vauntst thy stock kin many a Princely name This house in worth is of sufficient fame Iove Atreus Grandsire Tantall's Pelops I And the Tyndarian Off spring here passe by Laeda gives Iove my sire who credulous soule Tooke to her bosome a deceitfull foule Goe now and brag thy Troy's originall Ag'd Priam and Laomedon withall Both whom I reverence yet know from thee Iove's remov'd five from me but one degree And though Troy's scepters beare a potent sway Yet doe I thinke ours are no lesse than they Grant it in wealth in men the upper hand Yet ne'rethelesse 't is but a barb'rous land Such ample gifts thy rich-vein'd lines do move As ev'n may tempt a goddesse unto love But would I now to passe shames bounds begin 'T is thou shouldst be my greatest cause of sin Or I would blamelesse lead my life still true Or rather thee than all thy gifts pursue As them I scorne not so the best I take Those which the giver still doth pretious make But most thy love thy toyle I prize for me That thy strong hopes should tempt the wide stretcht sea Full well at boord though with dissembling shew I cloake the same I note the trickes you â—oe Sometimes thou view'st me with a wanton eye Whose bold fixt gaze turnes my chast sight awry Somtimes thou sight'st then tak'st my cup where Thou saw'st me drink thou straightwaies drinkst just there How oft with fingers with speaking brow Have I observ'd thee secret signes to show Oft fear'd I lest my husband should have seen And blusht in that they have not closer been Oft to my selfe in whispers would I say This wretch is shamelesse nor from truth did stray Oft have I read writ on the boord above in wine my name and underneath't I love Yet seem'd to sleight it with averted eye Which now ah me my selfe hath learn'd to cry If sinne I would with such sweet slights as these Thou both my heart my selfe and all might'st ceaze Nor wants thou I confesse a beauteous face That might a virgin win to thy embrace Guiltlesse by thee yet others happy prove Then e're my fame be foyld by forraigne love Learne then by me to want what 's faire with ease T is vertue to abstaine from things that please How many thinkst have wisht thy wish their prize Hath Paris onely the discerning eyes Thou see'st not more but bold dost more essay Nor hast more heart but farre more front than they Would with swift keele thou then hadst reach'd our When thousand suiters soght my virgin flower shore Once seene of thousands thou the first hadst bin My husband needs must pardon me herein To things possest thou com'st to tasted joyes And slow another what thou seek'st enjoyes Yet as I wish to be thy wife so know Not ' gainst my will A rides holds me now Cease then my breast with winning words to move Nor seek to hurt whom thou pretendst to love What lot chance gave me let me keepe the same Nor weare the spoyle of my defiled shame But Venus me betroth'd thee when on Ide Three naked powers to thee themselves apply'd A kingdome one th' other a warlike name And me the third did for thy wife proclaime I scarce believe such heavenly wights should come And prostitute their beauty to thy doome Grant this for truth yet that needs false must bee Where I am sayd to be thy judgements fee. Nor am I so selfe proud my selfe to deeme So high-priz'd in a goddesses esteeme ' Tâ—s enough my beauty humane eyes approve That Venus prais'd it shewes her spite not love Yet I not doubt but like those prayses why What my heart longs for should my tongue deny Nor thinke it much thâ—u wert believ'd so ill In things of weight our faith is tardy still My chiefe joy's then't'have pleas'd faire Venus eyes Next to have seem'd to thee the greatest prize And that dame Iuno 's Hellens beauty heard And Pallas guifts were not by thee prefer'd So I thy vertue I thy kingdome prove Steel'd were my heart should I not lend thee love But steel'd I am not yet to love decline Him whom I think can hardly e're be mine Why should I seeke to plough the thirsty sands Or follow hope which ev'n the place withstands I 'me rude to Venus thefts nor e're as yet Heavens witnesse gull'd my spouse by any sleight That now my words I write in Tablets know 'T's a taske they nere before did undergoe Happy who use it I unskill'd therein Thinke all paths rough that lead me to the sin Ev'n fear 's a plague abasht me thinkes I see All eyes as wondering set at gaze on mee Nor thinke I false I 've hear'd th'ill-murm'ring rout And Aethra told me what they late gave out Dissemble then unlesse thou 'ldst quit thy suite But why desist dissemble thou canst doo 't Sport but yet close greater not greatest sway W'enjoy in that Atrides is away Who now from hence to distant coasts is gone Vrgent and just was the occasion I when he once made doubt to goe indeed Sayd goe my deare and make returne with speed Pleas'd with the omen me he kist and see Of house my state and guest y'have care saith hee Scarce held I laughter striving which to stay Save Sir I shall I not one word could say Forthwith winds faire his sayles for Greece he set But thinke not therefore all things lawfull yet So is he hence that gone he guards me here Know'st not that kings far-stretching arms do beare Fame too annoys us for the more you praise My face the more his jealous fears you raise What was my pleasure now 's mine hurt become Better't had been if fame had still been dombe Nor wonder that alone I 'me left with thee Hee s confident of my integritie He doubts my face but trusts my life secure My faith my beauty makes him feares indure Thou warn'st me not to let time slip nor slight A hop so fit caus'd by this simple weight I would and feare my wills not yet exact And my mind staggers in a dubious tract My spouse is hence thou matelesse ly'st at ease Thy beauty me my beauty thee doth please Long nights with long discourse we entertaine Thou gentle sweet one house doth both containe May I not live if all things plead not sin I know not yet what strange feare holds me in What ill thou fu'st wold thou could'st wel constrain Then might'st thou soone shake off my coy disdaine Oft wrongs to some have been commodious held How blest were I could I be so compell'd Yet whilst 't is young let 's rather quench desire Small flames by sprinkled water soone expire And strangers love is fraile and erres as they And when thou thinkst it sure then flyes away This Thoas this did Minos daughter prove Who both imbrac't and rew'd their lawlesse love Nay thou false man though long time lov'd art said T' have left Oenonâ— that desertfull maid Nor canst thy selfe deny
I lov'd Oft in the shade we both our flockes have fed Whilst leaves and grasse affoorded us a bed Oft we on straw on hay we oft did rest The hoary frost in homely Cot deprest Who now shall shew thee lawnds for game most fit And caves where wilde beasts with their yong do sit Oft have I helpt to spread thy nets distain'd And o're the tops of hills thy cheer'd hounds train'd Each Beech my name carv'd out by thee doth beare And thy Oenone is read every where As they increase so spreads my name along Grow grow and rise a witnesse of my wrong Close by a purling silverie brooke there growes A Poplar which of me fresh record showes Long mayst thou live I pray live happy yeares That in thy rinde this carved Dystich beares When Paris lives and doth Oenone shun Shall Xanthus streames back to their fâ—untaines run Xanthus recoyle flow streames unto your head Paris the false is from Oexone fled That day my sate produc't that day did prove The frosty winter of our changed love When for thy judgement Venus loves proud Dame And Pallas arm'd more comely naked came Which when thou toldst to me my tim'rous breast And limbs were with a gelid seare opprest The aged I consulâ— with they reply And thence averre some ominous ill was nie Straight was there timber for'd a Fleet prepar'd And brimmed vessels on the blew seas rear'd Yet wept'st thou parting do not this deny On thy last love the greatest shame doth lye Thou wept'st I say and saw'st my teares abound Whil'st both like sad did teares with tears confound Not so the Elme's incircled by the Vine As was my neck claspt by those armes of thine How oft didst faigne the winde contrary stood Though smiling thy companions saw 't was good Hâ—w oft thy numbred kisses didst retell How loth was thy sad tongue to say Farewell An easie gale thy hoyst sailes fil'd all o're Seas froath'd with labour of thy nimble Oare I whil'st I could thy flying vessell view'd And the dry sands with falling teares imbrew'd Invok't the greene Nereides that e're long Thou mightst returne to wit unto my wrong 'Las thee my prayers to others use brought home And for a harlot did I kinde become A mount there is that over-lookes the seas Securely scorning waves vaine batteries Hence I thy ship view'd as I gazing stood For joy I 'de almost leapt into the slood But when I saw a purple streamer shine On the carv'd sterne I fear'd 't was none of thine The ship's now nearer and to shore apply'd A female face with trembling heart I spy'd That not enough oh my stupiditie The lustfull dame did in thy bosome lye Then I my garments rent my barebreasts beat And tore my cheekes with brackish teares repleat The sacred Ida with my force chings fil'd And thence unto my home moist teares distil'd May Hellen so weepe rob'd of haplesse love And what sh' hath made me suffer may she prove Now home thou bringst one who hath basely fled The sweet contentments of a lawfull bed Yet when a Swaines poore life thou didst embrace None then thy wife save chaste Oenone was 'T is not thy wealth or palace moves me ought Nor strive I to be Priams daughter thought Though Priam need not thinke himselfe revil'd In me or Hecub scorn me for her childe I worthy am and might a Princesse bee Well with my hands a Scepter would agree Nor scorn me since with thee on Beech leaves spread I lay I 'me fitter for a purple bed Lastly my love is safe no warres disease Thy rest no vengefull vessels furrow seas Hellen is su'd for with infestive Armes And brings a dowrie onely great in harmes Whether 't be fit she be return'd or no Thy brothers or Polydamas will show Aske Priam's aske Antenors grave advice Whose long experienc'd age hath made them wise 'T is base a rape before thy â—ountries love To prize just armes her husbands wrongs do move Nor canst her faithfull warrant who so soone With ease was to thy strange embraces wonne As young Atrides wailes his harder fate By forraigne love wrong'd in his nuptiall state Which thou shalt one day doe no Art can be Sufficient to regaine lost chastitie Say she love thee so did she Atreus sonne Who now lyes matelesse in his bed alone Thrice happy Hectors faire Andromache As she by him should I be lov'd by thee But thou farre lighter art than leaves when dry Which 'fore each easie gale diffusely flye Lesse weight lesse constancie in thee is borne Than in the slender Sun-parcht eares of corne Thy sister once with haires that loosly hung Thus in prophetick raptures to me sung What dost Oenone why on sands dost thou Sow seeds and shores with gainlesse oxen plow A Greekish heyfer which shall thee thy home And countrey spoyle yet fate defend doth come With speed the obscene vessell sinke what store Alas of Phrygrand bloud it brings to shore This sayd her handmaids her with â—rew my haire Like stubborne bristles stood on end for feare Ah wretch too true a prophet wert to me Behold that heyfer in my bounds lives free What though she beauteous be she 's yet unchast And fled from home a strange guests love embrac't What Theseus 't was I know not but before One Theseus nam'd her from her countrey bore And canst thou her thus ransom'd chaste surmise My love alas in this hath made me wise Call it a rape doe owe thy crime that name Sure she that was so oft rap't lik't the same Oenone though forsooke doth chast remaine Though thine owne lawes thou oughtest to sustaine Mee nimble Satyrs did in troopes frequent Whilst woods conceal'd me from their bad intent Me horned Faunus crown'd with wreathes of Pine Did o're Idaean hills to search encline Me Troy's great Champion lov'd and he alone He onely did possesse my virgine Throne And that by force yet not without torn haire And scornfull scarres left on his face so faire Nor gold nor precious gemmes did I require T is base to prostitute the corps for hire Yet he his physicke did to me impart And taught my ruder hands his helpfull Art What pow'rfull hearb or healing plant doth grow It s secret vertues and effects I know Woes me that love no pow'rfull hearb can cure That stor'd with Art I should in Art bee poore Ev'n Phoebus did Phaerean Oxen feed And inly wounded with my flames did bleed And yet the helpe no simple-bearing field Nor th'unshornegod can give thou thou canst yield Thou canst I say and oughtst a virgin spare I with the Greeks gainst thee no Armes doe beare But thine I am from childhood link't to thee And whilst I live thine wish thine pray to be THE ARGVMENT OF HIPSYPHILE'S Epistle to Iason PElias being told by the Oracle that hee should then bee neare his death when as at the sacrifice of Neptune hee should see a youth comming towards him with one foot bare Iason hapning to
