CfiQC 
 
 raLCi 
 
 €'^ 
 
 
 
 <^: 
 
 '^^ 
 
 (4 
 
 S CCrr ' 
 
 f cc c<: 
 
 
 
 
 •r^- 
 
 ^s^ 
 
 ^ <- 
 
 
 
 
 ^jW^s^M^WM^mimMtWi 
 
 wmsmif-ssmmBmm
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 
 <2cr , 
 
 dec 
 
 « 
 'Ccr 
 
 
 c:c 
 
 s^ 
 
 ^«r- 
 
 1 Ccr 
 
 
 
 CO 
 
 Sf; 
 
 
 Crr/r 
 
 
 
 cc
 
 ^J. 
 
 ' 7 "7 
 
 a I B R.ARY 
 
 OF THL 
 UNIVERSITY 
 Of ILLI NOI5
 
 i 
 4)
 
 ^ii^ COLIN CLOVTS ^; 
 
 ^^ Come home againe. ^| 
 
 ^j? j^^. Spencer.
 
 llAHff^O-> 
 
 'rho'roih^Qt 
 
 TO THE RIGHT 
 
 worthy and noble Knight 
 
 Sir Wdter Raletgh, CaptaineofhcrMaiefties 
 Guard, Lord VVarddnofthe Stanneries, 
 and Lieut emnt: of the Count le of 
 Cornwall. 
 
 CO 
 
 
 / R , that you may fee that lam not aU 
 waiesydle as yee thinke , thotiqh not 
 greatly roell occupied , nor altogither 
 vndutifully though not frectfely of- 
 ficious^l make you prefent of this pm* 
 pie fasf orally vnworthie of your high- 
 er conceiptfor the meanejje of the fit le, 
 but agreeing with the truth in circumsiance and mat- 
 ter, The which 1 humbly hefeech you to accept in fart 
 ofpaiment of the infinite debt in which 1 acknowledge 
 my felfe hounden vnto yoUy for your fingular ftnours 
 and fundrie good turnes shewed to me at ?ny late being 
 in England^ and with your good countenance proteci a- 
 gainH the malice of enill mouthes , which are alwaies 
 wide open to car peat and mifconUrue myfimple meaning. 
 
 A 2 /
 
 The EpiftleDedicatorieJ 
 
 / ^Yiiy continually for your hnppinep. From ny houji 
 of Kilcolman , the 27. of December. 
 
 Yours euer humbly. 
 Ed. sp. 
 
 UiUC ^
 
 COLIN CLOVTS 
 
 come home againe. 
 
 npHe fhepheards boy (beft knownc by that name) 
 -^ That after T/z^r/^lirftfung his lay, h *n'> r ^^ 
 Laies of fweet loue,without rebuke or blame. 
 Sate (ashiscuftomewas)vpon aday. 
 Charming his oaten pipe vnto his peres, 
 7 he fliepheard fwaines that did about him playr 
 Who all the while with greedie liftfull eares, 
 Didftandaftoni(htat his airious skill , 
 Like hartleffe deare, difmayd with thunders found. 
 At laft when as he piped had his fill. 
 He refted him : and fitting then around. 
 One of thofe groomes (a iolly groome was he. 
 As euer piped on an oaten reed, 
 Andlou'd this (hephearddeareft in degree, 
 Hight Hohhinol) gan thus to him areed. 
 
 Colmmy liefcjmy life, how great a lofle 
 Had all the (hepheard s nation by thy lacke? 
 And I poorefwaine of many grcateft croffe : 
 That fith thy cMt^/e firft fince thy turning backe 
 Was heard to found as (he was wont on hye. 
 Haft made vs all fo blcffe d and fo bly the. 
 
 A J VVhikft
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 Whileft thou waft hcnce,all dead in dole did He : 
 The woods were heard to waile full many a fythe. 
 And all their birds with filence to complaine ; 
 The fields with faded flowers did feem to mourne, 
 And all their flocks from feeding to refrainc: 
 The running waters wept for thy returne, 
 And all their fifli with languour did lament : 
 But now both woods and fields, and floods reviuCj 
 Sith thou art come,their caufe of meriment. 
 That vs late dcad,haft made againe aliue: 
 But were it not too painfull to repeat '^- 
 
 The pafled fortunes, which to thee befell 
 In thy late voyage, we thee would entreat. 
 Now at thy leifure them to vs to tell. 
 
 To whom the (hepheard gently anfwcred thus,^- 
 Hobbin thou tempteft me to that I couet : 
 For of good pafled newly to difcus. 
 By dubble vfurie doth twife renew it. 
 And fincc I faw that Angels bleflcd cie. 
 Her worlds bright fun, her heauens faireft light. 
 My mind full of my thoughts fatietie. 
 Doth feed on fweet contentment of that fight: 
 Since that fame day in nought I take delight. 
 Ne feeling haue in any earthly plcafurc, 
 But in remembrance of that glorious bright, 
 My lifes fole blifle,my hearts et email threafure. 
 Wake then my pipe,my fleepie Mufe awake, 
 Till I haue told her praifeslafting long; 
 HoWin defires, thou malft it not forfake, 
 Harkethen y e iolly (hephcards to my fong. 
 
 With
 
 come home againe. 
 
 With that they all gan throng about him ncarc. 
 With hungrie cares to heare his harmonie ; 
 The whiles their flocks deuoyd of dangers fearc. 
 Did round about them feed at libertie. 
 
 One day (quoth he) I fat, (as was my trade) 
 Vnderthefooteof -^^/d'that mountaine hore, 
 Keeping my fheepe amongft the cooly (hade. 
 Of the greenc alders by the -^/^//<t^j (hore : 
 There a ftraunge (hepheard chaunft to (ind me out. 
 Whether allured with my pipes delight, 
 Whofe pleafing found y(hrilled far about. 
 Or thither led by chauncej know not right: 
 Whom when I asked from what place hecamc> 
 And how he hight,himfelfe hedid ycleepe. 
 The fhepheard of the Ocean by name, 
 And faid he camefar from the main-fea deepe. 
 He fitting me befide in that fame fhade, 
 Prouoked me to plaie fome pleafant fit. 
 And when he heard the mulickc which I made. 
 He found himfelfefull greatly pleafd at it: 
 Yei aemuling my pipe,nc tooke in hond 
 My pipe before that a^muled of many , 
 And plaid theron; (for well that skill he cond) 
 Himfelfe as skilfuU in that art as any. 
 Hepip'd,! fung; and whenhe fungjpiped, 
 By chaunge of turnes,each making other mery, 
 Neither enuy ing other^nor cnuied, 
 So piped we,vntill we both were weary. 
 
 There interrupting him ,a bonie fwaine. 
 That Ctddy hight,him thus atwcenc bcfpakc : 
 
 And
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 And (hould it not thy readie courfe rcftraine, 
 1 would requeft thee Colin^ot my fake. 
 To cell what thou didft fing, when he did plaie. 
 For well I weene it worth recounting was. 
 Whether it were fomehymnejOr moral! laic> 
 Or carol made to praife thyloucdlaffe. 
 
 Nor of my loue,nor of my Io.ffe(quoth he) 
 Ithen did fing, as then occafion fell: 
 For !oue had meforlornejforlorneofme, 
 Tliat made me in that defart chofe to dwell. 
 But of my riuer Bregogs loue I foong, 
 VVhich;to the (hiny Mulla he did bearc^ 
 And yet doth beare,and euer will,fo long 
 As water doth within his bancks appear e. 
 
 Offellowfhip(faid then that bony Boy) 
 Record to Vs that lonely lay againc: 
 The ftaie whereof, (hall nought thefe eares annoy, . 
 VVhoallthatC<?&makes,docouetfaine. 
 
 Heare then (quoth he) the tenor of my tale. 
 In fort as I it to that (hepheard told: 
 No leafing new,norGrandams fable ftale. 
 But auncient truth confirmed with credence old. 
 
 Old father Mole^ {Mole hight that mountain gray 
 That walls the Northfidc oiArmtdla dale) 
 He had a daughter frefh as floureof May, 
 Which gauethat name vntothat pleafant vale; 
 CMulla the daughter of old C^lole^^o hight 
 The Nimph,which of that water courfe has charge, 
 That fpringingout of^V^/^jdoth rundowneright 
 To BuiteMrit,\^h%xt fpreading forth at large, 
 
 Ir
 
 come home againc. 
 
 It giiieth name vnto that auncicnt Cittie, 
 
 Which Kthemullahclcipcd is of old; 
 
 VVhofc ragged mines breed great ruth and pittic, 
 
 Totrauailersjwhich it from far behold. 
 
 Full faine fhe Iou'd,and was belou'd full faine, 
 
 Ofher owne brother tiucr ^Bregog hight, 
 
 Sohight becaufeof this deceitfulltraine. 
 
 Which he with MulLi wrought to win delight. 
 
 But her old fire more carefull of her good, 
 
 And meaning her much better to preferre, 
 
 Did thinke to match her with the neighbour flood, 
 
 Which ^/fohighc,Broad water called farre: 
 
 And wrought fo well with hiscontinuall painc. 
 
 That he that nuer for his daughter wonne : 
 
 Thedowreagreedjthedayafsignedplaine, 
 
 The place appointed where it fhould bedoone. 
 
 Nathleffe the Nymph her former liking held; 
 
 For loue will not be drawne,but muft be ledde. 
 
 And Brego^ did fo well her fancie weld, 
 
 That her good will he got her firfltowedde. 
 
 But for her father fitting ftill on hie. 
 
 Did warily flill watch which way fhe went. 
 
 And eke from far obferu'd with iealous eie, 
 
 Which way his courfe the wanton Bngf^ghcnty 
 
 Him todeceiue for all his watchfull ward. 
 
 The wily louerdiddeuifethisflipht; 
 
 Firfl into many parts his flreamc he fhar'd, 
 
 That whileft the one was watcht,thc other mi ;;ht 
 
 Pallevncrpidetomeereherbytheway; 
 
 And then befides^thofe little flreames fo broken 
 
 B He 
 
 •%
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 He vnder ground fo clorely did conuay, 
 That of their paffage doth appeare no token. 
 Till they into the CMullaes water Aide. 
 So fecretly didhehisloneenioy; 
 Yet not fo fecret,bat it was defcride, 
 And told her father by a fhephcards boy. 
 Who wondrous wroth for that fo foule defpight, 
 In great auenge did roll downe from his hill ^ 
 Huge mightie ftones, the which encomber might 
 His paflfage^and his water-courfes fpill. 
 So of a RiuerAvhich he was of old. 
 He none was made^but fcattred all tonought^ 
 And loft emongthofe rocks into him rold. 
 Did lofe his name: fo deare his loue he bought. 
 Which hauing raid,him Thesijlis befpake, 
 Now by my life this was a mery lay: 
 M^orthie of Colin felfe,that did it make. 
 But read now eke of friend iliip I thee pray. 
 What dittie did that oi her fhepheard fing \ 
 ForIdocouetmoftthefametoheare> 
 As men vfemoft to couet forreine thing. 
 That (hall I eke(quoth he)tayou declare. 
 His fong was all a lamentable lay, 
 Ofgreatvnkindnefle,andofvfagehard, 
 OiCyntlmxho: Ladie ofihe fea, 
 Which from herprefencefaultleflchimdebard. 
 And euer and anon with fin^ulfs rife. 
 He cryed out , to make his vnderfong 
 Ah my loues queene,and goddefTeofmy life, 
 Who ihaii me pittie>when thou doeft me wrong ? 
 
 Then
 
 come home againe. 
 
 Then gan a gentle bonylaffe to fpeake. 
 That i\f 4m/ hight, Right well he fiire did plainer 
 That could great Cyntlmes{oxc difpleafure breaker 
 And moue to take him to her grace againc. 
 But tell on further C<?//;^,as befell 
 Twixthim and thee,that thee did hence diffuade. 
 
 When thus our pipes we both had wearied well, 
 (Quoth he) and each an end of finging made. 
 He gan to caft great lyking to my lore, 
 And great difly king to my luckleffe lot : 
 That banifht had my felfe, like wight forlore. 
 Into that wafte, where I was quite forgot. 
 The which to leaue, thenceforth he counfeld mcc, 
 Vnmeet for man>in whom was ought repardfuU 
 And wend with him, his Cynthiaio fee: 
 Whofe grace was great, & bounty moft rewardfull. 
 Befides her pcerleffe skill in making well 
 And all the ornaments of wondrous wit. 
 Such asall womankynd did far excell : 
 Such as the world admyr'd and praifed it: 
 Sowhatwith hope ofgood, and hate of ill. 
 He meperfwaded forth with him to fare, 
 Nought tooke I with me,but mine oaten quill: 
 Small needments elfe need fhepheard to prepare. 
 So to the fea we came ^ the fca ? that is 
 A world of waters heaped vp on hie. 
 Rolling like mountaines in wide wildernefle, 
 HorribIe,hideous,roaring with hoarfe crie. 
 
 And isthefea (quoth Coridon) fo fearfull ? 
 
 Fearful much more(quoth he) the hart can fear: 
 
 B 2 Thoufand
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 Thoiifand wyld bcafts with deep mouthes gaping 
 Therinftil wait poorepatTengerstoteare. (direful! 
 Who life doth loath,and longs death to behold, 
 Before hcdie,alreadie dead with feare. 
 And yet would Hue with heart halfe ftonie cold, 
 Let him to Tea, and he (hall fee it there. 
 And yet as ghaftly dreadfull, as it feemes. 
 Bold men prefuming life for gaine to fell. 
 Dare tempt that gulf, and in thofe wandring ftrem es 
 Seek waiesvnknowne,waies leading down to hell. 
 For as we ftood there waiting on the ttrond, 
 Behold an huge great veffell to vs came, 
 Dauncing vpon the waters back to lond, 
 As if it fcornd the daunger ofthe fame; 
 Yet was it but a wooden frame and fraile, 
 Glewed togither with feme fubtile matter, 
 Yet had it armes and wingSjand head and taile. 
 And life to moue it felfe vpon the water. 
 Strange thing, how bold & fwift the monfter was^ 
 That neither car'd for wynd,nor haile,nor raine. 
 Nor fwellingwaues^but thorough them did paffe 
 So proudly, that (he made them roare againe. 
 The fame aboord vs gently did receaue, 
 And without harme vs farre away did beare. 
 So farre that land our mother vs did leaue. 
 And nought but fea and heauen to vs appeare. 
 Then hartleffe quite and full of inward feare> 
 That fliepheard I befought to me to tell, 
 Vnder what skie^or in what world we were. 
 In which I faw noliuing people dw'ell. 
 
