+Ah! my liege Lord, forgive it unto mee,
+If ought against thine honour I have tolde;
+Yet sure those wings were fairer manifolde.
+[* _Wroken_, avenged.]
+
+Full many a ladie faire, in court full oft                           105
+Beholding them, him secretly envide,
+And wisht that two such fannes, so silken soft
+And golden faire, her Love would her provide;
+Or that, when them the gorgeous flie had doft,
+Some one that would with grace be gratifide                          110
+From him would steale them privily away,
+And bring to her so precious a pray.
+
+Report is that Dame Venus on a day,
+In spring when flowres doo clothe the fruitful ground,
+Walking abroad with all her nymphes to play,                         115
+Bad her faire damzels flocking her arownd
+To gather flowres, her forhead to array.
+Emongst the rest a gentle nymph was found,
+Hight Astery, excelling all the crewe
+In curteous usage and unstained hewe.                                120
+
+Who, being nimbler ioynted than the rest,
+And more industrious, gathered more store
+Of the fields honour than the others best;
+Which they in secret harts envying sore,
+Tolde Venus, when her as the worthiest                               125
+She praisd', that Cupide (as they heard before)
+Did lend her secret aide in gathering
+Into her lap the children of the Spring,
+
+Whereof the goddesse gathering iealous feare,--
+Not yet unmindfull how not long agoe                                 130
+Her sonne to Psyche secrete love did beare,
+And long it close conceal'd, till mickle woe
+Thereof arose, and manie a rufull teare,--
+Reason with sudden rage did overgoe;
+And, giving hastie credit to th'accuser,                             135
+Was led away of them that did abuse her.
+
+Eftsoones that damzel by her heavenly might
+She turn'd into a winged butterflie,
+In the wide aire to make her wandring flight;
+And all those flowres, with which so plenteouslie                    140
+Her lap she filled had, that bred her spight,
+She placed in her wings, for memorie
+Of her pretended crime, though crime none were:
+Since which that flie them in her wings doth beare.
+
+Thus the fresh Clarion, being readie dight,                          145
+Unto his iourney did himselfe addresse,
+And with good speed began to take his flight:
+Over the fields, in his franke* lustinesse;
+And all the champion** he soared light;
+And all the countrey wide he did possesse,                           150
+Feeding upon their pleasures bounteouslie,
+That none gainsaid, nor none did him envie.
+[* _Franke_, free.]
+[** _Champion_, champaign.]
+
+The woods, the rivers, and the medowes green.
+With his aire-cutting wings he measured wide,
+Ne did he leave the mountaines bare unseene,                         155
+Nor the ranke grassie fennes delights untride.
+But none of these, how ever sweete they beene,
+Mote please his fancie nor him cause t'abide:
+His choicefull sense with everie change doth flit;
+No common things may please a wavering wit.                          160
+
+To the gay gardins his unstaid desire
+Him wholly caried, to refresh his sprights:
+There lavish Nature, in her best attire,
+Powres forth sweete odors and alluring sights;
+And Arte, with her contending, doth aspire                           165
+T'excell the naturall with made delights:
+And all that faire or pleasant may be found
+In riotous excesse doth there abound.
+There he arriving round about doth flie,
+From bed to bed, from one to other border;                           170
+And takes survey, with curious busie eye,
+Of every flowre and herbe there set in order;
+Now this, now that, he tasteth tenderly,
+Yet none of them he rudely doth disorder,
+Ne with his feete their silken leaves deface,                        175
+But pastures on the pleasures of each place.
+
+And evermore with most varietie,
+And change of sweetnesse, (for all change is sweete,)
+He casts his glutton sense to satisfie;
+Now sucking of the sap of herbe most meete,                          180
+Or of the deaw which yet on them does lie,
+Now in the same bathing his tender feete:
+And then he pearcheth on some braunch thereby,
+To weather him, and his moyst wings to dry.
+
+And then againe he turneth to his play,                              185
+To spoyle the pleasures of that paradise;
+The wholsome saulge*, and lavender still gray,
+Ranke-smelling rue, and cummin good for eyes,
+The roses raigning in the pride of May,
+Sharpe isope, good for greene wounds remedies,                       190
+Faire marigoldes, and bees-alluring thime,
+Sweete marioram, and daysies decking prime:
+[* _Saulge_, sage.]
+
+Coole violets, and orpine growing still,
+Embathed balme, and chearfull galingale,
+Fresh costmarie, and breathfull camomill,                            195
+Dull poppie, and drink-quickning setuale*,
+Veyne-healing verven, and hed-purging dill,
+Sound savorie, and bazil hartie-hale,
+Fat colworts, and comforting perseline**,
+Colde lettuce, and refreshing rosmarine.                             200
+[* _Setuale_, valerian.]
+[** _Perseline_, purslain.]
+
+And whatso else of vertue good or ill
+Grewe in this gardin, fetcht from farre away,
+Of everie one he takes and tastes at will,
+And on their pleasures greedily doth pray.
+Then when he hath both plaid, and fed his fill,                      205
+In the warme sunne he doth himselfe embay*,
+And there him rests in riotous suffisaunce
+Of all his gladfulnes and kingly ioyaunce.
+[* _Embay_, bathe.]
+
+What more felicitie can fall to creature
+Than to enioy delight with libertie,                                 210
+And to be lord of all the workes of Nature,
+To raine in th'aire from earth to highest skie,
+To feed on flowres and weeds of glorious feature,
+To take whatever thing doth please the eie?
+Who rests not pleased with such happines,                            215
+Well worthie he to taste of wretchednes.
+
+But what on earth can long abide in state?
+Or who can him assure of happie day?
+Sith morning faire may bring fowle evening late,
+And least mishap the most blisse alter may!                          220
+For thousand perills lie in close awaite
+About us daylie, to worke our decay;
+That none, except a God, or God him guide,
+May them avoyde, or remedie provide.
+
+And whatso heavens in their secret doome                             225
+Ordained have, how can fraile fleshly wight
+Forecast, but it must needs to issue come?
+The sea, the aire, the fire, the day, the night,
+And th'armies of their creatures, all and some*,
+Do serve to them, and with importune might                           230
+Warre against us, the vassals of their will.
+Who then can save what they dispose to spill?
+[* _All and some_, one and all.]
+
+Not thou, O Clarion, though fairest thou
+Of all thy kinde, unhappie happie flie,
+Whose cruell fate is woven even now                                  235
+Of loves owne hand, to worke thy miserie!
+Ne may thee helpe the manie hartie vow,
+Which thy olde sire with sacred pietie
+Hath powred forth for thee, and th'altars sprent*
+Nought may thee save from heavens avengement!                        240
+[* _Sprent_, sprinkled.]
+
+It fortuned (as heavens had behight*)
+That in this gardin where yong Clarion
+Was wont to solace him, a wicked wight,
+The foe of faire things, th'author of confusion,
+The shame of Nature, the bondslave of spight,                        245
+Had lately built his hatefull mansion;
+And, lurking closely, in awayte now lay,
+How he might anie in his trap betray.
+[* _Behight_, ordained.]
+
+But when he spide the ioyous butterflie
+In this faire plot dispacing* too and fro,                           250
+Fearles of foes and hidden ieopardie,
+Lord! how he gan for to bestirre him tho,
+And to his wicked worke each part applie!
+His heart did earne** against his hated foe,
+And bowels so with rankling poyson swelde,                           255
+That scarce the skin the strong contagion helde.
+[* _Dispacing_, ranging about.]
+[** _Earne_, yearn.]
+
+The cause why he this flie so maliced*
+Was (as in stories it is written found)
+For that his mother which him bore and bred,
+The most fine-fingred workwoman on ground,                           260
+Arachne, by his meanes was vanquished
+Of Pallas, and in her owne skill confound**,
+When she with her for excellence contended,
+That wrought her shame, and sorrow never ended.
+[* _Maliced_, bore ill-will to.]
+[** _Confound_, confounded.]
+
+For the Tritonian goddesse, having hard                              265
+Her blazed fame, which all the world had fil'd,
+Came downe to prove the truth, and due reward
+For her prais-worthie workmanship to yeild:
+But the presumptuous damzel rashly dar'd
+The goddesse selfe to chalenge to the field,                         270
+And to compare with her in curious skill
+Of workes with loome, with needle, and with quill.
+
+Minerva did the chalenge not refuse,
+But deign'd with her the paragon* to make:
+So to their worke they sit, and each doth chuse                      275
+What storie she will for her tapet** take.
+Arachne figur'd how love did abuse
+Europa like a bull, and on his backe
+Her through the sea did beare; so lively@ seene,
+That it true sea and true bull ye would weene.                       280
+[* _Paragon_, comparison.]
+[** _Tapet_, tapestry.]
+[@ _Lively_, life-like.]
+
+Shee seem'd still backe unto the land to looke,
+And her play-fellowes aide to call, and feare
+The dashing of the waves, that up she tooke
+Her daintie feete, and garments gathered neare:
+But Lord! how she in everie member shooke,                           285
+When as the land she saw no more appeare,
+But a wilde wildernes of waters deepe:
+Then gan she greatly to lament and weepe.
+
+Before the bull she pictur'd winged Love,
+With his yong brother Sport, light fluttering                        290
+Upon the waves, as each had been a dove;
+The one his bowe and shafts, the other spring*
+A burning teade** about his head did move,
+As in their syres new love both triumphing;
+And manie Nymphes about them flocking round,                         295
+And manie Tritons which their homes did sound.
+[* _Spring_, springal, youth.]
+[** _Teade_, torch.]
+
+And round about her-worke she did empale*
+With a faire border wrought of sundrie flowres,
+Enwoven with an yviewinding trayle:
+A goodly worke, full fit for kingly bowres,                          300
+Such as Dame Pallas, such as Envie pale,
+That al good things with venemous tooth devowres,
+Could not accuse. Then gan the goddesse bright
+Her selfe likewise unto her worke to dight.
+[* _Empale_, inclose.]
+
+She made the storie of the olde debate                               305
+Which she with Neptune did for Athens trie:
+Twelve gods doo sit around in royall state,
+And love in midst with awfull maiestie,
+To iudge the strife betweene them stirred late:
+Each of the gods by his like visnomie*                               310
+Eathe** to be knowen; but love above them all,
+By his great lookes and power imperiall.
+[* _Visnomie_, countenance.]
+[** _Eathe_, easy.]
+
+Before them stands the god of seas in place,
+Clayming that sea-coast citie as his right,
+And strikes the rockes with his three-forked mace;
+Whenceforth issues a warlike steed in sight,                         316
+The signe by which he chalengeth the place;
+That all the gods which saw his wondrous might
+Did surely deeme the victorie his due:
+But seldom seene, foreiudgement proveth true.                        320
+
+Then to herselfe she gives her Aegide shield,
+And steel-hed speare, and morion * on her hedd,
+Such as she oft is seene in warlicke field:
+Then sets she forth, how with her weapon dredd
+She smote the ground, the which streight foorth did yield            325
+A fruitfull olyve tree, with berries spredd,
+That all the gods admir'd; then all the storie
+She compast with a wreathe of olyves hoarie.
+[* _Morion_, steel cap.]
+
+Emongst those leaves she made a butterflie,
+With excellent device and wondrous slight,                           330
+Fluttring among the olives wantonly,
+That seem'd to live, so like it was in sight:
+The velvet nap which on his wings doth lie,
+The silken downe with which his backe is dight,
+His broad outstretched homes, his hayrie thies,                      335
+His glorious colours, and his glistering eies.
+
+Which when Arachne saw, as overlaid *
+And mastered with workmanship so rare,
+She stood astonied long, ne ought gainesaid;
+And with fast fixed eyes on her did stare,                           340
+And by her silence, signe of one dismaid,
+The victorie did yeeld her as her share;
+Yet did she inly fret and felly burne,
+And all her blood to poysonous rancor turne:
+[* _Overlaid_, overcome.]
+
+That shortly from the shape of womanhed,                             345
+Such as she was when Pallas she attempted,
+She grew to hideous shape of dryrihed*,
+Pined with griefe of follie late repented:
+Eftsoones her white streight legs were altered
+To crooked crawling shankes, of marrowe empted,                      350
+And her faire face to foule and loathsome hewe,
+And her fine corpes to a bag of venim grewe.
+[* _Dryrihed_, sadness, unsightliness.]
+
+This cursed creature, mindfull of that olde
+Enfestred grudge the which his mother felt,
+So soone as Clarion he did beholde,                                  355
+His heart with vengefull malice inly swelt;
+And weaving straight a net with mame a folde
+About the cave in which he lurking dwelt,
+With fine small cords about it stretched wide,
+So finely sponne that scarce they could be spide,                    360
+
+Not anie damzell which her vaunteth most
+In skilfull knitting of soft silken twyne,
+Nor anie weaver, which his worke doth boast
+In dieper, in damaske, or in lyne*,
+Nor anie skil'd in workmanship embost,                               365
+Nor anie skil'd in loupes of fingring fine,
+Might in their divers cunning ever dare
+With this so curious networks to compare.
+[* _Lyne_, linen.]
+
+Ne doo I thinke that that same subtil gin
+The which the Lemnian god framde craftilie,                          370
+Mars sleeping with his wife to compasse in,
+That all the gods with common mockerie
+Might laugh at them, and scorne their shamefull sin,
+Was like to this. This same he did applie
+For to entrap the careles Clarion,                                   375
+That rang'd each where without suspition.
+
+Suspition of friend, nor feare of foe,
+That hazarded his health, had he at all,
+But walkt at will, and wandred too and fro,
+In the pride of his freedome principall*:                            380
+Litle wist he his fatall future woe,
+But was secure; the liker he to fall.
+He likest is to fall into mischaunce,
+That is regardles of his governaunce.
+[* _Principall_, princely.]
+
+Yet still Aragnoll (so his foe was hight)                            385
+Lay lurking covertly him to surprise;
+And all his gins, that him entangle might,
+Drest in good order as he could devise.
+At length the foolish flie, without foresight,
+As he that did all daunger quite despise,                            390
+Toward those parts came flying careleslie,
+Where hidden was his hatefull enemie.
+
+Who, seeing him, with secret ioy therefore
+Did tickle inwardly in everie vaine;
+And his false hart, fraught with all treasons store,                 395
+Was fil'd with hope his purpose to obtaine:
+Himselfe he close upgathered more and more
+Into his den, that his deceiptfull traine
+By his there being might not be bewraid,
+Ne anie noyse, ne anie motion made.                                  400
+
+Like as a wily foxe, that, having spide
+Where on a sunnie banke the lambes doo play,
+Full closely creeping by the hinder side,
+Lyes in ambushment of his hoped pray,
+Ne stirreth limbe, till, seeing readie tide*,                        405
+He rusheth forth, and snatcheth quite away
+One of the litle yonglings unawares;
+So to his worke Aragnoll him prepares.
+[* _Tide_, time.]
+
+Who now shall give unto my heavie eyes
+A well of teares, that all may overflow?                             410
+Or where shall I finde lamentable cryes,
+And mournfull tunes enough my griefe to show?
+Helpe, O thou Tragick Muse, me to devise
+Notes sad enough, t'expresse this bitter throw:
+For loe, the drerie stownd* is now arrived,                          415
+That of all happines hath us deprived.
+[* _Stownd_, hour.]
+
+The luckles Clarion, whether cruell Fate
+Or wicked Fortune faultles him misled,
+Or some ungracious blast out of the gate
+Of Aeoles raine* perforce him drove on hed**,                        420
+Was (O sad hap and howre unfortunate!)
+With violent swift flight forth caried
+Into the cursed cobweb, which his foe
+Had framed for his finall overthroe.
+[* _Raine_, kingdom.]
+[** _On hed_, head-foremost.]
+
+There the fond flie, entangled, strugled long,                       425
+Himselfe to free thereout; but all in vaine.
+For, striving more, the more in laces strong
+Himselfe he tide, and wrapt his winges twaine
+In lymie snares the subtill loupes among;
+That in the ende he breathelesse did remaine,                        430
+And, all his yongthly* forces idly spent,
+Him to the mercie of th'avenger lent.
+[* _Yongthly_, youthful.]
+
+Which when the greisly tyrant did espie,
+Like a grimme lyon rushing with fierce might
+Out of his den, he seized greedelie                                  435
+On the resistles pray, and, with fell spight,
+Under the left wing stroke his weapon slie
+Into his heart, that his deepe-groning spright
+In bloodie streames foorth fled into the aire,
+His bodie left the spectacle of care.                                440
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+Ver. 365.--_And Arte, with her contendlng._ Compare the description of
+Aerasia's garden, Faerie Queene, II. xii. 59; and also v. 29. TODD.
+
+Ver. 273.--_Minerva did_, &c. Much of what follows is taken from the
+fable of Arachne in Ovid. JORTIN.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+VISIONS
+
+OF
+
+THE WORLDS VANITIE.
+
+
+I.
+
+One day, whiles that my daylie cares did sleepe,
+My spirit, shaking off her earthly prison,
+Began to enter into meditation deepe
+Of things exceeding reach of common reason;
+Such as this age, in which all good is geason*,
+And all that humble is and meane** debaced,
+Hath brought forth in her last declining season,
+Griefe of good mindes, to see goodnesse disgraced!
+On which when as my thought was throghly@ placed,
+Unto my eyes strange showes presented were,
+Picturing that which I in minde embraced,
+That yet those sights empassion$ me full nere.
+  Such as they were, faire Ladie%, take in worth,
+  That when time serves may bring things better forth.
+
+[* _Geason_, rare.]
+[** _Meane_, lowly.]
+[@ _Throghly_, thoroughly.]
+[$ _Empassion_, move.]
+[% _Faire Ladie._ The names of the ladies to whom these Visions and
+those of Petrarch (see p. 210, VII. 9) were inscribed have not been
+preserved. C.]
+
+
+II.
+
+In summers day, when Phoebus fairly shone,
+I saw a Bull as white as driven snowe,
+With gilden hornes embowed like the moone,
+In a fresh flowring meadow lying lowe:
+Up to his eares the verdant grasse did growe,
+And the gay floures did offer to be eaten;
+But he with fatnes so did overflows,
+That he all wallowed in the weedes downe beaten,
+Ne car'd with them his daintie lips to sweeten:
+Till that a Brize*, a scorned little creature,
+Through his faire hide his angrie sting did threaten,
+And vext so sore, that all his goodly feature
+  And all his plenteous pasture nought him pleased:
+  So by the small the great is oft diseased**.
+
+
+III.
+
+Beside the fruitfull shore of muddie Nile,
+Upon a sunnie banke outstretched lay,
+In monstrous length, a mightie Crocodile,
+That, cram'd with guiltles blood and greedie pray
+Of wretched people travailing that way,
+Thought all things lesse than his disdainfull pride.
+I saw a little Bird, cal'd Tedula,
+The least of thousands which on earth abide,
+That forst this hideous beast to open wide
+The greisly gates of his devouring hell,
+And let him feede, as Nature doth provide,
+Upon his iawes, that with blacke venime swell.
+  Why then should greatest things the least disdaine,
+  Sith that so small so mightie can constraine?
+
+[* _Brize_, a gadfly.]
+[** _Diseased_, deprived of ease.]
+
+III. 7.--Tedula. Spenser appears to mean the bird Trochilos, which,
+according to Aristotle, enters the mouth of the crocodile, and picks her
+meat out of the monster's teeth. C.
+
+
+IV.
+
+The kingly bird that beares Ioves thunder-clap
+One day did scorne the simple Scarabee*,
+Proud of his highest service and good hap,
+That made all other foules his thralls to bee.
+The silly flie, that no redresse did see,
+Spide where the Eagle built his towring nest,
+And, kindling fire within the hollow tree,
+Burnt up his yong ones, and himselfe distrest;
+Ne suffred him in anie place to rest,
+But drove in Ioves owne lap his egs to lay;
+Where gathering also filth him to infest,
+Forst with the filth his egs to fling away:
+  For which, when as the foule was wroth, said Iove,
+  "Lo! how the least the greatest may reprove."
+
+
+V.
+
+Toward the sea turning my troubled eye,
+I saw the fish (if fish I may it cleepe**)
+That makes the sea before his face to flye,
+And with his flaggie finnes doth seeme to sweepe
+The fomie waves out of the dreadfull deep;
+The huge Leviathan, dame Natures wonder,
+Making his sport, that manie makes to weep.
+A Sword-fish small him from the rest did sunder
+That, in his throat him pricking softly under,
+His wide abysse him forced forth to spewe,
+That all the sea did roare like heavens thunder,
+And all the waves were stain'd with filthie hewe.
+  Hereby I learned have not to despise
+  Whatever thing seemes small in common eyes.
+
+[* _Scarabee,_ beetle.]
+[** _Cleepe,_ call.]
+
+
+VI.
+
+An hideous Dragon, dreadfull to behold,
+Whose backe was arm'd against the dint of speare
+With shields of brasse that shone like burnisht golde,
+And forkhed sting that death in it did beare,
+Strove with a Spider, his unequall peare,
+And bad defiance to his enemie.
+The subtill vermin, creeping closely* neare,
+Did in his drinke shed poyson privilie;
+Which, through his entrailes spredding diversly,
+Made him to swell, that nigh his bowells brust,
+And him enforst to yeeld the victorie,
+That did so much in his owne greatnesse trust.
+  O, how great vainnesse is it then to scorne
+  The weake, that hath the strong so oft forlorne!**
+
+[* _Closely,_ secretly.]
+[** _Forlorne,_ ruined.]
+
+
+VII.
+
+High on a hill a goodly Cedar grewe,
+Of wondrous length and straight proportion,
+That farre abroad her daintie odours threwe;
+Mongst all the daughters of proud Libanon,
+Her match in beautie was not anie one.
+Shortly within her inmost pith there bred
+A litle wicked worme, perceiv'd of none,
+That on her sap and vitall moysture fed:
+Thenceforth her garland so much honoured
+Began to die, O great ruth* for the same!
+And her faire lockes fell from her loftie head,
+That shortly balde and bared she became.
+  I, which this sight beheld, was much dismayed,
+  To see so goodly thing so soone decayed.
+
+[* _Ruth,_ pity.]
+
+
+VIII.
+
+Soone after this I saw an Elephant,
+Adorn'd with bells and bosses gorgeouslie,
+That on his backe did beare, as batteilant*,
+A gilden towre, which shone exceedinglie;
+That he himselfe through foolish vanitie,
+Both for his rich attire and goodly forme,
+Was puffed up with passing surquedrie**,
+And shortly gan all other beasts to scorne,
+Till that a little Ant, a silly worme,
+Into his nosthrils creeping, so him pained,
+That, casting downe his towres, he did deforme
+Both borrowed pride, and native beautie stained.
+  Let therefore nought that great is therein glorie,
+  Sith so small thing his happines may varie.
+
+[* _As batteilant,_ as if equipped for battle.]
+[** _Surquedrie,_ presumption.]
+
+
+
+IX.
+
+Looking far foorth into the ocean wide,
+A goodly Ship with banners bravely dight,
+And flag in her top-gallant, I espide
+Through the maine sea making her merry flight.
+Faire blewe the wind into her bosome right,
+And th'heavens looked lovely all the while,
+That she did seeme to daunce, as in delight,
+And at her owne felicitie did smile.
+All sodainely there clove unto her keele
+A little fish that men call Remora,
+Which stopt her course, and held her by the heele,
+That winde nor tide could move her thence away.
+  Straunge thing me seemeth, that so small a thing
+  Should able be so great an one to wring.
+
+
+X.
+
+A mighty Lyon, lord of all the wood,
+Having his hunger throughly satisfide
+With pray of beasts and spoyle of living blood,
+Safe in his dreadles den him thought to hide:
+His sternesse was his prayse, his strength his pride,
+And all his glory in his cruell clawes.
+I saw a Wasp, that fiercely him defide,
+And bad him battaile even to his iawes;
+Sore he him stong, that it the blood forth drawes,
+And his proude heart is fild with fretting ire:
+In vaine he threats his teeth, his tayle, his pawes,
+And from his bloodie eyes doth sparkle fire;
+  That dead himselfe he wisheth for despight.
+  So weakest may anoy the most of might!
+
+
+
+XI.
+
+What time the Romaine Empire bore the raine
+Of all the world, and florisht most in might,
+The nations gan their soveraigntie disdaine,
+And cast to quitt them from their bondage quight.
+So, when all shrouded were in silent night,
+The Galles were, by corrupting of a mayde,
+Possest nigh of the Capitol through slight,
+Had not a Goose the treachery bewrayde.
+If then a goose great Rome from ruine stayde,
+And Iove himselfe, the patron of the place,
+Preservd from being to his foes betrayde,
+Why do vaine men mean things so much deface*,
+  And in their might repose their most assurance,
+  Sith nought on earth can chalenge long endurance?
+
+[* _Deface,_ disparage, despise.]
+
+
+XII.
+
+When these sad sights were overpast and gone,
+My spright was greatly moved in her rest,
+With inward ruth and deare affection,
+To see so great things by so small distrest.
+Thenceforth I gan in my engrieved brest
+To scorne all difference of great and small,
+Sith that the greatest often are opprest,
+And unawares doe into daunger fall.
+And ye, that read these ruines tragicall,
+Learne, by their losse, to love the low degree;
+And if that Fortune chaunce you up to call
+To honours seat, forget not what you be:
+  For he that of himselfe is most secure
+  Shall finde his state most fickle and unsure.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+THE
+
+VISIONS OF BELLAY.*
+
+[* Eleven of these Visions of Bellay (all except the 6th, 8th,
+13th, and 14th) differ only by a few changes necessary for rhyme from
+blank-verse translations found in Van der Noodt's _Theatre of
+Worldlings_, printed in 1569; and the six first of the Visions of
+Petrarch (here said to have been "formerly translated") occur almost
+word for word in the same publication, where the authorship appears to
+be claimed by one Theodore Roest. The Complaints were collected, not by
+Spenser, but by Ponsonby, his bookseller, and he may have erred in
+ascribing these Visions to our poet. C.]
+
+
+I.
+
+It was the time when rest, soft sliding downe
+From heavens hight into mens heavy eyes,
+In the forgetfulnes of sleepe doth drowne
+The carefull thoughts of mortall miseries.
+Then did a ghost before mine eyes appeare,
+On that great rivers banck that runnes by Rome;
+Which, calling me by name, bad me to reare
+My lookes to heaven whence all good gifts do come,
+And crying lowd, "Loe! now beholde," quoth hee,
+"What under this great temple placed is:
+Lo, all is nought but flying vanitee!"
+So I, that know this worlds inconstancies,
+  Sith onely God surmounts all times decay,
+  In God alone my confidence do stay.
+
+
+II.
+
+On high hills top I saw a stately frame,
+An hundred cubits high by iust assize*,
+With hundreth pillours fronting faire the same,
+All wrought with diamond after Dorick wize.
+Nor brick nor marble was the wall in view,
+But shining christall, which from top to base
+Out of her womb a thousand rayons** threw
+On hundred steps of Afrike golds enchase.@
+Golde was the parget,$ and the seeling bright
+Did shine all scaly with great plates of golde;
+The floore of iasp and emeraude was dight.%
+O worlds vainesse! Whiles thus I did behold,
+  An earthquake shooke the hill from lowest seat,
+  And overthrew this frame with ruine great.
+
+[* _Assize_, measure.]
+[** _Rayons_, beams, rays.]
+[@ I.e. enchased with gold.]
+[$ _Parget_, varnish, plaster.]
+[% _Dight_, composed.]
+
+
+III.
+
+Then did a sharped spyre of diamond bright,
+Ten feete each way in square, appeare to mee,
+Iustly proportion'd up unto his hight,
+So far as archer might his level see.
+The top thereof a pot did seeme to beare,
+Made of the mettall which we most do honour;
+And in this golden vessel couched weare
+The ashes of a mightie emperour:
+Upon foure corners of the base were pight*,
+To beare the frame, foure great lyons of gold;
+A worthy tombe for such a worthy wight.
+Alas! this world doth nought but grievance hold:
+  I saw a tempest from the heaven descend,
+  Which this brave monument with flash did rend.
+[* _Pight_, placed.]
+
+
+IV.
+
+I saw raysde up on yvorie pillowes tall,
+Whose bases were of richest mettalls warke,
+The chapters* alablaster, the fryses christall,
+The double front of a triumphall arke.
+On each side purtraid was a Victorie,
+Clad like a nimph, that wings of silver weares,
+And in triumphant chayre was set on hie,
+The auncient glory of the Romaine peares.
+No worke it seem'd of earthly craftsmans wit,
+But rather wrought by his owne industry
+That thunder-dartes for Iove his syre doth fit.
+Let me no more see faire thing under sky,
+  Sith that mine eyes have seene so faire a sight
+  With sodain fall to dust consumed quight.
+[* _Chapters_, capitals.]
+
+
+V.
+
+Then was the faire Dodonian tree far seene
+Upon seaven hills to spread his gladsome gleame,
+And conquerours bedecked with his greene,
+Along the bancks of the Ausonian streame.
+There many an auncient trophee was addrest*,
+And many a spoyle, and many a goodly show,
+Which that brave races greatnes did attest,
+That whilome from the Troyan blood did flow.
+Ravisht I was so rare a thing to vew;
+When lo! a barbarous troupe of clownish fone**
+The honour of these noble boughs down threw:
+Under the wedge I heard the tronck to grone;
+  And since, I saw the roote in great disdaine
+  A twinne of forked trees send forth againe.
+
+[* _Addrest_, hung on, arranged.]
+[** _Fone_, foes.]
+
+
+VI.
+
+I saw a wolfe under a rockie cave
+Noursing two whelpes; I saw her litle ones
+In wanton dalliance the teate to crave,
+While she her neck wreath'd from them for the nones*.
+I saw her raunge abroad to seeke her food,
+And roming through the field with greedie rage
+T'embrew her teeth and clawes with lukewarm blood
+Of the small heards, her thirst for to asswage.
+I saw a thousand huntsmen, which descended
+Downe from the mountaines bordring Lombardie,
+That with an hundred speares her flank wide rened:
+I saw her on the plaine outstretched lie,
+  Throwing out thousand throbs in her owne soyle**:
+  Soone on a tree uphang'd I saw her spoyle.
+
+[* _Nones_, nonce.]
+[** I.e. the mire made by her blood.]
+
+
+VII.
+
+I saw the bird that can the sun endure
+With feeble wings assay to mount on hight;
+By more and more she gan her wings t'assure,
+Following th'ensample of her mothers sight.
+I saw her rise, and with a larger flight
+To pierce the cloudes, and with wide pinneons
+To measure the most haughtie* mountaines hight,
+Untill she raught** the gods owne mansions.
+There was she lost; when suddaine I behelde,
+Where, tumbling through the ayre in firie fold,
+All flaming downe she on the plaine was felde,
+And soone her bodie turn'd to ashes colde.
+  I saw the foule that doth the light dispise
+  Out of her dust like to a worme arise.
+[* _Haughtie_, lofty.]
+[** _Raught_, reached.]
+[VII. 1-14.--
+"A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place,
+ Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd." C.]
+
+
+VIII.
+
+I saw a river swift, whose fomy billowes
+Did wash the ground-work of an old great wall;
+I saw it cover'd all with griesly shadowes,
+That with black horror did the ayre appall:
+Thereout a strange beast with seven heads arose,
+That townes and castles under her brest did coure*,
+And seem'd both milder beasts and fiercer foes
+Alike with equall ravine to devoure.
+Much was I mazde to see this monsters kinde
+In hundred formes to change his fearefull hew;
+When as at length I saw the wrathfull winde,
+Which blows cold storms, burst out of Scithian mew,
+  That sperst these cloudes; and, in so short as thought,
+  This dreadfull shape was vanished to nought.
+[* _Coure_, cover.]
+
+
+IX.
+
+Then all astonied with this mighty ghoast,
+An hideous bodie, big and strong, I sawe,
+With side* long beard, and locks down hanging loast**,
+Sterne face, and front full of Saturnlike awe;
+Who, leaning on the belly of a pot,
+Pourd foorth a water, whose out gushing flood
+Ran bathing all the creakie@ shore aflot,
+Whereon the Troyan prince spilt Turnus blood;
+And at his feete a bitch wolfe suck did yeeld
+To two young babes: his left the palme tree stout,
+His right hand did the peacefull olive wield.
+And head with lawrell garnisht was about.
+  Sudden both palme and olive fell away,
+  And faire green lawrell branch did quite decay.
+[* _Side_, long, trailing.]
+[** _Loast_, loosed.]
+[@ _Creakie_, indented with creeks.]
+
+
+X.
+
+Hard by a rivers side a virgin faire,
+Folding her armes to heaven with thousand throbs,
+And outraging her cheekes and golden haire,
+To falling rivers sound thus tun'd her sobs.
+"Where is," quoth she, "this whilom honoured face?
+Where the great glorie and the auncient praise,
+In which all worlds felicitie had place,
+When gods and men my honour up did raise?
+Suffisd' it not that civill warres me made
+The whole worlds spoile, but that this Hydra new,
+Of hundred Hercules to be assaide,
+With seven heads, budding monstrous crimes anew,
+  So many Neroes and Caligulaes
+  Out of these crooked shores must dayly rayse?"
+
+
+XI.
+
+Upon an hill a bright flame I did see,
+Waving aloft with triple point to skie,
+Which, like incense of precious cedar tree,
+With balmie odours fil'd th'ayre farre and nie.
+A bird all white, well feathered on each wing,
+Hereout up to the throne of gods did flie,
+And all the way most pleasant notes did sing,
+Whilst in the smoake she unto heaven did stie*.
+Of this faire fire the scattered rayes forth threw
+On everie side a thousand shining beames:
+When sudden dropping of a silver dew
+(O grievous chance!) gan quench those precious flames;
+  That it, which earst** so pleasant sent did yeld,
+  Of nothing now but noyous sulphure smeld.
+[* _Stie_, mount.]
+[** _Earst_, at first.]
+
+
+XII.
+
+I saw a spring out of a rocke forth rayle*,
+As cleare as christall gainst the sunnie beames;
+The bottome yeallow, like the golden grayle*
+That bright Pactolus washeth with his streames.
+It seem'd that Art and Nature had assembled
+All pleasure there for which mans hart could long;
+And there a noyse alluring sleepe soft trembled,
+Of manie accords, more sweete than mermaids song,
+The seates and benches shone as yvorie,
+And hundred nymphes sate side by side about;
+When from nigh hills, with hideous outcrie,
+A troupe of satyres in the place did rout,@
+Which with their villeine feete the streame did ray,$
+Threw down the seats, and drove the nymphs away.
+[* _Rayle_, flow.]
+[** _Grayle_, gravel.]
+[@ _Rout_, burst.]
+[$ _Ray_, defile.]
+
+
+XIII.
+
+Much richer then that vessell seem'd to bee
+Which did to that sad Florentine appeare,
+Casting mine eyes farre off, I chaunst to see
+Upon the Latine coast herselfe to reare.
+But suddenly arose a tempest great,
+Bearing close envie to these riches rare,
+Which gan assaile this ship with dreadfull threat,
+This ship, to which none other might compare:
+And finally the storme impetuous
+Sunke up these riches, second unto none,
+Within the gulfe of greedie Nereus.
+I saw both ship and mariners each one,
+  And all that treasure, drowned in the maine:
+  But I the ship saw after raisd' againe.
+[XIII. 1.--_That vessell_. See the second canto of the Purgatorio. C.]
+
+
+XIV.
+
+Long having deeply gron'd these visions sad,
+I saw a citie like unto that same
+Which saw the messenger of tidings glad,
+But that on sand was built the goodly frame:
+It seem'd her top the firmament did rayse,
+And, no lesse rich than faire, right worthie sure
+(If ought here worthie) of immortall dayes,
+Or if ought under heaven might firme endure.
+Much wondred I to see so faire a wall:
+When from the Northerns coast a storme arose,
+Which, breathing furie from his inward gall
+On all which did against his course oppose,
+  Into a clowde of dust sperst in the aire
+  The weake foundations of this citie faire.
+
+
+XV.
+
+At length, even at the time when Morpheus
+Most trulie doth unto our eyes appeare,
+Wearie to see the heavens still wavering thus,
+I saw Typhaeus sister* comming neare;
+Whose head, full bravely with a morion** hidd,
+Did seeme to match the gods in maiestie.
