Then crowne my ioyes thou Antidote of despaire And be as mercifull as thou art faire Nature the bounty of whose liberall hand Made thee the iewell of the Arcadian land Intended in so rare a prize to boast Her masterpeece Hid Iewells are but lost shine then and rob not nature of her due But honour her as she hath honour'd you Let not the best of all her workes lye dead In the nice Casket of a Maydâ—…nhead What she would haue reueal'd O doe not smother Th' art made in vaine vnlesse thou make another Giue me thy heart and for that gift of thine Lest thou shouldst want a heart I le giue thee mine As richly fraught with loue and lasting duty As thou with vertue or thine eyes with beauty Why dost thou frowne why does that heauenly brow Not made for wrinkles show a wrinkle now Send forth thy brighter sun-shine and the while O lend me but the twilight of a smile Giue me one amorous glance why standst thou mute Disclose those ruby lips and grant my suite Speake loue or if thy doubtfull minde be bent To silence let that silence be consent Nor begge I loue of almes although in part My words may seeme tâ—…implead my owne desert Disdaine me not although my thoughts descend Below themselues t' enioy so faire a friend 〈◊〉 that haue oâ—…t with teares bin sought to sue And Queens haue bin his seruants that serues you The beauties of all Grâ—…ece haue bin at strife To winne the name of great Demagoras wife And bin despis'd not worthy to obtaine So high an honour What they sought in vaine I here present thee with as thine owne due It being an honour fit for none but you Speake then my loue and let thy lips make knowne That I am either thine or not mine owne Haue you beheld when fâ—…esh Auroras eye Sends forth her early beames and by and by Withdrawes the glory of her face and shrowds Her checkes behind a ruddy mâ—…ske of clouds Which who beleeue in Erra Pater say Presages winde and blustry stormes that day Such were Partheniaes lookes in whose faire face Roses and Lillies late had equall place But now twixt mayden bash fulnesse and spleene Roses appear'd and Lillies were not seene Sâ—…e paus'd a while till at the last she breakes Her long kept angry silence thus and speakes My Lord Had your strong Oratory but the Art To make me conscious of so great desert As you perswade I should be bound in duty To praise your Rhet'ricke as you prize my beauty Or if the frailty of my iudgement could Flatter my thoughts so grosly as to hold Your words for currant you might boldly dare Count me as soolish as you terme me faire If you vye Courtship fortune knowes that I Haue not so strong a Game to see the vye Alas my skill durst neuer vndertake To play the game where hearts be set at stake Needs must the losse be great when such haue bin Seldome obseru'd to saue themselues that win You craue my heart My Lord you craue withall Too great a mischiese My poore heart 's too small To fill the concaue of so great a brest Whose thoughts can scorne the amorous request Of loue sicke Queenes and can requite the vaine And factious suits of Ladies with disdaine Stoope not so low beneath your selfe great Lord To loue Parthenia Shall so poore a word Staine your faire lips whose merits doe proclaime A more transcendent fortune then that name Can giue Call downe Ioues winged Pursuiuant Aâ—…d giue his tongue the power to enchant Some easie Goddesse in your name and treat A mariage fitting so sublime so great A mind as yours and fill the fruitfull earth With Heroes sprung from so diuine a birth Partheniaes heart could neuer yet aspire So high Her homebred thoughts durst ne're desire So fond an honour matcht with so great pride To hope for that which Queenes haue beene denyde Be wise my Lord vouchsafe not to repeat S'vnfit a suit Be wise as you are great Aduance your noble thoughts hazard no more To wrack your fortunes on so fleet a shore That to the wiser world it may be knowne The lesse y' are mine the more you are your owne Like as a guilty prisner vpon whom Offended Iustice lately past her doome Stands trembling by and hopelesse to preuaile Bâ—…ules not for mercy but to the loath'd Iaile Dâ—…agges his sad yrons and from thence commends A hâ—…sty suite to his selected friends That by the vertue of a quicke Reprieâ—…e The wretch might haue some few daies more to liue Euen so Demagoras whose rewounded heart Had newly felt the vnexpected smart And secret burthen of a desp'rate doome Replies not takes no leaue but quits the roome And in his discontented mind reuolues Ten thousand thoughts and at the last resolues What course to runne relying on no other But the assistance of Partheniaes mother Forthwith his fierce misguided passion droue His wandring steps to the next neighboring groue A keene Steeletto in his trembling hand He rudely grip'd vpon his lips did stand A milke white froth his eyes like flames sometimes He curses heauen himselfe and then the times Railes at the proud Parthenia raues despaires And from his head rends off his tangled hayres Curs s the wombe that bare him bans the Fates And drunke with spleene he thus deliberates Why dyest thou not Demagoras when as death Lends thee a weapon Can the whining breath Of discontent and passion send reliefe To thy distraction or asswage thy griefe Why moou'st thou not the Gods Or rather why Do'st not contemne and scorne their power and dye But stay Of whom dost thou complaine A woman To whom fond man dost thou complaine A woman And shall a womans frownes haue power to grieue thee Or shall a womans wanton smile relieue thee Fye fie Demagoâ—…as shall a womans eye Preâ—…aile to make the stout Demagorâ—…s dye And leaue to after times an entred name 〈◊〉 Callender of fooles Rouze vp for shame Thy wasted spirits whet thy spleene and liue To be reueng'd She she that would not giue Admittance to thy proferd loue must drinke The potion of thy hate stirre then the sinke Of all thy passion where thou canst not gaine By fairer lauguage Tarquin-like constraine But hold thy band Demâ—…goras and aduise Art giues adâ—…antage oft where force denyes Suspend thy fury Make Partheniaâ—…s mother Thy meanes One Adamant will cut another Sweeten thy lips with amorous Oratorie Affect her tender heart with the sad story Of thy deare loue Extoll Parthâ—…niaes beauty But most of all vrge that deserued duty Thou ow'st her vertue and make that the ground Of thy first loue that gaue thy heart the wound Mingle thy words with sighes and it is meet If thou canst force a teare to let her see 't Against thy will Let thy false tongue forbeare No vowes and though thou beest forsworne yet sweare If ere thy barren lips shall chance to pause For want of words Parthenia
is the cause Who hath benumm'd thy heart If e're they goe Beyond their lists Parthenia made them so Withall be sure when ere thou shalt aduance The daughters vertues let the glory glance Vpon the prudent mother Women care not To heare too much of vertue if they share not When thus thou hast prepar'd her melting eare To soft attention closely in the reare Of thy discourse preferre thy sad petition That she would please to fauour the condition Of a distressed louer and afford In thy behalfe a mothers timely word So shalt thou wreck thy vengeance by a wilde And make the mother bawd to her owne childe He paused not but like a rash proiector Whose franticke passion was supreme director Fixt his first thoughts impatient of the second Which might bin betterd by aduise and reckon'd All time but lost which he bestowed not On th' execution of his hopefull plot Forthwith his nimble paces he diuided Towards the Summer Pallace where resided The faire Partheniaes mother boldly enters And after mutuâ—…ll complement aduenters To breake the yce of his dissembled griefe Thus he complaines and thus he begs reliefe Madam The hopefull thriuing of my suit depends Vpon your goodnesse and it recommends It selfe vnto your sauour from whose hand It must haue sentence or to fall or stand Thirce three times hath the Soueraigne of the night Repaird her empty hornes with borrowed light Since these sad eyes these beauty blasted eyes Were stricken by a light that did arise From your blest wombe whose vnasswaged smart Hath peirc'd my soule and wounded my poore heart It is the faire Parthenia whose diuine And glorious vertue led these eyes of mine To their owne ruine Like a wanton fly I dallied with the flames of her bright eye Till I haue burn'd my wings O if to loue Be held a sinne the guilty gods aboue Being fellow-sinners with vs and commit The selfe same crimes may eas'ly pardon it O thrice diuine Partheniâ—… that hast got A sacred priuiledge which the gods haue not If thou hast doom'd that I shall be bereauen Of my loath'd life yet let me dye for giuen And welcome death that with one happy blow Giues me more ease then life could euer doe Madam to whom should my sad words appeale But you Alâ—… to whom should I reueale My dying thoughts but vnto you that gaue Being to her that hath the power to saue My wasted life The language of a mother Moues more then teares that trickle from another With that a well dissembled drop did slide From his false eyes The Lady thus replyde My Honorable Lord If my vntimely answer hath preuented Some further words your passion would haue vented Pardon my haste which in a ruder fashion Sought onely to diuide you from your passion The loue you beare Parthenia must claime The priuiledge of mine eare and in her name Though from an absent mind as yet vnknowne Returne I thankes with intrest of my owne The little iudgement that the gods haue lent Her downy yeares though in a small extent Does challenge the whole freedome of her choyce In the resignement of a mothers voice The sprightly fancies of a virgins mind Enter themselues and hate to be confinde The hidden Embers of a louers fire Desire no bellowes but their owne desire And like to Dedalus his forge if blowne Burnes dimme and dyes blazes if let alone Louers affect without aduisement that Which being most perswaded to they hate My Lord adiourne your passion and refer The fortune of your suite to time and her Like to a Pinace is a louers minde The Saile his fancy is A storme of winde His vncontrouled passion the Steaâ—…'s His reason Rocks and Sinds are doubts and feares Your storme being great like a wise Pilot beare But little Saile and stoutly ply the Steare Leaue then the violence of your thoughts to me My Lord too hasty Gamesters ouersee Goe moue Parthenia and let Iuno's blessing Attend your hopefull suite in the suppressing Loues common euills and if her warme desire Show but a sparke leaue me to blow the fire Goe lose no time Louers must be laborious My Lord goe prosperous aud returne victorious With that Demagoras prostrate on the ground As if his eares had heard that blessed sound Wherewith the Delphian oracle acquites The accepted sacrifice performes the rites Of quicke deuotion to that heauenly voice Which fed his soule with the malignant ioyes Of vow'd reuenge vp from the floore he starts Blesses the tongue that blesâ—… him and departs By this time had the heauen-surrounding Steeds Quell'd their proud courage turn'd their fainting head Into the lower Hemispheare to coole Their flaming nostrills in the Westerne poole When as the dainty and mollitious ayre Had bid the Lady of the Pallace share In her refined pleasures and inuited Her gentle steps fully to be delighted In those sweet walkes where Flora's liberall hand Had giuen more freely then to all the land There walked she and in her vaâ—…ious minde Proiects and casts about which way to finde The progresse of the yong Partheniaes heart Likes this way then a second thought does thwart The first Likes that way then a third the second One while she likes the match and then she reckon'd Demagoras vertues now her feare entices Hâ—…r thoughts to alter then she counts his vices Sometimes she cals his vowes and oathes to minde Another while thinkes oathes and words but winde She likes dislikes Her doubtfull thoughts doe vary Resolues and then resolues the quite contrary One while she feares that his maligne aspect Will giue the virgin cause to disaffect And then propounds to her ambitious thoughts His wealth the golden couer of all faults And from the Chaos of her doubt digests Her feares creates a world of wealth and rests With that she straight vnfixt her fastned eyes From off the ground and looking vp espyes The faire Parthenia in a louely bowre Spending the treasure of an euening houre There sate she reading the sweet-sad discourses Of Charicleas loue the entercourses Of whose mixt fortunes taught her tender heart To feele the selfe same ioy the selfe same smart She read she wept and as she wept she smil'd As if her â—…quall eyes had reconcilde The extremes of ioy and griefe she closde the booke Then op'ned it and with a milder looke She pitiâ—…s louers musing then a while She teaches smiles to weepe and teares to smile At length her broken thoughts she thus discouers Vnconstant state of poore distressed louers Is all extreame in loue No meane at all No draughts indifferent either honey or Gall Hath Cupids Vniuerse no temp'rate Zone Either a torrid or a frozen one Alas alas poore louers As she spake Those words from her disclosed lips there brake A gentle sigh and after that another With that steps in her vnexpected mother Haue ye beheld when Titans lustfull head Hath newly diâ—…'d into the seagreene bed Of Thet is how the bashfull Horizone Enfore'd to see what should
