The Shepherd's Star, Now of late seen, and at this hour to be observed marvelous orient in the East: which bringeth glad tidings to all that may behold her brightness, having the four elements with the four Capital vertures in her, which makes her Elemental and a vanquisher of all earthly humours.  
Described by a Gentleman late of the Right worthy and honourable the Lord Burgh, his company & retinue in the Briell in North-holland.  Tu sihic esses aliter senties. Terent. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Amor fa molto: Argento fa touto.  
Printed by Robert Robinson, for William jones, and are to be sold at his shop near Holborn Conduit. 159●.   

❧ TO THE RIGHT Honorables, & puissant Barons, Robert Devorex Earl of Essex, Knight of the most noble order of the Garter, great Master of the Horse for her Highness: And unto Thomas Lord Burgh, Baron of Gayns-burgh, Lord Governor of the town of Bryell, and the Forts of Newmanton, & Cleyborow in North-Holland for her Majesty: health, & increase of honour.  
YOu have read, I take it, right honorables, of Polycletus rule: 
Polyclet● Regula.  A speech applied to those men, whose excellency many have imitated, more have envied, but none have attained. Those that have imitated, have been Socordes, and so unworthy, because they never travailed to know matters of estate. Those that have envied, have been Vecordes base conceits, and so unwilling because unworthy. And those that have not attained, are Excordes in pusillanimity and infirmity of the mind. But there are yet another number Cordati Homines renowned men for wisdom, yet are not renowned for wealth. These envy not any man's estate, but attribute unto Fortune, the goods of Fortune: To the body, the goods of the body: to the mind, the riches of the mind: and to Caesar, all things due unto him. Such should wise men be, that what they are not thought worthy of by the worthiest; they should content themselves with, as well as the meanest. Whereupon I considering, that I cannot achieve the knowledge which is worthy of your most honourable favours, request, this may be worthy of your patience. Wine which in base Dutch is called Drozen or Mother, is good for somewhat, it will make a compound. So my wit may hereafter with your present protections & honourable allowance make a simple. But as there is of the year four quarters: so is there of a man's knowledge, fourtimes. The Spring: the Summer: the Autumn: and Winter. The infancy, the youth: the middle age, (ripe judgement:) and the old age (right folly.) And because my knowledge is none, it cannot be termed any. Howbeit, for that I have ever heard, my true honourable Lord and master, publish your lordship's excellent parts, which he recordeth often from his heart: I do the rather presume of your Lordship's clemency in his absence. That I may approach with all this simplicity unto all that singularity: Who in wit being a Pattern to all men: may (where it wanteth) be a Patron to me. I cannot be tedious in my writing. Would I had the like privilege, not to be odious in my inditing. But so had I need to be in Art Polycletus: in hap Polycrates: which because I am not, I care not. Only, I respect your Lordship's true estimation, and I expect the Readers due consideration. I cease, not ceasing to remember your Lordships in my daily wish for your long prosperity.  
Your Honourable lordships bounden, and servant to command: Thomas Bradshaw.   

To my well beloved brother, health and increase of knowledge.  
BRother, I have made bold to publish the book which you left me to my private use. I was moved thereunto by your friends, and my favourets here in England. The matter is adjudged by some of learning, not to be unworthy of the light. I mean not that light which you meant, when you gave it me to commit it to Vulcan. But I have saved it, and it shall save you: if not from unjust vexation of backbiting words: yet from just occasion of carping thoughts. Many will say, that an English book of love, is like a Marchpane, of which one may soon scale the walls, and leap into the Castle: for there is no food in it to stay a hungry stomach, nor substance in pleasures to peruse a learned Censure. 'tis true, the argument of fond love is feeble: because the subject of the matter is but an abject. And the Genus of the thing will decay, where the species is only fair without other qualities. But your scope is such you aim at, that you could not speak less of it, nor well say more. Sith the manner was as truly enacted, as the matter is duly reported. And seeing in all demands, there is but four things to be known, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. You may easily resolve any one that shall carp, with all these four: For the strictness of the intention, shall excuse the dullness of the invention. So I commit you to your delights of those cold countries. From the Court at Greenwich, upon Saint George's day 1591. April. 23.  
Your brother to command: Alexander Bradshaw.   

I. M. Esquire, his farewell to England and to the Author.  
Sigh the time and tide with instance,  
And their stately troops of sailing,  
Must convey my sweet remembrance,  
And myself, myself bewailing.  
Why should thirty thoughts enduring,  
Not be quenched with weeping moisture,  
Why should she should she alluring,  
Walk in me as in a cloisture,  
Let hope sell away her helping,  
For help sends away her master,  
Sith hope and help both inventing,  
Finds for loves sore no sweet plaster.  
Farewell native soil and substance:  
Farewell love in presence panting:  
Beauty, you whose large allowance  
Made me not remember wanting.  
Farewell all delight of Courting:  
Farewell pretty book my treasure.  
Farewell Fairy Nymphs exhorting,  
Idle heads to die in pleasure.  
I. M.  
Quod natura negat, reddere nemo potest.  
Quod natura dedit, tollere nemo potest.   

The Author's farewell to England, and to his most entire friend I. M. Esquyer.  
THe growing hatred of my deadly foe,  
Which groaning lamentation would forego:  
Doth more enforce me when I weep & wail,  
As doth the roaring wind the raging sail.  
And as the tempest is increased with rain:  
So watery tears my dreary cares maintain.  
The sprowts of young invention limber shake,  
Like Willows made by calmest gale to quake.  
Mistress Experience, youthful wits she ripes:  
But all her knowledge costeth pinching stripes.  
jove all my labours bringeth unto nought:  
For that against his will my wit hath wrought.  
Wit learn to will, not by sinister drifts:  
Wit learn to will, not by thy privy shifts.  
Learn wit to will, not by unlawful helps:  
Learn wit that will is one of Careless whelps.  
And as a thing untimely brought to light:  
Which being blind, is fittest for the night.  
For when in secret bed like grave I lie,  
Thoughts aptest are unfittest things to spy.  
Wit learn to will all things encounter will:  
Wit learn to will thy base intents to kill.  
Learn wit to will no more wealth by deceit,  
Lest wit & will be caught with beggars beight.  
Tall Cedars, pine trees, & aspiring states,  
Have humble shrubs & valleys to their mates.  
When whirling wind on high things taketh hold:  
Then in the vale is lesser blast of cold.  
The mean betwixt both high and low is best:  
Therein the Author setteth up his rest.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, De Coelo descendit.   

T. G. Esquire, his reply to the farewell of the Author.  
Sigh that wisdom is divine:  
Wit to wisdom must resign.  
For though wit doth dwell on earth,  
Wisdom hath immortal birth.  
Witty men & no wise mind,  
Are sugar sweet new refined.  
Which for taste doth bear the bell:  
Yet doth waist before it sell:  
So doth wit make a show  
Like goodshewers, but is a dew:  
A dew, which still doth display,  
Wisdom like a Summer day.  
For both they one to the other,  
Dearer are then any brother:  
Dear so dear, as when a child  
Thou in Pallas lap hast smyld.  
Pallas bosom, Pallas arms,  
must shroud, must save thee from harms.  
Base inventions wild annoy,  
Still intending ending joy:  
That Euphues is never good,  
Which weareth Had Jwisthis hood.  
Dictum puta, Thomas Groos.   

To the courteous Reader.  
Courteous Reader, I know no reason to move me to write unto you, sith I cannot remove you from your prejudicial opinion. It is peculiar to every one, to conceive of a book so singular, as that no most exquisite work can satisfy the meanest expectation in his desire of reading. The very reason is, because every Readers emulous and covetous mind, hopeth to find once a book made all by the figure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 
Cicero 3. de Orator. illustris explanatio rerumque quasigetantur sub aspectum pene subiectio.  Above all conceit: And so longeth to find a writer, that can set down his matter as well as his heart can think. This shall never be God wots. For, first the simple may, I confess, be pleased soonest with that which they understand least, but admire most. But what a fond pleasing were this? Yet 'tis so. For Iris is feigned to be Thaumantis filia. The rainbow is the daughter of Admiration. The colours please much, because they are little perceived, and least of all colours known what they are. The Diamond is only rare, because it deceiveth the eye with new variety, such as the sight is not still capable of: Mark it when you will. For the learned, to please them, I will not presume to speak how, because I cannot. Only this I protest: There is not a letter in this silly Pamphlet, that by my placing is set there, to displease any one, or to please many. Only this: Let the wisest give their verdicts, and the rest hold their tongues. If I fall by the one, I will be sure for ever hereafter to stand by the other: and so displease neither with any more Toys. In haste on Saint George's day. April. 23.  
T. B.   

