had rayled she therefore seeing that he began to make a rampier against fancie thought to giue a freshe assaulte to his halfe defended fortresse to send desire as a Heraulde to make y e chalenge y e beuty as a chaÌ„pion might perform y e charge which done Rodento willing still to withstand her power passed three or foure dayes in perplexed passions counting loue as a toy which being taken in a minute might be left off in a moment but he fouÌ„d y t as the AbestoÌ„ stone once kindled can neuer be queÌ„ched as the Griphon if he once soare into the ayre wil neuer come downe without his pray so if Venus giue the assault it is vnpossible to escape without sacking if Loue display her flagge she neuer returns without victory which forced RodeÌ„to to present them with prayers whom he had plagued wyth curses and where he had shed the blood there to offer the sacrifice For the remembrance of Pasillas beauty so fiered his affections y t as the flie Pyralis cannot liue out of the flame nor the bird Trochiles keepe from the infectious Crockedile so vnles he might inioy y t which he feared to possesse no means but death could cure his maladie Rodento pyning a long while in these doubtful thoughts began once again to debate with himself in this fort O poore infortunat RodeÌ„to thou art perplexed thou knowest not how pestered with vnfit fancies and pained with fonde affectioÌ„s wishing to possesse with an vnwilling mind in a hot desire troubled with a colde disdaine Alas thou reachest at that with thy hand which thy heart would fayne refuse playing like the bird Ibis in Egypt which hateth serpentes yet feedeth on their egges Thou loueth Pasilla a thing far vnfit for thy yeres thy calling thy thoughts Consider consider Rodento thou arâ— the sonn of Conte Celio who had rather see thee takeÌ„ away with vntimely death then attainted w t such vnhappye loue the one should breed but his momeÌ„tary sorow y e other his thy perpetual misery Yet loue is a vertue truth if it bee measured w t dutiful choice not if it be maimed with wilful chance Is there none to loue but Pasilla the daughter of Valdracko betweene whoÌ„ thy father there hath bin such a mortal emnity wil she coÌ„seÌ„t to loue who alredy is sworn to hateâ— wil Celio agree or Valdacko coÌ„discend No nor if thou be wise wilt persist in suâ—h vnnatural passions for better were it for thee to die by concealing loue then liue and enioy such vnfitte loue The Bul and the Hiena cannot be fedde together in one stall The Elphant eateth not where the mouse hath crept The Eagle the Doue peark not on one braunche These brâ—â—te beastes mooued onelye by sence thou a manne and not to be perswaded by reason Cease then Rodento to loue her whom thou oughtest to hate let rigour blast fancies blossoms and enuies shadowes spot beauties colours with disdayne play like the tree Cytisus that suffereth no flie to light vpon his flower let thy mind bee like Hercules temple whereinto no dogge canne enter suffer not loue to scale that fort wherein freedome hath taken charge so shalte thou both escape ensuing daungers and prooue thy selfe a duâ—tifull childe Ah Rodento what doest thou meane to measure the Heauens with a lyne or to furrow the Seas wyth a plough Seekest thou to extinguishe Loue by force or to preuent fancye by counsayle Doest thou meane too quenche fire with a swoorde or to stoppe the wynde wyth a feather Thou knowest Loue is to bee feared of menne because honoured of the Gods Iupiter could not resist fancie nor Apollo withstand affection they Gods and yet in loue thou a man and appointed to loue It is an impression Rodento not to bee suppressed by wisedome because not to bee comprehended by reasons without law and therefore aboue all law striue not then against the streame feede not with the Deere against the wind seek not to appease Venus with slanders but with sacrifice Pasilla is beautiful vertuous to be wonne with intreatie if thou feare not to atteÌ„pt What thogh Valdrecko frown may not she fauour he stiffled by Saturne and therfore must hate she stirred by Venus and therefore will loue If Pasilla like passe not if he lowre yea let both your Parentes mislike so you two rest in contented quiet Rodento had no sooner vttered these wordes but hee felte his mynde halfe eased with flattering hym selfe thus in his follies so that from doubting if hee mighte loue hee fell to deuising how to obtayne his loue hee began to consider that Valdracko was his enemie and that he might not goe to his house least he should procure his secret harme for the flattering of an enemie is like the melodie of the Syrens who sing not to stirre vp myrth but to allure vnto mishap Rodento I say doubting that Valdrackos melancholy disposition could carrie in a painted tombe rotten beames durst not venture too farre for slipping ouer his shoes thinking also that if the Earle his Father should know by any meanes of his pretence he would strayght seeke to preuent his purpose Seeing then that at this breache there was no way to giue the assault he determined to meet her as she went abroad and then to