sends Whose onely health upon thy love depends What shall I speake or need my flames no tongue My love already knowne but too too long Though I could wish it hid till time might reare And set our joyes beyond the reach of feare But ill I cloake it who loves fire can hide That by its proper flames is still descry'd If yet thou doubtst what may my meaning prove Thou hast my minde in these few words I love Pardon confession then and with such grace Read thou tâ—e rest as may become thy faces I joy to thinke my lines receiv'd by thee And hope perswades me once so I shall bee Which Loves faire mother perfect nor in vaine May I for thee through her this taske sustaine For that thou mayst not ignorantly sin With heavens advice I did this act begin The prize is great yet but my due I crave Thee for my spouse bright Cytherea gave She guide Sigaean shores I left and ' ssay In Phereclean keele my dangerous way She calm'd the waves and gave me prosprous gales Nor marvell sea borne she on seas prevailes As seas she calm'd so may she calme my breast And bring my wishes to their wished rest My flames with me I brought not found them here They they the causes of my journey were For me nor stormes nor errour hither brought Of purpose I Tanarian port have sought Nor thinke me hither stor'd with wares to tend The goods I have the favo'ring gods defend Nor yet your Grecian cities to survay Since mine own realms are farre more rich than they Thee thee I seeke whom golden Venus grace Betroth'd me wisht for er'e I knew thy face Thee mine Idaa saw before mine eyes When Fame had first drawne thine effigies Nor let it yet thy strange amazement prove That loves swift darts from far have caus'd me love The fates have will'd it and lest their decree Thou breake receive these truths I 'le tell to thee When in my mothers wombe detain'd I lay She now full gone and at th' expected daye Dream't that in stead of a wisht-birth there came From her unburthend wombe a mighty flame Affright she rose and unto Priam told The same which he doth to his Priest unfold Who answers Paris sires should Ilion burne Which I to these my flames of love doe turne My forme and haughty minde though I might seeme Plebeian shewd I came of noble stemme A place in Ida's shady vales unknowne To most there is with spreading Holmes ore-growne Where never bleating sheepe cliffe-climbing goat Nor bellowing oxe ere fill'd his greedy throat Here whilst I lean'd my selfe unto a tree Dardanian seas and loftie towers to see The trampled earth me thought began to move Ti 's truth I speake truth that thou'lt scarce approve When borne with winged speed before mine eye Stood th'neece of Atlas and faire Plione What lawfull was to see be lawfull told Within his hand he held a rod of gold When straight bright Venus Pallas heavens great Queen All gently lighted on the verdant greene Amaz'd I stood my haires stiffe-rais'd a bide When cast off feare the winged Herald cry'd Thou' rt here a judge of beauty stay and tell Which of these three doth in rich forme excell And addes Ioves charge thereto which soone as sayd His way unseen through empty aire he made My mind now rows'd and somewhat bolder growne I fear'd not to survay them one by one All worthy seem'd t' orecome but yet I fear'd The glory could not ' mongst them all be shar'd For one in lookes did farre surpasse the rest As her thy selfe for Loves faire Queen had guest So great a strife there was to overcome As with large gifts each sought to buy my doome Iove's wife a realme Pallas doth vertue boast As I twixt great and good was almost lost When Venus smiling sayd let not the sence Of these possesse thee fild with harsh suspence I l'e give thee love to thy embraces wonne Shall the faire Leda's more faire daughter runne This sayd for gifts and forme the chiefe approv'd Triumphant to her heavenly spheare she mov'd Mean while my fortune now more prosp'rous grown By certain signes I Priams sonne am knowne Receiv'd the Court with joy was fild and all In Troy that day still keepe a festivall As I seeke thee so mayds sought me though vaine Whose laboured wish thou mayst alone attaine Great Princes daughters nobles lik'd me well In nymphs a care and love of me did dwell Whose births and formes were both despis'd by mee When once I entertain'd a hope of thee Thee in the day my fancie viewes in night Thee my delicious dreames present my sight Present what wouldst that absent thus didst please I burnt though farre the sire that did me seaze Nor more to hope would I endebted be But meant t' obtaine my wishes through the sea Straight Trojan Pines by Phrygian Axe were feld And all trees else for shipping usefull held Sceepe Gargarus was rob'd of woody crowne