THE Heroical Epistles of the Learned Poet Publius ovidius Naso, In English Verse: set out and translated by George turbervile Gent. with Aulus Sabinus Answers to certain of the same.  
Anno Domini 1567.  
¶ IMPRINTED AT London, by Henry Denham.   

To the Right Honourable and his Singul●… good Lord, Lord Tho. Howard Viscount Byndon. etc. George turbervile wisheth Nestor's years, increase of Honour, with preservation of desired health.  
RJGHT NOble, indebted to your Honour for a number of undeserved friendships, and unable altogether to requite the least of a thousand courtesies: sought the means how to acquit me of some part thereof. But weighing mine own default, and considering your honours merits, wox almost in utter despair: until at length it repaired to my thought, that it was no greater token of Honour, liberally to bestow upon other great rewards, than a proof of Nobility gratefully to accept at others hands slender gifts according to their ability that offered the same. Artaxerxes his good acceptance of a handful of running water, bred me to this boldness to offer your Honour a handful of written Papers: hoping that as be thought no disdain of the one, so you will not take scorn of the other. Let me crave this one thing at your honours hands, that the baseness of this my translation of the learned Poet Ovid, procure not you to refuse the Patronage and defence of my slender Muse. Which as I know undoubtedly shall never countervail your courtesies: So do I assuredly hope may be a proof of my good will & not forgotten duty. The very name, heroical (for so are the Epistles termed) deserved an Honourable & Heroical parsonage to be their guard. Which if your honour refuse not (as I know you will not refuse) weighing the givers intent, and seeing that these are the first fruits of his travail) you shall not only purchase immortal praise of others: but I be encouraged and animated to greater and graver attempts: which I shall no sooner achieve, but you shall be a witness of my endeavours, & arampier to my exploits. Thus having boldly importuned your assistance, and tediously molested your ears with circumstances, leaving now at length to abuse your friendly patience, I end: wishing to your Honour increase of Nobility, with a most happy life: and after the Catastrophe of this worldly Comedy, (wherein you play a stately part) the gladsome joys of the everlasting signory.  
Your humble Orator G. turbervile.   

The Translator to his Muse.  
GO (●lender Muse) and make report to men  
That mere desire to pleasure them in deed  
Made me in hand to take the painful pen:  
Which if I may, I have my hoped meed.  
I neither gape for gain nor greedy fee,  
My Muse and I have done, if men in gree  
will take this trifling toy.   

To the Reader.  
LEARNED, Courteous; and Gentle Reader, I had long ere this time bid thee to a slender banquet: Had it not been that other by their good wills had prevented my gentle offer and good meaning therein. But I saw so many rich and stately boards covered, so many curious carpets laid, such dainty delicates devised, such courtly cates & conficts daily brought in, as loath I was upon such junkets & fine fare to procure the to a rude rear supper. But considering that mine ability is not to make any better or more sumptuous: and weighing that of duty and good will I ought to manifest my well meaning with the rest: I have here at length bid thee (I say) to a base banquet, to sharpen thy stomach, and procure thy appetite to finer fare. Hoping that thou wilt not scorn or loath any dish that shall be set before thee. If it be so that thou my slike any thing, impute the blame to the cook. For doubtless the Cates of themselves in their kind, are passing curious, but for want of cunning in dressing the same, may appear nothing delectable to the eye, nor toothsome to the taste. The feast was devised long agone by Ovid at Rome, & passing well liked in learned Italy: no less for diversity of dishes, than copy of confictes. May be that if thou show thyself friendly in well accepting this provision, thou shalt be invited to a better banquet in time at my hands, who as soon as occasion will serve, will give thee to understand of my good wil Mean while play a friendfull guests part, and mislike not any thing that shall be served thee, without just cause. Challenge not unto thee an over-curious mouth & taste. Thus loath any longer to withhold thee from thy victuals, I wish thee to feed and farewell.  
George turbervile.   

¶ The Argument of the first Epistle, entitled Penelope to Ulysses.  

THe angry Greeks for Helen's rape prepared  
To Troy: when wise Ulysses marryde late  
A fury feigned, in hope to have been spared:  
But Palamede loathing to lose a Mate  
So needful as Ulysses was, bewrayed  
The fraud of him that gladly would have stayed.   

A way he goes. When ten years war was spent;  
And flaunting Troy trodden to the ground:  
With other Greeks to ship Ulysses went;  
But Pallas then the wrathful Goddess frowned,  
And made the Grecians greedy of their home,  
Full ten years space on surging Seas to rome.   

Which absence long Penelope aggrieude,  
That little space her husband had enjoyed:  
(For saken wight) she verily belieude  
Some other Lass Ulysses had acoyde.  
And this procured the loving wife to wright,  
That she his cause of absence learn might.   
The first Epistle. Penelope to Ulysses.  
TO thee that ling'rest all too long,  
thy Wife (Ulysses) sends:  
gain writ not, but by quick return  
for absence make amends.  
To Greekish Nymphs that hateful Troy  
is now to ruin brought:  
Scarce mought the King and all his wealth  
requite the wrong they wrought.  
O that the surging Seas had drenched  
that lustful Lecher tho:  
When he to Lacedaemon came  
embarked, and wrought our wo.  
Then should I not have laid my limbs  
in desert couch alone:  
Ne made complaint that Phoebus' steads  
too slow to glade had gone.  
Then should no Beldames distaff made,  
my Wydowish hand so faint:  
Whilst I to waste the weary night,  
with spinning was artaynt.  
When stood I not in worse awe  
in deed than was befell?  
Ay love is passing full of fear,  
though every thing be well.  
Me thought I saw a swarming troop  
of Troyans' thee about:  
No sooner Hector's name I heard,  
but Hector made me doubt.  
If brute had blazed Amphymachus  
of Hector to been slain:  
Amphymachus by such report  
procured my dread again.  
Or when Menetius son was said  
in forged arms to die:  
I sorrowde that the Troyans' did  
Patroclus craft espy.  
When Tlepolemus lost by force  
of Lycian lance his life:  
By Tlepolemus death were made  
my slacked sorrows rife.  
In fine what so they were of Greece,  
that died amid their foes,  
A fear within my breast more cold  
than Mountain ice arose.  
But righteous God that Hymen hight,  
and true love hath in care:  
Hath kept Ulysses' free from scathe,  
and Troyans' caught in snare.  
The Greekish Chieftains are returned,  
the sacred Altars flame:  
Of barbarous spoil the Gods have part,  
that well deserved the same.  
The Matrons for their salved Fears  
most grateful gifts prepare:  
And they, how Troy by their toil  
achieved was declare.  
The sage with silver hairs do muse,  
and dainty Damsels eke:  
The wives about their husbands hang  
when they begin to speak.  
And lo when Tables once are laid,  
one ginneth strait to show  
The wreakful war, and draws with Wine  
the Trojan Tents arrow.  
Here Simois (saith he) did flow,  
here is Sigeian land:  
And here the aged Priam's Haul  
and Princely house did stand.  
There fierce Achilles pight his Tents,  
there wise Ulysses lay:  
Here Hector rend in doleful wise,  
the horses did affray.  
Thus ancient Nestor made report,  
who told thy son the same:  
And he (as was his part to do)  
declared it to his Dame.  
How Rhesus thou didst make to rue,  
and Dolon yield to death:  
Th'one shéeping, th'other by thy guile  
did lose his vital breath.  
And didst thou dare (thou reckless man  
and overbolded wight)  
To Thracian Tents to shape thy course  
in ugly shade of night?  
And only by the aid of one,  
so many men to slay  
That wonted were to be so aware  
and mind thy wedlock aye?  
With quaking fear my heart was cold,  
and visage passing pale:  
When thou didst pass along the Host,  
and Thracian horses stolen.  
But what to me (unhappy Feme)  
avails the Trojan wrack:  
And walls which you by breach have brought,  
to utter spoil and sack:  
If I in Widows state remain,  
as I tofore have done:  
And must for aye Ulysses lack,  
as when the broil begun?  
To me that Troy sole doth stand  
though Soldiers had the spoil:  
And they that Victors were with plough  
for lucre turn the soil.  
Where stately buildings were to see,  
and Trojan town did stand:  
There sprouteth corn, with Phrygian blood  
so fatted is the land.  
Half buried bones of warlike wights  
the crooked Culters tear:  
Both grass and grain with herbs do grow,  
where haughty houses were.  
Thou Victor ever art alack,  
ne once wilt make me show  
By loving lines, or message means,  
what cause of stay doth grow.  
No stranger stumbles on our strand,  
or brings his Bark to bay,  
But I inquire him of thy health  
or ere he pass away.  
And so his fortune favour, that  
on thee he chance to light,  
I pray him yield those loving lines,  
which I to thee endight.  
I sent to Pylos to inquire,  
(where aged Nèstor dwelled)  
No certain rumour of a truth  
from Pylos have I felt.  
From thence I spared not for expense  
to Sparta me to high:  
But Sparta can not make account,  
where thou do live or die.  
More better were for me (in faith)  
if Troy stood again,  
(But I unconstant wight am wroth  
with these my wishes vain.)  
Then should I certain be and sure  
where thou didst lead thy life:  
Then only should I dread the wars,  
and storms of stirred strife.  
Then should my dreary doleful plaint  
conjoined be with more:  
That in the absence of their Makes  
should take some taste of wo.  
I fraughted am with fear, but what  
I dread I know not well:  
My cares increase, the way is wide  
that leads me to this hell.  
No peril on the tossing Sea,  
or on the land is seen,  
But I surmise that they forthwith  
thy cause of stay have been.  
Whilst fond thus amazed I stand,  
(such is thy pleasure's plight)  
Thou mayst bestow thy love a fresh  
upon some other wight.  
To whom thou mak'st a show perhaps,  
how homely is thy wife:  
And how at Distaff she delights  
to lead a Rustics life.  
But (Gods) O let me be beguiled,  
let whisking winds transport  
Such thoughts, and thou that mayst retire,  
dislodge not in such sort.  
Icarius my grudging Sire  
would force me break my Heast,  
And blaming this thy flack return,  
would make new marriage feast.  
But as I am, I will be thine  
let rancour feed his fill,  
Penelope will be the wife  
of her Vlysses still.  
Yet natheless my endless suit  
at length hath moved my Sire:  
Who rules his rage with reasons broke,  
and Masters wrathful ire.  
From Islands round about do flock  
of suitors many one:  
Zacinthus, Samus, with the rest,  
by suit increase my moan.  
Those roisting rufflers bear the sway  
within thy Palace gate:  
With catching claws they waste thy wealth,  
and seek t'impayre thy state.  
Pyzander, Medon, Polybus,  
Eurimachus yfere:  
With Antynous 'tis no need,  
for to recite as here.  
What should I these, with others name,  
who seek to spend thy good:  
Which thou by manly Mart hast got  
in danger of thy blood?  
The rascal eke do rule the roast,  
Melanthius, and Ire,  
(Which sounds to thy disworship most)  
together do conspire.  
We are by tale, but three, God wot,  
thy weak and wretched wife:  
Telemachus thy little son,  
Laertes loathing life.  
Thy Son not long ago was like  
by craft to been consumed:  
Whilst he, to pass against their wills  
to Pylos had presumed.  
But Gods I grate this only boon,  
that he by course of kind,  
His father's eyes and mine may close,  
and live himself behind.  
This is the crooked nurses work  
and clownish Cowards care:  
And he that daily serves the swine,  
a like is wont to far.  
Laertes overload with years,  
unable to the war,  
Amid these states can strike no stroke  
when they begin to jar.  
Thy Sanne (so Gods dee lend him life)  
to man's estate will grow:  
But thou, in these his childish years,  
shouldst guard him from the foe.  
I Miser wight am not of force  
to banish them the place:  
Wherefore see thou who art our aid,  
that thou return apace.  
Thou baste (long mayst thou have) a Son,  
that in his tender age,  
Should follow on his father's steps,  
and life for worship gage.  
Live not aye reckless of thy Sire,  
whose eyes thou oughtest to shut:  
His dying date draws on apace,  
the twine of life is cut.  
And I that at thy parture was,  
a Girl to behold:  
Of truth am waxed a Matron now,  
thyself wilt judge me old.   

The Argument of the second Epistle, entitled Phyllis to Demophoon.  

DEmophoon minding after Trojan broil  
To long desired Country to retowre:  
For all his force, for all his painful toil,  
Was brought to Thrace by mean of stormy shower,  
Where Phyllis reigned, who liked her guest so well,  
As first to board, and then to bed they fell.   

Within a while Demophoon 'gan to feign  
And forge excuse to Athens to repair,  
With gauged faith to shape return again  
Within one Month, and bid her not despair:  
But when the fixed time was gone and passed,  
Thus Phyllis wrote unto her guest at last.   
The second Epistle. Phyllis to Demophoon.  
I That thine Hostess, Phyllis was,  
a Rhodopeian Maid:  
Mislike that thou my guest, beyond  
thy fixed time hast stayed.  
Thy plighted promise was with ship  
here to arryude again  
Before or near about the time  
the waxed Moon should wain.  
But Phoebe four hath repaired  
her wasted horns a new:  
Yet may I not on Thracian coast  
take once of thee a view.  
Though thou account the fléeting time,  
(which Lovers note by trade)  
Thou shalt not find that Phyllis hath  
too soon her plaint maked.  
And long enough I fed on hope,  
for such is lovers guise:  
We hardly credit hurtful haps  
till damage do arise.  
I have oft flattered with myself,  
and thought the Southrens wind  
Had stuffed thy sails, and brought thy Bark,  
which yet I can not find.  
I have accursed Theseus oft,  
that was thy cause of stay:  
And yet may be that he at all  
bred not this long delay.  
Another while I stood in awe,  
lest thou to Haebrus Lake  
Directing course, in middle Seas  
by wrack thy bane hadst take.  
Full often have I for thy health  
in mild and humble wise,  
With Incense made request to Gods,  
that lodge in lofty skies.  
And sundry times when Aeole had  
his broiling imps enclosed:  
That if thou were alive, thou wouldst  
have comen, I supposed.  
Thus loyal love (what so might breed  
and be a cause of stay  
To such as travel) did devise,  
excusing thy delay.  
But thou not forcing on thy faith,  
ne counting of thy Hest,  
Not dreading Gods to witness called,  
dost mind thy Phyllis jest.  
Demophoon to the winds engaged  
his promiss with his sail:  
I sorrow that the one's return,  
and th''others faith doth fail.  
Denounce to me what I have done,  
but looude thee all too well?  
By mine offence I have deserved  
that thou with me shouldst dwell.  
In me one heinous fault is found  
that harbourde such a guest:  
But this my guilt hath force of boon,  
and merit there doth rest.  
Where now thy solemn sacred oaths,  
thy plighted troth with hand?  
And Gods appealde as true records  
to witness of thy band?  
Where is that holy Hymen now,  
that us as chosen Fears  
By free assent conjoined in one  
yfeare to waste our years?  
First swor'st thou by that ghastly Gulf,  
where wind and wave do roar:  
By whom thou were in point to pass,  
as oft thou hadst before.  
Then Neptune was to witness called,  
thy Grand and worthy Sire,  
(Unless thou feign) who quails the Surge,  
and swelling waters ire.  
Then Venus, with her winged wight,  
(that bred me all this teen)  
Was summoned, whose revenger tools  
are bow and arrows keen.  
Dame juno, that hath spousal charge  
and wedlock, showed her face:  
And Ceres with her solemn rites,  
was cited to the place.  
If each of these forenamed powers  
and witnessed thus in vain,  
Should seek on thee to wreak their wrath,  
couldst thou endure the pain?  
Myself (lest thou shouldst want at need  
a Bark to leave my land)  
Infonded, did repair the ships  
that ragged lay on sand.  
I trimde up all thy broken Oars,  
whereby thou mightst departed:  
And thus myself have forged the tools,  
that thyrled have my heart.  
Thy many smooth and filled words  
did purchase credits place:  
I did believe thy stock, thy Gods  
stood all in Phyllis grace.  
I thought thy tears had been of troth:  
can they be forged to?  
Thy tears which at commandment are,  
from flattering face to flow.  
Thy Gods did make me judge the best,  
these pledges were in vain:  
God wot one parcel of them mought  
a siely Maiden train.  
That I supported thee at need  
it moves me nought at all:  
So that thy harbour all had been,  
the matter had been small.  
But shameless and with blind forecast,  
from board to bed to go:  
And there to pass in Venus' toys  
doth aggravate my woe.  
O that the last forepast night  
before that cursed tide  
Had been my last: then Phyllis might  
with spotless faith have died  
I hoped better, by desert  
who had thy friendship won:  
The hope, which meed and right procures,  
they say is well begun.  
The glory is not great by guile  
to cirumvent a Maid:  
You rather should my simpleness  
with friendly favour paid.  
A woman, and a loving wight  
thy forged fraud hath made  
To be entrapped: God grant thy praise  
by Phyllis spoil to vade.  
Among th' Athenian noble wights  
thy seat shall be assigned:  
Thy Sire amid his spoils shall stand,  
and thou his son behind.  
When shameful Syron shall be read  
and fell Procustes death,  
And Scynis with the Minotaur,  
whom Theseus reft his breath:  
When Creon conquered shall appear,  
and Centaurs there be seen:  
And be recorded that thy Sire,  
at Pluto's Court hath been:  
Beneath thy Father's manly facts,  
shall stand this stately style:  
(Lo this is that unfaithful guest,  
who Phyllis did beguile.)  
Of all thy father's noble acts,  
and worthy feats of fame:  
Thou only dost resemble one,  
which he accounts a shame:  
For he king Minos' daughter reft,  
and her forewent at last:  
And thou (as heir of all his guile)  
dost frame a juggling cast.  
But she hath made a wise exchange,  
(I spite not) for the best:  
Upon her Tigers bridled brave,  
she rides at quiet rest.  
But now such suitors as in Thrace,  
of me were scorned before,  
Despise to be espoused to her  
who loves a stranger more,  
Than such as were my Country men,  
to Athens let her go,  
(say they) to wear the Thracian crown  
we want not one I trow.  
The end is it that tries the fact,  
God send him sorry haps,  
That always thinks it best to judge  
the cause by after claps.  
But so my Country waves were cut,  
and sundered with the keale,  
Then might I vaunt my love employed,  
to tend to public weal.  
But slender was the love I bore  
to this my native soil:  
My Palace moves not thee a mite,  
ne Bystons pleasant goyle.  
The countenance and the gesture both,  
are yet imprinted fast  
Within my breast, that thou didst use,  
when Phyllis saw thee last.  
And didst thou dare with clasping arms,  
embrace her carcase so?  
And touch her chirrie lip with thine,  
a thousand times and into?  
And to confound thy brackish tears,  
with Phyllis salted brine?  
And that the weather served so well,  
a fault with Aeole fine?  
And when thou tookst thy last farewell,  
adieu how dar'st thou say?  
Demophoon will retire again,  
that (Phyllis) is no nay.  
Shall I expect his gainecome that  
hath mind on nothing less?  
Or gape for sails that shun the port  
where was their chief redress?  
And yet I can but long to see  
thy coming, though be long:  
Though fixed day be past, revert  
and quite somepart of wrong.  
But what do I unhappy wish?  
an other dainty dame  
Both thee, and all thy love hath won  
to thy reproachful shame.  
I think that Phyllis is forgot,  
that used her guest so well:  
Fie, fie, of Phyllis make not strange,  
ne ask the place I dwell.  
I am that Phyllis (would thou witted)  
who harbourde thee at need:  
And gave thee port that long on Seas  
hadst wandered all in dread.  
Whose goods enriched thy poor estate,  
and having wealth at will  
Did secure thee, and would have done  
if thou hadst tarried still.  
Even she, that made thee Lord and Prince  
of all Lycurgus land:  
And yielded thee a Sceptre far  
unfit for woman's hand.  
As far as chilly Rhodope  
to bushy Haemus goes:  
And sacred Haebrus with his streams,  
and weltering waters flows.  
Even she that gave thee leave to pluck  
her Maidenhead all beshroude:  
And with thy crafty hand to let  
her honest belt abroad.  
At that sinister time was priest  
Tisiphone in place:  
And eke the Owl, with doleful shriche,  
and monstrous ugly face.  
Not far from thence with snaky bush,  
the fell Allecto lay:  
Who with her ghastly glowing eyes,  
the presence did affray.  
Yet natheless to ragged rocks,  
and shore I vie to high:  
And all about to ken the coast  
I cast my gazing eye.  
When stars in rolling skies do rating,  
or Phoebus yield his light,  
I go to see where Aeols winds  
with Neptune's waves do fight.  
And whatsoever ship I view  
come cutting on the Sea  
To Thracia ward: I judge it strait  
our native Gods to be.  
Then like a Bedlam wight to waves  
and drenching seas I run:  
As far as swelling waters flow,  
when ebbing tide is done.  
But how much more the Bark arrives,  
and nearer is to land:  
The more amazed, and from my wits  
estranged do I stand.  
Then begin my senses all to fail,  
my lively parts to faint:  
And (were not for my Maids) I should  
with swooning be attaint.  
A creek there stands, that is by kind,  
not far unlike a bow:  
Whose picked points with ruthless rock,  
and hardoned stone doth grow.  
I was resolved with stayed mind,  
and unappalled heart,  
From thence to cast my corpse adown,  
and will if thou depart.  
Then restless flood, and fleeting waves,  
my carcase will apply  
To shore, and thou thine Hostess shalt  
unterred see with eye.  
Though Adamant thy rigour then  
and stubborn steel exceed,  
Yet wilt thou say, fie Phyllis, fie,  
this pursuit had no need.  
Sometime my fancy serves me well  
with venom's drench to die:  
And strait with sword to hast my death,  
I am at point to try.  
Then with a string to stop my breath,  
I think it passing fit:  
And with a ruthless hand, a cord  
about my throat to knit.  
For certain fully bend I am,  
with speedy leaning life,  
To recompense my spotted fame,  
in choice shall be no strife.  
And thou that didst procure my bane,  
for thy desert shalt have  
This Verse, or some such other like,  
ensculpted on my grave.  

Demophoon, that guileful guest,,  
made Phyllis stop her breath:  
His was the cause, and hers the hand  
that brought her to the death.    

The Argument of the third Epistle, entitled Briseis to Achilles.  

THe Greeks arrived at Phrygia, fell to sack  
The neighbour towns to aged Priam's walls:  
When fierce Achilles brought to wailful wrack  
Cilisias both, and took two Virgins thrawles:  
Th'one Chrysis hight a passing goodly Dame,  
And Briseis th'other not much unlike the same.   

Chrysis Atrides chose to sport withal,  
Achilles Briseis had for like intent,  
But when at last the Prince forewent his thrall,  
He Briseis reft, whom erst Achilles hent:  
Which done, he left his Lance, he fled the field,  
And would no more his wont weapons wield.   

The Chieftain saw at length Achilles lack,  
And former fight in field with furious so,  
To stint the strife, he sent him Briseis back,  
But he refused to take the Lady tho:  
Which when the Virgin saw, this following verse  
Fair Briseis sent his brazen breast to pierce.   
The third Epistle. Briseis to Achilles.  
THe doleful lines you read  
from captive Briseis came:  
Whose Trojan fist can scarcely yet  
with Greekish figures frame.  
My flushing tears did cause  
the blots and blurs you see:  
Yet in these dréerie drops I know  
the weight of words to be.  
If lawful be to plain  
of thee my Lord and fear:  
Of thee my Fear and Lord the plaint  
thyself shalt quickly hear.  
I deem it not thy guilt,  
that I fro thee was sent:  
Yet in some part for yielding me  
so soon thou mayst be shent.  
No sooner Eurybate  
with Talthybius came:  
But I was yielded to their hands  
my journey forth to frame.  
And they with glaunsing eyes  
ytossed too and fro,  
In secret silence did consult  
my fancies plight to know.  
I might have stayed a while,  
deferring of my woe  
Had earned thanks, I did not kiss  
my Lord Achilles tho.  
But tears beraind my cheeks,  
I reckless rent mine hear:  
And lest I had been rapt again,  
I stood in ghastly fear.  
Oft minded I by breach,  
and fcape to have retournde:  
But scouts and warders lay in wait,  
that me my purpose wornde.  
To issue out by night  
of foes I stood in dread:  
Though if I had been caught, I should  
to Trojan Dames been lead.  
But yielded up, I have  
been many night's alack:  
Not rescue by thy haughty power,  
thy malice is too stack.  
Patroclus did inquire,  
(when I from thee did go:)  
What bred my dole, since quick retire,  
should soon abridge my woe?  
Thou dost not only cease  
to sue for me again:  
But aye procurste the most thou mayst,  
the Captain should detain  
Thy Briseis from thy clummes:  
go now I say and boast  
(Thou hot and earnest lover) of  
thy love in every coast.  
To thee Amyntors son,  
and Ajax came yfeare:  
Thy fellow Phoenis, Ajax was  
by blood to Achyl near.  
Ulysses was the third,  
which should have brought me back:  
Of gentle words and guerdons great,  
thou shouldst have found no lack.  
Atrideses Tables sent  
twice ten of glowing Brass:  
So finely wrought as to behold  
their matches rare it was.  
Seven stools of semblant Art  
and weight, with Talants five  
Of Gold, a dozen stately steads,  
to gallop passing believe.  
And (more than needed too,  
or that Achilles lacked)  
A troop of dainty trulls that came  
from Cities lately sacked.  
With them a pretty peat,  
(of Agamemnon's three  
Fair daughters, but thou needed none)  
thy loving wife to be.  
Of like the sum is small  
Achilles would bestow  
Upon my ransom, if he scorn,  
the things he should forego:  
That having proffer made  
of me with heaped gain,  
Refuseth me and all the wealth,  
and bars me by and main.  
Ay me, by what desert  
hath Briseis lost thy love?  
Achilles, why so soon from her  
shouldst thou thy heart remove?  
Doth cankered fortune still  
persist in ireful rage  
To Miser wights? will never calm  
these hurling broils assuage?  
I by thy manly Mart  
saw Lyrnes brought to sack:  
And I in Lyrnes had a share,  
which now is gone to wrack.  
I saw with ruthful eye,  
of mine alliance three,  
(Of three my Mother dear was one)  
there liked lives to flee.  
I saw my husband eke  
on bloody soil, with gore  
Besprent, with wide and gaping wounds  
in ugly wise to roar.  
For all these hurts endured  
on thee I made my choice:  
That thou my Lord and Lover art,  
and brother I rejoice.  
Thou sworste by Tethys tho,  
that I should scape annoy:  
And that my bondage should not breed  
my damage, but my joy.  
Even to this fine it tends  
that I with all this dower,  
Should of Achilles be refused  
for Agamemnon's power.  
Moreover brute hath blazed,  
that when the morning light  
Hath clearde the pole, that thou on Seas  
with ship wilt take thy flight.  
Which fell report no sooner  
came unto mine care,  
But I by sudden change of hue  
declared my change of cheer.  
And wilt thou thus departed?  
to whom wilt thou me leave?  
Who will relieve my vile estate,  
or succourless receive?  
Let ghastly gaping gulf  
and quaking earth devour:  
Or let me feel of Vulcan's bolts  
the stroke, and scathfull scour.  
Let flashing flame of fire  
and lightning Briseis burn,  
And so by sudden clap her corpse  
to parched cinders turn:  
Ere she from Pthia see  
her Lord Achilles wend  
Embarked, and leave his thrall behind,  
which mighty jove forefende.  
If my return may like,  
or country Gods thee please:  
My burden shall not breed the Bark,  
or thee such great disease.  
The Victor as a thrall,  
(not as a spouse her Make)  
I will attend: my hand to spin  
and card shall undertake.  
In all the Achaean soil,  
to wife the bravest Dame  
Receive, let her with Achyl lodge  
Cupidos' feats to frame.  
A worthy daughter law  
for Pelius, Aeacus son:  
To whom, old Nereus to become  
a Seignour would not shun.  
The while, I sielie wench  
prompt to obey thy hest,  
Will do my task at turn and Cards  
or Distaff with the rest.  
So that I crave her nought,  
but only that thy wife,  
(Which would torment my heart full sore)  
will cease from grudging strife.  
Ne banish me mine ease,  
ne suffer her to tear  
In spiteful wise, my golden locks,  
and rend my crysped hear.  
In silence to thyself  
say: this was once my love,  
As th'other is my wedded spouse,  
whose rigour I reprove.  
I force not what I bide,  
so I with thee may stay:  
But Briseis hath a doubtful dread,  
that puts good hope away.  
What dost thou more expect?  
Atrides wrath is gone:  
And Greece, in doleful wise, before  
thy feet doth make her moan.  
Repress thy raging ire,  
that dost the rest subdue:  
Now cruel Hector makes the Greeks  
their restless rage to rue.  
Achilles take thy love  
and Briseis once again:  
And then with lucky Mart, thy fist  
with Trojan blood distain.  
Let her that was the cause  
of wrath, appease thine ire:  
Let her, that forced thy grief, be cause  
that thou to joy aspire.  
Ne do thou think disdain  
to grant me my request:  
Since Meleager yielded him  
to Cleopatra's hest.  
I speak it by report,  
thou know'st the matter well:  
How Althaea sought to spoil her son,  
(O Achyl) thou canst tell.  
Who was a valiant wight,  
and noble for his Mart:  
And yet he did renounce his arms,  
and from his Country start.  
Whom only mild request  
of Cleopatra bowed:  
But Briseis words are of no weight,  
her suit is not aloud.  
Whereof I ne disdain,  
who may not justly crave  
The title of a spouse, but am  
a vile and bounden slave.  
For sundry times when thou  
were bend to Venus play,  
Then wouldst thou bid unto thy bed  
thy servant come her way.  
Among thy captives one  
a Madam's name me gave,  
Those are unfitting terms (quoth I)  
not gréeing to a slave.  
By my good husbands bones  
laid in untimely pit,  
(Which bones I mind to honour aye  
till lively twine unknit)  
And by my brother's ghosts  
which did resist till death,  
And in defence of native Gods  
to lavish were of breath:  
By both our heads which we  
have often led yfeare:  
And by thy weapons, which my friends  
have tried to much, I swear.  
That none of all the Greeks  
my secret parts do know:  
Forsake and as an abject scorn  
me, if it prove not so.  
But if I should demand  
an oath of thee again,  
That thou hadst with none other Lass  
but with thy Briseis lain.  
And say: thou valiant wight,  
hast thou not passed in play  
Since I to Agamemnon went?  
Achilles would say nay.  
The Greeks surmise that thou  
dost lead thy life in woe,  
And mourn for want of Briseis: but  
I see it is not so.  
Thou rumblest on thy Lute,  
sweet music likes thine ear,  
Some lustful Lass will not permit  
Achilles couch be leer.  
If question were, why thou  
didst stint from wont fight:  
Thou wouldst avouch that Venus were  
with greater pleasure freight.  
More safety is to link,  
and row in Venus' Barge,  
Or with a pleasant Thracian Lute  
all sorrows to discharge:  
Than in thy hand to have  
a shield with bloody spear,  
Or heavy Helmet on thy head,  
and filtered locks to bear.  
But worthy works of war  
were more embraced erst,  
Than such a safety, when thy breast  
with glories Lance was pierced.  
What? were thou only stout  
when I by fight was won?  
Is all that courage quailed quite  
now Lyrnes siege is done?  
Nay, Gods forbidden that thou  
shouldst seek thy fame to lose:  
Yet rather let thy Lance the breast  
of haughty Hector bruise.  
Send me (you Greeks) to treat,  
as servant will I sue  
Unto my Lord, and all my words  
my kisses shall ensue.  
For Briseis will prevail  
far more than Phoenis can  
And more than wise Ulysses' tals  
or Ajax with the man.  
'tis much with folded arms  
his neck to have embraced:  
And loving looks by fancy forced  
with glancing eye to cast.  
Though thou (Achilles) be  
with rigour and with rage  
Replete, yet natheless with tears  
thy wrath I will assuage.  
And may they now take place?  
if so, Gods grant thy Sire  
(The worthy Peleus) to his years  
and hoped age aspire.  
If so thou hear my suit,  
Gods grant that Pyrrhus may  
(Thy worthy son) to battle go  
in good and lucky day.  
Behold thou manly wight.  
thy Briseis clad with woe:  
Abandon rigour in good time  
that pains thy Lover so.  
Or if thy love be changed,  
from love to loathsome hate:  
Force her that lives in heavy plight  
to yield her due to fate.  
The fine will prove it so,  
my corpse and colour fade:  
The soul to keep his former force  
thy only hope hath made.  
Which hope, when so shall faint  
and be debarred his hire:  
Thy Briseis to her husband's soul  
and brothers shall aspire.  
To force a woman die,  
no glory mayst thou gain:  
But so thou long to have my death  
let me with sword be slain.  
Some blood as yet remains  
in careful corpse enclosed,  
Which would flush out, if with thy sword  
the vain were once disclosed.  
With self same weapon pierce  
my weak and feeble side,  
Wherewith (if Pallas had not been)  
Atrides should have died.  
Yet rather save my life  
as thou tofore hast done:  
And thou that were by pity moonde,  
by humble suit be won.  
On Trojan wreak thy wrath,  
thy fierce unfeigned foe:  
Go hath in Phrygian blood, thy blows  
on Priam's friends bestow.  
Achilles say the word,  
and where thou come or stay,  
If thou wilt have me make return,  
thy Briseis comes her way.   