reueale vnto her the summe of his sute this deuise was not so soon inuented but it was as readily misliked knowing that she went continually accompanied with such guarde of the Dukes houshold that he shuld hardly be admitted to her speech and if he were yet he should neither haue fit time nor opportunity to moue so waighty and secret a matter Wel Rodento hauing a spurre in his side to pricke hym forwarde in his enterprise could take no rest till he might finde some meanes how to manifest his affections At last after sundry fond thoughts he determined to send her a letter which hee knew was such a secrete seruaunt as woulde neither blabbe nor blush in deliuering his maisters message but to whoÌ„ he shoulde commit the charge he knew not so that he passed three or foure daies in careful thoughts till at last he called to remembrance that there dwelled hard by the Dukes house an old Gentlewoman called Clarista who made often repaire vnto the Lady Pasilla she hee thought was the fittest person to bring about hys purpose knowing that old women oft times were more greedy of coyne then charie of conscience that for lucre they would not sticke to allure young myndes euen vnto vanities and that not onely she might deliuer the letter secretly but also temper Pasillas mynd if she were obstinate with some forcible perswasions This pollitike inuention pleased Rodento so well that he determined with all speed to put his deuise in practise he therefore presently went into his study and there framed a letter to this effect Rodento Celij to the Ladie Pasilla health and happinesse IF the Gods Pasilla had appointed as well salues to
haue Hoâ— Mars with choller much adust doâ—he câ—use his crue to raue Aâ—â— what â—iseases incident 〈…〉 and proper name of euery greefe and paine But this his skill with rare delight is saweed in such sort As grauer heads may counsell finde and yonger yeares disport Both by his learned censure may most pleasaunt profite gaine With friendly speech and praises due then recompence his paine FINIS Henry Gale Master of Artes. In Epicureos FOnd Epycurus with thy crue which scornes the course of heauenly frameâ— Bend downe thine eye and take a viewe peruse this worke and blush for shame To see thy doating doomes refeld which taste of naught but earthly slime And now by right and force compeld to yeeld to trueth in this our time Wherein Astrologie her famous loreâ— doth iustly claime her sacred due As Greene hath prou'd she did before and now her praises doth renue With such surpassing wit and skill as shall display thy brutish will FINIS George Mearâ—â— Gentleman In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ride Epicure deum gere nescia pectore fati finge nihil caeli significare faces Crede mihi ad nigrum quando raptaberis orcum Hic tua quod plectat scommata Numen erit Sultum pecus est non homo quicunque Astronomiae studio non tenetur cuius neminem nisi deum authorem repertorem faciundum puto Plato Saturne Iupiter Mars Sol Venus Mercurie Luna Saturne I Am sory Venus that thou art descended from mee beeing a God or that the destinies not to bee controlled haue appointed thee for a Goddesse but especially that thou art one of the vii Planets whose celestiall influences are predominant in terrestiall creatures I heare the complaints of theÌ„ which are skilfull in the calculation of natiuities exclaiming against thy thrise accursed constellation for by thee Venus the prime of yeeres which ought to bee spent in vertues is consumed in idle vanities Youth whiche in the golden age delighted to trie their vertues in hard armours take their onely content in delicate and effeminate amours through thee young mindes are blinded with lasciuious loue and aged yeeres pestered with fresh affections thou doest inchaunt the heartes of men with vnfitte fancies and layest beauty as a snare to intrappe vertue Loue as they whom haplesse experieÌ„ce hath taught make report is the onely plague which infecteth the myndes of mortall men and what daungerous euentes proceede of this franticke impression springe fond Venus of thy accursed influence so that if the Gods woulde bee ruled by me thou shouldest not onely be depriued of thy place among the Planets but exiled from all dignitie in the heauens and denyed to haue any more power vpon earth Venus Saturn if Gods might waxe old as they are immortal I wold thinke age had made thee doate but I neede not deceyue my selfe for it is thy accustomed melancholy that driueth thee into these bitter inuectyues Thou art sorie that I am come of thy lyne and I therefore discent because the destinies haue appoynted my progenie from such a peeuish Parent whose celestial but infortunate impression ioyned with a perpetuall vnluckly irradiation breedeth both in mens mindes and bodies such haplesse passions sawsed with so bitter and wofull euents as I sorrow to heare their cursing complaintes and shame to desceÌ„d from the race of such a despised Planet whereas contrary in the course of al configurations whether I be in some improper and sinister house or my vertue darkened with some