THE TRIUMPHS Of 

LOVE:  
Chastity:  
DEATH:   TRANSLATED OUT OF PETRARCH BY Mris ANNA HUME.  
Edinburgh, Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty. 1644.   


To the most excellent Princess, her highness, the Princess ELISABETH, Eldest daughter to the King of BOHEMIA.  

THat my rude lines durst meet the dazzling rays  
Of Majesty, which from your Princely eyes  
Would beat the owner back, blame them not, they  
Want sense, nor had they wit to bid me say  
Thus much in their behalf: else having heard  
Y' are merciful, they could not be afeard:  
Or doubting some arrest of sudden death  
Made haste to be reprived by your breath!  
True glory of your sex, whose single name  
Protecteth virtue, and commandeth fame.  
Now you have saved them with a look, the rest  
Assume like boldness, and desire to taste  
Like honour, since they justly think their claim  
Better, by virtue of great Petrarch's name:  
Whom if they lamely follow 'tis more grace,  
Then t' have outgone a meaner Poets pace.  
Your milder judgement must the sentence give,  
For which they humbly wait to make them live.   
The humblest of your highness' servants ANNA HUME.   

ANOTHER TO HER highness.  

I do not dedicate these to delight  
Or profit you, both are the Authors right:  
Nor is it that your highness may protect  
My part, it merits not so much respect;  
Nor that you may examine and compare,  
It less deserves such serious Princely care:  
Nor is it gratitude, because y' have been  
Pleased to approve some others you have seen:  
Since retribution so far below  
Proportion, would be worse than still to owe:  
Nor vanity, that thus I may have leave  
To tell the world the honour I receive,  
In that my name hath reached your sacred ear:  
I hate that empty vice; yet need not fear  
The censure, were it just since 't would make proud  
The staidest thoughts to be by you allowed.  
If any ask me, What is then my end?  
'Tis to approve myself a real friend  
To chaste Lauretta, whom since I have ta'en  
From the dark cloister, where she did remain  
Unmarkt, because unknown, my aim is now  
To make her happy, by attending you:  
Where she may see her truest worth outgone,  
And learn more virtue than she yet hath known   
The humblest of your highness' servants ANNA HUME.    

To the Reader.  

REader, I have oft been told,  
Verse that speak not Love, are cold.  
I would gladly please thine ear,  
But am loath to buy 't too dear.  
And 'tis easier far to borrow  
Lovers tears, then feel their sorrow.  
Therefore he hath furnished me,  
Who had enough to serve all three.    

The Triumph of LOVE, Translated out of Petrarch.  

CHAP. I.  
The Argument.  
A vision shows the captived  
By mighty Love in triumph led.  
IT was the time, when I do sadly pay  
My sighs, in tribute to that sweet-sowre-day,  
Which first gave being to my tedious woes:  
The sun, now o'er the Bulls horns proudly goes,  
And Phaeton had renewed his wonted race:  
When Love, the Season, and my own ill case,  
Drew me that solitary place to find,  
In which I oft unload my charged mind:  
There tired with raving thoughts and helpless moan▪  
Sleep sealed my eyes up, and my senses gone,  
My waking fancy spied a shining light,  
In which appeared long pain, and short delight.  
A mighty general, I then did see,  
Like one, who (for some glorious victory)  
Should to the Capitol in triumph go:  
I (who had not been used to such a show  
In this soft age, where we no valour have  
But pride) admired his habit, strange and brave,  
And having raised mine eyes, which wearied were,  
To understand this sight was all my care.  
Four snowy steeds a fiery Chariot drew;  
There sat the cruel boy; a threatning ewe  
His right hand bore, his Quiver arrows held,  
Against whose force, no helm or shield prevailed.  
Two particoloured wings his shoulders ware;  
All naked else; and round about his chair  
Were thousand mortals: some in battle ta'en,  
Many were hurt with darts, and many slain.  
Glad to learn news I rose, and forward pressed  
So far, that I was one amongst the rest;  
As if I had been killed with loving pain  
Before my time; and looking through the train  
Of this tear-thirsty King, I would have spied  
Some of my old acquaintance, but descried  
No face I knew: If any such there were,  
They were transformed with prison, death and care.  
At last one Ghost, less sad than th' others, came,  
Who near approaching, called me by my name,  
And said: This comes of Love: What may you be,  
(I answered, wondering much) that thus know me?  
For I remember not t' have seen your face.  
He thus replied: It is the dusky place  
That dull's thy sight, and this hard yoke I bear:  
Else I a Tuscan am; thy friend, and dear  
To thy remembrance: his wonted phrase  
And voice did then discover what he was.  
So we retired aside, and left the throng,  
When thus he spoke; I have expected long  
To see you here with us; your face did seem  
To threaten you no less. I do esteem  
Your prophecies; but I have seen what care  
Attends a lover's life; and must beware.  
Yet have I oft been beaten in the field,  
And sometimes hurt, said I, but scorned to yield.  
He smiled and said: Alas! thou dost not see,  
(My son) how great a flame's prepared for thee.  
I knew not then what by his words he meant;  
But since I find it by the dire event:  
And in my memory 'tis fixed so fast,  
That marble gravings cannot firmer last.  
Mean while my forward youth did thus inquire:  
What may these people be? I much desire  
To know their names, pray, give me leave to ask.  
I think ere long, 'twill be a needless task  
(Replied my friend) thou shalt be of the train,  
And know them all; this captivating chain  
Thy neck must bear, (though thou dost little fear)  
And sooner change thy comely form and hair,  
Then be unfettered from the cruel tie,  
How e'er thou struggle for thy liberty;  
Yet to fulfil thy wish, I will relate  
What I have learned. The first that keeps such state,  
By whom, our lives and freedoms we forgo,  
The world hath called him Love; and he (you know  
But shall know better when he comes to be  
A Lord to you, as now he is to me)  
Is in his childhood mild, fierce in his age;  
'Tis best believed of those that feel his rage.  
The truth of this thou in thyself shalt find,  
I warn thee now, pray keep it in thy mind.  
Of idle looseness, he is oft the child;  
With pleasant fancies nourished, and is styled  
Or made a God by vain and foolish men:  
And for a recompense, some meet their bane:  
Others, a harder slavery must endure,  
Than many thousand chains and bolts procure.  
That other gallant Lord, is conqueror  
Of conquering Rome, led captive by the fair  
Egyptian Queen, with her persuasive Art,  
Who in his honours claims the greatest part:  
For binding the world's victor with her charms,  
His trophies are all hers by right of arms.  
The next is his adoptive son, whose love  
May seem more just, but doth no better prove:  
For though he did his loved Livia wed,  
She was seduced from her husband's bed.  
Nero is third, disdainful, wicked, fierce▪  
And yet a woman found a way to pierce  
His angry soul. Behold Marcus the grave  
Wise Emperor is fair Faustina's slave:  
These two are tyrants: Dionysius,  
And Alexander, both suspicious,  
And yet both loved: the last a just reward  
Found of his causeless fear. I know y' have heard  
Of him, who for Creusa on the rock  
Antandrus mourned so long; whose-warlike stroke  
At once, revenged his friend, and won his love:  
And of the youth whom Phedra could not move  
T' abuse his father's bed; he left the place,  
And by his virtue lost his life (for base  
Unworthy loves to rage do quickly change)  
It killed her too; perhaps in just revenge  
Of wronged Theseus, slain Hyppolito,  
And poor forsaken Ariadne: so  
It often proves that they who falsely blame  
Another, in one breath themselves condemn:  
And who have guilty been of treachery,  
Need not complain, if they deceived be.  
Behold the brave Heros a captive made  
With all his fame, and twixt these sisters led:  
Who, as he joyed the death of th' one to see,  
His death did ease the others' misery.  
The next that followeth, though the world admire  
His strength, love bound him. Th' other full of ire  
Is great Achilles, he whose pitied fate  
Was caused by love, Demophoon did not hate  
Impatient Phyllis, yet procured her death.  
This Jason is, he whom Medea hath  
Obliged by mischief; she to her father proved  
False, to her brother cruel; t' him she loved  
Grew furious, by her merit over-prized.  
Hypsiphile comes next, mournful, despised,  
Wounded to see a strangers love prevail  
More than her own a Greek. Here is the frail  
Fair Helena, with her the Shepherd boy,  
Whose gazing looks hurt Greece, and ruined Troy.  
'Mongst other weeping souls, you hear the moan  
Enone makes, her Paris being gone.  
And Menelaus, for the woe he had  
To lose his wife. Hermione is sad,  
And calls her dear Orestes to her aid.  
And Laodamia, that hapless maid  
Bewails Protesilaus. Argia proved  
To Polynices more faithful than the loved  
(But false and covetous) Amphiaraos wife.  
The groans, and sighs of those that lose their life  
By this kind Lord, in unrelenting flames  
You hear: I cannot tell you half their names,  
For they appear not only men that love,  
The gods themselves, do fill this myrtle grove:  
You see fair Venus catched by Vulcan's Art  
With angry Mars: Proserpina apart  
From Pluto, jealous Juno, yellow haired  
Apollo, who the young god's courage dared;  
And of his trophies proud, laughed at the bow,  
Which in Thessalia gave him such a blow.  
What shall I say? here, in a word, are all  
The gods that Varro mentions, great and small;  
Each with innumerable bonds detained,  
And Jupiter before the chariot chained.  
The end of the first Chapter.   