+She, by a rivers bancke that swift downe slidd,
+Over all the world did raise a trophee hie;
+An hundred vanquisht kings under her lay,
+With armes bound at their backs in shamefull wize.
+Whilst I thus mazed was with great affray,
+I saw the heavens in warre against her rize:
+  Then downe she stricken fell with clap of thonder,
+  That with great noyse I wakte in sudden wonder.
+[* I.e. (apparently) Change or Mutability. See the two cantos of the
+Seventh Book of the Faerie Queene.]
+[** _Morion_, steel cap.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+THE VISIONS OF PETRARCH:
+
+FORMERLY TRANSLATED.
+[Footnote: The first six of these sonnets are translated (not directly,
+but through the French of Clement Marot) from Petrarch's third Canzone
+in Morte di Laura. The seventh is by the translator. The circumstance
+that the version is made from Marot renders it probable that these
+sonnets are really by Spenser. C.]
+
+
+I.
+
+Being one day at my window all alone,
+So manie strange things happened me to see,
+As much it grieveth me to thinke thereon.
+At my right hand a hynde appear'd to mee.
+So faire as mote the greatest god delite;
+Two eager dogs did her pursue in chace,
+Of which the one was blacke, the other white.
+With deadly force so in their cruell race
+They pincht the haunches of that gentle beast,
+That at the last, and in short time, I spide,
+Under a rocke, where she, alas! opprest,
+Fell to the ground, and there untimely dide.
+  Cruell death vanquishing so noble beautie,
+  Oft makes me wayle so hard a destenie.
+
+
+II.
+
+After, at sea a tall ship did appeare,
+Made all of heben* and white yvorie;
+The sailes of golde, of silke the tackle were.
+Milde was the winde, calme seem'd the sea to bee,
+The skie eachwhere did show full bright and faire:
+With rich treasures this gay ship fraighted was:
+But sudden storme did so turmoyle the aire,
+And tumbled up the sea, that she, alas!
+Strake on a rock, that under water lay,
+And perished past all recoverie.
+O! how great ruth, and sorrow-full assay**,
+Doth vex my spirite with perplexitie,
+  Thus in a moment to see lost and drown'd
+  So great riches as like cannot be found.
+[* _Heben_, ebony.]
+[** _Assay_, trial.]
+
+
+III.
+
+The heavenly branches did I see arise
+Out of the fresh and lustie lawrell tree,
+Amidst the yong greene wood: of Paradise
+Some noble plant I thought my selfe to see.
+Such store of birds therein yshrowded were,
+Chaunting in shade their sundrie melodie,
+That with their sweetnes I was ravish't nere.
+While on this lawrell fixed was mine eie,
+The skie gan everie where to overcast,
+And darkned was the welkin all about,
+When sudden flash of heavens fire out brast*,
+And rent this royall tree quite by the roote;
+  Which makes me much and ever to complaine,
+  For no such shadow shalbe had againe.
+[* _Brast_, burst.]
+
+
+IV.
+
+Within this wood, out of a rocke did rise
+A spring of water, mildly rumbling downe,
+Whereto approched not in anie wise
+The homely shepheard, nor the ruder clowne;
+But manie Muses, and the Nymphes withall,
+That sweetly in accord did tune their voyce
+To the soft sounding of the waters fall;
+That my glad hart thereat did much reioyce.
+But, while herein I tooke my chiefe delight,
+I saw, alas! the gaping earth devoure
+The spring, the place, and all cleane out of sight;
+Which yet aggreeves my hart even to this houre,
+  And wounds my soule with rufull memorie,
+  To see such pleasures gon so suddenly.
+
+
+V.
+
+I saw a Phoenix in the wood alone,
+With purple wings and crest of golden hewe;
+Strange bird he was, whereby I thought anone
+That of some heavenly wight I had the vewe;
+Untill he came unto the broken tree,
+And to the spring that late devoured was.
+What say I more? Each thing at last we see
+Doth passe away: the Phoenix there, alas!
+Spying the tree destroid, the water dride,
+Himselfe smote with his beake, as in disdaine,
+And so foorthwith in great despight he dide;
+That yet my heart burnes in exceeding paine
+  For ruth and pitie of so haples plight.
+  O, let mine eyes no more see such a sight!
+
+
+VI.
+
+At last, so faire a ladie did I spie,
+That thinking yet on her I burne and quake:
+On hearbs and flowres she walked pensively;
+Milde, but yet love she proudly did forsake:
+White seem'd her robes, yet woven so they were
+As snow and golde together had been wrought:
+Above the wast a darke clowde shrouded her.
+A stinging serpent by the heele her caught;
+Wherewith she languisht as the gathered floure,
+And, well assur'd, she mounted up to ioy.
+Alas! on earth so nothing doth endure,
+But bitter griefe and sorrowfull annoy:
+  Which make this life wretched and miserable.
+  Tossed with stormes of fortune variable.
+
+
+VII.
+
+When I behold this tickle* trustles state
+Of vaine worlds glorie, flitting too and fro,
+And mortall men tossed by troublous fate
+In restles seas of wretchednes and woe,
+I wish I might this wearie life forgoe,
+And shortly turne unto my happie rest,
+Where my free spirite might not anie moe
+Be vest with sights that doo her peace molest.
+And ye, faire Ladie, in whose bounteous brest
+All heavenly grace and vertue shrined is,
+When ye these rythmes doo read, and vew the rest,
+Loath this base world, and thinke of heavens blis:
+  And though ye be the fairest of Gods creatures,
+  Yet thinke that death shall spoyle your goodly features.
+[* _Tickle_, uncertain.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+DAPHNAIDA:
+
+AN ELEGIE
+
+UPON THE DEATH OF THE NOBLE AND VERTUOUS
+
+DOUGLAS HOWARD,
+
+DAUGHTER AND HEIRE OF HENRY LORD HOWARD, VISCOUNT
+BYNDON, AND WIFE OF ARTHUR GORGES, ESQUIER.
+
+DEDICATED TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
+
+THE LADIE HELENA,
+
+MARQUESSE OF NORTHAMPTON.
+
+BY ED. SP.
+
+(1591.)
+
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND VERTUOUS LADY,
+
+HELENA,
+
+MARQUESSE OF NORTH HAMPTON.[*]
+
+I have the rather presumed humbly to offer unto your Honour the
+dedication of this little poeme, for that the noble and vertuous
+gentlewoman of whom it is written was by match neere alied, and in
+affection greatly devoted, unto your Ladiship. The occasion why I wrote
+the same was as well the great good fame which I heard of her deceassed,
+as the particular goodwill which I bear unto her husband, Master Arthur
+Gorges, a lover of learning and vertue, whose house, as your Ladiship by
+marriage hath honoured, so doe I find the name of them, by many notable
+records, to be of great antiquitie in this realme, and such as have ever
+borne themselves with honourable reputation to the world, and unspotted
+loyaltie to their prince and countrey: besides, so lineally are they
+descended from the Howards, as that the Lady Anne Howard; eldest
+daughter to John Duke of Norfolke, was wife to Sir Edmund, mother to Sir
+Edward, and grandmother to Sir William and Sir Thomas Gorges, Knightes:
+and therefore I doe assure my selfe that no due honour done to the White
+Lyon, but will be most gratefull to your Ladiship, whose husband and
+children do so neerely participate with the bloud of that noble family.
+So in all dutie I recommend this pamphlet, and the good acceptance
+thereof, to your honourable favour and protection. London, this first of
+Ianuarie, 1591.
+Your Honours humbly ever.
+
+[* This lady, when widow of William Parr, the only person who was ever
+Marquis of Northampton, had married Sir Thomas Gorges, uncle of Lady
+Douglas Howard, the subject of this elegy. Mr. (afterwards Sir) Arthur
+Gorges was himself a poet, and the author of the English translation of
+Bacon's tract _De Sapientia Veterum_, published in 1619. See Craik's
+Spenser and his Poetry, Vol. III. p. 187. C.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+DAPHNAIDA.
+
+
+Whatever man he be whose heavie mynd,
+With griefe of mournefull great mishap opprest,
+Fit matter for his cares increase would fynd,
+Let reade the rufull plaint herein exprest,
+Of one, I weene, the wofulst man alive,
+Even sad Alcyon*, whose empierced brest
+Sharpe sorrowe did in thousand peeces rive.
+  [* I.e. Sir Arthur Gorges.]
+
+But whoso else in pleasure findeth sense,
+Or in this wretched life doeth take delight,
+Let him he banisht farre away from hence;                             10
+Ne let the Sacred Sisters here be hight*,
+Though they of sorrowe heavilie can sing,
+For even their heavie song would breede delight;
+But here no tunes save sobs and grones shall ring.
+  [* _Hight_, summoned.]
+
+In stead of them and their sweet harmonie,                            15
+Let those three Fatall Sisters, whose sad hands
+Doe weave the direfull threeds of destinie,
+And in their wrath break off the vitall bands,
+Approach hereto; and let the dreadfull Queene
+Of Darknes deepe come from the Stygian strands,                       20
+And grisly ghosts, to heare this dolefull teene*,
+  [* _Teene_, sorrow]
+
+In gloomy evening, when the wearie sun
+After his dayes long labour drew to rest,
+And sweatie steedes, now having overrun
+The compast skie, gan water in the west,                              25
+I walkt abroad to breath the freshing ayre
+In open fields, whose flowring pride, opprest
+With early frosts, had lost their beautie faire.
+
+There came unto my mind a troublous thought,
+Which dayly doth my weaker wit possesse,                              30
+Ne lets it rest untill it forth have brought
+Her long borne infant, fruit of heavinesse,
+Which she conceived hath through meditation
+Of this worlds vainnesse and life's wretchednesse,
+That yet my soule it deepely doth empassion*.                         35
+  [* _Empassion_, move]
+
+So as I muzed on the miserie
+In which men live, and I of many most,
+Most miserable man, I did espie
+Where towards me a sory wight did cost*,
+Clad all in black, that mourning did bewray,                          40
+And Iacob staffe ** in hand devoutly crost,
+Like to some pilgrim come from farre away.
+  [* _Cost_, approach]
+  [** _Iacob staffe_, a pilgrim's staff, in the form of a cross]
+
+His carelesse locks, uncombed and unshorne,
+Hong long adowne, and bearde all overgrowne,
+That well he seemd to be some wight forlorne:                         45
+Downe to the earth his heavie eyes were throwne,
+As loathing light, and ever as he went
+He sighed soft, and inly deepe did grone,
+As if his heart in peeces would have rent.
+
+Approaching nigh his face I vewed nere,                               50
+And by the semblant of his countenaunce
+Me seemd I had his person seene elsewhere,
+Most like Alcyon seeming at a glaunce;
+Alcyon he, the iollie shepheard swaine,
+That wont full merrilie to pipe and daunce,                           55
+And fill with pleasance every wood and plaine.
+
+Yet halfe in doubt, because of his disguize,
+I softlie sayd, Alcyon! There-withall
+He lookt aside as in disdainefull wise,
+Yet stayed not, till I againe did call:                               60
+Then, turning back, he saide, with hollow sound,
+"Who is it that dooth name me, wofull thrall,
+The wretchedst man that treads this day on ground?"
+
+"One whom like wofulnesse, impressed deepe,
+Hath made fit mate thy wretched case to heare,                        65
+And given like cause with thee to waile and wepe;
+Griefe finds some ease by him that like does beare.
+Then stay, Alcyon, gentle shepheard! stay,"
+Quoth I, "till thou have to my trustie eare
+Committed what thee dooth so ill apay*."                              70
+  [* _Ill apay _, discontent, distress.]
+
+"Cease, foolish man!" saide he halfe wrothfully,
+"To seeke to heare that which cannot be told;
+For the huge anguish, which doeth multiply
+My dying paines, no tongue can well unfold;
+Ne doo I care that any should bemone                                  75
+My hard mishap, or any weepe that would,
+But seeke alone to weepe, and dye alone."
+
+"Then be it so," quoth I, "that thou are bent
+To die alone, unpitied, unplained;
+Yet, ere thou die, it were convenient                                 80
+To tell the cause which thee thereto constrained,
+Least that the world thee dead accuse of guilt,
+And say, when thou of none shall be maintained,
+That thou for secret crime thy blood hast spilt."
+
+"Who life does loath, and longs to be unbound                         85
+From the strong shackles of fraile flesh," quoth he,
+"Nought cares at all what they that live on ground
+Deem the occasion of his death to bee;
+Rather desires to be forgotten quight,
+Than question made of his calamitie;                                  90
+For harts deep sorrow hates both life and light.
+
+"Yet since so much thou seemst to rue my griefe,
+And car'st for one that for himselfe cares nought,
+(Sign of thy love, though nought for my reliefe,
+For my reliefe exceedeth living thought,)                             95
+I will to thee this heavie case relate:
+Then harken well till it to end be brought,
+For never didst thou heare more haplesse fate.
+
+"Whilome I usde (as thou right well doest know)
+My little flocke on westerns downes to keep,                         100
+Not far from whence Sabrinaes streame doth flow,
+And flowrie bancks with silver liquor steepe;
+Nought carde I then for worldly change or chaunce,
+For all my ioy was on my gentle sheepe,
+And to my pype to caroll and to daunce.                              105
+
+"It there befell, as I the fields did range
+Fearlesse and free, a faire young Lionesse,
+White as the native rose before the chaunge
+Which Venus blood did in her leaves impresse,
+I spied playing on the grassie plaine                                110
+Her youthfull sports and kindlie wantonnesse,
+That did all other beasts in beawtie staine.
+  [Ver. 107.--_A fair young Lionesse,_ So called from the white lion in
+  the arms of the Duke of Norfolk, the head of the family to which Lady
+  Douglas Howard belonged. H.]
+
+"Much was I moved at so goodly sight,
+Whose like before mine eye had seldome seene,
+And gan to cast how I her compasse might,                            115
+And bring to hand that yet had never beene:
+So well I wrought with mildnes and with paine,
+That I her caught disporting on the greene,
+And brought away fast bound with silver chaine.
+
+"And afterwardes I handled her so fayre,                             120
+That though by kind shee stout and salvage were,
+For being borne an auncient lions hayre,
+And of the race that all wild beastes do feare,
+Yet I her fram'd, and wan so to my bent,
+That shee became so meeke and milde of cheare                        125
+As the least lamb in all my flock that went.
+
+"For shee in field, where-ever I did wend,
+Would wend with me, and waite by me all day;
+And all the night that I in watch did spend,
+If cause requir'd, or els in sleepe, if nay,                         130
+Shee would all night by me or watch or sleepe;
+And evermore when I did sleepe or play,
+She of my flock would take full warie keepe*.
+  [* _Keepe_, care.]
+
+"Safe then, and safest, were my sillie sheepe,
+Ne fear'd the wolfe, ne fear'd the wildest beast,                    135
+All* were I drown'd in carelesse quiet deepe:
+My lovely Lionesse without beheast
+So careful was for them and for my good,
+That when I waked, neither most nor least
+I found miscarried, or in plaine or wood.                            140
+  [* _All_, although.]
+
+"Oft did the shepheards which my hap did heare,
+And oft their lasses, which my luck envyde,
+Daylie resort to me from farre and neare,
+To see my Lyonesse, whose praises wyde
+Were spred abroad; and when her worthinesse                          145
+Much greater than the rude report they tryde*,
+They her did praise, and my good fortune blesse.
+  [* _Tryde_, proved, found.]
+
+"Long thus I ioyed in my happinesse,
+And well did hope my ioy would have no end;
+But oh! fond man! that in worlds ficklenesse                         150
+Reposedst hope, or weenedst Her thy frend
+That glories most in mortall miseries,
+And daylie doth her changefull counsels bend
+To make new matter fit for tragedies.
+
+"For whilest I was thus without dread or dout,                       155
+A cruel Satyre with his murdrous dart,
+Greedie of mischiefe, ranging all about,
+Gave her the fatall wound of deadly smart,
+And reft from me my sweete companion,
+And reft from me my love, my life, my hart:                          160
+My Lyonesse, ah woe is me! is gon!
+
+"Out of the world thus was she reft away,
+Out of the world, unworthy such a spoyle,
+And borne to heaven, for heaven a fitter pray;
+Much fitter then the lyon which with toyle                           165
+Alcides slew, and fixt in firmament;
+Her now I seeke throughout this earthly soyle,
+And seeking misse, and missing doe lament."
+
+Therewith he gan afresh to waile and weepe,
+That I for pittie of his heavie plight                               170
+Could not abstain mine eyes with teares to steepe;
+But when I saw the anguish of his spright
+Some deale alaid, I him bespake againe:
+"Certes, Alcyon, painfull is thy plight,
+That it in me breeds almost equall paine,                            175
+
+"Yet doth not my dull wit well understand
+The riddle of thy loved Lionesse;
+For rare it seemes in reason to be skand,
+That man, who doth the whole worlds rule possesse,
+Should to a beast his noble hart embase,                             180
+And be the vassall of his vassalesse;
+Therefore more plain areade* this doubtfull case."
+  [* _Areade_, explain.]
+
+Then sighing sore, "Daphne thou knew'st," quoth he;
+"She now is dead": no more endur'd to say,
+But fell to ground for great extremitie;                             185
+That I, beholding it, with deepe dismay
+Was much apald, and, lightly him uprearing,
+Revoked life, that would have fled away,
+All were my selfe through grief in deadly drearing*.
+  [* _Drearing_, sorrowing.]
+
+Then gan I him to comfort all my best,                               190
+And with milde counsaile strove to mitigate
+The stormie passion of his troubled brest;
+But he thereby was more empassionate,
+As stubborne steed that is with curb restrained
+Becomes more fierce and fervent in his gate,                         195
+And, breaking foorth at last, thus dearnely* plained:
+  [* _Dearnely_, sadly.]
+
+
+I.
+
+"What man henceforth that breatheth vitall aire
+Will honour Heaven, or heavenly powers adore,
+Which so uniustly doth their iudgements share
+Mongst earthly wights, as to afflict so sore                         200
+The innocent as those which do transgresse,
+And doe not spare the best or fairest more
+Than worst or foulest, but doe both oppresse?
+
+"If this be right, why did they then create
+The world so faire, sith fairenesse is neglected?                    205
+Or why be they themselves immaculate,
+If purest things be not by them respected?
+She faire, she pure, most faire, most pure she was,
+Yet was by them as thing impure reiected;
+Yet she in purenesse heaven it self did pas.                         210
+
+"In purenesse, and in all celestiall grace
+That men admire in goodly womankind,
+She did excell, and seem'd of angels race,
+Living on earth like angell new divinde*,
+Adorn'd with wisedome and with chastitie,                            215
+And all the dowries of a noble mind,
+Which did her beautie much more beautifie.
+  [* _Divinde_, deified.]
+
+"No age hath bred (since faire Astraea left
+The sinfull world) more vertue in a wight;
+And, when she parted hence, with her she reft                        220
+Great hope, and robd her race of bounty* quight.
+Well may the shepheard lasses now lament;
+For doubble losse by her hath on them light,
+To loose both her and bounties ornament.
+  [* _Bounty_, goodness.]
+
+"Ne let Elisa, royall shepheardesse,                                 225
+The praises of my parted* love envy,
+For she hath praises in all plenteousnesse
+Powr'd upon her, like showers of Castaly,
+By her owne shepheard, Colin, her own shepheard,
+That her with heavenly hymnes doth deifie,                           230
+Of rusticke Muse full hardly to be betterd.
+  [* _Parted_, departed.]
+
+"She is the rose, the glory of the day,
+And mine the primrose in the lowly shade:
+Mine? ah, not mine! amisse I mine did say:
+Not mine, but His which mine awhile her made;                        235
+Mine to be-his, with him to live for ay.
+O that so faire a flowre so soon should fade,
+And through untimely tempest fall away!
+
+"She fell away in her first ages spring,
+Whilst yet her leafe was greene, and fresh her rinde;
+And whilst her braunch faire blossomes foorth did bring,             241
+She fell away against all course of kinde*.
+For age to dye is right, but youth is wrong;
+She fell away like fruit blowne down with winde.
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong**.
+  [* _Kinde_, nature.]
+  [** _Undersong_, accompaniment.]
+
+
+II.
+
+"What hart so stonie hard but that would weepe.
+And poure forth fountaines of incessant teares?
+What Timon but would let compassion creepe
+Into his breast, and pierce his frosen eares?
+In stead of teares, whose brackish bitter well                       250
+I wasted have, my heart bloud dropping weares,
+To think to ground how that faire blossome fell.
+
+"Yet fell she not as one enforst to dye,
+Ne dyde with dread and grudging discontent,
+But as one toyld with travell downe doth lye,                        255
+So lay she downe, as if to sleepe she went,
+And closde her eyes with carelesse quietriesse;
+The whiles soft death away her spirit hent*,
+And soule assoyld** from sinfull fleshlinesse.
+  [* _Hent_, took]
+  [** _Assoyld_, absolved.]
+
+"Yet ere that life her lodging did forsake,                          260
+She, all resolv'd, and readie to remove,
+Calling to me (ay me!) this wise bespake;
+'Alcyon! ah, my first and latest love!
+Ah! why does my Alcyon weepe and mourne,
+And grieve my ghost, that ill mote him behove,                       265
+As if to me had chaunst some evill tourne!
+
+"'I, since the messenger is come for mee
+That summons soules unto the bridale feast
+Of his great Lord, must needs depart from thee,
+And straight obay his soveraine beheast;                             270
+Why should Alcyon then so sore lament
+That I from miserie shall be releast,
+And freed from wretched long imprisonment!
+
+"'Our daies are full of dolour and disease.
+Our life afflicted with incessant paine,                             275
+That nought on earth may lessen or appease;
+Why then should I desire here to remaine!
+Or why should he that loves me sorrie bee
+For my deliverance, or at all complaine
+My good to heare, and toward* ioyes to see!                          280
+  [* _Toward,_ preparing, near at hand.]
+
+"'I goe, and long desired have to goe;
+I goe with gladnesse to my wished rest,
+Whereas* no worlds sad care nor wasting woe
+May come, their happie quiet to molest;
+But saints and angels in celestiall thrones                          285
+Eternally Him praise that hath them blest;
+There shall I be amongst those blessed ones.
+  [* _Whereas,_ where.]
+
+"'Yet, ere I goe, a pledge I leave with thee
+Of the late love the which betwixt us past;
+My young Ambrosia; in lieu of mee,                                   290
+Love her; so shall our love for ever last.
+Thus, deare! adieu, whom I expect ere long.'--
+So having said, away she softly past;
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make mine undersong.
+
+
+III.
+
+"So oft as I record those piercing words,                            295
+Which yet are deepe engraven in my brest,
+And those last deadly accents, which like swords
+Did wound my heart and rend my bleeding chest,
+With those sweet sugred speeches doe compare
+The which my soul first conquerd and possest,                        300
+The first beginners of my endlesse care,
+
+"And when those pallid cheekes and ashe hew,
+In which sad Death his pourtraiture had writ,
+And when those hollow eyes and deadly view,
+On which the cloud of ghastly night did sit,                         305
+I match, with that sweete smile and chearful brow,
+Which all the world subdued unto it,
+How happie was I then, and wretched now!
+
+"How happie was I when I saw her leade
+The shepheards daughters dauncing in a rownd!                        310
+How trimly would she trace* and softly tread
+The tender grasse, with rosye garland crownd!
+And when she list advaunce her heavenly voyce,
+Both Nymphes and Muses nigh she made astownd,
+And flocks and shepheards caused to reioyce.                         315
+  [* _Trace_, step]
+
+"But now, ye shepheard lasses! who shall lead
+Your wandring troupes, or sing your virelayes*?
+Or who shall dight** your bowres, sith she is dead
+That was the lady of your holy-dayes?
+Let now your blisse be turned into bale,                             320
+And into plaints convert your ioyous playes,
+And with the same fill every hill and dale.
+  [* _Virelayes_, roundelays.]
+  [** _Dight_, deck.]
+
+"Let bagpipe never more be heard to shrill,
+That may allure the senses to delight,
+Ne ever shepheard sound his oaten quill                              325
+Unto the many*, that provoke them might
+To idle pleasance; but let ghastlinesse
+And drearie horror dim the chearfull light,
+To make the image of true heavinesse.
+  [* _Many_, company.]
+
+"Let birds be silent on the naked spray,                             330
+And shady woods resound with dreadfull yells;
+Let streaming floods their hastie courses stay,
+And parching drouth drie up the cristall wells;
+Let th'earth be barren, and bring foorth no flowres,
+And th'ayre be fild with noyse of dolefull knells,                   335
+And wandring spirits walke untimely howres.
+
+"And Nature, nurse of every living thing,
+Let rest her selfe from her long wearinesse,
+And cease henceforth things kindly forth to bring,
+But hideous monsters full of uglinesse;                              340
+For she it is that hath me done this wrong;
+No nurse, but stepdame cruell, mercilesse.
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+
+
+IV.
+
+
+"My little flock, whom earst I lov'd so well,
+And wont to feed with finest grasse that grew,                       345
+Feede ye hencefoorth on bitter astrofell*,
+And stinking smallage, and unsaverie rew;
+And when your mawes are with those weeds corrupted,
+Be ye the pray of wolves; ne will I rew
+That with your carkasses wild beasts be glutted.                     350
+  [* _Astrofell_, (probably) starwort. See _Astrophel_, v. 184-196.]
+
+"Ne worse to you, my sillie sheepe, I pray,
+Ne sorer vengeance wish on you to fall
+Than to my selfe, for whose confusde decay**
+To carelesse heavens I doo daylie call;
+But heavens refuse to heare a wretches cry;                          355
+And cruell Death doth scorn to come at call,
+Or graunt his boone that most desires to dye.
+  [* _Decay_, destruction.]
+
+"The good and righteous he away doth take,
+To plague th'unrighteous which alive remaine;
+But the ungodly ones he doth forsake,                                360
+By living long to multiplie their paine;
+Else surely death should be no punishment,
+As the Great Iudge at first did it ordaine,
+But rather riddance from long languishment.
+
+"Therefore, my Daphne they have tane away;                           365
+For worthie of a better place was she:
+But me unworthie willed here to stay,
+That with her lacke I might tormented be.
+Sith then they so have ordred, I will pay
+Penance to her, according* their decree,                             370
+And to her ghost doe service day by day.
+  [* _According_, according to.]
+
+"For I will walke this wandring pilgrimage,
+Throughout the world from one to other end,
+And in affliction waste my better age:
+My bread shall be the anguish of my mynd,                            375
+My drink the teares which fro mine eyes do raine,
+My bed the ground that hardest I may fynd;
+So will I wilfully increase my paine.
+
+"And she, my love that was, my saint that is,
+When she beholds from her celestiall throne                          380
+(In which shee ioyeth in eternall blis)
+My bitter penance, will my case bemone,
+And pittie me that living thus doo die;
+For heavenly spirits have compassion
+On mortall men, and rue their miserie.                               385
+
+"So when I have with sorrow satisfyde
+Th'importune Fates which vengeance on me seeks,
+And th'heavens with long languor pacifyde,
+She, for pure pitie of my sufferance meeke,
+Will send for me; for which I daily long,                            390
+And will till then my painfull penance eeke,
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+
+
+V.
+
+"Hencefoorth I hate whatever Nature made,
+And in her workmanship no pleasure finde,
+For they be all but vaine, and quickly fade                          395
+So soone as on them blowes the northern winde;
+They tarrie not, but flit and fall away,
+Leaving behind them nought but griefe of minde,
+And mocking such as thinke they long will stay.
+
+"I hate the heaven, because it doth withhould                        400
+Me from my love, and eke my love from me;
+I hate the earth, because it is the mould
+Of fleshly slime and fraile mortalitie;
+I hate the fire, because to nought it flyes;
+I hate the ayre, because sighes of it be;                            405
+I hate the sea, because it teares supplyes.
+
+"I hate the day, because it lendeth light
+To see all things, and not my love to see;
+I hate the darknesse and the dreary night,
+Because they breed sad balefulnesse in mee;                          410
+I hate all times, because all times doo fly
+So fast away, and may not stayed bee,
+But as a speedie post that passeth by.
+
+"I hate to speake, my voyce is spent with crying;
+I hate to heare, lowd plaints have duld mine eares;
+I hate to tast, for food withholds my dying;                         416
+I hate to see, mine eyes are dimd with teares;
+I hate to smell, no sweet on earth is left;
+I hate to feele, my flesh is numbd with feares:
+So all my senses from me are bereft.                                 420
+
+"I hate all men, and shun all womankinde;
+The one, because as I they wretched are;
+The other, for because I doo not finde
+My love with them, that wont to be their starre.
+And life I hate, because it will not last;                           425
+And death I hate, because it life doth marre;
+And all I hate that is to come or past.
+
+"So all the world, and all in it I hate,
+Because it changeth ever to and fro,
+And never standeth in one certaine state,                            430
+But, still unstedfast, round about doth goe
+Like a mill-wheele in midst of miserie,
+Driven with streames of wretchednesse and woe,
+That dying lives, and living still does dye.
+
+"So doo I live, so doo I daylie die,                                 435
+And pine away in selfe-consuming paine!
+Sith she that did my vitall powres supplie,
+And feeble spirits in their force maintaine,
+Is fetcht fro me, why seeke I to prolong
+My wearie daies in dolour and disdalne!                              440
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+
+
+IV.
+
+"Why doo I longer live in lifes despight,
+And doo not dye then in despight of death!
+Why doo I longer see this loathsome light,
+And doo in darknesse not abridge my breath,                          445
+Sith all my sorrow should have end thereby,
+And cares finde quiet! Is it so uneath*
+To leave this life, or dolorous to dye?
+  [* _Uneath_, difficult.]
+
+"To live I finde it deadly dolorous,
+For life drawes care, and care continuall woe;                       450
+Therefore to dye must needes be ioyeous,
+And wishfull thing this sad life to forgoe.
+But I must stay; I may it not amend;
+My Daphne hence departing bad me so;
+She bad me stay, till she for me did send.                           455
+
+"Yet, whilest I in this wretched vale doo stay,
+My wearie feete shall ever wandring be,
+That still I may be readie on my way
+When, as her messenger doth come for me;
+Ne will I rest my feete for feeblenesse,                             460
+Ne will I rest my limmes for frailtie,
+Ne will I rest mine eyes for heavinesse.
+
+"But, as the mother of the gods, that sought
+For faire Euridyce, her daughter dere,
+Throughout the world, with wofull heavie thought,
+So will I travell whilest I tarrie heere,                            466
+Ne will I lodge, ne will I ever lin*,
+Ne, when as drouping Titan draweth nere
+To loose his teeme, will I take up my inne**.
+[* _Lin_, cease.]
+[** _Inne_, lodging.]
+
+"Ne sleepe, the harbenger* of wearie wights,                         470
+Shall ever lodge upon mine eye-lids more,
+Ne shall with rest refresh my fainting sprights,
+Nor failing force to former strength restore:
+But I will wake and sorrow all the night
+With Philumene*, my fortune to deplore;                              475
+With Philumene, the partner of my plight.
+  [* _Harbenger_, one who provides lodging or repose.]
+  [** _Philumene_, Philomel.]
+
+
+"And ever as I see the starre to fall,
+And under ground to goe to give them light
+Which dwell in darknesse, I to mind will call
+How my faire starre, that shind on me so bright,                     480
+Fell sodainly and faded under ground;
+Since whose departure, day is turnd to night,
+And night without a Venus starre is found.
+
+"But soon as day doth shew his deawie face,
+And cals foorth men unto their toylsome trade,                       485
+I will withdraw me to some darkesome place,
+Or some dere* cave, or solitarie shade;
+There will I sigh, and sorrow all day long,
+And the huge burden of my cares unlade.                              489
+Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.
+  [* Qu. _derne_, lonely? Or, _drere?_]
+
+
+VII.
+
+
+"Henceforth mine eyes shall never more behold
+Faire thing on earth, ne feed on false delight
+Of ought that framed is of mortall mould,
+Sith that my fairest flower is faded quight;
+For all I see is vaine and transitorie,                              495
+Ne will be held in any stedfast plight,
+But in a moment loose their grace and glorie.
+
+"And ye, fond Men! on Fortunes wheele that ride,
+Or in ought under heaven repose assurance,
+Be it riches, beautie, or honours pride,                             500
+Be sure that they shall have no long endurance,
+But ere ye be aware will flit away;
+For nought of them is yours, but th'only usance
+Of a small time, which none ascertains may.
+
+"And ye, true Lovers! whom desastrous chaunce,                       505
+Hath farre exiled from your ladies grace,
+To mourne in sorrow and sad sufferauncc,
+When ye doe heare me in that desert place
+Lamenting loud my Daphnes elegie,
+Helpe me to waile my miserable case,                                 510
+And when life parts vouchsafe to close mine eye.
+
+"And ye, more happie Lovers! which enioy
+The presence of your dearest loves delight,
+"When ye doe heare my sorrowfull annoy,
+Yet pittie me in your empassiond spright,                            515
+And thinke that such mishap as chaunst to me
+May happen unto the most happiest wight;
+For all mens states alike unstedfast be.
+
+"And ye, ray fellow Shepheards! which do feed
+Your carelesse flocks on hils and open plaines,                      520
+With better fortune than did me succeed,
+Remember yet my undeserved paines;
+And when ye heare that I am dead or slaine,
+Lament my lot, and tell your fellow-swaines
+That sad Aleyon dyde in lifes disdaine.                              525
+
+"And ye, faire Damsels! shepheards deare delights,
+That with your loves do their rude hearts possesse,
+When as my hearse shall happen to your sightes,
+Vouchsafe to deck the same with cyparesse;
+And ever sprinckle brackish teares among,                            530
+In pitie of my undeserv'd distresse,
+The which, I, wretch, endured have thus long.
+
+"And ye, poore Pilgrims! that with restlesse toyle
+Wearie your selves in wandring desart wayes,
+Till that you come where ye your vowes assoyle*,                     535
+When passing by ye reade these wofull layes
+On my grave written, rue my Daphnes wrong,
+And mourne for me that languish out my dayes.
+Cease, Shepheard! cease, and end thy undersong."
+  [* _Assoyle_, absolve, pay.]
+
+Thus when he ended had his heavie plaint,                            540
+The heaviest plaint that ever I heard sound,
+His cheekes wext pale, and sprights began to faint,
+As if againe he would have fallen to ground;
+Which when I saw, I, stepping to him light,
+Amooved* him out of his stonie swound,                               545
+And gan him to recomfort as I might.
+  [* _Amooved_, roused.]
+
+But he no waie recomforted would be,
+Nor suffer solace to approach him nie,
+But, casting up a sdeinfull eie at me,
+That in his traunce I would not let him lie,                         550
+Did rend his haire, and beat his blubbred face,
+As one disposed wilfullie to die,
+That I sore griev'd to see his wretched case.
+
+Tho when the pang was somewhat overpast,
+And the outragious passion nigh appeased,                            555
+I him desyrde, sith daie was overcast
+And darke night fast approched, to be pleased
+To turne aside unto my cabinet*,
+And staie with me, till he were better eased
+Of that strong stownd** which him so sore beset.                     560
+  [* _Cabinet_, cabin.]
+  [** _Stownd_, mood, paroxysm of grief.]
+
+But by no meanes I could him win thereto,
+Ne longer him intreate with me to staie,
+But without taking leave he foorth did goe
+With staggring pace and dismall looks dismay,
+As if that Death he in the face had seene,                           565
+Or hellish hags had met upon the way:
+But what of him became I cannot weene.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+AMORETTI
+
+AND
+
+EPITHALAMION.
+
+WRITTEN NOT LONG SINCE BY
+
+EDMUNDE SPENSER.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+PRINTED FOR WILLIAM POSBONBY.
+
+1595.
+
+
+G. W. SENIOR*,
+TO THE AUTHOR.
+[* These commendatory Sonnets first appeared in the first folio edition
+of Spenser's entire works (1611). G. W., as Todd conjectures, may be
+George Whetstone. C.]
