A Revelation of the true Minerva.  
The effect of this book. Who on earth be gods: and by what means mortal men may be made immortal.  Psal. Lxxxii. 
God standeth in the congregation of the gods: he is judge amongst the gods.  
1582.   engraved decorative border  

To the very virtuous and my singular good Lady, the Lady Leighton, one of the Ladies of the Queen's Majesties most honourable privy Chamber: the Pilgrim wisheth a long and happy life, with such increase of honour, as her ladyships godly endeavours do deserve.  
HOw far little England (my very good Lady) doth in perfect felicity surpass all the large kingdoms of the world, that travel and small experience which I have had, hath sufficiently taught me: and in truth (were it not that the general plenty of passing much happiness, doth make a great multitude of people to forget in many respects their duties,) I would without doubting steadfastly believe that the Sun itself neither doth, nor ever hath shined upon any place, whose prosperity might compare with this Islands: brought in deed to that worthy pass by the great good government & singular industry of the Queen's Majesties most excellent wisdom. The due consideration whereof, did move me continually to force myself in the praise of so great a parsonage, and finding my weakness equal with mine unworthiness, I was still restrained from that attempt, and had indeed never attempted but that necessity constraineth the ignorant to speak when the learned be silent, & the truth may with great commendation be uttered out of the mouth of a child. At my last return out of the main Ocean, being entered into that broad & boisterous bay of Portugal, there (I may truly say) amongst the most mighty and greatest overgrown Seas in the world, the strength of my desire so prevailed, as it forced me (even there) solemnly to vow, presently after mine arrival I would endeavour to strain my breath to the uttermost, so to sound forth her excellent praise, who of a barbarous I'll hath made a most flourishing common wealth. And being arrived in that pleasant Tempe, immediately solitary contemplation so acquainted me with the heavenly divine powers, that not by imagination, but with present familiar conference, I was continually conversant with the Muses, with all learning's Ladies, even with the ansient Gods and Goddesses themselves, who have repaid my diligent service with a small ability to use my pen as a proper instrument against irksome idleness, and a sharp sword to vanquish her brutish daughter blind ignorance mother to error, the dreadful undoer of mankind. By this means I filled of late five queeres of paper with mine own devices, if a man may esteem that his which the great worldemaker, I know not by what secret divine infusion convaieth into him, which book for that it is in deed but a brief repetition of the Queen's majesties due deserved praises, therefore I did entitle it A Revelation of the true Minerva: in which discourse for that it pleaseth many of the worthiest that ever lived to utter some speeches in the praise of her most excellent Majesty, and to surrender and resign over their titles, being as it would seem, provoked thereto by her majesties due deserts, I not able to conceal that part, have abruptly rend it from the rest which made it once more beautiful. And because your ladyships exceeding great wisdom hath made you a very worthy member of her majesties most royal Court, and hath enriched you with such credit as you may mightily defend all godly and good endeavours, having your place continually very near unto her majesties elbow, therefore I have set forth this first part under your tuition, hoping that the matter therein contained shall please even as many as shall read it, and thus your ladyships most humble servant doth end, wishing unto you in every respect your hearts desires.   

The Printer to the Reader.  
GEntle reader, the intricate sense of some things contained in this small treatise, may induce thy doubtful mind into divers judgements: therefore by observing the Alphabetical order set down in the margin, and so conferring the notes which I have hear prefixed with the authors discourse, thou shalt (I doubt not,) find a light sufficient to lead thee thorough that darkness, and thou understanding thereby his intent (I hope) remain sufficiently satisfied, which thing I heartily wish.  
BEcause that divers very good Philosophers have interprited this word * Saturn to signify the plentiful abundance of a mind endued with true understanding, deriving it from the greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: because also in his time the golden world was in the most flourishing estate: therefore he is here brought in, as one endued with the true understanding how to govern and rule a common weal: and so generally throughout this treatise, when any one whom the heathen for his worthiness worshipped as a god is rehearsed, not the man, but the virtue which made him of so great estimation is to be regarded, and in this place the author with great admiration, finding all virtue, goodness and godliness, to concur in a woman, because he thinketh it no heresy to affirm that every good man having the place of a Magistrate is a god: therefore his intent is, that they whom virtue made gods, should create this goddess, the very beloved of God, on whom God hath abundantly bestowed his great and best blessings without measure, and thus he taketh his exordium from the Psal. 82 God standeth in the congregation of the gods, etc.  
Pallas and Minerva by the authority of many Poets would seem both to be but one: because Pallas the daughter of jupiter is called by the name of Minerva: yet this is most certain, we read but of one Pallas whose name is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: she is of some called Bellona the goddess of war, of other Tritonia, taking that name of the Fen in which she was first found: she was counted the goddess of humane knowledge, and Aristotle calleth her Scientiarum & prudentiae dea: but we read of 5. Mineruae: all the Philosophers, and especially Tully (contrary to the opinion of many Poets) do call one of them Disciplinarum, & Sapientiae dea, the great and greatest goddess, even she who had the knowledge of heavenly wisdom: but how so ever it was his intent is to show that worldly wit is of none effect without heavenly wisdom, and for that cause Pallas doth here lament the loss of Mineruae, thinking it not possible that the politic laws of any common weal can be of sufficient force to beat down sin, and to bridle the ranging desires of man's disposition without divinity, and that the body cannot be brought to obey any law, except that the working of the conscience be the chief cause thereof: and so he proceedeth to his purpose, to prove that heavenly wisdom is the knowledge and fear of God, and she which is endued therewith, doth well deserve to be called Minerva, the very true goddess of wisdom.  
Allecto that spiteful furiesse of hell (for so have the Ancients termed hatred and malice) doth upon no occasion devise to hurt the happy, and such as by virtue do ascend unto the top of fortune's wheel, & to advance the unworthy: therefore here he bringeth in Galathea, a light & very wanton woman, and thereby may be seen how blind spite and hatred are: whose desire is always to destroy the virtuous, and to advance the wicked.  
There is nothing else contained in this verse but a Poetical description of a devise, such as the Pope's holiness is full of, especially when he would extinguish the light of the Gospel, and as this verse seemeth to have no sense, so his devices have no force, therefore it observeth a certain Decorum.  
Farewell.   

The Preface.  

A Poor Pilgrim who seeks the circle round  
Of all the world to find his hearts desire,  
On tope of high Pernassas hill he found  
This book, which all the Muses did admire,  
With golden chain on desk of Genepire  
Fast locked it lay upon Apollo's seat.  
This in his breast did kindle first the fire,  
Both night and day he did the Gods entreat,  
Long time he served with trickling drops of sweat  
Like drudge to learning's Ladies small and great:  
And in the end they gave him for his hire  
Such knowledge as of them he did require.  
Minerva now revealed is renowned,  
For fame her name and due desert doth sound:  
Her happy head with goodly crown is crowned,  
Long may she live and climb in honour hire,  
All means removed that may move her to ire  
The Pilgrim prays, doubting his own retire.   
Go straight and fear not.   

A Revelation of the true Minerva.  

Almighty jove, he Saturn sage did send,  
Commanding Mars, & Mercury to meet,  
Apollo passing prudent did attend:  
And Neptune left the seas, and all his fleet,  
The God of gods, these Goodly Gods did greet:  
Then thus he said, let it be known by you,  
Whom I on earth most worthy do avow.   

Forespent with speed, consumed well near with haste,  
Pallas, she there did piteously complain,  
Both I, and all the world is quite digrast,  
My dear sister, Minerva mine, in vain  
I live alas, for now there doth remain,  
No no, not one Minerva done away,  
Which in her place is meet to bear the sway.   