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE FIRST CHAPTER.  
Conqueror, 87. line.] Julius Caesar.  
Egyptian Queen, 89. line.] Cleopatra.  
Adoptive son, 93. line.] Augustus.  
A woman, 98. line.] Sabina Pompcia, whom she loved with much violence, yet killed her in his anger; Italian Commentar.  
Marcus the grave, 99 line.] Marcus Aurelius, who so doted on his wife Faustina, that though he had often notice she abused his bed, yet he would not divorce from her. Italian Commentar.  
Dionysius, 101. line.] Tyrant of Syracuse, Italian Commentar.  
Alexander, 102. line.] Tyrant of Thessaly, he was above measure fearful, and yet was killed by a wench whom he kept. The Story is not worth relating, Italian Commentar.  
Creusa, 105. line.] Creusa was wife to Aeneas before he see Dido, if ever he did see her. Italian Commentar.  
Antandrus, 106. line.] Antandrus is a rock seated on the Aegean sea, where he used sports many days together in honour of her funerals. Italian Commentar.  
And won his Love, 107. line.] Aeneas killed Turnus in a combat, and so revenged the death of his friend Pallas, whom Turnus had killed before: and won his Mistress Lavinia, in whom Turnus clamed interest, Virgil.  
Phedra could not move, 108. line.] Hippolito was son to Theseus by Hypolita the Amazon, Phedra wife to Theseus was in love with her son in law Hippolito, and being justly rejected by him, accused him to his father, as having tempted her; on which he fled, and drowning in his flight, she killed herself for grief of his loss. Italian Commentar.  
Forsaken Ariadne, 114. line.] Ariadne was left asleep in an island by Theseus: who loved this Phedra better than her, though she had brought him out of the labyrinth, and left her father to go with him: (a known History.)  
Treachery, 117. line.] He had dealt treacherously with Ariadne, for the love of her sister Phedra, and she required him with loving, and falsely accusing his son Hippolito.  
Brave heroes, 119. line.] Theseus' led betwixt Phedra and Ariadne.  
Death, 121. line.] He rejoiced, as Petrarch alleges, to see Phedra kill herself, because she had been false to him.  
Misery, 122. line.] Ariadne might rejoice both to see Phedra (for whom he had been false to her) abuse him, and to see his death before her own, Italian Commentar.  
The next, 124. line.] Hercules.  
Was caused by love, 126. line.] He was killed by Paris in a treaty of marriage with his sister Polixena, whom Achilles loved.  
Impatient Phillis, 127. line.] Demophon having occasion to go to Athens, set a time for his return, but staying a little beyond his day, by the crossness of his affairs, and the winds, Phillis jealous that he had forsaken her, very wisely, hanged herself, Ovid.  
cruel, 130. line.] When Medea fled from her father with Jason, she took her brother with her, and cut him in pieces, which she scattered, that the pursuers might be stayed by gathering up his limbs, Ovid.  
Grew furious, 131. line] she was revenged on his inconstancy and ingratitude after, by sending his new choice, Chreons' daughter, a golden vestment, which was so enchanted or anointed, that it stuck fast to her, till it burned her up.  
Hypsiphile, 132. line.] She entertained Jason with too much kindness, as he passed by to Colchas.  
stranger's love, 133. line.] Medea, whom Jason brought back with him being no Grecian, and therefore her disgrace was the greater, by the low esteem her rival was in.  
Shepherd boy, 135. line.] Paris who was bred a shepherd by his mother, to avoid a prophecy, that he would be the cause Troy should be burned.  
Enone, 138. line.] A Nymph in Ida, whom Paris loved, when he kept sheep on that mountain.  
His wife, 140. line.] Helen, whom Paris carried to Troy.  
Hermione, 140. line.] she was daughter to Menelaus, and Helen being contracted to Orestes first, she was taken from him, and married against her will to Pyrrhus.  
Orestes, 141. line.] He was son to Agamemnon, beloved of Hermione.  
Laodamia, 142. line.] She died for grief on the corpse of Protesilaus, when it came back from Troy. Italian Commentar.  
Argia, 143. line.] Wife to Polenice a Theban, she was killed by Creon, for going to mourn over her husband's grave.  
Amphyaraos' wife, 145. line.] Eryphile, who betrayed her husband's counsels, and was cause, that against his will, he took that journey, in the which he perished, Italian Commentary.  
Proserpina apart, 152. line.] To express her anger, for Pluto had ravished her.  
Young gods courage, 154. line.] Cupid.  
His Trophies, 155. line.] The skin of Python a Monster, which he had newly killed.  
A blow, 156. line.] struck him in love with Daphne, to try whose arrows were sharpest, and teach him to brag.   

CHAP. II.  
The Argument.  
Brave Massinissa doth relate  
His Love: Seleucus his hard fate.  
Wearied, not satisfied, with much delight,  
Now here, now there I turned my greedy sight,  
And many things I viewed: to write were long,  
The time is short, great store of passions throng  
Within my breast: when lo, a lovely pair,  
Joined hand in hand, who kindly talking were,  
Drew my attention that way: their attire  
And foreign language quickened my desire  
Of further knowledge, which I soon might gain;  
My kind Interpreter did all explain.  
When both I knew, I boldly then drew near;  
He loved our country, though she made it fear.  
O! Massinissa; I adjure thee by  
Great Scipio, and her who from thine eye  
Drew manly tears (said I) let it not be  
A trouble, what I must demand of thee.  
He looked, and said: I first desire to know  
Your name and quality; for well you show  
Y' have heard the combat in my wounded soul,  
When Love did Friendship, Friendship Love control.  
I am not worth your knowledge, my poor flame  
Gives little light (said I:) your royal fame,  
Sets hearts on fire, that never see your face  
But (pray you) say; are you two led in peace  
By him? (I showed their guide) your History  
Deserves record: it seemeth strange to me,  
That faith and cruelty should come so near.  
He said; Thine own expressions witness bear.  
Thou know'st enough, yet I will all relate  
To thee, 't will somewhat ease my heavy state.  
On that brave man my heart was fixed so much,  
That Lelius love to him could be but such;  
Where e'er his colours marched, I was nigh,  
And Fortune did attend with victory:  
Yet still his merit called for more than she  
Could give; or any else deserve but he.  
When to the West the Roman Eagles came  
Myself was also there; and catched a flame,  
A purer never burnt in lover's breast:  
But such a joy could not be long possessed!  
Our nuptial knot (alas!) he soon untied,  
Who had more power than all the world beside!  
He cared not for our sighs; and though 't be true  
That he divided us, his worth I knew:  
He must be blind that cannot see the sun,  
But by strict justice Love is quite undone:  
Counsel from such a friend gave such a stroke  
To Love, it almost split, as on a rock:  
For as my father I his wrath did fear,  
And as a son he in my love was dear;  
Brothers in age we were, him I obeyed,  
But with a troubled soul and look dismayed:  
Thus my dear half had an untimely death,  
She prized her freedom far above her breath;  
And I th' unhappy instrument was made;  
Such force th' entreaty and entreater had!  
I rather chose myself then him t' offend,  
And sent the poison brought her to her end:  
With what sad thoughts I know, and she'll confess,  
And you, if you have sense of Love, may guess;  
No heir she left me, but my tedious moan;  
And though in her my hopes, and joys were gone,  
She was of lower value than my faith!  
But now farewell, and try if this troup hath  
Another wonder; for the time is less  
Than is the task: I pitied their distress,  
Whose short joy ended in so sharp a woe:  
My soft heart melted: As they onward go,  
This youth for his part, I perhaps could love  
(She said) but nothing can my mind remove  
From hatred of the Nation; He replied,  
Good Sophonisba you may leave this pride,  
Your City hath by us been three times beat,  
The last of which (you know) we laid it flat.  
Pray use these words t' another, not to me  
(Said she) if afric mourned, Italy  
Needs not rejoice; search your records, and there  
See what you gained by the Punic war,  
He that was friend to both, without reply  
A little smiling, vanished from mine eye  
Amongst the crowd: As one in doubtful way  
At every step looks round, and fears to stray,  
(Care stops his journey) so the varied store  
Of Lovers stayed me, to examine more,  
And try what kind of fire burnt every breast:  
When on my left hand strayed from the rest  
Was one, whose look expressed a ready mind  
In seeking what he joyed, (yet shamed to find;)  
He freely gave away his dearest wife,  
(A new found way to save a lover's life)  
She, though she joyed, yet blushed at the change▪  
As they recounted their affections strange,  
And for their Syria mourned; I took the way  
Of these three Ghosts, who seemed their course to stay,  
And take another path: The first I held  
And bid him turn; he started, and beheld  
Me with a troubled look, hearing my tongue  
Was Roman, such a pause he made, as sprung  
From some deep thought; then spoke as if inspired,  
For to my wish, he told what I desired  
To know: Seleucus is (said he) my name,  
This is Antiochus my son, whose fame  
Hath reached your ear; he warred much with Rome,  
But Reason oft by Power is overcome.  
This woman, once my Wife, doth now belong  
To him; I gave her, and it was no wrong  
In our Religion; it stayed his death,  
Threatened by Love; Stratonica she hath  
To name: so now we may enjoy one state,  
And our fast friendship shall outlast all date.  
She from her height was willing to descend;  
I quit my joy; he rather chose his end  
Then our offence; and in his prime had died,  
Had not the wise Physician been our guide:  
Silence in Love o'ercame his vital part;  
His Love was force, his Silence virtuous Art.  
A father's tender care made me agree  
To this strange change. This said, he turned from me,  
As changing his design, with such a pace,  
Ere I could take my leave, h' had quit the place.  
After the Ghost was carried from mine eye  
Amazedly I walked; nor could untie  
My mind from his sad story; till my friend  
Admonished me, and said: You must not lend  
Attention thus to every thing you meet;  
You know the number's great, and time is fleet.  
More naked prisoners this triumph had  
Then Xerxes' soldiers in his army led:  
And stretched further than my sight could reach▪  
Of several countries, and of differing speech.  
One of a thousand were not known to me,  
Yet might those few make a large History.  
Perseus was one; and well you know the way  
How he was catched by Andromida:  
She was a lovely brownet, black her hair  
And eyes. Narcissus too, the foolish fair,  
Who for his own love did himself destroy;  
He had so much, he nothing could enjoy.  
And she, who for his loss, deep sorrow's slave,  
Changed to a voice, dwells in a hollow cave.  
Iphis was there, who hasted his own fate,  
He loved another, but himself did hate;  
And many moe condemned like woes to prove,  
Whose life was made a curse by hapless love.  
Some modern Lovers in my mind remain,  
But those to reckon here were needless pain.  
The two, whose constant loves for ever last,  
On whom the winds wait while they build their nest▪  
For Haltion days poor labouring sailors please,  
And in rough winter calm the boisterous seas.  
Far off the thoughtful Aesacus, in quest  
Of his Epiria, finds a rocky rest,  
Then diveth in the floods, then mounts i'th' air.  
And she who stole old Nisus purple hair  
His cruel daughter, I observed to fly.  
Swift Atalanta ran for victory,  
But three gold apples, and a lovely face,  
Slacked her quick paces, till she lost the race:  
She brought Hippomanes along, and joyed  
That he, as others, had not been destroyed,  
But of the victory could singly boast.  
I saw amidst the vain, and fabulous host,  
Fair Galatea leaned on Atis breast;  
Rude Polyphemus noise disturbs their rest.  
Glaucus alone swims through the dangerous seas,  
And missing her who should his fancy please,  
Curseth the cruels Love transformed her shape.  
Canens laments that Picus could not scape  
The dire enchantress; he in Italy  
Was once a King, now a pieed Bird; for she  
Who made him such, changed not his clothes nor name,  
His Princely habit still appears the same.  
Egeria, while she wept, became a Well:  
Scylla (a horrid rock by Circe's spell)  
Hath made infamous the Sicilian strand.  
Next, she who holdeth in her trembling hand  
A guilty knife, her right hand writ her name.  
Pygmalion next, with his live Mistress came.  
Sweet Aganippe, and Castalia have  
A thousand more; all there sung by the brave  
And deathless Poets, on their fair banks placed▪  
Cydippe by an apple fooled at last.   

