❧ AN OLD fashioned LOVE. Or a love of the Old fashion.  
By I. T. gent.  
AT LONDON Printed by P. S. for William Mats, dwelling in fleetstrete at the sign of the hand and plough. 1594.   

To the Worshipful and my singular good friend mistress Anne Robertes.  
I Do not (good Mistress Roberts) present these papers unto you as either worthy of your view and gravity, or any way answerable to the least part of your great courtesies, but being many ways highly bounden, I have sought by such means (as unable students are wont) to perform to you as to my good Patroness, some show of gratitude by my pen, which I am not able to express in any other meet furniture of fortune. Accept therefore I pray you, not so much the value which is of no worth, as the mind of him who carrieth you in all due & reverent estimation. And so beseeching God to yield you all the effect of your virtuous desire, I humbly take my leave.  
Yours in all due affection and commandment. I. T.   

To the courteous and friendl●e.  
AFter many cunning and well penned poems, you may perhaps marvel (gentlemen) what folly, or rather fu●ie should draw me to divulge this poor pastor all conceit: The truth is, that perusing (at idle hours) the author of Amintas joys, I found it in latin, a passion much answerable to my purpose both for the matter and manner, and for the apt discovery of honest plain meaning affection, not unpleasant nor unmeet to be clothed with an English suit as well as others of like nature and condition, whose translations remain to their praise though myself neither seek nor deserve, standing rather to entreat your pardons then to hope for praise. If ought be to your liking I rejoice: if aught amiss, attribute it to youth as not stepped to the place of sound judgement: or if you determine otherwise, I leave myself and it, to your favourable censures, praying yet that you will please to measure the matter according to the mind of the author which in all intention is faultless.  
Far you well.   

Faul● escaped amend thus if they be not already corrected.  
In the 2. page 23. line read liveth 7. p. ●li●re. shall 11. 12. ●. borrows 11. p, 15. ●. lest 13. 5. fonding 16. 5, ●rounes 24. 23. ●oueth 32●5. Batch 33. 7. yea 38. 7. even a●.   

❧ THE FIRST EPISTLE.  

Country's delight, sweet Phillis, Beauty's pride:  
Vouchsafe to read the lines Amyntas writeth,  
And having red, within your bosom hide,  
What first of love my fearful muse inditeth.   

When once my mother set me flocks to keep,  
Bore fifteen years of age, in leather clad,  
A maple hook, to get and hold my sheep,  
A waiting dog, a homely scrip I had.   

No skill in beasts, on love I never thought,  
Yet but a boy, the friendly shepherds rout  
Admitted me, and country secrets taught:  
To heal my flocks, to fold them round about.   

In threatened storms, to lead them to the lee,  
To shear in time, to drive the wolf away,  
To know the course, of stars that fixed be:  
To pipe on meadow reeds, each holy-daie.   

To sing in rhyme, as sometimes shepherds use,  
To dance our jigs on pasture graced with flowers  
What learned I not, what toil did Irefuse,  
To quench loves flames, & pass o'er idle houres●   

At last; when heaven did women's calends show,  
And custom would that every swain should proffer  
Unto his choice, as they do sit are we:  
Such favours, as poor shepherds use to offer.   

Silk garters Egon, first began to tie,  
About the calves, of her he loved best,  
And lifting up her clothes, she said Nay see.  
With blushing smils, his hand she downward priest.   

Then Tityrus a ribbon did bestow,  
On Dryads his love and whole delight.  
In token of the joys, they hope to know.  
When wedding chamber gives the happy night.   

Of marigolds, with figured love and name,  
A chaplet Melibeus had devised.  
On Clitias head then pinned he the same.  
And vowed his love should never be demised.   

To Glicery old Mopsus faith rings giueth●  
Menalcas and the rest gave where they lou●d;  
But who is he, that always happy live  
What joys so firm, as grief hath not removed?   

Faustulus, and Caridon, well borne, & well allied  
Both rich, both strong, & both for virtues praised  
Loved you alike, and were alike denied.  
Yet for your sake, great strife there had they raised   

A gem the one, a whelp the other bringeth,  
Both fair enough, yet you did both refuse,  
Lest hate which oft from rival passion springeth,  
This merry meeting, rudely should abuse.   

And yet these lads do strive, with words & deeds  
Love gave them staves, their blows are strongly placed  
They call their friends the best but badly speeds.  
Full pale you rose (I marked how paleness graced)   

And truce with moving tears you did desire.  
But all in vane, for tears, the fight increased:  
Whereat (me thought) my heart began to fire,  
And pity longed to see this battle ceased.   

Then rushed I, amidst this churlish fray.  
And war with war, I conquered at the last:  
With force, or threats, the fearcest did I stay.  
You gave me thanks, when all the broil was passed.   

Oh had not sweetest Phillis thankful been.  
And yet I wish too much against your kind.  
But had not I those gracious gestures seen,  
might have still, enjoyed a quiet mind.   

