BB# 
 
THE 
 
 Silkewormes, and 
 
 their Flies: 
 
 Liuely delcribed in verfe, by T. M . 
 a Corntric bar mar, and an ap* 
 
 prentice in Pliyfickc. 
 
 E or the great benefit and enriching of England. 
 
 Printed at London byV*S. for Nicholas Ling, and 
 arc to be fold at his (hop at the W eft ende of 
 Paules. i $ 9 9 * 
 
To themoft renowned Patroneflc, 
 
 and noble Njirfe of Learning 
 
 marie 
 
 Countefle of Penbrookc. 
 
 Rent enuies obietf, Worth & Wife doms pride. 
 Natures delight, Arcadia’s heire mftfitte, 
 youchfafe awbiletolay tby taske afide, 
 
 ' Let Pctrarke fleep,gmreftto Sacicd Writt& 
 Or bow e, or firing will breakejfeuertied , 
 
 Some little pawfe aidet h the quickeft witte: 
 
 Nay .beau ns themfelues( though kecpwgfiil their my) 
 Retro°radate t and make a kind of ft ay. 
 
 J neither fing Achilles baneful ire , 
 
 Nor Manner Armesmor Belly -brother swarres. 
 Nor Britaine broilcsjior citties drownd in fire , 
 Nor He&ors worn k,ncr Diomedts skarres, 
 
 Cea fe country Mu iefo highly to aft ire: 
 
 Our Plame beholds but cannot boldefucbfiarres: 
 Iouc -lotted Wittes may write of what they will > 
 But meaner I beams befeeme a Farmers quill. 
 
 J fing of little Wormes and tender Flies, 
 
 Crfepin e along, or basking on the ground, . 
 
 Graft once with thofe thy beau nly-humane eies. 
 Which neuer y et on meaneft fch oiler [round: 
 
 And able ate this worke to aternife , 
 
 From Baft t o Wifi a bout this lower Round, 
 F)eigM*d&Mi^^ o ft or he or lit tie flame 
 
 Of likeingfo enlifefor aye the fame. 
 
 Your H, eucr moft bounden, 
 T. lM. 
 
*£he Table. 
 
 1 ^/^Hen garments were firftvfed. 
 
 2 Whereof garments were firft made. 
 
 h 
 
 28 . 
 2 9 
 
 2 7 28 
 
 Fol. 2 
 
 - » miviv vi gmumiij were nrir maae. 5 
 
 3 Diuers opinions how and when Hike was firft inuented 
 andworne. 4 5 <5 7 8 p IO II 12 1? I4 I? 
 
 16 17 18 Ip 20. ^ 5 
 
 4 Whether the Silke-worrac or the Silke Flic were firft 
 
 created. 2 1 22 22 
 
 5 Whether the egge or the henne be fii ft in nature. 
 
 25 2tf 27. 
 
 ^ Why the hike flies are onely of a white colour. 
 
 7 What day of the weeke they were fir ft created. 
 
 30 31. 
 
 8 The rare vertues and chaft ity of Silke Flics. 
 
 33 38 
 
 P F hat they are not to be fcornd as being little and there- 
 fore contemned creatures. 34 35 
 
 I ° (5 .^ c ^J von ^ cr ^ u ^ -crea fc and propagation. 39 an d 
 
 II Their manner of dying. 40 
 
 1 2 r J^ att ^ eir e 8S cs arc morc WOr & then the egges of any 
 rlier : yea then the Philofophers egge^f there vvcrc any 
 
 t/tk • ' . 41 42 43 44 45 4* 47- 
 
 13 4.L ,rc SS csniu ft be kept in a temperate place. 48. 
 
 1 4 They arc not to be hatched til the Mulbcry tree buds. 
 50. 
 
 15 Why the Silke- wormes teeing crept eutofthe ftiel 
 
 rec dc on ely vpon Mulbery leaues. 51 ci 
 
 16 How long they feede V When their roeate is to be 
 
 gathered : In what quantity they are to be dieted. 55 . 
 
 17 I hat variety of meates is naught for them. *5 
 
 1 8 Their table is to be kept cleane. ^ 
 
 How thefickcaredifcerned. - * 
 
 IP Ofthcirfleepe: ~~****mJP*^^*s^ i 
 
 20 How they muft be diftributed when they grow great.’ 
 57* 
 
 21 The caufes of their fickndle. 
 
 \ 22 Signes 
 
The Table. 
 
 a 2 Signes of their readincflfe to w©rkc,aad how then they 
 mutt be vfed. - Co. 
 
 2g How long they worke. Cl. 
 
 24 When the wormes are rncfamorphofed into Flies.tfl. 
 2j When and how their Hike is Co be winded yp. 61. 
 
 2 6 The fotts and vie of their filken threede. 6 $ 6 \. 
 
 27 Howtlicireggcsarctobeprefcrued. Cj. 
 
 28 That the {like of Silke-wortnes is the beft ofal other. 
 
 6 S. 
 
 2 P What profit and pleafure arifeth in keeping of them. 
 71 72 75 74. 
 
 30 Keeping of Silke-wormes hindereth neither Shep- 
 hcard5,Spinflers,Wcaucrs,nor Clothiers. yj, 
 
 FINIS. 
 
!2*SS ' 
 
 Of the Silke wormes 
 
 and their Flics* 
 
 'Y dneian Mu fa : if fo thou yet remainc, 
 
 ;In brothers bowels, or in daughters breaft, 
 
 1 Or art bequeath'd the Lady of the pUina 9 
 Becau fo for her thou art the fitteft gueft: 
 
 Whofc worth to (hew, no mortall can attainc. 
 
 Which with like worth is not himfelfe poiTefl: 
 
 Comehclp me ling thefe flocks as white as milke. 
 
 That make, and fpinne,and die,and windle hike. 
 
 ,1lY.*nny? : V.doti -.'sd t; ^ ’v,» fh 
 
 Fbt fore I know thy knowledge doth perceiue. 
 
 What breth embreath’d thefe almofl: thingics things; 
 
 What Artift taught their fcctc to fpionc and wcaue; 
 
 What workman made their (lime a robe forkings. 
 
 How flies breed wormcs,how wormes do flies con-' 
 
 Fio natures womb,how fuch a nature fprings,(ceiue: 
 
 Whereof none can dirc&ly tell or reede, 
 
 Whether were firft,the flic, the worme, or fcedc. 
 
 A time there was (Twccte heau ns reftorc that time,) 
 
 When bodyes pure to fpotlcfle foules firft knit, 
 
 Deupyd of guilt, and ignorant of crime, 
 
 V pright in conscience, and of harmelcfTe wit, 
 
 Difdaiod to weare a garment nere fo fine. 
 
 As deeming coates and couers moflvnfit, 
 
 Where nothing eie could fee, or finger touch. 
 
 Which uod himfelfe did not for good auouch . $ t, 
 
 B Yea 
 
 \ 
 
2 
 
 Yca,w hen all other creatures looked bale. 
 
 As mindful oncly of their earthly foodc: 
 
 Or elfc as trembling to behold the place. 
 
 Where iudge ctcrnall fate, and Angels (food: 
 
 Then humane eyes beheld him face to face. 
 
 And chcekes vnftain’d with fumes of guiltic bloud* 
 Dcftr’d no naaskc to hide their blufhing ballcs. 
 But boldly gaz’d and pried on hcau’nly walles. 
 
 Thcbrcaft which yet had hatcht no baddeconceat. 
 Nor harbor'd ought in heart that God difplcaz’d. 
 Did it for filken walfcotes then intreate? 
 
 Sought it with Tyrian filks to be appeaz’d? 
 No,no, there was no needc of fuch a fcatc. 
 
 Where all was found,and members none difeaz’ck 
 Nay more,Thcbafe(f parts and fcates oflharoc* 
 Were feemely then, and had a comely name. 
 
 ^ But when felfe-will and fubtile creepers guile. 
 
 Made man to luff, and taftc what God forbad, 
 Thenfecm’dwe toourfelues fo foulc and vile* 
 That fhaight we wiftit our bodies to be clad. 
 
 Seeing without,and in fuch great defile. 
 
 As reft our wittes,and made vs al fo mad: 
 
 That werefemblcd melancholique hares. 
 
 Or fording Aaggcs, whom cuerie (hadow fcarcsi 
 
 Then 
 
and their Flies. t 
 
 Then Bcdlam-likc to woods wee ratine apace. 
 
 Praying each tree to lend vs (hade or lcaucs. 
 Wherewith to hidc(ifought might hide) our face 
 From his at- feeing eycs.who al perceaucs. 
 
 And with ful-brandilht fword purfues thechace. 
 Traitors of reft, of fhadc,and al bereaucs: 
 
 Permitting men with nothing to be clad. 
 
 But fliamc # difpaire,guilt,fcarc,and horror fad. 
 
 Thefe robes our parents firfl: were deekt withal. 
 
 Then figtree fannes vppon their (hamc they wore* 
 
 Next, skinnes of bcafh,(to fliew their bcaftly fall) 
 Thcn,hairy cloatbcs,and wooli from Baa-lambs tore, 
 Laft,Eafterne wittes, from mane of Camels tall, Tiin.uh.it 
 
 Made water -waned Ruffe vnfeenc before, 
 
 But til the floud had finners fwept away, 0a t tlu 
 Nor Flaxc, nor Silke, did finful man array. 
 
 For To it fcccmed iuR to IuRice eyen, 
 
 Defiled men to wcare polluted things: 
 
 And Rebels not to clothe in Flaxc or line. 
 
 Which from the facred loincs oiVeJla, fpring, 
 Cleane,knodeffe,Rraight,fpotlefre,vpright,and fine, 
 V Vhofefioure is likefiue heau’nly-azurd wings, 
 Whofe flime isfaluc,whofefcedis holfomfood, 
 whofe rindc is doth, whofe Ruble feru’s for wood 
 
 B a Or 
 
 Pht.HhJtlJifa 
 &Ofr, 
 
4 Of the Sil^e vpormes 
 
 * Or if i Arachne erft made fillers threcd, 
 
 'f. famous ^y as j t c hinkc you,forcucry man to weare? 
 ttfZhom ouU Or onely for the facrificers weede* 
 
 6 ms um t y y ho of th’immortall prieft a type did beared 
 
 Wearing not aught that fprang from brutifh feed. 
 But what from out it felfe the earth did rcare: 
 
 Exito i*. S° t ^ iat holy puieflhood firft began, 
 
 V Ve ncuer rcade that linnen clothed naan. 
 
 * Yet feme conceiuc when z T kebAn finger yvanne, 
 
 flmZ’vouf V Vood-watidring wights to good and ciuill life* 
 Ouidiijxef. (Which erft with bcarcs and wolues in defarts ran. 
 Knowing no name of God,law,houfe,or wife) 
 
 That then his brother Linus firft began 
 The Flaxmans craft (a fccret then vnrife) 
 DeuifingbeetleSjhackelSjwhceles, and frame, 
 Whcrwith to brufe,taufe,fpin 5 c weauc the fame; 
 
 But Silkc(whereon my louing Muze now ftands) 
 Was it the offpring of our (hallow brain e? 
 
 Spunne with thele fingers foule? thefe filthy hands l 
 Tainted with blond, reuenge, and wrongful gained 
 Ah no } w ho made and numbrcth all the lands, 
 
 Wil teach vs foonc that fancie to be vainc: 
 
 Farre be it from our thoughts, that finfull fence. 
 Should make a thing of fo great excellence. 
 
 Nc 
 
and their Fites, s 
 
 Hmnlmut vi. 
 da^tifhop of 
 tdbajib.ije 
 Smfyt- 
 
 Ne necde wee yet with i Ttfcme Prelate die, 
 Tofidions ftrangCjor wanton PVwveycn: 
 
 Who feeing PalUs taught from Saturne hie. 
 
 To clothe her fclfc andhers with weaued line. 
 
 Yea all the Nimphs and Goddcfles in skie. 
 
 To weave long Holes' of Lawne and Cambrick fine: 
 Fretted to fee her felfeandboy new borne , 
 
 Left both to heau n and earth an open fcornc. 
 
 Reuenge (he cri’de vnto the fire of love. 
 
 As fhe lay hidde vnder th’Idalian tree: 
 
 Affoord fome rayment from the houfe aboue, 
 
 If but to hide the fhame of mine and mee. 
 
 So may thou learne from vs The art of Leue s 
 Whereby to winne each Ladies heart to thee. 
 
 But grumbling Chuff reie£ted fill] hcr'pfayre* 
 Whereat lamented hcau’ns and weepingairc. 
 
 Then Cyprian Quceneperceiuing that no cries 
 
 Could pierce the leaden eares of fullen Sire 3 
 
 Straight lodg’d her fonne in faire i Pbillyraes cies> 0 eumfhit 
 
 A nd caus’d him thcricc f to darte Vppc fuch a fire, daughter/* 
 
 As had confum’d the very flat’ res and skies, no ft ^ a,ie v,r * 
 
 Y ea melted Saturnes wheeles with hot defirc: met. 
 
 Vnleflcthat very hourc he had come do wne. 
 
 And beg’d her aide,on whom he late did frowne. 
 
 B i How 
 
Ofthefilke mrmes 
 
 How oftcn,as his loue on PelifrihiXi 
 Stoopt do wnc to gather herbs for wounds and fores. 
 Strew ’d he before her Tutfan, Balme,and Dill, 
 Long Piantainc,Hyfopc»Sage,and Comfrey naoarcs! 
 Offringbcfidcs,theartand pcrfc& skill. 
 
 Of healing bloudy wounds and fcftrcdcoares: 
 
 How oft (I fay)did he eachtday defeend. 
 
 And boocelcfleal h is vowes and wooing* (pend? 
 
 Hclou’d.lheloatirdjhe liked, (he difdain’d: 
 
 H c camc,fljc turn’d, he preft, flie ranne away. 
 Neither by words, nor gifts fhec could be gain’d, 
 (For onely in her eies the Archer lay) 
 
 Regarding nought but (wherein lhe was train’d) 
 yVoundshowtocurc,and{martings to allay: 
 
 As for the wound of Loue,fhe felt it none. 
 And therefore lidc htcdcdSaturrtJ mone. 
 
 Thus thus perplext thechicfcand graueft God, 
 
 (Or rather God fuppofd of highcft placed 
 Touchtnow, nay throughly fcourg'd with Cupids 
 Sent from the eyes but of a mortal face, (rodde, 
 
 Flewc downe forthwith w here Venus made abode. 
 And proft rate lying ar her fccte for grace: 
 
 Promifd the ricneft clothing for her Art, 
 
 That now lie did, or could defirc in hart. 
 
 Who 
 
7 
 
 and their Flies. 
 
 VVho carelciTe ofrcucngc,and inncly gricu’d, 
 (True beauty aye is fill of rueful monc) 
 
 VVas eucr wcl til Saturne was relccu’d. 
 
