knowne his death the magistrates of the towne striving vvho could be best sighted in the discoverie of the murther hoping to have the reward of their diligence from their Queene Artaxia soone found out as a man to be most suspected the messenger come from Court vvhom Plexertus had till late in the night kept in his chamber to know of him the particulars oâ— Arguto's revolt This fellow because none more likely in the vvilde form of their popular justice vvas to dye a thousand manner of deathes But he making just protestations of his innocencie being questioned vvhat occasion he had so long to stay the last night vvith the King if not for that end He plainly let them know vvhat Arguto discover'd which he then reported to Plexertus The many-headed multitude called not the truth much in question of vvhat they heard but vvith the same violence as before every one in this also thinking to gratifie the Queene ran to as uncertaine a forme of execution on the dead as they did before to a judgement of the living first they stript the bodie naked then dragg'd it through the streets now they open his belly and suffer his gutts to marke forth his progresse doing many mo indignities to him vvho had deserved many more I much rejoyc'd to heare Plexertus had beene so just to himselfe yet I determined to join Erona's revenge on Artaxia to Plexertus his judgemeÌ„t on himselfe but her an untimely death had freed from my revenge for taking to the heart Plexertus his treacheries her brother Teridates unrevenged death she calmely gave her selfe over to a life oppressing griefe leaving her kingdome young sonne to the care of Salindor vvhom she appointed Protector during the minoritie Returning therefore somewhat grieved that both Plangus and Erâ—na's death without my help had beene revenged I conveyed the bodies to Lycia vvhere the sumptuousnesse of their Tombes shewes their estates and their everlasting fame their everliving vertues From hence I vvould have parted private but remembring Plangus his last will I pass'd thorow â—masia restoring his son to the Duke and comming to Byzantium I gave up my charge into the hands of Lisantus a Macedonian leaving the souldiers full of heartie sorrow for the death of Plangus their Generall Soone after hearing of your death and resolv'd to sacrifice my blood to your memorie to disingage my selfe of some part of my faultinesse leaving Fidutio in Thrace lest by him I should be discovered disguising my selfe in an armour fitly as I thought presenting the massacre of my naked heart passing the Courts of Elis Argos lastly comming hither I met what should I more say with thee my Hellen reserv'd to be a blessing beyond vvhat most I could desire And so vvith a sincere fervencie kissing her hand they both walk't towards the Pallace where having ended Supper vvhile Basilius and Evarcus vvith the rest expected a Maske prepar'd for them the Queene of Corinth let them know what she had heard of Plangus Erona together vvith Plexertus deserved end and the death of Artaxia The audience greatly pittied their fortunes especially Pyrocles vvho much griev'd to heare of Plangus his death for the love he bore his vertues vvas no lesse troubled at Plexertus his mischance for his deere servant Zelmanes sake But the entry of the Maskers caus'd him put over those thoughts to more solitarines his eye being fed vvith a daintie varietie of representations and his eares vvith most harmonious well-agreeing musick to which the footing kept so good time that doubtfull it was whether the musick conform'd it selfe to the life of their motion or the Maskers their motion to the musicks livelinesse But night mask't in these sports crept on undiscover'd and though Pyrocles and Musidorus at other times would dispence with the length of the sports yet now in respect of the armfulls of joy they vvere to expect in bed they thought them tedious which once perceiv'd their dances were sooner at an end then was intended Thus dayes nights past over as if they had no other Spheare then delight to move in the appointed time for Amphialus his marriage was at hand to which Basilius invited the Shepheards both to chaÌ„ge their daily pleasures as also to shew Evarcus that though a greater cause had mov'd him to the solitarie course of life by him imbrac't yet the witts of Arcadia and the pleasantnesse of their harmelesse life might have drawne him to that retirednesse The Eclogves Kalydolus now minded to marrie his daughter and uncertain whether he should bestow her on the contented young Arcadian Menaleas or the much-having much-wanting Thessalian Coridon who both vvere then present hearing of this summons puts over their cause to be determined by Basilius And Strephon and Klaius no lesse desirous to bring Vrania's name to Court joined themselves