For when your tempting eyes, I did behold,  
And heard your voice, more sweet than musiks sound,  
The passions which I felt, may not be told,  
Then; then, it was that first loves force I found.   

The one mine ●are, the other pleased mine eye,  
This pleasure bread such storms within my heart.  
As poor Amintas, wretchedly must die:  
Except fair Phillis, shall redress his smart.   

My doubtful mind so too and fro doth move,  
Unlike himself, your servant now abideth,  
Constant in nought, but only in your love:  
fear presseth hope, and shame affection hideth.   

Believe me sweet (new lovers cannot feign)  
Awake, asleep, still Phillis do I see,  
And from your looks I gather joy or pain:  
Even which it please you, to bestow on me.   

If merrily, Amintas you salute,  
A merry hope, do make me happy strait,  
But if you frown, then do I fear my suit:  
And on my thoughts, a thousand cares do weight.   

Confounded thus, and overcome with grief,  
To floods with tears, to air with sighs I melt,  
In vain I seek each way for my relief:  
I think such torments, never lover felt.   

Yet lest a coward justly I were thought,  
At first to yield, unto my first desire.  
Fond rage with reason, to suppress I sought:  
And with discretion, to quench out the fire,   

I chide myself, and call into my mind,  
Such medicines, as our annals have in store,  
I prove them all, and yet small ease I find:  
For still my love increaseth more and more.   

I sit up late, I rise before the day,  
I do repeat each vanity in love,  
I check fair beauty, by her quick decay:  
And twenty other helps, I fond prove.   

I think how Sirens, catch the listening ear,  
And how affection is increased by sight,  
Sweet Phillis pardon though the truth you hear:  
And though against my will, love kept your right.   

For I did strive to free me from affection,  
But beauty was too strong, for mine endeavour,  
Who hath so forced my love to your subjection:  
As till you free me, I am bound for ever.   

To stop mine ears with wax, mine eyes to blind,  
To hide me from your sight, amidst the wood,  
In all these helps no help at all I find:  
My love is such, as they will do no good.   

As Pelias spear, could hurt and healed again,  
So therefore let me crave but this of thee,  
That as love made, so love may ea●e my pain:  
And as you mine, so I your best may be.    

The second Epistle:  

I St true indeed? was Phillis so unkind  
With hand and heart, unred in pieces rend,  
To send my verses to the scattering wind●  
When they to you and no where else were meant.  
Those snowwhite fingers, soft as any cloud,  
●should not such shreudnes under beauty shroud.   

And could you brawl with Mopsus in such sort?  
For bringing you a pledge of true affection.  
It was no fault your praises to report.  
And he did nought but after my derection.  
Amintas wrote the verses you did tear,  
If so you like Amintas name to hear.   

Did you command that I should write no more?  
Why love commands that I should write again?  
Besides your looks affords such flowing store,  
As makes a Poet write with little pain.  
Yea you have power, in every merry smile,  
To force a lout, to match Apollo's style.   

What grieved you then, what made you so to chide?  
Were you afeard, old Mopsus would reveal it,  
When next I writ (because I will it hide),  
I'll bring●t myself, and so we may conceal it.  
My silent hand, in your hand bestow,  
That which none else but you and I shall know.   

Nor Faustulus, nor Corydon shall hear it,  
Or once suspect our love if you a●gree:  
Our joined lips, so to and fro shall bear it,  
As air nor Echo, shall a witness be.  
Till you my wife, my happy arms shall fill,  
Then let them prattle, what & where they will.   

When last I wrote, some angry stars had power,  
And bad aspects, agreed to show their kind:  
Yet now I hope, I chose a better hour,  
And better hap, I do not doubt to find.  
Do you but read, to read you need not fear,  
Or if you will, I'll read and you shall here.   

I writ not aught that may offend your eye,  
Your servant, doth no more but show his love:  
The wound you made perhaps you there may spy  
With some such passions as desire doth move.  
Which if you will not take await from :  
Yet what your beauty wrought, take pains to see   

Do but behold, what guiltless I endure,  
(Accept true love, a guilty fault you deem)  
For then my pains your will :  
If you be she, whom v●wardly you seem,  
If those fair eyes, your emorce reveal,  
The would you made you cannot choose but heal.   

Fear no deceit, I copy from my heart,  
No more then honest love, doth now sugiest,  
The pen where with I writ, can ●aine no smart,  
Being the index of a faithful breast:  
It is not long, sense love did let it fall,  
Out of his wing, for me to write withal.   

No doubt he meant; your praises I should paint,  
So to unmask, the virtues you would hide:  
For, knowing that my wonder made me faint,  
And that our quills, such works may not abide,  
He hath supplied, such pen, such lasting ink  
As will perform, as much as I can think.   