 His inward griefes aflWag’d>& forro wes gone. 
 And finding him, of hope,and helpe^ereea’di 
 (For ftill Phillira was more hard then ftonc) 
 
 Sith that,quoth fhe>the virgin tons thy louc* 
 Try whether craft and force wil make her moue* 
 
 Transformc thy fclfe into a Courier braue, 
 
 (VVhat cannot louc transformc it felfe into?} 
 
 Fcedc in hcrwalkcstand in a moment haue ’• 
 VVhat thou haft woo’d to haue with much adooe: 
 VVhcreto,confentthcauncientSutergauc> » : 
 
 In courfer clothes, learning a raaide to wooc, i 
 Filling ech wood with neighs and wihyes flirill, 
 V Vhiift hepofleft his louc againft her wilL 
 
 For leflon which,his Miftris to requite* 
 
 Not with vaine hopes in lieu of friendly deeds* 
 
 By Maiae s i fonne (before it grew tonight) 
 
 He fent a Napkin ful of little feeds, 
 
 Tane from the tree where T bishes foulc did light. 
 To make her fclfe and boy farre brauer weeds. 
 
 Than Pallas had, or any of the feu’n, 
 
 Yea,then proud I uno ware the Qucenc of heau’n. 
 
 YVhhal 
 
 fojimafierto 
 
t OfwtSilbg'kMmes 
 
 Withall,by him he fcnt the myfteric 
 Ofwcauing filkc,which he htmfclfe had found* 
 When chac’dfromheau’n by fonnes ownc trechery, 
 Hce was eoenpei’d to wander here on ground, 
 Wherein the depth off geiefe and pouertie, ; 
 
 The heigth anddepth of Arts he firft did found; 
 
 Yet would he this to none but her rcucale. 
 
 By whofc deuife hce did fhillyra ftcale* * T 
 
 What? fiiaU we thinlce, that hike was a reward. ; 
 Bellow’d on ctaftie dame for aide vmuft? > v 
 Would menynay, ought they haue fuch hie regard. 
 Of that which was tfai lone and hire of luft> 
 
 Not fo, what ere th’Italian Bi&op dar’d .• 
 
 T o faipe for truejand giue it out w ithtrnft: 
 YYetfith hike robes the bleffedHigh-prieft wore* 
 They were hot furc the firft fruits of a whore. 
 
 viinimStcun- JP* c/pdfiATts i Scribe affirmes in Cean He, 
 dtisju.iuaf.i Latous z daughter, quicke of eye and wit, 
 
 * iu blunting abroad,times trauaile to beguile, 
 prince- Chaunc’d at the length vnder a tree to fltce, 
 ijDmftii, Where many filken bottoms hangd in piles. 
 
 One by another plac’t in order fit. 
 
 Shce tooke one downe,and with her faulcon eye, 
 - Found out the end that did the reft yntic. 
 
 h-*i Lookc 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 Lookc how the hungry Larabc doth friske and_play, 
 With rcftlefie taile,and head,and cucry licnbe. 
 When it hath met his morher gone aftray, 
 
 Who abfcnt blear’d and tcar’d as much for him: 
 
 Or as AurorA leapcs at brcakcof day. 
 
 Seeing her loucly brother rife fo trim, 
 
 No lefle that Princcfletriumph’t(if not more) 
 Finding out that which was not found before. 
 
 Louts Schoolermfler i records a tale moft fweete, bh u 
 
 Of louers two that dwelt at Babilotti 
 Equall of age,in worth and beautie meetc, 
 
 Each of their fex the floure and paragon. 
 
 Next neighbours borne on fide of felfefamc urectc. 
 
 For twixt their parents houfes dwelled none. 
 
 Him Pyrat#ttSy her T htsbe men di d call, 
 
 • Coupled in heart,though feuered by a wall. 
 
 As neighbours children, oft they talke and view. 
 That ncighbourfhip was forraoft ftcppctoloue, 
 Louc^hich (like priuate plants) in fhort time grew. 
 Pales, wals, and eues,yea houfes and allaboue. 
 
 Nay Hymencus feafts were liket’cnfuc. 
 
 And facred hands giue ring and wedding gloue, 
 Had not vnhappie parents thatforbad. 
 
 Which to forbid* no caufe but wil, they had. 
 
 cl C 
 
 If 
 
Of the Si/fy Vformes 
 
 Ifloucrs fpake,it was now 'all by lookcs, 
 
 None deign’d or durft be trouchman to their mind. 
 Paper was barr’d,and penne,and inkc,and bookes. 
 Not any nclpc thefe parted prifoners find. 
 
 But of a rift along the wal that cropkcs, 
 
 (A wall of flint,yet more then parents, kind) 
 Whithjwcrc it old or new,nonc it efpics, 
 Butlouers quicke,al- corner- fetching eyes. 
 
 This rift they, vfdc, not onely as a glade. 
 
 Wherein to fee daily each others face. 
 
 But eke through it their voyccs hourely pafle. 
 
 In whifpring murmurs with a dealing pace: 
 Sometimes w hen they no longer durft (alas.) (place* 
 Send whifprings through, when keepers were in 
 y et would they fhift to blow through it a breath. 
 Which fed & kept their hoping harts from death. 
 
 Enuious wal(fayd they) what wrong is this? 
 
 Why doth not louc or pirtie make thee fal? 
 
 Or (if that be for vs too great a blifle) 
 
 Why is thy rift fo narrow and fo (mail* 
 
 As to deny kind lone a kindly killc? 
 
 For which we neuer proue vnthankful ftal. 
 Although in truth weewe inough to thee, 
 Giuing our eyes and voyce a way fo free. 
 
 In 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 In vaine thus hauing plaind in place diftin&, 
 
 When night approach^, they ech bad ech adew* 
 Kisfing their wal apart where it was chinckt. 
 Whence louelyblafts and breathings maincly flew: 
 But kifles ftaide on eithers fide faft linckt. 
 
 Seal’d to the wal with lips and Loucrs glue: 
 
 For though they were both thick and many cake*, 
 Y et thicker was the w al that did them breakc. 
 
 Rofe-fingred i Dame no fooncr had put out uomerMi, 4. 
 
 Nights twinckling fires and candles ofthe skie. 
 
 Nor Phabtts z brought his trampling deeds about, xTheS***. 
 Whofe breath dries vp the teares of Veftacs 3 eic» i rheeank. 
 
 But fwift and fofr s without all noyfeor fhowt. 
 
 To wonted place they haftcnfecrctly. 
 
 Where midft a many words muttred that day. 
 
 Next midnights watch.cach vowes to ftcaic away. 
 
 And left when hauing houfeand cittie paft. 
 
 They yet might erre in fields, and neucr mecte. 
 
 At Ninas 4 tombe their Rendcs-yous is plac t, 
 
 Vnder the Mulb’ry white,and hony-fweetc: 
 Growing hard by afpringthatranneat wafte, 
 
 With ftreames more fwift then fpeedy 5 //er/fecte. 
 There they agreed in fpitc of fpiee to ftand, 
 
 Whc 6* Monarchs teame had paft 7 Beotes hand. 
 
 C x Con- 
 
 i Which v* 
 without the 
 gates ofUaLiloK t 
 toward*. tltefor. 
 refi.Sahel!.EM. 
 ntiai.i.cnf.6. 
 
 5 Tin fwift ri. 
 uer of Votutvre, 
 
 6 The Charltt 
 waint. 
 
 7 The great flat 
 following Vtf* 
 motor. 
 
12 
 
 Of the Sil^emrmes 
 
 Confcnr they did, and day confcntcd too, 
 
 Whofe Coach ranne downe the Teas in greater ha# 
 Then cuer it was wont Before to doo, 
 
 Loue-louing night approched eke fo fall. 
 
 That darknefle leapt, ere twilight feem’d to go, 
 Whcrat though fomegods frown'd,fome were 
 1 Sleep the irt. Yet Lethes I brother did the louers keepe, (agaft 2 
 
 fzf/ecuth Chaining their guard with long and' heaiiy llccp, 
 
 denat. dtorum. 
 
 How feately then vnfparrcd (he the doore? 
 
 How filent turn’d iron the charmed cheekes? 
 
 And being fcap’c,how glad was fhe therefore? 
 
 How foone arriu’d where flic her fellow feekes? 
 Loue made her bold, louegaue her fwiftneflemore 
 Then vfually is found in weaker fexe. 
 
 But all in vaine : nay rather to her ill. 
 
 For haftc made waftc,and fpcede did fpeeding kiL 
 
 \ThtMttntm 
 
 {bine. 
 
 The grifly wife of brutifli monarch ftrong. 
 
 With new flame prey,full panched to the chinne* 
 Foming out bloud,camc ramping there along. 
 
 To filuer fpring,hcr thrift to drowne therein. 
 Whereat the fearefull maide in pofling flung, 
 
 (For zLucines eye bewrayde the Emprefle grimme) 
 Into a fecret caue : and flying, loft 
 A fcarlc(for Pjram fake)beloued moft. 
 
 When 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 n 
 
 When fauage Queene had wcl her thirft delayde. 
 
 In cooling ftreames, and quenched natures fire. 
 Returning to the place where late (he prayde. 
 
 To eate.the.reft when hunger fhould require. 
 
 In peeces tore the fcarfe of hapleflc maide, 
 Withbloudy tceth^and firie flaming ire, 
 
 Whilft fhc(poore foule)in cauc plaid leaft in fight. 
 Fearing what fhould her loue befall that night. 
 
 Who comming later then by vow he fhould, 
 Perceiu’da Lions footfteps in thefand. 
 
 Whereat with face moft pale 3 and heart as cold. 
 With trembling feare tormented he doth (land. 
 But when he fawe her fcarfe(wel knowne of old) 
 Embru’d with bJoud,and cafton either hand? 
 
 O what afighhefetcht?howdeepehc gron’d* 
 And thus,if thus : yea,thus he inly mon’d. 
 
 Shalt thou alone die matelctfe,T£/^mine? 
 
 S hall not one beaft be butcher to vs both? 
 
 What?is my Thisbe reft of lifeand fhine? 
 
 And fnal not Pyram life and ffcining loath? - 
 Mine is the curled foule, the blcft is thine. 
 
 Thou kcp’lt thy vow, I falfified mine oath, 
 
 I came too late,thou cam’ft (alas) too foone. 
 
 Too dangerous ftanding, by a doubtfullmoone. 
 
 G3 O 
 
 t 
 
*4 Of the Stlke Kvormet 
 
 O Lions fiercefor if ought fiercer be, 
 
 Amongft the heards of woody outlawcs fell) 
 Rent, rent in twainc this thrife-accurfcd me: 
 From out your paunch conucy my foule to hell: 
 W hofe murdring flouth,and not the fillers three. 
 Did T hisbe (wectc,fwccte T hisbe fowly quell: 
 But cowards oncly call &c wilh for death, 
 Whilft valiant hearts in filencc banifli breath. 
 
 Then ftooping,firaight he took hir fcarfe fro groun£» 
 And bare it with him to th’appoynted place, 
 Kifsing it oft,watring each rent and wound. 
 
 With thoufand tcarcs,that trailing ranne apace. 
 
 Salt tearcs they weredent from his eyes vnfound. 
 Yea falter then the fweatc of Oceans lace: 
 
 At laft (hauing vnlheath’d his fatall blade) 
 
 Thus gan he cry, as life beganae to fade. 
 
 Hold earth, rccciue a draught eke of my bloud, 
 (And therewith lcan'd vppon his fword amainc) 
 Then falling backward from the crimfin floud. 
 Which fpowted forth with fuch a noyfe and ftraine, 
 As water doth, when pipes of lead or wood, 
 Aregoog’d with punch,orcheefill flit in twainc. 
 Whiffling in th’ayrc, 8c breaking it with blowes, 
 Whilft heauic moyfturc vpward forced Howes. 
 
 The 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 ij 
 
 The Mulb’ry ftrait(whofc fruit was erft as white 
 
 As whitcft Lilly inthc fruitfullft field) 
 
 Was then and cucr fince in purple dight. 
 
 Yea euen the rootc no other (lame doth yccld> 
 
 With blackifh gore being watred all that night. 
 
 In mornct’ul fort,which round about it wheel’d, 
 Oncly her lcaues retaind their former hue. 
 
 As nothing toucht with death of loucr true. 
 
 No fooncr was hce falnc,and falling, freed 
 Of perfit fence : but (he fcarcc rid of fcare, 
 
 Rcturnes againc to (landing fore agreed. 
 
 Not dreaming that her loue in kenning were. 
 
 Her feete,her eyes,her heart and tongue made fpced. 
 To vtter all things lately hapned there. 
 
 And how (he fcap’t the Lioneffes clawes. 
 
 By lotting fall a fcarfe to make her pawfe. 
 
 But when (he vewd the newly-purpled face 
 Of Berries white : that changing chang'd her mind. 
 New fignes perfwade her,that is not the place. 
 
 By either part to meete in fore afsign’d. 
 
 Thus doubting whilft (he flood a little fpace. 
 
 She heard a flutering carried with the winde. 
 
 And viewed (omewhat (hake in quiu’rmg wife. 
 Which ftraitc rcuok’t hir feetc,but more her eics^ 
 
 Her 
 
Of the Silke mrmes 
 
 I One oftht 
 
 Tfcrthxv efi 
 windes. 
 
 Her lippes grew then more pale then paleft Boxf, 
 Her cheekes rcfembled Alh wood newly feld 3 
 Gray nefte furpriz’d her yellow amber locks. 
 
 Net ahy part their liuely luftre held: 
 
 Yea euen her vent’rous heart but faintly knocks,' 
 Now vp,now downe,now falnc,now vainly fwcld. 
 Toft like a fliippe when i Corns rageth moft. 
 That ankers hath,and mails and mafter loft. 
 
 But when iheknew her faithfull fellow flaine,, 
 
 O how fhc ftirikt and bruz’d her guiltleffc arme, 
 
 T earing her hairc,renting her cheekes in vaine. 
 
 On outward parts ,reuenging inward harmes. 
 Making of tearcs and bloud a mingled raine, 
 Wherwith ihe Pyr 4 wdrencht,& then thus charmes: 
 Speakeloue,0 fpeake,how hapned this to thee: 
 Part,haifc,ycaall of this my foule and mce, 
 
 Sweete lone, reply,it is thy Thisbe dearc. 
 
 She cries, O hcare,(he fpeakes,0 anfwere make: 
 Rowfe vp thy fprights : thofe heauie lookers chcere. 
 At which fweete name hee feemed halfe awake. 
 And eyes with death oppreft,againe to clccre. * 
 
 2 The YphUe e ^ CS ^ 1CL ° llcc ' an ^ eying leaue doth take, 
 
 Vaify. Euen as faire Beilis t winkes but once for all, 
 
 s ftfrusff. When winters 3 v&crhaftneth fummers fall. 
 
 When 
 
and their Flies, 
 
 *7 
 
 When afterwards fee found her fcarfe al rent* 
 
 His iu’ory fhcathvoide eke ofrapier gilt: 
 
 And hath his hand ( quoth (he ) thy foulc hence fent* 
 And was this bloud by this thy rapier fpilt! 
 Vnhappy I:but I no more lament. 
 
 But follow thee euento the vtmofl: hilt. 
 
 I was the caufc of al thy hurt and croflc. 
 
 Hold, take me eke a partner of thy lolfe. 
 
 Whom onely death could from me take away, 
 Shal death him take from me againfl my willi 
 Not fo,his power cunnotThisbc ftaye: 
 
 Who cuen in death wil follow Pyram ftill 3 
 His blade (yet war me) then to herbreft (he lays. 
 And falne thereon thus cri’de with crying (brill: 
 Parents vniuft which vs deny’d one bed, 
 Enuy v s not one toombrwhen we be dead. 
 