to the rest Nor was Agelastus waÌ„ting who not for a Mistris but Heraclitus-LIKE thinking man was made to mourne repining at the vanitie of greatnesse had maintain'd a religious sorrow No sooner was the companie set and that their silence began to proclaime their expectation but Strephon who before his comming had prepar'd an Epithalanium began thus to sing Str. Sweet linck of hearts joyes surest anchor-hold Loves peacefull Crowne the harbour of desires Hymen approach but think not Pan too bold If to invoke thy name our love aspires Dwell heere for ever that this couple may Renew the blessings of their marriage day Firme be their roote of love and cause a blisse From forth this royall happie stock to spring That all the world may justly say he is Vvorthy to be and to succeed a king But shorten not their dayes for 't is decreed The best can be but worthy to succeed Amphialus thankt Strephon for his heartie wishes but he had scarce ended when Klaius looking upon him with as sower a countenance as their friendship could allow thus said Kla. I pray thee Strephon if these glorious showes Of Courts admired greatnâ—sse do not close Thy mind froÌ„ former thoughts where can thy layes Finde other subject then Vrania's prayse Or dost thou fondly thinke thou wert too blame To breathe among these Lords Vrania's name Or is it certaine that her flames in thee Are quench't that lately doubled were in mee Str. Nor so nor thus that verse I last day made As with my flock I sate in Hestars shade I studied it yet all my studie was I vow to strive to let Vrania passe For'twas the only name my pen would write My thoughts imagine or my lipps indite Am I not bold when nights vast stage is set And all the starres and heavenly audience met To speake my mind while their bright twinkling flame Seemes to rejoyce to heare Vrania's name And shall I feare that what the heavens approv'd By men though great men should be disallow'd But where you thinke that I have check't mine eye And freed your Strephon from their treacherie O no mine is
over as a sacrifice for the State countrey vvhen behold his sayles vvere fill'd vvith a selfe-opinion in my favour Born up therefore vvith the vvings of hope he returnes to Court where love or some indulgent Fate inspired this project into his head He calls the Nobilitie and after a long narration of the mischiefes that hung over Laconia he desires their advice for prevention They glad that the onely opposer as they thought of their designes vvould have recourse to their directions in that cause vvherein they vvere jealous of his partaking after a flatteâ—ring insinuation the coÌ„mon Exordium to men of his place they concluded that it vvas fit Hellen should dye I doubt it not said he nor was it to that end I sought your counsaile that the necessitie of the times the welfare of our person the preservation of our state required her death but it much perplext me that our fame should bleed with her or that the world should say the threats of the king of Corinth had inforc't us to behead her whoÌ„ lately we vvere to take to wife 'T was this my Lords that caus'd my misinterpreted resolution hang in suspence for this I have turn'd my invention into all formes and now behold I have found an even way to lead me between the perrils of a threatned war the ill-bought quiet of an ignominious peace My will is she be brought to Court for Partinax his house I think not convenient for this project and plac't here with such about her as I know most trusty in such a secret then that her keepers at farthest within two dayes poyson her which done wee le give it out she dyed of a disease and to confirme this opinion in the vulgar wee vvill honour her death vvith such funerall pomp as the state of her life required Thus shall our cause of dissention with Corinth be taken away and vve freed from that imputation the vvorld might justly lay upon us The Nobilitie with silent admiration began to applaud vvhat he had determined chiefly Partinax who making the coÌ„moÌ„ cause his pretence labour'd by all meanes to confirm a resolution so necessary for his daughter Lemnia's happinesse The king having dismist the Councel acquaints me with these his proceedings setting forth with no meane pride the pregnancie of his owne vvit who had found a way to over-reach such gray-bearded dotards for said he you shall that night when you are thought to be poisoned be conveyed hence by two of chiefest trust about me unto my Castle of Nicos then will I cause a statue form'd to your proportion to be coffin'd up on which forsooth my grave Councell shal solemnly wayte and performe the obâ—equies in that ceremonie requisite meane time you shal live live beloved of him vvho hath undergone this dangerous enterprise and will do many more to indeer his