it is one woman enuieth the beautie of an other and thinketh hyr self fayrest of all So frownyng fortune and cruell destinie yet withstoode hyr enterpryse that naught hyr suyte before the Goddes coulde preuayle Venus especially being hyr heauy friend onely for hyr beauties sake It happened so these two hauing bothe a like suyte vnto the Goddes metâ—e by chaunce in the heauenly throne of the mighty and thundryng Iupiter at suche tyme as the Goddes were disposed to heare mortall mennes vowes and supplications whiche I iudge to bee in the forenoone and sober houres of the day for in the after noone when thâ—y are well and thorowly whirled with the Nectar wine then lisâ—e they not to treate on earnest affayres but looke on whiche side the heauens bendeth lowest towardes the earth there sitte they intentiuely beholding mortall mens doings whiche vnto them are as it were a Theatre of tragical discourses to moue them to laughter But beholde fayre Dames Venus bearyng their supplications â–ª grudgyng at N. O. for detesting hir froth and hating A. O. for hyr beautie not contented to denie their petitions called Cupide that blinde and conkered boy vnto hyr commaunding him vnder affection to strike this N. O. in moste ardent loue with A. O. who obeying hir beste straightfoorth ascended to the Mount Pernossus where his guyuer of arrowes lay who chusing among the reste what beste mighte worke this feate suddenly stroke his silly harte who felte no sooner the arrow pricke but straightfoorth came boâ—nde to Louers lore yea in such sorte that he sat all on thorne till shee was gâ—â—ne whereby he might finde time and place to vtter his moning minde vnto hir and also to bewray his sweltring harte Loue made hym volde he feared nought but least the Goddes shoulde bee inflamed with hyr who rauisht with hyr sight might barre him of his will. Such was hyr beautie sayd Apollo as all the heaueÌ„s gan clearly to shine not Phoebus yet in place But to be short hir suyte not auaylyng she departed from thence to hyr wonted Ile of Scyros whome N.O. incontinently followed and gardyng hyr to hyr lodge in the way of familiaritie taking the gentle conge of hyr as a 〈◊〉 guerdon in lien of his paynes vsed vnto hyr these wordes followyng Oh Goddesse of worthie price quoth he if so I might thee call rebuke me not for my boldnesse for what my lippes haue done and now professe my harte hath wished long before I graunt not vauÌ„ting of my pareÌ„tage a grafte of wilding stocke as I am deserueth not to incouÌ„ter with the sugred lippes of so worthie a Goddesse as by thine outward appâ—raÌ„ce thou â—eemest in my sight to be say therfore O well of life if trespasse aught herein I haue coÌ„mitted then let my lyfe a guerdon be for these my euil desertes but in the meâ—ne time Ladie as doubtful of my offeÌ„ce I appeale to thy courtesie for grace Who courteously answering sayd No Goddesse sir yet oft we see blinde bayarde hitteth the nayle on the hedde but tell me good sir I pray you what meaneth this kinde of salutation I lesse than seldome haue founde in my woonted friendes the like curtesie much lesse in a straunger wherefore your curteous demeanoure whatsoeuer it pleaseth you to say of your selfe giueth me to thinke your race to haue commen of some noble parentage or rather of a worthie line N.O. fearing the imbecillitie of his witte and the foltering of his toung though in deede he needed not answered in this sorte alasse thou fountayne of my ioy my foltring tong is bashefull to recite the lingring loue whiche this mine inwarde harte with deadly payne retayneth wherefore by humble suyte I craue that what my trembling tongue for feare is bashfull to recite the same my painefull penne may put in writing I graunt quoth she seyng nothing but reason you do require â–ª if so you had leueâ— your penne to paynte than your tong to expresse the same Yet as it hath pleased you of your courtesie to accompany me in this so long a voyage I vnworthie thereof so I desire you to soâ—oâ—â—e with me this night takyng a small repast in lieu of your good will and a harde lodgyng to reste your weried limmes in parte of satisfaction to recompence your profered payne No doubte but N.O. willingly accepted hyr courteous profer for at what time this proffer was made they were in the â—ight of the house which bring most gorgeously adorned with highe poyntes curious turrets and fewe glasse windowes rounde about â–ª inflamed his hart with a great desire to viewe the situation and not onely the rules and principles but also the chiefest poyntes and moste centous workemanship thorow the deuice of Geometry whiche therein were vsed whiche sure he had no sooner entered but the â—egall pompe and princely furniture seemed in all poyntes correspondent to the braue paynting and the curious workemanship of the baâ—tleâ—s turrets without But I will omit this sumptuous buâ—lding least while I seeme to prayse it at the full not giuing it his true title I deminish the glory thereof and speake of his friendly intertaynement bycause it appertayneth partely to my charge At siâ— N.O. his first entraunce into the house Alpha Omega taking him by the hande and bidding him according to the rules of courtesie moste hartely welcome shewed him all the commodities of the house and ledde him into a fayre large gallerie lying on the west side of the house where first desirous to know his name his natiue couÌ„try and linage and after great parlance more which were to tediouâ— here to recite the borde beyng couered after a stately manner supper drewe neare whereof beyng warned by the Steward of the house she desired him to take a smal repast who thanking hir for hir curtesie sat downe as he was placed of the Grome whiche was at the vpper end of the borde nexte to his Ladie on whome he many a sheepish eye did cast What should I here bryng in the number and sortes of dayntie dishes or the curious caruyng and seruice at the borde the shewyng whereof is as caste as the numbring of the sâ—arres in the skies or the telling of the sandes in the seas Yet thinke I it good and Opere precium here to reduce their pretie Poems and Poëticall Pamphlets conueyed from the one to the other for he that seeketh the grounde and pithe therof shall fynd aliquid salis in them as the prouerbe goeth First N. O. marking greatly hir behauiour and gestures oft tymes cast his glauncing eyes as he thought by stealth vpon hir winking muche withall wherat A. O. maruelling asked him if the light of the candle dasâ—d his eyes To whome he replyed thus Not so dere dame I winke for feare least my too much contemplation of thy wonderful beautie daze my greedy eyes for by proofe I fynd it not ouer easy to clyme the Egles nest and thy great curtesie is a ready repulse to my