losse deplores Whilst waves with her do breaking weep in showrs Or else her stepdame plagues this noxious sea Lately transform'd a watry deitie This place befriends no mayds for hence did grow Poore Hâ—lles death and here I suffer too But Neptune if thy former flames thou mind Me thinkes no love should be impeacht by wind If bright Amimone and Tyro be No lying fables of thy love and thee Halcyone and Iphimâ—din faire Medusa then without her snakie haire Laodice Celaeno heaven re-inspheard And many more whose names I oft have heard All these and more as Poets sing would joyne In am'or ous sports their softer sides to thine Why then dost thou who oft loves power didst trye Seas wonted passage through thy rage deny Cruell forbeare and in the wide seas raigne Small is the streame that parts these lands in twain T'infest great ships were for thy state more meet Or fiercely to assault some mighty fleet What praise to thee can from a drownd youth rise Each pettie lake would scorne so poore a prize 'T is true he 's high and nobly borne yet he Descends from no Vlyssian progenie Cease then save two in one for though he swim Alone yet lyes my hope my life in him Meane while my taper for by one I write Crackles a signe some prosp'rous lucke should light Forthwith my nurse wine in the fire doth power Then drinks and cryes next morn we shall be more Come through the seas and make us more by one Oh thou beloved of my heart alone Come to thy campe then that thy love dost flye In empty bed why doe I lovely lye Thou need'st not feare love aids the bold essay The sea borne Goddesse will the seas allay Oft I my selfe could ev'n attempt the sea But that these waves mens friends not womens be Elle why when Phryxus first did passe the same Did Hâ—lle onely give the flood a name Perhaps your strength for to returne you feare And that you scarce the double taske should beare In mid-sea then let us together meet And with sweet kisses there each other greet That done turne backe againe though this be small Yet is it better farre then nought at all Would God our bashfull shame or tim'rous loue Might yeeld to some and knowne and open prove Ill joyn'd in us is love with shame 'twixt these My choise I doubt this seemely that doth please As soone as Iason reacht the Colchian shore Away with him the Phasiâ—n Dame he bore No sooner Paris Lacedaemon eyes But he returnes blest with his beauteous prize Oft as thou comst as oft thou leau'st thy love Behind and swimm'st when ships can hardly move But yet thou victor of the seas so care So scorne its rage as scorning still to feare Oft well wrought vessells in the flood doe saile And think'st thine arms can past their oares prevail Where thou desir'st stout seamen feare to tend In such attempts wrackt ships have found their end I would not yet perswade what I advise And may thy courage 'bove my counsels rise So thou in satetie come and on my breast At last thy wave dividing armes dost rest Yet still as I convert mine eyes to seas A chilling cold my daunted heart doth seaze No lesse I me troubled with my dreame last night Though expiated since with sacred rite In dawne of day my Taper almost out A time whe dreames are most devoyd of doubt From out my fingers fell my twisted thread And tow'rds my pillow I enclyn'd my head When straight me thought I really did see A Dol hin swimming in the windy sea Whom when the waves on soking sands had tost At once the wretch both life and water lost It s meaning much I dread scorne not my dreames Nor doe thou venter save in quiet streames If not thy selfe at least yet pitty me Whose onely well fare is deriv ' from thee There 's hope e're long 't will prove a peacefull tide Then thou the waves with earnest breast divide Meane time cause seas doe hinder thee thy way Let these my lines asswage thy lingring stay THE ARGVMENT OF Acontius his Epistle to Cydippe AContius hapning to be present at the sacrifice of Diana in Delos to whose Temple many virgins did resort amongst the rest espies and was surprized with the love of Cydippe a damsell of noble parentage But considering the disparitie of his birth durst not adventure openly to wooe her Wherefore on a faire and goodly apple he writes his device and subtilly entraps her in this rime By Dian's mysticke rites I vow to thee That I thy consort and thy spouse will be The fruit he trolls unto her Cydippe takes it up and reads and unawares bet othes her selfe unto him For what vowes soever were made in the presence of Diana were to be observed and not revoked Her father after this ignorant of his daughters contract promiseth her in marriage to another Meane while Cydippe is taken with a violent Feaver Acontius layes hold on the occasion and labours to induce in her a beliefe that this sicknesse was inflicted on her by Diana for delaying to fulfill her promise And sirives to render him to whom her fâ—ther had affy'd her od ous in her thoughts by perswading her shâ—e could by no meanes attaine her health unlesse shâ— utterly reject him FEare not no more thou to thy love shalt sweare 'T's enough for me that you once promis'd were Peruse my lines so from thy limbs may part That paine made mine by thy induring smart Why blush you for I deeme a crimson staine Now dyes your cheekes as carst in Dians fane Wedlocke and plighted faith no crimes I move Nor as adultrer but just spouse I love Call but to minde the words ingrav'd that stand I' th' fruit by me throwne to thy virgin-hand There thou shalt finde thy promise to my plea Except with words thy faith forgotten be And that I fear'd Dians incenst yet thou And not the goddesse should'st have mark't thy vow Nay now the like I feare but more for loe Through lingring stay thy flames augmented grow So doth my love which never yet was small Fed by the hopes thou gav'st and time withall Thou gav'st me hope my love gave faith to thee Thou canst not Dian witnesse this denie She present was and noted every word And with mov'd tresse did her assent affoord So then report thou wert by fraud betrayd Whil'st love the cause of my deceit be sayd What drift had I save to be joyn'd with thee This thou do'st blame may our attonement bee Nor nature me nor art hath subtile made Trust me fair soul thou taughtst me first this trade If ought our art ingenuous love not I Prevaild and did the knot so firmly tie He the words prompted I the charme did frame And crafty through consulted love became Be I term'd subtile and this deed beare stile Of craft if what we love to winne be guile Behold againe I send intreaties write Complaine againe here
close up thine For this the Heards-man Swin-heard old Nurce too Withearnest vowes and fervent prayers doe sue Feeble Laertes as unapt through age Amongst his foes no rule no sway can wage Telemachus in time may grow more strong Hee should be garded by thee now hee 's young I have no force to drive my foes from home Oh thou that art our onely safegard come Thou hast a sonne long maist thou have I pray Should now be train'd up in his father's way Thinke on Laâ—rtes whose dimme shrunke eyes thou Ought'st to close hee ev'n beares his last daies now Nay I who when thou went'st youths dresse did wear At thy return shall old craz'd appeare THE ARGVMENT OF PHILLIS her EPISTLE to DEMOTHOON DEmophoon the son of Theseus and Phaedra returning homewards from the Trojan warres was by adverse stormes driven on the Thracian shores where he was toâ—ally entertained both at Boord and Bed by Phillis daughter of Lycurgus and Crustumena King and Queene of Thrace with whom after bee had a while remained hearing of the death of Mnestheus the deposer of his father he went to take possession of his reaâ—me of Athens Yet with vowes and prowises to returne unto her within the space of one moâ—eth Bâ—t being detained past the appoynâ—ed time with sundry bâ—sinesses of a distracted kingdome be gave occasion unto Phillis impatient of delayes and griefes to write unto him this Epiâ—â—le wherein she conjures him to be mindfull of his promise and to return to her as her just vowed husband which if â—ee refuse she desperately concludes by death to vindicate the wrongs done unto her mayden Chastitie THine Hostesse Râ—odopâ—ian Phillis thee Blames absent past thy promis'd time to bee Soone as the Moones horns met in a full round Thouswor'st againe to anchor on my ground Foure times sh' hath been i' th full foure in the waine Yet seas bring no Actean ships againe If you 'l but count the time as lovers doe You 'l finde my plaint comes not too soon to you Long did I hope for slowly we believe Ill haps which now too sore my soule doth grieve Oft to my selfe I 've ly'd for thee oft thought The windes thy swoln sayles back again had brought Oft Theseus curst as one that caus'd thy stay And yet perhaps he hindred not thy way Oft fear'd to Haebrus whil'st you bent your course Your Barke might suffer in the foaming sourse Oft for thy health have I with bended keees And spice-flam'd Altars prayd to th'Deities Oft seeing windes with heavens and seas agreed I 've sayd if he be well hee 'l come with speed Lastly whats'ere might hasting loves restraine I thought nay I was witty stayes to faine Yet thee the witnest powers no whit do sway Nor com'st as tooke with love of me thy way Both winds and sayles thou gav'st unto the winde Thy words want faith thy sayles returneâ— finde What have I done save rashly lov'd thee pray And through that crime I have deserv'd thy stay One fault I had that thee receiv'd untrue And yet that fault hath worth and merit due Wher 's now thy vows thy faith hands joyn'd to hand And th'God with thy false mouth so oft prophan'd Where 's Hymen now both pledge and suretie too Of our blest match that should e're long ensue First by the sea with windes tost to and fro Through which thou oft hadst gone wer't then to go