In a surcoate all of gray Such weare Palmers on the way When with scrip and staffe they see Iesus graue on Caluarie A hat of straw like a swaine Shealter for the sonne and raine With a scollop shell before Sandalls on his feete he wore Legs were bare armes vnclad Such attire this Palmer had His face faire like Titans shineâ— Gray and bâ—â—some were his eyne Whereout dropt pearles of sorrow Such sweete teares Loue doth borrow When in outward dâ—awes she plaines Harts distresse that Louers painesâ— Rubie lips cherrie cheekes Such rare mixture Venus seekes When to keepe hir damsels quiet Beautie sets them downe their diet Adon ' was not thought more â—aire Curled lockes of amber haire Lockes where Loue did sit and twine Nets to snare the gazers eyne Such a Palmer nere was seene Lesse loue himselâ—e had Palmer been Yet for all he was so quaint Sorrow did his visage taint Midst the riches of his face Griefe decyphred hiâ— disgrace Euerie step straâ—â—d a â—eare Sodaine sighes shewd his feare And yet his feare by his sight Ended in a strâ—nge delight That his passions did approue Weâ—des and sorrow were for loue Thus attired in his trauelling roabes and leueld out in the lineaments of his Phisâ—â—mie not seeing me that lay close in the thicketh hâ—â—â—ate him downe vnder a Beech tree where after he had taken vp his seate with a sigh he began thus to point out his passions Infortunate Palmer whose wéedes discouers thy woes whose lookes thy sorrowes whose sighes thy repentance thoâ— wandrest to bewayâ—e thy sinne that heretoâ— fore hast not wondred at the greatnesse of sinne and seekest now by the sight of a strange Land to satisfie those solâ—â—es committed in thy Natiue home Why is there more grace in the East than in the Westâ—â— is God more gracious in â—ewrie than mercifull in England more fauourable to Palmers for their trauell than piâ—ifull to sinnerâ— for their penaunce No bee not so superstitious least thou measuring his fauour by circumstaunce hee punish thy faultes in seueritie Ah but the déepest vlcers haue the sharpest corasiues some sores can not be cured but by Sublâ—matum and some offences as they beginne in content so they ende in sackâ—loth I weare not this Palmers gray to challenge grace nor seeke the holy Land to counteruaile the Lawe nor am a Pilgrime to acquittance sinne with penaunce but I content mee in this habite to shewe the meeknes of my hart and trauel through many countries to make other men learâ—e to beware by my harmes for if I come amoÌ„gst youth I will shew them that the finest buds are soonest â—â—pâ— with frosts the sweetest flowers soresâ— eaten with canckars the ripest yongâ—st â—its soonest ouergrowen with follies if I chance among Courtiers I wil tel theÌ„ â—hat as the star Artophilex is brightest yet setteth soonest so their gloâ—â—es bâ—ing most gorgeous are dashâ— with sodainest ouerthrowes if amoÌ„g scholâ—ers I wil proue that their Philosophical axiomes their quiddities of Logicke their aphorisms of art are dissolued with this definit periâ—d Omma sub sole vanitas â— If amongst Louers and with this the teares fell from his eyes and the sighes flew from his hart as if all should split again If quoth he and he doubled his words with an Emphasis I fall amoÌ„gst Louers I will deâ—ypher to them that their God is a boy as fond as he is blinde their Goddesse a woman inconstantâ— false flattring like the windes that rise in the shoares of Lepanthus which in the morning send forth gusts froÌ„ the North and in the Euening calmes from the Westâ— that their fancies are like Aprill showers begun with a Sunne shine ended in a storme their passions déep hels their pleasures Chimeraes portraitures sodaine ioyes that appearing like Iuno are nothing when Ixion toucheth them but duskie fading clowdes Here he stopped and tooke his scrip from his backe and his bottle from his side and with such cates as he had as limons apricocks and oliues he began a palmers banquet which digesting with a cup of wine well teÌ„pred with water after euerie draught he sighed out this Nunquam sera est ad bonos more 's via When he had taken his repast casting vp his eyes to heauen as beeing thankfull for his benefites and sorrowfull for his sinnes falling into a déepe meditation after hee had a while lien as a man in a Traunce he started vp sodainly and with a halfe chéered countenance song out this Ode The Palmers Ode OLde Menalcas on a day As in field this shepheard layâ— Tuning of his oâ—en pipe Which he hit with manie a stripe Said to Coridon that hee Once was yong and full of glee Blithe and wanton was I then Such desires follow men As I lay and kept my sheepe Came the God that hateth sleepe Clad in armour all of fire Hand in hand with Queene Desire And with a dart that wounded nie Pearst my heart as I did lie That when I wooke I gan sweare Phillis beautie palme did beare Vp I start foorth went I With hir face to feede mine eye There I saw Desire sit That my heart with Loue had hit Laying foorth bright Beauties hookes To intrap my gazing lookes Loue I did and gan â—o woe Pray and sigh all would not doe Women when they take the toy Couet to be counted coy Coy she was and I gan court She thought Loue was but a sport Profound Hell was in my thought Such a paine Desire had wrought That I sued with sighes and teares Still ingrate she stopt hir eares Till my youth I had spent Last a passion of Repent Tolde me flat that Desire Was a brâ—nd of Loues fire Which consumeth men in thrall Vertue youth wit and all At this sawe backe I start Bet Desire from my hart Shooke of Loue and made an â—th To be enemie to both Olde I was when thus I fled Such fond â—oyes as cloyde my heaâ— But this I learnd at Vertues gaâ—e The way to good is neuer late Nunquam sera est ad bonos more 's via As soone as he had ended his Ode he fell to his old principle Nunquam sera est and confirming it with a sigh he rose vp was ready to depart towards Bergamo to take vp his lodging for the sâ—nne was declining towardes the West But I desirous to search further into this passionate Palmer crost him the way with this salutation Palmâ—r for so thy apparâ—ll discouers and penitent if thy inward hâ—art agree with thy outward passions if my quesâ—ions may not aggrauate thy griefe nor my demaund be tedious to thy trauels let me craue of curtesie whither thou dost bend the end of thy pilgrimage that if thou beest stept awry I may dirâ—ct thee or if thou knowest the countrey I may wish boone fortune to thy iouâ—ney for I haue all my life time coueted to be faithful to my friends and curteous to strangers The Palmer amazed at my sodaine salutation stept