against nature whiche assuredly exceedeth the bandes of my force wherefore take pitie vpon him who is and wil be whyle life doth laste more yours than his owne Yours in harte N. O. This being finished he layed his drowsie head vpon his softe pillow to sleepe but God wote it was so sore pestered with the tedious thoughtes of his fayre Ladie that whilest he thought to haue rested his weried limmes in a bedde of security his senses were rested as it were to the thirde heauen with feare of digression Thus as one being placed where pleasure was and could not participate the same with many a sobbing sighe and skalding teare he wrested foorth the tedious night in hope that if the Muses Thaleia and Pelymneia fauoured his tong as well as Phoebus and Calliope the direction of his penne his rising shoulde be on the right side on that day yet wresled he so his effeminate bande to the siege of backewarde affection that both trumpe and drumme sounded nothing for their Larum but Baccare Baccare yet as the sound of trumpe and stroke of drumme incourageth not a little the â–ª henlyke man to martiall feates blouddy actes and warlike prowes thinking thereby to rayse an euerlasting fame whiche neither the obliuion of memory should â—oulde in earth nor yet the antiquitie of tyme shall turne to duste so the onely sounde of trumpe drumme though in deede the troupe of frowarde affection stoode as it were a bande of mortall enimies before him seekyng the spoyle of his innocent bloudde inforced him to sette the best legge forewarde knowing that Phoebus with his ralâ—ant rayes is able to put the cloudie roupes to flighte and therefore with a good courage be gan to rouse himself Who after eche thing placed in order about him thought to haue greeted his Ladie wyth the morning salutation as other of his sect haue vsed to do and coÌ„ming through the galery which led him to his chamber he met as fortune would with his ladie vpon the sodayne who not grieued with his chaunce wel liking the place and not misliking the tyme taking hir by the hand giuing hir the curtesie of Aurora she conmaunded hir nimble feete to encounter a turne or twayne about the galerie where leauing forain matters they parled at the flest of domesticall and priuate affaires But yet as one word driueth foorth an other so this parlance being soone ended N.O. issued forth in this sort Lady quoth he I see dame Paâ—las in thee hath played hir part wherfore be not offended with my incroching vpon thee being desirous to be absolued of this doubt which is A valiant captain trusting the craking wordes of his souldiers â—not knowing their manhood pressed in hast thervnto bringeth theÌ„ to the field whom sort assault for the most part proues rather cackling hennes than skilful souldiors in martial exploits For being inuironed or rather as it were hedged in rounde about of their enimies who in deed were too strong for them hauing no way to flee but through the surging Sea some like hennes hauing small lust to cackle being expulsed off their nestes aduenture to scape the seas and are drowned The second companie stand to the direfull dent of â—attred shield and are slaine The third seeing no resistance yeld to their enimies in hope to fynde lyfe where not seldome we finde life to be none The captaine seing his hand broken and his armye scattered standeth in a quandare not knowing what to doe Thus good Lady my question being moued my demaund is in this case if you were captayn which of these three companies would you hold withall The Ladie marking well his proposition â–ª made answere in thys sort Syr knyght quoth she this case is playne the valyaunt Souldioure hadde rather truste to the force of hys armes amiddest hys enimies than in the fielde a fayre payre of heeles to shew Therfore who vsed that vayne of manhoode I iudge were iustly serued the toysâ— and skylfull Souldieors sâ—â—ing Mars to withstande them and Mercuries shiftings not to preuayle will rather yeld standing to the curtesie of their enimies than more boldly than wisely runne headlong into their owne destruction For nought but direful death by seekyng the extremitie at tyrennous handes doeth happen Wherefore who courteously yeeldeed seing none other remedy if I hadde bene theyr Captayne with them I woulde haue holden Then quoth N O. marke well the consequent the case being myne and you the Castell whyche I seeke to wynne Mars frownyng vâ—pon mee I yeelde what woulde you doe Take all your goodes quoth the Ladye for inueying agaynste mee then bynding you by solemne othe and protestation whyle lâ—fe doâ—th laste neuer to beaâ—e speare and shielde agaynste mee in the fielde agayne with lyfe and lymme you shoulde departe Nowe assuredly sayth he as a greater curtesie I woulde not wish so thus muche as inforced thereto I craue For why fayre Ladye in suche thunderyng sorte doth clipping Eccho sounde foorth the loftye Taratantara of thy amyable trumpe that needes I muste preferre my rude wordes vnto thy learned eares Thou art ob amarous dame that strong and stedfast Castell of amitie whych Cupide inforceth my heart to inuey Loue is my standerde whiche bâ—artâ—h vp the banner of affection vnder whome Dame Venus infâ—rceth my wittes to fyghte I am that capitayne whose waâ—leâ—ull eyes beholdeth myne armye scattered Feare of denyall is that platte souldiour who wyth open mouth and continuall crye calleth vppon me to aduenture the daungerous Lethe whyche I see by no meanes can bee compassed without the Ferrye of Chavâ—n Wherfore it is iustly alluded not all the weapons of Breâ—eâ— are able to arme feare and Hope for breuities sake is that Souldiour whyche standeth to youre curtesye whose shoulders in this my extremitie as seemed beste by your former opynion I make my piller of assistaunce Wherefore thou radyant Starre seyng an easye conqueste requireth the Conqueroures clemencye my tremblyng toungue gyueth place Alpha Omega lykyng well this ready deriuation so aptly alluded with an vnfayned similitude with brydeled lippes answeared Rome was not buylded in one day wherewith N.O. helde him as content for that tyme deliuering vnto hyr this fore recited letter saying if she wanted a bottome whereon to winde hyr silke that waste paper would aptly serue hir turne Whereat she plucking foorth hir sampler accepted his wryting willingly saying if it serued not for white it should serue for blacke but perceauing sodenly somewhat to be inclosed therein shee turnyng hir backe towardes him opened it hastely wherein she founde a pretie ring hauyng a true louers knot of white and blewe ribben tyed therevpon the poâ—sâ—e wherein grauen was this Par parirefer at the ende whereof she found a hande reachyng foorth a harte who had no sooner spied it but closed it vp as hastely as earst shee vnfolded it and turnyng hir face towarde him agayne filled his cares with a womans excuse saying if all were golde that glistered shee had a harte
