MIRRHA THE Mother of Adonis OR Lustes Prodegies By William Barksted Horrace Nansicetur enim pretium nomenque Poetae Whereunto are added certaine Eglogs By L.M. LONDON Printed by E. A. for Iohn Bache and are to be sold at his shop in the Popes-head Palace nere the Royall Exchange 1607. To his belooued the Author PRaise where so er 't be found if it be due Shall no vaine cullour neede to set it foorth Why should I idely then extoll the worth Which heere dere friend I finde belong to you And if I er'd full well the learned knewe How wide amisse my marke I taken had Since they distinguish can the good from bad And through the varnish well discerne the hewe Be glad therefore this makes for you and knowe When wiser Readers heere shall fixe their sight For vertues sake they will doe vertue right So shalt thou not Friend vnrewarded goe Then boldly on good fortune to thy Muse Should all condemne thou canst as well excuse I. W To his Louing friend and Kinsman W. B. THamis nere heard a Song equall to this Although the Swan that ow'd this present quiâ— sung to that Eccho her owne Epitaph As proude to die and render vp her wing To Venus Swan who doth more pleasing sing Produce thy worke tell the powerfull tale Of naked Cupid and his mothers will My selfe I doe confine from Helicon As loath to see the other Muses nine So imodestlie eye shoot and gaze vppon Their new borne enuie this tenth Muse of thine Which in my selfe I doe in thee admire As Aesops Satire the refulgent fire Which may me burn I mean with amorous flameâ— In reading as the kissing that did him And happie Mirrha that he rips thy shame Since he so queintly doth expresse thy sin Many would write but see mens workes so rarâ— That of their owne they instantly dispaire Robert Glouer To his esteemed friend W. B. NOt for our friendship or for hope of gaine Doth my pen run so swiftly in thy praise Court-seruile flatterie I doe disdaine Enuie like Treason stil it selfe betraies This worke Detractions sting doth disinherit He that giues thee all praise giues but thy merrit Lewes Machin To his respected friend W. B. POet nor art thou without due desert stil'd by that name Though folly smile and enuy frowne to heare the same Yet those who read thy worke with due respect Will place thee with the worthiest of that sect Then let not ignorance nor enuie mooue thee Thou hast done well they do not that reproue thee Yet some true worth nere wants an opposite will Carpers be Grieue not at this not vertues selfe can scape their obloquie But giue the raynes vnto these baser spirits Whose Iudgements cannot paralell thy merrits Such fooles to seeme iudicious take in hand To censure what they doe not vnderstand Yet cannot they detract or wrong thy worth maugre their spight For thou doost chaunt incestuous Myrrha forth with such delight And with such gouldeÌ„ phrase gild ' store her crime That what 's moste diabolicall seemes deuine and who so but begins the same to reade Each powerfull line attracts him to proceede Then since he best deserues the Palme to weare Who wins the same Doe thou alone inioy those sweets which beare thy Mirrhas name And euer weare in memorie of her an anademe of odoriferous Mirrhe and let Apollo thinke it no dispraise To weare thy Mirrhe ioyne it with his bayes William Bagnall MIRRHA The Mother of Adonis I Sing the ruine of a beautious Maide White as my paper or loues fairest Doue shine bright Apollo Muse be not affraide Although thou chauntest of vnnaturall loue Great is my quill to bring foorth such a birth as shall abash the Virgins of our earth smoake Goulden censors vpon Paphos shrine drinke deep Lenaeâ—s to this worke of mine Cupid to Thracia went to heare a Song of Orpheus to whome euen Tygers came And left their sauage Nature if there long they did with hiâ— sweet Melodie remaine Wolues lost their preyes and by signes praid hiâ—â—inâ— Beasts left the Lyon and chose him their King Cecropian Apes did on his musicke waite Yet of them all not one could immitate T is saide when Orpheus dyed he did descend To the infernall so the Furies boast Where now they giue him leaue his eies to bend without all feare on her whome he once lost By a regardant looke but t is not so Ioue not reseru'd such musicke for belowe But placed him amongst celestiall stars To keep the Scorpion Lyon Beare from Iars For euer since the fall of Phaeton that then displaced them they were at strife For their degrees till his alluring Tone who though in death hath the office of his life Though more diuinely and where he attracts More glorious bodies to admire his actes Faire stranger shape of creature and of beast With his concordant tunes plac'd them in rest The Dittie was and Cupid lent an eare Vpon the death of his Euridice Which still he sung as if his former feare Of loosing her was now or else would be The Eccho beate the noyse vp to the Spheares And to his passionate song Gods bent their eares It was a signe he was new come from hell Their tunes so sad he immitates so well Such passion it did strike vpon the earth that Daphnes roote groan'd for Apollo's wrong Hermophrodite wept sâ—ewers and wisht his birth had neuer bin or that he more had clung To Salmacis and Clitie grieued in vainet Leueothoes wrong the occasion of her baine my wilful eie this should the burthen be Hath rob'd me of twice slaine Euridice Cicnus stil proud though he confuted be for Phaetons losse would needs afresh complainâ— Thinking therewith to singe as sweet as he but pittiles he sung and dyed in vaine Eccho was pleas'd with voice resounding brim as proud to loose her shape to answer him Hether resorted more then wel could heare but on my Muse speake what chansed there Amongst the rest of Vesta-vowed Girles came â—irrha whose thoughts no guile then knew Like a bright diamond circled with pearls whose radiant eye delt lustre to the hew Of all the dames whose face so farre aboue though the rest beautious all vnwounded made loue loue for neuer since Spiches was made a star did he see nature excel art so far He chaÌ„g'd his shape his wings he oft hath torne and like a hunter to this nimph he came With gold tipt Iauelin and a bugle Horne such as they beare to make the Lyon tame First did he kisse hir hand which then did melt with loue 's impression Cupid the like felt Stroke dumbe he stood in an vnwonted guise such magicke beawtie carries in her eies At length quoth he should I not say I loue I should both Cupid and his Mother wrong By thee faire Maid a power farre aboue My heart is the true index of my â—ongue And by my naked wordes you may discouer I am not traded like a