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE SECOND CHAPTER.  
A Lovely pair, 5. line.] Massinissa and Sophonisba: The story runs thus, Massinissa King of a part of Numidia an associate of the Romans, loving and much beloved of Scipio: Sophonisba was daughter to Asdrubale, son of Gisco, a Principal man in the city of Carthage: her father married her to Syphax, a more considerable King of the same country, than Massinissa, and an associate also of the Romans, with intention to debauch him from the Roman friendship, which it did accordingly. It came to pass in the progress of the war, that Massinissa took Syphax prisoner, and entered Cirrha his principal City victor: Sophonisba presented herself before him at the gate of the Castle, and being beautiful and eloquent, to both which her affliction added lustre, she besought him to take her for his prisoner, and either preserve her from being led in triumph to Rome, or kill her. Massinissa was soon taken, and as suddenly promised to perform her desire, which that he might the more easily do, he married her presently. When he came to Scipio (after much commendation and honourable entertainment bestowed upon him in public) he drew him aside, and reproved him sharply for this rash act (being afraid that Sophonisba would make him for her country, as she had done her other husband.) Massinissa retired to his Tent, and after a long inward debate, and many tears, at last he composed a cup full of poison, and writes to her with it, That since he could not perform the first part of his promise, to make her free, (as by marrying her he hoped to have done) he would yet keep the last; desires her to remember whose daughter she was, and that she had been wife to two Kings. When she read the letter, she said no more, but, If this be the best token my Husband hath to send me, I accept it willingly; but tell him, It would have grieved me less, if my marriage bed had not been so near my grave: and with such resolution as these times thought virtuous, she drank up the poison cheerfully. Titus Livius.  
That Lelius Love, 32. line.] Lelius was bosom friend to Scipio, yet Massinissa's Love equalled that of Lelius.  
The Roman Eagles, 37. line.] The Roman ensigns, meaning Scipio, with the Roman army, for they carried an Eagle in their colours.  
Seleucus', 101. line.] The story is clear enough here, That Seleucus King of Syria, having married Stratonica, a young and beautiful Lady, Antiochus his son by a former wife, became desperately in love with her, and concealing it out of shame, or fear, or both, he fell sick almost to death, which the Physician finding by his Art, told the father there was no safety for his son, but by bestowing his mother in law on him: to which the father joyfully yielded  
With Rome, 103. line.] It was not this Antiochus that had war with the Romans, but another long after him, which Petrarch knew well enough, but useth a figure of purpose to mention Antiochus the great.  
In his army, 128. line.] Being as they say, 700000. men.  
Perseus was one, 133. line] He was son of Jupiter and Danaë.  
By Andromida, 134 line] Andromida was an Ethiopian. The history is known, he saw her tied naked to a rock, when he went to kill the sea Monster that should have devoured her.  
Iphis was there, 141. line.] Iphis hanged himself because his Mistress despised him.  
Constant Loves, 147. line] Haltion, son of Aeolus, and Ceica daughter of Lucifer: He was drowned in his return from consulting with the Oracle, she having had an ominous dream, went to the shore, where she found his dead body newly cast up, and as she was about to cast herself into the Sea, they were both turned into little birds of his name, Haltion, it is the bird called the Kings-fisher; they build on the shore, and the weather is calm all the while they are hatching their young.  
Aesacus, 151. line.] Aesacus was son to Priamus. Epiria whom he loved, flying from his pursuit, was bit with a Serpent and died of the wound, for grief of which misfortune, he went to the top of a Rock, & leapt into the Sea, where Thetis in compassion, transformed him into a bird, called a Dydaper or Diver.  
His cruel daughter, 155. line.] Scylla, daughter to Nisus King of Megara; when Minos warred against her father, and could not overcome him, by reason of his purple hair in his head; she stole the hair and gave it to him, in hope to gain his affection: By this means Minos became victor, but in detestation of her unnatural fact rejected her, who being banished and desolate, wandered till she became a lark: Her father was turned into a Merling, and pursues her ever since.  
Swift Atalanta, 156. line.] A known History, all her suitors must outrun her, or be killed; and she being too swift to be matched with speed, Hyppomanes took three golden apples, and cast first one a good way off: then as she ran aside to catch it, he got ground of her, and when she approached he threw another, and a third, till he obtained the victory, by this cunning (not without her consent.)  
fair Galatea, 163. line.] Galatea was daughter to Neptune: her lover Atis and she being together, his Giant rival Poliphemus came thither, and killed him with a great stone as he fled.  
Glaucus' alone, 165. line.] Glaucus was a fisher, and seeing that the new hailed fish by tasting a kind of herb upon the bank, revived, and leapt again into the Sea; He tried the conclusion himself, and followed them, by which means he became a Sea-god: he loved Scylla, but Circe loving him, and seeing herself despised by him for the love he bare to Galatea; Circe transformed her rival into a rock: so as Glaucus swims along without his Mistress, and curseth the loving Witch that caused it.  
Canens laments, 168 line.] Canens was wife to Picus, a King in Italy of old: Circe transformed him also to a Magpie, because she could not obtain his love.  
Aegeria while she wept, 173. line.] Aegeria was a Nymph, or goddess that conversed with Numa Pompilius in his solitary retirements, whilst he composed the Roman laws, being the first King of Rome after Romulus, So says Plutatch, and Titus Livius: yet Livius saith also she was his wife, by which it should seem, that being as wise as her husband, she had a good hand in the business. The Poets feigned her to weep herself into a Well after his death, because there was a Well in the middle of that Grove which he made for their consultations.  
Scylla a horrid Rock, 174. line.] See above in the Annotations, 165.  
Infamous the Cicilian strand, 175. line.] That is, hath made it dangerous for passengers.  
Her trembling hand, 176. line.] Cannace, daughter to Aeolus, having had a child by her brother, her father caused cut the child in pieces, and commanded her to kill herself, which she being compelled to resolve on, writ first to her brother, with the pen in the one hand, and a knife in the other, to give him notice of her end, that he might bury her child and her.  
His live Mistress, 178. line.] Pygmalion's Mistress was a statue of his own cutting, on which he grew enamoured, and prayed till it became a live woman.  
Aganippe, and Castalia, 179. line.] Aganippe and Castalia are two Fountains in Parnassus, sacred to the Muses.  
fair banks placed, 181.] Because the Poets do all drink of these two Wells: Petrarch will have the banks to be their ordinary residence, alive and dead.  
Cydippe by an apple fooled, 182. line.] Her Lover writ an oath, That she should marry him upon an apple, and dropped it in Apollo's Temple, which she finding and reading, he made her believe she had sworn to make him her Husband.   

CHAP. III.  
The Argument.  
Love woundeth Petrarch's wary heart,  
Who well describes that dying smart.  
MY heart was filled with wonder and amaze,  
As one struck dumb, in silence stands at gaze  
Expecting Counsel, when my friend drew near,  
And said: What do you look? why stay you here?  
What mean you? know you not that I am one  
Of these? and must attend? pray, let's be gone  
Dear friend (said I) consider what desire  
To learn the rest hath set my heart on fire;  
My own haste stops me. I believe't (said he)  
And I will help; 'tis not forbidden me.  
This Noble man, on whom the others wait,  
(You see) is Pompey, justly called, The great:  
Cornelia followeth, weeping his hard fate,  
And Ptolemy's unworthy causeless hate.  
You see far off the Grecian General;  
His base wife, with Aegisthus wrought his fall:  
Behold them there, and judge if Love be blind.  
But here are Lovers of another kind,  
And other faith they kept, Lyncus was saved  
By Hypermnestra: Pyramus bereaved  
Himself of life, thinking his Mistress slain:  
Thisbe's like end, shortened her mourning pain.  
Leander swimming often, drowned at last;  
Hero her fair self from her window cast.  
Courteous Ulysses his long stay doth mourn;  
His chaste wife prayeth for his safe return,  
While Circe's amorous charms her prayers control,  
And rather vex than please his virtuous soul.  
Hamilcar's son, who made great Rome afraid,  
By a mean wench of Spain is captive led.  
This Hipsicrates is, the virtuous fair,  
Who for her husband's dear Love cut her hair  
And served in all his wars: This is the wife  
Of Brutus; Portia, constant in her life  
And death: This Julia is, who seems to moan,  
That Pompey loved best, when she was gone.  
Look here and see the Patriarch much abused  
Who twice seven years for his fair Rachel choosed  
To serve: O! powerful love increased by woe!  
His father this: Now see his Grandsire go  
With Sarah from his home. This cruel Love  
O'ercome good David; so it had power to move  
His righteous heart to that abhorred crime,  
For which he sorrowed all his following time.  
Just such like error soiled his wise son's fame,  
For whose idolatry God's anger came;  
Here's he who in one hour could love and hate:  
Here Tamar full of anguish wails her state;  
Her brother Absalon attempts t' appease  
Her grieved soul. Samson takes care to please  
His fancy; and appears more strong than wise,  
Who in a traitress bosom sleeping lies.  
Amongst those pikes and spears which guard the place,  
Love, wine, and sleep, a beauteous widow's face  
And pleasing Art hath Holopherues ta'en;  
She back again retires, who hath him slain,  
With her one maid, bearing the horrid head  
In haste, and thanks God that so well she sped.  
The next is Sichem, he who found his death,  
In circumcision, his father hath  
Like mischief felt; the City all did prove  
The same effect of his rash violent Love.  
You see Ahashuerus how well he bears  
His loss; a new love soon expels his cares:  
This cure in this disease doth seldom fail,  
One nail best driveth out another nail.  
If you would see Love mingled oft with hate,  
Bitter with sweet; behold fierce Herod's state,  
Beset with Love and cruelty at once:  
Enraged first, then late his fault bemoans,  
And Mariam calls; those three fair Dames  
(Who in the list of Captives write their names)  
Pocris, Deidamia, Artimesia were  
All good, the other three as wicked are:  
Semiramis, Biblis, and Myrrah named,  
Who of their crooked ways are now ashamed:  
Here be the erring Knights in ancient scrolls,  
Lancelot, Tristram, and the vulgar souls  
That wait on these; Jiniver, and the fair  
Isond, with other Lovers: and the pair  
Who, as they walk together, seem to plain  
Their just, but cruel fate, by one hand slain;  
Thus he discoursed: and as a man that fears  
Approaching harm, when he a trumpet hears,  
Starts at the blow ere touch't, my frighted blood  
Retired; as one raised from his tomb I stood:  
When by my side I spied a lovely maid,  
(No Turtle ever purer whiteness had)  
And straight was caught (who lately swore I would  
Defend me from a man at arms) nor could  
Resist the wounds of words with motion graced;  
The image yet is in my fancy placed.  
My friend was willing to increase my woe,  
And smiling whispered; You alone may go  
Confer with whom you please, for now we are  
All stained with one crime: My sullen care  
Was like to theirs, who are more grieved to know  
Another's happiness then their own woe:  
For seeing her, who had enthraled my mind,  
Live free in peace, and no disturbance find:  
And seeing that I knew my hurt too late,  
And that her beauty was my dying fate:  
Love, jealousy, and envy held my sight  
So fixed on that fair face, no other light  
I could behold; like one who in the rage  
Of sickness greedily his thirst would suage  
With hurtful drink, which doth his palate please,  
Thus (Blind and deaf t'all other joys are ease)  
So many doubtful ways I followed her  
The memory still shakes my soul with fear.  
Since when mine eyes are moist, and view the ground;  
My heart is heavy, and my steps have found  
A solitary dwelling 'mongst the woods,  
I stray o'er rocks, and fountains, hills and floods:  
Since when such store my scattered papers hold  
Of thoughts, of tears, of ink; which oft I fold,  
Unfold, and tear: Since when I know the scope  
Of Love, and what they fear, and what they hope;  
And how they live that in his cloister dwell,  
The skilful in their face may read it well.  
Mean while I see, how fierce and gallant she  
Cares not for me, nor for my misery,  
Proud of her virtue, and my overthrow:  
And on the other side (if aught I know)  
This Lord, who hath the world in triumph led,  
She keeps in fear; thus all my hopes are dead,  
No strength nor courage left, nor can I be  
Revenged, as I expected once; for he,  
Who tortures me and others, is abused  
By her; she'll not be caught, and long hath used  
(Rebellious as she is!) to shun his wars,  
And is a sun amidst the lesser stars.  
Her grace, smiles, slights, her words in order set;  
Her hair dispersed, or in a golden net;  
Her eyes enflaming with a light divine  
So burn my heart, I dare no more repine.  
Ah, who is able fully to express  
Her pleasing ways, her merit? no excess▪  
No bold Hyperboles I need to fear,  
My humble stile cannot enough come near  
The truth; my words are like a little stream  
Compared with th' Ocean, so large a theme  
Is that high praise; new worth, not seen before,  
Is seen in her, and can be seen no more▪  
Therefore all tongues are silenced; and I,  
Her prisoner now, see her at liberty:  
And night and day implore (O unjust fate!)  
She neither hears, nor pities my estate▪  
Hard saws of Love! But though a partial lot  
I plainly see in this, yet must I not  
Refuse to serve: the gods, as well as men,  
With like reward of old have felt like pain.  
Now know I how the mind itself doth part,  
(Now making peace, now war, now truce) what art  
Poor Lovers use to hide their stinging woe:  
And how their blood now comes, and now doth go  
Betwixt their heart and cheeks, by shame or fear:  
How they be eloquent, yet speechless are:  
And how they both ways lean, they watch and sleep,  
Languish to death, yet life and vigour keep:  
I trod the paths made happy by her feet,  
And search the foe, I am afraid to meet.  
I know how Lovers metamorphosed are  
To that they love: I know what tedious care  
I feel; how vain my joy, how oft I change  
Design, and countenance; and (which is strange)  
I live without a soul: I know the way  
To cheat myself a thousand times a day:  
I know to follow whiles I flee my fire:  
I freeze when present; absent, my desire  
Is hot: I know what cruel rigour Love  
Practiseth on the mind, and doth remove  
All reason thence; and how he racks the heart;  
And how a soul, hath neither strength nor Art  
Without a helper to resist his blows;  
And how he flees, and how his darts he throws:  
And how his threats the fearful Lover feels;  
And how he robs by force, and how he steals:  
How oft his wheels turn round (Now high, now low)  
With how uncertain hope, how certain woe:  
how all his promises be void of faith,  
And how a fire hid in our bones he hath;  
How in our veins he makes a secret wound,  
Whence open flames and death do soon abound.  
In sum, I know how giddy and how vain  
Be Lovers lives; what fear and boldness reign  
In all their ways; how every sweet is paid,  
And with a double weight of sour allayed:  
I also know their customs, sighs, and songs;  
Their sudden muteness, and their stammering tongues,  
How short their joy, how long their pain doth last,  
How wormwood spoileth all their hunni's taste.  
The end of the third Chapter.   