vnlucky aspect either in Coniunction or Opposition yet the mildnesse of my influence doth alwaies mittigate though not extinguishe the cruell disposition of all other infortunate starres And further syr to shew that your inuectiue sauoureth more of rancour theÌ„ of reason I say that those natiuities whiche are fauoured wyth my happye aspecte dispose the minde to a continuall pronenesse and forwardnesse vnto pitie friendshippe amity and loue Loue yea Loue I say as neither God nor man iustly can gainsay which oft times pacifieth displeasures among heauenly powers and appeaseth debates among earthlye creatures It is y â— enemie to dissention the friend to quiet yea the preseruer conseruer of humane actions so that what is done well either is loue or proceedeth from loue But Saturne let those two crabbed Philosophers who hated loue and fed vpon gall and melaÌ„choly I meane Timon and Aparmantus come forth and thou shalt heare them with bitter curses accuse thy Saturnine complexion to be the spur that prickt them forward to their desperate philosophie Mars Truth Venus therefore Saturne for a while by the conseÌ„t of his own son Iupiter was most iustly exiled for y â— through his peeuish frowardnes neither could the gods agree in heauen nor men vpon earth Iupiter Mars you mistake the matter my father Saturne is the most noble of all the planets for his influence is principally predominant in age wherein vayn thoughtes and fresh affections are suppressed and wisedome onely beares swaye breeding in mens minds a hatefull contempt of vice and a happie desire of vertue therfore the golden age wherin al liued iustly was called Aetas Saturnea Luna Tush Iupiter blame not Mars his hande is on his halfepenie he plaieth like the Lidian stone which rubbed with the iuice of Mandrake becommeth hot where before it is most colde Venus is the goddesse of beauty and will loue Mars a god must loue let not his broken coyne stand for starling for he speaketh of affection all the Gods either do know it or may know it Mars Luna your reproch maye bee counted a praise for there is no hold to be taken at your words whose verdict is so variable y e ere Iupiter can turne his backe you wil chaunge your tale neuer singing one sougâ—e nor remaining in one mynd least if your censure should at any time be al one you might be thought not to be Luna But it is for you to talke with the goddesses not with the Gods Saturne Mars Luna hath reported as much as she can proue and yet no more then we know but letting her defend her own quarrel I say that respecting your own lucklesse constellation it were most fit for you to hold with Saturne for wrath enuie warres choler bloud murther hatred proceedeth froÌ„ your influence Mercurie Not so Sir in this I will speake for Mars hee breedeth in mens mindes valour prowesse magnanimity courage constancy resolutions without feare setled determination without change Iupiter And you Mercurie pollicies sleights faire promises small performance causing men by your variable impression to flatter friend or foe to sweare in mouth and for sweare in hart to beare two faces vnder a hood to carry a Lamb in his shield and a Tygre in his bosome with the one hand to present spice and wyth the other hemblocke Sol. Is it not a shame right mightye Gods that your grauities shuld be so blinded with raging choler as to your own discredit to rippe vp those thinges which
cure the inward passions as they haue medicines to mittigate the outward maladies neither should I haue been forced with hope to gape after vncertain blisse nor with dispaire to feare assured misery But such dismal decrees are allotted to men by the vniuste destinies that the griefes of the mind are neither to be salued by cunning nor appeased by counsel neither to be redressed by help of phisicke nor relieued by aduise of friendes I speake this Pasilla by proofe and curse the gods for such haples experience because if I should haue ease of my passiue I should surfeit wyth too much ioy and if find the disease incurable die with too great sorrow It may be Pasilla thou wilt maruel at this strange malady that is pestered with such contrary principles but I haue more cause to moan that am payned with such crooked passioÌ„s Thy beauty thy beauty Pasilla hath made the wound and thy sweet consent must appease my torments the impression of thy vertues and thy minde fraught with suche singular qualities hath so inchanted my affections and so snared my freedome in the bandes of fancie that being wholly deuoyde of liberty I remayne thy loyall seruant Yea suche a breach hath Loue made into the bulwarke of my breast that the shape of thy exquisite perfection is so shrined in my heart as no meanes but death can staine it with obliuion I had thought that as the Eagle cannot be hurt with lightning nor the oliue with thuÌ„der so a free mind could not haue byn pearced with fancy but now I try by proof that as the playnest table is most apt to receiue anye forme as the cleerest glasse is most brittle the purest chrisolite soonest wrought the whitest lawne most subiect to moales