darts of fier Feathred all with swift desier Yet foorth these fierie darts did passe Pearled teares as bright as glasse That wonder t was in her eine Fire and water should combine If â—h'old saw did not borrow Fier is loue and water sorrow Downe she sate pale and sad No mirth in hir lookes she had Face and eies shewd distresse Inward sighes discourst no lesse Head on hand might I see Elbow leaned on hir knee Last she breathed out this saw Oh that loue hath no law Loue inforceth with constraint Loue delighteth in complaint Who so loues hates his life For loues peâ—ce is mindes strife Loue doth frede on beauties fare Euerie dish sawâ—t with care Câ—iefly women reason why Loue is hatcht in their eye Thence it steppeth to the hart There it poysonetâ— euerie part Minde and heart eye and thought Till sweete loue their woeâ— hath wrought Then repentant they gan crie Oh my heart â—hat trowed mine eye Thus she said and then she rose Face and minde both full of woes Flinging thence with this saw Fie on loue that hath no law Hauing finished her Doe she heard that her father was come in and therefore leauing hir an â—â—ous iâ—strumenâ—s she fell to her labour to confirme the olde proueâ—be in her fathers iâ—lous head Otia si â—ollas periere Cupidinis arcuâ— but as warye as she was yet the old goose could spiâ— the gosling winke and woulde not vp anie meanes trust her but vsed his accustomed manner of restraint yet as it is impossible for the smoake to be concealed or fire to be suppressed so Fregoso coulde by no subtill driftes so warâ—ly watch his â—raâ—sâ—ormed Io but she found a Mâ—rcurie to release her For vpon the thursâ—ay lying in her bed with little intent to sléepe she offered manie sighes to Venus that she would be â—â—atresse to Morpheus that some dead slumber might possesse all the house which fel out accordinâ—ly so that at midnight she rose vp finding her apparell shut vp she was faine to goe without hose onely in her â—mocke and her peticoate with her fathers hat and an olde cloake Thus attired like Diana in her night géete shee marcheth downe softly where she found Francesco readie with a priuate and familiar frend of his to watch her comming forth who casting his eye aside séeing one in a hat and a cloake suspecting some treacherie drew his sword at which Isabel smiling she incountred him thus Gentle sir if you be as valiant as you séeme cholaricke or as martiall as you would be thought hardie set not vpon a weaponlesse woman least in thinking to triumph in so meane a conquest you be preiudicte with the taint of cowardise T was neuer yet read that warlicke Mars drew his fawchion against louely Venus â— were her offence neuer great or his choller neuer so much Therefore Gentleman if you be the man I take you Isabels Francesco leaue off your armes and fall to amours and let your parlée in them be as short as the night is silent and the time dangerous Francesco séeing it was the Paramour of his affections let fall his sword and caught her in his armes readie to fall in a swound by a sodaine extasie of ioy at last recouering his senses he encountred her thus Faire Isabel Natures ouermatch in beautie as you are Dianas superior in vertue at the sight of this attiâ—e I dreâ— my sword as fearing some priuie foe but as soone as the view of your perfection glaunced as an obiect to mine eye I let fal mine armes trembling as Acteon did that he had dared too farre in gazing against so gorgeous a Goddesse yet readie in the defence of your sweet selfe and rather than I would loose so rich a prize not onely to take vp my weapons but to incouÌ„ter hand to hand with the stoutest champion in the world Sir quoth she these protestations are now bootlesse and therefore to bee briefe thus and with that the teares trickled downe the vermilion of her chéeks and she blubbred out this passion O Francesco thou maist sée by my attire the depth of my fancie and in these homely roabes maist thou noate the rechlesnesse of my fortunes that for thy loue haue straind a note too high in loue I offend nature as repugnant to my father whose displeasure I haue purchast to please thée I haue giuen a finall farewell to my friends to be thy familiar I haue lost all hope of preferment to confirme the simpathie of both our desires Ah Francesco see I come thus poore in apparell to make thâ—e rich in content Now if hereafter oh let me sigh at that least I be forced to repent too late when thy eye is glutted with my beautie and thy hotte loue prooued soone tolde thou beginst to hate hir that thus loueth thee and pâ—oue as Demophon did to Phillis or as Aeneas did to Dido what then maye I doo reiected but accurse miâ—e â—wne folly that hath brought mee to such hard fortunes Giue me leaue Francesco to feare what may fall for men are as inconstant in performance as cunning in practises She could not fully discourse what she was â—boâ—t to vtter but he broke off with this protestation Ah Isabel although the windes of Lepanthos are euer inconstant the Chrisâ—â—oll euer brittle the Polype euer changeable yet measure not my minde by others motions nor the depth of my affection by the fléeting of others fancies for as there is a Topace that will yéeld to euerie stamp so there is an Emerald that will yéeld to no impression The selfe same Troy as it had an Aeneas that was fickle so it had a Troylus thâ—t was constant Greece had a Piramus as it had a Demophon and though some haue béen ingrateful yet accuse not al to be vnthankful for when Francesco shall let his eye slip froÌ„ thy beautie or his thoughts from thy qualities or his heart from thy vertues or his whole selfe from euer honouring thée then shal heauen cease to haue starres the earth trées the world Clements and euerie thing reuersed shall fall to their former Chaos Why then quoth Isabel to horsâ—backe for feare the faith of two such Louers be impeached by my fathers wakefull iealouzie And with that poore woman halfe naked as she was she mounted and as fast as horse would pace away they post towards a towne in the said Countrey of Britaine called Dunecastrum Where let vs leaue them in their false gallop and returne to old Fregoso who rising early in the morning and missing his Daughter asked for her through the whole house but séeing none could discouer where she was as aâ—sured of her escape he cried out as a man halfe Lunaticke that he was by Francesco robde of his onely iewell Whereupon in a despayring furie he caused all his men and his tenaunts to mount them and to disperse themselues euerie one with hue and crie for the recouerie of his daughter he himself being horst and riding