tâ—…anscended from her milder brest Passion was not exiled but represt Her voyce exceâ—…'d nay had you heard her voyce But warble 〈◊〉 you might haue had the choyce To 〈◊〉 her for some smooth-fac'd Cherubin Oâ—… elâ—…e some glorious Angel that had bin A trebble sharer in th' eternall ioyes Such was hâ—…r voyce such was her heauenly voyce Merry yet modâ—…st witty and yet wise Not apt to toy and yet not too too nice Quick but not â—…ash Courteous and yet not common Not too familiar and yet scorning no man In briâ—…fe who would relate her prayses well Must first bethinke himselfe what is t' excâ—…ll When these perfections hâ—…d enhaunc'd the name Of rare Parthenia nimble winged Fame Grew great with honour spreads her hasty wings Aduanc'd her Trumpet and away she springs And with her â—…ull mouth'd blast she doth proclaime 〈◊〉 glory of Partheniaes name Who now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parthenia what report Can find admittance in th' Arcadian Coâ—…rt But faire Partheniaes Euery solâ—…mne feast Must now be swcernâ—…d hoâ—…ourd and possâ—…st With high discourses of Partheniaes glory And euery mouth must bâ—…eathe Partheniaes story The Poâ—…t summons now his amorous quill And scornes aâ—…istance from the sacrâ—…d Hill The sweet lipâ—… Oratour takes in hand to raise His prouder stile to spâ—…ke Partheniacs praise The curious Painter wisâ—…ly doth displace Faire Venus sets Parthenia in her plâ—…ce The Pleader burnes his bookes disdaines the Law And fâ—…lls in louâ—… with whom his eyâ—…s ne'er saw Healths to the fâ—…ire Parthenia flâ—… about At euery bord whilst others moâ—…e 〈◊〉 Build Idols to her and adore the sâ—…me And Parrats learne to 〈◊〉 Partheniaes name Some trust to fâ—…me some secretly disprise Her worth some emulates and some enuies Some doubt some feare lest lauish same belye her And all that dare beleeue report admire Vpon the bordâ—…rs of the Arcadian Land Dwelt a Laconian Lord Of proud command Lord of much people youthfull and of fame More great then good Demagoras his name Of stature tall his body spare and meager Thicke shoulderd hollow cheek'd and visage eager His gâ—…shfull countenance swarthy long and thinne And downe each side of his reuerted chinâ—…e A locke of blacke neglected haire be friended With warts too vgly to be seene descended His rowling eyes were deeply suncke and hiew'd Like fire T is said they blisterd where they view'd Vpon his shoulders from his fruitfull crowne A rugged crop of Elfclocks dangled downe His hide all hairy garish his attire And his complexion meerely Earth and Fire Peruerse to all extenuating what Another did because he did it not Maligning all mens actions but his owne Not louing any and belou'd of none Reuengefull enuious desperately stout And in a word to paint him fully out That had the Monopolie to fulfill All vice the Hieroglyphick of all ill He view'd Partheniaes face As srom aboue Fireballs of lightning hurld by angry Ioue Confound the vnarm'd beholder at a blow And leaue him ruin'd in the place Euen so The peerelesse beauty of Partheniaes eyes At the first sight did conquer and surprise The slauish thoughts of this amazed louer Who voyd of strength to hide or to discouer The tyrannous scorching of his secret fires Prompted by passion with himselfe conspires Accurs'd Demagoras Into what a feâ—… Hath one looke strucke thy soule O neuer neuer To be recur'd If I had done amisse Hath heauen no easier plagues in store but this Promethius paines are not so sharpe as these Our sinnes yet labour'd both of one disease Our faults are equall Both stole fire from heauen Our faults alike why are our plagues vneuen Be iust O make not such vnequall ods Of equall sinnes Be iust or else no Gods Why send ye downe such Angels to the earth To mocke poore mortalls or of mortall birth If such a heauenlike Paragon may be Why doe ye not wound her as well as me But why doe I implore your aydes in 〈◊〉 That are the hiâ—…hest Agents in my pâ—…ine Poore wretcâ—… What hope of helpe can ye assure me When onely she that made the wound can cure me Diuine 〈◊〉 earths 〈◊〉 Iewell Would thou 〈◊〉 beene lesse glorious or lesse cruell Whâ—…n 〈◊〉 thine eyes did to these eyes appeare I read the 〈◊〉 of my ruine there My necessary ruinâ—… Heauen nor Hell Can salue my sores by helpe of Prayer or spell Gods are vniust and if with charmes 〈◊〉 haunt her Her eyes are counter charmes to enchant 〈◊〉 Why doe I thus exâ—…lcerate my disease By adding torments hope I to find ease Is not her cruelty enough alone But must I bring fresh torments of my owne Cheare vp Demagorâ—…s T is a wise mans part Not to lose all if his vnpractis'd art Serues not to gaine A Gamester may not choose His chance It is some conquest not to loose Looke to thy selfe Let no iniurious blast Of cold despaire chiâ—… thy greene wounds too fast For time to cure O hope for no remission Of paine till Cupid send thee a Physition She is a woman If a woman then My title 's good Women were made for men She is a woman though her heauenly brow Write Angell and may stoope although not now Women by lookes will not be vnderstood Vntill their hearts aduise with flesh and blood She is a woman There 's no reason why But she perchance may burne as well as I. Moue then Demagoras let Parthenia know The strength of her owne beauty in thy woe Feare not what thou ador'st begin to moue Chriscrosse sore-runs the Alphabet of loue T is halfe perfected what is once begun She is a woman and she must be wonne Like as a Swaine whose hands haue made a vow And swâ—…rne allegeance to the peacefull plough Prest out for seruice in the 〈◊〉 campe At first vnentred finds a liuelesse dampe Beleagring euery ioynt as often swounds As ere he viewes his sword or thinks of wounds At length not finding any meanes for flying Switcht and spurd on with despâ—…rate feare of dying He hewes he hackes and in the midst he goes And freshly deales about his frantick blowes Euen so Demagoras whose vnbred fashion Had neuer yet subscrib'd to loues sweet passion Being call'd a Combitant to Cupids field Trembles and secretly resolues to yeeld The day without a parly till at length Fiercely transported by th'vntuâ—…'d strength Of his owne passion he himselfe assures That 〈◊〉 tormeâ—…ts must haue desp'rate câ—…res And thus to the diuine Partheniaes eares Applies his speech deuoâ—…d of doubts and fâ—…ares Fairest of creatures If my ruder tongue To right it selfe should dâ—…e your patience wrong And lawlesse passion make it too too free O blame your heauenly beautie and not me It was those eyes those precious eyes that first Enforc'd my tongue to speake or heart to burst From those deare eyes I first receiu'd that wound Which seekes for cure and cannot be made sound But by the hand that strucke To you alone I sue for helpe that else must hope for none
be seene by none Lookes red for shame and blushes to discouer Th' incestuous pleasures of the heauen borne louer So look'd Parthenia when the sudden eye Of her vnwelcome mother did dâ—…scry Her secret passion The mothers smile Brought forth the daughters blush and leuell coyle They smil'd and blush one smile begate another The daughter blusht because the icalous mother Smil'd on her and the silent mother smilde To see the conscious blushing of her childe At length growne great with words she did awake Her forced silence and she thus bespake Blush not my fairest daughter T is no shame To pitty louers or lament that flame Which worth and beauty kindles in the brest T is charity to succour the distrest The disposition of a generous heart Makes euery griese her owne at least beares part What marble ah what adamantine care Ere heard the flames of Troy without a teare Much more the scorching of a louers fire Whose desprate fewell is his owne desire May boldly challenge euery gentle heart To be 〈◊〉 in his secret smart Why dost thou blush why did those pearly teares Slide downe Feare not this Arbour hath no cares Here 's none but we speake then It is no shame To shed a teare thy mother did the same Say hath the winged wanton with his dart Sent ere a message to thy wounded heart Speake in the name of Hymen I coniure thee If so I haue a 〈◊〉 shall recure thee I feare I feare the yong La 〈◊〉 Lord Hath lately left some indigested word In thy cold stomack which for want of Art I doubt I doubt lyes heauy at thy heart If that be all reueâ—…ling brings reliefe Silence in loue but multiplies a griefe Hid sorrow's desperate not to be endur'd Which being but disclos'd is easly cur'd Perchance thou 〈◊〉 Demagoras and wouldst smother Thy close 〈◊〉 from thy angry mother And reapâ—… the daâ—…nty fruits of loue vnseene I did the like or thou hadst neuer beene Stolne goods are sweetest If it be thy minde To loue in secret I will be as blinde As he that wounded thee or if thou dare Acquaint thy mother then a mothers care Shall be redoubled till thy thoughts acquire The sweet fruition of thy choice desire Thou lou'st Dâ—…magoras If thy lips deny Thy conscious heart must giue thy lips the lye And if thy liking countermand my will Thy punishment shall be to loue him still Then loue him still and let his hopes inherit The crowne belonging to so faire a merit His thoughts are noble and his fame appeares To speake at least an age aboue his yeares The blood of his increasing honour springs From the high stock of the Arcadian Kings The gods haue blest him with a liberall hand Enricht him with the prime of all the land Honour and wealth attend his gates and what Can he command that he possesses not All which and more if mothers can diuine The fortune of thy beauty hath made thine He is thy Captiue and thy conquering eyes Haue tooke him prisner hee submits and lies At thy deare mercie hoping ne re to be Ransom'd from death by any price but thee Wrong not thy selfe in being too too nice And what perchance may not be proferd twise Accept at first It is a foolish minde To be too coy Occasion 's bald behind T is not the common worke of euery day T' afford such offers Take them while you may Times alter youth and beauty are but blasts Vse then thy time whil'st youth and beauty lasts For if that loath'd and infamous reproach Of a stale maide but offer to incroach Vpon opinion th' art in estimation Like garments kept till they be out of fashion Thy worth thy wit thy vertues all must stand Like goods at outcries priz'd at second hand Resolue thee then t' enlarge thy Virgin life With th' onourable freedome of a wife And let the fruits of that blest marriage be A liuing pledge betwixt my Child and me So said The faire Parthenia in whose heare Her owne affections yet had got the start Of her obedience makes a sudden pause Striues with her thoughts obiects the binding lawes Of filiall duty to her best affection Sometimes submits vnto her owne election Sometimes vnto her mothers thus diuided In her distracted sancy sometimes guided By one desire and sometimes by another She thus replide to her attentiue mother Madam Thinke not Parthenia vnder a pretence Of silence studies disobedience Or by the crafty slownesse of reply Borrowes a quick aduantage to deny It lyes not in your power to command Beyond my will vnto your tender hand I here surrender vp that little All You gaue me freely to dispose withall The gods forbid Parthenia should resist What you command command you what you list But pardon me the young Laconian Lord Hath made assault but neuer yet could board This heart of mine I wept I wept indeed But my misconsterd streames did ne're proceed From Cupids spring This blubber'd book makes known Whose griefes I wept I wept not for mine owne My lowly thoughts durst neuer yet a spire The least degree towards the proud desire Of so great honour to be call'd his wife For whom ambitious Queenes haue bin at strife He su'd for loue and strongly did importune My heart more pleased with a meaner fortune My brest was marble and my heart forgot All pitty for indeed I lou'd him not But Madam you to whose more wise directions I bend the stoutest of my rash affâ—…ctions You haue commanded and your will shall be The square to my vneauen desires and me I 'le practise duty and my deeds shall show it I 'le practise loue though Cupid neuer know it Whâ—…n great Basilius he whose princâ—…ly hand Nourisht long peace in the Arcadian land With triumph brought to his renowned Court His new espoused Queene was great resort Of forraine States and Princes to behold The truth that vnbeleeu'd report had told Of faire Gynecias worth Thither repair'd The Cyprian Nobles richly all 〈◊〉 In warlike furniture and well addrest With solemne Iousts to glorifie the feast Of mariage royall lately past betweene Th' Arcadian King and his thrice noble Queene The faire Gynecia in whose face and brest Nature and curious Art had done their best To summe that rare perfection which in briefe Transcends the power of a strong beliefe Her Syer was the Cyprian King whose fame Receiu'd more honour from her honour'd name Then if he had with his victorious hand Vnsceptred halfe the Princes in the land To tell the glory of this royall Feast The Bridegroomes state and how the Bride was drest The princely seruice and the rare delights The seuerall names and worth of Lords and Knights Their quaint Impresa's their deuisefull showes Their martiall sports their oft redoubled blowes The courage of this Lord or that proud horse Who ran who got the better who the worse Is not my taske nor lyes it in my way To make relation of it Heraulds may
