¶ THE History of Ariodanto and jeneura, daughter to the King of Scots, in English verse, by Peter Beverley.  
Imprinted at London, by Thomas East, for Frances Coldocke.   

To the Worshipful M. Peter Read, Peter Beverley, wisheth perfect felicity.  
IF I had thought (right Worshipful) that Slanders tong● could greater have ended this my rude Book, than the ●how of my good will h●er●by unto you, should ease my desirous mind, I would then have stayed this bold enterprise, which with hazard of goo● report I have attempted. But such is the affection of a well meaning heart, that sooner it offers itself to the spiteful blot of scornful defame, than desire should want either by sign or deed, to requited received benefits. The tossed bark, seld finds the desired port, without the storms of the air, the surges of the sea, and the force of the enemy: and it is as hard for the idle merchant to increase his stock, as it is for the coward Knight to gain lasting memory: So hard it is for me (whose ability is as well known to your worship, as to myself) without the poisoned hate of the stinking tongue, the malicious scorns of the envious head, and the despiteful scoffs of the shameless countenance, to advertise you of my desirous mind, ready at all times to pleasure you. The enfection of whose filthy jaws, I have rather choose by happy adventure to escape, then by lurking silence, still to re●aine an unknown well-willer. This only rests, and this is it which seeks to stay my hasty hand: The simpleness of the gift, which if you regard not, but think well of the willing giver, I live happy, naught fearing the force of scorns blast. Thus wishing to your worship happy health, wealth to the best contentation of your heart, lasting life, and to me (yours) ability once to answer your great courtesy. I end. From my chamber at Staple june. the first day of August.  Your Worship as his own Pe. Beverley.  

To the Reader.  
TO thy friendly acceptance, (gentle Reader) more boldly then advisedly, I have offered here the unripe fruits of my barren orchard, the bitter taste whereof, is more liker to annoyed thy sugared lips, then please thy longing mind. But see as by diligent search, the labouring Bee finds the wholesome honey amydst the infective herb: So mayest thou (if thou list indifferently to read, and carefully to mark) hap the sage advise of good counsel, and learn by others mischiefs to shun thy own decay. Thou knowest within the hard shell shroudeth the sweet curnell, and amongst pricking thorns the fragrant Rose is fostered, within the hard flint (they say) the precious Diamond is found, & amongst the v●perfectnes of my rude vers, the force of treason is showed and his just desert. If thou canst by falsehood learn to shun deceit, I have my wish, and thou happy. If just revenge for foul oaence can admonish thee to serve God, obey thy Prince, no doubt, but thou shalt live an honest life, and die thrice blessed.  
Through two fields thy way is directed, the one full of briers, hath the perfect path to felicity: the other (more pleasant to the vicious mind) leads to endless misery: choose with advise, and shun with discretion. And to me thy unknown friend, lend (I pray thee, as friendly judgement, as I shall wish for thy prosperous estate.  
Farewell.   

Ariodanto, and jeneura.  
Among the vanquished Regions,  
that worthy brute did win:  
There is a soil in these our days,  
with Ocean Seas cloasde in.  
That fertile is, and peopled well,  
and stored with pleasant fields:  
And hath for tillage lucky land,  
that yearly profit yields.  
Within the land sometime there dwelled  
a King of noble fame:  
whose acts were such, as gained to him  
an everlasting name.  
Who, when he sceptre long had held  
and ruled his realm with right:  
In quiet rest, in spite of foe,  
and force of friendless might.  
Did take to wife a noble Dame,  
of equal Parentage:  
Of beauty great, of virtues more,  
and of a youthful age.  
By whom he had a Daughter fair,  
that ●oyed his aged years:  
And pleasure great at length did bring  
unto his hoary hears.  
This child as tune 'gan pass from her,  
so beauty doth increase:  
And as in years she 'gan to grow  
so virtues to her press.  
Of sh●p● and seemly favour, she  
lacked naught that nature could  
In goodliest wise bestow of her.  
or frame in fairest mould.  
To this such gifts of heavenly hue,  
full fraught with courtly grace:  
And modest mirth, eke gentle mind  
presaging royal race.  
That who excels jenevora.  
(for so this Lady height:)  
Or who more beautiful than she,  
or pleased more each sight.  
For proof behold how swift report  
doth brute in foreign land:  
This Prince's name, her shape & hue  
of each estate is scanned.  
The Kings that join unto her sire,  
〈◊〉 seek her grace to win:  
The Ladies eke that virtues love,  
to serve her grace begin.  
But see far of in Italy  
this Lady's name is blown:  
And there her gifts of natures' art,  
to all are lively known.  
Where at that time two gentlemen  
of honest family:  
Italians both by birth and blood  
and brothers there did lie.  
The elder named Lurcanio,  
that spear and shield desired:  
The other eke Ariodant,  
that more to love aspierd.  
These two the long had lived at home,  
and loath with Idle life:  
And moved eke with this report,  
that every where is rife.  
Are now agreed to leave this ease,  
their friends and native soil:  
And mind to seek adventures far  
with weary travels toil.  
And therefore first their land they sell,  
for present payment told:  
And other goods they do convert,  
(for carriage light) to gold.  
This don, their business eke dispatched  
and heavy parting past:  
From wailing friends that woe their will,  
they leave the town at last.  
And pass the mountainshie unknown  
and seek the desert dales:  
And scape by guide the raggy rocks  
and tread the trodden vales.  
Thus when their weary steps had scaped,  
a thousand dangers past:  
And that they needs must leave the land,  
and yield to sail and mast.  
To Neptune's will they do commit  
themselves, and then do pray:  
The master for to guide his ship,  
to Scottish Realm the way.  
So said, he keeps his bidden course,  
and hath a gale at will:  
The mariner at case also,  
his part doth well fulfil.  
So long these weary travelers,  
are tossed with sea and wind:  
That now the long desired port,  
and wished soil they find.  
Then naught there is but hale and pull,  
the Ancars are out cast:  
The master hath his earned hire,  
and prays their life long last.  
This don, the brothers ask the way  
that leadeth to the Court:  
whereas the noble king of Scots,  
doth keep his Royal port.  
Which known, with speed they seek to see,  
and in their travail, they  
devise their tale, their whole request  
and chiefly, how they may  
Get entertainment in the Court,  
and how Lurcani●:  
Should spokeman be for both, but see  
whilst talking thus they go,  
The wau●ring vanes of gleaming gold,  
that Phoebus cau●ed to shine:  
Appear, and ●●ard up walls on high,  
that said their greedy eyen.  
They see the carved turrets tops,  
they see the regal place:  
The fight whereof had forced them run  
a weary wandering race.  
Thus are these strangers happily,  
arrived at the Court,  
Whereas this péerles Dame abides,  
of whom rings this report.  
There walk they forth with comely grace  
and enter in the hall,  
Where after greating, they declare,  
what chance had them befall.  
To seek that land: their names they tell,  
and eke of whence they are:  
This told, one shows unto the king  
of two arrived there.  
And word for word, as he had hard  
he tells, and eke there state  
And comeliness he hideth not:  
Besides he doth dilate.  
Their friendly greetings, and their tal●  
this said, he kneeling stays.  
The king that pausing with himself,  
and weighing divers ways,  
What harm might lightly him ensue,  
if such he should retain,  
As under cloak of friendship, might  
put him and his to pain:  
I mean as might spy out the strength  
of all his region:  
And eke what corner weakest wear,  
and easiest to be won.  
And so when ●e in age should think,  
to lead a surest life:  
They should him force through their deces  
to end his days in strife.  
These thoughts, this wise and wary pri●e,  
doth ponder in his brain  
Long time, and in these doubtful fits,  
he silent doth remain.  
Yet minds he not to let them part,  
till what they would were known:  
And till the cause of their arrive,  
were plainly to him shown.  
Wherefore he doth bid call to him,  
these strangers two in haste:  
That banished have their native soil,  
in his court to be placed.  
Which message done, these brothers two,  
as men nothing dismayed:  
To speak before the Emperor,  
whom erst they had obeyed.  
Present themselves before the king,  
where after silence done:  
Lurcamo in their two names,  
thus hath his tale begun.  
THat king, that first gave life to you,  
increase your happy days:  
(O king) and keep your noble court,  
from force of foes always.  
Whilst we Italian brothers two,  
in Italy did devil:  
And whilst with ease we passed the time,  
as chance and t●es beset.  
Behold report that wandering flies,  
in every region:  
Resound your name and worthiness,  
at last unto the town  
Where we abode consuming time  
in drowsy idleness:  
And spending ay our youthful years  
in irksome quietness.  
These childish toys thus loathed (I say)  
these news agreeing eke  
with us, that thought each day a month  
till we the bands might break.  
Of this long discontented life,  
we do forthwith agree  
All needful things at home dispatched,  
this court of yours to see  
And there if we might favour get,  
and grace likewise obtain:  
To serve your highness faithfully,  
and loyal to remain:  
Till death we mind. This forced hath us  
(O king) to leave our port:  
Our friends, our goods, our kinsmen all  
to whom we were comfort.  
In hope to be retained of you,  
which is our whole request:  
Wherein we trust for to perform,  
that seems a courtier best.  
The king that well had marked his tale  
his countenance and his grace:  
And see him feawtred well of lim●  
and of a warlike face.  
And praising long within himself,  
the youngest brothers cheer:  
That sober was presaging truth,  
forthwith doth banish fear.  
And bids these weary travelers,  
welcome unto the place  
Desired long. And entertains,  
them both with friendly grace.  
Into his court, commanding them,  
all falsehood to expel:  
And gives them pensions yearly,  
wherewith they may live well.  
Thus are these glad Italians,  
new courtiers both become:  
That seek each way to purchase love  
as well of all as some.  
THe king that for disport doth use,  
often times for to pursue:  
The dreadful ●ase of grisly beasts,  
so Idle life t'eschew:  
Commands the hunt prepared be,  
the morrow next by prime:  
And that each one appareled be,  
in arms against that time,  
To wait upon his highness then  
that will on h●nting go:  
And eke with him the strangers two  
he doth command also.  
The night is past, and Sopor flies,  
and in his steed Aurore  
Doth show her gladsome countenance  
and for to joy the more  
Each sight, ●r Phoebus' golden rays,  
from east begins tappeare,  
than naught there is within the court,  
but trudging here and there.  
Sum saddles fit, sum armour scour  
sum bridle foaming steed:  
And sum do wheat the steeled glaive  
to give the Bear his meed.  
Sum trapers trim, sum couple dogs  
sum wear in s●eede of steel,  
A maled coat, with armed sword,  
to make his enemies reel.  
The pages trim their lords in haste,  
the hunt cries loud away:  
The steeds are forth, that stamping fast,  
on champing bit do play.  
The werbling note the hunter blows,  
the king on courser strides:  
The lusty wrought of knights make haste,  
that pri●ing forward glides.  
The hunt is up, the game is found,  
each seeks a divers way:  
The noble wrought of Che●alrie,  
dispersed now do stray.  
Some here do meet the tusked bore  
some finds the Lyberd stout:  
Some do encounter with the Bear  
some rouse of Hearts a rout.  
Thus dog and man is occupied,  
himself for to defend:  
And for to gain a lasting name,  
do study strokes forth sand.  
The king in case hath lost his mates,  
and in his wandering, he  
Finds, out a loathsome Lion couched  
that monstrous was to see.  
whereto he makes a thundering course  
with spear well set in rest:  
the Lion rampant meets the staff,  
that it to shivers breast.  
Then glaive he draws like noble knight,  
and strikes with courage stout:  
And pricks, and breathes, and strikes again,  
as one devoid of double,  
But all in vain those strokes are spent  
his traunchfer, naught doth carve,  
But either slides from side to side,  
or in his hand doth Swar●e.  
Where at, he half aghast doth fear,  
lest he were put to shame:  
And lest his former worthiness,  
should end with vanquished name.  
Wherefore he mightily defends  
himself from Lion's claws,  
That rasethall attained to  
with those his piercing paws.  
Yet warily warding sith he could  
nothing prevail in strength,  
But ward, & stroke, are bootless spent  
when down he must at length.  
Thus as the Lion had the best,  
and almost won the field:  
Adventure drove Lurcanio  
with Spear in hand and shield  
To seek● that place, but when he see  
his sovereign at the worst,  
No boot to bid him spur his steed  
and to the battle thrust.  
For first he knightly broke his spear●  
and after draws his shoulder-blade,  
wherewith within a moment's space,  
a large wound he had made,  
Upon the Lion's shoulder bone,  
that caused him for to kneel:  
And then his head he carved of  
and so made him to r●l●:  
The king delivered thus from death,  
by s●out ●urcanio,  
With thousand thanks embraced him  
in both his arms also.  
Till that his menn● had 〈◊〉 him out,  
to whom he hidetu naught:  
But how he nigh confounded was,  
and how the stranger fought.  
In his defence so 〈◊〉,  
and with so mighty force,  
That after many mortal wounds,  
he parted head from dorse.  
Now is report n●w occupied,  
in blazing martial ●●ates:  
Wherewith the court so pressed is,  
that up to Skies it beats.  
And flies to town both far and 〈◊〉:  
and now ascendes again,  
And putteth fame to w●rie toil,  
and to an endless pain.  
But to return, the king is ho●st,  
that doth for where's:  
Leave of the chase, 〈◊〉 homeward all  
their divers haps empress.  
Thus talking, are these hunter's ●●me  
unto the Pa●●as gates.  
Where each disarms his weary bone●,  
and welcomes home his mates.  
There naught is talked within the Court,  
but of the strangers might  
And how he noblin saved their liege,  
and killed his foe in fight.  
The Ladies do extol this act,  
up to the cloudy skies:  
The knights by heaps of his great strokes  
do diversiy d●uise.  
The night renews his careful course,  
●itanis lodged in west,  
All seek their soft and quiet bed  
their weary bones to rest.  
Ariodant (that longs to see  
this long desired Dame)  
Is also couched in tumbling bed,  
where he records her name.  
A thousand times, & thus consumes  
half junos' wanny race:  
And if ●e sl●pe, he dreams straight ways  
of that most heavenly face.  
The Cock crows forth his dawning note:  
the day stars shows in east,  
The Nightingale the gladsem tunes  
sings out with cheerful breast.  
The courtiers rise that use disports,  
as pleaseth best their will,  
Some Hanks reclaim, some Coursers ride  
and some do dance their fill.  
Some is you in reading Histories,  
and se●● in Musics art,  
Thus time is spent in comely sports,  
as pleaseth best their heart.  
Now is the King at dinner set,  
there waits Ariodant,  
That is the siem●i●st of them all,  
and one that naught doth want.  
Of nature's craft, by whom the King  
doth sand a covered mess:  
To Princes fair jenevora,  
that is his life's increase.  
This message doth Ariodant,  
perform in seemliest wise:  
Who kn●●ling doth the cates present  
before her crystal eyes.  
The Lady thanks the messenger,  
and gives him in reward:  
A costly gem, which he receives,  
but naught he doth regard.  
The gift so much, as that her look,  
which is so fixed in heart:  
That from that time he holds it fast,  
till life from limbs do part.  
And she again (that marked hath  
so well his comely face:  
His shape, his view, his countenance grave,  
and eke his seemly grace.)  
Says in her heart this same is he  
whom I in breast will shrine:  
Till sisters three with fatal reel  
my vital web untwine.  
Thus Venus' child hath tainted two  
with his sharp piercing dart:  
And yet unknown to both it is,  
how each joys others heart.  
Ariodant that cloaks (● say)  
this hot new kindled fire:  
(His duty done) departs again,  
with gain of double hire.  
And makes his waiting very short,  
and thunnes the taste of meat,  
And to his chamber hi●ss in haste,  
to cool his scorching heat:  
There doth he often record her talk,  
he sees her similing cheer,  
He sees those colours angellyke,  
h● sees her ●listring hear.  
He views (he thinks) those Rubic libb●s  
that thanked him for his pain,  
He feels (he thinks) those azurd veins  
that gave him that great gain:  
But when he sees he is deceived,  
a thousand sighs depart,  
With floods of tears, and deadly sobbed  
out from his careful ha●t.  
And thus gins a long discourse  
of this new t●sted fit,  
Which as I can I shall declare,  
thou Pa●ias guide my ●it.  
From whence proceeds this pinching pain,  
and griefs of deadly smart?  
Orel● what ●ct hath changed thus  
(o fool) thy joyful heart,  
That thus thou lothst those pleasant sports,  
that here in Court are use,  
And seek'st a drowsy cabin touch  
thy wont mirth refuse?  
Tell what hath made this sudden change,  
bewray these griefs of mind,  
The patient, when the wound is green?  
a salve doth soon find.  
A salve Alast it is bootless wind,  
It's d●ath that must me cure:  
My wound doth festered lie in heart,  
and will till life endure.  
(O fool) that so wert fed with fame,  
such toil to undertake  
For her, that naught doth rue thy care,  
ne sorrows none will make.  
For thee, and yet she is the cause,  
that thus thou dost sustain,  
These gripping griefs of grisly death  
which will foraye remain.  
O cr●ell hap and destiny,  
o wight unfortunate,  
O caitiff vile, unhap thrice,  
and born to cruel fate.  
What joy did take thy idle brain,  
when thou didst see her face,  
Thus to be trapped with heaps of grief  
in so short time and space.  
O Cokadrill of Venus' shape  
why hast thou thus beguiled?  
The wight, that for thy fame himself  
from nature soil exyld.  
But how is that known unto her  
whom blameless I accuse?  
Or why should I uncivil beast  
that worthy shape abuse?  
Whose outward show presageth truth,  
and store of courtesy,  
As lately by her great reward  
was showed sufficiently.  
Not, not, it is he that works my woe,  
who forceth Kings to love,  
That bl●●dly shotes his peysned dart  
from stately throne above.  
That Cupid struck mis●celes ghost  
full well I know, when I  
Beheld that goodly countenance,  
with two fast piercing eye.  
Wherefore his doom I must obey,  
though love venegall be:  
And though I spend my youthful days  
in this vile misery.  
This doleful tale, thus ●ould, the tears  
proceed from swelling eyes:  
By streams, and now the grievous grons  
increase his woeful cries.  
Now hope revives his dying limbs,  
despair now drives in death:  
And now doth fear make senses fail,  
and stop his vital breath.  
Thus long he spends a lingering life,  
and craves a happy day:  
Or else he wills by greedy grave,  
his last fate for to pray.  
But to speak of jenevora.  
and to recount her ●ittes:  
And how in closet she doth far,  
as one bereaved of wits:  
My pen should rather meisture want  
to writ that I intent:  
Then store of cares for to dilate,  
that would whole volumes spend.  
For after she had known his name,  
and how an alien born  
He was, her heart began to cool,  
as one wellnigh forlorn.  
And thus with faltering tongue she said,  
why seekest thou longer life:  
That by this ●ct deservest death,  
with point of bloody knife.  
O caitiff vile, and vilest wretch,  
that liveth under skies:  
And may not race of Royal blood,  
thy foolish mind suffice?  
Nor noble line of Scottish soil  
where thou mayst choose a fear:  
Thy childish will at full content,  
but thou must hold him dear.  
That hath through theft exiled himself  
or else by murdering hand:  
Estranged him from his earlish kin,  
and now seeks foreign land?  
Will't thou assotted be of him,  
that like a wandering slave:  
Is come unto thy father's court,  
some livelihood to have?  
What, seek'st thou to shame thyself,  
and to abuse thy kin?  
And myndst thou thus to purchase hate,  
in hope a slave to win.  
A slave. O spiteful sting of hate,  
for Ladies far unfit:  
Why do I thus with poisoned words,  
misuse my praised wit.  
Why should I term him fellow eke  
that is so gracious:  
Or else of murder him accuse  
that is so courteous?  
Wh● do I live to call him slave  
that is the comeliest wight,  
That ever scaped from nature's hands  
or ever past my sight?  
And if that lacked, his brother's deed  
would show his race right well,  
Whose worthy rescue of the King  
doth make his name excel.  
Therefore as I am Princess true,  
I vo●n Ariodant.  
By him that Skies and Earth did frame●  
and trees and herbs did plant,  
Till lise doth leave my careful corpse  
to love thee faithfully,  
As ever Lady loved her fear,  
in spite of vile adversity.  
She said, and down to ground she falls  
in sound, and draws no breath  
Long time, as one that had re●ind  
her life to wished death.  
And when she doth revive again,  
the stilling tears departed  
Like silver drops from drowned ●yes,  
and ghastly sighs from heart.  
Thus leaves she Lady's company,  
and shuns each kind of sport,  
In steed whereof, to desert walks,  
she daily doth resort.  
Where sundry thoughts oppress her mind:  
now fear for to obtain  
Like love of him, for whom she doth,  
these passions hard sustain:  
And now the King's consent she fears,  
whose hest she must obey,  
And eke whose mind is chief bend  
t'increaseincrease her slate each way.  
These arguments full fraught with doubt  
are rise within her brain,  
And if she find one pleasant thought  
a thousand griefs remain.  
Like fits do saint Ariodant,  
that wandering here and there:  
Can find no plare to case his pain,  
nor damp his doughts of fear.  
Wherefore his blo●d consumes away,  
his flesh to bones do fade,  
His colour when as clod of clay  
most like a senseless shade.  
The youthful suits which erst he beware  
unworn do ●ye in chest,  
And now the black and tawny hue  
doth please this heavy gest.  
In fine, these fits so much annoy  
his weary irksome life:  
That now he seeks unhappy man,  
to fall on piercing knife.  
Lurcanio, that marks this change,  
and seas with woe this state:  
And fears least that he might be wail  
his brother's grief● to late.  
Spies out at length both time, and place,  
for to discharge his mind  
To him, and listing tare required,  
spends thus his boteles wind.  
HOw long shall these consuming fits  
increase thy brother's grief:  
From whom (unkind) thou hidst thy cares,  
th●t seeks for thy relief.  
What meaves (I say) these pining pains,  
whence springs these sluddes of care:  
What fever fit hath forced thee,  
thus ruthfully to far?  
Why speakest thou not? why stays thy tongue  
disclose thy long disease.  