 Who
 
 come home agaiiie. 
 
 Who me recomforting all that he might, 
 
 Told me that that fame was the R egiment ^ 
 
 Of a great fhepheardeirejthatCj;?/^/;/^ hight. 
 
 His liege his Ladie,and his lifes Regent. 
 
 If then (quoth I ) a (hepheardeffe (lie bee, 
 
 Where bethe flockes and heards, which fhedoth 
 
 And where may I the hills and paftures fee, (keep? 
 
 On which (hevfethfortofeedherfheepe J 
 
 ThefebcthehilIs(quothhe)thefiirgeshic, 
 
 On which faire Cynthia her heards doth feed : 
 
 Her heards be thoufandli(hes with their frie. 
 
 Which in the bofome of the billowes breed. 
 
 Of them the fhepheard which hath charge in chief. 
 
 Is Triton blowing loud his wreathed home : 
 
 At found whercofjtheyallfortheirrelief 
 
 Wend too and fro at euening and at mornc. 
 
 And Proteus eke with him does driue his heard 
 
 Of ftinking Scales and Porcpifces together. 
 
 With hoary head and deawy dropping beard, 
 
 Compelling them which way he lift, and whether. 
 
 A nd I among the reft of many leaft , 
 
 Haue in the Ocean charge to me afsignd : 
 
 Wherclvvillliueordieatherbeheaft, 
 
 And feme and honour her with faithfull mind. 
 
 Befides an hundred Nymphs all heauenly borne, 
 
 A nd of immortall race ,doo ftill attend 
 
 To wafh faire Cynthiaes ilieep , whe they be (home, 
 
 Andfoldthemvp,whenthey haue made an end. 
 
 Thofe be the fliepheards which my Cynthta ferue. 
 
 At fea,beride a thoufand moc at land : 
 
 B 5 For
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 For land and fea my CynthU doth deferiic 
 
 To haiic in her commandement at hand. 
 
 Thereat Iwondred much, till wondring more 
 
 And morcat length we land far off defcryde ; 
 
 Which fight ranch gladed me- for much afore 
 
 I fcard, leaft land we neuer (hould haue cydc; 
 
 Thereto our ihip her courfediredly bent. 
 
 As if the way flic perfedly had knovvne. 
 
 We Lunday paffe ^ by that fame name is mcnt 
 
 An Ifland, which the firft to weft was fliowne. 
 
 From thence another world of land we kcnd, 
 
 Floting amid the fea in ieopardie. 
 
 And round about with mightie whiterocks hemd, 
 
 Againft the feas encroching crueltie. 
 
 Thofe fame the fliepheard told me, were the fields 
 
 In \^i\\\QhdzmtCynthid her landheardsfed, 
 
 Faire goodly fields,then which ArmulU y ields 
 
 None"faircr,normorefruitfulltobered. 
 
 The firft to which we nigh approched,was 
 
 An high headland thruft far into the fea, 
 
 Like to an horne,whereof the name it has. 
 
 Yet feemed to be a goodly pleafant lea: 
 
 There did a loftie mount at firft vs greet. 
 
 Which did a ftately heape of ftones vprearc. 
 
 That feemd amid the furges for to fleet, 
 
 Much greater then that frame, which vs did beare : 
 
 Theredidourfl-iipherfruitfullwombevnlade, 
 
 And put vs all afhore on Cynthi as land. 
 
 What land is that thou meanft (then CudJy fayd) 
 And is there other, then v/hereon wc ftand I 
 
 Ah
 
 come home agaihe. 
 
 - AhC«^(^(thenquothCtf//>5?)ihous afon. 
 That haft not feeneleaft part of natures vvcrke: 
 Much more there is vnkend,then thou docft kon. 
 And much more that does from mens knowledge 
 For that fame land much larger is then this, (lurke. 
 And other men and beafts and birds doth feed ; 
 
 Thercfruitfullcornejfairetrees,frefli herbage is 
 And all things elfe that liuing creatures need. 
 Eefidesmoft goodly riuersthereappcare, 
 No whit inferiourfo thy Funchins praife. 
 Or vnto Alio or to Mulla cleare : 
 Nought haft thou foolifn boy feene in thy daies. 
 But if that land be there (quoth he) as here, 
 Andistheyrhcauenlikewifethereallone? 
 And if like heauen, be hcauenly graces there, 
 Like as in this fame world where we do wone ? 
 
 Both heauen and heauenly graces do much more 
 ( Quoth he) abound in that fame land.then this. 
 Forthereall happie peace and plenteous ftore 
 Confpire in one to make contented bliffe : 
 No way ling there nor wretchedneffeis heard. 
 No bloodie iffues nor no leprofies, 
 No gricfiy famine,nor no raging fweard. 
 No nightly bodrags,nor no hue and cries; 
 The (hepheards there abroad may fafely lie, 
 On hills and downes,withouten dread or daungcr: 
 Norauenous wolues the good mans hope deftroy> 
 Nor outlawes fell affray the foreft raunger. 
 There learned arts do florifh in great honor. 
 And Poets wits arc had in peerlelTeprice: 
 
 Religion
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 Religion hath lay powrc to reft vpon her, 
 
 Adaancing vertue and fupprefsing vice. 
 
 For end>all good.all grace there freely grovves, 
 
 Had people grace it gratefully to vfe; 
 
 For God his gifts there plenteoufly beftovvcs, 
 
 But gracelefle men them greatly do abiife. 
 
 But fay on further, then faid Corylas^ 
 The reft of thine aduentures, that betydcd. 
 
 Foorth on our voyage we by land did paffc, 
 (Quoth he) as that fame fhephe^rd ftill vs guy ded, 
 VntillthatwetoCy^/^foViifjprefencecame: "* 
 
 Whofeglorie greater then my fimple thought, 
 I found much greater then the former fame ; 
 Such greatnes I cannot compare to ought: 
 But if I her like ought on earth might read, 
 I would her lyken to a crowne of lillies, 
 Vpon a virgin brydcs adorned head , 
 With Rofes dight and Goolds and DafFadillies j 
 Or like the circlet of a Turtle true. 
 In which all colours of the rainbow bee; 
 Or like faire Phehes garlond fhining new. 
 In which all pure perfeSion one may fee. 
 But vaine it is to thinke by paragone 
 Ofearthly things, to iudge of things diuine: 
 Her power,her mercy, and her wifedome,none 
 Can deeme,but w ho the Godhead can define. 
 Why then do I bafe fliepheard bold and blind, 
 Prefume the things fo facredtoprophane \ 
 More fit k is t'adorc with humble mind. 
 The imao^e of the heauens in (hape humane. 
 
 With
 
 come home againe. 
 
 With that Mesis broke his tale afunder. 
 Say ing,By wondring at thy Cynthiaes praife ; 
 C^//>,thy felfe thou makeft vs more to wonder, 
 Andhervprairing,doeftthyfelfevpraife. 
 But let vs heare what grace (he (hewed thee. 
 And how that (hepheard ftrange , thy caufe aduan- 
 
 The (hepheard of the Ocean (quoth he) (ced? 
 Vnto that Goddcffe grace me firft enhanced; 
 And to mine oaten pipe enclin'd her eare, 
 T hat (he thenceforth therein gan take delight, 
 And it defird at timely houres to heare. 
 All were my notes but rude and roughly dight. 
 For not by meafure of her owne great mynd , 
 Andwondrousworthfhemottmyfimplefong, 
 But ioyd that country (hepheard ought could fynd 
 Worth barkening to , emongft that learned throng. 
 
 Why ? (faid Alexis i\\tn) what need eth (hee 
 That is fo great a (hepheardede her felfe 
 And hath fo many fhepheards in her fee, 
 Tohearetheefing,a(implefillyElfe? 
 Or be the (hepheards which do ferueher laefie? 
 That they lift not their mery pipes applie, 
 Or be their pipes vntunable and craefie, 
 Thatthey cannot her honour worthilie? 
 
 Ah nay (faid Colin) neither fo.nor fo, 
 For better fhepheards benot vnder skie, 
 Nor better hable, when they lift to blow, 
 Their pipes aloud,her name to glorifie. 
 There is good Harpal^ nov/ woxen aged, 
 In faithfull feruice of faire Cynthia^ 
 
 C And
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 And there \%zCorydon though meanly waged. 
 
 Yet hableft witofmoft Iknow this day. 
 
 And there is fad Alcyon bent to mourne, 
 
 T hough fit to frame an euerlafting dittic, 
 
 Whofe gentle fpright for Daphnes death doth toum 
 
 Sw eet lay es of loue to endleffe plaints of pittie. 
 
 Ahpenfiueboypurfucthatbraueconceipt, 
 
 Inthyfweet Eglantine of 3/tr^//re', 
 
 Lift vp thy notes vnto their wonted height. 
 
 That may thy MufeznA mates to mirth allure* 
 
 There eke is P^//;? worthie of great praife, 
 
 Albehe enuieat my ruftick quill; 
 
 And there is pleafingy^/r^;^,couldheraifc 
 
 His tunes from laies to matter of more skill. 
 
 And there is old F demon free from Tpight , 
 
 Whofe carefull pipe may make the hearer rew* 
 
 Yet he himfclfe may rcwcd be more right, 
 
 That fung fo long vntill quite hoarfe he grew. 
 
 And there is AlabaHer throughly taught. 
 
 In all this skill ^though knowen yet to few. 
 
 Yet were he knownc to Cynthui as he ought. 
 
 His Elifeis would be redde anew. 
 
 Who Hues that can match that hcroick fong, 
 
 Which he hath ofthatmightiePrinccffemadc? 
 
 O dreaded Dread,do not thy felfe that wrong. 
 
 To let thy fame lie fo in hidden fhade: 
 
 But'call it forth, Ocall him forth tothee, 
 
 To end thy glorie which he hath begun: 
 
 That when he finidit hath as it (hould be. 
 
 No brauer Poeme can be vnderSun. 
 
 Nor ?o nor Tyhurs fwans fo much renowned. 
 
 Nor all the brood of (7r^^^^fo highly praifed, 
 
 Can
 
 come home againe. 
 
 Can match that Mufe \\ he it with bayes is crowned. 
 
 And to the pitch of h er perfedion raifcd. 
 
 And there is a new fhepheard late vp fprong. 
 
 The which doth all afore him far furpafle.* 
 
 Appearing well in that well tuned fong. 
 
 Which late he fung vnto a fcornfuU la lie. 
 
 Yet doth his trembling Mu/e but lowly flie, 
 
 As daring not too radily mount on hight. 
 
 And doth her tender plumes as yet but trie, 
 
 In loucs foft laies and loofer thoughts delight. 
 
 Then rouze thy feathers quickly Danielle 
 
 And to what courfe thou pleafe thy felfe aduance : 
 
 But moft me feemes, thy accent will excell, 
 
 InTragick plaints and pafsionate mifchance. 
 
 And there that flicpheard of the Ocean Is, 
 
 TJbat fpends his wit in loues confuming fmart: 
 
 Full fweetly tempred is that aV«/^of his 
 
 Thatcan em pierce a Princes mightie hart. 
 
 There alfo is (ah no,he is not now) 
 
 But fince I faid he is, he quite is gone, 
 
 Amyntas quite is gone and lies full low> 
 
 Hauing his Amaryllis left to mone. 
 
 Helpe, O ye fhepheards helpe ye all in this, 
 
 Heipe Amaryllis this her lofleto mourne; 
 
 Her lofle is y ours,your lofle Amyntas is, 
 
 Amyntas flourc of (hepheards pride forlorne: 
 
 He whileft he lined was the nobleft fwaine, 
 
 That cuer piped in an oaten quill: 
 
 Both did he other, which could pipe, maintaine, 
 
 And eke could pipe himfelfe with pafsing skill . 
 
 And there though laftjnot leaft is Action^ 
 
 A gentler (hcphcard may no where be found ; 
 
 C z V^^hofc
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 WhofeA////?full of high thoughts iniiention, 
 Doth like himfelfe Heroically found. 
 A 11 there,and many others mo rem aine. 
 Now after AHrofell is dead and gone. 
 But while as ^dsfro fell dldVmc andrame, 
 Amongft all thefe was none his Paragone, 
 All thcfe do flori fli in their fundry kynd. 
 And do their C)';^/^/;/^immortalI make: 
 Yet found I lyking in her royall mynd, 
 Not for my skill,but for that fhepheards fake. 
 
 Then Ipake a louely laflcjhight Lucida, 
 Shepheard,enoughof (hepheardsthou haft told: 
 Which fauour thee, and honour Cy^thia^ 
 B ut of fo many Nymphs which (he doth hold 
 Inherretinew,thouhaftnothing-fayd, 
 That feems, with none of the thou fauor foundeft. 
 Or art ingratefull to each gentle mayd, 
 That none of all their due deferts refoundcft. 
 
 Ah far be it (quoth Colm Clout) fro me. 
 That I of gentle Mayds (hould ill deferue: 
 For that my felfc I do profefle to be - • ' 
 Vaflall to one^whom all my dayes I ferue. 
 The beame of beautie fparkled from aboue. 
 The floure of vertue and pure chaftitie: 
 The bloflbme of fweet ioy andperfeft loue. 
 The pearle of peerleffe grace and modeftie. 
 To her my thoughts I daily dedicate, 
 To her my heart I nightly martyrize : 
 To her my loue I lowly do proftrate, 
 To her my life I wholly facrifice. 
 My ihought;my heart,my loue^my life is fhee: 
 
 And
 
 come home againe. 
 
 And Iherseuerondy,enerone; 
 One eucr I all vowed hers to bee. 
 One euer I, and others neuer none. 
 
 ThenthuscJ^^/;j(/Sfaid^ThrifehappieMayd, 
 Whom thou doeft fo enforce to deifie; 
 That woods,and hills , and valley es.thou haft made, 
 Her name to eccho vnto heauen hie. 
 But fay, who elfe vouchfafed thee of grace ? 
 
