must be Curst Iealousie doth all her forces bend To my vndoing thus my harmes I see So though in Loue I feruently doe burne In this strange Labyrinth how shall I turne Song I. SWeet let me enioy thy sight More cleare more bright then morning Sun Which in Spring-time giues delight And by which Summers pride is wun Present sight doth pleasures moue Which in sad absence we must misse But when met againe in loue Then twice redoubled is our blisse Yet this comfort absence giues And only faithfull louing tries That though parted Loues force liues As iust in heart as in our eyes But such comfort banish quite Farre sweeter is it still to finde Fauour in thy loued sight Which present smiles with ioyes combind Eyes of gladnesse lipps of Loue And hearts from passion not to turne But in sweet affections mooue In flames of Faith to liue and burne Deareâ—t then this kindnesse giue And grant me life which is your sight Wherein I more blessed liue Then graced with the Sunnes faire light 2. SWeet Siluia in a shady wood With her faire Nimphs layd downe Saw not farre off where Cupid stood The Monarch of Loues Crowne All naked playing with his wings Within a Mirtle Tree Which sight a sudden laughter brings His Godhead so to see An fondly they began to iest With scoffing and delight Not knowing he did breed vnrest And that his will 's his right When he perceiuing of their scorne Grew in such desperate rage Who but for honour first was borne Could not his rage asswage Till shooting of his murth'ring dart Which not long lighting was Knowing the next way to the heart Did through a poore Nymph passe This shot the others made to bow Besides all those to blame Who scorners be or not allow Of powerfull Cupids name Take heede then nor doe idly smile Nor Loues commands despise For soone wiâ—â— he your strength beguile Although he want his eyes 3 COme merry Spring delight vs For Winter long did spight vs In pleasure still perseuer Thy beauties ending neuer Spring and grow Lasting so With ioyes increasing euer Let cold from hence be banish'd Till hopes from me be vauish'd But blesse thy daynties growing In fulnesse freely flowing Sweet Birds sing For the Spring All mirth is now bestowing Philomel in this Arbour Makes now her louing Harbour Yet of her state complaining Her Notes in mildnesse strayning Which though sweet Yet doe meet Her former luckelesse paining 4. LOuers learne to speake but truth Sweare not aud your oathes forgoe Giue your age a constant youth Vow no more then what you 'le doe Thinke it sacriledge to breake What you promise shall in loue And in teares what you doe speake Forget not when the ends you proue Doe not thinke it glory is To entice and then deceiue Your chiefe honors lye in this By worth what wonne is not to leaue 'T is not for your fame to try What we weake not oft refuse In our bounty our faults lye When you to doe a fault will chuse Fye leaue this a greater gaine t is to keepe when you haue won Then what purchas'd is with paine Soone after in all scorne to shun For if worthlesse to be priz'd Why at first will you it moue And if worthy why dispis'd You cannot sweare and lie and loue Loue alasse you cannot like T is but for a fashion mou'd None can chase and then dislike Vnlesse it be by fashâ—â—d prou'd But your choyce is and your loue How most number to deceiue As if honors claime did moue Like Popish Law none safe to leaue Flye this folly and returne Vnto truth in Loue and try None but Martir's happy burne More shamefull ends they haue that lye 1. MY heart is lost what can I now expect An euening faire after a drowsie day Alas fond Phant'sie this is not the way To cure a mourning heart or salue neglectâ— They who should helpe doe me and helpe reiect Embracing loose desires and wanton play While wanton base delights doe beare the sway Aud impudency raignes without respect O Cupid let they Mother know her shame 'T is time for her to leaue this youthfull flame Which doth dishonor her is ages blame And takes away the greatnes of thy name Thou God of Loue she only Queene of lust Yet striues by weakning thee to be vniust 2. LAte in the Forrest I did Cupid see Cold wett and crying he had lost his way And being blinde was farther like to stray Which sight a kind compassion bred in me I kindly tooke and dry'd him while that he Poore Child complain'd he sterued was with stay And pin'd for want of his accustom'd prey For none in that wilde place his Host would be I glad was of his finding thinking sure This seruice should my freedome still procure And in my armes I tooke him then vnharm'd Carrying him safe vnto a Myrtle bowre But in the way he made me feele his powre Burning my heart who had him kindly warm'd 3. IVno still iealous of her husband Ioue Descended from aboue on earth to try Whether she there could find his chosen Loue Which made him from the Heau'ns so often flye Close by the place where I for shade did lye She chafing came but when shee saw me moue Haue you not seene this way said she to hye One in whom vertue neuer grownde did proue Hee in whom Loue doth breed to stirre more hate Courting a wanton Nimph for his delight His name is Iupiter my Lord by Fate Who for her leaues Me Heauen his Throne and light I saw him not said I although heere are Many in whose hearts Loue hath made like warre 4. WHen I beheld the Image of my deare With greedy lookes mine eies would that way bend Feare and Desire did inwardly contend Feare to be mark'd Desire to draw still neere And in my soule a Spirit would appeare Which boldnes warranted and did pretend To be my Genius yet I durst not lend My eyes in trust where others seem'd so cleare Then did I search from whence this danger rose If such vnworthynesse in me did rest As my staru'd eyes must not with sight be blest When Iealousie her poyson did disclose Yet in my heart vnseene of Iealous eye The truer Image shall in tryumph lye 5. LIke to huge Clowdes of smoake which well may hide The face of fairest day though for a while So wrong may shaddow me till truth doe smile And Iustice Sunne-like hath those vapours tyde O doating Time canst thou for shame let slid So many minutes while ills doe beguile Thy age and worth and falshoods thus defile Thy auncient good where now but crosses bide Looke but once vp and leaue thy toyling pace And on my miseries thy dimme eye place Goe not so fast but giue my care some ende Turne not thy glasse alas vnto my ill Since thou with sand it canst not so farre fill But to each one my sorrowes will extend 6. O That no day would euer more appeare But clowdy night to gouerne this sad place Nor light from Heauen these haples roomes to grace Since that light 's shadow'd which my Loue holds deare Let thickest mists in enuy master here And Sunne-borne day for malice show no face Disdaining light where Cupid and the race Of Loueâ—s are despisd and shame shines cleere Let me be darke since barr'd of my chiefe light And wounding Iealousie commands by might But Stage-play-like disguised pleasures giue To me it seemes as ancient fictions make The Starrs all fashiousâ— and all shapes partake While in my thoughts true forme of Loue shall liue 7. NO time no roome no thought or writing can Giue rest or quiet to my louing heart Or can my mâ—mory or Phant'sie scan The measure of my still renewing smart Yet whould I not deare Loue thou should'st depart But let my passions as they first began Rule wound and please it is thy choysest Art To giue disquiet which seemes ease to man When all alone I thinke vpon thy paine How thou dost trauell our best selues to gaine Then houerly thy lessons I doe learne Thinke on thy glory which shall still ascend Vntill the world come to a finall end And then shall we thy lasting powre dicerne 8. HOw Glowworme-like the Sun doth â—ow appeare Cold beames doe from his gloriouâ— face descend Which shewes his daies and force duw to an ende Or that to leaue taking his time growâ—s neere The day his face did seeme but pale tâ—ough cleare The reason is he to the North must end His light and warmth must to that Climat bend Whose frozen parts could not loues â—eat hold deare Alas if thou bright Sunne to part frâ—m hence Grieue so what must I haplesse wâ— from thence Where thou dost goe my blessing sall attend Thou shalt â—nioy that sight for whicâ— I dye And in my heart thy fortuues doe nuy Yet grieue I 'le loue thee for thistate may ' mend 9. MY Muse now happy lay thy sâ—fe to rest Sleepe in the quiet of a faitfull loue Write you no more but let theâ— Phant'sies mooue Some other hearts wake not to ew vnrest But if you Study be those thoughts adrest To truth which shall eternall goodnes prooue Enioying of true ioy the most and best The endles gaine which neuer will remoue Leaue the discourse of Venus and her sonne To young beginners and their braines inspire With storyes of great Loue and from that fire Get heat to write the fortunes they haue wonne And thus leaue off what 's past shewes you can loue Now let your Constancy your Honor proue FINIS