affection to you And when the limms of this dis-joynted State be set againe you shal be restor'd to be your selfe and to enjoy this Crowne of Laconia so much envied you till when I lock these projects in the closet of your secrecie The good king was scarce gone froÌ„ me vvhen I made Lemnia of counsaile with me vvho seâ—ing the fitnesse of the time being my journey to Nicos was to be perform'd in the night and the easie execution oâ— so dangerless an enterprise my guard being only two of the kings servants she gives in charge to a sufficient number of such vvhoÌ„ she knew faithfull to her to meet them midway and after they had well beaten my convoy to discharge them of the suspicion of their consenting to the fact to carry me to the next sea port where there stay'd a ship bound for Delphos to vvhich I needs would beÌ„d my course This being resolv'd upon the Lady equally troubled with the care of my safetie and the losse of my presence wept manie teares which I confesse had beene ingratitude in me not to second so as a vvhile sorrow seem'd to have flowen thither to bathe her selfe in our eyes but love at length in both of one anothers good had vvell neere calm'd this passion when the guard appointed by the king was come and readie to carrie me to Court But why should I great Sir anie longer stay you in a storie whose tediousnes I am well assur'd hath tyr'd you know therfore that this meanes of my safetie vvas as fortunately executed as happily contriv'd the king not once daring to send to seeke me lest he should by that discover his own craft us'd in this dangerous deluding of the Laconian Noblemen But I vvas scarce a moneth absent vvhen hee vvhose eyes held the raines of his constancie the object being remov'd married as it vvas before determined the beauteous Lemnia who now in possessioÌ„ of his love stick't not to make knowne to him this whole matter which otherwise in her behalfe I was bound to keep secret Thus sir if my desire to obey your commands hath made the story of my misfortunes tedious you may excuse me since all is done for your satisfaction Faire Queene replied Basilius the sweetly delivered strangenesse of the storie would still ravish the hearers with a desire of a further cause of attentivenesse did not a greater desire in us vvho know your vertues hasten to heare the end of your much pittied distresse and so calling Amphialus to him having agreed on the day of marriage betweene the Queen him they all arose for now their appetites growing jealous of the satisfaction their minds received by the former discourse began to solicite them in the behalfe of their stomacks After dinner when most of the companie began to impe the wings of time with the feathers of severall recreations Amphialus and Hellen privately went together into an arbor in the gardeÌ„ where first vvith teares the coÌ„mon apologie of over-joy'd affection they spake their mindes in sileÌ„ce their panting hearts as they imbrac't with mutuall desire beating their envious garments that gave them not lâ—ave to meet At length Hellen gracefully shaking her head as if shee vvould shake away the drops that like the morning dew on full-ripe Cherries hung on her rosie cheekes O Amphialus said she then kist him as loath to leave so perfect a sentence without a comma I wil not say you were unkind but and there with his lips loath belike to accuse him she clos'd up her speech My sole happinesse replied Amphialus softly wringing her hand though the foulenes of my fault be no fit subject for her to speake of who breathes nothing but goodnes yet I vvaÌ„t not an accuser my soule sets forth my ingratitude nor can I yet conceive how mercie can be so farre remov'd froÌ„ justice as to finde a pardon for my offence but you have given it and if it be any requital it shal be my after lifes studie to love honor your vertues as it was hitherto to offend you It is fit therefore said Hellen with the counterfeit setlednes of
seeing I might not trust my â—elfe vvith mine owne government I chose manie friends and being by nature given to hate pride to eschue a vice so loathâ—ome thinking it might not be done otherwise I began to affect popularitie But I had scarce liv'd thus a twelue-month vvhen my cousin the kings sonne a yong man who besides the hope of succession for vvhich the Courtiers did adore him had nothing more then ordinary in him grew suspicious of my practises as he term'd them to which humor besides the mistrust of his owne little desert his Sycophants the bellowes of this fire did daily add further causes to encrease his jealousie But seeing the discoverie of his suspicion vvould little please the king vvho ever since the death of my father had doubled his care upon me he vvas compel'd to dissemble a good liking towards me In meane time a truce made