 They all (quoth he) me graced goodly well, 
 That all I praife,but in the higheft place, 
 rm;^^,fifter vnto AFhofell^ 
 In whofe braue mynd as in a golden cofer. 
 All heauenly gifts and riches locked are ; 
 More rich then pearles oiT^de^ov gold o£opher. 
 And in her fex more wonderfull and rare. 
 Neleffepraife worthie iTheamvczdy 
 Whofe goodly beames though they beouer dight 
 With mourning ftole of carefuU wydowhead. 
 Yet through that darkfome vale do glifter bright. 
 She is the well of bduntieand braue mynd, 
 Excelling moft in glorie and great light; 
 She is the ornament of womankind, 
 And Courts chief garlond with all vertues dight. 
 Therefore great Cynthia her in chiefeft grace, 
 Doth hoId,and next vnto her felfeaduance, 
 Well worrhie (lie of fohonourable place: 
 For her great worth and noble gouernance. 
 NcIefTepraifeworthieisherfiftcrdeare, 
 T2i\rC'JMananyiheMufesonc\y darling.- 
 Whofe bcautie (hyneth as the morning clcare, 
 
 C 3 With
 
 , Colin Clouts 
 
 with filucrdeaw vpontherofes pearling.' 
 Neleflbpraife worthieis MAnfdk^ 
 B eft knowne by bearing vp great CynthUes trainc: 
 That fame is (he to vv hom Daphnaida 
 Vpon her neeces death I did complainc. 
 Sheisthepaterneoftruewomanhead, 
 And onely mirrhor offeminitie ; 
 \ Vorthic next after Cynthia to tread , 
 As (he is next her in nobilitie. 
 Nc IcfTe praife worthieC^^/^^^^r^fcemcs, 
 Then beft of all that honourable crew» 
 Faire(74toA^^ with bright (hiningbeames. 
 Inflaming feeble eyes that her do view. 
 She there then waited vpon Cynthia, 
 Yetthereisliot her won, but here with vs 
 About the borders of our rich Coshma^ 
 Now made oiMaa the Nymph delirious. 
 Nc Icfle praifwonhic faire Ne^tra is, 
 Ne£ra ours , not theirs,t hough there (he be. 
 For of the famous Shure^the Nymph (he is. 
 For high dcfert, aduaunft to that degree. 
 She istheblofomeofgraceand curtcfic, 
 Adorned with all honourable parts : 
 Sheisthebraunch of true nobilitie, 
 Belou'd of high and low with faithful! harts. 
 Nc leflTe praifworthic Stella do I read, 
 Though nought my praiies of her needed arrc, 
 Whom verfe of nobleft (hcpheard lately dead 
 Hath praiOd and raif'd abouc each other ftarre. 
 Ne lc(re praifworthic are the fiftcrs three, 
 
 ^ The
 
 come home againe. 
 
 The honor of the noble f amilic: 
 
 Of which I meaneft boaft my felfe to be, 
 
 And moft that vmo them I am fo nic. 
 
 Phyllis yCharillis^TinA fweet Amaryllis y 
 
 /'^///>thefaire,iseldcft ofthcthrce: 
 
 The next to her, is bountifull Charillis. 
 
 But th'yonngeft is the highcft in degree. 
 
 Phyllis the flourc of rare perfection, 
 
 Faire fpreadingfonh her Icaues with frefli delight. 
 
 That with their beauties amorous reflexion, 
 
 Bereaue of fence each rafh beholders fight. 
 
 But fweet CharilUs is the Paragonc 
 
 Of pecrlcffeprice^and ornament of praife, 
 
 Admyr'd of all,yct enuicd of none, 
 
 Through the my Id temperance of her goodly raiC5» 
 
 Thrifchappiedo I hold thee noble fwainc. 
 
 The which art of fo rich a fpoile poffeft, 
 
 And it embracing dearc without difdaine. 
 
 Haft fole poffefsion in fo chafte a breft; 
 
 Of all the (hcpheards daughters which there bee. 
 
 And yet there bethe faireft vnder skic. 
 
 Or that elfewhcre I euer yet did fee. 
 
 A fairer Nymph yet ncuer faw mine eie: 
 
 She is the pride and primrofe of the reft. 
 
 Made by the maker felfe to be admired : 
 
 And like a goodly beacon high addreft. 
 
 That is with fparks of hcauenle beautie fired. 
 
 But ^marylliSyV^hcihcT fortunate. 
 
 Or elfe vnfortunate may I aread, 
 
 That freed is from cmds yoke by fate, 
 
 Smcc
 
 Colin Clours 
 
 Since which he doth new bands aduenture dread, 
 
 Shepheard what euer thou haft heard to be 
 
 In this or that pray fd diuerfly apart, 
 
 In her thou maift them all affembled fee. 
 
 And feald vp in the threafure of her hart, 
 
 Netheelefleworthie penile Flauia^ 
 
 For thy chafte life and vertue I cfteeme, 
 
 NetheeIelTeworthiecurteousCW/<ii, 
 
 For thy true loue and loyaltic I deeme. 
 
 Befides yet many mo that CynthiA^vwc, 
 
 Right noble Nymphs, and high to be commended> 
 
 But if I all Iliouldpraifeastheydeferue, 
 
 This fun would faile me ere I halfe had ended. 
 
 Therefore in clofure of a thankfull mynd, 
 
 I deeme it beft to hold eternally, 
 
 Their bounteous deeds and noble fauours Ihrynd, 
 
 Then by difcourfe them to indignifie. 
 
 So hauing ^ziA^Aglaura, him befpake; 
 C^//;/,well worthie werethofe goodly fauours 
 Bcfto wd on thee,that fo of them doeft make. 
 And them requiteft with thy thankfull labours. 
 But of great Cynthiaes goodneffe and high grace, 
 Finifh the ftorie which thou haft begunne. 
 
 Morceath (quoth he) it is infuch a cafe. 
 How to begin, then know how to hauedonne. 
 For euerie gift and euerie goodly meed, 
 Which fheonmebeftowd^demaundsaday. 
 And euerie day,in which (hedidadeed, 
 Demaunds a yeare it duly to difplay. 
 Her words were like a ftreame of honnv fleeting, 
 
 The
 
 come home againe. 
 
 The which doth foftly trickle from the hiue: 
 Hable to melt the hearers heart vnweeting, 
 And eke to make the dead againe aliue. 
 Her deeds werelike great glufters of ripegrapes. 
 Which load the bunches of the fruitfull vine ; 
 Offring to fall into each mouth that gapes, 
 And fill the fame with ftorc of timely wine. 
 Her lookes were like beames of the morning Sun,' 
 Forth looking through the windowes oftheEaft: 
 When firft the fleecie cattellhaue begun 
 Vpon the perled graffe to make their feaft. 
 Her thoughts are likethe fume of Franckincencc, 
 Which from a golden Cenfer forth doth rife; 
 And throwing forth fweet odours moiits fro thecc 
 In rolling globes vp to the vauted skies. 
 There fhe beholds with high afpiring thought, 
 The cradle ofherowne creation ; 
 
 Emongft the feats of Angels heauenly wrought, 
 Much like an Angellin all forme and fafhion. 
 
 Colin (faid Ctddj then) thou haft forgot 
 Thy felfe,mefeemes,too much, to mount fo hie : 
 Such loftie flight,bafe (hepheard feemeth not. 
 From flocks and fieIds,to Angels and to skie. 
 
 True(anrweredhe)but her great excellence. 
 Lifts me aboue the meafureof my might: 
 That being fild with furious infolence, 
 Ifeele my fel fe like one y rapt in fpright. 
 For when Ithinkeof her, as oft I ought, 
 Thenwant I wordstofpeakcit fitly forth : 
 And when Ifpeakcof her w^hat I haue thought, 
 
 D I
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 I cannot think e according to her worth. 
 
 Yet will I thinkeofher^yet will I i'pcake. 
 
 So long as life my limbs doth hold together. 
 
 And whenas death thefevitall bands ihallbrcakCy 
 
 Her name recorded I will leaue for eiier. 
 
 Her namein euery tree I will cndoffc, 
 
 T hat as the trees do grow , her name may grow: 
 
 Andin thcgroundeachwhere will it engroflc, 
 
 An^d fill with ftones,that all men may it know. 
 
 The fpeaking woods and murmuring waters fall. 
 
 Her name He teach inknowen termcs to frame; 
 
 And eke my lambs when for their dams they call, ' 
 
 He teach to call for Cynthia by name. 
 
 Andlong vvhileafter lam dead and rotten: 
 
 Amogft the (hepheards daughters dancing rowncj^ 
 
 My layes, made of her fhall not be forgotten. 
 
 But fung by them with flowry gyrlonds crownd. 
 
 Andye,whofoyebe,that fhall furviue: 
 
 When as ye heare her memory renewed, 
 
 Be witneffe of her bountie here aliue, 
 
 which (he to Colin her poore (hepheard (licwed 
 
 Much was the whole aflembly of thofe heards> 
 Moov'd at his fpeech/o feelingly he fpake:^ 
 And ftood awhile aftonifht at his words> 
 Till ThesiylisdX lafttheir filenccbrakc, 
 Saying,WhyC^//>;,rincethoufoundftfuch grace 
 With Cynthia andall her noble crew : 
 Whydidftthoueuerleaucthathappieplace, 
 In which fuch wealth might vnto t hee accrcw ? 
 And back returncdft to this barrein foyle, 
 
 Where
 
 come home againe. 
 
 where cold and care and penury do dwell : 
 Here to keep fhccpe,with hunger and with toy le, 
 Moft wretched he,that is and cannot tell, 
 
 Happie indeed (faid Colin) I him hold. 
 That may that bleffed prefence ftill enioy. 
 Of fortune and of enuy vncomptrold. 
 Which ftill are wont moft happie ftates t'annoy : 
 But I by that which little while I prooucd: 
 Some part of thofe enormities did fee. 
 The which in Court continually hooued. 
 And followd thofe v/hich happie feemd to bee. 
 Therefore I filly man, whofe former day es 
 Had innide fields bene altogether fpent, 
 Dareft not aduenture fuch vnknowen wayes, 
 Nor truft.theguileoffortunesblandi(hment. 
 But rather chofe back to my (heep to tourne, 
 Whofe vtmoft hardncflfe I before had tryde, 
 Thenhauing Icarnd repentance Iate,to mournc 
 Emongftthofe wretches which I there defcrydc* 
 
 Shepheard(faid7'A/?//)'//>)itfeemesof fpight 
 Thou fpeakcftthusgainft their felicitie. 
 Which thou enuieft,rather thenofright 
 That ought in them blamewonhiethou doeft fpir^ 
 - Caufe haue I none(quoth Iie)of cancred will 
 To quitethem ill,that medemeand fo well: 
 But felfe-regard of priuate good or ill, 
 Moues me of each ,fo as I found,to tell 
 And eketowarneyong fhephcardswandringwft# 
 Which through report of that lines painted blilTc, 
 Abandon quiet home,tofeekefor it, 
 
 D z And
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 And leaue their lambes to loflfe mifled amifle. 
 For footh to fay, it is no fort of life, 
 For ihepheard fit to lead in that fame place, 
 Where each one feeks with malice and with ftrife> 
 To thruft downe other into foule difgrace, 
 Himfelfetoraife ; and he doth fooneftrife 
 That beft can handle his deceitfull wit, 
 Infubtil fhifts^andfineft Heights deuife, 
 Either by flaundring his well deemcdname. 
 Through leafings Iewd,and fained forgerie : 
 Or elfe by breeding him fome blot of blame, 
 By creeping clofe into his fecrecie^ 
 To which him needs,a guilefull hollow hart. 
 Masked with faire diflembling curtefie, 
 A filed toung furnifht with tearmes of art. 
 No art of fchoole, but Courtiers ichoolery. 
 For arts of fchoole hauc there fmall countenance. 
 Counted but toyes to bufie ydle braines, 
 And there profeffburs find fmall maintenance, 
 B ut to be inftruments of others gaines. 
 Ne is there place for any gentle wit, 
 Vnlefle to pleafe,it felfe it canapplie ; 
 But (houldrcdis,or out ofdoore quite (hit, 
 As bafe,or blunt,vnmeet for melodie. 
 For each mans worth is meafured by his weed> 
 As harts by homes, or afles by their eares: 
 Yet affes been not all whofe eares exceed, 
 Nor yet all harts,that homes the higheft beares. 
 For higheft lookes haue not the high eft my nd, 
 Nor haughtie words moft full of higheft thoughts: 
 
 But
 
 come home againe. 
 
 But are like bladders blowcn vp with wynd. 
 That being prickt do vanifh into noughts. 
 Euen fuch is all their vaunted vianitie. 
 Nought elfe but fmokc, that fumeth foonc away, 
 Such is their glorie that in fi mple eie 
 Seemegreateft , when their garments aremoft gay. 
 So they thcmfclues for praife of fooles do fell. 
 And all their wealth for painting on a wall^ 
 With price whereofjthey buy a golden bell, 
 And purchacc higheft rowmes in bowre and hall: 
 Whiles finglcTruthand fimplehoneftie 
 Do wander vp and downe defpyfd of all 5 
 Their plaine attire fuch glorious gallantry 
 Difdaines fo niuch,that noncthem in doth call. 
 
 Ah Colin (then faid Hohhinol)iht blame 
 Which thou imputcft, is too generall. 
 As if not any gentle wit of name, 
 Nor honeft my nd might there be found at all. 
 For well I wot,fith I my felfe was there. 
 To wait on Lobbin{Lobbin well thou kneweft) 
 Full many worrhie ones then waiting were. 
 As euer elfe in Princes Court thou vewcft. 
 Ofwhich,among you many yet rcmaine, 
 Whofe names I cannot readily now ghefle; 
 Thofethat poorc Sutors papers do retaine, 
 And thofethat skill of medicine profeffe. 
 And thofc that do to Cynthia expound, 
 The ledden of ftraunge languages in charge: 
 For Cynthiadoth in fciences abound, 
 AikI giucs to their profeflbrs ftipends large. 
 