And wilt thou thus with shortening days  
the heavenly ghosts displease?  
If sickness do oppress thy corpse,  
than physics counsel use,  
If fond conceits of matters past,  
do force thee for to muse,  
And shun the joys that here be used,  
then seek sweet musics art,  
Which will (they say) all heavy dumps,  
to joyful fits convert.  
Perhaps the apre of this land,  
thy nature doth dytest:  
And makes thee thus to feel disease,  
and taste unquiet rest.  
If that it be, no fear of death,  
time will wear that away,  
As earstit did, when in the Sea●  
this part we learned to play.  
But what doth mean this mourning weeds  
and loathsome tawnic hue,  
As though thou hadst thy freedom lost,  
to serve fond Venus' crew.  
If so thou hast, advise thee well,  
so choice be equal placed,  
Beware in time, shun froward dame,  
lest wound, and words be west.  
By proof I say (my brother) I,  
this lesson short is true.  
The Falconer seld is sure of Hawk,  
till she be close in mewe.  
Therefore let wits be guide to deeds,  
thou warned mayst learn to live,  
Eat thraldoms yocke thy brother bids,  
that doth this council give.  
Ariodant that hard this speech,  
but reason naught esteemed,  
With strained voice thus answer made,  
as one with care consumed,  
(As you have said my brother dear)  
a lethsome life I lead,  
But whence, or where, or he wit comes  
'tis h●● from me in deed.  
Not quartain fit hath fretted me,  
ne fury fond of mind,  
Ne change of skies, but gods above,  
th●●●lage have just assigned,  
For my forepassed days in sin,  
wherefore let this content,  
Thy doubtful head, sith just it is  
which jove himself hathsent.  
Think you these toys of veneire  
● should lodge within my brain:  
Or Ladies love in hope to win,  
should make me thus sustain  
Those scorching griefs, and pining pains.  
and storm● of deadly smart?  
Not, not, those fits most ferdest be  
from my unskilful heart.  
Wherefore, in 〈◊〉, I thus conclude,  
as sin did smart deserve,  
So jove that high and mighty God,  
from pity will not swerver.  
This answer made, ●urcanio  
departs with pleased mind,  
Now de●ing lest but word for word  
as he had hard to found.  
Ariodant (that naught was moved  
to leave his wanted woes.  
For brother's words to whom his love  
he hates for to disclose)  
Doth still consume a weary life,  
with endless gripping pain,  
And daily fear augments his dole  
lest love be vowed in vain.  
Besides thinks he, if she should yield  
like love to my desert:  
And then by love unegal we  
should foresed ●e to part:  
These eyes should never s●e again  
the rays of Titan's light,  
But poison strong, or bathed shoulder-blade,  
my desperate death should dight.  
But yet if she would rue my care,  
I ●orst not Princely might:  
For rather than the love should slacke●  
we suro would make a flight.  
And better it is in my conce●t,  
to live in poverty  
With joy, then in these cankered car●s,  
to t●st floods of prosperity.  
For i●ye brings health to aged limbs,  
when cares consume the corpse,  
And joy doth make l●ng life to men,  
when couples care divorce.  
What profits wealth to ●yu● in woe,  
what gyines possessi●ns great,  
When heart is ve●t continually  
with cares of fiery heat?  
The best and happy state I count  
in this unstable life:  
Is pleasure placed with quietness.  
denoyde of storms of strife.  
Should we then let in hope to find  
this wi●h●●●●litie  
To leave a Princ●●● Pallas fraught  
with this ●yle misery.  
And is't not better tail for ●ence  
with willing sweat of brow,  
And labouring hand to dig and delve.  
or else to drive the plough:  
And then when labour finished is  
to sit by t●sting fire:  
And sing, and why●●le merely,  
with gain of earned hire?  
Then here in court to go as brave,  
as rays of glistering Sun:  
And have a heart that daily seeks,  
his vital breath to shun?  
Besides what shame can turn to us,  
to live in soil not known:  
For banished wights, but labouring souls,  
to toil to keep our own.  
O that these words might once proceed  
from those thy rub●e ●ippes:  
Whos● countenance, shape, and comeliness,  
hath forced me feel these fits.  
For at the lest till thou shalt take  
some pity of my care:  
These grie●s, & pangs of wished death  
my ghost will never spare.  
Thus makes his faltering tengue an end,  
and he on tumbling bed  
Doth cast his weak and weary lyins,  
whe● now from troubled ●ead  
Doth pass, & soft & slumbering ●●cape.  
and now in dream appear,  
Two ladies decked with robes of gold  
that purpur have do wear:  
Upon their heads two crowns they had,  
well set with precious stone,  
And in their hand jenevora,  
that semd to make great moan.  
Thus passed they forth with stately steps,  
and now approach the place  
Where he doth lie, and thus gins  
the one with seemly grace.  
Behold thy own, (Ariodant,)  
whom cares of love do kill,  
Whose life and death thou skilless houldst,  
to save or else to spill.  
At length let pity placed ●e,  
within thy friendly breast,  
That she may gain, & thou not loose,  
the fruits or wished rest,  
(Quod 〈◊〉), and than the other said,  
How long shall fretting pain  
Consume her Roseate colour that  
all earthly shapes doth stain.  
See here unkind whilst thou dost sleep,  
and take thy quiet ease,  
jenevora doth feel for thee  
the fits of vi●e disease.  
Wherefore dispatch, ca● sleep away  
bring health to her again:  
That since she 〈◊〉 did see thy corpse,  
hath felt this pining pain.  
These words had scarcely left her lips  
when they wear out of sight:  
And he that care had choked me,  
and fed with great delight,  
To see his Lady and hi● love,  
in presence face to face,  
And go again so suddenly,  
before he could embrace  
Her tender limbs, these sights I say  
hath forced him to awake:  
But when he knows it is a dream  
an cut cry he doth make,  
As though his heart had felt the st●he,  
of fires untimely death,  
And like as if ●o lofty Skies,  
he 〈◊〉 resing●● his breath.  
And do●h it not suff●se (quoth he)  
a w●kyng wight to wrong,  
With h●pes 〈◊〉 undeser●ed pains,  
and fits of death among.  
But 〈◊〉, and fond alu●●ns two,  
must help for to augment,  
My scorching cares that long or this,  
my life had well-nigh spent?  
O●●row●ing goods and merciless,  
that seek to feed my v●yne,  
with fond perswa●ions, that my love  
is quite with love again,  
These eyes see my jenevora,  
that s●d to pine away.  
Because she feared to joy my loue●  
as Ladies two did say●  
which were the heavenliest creature  
that erst mine eyes did see,  
Bedecked with gold, & crowns they had  
and sure Gods they be.  
O blessed sight, and joyful news,  
to good for troth I fear:  
And may it be that thou thus farest  
for him that holds the dear.  
Then fie of care, and farewell couch,  
rejoice in joy my heart,  
For then within my skin shall lodge  
●no more this daily smart.  
But why should I thus trust in dreams  
that fancies be of mind:  
And eke unconstant grounds of troth,  
as writers have defined.  
At lest a dream is contrary,  
and then to true in deed  
It is, that loathsome loves despair  
my gripping griefs doth feed.  
Yet Poets say that dreams be true  
and things to come foreshows,  
For proof, they tell a doleful dream,  
that Creasides ghost well knows.  
And wast not told Andromaka,  
in vision plain by night:  
That Hector should the morrow next,  
departed from life by fight?  
If poets fail, let Scripture serve,  
and did not Pharaoh dreame:  
What great increase, & dearth likewise  
should hap unto this Realm?  
And joseph see in slumbering sleep,  
what honour should befall  
To him, and how his brother's shefes,  
before his sheaf did fall.  
These prove the dream is messenger  
of good and bad ensue:  
As warning sent from God above  
these sinful deeds teschue.  
Therefore in hope of happy hap,  
despair I do deste:  
And henceforth boldly I do intent  
to seek some remedy.  
And if such lot belotted me,  
as I may her enjoy,  
Not more these cares I do protest,  
my senses shall annoyed.  
Now is the patient plaster laid,  
to his long fretted wou●d:  
And now his wits he calls to him,  
to help with counsel sound.  
He leaves those careful couches now  
he seeks to salve his sore,  
As ●ne that shuns the furious meats,  
instruct by Physics lore.  
The desert wal●es which erst he tr●d,  
are desert now for him:  
And now remembrance of his dream  
rejoiceth in every limb.  
In fine his care doth now consist,  
only for to disclose:  
His fits unto jenevora,  
and his long tasted worse.  
Wherein so wisely he hath wrought,  
and played so well his part:  
That now by life or else by death,  
to ease his laden heart.  
a means he finds.  
VUhen Cupid had with poisoned dart,  
performed his full intent,  
Upon these silly lovers two,  
and forced them to consent.  
(Unknown to both,) unto his lore,  
by mutual burning love:  
He left each wailing others chance,  
and climes to skies above.  
But she alas) whose colour shows,  
the passions of her mind:)  
Stays not to wail her bitter chance,  
with tears and was●ed wind.  
And still complains in secret wise,  
of this consuming fit:  
Which for to ease, she cries to death,  
her heart in haste to slit.  
The Ladies crave by gentle means  
to know her cause of care:  
But she (with skill) naught more than that  
detesteth to declare.  
The night is passed with tumbling often  
within her weary bed:  
And seld or never doth approach  
one sleep unto her head.  
In stead whereof contrary thoughts  
do occupy her brain,  
And then whole floods of brokish tears  
departed from eyes amain.  
Her moystie pilow she doth leave  
long or the day appear:  
And rechlesly she decks herself,  
naught forcing what she wear.  
Thus clothed, she spends wellnigh the day  
in temple much devout.  
Accompanied with one alone,  
(and not with glistering rout.  
Of Courtly dames) this Lady hath  
in charge her book to bear,  
As one that for her parentage  
the Princes held full dear.  
This soon espied Ariodant,  
that long had sought to find  
Convenient place, and time as fit,  
to utter out his mind,  
Which seen, welcome the time (he says)  
of me desired long:  
Wherein I hope to be released,  
of this my solom song.  
For if I may such friendship find,  
of her that bears the book:  
As once to wait in stead of her,  
for more I do not look.  
Then shall my plaint, which written first,  
and cold in secret wise:  
Within the book, disclose my care,  
●t full before her eyes.  
Wherein she shall perceive also,  
the fits of my disease:  
And how my cause to her I yield,  
to order as she please.  
And if she be of nature good,  
Though she disdain my name:  
Yet will she keep it secretly,  
that thereby grow no blame.  
And if she hate to rue my care,  
I know the end of all:  
The worst is, that my desperate corpse  
on goring knife shall fall.  
But if she take me to her grace,  
who lives in better plight:  
Or who can vaunt of greater bliss,  
or is●a happier wight?  
T●us he concludes and finds out time,  
and place, and now doth crave:  
Of her that daily bears the book,  
the carriage for to have.  
The morrow, when her Lady doth  
to chapel take the way:  
Which friendship showed, shall bind me yours  
for to remain always.  
(He said). And she that known no guile,  
●e what was his intent,  
Ercept to get the Prince's grace,  
his wily head was bend.  
Which by that means might soon be won  
and then the fruits of gain:  
As hoped reward for seruitur,  
in recompense of p●yne.  
As moved with terms of courtesy,  
doth yield unto his will:  
Who friendly said you have your ●est  
your mind I do fulfil.  
Therefore see that to morrow next,  
about the hour of eight:  
You give attendance in this place,  
in my stead for to weight.  
Ariodant with thousand thanks,  
requites this friendly grant:  
And voves for her in all assays,  
his power shall not want.  
Thus part they two, the Lady shée●  
to Prince's grace again:  
Doth high: And he, in chamber close  
doth take no little pain.  
In writing out at large, the cause  
of his long proved woe,  
And when, and where, and how he did,  
his li●●rtie forego.  
First how her fame, did force him leave  
the joys of native land:  
And taught him scale the craggy rock,  
and ●aile by fearful sand.  
Then how by sudden sight, her shape  
did steal from him his heart:  
Since when, he tells how he hath felt,  
the pains of mortal smart.  
Herein he makes a long discourse,  
and ends with answer craved,  
In gentlest wise, that might have moved,  
a heart of stone I graved.  
This letter made, & sealed with war,  
he hides in secret wise:  
And all that night, in stead of sleep,  
he doth thereof devise.  
Sometime a loathsome thought, doth bid  
him leave his rash intent:  
And reason tells him thousand doughtes,  
his purpose to prevent.  
Sometime, he fears least rechlesly,  
she might his letter lease:  
Or else bewray it to her Sire,  
his hoary ●ead to please.  
See here the seed that lovers sow,  
whereof doth spring the grain:  
Of doubtful bliss, that subject is,  
to drought and storms of rain.  
But fear or shame or dought of death,  
can naught this lover move:  
Though silence if he could have choosd,  
seemed best for his behove.  
And for to move Ariodant,  
his wilful path to shun:  
As easy it wear to see the stream,  
against the tide to run.  
Aurora's bormes hath banished night:  
sir Phebe doth vaunt in East,  
Whose pleasant hue, rejoiceth birds  
and joys both man, and beast.  
Ariodant forsakes his bed,  
he fears to come to late:  
He prays the happy Mercury,  
to sand him happy fate.  
Now is he come unto the place,  
where he was warned to stay:  
And thinks long till jenevora?  
to Chapel go to pray.  
The Princes is at tired now,  
she calleth for her book:  
Whereon she daily wont is,  
in temple for to look.  
The Lady doth present herself,  
before his mistress eyes:  
With book in hand Ieneuore,  
in haste to chapel hies.  
They pass wheras● Ariodant  
doth stand in readiness:  
To h●ue the promise now performed  
which erst I did express.  
She was as mindful of her grant  
as he of his request:  
And therewith gave to him the book,  
whic● she in hand hath priest.  
He follows our jenevora,  
she backward doth retire:  
His letter in the book is cold,  
as he would best desire.  
The Princes is come to the pew,  
where wonted she doth pray,  
He humbly yield to her the book,  
and so departs away.  
But when she see Ariodant,  
whom more than life she loud,  
(As one amazed) the blushing blood,  
from wont course is moved:  
Which drives away the colour pale,  
which erst was in her face:  
(A sign they say of tried truth,  
and store of guiltless grace)  
In doughtful plight the Lady knelt  
if vision she had seen:  
Or if conceit of idle brain,  
the cause thereof had been.  
The truth itself doth hardly lodge,  
within her doubtful head:  
Besides the novelties thereof,  
have ●ouell fancies bread.  
In these conceits, she opens the book  
the letter is deseride:  
She languisheth till that the|effecteffect  
thereof she hath espied.  
With ravish brain she hath purusd.  
her lovers doleful plaint:  
And twenty times she doth unread,  
how love did him attaint.  
She reads (with ruth) is terms of grac●  
and eke her answer craved:  
His vowed troth, for aye she reads,  
which in her heart is graved.  
What should I say, the happy news  
with ancient woes contend:  
So diversly, within her corpse,  
that backward she doth bend.  
In sound, as one that longer had  
no power to foster life:  
Among her vexed limbs, (I say)  
there is such mortal stri●e.  
Thus Nevel joys have wone the field  
and banished woe away:  
And gasping life & breathing breath,  
do help to part the fray.  
The banished blood retires again,  
the dampish could is fled,  
Assured hope confounds despair,  
and conquers drowsy dread.  
Her sco●ched heart hath moisture fosid  
her scared joints are strong,  
The burning beat, and Icy could,  
that troubled her so long.  
Are quite exiled, and in their steed,  
the Elements do rule  
Indiffrently, and hasty health,  
begins for to recule.  
See here, the wise Chirurgeon,  
hath fou●d one sal●e to cure  
His own disease, and hers, that did  
in woe long time endure.  
O happy thrice Ariodant,  
thy patient well may far:  
When as thy letter hath such grace,  
to banish cares away.  
For as by piercing look, each one,  
become eahe others thrall:  
And as by doom of Cupid's might,  
in bondage they did fall:  
So b● Melp●mens sugared style,  
new freedom each possessed,  
He by his letter gained that he would,  
an● she that pleased her best.  
WHen dying fits constrained by joy,  
had lost their choking force:  
And gasping breath, began to rule,  
in late forsaken corpse,  
When lively blood, which erst forsook  
his wan and swelling heat:  
Had vanquished death from every part,  
and pulses fast 'gan beat:  
Then with two streams of joyful tears,  
the letter bathed is:  
And twice ten thousand times I think,  
the paper she doth kiss.  
Now doth she finely close it up,  
and puts it next her breast,  
Again unfolded now it is,  
now reads she his request.  
She came to Temple much devout,  
devotion mo●d her mind:  
But to the Gods, this ravished dame,  
in prayers spends small wind.  
she rather seeks which way she may  
●●haue her to her love:  
And eke which way, they best may work  
for both their best behove.  
She thinks it sin to deal with him,  
as some coy Dames do use:  
To feed him with a fair look,  
and after him refuse.  
She rather mind's, (to case his care)  
an answer for to send:  
Wherein like cause, like fits and woe,  
she mindeth shall be penned.  
but lest the gazing eye might view  
the secrets of their mind:  
And lest their lavish letters sent,  
might raise a slanderous mind:  
S●e doth devise a secret means  
how he, without suspect  
May easily those letters found,  
which are to him direct:  
And she may have, at that self place  
the answer of her friend,  
And so, each one may partner be  
of others faithful mind.  
With these conceits, the burning chair  
doth climb on highest hea●en,  
The Clock agreeth with the Sun,  
and says it is ●leuen.  
The Lady waiteth by the pew,  
and hath three hours large:  
Her only prayer is to God,  
that others hah her charge.  
Thus are her mistress orisons,  
in order said each one:  
Her homeward countenance shows how that,  
her God hath eased her moan.  
Yet modestly her smiling eyes,  
with sober look is clad:  
She means her mirth with solom cheer  
although not all so sad.  
Thus hath she left the temples rights,  
to Court she hies again:  
She tasted there late lotted mea●es,  
she fills with joy her brain.  
The Ladies smile to s●e this change.  
the King doth hear this news,  
His heavy heart doth leap for joy,  
he doth no longer muse.  
But he (poor soul) Ariodant,  
when he with quaking cheer:  
And shaking hand, had geum the book  
unto his La●ydaere:  
His hasty steps do leave the pew,  
his prayers soon are done:  
And secretly in chamber he  
thus hath his tale begun.  
What wants there now Ariodant?  
what is there now behind?  
What hard attempt is yet undone?  
or what is in thy mind?  
Not yet performed, thou mayst achieve,  
and bring unto an end,  
Before the grievous ghastly grenes,  
thy woeful heart doth rend.  
Behold these eyes of mine, have seen  
the last of all thy joy:  
And this unhappy head to late,  
doth wail thy great annoy.  
O friendless wretch, the heavens agree,  
to see thy fatal fall:  
And these thy endless doleful plaints  
are joy unto them all.  
Else, had thy folly never forced  
thee to attempt this joy:  
Which scanned, & judged indifferently,  
deprives thee of thy joy.  
Thinkest thou her noble heart can brook  
thy gross unegal love:  
Who for her shape and s●melines,  
might match with Gods above.  
Thinkest thou, with patience she can view  
the folly of thy brain:  
Whose passing wisdom, well approved  
all earthly wits doth stain.  
Thinkest thou to scape without thy hire,  
of him that rules the lant?  
Thinkest thou thy wandering letter, sound,  
of all shall not be scanned?  
O witless wretch when steed is ●c●n●,  
thou seest what may ensue:  
But when thou meughst thou couldst n●t tlen  
a pre●ent harm eschew.  
O more than thrice unhappy wight,  
each open mouth shall sound  
To Skies thy shame, when thy vile corpse  
forgot shall lodge in ground.  
Dispatch therefore, why stays thy hand  
to give thy heart his meed:  
Whose foolish lust, and fond desire,  
was causer of this deed.  
And therewithal he urew his shoulder-blade,  
his desperate part to play:  
But reason with her wholesome skill,  
forced hasty hand to stay.  
Nay rather yield thou fool (quoth she)  
to reasons sound advise:  
Who greater fits than thou dost feel,  
can cure with a trice.  
Will't thou with desperate death deserve,  
the pains of lasting smart:  
That mayst with eased mind a while  
find salve to heal thy heart?  
Perchance thy Lady doth require,  
thy love with love again:  
Why will't thou then till troth be known  
with dread increase thy pain.  
Perchance or this her heart hath felt,  
for thee like fits and care,  
A●d truth it is, she crazed is,  
and heavily doth far.  
And wait not be that Cupid is  
a judge indifferent:  
Who for ta●gment your joys the more,  
doth thus your limbs torment,  
But love, thou sayst, unegal placed  
is causer of thy care:  
(Ah fool) and hast thou now forgot,  
how Cupid none will spare.  
And is not King, and Kayser pierced  
with his artylerie?  
and know'st thou not how (blinded) he  
at ventures lets it fly?  
Canst thou alone then suffer shame,  
(if shame a man might call  
An honest love, when worlds of men  
to love are hound and thrall?)  
Suppose the King might know thy love,  
what harm can then ensue:  
Himself or this could hardly shun,  
the sparks of Venus' crew.  
Wherefore, let thought be furthest, from  
the bounds of quiet heart:  
And with advise what's best to do,  
these passions set apart.  
Thy Lady is a gentle Dame,  
her beauty doth declare:  
Who for to ease thy greedy mind,  
an answer will not spare.  
Crave once again the carriage of  
the book, thou late didst bear,  
And in the carriage search the book,  
if aught be lodged there:  
Perchance as thou didst first invent  
so she will now devise:  
And will her answer there enclose,  
thy mind for to suffice.  
These thoughts, (as Phoebus clears the sky)  
from foul infective mist:  
Do ease his mind, ● banish thought,  
out from his cloudy breast.  
In western seas swift Phae●on,  
doth plunge his gleaming chair,  
And in his steed the gliding stars,  
●oth compass lofty air.  
When in his bed Ariodant  
doth couch his heavy head:  
In hope to sleep but fanstes new,  
do rule in Sopros stead.  