thus redely lie Then goe with me into you pleasant Groue Where I will make a Garland for my loue There shal we finde sweet Violets prim-Roses all pleasing sents that pleasant wood incloses April did weep with ioy whose moderat showers Imborders all that grasse with fragrant flowers There we may sit in priuate kisse and toy Farthest from sight is Louers greatest ioy Content quoth she then let vs both goe thither My lappefull of those odorous flowers I le gather And with them for my loue I le make a wreath Then on thy lips my lips shall sweetely breath Thus arme in arme they walkt into the Groue Then vp I start mine eies at them did roue But in they were for I had lost their sight And sure they were together with delight The sunne was darkened and did hide his face Being asham'd he mist the Shepheards place Then backe I came thinking vpon these twaine wishing for such a Nimph I were a Swaine L M Finis Apollo Hiacinth APollo wearie let his courses breath Whilst he discended to this earth beneath arm'd wiâ—h his bow shafts he walkt the woods To heare the muttering of the shallowe floods The little birds did sing on euerie bryer making the greene bow'd trees their musicks quier And with sweete notes these harmlesse fingers stroue To chaunt an Anthem to the Gods aboue Phebus was rauish'd hearing of this noise Vowing he would forsake his heauenly ioyes To liue on earth if no more harme were found Then did appeare vpon that pleasant ground But he did after finde this faulce worlds pleasure Ioy for a minut trouble without measure Thus wandring vp and downe without this groue He spyed a boy that after game did roue His bowe was in his hand shafts by his side His curled haire did all his shoulders hide A well shapt face he had pleasing ro view a fine streight bodie and a hart most true Apollo staide and gaz dvppon his face Supposing him mortall of Ioues race and that blinde archer that doth wound all hearts Had now quite ouercome the God of artes For he did dote vpon this louely youth Whose heart was all composde of melting ruth and seeing Phebus come the boy did stay him He saide youth will you walke heede not denay him But went along together hand in hand and Zephire with calme winde their faces fand Then Phebus said faire youth what make you here Knide courteous stranger for to kill the deere To heare the birds to sing the waters glide Tumbling in curls along a greene banke side More sweete content in harmelesse woods is fouÌ„d Then in great Citties there doth sinne abound But here husnt quiet keepes vs companie Free from all cares and bad societie Here growes hie grasse le ts sit and make it flat and so beguile swift time with pleasing chat So hand in hand they sat them on the ground Where little birds did make hermonious sound But Phebus heart did pant and leape with ioy When he beheld that sweete delicious boy His eyes did sparkle loue his heart flamde fire To see this sweete boy smile is his desire Then with an ardent gripe his hand he crusht and then he kist him and the boy then blusht That blushing coulour so became his face That Phebus kist againe and thought it grace To touch his lips such pleasure Phebus felt That in an amarous deaw his heart did melt and thus he dallied with his amorous kisses Forgetting of the world that his light misses More ioy he had when this day did approach Then in his shining Crowne or burning Coach Wearied with toying they left off their play and conquering night had now orecome the day Casting her sable curtaines ore the skie Then said the boy I to my rest must hie and I said Phebus must into the Sea To sport with Thetio still the breake of day Tomorrow when my Charriot's in the the west Then meete me heare for that 's my times of rest I will quoth Hiacinth till then farwell The parting of true friendes all paines excell Phebus turnd coward and was quite disharted at last he came and kist him and so parted Apollo Hiacinth GRim night being past the morning star appeard and bright Aurora had the welking cleard Then Phebus drawne foorth by his fierie teame Gilded the hilles the fieldes and watrie streame so swiftly flew his steeds through scorching flames as if he ran for the Olimpicke games But t was not so Apollo made that hast Longing till he his Hiacinth embrac'd And Hâ—acinth sweet youth the time respected Gods loue by mortalls should not be neglected There sat he downe by a cleere running brook And like Narcissus doteth with each looke He castes vpon himselfe there had he dyed But that bright Phebus did his beautie hide In ouer darkned clouds to stop his self lou'd erroâ— No shape he saw in natures watrie Mirror And now Appollo wayuing towards the west Vnteam'd his fierie stâ—edes and let them rest Whilst he discended on this ball of earth To sporâ—e with Hiacinth strange vnknown mirth For which the Gods were angrie and decreed They wold remoue the cause the boy must bleed Now Phebus for to see his loue did hast him Then Hiacinth came running and embrac'd him More ioy had Phebus in this Spartane lad Then heauen borne loue in Phrigian Ganimed His loue to Daphne that chaste beautious nimph Was not so great as to his Hiacinth All Female pleasures which he did adore Are dull to those of his male paramore and hauing past some houres in delight They would goe walke to