dying In a little Cell hee recouer'd me but to no more health then to be able to goe thence for longer I would not stay then I had ability to goe away I discouer'd nothing of my selfe to him but by him all that had passed after I left sense till his recouering me the generall report was I was burn'd some fewe said murdred all agreed I was lost and in that was true agreement for so I was and am Then left I Apulia and in Hermits Cloathes roam'd vp and downe till I lighted on this place neuer finding any that could content mee but this What since became of my poore Daughter her misfortunes or blessings I can giue no account of but I feare the worst since one day one instant and one Planet gouernd and gaue our births onely 2â— yeares differing in time here haue I since remaind and till now neuer disclosed my selfe nor would haue done to you had not your freedome first ingag'd me repentance hath beene my blessed delight hauing enioyed that as plentifully and comfortably as euer ioy was to soules Now sir you see before you where misery hath not beene sparing where afflictions haue not faild their greatest bounty in excessiuenesse and where only comfort of a happy repentance rules and giues a sweeter consolation then worldly pleasures could with all glorious paintings giue liking Then did Parselius againe grieue for him and yet comfort sprung as after a hard Frost flowres though dead may appeare liuing retaining some warmth in the roote as in his breast that he might with gray haires know a change from misaduentures to a pure content Thus they continued sometimes Parselius wayling sometimes the Hermit relating his Stories past hee bent to comfort the other to Dispaire though sometimes a little moou'd to hope but with as small strength as life hath in the last gaspe But now must Steriamus and his companion find their way to their destined reliefe following the course ordained for them they took to the Sea so toward St. Maura Steriamus euer bringing into his sight the sweetnesse and brauenesse of Pamphilia blessing Mellissea for sending him to such a heauen of ioy as to see her and with her fauour to speake to her and for his happinesse to kisse her hand shee mildly permitting him O said he Steriamus now shalt thou end happily if so thy Destiny bee since thou hadst a kind parting from thy better selfe Then beheld he the Sea which calme and smooth gaue them quiet passage so said he appeard my Mistris gently letting my good come vnto me to passe me vnto an vnlooked for content Dearest Loueâ— how doth sweetnesse better fit with you where truest sweetnesse dwels then harsh cruelty Then did night possesse them but so still an one and so brightned by the fauour of the faire Moone who seem'd chastly to behold her selfe in the smooth face of the Sea which yet sometimes left her plainnes rising as catching at her face or as with loue to embrace it or rather keepe her in her dwellings wherein shee was deceiu'd for fauours are not euer so free as though lent to be possess'd for euer and thus greedy was I said he but she as chastly refused me yet did their sight bring some Verses into his minde which were these PRay thee Diana tell mee is it ill as some doe say thou think'st it is to loue Me thinks thou pleased art with what I proue since ioyfull light thy dwelling still doth fill Thou seemst not angry but with cheerefull smiles beholdst my Passions chaste indeed thy face Doth seeme and so doth shine with glorious grace for other loues the trust of Loue beguiles Be bright then still most chast and cleerest Queene shine on my torments with a pittying eye Thy coldnesse can but my despaires discry and my Faith by thy clearenesse better seeme Let those haue heat that dally in the Sunne I scarse haue knowne a warmer state then shadeâ— Yet hottest beames of zeale haue purely made my selfe an offring burnt as I was wonne Once sacrific'd but ashes can remaine which in an Iuory box of truth inclose The Innocency whence my ruines flowes accept them as thine 't is a chast Loues gaine Hauing done them he said them to Dolorindus whose thoughts were as busily employd in the same kinde now were they come within sight of St. Maura wherefore Steriamus demanded of the Marriners if they knew the white Rocke they did and so in the long Boate carried them vnto it where landing them they departed the Princes taking to the topp of it viewing it and the ruines admiring what they should doe in that desolatnesse where they found no man no place for man to bide in saue one little Caue whereâ— into they went and sitting downe they afresh discoursed of their Fortunes Steriamus relating to his companion the manner of his liuing in Pantaleria in the little Caue and so his youth but when he touched of Pantaleria he could not passe it ouer without some passionate remembrance of it where he only liued free and therefore as hee called it happy Delightfull Pantaleria would he crie when I remaind in thee how was I Lord of my selfe and so of all quiet content dayes were then past in hunting or some other countrie delights which now waste in being hunted by afflictions no paine knew I if not by surfetting of pleasure yet proued I a man esteeming change my greater happinesse when braue Parselius with the rarest of women except my Lady released me from ignorance bringing me into the world to be the riper in miseries fruite what happinesse in comparison of the woe we Princes suffer doth remaine in a country life O Pantaleria would I had still remaind in thee or would I had neuer knowne delights which were still springing in thee like thy dainty flowers and tender grasse which increased in plenty of sweetnes being corrected for the little height it some times got by the tender sheep as my sorrowes abound by the cruelty of my dearest loue Cruell loue Ah cruelst of cruelties why end you not your tyrannies or let tyrannie end with ending me Cursed be the time I euer suffered the vnrightfull Monarchy of loue to gouerne me thus to soueraignize ouer me giuing wounds and a little easing them as to make one hope the danger of death were past of purpose to make them more intollerable in the suffering els why brought you me from ioy to misery then a little to enioy a glimmering hope to be put into a darker night of sorrow with parting from it els might you haue left me in the sweet Morea when Pamphilia smiled on me Loue you inuited me but steru'd me you againe feasted mee but poyson'd me forcing me to drinke of absence You said Dolorindus doe lament as if alone you were appointed to suffer or alone did indure affliction when too couetously you hoard vnto your treasure what belongs to other men you call loue a tyrant when you are a
thus What hath been done I do confesse was hard and most vniustly against mine owne child but she hath married vnknowne vnto me in that she hath done like offence so set them iust in sight and hers the greater will appeare yet since her choice is such where such worth is as I truly speak more cannot flourish in so tender yeares I loue her and commend her thus worth doth gouerne where rule els would shew Then kist he his new sonne and presently his daughter was brought forth whom he did kindly welcome and so did conferre that Iland straight vpon the new maried couple making him Prince of fruitfull Metelin and other Ilands which were also his but himselfe and Erinea left the ioyfull payre and went to Samos where they liued she studying how to vexe or hurt her sister thus ill natures breath but in malice and feede still on spite Then did the young Romanian King take leaue first telling how he came vnto that place which was by chance for leauing the Morean Court vpon the comming of the happy newes of Victorious Rosindy hee desired to returne for his owne Countrie and there he would raise more men but as he trauelld he would still inquire of Parselius and Philarchos whom he long'd to meete and goe himselfe to succour and redeeme Albania Loue what a Lord art thou commanding ouer all for Selarina was the cause of this Then going back hee fell vpon this Ile to take in water and by meerest chance meeting a Peasant of that Country learn'd the state at that time that the place was in this brought him to the happy succour of the louingst paire that euer lou'd and did enioy their loues All well the Duke departed and they safe Antissius tooke his leaue with Allimarlus Steward of his house and many more who did attend on him a little before whose leauing Morea Leandrus hasting to his heart desired to be the messenger of that so happy successe of braue Rosindy and so there arriu'd to the infinite content of all the Court relating the dangerous attempts but then concluding with the happy end of ioy and marriage deliuering letters from the King and Queene who gaue precedence in place and gouernment to her husband for said she he won the kingdome by his sword me by his loue both his none but himselfe can here beare rule A little after Leandrus did arriue Amphilanthus tooke his leaue and with his Sister went for Italy as he pretended but St. Maura was the shrine hee bent his pilgrimage vnto The night before great sorrow was to part betweene Pamphilia and Vrania yet time grew on the king came in and so with kind and sad farewels he left the Court promising to returne with speed and to conduct Pamphilia to her kingdome from whence he by his perswasions had yet detaind her The way he and his sister tooke was straight vnto the sea none going with him but his deare and faithfull friend Ollorandus the euening after his depart Leandrus remaining in the Court and his passions more violently increasing to the height of discouering looking out at his window saw Pamphilia alone in a faire garden walking in such a manner as he could