ruby blushings of Aurora oft warned by the example of Lady Ver to greete his lady by writing in the abseÌ„ce of his body who sheweth hir grace in greene til Autumne yeldes the fruit thereof greeted his lady in this order N. O his visitation of A.O. by writing NEre drownd in duÌ„ps of drowsines shal Morpheus bind my bed With kercher dipte in Limbo lake shall drowsy dumps forbed My penne to shewe the zelous loue which I to thee do beare No no if Dyâ—â—â— dungeon darke did hedge thee in â–ª to feare I woulde not yeelde my liuely spirites for why â–ª not Tartars denne Not Cerberus he Auerne deepe nor yet the Gâ—â—gon fenne Not Plutoes grisly gates I say nor yet Mâ—gera fierce The Stygiâ—n poole with thousand more which now for to reherse It were too long not Phlegethons flame shuld bar me fro thy sight But needes I would aduenture all to winne thee in despight Wherfore accept my willing pen descrying thus my hart Until my corps doth come in place and maketh good his part Thus fare you well my gemme of ioy the fountayn of delight Farewell once more thou wel of lyfe thus takes my pen his flight Fil vp my lampe with oyle of grace N.O. whome I vowe to be 〈◊〉 loyall be Adeâ—e This Letter pleased A. O verie wel for the time But yet as mirth so sorow requireth a time For soone after the reading hereof the trumpet of newes sounded in hir eares a strange amorous combat foughten in the north part of the world wherin all remorse of conscience being banished quite and pitie taking no place so loÌ„g as the baner of affection was holden vp and the arming weapons of Venus would holde they spared not what beautie forced to but lying with lâ—yaltie they forced not of brutishnesse thinking consentaneum what lyâ—ed best their lust for mistrust they knew might well 〈◊〉 â—et not câ—ndemne them A.O. crediting the bruite of thys 〈…〉 Eâ—châ— full ofte resoundeth an vntrouth as nowe maniâ—estly aâ—pâ—aâ—eth who bruted contrary to veritie N.O. to be one of their 〈◊〉 souldiers or rather hungrie-dogges who filled then 〈…〉 like to the carryon Kyte with duâ—â—ie puddyngs 〈…〉 â—abitation to be in the defiled vnlucky clymat zone whiâ—â— thus â—ad â—ansackt hir vâ—ynes all cladding hir corps with mourning weedes most lyke a vestall mayd or rather a sacred virgin long lulled in Muses lappes with vapoured eyes and boyled breast which earst had bathed him in good will caused hir secretarie to write vnto him in this order A.O. to hir louer charging him with an vntruth WIth vapourd eyes scalding sighes my tedious steps I trace with waâ—lful weeds I clad my corps salt tears bedews my face A boiling brest like Aetna hill subdues my sweltring hart And ransackt vaines perswades me now to thinke on Cupids darte I see my heart with inward thoughts hath bathed in good will That hounde which seekes by ranging foote a virgins rule to spill Which lothsom death with fearful mace coÌ„mands to work my dome With ayde lykewise of sisters three to finish foorth my tombe O Ladyes of the Destiny shal this a guerdon bee In lieu of my good will bestowed may nought occasion bee To bulwarke my defence in neede haue I a rolling stone All wrapt in gold as if it were a gemme that peere had none Well well N O. vnlesse you proue your selfe a peerlesse gemme Unconstancie will me perforce constrayne thee to condemne By proofe we see what golden is the same hath glittering spheares As Phebus hath his radyant rayes Pactolus eke that beares His siluerie sands on shore and Tagus castes his golde to lande Yea Lydius hath his golden streames and Hermes glittring sande So Uertue would not lurke vnknowne if vertue did thee rule But needs wold shine like glittring beams though wrapt in Friers â—ule Report could not subuert thy fame if thou the virgins path Had trode by rule of Uirgins lawe or bathde thy selfe in bath Of loyall loue But yet I hope how that Dan Eccho failes With muÌ„bling voice of foltring tong thogh truth imbark the sailes Wherfore as one dâ—uoide of ioye and yet would faine reioyce Imbarke this foming froth of waues then with of pleasure choyce I may adorne my daisy banke whiche delectable seemes To those whose greedie senses seekes the scent which floures teems And thus Adieu I 〈◊〉 lodge where I march all with my dumpishe Muse. videlicet Meâ—pomenes A. O. This letter being written with the iuyce of a Lemmon for the secrecie thereof bycause as some say it can not be red vnlesse it be helde nere to the fyre and eke this sudden charge seemed very straÌ„ge vnto N. O. and no maruell seeing he was accused of his enemies halfe condemned of his Lady not being guiltie of the crime neither knowing what she ment therby Yet many thoughts occurred hys mazed wittes but which to take vnto his senses serued not neither knewe hee howe to answere this letter hir meaning lying vnknowen the inditing whereof caused him much to muse for that it seemed rather vnto him the deuice of Melpomenes the chiefest Muse than the wit of any other learned clearke though in deede he had of long tyme bene fostered vp with Muses mylke hir cleark like pen he thought condemned his rurall wittes Yet knowing himselfe in all respectes vnspotted and vndefiled seeing Veritas non quaeriâ— Angulos he framed his rurall penne as he thought to answere in this sorte N. O In his owne defence Shal zoilus he or Momus mates imbash my penne to write Or shal the want of Homers quill or Virgils vayne to endyte A new diffused Chaos make of these my pestred wittes Not so though Tritons trumpet shrill on fynned fish that sittes Hath blased vnto your tentiue eares what honor might defame Sith I vnguiltie am thereof I wil not seeke the same Texcuse for why I know that tyme ech thing wil bring to light And truth it selfe wil come in place gainst falshoodes force to fight By phrase of filed style you seeme a verdict rash to giue Of prisoner yours to dye but yet it grauntes my state to liue By rolling stone and ranging hounde vnconstant me to be Your painting penne by art declares yet shal you neuer see Nor know my senses for to know the breath of any wight Saue thou alone as Biblia who when Duellus hight Him selfe to haue a stinking breath by open parlance mayde Of Roman dames vnto his face I haue not knowen she sayde But all mens breath haue bene alike such was the vestal line Of that hir chosen path as wel the stories doe define Wherefore in suspence now let hang the iudgemente of my dome Tyl truth through time for falshodes corps hath finisht vp a tome Thus fare thou wel my iemme of ioy Let not our absence breede anoy N.O. After the deliuery of this letter thought loÌ„g as louers do to heare an answer of the same Which seeing it came not according to