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE THIRD CHAPTER.  
COrnelia followeth, 13. line] Cornelia was last wife to Pompey the great, and wept for the loss of his honour, being overcome at Pharsalia by Julius Caesar, and for his death, being killed in her arms by Ptololomies' command, without other cause, but to gain favour of Caesar, who had got the better: therefore it is justly called by Petrarch, Ptolemy's. unworthy causeless hate in the next line.  
Grecian general, 15. line.] Agamemnon general of the Grecians that went against Troy: He was in love with Cassandra, daughter to Priamus, whom he carried home captive with him.  
Aegisthus, 16. line.] In his absence Clytaemnestra his wife entertained another, with whom she conspired his death at his return, in this sort; she gave him a shirt close at top, and as he was searching for a place to put forth his head Aegisthus killed him.  
Lyncus was saved, 19 line.] Lyncus was one of the sons of Danoe. The History runs thus, Aegisthus and Danoe being two brothers, Aegisthus had 50. daughters, and Danoe had 50. sons; Danoe offered his sons in marriage to Aegisthus his daughters, which Aegisthus would by no means consent to, till the other compelled him by force of arms: Then he gave a secret command to his daughters, every one to kill her husband in the night: They all obeyed, except Hypermnestra, who spared her husband Lyncus and did not kill him: A poor courtesy, but that the wickedness of the rest made it seem a great favour.  
Pyramus bereaved, 20. line.] It is a known Story, that Pyramus and Thisbe having made an appointment in a wood, she came thither first, where seeing a Lion approach, she let fall her mantle, and hid herself among the bushes: Her Lover came within a little while after, and see her mantle torn or trampled by the Lion; This made him imagine she had been devoured: so he killed himself on the place.  
Thisbies' like end, 22. line.] When she came out of the bushes and found him dead, she killed herself too with the same weapon.  
Leander swimming often, 23. line.] The story is clear of itself, that Leander having used to swim the Hellespont, was drowned one time in a storm, which when Hero see, in a window, where she stood expecting his arrival, for he perished near the shore, she cast herself down from thence into the sea.  
Courteous Ulysses, 25. line.] he stayed ten years from his wife at the siege of Troy, and ten years more were spent in his journey home.  
His chaste wife, 26. line.] Of all the Grecian wives, she was most faithful, though most solicited, Homer.  
Circe's amorous charms, 27. line.] Circe was a famous witch, that kept him with her enchantments against his will.  
Hamilcar's son, 29. line.] Hannibal, the great Carthaginian general: he doted extremely upon a poor mean wench in Puglia, Italian Commentar.  
Hipsicrates, 31. line.] She was wife to Mithridates King of Pontus.  
Portia, 34. line.] Portia was daughter to Cato, and wife to that Brutus who killed Julius Caesar: a woman of a great and constant spirit, adorned with wisdom, temper, and love to her husband, of whose death being advertised, she put hot embers or coals in her mouth, and so died.  
Julia, 35. line.] Julia was daughter to Julius Caesar, and wife to Pompey the great, whom she loved so extremely: that one day his Robes being stained with blood at a sacrifice, and sent home; she took a sudden fright at the sight of the blood, fell in labour, and died: Yet as it often happens, he loved her not so well, as he did his next wife Cornelia.  
Fierce Herod's state, line. 68] Herod loved his wife Mariam furiously, yet put her to death on a false accusation, that she had conspired his end. He had the miserable and just punishment to believe her innocent, and love her better after her death, Josephus.  
Three fair Dames, 71. line.] Pochris, Deidamea, Artimesia; Pochris was wife to one Cefalous: who went every day abroad to hunt. One day her jealousy made her follow him, and hearing him call for the fresh air, she rose from the place where she was concealed, to see what Nymph it was: He thinking it had been some wild beast, shot an arrow, and wounded her. When he knew what she was, he was much afflicted, but she being past recocovery, desired of him, as her last suit, that the Nymph air might not succeed her in his love, by which he found her mistake, and cleared it: So she died very well pleased.  
Deidamia bore Pyrrhus to Achilles, and would never marry another whilst he was at Troy, nor after his death.  
Artimesia was wife to Maussalus, King of Caria, after his death, she dried his heart, beat it to powder, and mingled it with her drink, saying, There was no other urn worthy to hold such precious ashes.  
Biblis, Semiramis, and Myrrha, 75. line.] Biblis loved her brother: Semiramis loved her son, yet some authors think it a calumny: Myrrha loved her father.  
Lancelot, Tristram, 78. line.] Knights of the Round table.  
Jiniver, 79. line.] Jiniver or Guinevere, was wife to King Arthur, and Mistress to Lancelot.  
Isond, 80. line.] Belle Isond, wife to Mark, King of Cornwall, and Mistress to Tristram.  
By one hand slain, 82. line.] The wife of one Lancelot, killed by her husband; together with his own brother, whom she used too familiarly, Italian Commentary.   