for some few yeares vvith the Duke of Amasia being expir'd the vvar grew hote on both sides at length after the triall of manie changes in fortune necessitie mediating a peace betweene them my selfe being given as hostage for performance of certain coÌ„ditions of my uncles part a perpetuall league vvas concluded onâ— 't was now and not before mischiefe began to unmaske her selfe and take a pride to grow terrible There vvas at Court during my abode there attending upoÌ„ the Dutchesse a Lady by name Alcida whose many excellencies won as many hearts as she had beholders nature making her beautie shape but the most faire Cabinet of a farre fayrer mind To her mine eyes at first sight gave up my heart with so fortunate an encounter in affectioÌ„ that this surrender vvas but a mutuall exchange she having in a mercifull gratefulnes fixt her love one mine But her parentage though not base was so meane in respect of my birth that thence vvhole armies of afflictions did invade my mind equally distracted betweene my desire to enjoy this my best of happines and feare of my uncles displeasure on whom this match for his care and love of me I was sure vvould draw on an untimely death But before I could determine a doubt of â—o great consequence the conditions of the league being faithfully performed I was safely at a day prefixt sent back to Natolia desirous even in my soule desirous I am sure rather by their breach of covenant to have hazzarded my life then thus cruelly to be taken away from her presence vvho far beyond my life was most deere to me Soone after my returne the king as if the Gods had stay'd him to see the quiet of his State now that vvas brought to passe worne vvith age and much broken vviâ—h travell care in his last warrs left his kingdome to his degenerate sonne successor who had no sooner seized upon the government but meaning to begin his raigne vvith an admirable act of policie now his power vvas unrestrain'd limits me to the absence from my countrey declaring my bloud for ever uncapable of succession and not content vvith this to such a height his undeserved malice to me vvas raised that he dealt vvith some bad ministers of his wickedness secretly to make me away To prevent therfore vvhat vvas plotted against me disguising my selfe I hastily fled away making use of necessity to further my affection I put my self into the service of a Nobleman here in the Court of Amasia easily remaining undiscovered among them who vvould sooner fall out vvith their eyes then beleeve that the greatnesse wherein they lately had seene me could admit so great a change By meane vvhereof I enjoyed the presence of my Alcida whose constancie neither time nor abseÌ„ce the mothes of affectioÌ„ nor vvhat is more this my change in fortune could alter Thus vvhile I liv'd in this happinesse of servitude Mermidon brother to the Duke having commanded with fortunate successe against the Dazians returned to Court vvhere seeing this Lady he became enamoured of her to no other end then to satisfie his lust and thinking at first because he vvas in good esteemâ— vvith himselfe she vvould have strain'd her modestie to sue for the acceptaÌ„ce of a present so gratefull to him a while he was silent but when he perceived the vanitie of his fruitlesse expectation found that this delay encreas'd the fury of his passion dispensing with the Matie he had taken on he began to make known his love to her for such a title did he give to so base a desire forgetting not vvithal to tell her that to excuse her modestie he had first spoken her wishes But the vertuous Alcida loathing as much the thought of such a sinne as shee loved the memorie of me together with a â—esolute deniall let him know how base his minde was that made so injurious a request Wherat Mermidon because this answer came unexpected was so much the more amazed But bringing arguments from his late practise in the warre he began to think his honor would be the greater if after long resistance he did surprise a well defended for t therefore daily both by rich gifts the base enamell of affection manie promises which to win the more upon her were sent by one of her owne sexe who if example might move her could tell of such a president in her â—elfe did he seeke to undermine her resolution Meane time my constant Alcida seeing the inteÌ„perance of Mermidons lust to bring the threats of force with it not daring to speake with me because our conference began to be suspected sent me a letter to hasten her carrying away appointing this the fatall place of our meeting I much rejoyc'd to be so neere my happinesse the rather that since our last conference I received intelligence that my young cousin of Natolia being made away by one whom he had rais'd to an undeserved height in his favour the countrey