❧ A Paraphrase Upon the third of the Canticles of Theocritus, Dialogue wise.  Amaryllis. Corydon. Tityrus. COrydon. 
The prime of beauty may I presume to tell you my lot?  Amaryllis. 
yes Corydon, so that your folly therein seem to be no greater than your fortune is, that being by generation a Shepherd, you clime not by usurpation from Italy, to be God Pan in Arcady.  C. 
I am not Pan, for I have not arms to show: or if I have, they are not fair and glittering like the sun beams visible like the same which women give. 
The properties of God Pan the son of Demogorgus an enchanter.  Yet am I Pan for fair Amaryllis sake, or I bear in my breast the love lie star Nebris, the very Image of your singelaritiy. And of my flock, I learn to be lascivious. I presume to make you merry, because it is of me deity always to laugh.  A. 
Well Corydon, tell me your lot, & I will be prejudicial unto you, that you shall have the shortest cut for your labour. 
Crotona an ancient town in Italy on that side where Sicilia called Trinacria bordereth.   C. 
There is a custom amongst us Swains in Crotona to elect buy our Divinatione Lords & Ladies, with the leaf of the flower Telephilon, which being laid before the fire leapeth unto them whom it loveth & skippeth from them whom it hateth. Tityrus and I in experience of our lot whose hap it should be to enjoy your love, instead of Telephilon we burned Mistletoe and Box for our Divination, & unto me Amaryllis you fled, & chose rather to turn to an unworthy Shepherd, then to burn like an unworthy lover.  A. 
Sorry I am Corydon that the love of fools is apt to take hold, where there is no handle, and many times so quick of conceit is love, that in steed of her own mate, she conceives with child in the dark with a Niger, though she never saw the man. But because such events are incident to the citizens of Crotona, when they are far from it: I therefore do banish from my discretion all fond love, when I am nearest unto it.  C. 
o honourable Amaryllis it is not my induction to persuade you to vouchsafe to favour base mortality as your equal, but to protect simple mankind as your servant. For I know being a blazing star as you are, and walking no where but in the milky way, you do destinate as comets do, the very death of a prince for love of you, rather than any body shall enjoy it.  A. 
No; you do exceed in your accounts, for I can love much because it is laudable, but not love many, because it is not allowable. Not as of a good thing, the possession is his that hath it, but the communication of it doth belong to all men; but as of a bad thing, such as love, which is a lewd toy, the possession being in a woman which cannot surrender, the communication must be but to one man, lest the inheritor should prove base, where the Landlady hath too many tenants. And so my discretion, be far wide of that you wish it to be.  C. 
Yet in the gravest modesty there may be a smile, and on that is dead with sound may chance to scral, & once a year the driest Burr Oak will weep unto you, if you offer but to write the first letter of your name upon her stately breast. Why may not then Amaryllis once a year use the like womanish tears, to any that shall prefer their minds to her stately consideration?  A. 
Not so; for faithful love is good in itself, and not respective good: for in itself, it doth consider a sympathy, which ever is betwixt two, and no more, according to a ground among the sages: True-love never buildeth her own nest, but succeed the Turtle Dove in hers: and they are said above all other birds to have teats and paps, to nourish loves darlings in their nest: wherein she never, bringeth but two unto light, and they are both copercioners of each others vital spirits, and not unlike twins, unto which one more admitted maketh like a monster, from which one taken away, causeth present death. As they say Pythagoras writ for his firm to all his epistles: two in body, one in mind.  C. 
I hold it felicity for me to be borne only to hear you speak, but more happy it were for me to die quickly if this be true, for than I see by the perspective glass of your angelical beauty, how it is written in my forehead, that my heart doth bleed for love: yet if neither of us stand in election, and because the gaudy day is come, & the fellowship is granted to some noble parsonage that can show best friends for it: then give Corydon leave to sacrifice for his loss the simplest gift that may be, a handful of lines, in ease of a world of sorrows.  A. 
You may do well to writ, that with your wit you may write a way your care: no doubt but having Mars left you, if Neptune favour you as he did Pelops, you may win king Aenomaus daughter in warlike race: so coming home, if your hungry father Tantalus be alive he may bake you in a pie, and bid the gods to the banquet for joy of your departure out of this miserable world: but beware least Ceres be there at the feast, for she will eat a whole shoulder of you for mere spite: because she knoweth that you have been very unfaithful to women kind. But if Mercury love you so well as he did Pelops, and lend you an Ivory shoulder to bear away a bob, and command Clotho to call you to life again, then come to me and I will say more to your matter of love, till than I pray you give me leave to choose whether I will love you or not.  C. 
Some women think it is as martial a victory with their tongues to overcome & win the wisp, as we shepherds with our pipes to win the garland. But in all the dialogues where shepherds use to speak, note that he which speaketh last overcometh most. Would I might say no more but Vici (as none may say) not Veni, vidi, as all may say, or Veni, vidi, vici, as Caesar and those which are more worthy of your presence.  A. 
And would I could conquer Caesar with words as he won some nations without deeds than I protest Corydon should feed my sheep on the mountains, and Tityrus my goats on the rocks, but unto my presence, no such vulgar creeping worms should approach; no not to my solitary presence.  Tit. 
Content you fair lady albeit you are the pride of every branch, it standeth with your humility & honour, to entertain service sometimes unto your person: lest forgetting what you are, you remember what you should not, and so always using to walk in the air, you forget to walk aright upon the earth: & for want of the true use of yourself, you may soon fall. For all things that are of great substance do decline downward, & the light things are lifted upward: so you may catch that foul fall on the back.  C. 
Tityrus counsel is good, though somewhat swinish.  A. 
And so is not your talk because it is more than swanish.  C. 
You are not to be angry when you are guiltless, for that is not the entire property of a courtier, but rather the contrary.  A. 
Neither are shepherds to prate but of goats & lambs.  T. 
So we do of the lambs of Venus, which cause the sons of careful parents to come home once a year for their sins, with the prodigal, when they have eaten acorns for their mistress sake seven long years.  C. 
Come Tityrus, let us sing for Amaryllis sake, & contend for her, sith we can not have her given unto me.  T. 
Then if I sing best, king Midas shall judge for me, because her dignity ought not to be censured by one no worthy than ourselves.  A. 
Do so, and if he judge for either of you I will bestow a green Velvet hood on him, to hide his Ass' ears: and on you both my jolly Shepherds two Oaten pipes that you may convoye unto his ears, such melody as is most fit for his merit. R. M. A.H.A.As. But begin your plain song.  
Corydon and Tityrus contention.  Cor. 
In a time of merry sport,  
Amaryllis did resort,  
With her gracious loving looks  
To the Crystal running brooks:  
Where I Corydon did dwell,  
Corydon the shepherd's spell:  
For to shepherds doth belong,  
All the pride of wanton song.  
There to Amaryllis view,  
Shepherd sent his homage due:  
Such a service as of right,  
Came to short of such a wight.  
For I sent my thoughts unfit,  
To admire at such a wit:  
And I sent my dazzling eyes,  
To behold the Empire skies.  Tity. 
Shepheard leave thy fond conceit,  
For her beauty proves a bait:  
To beguile the craftist eyes,  
That in court do scale the skies.  
Like as fishes say to flee,  
When dame Venus' star they see.  Cor. 
O sweet Amaryllis face,  
Gives my muse a sour disgrace:  
Drowns in Lethe all my art,  
Setteth at her heel my smart:  
Tityrus my fellow swain,  
Seeks her heavenly looks to gain.  Tity. 
'tis our tender Lambs have part,  
Of the joys of her sweet heart:  
They as she, and she as they,  
Innocentes fair looks bewray.  Cor. 
Amaryllis whiles we strive,  
Keeps our tender flocks alive:  
For our flocks well kept do prove,  
That she cares not for our love.  Tity. 
Hapless we, and happy she:  
Of all that dwell in Italy.  
Corydons contention.  
In Crotona Sicill mount,  
Amaryllis Paramount,  
Lives and loves no worldly fame,  
loves of life to keep her name.  
He that doth approach her grace,  
Must appear an Angel's face:  
For her presence will appall,  
Him that best can tell his tale.  
Whispering lips, like nets, which call,  
Heavenly quails to be her thrall:  
Sweet notes liking to inspier,  
Like, but not like, Siren's hire.  
Such a voice as doth inchante,  
Nightingales her walks to haunt.  
In both cheeks her ruddy type,  
Makes them sing of cherries ripe:  
Then like Echo she doth use  
Notes, which makes them stay & muse.  
Notes which from the hearers eye,  
Make drops fall as from the sky:  
Notes which through her strange right eye,  
Send forth pictures of the sky.  
Which eye when it doth ascend,  
Then behold I see my end:  
For no tongue can then relate,  
How sunbeams love thoughts amate:  