hardly giue it that title for so stilly did she mooue as if the motion had not been in her but that the earth did goe her course and stirre or as trees grow without sence of increase But while this quiet outwardly appear'd her inward thoughts more busie were and wrought while this Song came into her mind GOne is my ioy while here I mourne In paines of absence and of care The heauens for my sad griefes doe turne Their face to stormes and shew despaire The dayes are darke the nights oprest With cloud'ly weeping for my paine Which in shew acting seeme distrest Sighing like griefe for absent gaine The Sunne giues place and hides his face That day can now be hardly knowne Nor will the starres in night yeeld grace To Sun-robd heauen by woe o'rethrowne Our light is fire in fearefull flames The ayre tempestious blasts of wind â—or warmth we haue forgot the name Such blasts and stormes are vs assind And still you blessed heauens remaine Distemperd while this cursed power Of absence rules which brings my paine Lest your care be more still to lower But when my Sunne doth back returne Call yours againe to lend his light That they in flames of ioy may burne Both equall shining in our sight Leandrus now growne resolute not to loose for want of attempting would not let this opportunitie passe nor let slip so pretious an aduantage went into the garden to her and indeed it was properly said so for such businesse had her passions as til he interrupted them with words she discerned him not his speech was this Is it possible most excelling Queene that such a spirit and so great a Princesse should be thus alone and aduenture without guard My spirit my Lord said she as well guards me alone as in company and for my person my greatnesse and these walls are sufficient warrants and guardians for my safety Yet your safety might bee more said hee if ioynd with one who might defend you vpon all occasions both with his loue and strength while these dull walls can onely incompasse you but if traitors assaile you their helpe will bee but to stand still poorely gaine-saying Loue is oft-times as slacke being treacherous answered Pamphilia from assistance thus are these walls more secure and for strength I had rather haue these then ones power I could not loue Such is your discretion said Leandrus as to know that loue with discretion is the truest loue and therefore to a braue Princesse and especially to you whose vertue and beauty cannot be demanded by any whose deserts might challenge meriting of them discretion should aduenture to peâ—swade you to make choyce of some one you might affect for a husband since you were not onely fram'd the most incomparable Lady of the world but also a woman and so to be matched with one sit for your estate in birth and greatnesse and so iudgement will continue affection betweene you Discretion in loue I must confesse said she as discretion it selfe is bestâ— but if loue come wholly to be gouernd by it that wil haue so great a power as loue will loose name and rule and the other for riches or other baser things shall pâ—euaile against the sweetest passion and only blisse which is enioying therefore my Lord Leandrus by your fauour I must say I thinke you erre in this and in the truth of loue which is a supreme power commanding the eyes and the heart what glory were it to him to haue a cold part of wisdome to rule with him No his honor is to be alone and therefore doth he oft expresse it in making proud and great ones desperately affect meaner ones in respect of them and all to yeeld to his law they then that truly vnderstand great Loue must
and brought it to that passe that in fiue courses there was little aduantage but then Polarchos knowing his conclusion was neere an end like a man that in earnest desird to win his Ladyes loue encounterd him and stroke him flat on his backe passing only with the losse of his stirrops so the honour was giuen him and the other vnknowne got away as hee came but with somewhat lesse reputation yet no shame since hee did best of forty that Iusted of that Court. Thus the Iusts had end and Polarchos with much honor was brought into the Court wher he continued some daies hauing now finished his charge departed for Rhodes with all louely triumphant trophies At Rhodes he was receiued kindly of all except his mistris who examining al that he had done and finding none of the famous women among them told him that those were nothing to her vnlesse he had brought Pamphilias Vranias Selarinas and Limenas pictures or that he had ouerthrowne Parselius Rosindy Steriamus Selarinus Perissus Leandrus or such Knights looking with so despightfull a contempt on him as it a new moued his passions into a still continuing hate for he seeing this and all his labour no more esteemd grew to abhorring that which before he sought and scorne what he ador'd Is all my labour said he requited thus the trauells the hazards I haue runne into rewarded with this slightnesse Farewell fond vnworthy woman and when Polarchos next seekes thee vse him thus now I hate thee and will no more euer see thee or thinke of thee if not with scorne With that hee flung out of her presence and straight went to his lodging where he meant to stay that night onely and the next day take his iourney homeward but he was thus preuented for she seeing his minde alter'd and how like she was to fall into this losse she call'd her trustiest seruants to her and gaue them charge how to fulfill her commands which they accomplish'd for in the dead time of the night when hee slept secure from Loue passions which were wont to hold his eyes open and busie his soule hee now freed from them enioyed quiet rest till he was disturb'd by the rude rushing in of certaine men into his Chamber who taking him vnprouided layd hold of him and binding him with cords and yron chaines carried him into a strong towre which was on the topp of the Castle the windowes bard thicke with yron nothing else to keepe Sunne or cold from him no bed but the hard floore nor meate but bread and water Thus he liu'd a while true spectacle of misfortune in vnfortunate loue those hands that lately defended her beauty now bound for maintaining so false a shadow and all the honour he gaind for her turnd to disdained hate surely a iust punishment when worth carries a sword against worth to defend the opposite Poore Polarchos into what affliction art thou broughtâ— how will thy friends lament thy misfortune and redresse thy wrongs if they may attaine but the knowledge of it but thus thou must yet continue tortured for thy too great goodnesse Amphilanthus hauing now recouerd his strength pretily well came vnto his father one day telling him what promise he had made vnto his cosin the Queene of Pamphilia to conduct her home and therfore besought his leaue to depart and also permission for Vrania's going besides Steriamus was now to proceed in his businesse concerning the recouery of his kingdome these he said and no other should haue carried him from his presence This indeed was true and so gaind he the libertie he demanded though with hearty grief to part with them the Queene was also sorry for he was their dearest child yet his honour was more deare to them Then tooke he leaue of all the court and and with his braue companions and sweet Vrania tooke shipping for Morea Perissus hauing all this while continued in Arcadia with the King faine would take leaue of them but the happy newes of their arriuall did stay him If the Morean King were vpon this euen rauished with ioy none can blame him since he â—ad at that time the whole worth of the world in his presence Pamphilia neuer more contented hauing her two dearest brothers with her whither also soone came Philarchos to fill vp their ioyes bringing with him his beautifull and chastly louing Orilena all were full of comfort all comforted with this happinesse brauery of Knighthood shin'd there the onely beauty of vertue and vertuous beautie was there assembled As thus the Court was florishing in glory despising any sorrow a sad spectacle cald them one morning a little to compassion a Lady in mourning attire attended on with numbers of Knights and Ladies likewise in that habit came into the Hall the Ladies face couered with a blacke Vaile next to her followed an other Lady carrying a most sweete and dainty child in her armes shee comming to the State did not kneele downe but threw her selfe at the Kings â—eete crying out with such pitifull moane as all hearts did ioyne as in loue to condole with her Long it was before shee could bring forth any thing at last O my Lord said she as euer you had compassion of an afflicted creature verifie it in fauour shewed to mee I am a Lady and a miserable soule forlorne by fortune and my loue I was resolute but alas what woman can see my yeeres and still continue so I was deceiued and am and this now grieueth me Assist me gratious Prince it is alone in you to redresse my harme then doe it and doe it to her who suffers by your bloud The King was amazed not beeing able to guesse at the businesse yet taking her vp desired to know more of it promising his best power and aide in it The businesse then my Lord said shee is this I am dishonoured if you helpe not one of your Knights trauelling in search of a friend of his vnfortunately for mee lighted on my house where I with ciuility and courteous manner intertaind him so well hee liked the place and then my selfe as hee neuer ceased continuall importunity woing and sparing no meanes to win his end till hee procured this end for me yet being chastly bred and honouring vertue aboue all respects or passions I would not consent till he married me then wee kept together some times he leauing all other courses contented to obscure himselfe his name and estate to be in my armes happinesse to me like assurance of heauen for as heauen I lou'd him and would not refuse any danger his loue might expose me vnto But he hauing enioyd his desires and seeing I had no hidden beautie more for varietie to delight him with all hee left mee with a faigned excuse neuer since hauing so much as looked after me or let me know hee liu'd What torment this was to me Great King confider but most finding my selfe with child then came the hazard of my honour in mind the danger of