of his absence The Iaylour thus commending the Gentleman conducted them to the chamberdoore where Francesco lay whom they found in secret meditation with himselfe therefore they stayed and were silent auditors to his passions The first word they heard him breath out with a sigh was this Soasrir me plaist cur l'espoir me conforte And with that taking a Citterne in his hand saying this note Pour paruenir l'endure He warbled out this Ode Francescos Ode WHâ—n I looke about the place Where sorrow nurseth vp disgracâ— Wrapâ— within a folde of cares Whose distresse no heart spares Eyes might looke but see no light Heart might thinke but on despight Sonne did shine but not on me Sorrow said it may not be That heart or eye should once possesse Anie salue to cure distresse For men in prison must suppose Their couches are the beds of woes Seeing this I sighed then Forâ—une thus should puâ—ish men But when I calde to â—â—ndâ— her face For whose loue I brooke this place Stâ—rrie eyes whereat my sighâ— Did eclipse with much delight Eyes that lighten and doo shine Beaâ—es of loue that are diuine Lilly cheekes whereon beside Buds of roses shew their pride Cherrie lips which did speake Words that made all hearts to breakâ— Words most sweete for breath was sweete Such perfume for loue is meete Precious words as hard to tell Which more pleased wit or smell When I saw my greatest paines Grow for hir that beautie staines Fortune thus I did reproue Nothing grieuefull growes from loue Hauing thus chanted ouer his Ode he heard the chamber doore open whereupon he grew melancholâ—e but when he saw the goddesse of his affection on whose constant loyalty depended the essence of his happines he started vp as when loue-sicke Mars saw Venus entring his pauilion in triumph entertaining them all generally with such affâ—bilitie her particularly with such courtesie that he shewed himselfe as ful of nurture as of nature Interchange of intertainment thus past betwéene these two louers as well with emphasis of words as extasie of mindes concluding with streams of patheticall teares The Mayor at laâ—â— entred parlee told Francesco though his father in law had alledged felony against him yet because he perceiued that it rather procéeded of some secret reueÌ„ge than any manifest trueth and that no further euidence came to censure the allegation he was content to set him at libertie conditionally Francesco should giue his hand to be answerable to what hereafter in that behalfe might be obiected against him These conditions accepted Francesco was set â—t libertie and he and Isabell ioyntly together taking â—hemselues to a little cottage began to be as Cyâ—eronicall as they were amorous with their hands thrift coueting to satisfâ—e their hearts thirst and to be as diligent in labours as they were affectionate in loues so that the parish wherin they liued so affected them for the course of their life that they were counted the very myrrours of a Dâ—mocraticall methode for hee being a Scholler and â—urst vp in the Uniuersities resolued rather to â—iue by his wit than any way to be pinched with want thinking this olde sentence to be true that wishers and woulders were neuer good housholders therefore he applied himselfe to teaching of a Schoole where by his iâ—dustry he had not onâ—lie great fauour but gote wealth to withstand fortune Isabel that she might séeme no leâ—se profitable than her husband careful fel to her needle and wiâ—h her worke â—ought to preuent the iniuâ—ie of necessitie Thus they laboured to mainetaine their loues being as busie as bâ—es and as true as Turtles as desirous to satisfie the worlde with their desert as to feede the humours of their owne desires Liuing thus in a league of vnited verâ—ues out of this mutuall concorde of confirmed perfection they had a sonne answerable to their oâ—â—e proportion which did increase their amitie so as the â—ight of their young infant was a double ratifying of their affection Fortune and Loue thus ioyning in league to make these parties to forget the stormes that had nipped the blossomes of their former yeers addicted to the content of their loues this conclusion of blisse After the tearme of fiue yeares Seigneur Fregoso hearing by sundry reports the fame of their forwardnesse howe Francesco coâ—â—ted to be most louing to his daughter and she most dutifull to him and both striue to excéede one an other in loyalty glad at this mutuall agréement hee fell from the fury of his former melancholie passions and satisfied him selfe with a contented patience that at lâ—st he directed letters to his sonne in lawe that he should make repayre to his house with his daughter Which newes was no sâ—â—ner come to the eares of this married couple but prouiding for all things necessary for the furniture of their voyage they posâ—ed as fast as they coulde towardes Caerbrancke where speedily arriuing at their fathers house they found such friendly intertainement at the olde mans hand that they counted this smile of Fortune able to counteruaile all the contrarie stormes that the aduerse planets had inflicted vpon them Seated thus as they thought so surely as no sinister chaunce or dismall influence might remoue She that is constant in nothing but inconstancie beganne in faire skie to produce a tempest thus It so chanced that Francesco had necessarie businesse to dispatch certaine his vrgent affaires at the chiefe city of that Iland called Troynoâ—ant thither wiâ—h lâ—aue of his father and farewell to his wife the departed after they were married seuen yeeres where after he was arriued knowing that he should make hiâ— abode there for the space of some nine weeks he solde his horse and hired him a chamber earnestlie endeuouring to make spéedie dispatch of his affaires that he might the sooner enioy the sight of his desired Isabel for did he sée any woman beautiful hee viewed her with a sigh thinking howe farre his wife did surpasse her in excellence were the modesty of any woman well noted by her qualities it gréeued him hee was not at home with his Isabel who did excell them all in vertues Thus hee construed all to her perfection hauing no vacant time neither day nor night â—herein he did not ruminate on the perfection of his Isabell. As thus his thoughts were diuided on his businesse and on his wife looking one day out at his Chamber windowe hee espied a young Gentlewoman which looked out at a casement right opposite against his prospect who fixed her eies vpon him with such cunning and artificiall glaâ—â—ces as she shewed in them a chaste disdaine 〈◊〉 yet a â—odest desire Where by the way Gentlemen let me say this much that our curtizaâ—s of Troynâ—â—â—nâ— are far â—uperiour in artificiall allurement to them of all the worlâ— for alâ—hough they haue not the painting of Itâ—lie nor the charms of France nor the iewelles of Spaine yet they haue in their eies adamants that wil drawe youth 〈◊〉 the Iâ—t the