Next by thy Grandsire if thou didst not faigne Him too thou swor'st that doth mov'd seas restraine By Venus by loves Torches and his Bow Weapons that have procur'd me all this woe By Iuno that takes charge of married wights And by the Taper bearing Goddesse rites If each of these wrong'd powers shold venge on thee Their wrath thou could'st not beare their crueltie Nay that the keele with which I was forsooke Might able be I rig'd thy shippes late broke And gave thee Oares that thou might'st plow the main Thus wounds by mine own weapons I sustain Thy flattering words thy Gods thy kindred all Within the compasse of my faith did fall Trusted thy teares can teares be said to faine Ev'n those had craft and when thou would'st would raine What needed there so many pledges be Betweene us halfe might soone have captiv'd mee Nor that in need I helpt thee am I moov'd This should the summe of my rash love have prov'd But foully thee in bed to entertain And there to dally causes all my paine The night 'fore that would it had beene my last Phyllis might then have honest dy'd and chast My hopes were better ' cause I thought I might Through this deserve thee and that hope 's but right To wrong an easie mayd no praise can prove My simplenesse did well deserve thy love A lover and a maid hast thou betraid Heavens grant that this thy chiefest praise be sayd In Athens when thy statue shall be plac't And thy great Father 'fore his spoyles so grac't When Scyron and Procrustes shall be read The Mimtaure and Scinis conquered Thobes wan by warre the Centaures bick'ring And knockt at Palace of the shady King Mongst these shall stand thy Image with this Style This this is he who Phyllis did beguile Of all thy fathers facts thou bear'st in minde But one of Ariadne left behinde What he condemn'd that thou esteem'st as rare And onely of thy fathers fraud art heire But she nor spite I it hath a better mate And drawne by harnest tygers rides in state The once scorn'd Thracians now my bed despise ' Cause before them I did a stranger prize Whilst some cry out let her to Athens goe There 's those can rule the warlike Thrace we trowe The end still crownes the act may his intent Be crost yet that still judges from th' event For should'st to come to me but crosse the flood They 'l say againe I sought my countryes good But I have not yet thou nor to my court Or Bystons glassie streames dost make resort Thy gestures in my minde still fixed bee Which thou didst use when first thou wentst from me How dar'dst thou then embrace me so joyne Such long-breath'd kisses with these lips of mine And with my teares thy moist teares mixe waile As loath to part thy too too prosp'rous gale And to me say now ready to be gone Phyllis see thou expect thy Demophon Shall I expect thee that wilt nere againe Returne or shippes deny'd unto my Maine And yet I doe oh come to me though late That thy vow'd faith may prove but false in dare What wish I wretch perhaps some strange maid thee Retaines and love that lightly favours mee Thou hast forgot thy Phyllis sure if thou But ask'st who I am or from whence wouldst know Why I am she Demophoon that same friend In need that did thee boord and harbour lend Whose wealth did thine increase who to thee poore Gave many gifts and would have giv'n farr more Who yeelded thee Lycurgus spacious land A
rule unsitting for a womans hand As farre as Rhodope and Haemus goes And sacred Haebrus with his soft streames flowes Whose chaster Zone thou to unloose had'st power And Virgin bud to crop disastrous houre Tysiphone did howle those rites among And th' ominous owle screecht our sad mariage song Alecto there crownd with her snakes did stand The rapers light with her sepulchroll brand Oft to the Rockes and sedgie shores I hie And view the vastle as with a wandring eye Oft in the day oft in the starry night I looke what winds ' gainst stubborne waves doe fight What sayles so ere from farre I comming see I deeme them straight my houshold Gods to bee Downe then I runne spite of resisting waves Farre as the sea with streames the moist shore laves But nearer they the worser I remaine I faint and fall downe midst my following traine A Bay there is that like a bent bow lyes Whose farthest points in rugged hornes doe rise From thence my selfe I meant t' have thrown and wil Since me th' hast thus deceiv'd perform it still May yeelding streames me to thy shores convay And uninter'd me may thine eies survay Then though then adamant thou harder bee Thoult say would thus thou hadst not followed mee Oft have I thought by poyscous draughts to dye Or by a sword to act â—y Tragedy Or 'bout my necke that did it selfe bequeath To thy false armes a fatall cord to wreath With mature death I le recompence my wrong Nor in the choise thereof will dally long And that thou mayst be knowne as th' cause Ile have This or the like inscription on my grave Demophoon Phyllis guest did Phyllis kill He gave the cause she th'â—and that wrought the ill THE ARGVMENT OF BRISEIS her Epistle to ACHILLES THe Grecians at their arrivall in Phrygia besieged and took most of the adjoyning Cities neere to Troy amongst which the Citie Lyrnesses was utterly razed by Achilles from whence he brought captive with him amongst others of the noblest Damsels Astinome the daughter of Chryses the Priest of Apollo Smintheus and Hippodamia the daughter of Briseis both which were afterwards called by their fathers names Chryses by lot fell to Agamemnon Briseis to Achilles But Agamemnon to allay the raging plague inflicted on the host by Apollo for the contempt offered to his Priest was warned to deliver Chriseis back to her father In liâ—w of whom he took Briseis from Achilles which injury he so beynously brooked that with implacable wrath he forsook the campe vowing never more to take arms again Troy or meddle in his countrie quâ—rrell though sollicited by Agamemnon with large gifts and even Briseis herselfe both which be obstinately refused Which when the sad-sould Bryseis did perceive with all the womanish Oratorie her grieved thoughts would affoord her she thus at length adventured to write unto the valiant Greeke THE lines thou read'st from ravisht Briseis came whose rude hand scarce can Greekish letters frame What blots soe're thou seest my tears did make And yet those teares the weight of words partake If of my Lord and Spouse it lawfull be For to complaine I 'le then complaine of thee That I was given to the King alas Was not thy fault yet in some sort it was For being sent for I without delay Was rendred them a partner of their way Each on each others face casting their eye Wondred in silence where our Love did lye Well could I have defer'd nay lov'd my stay Not one kisse gave I when I went away But teares like floods I shed and haire displayd I rent againe deeming me captive made Oft thought I from my watchfull guard to flye But that I fear'd the scouting enemy Lest in the night they me might apprehend And as a gift to Priams daughters send But being promis'd I must goe yet thou Alas neglect'st me and thine ire's growne slow For parting stout Pairoclus in mine eare Whisper'd why weep'st thou shalt not stay long there Yet thou not seek'st me but withstand'st the same Goe now and purchase an hot lovers name Ajax and Phenix to thee came the one Thy cousin t'other thy companion With these Laâ—tes sonne who each by turne With prayers and gifts did plead for my returne Twice ten braffe Caldrons shining wondrous bright And seven stooles equall both in art and weight To these ten talents of the purest gold And twice sixe horses spirited and bold And what might well be spar'd a beauteous traine beside Of Lesbian damsels that were lately tane ' Mongst which but thou need'st none there came One of Atrides daughters for thy bride And is it like thou e're would'st me reprive That wilt not take now what thou then shouldst give Ah me what fatall crime of mine could move ' Gainst me thy scorne how have I lost thy love Will fortune the distressed still disease Nor will a gentler gale my woes appease Lyrnessian walls I saw by thee or'ethrowne Whereof my selfe no slender part did owne Three neare ally'd to me by blood by death There fell ' mongst which my mother lost her breath I saw his soule disseiz'd through many a wound My husbands bloudyed corps distaine the ground Yet all these lost I had amends in thee For thou wert husband brother Lord to mee By Azure Thetis ample deep 's bright power Thou swor'st my bondage should my weale procure To wit that I with all my dowre high priz'd Should by Achilles be contemn'd despis'd Besides 't is fam'd how with the rising morne Thou 'lt hoyse thy sailes and leave me here forlorne Which news no sooner did mine eares arrest Then blood and soule fled from my fainting breast Wilt goe to whom wilt wretched me bequeath Who to my woes shall any comfort breath First may I swallowed be in earths darke wombe Or by some missive thunder find my doome E're without me seas froth with Pythian Oare Or I behind thy ships e're quit the shore If thou lt returne thy native home to see I shall no burthen to thy vessell bee Not as thy wife but captive I le be seen To waite on thee I have a hand can spin May ' mongst the Achaian Nymphs the fairest maid Be wise to thee and in thy bed be laid One that grave Peleus might not seeme to shunne Whom Nereus might for his great grandchild own Poore humble I my worke will onely mind And threads from distaffe on my spindle wind Only I pray let not thy wife afflict My sufferance she I feare will be too strict Nor let her yet my scattered tresses teare But gently say this once was mine forbeare Yet so thou scorn'st me not I le bear 't and more The feare of that alas torments me sore What wouldst Atrides doth repent the ill And sadned Greece lyes prostrate at thy will Oh thou that conquerest others curb thine ire See how stout Hector doth thy Grecians tyre Take up thine armes but first resume thy love And force thy foes thy vengefull wrath to prove