CHAP. IV.  
The Argument.  
Himself with other slaves of Love  
Are all shut up in Venus' grove.  
WHen once my will was captive by my fate,  
And I had lost the liberty, which late  
Made my life happy; I, who used before  
To flee from Love (as fearful deer abhor  
The following huntsman) suddenly became  
(Like all my fellow-servants) calm and tame:  
And viewed the travels, wrestlings, and the smart,  
The crooked bypaths, and the cozening Art  
That guides the amorous flock: then whilst mine eye  
I cast on every corner, to espy  
Some Ancient or Modern who had proved  
Famous: I saw him, who had only loved  
Eurydice, and found out hell, to call  
Her dear Ghost back; he named her in his fall  
For whom he died. Alceus there was known  
Skilful in Love and verse: Anacreon  
Whose Muse sung nought but Love: Pindarus, he  
Was also there: there I might Virgil see:  
Many brave wits I found, some looser rhymes,  
By others Writ hath pleased the ancient times:  
Ovid was one: After Catullus came;  
Propertius next, his Elegies the name  
Of Cynthia bear: Tibullus, and the young  
Greek poetess, who is received among  
The noble Troup for her rare Saphick Muse.  
Thus looking here and there (as oft I use)  
I spied much people on a flowery plain,  
Amongst themselves disputes of Love maintain.  
Behold Beatrix with Dant; Selvagia, she  
Brought her Pistoyon Cin; Guiton may be  
Offended that he is the later named:  
Behold both Guidoes for their learning famed:  
Th' honest Bullonian: The Scicilians first  
Wrote Love in rhymes, but wrote their rhymes the worst.  
Francischin and Senuchio, (who all know)  
Were worthy and human: after did go  
A squadron of another garb and phrase,  
Of whom Arnaldo Daniel hath most praise,  
Great master in love's Art, his stile as new  
As sweet, honours his country: next, a few  
Whom Love did lightly wound; both Peter's made  
Two; one, the less Arnaldo: some have had  
A harder war; both the Rimbaldoes', th' one  
Sung Beatrix, though her quality was known  
Too much above his reach in Mont-ferrat.  
Alvernia's, old Piero, and Girault:  
Flocchetto, who from Genua was estranged  
And called Marsilian, he wisely changed  
His name, his state, and country, and did gain  
In all: Jeffray made haste to catch his bane  
With sails and oars: Guilliam too sweetly sung  
That pleasing Art, was cause he died so young.  
Amareg, Bernard, Hugo, and Anselm  
Were there, with thousands more, whose tongues were helm,  
Shield, sword and spear, all their offensive arms,  
And their defensive to prevent their harms.  
From those I turned, comparing my own woe,  
To view my countrey-folks; and there might know  
The good Thomasso, who did once adorn  
Boloigna, now Messina holds his urn.  
Ah vanished joys! Ah life too full of bane!  
How wert thou from mine eyes so quickly ta'en?  
Since without thee nothing is in my power  
To do; Where art thou from me at this hour?  
What is our life? If ought it bring of ease,  
A sick man's dream, a fable, told to please.  
Some few there from the common road did stray,  
Lelius and Socrates, with whom I may  
A longer progress take: O! what a pair  
Of dear esteemed friends to me they were!  
'Tis not my verse, nor prose, may reach their praise;  
Neither of these can naked virtue raise  
Above her own true place: with them I have  
Reached many heights; one yoke of learning gave  
Laws to our steps, to them my festered wound  
I oft have showed; no time or place I found  
To part from them; and hope, and wish we may  
Be undivided till my breath decay:  
With them I used (too early) to adorn  
My head with th' honoured branches, only worn  
For her dear sake I did so deeply love,  
Who filled my thoughts (but ah!) I daily prove,  
No fruit nor leaves from thence can gathered be;  
The root hath sharp and bitter been to me.  
For this I was accustomed much to vex,  
But I have seen that which my anger checks:  
(A theme for buskins, not a comic stage)  
She took the God, adored by the rage  
Of such dull fools, as he hath captive led:  
But first, I'll tell you what of us he made;  
Then from her hand what was his own sad fate:  
Which Orpheus or Homer might relate.  
His winged coursers o'er the ditches leapt,  
And we their way as desperately kept,  
Till he had reached where his mother reigns,  
Nor would he ever pull or turn the reigns;  
But scoured o'er woods and mountains, none did care  
Nor could discern in what strange world they were.  
Beyond the place, where old Aegeus mourns,  
An island lies, Phoebus none sweeter burns,  
Nor Neptune ever bathed a better shore:  
About the midst a beauteous hill, with store  
Of shades and pleasing smells, so fresh a spring  
As drowns all manly thoughts: this place doth bring  
Venus much joy; 't was given her Deity,  
Ere blind man knew a truer god than she:  
Of which original it yet retains  
Too much, so little goodness there remains,  
That it the vicious doth only please,  
Is by the virtuous shunned as a disease.  
Here this fine Lord insulteth o'er us all  
Tied in a chain, from Thule to Ganges fall.  
Griefs in our breasts, vanity in our arms;  
Fleeting delights are there, and weighty harms:  
Repentance swiftly following to annoy:  
(Such Tarquin found it, and the bane of Troy)  
All that whole valley with the echoes rung  
Of running brooks, and birds that gently sung:  
The banks were clothed in yellow, purple, green,  
Scarlet and white, their pleasing springs were seen;  
And gliding streams amongst the tender grass,  
Thickets and soft winds to refresh the place.  
After when Winter maketh sharp the air,  
Warm leaves, and leisure, sports, and gallant cheer  
Enthrall low minds. Now th' equinox hath made  
The day t' equal the night; and Progne had  
With her sweet sister, each their old task ta'en:  
(Ah! how the faith in Fortune placed is vain!)  
Just in the time, and place, and in the hour  
When humble tears should earthly joys devour,  
It pleased him, whom th' vulgar honour so,  
To triumph over me; and now I know  
What miserable servitude they prove,  
What ruin, and what death, that fall in Love.  
Errors, dreams, paleness waiteth on his chair,  
False fancies o'er the door, and on the stair  
Are slipry hopes, unprofitable gain,  
And gainful loss; such steps it doth contain,  
As who descend, may boast their fortune best:  
Who most ascend, most fall: a wearied rest,  
And resting trouble, glorious disgrace;  
A duskish and obscure illustriousness;  
Unfaithful loyalty, and cozening faith,  
That nimble fury, lazy reason hath:  
A prison, whose wide ways do all receive,  
Whose narrow paths a hard retiring leave:  
A steep descent, by which we slide with ease,  
But find no hold our crawling steps to raise:  
Within confusion, turbulence, annoy  
Are mixed; undoubted woe, and doubtful joy:  
Vulcano, where the sooty Cyclops dwell;  
Lyparis, Strombolli, nor Mongibel,  
Nor Ischia have more horrid noise and smoke:  
He hates himself that stoops to such a yoke.  
Thus were we all thronged in so strait a cage,  
I changed my looks and hair, before my age,  
Dreaming on liberty (by strong desire  
My soul made apt to hope) and did admire  
Those gallant minds, enslaved to such a woe,  
(My heart within my breast dissolved like snow  
Before the sun) as one would sideways cast  
His eye on pictures, which his feet hath past.  
The end of the fourth Chapter.   

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE FOURTH CHAPTER.  
EVridice, 13. line.] Eurydice was wife to Orpheus a famous Greek Poet, who made a journey to Hell for her after her death, and having recovered her from Pluto, on condition he should not look back, lost her by breaking his promise. He hated marriage ever after, for which, or for his unnatural Love to boys, he was killed by women at a sacrifice, and they say, named his wife after his head was off.  
Alceus, 15. line.] An excellent, but lascivious Greek Poet, Italian Commentar.  
Anacreon, 16. line.] Another Greek Poet. Italian Commentar.  
Pindarus, 17. line.] An excellent Greek Poet, Italian Commentar.  
Virgil, 18. line.] The Prince of Latin Poets, who knows him not? It seems he was also in Love, Italian Commentar.  
Ovid, Catullus, Propertius and Tibullus, 21. 22. and 23. lines.] All Latin Poets, and all Lovers. Italian Commentar.  
Greek poetess, 24. line.] Sappho, she first invented those verses called sapphics after her: a better poetess than a woman, Italian Commentar.  
Dant, 29. line.] An Italian Poet, whose Mistress name was Beatrix. Italian Commentary.  
Pistoyan Cin, 30. line.] Cin of Pistoia, another Italian Poet, whose Mistress was named Selvagia.  
Guiton may, 30. line.] Guiton was the best Italian Poet of his time: and therefore Petrarch thinks he should have had the first place here. Italian Commentar.  
Guidoes', 32. line.] They were two Italian Poets of one name. Italian Commentar.  
Sicilians, 33. line.] They were the first inventors of rhymes, and those very rude ones. Italian Commentar.  
Francischin and Senuchio, 35. line.] Two Italian Poets, friends to Petrarch. Italian Commentar.  
A squadron, 37. line.] Here follows a troup of obscure provincial Poets. Italian Commentar.  
Peter's, 41. line.] Two unconstant rhyming Lovers, of whom there cannot be much said to much purpose, only they with Arnaldo Daniel, and the lesser Arnaldo were provincial, Italian Commentary.  
Rimbaldoes', 43. line.] There were two Poets of that name: The first loved two or three Mistresses, and made verses, &c. The other loved but one, named Beatrix, Countess of Mont-ferrat, Italian Commentary.  
Alvernia's, old Piero, 46. line.] A good Poet that lived long: so there hath been three Peter's in all.  
Girault, 46. line.] Another provincial Poet, but I know not why he should be here, since I cannot learn that he had either Wife or Mistress, Italian commentary.  
Flocchetto, 47. line.] he was a merchant's son in Genua, but being of a good spirit, he traveled, and changed his country; from whence he was called Marsilian: he turned religious at last, for discontent in love: he was also a Poet, Italian commentary.  
Jeffray, 50. line] Jeffray Ruder, he fell in love with the Countess of Tripola, by report, and making a sea-voyage to see her, fell sick by the way: after he was landed, the Lady came to visit him, he not being able to visit her, by which good fortune, well satisfied, he died presently after, Italian Commentary.  
Guilliam, line, 51.] Guilliam Gabesten of Rosiglion, loving, and too much loved of a Lady, named Sorismonda, wife to Raimond, Lord of a principal place in that country: his fine verses discovered their Love to her Husband, who killing him, caused dress his heart, and made her eat it, than told her what it was: she gave him a bitter answer; with which, enraged, he drew his sword upon her, who leaping over a balcony to shun his fury, died of the fall, Italian commentary.  
Amareg, 53. line.] There were two poetical Lovers of that name.  
Bernard, 53. line.] An amorous Poet, who turned religious at last, Italian commentary.  
Hugo, 53. line.] A pleasing Poet▪ much respected for his Art, but an ill Menager and died poor, Italian commentary.  
Anselm, 53. line.] A worse Poet, and worse Menager than the other, Italian Commentary.  
Thomasso, 59 line.] A Poet, and friend to Petrarch, who studied with him in Bolognia: it seems he died, and was buried in Messiana, Italian Commentar.  
Lelius and Socrates, 63. line.] They were two friends to Petrarch. Italian Commentary.  
Many heights, 74. line.] That is, they found out many mysteries of Learning, in their common studies, Italian Commentar.  
My head with th' honoured branches, 80. line.] His Mistress, her name being Lauretta, he wore laurel Garlands (as Emblems of her) sooner than he thought, his poesy deserved that honour.  
For buskins, 87. line.] Because of the subject: Laurettas' war with Cupid, being both tragical, for she made him prisoner, and magestic, in regard of the dignity of the victress, and powerfulness of the enemy: the Tragedians, understood here by buskins (a kind of feet, or leg-ornament which they wore) using a more grave and weighty stile then the comic, Italian Commentar,  
Orpheus or Homer, 92. line.] Two of the best Greek Poets.  
Aegeus mourns, 99 line.] The Aegean Sea, called so from Aegeus father to Theseus, and King of Athens, who drowned himself there, thinking his son was dead.  
Tarquin, 116. line.] Tarquin ravished Lucrece, which was the ruin of his father's house, and made the Government be changed: a known History.  
Bane of Troy, 116. line] Paris, who caused the destruction of Troy, by carrying away Helen wife to Menelaus.  
Progne, 126. line.] The Swallow, her task is to build in the spring.  
Her sweet sister, 127. line.] Philomel, or the Nightingale: her case is to sing, or mourn if you will.  
Time and place, 129. line.] Good-friday in the Church, and at mass as it should seem; but the Italian Commentary in the life of Petrarch, contests much to prove that it was in the fields, that he see her by hazard, as he and she were both going to visit the Church of Saint Varan, it was Good-friday however.  
Vulcanus, 151. line.] Vulcanus or Vulcano, Lyparis, Strombolli, Mongibell, and Ischia, all burning Islands and Mountains in the Mediterran Sea.  
sideways cast, 161. line.] The place seemeth imperfect, but is not, for he compareth himself in his last contemplation of the misery of Lovers after his experience, (which he had not much heeded before) to a man, who neglecteth a piece of rare work or picture, by haste or other thoughts; and when he is past, considers it more seriously, either standing still▪ or going on with his eye fixed on it.   
The End of the Triumph of Love.   