 And al you hcau’nly hoftes allot the fame: 
 
 And thou O tree, which couereft now but one 
 (One too too hot, for i fo imports hts name) 
 
 But couer fhalt two carcaifes anone: 
 
 Weare fignes of bloud from both our harts that came 
 In mourning weed our naifehiefes eucr raonc. 
 Shedead:Tree,SircsjSC Gods gaue whatfhepraide. 
 Black growes the fruit, and they together laide. 
 
 D Since 
 
 i Vyramus fig* 
 Htfiethasmuth 
 at fiery. 
 
19 Of the SilJ^e wpornes 
 
 iWUcm. Since which time eke fome other (i) Authors faine^ 
 ub.yh.Mytin. Their humming foulcs about thefe haplcflc trees 
 To be tranfported from th’Elyfian plaine. 
 
 Into the fnowy milke-whiteEutterflyes: 
 Whofefeedes when life and moouing they obtain, 
 Howe’rc they fpare the fruit of Mulberies^ 
 
 Leauc yet no leaues vntorne that may be fecnc* 
 Becaufe they onely {fill cominude greene. 
 
 Yet that there might remain cfome Pyrmis 
 And euerlafting firine of Pyrams loucy 
 When leaues are gonc,and hammer warning is. 
 The little creepers neuer ccafe to moue. 
 
 But day and night (placing in toyle their bliffe) 
 Spinne hike this tree beneath and eke abouc: 
 Leauing their ouall (z) bottoms there behind. 
 To fiicwe the Bate of eu’ry Louers mind. 
 
 For as in forme they are not wholly round. 
 
 As is the perfit figure of the skie. 
 
 So perfit loue in mortals is not found. 
 
 Some little warts or wants in all we fpie, 
 
 Nay cu n as fine and couife fiike there abound. 
 
 The bell beneath^the worft roJd vp more hie. 
 
 So fometimes lull o’rc-iieth honell loue, * . 
 
 Happy the baud that keepes it from abouc, 
 
 A- 
 
and their Fites. 
 
 Againe, as thefe fine troupes themfelucs deuoure. 
 Spinning but filkenhharfes for their death: 
 
 Which donc,thcy dye thcrein,(by Natures power 
 Transform’d to flies that fcarcedraw one months 
 So loucrs fweet is mingled ftil with fower , (breath) 
 Such happe aboue proceeds or vnderneath, 
 
 That flill we make our loue our winding {heete, 
 VVhilfl: more we loue,or hotter then k meete* 
 
 I T littM.6* 
 ca{>.i7 • 
 iCalkdScret, 
 
 Whofe righteous life and iuftiee to requite/ 
 (Whether with wind or raine,no man doth know) 
 God fent vnto them filke-wormes infinite. 
 
 In Aprils wane when buds the mulb’ry flow. 
 Which here and there in cuery corner light. 
 
 With fixe white fecte and body like to fnow: 
 
 Eating each leafe of that renowaed tree. 
 
 The matter of thefe filkea webbes wc fee. 
 
 Dz Thefe 
 
 Others (i) report, there was and doth remainc 
 A ncighbour(z) people to the Scythian tall, 
 Twixc T auras mount and T a bis fruitful plainc 3 
 Mod iufl: of life, of fare and diet, fmal, 
 
 Louers of peace, haters offtrifeand gaine, 
 
 Graye ey ’d ,r edde c h eek’c,an d amber-headed all,’ 
 Refembling rather Gods then humane race. 
 Such grace appeard in words, in deeds,and face.’ 
 
 i 
 
20 
 
 Of the Silfy wormes 
 
 Thefe webbs for wares they on their coaft exchange: 
 For alien none muftcorae into the Land, 
 
 T’infeft their people with religions ftrangc. 
 
 And hie their temples with polluted hand: 
 
 Neither do they to other n ations range. 
 
 New fa£hions,rites or manners t’ucderftand: 
 
 Better they haue adiome,where euery flaue 
 Wearevhlksas rich as here our Princes braue. 
 
 Thefe be the talcs that Poetizcrs fing. 
 
 Of Silken ’Worme, and of their feed andmeate: 
 i rrhmfoniy SweetcJ confefIe,and drawn from i Heliquc fpring, 
 themufeidrankj Full ofdelighting change 3 and learning greate 
 msTfttsimyae. y etj y Ctjm y Mufedreames ofanothet thing, * 
 
 And lifteth not of fidions to entreate. 
 
 Saye then (my Ioyc)fay thcn,and fhortly reede, 
 whe (ilk was made,5c how thefe filkworms breed. 
 
 Was it think’ft thou found out by induftryj 
 Infpir’d by vifion or fome Angclls word, 
 a MtUhifed*, When firft the name of facred Maiefty, 
 
 Was giuen from hcau n to 2 Salems prieff and Lord? 
 Did not before tenne thoufand Silk-worms lye. 
 
 And hang on euery tree their litrlecord? 
 Yes,but(like Hebrues harps on Babels plainc) 
 
 Vn touch t and yfc-lefle there ir hang’d in vaine. 
 
 Before, 
 
And their Flies. 
 
 31 
 
 Before, mo ft men liu’d, either naked quire. 
 
 Or courily clad in fome beafts skinne or hide: 
 
 The beft were but in linnen garments dight. 
 
 Wherein thcmfclucs the greateft men did pride; 
 
 Yea afterward in time of greateft light. 
 
 When chiefc Bapther preach’t in defart wide, 
 
 Where (aid he , filkcn robes were to be fought. 
 
 But in kings courts ? for whome they firft were 
 
 (wrought. 
 
 Though whether worme or flye were formed firft. 
 No man fo right can tel as wrong prefume: 
 
 Yet this I hold. Till all things were accurft. 
 Nothing was borne it fclfe for to confume. 
 
 No Caterp^llers then which venture durft. 
 
 To rauifli leaues,or tender buddes to plume; 
 
 For oncly life and beauty liu’d in trees. 
 
 Til falling man caul’d them their leaucs to lccfc. 
 
 The earthly heards and winged pofts of skye. 
 
 And eu’ry thing that mou’d on Eden ground - 
 
 Fed firft on hearbs(as Duke of iH oreb hie, 1 
 
 Author of Natures ftory moft profound, 
 
 Sets downe to vs for perfit verity, 
 
 (Gaines aide ofnonc but foolcs and wittes vnfound) G(n%1%vt ^ tl9 
 When for mans foodc trees eke allotted were. 
 
 Which from themfelues!did fruit or berries beare. 
 
 X D 3 Durft 
 
22 
 
 Oftbefilke Mr ms 
 
 Durft then the fineft wormc but touch the mcate," 
 Or dilh which for his foueraigne was ordain’d? 
 Durft they figges,nuts,peares,plummes or mulb Vies 
 Before their lord with treafd foule was ftain’d? (eatc 
 No certs no, but when ambitious heate, 
 
 Reuok’t the bliffe which finncleffe Sire had gain’d: 
 Then wormes in common fed with vs, and tore 
 Our trees, our fruits,yea eu’nour felues therefore. 
 
 i Htni. Say Romanes heau’nl y-humane (1) Orator, 
 
 AS.!*. Whofe words droptfweeter then Hymettus dewe: 
 
 % ^han» m E ' S *Y ( z ) fcourge and Iudaes tormentor, 
 
 3 vuto, Wm A- Whofe very namedoth pomp and glory fliewe: 
 
 iShTene l** ^ a y \ t ^ ou w writccs men as diuine adore, 
 
 Infpir’d from heau’n with knowledge giuen to few: 
 What are you now? what liuing were you then 
 But worms repaft,thaugh w ife and mighty men? 
 
 Foul e-footed bird.,that ncuer fleepeft well | 
 Norfully s but on higheft pearch do’ft breathe: 
 Whofe outward flireeks bewray an inward hell, 
 Whofe gli (king plumes are but a painted fheathc:’ 
 Whofe taile, though it with pride fo lofty fwel. 
 Yet hides it not thy bkekneffe vnderneath. 
 
 T ei! me: what haft thou got by diming thus, 
 But to thy fclfc a fhamc, and lofle to vs ? 
 
 To 
 
and tbetr Flies. 
 
 *3 
 
 To vs alone?nay ftowteft Okcs hkewife, 
 
 Hard-hartcd willowes by the water fide, 
 
 Swccte Cedar wood which fomethinke neuer dies. 
 
 And i Daphnes tree though greene in winters tidc> i The Bay. 
 Yea ftone, and ftcele,and things of higheft prize. 
 
 From natures womb that flow in greatefi: pride: 
 
 What arc they albutmeate for wormes and rult? 
 
 Two due reuengers of ambitious lull. 
 
 Before thou waft, were Timber-worms in price. 
 And fold for equal weight of purell: gold? 
 
 Fed3 creeping birds one barke-deuouring lice? 
 
 Were filk-worms from 4 Strind& brought and fold? 
 Deuoured they thcleaues of tree moft 5 wife. 
 
 With fury fuch as now we do behold? 
 
 Rather beleeue as yet they were not borne. 
 
 Or oncly fed on grafTe,on hcarb$,or cornc. 
 
 t Called Coflt, 
 which being faty 
 Were counted 
 a mofldaintie 
 dish in Rome. 
 Cal.Sec.lib, 2g» 
 An Jett. 
 
 3 Titmife. 
 
 4 Thefirfland 
 frimipallflau 
 whente they 
 Were brought 
 into Europe. 
 Tolyd.virg. lib. 
 
 3 1 ,de inuent. 
 &c. 
 
 For fith their chiefeft vfe is to arraye 5 t he Muibery 
 
 This little breathing dull when time requires> }eplt[hc^fe 
 With gallant guards and broydred garments gayc, it neuer buddetb 
 V V ith fcarfsjvales, hoodes,and other foft attires: till ail danger of 
 
 Whole fenfe from fenfe is fled fo farre away? c0 ~^° M% 
 Whole mind to beare fo wrong a thought con Ipires, 
 
 As once to deeme thefe Silken-mercers lent, 
 
 VVheu nakednefie was mans chiefe ornament? 
 
 ~ ~ But 
 
Of the fil^e xt>omes 
 
 But fith they arc, and therefore framed were. 
 
 Which firft was fram'd?the cggc?thc worrac? or flic? 
 No doubt the flic,as plainely (hall appcarc. 
 
 To all that haue butan indiif’itnt eye, (beare, 
 
 itvangeisis in Though twoo i great Clarks contrary thoughts did 
 fentence gaue, without iuft reafon why, 
 
 FirZt ln vi»- That egges were made before the hardic Cocke 
 
 Beganne ro tread, or brooding henne to clocke. 
 
 Pretend they did, that leaft and fimplcft things, 
 (Which none train’d vp in reafons fchoolc gainfay) 
 Of things compounded are the formoft fprings, 
 Eu’n as a lumpc of rude and fliapelcflc clay. 
 
 Into the mould a Moulder cunning brings. 
 
 And by degrees compels it to obey: 
 
 Forming by art what he in mind fore-thought^ 
 Out of a mafic that iuft refembled nought. 
 
 So eke though egges feeme things confufcd quite. 
 And farre vnlike what afterwards they prooue: 
 
 Y et formoft place they challenge by their right. 
 For who c’rcfaw acock or henne to mooue. 
 
 Till firft they came from out theyolke and white. 
 And time,and heatc,and place, and fitters loue, 
 Had formed out a nature from the fame, 
 Deferuing wel anothers natures name? 
 
 Springs 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 
 Springs not from cggcs that huge i Leuiathan, 
 The Torteffe eke, and bloudy Crocodile? 
 Fiih,Lyzards,Snakcs,and z Skippers African, 
 Whofe hurtful armies wafte the coafts of Nile? 
 Nay if with one fittc word the world w c feanne. 
 May it obtaine a fitter name or ft ile. 
 
 Then ahat we ftiould a common eggeit call, 
 
 V Vhich giucth life and forme and ftuffc to all? 
 
 iTherrbile 
 
 grafboff*^ 
 
 Nay, did not once that cheercfiill brooding fp’rite. 
 
 Before the earth rccciued forme or place, 
 
 Sittc clofely like a henne both warme and light, 
 Vpon the wauing neft of mingled mafic, 
 
 V Vhilft yet nights torches had obtain'd no light 
 Nor Sunne as yet in circled rounds did pafle? 
 Yes,yes.the words are fo apparant plainc. 
 That to deny them,wercbut labour vaine . 
 
 Gw. 
 
 Thefe fomc do vfc with other arguments. 
 
 To prouc that (cede and cggcs were firft in time. 
 
 V Vrcftcd from quires of facrcd Tcftaments, 
 
 And thofe of heathen wittes the chiefe and prime; 
 
 V Vhich for authentique held by long defeents. 
 
 If I gainefay*, perhaps may feemea crime: 
 
 Yet rather would I carry crime and fcorne* 
 
 Then falfely thinkc, imperfeft things firft born c. 
 
 \ 
 
2 6 
 
 Of the SilJ^e Wtormes 
 
 For region faith, and fenfc doth almofl fwcarc, 
 Natures entire to be created furfl: 
 
 Bodies t’hauebeene before the members were. 
 The found before the ficke,the wholejthe burfl 
 That confidence had time w hen lacked feare* 
 That blefled Bate fore-wentthe flateaccurfl: 
 Briefdy, al bodyes that begotten beene. 
 Were not before created bodies feene. * 
 
 Now what ate feedes and egges of wormes or foule. 
 But recrements ofpreexi fling things. 
 
 The bodies burden yoyd of life and foule? 
 
 Yea,from themfelues corruption onely fprings 
 Vnlcfle by brooders heate (as from the whole) ’ 
 They changed be to belly,feete,or wings: 
 Refemblingthem now metamorphofed, 
 In,by,and from whofe eflence they were bred. 
 
 Dhhifos and Yca 3 vfiul phrafe fuch dreames confuteth quite 
 Seneei0 > their For neu ^ r maiij this is Anerocsherme favd, 
 
 md E»Mgtius, l oat egges aie things by former natures layde 
 ” c g°tte ofmingled leede by day ornfoht 
 Cf'LirZ' Neither wuhskmne, nor ftelLnor forme arrayd, 
 
 * llJ lon g tl)C Y taue abode in natures nefl, 
 
 And wearied womb be with their weight opprefl 
 
 A. 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 it 
 
 Againe, to thinkc that feedc was made before. 
 
 The fubftance whence it is mgendered, 
 
 (Namely from out much nummental ftorc. 
 Through cxceffe of humours perfited) 
 
 Or elfe to ghcfTe it formed was of yore. 
 
 Ere pipes were laid through which it fhould be (bed. 
 What is it but to dreame of day or night, 
 
 E're darknelle were,orany fhew of light? 
 
 * 
 
 Sith eke all winged creatures by one day. 
 
 Are elder then the heards that crawleand crecpc. 
 Conclude with truth and confidence wee may. 
 
 Ail flies were made erewormes began ne to peep e. 
 Both they which all day longatbafc do play. 
 
 And night oncecome,do nothing elfe but flecpe. 
 And thefe which onely liueto leaue a feedc. 
 From whence theneuer-idlcfpinftcrsbrecde. 
 
 Gftt.x.verji to 
 
 Silke- flies I meane, which not onebreaft alone. 
 