was in great distresse by the factious ambition of the Nobilitie and that the best affected to the State much desired my presence But these meanes how well soever as I thought conducing to my happinesse by the unmercifulnesse of my hard destinie were prevented as one of those whom 't was my fortune to kil at his death revealed for Mermidoâ— having intercepted the messenger mad with rage to finde his hopes crost by so meane a man as he tooke me to be having again seal'd up the letter he caus'd it to be delivered and determining to be reveng'd sent these men to apprehend me himself intending to follow presently leading with him my deerest Alcida whom in my presence to ad a glorie to the execrablenes of the offence he means to ravish And now sir you have heard said he all what my selfe knowes of my birth fortune ever till this time when I am well assur'd my end is neere at hand kept secret He scarce had clos'd up this lamentable storie with a heartie sigh the compendious abridgment of his sufferings when we might discerne Mermidon with twentie
received the honour due to his victorie At these newes Plangus causing the reporter to be safely kept giving to his vvearied souldiers som time to refresh themselves afâ—er the toile endur'd in their last daies travell an houre before day rightly imagining the aire vvas then apt to disperse a dull â—leepinesse among Plexertus carelesse souldiers he calls his Troupes together setting before them the easines of the victorie the riches of the Camp and the necessitie of the time he did incourage them with the repetitioÌ„ of their former conquest in Amasia the justnesse of their cause the fame oâ— their enterprise and then presently disposing of them for his most advantage he sets upon his enemie who dream'd of nothing but securitie But what should I fright you most deare Ladie vvith the particulars of this fight It will suffice you know that Plangus doing things in his own person past the power of expression made a bloudy slaughter among them Som few there vvere that escaped among vvhom Plexertus fortune being alway indulgent to mischiefe found in the speed of his horse a dishonourable safeguard for his wretched life This tâ—mult being soone perceiv'd by the citizens vvhom sorrow made vvatchfull and the well-knowne treacheries of Plexertus suspicious they as soon imagined this vvas a practise of his contrarie to his faith giveÌ„ to sack the town This once conceited it seemed by the hideous cryes and confused lamentations that as sorrow had put on the vizzard of night to make griefe ugly so black night had borrowed the mouth of sorrow to implore compassion The people leaving their vvalls and houses ran to their Temples and Altars offering up as they thought their last devotions to their Gods Nor did this mistake bring forth the effect of mistrust onely in the Citie the Campe had likewise this feare added to their present misfortune for Plexertus souldiers like Satyres frighted with the sound of the horne themselves blow thinking the Vantguard of the enemie had entred the towne and caus'd this confusion durst not venture to make themselves maisters of it But betweene both unable to determine of a meane of safetie stood fixt in a stupid irresolution Meane time Aurora vvearie of aged Titons bed began to vvarne Phebe of her brothers approach vvhen Erona vvho had set downe in her setled judgement a death vvorthie the greatnesse of her birth now first giving eare to the cryes of the citizens misdoubting the same false measure they expected not long after hearing a man arm'd comming up the staires to her lodging she took a poysoned cuppe long before for that end prepar'd and making hast lest she should be made a present to the proude Conqueror the vvicked Plexertus shee dranke more then halfe vvhen her eyes met with the eyes of Plangus who infortunate Gentleman desirous to be the messenger to Erona of Erona's freedome had made â—his hast The sight of Plangus stay'd her full draught a while but unable to satisfie her selfe how he might come thither she began to imagine that it was the force of the poyson which dimm'd her eyes and plac't the character of Plangus ever present to her minde upon each object With this thought she vvas readie to begin againe vvhen Plangus falling at her feet let her know the event of so manie dangers undergone for her Whereat Erona being much astonished lifting him up from the ground thus said Prince Plangus you come in a fit time to receive a heartie vvelcome and as heartie a farewell What I meane by this leave-taking alas you vvill too soone know now suffer me only at such a time vvhen the end vvill assure you I did not flatter speake a few vvords I would have you beleeve yet I am sorrie for your sake I have practis'd such a meane to vvorke a beleefe