The Muses mourn, and mourn they may for me  
Sith goddess she of greatest grace is gone,  
Poor Pallas I perplexed with misery,  
Am left alone, (alas) and all alone:  
To you, you gods my state I do bemoan,  
And if you will have Pallas still remain,  
Than you a new Minerva must ordain.   

Apollo sat with Saturn by his side,  
Hence Mercury, go get thee hence he said,  
Do seek and search through all the world so wide  
For her, who may be new Minerva made,  
Whose due deserved fame shall never fade.  
The winged God went thence as swift as wind:  
And Saturn sage did thus declare his mind.   

All savage then like tearing Tigers fell,  
more bruit than beasts, there lust most lewd was law:  
Men lived when I a man with men did dwell,  
Then men by men were rend and eaten raw:  
From wicked wild even I these men did draw  
To civil life, by my good government:  
They were inclined to know what reason meant.   

Then laws I made, and right at last did reign,  
All men with one consent put to their hand:  
From hills and woods in the most pleasant plain  
men met like friends, and as they there did stand,  
Both how, and who, should rule, and till the land  
I did ordain, cities and towns they then  
did build, of beasts, they were by me made men.   

Then none did eat the sweet of others sweat,  
For thine by right, and merry mine I made,  
Therefore a God of all the gods most great  
They me ordained, my fame can never fade  
Till heaven and all the earth be quite decayed:  
For Saturn sits aloft in seemly sphere,  
Even so doth Mars (said Mars) as you shall hear.   

Thy mine and thine did breed such bitter strife,  
From out the world when thou wert once away,  
As every man did seek each others life,  
That witless will might have the power of may  
To rule unruld, to bear the chiefest sway:  
Then king with king, the weakest went to wrack,  
And mighty mine made feeble thine his lack.   

Then might was right, for all thy laws were lame,  
The goodly ground with blood was then imbrued,  
Then wars and warlike weapons I did frame,  
And force perforce, I right again renewed,  
Most quiet peace my bloody wars insude:  
My trained troops of soldiers kept in awe,  
All such whose lewdness made their lust a law.   

You greatest gods do grant and give me grace,  
Silenus' sage (all Satier like) did say:  
To tell a truth here in this press and place:  
Mars half amazed, his story there did stay:  
They gave him leave, than he without delay▪  
men may be gods, even gods of great degree,  
Such gods must die like men, and so did we.   

Why, how, and who, by God and men be made,  
Of mortal men immortal gods give ear,  
when due deserved fame can never fade:  
Report by right above the earth shall rear  
All such, and set their names in seemly sphere,  
Such live on earth more happy than the rest:  
Such have in heaven a bliss of all the best.   

Bacchus did plant, and Ceres sowed the ground,  
Neptune devised the swelling Seas to sail,  
Apollo for his learning was renowned: 
Haec prudentiae, illa sapientiae dea.   
For worldly wit dame Pallas did prevail,  
Even she who here Minerva's want doth wail,  
These all were gods by due desert, and she  
A goddess, next Minerva by degree.   

For heavenly wisdom 
* Minerva  she excelled each one,  
Her knowledge was, the soul from sin to save,  
Which knowledge now is known alas to none,  
For all the world it is so bouncing brave  
As none, no one doth think upon his grave:  
If Sapiens divine wisdom be dead,  
Then Pallas may with tears consume her bred.   

Divinity is made a masking coat,  
To compass what the devilish do devise,  
Deceit and craft hath set their force afloat,  
All men have wit, and no man now is wise:  
Like Proteus proud they do themselves disguise,  
No Gods but Devils, no men but beasts they be:  
Practising craft and deep hypocrisy.   

As men before Saturnus time were rude,  
Now much more brute and savage they will be,  
If care of conscience doth not sin detrude:  
You must therefore erect divinity,  
And one ordain of great and good degree,  
Who must possess Minerva's former place,  
So all the world true knowledge will embrace.   

Then he and they all silent suddenly,  
Their musing minds did mourn and marvel much,  
That this the last and latter age should be  
Forlorn, the grieved Gods here at did grudge.  
Then Mercury his quick return was such,  
Like hagarde hawk from haughty heaven he sell,  
And thus he did to them his travel tell.   

Where Troy once stood no city now doth stand,  
A rude unlearned rout in Thebes remain,  
In Athens now there be a beastly band,  
And Rome is rude her vaunting is in vain:  
Even so is France, all Italy, and spain,  
No Livye lives, no Tully can be found,  
There is not one good Poet on the ground.   

That haughty hill Parnassus heavenly high  
For learning where the lowly Laurel grew,  
The bramble brier hath got the victory:  
The banks once brave with flowers of goodly hew,  
All Helecon is black with moulded blue:  
Permessus springs be dry, the Nymphs be dead,  
The gorgeous garlands gone, the Muses flayed.   

The wars hath wiped what worthy was away,  
And Barbarye doth Christendom devour,  
The Turk, the Moor, the prince of Persia,  
They daily do increase in strength and power,  
They learning loath, they build like beasts their bower  
In igoraunce, they fear nor God nor devil,  
They hate the good, they honour what is evil.   

Yet I am sent that Phoenix rare to find  
Whom all in vain I seek and can not see,  
And yet she lives, and is of Satur's kind,  
Begot by Mars, preserved by jove, and she  
Remains alive, in place not known to me,  
The firm of all the world myself have sought,  
Yet her to find the Oracle hath taught.   

Where Arctike pool with Guards doth stand  
L. and two 
Lacking a third part.  degrees from land  
Minerva doth remain:  
Where want of war and quiet peace  
Hath cloyed the country with increase  
of gold and goodly grain,  
Where Troynovant, where Athens new,  
where noble Nymphs do dwell,  
Where many modest Muses be,  
even such as do excel.   

This greatest goddess there in throne  
Of highest dignity alone  
doth sit, and bear the sway:  
Olympus there, Parnassus hie,  
Permessus springs be never dry,  
the ground is green and gay:  
The Palm and Laurel there doth grow,  
even there her biding is,  
Out from the world, yet on the ground,  
even in a place of bliss.   

There comes quoth noble Neptune to my mind  
That same of yore which sober Sibyl said,  
When Mercury in vain shall seek to find:  
When all the world with wars shall be dismayed:  
When learnings light shall seem to be decayed:  
Let Neptune then rejoice with triple mace,  
Let all the gods departed and give him place.   

Where at the gods greatly grieved did frown,  
And said, the sea could not the land excead:  
But suddenly there was a goodly crown  
With garlands gay on noble Neptune's head,  
Embroidered brave in roman letters red  
All parcel gilt, and burnished with blue,  
The truth was set, and thus it did ensue.   

The tearing tract of time hath wasted and worn out the worthy,  
The mighty main now may mourn such loss, sith the sea hath her glory.   

The grieved gods did marvel all amazed,  
Such unknown sights upon this crown were seen,  
About the top a swelling sea was raised:  
In which a chalky cliff with meadows green,  
There in on stately throne a royal Queen,  
A prancing Pegasus stood by the dame,  
And on his back sat everlasting fame.   

On highest top a heavenly angel stood,  
Hard by his side a Herald had his place,  
From raging seas, even from the Ocean flood  
Appeared a prince, bold Brutus by his grace,  
To Herald he declared his royal race:  
The king at arms his pedigree he pend,  
The Angel marked and did his miss amend,   

The Queen to noble Brutus' blood was found  
By long descent allied lineally,  
Aeneas he who was so much renowned  
From him did Brute descend successively:  
The wandering prince had his nativity  
For him who was the eldest son, in seat  
His grandsire sat, of all the gods most great.   

The seat wherein this courtly Queen did sit  
was Ruby rare, none seen forsice so great,  
a golden globe was under both her feet,  
a comely cloud did compass all the seat,  
the sea in vain the cloud and globe did beat  
with foaming froth, about her heavenly head  
Pallas persuade a posy, which she read.   