The Argument of the fourth Epistle, entitled Phaedrato Hippolytus.  
THe frantic Phaedra, Theseus wedded Make,  
In absence of the Duke her husband fell  
In love with Hippolyte, and did forsake  
The worthy wight that looude his wife so well.  
But he delighted with Diana more  
Than crancking Cupid, or Dame Venus play:  
Ay kept the chase, and slew the savage Boar,  
Not forcing what his Motherlaw did say.  
She natheless attached with glowing gleed,  
To win the chastfull youth to filthy lust:  
In subtle sort his humours sought to feed,  
Persuading him her suit to be but just.  
With sundry sleights she went about to win  
The reckless youth, that minded nothing less  
Than shameful lust and filthy fleshly sin.  
The Mother's mind this Pistol doth express,  
These suing lines her sluttish suit bewray,  
Wherein to Hippolyte thus 'gan she say.  
The fourth Epistle. Phaedra to Hippolytus.  
THe health and greeting that she sends,  
the same shall Phaedra want,  
Unless thou (Hippolyte) such health  
vouchsafe to Phaedra grant.  
receive and read what so is sent,  
what damage may ensue?  
In these perhaps there lurckes that may  
thy pleasures plight renew.  
As well by land, as surging seas,  
such writs are wont to wend:  
And foes that feed on rancour, read  
the lines the foes do send.  
Thrice was I bend to have disclosed  
to thee my covert suit:  
But thrice my faltering tongue was tied,  
I stood as one were mute.  
I mingled bashful shame with love,  
till love furpassed shame:  
Wherefore the words I blushed to speak,  
in writing read the same.  
For what so Cupid gives in charge  
'tis madness to despise:  
For he doth conquer God and man  
as nature did devise.  
He when I stood in ghastful dread  
to pen my earnest suit,  
Said, writ on Phaedra, he shall yield  
and pay thy pains with fruit.  
Be priest thou mighty Prince of love,  
and as thy fervent fire  
Doth burn my breast: so cause him fry  
with Phaedra's hot desire.  
I mind not by enormous guilt  
to break my spousal knot:  
For (would thou witted) my life as yet  
is free from shameful blot.  
How much the longer 'tis ere love  
invades a woman's breast:  
The sorer is the cruel gash,  
and breeds the more disrest.  
My inward parts are all inflamed,  
my bowels boil with heat:  
My scorched heart forepinde with woe  
a lurking wound doth fret.  
As Bullocks may not well abide  
the crooked yoke at furst:  
Nor trampling Colts with bit or broke  
to have their jaws yburst:  
So fares it by my skilless breast  
that hardly may endure.  
Unwonted love, or such unrest  
as Cupid will procure.  
In youth when skill by practice comes,  
the knowledge is profound:  
But who so loves when youth is spent  
can not with Art abound.  
The first taste of my spotless fame  
unto thy share shall fall  
And each of us at once shall be  
to sinful lust in thrall.  
'tis somewhat from the fraughted boughs  
to pluck the fruit at full,  
And Primrose with a nimble nail  
from slender stalk to pull.  
Even so the former brightness of  
my passed age was clear,  
Obscured with no cloudy crime,  
as doth in prouse appear.  
But well it chanceth that I am  
attached with worthy flame,  
A foul Adulter, than the fact  
doth breed a fouler shame.  
Though juno would to Phaedra's use  
of jove renounce her right:  
Yet Phaedra would Hippolytus  
prefer with all her might.  
And now (which thou wouldst scarcely deem)  
I am not as I was:  
I have delight in quechie groves,  
by brutish beasts to pass.  
Now Diana with her bended how  
and shafts is all my care:  
I yéel de me wholly to thy will,  
in wrack and wealth to far.  
My pleasure is to haughty hills,  
and bushy brakes to high:  
To pitch my hay, or with my Hounds  
to raise a lusty cry.  
Or else with weak and willing arm  
a trembling dart to throw,  
Or weary limbs in grass and greavess  
with pleasure to bestow.  
'tis oft my practice in the plain  
a charet for to guide:  
And with a bit, to wrest and wind  
the horse from side to side.  
Sometimes by restless raging fits  
much like to Bacchus' Nun,  
Or to Cibeles' brainsick Nymphs  
in Ida Mount, I run.  
Resembling those whom Dryads,  
and Fauns do force to flee:  
Whom Semigods we déemen and  
half heavenly wights to be.  
This tale is told to me at large  
when furious fits are past:  
To me I say, whose covert parts  
with silent love do waste.  
We may perhaps unto the fate  
and fortune of our kind  
Impute this love, and Venus longs  
by tribute us to bind.  
For first the fair Europa was  
of mighty jove embraced:  
Who in the figure of a Bull  
did play a sluttish cast.  
Another brutish Bull my Dame  
Pasiphae beguiled:  
Who with an ugly Monster was  
by him begot with child.  
False Theseus by my sister's shifts  
and tract of silken twine,  
The crooked Cave and doubtful den  
of Dedal fled in fine.  
And last of all, lest I should seem  
to serve from Minos' trade,  
The remnant of that noble race  
the like attempt have made.  
And that by fatal doom procured,  
one house two Nymphs hath won:  
My sister looude the father well,  
and I embrace the son.  
Two sisters were away conveyed  
by thee, and by thy Sire:  
Erect two Trophies of one house,  
whereto you did aspire.  
That time when we in Athens did  
to Ceres' incense yield:  
Would Gods that Gnosian quiet soil  
in Creta me had held.  
Then most of all (but ever well)  
thou stoodst in Phaedra's grace,  
And chiefly though thy perceant love  
my yielding heart did race.  
Thy vesture was as white as snow,  
and head with garlands decked:  
Thy visage swarth, was seemly then  
with Rosy red infect.  
Thy countenance, which to other Dames  
so clownish seems and grim,  
For clownish, comely Phaedra thinks  
her eye doth judge it trim.  
Fie on those fond unmanly men  
that seek in nice attire  
Against their kind, the curious tricks  
of women to aspire.  
Thee (Hippolyte) thy warlike face  
and staring locks commend:  
Thy countenance grimed all with dust  
a comely shape doth lend.  
Where thou with Raine dost rule thy horse  
and gallop in the field:  
I marvel at thy Art, that so  
canst force a Courser yield.  
Or where thou with thy nimble arm  
a thyrling Lance dost cast:  
I muse how such a slender Dart  
should pierce the air so fast.  
Or where thou hold thy hunting staff,  
ytipt with stubborn steel,  
Or aught dost else, it glads my mind  
my heart the joy doth feel.  
Wherefore, this rigour to the woods  
and knarly trees expel,  
I am not she, that doth deserve  
to die for loving well.  
O to what purpose wilt thou put  
Diana's feats in proof,  
And take from Venus all her due  
and stand from her aloufe?  
For what so lacks successive rest  
and respite after toil  
Which should refresh the fainting limbs,  
must needs sustain the foil.  
For trial, take thy crooked bow  
and let it stand ybent,  
And never cease to shoot, and thou  
shalt feel his force relent.  
Though Shafalus in silent woods  
were wont to waste his time,  
And kill his game with dexter hand  
when savage were in prime:  
Yet natheless to Aurora's Couch  
and cabin would he wend:  
In loathed Tython's wonted room  
the joyful time to spind.  
Not once, nor twice, but sundry scythes  
the Goddess Venus lay  
With Adonis in the wayless woods  
her pleasures to assay.  
So with the fair Atlanta's love  
sir Meleager glowde,  
Whom he in proof of perfect love  
the monsters spoil allowed.  
So let us now at length I pray,  
be numbered with the more:  
The rudeness of your chase appears  
if Venus it forego.  
Myself will follow at a foot,  
though rocky hills say nay:  
No gnashing Boar with threatening tusks  
thy Phaedra shall affray.  
Two seas there are that with their waves  
environ Isthmos so,  
That all the Island hears the floods  
on either side that flow.  
There I with thee in Trezen will  
sojourn in Pytheus' reign:  
For now that soil contents me more  
than all my Country vain.  
Now loitering Theseus doth dislodge,  
not minding to retire  
As yet, Pirithous his friend  
his presence doth desire.  
And lest we should apparent truth  
with froward will deny:  
That Pyrrith he prefers before  
our loves we may espy.  
And not this only wrong (though this  
were much) we both endure:  
But he in greater matters doth  
our open wrong procure.  
My brother's bones with baleful blows  
of knarly club he broke:  
My sister eke suspecting nought,  
this Theseus did forsake.  
The chief of all the Amazons  
for prowess and for fame  
Thy Mother was, who well deserved  
great favour for the same.  
But if thou chance of her what is  
become, demand to make:  
Thou shalt descry that she her death  
by Theseus' sword did take.  
And that before she was conjoined  
in marriage. Wot you why?  
For thou base borne shouldst never reign  
and Prince's room supply.  
And more than that, on me he got  
some Imps, whom Theseus wrath,  
Not mine (I witness all the Gods)  
too soon bereaved hath.  
O Lord, what so she were alive  
that would thy spoil intend:  
Amidst her travel would her life  
by shameful death might end.  
Wherefore go too, do reverence  
unto thy father's bed:  
Which he by his unhonest means  
and faithless flight hath fled.  
Be not surprised with foolish fear  
nor rapt with ghastful awe,  
That I thy lotted stepdame am,  
and thou my Son in law.  
These rites and superstitions  
by Saturn were maintained:  
But all such laws in future time  
are like to be restrained:  
That rusty Saturn now is dead,  
his statutes are all gone:  
Now follow jove, who governs all,  
and reigns as Prince alone.  
For jove as lawful hath allowed  
what so may breed delight:  
And now the brother may his faith  
unto his sister plight.  
They whom Dame nature had allied  
and linked by law of kind,  
By mutual love, and friendly league  
the knot more firmly bind.  
To keep in covert such delights  
it is but slender skill,  
The cloak of kindred will procure  
the world to judge no ill.  
When so our kissing shall be seen,  
or clipping close be know:  
That I a stepdame am so kind,  
to both our praise will grow.  
Thou shalt not need to come by dark  
or blear the Porter's eye  
By coming to the lodging late  
where I am wont to lie:  
As we have soiournde long yfeare,  
so we hereafter will:  
And as we have in open kissed,  
so may we frankly still.  
With me thou mayst be safe and sound  
thy fact shall purchase fame:  
And though thou in my bed were seen  
it will not breed thy shame.  
Wherefore expel all fond delays.  
and hast to Venus' joy:  
So Cupid, that on me doth rage,  
procure thee none annoy.  
Thou seest I take not in disdain  
in humble sort to sue:  
Lord, where is all my pride become  
and haughty words that slew?  
I was in mind and fully bend  
resistance to have made,  
Revolting aye: but now I see  
no stay in lovers trade.  
Thus conquered, with erected hands  
and falling at thy knee  
I sue for grace. What best beseems  
we Lovers can not see.  
Now honest shame hath fled my face  
and makes no longer stay:  
Relent, and since I do confess,  
rid rigour clean away.  
Since Minos that doth owe the Seas  
my stately Sire is known,  
Since from my Grandsire's wreakful hands  
the thundering bolts are thrown:  
Since Phaedra that doth make request  
of Phoebus' line descends,  
Who to the soil his blazing brands  
for earthly comfort lends:  
(In this my love great honour lurckes)  
let noble stocks dissent,  
(If Phaedra's suit may not be heard)  
enforce thee to relent.  
All Creta, where the mighty jove  
was fostered, is my dower:  
Which I will wholly yield to thee  
to use thereon thy power.  
Exile this ruthful rage, my Dame  
a savage Bull could move:  
More cruel than a brutish beast  
wilt thou thyself approve?  
For Venus' sake I crave remorse,  
whom I do honour feign:  
So grant ye Gods that Hippolyte  
may never love in vain.  
Diana chaste in silent woods  
so priest be at thy call:  
And Lawns so lend thee store of game  
to glad thy mind withal.  
So Satyrs, friendly show yourselves,  
and Mountain Panes eke,  
So on the cruel tusked Boar  
thy javelaine mayst thou break.  
So, (though thou hate the hurtless Nymphs)  
let Nymphs from Crystal flood,  
allow the liquor to expel  
thy thirst in desert wood.  
Unto these mild requests of mine  
I added tears withal:  
When so thou read the lines, surmise  
thou sawst the drops to fall.   

The Argument of the fift Epistle, entitled Oenone to Paris.  
King Priamus wife with child,  
and near her time, did dream  
That she was brought a-bed with flash,  
and flaming fiery stream.  
The doubtful Sire demands  
the Oracles advise.  
Which told that damage by the Babe  
to Troy should arise.  
The father gave in charge  
the child should die the death:  
The Dame delivered sought the mean  
to save her Babe his breath.  
A Hyard bade the child,  
that grown to man's estate,  
Of Oenone was enamoured,  
and took her to his Mate.  
But when the Ladies strove  
for beauty, Paris gave  
His verdict on Dame Venus' side:  
that promised he should have  
In token of good will,  
a passing wench for hew:  
Mean while the Sire by secret signs  
his son sir Paris knew.  
To Greece the gallant goes  
and steals Atrides wife,  
That was the cause of wailful war,  
and root of rankling strife.  
Which when Oenone knew  
(Report had blazed it so)  
Agrieude she made her just complaint:  
and prayed him to forego  
The wrongful Greekish rape,  
and take her to his Fear,  
The words she wrote with painful pen▪  
began as you shall hear.  
The fift Epistle. Oenone to Paris.  
TO Paris that was once her own  
though now it be not so,  
From Ida, Oenone greeting sends  
as these her letters show.  
May not thy novel wife endure  
that thou my Pistol read?  
That they with Grecian fist were wrought  
thou néedste not stand in dread.  
Pegasian Nymph renowned in Troy,  
Oenone hight by name,  
Of thee, (that were mine own) complain  
if thou permit the same.  
What froward God doth seek to bar  
Oenone to be thine?  
Or by what guilt have I deserved  
that Paris should decline?  
Take patiently deserved woe  
and never grudge at all:  
But undeserved wrongs will grieve  
a woman at the gall.  
Scarce were thou of so noble fame.  
as platly doth appear:  
When I (the offspring of a flood)  
did choose thee for my fear.  
And thou, who now art Priam's son,  
(all reverence laid apart)  
Were tho a Hyard to behold  
when first thou wanste my heart.  
How oft have we in shadow lain  
whilst hungry flocks have fed?  
How oft have we of grass and greaves  
prepared a homely bed?  
How oft on simple stacks of straw  
and bennet did we rest?  
How oft the dew and foggy mist  
our lodging hath oppressed?  
Who first discoverde thee the holtes  
and Lawns of lurking game?  
Who first displayed thee where the whelps  
lay sucking of their Dame?  
I sundry times have holp to pitch  
thy toils for want of aid:  
And forced thy Hounds to climb the hills  
that gladly would have stayed.  
The boisterous Beech Oenone's name  
in outward bark doth bear:  
And with thy carving knife is cut  
Oenone, every where.  
And as the trees in time do wax  
so doth increase my name:  
Go to, grow on, erect yourselves,  
help to advance my fame.  
There grows (I mind it very well)  
upon a bank, a tree  
Whereon there doth a fresh record  
and will remain of me.  
Live long thou happy tree, I say,  
that on the brinck dost stand:  
And hast engraved in thy bark  
these words, with Paris hand.  

When pastor Paris shall revolt.  
and Oenon's love forego:  
Then Xanthus' waters shall recoil,  
and to their Fountains flow.   
Now river backward bend thy course,  
let Xanthus' stream retire:  
For Paris hath renounst the Nymph  
and proved himself a liar.  
That cursed day bred all my doole,  
the winter of my joy,  
With clouds of froward fortune fraught  
procured me this annoy:  
When cankered crafty juno came  
with Venus, (Nurse of love)  
And Pallas eke, that warlike wench,  
their beauty's pride to prove,  
No sooner heard I of that hap  
which thou thyself didst tell,  
But straight through all my quivering bones  
a trembling fear there fell.  
And plunged all in doubtful dread,  
of aged folks I sought  
What might this ghastly matter mean:  
some heinous thing they thought.  
Then with a trice the trees were cut,  
the timber went to wrack:  
And tallowed Keales did forrow Seas  
and made the Cabels crack.  
At parture saltish tears were shed  
thou canst but say the same:  
In faith this latter love of thine  
deserves the greater shame.  
Then showers of brackish brine began  
of either side to rain:  
And both replete with grief alike  
at parture 'gan to plain.  
Not Bacchus' branches so embrace,  
ne limber limbs of vine  
Environ that whereof it grows,  
as thou this neck of mine.  
How often were thou wroth with winds  
when winds did serve thee well?  
Thy journey Mates began to smile  
when they thy sleights did smell.  
How oft didst thou me sweetly kiss  
and then unkisse again?  
How did thy (last adieu) procure  
thy faltering tongue to pain?  
With wished wind thy sails were stust  
that hung upon thy Mast:  
The waters waxed as green as grass  
th' Oars went on so fast.  
With sight as long as sight would serve,  
thy Bark I did pursue  
And when mine eye might see no more,  
my heart began to rue.  
To green Neriedes I did fue  
that thou mightst soon retire:  
And I (to further this my woe)  
thy gainecome did desire.  
Whose coming is to others use  
procured by my suit:  
(Alas) of all my traveling toil  
a harlot hath the fruit.  
A huge and haughty hill there is  
that gapes into the flood,  
Repelling all the waltering waves  
that beat his bank a good.  
From thence I took my prime prospect  
and knew full well thy ship:  
A sudden joy well nigh had made  
me from the Mount to skip.  
But whilst I stayed, I saw in top  
a purple banner shine:  
Which colours made me sore adread,  
I knew they were not thine.  
The ship that slacked not to sail  
came by and by to shore,  
With quaking heart I saw a Lass  
I never knew before.  
Ne yet could that perdie suffice,  
(but wherefore made I stay?)  
The hateful harlot out of hand  
her manners did display.  
Then mourning 'gan I rend my Robes,  
than beat I on my breast:  
And with unfriendly fist my face  
in wailful wise was dressed.  
My yelling clamours Ida heard,  
and witnessed all my woe:  
I carred thither to my Cotte  
my tears, that fell as snow.  
So grant ye Gods that Helen rue  
and spoiled of her Make,  
Of these my griefs procured by her  
the greatest share may take.  
Now hast thou brought them home by Seas  
and over wandered waves.  
That have their loyal husbands fled  
and left as loathsome slaves:  
But when thou were in vile estate  
and led a Hyards life:  
Poor Paris had but Oenone though  
to his approved wife.  
I am not she that weighs thy wealth  
thy Palace moves me nought:  
Ne to be Priam's daughter I  
by earnest suit have sought.  
Yet peerless is that Priam should  
of such a daughter shame:  
What should procure old Hecuba,  
to blush to be my Dame?  
I well deserved, and very feign  
a Prince's spouse would be:  
A Sceptre would beseem my hand  
and passing well agree.  
Though I with thee in open holt  
amid the sedge were seen:  
Disdain me not, a purple bed  
were fit for a Queen.  
In fine my love is void of dread  
thou needst not war at all:  
Revenger ships are not in sight  
to sack the Trojan wall.  
But hateful Helen is required  
with wreakful war again:  
This is a dainty dower in deed  
where bloodshed is the gain.  
Ask Hector's counsel in this case  
where thou shouldst her restore;  
Deiphobus, Polydamas,  
with other trojans more.  
Let sage Antenor's tale be heard,  
let Priam give advise:  
For they by long expense of years  
have gotten to be wise.  
It is a shameful thing in deed  
a strumpet to prefer:  
The goodness of thy cause appears,  
the Greeks do justly war.  
Mayst thou assure her to be true  
or aught in her affy,  
Whom thou so quickly wanst with words  
and made her country fly?  
As young Atrides doth lament  
and sorrow this his fate,  
And takes in grief a stranger should  
enjoy his wedded Mate:  
So Paris shall in process prove  
and swear that gauged faith  
Once faléed, may not be restored  
till life do end by death.  
Put case she love thee (Paris) well,  
so did she love the Greek:  
But now the fiely man is sole,  
his Helen is to seek.  
Thrice happy was sir Hector's wife,  
her luck was passing good:  
Thou shouldst have followed Hector's trade  
and to thy bargin stood.  
More light art thou than parched leaves  
when suck and sap is lost,  
That with the wind for want of weight  
from place to place are tossed.  
In thee less surety to be found  
than weight in beard of wheat,  
That is surprised with Sunny rays  
and Phoebus' fervent heat.  
I call to mind thy sister's saws  
which though I took as vain:  
The Prophetess pronounced in prouse  
that now is passing plain.  
What madness makes thee thus enraged  
to sow thy seed in sand:  
O Nymph (she said) with bootless Plough  
thou breakste a barren land.  
A Greekish Hayfer comes to Troy,  
that both thy Country soil  
And thee, thy house, (which Gods forefend)  
will bring to utter foil.  
With speed go sink that shameful ship,  
let drown the beastly Bark  
That fraughted is with Phrygian blood,  
replete with Trojan cark.  
No sooner had this sybil said,  
her Vassals thought her wood:  
But I with quaking fear was rapt,  
my hair erected stood.  
Thy words (Cassandra) were of weight,  
thou art a sybil true:  
The Hayfer leaps within my leaze  
that makes my heart to rue.  
Surpassing though her beauty be  
dishonest is her life,  
That leaves her Country Gods, and is  
become a strangers wife.  
Once was she erst away conveyed  
from Greece by Theseus' theft:  
I wot not by what Theseus, but  
by Theseus was she reft.  
Might she with Maidenhead make retire  
from such a wanton guest?  
No, no, I know the trade of love  
as well as doth the best.  
Well, pose it to be rape and stealth,  
so cloak the crime with name:  
Yet she that was so often wronged  
assented to the same.  
Oenone never swarude her Hest  
though Paris were unjust:  
Of right thou shouldst have been beguiled  
in whom was slender trust.  
Sage, swift, and seemly Satyrs would  
with me been coupled feign,  
Whom they in levy woods have sought  
with great and grieffull pain.  
The fonded Faunus oft in Ide  
my friendship did request:  
Whose head with hurelesse horns, and boughs  
of Pine was bravely dressed.  
The faithful Phoebus (Troyans' trust  
and rampire) looude me well:  
Until such time my dainty fruit  
unto sir Phoebus fell,  
And that by force: in proof whereof  
I rend his golden hair,  
And scratched his face with froward fist,  
the signs as yet appear.  
No jewels I, ne Gems received  
for filthy lukers hire:  
'tis beastly so t'engage the corpse  
for greedy mucks desire.  
He deemed it recompense enough  
his Physic to bestow:  
My skilless band and barren skull  
he taught his Art to know.  
What herb soever were of power  
or virtue to recure,  
To learn his force and lurking might  
I could myself assure.  
Ay me, the most unhappy wench,  
unluckiest under Sun:  
Though I in Physic have good sight  
by love my skill is won.  
Apollo Physic that divisde  
Admetus' flock did feed:  
And had his godly breast incensed  
with Oenon's parching gléede.  
But Paris worst thou what? the health  
that neither herbs may lend  
Ne Gods may grant, thy friendly fist  
at once to me may send.  
Thou canst, and I have well deserved,  
take mercy of a Maid:  
I come not like a Greekish foe,  
Atrides power to aid.  
But thine I am, and from thy youth  
thy lover have I been:  
And will whilst (lungs shall lend me breath)  
thy faithful friend be seen.   

The Argument of the sixth Epistle, entitled Hypsiphyle to jason.  
THe Oracle pronounste  
to Pelyas, that he  
Should then in danger stand of death  
when be did chance to see  
One barefoot, doing rites  
unto his Father's ghost:  
'Twas jasons hap to mecte him,  
that by hap his shoe had lost  
In flood Auaurus ford.  
The Uncle weighing than  
The prophecy, to stand in doubt  
of dreadful death began,  
To Colchos he per swades  
the lusty youth to fleet  
To fet the golden Fleece  
a spoil for such a Gallant meet,  
In hope the dangers would  
the wanton wight devoured  
Sir jason with a troop of Greeks  
through chocking channel scourde.  
At Lemnos he at length  
and all his rout arrived,  
An Isle where cursed women had  
their husbands lives deprived.  
Hypsiphyle the Queen  
did entertain the Greek  
And all his train, for courtesy  
they never saw the like,  
There two years he soiournde,  
his Mates at last bespoke  
Their Captain; and persuade him thence  
his voyage on to take:  
The Queen was great with Babe,  
away the Grecians go,  
Arrived at Colch he wan the Fleece  
Medea looude him so.  
The conqueror conveys  
the Maid with him to Greece:  
Which Queen Hypsiphyle hearing off,  
and of his pretty piece,  
Repined at jason sore;  
that Medea had possessed.  
The place which she had won before  
by using well her guest.  
She joys at his return,  
the Witch she felly hates,  
And thus with joyful jason in  
her Pistol she dehates:  
The sixth Epistle. Hypsiphyle to Jason.  
THe flickering fame reports  
that to Thessalia soil  
Thou art with lucky Bark returned,  
enriched with golden spoil.  
I joy (as much as thou  
wilt give me leave mine own)  
To hear thy health, but yet I should  
thereof by letter known.  
For that thou shouldst not leave  
my land at thy return  
Unseen: thou couldst not have the winds  
to serve thy hoped turn.  
Thou shouldst have sent me lines  
though weather did not serve:  
I stand assured that Hypsiphyl  
a greeting did deserve.  
Why came report before  
thy Letters made me show,  
That bloody Mars his sacred Bulls  
the pinching yoke did know?  
And that of scattered seed  
there weapned Wights arose?  
And that thy baleful hand was priest  
to deal them deadly blow?  
And that the waker fen  
the glittering spoil did keep:  
Which thou in fine with manly hand  
hast reft the shining sheep?  
To such as hardly would  
believe the wonders told,  
How blessed were I, if I my vaunt  
thus jason wrote. Behold.  
What shall I say thou hast  
not played the husbands part?  
So I be thine, thy friendship far  
surmounts my small desert,  
The brute doth blast there is  
a barbarous Witch arrived  
With thee, who hath me of my spouse  
and bridely bed deprived.  
Love lightly will believe:  
would God I might be said  
A rashfull Dame, and false reports  
of jason to have spread.  
A guest of Thessaly came  
from Hemus parts of late,  
Who scarcely had set foot within  
my unacquainted gate.  
How fares my Love (quoth I)  
old Aesons son I pray?  
But he with countenance cast to ground  
for shame had nought to say.  
Then forth I skipped in haste,  
and renting mine attire:  
lives he (quoth I) or do the fates  
my death also require?  
He lives (quoth he) an oath  
in proof thereof I crave:  
I made him swear, yet to his Gods  
I hardly credit gave.  
When to myself I came,  
thy manful acts to know  
I long: and he how Mars his Bulls  
had turned the soil did show.  
He said that snaky teeth  
for seed were cast on land:  
And upstart men with armour clad  
both sword and shield in hand.  
And that the earthly brood  
in civil war was slain:  
And in a day lost sudden life  
by sudden death again.  
And of the Serpent's fall.  
again where jason lives  
I ask. So hope and doubtful dread  
for chiefest credit strives.  
Whilst he each thing displays  
desirous for to prate:  
He makes me show how thou hast wronged  
thy loyal spouse of late.  
O where is plighted faith?  
where nuptial oaths and band?  
And that which should been cast in flame,  
I mean the spousal brand?  
Thou know'st me not by stealth,  
Dame juno was in place,  
(Who hath the marriage charge) and there  
did Hymen show his face.  
But neither juno did  
nor Hymen hold the light:  
Some fury fell with bloudshot eyes  
did frame this cankered spite.  
Why I with Minyes did deal?  
or Pallas sacred pine?  
Or (Tiphus) what hast thou to do  
with any soil of mine?  
Here was no famous Ram  
with fleece of glowing gold:  
In Lemnos was no Palace for  
your aged Prince to hold.  
First was I fully bend,  
(but destiny me withdrew)  
By woman's power to put them off  
and wandering guests subdue:  
For Lemnian Ladies know  
too well to war with men:  
My life with such a valiant troop  
should have been guarded then.  
I gave the man at once  
my hostage and my heart:  
For two years date thou wert with me,  
and never didst departed.  
When third Autumn came on  
that thou of force were feign  
To hoist thy fails: these words thou spakste  
with gushing tears amain:  
Mine own I must departed,  
if Fortune say Amen,  
From hence I pass thy spouse, and will  
thy spouse repass again.  
The Imp within thy Womb  
Gods grant that it may live:  
And we his parents both yfeare  
a decent name may give.  
Thus much (I mind) thou spakste,  
when salted tears berainde  
Thy falsed face, the remnant of  
thy sermon was restrained.  
The last of all thy Mates  
thou clambst the sacred Arge,  
That spinde along, thy sails did stroute  
they had so great a charge.  
The ship was shooude apace  
upon the grayish flood:  
Thou threwste thine eyes to shore, and we  
to seaward looked a good.  
There stands a Turret by  
that overlookes the place:  
To whom I ran, and did with tears  
imbrue both breast and face.  
I looked through my tears,  
mine eye as friendly light  
Had larger kenning than of course,  
and farther stretched his sight.  
Add thereunto my vows  
and Prayers joined with dread:  
Which sacred vows I will perfect  
since thou hast haply sped.  
But shall I pay my vows?  
shall Medea them enjoy?  
My heart doth ache, and wrath with love  
combined doth annoy.  
Shall I bear gifts to Church  
or be at charge at all?  
To lose my loving jason should  
there any Hayfer fall?  
I was not calm in mind,  
I always stood in awe  
Thy Father would not entertain  
in Greece a daughter law.  
Of Greece I was in dread,  
but other work my woe:  
I have received a hurt of one  
whom erst I did not know.  
By beauty nor desert  
she won thee, but by charm:  
With Sorcerers Sith she shears the Grass  
whereby she works thy harm.  
She says from wonted tract  
the wayward Moon to wry:  
And dim with dusky cloud the steeds  
that prance in open sky.  
She bridles running streams  
and fleeting floods doth stay:  
She makes the Holtes and ragged rocks  
for joy to skip and play.  
Disheveled with her locks  
she walks by burial graves:  
And certain of the loathsome hones  
from wasting flame she faves.  
She curseth absent wights,  
of Wax she pictures makes:  
And pricks with pings the pensive lungs  
wherewith the bowels aches.  
Thus Love that should be won  
with beauty and desert:  
Is got (which would I had not tried)  
by Herbs and hurtful Arte.  
What? canst thou roll and clip  
or sleep in self same bed  
With her, devoid of waking care  
and free from carking dread?  
As erst she yokte the Bulls  
so hath she bound thee fast:  
And tamed thee, as the Dragons fell  
were conquered by her cast.  
To that she spoils both thee  
and all thy Mates of praise:  
And by the mean of such a wife  
the husbands fame decays.  
In Thessaly are some  
to poison that impute  
Thy facts: and there will be enough  
which will believe the brute.  
Not this old Aesons son  
but Oeetes daughter wrought:  
'Twas she, not jason, that the fleece  
of Gold from Colchos brought.  
Ask Alcimedes advise,  
thy Dame doth this disléeke:  
Thy Father eke from chilly Role  
who did a daughter seek.  
Let her to Tanays' go  
and seek in Scythian soil  
Her loving spouse, and gape for him  
from Phasis farthest goyle.  
Fie, faithless jason, fie,  
more light than windy blast:  
Why dost not thou thy painted words  
with deed confirm at last?  
Thou partedst hence my spouse,  
why art not so returned?  
O bar not that at gainecome which  
at parture was not wournde.  
If Noble line thou like,  
and gentry move thy mind:  
That I King Thoas darling was  
and daughter mayst thou find.  
My Grandsire Baechus was,  
and Bacchus' wife ycrownde  
Doth far surpass the lesser lights  
that her environ round.  
Lemnos shall be my dower,  
as fruitful as the best  
To such as there sojourn: and me,  
account among the rest.  
Who now am brought a bed,  
let double joy possess  
Thy heart, the Father made the throws  
of travail seem the less.  
The number glads my mind,  
(Lucina thanked be)  
Of good success, a lucky twin  
to light are brought by me.  
Whose shape and show they bear  
if thou demand, I vaunt  
Thou mayst be known by them, save they  
the father's fraud do want.  
Whom I was even at point  
by Legates to convey,  
Save that the cruel stepdame was  
the only cause of stay.  
Medea made me dread,  
who justly may be thought  
More than a stepdame, with her hand  
each cursed fact is wrought.  
She that her Brother's bones  
and flesh could fling in field,  
Rend first with cruel fist: would she  
have ruth upon my child?  
Yet her the fame reports,  
(O wood and wretched Wight)  
That thou before thy Hypsiphyl  
preferrste with all thy might.  
She going for a Maid  
hath played a harlots cast:  
But with unspotted bridely chain  
we two were linked fast.  
Her Father she betrayed,  
I saved King Thoas life:  
She fled from Colche, in Lemnos I  
remain thy loving wife.  
But whereto? if a Drab  
an honest woman win?  
And that her crimes for jointure have  
and stead of dowry been?  
I blame the Lemnian Maids,  
I muse not at their deed:  
For dolour to the angry will  
bring wreakful tools with speed.  
Say on, if forced with winds  
(as right did will thee do)  
Both thou and all thy troop at once  
my Port had comen too:  
And I with this my brood  
had met thee at the door:  
Then wouldst thou not have wished the gasping  
soil thy corpse devour?  
(Unthrifty) with what face  
upon those Babes and me  
Wouldst thou have looked? fie traitor what  
had been fit death for thee?  
Thou mightst have lived at ease  
and safe by my consent:  
Not for thou didst deserve so well,  
but cause I did relent.  
I with that Wytchesse blood  
my face should have imbrued:  
And jasons eke, which with her Herbs  
the Harlot did delude.  
To Medea I should  
have been Medea then:  
(And if in skies be any jove  
that will give ear to men)  
As Hypsiphyl doth plain  
and sob alone her fill:  
So let that beast (Medea) mourn  
plagued with her handy skill.  
And as I lose my Imps  
and am bereft my Make:  
So grant, that her as many babes  
and husband may forsake.  
Ne that she may retain  
but leave with worse hap  
Ill gotten goods: and banished beg  
her bread with dish and clap,  
As loving sister she  
and daughter eke hath been  
To Father and to Brother both:  
Gods grant she may be seen  
So spiteful to her Spouse,  
and armed with prefull rage  
Even to her tender Children whom  
she ought to guard in age.  
When Sea and Land she hath  
consumed, up to the sky  
Let her go wrangle like a Rogue  
and by selfeslaughter die.  
Thus I bereft my spouse  
King Thoas daughter pray:  
In cursed cabin lead your lives  
you beastly folks I say.   