in you True it is most excellent Plangus nor let that truth accuse me of inconstancie that since the death of Antiphilus whose memorie even at this time is deere to me though at first the excesse of sorrow had clos'd up my mind from the thought of a second choyse yet enforc't by your desert and to reward mine own love in rewarding your desires I vvas resolv'd to satisfie you and make my self happie but my envious Fate finding the times fit to cause me to despair hath made your selfe the instrument to barre our hopes for ever Deere Erona replyed the Prince what may there now be that the most partiall judgement can equall to the excesse of content Plangus enjoyes in the welfare of his free and loving Erona For this I have pay'd the mercifull heavens the tribute of my vowes teares to this harbour through the Sea of griefe having imbarqu't my carefull love in the ship of my desire I have alway bent my course shall I now vvhen my vvishes be at anchor in so secure a haven feare fortune No no most deere Ladie you are the life and being of vvhat I only esteeme happie Alas Plangus said the sweet Erona the testimonies of your love have beene so manie that I feare and only feare they vvho have heard your undeserved affection and are not present at this my dying protestation will for ever record together with my want of judgement my injurie to your vertues Your dying protestation said Plangus affright not my soule with such hâ—avie news Long may you live the Fates must be indulgent to your youth and beautie And perhaps said she so they might had not my selfe hastened Clotho to cut in two the halfe-spun threed of my life And then she let him know how to prevent the tortuâ—es and disgraces Artaxia's indignation had prepar'd for her seeing the citie brought to that desperate state in which he found it and thinking himselfe to have beene an officer sent by Plexertus to bring her before him she had poysoned her selfe Plangus at these last words with a fixt look upon Erona as if his eyes would for ever dwel there indenting his hands suffering them to fall down or rather not able to stay them sinkes to the ground and was a while happie in this excesse of sorrow that made him senslesse of all sorrow Erona would have forc't her selfe to help him but this sight join'd with the inward working of the poyson constrain'd her to beare him companie in his happie forgetfulnesse of his misfortunes But when by the help of her women her senses were restor'd that my endevours wrought the same effect on Plangus as if this had beene but griefes dumb show Alas excellent Prince said she what unexpected effects hath the speech of my death brought forth and yet though I were silent I beleeve these deadly signes in mine eieâ— this trembling in my full-swolne veynes the often set and rise of the blood in my cheekes would expresse it But my Plangus should you whom the world is proude of take it so to heart Erona loves you why so may a more deserving Ladie yet Plangus remember me
the Gyant Tithius maw That doth encrease to feele a Vulturs paw No day runnes over but my loves deepe sore Renues his paine and festers more and more Kla. No day runs over but our loves deepe sore Renues his paine and festers more and more Alas where 's pittie then belike it flyes The place we come too frighted with our cryes Str. Pittie why friend 't is certaine that their eyes Vvho know they can or ' come learne to despise Yet Klaius why should we repine our Saint Is pleas'd sometime to heare our loves complaint And if mine eyes to ease my inward paine Become not flatterers she doth not disdaine Kla. Disdaine that were a blisse so great a waight Might lift our sorrowes to their utmost haight And then perhaps our owne despaire would mend Our lingring hopes that must or breake or bend O no ours is a worse calamitie A heedlesse care and carelesse courtesie Then Klaius pawsing a while with crost armes and a down-cast look began againe these following Verses to Strephon whom he spake to as representing the person of sorrow Kla. Foule sorrow wilt thou alway build thy nest In the wilde mountaines of my care-swolne brest Str. O yes I finde it happy for my breed And neere your heart whereon I use to feed Kla. But gentle griefe if not for pittie spare Me for Vrania's sake she hath a share In these my wounds and she must feele the smart Vvhose image's carv'd so lively in my heart Str. O no she shares no paine from whose faire eyes The wound did first and now the cure must rise Kla. Vvhy gentle griefe thou' rt witnesse of my love Then alway sigh my plaints untill you move Str. O no there 's too much rigour in such lawes They binde a man to speake against his cause Suppose I move this is my recompence Ioy must succeed and I am banisht hence Kla. Then must I dye unpittied no help 's