Read therefore with desire, read with delight,  
Diana knows, that I do mean none ill:  
Here are no charms, I use no magiks might:  
In truth I love almost against my will.  
And never might they thrive who lie in wait,  
To snare poor damsels with their lewd deceit.   

I am not I Demophion, though you be  
Another Phillis, far more richly prized:  
In virtue more, and far more fair than she,  
Else half her prayers had her saint suffi●ed.  
Had she been you, than he like me had loved,  
And then I know he might not be removed.   

Now as that Phillis, yields to you in beauty,  
So doth that perjured wretch, that truthless Knight  
Submit himself, in ●aith, in love, and duty,  
Unto Amintas as he ought by right:  
Whose blouming age, by all men spotless viewed,  
With such foul deeds, shall never be embrued:   

Oh therefore look upon my melting heart,  
And open the wound, that you the depth may see:  
Unless you know, how shall you ease my smart?  
And who should help, if Phillis help not me?  
You did the harm, you may the worst amend,  
Phillis my foe may so become my f●end.   

No more my foe, if you my health afford,  
Then will I call you life, or some thing better:  
Yea if I knew a more effectual word,  
I would not long therefore remain your debtor.  
You, you shall be to me even what you will,  
Upon condi●ion you my suit fulfil.   

Sweet were my breast, such as the light through shined  
That so you might behold as in a fountain  
Your thrice fair Image (there devoutly shrined)  
Danced upon alivelie leaping mountain.  
Then should you see how like a queen you reign,  
Commanding laws of pleasure and of pain.   

There should you see how all my senses watch,  
Ready to run at every beck and wink,  
Like straining grahounds striving to dispatch,  
Each thing that they to your contentment think.  
Yea wit to will, and will to love resigneth:  
And glad is he that so himself combineth.   

Or if you search my secret heart within,  
'tis strange to see how love doth revel there,  
Placing new pains where erst there none hath been  
And raising wars and discord every where.  
To see what broils despair and hope doth keep  
would make a harder heart than yours to weep.   

Yea every part, the liver, lungs and all,  
Do witness well that they with love have met:  
The liver which the seat of love men call,  
With scorched sides do show where he hath set.  
My longs with grievous sighs consume away,  
While they would save the bodies whole decay   

My wanton spleen, sometime fulfilled with sport,  
Hath lost his laughing and his merry cheer:  
My tougn mine eyes like mischief can report,  
And so would all the rest if you would hear.  
My tongue doth tyre with begging your relief,  
mine eyes shed tears which show both joy & grief   

Since therefore thus I suffer for your sake,  
It were injustice to increase my sorrows,  
Good Phillis grant some pity now to take,  
And let sweet words restore what beauty borro●●●  
Happy am I if you agree to this,  
But if you frown, a wretch your servant is.    

The third Epistle.  

●ast with strange doubts more pains your friend; abideth  
Good Phillis answer these my groaning fears,  
Let that sweet voice which yet your pity hideth.  
Pronounce the end of all my beggin tears.   

But if some shame (for modest you werr ever)  
With hold those words which love to me doth owe  
Then may you write, for paper blusheth never,  
And trust me well, there's no man shall it know.   

Stand not upon your over curious writing,  
When letters leap each other, I can spell it:  
Neither do I desire your choice inditing,  
For love seems best, if plainly we do tell it.   

When half abashed, and stutting in my speech;  
My trembing hand, delivered you my writ:  
When watery eyes your mercy did beseech,  
And every part bewrayed a lovers fit.   

I mused to see your countenance changed so,  
Flashing quick passions with a subden grace:  
And white, and red, so oft to come and go,  
As if deep thoughts, were written in your face.   

So have I seen, the moon eclipsed wade,  
When shadowy earth, from Phoebus her divideth:  
Now meetly light, and now that light do fade,  
Now peeping forth, and now herself she hideth.   

Which made me think, some other sun you had,  
And Fastulous, or Corydon was he,  
I doubted lest my shadow made you sad,  
For plain it was this change did come from me.   

Nor durst I hope (though hope well pleased my mind  
That new affection, wrought this new aspect  
And though I longed to see you prove so kind,  
Yet did I fear some other worse effect.   

And even this fear a wretch Amintas maketh,  
Whilst stormy motions, in my thoughts arise:  
Whilst fonding love, each action still mistaketh,  
Striving in kindness, all things to comprise.   

Oh happy, if Amintas you esteemed,  
Or if I could not see myself deceived:  
But what blind eyes, your favour would have deemed,  
Where my small gifts, so hardly were received.   

Mad Tigers yield, with vows & prayers tamed  
But fervent zeal, is neither strange nor nice:  
That proud disdain; that Rustik love is named,  
Which only yealds, to mercenary price.   

Love would not make your fainting hand so slack,  
To take the verses, your Amintas brought you:  
It was not love, that turned away your back,  
When them to read, I earnestly besought you,   

You need not fear, the murmur of my muse,  
An unpoluted hand, a pen more just:  
A mind which knows no fraud, nor none will use,  
Did draw the model, which you so mistrust.   