ad igâ—em that hée did calescere pluâ— quam saetis for as none comes néere the fume of the Misselden but he waxeth blind nor any touch the Salamander but he is troubled with the palsie so none could gaze on the face of Mirimida 〈◊〉 they went away lâ—nguishing This did poore Eâ—rymachus experience for although he knewe Loues fires were fatall and did not warme but scortch yet he loued with the bird â—o flie to the â—lame though he burne his wings and fell in the â—ush he would not with Vlisses stop his eares but sit and sing with the Syreus he feared no inchantment but caroust with Circes till his ouerdaring drewe him into a passionate danger and so long suckt in the beautie of Mirimida with his euer thirstie eyes till his hart was fuller of passions than his eyes of affections yet discouer his thoughts he durst not but smoothered vp his inward paynes with outward silence hauing the Ouen the hatter within for that it was damâ— vp and his greâ—fes the deeper for that they were concealed To maâ—ifest his maladie to her he durst noâ— he thought himselfe too homely a patient for such a Phisition to vtter his loueâ— to another and make any his Secretarie but himselfe he supposed was to drawe in a riuall to his loues Thus was Eurymachus perplexed till at last to giue a little â—ent to the flame sitting on a day on a hill hée puld foorth pen and incke and wrote this fancie Eurymachus fancie in the prime of his affection When lordly Saturne in a sable roabe Sat full of frownes and mourning in the West The euening starre scarce pâ—â—pt from out her lodge And Phoebus nowly gallopt to his rest Euen thâ—n Did I Within my boate sit in the silent streames All voyd of cares as he that lies and drâ—amâ—s As Phao so a Ferriman I was The countrie lasses sayd I was too faire With easie toyle I labourd at mine â—are To passe from side to side who did repaire And then Did I For painâ—s take pence and Charon like transport Assoone the swayne as men of high import When want of worke did giue me lâ—aue to rest My sport was catching of the wanton fish So did I weare the tedious time away And with my labour mended oft my dishâ— For why I thought That idle houres were Calenders of ruthâ— And time ill spent was preiudice to youth I scornd to loue for were the Nimph as faâ—re As she that loued the beauteous Latmian swayne Her face her eyes her tresses nor her browes Like Iuorie could my affection gaine Forâ— by I said With high disdaine Loue is a base desire And Cupids flames why the are but â—atrie fire As thus I sat disdayning of proud loue Haue euer Fâ—rriâ—â—â— there cried a boy And with him was a paragon for buâ— A louely 〈◊〉 beauteous and coy And â—â—ere With her A maiden couered with a tâ—â—nie valâ— Her face vnseene far breeding louers balâ— I stird my boate and when I came to shoare The boy was wingd me thought it was a wonder The dame had eyes like lightning or the flash That runnes before â—he 〈◊〉 report of thunder Her smiles Were sweetâ— Louely her face was neere so faire a creature For earthly carkâ—sse had a heauenly feature My friend quoth she 〈…〉 behold We three must passe but not afâ—r thing fare But I will giue for 〈◊〉 Queene of lâ—ue The brightest lasse thou lik'st vnto thy share Choose where Thou â—â—est Be she as faire as Loues sweete Ladiâ— is She shall 〈◊〉 if 〈◊〉 will be thy blisse With that she smiled with such a pleasing face As might haue made the marble rocke relent But that I triumphâ— in disdaine of loue Bad 〈◊〉 on him 〈◊〉 â—o fond loue was bent And then Said thus So light the Ferriman for loue doth care As Venus passe not if she pay no fâ—râ— At thiâ—â—â— a frowne â—at on her angrie brow She winkes vpon her wanton sonne hard by He from his quiuer drow a bolt of fire And aymd so right as that he pearst mine eye And then Did she Draw downe the vâ—le that hid the virgins face Whose heauenly beautiâ— lightned all the place Straight then I leande mine arme vpon mine eare And â—ookt vpon the Nymph if so was faire Her eyes were starres and like Apollos loâ—ks Me thought appeard the tramels of her haire Thus did I gaâ—e And suckt in beautie till that sweete desire Cast fueâ—â— on and set my thought on fire When I was lodgd within the net of loue And thâ—t they saw my heart was all on flame The Nymph away and with her trips along The winged boy and with her goes his dame Oh then I cried Stay Ladies stay and take not any careâ— You all shall passe and pay no penny fareâ— Away they fling and looking coylie backe They laugh at me oh with a loude disdaine I send out sighes to ouertake the Nimphs And tâ—â—res aâ— lures to call them backe againe But â—â—ey Flie â—hence But I sit in my boatâ— with 〈…〉 And feele a pain◠〈◊〉 knowe not what 〈◊〉 sore At last I feele it is the flame of loue I striue but bootlesse to expresse the paine It cooles it fires iâ— hopes iâ— feareâ— iâ— frâ—ts And sâ—irreth passions thrâ—â—ghout euery 〈◊〉 That 〈◊〉 I satâ— And sighing did fairâ— Venus lawes apprâ—â—â— And swore nâ— thing so â—weete and sowre as loue â—râ—â—lorida punguâ—â— Hauing made this Canzon he put it in his bosome and oft when he was by himselfe would reade it easing his passion with viewing the conceipâ—s of his owne fancie on a day hauing brought downe his sâ—eepâ— he espies Mirimida aâ—d to her he goes and after his wonted salutâ— sat downe by her and fell to such â—hat 〈…〉 intâ—rmedling his passion with so 〈◊〉 sighes 〈…〉 his eye so effectually vpon her face without 〈◊〉 that she perceiued the Shepheard had 〈…〉 and that there was none but she that bâ—re the Antidote As thus she noated his passions she espied a 〈◊〉 of paper sticking out of his bosome which she 〈…〉 pâ—â—ceiuing it was a Sonneâ— she read it and thâ—â— loâ—king earnestlie on Eurymachus 〈…〉 and she with a friendly smile began to crosse him 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 What Eurymachus 〈…〉 labours wipe away wanton Amours nor thy shâ—â—pes care preuent thy 〈◊〉 loue I had thought fancie 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 on thy â—â—ele nor affection presented any obiect â—o thine eye◠〈◊〉 now 〈…〉 the Cameliâ—n cannot liue without ayre 〈…〉 â—er without fire so men 〈…〉 quiet in 〈◊〉 life vnlesse they acquaint them with lâ—ue I see swaynes are not such swads but they haue thoughts and passions and be they neuer so lowe they can looke at beautie Corydon in his gray cassocke had his faire Phillis and Menalcas could court Galatea in his Shepheards cloake and Eurymachus be he neuer so homely will hazarde but at whome there lies the question At whom quoth Eurymachus ah Mirimida at one that is too high for my thoughes and too beauteous
rest wilâ— hardly be remooued I hope thou wilt confirme in thy loues the very patterne of femenine loyaltie hauing no motion in thy thoughts but fancie and no affection but to thy Francisco In that I am stopped from thy sight I am depriued of the chiefest Organ of my lifeâ— hauing no sense in my selfe perfect in that I want the viewe of thy perfection ready with sorrow to perish in dispayre if resolued of thy constancie I did not triumph in hope Therefore nowe restes it in thée to salue all these sores and prouide medicines for these daungerous maladies that our passions appeased we may end ouâ— harmony in the faithfull vnion of two hearts Thou seest loue hath his shifts and Venus qâ—iddities are most subtill sophistry that he which is touched with beauty is euer in league with opportunitie these principles are prooued by the messenger whose state discouers my restlesse thoughts impatient of any longer repulse I haue therefore sought to ouermatch thy father in pollicie â—s he ouer straines vs in ielousie and seeing hee seekes it to let him find a knot in a rush as therefore I haue sent thee the summe of my passions in the forme of a pasport so returne mee a reply wrapt in the same paperâ— that as wee are forced to couer our deceits in one shift so here after we may vnite our loues in