 But all throughout,on head, wings, fides, and feetc, 
 Befides pure white,elfe colour carry none. 
 
 For creatures pure, a colour thought mod meetc, 
 Martial’d the fir ft of all in glorious throne. 
 
 Whereon fhall fit the Lord and Sauiourfweete, 
 Who with tennethoufand Angels all in white, 
 Shal one day iudge the world with doom vpright 
 
 E % No 
 
Of the Silke vnortnet 
 
 No fpotte on them, as els on cu’ry fiye, 
 
 Bycaufe in them no follies cuer grew, 
 Nocrimfon reddedoth for reuengeraentcrye. 
 No waueringwatchet, where ai harts be true:. 
 No yellow, where there is no lealouftc: 
 
 No labour loft, and therefore voide of blue: 
 
 No peachy markc to fignifie difdainc. 
 
 No grecnc to (hew a wanton mind and vaine. 
 
 No orengc colour,wherc there wants defpight. 
 No tawny laddc,whcrc none forfaken be: 
 
 No murry,where they couet nought but light. 
 No mourning black,whereal rcioyce with glee: 
 In briefe,within,without,thcy are al white. 
 Wearing alone the badge of chaftity: 
 
 Bycaufe they onely keepe themfelues to one. 
 Who being dead, another chufethey none. 
 
 True Turtles mine, begotten with the breath. 
 
 Not of a lewd lafciuious mortal I one-. (death, 
 
 Whofe la we was luft, whofe life was worfe then 
 Whofe ineefts did defile both wood and groue , 
 But with the breath of him who vnderneath 
 Rules StigUn king,and heau’nly hofts aboue, 
 AfsiftmeifI errein fetting forth 
 Your birth dayes ftory,and furpafsing worth . 
 
 Affoone 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 29 
 
 Affoone as light obtain’d a fixed feate, 
 
 (which equally was firft fpread ouer all, Ctnt ^ s 
 
 Giuing alike, both gliftring,fliin«,and heate, 
 
 Toeuery place of this inferiour ball) 
 
 Two mafter-lamps appear’d in welkin great, 
 
 Th'one king of day, whom Poets Phcebtv call. 
 
 And th’other ?bcebc> foueraigneofthe night, 
 
 Twinncs at one inftant bred and borne ot light. 
 
 Him heau’nly Martiall high,in Pallace plac’t. 
 Built all of cleere and through-ftiining gold. 
 With columnes chryfolite moftbrauely grac t. 
 And flaming rubies, glorious to behold. 
 Wearing about hikyellow -amber waft, 
 
 A floping belt, with ftuds twife fix times told, 
 Wherein were grau’n moft artificially, 
 Twelue ftately i Pecres of curious imagery. 
 
 # 
 
 About him,as in royall Coach hec fate. 
 
 Attended Houre,Day,Minute,Month,and yeare, 
 
 SpringjSummei^Harucft^Winte^MorningjFate, 
 
 With Inftancie, who then was driuer there, 
 
 Whipping his fiery ftcedes from i Libraes gate, 
 
 Not hiflnng them to ftand ftili any where, _ and not firing* 
 
 Saue once in Gibctn when flue kings were flaine, *mpehjx»t. 
 By fitft-madc 3Champio with their faithles traim | 1* 
 
 IT he twelue 
 figtietin tin \o* 
 iinkf. 
 
30 
 
 OftheSilfy UDormer 
 
 His fitters court built al of Bluer tri’de. 
 
 And Iu’ory charrct fct with Diamons, 
 
 Embott withOrient pcarles on either fide* 
 
 Whceld al with Saphires, fliod.with Onyx (tones. 
 Declar’d in what great pompe (he firtt did ride 
 Amongttthe other twinckling Paragons, 
 
 Before her honour fuffred an ecliptt. 
 
 Through ferpents guile,and womans greedy lips. 
 
 Her handmaids then were perpetuity, 
 
 Confhnc proceeding,and continuance: 
 
 Nofiiew of change or mutability 
 Could iuttly then chemfelues in heraduance: 
 
 Her face was ful and faire continually 
 Not altering once her fliape or countenance, (made , 1 
 Till thofe lights chang’d for whom al lights were 
 And with whole fall the hcauns began to fade. 
 
 i oceawsisthe Yctttill on her wait(r) Ocean and his wife 
 ^Wthe&ire.md al the wacrycrue, ' 
 tedtbi % ueene Nights,Riuers,Flouds 3 Springs.,hauing clfe no ttrife 
 trtL, fofnioftproftcr fcruicc due: 
 
 tberiueri , oioud,chollcr,phlcgme,(thc rootes and fappe of life) 
 Are at her beck,waining orfpringingnew, 
 Accordingas from throne eelettia!!. 
 
 She deignes to fliiiie in meafure great or fmall. 
 
 When 
 
and their Flies. ?i 
 
 When they were crowned now in royall thrones. 
 
 And entred in their firft and happieft race, 
 
 Amongft thofe gliftring pointed Diamons, 
 
 Which cut out times pioportion,lotte,and (pace: 
 
 Behold the earth with heauy burden grones. 
 
 And praies them both to eie and rue her cafe: 
 
 And with their friendly hands and meeding art. 
 
 To haften that which ready was to part. 
 
 For euV next morne the All creating Sire 
 Had fcht abroad, I know not I, what word: 
 Much like to th is y LefSea and earth conjfire 
 All winded troupes the world for to afford: 
 Wherewith theaire»euen to the defart fire. 
 
 Was fo with great and little flyers ftor’d. 
 
 That none but winged people fawethe cies ? 
 Of any ftar or planet in the skies. 
 
 O how it ioye? my hart and foule to thinke 
 Vpon thebleflcd ftate of that fame day c? 
 
 When ata word, a nodde, yea at a winke. 
 
 At once flew out thefe winged gallants gay. 
 
 Tide each to each in fuch a friendly linke. 
 
 That eu’n the leafl did with the greateft playe: 
 
 The done with hawks,the chickens with the kite. 
 Fearclcfle of wrong, rage,cruelty, or fpite. 
 
 Fert 
 
 Gen.lt 
 
 1 So calledly 
 Tyndarus f 
 taufe nothing 
 lines in it. 
 
3 * OftheSilkewmes 
 
 Pert marlins then no grudge to larkcs did bcare, 
 Fierce golhawkes with thePhcfant$ hadnowarre, 
 Rau’ns did not then the Eagles talens fcare, 
 
 Twixt Cuckoes and theTitlings was no iarre, 
 Butcoafted one another eu’ry where 
 In friendly fort,as louers woonted were: 
 
 For loue alone rul’d all in eu’ry kind. 
 
 As though ail were of one and felfe fame mind. 
 
 How fafely then did thefemy Turtlc-foulcs 
 Difport themfelucs in Phxbu* cheercfull Ihine? 
 
 How boldly flew they by the iayes and owlcs* 
 Drcadlcflc of crooked bcakes or fiery cyenJ 
 Nay, who in all the flocks of winged foules 
 Said once in heart,This prisoner (hal be mine? 
 
 When none as yet made other warre or ftrilc> 
 i A Ve'tktU Then fuch as i Hymn makes twixt man Sc wife. 
 
 God, and 
 fed inftruSior of 
 brides and bride- 
 ffoomes. 
 
 But fincc the fall of parents pufft with pride, 
 
 Not oncly men wereftainde in yicioufneffCi 
 But birdcs^and bcafts, and wormes, and fLcs befidc. 
 Declining from their former perficnefle, 
 
 Did by degrees to imperfc&ions Aide, 
 
 Tainted with pridc,wrath,enuie,and cxcefle: 
 Yea,then the husband of one oncly henne, 
 
 Was afterwards contented fcarfe with tenne. 
 
 Hence 
 
a 
 
 andtbeir Flies. 
 
 Hence, gowts in cocks , and fwcllirtg paincs appeared 
 Hence, Partridge ioyncs fo feeble we do view, 
 Hcnce,fparrow ereaders liucout fcarce a yeare. 
 Hence, leprofie the Guckoes ouergrew: 
 
 Brecfely, none did in true louc pcrfeucre: 
 
 But thefe white Butterflies and Turtles true. 
 
 Who both in life and death do ne’rc forfokc 
 Her,whom they once efpoufed for their make. 
 
 They choofc not (like to other birds and bcafts) 
 This yeare one wifc,another wife the next. 
 
 Their choyfe is ccrtaine,and fhll certain e refts. 
 With former loucs their mindes are notperplext/ 
 Hee yeeldes to her ,<he yeelds to his requefts. 
 Neither with feare nor lelofie is vext: 
 
 Shcclippcth him,heeclippeth hcragainc. 
 Equal 1 their ioy,and cquall is their painc. 
 
 Remember this you fickle hearted Sires, 
 
 Whom lull tranfporteth from your pcerelcs Dames, 
 To fcorch your felues at foulc and forraine fires. 
 Wafting your health and wealth in filthie games, 
 Lcarne hence(I fay) to bridle baddc defires, 
 Quenching in time your hot and furious flames* 
 
 Let little flics teach great men to be iuft. 
 
 And not to yccld braue mindes a prey to luft. 
 
 F ~ When 
 
3+; Of the Si/fy formes 
 
 When thus they were created the firft day* 
 
 Alike in bigneflc,feature,formc and age, 
 
 Claddc both alike in foftand white array, 
 
 Andfct vppon this vniuerfall ftage 3 
 Their (euerali parts and feates thereon to play, 
 Amidft the reft of natures equipage: ( thought) 
 
 Who then fuppos’dfas fincc lome fooles haue 
 That little things were made feru’d for nought. 
 
 Difwitted dolts that huge things wonder ar^ 
 
 And to your coft coaft daily ile from ilc. 
 
 To fee a Norway whale,or Libian cat, 
 
 A Carry- caftle or a Crocodile, 
 i Hiraciitui, Ifleane Ephcfian (i) or (aJth’Abderian fat 
 tvZZrhT’ Liu’d now,and faw your madoefte but a while, 
 s hattuer laugh Whatftrcaming flouds would gufli out of theyr 
 tdattbemrids To fee great wittols little things defpife? (eies. 
 
 When lookers coftlieft fpice is in fmall bagges. 
 And little fprings do fend foorthclcereft flouds, 
 
 3 catftd o*h And tweeteft ( 3 ) Iris beareth fhorteft flagges, 
 
 ** English* And weakeft often bind vp mighty woods, 
 
 And greateft hearts make eucr fmallcft bragges, 
 Andlittle caskets hold our richeft goods: 
 
 So both in Art and Nature tis moft clcere. 
 
 That greateft worths in fmalleft things appeare* 
 
 What 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 3S 
 
 What wife man eucr did fo much admire 
 N trees (i) Colofliis flue fcore cubits hie, 
 A s T header us Image caft with fire* 
 
 tiodorm : tf 
 whkh 3 aHdaifi 
 rf f bevdorus 
 
 I iiaithj Ztf* 
 
 Holding his file in right hand hanfomiy, 
 
 In left his pairc of compafles and fquire , 
 
 With horfcs,Coacb,and footmen running by TSnja.^c^, 
 So liuely made, that one might fee them all? 7 '& 8 * 
 
 Yet was the whole worke than a flic more fmall. 
 
 Nay,for to fpeake of things more late and rife. 
 
 Who will not more admire thofc famous Fleas, 
 
 Made fo by art, that art imparted life. 
 
 Making them skippe,and on mens hands to feaze. 
 
 And let out bloud with taper-poynted knife, 
 
 Which from a fccret fheathc ranne out with eafe: 
 
 The thofe great coches which thefelues did driuc , 1 Ma< **h 
 With bended fcrues,like things that were aliue? sj/ 
 
 
 How did thy hand each pccce to other tie? 
 
 O that this age enioy'd thee but one day, 
 
 To fhew thy Fleas to faithlefle gazers cyel 
 That great admirers might both fay and fee, 
 Infraallcfl things that greateft wonders bee. 
 
 Thy cogs, thy wardes,thy laths, how didfl thou lay? i*rgeinvro'm % 
 
 F % Great 
 
Of the Stifle wormes 
 
 Great was that proud and feared Philiftine, 
 
 Whofe launccs ibafr was like a wcaueis beame 
 VVhofe helmet, target, bootes, and brigandinc 
 IF >Y&tyweied Wcare weight (i)fufficicnt fora fturdy teamc * 
 k^ be ^‘ 9f VVhofe frowning lookes and hart-difmaying eyn e 
 Daunted the tailed king of Ifraels realmc: 2 
 
 Yet I uric lhephcard with a pibble flone. 
 Confounded (bone that huge and mighty one 
 
 Huge fiery Dragons,Lions fierce and frrong 
 Did they fuch feare on cruel (2) Tyrant brine 
 tTh * fAth - With bloudy teeth or tailes and talens long’ 
 
 With gaping Iawes or double forked fling* 
 
 As when the (mailed: creepers ganne to throng. 
 And feize on cuery quicke and liuing thing? 
 
 3 Yet for fim No.no.Thc Egyptians neuer (3>feared mice, 
 
 them they ^As thee they feared little crawling lice* 
 
 honoured their 
 Gods in the 
 feme of cats. 
 
 VlautMb. delf. 
 
 &°Ji. 
 
 4A moft famms Did euer (4>Pifcus found his trumpet fiirill 
 ?,° 1 °! 1 S 1 and cl«re,as doth the fumracr Gnat, 
 
 Her little cornet which our eares doth fill. 
 
 Awaking cun thc'drowzie/l drone thereat? 
 
 < / ?Z i ?! n Did cuer thin g ao Cupid fo much ill, 
 
 Qdv. As once a (5) Bee which on his hand did fquat? 
 
 Confefie we then in fmail things vertue mofr, 
 Gayning in worth what they in greatnefle loft. 
 
and tbeir Flies, 
 
 37 
 
 But holla, Mufe, extol not fo the vale, 
 
 That it contcrane great hilles,and greater skici 
 Thinkc that in goodneffe nothing can bcfmall, 
 For fmalncflc is butan infirmitie. 
 
 Natures defefr^and otfpring of fomc fall. 
 
 The fcorne of men, and badge of infamy? 
 
 For dill had men continued tall and great. 
 
 If they in goodneffe dill had kept their fcatc. 
 
 A little difmall fire whole towncs hath burnd, 
 
 A little winde doth fpread that difmall fire, 
 
 A little done a carte hath ouerturnde, 
 
 A little weede hath learned to afpire. 
 
 The little Ants(in fcorne fo often fpurnd) 
 
 Haue gallcs : and flies hauc feates of fixed ire." 
 
 Small Indian gnattes hauc fharpeand cruel dings. 
 Which good to nonejaut hurt to many brings. 
 
 And trucly for my part I lid not pray fc 
 Thefe filke-worme-parcnts for their little fife. 
 
 But for thofe louely great refpiendant rayes. 
 
 Which from their woorks and worthiea&ions rifej 
 Each deede deferuing well a Crowneof bayes, 
 
 Y ea, to be grauen in wood that neucr dies: 
 
 For let vs now recount their a&ions all. 
 
 And truth wil proue their vertues are not fmall. 
 
 F 3 Firft 
 
38 
 
 A mt».Dom. 
 
 £J7 9 .»ben I 
 was in tidy. 
 