Not Venus' son, nor any lusting spirit,  
Do hale me on, to think one wicked thought:  
My love is new and grows from your demerit,  
As pure as gold that finers fire hath wrought.   

And yet at first, I did myself mistake it,  
For (truth to speak) I thought it Cupid's fire:  
And therefore did I wrestle to forsake it,  
For never could I like of foul desire.   

But now by holy trial I do find,  
That mine and that, are easily known a sunder:  
They disagree in habit, and in kind,  
To see their difference you perhaps would wonder.   

Of Mars, and Venus, that the Bastard is,  
This is of virtue, only son and heir:  
That known to most, but few have met with this,  
That blacks our souls, but this doth make them fair.   

He flies with wings and joys in false designs,  
This loving truth on milk wight steed is mounted,  
Stark naked he doth show his sin by signs,  
This useth clothes least lewd he were accounted.   

With pitch-black scarf he vales his cruel eyes,  
To show how guiltless men he leads astray:  
Quick sighted this each dangerous doubt espies,  
And by just laws all actions well doth weigh.   

Two arrows Cupid in his left hand weareth,  
Two arrows my love in like sort doth carry:  
And in their right hand each a fire brand beareth,  
Yet shafts and brand● in their effects do vary.   

His torch doth only smoke to smother wit,  
The other clearly flames with sacred fire:  
His poisoned arrows fester where they hit,  
These do but prick us with a chaste desire.   

Our bondage he by words & deeds procureth,  
Yea such a bondage as few slaves do find:  
But this with sweet content our hope inureth,  
Blessing with quiet the obeying mind.   

Such is my love & such is all his fruits,  
Even this was he which praised your matchless beauty:  
This first advisd me to commence my suits,  
This taught me first a faithful lovers duty.   

Good Phillis therefore yield me my request,  
Amintas doth not love as you supposed:  
And Faustulus sings Flora his best,  
His flocks within her pinfold he hath closed.   

Phillis I sing, on her are all my notes▪  
My sheep none other fellowship will take:  
Mad Corydon do buzz on clownish oats,  
As bald a verse as any lob can make.   

But want on nymphs the satires and the fairies,  
My seven stopped pipe (as sweet as mi●maides voice:)  
Will force, to dance about you the canaries,  
Whilst they shall wonder at my happy choice.   

Now Faustulus (lest you should think him old)  
Picks forth his hoary hears, with too much pain,  
His cheeks are ●ubd, least blood should seem too cold  
He were a youth, if all his frames were plain,   

Our ages (being like) must needs agree,  
The down appears upon my face but newly:  
Proud Corydon, will your commander be,  
But poor Amintas, will attend you duly.   

What should I trouble you with hearing more?  
Wherein my rivals are uneven with me,  
These are enough, yet have I better store,  
Sweet therefore let the worthy crowned be.    

The fourth Epistle.  

AS music gives, and takes away our lives,  
Whilst we with heed, attend her heavenly strains.  
Even so (my life) your answer both revives  
And kills your servant, with a world of pains.  
For though at first, my fainting hop●s it mended  
The end (alas) a ●●rdering fear portended.   

Whilst (fai●●) I heard you say you red my letters,  
And that you were not with my suit displeased:  
If all the churls of Asia, were my de●●ers,  
Their depts my heart so much had never eased.  
Me thought I felt the strangest quicking grow,  
That ever hoping lover yet did know.   

But doubt of death so much could hardly move,  
Or daunt your servant well resound to die:  
As when I heard you say you knew not love,  
Nor ever meant his madding for to try,  
Oh then I wished that with the self ●ame dart,  
Love would strike you wherewith he pierced my heart.   

Yet so I prayed and pray him hit my sweet,  
As only I may be your first election:  
In hope that when our equal passions mee●e,  
We both shall strive to conquer in affection.  
For I should die to see you so ab●sed,  
As him to love by whom you are refused.   

And since they say it is the ancient use,  
That for our loves we Venus must entreat:  
Because I will admit you no excuse;  
Words of great weight to hi● I will repeat.  
And words with gifts right humbly shall be sealed,  
In ●ope that so this fever may be healed.   

Two milk white doves, a rich & precious chaplet  
Wrought all of gold & pearls fetched from the east,  
Baskets of flowers, the Rose, the Violet,  
To set upon her best beloveds crest.  
These shall she have and I will bribe her son,  
Cost is no cost, so Phillis may be won.   

A pair of chirping sparrows will I bring him,  
And ever kissing turtles truly matched,  
Options of love, and sonnets will I sing him,  
What would I not, so this may be despatched?  
So Phillis may my love with love requite,  
I do not weigh the price of my delight.   