his expectation he mounted vpon his bayarde gray making a poste iorney being hotte on the spurre partely to visite his Ladye and partely to aunswere vnto hir obiections whiche no doubte but in thundering wise soone after his comming she poured forth I might doe wel here to bring in the curiosity of louers the care they haue al things should be as neare as might at the greting of their Ladies But especially in things about their forehead bycause it is that fronte of their army which staÌ„deth in case to make or marre as in mundiflyng their beardes cristalling their teeth correcting their haires cutting their sublabes or in demediating the haires of their heads some again in turning their monchachous the Turkie way in washing their temples with rose water other some desire to perfume their clothes and set their ruffes after the french fashion Thus to be short euery one delighteth in one thing or an other wherby they should eleuate the spirites of their faire Dames as with fragrante floures which represent their Ladies or else with sweete perfumes whiche giue occasion to the prouocation of pleasure as in opening their appetites or else they haue taken it of a custome of Venus â–ª who as the greeke Poetes affirme neuer departed from any place not leauing an exquisite perfume and odorous smell behinde hir in token of hir presence and as for their floures as I saide before some weare them for a representatioÌ„ of their ladyes as things most desired and some agayne weare them to gyue vnto their Ladyes as thinges moste agreeyng wyth theyr appetites But happye is heâ— I thinke to whome hys Ladye gyueth a nosegay bicause the propretie of al women is rather to take than giue and thus by such trifling toyes louers vse to dye in themselues and liue in others the hart being more where he loueth than where he giueth life the eye likewise wil alway be fixed where the hart is entered thorow the preaching of Cupids leaden shaftes But softe bold you here contented with these foolish toyes vntil occasion serue to bring such like in place N. O. had no sooner greeted his Ladye with an humble salutation but she hardly forbearing the suppressioÌ„ of hir hart tolde him incontinently what she had hearde Who answering sayde the higher the Sun the lesser our shadowes are and Asterites keeping his light within sheweth it foorth by little and little yet who so beholdeth it thorowly shal find it in propertie most like to the starâ—e Wherewith and such like he clearely acquited him selfe from all hir former suspitions to the great contentation of theÌ„ both For such was the force of the preuy stroke of affection as hee sayth that beauty hir self semed but vgly in his sighte in comparison of the rosed cheekes of his lady which his outward eyes and inward hart had chosen by vowe to be his wedded mate whervpon he craued of his Trust for so he had termed hir that what soeuer he said in hir presence as perforce constrained therunto it might bee taken not to proceede of any dissimulation but rather of a pure and contrite hart who refrayning hir tong for a season said As I finde so in time will I loose meaning therby as I thinke that if she found him loyal faythful and trusty as he had professed then woulde she lose him from suspition of dissimulation But tel me sir quoth she can the force of affection so rule in any creature that what seemeth not only foule and filthy but also thorow missehap of body vggly in others sight the same should seeme moste beautifull and wel proportioned in his sight why not Lady quoth he for if a womaÌ„ hath matched hir selfe to one as vggly misseshapen and misfauored as Thersites aâ— hoary wrinckled tanned and withered thorow age as Nestor and yet perswade hir selfe that neither beautiful Nireus faire Phaon nor yet Phebus him selfe were comparable vnto him why shold not this man as wel like hir as if he were the best fauoured and comeliest person aliue likewise if a maÌ„ taking to wife one so vgly misseshapen foule filthy and misfauored that vglyer coulde not be as seemely as a cowe in a Cage a dogge in a dublet or a sowe with a saddle yea such a one indeede as hath no our sparke of comelinesse wherby to delight the meanest maÌ„ aliue though his innoceÌ„cie were such as to choose for Minerua a Sowe as the proueâ—be goeth yet thinketh hir to be as comely in personage as Aegeriâ— and of as faire a complexion as Venus why should not this disfigured thing be vnto him so supposing an 〈◊〉 Aâ—geria in persuage as it were a second Venus in beautie Maruell not lady at this for dayly examples do testifie thus much and more thaÌ„ this for nede approues for what was it but blinde affection whiche moued Syblis to fall in loue with hir owne brother and Mirâ—ha to fansie hir father most of al or where was affectioÌ„ when poore Pasiphae was rauisht with the sight of a Bul But how far forth did fonde affection rule in Clisophus raging non mediocriâ—er vppon an Image at Samos made of white paciaÌ„ Marble In Pigmalion towards a white yuorie image of naked Venus in a yong man a Citizen of Athens who so feruently raged in fleshly lust towardes an image of good fortune staÌ„ding at the Prytaneum of Athens that most ofteÌ„times he louingly imbraced it and kissed it most sweetely being very desirous to buy it of the Senate offering for the same a mightie masse of money but so outragiously did it raigne in the three Gentlewomen meÌ„tioned in the Courtier that they fel in loue with a gentlemaÌ„ at the sight of a letter in his coÌ„mendatioÌ„s whom as yet they neuer saw Such is the force of fonde affection If this be true whiche stories make plaine what maruell is it then faire Ladye that I with the sight of thee am rauisht whose liuely countenance feedeth as well myne eye as did the disputations of learned men in schooles feede the earen of the worthy Emperour Charles the fourth who seemest in my sight faire Helen of Troy Polixene Caliope yea Atlanta hir selfe in beautie to surpasse Pandoras in qualities Penelope and Lucretia in chastenesse to deface Oh God why seeme I thus thy dower to disgrace who seemest rather in honour Iuno in wisedome Pallas in beautie Venus in shape of personage Aegeria in chastitie Diana to be short in huswifery Minerua Or how durst I presume to lay my based finger vpon thy stately corps I vnworthy thereof whose relucent beames as yet Gradatim doe increace whiche shewes by perfect plea thy courteous harte and eke thy braue demeanure therwithal These fonde fayned fansies quod she and wanton foolish eyes deserueth a glasse of dissemblyng water but an x or a nod shall serue for a due garde yet what make you then of beautie by this quoth she Plato defined it lady quoth he to be a priuiledge of