 Ofthefilke Mfornes 
 
 Firft, though fiuc Males be brought to Females tch^ 
 Yet of them al they neuer chufc but hue, 
 
 Each takes and treads his firft embraced henne. 
 With her he kecpes 3 and neuer parts aliuc: 
 
 And when he is enclos’d in Stygian penne, 
 Defircth flic one moment to famine? 
 
 No,no,but ftrait(like a moil louing bride) 
 
 Flies, lies, and dies, hard by her husbands fide.’ 
 
 In Tufcanetowres what armies did I view 
 One harucft,of thde faithful hulbands dead? 
 Blccde/D my heart,whilft I record anew. 
 
 How wiues lay by thcm,beating,now their head. 
 Sometimes their feet, and wings,& breaft molt true, 1 
 Striuing no Idle to be dcliuered. 
 
 Then T hisbe did from vndefired life. 
 
 When flie beheld her Pynm flainc with knife. 
 
 But whilft they liue, what is their chicfeft workc! 
 To fpinne as fpiders do a fruitldTe rhreed? 
 
 Or Adder-like in hollow caues to lurke. 
 
 Till they haue got a curft and cankred feed? (fork, 
 
 ( Whofe yong ones thcrfore 3 with dame Natures 
 Iuftly gnaw out the wombs that did them breed:) 
 
 Or ft riuc they Lion-like to feizc and pray. 
 
 On neighbours herds or herds-mcn by the way? 
 
 Delight 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 %9 
 
 
 Delightthcy with Grange i Ants ScGriphinsftrong, x M 
 
 To hoord vp gold and cu’ry gaineful thing? ny writeth, lib. 
 
 Liue they net bcafts, and birds, and men among, 
 
 Committing nought that may them damage bring? 
 
 Ohad I thatftuc-thoufand-verfedfong, zrham is 
 
 Which(i)Poet prowd did once with glory fing. 
 
 That whilft I write of thefe fame creatures bleft, jooo. verfes af 
 In proper words their worth might be expreft. 
 
 What wil you more ? they fecdcon nought but airc. 
 
 As doth that famous bird of Paradice, 
 
 They liue not long, left goodneffe fhould empaire, 
 
 Or rather through that(3 ) Hagges enuious eyes, $ htr<fi\ 
 
 That fits, and fitting, cuts in fatallchairc 
 That threed firft off, which faireft doth arife: 
 
 Affording crowcs and kites alonger linc > 
 
 Then ft iers ful of gifts and grace diuinc. 
 
 When maker faid to cu’ry bodied foule, 
 
 ’Encreafe 3 encrcafe 3 /ird multiply your kittde: 
 
 What he or (he of al the w inged foule 
 
 So much fulfilled their foueraigne-Makcrs minde, 
 
 As thefe two flics ? who coupled three dayes whole, 
 
 Left on the fourth more feeds or egges behind 
 
 Then any birdryca then the fruiteful wrenne, A moTc«Uma 
 Numbredby tale a(4)hundred more then tenne. 
 
 Which 
 
40 Ofthefilkg ttormes 
 
 Which donne,both die, and die with cheercfull halt 
 Bycaufe they had doneal they bidden were, 
 
 M ight wc from hence with con fcience like depart. 
 How deare were death? how fwcet 5c voyd of fcare? 
 How little ihould we at his arrowes ftart? 
 
 If wc in hands a quittance fuch could bearc 
 
 Before that iudge , who looks for better deedcs. 
 From men thenflics, that fpring of baferfecds. 
 
 Vumlm, in Go worthy foules (fo (0 witty Greeksyo u name) 
 Greeks for * Po (Telle for ay e the faire IlifiAn greene: 
 
 wiitT** bH ‘ ^P ort c ^ crc your ^ ucs Cc k Wording with his Dame, 
 Enioy the blilTe by Tinners ncuer fecnc: 
 
 You liu’d in honour, and ftil liue in fam e. 
 
 More happy there, then here is many a Quecnc: 
 
 As for your feeds committed to my charge, 
 
 T ake you no care : Tic (ing their worth at larged 
 
 Opiate dy ^ Wecpcnot for this funeral. 
 
 3 Miraet Wcepc noi{$) PanclcaiMiraes chiefc delight, 
 daughter, Wcepe not( 4 ) PhUeta^nox^FrAto tall: 
 
 cVtUmmin Wcepe not(6)Euphemia t nox(j)Felkia white: 
 wending vpen VVeepe not fwcete ( 8 ) Fault a. I allure you all, 
 ber Y our cattels parents are not dead outright: 
 
 Keepe warme their cgges,and you (hall fecanonc. 
 From eithers loynes a hundred rife for one, 
 FINIS. 
 
'y^Tbs fecond books of the Silke - 
 
 Wormes and their Flies. 
 
 O Thou whofe fweet Sc heau’nljr-tuned Pfalmes 
 ^Thc heau ns thcfelucsare fcarcc inough to prailc, 
 Whofe pennediuine and confecrated palmes. 
 From wronging verfe did Roy all Singer rule, 
 Vouchfatc from brothers ghoft no niggards almes. 
 Now to enrich my high afpiring layes, 
 
 Striuing to ghefle,or rather truely rcedc. 
 
 What fhall become of all this little breedc. 
 
 This little breedc? nay eucn theleaft of all. 
 
 The leaf!? nay greater then the greateft are* 
 
 For though in fhew their {ubftanccbcbut fmall, 
 
 Yet with their worth what great ones may compare! 
 
 What egges as the{e,arc fo much fphericall 
 Of all that cu« winged Naturctbarc! 
 
 As though they oncly had deferu d to hauc, t *gawitb other 
 
 The lelfe fame forme which God to hcauens gaue. 
 
 From LyUan egges a mightic (1) bird doth ri fe, s rht 
 Scorning both horfe and horfemen in the chacc, 
 
 With ’Roe-bucks fcctc, throwing in furious wife* 
 Duft,graucll,land and ftoncs at hunters face. 
 
 Yet dwels there not beneath the vauted skies, 
 
 A greater foolc of all the fcathred race: 
 
 For if a little buffi his head doth hide, 
 
 Hethinkcs his body cannotbcefpide. 
 
 G From 
 
A 2 
 
 I Tbt EagU. 
 
 \yormcs 
 
 From egges of( ij her whofc mate Tupporteth Iotu\ 
 And darts giue combate vnto draggons great 
 With whoaiin vain huge ftagges and Lions ftrouc, 
 Whofeonely light makes euery bird tofvvcate 
 Whom Romanes k&m Caftt ole abouc. 
 
 And plac’t her Enfignc in thehigheft feate 
 
 What elfefpriogs out butbloudy birds ofpraye. 
 Sleeping al n ight.and murdering al the daye> 
 
 From egges of famous talmeikn foules, 
 
 And them that hallow Diotncdcs toomb. 
 
 In bodies ftrange retaining former foules, . 
 VVife,wary,warlike,faging things to come, 
 
 V Vhofe inbornc skil out want ofwitre controules' 
 Whole timely foresight mates our heedlefle doom’ 
 Comes ought but cranes of moll vnfeemly foape’ 
 And diuing Cootes w hich muddy chancls frrape? 
 
 » t*mk. Yea (a)you whofe egges Hertentm fometimes fold. 
 At higher rate then now we prize your fire*. 
 
 Proud though he be,and fpotted al with goid. 
 Stretching abroad his ipangJecj braue attire, 
 VVhcrbv, as in a glaffoyou do behold. 
 
 His courting Ioue,arid longing to afpire: 
 
 VV hat bring y e forth but fpeftaclcs of pride, 
 
 V Vhofe pitchy feete marres al the reft befidea 
 
 Thrift 
 
and their Flies. 45 
 
 Thrifc biefTed cggcs of(i) that renowned dame, * V*TtBcaa£ 
 
 Who bleeds to death 3 her dead ones to reuiue, 
 
 Whome enu ious creepers poyfon ouercame, 
 
 VVhilft ftie fetch c meatc to keep c them flilaliuc. 
 
 How wel befits her lone that faeftd Lamb, { 
 
 That heal’d vs all with bleeding iffues hue? 
 
 Yet hath your fruit this blotte^o ouer-eatc. 
 
 And glucton-like to vomit vp their meatc. 
 
 V Vinters(i)Of^/7^ bloudy*breaftcd(3 ) Queen, i 
 Sommers fweete folace, nights (4) A mphion braue 3 b ^’ F ^ met 
 Linns (^)dclig h i,Canarie\ clad in gree nc, 4 5 
 
 All (6) linguifts eke that beg what hart would crauc,$*£^ 
 Selling your tongues for euery triflefeene, \v™$*rratt- 
 
 As almonds,nuttes,or what you elie would haue: ej*. 
 
 Offprings of egges,what arc you but a voice? 
 
 Angring fometimes your friends with too much 
 
 (noyfc. 
 
 Vi6torious(7) A/^rc^/corning partners all, J TJ? konf,- 
 
 Stowt lions terrour,louc of martial Sire, 
 
 True farmers clocke, nights watchman, feruants call, 
 
 PrcfTing ftil forward, hating to retire, 
 
 Conftant in fight,i inpatient of thral. 
 
 Bearing in a little breaft a mighty fire: 
 
 Oh that thou wert as faithful to thy wife. 
 
 As thou art free of courage voice and life! 
 
 G z Chafte 
 
44 
 
 Of the Silfy norms 
 
 Chafte is theTurcle,but yctgfucn to hate, 
 
 Storkes arc officio us,yct not voide of guiles# 
 
 Hardy arc H aggejjesjwit yet giuen to prate# 
 
 Faithful arc VeHesyxx. angry otherw biles. 
 
 The whiceft fwimmer nature ere begate 3 
 Sufpition blacke and icaloufie defiles: 
 
 Bricfely,from egges of euery creature good# 
 Sprang nought diftainted but this little broods 
 
 I CaCedhy A/- 
 chimJtsOuum 
 Philofopha- 
 (um ytht "Phi- 
 lo fophen eggt, 
 % A tntdUin* 
 famust in Ht- 
 nter t« extin. 
 gstifh all kjndt 
 rfgrUfet and 
 faint , * 
 
 As for that fOcggc conceiu’d in idfe braine. 
 
 Whence fiowes (forfooth) that cndlcfle feed of gold. 
 The worobe of wealth ,thc (i ) Nepenthes of p^inc. 
 The home of health, and what we deareif hold: 
 
 I count it but a tale and fable vainc, 
 
 By fotne oldc wife,oreoufning friar told: 
 
 Suppofcd true,though time and truth deferies# 
 That all fuch workes arebutthcworkesoflics. 
 
 For when the Sire of truth hath truly faide. 
 
 That none can make thecouering of his head, 
 
 Thefc Bender haires>fo vile/o foone decaide. 
 
 Of fo fraai worth though ncre fo finely fpread 
 Shal any witte by' humane art and aide. 
 Transforme bale mettals to that cilence redde# 
 Which. buies,not only pcarlcsand precious Bones, 
 But kingdos^ates ', &c Monarch* fra their thrones! 
 
 Ah 
 
and their Plies. 
 
 'Ahiheau’ns forbid (nay hcau’ns forbid it fine,) 
 
 That eucr Art (Eould more then Nature breede, 
 Curfe wc his worke whofc fingers moft impure, 
 Durft but to dare the drawing of that feede, 
 
 Yet when they haue done al they can procure. 
 
 And giuen their leaden God a golden weede: 
 
 Zeuxis his painted dogge fhal barke and whine. 
 When Joue they turnc to Sol or Lima fine. 
 
 SifypbUn( i) foulcs.bewitched multipliers, 
 
 Surceafe to pitch this neucr pitched done. 
 
 Vaunt not ofNaturcs neft,nor Orcus fires. 
 
 Hoping to hatch your addle egge thereon: 
 
 Reftrainc in timefuch ouer-prowd defires, 
 
 Let ere tures lcauc Creators works alone: 
 
 Melt not the golden Sulphur of your hart, ^ 
 
 In following ftil this fond and fruitleffe art. bimfo route a 
 
 fiM.rtimtUi to ,h, top ./ «. hit, Mil nJIV Am, 
 fertile thingto perform*, becaufehe eould never pitch it. Omd $**1. 
 
 Record what once bcfcl great Aeols(i ) fonne. 
 
 For counterfetting oncly but the found. 
 
 Of hcau’niy Canoniers dreadful gunne. 
 
 That (hakes the beams and pillers of this round: 
 
 A fiery boult from wrathfull hand did runne, 
 
 Driuiug falfe forger vnder lowed ground: 
 
 Where ftil he Hues flil wifhing to be dead. 
 
 Spotted without, within al ftaind with redde. 
 
 G 3 Rernem; 
 
 ^ SalmotKUij 
 anotlrerjonneto 
 J£jtlus,Vi>hofor 
 eounter fitting 
 
 turned (as Ser- 
 Him cmceiued') 
 into a Salmon, 
 
 I S ifyphus vat 
 one of king JEo- 
 lus formes , de- 
 limited in rob. 
 lung and couft- 
 uing of bit 
 neighbour 
 Vhertforethis 
 punifhntentwm 
 
45 Of the Sii^e Monties 
 
 Remember eke the Vulture gnaw ing'ftil, 
 
 . Prmt ,, mt That eiier-dying cucr -lining (i) wretch, 
 foH«eofAfa& Who fiealingly with an ambitious will 3 
 laphet, Mho en- From Phatbu* whecles would vitall fircreach 
 vTall) if Thinking to make by humane art and skill,. * 
 doth) to His man of clay a liuing breach to fetch: 
 
 manias tied Beware in time of like cclcftiali rods, 
 ?lZfu?h f eare t0 touch the ° fl cly worke of gods. 
 
 thiimsfhtrtf beeaten eutrUjiin^ly by Vultttrtt t and yet newer to die. Quid iQ.M'tam, 
 
 But if you Rill with prowd prefumptuous leggc$; 
 Will necdcs clime vppe the fiery-fpotted hil, 
 Pilfring from \oue his Ne&ar voycle ofdregs, ' 
 
 icMdhpd** And that immortal meate (i) which none doth fill, 
 Ifyc wil needes imbefill thofe fairc egges, 
 
 !%££ V V v ic ^ 10 her child ; bed 4 e dld , thrir d) mother kil, 
 
 thiide by iufiter ^ ct * a Y n °t>that for gifts and vertues rare, 
 
 i n the forme of a They do, or may, with tbefc my egges compare 
 
 TU '' 
 
 4 .ck.%j$dk* Thefe,thcfc a are they, in dream which Romanc fbidc 
 Clos'd in a Render /hell of brittle mould, 
 
 Holding within, a w hire like filuer tride, 
 iMenceS* Whole inward yolkcrefemblethft) Ophirsgold, 
 lomonfettht F rom out w hofe centre fprang the chccfeft pride 
 That c>rc tfws&r his race did hold, * 
 
 wifedome would Fxchangiug in al countries for the fame, (name. 
 neuethaueper. Meatc.drinkc, dot^cQync.o'r what you clfecan 
 
 mutedhm-h bane done, if he had feme marine) how to make the VhUfphen fene 
 
 Here 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 47 
 
 Here lies the ('i)Calx’of that renowned ftiel, 
 
 Here flutes that water permanent and clccre. 
 Here doth the oile of Philofophcrs dwell* 
 
 Stil’d from the golden Fleece that hath no pecre: 
 In midft ofwhofe vnfeeneand fecret cell 
 Dame Nature fittes,and euery part doth fleere. 
 Though neither opening (hop to euery eie. 
 Nor telling (2) CJtfar fhe can multiply. 
 