And store of Timber Ida sent me downe Strong Okes for ships substantiall keeles were layd Whose ample sides were with crook'd ribs arayd Saile-yards tall masts and sails on them we place And carved gods our painted vessels grace But in the ship in which I sought my joy Stood my loves surery Venus and her boy My navie now past Arts last labouring hand Straight onward for Aegean seas I stand My sire and mother both did urge my stay And strove to hinder my intended way My sister too with haires all loosely drest Ev'n when our sayls for lucky gales were prest Where fly'st she cry'd thou'lt bring back flames with thee Thou knowst not what a fire thou seekst through sea And true she spake those very fires are found And scorching love my tender breast doth wound The Port I quit and helpt by furth'ring wind Vnto thy shores Oebalian nymph enclyn'd Thy spouse receiv'd me kindly nor was this Done but by purpose of the Deities And whats'oere rare or conspicuous be Or worth the sight in Sparta shewd to me But I whose fancie still on thee did lye Could let no other object greet mine eye Whom when I saw amaz'd I stood unwares I felt my heart to fage with new-sprung cares Such lookes as I remember 't such a grace When she my judgement sought had Cypris face Hadst thou with her in that quaint strife been seen Faire Venus palme still in suspence had been Large Elogies 't is true there rumoured bee Nor is there land that 's ignorant of thee In Phrygia none none from the Sunnes up rise With thee for beauty beares an equall prize Yet trust me all thy prayse to truth gives place Fame hath been almost envious ' gainst thy face More here I find than she ere promis'd by Thy reall forme thy fame doth conquered lye Nor without cause th'all-knowing Theseus lov'd And worthy him thee for a rape approv'd Whilst in the Cirque thy countries custome then Thou naked sport'st thy selfe mid'st naked men
vauntst thy stock kin many a Princely name This house in worth is of sufficient fame Iove Atreus Grandsire Tantall's Pelops I And the Tyndarian Off spring here passe by Laeda gives Iove my sire who credulous soule Tooke to her bosome a deceitfull foule Goe now and brag thy Troy's originall Ag'd Priam and Laomedon withall Both whom I reverence yet know from thee Iove's remov'd five from me but one degree And though Troy's scepters beare a potent sway Yet doe I thinke ours are no lesse than they Grant it in wealth in men the upper hand Yet ne'rethelesse 't is but a barb'rous land Such ample gifts thy rich-vein'd lines do move As ev'n may tempt a goddesse unto love But would I now to passe shames bounds begin 'T is thou shouldst be my greatest cause of sin Or I would blamelesse lead my life still true Or rather thee than all thy gifts pursue As them I scorne not so the best I take Those which the giver still doth pretious make But most thy love thy toyle I prize for me That thy strong hopes should tempt the wide stretcht sea Full well at boord though with dissembling shew I cloake the same I note the trickes you â—oe Sometimes thou view'st me with a wanton eye Whose bold fixt gaze turnes my chast sight awry Somtimes thou sight'st then tak'st my cup where Thou saw'st me drink thou straightwaies drinkst just there How oft with fingers with speaking brow Have I observ'd thee secret signes to show Oft fear'd I lest my husband should have seen And blusht in that they have not closer been Oft to my selfe in whispers would I say This wretch is shamelesse nor from truth did stray Oft have I read writ on the boord above in wine my name and underneath't I love Yet seem'd to sleight it with averted eye Which now ah me my selfe hath learn'd to cry If sinne I would with such sweet slights as these Thou both my heart my selfe and all might'st ceaze Nor wants thou I confesse a beauteous face That might a virgin win to thy embrace Guiltlesse by thee yet others happy prove Then e're my fame be foyld by forraigne love Learne then by me to want what 's faire with ease T is vertue to abstaine from things that please How many thinkst have wisht thy wish their prize Hath Paris onely the discerning eyes Thou see'st not more but bold dost more essay Nor hast more heart but farre more front than they Would with swift keele thou then hadst reach'd our When thousand suiters soght my virgin flower shore Once seene of thousands thou the first hadst bin My husband needs must pardon me herein To things possest thou com'st to tasted joyes And slow another what thou seek'st enjoyes Yet as I wish to be thy wife so know Not ' gainst my will A rides holds me now Cease then my breast with winning words to move Nor seek to hurt whom thou pretendst to love What lot chance gave me let me keepe