Delpho's ere that night Should darke the world for they went to see The sport there made by the lands peasatrie And being come to a faire spacious plaine There might they see each nimph had got a swain Some dauncing after pipes others were running at barley breake and with their homely cunning Sought to delight themselues and those stood by Others for nimble footing there did trie who best deseru'd the werth some threw at length The heauy sledge therin shewd theâ—r strength Which pleas'd Appollo best then hee would proue His strength in it and threw it farre aboue The expectation of the standers by For through the clowds the sledge did seeme to fly and Hyacinth being eager for to throwe Ran to the place ere that it fell below Vpon the earth and falling on firme ground against his face the heauie sledge rebounds and strooke him to the earth the God did sound When he behâ—ld that fatall deadly wound But being reuiu'd he hollow'd in his eare To call backe life O Hiacinth my deare Leaue me not thus I will court destinie For to reuoke thee doome thou shalt not die Greef would not help in gore there lay his brain And so Apollo's Hiacinth was slaine But yet the God still wept vpon his wound till with his teares there spruÌ„g froÌ„ out the ground A flower where his bleeding corps lay dead Shapt like a Lilly but this flower was red The people wondered when they saw this done But then he shewd him selfe bright like the Sunne Which fild them all with feare they kneeling said Tell vs thy will and it shall be obeyed Then build a statelâ— Temple ore this flowre And dedicate it to his matchlesse power That kept my heart in thâ—al that louely boy Beautie of mankinde and Apollo's ioy And euerie yeare to make a solemne feast In honour of my friend but now deceas'd And for my part I le walkein shadow groues Consort with Virgins ghosts slain by fales loues No more I le touch my Violl or my Lute Nor speake to Gods or men true griefe is mute So he departed wringing of his hands And they to do those things that he commaunds The Gods for missing of their wonâ—ed light Sent Mercurie to know of him if night Should still possesse the world he made reply Three daies for Phaiton did I leaue the skie But Hyacinth was dearer for his wracke Sixe daies the world shall mourn in solemn black But Hermes vfde such cunning he did force Phebus againe to take his wonted course And so to heauen he went with Mercurie Whose tongue had power to ore rule destinie Yet since the earth had rob'd him of his friend He vow'd this cursse vntill the world should end Halfe of the yere his beames should comfort shine The rest to raine and frost he would resigne And that because his sorrow here had birth Trouble and greefe should still possesse the earth Lewes Machin FINIS
breath Take hence my shame that shall suruiue mine heire Nor can the act after t is done content But brings with it eternall punishment lesseneth the pleasure of the world to come giues the iudge leaue strikes the guiltie dumb The iealious nurse did apprehend her straite yet would extract the quintessence of all And therefore childe quoth she vse no deceipt but tel me freely whence these teares doe fall I am thy nurse and from my aged brest Thou hadst thy second being tell the rest I doe coniure thee by these siluer haires which are grown white the sooner in their cares If any orped witch of Thessalie haue powre vpon thee gentle-girle relate Or if thou haue prophan'd some dieâ—â— wee shall some misticke fires propogate To attone with them or if with barbarous hand devoy'd of thy first chastitie thou stand Vnfold to me griefes vttered finde redresse fires vndescern'd burn the more pittilesse Or if the sunne of bewtie shoote at thee his fiery shafts O tell me and the rather Because thy confidence shal answer'd be With this my childe I le hide it from thy father As doth a dying man hold fast what so he grasp so she her feruent armes bout her Nurse claspe and nuzzels once more twixt those dugs her faâ—â— whilst ore those Ilands flow salt teares apace That word of father was like Persey's shield to make the poore maid stone now nurse doth threat Vnlesse she will in gentle manner yeeld she would to morrow shew how in a heat She would haue made away her desperate life and she must tell the man that forc'd that strife within her brest through feare she thus did frame and made her toung the trumpet of her shame Her voyce halfe stopt with sighes O fatal voice pronounc'd these words yet did the acceÌ„ts faile How blessed is my mother in her choise How fully she with nature did preuaile This said her blushing face sinkes in her shroud like Cinthia muffel'd in an enuious cloud When loe the dying taper in his toombe gaue darknes to it selfe and to the roome Now had she time to waile and well she might Guiltie of sorrow there might you haue seene As glow wormes adde a tincture 〈◊〉 the night Glimmering in pallid fire vppon some greene mixt with the dew so did her eyes appeare Each goulden glance ioyn'd with a dewy teare oft shut her eyes like starres that portend ill with bloody deluge they their orbes did fill The Nurse amated with the latter wordes whose aged haires stood vp like siluer wire Knew speech was vaine where will the scope affords whiâ—pering softly saies childe thy desire I le put into thy armes sleepe seize thy head T is now nights noone all but the stars seem dead Our vanities like fire-works will ascend Vntil they breake vncertaine where to end Neuer did mortall with a vicious thought wish to bring vices Embrion to aforme But still the prince of darknesse to them brought occasions fore-locke which they â—ff haue torne Sin like a Cedar shadowes all our good Whilst vertues bounded like a narrow flood As see now how the occasion of misfortune Mirrha's much abus'd-mother did importune Now came the time of Ceres sacred rite and Misteries when all wiues young and olde Cloathed in vailes all of transparent white Kneele to her