one Simpathie Appoint what I shall doe to compasse a priuate conferenceâ— Thinke I will account of the seas as Leander of the wars as Troylus of all dangers as a man resolued to attempt any perill or breake any preiudice for thy sake Say when and where I shall meete thee and so as I beâ—gunne passionately I breake off abruptly Farewell Thine in fatall resolution Seigneur Francisco AFter hee had written the letter and dispatcht the messenger hir mind was so fixed on the brace of Angels that she stirred her old stumpes til she came to the house of Seigneur Fregoso who at that instant was walkt abroad to take view of his pastures She no sooner beganne her methode of begging with a solempne prayer and a pater noster But Isabell whose deuotion was euer bent to pity the poore came to the doore to see the necessity of the party who beganne to salute her thus Faire Mistresse whose vertues exceede your beâ—â—ties and yet I doubt not but you deeme your perfection equiuolent wyth the rarest paragons in Brittaine as your eye receiues the obiect of my miserie so let your heart haue an insight into my extremities who once was youngâ— and then fauoured by fortunes now olde and crossed by the destinies driuen when I am weakest to the wal and when I am worst forst to helâ—e the candle Seeing then the faultes of my youth hath forst the fall of mine age and I am driuen in the winter of minâ— yeeres to abide the brunt of al stormes let the plenty of your youth pâ—ty the want of my decâ—epite state and the rather because my fortune was once as hie as my fall is nowe lowe for proofe sweete Mistresse see my pasporte wherein you shall finde many passions and much patience at which period making a courâ—esie her very râ—gges seemed to giue Isabell reuerence She hearing the beggar insinuate with such a sensible preamble thought the woman had had some good partes in her and therefore tooke her certificate which as soone as she had opened and that she perceiued it was Franciscoes hand she smiled and yet bewrayed a passion with a blush So that stepping from the woman she went into her â—hamber where shee read it ouer with such patheticall impressions as euery motion was intangled with a dilemma for on the one side the loue of Francisco grounded more on his interiour vertues than his exteriour beauties gaue such fierce assaults to the bulwaâ—ke of her affection as the Fort was ready to bee yeelded vp but that the feare of her fathers displeasure armed with the instigations of nature draue her to meditate thus with her selfe Now Isabell Loue and Fortune hath brought thee into a Labyrinth thy thoughts are like to Ianus pictures that present both peace and warre and thy mind like Venus Anuile whereon is hammered both Feare and Hope Sith then the chance lieth in thine own choice do not with Medea see and allow of the best and then follow the worst but of two extremes if they be Immediata choose that may haue least preiudice and most profiâ—e Thy father is aged and wise and many yeeres hath taught him much experience The olde Foxe is more subtile than the young Cub the bucke more skilfull to choose 〈◊〉 than the yong sawnes Men of age feare and forâ—see that which youth leapeth at with repentance If then his graue wisdome exceedes thy greene wit and his ripened frutes â—hy sprowting blossoms thinke if he speake for thy auaile as his principles are perfect so they are grounded on Loue and Nature It is a neere colloâ— saies he is cut out of the owne flesh and the â—â—ay of thy fortunes is the staffe of his lifeâ— no douâ—t he sees with a more pâ—etting iudgement into the life of Francesco for thou ouercome with fancie censurest of all his actions wyth partialitie Francesco though hee be young and beautifull yet his reuenewes are not answerable to his fauours the Cedar is faire but vnfruitfull the Volgo a bright streame but without fish men couet rather to plant the Oliue for profite than the Alder for beautie and young Gentlewomen shoulde rather fancie to liue than affect to lust for loue wythout Landes is like to a fier wythout fewell that for a while sheweth a bright blaze and in a mâ—ment dyeth in his owne cinders Doost â—hou thinke this Isabell that thine eye may not surfeit so with beautie that the minde shall vomite vp repentaunce yes â—or the fairest Râ—ses haue prickes the purest Lawnes their moles the brightest Diamonds their crackes and the most beautifull men of the most imperfecâ— conditions for nature hauing care to pollish the body so faire ouerweenes herselfe in her excellencie that shee leaues thâ—ir mindes vnperfect Whither now Isabell into absurd Aphorismes what can thy father perswade thee to this that the most glorious shelles haue not the most orient marâ—arites that the purest flowers haue not the most perfect sauours that men as they excell in proportion of bodie so theâ— exceede in perfection of minde Is not nature both curious and absolute hiding the most vertuous mindes in the most beautifull couertures Why what of this fonde girle suppose these premises be granted yet they inferre no conclusion for suppose hee be beautifull and vertuous and his wit is equall with his parentage yet hee wantes wealth to maintaine loue and therefore sayes olde Fregose not worthy of Isabels loue Shall I theÌ„ tie my affection to his lands or to his liniameÌ„ts to his riches or his qualities are Venus altars to be filled with gold or loialty of harts Is the Simpathie of
last to Isabell who daily expected the comming home of â—er best beloued Francesco thinking euery houre a yeare till she mighâ— sée him in whome rested all hâ—r coutent But wheâ— poore soule shee coulde neither â—éede her sight with his presence nor her eares with his letters she bâ—ganne to lower and grew so discontent that shee fell into a feuer Fortune that meant to â—rie hir patience thought to proâ—uâ— her with these tragicall newes It was tolde her by certaine Gentlemen her friends who were her husbands priuate familiars that he meant to soiorne most part of the yeere in Troynouant one blunt fellowe amongest the rest that was playne and wythout falshâ—â—de tolde her the whole cause of his residence howe â—ee was in loue wyth a mâ—st beautifull Gentlewoman called Infida and that so deepely that no perswasion might reuoke him from that alluring curtizan At this Isabell made no accompt but tooke it as a friuolous tale and thought the woorse of such as buzzed such fantasticall follies into hâ—r eares but when the generall report of his misâ—emeanours were bruted abroad throughout all Caerbrancke then with blushing chéekes she hid her head greâ—uing at his follies and her owne fortunes smothered the flames of her sorrows with inward conceit but outwardly withsâ—â—â—d such in satyricall tearmes as did inueigh against the honeâ—â—ie of Francesco so that she wonne great commendations of all for her loyaltie and constancie yet when she was gotten secret by hir selfe hir heart full of sorrowfull passions and her eies full of teares she beganne to meditate with her