Now if chance (and sometimes so it chanceth)  
That chaste Diana take him in her traps:  
Whilst close in bushes with her maids he danceth  
Or like a wag doth wanton in their laps,  
If then ●obbes the boy of all his treasure,  
Well shall he find that I will do him pleasure.   

For though she sends him naked as my nailne,  
Home to his mother sad to see that sight,  
With clipped wings without his pitch-blacke vail  
Of bow, of darts, of torch bereaved quite.  
Amintas will his losses soon restore,  
As good or better than they were before.   

Wings, bow and shafts, a scarf, a burning tarch,  
Shall richly be supplied by my art,  
To catch, to shoot and pierce, to blind, to scorch  
Yourself, your side, your eyes, your frozen heart.  
For do you think that I will let him want,  
The means whereby he may disdain supplant?   

In your fair eyes new arrows must be ●ound,  
For if they hidden there did not remain,  
How did your sight enforce this gaping wound,  
Or what was it that caused me all this pain?  
There must he seek & there he sur● shall have them  
Phillis may not say nay, if love do crave them.   

His wings above your ankle he shall find,  
For if they had not wings to cut the air,  
How could you fly more swift than any wind?  
The vows of shepherd's ●rged by despair.  
And till these wings be parted from your heels,  
You cannot mark the smart Amintas feels.   

Her crystal breast transparaunt to the view,  
To make loves quiver seemeth passing fit,  
Yet but to keep those arrows that be ●rue:  
For falsehood doubtless hath no place in it.  
And might I wish then only should it hold,  
That arrow which is headed all with gold.   

These must you give, the rest shall come from me,  
My bending arms shall serve him for a bow  
For as they only long to circled thee,  
So would they hit none other that I know.  
And in my cloudy eyes with tears half blind,  
To hide my wants he scarf enough may find.   

His torches shall he kindle in my breast,  
Where love to blow the fire never ceaseth:  
And as desire can enjoy no rest,  
So ever moving, ever heat increaseth.  
These weapons, wings, this quiver, scarf, and flame  
Your cursed ha●t shall with triumph shortly ●ame.   

The very arrows which to love you lend,  
Put in mine arms (he drawing then the string):  
Shall rush on you, so as before they end,  
Some of my notes you shallbe taught to sing.  
And when your trial doth loves force discover,  
You will no more delay your truest loue●.   

Mean time (my chick) whilst thus you shall be used,  
Think not that your Amintas will be idle:  
Those stubborn thoughts which cannot be excused,  
With fair entreaties I intent to bridle.  
My pleasing verses in your stone hard mind,  
Shall stab in ●ony wounds to make you kind.   

Churl that I am) deserve I not much blame?  
To call her hard that is so mild and soft?  
A stone was I, a stone that breast to name,  
Which with my verses hath been filled so oft.  
Too largely did I give my threats their scope,  
Since you did mildly grant me leave to hope.   

And hope I will as Phillis doth desire,  
Or quick or slow your becks my hope shall frame:  
If stay you bid, then will I quench the fire,  
But if you hast, I will become a flame.  
For my contentment never may be wrought,  
With that which shall displease you but in thought   

Forgive me therefore though I did amiss,  
Or beat me well, but not with staves or whips:  
My punishment shall be enough for this,  
If your sweet mouth do rap me on the lips.  
Your praise hereafter shall I better sing,  
When more experience greater art shall bring.   

Near will I rest but I will practise still,  
To pass them all that live upon this plain:  
And if my strength agreeth to my will,  
You shall confess I labour not in vain.  
Your beauty shall so echo in the air.  
As all this isle shall sing that you are fair.   

I speak not rashly for I know the trouble,  
That is required so many to exceed:  
Yet doubt I not but that my force will double,  
Your gracious looks assisting at my need.  
Our golden wits (if you will favour me)  
Shall say Amintas loveth more than we.   

So strives the nightingale to please his choice,  
Reposing on a thorn his sleepy breast:  
Seeming in pains as richly to rejoice  
As other birds are used to do in rest.  
Proud that his love in virtue so excelleth,  
To day and night her worthiness he telleth.   

Yet if with mine he shall compare his skill,  
When once your smiles my knowledge have amended  
Though honest envy doth his worst fulfil,  
My conquest yet with honour shall be ended.  
Then shall you find before we part asunder  
That Phillis in Amint as works a wonder.   

Me think I see how pertly first he rouseth,  
As preface to some new devised strain,  
Opening his clap as doth a hawk that bowseth:  
To send forth tumes fit for Marenzoes' vain.  
Now long, now short, now high & now as low,  
Each corner of his voice he strains to show.   

Me think his nimble tongue I plainly see,  
How it doth labour to divide each note,  
And whilst in vain he works to vanquish me,  
It seems to dance the antic in his throat.  
Now sings he mirth, & now he seems to weep,  
Sometime aloud, sometimes as half asleep.   