so y e mind which rangeth with most security in the large lees of liberty abhorreth Cupid as a furie shal soonest be bound in the painful fetters of affection and be forced to honor Venus as a goddesse For Pasilla after I had I hope by happy chaunce takeÌ„ a view of thy outward shape thy inward qualities imprinted in my mynd thy beauty and vertue thy personage and parentage my senses were so sotted with the consideration of this excellency that euer since I remayne a captiue to loue and loyalty It may be Pasilla and I feare it wil be that Rodento shalbe suspected of thee for a flatterer and no doubt hated of thy father as an enemie but would to God I might assoone obtaine his fauour as by time trie mine vnfained affection then would I hope to enioy that I wish eschue that I feare Alas Pasilla â— it is not for RodeÌ„to to flatter in his loues least he falter in his life yet were it to me farre more ease though lesse credite but I hope thou wilt not misconstrue of my affection nor distrust my protestations but in recompence of my good will like a litle though not loue so much as I would in this hope I rest feeling some comfort in this that if thy curtesie cure not my malady yet thy cruelty by speedy death shall cut off my misery Thine though neuer thine Rodento Celii ROdento had no sooner ended his letter but 〈◊〉 al speed hâ—â— posted to the house of Clarista whom he found sitting solytary in her parlor Clarista seing Rodento halfe amased at his vnlooked for arriual rose vp and reuerently gaue him a courteous welcom saying that there could no man in al Ferrara haue come to her house whose presence woulde more haue contented her desire protesting that shee was for sundry causes so bounde vnto the Earle his Father that she would thinke her selfe happye if her poore seruice in anye wyse mighte make a requitall of his benefites and some shewe of her good wyll Rodento glad to heare her duetifull and friendlie protestation thought that nowe all thynges woulde fall out according to his wishe and therefore thinking to giue her grasse for haye soothyng vppe her doating flatteries with as fayre promyses takyng her by the hand first charged her vppon her othe and honestie that shee shoulde most secretely conceale whatsoeuer at that present time hee shoulde make manifest Then with carefull lookes and farre fetched sighes hee brake the matter vnto her promysing that if shee stoode his friend with carefull diligence secretely to deliuer his message and with some forcible perswasions to procure Pasilla to take pitye of hys passions hee woulde so largely and bountifullye requite her friendlye trauaile as shee shoulde haue cause to thinke she dealt for a thankfull person Rodento hadde not halfe vttered his mynde ere Clarista with solemne oathes beganne too protest that shee thoughte her selfe happye that nowe shee shoulde haue some meanes to shewe howe duetifully she was affected to the house Celij commending greately the noble mynde of Rodento that beeyng younge hee had made so wise and woorthye a choyse promising not onely secrecie in so waightye a matter but also to vse al possible perswasions to the stirring vp of suche a luckye bargaine Rodento driuen into an extasie for ioye of Claristas forwarde diligence thinking it beste in extremities to giue a spurre to a trotting horse greased her in the fiste wyth a fewe angelles whiche precious oyntement so soupled her olde ioyntes that it was no neede to bidde the 〈◊〉 wife trâ—â— for she presently began to trick vp her selfe towardes hir ioâ—rney which Rodento perceyuing tooke his leaue and departed till the next day when he promised to returne for an answere of his letterâ— Clarista bidding him farewell after she had taken counsel of her glasse to paint out her wrinckled face with a few fresh colours a disease rooted in women from their swathing cloutes â—nd not worne out vntill they come in their winding sheet posted in al hast to the pallace of Valdracko whither she was curteously intertained by the Lady Pasilla and her Cozen Pandina whom she found walking in the gallery for commonly young Gentlewomen are delighted with old wiues doating fables and directed after their secret counsailes counting their sayings as Oracles thinking that age hath taught them that whiche as yet their youth cannot conceiue so that they esteeme it a religion to obserue their fond and superstitions principles which moued Pasilla greatly to honor reuereÌ„ce Clarista so that taking her by the hand withdrawing themselues aside to a baye windowe they fell into long and serious talke but at last Clarista willing while the fishe was wanton to caste forth the baytes presented Pasilla with this letter desiring her to read it secretly in her chamber and the next day to deliuer her a friendly and fauourable answere saying that partly she knew the contents which was a suit so fitting for her honor that if she could condescend to the request no doubt shee shoulde proue her selfe as wise as fortunate Pasilla halfe amased at this vnlooked for message beganne with the gosling to perceyue what the old goose meant