Not such a goddess again in Asia, Europe, or Africa,  
for virtue, great degree, for her magnanimity,  
Now let Apollo give place, let Neptune sit in the chief seat,  
sith in his sea she doth dwell, ruling a world at her will,  
Blissed & blessed again, three times thrice happy minerva,  
with thee and thine estate no mortal man may compare.   

Then Pan (when Neptune had Apollo's place)  
that rural god and clownish rustics king,  
with shepherds three attending on his grace,  
he plied his pipe, the one of them did sing,  
the second sighth, the third his hands did wring,  
when pastor Pan persuade their piteous plight,  
his pipe laid down he made his men recite  
their cause of care.  
From walled town I Bembus wonted was  
a mighty mass of money once a year  
full xl. crowns I did return, alas  
now xx. grootes I can not compass clear,  
my stock, my store, my household stuff most dear,  
I spend, and spoil, and all to none avail,  
lawgh he that list, Bembus shall weep and wail.   

On pleasant pipe to play did please me much,  
I did delight sweet ditties to indight:  
But now the woes of wretched wars be such  
As nothing else but how in field to fight,  
And how to keep the flock from soldiers sight:  
That ravening wolf, whose never filled maw  
With rage doth make his wicked will a law.   

Poor Colon I, and careful Comma she  
My wedded wife, once happy, now forlorn,  
Let us complain of fortune's cruelty,  
The country's grace, and now the country's scorn,  
X. men, v. flocks, v. ploughs, to sow my corn  
I kept, but now the greater is my care  
My flocks be stolen, my fruitful fields be bare.   

The people for the prince's pride are plagued,  
It falleth to the faultless subjects lot,  
To double drink in cruel cup of care,  
When perverse princes madding mind doth dote:  
Bellona then doth sound a doleful note,  
Then bloody men of war the sweet doth eat  
Without regard of us the shepherds sweat.   

My Bembus dear thou knowest this Summer last,  
Whose army laid all level with the ground  
Our corn half ripe, our vines were spoiled as fast,  
Our towns be burnt, our woods worth many a pound  
Be quite destroyed, and where may now be found  
One hedge, or ditch, not torn nor trodden down,  
This cursed crop we reap from high renown.   

In winter now when Boreas bitter blast  
Forbids in field that armed men should meet,  
A greater grief we country men do taste,  
We cess are, the soldier eats the sweet  
Of all our toil, a thing nor just nor meet,  
Such is my state: yet this my hireling  
when Pan doth pipe what doth he then but sing.   

And sing thy servant must good Colon, he  
Doth hope to have (as he before hath had)  
A place of rest exempt from misery,  
You both (I think) do sin to be so sad,  
Take mine advise and be you ever glad,  
Do follow me, forsake these fields though known,  
Myself can give the like they be mine own.   

For I Epizenes' a pastor am,  
Though now thy man yet I myself keep men,  
With in my fields skipes many a lusty lamb,  
I dwell where beef and bacon meat for men,  
where milk and honey floweth like the fen:  
I dwell where want of war and quiet rest  
Doth plainly prove Britain to be the best.   

Epizenes' thou seemest to have no sense,  
Bembus shall prove thee mad or ignorant,  
If so it be, why didst thou run from thence?  
wherefore? because all things they be so scant  
where thou dost dwell, that naked need and want  
Did drive thee thence, my neighbour Colon can  
Report thy state, when first thou wert his man.   

Bembus, do hear the story of my state,  
cloyed with the bliss which now I do desire,  
I know not what the froward force of fate  
I being well, did make me to aspire,  
By travel I did think to climb up hire,  
Thus not content in paradise to dwell,  
seeking for heaven, I found out hateful hell,   

By sea and land myself with restless toil  
The circle round of all the world have sought,  
Since first I left my lovely native soil  
with dear expense my knowledge I have brought,  
The spice of Spain, Canary wine is nought,  
The grapes of France, the fruit of italy,  
Nor pleasant fields in Flanders pleaseth me,   

What tax, what tolle, what tribute do they pay?  
with daily wars, what wretched lives they lead?  
Kings they do cause continual decay,  
Their subjects live in daily doubt and dread.  
They woeful wights, do hate their hurtful head,  
They curse their kings, like slaves which make them serve,  
They till and toil, and yet for food they starve.   

Oppression rules with cruel tyranny,  
In Spain is spiteful superstition spread:  
Hard roughness doth remain in Germany,  
Fidelity from faithless France was flayed:  
In Italy fancy is suprime head:  
Blind ignorance in Barbary remain,  
The Turk doth love the devil, and God disdain.   

But none of these in Britain brave abide,  
Where goddess great Elizabeth doth rain.  
For God almighty with his grace doth guide  
Her highness heart, and all her courtly train,  
That happy he who may with her remain:  
Both poor and rich doth quietly possess  
Their own, the haven of heavenly happiness.   

When lust most lewd made justice leave the law:  
And vice destroyed dame virtues stately style:  
Divinity esteemed not worth a straw:  
These three disdained were banished to exile,  
They left the land, on seas they sailed a while,  
And at the last on Britain brave they fell,  
Where queen Eliza made these Ladies dwell.   

Religion first a certain sign of grace,  
Not next, but in her high●●●s heavenly heart,  
Amidst her mind virtue 〈◊〉 take her place:  
She did command justice not to departed  
From her right hand, nor from her side to start:  
Then thus she spoke, during my doubtful date  
I will be Queen, you three shall rule my state.   

Epizenes' (quoth) Pan if Bembus be,  
If Colon with his Comma be content,  
We will departed to place unknown with thee,  
And sell or let the sheep courses for rent:  
Some god perhaps thyself hath hither sent,  
Us to conduct to place where as we may  
Live like the men in rich Europia.   

And better much for liberty and gain,  
if so you will, then let us hence away.  
The winds be good, do never think it pain  
to sail the Seas, within a month we may  
have happy haven, and be in blessed bay:  
myself will take that stately charge in hand,  
to guide your course, and win the wished land.   

With this cross staff, wherewith I wont was,  
height, length, and breadth of every thing to tell,  
with that, and with an Astrolob of brass,  
Globe, Compass, a Nocturnal will do well,  
with these, and with my Card which doth excel,  
I so will sail, as you shall understand:  
that Palinurus hate the Helm in hand.   

When Titan sits in middayes' circle seat,  
when goodly Guards doth Arctic Pole display,  
then shall you see a shepherd do the feat,  
and perfectly direct you on your way:  
over the place where as I mean to stay,  
The North star stands at fifty two degree,  
That height found out, we find felicity.   

They were content, and as they did departed,  
The greatest god of all this goodly train,  
I see (he said) thou hast the Sea man's Art:  
My Mercury hath ceaseless sought in vain,  
Minerva there, Minerva doth remain:  
Go forth my son and travail to new Troy:  
He went, and came, and brought increase of joy.   

For as you see the swiftest Swallows wing,  
Doth cut the sky, and leaves her haunt behind:  
So Mercury the post of Gods did bring  
His message back, whom Homer hath assigned:  
A messenger to them of heavenly kind:  
To whom he did with speed his speech address,  
And thus what he had seen he did express.   

My travail proves the Oracle most true,  
The workmahship on Neptune's noble crown,  
Doth represent half the deserved due,  
Of her the greatest goddess of renown:  
Minerva lives, let Pallas cease to frown,  
She is alive, myself her grace have seen,  
In majesty, of Britain brave the Queen.   

To whom when first I made my message known,  
And said, O Queen the gods do thee salute,  
Saturn himself whose fame about is blown:  
Mars Neptune, and Apollo great by brute,  
Pallas thy younger sister hath a suit  
unto thy grace, they all, but chief she,  
Sent me to know thy state and great degree.   