Apelles by whom only Princes were pictured began Amaryllis so exquisite that he could not finish, because he could not conceive her perfection, where upon he remembered Venus' picture far unfit to express Amaryllis.  Apelles did miss to apply,  
In her picture this right eye.  
Where upon some do conject,  
By that shadow imperfect:  
He meant Amaryllis shape,  
And that Venus was her ape.  
Then did Zeuxis frame her shape,  
In her breast a bunch of grape:  
For love whereof in her sweet breast,  
Nightingales do make their nest:  
As tame fowls so they afford,  
All the year birds to record:  
And in the merry month of May,  
Nightingales for night and day.  
In the sequel of the year,  
To her voice their burden bear:  
In the Choir of her heart, 
Amphion whose eloquence tames wild satires, he was the first inventors of harmony.   
Rules Amphion with his art:  
Which makes me uncivil swain  
her perfections to maintain.  
Amaryllis reanswer to the Shepherd's contention.  
jolly Shepherds, no fond praise  
is of force my mind to raise:  
If I had Adonis hear,  
which the purple Rose doth wear:  
If I had Diana's grace,  
If I had dame Venus' face,  
If I were king Titan's child,  
named Aurora fair and mild,  
Beauty, birth, Grace purpurred,  
holds no soul from fatal bed.  
Wisdom, wit, and knowledge hid  
Servants are to Clotho third.  
The true use of harmony, 
The ancient Grecians were used to salute their children into the world with tears, and to laugh at their domes day. Lucretia of Rome that repelled Sextus Tarqvinius allurements.   
Is to wail our misery:  
'twas invented to take place  
at our death & happy case:  
At our birth a sadder vain  
was still used to show our pain.  
If I have Lucretia's gift,  
to discern Tarqvinius drift:  
And obey chaste Vesta's call,  
and beware by others fall:  
Sweet voice, fair looks, & chaste life,  
are large portions with a wife.  
And the jewels virgins wear,  
Is good fame hanged at their ear.  
We by this may rise withal,  
Rising well may never fall.  Cor. 
Can there proceed from Nature more gifts, or of nurture more rewards than Amaryllis enjoyeth? not to herself enjoyeth, but doth to her friends participate, virtues for their learning & examples for their living. And surely Tityrus 'tis in vain that we solicit her with vain love, for they whose sage wits are inhabited with such relations, cannot be at leisure to Cupid's inventions, 

For the Cock is most prove to Cupid.  
For the Parrot is most prompt to speak.   the which secure conceit hath first engendered of the brain of a Cock, as they feign, that wisdom sprang first of the brain of Parrot, which was the first jupiter that ever spoke: And so Mynerua was as much a kin to a Parrot as Venus to a Cock.  Tity. 
True, very true. But I see she is elected by Vesta to be Vestal, and hath either sworn Chastity, or Chastity sworn her. Yet because in moving of her, we cannot remove her from her true estimation of honour, we will hear her and see her and say the best, for of lest meddling with her beauty we shall soon get her bounty: And of most praising of her, we shall (to her repute) most flatter her. For if she would admit titles and vain appellation, than she would of herself soon have high estimation, and so be Philautos'. As on the contrary, if she would endure fugillation, than had she of herself a base estimation. 

Plutar. de Educatione.  
Quae se plus justo amat qualis est vide Aristot li 2 mag moral. cap 13. &. 14.   To this end Plutarch notes that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. They that are inamorde of themselves, are at leisure to be flattered by others.  Cor. 
I will assay her gravely again with some merry news, to which in honest recreation she hath ever inclined: yet therein from precisest virtue she hath never declined. You know Amaryllis, in Virgil there was sometimes a famous learned man of our trade of shepherding, who was also a famous learned man in his own trade of thieving, who after many thievish exploits, at the last stole away great Hercules fair herd: which he brought from Geryon the tyrant of Spain, brother to the Philip which usurpeth those dominions. This Cacus mistrusting lest the track of the beasts would be pursued by worthy Hercules, drew them all backward by the tails into his cave. Hercules freshsuing his herd, & seeing no print of a foot toward the den, but all froward, was persuaded as the craftiest Fox in all Aesop would have been, if in reviewing the lions den he had but seen the like steps: and have thought nothing less than any harm in Cacus. 