 D } Therefore
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 T hcreforc vniuftly thou docft wy tc them all, 
 For that which thou miflikcdft in a few* 
 
 Blame is(quoth hc)morcblamdcflegcncralI, 
 Then that w hich priuatc crrours doth purfcw: 
 For well I wot,that there amoneftthem bee 
 Full many pcrfons of right wonhie parts, 
 Both for report of fpotleffchoncftie, 
 And for profefsion of all learned ans, 
 Whofcpraire hereby no whit impaired is, 
 Though blame do light on thofe that faultie bee, 
 Forallthercftdomou-what far amis, 
 And yet their owne misfaring will not fee: 
 For either they be puffed vp with pride. 
 Or fraught with enuie that their galls do fwell. 
 Or they their daycs to ydlencflediuide. 
 Or dro wnded lie in plcafures waftefull well, 
 In which like Mold warps noufling ftiil they lurkc, 
 Vnmyndfull of chiefe parts of manlineffe. 
 And do thcmfelucs for want of other workc, 
 Vaine votaries of laefieloueprofeffe, 
 Whofe feruicchigh fobafely they enfewy 
 That Cupid {t\k of them afhamcd is. 
 And muftring all his nSen in Venfis veWi 
 Denies them quite for feruitors of his. 
 
 And is louc then (faid Corylas) once knownc 
 InCourt,and his fweet lore profefled there, 
 I weened fure he was our God alone: 
 And only woond in fields and forefts here, 
 >sbt fo (quoth he)louemo(t aboundeth there, 
 
 for all the walls ;and windows there arc writ,' 
 
 All
 
 come home agame. 
 
 All full of loue,and loiie,and louc my dcarc. 
 
 And all their talkc and ftudic is of it. 
 
 Nc any there dothbraucorvaliantfceme, 
 
 Vnlefle that fotnc gay Miftrcflc badge he beares: 
 
 Ncany one himfcife doth ought efteemc, 
 
 Vnlefle he fwim in louevptothe cares. 
 
 But they ofloueand of his facred Icre, 
 
 ( As it (hould be) all othcrwife deuifer 
 
 Then we poore Ihepheards are accuftomd herc> 
 
 And him do fue and feme all otherwife. 
 
 For with lewd fpeeches and licentious deeds. 
 
 His mightie myfteries they do prophanc> 
 
 Andvichisydlenameto other needs. 
 
 But as a complement for courting vaine* 
 
 So him they do not feruc as they profeflcy 
 
 Butmakehimfeructothemforfordidvfes, 
 
 Ah my dread Lord>that doeftliege heans poffeffe, 
 
 Aucngethyfelfeonthemforthcirabufes. 
 
 But we.poore ihepheards whether rightly fo, 
 
 Or through our rudenefl'e into errour led: 
 
 Do make religion how werafhly go. 
 
 To ferue that God,that is fo greatly dred; 
 
 For him the greateft of the Gods we deemc, 
 
 Bornewithout Syreor couples ofonekyndy 
 
 For r^;?//^fdfe doth foly couples feeme. 
 
 Both male and female through commixture ioynd* 
 
 So pure and fpotIefleC«/?ii forth fhebrought, 
 
 And in the gardens oiAdoriis nurft: 
 
 Wheregrowinghe,hisowneperfeflionwroughr> 
 
 And (hortly was of all the Gods the firft. 
 
 Thca
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 1 lien got he bow and (hafts of gold and lead,. 
 
 In which fo fell and puiffant he grew. 
 
 That lone himfelfe his povvre began to dread. 
 
 And taking vp to heaiien, him godded new. 
 
 From thence he (hootes his arrowes euery where 
 
 Into the world,at randon as he will, 
 
 On vs fraile men,his wretched vaflals here, 
 
 Like as himfelfe vs pleafeth,faue or fpilL 
 
 So we him worfhip,fo wehim adore 
 
 With humble hearts to heauen vplifted hie. 
 
 That to true loues he may vs euermore 
 
 Preferre,and of their grace vsdignifie : 
 
 Ne is there fhepheard,ne yet fhepheards fwaine. 
 
 What euer feed s in forefl or in field, 
 
 That dare with euil deed or leafing vaine 
 
 Blafpheme his powre,or termes vnworthie yield. 
 
 Shepheard it feemes that fome celeftiall rage 
 Of loue (quoth Cuddy)h breath'd into thy brcft. 
 That powreth forth thefe oracles fo fage. 
 Of that high powre, wherewith thou art poffefl. 
 But neuer wift I till this prefent day 
 Albe of loue I alwayes humbly deemed. 
 That he was fuch an one, as thou doefl fay, 
 Andforeligiouflytobe elteemcd. 
 Well may it feeme by this thy deep infight. 
 That of that God the Prieft thou fhouldeft bee: 
 So well thou wot'flthe myfterieof his might, 
 As if his godhead thou didfl prefent fee. 
 
 Of loues perfeSion perfedly to fpeake, 
 Or of his nature rightly to define, 
 
 Indeed 
 
 /^
 
 ,,,-r. 
 
 come home agame. 
 
 Indeed {(aid Calm) paffeth reafons reach. 
 
 And needs his:prieft t'expreflfe his powre diuine. 
 
 For long before the world he was y 'bore 
 
 And bred aboue in rf;^/^bofome dearer 
 
 For by his powre the world was made of yore, 
 
 And all that therein wondrous doth appeare. 
 
 Forhowftiouldelfethingsfofarfromattone 
 And fo great enemies as of them bee. 
 Be cuer drawne togaher into one, 
 And taught in fuch accordance to agree. 
 Through him the cold began to couct hear, 
 And water fire ; the light to mount on hie^ ^ ^ -- ^^ 
 And th hcauiedownetopeize ^ theluiiigry i'eat 
 And voydneflfetofeekefullfatietie. 
 So being former foes,they wexed friends, 
 And gan by litlelearaeto loue each otiier: 
 So being knit, they brought forth other kynds 
 Out of the fruitfull wombe of their great mother. 
 Then lirft gan heauen out of darkneife dread 
 For to appeare,and brought forth chearfull day : 
 Next gan the earth to fliew her naked head. 
 Out of deep waters which her drownd alway. 
 And (hortly after euerie lining wight, 
 Crept forth like wormcs out of her flimie nature, 
 Soonc as on them the Suns like giuing light, 
 Had powred kindly heat and formall feature. 
 Thenceforth they gan each one his like to loue, 
 And like himfelfe deil re for to beget, 
 The Lyon chofe his mate,thcTurtleDoue 
 Her deare^the Dolphin his owne Dolphinet, 
 
 E But
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 But man that had the fparke of rcafons might, 
 More then the reft to rule his pafsion: 
 Chofefor his louethefaireft inhis fight. 
 Like as himfclfe was faircft by creation. 
 For beautieis the bayt which with delight ' 
 
 Doth man allurcj for to enlarge his ky nd, 
 B eautie theburning lamp of heauens light. 
 Darting her bearnes into each feeble mynd: 
 Againft whorepowre>nor God nor man can fynd, 
 Defence,ne ward the daungcr of the wound. 
 But being hurt/eeketo bemedicynd 
 Of her that firft did ftir that mortallftownd. . 
 T hen do they cry and call to louc apace,. 
 With'praicrs lovvd importuning the skie. 
 Whence hethem heares,& whe he lift (hew grace,, 
 Does graunt them grace tliat otherwife would die,. 
 So loue is Lord ofall the world by right. 
 And rules their creatures by his powrfuU faw: 
 All being made the vaffalls of his might. 
 Through fecret fence which thertodoth the draw* 
 Thus ought all louers of their lord to deemet 
 And with chafte heart to honor him alway i 
 B ut who fo elfe doth otherwife efteeme,. 
 Areoutlawes,andhisloredodifobay. 
 For their defire is bafejand doth not merit, 
 Thenameofloue^butofdifloyall luft: 
 Ne mongft true louers they fhall place inherit,. 
 But as Exuls out of his court bethruft. 
 Sohauing faid,A/r///7S^fpakeat will, 
 Colm.;, thou now full deeply haft divynd: 
 
 Of
 
 come home againe, 
 
 Cf loucand beaiuic and with wondrous skill. 
 Haft Cupld(dFc dcpainted in his kynd. 
 To thee are all true loners greatly bound. 
 That doeft their caufe fo mightily defend : 
 Butmoft, all wcmenarcthy debtors found. 
 That doeft their boumic ftill fo much commend. 
 
 That ill(faid HMinol)ihcy him requite. 
 For hauing loued euer one moft deare: 
 He is repay-d with fcorne and fouledefpitc. 
 That yrkes each gentle heart which it doth heare. 
 
 Indeed (faid Lucid) I haue often heard 
 Fairc Rofalwd o£diU€J:s fowly blamed : 
 For being to that fwainc too cm ell hard. 
 That her bright glorie elfe hath muchdefamed* 
 But who can tell w hat caufe had that faire Mayd 
 To vfchim fo that vfed her fo well : 
 Or who witli blame can iuftly her vpbrayd. 
 For louing not ? for who can loue compelL 
 Andfooth to fay,it isfoolhardieihing, 
 Ra(hly to wy ten creatures fo diuine. 
 For demigods they beandfirftdidfpring 
 From heauen,though graft in frailnefle feminine. 
 And well I wote,that oft I heard it fpoken. 
 How one that faireft Helena did reuile: 
 Through iudgement of the Gods to been y wroken 
 Loft both his eyes and fo remaynd long while. 
 Till he recanted had his wicked rimes : 
 And made amends to her with treble pralfe. 
 Beware therefore,ye groomcs, I read betimes, 
 How ra(hly blame of Rofalind ye raife. 
 
 E 2 Ah
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 \j 
 
 . Ah (hepheards (thenfaidc^//;^)ycnewcet 
 Plow great aguiltvponyourheadsyedraw: 
 To makefo bold a doome with words vnmcct, 
 Ofthingccleftiall which ye netierfaw. ^ 
 For (he is not like as the orher crew 
 Oflhcpheards daughters which emongft you bee, 
 But of diuine regard and heauenly hew , 
 Excellin^allthateueryedidfee. ■ \ ^,^-»r.^ 
 Not then to her that fcorned thing fo bafc, 
 But to my felfe the blame that lookt fo hie : 
 So hie her thoughts as (he her felfehaueplacc;) 
 And loath each lowly thing with loftie eie. 
 Yet fo much grace let her vouchfafc to grant 
 To fimplefwaine,fith her I may not lone: 
 Yet that I may her honour paravant. 
 And praife her vvorthjthough far my wit aboiie. 
 Such grace (hail be fome guerdon for tlife griefe. 
 And long affliction which I hauc endured:' 
 Such grace fometimes (hall giue me fomcreliefe, 
 And eafe of paine which cannot be recufed. 
 And ye my ftllow fliephieaf ds whi<^h do fee "'^ ' ' ' 
 And heare thelanguours of my too long dying, 
 Vmo the world for euerwitncflebee, 
 Thathers Idic,noughttothcworld denying. 
 This fimpletrophe of her great tdnqii eft. ^^1 ' 
 So hauing endedjhe from ground did rife, 
 A nd after him vprofe eke all the reft; 
 All loth to partjbut that the glooming sicies, 
 Warnd them to draw their bleat irig flocks to reft, :[ 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 
 nrrV
 
 ASTROPHEL. 
 
 A Paftorall Elegie vpon 
 
 the death of the moft Noble and valorous 
 Knight, Sir Philip Sidney. 
 
 Dedicated 
 
 To i^he moB heautifull mdvertuous Ladte^ the Count e^e 
 <?/E(rex.
 
 Aftrophel. 
 
 OHephcdrds that wont on pipes ofo^ten reed, 
 ^Oft times to fUiney our loues concealed finart? 
 Andmth jour piteous layes haue learndto breed 
 Compafsion in a countrey lujjes hart. 
 Hear ken ye gentle shepheards to my fon^^ 
 And place my dolefHllplaintyoar plaints emong. 
 
 To you alone Jjtng thismournfull verje^ 
 The motirnfulB verfe that euer man heard tell: 
 Toyou whofi/oftened hearts it may empierfi^ 
 VVith dolours dart for death ofh ftrophel. 
 Toyou ifing and to none other wight. 
 Tor well 1 wot my rymes bene rudely dight. 
 
 Tet iU they been ^if any nycer wit 
 
 shall hap to heare^or couet them to read: 
 
 Thinkehcy that fuch are for fuch onesmojift^ 
 
 Made not topleafe the liuing but the dead. 
 
 And if in him found pity euer place y 
 
 Let him be moov^dto ptyfuch a cafe^ 
 
 ' A Gentle Shepheard borne in Arcady^ 
 -''^'Of gentleft race that euer Ihephcardbore: 
 
 About
 
 L^olin v^louts 
 
 -*■ ^ ' 
 
 About the grafsic bancks oiHxmoi^^ • * ^^ 
 
 Did kcepe his [hcep>his litle ftock and /lore. ' 
 
 Full carefully he kept theraday and night> 
 Iq faireft fields, and Alhofhelh^hi^^^ ^- 
 
 ' -^ ■■^- ''/'■' - l^'tM 
 
 Young AHrophehht pride of (hepheards praife. 
 Young AHrophel the rutticke laffes loue : 
 Far pafsing allthepaftorsofhisdaies, 
 In all that Teemly Ihephcard might bchoue. 
 In one thing onely fay ling of the beft. 
 That he was not fo happieas the reft. 
 
 For from the time that firftthe Nymph his momer ' 
 
 Him forth did bring,and taught her lambs to feed; . 
 
 A fclender fwaine excelling far each other. 
 
 In comely fliapejike her that did him breed! ' ^^^ 'rZ 
 
 Hegrew vp faft in goodneffeand in grace. 
 
 And doubly faire wox both in mynd and face. 
 
 Which daily more and mpre he did augment, 
 With gentle yfage and demeanure myld: 
 That all mens hearts withlecretrauifhment 
 He ftole away,and weetingly beguyld. 
 Ne fpight it felfe.that all goodthings doth fpill. 
 Found ought in him,that die could fay wasill. 
 
 His fportswerefaire,hisioyance innocent. 
 Sweet without fowre,and honny without gall,: 
 And he himfelfe feemd made for meriment, 
 Merily masking both in bowreand hall. 
 
 There 
 
 ..■i.*\
 
 come home againe. 
 
 1 here was no pleafurc nor delightfiill play, 
 When AHrophetiotuct was away. 
 