the same Nor weare the spoyle of my defiled shame But Venus me betroth'd thee when on Ide Three naked powers to thee themselves apply'd A kingdome one th' other a warlike name And me the third did for thy wife proclaime I scarce believe such heavenly wights should come And prostitute their beauty to thy doome Grant this for truth yet that needs false must bee Where I am sayd to be thy judgements fee. Nor am I so selfe proud my selfe to deeme So high-priz'd in a goddesses esteeme ' Tâ—s enough my beauty humane eyes approve That Venus prais'd it shewes her spite not love Yet I not doubt but like those prayses why What my heart longs for should my tongue deny Nor thinke it much thâ—u wert believ'd so ill In things of weight our faith is tardy still My chiefe joy's then't'have pleas'd faire Venus eyes Next to have seem'd to thee the greatest prize And that dame Iuno 's Hellens beauty heard And Pallas guifts were not by thee prefer'd So I thy vertue I thy kingdome prove Steel'd were my heart should I not lend thee love But steel'd I am not yet to love decline Him whom I think can hardly e're be mine Why should I seeke to plough the thirsty sands Or follow hope which ev'n the place withstands I 'me rude to Venus thefts nor e're as yet Heavens witnesse gull'd my spouse by any sleight That now my words I write in Tablets know 'T's a taske they nere before did undergoe Happy who use it I unskill'd therein Thinke all paths rough that lead me to the sin Ev'n fear 's a plague abasht me thinkes I see All eyes as wondering set at gaze on mee Nor thinke I false I 've hear'd th'ill-murm'ring rout And Aethra told me what they late gave out Dissemble then unlesse thou 'ldst quit thy suite But why desist dissemble thou canst doo 't Sport but yet close greater not greatest sway W'enjoy in that Atrides is away Who now from hence to distant coasts is gone Vrgent and just was the occasion I when he once made doubt to goe indeed Sayd goe my deare and make returne with speed Pleas'd with the omen me he kist and see Of house my state and guest y'have care saith hee Scarce held I laughter striving which to stay Save Sir I shall I not one word could say Forthwith winds faire his sayles for Greece he set But thinke not therefore all things lawfull yet So is he hence that gone he guards me here Know'st not that kings far-stretching arms do beare Fame too annoys us for the more you praise My face the more his jealous fears you raise What was my pleasure now 's mine hurt become Better't had been if fame had still been dombe Nor wonder that alone I 'me left with thee Hee s confident of my integritie He doubts my face but trusts my life secure My faith my beauty makes him feares indure Thou warn'st me not to let time slip nor slight A hop so fit caus'd by this simple weight I would and feare my wills not yet exact And my mind staggers in a dubious tract My spouse is hence thou matelesse ly'st at ease Thy beauty me my beauty thee doth please Long nights with long discourse we entertaine Thou gentle sweet one house doth both containe May I not live if all things plead not sin I know not yet what strange feare holds me in What ill thou fu'st wold thou could'st wel constrain Then might'st thou soone shake off my coy disdaine Oft wrongs to some have been commodious held How blest were I could I be so compell'd Yet whilst 't is young let 's rather quench desire Small flames by sprinkled water soone expire And strangers love is fraile and erres as they And when thou thinkst it sure then flyes away This Thoas this did Minos daughter prove Who both imbrac't and rew'd their lawlesse love Nay thou false man though long time lov'd art said T' have left Oenonâ— that desertfull maid Nor canst thy selfe deny
The Trojan swaine faire Hellen still had kept Thou need'st prepare no fleet no armes or store Of men come thou thy selfe I wish no more Though so I might be rescu'd t is no shame To warre in the defence of wedlockes fame Atreus to both of us was grandsire so If not my husband thou' rt my cousin though As spouse thy wife cousin thy cousin minde These double names a double duty binde My Grandsire then my guardian did assigne And with my liking mee for ever thine My father after me to Pyrrhus gave My grandsire though as chief'st most right should have When thee I married none I wrong'd if I Should Pyrrhus marry thee I harme thereby My father sure will pardon this our love Since he himselfe the wing'd gods shafts did prove The love he suffered hee 'l to us afford Th'exampâ—e of my mother doth accord What he to her was thou' rt to me of old What the Dardanian guest is Pyrrhus bold What though he vaunt the deeds his fire did doe Thou wel canst boast th'atchievements thine