The Argument of the seven. Epistle, entitled Dido to Aeneas.  
WHen Priam was oppressed  
and Troy brought to sack,  
Aeneas with his aged Sire  
and Relics on his back,  
Engaged himself to Seas  
and shope his course aright:  
But yet at length it was his luck  
on Libie land to light  
By force of froward flood,  
where Dido 'gan to raise  
A stately town. The courteous Queen  
the wandering Trojan prays  
To make abode with her:  
she liked Aeneas so,  
As host age with her heart at once  
on him she did bestow.  
The messenger at length  
from mighty jove was sent  
To new Carthago to demand  
the Trojan what he meant  
In Libie land to lodge  
and loiter so in love,  
And not to seek the lotted land,  
that was for his behove.  
Away the Trojan trudgde,  
whose will when Dido knew  
Was fully bend to leave her land:  
the Princess 'gan to sue,  
That either he would stay  
according to his hest,  
Or grant her space to banish grief  
from her aggrieved breast.  
When she had wasted words  
and many tears yshed,  
At point of death the quivering Queen  
thus to Aeneas sed.  
The vij Epistle. Dido to Aeneas.  
EVen so when fates do call  
ystrecht in moisted spring,  
Upon Meander's winding banches  
the snowishe Swan doth sing.  
Not for I think my words  
may ought prevail, I writ:  
For why I know the haughty Gods,  
at this my purpose spite.  
But since my fame, my corpse,  
and spotless mind are lost  
By cankered hap: to waste my words  
I reck it little cost.  
Now art thou bend to pass  
and leave poor Dido so:  
And with the self same winds thy sails  
and fickle faith shall go.  
Aeneas now thou mindste  
thy Navy with thy vow  
To lose: and seek Italia land  
but where, thou dost not know.  
Not Carthage built anew,  
ne yet the rising wall,  
No not my stately Sceptre may  
convert thy mind at all.  
Thou fléest the thing atchiude  
for those that are not done:  
Thou hast been in one land, and now  
wilt to another run.  
Suppose thou find an Isle,  
who will give thee the place  
To rule? will any yield his soil  
to men of foreign race?  
New love remains for thee  
another Dido eke,  
With other troth to be impaunde  
which thou again mayst break.  
When will it be that thou  
wilt build Carthagos peer?  
Or view from Turret's top a troop  
of such as sojourn here?  
Though all these came to pass  
and thou hadst wish at will:  
Yet where wouldst thou have such a spouse  
to bear thee like good will?  
Even as a waxed Torch  
with Sulphur touched I burn  
Both day and night to Dido's thought  
Aeneas makes return.  
Even that ungrateful guest  
that scorns the gists I gave:  
And he, whom I might want full well  
as wisdoms loare doth crave.  
Yet hate I not the man  
though he deserve despite:  
But make complaint of his untruth,  
and less embrace the wight.  
O Venus, use her well  
that married with thy Son:  
O Cupid, friend thy brother, let  
him in thy number run:  
Or else let him (for why  
I ne disdain to love)  
Whom I began to fancy, force  
me greater cares to prove.  
I see I am deceived,  
his Image bleared my sight:  
He differs from his mother's trade  
and swerves her manners quite.  
Thee rocks and ragged Hills  
and Oaks in Mountains bred  
Begat, and thou of brutal beasts  
in desert hast been fed,  
Or of the gulf, which now  
thou seest turmoiled with wind:  
On whom (though waves rebel) to pass  
thou fixed hast thy mind.  
Why? whither fleest? the storms  
do rage: let storms have power  
To aid my case, see how the Seas  
do surge with Eurus scour.  
Let me indebted be  
to storms, for that which I  
Had rather own to thee: more just  
than whom the waves I try.  
I am not so much worth  
(though thy desert be small)  
That fleeing me by waltering Seas  
thou lose thy life and all.  
Thy hate is dear in deed  
and of no slender price,  
If whilst thou go from me, to die  
thou reck it but a trice,  
Within a while the Seas  
will cease their swelling tide:  
And Triton with his grayish Stéede●  
on calmed waves will ride.  
O that with winds thou wouldst  
exchange thy ruthless mind:  
And so thou wilt, unless of Okes  
thou pass the stubborn kind.  
What if thou didst not know  
how raging Seas could roar?  
Yet thou that hast so often tried  
wilt travail as before?  
Though waves were never so smouth  
when thou shouldst leave the bay:  
Yet dure and dooleful things God wot  
might happen by the way.  
And further, they that false  
their faith in danger are  
On perilous seas: the place with them  
for treasons guilt doth war.  
And most when love is wronged,  
cause Venus hath been thought  
T'have had her offspring of the waves  
that in Cytheris wrought.  
I fear lest I undone  
shall be thy cause of woe:  
Or lest by wrack of ship I should  
endanger thee my foe.  
I pray thee live, for so  
I may revenged be  
far better than by death: thou shalt  
be said to murder me.  
Put case, that thou were caught  
with sway of whirling wind:  
(But vain be this abodement fell)  
what then would be thy mind?  
Then wouldst thou oft revoke  
to thought the Phrygian tongue,  
That did pronounce the perjured talk  
which wrought poor Dido's wrong.  
Before thine eyes the form  
and Idol of thy fear  
deceived, would stand in saddest sort,  
with bloody filtered here.  
Thyself wouldst grant, thou hadst  
deserved these torments all:  
And think the thunder cast on thee  
what so should hap to fall.  
Wherefore give time to wrath  
and rage of roaring flood:  
Great is the price of little stay,  
thy passage will be good.  
Hast no respect to me?  
yet spare Iülus breath:  
Sufficeth thee to have been thought  
the Author of my death.  
What poor Ascanius hath  
or Country Gods deserved?  
The Sea shall sink the Saints, which were  
from Phrygian flame preserved.  
But neither thou thy Sire  
ne private Gods didst bear  
Upon thy back: thy vaunting cracks  
these to Elisa were.  
Thou list at every word,  
not now thy tongue doth gin  
To gloze, ne I the first in trap  
and guileful snare hath been.  
If question were what of  
Iülus Dame became:  
Her cruel husband her forsook  
to his eternal shame.  
This thou to me displayste.  
which made my breast to bend:  
Much sooner will my torment find  
than this my crime an end.  
And I do nothing doubt  
but that thy guilty mind  
Will thee condemue. Thou seven years space  
no resting place couldst find.  
At length I gave thee port,  
cast up on blissful shore:  
And did infeffe thee with my Realm  
thy name scarce told before.  
Would Gods this had been all  
the friendship I had shown:  
And that report of bedding had  
not been so lightly blown.  
That day procured my bale  
in which for sudden rain  
That poured adown, to couch in one  
self Cave we both were feign.  
I heard a voice, I thought  
the Nymphs had howled for joy:  
But they were Furies that forespoke  
of this my fell annoy.  
Now broken faith I owed  
to old Sichaeus name,  
On me take vengeance, that to Hell  
must go bereft of shame.  
In shrine of Marble made  
I have Sichaeus bones,  
Whom boughs and snowwhite fléeses shroud  
appointed for the nonce.  
Four times with wont mouth  
he called me to the place:  
To whom with whispering voice, he said  
come Dido, come apace.  
Without delay I came  
sometime thy wedded fear:  
But this my shameful fact procured  
me slacker to appear.  
Forgive my fault, alykeloe  
man hath me betrayed:  
And one that hatred of the fact  
and foul despite hath stayed.  
His Dame a heavenly wight,  
his Sire on shoulders borne  
Did force me judge he would have stayed,  
and not have been forsworn.  
If needs I must have errde,  
this error hath a show  
Of just pretence: Be true and then  
I shall not irk it so.  
But as my life at first  
unlucky was begun:  
Even so the tenor of the same  
to latter day doth run.  
At sacred Altars slain  
my husband fell to ground,  
And of the fact the spoil unto  
Pygmalion did redound.  
I as a wight exiled  
my native soil did lose:  
And left the cinders of my spouse  
pursued by wreakful foes.  
At length escaping Seas  
and brother's wrath, was brought  
To coast unknown, where all the soil  
I gave to thee I bought.  
I framed it up a town,  
and with far stretching wall  
Environed it, to neighbour towns  
which was a deadly gall.  
Then battles broil began,  
with war a foreign wight,  
And fielie woman was pursued  
when gates was scarcely pight.  
A thousand suitors came  
which jointly did complain  
That I a rascal had preferred,  
and had them in disdain.  
Why staggerest thou to yield  
me to Hiarbas hands?  
Myself will stretch mine arms abroad  
to bide thy cursed bands.  
I have a brother eke  
whose hungry hand doth long  
For Dido's blood, as erst it did  
Sichaeus life to wrong.  
Lay down thy Gods profaned  
and Relics brought to land:  
It fits thee not such sacred things  
to touch with hurtful hand.  
If thou of force were he  
that should transport the same,  
Reserved from fire: no force had been  
if they had burnt in flame.  
(Unthrift) perhaps thou leauste  
thy Dido great with child:  
And in my womb is part of thee  
whom thou hast so beguiled.  
The miser Imp will add  
unto his Mother's death:  
So thou shalt kill a fiely Babe  
that never tasted breath.  
Iülus Brother with  
his Dame shall so be slain:  
And one self torment shall bereus  
the lively powers of twain.  
But God doth force thee flee,  
would God had kept away  
Such guileful guests, & Troyans' had  
in Carthage made no stay.  
No doubt that God procures  
the wayward winds to blow:  
And makes thee waste the weary time  
in sandy Seas so flow.  
As when that Hector lived  
if Troy stood again)  
To pass to Troy thou scarcely shouldst  
endure a greater pain.  
But not to Simois thou  
but Tiber mindst to pass:  
Arrived there, yet shalt thou be  
a stranger naythelasse.  
Thou seekst a lurking land  
and uncouth place to hold:  
Which scarce will be thy lot to find  
till thou be waren old.  
Ambages laid apart,  
more better were for thee  
Pygmalion's wealth to have in hand  
and sojourn here with me.  
With lucky hap to tire  
thy Trojan stock transport:  
And sacred Sceptre hold in hand  
in place of Princely port.  
But if thou long for war,  
or young Iülus seek  
By manly Mart to Purchase praise  
and give his foes the gleek:  
'Cause nought should want, he shall  
have foes to wreak his wrath:  
This place of laws and arms good store  
and broiling battles hath.  
For old Anchises sake  
and bow of Venus' Boy:  
For all those sacred Gods which thou  
hast safely brought from Troy:  
So Gods agree that they  
which from thy Country came,  
May Victors be, and all mishap  
convert to gladsome game:  
And young Ascanius live  
white silver locks to have,  
And old Anchises bruised bones  
may lodge in quiet grave:  
I pray thee spare the house  
that yields itself to thee,  
Save that I looude, what crime at all  
mayst thou impute to me?  
Not I from Phthia came,  
ne from the Mycenae line:  
My husband ne my father were  
no spiteful foes of thine.  
Thine Hostess let me be  
if of thy spouse thou shame:  
So I remain thy Dido still  
I force not on the name.  
The waves on Afrus banks  
that beat I know full well:  
Sometime they favour passengers  
sometimes they do rebel.  
Then launch thy ship from shore  
when weather doth apply,  
But now the weeds will let thy Bark  
on waltering Seas to high.  
Give me in charge to mark  
the Tide, and then be bold  
To furrow floods: though thou wouldst stay  
then will I not withhold.  
Thy weary wandering Mates  
do lack, and look for rest:  
Thy Navy feign would stay, till time  
her tackle were addressed.  
For my deserts, and that  
which after I shall owe  
To thee, for marriage hope do not  
as yet thy thrall forego:  
Till surge of Seas do cease  
and love do temper trade:  
Mean while for to sustain the worst  
I stronger shall be made.  
If not, I mind to waste  
my loathsome life ere long:  
It is but for a time that thou  
shalt work poor Dido wrong.  
Mine image whilst I writ  
O that thou sawst with eye:  
I writ, and in my lap the while  
thy Trojan sword doth lie:  
Down by my cheeks the tears  
upon the weapon fall:  
Which now in stead of brine with blood  
shall be imbrued all.  
Full well thy gifts agree  
to this my wretched fate:  
My grave shall be small charge to thee  
unfitting to my state.  
Not now my breast at furst  
with cruel Lance is pierced  
That place with dure and deadly dint  
hath Cupid crazed erst.  
Thou sister (Anne) that wast  
of counsel in this case:  
Now offer up thy latter boon  
to Dido in the place.  
When that my corpse is burnt,  
I will not then be said  
Sichaeus Dido: on my Hearse  
this scripture shall be red.  

Aeneas gave the cause  
and sword wherewith I died:  
But desperate Dido on herself  
her ruthless hand hath tried.    

The Argument of the viii. Epistle, entitled Hermione to Orestes.  

BEfore the stir at Troy to Pyrrhus was  
Hermion by sir Menelaus behight:  
The Father having cause from Greece to pass  
To quail the courage of his foes in fight,  
Left all the rule to Tyndarus, that than  
Despoused Hermion to another man.   

Orestes had a promiss of the piece,  
Who thought himself assured of a Mate:  
But when proud Pyrrhus made return to Greece  
He reft the Maid, whom she pursued with hate:  
For that in deed she looude Orestes so,  
As loath she was with Achylls' Son to go.   

But choice was none to choose: she naythelasse  
By secret stealth advertisde him that she  
Might rescue be, and from his Prison pass.  
Which fell in fine: for when Aegysthus he  
The Lecher had despoylde and Mother eke,  
Orestes gave Achilles Son the gleake.   
The eight Epistle. Hermione to Orestes.  
TO him that both my spouse of late  
and brother was I wright:  
My brother now, for of my spouse  
another hath the right.  
That Pyrrhus, that Achilles steps  
for courage doth ensue:  
'Gainst law and right hath closed me up  
and keeps me fast in mue:  
As much as lay in me to do  
I stoutly did withstand:  
But I could do no more than might  
a weak and woman's hand.  
What dost thou (Pyrrhus) now quoth I?  
will none revenged Bee  
Thinkest thou? I am but as a Maiden  
servant unto thee.  
He deffer than the ruthless waves  
when I (Orestes) caulde:  
Me by the locks with cruel hand  
into his cabin haulde.  
If Trojan Dames me thrall had ta'en  
or Lacedaemon won:  
I should no worse have been abused  
than now by Achylls' Son.  
More friendly found Andromache  
Achaias' famous soil:  
When with the ghastly Grecian flame  
the Trojan wealth did broil.  
But oh Orestes (if to me  
thou have respect at all)  
Lay hands on that which is thine own,  
and to thy booty fall.  
What? if by falsehood from thy fold  
thy flock be borne away,  
Wilt thou take arms? and for thy spouse  
to fight in field wilt stay?  
Let Menelaus mirror be  
that for his rapted wife  
Did undertake such honest war  
and stirred such stately strife.  
Who if had slept and slugde at home  
or loitered like an Ass:  
My Dame had been to Paris linked  
as to my Sire she was.  
Thou hast no need a thousand ships  
or bending sails so have,  
Nor any Greekish Soldiers help,  
thy only aid I crave.  
Yet rather so (than not at all)  
I should be fet again:  
'tis famous for a man to fight  
if wedlock suffer stain.  
What? was not Grandsire to us both  
Atreus King Pelops son?  
At least thou art my bresher, if  
the marriage were undone.  
I pray thee Brother help thy Sister,  
husband help thy fear,  
A double title will procure  
thee in my cause to steer.  
My Grandsire for his aged years  
and wisdom passing grave,  
(Who of his Niece had all the rule)  
me to Orestes gave:  
To Pyrrhus not acquainted with  
the match, my Father vowed:  
But most of both my Grandsire's dead  
as caldste should be allowed  
When I with thee conidind, I wronged  
none by my spousal right  
But if I ●incke with Pyrrhus, their  
from thee I am not quite.  
My Father Menelaus will  
wink at my fact I know:  
For cause himself hath felt the force  
of winged Cupid's bow.  
That will he grant his son in law  
which he himself hath looude:  
My Dame's example aids my case  
that Venus' sports hath proved.  
Look what my Sire is to my Dame,  
even that art thou to me:  
The slipper practice Paris played,  
with Pyrrhus doth agree.  
And he is stout and stately for  
the facts his Sire hath done:  
So thou mayst brag and boast upon  
the spoils thy Father won.  
Who all the troop of Tantal's train,  
Achilles eke did lead:  
A chieftain he among the Dukes,  
a Soldier stout at need.  
Thy Grandsire great King Pelops was,  
and Pelops worthy Sire,  
And if thou count aright from jove  
thou art the fift esquire.  
Thy manhood is well known enough,  
thou foughtste I wot well when:  
But what shouldst thou do in that case?  
thy mother slew the man.  
Would God upon a better cause  
thy stoutness had been wrought:  
Yet dare I vaunt the cause was given  
to thee, and never sought.  
But thou didst bring it to effect  
that Aegisthe did with gore  
Of gaping wound defile the flower  
as had thy Sire before.  
And thereof Pyrrhus often prates,  
and to reproach doth wry  
Thy earned praise, and yet endures  
my presence with his eye.  
I fret, and as my face doth puff,  
so swells mine inward mind:  
And burning breast with silent flame  
of dolour scorched I find.  
Before Hermions' face embraided  
should Orestes be?  
I want but force and brainsick blade  
to be revenged for thee.  
But weep and wail I may my fill  
which lessens part of woe:  
And down on either side my face  
my tears as conduits flow.  
Them only to command I have  
and out I pour them still:  
Alongste my stained théekes each hours  
the welling tears do trill.  
This fortune follows all our race  
and to our age is brought:  
And all that are of Tantal's line  
a seemly rape are thought.  
I will not heat allege the lies  
of false and feigned Swan:  
Ne yet complain that jove in plume  
did lurk both God and man.  
Where Isthmos stretching out at length  
two Seas did so divide:  
Hippodamie on waxed wheels  
and counterfeit cart did ride.  
Fair Helen once conveyed away  
by crafty Theseus' train,  
By Castor and sir Pollux was  
in fine restored again.  
The self-same Lady through the Seas  
by Trojan guest was brought:  
For whom the noble Greekish Peers  
in wreakful manner fought.  
I scarce remember, yet I mind  
how though the people wept,  
In mournful mood: and dismoll dread  
into their hearts it crept.  
The Grandsire groaned, the sister sobbed,  
the brothers 'gan to broil:  
Lamenting Leda with the Gods  
and jove did keep a coil.  
And I with locks not long as then  
rend all about my head  
Exclamde, O mother leauste me thus?  
and from thy child art fled?  
(For then her husband was a lack.)  
and lest I should be said  
No Imp of Pelops brood, I am  
a pray by Pyrrhus led.  
O that Achilles had been free  
and scaped Apollo's bow:  
Then would he blame the beastly rage  
of Pyrrhus' pride I know.  
It never pleased, ne now would like  
Achilles, if he lived,  
To hear a wifebounde Wight lament  
of liked love deprived.  
What guilt of mine hath made the Gods  
and Heavenly powers so rage?  
What cursed star might I accuse  
to govern thus my age?  
My Dame I was bereft in youth,  
my father waged war:  
And though they both did live, yet I  
from them was kept afar.  
Not I to thee in tender years,  
nor Cradle clouts did cry  
Dear mother mine: nor from my lips  
the lisping words did fly.  
Ne did I with my pliaunt arms,  
thy seemly neck enfold:  
Nor thou upon thy loving lap  
thy babbling Brat didst hold.  
No cark of clothing me, ne care  
did pierce thy pensive breast:  
Ne didst thou cause a marriage bed  
for Bridewife to be dressed.  
But when thou didst return again  
(the troth I not deny)  
I met thee, but my Mother's face  
I could not then descry.  
But for thy beauty did surpass,  
for Helen thee I took:  
And thou didst make inquiry then,  
and for thy daughter look.  
Good hap in one respect I had,  
that Oreste was my Make:  
But he unless he fight it out  
Hermion must forsake.  
Me Pyrrhus as a Vassell keeps  
though Victor be my Sire:  
This goodly guerdon have I gained  
for Troy burned with fire.  
When golden Titan gins to guide  
his glistering steads by day,  
Then I (unhappy wench) some ease  
of pensive pain assay.  
No fooner blackfaste night doth grow,  
in howling sort I hie  
Unto my cankered careful couch  
appointed there to lie.  
In place of sweet and slumbering sleeps  
mine eyes with tears do flow:  
And from the man in all post haste  
I flee as from a foe.  
Oft times mishaps do make me muse,  
unmindful of my case  
I touch with hand proud Pyrrhus parts  
unwitting of the place.  
I leave to touch the man as soon  
as ever I know the fact:  
And think my hands polluted strait  
with such a shameful act.  
Oft times for Neoptolems' name  
Orestes do I call:  
And love the error of my tongue,  
right well content withal.  
I swear by this unlucky line  
and Lord of all the race,  
That Land and Seas yea haughty skies  
afrayes with frowning face:  
And by the bones of him that was  
mine Uncle and thy Sire:  
Who owes thee for revenge of those  
that did his death conspire:  
Or I will in these flowering years  
abandon loathsome life:  
Or I (that came of Tantal's brood)  
will be Orestes wife.   

The Argument of the ix. Epistle, entitled Deianeira to Hercules.  
THe heavy stepdame juno by her fraud  
And friend Euristeus, purposed to destroy  
Alcides: for the Prince of Mycenae land  
Stirrde him to conquer Monsters. But with laud  
And life he scaped away, nor had annoy  
By any beast the Champion took in hand:  
Bulls, Dragons, Dogs, and Semitaurs he slew,  
And aye more green his gotten glory grew.  
He conquered all, till filthy love at length  
Of King Eurytus daughter made him thrall,  
Whose Sire and Country be had erst atchiude:  
Fled was his force, stint was his stately strength,  
To spin and card be thought no shame at all,  
Nor of his Lion's spoil to be deprived:  
Which Deianeira bearing by report,  
(His loving wife) sent to him in this sort.  
Amid whose lines and letters that she wrought  
Came news (a doleful thing to written here)  
And tidings, that the Shirt the wife had sent  
Alcides bane, and spiteful spoil had brought,  
The loving wife had slain her manly Fear,  
Which she poor silly woman never meant.  
But to requite her husbands death with pain,  
At point to hang herself thus 'gan she plain.  
The ix Epistle. Deianeira to Hercules.  
QEchalia to be won  
I joy to hear the fame:  
It grieves me that the Victor should  
have yielded to the same.  
Report was brought of late  
to Grecia that agrees  
Full ill with any fact of thine  
the tales we heard were these,  
That whom not juno could  
nor dreadful travels foil,  
The self-same man had jole made  
in servage yoke to toil.  
Euristeus would it so,  
and juno passing feign  
Would learn that thou with such a crime  
thy former facts would stain.  
What? 'twas not thou I trow  
that could not be conceived  
In one whole night? I think herein  
myself to be deceived.  
More damage Venus doth  
than juno erst to thee  
This raised thee up by spiteful hate,  
she makes thee bend I see.  
Behold the world by thee  
that lives at quiet ease,  
As wide as watery Nereus' girds  
the ground with frothy Seas.  
The greater part of earth,  
and all the floods as far  
As both Apollo's lodges reach  
to thee indebted are.  
The Skies thou hast sustained  
that shall thy carcase bear:  
And Atlas holp thee at a pinch  
when thou too weary wear.  
But what save open shame  
by these thy facts is got?  
If those thy valiant feats of arms  
with bawdy rule thou blot?  
Do men report that thou  
(for jove a worthy child)  
In Cradle crasht two crawling Snakes?  
in faith they are beguiled.  
That Babe was better far  
than is this burly man:  
Thou nothing mak'st an end so well  
as thou thy deeds began.  
Whom not a thousand beasts  
nor Steneleus atchiude,  
Nor juno could for all her spite;  
hath crafty Cupid giude.  
But for I am the wife  
of Hercules, and he  
My fatherlaw that guides the Skies  
and lets the thunder flee:  
I am surmised a happy Dame  
and married well to be.  
How ill unegal Steers  
in painful Plough accord:  
So ill a simple woman matched  
with such a stately Lord.  
No honour comes thereby  
but burden and debate.  
Who so wilt well be wedded, wed  
with one of thine estate.  
My husband is alack,  
my spouse is absent aye:  
A stranger better known to me,  
he dreadful beasts doth stay.  
I in my desert home  
do nought but wish affright,  
And sore tormented lest my spouse  
be spoiled of foes in fight.  
Amid the Serpents I  
and greedy lions paws,  
And tusked Boars am tossed, in fear  
I stand of gaping jaws:  
Of Dogs, that with their teeth from bones  
will rend thy flesh by flaws.  
And me debowled beasts  
and idle dreams of night,  
With grisly pictures of the dead  
do maken sore affright.  
For fleeing fame I hunt  
and rumours rashly spread:  
By doubtful hope is fear exiled,  
and hope by fear is fled.  
Thy Mother is alack,  
and grievously doth grudge  
That to have liked the mighty jove  
her destiny was such.  
Amphitryon is away,  
whom men surmised to been  
Thy Sire: and Hill the stripling eke  
of us can not be seen.  
Euristeus that doth forge  
the cruel junos' wrath  
Is felt of us: endured to long  
the Goddess anger hath.  
But these are trifles, oh,  
thou addest foreign love:  
And each may be a Mother made  
by thee that list to prove.  
I spare to speak as now  
of Auge whom ere while,  
(Alcide) amid Parthenian vales  
thou foully didst defile.  
And thee (Astydame) I mind  
of purpose to concile.  
Ne means thy wife God wot  
Teuthrancian trulls to name  
(Of whom there scaped not one untouched)  
to breed thy farther shame.  
A recent crime there is  
a foul ill favoured jade,  
That unto Lamus me of late  
a Mother law hath made.  
Meander (that so oft  
in one self circle runs,  
And eke rebounding waves again  
upon his shoulders, shonnes)  
Saw when about thy neck  
there hung a chain of gold:  
That neck that thought the burden light  
the Welkin to uphold.  
What? didst thou nothing shame  
those brawned arms of thine  
With goldsmiths work, with glittering Gems  
and ouches brave to been?  
Even those self arms (I say)  
the lions life that rest:  
Whose noble spoil for mantel serves  
upon thy shoulder left?  
What? didst thou dare aloft  
upon thy curled hear,  
(For which a Popple fit was)  
a mitred Hat to wear?  
Ne didst thou blush in guise  
of Lydian Lass to done  
A silken Scarf, and Ribbon fine  
thy burly Waste upon?  
Was Diomedes forgot  
that cruel Carl then?  
That fatted up his trampling steads  
with flesh of murdered men?  
In such a nice attire  
if Busyre thee had seen:  
No doubt he would have scorned of thee  
yconquerde so to been.  
Let Antaeus lose for shame  
these jewels from thy throat,  
For fear he loath that thou the palm  
in wrestling collars got.  
'tis blasted that thou stoodst  
of woman's threats in awe,  
And eke amid Meonyan Maids  
the twisted twine didst draw.  
What? didst thou nothing shame  
that hand with Flare to foil,  
That had long erst in valiant fight  
ygot so many a spoil?  
With thwacking thombs thou drawste  
a very boisterous thread:  
And to thy stately Mistress yéeldste  
a just account with dread.  
How often whilst thou spun  
with fingers nothing fine,  
Amid thy crabbed crushing hands  
hath cracked the twisted twine?  
And standing of the whip  
in trembling fear, they say  
That thou before thy Mistress feet  
in dread of lashing lay.  
And spoils ylaide a part  
of gotten praise the price,  
Thou toldst thy deeds that should been though  
concealed in any wise.  
To wit, in cradle how  
the crawling Snakes thou slew:  
And rend their gaping jam was in two  
and did their force subdue.  
And how Tegaean Boar  
in Erymanthus lies:  
And with his weight doth wrong the ground,  
so monstrous is his sies.  
Thou dost not let to tell  
of Diomedes head  
first on his Thracian gate, his steeds  
with flesh of man that fed.  
And of the triple beast  
Geryon thou didst boast:  
That for his herd the wealthiest was  
in all the Spanish coast.  
And of the Hellish hound,  
that Cerberus was height  
(Three headed Cur,) whose pate with locks  
of Snakes was foully fraught.  
The Serpent eke, whose wounds  
reserved him from the death,  
And gashing scotches given afresh  
infeft with better breath.  
And how Antaeus hung  
with broken jaws between  
Thy left side (an ylfavourde weight)  
and shoulders right behyne.  
Ne dost thou then conceal  
how Centaurs thou didst chase  
(That double shaped were, and dars●…  
not trust their legs in place)  
Athwart Thessalian craggy cliffs,  
and made them run apaee.  
And canst thou clad perdie  
in Sidon soft array,  
And woman's nice attire, for shame  
have any word to say?  
Beside the jardan Nymph  
upon her shoulders threw  
Thine armour, and did conquer the●  
that Monsters didst subdue.  
Go now, and proudly vaimt  
thy noble deeds of fame:  
A man thou shouldst not been of right  
she bet deserved the same.  
Than whom so much thou art  
inferior, how much more  
Thou stronger were than such as thou  
hadst slain with hand before.  
She hath atchiude the fame  
of all thy former deeds:  
To her, as to thy lawful heir  
thy purchased praise proceeds.  
Oh, shame: the shagheard case  
the lions rib bereast,  
Environed round a woman's corpse  
and to her carcase cleast.  
Tush, thou art foul deceived,  
no Lions spoil it is,  
But thine thou flewste the beast, and she  
hath conquered thee iwis.  
A woman bare thy darts  
with venom rank that wear  
And Hydra's beastly blood imbrued,  
in hand that scarce could bear  
A Distaff fraught with Flax:  
thy knarly club she held,  
And gazing in a shining Glass  
thine Armour she beheld.  
This brute I heard, but gave  
no credit to the same,  
But yet from ear some part of grief  
unto my senses came.  
But now before my face  
the hateful Whore doth ride:  
Nor I the secret smart I feel  
have farther power to hide.  
Thou wilt not have her gone,  
she passeth through the street  
A captive: whom of force we see,  
not as a captive meet:  
With tresses hanging down  
declaring her estate,  
And hidden face to show that Channes  
hath given her the Mate:  
But brave in beaten Gold  
she passeth to and fro:  
As thou ere this in Phrygia were  
accustomed to go.  
From stately seat she yields  
the people such a cheer,  
As though Oechalia stood again  
and eke her Father dear  
Did live, and thou (Alcides) by  
Eurytus conquered wéere.  
Perhaps divorcement made  
twixt Deianeire and thee,  
No more thy drab this hateful Whore  
but wedded wife shall be.  
Th'abodement makes me fear,  
〈…〉 cold my corpse  
Doth 〈…〉 hand doth lie  
in bed withouten 〈◊〉  
And me among the rest  
as wife with honest zeal  
Thou hast pursued: I caused thee twice  
with warlike tools to deal.  
For Achelous up  
his broken horns did take  
With dreerie cheer that lay dispersed,  
and hid in dirty Lake  
His maimed front and erdwne yerackt  
for Deianeiras' sake.  
The Monster Nessus with  
thy deadly dart was slain,  
And with his Horses gory blood  
the waters did distain.  
But whereto writ I this?  
for tidings now is brought,  
The shirt I gave my husband hath  
his cruel death gwrought.  
Ay me, what have I done?  
what forced me this to fry?  
O Deianeire, O cursed wench,  
why dost thou doubt to die?  
And shall thy noble fear  
in Oeta Mount be rend?  
And thou survive that were the cause  
and wrought that foul intent?  
What now remains to 〈◊〉  
a perfit prouse 〈…〉  
Was H●…cles wife? the truth therein  
my doleful death shalt try.  
Thou Meleager in me  
thy sister shalt descry:  
O Deianeire, O cursed wench  
why dost thou doubt to die?  
O lineage of mishap,  
O hapless house I say:  
My aged Sire Oeneus lives  
at point of last decay.  
Tydeus my brother is  
a poor exiled Squire,  
The t'other fried by Mother's means  
alive in fatal fire.  
My Dame upon her Corpse  
the cruel sword did try:  
O Deianeire, O cursed wench,  
why dost thou doubt to die?  
By genial rights I crave  
this only thing of thee  
Not to surmise this wicked death  
of purpose meant by me.  
For Nessus' stroke with Dart,  
declared me that his blood  
Would forcen love, and said it was  
for that exceeding good.  
I sent a Shirt to thee  
imbrued therewith to try:  
O Deianeire, O cursed wench,  
why dost thou doubt to die?  
Now crooked Sire farewell,  
and sister Gorge adieu:  
Thou Country with my brother exiled,  
farewell I say to you.  
And thou that art so like  
to be the latter light  
Mine eyes shall see: and Hercules  
my spouse (O that thou might)  
And little Hill (my pretty boy)  
I bid you all good night.   

The Argument of the x. Epistle, entitled Ariadne to Theseus.  
Androgeus' by deceit was done to death  
And murdered by the men of Athens town:  
King Minos warred to wreak his lass of breath,  
And brought in fine his sturdy enemies down,  
Scuen Maiden Babes, as many men by th'year  
They yielded up to make his Monster cheer.  
By lot they went, until they came at last  
To Theseus, he into the doubtful den  
(Cleped Labyrinth) to Minotaur was cast:  
But ruthful Ariadne taught him then  
How to destroy the Monster, and to pass  
By track of twist from Prison where he was.  
With Ariadne he, and Phaedra escapes,  
Arrived at Naxus, Bacchus gave him charge  
To leave the one of those his goodly rapes  
(That Ariadne hight) and let her large.  
When night was come, and she to slumber led,  
With Phaedra he from Ariadne fled:  
The Nymph (when sleepy nap was quite exiled,  
And senses came to former force again,)  
 herself so shamefully beguiled,  
In wretched wise with tears began to plain:  
Requesting ruth, and platly making show  
That he to her a better boon did owe.  
The ten Epistle. Ariadne to Theseus.  
MOre friendly have I found  
then thee the brutish kind:  
A worse guard than thou hast been  
I deem I mought not find.  
Theseus: the lines thou vewste  
from that self shore I wright:  
From whence (forsaking me by mean  
of sail) thou tookst thy flight.  
Where me, my fléepe, and thou,  
(a woeful wight) betrayed:  
Thou (out alas) that chose thy stem  
when I to sleep was laid.  
It was the time when soil  
with foggy Dew was dight  
But lately fallen: and shrouded Fowls  
in shady bushes shright.  
Where I were waking then  
or slumbering I wot near:  
But out I flung my fist to feel  
where Theseus were there.  
Was none such. Back I drew  
my hand: and out again  
I roused mine arms about the bed,  
but (oh) it was in vain.  
The fear all sleep exiled,  
I rose in ghastly dread:  
And from my wyddowish Couch I fell  
and foul forsaken bed.  
Forthwith with ruthless hands,  
I struck my bared breast:  
And rend my locks, that hung (as I  
abraid from sleep) undressed,  
The Moon gave light, I looked  
to view the country round:  
But save the strand, and stony rudge,  
was nothing to be found,  
Now hither, thither than  
I ran and too and fro  
I ranged, the Sand did load my legs  
I had much work to go.  
Thus whilst about the shore  
on Theseus' name I cry:  
The hollow rocks at erie call  
and cleaping did reply.  
How oft I called, the place  
so often Theseus named:  
As though it would a woeful wight  
her aid and secure framed.  
There was a Mount, whereon  
few trees aloft did grow:  
Which now is wore a hanging rock  
fret with waves that flow.  
Whereto I clomb, the heart  
my limbs doth strengthen so:  
As round about the surging Seas  
my wandering eyes I throw.  
From thence (for though the winds  
on me did use their power)  
I saw how with a Southrens gale  
thy strutting sails did scour.  
I saw it: or at least  
for that I so surmised,  
More cold I wox than ice, and deadly  
pangs my heart surprised.  
Whom long to languish grief  
would not permit as than:  
abraid from trance, uprist to call  
on Theseus I began.  
Why? whither fléest? (quoth I)  
retire unthrifty wight:  
Do turn thy Bark that lacks his load,  
and is not thoroughly fright.  
Look what my voice might not  
my plangor did supply:  
And with my words I meddled strokes,  
each blow ensued a cry.  
Put case thou didst not hear:  
yet mightst thou see it plain:  
My hands displayed gave siker signs  
and tokens of my pain.  
Upon a pole I hung  
a flittering Kerchief white:  
That might revoke to mind, that thou  
hadst me forgotten quite.  
At length I lost thy sight  
then tears 'gan flush apace:  
My cheeks long erst were waxen wan  
and flecked was my face.  
What should mine eyes have done  
but waylde my woeful plight?  
When that they saw they might no more  
have Theseus' ship in sight?  
Or I with tresses then  
depending sole did run,  
Incited by the Ogigian God  
as doth the drowsy Nun:  
Or casting eye to Sea  
did sit upon a stone,  
Myself as much a rock as was  
the seat I sat upon.  
Oft times to bed that had  
received us both I hast:  
The bed which could not yield again  
the man that thence was past.  
And as (I might) for thee  
thy steps I did embrace:  
And eke the couch not thoroughly cold  
where thou thy corpse didst place.  
I lay me down, when tears  
my deadly cheeks distain:  
And cry, reyéelde account of two  
that hast received twain.  
Since hither both we came,  
why part we not yfeare?  
Thou traitorous couch, the chiefest part  
make show where is it? where?  
What might I do? or sole  
why whither should I flee?  
Within this isle ne works of men  
nor toils of Oxen be.  
The Sea environs round  
the Land on every side:  
No shipman here, nor Bulk that dares  
on perilous Sands to ride.  
Put case I had both Mates  
and winds with wished sail:  
My Sire debars me to return,  
what shall the rest prevail?  
Though in a blissful Bark  
through calmed Seas I pass:  
Though Aeole pease the winds, I shall  
be banished naythelasse.  
Not Crete, that fostered jove  
is leeful for to see:  
Wherein of great renowned fame  
a hundredth Cities be.  
For not alone the soil  
where Minos bears the sway,  
But eke my Father by my fact  
I foully did betray.  
When least thou vanquished, shouldst  
in Labyrinth have died,  
I gave thee twist thy skilless foot  
and twine thy steps to guide,  
When thou me spakste (by these  
my present perils I  
Protest that thou shalt aye be mine  
till both of us do die.)  
As yet we both do live  
and I am not thy Make,  
(If women may be said to live  
whom perjured men forsake)  
If with the Mace, that reft  
my brother monsters breath,  
Thou me hadst slain, thy Hest had been  
accomplished by my death.  
Not now to mind alone  
my future haps I call,  
Which must ensue: but such as to  
forsaken wights do fall.  
Unto my troubled thought  
a thousand kinds of death  
Resort, which less would grieve my ghost,  
than this my lingered breath.  
Now fear I 〈◊〉 Wolves  
〈…〉 that come:  
With gnashing teeth, and ramping paws  
my griefful guts to nooine.  
Perhaps this savage soil  
the Lion brown doth breed:  
Who wottes the ruthless Tigers where  
this irksome isle doth feed?  
To that, the Seas are said  
great Whales to cast on land:  
And who (if I with sword were wronged)  
by me would friendly stand?  
Oh let me not be bound  
as Vassell caught in band:  
Ne waste the day at turn and twist,  
or card with captive hand:  
That Minos have to Sire  
and Pasiphae to Dame:  
And (that I chief fix in thought)  
thy pacted spouse that am.  
When I survey the Seas,  
the land, or stony fleate:  
The ground doth menace many things,  
the waters eke do threat.  
Then only skies were left  
the forms of Gods I fear:  
A pray in wild Desert forlorn  
for hungry beasts to tear.  
Though men po●… 〈…〉  
I give no trust at all:  
For wronged once, the forraynes faith  
into suspect I call.  
O would Androgeus lived,  
nor Athens bought so dear,  
His doleful death, by yielding such  
a tribute by the year.  
Ne thou with knotty Mace  
hadst done to death the Beast  
That was a man for upper parts,  
a Bullock for the rest.  
O that I ne had given  
to thee the twisted Clue,  
Whereby the darksome Den to scape,  
when thou the Monster slew.  
That thou art Victor aye  
I nothing muse perdie:  
Nor that thou mad'st the ugly Beast  
of Creta so to die.  
Thy steely heart could not  
be pierced with hurtful horn:  
Thy breast was guarded well, thereon  
though were none armour borne.  
Thou thither flints conveydst,  
and Adamant didst bear:  
And that which slints doth far surmount,  
a Theseus hadst thou there.  
O cruel sleeps, why did  
you though my limbs detain?  
I should as then with ruthless death  
but once for all been slain.  
Ye winds were spiteful eke  
and ready (oh) too soon:  
Ye puffing blasts to force my tears  
ye have your devor done.  
The hand was cruel that  
my brother and me hath slain:  
And faith ygraunted me that was  
a name required in vain.  
Sleep, wind, and gauged troth  
did all at once conjure:  
One silly Nymph by triple cause  
was gild without recure.  
Oh that my mother's tears  
I dying shall not see:  
Nor any for to close mine eyes  
with friendly fist will be.  
My hapless ghost to strange  
and uncouth skies will fly:  
No loving hand will anoint my limbs  
and carcase when I die.  
But for my bones ungraud  
the Seafoule fowl will strive:  
A worthy Sepulture for one  
that well deserved alive.  
To Athens thou wilt pass,  
where in the City when  
Thou art received, and placed in pride  
amids thy country men:  
And shalt declare the death  
of double shaped beast:  
And stony lodge to doubtful ways  
that doth so often wrest:  
Display how me forlorn  
thou leftest in Desert tho.  
I naust not be forgot, ne seem  
to spoil thy title so.  
Not Aegeus was my fire,  
nor Aethra gave the breast:  
Of rocks & waves that thou were bred  
may eastlie be guessed.  
From ship top would thou mightst  
me miser Wight have viewed:  
My grisly picture would have forced  
thy stony heart t'have rued.  
Now not with eye behold  
but in thy mind survey,  
Me clinging to the deaten rock  
which makes the waves to stay.  
See how my locks do hang  
in wailful mourning mood:  
Behold my clothes with tears as moist  
as they were washed in flood.  
My carcase quakes as corn  
enforced with Borias' might:  
My trembling fist the letters mars  
as I my lines do wright.  
By no desert of mine  
(for that it framed awry)  
I sue to thee: let not my facts  
deserve such thanks perdie:  
Ne griefful pains procure,  
for though thy lively breath  
I ne did save: yet hast thou no  
just cause to hast my death.  
These fainting fists, with beating  
of my breast a good,  
I (woeful wretch) extend to thee  
through overwandred flood.  
These locks (which yet are lest)  
in doleful wise I show:  
And by these tears I pray, which tears  
thy facts enforce to flow:  
(Good Theseus) turn thy ship  
with wrested wind retoure:  
Though ere thou come I die, yet of  
the bones thou shalt be sure.   