But were this combat true as it is feigned,  
And were we evenly listed in the field:  
Fear lest the weakest should be most disdained,  
would burst his bowels ere he once would yield.  
His very best what sluggard would not prove▪  
Rather then like a wretch to die with love,    

The Fifth Epistle:  

Letters you take, why take you not my gifts?  
Enforcing charms I utterly detest,  
Your mind I wrist not with unlawful shifts.  
Only I seek to win you by request.  
And with myself I never would dispense,  
In thought to perpetrate so foul offence.   

These worthless presents (measuring your deserts)  
Are but the pledges of unfeigned love,  
Given by an honest hand and such a heart,  
As only your unkindness may remove.  
So might you take them with like hand, like mind  
For greater ●aith I do not wish to find.   

Bar not my merits of their due access,  
This ring of gold, this pail fear not to take,  
Though small they be yet were they somewhat les  
I hope you will accept them for my sake.  
And if my flock another year do mend,  
A richer gift I promise you to send.   

Yet are they better than perhaps they seem,  
This ring I tell you I do give the rather,  
Because my mother did it much esteem,  
Being the first love token of my father.  
Who putting it upon her little finger,  
Told her that love could not endure to linger.   

The very words my heart to Phillis pleads:  
The mot engraven do speak, Drawn by demerit:  
'tis strange how fortune every action leads,  
Making the son his father's wounds inherit.  
So loved he then, so loue● now his heir,  
Both we were constant, both our loves we feire.   

Mark how the pail is curiously inchased,  
In these our days such works are seldom found:  
The handle with such antics is embraced,  
As one would think they leapt above the ground,  
The Enamel is so fair, and fresh of hue,  
As to this day it seemeth to be new.   

That glass where in the sun doth sometime pry,  
To see his harp, and quiver placed right:  
And to amend those locks that are awry,  
Against he meets his best beloved at night.  
That glass (I say) the rainbow I intent,  
Not half these colours from her clouds do send   

The substance wrought deserves but little price,  
Comparing to the workmanship of it:  
More than them both I value his devise,  
That in small space so may things did fit.  
Yet imitats the life in every shape,  
As if the carver had been nature's ape.   

But since the emblems some what secret be,  
I will declare each charge and what is meant:  
Even as my mother uttered them to me,  
When unto you both ring and pail she sent.  
The order I must keep and first is set,  
A Lady covered with a golden net.   

Look how at church or in the open street,  
A sluttish bawd, or some unquiet scold:  
That for her sins doth penance in a sheet,  
A cloth before her shameless face doth hold.  
So in this net the trembling Lady stands,  
Hiding her blushing cheeks with both her hands   

The net is loves right worthily supported,  
Bacchus one end, the other Ceres guideth:  
Like Tramellers this god and gods sported,  
To take each foul that in their walks abideth.  
And as by night they up and down did jumble,  
Upon Minerva by mischance did stumble.   

Minerva in their nets so strangely masked,  
As struggling was too weak to set her fre●:  
Till by loves censure she was straightly tasked,  
From that time forth his drudge and slave to be.  
To teach us first this first of all was placed,  
That love by niceness will not be disgraced.   

For though when nature used on roots to bite,  
And ●rinck such liquor as the well did give▪  
Though then to catch her, love had small delight,  
As better pleased in fatter minds to live.  
Yet since the world with diet ●lowes,  
Both her and all the rest ●e overthrows.   

Wretched Prometheus next to these here stands,  
Whose side do freshly seem even now to bleed:  
His fettered legs and his enchained hands,  
doth hold him whilst the Eagles on him feed.  
The eagle's tear, and tire upon his heart,  
But though he shrinks he cannot shun the smart.   

Mark how his forehead doth both frown & skoule  
To show that he both wrath, & grief sustains:  
Mark how he gapes as if he meant to howl,  
Or else to bite the workers of his pains.  
His staring eyes right bitterly did threat,  
To drive those hasty feeders from their meat.   

Even as a wolf whom hunter's staff doth choke,  
Whilst angry dogs his torments more increase:  
New smart with his resistance doth provoke,  
And may nor fight nor yet procure a peace.  
So stands Prometheus to abide his throws,  
And end whereof he neither hopes nor knows.   

Though day by day his heart they do devour,  
And rifell all the entrails they can catch:  
Yet have nor beaks nor gripping talons power,  
His soul from martyred carca●e to dispatch.  
But still he lives for night doth still restore,  
What gorged Eagles eat the day before.   

Perhaps the cause here of you do admire,  
And why this penance thus he doth perform:  
Some say he filched from jove the lively fire  
Wherewith he quicneth every perfect form.  
And yet (no doubt) it hath another sense,  
Not plain in show, but plain by inference.   