did too Tantalides tho great Achilles lead A Souldier this of Captaines that the head Pelops and Pelops sire were kin to thee Count and thy selfe from love the fifth will bee Nor wantst thou heart dire arms thou bor'st 't is true How couldst do lesse 't was she thy Father slue Would juster quarrels had thy courage prov'd And yet by thee they were not rais'd nor mov'd Though thou didst cause Aegistus bloud to staine The floore as did before thy Father slaine Which deed thy praise Pyrrhus thy crime implyes Yet stil endures my person 'fore his eyes My face and mind swell with disdainfull ire And my breast burnes with a suppressed sire Before my face shalt thou upbraided bee Nor force nor Armes have I to fight for thee But weepe I can and so my griefes allay Whil'st ceares like rivers on my breast make way The'e these alone I have these forth I powre My cheekes are wet with a continâ—all showre Nor could our Ancestors this fate escape Each Nymph of Tantal's line is borne a rape No tales will I of Milkie Swan unfold Nor love descending in a showre of gold Or how where Isthwos doth two seas divide Hyppodamie on waxen wheeles did ride Faire Tyndaris by Theseus long detain'd By Amyclaean brethren was regain'd Next by Idean ghuest from home convay'd Argolick hands she arm'd unto her ayd I scarce remember 't yet remember doe How each breast then was fild with feare and woe Both Grandsire Sister Brother all shed teares And Leda her owne live in vokt with prayers Nay I with haires as then not long yet torne Exclaim'd deare mother leav'st thou me forlorne Who now lest my descenâ— I should gain-say Behold to Pyrrhus am become a prey Had great Athilles scap't Apollos bow His sonnes rash deed he would have blam'd I know It ne're pleas'd him nor would if he had liv'd A mournfull wife should be of spouse depriv'd What fault of mine did angry heavens incense What starre withstands me with dire influence Young I my Mother lost my Sire wag'd warre And though both liv'd to me both strangers were No babbling speeches in my blooming yeares Of mine deare mother did delight thine eares Nor threw I 'bout thy necke mine armes abroad Nor sate I in thy lap a gratefull load No care of cloathing me did vex thy head Nor didst thou lead me to my marriage bed Though thee at thy returne I met I vow A mothers face in thee I did not know But by thy beauty thee for Hellen tooke Nay thou though seene yet for thy child didst looke One comfort yet Orestes was and hee Except he fight will be debar'd from mee Th' unmanly Pyrrhus me retaines a thrall This is the good I 've gain'd by Iliums fall When Phoebus from on high his beames displayes A gentler ease my pensive griefe allayes But when the nights black mantle's spread and I Vpon my sad and loathed bed doely In stead of sleepe teares from mine eyes doe spring And farre off from him as a foe I fling Oft growne unmindfull through distractive cares His Scyrian limbes I 've touch't at unawares Which when perceiv'd the hated corps I fly And deeme my hands to be defil'd thereby Orestes oft for Pyrrhus I miscall And love the errour of my tongue withall By our unhappy race by Iove I pray Who seas vast earth and heavens with power doth sway By thy sires bones my uncles which by thee Beneath their marble well revenged bee Either my breath may I to death resigne Or once againe become for ever thine THE ARGVMENT OF DEIANIRA'S Epistle to Hercules HErcules the sonne of Tupiter and Alcmena after the conquest of many tedious labours imposed on him by Euristheus and the spitefull Juno at length having slaine Eurytus King of Oechalia and den oâ—shed the Citie hee tooke captive his daughter Iole forme ly promised him in marriage and againe dexied him by her father with whom be retired into Eubaea and there as fondly doted on her as bee had for merly done on the Lydian Omphale Meane time Deianeira daughter of Oeneus king of Calydon hearing of his unlook't for and unmanly actions wrote this her following Epistle unto him wheriu she endevours by the mention of his fâ—â—mer glorious enterprise to recall him from his lawlesse love But whilst shee was yet writing newes was brought unto her of the violent paines her Hercules sustained caused by the shirt she sent him dipt in the bloud of the Contaure Nestus credulously by her supposed to have had the power to regaine her husbands languishing affection towards her Much troubled at the sad event she abouâ—s to purge herselfe of guilt and to instance a reall example of her love to him vowes to lay violent hands upon herselfe and so summes up her Epistle with a tragicall conclusion OEchalia wonne I joy yet grieve withall That victor thou should'st to the vanquisht fall Swift fame to