THE TRIUMPH OF chastity: Written by PETRARCH, AND TRANSLATED Out of Italian, BY Mris ANNA HUME.  
Edinburgh, Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty, 1644.   

THE TRIUMPH OF chastity.  

CHAP. I.  
The Argument.  
Chastity binds the winged god,  
And makes him subject to her rod.  
WHen to one yoke at once I saw the height  
Of Gods and men subdued by Cupid's might;  
I took example from their cruel fate,  
And by their sufferings eased my own hard state:  
Since Phoebus and Leander felt like pain,  
The one a God, the other but human.  
One fnare catched June, and the Carthage Dame,  
(Her husband's death prepared her funeral flame,  
'Twas not a cause that Virgil maketh one)  
I need not grieve, that unprepared, alone,  
Unarmed, and young, I did receive a wound,  
Or that my enemy no hurt hath found  
By Love; or that she clothed him in my sight,  
And took his wings, and marred his winding flight:  
No angry Lions send more hideous noise  
From their beat breasts, nor clashing thunders voice  
Rends heaven, frights Earth, and roareth through the air  
With greater force, than Love had raised, to dare  
Encounter her, of whom I write; and she  
As quick and ready to assail, as he:  
Enceladus when Aetna most he shakes,  
Nor angry Scylla, nor Charybdis makes  
So great and frightful noise, as did the shock  
Of this (first doubtful) battle, none could mock  
Such earnest war; all drew them to the height  
To see what mazed their hearts, and dimmed their sight.  
Victorious Love a threatning dart did show  
His right hand held; the other bore a bow,  
The string of which he drew just by his ear;  
No Leopard could chase a frighted deer  
(Free, or broke loose) with quicker speed, than he  
Made haste to wound; fire sparkled from his eye:  
I burned, and had a combat in my breast,  
Glad t' have her company, yet 'twas not best  
(Methought) to see her lost, but 'tis in vain  
T' abandon goodness, and of fate complain:  
Virtue her servants never will forsake,  
As now 'twas seen, she could resistance make:  
No Fencer ever better warded blow,  
Nor Pilot did to shore more wisely row  
To shun a shelf, then with undaunted power  
She waved the stroke of this sharp conqueror.  
Mine eyes and heart were watchful to attend,  
In hope the victory would that way bend  
It ever did; and that I might no more  
Be barred from her; as one, whose thoughts, before  
His tongue hath uttered them, you well may see  
Writ in his looks; O! if you victor be  
Great Sir, (said I) let her and me be bound  
Both with one yoke; I may be worthy found,  
And will not set her free, doubt not my faith:  
When I beheld her with disdain and wrath  
So filled, that to relate it, would demand  
A better Muse than mine: Her virtuous hand  
Had quickly quenched those guilded fiery darts,  
Which dipped in beauty's pleasure, poison hearts.  
Neither Camilla, nor the warlike host,  
That cut their breasts, could so much valour boast;  
Nor Caesar in Pharsalia fought so well,  
As she 'gainst him, who pierceth coats of mail;  
All her brave virtues armed, attended there,  
(A glorious troup!) and marched pair by pair:  
Honour and blushes first in rank; the two  
Religious virtues make the second row;  
(By those she other women doth excel)  
Prudence, and Modesty, the twins that dwell  
Together, both were lodged in her breast;  
Glory and Perseverance ever blessed:  
Fair Entertainment, Providence without,  
Sweet courtesy and pureness round about▪  
Respect of credit, fear of infamy;  
Grave thoughts in youth, and what not oft agree,  
True chastity, and rarest beauty; these  
All came 'gainst Love, and this the heavens did please  
And every generous soul in that full height,  
He had no power left to bear the weight!  
A thousand famous prizes hardly gained  
She took; and thousand ●lorious palms obtained,  
shaken from his hands; the fall was not more strange  
Of Hannibal, when Fortune pleased to change  
Her mind, and on the Roman youth bestow  
The favours he enjoyed; nor was he so  
Amazed, who frighted th' Isralitish host  
Struck by the Hebrew boy, that quit his boast▪  
Nor Cirus more astonished at the fall  
The Jewish widow gave his general:  
As one that sickens suddenly, and fears  
His life, or as a man ta'en unawares  
In some base act, and doth the finder hate;  
Just so was he, or in a worse estate:  
Fear, grief and shame, and anger in his face  
Were seen, no troubled Seas more rage, the place  
Where huge Typheus' groans; nor Aetna when  
Her Giant sighs, were moved as he was then.  
I pass by many noble things I see;  
(To write them, were too hard a task for me)  
To her and those that did attend, I go;  
Her armour was a robe more white than snow;  
And in her hand a shield like his she bare  
Who slew Medusa, a fair pillar there  
Of Jasp was fixed, and with a chain (first wet  
In Lethe flood) of Jewels fitly set,  
Diamonds mixed with Topasses (of old  
'Twas worn by Ladies, now 'tis not) first hold  
She catched, then bound him fast, than such revenge  
She took, as might suffice▪ my thoughts did change;  
And I who wished him victory before,  
Was satisfied, he now could hurt no more.  
I cannot in my rhymes the names contain  
Of blessed Maids that did make up her train▪  
Calliope nor Clio could suffice,  
Nor all the other seven for th' enterprise▪  
Yet some I will insert may justly claim  
Precedency of others. Lucrece came  
On her right hand: Penelope was by,  
Those broke his bow, and made his arrows lie  
Split on the ground, and pulled his plumes away  
From off his wings: after Virginia  
Near her vexed father, armed with wrath and hate,  
Fury, and ir'n and Love, he freed the state  
And her from slavery, with a manly blow:  
Next were those barbarous women, who could show  
They judged it better die, then suffer wrong  
To their rude chastity: the wise and strong  
The chaste Hebraean Judith, followeth these;  
The Greek that saved her honour in the Seas.  
With these and other famous souls I see  
Her Triumph over him, who used to be  
Master of all the world: Amongst the rest  
The vestal nun I spied, who was so blessed  
As by a wonder to preserve her fame.  
Next came Hersilia the Roman Dame  
(Or Sabine rather) with her valorous train,  
Who prove all flanders on that sex are vain.  
Than 'mongft the foreign Ladies, she whose faith  
T' her husband (not Aeneas) caused her death;  
The vulgar ignorant may hold their peace,  
Her safety to her chastity gave place;  
Dido I mean, whom no vain passion led,  
(As fame belies her) last, the virtuous maid  
Retired to Aruns, who no rest could find,  
Her friends constraining power forced her mind;  
The Triumph thither went, where salt waves wet  
The Bayan shore, eastward; her foot she set  
There on firm land, and did Avernus leave  
On the one hand, on th' other sibyl's Cave,  
So to Lencernus Marched, the Village where  
The noble African lies buried; there  
The great news of her Triumph did appear  
As glorious to the eye, as to the ear,  
The fame had been; and the most chaste did show  
Most beautiful; it grieved Love much to go  
Another's prisoner, exposed to scorn,  
Who to command whole Empires seemed borne.  
Thus to the chiefest City all were led,  
Entering the Temple which Sulpitia made  
Sacred; it drives all madness from the mind;  
And chastities pure Temple next we find,  
Which in brave souls doth modest thoughts beget,  
Not by Plebeians entered, but the great  
Patrician Dames; there were the spoils displayed  
Of the fair victress; there her palms she laid,  
And did commit them to the Tuscan youth,  
Whose marring scars bear witness of his truth:  
With others more, whose names I fully knew,  
(My guide instructed me) that overthrew  
The power of Love: 'mongst whom of all the rest,  
Hyppolito and Joseph were the best.  
The end of this Chapter.   

ANNOTATIONS Upon the Triumph of chastity.  
PHoebus and Leander, 5. line.] Phoebus loved Daphne, and Leander Hero.  
Juno, 7. line.] Juno loved Jupiter so much, that she was troublesomly jealous, if she can be called jealous, that had so much wrong.  
Carthage dame, 7. line.] Dido, she burned herself in her husband's funeral pile, lest she should be compelled to marry an importunate suitor, or bring war on her country.  
Camilla, 57 line.] She was Queen of the Amazons: it is said, they cut off their right breasts, that they might shoot with the more ease.  
Caesar in Pharsalia, 59 line.] That famous battle, in which he overcame Pompey the great and made way to the Empire.  
Religious virtues, 64. line.] Faith and Hope, Italian commentary.  
The twins, 69. line.] Justice and Fortitude, Italian commentary.  
The Roman youth, 81. line.] Scipio, who overcame Hannibal.  
Typheus' groans, 95. line.] Typheus' was one of the Giants that warred with heaven: there was a mountain thrown upon him, under which when he groans, it sends forth smoke, fire, and stones▪ with great noise.  
Nor Aetna, 95. line.] Another mountain, which was cast upon Enceladus another Giant: the smoke and fire of all these burning mountains, proceeds from the Giants that lie oppressed under them.  
Slew Medusa, 100 line.] The shield of Perseus▪ which turned all that beheld it, to stones.  
Jasp. 101. line.] Jasp hath a quality to make one chaste.  
Lethe flood, 103. line] forgetfulness, an excellent cure for Love, and the toothache.  
Diamonds, &c. 104. line.] Diamonds is thought maketh the wearers constant: Topasses make chaste, for which two causes they were worn by Ladies of old; but I hope they are not needful now.  
Calliope, &c. 112. 113. line.] the nine Muses.  
Lucrece, 114. line.] A known Story, she killed herself after Tarquin had ravished her.  
Penellope, 115. line] The chaste wife of Ulysses.  
Virginia, 118. line.] Virginia being a beautiful young Maid▪ was adjudged a bondwoman by Appius Claudius, that he might obtain his own base ends: her father seeing no other way to preserve her liberty and chastity, killed her, which occasioned the alteration of that government, by which Appius had his power, and gave liberty to the people.  
Judged it better die, 123. line.] Their husbands, fathers▪ brothers, &c. being killed and chased by Marius, they hanged themselves, Italian commentary.  
The Greek, &c. 126. line.] Hippo a Grecian maid▪ who being embarked against her will by one who intended to dishonour her, leapt in to the Sea, and drowned herself, Italian commentary.  
The vestal nun, 130 line.] Called Tucia, who cleared herself from a false accusation, by carrying water in a sive.  
Hirsilia, 132. line.] Wife to Romulus, she with the other Roman wives, all Sabine women, who had been stolen from their kindred, seeing their husband's ready to fight with their fathers, brothers, cousins, &c. ran in betwixt them, and opposing themselves to the naked swords, stayed the fury of the fight, brought them to a parley, and so to an agreement.  
Dido I mean, 139. line.] Petrarch it seems was much troubled at the wrong done to Dido, by Virgil; who to honour his Aeneas, will needs have it, that she forfeit her honour to him, when in true History, it is known he never see her: this he glanceth at in her defence three several times, for which I thank him.  
Retired to Arnus, 141. line.] One Piccarda, who rendered herself a nun, but was taken out by her friends, and compelled to marry, Italian Commentar.  
Baian shore, 144. line.] Baiae, is a city in Campania, called so from the hot baths that are in it: it lieth alongst the Coast of the Mediterran sea, southeast from the mouth of Tiber, and giveth name to the Bay near it, where Lauretta landed.  
Avernus, 145. line.] A great Lake near Baiae.  
sibyl's cave, 146. line.] A cave not far from Avernus, where Sibylla called Cumea, was wont to give her answers.  
Linternum, 147. line.] A little Village in Campania, honoured by the death and burial of the elder Scipio.  
By Sulpitia, 156. line.] Sulpitia was a virtuous and learned Lady of Rome, who lived and wrote in the time of Domitian: it seemeth she hath been chosen to dedicate that Temple or Altar to Venus▪ which hath power to curb unreasonable passions, for the chastest women did worship Venus for that end, belike as the Indians worship the Devil.  
Tuscan youth, 163. line.] A beautiful young man▪ who pitying the miseries of those women that doted on him, and wearied with their importunities, marred his own face.  
My guide, 164. line.] His old Tuscan friend, who described The Triumph of Love to him ere he was one of the train▪ doth now describe The Triumph of chastity.  
Hippolito and Joseph, 169. line.] Hippolito rejected the unlawful Love of his stepmother, and Joseph the solicitation of his Master's wife.    

THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH: Written by PETRARCH, AND TRANSLATED Out of Italian, BY Mris ANNA HUME.  
Edinburgh, Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty, 1644.   

THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH.  

CHAP. I.  
The Argument.  
Lauretta meeting cruel Death,  
Mildly resigns her noble Breath.  
THe glorious Maid, whose soul to Heaven is gone  
And left the rest cold earth, she who was grown  
A pillar of true valour, and had gained  
Much honour by her victory, and chained  
That God which doth the world with terror bind,  
Using no armour but her own chaste mind:  
A fair aspect, coy thoughts, and words well weighed,  
Sweet modesty to these gave friendly aid.  
It was a miracle on earth to see  
The bow and arrows of the deity,  
And all his armour broke, who erst had slain  
Such numbers, and so many captive ta'en:  
The fair Dame from the noble fight withdrew  
With her choice company, they were but few,  
And made a little troup, true virtue's rare,  
Yet each of them did by herself appear  
A theme for Poems, and might well incite  
The best Historian: they bore a white  
Unspotted Ermine, in a field of green,  
About whose neck a Topas chain was seen  
Set in pure gold; their heavenly words and gate  
Expressed them blessed were borne for such a fate.  
Bright stars they seemed, she did a Sun appear,  
Who darkened not the rest, but made more clear  
Their splendour; honour in brave minds is found:  
This troup with Violets and Roses crowned,  
Cheerfully Marched, when lo, I might espy  
Another ensign dreadful to mine eye,  
A Lady clothed in black, whose stern looks were  
With horror filled, and did like hell appear,  
advanced, and said, You who are proud to be  
So fair and young, yet have no eyes to see  
How near you are your end, behold, I am  
She, whom they, fierce, and blind, and cruel name,  
Who meet untimely deaths; 'ttwas I did make  
Greece subject, and the Roman Empire shake▪  
My piercing sword sacked Troy, how many rude  
And barbarous people are by me subdued?  
Many ambitious, vain, and amorous thought  
My unwisht presence hath to nothing brought▪  
Now am I come to you, while yet your state  
Is happy, ere you feel a harder fate.  
On these you have no power, she then replied,  
Who had more worth than all the world beside,  
And little over me; but there is one  
Who will be deeply grieved when I am gone,  
His happiness doth on my life depend,  
I shall find freedom in a peaceful end.  
As one who glancing with a sudden eye  
Some unexpected object doth espy;  
Then looks again, and doth his own haste blame:  
So in a doubting pause, this cruel dame  
A little stayed, and said, The rest I call  
To mind, and know I have o'ercome them all:  
Then with less fierce aspect, she said, Thou guide  
Of this fair crew, hast not my strength assayed,  
Let her advise, who may command, prevent  
Decrepit age, 'tis but a punishment;  
From me this honour thou alone shalt have,  
Without or fear or pain, to find thy grave,  
As he shall please, who dwelleth in the Heaven  
And rules on earth, such portion must be given  
To me, as others from thy hand receive:  
She answered then; a far we might perceive  
Millions of dead heaped on th' adjacent plain,  
No verse nor prose may comprehend the slain  
Did on death's Triumph wait, from India,  
From Spain, and from Morocco, from Cathai,  
And all the skirts of th' earth they gathered were,  
Who had most happy lived, attended there;  
Popes, Emperors, nor Kings, no ensigns wore  
Of their past height, but naked showed and poor.  
Where be their riches, where their precious gems,  
Their mitres, sceptres, robes and Diadems?  
O miserable men, whose hopes arise  
From worldly joys, yet be there few so wise  
As in those trifling follies not to trust;  
And if they be deceived in end 'tis just:  
Ah, more than blind, what gain you by your toil  
You must return once to your mother's soil,  
And after times your names shall hardly know,  
Nor any profit from your labour grow;  
All those strange countries by your warlike stroke  
Submitted to a tributary yoke;  
The fuel erst of your ambitious fire,  
What help they now? the vast and bad desire  
Of wealth and power at a bloody rate  
Is wicked, better bread and water eat  
With peace; a wooden dish doth seldom hold  
A poisoned draught, glass is more safe than gold;  
But for this theme a larger time will ask,  
I must betake me to my former task.  
The fatal hour of her short life drew near,  
That doubtful passage which the world doth fear;  
Another company, who had not been  
Freed from their earthy burden there were seen,  
To try if prayers could appease the wrath,  
Or stay th' inexorable hand of death.  
That beauteous crowd conveen'd to see the end  
Which all must taste; each neighbour, every friend  
Stood by, when grim death with her hand took hold,  
And pulled away one only hair of gold.  
Thus from the world this fairest flower is ta'en  
To make her shine more bright, not out of spleen:  
How many moaning plaints, what store of cries  
Were uttered there, when fate shut those fair eyes  
For which so oft I sung; whose beauty burned  
My tortured heart so long; whiles others mourned  
She pleased, and quiet did the fruit enjoy  
Of her blessed life; farewell, without annoy,  
True Saint on earth, said they; so might she be  
Esteemed, but nothing bats death's cruelty.  
What shall become of others, since so pure  
A body did such heats and colds endure,  
And changed so often in so little space?  
Ah worldly hopes, how blind you be, how base?  
If since I bathe the ground with flowing tears  
For that mild soul, who sees it witness bears;  
And thou who readest Mayst judge she fettered me.  
The sixt of April, and did set me free  
On the same day and month: O! how the way  
Of fortune is unsure, none hates the day  
Of slavery, or of death, so much as I  
Abhor the time which wrought my liberty,  
And my too-lasting life; it had been just  
My greater age had first been turned to dust,  
And paid to time, and to the world the debt  
I owed, than earth had kept her glorious state:  
Now at what rate I should the sorrow prize  
I know not, nor have Art that can suffice  
The sad affliction▪ to relate in verse  
Of these fair Dames, that wept about her hearse▪  
Courtesy, virtue, beauty, all are lost,  
What shall become of us? none else can boast  
Such high perfection, no more we shall  
Hear her wise words, nor the angelical  
Sweet music of her voice; whiles thus they cried  
The parting spirit doth itself divide  
With every virtue from the noble breast,  
As some grave hermit, seeks a lonely rest:  
The heavens' were clear, and all the ambient air  
Without a threatning Cloud, no adversaire  
Durst once appear, or her calm mind affright;  
Death singly did herself conclude the fight;  
After, when fear, and the extremest plaint  
Were ceased, th' attentive eyes of all were bent,  
On that fair face, and by despair became  
Secure; she who was spent, not like a flame  
By force extinguished, but as lights decay,  
And undiscerned waste themselves away:  
Thus went the soul in peace, so lamps are spent,  
As the oil fails which gave them nourishment;  
In sum, her countenance you still might know  
The same it was, not pale, but white as snow,  
Which on the tops of hills in gentle fleakes  
falls in a calm, or as a man that takes  
Desired rest, as if her lovely sight  
Were closed with sweetest sleep, after the spirit  
Was gone. If this be that fools call to die,  
Death seemed in her exceeding fair to be.  
The end of the first Chapter.   

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH.  
NOble fight, line, 13.] Her fight with Cupid: See above in the Triumph of chastity.  
Choice Company, 14. line.] The Ladies that had been virtuous before her time, and now waited on her Triumph, Lucrece, Penelope, &c.  
They bore a white, 18. line.] Their ensign, a white Ermine in a green field, with a chain of Topasses set in pure gold: the white Ermine was an emblem of innocency: The Topasses of Chastity: and the pure gold of tried virtue.  
On these 43. line.] Meaning the other Ladies that waited on her, because they were all dead long before.  
There is one, 45. line.] Petrarch, whom she thought would be more hurt by her death then herself, in regard of his extreme affection.  
Another Company, 95. line.] The former Company who were dead, could not be sorry for her death, because she would be nearer them, but another company of Ladies, her friends and neighbours, came to pray that death would let her stay longer amongst them.  
One only hair, 102. line.] Alluding to the purple hair on the head of Nisus, which his daughter stole, because he could not die whiles he wore it, as if Lauretta had had such another: or as if everybody had one: See above in the Triumph of Love, 2. Chap. 155. line.  
No adversary, 142. line.] No wicked spirit, meaning, that she was troubled with no apparitions at her death.   