found Since you my spoksman do conceale my wound Str. O no let not that make us to despaire Shee knows we love her but she knows she 's fayre When they ended Musidorus in whose memorie their courtesie to him had ingraven a beholdnes forgot not to approve what they had said But the audience had little time to determine whether they deserv'd what the Prince thoght them worthie of wheÌ„ CoridoÌ„ who long'd to hear the debate between him Menalcas for Kalidolus daughter ended clapping him on the shoulder thus said Cor. Fond beardlesse boy now shall the chastisement Fit for thy rash youths unweighed attempt Fall heauie on thee but you may relent I 'le not be crnell if you do repent O no you will not you 'l be alway blinde That gracelesse smile bewrayes thy scornfull minde Sing then and show these goodly dotes in thee Vvith which thy brainlesse youth can equall mee Menal Gray bearded frenzie what canst thou alledge To shun my blowes but thy age's priviledge Thy tongue may safely snarle while his offence Is still protected by that reverence The dotes old Dotard I can bring to prove My selfe deserves that choyce are only love A prizelesse Treasure not to be exprest A guest too great for thy cough-breeding brest Corid Yong man thou speak'st as if thy braines were wood Vvho can determine of that inward good I say I love and will Menalcas grieve That all the world should Coridon beleeve But that 's not it these flames will soone decay If they be not maintayn'd some other way A thousand sheepe I have whose snow-white fleece Do adde a lustre to these parts of Greece On whom as many lambes doe waite hard by That weare their damms white curled livery O what a joy wil't be to her I love Each morne and even to see her sheep remove From field to fold while she may freely say That Lamb is fat that Lamb I 'le eate to day Menal Blinde fortune I 'le confesse hath given you more Yet I am richer my content's my store A thousand sheep thou hast t is very like But thy diseasâ—s want arethmetick Nature between our yeares a marriage made Vve bloome together and at once may fade But your old age is gone too farre before Time beates you on and you 'l returne no more Cor. Hasty young man do not despise the end To which your selfe as to a center bend Vvhat if I want your bodies active toyes My setled minde a greater good enjoyes Menalc Old man thou speak'st as if thy braines went wood Vvho can determine of that inward good Thinkst thou will that sweet beauty take delight To heare thee cough a proverb in the night O no there are some other joyes in bedd They must partake whom you desire to wedd Coridon inwardly out of countenance to heare his owne words byte so sore upon him would have shrunke away but hoping he had found a Iudge whom the cause concern'd stood a while to attend what Basilius would have said But the king put it over to Musidorus who glad to find an occasioÌ„ to pleasure Minalcas his first Master in the practise of a Shepheards life thus ended it Coridon said he could I as well lop away some of your overgrowne yeares to make your maâ—ch with Kalidolus daughter equall as I can adde to Minalcas state I would for a time suspend my judgement for readily I know not vvhether of you two deserves best but in the one my power seconds my will as in the other my will overgoes my power Kalidolus daughter I therefore adjudge to Menalcas and I will make him worthie of her the rather that I know his rash youth vvould impatiently beare a repulse where your experience vvhen it reflects upon it selfe vvith more discretion may consider she vvaâ— but a vvoman Glad vvas Menalcas to speed so vvell nor vâ—as Coridon displeas'd because the Prince as he conceiv'd had entertain'd a good opinion of his wisedom Thus vvhen they ended Pyrocles who mark't Agelastus his silent pensivenesse desir'd to heare him disburthen his mind of the thoughts that brought him to so deep a studie thinking that Agelastus stood fixt with the eye of his mind cast upon the beautie of some faire Mistris but he who thought of nothing lesse thus answered his expectation Agel Nor fate nor fortune whose inforcing power Man still complaines upon his state to lower Do worke these changes man himselfe 's the cause They be but wheeles that keepe their movers lawes Yet alway when he sees his fault too late He turnes it over upon chance or fate Each man is borne a King his passions be The practise of his soveraignetie Vvho though they stil their soveraign's good pretend â—onspire his ruine for their private end The love of skin-thick beautie drawes his eye To yeeld to love his reasons Majestie His feare throwes Bugbeares in his way his state Is still infested by revengefull hate His idle griefe for what he might prevent Or might not doth usurp his government Thus he whom God ordain'd a