 For he could pipe and daiincc,and caroll fweet, 
 Emongft the Ihephcards in their (hearing feaft : 
 AsSomerslarkethat with her fongdoth greet, 
 The dawning day forth comming from the Eaft. 
 Andlayes ofloue he alfo could compofe, 
 Thrife happic (hc,whom he to prarfedid chofe. 
 
 Full many Maydens often did him woo, 
 Them to vouchfafe emongft his rimes to name. 
 Or make for them as he was wont to doo, 
 For her that did his heart with loue inflame. 
 For which they promifed to dight for him. 
 Gay chapclcts of flowers and gyrlonds trim. 
 
 And many a Nymph both of the wood and brooke, 
 Soone as his oaten pipe began to fhrill: 
 Both chriftall wells and fhadic groues forfooke. 
 To heare thecharmes of his enchanting skill. 
 And brought him prefents, flowers if it wereprime. 
 Or mellow fruit if it were harueft time. 
 
 Buthefornoneofthem did carea whit. 
 Yet wood Gods for them oft fi ehed fore : 
 Ne for their gifts vnwonhie of his wit. 
 Yet not vnworthie of the countries ftore. 
 For one alone he cared, for one he fight. 
 His lifesdefire,and his dcareloues delight. 
 
 F StelU
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 Stella the faire,the faireft ftar in skie. 
 As faire as Vent^ot the faireft fairc ; 
 A fairer ftar faw neuer lining eie, 
 
 Shot her (harp pointed bcamcs through purcft aire. 
 
 Her he did loue,her he alone did honor, 
 
 His thoughts, his rimes, his fongs were all vpo her. 
 
 To her he vovvd the feruice of his daics. 
 On her he fpent the riches of his vvic : 
 Forherhemadehymnesofimmortallpraife^ 
 Ofonelyherhefung,hethought,he\vrit. 
 Her,and but her of loue he worthie deemedj 
 For all che reft but litle he efteemed. 
 
 Nc her with ydlewordsalonehewowcd^ 
 And verfes vaine(yet verfes are not vainc) 
 Bat with braue deeds to her fole feruice vowcd^ 
 And bold atchieucments her did entertaine. 
 For both in deeds and words he nourtrcd was> 
 Both wife and hardie (too hardie alas) 
 
 In wreftling nimble,and in renning fwifr. 
 In (liootingfteddie,and infwimming ftrongr 
 Well made to ftrike,to throw, to leape,to lift, 
 And all the fpor^.s that (hepheards are cmong. 
 In cucry one he vanquiftit cuery one. 
 He vanquifhr-all,andvanqui(ht was of none:* 
 
 Befides , in hunting fuch felicitie, 
 O rather infelicitie he found i 
 
 Thai
 
 come home agame. 
 
 That cuery field and forcft far away, 
 
 He fought, where faliiage beafts do moft abound. 
 
 Nobcaftfo faluagebuthe could it kill, 
 
 No chace fo hard^but he therein had skill. 
 
 Such skill matcht with fuch courage as he had. 
 Did prick him foorth with proud defire of praife: 
 To leek abroad, of daungcr nought y'drad. 
 His miftreffe name,and his ovvne fame to raifc. 
 W hat need perill to be fought abroad. 
 Since round about vs,it doth make aboad I 
 
 It fortuned as hc,that perilous game 
 In forreine foylc purfued far away : 
 Intoaforeftwide,andwaftehc came 
 Where ftorc he heard to be of faluage pray* 
 Sowideaforeftandfowafteasthis, 
 Nor famous Ardeyn^nox fo wle Arb\%. 
 
 Therehiswelwoucntoylesandfubtiltraincs, 
 He laid the brutifh nation to enwrap : i 
 So well he wrought with pradifeand with paines. 
 That lie of them great troups did foone entrap. 
 Full happicman(mifweening much) was hee> 
 Sorichafpoilcwithinhispowertofee. " 
 
 Eftfoones all heedleffc of hi s deareft hale. 
 Full greedily intotheheard hethruft : 
 To rfaughter them,and worke their finall bale. 
 Lead that his toy Ic (hould of their troups be bruft. 
 
 F 2 Wide
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 wide wounds emongft them many one he made. 
 Now with his fharp borefpcar,now with his blade. 
 
 His care was all how he them all might kill> 
 
 That none might fcape(fo partiall vnto none) 
 
 111 my nd fo much to mynd anothers ill, 
 
 As to become vnmyndfull of his owne. 
 
 B ut pardon that vnto the criiell skies. 
 
 That from himfclfc to them withdrew his eies. 
 
 So as he rag'd emongft that beaftly rout, 
 A cruell beaft of moft accurfed brood : -' 
 
 Vpon him turnd (defpeyre makes cowards ftout) 
 And with fell tooth accuftomed to blood, 
 Launched his thigh with fo mifchieuoiis mighty 
 That it both bone and mufcles ryued quighr. 
 
 So deadly was the dint and deep the wound. 
 And fo huge ftreames of blood thereout did flow: 
 That he endured not the dircfull ftound, 
 B ut on the cold deare earth himfelfe did throw* 
 The whiles the captiue heard his nets did rciKi, 
 And hauing none to let, to wood did wend. 
 
 Ah where were yethis while his (hephcard pcarcs^ 
 To whom aliue was nought fo deare as hec: 
 And ye faireMayds the matches of his yeares, 
 Which in hisgraccdid boaft you moft to bee? 
 Ah where were yc,when hcof you had need. 
 To flop his wound that wondroufly did bleed ? 
 
 A!i
 
 come home againe. 
 
 Ah wretched boy the fhape of drery head, 
 And fad enfample of mansfuddcin end ; 
 Full litle faileth but thou (halt be dead , 
 Vnpitied,vnplaynd,of foe or frend, 
 Whileft none is nigh, thine eylids vp to clofe. 
 And kiffe thy lips like faded leaues of rofc* 
 
 A fort of (hepheardsfewingofthechacc, 
 As they the for eft raunged on aday : 
 B y fate or foBtune came vnto the place> 
 Whereas thcluckleffeboy yet bleeding lay. 
 Yet bleeding lay,and yet would ftill hauc bled. 
 Had not good hap thofc fhepheards thaher led. 
 
 They ftopt his wound (too late to ftop it was) 
 And in their armes then foftly did him reare: 
 Tho (as he wild) vnto his loucd lafle. 
 His dearcft loue him dolefully did heart. 
 The dolefulft beare that euer man did fee. 
 Was AHrofhel^bMi deareft vnto mec. 
 
 She when (he faw her loue in fuch a plight. 
 With crudled blood and filthie gore deformed : 
 That wont to be with flowers and gyrlonds dight. 
 And her dcarcfauours dearly well adorned 
 Her face,the faireft face,that eye mote fee, 
 She likewifc did dcforme like him to bee. 
 
 Her yellow locks that fhonc fo bright and long, 
 As Sunny bcamcs in faireft fomers day ; 
 
 F J She
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 She fierdy torc,and with oiitragious wrong 
 From her red cheeks the rofes rent away. 
 And her faire breft the threafury of ioy , 
 She fpoyld thereof,and filled with annoy. 
 
 His palled face implQured with death, 
 She bathed oft with tcares and dried oft : 
 And with fweet kiffcs fucki the wafting breath, 
 Out of his lips like lillies pale and foft. 
 And oft (he caldtohim,whoanfweril nought, 
 But oncly by his lookes did tell his thought. 
 
 The reft ofher impatient regret. 
 And piteou s mone the which flie for him made: 
 No toong can tell,nor any forth can fct, 
 But he whofe heart like forrow did inuadc. 
 At laft when paine his vitall powres had fpent. 
 His wafted life her weary lodge forwent* 
 
 Which when {hefaw,fheftaied not a whit. 
 But after him did make vntimely hafte: 
 Forth with her ghoft put ofher corps did flit. 
 And followed her make like Turtle chafte. 
 To prouethat death their hearts cannot diuidc. 
 Which liuing were in loue fo firmly tide. 
 
 The Gods which all things fee,this fame beheld. 
 And pittying this paire of louers trcw : 
 Transformed them there lying on the field. 
 Into one flowre that is both red and blew. 
 
 It
 
 come home againe. 
 
 It firft growcs red ,and then to blew doth fade, 
 Like AHrophel»v^h\di thereinto was made. 
 
 And in the midft thereof a ftar appcarcs. 
 As fairly formd as any ftar in sky es .• 
 Refembling^y^^/Z^iinherfreflieftyeares, 
 Fonh darting beames of beautie from her eyes, 
 And all the day it ftandah full of deow, 
 Which is the teares, that from her eyes did flow. 
 
 That hearbe of fomc, Starlight is cald by name. 
 Of others P^;;^^/4,thoiigh not fo well ; 
 But thou where cuer thoudoeft finde the fame, 
 From this day forth do call it ABropheL 
 And when fo euer thou it vp doeft take. 
 Do pluck it foftly for that fhepheards fake. 
 
 Hereof when tydings far abroad did paflfe, 
 The fhepheards all which loued him full dcarc: 
 And furefulldeareofall he loued was. 
 Did thcther flock to fee what they did heare. 
 And whenthatpitteous fpcdaclethey vewed. 
 The fame with bitter teares they all bedewed. 
 
 And euery one did make exceeding mone. 
 With inward anguifh and great gricfe opprefl: : 
 And euery one did weep and waile,and mone. 
 And mcanes dcviz'd to (hew his forrow beft. 
 That from that houre fince firft on grafsie greenc, 
 Shephcards kept (heep^was not like mourning feen. 
 
 But
 
 Colin Clouts 
 
 But firft his After that Clorind^ hight. 
 The gentleft (hcpheard cffc thai hues this day r^ 
 And moft refembling both in (hape and fprighc 
 Her brother deare, began this dolefull lay. 
 Which leaft I marre the fwcctneflc of the vcarfc. 
 In fort as (he it fung, I will rchearfc.
 
 A Y me, to w horn fliall I my cafe complaine, 
 -^^That may compafsion my impatient gricfe ? 
 Or where fhall I vnfold my inward paine, 
 That my enriuenheart may find reliefe ? 
 Shall I vnto theheauenly powres it fhow ? 
 Or vnto earthly men that dwell below I 
 
 To heancns ? ah they alas the authors were. 
 And workers of my vnremedied wo : 
 For they forefee what to vs happens here. 
 And they forefaw,ye( fuffred this be fo. 
 From them comes good,from them comes alfo il. 
 That which they made, who can them warne to 
 
 (fpilU 
 .To men ? ah they alas like wretched bee. 
 And fubied totheheauens ordinance: 
 Bound to abide what euer they decree. 
 Their beft redreffe^is their beft fufferancc. 
 How then can they like wetched comfort mee, 
 The which no lcffe,need comforted tobee? 
 
 Then to my felfe will I my forrow mourne, 
 Sith none aliuclike forrowfull remaines : 
 And to my felfe my plaints fhall back retourne. 
 To pay their vfury with doubled paines. 
 The woods,thehills,theriuers (hall refound 
 The mournfuUaccent of my forrowcs ground. 
 
 G Woods, 
 
 >'-v^.tf^<K>'
 
 VVoods,hillsandriaers,now are defolatc, 
 Sith he is gone the which them alldid grace; 
 And all the fields do waile their widow ftatc, 
 Sith death their faireftflowre did late deface. 
 The faircft flowre in field that cuep grew^ 
 Was Astrophel'^xh'di was,weall may rcw^ 
 
 What cruell hand of ciirfed foe vnlcnownc*^ 
 Hathcropt theftalkcwhichborcfofaireaflowrcJ: 
 Vntimcly Gropt,bcforc it well were growne. 
 And clcane defaced in untimely howrc. 
 Great loffe to all that euer him fec^ 
 Great loffetoalljbut grcatcftloffetomec; 
 
 Breake no\v your gyrlonds>^0 ye fhepheards laflcsp. 
 
 Sith thefaire flowre, which them adornd,is gon; 
 
 The flowre, which them adornd,is gone to a(hcs,, 
 
 NcucragaineletJafleputgyrlondon.^ 
 Inftcad of gyrlond,wearefad Cypres nowc;* 
 And bitter Elder,brokenfromthe bowe, 
 
 "Ne eucrfing the loue-layes which he madci 
 WhoeiiermadefucWaycsofloueashecJ 
 Nc euer read the riddles, w hich he fayd 
 Vnto your feIiies,to make you mery glce^ 
 Your mery glee is now laid all abed , 
 Your mery makernow alaflc is dead. 
 
 Death
 
 Death thc^cuourerofall Worlds delight, 
 Hath robbed you and reft fro memy ioy ; 
 B oth yon and me, and all the world he qiiight 
 Hath robd of ioyance,and left fad annoy. 
 
 Ioy of the world^and (hepheards pride was hec, 
 Sh ephcards hope neuer like againe to fee. 
 
 Oh death that haft vs of fuchriches reft. 
 Tell vs at leaft, what haft thou with it done ? 
 What is become of him whofe fiowre here left 
 Is but tlie (liadow of his likeneflc gone. 
 Scarfe like the fhadow ofthat which he was, 
 Noughtlikcbut that he like a (hade did pas. 
 
 But that imtnortallfpirit, which wasdeckt 
 With all the dowries of ccleftiall grace : 
 By foueraine choyce from th'hcuenly quires (e\cft» 
 And lineally derived from Angels race, 
 
 Owhat is nowof it become aread. 
 
 Ay tne,can fo diuine a thing be dead ! 
 
 Ah no : it is not,dead,nc can it die. 
 
 But Hues for,aie,in bliffull Paradife^ 
 
 Where like a new-borne babe it foft doth lie, 
 
 In bed of lillies wraptin tender wife. 
 Atid compaft all about with rofes fweet. 
 And daintie violets from head to feet. 
 
 G 2 There
 
 mmmmmm 
 
 Tfiere thoufancl birds all of ccleftiall brood, 
 
 To him do fweetly caroll day and night ; 
 
 And with ftraiinge notes,of him well vnderftood, 
 
 Lull him a deep in Angelick delight; 
 VVhileft in fweet dreamc to him prefentcd bee 
 Immorcall beauties^which no eycmay fee. 
 
 But he them fees andtakes exceeding plcafure 
 Oftheirdiuineafpcds,appearingplaine, 
 And kindling loue in him aboue all meafure, 
 Sweetloueftill ioyous^neuer feeling paine. 
 For what fo goodly forme he there doth fee^ 
 He may enioy from iealous rancor free.. 
 