By such as fire from heaven do steal away,  
Is meant all those that place their love too high:  
For such do yield their hearts to them a prey,  
Who ever killing never make them die.  
Soul fretting cares as fa●t our quiet eat,  
As empty Eagles do devour their meat   

Yet hope, and rest, as much by night repairs,  
As care by day (too greedily) did waste,  
Thus lives & deaths from hopes & from despairs,  
To climbing minds incessantly are cast.  
Why therefore should we wish more than we need?  
An hundred hands must fifty bellies feed.   

The third by shape, or form, appears a monster,  
Having both head and feet and all things double:  
But least the truth thereof you should misconstrue,  
I will declare it (were it not your trouble).  
This parsonage Androgina was named,  
Thus man and woman jointly first were framed   

All of one piece their loins and heads did grow,  
Difference of sex was utterly unknown:  
So joined their foreheads and their parts below,  
As equal men together had been fowne.  
Like to indentures met twice twenty toes,  
And when they move the one half backward goes.   

So may you see by two Lavalto danced,  
Who face to face about the house do hop:  
And when one mounts; the other is advanced,  
At once they move, at once they both do stop.  
Their gestures show a mutual consent,  
I think this last the first did represent.   

Four eyes it had yet so their foreheads grew,  
As they could neither glance nor look amiss:  
Only the one, the other still did view,  
Much like to wantonness smothering of a kiss.  
One health, one voice, at once they laugh and weep  
Happy are they that such agreements keep.   

And thus (no doubt) these had remained ever,  
(So evenly were they matched, at first by nature:)  
If discord had not laboured to dissever,  
And par●e them both by altering of their stature,  
With sickness therefore striue● this concord breker  
To make one half thereof become the weaker.   

And sickness made indeed the one so tangle,  
That then her growth was hindered much thereby:  
Which caused the united so to wrangle,  
As boys for clothes, when they a could do lie.  
Whereat the stronger falls to flat disdain,  
And now he minds to part though to his pain.   

The sick consents and saith as he doth say,  
Their arms are strained, their joining skin is rend,  
The stronger by his force doth ●eare away,  
A greater share then ere was to him ment.  
Hence quarrels grew: ●oue knows it was unjust  
But still the weaker to the wall is thrust.   

Thus discord made that simphathy divide,  
Thus parted was, the tongue, the flesh, the brain  
Much better had they been one to abide,  
Then still to long to join themselves again.  
But soft me thinks my pen too fast doth troth,  
In uttering that which now concerns it not.   

For I should tell the meaning of this twin,  
Which only signifies the Gordian knot:  
That tongue tide knot, which but with deadly sin,  
Or wealth▪ or woe, or time dissolveth not.  
To speak more plain it shows the marrying states  
To choose & to converse them with their mates,   

Their Birth, their wealth, and age, alike should be,  
Equality do sweeten much that life:  
An hateful sight I guess it were to see,  
The Lion's daughter made the moushiss wife.  
So therefore was Androgina devised,  
As just one height and bigness it comprised.   

By going backward alwaise of the one,  
Is meant the yielding wedlock doth require:  
And that one ought not ever rule alone,  
But some time cross himself in his desire.  
Yea from our likeing we must backward go,  
And though we would not; say it should be so.   

The inward placing of their double eyes,  
Was to restrain the nimble wandering thought:  
For searching sight so many motes espies,  
As oft it makes us think of that is nought.  
And thought in time will breed a free consent,  
From whence proceeds a danger pestilent.   

But lest I dwell too long upon this toy,  
I next will speak a little of the last  
Upon a bank there sits the flying boy,  
His bow unbent his quiver loosely cast.  
With wings all wet as beaten with a shower,  
Who sees him now would scarcely fear his power   

One foot upon the others lap doth lie,  
His right hand groping round about that heel:  
The left do put the finger in the eye,  
As if he plained for smart that he doth feel.  
So have I seen old batch the painter trace,  
A whipped boy look up with crying face.   

His broken scarf hangs down upon his arm,  
Cupid now sees who erst was deemed blind,  
A prick he caught which doth him all this harm  
For which he seeks but no where can it find:  
Yet still he looks where oft he looked before,  
With that my mother smiled and said no more.    

THE ANSWER OF PHILLIS TO A MINT AS BY THE TRANSLATOR.  

TO satisfy her friend thus Phillis writeth,  
Scarce well advised to whom or what she doth  
For trembling hand whilst fearful thought inditeth  
Do tell me oft, men speak not always sooth.  
And that too many seem as they where just,  
In whom our trials find but little trust.   

Yet I have heard how much they use to glory:  
(As if it were some news of good import)  
Of us to tell an over loving story,  
Where with they make themselves & others sport  
But in what case is that poor seely maid?  
That by her own good nature is betrayed.   

Now twice too kind (I must confess) it is,  
For us to write or show our bad inventions;  
The lines we send prove maps of our amiss,  
Wherein you men false measure our intention.  
And though of love, the verses have no savour,  
Yet are they deemed too prodigal a favour.   