this new one nor did I find that I could affect him therefore I besought him to graunt me that blessing that I might not be thus yeelded to euery great match but that the businesse might be carried more to my honour and content My father I confesse was vext with these words yet being as kind as any man he moderated his furie something more then I might expect bringing forth at last these words The confidence I haue had in you I hope may still continue in that strength since I cannot thinke you dare for goodnesse sake commit so great a fault as to deceiue especially your father therfore I doubt not but your freedome is as euer sure yet I must needs say the suite of Charimellus continued thus long hath giuen occasion of discourse I dislike not your care of that nor be you afraid more then reason wills of the worlds reports which are like the discharging of pieces of Ordinance where fire smoke and noise are the companions but one bullet hurts but in one place and often times misses so may harme by loud talking people misse hurting you although the bruite flie yet doe I not condemne but prise your care honour being as necessary to a womans happy life as good Lungs to a healthfull body but yet I trust you are not ingaged by promise I assured him I was not though I could not deny but my affection was setled My father imagined hee knew the place thereupon proceeded in the former match then was I to worke my end hauing no meanes saue mine owne industrie and strength of mind busied like a Spider which being to crosse from one beame to another must worke by-waies and goe farre about making more webs to catch her selfe into her owne purpose then if she were to goe an ordinary straight course and so did I out of my wit weaue a web to deceiue all but mine owne desires The last plot I had was to make Charimellus intreate my Cosin to bee his meanes to me for him which he good man fulfilled the discreet and braue Laurimello speaking to me as earnestly and affectionately as if for himselfe I receiued his words and accepted his counsell as a patient doth the aduise of his Phisition and so wrought it in me for he was able to cure me◠and only he yet not weighing what and whereto my answers were directed hee let them passe my accounted seruant remaining secure as it was imagined in my opinion and loue but contrary it proued for soone after he seeking to haue assurance from me of my grant to be his wife I refused it telling him I had priuately vowed vnto my selfe neuer to be betrothed nor assured vntill the time I married He was troubled with my refusall yet so ciuilly I vsed him as he was reasonably contented there withall neuer were Bees so busie in a Swarme as my thoughts were how to set my mind and ends aright◠sometimes I resolu'd to speake but bashfulnes with-held mee casting before mine eyes the staine that iustly might be laid on me a maid and of so tender yeeres to wooe a man then how often I had heard him say that hee hated forward woman and could loue none but such an one who he must win by suite and loue and who would loue him so as though most earnestly yet pretily to make him thinke neglect did gouerne her which would be like Cordials to his heart or a diet to increase the stomack of his loue These hindred me and I continued like a branch placed to the wall of faithfull affection while the blasts of desire did moue the leaues to speake or shew so much as might be called loue While these doubts rul'd Charimellus fell sicke being then many miles distant from me for his estate lay in Austria I hearing of it sent to visit him but so late as my messenger could onely deliuer as to his last senses my message and he for his last words returne me thanks and so he died sending me a token which he tooke from about his arme with that and the newes my seruant came in troth I was sorry for him and found that I could weepe for him and did so too yet was there no roome left for any but my first chose loue to inhabit After his death the second came againe and with his friends and all apparent meanes did set his rest to win me but I freed meant so to hold my self nor could there be lest color for thē so soone to moue me hope began then to flatter me I saw or that deceitful thing did see for me that no bar now did lie between my ioies the obtaining saue a little nice childish modesty which would a vertue proue in shewing modest loue But so long did I feed my selfe with baby fancy till the truth was lost for he not once imagining my end married another Lady rich and therefore worthy This misfortune past repaire and falne on mee I priuately lamented moan'd my state grieu'd and still quarrel'd with my self and then when all was lost and hope of ioy quite dead I yeelded to my second suiters mind with the consent of all my friends and publique feasts I marryed him with whom I now thanked be Heauen happily haue liu'd these many yeares But doe you not some times said Amphilanthus see your best chosen friend Oft times said she and in that am I bless'd for heere wee haue all pleasures we can wish content and loue and happines in that No happinesse can bee compar'd to that said Ollorandus where loue meets and mutually is blessed with one and the selfe kinde But how doth the good-man like of this so wel said she as if he made the choyce being secure in my chastity yet this I needs must say I liu'd an ill froward life with him for some two yeares while ignorance held me and willfulnes liued in him but when wee came to know or better to bee cleane deceiued wee grew good friends and like kinde mates haue liued these last three yeares Humors hee had of iealosie which I could not blame him for my fashion beeing free and such as hauing still beene bred in Court I carryed with me but since he discerned that more innocency lyes vnder a fayre Canope then in a close chest which lock't the inward part may be what it will Hee accused himselfe and is now growne so free as I doe rather doubt my selfe then him and in truth I needs must say I am so much a seruant vnto loue as I discouer more in outward shew then graue discretion can permit me with yet alwayes haue I and still will rule my affection by vertue By this they were arriued at the wall of the garden hauing still followed that pleasant brooke which was an arme of the large and braue Danubia being enter'd the Garden they met her Husband and with him the sweete enioyer of her free giuen ioyes none neede to tell the Princes who hee was
courteous as he was proud and kind as he cruell the renowned Princes Amphilanthus and Ollorandus tooke shippe I could not but pursue in folly as in loue and so tooke a troublesome and tedious iourney to Morea I came of purpose to see her who was my vndoer for hee loued Pamphilia and shee would I behold desiring or so gayning my end no more contented with hearing it but like Procris would seeke it and gaine it There I had entertainment like my search smiles in scorne and losse in hope for in that Princesse I confesse worth to conquer hearts and thus I yeeld his choyce most perfect But this could not hold me from accusing my want of iudgment in going thither to behold her as if I would wash mine eyes the cleerer to see my ill What folly said I led me to this Rocke of mischeife to be cast downe and ruin'd on the ground of scorne yet did not this hinder my iourney for me thought I was more deseruing him then the rare Princesse so partiall are we to our selues that I could almost haue belieued she seemed excellent because mine eyes like a flattring glasse shewed her so yet againe thought I why should I commend her who vndoes my blisse My spleene then swell'd against her and I was sicke with anger that I as abruptly left Morea as Steriamus did Stalamina thence I was by the braue Amphilanthus directed to Saint Maura but a storme brought me hither where with a greater tempest I was molested falling into the hands of a madâ—man who dress'd me as you see and with diuersity of franticke fits perplexed me I haue since liued in these places and seene Winter in cold despaires and Sommers heat in flourishing misery nor saw I any of whom to demand fauour these many months first shuning all till now wherefore from your hands I implore it let not my outward meanes hinder your noble mind from pitty but rather shew it where most want claimes it I confesse contempt is likelyer to bee my reward whose pride was such as that punishment best fitteth me but I am humbled