Hercules & Simia  
Craft against Force doth little avail.  
Camelus & Formica.   Presently after driving the rest of his herd by the wales of the cave, they chanced to low: (& as all creatures know their own call) so these stolen cattle did bellow unto their fellows, which the noble parsonage hearing, broke the door of the cave, & the neck of the thief, and so had his fair flock again.  Amar. 
Too fair a death for so foul a fact.  Cor. 
We hear in Italy that there is now as cruel a Philip in Spain as there was a Geryon then, and as renowned a Hercules in France now, as ever there was king of Egypt. This Spanish tyrant hath many Cacus of his league & nation, which seek to steal away that fair herd all of milk whit cattle, which Hercules and his friend preserve for breed. The Cacuses do practise by policy to draw them deformedly into their ugly caves, but the Herculeians endeavour to preserve such beautiful breed for sacrifice, and to serve holy uses. The Cacuses have often committed this pillage upon all the neighbour kings herds that inhabit thereabout. I require therefore of thee my Tityrus, who hast often heard of this action, why the Herculeians do not presently invade some of their usurpations & gain the patronage to themselves: for of all trials speed is the scope & felicity, and that which is the appetite of all hope.  Tity. 
This I think the first labour that Hercules must achieve, is to see the death of the monstrous Lion in the wood Nemea, which can neither be slain by metal nor stone: then may they more easily aspire to that which is the effect of the first labour. And the first will be the cause of the second. 
Jerome of the twelve labours of Hercules, writeth to this effect on the 10 chap. of Genesis.  So that Hydra in lerna malorum may be easily victord: Si Leoni vulpem adiungas. Hydra is the second labour of the Herculeians which daily they do victor: albeit an hundred heads succeed upon the neck of that monster so soon as he is beheaded: yet at last when nature shall extinguish that monster, sich Art cannot sink him, (when that is done, if it be yet undone:) Then I assure myself, that Hercules in France shall have such success, as that he need not neither for public honour nor for private weal, undertake any more of the twelve labours, the one being a work of policy, the other of prowess.  Cor. 
Then Amaryllis honour you sincerity of Religion with your chastity of life, that when you have all things belonging to present estate, you want not that little Atomus the soul (which other women they say want) which of your future and celestial estate must be the forerunner.  A. 
For your counsel Shepherd I render you gracious looks, the rather for that your theme tends not unto graceless love. My religion I account the right of my country, and the inheritage usually of them which have none other lands. Every one may be an heir (as in Gavelkind) to sincere religion, in which the youngest hath a title as well as the eldest. And therefore we learn that worthy men have carried the burden of their country Gods, in the midst of any spoils upon their backs away: amongst whom Aeneas the founder of our native soil is canonised, 
Ea est falsae Religionis nota cum sit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plato.  not so much for conveying his parents in safety from the sacking of Troy, as for that he preserved his country gods, knowing it to be a false Religion, to have sought new gods elsewhere for money or rewards.  Cor. 
Then do I marvel Amaryllis at one thing greatly: I have often heard you allege as an authority of a wise Senator in our land, who used to pronounce, that of the two Religions, there is but one end and that the one is but a little the farther way about, both may come to one home.  Ama. 
I have by hearsay so been informed, but esteem no truth but one, neither love I that janus should mock me in my journey; and when I were fair for it, should stand in some place of doubtful way, with two faces under one hood, & point both ways: so that I may mistake him, and go the longest way about: I may so be weary of my life, if the way be a purging & fainty hot way, before I come to my journeys end. I have heard of two Ladies which often are placed in the way where all Herculeians walk: the one lady Voluptuous, the other lady Virtue: and that the plesurable lady hath the more efficient persuasions to induce travelers to their destruction, than lady Virtue hath to reduce them to their salvation: That her way is fair and broad, and promiseth more assurance of rest then lady Virtue doth: whose paths are unpleasant, whose ways tedious, but in the end, there is a Paradise of most dainty devices, which Corydon you know is most fit for Ladies, and most favoured of me.  Cor. 
Good reason Amaryllis, that you should favour the soul's health above the bodies, and things to come rather than pleasant conceits which are present deceits. The Dialogue I have converted for your use out of his proper language in the most famous memorables of Xenophon.  
A Dialogue betwixt Hercules and the two Ladies, Voluptuous, and Virtuous. Xenophon. li. 2. Memorabilium.  
As I wandered all alone,  
In these greenewoods' summers clothing,  
To myself I made my moan,  
Why I had my life in loathing.  
At the last the careful air  
Did convey my cause of mourning  
To these Ladies passing fair,  
Who well knew my inward burning.  
To whom when I veiled my Crest,  
Veiled my Arms before their presence,  
And beheld lawn apornes priest,  
Pure like Altars for my Incense,  
Then I ceased not to recall,  
Hills, woods, groves, trees, dales, all wandering,  
Which accompanied my thrall,  
Words, nor deeds, nor comfort rendering.  
When these Ladies had agesse  
Who I was that so did travel,  
Did their sacred terms address,  
To convey me from my peril.  Voluptas. 
First dame Pleasure did presume,  
Shining brightly not by Nature,  
Shined cares like clouds to consume,  
With the blazing of her feature.  
And her eyes were open wide,  
That she quickly might entangle,  
Most vain looks which catch at pride,  
As the fish doth at the Angle.  
And her garments in like sort  
were as wide and worn wide open:  
Entertaining bold resort,  
Knew her shop without a token.  
But I musing at her gate,  
marveled at no such wonder,  
As to see her shadows state,  
And herself to stand a sunder.  
For I thought no Atomie  
To be of so small acquaintance,  
As to want her company,  
Or to seek her lewd alliance.  
She began to make report  
Of the youths of her profession,  
Which she called a sweet consort  
Of fine wits without discretion.  