Grecian townes report hath brought Of deeds that scarce can worthy thine be thought How he whom Iuno nor her endlesse toyle Could quaile hath tane by Iöle the foyle This would Euristheus this the Thunderers wife Who glories in this blemish of thy life Sure thou' rt not he to th'framing of whose might Could not suffice the pleasures of a night Thee Venus more than Iuno harmes her spleene Hath rais'd thy fame by this t' hath ruin'd been Behold the world by thee with soft peace crown'd As farre as ambient seas wide earth surround To thee both earth and seas their quiet owe Both Phoebuâ— houses doe thy merits know Heaven thou upheld'st shall once hold thee lent'st ayd To weary Atlas with his load o're layd But what mong'st these save shame dost thou obtain If thus with lust thy former deeds thou staine Wast thee when young of love then worthy known Whom men report t' have slaine two snakes alone Farre better didst begin than end ah me How much that child
love Would Helens face thou hadst not lik't or she Though seene might never so have fancy'd thee And thou that toyl'st thy ravisht wife to freâ— To some how sad a Victor wilt thou be The gods from us the ominous chance remove May my sase spouse yield up his armes to Iove But yet at thought of that dire warre in streames Teares flow like snow thaw'd by the mid-day beams Troy Xant I de Simois Tenedos when heard Are names that in their sounds are to be fear'd Nor would h'have dar'd a rape but that he knew To keepe it wonne and what his strength could do 'T is fam'd he came in glittring gold cloth'd o're As one that on his backe Troyes riches bore Well stor'd with ships men warres fuell and Almost his Empire under his command Those troops which had the power to vanquish thee Hellen I feare to us may noxious be One Hector but who 't is I doe not know Paris reports deales with a deadly blow Him flie if care of me in thee doe rest Still beare his name grav'd in thy mindfull breast And as from him so from the rest still flee And thinke all there so many Hectors bee And say whens'ere thou dost to fight prepare My Laodamia will'd me to forbeare If Troy must needs fall by a Grecian foe Without thy wounds O let it finde its woe Let Menelaus fight and strive t' obtaine From Paris that which Paris tooke againe And foyle in armes whom he in cause o're-throwes Wives must be sought though midst a thousand foes Thy cause farre different is fight thou to scape And safe retreat unto thy Ladies lap Yee Dardans ' mongst so many spare me one Nor cause my bloud from out his body runne Alas hee 's none of those with glittring sword Can combat or stern breast to foes affoord He better may whom bridall flames doe move Let others fight let Protesilaus love And him I faine would have call'd back my will Serv'd well though tongue for Omen bad stood stil When from thy fathers gates thou went'st towards Troy Th'obnoxious threshold did thy foot annoy I saw 't and sigh'd and murm'ring soft did say Be this a signe of thy returne I pray These I relate to quaile thy adventrous minde But doe thou cause my feares may turne to winde Besides by fate he doom'd to death doth stand Who first of Greekes sets foot on Trojan strand And curst is she first wailes her slaughtred love Grant heavens in this thou mayst a coward prove ' Mongst thousand ships let thine the thousandth bee And last of all disturbe the troubled sea Be thou the last from out the ship doth come The land thou seek'st is not thy native home At thy returne then ply 't with sayles and oare And strive with nimble steps t' attain the shore Whether the Sun be set or beames displayes Thou art my care my griefe in nights in dayes But most in nights a time for such most sweet Whose wide-stretcht arms their wisht embracements meet Vain dreams I catch at lonely laid at ease And whilst I want true joyes ev'n false joyes please But why pale-hew'd dost thou so oft appeare And seeme with sad complaints to strike mine eare With which affright I shades of night invoke Nor wants an Altar my appeasing smoke Incense and teares I offer on each shrine Which sparkling blaze like flames by powr'd-on-wine When shall I thee againe embrace and lye Languishing rap't in loves sweet extasie Or when both joyn'd in sportfull bed wilt thou The splendid actions of thy warefare shew Which whilst thou telst thogh me they joy to heare Mixt kisses shalt thou give mixt kisses beare By these sweet pauses words more gracefull bee By such delayes the tongue becomes more free But when the sea I minde the windes and Troy Sollicitous feare doth all my hopes destroy Besides your wind-bouÌ„d navy much dismayes My thoghts through adverse streams you force your waies Who gainst the wind would seeke