and to the Attick priest vnfolde The firstlings of the fiel'd wreath'd gilded corne Chaplets of dill pluckt in a blushing morne And many such nor may they husbands see In nine daies till they end their misterie Now nurse was double diligent watching her time and told old Cyniras a lonely maide Sigh'd for him and still with cupps of wine betwixt each word his pallat she assaide Heated with wines he had the Nurse repaide and bring to him the Maide that was so faire Bacchus Venus Wine and frolicke lust are sworne to blood and keepe togither must Mirrha no sooner heard this glad reply but as a poore bird long time in a snare Ready for fammine and her woe to die whom an vnskilful fouler vnaware hath guiuen freedome to her foode doth hast so Mirrha thought each houre an age was past In her strict torment but being scapt away her woes forgot she thinkes vppon her prey And as she did ascend those staires to lust in the midway she heard her father speake And nâ—re lay partridge closer to the dust at sound o' the Faulccons bell then she too weak To encounter or resist and feares are such in loue by loue that they enccrease loue much Loue like to Monarkes hath his state hie reared who euer wil be lou'd where they are feared To a hundred seueral passions she doth yeeld and as we see in Autumne of the yere Some gallant oake stand ready to be feld vppon whose ribs a hundred wounds appeare Forc'd by the brawnie armes of Hynds vnlithe who workes a passage to the weeping pith Vncertaine though wind shaken where to fall so stood her mynd doutful of rest at al. Nurse opes the doore and brings her to the beâ— the darkenesse of the night abated shame And leaues her that must leaue her maiden head to the begetter of his owne defame With faultring hams hauing got twixt the sheetes In fearefull lust this Prodegiae meetes He begs a kisse then blusht she as he spake it yet he must giue it shee wants power to take it Now trembling lay she by her fathers side like silly doue within the Eagles gripe Nor doth she vse soft shrikes as doth a bride I meane a maide when as the fruite so ripe Of maiden-head is forced from their wombe Her fathers armes to her was as a tombe she dead in pleasure durst not shew her voice least Cyniras should know this faire foule choicâ— But when that Cupid once had whetted her she twines her lilly stalks about his necke So clings young Iuie bout the aged oake there Venus smilâ— but frowning Iuno checks Their stolne delight no nuptiall tapers shone No Virgin belt vntyed but all vndone the Athenian God kindled no hallowed fires darke was the night suiting to their desires The morrow came toyled with wakes and lust she leaues her father when as the rising Sun Couering the easterne Pines and mountaine dust spyed Mirrha from her couch of sin to runne Then blusht he first and backward would ha fled And euer since in 's rising hee 's still red Nere Turkas was at sicke blood more estrang'd then Mirrha when her chastitie was chang'd Oft would she leane against her fathers knees tie his garter in a true loue 's knot And then vndoo 't againe as to shew she were vndone yet he conceiu'd it not And woman like that keep not secrets long she shewd her loue in duÌ„b shewes with out tung her lust she knew yet hardly it concealde like Fayries Treasur's vanish'd if reueal'd A third night came darker then shores belowe when Cyniras father of feareful lust Willing to see the soule that did bestowe So many pleasures on
streight fingers whilst a fist doth sweare his verry breath yet smelleth of the mirre Another wishes oh for such a face Nor can I blame her though she did wish so For sure were I a wench t 'had bin my case for nature heere made both her ioy and woe And spight that but herself commendeth none Of force must say this was a rarer one Then either nature did or ere shall make whose life holdes vp her age whose deathe's her wrack Eyes like two stars falne from their proper sphears as if they scorn'd the beaten pathes of heauen Or enuying of beautie of the beares showne firmer heere and brighter then the seaueÌ„ Such was he as was Cupid wont to be In pictures lim'd and that they may agree furnish the babe with winges and quiuer light or from loues God take wings and quier quite Nought may compare with Time in his swift race the babe ere while feeles now youths hot alarms And as in yeares so beautious grew his face that he is fit againe for Ladies armes Nor Cupid now could wound more dames theÌ„ he That Venus who Captiues all is not free From her own power she loue 's Adonis milde That Mars doth storm wish he were no childe Nor Paphos Amathus nor fishie Guide delights she now to haunt nor Etna now Burnes more then her she roans the wood so wide after her game that to his game doth bow And will not heare or see for eies and eares If they her heare or see their vse forbeares Yet she persues and leaues her power vn euen on heauen earth she loues him more theÌ„ heaueÌ„ Oft would she say and bathe those words in tears oh thou faire boy wold God thou loudst like me but sure thou art not flesh it well appeares thou weâ—â— the stubborne issue of 〈◊〉 So hard thou art then she a sigh would fet and wish that Vulcan had not made his net For boy sterous Mars shee 'd fayner ha' bin sped with this choice floure claspt in her yron bed Shee 'd nere haue blusht theÌ„ she does make a vow though al the Gods of both worlds had theÌ„ seen She raveth that she euer lou'd til now that she might worthily ha bin loues Queene wel wel quoth she thou hast reueng'd the spight which from my accurst Sons bow did fowly light On thy faire Mother O immortall boy Though thou be faire t is I that should be coy But stay my Muse in thine owne confines keepe wage not warre with so deere lou'd a neighbor But hauing sung thy day song rest fleepe preserue thy small fame and his greater fauor His song was worthie merrit Shakspeare hee sung the faire blossome thou the withered tree Laurell is due