+
+Darke is the day when Phoebus face is shrowded,
+And weaker sights may wander soone astray;
+But when they see his glorious raies unclowded,
+With steddy steps they keepe the perfect way:
+So, while this Muse in forraine land doth stay,
+Invention weepes, and pennes are cast aside;
+The time, like night, deprivd of chearfull day;
+And few doe write, but ah! too soone may slide.
+Then his thee home, that art our perfect guide,
+And with thy wit illustrate Englands fame,
+Daunting therby our neighbors ancient pride,
+That do for Poesie challenge chiefest name:
+
+  So we that live, and ages that succeed,
+  With great applause thy learned works shall reed.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Ah! Colin, whether on the lowly plaine,
+Piping to shepheards thy sweet roundelayes,
+Or whether singing, in some loftie vaine,
+Heroicke deeds of past or present dayes,
+Or whether in thy lovely mistresse praise
+Thou list to exercise thy learned quill,
+Thy Muse hath got such grace and power to please,
+With rare invention, beautified by skill,
+As who therin can ever ioy their fill!
+O, therefore let that happy Muse proceed
+To clime the height of Vertues sacred hill,
+Where endlesse honour shal be made thy meed:
+  Because no malice of succeeding dales
+  Can rase those records of thy lasting praise.
+
+G. W. I[unior].
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+AMORETTI.[*]
+
+[* These Sonnets furnish us with a circumstantial and very interesting
+history of Spenser's second courtship, which, after many repulses, was
+successfully terminated by the marriage celebrated in the
+_Epithalamion_. As these poems were entered in the Stationers' Registers
+on the 19th of November, 1594, we may infer that they cover a period of
+time extending from the end of 1592 to the summer of 1594. It is
+possible, however, that these last dates may be a year too late, and
+that Spenser was married in 1593. We cannot be sure of the year, but we
+know, from the 266th verse of the Epithalamion, that the day was the
+feast of St. Barnabas, June 11 of the Old Style. In the 74th sonnet we
+are directly told that the lady's name was Elizabeth. In the 61st, she
+is said to be of the "Brood of Angels, heavenly born." From this and
+many similar expressions, interpreted by the laws of Anagram, and taken
+in conjunction with various circumstances which do not require to be
+stated here, it may be inferred that her surname was Nagle. C.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+I.
+
+Happy, ye leaves! when as those lilly hands
+Which hold my life in their dead-doing might
+Shall handle you, and hold in loves soft bands,
+Lyke captives trembling at the victors sight.
+And happy lines! on which, with starry light.
+Those lamping eyes will deigne sometimes to look,
+And reade the sorrowes of my dying spright,
+And happy rymes! bath'd in the sacred brooke
+Of Helicon, whence she derived is.
+When ye behold that Angels blessed looke,
+My soules long-lacked food, my heavens blis,
+  Leaves, lines, and rymes, seeke her to please alone,
+  Whom if ye please, I care for other none!
+
+
+II.
+
+Unquiet thought! whom at the first I bred
+Of th'inward bale of my love-pined hart,
+And sithens have with sighes and sorrowes fed,
+Till greater then my wombe thou woxen art,
+Breake forth at length out of the inner part,
+In which thou lurkest lyke to vipers brood,
+And seeke some succour both to ease my smart,
+And also to sustayne thy selfe with food.
+But if in presence of that fayrest Proud
+Thou chance to come, fall lowly at her feet;
+And with meek humblesse and afflicted mood
+Pardon for thee, and grace for me, intreat:
+  Which if she graunt, then live, and my love cherish:
+  If not, die soone, and I with thee will perish.
+
+
+III.
+
+The soverayne beauty which I doo admyre,
+Witnesse the world how worthy to be prayzed!
+The light wherof hath kindled heavenly fyre
+In my fraile spirit, by her from basenesse raysed;
+That being now with her huge brightnesse dazed,
+Base thing I can no more endure to view:
+But, looking still on her, I stand amazed
+At wondrous sight of so celestiall hew.
+So when my toung would speak her praises dew,
+It stopped is with thoughts astonishment;
+And when my pen would write her titles true,
+It ravisht is with fancies wonderment:
+  Yet in my hart I then both speak and write
+  The wonder that my wit cannot endite.
+
+
+IV.
+
+New yeare, forth looking out of Ianus gate,
+Doth seeme to promise hope of new delight,
+And, bidding th'old adieu, his passed date
+Bids all old thoughts to die in dumpish* spright;
+And calling forth out of sad Winters night
+Fresh Love, that long hath slept in cheerlesse bower,
+Wils him awake, and soone about him dight
+His wanton wings and darts of deadly power.
+For lusty Spring now in his timely howre
+Is ready to come forth, him to receive;
+And warns the Earth with divers colord flowre
+To decke hir selfe, and her faire mantle weave.
+  Then you, faire flowre! in whom fresh youth doth raine,
+  Prepare your selfe new love to entertaine.
+[l _Dumpish_, mournful.]
+
+
+V.
+
+Rudely thou wrongest my deare harts desire,
+In finding fault with her too portly pride:
+The thing which I doo most in her admire,
+Is of the world unworthy most envide.
+For in those lofty lookes is close implide
+Scorn of base things, and sdeigne of foul dishonor;
+Thretning rash eies which gaze on her so wide,
+That loosely they ne dare to looke upon her.
+Such pride is praise, such portlinesse is honor,
+That boldned innocence beares in hir eies,
+And her faire countenaunce, like a goodly banner,
+Spreds in defiaunce of all enemies.
+  Was never in this world ought worthy tride*,
+  Without some spark of such self-pleasing pride.
+[* _Tride_, found.]
+
+
+VI.
+
+Be nought dismayd that her unmoved mind
+Doth still persist in her rebellious pride:
+Such love, not lyke to lusts of baser kynd,
+The harder wonne, the firmer will abide.
+The durefull oake whose sap is not yet dride
+Is long ere it conceive the kindling fyre;
+But when it once doth burne, it doth divide
+Great heat, and makes his flames to heaven aspire.
+So hard it is to kindle new desire
+In gentle brest, that shall endure for ever:
+Deepe is the wound that dints the parts entire*
+With chaste affects, that naught but death can sever.
+  Then thinke not long in taking litle paine
+  To knit the knot that ever shall remaine.
+[* _Entire_, inward.]
+
+
+VII.
+
+Fayre eyes! the myrrour of my mazed hart,
+What wondrous vertue is contayn'd in you,
+The which both lyfe and death forth from you dart
+Into the obiect of your mighty view?
+For when ye mildly looke with lovely hew,
+Then is my soule with life and love inspired:
+But when ye lowre, or looke on me askew,
+Then do I die, as one with lightning fyred.
+But since that lyfe is more then death desyred,
+Looke ever lovely, as becomes you best;
+That your bright beams, of my weak eies admyred,
+May kindle living fire within my brest.
+   Such life should be the honor of your light,
+   Such death the sad ensample of your might.
+
+
+VIII
+
+More then most faire, full of the living fire
+Kindled above unto the Maker nere,
+No eies, but ioyes, in which al powers conspire,
+That to the world naught else be counted deare!
+Thrugh your bright beams doth not the blinded guest
+Shoot out his darts to base affections wound;
+But angels come, to lead fraile mindes to rest
+In chast desires, on heavenly beauty bound.
+You frame my thoughts, and fashion me within;
+You stop my toung, and teach my hart to speake;
+You calme the storme that passion did begin,
+Strong thrugh your cause, but by your vertue weak.
+   Dark is the world where your light shined never;
+   Well is he borne that may behold you ever.
+
+
+IX.
+
+Long-while I sought to what I might compare
+Those powrefull eies which lighten my dark spright;
+Yet find I nought on earth, to which I dare
+Resemble th'ymage of their goodly light.
+Not to the sun, for they doo shine by night;
+Nor to the moone, for they are changed never;
+Nor to the starres, for they have purer sight;
+Nor to the fire, for they consume not ever;
+Nor to the lightning, for they still persever;
+Nor to the diamond, for they are more tender;
+Nor unto cristall, for nought may them sever;
+Nor unto glasse, such basenesse mought offend her.
+  Then to the Maker selfe they likest be,
+  Whose light doth lighten all that here we see.
+
+
+X.
+
+Unrighteous Lord of love, what law is this,
+That me thou makest thus tormented be,
+The whiles she lordeth in licentious blisse
+Of her freewill, scorning both thee and me?
+See! how the Tyrannesse doth ioy to see
+The hugh massacres which her eyes do make,
+And humbled harts brings captive unto thee,
+That thou of them mayst mightie vengeance take.
+But her proud hart doe thou a little shake,
+And that high look, with which she doth comptroll
+All this worlds pride, bow to a baser make*,
+And al her faults in thy black booke enroll:
+  That I may laugh at her in equall sort
+  As she doth laugh at me, and makes my pain her sport.
+[* _Make_, mate.]
+
+
+XI.
+
+Dayly when I do seeke and sew for peace,
+And hostages doe offer for ray truth,
+She, cruell warriour, doth her selfe addresse
+To battell, and the weary war renew'th;
+Ne wilbe moov'd, with reason or with rewth*,
+To graunt small respit to my restlesse toile;
+But greedily her fell intent poursewth,
+Of my poore life to make unpittied spoile.
+Yet my poore life, all sorrowes to assoyle,
+I would her yield, her wrath to pacify;
+But then she seeks, with torment and turmoyle,
+To force me live, and will not let me dy.
+  All paine hath end, and every war hafh peace;
+  But mine, no price nor prayer may surcease.
+[* _Rewth_, ruth, pity.]
+
+
+XII.
+
+One day I sought with her hart-thrilling eies
+To make a truce, and termes to entertaine;
+All fearlesse then of so false enimies,
+Which sought me to entrap in treasons traine.
+So, as I then disarmed did remaine,
+A wicked ambush, which lay hidden long
+In the close covert of her guilful eyen,
+Thence breaking forth, did thick about me throng.
+Too feeble I t'abide the brunt so strong,
+Was forst to yield my selfe into their hands;
+Who, me captiving streight with rigorous wrong,
+Have ever since kept me in cruell bands.
+  So, Ladie, now to you I doo complaine
+  Against your eies, that iustice I may gaine.
+
+
+XIII.
+
+In that proud port which her so goodly graceth,
+Whiles her faire face she reares up to the skie,
+And to the ground her eie-lids low embaseth,
+Most goodly temperature ye may descry;
+Myld humblesse mixt with awful! maiestie.
+For, looking on the earth whence she was borne,
+Her minde remembreth her mortalitie,
+Whatso is fayrest shall to earth returne.
+But that same lofty countenance seemes to scorne
+Base thing, and thinke how she to heaven may clime;
+Treading downe earth as lothsome and forlorne,
+That hinders heavenly thoughts with drossy slime.
+  Yet lowly still vouchsafe to looke on me;
+  Such lowlinesse shall make you lofty be.
+
+
+XIV.
+
+Retourne agayne, my forces late dismayd,
+Unto the siege by you abandon'd quite.
+Great shame it is to leave, like one afrayd,
+So fayre a peece* for one repulse so light.
+'Gaynst such strong castles needeth greater might
+Then those small forts which ye were wont belay**:
+Such haughty mynds, enur'd to hardy fight,
+Disdayne to yield unto the first assay.
+Bring therefore all the forces that ye may,
+And lay incessant battery to her heart;
+Playnts, prayers, vowes, ruth, sorrow, and dismay;
+Those engins can the proudest love convert:
+   And, if those fayle, fall down and dy before her;
+   So dying live, and living do adore her.
+[l _Peece_, fortress.]
+[** _Belay_, beleaguer.]
+
+
+XV.
+
+Ye tradefull Merchants, that, with weary toyle,
+Do seeke most pretious things to make your gain,
+And both the Indias of their treasure spoile,
+What needeth you to seeke so farre in vaine?
+For loe, my Love doth in her selfe containe
+All this worlds riches that may farre be found:
+If saphyres, loe, her eies be saphyres plaine;
+If rubies, loe, hir lips be rubies sound;
+If pearles, hir teeth be pearles, both pure and round;
+If yvorie, her forhead yvory weene;
+If gold, her locks are finest gold on ground;
+If silver, her faire hands are silver sheene:
+   But that which fairest is but few behold:--
+   Her mind adornd with vertues manifold.
+
+
+XVI.
+
+One day as I unwarily did gaze
+On those fayre eyes, my loves immortall light,
+The whiles my stonisht hart stood in amaze,
+Through sweet illusion of her lookes delight,
+I mote perceive how, in her glauncing sight,
+Legions of Loves with little wings did fly,
+Darting their deadly arrows, fyry bright,
+At every rash beholder passing by.
+One of those archers closely I did spy,
+Ayming his arrow at my very hart:
+When suddenly, with twincle of her eye,
+The damzell broke his misintended dart.
+   Had she not so doon, sure I had bene slayne;
+   Yet as it was, I hardly scap't with paine.
+
+
+XVII.
+
+The glorious pourtraict of that angels face,
+Made to amaze weake mens confused skil,
+And this worlds worthlesse glory to embase,
+What pen, what pencil!, can expresse her fill?
+For though he colours could devize at will,
+And eke his learned hand at pleasure guide,
+Least, trembling, it his workmanship should spill*,
+Yet many wondrous things there are beside:
+The sweet eye-glaunces, that like arrowes glide,
+The charming smiles, that rob sence from the hart,
+The lovely pleasance, and the lofty pride,
+Cannot expressed be by any art.
+  A greater craftesmans hand thereto doth neede,
+  That can expresse the life of things indeed.
+[l _Spill_, spoil.]
+
+
+XVIII.
+
+The rolling wheele that runneth often round,
+The hardest steele, in tract of time doth teare:
+And drizling drops, that often doe redound*,
+The firmest flint doth in continuance weare:
+Yet cannot I, with many a drooping teare
+And long intreaty, soften her hard hart,
+That she will once vouchsafe my plaint to heare,
+Or looke with pitty on my payneful smart.
+But when I pleade, she bids me play my part;
+And when I weep, she sayes, teares are but water;
+And when I sigh, she sayes, I know the art;
+And when I waile, she turnes hir selfe to laughter.
+  So do I weepe, and wayle, and pleade in vaine,
+  Whiles she as steele and flint doth still remayne.
+[* _Redound_, overflow.]
+
+
+XIX.
+
+The merry cuckow, messenger of Spring,
+His trompet shrill hath thrise already sounded.
+That warnes al lovers wayte upon their king,
+Who now is coming forth with girland crouned.
+With noyse whereof the quyre of byrds resounded
+Their anthemes sweet, devized of loves prayse,
+That all the woods theyr ecchoes back rebounded,
+As if they knew the meaning of their layes.
+But mongst them all which did Loves honor rayse,
+No word was heard of her that most it ought;
+But she his precept proudly disobayes,
+And doth his ydle message set at nought.
+  Therefore, O Love, unlesse she turne to thee
+  Ere cuckow end, let her a rebell be!
+
+
+XX.
+
+In vaine I seeke and sew to her for grace,
+And doe myne humbled hart before her poure,
+The whiles her foot she in my necke doth place,
+And tread my life downe in the lowly floure*.
+And yet the lyon, that is lord of power,
+And reigneth over every beast in field,
+In his most pride disdeigneth to devoure
+The silly lambe that to his might doth yield.
+But she, more cruell and more salvage wylde
+Than either lyon or the lyonesse,
+Shames not to be with guiltlesse bloud defylde,
+But taketh glory in her cruelnesse.
+  Fayrer then fayrest! let none ever say
+  That ye were blooded in a yeelded pray.
+[* _Floure_, floor, ground.]
+
+
+XXI.
+
+Was it the worke of Nature or of Art,
+Which tempred so the feature of her face,
+That pride and meeknesse, mist by equall part,
+Doe both appeare t'adorne her beauties grace?
+For with mild pleasance, which doth pride displace,
+She to her love doth lookers eyes allure;
+And with stern countenance back again doth chace
+Their looser lookes that stir up lustes impure.
+With such strange termes* her eyes she doth inure,
+That with one looke she doth my life dismay,
+And with another doth it streight recure:
+Her smile me drawes; her frowne me drives away.
+  Thus doth she traine and teach me with her lookes;
+  Such art of eyes I never read in bookes!
+[* _Termes_, extremes (?).]
+
+
+XXII.
+
+This holy season*, fit to fast and pray,
+Men to devotion ought to be inclynd:
+Therefore, I lykewise, on so holy day,
+For my sweet saynt some service fit will find.
+Her temple fayre is built within my mind,
+In which her glorious ymage placed is;
+On which my thoughts doo day and night attend,
+Lyke sacred priests that never thinke amisse.
+There I to her, as th'author of my blisse,
+Will builde an altar to appease her yre;
+And on the same my hart will sacrifise,
+Burning in flames of pure and chaste desyre:
+  The which vouchsafe, O Goddesse, to accept,
+  Amongst thy deerest relicks to be kept.
+[* I.e. Easter.]
+
+
+XXIII.
+
+Penelope, for her Ulisses sake,
+Deviz'd a web her wooers to deceave;
+In which the worke that she all day did make,
+The same at night she did againe unreave.
+Such subtile craft my damzell doth conceave,
+Th'importune suit of my desire to shonne:
+For all that I in many dayes do weave,
+In one short houre I find by her undonne.
+So when I thinke to end that I begonne,
+I must begin and never bring to end:
+For with one looke she spils that long I sponne,
+And with one word my whole years work doth rend.
+  Such labour like the spyders web I fynd,
+  Whose fruitlesse worke is broken with least wynd.
+
+
+XXIV.
+
+When I behold that beauties wonderment,
+And rare perfection of each goodly part,
+Of Natures skill the onely complement,
+I honor and admire the Makers art.
+But when I feele the bitter balefull smart
+Which her fayre eyes unwares doe worke in mee,
+That death out of theyr shiny beames doe dart,
+I thinke that I a new Pandora see,
+Whom all the gods in councell did agree
+Into this sinfull world from heaven to send,
+That she to wicked men a scourge should bee,
+For all their faults with which they did offend.
+  But since ye are my scourge, I will intreat
+  That for my faults ye will me gently beat.
+
+
+XXV.
+
+How long shall this lyke-dying lyfe endure,
+And know no end of her owne mysery,
+But wast and weare away in termes unsure,
+'Twixt feare and hope depending doubtfully!
+Yet better were attonce to let me die,
+And shew the last ensample of your pride,
+Then to torment me thus with cruelty,
+To prove your powre, which I too wel have tride.
+But yet if in your hardned brest ye bide
+A close intent at last to shew me grace,
+Then all the woes and wrecks which I abide,
+As meanes of blisse I gladly wil embrace;
+  And wish that more and greater they might be,
+  That greater meede at last may turne to mee.
+
+
+XXVI.
+
+Sweet is the rose, but growes upon a brere;
+Sweet is the iunipeer; but sharpe his bough;
+Sweet is the eglantine, but pricketh nere;
+Sweet is the firbloome, but his braunches rough*;
+Sweet is the cypresse, but his rynd is rough;
+Sweet is the nut, but bitter is his pill**;
+Sweet is the broome-flowre, but yet sowre enough;
+And sweet is moly, but his root is ill.
+So every sweet with soure is tempred still,
+That maketh it be coveted the more:
+For easie things, that may be got at will,
+Most sorts of men doe set but little store.
+  Why then should I accompt of little paine,
+  That endlesse pleasure shall unto me gaine!
+[* I.e. raw, crude.]
+[** _Pill_, peel.]
+
+
+XXVII.
+
+Faire Proud! now tell me, why should faire be proud,
+Sith all worlds glorie is but drosse uncleane,
+And in the shade of death it selfe shall shroud,
+However now thereof ye little weene!
+That goodly idoll, now so gay beseene*,
+Shall doffe her fleshes borrowd fayre attyre,
+And be forgot as it had never beene,
+That many now much worship and admire!
+Ne any then shall after it inquire,
+Ne any mention shall thereof remaine,
+But what this verse, that never shall expyre,
+Shall to you purchas with her thankles pain!
+  Faire! be no lenger proud of that shall perish,
+  But that which shall you make immortall cherish.
+[* _Beseene_, appearing.]
+
+
+XVIII.
+
+The laurel-leafe which you this day doe weare
+Gives me great hope of your relenting mynd:
+For since it is the badge which I doe beare*,
+Ye, bearing it, doe seeme to me inclind.
+The powre thereof, which ofte in me I find,
+Let it likewise your gentle brest inspire
+With sweet infusion, and put you in mind
+Of that proud mayd whom now those leaves attyre:
+Proud Daphne, scorning Phrebus lovely** fyre,
+On the Thessalian shore from him did flie;
+For which the gods, in theyr revengefull yre,
+Did her transforme into a laurell-tree.
+  Then fly no more, fayre Love, from Phebus chace,
+  But in your brest his leafe and love embrace.
+[* I. e. as poet-laureate.]
+[** _Lovely_, loving.]
+
+
+XXIX.
+
+See! how the stubborne damzell doth deprave
+My simple meaning with disdaynfull scorne,
+And by the bay which I unto her gave
+Accoumpts my self her captive quite forlorne.
+The bay, quoth she, is of the victours born,
+Yielded them by the vanquisht as theyr meeds,
+And they therewith doe poetes heads adorne,
+To sing the glory of their famous deeds.
+But sith she will the conquest challeng needs,
+Let her accept me as her faithfull thrall;
+That her great triumph, which my skill exceeds,
+I may in trump of fame blaze over all.
+  Then would I decke her head with glorious bayes,
+  And fill the world with her victorious prayse.
+
+
+XXX.
+
+My Love is lyke to yse, and I to fyre:
+How comes it then that this her cold so great
+Is not dissolv'd through my so hot desyre,
+But harder growes the more I her intreat?
+Or how comes it that my exceeding heat
+Is not delayd* by her hart-frosen cold,
+But that I burne much more in boyling sweat,
+And feele my flames augmented manifold?
+What more miraculous thing may be told,
+That fire, which all things melts, should harden yse,
+And yse, which is congeald with sencelesse cold,
+Should kindle fyre by wonderful devyse?
+  Such is the powre of love in gentle mind,
+  That it can alter all the course of kynd.
+[* _Delayd_, tempered.]
+
+
+XXXI.
+
+Ah! why hath Nature to so hard a hart
+Given so goodly giftes of beauties grace,
+Whose pryde depraves each other better part,
+And all those pretious ornaments deface?
+Sith to all other beastes of bloody race
+A dreadfull countenance she given hath,
+That with theyr terrour all the rest may chace,
+And warne to shun the daunger of theyr wrath.
+But my proud one doth worke the greater scath*,
+Through sweet allurement of her lovely hew,
+That she the better may in bloody bath
+Of such poore thralls her cruell hands embrew.
+  But did she know how ill these two accord,
+  Such cruelty she would have soone abhord.
+[* _Scath_, injury.]
+
+
+XXXII.
+
+The paynefull smith with force of fervent heat
+The hardest yron soone doth mollify,
+That with his heavy sledge he can it beat,
+And fashion to what he it list apply.
+Yet cannot all these flames in which I fry
+Her hart, more hard then yron, soft a whit,
+Ne all the playnts and prayers with which I
+Doe beat on th'andvile of her stubberne wit:
+But still, the more she fervent sees my fit,
+The more she frieseth in her wilfull pryde,
+And harder growes, the harder she is smit
+With all the playnts which to her be applyde.
+  What then remaines but I to ashes burne,
+  And she to stones at length all frosen turne!
+
+
+XXXIII.
+
+Great wrong I doe, I can it not deny,
+To that most sacred empresse, my dear dred,
+Not finishing her Queene of Faery,
+That mote enlarge her living prayses, dead.
+But Lodwick*, this of grace to me aread:
+Do ye not thinck th'accomplishment of it
+Sufficient worke for one mans simple head,
+All were it, as the rest, but rudely writ?
+How then should I, without another wit,
+Thinck ever to endure so tedious toyle,
+Sith that this one is tost with troublous fit
+Of a proud Love, that doth my spirite spoyle?
+  Cease, then, till she vouchsafe to grawnt me rest,
+  Or lend you me another living brest.
+[* I.e. Lodowick Bryskett.]
+
+
+XXXIV.
+
+Lyke as a ship, that through the ocean wyde
+By conduct of some star doth make her way,
+Whenas a storm hath dimd her trusty guyde,
+Out of her course doth wander far astray,
+So I, whose star, that wont with her bright ray
+Me to direct, with cloudes is over-cast,
+Doe wander now in darknesse and dismay,
+Through hidden perils round about me plast.
+Yet hope I well that, when this storme is past,
+My Helice*, the lodestar of ray lyfe,
+Will shine again, and looke on me at last,
+With lovely light to cleare my cloudy grief.
+  Till then I wander carefull, comfortlesse,
+  In secret sorrow and sad pensivenesse.
+[* I. e. Cynosure.]
+
+
+XXXV.
+
+My hungry eyes, through greedy covetize
+Still to behold the obiect of their paine,
+With no contentment can themselves suffize;
+But having, pine, and having not, complaine.
+For lacking it, they cannot lyfe sustayne;
+And having it, they gaze on it the more,
+In their amazement lyke Narcissus vaine,
+Whose eyes him starv'd: so plenty makes me poore.
+Yet are mine eyes so filled with the store
+Of that faire sight, that nothing else they brooke,
+But lothe the things which they did like before,
+And can no more endure on them to looke.
+  All this worlds glory seemeth vayne to me,
+  And all their showes but shadowes, saving she.
+
+
+XXXVI.
+
+Tell me, when shall these wearie woes have end;
+Or shall their ruthlesse torment never cease,
+But al my days in pining languor spend,
+Without hope of asswagement or release?
+Is there no meanes for me to purchace peace,
+Or make agreement with her thrilling eyes;
+But that their cruelty doth still increace,
+And dayly more augment my miseryes?
+But when ye have shew'd all extremityes,
+Then think how little glory ye have gayned
+By slaying him, whose lyfe, though ye despyse,
+Mote have your life in honor long maintayned.
+  But by his death, which some perhaps will mone,
+  Ye shall condemned be of many a one.
+
+
+XXXVII.
+
+What guyle is this, that those her golden tresses
+She doth attyre under a net of gold,
+And with sly skill so cunningly them dresses,
+That which is gold or haire may scarse be told?
+Is it that mens frayle eyes, which gaze too bold,
+She may entangle in that golden snare;
+And, being caught, may craftily enfold
+Their weaker harts, which are not wel aware?
+Take heed therefore, myne eyes, how ye doe stare
+Henceforth too rashly on that guilefull net,
+In which if ever ye entrapped are,
+Out of her bands ye by no meanes shall get.
+  Fondnesse it were for any, being free,
+  To covet fetters, though they golden bee!
+
+
+XXXVIII.
+
+Arion, when, through tempests cruel wracke,
+He forth was thrown into the greedy seas,
+Through the sweet musick which his harp did make
+Allur'd a dolphin him from death to ease.
+But my rude musick, which was wont to please
+Some dainty eares, cannot, with any skill,
+The dreadfull tempest of her wrath appease,
+Nor move the dolphin from her stubborn will.
+But in her pride she dooth persever still,
+All carelesse how my life for her decayes:
+Yet with one word she can it save or spill.
+To spill were pitty, but to save were prayse!
+  Chuse rather to be praysd for doing good,
+  Then to be blam'd for spilling guiltlesse blood.
+
+
+XXXIX.
+
+Sweet smile! the daughter of the Queene of Love,
+Expressing all thy mothers powrefull art,
+With which she wonts to temper angry Iove,
+When all the gods he threats with thundring dart,
+Sweet is thy vertue, as thy selfe sweet art.
+For when on me thou shinedst late in sadnesse,
+A melting pleasance ran through every part,
+And me revived with hart-robbing gladnesse;
+Whylest rapt with ioy resembling heavenly madness,
+My soule was ravisht quite as in a traunce,
+And, feeling thence no more her sorrowes sadnesse,
+Fed on the fulnesse of that chearfull glaunce.
+  More sweet than nectar, or ambrosiall meat,
+  Seem'd every bit which thenceforth I did eat.
+
+
+XL.
+
+Mark when she smiles with amiable cheare,
+And tell me whereto can ye lyken it;
+When on each eyelid sweetly doe appeare
+An hundred Graces as in shade to sit.
+Lykest it seemeth, in my simple wit,
+Unto the fayre sunshine in somers day,
+That, when a dreadfull storme away is flit,
+Thrugh the broad world doth spred his goodly ray
+At sight whereof, each bird that sits on spray.
+And every beast that to his den was fled,
+Comes forth afresh out of their late dismay,
+And to the light lift up their drouping hed.
+  So my storme-beaten hart likewise is cheared
+  With that sunshine, when cloudy looks are cleared.
+[Footnote: XL. 4.--_An hundred Graces._ E.K., in his commentary on the
+Shepheards Calender, quotes a line closely resembling this from
+Spenser's Pageants:
+
+"An hundred Graces on her eyelids sat."
+
+The same fancy occurs in the Faerie Queene, and in the Hymn to Beauty.
+It is copied from a poem ascribed to Musaeus. C.]
+
+
+XLI.
+
+Is it her nature, or is it her will,
+To be so cruell to an humbled foe?
+If nature, then she may it mend with skill;
+If will, then she at will may will forgoe.
+But if her nature and her will be so,
+That she will plague the man that loves her most,
+And take delight t'encrease a wretches woe,
+Then all her natures goodly guifts are lost;
+And that same glorious beauties ydle boast
+Is but a bayt such wretches to beguile,
+As, being long in her loves tempest tost,
+She meanes at last to make her pitious spoyle.
+  O fayrest fayre! let never it be named,
+  That so fayre beauty was so fowly shamed.
+
+
+XLII.
+
+The love which me so cruelly tormenteth
+So pleasing is in my extreamest paine,
+That, all the more my sorrow it augmenteth,
+The more I love and doe embrace my bane.
+Ne do I wish (for wishing were but vaine)
+To be acquit fro my continual smart,
+But ioy her thrall for ever to remayne,
+And yield for pledge my poor and captyved hart,
+The which, that it from her may never start,
+Let her, yf please her, bynd with adamant chayne,
+And from all wandring loves, which mote pervart
+His safe assurance, strongly it restrayne.
+  Onely let her abstaine from cruelty,
+  And doe me not before my time to dy.
+
+
+XLIII.
+
+Shall I then silent be, or shall I speake?
+And if I speake, her wrath renew I shall;
+And if I silent be, my hart will breake,
+Or choked be with overflowing gall.
+What tyranny is this, both my hart to thrall,
+And eke my toung with proud restraint to tie,
+That neither I may speake nor thinke at all,
+But like a stupid stock in silence die!
+Yet I my hart with silence secretly
+Will teach to speak and my just cause to plead,
+And eke mine eies, with meek humility,
+Love-learned letters to her eyes to read;
+Which her deep wit, that true harts thought can spel,
+  Wil soon conceive, and learne to construe well.
+
+
+XLIV.
+
+When those renoumed noble peres of Greece
+Through stubborn pride among themselves did iar,
+Forgetfull of the famous golden fleece,
+Then Orpheus with his harp theyr strife did bar.
+But this continuall, cruell, civill warre
+The which my selfe against my selfe doe make,
+Whilest my weak powres of passions warreid arre,
+No skill can stint, nor reason can aslake.
+But when in hand my tunelesse harp I take,
+Then doe I more augment my foes despight,
+And griefe renew, and passions doe awake
+To battaile, fresh against my selfe to fight.
+  Mongst whome the more I seeke to settle peace,
+  The more I fynd their malice to increace.
+
+
+XLV.
+
+Leave, Lady! in your glasse of cristall clene
+Your goodly selfe for evermore to vew,
+And in my selfe, (my inward selfe I meane,)
+Most lively lyke behold your semblant trew.
+Within my hart, though hardly it can shew
+Thing so divine to vew of earthly eye,
+The fayre idea of your celestiall hew
+And every part remaines immortally:
+And were it not that through your cruelty
+With sorrow dimmed and deform'd it were,
+The goodly ymage of your visnomy*,
+Clearer than cristall, would therein appere.
+  But if your selfe in me ye playne will see,
+  Remove the cause by which your fayre beames darkned be.
+[* _Visnomy_, countenance.]
+
+
+XLVI.
+
+When my abodes prefixed time is spent,
+My cruell fayre streight bids me wend my way:
+But then from heaven most hideous stormes are sent,
+As willing me against her will to stay.
+Whom then shall I--or heaven, or her--obay?
+The heavens know best what is the best for me:
+But as she will, whose will my life doth sway,
+My lower heaven, so it perforce must be.
+But ye high hevens, that all this sorowe see,
+Sith all your tempests cannot hold me backe,
+Aswage your storms, or else both you and she
+Will both together me too sorely wrack.
+  Enough it is for one man to sustaine
+  The stormes which she alone on me doth raine.
+
+
+XLVII.
+
+Trust not the treason of those smyling lookes,
+Untill ye have their guylefull traynes well tryde;
+For they are lyke but unto golden hookes,
+That from the foolish fish theyr bayts do hyde:
+So she with flattring smyles weake harts doth guyde
+Unto her love, and tempte to theyr decay;
+Whome, being caught, she kills with cruell pryde,
+And feeds at pleasure on the wretched pray.
+Yet even whylst her bloody hands them slay,
+Her eyes looke lovely, and upon them smyle,
+That they take pleasure in their cruell play,
+And, dying, doe themselves of payne beguyle.
+  O mighty charm! which makes men love theyr bane,
+  And thinck they dy with pleasure, live with payne.
+
+
+XLVIII.
+
+Innocent paper! whom too cruell hand
+Did make the matter to avenge her yre,
+And ere she could thy cause well understand,
+Did sacrifize unto the greedy fyre,
+Well worthy thou to have found better hyre
+Then so bad end, for hereticks ordayned;
+Yet heresy nor treason didst conspire,
+But plead thy maisters cause, unjustly payned:
+Whom she, all carelesse of his grief, constrayned
+To utter forth the anguish of his hart,
+And would not heare, when he to her complayned
+The piteous passion of his dying smart.
+  Yet live for ever, though against her will,
+  And speake her good, though she requite it ill.
+
+
+XLIX.
+
+Fayre Cruell! why are ye so fierce and cruell?
+Is it because your eyes have powre to kill?
+Then know that mercy is the Mighties iewell,
+And greater glory think to save then spill.
+But if it be your pleasure and proud will
+To shew the powre of your imperious eyes,
+Then not on him that never thought you ill,
+But bend your force against your enemyes.
+Let them feel the utmost of your crueltyes,
+And kill with looks, as cockatrices do:
+But him that at your footstoole humbled lies,
+With mercifull regard give mercy to.
+  Such mercy shall you make admyr'd to be;
+  So shall you live, by giving life to me.
+
+
+L.
+
+Long languishing in double malady
+Of my harts wound and of my bodies griefe,
+There came to me a leach, that would apply
+Fit medcines for my bodies best reliefe.
+Vayne man, quoth I, that hast but little priefe*
+In deep discovery of the mynds disease;
+Is not the hart of all the body chiefe,
+And rules the members as it selfe doth please?
+Then with some cordialls seeke for to appease
+The inward languor of my wounded hart,
+And then my body shall have shortly ease.
+But such sweet cordialls passe physicians art:
+  Then, my lyfes leach! doe you your skill reveale,
+  And with one salve both hart and body heale.
+[* _Priefe_, proof, experience.]
+
+
+LI.
+
+Doe I not see that fayrest ymages
+Of hardest marble are of purpose made,
+For that they should endure through many ages,
+Ne let theyr famous moniments to fade?
+Why then doe I, untrainde in lovers trade,
+Her hardnes blame, which I should more commend?
+Sith never ought was excellent assayde
+Which was not hard t'atchive and bring to end;
+Ne ought so hard, but he that would attend
+Mote soften it and to his will allure.
+So do I hope her stubborne hart to bend,
+And that it then more stedfast will endure:
+  Only my paines wil be the more to get her;
+  But, having her, my ioy wil be the greater.
+
+
+LII.
+
+So oft as homeward I from her depart,
+I go lyke one that, having lost the field,
+Is prisoner led away with heavy hart,
+Despoyld of warlike armes and knowen shield.
+So doe I now my self a prisoner yield
+To sorrow and to solitary paine,
+From presence of my dearest deare exylde,
+Long-while alone in languor to remaine.