nature Carneades a solitary kingdome but Pomitius sayde that there was nothing more acceptable in an honest woman Aristotle affirmed that beautie is more worth than all the letters of commendation Homer commended it for a glorious gifte of nature and Quid called it a grace of god You seemed me thought sayed A. O to define this vpon the beautie of an honest woman but what thinke you of a Curtisan who answered their beautie sayeth Socrates is a tyrannie of shorte tyme Theophrastuâ— a secret deceyte and Theocritus a delectable damage This prety definition and clawyng by course of tongue lyked A. O. very well but especially to heare hyr selfe commended of hyr bestbeloued before Atlanta who sometyme bore the bell of beauties price in that hyr natiue soyle Wherfore his talke beyng ended she sayde his tongue was made of massiue golde inferryng moreouer that Apelles pensell nor yet Sulpicia the Romayne dame were able so to paynte or carue in tables of brasse the stately corps of Venus rufflyng Nimphes as was his tong their features to discrie Not so deare dame I would quoth he my tongue such vigor had as to expresse thy vertues all which harte could neuer thinke ne penne much lesse as I suppose with ease might well subscribe whome Marcia she that all surpassed hath in perfect worke in imagerie could not hyr pensell frame in hande thy outwarde shape to graue although in deede as stories doe vnfolde she nought did vse in those hyr liuing dayes but caruing worke to paynte or else to drawe the shapes of those whose beautie was a patterne to beholde for rufflyng dames yet woulde she neuer carue nor drawe the shape of any man least that the sight of carnall things might rayse such carnall lustes as might abridge hyr virgins lawes Suche was hyr chosen pathe This praysing of N.O. his rolling tongue did encourage him not a little by polished phrase of filed style to feede his Ladies appetites or humors with some one thing or other whereby he might fancie what fancie most requyred And therefore fillyng his ladyes eares with wordes occasion seruing him so he fell from this treatise into the discourse of chaste Matrones as in declaryng how that when Atropos Lachesis and Clothâ—e beyng the Ladies of the destenie had graunted to Admetus kyng of Thessalia at the request of Apollo being throwne into exile or rather banished from the stately throne of the potentiall Goddes by force of Iupiters fearefull mace that what tyme soeuer the turnyng spindle had thorowly twyned his fatall threede if any one would take vpon him death to awarde King Admetus his life his proffer shoulde be accepted to â—â—iourne his former wishe This day beyng common none would yeelde his lyfe for Admetus his sake then Alceste she his true and faythfull wyfe did yeelde to death for to awarde hys life Marke how N.O. seeketh to frame his tongue altogither in the commendation and setting foorth of women on whome shee incroched in this order No doubte N.O. but the like constancie is to be founde in men Alas Madame quoth he I can not for thy sake but say and thinke well of all womenkinde Yet coulde I say as much as this of men alluding the one with the other if so occasioÌ„ serued And this perswade thy selfe whylest life dothe laste my care shall greater be of thee than of my selfe yea Artemisia hyr selfe was neuer founde more constant to hyr make than I wil be to thee although in deede the brute of blasing trumpe hath informed the very skies of hyr chastitie and fethered hyr fame for that hyr pure loue who when Mâ—usolus King of Caria had yeelded his lyfe to the fearefull mace of lothsome death did call for death tenne thousande tymes to change hyr state with his who seeyng hir suite coulde not preuayle in regall sorte with princely poÌ„pe inclosed his corps in tome yet did she keepe his harte aboue the ground to keepe hyr company vntill continuance of tyme had turned the same by course to moultryng duste Then putting the same in a cup of wine she dranke it vp saying whyle lyfe did last his harte from hyrs asunder should not parte But softe holde you here content quoth A.O. and yeelde to silence for a season for my vewyng eyes haue seene your paynting penne and my listnyng eares haue hearde your rollyng tongue But who dothe knowe your priuy thoughtes not I. Why Lady quoth he is the winde at that dore now then I playnly see the more I seeke the lesse I finde Sometime your wisedome sayde the Diamond cuttes the glasse but as yet me thinketh it hath not rased the skinne Which dayly coÌ„sumes my languished lymmes with lothsome lyfe and inforceth my monyng mynde to crie vpon my harmes so huge Yet wisedome warneth me to rue and not to rage still lokyng for that lingryng houre whiche shoulde forbid my carping cares For though thy harte were made of harde flinte and sturdie steele yet as Terence sayth Nâ—l tam difficale est quod non solercia vincat And eke in tyme the brasen walles will starte whiche putteth me in hope faire Ladie that doing as the Poete Anacrion did by Bathillus Horace by Ligurius and the Poetes by Numa and Seruius who alwayes had them eyther in their songs or else at the ende of their pennes thou canst not but in time yeelde vp the title of thy harte I trust Lady I haue not deserued that thy loue shoulde waxe colder and colder towardes mee neyther that thy charitie shoulde decrease if so I haue then vse the Adamant stone whiche as Dioscorides sayeth will inforce thee to drawe it downe agayne But what neede I thus to mistruste thy discourtesie who already haue founde thy tongue to be made of pure Alabaster whiche perforce will keepe thee in amitie and charitie with all men thy lippes of Achates of Crete whiche maketh thee gracious and thy face of Gerâ—tites not for his colour but for his singuler vertue whiche maketh thee so amiable that no man can that seeth thee but he enamoured with thee Likewyse the force of it Ladie is suche that who carieth it close in his mouthe knoweth what euery one thinketh of hym Wherefore Lady I I neede not longer to blaze vnto thee for thou knowest full well my harte beyng once sette on fire with the pure lâ—ue which I beare vnto thee moste lyke to the stone Albeston can not be quenched agayne neyther my mynde beyng once frosen with feare can by any meanes but thorowe thy gracious goodnesse be thawed againe lyke to the operation of Gelacia a very white gem whose coldnesse in suche that no â—â—re can heate the same I well perceyue your glosing talke quoth A.O. but tell me sir quoth she if your harte continually burne why vadeth it not who answeared as well Ladie you mighte haue asked mee why the hyll Aetna whiche burneth day and nighte is not mouldered to ashes or why Enidâ—â—â— beyng but a little stone alwayes sweatyng and