The Queen replied, I know no God but one  
And he of heaven, who guides me by his grace:  
The Heathen had their Gods which now be gone,  
Whose Idols I by God's spell did deface:  
There is one God and him I do embrace,  
No sister I, yet what they do intend  
declare, for I all goodness will defend.   

Most mighty prince Saturn doth signify  
good government: Neptune and Mars of might  
By Sea and land in war haught valiancy,  
Apollo how divinely to indight,  
Pallas wisdom to rule and reign aright:  
Such virtues great from these men did descend,  
They are and shall be gods unto the end.   

Yet banished now they live in dark exile,  
For where is valour or good government?  
Learning hath left her former stately style,  
From prudence craft her right with rage hath rend:  
The cause why these distressed Gods have sent  
me to this isle, from that most mighty main  
is this, they hear thy highness here doth reign   

By right, ruling thy Realm with equity,  
Heavenly wisdom and godly zeal doth rest  
with thee, pity and perfect piety:  
God with his grace abundantly hath blest  
thy grace, and thee inritcht above the rest,  
They, (other) Princes of another kind  
Do banish such as thou dost seek to find.   

Hopeless of help which when these gods did hear,  
They sent in post on message Mercury:  
I am not fame which flieth here and there  
For Mercury dear dame, doeh signify  
A messenger, and for the gods am I  
Sent with this suit, if it may please thy grace,  
Both they and I will serve thee in this place.   

And then the Queen, my servants? no, my saints,  
Copertiners of my crown and dignity:  
Let them leave off their heretofore complaints:  
Bid them come rule this mighty Realm with me,  
And let them know my state and great degree:  
Tell them that nothing can delight me more,  
Then they whose names I chief do adore.   

Then might you see the prudent Pallas glade,  
And all her mourning garments done away,  
All her assistants sighde and sobbed full sad:  
Rejoiced now, and Solemnized that day  
With songs, and making garlands gorgeous gay:  
Then thus she spoke, good Mercury at large,  
Report the things committed to thy charge.   


His reply.  Her heavenly hew, her more than mortal grace,  
(For virtue may mortal immortal make,)  
Her stately steps, her princely royal race,  
Her Majesty makes mortal men to quake,  
Her dignity doth make the gods to shake:  
When earthly eyes her highness do behold,  
They do affirm her form not from the mould.   

Over her head, angels with sword in hand,  
Betwixt her eyes doth right remorse remain,  
Before her face the fear of God doth stand,  
salomon's bliss abideth in her brain,  
Her ears be stopped to matters wild and vain:  
From goodly lips her learned tongue doth tell  
The way to heaven, where she no doubt doth dwell.   

Contented life within her mind doth rest,  
Upon her breast doth perfect bliss abide,  
And charity doth sit upon her chest:  
A certain sure state that cannot slide  
Is fixed as best beseems fast to her side,  
Most worthy praise for her virginity,  
Diana never half so chaste as she.   

Her arm doth rule a mighty Realm by right,  
Her hand doth give each one his due desert,  
To walk in righteous ways is her delight,  
From perfect path her feet do not departed,  
Her steps most strait do show her heavenly heart,  
Under her feet raging revenge doth couch,  
At her command her valour to avouch.   

When treasons spiteful, hid conspiracies,  
They would untwine her worthy warped twist:  
These heavenly Angels then with Argus eyes,  
Do force the bloody blade from traitors fist,  
Whose gotten gain is heavy had I witted:  
When foreign foes would reave her princely crown,  
Then black revenge doth beat their boastings down.   

This true report whilst Maia's son hath made,  
And brought the gods from marvel to a maze,  
Withouten shape all substantlesse a shade  
Appeared in sight, on which they all did gaze,  
Whose bended brows an inward grief did blaze:  
This shadow seemed with all her might in vain,  
To turn the wheel where mankind doth remain.   

On top whereof Minerva hath her place,  
A glorious seat by which but one did sit,  
and he not known, princes of royal race  
about the sides in place for them most fit,  
A godly youth and of a worthy wit  
Was placed with them, whose mothers due desert  
Quite from the wheel had laid her down apart.   

Allecto then, the breeder of debate  
Though pale, and wane yet blue with ruthful rage,  
Fie fortune fie (quoth she) fie on thy state,  
A goddess? no, thou wart in elder age,  
Contemned now of ploughman, prince and page,  
No homage done, honour, nor sacrifice,  
Come take revenge of this contempt, arise,   

By nature I all happiness do hate,  
The gifts I give are bitter griefs like gall,  
Hate, spite, malice, and madness, stay my state,  
With these I daily do devise to thrall  
All such as sit aloft in stately stall:  
My pleasure is the fortunate to foil,  
All my delight is in their speedy spoil.   

With mighty arm to turn this wheel make haste:  
Let them below above in bliss remain,  
My gorgeous Galathea is disgraced,  
Whom to advance I toil as yet in vain,  
Of thee, and to thy grace she doth complain:  
Hear her at last, and let her not for aye  
By due desert be drowned in decay.   

But fortunes force was now of none avail,  
When vices wild to cave of cruel care  
Do cast, her power then can not prevail:  
When godly life, and virtues very rare,  
When they advance, what fickle fortune dare  
molest such one, whom God in highest place  
hath set, whose steps be guided by his grace.   

Allecto lewd the hater of good hap  
when she perceiude dame fortunes feeble force,  
She made about and spied a second gap  
wherein she leapt, O Pluto take remorse  
on us she said, with voice hollow and hoarse:  
She sits thou sest in highest dignity,  
which doth destroy thy mighty monarchy.   

The world thou knowest, I all the world was thine,  
Thy caves were crammed, when heaven all empty was,  
Blind ignorance that mighty mother mine  
she ruled, she rained, she brought it so to pass  
That all was thine, even she maintained the mass,  
And she it was which gave the triple crown  
To him of Rome, of more than 
* Ironic.  much renown.   

But now, (not from Apollo's learned brain)  
Out from the stock of Mars is sprung a maid,  
Who doth both him, and thee, and me disdain,  
Thou sest by her thy kingdom is decayed,  
Thou sest her force, her fame can never fade,  
True knowledge shortly so shall stuff the heaven,  
That all thy state shall stand at six and seven.   

Quoth Pluto tell my Metropolitan,  
To no such end he hath his princely place,  
He keeps the keys, his might may bliss or ban,  
Yet doth he see and suffer this disgrace,  
Tell him from me I him and all his race  
will quite destroy except he doth pluck down,  
All such as be rebellers to my crown.   

Thus did the Devil with patience reply,  
But when the Pope had heard his prince's mind,  
His heavy heart in raging wrath did fry,  
In haste, post hast a counsel he assigned:  
Balls bawling Priests (not only bald but blind,)  
From every coast in flocks like Coutes they came,  
Thus spoke the wolf clad like a simple lamb.   

My ghostly care with mercy mixed too much,  
Hath brought contempt, cursing shall now prevail:  
This stubborn wretched wicked world is such.  
Now punishment and whips of bitter bail:  
They must and shall reform, I will not fail,  
To pluck them down with vengeance ruthful reed:  
Which do deny me to be supreme head.   

Have I the power to curse, to bliss, to bind,  
To lose, to send to heaven or else to hell?  
Or is this key and triple crown assigned  
To me, to suffer them thus to rebel?  
No no, I will subdue them very well:  
To France, to mighty Spain, to Italy  
I Britain give, scotland, and Germany.   

Whose princes proud are fled from former faith,  
And do devise to rob me of the rest,  
When as my state was at the highest haigth  
Then happy he who with my toe was blest,  
Then all was mine from the'st unto the west,  
Then on the backs of Emperors I trod▪  
Then who but I, there was none other God.   

But now alas I live in low degree,  
A woman doth me and my might defy,  
The Gospel now my mortal enemy  
By means of her is preached both far and nigh:  
As it revives, so I your pope do die:  
As I do droop, so you yourselves must mourn,  
Look well hereto before you be forlorn.   