+There let no thought of ioy, or pleasure vaine,
+Dare to approch, that may my solace breed;
+Bet sudden* dumps**, and drery sad disdayne
+Of all worlds gladnesse, more my torment feed.
+  So I her absens will my penaunce make,
+  That of her presens I my meed may take.
+[* _Sudden_, Qu. sullen?]
+[** _Dumps_, lamentations.]
+
+
+LIII.
+
+The panther, knowing that his spotted hyde
+Doth please all beasts, but that his looks them fray*,
+Within a bush his dreadful head doth hide,
+To let them gaze, whylst he on them may pray.
+Right so my cruell fayre with me doth play;
+For with the goodly semblance of her hew
+She doth allure me to mine owne decay,
+And then no mercy will unto me shew.
+Great shame it is, thing so divine in view,
+Made for to be the worlds most ornament,
+To make the bayte her gazers to embrew:
+Good shames to be to ill an instrument!
+  But mercy doth with beautie best agree,
+  As in theyr Maker ye them best may see.
+[* _Fray_, frighten.]
+
+
+LIV.
+
+Of this worlds theatre in which we stay,
+My Love, like the spectator, ydly sits,
+Beholding me, that all the pageants play,
+Disguysing diversly my troubled wits.
+Sometimes I ioy when glad occasion fits,
+And mask in myrth lyke to a comedy:
+Soone after, when my ioy to sorrow flits,
+I waile, and make my woes a tragedy.
+Yet she, beholding me with constant eye,
+Delights not in my merth, nor rues my smart:
+But when I laugh, she mocks; and when I cry,
+She laughs, and hardens evermore her hart.
+  What then can move her? If nor merth, nor mone,
+  She is no woman, but a sencelesse stone.
+
+
+LV.
+
+So oft as I her beauty doe behold,
+And therewith doe her cruelty compare,
+I marvaile of what substance was the mould
+The which her made attonce so cruell faire.
+Not earth; for her high thoughts more heavenly are:
+Not water; for her love doth burne like fyre:
+Not ayre; for she is not so light or rare;
+Not fyre; for she doth friese with faint desire.
+Then needs another element inquire,
+Whereof she mote be made; that is, the skye.
+For to the heaven her haughty looks aspire,
+And eke her love is pure immortall hye.
+  Then sith to heaven ye lykened are the best,
+  Be lyke in mercy as in all the rest.
+
+
+LVI.
+
+Fayre ye be sure, but cruell and unkind,
+As is a tygre, that with greedinesse
+Hunts after bloud; when he by chance doth find
+A feeble beast, doth felly him oppresse.
+Fayre be ye sure, but proud and pitilesse,
+As is a storme, that all things doth prostrate;
+Finding a tree alone all comfortlesse,
+Beats on it strongly, it to ruinate.
+Fayre be ye sure, but hard and obstinate,
+As is a rocke amidst the raging floods;
+Gaynst which a ship, of succour desolate,
+Doth suffer wreck both of her selfe and goods.
+  That ship, that tree, and that same beast, am I,
+  Whom ye doe wreck, doe ruine, and destroy.
+
+
+LVII.
+
+Sweet warriour! when shall I have peace with you?
+High time it is this warre now ended were,
+Which I no lenger can endure to sue,
+Ne your incessant battry more to beare.
+So weake my powres, so sore my wounds, appear,
+That wonder is how I should live a iot,
+Seeing my hart through-launced every where
+With thousand arrowes which your eies have shot.
+Yet shoot ye sharpely still, and spare me not,
+But glory thinke to make these cruel stoures*.
+Ye cruell one! what glory can be got,
+In slaying him that would live gladly yours?
+  Make peace therefore, and graunt me timely grace,
+  That al my wounds will heale in little space.
+[* _Stoures_, agitations.]
+
+
+LVIII.
+
+_By her that is most assured to her selfe._
+
+Weake is th'assurance that weake flesh reposeth
+In her own powre, and scorneth others ayde;
+That soonest fals, when as she most supposeth
+Her selfe assur'd, and is of nought affrayd,
+All flesh is frayle, and all her strength unstayd,
+Like a vaine bubble blowen up with ayre:
+Devouring tyme and changeful chance have prayd*
+Her glorious pride, that none may it repayre.
+Ne none so rich or wise, so strong or fayre,
+But fayleth, trusting on his owne assurance:
+And he that standeth on the hyghest stayre
+Fals lowest; for on earth nought hath endurance.
+  Why then doe ye, proud fayre, misdeeme so farre,
+  That to your selfe ye most assured arre!
+
+[Footnote: LVIII.--_By her_, &c. _By_ is perhaps a misprint for _to_; or
+this title may belong to Sonnet LIX. H.]
+[* _Prayd_, preyed upon.]
+
+
+LIX.
+
+Thrise happie she that is so well assured
+Unto her selfe, and setled so in hart,
+That neither will for better be allured,
+Ne feard with worse to any chaunce to start:
+But, like a steddy ship, doth strongly part
+The raging waves, and kcepes her course aright,
+Ne ought for tempest doth from it depart,
+Ne ought for fayrer weathers false delight.
+Such selfe-assurance need not feare the spight
+Of grudging foes, ne favour seek of friends:
+But in the stay of her owne stedfast might,
+Neither to one her selfe nor other bends.
+  Most happy she that most assur'd doth rest;
+  But he most happy who such one loves best.
+
+
+LX.
+
+They that in course of heavenly spheares are skild
+To every planet point his sundry yeare,
+In which her circles voyage is fulfild:
+As Mars in threescore yeares doth run his spheare.
+So, since the winged god his planet cleare
+Began in me to move, one yeare is spent;
+The which doth longer unto me appeare,
+Then al those fourty which my life out-went.
+Then, by that count which lovers books invent,
+The spheare of Cupid fourty yeares containes,
+Which I have wasted in long languishment,
+That seem'd the longer for my greater paines.
+  But let my Loves fayre planet short her wayes
+  This yeare ensuing, or else short my dayes.
+
+[Footnote: LX. 4.--_As Mars in three score yeares_. I do not understand
+Spenser's astronomy. C.]
+
+
+LXI.
+
+The glorious image of the Makers beautie,
+My soverayne saynt, the idoll of my thought,
+Dare not henceforth, above the bounds of dewtie,
+T'accuse of pride, or rashly blame for ought.
+For being, as she is, divinely wrought,
+And of the brood of angels heavenly born,
+And with the crew of blessed saynts upbrought,
+Each of which did her with theyr guifts adorne,
+The bud of ioy, the blossome of the morne,
+The beame of light, whom mortal eyes admyre,
+What reason is it then but she should scorne
+Base things, that to her love too bold aspire!
+  Such heavenly formes ought rather worshipt be,
+  Then dare be lov'd by men of meane degree.
+
+
+LXII.
+
+The weary yeare his race now having run,
+The new begins his compast course anew:
+With shew of morning mylde he bath begun,
+Betokening peace and plenty to ensew.
+So let us, which this chaunge of weather vew,
+Chaunge eke our mynds, and former lives amend;
+The old yeares sinnes forepast let us eschew,
+And fly the faults with which we did offend.
+Then shall the new yeares ioy forth freshly send
+Into the glooming world his gladsome ray,
+And all these stormes, which now his beauty blend*,
+Shall turne to calmes, and tymely cleare away.
+  So, likewise, Love! cheare you your heavy spright,
+  And chaunge old yeares annoy to new delight.
+
+[* _Blend_, blemish.]
+
+
+LXIII.
+
+After long stormes and tempests sad assay,
+Which hardly I endured heretofore,
+In dread of death, and daungerous dismay,
+With which my silly bark was tossed sore,
+I doe at length descry the happy shore,
+In which I hope ere long for to arryve:
+Fayre soyle it seemes from far, and fraught with store
+Of all that deare and daynty is alyve.
+Most happy he that can at last atchyve
+The ioyous safety of so sweet a rest;
+Whose least delight sufficeth to deprive
+Remembrance of all paines which him opprest.
+  All paines are nothing in respect of this;
+  All sorrowes short that gaine eternall blisse.
+
+
+LXIV.
+
+Comming to kisse her lyps, (such grace I found,)
+Me seemd I smelt a gardin of sweet flowres,
+That dainty odours from them threw around,
+For damzels fit to decke their lovers bowres.
+Her lips did smell lyke unto gillyflowers;
+Her ruddy cheekes lyke unto roses red;
+Her snowy browes lyke budded bellamoures;
+Her lovely eyes lyke pincks but newly spred;
+Her goodly bosome lyke a strawberry bed;
+Her neck lyke to a bounch of cullambynes;
+Her brest lyke lillyes, ere their leaves be shed;
+Her nipples lyke young blossomd jessemynes.
+  Such fragrant flowres doe give most odorous smell;
+  But her sweet odour did them all excell.
+
+[Footnote: LXIV. 7.--_Bellamoures_. I have not discovered what flower is
+here meant. C.]
+
+
+LXV.
+
+The doubt which ye misdeeme, fayre Love, is vaine,
+That fondly feare to lose your liberty,
+When, losing one, two liberties ye gayne,
+And make him bond that bondage earst did fly.
+Sweet be the bands the which true love doth tye,
+Without constraynt or dread of any ill:
+The gentle birde feeles no captivity
+Within her cage, but sings, and feeds her fill.
+There pride dare not approch, nor discord spill
+The league twixt them that loyal love hath bound,
+But simple Truth and mutual Good-will
+Seeks with sweet peace to salve each others wound:
+  There Fayth doth fearless dwell in brasen towre,
+  And spotlesse Pleasure builds her sacred bowre.
+
+
+LXVI.
+
+To all those happy blessings which ye have
+With plenteous hand by heaven upon you thrown,
+This one disparagement they to you gave,
+That ye your love lent to so meane a one.
+Ye, whose high worths surpassing paragon
+Could not on earth have found one fit for mate,
+Ne but in heaven matchable to none,
+Why did ye stoup unto so lowly state?
+But ye thereby much greater glory gate,
+Then had ye sorted with a princes pere:
+For now your light doth more it selfe dilate,
+And, in my darknesse, greater doth appeare.
+  Yet, since your light hath once enlumind me,
+  With my reflex yours shall encreased be.
+
+
+LXVII.
+
+Lyke as a huntsman, after weary chace,
+Seeing the game from him escapt away,
+Sits downe to rest him in some shady place,
+With panting hounds, beguiled of their pray,
+So, after long pursuit and vaine assay,
+When I all weary had the chace forsooke,
+The gentle deer returnd the selfe-same way,
+Thinking to quench her thirst at the next brooke.
+There she, beholding me with mylder looke,
+Sought not to fly, but fearlesse still did bide,
+Till I in hand her yet halfe trembling tooke,
+And with her own goodwill her fyrmely tyde.
+  Strange thing, me seemd, to see a beast so wyld
+  So goodly wonne, with her owne will beguyld.
+
+
+LXVIII
+
+Most glorious Lord of lyfe! that on this day
+Didst make thy triumph over death and sin,
+And, having harrowd* hell, didst bring away
+Captivity thence captive, us to win,
+This ioyous day, dear Lord, with ioy begin;
+And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dy,
+Being with thy deare blood clene washt from sin,
+May live for ever in felicity;
+And that thy love we weighing worthily,
+May likewise love thee for the same againe,
+And for thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy.
+With love may one another entertayne!
+  So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought:
+  Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.
+[* _Harrowd_, despoiled.]
+
+
+LXIX.
+
+The famous warriors of the anticke world
+Us'd trophees to erect in stately wize,
+In which they would the records have enrold
+Of theyr great deeds and valorous emprize.
+What trophee then shall I most fit devize,
+In which I may record the memory
+Of my loves conquest, peerlesse beauties prise,
+Adorn'd with honour, love, and chastity!
+Even this verse, vowd to eternity,
+Shall be thereof immortall moniment,
+And tell her praise to all posterity,
+That may admire such worlds rare wonderment;
+  The happy purchase of my glorious spoile,
+  Gotten at last with labour and long toyle.
+
+
+LXX.
+
+Fresh Spring, the herald of loves mighty king,
+In whose cote-armour richly are displayd
+All sorts of flowres the which on earth do spring,
+In goodly colours gloriously arrayd,
+Goe to my Love, where she is carelesse layd,
+Yet in her winters bowre not well awake:
+Tell her the ioyous time wil not be staid,
+Unlesse she doe him by the forelock take;
+Bid her therefore her selfe soone ready make,
+To wayt on Love amongst his lovely crew,
+Where every one that misseth then her make*
+Shall be by him amearst with penance dew.
+  Make haste therefore, sweet Love, while it is prime**;
+  For none can call againe the passed time.
+[* _Make_, mate.]
+[** _Prime_, spring.]
+
+
+LXXI.
+
+I ioy to see how, in your drawen work,
+Your selfe unto the Bee ye doe compare,
+And me unto the Spyder, that doth lurke
+In close awayt, to catch her unaware.
+Right so your selfe were caught in cunning snare
+Of a deare foe, and thralled to his love;
+In whose streight bands ye now captived are
+So firmely, that ye never may remove.
+But as your worke is woven all about
+With woodbynd flowers and fragrant eglantine,
+So sweet your prison you in time shall prove,
+With many deare delights bedecked fyne:
+  And all thensforth eternall peace shall see
+  Betweene the Spyder and the gentle Bee.
+
+
+LXXII.
+
+Oft when my spirit doth spred her bolder winges,
+In mind to mount up to the purest sky,
+It down is weighd with thought of earthly things,
+And clogd with burden of mortality:
+Where, when that soverayne beauty it doth spy,
+Resembling heavens glory in her light,
+Drawn with sweet pleasures bayt it back doth fly,
+And unto heaven forgets her former flight.
+There my fraile fancy, fed with full delight,
+Doth bathe in blisse, and mantlcth most at ease;
+Ne thinks of other heaven, but how it might
+Her harts desire with most contentment please.
+  Hart need not wish none other happinesse,
+  But here on earth to have such hevens blisse.
+
+
+LXXIII
+
+Being my self captyved here in care,
+My hart, (whom none with servile bands can tye,
+But the fayre tresses of your golden hayre,)
+Breaking his prison, forth to you doth fly.
+Like as a byrd, that in ones hand doth spy
+Desired food, to it doth make his flight,
+Even so my hart, that wont on your fayre eye
+To feed his fill, flyes backe unto your sight.
+Doe you him take, and in your bosome bright
+Gently encage, that he may be your thrall:
+Perhaps he there may learne, with rare delight,
+To sing your name and prayses over all:
+  That it hereafter may you not repent,
+  Him lodging in your bosome to have lent.
+
+
+LXXIV
+
+Most happy letters! fram'd by skilfull trade,
+With which that happy name was first desynd
+The which three times thrise happy hath me made,
+With guifts of body, fortune, and of mind.
+The first ray being to me gave by kind,
+From mothers womb deriv'd by dew descent:
+The second is my sovereigne Queene most kind,
+That honour and large richesse to me lent:
+The third my Love, my lives last ornament,
+By whom my spirit out of dust was raysed,
+To speake her prayse and glory excellent,
+Of all alive most worthy to be praysed.
+  Ye three Elizabeths! for ever live,
+  That three such graces did unto me give.
+
+
+LXXV.
+
+One day I wrote her name upon the strand,
+But came the waves and washed it away:
+Agayne I wrote it with a second hand;
+But came the tyde, and made my paynes his pray.
+"Vayne man," sayd she, "that doest in vaine assay
+A mortall thing so to immortalize;
+For I my selve shall lyke to this decay,
+And eke my name bee wyped out lykewize."
+"Not so," quod I; "let baser things devize
+To dy in dust, but you shall live by fame:
+My verse your vertues rare shall eternize,
+And in the hevens wryte your glorious name.
+  Where, when as death shall all the world subdew,
+  Our love shall live, and later life renew."
+
+
+LXXVI
+
+Fayre bosome! fraught with vertues richest tresure,
+The neast of love, the lodging of delight,
+The bowre of blisse, the paradice of pleasure,
+The sacred harbour of that hevenly spright,
+How was I ravisht with your lovely sight,
+And my frayle thoughts too rashly led astray,
+Whiles diving deepe through amorous insight,
+On the sweet spoyle of beautie they did pray,
+And twixt her paps, like early fruit in May,
+Whose harvest seemd to hasten now apace,
+They loosely did theyr wanton winges display,
+And there to rest themselves did boldly place.
+  Sweet thoughts! I envy your so happy rest,
+  Which oft I wisht, yet never was so blest.
+
+
+LXXVII.
+
+Was it a dreame, or did I see it playne?
+A goodly table of pure yvory,
+All spred with juncats fit to entertayne
+The greatest prince with pompous roialty:
+Mongst which, there in a silver dish did ly
+Two golden apples of unvalewd* price,
+Far passing those which Hercules came by,
+Or those which Atalanta did entice;
+Exceeding sweet, yet voyd of sinfull vice;
+That many sought, yet none could ever taste;
+Sweet fruit of pleasure, brought from Paradice
+By Love himselfe, and in his garden plaste.
+  Her brest that table was, so richly spredd;
+  My thoughts the guests, which would thereon have fedd.
+[* _Unvalewd_, invaluable]
+
+
+LXXVIII
+
+Lackyng my Love, I go from place to place,
+Lyke a young fawne that late hath lost the hynd,
+And seeke each where where last I sawe her face,
+Whose ymage yet I carry fresh in mynd.
+I seeke the fields with her late footing synd;
+I seeke her bowre with her late presence deckt;
+Yet nor in field nor bowre I can her fynd,
+Yet field and bowre are full of her aspect.
+But when myne eyes I therunto direct,
+They ydly back return to me agayne;
+And when I hope to see theyr trew obiect,
+I fynd my self but fed with fancies vayne.
+  Cease then, myne eyes, to seeke her selfe to see,
+  And let my thoughts behold her selfe in mee.
+
+
+LXXIX
+
+Men call you fayre, and you doe credit it,
+For that your selfe ye daily such doe see:
+But the trew fayre, that is the gentle wit
+And vertuous mind, is much more praysd of me.
+For all the rest, how ever fayre it be,
+Shall turne to nought and lose that glorious hew;
+But onely that is permanent, and free
+From frayle corruption that doth flesh ensew.
+That is true beautie: that doth argue you
+To be divine, and born of heavenly seed,
+Deriv'd from that fayre Spirit from whom all true
+And perfect beauty did at first proceed.
+  He only fayre, and what he fayre hath made;
+  All other fayre, lyke flowres, untymely fade.
+
+
+LXXX
+
+After so long a race as I have run
+Through Faery land, which those six books compile,
+Give leave to rest me being half foredonne,
+And gather to my selfe new breath awhile.
+Then, as a steed refreshed after toyle,
+Out of my prison I will break anew,
+And stoutly will that second work assoyle*,
+With strong endevour and attention dew.
+Till then give leave to me in pleasant mew**
+To sport my Muse, and sing my Loves sweet praise,
+The contemplation of whose heavenly hew
+My spirit to an higher pitch will rayse.
+  But let her prayses yet be low and meane,
+  Fit for the handmayd of the Faery Queene.
+[* _Assoyle_, discharge.]
+[** _Mew_, prison, retreat.]
+
+
+LXXXI.
+
+Fayre is my Love, when her fayre golden haires
+With the loose wynd ye waving chance to marke;
+Fayre, when the rose in her red cheekes appeares,
+Or in her eyes the fyre of love does sparke;
+Fayre, when her brest, lyke a rich laden barke,
+With pretious merchandize she forth doth lay;
+Fayre, when that cloud of pryde, which oft doth dark
+Her goodly light, with smiles she drives away.
+But fayrest she, when so she doth display
+The gate with pearles and rubyes richly dight,
+Throgh which her words so wise do make their way,
+To beare the message of her gentle spright.
+  The rest be works of Natures wonderment;
+  But this the worke of harts astonishment.
+
+
+LXXXII.
+
+Ioy of my life! full oft for loving you
+I blesse my lot, that was so lucky placed:
+But then the more your owne mishap I rew,
+That are so much by so meane love embased.
+For had the equall hevens so much you graced
+In this as in the rest, ye mote invent*
+Some hevenly wit, whose verse could have enchased
+Your glorious name in golden moniment.
+But since ye deignd so goodly to relent
+To me your thrall, in whom is little worth,
+That little that I am shall all be spent
+In setting your immortal prayses forth:
+  Whose lofty argument, uplifting me,
+  Shall lift you up unto an high degree.
+[* _Invent_, light upon, find.]
+
+
+LXXXIII
+
+Let not one sparke of filthy lustfull fyre
+Breake out, that may her sacred peace molest;
+Ne one light glance of sensuall desyre
+Attempt to work her gentle mindes unrest:
+But pure affections bred in spotlesse brest,
+And modest thoughts breathd from well-tempred spirits,
+Goe visit her in her chaste bowre of rest,
+Accompanyde with angelick delightes.
+There fill your selfe with those most ioyous sights,
+The which my selfe could never yet attayne:
+But speake no word to her of these sad plights,
+Which her too constant stiffnesse doth constrayn.
+  Onely behold her rare perfection,
+  And blesse your fortunes fayre election.
+
+
+LXXXIV.
+
+The world, that cannot deeme of worthy things,
+When I doe praise her, say I doe but flatter:
+So does the cuckow, when the mavis* sings,
+Begin his witlesse note apace to clatter.
+But they, that skill not of so heavenly matter,
+All that they know not, envy or admyre;
+Rather then envy, let them wonder at her,
+But not to deeme of her desert aspyre.
+Deepe in the closet of my parts entyre**,
+Her worth is written with a golden quill,
+That me with heavenly fury doth inspire,
+And my glad mouth with her sweet prayses fill:
+  Which when as Fame in her shril trump shall thunder,
+  Let the world chuse to envy or to wonder.
+[* _Mavis_, song-thrush.]
+[** _Entyre,_ inward.]
+
+
+LXXXV.
+
+Venemous tongue, tipt with vile adders sting,
+Of that self kynd with which the Furies fell,
+Their snaky heads doe combe, from which a spring
+Of poysoned words and spightfull speeches well,
+Let all the plagues and horrid paines of hell
+Upon thee fall for thine accursed hyre,
+That with false forged lyes, which thou didst tell.
+In my true Love did stirre up coles of yre:
+The sparkes whereof let kindle thine own fyre,
+And, catching hold on thine own wicked bed,
+Consume thee quite, that didst with guile conspire
+In my sweet peace such breaches to have bred!
+  Shame be thy meed, and mischiefe thy reward,
+  Due to thy selfe, that it for me prepard!
+
+
+LXXXVI.
+
+Since I did leave the presence of my Love,
+Many long weary dayes I have outworne,
+And many nights, that slowly seemd to move
+Theyr sad protract from evening untill morn.
+For, when as day the heaven doth adorne,
+I wish that night the noyous day would end:
+And when as night hath us of light forlorne,
+I wish that day would shortly reascend.
+Thus I the time with expectation spend,
+And faine my griefe with chaunges to beguile,
+That further seemes his terme still to extend,
+And maketh every minute seem a myle.
+  So sorrowe still doth seem too long to last;
+  But ioyous houres do fly away too fast.
+
+
+LXXXVII.
+
+Since I have lackt the comfort of that light
+The which was wont to lead my thoughts astray,
+I wander as in darknesse of the night,
+Affrayd of every dangers least dismay.
+Ne ought I see, though in the clearest day,
+When others gaze upon theyr shadowes vayne,
+But th'only image of that heavenly ray
+Whereof some glance doth in mine eie remayne.
+Of which beholding the idaea playne,
+Through contemplation of my purest part,
+With light thereof I doe my self sustayne,
+And thereon feed my love-affamisht hart.
+  But with such brightnesse whylest I fill my mind,
+  I starve my body, and mine eyes doe blynd.
+
+
+LXXXVIII.
+
+Lyke as the culver* on the bared bough
+Sits mourning for the absence of her mate,
+And in her songs sends many a wishful vow
+For his returns, that seemes to linger late,
+So I alone, how left disconsolate,
+Mourne to my selfe the absence of my Love;
+And wandring here and there all desolate,
+Seek with my playnts to match that mournful dove
+Ne ioy of ought that under heaven doth hove**,
+Can comfort me, but her owne ioyous sight,
+Whose sweet aspect both God and man can move,
+In her unspotted pleasauns to delight.
+  Dark is my day, whyles her fayre light I mis,
+  And dead my life that wants such lively blis.
+[* _Culver_, dove.]
+[** _Hove_, hover, exist.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+EPITHALAMION.
+
+
+Ye learned Sisters, which have oftentimes
+Beene to me ayding, others to adorne
+Whom ye thought worthy of your gracefull rymes,
+That even the greatest did not greatly scorne
+To heare theyr names sung in your simple layes,                        5
+But ioyed in theyr praise,
+And when ye list your own mishaps to mourne,
+Which death, or love, or fortunes wreck did rayse,
+Your string could soone to sadder tenor turne,
+And teach the woods and waters to lament                              10
+Your dolefull dreriment,
+Now lay those sorrowfull complaints aside,
+And having all your heads with girlands crownd,
+Helpe me mine owne Loves prayses to resound:
+Ne let the same of any be envide:                                     15
+So Orpheus did for his owne bride;
+So I unto my selfe alone will sing;
+The woods shall to me answer, and my eccho ring.
+
+Early, before the worlds light-giving lampe
+His golden beame upon the hils doth spred,                            20
+Having disperst the nights unchearfull dampe,
+Doe ye awake, and, with fresh lustyhed,
+Go to the bowre of my beloved Love,
+My truest turtle dove.
+Bid her awake; for Hymen is awake,                                    25
+And long since ready forth his maske to move,
+With his bright tead* that flames with many a flake,
+And many a bachelor to waite on him,
+In theyr fresh garments trim.
+Bid her awake therefore, and soone her dight**,                       30
+For loe! the wished day is come at last,
+That shall for all the paynes and sorrowes past
+Pay to her usury of long delight:
+And whylest she doth her dight,
+Doe ye to her of ioy and solace sing,                                 35
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* _Tead,_ torch.]
+  [** _Dight,_ deck.]
+
+Bring with you all the nymphes that you can heare,
+Both of the rivers and the forrests greene,
+And of the sea that neighbours to her neare,
+All with gay girlands goodly wel beseene*.                            40
+And let them also with them bring in hand
+Another gay girland,
+For my fayre Love, of lillyes and of roses,
+Bound truelove wize with a blew silke riband.
+And let them make great store of bridale poses,                       45
+And let them eke bring store of other flowers,
+To deck the bridale bowers:
+And let the ground whereas her foot shall tread,
+For feare the stones her tender foot should wrong,
+Be strewd with fragrant flowers all along,                            50
+And diapred** lyke the discolored mead.
+Which done, doe at her chamber dore awayt,
+For she will waken strayt;
+The whiles do ye this song unto her sing,
+The woods shall to you answer, and your eccho ring;.
+  [* _Beseene,_ adorned.]
+  [** _Diapred,_ variegated.]
+
+Ye Nymphes of Mulla, which with carefull heed                         56
+The silver scaly trouts do tend full well,
+And greedy pikes which use therein to feed,
+(Those trouts and pikes all others doe excell,)
+And ye likewise which keepe the rushy lake,                           60
+Where none doo fishes take,
+Bynd up the locks the which hang scatterd light,
+And in his waters, which your mirror make,
+Behold your faces as the christall bright,
+That when you come whereas my Love doth lie,                          65
+No blemish she may spie.
+And eke, ye lightfoot mayds which keepe the dere
+That on the hoary mountayne use to towre,
+And the wylde wolves, which seeke them to devoure,
+With your steele darts doe chace from coming neer,
+Be also present heere,                                                71
+To helpe to decke her, and to help to sing,
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+
+Wake now, my Love, awake! for it is time:
+The rosy Morne long since left Tithons bed,                           75
+All ready to her silver coche to clyme,
+And Phoebus gins to shew his glorious hed.
+Hark! how the cheerefull birds do chaunt theyr laies,
+And carroll of Loves praise:
+The merry larke hir mattins sings aloft;                              80
+The thrush replyes; the mavis* descant** playes;
+The ouzell@ shrills; the ruddock$ warbles soft;
+So goodly all agree, with sweet consent,
+To this dayes meriment.
+Ah! my deere Love, why doe ye sleepe thus long,                       85
+When meeter were that ye should now awake,
+T'awayt the comming of your ioyous make,%
+And hearken to the birds love-learned song,
+The deawy leaves among!
+For they of ioy and pleasance to you sing,                            90
+That all the woods them answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Mavis_, song-thrush.]
+  [** _Descant_, variation.]
+  [@ _Ouzell_, blackbird.]
+  [$ _Ruddock_, redbreast.]
+  [% _Make_, mate.]
+
+My love is now awake out of her dreame,
+And her fayre eyes, like stars that dimmed were
+With darksome cloud, now shew theyr goodly beams
+More bright then Hesperus his head doth rere.                         95
+Come now, ye damzels, daughters of delight,
+Helpe quickly her to dight.
+But first come, ye fayre Houres, which were begot,
+In Ioves sweet paradice, of Day and Night,
+Which doe the seasons of the year allot,                             100
+And all that ever in this world is fayre
+Do make and still repayre:
+And ye three handmayds of the Cyprian Queene,
+The which doe still adorn her beauties pride,
+Helpe to adorne my beautifullest bride:                              105
+And, as ye her array, still throw betweene
+Some graces to be scene;
+And, as ye use to Venus, to her sing,
+The whiles the woods shal answer, and your eccho ring.
+
+Now is my Love all ready forth to come:                              110
+Let all the virgins therefore well awayt,
+And ye fresh boyes, that tend upon her groome,
+Prepare your selves, for he is comming strayt.
+Set all your things in seemely good aray,
+Fit for so ioyfull day,                                              115
+The ioyfulst day that ever sunne did see.
+Fair Sun! shew forth thy favourable ray,
+And let thy lifull* heat not fervent be,
+For feare of burning her sunshyny face,
+Her beauty to disgrace.                                              120
+O fayrest Phoebus! Father of the Muse!
+If ever I did honour thee aright,
+Or sing the thing that mote thy mind delight,
+Doe not thy servants simple boone refuse,
+But let this day, let this one day, be mine;                         125
+Let all the rest be thine.
+Then I thy soverayne prayses loud wil sing,
+That all the woods shal answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Lifull_, life-full.]
+
+Harke! how the minstrils gin to shrill aloud
+Their merry musick that resounds from far,                           130
+The pipe, the tabor, and the trembling croud*,
+That well agree withouten breach or iar.
+But most of all the damzels doe delite,
+When they their tymbrels smyte,
+And thereunto doe daunce and carrol sweet,                           135
+That all the sences they doe ravish quite;
+The whyles the boyes run up and downe the street,
+Crying aloud with strong confused noyce,
+As if it were one voyce,
+"Hymen, Ioe Hymen, Hymen," they do shout;                             140
+That even to the heavens theyr shouting shrill
+Doth reach, and all the firmament doth fill;
+To which the people, standing all about,
+As in approvance, doe thereto applaud,
+And loud advaunce her laud;                                          145
+And evermore they "Hymen, Hymen," sing,
+That all the woods them answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Croud_, violin]
+
+Loe! where she comes along with portly pace,
+Lyke Phoebe, from her chamber of the East,
+Arysing forth to run her mighty race,                                150
+Clad all in white, that seems a virgin best.
+So well it her beseems, that ye would weene
+Some angell she had beene.
+Her long loose yellow locks lyke golden wyre,
+Sprinckled with perle, and perling flowres atweene,
+Doe lyke a golden mantle her attyre,                                 156
+And, being crowned with a girland greene,
+Seem lyke some mayden queene.
+Her modest eyes, abashed to behold
+So many gazers as on her do stare,                                   160
+Upon the lowly ground affixed are,
+Ne dare lift up her countenance too bold,
+But blush to heare her prayses sung so loud,--
+So farre from being proud.
+Nathlesse doe ye still loud her prayses sing,                        165
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+
+Tell me, ye merchants daughters, did ye see
+So fayre a creature in your towne before;
+So sweet, so lovely, and so mild as she,
+Adornd with beautyes grace and vertues store?                        170
+Her goodly eyes lyke saphyres shining bright,
+Her forehead yvory white,
+Her cheekes lyke apples which the sun hath rudded,
+Her lips lyke cherries, charming men to byte,
+Her brest like to a bowl of creame uncrudded*,                       175
+Her paps lyke lyllies budded,
+Her snowie necke lyke to a marble towre,
+And all her body like a pallace fayre,
+Ascending up, with many a stately stayre,
+To honors seat and chastities sweet bowre.                           180
+Why stand ye still, ye virgins, in amaze,
+Upon her so to gaze,
+Whiles ye forget your former lay to sing,
+To which the woods did answer, and your eccho ring?
+  [* _Uncrudded_, uncurdled.]
+  [Ver. 168.--_In your towne_. The marriage seems to have taken place in
+  Cork, and we might infer from this passage that the heroine of the
+  song was a merchant's daughter. C.]
+
+But if ye saw that which no eyes can see,                            185
+The inward beauty of her lively spright,
+Garnisht with heavenly guifts of high degree,
+Much more then would ye wonder at that sight,
+And stand astonisht lyke to those which red*
+Medusaes mazeful bed.                                                190
+There dwells sweet Love, and constant Chastity,
+Unspotted Fayth, and comely Womanhood,
+Regard of Honour, and mild Modesty;
+There Vertue raynes as quecne in royal throne,
+And giveth lawes alone,                                              195
+The which the base affections doe obay,
+And yeeld theyr services unto her will;
+Be thought of tilings uncomely ever may
+Thereto approch to tempt her mind to ill.
+Had ye once seene these her celestial threasures,                    200
+And unrevealed pleasures,
+Then would ye wonder, and her prayses sing,
+That all the woods should answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* _Red_, saw.]
+
+Open the temple gates unto my Love,
+Open them wide that she may enter in,                                205
+And all the postes adorne as doth behove,
+And all the pillours deck with girlands trim,
+For to receyve this saynt with honour dew,
+That commeth in to you.
+With trembling steps and humble reverence,                           210
+She commeth in before th'Almighties view:
+Of her, ye virgins, learne obedience,
+When so ye come into those holy places,
+To humble your proud faces.
+Bring her up to th'high altar, that she may                          215
+The sacred ceremonies there partake,
+The which do endlesse matrimony make;
+And let the roring organs loudly play
+The praises of the Lord in lively notes;
+The whiles, with hollow throates,                                    220
+The choristers the ioyous antheme sing,
+That all the woods may answer, and their eccho ring.
+
+Behold, whiles she before the altar stands,
+Hearing the holy priest that to her speakes
+And blesseth her with his two happy hands,                           225
+How the red roses flush up in her cheekes,
+And the pure snow with goodly vermill stayne,
+Like crimsin dyde in grayne:
+That even the angels, which continually
+About the sacred altar doe remaine,                                  230
+Forget their service and about her fly,
+Ofte peeping in her face, that seems more fayre
+The more they on it stare.
+But her sad* eyes, still fastened on the ground,
+Are governed with goodly modesty,                                    235
+That suffers not one look to glaunce awry,
+Which may let in a little thought unsownd.
+Why blush ye, Love, to give to me your hand,
+The pledge of all our band?
+Sing, ye sweet angels, Alleluya sing,                                240
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* _Sad_, serious]
+
+Now al is done; bring home the bride againe;
+Bring home the triumph of our victory;
+Bring home with you the glory of her game,
+With ioyance bring her and with iollity.                             245
+Never had man more ioyfull day than this,
+Whom heaven would heape with blis.
+Make feast therefore now all this live-long day;
+This day for ever to me holy is.
+Poure out the wine without restraint or stay,
+Poure not by cups, but by the belly full,
+Poure out to all that wull*,
+And sprinkle all the posts and wals with wine,
+That they may sweat, and drunken be withall.
+Crowne ye god Bacchus with a coronall,
+And Hymen also crowne with wreaths of vine;
+And let the Graces daunce unto the rest,
+For they can doo it best:
+The whiles the maydens doe theyr carroll sing,
+To which the woods shall answer, and theyr eccho ring.
+  [* _Wull_, will.]