 Thcreliueth heineuerlafting blisy 
 
 Sweet fpirit neuer fearing more to die; 
 
 Nedreadingharme from any foes of his, 
 
 Nc fearing (aluage beafts more crueltie.. 
 WhileftweherewretcheswailehispriuatelacK, 
 And with vaine vowes do often call him back. 
 
 But Hue thou there ftill happie,happie fpirit. 
 And giue vs Icaue thee hercthus to lament; 
 Not thecthat doeft thy heauens ioy inherit, 
 But our owne felues that here in dole ar cdrent. 
 Thus do we weep and wailcand wear our eics,^ 
 Mourning in others, our ownemiferies. 
 
 Which:
 
 which when (he ended had,anotherf\vaiiTe 
 Of gentle wit and daintiel'weetdeuice; 
 W horn Afirofhel full deare did entcrtaine, 
 Whilcft here he liv'd, and held in pafsing price, 
 Hight Thef^ylis ^hcgzn his mournfull toiirne. 
 And made the Mujes in his fong to mourne. 
 
 And after him full many other moe. 
 
 As cuerie one in order lov'd him beft, 
 
 Gan dight themfelues t'exprcfle their inward woe. 
 
 With dolefull layes vnto the time addreft. 
 
 Thewhich I herein order will rehearfe, 
 
 Asfittcft flowrcs to deck his mournfull hearfe. 
 
 The mourning Mufe ^Thcftylis. 
 
 (bowres^ 
 /^Omc forth ye Nymphes come forth, forfakeyov vatry 
 V^Forfakeyourmofsy caues,andhelp me to lament: 
 Help me to tune my dolefull notes to gurgling found 
 Of Liffies tumbling ftreamesrCome la fait teares of ours. 
 Mix with his waters fre(h.Ocomelet oneconfent 
 loyne vs to mourne with wailfull plaints the deadly wound 
 Which fatall clap hath made^ decreed by higher powres. 
 The dreer y day in which t hey haue from vs yre nt 
 The nobleft plant that might from Eaft to Weft be found . 
 Mourne,mourn,greatPfo7//'/fall,mournwehiswofullend, 
 Whom fpitefull death hath pluQ vntimely from the tree. 
 Whiles yethisyeares inflowre,didpromifeworthiefrutc. 
 
 Ah dreadful JV^ri why didft thou not thy knight defend^ 
 What wrathfull mood, what fault of ours hath moucd thee 
 Of fuch a (hining light to leaue vs deftitute I 
 Tho with benigneafpedtfometimedidftvs behold, 
 
 G J Thoa
 
 Thou haft in Britons valour tanc delight of old. 
 And with thy prcfcnce aft vouchfaftto attribute 
 Fame and rcnowmc to vs for glorious martiall deeds.' 
 But now their ireful bemes hauexrhillkl our harts with cold. 
 Thou haft eftfang'd thy felf,and d^ieneft not our land: 
 Farre offto othersnow>thy fauourhonour breeds, 
 
 Andhighdirdainedothcaufetheefhunourclimc(Ifearc) 
 For hadft thou not bene wroth,or that time neare at hand. 
 Thou wouldft haueheardthecry that wofulEnglad made. 
 Eke ^^/Wjpiteousplaints^and HolkndsiQx^nkcavc 
 Would haply haucappeafd thy diuine angry raynd: 
 Thou (houldft haue feen the trees refufe to yeeld their (hade 
 And wailing to Jet fall the honor of their head, 
 And birds in mournfull tunes lamenting in their kindc: 
 Vp from his tombcthc mightie Cor'meu^ rofe. 
 Who curfing oft the fates that this mifhap had bred, 
 Hishoary locks hetare>callingthe hcau^ns^nkinde. 
 The r^4w^/ was heard to roarc, the Reyne^mA eke the Mofi^ 
 The i*rW^,the X)^;^<?n> felfc this great mifchancc did -rue, 
 Withtormcnt and with grief; their fountains pure Scclecrc 
 Were troubled, & with (welling fl.ouds declared their woes. 
 The i^/i/?jcomfortles,rfie Nymphs with paled hue, 
 The SiltMn Gods likcwife came running farre and nccre, 
 And all with tcares bedeawd,and eyes caft vp on hie, 
 O help,0 help ye Gods,thcy ghaftly gan to eric. 
 Ochaungc the cruell fateof this fo rarea wight, 
 And graunt that naturescourfemay meafure out his age. 
 The beafts their foodcforfookc,and trembling fearfully. 
 Each fought his caue or den,thiscry did them fo fright. 
 Outfrom amid the waucs,by ftormcthen ftirr'd to rage 
 ThiscriedidcaufetorirethbldfatherO(r^./;;hoiarc, 
 WJio grauc with cld,.andfull of maieftie in flght, 
 
 %akc
 
 spake in this wife. Refrain (qiioih htf) your teares & plaintv 
 Ceafethefe your idle words,makc vaincrcquefts noinorc* 
 No humble fpceeh nor nione,may mouethc fixed ftint 
 Of deffinic or death : Such is his will that paints 
 The earth with colours frelh ; the darkeft skies with ftore 
 Of {tarry lights ; And though your teares a hart offline 
 Might tender makcyct nought herein they will preuailc. 
 Whiles thus he faid,thc noble knight, who gan to feelc 
 His vitall force to faint ,and death with cruell dint 
 Of direfull dan his mortall bodie to affaile. 
 With eyes lift vp to heav'n,and courage franke as fteelCy 
 With checrfull face, where valour liuely was expreft. 
 But humble mynd he faid. O Lord if ought this fraile 
 Andcarthly carcaflehauethy feniicc fought t*aduauncc. 
 If my defire haue bene ftill to relicue th'oppreft : 
 If luftice to maintaine that valour I haue fpcnt. 
 Which thou megau'fti^orif henceforth I might aduavincc 
 Thy name,thy truth, then fpareme ( Lord) if thou think befffc 
 Forbeare thefe vnripe yeares.But if thy will be bent, . 
 If that prefixed time be come which thou haftfet, 
 Through pureandfenient faith,I hope now to beplaft. 
 In th'enerlafting blis, which with thy precious blood 
 Thou purchafedidft for vs. With that a figh hefcr. 
 And ftraight a cloudiemift his fences ouercaft. 
 His lips waxt paleand wan,like damaskc rofes bud^ 
 Caft from the ftalke,or like in field to purple flowrc, . 
 Which languifheth being fhred by cult eras it paft. 
 A trembling chilly cold ran throgh their veincs,which were 
 With eics brimful 1 of teares to (ee his fatallhowre, 
 Whofebluftring fighesat firftiheirforrow did declare, ^ 
 Next,murmuring enfude^ at laft they not forbeare 
 
 Plaine outories,all againft the heau's that enuioufly 
 
 Depriv'di
 
 pepriv'd vs of a fpright fo perfeft and (o rare. 
 TheSunhislightrom beainesdid Q^rovvd.andhidehisface 
 Tor griefe, whereby the earth feard night eternally; 
 The mountaineseachwhcre fhooke^tneriuers turned ihcif 
 And th aire gan vv interl ike to rage and fret apace ; (ftrcames. 
 And grifly ghofts by night were feene,and herie glcames. 
 Amid theclouds with claps of thunder, that did (eeme 
 To rent the skies^and made both manandbeaftafeard; 
 The birds of ill prefage this luckleflfe chance foretold. 
 By dernhill noire,and dogs with howling made mandcemc 
 Some mifchief was at hand : for fiich they do eft^eme 
 As tokens of mi(hap,and fo haiie done of old* 
 
 Ah that thou hadft but heard his louely Stellaiphine 
 Her grecuous lofre,or fecne her heauie mourning cheerc. 
 While (he with woe oppreft,hcr forrowes did vnfold. 
 Her hairc hung lofe neglcd,about her (houlders twaine, 
 And from thofc two bright ftarres,tohimfomctimefodeere 
 ,Her heart fent drops of pearle, which fell in foy fon downe 
 Twixt lilly and the rofe.She wroong her hands with paine, 
 And piteoufly gan fay, My true and faithfull phecrc, 
 Alas and woeis me,why fhould my fortune fro wne 
 Onmethusfrowardly torobmecfmy ioyf 
 What cruell enuious hand hath taken thee away. 
 And with thee my content, my comfort and my ftay ? 
 Thou onelic waft the cafe of trouble and annoy. 
 When they did me afTailCjin thee my hopes did reft* 
 Alas what now is left but grief ,that night and day 
 Afflids this wofuU life,and with continuall rage 
 Torments ten thoufand waies my mtferablebrcft? 
 G grecdie enuious heau'n what needed thee to hauc 
 Enricht with Rich a Icwell this vnhappie age, 
 To take it back againe fo foone ? Alas when fhall :;. : 
 
 Mine
 
 Mine cie$ fee ought that may content thcm,fincc thy grauc 
 
 My onely treafurc hides the ioyes of my poorc hzn.l 
 
 As herewith thee on earth I liv'd,euen (o cqiiall 
 
 Me thinkes it were with thee in hcau'n Idid abide: 
 
 And as our troubles all we here on earth did part, 
 
 Soreafcn wouldthat thereof thy moft happie ftate 
 
 I had my (hare. Alas if thou my truftie guide 
 
 Were wont to be^how canft thou leaue me thus alone 
 
 In darknefle and aftray 5 weake,wearie,defolatc, ., 
 
 Plung'd inaworld of woe,refuringfortotake 
 
 Me with thee, to the placeK)frcft where thou art gone. 
 
 This faid, (beheld her.pcacc^for forrow tide hcrtoongj 
 
 And inftced of more wordsyfcemd rhat^her eies a lake 
 
 Gfteares had bcne,thcy flow'd fo plenteoufly therefro: 
 
 And with her fobs and fighs,th'aireroundabout her roong/ 
 
 liFentis when (he waild h^tdcztc Ad^is flainc. 
 Ought moov'd in thy fiers hart compafsion of her wee, 
 Hifjioble fitters plaihtSjher fighes and tcares emong, ,\ 
 Would fure haue madethee milde,and inly niehcr paine: 
 Aurora halfe fo faire,her felfe did neucr fho w , 
 Whenfromold T/V^^;;/ bed, fhee weeping did arifc. 
 The blinded archer-boy , like lai'ke in fhowreof rainc ;, 
 Sat bathing of his wings^and ghd thetimedid fpend 
 "Vndcr thofecriftall drops,whichfclI from tier faireeics. 
 And at their brighteft bcames him proy nd in lonely wife. 
 Yet forie for her gricf,which he could not amend, 
 The getle boy ga wipe^her eies, Scclearrhofc lights, ((hine. 
 Thole lights through which, his glory and his conquefts 
 The Gracestuc^kt her hair, which hung tikethreds of g($ Id, 
 Along her yuoricbrcftthetreafure of delights. 
 All things with her to weepjitfccmcd, did cncHnc, 
 Tlictrecs>chchills,thedalcs,thecaues,thc ftones focold. 
 
 U The
 
 Thcairc did hclpthemmoucnc, with dark clouds,raineand 
 Forbearing man y, a day todcarc it fclfc againc,. (tnift. 
 
 Which made them eftfoones fcare the daics oiPirrha (hold^ 
 Of creatures fpoilc the earth,thcir fatall threds vmwift^ 
 For Ph(cbiis gladlomc raies were vvUhcd for invainc^ 
 Andvvith.hcccjimicring.ligh£ Latenas daughter fairc> 
 And CharlcS'VpAtne eke reful'd to be the (liipmans guide* 
 OnNepPunev^zz^c was made by Aeolt44 and his trainc. 
 Who letting loofe the winds ^oft and tor mentcd th'airc^ 
 So that on cii'r y coalt men fhipwrack didabide,- , 
 Or elfcLwere fwallowed vp in open fea with wanes. 
 And fuch as came to fhoare, were beaten with defpairc. 
 The Mcdwaies filuer ftrcam€s,that wont fo ftill to Aide, 
 Were troubled. now & wroihe:whofchiddc hollow caucs. 
 Alonghis hanks with fog then (hrowded from^ mans cyc^ K 
 Ay FhilUf did refownd ,aie Vhilltf they did cric^ 
 His Nimphs were fecn nomore(thogh cuftom ftil it crauesj 
 With hairefpredtothewyndthemfelucs tobath or rport^,^ 
 Orwiththehookeornet,barefooted wantonly 7^ 
 
 Thepl'eafant dainticfifh to entangle ordeceiuc- 
 The Ihepheardsleft theirwonted places of refon> 
 Their bagpipes now were ftill^their louingmcry laycs 
 Were quite forgot^and now their flocks,mcmighr percciucr 
 To wander and t© ftraic,allcardefly ne^ledV.. 
 And Jntheftead of minh and pleafur^, nights and daycs 
 Nought els was to be heard^but woes,complaints & mcn<i. 
 
 But thou?(0 Weffed roule)doefthaply not refpcdl, 
 Thefereares wc (hcad,thoughfull of louing pureaffeS>. 
 Hauing affixt thine eyes on that moft glorious throne, 
 \ Vherc full of maicftie the high creator rcignes* 
 In whofe bright (hining face thy ioy es are all complete^ 
 Whefcloue kindles thy fpright i where happiealwaics one,^ 
 
 Thou
 
 cThai fiu'ft inblis that Earthly pafsionneucrftamcs; 
 Where fromihc pureft fpring the facrcd NcBar fwecte 
 Is tby-continuall drinke : wherethou ck>eft gather now 
 Of wellemploied Hfc,th'ineftimabk gaines. 
 T\i^:ttV€nus<^Ti thcefmilcs,^/>^//(? giucs iheeplacc. 
 And Mars in reuerent wife doth to thy vertue bow. 
 And decks his fiery fphere,to do rfieehonourtnoft 
 In higheft part whercof,thy valour for tograce, 
 A chaire of gold he fetts to thee,and there doth tell 
 Thy noble adts arew, whereby eucn they thatboaft 
 Themfekiesofmincient feme,as Firrhp^,Hmmhall^ 
 Scipic^nA C^r, with t-he reft that did excel! 
 In martiall pToweffe,high thy glorie do admire. 
 