selfe of the prime of her youth vowed to Francesco how she forsâ—â—ke father friâ—ndes and Countrey to bee paramour vnto her hearts paragon The vowes hee made when he carried her away in the night the solempne promises and protestations that were vttered When shee had pondred all these things then she called to minde Aeneas Demophon and Theseus and matcht them with Dido Phillis and Ariadne and at last sighed thus And shal it be so betwéene Isabel and Francesco No thinke nâ—t so fond woman let not ielousie blinde thee whome loue hath indneâ— with such a piâ—rcing insight for as there is no content to the swéetenesse of loue so there is no despaire to the preiudice of Ielousie whereupon to shake off all fancies she â—ooke her Citterâ— in her hand and soong this verse out of Ariosto Che piu felice é pui iâ—condo stato Che viuer pui dolce é pui beato Sarui di seruire vno amoroso cuore Che d'esser in seruitu d'amore Se non fusse huomo semprâ— stimulato Da quella rio timore da quella frenezia Da quella rabbia della iâ—lozia Yet as women are constant so they are easie to beléeue especially trueth and so it fell out with Isabell for shee poore soule could take no rest so was her haâ—d troubled with these â—â—wes hammering a thousand humours in her braine how she might know the certaintie of his follies and how she might reclaime him for his newe intertained affection She considered with herself that men allure Doues by the beauty of the house and reclaime hawkes by the fairnesse of the lure and that loue ioyned with vertue were able to recall the most stragling Aâ—neas to make sayles againe to Carthage Tush quoth she to her selfe suppose he be falne in Loue with a curtizan and that beautie hath giuen him the braue what shall I vtterly condempne him No as he was not the first so he shall not be the last what youth will haue his swindge the briar will bee full of prickles the nettle will haue his sting and youth his amours men must loue and will loue though it be both against lâ—w and reason a crooked sien will proue a straight trâ—e the Iuniper is sower when it is a twigge and swéete when it is a trée time changeth manners and Francesco when hee entreth into the conditions of a â—â—attring Curtizan will forsake her and returne penitent and more louing to his Isabel Thus like a good wife she constâ—â—â—â— all to the best yet she thoughâ— to put him in minde of his returne and therefore she writ him a letter to this effect Isabel to Francesco health IF Penelope longâ—â— for her Vlysses thinke Isabel â—â—sheth for her Francesco as loyall to thée as she was constant to the wily Greeke and no lesse desirous to sâ—â— thée in Caerbranck than she to enioy his presence in Iâ—â—â—ca watering my chéeckes with as manie teares as she her face with plaints yet my Francesco hoping I haue no such cause 〈◊〉 she to increase hir cares for I haue such resolution in thy constancie that no Circes with all her inchantments no Calipso with all her sorceries no Syren with all their melodies could peruert thée from thinking on thine Isabel I know Francesco so déeply hath the faithful promise and loyall vowes made interchanged betwéen vs taken place in thy thoughtes that no time how long soeuer no diâ—â—ance of place howsoeuer different may alter that impression But why 〈◊〉 I inferre this néedlesse insinuation to him that no vanitie can alienate from vertue let me Francesco perswâ—de thâ—â— with other circumstances First my 〈◊〉 thinke how thine Isabel lies alone measuring the time with sighes thine absence with passions counting the day â—ismall and the night full of sorrowes being euerie way discontent because shee is not content with her Francesco The onely comfort that I haue in thine absence is thy child who lies on his mothers knee and smiles as wantoÌ„ly as his father when he was a wooer But when the boy sayes Mam where is my dad when will hee come home Then the calme of my content turneth to a present storme of piercing sorrowe that I am forced sometime to say Unkinde Francesco that forgets his Isabell. I hope Francesco it is thine affaires not my faults that procureth this long delay For if I knewe my follies did any way offend thée to rest thus long absent I woulde punish my selfe both with outward and inward penaunce But howsoeuer I pray for thy health and thy speedie returne and so Francesco farewell Thine more than her owne Isabell. SHe hauing thus finished her letters conâ—cied them speedelie to Troynouant where they were deliuered to Francesco who receiuing them with a blush went into his study and there vâ—ript the seales with a sigh perceiuing by the contents that Isabell had an inckling of his vnkinde loues which driue him into a great quandarie that deepely entring into the insight of his lasciuious life hee beganne to feele a remorce in his conscience howe grieuously hee hath offended hir that had so faithfullie loued him Oh quoth hee shall I be so ingrate as to quittance affection with fraud So vnkinde as to weigh downe loue with discourtesie to giue her a wéede that presents me a flower and to beate her with nettles that perfumes me with roses consider with thy selfe Francesco how deeply thou
face The ayre cleard vp the clowds did fade away Phoebus was frollick when she did display The gorgious bewties that her frunt do grace So that when sheâ— But walkt abroad the stormes then fled away Flora did checker all her treading place And Neptune calmde the surgâ—â—â—ith his mace Diana aâ—d hir Nimphes were blâ—the and gaie When hâ—r thâ—y see kill a thousand men Indeed I cannot denie but oft sub melle latet venenum that beautie without vertue is like a boxe of Iuorie containing some balefull Aconiton or to a faire shooe that wrings the tooâ—e such loue as is laid vpon such a foundation is a short pleasure full of payne and an affection bought with a thousand miseries but a woman that is faire and veâ—tuous maketh her husband a ioyfull man and whether he be rich or poore yet alwaies he may haue a ioyfull heart A woman that is of a silent tongue shamefast in countenance sober in behauiour and honest in condition adorned with vertuous qualities correspondentâ— is like a goodly pleasant flower deckt with the colours of all the flowers of the garden and such a one quoth he is Mirimida and therfore though she be poore I will loue her and like her and if she wil fancie me I will make her my wife And vpon this he resolued to prosecute his sute towards her in so much that assoone as he came home and had rested himselfe a while he stept to his standish and wrote her a letter Radagon was not more pained with this passionate maladiâ— than poore Eurymachus who could tâ—ke no râ—st although euery day in her presence he fed his eye with the beautie of her face but as the Hidaspis the more he drinkes the more thirstie he is so Eurâ—machus the more he looked the more he loued as hauing his eye deeply eâ—amoured of the obiect reueale any more his suâ—e he dursâ— not beâ—â—use whâ—n he began to that of loue she shaâ—â— him offâ— and