Those that love me call me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Those that hate me, call me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Felicity. Igna●●e.  Then I knowing what she would,  
For she called herself, Dame Pleasure:  
Told her that I would be bold  
To go seek a richer a treasure.  
Of love, desire, lust, sweet words,  
To my eyes, ears, taste, & speaking:  
There appeared with shrill records,  
Helen's Eunuch Nectar eating.  
All which pleasures without pains  
She commended to my favour:  
But I did resign the gains.  
Which comes of too sweet a savour.  ●●tus. 
Then virtue fair of herself,  
Did inform my simple meaning,  
What was pleasures idle pelf,  
Not to sow but live by gleaning:  
She began in weeping wise,  
To entreat my tender nonage,  
To beware by her advise,  
Of fair looks the gate of bondage.  
'tis not pleasure bringeth rest,  
No man makes the gods his fautors  
By delight or pleasant jest,  
Of the which they are not autors.  
'tis desert that doth present,  
Every labour to his hire:  
Pleasant wits do oft invent,  
Perfect art doth still aspire.  
Do but mark good natured ground,  
How it doth reward the sour:  
Do but mark good natured sound,  
For one touch it yieldeth four.  
seely sheep that yield you cloth,  
Must be washed in due season:  
Lazy kine are very loath,  
To yield you milk without some reason.  
Hercules is borne to wars,  
Those that honour such a calling,  
Must not sit and gape at stars,  
Till they see their foes a falling.  
If in boisterous wars at length,  
Thou incur some rare distress,  
Virtues Rescue with thy strength,  
Shall bring desperate care redress.  
If thou wouldst prevail in force,  
Know that exercise confirming,  
Is to strength a better course,  
Then the books of Pleasure's learning.  
Farewell noble Hercules,  
Of all warlike prows the Engine,  
Let no wandering Knights distress  
Force thoughts base shifts to imagine.  
Then I song loath to departed,  Voluptas. 
Then dame Pleasure red this lesson,  
That this painful school of Art,  
And dame virtues paths are geason.  
I reanswerd to my skill,  
This is all your pleasures fullness:  
That the belly you may fill,  
Though the body live in dullness.  
And those false joys you may wash,  
With fierce Bacchus which is lusty,  
To deceive the silly passh,  
To be drunk not being thirsty.  Corydon. 
I joy Amaryllis to see a fable so to agree with truth. They say, into the Elyzean fields there be two ways prepared, one fair, broad, pleasant, careless: the other foul, narrow, tedious, hideous, and careful. He that taketh his pleasure on the way, there is no reason he should have it at his journeys end. He that laboureth & is in his travail, will be merry at night. This pleasant way hath assayed many wise men, but alured none: For it assaulted Ulysseses by incantation of Circe and Calypso, by vocation of Siren's music, by bitter sweet delights: such as the voluptuous lady preferred to our Hercules. If Ulysses had not discoursed like a wise travailer with Circe, and persuaded in the deepest property of an Orator with Calypso, and prevented in policy, by stopping his ears from the womanish harmony of Sirens, in the one he had been metamorphosed with his whole Regiment into Boars and hogs and brute beasts (for such are all men senseless in their delights,) in the other he had been turned headlong into the sea for a pray to a sight of hungry fiddlers, who never piped better than when they lacked meat for their dinner. And then they played to pick such noble men's purses as Ulysses, and bring their lives into a Sea of utter destruction and want.  A. 
Corydon, I desire to know why Tityrus being so faithful a friend unto you, and so continually in your company learneth not your vain of speaking, and speaketh not more often.  Cor. 
Tityrus my beloved Tityrus, speaketh seldom and therefore more wisely. Herein I thank you, that you reprehend my multiloqus and fribolus words: in deed he that speaketh much, offendeth much, and silence sometimes is safe speaking, for the tongue a little creature is too often a tall fellow of his hands, but the heart often maketh the heels to be nimble and the tongue speaking so much idly, leaveth nothing for the heart to say or allow: which maketh and turneth golden mines into leaden pigs, and often maketh a mountain to bring forth a mouse.  Am. 
Say no more of promises Corydon, for though you insinuate thereby into the feebleness of women's wits, which are often drawn with pleasant delights of men's subtlety, and importunate flattery to promise more then honestly they may perform: Yet holding second counsels, with the friends that belong to their own honour, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Cicero Philip. 12. posteriores cogitationes sapientiores.  they answer you foolish swains (who are of opinion, that every woman loves you that makes you believe so) how that all promises are not to be kept. Nec omnia, nec nulla, nec non aliqua.  Tityrus. 
Nay then Amaryllis, you disparaged the works of fidelity, which are inherent more in generous minds, then in degenerous persons: whose fear of some misfortune arguing their cowardice, do not because they dare not, perform all they promise.  Ama. 
Nay do not, because they cannot perform any such hasty promises.  Tityrus. 
What call you promises in haste that be not promises in waist.  Ama. 
Promises in haste are, when suitors whose green attire profess them to be Robin Hoods men: yet shoot in Cupid's bow at Diana's servants. To them a tale of Robin Hood, and a promise sent home, by Long the carrier belongeth.  Tity. 
And when promise you in waist?  Ama. 
In waste when the faith of promise opposed to the falsehood of men, makes them fully persuaded of love at our hands, when they seek nothing but lust, and so being entangled with fair promises will think no more of foul acts. And so we induce them to waste in fond love: because they would induce us to taste of filthy lust.  Cor. 
For their vile regard of your honour, they have a vile reward of your honesty.  Tity. 
Nay of our honesty, for they have but small honesty, that use men so dishonestly.  Ama. 
Women are very ungracious, because men are very ungrateful.  Tity. 
Men are very ungrateful, because women are very unfaithful.  Ama. 
Women are very politic, because men are very deceitful.  Tity. 
Men are very deceitful in deed, because the women are very beautiful indeed.  Ama. 
Women are very fair indeed, and therefore men are very false in word.  Tityr. 
And women being very fair in face, and not true in heart, are as their physiognomy presageth of them.  Amaryllis. 
Are you skilled in the physiognomy? as how I pray you?  Tityrus. 
If high in forehead, than women are high in mind, courageous like a Lioness, and very liberal of one thing or other. And it importeth desire of Empire and rule, and the government to rest in their feeble discretion.  Amaryllis. 
But how if they be contrary, and in the forehead low?  Tityrus. 
Then it signifieth accordingly low and base minds, and sorrowful hearts, passionate and discontented, because the blemish being in the fairest place and most visible causeth them to seek the darkest places, eschewing company to live solitary and invisible.  Amaryllis. 
And what purporteth a frowning forehead with cloudy looks?  Tityrus. 
It importeth boldness, and in a woman foolehardines, and savage Lion-like (or if you will have it) in desire like a Bull, as in forehead like a Bull frowning: and also ready to wish her husband those ornaments which should manifest to the world her secret disposition, not without some reason, for they are more fit for a man then for a woman.  A. 
Well, pass on with your pastoral discourse & skill to determine of things beyond your Tarbox, and tell of the physiognomy of the eyes.  Tityrus. 
Small Ferits eyes, show them to be toyish like Apes, as big settled, dull: unsharp eyes, show them to be sluggish, unwelding like a Cow with a bonegrace on her head: hollow eyes, witchcraft full of rancour and secret malice: great gogling eyes, foolishness, for you know 'tis proper to an Ass. Somewhat a little hollow, signifieth stout courage and magnanimity like a Lioness. But if they be very open and rolling, beware of impudency: for it is one of the two viperous brood and daughters of my lady Careless, and Insolency is the other daughter: For as Tully hath, to neglect what repute the world shall carry about of you, is not only the property of an impudent creature, but of a dissolute body. But to come to particulars, Amaryllis, eyes more fit for Aristotle's description are black, which signifieth no mutation but constancy. In that they have the little Hast circlet which doth environ and hedge in a golden fleece in the midst of your right eye, which shepherds think to steal, if it spy them first, it depriveth them of all living sense, leaving them only vegetative sense like unto trees, because of their presumption, which are but marks to tell of the boldness of them that went before, unto them that shall follow after. And in a word, the whole physiognomy of the eyes shall be in this sentence concluded: Quanto maior tanto minor malitia: sed stultitia maior.  Amaryllis. 
I like your Rosemary you give me Tityrus, but not your Fenell. Let us hear of the lips.  Tity. 
They cannot be divided except they were first closed; nor can not be described, except they be disclosed: and cannot be disclosed openly, except they be touched secretly. Therefore fair Amaryllis, sith ever you have repelled me from the one, blame me not though I fail in the other, for honour me first in this, and honour will nourish a●tes. Tantalus hath not any nice taste, if he have any at all: nor Sisyphus any knowledge of the Christmas holidays, if he know of any: nor any end of his labour, if he have any end of his water and work. Wherefore that I may report of Paradise, let me taste of Euphrates: 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. In vanis osculis suavis ●ucunditas, Theocritus.  for there is in one of the senses of tasting, all the liberal sciences of learning. And in vain kissing true pleasure.  Ama. 
You are beside your manners, and therefore I marvel not to see you beside your matters. But in conceit use your pleasure, so you may by imputation be admitted to be blessed.  Tity. 
I shall thereby be as happy as the Hackenie man is, who often is as poor as Irus, because often his Horses are of the colour of Iris, which in deed is no colour, as they are often to him, because they are not with him. As to me you use the word conceit, so to him they use the deed deceit. And they say to him as you say to me, believe well and have well. Sic ego rescribo de tuo palfrido, crede quod habes & habes.  Ama. 
Well now you may return from your pleasure, and describe the want of your pleasure.  Tityrus. 
In a word, the lips are praised as please every man to like of them. And there is no greater heed to be taken, then that they open not their wards for fear lest they let out many out of their dungeon.  Ama. 
Many what?  Tity. 
Many chargeable prisoners, which will cause a heavy action to lie against the person, I mean corrupt words, for which all men may condemn one, or corrupt breath, from which all men will commend one.  Ama. 
You are disposed to enjoin my absence.  Cor. 
No, Amaryllis rather to enjoy your presence. I will proceed if Tityrus will not.  Tity. 
do so, & I will climb with admiration up into the fair branches of this tall Castanea tree, from which by that time Corydon hath told my tale by Arithmetic, I can deduct three little sprigs, and then Amaryllis, & this goodly tree willbe of one name and nature.  Cor. 
Lips which be soft and smooth and neighbourlike kiss each other, signify unity and readiness to wage battle against the ravening Lions that would rudely pray upon their cherries. Such are yours Amaryllis. Those that are very hard and rugged and blue like a sapphire, declare that swine live upon the Acorns which they find under every tree, where for a mess of commons in Epicurus kitchen, they open their quiver to every man's arrow. A very thick upper lip hanging over too much, is never troubled with too much wit. And a thick upper lip turning upward that the gum may be perceived, is construed by the similitude of snarling to be a dog, at least a reproachful creature.  A. 
And what of the nose?  Cor. 
The tip of the nose being fleshy, signifieth no worse matter then fleshly lust: But turning up withal, signifieth by comparison a Swine, & in verity it noteth sluggishness. The tip being sharp foreshoweth, as the proverb of (Mucterisme) Nasuti homines telleth, an angry Scoffer: 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to be a secret scoffer. Of that kind of nose, read Pliny. li. 11. cap 32.  And as the nose of a Wolf, it showeth secret cruelty. For the nostrils if they are wide, they signify Lion-like & full of force. Narrow nostrils are full of motions as children, and by comparison of birds apt to sing sweetly, because unapter to let the sound through the nose. A nose flat to the face, & crooked importeth often a crooked body, & by the comparison of a carrion Crow shameless, and a light housewife. But in this description of a flat nose, a certain writer hath many reasons that still Nurture amendeth Nature. On the contrary, if crooked Eglelike, then high minded but low couraged. Simonased is libidinous. Also broad nosed, is furious. But lovely long nosed reaching downward toward the mouth, presageth all the virtues in Tully's Offices, & especially fortitude.  Ama. 