The Princes is to closet go  
not rekles of her friend,  
And lest her deeds might be espied,  
the door is locked and pynd.  
Then takes she paper, pen, and Ink,  
and thus writes to her own:  
Take this (not as an answer sent)  
from one to thee unknown.  
But let these lines be guide to thee,  
which way thou mayst attain,  
Unto my answer, craved that doth,  
by Olive tree remain.  
Kepayre therefore Ariodant,  
to privy gardayn where:  
Under the mighty Olive tree,  
by me lies hidden there.  
That thou didst crave, this may suffice,  
at f●ll thy longing mind:  
Till more at large, at fit time,  
thou shalt my answer find.  
(This done) she takes an other shet●  
of paper, which doth serve:  
To answer to his letter sent,  
for which he nigh doth starve.  
Therein she blisseth thrice the time  
when he did tread on ground:  
Of Scottish Realm, whose like (quoth she)  
in earth can not be found.  
Therein she blisseth eke himself,  
that would take such great pain:  
To see so mean a wight as she,  
in whom doth not remain.  
Half that great praise, which he bestows,  
on her unworthy shape:  
Which is the worst that ever did,  
from nature's hands escape.  
Then dolefully she doth lament,  
his long sustained woe:  
His pining fits, unquiet rest,  
his cares she rues also.  
Now is the time, when Venus first  
did thrall her to her lore:  
Declared eke, and care, for care,  
she doth requi●e, and more.  
Now doth she, (like an Oratres)  
persuade him to be true:  
She vow's by jove to shun the paths,  
that she wills him eschew.  
What should I say, she tells the time,  
she tells the secret place:  
When either, other person, may  
without suspect embrace.  
Until which time, she wished him,  
amendment of his fits:  
With thousand joys, which to declare,  
would trouble sore my wits.  
Well weary hand and watched eye,  
seek now long shunned rest:  
As sleep to work thy drowsy charm,  
at hand is ready priest.  
This night, the glad jenevora,  
of sleep receiveth more:  
Then in six months and odd (I think)  
she did receive before.  
Ariodant (as Merchant tossed  
with storms from kenned land:  
That fears by rock, or swallowing gulf,  
his death's day is at hand)  
Despairing lies, and dreadful thoughts  
oppress his crazed mind:  
And doughting most that battered bark,  
so soon good port should find,  
Yet as he had concluded, he  
by break of day doth rise:  
And in despite of fortune, minds  
tachtefe his enterprise.  
jenevora, (though heavy head,  
did crave more golden sleep,)  
Is not unmindful of her charge:  
ne longer bed doth keep.  
But long before Ariodant,  
she doth unknown arise:  
And with her letter hastily,  
to privy garden hies.  
And as she had devised erst,  
within her little scroll:  
She hides it by the Olive tree,  
unknown to any soul.  
That done, to warm an easy bed  
(not waking any wight,)  
She plies again, and lieth till  
Aurora giveth light.  
Then up she starts, & decks herself,  
with costly robes of gold:  
Her glistering hear, in sumptuous call  
the courtly Dames do ●ould.  
Then close in closet she doth put  
the scroll into the book:  
Which first she made, of purpose, y●  
her friend thereon should look.  
That done, she thus commands her mayd●  
if he doth come this day:  
That last did bear the book, when I,  
to chapel went to pray.  
And crave the book again of you,  
graune him (quoth she) his mind,  
The stranger shows a courtiers part  
it comes from gentle mind.  
With duty done, the Lady grants,  
unto her, Ladies will:  
That in her stead doth wish he had,  
of waiting full his fill.  
Ariodant, abideth now,  
in his appointed place:  
But fearfulness compels him hide,  
his blushing, bashful face.  
Till that the Princes past the place,  
where lurking he did stay:  
She is scarce go, when secretly,  
the Lady he doth pray.  
Once more in steed of her to wait,  
and carriage for ●o have:  
Of paayer book, she grants it him,  
he hath that he did crave.  
Then secretly the fearful man,  
doth pry within the book:  
The scroll he finds, & takes it out,  
he cannot therein look.  
For fervent joy: he puts it up,  
she is now come to pew:  
He gives the book with blushing face,  
his Lady that doth view.  
Her smiling cheer, bids him farewell:  
his hasty foot doth part:  
These friendly looks, which after that  
for ever lodge in heart.  
This longing lover is aryud,  
at chamber, now in haste:  
He opens the scroll, & word for word,  
he finds in order placed.  
As erst I could: he heves his hands,  
and stretched out arms to skies:  
His clotheses he baths with gushing tears,  
that run from swelling eyes.  
His joy is in her secretness,  
that minds not to disclose:  
His preferred love, as by thappointed  
place he doth suppose.  
For though (quoth he) the answer be  
not as my fancy would:  
Yet by this means to show my mind,  
no doubt I may be bold.  
And though she now doth light esteem,  
and will not hear my plaint:  
In tract of time my fits I trust,  
her stony heart may taint.  
For rust in time, will canker in  
the gad of sturdy steel:  
And little worm in tract of time,  
doth make the Oak to reel.  
In time, by drops of rainy dew,  
the fiery ●●int doth fret:  
In time also the beating sea,  
the ruggy rock doth eat.  
And may not then in time my sobs  
and tears, from drowned eyes:  
Pearse gentle heart, whose nature is,  
to rule on woeful cries?  
Beside if looks may move me think  
my love she doth requited:  
I need no greater proof then that  
whereof I late had sight.  
For did not colour change in face,  
when she beheld me fast:  
First read as any Rose in May,  
and pale again at last?  
Some say that these be arguments,  
of vexed, and troubled mind:  
And soonest seen in lovers face:  
(as I in writers find.)  
But why do I thus spend the time,  
in dought, and doubtful toys:  
When answer seen and once perusd,  
may ease perhaps annoys.  
And there withal, like greedy wolf,  
nigh starved for his prey:  
He ●eaues his talk and hastily  
to gardin takes the way.  
Where privily, at bidden place,  
he seeks with curious eyes:  
The answer which his Lady did,  
for him of late devise.  
The joyful man hath found it out,  
his labour now is done:  
He leaves the gardin for that night,  
he doth to lodging run.  
Where carefully, he doth unfold,  
the letter closely sealed:  
And readeth eke by surcumstance,  
that was by dream revealed.  
And (as I said how she extols,  
his shape unto the skies:  
And how of her renowned grace,  
she basely can devise.  
Then how she rows the scorching fits  
which he so long hath felt:  
And then as touching her ill rest  
how love with her hath dealt.  
Next that, her wise persuasion he  
with leaping heart doth reed:  
Then fi●ed faith and plighted troth,  
till death doth crave his meed.  
O happy news, o joyful lives,  
o sentence glad pronounced:  
That makes h● seek for ravished wits,  
that so in cares wast trounst.  
Come help y● Mountain Ladies all,  
and leave Parnassus' hill:  
Come help me with your sugared style  
my charge for to fulfil.  
And thou, o Spring of eloquence,  
come help to guide my hand:  
That rudely doth presume to writ,  
in verse but grossly scanned:  
Of joys, that had their beginning first  
of black and loathsome fits:  
Come help therefore Apollo thou,  
to wheat my dulled wits.  
And help o knights of Cupid● crew  
on whom ●ame Venus' smiles:  
To writ of bliss, and more the joy,  
that floods of cares exiles.  
For your report must make my skill  
by prouse I naught can writ:  
Of joys, although (the more my ruth)  
of cares I can indight.  
But sith the listing ear doth wait,  
to hear how he doth far:  
That late received these gladsome news  
such wind I now will spare.  
And sith both Musts, Gods, and Men,  
disdain to rue my plaint:  
You must with base verse, (my lords)  
your learned heads acquaint.  
Therefore, when hungry eyes had 〈◊〉,  
long time on pleasant news:  
And gladness bade his pining corpse,  
s●●h mourning to refuse.  
With bowed knee, his joined hands,  
to haughty heaven he holds:  
And then unto the mighty jove,  
he thus his mind unfouldes.  
Perpetual praise immortal God,  
(that all of naught didst frame)  
Be dew to thee, and lasting grace,  
be given unto thy name:  
That from the top of highest heaven  
to deepest vale below:  
Dost (like a gentle Saviour,)  
on me such pity show.  
Whose sinful deeds, do daily move,  
thy godly mind to ire:  
And purchase eke, (by just desert,)  
the pains of dreadful fire.  
Thy goodness (Lord) no ●ong can tell,  
ne head can well devise:  
Not p● can paint such worthy praise,  
as may thy deed suffice.  
My heart unable is to think,  
t●y goodness showed to me:  
That with thy might, hast socourd one,  
quite drowned in misery.  
For was not I the woefull'st wretch,  
that lived under skies:  
Consumed with care, nigh choked with sobs,  
besprent with tears, and cries.  
And now, who lives in greater bliss  
who now more happier wight,  
Whose fate doth fortune favour more,  
or who in better plight?  
Wherefore, if thou (o mighty jove)  
will't bring to happy eno,  
This love begun, which in thy law  
we mind till death to spend:  
If thou (I say) (as thou dost know,  
the secrets of my heart,  
Be quite from guile, & farthest from  
the sin that asketh smart:)  
Will't turn our former passions  
of vile consuming care,  
To lasting joy, and perfect bliss,  
and grant to us, the share  
Of spousals rights, which more than goods,  
or friends, or life I love,  
I vow, by all that erst thou framdst  
in earth, and heaven above,  
By this my soul I vow, I swear,  
I firmly do protest,  
To loue● to dread, and serve thee lord  
whilst life lodge in my breast.  
This vow he made, and up he starts,  
he feels he thinks no ground:  
His limbs that erst for weakness bowed,  
in strength do now abound.  
His mind runs on jenevora,  
and of her worthy hue,  
He gives to her the chiefest praise,  
of all fair beauties crew.  
He thinks now of the courteous lines,  
which she to him did send:  
He reads them till by heart each word  
he knows, and then doth rend  
The paper, lest by some mishap,  
the letter lost and found:  
Might turn to his decay, and hers,  
to whom he chief is bound.  
Now thinks he of the joyful place,  
which she did late invent:  
Where he with sight of her his joy,  
his mind he might content.  
Against which time he decks himself  
with suits of joyful hew,  
And throws away his mourning weeds,  
he loathes on them to view.  
He now doth vaunt himself, amongst  
the rout of courtly mates:  
His gladness, hath brought hunger to,  
he seeds on costly cates  
He is not now on tumbling bed,  
nor wandering now alone:  
He doth not nightly now lament,  
nor fills the skies with moan:  
But like a careless youth the day,  
in sundry sports he spends,  
And so the nights in masks, and shows,  
he bringeth to their ends  
In fine, each care, that whilom was,  
to him grief and annoy:  
Is now become a triple bliss,  
and twenty fold more joy.  
Then if he erst had never felt,  
of woe the cutting fits,  
Or if the storms of loathsome l●ue  
had never tossed his wits.  
His brother, (that was partner long  
of his unquiet rest)  
Is glad with him, ● drives ●orth with  
vile care from careful breast.  
His mind, (that erst was dulled quite)  
his limbs, (that loathed disport)  
Is waked from dream, and now he is  
as stiff as mighty fort.  
Now wants he naught but mates to stand,  
the dint of his great spear:  
Or such as would in open field,  
against him armeur bear  
But none there are in Scottish soil  
not none that beareth life:  
(That knows his might) that dare advance  
himself before his knife.  
Therefore, in stead of instes on horse,  
and tourneys done on soot,  
In forest wide, the savage beast,  
in dens he seeketh out,  
Whereby the country man doth live  
at home in surety:  
And keeps thereby himself, and his,  
from former jeopardy.  
But why do I of profit speak,  
where pleasure is my song?  
Or what hath Bloody Mars to do,  
amongst Cupi●●s throng?  
Why sayest thou pen, to speak of him  
that armed is with joy:  
And priest against fair Lady's foes,  
his might for to employ?  
Why tel●● thou not how he hath now  
disclosed to his love,  
(I● presence) all his former woes,  
(which hard) forthwith do move  
The Crystal drops from smiling eyes  
by streams for to descend:  
She shows like fits, which force from heart  
the broken sighs tassend.  
Then he with ●oulded arms embraced  
her small and seemly waist:  
And she her slender joints, about  
her lovers neck hath cast.  
A thousand times he kissed hath  
her lips of ros●at hue.  
As often she doth unkisse again,  
her friend and lover true.  
Now doth his tongue confirm those fits,  
which pen did late indight:  
As how with sighs the day he spent  
and with like tears the night.  
Then how with hope he was alurd,  
to sue for wished gra●e:  
and how in dream with goddess two  
he see her heavenly face.  
The princes hears, this pleasant talk  
and then she did unfold,  
What sights, what shapes, and visions, she  
in night time did behold.  
With such like talk, the time is spent,  
and now is come the hour:  
When sugrie presence, they must change  
for pensive parting sour.  
They rue their want, and hate the time,  
that bids them to departed:  
But needs they must, though corsie strong,  
it is for them to start.  
He gives in sign of loyal love  
unto the Prince's grace,  
A Diamond of passing prize,  
a ring that did abase:  
All jewels that before that time,  
were seen in Scottish land:  
Whose gleaming stone caused gazing eyes  
on musing often to stand.  
She takes the ring with joyful heart,  
she gives to him again  
A token, which doth signify,  
she faithful will remain.  
With joined lips, they say farewell,  
with pressed hand in hand  
They vow: that to that place each day  
to come no let shall stand.  
Again they kiss, and faintly then,  
mine own adieu (quoth he)  
With becked hand, and bowed head,  
my heart farewell (quoth she)  
Their backward looks show loath to part,  
their hearts agree also:  
That to enjoy each others sight:  
great wealth they would forego.  
Thus are they come, she to the court,  
among the glistering rout  
Of chaste Diana's nymphs, and he  
repairs, amongst the stout  
and sturdy band, of Scottish knights  
where he doth pass the day,  
In decent games, in courtly sports,  
and other seemly play.  
Sometime with racket he doth toss  
the light rebounding ball,  
And carfully doth mark the chase:  
now he his hawk doth call:  
And now his varbed horse he trains  
to pass his swift carear:  
Or ●ls to gallop round the field,  
now doth he with his spear,  
By steady crurse obtain the ring,  
and now by forced might,  
He breaks his staff, ● now he learns  
his carving glaive to bite  
On forged shield (That done) on foot  
he runs a breathing race,  
And then returns to court to wait,  
before his Liege's grace:  
Which he can do in séemeliest sort,  
therein he hath such skill:  
That better than the best he doth,  
his courtly charge fulfil  
The dyner don, he fills his ears,  
with heavenly melody,  
And he himself on solom lute,  
can strike sweet harmony.  
And now amongst the Scottish Dames,  
(as though he wear to choose)  
He would discourse of histories,  
and tell of foreign news.  
As first the s●ege of worthy Troy,  
what knights therein wear slain:  
And how that Helen was the cause,  
that Grocians felt such pain.  
Then how, the chaste penelope,  
did lead a widows life:  
Till her Ulix, and Antenor,  
did end the ten years strif●.  
Next how Cneas, falsely dealt,  
with Dido, Cartha●e Queen,  
And how for falsing of her faith,  
False Creseide fallen unclean.  
A thousand such this curious knight  
reports unto this crew,  
And all (god knows, was to the end  
his Lady for to view.  
The Courtiers they delight to hear  
his passing eloquence,  
They thank him all, he seeks no more  
he hath his recompense.  
He is (good soul) a happy man,  
that by that means he may:  
At pleasure and without suspect,  
see his jenevora,  
Among these jests, he mindful is,  
of secret meeting place:  
He cannot that forget, where he  
his Lady shall embrace.  
There (as it lighted in his head)  
he doth unloode his brain,  
And she, as amours force her speak,  
doth yield the like again.  
Their other passions I commit  
to you that lovers be:  
I cannot think, much less to write,  
their fits of jollity.  
But many days these faithful one's  
did spend in great delight:  
And longer had, if fortune had,  
not wrought them great dispit:  
For whilst they two with quiet minds  
had driven away the cloud  
Of carefulness, and naught but bliss,  
within their hearts did shroud,  
(I faint to tell) that Serpent vile,  
that worketh Prince's woe:  
That treason black, forced them (alas)  
their ●reedom to forego.  
Therefore, a dew, without desert,  
you Nymphs of Helicon:  
Possess your Mount I need you not  
let my rude verse alone.  
'tis Sibil she that Profitesse:  
that knows, the darksome den  
Of Pluto's Realm, that must be aid  
to guide my rugged pen.  
We must amongst the loathsome shades,  
seek out Allecto vile:  
That may with moan, and solemn tune,  
deck this my doleful style.  
Thou jove grant that I may find out,  
The bough of golden ●ewe:  
And that the teeth of hellish dog,  
I safely may eschew.  
And thou (I say) that worker art,  
of this my changed song:  
Help with thy Snaky hears to show  
the sting of treason strong.  
For thou, thou Witch, thou hellish hag,  
thou wrinkled fury fallen,  
Hast forced my pen that painted bliss,  
of foul mishap to tell.  
But sith with scorched limbs he craves,  
to wpite his cruel fall:  
Whom fortune late with honour decked,  
and reared to noble brickwall.  
I will assay to turn my style,  
from lovers happy life:  
To frowning fits, to sobs, to cries,  
to falsehood cause of strife:  
And sith he seeks to have his fall.  
a mirror to the rest:  
That line, I will begin with him,  
and let the other rest.  
THere was amongst the Scottish Lords,  
(whom honour did advance  
To noble style,) a mighty Duke,  
of blood, although hard chance,  
O filthy fact, despoiled him quite  
of former dignity:  
And forced him leave his type of might,  
to perverse misery.  
This Prince was Duke of Albany,  
and Pollinesso height:  
And vassal to the Scottish king,  
a subtle crafty knight.  
Who well increased in aged years,  
(and yet to choose a fear)  
'Gan greatly love jenevora,  
whom he as live held dear.  
And sith he was of noblest birth,  
of subjects in the land:  
He thought thee rather to obtain,  
that he did take in hand.  
Wherefore he is in mind often times,  
to move the King herein:  
Whose grace once got, he sooner thiks  
the Princes for to win.  
Again thinks he, if she should know  
my mind is for to crave:  
Her father's grant, before I do  
her favour seek to have:  
The stately dame perhaps would deign  
my suit and profred love:  
Therefore he mind's this way to deal  
as for his best beh●ue,  
He seeks (I say) to spend the time,  
with her in stately court:  
To play with her at chess, or cards,  
or other chamber sport.  
And when he sees she pleasant is,  
and in her merry vain:  
To break to her such amours, as  
within his heart remain.  
So thought, so done, he wears the day  
as erst he did devise:  
He hath his fill of Lady's looks,  
he feades there with his eyes.  
But see the spite that jalousie  
that prieth every where,  
Hath brought him in an agony,  
and in a sudden fear.  
He seas the stranger of resort,  
to his rejoicing place:  
He seas his Lady shows to him  
a pleasant smiling face.  
But most of all, and that that most  
augmentes his jealousy:  
Is strangers ring, which she doth wear,  
still gleaming in his eye.  
Wherewith, despairing in his mind  
of his late hoped gain:  
He thinks to spend more time therein  
is bootless and in vain.  
Yet doth affection tell him that  
his doughtes b● contrary:  
The Stranger cometh to the court  
(says he) of courtesy.  
And she requireth, like, for like,  
what if she wear his King?  
The stone is rich, and happily,  
she hath therein liking.  
Besides, will she bestow her love  
of one a stranger born:  
Of mean estate? when Princes loves  
she often hath had in scorn?  
Thus hope, and dought do hold this Duke,  
he long hath felt what pain:  
Despair doth bring, and eke what toys,  
in doubtful fits remain.  
And when he saw that wearing time,  
could nothing waste his dought:  
Enforced by love and jealousy,  
this fetch he hath found out.  
Firstly, for to acquaint himself,  
with this Ariodant:  
That daily dot● (as well as he)  
to Prince's lodging haunt.  
And then, for to invite him home,  
unto his mansion:  
Where he concludes to put in ure,  
this last invention.  
That is, to hawk and hunt with him,  
and pass the time away:  
In such disports as he delights,  
chief to wear the day.  
In which mean time he will disclose  
the secrets of his mind:  
To him, as both his own affairs,  
and such as are assingde.  
B● privy counsel, for the wealth,  
of all the Scottish land:  
And eke what acts the king intends,  
with speed to take in hand.  
Then of his pr●uate deeds to tell,  
and how he leads his life:  
And eke with whom he is in league,  
and eke with whom in strife.  
All these & more than these, this Duke  
doth mind for to disclose:  
To his invited gest at home,  
only of this purpose.  
To have the stranger yield again,  
the secrets of his heart:  
In recompense of that which he,  
to him did late impart.  
Among which things, he hopes to here  
of this suspected love:  
And so to be resolved of that,  
which jealousy did move.  
And if it be (as he suspect)  
(I mean) that she hath choosed  
Ariodant unto her fere,  
and he hath eke refused.  
All other for jenevora,  
than he in friendly wise,  
Will beaten into the strangers head,  
what harms thereof may rise.  
Or else to persuade him that,  
his time is spent in vain:  
In suing to obtain her grace,  
that doth great ●ordes disdain.  
And how, that she doth mind dif●●it,  
and naught esteems his love:  
As Lady wily heads do often,  
the ●ielie soul to prove.  
With such conceits as these, the Duke  
doth think for to beguile:  
This careless man, that falshods' craft,  
hath farde●● in exile.  
And now, from crafty Parliament,  
he calls his wily wits:  
In mind, in haste to put in ure  
this same, to ease his fits.  
And finding now Ariodant  
amongst the courtly crew:  
Of Scottish D●mes, the joys in har●  
his Lady for to view.  
He doth acquaint himself with him  
and with a friendly face:  
Invites him to his stately home,  
and courtly dwelling place.  
The stranger (that for courtesy  
excels the Scottish rout)  
(Whose guiltless mind could not device  
this treason to search out)  
With bowed knee, and humble thanks  
requites his ientlenes:  
And shows himself at his command  
as priest in readiness.  