allot But I hope wisdom shal preuent that which fancy seeketh to preteÌ„d The Lady which oweth this shoe is one whose perfectioÌ„ of body is greatly darkened with the imperfection of the mynde and whose singular beauty is such yet so stained with the spot of lasâ—iuious vanity as all may iudge shee was framed by nature to despight vertue It is Rhodope that infamous strumpet of Memphis Nestos had scarse vttered these words but Psamnetichus as one inraged with a franticke passion beganne in most cruel termes to exclaime against Loue and Fortune braying out such bitter curses against Venus her inequall lawes that poore Nestos seeing his vnbrideled furie was more afraid to perswade him then to coniure a diuell trembling a while for feare that the king should wrecke his wrathon his old carkase At last when Psamnetichus had somwhat appeased his furious passions he rewarded Calchos and licensed him to depart with drawing himselfe into a secret place where hee powred foorth these complaints Ah vniust Venus and most accursed Cupid whose hatefull delight is to drowne men in vnequall thoughtes and to make them doate in vnfitte fancies seeking moste to assayle those myndes whiche thinke themselues moste safe vnder the shielde of vertue coueting with bitter pleasures to procure sweet tormentes and with seruyle affections to intangle free myndes Alas I see and I sigh and sorrowe to see that there is no dignitye honour age nor yeeres whiche canne resist the alluring charmes of Loue. Loue Psamnetichus why doest thou loue It is a worde vnmeet for thy mouth but a passion farre more vnfit for thy minde Thy graye hayres are fruites for death not blossomes for Venus Thy yeeres are too bee spente in repentyng thy former follyes not in renewing freshe and amorous fancies It is more â—itte for thy age to caste howe to dye then to care howe to loue Peace Psamnetichus doe not so much as once name loue why not Trees may haue rootes though no leaues and though flowers fal hearbes maye haue sap Loue in age is a vertue so it be not blemished with inequall choyse Trueth fonde foole but what choice haste thou made Of some famous Princesse oh no it were too well of some begger were she vertuous why not Oh Psamneticus woulde to God it were so wel No no thou hast chosen Rhodope a strumpet not halfe so famous for her beauty as infamous for her vanity one whose honesty nay dishonesty is to be bought by euery stragling stranger Loue is vnfit for thy yeeres because thou art old but such loue is vnmeet for thee wert thou neuer so young What wil the peeres of Egypt say if they heare but of thy doting thoughts wil not thy poore subiects sorrow to be ruled by suche a Queene But alas what will Philarkes doe Surely either seeke to cut her daies shorte with vntimely death or to ende his owne life with continuall griefe Ah Psamneticus it were more honourable for thee to die by concealing loue then liue and inioy such haplesse loue And with that he fetcht such a deep sigh as it might wel witnesse how he sought with hatefull disdaine to quench such fonde desires striuing with reason to bridle appetite and with wisedome to suppresse affection flying from that by his owne will wherevnto he was led by an infortunate influence but he found that to wrestle with loue was with the crab to swimme against the stream and with the Deere to feed against the wind wherupoÌ„ feeling such a deep impression to enter into his heart as neither counsel nor reason could race out he yeelded an vnwilling consent to loue thogh the only thing he sought to hate Pinched a long time with these contrary passions his care and sorrow so increased sorrowing that he had made so ill a choyce yet careful how he might obtaine his choyce that his aged and feeble complexion weakened with a more heauie burden then he was able to beare had almost yeelded vnto death His sonne Philarkes marueling at his fathers vnaccustomed dumpes seing that he had made a change of his wonted pastime and pleasures for solitary thoughts and contemplations cast diuers coniectures 〈◊〉 his headâ— what might be the cause of his fathers sodain sorow 〈…〉 it could not be for want of honour in that he was a kingâ— if gold might make one merry as no doubt it is the onely wheâ—â—stoâ—e to mirth his father wanted no treasure Egypt was not pestered with ciuil tumults nor troubled with forrain inuasions Al which things duly coÌ„sidered hee coulde not coniecture what shuld be the occasion of his fathers sorrow so y e desirous to know what should be the cause of his care and willing if it lay in his power to redresse it finding his father within few dayes alone in y e garden at his accustomed dumps he brake wyth him to know the cause of his dolor crauing reuerently of his father if it were his pleasure that he would make him partaker of his griefes seeing that there is no better remedye for a troubled minde then to participate his care to some secrete friend promising as it was his duty by the law of nature to protest that if his life might bee a meanes to appease his heauye passions hee would most