either 〈◊〉 â—way in a rage or else forst him to fall to other prattle in so much that he determined to discourse his minde in a letterâ— which he performed as cunningly as he could sent it herâ— Mullidoâ— that asse râ—pt out his reasons diuers â—imes to Mirimida vntil she was weary of the 〈…〉 fooleries and so with a sharpe worâ— or two â—ipâ— him on the pate whereupon asking his mothers counsaile she perswâ—ded him to write vâ—to Mirimida althoâ—gh he and a pâ—n werâ— as fit as an â—â—â—e and â— harpe◠〈…〉 and stealing into the Churchyard vnder an Appletreâ—◠〈◊〉 in his muses he framed a letter and sent it her Thus had Fortune meaning to be merrie appoynted in her secret synod that al these three should vse one meanes to possesse their loues brought it so to passe that the thrée letters from these three riuals were deliuered at one instant which when Mirimida saw she sat her downe and laught wondring at the rarenes of the chance that should in a moment bring such a conceipt to passe at last for as then shee was leading foorth her shéepe shee satte her downe and looking on the superscription saide to her selfe what Adamants are faire faces that can draw both rich poore fooles to lodge in the laborinth of their beauties at this she sighed the first letter she broake open because he was her first louer was Eurymachus The contents whereof were these Eurymachus the Shepheard to Mirimida the Goddesse of Thessalie WHen Mirimida I sit by thy sweet selfe wonder at thy sight feeding as the Bée vpon the wealth of thy beauties the conceipt of â—hine excellencie driues me into an extasie that I became dumme with ouer much delight for Nature sets downe this as an authenticke principle Sensibile sensui suppositum nulla fiâ— sensatio If the flower be put in the nostrill there is no smell the colour clapt close to the eye blemisheth the sight so a louer in presence of his mistris hath the organs of his speech tied that he conceales with silence aâ—d sighs out his smoothered passions with sorowes Ah Mirimida consider that loue is such a fire as either will burst foorth or burne the house it is such a streame as will either haue his course or breake through the bankes make a deluge or els force their hart strings crack with secrecy TheÌ„ Mirimida if I be lauish in my pen blame me not that am so laden with loue if I be bold attribute it to thy beautie not my impudencie thinke what I ouer dare in it growes through the extremitie of loyal affection which is so déeply imprinted in my thoughes as neither time can diminish nor misfortune blemish I aime not Mirimida at thy wealth but at thy vertues for the more I consider thy perfection the more I grow passionate in such an humour as if thou denie there is no meanes to cure my maladie but that salue which healeth all incurable sores that is â—eath Therefore sweet Miâ—imida consider of my loues vse me as my loyaltie deserues let not my pouertie put in any barre nor the basenesse of my birth beâ— any excuse of thy affection weigh my desires not â—y degrees either send me a speedie plaâ—ster to salue my â—espairing passions or a corasiue to cut off my lingering sorowes either thy fauour with life or thy deniall with death betwéene which I rest in hope till I heare thine answer Thine who can be no others but thine the Shepheard Eurymachus To the end of this letter for that he would runne desâ—ant vpon his wit he set downe a Sonnet written in the forme of a Madrigale thus Eurimachus in laudem Mirimidae his Motto Inuita fortuna dedi vota concordia When Flora proude in pompe of all her flowers Sat bright and gay And gloried in the dâ—aw of Iris shâ—wers And did display Her mantle checquered all with gawdy greene Then I Alone A mournfull man in Erâ—cine was seene With folded armes I trampled through the grasse Tracing as he That held the Throane of Fortune brittle glasse And loue to be Like Fortune fleeting as the restlesse wind Mixed With mists Whose dampe doth make the cleerest eyes grow blind Thus in a maze I spied a hideous flame I cast my sight And sawe where blythly bathing in the â—ame With great delight A worme did lye wrapt in a smokie sweate And yet T was strange It carelesse lay and shrunke not at the heate I stood amazd and wondring at the sight While that a dame That shone like to the heauens rich sparkling light Discourst the same And sayd my friend this worme within the fire Which lies Content Is Venus worme and represents desire A Salamander is this princely beast Deckt with a crowne Giuen him by Cupid as a gorgeoâ—s erest Gainst fortunes frowne Content he lies and bathes him in the flame And goes Not foorthâ— For why he cannot liue without the same As he so louers lie within the firâ— Of
feruent loue And shrinke not from the flame of hot desireâ— Nor will not mooue From any heate that Venus force imparts But lie Contenâ— Within a fire and wast away their harts Vp flew the daâ—â— and vanisht in a clâ—wdâ— But there stood I And many thoughts within my mind did shrowde Of loue for why I felt within my heart a scortching fire And yet As did The Salamander t was my whole desire Mirimida hauing read this Sonnet she straight being of a pregnant wit conceipâ—ed the drift of his Madrigale smiled and layd it by and then next tooke vp Radagons letter which was written to this effect Radagon of Thessalie to the faire Shepherdize Mirimida health I Cannot tell faire Mistris whether I should praise Fortune as a friend or curse her as a foe hauing at vnwares presented me with the view of your perfection which sight may be either the sunne of my blisse or the beginning of my vale for in you rests the bâ—llance either to weigh me downe my 〈◊〉 with courteâ—â—e or my deniall with exâ—reame vnkindnes Such as are pricâ—e with the boanes of the Dolphin heare musicke and they are presently â—eales of their maladie they which are iâ—neâ—ymed with the Uâ—per rubbe the soâ—e with Râ—barb and feelâ— a remedie and those which drinke Acoâ—iton are cured by Antidotes But loue is like the sting of a Scorpion it must be salued by affection for neither charme hearâ—e stone nor mynerall hath vertue to cure it which made Apollo exclaâ—e this passion Hei mihi quod nullis amor est medicabilis herbis With the same distresse swéete Mirimida am I pained who lighting by chance as Paris did in the vale of Ida vpon Venus haue seene a brighter Danie than Venus but I feare me lesse courteous than Venus I haue no golden apple faire Nymph to present thee with so to prooue thée supreme of beautie but the deuotion of my thoughts is offered humblie at thy feete which shall euer confesse none so beauteous as Mirimida Then as Venus for reward gaue Paris Helena so courteous Nymph bee prodigall of thy fauours and giue me thy heart which shall bee to me more deare than a hundred Helens But here perhaps thou wilt obiect that mens pleas are like Painters peâ—sels which drawe no substance but shadowes that to the worst proportions giue the richest colours and to the coursest pictures the finest glasses that what wee