holde to say she hath no peare Suche paynting forme some comely hue consisteth in hyr face That from the Goddes I well suppose she may define hyr race Polixene fayre Caliop and Penelop may giue place Atlanta and dame Lucres fayre she doth them bothe deface The precious orient pearle so fayre and gorgeous cleare Doth testifie vnto hyr mates the whitenesse of hyr leare Hir lusty liuely gallant lookes with rosed ruby ruddes Resembleth right to standers off the pleasant red rose buddes Hyr sweete and eke hyr sugred lippes softe rounded lyke the berrie Right well to me resemble doe the crimson bloomed cherrie So that to me poore wretche I counte it were an heauenly blisse At suche a sweete and sugred mouthe to steale a pleasant kisse Hyr rounde fayre and flâ—uting cheekes moste rosedlyke are paynted What though dame Fortune caused hir fronte to be attainted Perforce eche harte with truth must graunt it can not be denayed But that this skar vpon hyr fronte was womanly conueyed Whiche seemeth from a farre To be a radyant Starre Hyr butned ruby chinne hir face and eke hir necke did shine As though they were with Iuâ—ry white all burnisht maruelous fine Hir prety nose is somewhat shorte it well becoÌ„mes hyr face Hir fryseled heare in knotted wiâ—e is to hyr fronte a grace Hir temples smothe and eke hir vaines stande full of lustie crue I liken them therefore as likest to Indie Saphire blew Hir twinckling eyâ—e bothe steepe and grey they seeme like Christ all cleare Hir siluery teeth and golden tongue doe say shee hath no peare Hir fingers are bothe long and small hir handes are softe as silke The palmes thereof are somewhat shorte yet whiter than the milke Hir comely sides are long and straight all shapde in massiue golde What harte aliue coulde hyr denie with fame to be inâ—olde My harte it dothe bothe skippe and ioye to see hir trace the grounde Hir feete they are so fine and feate hir heeles so shorte and rounde But stay O Muse thy golden mace and Gange now bedewe My paynting penne with siluery streames that I foorthwith may shewe What feates within this comely corps by parant proofe doth rest I thanke thee that thou seemst to graunt at first to my request Hir curteous harte and â—owly minde aâ—ornde with vertues rare Hir sober lookes with brydeled cheere doth shewe she hath a care To trace the chaste Dianas lawes as well by deede as thought That nought may seeme to scape hyr handes whiche vertue hath not taught Hir tongue it rolles in Rethoricke termes to giue eche man delighte Whiche rauisht hath my sencelesse wittes by cancred Cupids spighte Alas poore wretche what should I say to looke on hir agayne I may nor can it not abide though t is a pleasant payne With hyr aye to remayne Some hartes ease for to gayne This blossome of freshe flower Beares Hartes case for hyr bower A. O. VVorthie to be in rolde VVith letters of golde Car elle vault These clawyng verses did N.O. lay in a narrow entrie whiche led to A. O hir chaÌ„ber whiche according to his expectation as fortune would she found in the morning at hir first flighte which being red hyr minde did chalenge them as hir right dew she made no wordes therof but closed it by againe mistrusting the author maruellyng at the vnperfect ende therof whiche N.O. lefte so rawe bycause he minded was to greete his Lady with a letter dependyng vpon these former verses before suche tyme as he spake with hir face to face whereby she might the easier iudge the author therof His moâ—ing letter in manner of complainte thus began WHiche flower faire and freshe in Adones garden sawe I groâ— The sight whereof hath rauisht me ill might I it forgoe But to my griefe to winne the same no way finde out I can Wherfore this fragrant flower I mighte full iustly curse and ban The sight whereof and pleasant hâ—â— hath forced me to yeelde Unto their lore as Siâ—enes whose songs bothe sweete and milde Perforce them to doe drawe the saylers by but none escape Fro them aliue no more shall I for whyle with hope I gape My ioyes to winne my life departes what do I then preuayle Unlesse I had Vlâ—sses arte then might I safely sayle For while through pleasant outwarde sight I seeke for to obtayne My hartes desire and winne it not what ioyes do then remaine I woulde to God my wit had serude to vse that famous grace Of Percian Kings who neuer goâ— abroade with open face But with some lawne or silken scarfe then it I had not spyde The wante whereof dothe force me now in â—orments to abide For why I can not turne my selfe into a golden rayne Nor to a Bull as Goddes they can their pleasure to obtayne Wherefore thus much though strange it be yet iustly may I say I pleasure take yet as my foe it brings me to decay For whyle I pleasure take to see the sight doth me confounde As doth the Gorgon whose fierce eyes do yeelde a deadly wounde And when I striue to come away and leaue that pleasant sight I seeme as though with Hydra fierce that serpent I did fight Who leeâ—â—ng one of all his heddes seuen springeth in his ryne So I through voiding of this sight seueÌ„ times my cares do twine With 〈◊〉 I play the Faukner kinde I hallowe and I whoupe I shake my fiste I whistle shrill but nought will make hir stoupe Wherefore though sore against my wil I finde the prouerbe true Vnmanned Haukes forsake the lure whiche maketh me to rue I see I swimme agaynst the streame I kicke against a gode I caste a stone against the winde my tongue that nere abode To say thee wel my feete to goe my handes to do the like Yet you deniall giue whiche doth my harte asunder strike Yet somewhat would my greedy gripes eke my carping cares My griping grieues my sobbing sighes and eke my tedious teares Abate if that but halfe my harte it would returne againe What doth preuaile coÌ„plainte or none for nought therby I gaine Yet Poetes say that Triton can with sounding trumpe inforce Eche thing that hath exceeded bandes receiue his former corce If this be true then Triton come retreyte with me to blowe I call in vaine there is no such the Poetes braines did crowe Yet will I wofull wighte my corps with stedfast colours clad As Russet decte with Blew as stedfast suites as may be had To represent my faithfull harte a banner to be true And like vnto the turtle Doue whiche changeth not for new As carped knight thus standes my eace woe to me wofull wight Whose harte is like to Aetna hill which burneth day and night I spende my time in sobbing sighes from sighes I turne to â—â—ares From tedious teares to pensiue playnt and thus my life it weares Yea thus the shell of carping care hath put my ioyes to flight That ioyfull times increase my woe