willingly free him from those perplexed sorrowes Psamnetichus hearing the dutifull obedience of his sonne noting with what vnfained protestatioÌ„s he vttered these words partly for the ioy hee conceiued of his sonnes good nature and partly for the remembrance of his owne doating affections hee burst forth into teares yet seeking to conceale that shame forbad him to reueale finding this excuse most fit for the time and his straunge passions Philarkes thou knowest euery thing is measured by his due time The spring hath fresh flowers and pleasant gleames Autumne withered leaues and bitter stormes Youth is paynted gazing at the starres Age looking downe to the ground Pleasaunt conceytes are the blossomes of young yeeres and melancholy thoughts the fruites of gray haires I tell thee Philarkes when I was young I delighted in mirth and labour and nowe being old I ioy in ease and sadnes Thou marueilest how I can be so subiect to dumpish thoughts and I wonder how thou caÌ„st be so free froÌ„ care and griefs It is not want of prosperity but the experience of many yeeres y â— hath taught me in age to think how to die The ioy of my youth and the comfort I should haue haâ— being old is gone I meane thy mother Farina the remembrance of whose death makes me as sorowful as thy life and â—bedience makes me ioyfull Cease then good Philarkes to enquire the cause of my care and seeke not to redresse that whiche nature denieth to haue any remedy Philarkes was satisfied with his fathers answere but Psamnetichus more troubled with his sons demand so that he could take no rest but lingred in doubtfull thoughts til at last reason yeelding to appetite and wisedome to affection he determined to
â—â—light in auncient counsailes not amorouâ— conceits leâ—â—â— in smelling vppon sweete Uiolets they stumble on bitter 〈◊〉 Truth Pasylla thou giâ—eâ— good preceptes if thou canst follow thâ—â—e owne pâ—â—â—ciples Thou art perswaded by Rodeâ—â—o to loue but take heede of such baleful allurements 〈◊〉 thy selfe against his charming desâ—â—â— with a â—hast diâ—â—rine so shalt thou be â—â—er that as he which weareth Laurell cannot be hurt with lightning nor he that carrieth the penne of an Eagle perish with thunder so shall neither loue nor fancie paine thee with haplesse passions Thinke this Rodento is a man and therefore 〈…〉 he saieth a louer and so a flatterer as fickle as the Wolâ—â—s of Syria which forget their pray ere they are halfe satiffied and as dissembling as Iupiter who feedeth Alcmena for a while with Nectar and then killeth her with fire Sith then Pasylla to loue is to loose feare not Venus as a 〈◊〉 but â—espise her as a wanton intreat not Cupid with prayers but wiâ—h curâ—â—s â—ell Fancie thou wilt reiect her as a vassal not regard her as a vertue For RodeÌ„to raile against him as thy foe aâ—swere him not as a friend burne his letters to despight him and in steede of curtesie present him with Meâ—â—eas inchaunted casket who is enemie tâ— thy Father but Conte Coelio â— and who can wish thy mishap but his sonneâ— Doth Rodento loue Pasylla 〈◊〉 he hateth Pasilla he faineth loue to procure thy losse he flattereth to trie thy follie and if he finde thee to fond he will bring thee a sleepe with melodie and then strike of thy heade with Mercurie Ah Pasylla condemne not Rodento without cause if thâ—u â—â—â—nest not to loue him delight not to lacke him profer 〈◊〉 Netâ—lâ—s sith he presents thee with 〈◊〉 if he yeeld thee Hony rub not his hiue with Gall answere him friendly though thou straine eucresie to flatter For sweete promises please more then sower giftes and pleasant poâ—ioâ—â— are better taken though infectious then bitter â—iâ—â—es though most holsome And know this Pasylla that the 〈◊〉 of the â—ill Chymera is to be quenched with hay not with water the mountaine in Harpasa to be remoued with ones fingar not with the whole strength and loue to be driuen out with reason not to be thrust out with force least in striuing against Venus she play the woman and seeke to reuenge Pasylla had scarce vttered these last wordes but wearied with doubtfull thoughts and bitter passions she fell a sleepe passing away the night with slumbring dreames till the morning that she wooke and assaulted afresh by Cupid had falne to her old complaints had not one of her gentlewomeÌ„ brought her word that Clarista had waited there a good space to speake with her Pasylla smiling at the diligent hast of the old Pandar commaunded she should be brought in but shee no sooner was within the doore but Pasylla as one in choller starting vp in her bedde tolde her she was more soone come then welcome and that it was farre vnfitting for her aged yeares to be a messenger in such a foolish matter how as she had before honored her for her graue counsailes tending vnto vertue so now she would despise and abhorre her as a doting foole alluring young minds vnto vanitie that if Valdracko shoulde knowe of her rash attempt he would not onely forbid her his house but also punish her as a spectacle that others shoulde beware to sollicite any such fonde and vnlawfull sutes but