 All haile therefor^.O worthie Phillif immortall, 
 ThcflowreofJ)'^-^^r/Tace,t1iehGnour€>fthyr!ame, 
 Whofeworthiepraifeto fing^my Mufis not afpire. 
 But forrowfun and fad thcfe tcares to theelct fall. 
 Yet wifli their verfes might fo farre and wide thy fame 
 Extend/that enuies rage,nor time mightend the fame. 
 
 K^faffardli K^e^ofue vfm the death of Sir Phillip 
 Sidney Knight, &c, 
 
 Lycon. t^ntin. 
 /^OltH^y^ cl\ fits thy fad cheare this fad ftownd, 
 V^ T his wofull ftownd ,wherein alUhings compiainc 
 This great mifhap,this grccuouslofleof owres. 
 Hear ft thou the Orcwn f how with hollow fownd 
 He Aides away, and murmuring doth plaine, 
 And fecmes to fay vnto the fading flowrcs. 
 Along his bankes,vnto the bared trees; 
 PhrUifides isdczd. Vp iolly fwaine. 
 Thou that with skill canft tunc adolefull lay ^ 
 
 Hi Help
 
 Help Uim to mourn. My hart with grief doth frecfpt 
 Hoarfc is my voice witn crying, clfe a part / 
 
 Sure would I beare,though rude : But as I may. 
 With fobs and fighes I fccondwill thy fong. 
 And To expreffc the forrowcs of my hart. 
 
 ColiH. hWLycon^ Lycon^vjhzi need $kilt> to teacfr^ 
 A grieued mynd powrc forth his plaints? how long 
 Hath the pore Turtle son tofchoolCwccneft thou) 
 To learne to mourne heploft make} No,no,cach i 
 Creature by nature cantcll how towaile. :; /iiT 
 Sceft not thefe flocks,how fad they wander ftow?*"' 
 Seemethiheir leaders bell their bleating tunes^ 
 In dolefull found : Like him, not one doth failc 
 With hanging bead to (hew a heauic chearc. 
 What bird(I pray thee)haft thou fecn,that prunes" 
 Himfelfe of latei did any cheerfuU note 
 Come to thine eares,or gladfome fight appearc 
 Vhto thine desrfinee thatfame fatall howre? 
 Hath not the aircput on his mourning coat. 
 And teftfied his grief with flowing tcares I 
 Sith thcn>it feemeth each thingto his powrc 
 Doth vs inuiteto mak^afadtonfort ; 
 Come let vs ioyneour mournfull fong with theirSr 
 Griefcwill endite,andforrow will enforce 
 Thy vok:c,and -Er^^^ will our words report. 
 
 Lye. Though my rude rymes> ill with thy vcrfcs 
 That others farre excell^yet will I force (frame. 
 My felfeto anfweretheethebcft lean, 
 And honor my bafc words with his high name. 
 But ifmypJamts annoy thee where thou fit 
 In fecret (hade or cave ; vouchfafeCO f 4/^) 
 Topardonme,and here this hard conftrainr 
 Withpauence while I fing,and pittie it. 
 
 And
 
 And ckc yc rurall A/i{/?^,that do dwcfli 
 
 In thcfc wildc woods ; If cucr piteous plaint 
 Wcdid cnditc>or taught a wofuU mindc 
 With words of pure affed ,his griefe to tcH, 
 Inftrud me now^ Now Cdlin thcngoc on, 
 And I will follow thce,though farrc bchinde, 
 Colin. PhillifiJfs hdczd. Oharmfull death, 
 O deadly harmc. Vnhappic jllbion 
 When (halt thou fee cmongthy fliepheards all. 
 Any fofage>fo pcrfc£l ? Whom vncath 
 Enuie could touch for venuous life and fkill 5 
 Curtcous,valiant,and liberall. 
 Behold the facrcd-Pu/if/, where with hairc 
 Vntruft fhc fitts,in (hade of yonder hill. 
 And her faire face bent fadly downe, doth fend 
 A floud of teares to bathe the earthy and there 
 Doth call theheau'nsdefpightfull,enuious, 
 Cruell hisfate,ihat made fo (hort an end 
 Of that fame life, well wonhie to hauebcnc 
 Prolongd with many yeares,happie and famous^ 
 The Nymphs zndOreacUshcr round about 
 Do fir lamenting on the grafsiegrene; 
 And with (hrill cries,bcating their whitcft brcfts, 
 Accufe the direfull dart that death fent out 
 To giuc the fatall Ilrokc.The ftarres they blame. 
 That deafc or carclc(rcfeeme at their rcqiieft. 
 Thepleafant (hade offtatelygroues they (hun; 
 They lcauetheircriftallfprings,wherethcy wont frame 
 Swcctbowresof Myrtcl twigs and Lawrel faire, 
 To fport thcmfclues free from the fcorching Sun. 
 And now the hollow can es where horror darkc 
 DothdwellAvhencebanifhtisthegladfcmeairc 
 They fceke^ and there in mourning fpcnd their time 
 
 H 5 ' With
 
 Wit!i vvailfulltuncsjwhilcs vvoUiestlohowlcand 
 And fccm to bcarc a bourdon to ihcir plaint, (barkc. 
 
 Lye. PhilltfiJes is dczd. OdolcAillrymc. 
 Why (hould my toong cxprcflfciheci who is left 
 Now to vphold thy hopcs.whcn th^do fainr, 
 lycoK y nfortunate I Whatipitcfull fare, • 
 
 What liickleflcdcftinic hath thee bereft 
 Of thy chief comfort ^ of thy oncly ftay ? 
 Where is become thy wonted happicftatc, 
 (Alas) wherein through many a hill and dale, ^ 
 Through pleafant woods,and many an vnknownc ' 
 Along the banker of many filuer ftreames, (way^ 
 Thou withhim yodefl: ; and with him didft fcalc 
 The aaegie rocksofth'Alpes zxidJfpemnef 
 Still with the ii/»/?/fporting,whilethofcbeamc$ ' 
 Of vcrtue kindled in his noble breft. 
 Which ^fterdid fo glorioufly forth ftiine f 
 But (woe is me) they now yquenched arc 
 All fuddcinly,and death hath them oppreft. 
 Loc father NcptMne,WvAi fad countenance. 
 How he fitts mourning ontheftrond now bare. 
 Yonder, where thOcean with his rolling wanes 
 Thewhitefcetcwaftieth(vvai!ingthismifchancc) 
 OfX^^/^^fz-cliffes. His facred skirt about 
 The fea-gods all arc fet ; from their moift caucs 
 All for his comfort gathered therethcy be. 
 The Thamis rich,thc HtmAer rough and ftout. 
 The fruitful! Seuerne^wxih the reft are come 
 To hdpe their Lord to mourne,and eke to fee 
 The dolefuHfi ght, and fad pomp funerall 
 Of the dead corps pafsing through his kingdoms 
 And all their heads with Cypres gyrlonds crowned 
 With wofull flirikcs falutc him great and fmall. 
 
 fkc 
 
 X
 
 Eke wailfiilf -Errft^jforgciting her dcarc 
 iV4rn^,thcirlafiacccntSydGthrefownd# //• . 
 
 CoL FhilltJiiJcji%dc2Ld. Olucklcffcagc; 
 O widow world J Obrookcs and fountains clecrcs 
 O hills^Odalcs,0 woods that oft haucrong 
 With his fwcct caroling, which could aflvvagc 
 Thcficrceft wrath of Tygrc or ofBcarc, 
 Ye Siluans,FawneS:,andSatyrcs,that cmong 
 Thcfe thickets oft haucdaunft after his pipe. 
 Ye Nymphs and ^^^^^'/with golden hear c,. 
 That oft hauc left your purcft criftall fprings 
 To hark^n to his laycs,that coulden wipe 
 Away all gricfcand forrow from your harts; 
 Alas who now is left that like him fings? .; 
 
 When fhall you heare againclike harmonic I *; 
 SofwectafowndjWhoto younowimpansi J* 
 Loc where engraucd by his hand yet lines 
 Thcname of StelU^^nyondct bay tree. 
 Happie name,happic tree>faire may you grow^.v ni 
 And fpred your facred branch, which honor giueSy 
 To famousEmperours,andP6ets crownc. 
 Vnhappie flock that wander fcattred now> 
 What marucll if through grief ye woxen leanc> 
 Forfake your f©ed,and hang your heads adowncJ 
 For fuch a (hcphcard nener fhall you guides 
 whofepaning,hath of vveale bereft you cleanc^ 
 
 Zjc. Phillijidfsisdczd. O happie fprite. 
 That now in heau'n with blcffed foules docft bide: 
 Lookc down a while from where thou fitft abouc^r 
 Andfcchowbuficfhepheardsbe toendite 
 Sad fongs of gricf,their forrowes to declare. 
 And gratefull memory of their kynd loue. 
 Bcholdmyfclfcwith C(7//>,s;entlcfwainc 
 
 ^ (VVhofc
 
 (Whofelcmcd Mnfi thou chcriftit moft whylcarc)^ 
 where we thy name rccording,fcckc to cafe 
 The inward torment and tormenting painc. 
 That thy departure to vs both hath bred; 
 Ne can each others forrow yet appeafc* 
 Behold the fountains now left dclolatc, 
 And withred 2 raffc with cypres boughesbefpred. 
 Behold thefc floures wbichxm thy grauc we ftrewj 
 Which faded,fhew the giuers faded flate, 
 (Though eke they {hcwiheirferuct zeale & pure) 
 VVhofe onel-y comfort on thy welfare grew. 
 Whofe praiers importime (hall the'heau's for ay, ^ 
 That to thy aflies, reftthey may affure : . . \ 
 
 Thatlearncdft (hc^phcardshonor may thy name ' * ^• 
 With y cerly praifes ^and the Nymphs al way 
 Thy tomb may deck with frefh & fwetteft flowrc% 
 And that for aier may endure thy fame. i 
 
 Colm, The Sun (lo) halftncd hath h is face toiteep 
 In wcftcm waues: and th'airc with ftormy ftiowrcsl 
 Warnes vs to driuc'homewardsour filly (heep, 
 tjcffrfflctt's rife, and take of them goqd keep, 
 
 ? i^:;rh liJov 
 
 ,»-, 
 
 .hwbe:
 
 An Elegie^or friends paf- 
 
 fion, for his K^iHrofhill. 
 
 VVrittenvfon the death of the right Honour Me fw 
 
 rhilli^ Sidney Knight, Lord gouernour 
 
 ef Flushing. 
 
 ' A Sthen,nowindcatallthere blew, 
 -^^No fwclling cloude,accloidthcairC5 
 
 The skiCjlike graffe of watchet hew> 
 I^eflc£ied Phoebus golden haire, 
 
 Thegarnifnt trce,no pendant ftird, 
 
 ISIo voice was heard of anie bird. 
 
 Thercmight you fee the burly Bearc, 
 
 The Lionking,ihc Elephant, 
 
 The maiden Vnicorne was there. 
 
 So was Acleons horned plant. 
 And what of wildcor tame are found. 
 Were coucht in order on the ground. 
 
 Alcides fpeckled poplar tree, 
 ThcpalmethatMonarchsdo obtaine, 
 
 I With
 
 With Lone iiiicc ftaind the tniilbcrie, 
 Thefruit that dewcs the Poets brainCy 
 And Phillis philbert there away, 
 Comparde vvith miitlc and the bay* 
 
 The tr^e that coffins doth adorne. 
 With (lately height threatningthe skic. 
 And for the bed of Lone forlorne. 
 The blacke and doleful! Ebonie, 
 
 All in a circle compaft were. 
 
 Like to an Ampitheater. 
 
 Vpon the branches ofthofe trees^ 
 
 The airie winged people fat, 
 
 Diftingiiifhed in od degrees. 
 
 One fort is ihis.another that. 
 Here Philomell^thdX know es full well. 
 What force and wit in loue doth dwell. 
 
 The skiebredEgleroiall bird, 
 
 Percht there vpon an okc abouc, 
 
 The Turtle by him neuer ftird. 
 
 Example of immortall loue; 
 The fwan that fings about tody, 
 Leaning Mea/^derRood thereby. 
 
 And that which was of woondcf mofi, 
 The Ph(xnix left fweet Ar.ihie: 
 
 An^
 
 And on a Cardar in this coaft. 
 Built vp her tombe of fpicerie. 
 As I coniedureby thefamc, 
 Preparde to take her dying flamc^ 
 
 In midft and center of this plot, 
 I faw one groiieling on the graffe: 
 A man or ftone, I knew not that, 
 TSfoftonc^ofman the figure was. 
 And yet I could not count him cnc. 
 More than the image made of ftonc 
 
 At lengtli I might pcrceiuchimrcarc 
 Hisbodieorjhiselhovv end: 
 Earthly and pale with gaftly cheare, 
 Vpon his kiiees he vpvvard tend. 
 Seeming like one m vmcouih ftound. 
 To beafcending out the ground. 
 
 A grieuous figh forthwith hethrowes. 
 As might haue tornc the vitall firings , 
 Then down his cheeks theteares (o flows. 
 As doth the ftreame of many fprings. 
 So thunder rends the cloud in twainc. 
 And makes a paflage for the rainc. 
 
 Incontinent with trembling found. 
 He wofully gan to complains, 
 
 I 2 
 
 Such
 
 "Ws 
 
 Such were the accents as might wound. 
 And teare a diamond rocke in twaine. 
 
 After his throbs did fomewhax ftay, 
 
 Thushcauilyhegantofay. 
 
 Ofunnc (faid he) feeing the funne, 
 
 On wretched me why doftthou (hinCi>. 
 
 My ftar is falne,my comfort done, 
 
 Out is the apple of my einc. 
 Shine vpon thofe poffeffe delight^ 
 And let meliuein endleffemighto 
 
 O griefethatlieft vpon myfoule. 
 As heauie as a mount of lead, 
 The remnant of my life controll, 
 Confort me quickly with the dead, 
 Halfe of this hart>this fprite and wilC 
 Di'de in the btcft of ^i^r^/W/. 
 
 And you compafsionate of my wo. 
 Gentle birds, beafts and (hadie trees, 
 I am affurdeye long to kno. 
 What be the forrowcs me agreetii's, 
 Liften ye then to that infu'th. 
 And heare atale of tearcs and Hither 

 
 You knewjwho knew not AHrof^hilly ^ 
 (That I (hoiild Hue to fay I knew, 
 Andhaucnotinpoffefsionftill) 
 Things knownc permit mcto renew. 
 Of nim you know his merit fnch, 
 I cannot fay , you hearc too much. 
 