I founde that harde it was for ought to liue at rest For if dame Pleasure streake mine oare in this my youthfull race Swete meat sharp sauce I know requirs no iudgmeÌ„t in this cace And what though Venus graunts me grace nought therby shal I Such pleasures lasteth but a time yet they do aske paine â—gaine And then if so affection fonde within my brest should raygnt A Lion in an Asses skinne my harte it should retayne Whereof Valerius doth reporte that Aristophnes once In templis Acharonâ—â—s made prayers for the nonce â–ª That he in Charons ferry boate might passe the Stygian lake To Plutos grysly gates of Hell which for his daughters sake He did obtayne through fayned loue which he to them did beare Alecto and Tisiphone Megera these for feare He flattered much to whome I know such credite did they giue That they him taught with sops to feede if so he sought to liue The Triceps head of Cerberus the porter of his gate But see within thou stay not long least forth thou come to late This councell did he keepe ful well and as they had him tought He did and saw what was his will he founde eke what he sought But what he fouÌ„d that restes vnknowne but when he came againe Unto Thatheniensians he gan to warne them playne For wanton Lions fostryng vp within the Citie walles Least while they thinke of Melt to feede they taste of bitter galles Thus likyng breedes extremitie lulld in affections lappe And looke what others pleaseth moste therein I finde least sappe Alas what one can â—rame himselfe his youthfull race to spende All in Mineruas comely courte doth not Diana hende Sometime vnto Dame pleasures lawes how then caÌ„ I withstaÌ„d The firie force of Cupidâ—s bowe doth not dame Venus stande At Beauties barre with comly crewes routes of dayntie dames Whose smiling lookes praÌ„king toyes doth cast such fiery flames Before my greedy glauncing eyes that rolleth here and there That I poore soule do rest betrayde as doth the fearfull hare What shall I do poore sillie sotte make answere in this cace Where are thy wittes as now become that arte so wan of face If so they wandring be abrode then call them home againe A counsell generall to holde it asketh them no payne Therein determine of my life how I the same shall leade But yet determine of thy selfe that perfite path to treade That leades vnto the perfite ioyes else thou thy selfe beshrowe Mayst soone perchaunce vnawares the paine therof shalt know Thus beyng set in counsell graue this counsell did they giue That I my running head to stay and eke at ease to liue A wife should wedde oh waylfull woe what could haue chaunced wurse The wedded man best liues at ease when fast bounde in his purse He hath the tongue of wedded wife else will she clatter so Bothe to his face and at his backe that gladde he is to goe His way and leaue hyr all alone for why a shrewishe tongue Is like vnto an Aspen leafe that nothing vayles to clangue But yet for this they councellde me a wedded wife to take That I the fishe of coÌ„mon sewer might whole and cleane forsake I was content my wittes did serue and would me so to doe To wiue I wente as bootelesse bente a goslyng for to shoe For looke whose wife in beautie braue doth passe the middle sorte Each thinkes hir nought a secrete whore and giues hir this report But further yet of wiues to speake thus much I haue to say Whose wife in welth hir mate exceedes she then wil beare the sway And treade vpon hir husbandes crowne as for hir feete to lowe Thou mightst haue beggde this will she say if so she be a shrowe If not for me thou knowest full well thus will she beare the rule And weare the breeches of hir mate as wrapt in Friers cule I did deserue a better man than euer thou wilt be Why seekste thou then thy whole affayres or ought to hide fro me Why should not I thy councell be without restraint of will So ought it be and so it shall till pleasure hath his fill Then she disdayning of hir matche some one will soone procure To pay the boxe and eke with salue hir former wounde to cure To Cuckoldes hall she will him sende as warden for to be With grifted hornes vpon his head as euery one may see Hir husbandes wealth shall wasted be vpon hyr bilbowe boyes Thus ouerfayre and all to riche doe wante no tedious toyes Then who so wiues whome beauty waÌ„ts be she ere poore or ritche He will hir lothe she can not please she is not for his pitche Thus whiche way can a maried man at this day liue at ease When neyther faire the foule nor riche his fancy fond may please Yet I a merry meane did finde which is a berry Browne Browne and louely thus they say she only beares the crowne If so it be as Goddes it graunt then am I all to wedde For Browne and louely haue I cought taccompany me in bedde New married wiues and yong men too do thinke the day is long Wherein they wedded be and wishe for wante of other song The night were come so did I that Phebus to the west With steedes were drawne on chariot wheles and there to take his rest His course was done Vesper she with Luna playde their partes Whiche pleasde vs well for ioyes approcht most meete for louing harts But passing forth this pleasaÌ„t night with louely tricks I say Alas to soone dan Phebus he did shewe that it was day And with his radiant glittering beames began for to display It was not meete for louers yet so timely for to ryse But for to chat an houre or two this is their wonted guyse And playing thus with waÌ„toÌ„ toyes the Cuckow bad good morow Alas thought I a token t is for me to liue in sorrow Cuckow sang he Cuckow sayd I what destiny is this Who so it heares he well may thinke it is no sacred blisse Alas quoth she what cause haue you as yet thus for to say In Cuckow time few haue a charme to cause his tongue to stay Wherfore Content your selfe as well as I let reason rule your minde As Cuckolds come by destiny so Cuckowes sing by kinde FINIS The Louer forsaken bewayleth his chaunce IF euer man had cause to wayle then haue I cause to mourne Who ioyes to see my vowed foe I like and am forlorne I serue where no acceptance is and haue this seuen yeares space And thryce seuen in yeares I would hir serue in hope to purchace grace But all alas it is in vayne I like but to my coste For why the loue I haue bestowed I count it is but loste I take delight to vewe that face whiche yeeldes my deadly wounde I loue to serue in loyall thrall although no thankes are founde O gulfes of care O dolefull dumpes that sore oppresse my