to him his art and wit hath purchast it Cypres thy brow will fit FINIS THREE Eglogs The first is of Menalcas and Daphnis The other two is of Apollo and Hyacinth By Lewes Machin MENALCAS Daphnis IN Summer time before the Sunne did rise Dull laâ—ie sleepe had quite forsooke mine eyes Then vp I start my selfe I did array And walkt the fieldes before the breake of day Then all the world was quiet still and husht Aurora straite appeares but O she blusht To see her goulden haires in flames hang downe Whose shining brightnesse lasc'd her skye gown Then Phebus from the east mounted the skie whose burning lusture puts Aurora by When he first rises then we may beholde His shining face drawne in a Coach of golde I laide me downe vpon the dewie graâ—â—e Shaded with trees to view all those that passe When loe I espied a paire comming that way And downe they sat them meaning there to stay Then on my brest I crept till I came nere e'm Louers speake softly yet I chaunc'd to heare 'em A shepheard one was a faire Nimph the other With face as beautifull as Cupids Mother Two roses in her cheekes yellowe her haâ—e Nature had done them right a well shap't paire To me they did appeare then still I sat and lent mine â—are vnto their amarous chat O tell me deare what may the reason bee That thou of late hast left thy flocke and mee Once thou didst loue me and I loue thee still O doe not thou repay my good withâ—ll But women like to fortune still are fickle Their constancie like glasse hollow and brittle Yet some there are on this earth to be found Whose faith was neuer shaken but still sound and one amongst those few I hope thou art Whose kinde reply can heale my wounded heart Then she with modest grace to him replide Thy suite faire Shepheard I nere yet denide Thy long wisht presence is as deare to me as ere my smiles haue bin a ioy to thee No coy disdaine nor yet no proud ambition Hath kept me from thee but to scape suspition Did I absent my selfe now being alone Le ts leaue all greefes and cast away all moane Then did the sunne cast glances at her eies Supposing them two starres falne from the skies She winckt and durst not looke on Phebus raies mean while the shepheard w c her whit haÌ„d plaies But see what chanc'd as hee had caught his blisse Meaning to venter for a pleasing kisse and as he reacht to kisse her he did see Come flying twixt a labouring hony be Which made them both to start the Bee supposes Her rosiat cheekes to bee two budding roses and sucking there vpon her pleasing skin Finding no sweetnes hee thrust out his sting and prickt her cheeke the blood did there display Which being done the Bee did hast away The Nimph in this small smart was well conteÌ„ted But of the Shepheard it was sore lamented O cursed be first thou didst stop my ioy But secondly farre greater thine annoy First hinder me of that should doe me good and next to shed her vndefiled blood This graunt you Gods that eâ—erie honie Be May want a sting for this wrong done to me But she replide O doe not grieue sweete hart The sight of thee makes me forget all smart Then freely come and tire thy selfe with kisses which are to Louers their celestiall blisses Then did he nibble on her red soft lippes and drawes her heart out with his amorous sipp His spirrit melted when those sweetes he tasted and in loues flames their verie soules are wasted With youthfull humors now they gin to play Hâ—e'd see her Garters but shee cries away Let me goe forward and then I le retire Now by my flocke I sweare I le reach no higher She then beleiued him and seemde not loath Flesh is so fraile that he hath broke his oath Nay then she saide I pray ye let me goe I shall grow angrie wherefore doe you so He seeing her to frowne forsooke his pleasure Hoping for more ioy at a fitter leysure Fie fie quoth she and are you not ashamde If any should haue seene I had bin blamde This place is common some may chance come by And see vs on the grasse
common Louer Rare obiects rare amazements bred t is true And their effects are tryed in me by you My barren braine can blesse me with no store Of able Epithits so what praise I giue Makes not you ritcher though it makes me pooreâ— therefore in vaine against the streame I striue Th'ore curious painter meaning to excell Oft marres the worke the which before was well And he shall dazeled be and tyred soone That leuelleth his shafts to hit the Moone With this she turnd her blushing head aside vail'd her face with lawne not halfe so white That euen the blending roses were espyed despight the cloudes that hid them in despight â—he threw her thin breath through the lawne and said Leaue gentle youth do not thus snare a maid I came to Orpheus Song good then forbeare It is his tune not yours can charme mine eare Let Orpheus learne quoth he of thee to sing Bid him charme men Mirrha as thou canst doe Let him tame Man that is the Lyons King And lay him prostrate at his feete belowe As thou canst doe nor Orpheus nor the spheares Haue Tones like thee to rauish mortall eares Yea were this Thracian Harper Iudge to tell As thee hee 'd sweare he sung not halfe so wel Nor dying Swans nor Phebus when he loue 's equals thy voice though he in musicke courts and as the God whose voice the firm earth moues making the terrors of the great hiâ— sports Whose first word strooke into the Chaos light so if that contrary thou take delight at thy word darknes would or'e-cloude the ayrâ— and the fayrest day giue place to thee more faire Fame hath resing'd her lasting Trump to thee as to the worthyer then thy fame display Tell Venus thou art fairer farre then she For thine own worth becomes thee best to say Time will stand still the sunne in motion stay Sirens be mute to heare thee speake of Mirrha Thy voice if heard in the low shades should bâ— Would a third time fetch back Euridice Giue eare eternall wonder to a swaine T was writ in starres that I should see that face And seeing loue and in that loue be