 Within thefe woods oiArudie^ 
 He chiefe delight and pleafuretooke. 
 And on the mountaine Partheniey 
 Vpon the chryftall liquid brooke. 
 The Mufes met him eu'ry day, 
 Thattaught him fing,towritc,and fay* 
 
 when he defcendeddownetothemoimtj 
 His perfonage fecmcd moft diuine, 
 Athou&nd graces onemightcount, 
 Vpon his louelychcerfull eine, 
 To heare him fpeake and fwectly fmilc. 
 You were in Paradifc the while. 
 
 A fv/eetattra£tiuekinde orgrace, 
 A full afliirance giuen by lookes, 
 Continuall comfort in a face. 
 The lineaments of Gofpell bookcs, 
 I trowe that countenance cannot lie, 
 Whofe thoughts are legible in the cie. 
 
 Was
 
 Was euer cie,did fee that face. 
 Was neiier eare.did hearethat tong. 
 Was neucr minde,did minde his grace. 
 That euer ihoii;ght the trauell long. 
 But eies,and eares,and eu ry thought. 
 Were with his fweete perfcv5lionscaught, 
 
 O God,that fuch a worthy man. 
 In whom fo rare defarts did raignc, 
 Dellred thus,muft leaue vs than. 
 And wetowifhforhimin vaine, 
 
 O could the ftars that bred that wir^ 
 
 In force no longer fixed fit. 
 
 Then being fild with learned dew. 
 
 The Mufes willed him to louc. 
 
 That inftrumentcan aptly fhew. 
 
 How finely our conceits will mouc. 
 As Bacchtu opes diflcmbled haris, 
 ^o loue fcts out pur better parts. 
 
 Sfelluz Nymph with in this wood, 
 Moft rare and rich of hcaucnly Wis, 
 The highcft in his fancie flood. 
 And fhe could well demeritethis, 
 T IS likely they acquainted foone, 
 HcwasaSun,andfheaMoDnc. 
 
 Our
 
 Om J Brophill did StelU loue, 
 O Stella vaunt oiAfhophrill^ 
 Albeit thy graces gods may moue^ 
 Where wilt iho\i([ndz2,nABrophill^ 
 The rofe and lillie hauc their prime. 
 And fo hath beautie but a time. 
 
 Although thy beautie do exceed. 
 In common fight of eu'ry eie, 
 Yet in hisPocues whenwereedc,' 
 It is apparant more thereby, 
 He that hath loue and iudgemcnt tc 
 Sees more than any other doo. 
 
 Then AsJrcphillhzth honord thee. 
 For when thy bodic is extind. 
 Thy graces (hall etcmall be. 
 And Hue by vertue of his inkc. 
 For by his verfes he doth giuc. 
 To (hort liude beautie ay e to liuc« 
 
 Aboucall others this is hecf 
 Whicberft approoued in his fong,, 
 That loue and honor might agree. 
 And that pure Ioujc will do no wrong. 
 Sweet faints itis no finne nor blame, 
 To loue t man of vertuous name. 
 
 Did
 
 Did neiier lone fo fwT€tly ;brcat h 
 In any mortall breft before, 
 Did neiierMiifc ififpirebencath, 
 A Poets braine with finer ftorc : 
 He wrote of loLie with high conceit^ 
 And beautie rcardaboue her height. 
 
 Then Pallas afterward attyrde, 
 
 Owv Ashophillv<!\ih h^crdeuicc, ^ ; 
 
 Whom in his armor hcaiicn admyrde* 
 
 As of the nation of rhe skies., 
 Hefparkledinhis armes afarrs. 
 As he were dight with fieric ftarrs. 
 
 The blaze whereof when ^^rrj beheld, 
 (An cnuious eie doth fee afar) r: / / • . 
 Such maieftie (quoth ke) isfcdd. 
 Such maieftie my mart may mar. 
 
 Perhaps this may a futcr be. 
 
 To fet Mars by his deitie. 
 
 In this furmize he made with fpeede. 
 An iron cane wh erein he put. 
 The thunder that incloudcs do brcedc. 
 The flame and boh togither fluit. 
 With priuie force burft out againe. 
 And fo our Js^r^f hill was flainc. 
 
 '/S-r^ 
 
 This
 
 His word (was ■flaine)ftraightwaytlid mouc. 
 And natures inwardlife firings twitch, 
 The skie immediately abouc, 
 Wasdimd with hideous clouds of pitch, 
 
 Thewraftlingwindsfrom out the ground, 
 Fildallthc aire wkh ratling found* 
 
 The bendin g trees exprefl: a gronc. 
 And figh'dtheforrow of his fall, 
 Theforreft bcafts raaderuthfull monc. 
 The birds did tune their mourning call. 
 
 And Philomell£(x AJirophttl, 
 
 Vnto her notes annext a phill. 
 
 The Turtle doue with tunes of mthe, 
 
 Shewdfeeling pafsionofliis death, 
 
 Methought (he (aid I telltheetruthe. 
 
 Was neuer he that drew in breath, 
 Vnto his lone morctruftie found, 
 Than he for whom our griefs abound. 
 
 The fwan that was in prefenceheere. 
 Began his funerall dirge to fing, 
 Good things (quoth he) may fcarceappeere. 
 But paflfc away with fpeedie wing. 
 
 This monall life as death is tride, 
 
 And death giucslife,and fo he di'de. 
 
 K The
 
 The general! forrow that was made^ 
 
 Among the creatures of kinde, 
 
 Fired the Phoenix where (he laide. 
 
 Her adies flyingwith the winde, 
 So as I tnight with reafon fee. 
 That fuch a Phoe:nix ncre iliould bee. 
 
 Haply the cinders driii^nabaur. 
 May breede an offrpringnecrethatkinde> 
 But hardly a pcere to that Idoubt, 
 It cannot fi nke into my minde. 
 
 That vnder branches ere can bec> 
 
 Of worth and value as the tree. 
 
 The Egle markt with pearcing fight. 
 The mournfull habite ofthe place, 
 And parted thence with mounting flight,. 
 To fignifieto/^^/<fthethecarc. 
 
 What forrow nature doth fuftakie;i 
 
 For Aiimphill by cnui€ flainc* 
 
 And while I followed with mine cie^ 
 
 The flight theEglevpward tooke^ 
 
 All things did vanifli by aad by^ 
 
 And difappeared from my lookc, 
 Thetrees,beafts,birds,andgrouewasgone^ 
 So wasthcfriendthatmadcthis monc. 
 
 This
 
 This fpcftaclchadfirmly wrought, 
 A deepc compafsion in my fpright, 
 Ivly molting hart ifliidc mc thought. 
 In ftrcamcsforth at mine cics aright. 
 
 And here my pen is forft to fhrinkc, 
 
 My tcarcs difcoUors fo mincinke. 
 
 An Epitaph vpon the right Honourable fir Phillip 
 Sidney knight : Lord goticr nor of Flushing. 
 
 ^■^0 praife thy lifejOrwaik thy vvorthie death, 
 ^ Andwant thy wit,thy wit high, purejdiuinc, 
 Is far beyond the powre ofmortallline, 
 Nor any one hath worth that draw eth breath . 
 
 Yet rich inzcale,though poore in learnings lore. 
 
 And friendly care obfcurde in fecret breft, 
 
 And loue that enuie in thy life fuppreft, 
 
 Thy decrc life done,and death hath doubled more. 
 
 And I, that in thy time and liuing ftate, 
 Did onely praifethy vertucs in my thought, 
 Asonethatfeeld therifing fun hath fought, (fate. 
 With words and teares now wailethy timelefle 
 
 • 
 Drawn e was thy race,aright from princely line, 
 Nor leffethanfuch, (by gifts that nature gaue, 
 
 K 2 The 

 
 The common mother that all creatures haue,) 
 Doibvcrtue (hew jand pi^wely linage Ihiiie^ 
 
 A king ganc thee thy name,a kingly minde^ 
 That God thee gaiie, who found it now too dccfc 
 Forthis bafeworld,andhathrefumdcit.ncere,. 
 To fit in skies,andfort withpowrcsdiuinc- 
 
 Kcnt thy birth daies,and Oxford held thy youth, 
 Thcheanensmadehaft,&ftaidnoryeers,nortime^ 
 Thefruitsofagegrewripeinthyfirftprime, 
 Thy will>thy words^thy words the feales of truth; 
 
 Great gifts and wifedom rare imployd thee thence,,' 
 Totreat fro kings,with thofe more great tha kings*. 
 Such hope men had to lay the higheft things J, 
 Onthy wife youthjtobetranfported hence. 
 
 Whence to (harpe wars fwcet honor did thee calf^ 
 Thycountriesloue,religion,and thy friends; 
 Of worthy men,themarks,the Hues and ends^ 
 And her dcf ence>foLwhom welabor all. 
 
 There didft thou vanquiffi (hameandtediousagei 
 Griefe/orroWjfickncs,and bafe fortunes might: 
 Thy rifing day,faw neuer wofull night. 
 But paft with praife,from of this worldly ftage. 
 
 Backer 
 

 
 Back to the campCjby thee that day was broiighr,. 
 Firft thine owne death, and after thy long fame; 
 
 Teares tothcfoldiers,the proud Caftiliansfhame- 
 Vcrtuccxpreft,and honor truly taught. 
 
 What hath he loft,that fuch great grace hath woon^ 
 Yoong yeeres,for endks yeeres,and hope vnfurej. 
 Of fortunes gifts,for wealth that ftill (hall dure,, 
 Oh happieracewithfo great praifesnm. 
 
 Englandjdoth holdthy lims that bred the fame^ 
 J'/4«;^^(f/'j- thy valure where it laft was tried, 
 The Campethy forrow where thy bodiedied, 
 Tby friendsjthy want- the world,thy vertucs fame. 
 
 Nations thy wir,ourmindes lay vp thy louc. 
 Letters thy Iearning,thy loflc^y eeres long to come. 
 In worthy harts forrow hath made thy tombe, 
 Thy foukandfpright enrich thchcaucns abouc. 
 
 Thy libcrall hart imbalmdingratcfullteares, 
 Yoong fighs, fweet fighes/age figheSjbewailethy 
 Ennie her fting,and fpite hath left her gall, (fall, 
 Ivklice her felfcja mourning garment weares. 
 
 T hat day their /^^;^;?/^^//died,ouri'r//>/'^ fell, 
 SdpiOyCicerffjTind Petrarch of our time, 
 Whofe vertues wounded by my worthleffe rime, 
 Let Angels rpeake,and heauen tky praifes tell.
 
 Another rft})c fame, 
 
 C Ilcncc augmcnteth grief, writing encrcafcth rage, (age, 
 
 ^:^tald are my thoughts , which lou d , & loft, the wonder of our 
 Yet qiiickned now with lire,thoiigh dead with froft ere now, 
 Enrag'de I write, I know not what;dcad,qiiick,I know not how^ 
 
 Hard harted mindes relent,and rigors teares abound, 
 And enuieftrangely rues his end, in whom no fault fhe found, 
 Knowledge her light hath lofi, valor hath (laine her knight, 
 Sidney is dead, dead is my £riend>dead is the worlds deliglit. 
 
 Place penfi uc waileshis fallow hofc prcfence was her pride. 
 Time crieth out,my cbbe is come : his life was my fpring tidc» • 
 Fame mournes in that (he loft,rh e ground of her reports, 
 Echliuing wight laments his lackciand all in fundry forts. :,;>! 
 
 He was (wo worth that word) to ech wellthinking.minde, 
 A fpotleflfe friend,a matchlcs man,whofe vertuc euer (hindc. 
 Declaring in his thoughts,his life,and that he writ, 
 Higheft conccits,Iongeft forefights,and dcepeft works of wit* 
 
 He onely like himfelfe, was fecond vnto none, 
 Whofe deth (though life) we rue, & wrong, & al in vain do mone. 
 Their loflcjuot him waile they,that fill the World with cries, 
 X)cath flue not him.but he made death his ladder to the skies. 
 
 Now finkeofforrow I,wholiue,themorcthe wrong, 
 WhowiQiing death, whomdcthdenies,whofethred is altolog, 
 Who tied to wretched life, who lookes for no reliefe, 
 Muft fpend my cuerdying daies,,inneuer ending griefe. 
 
 Harts
 
 Harts eafc ancfonely I Jikc parables run on, 
 VVhofe equall length, keep equallbredth^andnener meet in one. 
 Yet for not wronging him,mythoughts,myforrowes cell, 
 Shall not run out,though Icake they vvilUfor liking him fo vvclU 
 
 Farewell to you my hopes,my wonted waking dreames, 
 Farewell fometimes enioyed,ioy,eclipred are thy beames. 
 Farewell felfe pleafingthoughtSjwhich quietnes brings f oorth^ 
 And farewel friendfhips facrcd league,vniting minds of woorth. 
 
 And farewell mery hart,the gift of guiltlefle mind e&, 
 And all fports,which for lines reftore, varietie afsigncs^ 
 Let all that fweete is voyd ^ in me no mirth may dwell, 
 rhilUf ythc caufeofallthis woe,my liuescontentfarewell. 
 
 Nowrime,the fonne of rage, which art no kin to skill, (kilf. 
 And endles griefe,which deads my life,yet knowes not how to 
 Go feekes that haples tombe,which if ye hap to finde. 
 Salute the ftones,that keep the lims,that held (o good a mindc» 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 Printed by T. C for William Panibnbie- 
 
 I 5 P 5*
 

 

 
 
 
 -.ax 
 
 
 y^:' 
 
 
 
 L^^" 
 
 fj) 
 
 1 
 
 ?>::?»^ 
 
 ,,->..
 
 iQCrvi 
 
 :>3 ' 
 
 r.TVTvrTrt* 
 
 :*0»tg|g|||g^^^ 
 
 ryvrryvyarvwanrvvTr*' 
 
 ■^.^ 
 
 ?^ 
 
 
 >1> 5 
 
 t> J i 
 
 ?:? 
 
 >:><. 
 
 > 3-,r^ 
 
 J)~) 1 
 
 
 
 ^ i^ ^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 $>^ ^1 
 
 ^^^>^ 
 
 
 
 i^^ ^!