For me 't was mooved oh let it cease for me May I thy cause and end of sorrow bee Nor thinke it scorne to yeeld unto my prayer Oenides tooke armes to please his faire I oft have heard it thou dost know 't and how His life his mother to hel's powers did vow Fierce was he in the wars yet he laid by His armes and did his country helpe deny Whom Ataâ—anta moov'd oh happy shee But my slight words las of no moment bee Nor thinke I much at it I ne're was thought Thy wife but to thy bed as servant brought Once me a captive Lady call'd said I That name 's a burthen to captivity Now by my husbands halfe toomb'd bones I sweare Of whom I still a reverend thought doe beare By my three brothers sacred soules who well For their lov'd country with their Country sell By both our heads we oft have joyn'd as one And by thy sword too dearely to me knowne That since my parture Agamemnon knew No bed of mine forsake me as 't is true Should I aske thee that question could'st denie That thou with any save with me did'st lye The Grecians think thou mourn'dst but thee soft straines Delight thy love thee in her lap retaines If any aske why thou denyest to fight Warr's harsh but night and musicke breed delight T is safer farre to sport with amorous fire Or nimblie warble on thy Thracian lyre Then for to wield a shield or shake a speare Or on thy smooth haire heavy Helmet beare Thee once farre better deeds then these did please And thou did'st love fame got by warre not ease Wert only stout when I was captive made Or with my country did thy courage fade The Gods forbid oh maist thou one day hide Thy Pelian javeline in sterne Hectors side Yee Greekes send me as legate to my Lord I with my words sweet kisses will afford Not Phaenix shall not slie Ulysses too Nor Teucers brother plead as I will doe T is much his necke t' embrace with these known armes And with my powerfull eye to tye loves charmes Though then the Sea lesse mercifull thou bee I mute my speaking teares shall worke on thee Nay now ev'n now so may thy aged sire Be blest with yeares and Pyrrhus fame acquire Be mindfull of me nor whilst ire beares sway Consume thy Briseis through thy long delay But if thy love convert to hate whom thou Forcest without thee live to fate make bow And so thou dost my limbs and colour fade Yet hope of thee my parting soule hath staid Of which depriv'd unto my spouse I le hie And brothers worthy act to cause me die But why thus bid'st me die oh rather kill Me with thine owne hands I 've some blood left still And let that sword which had not Pallas stayd Had pierc't Atrides breast my breast invade No rather spare my life and to thy friend Contribute that thou to thy foe did'st lend Oh let the proud Neptun an Troy afford Thee foes and matter for thy Warlike sword And whether that thou mean'st to part or stay As my just Lord command me come away THE ARGVMENT of PHAEDRA'S Epistle to Hippolytus THESEVS the sonne of Aegeus having escaped the Labyrinth and returning homewards with his adjutrix Aâ—iadne axd her sister Phaedra the dâ—uâ—â—â—ers of Minos King of Creet in the way hee toâ—cted at the Island of Naxos where hee leaves Ariaduâ— and with Phaedra whom hee afâ—e wards marâ—â—a 〈◊〉 away But in processe of time Theseu being aâ—sâ—â—t Phaedra falles in love wâ—th Hippolytus the sonne of â—â—heseus by Hippolita Queene â—f the Amazonâ— But â—eem love rather with manly actions and Diaâ—â—â—'s sports than with women often frequenting the solitary woods herest her of all meanes to spâ—ake unto him The wily stepuame resolves to write and laying all motherly modeslie aside stung with unnaturall lust attempts the bashfull youth with this insinuating Epistle THe health she wants except the same thou lend Phaedra to thâ— Aâ—azonian youth doth send Pray read my letter how can it annoy Perhaps ther 's in it that may cause thy joy By these are secrets borne through seas and land And one foe reads what comes from th 'others hand Thrice did I strive to speake thrice my weak tongue Faild me and in my mouth my words still hung Oft I with shame did mixe my love too light But what I blusht to speake love bad me write What love commands wee ought not to despise Who rules and awes the powerfull Deities He first to me in doubt to write did say Phaedra write on thy love he shall obey Ayd me great Love and as thou rul'st in mee So cause in him a mutuall sympathie By no base sin I 'le breake my marriage vowes My fame shouldst thou enquire no stain yet knows Love comes more heavie through its sloath I hide Within me flames my breast doth wounds abide As the first yoake the tender Heifer paines As new backt Colt the curbing hit disdaines So rude so rawly love's by me indur'd Nor is my minde to the new load inur'd Full hard in giddy youth we learne loves Art But in our riper yeares with paine and smart â—ly fames first sacrifice shall be to thee And both of us alike will guiltie bee 'T is somthing from fraught boughs ripe fruit to cull And budding rose with nimble hand to pull Yet though my life hath hitherto been chast Nor by impurer spots or taints defac't I grieve not since I noble love embrace A foule adulterer makes his sin more base Should Iuno yeeld to me her thunderer I before Iove would Hippolite preferre Nay trust me I doe now delight in new And unknowne sports wilde beasts in chase pursue No goddesse now but Delia pleaseth mee Grac'd with her Bow I love I like as thee Darke groves I visit Deere to toyles constraine And cheer my full-mouth'd hounds o're empty plain The tremulous dart with arme advanc'd I shake Or on the grassie ground repose doe take And oft in winged chariots while I ride With curbing raines the swift-heeld coursers guide Now like th ' Eleides whom fury filâ— Or those who Tymbrels ring on Ida's hils Or like to them whom the strange uncouth sight Of Driad's or the horned Fawnes affright I madly run for when my fury 's ceast They tell me all close fires do scortch my bâ—east Perhaps by Fate we thus to love are bent And Venus tribute seekes from th' whole descent First Iove of faire Europa made a rape For thence we spring through Buls assumed shape My mother doting too on such a beast Foully her burthen and her crime encreast Faithlesse Aegides by a clew of thread And through my sisters ayd his prison fled And loe lest I should seeme degenerate Alike I yeeld unto my kindreds fate It is ordain'd our love thus crosse should prove I thee thy father did my sister love By thee and Theseuâ— are two sisters wonne Erect two Trophies of our house alone
Lucina with a double birth hath grac't Who like their father are in face and smile Save that they want their fathers fraud and guile These two as Legats I to thee had sent Had not their cruell stepdame chang'd m'intent I fear'd Medea worse than stepdame she Hath hands still prest to all impietie She that could her owne brothers limbes dis-joyne Would she have spar'd thinkst thou these babes of mine Yet her oh charmed madam thou dost farre Before thine owne Hipsyphile preferre She first knew thee in an adult'rate bed But with chast soules did we each other wed My sire I sav'd hers she betrayd to ill She Colchos fled my Lemnos holds me still But what need this if bad the good ore-come And she in crimes rich onely joyes my roome I blame but not the Lemnian deeds admire For gâ—â—â—fe sends armes unto distracted ire Suppose which should have been crosse winds had bore False thee and thy companions on my shore And I t' have met thee with my double birth Couldst not have hid thee in the yawning earth With what face me or them couldst thou have seene Of what strange death wretch hadst thou worthy been And yet by me thou hadst been safe free Not for thy worth but love that dwels in me But with her bloud I would my face have dy'd And thine throgh charms which she hath me deny'd I to Medea would Medea bee And if the gods will to just prayers agree As I lament so may she mourne so grieve And her owne lawes with paine enough perceive As with two children spouselesse left am I Like fate may she with spouse and children try Nor ill-got goods long keepe but basely lose And banisht range the world without repose As to her brother and her Sire prov'd she Such to her spouse and children may she be Seas and earth past let her attempt the sky Pooâ—e in despaire and by selfe slaughter dâ—e Thus wrong'd Thbantias prayes both man and wife Live in a cursed bed a wretched life THE ARGVMENT OF DIDO her EPISTLE to AENEAS AFter the destruction of Troy Aeneas the son of Anchises and Venus having freed his children house hold gods and aged father from the flames prepared a fleet committed himselfe to the sea in quest of Latium by tempests he was driven on the coasts of Lybia where if wee may rely on the authority of Virgil both he and his companions were courteously entertained by Dido daughter of Belus Kâ—â—gâ—o Tyre who had fled thither to avoyd the cruelty of her brother Hiarbas the inhumane murtherer of her beloved husband Sichaeus Priest of Hercules Not long stayd he with her ere Mercury was sent to admonish him and urge him on to his intended journey The wretched Dido having with many perswasions endevoured to restraine him from this his hoted purpose but seeing both them and her love lightly regarded opprest with grief even unto death she wrot this her sarewell Epistle to the relentlesse Heroc SO when fates call neare to Meanders spring Midst the moyst sedge the snowy Swan doth sing Not that by words I hope thou mayst bee mov'd I write I know by th'gods that 's disapprov'd But since my fame pure minde and body chast I thus have lost 't is light my words to wast Art then resolv'd to leave thy Dido here Shall one winde hence thy sayles and promise beare And wilt thou with thy ships unloose thy vow And Latium seeke but where thou dost not know Doth new built Carthage nor the rising wall Or kingdome given thee move thee not at all Deeds done thou fliest undone thou seekst 'bout The world thou 'lt goe to finde a strange land out Which when thou find'st therin who 'l let thee live Or who their fields to unknowne folks will give Another love and Dido thou'lt goe seeke And plight more troths which thou againe mayst breake When like to Carthage wilt thou build a Towne And on such people from thy Towres look downe Should these succeed and nothing crosse thy vow Where wilt thou sinde a wife shall love thee so Like to a sulphurous Taper I consume Or Incense wasting in the sacred fume Aeneas still fixt 'fore my wakefull eyes On him in dayes in nights my fancie lyes That thanklesse wretch that scorn'd my gifts me Whom I might want if I my good could see Yet him I hate not though he meane but ill But his untruth bewaile and love more still Oh Venus spare thy daughter and thou Love Let thy false brother thy sweet warfare prove Or else let him I once did love nor now Doe I disdain't at least not scorne me though But I 'me deceiv'd deluded now I finde For he quite differs from his mothers minde Thee stones and rocks and okes on mountains bred And savadge beasts brought forth and fostered Or else the sea through which thogh waves say nay Adventurous man thou meanst to force thy way Where fliest see stormes withstand thee but for me They doe conspire how Eurus swells the sea For what to thee I 'de rather owe let me To winds be bound farre farre more just than thee Nor wold I thou vile wretch that weigh'st not these Shouldst meet thy ruine on the forrag'd seas At a deare rare thou dost thy hatred buy If to shun mee thou thinkst it slight to dye Winds straight will'lye and seas their rage restrain And Triton scud about the watry plaine Oh that with windes thy minde were chang'd sure It will oxcept than Oke thou' rt more obdure What wouldst didst thou not know feas rage that thou Having so often try'd wilt trust them now Though thou put forth from out a calmed bay yet the vast deep may yeeld thee much dismay Besides seas favour no perfidious men But sharply plague them for so foule a sin Chiefly wheÌ„ love is wrong'd ' cause loves great dame They say from Cytherean billowes came Yet lost I feare lest thou that caus'd my woe Shouldst be destroyd or seas entombe my foe No live for so I may revenged be And men shall say thou wroughtst my Tragedie Suppose thou wert yet be this Omen vaine Seaz'd with a storme how would thy mind remain Straight would occurre thy false tongues perjurie And Dido by thy fraud constraind to dye Thy wrong'd wifes shape shall to thy sight repaire Sad and all bloudy with dishevelled haire Then wouldst thou say these these deserved bee And thinke what thunder falls should light on thee A while to seas and thine owne ire give way Good will thy stay be safer too thy way And though not me Iâ—sus spare since thou Hast in my death 's dire title coine enough What hath Ascanius or thy gods deserv'd Shal waves devoure them late from flames preserv'd But thou vile wretch for all the oaths thou swor'st Nor gods nor father on thy shoulders bor'st All all were lyes nor did'st with me begin Nor fell I first in thy deceitfull gin Aâ—â—'st for Creusa know vile wretch that