●uni● quàm similis turpissima beltia nobis.  And what of the ears.  C. 
little, like an Ape. Great, like an Ass. Flapping, like a fool. But moderate ears are natural to all people, and show some moderation in the rest of the senses, if the senses be framed accordingly. Very round ears are very unfit to learn. And very long ears, are very envious. And very much cleaving to one's head, are of some unknown ill disposition. If hears be in the ears, then apt to hear quickly: From whence our term hearing may be taken.  Amaryllis. 
Now tell me in general, what shape of the face and countenance is best destinate by dame Nature unto women.  Corydon. 
If fleshy, then somewhat sluggish: If lean, then curious, If bog and foggy, fearful like an Ass, or as the Hart is. If round and somewhat fat with a little black spot or two on it, then fair Amaryllis, The roundness showeth aptness of proportion, as a temple of better gifts which are within. And the reason why the spots are, is that a little contrary opposed to a marvelous singularity, doth make that which is very excellent to be better: because the imperfection standing near beauty's grace is made a less imperfection, and beauty a more beauty. As black annexed to white, maketh white more white, and black more perfect black.  
Now for the countenance, if it look downward & groveling, 'tis a sign of an Hypocrite, & of discontented wickedness. And a drunken countenance, a drunkard: an angry countenance, a bedlam: and on the contrary, a shamefast countenance, a gracious woman. Any one that is deformed is ill manerd likely, if Nurture be not the predominant over Nature: as Thersytes of whom the Poets say venerat ad Troiam quo non deformior alter. And of all that be correspondent in manners, in a proverb they call it Thersitica fancies: 
Thersites was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that defomed his face with hasty de●●ring like a Raven as the word doth signify in Arist. lib 9 Anim. ca 24.  A very large visage is unshamefast. Those that sweat in the face with small motions, may have small honesty. But often times they are crafty, and still they are great eaters. Very little round faces signify simplicity. Very crooked long lean faces are malicious, but only for profits sake. And Amaryllis, you have hereby a glass to decern your choice, but not so sure as a touchstone to try gold by. For neither is all gold that glistereth, nor all that ashes that seemeth: 
Saepe sub. cinere doloso latet ignis. Horat. ergo cave. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Lucret ex Theophrasto.  but often gold is hid in earth: and often under deceitpfull ashes lie coals of fire.  Ama. 
Why then I perceive no assurance of judgement but uncertain guess to be in the physiognomy of women, and all your proofs to be like the Physicians judgement of a woman's inferior parts by her water. It is not of the necessity of his science to know more by the water than is done above the girdlestead, nor of your Art to decern more than you see apparent in the face. And that you describe out of your shepherds Calendar: Whereby you can tell, if you see a cloud, that it is a sign of a shower, and many stars bring a frost: and the evening red, a fair morning: and the morning grey, a fair evening. And by the backbone of a Woodcock, you can tell aswell as the Woodcocks self, what weather shall ensue: But by looking in one's face, you cannot tell what money she hath in her purse. Your science makes you often in hope of a fair weather to climb the mountains where the Muses stand with goads in their hands to repel you swains, and you forsake the base and humble valleys which are more fit for you.  Corydon. 
This and more of Amaryllis will her true hearted swain endure, only impatient of this, that I should have Tityrus my Rival.  Tity. 
Only impatient of this, that I should have Corydon my Rival.  Cor. 
Wherefore I pray you: Dicite Rivalem vix ego ferre iovem. Amaryllis. No, I am only impatient in this, that you should strive about nothing.  Cor. 
Are you nothing Amaryllis?  A. 
I am no such thing.  C. 
Why not?  A. 
Because I am not.  C. 
That is a woman's simple reason.  A. 
It is a good and subtle reason. For in all things that are so, your senses ought to take notice that they are so, and not to call in question why they are so: 
Libro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aristo. lib. 1. Analyt.  For your Aristotle hath it in his wisdom, that Sensus nulla de re cur ita sit indicat. As if it be fire, no reason to ask why it is hot: but only to have relation to the effect of the thing. As if it be fire, to know that it is hot: if water, to know that it is cold.  Tit. 
And if a woman, to know that she is wilful.  Cor. 
And if fair, to know, that she may be false.  Ama. 
And if a man, to know that he knows many more than women, and therefore he that is every where, they say he is worthy to be no where.  Tity. 
How know you that men know many things?  Ama. 
Because many things are known of them.  Tit. 
Why, that is the same by the same, which is no good reason.  A. 
So is their knowledge the same by the same, which is no good order.  Tit. 
How?  Ama. 
As to know the younger by the elder.  C. 
Blame not men therein Amaryllis.  A. 
Why by what rule Corydon?  C. 
Because new wine hath often an old garland.  Ama. 
I but good wine need no garland, nor good women any such customers.  Tit. 
You say well, for they are known as well without a Poesy in their breasts, as if they had it written within their Rings: Viresco semper vulnere.  A. 
But tell me Corydon, by what privy mark of countenance I may know the complexion and disposition of such creatures?  Cor. 
In the male, note a bonnye-face lean, it signifieth a dailaborer, & a man of a cold nature by reason of many losses at sea.  A. 
How at sea?  C. 
What Sea you will, either the Sea where Flemish hoys bear English burdens: or English hoys bear the French loading, whether you will.  Am. 
And how in a woman?  C. 
In a woman, if she be shameless, who of nature should be shamefast. And though in a man, the face is almost immutable: yet in such a woman very soon Vultus mutatur, nam a volando dicitur. Their countenance is coming and going: for it is derived of a fugitive word, by reason that every Art hath special terms to express it. If she look ill, you may soon perceive it: for the countenance is a certain silent speech and dumb show to declare what the mind and the body are.  Amaryllis. 
I but is all this any thing certain that you have told me?  Cor. 
Not so sure as never otherwise. But this know Amaryllis, that these things are most apparent in men & women, such as are not regenerate and washed from the inclination of Nature: As in the Adamites, whose hard hearts want mortifying of government: Naturae sequitur semina quisque suae. Every man followeth his instillation of Nature. The use of Physiognomy is very ancient: For jacob the father of all shepherds told by Laban's physiognomy unto his wives, what mind Laban bare towards him.  Amaryllis. 
Then I see some certainty to be in the science. But in a word, give me the signification of a comely person, and of a deformed creature, what they are noted throughout all parts to be in both sex.  Corydon. 
In a word, a woman fair in all parts without some secret or hidden blemish, cannot be without fair conditions and honest: for she is called of the Primotor of all things Man hu: 
Respond. Danum Dei.  as one deformed in the least sort, is not without some fault notorious: So is it of all people an old said saw, and proverbially true: Distortum vultum sequitur distantia morum. Of them beware, whom God hath any way noted in the face or else where. They that are not deformed, are more like their Creator, whose perfection in his creatures shows him to be without blemish or deformity.  
By this you have a fair caveat to beware the imperfection in shape of Tityrus my fellow swain, whom you have often noted for his savage looks, and love you the simplicity of Corydon whom you have found, though somewhat mutable, yet always honest in endeavour to perform his obedience, though in deed, too short of his duty. And if time shall heal griefs by killing of care, than Amaryllis, my herds of Deer, and flocks of sheep mounted upon mine own hills, where my little mansion is, even Tame like sheep entangled as are their leaders thoughts, shall wait upon you to pay their own ransom with their dearest blood.  A. 
I but Corydon, shall not I wait too long upon them first? Care is yet but young, and therefore strong enough to fight with Time, and Time is rather a devourer of men's expectations, than a healer of their griefs: for to gape for dead men's shoes is often to go barefoot. And whiles your parks may be clothed with Flora, & your woods armed with strength: and your Swans that in Leander at the bottom of your mount do surmount in number, we may be laughed at by your pleasant fields that shall be for our present folly that is, & may be blowed coldly upon by your boisterous Oaks, yet have we no authority to control them with the Axe. And your lovely Swans muing themselves under your chamber window, may make us wish our envious eyes were out, rather than to be hold so much future pleasure, & so little present joy. And what were this for us to be in obedience of elder Care as his children continually? You be gotten as it were of his own marrow, I adopted to be the daughter of Care for love of you. You in want of maintenance to live a shepherd's life: I in want of sustenance to die a lingering death: or if lingering in subjection cannot happily die, but must in viewing about your bitter sweet delights, behold any of mine own consort, as the Nightingale which now in my virginity carrieth no feather to her nest, but asketh leave first of me, to accompany her with the notes of my simple voice, that thereby the labour may seem more easy, yet than I shall see them carry apace, but must needs think as they poor they do: That not for me, but for others this nest is built: for the profits are still our elder Cares. We should see the Bees have their working thoughts & their thighs loaded with Treasure to our fights: and as they say, we must say: not for ourselves but for others. See the wanton Fawns skipping to fat themselves with speed, and as they say we say: not for us but for others. See the plentiful & grateful sheep for their bare sustenance render this maintenance: udders strowting with milk including farther profit, most fit nourishment for our infants: fleeces on their backs, whereof the finest cloth is made: tender carcases, whereon the finest people feed: marks on their foreheads, which mean not for our gentle shepherds, but for our cruel masters the elder Care. We may see the travailing Ox work out with fear and trembling his own destruction. And so all things we may see but nothing we must have.  Cor. 
O but Amaryllis! 'tis somewhat to go halting by Nature, better than not to go at all. And better have half a loaf than no bread. And that so we enjoy love for ever: Let us endure patience for a while. Our pleasures will be more than common persons are. I am nobly descended though savagely I live. All mine is all yours which to enumerate will be comfort, though yet not commodity. Fair houses without large rents: great parks without trouble of tillage, both seated sweetly in a rich province: which ever as now they are, so were they the Granare & storehouse of provision and victuals to all our Island: From whence the whole people of Crotona have transported usually to comfort the borderers in annual relief, an hundred sail of boats and lighters loaden with grain. But lest the praise of mine own country seduce my pen to lavish, and lest I should be carped at to write our incredible perfection by reason of my unspeakable affection: I entreat your sweet consideration to accept in good part the confirmation of our blessedness by mine own relation. For native soil carries away every sense with desire of delight to praise it and pray for it.  
O most happy dominion, whose hap it was to be more blessed than any other part of the Continent. Thou art the prime & the chiefest that beheld the renowned Constantinus Caesar. In thee he left his heart for liking, and his Hind for feeding. On the one thy name was written for remembrance: on the neck of the other, his name was written for assurance. Nature hath repaid thee thy desert beyond thy desire, thou art endued withal the fruits of the earth, and all the favour of the air, in thee the rewards of seed are so plentiful, that Ceres hath her barns endued with grain, and Bacchus his press fulfilled with grape, in whom are huge woods to cover, without hideous beasts to devour: in whom are fertile grounds to manure for food, without fearful serpents to procure death. Again, of silly & gentle & profitable sheep, so great is the multitude, that for their bare food, as hating ingratitude, they yield fleeces fit for jasons labour, or from their backs for Corydons hire, udders for Corydon and Amaryllis children, which only they hold up, till that day with groaning to have none but Amaryllis infants play with their young ones: And none but Amaryllis servants to bring down their pride & swelling teats: To make cruds & cum-butter & walwhay only for Amaryllis dairy. Save that they rather choose to lose their wool on briars for charity's sake to the poor, then that their masters elder Care should shear them too too near for covetousness. And they will often counterfeit sickness before their time, to be given to the relief of the poor, rather than their masters elder Care should take them home to infect their shepherds with the rot of Mutton: for old Care is ever more covetous than young Careless is prodigal. Touching that which all men hate the darkness our Climate is daily prevented with that which all men love the lightness, for we have none but humble valleys unto our champion, & no fence for which the daytide being of great length, the night is never without some lightness: Except at such time of the night as the uttermost plains of the earth, receive no light, then when as the goal of night and of the heavens is overcome, and that the starlight departeth even in the intercession of the new day. In so much as the Sun which to all other people seemeth to go down and fall, to us appeareth but still to pass away. Sith than Amaryllis, this is create only to bear flowers for my garland which I mean to bestow yearly upon you, as a Coronet for your patience, till I can endow you with the whole, I request you, accept my ability as a possibility, though not a possession to enrich you withal.  Ama. 