for light the light no sooner come But his owne hand connayes it to the roome From whence he came and as he entred in He blest himselfe he blest himselfe agin Thrice did he blesse himselfe and after said Foule witch begon and let thy dismall shade For sake this place Let thy darke fogs obey Great Vulcans charge 〈◊〉 Vulcans name away Or if thy â—…out rebellion shall disclaime His soueraignty in my Parthenia's name I charme thee hence And as that word flew out He steps to that sad bed where round about Clos'd were the curtaines as if darknesse did Command that such a Iewell should be hid His left hand held the tapour and his right Enforc'd the curtaines to absolue the light Which done appear'd before his wondring eye The truest pourtrait of deformity As e're the Sun beheld That louely face That was of late the modell of all grace And 〈◊〉 beauty whose imperious eyes 〈◊〉 where e're they lookt and did â—…urprise The very soules of men she she of whom Nature her selfe wâ—…s proud is now become So loath'd an obiect so deform'd disâ—…z'd As darknesse for mâ—…s sake was well aduis'd To cloath in mists lest any were incited To see that face and so depart affrighted All this when Argalus bâ—…held and found It was no dreame he fell vpon the ground And 〈◊〉 and rose agen stood still and gaz'd At first he startled then he stood amaz'd Lookes now vpon the light and now on her One while his tyred fancy does refer His thâ—…ughts to silence as his thoughts encrease His pâ—…ion striues for vent and breakes that peace Which conquer'd reason had of late concluded And thus began Are these false â—…es deluded Or haue inchanted mists stept in betweene My abused eyes and what 〈◊〉 eyes â—…aue seene No mischiâ—…fe cannot act so faire a part Taffright in iâ—…st it goes beyond the art Of all blacke bookes to maske with such disguise So sweet a face I know that these are eyes And this a light False mists could neuer be Betwixt my poore Parthenia and me Accursed Tapour what infernall spright Breath'd in thy face what Fury gaue thee light Thou impe of Phlegetor who let thee in To force a day before the day begin Who brought thee 〈◊〉 I did I From whom What leane chapt fury did I snatch thee from When as this cursed hand did goe about To bring thee in why went not these eies out Be all such Tapours cursed for thy sake Ne're shine but at some Vigill or sad Wake Be neuer seene but when as sorrow cals Thy needfull helpe to nightly â—…unerals Be as a May-game for th' amazed Bat To sport about and Owles to wonder as Still hâ—…nt the Chancels a a midnight knell To fright the Sexton from his passing Bell Giue light to none but treasons and be hid In their darke lanthorns Let all mirth forbid Thy treacherous flames the roome and if that none Shall deigne to put thee out goe out alone Attend some misers table and then waste Too soone that he may curse thee for thy haste Burâ—… dimme for euer Let that flatâ—…'ring lighâ—… Thou feed'st consume thy stock be â—…isht quite From Cupids Court When louers goe abouâ—… Their stolâ—… pleasures let your flames goe out Henceforth be vsefull to no other end But onely to burne day light or attend The midnight Cups of such as shall resigne VVith vsurie thir indigested wine VVhy dost thou burne so cleare Alas these eyes Discerne too much Thy wanton blaze doth rise Too high a pitch Thou burnst too bright for such As see no comfort O thou shin'st too much Why dost thou vexe me Is thy flame so stout Tendure my breath This breath shall puffe thee out Thus thus my ioyes are quite extinguisht neuer To be reâ—…iu'd Thus gone thus gone sor euer With that transported with a furious hast He blew it out but marke that very blast As if it meant on purpose to disclaime His desp'rate thoughts reuiu'd th'extinguisht flame He stands amaz'd and hauing mus'd a while Beholds the Tapour and begins to smile And can the gods themselues said he contriue A way for hope Can my past ioyes reuine Like this rekinà led fier If they doe I 'le curse mâ—… lips bright Lamp for cursing you Eternall Fates Deale fairely dally not If your hid bounties haue reseru'd a lot Beyond my wained hopes be it exprest In open view make haste and doe your best But if your Iustice be determin'd so To exercise your vengeance on my woe Strengthen not what at length you meanâ—… to burst Strike home betimes dispatch and doe your worst That burthen is too great for him to beare That 's 〈◊〉 poised betmixt hope and feare And there he stopt as fearing to molest The silent peace of her dissembled rest He gaz'd vpon her stood as in a trance Sometimes her liuelesse hand he would aduance To his sad lips then steale it downe agen Sometimes a teare would fall vpon 't and then A sigh must dry it Euery kisse did beare A sigh and euery sigh begat a teare If I had lou'd thee for thy heauenly eye I might haue courted the bright maiesty Of Tiran If thy curious lips had snar'd My lick'rish thoughts I might haue soone prepar'd A blushing Currall or some full ripe Chery And pleas'd my lips vntill my lips were weary Or if the smoothnesse of thy whiter brow Had charm'd mine eyes and made my fancy bow To outwards obiects polishs Marble might Haue giuen as much content as much delight In briefe had Argalus his flatter'd eye Bin pleas'd with beauties bare Epitomy Thy curious picture might haue then supply'd My wants more full then all the world beside No no 'T was neither brow nor lip nor eye Nor any outward exc'lence vrg'd me why To loue Parthenia 'T was thy better part Which mischiefe could not wrong surpris'd my heart Thy beauty was but like a Christall case Through which the Iewell of admired grace Transparent was whose hidden worth did make Me loue the Câ—…ket for the Iewels sake No no my well-aduised eye pierc'd in Beyond the filme sunk deeper then the skin Else had I now bin chang'd and that firme duty I owe my vowes had faded with thy beauty Nay weepe not my Parthenia let those teares Ne're waile that losse which a few after yeares Had claim'd as due Cheare vp thou hast forsaken But that which sicknesse would perchance haue taken With greater disaduantage or else age That common euill which â—…rt cannot asswage Beauty 's but bare opinion White and Red Haue no more priuiledge but what is bred By humane fancie which was ne're confinde To certaine bounds but varies like the winde What one man likes another disrespects And what a third most hates a fourth affects The Negro's eye thinkes blacke beyond compare And what would fright vs most they count most faire If then opinion be the Tutch whereby All beautie 's tride Parthenia in my eye Out shines faire Hellen or who else she
it had perfection In her it ioy'd although but ill befriended By Fate in her begun in her it ended If I had lou'd if I had onely lou'd Parthenia's beautie I had soone beene mou'd To moderate my sorrowes and to place That loue on you that haue Parthenia's face But 't was Parthenia's selfe I lou'd and loue VVhich as no time hath power to remoue From my sixt heart so nothing can diminish No fortune can dissolue no death can finish With mingled frownes and smiles she thus replide Hâ—…lfe in a rage And must I be denide Are those the noble fauours I expected To finde disgrade and goe away reiected Most noble Lady if my words said he Suit not your expectation let them be Imputed to the miserie of my state Which makes my lips to speake they know not what Mistake not him that onely studies how VVith most aduantage still to honour you Alas what ioyes I euer did receiue From fortune's buried in Parthenia's graue VVith whom ere long nor are my hopes in vaine I hope to meet and neuer part againe So said with more then Eagle winged hast She flew into his bosome and embrac'd And her clos'd armes his sorrow-wasted wast Surcharg'd with ioy she wept not hauing power To speake Haue you beheld an Aprill shower Send downe her hasty bubbles and then stops Then storms afresh through whose transparent drops The vnobscurâ—…d lampâ—… of heauen conuaies The brighâ—…er glory oâ—…'s refulgent rayes Euen so within her blushing checks resided A mixt aâ—…pect 'twixt smiles and teares diuided So euen diuided no man could say whether She wept or 〈◊〉 she smil'd and wept together She held him fast and like a fainting louer Whose passion now had license to discouer Some words Since then thy heart is not for me Take take thy owne Parthenia said she Cheare vp my Argalus these words of mine Ate thy Parthenia's as Parthenia's thine Beleeue it Loue these are no false alarmes Thou hast thine owne Parthenia in thine armes Like as a man whose hourely wants implore Each meales reliefe trudging from doore to doore That heares no dialect from churlish lippes But newes of Beadles and their torâ—…uring whips Takes vp perchance some vnexpected treasure New lost departs and ioyfull beyond measure Iâ—… so transported that he scarce beleeuâ—…s So greaâ—… a truth and what his eye perceiues Not daring trust but feares it is some vision Or 〈◊〉 dreâ—…me deseruing but derision So Argalusâ—…mazed â—…mazed at the newes Fâ—…ine woâ—…ld beleeue but daâ—…ing not abuse His easie saith too soone for feare his heart Should sâ—…rfeit on concâ—…it he did impart The truth vnto his fancie by degrees VVhere stopp'd by passion falling on his knees He thus began O â—…ou eternall powers That haue the guidance of these soules of ours Who by your iust prerogatiâ—…e can doe What is a sin for man to diue into Whose vndiscouer'd actions are too high For thought too deepe for man â—…'enquier why Delude not these mine eyes with the false show Of such a ioy as I must neuer know But in a dreame Or if a dreame it be O let me neuer wake againe to see My selfe deceiu'd that am ordain'd t' enioy A reall griefe and but a dreaming ioy Much more he spake to this â—…ffect which ended He blest himselfe and with a sigh vnbended His aking knees and rising from the ground Hâ—… câ—…st his rolling eyes about and found Tâ—…e roome auoyded and himsâ—…lfe alone The doore halfe clos'd and his Parthenia gone His new distemper'd passion grew extreame I knew I knew said he 't was but a dreame A minutes ioy a flash a flattering bubble Blowne by the fancy full of pleasing trouble Which waking breakes and empties into ayre And breathes into my soule a fresh despaire I knew 't was nothing but a golden dreame Which waking makes my wants the more extreame I knew 't was nothing but a dreaming ioy A blisse which waking I should ne're enioy My deare Parthâ—…nia tell me where O where Art thou that so 〈◊〉 ' st mine â—…ye mine eare O that my wak'ned fancy had the might To represent vnto my reall sight What my deceiued eyes beheld that I Might surfeit with excesse of ioy â—…nd die With that the faire Parthenia whose desire Was all this while by fire to draw out firâ—… And by a well aduised course to smother The sâ—…ry of one passion with another Stept in and said Then Argalus take thou Thy true