This careful court in haste it did devise,  
It sent forth sects, it traitors did retain,  
Those rebels fled for fear which feign would rise,  
It made them practise matters wild and vain,  
Allecto's Galathia did complain  
Whom to advance they have, they do, and will,  
On feeble fort such show their slender skill.   

For as the seas do roar against the rock  
In vain, and winds no mountains may remove,  
So there at Rome these forceless priests did flock  
None of their popish practises would prove,  
Which did so much that mighty monster move,  
As strait he did a holy league conclude,  
Meaning by might the Gospel to detrude.   

Then Galathia presently was blest,  
If he may bless who could nor can not curse,  
He made a shot and yet the mark he missed,  
He stretched the strings of his plentiful purse  
In vain, and all in vain he did disburse  
His Peterpence, all things had such success,  
As well descrude his worship's worthiness.   

Which made him clap a loof hook to his sail,  
Peter put on his considering cap,  
A fruitless flower passing poor & pale:  
Without or smell, or taste, or sense, or sap,  
A hidden hook, a train, a secret trap,  
Away the witch, the winds were not to scant,  
The fleet was rigged, and yet there was a want.   

Then from that board he cast his sails about,  
He did and doth an other drift devise,  
Allecto with her stobourne servants stout  
Doth further forth his devilish enterprise,  
With false report to every coast she flies  
And fills the ears of every king with ire  
Against her grace to make them all conspire.   

The present gods seeing this great turmoil,  
Made haste with speed her person to defend,  
Said Saturn let us keep her from the foil,  
This wicked world she all her force doth bend  
To sink such as by virtue would ascend.  
This is (said Mars) a valiant troop I trow:  
which dare attempt one woman's overthrow.   

And doth the devil and he his depute there?  
Do kings consult, and furies fierce of hell,  
My daughter from her high estate to tear?  
Dare they against both jove and us rebel?  
O high devise, their courage doth excel:  
They feign would frame the overthrow of one  
which must and shall remain when they are gone,   

Whose pride, but first their rage we will resist,  
Menacing Mars with eyes like flaming fire,  
His face showed what was shrouded in his breast:  
He made all that were present to admire  
At his revenge, and dare they thus conspire?  
They will (quoth he) and I will do the deed  
which shall prevail, when she shall stand in need.   

Pallas with secret sudden joy revived,  
Forgetting quite her griefs forerun she said,  
Attend and hear the song I have contrived,  
Give ear you gods, lend me your loving aydt:  
Apollo thou the best that ever played  
Take Lute in hand, tune to the waters fall,  
Minerva lives, whom Pallas honour shall.   

Farewell you kings of all the continent  
both far and near,  
Against both gods, and goodness you be bend  
with sword and spear,  
Therefore with you the furies fierce of hell,  
We with the virtuous English Queen will dwell,  
she can not slide  
for we will side  
Her steps, and make her fame excel.   

For true report with golden trump doth sound  
her worthy praise:  
But your reproach by rumour doth rebound  
in the high ways  
Of all the world, so you in infamy  
Must live, and she in royal dignity:  
how can she fade  
whom virtue made  
The greatest goddess by degree.   

Rejoice you gods to sing we will not cease,  
now we have found  
The chiefest place of rest and quiet peace  
upon the ground.  
For we shall sit even by her seemly side,  
Whose mighty maze the golden world doth guide:  
so worthy a Queen  
was never seen,  
Whose heavenly state shall never slide.   

From striking of his strings Apollo stayed,  
Which brought this sudden end to Pallas song,  
His Lute laid down he thus unto them said,  
As we be gods, so let us do no wrong,  
you know the charge which doth to us belong,  
How mighty jove the only god above  
Would us on earth show whom he best doth love.   

If Pallas and the tried truth doth prove  
The English Queen of all most worthy praise,  
Then may we boldly boast that God doth love  
Her best, if most she walketh in his ways,  
Which if to prove make we no more delays  
But let us hence, for we with her will dwell  
If such she be, if so she doth excel.   

Then her we may and will immortal make,  
A goddess great Minerva be her name,  
My Mercury he shall himself betake  
To all the world, and there he shall proclaim  
Both far and near her due deserved fame:  
All men that live her grace they shall adore  
Both at this present time, and evermore.   

Quoth Pallas let it be as you have said,  
we will departed, yet doubt not of the dame,  
She is by proof and oracle displayed,  
Most certainly I know she is the same:  
And I before I hence departed, will frame  
A comely Coronet of goodly green,  
which shall right well become a maiden Queen.   

And we said they will break down Flora's bower  
Yielding thereto the floweres of the field:  
Sylvanus then stepped from his stately tower,  
And I thereto such branches brave will yield  
(Said he,) as hath been seen but very field,  
Of woods, of groves, of goodly green the god  
I am, you know they bow if I but nod.   

Though hateful Hiems wasting winter's rage,  
With bitter blasts my tender bows doth bite:  
Yet friendly Ver her rigour doth assuage,  
And all my groves with goodly green doth dight:  
The modest Muse's flock for their delight  
Amidst my green, they daily march for meed,  
They sing, they dance, they there, their fancies feed.   

Within my groves such sacred trees do grow  
As never will their lovely green forego,  
Them on your goddess garland I'll bestow,  
Not only them, but many flowers more,  
Herbs of all sorts if you will have it so.  
Quoth Neptune, pearls and precious stones great store  
I will supply, what would Pallas have more.   

Then forth they went and gathered all was good,  
Great mighty bows and branches home they brought,  
they did disgrace each forest, field, and wood.  
Neptune returned who had his Indies sought,  
From thence he jewels which were never bought  
For price, nor pay, they were so passing rare:  
To order all Pallas had all the care.   

Dame Flora with her nimble Nymphs came in,  
Even there they did their lovely laps unlade,  
And in her hand the pretty fairy Queen  
She held a glass, these flowers shall not fade,  
Them to preserve this water I have made:  
They shall not die, nor droop, but flourish fair,  
Nor feel the force of summers swelting air.   

The Muses ix. ix. colours did present  
Of sowing silk untwined yet in twist,  
To sow, to weave, to bind was their intent  
where need required, then with her fair fist  
A Morian maid when she the place had blessed,  
Crystal, Coral, Amber, Bugle she  
Laid down, and said these for your gerland be.   

The Graces called Charites came in,  
Two bags, the third she did a bottle bear,  
In which full twenty several rooms there been  
All filled with water delicate and dear,  
Distilled all: and in the bags there were  
Musk, Mirre, Sivit, and Ambergris the best  
That hath been seen, from th', est unto the west.   

They all as one employed their second care  
More busy than the bird which builds her nest,  
To take the choice whose virtues were most rare,  
They little slips and branches of the best  
Did bring, they left and laid away the rest:  
Pallas herself did work this worthy wreath  
most passing brave above, and brave beneath.   

Ix. noble worthies mighty Mars they prayed  
To pass with him to please their chief delight:  
Seven. sages than they thus to Saturn said  
we will with thee to see this worthy wight:  
Three Mariners endued with deep insight  
Of seaman's skill, worthy to frame a course  
where Neptune was in spite of Eol's force:   

A learned troop unto Apollo priest,  
Of which were two inseparable seemed,  
Silenus, though like mourners, yet the best  
Theo●●●● by deeds and doctrine deemed,  
to him they went, of him they were esteemed:  
To garnish Pallas work with greater grace,  
By them each branch and flower had her place.   

The Fir tree first her branch they did forbid,  
For it doth spears and warlike weapons make,  
The olives branch (whose virtue lieth hid)  
It hates, his roots do grow from Limbo lake,  
The mourning Cyprus bow they did forsake:  
The first with red, but that with black they bound  
For them (from this) an other use was found.   