his home yet you Fly from 't and though the seas forbid you 'l through Ev'n ' Neptunes selfe debarres you from his Towne Men whither rush you to your homes each one Where flye ye Greekes harke how the winds say no Not chance but heaven hath wild you must not goe But why divine I Omens hence and may Soft-breathing gales affoord you prosp'rous way The Trojan dames I envy that can stand And see their slaughtred friends their foes at hand The new made wife her husbands head will there Claspe in an helme and give him Armes to beare Armes will she give and with those Armes a kisse An office unto both of equall blisse And ush'ring forth her spouse with charge of love Command him haste and yeeld his Armes to love He mindfull of her charge and recent doome Will wisely fight and have an eye towards home When she at his returne his helme and shield Will loose and rest in her warme bosome yeeld But I in doubt still live and feare makes mee Think all that might already done to be Yet in strange coasts whilst thou sterne Armes dost beare In lively wax have I thy visage here That doe I court to that words onely due To thee I give and kinde embraces too Trust me 't is more than what it seemes to bee Had it a voyce each one would sweare 't were thee That view I that for reall spouse retaine And plaine to that as it could speake againe By thy returne and corps deare Saints to me And by our mindes and wedlockes paritie By thy lov'd head which deckt with silver haire May I behold and safe brought home I sweare Where thou commandst I 'le follow whether thou Or living art or what I feare farre moe This charge my letters utmost clause shall bee Looke to thy selfe and have a care of mee THE ARGVMENT OF HIPERMNESTRA'S Epistle to Linus DAnaus the sonne of Belus had by sundry wives fistie daughters his brother Aegyptus had as many sons betwixt these Aegyptus desires wedlocke But Danaus foretold by the Oracle that his sonne-in-law should bereave him of his life to avoyd the match sayles to Argos This contempt his brother stormes at and forthwith sends his sonnes with an Army and strictly chargeth them never to returne unto him but either with the head of Danaus or his daughters for their wives Danaus by sâ—ege is compelled to yeeld unto his brothers suit But the virgins were commanded by their father on the marriage night with weapons for that purpose given them to destroy their husbands which they all excepting Hypermnestra performed But shee awaked hers and counseld him to take his slight The morning come Danaus findes the deed perpetrated by all save Hypermnestra whom hee most cruelly caused to bee cast into prison whence beneath her loading gyves she writes unto her saved spouse this Epistle intreating him either to rescue her from her miserable bondage or if death should bee her lot to take care for her sepulture TO thee that
't and know that wee Had care to enquire all that we could of thee Though thou in love wouldst constant fain prevaile Thou canst not see thy Phrygians prest for saile Whilst we conferre when hop'd for night shall come Straight blows a wind that serves to bear thee home And in mid course of our delightfull play Our joy shall cease and love with winds away Shall I then goe and see prais'd Troy be known Daughter in law to great Laomedon No no I weigh fame more than so that she Should each where trumpet forth mine Obloquie What might my Sparta thinke of me or what All Greece or Asia or thy Troy to that What might old Priam and thy mother say Thy brothers and thy sisters tool pray Nay thou how canst me faithfull hope nor find Thine owne example crucifie thy mind Whos'ere from farre enters Troy's harbour hee Will cause thy doubt and by anxietie How oft in age wilt me adultresse call Forgetfull thou the â—uthour wert of all Thou my faulâ—s cause and blamer wilt become E're that earth hide me in a darksome tombe But I shall Iâ—â—an wealth enjoy rich dyesse And gifts farre larger than thy promises Robes rarely wrought and weeds of Tyâ—ian dye Huge heapes of glittering gold shall greet mine eye Pardon me Sir I count not gifts so deare I know not how that land may treat me there If wrong'd in Phrygia who 'le my wrongs correct Whence shall I Sires whence brothers aid expect Large vowes false Iason to Medea past Yet shee 's expulst from Aesons house at last No Aeta there to whom she might returne No mother there no sister was to mourne The like I feare not though no more did she Hope's oft deceiv'd through it's owne Augurie The Ships now tost upon the billowie Maine At leaving Port found it a glasse like plaine That brand much frights me which with fiery gleanâ— Vsher'd thy birth-day in thy mothers dream And those prophetick Sawes