Parthenia Thou dream'st not now Behold this Ring whose Motto does impart The constancy of our diuided heart Behold these eyes that for thy sake haue vented A world of teares vnpittied vnlamented Behold the face that had of late the power To curse all beauty yet it selfe secure Witnesse that Tapour whose prophetick snuffe VVas outed and reâ—…iued with one puffe And that my words may whet thy dull beliefâ—… 'T was I that roard beneath the scourge of griefe VVhen thou did'st curse the Darknesse for concealing My face and then the Tâ—…pour â—…or revealing So â—…oule a face 'T was I that ouercome VVith violent despaire stood deafe and dumbe To all thy vrg'd perswasions It was I That in thy absence did resolue to die A wandring pilgrime trusting to be led By fortune to my death and therefore fled But see the powers aboue can worke their ends In spight of mortals and what man intends The heauens dispose and order the euent For when my thoughts were desperately bent To mine owne ruine I was led by fate Through dangers now too tedious to relate To faire Queene Hellens court not knowing whither My vnaduised steps were guided Thither My Genius brought me where vnknowne to any I mournd in silence though obseru'd by many Relieu'd by none At length they did acquaint The faire Queene Hâ—…llen with my strange complaint Whose noble heart did truly sympathize With mine partaking in my miseries Who fill'd with pitty strongly did importune The wofull cause of my disastrous fortune And neuer rested till she did inforce These lips t' acquaint her with the whole discourse VVhich done her gratious pleasure did command Her owne Physitian to whose skilfull hand She left my foule disease who in the space Of twice ten dayes restor'd me to this face The cure perfected straight she sent about Without my knowledge to enquier out That party for whose sake I was contented T' endure such griefe with patience vnrepented Hoping since by her meanes and help of Art My face was cur'd euen so to cure my heart But when the welcome messenger return'd Thy place of boad ô how my spirits burnd To kâ—…sse her hands and so to leaue the Court But she whose fauours did transcend report As much as they exceeded my desert Detain'd me for a while as loath to part VVith her poore handmaid till at last perpending A louers haste and freely apprehending So iust a cause of speed she soone befriended My best desiers and sent me thus attended VVhere vnder a false maske I laid this plot To
ARGALVS and PARTHENIA The Argument of ye History Written by Fra Quarles Lusit Anacreon London Printed for Iohn Marriott in S Dunston's Church-yard fleet street 1629. Tho Cecill sculp The minde of the Frontspiece Reader behinde this silken Frontspiece lyes The Argument of our Booke which to your eyes Our Muse for serious causes and best knowne Vnto her selfe commands should be vnshowne And therefore to that end she hath thought fit To draw this Curtaine t'wixt your eye and it TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE HENRY LORD RICH OF KENSINGTON EARLE OF HOLLAND CAPTAINE OF HIS M aties GVARD AND GENTLEMAN OF THE BED-CHAMBER CHANCELLOR OF THE VNIVERSITIE OF CAMBRIDGE KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER ONE OF HIS MAIESTIES MOST HONORABLE PRIVIE COVNSEL AND GREAT EXAMPLE OF TRVE HONOVR AND CHIVALRY FRA QVARLES PRESENTS AND DEDICATES HIS ARG ALVS AND PARTHENIA To the Reader Reader I Present thee here with a history of Argalus and Parthenia the fruits of broken houres I was a Sience taken out of the Oâ—…chard of Sir Philip Sydney of pretious memory which I haue lately 〈◊〉 vpon a Crab-stocke in mine owne It hath brought â—…orth many leaues and promises pleasing fruiâ—… if mâ—…leuolent eyes blast it not in the bud This Booke differs from my former as a Courtier from a Churchman But if any thinke it vnâ—… for one to play both parts I haue presidents for it And lâ—…t such know that I haue taken but one play-day in sixe Howeuer I should beshrew that hand that binds them all together to make one Volume In this Dâ—…scourse I haue not affectâ—…d to set thy vâ—…derstanding on the Rack by the tyranny of strong lines which as they fabulously report of China dishes are mâ—…de for the third Generation to make vse of and are the meere itch of wit vnder the colour oâ—… which many haue ventured trustiâ—…g to the Oeâ—…ipean conceit of their ingenious Reader to write non-sense and felloniously father the creaâ—…ed expositions of other men not vnlike some painters who first make the picture then from the opinion of better iudgements conclude whom it resembles These lines â—…re strong enough for my purpose If not for thine yet reade them and your vnderstandings may bee magnified by their weaknesse Reader thou sh lâ—… in the progresse of this Story meet with a 〈◊〉 Sâ—…licisme which is this Demagoras his so fâ—…ule a deed â—…ted vpon the faire Parthenia is fully expâ—…st and yet the reuenge thereof pâ—…st ouer in silence wherein as I conceiue I haue not dealt vniustly When Prometheus stole fire from heauen to animate and quicken his artificiall bodies the seuerer Gods for punishment of so high a Sacriledge strucke him not dâ—…ad with a sudden Thunderbolt but to be more deeply auenged lâ—…t him liue to be tormented with Vulters continually gâ—…awing on his Liuor The sâ—…me kind of torture had Ixion so had Sisyphus so had Tantalus Did then Demagoras fault equall if not exceed theirs and should his punishment be lâ—…sse Hâ—…d my pen deliuered him dead into your hands what could ye hâ—…ue had more His accursed memory had soone roâ—…ted with his bâ—…ser name and there had beene an end of him In which respect I haue suffered him to liue that he might stand like a lack-a-Lent or a Shrouing Cocke for eueâ—…y one to spend a Cudgell at to the woâ—…lds end Ladies for in yoâ—…r 〈◊〉 lâ—…ps I know this booke will choose to lye which being farre fetched if the Stationer be wise will be most fit for you my suit is that you would be pleased to giue the faire Parthenia your noble â—…ntertainment She hath crost the Seas â—…or your acquaintance and is come to liue and dye with you to whose gentle hands I recommend her and kisse them FR QV. Dublin this 4. of March 1628. ARGALVS AND PARTHENIA The first Booke WIthin the limits of th' Arcadian land Whose gratefull bounty hath inricht the hand Of many a Shepherd swaine whose rurall Art Vntaught to gloze or with a double heart To vow dissembled loue did build to Fame Eternall Trophies of a pastorall name That sweet Arcadia which in antique dayes Was wont to warble out her well-tun'd layes To all the world and with her oaten Reede Did sing her loue whilst her proud flocks did feed Arcadia whose deserts did claime to be As great a sharer in the Daphnean tree As his whose louder Aenead proudly sings Heroick conquests of victorious Kings There if th'exuberance of a word may swell So high that Angels may be said to dwell There dwelt that Virgin that Arcadian glory Whose rare composure did abstract the story Of true perfection modellizing forth The â—…eight of beauty and admired worth Hâ—…r name Parthenia whose vnnam'd descent Can serue but as a needlesse complement To gild pâ—…rfection She shall boast alone What bounteous Art and Nature makes her owne Her Mother was a Lady whom deepe age More fi l'd with honour then diseases sâ—…ge A modest Matron strict reseru'd austere Spâ—…ring in spâ—…ch buâ—… liberall of her eare Fiâ—…rce to her foâ—…s and violent where she l kes Wedded to what her owne opinion strikes Frâ—…quent quent in almes and charitable deeds Of mighty spirit constant to her beads Wisely suspitious but what need we other Then this she was the rare Parthenia's mother That rare Parthenia in whose heauenly eye Sits maiden-mildnesse mixt with Maiesty Whose secret power hath a double skill By frownes or smiles to make aliue or kill Her cheeks are like two bancks of fairest flowers Inricht with sweetnesse from the twilight showers Whereon those iarres which were so often bred Composed were betwixt the white and red Her haire raught downe beneath her yuory knees As if that Nature to so rare a piece Hâ—…d meant a shadow labouring to show Aâ—…d boast the vtmost that her hand could doe Like smâ—…llest flaxe appeaâ—…'d her Nymph like haire But only flâ—…xe was not so small so faire H r lips like Rubies and you 'd thinke within In stead of teeth that orient Pearles had bin The whitenâ—…sse of her dainty nâ—…ck you know If euer you behold the new-salne Snow Her Swan-like brests were like two little Spheares Wherein each a zure line in view appeares Which were they obuious but to euery eye All liberall Arts would turne Astronomie Her slâ—…nder wast her lilly hands her armes I dare not 〈◊〉 to view because all charmes Forbidden are My bashfull Muse descends No lower sleppe Heâ—…e her Commission ends And by another vertue doth enioyne My pen to treate perfection more diuine The chast Diana and her Virgin-crew Was but a Type of one that should ensue In after ages which we find exprest And here fulfill'd in chasts Parthenia's brest True vertue was the obiect of her will She could no ill because she knew no ill Her thoughts were noble and her words not lauish Yet free but wisely waigh'd more apt to rauish Then to entice lesse beautify'd with art Then naturall sweetn sse In her gentle heart Iudgement
Yet Fame and honour hath selected one From that illustrious crew and him alone Haue recommended to my carefull quill Forbidding that his honour shoâ—…ld lye still Among the rest whom fortune and his spirit That day had crowned with a victors merit His name was Argalus In Cyprus borne And if what is not ours may adorne Our proper fortunes his blood royall springs From th' ancient stocke of the great Cyprian Kings His outside had enough to satisfie The expectation of a curious eye Nature was too too prodigall of her beauty To make him halfe so faire whom Fame and duty He ought to Honour calâ—…'d so often forth T' approue the exc'lence of his manly worth His minde was richly furnisht with the treasure Of morall knowledge in so liberall measure Not to be proud So valiant and so strong Of noble courage not to dare a wrong Friendly to all men inward but with few Fast to his old friends and vnapt for new Lord of his word and master of his passion Serious in buisnesse choyce in recreation Not too mistrustfull and yet wisely wary Hard to resolue and then as hard to vary And to conclude the world could hardly finde So rare a body with so rare a minde Thrice had the bright surueyour of the heauen Diuided out the dayes and nights by euen And equall houres since this child of fame Inuited by the glory of her name First view'd Partheniaes face whose mutuall eye Shot equall flames and with the secret tie Of vndisclos'd affection ioyn'd together Their yeelding hearts their loues vnknown to either Both dearly lou'd the more they stroue to hide Their loue affection they the more descride It lyes beyond the power of art to smother Affection where one vertue finds another One was their thoughts and their desires one And yet both lou'd vnknowne beloued vnknowne One was the Dart that at the selfe same time Was sent that wounded her that wounded him Both hop'd both fear'd alike both ioy'd both grieu'd Yet where they both could helpe was none relieu'd Two lou'd and two beloued were yet none But two in all and yet that all but one By this time had their barren lippes betraid Their timorous silence now they had displaid Loues sanguine colours whilst the winged Child Sate in a tree and clapt his hands and smil'd To see the combat of two wounded friends He strikes and wounds himselfe while she defends That would be wounded for hâ—…r paine proceeds And flowes from his and from his wound she bleeds She playes at him and ayming at his breast Pierc'd her owne heart and when his hand addrest The blow to her faire bosome there it found His owne deare heart and gaue that heart the wound At length both conquer'd and yet both did yeeld Both lost the day and yet both wan the field And as the warfare of their tongues did cease Their lips gaue earnest of a ioyfull peace But ô the hideous chances that attend A louers progresse to his iournies end How many desp'rate rubs and dangers waite Each minute on his miserable state His hopes doe build what straight his feares destroy Sometimes he surfeits with excesse of ioy Sometimes despairing ere to find reliefe He roares beneath the tyranny of griefe And when loues current runnes with greatest force Some obuious mischiefe still disturbes the course For loe no sooner the discouerd flame Of these new parted louers