●he Duke is glad, that thus he hath  
acheud his enterprise:  
The stranger joys, ● hopes hereby  
some happy hap may rise.  
Now both have left the Regal court,  
both leave their Lady's sight:  
And now amidst the pleasant fields  
to sport do both delight.  
Sometime their running feet pursue  
the cry of yelling hound:  
Sometime they joy to smite the dear●  
or else the heart to wound.  
Sometime in arms, they seek the chase  
of Bear or ●yon fear●●:  
Or else with sharp and cutting glaive  
the t●sked Boar to pierce.  
When day is gone, they welcome night  
with shows and harmony:  
Or else with well squared champions,  
to force their treasure fly.  
Among these sports & pleasant jests  
the Dukes let not to ●el:  
What diu●rse●haps have chanced to him,  
and all that erst be●ell  
As well to him, as to the Realm,  
he tells to him the state:  
Of all the soil, and Region:  
beside he doth ●ilate.  
What is agreed, by close consent,  
of all the Scottish pears:  
And than what laws are ordained,  
he heats into his cares.  
Then how in youth he trapped was,  
with trains of Cupid's might:  
(He tells) and how unhappy man,  
he served a scornful wight.  
Since when, (he says,) how he hath loathed  
such passions to sustain:  
The fruit whereof will not (quoth he)  
half countervail the pain.  
Ariodant, with listing ear,  
marks well this diverse talk  
And takes good heed unto his tale,  
when lavish tongue doth walk.  
But from his lips do not proceed  
the secrets of his heart:  
Ne from his close, and privy mind  
no passed acts departed.  
He counts it villainy to tell,  
that he could well declare:  
And taught he was from infancy,  
a walking tongue to spare.  
Therefore unto himself he keeps,  
that lodgeth in his mind:  
And stays his mouth from breathing out  
his thoughts unto the wind.  
Wherewith the Duke, not well content,  
but moved much with ire.  
(Considering that it fallen not out  
as he did erst desire)  
(With angry cheer) Unkind (quoth he)  
is this the courtesy  
That you unkind Italians,  
requited for amity.  
How can thy greedy ears kéepe● in,  
such store of secrets told:  
Without imparting like for like,  
and not for to unfold.  
Such jests as hidden lie in breast,  
which may content my mind:  
And ease perhaps a troubled head,  
as thereby friends often find.  
This said, & hard, with blushing face,  
the stranger as dismayed:  
With fired look, and sober cheer,  
unto the Duke thus said.  
I trust my Lord your honour will  
not to account (quoth he)  
Of him that doth remain as yours,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from falsehood free.  
For we that ●e of Italy,  
and bor●e in foreign land:  
Do b●nk it mearest vanity,  
and fond to ●ake in hand.  
To ●reat of that, that profit small  
redoundes to them that hear  
The same, and most of all, in vay●e,  
that golden time do●h wear.  
To hold your honour with such acts,  
as I my youth did spend  
In Italy (my native soil)  
to small effect would tend.  
Sigh both the land to you unknown,  
the deeds of such purport:  
As herded & judged, yourself would say  
do not discern report  
And since my wandering feet did leu●  
the bounds of Italy,  
No act hath passed from me that hath,  
deserved memory.  
Therefore (w ● pardon craved my Lord)  
I trust you will esteem,  
But well of this my silent tongue,  
and rightly thereof deem.  
(Quoth he) and then began the Duke  
no, not, Ariodant,  
Thy deeds are not so secret done,  
●e yet my wits so scant.  
But well I can behold the thing,  
that thou dost shun to say:  
Both how thou hast and lovest now,  
the Prince jenevora.  
Thy often resort unto her court,  
discloseth thy intent:  
Thy pleasant looks to her do show,  
thy will thereto is bend.  
But if thy reckless head had w●yde,  
my good will born to thee:  
Thou wuldst not once have sticked to tell,  
those secrets unto me.  
Whose sage advise perhaps might move,  
thy mind from that intent:  
Which yields in fine naught else but sighs,  
and cares for time so spent.  
Yet sith at first, my fancy had,  
in thee so good thinking,  
I will enforce my tongue to speak,  
against my lusts liking:  
Know thou therefore, (Ariodant)  
the Princess hates th● tour,  
And scorns that thou should so presume●  
thereto her grace to move.  
For though with smile ●here ●he doth,  
reward thy courtesy:  
Yet is her mind most farthest from,  
the l●ste● of Uenorie●  
Believe well, Ariodant,  
thy love is evil employed,  
For I it is, whom she doth love,  
whose heart I have in joyed.  
Long time, of whom I may command,  
what listeth me to crave,  
And eke obtain what so I ask,  
as proved often I have.  
And lest thy doubtful head might dem  
untruth in this my tale:  
I will (to put thee out of dought)  
this enterprise assail:  
That is, to bring the morrow next,  
from my jenevora:  
Thy Diamond, thy gift to her  
the ring (that men do say)  
In clearness shames our Scottish gems,  
whereby, thou mayst perceive,  
How well of thee, and of thy love,  
thy Lady doth conceive.  
This tale, no sooner entered had  
into the strangers ear:  
But therewithal a heap of thoughts,  
within his mind appear.  
Yet lest his changed countenance mou  
be wray his secret care:  
And lest his stayed speech might show●●  
how he nigh choked doth far:  
with strained voice, & moved mind,  
he firmly doth deny,  
Each point of his accusing tale,  
and proffers for to die,  
If ever so his mind was bend,  
or if he sought to move  
At any time she Prince's grace,  
with his v●egall love.  
And as unto his often repair,  
unto her grace's Court:  
Shows naught (quoth he) but youthful mind  
with Ladies ●or to sport.  
As courtiers use, (of lusty age,)  
to wear the time away,  
In dance, in talk, in melody,  
and other chamber play.  
But all for naught, Ariodant  
his tongue & speech doth spend,  
His vows are vowed all in vain,  
the Duke hates to attend  
Unto his long excusing tale,  
and how he doth deny  
The gift of that rich Diamond,  
which he did late descry.  
Wherefore the Duke in haste depart●,  
and doth command beside,  
His steed for to be● saddled strait,  
for he post h●st will ride.  
Thus leaves he poor Ariodant,  
and he to court doth high,  
And (as he rides) he studies how  
this King he might come by.  
At last, he doth record, how that  
there serves the prince's grace  
A Lady that Dalinda height,  
a maid of Scottish race.  
Who erst was proffered to the Duke  
in lawful marriage:  
A ●●em●l● wight, & Lady fair,  
of noble parentage.  
B●t he, naught forced then the maid  
his haughty heart was bend:  
With higher match, & greater sums,  
his will for to content.  
To this forsaken Dame, this Duke  
concludeth forto go,  
To crave, by proffered marriage,  
the Diamond also.  
And as he ended had the thoughts,  
of this subtle mind:  
He is arrived at the court,  
where he doth seek to find  
In secret wise, this waiting maid,  
whom he at last hath found  
Disporting her, with Lute alone  
low set upon the ground.  
Her he salutes as time did serve  
and she requites again  
His court●●ie, that done, the Duke  
still mindful of his pain:  
Doth crave a word in secret with  
the Lady for to have:  
And she that lest suspects deceit  
doth grant that he doth crave.  
And then the Duke with sober cheer,  
unlodes his charged mind  
Thus, to the li●●ning maid that longs  
to hear of news by kind.  
To hold thee long mine own (quoth he)  
with painted tedious talk,  
Or else, in glozing eloquence,  
to strain my tongue to walk,  
I seek n●t n●w, but simply, I  
the secrets of my heart:  
As plain, as of a perfect truth,  
to thee I will impart.  
Thou know'st (quoth he) not long or this  
thy faithful friends did move,  
(By reason good and great advise)  
me greatly to thy love:  
Thou know'st (I think) also the cause  
that forced me not consent:  
I mean, thy wealth, and parentage,  
could not my mind content.  
For I (as thou dost know right well)  
(without boast be it spoken)  
For noble line, and living great,  
might match with Royal stock.  
But leaving thus these lofty lets  
enforced through haughty mind:  
And speakying to affections force,  
that conquers all by kind.  
Know thou, since then recording often,  
those virtuous gifts of thine:  
And eke thy beauty great, which doth  
excel before mine eyen:  
forgetting eke, the causes all,  
of that my former stay:  
And calling now unto my mind,  
thy worthy shape, I say,  
I am as ready now to yield,  
unto the friends desire:  
As they to gain my grant, or this,  
were wi●●yng to require.  
And sigh, it is unknown to me,  
which way thy will is bend:  
And eke for proof how willingly,  
thou dost thereto consent:  
If thou will't not deny me that,  
which I of thee will crave:  
which thou at ease mayst grant, I seek,  
no greater proof to have.  
That is, when our jenevora,  
in bed doth take her rest:  
And when the slumbering sleep doth rule,  
within her quiet breast:  
To help me to the Diamond  
which she esteems so well.  
(I mean) the strangers ring that doth,  
in clearness so excel.  
If this to do, thou will't not let,  
by knighthood's lore (I swear)  
To wed thee as my lawful wife,  
and I to dye thy fear.  
He said, and endeth so his tale,  
and she (when long in muse  
Had stayed) in pleasant wise these woord●  
or like them thus did use.  
If this proceed, my Lord (quoth she)  
from bounds of spotless mind,  
And if your proffered courtesy,  
agreed to noble kind:  
If that the secrets of your heart,  
●e void of bidden guile:  
And d●●pe deceit in this your tale,  
be farthest in exile.  
Though duty bids me stay to grant,  
unto your hasty will:  
And reason says, with honour I  
cannot your hest fulfil:  
Yet to persuade your honour, that  
I priest am to obey:  
To what so listeth you demand  
I will without delay,  
Inforse myself against the grounds,  
of bound duties lore:  
To help you to th● Diamond,  
or else to die therefore.  
Till then a while my Lord (quoth she)  
stay you at this self place,  
And I will to jenevora,  
and wait before her grace,  
Till that to sleep she gives herself,  
and then I will again  
Repair to you, with Diamond,  
if here you will remain.  
The Duke agrees to her devise,  
and (with a joyful heart:)  
Doth yield to her a thousand thanks:  
Dalinda doth departed,  
and leaves the Duke well eased of care  
and now in perfect bliss:  
Because he hopes the stranger will,  
despair at sight of this.  
The quiet time that nature yields,  
unto the laden mind  
Is come, and now the weary ●ones,  
a resting place do find.  
jenevora, (when banquets all,  
and revel routs wear done)  
Repairs unto her quiet bed,  
and watching crew doth shun.  
Dalinda wai●es on her this night,  
of purpose to obtain  
The Diamond, which nightly did  
on chamber board remain.  
jenevora not sooner had  
on pillow couched her head:  
But King Dalinda fingered hath,  
of Diamond she is speed:  
And (duty done) the slately couch,  
she leaveth for that night:  
And to Duke Polinesse then,  
she guides her feet aright.  
Who found in place appointed, she  
presents before his eyes.  
The gem, & therewithal, these words  
the spendeth in this wise.  
As, to content your doubtful mind  
my might I have employed:  
And as in you my honour stays,  
which erst myself injoyde.  
So let me find (my Lord) again,  
in gage of willing heart:  
Like deeds unto those vowed words,  
which late from you did part.  
She said, and then, the Duke replies  
thus to her just request.  
Or else (quoth. he) thou God grant that  
no life lodge in my breast.  
In sign whereof, hold here (quoth he)  
and so they joined hands:  
Let this conclude till fit time  
the yoke of wedded bands.  
Thus he departs, with promise made  
before the break of day:  
To yield again the Diamond,  
no let at all should stay.  
Now is the Duke returned safe,  
unto his heavy gest:  
Who long hath lurked on weary bed,  
bereud of former rest.  
So much this late unlooked for tale,  
dismays his quiet heart:  
That now well nigh he feels again,  
her former woe and smart.  
The Duke no sooner leaves his steed  
but to Ariodant  
He hies: that seems to be a sleep,  
though ease in head is scant.  
And with a pleasant voice he says,  
what sluggard how, awake:  
Thou dreamest to long: from closed eyes  
the misty sle●pe of shake.  
With that, the stranger (as gast)  
doth cast his heavy head:  
Aloft, and start well nigh from out,  
his toast and tomled bed.  
And therewithal, what news (quoth he)  
who calls me thus in haste:  
How fares my lord the Duke his grace  
and then his arms he cast.  
Out of the bed, in mind to rise,  
but then Duke Polinesse  
'Gan name himself, and thus to him  
these words he did express.  
Let not my hasty call, mo●●st  
thy head late eased of care:  
Ne think no harm, in that (quoth he)  
thus boldly I do fare.  
For as I have been grief to thee  
by breaking of thy sleep:  
So may I profit bring to thee,  
if thou good heed will't keep.  
Unto this tale, which from the heart  
of him, that wisheth well:  
To thee proceeds that found out  
thy present cares terpell.  
I trust thou doughtest not (quoth he)  
of this my ●●alous mind:  
Which since our first acquaintance, hath  
to help thee been inclined.  
Since when thou know'st, by long discourse  
what talk hath passed from me:  
As touching these affections fo●d,  
which I conceived in thee.  
At which self time, though thou dist scorn,  
to tell me what I known:  
Yet did I friendly promise thee,  
to help thee to eschew.  
Those haps, to bring from court with m●  
thy famous Diamond:  
Whose match cannot compared be  
in this our Scottish ground.  
Thereby, that thou moughtst plainly see,  
what love in Lady's looks:  
And that in time thou moughst be taught,  
to shun their hidden ●ookes.  
To quite myself to thee, therefore,  
of faithful promise made:  
And of my troth vnfa●nd to thee,  
thy mind for to persuade.  
See ●eer 〈◊〉 th●r with showed the King  
which he in pu●se did bear)  
Believe thyself, not me, if that  
thy Lady holds the dear.  
When all was said, & King was showed  
and Duke had done his fill:  
For to persuade Ariodant,  
to bridle reckless will.  
When in a muse the stranger had,  
a little while remained:  
S●t strait upon his quiet bed,  
himself to speak thus strained.  
The courtesy which I have found  
in this your grace's court:  
H●th bound me till my fatal day,  
(my Lord) for to report.  
Immortal praises of your grace,  
to whom I do account:  
My 〈◊〉 as far indected to,  
as my rude head can count.  
And s●●h each way. I see myself,  
unable to requited:  
your least and smallest benefit,  
(the more my grief and spite)  
Yet count me as your own (quoth. he)  
your vassal to command:  
As one whose life, & goods are yours  
till death his due demand.  
My duty, thus acknowledged,  
let these reply unto:  
your grace's tale, which in my mind  
I well have weighed also.  
I do record right well, (my Lord)  
the sum of all (quoth he)  
As of the Prince's grace, what talk  
passed then twirt you and me.  
I mindful am bestdes, what I  
sp●ke in mine own defence:  
What oaths passed eke from me to prove  
my troth, or you went hence.  
B●t that could not suffice your mind  
n● change your wrong intent:  
But needs you would (the rather to  
enforce me to consent.  
To that my guiltless conscience loathed)  
to court in haste to hy●:  
To bring from thence, a Diamond,  
which, than she said, that I  
Did give unto Ien●uora,  
thereby that I might see  
What good account of you she makes,  
and how ●he deals with me.  
This was the very talk itself,  
except I do forget:  
The sum of that within mine ears,  
is ringing still as yet.  
To which, ●more them I answered ear●  
I cannot now reply:  
B●t as I said, so I protest  
the same not to deny.  
And as unto the remnant of  
your last pronounced tale:  
This shall suffice, if in your heart,  
my truth may aught avail.  
Know you, (my Lord) I do confess,  
the Princes scorneth me:  
For why, a simple courtier I,  
and meanest in degree.  
Not worthy to be thought upon,  
in Princes haughty court:  
Whose birth unknown, doth rather séek●  
with meaner match to sport.  
And as I do confess the one,  
so firmly I deny:  
That erst I never saw this gem,  
that thus shines in mine eye.  
Nor neue● gave the like to her,  
as I am subject true:  
Unto my liege and sovereign,  
and own him service due.  
Thus I conclude, in hope also,  
as I have plainly told:  
The hidden secrets of my heart,  
and as I have unfold.  
Naught else but truth, as you may tri●,  
in time to come right well:  
That so you will from doubtful mind,  
such strange conceits expel.  
The Duke, (that hears with grief the end  
of this late coined tale●  
Amazed stands, sith his inte●●●,  
no better did prevail.  
Yet minds he, sith the stranger was  
to him but as a gest:  
Not further to eramine him,  
but for to let it rest.  
Till that at fit time, he may  
a better way invent:  
For to annoyed Ariodant,  
and eke himself content.  
And, therewithal, would God (quoth he)  
I wish for thy behove:  
That as thou sayst, so tract of time,  
the truth herein may prove.  
And parting thence, good night (quoth he)  
take now thy quiet rest:  
And to your grace, god grant (quoth he)  
such ease as likes you best.  
Thus is Duke Polinesso come,  
unto his chamber, where  
Unto a secret friend of his  
he gives the ring, to bear.  
Unto his friend Dalinda, lest,  
the Diamond should be wanting:  
And so prevent his purpose, and  
turn to her great undoing.  
Post hast, therefore this messenger,  
is prekt with Diamond  
To court, who at the last, by hap  
Dalinda hath out found.  
To whom, (with thou●and thanks) he gives  
the gleaming gem● again:  
From Polinesso (mighty Duke)  
that doth her friend remain.  
Thus leave I him that ended hath  
his message in his best wise:  
And now unto Ariodant,  
I will my style devise.  
When Polinesso uttered had,  
that lurked in his breast:  
And showed had the Diamond,  
unto his heavy gest.  
When gone he was out of the sight,  
of poor Ariodant:  
Who in his new disquiet mind  
old corsies did not want.  
Then, gins the stranger to record,  
the ring which he did see:  
And fear doth m●ke him think besides  
that ring the same to be.  
Which he did give jenevora,  
wherefore through every part:  
Of his distempered limbs, proceed  
an ache, and deadly smart.  
From head, and heart, doth pass also  
a could, and loathsome sweat:  
And temples both, and pulses two,  
refuse their lively heat.  
His hear right up, his eyes do stare,  
his t●th he joineth fast:  
M●ch like a man distraught of wits,  
and wholesome reason passed.  
Sometimes, (for lack of breath) he lies  
●ereud of lively spirits:  
And in his rage, like frantic man,  
his careful head he smyghtes.  
And when his fits be of lest force,  
then with a ●an●ing heart:  
Unto himself in secret wise,  
these words he doth impart.  
O deep descent, o hidden guile,  
o falsehood fury fallen,  
O cruel spite, condemned be  
thy ghost to loathsome hell:  
That so canst fawn on simple wight  
with pleasant smiling cheer,  
And with a heart invenemed,  
to kill that holds the dear.  
O wretch, I scorn the present joy  
and eke thy Princely state:  
And happy thrice were these my eyes.  
to see thy latest fate.  
Consumed be thy cheerful health,  
and sickness scale thy corpse:  
Let sadness, from each part of thee,  
all pleasure quite divorce.  
Converted he the crystal hew,  
to foulest colour vile:  
And all diseases rule in thee,  
when health is in erile.  
for thou (o careless wretch) hast forced  
my limbs that lived in joy)  
To taste the most unquiet rest,  
that any can annoy.  
And as he would have further said,  
from strings of swelled heart:  
A deadly groan proceeds, and eke  
most scorning sobs departed.  
And therewithal, o death (quoth he)  
wreak on my corpse thy will,  
Asunder shear my vital thread:  
o Atrapos do kill.  
The most unhappiest creature,  
that treads on sinful soil:  
And you o sisters cut the thread,  
and ease me of this toil.  
Thus whilst he ways the brightness of  
this goodly Diamond:  
(Despairing wise) in●ectiue fear  
doth nigh his wits confounded.  
But when he doth call unto mind,  
what friendly acts have past,  
Twixt him and his jenevora,  
he calls his wits at last.  
To him, and then, his lavish tongue  
he gins for to reprove:  
And says, that naught but tried deceit,  
should faithful friends so move.  
And then he 'gan to dought beside,  
if that same wear the ring:  
That erst was his, which Poliness●  
from court with him did bring.  
For though report, did blaze (quoth he)  
my gem to be the best:  
yet may an other be as good,  
though secretly it rest.  
And daily proof, doth teach us eke,  
where Prince's fancy frame:  
There goes away the victory,  
and gain of greatest name.  
And though it were the ring itself,  
that I did late enjoy:  
yet till I know more perfect proof,  
it shall me not annoyed.  
For how can such assured signs  
of lasting amity:  
Be joined with crabbed craftiness  
and with such subtlety.  
Did not her letter show to me,  
a lovers true intent?  
Did not the passion of her mind  
to faithful lines consent?  
Did she not vow (with drowned eyes)  
she loathed filthy ●guyle?  
And did she not persuade me eke,  
to shun such treason vile?  
Can this proceed from double mind  
could heavenly shape invent:  
Such terms of truth, & after wards  
to such deceit consent?  
Can she, that since her infancy,  
was trained in Princely court,  
(Where wisdoms lore, ● prudence skill,  
is used for disport)  
Bear in her heart such feigned truth,  
and use such subtle wit?  
Or else upon well meaning wight,  
such spiteful hatred spit?  
Can craftiness find harborough,  
within so goodly shape?  
when nature served so worthy corpse  
could truth from her escape?  
Can double dealing lodge within  
so worthy creature?  
Who for her passing comeliness  
gains lasting life tindure?  
Not, not, I do abandon now  
my former fond conceit,  
And eke the sparks of black despair  
I will extinguish straight:  
For till those eyes do plainly see,  
or else those ears do hear,  
Disdainful looks, or scornful words  
such fits shall not me dear.  
Till then, (though some presuming  
there be of feigned love)  
From choose choice, ● heart's desire,  
no passion shall me move.  
By this, the blustering blast is blown  
that so amazed the mind:  
And Delos from Orient seas,  
doth breath a pleasant wind.  
The darksome clouds are drowned now,  
that troubled erst the air:  
And hope with beams of joyful light,  
turns storms, to weth●r fair.  