and my former fault looks more odious to me then thought of this fortune would haue done in my height of greatnes The King had before heard of her and tooke compassion of her carrying her to the Towne where that night she was to lye in his owne Charriot which was led spare she rid thither where he cloathed her according to her dignity But when she had her greatnes againe in good clothes put about her she began to grow to her wonted accustomed humours like a garden neuer so delicate when well kept vnder will without keeping grow ruinous So ouer-running-weedy pride in an ambitious creature proues troblesome to gouerne and rude to looke on Feare to see her poorenes held her from looking in either the face of a fountaine or Riuer but now her eyes tels her shee is her selfe which is enough to make her remember she was and must bee againe as she was directly Shall I said shee change from lownes to noblenes and not come to my noble spirit then were I more vnfortunate to haue such an alteration then if held in raggs the mind is aboue all but it selfe and so must mine bee Oâ—ght I not to glory in my good that I am redeemed from a priuate life nay must I not loue my selfe who I see Heauen hath such care of as not to let me be obleiged to other then one of mine owne ranke for the fauour as esteeming none other worthy to serue me Steriamus would thou didst but see this and thy disdainefull Mistris behold my honor it might worke good vpon you both and teach you how to esteeme of those or indeed her who the highest powers obserue and reuerence Alas what a â—oole was I to be molested with my former fortune had I beene able but to see what now I discerne I should haue reioyced at it since without question it was done for my greater honor and of purpose to shew me how much the highest would expresse affection nay respect vnto me Marke but the whole carryage did not all adore me the mad-man were his fits other then worshipping me as Sheephardesse Nimph or any thing did he not humble himselfe most respectiuely vnto me Then bee thy selfe absolutly bless'd Neraena all creatures made to secure thee and of all kinds command then and shew thou art worthy of such happy authority Soare like the Hobby and scorne to stoope to so poore a prey as Steriamus who now looks before mine eyes like a Dorr to a Faulcon my mind preserued for height goes vpward none but the best shall haue liberty to ioyne with me none Master me Ignorant Prince what glory did'st thou shunne when thou didest dispise the most reuerenced of women the fauorite of the louing Gods and Goddesses Dull man to loue any but Neraena the most loue-worthy of her sex and her whom all may glory in for affecting and that iudgement I discerne in this King who was euen at first sight rauished with beholding me true loue that only regards beauty not apparrell to that end did loue cloath me in ragges to conquer a King Poore Perisâ—us I pitty thee that thy constancy must loose the strong power it had till now and yeeld to my victory who cannot requite thee yet faine would he couer his affection but tâ—s plainely seene how doth he steale looks on me cast vp his eyes then sigh these tell me that his heart is my prisoner and the contention is twixt his difficulty to part from so long a fixed affection and feare of my refusall which he must finde if hee pursue in it Alas I faine would helpe it if I could but constancy though a fruitlesse vertue gouerns me With that the King came to her whom she vsed after the same manner as if he had beene in loue as she imagined which was nothing so but made him coniecture that she had beene with good feeding growne into her fury againe and fullnesse had renewed her madnesse he was sorry to see her so that she accounted passion which was pitty of her hee being the worthylest constant and who would not let one spot come to touch or blemish that purenes which remayned in him like the fixed Starrs shining with ioy and giuing light of purest content vnto his excellent soule but at last he found her false imagination grow troublesome to auoyd which hee meant to bee rid of her wherefore at the Port where he was to take Shipping he appointed a Barque of purpose for her to carry her to her owne Country and some seruants to attend her besides some of her owne who came vnto her when her finding was noysed abroad and vpon submission were receiued When shee saw her selfe thus slighted as she term'd it because the King heâ— new seruant as she called him did not attend her in his owne person shee froun'd Hee found she disliked it and therefore sought to
willing to see the time when he might againe be blessed with Veralindas sight he went to bed folding his armes wishing his Mistrisse instead of her imagined selfe had been betweene them he sighed and turned as if from vaine hopes and put himselfe within the clothes to couer his folly as impossible wishes euer are Long he had not rested when from that he was cald as a little being too much for him many men came in the first carrying Candles the rest a Banket hee sat vp in his bed admiring the maner when the Lady came to him drank to him willing him to be merry and said she reioyce for now you are fallen into the hands with that making a signe his eies being fixt on her besides a little heauy so quickly discernd not the treason as otherwise he had cords were throwne ouer his armes and he made prisoner Vilanous treason cryd he of any and most destable of any other what is the cause what is the meaning of this I am indeed falne but how by treachery and falshood in a faire Counterfetter but foulest in the being falâ—e She laughed to see him tide and told him she neuer saw chaines better become a Knights armes then his especially they ought to sit best on the Emperours brother next himselfe whom she wished in his place though he were on that condition free He said no more but was tormented inwardly as much as so noble a spirit could be but he with all careful and desirous to free himself if he could catch opportunity They careles desird him to rise and go with them heedles of his watch which they repented for he rising found the chaines so loose as he slipt out of them and getting his sword which lay euer with him drawne such a busines he made among theÌ„ as many were hurt and some kild the Lady he kickt ouer with al contempt told her that he would die like a Prince hating her abominable trechery scorning more her falshood then plot Some of the seruants ran to their Lord to let him know the accident and to know what should bee done hee in his Gowne and only his shirt vnder it his sword in his hand following the seruants who when they came to the chamber let him as being their Master haue the place to enter they indeede not daring to venture againe into the roome He went in finding Leonius then vpon one of his men and him he best loued ready to strike off his head Hold your hand said he braue Prince and end your quarrell on me more meriting the blow All of you said he equally merit punishment for disloialty but you indeed most being the greatest and therfore most vnfit to be ill but ill beeing most punish-worthy still holding his sword ouer the man What may I do said the Lord to satisfie you To giue me liberty said Leonius although it be my due being brought hither to serue your faithlesse Sister I will not bee so poore to aske yet if I must make my choice I will be content with this let vs two as we are in our shirts fight for liberty or imprisonment if you ouercome I will remaine willingly your gaine if I vanquish let me haue liberty to depart and on these conditions I will saue the life of this creature I am content said the Lord. With that he threw his Gowne off Nay stay said the fauourd man my safty shal not proue harme any more to him that giues me life call your sonne and your other seruants coniure him and them to performe this condition well was this liked and so performed Then did Leonius and the Castle Lord â—ight so daintily and valiantly as neuer was any combat like it naked men brauely performing what discourses or Romancies striue with excellentest witty descriptions to expresse in Knights armed curious in their arming and carefull Here is no defence but vallour and good fortune armour but delicate shirts and more delicate skinnes sheilds but noble breasts of steele sufficient being strong in worth yet the noblest must ouercome so did Leonius who hauing kild the Lord hauing himselfe receiued some wounds but none very dangerous stood still looking on the young Lord who with teares beheld his father dead and casting his eyes like a noble Gentleman on Leonius Sir said he you haue now the conquest and shall haue the conditions kept with you which were made by my father In weeping he cald for a Chirurgion who dressed his wounds seeking first for helpe for his father but there was no hope hee nobly deliuerd the Armes againe belonging to Leonius to him when he had receiued them and saw all things iustly performed which was by the mankind promised he desired one thing more of the Gentleman whose harme brought his good which was to know the truth of the busines My Lord said he the truth is this there is nothing true which she related vnto you but faigned as diuers others haue been to worke her end She is not sister nor any thing that good is to my dead Lord but a creature kept by him this my young