did proclaime Loues sacred Iubilé but the Virgins Mother The posture of whose visage did discouer Some serious matter harb'ring in her brest Enters the roome Halfe angry halfe in iest Shee thus began My dearest child this night When as the silent darknesse did inuite Mine eyes to slumber sundry thoughts possest My troubled minde and robb'd me of my rest I slept not till the early bugle horne Of Chauntiâ—…lere had summon'd in the Morne T' attend the Light and nurse the new-borne Day At last when Morpheus with his leaden key Had lockt my senses and enlarg'd the power Of my heauen guided fancy for an houre I slumbred and before my slumbring eyes One and the selfesame dreame presented thrice I wak'd and being frighted at the vision Perceiu'd the Gods had made an appâ—…ition My dreame was this Me thought I saw thee sitting Drest like a princely Bride with robes befitting The state of Maiesty thy Nymph-like haire Loosely dissheuel'd and thy browes did beare A Cypresse wreath and thrice three months expir'd Thy pregnant wombe grew heauy and required Lucina's aid with that me thought I saw A teame of harnest Peacocks fiercely draw A siery Chariot from the flitting sky Wherein there sate the glorious Maiesty Of great Saturnia on whose traine attended An hoast of Goddesses Iuno descended From out the flaming Chariot and blest Thy painfull wombe Thy paines a while encreast At length she laid her gentle palmes vpon Thy fruitfull flanke and there was borne a son She made thee mother of a smiling boy And after blest thee with a mothers ioy She kist the Babe whose fortune she foresold For on his head she set a Crowne of Gold Forthwith as if the heauens had clouen in sunder Me thoughts I heard the horrid noise of thunder The raine pour'd downe and yet the skie was cleare And euery drop that lighted did appeare As orient pearle mixt with refined gold VVbereat the goddesse turn'd and said Behold Great Iâ—…ue hath sent a gift goe forth and tak 't Thus hauing spoke she vanisht and I wak't I wak'â—… and waking trembled for I knew They were no idle passages that grew From my distemperd thoughts t was not a vaine Delusion rouing from a troubled braine It was a vision and the gods forespake Parthenia's fortune Gods cannot mistake I lik'd the dreame wherein the gods foretold Thy ioyfull mariage and the shower of gold Betokened wealth The Infants golden Crowne Ensuing honour Iuno's comming downe A safe deliuerance and the smiling Boy Summ'd vp the totall of a mothers ioy But what the wreath of Cypresse that was set Vpon thy nuptiall browes presag'd as yet The gods keepe from me if that secret doc Portend an euill heauen keepe it from thee too Aduise Parthenia Seeke not to withstand The plot wherein the Gods vouchsafe a hand Submit thy will to theirs what they enioyâ—…e Must be nor lyes it in my power or thine To contradict Endeauor to fulfill What else must come to passe against thy will Now by the filâ—…all all duty thou dost beare The gods and me or if ought else more deare Can force obedience as thou hop'st to speed At the gods hands in greatest time of need By heauen by hell by all the powers aboue I here coniure Parthenia to remoue All sond conceits that labour to disioyne What heauen hath knit Demâ—…goras's heart and 〈◊〉 The gods are faithfull and their wisedomes know What 's better for vs mortalls then we doe Doubt not my child the gods cannot deceiue What heauen does offer feare not to receiue With thankfull hands Passe
vnregarded ruine lyes With deaths vntimely image in her eyes She she whom hopeful thoughts had newly crownd With promis'd ioyes lyes groueling on the ground Her weary hand sustaine her drooping head Too soft a pillow for so hard a bed Her eyes swolne vp as loath to see the light That would discouer so forlorne a sight The flaxen wealth of her neglected haires Stick'â—… fast to her pale cheelâ—…s with dried teares And at first blush she seemes as if it were Some curious statue on a Sepulchre Sometimes her brinie lips would whisper thus My Argalus my dearest Argalus And then they clos'd againe as if the one Had kist the other for that seruice done In naming Argalus sometimes opprest With a deepe sigh she gaue her panting brest A sudden stroke and after that another Crying Hard fortune O hard hearted mother And sicke with her owne thoughts her passion stroue Betwixt the two extreames of griefe and loue The more she grieu'd the more her loue abounded The more she lou'd the more her heart was wounded With desperate griefe at length the tyrannous force Of loue and griefe sent forth this selfe dâ—…scourse How art thou chang'd Parthenia how hath passion Put all thy thoughts and senses out of fashion Exil'd thy little iudgement and betray'd thee To thine owne selfe How nothing hath it made thee How is thy weather beaten soule opprest With stormes and tempests blowne from the Northeast Of cold despaire which long ere this had found Eternall rest had bin orewhelm'd and drown'd In the deepe gulfe of all my miseries Had I not pumpt this water from mine eyes My Argalus ô where ô where art thou Thou little think'st thy poore Parthenia now Is tortur'd for thy sake alas deare heart Thou know'st not the insufferable smart I vndergoe for thee Thou dost not keepe A Register of those sad teares I weepe No no thou dost not Well well from henceforth Fortune doe not spare To doe the worst thy Agent Mischiefe dare Deuise new torments or repeat the old Vntill thou burst or I complaine Be bold As bitter I disdaine thy rage thy power Who 's leuell'd with the earth can fall no lower Doe spit thy venome forth and temper all Thy studied actions with the spirit of gall Thy practis'd malice can no euill deuise Too hard for Argalus to exercise His loue shall sweeten death and make a torture My sportfull pastime to make houres shorter His loue shall fill my heart and leaâ—…e no roome Wherein your rage may practise martyrdoome But ere that word could vshâ—…r out another The tender Viâ—…gins marble hearted mother Enters the Chamber with a chang'd aspect Beholds Partheniâ—… with a new respect Salutes her child and hauing clos'd the doore Her helpfull arme remoues her from the â—…loore Whereon she lay and being set together In gentle termes she thus did commune with her Peruerse Partheniâ—… Is thy heart so sworne To Aâ—…galus his loue that it must sâ—…orne Demagoras Are your soules conioyn'd so close That my entâ—…eaty may not enterpose If so what helpe yet let a mothers care Be not conteâ—…n'd that bids her child beware The sickle that 's too early cannot reape A fruitfull Haruest Looke before you leape Adiourne your thoughts and make a wise delay You cannot measure vertue in a day Vertues appeare but vices baulke the light T is hard to read a vice at the first sight False are those ioyes that are not mixt with doubt Fire easely kindled will not easely out Diuide that loue which thou bestowst on one Twixt two try both then take the best or none Consult with time for time bewrayes discouers The faith the loue the constancy of louers Acts done in hast by leasure are repented And things soone past are oft too late lamented With thaâ—… Parthenia rising from her place And bowing with incomparable grace Mâ—…de â—…his reply Madam each seuerall day Since first you gaue this body being may Write a large volume of your tender care Whose hourely goodnesse if it should compare With my deserts alas the world would show Too great a summe for one poore heart to owe I must confesse my heart is not so sworne To Argalus his merit as to scorne Dâ—…magoras nor yet so loosely tyed That I can slip the knot and so diuide Entire affection which must not be seuer'd Nor euer can be but in vaine endeuour'd My heart is one and by one power guided One is no number cannot be diuided And Cupids learned schoolemen haue resolu'd That loue diuided is but loue dissolu'd But yet what plighted faith and honour may Not now vndoe your counsell shall delay Madam Partheniaes hand is not so greedy To reape her corne before her corne he ready Her vnaduised sickle shall not thrust Into her hopefull Harâ—…est ere needs must To yours Pâ—…rthenia shall submit her skill Whose season shall be season'd by your will Her time of haruest shall admit no measure But onely what 's proportion'd by your pleasure Sâ—… ended she But till that darknesse got The mastry of the light they parted not The mother pleads for the Laconian Lord The daughter whose impatience had abhort'd His very name had not her mother spok't Sâ—…e plâ—…ads her vow which cannot be reuokt Yâ—…t stâ—…ll the mother pleads and does omit No way vntryed that a hard hearted wit Knowes to deuise perswades allures entreats Mingles his words with smiles with tears w th threats Commands coniâ—…es tries one way tryes another Does thâ—…tmost that a marble brested mother Can doe and yet the more she did apply The morâ—… she taught Parthenia to deny The more she did assâ—…ult the more contend The more she taught the virgin to defend At last despairing for her words did finde More ease to moue a mountaine then her minde She spâ—…ke no more but from her chaire she started And spit these words Goe peeuish Girle and parted Away she flings and finding no successe In her lost words her fury did addresse Her raging thoughts to a new studied plot Actions must now enforce what words could not Treason is in her thoughts Her furious breath Can whisper now no language vnder death Poore Argalus must dye and his remoue Must make the passage to Demagoras loue And till that barre be broken or put by No hope to speed Poore Argalus must dye Demagoras is call'd to counsell now Consults consents and after mutuall vow Râ—…soluing on the act they both conspire Which way to execute their close desiâ—…e Dâ—…awing his keene Seeletto from his side Madam said he This medicine well applide To Argâ—…lus his boâ—…ome will giue rest To him and me the sudden way is best My Lord 〈◊〉 she your trembling hand may misse The marke and then your selfe in danger is Of outcry or perchance his owne resistance Attempts are dangerous at so small a distance A drugg's the better weapon which does breathe Deaths secret errand carries sudden death Clos'd vp in sweetnesse Come a drugge strikes sure And works our ends
and yet we sleepe secure My Lord bethinke no other Set your rest Vpon these Câ—…rds The surest way is best Leaue me to manage our successfull plot And if these studious browes contriue it not Too sure for art of Mâ—…gicke to preuent Ne're trust a womans wit wâ—…en fully bent To take reuenge Begone my Lord repose The trust in me Onely be wise be close That night when as the vniuersall shâ—…de Of the vnspangled heauen and earth had made An vâ—…ter darknesse darknesse apt to further The horrid enterprise of rapes and mâ—…her She she that now lacks nothing to procuâ—…e A full reuenge she calls Athleia to her Partheniaes handmaid whom shâ—… thus â—…espake Athleia dare thy priuate thoughts partake With mine Canst thou be secret Has thy heart A locke that none can pick by theevish art Or brake by force Tell me Canst thou digest A secret trusted to thy faithfull brest Madam said shâ—… Lâ—…t me bee neuer true To my owne thoughts if euer false to you Speake what you please Athleia shall conceale Torments may make me roare but ne're reâ—…eale Replyde the Lady then Athleia knows How much how much my deare affection owes Partheniaes heart whose welfare is the crowne Of all my ioyes which now is ouerthrowne And deeply buried in forgotten dust If thou betray the secret of my trust It lyeth in thy power to remoue Approaching euills Parthenia is in loue Her wasted spirits languish in her brest And nought but look'd for death can giue her rest T is Argalus she loues who with disdaine Requites her loue not louing her againe He sleights her teares The more that he neglects The more entirely she poore soule affects She groanes beneath the burden of despaire And with her sighes she cloyes the idle ayre Thou art acquainted with her priuate teares And you so oft exchanging tongues and eares Must know too much for one poore heart t' endure But desperate's the wound admits no Cure It lies in thee to helpe Athleia say Wilt thou assist me if I find the way Madam my forced ignorance shall be Sufficient earnest of my secresie Your lips haue vtter'd nothing that is new To Athleias eares Alas it is too true Long long ere this your seruant had reueal'd The same to you bad not my lips biâ—… seal'd But if my best endeauors may extend To bring my Mistresse sorrowes to an end Let all the enraged Dâ—…ties aâ—…ot To me worse torment if I doe it not My life 's too poore