But sleep that doth disdain to see  
an other, to possess  
●he ●lace which he by right should keep)  
●oth seek for to redress.  
This injury, and calls forth with,  
his mates in his affairs,  
That drowsy dream, & slumber sad,  
and with his friendly prayers,  
Doth crave his aid, with forced might,  
to yield to him again:  
The place which he by right should have,  
which others now do gain.  
therewith old Slumber 'gan employ,  
with careful mind his might:  
To conquer Hope or else to dye,  
himself amidst the fight.  
And with his Engine he doth scale  
the fort but meanly mand:  
And through the brickwall doth make a way,  
for to conduct his band.  
This seen, poor Hope, (as vanquished man)  
not able to defend  
Him from the whirling darts, that Sleep  
about his cares doth send:  
Doth yield himself cendicionally,  
that next to Slumber, he  
Within his battered castle, may  
be second in degree.  
The conqueror doth grant here to  
poor Hope is peakte away:  
And now doth Dream amidst the press,  
his drowsy part well play.  
But Night that is the general  
of all this sluggish crew,  
'Gan from the farthest Orient ●●ast,  
the morning plainly view.  
Then (lest he should to long abide)  
he seuds the Herald out:  
(The Owl) that with her crooked trump  
cries Retreat to the rout.  
Whereby, the army leaves the land,  
and flits to Leathian seas:  
Where they abide till Night again,  
shall yield them former ease.  
The cock (Aurora's messenger)  
sends forth from stretched throat:  
With flickering wings, & roused limb  
his cheerful morning's note.  
Hope heers this sound, & then he know  
his foe is fled away:  
Wherefore within his secret cave,  
no longer he can stay.  
But to his former crazed fort,  
with hasty foot he plies:  
Where entering in, Ariodant,  
doth lie before his eyes.  
Who was one of his soldiers, when  
that sleep did give the foil,  
And taken eke a prisoner,  
as he for Hope did toil.  
But, by good hay, no harm he had,  
save only in his head●  
A little scar, of fond despair,  
that drowsy Dream had made.  
Him, Hope doth comfort as he can,  
and with a lusty cheer:  
No h●rme, (quoth he) dismay thee not,  
discharge this filthy fear.  
Herewith, the seely crazed man  
doth leave his easy bed:  
And hath concluded secretly,  
(within his vexed head.)  
To leave the Duke, and to returns  
unto the court again:  
Lest by his still abiding there,  
the Duke might seek a mean  
To search of him the truth herein,  
which, though he loath to show:  
yet might such word● proceed unwares  
as thereby harm might grow.  
Wherfore● when Duke of Albany  
had left his chambers rest:  
Ariodant, (with bowed knee,  
'gan of his grace request.  
For to departed, his licence, an●  
his favour for to have:  
And he, (though with unwilling mind)  
doth grant that he doth crave.  
Thus leaves the stranger Polinesse  
and he with speed, to court  
Doth ply again for to renew,  
his former joy and spourt.  
yet can he not (by any means)  
the sight of showed ring  
Forget, though hope with pleasant words,  
good signs of joy doth bring.  
By this, he is aryude amongst  
the crew of Courtiers stout:  
That joy to see him safe returned  
among that lus●y wrought.  
His brother eke Lurcanio,  
(enforced by course of kind)  
Doth welcome home Ariodant,  
with joyful pleasant mind:  
And of such jests as happened,  
since he did leave the court:  
Unto his brother's lusting ears,  
he makes along report.  
But he, (this careful lover) that  
is nigh caught with despair,  
Doth summon all his wits at once,  
to help in this affair.  
And sith upon two fickle points,  
his present state depends:  
To take advise or he begins,  
his wily head intends.  
I Nede not now for to recount,  
what guile Duke polynesse  
Did use, with Prince's Diamond,  
tannoy his hidden guess.  
Nor how ●e failed ●f his intent,  
●e of the diverse talk,  
That now from Polinessos' lips,  
and now from strangers walk.  
but all you know (my Lords) how y●  
Ariodant did fear,  
That this was the self Diamond,  
he gave his Lady dear.  
which fere, so to●t his troubled brain  
that as a man forborn,  
He shuns each youthful company  
and life he had in scorn.  
To ease these fits, two only ways  
this careful lover spies:  
Whereof, (as present state did crave)  
he 'gan this to devise.  
Firstly, thinks he, if with my pen  
I causeless should accuse:  
Or else in presence, by complaint,  
I blameless should abuse.  
The Prince's grace, to whom I must  
accombt me chief ●ound:  
Whose zealous mind, (except I fail)  
I faithful often have found.  
If that I should once move (I say)  
these doubtful thoughts of mine:  
Under her grace, by letters sent,  
or else before her eyen.  
For to accuse her troth, unknown,  
then let us see the end:  
Hereof, and to what pass,  
our taunting tale would tend.  
At first, (as well she might in deed)  
she should bestow on me,  
At fond suspecting lovers name:  
and most untrue to be.  
That at the sight of every toy  
would take occasion:  
To blame her troth, and eke to liu●  
in vile suspicion.  
Then after that, for to withdraw  
her love so evil employed:  
And eke repent that such an one,  
so long hath it enjoyed.  
Which if these ●ies sh●ld once behold  
these hands with bloody knife  
S●uld take revenge upon my tongu●  
by ridding of my life.  
And if she gr●unt● (as vile despair  
persuades me for to deem)  
I mean, that she doth love this Duk●  
and evil of me esteem.  
If this she say, what then tell me,  
what's then our remedy  
In faith by cor●●es, bane, or cor●,  
to die in misery.  
Again, if to myself I should,  
these secrets sole impart:  
letts see if this may change our 〈◊〉  
or else our cares convert.  
This charge (quoth he) to make the salve  
that cures the burning wound:  
Tasswage the humours cold, that dot●  
the patiented ●ye confounded.  
As hard i● is ●o ease the wight,  
with fretting furious meat:  
Whom fevers force continually,  
to ●●●ning bones doth eat.  
So hard it is, that silence which  
augments my misery:  
Should salve the sore, which nothing el●  
but talk can remedy:  
For see, as belching poison broils,  
within the panting breast:  
And scorching heat, converts the health,  
to most unquiet rest.  
So do the cares of ve●ed mind,  
consume the crazed heart:  
Till by disclosing of his grief,  
he finds to ease his smart.  
But if (as this my case doth stand)  
bewraying bringeth death:  
'wear better thus to prove the end  
then for to waste my breath.  
They say, that corsy ministered,  
unto them poisoned corpse:  
Will cool the fierce contagious he●t  
and quench the burning force.  
Why may not then the troubled mind  
by silent tongue annoyed:  
That health, which silence banisheth,  
and doth the heart enjoy.  
For if my doubts be false indeed  
and she doth love me still:  
What then but silence can prevail,  
and bridle lavish will.  
And if she use me for disport,  
and scorns my proffered love:  
The knowledge of the troth therein,  
a desperate death doth move.  
Whereas, if yet my love cannot  
within her heart prevail:  
yet silence, truth, and tract of time,  
hereafter may avail.  
Wherefore as reason seems ●●gr●●  
unto a secret heart:  
So from these lips, those lewd conceit●  
I mind shall not departed.  
But, as before the news I hard,  
so now amidst the crew:  
Of courtly dames, my wont sport's  
I will forthwith renew.  
This last devise thus ended hath  
his arguments each one:  
He listes● no longer to consult,  
in hast he is forth go.  
The Prince's court, where no man is  
more welcomer than he:  
As well unto jenevora  
as to the Ladies free.  
And there, (like to his wont guile)  
he daily doth discourse:  
Of histories: or riddles else  
he learns to tell by course.  
Thus leave I him that shows a face  
of perfect bliss and joy:  
Though now & then amidst disports  
despair doth him annoyed.  
And to the Duke I must again  
my solom verse return:  
That seeks (unhappy man) each way,  
to 'cause the stranger mourn.  
THough Polinesso well had weighed,  
unto what small effect:  
His former fond, and lewd device,  
by ill luck was direct.  
Though he perceived how contrary  
each point thereof did prove:  
And that no sight of gem, ne talk,  
could aught the stranger move.  
Yet could he not slack longer time,  
(enforced by jealousy)  
But needs he must devise of new,  
some other policy.  
Wherefore, when that Ariodant  
was go unto the court:  
He leaves his home, and thither to,  
in haste be doth, resort:  
Where like unto his former wont,  
he feeds his doting eye  
With Prince's looks, & takes thereat  
a great felicity.  
And she again, (that known right well  
the skill of courtesy.)  
Doth friendly entertain the Duke  
into her company.  
But furthest from her honest heart,  
(I dare avow) was love:  
To him whose graver years, should shun  
such youthful toys to move.  
This aged amorous sire (I say)  
thus caught in Cupid's n●t:  
Cannot digest this jealousy,  
which be in stranger set.  
But rather by the often repair,  
of young Ariodant:  
New coa●s are put to burning flames,  
that fire did not want.  
Therefore when grief had long oppressed  
this careful Duke his mind:  
In counsel to Ariodant,  
he thus doth spend his wind.  
If that (quoth he) Ariodant,  
I thought my words would take,  
Moore surer ground within thy min●  
then when I la●●ly spoke  
To thee, of this jenevora,  
I would once more assay,  
To turn thy youthful head from that  
that works thy noun decay.  
I see with sighs, & mark with moan  
(for so doth friendship mo●●)  
That neither talk, ne sight of ring  
can change thee from this love.  
I see, I see Ariodant,  
thou hast to good conceit,  
And dost self will to much inbras●  
● that works thy own deceit.  
I see, how lightly thou regardst,  
that I told late to thee:  
I see thou scorn'st my sage advise  
and tak'st me false to be.  
Else wouldst thou not so suddenly  
forget that might have taught  
Thy skills youth, to shun the bait  
that hath thee captive caught.  
But sith thus far I have assayed  
to move thee to believe:  
That neither gifts, ne looks, ne talk  
can aught thy Lady move.  
I will, (to quite myself of troth  
faith unfaind to thee)  
Once more attempt a greater charge  
than thou before didst see.  
Thou know'st, at court within three days  
is kept a solom feast:  
When each to honour more to same  
with bravest gear are dressed.  
Then will the Princes decked be  
with ●obes of shining gold:  
And none so rich as she that day,  
ne goodlier to behold.  
If then twixt nin●, and ten at night,  
thou will repair with me:  
Unto a secret place, when I  
a sign shall give to thee.  
Thyself shalt see jenevora,  
and me Duke Polinesse  
Embracing each, and either's corpse  
in others arms to press.  
So that at sight hereof thou will't,  
give place unto my love:  
And leave these fickle fantasies  
that youthfulness doth move.  
The Duke thus stays his filled tongue,  
and then Ariodant  
This answer made unto his tale,  
that forced senses want.  
Show this● (my Lord) & then (quoth he)  
I yield to your desire:  
As one that is 〈◊〉 ●our command,  
〈◊〉 what you list require.  
●o here my hand: (quoth Polinesse)  
I swear by this my Grace,  
To show thee what I promised,  
at ●etted time and place:  
But as to ease thee of thy grief,  
I do that reason nould:  
So as t●ou art a gentleman,  
do ●ot my tale unfold.  
The stranger grants, & vows thereto  
and thus they two departed:  
Ariodant to chamber close,  
and Duke as likes his heart.  
But when this thrice unhappy wight  
this careful wretched man:  
Was come unto his mourning den,  
he doth begin to scan.  
Upon this false and forged tale,  
and despratly doth tear:  
His trembling flesh, & rends all that  
that he that day did wear.  
His head he smites with bended fist,  
his feet he stamps on ground,  
His hollow sighs, & groaning sobs,  
from heart to skies resound.  
Now groveling on the ground he crawls,  
and scrapeth with his nails  
The earth, and now again himself  
his hasty hand assails.  
Now choked with grief, he speechless lies  
as one bereud of breath:  
And now to end this furious fits,  
he cries thus after death.  
O death (quoth he) the end of cares  
if ever thou didst grant  
Unto a woeful wretches will,  
that wailings d●th not want.  
If ever thou didst yield unto,  
a hapless miser's hest,  
Or if unto the vexed corpse,  
thou ever yeldest rest:  
grant now to me (unhappiest slave)  
whose pangs of pining pain,  
Is more than nature's kindly course  
can brook or else sustain:  
A fatal push at last for all,  
a●d end o death this care,  
Dispatch this loathsome lingering life  
give me this only share,  
With fatal dart, (o gentle death,)  
let lively blood departed  
By streams, out of this carcase vile  
and slice this trembling heart.  
Thou doleful bell ring out at last,  
my last deperting knil:  
Or living else close me in grave,  
my mouth with earth do fill,  
But unto her, that causer is  
of this my mortal strife:  
O death give crooked aged limbs,  
with loathsome lingering life.  
For she it was, that straunged me  
from pleasant Italy:  
And forced me like a banished wight,  
to live in strange count●●e.  
She, she, bereud from me my bliss,  
she brought to me this care,  
She hath restrained from me my joy,  
and caught me in the snare.  
Her smiling looks, her friendly ●tile,  
and eke her vowed truth:  
Hath brought me in this misery,  
alas the more my ruth.  
O heart more hard than Adamant,  
o false dissembling tongue,  
O painted face, (whose worthiness  
fame so far of hath ●unge)  
False Greseids gain, be thy reward,  
that art more false than she:  
And worthier a thousand-fold,  
a Leper for to be,  
My careful dead cannot devise,  
like plagues for thy desert:  
Ne yet my tongue declare the half,  
of thy deserved smart.  
When first, these wretched eyes of myve  
did see that crafty corpse:  
And when this head did so believe,  
thy lines of faithless force.  
Would God this hand, had ●earst this heart,  
with carving ulaudie knife:  
Or else that Lions tearing ●awes  
had rid me of my life.  
O hapless wretch Ariodant  
that by the heavens consent,  
Mu●t work thine own unhappiness,  
through lot ●some loves torment.  
O● abject slave, whose fortune is  
to fall into her hand:  
That neither knows herself, ne yet  
● a friend doth understand.  
Thrice happy hadst thou been, when that  
to love thou gavest thy mind:  
That nature had closed up thine ears,  
and that thou hadst been blind.  
But o what gayves this lavish talk?  
what profits wish, and would:  
When judge, upon condemned wight,  
hath dreadful sentence told?  
Dispatch therefore, thou dastard slave,  
give end unto thy care:  
Play murderer, with stabbing knife,  
the veins a sunder share.  
What, dost thou joy in misery,  
that fearful hand doth stay?  
Or knowest thou any remedy,  
to vanquish death away?  
Doth any hope remain as yet  
to comfort thee with all?  
Doth any spark of bliss appear,  
that may to thee befall?  
Hast thou not hard thy own decay,  
and lacks there aught but fight:  
And canst thou live for to behold,  
that foul and filthy spite?  
Thou doughst belike dec●itfulnes,  
in Polinessos' talk?  
Who, as his willing heart did wi●h,  
thou thinkest his tongue did walk.  
To ease thy heavy mind therein  
content I am to stay:  
But that once seen prepare thyself,  
for sight of Dismal day.  
And with a grisly groan he ends,  
his careful heavy plaint:  
And scorching sighs, & deadly sobs  
do force his members faint:  
And overcome with grief of mind,  
his weary limbs have found  
A slumbering sleep, wherein he lies,  
as caught in mortal sound.  
Thus leave I this Ariodant,  
upon his careful bed:  
Amidst a heap of dreadful dreams,  
that swarm in vexed head.  
And once again unto this Duke,  
(this false perjured man)  
I must return to blaze again,  
his treason as I can.  
Therefore when false dissembling Duke,  
had eased his swelled mind:  
By belching out these careful news,  
and vouched oaths, to blind  
The more, this true despairing wight:  
he bids him then a●ewe,  
And tracks no time, ne lets aught slip,  
his purpose to pursue.  
Wherefore the even before the feast,  
D●linda he aught spies:  
And thus amidst his other talk,  
this tale he 'gan devise.  
As joyful news as ever came  
to th●● D●linda erst,  
Or gladder far than ever yet,  
thy l●ft●ng ears have pierced.  
I will im●ert to thee my noun  
and chiefest faithful friend)  
With whom, the rest of this my life,  
in wedlock I will spend.  
Leave of therefore, those musing dumps,  
that trouble so thy mind:  
And to my happy tale see that,  
thy open ears be inclined.  
Thou long hast seen with grief (I know)  
what signs of love have past,  
Betwixt thy Lady mistress, and  
twixt me thy friend (at last,)  
Thou know'st, how long I suid, and served,  
her grace for to obtain:  
And eke thou know'st how loyal I,  
all that time did remain,  
Thou know'st (mine own) that only was,  
the chiefest cause that I  
So slenderly requited thee,  
and thy great courtesy.  
But se●, as fond affections force,  
and signs of seemly grace,  
As beauties beams, assotted me,  
to serve that froward face:  
So now (at last) that coyeishnes,  
and her disdainful mind,  
Hath turned my heart entrapped long,  
that beauty so did blind  
To loathsomeness, and like disdain,  
and now I am as free,  
(Thank God) as when indifferent eye  
did equally each see.  
Wherefore, in sign of this despite,  
and of more careless heart:  
What in my mind I have device,  
to thee I will impart.  
Thou know'st (quoth he) there is in court  
a row of houses old:  
That waist do lie, unoccupide,  
unable scarce to hold.  
Them s●lues a fit upon the ground  
a place of no repair:  
Except with dogs, or vermin vile  
or else with fowls of thair.  
Against these rotten walls there is,  
(as thou right well dost know)  
Embossed aught from joined frame,  
a stately bay window.  
Which is as void as is the rest,  
a lodging fit for none:  
At that self place, I have deuisd●  
that thou thyself alone:  
About the hour of ten at night  
shall meet thy Polinesse:  
Tomorrow, decked with prince's robes  
and eke thyself shalt dress.  
With glistering ●al● and jewels rich,  
with those she ware that day:  
Where I in scorn of Princes will  
with thee Dalinda play.  
And eke embrace thy worthy corpse,  
as dear so me as life:  
Of whom (as soon as time shall serve)  
I mind to make my wife,  
This is the|effecteffect of my devise,  
this is the sum and all:  
Of that which bringeth liberty,  
to thee that now art thrall.  
For here in court thou subject art,  
to beck and to obey:  
Where next to me in Albany  
thou chief shalt bear the sway.  
Therefore if spark of faithfulness  
lodge in thy gentle breast:  
If ever yet to pleasure me,  
thy friendship hath been priest.  
Fail not with corded ladder and  
with Princes brave attire,  
At that same place and at that time,  
to yield to my desire.  
Said crafty Duke, & therewith stai●s,  
his false deceitful tongue:  
The sting whereof, so seruenly  
hath our Dalinda stung.  
And eke that vile ambition,  
hath so infect the maid:  
That presently she yieldeth to,  
all that before he said.  
Thus hath the Duke, (as heart would wish)  
performed his enterprise:  
And finished hath his false request  
as he co●ld best devise:  
And now unto his careless couch  
with ●asd mind he hies:  
And lieth till the golden globe,  
doth drive night from his eyes.  
The irksome shade, that so annoys  
the heavy pensive wight,  
Forsakes the skies, & morning now  
hath banished drouse night.  
The joyful day doth show his face,  
the grooms no longer lie,  
But to perform his charge, each one  
with careful mind doth ply.  
The massy robes for princes grace  
from wardrobe are out brought:  
The borders brave of goldsmith's craft,  
with stone and pearl I wrought:  
The juggler delivers to  
the Ladies of the court,  
with tablet, chain, & brasl●ttes decked,  
with stones of diverse sort.  
with those the careful ladies dress,  
jenevora that day,  
That rather seems of heavenly mould,  
then of dame nature's clay.  
thus dressed, this peerless princes plies  
for to perform her rights,  
To chapel, well accompanied  
with wrought of Scottish knights.  
There all the morning she doth spend  
as temples hests require,  
And prayers said, to court again  
the Princes doth retire.  
But what needs longer stay herein,  
what booteth to report.  
The dainty cates, served in that day,  
and of the diverse sort.  
As well of pleasant ●acchus cups,  
as Ceres' dainty dish:  
And of the dulcet musics skill  
as sweet as care would wish.  
Sigh far from bliss my style is changed  
this day hath caused that care:  
That neither head can well devise  
ne pen can well declare.  
Therefore let courtiers joy in court  
and give me leave a while,  
To writ of hopeless wretches haps,  
whom treason did beguile.  
The setted time by Polinesse  
approacheth on a pace:  
when stranger should behold y● Duk●  
the Princes to embrace.  
Wherefore as one not well assured  
of Scottish faithfulness:  
Ne certain that the Duke did mean  
as late he did express.  
Lest that (I say) in some dark place  
he had imbusht a crew:  
Of traitors to environ him,  
when he this sight should view.  
He comes unto his brother then,  
whose might he known right well,  
Would secure him assuredly,  
if any than would mell.  
whose company he craves that night  
when he should see him g●:  
With Polinesse, and that he would  
bring sword with him also.  
Lurcanio, whose life and death,  
his brother might command  
With willing mind consents unto  
Ariodants, demand.  
Duke Polinesse, not careless of  
th'appointed hour and time:  
(which now is come) when that I should  
perform his filthy crime.  
Comes to this most unhappy man,  
and bids him follow fast:  
If that he list to see the thing,  
whereof he told him last.  
Ariodant that l●ng had stayed  
to see the careful end:  
Obeys the Duke, and after them  
Lurcanio doth wend.  
To desert houses they are come  
the Duke hath brought his mate  
Unto a place direct against  
the window which of late  
I told you of, where (Princes like)  
Dalinda should appear:  
before the Duke, decked with those robes  
their Prince that day did wear.  
Ariodant thus placed, the Duke  
doth bid him cast his eye  
Upon that window, where (quoth he)  
thou shalt thy Lady spy.  
●urra●o that longs to see  
the sequel of this jest:  
Is come within ten feet whereas  
Ariodant doth rest.  