love Would Helens face thou hadst not lik't or she Though seene might never so have fancy'd thee And thou that toyl'st thy ravisht wife to freâ— To some how sad a Victor wilt thou be The gods from us the ominous chance remove May my sase spouse yield up his armes to Iove But yet at thought of that dire warre in streames Teares flow like snow thaw'd by the mid-day beams Troy Xant I de Simois Tenedos when heard Are names that in their sounds are to be fear'd Nor would h'have dar'd a rape but that he knew To keepe it wonne and what his strength could do 'T is fam'd he came in glittring gold cloth'd o're As one that on his backe Troyes riches bore Well stor'd with ships men warres fuell and Almost his Empire under his command Those troops which had the power to vanquish thee Hellen I feare to us may noxious be One Hector but who 't is I doe not know Paris reports deales with a deadly blow Him flie if care of me in thee doe rest Still beare his name grav'd in thy mindfull breast And as from him so from the rest still flee And thinke all there so many Hectors bee And say whens'ere thou dost to fight prepare My Laodamia will'd me to forbeare If Troy must needs fall by a Grecian foe Without thy wounds O let it finde its woe Let Menelaus fight and strive t' obtaine From Paris that which Paris tooke againe And foyle in armes whom he in cause o're-throwes Wives must be sought though midst a thousand foes Thy cause farre different is fight thou to scape And safe retreat unto thy Ladies lap Yee Dardans ' mongst so many spare me one Nor cause my bloud from out his body runne Alas hee 's none of those with glittring sword Can combat or stern breast to foes affoord He better may whom bridall flames doe move Let others fight let Protesilaus love And him I faine would have call'd back my will Serv'd well though tongue for Omen bad stood stil When from thy fathers gates thou went'st towards Troy Th'obnoxious threshold did thy foot annoy I saw 't and sigh'd and murm'ring soft did say Be this a signe of thy returne I pray These I relate to quaile thy adventrous minde But doe thou cause my feares may turne to winde Besides by fate he doom'd to death doth stand Who first of Greekes sets foot on Trojan strand And curst is she first wailes her slaughtred love Grant heavens in this thou mayst a coward prove ' Mongst thousand ships let thine the thousandth bee And last of all disturbe the troubled sea Be thou the last from out the ship doth come The land thou seek'st is not thy native home At thy returne then ply 't with sayles and oare And strive with nimble steps t' attain the shore Whether the Sun be set or beames displayes Thou art my care my griefe in nights in dayes But most in nights a time for such most sweet Whose wide-stretcht arms their wisht embracements meet Vain dreams I catch at lonely laid at ease And whilst I want true joyes ev'n false joyes please But why pale-hew'd dost thou so oft appeare And seeme with sad complaints to strike mine eare With which affright I shades of night invoke Nor wants an Altar my appeasing smoke Incense and teares I offer on each shrine Which sparkling blaze like flames by powr'd-on-wine When shall I thee againe embrace and lye Languishing rap't in loves sweet extasie Or when both joyn'd in sportfull bed wilt thou The splendid actions of thy warefare shew Which whilst thou telst thogh me they joy to heare Mixt kisses shalt thou give mixt kisses beare By these sweet pauses words more gracefull bee By such delayes the tongue becomes more free But when the sea I minde the windes and Troy Sollicitous feare doth all my hopes destroy Besides your wind-bouÌ„d navy much dismayes My thoghts through adverse streams you force your waies Who gainst the wind would seeke his home yet you Fly from 't and though the seas forbid you 'l through Ev'n ' Neptunes selfe debarres you from his Towne Men whither rush you to your homes each one Where flye ye Greekes harke how the winds say no Not chance but heaven hath wild you must not goe But why divine I Omens hence and may Soft-breathing gales affoord you prosp'rous way The Trojan dames I envy that can stand And see their slaughtred friends their foes at hand The new made wife her husbands head will there Claspe in an helme and give him Armes to beare Armes will she give and with those Armes a kisse An office unto both of equall blisse And ush'ring forth her spouse with charge of love Command him haste and yeeld his Armes to love He mindfull of her charge and recent doome Will wisely fight and have an eye towards home When she at his returne his helme and shield Will loose and rest in her warme bosome yeeld But I in doubt still live and feare makes mee Think all that might already done to be Yet in strange coasts whilst thou sterne Armes dost beare In lively wax have I thy visage here That doe I court to that words onely due To thee I give and kinde embraces too Trust me 't is more than what it seemes to bee Had it a voyce each one would sweare 't were thee That view I that for reall spouse retaine And plaine to that as it could speake againe By thy returne and corps deare Saints to me And by our mindes and wedlockes paritie By thy lov'd head which deckt with silver haire May I behold and safe brought home I sweare Where thou commandst I 'le follow whether thou Or living art or what I feare farre moe This charge my letters utmost clause shall bee Looke to thy selfe and have a care of mee THE ARGVMENT OF HIPERMNESTRA'S Epistle to Linus DAnaus the sonne of Belus had by sundry wives fistie daughters his brother Aegyptus had as many sons betwixt these Aegyptus desires wedlocke But Danaus foretold by the Oracle that his sonne-in-law should bereave him of his life to avoyd the match sayles to Argos This contempt his brother stormes at and forthwith sends his sonnes with an Army and strictly chargeth them never to returne unto him but either with the head of Danaus or his daughters for their wives Danaus by sâ—ege is compelled to yeeld unto his brothers suit But the virgins were commanded by their father on the marriage night with weapons for that purpose given them to destroy their husbands which they all excepting Hypermnestra performed But shee awaked hers and counseld him to take his slight The morning come Danaus findes the deed perpetrated by all save Hypermnestra whom hee most cruelly caused to bee cast into prison whence beneath her loading gyves she writes unto her saved spouse this Epistle intreating him either to rescue her from her miserable bondage or if death should bee her lot to take care for her sepulture TO thee that
sends Whose onely health upon thy love depends What shall I speake or need my flames no tongue My love already knowne but too too long Though I could wish it hid till time might reare And set our joyes beyond the reach of feare But ill I cloake it who loves fire can hide That by its proper flames is still descry'd If yet thou doubtst what may my meaning prove Thou hast my minde in these few words I love Pardon confession then and with such grace Read thou tâ—e rest as may become thy faces I joy to thinke my lines receiv'd by thee And hope perswades me once so I shall bee Which Loves faire mother perfect nor in vaine May I for thee through her this taske sustaine For that thou mayst not ignorantly sin With heavens advice I did this act begin The prize is great yet but my due I crave Thee for my spouse bright Cytherea gave She guide Sigaean shores I left and ' ssay In Phereclean keele my dangerous way She calm'd the waves and gave me prosprous gales Nor marvell sea borne she on seas prevailes As seas she calm'd so may she calme my breast And bring my wishes to their wished rest My flames with me I brought not found them here They they the causes of my journey were For me nor stormes nor errour hither brought Of purpose I Tanarian port have sought Nor thinke me hither stor'd with wares to tend The goods I have the favo'ring gods defend Nor yet your Grecian cities to survay Since mine own realms are farre more rich than they Thee thee I seeke whom golden Venus grace Betroth'd me wisht for er'e I knew thy face Thee mine Idaa saw before mine eyes When Fame had first drawne thine effigies Nor let it yet thy strange amazement prove That loves swift darts from far have caus'd me love The fates have will'd it and lest their decree Thou breake receive these truths I 'le tell to thee When in my mothers wombe detain'd I lay She now full gone and at th' expected daye Dream't that in stead of a wisht-birth there came From her unburthend wombe a mighty flame Affright she rose and unto Priam told The same which he doth to his Priest unfold Who answers Paris sires should Ilion burne Which I to these my flames of love doe turne My forme and haughty minde though I might seeme Plebeian shewd I came of noble stemme A place in Ida's shady vales unknowne To most there is with spreading Holmes ore-growne Where never bleating sheepe cliffe-climbing goat Nor bellowing oxe ere fill'd his greedy throat Here whilst I lean'd my selfe unto a tree Dardanian seas and loftie towers to see The trampled earth me thought began to move Ti 's truth I speake truth that thou'lt scarce approve When borne with winged speed before mine eye Stood th'neece of Atlas and faire Plione What lawfull was to see be lawfull told Within his hand he held a rod of gold When straight bright Venus Pallas heavens great Queen All gently lighted on the verdant greene Amaz'd I stood my haires stiffe-rais'd a bide When cast off feare the winged Herald cry'd Thou' rt here a judge of beauty stay and tell Which of these three doth in rich forme excell And addes Ioves charge thereto which soone as sayd His way unseen through empty aire he made My mind now rows'd and somewhat bolder growne I fear'd not to survay them one by one All worthy seem'd t' orecome but yet I fear'd The glory could not ' mongst them all be shar'd For one in lookes did farre surpasse the rest As her thy selfe for Loves faire Queen had guest So great a strife there was to overcome As with large gifts each sought to buy my doome Iove's wife a realme Pallas doth vertue boast As I twixt great and good was almost lost When Venus smiling sayd let not the sence Of these possesse thee fild with harsh suspence I l'e give thee love to thy embraces wonne Shall the faire Leda's more faire daughter runne This sayd for gifts and forme the chiefe approv'd Triumphant to her heavenly spheare she mov'd Mean while my fortune now more prosp'rous grown By certain signes I Priams sonne am knowne Receiv'd the Court with joy was fild and all In Troy that day still keepe a festivall As I seeke thee so mayds sought me though vaine Whose laboured wish thou mayst alone attaine Great Princes daughters nobles lik'd me well In nymphs a care and love of me did dwell Whose births and formes were both despis'd by mee When once I entertain'd a hope of thee Thee in the day my fancie viewes in night Thee my delicious dreames present my sight Present what wouldst that absent thus didst please I burnt though farre the sire that did me seaze Nor more to hope would I endebted be But meant t' obtaine my wishes through the sea Straight Trojan Pines by Phrygian Axe were feld And all trees else for shipping usefull held Sceepe Gargarus was rob'd of woody crowne And store of Timber Ida sent me downe Strong Okes for ships substantiall keeles were