We vergins on an open stage are set:  
Where many eyes examine every deed:  
Where slander hides in every bush a net  
To warn us in our ways to take good heed.  
Then may we hope that lines will ought conceal?  
Which like bad servants all they know reu●ale.   

The inside of our hearts must not be seen:  
We must lock up the secrets of the mind,  
And though Amintas ever true hath been,  
Yet Phillis must not show herself too kind.  
With these persuasions did I hold my hand,  
Till your intreties gave a countermand.   

Where with the love which once I did conceive▪  
(Before your sight to get what I would keep)  
Began a new impression to receive  
In hope to charm your fond desires asleep.  
For (truth to speak) before your suit began  
I thought Amintas was an honest man.   

Yet such as chastened mean to live and die,  
Must shun occasions, tempting their intent,  
And hate such suitors as in wait do lie  
To make our thoughts become incontinent.  
My maidenhood was promised to my grave:  
An others right Amintas may not have.   

And I did tell old Mopsus when he brought,  
(Too pander like) the verses first you sent,  
That since to wrack my chastity you sought,  
I would revoke the friendship erst I meant:  
'Twas wisely done to send him on that arrant,  
Since of his council you had little warrant.   

Now if I should (which near is like to be)  
Forsake the sweetness of this single life,  
In truth, I rather had be matched with thee,  
Then otherwise become a Prince his wife.  
Yet do not mend your hope with this I say  
For trust me Phillis neither will nor may.   

For who do mark the dangers that arise,  
And see the pains and cares the wedded v●nter:  
But will prevent (at least if they be )  
That they such troubles shall not rashly enter.  
But grant some maids their happiness would lose  
Yet can you scarcely teach us how to choose,   

For may we take those men whose ●ies do sue?  
Gazing as if in us they sought their hearts:  
Or may we think their shamefast gestures true,  
Whose signs appear the patterns of their smarts  
So wrought Ortello, yet how false was he?  
And why should his succeeders truer be?   

Or are they best who with their heartsick woes,  
A spotless faith right solemnly will swear:  
Or such as with old begging words compose,  
A bosom love to hackney every where.  
The perjured lovers look as others do,  
The last to show their cunning only woo.   

What counsel then since ●ares and eyes may err?  
And error breed●s both smart and bitte● shame:  
If we misgrant the futes they do prefer,  
Repentance cannot staunch our bleeding fame.  
So that if signs, & words, & vows be forceles,  
Women have cause (I think) to be remorseless.   

And since both good, and bad, their truth will boast  
(Bearing themselves as if no harm they meant),  
Considering that the worst are ever most,  
We must suspect the very best intent.  
For deep deceit will speak as fair as he,  
Who loveth best and feignest loved would be.   

Now some (again) (too fond) amongst the rest,  
For present time do love with withdraw mind:  
Yet when a while their loves they have possessed,  
In whom difference from their thoughts they find  
Perceiving how their hopes were thembeguiled,  
All fo●mer love by them is quite exiled.   

Then others fortunes they begin to measure,  
Guessing how well some other men have sped:  
Their own is , the r●st (they think) are treasure  
And now they tell how much they were mi●led.  
In neighbour's fields the corn is better grown,  
And every thing is richer than their own.   

From whence there doth a world of michiefs slide  
For then hath thrift his paspo● to be gone:  
All honest and love is laid aside,  
Yea and those michiefs seldom come alone.  
For loathing minds are longing to be free,  
And care not how so it effected be.   

I am not angry (though I shrewdly speak),  
For sin it were with love to be displeased▪  
Only I seek your vain desires to break,  
Which yet but sparks (I hope) may be appeased.  
And I dare swear that, you are none of those,  
That with are practised to gloze.   

Yet must I prosecute my first occasion,  
By all good means affection to subdue:  
And might I so prevail by my persuasion,  
As henceforth you such suits would not ●enew.  
Might I (Amintas) thus those toys remove,  
Then should I think that Phillis you did love.   

Why: feign I were a man as you do say,  
And that my beauty did so far exceed:  
Is't therefore strange if you should have a nay,  
Do every suitor of his purpose speed.  
That which you did demand is ●ought by many  
But I will neither give it you nor any.   

And yet to you before a thousand more,  
Were they as rich as Crassus in his pride:  
And were Amintas more than thrice as poor,  
When I may love to him my love is tided.  
But till our friends consent, we have ●o power,  
The covenant of that knot is none of our.   

For as from parents we our flesh do borrow,  
So must we pay the dept which kind do owe:  
And you shall always see the maid have ●orrow,  
Which cross their liking doth herself bestow.  
Whose careful eyes all danger will espy,  
When our blind fancies lead us clean awry.   

And though my mother favoureth you too much,  
And partially to me reports your praise,  
Yet what may she do since the world is such:  
As now the husband every action sways,  
Of whose consent there is no little doubt,  
Farewell for now my wasted light goes out.   
FINIS.