The Argument of the xj. Epistle, entitled Canace to Machareus.  

King Aeols Son Machareus, fell in love  
With Canace beyond the bounds of kind,  
To bed this beastly brood are gone to prove  
Unlawful lusts delight, nature repined:  
She natheless foully begot with Child  
Was brought a bed, a sign she was defiled.   

The Nurse conveyed the Babe, who at the door  
Exclamde: The Grandsire heard the yelling sound,  
And found the filthy fact: he made no more  
Ado, but sent the Babe in blankets bound  
Into the fields of Ravens to be rend,  
Or hungry Dogs, or wandering Wolves he meant.   

Beside, a sword to Canace he sends,  
By cursed death to end her beastly life:  
To work her father's will the wench intends,  
But ere she felt the force of father's knife,  
To Machareus (to Delphos that was gone  
For succours sake) thus ganshe make her moan.   
The xj Epistle. Canace to Machareus.  
IF any blots do blind, or blur my lines,  
The murder of their Mistress makes the sann  
My right hand holds the pen; the left a sword,  
And in my careful lap the Paper lies.  
Of Canace such is the grisly form,  
Whilst to hit brother she devised to write:  
For so I may suffice my wrathful Sire.  
Oh, that himself were here a gazer on  
His daughter's death: Oh, that the Author saw  
With present eye, the thing he gave in charge.  
So ruthless he, and passing far in rage  
His whirling Southrens blasts, that he with dr●…  
And teareles cheeks, my gaping wounds would view  
'tis much (in faith) with raging winds to live,  
Unto his people's kind his nature grées,  
A Ruler fit for such a ruthless race.  
He checks the Southrens wind, and Zephyrus,  
With Northern Aquilo he keeps a coil,  
And (Eurus eke) thy stubborn wings he rules.  
He masters all the winds, not swelling wrath,  
Unto his vice, his conquered kingdom yields.  
What now avails by Grandsires to the skies  
Advanced to be? With jove to be allied?  
If natheless in womanish hand I hold  
Unfitting tools the sword, a scathfull gift?  
(O Machareu) the day that us conjoined  
After my death one hour should have be feign.  
A brother why, more than a brother ought,  
Embraced thou me? and why to thee was I  
More than a sister to her brother should?  
Eke I was touched with love, and I wot near  
What God it was that set my heart in flame.  
My colour quite was fled, my carcase lean  
And bare became, my mouth refused to feed.  
Full hard by sleep I came, each night a year  
Did seem, I groaned, and had no hurt at all:  
Ne could account myself why so I did,  
Ne knew what love did mean, and yet did love.  
My Nurse with aged mind, perceived it first,  
And said at first, I was with love attachte.  
Whereat I blushed, and cast mine eyes to ground,  
And whist, which tokens were of guilty mind.  
At length my growing womb began to stroute,  
And with his weight my weakened limbs oppressed.  
But then, what herb or drench was to be found,  
That she ne brought, and boldly did apply?  
To fine (which only prank thou never wist)  
My venture might of burden be released,  
That wox so fast within my growing guts?  
But (oh) the infant was so ripe, and stack  
So near my ribs, as it was safe from scathe.  
When Phoebus' sister ninthly waxen was,  
And tenth Moon 'gan to chase her lightsome steeds:  
I witted not what procured my sudden throws,  
A skilless wight (God wot) to bear a child.  
No longer I from crying could refrain,  
Or hold my peace. What will you so unfold  
(Qd Beldame Nurse) the crime? & stopped my mouth.  
What might I Miser do? grief forced me grunt,  
But fear, and shame, and Beldame it forbade.  
Then dolour I repressed, and uttered words  
Revokte, and was enforced to drink my tears.  
Death stood before my face, Lucina quite  
Denied to help: and death itself had been  
A monstrous crime, if I as then had died.  
When thou, with garments rend and foreign lacks,  
Relieved with thy breast my dying limbs,  
And saidst. O sister live, live sister dear,  
Ne in one corpse destroy thou bodies twain.  
Let hope reduce thy force, that brother's spouse  
Shalt be, and wife to him by whom thou art  
A Mother made. In faith I was revived  
At those thy cheerful words, that lay astraught,  
And was released of grief and guilt at once.  
Why dost thou so rejoice? King Aeole sits  
Amid his stately Haul, my father's eyes  
Must never see this filthy fact of mine.  
The busy careful Nurse with fillets fine  
The Infant hid, and boughs of Olive white:  
A sacrifice she feigned and prayed apace.  
My Father and all the people gave her way,  
And licensed her with feigned rites to pass.  
When she to Threshold came, the yelling cry  
And clamour of the Babe the Father heard;  
And so the silly child itself bewrayed.  
The Infant all enraged, Aeolus, reached,  
And with his furious shrich the Palace filled,  
The falsed sacrifice revealing quite.  
Even as the Sea doth shake & trembling quappe,  
When with a gentle gale it is enforced,  
Or as the Ash with Southrens wind doth wag  
So mightst thou see my bloodless members shake,  
Who lay as then ystraught upon my bed.  
He rushing in, and with an open cry  
Disclosed my fault, and from my Miser's face  
His ruthless hands with much a do withheld.  
I blushing, nought, save flushing tears 'gan shed,  
With quaking fear my trebling tongue was tied.  
He gave in charge the Babe, (his nephew) should  
To Dogs and ravening foul in fields be flung.  
The child exclamde, as though he had conceived  
The Grandsire's mind, to whom he sued for ruth  
With voice, as he the silly Miser could,  
What heart had I then (Brother) to your doom?  
(You may my case conjecture by your own)  
When fore my face into the desert grove,  
My cruel foe, in hand my bowels hare,  
Of Mountain Wolves to be in quarters torn?  
But out at length he from my lodge diverts.  
Then beat I on my breast with baleful strokes,  
And with despitous nails I rend my face.  
Mean while with mournful cheer from Aeole comes  
In message one, that thus bespoke me tho.  
Aeole (my Lord) to thee this sword hath sent,  
(And therewith took it me) and bids thee know  
By thy desert and merit what it means.  
I wot, and will this sword with courage use,  
Stabbing my Father's gift into my breast.  
O thou that gauste me life, with such rewards  
My marriage dost thou mind for to enrich?  
O Father, shall thy Daughter thus be dowde?  
Hymen deceived, do way thy bridal brands,  
And flee this wicked lodge with troubled foot.  
On me, ye swarth Erinnyes, fling the flames  
You bear, therewith to make my burial blaze.  
O happy sisters, link with better luck  
But aye my fact in mindful breast retain.  
Alas, what hath the silly Babe deserved,  
So lately brought to light and loathsome Skies?  
What fact of his the Grandsire's wrath might stir?  
Let him be thought to have deserved the same,  
If so he could deserve. But (out alas)  
His mother's guilt the Miser Infant bees.  
O Son thy Mother's dole, the pray of beasts,  
O thou the day of birth, thy Dame bearest,  
O child of hapless love, the piteous pledge,  
This day thy first, and this shall be thy last.  
Ne lawful was for me with yolded tears  
To bathe thy corpse: nor on thy grave to cast  
My clipped locks, and tresses cut thereto.  
Ne lay I on thy limbs, ne from thy mouth  
The chilly kiss I caught and latter breath.  
But greedy beasts my rapted bowels rend.  
And I by lurching wound the infant's ghost  
And shadew will pursue: ne will be said  
A Mother long, nor void of Babe to be.  
But thou (whom all in vain, and all for nought  
Thy wretched Sister hoped) the scattered beans  
Collect in field of thy young Son and mine,  
And bring them to their Dame, & place them there,  
Let one self urn our bodies both contain.  
Remember me, and bathe my Hearse with tears;  
Ne fear the corpse of her that looude thee well,  
I crave thee to fulfil thy sister's Hests.  
A Miser most of all: and I will seek  
My cruel Father's will to put in ure.  
Thy dying wife and sister says adieu.   

The Argument of the xii. Epistle, entitled Medea to jason.  

IAson in youthful years to Colchos came,  
And with the Fleece be filched away a Maid  
Medea cleapt, and 'gan his voyage frame  
To Thessaly, where once arrived he stayed.   

The feeble Aeson she reduced again  
By solemn charm to lusty youthful age,  
With fresher blood enstuffing erie ●aine.  
She made him young to sight that erst was sage.   

King Pelias daughters dear she did persuade  
(A monstrous act) to kill their aged Sire,  
In hope she would the Prince a princox made:  
Which they poor silly Maids did most desire.   

With other fouler facts, which when she had  
For jasons love (as she reported) done,  
He shook her off, which made Medea mad,  
And caused her write these lines to Aesons Son:  
She sight, she sued, she sobbed, she manast eke  
To be revenged upon the guileful Greek.   
The twelve Epistle. Medea to jason.  
I Mind it yet how I of Colchos Queen  
Aplide to thee, when thou my succour craudste  
That I by Art would guard thee from amnoy.  
The sisters tho, the mortal twist dispense,  
There flaxen web should have unfolden quite:  
Then might I Medea well have lost my breath,  
From that my lingered life is but a pain.  
Ay me. Why ever forced with youthful arms  
Came jasons ship to fet the Phrygian Fleece?  
At Colchos why Magnetian Arge arrived?  
And Greekish rout of Phasian flood did drink?  
Why more than needed I thy golden locks  
Did like? thy featured shape, & glozing tongue?  
If once (for that a foreign ship to shore  
At Colchos came, & brought undaunted wights  
And dreadless men to land) jason unwares,  
Not Phisickt first, had run to breathed flames,  
And poignant horns of fell and ireful Bulls,  
Or sown the seed and had as many foes,  
And Tilman had of tillage so been slain:  
How much deceit (unthrift) with thee had died?  
And I of how much woe acquitted been?  
It is some pleasure to unthankful wights,  
For to object the good forepast turns.  
That I will use of thee, that only joy  
And solace I will gain, thou faithless man.  
Thou having charge at Colchos to arrive,  
In uncouth Hulk my wealthful kingdom, and  
My Country camste unto, where I was then  
The same that here thy novel spouse is deemed.  
My father was as rich, as is her Sire.  
He Ephyren with double Sea possessed,  
In frosty Scythia other governde all,  
As far as Pontus lefter side doth lie.  
Oeta took the youthful Greeks to guests,  
With him, you men of Thessale did sojourn.  
Then saw I thee, and 'gan to know thy name:  
That season brought my mind to ruin first.  
I both did see and perished eke, inflamed  
With fire unknown, & fried with straungie gleade,  
As fore the Altars burns the torch of pine.  
Both featured well thou were, and fates me drew,  
Thine eyes my dazzled lights did ravish quite:  
Which quickly thou discridste. For who may well  
Keep love in mewe, that no man it discern?  
Ay flame itself by casting light, bewrays.  
Meanwhile the king commands, & gives in charge  
The bulls with brawned necks to bring to yoke.  
Mavors' his bulls they were dreadful for horn,  
Not sole, but breathing out a ghastly flash:  
Whose hooves were brass compact, their noses set  
with gads of steel, which black with breathing looked.  
Moreover in open fields to cast the seed  
Engendering men thou were commanded thee,  
Which would assail thee with their late born darts,  
A thancklesse crop for him that tiled the soil.  
The waker Dragon's eyes, that never slept  
To guile, of all thy travels was the last.  
Thus spoke Oetes, up in gastefull dread  
Ye rose each one, and from the Table start.  
How far from thee was then Creusa's dower?  
And reign in jointure given? thy Fatherlaw  
How far? & mighty Creon's daughter dear?  
Away thou went'st dismayed: with vapord eyes  
Whom I pursued, and softly bid adieu.  
As soon as wounded I to cabin came  
Where lay my couch: I spent the night in tears,  
Before mine eyes the baleful Bullocks stood,  
The cursed seed, the watchful Dragon eke:  
Here fear & quivering dréed, there love did stand,  
The fear itself my love to more increased.  
In dawning to my lodge my sister came,  
Where me with toren tress, and lying groufe  
Upon my face, besprent with tears she found  
She craude my help for men of Thessaly:  
What she required, that I to jason gave.  
There stands a grove with Béech & houlme so black  
As scarce Apollo's rays may pierce the same:  
There is in that (or though at least there was)  
Diana's Church, the Goddess standing there,  
With barbarous hand yframed of massy gold.  
Mind you? or is the place with me forgot?  
Thither we came yfeare, with ruthless tongue  
And guileful mouth when thou didst board me thus.  
To thee hath fortune right and power assigned  
Of life and dreadful death: within thy hand  
(By her appointed lore) my state doth stay.  
Sufficeth power to spoil, if any take  
Therein delight: but I reserved from scathe  
Shall make thy former praise and glory grow,  
And blast thy brute in Trump of endless fame.  
By my sinister haps (which lies in thee  
For to redress) and by thy noble race,  
And Grandsire, that all mortal things surveys:  
And by the triple form of Diana, and  
Her privy sacred rites, this Country Gods,  
(If any here within this soil do rain)  
Rne on my Mates and me, O (Queen) I pray:  
And oblige me unto thee by this boon.  
And so a Grecian thou not seem to scorn,  
(But how might I the Gods so friendly find?)  
Sooner my soul to weightless air shall waste,  
Than any (save your grace) with me be linked  
In spousal band, and bridely knot be tied.  
Let juno witness be, that hath in charge  
The marriage rites: that holy Goddess too  
Within whose Marble Church we stooden now.  
These, or the least of these, a siely Nymph  
Might move to ruth: our hands were joined ek●…  
I saw thy trickling tears. Where part of guile  
In them doth lurk? so I was quickly won,  
And soon entrapped with thy dissembling tongue.  
Thou brought'st to yoke the brazen footed Bulls  
Unhurt of flame, and brakste the bidden soil  
With pointed plough: whereon in steed of grain  
The Serpent's teeth thou floongst, whereof there sprung  
A troop of Soldiers stern, with sword & shield:  
That I (who gave thee ointment) stood in dréed,  
To see the sudden brood with armour clad:  
Till time the earthly brothers, twixt themselves  
To civil combat fell, and fought yfeare,  
A grisly sight, and woeful thing to tell.  
Behold, the waker Serpent hissing came  
With crackling scales, & with his bending breast  
Did sweep the soil. Then where was dower become?  
Then where thy Princely spouse? & Isthmos that  
The double Sea divides, and cuts his course?  
Even I, that now so barbarous am become  
To thee, (a poor and hurtful person thought)  
With forced sleep, the Serpent's eyes did feed,  
That safely thou mightst reave the golden Fleece.  
My Father I betrayed, my native soil,  
And kingdom I forsook: and got the gift  
Which in exile a woman may attain.  
My chastise was a wandering Rovers pray:  
My sister and my loving Dame I left.  
But thee (O brother) I ne left behind  
At time of flight: my letter in this one  
Place gins to faint, the thing my venturous hand  
Did dare to do, it dares not to record:  
So I (but even with thee) should have been rend  
Yet dread I not (for what should me appall  
As then a woman, and a guilty wight)  
My cursed corpse to surging Seas to gauge?  
Where are those gods? where those celestial states?  
On us amid the gulf deserved plagues  
And torments send: on thee for thy deceit,  
On me for that I gave such credit light.  
O that the ruthless rocks, Symphlegads, had  
Our limbs surprised, and rend our bodies so  
As might my bones unto thy carcase clung:  
Or cruel Scylla sent us to her whelps  
And Dogs to been devoured: for Scylla ought  
Ungrateful wights to plague, and pay with pain.  
Charybdis eke that belks the swallowde waves,  
O that it had under Sicilian surge  
Our irksome corpses cast, & whelmed in gulf.  
Safe thou, and Victor to Aemonia comste,  
And to the Gods presentest the golden Fleece.  
What should I Pelias daughters name, that did  
Aguilt to pity moved? who rend with hand  
Their aged father's bones? though other blame  
Medea, yet thou haste cause to like her well,  
For whom I have so often done amiss.  
Thou didst not shame (O that I words do wa●…  
To show my just complaint) thou didst not shame  
To say: from Aesons house dislodge in haste.  
Commanded I departed, followed with  
Mine infants two, and love of thee, that aye  
Pursues my tract, and follows where I go.  
Unto mine ears as soon as Hymen came,  
Carolde aloud, and kindled Torches shone  
With bavin blaze, & Shaulme began to sound  
Ditties of love, joyful to thee, but more  
doleful to me than is the Trumpets clang:  
Affright I wox, suspecting no such ill,  
Ne yet so foul offence: but natheless  
Through all my breast the frosty cold did run.  
A rout of people ran, and Hymen cried,  
Repeating oft the same: how much the voice  
More near approached, the more increased my wo.  
My servants sobbed, and covertly did mourn  
Who gladly would so great an evil report?  
And me availing more had been, what so  
It were, not to have known. Yet sad and trist  
I wox, as though I had the truth descried.  
When of my Boys the lesser, for desire  
To see tofore the door at Wickat stood.  
Oh Mother mine (quoth he) forego the place,  
With jolly pomp my Father jason comes,  
And glittering twixt two chained chyvals rides.  
I out of hand (my vesture rend abroad)  
Did plague my breast with blows, with nails my face.  
My mind persuaded me amids the throng  
And thickest press to run, the garlands gay  
From tresses smouthly trimmeth in rage to pull.  
I hardly me withheld from crying outs  
(As I dissheuled was) 'tis mine: and scarce  
From laying hands thereon I though abstained.  
O wronged Sire rejoice: ye men of Colche  
Be glad: and of my Brother's ghost receive  
Th'infests. My Country, house, & kingdom lost,  
My spouse in steed of all that stood to me,  
I rest refused, and utterly forlorn.  
Serpents I did subdue, and furious Bulls,  
One man to daunt unable or to tame.  
And I that raging fire by Art repelde,  
Can by no skill my wasting flame eschew  
enchantments, herbs, and soceries failen now,  
The Goddess nought, or mighty Hecate  
prevails or helps Medea in needful tyme.  
Not pleasant is to me the day, the nights  
(That bitter are) I wake: no gentle sleep  
Doth deign to lodge in lamentable breast.  
I, that my limbs to flumber can not force,  
Was able well the Dragon's eyes to close.  
Other my Arts, than me, do more avail.  
The corpse that I preserved a strumpet strains  
With folded arms and of my pains hath spruce.  
And thou perhaps whilst to thy fonded spouse  
Dost brave, her ears desirous to content,  
Against my face and manners new found crimes  
Dost forge. Well may she laugh at these defaults  
Of mine: well let her laugh in stately seat  
With purple rob attire: the time will come  
That she shall mourn, and weep again as fast,  
And far surmount these hidden scorching flames.  
Whilst iron, fire, or poison may be found,  
No foe of Medea's shall unwroken go.  
If so by hap my prayers be of power  
To touch thy stéely heart, now lend an ear  
To words that are inferior to my mind.  
For I to thee in humble sort do sue,  
To me as thou full oft hast done of yore,  
Ne prone to lie before thy feet refuse.  
If me thou set so light, yet have remorse  
Of those our Babes, that common are to both.  
A cruel stepdame will my children wrath,  
And rigorously entreat in ruthless sort:  
And they too much resemble thee, that are  
Trapped by thy form, whose image moves me sort  
And whom how oft I see: so oft my face  
And moisted cheeks with tears are all bedewde.  
By Gods I make request, by flaming light  
My Grandsire gives, and by mine earned boon,  
And by thy Babes (the pawns of perfit love)  
Reyéelde the bridely bed, for which I shonde  
So many things: accomplish thy behest,  
And do with aid thy Miser spouse relieve.  
'Gainst men, or Bulls, of thee no aid I crave,  
Ne that thou shouldst the watchful Dragon drench,  
And force him yield his daunted eyes to sleep:  
But thee (that art mine own infeft) I crave,  
That by thy fact hast me a Mother made.  
Demaundste thou for my dower? in the self field  
(That was to ear for golden Fleece) it lay.  
That very Fleece of gold, my jointure was,  
Which if I should reclaim, thou wouldst debar  
Thyself preserved my dower: the Greekish youth  
My jointure was, therewith the wealth compare  
Of Creon's darling, judge the price of both.  
That thou dost live and art a wifebound man,  
Linked with a spouse, and hast a Fatherlaw,)  
And that thou canst now show thyself unkind:  
To me impute it, whence the guerdon came.  
Whom I will out of hand. But to foretell  
The pains what will avail? Ay swelling wrath  
Is full of threats, disclosing secret thought.  
Even whither ire shall lead, I will enfue.  
And then perhaps he shall repent his deed,  
As I lament, I gave a faithless man  
Such credit, and beléeude the words he spoke  
That god discern the same, which stirs my breast  
I ne wot what greater thing my heart intends.   

The Argument of the xiii. Epistle, entitled Laodameia to Protesilaus.  

WIth forty sail when Protesilaus went  
To Troy ward, to fight for Helen's rape,  
The tempest so withstood the Greeks intent,  
As they from out port Aulide could not scape.   

When flickering fame this brute had blasted wide,  
His loving wife Laodameia wrought  
Him thus, she shows her dreams, she wills beside  
That he the prophets words should print in thought.   

Whose answer was, that who so leapt to land  
First of the Greeks when they to Troy came,  
Should die the death, 'twas bootless to withstand,  
For why, the Gods appointed had the same.   

He natheless for all his spouses words  
(Courageous Lad) first leapt from ship to shore,  
And for his pain, was done to death with sword,  
As had the Oracle pronounced before,  
This was the cause Laodameia pend  
These lines, this made the wife this Pistol send.   
The xiij Epistle. Laodameia to Protesilaus.  
AEmonian Laodameia sendeth health,  
And greeting to Protesilaus her sp●use:  
And wisheth it, where he sojourns to stay.  
Report hath spread in Aulide that you lie  
In road, by mean of fierce and froward gale.  
Ah, when thou me forsookste, where was the wind?  
Then broiling seas thine Oars should have withstood,  
That was a sitting time for wrathful waves.  
More kisses with a greater charge, I would  
Unto my spouse have given, and parled more.  
But headlong hence thou went'st, & wished wind  
Of Seamen not of me, thy sails allured:  
That gale was meet for Mariners, unfit  
For those that love. O spouse and fear elect  
Too soon I was thy clasping arms bereft.  
unperfit were the words, my faltering tongue  
Pronounste, scarce could it speak and bid adieu.  
Then Boreas blewe and bore thy sails away,  
And thou (O spouse) were quickly hence conveyed.  
It did me good (as long as lawful was)  
To gaze upon thy face, and with mine eyes  
At parture to behold thy countenance.  
When thou were out of sight, I saw thy sails,  
Thy sails, that long my staring eyes detained,  
When neither thee at last nor sails I saw,  
And nought save waltering waves was to be seen:  
With thee my eyesight fled, and bloodless all  
(With darksome cloud beset) I fell to ground.  
My fainting knees refuse to bear the corpse.  
Whom Iphiclus my Fatherlawe, nor old  
Acastus lod with years, ne Mother searce  
With water cold, from swooning might reduce.  
A charitable deed they wrought, to me  
Gainelesse, I loath that I ne though had died.  
Even with remembrance, grief renewed again,  
And loyal love did gripe my chastefull breast.  
No care had I as then my tress to trim,  
Ne yet with curious robes my limbs to wrap.  
As they with levy thirse whom Bacchus beats:  
So to and fro, as fury forced I ran.  
Phylacian Matrons came to me and cried,  
Laodame, do on thy bravest weeds.  
Shall I in purple rob and Silks be clad,  
And he wage war under the walls of Troy?  
Shall I go comb my tress, and he an Helm  
Upon his head sustain? fresh garments should  
I wear, and he his clattering Armour weld?  
As near as ever I may, thy traveles I  
Resemble will with doole: and during time  
Thou art in siege, will lead a dismoll life.  
Duke Paris, Priam's Son (whose beauty bred  
The scathe of thine) I wish thou mayst as slow  
An enemy be, as ill thou were a guest.  
Oh that or thou disliked hadst the face  
Of young Atrides spouse, or she thy port.  
Thou Greek, that for thy rapted wife to great  
A strife dost stir, and overmuch dost toil:  
(Ay me) doleful revenge to many wilt.  
In future time, and wailful wreak procure.  
Ye Gods I pray from us th'abodement fell  
Remove, and grant that my reverted Féere  
In temple may to jove his armour yield.  
But sore I dread, and look how oft I mind  
The lamentable war, and fearful fight,  
Tears from my cheeks as thawed snow do tril.  
Ide, Tenedos, Xanthus, and Ilium  
With Simois, are ghastly names to tell.  
Ne would the guest presumed or been so bold  
Away to have a Greekish Feme purloined,  
Unless he had by power and strength of hand  
Been able to maintain, and bear it out.  
His puissant force to him was not unknown.  
He came reported, all betrapped with Gold,  
And Trojan wealth upon his body bare:  
With men and armove stored, the aids of war.  
And who with all his Country strength at once  
And Princely power to foreign lands doth go?  
These Helen (I surmise) did thee attach,  
And vanquished, which may the Greeks annoy.  
Of Hector I adread, I know not whom,  
But Hector (by report of Paris) fights  
With bloody hand, & deals with deadly sword.  
That Hector, that beware, what so he be,  
If any love of me as yet be left,  
His graved name in mindful breast ensculpe,  
Him when thou hast escaped avoid the rest:  
And many Hectors there surmise to be.  
And say (when thou art even at point to fight)  
Laodame my spouse did bid me spare.  
If lawful be that Greeks shall conquer Troy  
And Ilium by sorted lot subdue:  
Without thy wounds let it to ruin run.  
Let Menelaus march against his for'rs,  
And Paris spoil of that which Paris reft.  
Let him amid the press of enemies throunge,  
And win in arms, whom he in cause subdues.  
The husband ought the wife to rescue, yea  
Though she were placed amid a troop of fees.  
Thy cause is far unlike, contend for life,  
And harmless to escape, and only to  
Thy ladies lap in safety to retire.  
Ye Dardanes, of so many spare me one,  
Ne from his corpse enforce my blood to flush.  
He is not one whom may be seem to fight.  
Or to his martial foe his breast to gauge.  
He better may that fights for hearty zeal,  
Let others flash, let Protesilaus love.  
Him I confess I would withheld at home,  
My tongue for fear of ill abodement stack.  
When from thy father's house to Troy ward  
Thou went'st, thy foot at threshold stumbled tho.  
Which when I saw, in silence mourning said,  
Grant Gods that this portend a good return.  
Now do I this display, for thou in arms  
Too venturous shouldst not be: procure that this  
My fear to vain and vacant winds may turn.  
And sort (I wot not whom) appointed hath  
To undeserved fate, that first of Greeks  
With forward foot shall touch the Trojan soil.  
O cursed Feme, that first shall wail the loss  
Of her adempted fear. I crave the Gods  
Thou show not then thyself excessive stout.  
Of thousand ships let thine the latter be,  
And last of all the sundered waves divide,  
(And this for warning take) go last on land.  
'tis not thy native soil thou flittest too,  
At thy return let sail and Oar be plied,  
And haste thy Bark to thy well known shore.  
Where Phoebus lurk, or else do shine aloft,  
Both day and night thou bréedste my griefful wo.  
But most by might, for that a season is  
To women (that with clinching arms in brace  
Their lovers limbs) of sugared sport and joy.  
For falsed sleeps I hunt in careful Couch,  
Feeding on false delights, for want of true.  
But why to me thy Image pale appears?  
And from thy mouth why such complaint proceeds?  
Enforced to watch, the irksome ghosts of night  
And visions I adore: no Altar through  
All Thessaly my fuming smoke doth lack.  
Incense I yield with intermeddled tears,  
Which mingde do surge as wine ycast in flame  
When I with greedy arms, shall thee retourde  
Embracing lie, and senseless ware for joy?  
When lodged with me in one self careless couch  
Wilt thou the valiant facts of battle blaze?  
Which whilst thou shalt describe, though I to hear  
Shall long, yet will we coll and kiss betwixt.  
For kissing decks the tale with better grace,  
And stay procures the tongue more prompt to parley.  
But when I think of Troy, both wind and Seas  
Return to mind: and hope by hoofull fear  
Is vanquished clean, and put to sudden flight.  
And that the winds your middle passage bar  
Moves me. In spite of waves you mind to pass.  
Who to his Country would with froward gale,  
Against the will of winds shape his return?  
And you from Greece in troublous tempest trudge.  
Unto his town Neptunus' bars your course.  
Whither hast you? each unto his home retire.  
Why, whither go you Greeks? behold the winds  
And counterthwarting blasts. Some God procures  
(Not soddain chance) no doubt, this lingering stay.  
What save a shameful drab and harlot rank,  
By this your war & battles broil is sought?  
Whilst yet you may, and lawful is your sails  
And flitting Barks back to Achaia bend.  
But why do I revoke? or call thee home?  
Let all abodements go. I pray the winds  
And calmed waves to further thine intent.  
I spite at Trojan Dames, that shall survey  
The Funerals of their Fears & waileful spoils,  
Nor have their foes far from their country bounds.  
The late betrothed spouse herself will don  
Her husband's Helm and harness with her hand.  
She will give armour, and whilst armour she  
Doth give (a grateful thing to both) will kiss,  
And fellow forth her spouse, with charge to make  
Retire, and say (to jove thy weapons vow)  
Reserving he his recent charge in mind,  
Will warily fight, and cast an eye to home:  
She at return will lose her spouses Helm,  
And do his Targe away, his weary limbs  
Relieving with her aid as best she may.  
We doubtful in suspense, and dread do stand,  
Fearing each thing that may by fortune fall.  
Yet whilst in foreign coast thou wagest war,  
Of War that represents thy face, I have  
A table made: to whom I tell my tale,  
And kiss, as I thy corpse was wont to col  
The picture is more than it seems to sight.  
In faith allow the waren form a sound.  
And it will be Protesilaus out right:  
That I behold, and in my husbands stead  
Betwixt my paps do place, and frame complaint  
Thereto, as though it had the power to speak.  
By thy return, and corpse (my saints I swear)  
By equal lights of marriage and of mind:  
And by thy head (which fright with silver locks  
To fine that I may see: and that thou mayst  
In health revert) I swear, that whither thou  
Shalt give in charge, to thee I will repair  
As fellowing Mate, whether thou live, or oh  
That more I dread and stand oh more paid.  
With this precept and only charge I end,  
Respect thyself, and have remorse of me?   

The Argument of the xiv. Epistle, entitled Hypermnestra to Lyncius.  

TO fifty daughters Danaus was Sire,  
His brother Egypt had as many sons:  
Whom be to match did earnestly desire,  
With Danaus' daughters: he the marriage shonnes,  
And reason why: the Oracle had said  
His son in law should hewn off his bed.   

Aegyptus wroth with this his brother's deed  
(Of purpose that to Argos went his way  
For cause the marriage should not so proceed)  
Sent all his sons with Soldiers for to stay  
Their Uncle: or his daughters at the least  
To take to wives, and make a marriage feast.   

The siege was laid and Danaus in fine  
Of force compellde for safety's sake to yield  
His brother's suit although he did repine:  
When marriage day approached, the father willed  
His daughters to destroy with cruel knives  
Their husbands, and to reave their nephews lives.   