layd Whose ample sides were with crook'd ribs arayd Saile-yards tall masts and sails on them we place And carved gods our painted vessels grace But in the ship in which I sought my joy Stood my loves surery Venus and her boy My navie now past Arts last labouring hand Straight onward for Aegean seas I stand My sire and mother both did urge my stay And strove to hinder my intended way My sister too with haires all loosely drest Ev'n when our sayls for lucky gales were prest Where fly'st she cry'd thou'lt bring back flames with thee Thou knowst not what a fire thou seekst through sea And true she spake those very fires are found And scorching love my tender breast doth wound The Port I quit and helpt by furth'ring wind Vnto thy shores Oebalian nymph enclyn'd Thy spouse receiv'd me kindly nor was this Done but by purpose of the Deities And whats'oere rare or conspicuous be Or worth the sight in Sparta shewd to me But I whose fancie still on thee did lye Could let no other object greet mine eye Whom when I saw amaz'd I stood unwares I felt my heart to fage with new-sprung cares Such lookes as I remember 't such a grace When she my judgement sought had Cypris face Hadst thou with her in that quaint strife been seen Faire Venus palme still in suspence had been Large Elogies 't is true there rumoured bee Nor is there land that 's ignorant of thee In Phrygia none none from the Sunnes up rise With thee for beauty beares an equall prize Yet trust me all thy prayse to truth gives place Fame hath been almost envious ' gainst thy face More here I find than she ere promis'd by Thy reall forme thy fame doth conquered lye Nor without cause th'all-knowing Theseus lov'd And worthy him thee for a rape approv'd Whilst in the Cirque thy countries custome then Thou naked sport'st thy selfe mid'st naked men
That thee he forc'd I like restor'd admire So good a prey did constant guard require First from my bloudied trunke should part my head E're thou shouldst have been ravisht from my bed Should ere these hands of mine thy limbes forgoe Or living let thee leave my bosome so And if restor'd I something yet had tane Nor wholly should have Venus idly layne Or I thy virgin fruit had cropt or what Might have been tooke without the losse of that Yeeld then to Paris and his firme love try Whose flames in funer all flames shall onely dye Thee I prefer'd before a kingdomes state Proffer'd to me by Iuno but of late And so I might thine I vorie necke embrace Vertue though Pallas gift was thought but base When the three Power disclos'd on Ida's hill Their naked beauties to my censuring skill Yet grieve I not nor think my choyce is ill My mind stands fixt unto my first vote still This onely boone oh wot thy all this toyle Of thee I crave give not my hopes the foyle No base-borne wretch it is that sues to thee Nor shalt my wife with losse of credit be If thou enquirest thou 'lt find that Iove's our kin Electra too besides the rest betweene My Sire rules Asia than the which there 's found No land more rich almost without a bound There shalt innumerous Cities roofes of gold And temples that become their gods behold There Troy thou'lt see and Turrets that aspire On walls first rais'd by the Phaebeian Lyre What need I here the populous crowd relate The land 's scare able to sustaine its waight Troy's dames will meet thee in a thronging traine Scarce will the streets the Phrygian wives containe How oft thou 'st call Achaia poore and bare When each house here is worth a Citie there Yet let not Sparta be contemn'â— by me The land thou' rt borne in needs must happy be Yet Sparta's small thou worthy pompe and grace That place doth suit but ill to such a face A face that should in various dresse be dight And each day revell in a new delight When thou our mens attire thus rich dost see What habit thinkst thou will the womens be O be not coy then nor a Trojan scorne For spouse faire nymph in fam'd Therapnae borne He was a Trojan and our kin who now Allays Joves Nectar with his cooling snow A Trojan Tython was yet rapt away By her who gives night bounds and birth to day A Trojan he with whom Loves dame is sayd T' have dally'd oft in the Idaean shade Nor doe I thinke Atrides ev'n by thee For yeares and forme would be compar'd with mee No father-in-law we bring to cause the Sonne From his dire banquets with scar'd Steeds to runne No gransire stain'd with slaughter of his kin That gives to seas a Title through his sin No Ancestor of ours in Stygian lake Gapes at vain fruit midst streams nor thirst can slake But why these vants if their ally thy bed Possesse Ioves forc'd to be this houses head That vile unworthy wretch oh shamefull spite Freely enjoyes thy sweet embrace all night By me except at boord thou scarce art spy'd In which short space I paine enough abide Such feasts I wish may to my foes redound As I oft meet with when the Table 's crown'd I hate my entertainment loathe't when I Behold that clowne on thy faire necke to lye And fretting vexe but what need this be knowne When thy choyce limbes he wraps within his gowne If killing sight ye doe to kisse begin To barre my sight I hold the cup between At each close hugge mine eyes to ground I throw My meat within my mouth doth irksome grow Oft have I sigh'd and noted too the while Faire wanton from my sighes to spring thy smile Oft I with wine have sought to quench my flame But that like fire in fire more fierce became To shun such sights with head reverst I 've layne Yet hope of thee call'd back mine eyes againe What shall I doe they are a griefe to see Yet greater griefe to lose the sight of thee Well as I may I cloake these flames of mine Yet ev'n dissembled love doth clearly shine To thee alas full we I my wounds are knowne And would to God they were to thee alone How-oft teares issuing have I turn'd awry Lest he should see and aske the reason why How oft have some am'rous tale begun Still gazing till my whole discourse were done And in fain'd names bewrayd my love to thee 'T is I that lover am 't is I am hee Oft that I so more lavishly might prate Have I become a drunken counterfeit Once I remember thy loose garments fell And to mine eyes did thy nak't breast reveale Breasts that for white with new-falne snow contest Pure milke or Iove when he thy mother prest And ravisht with a sight did so excell The wreathed goblet from my fingers fell If thou thy daughter kisse I not refraine But with a kisse take that kisse off againe Supinely layd oft sung of ancient love And by a beck some secret signe would move Late I essayd by flattring words to woe The helpe of Clymene and Aethra too Who answer'd in the dialect of feare And left me in the midst of all my pray'r Would heaven would thee some combats prize decree That so thou mightst become the victors fee. Then as Hippomenes Allanta bore From all the suitors foyld in race before And as to Phrygia Hippodomia came So like a Queen shouldst thou have done the same As fierce Alcides rent Achelous horne For thy embrace faire Deianira borne With like effect my courage should take course And shew thou wert sole subject of my force But now nought rests for me but to entreat Or humbly so thou please to kisse thy feet Oh thou thy brothers onely glorious grace And but that kinne well worthy Ioves embrace Or may I beare thee to Sygaean strand Or be intomb'd here in Taenarian land With no slight scarres my breast is toucht but sound Rooted in inmost marrow lies my wound And right I mind Cassandra spake when she Sayd that an heavenly shaft should light on me Cease then to scorne a fore-driv'n lover so May to thy wish the gods propitious grow Much could I say to tell my tale outright Receive me to thy bed in silent night What art asham'd dost blush at it and dread To violate the bond of lawfull bed Ah! foolish wretch nay rusticke may I say Thinkst such a face can e're want sinnes Allay Or change thy face or minde one needs must bee Chast life and beauty seldome can agree Iove joyes in stealths Venus the same doth love Such sports as these gave thee a sire of Iove 'T is strange if any force in love doe last That Ioves and Leda's daughter should be chast Then live thou chast when thee my Troy shall see And mayst thou know no other crimes but me Now le ts doe that which marriage houre
't and know that wee Had care to enquire all that we could of thee Though thou in love wouldst constant fain prevaile Thou canst not see thy Phrygians prest for saile Whilst we conferre when hop'd for night shall come Straight blows a wind that serves to bear thee home And in mid course of our delightfull play Our joy shall cease and love with winds away Shall I then goe and see prais'd Troy be known Daughter in law to great Laomedon No no I weigh fame more than so that she Should each where trumpet forth mine Obloquie What might my Sparta thinke of me or what All Greece or Asia or thy Troy to that What might old Priam and thy mother say Thy brothers and thy sisters tool pray Nay thou how canst me faithfull hope nor find Thine owne example crucifie thy mind Whos'ere from farre enters Troy's harbour hee Will cause thy doubt and by anxietie How oft in age wilt me adultresse call Forgetfull thou the â—uthour wert of all Thou my faulâ—s cause and blamer wilt become E're that earth hide me in a darksome tombe But I shall Iâ—â—an wealth enjoy rich dyesse And gifts farre larger than thy promises Robes rarely wrought and weeds of Tyâ—ian dye Huge heapes of glittering gold shall greet mine eye Pardon me Sir I count not gifts so deare I know not how that land may treat me there If wrong'd in Phrygia who 'le my wrongs correct Whence shall I Sires whence brothers aid expect Large vowes false Iason to Medea past Yet shee 's expulst from Aesons house at last No Aeta there to whom she might returne No mother there no sister was to mourne The like I feare not though no more did she Hope's oft deceiv'd through it's owne Augurie The Ships now tost upon the billowie Maine At leaving Port found it a glasse like plaine That brand much frights me which with fiery gleanâ— Vsher'd thy birth-day in thy mothers dream And those prophetick Sawes which have foretold Pelasgian flames should Iliums Towres enfold And as faire Venus favours thee alone ' Cause she two Trophies by thy judgement wonne So feare I those if thy report be true Whose claime was consur'd and condemn'd by you Nay should I goe I 'me sure warres rage to feele And our loves passage must be forc'd through steele Could Hippodimia in her cause compell Thracians and Centaures to a warre so fell And thinkst my spouse Brothers and Sire will show Mov'd with a wrath more just themselves more slow Though thou for valour dost so largely vie Trust me thy face doth give thy words the lye More fit for Venus thou than Mars wouldst prove Let Champions fight but Paris onely love Let Hector you so praise supply thy roome The loves sweet warfare better would become Which I my selfe would try could I but grow More bold or wise and Maids if wife will doe Perhaps e're long I may more gentle be Shame layd aside and yeeld my hands to thee That thou dost urge a private conference I'guesse your talke and what you mean from thence But thou' rt too quicke thy crop's but in the blade Perhaps 't may prove commodious to have stayd Thus farre my letter shewes my minds disease Here cease this work here my tyr'd hand take case What rests we will by Clymene confer And Aethra each my Mate and Counseller THE ARGVMENT of LEANDERS Epistle to HERO AT Sestos