Where he unseen may view likewises  
that window at his will:  
There secretly the stranger stands,  
that doughtes some present 〈◊〉.  
Duke Polinesse, no sooner leaves  
the pensive lovers place:  
But t● th'appointed window, he  
directes his feet apace.  
Where he had not remained long,  
but see, with glistering light  
Of gold, Dalinda doth appear  
like angel to the sight.  
and as the Duke had given in charge  
so she in bravest wise:  
with shining robes, with Diamonds set  
that glem● before the eyes  
Like burning torch in winter night  
is come into this place:  
Where Polinesse like jud as doth  
her scorned limbs embrace.  
And to the end, the stranger should  
more perfectly behold:  
His loving toys, her kisses eke.  
and how his arms do fold  
Her gripped waste he doth approach  
as near as window will  
give leave to him, to strangers sight  
that he might view his fill  
Thereof, & how she clasps her arms  
about his stretched neck:  
Whose store of kisses do declare,  
her mind void of suspect.  
Lurcani●, whose glasingeyes  
are not unoccupied:  
Upon the window stating stands  
where he hath now espied  
jenevora, (as he did deem)  
because of jewels bright:  
And eke the golden robes did shine  
so lively in his sight.  
But for to know, who so did toss  
the Prince's rich attire:  
Pis staring eyes and greedy looke●  
by no means could aspire.  
This sight, thus seen, Lurcanio  
(accounting brother's health  
As life, to him,) in secret wise  
(unknown) is come by stealth.  
Where most unhappy lover stays,  
who seeing all this jest:  
As man distraught, his rapiere he  
in hasty hand hath priest.  
And scorning longer life, hath set  
the hilts upon the ground:  
In mind by falling on the point  
to carve his fatal wound.  
And as he did on groaning shoulder-blade  
his desperate body bend:  
(Behold the mercy great of God)  
his brother doth defend.  
His trembling heart from deadly push,  
by hol●ing in his arms  
His falling breast, and that once done  
he thus his brother's charms.  
What deulish act annoyeth thus  
thy head bereud of wit:  
What desperate joy hath taunted thee  
what foul and loathsome fit  
Hath so beguile thy senses all,  
that thus (unhappy wight)  
Thou sekst by this untimely death  
thy passions vile to quite.  
In this the end of all our toil?  
is this our travels gain?  
Is loathsome death thy just desert  
and is an endless pain  
A gwardon fit for me, (thinkest thou)  
that leaving native soil:  
(Like banish slave) sha● live in court,  
consumed with cares tourmoyle  
For loss of thee, whom as my life,  
thou know'st I hold as dear?  
And shall I live to see the day,  
the heavy news to bear.  
Unto our careful pensive friends,  
that by his own consent:  
Their wre●ched friend Ariodant,  
his latest days hath spent?  
O● reckless friend of brother's life,  
and could thy heart agreed:  
To leave thy brother destitute,  
of friend in strange country?  
Or if thou hadst no whit esteemed  
thy faithful brother's life:  
Can Ladies falsehood force thee run,  
on point of piercing knife?  
What sure hath enchanted (tell)  
thy skill in wisdoms lore:  
What madness hath intoricate  
thy pleasant thoughts so sore.  
That neither loss or joyful life  
no fear of dampened ghost:  
Can change my mind from this intent  
(o● wretch of wretches most)  
Can beauty blear thy wilful eye  
and forcy thee for to love:  
And cannot sighed of ●oule deceit,  
from amours force thee move.  
Can fancy frame that am●●tit  
by sight of seemly grace:  
Which present guile, and filthy fact,  
by no means can displace?  
And canst thou wreak such sharp revenge  
upon thy guiltless heart:  
And see her love that is the gr●und  
of this thy present smart?  
●oo●e out (I say) such ugly thoughts  
from bounds or troubled mind:  
And seek by reasons sweet advise  
some wholesome salve to find.  
If eye did choose a faithful friend  
and fancy did agree:  
If hope intiste thy drowned hart●  
to serve assuredly.  
Let now to s●er signs of hate,  
let proufs of like disdain:  
Lodge scornfulness in careless heart  
for love long vowed in vain.  
So shalt thou drive these dreadful ●●nges,  
out from thy panting breast:  
And to thine own Lurcanio,  
bring lasting joy and rest.  
Said careful soul Lurcanio,  
unto Ariodant:  
That hath as many ●ares to hear,  
as hath the Adamant.  
So altered hath this sight his wits  
and eke his stayed intent:  
That sage advise was bootless given,  
the sequel to prevent.  
Yet jest his brother might perceive  
his changeles will to die:  
And lest by striving with his force,  
be might his purpose spy.  
Though overcome with mortal ●angs  
he mute and dumb doth stand:  
(In sign of grace,) he puts his shoulder-blade  
into his brother's hand.  
That done, from that unhappy place  
to chamber close they hie:  
And (as the time of night did crave)  
to bed they both do pl●e.  
Lurcanio (in hope his words  
had changed his brother's mind)  
(Naught doughting of the present i●)  
a quiet sleep doth find.  
But he, surprised 〈◊〉 dreadful thought●  
with visage pale and wan  
In stead of sleep, in frantic mind  
a thousand times doth ban.  
The day which first gave light to him  
●e curseth eke the teat  
That in his fancy did give,  
to him his sucking meat.  
As often he bannes his damned eyes,  
that so could 〈◊〉 their sight:  
And eke his tongue that sued for grace,  
of one so false a wight.  
He curseth now his open ear  
that so did mark her guile:  
And hasty heart that trusted so  
her lips so fraught with wile.  
What should I say, both head, & hand,  
and all he could invent:  
In steed of bliss, and wishes good,  
he doth with curse torment  
So in this wise each night is spent  
and day renews again:  
His wont course, but night, ne day,  
can change this lovers pain,  
But still upon some present death,  
he gladly doth devise:  
As one that only finds that salve,  
to ease his scorchi●●●i●s.  
Wherefore to drive sus● on  
the more from brother's ●rest:  
He cloaks his care, and rises when,  
Lurcanio leaves his rest.  
And finding then occasion  
to leau● his company:  
He hies in haste by wilful death  
to end his misery.  
As strooken heart, whose bleading wound,  
declares a present death,  
With reckless feet climmes hill and vale,  
whilst he hath life and breath:  
As greedy Bear, that is bereud,  
(whilst she do●● range for pray)  
Of little whelp, doth howl & roar,  
and dreadfully doth bray:  
As Lurtel Dove that is beguiled  
of hoped faithful mate,  
In pining wise mis●●king spends,  
her time till latest fate:  
So fares it with Ariodant,  
this wretch full fraught with woe,  
Whose trembling feet no sooner had  
left poor Lurcanio:  
But out unknown to fields he hies,  
and ranging here and there,  
Like frantic man, now runs he fast  
and now (as caught wi●h ●eare)  
●e creeping by the ground doth crawl  
and now (like one aghast)  
He staring stands not moving joint  
and now he vies as fast.  
But still v●on this tragedy,  
upon his letted part,  
His heavy mind, is occupied,  
and eke his desperate heart.  
Wherefore, at last approaching near  
unto a River deep:  
He doth conclude his last devise,  
no longer now to sleep.  
But calling to a traveler  
that then past by the way:  
With broken s●●bes and faltering tongu●  
he thus to him doth say.  
My friend (quoth he) although unknown  
perhaps I am to thee,  
Yet let me crave thy courtesy,  
thus much to do for me:  
That is, that thou forthwith will't go,  
unto the Scottish court,  
Where from me, to jenevora,  
thus much thou shalt report.  
Through to much sight Ariodant,  
hath found untimely death:  
And yielded to the greedy stream,  
his last departing breath,  
This same is all, this do form,  
let p●●ie move thy mind:  
Sigh power wants for to requited,  
that friendship's lore doth byn●e.  
This said, the cloudy sighs proc●●de  
from scorched heart by heaps:  
And therewithal deep sobs & groans,  
from gasping throat out leaps.  
The traveler, aghast to hear,  
these strange and careful news,  
Doth feel his vital senses fail  
and falls in mortal mewse.  
And coming to himself again  
in fair and friendly wise,  
(Like to his skill) he uttereth  
what harm thereof might rise.  
As first, his death once bruited forth,  
his life is had in scorn,  
And there with lasting memory,  
with lifeless limbs is worn  
Except report reproachful blast  
in every coast doth sound:  
How wilfully Ariodant,  
his desperate course hath drowned.  
Besides the danger of the soul,  
he puts into his mind:  
And eke the terror of the pain,  
that is therefore assingde.  
B●t care of heaven, or dought of hell,  
is farthest from his thought:  
And how the world would deem of him  
he neither careth aught.  
Wherefore when no persuasion  
could change his black intent:  
with drowned eyes, the stranger doth  
to his request consent.  
Then from the top of craggy rock,  
he looks to stream below:  
● stretching ●ooth his shaking arms.  
himself forthwith doth throw  
●midst the stream, the folds his corpse  
and there withal doth ●inke  
Unto the ground, & there remains,  
which caused the stra●nger think  
That gredi goulf had choked his breath  
and that he had been dead:  
Wherefore he hies unto the court,  
with mind complete with dread.  
Ariodant, (though noble heart,  
did scorn for to remain  
In such distress, and rather choosed  
by death to ease his pain,)  
Yet feeling pangs of loathsome death,  
which kind could not endure:  
He strives again to get that life,  
which care did erst procure  
To banish from his vexed limbs,  
and using loathed might:  
by force of arms & stretched legs  
life there hath wone the fight.  
And death is fled, with whom retires  
that foul and dreadful thought:  
Which careful wretch Ariodant  
to dear well me had bought.  
Thus quite from death, the stranger now  
doth summon wits again,  
To counsel what is best to do  
amidst these storms of rain.  
First, pleasure bids him to repair  
against to lu●●y court,  
Where soon thou shalt destroy (quoth he)  
these thoughts through pleasant sport.  
And sith thou art by skill instruct,  
to shun false Venus' bait:  
Persuade thyself, the blinded boy  
no more for thee will wait.  
With that conceit affection,  
doth seem for to agreed,  
Although in reasons they be all,  
and therefore thus says he.  
How knowest thou Lurcanio  
will brook these heavy news,  
What grief of mind shall he endure  
what torments will he use  
(Thinkest thou) when he shall hear thy death)  
to rid his loathed life?  
The best is think by pining days,  
if not by piercing knife.  
And I (quoth virtue) can not yield,  
unto your joint consents:  
I see small reason to induse  
me, to so strange intents.  
We say, that man thrice happy is  
whom others proved ha● me,  
From falling headlong to such haps,  
can warn and warily charm.  
The court was causer of thy care,  
by court did spring thy pain:  
Then let these dangers of the court  
from court strange the again.  
The wily bird can shun the net  
which erst enthralled her so:  
The silly mouse once caught in trap,  
can shun the guile also.  
But vessels said with sour wine,  
keep still their former tast●  
And that which in the bone is bread,  
from thence is hardly placed.  
So hard it is to master love  
which rooted is in heart:  
But rather by continual sight  
is grown a greater smart.  
And as unto Lurcanio,  
how he these news will take:  
I dought it not but for thy death  
he great complaint will make.  
But for to say, in desperate wise,  
he will himself confounded,  
That's very strange, ● hard to mak●  
that in mine ears to sound,  
He loves thee as a brother aught,  
(so nature d●th him move)  
But self love toucheth nearer kind●  
this tale thou true shalt prove.  
At first thy death is grief to him,  
●ls kindly force is go:  
But as the wearing time doth wa●●e  
so doth abridge his moan.  
wherefore leave lusty bloods in court  
let brother morn his fill:  
Let fading worldly pleasures be,  
and ●erke than to my skill:  
Learn thou with remnant of thy days,  
the blessed sacred lore,  
Seek now at last t'appease the heu●s  
whom th●u offendest so sore.  
So shalt thou learn by life to die,  
and die to live in joy:  
So shall not then thy fleshly lusts,  
thy sinful ghost annoy.  
This sentence was no sooner told  
but for to show consent,  
Each limb and joint are eased well  
and lips pronounce, content,  
The Parliament thus ended is,  
to virtue stranger yields:  
And running here and there abroad  
amidst the desert fields:  
He doth at last a shepherd spy,  
whom he in friendly wise  
Salutes, and after that, he craves  
the shepherd to advise  
Him of some holy place, whereas  
a man might lead his life  
In quietness, and where he might  
abandon worldly strife.  
Upon this hill (quoth shepherd then)  
if that thou list to go:  
Thou shalt there found an Hermetage  
an aged man also,  
That there alone doth pass away  
his weary aged tyme.  
In prayers much devoutly for  
remi●●e of former crime.  
This known, Ariodant doth leave,  
the Sheapehard with farewell  
And mounts on haughty hill, whereas  
the Hermit poor doth devil.  
And finding him amidst his beads  
with hearty greating made:  
The goodly courtier strains his speech  
and thus to him he said.  
That god that formed the earth & seas  
and framed man of naught.  
Increase thy faith, and sand thee that  
which thou so long hast sought  
●ood father, though, (through tender age,)  
the frail unbridled youth  
Doth lack the deep discretion,  
to seanne and judge the truth:  
And thought the motions of the flesh  
provoke t●e fickle brain  
To light esteem the heavenly food,  
and honour fancy's vain:  
Yet (you do know) by turning often,  
the true discourses old  
Of ancient acts, how God above,  
disdained not to unfold  
His hidden secret mysteries  
unto the tender age:  
When contrary, he doth despise  
to show that to the sage.  
for proof we need none other show  
then Daniel the child:  
Who saved Susanna from the flames  
and justice eke did yelne,  
Unto the aged judges two,  
who failing their intent:  
Concluded to condemn to fire  
the silly innocent.  
So David, (in his infancy,)  
inspired with heavenly might:  
Did conquer stout Goliaghs' limbs  
in open combat fight.  
which prove not time, but godly giftzes  
sent from the spring of grace:  
Do rule within the virtuous,  
and in his heart take place.  
That heavenly beck, & fountain clear  
hath moist so my lust:  
O father, that the vanities,  
(which late my ghost did rust,)  
Are washed clean from my fretted heart,  
and now I am in mind:  
(It thou will't grant) by more advise  
more store of grace to find.  
And sith the chaste and secret life,  
abandons fading wealth:  
And poor and sparing abstinence  
lets in the lasting health:  
Deny me not thy fellowship,  
grant me thy company:  
Help now to save a sinful soul●  
that eraves a remedy.  
So shall I bridle foul desire,  
and thou do service great  
To him, that hath prepared for us  
(I hope) a heavenly seat.  
He said, and stayed, and Hermit then  
with bended looks to skies,  
With heaved arms, & watery plants  
directs his tale this wise.  
That faith, which Samuel possessed,  
God grant thee to enjoy:  
God sand thee Samsons strength to help  
when feeud would thee annoyed.  
As wise as Solomon the wise,  
as chaste as jacobs' son:  
As constant as Abednago:  
whom, fiery flames did shun.  
Hold here my shaking hand (quoth he)  
I do embrace thy will:  
Be thou to me a lasting mate,  
if deeds thy words fulfil.  
Thus is our lusty courtier made,  
(by taking small degree)  
An hermit, poor, and learneth now  
a holy man to be.  
whom I must leave amidst his roots  
(in steeds of dainty cates)  
And now unto the traveler,  
(that is come to the gates.  
Of Scot●ish court) I must return,  
who craves in gentle wise  
To speak with fair jenevora  
that careless doth devise.  
Of sundry sports amongst her mayd●  
she is advertised  
Of traveller, and sends for him  
he comes nigh choked with dread.  
And after humble duty done,  
and trembling every vain:  
With hollow voice, ●is paly lips  
he thus to speak did strain.  
what news (o Princess) I do bring  
what message I declare:  
If good, or bad, as 'tis unknown,  
so let thy highness spare.  
The skills m●ssenger, that is  
by faithful promise bond:  
This ruthful message to pronounce,  
and in thy ears to sound.  
The same, which wretched cati●e ●,  
with these mine eyes did see:  
Which as they are, and as I was  
commanded, take from me.  
Through to much sight, Ariodant  
hath found untimely death:  
And yielded to the greedy stream  
his last departing breath:  
This he did say, which I have showed  
unto your majesty:  
And then he leapt into the stream,  
and died, (o ruth to see●)  
Now to your skilful judgements, I  
o Ladies do commit:  
To show upon these careful news  
what kind of cruel fit.  
Oppressed unhappy Prince's ghost,  
what thoughts of endless pain,  
what scorching grief, what froze fear  
within her temples rain.  
What flashing blood doth bo●le within  
her limbs of heavenly mould:  
What trembling dread doth shake each joint  
than nipping ise more could.  
Such terms (I say) of mind oppressed  
I leave unto thy skill:  
O Phoenix bird, that of like ●oyes  
for friend hast found thy fill.  
But sith (my Lords) your doubtful heade●  
can hardly deem such fits:  
To ●well in Ladies pleasant heads,  
I will enforce my wits.  
To tell you here the whole discourse  
of her lamenting case:  
And eke what pensive passions love  
within her heart did place.  
This message dark, pronounced thus,  
the messenger departs:  
But message he doth leave behind:  
to sauce the Prince's smarts.  
The sound whereof no sooner had  
pierced through her listing ear:  
But after it ●nto her head  
do follow storms of fear.  
Which makes the golden frizzled hear●  
right up in head to stand:  
And fury for●● her crystal eyes,  
to burn like fire brand.  
O●t from her nose & mouth doth pass,  
a stream of gushing ●loud:  
And eke like ruby trickling dr●pp●●  
f●●m bathed eyes do scu●.  
From gasping throat no breath proceeds,  
each limb hath lost his life:  
Twixt sobbing ●art and dreadful death,  
appears a mortal strife.  
Her 〈◊〉 joint, with senseless corpse,  
do founder to the ground:  
In fine, each piece, each part, and all  
are fallen into a sound.  
But (Lord) what stir the Ladies keep  
what moans the maids do make:  
What skréekes, and cries, they sand to skies,  
what careful pains they take,  
For to relieve their mistress dear,  
whom they did love so well:  
Doth pass my wit, and skills head,  
in writing plain to tell.  
For one with careless hand  
her tender fingers wring:  
And she with pinching of her nose  
doth make the blood out spring.  
This matron bends her heavy head,  
down to her crazed breast:  
And this, her joined jaws and teeth,  
doth force with key to wrist.  
She cales for Aqua fortis, and  
jenevora she cries:  
And she in steed of helping hand,  
spends tears from drowned eyes  
For troth no old experimen  
that dying fits could cure:  
Not tears, no cries, no doleful tune,  
that sorrow can procure:  
But these bewailing Ladies, have  
at full attempted, and  
With willing heart & careful mind,  
assayed and ta'en in hand.  
Through which attempts, & using so  
her senseless figure fair:  
Out from her ●ha●ed mouth doth pa●  
a slender breathing air.  
And then her setted eyes in head,  
she heavily doth roll:  
As though she presently would yeld●  
v●to the heavens her soul.  
And thus with groaning voice she says,  
o hapless harmful hands:  
That would not suffer death to rid  
my gh●st from careful bands.  
O careless foes what profits you,  
to see me dying live:  
Wh●t shall you gain to see this hand  
my dreadful stroke to give.  
O dismal day of my d●●tresse,  
o my Ariodant:  
Naught ●ls but my departing soul,  
thy flying ghost doth want.  
which, (sith thy life was my increase)  
thy death shall now enforce:  
By bloody hands to yield to thee,  
with wounding of my corpse.  
But o, what ●ight so much annoyed  
thy comely parsonage:  
That unto thy jenevora,  
thou couldst do such outrage?  
In drowning the which I more dear  
than friends or life di● h●uld,  
The sight whereof brought health to me,  
when I did it behold.  
What sight so vile, the view whereof  
could master so thy mind,  
That unto me thy vowed friend  
thou couldst be so unkind?  
Did ever sign of foul untruth,  
appear before thy sight?  
Did ever deed or word make false  
that faith that I did plight?  
To thee: and which I never sought  
since first I ●ound to lo●●?  
Dorst ever yet these lips of mine,  
presume for to disclose.  
(Till now to late) our secret love?  
o speak thou flying spirit,  
And ease me of this one conceit,  
as thou art faithful knight)  
To late, to late. (a lass) I cry,  
in vain I wast my breath:  
But out to soon: to soon, (a lass)  
I wail thy cruel death.  
And shall I live bereud of fri●nd,  
shall mourning let in age?  
And is't enough with heavy moans,  
my passio●s to assuage?  
Not, not, mine own Ariodant  
my first approved friend:  
And eke ●he last with whom I mind  
my days in love to spend:  
Even as thy lively feature,  
enforced me to thy love:  
So shall thy death, let in my death,  
as time right well sh●ll prove.  
And as she did begin at fi●st,  
nigh choked with mortal sound:  
Even so she ends her heavy plaint,  
with falling down to ground.  
Amidst ●●ele storms of deadly grief  
and p●ssi●ns soared with pain:  
Rep●rt w●th triple sounding voice  
his yelling ●●rdaie d●th strain.  
And puts into each open ear,  
how that by sel● consent:  
Amidst the stream Ariodant,  
his latest days hath spent.  
And now into Lurcanios' ears,  
this heavy news he blows:  
And how, ● when, he drowned himself  
to him he plainly shows.  
wherewith the careful brother caught,  
with sting of piercing death:  
Resines his warlike force, and falls  
therewith down to the earth.  
Where after many gripping groans,  
enforced by grief of mind:  
His noble heart hath won by force  
his banished breathing wind.  
But festered lies in heart the care,  
that troubles every vain:  
And deep in thought is lodged the cause,  
of this new proved pain.  
The force whereof so calmed hath  
his flerce courageous heart:  
That see from eyes long time dried up,  
a flood of tears departed.  
Which mixed are with heavy sobs  
from manlike broiling breast:  
And compassed in with smoking sighs,  
and flames of great unrest.  
All these in dungeon deep below  
Allecto fires espies:  
Whose nature is, in vexed ha●t  
pale hatred to devise.  