Yes Corydon, I take well in worth your singular courtesies, but may not break Vesta her laws for love of Ceres, nor leave Diana her grace to seek Lucina's help, nor leave fountains of Nectar to taste rivers of water, nor leave Manna to taste of Ambrosia. But as I have put on the stole & rob of dignity, so must I learn to shun indignity, for I have many eyes object upon me: eyes such as the Peacock doth spread to envy fair weather & prosperity: eyes such as can fascinate the tender lambs of Diana, and for their pleasure have induced them to adversity eyes that are poorblind, and therefore look nigh unto others. Eyes that are bleared and so cannot see into themselves. Eyes like the Owl to see what is done in the night. Eyes like the Stare to watch for the day. Eyes like the Hawk, to watch aloft for a fowl. Eyes like a Buzzard, at hand to seize upon any thing. Eyes of a Dove, but ears withal. Beware of little Pytchardes, they have great ears. And therefore it behoveth me to borrow of the Eagle her eyes, that I may behold the Sun & not be confounded of the glory. And because it is a custom among Diana's servants to banquet much in honour of our mistress, I do use to repress that outrageous god with a more sober: 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  and mingle water with my wine, which in taking away that which is hurtful, doth leave only that which is healthful. And because there hath been the Mandrake a stark poison growing near unto Vines in many countries, I use to give every one leave to drink thrice for my once. I have read in a writer of a certain Pearl, which I mean to send for shortly, 
Plinius lib. 25. cap. 9 li 14. c. 2. Plutarch lib. de Audi. poetis. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  called Amethuston, to hang at mine ear: they say it doth use to repel desires. Some were used to receive into their body's Amuletoes before such times as they went to banquet, and some to carry it about them, it will surely repel oversight in drinking, or overdelight in eating. These experiences sith I have learned first of you Corydon, I will rest your scholar still for your virtues, but no lover of any one's person.  Cor. 
Why then my song shall be of patience perforce, and I will still be attendant upon your preferment, though I mean to go hide my shame in my father's woods, that once might not have repent me too late, but have relieved my true love in time, even with the enjoying of Amaryllis, whose joys now increased shall increase my bad Muse to entreat of them day and night. And now both you fountains & dreary woods, lend of the infinite sounds and innumerable bushes in you, a verse for every bud, and a line for every leaf. And you immeasurable mountains in height expressing my high desire in everliving greene's, manifesting my eternal good will, in hugeness remembering her impossiblenes of me now to be embraced: in having but one way to go up, and that very narrow, it foreshoweth that only virtue must be the path that leadeth unto her: In being stored with Cedar trees, foretelleth me, that she inclineth to high honours: In being stored with sheep, sayeth she shall be rich: In having a fountain, showeth she hath wisdom: In having humble and low valleys, showeth that she hath true humility: In bearing the name of Pimplea, assureth the beholders, that none must presume before they be called, lest they be repelled by her swains with their hooks, and by her meinie with their whips. You senseless creatures receive me into your herd for as mute a creature, though not so brute a substance as you, till I being well acquainted with your kind, yield glory to my mistress for making me silent, as you do to your creator for making you a subject. Yet not silent Corydon till I have said my mind, once more to move her spirits to sing unto my Roundilay her morning's tune, which putting upon with her gown all gravity, she may use to modulat to this ditty.  
Corydons Hymn to the praise of Amaryllis.  
Would mine eyes were crystal fountains  
Where you might the shadow view:  
Of my griefs like to these mountains  
Swelling for the loss of you.  
Cares which cureless are alas,  
Helpless, hapless for they grow,  
Cares like tars the number pass,  
All the seed that love doth sow.  
Who but could remember all,  
Twinkling eyes still representing  
Stars, which pierce me to the gall,  
'Cause they lend no longer lighting,  
And your Nectar lips alluring,  
human sense to taste of heaven.  
For no art of man's manuring,  
Finer silk hath ever weaven,  
Who but could remember this,  
The sweet odours of your favour:  
When I smelled I was in bliss,  
Never felt I sweeter savour.  
And your harmless heart anointed,  
As the custom was of Kings:  
Shows your sacred soul appointed,  
To be prime of earthly things.  
Ending thus remember all,  
Clothed in a mantle green,  
'tis enough I am your thrall,  
Leave to think what eye hath seen.  
Yet the eye may not so leave,  
Though the thought do still repine:  
but must gaze till death bequeath,  
Eyes & thoughts unto their shrine.  
Which if Amaryllis chance  
Hearing to make haste to see,  
To life death she may advance,  
Therefore eyes & thoughts go free.  
Now Amaryllis, ending my mirth, begins my moan. Now departing from your sight, I shall be blind, and from your presence I shall perish. Yet vouchsafe beauties wanton darling, so called for that you have been pleasant with my Kids, and learned to smile quickly of dame Flora your grandmother, suffer my thoughts to be sent as suitors to your honour to protect their baseness, though my body be absent from your sight, by reason of unworthiness. Now I have fed a wanton eye, I will go feed my starved flock: and sith greater dignity is befallen Amaryllis then my infirmity must think, of my accustomed boldness shall not approach your presence without some present, worthy to gratify so high degree. All this while Tityrus gathers my straying flocks to his straying thoughts, & keeps my Kids from pride which would insult, sith they have notice of Amaryllis success. But let Tityrus my beloved Rival, beware lest that Libyan white one, which wanting a playfellow, and going to Amaryllis fountain to seek her, do not fall into a frenzy for absence of his foster mother, and so strike him suddenly with her horn. O gracious Amaryllis, why do you recall me your quondam lover, roaming like the Woodoses in these groves, to view that you must fly them, and go to Diana's courts? Do you hate me? No. Then you must love me. True. For in Diana's nymphs there is but two dispositions, and in a woman there is no third thing: Mulier aut amat, aut odit, nihil est tertium. Then do so still. Shall I be the same in favour when I come to man's state, as now being a beardless youth? Then destroy me presently that I may die before the cogitations of departure bereave me of my joyful bliss. Behold, I cast before thee twelve Queenapples, though the Gods sent down but one, all pourporting this poesy: To the fairest of twelve. I gathered them from a tree planted with thine own hand, which makes them look so like heavenly food. Behold my bitter grief. Why hide you your face Amaryllis? Would I were made a humming Bee to serve Diana's hives, that so in her mount garden I might see my Amaryllis mounted, wearing her daily garland, knotted with her own hair, to show how she hates to wear any other body's Thyrsus. Now do I know O love, that thou art a plaguy god. Certes, some Lioness was thy foster mother (or else the Poets feign) when jaculus & you ran away from your own mother. Or else you were Astyages son, one of the first Monarchy that was, whom when your mother was with child of you, your father dreamt that she bore a Vinebranch in her womb that would overshadow all Asia: Ask counsel of the Soothsayers what brood she should breed: they told true, such an one as would disturb all Nations, and deposed your own father from rule of himself. Then he gave thee, O Cupid to Harpagus to be overwhelmed with the oblivious waves of the Sea. But he unhappy engine of all men's woe, returning into a wood in unlucky Persia, there left thee at random, to the wide world. Then Spacon, which in the Persian language is a dog, was thy Nurse, and so art thou cruel by his education.  
Such an one is Love, that whom a mad dog biteth, he is mad presently upon it. I burning with inward fire, seeking with outward tears to quench the outward apparent flame of love, my tears serve to smother my heat, the smoke whereof is the sooner seen. So outward medicines show there to be inward griefs. Fair looking like the glorious Diamond, in worth the most precious Pearl, Nymph embrace a shepherd with your looks, than they may kiss me, though I not them, with the lips of admiration. In fair looks, are veiled with modesty sweet kisses.  
I will go gather a Coronet, and will weave & enfold it with the knots of truest love, with green laurel Apollo's sceptre, which shall betoken her wisdom, and with the Myrtle fair Venus' Poesy, which shall show her beauty. And with Amaranthus Diana's herb, whereby blood is stenched, so may she imitate the herb, and have remorse. Woe is me, what Aetna shall I possess. Will not Amaryllis hear? Then off goes my pastoral robes made of my dearest Goats clothing, and into this Lethe I run, where if I be not drowned, yet eternal forgetfulness shall make me happy. Yet there the fisher Olpis still watching, may take me to be the great fish Thynnus, and so save my life, and bring me to shame again. But I will do it, for then sure I am, that some pleasure in hope that I am dead will possess Amaryllis: so she returning with joy to see, I may take her in her good mood. All is in vain, Diana calleth, and honour allureth. Lately, I asked counsel of Agraeo a Prophetess, how to know whether Amaryllis should ever love me, she taught me to take Telephilon a kind of leaf that Pepper beareth so called of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, because it foreshoweth love, and to clap the leaves in the palm of my hand. If they yielded a great sound, then surely she should love me greatly: if a little sound, then little love. But either I was deaf being senseless through love: or else no sound at all was heard, and so Agraeo the divinatrix told me a true rule. Now I prefer my garland made in sorrowful haste, of which the flowers, some signifying death, & some mourning, but none belonging to marriage, do manifest, that Amaryllis hath no respect of mean men. Come gentle Amaryllis, I will go fetch that milkewhite Goat, which hath now a twin which you have ever liked, & sacrifice her to your liking. Will you not? Then Erithacis rich though not so fair, who is an earnest suitor to me shall have them, because she is delighted with my presence. But my right eye watereth, 'tis a sign of somewhat, do I see her yet. O fair Amaryllis, be not angry, though I talk idly, and speak like one distract. At the foot of this Pine tree, I will end my lamentations, where perhaps she may look back and see me; for she is no Adamant. I would I could prevent her swift pace as Hippomanes did unto Atalanta, with golden Apples which Venus hath sent me to cast before her, that she stooping to gold, might be overtaken. But gold cannot tempt Chastity. I would with Bias make shift to obtain fair Perones, though the Oracles said I should die for it, if I take the labour in task. But she seeketh not the death of a lover. I would with Adonis one of mine own faculty, for love of Venus watch so long in the woods, that the wild boar should slay me for my duty. But she hating to be called Venus, will rather let me continue dead then revive me for loves sake, as Venus did her Adonis. I would be like Endymion if I could, who for that he eschewed all love, and followed Diana's life, he fell in delight with perpetual hunting in the woods. But Amaryllis will not be Luna to induce me into a perpetual sleep, to the intent to embrace me: but will be Luna to the intent to fly from me. I would be jason if she would be Ceres, and vouchsafe to sleep with me, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  than might she be Ceres in deed quasi Geres: but that were admirable, that by one bare sleep should happen, yet might she be Ceres for she beareth glad tidings unto him that shall have her. Thus I fainting, and she not caring, must think that what is hapless should be careless, but that will not be. Then here will I lie and let my flock starve, that when the Wolf hath eaten them, he may be so good unto me. This shall please Amaryllis rather then continual importunity, yet departing; honey of the Comb shall be my food: yet will I eat nothing but sweet thoughts: and the juice of Peers shallbe my drink, yet will I drink nothing but the spring water that she last washed in. Where by the purity, I shall think of her sincerity, and see my sorrows written in the sands. Here will I wait & haunt these plains & woods, looking for no companion, but the loving bird which delighteth to behold the face of a man, of him I will love to behold the face of a goddess. Hear shall I find none to tune unto me but that lady's bird that counterfeiteth to chatter with a small shrill voice as they do, & feigns the voice of a Lady, to whom I will use to say: O the voice of a goddess! And whiles Tityrus is with our flock in Crotona, I will sit here till I see Diana come buy, & will bethink me upon a number of Hieroglyphiks, which I will compose in some order shortly, and prefer them to Amaryllis. In the mean while, let this my Roundilay end my folly.  