 1 Of which 
 Calx } n>ater t an4 
 oylt^yeu may 
 reade mere than 
 enough in Li- 
 bauius : Epijl. 
 de cm 3 Fhitofo- 
 fhorum, & the 
 troubling T urha 
 Thilofophomm , 
 & the rtuerent % 
 D Dee.in Mo - 
 nad.Httrogl. 
 
 1 hs one or two 
 fodis hone done. 
 
 Al-worktngmother,Foundrcffcofthis All, * 
 
 Ten- hundred- thoufand-thoufand-breafted nurfc, ,- r 
 Dedalian mouldreflc both of great and fmall. 
 
 As large in wealth, as liberall of purfe, . . - 
 
 Still great with childe,ftill letting children fall, o/^me. m 
 
 Good to the good, not ill vntothcworfc. 
 
 What made thee fhe w thy multiplying pride. 
 
 More in thefe cgges,thcn all the egges befide? 
 
 Was it,becaufe thou takeft moft delight. 
 
 To print the greateft worth in fmalleft things? 
 
 That they,theleaftofany feede in fight. 
 
 Might clothiers breed to clothe our mightieft kings? 
 O witte diuine^O admirable fpright! 
 
 VVorthiethe fongs of him that fweetefHings: 
 
 L& it fufficc that f adore thy name, 
 
 Whofe works I fee, and know not yet the fame. 
 
 But 
 
4* 
 
 Of the Silfy tvormes 
 
 I 
 
 But damfcls,ah : who ruftlcth in the skie? 
 i Bmufifoh Mcthinks 1 ^ car c Xmthesn Ladyes (i) foe, 
 force wished Bluftringin fury from the mountaincs hie, 
 eI&hs Kin& Lookchow hcraifethcloudes from duft below, 
 iZXtL Ouid Harkc how for fcare the trees do crackcand cric, 
 
 6 Mettm. Each bud recoyles, the Teas turnc too and fro: 
 
 O fuffer not His breath- bereauing breath, 
 
 T o flay your hopes with ouer-timely death. 
 
 Therefore afloone as them you gathered haue, 
 Vpon the whitefl papers you can find. 
 
 In Boxes clcane your egges full elofely faue. 
 From chilling blaft,of deadly nipping windc. 
 Let not that hoary (a) iry-manteld flauc 
 So much preuailc, to kill both ftockeand kindet 
 Farrcbe it from a tender Damfels hearr. 
 
 On tendreft fccdcs to flicvr fo hard a part. 
 
 The /eedes »t Yet keepe them not in roomestoohotandclofe, 
 egges of Silks- Left heatc by ftcalth cncroch it fclfe too foone, 
 
 Zith*L Aud invvard ripening fo difpofe, 
 eoUynorary That fpinfterscreepe ere winters courfc be done, 
 
 ***** hot. whilft woods ftand bare,Se naked ech thing grows. 
 
 And T htsbesfa p for aide be inward runne: 
 
 For as with cold their brooding powrc is fpilac. 
 So are they then for want of herbage kilde. 
 
 Th’Arch- 
 
andtheir Flies. 
 
 > * ■ . , - 
 
 Th’ Arctamafonof tTiis round and glorious bal. 
 Of creatures created Man thedaft, • 
 
 Noe that he thought him therefore worft of all> 
 (For in his foulc parrof himfclfe he caft )• 
 
 But left his wifedothc might in-queftion fall. 
 For having in his houfea fttanger plac't. 
 
 Ere eu’ry thing was made to pleafe and feaft* 
 So great a Monarch and fabraue a gueft. 
 
 4 # 
 
 Voder whofe fccte where c’rc he went abrode 
 r^(i)fpread forth a carpet voide of art. 
 
 Softer -thcji hike, greener then th’£ mtrodt> 
 Wroughjt al with ftowres,and cu’ry hearb apart, 
 Quer him hang'd where e re he made abode, * 
 
 An azur d cloth of ftate, which ouerthwart- 
 Was biaft (as it were)and richly purld. 
 
 With twelnebrauc fignes Sc gliftringftars inurld 
 
 I TheEartb^, 
 
 Vppon him then as vaflals eu’ry day 
 Stowt Lions waited, tamcles Panthers eke. 
 
 Fierce Eagles,and the wildeft birds of pray. 
 
 Huge whales in Seas that mighty carricks wreake. 
 Serpents and toades: Yea each thing did obey. 
 Fearing his lawcs and ftatutes once to breaker 
 Yet wherto fcru ? d this pompe and honour greac> 
 If man had wanted due and dayly meats? 
 
 H Trace 
 
5Q 
 
 Of the Sil^e ypormes 
 
 The feed's or Trace you Gods fteppes, and til you can attainc 
 'frYLtS'” Whcrwith to feed your guefts when firft they fhcw, 
 hatched till the Hafie not their hatching, fort wilprooueapainc, 
 
 ttditi tr “ ^^ lin S y° u J hearts with ruth, your eyes with dew. 
 As when thVntimely lambe on Sarawsphinc, 
 Fallne too too foonc from winter-ftarued ewe. 
 
 To pine you fee for want of liquid food. 
 
 Which fhouldreftore his wants of vitall blood. 
 
 iTbeMuthery Attend thetefore,when farmers (x) ioyrenues 
 Herliucly face, and buddeth all in greene. 
 
 For Hyerns then, with all his frozen crues, 
 
 Is fully deadjor fled to earths vufeene, 
 Corne,cattell,flowers,feare then no hcauienewes. 
 From Northern coafts,or Berea s region keenc: 
 
 Birds flngjflies buzze,bees huro,yca al things 
 To fee the very blufh of Merm lippe. ( skip 
 
 Let fwallowes come 5 let florkes be feene in skic, 
 aT beTQghth- Let (i)Philmelal ing,lct (})Prc?ne chide, 
 x 3 v*w,m*. (4 )Tyry-tiry4cnm vpward Pie, 
 
 4 Larkgs, Let conftant Caches cooke on euery fide, 
 
 Let mountainemice abroad in ouert lie. 
 
 Let euery tree thruft foorth her budding pride. 
 
 Yet none can truely warrant winters flighr, 
 
 .Till Ait be feene with gemmes andiewels digfit. 
 
 O 
 
and their Flies. J 1 
 
 O pcerdeflctreeiWhofc wifcdomc is far more 
 Then any eife chat fprings from natures wombe: 
 For though Pomomes (i) daughters budde before. 
 And forward (2,) Phillis forinoft cucr come. 
 
 And Perfian (3)fruityeeldes of her bloiloms (lore. 
 And (4) T aurus Iiotte fucceedech (5) Aries roome : 
 Yet all confelTe the M ulbery moft wife, 
 Thatneuer breedes till winter wholly dies. 
 
 1 AUhjnde tf 
 roundfruie, 
 
 2 The AJmudet 
 tree, 
 
 3 Venchet: 
 brought firff 
 tut ofPcrfia/U 
 CeltrmtlU t tvri* 
 teth . 
 
 4 Sprilsfigne, 
 
 5 Match hie 
 
 h nt * 
 
 Such is her wit : but more her inward might. 
 For budded neVve when pheehus firft appearcs. 
 
 She is full leaued c’re it grow to night: 
 
 With wondrous crackling filling both our eares, 
 As though one leafedid with another fight, 
 Striuing who firft ihall fee the heau'nly Ipheare/ , 
 Euen as a liuely chickin breakes the (bell. 
 
 Or biefied Soules do feudde and flie from helk 
 
 Yet wittc and ftrength her pittie doth cxccede. 
 
 For none (he hurts that neereor vnder grow. 
 
 No not the brire, or any little wcede , 
 
 That vpward fliootes^orgrouclingcreepcs below,’ 
 
 Nay raore,from heauenly flames each tree is freed 
 That nigh her dwels,when fearful lightnings glow: 
 
 For vertue which,the Romanes made a law, 
 
 To puniOi them that fiiould her cut or faw. Zf >I9 '* ~ 
 
 Hi I * 
 
T’4 ’•* r. > ‘7 
 
 Ofthi Sil^e worms 
 
 r eadtvkny. I leaue to tell how (he doth poifon cure, 
 ub, citato. From adders goare or gall of Lifards got. 
 
 What burning blaines foe Iieales and fores impure* 
 In palat, iawes, and al enflamed throte, 
 VVhatcanckars hard^and wolfes beat her lure, 
 
 What Gangrenes ftoop that make our toes to rotte: 
 Briefly, few griefes from Panders boxe out • flew. 
 But here they finde a medcinc, old or new. 
 
 Her bjoud retourn’d to fweete Thisleanwine, 
 Strengthneth the lungs and ftomacke ouer-wcake. 
 Her duftred grapes do proue a diih mofl: fine/ 
 
 VVhofe kernels (oft do ftones in funder breaker 
 Her leaues too that conuerted are in time. 
 
 Which kings themfclues in highefl prize do reakc: 
 Thus giues (he meat,and drink, mcdcine,8c cloth. 
 To eu’ry one that is not drownd in floth. 
 
 i So Monardes Bragge now no more pcrle-breeding Tapr chant, 
 taUnlrU. ub.de OfOc^thine,that(i)all-fupplyingfoodc, - 
 Tl Vaunt not of Pates thou famou s(i) Africans 
 
 Though fweete in tafle,andfwift in making bloud, 
 Blulh Syrian plums Jrmenian, 
 
 Ehufian figges, and fruit of Phillis good: 
 
 :? - Badis your befl compared vyith this tree, 
 
 Tiwt mofl delights my little flocke and mec. 
 
 I M But 
 
And their Flies. 5 ? 
 
 But wil you know 3 why this they onely eate? 
 
 Why leaues they onely chufe,t he fruite forfake? 
 
 Why they rcfole al choife and fortes ofmeate. 
 
 And hungers heate with onely onedifh flake? 
 
 Then lift a while,you wonder4eekers great, 
 
 \yhilft I ananfwereplaine and cafiemake: 
 
 ~ Difdaine you not to fee the mighty ods, 
 
 Twixt vertUous worms and finful humane gods. 
 
 I thinke that God and nature thought it mectc, s ^ m 
 
 The nobleft wormes on nobleft tree to feede: Xvtrmeseate on> 
 
 And therefore they'elfe neuer fet their feetc %%**** 
 
 On any tree that beareth fruit or feede: 
 
 Others diuinc/that they themlelues did wcete 
 No other tree cpuldjyeelde their fllken threede. 
 
 Iudge learned wittcs-.But fore acaufe there is, 
 yyhy they elfe feede vpon no tree but this. 
 
 Ne eate they all,as greedy Kafers do. 
 
 But leaue the berries to their Soueraigne: 
 
 R eligioufly forbear ing once to bloc 
 ypon the fiuitjfhat may their Lord, maintains 
 Nay,if rliefe leauesfthough nothing cifedoth grows 
 In Uden rich their nature to fuftaine ) 
 
 Had ei ft bin giuen for other creatures meate. 
 
 They would haue chufde rather^o ilaructheneat. 
 
Si 
 
 the hike voormes 
 
 rrhy sufa- In that they onely fecde vppon one tree, 
 
 Ho , w iu % do th fy kcc P e dame Natures lore; 
 
 Who teachcth cu’n the bleare»cyde man to fee. 
 
 That change of meates caufcth difeafes ftorc: 
 
 The gods chemfeluesfifany fuch there be) 
 
 Haue but one^^meate, one drinkc, and neuer more# 
 Whereby they liuein health and neuer die* 
 
 For how can one again# it fclfe rcplic. 
 
 mate . 
 
 i Called Am- 
 brofia. 
 
 t Called tffflar 
 
 Dualitie of meates was fickncfle fpring,' : 
 
 , b«M whom additi0H m f etin S h Y ‘he way, 
 
 “ Bcga te van et i e of euery thing, 
 
 2 Who like a whore in changeable array. 
 
 With painted rheekes(as did Vhilims fing) 
 
 And coral! lippcs,and breafts that naked lay. 
 
 Made vs with vnitie to be at warres, 
 
 , And to delight in difeords, change, and iarrci# 
 
 Wherefore affoone as they beginne to crcepc. 
 
 Like fable-robed A n ts,farre fmaller tho, 
 
 Blacke at t he firfl,like pitch of Syrian deepe. 
 
 Yet made in time as white as Atlas fno w, * 
 
 Send feruants yp to woods and mountaines flecpe, 1 
 When Mu lb ry leaues their maiden lippes do fhcvvj 
 Fecde them therew ith(no other foule they crauc, 
 Ifmorne and cu n frefh lekge they may haue.) * 
 
 c K ' The 
 
and their Flies, ss 
 
 The firft three weekes the tcnd’reft leaues arc be#. 
 
 The next ,thcy craue them of a greater fize. 
 
 The laft,thc hardeft ones they can difgcft* 
 
 As ftrength w ith age increafing doth arife: 
 
 After which time all meate they do deteft, SotJtat they tat 
 
 Lifting vp heads, and feetc, and bread to skies, 
 
 Begging as t’werc of God and man fome fhrowde. 
 
 Wherein to workeand hang their golden do We, 
 
 But whilft they feede, ietal their foode be dries 
 And pull'd when Pb&bus face doth brightly fhine, 
 For raine,miflyiewe,and fpittings of the skic, 
 
 Haue becne ful of the baine of cattle mine: 
 
 Stay therfore, ftay^til dayes-vpholder flic. 
 
 Fine fhges ful from Eafrerne T hetis line: 
 
 Then leaues are free from any poyfncd feede. 
 Which may infed this white and tender breede. 
 
 Whentheir 
 meat gists bet 
 gathered. 
 
 That is to fay, 
 till the fume he 
 fine hmrti high 
 
 iCecpe mcafure too,for though the bell you get, Jn ^ at 
 
 Giuenot too much nor little ofche fame, nth they arete 
 
 Satiety their ftoraacks wilvn whet, it dined. 
 
 Famin e againc wil make them leane and lame: 
 
 Lend Witte the knife to quarter out their meate* 
 
 As neede requires and reafon maketh clame: 
 
 Led belly break, or raeagernede enfewc. 
 
 By giuingmore or IcfTejtheh was their due. 
 
 Nc 
 
Oftheft\ktmrme$ 
 
 varktieof Nechage their food ( iis fomc hau’e thought it meet) 
 
 For Muib pes. chough thcya r £ of double kind, 
 
 T h e b 1 acker ones arc yet to than mbft fwme, . . . . 
 v From out thici* leaues moft pleahng iappe they find, 
 
 t^treas^hi- i j| ut w h5 they faiic whilft Scythiakumci doth-fleete, 
 n miw ^ urne heau’nly hoff s,0 turne that duel! wind) 
 White Mulb’ry leaues, yea tender El ming bud. 
 May forafhiftbegiueninikedeoffoode. 
 
 V’tukli? 0 Swecpc cuty morn ere they frefli vittailes fee, 
 
 ^ tc ***' Their papred boord, whereon they take repafl, 
 With bundled Time,or llippes of Rofemary, 
 Leaue nought thereon that from their bellies paft* 
 No not th’alf-eaten leaues of Tbisbfs tree. 
 