+
+Ring ye the bels, ye yong men of the towne,
+And leave your wonted labors for this day:
+This day is holy; doe ye write it downe,
+That ye for ever it remember may.
+This day the sunne is in his chiefest hight,
+With Barnaby the bright*,
+From whence declining daily by degrees,
+He somewhat loseth of his heat and light,
+When once the Crab behind his back he sees.
+But for this time it ill ordained was,
+To choose the longest day in all the yeare,
+And shortest night, when longest fitter weare:
+Yet never day so long, but late would passe.
+Ring ye the bels to make it weare away,
+And bonefiers make all day;                                          275
+And daunce about them, and about them sing,
+That all the woods may answer, and your eccho ring.
+  [* Ver. 266.--_Barnaby the bright_. The difference between the  old
+  and new style at the time this poem was written was ten days. The
+  summer solstice therefore fell on St. Barnabas's day, the 11th of
+  June.  C.]
+
+Ah! when will this long weary day have end,
+And lende me leave to come unto my Love?
+How slowly do the houres theyr numbers spend?                        280
+How slowly does sad Time his feathers move?
+Hast thee, O fayrest planet, to thy home,
+Within the Westerne fome:
+Thy tyred steedes long since have need of rest.
+Long though it be, at last I see it gloome,                          285
+And the bright evening-star with golden creast
+Appeare out of the East.
+Fayre childe of beauty! glorious lampe of love!
+That all the host of heaven in rankes doost lead,
+And guidest lovers through the nights sad dread,                     290
+How chearefully thou lookest from above,
+And seemst to laugh atweene thy twinkling light,
+As ioying in the sight
+Of these glad many, which for ioy do sing,                           294
+That all the woods them answer, and their eccho ring!
+
+Now ceasse, ye damsels, your delights fore-past;
+Enough it is that all the day was youres:
+Now day is doen, and night is nighing fast;
+Now bring the bryde into the brydall bowres.
+The night is come; now soon her disaray,                             300
+And in her bed her lay;
+Lay her in lillies and in violets,
+And silken curteins over her display,
+And odourd sheets, and Arras coverlets.
+Behold how goodly my faire Love does ly,                             305
+In proud humility!
+Like unto Maia, when as Iove her took
+In Tempe, lying on the flowry gras,
+Twixt sleepe and wake, after she weary was
+With bathing in the Acidalian brooke.                                310
+Now it is night, ye damsels may be gone,
+And leave my Love alone,
+And leave likewise your former lay to sing:
+The woods no more shall answer, nor your eccho ring.
+
+Now welcome, Night! thou night so long expected,
+That long daies labour doest at last defray,                         316
+And all my cares, which cruell Love collected,
+Hast sumd in one, and cancelled for aye.
+Spread thy broad wing over my Love and me,
+That no man may us see;                                              320
+And in thy sable mantle us enwrap,
+From feare of perrill and foule horror free.
+Let no false treason seeke us to entrap,
+Nor any dread disquiet once annoy
+The safety of our ioy;                                               325
+But let the night be calme and quietsome,
+Without tempestuous storms or sad afray;
+Lyke as when Iove with fayre Alemena lay,
+When he begot the great Tirynthian groome;
+Or lyke as when he with thy selfe did lie,                           330
+And begot Maiesty:
+And let the mayds and yongmen cease to sing;
+Ne let the woods them answer, nor theyr eccho ring.
+
+Let no lamenting cryes, nor dolefull teares,
+Be heard all night within, nor yet without:                          335
+Ne let false whispers, breeding hidden feares,
+Breake gentle sleepe with misconceived dout.
+Let no deluding dreames, nor dreadful sights,
+Make sudden sad affrights:
+No let house-fyres, nor lightnings helpless harmes,                  340
+Ne let the Pouke, nor other evill sprights,
+Ne let mischievous witches with theyr charmes,
+Ne let hob-goblins, names whose sence we see not,
+Fray us with things that be not:
+Let not the shriech-owle, nor the storke, be heard,                  345
+Nor the night-raven, that still deadly yels,
+Nor damned ghosts, cald up with mighty spels,
+Nor griesly vultures, make us once affeard:
+Ne let th'unpleasant quyre of frogs still croking
+Make us to wish theyr choking.                                       350
+Let none of these theyr drery accents sing;
+Ne let the woods them answer, nor theyr eccho ring.
+  [Ver. 341.--The _Pouke_ (Puck is a generic term, signifying fiend, or
+  mischievous imp) is Robin Goodfellow. C.]
+
+But let stil Silence trew night-watches keepe,
+That sacred Peace may in assurance rayne,
+And tymely Sleep, when it is tyme to sleepe,                         355
+May poure his limbs forth on your pleasant playne.
+The whiles an hundred little winged Loves,
+Like divers-fethered doves,
+Shall fly and flutter round about the bed,
+And in the secret darke, that none reproves,                         360
+Their prety stealthes shall worke, and snares shall spread
+To filch away sweet snatches of delight,
+Conceald through covert night.
+Ye sonnes of Venus, play your sports at will!
+For greedy Pleasure, carelesse of your toyes,                        365
+Thinks more upon her paradise of ioyes,
+Then what ye do, albe it good or ill.
+All night, therefore, attend your merry play,
+For it will soone be day:
+Now none doth hinder you, that say or sing;                          370
+Ne will the woods now answer, nor your eccho ring.
+
+Who is the same which at my window peepes?
+Or whose is that faire face that shines so bright?
+Is it not Cinthia, she that never sleepes,
+But walkes about high heaven al the night?                           375
+O fayrest goddesse! do thou not envy
+My Love with me to spy:
+For thou likewise didst love, though now unthought,
+And for a fleece of wooll, which privily
+The Latmian Shepherd* once unto thee brought,                        380
+His pleasures with thee wrought.
+Therefore to us be favorable now;
+And sith of wemens labours thou hast charge,
+And generation goodly dost enlarge,
+Encline thy will t'effect our wishfull vow,                          385
+And the chast womb informe with timely seed,
+That may our comfort breed:
+Till which we cease our hopefull hap to sing,
+Ne let the woods us answer, nor our eccho ring.
+  [* I.e. Endymion.]
+
+And thou, great Iuno! which with awful might                         390
+The lawes of wedlock still dost patronize,
+And the religion of the faith first plight
+With sacred rites hast taught to solemnize,
+And eke for comfort often called art
+Of women in their smart,                                             395
+Eternally bind thou this lovely band,
+And all thy blessings unto us impart.
+And thou, glad Genius! in whose gentle hand
+The bridale bowre and geniall bed remaine,
+Without blemish or staine,                                           400
+And the sweet pleasures of theyr loves delight
+With secret ayde doost succour and supply,
+Till they bring forth the fruitfull progeny,
+Send us the timely fruit of this same night,
+And thou, fayre Hebe! and thou, Hymen free!                          405
+Grant that it may so be.
+Till which we cease your further prayse to sing,
+Ne any woods shall answer, nor your eccho ring.
+
+And ye high heavens, the temple of the gods,
+In which a thousand torches flaming bright                           410
+Doe burne, that to us wretched earthly clods
+In dreadful darknesse lend desired light,
+And all ye powers which in the same remayne,
+More than we men can fayne,
+Poure out your blessing on us plentiously,                           415
+And happy influence upon us raine,
+That we may raise a large posterity,
+Which from the earth, which they may long possesse
+With lasting happinesse,
+Up to your haughty pallaces may mount,                               420
+And for the guerdon of theyr glorious merit,
+May heavenly tabernacles there inherit,
+Of blessed saints for to increase the count.
+So let us rest, sweet Love, in hope of this,
+And cease till then our tymely ioyes to sing:                        425
+The woods no more us answer, nor our eccho ring!
+
+_Song, made in lieu of many ornaments
+With which my Love should duly have been dect,
+Which cutting off through hasty accidents,
+Ye would not stay your dew time to expect,                           430
+But promist both to recompens,
+Be unto her a goodly ornament,
+And for short time an endlesse moniment!_
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+PROTHALAMION:
+
+OR,
+
+A SPOUSALL VERSE,
+
+MADE BY
+
+EDM. SPENSER.
+
+
+IN HONOUR OF THE DOUBLE MARRIAGE OF THE TWO HONORABLE
+AND VERTUOUS LADIES, THE LADIE ELIZABETH,
+AND THE LADIE KATHERINE SOMERSET, DAUGHTERS
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE EARLE
+OF WORCESTER, AND ESPOUSED TO THE
+TWO WORTHIE GENTLEMEN, M. HENRY
+GILFORD AND M. WILLIAM PETER,
+ESQUYERS.
+
+
+(1596)
+
+
+
+PROTHALAMION:
+
+OR,
+
+A SPOUSALL VERSE.
+
+
+Calme was the day, and through the trembling ayre
+Sweete-breathing Zephyrus did softly play
+A gentle spirit, that lightly did delay*
+Hot Titans beames, which then did glyster fayre;
+When I (whom sullein care,
+Through discontent of my long fruitlesse stay
+In princes court, and expectation vayne
+Of idle hopes, which still doe fly away
+Like empty shadows, did afflict my brayne,)
+Walkt forth to ease my payne                                          10
+Along the shoare of silver streaming Themmes;
+Whose rutty** bank, the which his river hemmes,
+Was paynted all with variable flowers,
+And all the meades adornd with dainty gemmes,
+Fit to decke maydens bowres,                                          15
+And crowne their paramours
+Against the brydale day, which is not long@:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Delay_, allay.]
+[** _Rutty_, rooty.]
+[@ _Long_, distant.]
+
+There, in a meadow by the rivers side,
+A flocke of Nymphes I chaunced to espy,                               20
+All lovely daughters of the flood thereby,
+With goodly greenish locks, all loose untyde,
+As each had bene a bryde;
+And each one had a little wicker basket,
+Made of fine twigs, entrayled* curiously,                             25
+In which they gathered flowers to fill their flasket**,
+And with fine fingers cropt full feateously@
+The tender stalkes on hye.
+Of every sort which in that meadow grew
+They gathered some; the violet, pallid blew,                          30
+The little dazie, that at evening closes,
+The virgin lillie, and the primrose trew,
+With store of vermeil roses,
+To deck their bridegroomes posies
+Against the brydale day, which was not long:                          35
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Entrayled_, interwoven.]
+[** _Flasket_, a long, shallow basket.]
+[@ _Feateously_, dexterously.]
+
+With that I saw two Swannes of goodly hewe
+Come softly swimming downe along the lee*:
+Two fairer birds I yet did never see;
+The snow which doth the top of Pindus strew                           40
+Did never whiter shew,
+Nor Jove himselfe, when he a swan would be
+For love of Leda, whiter did appear;
+Yet Leda was, they say, as white as he,
+Yet not so white as these, nor nothing near:                          45
+So purely white they were,
+That even the gentle stream, the which them bare,
+Seem'd foule to them, and bad his billowes spare
+To wet their silken feathers, least they might
+Soyle their fayre plumes with water not so fayre,                     50
+And marre their beauties bright,
+That shone as heavens light,
+Against their brydale day, which was not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Lee_, stream.]
+
+Eftsoones, the Nymphes, which now had flowers their fill,             55
+Ran all in haste to see that silver brood,
+As they came floating on the cristal flood;
+Whom when they sawe, they stood amazed still,
+Their wondring eyes to fill.
+Them seem'd they never saw a sight so fayre                           60
+Of fowles, so lovely, that they sure did deeme
+Them heavenly borne, or to be that same payre
+Which through the skie draw Venus stiver teeme;
+For sure they did not seeme
+To be begot of any earthly seede,                                     65
+But rather angels, or of angels breede;
+Yet were they bred of Somers-heat, they say,
+In sweetest season, when each flower and weede
+The earth did fresh aray;
+So fresh they seem'd as day,                                          70
+Even as their brydale day, which was not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[Ver. 67--_Somers-heat_. A pun on the name of the Ladies Somerset. C.]
+
+Then forth they all out of their baskets drew
+Great store of flowers, the honour of the field,
+That to the sense did fragrant odours yeild,                          75
+All which upon those goodly birds they threw,
+And all the waves did strew,
+That like old Peneus waters they did seeme,
+When downe along by pleasant Tempes shore,
+Scattred with flowres, through Thessaly they streeme,
+That they appeare, through lillies plenteous store,                   81
+Like a brydes chamber flore.
+Two of those Nymphes, meane while, two garlands bound
+Of freshest flowres which in that mead they found,
+The which presenting all in trim array,                               85
+Their snowie foreheads therewithall they crownd,
+Whilst one did sing this lay,
+Prepar'd against that day,
+Against their brydale day, which was not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+
+"Ye gentle Birdes! the worlds faire ornament,                         91
+And heavens glorie, whom this happie hower
+Doth leade unto your lovers blissfull bower,
+Ioy may you have, and gentle hearts content
+Of your loves couplement;                                             95
+And let faire Venus, that is Queene of Love,
+With her heart-quelling sonne upon you smile,
+Whose smile, they say, hath vertue to remove
+All loves dislike, and friendships faultie guile
+For ever to assoile*.                                                100
+Let endlesse peace your steadfast hearts accord,
+And blessed plentie wait upon your bord;
+And let your bed with pleasures chast abound.
+That fruitfull issue may to you afford,
+Which may your foes confound,                                        105
+And make your ioyes redound
+Upon your brydale day, which is not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softlie, till I end my song."
+[* _Assoile_, do away with.]
+
+So ended she; and all the rest around
+To her redoubled that her undersong*,                                110
+Which said, their brydale daye should not be long:
+And gentle Eccho from the neighbour ground
+Their accents did resound.
+So forth those ioyous birdes did passe along
+Adowne the lee, that to them murmurde low,                           115
+As he would speake, but that he lackt a tong,
+Yet did by signes his glad affection show,
+Making his streame run slow.
+And all the foule which in his flood did dwell
+Gan flock about these twaine, that did excell                        120
+The rest so far as Cynthia doth shend**
+The lesser stars. So they, enranged well,
+Did on those two attend,
+And their best service lend
+Against their wedding day, which was not long:                       125
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[* _Undersong_, burden.]
+[** _Shend_, put to shame.]
+
+At length they all to mery London came,
+To mery London, my most kyndly nurse,
+That to me gave this lifes first native sourse,
+Though from another place I take my name,                            130
+An house of auncient fame.
+There when they came whereas those bricky towres
+The which on Themmes brode aged backe doe ryde,
+Where now the studious lawyers have their bowers.--
+There whylome wont the Templer Knights to byde,
+Till they decayd through pride,--                                    136
+Next whereunto there standes a stately place,
+Where oft I gayned giftes and goodly grace
+Of that great lord which therein wont to dwell,
+Whose want too well now feels my freendles case:                     140
+But ah! here fits not well
+Olde woes, but ioyes, to tell,
+Against the bridale daye, which is not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[Ver. 137.--_A stately place_ Exeter House, the residence first of the
+Earl of Leicester, and afterwards of Essex. C.]
+
+Yet therein now doth lodge a noble peer,                             145
+Great Englands glory and the worlds wide wonder,
+Whose dreadfull name late through all Spaine did thunder,
+And Hercules two pillors standing neere
+Did make to quake and feare.
+Faire branch of honor, flower of chevalrie!                          150
+That fillest England with thy triumphs fame,
+Ioy have thou of thy noble victorie,
+And endlesse happinesse of thine owne name,
+That promiseth the same;
+That through thy prowesse and victorious armes                       155
+Thy country may be freed from forraine harmes,
+And great Elisaes glorious name may ring
+Through al the world, fil'd with thy wide alarmes.
+Which some brave Muse may sing
+To ages following,                                                   160
+Upon the brydale day, which is not long:
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+[Ver. 147.--_Whose dreadfull name, &c_. The allusion here is to the
+expedition against Cadiz, from which Essex returned in August, 1596. C.]
+
+From those high towers this noble lord issuing,
+Like radiant Hesper, when his golden hayre
+In th'ocean billowes he hath bathed fayre,                           165
+Descended to the rivers open vewing,
+With a great traine ensuing.
+Above the rest were goodly to bee scene
+Two gentle Knights of lovely face and feature,
+Beseeming well the bower of any queene,                              170
+With gifts of wit and ornaments of nature
+Fit for so goodly stature,
+That like the twins of Iove they seem'd in sight,
+Which decke the bauldricke of the heavens bright.
+They two, forth pacing to the rivers side,                           175
+Receiv'd those two faire brides, their loves delight;
+Which, at th'appointed tyde,
+Each one did make his bryde
+Against their brydale day, which is not long:                        179
+  Sweet Themmes! runne softly, till I end my song.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+FOWRE HYMNES
+
+MADE BY
+
+EDM. SPENSER.
+
+
+TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND MOST VERTUOUS LADIES,
+
+THE LADIE MARGARET,
+
+COUNTESSE OF CUMBERLAND;
+
+AND THE LADIE MARIE*,
+
+COUNTESSE OF WARWICK.
+
+
+Having, in the greener times of my youth, composed these former two
+Hymnes in the praise of love and beautie, and finding that the same too
+much pleased those of like age and disposition, which, being too
+vehemently carried with that kind of affection, do rather sucke out
+poyson to their strong passion, then honey to their honest delight, I
+was moved, by the one of you two most excellent Ladies, to call in the
+same; but being unable so to do, by reason that many copies thereof were
+formerly scattered abroad, I resolved at least to amend, and, by way of
+retraction, to reforme them, making (instead of those two Hymnes of
+earthly or naturall love and beautie) two others of heavenly and
+celestiall; the which I doe dedicate ioyntly unto you two honorable
+sisters, as to the most excellent and rare ornaments of all true love
+and beautie, both in the one and the other kind; humbly beseeching you
+to vouchsafe the patronage of them, and to accept this my humble
+service, in lieu of the great graces and honourable favours which ye
+dayly shew unto me, until such time as I may, by better meanes, yeeld
+you some more notable testimonie of my thankfull mind and dutifull
+devotion. And even so I pray for your happinesse. Greenwich, this first
+of September, 1596. Your Honors most bounden ever,
+
+In all humble service,
+
+ED. SP.
+
+[* The Countess of Warwick's name was Anne, not Mary. TODD.]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+IN HONOUR OF LOVE.
+
+Love, that long since hast to thy mighty powre
+Perforce subdude my poor captived hart,
+And raging now therein with restlesse stowre*,
+Doest tyrannize in everie weaker part,
+Faine would I seeke to ease my bitter smart                            5
+By any service I might do to thee,
+Or ought that else might to thee pleasing bee.
+  [* _Stowre_, commotion.]
+
+And now t'asswage the force of this new flame,
+And make thee more propitious in my need,
+I meane to sing the praises of thy name,                              10
+And thy victorious conquests to areed*,
+By which thou madest many harts to bleed
+Of mighty victors, with wide wounds embrewed,
+And by thy cruell darts to thee subdewed.
+  [* _Areed_, set forth.]
+
+Onely I fear my wits, enfeebled late                                  15
+Through the sharp sorrowes which thou hast me bred,
+Should faint, and words should faile me to relate
+The wondrous triumphs of thy great god-hed:
+But, if thou wouldst vouchsafe to overspred
+Me with the shadow of thy gentle wing,                                20
+I should enabled be thy actes to sing.
+
+Come, then, O come, thou mightie God of Love!
+Out of thy silver bowres and secret blisse,
+Where thou dost sit in Venus lap above,
+Bathing thy wings in her ambrosial kisse,                             25
+That sweeter farre than any nectar is,
+Come softly, and my feeble breast inspire
+With gentle furie, kindled of thy fire.
+
+And ye, sweet Muses! which have often proved
+The piercing points of his avengefull darts,                          30
+And ye, fair Nimphs! which oftentimes have loved
+The cruel worker of your kindly smarts,
+Prepare yourselves, and open wide your harts
+For to receive the triumph of your glorie,
+That made you merie oft when ye were sorrie.                          35
+
+And ye, faire blossoms of youths wanton breed!
+Which in the conquests of your beautie bost,
+Wherewith your lovers feeble eyes you feed,
+But sterve their harts, that needeth nourture most,
+Prepare your selves to march amongst his host,                        40
+And all the way this sacred hymne do sing,
+Made in the honor of your soveraigne king.
+
+Great God of Might, that reignest in the mynd,
+And all the bodie to thy hest doest frame,
+Victor of gods, subduer of mankynd,                                   45
+That doest the lions and fell tigers tame,
+Making their cruell rage thy scornfull game,
+And in their roring taking great delight,
+Who can expresse the glorie of thy might?
+
+Or who alive can perfectly declare                                    50
+The wondrous cradle of thine infancie,
+When thy great mother Venus first thee bare,
+Begot of Plenty and of Penurie,
+Though elder then thine own nativitie,
+And yet a chyld, renewing still thy yeares,                           55
+And yet the eldest of the heavenly peares?
+
+For ere this worlds still moving mightie masse
+Out of great Chaos ugly prison crept,
+In which his goodly face long hidden was
+From heavens view, and in deep darknesse kept,                        60
+Love, that had now long time securely slept
+In Venus lap, unarmed then and naked,
+Gan reare his head, by Clotho being waked:
+
+And taking to him wings of his own heat,
+Kindled at first from heavens life-giving fyre,                       65
+He gan to move out of his idle seat;
+Weakly at first, but after with desyre
+Lifted aloft, he gan to mount up hyre*,
+And, like fresh eagle, made his hardy flight
+Thro all that great wide wast, yet wanting light.                     70
+  [* _Hyre_, higher.]
+
+Yet wanting light to guide his wandring way,
+His own faire mother, for all creatures sake,
+Did lend him light from her owne goodly ray;
+Then through the world his way he gan to take,
+The world, that was not till he did it make,                          75
+Whose sundrie parts he from themselves did sever.
+The which before had lyen confused ever.
+
+The earth, the ayre, the water, and the fyre,
+Then gan to raunge themselves in huge array,
+And with contrary forces to conspyre                                  80
+Each against other by all meanes they may,
+Threatning their owne confusion and decay:
+Ayre hated earth, and water hated fyre,
+Till Love relented their rebellious yre.
+
+He then them tooke, and, tempering goodly well                        85
+Their contrary dislikes with loved meanes,
+Did place them all in order, and compell
+To keepe themselves within their sundrie raines*,
+Together linkt with adamantine chaines;
+Yet so as that in every living wight                                  90
+They mix themselves, and shew their kindly might.
+  [* _Raines_, kingdoms.]
+
+So ever since they firmely have remained,
+And duly well observed his beheast;
+Through which now all these things that are contained
+Within this goodly cope, both most and least,                         95
+Their being have, and daily are increast
+Through secret sparks of his infused fyre,
+Which in the barraine cold he doth inspyre.
+
+Thereby they all do live, and moved are
+To multiply the likenesse of their kynd,                             100
+Whilest they seeke onely, without further care,
+To quench the flame which they in burning fynd;
+But man, that breathes a more immortall mynd,
+Not for lusts sake, but for eternitie,
+Seekes to enlarge his lasting progenie.                              105
+
+For having yet in his deducted spright
+Some sparks remaining of that heavenly fyre,
+He is enlumind with that goodly light,
+Unto like goodly semblant to aspyre;
+Therefore in choice of love he doth desyre                           110
+That seemes on earth most heavenly to embrace,
+That same is Beautie, borne of heavenly race.
+
+For sure, of all that in this mortall frame
+Contained is, nought more divine doth seeme,
+Or that resembleth more th'immortall flame                           115
+Of heavenly light, than Beauties glorious beam.
+What wonder then, if with such rage extreme
+Frail men, whose eyes seek heavenly things to see,
+At sight thereof so much enravisht bee?
+
+Which well perceiving, that imperious boy                            120
+Doth therewith tip his sharp empoisned darts,
+Which glancing thro the eyes with* countenance coy
+Rest not till they have pierst the trembling harts,
+And kindled flame in all their inner parts,
+Which suckes the blood, and drinketh up the lyfe,                    125
+Of carefull wretches with consuming griefe.
+  [* Qu. from? WARTON.]
+
+Thenceforth they playne, and make full piteous mone
+Unto the author of their balefull bane:
+The daies they waste, the nights they grieve and grone,
+Their lives they loath, and heavens light disdaine;                  130
+No light but that whose lampe doth yet remaine
+Fresh burning in the image of their eye,
+They deigne to see, and seeing it still dye.
+
+The whylst thou, tyrant Love, doest laugh and scorne
+At their complaints, making their paine thy play;                    135
+Whylest they lye languishing like thrals forlorne,
+The whyles thou doest triumph in their decay;
+And otherwhyles, their dying to delay,
+Thou doest emmarble the proud hart of her
+Whose love before their life they doe prefer.                        140
+
+So hast thou often done (ay me the more!)
+To me thy vassall, whose yet bleeding hart
+With thousand wounds thou mangled hast so sore,
+That whole remaines scarse any little part;
+Yet to augment the anguish of my smart,                              145
+Thou hast enfrosen her disdainefull brest,
+That no one drop of pitie there doth rest.
+
+Why then do I this honor unto thee,
+Thus to ennoble thy victorious name,
+Sith thou doest shew no favour unto mee,                             150
+Ne once move ruth in that rebellious dame,
+
+Somewhat to slacke the rigour of my flame?
+Certes small glory doest thou winne hereby,
+To let her live thus free, and me to dy.
+
+But if thou be indeede, as men thee call,                            155
+The worlds great parent, the most kind preserver
+Of living wights, the soveraine lord of all,
+How falles it then that with thy furious fervour
+Thou doest afflict as well the not-deserver,
+As him that doeth thy lovely heasts despize,                         160
+And on thy subiects most doth tyrannize?
+
+Yet herein eke thy glory seemeth more,
+By so hard handling those which best thee serve,
+That, ere thou doest them unto grace restore,
+Thou mayest well trie if they will ever swerve,                      165
+And mayest them make it better to deserve,
+And, having got it, may it more esteeme;
+For things hard gotten men more dearely deeme.
+
+So hard those heavenly beauties be enfyred,
+As things divine least passions doe impresse;                        170
+The more of stedfast mynds to be admyred,
+The more they stayed be on stedfastnesse;
+But baseborne minds such lamps regard the lesse,
+Which at first blowing take not hastie fyre;
+Such fancies feele no love, but loose desyre.                        175
+
+For Love is lord of truth and loialtie,
+Lifting himself out of the lowly dust
+On golden plumes up to the purest skie,
+Above the reach of loathly sinfull lust,
+Whose base affect*, through cowardly distrust                        180
+Of his weake wings, dare not to heaven fly,
+But like a moldwarpe** in the earth doth ly.
+  [* _Affect_, affection, passion.]
+  [** _Moldwarpe_, mole.]
+
+His dunghill thoughts, which do themselves enure
+To dirtie drosse, no higher dare aspyre;
+Ne can his feeble earthly eyes endure                                185
+The flaming light of that celestiall fyre
+Which kindleth love in generous desyre,
+And makes him mount above the native might
+Of heavie earth, up to the heavens hight.
+
+Such is the powre of that sweet passion,                             190
+That it all sordid basenesse doth expell,
+And the refyned mynd doth newly fashion
+Unto a fairer forme, which now doth dwell
+In his high thought, that would it selfe excell;
+Which he beholding still with constant sight,                        195
+Admires the mirrour of so heavenly light.
+
+Whose image printing in his deepest wit,
+He thereon feeds his hungrie fantasy,
+Still full, yet never satisfyde with it;
+Like Tantale, that in store doth sterved ly,                         200
+So doth he pine in most satiety;
+For nought may quench his infinite desyre,
+Once kindled through that first conceived fyre.
+
+Thereon his mynd affixed wholly is,
+Ne thinks on ought but how it to attaine;                            205
+His care, his ioy, his hope, is all on this,
+That seemes in it all blisses to containe,
+In sight whereof all other blisse seemes vaine:
+Thrice happie man, might he the same possesse,
+He faines himselfe, and doth his fortune blesse.                     210
+
+And though he do not win his wish to end,
+Yet thus farre happie he himselfe doth weene,
+That heavens such happie grace did to him lend
+As thing on earth so heavenly to have seene,
+His harts enshrined saint, his heavens queene,                       215
+Fairer then fairest in his fayning eye,
+Whose sole aspect he counts felicitye.
+
+Then forth he casts in his unquiet thought,
+What he may do her favour to obtaine;
+What brave exploit, what perill hardly wrought,                      220
+What puissant conquest, what adventurous paine,
+May please her best, and grace unto him gaine;
+He dreads no danger, nor misfortune feares,
+His faith, his fortune, in his breast he beares.
+
+Thou art his god, thou art his mightie guyde,                        225
+Thou, being blind, letst him not see his feares,
+But carriest him to that which he had eyde,
+Through seas, through flames, through thousand swords and speares; *
+Ne ought so strong that may his force withstand,
+With which thou armest his resistlesse hand.                         230
+  [* The fifth verse of this stanza appears to have dropped out. C.]
+
+Witnesse Leander in the Euxine waves,
+And stout Aeneas in the Troiane fyre,
+Achilles preassing through the Phrygian glaives*,
+And Orpheus, daring to provoke the yre
+Of damned fiends, to get his love retyre;                            235
+For both through heaven and hell thou makest way,
+To win them worship which to thee obay.
+  [* _Glaives_, swords.]
+
+And if by all these perils and these paynes
+He may but purchase lyking in her eye,
+What heavens of ioy then to himselfe he faynes!                      240
+Eftsoones he wypes quite out of memory
+Whatever ill before he did aby*:
+Had it beene death, yet would he die againe,
+To live thus happie as her grace to gaine.
+  [* _Aby_, abide.]
+
+Yet when he hath found favour to his will,                           245
+He nathemore can so contented rest,
+But forceth further on, and striveth still
+T'approch more neare, till in her inmost brest
+He may embosomd bee and loved best;
+And yet not best, but to be lov'd alone;                             250
+For love cannot endure a paragone*.
+  [* _Paragone_, competitor.]
+
+The fear whereof, O how doth it torment
+His troubled mynd with more then hellish paine!
+And to his fayning fansie represent
+Sights never seene, and thousand shadowes vaine,                     255
+To breake his sleepe and waste his ydle braine:
+Thou that hast never lov'd canst not beleeve
+Least part of th'evils which poore lovers greeve.
+
+The gnawing envie, the hart-fretting feare,
+The vaine surmizes, the distrustfull showes,                         260
+The false reports that flying tales doe beare,
+The doubts, the daungers, the delayes, the woes,
+The fayned friends, the unassured foes,
+With thousands more then any tongue can tell,
+Doe make a lovers life a wretches hell.                              265
+
+Yet is there one more cursed then they all,
+That cancker-worme, that monster, Gelosie,
+Which eates the heart and feedes upon the gall,
+Turning all Loves delight to miserie,
+Through feare of losing his felicitie.                               270
+Ah, gods! that ever ye that monster placed
+In gentle Love, that all his ioyes defaced!
+
+By these, O Love! thou doest thy entrance make
+Unto thy heaven, and doest the more endeere
+Thy pleasures unto those which them partake,                         275
+As after stormes, when clouds begin to cleare,
+The sunne more bright and glorious doth appeare;
+So thou thy folke, through paines of Purgatorie,
+Dost beare unto thy blisse, and heavens glorie.
+
+There thou them placest in a paradize                                280
+Of all delight and ioyous happy rest,
+Where they doe feede on nectar heavenly-wize,
+With Hercules and Hebe, and the rest
+Of Venus dearlings, through her bountie blest;
+And lie like gods in yvory beds arayd,                               285
+With rose and lillies over them displayd.
+
+There with thy daughter Pleasure they doe play
+Their hurtlesse sports, without rebuke or blame,
+And in her snowy bosome boldly lay
+Their quiet heads, devoyd of guilty shame,                           290
+After full ioyance of their gentle game;
+Then her they crowne their goddesse and their queene,
+And decke with floures thy altars well beseene.
+
+Ay me! deare Lord, that ever I might hope,
+For all the paines and woes that I endure,                           295
+To come at length unto the wished scope
+Of my desire, or might myselfe assure
+That happie port for ever to recure*!
+Then would I thinke these paines no paines at all,
+And all my woes to be but penance small.                             300
+  [* _Recure_, recover, gain.]
+
+Then would I sing of thine immortal praise
+An heavenly hymne such as the angels sing,
+And thy triumphant name then would I raise
+Bove all the gods, thee only honoring;
+My guide, my god, my victor, and my king:                            305
+Till then, drad Lord! vouchsafe to take of me
+This simple song, thus fram'd in praise of thee.
+
+
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+IN HONOUR OF BEAUTIE.
+
+Ah! whither, Love! wilt thou now carry mee?
+What wontlesse fury dost thou now inspire
+Into my feeble breast, too full of thee?
+Whylest seeking to aslake thy raging fyre,
+Thou in me kindlest much more great desyre,                            5
+And up aloft above my strength doth rayse
+The wondrous matter of my fire to praise.
+
+That as I earst in praise of thine owne name,
+So now in honour of thy mother deare
+An honourable hymne I eke should frame,                               10
+And, with the brightnesse of her beautie cleare,
+The ravisht hearts of gazefull men might reare
+To admiration of that heavenly light,
+From whence proceeds such soule-enchanting might.
+
+Therto do thou, great Goddesse! Queene of Beauty,
+Mother of Love and of all worlds delight,                             16
+Without whose soverayne grace and kindly dewty
+Nothing on earth seems fayre to fleshly sight,
+Doe thou vouchsafe with thy love-kindling light
+T'illuminate my dim and dulled eyne,                                  20
+And beautifie this sacred hymne of thyne:
+
+That both to thee, to whom I meane it most,
+And eke to her whose faire immortall beame
+Hath darted fyre into my feeble ghost,
+That now it wasted is with woes extreame,                             25
+It may so please, that she at length will streame
+Some deaw of grace into my withered hart,
+After long sorrow and consuming smart.
+
+WHAT TIME THIS WORLDS GREAT WORKMAISTER did cast
+To make al things such as we now behold,                              30
+It seems that he before his eyes had plast
+A goodly paterne, to whose perfect mould
+He fashiond them as comely as he could,
+That now so faire and seemely they appeare
+As nought may be amended any wheare.                                  35
+
+That wondrous paterne, wheresoere it bee,
+Whether in earth layd up in secret store,
+Or else in heaven, that no man may it see
+With sinfull eyes, for feare it do deflore,
+Is perfect Beautie, which all men adore;                              40
+Whose face and feature doth so much excell
+All mortal sence, that none the same may tell.
+
+Thereof as every earthly thing partakes
+Or more or lesse, by influence divine,
+So it more faire accordingly it makes,                                45
+And the grosse matter of this earthly myne
+Which closeth it thereafter doth refyne,
+Doing away the drosse which dims the light
+Of that faire beame which therein is empight*.
+  [* _Empight_, placed.]
+
+For, through infusion of celestiall powre,                            50
+The duller earth it quickneth with delight,
+And life-full spirits privily doth powre
+Through all the parts, that to the lookers sight
+They seeme to please; that is thy soveraine might,
+O Cyprian queene! which, flowing from the beame                       55
+Of thy bright starre, thou into them doest streame.
+
+That is the thing which giveth pleasant grace
+To all things faire, that kindleth lively fyre;
+Light of thy lampe; which, shyning in the face,
+Thence to the soule darts amorous desyre,                             60
+And robs the harts of those which it admyre;
+Therewith thou pointest thy sons poysned arrow,
+That wounds the life and wastes the inmost marrow.
+
+How vainely then do ydle wits invent
+That Beautie is nought else but mixture made                          65
+Of colours faire, and goodly temp'rament
+Of pure complexions, that shall quickly fade
+And passe away, like to a sommers shade;
+Or that it is but comely composition
+Of parts well measurd, with meet disposition!                         70
+
+Hath white and red in it such wondrous powre,
+That it can pierce through th'eyes unto the hart,
+And therein stirre such rage and restlesse stowre*,
+As nought but death can stint his dolours smart?
+Or can proportion of the outward part                                 75
+Move such affection in the inward mynd,
+That it can rob both sense, and reason blynd?
+  [* _Stowre_, commotion.]
+
+Why doe not then the blossomes of the field,
+Which are arayd with much more orient hew,
+And to the sense most daintie odours yield,                           80
+Worke like impression in the lookers vew?