Wherefore (her snaky hears wound up)  
she leaves her loathsome den  
And flies unto the Scottish court:  
whereas, ●urcanio then  
Was heaue●y bewailing of  
his wretched brother's death,  
To whom (like aged matron dight,)  
she spends this devilish breath.  
When shall thy childish plaints have end?  
when shall thy cares be spent?  
when shall thy latest sighs be breathed  
that tend to small intent?  
O, false unto thy brother's ghost,  
do womenns moans suffice,  
To answer that, which for revenge  
to thee each hour cries?  
Shall murder thus be suffored?  
shall bloody hands enjoy  
A longer life, is this the love  
thou sekst for to employ  
On him, that (whilst he lived on earth)  
held thee then life more dear?  
Is this a brothers just reward?  
dost thou such friendship bear  
Unto thy most abused friend?  
and canst thou live to see  
Thy brother dead, his foe alyue●  
him starved, and she still free?  
hath nature formed thee voided of wit?  
(o cruel to thy kind)  
Hath pity so asso●ed, this  
thy worthy warlike mind?  
That neither brother's amity,  
ne link of justice lore,  
Can move thee for this foul offence  
just judgement to implore?  
Leave thou these lamentations long,  
dry up these childish tears,  
And speedily see that thou put  
into thy sovereign's cares:  
How that the Prince jenevora  
dishonoured hath her state:  
In feeding her dishonest lust  
with one thou sawest of late,  
And that of body she is false,  
see thou defend with force:  
So shalt thou yield a just reward,  
by burning of her corpse.  
This spiteful spite, thus vomited  
from ugly loathsome pate  
A snake she pulls which for to move  
Lurcanio more to hate.  
She throws into his bosom right,  
where stinging it remains:  
And poisoneth so each joint & limb,  
and swells so all his veins,  
That raging, (like a frantic beast,)  
unto the king he hies:  
To whom, his duty finished,  
this tale he doth deu●se.  
That faith (o king) which subjects bore  
unto their soncraigne:  
That io●● that to their Princely st●te,  
within their hearts remain.  
That care which to their high renown,  
and honour eke they have:  
And last, that great regard they use,  
their virtue still to save:  
Hath forced my trembling tongue to speak  
against the l●●t of mind,  
and charged my closed lips to tell,  
that duties force doth bind.  
Which news, though some unrest do bring  
unto your hoary hears,  
Yet yielding justice for the same,  
gains life that never wears  
O worthy king, and my liege Lord  
(though but allied by vow)  
The noble entertainment, which  
I have received of you,  
Commands me not to hide a fact,  
so hemous from your grace,  
●hough deed be done by such anon●,  
as comes of royal rare.  
whoredom (o king) committed by  
the Prince jenevora  
It is, that so hath moved my tongue  
and lips from l●nger stay.  
which th●se my eyes (to soon) have seen  
at place and time unfit:  
In proof whereof, ●oo here my gage,  
I will my life commit  
Into his hands, that gives the palm  
unto the faithful wight,  
and yields the gain of victory  
to him that fights in right.  
I need not now declare what thought ●  
oppress the pensive king,  
Ne what ill rest to aged head,  
these careful news do bring:  
Sigh prove it is to testy age  
to take in fretting wise  
A small offence, and every fault  
is great before their eyes.  
wherefore his present pangs I pass,  
I leave his heavy heart  
Wrapped in with web of carefulness,  
and gripped in grave of smart:  
And to this king's reply, I will  
direct my pen again,  
Who pausing long from careful thought●  
at last he doth refrain,  
and thus he says.  
LUrcanio, thy service good  
and faithful unto me,  
Doth arg●e in my doubtful head,  
thy mind from falsehood free:  
But if my age be not disceiud,  
if fame do not beguile  
My hoping heart, such shameful acts  
are farthest in exile  
from her whom thou hast now accused  
whose parents goodly age,  
Was never justly tainted with  
a deed of such outrage.  
Wherefore sith doubtful yet it lies,  
within our princely mind  
And sith none but Lurcanio.  
this foul abuse doth find  
We will before our sentence given  
examine this accused:  
That hath by whoredom (as thou sayst)  
our state so much abused.  
And lest thou deem me partial,  
I do accept thy gage  
Condicionly, that thou thyself,  
this proffered fight shalt wage  
Against who listeth to maintain  
her truth against thy might  
(Like to our ancient laws ordained)  
by force of combat fight.  
And it thou gain the victory.  
than she to flames of fire:  
If vanquished thou, she free shall live,  
thou death shalt have for hire.  
Which fight we will shallbe performed  
upon the fifteenth day:  
Ensuing next, when God (I trust)  
the right with right will pay.  
So said, Lurcanio leaves the King,  
and to his chamber hies:  
Where for his brother's death he doth  
renew his wont cries.  
But careful king, (when stranger was  
departed from his sight:)  
(In mind to try his truth herein)  
doth sand a faithful knight.  
For careful jenevora  
whom messenger doth find:  
Amidst her maids lamenting still  
with head to breast inclined.  
To whom his duty finished,  
his message he doth show,  
Thefts whereof jenevora  
when perfectly doth know,  
●he wiping clean her bathed cheke●  
and trimmeth up her hear,  
Doth so repair unto the king,  
though with unchanged cheer.  
To whom, she is no sooner come,  
but voidance then is made  
Of each estate, and then the king  
with trickling tears thus said.  
They say, that child thrice cursed is,  
whose vile and vicious life,  
Doth cause the loving parents die  
consumed with careful strife  
which endless grief, god grant (quoth he)  
thy acts force me not prove,  
But that thy hoped virtues do,  
from such conceits me move.  
'tis so (quoth he) jenevora  
whilst in our Princely court  
We weard away our crooked age,  
like to our wont sort:  
Before our presence doth appear,  
the stout Lurcanio,  
Who of free will did justify  
and threw down gage also  
To prove: that thou hast done the deed  
that hath deserved fire,  
I mean that thou hast purchased death  
through whoredoms foul desire.  
which deed, himself did see he vowed  
at place an●time vnmeet●  
And judgement he did crave also  
for such offence most fit.  
which judgement I have stayed yet,  
to hear what thou canst say:  
why dreadful doom of present death,  
should longer for thee stay.  
This said, the king complete with car●  
doth stay his choked breath:  
And feels the force of mortal ache,  
and latest pangs of death.  
But she, whose wretched ghost hath felt  
the worst of all her smart,  
With countenance fierce (disdaining life)  
all fear doth set appart,  
And answers thus unto the king,  
my ●ord and sovereign.  
Of caitiffs all she wretch is m●st  
she feels most store of pain.  
whose heavy hap doth rather ●idde  
the tongue for to confess  
Untruth, then by accusing tale  
to plead for her redress.  
O king, of whom this earthly shap●  
by ●ome I do enjoy,  
Let not these latest words of mine,  
thy Princely mind annoyed:  
But hear indifferently what cares,  
thy child doth now sustain:  
That rather seeks to suffer death,  
then long to taste this pain.  
My dread, and sovereign Lord and king  
thy skilful hoary hears  
Know, well, how from the cradle up  
unto the latest years:  
We subject are to every sin,  
and thralled of nature's kind,  
By thought, by word, by deed, and sight  
unto the fancies blind  
Of worldly cares, and naught there is  
within our sinful heart  
But fancies fond, which reason wills  
should taste a lasting smart.  
Such thoughts, such words, such deeds, and fights  
o king have ruled in me:  
And do, and will, till of the yok●  
of life my ●imm●s he free.  
Among which sinful passions,  
one 〈◊〉 annoyed my mind,  
One act their 〈◊〉 wherein (o king)  
I greatest grief do find:  
which sith both time & present stat●  
bids t●ll unto your grace,  
I will disclose, & from my heart  
all damps of fear displace.  
whereby I shall drive dought (I trust)  
out from your doubtful breast,  
And make you privy of such hap●  
as in me lurking rest.  
Among the train of this your court  
and of your courtiers stout,  
Among the worthy company  
of all the courtly wrought:  
There was (your highness knows right well)  
one knight Ariodant:  
In whom that should adorn a man,  
no gift at all did want.  
A seemly wight, of spotless faith,  
although an alien born:  
Whose shape with thousand comely gifte●  
dame nature did adorn.  
His nobleness, his grace, and shape,  
enforce my virgin's heart:  
Long time to plunge in goulfs of care  
and taste of lovers smart.  
He turned my chaste disposed mind  
from thoughts of maidens life:  
And taught me seek to salve the wound  
of Cupid's fatal knife.  
But see (the heavens I think it would)  
that stroke which pierced my breast,  
Did carve in him a griefly gash  
and in his heart did rest.  
Thimpoisned push, which forced him  
to feel like fits and pain:  
And in like storms of troubled mind  
long time for to remain.  
Till that a means he found, which way  
he might disclose his love  
To me, and eke for to bewray,  
that Cupid's force did move.  
Which when I understood, no wight  
did ever taste like joy  
As I (glad soul) that banished then  
that erst did me annoyed.  
And weighing long his virtues great,  
and eke his good intent:  
(Which caused my affection)  
at last I did consent.  
Unto his love and choosing then  
him as my dearest friend,  
I did conclude in wedlocked band,  
w●●h him my life to spend:  
But see the frates of this our bliss,  
see here unstable state:  
See, see (o King) the end of all,  
this our most happy ●ate.  
Whilst we in link of loyal love  
thus led our restless life:  
And whilst my careless heart did joy  
the change of wont strife.  
I know not I, what cruel fact  
enforced my hearts delight:  
My friend, mine own Ariodant,  
to work this cruel s●ight.  
On me, amidst the choking streame●  
(o fierce untimely death)  
He drowned himself, & to the waves  
he did resign his breath.  
whose death (o heart) shall work thiwo  
and end thy wont joy:  
And force my heavy head to learn,  
how life I may destroy.  
Yet know (o Sir) in all this love,  
naught did offend but thought:  
Naught trespased, but that unknown  
to thee (o King) I sought  
To choose a fear of race unfit,  
unto your Princely state:  
Whose r●ial ti●e commands me choose  
a far more firter mate.  
But if this gain, by breach of law  
the death of scorching fire:  
Then do pronounce the sentence stayed  
'tis death I so desire.  
Only let this persuade your mind  
no eye did ever see:  
This corpse of mine, with whoredoms bl●e,  
so spotted for to be.  
This long discourse of amours past,  
and eke denial made:  
That never cloud of shame could yet  
her honour justly shade.  
She stayd her weary jaws, and ends  
her heavy panting breath:  
And wont wo●s do force herfall,  
in sound down to the earth.  
The aged King that seas this fit,  
nigh caught with like disease,  
with shaking hands her temples rubs  
and seeks each way t'appease.  
These choking griefs, but all in vain  
he rubs and chafes his child:  
For death hath numbed every part,  
and life is now exiled.  
Till panting heart with strained might  
receives his wont force:  
And lets in wholesome breath against  
into the senseless corpse.  
which joyful king (with heart revyud)  
doth see and driveth fear  
Away, and straining then his spirits,  
he thus the Princes doth cheer.  
I was or this resolved long  
of thy unspotted grace  
My sweet and dear jenevora,  
wherefore in heart displace.  
These cankered cares from tender breast  
fear not the pains of death:  
Let n●t the loss of desperate friend  
force thee resign thy breath.  
For I not only will provide  
for safeguard of thy life:  
But for a ●rend that shall thee please  
and guard thy heart from strife.  
And kissing long her ruby lips  
and wiping clean her eyes:  
He takes her by the crystal hand  
and ceaseth to devise  
Of former talk, and then himself,  
conveys her to her court:  
Where, (he once go) she doth renew  
her wont careful sport.  
But pensive king doth tract no time  
ne longer makes delay:  
For to provide a champion,  
to help in this assay.  
Wherefore with blast of trumpets sound  
it is proclaimed each whe●e:  
That who so list in mortal fight  
his spear and armour bear.  
Against the stout Lurcanio,  
and conquer him in fights  
Shall have to wife jenevora,  
and all her Princely right.  
now with this message pric● the posts  
the Herhautes try their steads:  
He rides to Brutus worthy realm,  
he takes the way that leads  
To famous France, & he both hi●  
unto an other soyl●●  
In fine, each one for Princes doth  
by land and sea t●●rmoyle.  
But bootless do the Posts proclaim  
this booty dangerous:  
For none list venture, for the gain  
a deed so perilous.  
Wherefore complete with cares they do  
return to court again:  
And there declare the ill success,  
of this their message vain.  
But see the hap, one of these Posts  
returning void of aid:  
Rides by the Hermitage, whereas  
Ariodant stayd.  
And meeting then the Hermit old,  
that sought for roots abroad:  
(Their greetings done) his head he doth  
of message then unload.  
And shows unto the holy sire,  
how Prince jenevora  
For lack of aid should burned be  
upon the second day.  
Ensuing next, and then be tells  
how she was first accused  
By one, that said by whoredom vyl●  
she had herself abused.  
Thus when they chatted had enough  
the Post leaves of his talk:  
And plies to court, and Hermit he  
unto his home doth walk.  
Where he no sooner i● arrived,  
but (like to wont sort)  
These novels to his holy mate  
he doth forthwith report.  
But who had seen the countenance then  
of this Ariodant:  
And marked how colour went & came  
and how his veins did pant.  
Mo●ght well have de●de some present pang  
had vexed his troubled mind:  
And that by this report, his heart  
some stra●●ge conceit did find,  
For troth, this tale no sooner ●oulde,  
and hard w●th open care:  
but ●●oarming thoughts, in ravished head  
do cluster now a rear.  
Yet virtue, ielously doth blame.  
his fickle wauring mind:  
And constancy condems his thoughts  
that fly like dust in wind.  
But amours old, provokes his hart●  
to die in her defence:  
Record of former amity,  
forgettes supposed offence.  
The dying spar●s of ●upides coals  
do now revive again:  
Her beauty great and comeliness  
inforseth former pa●ne.  
His youthful years begin to scorn  
such pinching misery:  
This pining diet makes him loath  
such ●●ly penury.  
Hope doth assure him to win  
her true an● faithful love:  
If for her sake, in her defence:  
he will this battle prove.  
Now nature, doth forbidden him fight  
against Lurcanio:  
(For he it is he knows right well)  
that was the Princes so.  
Love tells him that his brother hath  
deserved death by right:  
In that he hath accused her  
that is the lamp of light.  
Thus fancies rule within his head,  
as motion's move the mind:  
And changing thoughts do altar still,  
as reason right doth find.  
But to conclude devotion droops,  
poor penury is past:  
youth likes not now to purchase heaven  
with faint and feeble ●ast.  
The civil fight with brother, he  
regards n●owhit at all:  
His joy, his care, his 〈◊〉, his death,  
he cares not what befall.  
Wherefore, as he unknown did come  
unto the Hermitage:  
So he departs by stealth, without  
farewell to father age.  
And wanders in the fields, till that  
the mantel black did hide:  
The gladsome day and then he ●yes  
unto the town unsyide.  
Where secretly he comes unto,  
his well approved host:  
(Whose friendship stood him in great stée●  
when cares annoyed him most.)  
To whom when long he had discoursed  
of his adventures all:  
He doth disclose what he intends  
and says, (what so befall)  
He will against his brother fight  
to save his Lady's life:  
Or else before her, end his days,  
on point of brother's knife.  
Wherefore, he wills him to provide,  
a complete armour sure:  
That he the better may, against  
his brother's force endure.  
And sturdy spear, & shield as stiff  
he wills him to provide:  
And barbed steed, both strong & light,  
that tempest like will glide.  
All these he wills him to prepare  
and all of colour black:  
For Sables shall bewray (quoth he)  
o● wanted joys my wrack.  
Thus leave I now the busy host,  
and eke courageous gest:  
Prepa●ing armour such as may  
descend the stranger best.  
And to the court complete with care  
My pen and I must ply:  
To tell their dole, their grief, their woe  
and moans of misery.  
The weary Posts are now returns  
unto the heavy court:  
Where every one his several hap  
doth dolefully report.  
But when the aged king perceives,  
no aid is to be found:  
His weak and feeble limbs do fall  
for sorrow to the ground.  
His counsel eke (that see the cares  
of their unhappy king)  
Do feel wellnigh his grief and smart  
and weep, and wail, and wring  
Their fingers, & with drowned eyes  
lament his wretched state:  
And with a thousand doles & plaints  
they rue his ruthful fate.  
Yet seeing him so sunk in grief,  
and fearing present death:  
They seek to banish dying pangs,  
by reasons wholesome breath.  
But sooner might the mountain move  
or sea forsake his tide:  
Then gnawing fits to want the forcs  
that through each part do slide.  
Of wythord age, and crooked limbs,  
and sting so ●eble heart:  
That joy is go, and bliss resingde,  
care turns good hap to smart.  
This is the silly Syers state,  
the Ladies lead like life:  
With whom, naught else but tears, & cries,  
and heaviness is rife.  
For when they hear no help is found,  
to aid the Lady dear:  
Each chamber sounds of solom tunes,  
and cares bring dreadful fear,  
So much, that see in clustering heaps,  
whilst trembling maidens keep,  
And there, whilst with one perfect voice,  
they wail, they woe, and weep:  
This fearful soul, doth see (she thinks)  
the shape of outly spirits:  
She hears in ringing care the sound  
of clamours loud and skrykes.  
The outmost of the press, doth feal  
a pulling hand to strain  
Her slender arm, and shrinks away,  
and couldly sweats for pain.  
Thus fear, thus care, lamenting long,  
and spring of brackish tears:  
With drooping dread, and fretting fits,  
in heart oppressed appears,  
But she, for whom was all this care,  
that had most cause to wail,  
Is void of carefulness for death,  
ne grief doth her assail:  
Save death of her Ariodant,  
that was, th●n corsies bayne  
Moore worse: wherefore for present death  
the wisheth still in vain.  
Ye● bea●es she with advised mind,  
the Prelates sage advise:  
That wills her to forget the world,  
and wont joys despise.  
And bids her call to mind, the bliss  
that never shall have end:  
Wherso by faith and steadfast troth  
she shortly shall ascend.  
He bids her cast the fear of death,  
from bounds of godly breast:  
For he can sh●elde her heart (he s●●●s)  
from pain, that bringeth rest.  
He voucheth sacred scriptures now,  
to establish her belief:  
He tells what joy the soul receives,  
when flesh doth suffer grief  
And lastly, he persuades her that  
she gains by guiltless death,  
A seat amongst the martyred saints,  
that seed on heavenly breath.  
As Abel doth whose cruel death  
the cursed cain doth rue.  
Who moved with indignation.  
his native brother slay.  
With these de●out persuasions  
the Prince is mortified,  
Who doth for latest brunt of death  
with welling mind abide.  
Among these passions tragical  
and acts of angles care:  
List now my Lorde●, ●ow Polinesse  
that wretched Duke doth far.  
Whose guilty mind finds little case,  
so much doth fear oppress  
His traitorous heart, lest that Dalind  
his treason should contesse  
Wherefore, (for greater surety  
of this concealed offence)  
He doth devise a cruel crime  
through marriage cloaked pretence.  
That is● for to persuade Dalind  
the morrow next, he will  
By sacred law of spousals rights,  
his promise vowed fulfil.  
And her consent once got, he  
deviseth for to sand:  
Her with two trusty men of his  
unto a wood, to th'end.  
There to bereave from her, her life  
instead of wedlocks band:  
Thereby to ease his doubtful breast  
that fearful yet doth stand.  
But whilst hereof his wits do muse  
see where Dalinda cummes:  
Whose hasty pace and heavy cheer  
his senses thoroughly nummes.  
To whom, her reverence performed,  
she shows how that the king  
●ath given unto the Steward charge  
that he forthwith should bring.  
Unto his presence, all the train  
of careful Prince's grace:  
Of purpose to examine them  
of this accused case.  
(I think quoth she) wherefore my Lord,  
I thought convenient:  
Upon a matter of such weight,  
to know your wise intent.  
This said, the subtle Duke (as though  
he wear to seek for wits)  
A while with fired eyes on ground  
on seat he musing sits.  
But when he had dissembled long  
his answer ready made:  
With smiling cheer, & folded arms  
thus unto her he said.  
I never was deceived (quoth he)  
of thy assured troth  
Mine own, and chiefest faithful friend  
to whom I would be loath  
That any yet of feule mishap,  
should chance or else befall:  
Or that to any fretting grief,  
thy free mind should be thrall.  
But do not thou dismay thyself  
I will provide for thee:  
I will devise and seek forthwith  
for thy best surety.  
I have a house not far from hence,  
beyond the mighty wood:  
Whereto I will thou do repair,  
(if so thou thinkest good.)  
By break of day the morrow next,  
where thou shalt stay for me,  
who will upon the Princess death,  
with spee●e come visit thee.  
And there by deed perform the thing  
that vow did erst protest,  
By knitting 〈◊〉 the wedlock's knot  
that I so much request.  
The ●ot●ng maid misdoughts no guyl●  
the soon doth condescend  
Unto his tale, and all that night  
the ●ath in secret spend.  
But she once gone, the Duke sends for  
two trusty men of his,  
Whose cur●●d hands with murdered blout  
had been imbrued ere this:  
To whom when long he had discoursed,  
what faith they aught to bear  
Unto their Lord, and eke what troth  
within them aught tappeare:  
He tells what forced him sand for them  
and how it was his will:  
That whilst they road amydst the wood,  
they should Dalinda kill  
The ruffyns vile, with small request  
moved to so foul a deed:  
Consent unto their trowel Lord●  
and show themselves agreed 〈◊〉  
Unto his hest. Who for to move  
them more unto this sin,  
with promise great of large rewards  
he doth them fully win.  
By this the pensive day is past,  
and now the mourning shade  
Of black and fearful night appears:  
and doth each where invade.  
Wherein judge you what ease they take,  
that are wrapped in with woe,  
And couched in cave of carefulness,  
and bathed in bed also:  
judge you the father's quiet ease,  
and deem the daughter's rest,  
Think how the golden sleep doth please  
the ghost with grief oppressed.  
And I will tell how night is go,  
with countenance dark and sad:  
Because amydst the restless court  
so little ease he had.  