The day was come, each slew her slumbering Make,  
Save Hypermnestra, that of all the rest  
Spared her spouse, and warned him to take  
His flight: such ruth did lodge in loving breast.  
According to her counsel so he did,  
And by that mean himself from danger rid.   

In dawning when the father came, he saw  
Each daughter had her sleepy husband slain,  
Save Hypermnestra: whom withouten law  
He sent to ward, in Prison her to pain,  
Where being lodged, these lines to Lynceus she  
devised and sent from gives released to be.   
The xiiij Epistle. Hypermnestra to Lynceus.  
TO him that of so many brethren lives,  
And sole survives, I Hypermnestra send:  
The rest by their wives guilt were foully slain.  
I load with gives in Prison am detainde,  
And not aguilting is my cause of scathe.  
For that my hand to murder not presumed,  
I did offence: but so I had done evil  
And ruthless been, I semblant praise had won.  
More leffer I account guilt to sustain,  
Than in such sort to please mine angry Sire.  
Ne loath I hands of murder void to have.  
Though me my Sire (whom I ne wronged at all)  
With threatfull flame consumed, or menace with  
The fire that present was at sacred rites,  
Or slay with sword which shamefully he gave,  
And wife sustain the death her husband should:  
Yet shall he not my dying jaws enforce  
For to repent, or loath such friendly ruth.  
Let Danaus, and my sisters for their fact  
Agrise: This end such mischief aye ensues.  
Recounting of that bloody night doth make  
My heart to quake, and sudden tremor force  
My hand to stay from that I thought to write:  
She whom they déemd could have her hus●…d slain  
Of murder not committed dreedes to write:  
But yet I will assay. With mantle black  
When irksome shade 'gan overspreade the soil,  
And failing day did yield to growing night:  
We sisters led to Danaus' Castle came,  
And there Egypt his daughters entertained,  
Which privily were armed with wreakful blades,  
On every side the golden Lamps did shine,  
And in unwilling flames the incense fumed.  
The people Hymen cried, but Hymen fled  
The place, and juno though her town forewent.  
When staggering they with wine, & fellows cry,  
With garlands fresh about their moisted locks,  
To lodgings glad (their burial places) go,  
And on their funeral beds their corpses cast.  
With Wine and slumber now they laden lay,  
And quiet rest throughout all Argos was,  
When (to my seeming) round about I heard  
Of dying men the grunts: which I in deed.  
Did hear, and as I dread, it fell at last.  
My blood was fled, the heat forsook my limbs  
And in my novel Couch full could I lay.  
As Zephyrus the slender Reeds doth stir,  
And winter air doth shake the Popple tree:  
Even so (or more) I quooke: astraught thou layst,  
The wine I gave thee, was to forcen sleep.  
My father's charge all fear had quite exiled,  
I rose, and took in trembling hand the sword.  
(I tell but truth) thrice caught I up the tool,  
And thrice from out my reaching fist it fell.  
I natheless constrained by my Sires  
Ruthless precept, and wailful warning given,  
Unto thy throat applied the threatening sword.  
But fear and pity my attempts withstood:  
My ruthful fist refused my father's charge.  
Renting my purple robes and tresses down,  
In whispering wise then thus I 'gan to speak.  
Thy father (Hypermnestra) cruel is  
To thee, fulfil his Hest: a fellow let  
Thy husband Lynceus to his brothers go.  
Ah, I a maiden am by nature and  
By age debonair, ne my hand for war  
And slaughter sitting is, unseemly fact.  
But what? go to, and whilst occasion serves,  
Thy valiant sisters sue: I deem by this  
They all their Feeres have sent to Pluto's Court.  
Fie, if this hand could any murder done,  
Unto my blood it should an issue given.  
For bearing rule within their uncles reign,  
They not deserved death, which naythélesse  
To foreign sons in law should been assigned.  
Put case the men had well deserved to die,  
What have we misers done? or how aguilt?  
What makes that I should not be ruthful aye?  
Fie? what with cruel sword have I to do?  
What should a Maid with warlike weapons deal?  
My hands for turn and twist more fit were.  
Thus I, and whilst I plain, my tears ensued,  
And from my face upon thy carcase fell.  
Whilst me to colle, thou threw'st thy senseless arms  
The sword well nigh thine arms had recht a wound  
At length of Sire, his servants and the day  
Dreading: these words to break thy sleep, I spoke  
Lynceus, that of thy brother's sole dost live,  
This night (unless thou haste) will be thy last.  
Thou startst affright, and sleep abandoned  
In trembling fist thou sawst the cruel sword.  
To thee that though didst long to know the cause,  
Whilst night will give thee leave (flee, flee, ꝙ I)  
By night thou fledst, and I remained behind.  
Aurora rose, when Danaus 'gan to count  
And tell the corpses of his murdered sons:  
Thou only of the tale were found alack.  
That of his nephews one had scaped the death,  
He took in rage, complaining not enough  
Bloodshed to be: such was his eager thirst:  
I from my father's feet was taken strait,  
And halde by the hair, to cruel prison thrust:  
Of ruthful pity such the guerdon was.  
Dame junos' wrath hath ever sith endured,  
That Io of a Nymph a Cow became  
And from a Cow to Goddess was transformed  
Alas, 'twas pain enough a silly maid  
To lowgh in fields, and not her jove to please.  
But lately made a Cow, her father's banks  
She stood upon, and gazed in the flood  
Upon the horns which erst were never hers,  
And minding for to speak she lowght a good,  
Both of her form, and of her voice afraid.  
Why Miser dost thou flee? why musest at  
Thyself in ford, and numbrest so thy feet?  
That art to other members now transmude?  
Thou, whom Dame juno had in great suspect,  
With boughs, and sedge thy famine dost expel.  
Of flood thou drinkste, and gazest all aghast  
Upon thy form, dreading the horns thou bear'st,  
And one, of late so rich as might accoye  
The mighty jove, liest bare upon the soil.  
By Seas, by lands, and cousin floods thou run'st,  
Both sea and land, and lakes do give thee way,  
Passage both sea and land, and Lakes allow.  
What is thy cause of flight? why (Io) why  
Ranglest thou so the largie Seas about?  
Thine own countenance thou mayst not well avoid.  
Why (Io) whither fléest? the thing thou shoonsts  
Thou followste aye, and dost by flight pursue:  
Thou dost both lead and follow her that leads.  
Nilus, to sea with seven fold stream that flows,  
Made her do way her brutish shape at last.  
What need I name the rest, that aged folk  
Recite? my years occasion yield of plaint.  
My Sire and Uncle war, we sisters we  
Of Realm and reign exiled, are banished far,  
He cruel both the Seat, and Sceptre rules,  
We needy wrangle with our needful Sire.  
Of brethren now the lesser part doth live.  
Whom I (as well the parties done to death  
As Authors of the cruel fact) bewail.  
For look how many brothers I am bereft  
So many loving sisters lost I eke.  
For either part my doleful tears I shed.  
Lo, I (cause thou dost live) sustain the smart.  
What should I guilty bear? what torment bide,  
That wrongful pain without desert endure?  
I that was one of hundred allies erst,  
One brother living Miser shall be slain.  
But thou (O Lynceus) if regard at all  
Of ruthful Sister lodge within thy breast,  
And worthy be, the friendship I have showed  
Or aid me, or with death foredoe my corpse.  
And lay my limbs devoid of life by stealth  
In earth, my bones engrave with faithful tears,  
And on my Tomb this slender title write.  

A boon unfit for ruth,  
in wrong exile the death  
Bode Hypermnestra, cause she saved,  
her brother Linceus breath.   
Much more in heart yet could I find to write,  
Save that my hands the clinking chains do load,  
And ghastly fear my wont strength bereaves.   

The Argument of the xv. Epistle, entitled Paris to Helen.  
Sir Paris gone to Greece  
fair Helena to coy,  
In Lacedaemon lands at length,  
received like a Roy  
At Menelaus house:  
the Host to Creta goes  
Atreus goods but lately dead,  
in order to dispose.  
Whose absence gave the guest  
occasion to bewray  
His suit to Helen, whilst (goodman)  
her husband was away.  
He shows his secret love  
and what good will he bears,  
And to make breach into the Fort  
the subtle Soldier swears.  
He brags of stately stock,  
be vaunts of Princely kind:  
He tells of Dardan dames of Troy  
and more than was to find.  
The Lady to allure,  
his painted sheath he showed:  
And in this wise his Peacocks plumes  
the Trojan spread abroad.  
The xu Epistle. Paris to Helen.  
THis greeting Paris sends  
to Leda's daughter dear:  
Whose healthful state doth whole depend  
upon thy friendly cheer.  
What? shall I speak? or needs  
not this my flame be shown?  
And more than I could wish to be  
is love already known?  
More leffer should it lurk  
(if I might have my will)  
Till Fortune framed, as fear ne dread  
my gladsome joys might spill.  
But I to cloak by craft  
my love not know the ways:  
For who can hide the flanckring flame  
that still itself betrays?  
But if thou look that I  
with word confirm the deed:  
Take this as proof of hidden heart,  
I fry with fervent gleed.  
Let him that doth confess  
find at thy hand such grace:  
In reading friendly all the rest,  
as fits thy featured face.  
It made me joy to hear  
my Letters were received:  
Whereof that he shall favour find  
thy Paris hath conceived.  
Which hope I wish to be  
of force, nor thou for nought  
Of me through overpassed seas  
by Venus' Hests be sought.  
For lest thou witless ere,  
I came unto this place  
By warning of the Gods, and no  
small God doth aid my case.  
Great matters I demand,  
but not undue to me:  
For Venus did compound that I  
should fast be linked with thee.  
By her conduct I from  
Sigeian country came  
In Phereclean Bark, and did  
by seas my journey frame.  
She gave me winds at will,  
and weather safe to sail:  
No marvel if she that was borne  
of waves, on seas prevail.  
Let her persist, and calm  
the raging of my breast,  
As erst she did the seas: and bring  
my vows to harbours rest.  
I brought with me this fire  
I found not hers my flame:  
Which was the cause that hither I  
my voyage long did frame.  
Not hither winters storms  
or error me did drive,  
At Tenaris was aye my mind  
and purpose to arrive.  
Surmise not me with wares  
or merchants Mart to wend  
Through fishfull floods: the wealth I have  
immortal Gods defend.  
Ne as a gazer I  
to Graian Cities came:  
For Trojan town (my native soil)  
the Greece would lightly shame.  
But thou, whom Venus erst  
unto my bed behight,  
Didst cause me come, for whom I wished  
or ere I knew the wight.  
In mind I viewed thy face  
before I saw with eye:  
And brute by stickring fame at first  
thy beauty did descry.  
And marvel is it none  
if I as one that was  
Ystroke a far with thirlings shaft,  
in love my time do pass.  
For so it pleased them Fates,  
which lest thou seek to break:  
Lend ear to such undoubted truths  
as I intend to speak.  
When me within her womb  
my mother did detain:  
And that the weary poised thereof  
her strowting corpse did pain:  
She seemed by Morpheus means  
in dazzled doubtful dream,  
To have as then been brought a bed  
with flaming fiery stream.  
Affright with fear she rose,  
and what she saw she told  
The aged King, and he forthwith  
consulted sages old.  
Who preaching did pronounce  
that Ilium should flame  
With Paris fire, this ardent love  
I feel, it was the same.  
My form and forward heart  
(though then I seemed but base)  
Was proof and token that I came  
of Noble haughty race.  
A place there is in Ide  
mid bushy lands below,  
Whereto no open way doth lie,  
but Pire and Houlme doth grow:  
Where neither simple sheep,  
nor Mountain Goat did gnaw:  
Nor lumpish Ox with flapping lips  
had filled his mownching maw.  
From thence the Dardan walls,  
and buildings huge to see:  
And waltering waves of drenching seas,  
I leaned against a tree.  
With trampling feet me thought  
the soil began to move:  
(Though I display but truth, yet thou  
wilt scarce my tale approve.)  
By force of flickering wings  
was brought unto the place  
Cylenus, (Atlas' Nephew near,)  
and stood tofore my face.  
(As lawful 'twas to see,  
be leeful to recite)  
And in his hand a golden rod,  
the God did hold upright.  
And Heavenly Ladies three,  
dame Venus, juno and  
The Princely Pallas, all at once  
set footing on the sand.  
I quooke for dread, my hair  
stood staring on my head:  
When (set thy fear aside) to me  
the winged Herawide sed.  
Thou art a judge of forms,  
stint all this godly war:  
And tell which of these three by right  
thy verdict doth prefer.  
And lest I should refuse,  
from jove he gave me charge:  
And therewith slew with gate direct  
into the heavens large.  
My strength began to grow,  
and courage come anew:  
And then I dread not of the three  
to take a perfit view.  
All were surpassing wights,  
but yet I stood in dread,  
(Assigned judge) that erye one  
might not alike be sped.  
For one among the rest  
surmounted other so:  
As that it were the Nurse of love  
thyself wouldst lightly know.  
Such cark they had to win,  
as each one did intend,  
By largesse, and their goodly gifts  
my doubtful doom to bend.  
An Empire juno gave,  
dame Pallas virtues reign:  
I doubtful stood where power or virtue  
were the best of twain.  
When sweetly Venus sinilde,  
let gifts not move thy mind  
(Quoth she) friend Paris: both replete  
with trouble thou shalt find.  
My only boon shall be,  
that thou shalt love, and have  
The snow white Leda's darling dear  
and daughter passing brave.  
She said, when justly scanned  
both forms and proffers wear:  
The last with prick and praise began  
to mount up to her sphere.  
Meanwhile (as froward fates  
to better fortune grew)  
By certain signs for Priam's child  
the Troyans' Paris knew.  
The son received, the house  
long time was filled with joy:  
And that self day continues still  
as halowde yet in Troy.  
And as I long for thee,  
so maidens looude me well:  
Thou only mayst their wish achieve,  
and bear away the bell.  
Not Princes heirs alone  
or dainty dames embraced:  
But seemly Nymphs in ardent love  
with me were coupled fast.  
But loathsome was their love,  
I weighed them all aléeke.  
When I of Helen stood in hope,  
whom Venus willed me seek.  
I waking with mine eye  
did see thy face by day:  
And in my heart I viewed thy form  
when Phoebus fled away.  
What wilt thou present do,  
that in thine absence so  
Didst Paris please? I fried though far  
the fiery flame were tho.  
Ne longer this my hope  
I could defer at last,  
But that my purpose to aspire  
to Sea I went in haste.  
With Phrygian Axe were cut  
the Trojan troes to ground:  
And timber what so for the seas  
most fittest than was found.  
The haughty hills were spoiled  
of great and waxed woods:  
And Ida leaned me many a tree,  
with all their sturdy shrouds.  
The Oaks for warped Keales  
and rudder were ysquarde:  
And with his crouked clinching ribs  
the ship was well prepared.  
We added mast and top,  
and hanging sails thereto:  
And in the sides our painted Gods  
were portrayed all aroe.  
In ship wherein I went  
was with her little boy  
Dame Venus graven, whose behest  
was causer of my joy.  
When Navy was addressed,  
and ready was the charge:  
To pass upon Aegean seas  
was given me in charge.  
My parents by request  
my voyage would have stayed:  
And that I would sojourn with them,  
as earnest suitors prayed.  
My sister with her locks  
(Cassandra) lolling down:  
(When ships were ready to avale  
from port within a stowne)  
Why? whither ghost (ꝙ she?)  
thy freyghting shall be flame:  
Thou little know'st what fire thou feast,  
that dost this journey frame.  
I find her words a troth,  
I feel the foresaid heat:  
And raging love in yielding breast  
as kindled coal doth fret.  
With that I left the port,  
by mean of blissful blast  
And friendly gale: I did arrive  
upon thy coast at last.  
Thy husband took me guest,  
with whom I harbourde thou:  
And not without the Gods advise  
he practised that I know.  
Who made me show of all  
that goodly was to view  
In Lacedaemon, or else where  
in stately Greece he knew.  
But nought might please my eye,  
or hungry fancy leek:  
Who for thy passing praised shape  
with longing heart did seek.  
Whom when I saw, I mused,  
mine inward parts I felt  
Surprised with new unwonted cares  
in monstrous wise to mealt.  
A face resembling thine  
(of troth I mind it well)  
Had Venus, when to judge of hues  
to Paris lot it fell.  
If thou hadst there been priest,  
contending for the game:  
I doubt where Lady Venus should  
so lightly won the same.  
Report hath spread thy praise,  
and Fame her trumpet blown:  
So that in every country is  
fair Helen's beauty known.  
In Trojan town is none,  
nor from the rifing Sun  
A famous Lass, that for her hue  
a semblant praise hath won.  
And if thou dar'st believe,  
thy beauty doth surpass:  
And common rumour doth impair  
and breeds thy beauty lass.  
Here find I more than me  
the Goddess had behight:  
And all that glory by thy face  
and form is passed quite.  
Not Theseus looude for nought,  
that knew so well thy shape:  
That were of such a noble Duke  
surmised a seemly rape.  
When by the Gréekishe guise  
a naked Nymph didst sport  
With naked wights, in place of play  
where Grecians did resort.  
I praise him for his rape,  
I muse he would forego  
So good a prey: with valiant heart  
it should been healed you know.  
For from these shoulders first  
should fall my scotched skull:  
Ere thee out of my griping hands  
a mortal wight should pull.  
Would ere these arms of mine  
have let thee so departed?  
Or during life mightst thou at all  
from Paris clummes astart?  
If needs I should foregone,  
I would have had a share,  
Nor all in Idle should have lain  
the lustful Venus' ware.  
Or I thy maidenhead would  
and dainty flower have gained:  
Or that which might have been allowed;  
if maidenhead were restrained.  
To Paris ply, and thou  
his constant heart shalt try:  
Who vows with thee in self same fire  
and funeral flame to frie.  
For I have thee preferred  
before the regal Mace,  
Which welthfull juno offered, when  
I sat in judges place.  
And to thee fine I might  
with arms thy neck enfold:  
I scorned the virtue Pallas gave,  
more worth than glowing gold:  
That time when Ladies three  
appeared in stately Ide,  
By dexter judgement there to have  
their doubtful quarrel tried:  
I sorrow not my choice,  
ne yet repent at all●:  
My stable mind doth aye persist  
as then it did, and shall.  
This one request I make,  
let not my hope be vain,  
(O famous dame) that well deseruste  
pursuit with endless pain.  
No Rascal seeks to match  
himself in Gentiles blood:  
Ne thou to be my wedded spouse  
mayst think thyself too good.  
The Pleyade mayst thou find,  
and jove with stately style  
To me allied, the middle Grandsires  
though I should concile.  
In Asia reigns my Sire,  
(a fresh and fruitful soil)  
Which scarcely may environed be  
with long and painful toil.  
Of Cities many one,  
and lodges shalt thou see:  
And Temples such as fit for Gods  
thyself wilt deem to be.  
Great Walls with lofty towers  
and Ilium shalt thou hew:  
Which stately buildings by the sound  
of Phoebus' music grew.  
What of the hugy press  
of people should I tell?  
The Country scarce contains the folk  
that in the Cities dwell.  
A troop of Trojan Dames,  
and Matrons thee will meet:  
The Phrygian Femes will stuff each Porch,  
and every other street;  
How often wilt thou say  
Achaia is but power?  
The wealth of Greekish towns is found  
in every little bower,  
Ne lawful is for me  
thy Sparta to despise:  
The place where thou were fostered, I  
most blissful do surmise.  
Yet Sparta is but spare,  
more pomp thou dost deserve:  
So mean a soil for such a face  
doth nothing fitly serve.  
Such beauty larger coast  
would well beseem in deed:  
And aye on new delights were meet  
for such a face to feed.  
When thus thou view our men  
attired, and bravely dight:  
What wilt thou judge of Trojan trulls,  
and of their vesture bright?  
Now show thyself a friend,  
nor of a Phrygian scorn  
Thou dainty dame, in Therapnean  
country that were borne.  
For he a Phrygian was  
and come of Trojan line:  
That to the Gods their Nectar gives  
commixed with water fine.  
A Trojan Tithon too,  
and yet she liked him well,  
That with the golden dawning doth  
the drooping night expel.  
Anchiseses was a Trojan  
borne, and bred they say,  
With whom the Dame of Love in Ide  
in shrouding shadow lay.  
Thy spouse with me compared  
(though thou thyself were judge)  
For years and seemly shape would be  
a Rascal and a Snudge.  
I will not give to thee  
a Fatherlawe, that by  
His cursed fact did force the Son  
his fearful steads to wry.  
Ne Pelops was the Sire  
of Priam, that with blood  
Of Oenamus imbrued his hands,  
and Mirtill drenched in flood.  
Nor doth our Grandsire gape  
for fruit in flattering lake  
Of Styx: nor seeks for waves in Well,  
his growing thirst to slake.  
But what availeth this  
if one be linked with thee  
Of their descent? jove is enforced  
this family's head to be.  
Fie shameful act, all night  
that same unworthy patch  
With thee doth fléepe, and with his arms  
thy sugared corpse doth catch.  
Thee scarcely I descry  
when table clothes are led:  
And that self time with cark and care,  
and sorrow enough is sped.  
Unto my mortal foes  
such banquets fall I crave:  
As when that Bacchus comes to brood  
I sielie Paris have.  
I hate mine harbour sore,  
when so the rustic lays  
His arms upon thy snowish neck,  
and with mine Hostess plays.  
I swell with wrath (but what  
should I now all declare?)  
When with his clothes displayed the chuff  
thy husband, hides thy bare.  
But when you 'gan to kiss  
and coll each other apace:  
(For that I would not see) the cup  
I set before my face.  
Look when he thee embraced,  
to ground mine eyes I threw:  
And in unwilling mouth my meat,  
and irksome prawnder grew.  
And grunting oft with grief,  
I saw full well when thou  
At those my woes in wanton wife  
wouldst smile with laughing brow.  
With wine oft times I would  
that fuming flame suppressed:  
But drunkenness was flame in fire  
and thus my heat increased.  
And sundry sights to shun,  
away my head I turn:  
But thou eftsoons wouldst make mine eyes  
and fancy to return.  
Thus doubtful what to do,  
agriefe these things to see:  
But yet a greater grief away  
from such a face to he.  
As much as lay in me  
this rage I strive to hide:  
Yet natheless dissembled love  
is quickly to be spied.  
Ne art thou ought deceived,  
to thee my wounds be known:  
And would to God that of my griefs  
thou privy were alone.  
How oft when tears 'gan flush,  
turned I my head awry?  
Lest he the cause of mournful mood  
should fortune to descry?  
How often with cup crazed  
have I some love expressed?  
And would unto thy featured face  
each word and sentence wrest?  
And of myself in close  
and feigned name made show:  
Even I am he that looude so well,  
if thou the same not know.  
And that I frankly might  
use wanton words at will:  
I would make wise of Bacchus' wares  
as though I had my fill.  
Thy breast (I well record)  
(thy vesture being loose.)  
displayed unto my staring eyes,  
thy beauty did disclose.  
Thy breast than Mountain snow  
or morning Milk more clear,  
Or jove that in the forine of Swan  
to Leda did appear  
Whilst at the sight I gazed  
(I held a Cup by hap)  
And from my fist the Cup it fell  
and in the floor did snap.  
When thou thy daughter kissed,  
I would, the kiss to win,  
Hermions' cheeks and cherry lips  
eftsoon to smack begin.  
Sometime laid bolt upright  
of former love would sing:  
And other scythes by beck would give  
a sign of secret thing.  
The chief of all thy Mates  
I bourded but of late:  
To Clymen, and to Aethra I  
in humble wise did prate.  
Who answered nothing else  
but that they stood in dread:  
And even amid my earnest suit  
away from me they flayed.  
Would thou were placed as price  
at some notorious watch,  
That he who best in arms deserved,  
thee for his Fear might catch.  
Then as Hippomenes wan  
Atlanta in the field,  
To whom a flock of suitors erst  
in running race did yield:  
As Hercules the horns  
of Achelous broke,  
When Deianeiras love to fight  
the Champion did provoke?  
I would my valiant prowess  
in semblant sort have shown:  
And that thy beauty caused the same  
to thee it should be known.  
Now nought remains, but even  
to sue to thee (fair Dame)  
And groufe to fore thy feet to fall  
if thou permit the fame.  
O flower, and present prayfe  
of both thy brother's hire:  
O worthy wife for mighty jove  
if jove were not thy Sire:  
Or to Sigeian port  
with thee I will retire:  
Or in exile at Tenaris:  
my carcase shall expire.  
For why, no slender dart  
hath cleft my breast in twain,  
The mortal wound hath broosde the bones,  
and ransacked every vain.  
In this (I mind it well)  
Cassandra spoke aright:  
Who said in future time on m●  
a heavenly shaft should light.  
Wherefore, do not despise  
the love allowed by fate:  
So mayst thou have the ghastly Gods  
thy friends in needful state.  
I have a thousand things  
which frankly to recite,  
receive me to thy careless Couch  
in fere and silent night.  
What? dost thou shame, or stand  
in such a bashful dread,  
For to defile with secret scape  
thy chaste and bridely bed?  
Too simple sure thou art,  
a rustic might I say?  
Thinkest thou that so well formed a face  
from guilt may scape away?  
Or thou must change thy hue,  
or not be hard at least:  
Twixt beauty and an honest life  
was never war infeast.  
For jove delights in stealths,  
and Venus loves the same:  
Ne jove had been thy Sire unless  
had Leda liked the game.  
If griefs of love have force  
scarce chaste thou mayst be thought:  
Whom lustful jove and Leda light  
into this world brought.  
Then lead an honest life,  
when we in Troy shall be:  
Let none be able to defame  
fair Helen, but by me.  
Now let us forge the fact  
which marriage shall amend:  
If Lady Venus' words be true  
as though she did pretend.  
Thy husband not in words  
but deeds persuades thereto:  
Who, for he would no hindrance be,  
devised from Greece to go.  
He had no fit time  
to ride from home but than:  
O Lord it is a world to see  
the subtle craft of man.  
Mine Host is gone, who said  
at parture: wife I will  
Thou take in charge my Trojan guest▪  
thy husband's Hests fulfil.  
I swear, thou dost neglect  
thy absent Fears request:  
For why, thou hast no cark at all  
to entertain thy guest.  
What dost thou think in deed  
that doltish silly man,  
The thews of Helen's passing form  
may judge, or thoroughly scan?  
In faith thou art beguiled:  
for if the good he owes  
He knew, therewith he would not trust,  
a guest he scarcely knows.  
Though neither thee my voice  
nor friendship may procure  
To yield me grace: convenient time  
may cause us to play sure.  
Or else we are but Dolts,  
and more than he to blame:  
If such occasion we permit  
to flide devoid of game.  
In manner with his hand  
he gave his guest to thee:  
See thou do use such simpleness  
that hath such care of me:  
The long and loathsome night  
thou lodgest all alone:  
And I poor Paris to redress  
my hapless harms have none.  
Let intermeddled joys  
conjoin us both yfeare:  
And that self night shall seem to us  
than brightest day more clear.  
Then will I make my vow,  
appealing Gods to oath:  
And by a sacred band to thee  
for pawn engage my troth.  
And then (unless the trust  
I in myself repose  
Be vain) I unto thee eftsoons  
my Sceptre will disclose.  
But if thou shame, and dread  
to condescend thereto:  
I only will sustain the guilt  
and thou exempt shalt go.  
For why, thy brother's fact,  
and Theseus will I take  
As mirrors: nearer proof than this  
I know thou canst not make.  
The Theseus erst, they two  
Leucippids have bereft:  
And I as fourth example made  
and mirror shall be left.  
My Navy is at hand,  
of men and armour store:  
We shall to Troy flit in haste  
by mean of wind and Ore.  
Thou like a stately Queen  
through Dardan streets shalt ride:  
The Commons will some Goddess new  
surmise to have espied.  
What way soever thou goest,  
the perfumes they shall sweat:  
And slaughtered beasts the gory ground  
with bloody strokes shall beat.  
My sisters with my dame,  
my brothers with the King,  
And all the Trojan Matrons shall  
their ample presents bring.  
Oh, scarce one parcel I  
of future things recite:  
Thou shalt have more than in these lines  
my feeble pen can write.  
Ne do thou rapted stand  
of dreadful war in awe:  
Ne fear that grudging Greece her force  
to wreak this rape will draw.  
Though sundry were conveyed,  
was never none pursued  
With clattering arms: of troth this dread  
us causeless doth delude.  
In Boreas' name the men  
of Thrace Orithia stole:  
Yet Byston had no hateful wars,  
nor enemies to control.  
In novel Bark was brought  
by jason through the Seas  
Medea: Colchos kept no coil  
ne Thessale did disease.  
And he that stolen the first  
reft Minos' darling dear:  
And yet his men of Creta did  
not once in armour steer.  
The fear in these affairs  
the danger doth excel:  
But afterward of fear we shame  
when every thing is well.  
Put case, that war were waged?  
(if so thou list to think)  
What, I have men, and armour eke  
yea such as will not shrink.  
And Asia is no less,  
than is your country wide:  
Of valiant wights we have good store,  
and startling steads to ride.  
Nor Menelaus shall  
of greater courage be  
Than Trojan Paris, nor in arms  
more stiff and stout than he.  
For being yet a child  
I slew my haughty foes  
That stolen my herd: and of that fact  
my valiant name arose.  
And being but a Lad  
in sundry combats wan  
The palm from ilioneus, and eke  
Deiphobus the man.  
And lest thou sole surmise  
me to prevail at hand:  
I can enforce my thirled shaft  
full near the mark to stand.  
The like attempt in youth  
Atrides never made:  
Ne Menelaus mayst thou match  
with Paris for his trade.  
Though all things else thou grant,  
yet Hector can not be  
His brother, which will stand in stead  
of thousand men to me.  
Thou little know'st my power,  
my force from thee is locked:  
Thou canst not tell what man is he  
with whom thou shalt be shocked.  
Or with no tumult thou  
shalt be required again:  
Or Greekish tents to Paris Mart  
to yield they shall be feign.  
Yet need I not disdain  
to war for such a wife:  
For why, the price doth well deserve  
to stir a greater strife.  
And thou, if all the world  
for thee should seem to strive:  
Shalt stand assured in after time  
for aye to be alive.  
Wherefore hath dreadless hope  
departing from this shore,  
And blissful Gods, demand the gifts  
I thee behight before.   