to hazard for her ease Madam I le doâ—… Command me what you please So said The treacherous Lady steps aside Inâ—…o her serious closeâ—… and applide Her hasty and perfidious hands to frame This foâ—…ged letter in Partheniaes name Constant Parthenia to her faithfull Argalus ALthough the malice of a mother Does yet enforce my tongue to smother What my desire is should flame yet Parthenia is the same Although my fire be hid a while T is but fire slak'd with oyle Before seuen Suns shall rise and fall It shall burne and blaze withall What I send thee drinke with speed Else let my Argalus take heed Vnlesse thy prouidence withstand there is treason ne're at hand Drinke as thou lou'st me and it shall secure thee From future dangers or from past recure thee This done and seal'd she op'd her priâ—…te doore Call'd in Athleia and said For euery sore The gods prouide a salue Force must preuaile Where sighes and teares and deepe entreaties faile Forthwith from out her Cabinet she tooke A little glasse and said Athleia looke Within these slender walls these glazed lists Partheâ—…aes happinesse and life consists It is Nepenthe which the factious gods Doe vse to drinke when ere they be at ods Whose secret vertue so infus'd by loue Does turne deep hatred into dearest loue It makes the proudest louer whine and baule And such to dote as neuer lou'd at all Here take this glasse and recommend the same To Aâ—…galus in his Pâ—…theniaes name And to his hand to his owne hand commit This letter Betweene Aâ—…galus and it Let no eye come Be sure thy speeâ—… preuent The rising Sun and so heauens crowne th' euent By this the feather'd Bellman of the night Sent forth his midnight summons to inuiâ—…e All eyes to slâ—…mber when they both addrest Their thoughtfull minds to take a doubtfull rest O heauens and you O you celestiall powers That neuer slumber but imploy all houres In mans prorection still preseruing keeping Our soules from obuious dangers waking sleeping O can your all-descerning eyes behold Such impious actions prosper vncontroll'd O can your hearts your tender hearts endure To see your seruant that now sleepes secure Vnarm'd vnwarn'd and hauing no defence But your protection and his innocence Betray'd and murther'd drawing at one breath His owne prepar'd destruction his owne death And will ye 〈◊〉 He that is the crowne Of prized vertue honour and renowne The flowre of Arts the Cyprian liuing story Arcadias Girland and great Graeces glory The earths new wonder and the worlds example Must dye betraid Treason and death must trample Vpon his life and in the dust must lye As much admit'd perfection as can dye No Argalus the coward hand of death Durst ne're assault thee if not vnderneath The Maske of loue Thou art aboue the reach Of open wrongs Mans force could ne're make breach Into thy life no Death could ne're vncase Thy soule had she appeared face to face Dreame Argalus and let thy thoughts be troubled With murthers treasons Let thy dreams be doubled And what thy frighted fancy shall perceiue Be wisely superstitious and beleeue O that my lines could wake thee now and seuer Those eyelids that ere long must sleepe for euer Wake now or neuer Argalus and withstand Thy danger Wake the murtheresse is at hand Parthenia oh Parthenia who shall weepe Thy world of teares Canst thou O canst thou sleep Will thy dull Genius giue thee leaue to slumber Does nothing trouble thee no dreame incumber Thy frighted thoughts and Argalus so neere His latest houre Not one dreaming teare Sleepe on and when thy flattring slumber's past Perchance thine eyes will learne to weepe as fast His death is plotted And this morning light Must send him downe into eternall night Nay what is worse then worst His dying breath Will censure thee as Agent in his death By this the broadfac'd Quirister of night Surceas'd her screeching note and tooke her flight To the next neighbring Ivy Brids and beasts Forsake the warme protection of their nests And nightly 〈◊〉 whilst darknesse did display Her sable curtaines to let in the day When sad Athleia's dreame had vnbenighted Her slumbring eies her busie thoughts were frighted She rose and trembled and being halfe distraught With her prophetick feares she thus bethought What ayle the Gods thus to disturbe my rest And make such earthquakes in my troubled brest Nothing but death and murthers Graues and Bells Frighting my fancy with their hourely knells T was
be That is more rich in beauties wealth then she Cheare vp The soueraignty of thy worth enfranches Thy captiâ—…e beautâ—… and thy vertue blanches These staines of fortune Come it matters not What others thinke a letter 's but a blot To such as cannot reade but who haue skill Can know the faire impression of a Quill From grosse and heedlâ—…sse blurres and such can thinke No paper foule that 's fairely writ with â—…nke VVhat others hold a blemish in thy face My skilfull eyes reade Characters of grace VVhat hinders then but that without delay Triumph may celebrate our nuptiall day She that hath onely vertue to her guide Though wanting beautie is the fairest Bride A Bride said she such Brides as I can haue No fitter bridall Chamber then a Graâ—…e Death is my bridegroome and to welcome Death My loyall heart shall plight a second faith And when that day shall come that â—…oyfull day Wherein transcendent pleasures shall allay The heat of all my sorrowes and conioyne My palefac'd Bridegrooms lingring hand with mine These Ceremonies and these Triumphs shall Attend the day to grace that Day with all Time with his empty Howreglasse shall lead The Triumph on His winged hoofes shall tread Slow paces After him there shall ensue The chast Diana with her Virgin crew All crown'd with Cypresse girlands After whom In ranke th' impartiall Destinies shall come Then in a sable Chariot faintly drawne With harnast Virgins vail'd with purest lawne The Bride shall sit Despaire and Griefe shall stand Like heartlesse bridemâ—…ids vpon either hand Vpon the Chariot top there shall be plac'd The little winged god with arme vnbrac'd And bow vnbent his drooping wings must hide His naked knees his Qâ—…iuer by his side Must be vnarm'd and either hand must hold A bannâ—…r where with Charâ—…cters of gold Shall be decipher'd fit for euery eye To read that runs Faith Loue and Constancy Next after Hope in a discoloured weed Shall sadly march alone A slender reed Shall guide her feeble steps and in her hand A broken Anchor all besmear'd with sand And after all the Bridegroome shall appeare Like Ioues Lieuâ—…enant and bring vp the Reare He shall be mounted on a Coaâ—…e-black steed His hand shall hold a Dart on which shall bleed A pierced heart wherein a former wound Which Cupids lauelin entred shall be found When as these Triumphes shall adorne our feast Let Argalus be my inuited guest And let him bid me nuptiall Ioy from whom I once expected all my ioyes should come With that as if his count'nance had thought good To weare Death's colours or as if his blood Had beene imployed to condole the smart And tormâ—…nt of his poore afflicted heart He thus bespake Vnhappiest of all men Why doe I liue Is Death my Riuall then Vnequall chance Had it bin flesh and blood I could â—…aue grapled and perchance withstood Some stout encounters Had an armed host Of mort all riualls ventur'd to haue crost My blest desires my Partheniaes eye Had giuen me power to make that army fly Like frighted Lambs before the Wolfe But thou Before whose presence all must stoope and bow Their seruile necks what weapon shall I hold Against thy hand that will not be controll'd Great enemie whose kingdome 's in the dust And darkesome Caues I know that thou art iust Else had the gods ne're trusted to thy hand So great a priuiledge so large command And iurisdiction o're the liues of men To kill or saue euen whom thou please and when O suffer not Partheniaes tempting teares To moue thy heart Let thy hard hearted eares Be deafe to all her suits If she professâ—… Affection to thee beleeue nothing lesse She 's my betrothed spouse and Hymens bands Haue firmely ioyn'd our hearts though not our hands Where plighted faith and sacro-sanctius vowe Hath giuen possession dispossesse not thou Be iust and though her briny lips bewaile Her griese with teares let not those teares preuaile Whom heauens haue ioyn'd thy hands may not disioyne I am 〈◊〉 and Partheniaes mine Alas we are but one Then thou must either Refuse vs both or else take both together My deare Parthenia let no cloudy passion Of dull despaire molest thee or vnfashion Thy better thoughts to make thy troubled mind Either forgetfull or thy selfe vnkind Starue not my pining hopes with longer stay My loue hath wings and brookes no long delay It houers vp and downe and cannot rest Vntill it light and perch vpon thy brest Torment not him within these lingring fires That 's rackâ—… already on his owne desires Seale and deliuer as thy deed that band Whereto thy promist faith hath set her hand And what our plighted hearts and mutuall vew Haue so long since begun O finish now That our imperfect and halfe pleasures may Receiue perfection by a mariage day Whâ—…reto she thus Had the pleas'd God aboue Forgiuen my faults and made me fit for Ioue To blesse at large Had all the powers of heauen To boast the vtmost of their bounty giuen As great addition to my slender fortune As they could giue or couetous mind importune I vow to heauen and all those heauenly powers They should no sooner beene made mine but yours Nay had my fortunes staid but at the rate They were had I remained in that state I was although at best vnworthy farre Of such a peeâ—…lesse lesse blessing as you are My deare acceptance should haue fill'd my heart As full of ioyes as now it is of smart But as I am let angry Ioue then vent On me his plagues till all his plagues be spent And when I roare let heauen my paines derâ—…de When I match Argilus to such a Bride Liue happy Aâ—…galus let thy soule receiue What blessings poore Parthenia cannot haue Liue happy May thy ioyes be neuer done But let one blessing araw another on O may thy better Angell watch and ward Thy soule and pitch an euerlasting guard About the portals of thy tender heart And showre downe blessings wheresoere thou art Let all thy ioyes be as the month of May And all thy dayes be as a mariage day Let sorrow sicknesse and a troubled minde Be strangers to thee Let them neuer finde Thy heart at home Let Fortune still alot Such lawlesse guests to those that loue thee not And let those blessings which shall wanting be To such as merit none alight on thee That mutuall faith betwixt vs that of late Hath past I giue thee freedome to translate Vpon the merits of some fitter spouse I giue thee leaue and freely quit thy vowes I call the gods to witnesse nothing shall More blesse my soule no comfort can befall More truely welcome to me then to see My Argalus what ere become of me So linckt in wedlocke as shall most augment His greater honour and his true content With that a sudden and tempestuous tyde Of teares orewhelm'd her language and denyde A passage but when passions flood was spent She thus proceeds You gods