+Or why doe not faire pictures like powre shew,
+In which oft-times we Nature see of Art
+Exceld, in perfect limming every part?
+
+But ah! beleeve me there is more then so,                             85
+That workes such wonders in the minds of men;
+I, that have often prov'd, too well it know,
+And who so list the like assayes to ken
+Shall find by trial, and confesse it then,
+That Beautie is not, as fond men misdeeme,                            90
+An outward shew of things that onely seeme.
+
+For that same goodly hew of white and red
+With which the cheekes are sprinckled, shall decay,
+And those sweete rosy leaves, so fairly spred
+Upon the lips, shall fade and fall away                               95
+To that they were, even to corrupted clay:
+That golden wyre, those sparckling stars so bright,
+Shall turne to dust, and lose their goodly light.
+
+But that faire lampe, from whose celestiall ray
+That light proceedes which kindleth lovers fire,                     100
+Shall never be extinguisht nor decay;
+But, when the vitall spirits doe espyre,
+Unto her native planet shall retyre;
+For it is heavenly borne, and cannot die,
+Being a parcell of the purest skie.                                  105
+
+For when the soule, the which derived was,
+At first, out of that great immortall Spright,
+By whom all live to love, whilome did pas
+Down from the top of purest heavens hight
+To be embodied here, it then tooke light                             110
+And lively spirits from that fayrest starre
+Which lights the world forth from his firie carre.
+
+Which powre retayning still, or more or lesse,
+When she in fleshly seede is eft* enraced**,
+Through every part she doth the same impresse,                       115
+According as the heavens have her graced,
+And frames her house, in which she will be placed,
+Fit for her selfe, adorning it with spoyle
+Of th'heavenly riches which she robd erewhyle.
+[* _Eft_, afterwards.]
+[** _Enraced_, implanted.]
+
+Thereof it comes that these faire soules which have
+The most resemblance of that heavenly light                          121
+Frame to themselves most beautifull and brave
+Their fleshly bowre, most fit for their delight,
+And the grosse matter by a soveraine might
+Temper so trim, that it may well be seene                            125
+A pallace fit for such a virgin queene.
+
+So every spirit, as it is most pure,
+And hath in it the more of heavenly light,
+So it the fairer bodie doth procure
+To habit in, and it more fairely dight*                              130
+With chearfull grace and amiable sight:
+For of the soule the bodie forme doth take;
+For soule is forme, and doth the bodie make.
+  [* _Dight_, adorn.]
+
+Therefore, where-ever that thou doest behold
+A comely corpse*, with beautie faire endewed,                        135
+Know this for certaine, that the same doth hold
+A beauteous soule with fair conditions thewed**,
+Fit to receive the seede of vertue strewed;
+For all that faire is, is by nature good;
+That is a sign to know the gentle blood.                             140
+  [* _Corpse_, body.]
+  [** i.e. endowed with fair qualities.]
+
+Yet oft it falles that many a gentle mynd
+Dwels in deformed tabernacle drownd,
+Either by chaunce, against the course of kynd*,
+Or through unaptnesse in the substance fownd,
+Which it assumed of some stubborne grownd,                           145
+That will not yield unto her formes direction,
+But is deform'd with some foule imperfection.
+  [* _Kynd_, nature.]
+
+And oft it falles, (ay me, the more to rew!)
+That goodly Beautie, albe heavenly borne,
+Is foule abusd, and that celestiall hew,                             150
+Which doth the world with her delight adorne,
+Made but the bait of sinne, and sinners scorne,
+Whilest every one doth seeke and sew to have it,
+But every one doth seeke but to deprave it.
+
+Yet nathemore is that faire Beauties blame,                          155
+But theirs that do abuse it unto ill:
+Nothing so good, but that through guilty shame
+May be corrupt*, and wrested unto will.
+Nathelesse the soule is faire and beauteous still,
+However fleshes fault it filthy make;                                160
+For things immortall no corruption take.
+  [* _Corrupt_, corrupted.]
+
+But ye, faire Dames! the worlds deare ornaments,
+And lively images of heavens light,
+Let not your beames with such disparagements
+Be dimd, and your bright glorie darkned quight;                      l65
+But mindfull still of your first countries sight,
+Doe still preserve your first informed grace,
+Whose shadow yet shynes in your beauteous face.
+
+Loath that foule blot, that hellish fierbrand,
+Disloiall lust, fair Beauties foulest blame,                         170
+That base affections, which your eares would bland*,
+Commend to you by loves abused name,
+But is indeede the bondslave of defame;
+Which will the garland of your glorie marre,
+And quench the light of your brightshyning starre.                   175
+  [* _Bland_, blandish.]
+
+But gentle Love, that loiall is and trew,
+Wil more illumine your resplendent ray,
+And add more brightnesse to your goodly hew
+From light of his pure fire; which, by like way
+Kindled of yours, your likenesse doth display;                       180
+Like as two mirrours, by opposd reflection,
+Doe both expresse the faces first impression.
+
+Therefore, to make your beautie more appeare,
+It you behoves to love, and forth to lay
+That heavenly riches which in you ye beare,                          185
+That men the more admyre their fountaine may;
+For else what booteth that celestiall ray,
+If it in darknesse be enshrined ever,
+That it of loving eyes be vewed never?
+
+But, in your choice of loves, this well advize,                      190
+That likest to your selves ye them select,
+The which your forms first sourse may sympathize,
+And with like beauties parts be inly deckt;
+For if you loosely love without respect,
+It is not love, but a discordant warre,                              195
+Whose unlike parts amongst themselves do iarre.
+
+For love is a celestiall harmonie
+Of likely* harts composd of** starres concent,
+Which ioyne together in sweete sympathie,
+To work each others ioy and true content,                            200
+Which they have harbourd since their first descent
+Out of their heavenly bowres, where they did see
+And know ech other here belov'd to bee.
+  [* _Likely_, similar.]
+  [** _Composd of_, combined by.]
+
+Then wrong it were that any other twaine
+Should in Loves gentle band combyned bee,                            205
+But those whom Heaven did at first ordaine,
+And made out of one mould the more t'agree;
+For all that like the beautie which they see
+Straight do not love; for Love is not so light
+As straight to burne at first beholders sight.                       210
+
+But they which love indeede looke otherwise,
+With pure regard and spotlesse true intent,
+Drawing out of the obiect of their eyes
+A more refyned form, which they present
+Unto their mind, voide of all blemishment;                           215
+Which it reducing to her first perfection,
+Beholdeth free from fleshes frayle infection.
+
+And then conforming it unto the light
+Which in it selfe it hath remaining still,
+Of that first sunne, yet sparckling in his sight,                    220
+Thereof he fashions in his higher skill
+An heavenly beautie to his fancies will;
+And it embracing in his mind entyre,
+The mirrour of his owne thought doth admyre.
+
+Which seeing now so inly faire to be,                                225
+As outward it appeareth to the eye,
+And with his spirits proportion to agree,
+He thereon fixeth all his fantasie,
+And fully setteth his felicitie;
+Counting it fairer then it is indeede,                               230
+And yet indeede her fairnesse doth exeede.
+
+For lovers eyes more sharply sighted bee
+Then other mens, and in deare loves delight
+See more then any other eyes can see,
+Through mutuall receipt of beames bright,                            235
+Which carrie privie message to the spright,
+And to their eyes that inmost faire display,
+As plaine as light discovers dawning day.
+
+Therein they see, through amorous eye-glaunces,
+Armies of Loves still flying too and fro,                            240
+Which dart at them their litle fierie launces;
+Whom having wounded, back againe they go,
+Carrying compassion to their lovely foe;
+Who, seeing her faire eyes so sharp effect,
+Cures all their sorrowes with one sweete aspect.                     245
+
+In which how many wonders doe they reede
+To their conceipt, that others never see!
+Now of her smiles, with which their soules they feede,
+Like gods with nectar in their bankets free;
+Now of her lookes, which like to cordials bee;                       250
+But when her words embassade* forth she sends,
+Lord, how sweete musicke that unto them lends!
+  [* _Embassade_, embassy.]
+
+Sometimes upon her forhead they behold
+A thousand graces masking in delight;
+Sometimes within her eye-lids they unfold                            255
+Ten thousand sweet belgards*, which to their sight
+Doe seeme like twinckling starres in frostie night;
+But on her lips, like rosy buds in May,
+So many millions of chaste pleasures play.
+  [* _Belgards_, fair looks.]
+
+All those, O Cytherea! and thousands more,                           260
+Thy handmaides be, which do on thee attend,
+To decke thy beautie with their dainties store,
+That may it more to mortall eyes commend,
+And make it more admyr'd of foe and frend;
+That in men's harts thou mayst thy throne enstall, 265
+And spred thy lovely kingdome over all.
+
+Then Ioe, tryumph! O great Beauties Queene,
+Advance the banner of thy conquest hie,
+That all this world, the which thy vassels beene,
+May draw to thee, and with dew fealtie                               270
+Adore the powre of thy great maiestie,
+Singing this hymne in honour of thy name,
+Compyld by me, which thy poor liegeman am!
+
+In lieu whereof graunt, O great soveraine!
+That she whose conquering beauty doth captive 275
+My trembling hart in her eternall chaine,
+One drop of grace at length will to me give,
+That I her bounden thrall by her may live,
+And this same life, which first fro me she reaved,
+May owe to her, of whom I it receaved.                               280
+
+And you, faire Venus dearling, my dear dread!
+Fresh flowre of grace, great goddesse of my life,
+When your faire eyes these fearfull lines shall read,
+Deigne to let fall one drop of dew reliefe,
+That may recure my harts long pyning griefe,                         285
+And shew what wondrous powre your beauty hath,
+That can restore a damned wight from death.
+
+
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+OF HEAVENLY LOVE*.
+
+  [* See the sixth canto of the third book of the Faerie Queene,
+  especially the second and the thirty-second stanzas; which, with his
+  Hymnes of Heavenly Love and Heavenly Beauty, are evident proofs of
+  Spenser's attachment to the Platonic school. WARTON.]
+
+Love, lift me up upon thy golden wings
+From this base world unto thy heavens hight,
+Where I may see those admirable things
+Which there thou workest by thy soveraine might,
+Farre above feeble reach of earthly sight,                             5
+That I thereof an heavenly hymne may sing
+Unto the God of Love, high heavens king.
+
+Many lewd layes (ah! woe is me the more!)
+In praise of that mad fit which fooles call Love,
+I have in th'heat of youth made heretofore,                           10
+That in light wits did loose affection move;
+But all those follies now I do reprove,
+And turned have the tenor of my string,
+The heavenly prayses of true Love to sing.
+
+And ye that wont with greedy vaine desire                             15
+To reade my fault, and, wondring at my flame,
+To warme your selves at my wide sparckling fire,
+Sith now that heat is quenched, quench my blame,
+And in her ashes shrowd my dying shame;
+For who my passed follies now pursewes,                               20
+Beginnes his owne, and my old fault renewes.
+
+BEFORE THIS WORLDS GREAT FRAME, in which al things
+Are now containd, found any being-place,
+Ere flitting Time could wag* his eyas** wings
+About that mightie bound which doth embrace                           25
+The rolling spheres, and parts their houres by space,
+That high eternall Powre, which now doth move
+In all these things, mov'd in it selfe by love.
+  [* _Wag_, move.]
+  [** _Eyas_, unfledged.]
+
+It lovd it selfe, because it selfe was faire;
+(For fair is lov'd;) and of it self begot                             30
+Like to it selfe his eldest Sonne and Heire,
+Eternall, pure, and voide of sinfull blot,
+The firstling of his ioy, in whom no iot
+Of loves dislike or pride was to be found,
+Whom he therefore with equall honour crownd.                          35
+
+With him he raignd, before all time prescribed,
+In endlesse glorie and immortall might,
+Together with that Third from them derived,
+Most wise, most holy, most almightie Spright!                         39
+Whose kingdomes throne no thoughts of earthly wight
+Can comprehend, much lesse my trembling verse
+With equall words can hope it to reherse.
+
+Yet, O most blessed Spirit! pure lampe of light,
+Eternall spring of grace and wisedom trew,
+Vouchsafe to shed into my barren spright                              45
+Some little drop of thy celestiall dew,
+That may my rymes with sweet infuse* embrew,
+And give me words equall unto my thought,
+To tell the marveiles by thy mercie wrought.
+  [* _Infuse_, infusion]
+
+Yet being pregnant still with powrefull grace,                        50
+And full of fruitfull Love, that loves to get
+Things like himselfe and to enlarge his race,
+His second brood, though not of powre so great,
+Yet full of beautie, next he did beget,
+An infinite increase of angels bright,                                55
+All glistring glorious in their Makers light.
+
+To them the heavens illimitable hight
+(Not this round heaven which we from hence behold,
+Adornd with thousand lamps of burning light,
+And with ten thousand gemmes of shyning gold)                         60
+He gave as their inheritance to hold,
+That they might serve him in eternall blis,
+And be partakers of those ioyes of his.
+
+There they in their trinall triplicities
+About him wait, and on his will depend,                               65
+Either with nimble wings to cut the skies,
+When he them on his messages doth send,
+Or on his owne dread presence to attend,
+Where they behold the glorie of his light,
+And caroll hymnes of love both day and night.                         70
+  [Ver. 64.--_Trinall triplicities_. See the Faerie Queene, Book I.
+  Canto XII. 39. H.]
+
+Both day and night is unto them all one;
+For he his beames doth unto them extend,
+That darknesse there appeareth never none;
+Ne hath their day, ne hath their blisse, an end,
+But there their termelesse time in pleasure spend;                    75
+Ne ever should their happinesse decay,
+Had not they dar'd their Lord to disobay.
+
+But pride, impatient of long resting peace,
+Did puffe them up with greedy bold ambition,
+That they gan cast their state how to increase                        80
+Above the fortune of their first condition,
+And sit in Gods own seat without commission:
+The brightest angel, even the Child of Light*,
+Drew millions more against their God to fight.
+  [* I.e. Lucifer.]
+
+Th'Almighty, seeing their so bold assay,                              85
+Kindled the flame of his consuming yre,
+And with his onely breath them blew away
+From heavens hight, to which they did aspyre,
+To deepest hell, and lake of damned fyre,
+Where they in darknesse and dread horror dwell,                       90
+Hating the happie light from which they fell.
+
+So that next off-spring of the Makers love,
+Next to himselfe in glorious degree,
+Degendering* to hate, fell from above
+Through pride; (for pride and love may ill agree;)                    95
+And now of sinne to all ensample bee:
+How then can sinfull flesh it selfe assure,
+Sith purest angels fell to be impure?
+  [* _Degendering_, degenerating.]
+
+But that Eternall Fount of love and grace,
+Still flowing forth his goodnesse unto all,                          100
+Now seeing left a waste and emptie place
+In his wyde pallace through those angels fall,
+Cast to supply the same, and to enstall
+A new unknowen colony therein,
+Whose root from earths base groundworke should begin.                105
+
+Therefore of clay, base, vile, and next to nought,
+Yet form'd by wondrous skill, and by his might
+According to an heavenly patterne wrought,
+Which he had fashiond in his wise foresight,
+He man did make, and breathd a living spright                        110
+Into his face, most beautifull and fayre,
+Endewd with wisedomes riches, heavenly, rare.
+
+Such he him made, that he resemble might
+Himselfe, as mortall thing immortall could;
+Him to be lord of every living wight                                 115
+He made by love out of his owne like mould,
+In whom he might his mightie selfe behould;
+For Love doth love the thing belov'd to see,
+That like it selfe in lovely shape may bee.
+
+But man, forgetfull of his Makers grace                              120
+No lesse than angels, whom he did ensew,
+Fell from the hope of promist heavenly place,
+Into the mouth of Death, to sinners dew,
+And all his off-spring into thraldome threw,
+Where they for ever should in bonds remaine                          125
+Of never-dead, yet ever-dying paine;
+
+Till that great Lord of Love, which him at first
+Made of meere love, and after liked well,
+Seeing him lie like creature long accurst
+In that deep horor of despeyred hell,                                130
+Him, wretch, in doole* would let no lenger dwell,
+But cast** out of that bondage to redeeme,
+And pay the price, all@ were his debt extreeme.
+  [* _Doole_, pain.]
+  [** _Cast_, devised.]
+  [@ _All_, although.]
+
+Out of the bosome of eternall blisse,
+In which he reigned with his glorious Syre,                          135
+He downe descended, like a most demisse*
+And abiect thrall, in fleshes fraile attyre,
+That he for him might pay sinnes deadly hyre,
+And him restore unto that happie state
+In which he stood before his haplesse fate.                          140
+  [* _Demisse_, humble.]
+
+In flesh at first the guilt committed was,
+Therefore in flesh it must be satisfyde;
+Nor spirit, nor angel, though they man surpas,
+Could make amends to God for mans misguyde,
+But onely man himselfe, who selfe did slyde:                         145
+So, taking flesh of sacred virgins wombe,
+For mans deare sake he did a man become.
+
+And that most blessed bodie, which was borne
+Without all blemish or reprochfull blame,
+He freely gave to be both rent and torne                             150
+Of cruell hands, who with despightfull shame
+Revyling him, (that them most vile became,)
+At length him nayled on a gallow-tree,
+And slew the iust by most uniust decree.
+
+O huge and most unspeakeable impression                              155
+Of Loves deep wound, that pierst the piteous hart
+Of that deare Lord with so entyre affection,
+And, sharply launcing every inner part,
+Dolours of death into his soule did dart,
+Doing him die that never it deserved,                                160
+To free his foes, that from his heast* had swerved!
+  [* _Heast_, command.]
+
+What hart can feel least touch of so sore launch,
+Or thought can think the depth of so deare wound?
+Whose bleeding sourse their streames yet never staunch,
+But stil do flow, and freshly still redownd*,                        165
+To heale the sores of sinfull soules unsound,
+And clense the guilt of that infected cryme,
+Which was enrooted in all fleshly slyme.
+  [* _Redownd_, overflow.]
+
+O blessed Well of Love! O Floure of Grace!
+O glorious Morning-Starre! O Lampe of Light!                         170
+Most lively image of thy Fathers face,
+Eternal King of Glorie, Lord of Might,
+Meeke Lambe of God, before all worlds behight*,
+How can we thee requite for all this good?
+Or what can prize** that thy most precious blood?                    175
+  [* _Behight_, named.]
+  [** _Prize_, price.]
+
+Yet nought thou ask'st in lieu of all this love
+But love of us, for guerdon of thy paine:
+Ay me! what can us lesse than that behove?
+Had he required life for us againe,
+Had it beene wrong to ask his owne with gaine?                        180
+He gave us life, he it restored lost;
+Then life were least, that us so little cost.
+
+But he our life hath left unto us free,
+Free that was thrall, and blessed that was band*;
+Ne ought demaunds but that we loving bee,                            185
+As he himselfe hath lov'd us afore-hand,
+And bound therto with an eternall band;
+Him first to love that us so dearely bought,
+And next our brethren, to his image wrought.
+  [* _Band_, cursed.]
+
+Him first to love great right and reason is,                         190
+Who first to us our life and being gave,
+And after, when we fared* had amisse,
+Us wretches from the second death did save;
+And last, the food of life, which now we have,
+Even he himselfe, in his dear sacrament,                             195
+To feede our hungry soules, unto us lent.
+  [* _Fared_, gone.]
+
+Then next, to love our brethren, that were made
+Of that selfe* mould and that self Maker's hand
+That we, and to the same againe shall fade,
+Where they shall have like heritage of land,                         200
+However here on higher steps we stand,
+Which also were with selfe-same price redeemed
+That we, however of us light esteemed.
+[* _Selfe_, same.]
+
+And were they not, yet since that loving Lord
+Commaunded us to love them for his sake,                             205
+Even for his sake, and for his sacred word
+Which in his last bequest he to us spake,
+We should them love, and with their needs partake;
+Knowing that whatsoere to them we give
+We give to him by whom we all doe live.                              210
+
+Such mercy he by his most holy reede*
+Unto us taught, and, to approve it trew,
+Ensampled it by his most righteous deede,
+Shewing us mercie, miserable crew!
+That we the like should to the wretches shew,                        215
+And love our brethren; thereby to approve
+How much himselfe that loved us we love.
+[* _Reede_, precept.]
+
+Then rouze thy selfe, O Earth! out of thy soyle*,
+In which thou wallowest like to filthy swyne,
+And doest thy mynd in durty pleasures moyle**,                       220
+Unmindfull of that dearest Lord of thyne;
+Lift up to him thy heavie clouded eyne,
+That thou this soveraine bountie mayst behold,
+And read, through love, his mercies manifold.
+  [* _Soyle_, mire.]
+  [** _Moyle_, defile.]
+
+Beginne from first, where he encradled was                           225
+In simple cratch*, wrapt in a wad of hay,
+Betweene the toylfull oxe and humble asse,
+And in what rags, and in how base aray,
+The glory of our heavenly riches lay,
+When him the silly shepheards came to see,                           230
+Whom greatest princes sought on lowest knee.
+  [* _Cratch_, manger.]
+
+From thence reade on the storie of his life,
+His humble carriage, his unfaulty wayes,
+His cancred foes, his fights, his toyle, his strife,
+His paines, his povertie, his sharpe assayes,                        235
+Through which he past his miserable dayes,
+Offending none, and doing good to all,
+Yet being malist* both by great and small.
+  [* _Malist_, regarded with ill-will.]
+
+And look at last, how of most wretched wights
+He taken was, betrayd, and false accused;                            240
+How with most scornfull taunts and fell despights,
+He was revyld, disgrast, and foule abused;
+How scourgd, how crownd, how buffeted, how brused;
+And, lastly, how twixt robbers crucifyde,
+With bitter wounds through hands, through feet, and syde!            245
+
+Then let thy flinty hart, that feeles no paine,
+Empierced be with pittifull remorse,
+And let thy bowels bleede in every vaine,
+At sight of his most sacred heavenly corse,
+So torne and mangled with malicious forse;                           250
+And let thy soule, whose sins his sorrows wrought,
+Melt into teares, and grone in grieved thought.
+
+With sence whereof whilest so thy softened spirit
+Is inly toucht, and humbled with meeke zeale
+Through meditation of his endlesse merit,                            255
+Lift up thy mind to th'author of thy weale,
+And to his soveraine mercie doe appeale;
+Learne him to love that loved thee so deare,
+And in thy brest his blessed image beare.
+
+With all thy hart, with all thy soule and mind,                      260
+Thou must him love, and his beheasts embrace;
+All other loves, with which the world doth blind
+Weake fancies, and stirre up affections base,
+Thou must renounce and utterly displace,
+And give thy self unto him full and free,                            265
+That full and freely gave himselfe to thee.
+
+Then shalt thou feele thy spirit so possest,
+And ravisht with devouring great desire
+Of his dear selfe, that shall thy feeble brest
+Inflame with love, and set thee all on fire                          270
+With burning zeale, through every part entire*,
+That in no earthly thing thou shalt delight,
+But in his sweet and amiable sight.
+  [* _Entire_, inward.]
+
+Thenceforth all worlds desire will in thee dye,
+And all earthes glorie, on which men do gaze,                        275
+Seeme durt and drosse in thy pure-sighted eye,
+Compar'd to that celestiall beauties blaze,
+Whose glorious beames all fleshly sense doth daze
+With admiration of their passing light,
+Blinding the eyes, and lumining the spright.                         280
+
+Then shall thy ravisht soul inspired bee
+With heavenly thoughts, farre above humane skil,
+And thy bright radiant eyes shall plainely see
+Th'idee of his pure glorie present still
+Before thy face, that all thy spirits shall fill                     285
+With sweete enragement of celestiall love,
+Kindled through sight of those faire things above.
+
+
+
+AN HYMNE
+
+OF HEAVENLY BEAUTIE.
+
+Rapt with the rage of mine own ravisht thought,
+Through contemplation of those goodly sights
+And glorious images in heaven wrought,
+Whose wondrous beauty, breathing sweet delights,
+Do kindle love in high conceipted sprights,                            5
+I faine* to tell the things that I behold,
+But feele my wits to faile and tongue to fold.
+  [* _Faine_, long.]
+
+Vouchsafe then, O Thou most Almightie Spright!
+From whom all guifts of wit and knowledge flow,
+To shed into my breast some sparkling light                           10
+Of thine eternall truth, that I may show
+Some little beames to mortall eyes below
+Of that immortall Beautie there with Thee,
+Which in my weake distraughted mynd I see;
+
+That with the glorie of so goodly sight                               15
+The hearts of men, which fondly here admyre
+Faire seeming shewes, and feed on vaine delight,
+Transported with celestiall desyre
+Of those faire formes, may lift themselves up hyer,
+And learne to love, with zealous humble dewty,                        20
+Th'Eternall Fountaine of that heavenly Beauty.
+
+Beginning then below, with th'easie vew
+Of this base world, subiect to fleshly eye,
+From thence to mount aloft, by order dew,
+To contemplation of th'immortall sky;                                 25
+Of the soare faulcon* so I learne to flye.
+That flags a while her fluttering wings beneath,
+Till she her selfe for stronger flight can breath.
+  [* _Soare faulcon_, a young falcon; a hawk that has not shed its first
+  feathers, which are _sorrel_.]
+
+Then looke, who list thy gazefull eyes to feed
+With sight of that is faire, looke on the frame                       30
+Of this wyde universe, and therein reed
+The endlesse kinds of creatures which by name
+Thou canst not count, much less their natures aime;
+All which are made with wondrous wise respect,
+And all with admirable beautie deckt.                                 35
+
+First, th'Earth, on adamantine pillers founded
+Amid the Sea, engirt with brasen bands;
+Then th'Aire, still flitting, but yet firmely bounded
+On everie side with pyles of flaming brands,
+Never consum'd, nor quencht with mortall hands;                       40
+And last, that mightie shining cristall wall,
+Wherewith he hath encompassed this all.
+
+By view whereof it plainly may appeare,
+That still as every thing doth upward tend
+And further is from earth, so still more cleare                       45
+And faire it growes, till to his perfect end
+Of purest Beautie it at last ascend;
+Ayre more then water, fire much more then ayre,
+And heaven then fire, appeares more pure and fayre.
+
+Looke thou no further, but affixe thine eye                           50
+On that bright shynie round still moving masse,
+The house of blessed God, which men call Skye,
+All sowd with glistring stars more thicke then grasse,
+Whereof each other doth in brightnesse passe,
+But those two most, which, ruling night and day,                      55
+As king and queene the heavens empire sway;
+
+And tell me then, what hast thou ever seene
+That to their beautie may compared bee?
+Or can the sight that is most sharpe and keene
+Endure their captains flaming head to see?                            60
+How much lesse those, much higher in degree,
+And so much fairer, and much more then these,
+As these are fairer then the land and seas?
+
+For farre above these heavens which here we see,
+Be others farre exceeding these in light,                             65
+Not bounded, not corrupt, as these same bee,
+But infinite in largenesse and in hight,
+Unmoving, uncorrupt, and spotlesse bright,
+That need no sunne t'illuminate their spheres,
+But their owne native light farre passing theirs.                     70
+
+And as these heavens still by degrees arize,
+Until they come to their first movers* bound,
+That in his mightie compasse doth comprize
+And carrie all the rest with him around,
+So those likewise doe by degrees redound**,                           75
+And rise more faire, till they at last arive
+To the most faire, whereto they all do strive.
+  [* I.e. the _primum mobile_.]
+  [** I.e. exceed the one the other.]
+
+Faire is the heaven where happy soules have place,
+In full enioyment of felicitie,
+Whence they doe still behold the glorious face                        80
+Of the Divine Eternall Maiestie;
+More faire is that where those Idees on hie
+Enraunged be, which Plato so admyred,
+And pure Intelligences from God inspyred.
+
+Yet fairer is that heaven in which do raine                           85
+The soveraigne Powres and mightie Potentates,
+Which in their high protections doe containe
+All mortall princes and imperiall states;
+And fayrer yet whereas the royall Seates
+And heavenly Dominations are set,                                     90
+From whom all earthly governance is fet*.
+  [* _Fet_, fetched, derived.]
+
+Yet farre more faire be those bright Cherubins,
+Which all with golden wings are overdight,
+And those eternall burning Seraphins,
+Which from their faces dart out fierie light;                         95
+Yet fairer then they both, and much more bright,
+Be th'Angels and Archangels, which attend
+On Gods owne person, without rest or end.
+
+These thus in faire each other farre excelling,
+As to the Highest they approach more near,                           100
+Yet is that Highest farre beyond all telling,
+Fairer then all the rest which there appeare,
+Though all their beauties ioyn'd together were;
+How then can mortall tongue hope to expresse
+The image of such endlesse perfectnesse?                             105
+
+Cease then, my tongue! and lend unto my mynd
+Leave to bethinke how great that Beautie is,
+Whose utmost* parts so beautifull I fynd;
+How much more those essentiall parts of His,
+His truth, his love, his wisedome, and his blis,                     110
+His grace, his doome**, his mercy, and his might,
+By which he lends us of himselfe a sight!
+[* _Utmost_, outmost.]
+[** _Doome_, judgment.]
+
+Those unto all he daily doth display,
+And shew himselfe in th'image of his grace,
+As in a looking-glasse, through which he may                         115
+Be seene of all his creatures vile and base,
+That are unable else to see his face;
+His glorious face! which glistereth else so bright,
+That th'angels selves can not endure his sight.
+
+But we, fraile wights! whose sight cannot sustaine                   120
+The suns bright beames when he on us doth shyne,
+But* that their points rebutted** backe againe
+Are duld, how can we see with feeble eyne
+The glorie of that Maiestie Divine,
+In sight of whom both sun and moone are darke,                       125
+Compared to his least resplendent sparke?
+[* _But_, unless.]
+[** _Rebutted_, reflected.]
+
+The meanes, therefore, which unto us is lent
+Him to behold, is on his workes to looke.
+Which he hath made in beauty excellent,
+And in the same, as in a brasen booke,                               130
+To read enregistred in every nooke
+His goodnesse, which his beautie doth declare;
+For all thats good is beautifull and faire.
+
+Thence gathering plumes of perfect speculation
+To impe* the wings of thy high flying mynd,                          135
+Mount up aloft through heavenly contemplation
+From this darke world, whose damps the soule do blynd,
+And, like the native brood of eagles kynd,
+On that bright Sunne of Glorie fixe thine eyes,
+Clear'd from grosse mists of fraile infirmities.                     140
+  [* _Impe_, mend, strengthen.]
+
+Humbled with feare and awfull reverence,
+Before the footestoole of his Maiestie
+Throw thy selfe downe, with trembling innocence,
+Ne dare looke up with corruptible eye
+On the dred face of that great Deity,                                145
+For feare lest, if he chaunce to look on thee,
+Thou turne to nought, and quite confounded be.
+
+But lowly fall before his mercie seate,
+Close covered with the Lambes integrity
+From the iust wrath of His avengefull threate                        150
+That sits upon the righteous throne on hy;
+His throne is built upon Eternity,
+More firme and durable then steele or brasse,
+Or the hard diamond, which them both doth passe.
+
+His scepter is the rod of Righteousnesse,                            155
+With which he bruseth all his foes to dust,
+And the great Dragon strongly doth represse
+Under the rigour of his iudgment iust;
+His seate is Truth, to which the faithfull trust,
+From whence proceed her beames so pure and bright,                   160
+That all about him sheddeth glorious light:
+
+Light farre exceeding that bright blazing sparke
+Which darted is from Titans flaming head,
+That with his beames enlumineth the darke
+And dampish air, wherby al things are red*;                          165
+Whose nature yet so much is marvelled
+Of mortall wits, that it doth much amaze
+The greatest wisards** which thereon do gaze.
+  [* _Red_, perceived.]
+  [** _Wisards_, wise men, _savants_.]
+
+But that immortall light which there doth shine
+Is many thousand times more bright, more cleare,                     170
+More excellent, more glorious, more divine;
+Through which to God all mortall actions here,
+And even the thoughts of men, do plaine appeare;
+For from th'Eternall Truth it doth proceed,
+Through heavenly vertue which her beames doe breed.                  175
+
+With the great glorie of that wondrous light
+His throne is all encompassed around,
+And hid in his owne brightnesse from the sight
+Of all that looke thereon with eyes unsound;
+And underneath his feet are to be found                              180
+Thunder, and lightning, and tempestuous fyre,
+The instruments of his avenging yre.
+
+There in his bosome Sapience doth sit,
+The soveraine dearling of the Deity,
+Clad like a queene in royall robes, most fit                         185
+For so great powre and peerelesse maiesty,
+And all with gemmes and iewels gorgeously
+Adornd, that brighter then the starres appeare,
+And make her native brightnes seem more cleare.
+
+And on her head a crown of purest gold                               190
+Is set, in signe of highest soverainty;
+And in her hand a scepter she doth hold,
+With which she rules the house of God on hy,
+And menageth the ever-moving sky,
+And in the same these lower creatures all                            195
+Subiected to her powre imperiall.
+
+Both heaven and earth obey unto her will,
+And all the creatures which they both containe;
+For of her fulnesse, which the world doth fill,
+They all partake, and do in state remaine                            200
+As their great Maker did at first ordaine,
+Through observation of her high beheast,
+By which they first were made, and still increast.
+
+The fairnesse of her face no tongue can tell;
+For she the daughters of all wemens race,                            205
+And angels eke, in beautie doth excell,
+Sparkled on her from Gods owne glorious face,
+And more increast by her owne goodly grace,
+That it doth farre exceed all humane thought,
+Ne can on earth compared be to ought.                                210
+
+Ne could that painter (had he lived yet)
+Which pictured Venus with so curious quill
+That all posteritie admyred it,
+Have purtray'd this, for all his maistring* skill;
+Ne she her selfe, had she remained still,                            215
+And were as faire as fabling wits do fayne,
+Could once come neare this Beauty soverayne.
+  [* _Maistring_, superior.]
+
+But had those wits, the wonders of their dayes,
+Or that sweete Teian poet*, which did spend
+His plenteous vaine in setting forth her praise,                     220
+Seen but a glims of this which I pretend**,
+How wondrously would he her face commend,
+Above that idole of his fayning thought,
+That all the world should with his rimes be fraught!
+[* I.e. Anacreon.]
+[** _Pretend_, set forth, (or, simply) intend.]
+
+How then dare I, the novice of his art,                              225
+Presume to picture so divine a wight,
+Or hope t'expresse her least perfections part,
+Whose beautie filles the heavens with her light,
+And darkes the earth with shadow of her sight?
+Ah, gentle Muse! thou art too weake and faint                        230
+The pourtraict of so heavenly hew to paint.
+
+Let angels, which her goodly face behold,
+And see at will, her soveraigne praises sing,
+And those most sacred mysteries unfold
+Of that faire love of mightie Heavens King;                          235
+Enough is me t'admyre so heavenly thing,
+And being thus with her huge love possest,
+In th'only wonder of her selfe to rest.
+
+But whoso may, thrise happie man him hold
+Of all on earth, whom God so much doth grace,                        240
+And lets his owne Beloved to behold;
+For in the view of her celestiall face
+All ioy, all blisse, all happinesse, have place;
+Ne ought on earth can want unto the wight
+Who of her selfe can win the wishfull sight.                         245
+
+For she out of her secret threasury
+Plentie of riches forth on him will powre,
+Even heavenly riches, which there hidden ly
+Within the closet of her chastest bowre,
+Th'eternall portion of her precious dowre,                           250
+Which Mighty God hath given to her free,
+And to all those which thereof worthy bee.
+
+None thereof worthy be, but those whom shee
+Vouchsafeth to her presence to receave,
+And letteth them her lovely face to see,                             255
+Wherof such wondrous pleasures they conceave,
+And sweete contentment, that it doth bereave
+Their soul of sense, through infinite delight,
+And them transport from flesh into the spright.
+
+In which they see such admirable things,                             260
+As carries them into an extasy;
+And heare such heavenly notes and carolings
+Of Gods high praise, that filles the brasen sky;
+And feele such ioy and pleasure inwardly,
+That maketh them all worldly cares forget,                           265
+And onely thinke on that before them set.