The Flowerdeluce though lovely to behold  
In question these the wisest did it call,  
And to refuse the same the gods were bold:  
It representeth trouble and cruel thrall,  
The leaves like swords do grow both tough & tall,  
The root though pleasant, poison is to such  
As do it drink, which made the Muses grudge.   

These thence for secret cause they cast away,  
As too too bad to have their being there,  
This comely crew did solemnize that day,  
And Pa●●as made her perfit skill appear,  
The N●mphes, and Ladies of the fountains clear  
More busy than a swarm of bees, they brought  
In laden arms such things as they had sought.   

A Pantarbe strange of great & goodly size,  
with workmanship as rare as was the stone,  
She there the first foundation did devise,  
Grene grass she strowde a handful thereupon,  
Trefoils, Cincquefoiles, and caterfoiles among,  
The chosen slips of the Pomegranet tree,  
These bound with black, with white those did agree,  
whose secret sense Libethrides did sing,  
whilst dryads did other flowers bring.   

Within the Salamander's head  
a precious stone is found,  
Of value rich, of virtue rare,  
none such upon the ground:  
Who doth possess the same,  
may stand unhurt in flame  
of fires force with fame.  
Nor Cupid's might  
Can hurt such one with spite,  
Thrice happy wight  
Who hath the Pantarbe found.   

Grass is green common like corn,  
yet doth it far surmount,  
For only grass maintaineth man,  
and is of chief account.  
The Roman Captains wore  
garlands thereof of yore,  
because they did restore  
the quiet peace,  
and made the wars surcease.  
A great increase  
it plainly doth present,   

The Primrose or Caterfoile  
first in the prime doth spring,  
It is the messenger to May  
of wild flowers the king:  
Who first it finds must note  
his mistress by her 
* Her colours  coat,  
It grows like true love knot,  
and doth present  
she never will repent  
her vowed intent,  
happy who first it finds.   

The Cincquefoiles sanctity is such,  
the Gentiles did apply  
It chiefly in their sacrifice  
when they did purify,  
In it nine colours been,  
but chief white and green  
the colours of a Queen,  
it doth declare  
The wearer hath great care  
with virtue rare  
to keep her soul from sin.   

The Trefoil hath his secret sense,  
the unity of three  
It doth declare, and is in league  
with the Pomegranet tree:  
Cupid that branch did bear,  
Whose hand with cruel spear  
Each lovers heart doth tear,  
it doth present  
All flesh to love is bend,  
and must repent  
their loss of liberty.   

Thus though each Lady needs must love  
and seek for unity,  
Yet she who doth the Pantarbe find  
shall live at liberty:  
With her reason shall rest,  
Fancy shall build no nest  
Within her blessed breast,  
the great increase  
of perfect love, and peace,  
shall never cease,  
Where these flowers be worn.   

You happy Hamadryades  
now press you out a pace,  
Bring forth what best may beautify  
the second rank or race:  
This work is well begun,  
For we our parts have done,  
Now you must thither run,  
in Pallas lap  
You must your flowers wrap,  
Minerva's cap  
She will therewith adorn.   

Two branches then of everlasting wood,  
which never will corrupt nor waste away,  
But ever green, their savour passing good,  
They do declare her fame cannot decay  
Which doth them wear, by due desert I say  
Pallas them placed, and gave the next degree  
Unto the Cedar and Geniper tree.   

A thousand orient pearls she hanged thereon,  
For white with green will ever well agree,  
Sweet William's then she placed them among,  
And Lavinder for liberality:  
For her good works, a branch of Savoury,  
All these the worthy woodbine did embrace:  
The Honeysuckle gave a greater grace  
Unto them all, whose branch with crystal dight,  
Did much increase the beholder's delight.   

The Double Dill● for her humility,  
Laus tibi (health) the Affodill doth show,  
The Oking branch her diuturnity,  
And thereupon did golden Acorns grow  
In comely knopps, hanging in seemly row:  
To furnish these she set a slip of sage  
For sustenance, all anger to assuage  
Next this she gentle Gezemen did place,  
And thrift she tied within our Lady's lace.   

Pallas a comely Carbuncle did take,  
whose royal raise were bright like Phoebus' bsames,  
A triple towered top she meant to make  
Thereon, for well she witted the glittering gleams  
Thereof did shine with goodly stately streams,  
And leaned unto the lookers on such light,  
That they might judge of every thing aright.   

And when she had the herb Alimon found,  
Alaluya by and by she spied,  
The Larkesfoote fast with white to Burnet bound,  
Dictamum she to Pencryall tide,  
with goodly green she made them all abide:  
And bear the branch whose tender twigs did bend,  
with golden fruit as though their rind would rend:  
About the Lilies stalk Hearts ease was wrapped,  
And love within our Lady's smock she leapt.   

The pretty Pink, the goodly Marie gold,  
Musk Roses mixed with seemly Sops in wine,  
Sweet Violets, of colours manifold,  
The gentle Gyllyflower flourished fine,  
Rosemary tide unto a little Time,  
with basel, Balm, Isope▪ sweet Margery,  
These were entrailed with branch of Rasper tree   

Even then she did the double Daseye down  
with blue she bound it to the Laurel tree:  
The little Pauncie greatest of renown,  
Cornations came with great humility,  
Doing unto sweet Eglintine duty:  
And then a branch of Palm with goodly grace,  
Her spreading spraise did beautify the place.   

From highest top out of one stately stem  
Two royal Roses white and red did grow,  
The Olive tree most bravely grew by them,  
And by their roots were set in seemly row  
Flowers and herbs whose names I do not know:  
Pallas her comely Casket did unlock,  
Before her face the Muses all did flock.   

The Redrose first with precious pearls they dight,  
The white rose they enrich with rubies rare,  
Their stalk with Azure sapphires garnished bright  
A secret hidden virtue did declare,  
The olives goodly branches were not bare,  
For all her twigs with Emeralds did bend,  
The Smarage did the olives green amend.   

Of Topazes two sorts there have been found,  
One sort like gold this garnished Eglintine,  
Not on but by the Pauncie most renowned,  
The other much more green than grass did shine,  
(By due desert the Ardonix is thine:)  
Thou doughty double Dayseie for thy tree  
The Dainty Diamond doth well agree.   

The other herbs with Margarites were mixed,  
And here and there did hang an Amatest,  
And every where a jasynth betwixt  
Them both, and comely Crystal to the rest,  
With guled Coral, Bugle of the best,  
Spangles of gold and silver there were seen,  
All these set forth dame Chloris goodly green.   

The Fairy Queen did season this with sweet,  
And when she had consarude it in such wise,  
As neither Brumas blasts, nor Atumns' heat  
Could hurt, she did with all her wit devise,  
From every branch a sweet perfume did rise,  
The flowers did retain their proper smell,  
Quoth Pallas stay, this work is passing well.   

Diana and her dainty damsels did  
Their friendly fingers undefiled frame,  
When sacred solemn rites were finished,  
To bear being without or blot or blame  
Unto her grace who was of greatest fame  
This rare devise, with double dignity  
Meaning to crown Minerva's majesty.   

The Poets Pince, and heralds chiefest king  
Mighty Palaphilos you might persave  
To place each one appointing every thing  
As it should be: the gods were bouncing brave,  
No goddess there, no muse nor Nymph was grave,  
All did with joyful jubilee rejoice  
Shouting Minerva lives with often voice.   

Then might you see the rural dames come in,  
The youth like fry, old folk like fowls did flock:  
With bags and baskits filled up to the brim,  
For Fauni did the Forest gates unlock:  
And simple Cate clad in a russet frock  
Brought branches thence, and flowers apron full,  
The ways were woods made by the gadding skull,   

Apollo took in hand his pleasant Lute,  
And he his Harp who said Euridicen,  
Thales did force with lovely lips her Flute,  
Calliope on Sitarne did begin,  
Melpomene on vial praise did win,  
The Napeaes with the Nayades  
They did devise and sing thes sweet ditties.   