if you are bent To act my Tragedy why doe you wrong Our patience so to make the play so long Your Sceanes are tedious Gainst the rules of Art You dwell too long too long vpon one part Be briefe and take aduantage of your odds One simple mayde against so many gods And not be conquer'd yet Conioyne your might And send her soule into eternall night That liues too long a day I le not resist Prouided you strike home strike where ye list Accursed be that Day wherein these eyes First saw the light Let desp'rate soules deuise A curse sufficient for it Let the Sun Ne're shine vpon it and what ere 's begun Vpon that fatall day let heauen forbid it Successe if not to ensnare the hand that did it Why was I borne Or being borne O why Did not my fonder nurses Lullaby Euen whilst my lips were hanging on her brest Sing her poore Babe to euerlasting rest O then my infant soule had neuer knowne This world of griefe beneath whose weight Igroane No no it had not He that dyes in 's prime Speeds a long businesse in a little time But Argalus whose more extreame desire Vnapt to yeeld like water-sprinkled fire Did blaze the more impatient of denyall Gaue thus an onset to a further tryall Life of my Soule By whom next heauen I breath Excepting whom I haue no friend but Death How can thy wishes ease my griefe or stand My miserie in stead when as thy hand And nothing but thy helping hand can giue me Reliefe and yet refuses to relieue me Strange kinde of Charity when being afflicted I finde best wishes yet am interdicted Of those best wishes and must be remou'd From loues enioyment why Because belou'd Alas alas How can thy wishes be A blessing to me if vnblest in thee Thy beauty 's gone thou saist why let it goe He loues but ill that loues but for a show Thy beauty is supply'd in my affection That neuer yet was slaue to a complexion Shall euery day wherein the earth does lacke The Suns reflex b'expell'd the Almanacke Or shall thy ouer-curious steps for beare A garden 'cause there be no Roses there Or shall the sunset of Parthenia's beauty Enforce my iâ—…dgement to neglect that duty The which my best aduis'd affection owes Her sacred vertue and my solemne vowes No no it lyes not in the power of Fate To make Parthenia too vnfortunate For Argalus to loue It is as easie for Parthenia's heart To proue lesse vertuous as for me to start From my firme faith The flame that honours breath Hath blowne nothing hath powre to quench but death Thou giu'st me leaue to chuse a fitter spouse And freedome to recall to quit those vowes I tooke VVho gaue thee license to dispense VVith such false tongues as offer violence To plighted faith Alas thou canst not free Thy selfe much lesse hast power to license me Vowes can admit no change They still perseuer Against all chance they binde they binde for euer A vow 's a holy thing no common breath The limits of a vow is heauen and death A vow that 's past is like a bird that 's flowne From out thy hand can be recall'd by none It dies not like a time beguiling Iâ—…st As soone as vented liues not in thy brest VVhen vtterd once but is a sacred word Straight enterd in the strict and close record Of heauen It is not like a Iuglers knot Or fast or loose as pleases vs or not since then thy vowes can finde no dispensation And may not be recall'd recall thy passion Performe performe what now it is too late T' vnwish againe too soone to violate Seeke not to quit what heauen denies to free Performe thy vowes to heauen thy vowes to me Thrice dearer then my soule she thus râ—…plide Mad my owne pamper'd fancy beene the guide To my affection I had condescended Ere this to your request which had befriended My best desiers too I lou'd not thee For my owne pleasure in that base degree As gluttons doe their diet who dispense With vnwash'd hands lest they should giue offence To their grip'd stomackes when a minutes stay Will make them curse occasion all the day I lou'd not so My first desires did spring From thy owne worth and as a sacred thing I alwaies view'd thee whom my zeale commands Me not prophane with these desiled hands T is true Performance is a debt we owe To Vowes and nothing's dearer then a Vow Yet when the gods doe rauish from our hand The meanes to keepe it ' â—…is a countermand He that hath vow'd to sacrifice each day At Iuno's Altar's bound and must obey But if being vnder vow the gods doe please To strike him with a leperous disease Or foule infection which is better now Prophane the Alâ—…ar or to breake the vow The case is mine where then the gods dispense We may be bold yet tender no offence Admit it were an euill 't is our beâ—…est Of necessary ills to choose the least The gods are good The strickt recognisance Of vowes is onely taken to aduance The good of man Now if that good proue ill We may refuse our vowes entire still I vow a mariage why because I doe Entirely affect that man my vowes are to But if some foule disease should interpose Betwixt our promis'd mariage and our vowes The strict performance of these vowes must proue I wrong and therefore loue not whom I loue Then vrge no more Let my deny all be A pledge sufficient twixt my loue and thee So ended slâ—…e 〈◊〉 vehement desire That câ—…n be quencht with No no more then fire With oyle and can submit to no condition Lends him new breath Loue makes a Rethoritian He speaks she answers He afresh replyes He stoutly sues As stoutly she denyes He begs in vaine and she denics in vainâ—… For she denies agaiâ—…e He begs againâ—… At last both weary â—…e his suite adiournes For louers dayes are good and bad by turnes He bids farewell As if the heart of either Gaue but one motion they both sigh'd together She bids farewel ' and yet she bids it so As if her farewell ended if he goe He bids farewel ' buâ—… so as if delay Had promis'd better farewells to his stay She bids farewell but holds his hand so fast As if that farewell should not be the last Both sigh'd both wept and both being heauy harted She bids farewell He bids farewell and parted So parted they Now Argalus is gone And now Parthenia's weeping all alone And like the widowed Turtle she bewailes The absence of her mate Passion preuailes Aboue her strength Now her poore heart can tell What 's heauen by wanting heauen and what is hell By her owne torments Sorrow now does play The Tyrants part Affection must obey And like a weathercocke her various minde Is chang'd and turn'd with euery blast of winde In desp'rate language she deplores her state She faine would wish but then she knowes not
suffused eyes The true partakers of her miseries And as she spake the accent of her story Would alwaies point vpon th' eternall glory Of your rare constancy which whosoere In after-ages shall presume to heare And not admire let him be proclaim'd Arebell to all vertue and defam'd In his best actions let his leprous name Or die dâ—…shonour'd or suruiue with shame But ah what simples can the hand of art Finde out to stanch a louers bleeding heart Or what alas can humane skill apply To turne the course of loues Phlebotomie Loue is a secret sire inspir'd and blowne By fate which wanting hopes to feed vpon Workes on 〈◊〉 very soule and does torment The vniuerse of man which being spent And wasted in the Conflict often shrinkes Beneath the burthen and soconquerd sinkes All which your poore Parthenia knew too well VVhose bed rid hopes not hauing power to quell Th' imperious fury of extreame despaire She languisht and not able to contraire The will of her victorious passion cryed My dearest Argalus farewell and dyed My Lord not long before her latest breath Had freely paid the full arrears to death She cald me to her In her dying hand She strained mine whilst in her eyes did stand A showre of teares vnwept and in mine eare She whisperd so as all the roome might heare Sister said she That title past betweene vs Not vndeseru'd for all that ere had scene vs Mistooke vs so at least The latâ—…st sand Of my spent 〈◊〉 is now at hand Those ioyes which heauen appointed out for me I here bequeath to be possest by thee And when sweet death shall clarifie my thoughts And draine them from the dregs of all my faults Enioy them thou wherewith being so refinde From all their drosse â—…ull fraught thy constant minde And let thy prosprous voyage be addrest To the faire port of Argalus his brest As whom the eye of noone did ne'er discouer So loyall so renownd so rare a louer Cast anchor there for by this dying breath Nothing can please my soule more after death And make my ioyes more perfect them to see A mariage twixt my Argalus and thee This Ring the pledge betwixt his heart and mine Aâ—… freely as he gaue me I make thine With it vnto thy faithfull heart I tender My sacred vowes with it I here surrender All right and title that I had or haue In such a blessing as I now must leaue Goe to him and coniure him in my name What loue he bare to me the very same That he transferre on thee take no deniall VVhich granted liue thou happy constant loy all And as she spake that word her voice did alter Her breath grew cold her specch began to faulter Faine would she vtter more but her spent tongue Not able to gos further faild and clung To ber dry roofe A while as in a trance She lay and on a sudden did aduance Her forced language to the height and cryed Farewell my dearest Argalus and died And now my Lord although this office be Vnsutable to my sex and disagree Tâ—…o much perchance with the too mean condition Of my estate more like to finde dirision Then satisfaction yet my gratious Lord Extr'ordinary merits doe afford Extr'ordinary meanes and can excuse The breach of custome or the common vse VVherefore inciteâ—… 〈◊〉 the deare directions Of dead Partherâ—… 〈◊〉 mine owne affections And by the exc'lence of your high desert I here present you with a faithfull heart A heart to you deuoted which assures It selfe no happinesse but in being yours Pardon my boldnesse They that shall reproue This as a fault reproue a fault in loue And why should custome doe our sex that wrong To take away the priuiledge of our tongue If nature giue vs freedome to affect Why then should custome barre vs to dâ—…tect The gifts of nature She that is in paine Hath a sufficient warrant to complaine Then giue me leaue my Lord to reinforce A virgins suit thinking ne're the worse Of proferd loue let my desiers thriue And freely ' accept what I so freely giue So ending silence did enlaâ—…ge her eare Prepar'd with qâ—…icke attention to heare His gracious words But Argalus whose passion Had put his amorous Courtship out of fashion Return'd no answer till his trickling eies Had giuen an earnest of such obsequies As his adiourned sorrow had entended To doe at full and therefore recommended To priuacy True griefe abhorres the light Who grieues without a witnesse grieues aright His passion thus suspended for a while And yet not so but that it did recoyle Strong sighes he wip'd his teare-bedewed eyâ—…s And turning to the Lady thus replyes Madam Your no lesse rare then noble fauours show How much you merit and how much I owe Your great desert which claimes more thankfulnesse Then such a dearth of language can expresse But most of all I stand for euer bound To that your goodnesse my Parthenia found In her distresse for which respect in duty As I am tyed poore Argalus shall repute ye The flowre of noble courtesie and proclaime Your high deseruings Lady as I am A poore vnhappy wretch the very scorne Of all prosperitie distrest forlorne Vnworthy the least fauour you can giue I am your flaue your Beadsman will I liue But for this weighty matter you propound Although I see how much it would redound To my great happinesse yet heauen knowes Most exc'llent Lady I cannot dispose Of my owne thoughts nor haue I power to doe What else you needed not perswade me to For trust me were this heart of mine mine owne To carue according to my pleasure none But you should challenge it but while I liue It is Parthenia's and not mine to giue Whereto she thus replies Most noble Sir Death that hath made diuorse 'twixt you and her Hath now returned you your heart againe Dissolu'd your vowes dislink'd that sacred chaine Which tide your soules nay more her dying breath Bequeath'd your heart to me which by her death Is growne a debt that you are bound to pay Then know my Lord the longer you delay The longer time her soule is dispossest And by your meanes of her desired rest Whereto the poore distressed Argalus Pausing a while return'd his answere thus Incomparable Lady When first of all by heauens diuine directions VVe lou'd we lik'd we linkt our deare affections And with the solemne power of an oath In presence of the better gods we both Exchang'd our hearts in witnesse of which thing I gaue and she receiued this deare Ring Which now you weare by which she did resigne Her heart to me for which I gaue her mine Now Maddam by a mutuall commerce My exchang'd heart is not my owne but hers Which if it had the power to suruiue She being dead what heart haue I to giue Or if that heart expired in her death VVhat heart had shee poore Lady to bequeath Maddam in her began my deare affection In her it liu'd in her