+
+Ne from thenceforth doth any fleshly sense,
+Or idle thought of earthly things, remaine;
+But all that earst seemd sweet seemes now offence,
+And all that pleased earst now seemes to paine:                      270
+Their ioy, their comfort, their desire, their game,
+Is fixed all on that which now they see;
+All other sights but fayned shadowes bee.
+
+And that faire lampe which useth to enflame
+The hearts of men with selfe-consuming fyre,                         275
+Thenceforth seemes fowle, and full of sinfull blame
+And all that pompe to which proud minds aspyre
+By name of Honor, and so much desyre,
+Seemes to them basenesse, and all riches drosse,
+And all mirth sadnesse, and all lucre losse.                         280
+
+So full their eyes are of that glorious sight,
+And senses fraught with such satietie.
+That in nought else on earth they can delight,
+But in th'aspect of that felicitie
+Which they have written in theyr inward ey;                          285
+On which they feed, and in theyr fastened mynd
+All happie ioy and full contentment fynd.
+
+Ah, then, my hungry soule! which long hast fed
+On idle fancies of thy foolish thought,
+And, with false Beauties flattring bait misled,                      290
+Hast after vaine deceiptfull shadowes sought,
+Which all are fled, and now have left thee nought
+But late repentance, through thy follies prief,
+Ah! ceasse to gaze on matter of thy grief:
+
+And looke at last up to that Soveraine Light,                        295
+From whose pure beams al perfect Beauty springs,
+That kindleth love in every godly spright,
+Even the love of God; which loathing brings
+Of this vile world and these gay-seeming things;
+With whose sweet pleasures being so possest,                         300
+Thy straying thoughts henceforth for ever rest.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+EPIGRAMS AND SONNETS.
+
+
+
+EPIGRAMS.
+
+
+I*.
+[* In the folio of 1611, these four short pieces are appended
+to the Sonnets. The second and third are translated from Marot's
+Epigrams, Liv. III. No. 5, _De Diane_, and No. 24, _De Cupido et de sa
+Dame_. C.]
+
+In youth, before I waxed old,
+The blynd boy, Venus baby,
+For want of cunning, made me bold
+In bitter hyve to grope for honny:
+  But when he saw me stung and cry,
+  He tooke his wings and away did fly.
+
+
+II.
+
+As Diane hunted on a day,
+She chaunst to come where Cupid lay,
+  His quiver by his head:
+One of his shafts she stole away,
+And one of hers did close convay,
+  Into the others stead:
+With that Love wounded my Loves hart,
+But Diane, beasts with Cupids dart.
+
+
+III.
+
+I saw, in secret to my dame
+How little Cupid humbly came,
+  And said to her, "All hayle, my mother!"
+But when he saw me laugh, for shame
+His face with bashfull blood did flame,
+  Not knowing Venus from the other.
+"Then, never blush, Cupid," quoth I,
+"For many have err'd in this beauty."
+
+
+IV.
+
+Upon a day, as Love lay sweetly slumbring
+  All in his mothers lap,
+A gentle Bee, with his loud trumpet murm'ring,
+  About him flew by hap.
+Whereof when he was wakened with the noyse,
+  And saw the beast so small,
+"Whats this," quoth he, "that gives so great a voyce,
+  That wakens men withall?"
+    In angry wize he flies about,
+    And threatens all with corage stout.                              10
+
+To whom his mother, closely* smiling, sayd,
+  'Twixt earnest and 'twixt game:
+"See! thou thy selfe likewise art lyttle made,
+  If thou regard the same.
+And yet thou suffrest neyther gods in sky,                            15
+  Nor men in earth, to rest:
+But when thou art disposed cruelly,
+  Theyr sleepe thou doost molest.
+    Then eyther change thy cruelty,
+    Or give lyke leave unto the fly."                                 20
+[* _Closely_, secretly.]
+
+Nathelesse, the cruell boy, not so content,
+  Would needs the fly pursue,
+And in his hand, with heedlesse hardiment,
+  Him caught for to subdue.
+But when on it he hasty hand did lay,                                 25
+  The Bee him stung therefore.
+"Now out, alas," he cryde, "and welaway!
+  I wounded am full sore.
+    The fly, that I so much did scorne,
+    Hath hurt me with his little horne."                              30
+
+Unto his mother straight he weeping came,
+  And of his griefe complayned;
+Who could not chuse but laugh at his fond game,
+  Though sad to see him pained.
+"Think now," quoth she, "my son, how great the smart                  35
+  Of those whom thou dost wound:
+Full many thou hast pricked to the hart,
+  That pitty never found.
+    Therefore, henceforth some pitty take,
+    When thou doest spoyle of lovers make."                           40
+
+She tooke him streight full pitiously lamenting,
+She wrapt him softly, all the while repenting
+  That he the fly did mock.
+She drest his wound, and it embaulmed well                            45
+  With salve of soveraigne might;
+And then she bath'd him in a dainty well,
+  The well of deare delight.
+    Who would not oft be stung as this,
+    To be so bath'd in Venus blis?                                    50
+
+The wanton boy was shortly wel recured
+  Of that his malady;
+But he soone after fresh again enured*
+  His former cruelty.
+And since that time he wounded hath my selfe                          55
+  With his sharpe dart of love,
+And now forgets the cruell carelesse elfe
+  His mothers heast** to prove.
+    So now I languish, till he please
+    My pining anguish to appease.                                     60
+[* _Enured_, practised.]
+[** _Heast_, command.]
+
+
+
+
+
+SONNETS
+
+WRITTEN BY SPENSER,
+
+COLLECTED FKOM THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS IN
+WHICH THEY APPEARED.
+
+
+I*.
+
+_To the right worshipfull, my singular good frend,
+M. Gabriell Harvey, Doctor of the Lawes._
+
+Harvey, the happy above happiest men
+I read**; that, sitting like a looker-on
+Of this worldes stage, doest note with critique pen
+The sharpe dislikes of each condition:
+And, as one carelesse of suspition,
+Ne fawnest for the favour of the great,
+Ne fearest foolish reprehension
+Of faulty men, which daunger to thee threat:
+But freely doest of what thee list entreat,@
+Like a great lord of peerelesse liberty,
+Lifting the good up to high Honours seat,
+And the evill damning evermore to dy:
+For life and death is in thy doomeful writing;
+So thy renowme lives ever by endighting.
+
+
+Dublin, this xviij. of July, 1586.
+
+Your devoted friend, during life,
+
+EDMUND SPENCER.
+
+[* From "Foure Letters and certaine Sonnets especially touching Robert
+Greene, and other parties by him abused," &c. London, 1592. TODD.]
+[** _Read_, consider.]
+[@ _Entreat_, treat.]
+
+
+II*.
+
+Whoso wil seeke, by right deserts, t'attaine
+Unto the type of true nobility,
+And not by painted shewes, and titles vaine,
+Derived farre from famous auncestrie,
+Behold them both in their right visnomy**
+Here truly pourtray'd as they ought to be,
+And striving both for termes of dignitie,
+To be advanced highest in degree.
+And when thou doost with equall insight see
+The ods twist both, of both then deem aright,
+And chuse the better of them both to thee;
+But thanks to him that it deserves behight@:
+  To Nenna first, that first this worke created,
+  And next to Iones, that truely it translated.
+
+
+ED. SPENSER.
+
+[* Prefixed to "Nennio, or A Treatise of Nobility, &c. Written  in
+Italian by that famous Doctor and worthy Knight, Sir John Baptista
+Nenna of Bari. Done into English by William Iones, Gent." 1595. TODD.]
+[** _Visnomy_, features.]
+[@ _Behight_, accord.]
+
+
+III*.
+
+_Upon the Historie of George Castriot, alias Scanderbeg, King of the
+Epirots, translated into English._
+
+Wherefore doth vaine Antiquitie so vaunt
+Her ancient monuments of mightie peeres,
+And old heroees, which their world did daunt
+With their great deedes and fild their childrens eares?
+Who, rapt with wonder of their famous praise,
+Admire their statues, their colossoes great,
+Their rich triumphall arcks which they did raise,
+Their huge pyramids, which do heaven threat.
+Lo! one, whom later age hath brought to light,
+Matchable to the greatest of those great;
+Great both by name, and great in power and might,
+And meriting a meere** triumphant seate.
+  The scourge of Turkes, and plague of infidels,
+  Thy acts, O Scanderbeg, this volume tels.
+
+
+ED. SPENSER.
+
+[* Prefixed to the "Historie of George Castriot, alias  Scanderbeg, King
+of Albanie: Containing his famous actes, &c. Newly  translated out of
+French into English by Z.I. Gentleman." 1596. TODD.]
+[** _Meere_, absolute, decided.]
+
+
+IV*.
+
+The antique Babel, empresse of the East,
+Upreard her buildinges to the threatned skie:
+And second Babell, tyrant of the West,
+Her ayry towers upraised much more high.
+But with the weight of their own surquedry**
+They both are fallen, that all the earth did feare,
+And buried now in their own ashes ly,
+Yet shewing, by their heapes, how great they were.
+But in their place doth now a third appeare,
+Fayre Venice, flower of the last worlds delight;
+And next to them in beauty draweth neare,
+But farre exceedes in policie of right.
+  Yet not so fayre her buildinges to behold
+  As Lewkenors stile that hath her beautie told.
+
+
+EDM. SPENCER.
+
+[* Prefixed to "The Commonwealth and Government of Venice,
+Written by the Cardinall Gaspar Contareno, and translated out of Italian
+into English by Lewes Lewkenor, Esquire." London, 1599. TODD.]
+[** _Surquedry_, presumption.]
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+APPENDIX.
+
+APPENDIX I.
+
+VARIATIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITIONS.
+
+The Ruines of Time v. 353, covetize, Q. covertize.
+The Ruines of Time v. 541, ocean, Q. Occaean.
+The Ruines of Time v. 551, which (ed. 1611), Q. with.
+The Ruines of Time v. 574, worlds (ed. 1611), Q. words.
+The Ruines of Time v. 675, worldes, Q. worlds.
+The Teares of the Muses v. 600, living (ed. 1611), Q. loving.
+Virgils Gnat v. 149, Ascraean, Q. Astraean.
+Virgils Gnat v. 340, seest thou not (ed. 1611), Q. seest thou.
+Virgils Gnat v. 387, throat (ed. 1611), Q. threat.
+Virgils Gnat v. 575, billowes, Q. billowe.
+Prosopopoia v. 53, gossip, Q. goship.
+Prosopopoia v. 453, diriges, Q. dirges.
+Prosopopoia v. 648, at all, Q. all.
+Prosopopoia v. 997, whether, Q. whither.
+Prosopopoia v. 1012, stopt, Q. stept.
+Prosopopoia v. 1019, whither, Q. whether.
+Ruines of Rome xviii. 5, ornaments, Q. ornament.
+Muiopotmos v. 250, dispacing, Q. displacing.
+Muiopotmos v. 431, yongthly, Q. yougthly.
+The Visions of Bellay ii. 8, one, Q. on.
+The Visions of Bellay ix. 1, astonied, Q. astoined.
+The Visions of Petrarche vii. 1, behold, Q. beheld.
+Amoretti lxxxii. 2, placed, Orig ed*. plac'd. [* According to Todd.]
+Epithalmion v. 67, dere, orig. ed. dore.
+Epithalmion v. 190, mazeful (ed. 1611), orig. ed. amazeful.
+Epithalmion v. 290, sad dread (ed. 1611), orig. ed. dread.
+Epithalmion v. 341, Pouke, orig. ed. ponke.
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 165, they will (ed. 1611), orig. ed. thou
+wilt.
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 169, be enfyred (ed. 1611), orig. ed. he
+enfyred.
+An Hymne in Honour of Love v. 302, an (ed. 1611), orig. ed. and.
+An Hymne in Honour of Beautie v. 147, deform'd, orig. ed. perform'd.
+An Hymne in Honour of Beautie v. 171, affections (ed. 1611), orig. ed.
+affection.
+
+
+
+APPENDIX II.
+
+_To the Worshipfull, his very singular good friend,
+Maister G. H., Fellow of Trinitie Hall in Cambridge._ *
+[* Reprinted from "Ancient Critical Essays upon English Poets
+and Poesy. Edited by Joseph Haslewood". Vol II]
+
+GOOD MAISTER G.:--
+
+I perceiue, by your most curteous and frendly letters, your good will to
+be no lesse in deed than I alwayes esteemed. In recompence wherof,
+think, I beseech you, that I wil spare neither speech, nor wryting, nor
+aught else, whensoeuer and wheresoeuer occasion shal be offred me; yea,
+I will not stay till it be offred, but will seeke it in al that possibly
+I may. And that you may perceiue how much your counsel in al things
+preuaileth with me, and how altogither I am ruled and ouer-ruled
+thereby, I am now determined to alter mine owne former purpose, and to
+subscribe to your advizement; being, notwithstanding, resolued stil to
+abide your farther resolution. My principal doubts are these. First, I
+was minded for a while to haue intermitted the vttering of my writings;
+leaste by ouer-much cloying their noble eares, I should gather a
+contempt of myself, or else seeme rather for game and commoditie to doe
+it, for some sweetnesse that I haue already tasted. Then also me seemeth
+the work too base for his excellent lordship, being made in honour of a
+priuate personage vnknowne, which of some ylwillers might be vpbraided,
+not to be so worthie as you knowe she is; or the matter not so weightie
+that it should be offred to so weightie a personage, or the like. The
+selfe former title still liketh me well ynough, and your fine addition
+no lesse. If these and the like doubtes maye be of importaunce, in your
+seeming, to frustrate any parte of your aduice, I beeseeche you without
+the leaste selfe loue of your own purpose, councell me for the beste:
+and the rather doe it faithfullye and carefully, for that, in all
+things, I attribute so muche to your iudgement, that I am euermore
+content to adnihilate mine owne determinations in respecte thereof. And,
+indeede, for your selfe to, it sitteth with you now to call your wits &
+senses togither (which are alwaies at call) when occasion is so fairely
+offered of estimation and preferment, For whiles the yron is hote it is
+good striking, and minds of nobles varie, as their estates. _Verum ne
+quid durius._
+
+I pray you bethinks you well hereof, good Maister G., and forth with
+write me those two or three special points and caueats for the nonce;
+_De quibus in superioribus illis mellitissimus longissimisque litteris
+tuis._ Your desire to heare of my late beeing with hir Maiestie muste
+dye in it selfe. As for the twoo worthy gentle men, Master Sidney and
+Master Dyer, they haue me, I thanke them, in some vse of familiarity; of
+whom and to whome what speache passeth for youre credite and estimation
+I leaue your selfe to conceiue, hauing alwayes so well conceiued of my
+vnfained affection and zeale towardes you. And nowe they haue proclaimed
+in their [Greek: hareiophaga] a generall surceasing and silence of balde
+rymers, and also of the verie beste to; in steade whereof they haue, by
+authoritie of their whole senate, prescribed certaine lawes and rules of
+quantities of English sillables for English verse; hauing had thereof
+already greate practise, and drawen mee to their faction. Newe bookes I
+heare of none, but only of one* [* Stephen Gosson.], that
+writing a certaine booke called _The Schoole of Abuse_, and dedicating
+it to Maister Sidney, was for hys labor scorned; if, at leaste, it be in
+the goodnesse of that nature to scorne. Such follie is it not to regard
+aforehande the inclination and qualitie of him to whome wee dedicate
+oure bookes. Suche mighte I happily incurre, entituling _My Slomber_,
+and the other pamphlets, vnto his honor. I meant them rather to Maister
+Dyer. But I am of late more in loue wyth my Englishe versifying than
+with ryming: whyche I should haue done long since, if I would then haue
+followed your councell. _Sed te solum iam tum suspicabar cum Aschamo
+sapere; nunc aulam video egregios alere poetas Anglicos_. Maister E.K.
+hartily desireth to be commended vnto your worshippe: of whome what
+accompte he maketh youre selfe shall hereafter perceiue by hys paynefull
+and dutifull verses of your selfe.
+
+Thus muche was written at Westminster yesternight; but comming this
+morning, beeyng the sixteenth of October [1579], to Mystresse Kerkes, to
+haue it deliuered to the carrier, I receyued youre letter, sente me the
+laste weeke; whereby I perceiue you otherwhiles continue your old
+exercise of versifying in English,--whych glorie I had now thought
+whoulde haue bene onely ours heere at London and the court.
+
+Truste me, your verses I like passingly well, and enuye your hidden
+paines in this kinde, or rather maligne and grudge at your selfe, that
+woulde not once imparte so muche to me. But once or twice you make a
+breache in Maister Drants rules: _quod tamen condonabimus tanto poetae,
+tuaeque ipsius maximae in his rebus autoritati._ You shall see, when we
+meete in London, (whiche when it shall be, certifye vs,) howe fast I
+haue followed after you in that course: beware, leaste in time I
+ouertake you. _Veruntamen te solum sequar, (vt saepenumero sum
+professus,) nunquam sane assequar dum viuam._ And nowe requite I you
+with the like, not with the verye beste, but with the verye shortest,
+namely, with a few _Iambickes_. I dare warrant, they be precisely
+perfect for the feete, (as you can easily iudge,) and varie not one inch
+from the rule. I will imparte yours to Maister Sidney and Maister Dyer,
+at my nexte going to the courte. I praye you keepe mine close to your
+selfe, or your verie entire friendes, Maister Preston, Maister Still,
+and the reste.
+
+              _Iambicum Trimetrum_
+
+Vnhappie Verse, the witnesse of my vnhappie state,
+  Make thy selfe fluttring wings of thy fast flying
+  Thought, and fly forth vnto my love whersoeuer she be:
+
+Whether lying reastlesse in heauy bedde, or else
+  Sitting so cheerelesse at the cheerfull boorde, or else
+  Playing alone carelesse on hir heauenlie virginals.
+
+If in bed, tell hir, that my eyes can take no reste;
+  If at boorde, tell hir, that my mouth can eate no meate;
+  If at hir virginals, tel hir, I can heare no mirth.
+
+Asked why? say, Waking loue suffereth no sleepe;
+  Say, that raging loue dothe appall the weake stomacke;
+  Say, that lamenting loue marreth the musicall.
+
+Tell hir, that hir pleasures were wonte to lull me asleepe;
+  Tell hir, that hir beautie was wonte to feede mine eyes;
+  Tell hir, that hir sweete tongue was wonte to make me mirth.
+
+Nowe doe I nightly waste, wanting my kindely reste;
+  Nowe doe I dayly starue, wanting my liuely foode;
+  Nowe doe I alwayes dye, wanting thy timely mirth.
+
+And if I waste, who will bewaile my heauy chaunce?
+  And if I starue, who will record my cursed end?
+  And if I dye, who will saye, _This was Immerito?_
+
+
+I thought once agayne here to haue made an ende, with heartie _Vale_, of
+the best fashion; but loe, an ylfavoured mys chaunce. My last farewell,
+whereof I made great accompt, and muche maruelled you shoulde make no
+mention thereof, I am nowe tolde, (in the diuel's name,) was thorough
+one mans negligence quite forgotten, but shoulde nowe vndoubtedly haue
+beene sent, whether I hadde come or no. Seing it can now be no
+otherwise, I pray you take all togither, wyth all their faults: and nowe
+I hope you will vouchsafe mee an answeare of the largest size, or else I
+tell you true, you shall bee verye deepe in my debte; notwythstandyng
+thys other sweete but shorte letter, and fine, but fewe verses. But I
+woulde rather I might yet see youre owne good selfe, and receiue a
+reciprocall farewell from your owne sweete mouth.
+
+_Ad ornatissimum virum, multis iam diu nominibus clarissimum,
+G. H., Immerito sui, mox in Gallias nauigaturi,_ [Greek: Eutuchein]
+
+Sic malus egregium, sic non inimicus amicum,
+Sicque nouus veterem iubet ipse poeta poetam
+Saluere, ac caelo, post secula multa, secundo,
+Iam reducem, (caelo mage quam nunc ipse sccundo)
+Vtier. Ecce deus, (modo sit deus ille, renixum
+Qui vocet in scelus, et iuratos perdat amores)
+Ecce deus mihi clara dedit modo signa marinus,
+Et sua veligero lenis parat aequora ligno
+Mox sulcanda; suas etiam pater AEolus iras
+Ponit, et ingentes animos Aquilonis.
+Cuncta vijs sic apta meis: ego solus ineptus.
+Nam mihi nescio quo mens saucia vulnere, dudum
+Fluctuat ancipiti pelago, dum navita proram
+Inualidam validus rapit huc Amor, et rapit illuc
+Consilijs Ratio melioribus vsa, Decusque
+Immortale leui diffissa Cupidinis arcu*:
+     [* This line appears to be corrupt.]
+Angimur hoc dubio, et portu vexamur in ipso.
+Magne pharetrati nunc tu contemptor Amoris,
+(Id tibi Dij nomen precor haud impune remittant)
+Hos nodos exsolue, et eris mihi magnus Apollo!
+Spiritus ad summos, scio, te generosus honores
+Exstimulat, majusque docet spirare poetam.
+Quam leuis est Amor, et tamen haud leuis est Amor omnis.
+Ergo nihil laudi reputas aequale perenni,
+Praeque sacrosancta splendoris imagine tanti,
+Caetera, quae vecors, vti numina, vulgus adorat,
+Praedia, amicitias, vrbana peculia, nummos,
+Quaeque placent oculis, formas, spectacula, amores,
+Conculcare soles, vt humum, et ludibria sensus:
+Digna meo certe Haruejo sententia, digna
+Oratore amplo, et generoso pectore, quam non
+Stoica formidet veterum sapientia vinclis
+Sancire aeternis: sapor haud tamen omnibus idem.
+Dicitur effoeti proles facunda Laertae,
+Quamlibet ignoti iactata per aequora caeli,
+Inque procelloso longum exsul gurgite ponto,
+Prae tamen amplexu lachrymosae conjugis, ortus
+Caelestes, Diuumque thoros spreuisse beatos.
+Tantum amor, et mulier, vel amore potetitior. Ilium
+Tu tamen illudis; tua magnificentia tanta est:
+Praeque subumbrata splendoris imagine tanti,
+Praeque illo meritis famosis nomine parto,
+Caetera, quae vecors, vti numina, vulgus adorat,
+Praedia, amicitias, armenta, peculia, nummos,
+Quaeque placent oculis, formas, spectacula, amores,
+Quaeque placent ori, quaeque auribus, omnia temnis.
+Nae tu grande sapis! sapor et sapientia non est:
+Omnis et in paruis bene qui scit desipuisse,
+Saepe supercilijs palmam sapientibus aufert.
+Ludit Aristippum modo tetrica turba sophorum,
+Mitia purpureo moderantem verba tyranno;
+Ludit Aristippus dictamina vana sophorum,
+Quos leuis emensi male torquet Culicis vmbra:
+Et quisquis placuisse studet heroibus altis,
+Desipuisse studet; sic gratia crescit ineptis.
+Denique laurigeris quisquis sua tempora vittis
+Insignire volet, populoque placere fauenti,
+Desipere insanus discit, turpemque pudendae
+Stultitiae laudem quaerit. Pater Ennuis vnus
+Dictus in innumeris sapiens: laudatur at ipse
+Carmina vesano fudisse liquentia vino.
+Nec tu, pace tua, nostri Cato Maxime saecli,
+Nomen honorati sacrum mereare poetae,
+Quantumvis illustre canas, et nobile carmen,
+Ni _stultire_ velis; sic stultorum omnia plena.
+Tuta sed in medio superest via gurgite; nam qui
+Nec reliquis nimium vult desipuisse videri,
+Nec sapuisse nimis, sapientem dixeris vnum:
+Hinc te merserit vnda, illine combusserit ignis.
+Nec tu delicias nimis aspernare fluentes,
+Nec sero dominam venientem in vota, nec aurum,
+Si sapis, oblatum: (Curijs ea, Fabricijsque
+Grande sui decus ij, nostri sed dedecus aeui;)
+Nec sectare nimis: res vtraque crimine plena.
+Hoc bene qui callet, (si quis tamen hoc bene callet,)
+Scribe vel invito sapientem hunc Socrate solum.
+Vis facit vna pios, iustos facit altera, et alt'ra
+Egregie cordata ac fortia pectora: verum
+_Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit vtile dulci._
+Dij mihi dulce diu dederant, verum vtile nunquam:
+Vtile nunc etiam, o vtinam quoque dulce dedissent.
+Dij mihi, (quippe Dijs aequalia maxima paruis,)
+Ni nimis inuideant mortalibus esse beatis,
+Dulce simul tribuisse queant, simul vtile: tanta
+Sed fortuna tua est: pariter quaeque vtile, quaeque
+Dulce dat ad placitum: sseuo nos sydere nati
+Quaesitum imus eam per inhospita Caucasa longe,
+Perque Pyrenaeos montes, Babilonaque turpem.
+Quod si quaesitum nec ibi invenerimus, ingens
+AEquor inexhaustis permensi erroribus vltra
+Fluctibus in medijs socij quaeremus Vlyssis:
+Passibus inde deam fessis comitabimur aegram,
+Nobile cui furtum quaerenti defuit orbis.
+Namque sinu pudet in patrio tenebrisque pudendis,
+Non nimis ingenio iuuenem infoelice virentes
+Officijs frustra deperdere vilibus annos,
+Frugibus et vacuas speratis cernere spicas.
+Ibimus ergo statim, (quis eutiti fausta precetur?)
+Et pede clivosas fesso calcabimus Alpes.
+Quis dabit interea, conditas rore Britanno,
+Quis tibi litterulas, quis carmen amore petulcum!
+Musa sub Oebalij desueta cacumine mentis,
+Flebit inexhausto tarn longa silentia planctu,
+Lugebitque sacrum lacrymis Helicona tacentem.
+Harueiusque bonus, (charus licet omnibus idem,)
+Idque suo merito prope suauior omnibus, vnus
+Angelus et Gabriel, quamuis comitatus araicis
+Innumeris, geniumque choro stipatus amaeno,
+_Immerito_ tamen vnum absentem saepe requiret;
+Optabitque, Utinam meus hic _Edmundus_ adesset,
+Qui noua scripsisset, nee amores conticuisset,
+Ipse suos; et saepe animo verbisque benignis
+Fausta precaretur, _Deus illum aliqaundo reducat_. &c.
+
+  Plura vellem per Charites, sed non licet per Musas.
+Vale, Vale plurimum, Mi amabilissime Harueie, meo cordi, meorum
+  omnium longe charissime.
+
+
+I was minded also to haue sent you some English verses, or rymes, for a
+farewell; but, by my troth, I haue no spare time in the world to thinke
+on such toyes, that, you knowe, will demaund a freer head than mine is
+presently. I beseeche you by all your curtesies and graces, let me be
+answered ere I goe; which will be (I hope, I feare, I thinke) the next
+weeke, if I can be dispatched of my Lorde. I goe thither, as sent by
+him, and maintained most what of him; and there am to employ my time, my
+body, my minde, to his Honours seruice. Thus, with many superhartie
+commendations and recommendations to your selfe, and all my friendes
+with you, I ende my last farewell, not thinking any more to write vnto
+you before I goe; and withall committing to your faithfull credence the
+eternall memorie of our euerlasting friendship; the inuiolable memorie
+of our ynspotted friendshippe, the sacred memorie of our vowed
+friendship; which I beseech you continue with vsuall writings, as you
+may, and of all things let me hears some newes from you: as gentle M.
+Sidney, I thanke his good worship, hath required of me, and so promised
+to doe againe. _Qui monet, vt facias, quod iam facis_, you knowe the
+rest. You may alwayes send them most safely to me by Mistresse Kerke,
+and by none other. So once againe, and yet once more, farewell most
+hardly, mine owne good Master H., and loue me, as I loue you, and thinke
+vpon poore Immerito, as he thinketh vppon you.
+
+Leyc'ester House, this 5 [16*] of October, 1579.
+[*: See Appendix II, para. 3:2.]
+
+
+_Per mare, per terras,
+Viuus mortuusque,
+Tuus Immerito_.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_To my long approoued and singular good frende,
+Master G. H._
+
+GOOD MASTER H.:--
+
+I doubt not but you haue some great important matter in hande, which al
+this while restraineth your penne, and wonted readinesse in prouoking me
+vnto that wherein yourselfe nowe faulte. If there bee any such thing in
+hatching, I pray you hartily lette vs knowe, before al the worlds see
+it. But if happly you dwell altogither in Iustinians Courte, and giue
+your selfe to be devoured of secreate studies, as of all likelyhood you
+doe, yet at least imparte some your olde or newe, Latine or Englishe,
+eloquent and gallant poesies to vs, from whose eves, you saye, you keepe
+in a manner nothing hidden. Little newes is here stirred, but that olde
+greate matter still depending. His Honoure neuer better. I thinke the
+earthquake wyth you (which I would gladly learne), as it was here with
+vs; ouerthrowing diuers old buildings and peeces of churches. Sure verye
+straunge to be hearde of in these countries, and yet I heare some saye
+(I knowe not howe truely) that they haue knowne the like before in their
+dayes. _Sed quid vobis videtur magnis philosophis?_ I like your late
+Englishe hexameters so exceedingly well, that I also enure my penne
+sometime in that kinde: whyche I fynd, indeede, as I haue heard you
+often defende in worde, neither so harde nor so harshe, that it will
+easily and fairely yeelde it selfe to oure moother tongue. For the onely
+or chiefest hardnesse whych seemeth is in the accente, whyche sometime
+gapeth, and as it were yawneth ilfauouredly, comming shorte of that it
+should, and sometime exceeding the measure of the number; as in
+_carpenter_, the middle sillable being vsed shorte in speache, when it
+shall be read long in verse, seemeth like a lame gosling, that draweth
+one legge after hir: and _heauen_, beeing vsed shorte as one sillable,
+when it is in verse, stretched out with a _diastole_, is like a lame
+dogge that holdes vp one legge. But it is to be wonne with custome, and
+rough words must be subdued with vse. For why, a God's name, may not we,
+as else the Greekes, haue the kingdome of oure owne language, and
+measure our accents by the sounde, reseruing the quantitie to the verse?
+Loe, here I let you see my olde vse of toying in rymes, turned into your
+artificiall straightnesse of verse by this _tetrasticon_. I beseech you
+tell me your fancie, without parcialitie.
+
+  See yee the blindefolded pretie god, that feathered archer,
+    Of louers miseries which maketh his bloodie game?
+  Wote ye why his moother with a veale hath coouered his face?
+    Trust me, least he my looue happely chaunce to beholde.
+
+Seeme they comparable to those two which I translated you _ex tempore_
+in bed, the last time we lay togither in Westminster?
+
+     That which I eate, did I ioy, and that which I greedily gorged;
+       As for those many goodly matters leaft I for others.
+
+I would hartily wish you would either send me the rules and precepts of
+arte which you obscrue in quantities, or else followe mine, that M.
+Philip Sidney gave me, being the very same which M. Drant deuised, but
+enlarged with M. Sidneys own iudgement, and augmented with my
+obseruations, that we might both accorde and agree in one; leaste we
+ouerthrowe one an other, and be ouerthrown of the rest. Truste me, you
+will hardly beleeue what greate good liking and estimation Maister Dyer
+had of your _Satyricall Verses_, and I, since the viewe thereof, hauing
+before of my selfe had speciall liking of Englishe versifying, am euen
+nowe aboute to giue you some token what and howe well therein I am able
+to doe: for, to tell you trueth, I minde shortely, at conuenient
+leysure, to sette forth a booke in this kinde, whyche I entitle,
+_Epithalamion Thamesis_, whyche booke I dare vndertake wil be very
+profitable for the knowledge, and rare for the inuention and manner of
+handling. For in setting forth the marriage of the Thames, I shewe his
+first beginning, and offspring, and all the countrey that he passeth
+thorough, and also describe all the riuers throughout Englande, whyche
+came to this wedding, and their righte names and right passage, &c.; a
+worke, beleeue me, of much labour, wherein notwithstanding Master
+Holinshed hath muche furthered and aduantaged me, who therein hath
+bestowed singular paines in searching oute their firste heades and
+sourses, and also in tracing and dogging onto all their course, til they
+fall into the sea.
+
+_O Tite, siquid ego,
+Ecquid erit pretij?_
+
+But of that more hereafter. Nowe, my _Dreames_ and _Dying Pellicane_
+being fully finished (as I partelye signified in my laste letters) and
+presentlye to bee imprinted, I wil in hande forthwith with my _Faery
+Queene_, whyche I praye you hartily send me with al expedition: and your
+frendly letters, and long expected judgement wythal, whyche let not be
+shorte, but in all pointes suche as you ordinarilye vse and I
+extraordinarily desire. _Multum vale.  Westminster.  Quarto Nonas
+Aprilis, 1580.  Sed, amabo te, meum Corculum tibi se ex animo commendat
+plurimum:  iamdiu mirata, te nihil ad literas suas responsi dedisse.
+Vide quaeso, ne id tibi capitale sit: mihi certe quidem erit, neque tibi
+hercle impune, vt opinor. Iterum vale, et quam voles soepe._
+Yours alwayes, to commaunde,
+IMMERITO.
+
+_Postcripte._
+
+I take best my _Dreames_ shoulde come forth alone, being growen, by
+meanes of the Glosse (running continually in maner of a paraphrase),
+full as great as my _Calendar_ Therin be some things excellently, and
+many things wittily, discoursed of E. K., and the pictures so singularly
+set forth and purtrayed, as if Michael Angelo were there, he could (I
+think) nor amende the beste, nor reprehende the worst. I knowe you
+woulde lyke them passing wel. Of my _Stemmata Dudleiana_, and especially
+of the sundry apostrophes therein, addressed you knowe to whome, muste
+more aduisement be had, than so lightly to sende them abroade: howbeit,
+trust me, (though I doe never very well,) yet, in my owne fancie, I
+neuer dyd better: _Veruntamen te sequor solum; nunquam vero assequar._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Extract from Harvey's Reply._
+
+But Master Collin Cloute is not euery body, and albeit his olde
+companions, Master Cuddy & Master Hobbinoll, be as little be holding to
+their Mistresse Poetrie as euer you wist, yet he peraduenture, by the
+meanes of hir speciall fauour, and some personall priuiledge, may
+happely line by Dying Pellicanes, and purchase great landes and
+lordshippes with the money which his Calendar and Dreames haue and will
+affourde him. _Extra iocum_, I like your Dreames passingly well; and the
+rather, bicause they sauour of that singular extraordinarie veine and
+inuention whiche I euer fancied moste, and in a manner admired onelye in
+Lucian, Petrarche, Aretine, Pasquill, and all the most delicate and fine
+conceited Grecians and Italians, (for the Romanes to speake of are but
+verye ciphars in this kinde,) whose chiefest endeuour and drifte was to
+haue nothing vulgare, but, in some respecte or other, and especially in
+liuely hyperbolicall amplifications, rare, queint, and odde in euery
+pointe, and, as a man woulde saye, a degree or two, at the leaste, aboue
+the reache and compasse of a common scholars capacitie. In whiche
+respecte notwithstanding, as well for the singularitie of the manner as
+the diuinitie of the matter, I hearde once a diuine preferre Saint Iohns
+Reuelation before al the veriest metaphysicall visions and iolliest
+conceited dreames or extasies that euer were deuised by one or other,
+howe admirable or super excellent soeuer they seemed otherwise to the
+worlde. And truely I am so confirmed in this opinion, that when I
+bethinke me of the verie notablest and moste wonderful propheticall or
+poeticall vision that euer I read, or hearde, meseemeth the proportion
+is so vnequall, that there hardly appeareth anye semblaunce of
+comparison: no more in a manner (specially for poets) than doth betweene
+the incomprehensible wisedome of God and the sensible wit of man. But
+what needeth this digression betweene you and me? I dare saye you wyll
+holde your selfe reasonably wel satisfied, if youre Dreames be but as
+well esteemed of in Englande as Petrarches Visions be in Italy; whiche,
+I assure you, is the very worst I wish you. But see how I haue the arte
+memoratiue at commaundement. In good faith, I had once again nigh
+forgotten your Faerie Queene: howbeit, by good chaunce, I haue nowe sent
+hir home at the laste, neither in better nor worse case than I founde
+hir. And must you of necessitie haue my iudgement of hir indeede? To be
+plaine, I am voyde of al iudgement, if your nine Comoedies, whervnto, in
+imitation of Herodotus, you giue the names of the nine Muses, (and in
+one mans fansie not vnworthily), come not neerer Ariostoes comoedies,
+eyther for the finesse of plausible elocution or the rarenesse of
+poetical inuention, than that Eluish Queene doth to his Orlando Furioso;
+which, notwithstanding, you wil needes seeme to emulate, and hope to
+ouergo, as you flatly professed yourself in one of your last letters.