Sith the Nymphs are thought to be happy creatures,  
For that at fair Helicon a Fountain,  
Where all use like white Rich ivory foreheads  
Daily to sprinkle,   

Sith the choir of Muses attend Diana,  
Ever use to bathe heavy thoughts refining,  
With the Silver skin, Civet & Mirabel using,  
For their adornment,   

Sith my sacred Nymphs privilege abateth,  
'Cause Diana's grace did elect the Myrtle,  
To be pride of every branch in order  
last of her handmaids:   

Should then I thus live to behold everted,  
Skies with impure eyes in a fountain harboured,  
Where Titan's honour seated is as under  
All the beholders?   

Help woeful Echo, reabound relenting,  
That Diana's grace on her help recalling,  
May well hear thy voice to bewail, reanswer  
Fair Amaryllis.   

Fairer in deed than Galataea, fairest  
Of Diana's troup to bewitch the wisest,  
With amazing eye to abandon humours  
of any Gallants.   

She Thetis fair, Galataea modest, 
Possis simul Thetiden & Galataeam amar● set. voluptatem & gloriam, contra Proverbium.   
Albeit some say in a Crystal often,  
'tis a rule, there lurketh a deadly poison,  
'tis but a false rule.   

For what Ice is hid in a Diamond Ring,  
Where the wise beholder hath eyes refusing,  
Allabasters veins to no workman hidden,  
Gold to no Touchstone.   

There bedeckes fairest Rosamond the fountain,  
Where resorts those green Dryads the watery  
Nymphs, 
The Dryads are supposed to be trees that have life and sense.  of Olive plants recreate by Phoebus  
Till they be married.   

So beginning ends the report of her fame,  
Whose report passing any pens relation,  
Doth entreat her love, by reinspiration  
To dull heads yielding fair eyes reflection,  
Still to be present.   
FINIS.