The Argument of the xuj. Epistle, entitled Helen to Paris.  
WHen Helen had the Trojan writ perused  
She thought herself too shamefully abused.  
She deemed it not the part of any guest,  
To whoredom so his Hostess mind to wrest.  
To quail the Princocks pride, and make a prouse  
Of spotless fame, at first she stands aloufe.  
At length when to and fro she had discourste  
Of this and that, and colour well disbourste:  
She fawns, she frowns, she freates, she speaks him fair,  
She offered hope, but fed him with despair,  
As women wont, devising many a toy,  
But Paris her in fine conveyed to Troy.  
The xuj Epistle. Helen to Paris.  
HOw since thy letters have  
thus rashly wronged my sight:  
I thought it needful with my pen  
thy Pistol to requite.  
And didst thou dare a guest,  
(the bounds of hostage broke?)  
And honest Matron well espoused,  
to pleasure to provoke?  
For this by whisking winds  
ytossed on waving Seas,  
Did Taenaris thee with port relieve  
thy painful plight to ease?  
Nor (though inguestred thou  
camest from a Country far)  
My Palace did 'gainst thee as than  
his churlish gates debar?  
That such a wrong should be  
reward for good desert?  
Thou that didst enter so hast played  
no guests, but enemies part.  
Though lawful be my plaint,  
yet doubt I not at all,  
But thou (when so thou hear thereof)  
a rude complaint wilt call.  
A rustic let me be,  
so I not pass the bound  
Of honest shame, and in my life  
no cankered crime be found.  
So I in feigned look  
do cloak no churlish cheer:  
Nor in my face no grim disdain  
nor bended broowe appear.  
Yet honest is my fame,  
I live devoid of spot:  
No lustful Lecher for his life  
is able me to blot.  
Which makes me muse the more  
what should enbolde thee so,  
To take this strange attempt in hand  
a married wife to woo?  
Cause Theseus wronged me once,  
well worthy am I deemed  
To be a Ruffians rape again,  
and so to be esteemed?  
The guilt was mine if I  
alured were to ill:  
But so I rapted were by force,  
what could I do but nill?  
Ne he by that his fact  
his hoped booty got:  
Set fear and woman's dread aside,  
I nought abode God wot.  
The wretch by wrestling won  
at Helen's hand a kiss:  
And laid her on the lips sometime,  
he had no more but this.  
Scarce would you been content  
(unthrifty so you are)  
With that: I thank the Gods, that he  
and thou didst differ far.  
He yielded me again  
and me did scarcely touch:  
And did repent him of his fact,  
his modesty was such.  
Did Theseus so recant  
that Paris should succeed?  
For fear least on my blazed arms.  
the people should not feed?  
Yet I am nothing wroth,  
(for who can angry be  
With that she loves?) if this my love  
be faithful unto me.  
For thereof doubt I sore,  
not for distrust at all,  
Or that my face and featured form  
into suspect I call.  
But for such light belief  
and credit works our woe:  
And suitors tales art fraught with fraud,  
and fired faith forego.  
But others do aguilt,  
an honest Matron rare:  
Who bars that I among those few  
should have a party share?  
For cause my mother errde,  
perhaps thou thinkst me light  
By her example to be won,  
by mean of nature's might.  
To cloak my mother's crime  
an error is in store:  
For why the Lecher lurked in plume  
to work his will the more.  
If I should do amiss  
of force thereof I know:  
There is no error mine offence  
to hide from open show.  
Her escape is well allowed,  
the Author made it less:  
There is no jove at all to cloak  
my fault if I transgress.  
Thou brav'st upon thy stock,  
thy Grandsire's Princes are:  
This house of worthy Ancestors  
and Nobles is not bare.  
I will conceal that jove  
was Atreus' Grandsire great:  
Of Tantalus, or Pelops I,  
nor Tyndaris mind to treat.  
But Leda lends me jove  
my stately Sire to be:  
Whom foul beguiled with swannish form  
and falsed bird we see.  
Now vaunt thy Trojan heads  
and ginners of thy race:  
Let Laomedon be in press  
and Priam eke in place.  
Whom I commend: but he  
that fift is of your line,  
(Thy greatest pride) I find the same  
the foremost man in mine.  
Though Trojan Sceptre I  
account to be of fame,  
Yet judge I not our Empire ought  
inferior to the same.  
Suppose our wealth you pass,  
and Teucrian troop excel  
Our Greekish soil: yet barbarous is  
the country where you dwell.  
So great rewards your lines  
and Letters me behight,  
As well they might accoy, and cause  
to yield a heavenly wight.  
But so I minded were  
to break the bounds of shame:  
Thyself shouldst sooner make me yield  
than all thy gifts of fame.  
Or I for aye will live  
and lead unspotted life,  
Or thee more rather would ensue  
than all thine offers rife:  
As I not scorn the same,  
in price so are they thought  
The greatest gifts to whom the giver  
hath their beauty brought.  
But most of all I weigh  
thy love, that for my sake  
Such pains abodste, whose hope to pass  
the Seas did undertake.  
And eke at tables set  
(though with dissembling brow  
I seek to hide thine amorous tricks)  
I note them well enough.  
Sometime thou (wanton wight)  
dost cast a glancing blinck  
Wire wrested look, whereat well near  
my daunted eyes do shrink.  
Again you sigh as fast,  
another time you take  
The Cup, and where I dranck even there  
your falsed thirst doth flake.  
With fingers (Lord) how oft,  
and with a talking brow,  
Hast thou me given secret signs  
I wot well where, and how?  
And oft I stood in fear  
my husband saw the same:  
And often dreading to be spied  
I blushed with bashful shame.  
Oft times with whispering words  
unto myself I said:  
(This is a shameless guest) my words  
did hit the nail on head.  
And often wrought in wine,  
I rad upon the board,  
Even under Helen's name (I love)  
I well record the word.  
But that I had distrust  
thereof, my looks did show:  
But now (alas) to write the like  
doth hapless Helen know.  
These fancies might have forced  
my ruthful breast to bend,  
And turned my heart, if to aguilt  
I would at all intend.  
Thy feature I confess  
is rare, and such to see,  
As might allure a woman's heart  
to link herself with thee.  
I wish that hap to fall  
upon some single dame:  
Ere I with foreign love should seek  
my bridely Bed to shame.  
Well liked things to lack  
by my example lere:  
It is a virtue to abstain  
from what thou hast so dear.  
How many youths have wished  
for that which thou dost crave?  
What? Paris dost thou deem, that thou  
alone good judgement have?  
Thou seest no more than they,  
but madder is thy mind:  
Thy courage is no bet than theirs,  
less shame in thee I find.  
Would than thou hadst repaired,  
and hither come by flood:  
When me in prime and flowering years  
a thousand suitors wood.  
Of thousand thou the first  
if I thee though had seen,  
(My doom to hear withal I crave  
my husband) thou hadst been.  
To things possessed thou comste,  
and gotten goods too late:  
Too slow thou were, another hath  
in that thou crauste, estate.  
As than thy Trojan wife,  
I would have wished to be:  
So now Atrides not against  
my will enjoyeth me.  
Eease thou with words therefore  
to ransack Helen's heart,  
To her (thou fayst thou loouste so well)  
procure no grudging smart.  
But let me keep the sort  
that Fortune hath allowed:  
Seek not my fame and good report  
to dark with shady cloud.  
But Venus so behight,  
and in the vales of Ide  
Three heavenly Wights stark naked came  
to claim their beauty's pride.  
Of whom one gave thee reign,  
th'other Bellona's skill:  
The third pronounced that Helen should  
be pliant to thy will.  
In faith I scarcely think  
such Ladies would vouchsafe,  
For chiefest beauties peerless price  
thy doubtful doom to have.  
Suppose it were a troth,  
the rest was all untrue:  
That for such judgement I should be  
a recompense to you.  
I stand not so much on  
my beauty's pride, to deem  
That me the greatest gift of all  
the Goddess did esteem.  
My feature is content  
of men to purchase fame:  
I like it not that Venus should  
so much commend the same.  
But nothing I deny  
the praise full well I leek:  
For to what end should I gainsay  
the thing I chiefly seek?  
Ne let it wrath thee that  
I hardly thee believe:  
To matters of importance great  
we scarcely credit give.  
Wherefore I joy it most  
that Venus liked me so:  
And next for such a stately gift  
that thou did take me tho.  
And that thou didst prefer  
my blazed beauties good  
Fore Pallas gift, and junos' reign  
that there in judgement stood.  
Then I thy virtue am,  
than I to thee a reign:  
I were too stony if I would  
not love the like again.  
Good faith, I am no steel,  
but him to love I shun  
Who scarce (I think) may be my spouse  
when all my work is done.  
Why should I fondly seek  
to plough the barren sand?  
Or hope on that which place itself  
doth very much withstand?  
I skilless am in 'scapes,  
the God's record I call  
I never by deceitful sleight  
beguiled my fear at all.  
In that to covert scroll  
my words I now commit,  
My letters do attempt a thing  
they never practised yet.  
Thrice blessed that are enured,  
I wot not how to play  
That part as yet, to guilt full hard  
I do surmise the way.  
This dread doth much annoy  
and sore I am aghast,  
Suspecting all the people's eyes  
on us are fixed fast.  
Nor this I fear in vain,  
the bussing brute I know:  
And Aethra, what report had gone,  
to me but late did show.  
Unless thou mind to cease,  
dissemble thou therefore:  
But why shouldst thou now stint thy suit?  
thou canst dissemble sore.  
In secret use thy toys,  
and spare thou not to play:  
Now scope we have, though not the most,  
my husband is away.  
He now is far from home  
affairs compellde him so:  
A just and good occasion he  
had out of town to go.  
When in a doubt he stood  
his journey forth to take,  
Dispatch (ꝙ I) good sir, and see  
a quick return you make.  
Th'abodement liked him so;  
as he to kissing fell:  
And gave me charge of house and goods,  
and bade me use thee well.  
I scarce my laughter held,  
which whilst I strive to stay:  
Save that it should be so in deed,  
I had no word to say.  
To Crete he went in haste  
by help of wind and Ore:  
But thou, that all things leeful are,  
must not surmise therefore.  
So is my spouse alack,  
as in his absence well  
He doth me guard: that Princes have  
long reach canst thou not tell?  
Fame doth impair our joys  
for how much more you leek  
And praise me: So much more you cause  
to stand in fear the Greek.  
The laud I love so well  
(as now consists the case)  
Annoys: more better were that fame  
had never blazed my face.  
That I am left with thee  
now he is far away  
Muse not: he trusts my manners well  
and thinks in me some stay.  
My face did make him dread,  
he trusts my life full well:  
The surety which my manners breed,  
my beauty doth expel.  
Thou willste me to be wise  
and use the present tide:  
And not to let so fit a time  
devoid of game to slide.  
I would, and am afraid  
as yet my heart doth quake:  
And fearful breast in doubt doth stand,  
and knows not which to take.  
My spouse doth now dislodge,  
and thou alone dost lie:  
Thy beauty likes me well, and Helen's  
shape contents thine eye.  
The nights are passing long,  
and we to chat begin:  
And thou art even a pleasant guest  
and both one house within.  
Good sooth each thing doth seem  
this fact to further aye:  
And yet I know not how the same  
my quivering fear doth stay.  
As thou perswadste but ill,  
would well thou mightst constrain  
Me to thy will, this rudeness than  
should be expelled amain.  
Sometime received wrong  
avails the patient much:  
How blessed were I, such force to bide  
if Helen's hap were such?  
More better were while love  
is raw and green, to stay:  
For flame that scarcely kindled is  
will soon consume away:  
Few drops of sprinkled water will  
the sparkling fire delay.  
As strangers starters are  
uncertain be their loves:  
And when thou thinkest them surtte of all  
their wavering faith removes.  
Let Hypsiphyl record  
and Minos daughter try:  
For they themselves with wandering wights  
in bridely band did tie.  
And thou of whom Oenone  
was many years embraced,  
Art said without a just desert  
to shun the Nymph at last,  
Which thou dost not deny;  
and very troth to tell,  
My chiefest care was to inquire  
where thou didst use thee well.  
And though thou wouldst full feign  
be stable now in love,  
Thou canst not, for thy Teucrian ships  
will out of hand remove.  
While we do tale yfeare,  
and fixed night shall be,  
The wind will serve thy sails so well  
as thou wilt part from me.  
Amid his pleasant course,  
that unacquainted play  
Will stint, and with the whisking winds  
our friendship pass away.  
Shall I (as thou perswadste)  
go view the Trojan town?  
Or unto great Laomedon  
a Daughterlaw be fowne?  
Perdie I more account  
of swift and flickering fame,  
Than that in every land it should  
have power to spread my name:  
What Sparta might of me  
and all Achaia speak?  
What ancient Asia's famous towns,  
and Priam's mansion eke?  
What Priamus of me,  
and Priam's wife might say?  
Thy brothers, with the Trojan dames  
what might they blast I pray?  
And last, how mightst thou hope  
me faithful spouse to find?  
Thy own example would procure  
distrust within thy mind.  
What guest soever shall  
to Ilium repair,  
Will breed suspect within thy breast,  
and make thee stand in fear.  
How oft wilt thou enraged  
term me by harlot's name,  
Forgetful that thy own offence  
was causer of the same?  
Thyself wilt both procure  
and blame the fact at last:  
Ere that I wish in hollow vault  
my carcase to be placed.  
But I shall have the wealth  
of Trose, and brave array:  
And more rewards than promise was,  
thus did thy Pistol say.  
Of precious Purple I  
and Arrasse store shall have:  
And be enriched with hugy heaps  
of massy gold so brave.  
Forgive that I confess,  
I way not all the gold:  
I wot not how this soil doth seem  
thy Helen to withhold.  
For if I wronged were,  
in Troy no succour is:  
My brother's aid I stand assured,  
and father's help to miss.  
False jason every thing  
to Medea behight:  
And yet in fine from Aesons lodge  
she was expelled quite.  
And being so refused,  
she could not make return  
To Aetes, Ipsea, nor with Chalciope  
for shame sojourn.  
I nothing dread the like,  
no more did Medea tho:  
But sundry times abodements do  
good hope delude, we know.  
The ships that now in surge  
and ireful seas do ride:  
When first they weighed their Ankcors, had  
a calm and pleasant tide.  
The brand doth breed my dread,  
wherewith thy Dame was said  
Before her wont time of birth,  
to have been brought a-bed.  
The Soothsayers saws I fear,  
which spoke the time would be,  
When men of Troy within their walls  
the Greekish flame should see.  
As Venus' friends thee, for  
she wan the glittering fruit,  
And foiled the other two that were  
her rivals in the suit:  
So dread I their disdains  
which (by thine own report)  
In judgement were so put a back  
in such reproachful sort.  
And if I follow thee,  
I doubt it not (alas)  
But that through sword and wreakful blades  
our hapless love shall pass.  
With Centaurs to discord,  
and bloody wars to wage  
Did Hippodamia cause the men  
of Thrace in ireful rage:  
And dost thou deem my fear  
will unrevenged go  
In quarrel just? my brothers both  
and Tindaris also?  
For that in bravery you  
your Martial deeds recite:  
The truth is thus, that from your words  
your feature differs quite.  
For Venus' fitter thou  
than Mars dost seem to be:  
Love Paris, and let men of force  
go fight in field for thee.  
Let Hector, whom thou so  
dost vaunt, in armour broil:  
Another kind of warfare is  
far better for thy toil.  
If I were in my wits,  
or somewhat bolder were  
I would use these: the woman that  
are wise will use this gear.  
And laying shame aside  
perhaps hereafter I  
Will condescend, and conquered with  
continuance will apply.  
For that in secret thou  
dost long the rest to tell,  
The covert talk that thou wouldst use,  
I know it passing well.  
Too hasty sure thou art,  
thy harvest is in grass:  
Perhaps this tarriance will the better  
bring thy will to pass.  
Thus ye my letters leave  
my guilty mind to show:  
Thou Quill, that wearied haste my hand,  
in this no farther go.  
The rest by Clymen I  
and Aethra will disclose:  
Which two are of my counsel chiefs,  
in whom I trust repose.   

The Argument of the xvij. Epistle, entitled Sappho to Phaon.  
Phaon in passage boat  
his pain full living gate,  
And ferriing folk from shore to shore,  
relieved his needful state.  
'Twas Venus' hap at last,  
without a profred hire  
To Phaon for his painful toil,  
a passage to desire.  
The Whirryman agreed,  
and ferried her for nought,  
Whom he no heavenlic Goddess, but  
a mortal woman thought.  
She in reward a Box  
of ointment gave to him,  
That could enforce a featured form,  
and make the beauty trim.  
Within a while this Lad  
the Lasses had allured,  
But wanton Sappho lest of all  
his beauty's beams endured.  
She looude him passing well,  
he forced her not a rush:  
Her silly Nymph enraged with love  
a thousand cares did crush.  
To Sicil Phaon goes,  
than Sappho seemed undone,  
And thought by speedy leaving life  
by'r wasting flames to shun.  
From Leucas she pretends  
(Epyrus Mount) to shall,  
And so by hastened death to leave  
both love and life withal.  
To Leucas ere she came,  
to suing flat she fill,  
And to unfriendly Phaon did  
devise this friendly Bill.  
In hope to win the Wight,  
and purchase love again,  
Wherein she tells her twi ch griefer  
and pens her pinching pain.  
The xvij Epistle. Sappho to Phaon.  
WHere when thou sawst at first  
my loving lines with eye,  
Thou knowledge hadst from whence they came  
and notice by and by?  
Where if thou hadst herein  
not read the Author's name  
And Sappho seen, thou hadst not known  
from whom this writing came?  
Demand thou wilt perhaps  
what me procured to write  
This kind of verse, that merry tunes  
and Luting do delight?  
For that this love of mine  
is doleful, and the verse  
Elegia called, a woeful kind  
of mitre to rehearse.  
No Cithaeron serves a mourning mind  
whom cruel cares do pierce.  
As straw doth kindle soon,  
when Eurus gins to drive  
The flash into the fertile fields:  
even so I fry alive.  
To Aetna Phaon now  
hath ta'en his way in haste:  
And me poor wench as great a fire  
as Aetna's flame doth waste.  
I can not frame my frets,  
my stubborn strings do jar:  
For why, in deed of quiet mind  
such verses tokens are.  
Pyrino is forgot,  
ne Dryads do delight  
My fancy: Lesbian Lasses eke  
are now forgotten quite.  
Not Amython I force,  
nor Cydno passing fine:  
Nor Atthis, as she did of yore,  
allures these eyes of mine.  
Ne yet a hundredth more  
whom (shame ylaid aside)  
I fanside erst: thou all that love  
from them to thee hast wride.  
In thee doth feature flow,  
thy years for dalliance apt:  
Thy face, O face 'tis thou that hast  
my shaken senses rapt.  
A Quiver and a Lute  
take thou in hand, and thee  
Apollo men will deem: don horns  
and Bacchus thou shalt be.  
And Phoebus Daphne looude,  
king Minos' darling dear  
God Bacchus lykte, yet neither of both  
a Cithaeron's string could steer.  
But me Pegasian Nymphs  
have learned on the Lute,  
And throughout all the world is borne  
of Sapphos songs the brute.  
Nor Alcaeus (though upon  
a statelier string do sound  
My Mate for Art, and Country eke)  
a greater praise hath found.  
Though I at nature's hand  
no featured face could gain:  
Yet those defaults of kind I quite  
by goodness of the brains.  
Disdain me not, although  
but mean my stature be:  
And in pronouncing very short  
you Sapphos name do see.  
Put case I be not fair?  
swarth Andromed to view.  
Duke Perseus pleased: Morisco soil  
allowed her tawny hew.  
Full oft the whitest Doves  
with specled culvers tread:  
And oft we see the Turtle brown  
with Popingay doth wed.  
If none, unless her form  
could match thy featured shape,  
Should link with thee: thou doubtless shouldst  
from marriage aye escape.  
But when thou vewdste my verse,  
than Sappho seemed in sight  
A comely wench, thou swarste that me  
alone became to wright.  
I sang, I mind it well,  
(for Lovers fix in breast  
forepast toys) and thou the whilst  
to kissing thee addreast.  
Those busses liked thee eke,  
for every point I was  
Befancide well: but most when we  
to Venus' pranks did pass.  
Then did my wanton tricks  
and lofty mounting, more  
With sugared words, delight thy mind  
(my Phaon) than of yore.  
And that when both our joys  
confounded were, I lay  
With weary limbs, and languor lame  
and had no word to say.  
Now are Sicilian trulls  
thy novel prey, I see:  
In Lesbos what make I? a wench  
of Sicill I will be.  
O Nysian Matrons, O  
Sicilian Dames I say,  
This loitering guest of ours expel  
your Country bounds I pray.  
Ne let his glozing tongue  
your listening ears beguile:  
For why to us he hath ere this  
yusde that self same style.  
And Lady Venus, thou  
that known art to dwell  
(Rue on thy Poets piteous plight)  
among the Sicans fell.  
Will aye this cruel chance  
in one self tenor run?  
And still persist in spiteful sort  
as when her race begun?  
For but a Babe in years,  
and lacking three of nine,  
My parents bones I gathered up  
and bathed with saltish brine.  
My needful brother burnt  
with beastly strumpet's flame:  
And did endure both wrack of wealth  
and spiteful loss of fame.  
To beggary brought he plies  
the sliding seas with Ore:  
And gets again with shameful shifts  
the wealth he spent before.  
And me for sound advise  
pursues with deadly hate:  
This was the only good to me  
that my freespeaking gate.  
And eke, as though I lacked  
a cause to breed my dole,  
My little daughter heaps up hoe,  
that pretty prattling soul.  
But last of all, thou art  
the forger of my bale:  
Ay me poor wench, my beaten Bark  
flits not with pleasant gale.  
Mark out of order how  
my lolling tresses flee:  
No glistering Gem, or jewel is  
upon my hand to see.  
My vesture is but vile,  
not spanged is my top:  
My hanging hair with Civet, nor  
Arabian dew doth drop.  
For whom (unhappy Girl)  
should Sappho go so gay?  
Whom féeke to please? the Author of  
my bravery is away.  
My gentle yéeiding breast  
each lightsome dart may bruise:  
And aye I find a cause to love,  
and can none other choose.  
Or else at time of birth  
the sisters set this law:  
Allowing me such cruel twist  
that did my destiny draw:  
Or custom grows to kind,  
and use becomes an Art:  
I wot not well, but sure I have,  
by kind a gentle heart.  
What wonder, if with such  
a beardless youth I were  
Attached, whose tender childish years  
allowed his chin no hair?  
I dread (Aurora) lest  
for Shafalus thou would  
Ychosen him: save that thy former  
rape doth thee withhold.  
If Phoebe view him once,  
that all surveys with eye:  
My Phaon shall be quickly forced  
in slumber long to lie.  
In ivory Wagon would  
dame Venus, to the stars  
Borne him: but that she feared he would  
have coyde the God of Wars.  
O thou that neither art  
a boy, nor man in sight,  
But aptest age: of all thy race  
the most excellent wight,  
Come hither, come, and to  
my bosom make retowre;  
No love I crave in faith of thee,  
but thee to love the power.  
I writ and from my cheeks  
the dewy tears distill:  
Behold how many blots they cause  
in Sapphos doleful bill.  
If needs thou wouldst have gone,  
yet this allow for true:  
Thou mightst have said at parture, O  
my Lesbian Lass adieu.  
But now no tears of mine  
ne latter kiss thou had:  
Ne (to be short) of such mishaps  
as are befall, I dread.  
With me is nought of thine,  
save wrong yleft in deed:  
Ne gave I warning that thou hadst  
of faithful love the meed.  
I gave thee no precepts,  
nor would have done a jot:  
But made a suit that Sappho might  
at no time been forgot.  
By love, that never far  
may from thy breast astart:  
And sacred sister's nine (my saints)  
whom I embrace with heart,  
I swear: when one exclamde  
(I wot near who to me)  
And said, now Sappho jogs thy joy,  
thy Phaon now doth flee:  
I had no tears to shed,  
my lips did language lack,  
Mine eyes did want their gushing tears  
my faltering tongue it stack  
Unto the roof, and icy cold  
my fearful breast did rack.  
When grief was somewhat swagde,  
and sorrow 'gan to slake:  
I howled with toren locks, and with  
my fist my body struck:  
As doth the loving Dame  
that to the Temple bears  
Her Babe his corpse withouten sense,  
and baths his Tomb with tears.  
Charaxe my brother joyed,  
and often past before  
My face and to and fro did jet  
to make my doole the more.  
And to increase my shame,  
would wit my cause of woe:  
And say, why weeps this woman? why?  
her daughter lives I trow.  
Oh, shame and earnest love  
can never well agree:  
How there with open breast I stood  
the Vulgar folk did see.  
Thou Phaon art my cark,  
my dreams reduce to mind  
Thy countenance: dreams which clearer than  
the shining Sun I find.  
I meet thee oft in sleep,  
though thou be nothing nigh,  
But of this sleep the slipper joys  
too soon away do sly.  
Full oft upon thine arms  
my lodging neck I lay:  
And then me thinks thy head as much  
my limber arms do stay.  
I know thy kisses well,  
and am not now to seek  
How thou were wont to smack thy wench,  
and she to do the leek.  
I play the wanton Girl  
sometime, and seem with thee  
To chat, and think my slumbering sense  
awaked wide to be.  
I blush to tell the rest  
that follows, but there is  
nought left undone that breeds delight,  
I could not Phaon miss.  
But when that Titan splayes  
his face, and all beside:  
I make complaint that winged sleep  
so soon away did slide.  
To Groves and Cave I trudge,  
as though they did me good:  
The Cave and groves that witness there  
in place of pleasure stood.  
enraged I thither run,  
as doth the Frantic fro  
Whom fell Erichtho hath in chase,  
my locks at random go.  
There plainly I descry  
with rotten Tophe yspred  
A place, that erst in am was  
to me of better bed.  
I find the Wood where we  
with boughs and gallant greavess  
Yshadowde have full often lain  
among the flittering leaves.  
The owner is alack  
both of the place and me:  
The place is but a filthy soil,  
the place his dower was he.  
The twifolde turning turf  
I know it very well,  
And Grass, with bended head to ground  
that with our tumbling fell.  
I laid me groufe upon  
thy wont side: the bank  
(A pleasant plot of pleasure erst)  
my flushing fears it dranck.  
Again the naked boughs  
(their garments laid in ground)  
Did seem to mourn, no merry fowl  
did use his warbling sound.  
The woeful Dame alone  
that foully was awroke  
Upon her son, that Itis hight  
in doleful ditty spoke.  
The chyrping Fowl her child,  
but Sappho wails her love,  
Forlorn Lass: when all things else  
the slumbers joys do prove.  
A Crystal Well there is  
than shining Glass more sheer,  
A holy spring, some déemen that  
some sacred Saint is there.  
A watery Lotos spreads  
his sprays athwart the Well:  
And all about with tender Sedge  
the gréenish ground doth smell.  
Where woeful wight, when I  
had laid me on the grass:  
Eftsoon a stripling did appear,  
a proper boy it was.  
He stood him still and said:  
what meanst thou (Nymph) I pray  
To fry with such unegal flames?  
to Ambrace go thy way.  
There Phoebus from a fit  
the open sea doth face:  
Leucadium men they say, or else  
Actaeum term the place.  
Deucalion thence enraged  
with Pyrrhas' love did fall  
Of purpose, and he natheless  
sustained no hurt at all.  
And strait conversed love  
forsook his swelting breast  
That was ydrencht: and so good man  
Deucalion came to rest.  
Such is the place his power  
and hidden force by kind:  
Go thither in post, and skip adown,  
let fear not move thy miude.  
He vanished with his voice  
I rose me up aghast:  
And all to bainde my cheerless cheeks  
with tears that flushed fast.  
I (Nymph quoth I) will trudge  
unto the bidden place:  
Let raging love have force and power  
all fear away to chase.  
What fortune so befall,  
will better present plight:  
O gentle air bear up my corpse  
that now is passing light.  
And thou (O friendly Love)  
come underset thy wing:  
Lest if I die, defame unto  
Leucadian gulf do spring.  
Then I to Phoebus will  
my pleasant Lute bequeath:  
And bravely cause to be ingraude  
this Verse or two beneath.  

O Phoebus, this her Lute,  
hath Sappho left to thee:  
For in that Art she during life  
and thou did well agree.   
Fie (Phaon) why dost thou  
me to Actaeum drive:  
And thou thyself mayst make return  
and save thy love alive?  
More healthful than the flood  
of Leucas thou mayst be:  
And by thy beauties féemely shape  
Apollo unto me.  
And canst thou (oh) more hard  
than rock, and ruthless wave  
If so I die the title of  
my death endure to have;  
Ah, how much better might  
my breast conjoin with thirie,  
Than thus be cast from craggy cliff  
to Sea of surging brine?  
That self same breast which thou  
commended haste so oft:  
And which with passing wisdom fraught  
thyself (friend Phaon) thought.  
Now would I were fecund,  
but dolour hinders Art:  
And all my wit is me bearest  
by long enduring smart.  
My wont vain in verse  
is overdrie become:  
My lowering Lute laments for woe,  
my Harp with doole is dumb.  
Ye Lesbian Lasses all  
that border on the Lake:  
And ye that of the Aeolian town  
your names are thought to take,  
Ye Lesbian Lasses (that  
for cause I looude you sore  
Breed my defame) unto my Harp  
I charge you come no more.  
Look what did like you erst,  
of that is Phaon sped:  
Alas poor wretch, my Phaon I  
had very near ysed.  
Cause Phaon to retire  
and then your Poet will  
Revert again: 'tis he that doth  
both make and mar my skill.  
What? do my prayers prevail,  
or pierce his stéely breast?  
Or is he standing stiff at stay,  
a reckless rigorous guest?  
Or do the puffing winds transport  
my words into the west?  
The gale that hence convaies  
my voice, oh that it might  
Reduce thy fleeing Bark again,  
and bring thy ship in sight.  
O overlingring Lad,  
in faith if thou were wise,  
Thou wouldst attempt to make return  
and follow mine advise.  
What? wilt thou come? or no?  
we for thy ship prepare  
Our vowed gifts: why doth thy stay  
enforce our hearts to care?  
Anale, and lose thy Bark,  
take Seas: for Venus she  
That came of seas, will calm the surge  
come off the gale will be  
As friendly to thy coming Keale  
as thou wouldst wish to see.  
At Helm will Cupid sit,  
and steer thy ship to land:  
He both will hoist, and hale the sails  
with skilful Boateswanes hand.  
Or if thy pleasure be  
from Sappho far to trudge:  
(Who never did deserve so ill  
of thee, thyself be judge.)  
At least let cruel lines  
will her unhappy wench  
Unto Leucadian ford to flee,  
and there her corpse to drench.   

The Argument of the xviij. Epistle, entitled Leander to Herô.  

LEander looude a Lass that Herô height  
And dwelled in Sest, the channel did divide  
Their countries so, as Sestus was in sight  
Of Abydon, that stood in th'other side.  
Nightly the youth to Herô shoope his way,  
And would return again before the day.   

At length the tempest rose, the winds did blo,  
The waters wrought so roughly as they could,  
That seven days space Leander might not go  
To Sestus shore, as he was wont of old:  
But yet by chance a Mariner there went,  
By whom these lines unto his Love he sent,   

Wherein he shows his Love and faithful heart,  
Wherein he plains against the troublous Tide,  
And vows at last (all dread yset apart)  
To swim the Seas, that he before had tried:  
He rather chose to hazard life, than dwell  
A week or two from her he looude so well.   
The xviij Epistle. Leander to Herô.  
FRom Abydon these lines  
Leander doth indite,  
And health to Herô sends, which he  
would rather bring than write.  
If Neptune's waters were  
with friendly Gods agreed:  
There were no choice for thee to choose,  
but thou my words shouldst reed.  
But Gods withstand my wish,  
and keep my hope arcare:  
That will in no wise give me leave  
to flit unto my Fear.  
Thyself dost see the skies  
with pitchy clouds so black,  
And waltering waves so tossed with wind  
as ships are nigh the wrack.  
Yet one, than all the rest  
more bold, by whom I send  
These lines, to Sestus by the Seas  
did dare his course to bend.  
With whom Leander would  
have been imbareked feign:  
Had not Abydos given the gaze,  
and seen his shipping plain.  
I could not keep the fact  
hid from my Parent's eye  
As erst I had, but that they would  
At length I took my Quill,  
wherewith I might indite,  
Go blissful scroll to Heros hands,  
than snow (ꝙ I) more white.  
First will she thee receive,  
and after touch with lip  
When she with tooth shall go about  
the signed seal to rip.  
These whispering words I spoke  
in soft and silent sort:  
The rest my writing hand did will  
my Paper to report.  
That hand wherewith I would  
more rather swim than write:  
And cut the waves from drenching gulf  
my flitting corpse to quite.  
Than fist that fit is  
to clap the flood that flows:  
And yet will serve my turn right well  
my secrets to disclose.  
Now seven nights are ypast  
since Neptune's rage begun:  
A year well nigh it seems to me,  
so flow the time doth run.  
If any pleasant nap  
or quiet sleep mine eyes  
In all this space surprised: let Seas  
persist in prefull wise.  
Sitting in doleful dump  
upon a rock, I see  
Thy strand, my soul is present where  
the carcase may not be.  
Beside in Turret's top  
a Lamb I did descry:  
Or else mine eyes were foul deceived,  
and took their mark awry.  
Thrice laid I down my robes  
in safe and sandy shore:  
And naked thrice assayed to swim,  
as oft I had before:  
But swelling waters made  
me of my purpose fail,  
And by the force of froward streams  
did drench me top and tail.  
Oh waywardst of the winds,  
of Aeols Imps the worst?  
Why dost thou show thyself to me,  
so cruel and so cursed?  
I, not the surging Seas,  
of this sustain the smart:  
This were enough if thou of love  
hadst never felt the dart.  
For though with cold thou quake,  
yet canst thou not deny,  
But that with Orithia's flame  
thy frosty flesh did frie.  
When thou wast fully bend  
Dame Venus' sports to try:  
If any had restrained thy course  
thou wouldst have looked awry.  
Oh, (Boreas) tame thy wrath,  
rebate thy raging ire:  
So Aeole give thee nought in charge  
but as thou wouldst desire.  
My suit is all for nought  
my labour is in vain,  
He doth not seek the tossed waves  
to maken smoouth again.  
Would Daedal would allow  
me wished wings at will:  
Though by such sleight his son into  
the neighbour waters fill.  
What fortune so should chance  
Leander would abide:  
To fine his feathered corpse might flee  
on waves that wont to slide.  
But whilst I am debarrde  
by wrath of wave and wind  
To furrow Seas: I do revoke  
my passed joys to mind.  
When Phoebus 'gan to fall,  
and gave his Sister place:  
(I joy to think) my Father's lodge  
I fled with speedy pace.  
And strait with shifted robes  
all dread I did remove:  
And in the flood I flung mine arms,  
the Delphins' Art to prove.  
The Moon did shine as light  
as any Sunny day:  
As one that would with all her power  
assist me in the way.  
I casting up mine eyes  
on her that clearly shined:  
Said. Mercy (Moon) thy Mariner:  
call Latmus' Hill to mind.  
Endymion thee denies  
to bear a ruthless heart:  
Wherefore to these my secret stealths  
thy friendly face convert.  
Thyself (a Goddess) didst  
a mortal Wight embrace:  
And she, whom I pursue, is even  
a Goddess for her face.  
I leave her thews untouched,  
wherein she may compare  
With heavenly Peers, such feature falls  
on earthly creatures rare.  
Save Venus passing shape,  
and thine unspotted face  
Is none whom she ne doth excel,  
thyself discern the case.  
How much thy golden Lamp  
(when thou thy pride dost show)  
Surmounts all other streaming stars  
that in their circles glow:  
So far surpasseth she  
each other mortal wight:  
And if thou doubt thereof, good faith  
deluded is thy light.  
Such words I did pronounce,  
or not unlike to these,  
Whilst I by night directed course,  
amid the yielding Seas.  
The water glistered with  
rebounds of Phoebe's rays:  
And night for clearness might compare  
even with the brightest days.  
No voice I heard with ear,  
but every thing was hushed:  
Save whilst my body broke the waves  
the troubled water rushed.  
halcyons alone  
did use a pleasant note:  
And did record Ceycus' love  
with sweet and warbling throat.  
At length my hands gave up,  
mine arms could work no more:  
Then stood I on the waves aloft,  
and cast mine eyes to shore.  
No sooner saw I light:  
My love is yonder way  
(Quoth I) that coast doth harbour her  
on whom my life doth stay.  
Then straight my strength renewed,  
mine arms had force again:  
Me thought (than erst) the foaming Seas  
I swum with lesser pain.  
The ardent gleams I bore  
in close and loving breast,  
Would not permit that I should be  
with watery cold oppressed.  
The more I came to shore,  
or did approach the land:  
Me thought I could a greater charge  
of swimming take in hand.  
But when I came in sight  
that thou mightst take the view:  
Thy gladsome looks my fainting force  
with comfort did renew.  
Then showed I all my skill,  
to feed thy hungry eyes:  
And, for thou mightst decern mine arms,  
I heaved them to the skies.  
Thee from the flowering ford  
thy Nurse could scarce restrain:  
With fixed eye I marked it well,  
and saw it passing plain.  
Whom though the Hag withheld,  
as was in her to do:  
Yet with the swelling Tide thou wettste  
the leather of thy shoe.  
And clasping me in arms  
didst kiss Leander oft:  
Such kisses as of Gods by Seas  
were worthy to be sought.  
And from thy shoulders gauste  
me garments of the best:  
And dridste my hair that was béedewde,  
and with the waves oppressed.  
The rest, thy guilty tower,  
the night, and we do know:  
And Phoebe with her friendly Lamp  
that did my passage show.  
That nights surpassing joys  
no bet may be discryude,  
Than Hellespontus' waltering waves,  
that Helles life deprived.  
How shorter was the space  
on Venus to bestow,  
We took the greater heed that it  
in idle might not go.  
Thus wears away the night,  
and Lucifer the Star  
Declares that Tython's loving spouse  
(Aurora) is not far.  
Then forging doleful plaints  
that Nox hath run her race  
With over hasty foot, our friendly  
kisses walk apace.  
But when the crabbed Nurse  
begins to chide and chowre,  
With heavy heart I take my course  
to seaward from the Tower.  
At parture both lament,  
to Helles gulf I go:  
And whilst the furge will give me leave,  
to thee my looks I throw.  
In faith unto thy strand  
I like my swimming well;  
But backward when I bend my course,  
it likes me never a dell.  
And certes, when I come,  
the middle Sea seems plain:  
But rough and full of hanging Hills  
when I retire again.  
And (little wouldst thou think)  
I stay against my will  
In Abydon I long to lodge  
with thee in Sestus still.  
Oh Gods, why should the surge  
two linked hearts denied?  
Why they that are of greeing minds,  
one hostage are denied?  
Else I with thee in Sest  
would make a long sojourn:  
Or thou with me to Abydon  
shouldst shape a quick return.  
I force not on the place,  
so we yfeare may dwell,  
Thou louste my Abydos, and I  
thy Sestus like as well.  
Why do I cease to swim  
for raging waters ire?  
Or why the roaring wind (a slender  
cause) makes me retire?  
Now crooked Delphins know  
the faithful heart I bear:  
All other kind of scaly fish  
will for Leander swear.  
With passing to and fro  
I have a path maked  
In waters, as the Cartes are wont  
where chiefly lies their trade:  
Which could not come to pass  
with flitting now and than:  
That now for winds I can not do  
the like, I curse and ban.  
Now drenched Helles flood  
is so with tempest tossed:  
As Hulks in harbour hardly save  
themselves from being lost.  
When she poor siely wench  
by waters lost her life,  
I judge that though th'infamed waves  
were at a semblant strife.  
This Gulf hath hate enough  
and shame for drowning one:  
Wherefore it may the better let  
Leander's life alone.  
I spite at Phrixus fate  
that on the golden Ram,  
These fretting Seas in spite of waves  
and surges safely swam.  
But I will neither sheep,  
nor aid of Ship require:  
If so the waters would be such  
as swimmers would desire.  
No foreign help I crave,  
so waves go not too rough:  
Myself will be the passage Boats  
and Bargeman well enough.  
I will by neither Bear  
direct my stearelesse ship.  
My love such public peevish stars.  
esteems but as a chip.  
Let those that list behold  
Andromade the fair:  
The golden crown, or Parrhasis  
that shines in Northern air:  
Leander makes no count  
of any of their light:  
No not of her whom Perseus chose,  
or Bacchus for delight.  
Another star I have  
surmounting all the rest:  
That will not see mine earnest love  
with darksome cloud oppressed.  
Whereon when I so gaze,  
to Colchos Launcher bound  
As jason did, I travel could,  
or to a further ground.  
I would in flitting far  
Palaemon's cunning pass:  
Or Glaucus that became a God  
by tasting of the grass.  
Mine arms do often ache  
with sundering of the wave:  
That scarcely can I swim to shore  
my weary corpse to save.  
But when I say (good cheer,  
you shall not fail your hire,  
And for your pain eftsoons you shall  
to Heros neck aspire.)  
Then wonted valiant force  
begins to grow again:  
And like a Courser forth I thrust  
that would be foremost feign.  
Thus I my burning flames  
reserve in covert breast:  
And thee pursue of heavenly stall  
as worthy as the best.  
Yet though thou well deserve  
a heavenly wight to be:  
Demour in earth, or make me show  
how I may come to thee.  
I see it thence proceeds  
that I thee seld enjoy:  
And thence it comes that with my mind  
the wrathful Seas annoy.  
What gains Leander though  
the passage be but small?  
For him it were as good that these  
were widest Seas of all.  
I somewhat doubtful stand,  
what first to wish or crave:  
To be so nigh, or farther off  
both love, and hope to have.  
The nearer I approach,  
the more my flame doth gléede:  
I lack the thing I most desire,  
though Hope mine humour feed.  
I may well-nigh with arms,  
(so near it is) embrace,  
And not enjoy: which makes the tears  
oft times imbrue my face.  
I may my lot compare  
with Tantal's hungry lore:  
That hath both food and liquor by,  
yet famine bites him sore.  
What shall I never strain  
thee in my folded arms  
But when the water lift? redress  
is none for those my harms?  
And since no surety may  
in wind and waves be found,  
Shall all his hoped trust in waves  
and wind Leander ground?  
If tempests thus do rage  
whilst Aestas is in place:  
How will they roar, when watery signs  
shall show their storinie face?  
Or else I do not know  
my fond and witless rage:  
Or else even then I shall my corpse  
unto the gulf engage.  
And lest thou shouldst surmise  
my painted promise vain:  
My deed shall well approve my words  
within a day or twain.  
Ere many nights shall pass,  
(in spite of Neptune's power)  
I mind to swim the swelling Seas  
Leander dreads no shower.  
For either will I live,  
and Heros love enjoy.  
Or by my death of careful love  
abandon all annoy.  
And so it sort I die,  
this only boon I crave,  
My carcase to be cast on land  
with thee his Heirse to have.  
I know thou wilt both touch,  
and eke deplore the same:  
And say (Leander) I thy death  
against my will did frame.  
This fell abodement may  
perhaps offend thy heart:  
And these forespeaking lines of mine  
increase thy silent smart.  
Let all such fancies go,  
help (Hero) to request  
That waltering waters may be calm,  
and belching Seas at rest.  
Small time of truce will serve  
to bring me to thy shore:  
When I am there let Neptune frown,  
and ruthless Channel roar.  
There may Leander make  
a safe and sicker stay:  
His ship no surer harbour can  
nor Bark have better Bay.  
Let Boreas me include  
where I so feign would be:  
And then Leander loath to swim  
from Sestus thou shalt see.  
I will not then go scold  
with déeffe Seas as tofore:  
Ne yet, that waters are unjust  
in wont wise deplore.  
Let Heros arms withhold,  
Let winds enforce my stay:  
Let double cause prevail to stop  
Leander if they may.  
When tempest shall permit,  
to Sestus will I high:  
See that thy Lamp be burning aye  
for fear I swim awry.  
The while receive my lines  
I wrote with quaking pen:  
Ere long myself will be with thee,  
if fortune say Amen.   