a maritime village in Europe direlt the fair lovely Hero entirely affected by Leander a noble youth dwelling on the opposite shore in Abydos a village of Asia to whom he nightly acustomed to swim through the Hellespont and to returne backe againe at breake of day At length the seas with boysterous windes incenst debard Leander of his wonted passage Seven nights were past since the earnest lover had seene his Hero's face By chance a hold and feaâ— lesse Mariner puts forth for Sestos by whom he sends unto her this his following Epistle wherein hee recomforts her hopes protests his faithfull love complaines against the stormy tide vowes despight of rigorous seas to swim to her at last and put his life unto a hazard rather than be debard the sight of her in whose love he averres remaines his onely blisse HEslth unto Hero doth Leander send Which he had rather bring would seas rage end Were the gods kind and to my love agreed With eyes unwilling thou these lines shouldst read But they 're not why doe they my wishes stay Nor suffer me to run my wonted way The heavens thou seest pitch-blacke with winds the seas Incenc'd by ships scarce to be past with ease Save one and he too hold by whom we sent Our lines to thee from shore his journey bent I was imbarking too but whilst w 'had been Weighing anchor all Abydos would have seen Nor could I as before my parents blinde Nay th' love wee would have hid would then have shin'd Forthwith I writ and said blest letter go A friendly welcome will her hand bestow Perhaps to kisse thee with her rosie lips Whilst the sign'd wax with Iv'rie teeth she rips This softly sayd unto my selfe the rest Was to my paper by my hand exprest That hand I wish might rather swim than write And bear me through th'accuslom'd waves with might More fitting farre to clap the smooth browd flood Yet now 't may serve to make me understood 'T is now seven nights to mee a yeare and more Since the hoarse sea with troubled waves did rore In all this space if one soft sleep did swage My breast may feas hold on their wofull rage Sad setting on some rock thy shores I see Present in minde where body cannot bee Besides mine eyes unto thy tower addrest Thy lights do spy or seeme to spy at least Thrice I my garments on dry sands did lay Thrice naked did attempt my dangerous way But seas my youthfull enterprise withstood And over-whelmd me in the adverse flood And thou of all the swift-wing'd winds the worst Why thus with me dost wage a warre so curst ' Gainst me stern wretch not seas thou rav'st ok me What would'st if love had nere been known to thee Cold as thou art thou canst not yet deny But in Actaan flames thou once didst fry And should one then have bar'd the acry way To thy loves thefts how wouldst have brookt it pray Oh spare me then and thy rough wayes appease So favour thee the kinde Hippoâ—ades But all 's in vain he murmurs ' gainst my prayers And the mov'd waves not calmes but higher reares Would me Creeâ—s Artist would his wings assigne Although th' lcarian shore doth nie adjoyne I 'd suffer all so wings my corps might beare And leaving water cut the liquid aire Meane time whilst all things hinder seas and wind My first loves stealths I will recall to minde 'T was night 't is still my joy to think when I A lover first my fathers gares did flye Straight casting off my clothes and
is another slight If what I love I hurt I shall so ever Thee I must seek and seeking still persever Others by sword their fancied loves have sought And shall a witty letter be my fault Would god more snares I could invent for thee That thy vow'd faith might on no side scape free There rests a thousand wayes in one we wade My love shall suffer nothing unessayd Thou shalt be captiv'd though thou now art free Gods know th' event but thou shalt captiv'd be Though some thou canst not all those nets evade Which love for thee more than thou think'st hath layd If arts will not avail then arms wee 'l move And to my longing bosome force thy love I not the fact of Paris reprehend Nor any such who so have sought their end Nay I but I forbeare though death ensues Thy rape wee 'l meet it 'fore I thee will loose Wer 't thou lesse faire I should more calmly sue Thy beauty makes me I thus boldly wooe Thou and those eyes to which bright stars appeare Like foyles of these my flames first causers were Thy golden hairs neck which pure white doth grace And armes which oh may once my limbs embrace Thy gracefull lookes not coy yet blushing faire And feer which may with Thetis selfe compare Blest could I praise the rest sure they agree All in a sweet proportion'd symmetrie No marvaile then if by such forme constrain'd I would of thee a verball pledge have gain'd Whilst by our Art you say you captive are Why doe you not the lawes of captiv'd be are I l'e suffer envy so I may obtaine Why should the fruit from such a crime be tane His love Achilles forc't his Telamon Yet they to love their ravishers were won Accuse me doe be angry too and coy So I may thee though angry but enjoy I that first caus'd it will thy wrath allay If thou 'st but give me ne're so little way Weeping before thy face let me a peare And at each word I speake let fall a teare Like slaves that feare severer chastisement My hands unto thy feet for mercie bent Why am I absent blam'd assume thy right Command me as a Mrs plead in sight Then though thou proudly teare my haire or raze In scornefull manner with thy nayles my face I 'le suffer all and onely fearfull stand Lest my rude body hurt thy tender hand Thou need'st not chaines on me or fettets try Thy love will me stronger than fetters cie As thou shalt say when once thy wrath is spent How firme is he in love how patient And vow when how I suffer thou shalt see Who serves so well sure shall my servant bee Why am I guilt esse then condemn'd through hate My just cause lost wanting an advocate The verse love bade me write is all my blame Nor canst object ought else against my fame With me yet Delia ought not couzin'd be Keepe promise then with her if not with me She saw thee when intrapt thou blush'st was there And layd thy words up in her mindfull eare Forbid it heav'ns yet there is none than she More fierce gainst those that scorne her deitie Witnesse the Boare she sent unknowne to none Althea no lesse cruell to her sonne Witnesse Actaeon chang'd t' a Hart and made A prey for those that earst on wild beasts Pray'd Proud Niobe whose corps in marble pent In Migdon stands a weeping monument Ah me Cydippe I the truth restraine Lest in my cause thou thinkst I idly faine Yet speake I must this is it trust me why At poynt of marriage thou thus sicke dost lye The goddesse seekes thy good not perjurie And would by saving of thy saith save thee Hence 't is as oft you with your oath dispense That she as oft doth punish your offence Cease then t' incense the sterne Viragâ—es ire Whose wrath if thou 'st obey will soone expire Preserve those tender limbs from Feavers free Oh spare that face to be enjoy'd by me Spare spare those lookes made for our loves delight And cheekes inameld with pure red and white Who seekes our loves contracted to dis joyne May he as I for thy affliction pine I know not which my greatest crosse would prove To see thee sick or made anothers love Sometimes I vex and thinke I cause thy paine So that thou griefe dost through my craft sustaine And wish upon my head thy perjury Might light and thou from punishment be free Oft I with troubled thoughts about thy gare Make needlesse walks to understand thy state And foll'wing of thy man or mayd intreat By stealth to know how thou dost sleepe or eate Woes me I not the Doctors roome supply Nor fitting on thy bed thy pulse doe try But more unhappy whilst I being hence He 's there whom I doe chiefly wish from thence He takes thee by the hand and sets by thee A hated person to the gods and me Whilst on thy beating veine his thumbe he holds And by that meanes thy whiter armes infolds Thy breast oft touches perhaps kisses too A blest reward and farre beyond his due Pray who to reap our harvest gave thee leave Or shewd thee how thou mightst our hopes deceive Those breasts thou feel'st kisses thou tak'st are mine Wretch from her body take those hands of thine Remove thy hands she 's mine should'st do the same Henceforth thou l't merit an adultrers name Chuse one whom none can claime one that is free To tell you true this onely is for me Believ'st me not the contract heare or let Her read it lest thou think it counterfeit Be gone to thee this can no harbour lend What right canst thou t'anothers bed pretend Suppose thou promis'd wert she should be thine Yet is thy cause farr farre unlike to mine I by her selfe byh'r sire you promis'd were But to her selfe than father shee 's more neere Her sire thee promis'd but she swore to me He men attested she a Deitle He but of word she breach of oath doth feare Of these think'st which the greatest sin will beare Last to discern't to the event but looke Hee 's well in health she is with sicknesse strooke Then in our mindes unequall strifes we beare Nor is our hope alike unlike our feare Indifferent thou Repulse my death would prove In present I what you perhaps may love If care of equity or right you weigh You needs must to my lawfull flames give way Since then thy love â—njustly he doth sue What good Cydippe will my letter doe 'T is he thy paine and Dians hate hath wrought Barre him thy house if thou wilt wise be thought He did the hazard of thy life procure Would he that caus'd them might thy paines endure Him if thou leave nor love whom Dian hates We both shall then enjoy our healthfull states Feare not thou shalt enjoy thy health sweet mayd But conscious Dian must be first obayd Not in a sacrifice the gods delight But in a faith that is sincere and right