Lord being sonne by his vertuous and worthy wife whose heart was broken by his immoderate affection to this woman she hated all worth and now surely was cloyd with him striuing by all meanes to put him into dangerous aduentures not caring what shee did so she had her pleasure No weeke hath passed that she hath not had one or two of such like businesses faigning falshoods and discourses as she found their Persons shee met withall especially hating the Emperour for his and your fathers sake who gaue offence to her by hauing in his youth a while liked her mother and for necessity of the place surely more then affection hauing enioyed after left her This as leauing is a hatefull thing to women vpon what termes soeuer and she doubting her end would grow vnto it vowed all hurt to your illustrious family and to that end she laid this trap for you Leonius took his leaue of the young Lord who brought him out of the Castle to see him safe permitting his Chirurgion to goe with him turning the vild creature out of his gates alone and vnprouided of any thing but her wickednesse wherewith she was plentifully furnished and all that with her selfe enioyed by the wild beasts Noble was this act for a braue enemy gaines equall fame by nobly vsing his enemy as by cherishing his friend Leonius tooke his iourney and way still as he pretended to his Mistrisse he passed Bulgaria hating it for this mischiefe and without any saue neate aduenture which was this gaind right against Corinth A passionate man walked vp and downe the Sands being vpon the Strand of the Gulfe of Lepanto somtimes viewing Heauen crauing aide from thence then the earth blaming her cruelty alas cryd he pitiles Heauen that could view and permit such extremity to suffer so chastly loyall a Loue to end in so sad a sort
your owne the strangenâ—sse of her worthines in truth makes me to speake so much of hers mine being but as shadowes to them though true substances of miseries and the more perfect in being like hers who is the perfectest louer she I say said he who neuer yet saw storme to stirre her thoughts though Shipwrackt in his scorne no wind blew her to change nor change had gliding neare her much lesse stay but to my paines Sir this it is The Lady beloued and sought had a Gentlewoman attending on her who had and hath full rule of mee shee faire and delicate knew shee might bee or ought to bee beloued looked like a Princesse secure in her estate where all hearts were hers so shee smiled on mee as on a subiect I tooke it more kindlie and so wrapped my selfe willingly into the Snare for when I came to her and out of hope imboldned craued her fauor she told me she was not Marchandise nor to bee gaind that way but her loue was free and freely should be giuen I quaked at that instant like a child before the rod but after I tooke courage and againe persued but yet preuailed not for her affections were placed on a Gentleman Steward of the house a fine man and such an one as meriteth the title delicate in his apparell Courtly in his discourse and as a young man passionate in shew and curious in his behauiour like a Courtier these preuailed with her his perfumes ascended aboue my desearts his neatnes beyond my estate and his fairenes exceeded my merits but I enuy not his fortune nor did I hate any thing but my misfortune nor haue I reason for hee enioyed her not so much as to marriage which would he had though I had euer lost and gaind but only sight of her deerer to me then millions of inioyings of Kingdomes were they offer'd me while I must still want her who being too too rich a prize for man or Earth is calld away and only Heauen fit for her she doth inioy that place Hells tormenting furyes lying still in me shee 's dead deere loue and perfect beauty ending with her But by your fauour said Leonius I should lesse lament her losse since she was an others then had shee beene mine owne in part what is an others treasure to mee but more what is the griefe to see that which my selfe most loueth and coueteth to be possest by an other the possession would so much afflict me as the second losse would neuer trouble me You assuredly Sir said he are no louer if one but a faint one and such an affecter as gaine is your loue nor can losse trouble you for you being a selfe louer loue but for your owne ends if they be denyed the loue remoues to an other place as we of our profession if our Trade faile in one Country we transport and transplant to an other but loue can haue on such liberty remoues are not suffered there one place containes the scope of one mans loue and my hart is the staple of fruitlesse Constancy Thus he lamented telling Leonius that that place pleased him best because he could from thence view Corinth or part of that where his affection liued in life and death The Prince then tooke his leaue of him and taking Shipping arriued on the other side and shortly at the Court which was held at Corinth great content was shewed generally in all mens eyes and their hearts did answere it the Ladyes were glad because they all loue'd him as a braue young Prince and receiued from him the assurance of their seruants well-fare but long he stayed not carrying Veralinda his deerest selfe to her father into Frigia this gaue fit opportunity to Pamphilia to desire leaue also to visit her Country which with much importunity was granted her but first she resolued to goâ— into Arcadia to find Siluiana drinke the water with her and then visite Pamphilia These delicate and matchles Ladyes tooke their way leauing the Court like the Skye when the Starrs only shine and the nights fairest light appeareth not in this voyage they shall be left being time for Bellamiras iourny to be spoken off After she had prouided her selfe of all necessaries fit for her she trauelled towars Saint Maura arriuing there within short time being neither hindred by wind not aduenture her Father shee found and her finding him gaue such ioy to the aged Lord as he thought all those passed yeares renued againe in youth in him Quickly she got him thence leauing that place only possess'd with the richnesse of well wishes both of his and all that know it especially those who had receiued the excellent benefit of forgetfulnes in it At their returne into Dalmatia the King hearing of his arriuall sent vnto him intreating his presence which he obayed his Daughter going with him and both receiuing all honour from his Maiestie hee looking on her as one would doe on a faire field after the Corne is reaped so was the haruest of his affection to her passed There she met a Gentleman in good place then vnder the King who had formerly serued and beene Gentleman of the horse to her yet loued loue this Gentleman out of old acquaintance and beloued familiarity brake somewhat boldly with her concerning her affection the continuance of it and lastly whether she would bee so kind as to accept of his loue againe if heâ— offered it assuring her that hee was in far better estate for his affections returning to her then she seemed to credit Much shee maruelled at this discourse and his new boldnes who had neuer before aduentured to speake of it in all his time of happines feare shee might haue done but that she weighed his honesty neuer in any thing touched being alwaiâ—s held and found a sinceere man and iust yet so finely she carried her selfe as she found by him he had commission to say what hee did yet not to let it be knowne she would not be too busie but answered them as she thought fittest concluding vpon much vrging that no earthly blessing could bee such to her as his loue and the returne of it He only smild and bid her take heed she was not the losse of it She was so wary and her former beloued and louing Lord so passionate as quickly they were as once they were no iniuries pass'd remembred no recounting of pass'd vnkindnesses but as if only absence had held them assunder so meeting made their loues as at the beginning happines aboue it selfe and this shee felt going soone after to her owne house whither her father went and her loue with many others no ioy nor content like theirs Her Father was called againe to serue the King and made Marshall of Dalmatia thus Dettareus is againe a Knight and Bellamira once more contented which she shall continue but Dettareus must be yet punnished for his former fault and offence Pamphilia being in Arcadia went to seeke her friend and companion as