The Argument of the nineteen. Epistle, entitled Hero to Leander.  

WHen Hero had Leander's lines received,  
His loving letters read, and thoroughly scanned:  
His faithful heart and constance she perceiude,  
Which made her write again with willing hand.   

Some time for sluggish him the Wench controlled,  
To show herself a loving Lass in deed:  
Some time she bids him not to be too bold,  
Nor hasten more to Sestus than were need.   

Now cries she out against the Mounting waves,  
And craves a calm at cruel Neptune's hand:  
And by and by with Aeolus she raves,  
And Boreas blamed, that did her love withstand.   

Some time she dreads lest she forlorn were,  
(As common trade of Lovers is to do:)  
But last of all she wills him to forbear,  
And not to come whilst winds did bluster so,  
And waters warred, that peril was to pass  
The cursed stream where Helle drenched was.   
The xix Epistle. Hero to Leander.  
THe health thou sent in words,  
that I may have in deed:  
Do way (Leander) all excuse  
and come thy way with speed.  
All stay torments me sore,  
that doth my joys expel:  
And mercy, since I do confess  
I love thee passing well.  
We both do burn alike  
and fry with equal flame:  
But I am weakest of the two,  
my nature wills the same.  
As women's corpse is faint,  
so are their minds not strong:  
If thou do not repair at once  
I shall be dead ere long.  
You men contrive the time  
and loathsome tide away:  
Sometime in tillage of your soils,  
sometime you hunt the day.  
Sometime at open bar  
you plead a Client's case:  
To Tennis now, and then with horse  
you run a lusty race.  
Sometime you pitch for foul,  
for fish you lay your line:  
And when the day is spent and gone,  
you fall to quaffing wine.  
Now I can none of these  
though lesser were my flame:  
Thy Hero can do nothing else  
but cleape her lovers name.  
And that which sole remains  
(Leander) that I prove:  
And, more than any wight would deem,  
I rage with ardent love.  
Or I with Beldame Nurse  
do sit, and chat of thee,  
And do not little muse what should  
thy cause of lingering be:  
Or seeing Seas to surge  
by mean of windy flaws:  
In thy behalf I check the winds  
with wide and wreakful jaws.  
Or when the calmed Seas  
have somewhat quailed their power:  
I say thou mayst, but wilt not come  
to Heros wont tower.  
Amid my griefful plaints  
the saltish tears gush out  
By streams which crooked Nurse doth wipe,  
and dries with Linen clout.  
Oft times I seek in sand  
where I thy steps may find:  
As though the foot once gone, the print  
would aye remain behind.  
I ask when any came,  
or any minds to go  
To Abydon: to fine I might  
thy state by writing know.  
What should I speak how oft  
I kiss with loving lip  
The robes which though thou lefest behind  
when thou to Sea didst skip?  
Thus when the day is spent,  
and night our friendfull ride  
Hath banished Phoebus from the Pole,  
and stars do show their pride:  
In stately turret's top  
a blazing Lamp I set:  
Whereby thou wont are my shore  
and perilous strand to fet.  
Then I to pass the time  
in haste to Distaff coonne:  
An Art which woraen use the griefs  
of irksome stays to shoonne.  
O that thou knewst my words,  
that I pronounce the while:  
Leander's name is all my talk,  
Leander is my style.  
How think you (Nurse) is he  
by this come out of door?  
Or doth he stand in dread of scouts  
that on his passage poor?  
Hath he removed his robes?  
(good Beldame tell thy mind)  
Or oiled his venturous careless corpse  
as swimmers wont by kind?  
With that she gives a nod,  
not for she hears my talk:  
But drowsy slumber so procures  
her gogling head to walk.  
And then I pause a stound:  
then (now he flits) I say,  
And with his well approved arms  
he beats the waves away.  
Then spin I for a space,  
and twist a thread or twain:  
And where thou be in middle Seas  
to learn I am full feign.  
Sometime I give the gaze  
where I may see thee swim:  
And then we pray that Neptune will  
not show his cheer too grim.  
Sometime we hear with ear  
a noise that makes us think,  
That thou art then ycome to shore  
and safe to Sestus brink.  
Thus when the greatest part  
of night is flitted by:  
The slumbering sleep by secret stealth  
invades my wearied eye.  
Then ('gainst thy will perhaps)  
thou dost with me foiourne:  
And (though thyself wouldst feign dislodge)  
yet art thou here atourne.  
For now I seem to see  
thee swimming in the flood:  
And then to throw thy limber arms  
on Heros back a good.  
Another while with clothes  
and wont robes I hide  
Thy moisted limbs, and lay me dowlie  
fast by thy wished side.  
And other toys to taste  
and other feats to frame:  
Which though I joyed to put in ure,  
my tongue to tell doth shame.  
Oh me unhappy wench  
whose pleasure makes no stay,  
And falsed is: for thou with fléepe  
art wont to slip away.  
O Lord let us that love  
at length which firmer lace  
Enchain ourselves: let dreams no more  
true pleasures so deface.  
Why have I lodged alone  
so many night's arrow  
In cold and careful couch? why dost  
thou prove thyself so stowe?  
As now the waters are  
too boisterous I confess  
For such as swim: but yesternight  
Neptunus' rage was less.  
Why lettste thou slip that lied?  
thou shouldst have feared the worst:  
And not have stood in earnest hope  
for better than the furst.  
What though the weather shape  
as well again to swim?  
Yet that, because it was the first,  
of both I judge it t●…m.  
For Seas have sudden change,  
the flood is altered soon:  
And when thou willing art to come  
thy course is sooner done.  
Arrived to Sestus shore,  
no cause thou shouldst at all  
Have of regréete: thee in mine arms  
what winter storm might gall?  
Then I with gladsome mind  
would hear the winds to rage:  
And pray that Neptune's surging Seas  
their swelling might not suage.  
But how befell you fear  
your wont passage so,  
And dread the gulf you scorned ere this?  
the cause I long to know.  
For yet I well record  
that when thou camest to Sest,  
The Channel was as rough, or nigh  
as rough as may be guessed.  
When I exclamde aloud,  
(mine own) be not too bold:  
Lest I be forced to rue thy fate,  
if I thy death behold.  
Whence comes this sudden fear?  
where is that courage now?  
Where he that scorned the force of floods  
and waters wont to flow?  
Yet natheless be wise,  
not reckless as thou were:  
And swim in safety if thou mayst,  
if not a while forbear.  
So that thy faith be one,  
as those thy lines did show:  
And so that kindled flame of thine  
to cinders do not grow.  
I dread not so the winds  
that bar my wished joy:  
As lest thy love, will like the wind  
exchange by change of toy.  
Of this I stand in awe,  
lest peril pass the gain:  
And lest thou think thy booty far  
inferior to thy pain.  
Sometime I quake for fear  
lest Abydon deface  
My Sest, and lest Leander think  
his Herô far too base.  
But all I can endure,  
with well contented will,  
So that thou have no dainty Dra●  
thy pleasures to fulfil.  
So that no strumpets arms  
about thy neck depend:  
Nor novel love procure thy first  
and former flame to end.  
Oh rather let me die  
than such a crime to know,  
Let Herôs lively twist be shrid,  
ere thou do trespass so.  
Not for thou gauste me causs  
of future grief, I speak  
In such a wise: no new report  
moves me my mind to break,  
Save that I fear the worst,  
Who loves devoid of dread?  
The place doth fort the absent wight  
oft times on fear to feed.  
Oh happy Nymphs whom place  
and presence makes to know  
Committed crimes, and keeps from sear  
of things that are not so.  
No less the forged fact  
than wrong ydone in deed  
Doth move our minds: from both alike  
like dolour doth proceed.  
Oh, that thou wouldst repair  
or else thy cause of let  
From winds & grudging father mightst,  
and from no woman fet.  
Which if I heard of troth,  
for grunting grief I die:  
And great will be thy guilt, if so  
thy love thou seek to strie.  
But more than needs I dread  
thou wilt not so offend:  
For churlish tempest is in fault  
that will not let thee wend:  
O Gods, what mounting floods  
do drive against the shore?  
How doth the darksome cloud enclose  
and keep the light in store?  
Perhaps the virgin's Dame  
is comen to the flood:  
And for her drenched darling sheds  
her saltish tears a good.  
Or Ino being wox  
a Seanymph but of late,  
turmoils the Gulf, that Helle brought  
to such untimely fate.  
That flood doth nothing-friend  
the Maiden sex I know:  
For there did Helle lose her life,  
where Heros hurt doth grow.  
But (Neptune) weighing well  
and calling oft to mind  
Thy former flames, me thinks thou shouldst  
not hinder love by wind.  
For Amymon can well,  
and Tyro try at need,  
That thou were truly touched with love  
as we in stories read.  
Alcyonê the fresh,  
and Iphimedia fair:  
Medusa on whose skull as then  
there hung no hissing hair.  
Laodice the brown,  
Celaeno fixed in sky:  
Whose names I sundry times have read,  
and seen with searching eye.  
With these, and divers else  
(of whom the Poets writ)  
Thou (Neptune) chambered haste full oft,  
and past in loves delight.  
Why then that hast so oft  
the valiant force of love  
Assayed, by tempest to forelet  
our wont course dost prove?  
Cruel be calm awhile,  
wage war where Seas be wide:  
This is a slender Channel that  
two Countries doth divide.  
It better would beseem  
a high and haughty Roy,  
To hoist the Hulks, to broil with Barks,  
or Navies to annoy.  
'tis shame for God of Gulf  
a swimming youth to sink:  
Each little Lake this conquest would,  
and spoil unfitting think.  
He is of noble blood,  
not of Ulysses' line:  
At whom, not undeservedly  
thou (Neptune) dost repine.  
Give leave, at once save two:  
for though he sole do swim,  
Yet in the self same tossing Tide  
my hope consists in him.  
Meanwhile the Torch (for by  
a Torch I sit and write)  
Doth happer, a blissful sign that all  
shall not success aright.  
Behold how Beldame pours  
the wine into the flame:  
And says (to morrow we shallbe more)  
and drinckes upon the same.  
Oh, come by fliding Seas,  
increase the tale by one:  
Thou whom I fix in faithful breast,  
and let delays alone.  
Home to thy tents retire,  
that fleest thy friendly spouse:  
Why do I sole amid my Couch  
my careful carcase rouse?  
No cause there rests of dread,  
the bold is sure of grace  
At Venus' hands: she that was bred  
of floods, will rue thy case.  
Myself oft times to meet  
in middle Gulf do dare:  
Save for the flood is friend to men,  
not women wont to spare.  
For why (when Phrixus with  
his loving sister came  
By Sea) did Helles only give  
the ghastly Gulf his name:  
Perhaps you dread return,  
lest force will fail you fear?  
You stand in doubt you may not well  
this double travail bear.  
Wherefore make haste, and meet  
thy friend amids the flood:  
And there aloft upon the waves  
shall kisses walk a good.  
That done, let either to  
his strand revert again:  
Though this were small, 'tis better some,  
than nought at all to gain.  
Would either bashful shame  
that feeds this serret fire,  
Or fearful love would yield to fame:  
of both I t'one desire.  
For ill they can agree,  
that never are at truce:  
T'one sweet, and other seemly is,  
I wot near which to choose.  
When jason did arrive  
at Colchos careful port:  
He his Medea well embarked  
did thence with speed transport.  
No sooner Priam's son  
to Lacedaemon came:  
But strait he made return to Troy  
with famous Grecian Dame.  
But thou as often leauste  
thy liked love behind  
As dost repair: and comste when ships  
may scarcely pass for wind.  
Be natheless avisde  
(thou Victor of the Seas:)  
So scorn the flood as thou mayst fear  
lest Neptune thee disease.  
Huge, high, and haughty Hulks,  
yframed by Art do fail:  
And canst thou deem thine arms will more  
than shaven Oars prevail?  
The pilots stand affright  
the shelves thou swimste to cost:  
For Barks ybroosde, and shaken ships,  
in such a sort are lost.  
Oh me unlucky wench,  
I would not thus dissuade,  
But be as bold for all my words  
as is thy wont trade:  
So safely thou arrive,  
and lay those arms of thine  
Upon my back, that oft were beat  
with Sea of bealking brine.  
But I wot near what cold  
my quaking breast doth nomme,  
As oft as to my restless mind  
a thought of Seas doth come.  
My last night's dream torments  
and makes me sore affright:  
Though I to Morpheus ere I slept,  
had done my sacred right.  
In creak of dawning day  
when torchlight 'gan to fail:  
(A tide when true undoubted dreams  
the slumbering corpse assail)  
Out of my sléeple hands  
the twisted twine did fall,  
And to my pensive Pillow I  
my head applied withal.  
And with unfalsed faith,  
and certain sight I saw  
A crooked Delphin flit in flood,  
ytossed with windy flaw.  
Who when by drift of waves  
and turning Tide was tossed  
To sandy shore: he both at once  
his life and waters lost.  
What so it be I dread,  
have not in scorn my dreams:  
Ne (yet unless the waters serve)  
commit thy corpse to streams.  
If self care all be past,  
yet way thy friendly Mate,  
Whose wealth & welfare doth depend  
upon thy healthful state.  
I hope that ireful Seas  
will shortly be at rest:  
Then do thou break the calmed waves  
with safe and sicker breast.  
Meanwhile, cause surge turmoiled  
thy passage doth restrain:  
Let loving lines send, abridge  
some part of lingering pain.   

The Argument of the xx. Epistle, entitled Acontius to Cydippe.  
To Delos, where the rites  
were done to Diane's grace  
Acontius travailed, many Nymphs  
and Maidens were in place.  
Atroupe to Temple came,  
but one above the rest  
(Cydippe named,) with loving dart  
did craze Acontius breast.  
Who for be saw the wight  
unegal in estate:  
Surmised he should not for his life  
have given her the mate.  
Yet natheless at length  
he bourded her with guile:  
And in a goodly Apple did  
enclose this crafty style.  
By Diane's sacred rites  
and mysteries I swear,  
That I will make repair to thee  
and be thy friendly Feeare.  
In Temple at her feet  
he flung the flattering fruit:  
She took it up, and read the rhymes.  
Cydippe wox as mute  
As fish, and Scarlet red  
her lily Cheeks became:  
For having made a vow she knew  
she should observe the same.  
For what so was beheight  
before Diana's face,  
By comen order was decreed  
should take effect and place.  
Her Father after this  
unwitting of the oath  
His daughter made, Cydippe to  
another did betroth.  
Meanwhile the silly wench  
with Fevers was oppressed,  
And felt a thousand furious fits  
ybreeding her unrest.  
Acontius in his lines  
induceth her to think  
This Fever feign by Diane's wrath,  
forcause she sought to shrink  
Hnd false her plighted faith  
in presence and in place  
Of all those sacred Saints, but most  
of good Diana's grace.  
The twenty Epistle. Acontius to Cydippe.  
ABandon dread, for to thy Lover thou  
shalt frame no farther hest ne swear again:  
Thy once engaged faith I reck enough.  
Read & survey my lines: so may this griefs  
And languor leave thy corpse, which is my tene  
When any limb of thine sustaineth smart.  
Why blush you? and why with vermilion taint  
Beflecke your cheeks? in Diane's temple so  
I deem thy face with scarlet hue infect.  
Marriage and plighted troth, no crime I crave:  
I love not as a Lecher, but a spouse.  
Revoke to mind the words in Apple graude,  
Which to thy guiltless hands I did project.  
There shalt thou find confirmed by solemn oath,  
That I require: unless both fired faith  
And words at once out of thy breast are fled.  
Even as I dread in deed, the Goddess frets.  
O Nymph, thou rather than the Goddess shouldst  
Stand mindful of thy Hest and promiss made:  
And now I fear the like. But oh to more  
Her raging force is grown, and flame increased  
By lingering stay. And love that never was  
Slender, by yielded hope in process springs.  
Thou gauste me hope, my love leaned faith thereto  
That Diana witnessed thou canst not withsay.  
She though was priest, and noted well the words  
And seemed with moved tress to give assent.  
Report that by deceit thou were entrapped,  
Whilst Cupid did enforce me forge the fraud.  
What meant my craft but to be linked with thee?  
That thou complainste, may well me reconcile.  
Not guileful I by use, or nature am,  
Me thou (my wench) in faith hast subtle made.  
(If I did aught by Art) with sleightfull words,  
The wily Love hath fast with me enchainde:  
I knit the knot with words that he pronounced,  
And crafty I by Cupid's counsel, wox.  
Let guile sustain the name, let me be said  
Subtille, if things beloved to win, be craft.  
Behold, I writ a fresh, and frame request,  
Another frande whereof thou mayst complain.  
If I, in that I love, annoy thee so,  
Incessantly I will: and though thou be  
Full well advised, I will pursue thee aye.  
Others by sword have many Nymphs purloined  
And shall a letter forged by crafty sleight,  
To me as heinous crime objected be?  
Gods grant I thee in faster knot may chain.  
As thou mayst never find a way to start,  
Nor fly thy fixed faith. A thousand tricks  
There are, and I in that one travail toil,  
Nothing my love permits untried to go.  
Though doubtful be where thou wilt yield or no,  
(The end is in the Gods,) but thou shalt yield,  
And be entrapped, and forced in fine to bow.  
Some toils put cuse thou scape? yet all the gins  
Thou canst not pass which crafty Cupid pight:  
More Nets there are than thou surmised to be.  
If Art may not avail, to arms we will,  
And I will thee, as rape atchiude enjoy.  
I am not he that Paris fact control,  
Nor any that such manlike parts have played.  
And I. But now no more: though death ensue  
This rape, should less aggrieve than thee to lose.  
Oh, would thou were worse featured than thou art,  
With reason then of me thou shouldst be sought:  
Thy-face doth me to valiance now procure.  
Thou, and thine eyes (surpassing flaming stars,  
Which were the causers of my glowing gleade)  
In me this courage moves, and stoutness stirs,  
Thy yellow golden locks, thy ivory neck,  
Thy hands, (of whom I long to be accold,)  
Thy feature, and thy blushing countenance  
devoid of rustics grace: and feet such as  
With Thetis may compare, this boldness breeds,  
More fortunate were I, if all the rest  
I might condignly praise: but doubt I nought  
But that the whole unto his parts agrees.  
By this thy form enforced, no marvel though  
I sought to have thy parling voice his pledge.  
In fine, sith that thou art constrained to yield  
Thyself beguiled, by my deceitful sleight  
(O Virgin) be thou conquered at the last.  
Let me sustain the hate, and reap the fruit  
For hatred so endured: So heinous crime  
And blame why doth it want his earned hire?  
Hesion Ajax, Briseis Achilles took,  
And either of them their Victor did ensue.  
Me spare not to accuse, ne stick to wrath  
Me, so I may thee angry wight enjoy.  
We that procured the ire, will pease the same  
If never so little leisure be allowed,  
And respite given to lessen swelling wrath.  
Let me besprent with tears tofore thy face  
Stand, adding to my tears lamenting sound?  
And as the frequent use of Vassals is,  
When they of lashing scourge do stand in awe,  
(Groufe at thy feet, stretch out my yielding hands)  
What? know'st thou not thy right & Mistress power?  
Cite me. In absence why am I accused?  
As Lady's woont●, give me in charge t'appear.  
Though thou my tresses tear in stately sort,  
And make my face with buffets black and blue:  
Yet all I will endure, fearing but that  
My body should thy tender fifies annoy.  
In Chain or give 'tis peerless me to bind  
Inlaste in love, that have no power to flee.  
When so thy wrath with wreak shall be replete,  
And anger be revenged: thyself shalt say  
Oh God, how patiently the man doth love?  
Thyself shalt say (when I have all endured)  
My servant thou that seruste so well shalt be.  
In absence why am I (unluekie) dée mde  
Guilty? and though my cause be passing good  
Yet for default of Patron, goes to wrack?  
The bill that Cupid wrote, and gave in charge,  
It is my wrong and practised injury,  
This only fact in me thou must reprove.  
Diana with me deserved not the bob.  
If so the thing to me thou hast behight  
Thou loath to yield, let Delia bear the same.  
For being priest she saw when thou entrapped  
Didst blush, in mindful ear the words she placed.  
Abodements laid ayart more fiercer than  
Diana, (when she sees her Godhead wronged,)  
There is not any God, nor half so stern.  
The Calydonian Boar can well record:  
For by his mean, how cruel was the Dame  
Unto her son, we have full often read.  
Witness Actaeon eke, that fed his Hounds  
That erst with them had sundry quarries made.  
The haughty Mother too to Marble turned,  
In ruthful sort that in Migdoni stands?  
Ay me (Cydip) I dread the troth to tell,  
Lest I be thought for goodding of my cause  
False matter to allege: yet needs I must  
Now plead the same. This is the cause (in faith)  
That thou at Nuptial day art so diseased,  
Unable from the sickle Couch to rise.  
Diana would do thee good, and pains her sore  
Lest thou shouldst be forsworn: she gladly would  
The sickless, and unbroken Hest reserve.  
Thence it precéedes (as oft as thou dost seek  
To serve thy faith) that she thy carcase plagues▪  
Leave off to stir the cruel Virgin's Bow:  
Yet if thou wilt to ruth she may be brought.  
Spare thou thy corpse with Fevers to molest,  
Reserve thy featured face for me to use:  
That countenance keep, to set my heart on flame  
By nature made, where Rose with Lily strives▪  
So far my foe, and who so else doth bar  
Thee to be mine, as the diseased I live.  
My grief is one, or when thou linckest with  
An other wight, or féelste tormenting teen,  
I wot not which I reck the worst of both.  
Sometime it irks me that I breed thy doole,  
Deeming thy gripes by my deceit to grow,  
Praying the plague of perjury to redound  
On me, that thou mightst by my scathe escape.  
And oft to wit, and understand thy plight,  
Doubtful (God wot) I wander to and fro,  
Thy Maid at inches suing and thy Man,  
Demanding how thy meat, and sleep avail,  
Woe me, that I the rules of Physic scorn,  
And put them not in ure, ne wring her wrists,  
Ne on her couch for comforts sake, do lie.  
And woe again, that I absent me thence,  
An other perhaps, whom I ne would, is priest.  
He feels thy pulses, and doth sit him down  
By thy diseased corpse, hateful to Gods,  
And with the Gods, of me detested too.  
And whilst with thumb he feels the leaping veins,  
He strains by mean thereof, thy snowish arms,  
Handling thy breast, and by escheat perhaps  
A kiss doth gain of those thy sugared lips,  
A greater guerdon than his pain deserved.  
Who gave thee leave my harvest to forereape?  
Unto an others hope, who made thy way?  
That bosom (friend) is mine, foully from me  
My kisses thou bereauste: wherefore do way  
Thy flippant fist from that my pacted corpse.  
Unthrift, do way thy hands, the thing thou feelst  
Is me behight: hereafter if thou do  
The like, thou shalt a Lecher's name procure.  
On single Nymphs, and not dispoused Maids  
Make choice: I would thou witted, this is possessed.  
Believe not me give to the bargain, ear,  
And cause her read the writing, to this end  
Thou deem her not untrue or false to be.  
Go from another's bridal bed, I say,  
What mak'st thou here? go pack, this knot is tied.  
Put case thou have a party promise eke?  
Yet is thy cause and mine unegal far.  
She made me perfect vow: her Sire the Nymph  
To thee behight: but nearer than her Sire,  
Unto herself the silly Maiden stands.  
Her Father made a promise: she by oath  
conjoined herself in league of stayed love.  
He witnessed men: She Diana did protest.  
He dreads the name of Liar to sustain:  
But she the blot of perjured tongue to bear.  
Of both deem thou which is the greater fear.  
And last of both the perils to compare,  
Respect the events of both, and latter lot.  
She lies diseased: he lives released of woe.  
And we with dispar minds for her contend  
Ne hope to both, nor equal is the dread.  
Thou forcest not the suit: more griefful were  
Repulse to me than death: already I  
Embrace the Maid, whom thou in future time  
And after this mayst have the hap to love.  
If justice, or regard of right did lodge  
Within thy breast, thou to my flames wouldst yield  
Now since this furious wight maintains a strife  
In wrongful cause, (Oh Cydip) to what end  
Do I to thee fruitless lines indite?  
He breeds thy doole, and makes thee be suspect  
Of Diana: him (if thou be wise) renounce.  
Bar, and forbid him to approach thy lodge.  
These perils by his mean thou dost endure:  
That would he might acquit thy corpse from we,  
That forger is of these thy pinching pains.  
Whom if thou flee, and link with him in love  
Whom Diana not condemns: release of fits  
Thyself shalt find, and I shall be revived,  
Virgin exile thy fear, doubt not recure,  
Reverence the temple where thou mad'st the vow  
The Gods delight not with a flaughtred Ox,  
But with a faith performed without record.  
Some women health to gain, and purchase ease,  
Both scarring Lance, & scalding flame endure:  
Other the bitter drench acquits of pain.  
These peerless are to thee: flee perjury:  
Thyself, thy Hest, and me referue at once.  
Pardon of passed crime by ignorance  
Shall be procured: quite from thy mind was fled  
And plighted promise quite thy thought exiled.  
Thee both my words, and these thy present haps  
Have warned, which thy careful corpse assault  
As oft as thou from pawned faith dost wry:  
When these are overblown in travel thou  
Wilt crave of her, of baron to be well  
And soon released, and have thy throws abridged.  
Which she will hear, and rolling in her mind  
Will ask, who was the silly infant's Sire?  
Thou wilt avow. She knows thy Hest untrue.  
Thou wilt protest, and bind with sacred oath:  
But she wottes well thou canst the Gods beguile.  
It nothing toucheth me: yet greater ho  
I have, and careful is my heart of thy  
Indaungred life, that now in peril stands.  
Why lately did thy doubtful Parents mourn,  
For thy distress, whom thou thy crime concealdste?  
And why are they unwitting of thy guilt?  
Cydip, thy deeds deserve no shame at all.  
Display in order thine acquaintance first  
With me, as to Diana thou didst thy rites:  
And how, when first (if well thou didst attend)  
I saw thy face, I stayd, and gave the gaze,  
Viewing with staring eyes thy comely corpse,  
And whilst I muzde thereat (a sicker sign  
Of frenzy) from my back my vesture flid.  
And after, how by hap (thou wottste not how)  
A rolling Apple trillde, with lines ingraude  
Thereon, which were by subtle sleight devised:  
Which being read by thee, in presence of  
The sacred Goddess, bound thy faith in band,  
Which, cause Diana heard, must not be slipped.  
And to the fine she may the writing know,  
As erst thou didst, so read the same again.  
Wed (will she say) with my good will, to him  
With whom the blissful Gods have thee conjoined,  
Let be my son, whom thou to spouse hast ta'en,  
Who so it be, shall like me, for he erst  
Hath stood in Diane's grace. Thy Mother thus  
Will say, if so that she thy Mother be.  
If who, and what I am, she make demand,  
Let her behold, and she shall well perceive  
That well for thee Diana hath puruayde.  
The famous Isle (where the Coritian Nymphs  
Did lodge of yore, invironde with the Sea  
Aegaeum,) Caea cleped is the soil  
Where I was bred: and (if thou do account  
Of Gentiles blood) my Grandsires were of fame.  
And we are wealthy eke, our manners are  
Not fraught with shameful crimes, suppose there were  
Nought else? yet love hath shackled us yfeare.  
Vnsworne thou mightst selected such a spouse,  
And never forced with such a husband wed.  
This is my dream, Phoebe the Archeresse,  
And Love awaked, did will me write to thee:  
Of whom th'ones darts have thirled erst my heart,  
Beware least th'ochers shafts do thee annoy.  
Our healths are joined in one: Rue on thyself  
And me: why dost thou stagger both to ease?  
Which if befall, when blasted Trump shall sound,  
And Delos be with yolded blood imbrued:  
The golden Image of the blissful fruit  
Shall stand aloft, with cause in mitre graude.  

Acontius, by the Apples form, records  
Th'insculped lines to have been brought to pass.   
But lest thy weakened limbs, and feeble corpse.  
My over long Epistle should molest:  
To fine I may in wont manner end,  
Aconce thy friend, bids the (Cydip) adieu.   

The Argument of the xxj. Epistle, entitled Cydippe to Acontius.  

WHen Cydip saw her furious fits increase,  
And fretting Fever grow to worse disease,  
Then thought she verily that no release  
Was to be had, unless she mought appease  
Diana's wrath: wherefore she thought it best  
To stand unto her former plighted hest.   