 And when their fcates perfumed thus thou haft, 
 Remooue them back againe with care and heede. 
 To former place wherein they erft did feede. 
 
 Zh^ eefe Oft {halt thou fee thcmeareleiTc of their meate, 
 
 unarms. Guer _ tanc vvith deepe and heauie flecpe. 
 
 Like to that ftrangeand Epidemian fweate,| 
 
 When deadly ilumbers did on Britons creepc: 
 
 Yet feare thou not ,it is but natures feate. 
 
 Who nethelefle hath ofpeerelede fpinftcrs keepej’ 
 And makes them thus as dead to lie apart. 
 
 That t hey may wafeeand feede with betterli^art.' 
 
 Thnfc 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 Thrife thus they flecp,and thtife they caft thcic skin, 
 Ttic latter ftil farre whiter then the reft. 
 
 For neuer are they quiet of mind within, 
 
 Til they be cleane ot blackneffc difpofleft. 
 
 Whether becaufe they deeme it frame and finne 
 To weare the markc of blackifh fiend vnbleft: 
 
 Or that their parents wearing onely white. 
 
 They therefore in that onely would be dight. 
 
 IJow oft they 
 change their 
 ikinnci. 
 
 As they in body and in greatnefte grow, 
 
 Diuidc them into tribes and colonics. 
 
 For though at firft one table and no mo 
 {Smal though it be)a thoufand wormes fuffice. 
 
 Yet aftcrwards(as proofe wil truly ihow) 
 
 When they proceedc vnto agreater fizc. 
 
 One takes the roome oftenne, and feemes to crane 
 A greater fcope and portion for to haue. 
 
 How they are’fr 
 be dijiribnted { 
 when theygrm 
 greater. 
 
 The loft wherein their tables placcdbe. 
 
 Mu ft neither be too full, nor voide of light, 
 
 Two windowes are inough, ftiperfluous three, 
 
 Plac’t in fuch fort that one regard thelight 
 OtPhcebus (feeds vprifingas we fee: 
 
 And from the other when it drawes to night. 
 
 We may behold themtited as it were. 
 
 And limpiug downethe wefterne Hemifphere'. 
 
 I “ Glafdc 
 
 Whatman# 
 of roome their 
 table rmijlfland, 
 
 it*. 
 
5« 
 
 Of the Silty xtormes 
 
 Glafde let them be* or linDcn-couerd both, 
 i Ants or £• To kcepe out fell and blacke Ai onopolitcs 
 
 W0tu The MyrmedonUn crue, who voide of floth 
 
 Do wholy bend their forces, toi!e,and wittes 
 To priuaregainejand therefore arc ful wroth 
 To fee this nation any good befits: 
 
 Working themfclucs to death both night & dav 
 Not for thcmfelucs, but others to array? 
 
 a 
 
 J^o bins. 
 
 $ Sparrtfw. 
 
 The greedy imps of her that flue her (on ne 
 iWrenneiaxl V andions(i) daughter, bloudy harted Oueene* 
 
 Ubim ' J l \ e w !«g cd (3)ftcedes in v<tm coach Tfe runne 
 Infiam d with hlthy luff and fires vnfcenc * 
 Pnrfuc this flocke,and wifi them al vndonc 
 Bycaufe they come from parents chaffe and cleane* 
 O therefore kcepe the cafements clofeand faff ‘ 
 Left queliers rage your harmclcfle cattle waff * 
 
 If alfo carelefnefle hauc left a rift, 
 
 Or chinckc vnflopped in thine aged walk 
 Where- through a noyfomcmiff,ot rayny drift 
 Or poyfned wind may trouble fpinffers fmall, * 
 Mixelimcand fand,deuife fomeprefcntfhift 
 iriow to repel fuch cruel foe-men al: 
 
 SmaH is the charge compared with thegainc. 
 That foal formount thy great* co/land paink 
 
 If 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 I any feemc to hauc an amber coate. 
 
 And fwell therewith as much as skinne can hold, 
 Wholy to lloth and idlenefiedeuote. 
 
 Tainting with lothfomegore the common fold, 
 Ofdeadlyfickencftet’isa certaine note, 
 
 Whofe curc,(ithnonc hauc either wrictc or tolde, 
 VViredom commands to part the dead and ficke. 
 Left they infeft the faultlefte and the quicke. 
 
 Co\de fometimes kills them, fometimes oucr-heate, 
 Raine,oylejfaIt 3 old and wct,and mufty foode. 
 
 The fmcl of onyons-Jeckes^arlick/and new wheat. 
 Shrill founds of trumpctSjdrumSjOrclcauingwoodc: 
 Y ca fomc of them arc of fuch weaken effe great. 
 
 That whifprings foft of men or falling floud. 
 
 Doth fo their harts and fenfes ouer-whecle. 
 
 That often headlong from the boord they icelc* 
 
 Forbeare like wife to touch them more then needes, 
 Skarrc children from them giuen to wantonnclle. 
 
 Let not the fruit of thefe your precious feedes. 
 
 Die in their hands through too much carclefncftc: 
 Who tofteand roulcand tumble them like wcedes 
 From leafe to leafe in bufie idlencflc. 
 
 Now fquatting them vppon thefloorc or ground. 
 Now fquaflaing out their bellies foft and round. 
 
 I i Thus 
 
 H oxdtUeficfyi > 
 are kna\»n front 
 tlx whoU i & i» 
 what prstlbu 
 >fid. 
 
 Outward caufes 
 •/ tbeirjicfytfc- 
 
60 
 
 Of the Silly vnormes 
 
 signtsof their Thus being keptand fed nine weekes entire, 
 readineffet » Surpriz’d with age ere one would thinke them yon g* 
 
 with what an ardent zeale and hot defirc 
 To recompence tfiy trauels do they long? 
 
 They neither fkcpe,nor meate,nar drinke require, 
 But'prefle and ftriue, yea fiercely ftriue and throng. 
 Who firft may find feme happy bough or broom. 
 Whereon tofpinneand leaue their amber loome* 
 
 'Tfcymujl Then virgins then* with vndefiled hand 
 ftourethm- Seuer the greatefl: from the (mailer cruc, 
 
 F° r al alike in age like ready (land, 
 them to writ. Now to begin their rich and oual clue, 
 
 (Hauing firft paid as Nature doth command; 
 To bellies-farmer that which was his due) 
 For nothing muft remaine in body pent. 
 Which may defile their lacred monument. 
 
 Tor that it the 
 hefi and fafeji 
 \eay to loofe 
 none of them. 
 
 So being elenfde from al that is impure. 
 
 Put each within a(i)paper-cofiFin fine. 
 
 Then dial you fee what labour they endure. 
 
 How Carre they pafte the weauers craft of line, 
 
 V V hat cordage firft they make and tackling fure,. 
 
 To ty thereto their bottom ©oft diuine. 
 
 Rounding themfelnes ten thousand times Sc more 
 Y et (pinning (til behind and eke before. 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 None ccafe to workeryea rather all contend 
 Both night and day who Ihall okaine the prize 
 Of working much, and with raoft fpeede to end, 
 Whilft rofie (i) T it an nine times doth ari fe 
 From purple bedde of his moft louing (^friend. 
 And eke as oft in ($) Atlas vally dies) 
 
 Striuingfa ftrife not eafte here to find) 
 
 In working well, who may exceed their kind. 
 
 Hew they 
 veorl^not about 
 nine dates. 
 
 1 The funne. 
 
 2 Aurora, the 
 morning. 
 
 ■$The weflertu 
 fea. 
 
 Yea focae{0 wofull fight)arc often found 
 Striuingjin works their fellowes to excell, 
 Lifelcflc in midway of their trauerft round. 
 
 Nay thofe thar longeft here do work and dwell, 
 Liue but a while, to end their threed renownd. 
 For 1 hauefeeneiand you may fee it well. 
 
 After that once their bottoms arc begunne. 
 Not one furuiues to fee the tenth dayes funne. 
 
 Go gallant youths, and die with gallant cheere,' 
 
 For other bodyes ihortly mull: you haue, 
 
 Of higher fort then you enipyed here. 
 
 Of worthier ftate,and of a fiiape more braue. How they are 
 
 Liehnt three weekes within your fiilken beere, tHr " ed ft* 
 Till Syrian dogge be drownd in wefternc waue, *£^3$ 
 
 And in a moment then mongft flying things, tbertabms. 
 Receiue not feete aloncjbucalfo wings. 
 
 I 3 Wings 
 
 

 Of the Si/^e formes 
 
 A def ription of Wings whiter then the ftiow of (i) Taurus hiei 
 tU subfiles, feete fairer then (i) Adonis euer had, 
 l^hhUintfa Heads ,bodies,breafts, and necks ofluory, 
 z renui para- With perfit fauour,and like beautic clad, 
 rnourjcnntto yvhich to commend with fome varietie. 
 
 Cinarx , fottg of . . n , . . , , v * ,,,cuc » 
 
 Cyprus } ly hi And Ihadow as it were with colour fad, 
 
 °»» e daughter Two little duskie feathers fhall arife 
 Myrrh*. From forehead white, to grace your Ebcn eyes. 
 
 rrhm the fii\e Then neither (hall you fee thebottome mouc, 
 it to hi winded Norany noyfc percciue with quickeft care, 
 fromthehettom Death rules in all,bencath, in midft,abouc, 
 
 Wherefore make haftcyou damfcls voyd of feared 
 Shake off delay, as ere you profit louc> 
 
 In boxes flraite away your bottoms beare. 
 
 Freed from the coffin wherin late they wrought. 
 To game the golden fleece you fo much fought. 
 
 'winded. 
 
 inwhat fort t he Firft P u ^ avva y the loofc and outmoff doune* 
 fi^htohee As hufwiues do their ends ofknottietowe. 
 
 That which lies vpmoftisofleaff renowne, 
 Thefincftthreed is placed mofl below: 
 
 Threedfittc for kings ,vnmeetc for eucry clownc* 
 On Natures quill fo wound vp rowc by rowc. 
 
 That if thine eye and hand the end can find. 
 
 In water yvarme thou raaift it all Vnwind. 
 
 Three 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 
 Three forts there are,diftin£t by colours three. 
 The pureft Kkcto (i)their rcfplendant haire. 
 
 Who weeping brothers fal from couriers free. 
 Their tcarcs were turn’d to yellow amber faire. 
 The fecond likefa) her whom impatiencie 
 Made of a fpoufe a tree raoft folitary: 
 
 The laft more white, made by the weaker fort, 
 Not of fogreat a price, nor like report. 
 
 heto mat# forts 
 there l>e % 
 \ That tufa 
 'Lampetia Vh t, 
 e tons fifleri. O* 
 uid 2 Mttam . 
 2 ThillisfDe- 
 mophoons fpou/e 
 turned into an 
 hlwwd tree. 
 
 From out at threc,but chiefly from the beft. 
 
 Are made, not onely robes for priefts apd kings, the vfe ofaU 
 But alio many cordial mcdcins blcft, fim ojffi 
 
 Curing the wounds that fullen Saturne brings. 
 
 Which being drunk, how quiet is our reft? 
 
 How leaps our hart? how inwardly it fpiings* 
 
 Speake you fad fpirits that did lately feele. 
 
 The hart-brcakccrulh of melancholies whcclc. 
 
 Nay euen the doune which lies aloft confufde. 
 Makes Leuant ftuffe for country yonkers mcete. 
 Though it of court and cittic be rcfufdc. 
 
 And is not wotne in any ciuill ftrecte* 
 
 But tel me yer,how can (5) he be cxcufde. 
 
 Who trampled eu’n thebeft with mired feete. 
 
 And in a moment marr’d al that with pride. 
 
 For making whichjtenaethoufandfpinftersdidc? 
 
 Now 
 
 j Diogenes that 
 dog ftp % vfho with 
 his dir tie (hoots 
 trade down* 
 Tlatoesfilkpn 
 Qtti!t(as Laer- 
 tius reriteth)in 
 greater pride 
 then Tlato cnee 
 
Of the Silke mrmes 
 
 ru fitji Now if of thcfe your bottoms you require, 
 
 bottoms arebejt Some to referue for future raceand feede, 
 t forf"ft!’ 4U Chufe out the cldc ft, for their forward fire 
 
 Makes inward flye the fooner fpring and breede: 
 Whereas the latter ones haue lcaft defire. 
 
 And lefter might to perfit Venn* deede: 
 
 For why, their pride is dul, and fpir its coldc, 
 liJott Borne in the quarter laft of(i )/ ane olde. 
 
 Wind none of them, which you for breede allot. 
 In watrie bath,nor elfe in wine,or lye. 
 
 Left outward moifture innly being got. 
 Surrounding, drownes the little infant-flyc , 
 
 And caufe both filings and fecundine to rotte. 
 
 So chat before it liues it learnes to dye: 
 
 Or if you haue them drenched f© for gaine. 
 
 At filmic or fire to dry them take fome painc. 
 
 Singled, then laye them on a table neate, 
 vhu^pTerfor C° ucrc d alo're with white(i) PhiUiraes skinne, 
 tbtfirflVrlting Stay then againc till Phcebus chariot great 
 p*per wat tht J n Qccws bath hath twclue times waflied bin. 
 
 And you flial fee an admirable feate, 
 canetim nhitb This form’d and yet transformed broodc within: 
 Jran!fWm‘d From which new fliapes new bodies do arife. 
 
 And taiLes to heads , and worms are turn’d to flies." 
 
 Mithtl. Within i i A4ti*ftertht bottoms ftnifbedjhefilktfties iiYt difclofed, 
 
 Whereac 
 
and their Flies. s f 
 
 ‘ ' * 
 
 Whereat to wonder each man may be bold, 
 
 When feely worms thcmfelues new fliers made, 
 
 Whilftone anothers face they do behold: 
 
 Mufe how,and when,Sc where, this forme they had. 
 
 How new homes fprang fro out their foreheads old. 
 
 Whence ifTued wings,which do them ouer-lade: sake flit fade 
 
 For they recording w hat they were of late, X™ ^ ^ 
 
 Dare not yet mount abode their former ftate. 
 
 As ftudying thus they ftand a day or more, 
 
 Offring to feede on nought but onely aire, 
 Lothing the iracate fo much defir’d before, 
 
 1 mcane the leaues of Thisbes tree moft faire: 
 Difdaining eke to taftc oiNais ftore. 
 
 To quench the heatc that might their harts impairc: 
 At length they know themfelues to bealiuc, 
 And fal to that for which our wantons ftnue. 
 
 A day tea bttk 
 more after dip • 
 clofi*gfbcjc9H" 
 fie togitber. 
 
 Both long, and longing skud to Venut forts. 
 
 To ftirre vp feed that euer may remaine. 
 
 He runnes to her, and fhe to him reforts. 
 
 Each mutually the other entertaine, 
 
 Ioynd with fuch lincks and glue of natures fports. 
 That coupled ftil they reft a day or ewaine: 
 
 Yea oftentimes thrifeturnes the welkin round. 
 Ere they arc feene vnlockcd and vnbound. 
 
 K 
 
 H evfloHi the) 
 
 are coupled logit: 
 
 $9 
 
66 
 
 Of the Silfy vtormes 
 
 So hauing left what ere he could impart, 
 fling. Of fpirits, humorsjfcedc,and recremenr. 
 
 Willing yet farther tohauc throwne his hart 
 Into her breaft,to whom he all things ment. 
 