slaine if beautie pittie not my wretched case Fortune and loue the starres and powers diuine Haue all be traide me to those eyes of thine O proue not then more crueller theÌ„ they Loues shaftes fates wheeles who hath power to stay Stay there quoth she giue backe those powers their owne or not impose their powerful force on me Haue I the least word or the least glance thrown To make you attribute what 's destinie Vnto my beautie if loue and fate you wound Throw vowes to theÌ„ their altars are soone found Wouldst thou haue me pittie before they doe Loue 's blinde and fortun 's deafe so am I too I know not loue sure t is a subtle thing I by these blushes that thy charmes haue raisd T' allay more quiet tell loues little king I serue a Mistres he himâ—elfe hath praisd Though he enuy a rare and sacred floure Whom he had will to wrong but neuer power Now Cupid hangs the head and melts in shame for she did vtter Vestas holy name And as you see a woman teeming young bearing the growing burthen of her woâ—â—b Missing the dainty she hath lookt for long falls straight in passionate sicknes pale dumb for seeing she hath lost it will not tell for what she in this forced passion fell So when his hopes were lost he would not say what was the cause but this to her did laye Virgin beware that fire within thy brest to Vesta dedicate do not expire as she must warie be that is the best to keepe it it is knowne no lasting fier The fuell cold fruitelesse Virginitie which if zeale blow not violent wil so one die This stricts a virgins life and who but knowes that loue and chastitie were euer foes And if ere loue assaile those virgins forts those Iuory bulwarkes that defend your heart Though he be king of sportes he neuer sports when as he wounds but playes the Tirants part And so much more he wil triuÌ„ph oure thee by how much thou contents his deitie I know you to be chaste but yet faire Mayd if ere you loue you le finde what I haue sayd Sir quoth she when I loue you shall be mine but know the time when you shall claime me your's When as the fire extinct as Vestaes shrine and Venus leaues to haunt the Papheon bowres When men are perfect friendes Tigers at peace Discord in heauen and powers diuine doe cease when Fortune sleeps the north star doth moue wheÌ„ Turtles leaue to mourne their mates I le loue Ere this was ended Orpheus song was done And all the Virgins fell into their rankes Each tooke their leaue of him so did the sunne who now was poasting to the westerne bancke and the wild beasts whoÌ„ he had made more tame seem'd to depart with reuerence at his name Each one gaue place to Mirrha as their duetie She being preferr'd in state first as in beautie Now Cupid of her his last leaue doth take so haue I seene a soule and body part He begs a chaste kisse for her mothers sake and vowâ—s she shall be soueraigne of his heart But whether he disembling did it or t wa's fate As extream'st loue turnes to the direst hate Being repulst but this kisse did inspire her brest with an infernall and vnnam'd desire Night like a masque was entred heauens greate hall with thousand torches vshering the way The complements of parting were done all homewards Orpheus chaunteth many alay Venus had sent her coach drawn by a Doue For little Cupid the great God of loue this hath sprung as men haue sayen of yore For Mirrhas sake he vow'd to loue no more Blacke as my inck now must my verse commence You blushing girles and parents siluer-gray As farre as Trace from vs so farre from hence goe that you may not heare me say A daughter did with an adulterous head And heauie lust presse downe her fathers bed such Songs as these more fit the Tartars cares had Orpheus sung it beasts had pour'd out teares Vnhallowed lust for loues lies drownd in poison in what blacke ornament shall I attire thee Since I must write of thy so sad confusion shall I say Cupid with his brand did fire thee Accuse the Fates or thee shall I accuse Mirrha weepes yet onely say this my Muse wise destinie true loue and mortall thought would nere confirme this the furies brought this She loues her Father Daughter nere lou'd so for as her mother lou'd so lou'd she him Thirsting in fire those softer sweetes to know Amidst whose waues Venus in pride doth swim So young she was yet that her father kist her Which she so duely lookes for he nere mist her Yet could he haue conceiu'd as he did after those kisses rellish much vnlike a daughter Giue to her golde of Ophire Indian shels Cloath her
with Tirian purple skin of beast Perfume her waies with choice Arabian smells Present her with the Phoenix in her nest Delight her eare with song of poets rare All these with Cyneas might naught compare The comfort of the minde being tane away Nectar not pleaseth nor Ambrosia The feast of Bacchus at this present time Was by the giddie Menades intended There Mirrha daunc'd and Orpheuâ— sung in rimâ— crownd with green thirses now y e 〈◊〉 yuÌ„hes ended with praise to Bacchus all depart with spright vnto their feastes feasts that deuoure the night for loe the stars in trauaile in the skie brought forth their brightnes to each waking eyâ— High midnight came and she to bedward hies pretending rest to beguile natures rest Anon the gloomy gallerie she spies toward her chamber and she first that blest Her care-fild eyes her farhers picture was Arm'd but the face although it dumbe alasse she ask'd and if he call'd seeing no reply she answer'd for her father and said I. Daughter quoth she why art thou thus alone Let Doues so mourn girle y t hath lost their mates Thine is to come then prethee cease thy mone Care shold not dwel with great high estates Let her that needs and is not faire at all Repine at fortune loue shall be thy thrall wing'd as he is and armed thou shalt see I haue the power to giue giue him thee Father quoth she and spoke with smaller voice Nature hath made me yours yours I must be You choose my choice for in you lies my choice Hereat