which have foretold Pelasgian flames should Iliums Towres enfold And as faire Venus favours thee alone ' Cause she two Trophies by thy judgement wonne So feare I those if thy report be true Whose claime was consur'd and condemn'd by you Nay should I goe I 'me sure warres rage to feele And our loves passage must be forc'd through steele Could Hippodimia in her cause compell Thracians and Centaures to a warre so fell And thinkst my spouse Brothers and Sire will show Mov'd with a wrath more just themselves more slow Though thou for valour dost so largely vie Trust me thy face doth give thy words the lye More fit for Venus thou than Mars wouldst prove Let Champions fight but Paris onely love Let Hector you so praise supply thy roome The loves sweet warfare better would become Which I my selfe would try could I but grow More bold or wise and Maids if wife will doe Perhaps e're long I may more gentle be Shame layd aside and yeeld my hands to thee That thou dost urge a private conference I'guesse your talke and what you mean from thence But thou' rt too quicke thy crop's but in the blade Perhaps 't may prove commodious to have stayd Thus farre my letter shewes my minds disease Here cease this work here my tyr'd hand take case What rests we will by Clymene confer And Aethra each my Mate and Counseller THE ARGVMENT of LEANDERS Epistle to HERO AT Sestos a maritime village in Europe direlt the fair lovely Hero entirely affected by Leander a noble youth dwelling on the opposite shore in Abydos a village of Asia to whom he nightly acustomed to swim through the Hellespont and to returne backe againe at breake of day At length the seas with boysterous windes incenst debard Leander of his wonted passage Seven nights were past since the earnest lover had seene his Hero's face By chance a hold and feaâ— lesse Mariner puts forth for Sestos by whom he sends unto her this his following Epistle wherein hee recomforts her hopes protests his faithfull love complaines against the stormy tide vowes despight of rigorous seas to swim to her at last and put his life unto a hazard rather than be debard the sight of her in whose love he averres remaines his onely blisse HEslth unto Hero doth Leander send Which he had rather bring would seas rage end Were the gods kind and to my love agreed With eyes unwilling thou these lines shouldst read But they 're not why doe they my wishes stay Nor suffer me to run my wonted way The heavens thou seest pitch-blacke with winds the seas Incenc'd by ships scarce to be past with ease Save one and he too hold by whom we sent Our lines to thee from shore his journey bent I was imbarking too but whilst w 'had been Weighing anchor all Abydos would have seen Nor could I as before my parents blinde Nay th' love wee would have hid would then have shin'd Forthwith I writ and said blest letter go A friendly welcome will her hand bestow Perhaps to kisse thee with her rosie lips Whilst the sign'd wax with Iv'rie teeth she rips This softly sayd unto my selfe the rest Was to my paper by my hand exprest That hand I wish might rather swim than write And bear me through th'accuslom'd waves with might More fitting farre to clap the smooth browd flood Yet now 't may serve to make me understood 'T is now seven nights to mee a yeare and more Since the hoarse sea with troubled waves did rore In all this space if one soft sleep did swage My breast may feas hold on their wofull rage Sad setting on some rock thy shores I see Present in minde where body cannot bee Besides mine eyes unto thy tower addrest Thy lights do spy or seeme to spy at least Thrice I my garments on dry sands did lay Thrice naked did attempt my dangerous way But seas my youthfull enterprise withstood And over-whelmd me in the adverse flood And thou of all the swift-wing'd winds the worst Why thus with me dost wage a warre so curst ' Gainst me stern wretch not seas thou rav'st ok me What would'st if love had nere been known to thee Cold as thou art thou canst not yet deny But in Actaan flames thou once didst fry And should one then have bar'd the acry way To thy loves thefts how wouldst have brookt it pray Oh spare me then and thy rough wayes appease So favour thee the kinde Hippoâ—ades But all 's in vain he murmurs ' gainst my prayers And the mov'd waves not calmes but higher reares Would me Creeâ—s Artist would his wings assigne Although th' lcarian shore doth nie adjoyne I 'd suffer all so wings my corps might beare And leaving water cut the liquid aire Meane time whilst all things hinder seas and wind My first loves stealths I will recall to minde 'T was night 't is still my joy to think when I A lover first my fathers gares did flye Straight casting off my clothes and