sith it was the first offence she was content to pardon the fault and to put vp the iniurie with sylence marry if either shee shoulde presently vtter any wordes in her owne defence or euer hereafter trouble her with any such trash she would cause her father with rigor to reuenge it to the vttermost and with that shee cast her the letter she had made charging her to carrie it to Rodento and to tell him that she so meanely accounted either of his person or parentage that after shee had opened his letter and sawe from whom it came she disdained to reade the contents so that whatsoeuer his sute were he might keepe it secreat to himselfe And with that shee layd downe againe telling Clarysta sith she had heard her mind shee might depart at her pleasure Clarista seeing Pasylla in such a fury durst not stand to defend her former attempt for fear of further danger but humbly craued pardon if she had done amisse promising both w t al dutiful seruice to make her amends and also neuer to be a stifler in the like cause with a submisse reuerence she tooke her leaue and departed Pasylla seeing how fearefull the old Gentlewoman was smiled at her selfe that she could so cunningly dissemble thinking she had done verie well in not disclosing her mind to such a doating foole For she knew that old womeÌ„ though by many years they knew how to speak yet no time nor age coulde learne them to be secreat that they weare their hearts in their handes and carrie their thoughts in their tongues end that they couet to heare feare not to speak participating their priuate counsailes to euery one that calles them gossyp This consideration moued Pasylla rather to make a smal scarre by speaking title then a deepe wound by blabbing to anyâ— and musing thus in these thoughts shee fell againe a sleep But Clarysta trudging home with a flea in her eare found Rodento at her house whom after reuerent salutations done she nipped on the Pate with this heauy newes telling him that Pasylla was so straunge as she would not so much as vouchsafe to read the contents of his letter but after she knew from wheÌ„ce it came redeliuered it with great choller charging her in harde bitter tearmes neuer hereafter to sollicite any such sute least she mâ—â—e her father priuy to her alluring practises And therfore shee earnestly intreated him either to cease of from his sute or else to vse some other messenger for she neuer durst atteÌ„pt hereafter to breake the matter Rodento hearing this heauy news seing as he thought his letter returnd without an answere sat a long while as one in a trance tormented w t such pinching assaults of fancy as Clarysta might easily perceiue how the poore Gentleman was perplexed at last thinking it best to couer a discontented mind with a contented countenaÌ„ce with the bright colours of myrth to blot out the dark shadowes of sorrow he began faintly to smile looking vpon the letter threw it down on y e ground and treading on it with his fâ—ete told Clarista that he hoped not to set that at his heart which Pasylla set at her heele but as she requighted his affection w t despight so he meÌ„t to rase out fancy with disdaine not onely to cease of from such heedelesse sutes but from such haples loues yet proâ—â—â—â—â—â— to remain her friend for her forward willingnes He took his leaue of Clarista and went home to his
force to infuse a certaine pronesse to vnlawfull venery yet being preuented by a prouident and well disposed mind it doth little auaile quia sapiens dominabitur astris Then incensed with an enuious rage she seeketh to intrap vertue with the stumbling blocks of vice and to inchant the minds of the wise with her poysoned and alluring sorceries letting passe neither time nor toil◠till shee hath brought wisdome to such a bay as either shee must yeelde to her masking follie or buy her quiet with perpetual torment but leauing Venus to her vanities againe to Psamnetichus Who seeking to shake of this new found affection flong out of the garden into the chamber of presence where hee founde his sonne Philarkes and other noble men dauncing with the Ladies and Gentlewomen vnto whom both he shewed the shoe and reaueled the chaunce promising that what Ladie coulde pull it on shoulde haue what Lawfull demaunde shee woulde make All desirous of gaine and glorie beleeue mee two Idols that women most honour assailed to winne the price but it was as easie for them as for Vulcan to drawe on Thetis slipper on his poult foote whereat Philarkes and the noble men smiled but Psamnetichus pinched with an vnacquainted passion began to imagine what heauenly creature she was to whom this shooe did belong feeding himselfe in this musing humor vntill such a burning desire crept into his minde that neither reason nor counsaile could asswage so that withdrawing himselfe into his secreat chamber holding the shooe in his hand he cast himselfe on his bedde where he murmured out these or such like complaints Ah thrise vnhappie Psamnetichus what vnfitte fancies bee these for thy aged yeares what fonde thoughtes for thy gray heares what vnmeete musings for