expecting crowd Haue throng'd the streets and â—…uery greedy eye Attends to see the Tryumph passing by At length the gates flew open And on this fashion Began the Tryumph first a Proclamation Was made with a loud voyce If any be Or Lord or Knight or whatsoere degree Professing armes or honour in the land That at this time can chalenge or pretend A tiâ—…le to Parthenia's heart or claime A right or interest in her loue or name Let him come forth in person or appeare By noble Proxy if not present here And by the excâ—…lent honour of a Knight He shall receiue such honourable right As the iust sword can giue Let him now come And speake or else for euermore be dumme Thrice was it read which done forthwith there came True honours Eaglewinged Herauld Fame Sounding a siluer Trump and as she past She shooke the earths foundation with her blast Next after whom in vndissemblâ—…d state The Bridegroome came on his right hand did wait The god of Warre in 〈◊〉 robes of greene All stain'd with bleeding hearts as they had â—…eene But newly wounded and from euery wound Fresh bloud due seeme to trickle on the ground And as the garments mooâ—…'d each dying heart Would seeme to pant a while and then depart Vpon the Bridegroomes left hand there attended Heauens Pursuâ—…uant whose brawny arme extended A winged Caduce He had scarce the might To curbe his feet his feet were wing'd for flight Aboue his head their hands did ioyntly hold A crimzon Canopie embost with gold Next them twice twenty famous Nobles follow'd Braue men at armes whose names the world had hallow'd For rare exploits and twice as many Knights Whose bloods haue â—…ansom'd and redeem'd the rights Of wronged Ladies These were all aray'd In robes of Needle worke so rarely made That he which sees them thinkes he doth behold Armours of steele saire filletted with gold And as they marcht their Squires did aduance Before each Knight his warlike Shield and Lance. And after these the Princely virgin Bride On whom all eyes were fastned did diuide Her gentle paces being led betweene Two Goddesses the one arai'd in greene On which the curious needle vndertooke To make a forest here a bubling brooke Diuides two thickets through the which doth flie The singled Deere before the deepe-mouth'd Crie That closely followes There th' affrighted Herd Stands trembling at the musicke and afeard Of euery shadow gazes to and fâ—…o Not knowing where to stay or where to goe Where in a Launskip you may see the Faunes Following their crying mothers o're the Lawnes The other was in robes the purer dye Whereof did represent the midday sky Full of black clouds through which the glorius beams Of the obscured Sun appeares and seemes As ' â—…were to scatter and at length to shed His brighter glory on a fruitfull bed Of noisome weeds from whence you might discerne A thousand painfull Bees extract and earne Their sweet prouision and with laden thighes To beare their waxy burthens On this wise The princely Bride was led betwixt these two The first was she that on Actâ—…ons brow Reueng'd her naked Chastity the other Was she to whom loues pregnant braine was mother Through Vulcans helpe and these did iointly hold Vpon her head a Coronet of gold Whose traine Dianas virgin crew all crown'd With golden wreathes supported from the ground Next after her vpon the triumph waited An order by Diana new created And styl'd the Ladies of the Maidenhead In white wrought here and there with spots of red And euery spot appeared as a staine Of louers blood whom their hard hearts had slaine Ranckt three and three and on each hâ—…ad a crowne Of Primeroses and Roses not yet blowne Next whom the beauties of th' Aâ—…dian Court March'd two and two whose glory came not short Of what th'vnlimited and studied art Of glory-vying Ladies could impart To such solemnities where euery one Stroue to excell and to b'excell'd of none Thus came they to the Temple where attended The sacred Priests whose voices recommended The dayes successe to heauen and did diuide A blessing ' â—…wixt the Bridegroome and the Bride Which done and after low obeysance made The first whilst all the rest kept silence said Welcome to Iuno's sacred Courts Draw neare Vnspotted Louers welcome Doe not feare To touch this holy ground Passe on secure Our gates stand open to such guests as you are Our gracious Goddesse grants you your desires And hath accepted of those holy fires We offered in your name and takes a pleasure To smell your Incense in so great a measure Of true delight that we are bold to say She crownes your vowes and smiles vpon this Day So said they bowed to the ground and blest Themselues that done they singled from the rest The noble Bridegroome and his princely Bride And said Our gracious goddesse be our guide As we are yours and as they spake that word Their well-tun'd voices sweetly did accord With Musick from the Altar As along They past they ioyntly warbled out this song THus in Pompe and Priestly pride To glorious Iuno's Altar goe we Thus to Iuno's Altar show we The noble Bridegroome and his Bride Let Iuno's hourely blessing send ye As much ioy as can attend ye May these louers neuer want True iores nor euer beg in vaine Their choice desiers but obtaine What they can wish or she can grant Let Iuno's hourely blessings send ye As much ioy as can attend yee From sacietie from strife Iealousies domesticke iars From those blowes that leaue no scars Iuno protect your mariage life Iuno's hourely blessings send yee As much ioy as can attend ye Thus to Hymens sacred bands We commend your chast deserts That as Iuno link'd your hearts He would please to ioyne your â—…ands And let both their blessings send ye As much ioy as can attend ye No sooner was this Nuptiall Caroll ended But bowing to the ground they recommended This princely paire both prostrate on the floore And with their hands presented them before The sacred Altar whereunto they brought Two milke white Turtles and with prayers be sought That Iuno's lasting fauours would descend And make their pleasures pleasures without end With that a horrid cracke of dreadfull thunder Possest each fainting heart with feare and wonder The rafters of the holy Temple shooke As if accuâ—…sed Archimagoes booke That cursed Legion had beene newly reaâ—… The ground did tremble and a mist ore-spread The daâ—…kned Altar At length deepe silence did possesse and fill The spatious Temple all was whist and still When from the clouded Altar brake the sound Of heauenly Musicke such as would confound With death or rauishment the earth bred eare Hâ—…d not the Goddesse giuen it strength to beare So strong a rapture As the Musicke ended The Mist on sudden vanisht and ascended â—…rom whence it came The Altar did appeare And ashes lying where the Turtles were Neere which great Hymen stood not seene before His purple
too soone she read these lines Basilius Rex VVHereas the famous and victorious name Of great Amphialus makes the trumpe of Fame Breathe nothing but his conquests and renowne VVhose lawlessè actions fortune striues to crowne In spight of Iustice with a Victors merit Respecting more the greatnesse of his spirit Then iustnesse of his cause to the dishonour Of vertue and all such as waâ—…te vpon her And furthermore whereas his power is knowne T' oppugne the welfare of our State and Crowne VVith strong rebellâ—…on to the high aduancement Of his disloyall glory and inhancement Of his perfidious name the great increase Of factions and disturbance of our peace Likewise where as his high preuailing hand Against the force whereof no flesh can stand Could ne're he equall'd yei much lesse o'recome But with loud triumph still does carry home The spoyles of our lost honour to the fame Of his rebellious glory and our shame We therefore in our Princely care perpending The serious premises and much depending On your knowne courage haue selected you To stand our Champion royall and renew Our wasted honour with your sword and launce In equall Duell Thus you shall aduance The glorious pitch of your renowned name With the braue purchase of eternall fame In this you shall reuiue our dying glorie And liue the subiect of this ages story VVhich shall be read tili time shall haue an end And tye Basilius your perpetuall friend To our right trusty and noble kinsman Argalus But as she read a teare did trickle downe Vpon the lines as if it meant to drowne Th' vnwelcome message and at length she said Ah me my Argalus was 't this you made Such hast to answere did that answere need To be returned with so great a speed Can you oh can you be so quickly won To leaue your poore Parthenia and be gon To whom resolued Argalus whose eye Was fixt vpon his honour made replie My deare Parthenia were it to obtaine The vnsumm'd welth of Pluto or to gaine The soueraignty of the earth without th' expence Of blood or sweate without the least pretense Of danger my ambition would despise The easie conquest of so great a prize If purchas'd by thy discontent or by The poorest teare that trickles from thine eye But to recall my promise or forsake That resolution honour bid me make In this behalfe or to betray that trust Repos'd in me the gods would be vniust And not themselues if they should but command Or vrge me with an ouerswaying hand My deare Parthenia Let no false suggestion Abuse thy passion or presume to question My dearest loue Though honour bids vs part Yet honor can not robbe thee of my heart Honour that calls me with her loud alarmes VVill bring me back with Tryumph to thine armes So said the sad Parthenia whose teares Are turnd Lieutenants to her tongue forbeares To tempt her language Griefes that are but smâ—…ll Can speake when great ones cannot vent at all But tender hearted Argalus to whom Such silence speakes too loud forsooke the roome And with a brest as full of pensiue care As honor gaue directions to prepare His warlike Steed his Martiall attire And all things such imployment does require And here O thou thou great supreame protectresse Of bolder spirits and the sole directresse Of lofty flying quills which shall deriue To after times what glorious swords acchiue And mak'st the actions of heroick spirits Perpetuate and crowne their names their merits Illustrious Clio Aide me and inspire My ragged rimes with thy diviner fire Teach me to raise my stile and to attaine A pitch that may transcend the vulgars straine Reach me a quill rent from an Eagles wing And let my Incke be blood that I may sing Death to the life let him that reads expound Each dash a sword and euery word a wound By this the Champion royall had put on His martial weeds and hasting to be gone The poore Parthenia whose cold 〈◊〉 past Like those in Agues now does burne as fast She leaues the lonely roome and comming out She finds her Argulus enclosed about With glittering walls of steele apparell'd round In his bright armes whom she had â—…ather found Lockt vp in her's and wanting nothing now But what her lips could not poore soule allow Without sea of teares her last farewell She ranne vnto him and wept and weeping fell Vpon her knees she claspt him by the arme And looking vp she thus began to charme My Argalus my Argalus my deare And wilt thou goe and leaue Parthenia here VVilt thou forsake me then And can these teares Not intercede betwixt thy deafned â—…ares And my sad suit Canst thou ô canst thou goe And leaue thy poore distrest Parthenia so Parthenia sues Parthenia does implore Parthenia begges that neuer begg'd before Remember O remember you are now Vnder the power of a sacred vow Honour must stoope to vowes which once being crackt You cannot doe an honourable act I haue a Right vnto you you are mine I haue that Interest which I le ne're resigne Till death I le neuer hazard to forgoe My whole estate of happìnesse at one throw No no I will not I will hold thee fast In spight of Honor and her nine dayes blast Your former acts haue giuen sufficient proofe To the wide world your valour 's knowne enough VVithout a further tryall There 's enow To lose their liues lesse worthy besides you 'T was then a time for armes when you had none None other life to venture but your owne Excuse me then that onely doe endeauor To hold mine owne which now I must or neuer Mine mine you are and you can vndertake No danger but 〈◊〉 must partake Shall your Parthenia be indanger'd then Parthenia shall be present euen when The strokes fall thickest and Parthenia shall Suffer what ere to Argalus may befall Parthenia in your greatest paines shall smart Your blood shall trickle from Parthenia's heart Can prayers obtaine no place By this deare hand The sacred pledge of our coniugiall band By all the pleasures of our dearest loue By heauen and all the heauenly powers aboue Or if those motiues cannot finde a roome Yet by the tender fruit that in my wombe Begins to budde or if ought else appeare To thy best thoughts more pretious or more deare By that forsake me not although the rest Preuaile not Grant this first this last request To whom the broken hearted Argalus VVearied but not o'recome made answer thus My deare Parthenia Thy desires neuer Gainesaid my will till now Doe not perseuer To craue that boone I cannot grant forbeare To vrge me Resolution hath no eare VVeepe not my Ioy Let not those drops of thine That trickle from so faire an eye diuine A foule successe Cheare vp A smile or two Would make me halfe a Conqueror ere I goe Shine forth and let no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 benight The glorious luster of so faire a light Doubt not my life The iustnesse of my cause