The Nymphs and Ladies of the lake,  
Perform this great solemnity  
All for their new Minerva's sake  
noble Naiads.   

And where renowned Napea  
Is she who doth deserve such fame?  
In England now Naiades,  
Elizabeth her name.   

With flaunt a flaunt this flaunting flock,  
The greatest goddess by degree,  
They mean that maiden Queen to make  
with royal dignity.   

Thither go all this fair flock  
with such so great solemnity,  
All for their new Minerva's sake  
noble Naiads.   

Thus they at last were come where Lud had laid  
Though not the first, foundations long before,  
Where then this courtly maiden Queen she staid  
With all her train, and many strangers more  
For then there were Ambassadors great store:  
Whom to delight, the people did prepare  
Triumphs, performed with courage passing rare.   

The court itself none such myself have seen  
In France, in Spain, nor curious Italy,  
The courtiers, first the beauty of the Queen,  
Her goodly grace, her garments what they be,  
No Empress can make such show as she,  
For gold, for pearl, for precious stones of price,  
No one like her for robes of rare devise.   

Then from the prince unto the poorest page,  
The worst in silk, the best in cloth of gold  
Richly enriched, the noble man so sage,  
The gentleman so civil to behold,  
The courteous serving man the boy though bold,  
Yet he and they each one in his degree,  
Did plainly prove himself civility.   

When Titan's beams had banished Luna's light  
And duskish dim which died the day with dark,  
Sent forth from fame report that worthy wight,  
With trumpet shrill made heaven and earth to hark,  
Immortal gods and mortal men did mark  
The message which with great solemnity,  
was thus declared to all of each degree.   

The shivered staves will well declare the mind  
Of them who here this day will show their might,  
An Earl by birth and of an noble kind  
His challenge will perform even in despite  
Of him or them which dare withstand in fight,  
Therefore you Brutes which would enrich your name  
Cast armour one and try the Tilt for fame.   

The Mertials and the judges had their place,  
The Heralds priest to pen each due desert,  
The Queen was come, there waited on her grace  
A hundred Ladies beautiful and brave,  
The foreign princes and her counsel grave,  
When all the show and every thing was seen  
No colours cold compare with white and green.   

The challenger proudly presumed to say  
That white and green had not the bravest hew,  
But that his Mistress bore the bell away:  
Her courtly colours were most worthy view  
He said and swore, wherewith the trumpets blewe,  
The splints of spears which climbed the clouds above  
Did well declare the force of mighty love.   

A Fierce defendant with a counterbuff  
Of this proud challenger did change the cheer,  
Spite of his force and all his coats of proof  
He made him leave the field for feeble fear,  
Assistants three forthwith there did appear,  
The first did well, the second in his place,  
So did the third but for this one disgrace.   

In Helmet for the honour of his dear  
The Lady whom they all did most commend,  
Her gallant plume and colours he did wear,  
Which for her sake like life he did defend:  
Yet force perforce, them to the ground did send:  
And then the people cried God save the Queen,  
No colours can compare with white and green.   

Therewith the cloud which did the gods enclose  
That they might walk, and see, and not be seen,  
Was quit with drawn, the people did suppose  
Heaven was broke lose, so might the royal Queen,  
So did the court, so all the world might deem,  
The armed knights the people in a trance  
Did muse, and made the order of this chance.   

First Saturn and seven. sages past before,  
Then mighty Mars with him ix. worthies went,  
Neptune he had three sailors and no more,  
Apollo 
* Castor and Pollux.  two for a learned intent,  
Silenus' 
* Preachers.  v. all v. from heaven were sent,  
Then Mercury the ruler 
* Fame.  of report,  
Thus these vi. gods entered into the court.   

Next these dame Flora's noble Nymphs came in,  
The Fairy Queen, and Ladies of the lake,  
Diana and her Damsels than were seen,  
A troop which did to chastity betake  
Themselves, come thither for Minerva's sake,  
There Pallas and the learned Muses stayed,  
And Pallas thus unto Minerva said.   

Most mighty prince almighty jove the just  
Would us on earth show whom he best doth love,  
We have inquired, and now it is discussed  
It is thyself, whom he who sits above  
Hath so enriched that thou canst not remove,  
From that which with his will doth well agree,  
Being of all the best felicity.   

Now sith we see thy goodly government,  
And find how passing strait thy steps do stand,  
We all be come, all we for this intent  
To live with thee, to be at thy command,  
And for that cause Pallas and all her band,  
Doth here resign unto thy worthy will  
Their worldly wit, and all their learned skill,   

Thy due desert hath thee Minerva made  
A goddess great, with whom none can compare,  
For he of heaven hath set it down and said,  
The Britttain Queen shallbe that Phoenix rare,  
Whom death to touch with dart shall never dare:  
Thou shalt on earth eternally remain  
As I have done, though greater be thy gain.   

Behold these gods all ready to resign  
The gifts for which they were eternised,  
Receive thou them because they be all thine,  
Receive also unto thy heavenly head  
This Coronet, this garland garnished  
Not like thy mind with gifts of greatest price,  
But as we could enriched with rare devise,   

She thus adorned with double dignity  
They did of mortal her immortal make,  
As thus she sat amidst such majesty  
The lookers on with loving fear did shake,  
Her goodly grace did make the gods to quake:  
The Muses then and all the people said  
thy due desert hath thee Minerva made.   

And then the Queen with more than mortal grace,  
The life (quoth she) of every living thing  
Must perish quite, for death will it deface:  
But death to death by due desert to bring  
Such death on earth is life everlasting,  
I know right well such immortality  
you have obtained, and such remains for me.   

And then forth from the slender subtle skies  
All Angelic there did a shape appear,  
Even as it is of ghosts divine the gise  
A heavenly human form she did on there:  
And yet she was as Titan's beams so clear,  
Immaculate not having spot of sin,  
All clad in white thus did her grace begin.   

Within this world at last is one  
who hath enriched her name  
with everlasting fame,  
This Lady only she alone  
she shall enjoy the same:  
the goddesses divine,  
and all the Muses ix.  
to her they shall resign:  
Because the due deserts which them immortal made  
This Lady hath obtained, her fame shall never fade.   

Proceed my Muse assist thy servant now,  
Able his pen to publish forth her praise  
Whose life is like dame Sinthia's silver raise.   

That mighty God of heaven jova great,  
He doth permit, his highness doth allow  
Unto her grace all earthly bliss shall bow,   

And bide, and be at her commandment,  
With perfect bless to beautify her seat,  
Even for that cause Euthumia is sent.   

With her this goddess evermore shall stay,  
Then thus bespoke blessed Euthumia.   

Goddess of great account  
whose due desert doth far surmount  
the people's praise,  
in no such ways  
did ever woman walk:  
Fair Lady sweet with thee, with thee I mean to talk,  
Talk and resign to thee, even to thyself my state,  
of all the world most fortunate,  
whose happiness  
with perfect bliss  
is furnished, now I must dwell  
with thee, because thou dost excel.   

Thy virtues rare  
Do well declare  
To what thou art inclined,  
The worthiness of woman kind,  
Thou dost approve that sex is such  
As doth mankind exceed, exceedeth man by much,  
By much and moste of all, of all the royal rest,  
Thy perfit great estate is best,  
Thy birth right great, greater thy fame,  
Euthumias' noble name  
I yield to thee  
my dignity.   