+Besides that, you know, it hath bene the vsual practise of the most
+exquisite and odde wittes in all nations, and specially in Italie,
+rather to shewe and aduaunce themselues that way than any other; as,
+namely, those three notorious dyscoursing heads, Bibiena, Machiauel, and
+Aretine, did, (to let Bembo and Ariosto passe,) with the great
+admiration and wonderment of the whole countrey: being, in deede,
+reputed matchable in all points, both for conceyt of witte and eloquent
+decyphering of matters, either with Aristophanes and Menander in Greek,
+or with Plautus and Terence in Latin, or with any other in any other
+tong. But I wil not stand greatly with you in your owne matters. If so
+be the Faerye Queeue be fairer in your eie than the nine Muses, and
+Hobgoblin runne away with the garland from Apollo, marke what I saye:
+and yet I will not say that I thought, but there an end for this once,
+and fare you well, till God or some good aungell putte you in a better
+minde.
+
+
+
+APPENDIX III.
+
+INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
+
+Abessa, i.
+Abus, ii.
+Achilles, v.
+Acidalian Mount, iii.; iv.
+Acontius, ii.
+Acrasiai, ii.
+Actea, iii.
+Adicia, iii.
+Adin, ii.
+Adonis, Gardens of, ii.; v.
+Aeacidee, iv.
+Aedus, iii.
+Aegerie, ii.
+Aegina, ii.
+Aemylia, iii.
+Aeneas, ii.
+Aesculapius, i.
+Aeson, v.
+Aetion, iv.
+Agamemnon, v.
+Agape, iii.
+Agave, iii.
+Agdistes, ii.
+Agenor, iii.
+Aggannip of Celtica, ii.
+Aglaia, iv.
+Aglaura, iv.
+Alabaster, iv.
+Aladine, iv.
+Alane, iv.
+Albanact, ii.
+Albania, ii.
+Albany, iii.
+Albion, ii.
+Alceste, v.
+Alcluid, ii.
+Alcmena, ii.; brood of, v.
+Alcon, iv.; v.
+Alcyon, iv.; v.
+Alcides, ii.; iii.
+Alebius, iii.
+Alexander, ii.; iii.
+Alexis, iv.
+Algrind, iv.
+Alimeda, iii.
+Allan, ii.
+Allectus, ii.
+Allo, iii.; iv.
+Alma, ii.
+Alpheus, iii.
+Amaryllis, iv.
+Amavia, i.
+Amazon (river), i.
+Ambition, ii.
+Ambrosia, ii.; v.
+Ambrosius, King, ii.
+America, ii.
+Amidas, iii.
+Amintas, ii.
+Amoret, ii.; iii.
+Amoretta, ii.
+Amphisa, ii.
+Amphitrite (Nereid), iii.
+Amyas, iii.
+Amyntas, iii.
+Anamnestes, ii.
+Anchyses, ii.
+Androgeus, ii.
+Angela, ii.
+Angles, ii.
+Antiochus, i.
+Antiopa, ii.
+Antiquitiee of Faery Lond, ii.
+Antonius, i.
+Aon, iii.
+Ape (the), v.
+Apollo, ii.
+Appetite, ii.
+Aprill, iv.
+Arachne, v.
+Aragnoll, v.
+Arcady, iv.
+Archigald, ii.
+Archimago, i.; ii.
+Ardenne, iii.
+Ardeyn, iv.
+Argante, ii.
+Argo, ii.
+Argonauts, iii.
+Ariadne, iv.
+Arion, iii.
+Arlo-hill, iv.
+Armeddan, iii.
+Armoricke, ii.
+Armulla, iv.
+Arne, ii.
+Arras, ii.
+Artegall, ii.; iii.; iv.
+Artegall, Legend of, iii.
+Arthure, Prince, i.; ii.; iii.; iv.
+Arvirage, ii.
+Asclepiodate, ii.
+Ascraean bard, v.
+Asie, ii.
+Asopus, iii.
+Assaracus, ii.
+Assyrian Lyonesse, v.
+Asterie, ii.; v.
+Astraea, iii.
+Astraeus, iii.
+Astrophell, iv.
+Atalanta, ii.
+Ate, ii.; iii.
+Athens, ii.
+Athos, Mount, v.
+Atin, i.; ii.
+Atlas, ii.
+Atropos, iii.
+Aubrian, iii.
+August, iv.
+Augustine, ii.
+Augustus, v.
+Autonoe, iii.
+Autumne, iv.
+Avarice, i.
+Avon, iii.
+Awe, iii.
+
+Babell, ii.
+Babylon, iii.; v.
+Bacchante, ii.
+Bacchus, iii.
+Baetus, v.
+Ball, iv.
+Ban, iii.
+Bandon, iii.
+Bangor, ii.
+Barnaby, v.
+Barow, iii.
+Barry, ii.
+Bartas, v.
+Basciante, ii.
+Bath, i.; iii.
+Bedford, v.
+Belgae, iii.
+Belgard, castle of, iv.
+Belgicke, i.
+Belinus, ii.
+Bellamoure, Sir, iv.
+Bellay, v.
+Bellisont, Sir, iii.
+Bellodant, iii.
+Bellona, ii.; iv.
+Belphoebe, i.; ii.; iii.; v.
+Belus, iii.
+Biblis, ii.
+Berecynthian goddesse, v.
+Bilbo, v.
+Bisaltis, ii.
+Blacke-water, iii.
+Bladud, ii.
+Blandamour, iii.
+Blandford, iii.
+Blandina, iv.
+Blatant Beast, iii.; iv.
+Blomius, iii.
+Boccace, iv.
+Bonfont, iii.
+Bowre of Blis, i.; ii.
+Boyne, iii.
+Bracidas, iii.
+Braggadocchio, i.; ii.; iii.
+Breane, iii.
+Bregog, iv.
+Brennus, ii.
+Briana, iv.
+Brianor, Sir, iii.
+Brigadore, viii.
+Bristow, iii.
+Britany, ii.
+Britomart, ii.; iii.
+Britomartis, Legend of, ii.
+Britonesse, ii.
+Briton Moniments, ii.
+Briton Prince, i.; ii.; iii.
+Broad-water, iv.
+Brockwell, ii.
+Brontes, iii.
+Bronteus, iii.
+Bruin, Sir, iv.
+Bruncheval, iii.
+Brunchild, ii.
+Brunell, iii.
+Brute, ii.
+Brutus, ii.
+Brytayne, Greater, ii.
+Buckhurst, Lord of, i.
+Bunduca, ii.; v.
+Burbon, iii.
+Burleigh, Lord, i.
+Busyrane, ii.; iii.
+Buttevant, iv.
+Byze, v.
+
+Cadmus, ii.
+Cador, ii.
+Cadwallader, ii.
+Cadwallin, ii.
+Cadwar, ii.
+Caecily, ii.
+Caelia, i.
+Caelian Hill,
+Caesar, i.; ii.
+Caicus, iii.
+Cairbadon, ii.
+Cairleill, ii.
+Cairleon, ii.
+Calepine, Sir, iv.
+Calidore, ii.; iv.
+Calidore, Sir, Legend of, iv.
+Calliope, iv.; v.
+Cambden, v.
+Cambel and Triamond, Legend of, iii.
+Cambell, iii.
+Camber, ii.
+Cambine, iii.
+Cambria, king of, ii.
+Cambridge, iii.
+Camilla, ii.; v.
+Canacee, iii.
+Candide, iv.
+Cantium, ii.
+Canutus, ii.
+Caphareus, v.
+Carados, ii.
+Carausius, ii.
+Care, ii.; iii.
+Careticus, ii.
+Carew (Cary), Lady, i.
+Cary, Ladie, v.
+Cassibalane, ii.
+Castaly, v.
+Castle Joyeous, ii.
+Castriot, George, v.
+Cayr-Merdin, ii.
+Cayr-Varolame, ii.
+Celeno, ii.
+Centaures, iii.
+Cephise, i.
+Cephisus, ii.
+Cerberus, i.; iv.; v.
+Cestus, iii.
+Change, iv.
+Chaos, iii.
+Charillis, iv.
+Charissa, i.
+Charlemaine, v.
+Charybdis, v.
+Charrwell, iii.
+Chastity, Legend of, ii.
+Chaucer, Dan, iii.
+Chester, iii.
+Cherefulnesse, iii.
+Child of Light (Lucifer), v.
+Chimaera, iv.
+Christ, v.
+Chrysaor (Artegall's sword), iii.
+Chrysogonee, ii.
+Churne, iii.
+Clare, iii.
+Claribell, i.; iii.; iv.
+Clarin (Clarinda), iii.
+Clarion, v.
+Claudius, ii.
+Cle, iii.
+Cleopatra, i.
+Cleopolis, i.; ii.
+Climene, ii.
+Clio, ii.; v.
+Clonmell, iii.
+Clorinda, iv.
+Clotho, iii.; v.
+Cocytus, i.; ii.
+Colchid mother, v.
+Cole, iii.
+Colin Clout, iv.; v.
+Columbell, ii.
+Compton and Mountegle, Ladie, v.
+Concotion, ii.
+Concord, iii.
+Constantine, ii.
+Constantius, ii.
+Contemplation, i.
+Conway, iii.
+Coradin, i.
+Corceca, i.
+Cordeill, ii.
+Corflambo, iii.
+Coridon, iv.
+Corineus, ii.; iv.
+Cork, iii.
+Cormoraunt, iv.
+Cornwaile, ii.; iv.
+Coronis, ii.
+Corybantes, iv.
+Corydon, iv.
+Corylas, iv.
+Coshma, iv.
+Coulin, ii.
+Countesse of Pembroke, i.; v.
+Courtesie, Legend of, iv.
+Coylchester, ii.
+Coyll, ii.
+Crane, iii.
+Crete, v.
+Creuesa, ii.
+Critias, ii.; iii.
+Croesus, i.
+Crudor, iv.
+Cruelty, ii.
+Cteatus, iii.
+Cuddie, iv.; iii.
+Cumberland, Earle of, i.
+Cundah, ii.
+Cupido, ii.
+Cupid, ii.; iii.; v.;
+  Maske of, ii.;
+  Court of, iv.
+Curius, v.
+Curtesie, iii.
+Curtius, v.
+Cybele, iii.
+Cycones, v.
+Cymo, iii.
+Cymochles, i.
+Cymodoce, iii.
+Cymoent, ii.
+Cymothoe, iii.
+Cynthia (Moon, Diana), i.; iv.; v.
+Cyparisse, i.
+Cytherea, ii.; v.
+Cytheron, ii.
+
+Damon and Pythias, iii.
+Danae, ii.
+Daniell, iv.
+Danius, ii.
+Daphnaida, iv.
+Daphne, ii.,; iv.; v.
+Darent, iii.
+Dart, iii.
+Daunger, ii.; iii.
+Day, iv.
+Death, iv.
+Debon, ii.
+Debora, ii.
+Decii, v.
+December, iv.
+Decetto, iv.
+Dee, i.; ii.; iii.
+Defetto, iv.
+Deheubarth, ii.
+Delay, iii.
+Dell, ii.
+Delos, ii.
+Demogorgon, iii.
+Demophoon, v.
+Denmarke, ii.
+Despayre, i.
+Despetto, iv.
+Despight, ii.
+Desyre, ii.
+Detraction, iii.
+Devon, Sir, iii.
+Diana, ii.; iv.; v.
+Dice, iii.
+Dido, iv.
+Diet, ii.
+Digestion, ii.
+Diggon Davie, iv.
+Dioclesian, daughters of, ii.
+Discord, iii.
+Disdayne, ii.; iv.
+Displeasure, ii.
+Dissemblaunce, ii.
+Dolon, iii.; v.
+Donwallo, ii.
+Dony, iii.
+Doris (Nereid), iii.
+Doto, iii.
+Doubt, ii.; iii.
+Douglas, Sir, iii.
+Doune, iii.
+Druon, iii.
+Dryope, i.
+Duessa, i.; iii.
+Dumarin, ii.
+Dyamond, iii.
+Dynamene, iii.
+Dynevowre, ii.
+
+Easterland, ii.
+Easterlings, ii.
+Ebranck. ii.
+Ecaster, iii.
+Echidna, iii.; iv.
+Eden, ii.; iii.
+Edwin, ii.
+Egaltine of Meriflure, iv.
+Eione, iii.
+Eirene, iii.
+Elfant, ii.
+Elfar, ii.
+Elferon, ii.
+Elficleos, ii.
+Elfiline, ii.
+Elfin, ii.
+Elfinan, ii.
+Elfinell, ii.
+Elfin Knight, i.
+Elfinor, ii.
+Elidure, ii.
+Eliseis (of Alabaster), iv.
+Elissa, i.
+Eliza, i.; iv.; v.
+Elizabeths three, v.
+Elversham, ii.
+Emmilen, ii.
+Emiline, iv.
+Encelade, ii.
+Enias, Sir, iv.
+Ennius, i.
+Envie, i.; iii.
+Ephialtes, v.
+Erate (Nereid), iii.;
+      (Muse), v.
+Erichthonian towre, v.
+Erivan, iii.
+Errant Damzell, ii.
+Errour, i.
+Eryx, iii.
+Esquiline, v.
+Essex, Earle of, i.
+Esthambruges, ii.
+Estrild, Ladie, ii.
+Etheldred, ii.
+Euboick cliffs, v.
+Eucrate, iii.
+Eudore, iii.
+Eulimene, iii.
+Eumenias, iii.
+Eumnestes, ii.
+Eunica, iii.
+Eunomie, iii.
+Euphoemus, iii.
+Euphrates, i.; iii.
+Euphrosyne, iv.
+Eupompe, iii.
+Europa, ii.
+Eurydice, v.
+Eurynome, iv.
+Eurypulus, iii.
+Eurytion, iii.
+Eurytus, iii.
+Euterpe, v.
+Evagore, iii.
+Evarna, iii.
+Excesse, ii.
+
+Fabii, v.
+Faery Lond, i.; iii.
+Faery Queene, i.; ii.; iii.; v.
+Fanchin, iv.
+Fansy, ii.
+Father of Philosophie, iii.
+Faunus, iv.
+Feare, ii.
+February, iv.
+Ferramont, iii.
+Ferraugh, Sir, iii.
+Ferrex, ii.
+Fidelia, i.
+Fidessa, i.
+Flaminius, v.
+Flavia, iv.
+Florimell, ii.; iii.
+Flourdelis, iii.
+Force, ii.
+Foules Parley (Chaucer's), iv.
+Foxe, the, v.
+Fradubio, i.
+Fraud, ii.
+Fraunce, i.; ii.
+Friendship Legend of, iii.
+Frith, iii.
+Fulgent, ii.
+Furor, i.
+Fury, ii.
+
+Galathaea, iii.; iv.
+Galene, iii.
+Ganges, iii.
+Gardante, ii.
+Gardin of Proserpina, ii.
+Gate of Good Desert, iii.
+Gealosy, ii.
+Geffrey, Dan, iv.
+Gehon, i.
+Genius, ii.
+Genuissa, ii.
+Georgos, i.
+Germany, ii.
+Geryon, iii.
+Geryoneo, iii.
+Gilford, Henry, v.
+Glamorgan, ii.
+Glauce, ii.; iii.
+Glauconome, iii.
+Glaucus, iii.
+Gloriana, i.; ii.; iv.
+Gluttony, i.
+Gnat, v.
+Gnidas, ii.
+Gobbelines, ii.
+Godmer, ii.
+God of Love, ii.
+Goemagot, ii.
+Goemot, ii.
+Golden Fleece, iii.
+Gonorill, ii.
+Gorbogud, ii.
+Gorboman, ii.
+Gorges, Arthur, v.
+Gorgon, i.
+Gorlois, ii.
+Gormond, ii.
+Graces, iv.
+Grant, iii.
+Grantorto, iii.
+Gratian, ii.
+Grecian Libbard, v.
+Greece, ii.; v.
+Greenwich, v.
+Grey, Lord, of Wilton, i.
+Griefe, ii.
+Griffyth, Conan, ii.
+Gryll, ii.
+Gualsever, iii.
+Guendolene, ii.
+Guitheline, ii.
+Guizor, iii.
+Gulfe of Greedinesse, ii.
+Gurgiunt, ii.
+Gurgustus, ii.
+Guyon, i.; ii.; iii.;
+  Legend of Sir, i.
+
+Haemony, iv.
+Haemus, iv.
+Hania, ii.
+Hanniball, i.
+Harpalus, iv.
+Harvey, Gabriel, iv.; v.
+Harwitch, iii.
+Hate, ii.; iii.
+Hatton, Sir Christopher, i.
+Hebe, v.
+Hebrus, i.
+Hecate, iv.
+Hector, ii.
+Helena, ii.
+Helena, Marquesse of North Hampton, v.
+Heliconian Maides, ii.
+Helle, ii.
+Hellenore, ii.
+Hellespont, v.
+Hely, ii.
+Hemus, ii.
+Henalois, ii.
+Henault, ii.
+Hengist, ii.
+Hercaean shores, vi.
+Hercules, ii.; iii.
+Hercules and Hyllus, iii.
+Hercules two pillors, v.
+Hevenfield, ii.
+Hippolytus, i.
+Hippothoe, iii.
+Hobbinol, iv.
+Hogh, ii.
+Holland, iii.
+Hope, ii.
+Horror, ii.
+Horsus, ii.
+House of Care, iii.
+House of Holinesse, i.
+House of Pryde, i.
+House of Temperance, ii.
+Howard, Douglas, v.
+Howard, Lord Charles, i.
+Howell, Dha, ii.
+Huddibras, Sir, i.; ii.
+Humber, ii.; iii.
+Humilta, i.
+Hunnes, ii.
+Hunsdon, Lord of, i.
+Huntingdon, iii.
+Huon, Sir, i.
+Hyacinct, ii.
+Hygate, ii.
+Hylas, ii.
+Hymen, v.
+Hypocrisie, i.
+Hyponeo, iii.
+Hypsiphil, ii.
+
+Ianuary, iv.
+Ida, ii.
+Idaean Ladies, ii.
+Idle Lake, i.; ii.
+Idlenesse, i.
+Ignaro, i.
+Ignorance, v.
+Ilion, iii.
+Immerito, iv.
+Impatience, ii.
+Impotence, ii.
+Inachus, ii.; iii.
+India, ii.
+Indus, iii.
+Ino, iii.
+Inogene of Italy, ii.
+Inquisition, iii.
+Iocante, ii.
+Iola, iii.
+Ionathan and David, iii.
+Iones, v.
+Iordan, i.
+Ioseph of Arimathy, ii.
+Iove, iv.; v.
+Iphimedia, ii.
+Ireland, i.; ii.; iv.
+Irena, iii.
+Isis, ii.; iii.
+Ismael Africk, ii.
+Isse, ii.
+Ister, iii.
+Itis, v.
+Iulus, ii.
+Iuly, iv.
+Iune, iv.
+Iuno, ii.; v.
+Iustice, Legend of, iii.
+Ixion, i.
+Ixione, v.
+
+Kenet, iii.
+Kent, ii.
+Kilkenny, iii.
+Kilnemullah, iv.
+Kimarus, ii.
+Kimbeline, ii.
+Kingdomes Care (Burleigh), iii.
+King Edmond, v.
+King Nine, ii.
+Kinmarke, ii.
+Kirkrapine, i.
+Knight of the Hebene Speare, iii.
+Knight of the Red Crosse, i.; iii.;
+  Legend of, i.
+Knights of Maidenhead, iii.
+
+Labryde, i.
+Lacedaemon, ii.
+Lachesis, iii.
+Lady of Delight, ii.
+Laestrigones, v.
+Lago, ii.
+Lamoracke, Sir, iv.
+Land of Faerie, iv.
+Lansack, iii.
+Laomedia, iii.
+Laomedon, ii.
+Lapithees, iii.; v.
+Latinus, ii.
+Latium, ii.
+Latmian Shepherd, v.
+Latona, ii.; iv.
+Layburne, ii.
+Leander, v.
+Lechery, i.
+Leda, ii.
+Leda (twinnes of), v.
+Lee, iii.
+Legend of Chastity, ii.
+Legend of Courtesie, iv.
+Legend of Friendship, iii.
+Legend of Holinesse, i.
+Legend of Iustice, iii.
+Legend of Temperaunce, i.
+Leicester, Earl of, v.
+Leill, King, ii.
+Lemno, iii.
+Lentulus, i.
+Lewkenor, v.
+Leyr, King, ii.
+Liagore, ii.; iii.
+Life, iv.
+Liffar, iii.
+Liffy, iii.
+Lincolne, ii.; iii.
+Lindus, iii.
+Lionnesse, iv.
+Lipari, iii.
+Lisianassa, iii.
+Lisippus, v.
+Litae, iii.
+Lobbin, iv.
+Locrine, ii.
+Locrinus, iii.
+Lodwick (Bryskett), v.
+Logris, ii.; iii.
+Loncaster, iii.
+London, v.
+Lone, iii.
+Long Alba, ii.
+Louthiane, ii.
+Love, iii.; v.
+Lowder, iv.
+Lucinda, iii.; iv.
+Lucifera, i.
+Lucius, ii.
+Lucy (Lucida), iii.
+Lud, ii.
+Lusitanian soile, i.
+Lycon, iv.
+Lyon, the, v.
+
+Maa, iv.
+Maeander, iii.
+Madan, ii.
+Maglan, king of Scottes, ii.
+Mahound, iv.
+Mahoune, ii.
+Maia, v.
+Maidenhed, Order of, i.
+Malbecco, ii.
+Malecasta, ii.
+Maleffort, iv.
+Maleger, ii.
+Malengin, iii.
+Malfont, iii.
+Malgo, ii.
+Malvenu, i.
+Mammon, ii.
+Manild, ii.
+Mansilia, iv.
+Mantuane, iv.
+Marcellus, v.
+March, iv.
+Margaret, Countesse of Cumberland, v.
+Marian, iv.
+Maridunum, ii.
+Marie (Anne), Countesse of Warwick, v.
+Marin, iv.
+Marinell, ii.; iii.
+Marius, i.; ii.
+Maro, i.
+Marot, iv.
+Mars, ii.; iv.
+Martia, ii.
+Mathraval, ii.
+Mathusalem, ii.
+Matilda, ii.; iv.
+Mausolus, v.
+Maximian, ii.
+Maximinian, ii.
+May, iv.
+Mayre, iii.
+Mecaenas, iv.
+Medea, iii.
+Medina, i.
+Medua, iii.
+Medusa, ii.
+Medway, iv.
+Medway and Thames, marriage of, iii.
+Meliboe, iv.; v.
+Meliogras, iv.
+Melissa, iv.
+Melite, iii.
+Memprise, ii.
+Menalcas, iv.
+Melpomene, v.
+Menevia, ii.
+Menippe, iii.
+Mercy, i.
+Mercilla, iii.
+Mercury, iv.; v.
+Merlin, i.; ii.
+Mertia, Dame, ii.
+Mertians, ii.
+Milesio, iii.
+Minerva, v.
+Mirabella, iv.
+Modestie, iii.
+Molanna, iv.
+Mole, iii.; iv.
+Mona, ii.
+Mongiball, ii.
+Morands, ii.
+Mordant, i.
+Morddure, ii.
+More, the, v.
+Morgan, ii.
+Morindus, ii.
+Morpheus, i.
+Morrell, iv.
+Mother Hubberd, v.
+Mount Aventine, v.
+Mount Quirinal, v.
+Mount Saturnal, v.
+Mount Viminal, v.
+Mnemon, ii.
+Mnemosyne, ii.
+Mule, the, v.
+Mulla, iii.; iv.;
+  Nymphes of, v.
+Munera, iii.
+Muscaroll, v.
+Mutability, iv.
+Mutius, v.
+Myrrhe, ii.
+
+Naiades, v.
+Nature, iv.
+Nausa, ii.
+Nausicle, ii.
+Neaera, iv.
+Neleus, iii.
+Nemertea, iii.
+Nene, iii.
+Nenna, v.
+Nennius, i.; ii.
+Nepenthe, iii.
+Neptune, ii.; iii.
+Nereus, ii.; iii.
+Nesaea, iii.
+Neso, iii.
+Nestor, ii.
+Neustria, ii.
+New Hierusalem, i.
+Newre, iii.
+Nictileus, v.
+Nide, iii.
+Night, i; iv.
+Nile, iii.
+Nilus, i.
+Nimrod, i; iii.
+Ninus, i.
+Niobe, iv.
+Noctante, ii.
+Norris, Sir John, i.
+Northumber, ii.
+Northumberland, Earle of, i.
+Norveyses, ii.
+Norwitch, iii.
+November, iv.
+Numa, ii.
+Nylus, v.
+
+Obedience, iii.
+Oberon, King, i; ii.
+Occasion, i.
+Ocean, iii.
+Octa, ii.
+Octavius, ii.
+October, iv.
+Oenone, ii; v.
+Oeta, v.
+Offricke, ii.
+Ogyges, iii.
+Ollyphant, ii.
+Olympus, Mount, ii.
+Oranochy, iii.
+Oraxes, iii.
+Order, iii.
+Orgoglio, i; iv.
+Origone, iii.
+Orinont, Sir, iii.
+Orion, iii.
+Orkeny, ii.
+Ormond and Ossory, Earle of, i.
+Orown, iv.
+Orpheus, iii; v.
+Orsilochus, ii.
+Orthrus, iii.
+Osricke, ii.
+Oswald, ii.
+Oswin, ii.
+Osyris, iii.
+Othos, v.
+Oure, iii.
+Our Ladyes Bowre, iv.
+Ouze, iii.
+Overt-gate, ii.
+Oxenford, Earle of, i.
+Oxford, iii.
+Oza, ii.
+
+Pactolus, iii.
+Paeon, ii.
+Palatine, v.
+Palemon, iii; iv.
+Pales, iv; v.
+Palici, v.
+Palimord, Sir, iii.
+Palin, iv.
+Palinode, iv.
+Palladine, iii.
+Palmer, i; ii.
+Pan, iv.
+Panchaea, v.
+Pandionian maides, v
+Panopae, iii.
+Panope, ii.
+Panthea, ii.
+Panwelt, ii.
+Paphos, ii.
+Paridas, ii.
+Paridell, ii, iii.
+Paris, ii; iii.
+Parius, ii.
+Parlante, ii.
+Parnasse, Mount, v.
+Paros, ii.
+Pasiphae, ii.
+Pasithee, iii.
+Pastorella, iiv.
+Patience, i.
+Paulinus, ii.
+Payne, ii.
+Paynim king (Philip II.), i.
+Pelasgus, iii.
+Peleus, iv; v.
+Pelias, iii.
+Pelleas, Sir, iv.
+Pellite, ii.
+Pembroke, Countesse of, i.
+Penaunce, i.
+Penda, ii.
+Pendragon, v.
+Penelope, iv.
+Peneus, iii; v.
+Penthesilee, ii.
+Peridue, ii.
+Perigot, iv.
+Perissa, i.
+Persephone, v.
+Persian Beare, v.
+Peru, i.; ii.
+Peter, v.
+Peter, William, v.
+Petrarque, iv.
+Phaedria, i.; ii.
+Phaeton, v.
+Phantastes, ii.
+Phao, ii.; iii.
+Phaon, i.
+Phasides, iii.
+Pherusa, iii.
+Philemon, i.
+Philip (Sidney), iv.
+Phillisides, iv.; v.
+Phillira, ii.
+Philotime, ii.
+Philtera, iii.
+Phison, i.
+Phoeax, iii.
+Phoebe, ii.
+Phoebus, ii.; iv.
+Phoenice, v.
+Phoenix, iii.
+Pholoe, i.
+Phorcys, iii.
+Phyllis, iv.
+Picts, ii.
+Piers, iv.
+Pilate, ii.
+Placidas, iii.
+Plaint of Kinde (Alane's), iv.
+Pleasaunce, ii.
+Plexippus, iv.
+Plim, iii.
+Plimmouth, iii.
+Podalyrius, iv.
+Poeana, iii.
+Pollente, iii.
+Polyhymnia, v.
+Polynome, iii.
+Pompey, i.
+Pontoporea, iii.
+Poris, iii.
+Porrex, ii.
+Portamore, iv.
+Port Esquiline, ii.
+Praxiteles, ii.
+Prays-Desire, ii.
+Priamond, iii.
+Priest, formall, v.
+Priscilla, iv.
+Prometheus, ii.
+Pronaea, iii.
+Proteus, ii.; iii.; iv.
+Proto, iii.
+Protomedaea, iii.
+Pryene, i.
+Psalmist, iii.
+Psamathe, iii.
+Psyche, ii.; v.
+Ptolomaee, ii.; iii.
+Pubidius, ii.
+Pylades and Orestes, iii.
+Pyracmon, iii.
+Pyrochles, i.; ii.
+Pyrrha and Deucalione, iii.
+Pyrrus, v.
+
+Queen Elizabeth, ii.; iv.
+Quickesand of Unthriftyhed, ii.
+
+Radegone, iii.
+Radigund, iii.
+Raleigh, Sir Walter, i.; iv.
+Rauran, i.
+Redcrosse Knight, ii.
+Regan, ii.
+Remorse, i.
+Repentaunce, i.; ii.
+Reproch, ii.
+Revenge, ii.
+Reverence, i.; iii.
+Rhaesus, v.
+Rhene, iii.
+Rheuesa, iii.
+Rhodanus, iii.
+Rhodope, ii.
+Rhodoricke the Great, ii.
+Rhy, iii.
+Rich Strond, ii.
+Rinaldo, iii.
+Rivall, ii.
+Rock of Reproch, ii.
+Roffin, iv.
+Rome, ii.; iii.; v.
+Romulus, i.; ii.
+Rosalind, i.; iv.
+Rosseponte, iii.
+Rother, iii.
+Rowne, iii.
+Ruddoe, ii.
+Ruddymane, i.
+Russian, ii.
+Ryence, King, ii.
+
+Sabrina, ii.
+Saint George, i.
+Saint Radegund, v.
+Salem, iii.
+Salomon, v.
+Salvage Island, iv.
+Salvage Knight, iii.
+Salvage Man, iv.
+Samient, iii.
+Sanazarius, iv.
+Sangliere, Sir, iii.
+Sansfoy, i.
+Sansioy, i.
+Sansloy, i.
+Sao, iii.
+Sathan, i.
+Saturne, ii.; iv.
+Satyrane, i.; iii.
+Saxons, ii.; v.
+Scaldis, ii.
+Sclaunder, iii.
+Scamander, ii.; iii.
+Sanderbeg, v.
+Scipio, i.
+Scipion, v.
+Scorne, iv.
+Scudamore, Sir, ii.; iii.
+Selinis, i.
+Semelee, ii.
+Semiramis, i.; ii.
+September, iv.
+Serena, iv.
+Sergis, Sir, iii.
+Severne, ii.; iii.
+Severus, ii.
+Shame, ii.
+Shamefastnes, ii.; iii.
+Shenan, iii.
+Shepheard of the Ocean (Raleigh), iv.
+Shield of Love, iii.
+Shure, iii.; iv.
+Sidney, Sir Philip, i.; iv.; v.
+Silence, iii.
+Silo, i.
+Sisera, ii.
+Sisillus, ii.
+Sisyphus, i.
+Skell, iii.
+Slane, iii.
+Sleepe, ii.
+Slewbloome, iii.
+Slewlogher, iii.
+Slowth, i.
+Socrates, ii.
+Somerset, Ladies Elizabeth and Katherine, v.
+Sommer, iv.
+Sophy, ii.
+Sorrow, ii.
+South-Wales, ii.
+Spau, i.
+Spayne, ii.
+Spencer, ii.
+Speranza, i.
+Spio, iii.
+Spring, iv.
+Spumador, ii.
+Squire of Dames, ii.; iii.
+Squire of Low Degree, iii.
+Stamford, iii.
+Stater, ii.
+St. Brigets Bowre, iv.
+St. Michels Mount, iv.
+Stella, iv.
+Sthenoboea, i.
+Stoneheng, ii.
+Stoure, iii.
+Strange, Ladie, v.
+Stremona, i.
+Strife, i.; ii.
+Sture, iii.
+Styx, i.
+Suspect, ii.
+Swale, iii.
+Sylla, i.
+Sylvanus, i.
+Sylvius, ii.
+Syrinx, iv.
+
+Talus, iii.
+Tamar, iii.
+Tanaquill, i.; ii.
+Tantalus, i.; ii.
+Tarquin, i.
+Tartar, ii.
+Tartare, ii.
+Tartary, i.; v.
+Teian Poet, v.
+Telamon, v.
+Tempe, ii.
+Temperaunce, ii.; iii.
+Templer Knights, v.
+Tenantius, ii.
+Termagaunt, ii.
+Terwin, Sir, ii.
+Terpsichore, v.
+Tethys, i.; iii.
+Thabor, Mount, iv.
+Thalia, v.
+Thalia (Grace), iv.
+Thalia (Nereid), iii.
+Thame, iii.
+Thames, v.
+Thamesis, v.
+Thamis, ii.; iii.; v.
+Theana, iv.
+Thebes, ii.; iii.
+Theise, iii.
+Themes, iv.; v.
+Themis, iii.
+Themiste, iii.
+Thenot, iv.
+Theocritus, iv.
+Therion, i.
+Theseus, i.
+Theseus and Pirithous, iii.
+Thestylis, iv.
+Thetis, iii.; iv.; v.
+Thomalin, iv.
+Thomiris, ii.
+Thyamis, i.
+Timias, ii.; iv.
+Timon, i.; v.
+Tindarid lasse, iii.
+Titan, iv.
+Titus and Gesippus, iii.
+Tityrus, iv.
+Tityus, i.; v.
+Toure, ii.
+Traherne, ii.
+Treason, ii.
+Trent, iii.
+Trevisan, i.
+Triamond, iii.
+Triptoleme, v.
+Tristram, iv.
+Triton, iv.
+Trompart, i.
+Trowis, iii.
+Troy, ii.
+Troynovant, ii.; iii.; v.
+Tryphon, ii.; iii.
+Turmagant, iv.
+Turpin, Sir, iii.; iv.
+Twede, iii.
+Tybris, iii.
+Tygris, iii.
+Tyne, iii.
+Typhaeus sister, v.
+Typhaon, iii.; iv.
+Typhoeus, i.; ii.
+Typhon, iii.
+
+Ulfin, ii.
+Ulysses, v.
+Una, i.
+Urania, iv.
+Uranus, iv.
+Ure, iii.
+Uther, ii.
+
+Velntide, Saint, iv.
+Vanitie, i.
+Venus, ii; iii; v.
+   temple and statue of, iii.
+Verdant, ii.
+Verlame, v.
+Vespasian, ii.
+Vigent, ii.
+Virgil, iv.
+Virginia, i.
+Vortigere, ii.
+Vortimere, ii.
+Vortipore, ii.
+Vulcan, iii.
+
+Walsingham, Sir Francis, i.
+Wandring Islands, ii.
+Waterford, iii.
+Welland, iii.
+Were, iii.
+Werfe, iii.
+Whirlepoole of Decay, ii.
+Willie, iv.
+Willy, pleasant, v.
+Winborne, iii.
+Winter, iv.
+Wiseman, the, iii.
+Witches Sonne, ii.
+Witch, the, ii.
+Womanhood, iii.
+Wrath, i.
+Wrenock, iv.
+Wyden, ii.
+Wylibourne, iii.
+
+Xanthus, ii.; v.
+
+Yar, iii.
+Ymner, ii.
+
+Zele, i.; iii.
+Zeuxis, ii.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser,
+Volume 5, by Edmund Spenser
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POETICAL WORKS OF SPENSER ***
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