And he thus go Aurora shows  
her cheerful visage grey,  
And after her the blushing Phebe  
his countenance doth bewray.  
Who scarce doth clime on lowest step,  
when as the watching maid,  
(Dalinda) leaves her loathed sleep,  
and hasteth (as afraid  
To come to late) to Polinesse,  
who puts her in the guide  
Of those ungracious Ruffians,  
that he appoints to ride  
With her, unto his house expressed,  
and bids them tarry there  
(Dissembling wise) till he doth come  
to quench the sparks of fear.  
(If any than did ●indell in  
the reckless maidens mind)  
Who hopes for troth, as erst she hard  
so every thing to find.  
Thus ride they forth, and riding I  
will leave them for a while:  
And to the careful court again  
that doth forthwith exile.  
His drowsy domps, I will return  
and g●yde my weary hand:  
And of their last extremest fits  
who list to understand.  
shall hear the end.  
THe weary night hath brought again  
the dry and dreadful day:  
When heavy looks, & cloudy sighs,  
a storm of ears bewray.  
The court hath left his tossed couch,  
their restless bed all sh●nne:  
The ladies have their piercing plaints  
and doleful tune begun.  
Amidst a w●rld of griefs the king  
forsakes his bathed bed:  
Who for the Prince jenevora,  
a flood of tears hath shed.  
But kingly justice ruling still  
within his regal mind:  
Doth t●ll hi● that the day is come  
which he of late assigned.  
When either force of victor's hand,  
should fade Lurcanio:  
Or else in flames I●neuora,  
her senses should forgo.  
These thoughts of justice force him cleke.  
the anguish of his heart:  
Affection lurks in panting breast,  
in secret lodgeth smart.  
Wherefore in hasty wise he doth  
command unto the fire  
The guiltless Princes whose deserts,  
gain not so foul a hire.  
Whose sentence known, jenevora  
obeys with pleased mind  
Who decking her like her estate  
with lemmes of precious kind.  
Like heavenly ghost not earthly wight  
she tears her chariot strait  
That covered is with black, on whom  
a wrought of Lady's weight.  
whose moorn●g weeds declare y● care●  
of their disquiet hearts:  
And argue to the gazing eye,  
the proof of present smarts.  
Next them, the king his train is past,  
whose heavy pensive cheer:  
Agreed with those black solom lutes,  
which they that day did wear.  
Then folow● careful Counsellors.  
and then the aged king  
In colour like, and after them  
a world of folk do fling.  
In this array, they are aryvd●  
upon the dreadful place:  
where Princess must resign her life,  
if that some spark of grace.  
Betide her not, there she abides  
to taste her latest care:  
Amidst the ghostly Prelates that  
of heavenly joys declare.  
The king scarce set on stately seat  
but all in complete steel  
Lurcanio comes unto the list,  
his challenge to fulfil.  
Who seen by false Duke Polinesse,  
that then was Martial:  
To guide the field, he doth demand  
of him the sum and all.  
Of that he sought within the lists,  
to whom Lurcanio:  
Thus said, I am approached here  
to prove against my so.  
That by the filthy whoredoms crime,  
which I (quoth he) did see:  
jenevora deserved hath,  
here burned for to be.  
This said, he entres in the lists  
and by the relics there:  
In proof of that which erst he said  
he doth devoutly swear.  
Naught wants but execution now,  
for that they only stay:  
Which to perform, jenevora  
concludes without delay.  
Who first disrobes herself of all  
her Princely brave attire:  
And only in her kirtle she,  
doth mind to taste the fire.  
Then prostrate on the ground she falle●,  
and with a cheerful voice:  
She prays to God, with whom she hopes  
shortly for to rejoice.  
But who had seen the wailings then,  
of all the lookers on:  
And how each eye is drowned w●t cars  
and every month doth moan.  
might well have seen the mother's grief  
for death of loved child:  
And father's plaint for native son,  
whose life fears death exiled.  
Whilst thus the Princess prepares herself  
unto her heavy feast:  
And whilst each on lamenting stays,  
with ruthful sighing breast.  
See where a Knight stands hovering,  
clad all in armour black:  
And mounted on a barbed steed  
with shield behind his back.  
A mighty spear in hand he held  
and sword girt by his side,  
His visar close before his face,  
lest that he wear descried.  
The Marshal spies this Knight unknown  
and as he said before,  
So now he doth demand also,  
of him, the cause, wherefore:  
He is arrived in that array  
amydst that worthy press,  
To whom Ariodant doth  
these knightlike words express:  
To save (quoth he) from fiery flames  
this false accused wight:  
Though Scots do fear, I do inten●,  
to venture life and might:  
Naught doughting but as guiltless she  
condemned is to die:  
So this my spear and sword (I trust)  
her truth right well shall try.  
The stranger enters thus the liste●  
where stoutly he doth swear:  
That of that fowl supposed crime  
jenevora is clear.  
This don, without a longer stay,  
the Heraultes cry to fight:  
Now do your best, & god him shéel●  
that draws his sword in right.  
Lurcani● leaves now to muse,  
his spear is couched in rest:  
He forward like the wind doth 〈◊〉  
with shield before his breast?  
Ariodant, not ignorant  
with whom he is to fight:  
Sets forward to with thundering pace  
and meets his brother right.  
● he spears all crushed do mount aloft  
each keeps his saddle sure:  
Ariodant against his so,  
doth mightily endure.  
Then leave they foaming steads, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
they draw their shining blades:  
Wherewith each one his enemy,  
with courage stout invades.  
He smites a car●ing blow upon,  
his adversaries shield:  
And he doth sand a cantle from,  
his helmet to the field.  
Lurcanio is nothing nice,  
of his approved might:  
Ne yet Ariodant behind,  
his alms for to requite.  
But far unegal is the match,  
Lurcanio seems to play:  
When as Ariodant is forced,  
to ward, or else decay,  
yet as he can he lends a blow,  
and then he shifts again:  
From dint of brother's stroke, whose force  
would well requited his pain.  
Thus he doth strike, and he the blow  
receives upon his shield:  
And he again, (the vantage spied)  
a buffet big doth yield.  
Lurcanio thinks of brother's death,  
and fights like Lion fierce:  
Ariodant, (his Lady spied)  
both steel and male doth pierce.  
with bloody blads they prick & thrust  
the ground is dyd● with blou●e  
Now breath they both, & now again  
they rage like Tiger's wood  
In this conflict I must them leave,  
each seeking others end:  
And to Dalinda once again,  
my pen and I must bend.  
Who once aryude within the wood,  
where she must yield her life:  
In steed of sol●m marriage,  
on edge of Ruffyns' knife.  
They bid her light of from her horse,  
and with a countenance fires:  
The sum of that they ha● in charge  
to her they do rehears.  
which when she known, from wont talk  
her closed lips refrain:  
And fear of death do force her feel  
the pangs of deadly pain.  
Her careless head, late occupid●  
with blessed wedlock's bands  
Is comefortles, & now poor wretch  
as stone in brickwall she stands.  
So far her present thoughts be odd,  
as hope of surety:  
And now to sure signs of smart  
and storms of misery.  
But making of necessity  
a present virtue, she  
Decrees as time did serve to make  
her soul from bondage free.  
And kneeling then upon the ground  
betwixt these ghostly mates:  
That mind by carving of her head  
to end ●er latest fates.  
She prays unto the Creator  
to pardon her offence:  
And that he would forget her sin  
and way her penitence.  
Then with a stream of tears she rews  
her Ladies guiltless death:  
For whom, the anguish of her heart.  
doth choke wellnigh her breath.  
What should I say, for thousand sins  
which she did never know:  
(To length the time) she prays to God  
that he will mercy show.  
but see how in most dangerous tides  
often times doth happen bliss:  
See how in present stroke of death  
the heart relieved is.  
whilst thus she prays adventure drove  
through search of nearest way:  
To Scottish court, upon the place  
where she devout doth pray.  
The famous knight Raynaldo, who  
beholding with his eye:  
betwixt two Ruffians naked swords  
a Lady priest to die.  
He spurs his Steed, & draws his shoulder-blade  
and drives unto them two:  
In mind to rescue if he could  
that careful wight from woe.  
The torments that see him come  
despairing of their might:  
Forsake the maid & mount on Steeds  
and save themselves by fight.  
which when Dalinda vews, she thus  
unto Raynald 'gan say:  
Yet let me crave this curtes●e  
or thou departed away.  
(O worthy Knight,) that is, that thou  
will't be my guide unto  
The most unhapiest Scottish court  
and most complete with woe.  
Where I shall bring the joyfull'st news  
that ever came to king:  
And tell the gladdest tale that erst,  
a messenger did bring.  
Raynaldo grants to her desire  
she is now horsed again:  
They forward post, and as they ride  
she greatly doth complain.  
Of false Duke Polinessos' guile  
she blames his subtle wilt:  
And for revenge to god she cries  
for such offence most fit.  
Thus weary time is spent, and now  
they are within the view:  
of flaming brands of glistering swords  
and of the Scottish crew.  
Then with a strayne● balowing voice  
stay how Raynaldo cries:  
Departed the Knights, & with the word  
●●ne casts up his eyes.  
To see from whence proceeds the voice  
that rings so in their ears:  
And therewithal Raynaldo and  
Dalinda, do appear.  
who passing through the mighty press,  
at last approach the seat:  
Of Scottish King, whereas Dalind  
begins for to entreat.  
Of all the treason which the Duke  
and she did late devise,  
But crying first, stay Polinesse,  
thus to her tale she plies.  
Why should I longer stay (o wretch)  
why should my lips refrain  
From sounding out the perfect troth  
which hidden, seeks to stain  
The guiltless Imphe of virtues school  
whose spotless troth doth cry  
For just revenge for such offence,  
to him that rules sky.  
O king let dought of daughter's crime,  
no more dismay thy mind.  
Ne let thy heart to fearful thoughts,  
for princes be inclined:  
For this thrice cursed tongue of mine,  
shall plainly show to thee:  
Who did offend, who gained this fire,  
from which the prince is free.  
And though mine own reproach, I must  
blaze here amidst this press,  
Yet gnawing thoughts of guilty mind,  
enforce me troth confess.  
This Duke (o king) this Polinesse  
this false deceitful Knight  
And I unhappiest wretch it was,  
that gained these flames of right.  
For see deceit: whilst in the court,  
I led a reckless race,  
And whilst amongst the courtly train,  
I served the prince's grace.  
There came to me this Polinesse,  
who with a smile cheer,  
And glozing words 'gan long discourse  
what friendship he did bear  
To me, and how his whole desire  
was to obtain my love  
Which for to get with tedious suit,  
he seeks me long to prove.  
But see, as forced watch doth make,  
the savage Hawk to fist:  
As strained bit the Colt untamd,  
doth make apt to the lift:  
So did this Duke's continual suit  
enforce me to consent:  
In hope of lawful marriage,  
unto his false intent.  
The conquest gained, he shows him pleased,  
and I, in hope of bliss,  
Do find myself not discontent,  
at thapp● hap of this.  
This past, and I remaining still  
within the princess court:  
Upon a day Duke Polinesse  
thus to me 'gan report.  
If that I thought my former words  
whereof such perfect force,  
As might (quoth he) from wavering mind  
all damps of dought d●uor●e:  
I would refrain that now I mind  
in presence here declare,  
And closely in my secret mind,  
such passions I would spare.  
But deed shall show the sum (quoth he,)  
of my well meaning heart,  
And eke in words my just intent,  
to thee I shall impart.  
Thou know'st (quoth he) what golden time  
in service I have spent:  
In hope to gain at last for hire  
the princess like assent.  
Thou partli know'st, my faithful heart  
and loyal love to her:  
Thou knowest what divers ways ● used  
her friendship for to stir.  
But only I to well have known  
how evil she did requited  
My vowed troth, and how my love,  
she had in great despite.  
Which when with grief I viewed (quoth he)  
I sought by reason's skill  
To master love, and by advise  
to tame affections will.  
And thinking that the second nail,  
could soon expel the first,  
I hardly find this moisture can  
assuage my former thrust.  
Thus tossed am I with bylowes great  
of great unrest (quoth he)  
And only find by sage advise,  
this only surety.  
I think (quoth he) the heavens it will,  
that that self same attire  
Which she did wear, when first I did  
so much her love desire.  
Should quite my former thralled heart,  
of evil requsted love:  
And from thy breast it doughts remain  
despairing doughts remove.  
Wherefore I will, that with those robes,  
that prince in feast doth wear●  
Hard by the outwast houses thou  
Dalinda shalt appear  
To me where I in scorn of prince  
will toss her princely train:  
And there refigne the latest fits,  
of my long proved pain.  
With small request I granted have  
to his so sugared tale:  
And to th'appointed place also,  
to come I did not fail.  
Where I in robes of prince's grace,  
when sleep the prince possessed:  
With Iu●ls, tablets, chains, & rings,  
did yield to his request.  
This same was it, and that was I  
whom stranger so didisée:  
The night when feast in court was held●  
whereof princess is free.  
But hear o king the end of all,  
judge of this traitorous part,  
See how the filled words agreed,  
with false deceitful heart.  
When guiltless thus Lurcanio had  
accused the princess grace  
And when for trial of her truth  
the time and setted place.  
Was known to all, Duke Polinesse  
still caught I think with fear  
Lest that this treason done by us  
might any ways appear:  
And doughting still my secret mind  
he sought the only way  
By former pleasant ●ained words,  
●o work my last decay.  
And feeding then my hungry vain,  
with Duchess princely state:  
He minds to put in practice now,  
his long pretenced hate.  
And sending me with Ruffians two,  
unto a desert wood:  
(In steed of present marriage,)  
he seeks to shed my blood.  
But see, betwixt their dreadful blade●  
whilst kneeling I did pray,  
And whilst for end of my last words  
the torments did ●●aye:  
This Knight, my guide, aryud vp●n,  
the place where I should dye:  
who saved my life and forced my fooes,  
to leave their arms, and fly.  
Thus have you hard o king (quoth she)  
the troth of treason strong  
My gained death, his like desert,  
and your sustained wrong.  
The sum of all this cruel crime.  
disclosed thus to each ●are:  
Revives their ●ying ●ares that erst  
were caught with dreadful fear.  
But Polinesse that hears theffe●●  
of all this cruel deed  
Disclosed thus, a heap of griefs  
which in his head do breed.  
Yet as he had a countenance erst  
to work his own de●ayr:  
So he den●●s all that which now  
Dalinda did bewray:  
And proferst thereupon to try,  
his troth against his foe  
In combat fight, and gauntlet he,  
unto the ground doth throw  
As challenger, which Raynold spies,  
and doth receive h●s gage,  
In mind without a longer stay  
the battle for to wage.  
And once ●●ayde in every point,  
fit for a mortal fight:  
They mount on steeds, and with the spears  
ecne seeks his foe to spite.  
Duke Polinesse discharged hath,  
his sperre that climes the skies:  
But through both breast and back the spea●●  
of stout Raynaldo hics.  
Which when the Duke perceives, and feels,  
the pangs of present death:  
And knows his life doth fade away  
through want of gasping breath:  
He yields himself as recreant,  
and dying doth confess,  
In circumstance, the treason which  
Dalinda did express.  
And how enforced through jealous mind  
which he did then suspect,  
Twixt princess and Ariodant,  
he was thereto direct.  
Then how his last devise he used  
to move Ariodant:  
That only his desired love  
the Prince in heart did plant.  
Which only sight I know (quoth he)  
was cause of strangers death  
And with that word his sinful soul  
resingde his wicked breath.  
Whose carcase was no sooner dead,  
and life had lost his force:  
But in the midst of flashing flames,  
his wounded senseless corpse  
Entombed was, with joyful shouts,  
that God did save the right,  
And with deserved punishment,  
he did the guilty quite.  
But she, whose fired mind to die,  
did loath a longer life:  
Augmenteth rather wont woes  
than wants her former strife.  
Wherefore she is in mind oftimes  
to taste th● force of fire,  
For rather that, then loathsome life,  
she gladly 'gan require.  
●he king whose aged head did erst  
taste ne●er such great joy  
To see the princess guiltless tried,  
doth wont cares destroy.  
Who first calls for Ariodant  
that fought for Prince's grace:  
Of whom he friendly craves the sight  
of his desired face.  
Wherefore his head piece laid aside,  
his visage is bewrayed:  
And then to pensive Princes thus,  
he kneeling briefly said,  
How here o thrice renowned prince  
had falsehood brought to end  
Thy worthy race, whose spotless ly●e  
with saints may well contend?  
How near had treasons force prevailed  
how near had vile deceit  
Entrald thy noble guiltless heart,  
with hidden falsehoods baits?  
But o how near had my mistrust,  
been cause of thy decay:  
whose wretched head to sugared talk●  
to greatly did obey?  
wherefore not only Polinesse,  
ne this Dalind deserve,  
A shameful death, but miser I,  
whose faithless heart did swerver  
So far fr●m duties lore, as gains  
an everlasting pain:  
And as he would have farther said,  
(through grief) his lips refrain  
From farther talk, and senses fail,  
and he doth fall to ground:  
And there he lies, bereud of breath,  
and choked with fainting sounds.  
But when jenevora had viewed  
long time with piercing eye:  
The face of her Ariodant:  
and plainly eke 'gan spy.  
by co●tnance, look, by shape, & speech  
the same her friend to be:  
whom greedy stream had forced she feared  
to die in misery.  
O judges that can, what fancies then  
did rule within her mind:  
What passing joy, what happy bliss  
her crazed brain did find.  
For neither head, ne tongue, ne hand  
can think, can tell, or write:  
The lest or smallest parcel of  
her late conceived delight.  
Not she herself, can ease the toil  
of joyful panting heart:  
whose striving force extreme delight  
to trance doth strait convert.  
And there as in a quiet sleep,  
a while she doth remain:  
But once revyude, her dryry lips,  
she thus to speak did strain.  
And doth the guider of my life,  
the only prop and stay:  
Of this my weary limbs, yet live?  
o happy thrice I say.  
O blessed fates, and dost thou live?  
and do these eyes behold:  
Thy wished shape, whose comely lim●  
these ●rmes so often have ●ould.  
And lives in deed Ariodant,  
jenevoras delight:  
And was it he that for his frend●  
so manfully did fight?  
O sop of joy more pleasant far  
than wealth of worldly bliss:  
O sovereign salve, naught cures so well  
the crazed heart as this.  
O welcome thou more dear to me,  
than goods, than friends, than life:  
A gest more gladder to my heart  
then cares erst caused strife.  
Thy health doth force me wish y● lif●  
which fame of thy decay  
Enticed late through heavy lot,  
to serine in clods of clay.  
Amidst this tale a thousand times,  
they friendly do embrace:  
And with their silver tricki●ng drop●  
each bathe others face.  
She lays her happy head upon  
her joyful lovers breast:  
And he again his body bendes●  
to yield his Lady rest.  
Thus now in words, & now in deeds  
and now by signs of love:  
Each shows, the joined faithful hearts  
doth such affections move.  
The sight whereof brings youth again  
unto the aged King:  
Whose trembling heart, for very joy  
in blissful breast doth spring.  
But when this great felicity,  
had vanquished every care:  
And when amidst this world of joy,  
each on received his share.  
Then by commandment trumpets sound  
and oyes loud is cried,  
Wherefore the wrought give audience,  
and then the king thus said:  
How far we are indebted to  
the heavenly powers divine:  
My lords & friends, you have well seen  
this day before your eyen.  
As both by fatal chance, how this  
vile treason was bewrayed:  
As how by knightly prowess, which  
Ariodant assayed.  
Against his native brother, he  
hath saved jenevora:  
Fron fiery flames, & brought us health  
that looked for last decay.  
And last, how falsehood paid is  
with death for gained desert:  
A mirror good, for such as live,  
infect with traitors heart.  
Wherefore as bound duty bids,  
first let us yield the praise:  
To him, that quites the innocent,  
and pays the false always.  
And we (as reasons lore ●oth charge)  
will seek for to requited:  
Forthwith received benefits,  
with all our power and might,  
For as to thou Ariodant,  
for this thy noble heart:  
Thy courtesy, and loyal love,  
●e yield thee this as part.  
Of recompense, take thou to wi●●  
the Prince jenevora,  
and we, for maintnaunce of your state●  
will soon provide a stay.  
Be thou to her a faithful fear,  
and she a loving wife:  
Bear du●ie to thy Lord and King,  
whilst thou hast breath and life.  
and sith by thee sir knight unknown,  
this treason came to light:  
We will as best shall please thy heart  
thy friendship well requited.  
Lurcanio ●ke, sith brother's death  
provoked thee to this ire:  
Shalt freely live, and use our grace,  
as thou shalt best desire.  
For pardon of jenevora,  
small suit I thi●k will serve:  
Whose gentle mind from pity's lor●  
as yet did never serve.  
But as t● thee Dalinda, sith  
thou soughtst by ●reason vile:  
To seek thy mistress death, we will  
that thou into exile.  
For ever shalt be put, and eke  
to run a banished race,  
Till better hope of truer heart,  
shall win thee favours grace.  
This sentence said, the tossed caps  
do cut the cloudy sky:  
and every mouth, with strained voice  
God save the King do try.  
The lovers two, on ground prostrate  
a thousand thanks impart.  
Unto their Liege and Sovereign,  
with most contented heart.  
But to recount what passions past,  
betwixt the brother's twain,  
would make an other history,  
and work my triple pain.  
wherefore let this suffice, my Lords,  
not one but lives in joy,  
Not one there is amidst the press,  
that cares do now annoy.  
Amidst which mirth, to court again  
the King and all return:  
And as they ride, in sign of joy,  
each doth the streets adorn:  
with tinsel bright, with arras rich  
and glistering clot of gold:  
And ladies perch on windows hie  
the lovers to behold.  
who pass the streets with happy hearts,  
and so arrive on court,  
where every one seeks to augment,  
his late received sport.  
And where, upon a solome day,  
appointed by the king,  
The Princess and Ariodant,  
with sacred words and King:  
Recey●e the right of marriage,  
as glad to them as life:  
who long in bliss did spend their days  
and died devoydt of strife.  
FINIS.