Thy due deserved right, in deed thy right reward  
Rewarded by the gods, for when the gods had hard  
In what a perfect path you tread,  
And how your life you lead,  
They did ordain  
Me to remain  
With her whose state  
Was fortunate,  
So sent from them to you,  
to you, only to you I bow,  
And bend, and bind myself, myself unto your will,  
Your will? that is my work, my work that to fulfil.   

Sweet Eglintine shall have the place,  
And notice of thy name,  
Which flower to defend, even to defend the same,  
Of passing pusiant power  
In highest throne  
He which doth sit, he shall defend  
thee from thy fone,  
and so preserve the seat, the seat where thou dost sit,  
as neither hatreds heat  
nor wicked wit,  
shall bloot thy goodness with disgrace,  
amongst the gods thou shalt remain  
for evermore.   

Aglaia most like the morning star  
that goddess next Euthumia did appear,  
none of the muses might with her compare,  
much like herself she found Minerva there:  
Such beauty, bounty, parsonage and grace,  
Greatly amazed she paused a pretty space:  
Apollo then did down his mighty mace,  
He thus describd the favour of her face.   

Like new refined gold Queen Helen's hair,  
She hath the brows of blessed Brissis brave,  
egeria's eye, she hath Egestas ear,  
Chionis cheek, and Chloris goodly grace,  
Neeras' nose on fair Venus' face,  
The tongue of Telesilla, Tethis teeth,  
And Leda's lips to lend lovely relief.   

Of modest Myrta mild the smiling cheer,  
Dame Flora's breath so sweet as violet,  
Clitias chin, like Collitina clear,  
The neck of Nemesis, Doris, or Eudora,  
Her breasts be brave like Diopeia,  
She is of all the world the brightest star,  
Begot by Mars the mighty god of war.   

Apollo staid, Aglaia did proceed  
Though much amazed to see as 'twere herself,  
aglaia's eyes they on her face did feed,  
And could not satisfy themselves with sight,  
There was contained in it so great delight:  
Yet at the last her words did well display  
Her in ward thought, thus did the Lady say.   

Lady of all delight  
Delight of Ladies all,  
All the most worthy wight  
Most worthy wight they shall,  
Shall they? They shall in deed,  
Indeed, adore thy name,  
Thy name with everlasting fame.  
Fame fly thou forth with speed,  
With speed let it be known to all under the Sun,  
The Sun hath shined upon none such since first the world begun.  
To whom Aglaia doth resign,  
For new Minerva's praise doth shine  
More bright than heretofore did mine:  
With all a flaunt a flaunt,  
Thou as thou shouldst dost vaunt,  
The Gods of heaven do grant  
Thee evermore their heavenly grace,  
To prosper thee in every place.   

That goodly goddess great renowned Clytia  
she priest into the press, them thus the dame divine did say,  
Brave Bess how are delights  
Of beauties bravest bright  
Placed in thy passing perfect parsonage,  
Stand forth you worthy wights  
Behold you here in sight,  
The chiefest glory of this present age:  
Unto this gallant gay  
Doth worthy Clytia  
her name and fame resign,  
All glory hath been mine,  
All glory now is thine,  
With glory thou dost shine, so like the seemly Sun,  
Brave Bess shall be thy name when all the world is done.   

Next her appeared a muse of great degree,  
And thus bespoke comely Calliope,   

A Lady like myself at last,  
at last myself have found,  
that she may be renowned:  
Fame tells her name with busy blast  
To all upon the ground:  
The sweetness of her voice  
Doth make the gods rejoice,  
Therefore Calliope  
To little England's worthy Queen  
Doth give her great degree.   

And then the Graces called Charytes  
With these speeches did all the people please:   

Amidst a gallant garden green,  
Where nature's worthiest work is seen,  
Impald with perfect bliss,  
Wherein one form ourselves have found  
All the good graces on the ground,  
Even there our biding is,  
With merry minds we there remain,  
The place doth please us so,  
It never shall be seen nor said,  
That we from thence will go:  
As food feeds mortal flesh,  
Even so our minds do eat  
The perfect pleasures there do grow,  
Most meet for Angel's meat:   

Dido that courtly Carthage Queen,  
Of Troy's decay that fine Helen  
And gallant Venus gay,  
juno nor Pallas never dare,  
Diana chaste may not compare,  
With mighty Minerva▪  
For she hath that which all they had,  
In much more perfect plight  
Then mind of man imagine may,  
Or Ditty can indight:  
We vaunt not then in vain,  
For only we are blest  
Who do enjoy of all the world  
the very worthiest:   

Enjoy? we only do possess  
The highest height of happiness,  
Therefore we will rejoice,  
For where all virtue doth remain  
Even she who all the rest doth stain  
is made our only choice.  
And this to you of heaven we vow,  
whilst you her life do lend  
Only with her we will remain,  
our faith shall her defend,  
her beck we will obey,  
I she shall have our heart,  
and we with her will run and ride  
we never will departed.   

On earth heavenly felicity  
even here on earth not one but we,  
and we have found the place,  
Where every perfect sweet delight  
doth rest, and doth remain by right:  
we do the branch embrace,  
whose buds the blossoms be of bliss,  
whose fruit Ambrosia,  
God keep Minerva from mishap,  
God keep her from decay,  
For with that goddess great  
we do possess our place,  
And we will dwell for evermore  
in her most fair face.   

Then Clio sister to Calliope,  
That modest merry Muse of great degree,  
Found out this Queen who had her goodly grace,  
she all her gifts and goodness did embrace,  
Whom long she did with marvel much behold,  
Thus she at last her fancies did unfold.   

Macthlesse for music once I was,  
none could my note come near,  
now thou dost pass,  
thy voice most clear  
From healtfull lights and lounges below doth send,  
Such sweet and pleasant harmony,  
The gods their ears do bend,  
And after thee  
we see  
The rest of all the Muses run,  
to gaze upon thy grace,  
Which as they do behold they find,  
thy mother's fair face,  
to thee  
I Clio here  
Do give eternity,  
Thou noble Nymph that hast no peer,  
Thy name and fame shall live and never fade,  
The only piece of work that ever nature made   

Thus she who once was but a mortal Queen,  
And subject sat on fortunes turning wheel,  
The greatest goddess now on earth is seen:  
Whose high estate can neither roll nor reel,  
Nor fortunes force shall never hurt her heel:  
For virtue did and due desert advance  
Her grace, and not the force of changing chance,   

She is not now as other princes be,  
Who live on earth to every tempest thrall,  
Desert hath crowned her with eternity,  
Her godly zeal in seat sempiternal  
Hath set her now, from thence she can not fall:  
But lively live on earth eternally:  
And have in heaven heavenly felicity.   

Therewith this curious court broke up, and I in ragged rhyme  
Was made the trumpet to their talk, the touchstone of the time.  
Amongst the gods there is none like thee O Lord,  
There is none can do as thou dost. Psal. Lxxxvi.    

The Pilgrims postscrip.  
Evermore my Muse shall magnify thy name  
Most gracious, most right renowned dame  
Now that I know thy due deserved fame:  
most mighty prince the means thou hast made  
that all the world doth know  
how virtue like a sea doth flow  
in thee, and how thou dost forslake  
the bitter bent of cruel Caepides' bow,  
free fro the force of fancies flashing flame,  
Most gracious, most right renowned dame  
Now that I know thy due deserved fame,  
Evermore my Muse shall magnify thy name:  
first with thy wit who can compare,  
thy virtuous inclination  
is known to every nation,  
thy learning and thy gifts most rare  
make perfit declaration  
nature thy equal never yet did frame.  
Now that I know thy due deserved fame  
Evermore my Muse shall magnify thy name,  
Most gracious, most right renowned dame.  
Your majesties poor pilgrim, Thomas Blener Hasset.  
Hear endeth the first book of the revelation of the true Minerva.   

Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the vintry by Thomas Dawson, for Thomas Woodcoke.  
1582.