CHAP. II.  
The Argument.  
The happy spirit doth descend  
To comfort her afflicted friend.  
THat night which followed the too-sad decay  
Of my best sun, whiles it was yet full day:  
(Whence I remain as blind) the Summer dew  
Slides through the air, and fair Titonia now  
Bestows true dreams, (when like the growing year)  
A Lady (Crowned with orient gems) drew ne'er:  
(With whom a thousand other crowns did move)  
And stretching forth that object of my love,  
Her hand; she spoke, from whose sweet words did flow  
Joy to my soul, and said, do you not know  
Her, who hath raised your thoughts above the strain  
Of the low vulgar, as her love did gain  
Place in your heart, then with a sober look  
She set herself and me, close by a brook  
O'er shadowed with a laurel and a beach:  
Like one whose weeping interrupts his speech:  
Must I not know the soul maintains my breath;  
But do you live, or are ta'en hence by death?  
I answered, Pray instruct; I live said she,  
And you are dead, till you be joined with me:  
But time is short, though we desire it long,  
Take my advice, and curb your flowing tongue:  
The day approacheth fast, my sad reply  
Was this: Ah say, is it much pain to die?  
You lately tried and knew, you'll ne'er obtain  
True happiness, she said, if you remain  
In this so blind and common error; know,  
Death is the end of prison and dark woe  
To well-bred souls, doth only terror prove  
To those that place on earthy dross their love;  
And even my death which doth my soul annoy,  
Could you conceive the least part of my joy,  
Would make you happy (having fixed her eye,  
Whiles thus she spoke, devoutly on the sky)  
Then closed her rosy lips, and silent stayed▪  
Sickness and tyrant's cruelty have made  
Death bitter, I replied; 'Tis true, said she,  
The pains we feel before death bitter be,  
And hellish torments worse; but he whose mind  
Is stayed by heavenly hopes, shall truly find,  
Though weak and wearied, this last step a short  
Sigh, and no more; as I drew near the Port,  
My body weak, my soul did much rejoice;  
Yet heard the whispering of mourning voice;  
Alas, for him who reckons every day  
A thousand years, and still in vain doth stay  
On earth, and never more must see her face  
On Sea or Land, and filleth every place  
With that one theme, and findeth no delight  
Of aught but her, to think, or speak, or write.  
My sight I that way turned, from whence mine ear  
Received the sound, and saw 'twas she whose care  
Used to incite my Love, and temper thine:  
Her face and speech I knew, oft her divine  
Wise counsels, healing cordials were to me,  
With honest mirth and cheerful gravity;  
When I with most felicity was blessed  
In my first prime, and when thou lov'dst me best:  
When thy praise famed me most, even than my life  
Was little better than a bitter strife,  
Compared with that sweet death, which few obtain;  
No banished man called to his home again  
Is more joyed, than this passage pleased me:  
But for the pity that I had of thee  
I do adjure thee, by that faithful Love  
Thou knewst on earth, but better know'st above;  
Did ever Love, said I, beget in thee  
One thought to pity my long misery,  
Not wronging thy great mind; the sweet disdain,  
Sweet mildness of your looks in doubtful pain,  
Hath held my wishes long; ere I had said  
The words, a lightning smile, such as oft paid  
And eased the sadness of my wounded heart  
I saw: Then she replied; Nothing could part  
My soul from thine, nor shall; but' tdid behoove  
With outward coldness to restrain thy love,  
No other way would have preserved our fame;  
A rod destroys not a kind mother's name:  
I studied to conceal my Love, such care  
And providence dwell not with hope and fear;  
My countenance you saw, but not my heart,  
I turned and stayed thy course with heedful Art▪  
As one would tame a horse: my cheeks have been  
Oft died with feigned wrath, when my heart within  
Was a whole fire of Love; yet reason still  
Kept her own place, and did command my will:  
But when I found thee overcharged with woe,  
I used my milder looks, preventing so  
Thy death, and my reproach; when I observed  
Thy passion grow too strong, I then reserved  
Myself, as if with grief or fear oppressed:  
These were my ensigns, and I found it best  
To mix disdains with favours, this your songs  
Have made already pass through many tongues;  
When I beheld the tears swim in thine eye,  
I said, Without my help, I fear he'll die:  
Then gave some modest aid; when you were bold,  
I said, he must be curbed: now pale and cold,  
Now warm and fresh, now sad, now full of joy,  
I kept thee safe, not without much annoy;  
Glad t' have thus finished, 'twere enough reward  
Could I believe't; thus trembling, as afeard,  
Not with dry eyes, I said, she made reply,  
Do you distrust, for what end should I lie;  
A little blushing, than went on, If to  
My partial eye, the world esteemed you:  
I held me quiet, being throughly blessed  
In that true-love knot locked within my breast:  
The fair report (if it be truth) I hear  
Thy praises have acquired me far and near,  
I much esteem, and never more did crave  
But moderation in thy love to have;  
That only wanted; whiles with signs of woe  
You would persuade what I did throughly know,  
To open view you did your heart expose:  
My coldness hence, hence your distemper rose:  
In other things we did like friends agree,  
Joined by a Love, from all base passions free;  
My heart was burnt with almost equal fire,  
At least, when once I knew thy strong desire▪  
But mine I hid, whiles yours was open laid:  
When you were hoarse, with having often prayed,  
For pity, I was silent, shame and fear  
Were cause my great Love did but small appear:  
Grief is of no less weight, because concealed,  
Nor more when by impatience 'tis revealed;  
Deceit doth not increase, nor yet impair  
A truth; But say, Was not my Love then clear  
When I received the lines you sent before  
Your face and song? My Love dares say no more.  
My heart was still with thee, though I restrained  
My looks; and you, as having wrong, complained,  
Because I gave the most part, and withdrew  
The least, yet was not that withheld from you;  
A thousand and a thousand times mine eye  
Was turned with pity on thy misery;  
And ever had continued still the same,  
But that I feared a danger in thy flame:  
And not to leave you in suspense, I'll show  
What I believe you will be glad to know;  
In all the rest I found a pleasing fate,  
Only for one cause I disliked my state▪  
My place of birth did to my thoughts appear  
Too mean, and I still grieve 'ttwas not more near  
Thy flowery seat, yet do I well approve  
Of any country where I had thy Love;  
Besides, the heart in which I place most trust,  
If me thou hadst not known, 'tis like it must  
Have elsewhere loved, so had I got less fame;  
You do mistake, my Love had been the same  
Where ever you had lived, my stars did raise  
Me to so high a flame, I said: much praise  
And honour have attended me, she said,  
How e'er it be, but I too long have stayed:  
Thy joy makes thee forget the wings of time,  
Aurora now brings day, the Sun doth climb  
Above the Ocean, from her golden bed;  
At last, about to part and leave me sad,  
She said, If you have aught besides make haste  
And end your speech before the time be past;  
All my past sufferings your kind words make light,  
I answered, But I grieve without your sight,  
And wish to know, if I am like to be  
Long here, or if I soon may follow thee:  
She going thus replied; I do believe,  
That without me on earth you long must live.  
The End of the Triumph of Death.   

ANNOTATIONS UPON THE SECOND CHAPTER OF THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH.  
BEst sun, 2. line.] Meaning Lauretta, who died in the midst of her age, being but 33. years old.  
Titania, 4. line.] Aurora the morning, called Titania from Titan, the sun, who lodgeth with her.  
True dreams, 5. line.] The morning dreams are held true, because the fancy is then most free from vapours.  
A Lady, 6. line.] Lauretta crowned, because she was now a Saint.  
Other crowns did move, 7. line.] Other crowned Saints that came along with her, belike he thought they must dote on her, as he did.  
do you live, &c. 18. line.] The Italian Commentary makes a long and needless discourse to defend the congruity of this place, as if all did not know that those who dream they see a dead person appear, as if alive, do ordinarily make such a doubt in their sleep.  
When I received, 129. line.] he had one time, as he used, sent her some of his verses, and coming himself just as they were presented to her, she received them in his presence, Italian Commentary.  
My Love dares say no more, 130. line.] She sung a song, beginning thus, for an undirect excuse of her reservation.  
Flowery seat, 145. line.] Florence.  
Of any country, &c. 146. line.] The sense here seemed clear to me, that Lauretta being well descended, but borne in Cabriers, an obscure village, she was only displeased with that particular; yet the honour of his love was recompense enough for that misfortune, and any place good enough where she had that honour: and if she had been borne near Florence, where he had his birth, she might have been unknown to him who had left it, his parents being chased from thence by a contrary faction; and if he had not seen her, it is like he might have loved another, so should she have missed that honour, to which Petrarch answers, That where ever she had been borne, he must needs have loved her, by the influence of his stars: but when I look on the Italian Commentary, I find he takes the meaning quite other ways, which I have expressed as near his sense as I can, thus: 
Thy flowery seat, for though I well approve  
Of that fair country where I had thy love:  
Yet might that heart, in which I trusted, stray  
To other beauties, and be turned away  
By this defect, so had I got less fame, &c.   
As if she had said her greatest misfortune was fear or jealousy, that he disliking the place in which she lived (though she thought it sweet enough) might change his affection, and be drawn to love some other▪ Let him that reads or compares, take the sense he approveth most.   
FINIS.   

Advertisement to the Reader.  
THe first title page should have told thee that all the three triumphs were translated out of the Italian, a circumstance I considered not then, since it is thought necessary to say so much, I will now say more: I never saw them, nor any part of them, in any other language but Italian, except the poor words in which I have clothed them. If they afford thee either profit or delight, I shall the more willingly bestow some of my few leisure hours on turning the other three Triumphs, of Fame, Time, and divinity or Heaven.  
Farewell.   

Errata.  
Page 19 line 13. read amasedly. p. 22. r. Massinissa was. p. 3●. l. 8. r. mixed, for mingled. p. 33. r. blows for wounds. p. 35. l. 15. del. now. p. 54. l. 5 r. provincial Poets. p. 65. l. 22. r. Linternum. p. 70. is figured false, in the 17. l. of it, read know for knew, and in the 22. l. r. thy foul for my soul.   

 
WHen first my light did shine, you liked me well.  
Now that is gone; you hate my loathsome smell;  
You with prolongers made me live, and art  
Preserved my light; but now Time acts his part,  
Triumphant Time, shows now my glass is run  
And all must end, that ever was begun:  
Envy hath played its part, and I do go  
To Coffin: as I do, all must do so.  
Time breathes a shrewd and life-bereaving blast,  
Yet upward flies my light, where it shall last.  
I'm glad to part from body, which I loved  
So dear, that many ways and arts I proved  
This mudwall to maintain, and body save,  
But yet in spite of me 'twill go to grave.  
This is my comfort, Body, that thy tomb  
Which is thy grave, shall be thy mother's womb  
To bring thee once again unto the light,  
And life, which death shall never know, or night:  
Then be content, though you and I depart:  
Yet Soul and Body still shall have one heart.  
And upward flies my soul, where it shall dwell,  
Beyond the reach of Envy, Death, or Hell.