Then took she pen in hand, than 'gan she write  
These following lines to Aconce, making show  
That she would yield, and banish rigour quite,  
And pay the det to him that she did owe:  
Craving his help in peasing Goddess ire,  
That she to health the sooner might aspire.   
The xxj Epistle. Cydippe to Acontius.  
A Fright in silence I thy lines suruayde,  
Lest that unwares my tongue to witness should  
Have called the Gods, and for records appealde.  
I deem thou wouldst have bourded me again.  
With craft, hadst thou not thought in judging mind  
One Hest (as thou confessed) to have sufficed.  
He had I viewed thy lines and Letters sent,  
But that I thought the ireful Goddess wrath  
By duresse would to further rage increased.  
For all that I can do, though incense I  
To Diana offer, yet she friends thee more  
Than reason wills she should: & as thou crauste  
Credit to win: so she with mindful wrath  
Upon my corpse for thee awroken is.  
So stiffly scarce by Hippolyte she stood.  
But she (a Virgin) rather should have shown  
favour unto a siely maidens years:  
Which to abridge lest she do long I fear.  
For why the cause of this my languor lurckes  
And hidden lies by Physic not recured,  
So meager am I wox, so lean and bare,  
As scarce I had sufficing force to write,  
With leaning on mine Elbow able scarce  
My pined limbs and carcase pale to raise.  
Now dread I least beside my Beldame Nurse  
Some one descry our entercomoning.  
Tofore the gate she sits, to askers how  
I far (that I may write) she says I sleep.  
But when within a space fuspected is  
Excessive sleep, and slumber overlong,  
And such she sees repair whom to debar  
Were duresse: then she spits and gives a hem,  
A feigned sign that some is at the door.  
I leave my lines unperfit then for haste,  
And to my bosom thrust the scroll eftsoon,  
Forth with in speed I ply the same again,  
And set my hand and pen to former task.  
Which thing how irksome toil it was to me,  
Thyself mayst well discern, and be the judge.  
Which thou (in faith) hast passing ill deserved.  
But thy merits and just deserved hire  
My ruthful clemency shall far surmount.  
By thee, uncertain of despaired health,  
So oft by thy deceit I have, and yet  
Endure tormenting fits and troublous teen.  
This is the good my vaunted beauty gains  
So oft extolleth by thee above the stars.  
It me annoys thee to have liked so well.  
If in thy sight I had deformed been,  
(Which rather I could wish) my blamed corpse  
In need of Physics help had never stood.  
Now being praised I mourn by your discord  
Betrayed: my proper good doth forge my woes.  
Whilst thou dost scorn to yield, and he repines  
To lose his room or be in second place,  
Thou barrste his wish, and he doth hinder thine,  
I like a ship am tossed, whom Boreas blast  
Into the Channel drives, but surge and tide  
Repelles to shore, from deeper ford again.  
And of my Parents when the wished day  
Arrives, excessive heats my limbs besiege,  
And at the cruel marriage day, my doors  
In ireful rage Proserpina doth shake.  
I blush & dread (though guiltless in my mind)  
Lest I by aught have stirrde the Gods to wrath.  
Some plead it comes by hap, and some surmise  
This man to be disliked of heavenly powers,  
And fame of thee hath also her report:  
Some deem it done by my enchantments eke:  
The cause is hid: my hurts too plain appear.  
Ye wage a restless war and endless strife:  
But I mean while am she that bide the smart.  
I now will say as I was wont of yore,  
By loving if thou thus annoy thy love,  
How wouldst thou hurt by hate the hated thing?  
If whom thou love thou hurt, go love thy foe,  
Wish me full ill to far, and save my life.  
Or now of hoped spouse thou hast no cark,  
Whom undeserude, thou ruthless lettste to pine:  
Or if in vain thou to the Goddess sue,  
To me why dost thou so avaunt thyself  
That standest nought in Diane's grace at all?  
Say what thou wilt, thou wilt not suage her ire,  
I clean am out of thought: thou canst not, thou  
Appease the Goddess, thou art quite forgot.  
Or would I never had, or notas then  
Delos (that is invironde withthe Sea,  
Aegaeum) known: a hapless I'll to me.  
though was my ship to surging Channel brought  
Unluckily, sinister was the hour  
Wherein I shoope to take the cursed Seas.  
How set I forth my foot? from Threshold with  
What foot went I? or to my painted Bark  
With what unlucky foot did I repair?  
Yet twice with froward winds my ship recoiled,  
And made retoure to shore: but oh I lie,  
That wind was blissful and no froward gale:  
A blessed blast that brought me back to bay,  
And went about to bar my hapless course.  
And would it had contended with my sails,  
And stood in longer strife and greater war.  
But folly is the fickle winds to blame.  
Moved with the place his fame, and fresh report,  
To Delos I my hasty voyage shoope:  
And in a nimble Bark did pass the flood.  
How oft did I control the sluggish Oars,  
Complaining that the sail clothes did not strut  
But flagging slew, not stuffed with gladsome gale?  
Now Mycone, Tenos, and Andros I  
Had passed, and Delos was discoverde plain.  
Which when I scride afar. isle why (quouth I)  
Dost thou me flee? Where yet (as erst thou didst)  
Dost thou in largie Seas and Channel road  
Ay fleering to and fro? I came to land  
When day was put to flight, and Phoebus 'gan  
His weary steeds from purple wheels discharge  
Whom when he had to wont rising brought,  
Again at morn (my Mather giving charge)  
My comely tresses were in order laid,  
And frizzled locks in bravest manner trimmeth.  
Herself bespangde my hands with curious Gems,  
And purlde my hair with gold: herself applied  
Unto my shoulders vesture passing fine.  
Then issuing out to Rulers of the isle  
And sacred God's incense with wine we gave.  
And whilst my Mother with her vowed blood  
The Altar stains, and Bowels broils on coals  
In ranges casting Fume to lofty skies:  
The busy careful Nurse led me about  
From place to place, from Church to sacred Fane:  
In Porches now I pass, now musing at  
The gifts of kings, and sundry sights I saw.  
Then gasting on the Altars made with horns  
And tree, 'gainst which the wandering Goddess at  
Her time of bearing child did rest her corpse:  
And what beside (for I ne all to mind  
Can call, or lawful is I say, to tell)  
Was to be seen in dainty Delos tho.  
Whilst I (Aconce) of these so straungie sights  
Was taking view thou me perhaps discridste:  
Who for so simple was, and void of fraud,  
Did sitting seem to be entrapped of thee.  
By steps I came into a stately Church  
Where Diana was: might any place more safe  
Or sicker be than where the Goddess stood?  
Tofore my feet the trilling Apple came  
Gliding on paved ground whereas I sat,  
Having this verse ingraude. (Ay me well nigh  
I had to thee another Hest maked)  
Which Beldame Nurse took up, & said (behold)  
Where I thy craft (O noble Poet) read.  
The name of marriage red, blushing I felt  
My changed cheeks to glow with sudden flash.  
In bosom fired fast mine eyes I held,  
Mine eyes that workers were of thine intent.  
Vnthrifte, why dost thou joy? what glory hast  
Thou gained? what praise shalt thou (a man) achieve  
By craft one silly Virgin to devour?  
Not I in armour clad with Pollare stood  
As venturous Penthesilea did at Troy:  
No Belt with Amazonian gold beset  
Thou me hast reft, as Queen Hippolyte was.  
Why leap'st thou so for joy? in that thy words  
Have foully me beguiled, and I by dole  
And subtle sleight, a siely Nymph was ta'en?  
Cydip an Apple took, Atlanta did  
The like: another Hippomenes now thou art.  
More better were it if thou hadst been thrall  
Unto the Boy, who hath by thy report  
(I wot not well) what flaming fiery brands.  
After the guife of honest wights (by fraud  
Not to fordo thy hope) I rather was  
To been entreated, than by craft entrapped.  
Why thou ne me displayd'st in time of suit  
Such things as I in thee should have belikte?  
Why rather to enforce, than to persuade  
Me didst thou choose, if thy condition red  
By me had power to make the bargain sure?  
What now to thee avails the former oath,  
And Goddess priest for erue record appealde  
With tongue? it is the mind that makes the hest  
(Wherewith I never swore) it only adds  
Faith to the words, and makes the stable oath.  
It is pretenced mind and purpose set  
That binds the bargain sure: no band avails,  
Or is of force without consenting thought.  
If so it were my will to join with thee,  
Then spare thou not to claim thy marriage right.  
But if I spoke the word and meant it not,  
The forceless words & nothing else thou 'gainst,  
I swore not, but pronounced the words of oath.  
I must not so select thee for my spouse.  
Guile other so, certes if that be good  
And take effect, the rich man's wealth bereave,  
Procure that Princes swear that thou shalt have  
Their Sceptres, & their sovereign seats possess,  
And let be thine what so the world enjoyth.  
In faith thou dost surpass Diana far,  
If that thy letters have in them enrolled  
Such present Godhead and availing power.  
Yet when I have thus said, and flat affirmde  
Me not to be thy spouse, and pleaded have  
My promise in best form that ever I may:  
I grant, I dread Diana's ireful wrath,  
Deeming from thence my grieful pangs to come,  
That plague my wretched corpse & limbs torment,  
For why, as oft as spousals are addressed,  
Languish my limbs ransacked with deadly teen?  
Thrice Hymen's clamour coming to mine ears  
Fled from my chamber door, and did astart.  
Scarce could he make th'infased flame to flash,  
Scarce would the stirred brands & faggots burn.  
Oft scythes his head furnished with garlands gay,  
Anointed dropped, and oft his Scarlet rob  
And costly vesture was in hand to don.  
When he approached the door, and wailing saw,  
With flowing tears and fear of grisly death,  
And other such abhorring his attire:  
Strait from his forehead he the garlands flung,  
And from his perfumed locks the Oil did wring.  
Shaming with mirth amids so sad a rout  
To rush, his garments hue his face distained.  
But miser I with Fevers am attachte,  
And fry with durning fits: my vestures are  
More weighty than they shoulden weighty be.  
Upon my cheeks I see my parents shower  
Their dreary tears and saltish brine for woe,  
And stead of marriage wand, death's brand appears.  
Thou Goddess that in quivers dost rejoice,  
And bended bow, favour a sickly Nymph,  
And lend me now thy skilful Brother's help,  
To rid my corpse of this my vexing smart.  
'tis shame for thee that he abandons grief,  
And thou dost seek the title of my death.  
Where I unwares approached have the place,  
Whilst thou didst bathe thy chastfull limbs in ford?  
Have I, of all the Gods thy Altars left  
And overpast withouten sacrifice?  
Or did my Dame the Lady Mother scorn?  
I not aguilt, save that I perjure radde,  
And skilful was in an unlucky verse.  
Do thou (unless thy love be feigned) cast  
Incense for me into the flaming fire.  
The hands that hurt, let them my help procure.  
Why she that freates that I behight to thee  
Am not thy spouse, makes that I can not be?  
Hope well thou mayst whilst yet I live & breath:  
But (cruel) why bereaves she me my life,  
And thee despoils of thy well hoped boon?  
Surmise not him whose wife I am assigned  
And lotted spouse, my pained limbs to touch  
And feel with griping hand. Certes he sits  
Him down by me, as lawful is to do,  
Minding my couch to be a Maidens lodge.  
And I wot near what he doth judge of me.  
For oft (the cause unknown) he baynes his breast  
With showers of trickling tears: Not overbold  
He coys me, and doth seldom kiss among,  
Whispering with fearful voice, that I am his.  
Ne marvel I if he descry my mind,  
That do myself so openly bewray.  
When he repairs, I wry me round about,  
And use no words, but winking feign to sleep,  
Shunning his fist that would me gladly touch.  
He mourns & draws his sighs from silent breast,  
And not aguilting hath my high disdain.  
More justly thou that laughste at my distress,  
And pleasure tak'st therein (If I could spoke  
And use my tongue) shouldst my ill will acquire,  
And have my hate, that such a Panther pight,  
By letter leave and licence thou dost crave  
To see my wretched plight, and feebled corpse:  
far off thou mak'st abode, and yet annoyst.  
I not a little maruailde that thy name  
Acontius was: in deed thou hast an edge  
So sharp as far can lend a lurching wound.  
I scarce am yet recured of the hurt,  
Me like a Dart thy lines have scared aloof.  
Why wouldst thou hither come? a wretched corpse  
(Thy double spoil committed) mayst thou see.  
My flesh is fallen away, my colour fled  
And bloodless is my face, a semblant hue  
(As I remember) had the subtle fruit.  
In visage wan no scarlet red appears.  
Of Marble picture hewn but of late  
Such is the form: Such is the siluers hue  
At banquets that with chilly water touched  
In Basan cast, is pale for deadly cold.  
If now thou sawst me, thou wouldst quite deny  
Me erst with eye of thine to have been seen.  
And say: by Art and subtle sleight, in sooth  
She not deserved to been atchiude of me:  
Sending me back (for fear I should by oath  
In marriage shock with thee) my plighted Hest:  
Desirous that Diana would forget  
And clean put from her thought the bargain made,  
Procuring eke perhaps contrary oath  
And quite repugnant to my former vow,  
Sending a novel verse for me to view.  
Yet natheless (as thou hast longed erst)  
I would thou sawst thy Miser spouses plight,  
And limbs with lanquor passingly oppressed.  
(Aconce) more harder than the stubborn steel  
though be thy ruthless breast, yet pardon thou  
In my behalf wouldst purchase me I know.  
To show the mean how I may be recured  
And come by health again. At Delphos is  
A God forespeaking things that are to come,  
Displaying future fates, his counsel seek.  
He eke (as whispering fame doth fly) complains  
Of one (I wot near whom) that broken hath  
And scorned a promise made before record.  
This both the God, the Prophet, and my verse  
Declare, thy vow doth want no verse his aid  
Such favour how shouldst thou procure? unless  
Some letter late devised by thee, the halt  
And stately Gods had ta'en? Since thou dost stand  
In grace and favour of the Gods so great,  
I will ensue the name of heavenly powers,  
And willing yield my hands unto thy Hest.  
Unto my Dame by my unwitting tongue  
Of plighted promise I have made a show:  
She down to ground her blushing countenance cast.  
Look what remains be thine the care & charge,  
More than a virgin should (in that my hand  
dread not to write these lines to thee) I did  
Now long enough my sickly corpse with quill  
Molested is, my pained hand denies  
A farther duty: What remains there now,  
(Save that I long to link myself with thee)  
For these my lines, but thee to bid adieu?   


The Argument of the reply to the first Epistle, entitled Ulysses to Penelope.  

VLysses having thoroughly scanned  
The earnest verse his wife did write:  
Thought good and needful out of hand  
Her loving letters to requite:  
What so she did object to him,  
The Greek reaunswerde very trim.   

He quittes himself of all such blame  
As by his wife imputed was:  
He tells his worthy feats of fame,  
And perils that he chanced to pass,  
And how the Prophet willed the Squire  
In beggar's habit to retire,  
And that his wife alone should know  
Her husband that disguised him so.   
Ulysses' Reply to Penelope's Epistle.  
Unto Ulysses' miser wight  
good hap at length hath brought  
The loving lines (Penelope)  
thy hand in tables wrought.  
I knew thy friendly fist at first  
and tokens passing well:  
They were a comfort to my woes,  
and did my sorrows quell.  
Thou blamest me of reckless sloth,  
more better were perhaps  
To linger, than to wry my woes,  
and tell thee afterclaps.  
Greece blamed me not for that iwis,  
when I a fury feigned,  
And made as though I had been mad  
with thee to have remained.  
The earnest love to thee (sweet heart)  
and to thy bed I bore,  
Procured me though so like a mad  
and Bedlam wight to far.  
Thou wouldst not have me write a whit,  
but hasten home a pace:  
Lo, when I think to come, my sails  
the froward winds do chase.  
I loiter not in Troy, a Town  
of Greekish Girls defied:  
For Troy is now to cinders come,  
suppressed is her pride.  
Deiphobus is slain, with stern  
Hector, and Asius eke:  
And who so else did breed thy fear  
is conquered by a Greek.  
I scaped the Thracian furious fights,  
and having Rhesus slain,  
Upon the captive chivals came  
into my Tents again.  
And safe from Pallas sacred Church  
I stole, and did convey  
The fatal Relic of the Town  
Palladium away.  
Nor in the horse his hollow womb  
and belly I adread:  
Although Cassandra (Troyans') cried  
burn, burn as she were mad.  
Burn, in this feigned timber frame  
the wily Greeks do lurk:  
That seek this day poor Troyans' fall  
and latter bane to work.  
Achilles honour of his grave  
and Tomb was like to lack:  
Had I to Thetis not conveyed  
Achilles on my back.  
Ne did the Greeks (I thank them) grudge  
with praise my pains to pay:  
I had the Armour of the corpse  
that I had ta'en away.  
But what avails it? now 'tis drowned,  
I have nor ship yleft,  
Nor Mates alive: the swallowing Gulf  
hath every whit bereft.  
Thy only love that part hath ta'en  
with me of all my pain,  
As only fellow of my fates  
doth aye with me remain.  
Not ravening Sulla's wawghing whelps  
could force him to departed,  
Ne yet Charybdis churlish Channel,  
pluck him from my heart.  
Not fierce Antiphates, nor yet  
Parthenope the trull,  
With sweet deceitful Siren's songs  
from me this love could pull,  
Not Circe, nor Calypfo though  
by Magic Art they wrought:  
And th'one to bring me to her bent  
by mean of marriage thought.  
I had them both by promise bound  
that they would take away  
My mortal twist, and teach me to  
King Pluto's Court the way  
But I, not forcing of their gifts  
did love my wedlock best:  
Although perhaps in seeking thee  
I shall be sore distressed.  
But thou perchance such dainty dames  
surveying in my write:  
impatiently wilt read the rest,  
and be in choler quite.  
What I with Circe had to do  
or fair Calypso, thee  
Will aye procure a (fearful wench)  
in doubtful dumps to be.  
In faith when I Antinous name,  
and Polybus did read,  
With Medon: I amazed was,  
and overcome with dread.  
Amid so many lusty Lads  
and Tossepots to be chaste?  
Alas, what should I think herein?  
I am full sore aghast.  
Why, if thou shed thy tears so fast,  
should any leak thy face?  
What? have not yet those trickling tears  
beat beauty out of place?  
Beside, thou hast behight to wed  
when twist is all ysponne:  
And all in fear thou dost untwist  
as fast as thou begun.  
A good deceit. But take good heed  
lest whilst with such a wile  
Thou do thy suitors eyes deceive,  
thyself thou not beguile,  
Ah (Polyphem) I rather wish  
within thy den to have  
Been murdered, and my woeful days  
yfinisht with the grave:  
Yet rather had I conquered, and  
of Thracian sword been slain,  
What time the wandering Barges did  
in Ismaron remain:  
Or that I had the greedy jaws  
replenished with my blood,  
Of hungry Hellhound, when I went  
down to the Stygian flood.  
Where I (thou wrotste not of it) saw  
my Mother, well at ease  
That was when I departed from  
thy coast, and took the Seas.  
She told me of the house his evils:  
and thrice she fled me fro,  
As I with reaching arms did catch  
more news of her to know.  
Sir Protesilaus I descried,  
that forcing not a pin  
The Prophet's words, to fling the flame  
to Troy did begin.  
A happy and a blessed man,  
for with him went his wife  
With laughing brows: that for his sake  
forsook her loathsome life  
For Lachesis the Goddess had  
her twist not thoroughly spun:  
It did her good unto her spouse  
before her time to run:  
I saw (but oh with flowing tears  
that gushed on either cheek)  
Duke Agamemnon lately slain,  
a thrice renowned Greek.  
He never took that hurt at Troy,  
untouched he went his way  
Through spiteful Nauplius secret snares,  
that in Euboea lay.  
But what did that avail the wight?  
for when he surely thought  
Returned to pay his due to jove  
this beastly death he caught.  
This was the guerdon Helen had  
provided for the man,  
In stead of better present when  
she with the stranger ran.  
Ah, how could I rejoice to see  
sir Hector's sister, and  
His wife among thy other thrauls  
and Teucrian trulls to stand?  
I could the aged Hecuba had  
and used her in bed,  
That thy mistrustful mind I mought  
beguiled, and jealous head,  
That would have thought thy husband had  
of no such piece been sped.  
She gave the first abodement fell  
that on my ships should light:  
Whom there I saw not with her parts  
and wonted members dight.  
Her bitter plaints and woeful cries  
a howling did pursue:  
She was become a very Cur  
in every part to view.  
Dame Thetis musing at the sight,  
turmoiled the quiet flood:  
And Aeole gave his blustering winds  
in charge to blow a good.  
From that time Miser I was driven  
to wander in the Seas,  
And follow every flood and flaw,  
too cruel things to please.  
But if Tiresias be as true  
in telling of good haps,  
As erst he was in making show  
of evil forepast claps:  
Now misadventures are ypast  
by land and sowfing wave,  
I hope I shall retire to Greece,  
some better luck to have.  
Now Pallas undertaken hath  
as following Mate to me,  
To safe conduct me to the lodge  
where I do long to be.  
I never saw her from the time  
of Troy's latter wrack,  
Till now the wronged Goddess hath  
from anger bene alack.  
What so Oenides did, it lights  
upon us all aleeke:  
Upon the Greeks from man to boy's  
revengement she did seek.  
Not thee (good Diomed) she spared  
whose armour known was:  
She hath enforced thee Miser eke  
through many broils to pass.  
Nor him that Telamonius begat  
upon a captive Lass:  
Nor him that with a thousand ships  
to wreak his wrong did pass.  
Plisthenides, thou were yblest,  
what fortune so befell:  
For aye thy wedlock went with thee,  
whom thou didst love so well.  
And whether winds did breed thy stay,  
or surging Seas annoide;  
Thou didst by mean of mutual love  
encroaching cares avoid.  
Nor blustering blasts, nor troublous tide  
from kissing thee dismayed:  
With clinching arms thou her embraced,  
and never wert afraid.  
Oh that I might not wander so,  
(sweet wench) thou wouldst procure  
The surge seem calm, with thee I should  
no deadly smart endure.  
No sooner I had tidings that  
Telemach was alive,  
But that the news forepast griefs  
from gladsome mind did drive.  
Whose going again by tossing floods  
in weak and rotten Bark  
To Pylos and to Sparta, did  
reduce my former carck.  
That love deserves no thank in deed  
wherein such peril is:  
And when you let him go to Sea  
you did not well iwis.  
But all the broil will be at last,  
the Prophet said I should  
At length embrace thy friendly corpse  
as I had done of old.  
Whom thou alone shalt know, but then  
take heed and well beware,  
That other by your gesture learn  
not why so glad you are.  
I must not deal with force of hand  
or as an open foe,  
The Prophet said that to foretell  
Apollo bid him so.  
I shall perhaps devise the time,  
to be awroken fit,  
With bow in hand to rush me in  
when they at tables sit.  
And then perchance they marvel will  
me hateful man to see:  
Oh Gods, when will that day come on  
and pleasant hour be,  
Wherein I may renew again  
the sweet delights ypast:  
And thou begin to repossess  
thy loving spouse at last?   

The Argument of the reply to the second Epistle, entitled Demophoon to Phyllis.  
HErein his treason and delay  
Demophoon minded to deface,  
That had ybenne so long away  
from friendly Phyllis noble grace:  
Sometime upon his Countrien men  
the lingering Lover lays the blame:  
On perilous passage now and then,  
and lack of wind he cast the same;  
But last in spite of wave and wind  
he made her promiss to revart:  
And so he did, in hope to find  
the Queen as when he did departed.  
But oh, impatient of her pangs,  
that she had for her guest sustained,  
In Almon tree good Phyllis hangs,  
and this was all the Hostess gained.  
Demophoons Reply to Phyllis Epistle.  
EVen from his Country soil  
Demophoon writeth to thee:  
His Country (Phyllis) that he minds  
thy grateful gift to be.  
Demophoon is not linked  
with any novel Lass:  
But not so happy as with thee  
acquainted well he was.  
Duke Theseus, of whom  
thou ever stoodst in awe,  
(Which made perhaps thy flame the more)  
to be thy Fatherlawe:  
(A shameful thing for me  
to suffer such a deed)  
By cruel foe was reft his reign:  
this was old age's meed.  
Even he that whileome had  
Amazon's courage quailed,  
A mate for Hercules that so  
in armour had prevailed,  
Even he that Minos made  
a father of a foe,  
Amazed to see his monstrous Beast  
by valiance conquered so.  
I am accused to been  
the cause of his exile,  
My brother lays it to my charge,  
I must not plead the while.  
Whilst thou (quoth he) didst fond  
on Phyllis, and didst crave  
By earnest suit unto thy wife  
a foreign wench to have:  
The slipper time did pass  
with hasty foot away,  
Thy loitering was the cause that thou  
dost see this doleful day.  
Thou moughtst perhaps at first  
this wicked stir have stayed:  
At least, though matters had been past,  
thou moughtst have been an aid.  
But Rhodopeian Reign  
I better did esteem:  
And of a Nymph, whom better than  
her Sceptre I did deem.  
Then Athamas gins to chaufe,  
and thundering words bestows:  
And Aethra haps upon the same,  
a crooked piece God knows.  
She saith my lingering was  
th'occasion that her son  
Can not shut up his mother's eyes  
as duty was to done.  
I can not it deny  
they both excladme a good,  
And cried on me when that my ship  
road on the Thracian flood.  
Demophoon (quoth they)  
why stay'st thou lingering so?  
The wind doth serve: home to thy Gods,  
and native Country go.  
Let Phyllis mirror be  
whom thou dost love so well:  
She fancies thee, but loath she is  
for thee her Realm to sell.  
She craves thee to retire,  
thy journey Mate to be  
She scorns: more than thy Reign she ways  
her barbarous soil we see.  
But I in silence would  
amid their brawls (I mind)  
A thousand thanks bestow atonce  
upon the blustering wind.  
And when I should departed,  
embracing Phyllis hard,  
I joyed with all my heart to see  
how dashing waters warred.  
Ne would I fear the same  
before my Sire to vaunt:  
For by thy merits I attained  
my liberty I grant.  
Thou must of force confess  
that with no stéely heart  
I went my way, nor in post haste  
thy Country did departed.  
I sobbde and weeping thee  
to solace made a stay,  
When to forego thy friendly shore  
was come the fired day.  
I clomb the Thracian Bark,  
and took my ship in deed:  
When Phyllis bid it should not over  
hastily proceed.  
Forgive since I confess,  
yourself remember well  
King Minos daughter in your breast,  
that ancient love doth dwell.  
As often as my Sire  
to Skieward looks: he says,  
She whilom was my loving wench  
that hath those glistering rays.  
God Bacchus bid him leave  
and yield him up the Maid:  
But he (goodman) sustains the blame,  
they say he her betrayed.  
By his example I  
a perjured man am thought:  
Ne dost thou (cruel Phyllis) ask  
the cause mine absence wrought.  
Ne think'st thou it enough,  
or able to requite  
My former fault, that I am not  
in love with any wight.  
Why (Phillis) hast thou not  
heard of the cruel fate  
Of Theseus' Palace? of his house?  
and lamentable state?  
Hast thou not tidings that  
my father's death I wail?  
A farther grief than father's fall  
Demophoon doth assail  
Not of Hippolyts hap?  
he miserable man  
Fell headlong from the fearful steeds  
that down the Mountain ran.  
I seek not to excuse  
my lingering, though there be  
A thousand cares that heap my ho,  
I ask a space of thee.  
Let me or ere I come  
lay Theseus in his grave,  
And see that he who was my Sire  
his burial rites may have.  
Give space and leave I pray,  
not like a Traitor I  
Absent me: than thy soil I know  
not safer where to lie.  
Since Troy went to wrack,  
and battles broil did stay,  
What ease so ere I felt at Sea  
or otherwhere: I say  
I had it all in Thrace,  
(yet there I found some grief)  
that only soil unto my woes  
was secure and relief.  
And is, if thou be one,  
and be not moved awhight,  
That now I have a stately house  
so Castleyke in sight:  
Nor that my Father's haps  
or Mothers shameful fate,  
Or these my ill successes cause  
thy fancy to rebate.  
What if I went to Troy  
in marriage linked with thee?  
And thou thy husband waging war  
full ten years space shouldst see?  
Thou hear'st Ulysses' wife  
what honour she hath got:  
A mirror she became, for that  
she lived withouten blot.  
Who (by report) devised  
a charitable wile  
In sprinning: wherewithal her instant Suitors to beguile.  
For whatsoever she  
by day in sight had wrought:  
At night the self same twisted twine  
from thread to wool she brought.  
But Phyllis you do fear  
your Suitors will be gone  
That profferde wedlock erst in Thrace:  
canst thou with any one,  
Or hast thou heart to match  
thyself in bridely band?  
What? will not fear of broken Hest  
thy shameful act withstand?  
O Lord how thou wilt blush,  
O Lord how thou wilt shame,  
When thou shalt view my sails aloof  
and know they be the same?  
Thou then wilt blame thy rash  
complaint (but all too late)  
And say: Demophoon was to me  
a true and faithful Mate.  
Demophoon is retired  
that Southrens blast abid,  
And cruel tempest, whilst upon  
the sousing seas he slid.  
Ah, why in such post haste  
did I this blame devise?  
I broken have my plighted Hest,  
which makes my heart agrise.  
But (oh) go forward so  
more rather than to me  
(Sweet Phyllis) greater grief and care  
should chance again by thee.  
What Gibbet (oh) is that  
that thou dost menace so  
Unto thyself, and froward sat  
to work thy waylfull woe?  
The Gods that in this soil do dwell  
are overbold I trow.  
I pray thee spare, and cause  
no more defame to spring  
From out our race: whose traitorous crime  
too loud a Bell doth ring.  
Ariadne may excuse  
my Father since her lot  
Was party cause she was forlorn.  
who me may justly blot?  
Now self same winds my words  
that did my sails convey:  
I would return with all my heart  
but have good cause to stay.   

The Argument of the reply to the fift Epistle, entitled Paris to Oenone.  

THe lines that Oenone sent  
When Paris had perused,  
And saw thereby she meant  
That she was quite refused,  
Of him that had conveyed from Greece  
Fair Helena that passing piece:   

He wrote in this effect,  
And flat at first 'gan tell,  
That when he did reject  
The Nymph, he did not well:  
But therewithal he laid the blame  
On Cupid that procured the same.   

He makes her open show,  
How stately was the stroke,  
Of blinded Cupid's bow,  
And how he brought to yoke  
Both man and God, and did not let  
To say that Destinies so had set.   
Paris Reply to Oenon's Epistle.  
SO lawful is thy plaint  
(O Nymph) as I confess,  
My hand doth hunt for currant terms  
my meaning to express,  
It hunts and can not find,  
I feel my guilt so great:  
I would recant, but (oh) the same  
my novel love doth let.  
My conscience me condempnes  
if thou not angry be  
Therewith: but what? in cause I know  
thou mayst not match with me.  
For me whom thou dost blame,  
Cupido to his reign  
Hath forced to yield: another's prey  
even so I now remain.  
Thou were my wedlock first,  
I grant it true to be  
That I in gréenish years my love  
and faith behight to thee.  
Ne was I then so proud  
as in your Letters you  
Objected me: ne I myself  
king Priam's noorie knew.  
Deiphobus not I  
nor Hector thought to be  
My brothers when I fed my flock  
in Ida Mount with thee.  
Not Hecuba I knew  
but by a Mother's name:  
And thou didst well deserve to had  
her aye to been thy Dame.  
But Love from Reason swerves,  
thyself shalt judge the case:  
For thou art wronged, and having wrong  
dost love me naythelasse.  
And whereas Panes thee,  
and Satyrs did desire:  
Thou shoonste their love, and aye in mind  
dost keep thy former fire.  
Beside, this latter love  
was furthred by the fate:  
My sister eke Cassandra saw  
of future things the state:  
Not I as then had heard  
the brute of Helen's name:  
Ne to mine ears by her report  
the Greekish tumult came.  
You see that all is true,  
my guilt doth sole remain:  
And to request your pardon I  
in humble wise am feign.  
Within thy power doth rest  
the doom of life and death:  
Now bind me thine for evermore  
by saving of my breath.  
Thou weptst (I mind it well)  
and yet thou sangst withal:  
And said, God shield that no such evil  
at any time befall.  
No though his deeds deserve  
and every thing beside:  
Yet Oenone I to work his bane  
will never be descried.  
Oh pardon: self-same love  
that forged this fraud to thee,  
Made me to think herein not half  
so many fears to be.  
That God doth strike the stroke:  
Sometime into a Bull  
He jove converts, into a Fowl  
sometime to coy his trull.  
Not Helen now in earth  
so passing goodly Dame  
Had been, (at wench by nature made  
to set my breast in flame)  
Had not the mighty jove  
become a Swan in sight:  
That erst a golden shattering shower  
on Danae's lap did light.  
A feigned Fowl sometime  
in Ida Mount did sore:  
Sometime amids Agenor's neat  
in form of Bull did roar.  
Alcides who would think  
the valiant man to have  
Ysat at distaff? Love did make  
him twisten like a slave.  
Again the man was seen  
in joles' garment clad:  
And she the hairy Lion's case  
upon her shoulders had.  
And Oenone thou (I mind)  
(I touch myself too nigh)  
The God Apollo scorndste, and didst  
to Paris mind aplie.  
Not for I him excellde,  
but Cupid wild it though  
That in such sort his subtle shafts  
in Oenon's breast should go.  
But comfort thou thy wrong,  
in that thy rival she  
A passing wench, and daughter brave  
to jove is known to be.  
But that she came of jove  
it moves me not a mite:  
But (oh) her face is passing fair,  
'tis it that works the spite.  
And (O) I wish that I  
a skilless judge had been,  
When to 〈…〉 beauty's pride  
the Ladies did begin.  
For than not junos' ire  
nor Pallas wrathful breast  
Should hurt me aught, for liking of  
the Lady Venus' best.  
She Cupid's flames divides,  
and frankly fire on those  
(By even and odd, by quick and slow)  
on whom she list bestows.  
Yet neither she herself  
those weapons could avoid:  
The Bow she bore for other, hath  
her proper breast annoyed.  
For halting Vulcan grudged  
when he by fortune found  
The warlike God and her in bed,  
and caused to resound  
His woeful plaint before the Gods,  
and jove that saw them bound.  
And mighty Mavors now  
laments and lowers as fast:  
For she hath fled this soil, and of  
Anchises is embraced.  
Now wholly she delights  
Anchises eye to leak:  
To him alone she closely clings,  
and gives the rest the gleake,  
What wonder was that she  
should have the power to aid  
Those equal flames of love, whose fire  
poor Paris hath assayed?  
Whom Menelaus wronged  
doth love, I fancide well  
Not wronged at all: beside she matched  
with one wronged near a dell.  
And I perceive it plain  
that for this rape there are  
Revenger Greeks with wreakful ships  
to bid the Troyans' war.  
The goodness of the cause  
(I nothing doubt) will be  
Allowed: to forcen Dukes to fight  
her features are we see.  
If me you not believe,  
behold the Chieftain Greeks  
In Armour: I must hold her fast  
whom they so sorely seeks.  
But if you stand in hope  
by force to wrest my will,  
Why cease your herbs and Magic Verse?  
where is thy wonted skill?  
For in Apollo's Art  
thou canst as much as she  
That is the best, the truest dreams  
of Hecate thou dost see.  
I well remember thou  
hast fet the Moon aback:  
And stayed the Stars, and dimmed the day  
with dusk and cloudy black.  
I fed the frowning Bulls,  
and maruelde much to see  
Amid the Herd by Oenon's charms  
the lions tame to be.  
Of Xanthus what should I,  
or Simoys now report?  
Or tell how both those streams were stayed  
by thee in monstrous sort?  
Thy Sire himself in fear  
his daughter fared amiss,  
Amid his waters all bewitched  
would often stay iwis.  
Now (Oenone) here is place,  
do what thou canst by skill:  
Or quench thy flames, or clean put out  
my brand that blazeth still.    
FINIS.  

¶ The Translator to the captious sort of Sycophants.  

THe Ploughman hopes in recompense of toil.  
And winter's travail past, to reap the grain  
That he (goodman) hath sown on his soil,  
With great increase of crop and goodly gain:  
And reason good why so he should in deed,  
For he thereon long erst bestowed his seed.   

The fearful Fisherman that casts his Net  
In haven mouth, and lays his baited hooks,  
Doth trust at length by happy hap to get  
Such store of fish as may suffice the Cooks,  
And Caters eke, and bring him in the muck  
That ventured life in hope of happy luck.   

If Ploughman then and Fisher gape for gains,  
And hope assuredly to have the same,  
To quite there troublous toils, and daily pains  
Endured ere they could bring their feats to frame:  
why should not such as climb the craggy Mount  
Where Muses won, of earned hire account?   

And look for laud at least at learned hands,  
That know the cares of undertaken works,  
And wot full well how high Pernasus stands  
With stately steps, where poets Laurel lurks:  
A haughty hill that every wight must climb  
Ere he attain with Poet's pen to rhyme.   

For though the thing but slender be in sight,  
And vain to view of curious carping skull,  
In mother tongue a foreign speech to write:  
Yet he shall find he hath a Crow to pull,  
That undertakes with well agreeing File  
Of English verse, to rub the Roman style.   

devices of the language divers are,  
Well couched words, and featly forged phrase,  
Each string in tune, no ragged rhyme doth jar,  
With figures fraught their books in every place:  
So that it is a work of praise to cause  
A Roman borne to speak with English jaws.   

Which laud I leave, and praise to painful men  
That have with nightly sweat of busy brow  
Set out their works of fame with forward pen:  
For this my Muse I would account enough  
To scape the spiteful Zoyles chiding chaps,  
That (like a Cur) each willing writer snaps.   

So I might go untouched of Momus train,  
And never feel the force of envious Hate,  
Sufficed me, well quitted were my pain,  
I might be thought a man of lucky fate.  
But, oh, it can not be, the best of all  
(That Homer hight) to nipping nails was thrall.   

But let those Snakes, and beastly Viper's brood  
(I mean the spiteful Spider, Momus mate)  
When they have done, recoumpt their gotten good,  
They gain iwis but scorn and loathsome hate:  
Wherefore depart the rack thou Cur (I say)  
And let the lusty Courser champ the hay.   

If thou thyself for kimpish idle life  
No leisure hast to take in hand the like,  
But kepste thy Couch: put up that cankered knife  
Wherewith thou wont art the good to strike:  
Let other press in place to purchase fame,  
For virtues sake that work to win a name.   

Discern their deeds, when all their toil is done,  
Say thou thy worst, when they have done their best:  
Condemn them not or ere thou hast begun  
To view their works, but overreade the rest:  
That done, let each sustain his earned meed,  
This were the way to purchase love in deed.