shee starts as what not feares the guiltie Thinking the shadowe knew her double sence and blushing in strange feare departeth thence blaming her selfe for vttering her blacke fault to him who armed stood gainst her assault Anon she spies many a youâ—hfull Lord In seuerall Tables each in seuerall guise Whose pictures they had sent with one accord To shew their manly features to her eyes Whose dumb'd perswasiue images were plac'd To see if any in her lookes were grac'd But heere in vaine their faire assayes doe proue for had they spake they could not win her loue Ouer her Mothers shape a vaile she drew and weeping saide may I nere see thee more Poore abus'd image doost not turne thy hew to see so foule an obiect thee before Didst thou but know what 's sprung from out thy wombe thy shap cold speak whilst y u thy self stodst duÌ„be Art would claime Nature in thy heauie woes thy shape haue limbs thy limbs be stiff as those Anon she leapt on it with ardent heate and full of teares yet falles vppon her backe Wishing euen in that griefe the lustfull feate Were now peâ—form'd woemen oft longings lack â—own sunck the down and with so deep impresse â—hat had Hermaphroditus bin there he might ges Salmacis were aganie his prostitute or one more farre then to denie her suite A strange conceite had now possest hir braine nie equall to her lust thought innocent She gaue vp to desire and leapes amaine From the bruisd bed with bloodie fram'd inteÌ„t To hang her selfe O me moste wofull theame She now espide an hie and sturdie beame Many staue liu'd to an vnpittied death who might haue dyed sometimes with famed breath Yet doth she thinke what terror death would be and on her heart imprints his Character Faine would she die yet first would pleased be with damned lust which death could not deter O sinne saies she thou must be Natures slaue In spight of Fate goe to a pleasing graue When I haue sin'd send Ioue a thunder stroake and spare thy chosen tree the harmlesse Oake She thinkes againe and sees nor time nor place to quench the thirstines of her parched blood Time still ranne on with an auerted face and nothing but her passions did her good This thought confoundes her and she is resoul'd In deathes bleake azure armes to be inuoul'd Fates you are women saue your modesties shee le kill her selfe you neede but close her eies â—nd like as when some suddaine extasie â— seisth the nature of a sicklie man When hee 's discernd to swoune straite by and by Folke by his â—elpe confusedly haue ran â—nd seeking with their art to fetch him backe To many throng that he the ayre doth lacke â—o Mirrha's thoughts confusedly did stound her some adding coÌ„fort whilst the rest confound her â—ike to a fountaines head so shew'd her head from whence since passion first tooke hold of hir â—wo springs did run thorow each flowr-fil'd mead at her lips staid where shee wisht Cynir Would so haue done her face with teares run ore â—ike Hebaes Nectar shew'd spilt on heauens flore â—or as the blomes in May the dewe drops beares 〈◊〉 Mirrha's cheeks look'd sprinkl'd with her tears Her haire that with such diligence was vsde To be kemb'd vp did like clowdes appeare Where many spangles star-like were infus'd To attend the lustre of so bright â—haire Whose beames like bright Arachnes web coÌ„posâ— Taught Pallas a new enuie now vnlosed hiding her face yet making it seeme rarer as blazing Commets traine makes the star faireâ— Dispaire that teacherh holy ones to die when as affliction ministers her part Had breathing now in Mirrha and well nie Like Venus made her graspe a flaming heart Cupid was borne at Etna a hot sprite Whose violence takes edge off from delight For men deepe louing oft themselues so waste that proffer'd dainties they want power to tastâ— Digresse no fartheâ— least thou proue obsceane but tell by this how Nurse had broke the dore And trembling both through age and feare Forgot the naturall sence she had before Yet with her out-cries from the shades of death â—ald Mirrhas spright who with vnwilling breath re-enters flesh scorning to giue it grace with wonted beautie that adorn'd her face â—he tooke the haltar and held vp her chin chasing her temples with a violent heate Making her soule returne with torments in â—as it went out being come vnto retrait Nurse heau'd her trembling body on the bed Where sinking as in graue she seemed dead Chast had my verse bin blessed Mirrhas hap if here my pen could write thy Epitaph When hauing gotten ope her heauie eyes life-mocking death with a fresh crimson hew she thus be spake if there be sorceries Philters inchauntments any furiâ— new That can inspire with irrelegious fire The brest of mortall that vntam'd desire Possesseth me and all my bodies merrit Shewes like a faire house haunted with a spirit The foure and twentie windes are not so fierce as what doth blow the fewel in my breast Not the soft oyle Appollo did disperse on Phaitons brow to keep his sun-beam'd 〈◊〉 From face of heauenly fires could ought preuaiâ— Gainst raging braÌ„ds which my poore heart 〈◊〉 scorch'd with materiall flames wee soone do 〈◊〉 and to purge sins we imbrace purgatorie But this a heate that nor in life or death can render any humor but dispaire Nor can it with the short cut of my