 He formoft dies and yeelds to fatal dart : 
 
 Ne liues fhe long, but ftrait with forrow fpent, 
 (Hauing firft laide theegges i be did conceiue) 
 Of loueand life fhc fhortly takes her leaue. 
 
 TKr <&«;»: c SS es the y k.in fcignefle, colour, lhape, 
 
 flow and, big. Like to the mcatc of I tid t ci ft ParrachitCj 
 
 ^‘ Ic6 " e in vicw thcn f«dof garden rape. 
 
 Millet jude, In nt ™ cr many, yet indefioite : 
 whmmth Par- For when the females womb begins to ga Dr 
 
 whit* mftd. And ren( j cr w hat t h c ma j c g 0t ouer •* 
 
 Now morc,now fewer feeds dropt from the fame 
 As they were fhort, or longer at their game. 
 
 Y « feldome are they than a hundred lefTe, 
 veggtu ey s ometimes Cvvo hundred from their byncs do fall. 
 Round, fraooth, hard-fhelld,and voideofbrirdenes, 
 Whited alike,and yellow yolked all, 
 
 Whofe veitues great no man did yet expreffe, 
 i the wAuror Much leffe can I w hofe kno wledge is fo fmal, 
 
 IuhIZ ^ 11 T , bou S h fure 1 am hcn « may we find a thcame, 
 %£r Able to drink vp(i) Aganippe* ftreame. 
 
 O 
 
and their Flies . 
 
 fff 
 
 O kecpe them then with moft attemiue heede, 
 
 From Boreas blaft and Aeols infolencc, md. 
 
 From menftruous blafts Sc breathing keep the freed, 
 Auoide likewife the mil-dewes influence. 
 
 Pray heaunly Monarch fot to blefTe your feede> 
 
 Helping their wcakneffe with his prouidcnce: 
 
 So may your milk-white fpinfters workeamaine* 
 When Morns lippes ftal bud and bluft againe. 
 
 And(i)thou whofe trade is beft and oldcfi: too. 
 
 Steward of all that euer Nature gaue. 
 
 Without whofe help what can our rulers doo, 
 Though gods on earth appareld wondrous braue? 
 Behold thy helping hand faire virgins wooe. 
 
 Yea nature bids,and reafon cake doth craue 
 Thy cunning,now thefe little worms to nurfe. 
 Which ftal in time with gold fill full thy purfe. 
 
 I A n exhort*, 
 tson to all Far. 
 mere and Hufi 
 bandmen to 
 fhzntidulbe* 
 viet* 
 
 In freed of fruitles elms and fallowes gray. 
 
 Of brittle Aft, and poyfon-breathing vgh. 
 
 Plant Muib’ry trees nigh euery path and way, 
 
 Shortly from whence more profit fhal enfue. 
 
 Then from (2,) th’Hefperian wood,or orchards gay, iMadeani ' 
 
 On euery tree w here golden apples grew: ieJLZfa, % 
 
 For w hat is Hike but cun a Quintenence, Hypertthufa 
 
 Made without hands beyond al humane fenfe? 
 
58 Of the, Silks worms 
 
 Aemmendati. A quiuteffence? nay wel it may be call'd, 
 
 Mttllwhkh ^ ^ eat: ^eile tin&ure,fenr vs from the skies, 
 eommctb from Whofe colour hands , whofe gioffe is neVe appalld, 
 the Offeree, Whofe Mulbr’y-fent and fauour neuer dies, 
 u Yea w h en to ti m e all natures el fe be thralld, 
 made by the in* And euery thing Fate to corruption ties: 
 dtanmrmet. This onc jy f CO rnes within her lifts to dwell, 
 Bettring with age 5 in colour,glofle,and fmel. 
 
 i ofehfe of. So doth not yours (you (i ) Lordings of the woode) 
 fyamorhordt Growing like webbs vppon the long-haird graffc, 
 leaden. lib. Along thc(2.) Offer i an bancks of S uthy an 
 i Dtcad x. Which into Caff tan wombe doth headlong paffe. 
 
 ^IJrHefms No,no: Although that hike beflrong and good 
 famamed the In outward lhew,and highly prized was, 
 laberaii, lining When bounteous Cdfar ruled cittics prime, 
 
 ^er ’chrift, /f" Y et foonc it fades,and ycclds to rotte id time* 
 
 'mhofe time a found Height •/ ftlkg was fold for the likf weight in fine 
 
and their Flies. 
 
 ■*9 
 
 Yet that compar’d with this is nought To fine, 
 
 Ne ought To fweetely fum’d with daintic lent. 
 Nor o f like durance,nor likcpowrcdiuinc: 
 
 Mirth to reftore,when fpirits allarefpent. 
 
 If it be fteept in fwcet P$mames{ i)wine. 
 
 Till colour fade, and (ubftance do relent: 
 
 Nay ,nay, no ftlkemuft make that (z) Antidote, 
 Saue onely which from fpinfters mine is got. 
 
 t The goddtjji 
 of apples. 
 a Called Con- 
 ftftio \lkf rmst 
 a mofi fingulae 
 E le&ttarie <u 
 gain/l Melon* 
 cboliejf it be 
 rightly made. 
 
 3 lo. Feme hut. 
 lib.7 qui eft de 
 imfewesL 
 
 Whereof, if thou a pound in weight fhalt take 
 Vnftaindat all(as Amiens ( 3 ) floure doth write) 
 And with the iuce of Rofc and pippins make 
 A ilrong infuiion of fome day and night. 
 
 Adding feme graines of muskeand Ambres flake. 
 And Teething all to hony-fubftance right: 
 
 O what a Balmeis made to chcere the heart. 
 
 If pearlc,and gold, and fpiccs beare a part? 
 
 What neede I count how many winders Iiue, 
 
 How many twifters eke,and weauers thriue 
 Vppon this trade? which foode doth daily giue 
 To fuch as clle with famine needes muft ftriue: 
 What multitudes of poore doth it relieue. 
 
 That otherwife could fcarcc be kept aliuc? 
 
 Say Spaniard proude,$£ tel Italian youth. 
 Whether 1 fainc,or write the words of truth, 
 
 K 3 Not 
 
70 
 
 Of the SMfy i»omes 
 
 Not cuer were your princes dad fo braue,' 
 
 Not cuer were your wiucs deckt as they be, 
 tRepopiaht, Much leffe was filk then wornc of cucric flaue’ 
 Lmpidiut. art i^ s iQ ?r ung from bafe and low degree. 
 
 That (i)rioter whofe belly diggd his graue, 
 
 Clothd all in fllke,the Romanes firft did fee* 
 
 f,f° rc u wh0 , f “ lnle fi i k ' w ? u ’ n 0D 1'nncn‘threed, 
 vomtims firji Was thought braue Ruffe for any Princes weed. 
 
 brought into 
 Europe, 
 
 Burafterwardcs, when holy Palmers twaine 
 rrotn out (i)Scrmd* brought theft worms of fame, 
 Iv'"l A m ,u, And plautcd Mulb’ry plants on hill and plainc 
 Wherewith to fatte and foftcrvppc the fame: ’ 
 thrijlja.} How rich waxt Ittlythow braue was Spdinei 
 Uf.ejktu. rn- Ip Sattin fine.how braggd each man of name? 
 
 Tam, ,f, v i Yca,euery clowne, that euen as now.fo then,’ 
 
 iwi/4. Habitcs did fcarce difeerne the Rates of men.' 
 
 Vp Britaineblouds/rifehcartsofEngliflj race,' 
 Why fhould your clothes bccourfcr then thereftf, 
 Whofe feature tall,and high afpiring face, 
 
 Aimeat great things, and challenge cun thebeft . 
 Begge countrymen no more in fackcloth bafe. 
 Being by me of fuch a trade poffeR: 
 
 That fhall enrich your fdues and children more. 
 Then ere it did A r aples or Spaiftc before* 
 
and their Fites. 
 
 n 
 
 No man fo poorc but he may Mulb'ries plant. How tape mi 
 No plant fo fnaal but wila filke-worme feede, thargekjje « 
 
 No worme fo little(vnleffc care do want) J 
 
 But from it felfe wil make a clew ofthreede, 
 
 Ech clew weighs down,rathcr with more then fcant, 
 
 A penny weight,from out whofc hidden feede, 
 
 V-/ , 6 . t N * W hat Mterphn 
 
 (After the winged wormes conception) thetehin prefitc 
 
 A hundred fpinfler s iflue forth of on c ; h kn ^ 
 
 Diuinc we hcnce,or rather reckon right. 
 
 What vfury and proffit doth arife. 
 
 By keeping well thefe little creatures white* 
 Worthy the care of euery nation wife, 
 
 That in their owne or publique wealth delighr. 
 Andrafhly wil northings fo raredefpife: , 
 
 Yea fure,in time they wil fuch profit bring. 
 As Ihall enrich both pcoplc>prieft,and king. 
 
 Concerning pleafure : who doth notadmire^ 
 
 And in admiring,fmiles not in his hart. 
 
 To fee an egge a warmer wormea flier* 
 
 Hauing firft fliewd her rare and peerclefle art. 
 
 In making that which princes doth attire* 
 
 And is the bafe of euery famous Mart? 
 
 And then to fee theflie caff fo much feede. 
 
 As doth, or may,an hundred fpinftcrs breede. 
 
 Againe 
 
 great pie* 
 jure there it in 
 kpepingtbetn, 
 both to the eitt y 
 
 tires fiofe^trul 
 hands. 
 
7 * Oftkefilkg xtormes 
 
 Againe to view vppon one birchen &redde. 
 
 Some hundred Clewes to hang like cluftred peares^ 
 Thofe grecne,thefe pale, and others fomewhat red. 
 Some like the locks hanging down? Ph&bu* cares: 
 And then.how Nature when each wormeisdead. 
 To better ftate in tenne dayes fpacc it rearcs: 
 
 Whp lees all this, and cickleth not in minde > 
 To markc thechoyle and plcafurcs in each kinde. 
 
 Eye but their egges, (as Grecians termethetn well) 
 And with a penne-knife keeoc diu ide them quite. 
 Behold their white, their yolke, their $kin 3 and fhel, 
 Diftin& incolour,fubftance,formc,and fight: 
 
 And if thy bodies watchmen do not fwell. 
 
 And caufc thee both to ieape and laugh outright, 
 Thinkc God and nature hath that eye denied. 
 
 By which thou&ouldfl fio bruciQa beafls be tried* 
 
 When they arc worms, mark how they color chagc, 
 from blacke to browne,from browne to forrel bay. 
 From bay todunnc,from dunneto duskieftrange. 
 Then to an yron, then to a dappl e gray. 
 
 And how each morne in habites new they range. 
 Till at the length they fee that happy day, 
 
 When(iike their Sires and hcau’nly angels bled.) 
 Of pure and milk-white Holes they arc pofleft. 
 
 Large 
 
and their plies. 
 
 .... - J ' . 
 
 Lay then thine care and liften but a while,! 
 
 Whilft each their foode from leafage €rc(h receaucs. 
 Trie if thou canft hold in an outward fmile. 
 
 When both thine eare and phantafic conceaucs. 
 
 Not worms to feed,but fho wrings to diftil. 
 
 In whifpring fort vpon the tatlingleaues: 
 
 For fuch a kind of muttring haue l heard, (teard. 
 Whilft herbage greenc yvith vnfecnc teeth they 
 
 When afrerwatd with needle pointed tongue. 
 
 The Flics haue bor’d a paflage through their elewes, 
 Obferuc their gate and Aeerage al along. 
 
 Their falutations,couplings,and Adieus : 
 
 Hearc eke their hurring aud their churring fong> 
 When hot /Vw/wloucand luft renewes, 
 
 And tel me if thou heardft, or c’re didft eye, 
 Likefport amongft all winged troupes thatflye.' 
 
 Tislikcwifc fport to hearc how man and maide, 
 Whilfl; winding, twilling, and in wcauing, thay 
 Now laugh, now chide,ti ow fcan what others faidc* 
 Now fmg a Carrol,now alouers lay. 
 
 Now make the trembling beames to cry foraidc^ 
 
 On clattring treddlcs whilft they roughly play: 
 
 R cfcmbl ing in their tiling and their fills, 
 
 A muficke flrange of new found Clark alls, 
 
 L ^ The 
 
we dtlke mrmes 
 
 The fmel iikewife offllken wool that's new^ 
 
 To heart and head what comfort doth it bring, 
 Whilft we it wind and tooze from oual clew l 
 Refctnbling much in prime of fragrant fpring. 
 
 When wild-rofebuds in greene and pleafant hue. 
 Perfume the ayre,and vpward fents do fling. 
 
 Well pleafing fents,neither too fowre nor fwcete, 
 But rightly mixt, and ofa temper mcete. 
 
 As for the handflooke howalouer wife 
 Delightcth more to touch Ajlarte flick 
 Then Hccubd , whofe eye-browes hide her eics, 
 Whofe wrinckled lippes in kifsrng feeme to prick, 
 Vpon whofe palmcs fuch warts and hurtclls rife. 
 As may in pouldef grate a nutmegge thick: 
 
 So ioy our hands in fllke,and feeme ful loth 
 To handle ought but filke and fllken cloth. 
 
 Such arc the plcafurcs,and farre more then thefe. 
 Which head, and har^eieSiCareSjand nofe,and hands, 
 Take, or may take, in learning at their cafe. 
 
 The dieting of thefe my fpinning bands, 
 
 YVhofe fllken threede (hat more then counterpeife, 
 Paine, coft, and charge, what cuer it vs ftands, 
 
 So that if gaine or pleafure can perfwade, 
 Gowejct vs learric the filkcn ffaplcrs trade. 
 
end their Flies. 
 
 75 
 
 But lift, me thinkes I hearc Amyntas faync, 
 
 That Ihepheards skill wilfoone be quite vndone. 
 Behold faire Phillis fcuddtth from thcplainc, 
 LeauinJ; her flocks at randon for to runne, 
 
 Lo Liman clothier breaks his loomes in twaine. 
 
 And thoufand fpinftcrs burne their woollen fpunne: 
 Ahlceafe your rage.thcfe fpinfters hurt you nought 
 But wil encreafe you more then ere you thought. 
 
 Keeping offline* 
 V vermes hindretb 
 hit the keeping 
 ifflseepe nor f 
 
 Sheepheardu 
 
 For cardean ounce offilke with ten ofwooll, 
 Howfine,how ftrog,how ftrange a yarnc doth rife? 
 Make trial oncc,and hauing feene at ful. 
 
 Your new found ftufFe,chaffrcd at higheftprize. 
 Then blame your idle heads and fenfes dull, 
 
 T tuft not conceit,but crcditc moft your eyes: 
 Laughing as much,or more, the ere you mourn'd. 
 When feare you fee to ioy and vantage turnd. 
 
 Laugh now (faire Mirdjwith thy Virginswhite, 
 
 For why your egges committed to my care. 
 
 Are grownefo much in bigncflejWortb 5 and fight, 
 That Kings and Queens to keep them wil not fpare. 
 Yea Queen of Quecncs,forverrue,v\ itte,and might. 
 Perhaps wil hatch them twixt thofe hillocks rare. 
 Where al the Graces feedeand Sifters nine. 
 
 Who eucr loue, and grace both thee and thine. 
 
 FINIS.