thy stayed minde wilt thou feeke to rake for quicke coales among dead cynders to search for freshe flowers among withered weedes to sow youthfull desires in aged mindes if thou doe this Psamnetichus thinke though thou hast but a short time to liue yet thou shalt haue a long time to repent For loue in age is like fyre among drie sticks which kindled with y e least puffe is quenched in the least moment Loue Psamnetichus whie art thou in loue yea with whome Alas I knowe not◠and therefore the more infortunate is my loue Pigmalion fell in loue with his Marble picture an affection so straunge as he was both blamed and pittied for doating on such a senslesse Image A Senators sonne in Rome loued extreemly the Iuory picture of Vesta whiche wroughte him such discredit as he was exempted for bearing office in the citie Were my case such I wold think my selfe fortunate But a shoe of golde is the only thing that bewitcheth my mind such a straunge fancie as time hath neuer made report of the like Tush Psamnetichus it is not the shoe but the Dame that oweth the shoe which hath inchanted thy affection it is the Idea of her person which by a secret imagination is imprinted in thy minde that hath pearced thy heart seeke then by some meanes to free thy selfe from those fetters whiche vnlesse thou vnloose thou canst not but loose Dye then Psamnetichus for nothing can free thee from loue but death It is no earthly creature but some heauenlie goddesse that oweth this Iewell the excellent shape of her to whom this precious gemme doeth belong was neuer placed on earth but enthronysed amongest the heauens the woorse is thy happe and the lesse cause hast thou to hope to hope why not Psamnetichus no doubt shee is a woman and therefore to bee wonne with prayses or promises for that shee is a woman As thus he continued his complaints his sonne Philarkes came into the chamber wherevpon Psamnetichus ceased and for that time made no shew of sorrow but passed away the daye with other talke The night beeing come faining himselfe not well at ease hee giuing his sonne and the other noble men the good night went to his bedde thinking by sleep to haue driuen away such fonde affections but he was no sooner layd but waking slumber and halfe dreaming thoughts so tormented him that he coulde take no rest wherevpon he began to cast a thousand doubtful coniectures in his minde what he had best to do at last he found out this deuise He called to remembrance that there was in his court a certayne skilfull magician called Nestor who by his secret science might not only be a meanes to discouer what Ladye was the owner of the shoe but also if through frowardnesse a disease cōmon to Venus darlings she refused his proffer might by some amorous potions ayde him to obtaine his purpose This polliticke conceite pleased him passing well so that on the morrowe fearing that delay might breede daunger hee sent for this olde doating Nestos who comming to the kings presence and with great reuerence doing his obeisance craued to know his Maiesties pleasure Psamnetichus curteously resaluting him tooke him by the hand and led him into his priuy garden where charging him firste vppon his life and alleageaunce moste secretely to conceale whatsoeuer he shoulde in that place make manifest then hee broke with him in the matter promysing if hee coulde tell him by his arte who owed the shoe hee woulde rewarde him so largely as he should haue cause to speake of his bountie otherwise if by negligence he should be found slacke he would so bitterly reuenge hys frowarde disobedience as hee shoulde haue cause both to curse hym selfe and his science Nestos allured with the large promises of the King and feared wyth his sharpe and cruell threateninges made aunsweare that what were able to bee doone by Arte shoulde wyth all skilfull diligence bee perfourmed and hereuppon hee craued three dayes to make a shewe of his cunning Psamnetichus suche was the heate of his newe kindeled fancie thought it a longe time to yeelde so small a verdict yet hee was content hoping by this meanes hee shoulde bee fully satisfied Calchos leauing the King in his dumpes hyed him home to his lodging and entring into his study began to fal to erecting of figures to take the eleuation of the pole and the houre wherein the shoe was found but these superstitious ceremonies would not shew what hee sought for so that in fine from consecrating hee was faine to fall to flatte coniuring wherein after hee had swette lyke a dogge to adiure the Dyuell hee perceiued by the Oracle that hee had made an ende of his woorke whiche hee had no sooner doone but with all speede that mighte bee hee posted to the Courte where beeyng admitted to Psamnetichus presence all the nobles commanded to auoyde the chamber hee vttered these wordes I am sory right mightye Prince that I cannot iustly conceale that your Grace hath straightly cōmanded me to reueale my alleageance for bidding the one your highnesse so stricklye vrging the other I haue done what learning science cā allow yet vnwilling to shewe what y ◠froward destinies do