Some fire and launcing for their health sustaine And bitter potions take to ease their paine Thou need'st not these onely ahy oath observe And me thy selfe and plâ—ghted faith preserve For thy past fault thy ignorance may plead That to the written pledge thou took'st no heed Now thou art warn'd by me and this event Which thou still suffer'st striving to prevent Say thou escape this sicknesse thou 'lt be made In child-bed yet t' intreat Lucina's ayd When she shall heare and ponder on thy pray'r Shee 'l aske whose father to the child you beare Vow'st thou shee knowes thy vowes are false Wilt sweare In that she knows the gods abused are Not for my selfe farre greater griefes I finde 'T is for thy life cares thus perplex my mind Why doe thy parents mourne to see thee ill Whilst witlesse of the cause thou keep'st them still And why go make it to thy mother knowne Thou need'st not be asham'd of what thou 'st done In order all explaine first how whilst you To Dian offred we acquainted grew Where if you mark't when thee I once did spy I on thy features fixt my stedfast eye And gazing thus a note that love doth tell My loosned vesture from my shoulders fell Then how a rowling apple did appeare That words compact in subtile verse did beare Which since in Dians presence they were read Have bound thy faith not to be forfeited And that the meaning she may know more plaine As once thou didst so read them now againe Then will she say O marry him alone Whom heav'ns have joyn'd to thee hee he 's my son Who e're since Dian's pleas'd I am content Thus if a mother will she give consent If who I am to know she questions move Tell her I 'me he the goddesse did approve Fam'd for Corycian Nymphs Cea an Ile Which the Aegean seas from lands exile My countrey is if bloud or noble name You weigh from no base parentage I came We wealth possesse and manners without crime And love than which noght ampler speaks me thine And such a husband if thou couldst have got Hadst thou not sworne yet sure thou mightst have sought This sleeping Phoehe did to me indite This waking love commanded me to write As I already loves fierce darts have found Take heed least thee Dâ—aua's arrowes wound Our safetie's joyn'd pitty thy selfe and me Why stick'st to both at once an helpe to be Which if obtain'd when the lowd signalls straine And votive blood shall Delian Altars staine The likenesse of that happy fruit I 'le frame In gold and write these verses on the same By this thus much Acontius intimates What here is writ was ratifi'd by Fates Lest I too long on thy weake patience dwell I bid thee in my wonted stile farewell THE ARGVMENT of CYDIPPE'S Epistle to ACONTIUS CYdippe having received Acontius Epistle and by that meanes understanding that her flcknesse happened unto her through Diana's wrath conceived against her for not observing heroath shee intend though against her parents will to yeeld unto Acontius his desire rather than endure a further torment ond withall craves his assistance in the appeasing of the goadesses ire AFraid I silent read thy lines lest I Again were forc't to sweare unwittingly And sure I had been once more ensnar'd but thou Confessest my engaged faith's enough Scaree had I read save had I stubborne beene I deem'd 't would have increast the goddesse spleenâ— Whats'ere I doe or offer yet still she Is more propitious to thy cause than me As thou hop'st faith then her owne Hippolite To thee more kind she vindicates thy right A mayd me thinkes should virgines yeares befriend Which now I feare lest she too soone will â—nd No outward Symptome shewes my griefe and I Wearied past helpe of any med'cinelye Thinke but how weake I am when I scarce these Can wâ—iteâ— or turne mee in my bed with ease Oft feare I save my nurse least any spie Our letters enterchanging colloquie She that I safe may write the doores doth keepe And to my health enquirers say's I sleepe But when the time hath been too long delayd And sleepe no more can our excuse be made When one whom she must needs admit she spies She spits or by some signe prevents surprize Then hastily I leave my words halfe fram'd My wary letter in my bosome cram'd Then straight I take them forth and write you see How great a toyle thou art become to mee Which trust me thou but ill deserv'st yet knowe My goodnesse shall thy merits farre outgoe For thee through thy deceit have I this paine So oft endur'd and doe as yet sustaine This gaine accrues my beauty through thy praise And now 't is hurtfull that I once did please Would God as one deform'd thou me hadst feen Vselesse to me then physickes help had been Prais'd now I suffer by your strifes betrayd And what was late my good my hurt is made Whilst thou lt be chiefe nor he a second will Thou his desires he thine doth hinder stil My selfe like to a ship which to the maine The northwind drives forc't back by tides againe When to my friends the longed day arrives In my parcht limbs excessive fervor strives And at the point of marriage oh my fare At my sad doores death and the suries waite Asham'd I feare though I from guilt am free Least wrathfull Gods might be displeasd with me Some hold this accidentall some mantaine The heavens for me did not this man ordaine Others that I to set thee free from blame By veneficious arts have caus'd the same The cause is hid griefes open you procure Devoyd of peace sterne strifes but I endure I le tell thee now slight not my plainer stile If thus thy love how will thy envy spoile If what thou lov'st thou hurt'st then love thy foe But wish my ruine and preserve me so Or thou regard'st not her thou hop'st for thine Whom thou relentlesse sufferst thus to pine Or if in vaine thou dost on Dian call Why braggest with her thou hast no grace at all What s'ere thou talk'st thou wilt not calme her yet Thou canst not doo 't thou me she thee doth slight Would ne're at least would it not then had been I Delos in Aegean seas had seen Ill launcht my vessell on the wayward sea Curst houre in which our purpose found decree With what foot went I with what ominous fare Did I unto my painted barque repaire Twice adverse winds did flat my swelling sayles Fond wretch I lie those those were prosperous gales Faire prosprous gales that did me backward force And sought to hinder my intended course And would they had persisted still the same But folly 't is the wavering winds to blame Mov'd with its fame I Delos longd to view And deem'd my ship with lazy canvas flew How oft the sluggish oares I chid the sayles I thought too scant to take in speeding gales Now Tenon Micone and Andron past White Delos
seest thy vote doth want no verses ayd Whence comes this grace unlesse some lines by thee Late from'd have caught the Gods as well as mee Since then the Gods thou 'st tane I them insue And willing yield my conquered selfe thy due My heedlesse vow I to my mother shew'd Who much perplext with eyes dejected stood The rest care thou for I have done I feaâ—e In writing thus more then a maid should dare Enough my limbs are tyr'd with this my quill And my sicke hand no farther duty will What save my longing love with thee to dwell Rests there for me to write but bid farewell THE ARGVMENT OF SAPPHO'S Epistle unto PHAO PHaon a Lesbian youth of an exquisite and admirable feature had allured the eyes and hearts of most of the women in Mitylen amongst which none affected him with such a desperate love as Sapho a famous Poetresse who lived about the time of Tarquinius Priscus admired even by Plato himselfe for her excellent numbers Phao hapneth to sayle into Sicilie at whose departure the loveenrag'd Sappho becomes almost distract deeming herselfe to be disdained by him she resolves to cast herselfe from Leucate a promontorâ—e of Epirus into the sea and so to extinguish her hopelesse flâ—mes Yet before she did attempt it she thought good to write unto him and strives by all the means her wit could suggest unto her to recall him back againe she layes open her griefes relates their former pleasures and lastly desires him if he be resolved to forsake his Sappho at least by his cruell letter to make knowne his mind unto her SOone as thou saw'st my letter didst thou know If 't were my right hands character or no Or if the authours name thou hadst not seen Couldst not have told whence this short worke had been Perhaps thou'lt muse why in this sadder verse I write since I in Lyricke aires converse My love is to be wept no Barbit straines Suit with my teares but Elegies soft vaines Like to a field whose dried corne on fire The East wind fannes I burne with hot desire Typhaean Aetna now detaineth thee Yet grent as Aetna's flames remains with mee No verse that I to well disposed strings May set the work of care freed thoughts there springs Nor Dryad's nor Pyerian mayds now me At all delight nor once lov'd Lesbian fry Vile's Amython vile Cydno too the white Vile Althis once most gratefull in my sight And hundreds more with whom my sins are knowne Thou wretch of all partak'st the love alone Thou hast a face and yeares too fit for play Oh treacherous face that stol'st mine eyes away Take Harp and Bow and thou'lt Apollo bee Take hornes and Bacchus will be like to thee Phoebus lov'd Daphne Bacchus Gnossis too Yet neither she nor she sweet Lyricks knew But me the Muses smooth vain'd numbers teach And my name 's sung farre as the world doth reach Nor winnes Alceus fellow both of Lyre And countrey more though in his subject higher Though nature hath deny'd me beauty yet My want of beauty I repay with wit I am but low but my fam'd name and skill Are tall and doe the worlds vaste regions fill And though not faire Andromeda 't is knowne Did please her Perseus yet a tawny browne Oft Doves doe joyne with birds of diffrent hue And the gay Iay doth the black Turtle wooe If save thy like thou thinkst none worthy thee None such alas none such shall ever bee Yet when thou readst my lines I then seem'd faire And none like me became my words wouldst sweare And whilst I sung we lovers all things mind Thou on my lips didst am'rous kisses bind Both them and each part else did please thee well But chiefly when to loves choyce sports we fell My wantonnesse did much increase thy joy My nimble motion and words apt for toy And that sweet languor in the which I lay When we had acted our delicious play Sicilian maids are now thy prey I see Lesbos adiew I l'e be of Sicilie You Nisean dames faire daughters that excell The wandring youth from out your bounds expell Nor let his lies beguile your faiths my cares Have oft heard that which now to you he sweares And thou who celebrat'st Sicanâ—an hills Bright Erycine redresse thy Poets ills Will Fortune still be cruell and hold on In that harsh course to me she hath begun My tender youth had scarcely seen sixe yeares E're I my parents bones embalm'd with teares My needie brother with a strumpets love O'recome base losse with baser shame doth prove Turn'd Pyrat plowes with oares and sayls the maine And ill-lost goods as badly seekes againe Who cause I blam'd the wretched course he runne Now hates me this the thankes my freenesse wonne And least my woes might some appeasement finde My wanton daughter wounds with cares my minde Thou art the last cause of my plaints with gales Contrarie still m' unhappy vessell sailes Behold my once kemb'd tresses rudely plac'd Nor are my fingers with bright Iewells grac'd My garments vile no gold adornes my haires Nor doe my lockes smell of Arabian teares Whom should I strive to please now in distresse Since he 's away who caus'd my neater dresse My tender breast each gentle dart doth wound And that I still love still some cause is found The fatall Sisters sure at first decreed To spin my life forth with so crosse a thread Or else my studies doe the course maintaine And soft Thalia rules my love sick braine Nor marvell if a smooth-chind youth doth move My heart and yeares that man in man might love Oft fear'd I lest Aurora thee should ceaze Who had but that 't would her first love displease Should Phoebe that sees all things thee but spy Phaön in long liv'd slumbers cast should lye Venus to heaven had carried thee but she Nor without cause fear'd Mars might dote on thee Oh! thou nor boy nor yet full man lifes prime Oh! thou sole grace and glory of thy time Into my bosome come ' las I of thee Love begge not but that thou 'lt be Iov'd by me Whilst thus I write teares from my eye springs raine Do thou behold how they my letter staine If thou must needs have gone yet 't had been well Hadst thou but sayd deare Lesbian maid farewell But thou took'st with thee nor my kisse nor teare Little fear'd I the griefe that now I beare Save wrong I nothing have of thine nor move Thou weigh'st them not the pledges of my love No charge I gave thee when thou wentst away Nor would but such Remember me I pray By love that never quits this breast of mine I sweare and by the thrice-three maids divine That when they told me thou wert gone away Nor teares to shed nor words I had to say Mine eyes were dry'd tongue dumb through cares distraught And feares my breast with chilling cold was fraught My griefes asswag'd yet did I not forbeare To beat my breast and waile with