of grauity as she was fit for the honour they recalld her to her sister shee prouided for but she returnd no more but with a young Prince shee grew so enamourd of although a married man stole away ended so as her friends did desire all good people should forget her or that she neuer had bin thus may you see that none can run so far that shall not haue some time to returne nor any how much soeuer condemn'd but may liue to be fit of commiseration and respect this was verified in her she deserud their due restoring her proouing an excellent Gouerness and braue Lady being able to ouerrule her old passions by theÌ„ to iudge how to fauor licence curb others this expâ—rience though late is most profitable to Princes Amphilanthus with the braue once hating now louing Ladies comming to Negropont were by Dolorindus Antissia infinitly welcom'd and feasted yet Antissia was not wellplesed for although she had directly lost the loue she most prized yet somuch she lou'd him stll as she was sorry he should do amisse which she did coÌ„fes he did in leauing Pamphilia sor Musalina Alas said she most excellent Lady did not I fortell your harme yet I protest I am truly sorry for this and wish I had said false so you had still beene bless'd it was not my fortune to be happy in what I most sought yet wish I you had inioyed what your worth and constancy had merited no enuy I beare to you nor euer did but to my destâ—ny which would not fauor me Of purpose shee would vrge discourse of her which the Empeâ—or tooke wel enough and was contented so far with it as to think of her and at last resolu'd to see her but one day walking alone in a delicate walk of Birches set by art vpon the top of a hil both sides being sowed with wheat Haruest not yet being come though the corn ripe for it hee beheld the euen perfect growing of them Can we said he possibly be as euen in our owne brests to truth as these things which are sowed or set by our hands No and for our shame our own works must wittnesse against vs for I confesse I haue done amisse and against her deserued best of me for loue and constancy and yet none haue I payed with so much neglect I am faulty but I will mend and she I hope wil pardon Sweet Corne said he when the wind stirrs how doe your heads bend humbly that way you are blowne how euenly equally and patiently hath she borne my neglects I will giue satisfaction and she shall bee requited As he walked thus he heard a Ladd pipe meerily on a Pipe he had made of one of the stalkes of Oates not farre off growing he stayd to heare him and when he thought he had done went toward him desiring to heare some thing which though low in respect of his vnderstaÌ„ding yet would now be pleasing to his passions as he drew neerer to him he heard him vse these words Loue since thou art thus gratefull be thou euer blessed I now am sorry I did call thee ill I doe repent that I did thinke thou hadst beene wayward or vngratefull all is passd and I doe pardon craue I le sing vnto thy praise as I did cry agaiust thee I le make songs in thy honour as I did in reuiling thee I le sweare thou art alone worthy and fit to be honourâ—d as I lately vow'd thou wert the onely Serpent and hatefull humor to be cheerished If humble submission can merit fauour I will gaine it of thee if not punish me aud spare not for I must and doe confesse I am guilty and deserue more ill then thy noblenesse will inflict on any giue me my freedome from thy fauours and I wil euer be thy vassell for it Then tooke he vp his sling walked a litle farther that being his weapon to defend himself and to molest the Birds or other enemies to his charge in that delicat Corne. Amphilanthus thus followed a farre off as hope doth despairing Louers when he saw him sit downe againe and take vp his Pipe then againe proceede in his commendations of Loue and then sing The Emperour liked that humor well wishing he might haue the like cause to praise that passion vpon which hee was pleased to make most excellentâ— Verses and then return'd to the Court Musalina and Lucenia whose humble submission had gain'd pardon and loue in some kinde had them as they had most he had written but still his minde ran on his iourney not doubting of his welcome yet knowing his fault wished the first encounter passed Musalina took her leaue to returne into Romania much sorrow was for parting but those things are so vsuall as the relation were like telling a tale so often till all eares were tyred with it Musalina in her iourney had as many seuerall thoughts as loue could bring forth sometimes suspition came then anger and reuenge followed yet these were salued againe with hope and trust She was grown likewise a Poet as being a necessary thing and as vnseparable from a witty louer as loue from youth When she arriu'd at home the poore trees felt the cruelty which she said was inflicted on her sad rimes came often into her thoughts some of her own others of Amphilanthus his making on parting and of diuers others contenting her selfe or rather forcing content to be shewed when no remedy was her loue being gone and which was worse in a kinde neuer to returne which gaue forme to these lines following a great drought being in that Country and euery one wishing for raine Why doe you so much wish for raine when I Whose eyes still showring are stand you so nigâ— Thinke you that my poore eyes now cannot lend You store enough alas but rightly bend Your looks on me and you shall see a store Able to moisten Earth and ten earths more Sighs to make Heauen as soft as tender wooll And griefe sufficient to make vp the full Of all despaires then wish not since in me Contained are teares griefe and misery Many times she would goe to the solitary woods and grieue there freely crying out her woes but all return'd alike to her for gaine or reward for how can helpe be now expected only absence will assist and that at last in this distrest Lady preuailed wherein she was happy though many sad daies and nights passed before the cure could be wrought Time being for this disease the best Phisition Amphilanthus tooke his way towards Pamphilia taking with him only twelue Knights whom hee chose and his and their Squires them he inioyned not to disclose him nor cal him any other then the Iust in hope Pamphilia not hoping for any redresse was one day in certaine walkes with her ancient friend and seruant the Lady who the Queene 's met in such diâ—order for loue and was the same Lady that was so pleasant with
happy may your issue be know from me that you were here foretold vs many years â—ince to witnes which this booke shall giue you vnderstanding takeing that on the Altar in his hand but till your owne and by your selfe chosen Lord come I must not discouer the secrets vnto you As thus they were in discourse a strange noyse of seuerall sorts of Trumpets and other wind Instruments were heard whereat entred the king Parselius who hunting was brought by a like traine into that place He beheld her and she him but as two Statues set with their eyes one vpon the other without power to speak so stood they admiration filling them as they were but wonder The old man thus said since my Lord the King is now likewise present I may lawfully goe forward and fullfill the charge left vnto me which hath laine in my hands these many yeares Your Grandfather braue Queene had a Brother named Distantes he was a braue and valliant Gentelman as this Kingdome euer knew but his misfortune was to fall in loue with a Lady wife to another man whose deserts especially for loue and truth to him worthynes aboue all to be prized merrited what so much loue as was in him and that was as much as euer man carryed or suffered for woman could demaund and she had such requitall from him he had loued her before her marryage she had likewise deerely loued him and gaue so liuely proofes of it as he was made possessor of what was most desired by him and the other only made a colour for their loues losing what was by marriage his due but the others by the right of loue so as he was the right Husband the other the seruant that had but by stealth Distantes possessing freely This proceeded she was with child the good man reioyced at it she was hartily glad and the Prince thought himselfe blessed who at the same time also had his wife with child who dyed in child-bed leauing a faire and delicate daughter as yeares after manifestedâ— his Mistris had a sonne who were brought vp together the Prince desiring her as a friend to bring vp his daughter hauing by that a faire occasion to visit her whom hee loued more then any other or himselfe which is easily to be beloued since himselfe he nor any louer will spare in comparison of loue to the beloued These children continually nourished fed and conuersing together did breed feede and discourse affections by this meanes growing like trees incensible yet to perfection and florishing such rootes they had planted as could not without perishing both branches be decayed yet time made them fearefull by reason that she was so much greater aboue him in her it made her loue the stronger thinking it an honour to her to aduance by her fauour a man fit in worth though below her in dignity the other being aboue all degrees One day she was in the Garden by a delicate Fountaine combing her haire and braiding it into seueall breads tying at each end a delicate rich pearle hee came neere her enough to behold her but not so neere for his owne happines to hinder her or make delayes from so delicate worke with which shee knotted and tyed vp his heart in as many bonds as her fingers made plats and wound them at last all round to crowne her victory and his bondage When shee had done hee went to her shee with smiles and pleasant discourse welcom'd him with such sweet and familiar affection as had him boldly sit by her take her hand kiâ—se it and so discourse of loue so farre he proceeded and so willingly shee imbraced his desires as shee yeelded as farre as chast loue did warrant promise of marriage passing betweene them This continued till the Prince hauing prouided a fit marriage for her came and propounded it vnto her little imagining what had pass'd betweene his children glad hee was to see their loues which nature told him was necessary but not alasse the least misdoubting the mischiefe