him Ioue is iust Did reach a â—apâ—â— whose confusiue light Strucke like a blasting at that horrid sight The light fâ—ll from him loathing his defame things senceles oft are moâ—'d wheÌ„ men not shame At length with bloodie eye fixed on her out of an Iuorie scabberd hanging by He drew a monumental Semiter â—hinking with death that both their 〈…〉 But night that oft befriended her with sinne â—n her blacke wombe too did her freedome 〈◊〉 For through the darke she slipt and 〈…〉 to mourne his Faâ—e not execute his 〈◊〉 Sped with her lust and flying thence apace in feares and trembling feare doth giue vs eies For saftie to the Gods she lifts her face her claspt hands to what she now not see 's â—oues browe was darke Boetes had amaine Driuen his Oxen to the lower plaine Phebae fled heauen her face no tincture beares Because shee saw a deed worthie her teares The morning came where yet the fatall print of Mirrha lay vpon the pillow Cynix he Clog'd with distresse a fathers cursse did hint vpon that place of foule inchastitiâ— the sight of what we loath breedes loathing more and vertue once renounc'd ingenders store Leaue we him touz'd in care for worldly wee loue to leaue great men in their miserie Seauen winters nights she fled before the Moone who knew the vnchaste act she had inforc'd Through Arabie in feare she posteth soone To odorous Panchaia whose confines diuorc'd Her fathers land here grew all choicest fumes That to Ioues temples often men presumes and on his altars them accumulate and how they first sprung here thereof the Fate Hebae now banish'd from th' Aâ—therian boule vppon a feast day mongst the Gods aboue Where t was made lawfull all without controule might freely drink it chanc'd the Queen of loue Whether she long'd or enuied Hebaes starre Women are enuious where they long for nectar forc'd her to skinke so much the iuice ran ore so that Ioues drinke washt the defiled flore With this he storm'd that 's Priests from altars flie streight banish'd Hebae the world did thinke To a second Chaos they should turned be the clouds for feare wept ouâ— th' immortal drinke and on Panchaia there this Nectar fâ—ll Made rich th' adiacent lands with odorous smell and such rare spices to the shoares are giuen as Ioue would thinke no Nectar were in heauen There was a Satire rough and barbarous pleasing his pallat at a trembling spring Vnder a Beech with bowes frondiferous though he had seene a nimph or rarer thing Then flesh and blood for in the calmed streame He saw her eyes like stars whose raies did gleamâ— Boue Phoebus farre and so amazed stood as if she had bin Goddesse of that flood and as you see a man that hath bin long Possessed with a furie of the shades after some prayers and many a sacred song with blessed signes the euill spirit vades so fell his rudenesse from him and her shine Made all his earthie parts pure and diuine O potent loue great is thy power be falne That makes the wise mad the mad man calme Thus he begins fairer then Venus farre If Venus be or if she be t is thee Louelie as Lillies brighter then the starre that is to earth the mornings Mercurie Softer then Roses sweeter breath'd then they blush't boue Aurora better cloath'd then May. lipt like a cherrie but of rarer taste Deuine as Dian and as fully chaste Pardon my rude tongue if I chance to erre as Hermes selfe might erre being the God of Eloquence for your bright eye doth beare all earthly blessings in a faire abode Excuse me if I trip I meane your weale Error 's no error where t is done with zeale Loue like materiall fires is made to flame When t is supprest with fanning Fires first came With this the Maid so took hung down her head wondring that such a shape had such a tongue able to steale her loue had she not fled and from his ardent gripes her body wrung Flying like Phebae after strucken deere and as he follow'd she fled more for feare Zâ—phire came foorth to dally with her haire while the poore Satire cried stay maide so faire But he on sudden like a subtill Snake rould in a heape shootes foorth himself at leÌ„gth and to his vigorous armes greedie doth take his yeilding prey won with his words not streÌ„gth To be a woman is by nature giuen But to be constant is a star which heauen Hath seald on their sex forehead as a signe That constancie in women is diuine Thou didst deceiue me Mirrha when I saide thou flew'st for feare thou gau'st me cause to fear and I might iustlie haue this gainst thee laide thou wentsâ— t'auide by pathes that were so nere Who begin ill most often end in ill and she that doth her first pure youth so spill In lawles lust though made a wife to one Remaines like wax for each impression But see the goodnesse of the Deities who still with grace preuents our ill presage This groue was hallow'd to no Hiadres but chast Diana who with violent rage Discending from her towre of Christalline To keepe the place still sacred and diuine against her rites brought with her thereupon white Poplar from the banckes of Acheron Then wiâ—h a charme that did her face eclips And made her crescent quak the iuice she powers Vpon the Satirs face and prophane lipps which quickly ouer all his body showers Her borrow'd power of art being finished Deriued from Phoebus as her light she saide Nine-times the holy time which spok will clere all prophane matter and this spake she there Sleepe Poplar sleepe that was the Satirs name who had bin long a king within these woods Since thou my sacred Groue gan to prophane a sleepe seize on thee still as stigian floods by Stix I vow the partiall destenies Did they conspire shold nere vnclaspe thine eies haning thus said the Satire vanisht so as mens prospect that from a mirrour goe I thinke quoth she accursed is this place for heere the man for whome I sorrow now Heedelesse Acteon with immodest face saw all our naked and did ouer-vewe As men rich iuells doe thinking there lies yet some rare vertue hidden from their eyes And euen there quoth shee then did point reuen'gd I saw his hounds teare ioint from ioint But since saies she thou as a King didst reigne and art a Trophey too of Dians power Thus much the Goddesse of the floods doth deign wood to change thy shape into a vertick flower Then thrice three words thrice striking charmed The ground did crannie and there out of hand appeared greene Poplar younger then before which bow'd the head dyan did adore The paâ—efac'd Mirrha sat like guiltie spright fore the infernall iudge yet did not see Diana great for dull are mortalls sight and all inuisible is chastitie But heard a voice as she was vanishing saying defild maide doost wonder at this thing O Mirrha 〈◊〉