harte Why doe yee runne in ragyng wise haue I deserude a parte No no I see t is bootelesse now for me to call or crye For none I see doth rest aliue whose ayde I meane to trye Hir breath alone it doth suffise to ende my lothsome lyfe For why the Coccatryce t is lyke and I deserue no wyfe Sith Fortune quaynte hath graunted so needes must I be content No way there is for to withstande the chaunce she hath me sent Sithe t is my hap my ioyes to cease dame Pleasure now adewe And dolefull dumpes approch at hande my wretched case to rewe FINIS The Louer hearing his Lady to be caste in dumpes vvriteth vnto hir in this order LAdy I heare of thy sadde perplexitie but what shoulde be the cause thereof I know not yet if Hartes ease may heale thee the Dasle delectable delight thee or the pleasant Pinke may please thee beholde here I graunt thee the keye of my garden gather them vse them and weare them at will for euen the chiefest flower therin I afforde it thee willingly to furnishe forth thy garland Leaue off therefore thy mournyng weedes lette me be thy comforte who am thine owne for aye Trie and trust me vse and weare me I am thine owne and wil be while life dothe laste I wante the Rhetoricall termes of Polymneia to polishe forth my writing my harte is true my loue vnfained wherfore beare with my rudenesse for great good will dothe grauell me Inke and paper blusheth not wherefore if my penne were able well might I here vnlace my loyaltie but neyther tongue can tell harte thinke nor penne subscrybe the vnfayned loue whiche I beare vnto thee who onely arte the Castle of my Comforte wherefore I will omitte the shewyng thereof my selfe committiing each surmise vnto thy after witte For bashfulnesse in wryting incountreth with my Muse and facilitie neglecteth to counteruayle good will. In secrete thought therefore thinke of my loyalty perpende well my meaning for constancie it buffeteth a wauering minde more yours thaÌ„ mine owne my tried troth shall binde me Open therefore thy brest and let it shroude twoo faithfull hartes in one Cupid hath coÌ„maunded me to be no changelyng for as I am so will I be O woulde thou couldest perceyue mine inwarde harte or else conceyue my secrete thought But time â—â—eth troth and bringeth all to light the smothering heate at leÌ„gth breakes foorth in flame Oh open thy brest and let me enter for the Sunne shall shine at midnight the Moone and Starres at noone day the Sea shall become the Lande and the lande the Sea yea the Heauen shall become the Earth and the Earth Heauen before suche tyme as I forsake thee Thus printing my woordes in thine harte and rolling ful oft the sense thereof in thy minde I leaue thee to iudge thereof according vnto thy discretion Your vowed friende F. G. I. G. biddeth his friende A. T. good morrovve AVe madama good morrow if it please Bone iour ma mestresse did you lie at ease Dieu vou done bone iour will nothing make you speake What rest haue you taken your minde to me breake What nothing but mum an Almon for parrot Speake Parrot I pray thee may nothing be got Your pillow misliketh else care hath forbid Your eyes to be sleepyng while pleasure is hid Else saith Mâ—rcea the sleepe is in thine eyes Disdayne else forbiddeth through vanities cryes To bid me good morrowe if harte will not breake Then say but Aueto I like when you speake Comporte vou maddam in French you doe excell Bien sire gramercy this likes me very well Ie suu bien aâ—se pâ—ur vou voye in bone sante I am glad to see that your breath is not fainte And sith that you speake now for my god morrowe Ie vou prie de bon ceur take this that I owe A verse tis or twayne wherewith I meane to greete Your mornings firste flight as loue hath thought it meete Perliez bien ou perliez rien you know my minde Nothing will I speake whiche shall not seeme full kinde As hoarie Hyems froste keepes backe with pining payne Eache braue delight till Ver doth shewe hir face agayne Thy goyng so to bedde doth put my ioyes to flight Till mornyng doth appeare wherefore I hate goodnight For as the fallyng sap whiche creepes into the earth Disgrace the trees vntill returne of Ver hir bearth As naked seemes the trees whiche gallant were of hew So naked seemes the house when layde thou arte in mew Thy bedde is lyke thy graue the earth presents the sheetes The fricking fleas are like the wormes dead corpse which greetes But when the liuely sap creepes vp in blowing thorne And each delight doth seeme to laugh the frost to scorne As Ver most freshe of hue sendes forth hir newe delightes With iust returne and greetes vs all with pleasant sightes So doth Aurora seeme his giftes for to besâ—owe Although to Lady Ver he be a gâ—â—e belowe For as the spring delights each thing vpon the earth Whiche moueth them to wishe and call vpon hir bearth So doth the morne me thinkes vnclose and eke vnbinde Each thing whiche in the night are closed in their kynde And nothing greeues me more than when the night drawes on For then I know full well we sunder most anone And then in vayne I wishe the morne for aye remayne That then my pleasure loste I might enioy agayne For in the morne me thinkes I see the sap creepes vp Whiche to my will dothe seeke with ioyes to fill my cup. As great is my delight to vewe thy comely face As is the birdes to see the Lady Ver in place And eury morne by course doth shewe me thee agayne Whereas the night before vs parted hath in twayne The brydegrome in his course doth take no more delight Than I doe dayly take of thee to haue a sight Aue I say therefore I ioy to see thy face Aueto to reply this poynt I aske of grace For whyle my life doth last with thee my darte shall rest And for thy sake I will all other choyce detest For sure it is in time the brasen walles will starte And eke the water flouddes the craggy rockes will parte In time the watrishe droppes we see doth perce the stone Wherefore I hope to finde as yet where loue is none This salutation print it within thy brest And as deserte deserues therein so let it rest As tyme it trieth troth so then repose thy trust I craue good will for aye and not to serue my lust His good night to the same A. T. I Brone in griefe my towre of truste to set Morpheus mace For needes it will deuide vs bothe though for a litle space Yet can it not so litle be though for an howre or twayne But sure me thinkes it is a yeare asunder to remayne For goyng to thy naked bedde thou goest to thy graue And euery thing resembleth right the course