committed til she seem'd so nice and vnwilling to bee perswaded as hee grew offended yet feared not such a misaduenture then did hee set his Mistris her husband and the youth their sonne to worke with her they all promised their helpes except the young man who modestly excused it as well as hee could confessing his want of power with her and vnwillingnesse to offend herâ— This did not dislike the Prince who went away hoping for all that to winne her in time which hee was resolu'd not by force to purchase but if by perswasions not els to compasse The loue increased between the two young ones as warmth in the Spring but the misery at last grew to their losse yet gaine in this kinde by sad discourse making them know the ill they had runne into and the sinne they had committed which by this chance happened vnto them The Lady Mother to the youth and Gouernesse to the Princesse began to discerne they lou'd then doubted where then guessed and so grieu'd and more was perplexed not being able to finde a way out of this maze of trouble nor an end to winde the skeine vpon any bottome but destruction and ruine shee could not finde a friend to trust with it to reueale her suspition to her beloued not being sure of the ill shee thought it not fit since a iust taxe might bee laid vpon her iudgement and an vncurable wound giuen to him to thinke of the offence and deepe though deserued punishment on him and her whose sinnes had bred flowers to poyson themselues with all and brought forth ioyes to be their ouerthrowes In these perplexities shee remain'd till a night or two before the Prince was to come againe in the euening or rather so late as might â—e called night shee went into the Garden to breath her complaints in the sweet and silent ayreâ— but what hower can be so late or early that if profitable Louers will not finde conuenient Shee had not walk'd done Alley but in a close delicate couer'd walke she heard a whispring which made her stand still and not vnmannerly but onely for knowledge sake listen who they were when against her will as often that happens shee heard these words My deare said one of them what strange mistrust is this that lately is fallen into my mothers breast to make her so curiously watch and as it were striue to depriue vs of our loued meetings Can shee bee vnkinde to her owne sonne or thinkes shee that I am not worthy of thee Can shee which cherished mee with such hearty loue enny or seeke vndeseruedly to barre my chiefest blessing the earth holds not that treasure I prize like thee the Heauens but in themselues can giue mee such content as thy presence fills me withall ioy is not but in thy sight nor am I ought if not with thee barre mee thy conuersation and imprison mee let mee bee banished thee and murther mee let mee not inioy thee
most sad feeling in it all spite In night when darknesse doth forbid all light Yet see I griefe apparant to the show Follow'd by iealousie whose fond tricks flow And on vnconstant waues of doubt alight I can behold rage cowardly to feede Vpon foule error which these humors breede Shame doubt and feare yet boldly will thinke ill All those in both I feele then which is best Darke to ioy by day light in night opprest Leaue both and end these but each other spill Song 3. STay my thoughts doe not aspire To vaine hopes of high desire See you not all meanes bereft To inioy no ioy is left Yet still me thinkes my thoughts doe say Some hopes doe liue amid dismay Hope then once more Hope for ioy Bury feare which ioyes destroy Thought hath yet some comfort giuen Which despaire hath from vs driuen Therefore deerely my thoughts cherish Neuer let such thinking perish 'T is an idle thing to plaine Odder farre to dye for paine Thinke and see how thoughts doe rise Winning where there no hope lies Which alone is louers treasure For by thoughts we loue doe measure Then kinde thought my fant'sie guide Let me neuer haplesse slide Still maintaine thy force in me Let me thinking still be free Nor leaue thy might vntill my death But let me thinking yeeld vp breath 19. COme darkest Night becomming sorrow best Light leaue thy light fit for a lightsome soule Darknesse doth truely sute with me opprest Whom absence power doth from mirth controule The very trees with hanging heads condole Sweet Summers parting and of leaues distrest In dying colours make a grief-full role So much alas to sorrow are they prest Thus of dead leaues her farewell carpets made Their fall their branches all their mournings proue With leauelesse naked bodies whose hues vade From hopefull greene to wither in their loue If trees and leaues for absence mourners be No maruell that I grieue who like want see 20. THe Sunne which glads the earth at his bright sight When in the morne he showes his golden face And takes the place from tedious drowsie Night Making the world still happy in his grace Shewes happinesse remaines not in one place Nor may the Heauens alone to vs giue light But hide that cheerefull face though no long space Yet long enough for tryall of their might But neuer Sun-set could be so obscure No Desart euer had a shade so sad Nor could black darknesse euer proue so bad As paines which absence makes me now indure The missing of the Sunne a while makes Night But absence of my ioy sees neuer light 21. WHen last I saw thee I did not thee see It was thine Image which in my thoughts lay So liuely figur'd as no times delay Could suffer me in heart to parted be And sleepe so fauourable is to me As not to let thy lou'd remembrance stray Lest that I waking might haue cause to say There was one mnute found to forget thee Then since my faith is such so kinde my sleepe That gladly thee presents into my thought And still true Louer-like thy face doth keepe So as some pleasure shadow-like is wrought Pitty my louing nay of conscience giue Reward to me in whom thy selfe doth liue 22. LIke to the Indians scorched with the Sunne The Sunne which they doe as their God adore So am I vs'd by Loue for euermore I worship him lesse fauours haue I wonne Better are they who thus to blacknesse run And so can onely whitenesse want deplore Theu I who pale and white am with griefes store Nor can haue hope but to see hopes vndone Besides their sacrifice receiu'd in sight Of their chose Saint mine hid as worthlesse rite Grant me to see where I my offerings giue Then let me weare the marke of Cupids might In heart as they in skin of Phoebus light Not ceasing offerings to Loue while I liue 23. WHen euery one to pleasing pastime hies Some hunt fome hauke some play while some delight In sweet discourse and musicke shewes ioyes might Yet I my thoughts doe farre aboue these prize The ioy which I take is that free from eyes I sit and wonder at this day-like night So to dispose themselues as void of right And leaue true pleasure for poore vanities When others hunt my thoughts I haue in chase If hauke my minde at wished end doth flye Discourse I with my spirit talke and cry While others musicke choose as greatest grace O God say I can these fond pleasures moue Or musicke bee but in sweet thoughts of Loue 24. ONce did I heare an aged father say Vnto his sonne who with attention heares What Age and wise experience euer cleares From doubts of feare or reason to betray My sonne said hee behold thy father gray I once had as thou hast fresh tender yeares And like thee sported destitute of feares But my young faults made me too soone decay Loue once I did and like thee fear'd my Loue Led by the hatefull threed of Iealousie Striuing to keepe I lost my liberty And gain'd my griefe which still my sorrowes moue In time shun this to loue is no offence But doubt in Youth in Age breeds penitence Song 4. SWeetest Loue returne againe Make not too long stay Killing mirth and forcing paine Sorrow leading way Let vs not thus parted be Loue and absence nere agree But since you must needs depart And me haplesse leaue In your iourney take my heart Which will not deceiue Yours it is to you it flies Ioying in those loued eyes So in part we shall not part Though we absent be Tyme nor place nor greatest smart Shall my bands make free Tyed I am yet thinke it gaine In such knots I feele no paine But can I liue hauing lost Chiefest part of me Heart is fled and sight is crost These my fortunes be Yet deare heart goe soone returne As good there as heere to burne 25. POore eyes bee blinde the light behold no more Since that is gone which is your deare delight Rauish'd from you by greater power and might Making your losse a gaine to others store Oreflow and drowne till sight to you restore That blessed Starre and as in hatefull spight Send forth your teares in flouds to kill all sight And lookes that lost wherein you ioy'd before Bury thâ—se beames which in some kindled fires And conquer'd haue their loue-burnt hearts desires Losing and yet no gaine by you esteem'd Till that bright Starre doe once againe appeare Brighter then Mars when hee doth shine most cleare See not then by his might be you redeem'd 26. DEare cherish this and with it my soules will Nor for it ran away doe it abuse Alas it left poore me your brest to choose As the best shrine where it would harbour still Then fauour shew and not vnkindly kill The heart which fled to you but doe excuse That which for better did the worse refuse And pleas'd I le be though heartlesse my life spill But if you