write is of course and when wee faine passions then are wee least passionate hauing sorrowfull pens when wee haue secure hearts and louring lookes when wee haue laughing thoughts I cannot denie sweete Mistris but that hot loues are like a bauins blaze and that men can promise more in a moment than they will performe in a moneth I knowe there was a Demophon that deceiued Phillis an Aeneas that falsified his faith to Dido a Theseus that forsooke his Ariadne yet measure not all by some mens minds of a fewe particular instances conclude not generall axiomes though some haue been fleetingâ— thinke not all to be false trie me I referre your passions to my proofe and as you finde me loyall so reward me with loue I craue no authenticall graunt but a superficiall fauour say Mirimida that Radagon shall bee welcome if he bee faithfull and then my hope shall comfort my heart In which sâ—spence â— rest confused at the barre of your courtesie Farewell Mirimidas Radagon though she will not be Radagons Mirimida This she read ouer twise and blâ—sht at it as féeling a little heate but straight she sighed and shake it from her heart and had laid it by but that turning ouer the next page she espied certaine verses which was a Canzon perâ— thus Radagon in Dianam Non fuga Tencrus amat quae â—amen odit habet It was a valley gawdiâ— greene Where Dian at the fount was seene Greene it was And did passe All other of Dianas bowers In the pride of Floras floâ—â—â—s A fount it was that no Sunne sees Circled in with Cipres trees Set so nie As Phoebus eye Could not doo the Virgins seathe To see them naked when they bathe She sat there all in white Colour â—iâ—ting her delite Virgins so Ought to go For white in Armorie is plast To be the colour that is chast Her taâ—t a Cassocke might you see Tucked vp aboue her knee Which did show There below Legges as white as whales bone So white and chast was neuer nonâ— Hard by her vpon the ground Sat her Virgins in a round Bathing their Golden haire And singing all in notes hye Fie on Venus flattring eye Fie on loue it is a toy Cupid witlesse and a boy All his fires And desires Are plagues that God sent downe from hie To pester men with miserie As thus the Virgins did disdaine Louers ioy and louers paine Cupid nie Did espie Greeuing at Dianas song Slylie stole these maides among His bow of steele darts of fire He shot amongst them sweete desireâ— Which straight flies In their eyes And at the entrance made them start For it ran from eye to hart Calisto straight supposed loue Was faire and frolicke for to loue Dian shee Scapt not free For well I wot hereupon She loued the swayne Endimion Clitia Phoebus and Cloris eye Thought none so faire as Mercuâ—ie Venus thus Did discusse By her sonne in darts of fire None so chast to checke desire Dian rose with all her maids Blushing thus at loues braids With sighs all Shew their thrall And flinging hence pronounce â—his saw What so strong as Louâ—â— sweet lâ—w Mirimida hauing read the letter of Radagon perceiued that loue was in his eyes and peâ—haps had sâ—ylie toucht hiâ— heart but she that was charie of her choyce and resolute not to fetter her selfe with fancie did passe ouer these passions as men dâ—â— the shadowes of a painters pensellâ— which while they view they praise and when they haue praised passe ouer without any more remembrance yet she could not but enter into the humorous â—each of his conceipt how hee checkt the coy disdaine of women in his Sonnet she blusht and her thoughts went away with her â—loud and so she lighted on the letter that Mullidor had sent her which droue her into a pleasant vaine The effects of his passions were these Mullidor the malecontent with his pen clapt full of loue to his Mistris Mirimida greeting AFter my heartie Commendations remembred hoping yâ—â— be in as gâ—â—d health as I was at the making hereof This is to certiâ—â—â— you that loue may well bee compared 〈◊〉 a bottle of hay which once set 〈…〉 or to a cup full of strong ale which when a man hath once tasted he neuer leaues till he hath drunke it all vp so Mistris Mirimida after the furious flames of your two eyes had set my poore heart on the coales of loue I was so scorthed on the grediron of affection that I had no rest till I was almost turned to a câ—ale and after I had tasted
of the liquour of your sweete phisnomie I neuer left supping of your amiable countenance till with loue I am almost readie to burst Consider with your selfe faire Shepheardize that poore men feele paine as well as Princes that Mullidor is sicke of such a malladie as by no meanes can bee cured vnlesse your selfe lay a seaâ—ecloth to draw away my sorrowes then be pitifull to me least you bee counted disdainful to put so trustie a louer out of his right wits for there 's no ho but eitherâ— I must haue you or els for very plaine loue runne mad It may be Mirimida you thinke me too base for your beautie why when you haue married me I am content to serue you as a man and to doo al those indeuours that belongs to a seruant and rather to holde you for my Mistris than my wife Then seeing you shall haue the soueraintie at my hands which is the thing that all women desire loue me sweete Mirimida and thinke this if you match with mee olde Callena my mother hath that in a â—lowte that will doo vs both good Thus hoping you will ponder my passions in your minde and be more courteous than to cast away a young man for loue Farewell Yours halfe mad because he would bee yours Mullidor the malecontent Such a poetical â—urie tooke Mullidor in the braines that he thought to shewe his vaine in verse and therfore annexed to his letter this pleasant Dittie Mullidors Madrigale Dildido dildido Oh loue oh loue I feele thy rage romble below and aboue In sommer time I sawe a face Trope belle pourmoy helas helas Like to a stâ—â—nd horse was her pace Was euâ—r yong man so dismaid Her eyes like waxe torches did make me afraid Trop belle pour moy voila mon trespas Thy beautie my Loue exceedeth supposes Thy haire is a nettle for the nicest roses Mon dieu aide moy That I with the primrose of my fresh wit May tumble her tyrannie vnder my feete He donque ie sera vn ieâ—ne roy Trope belle pour moy helas helas Trop belle pour moy voyla mon trespas Mirimida hauing read this humorous fancie of Mullidor began thus to meditate with her selfe Listen not fond wench to loue for if thou doest thou learnest to loose thou shalâ— finde griefe to bee the gaines and follie the paymistrâ—is that rewards all amorous trauells If thou web thy selfe to Radagon thou aimest beyond thy reach and looking higher than thy fortunes thou wilt repent thy desires for Mirimida affects beyond compasse haue ofttime infortutunate effects rich roabes haue not euer sweete consent and therefore the meane 〈◊〉 the merriest honour What then muâ—t Eurymachus of all these tâ—â—â—â— bee the man that must make vp the match he is a shepheard and harbours quiet in his cottage his wishes are not aboue his wealth nor doth his conceipt climbe higher than his deserts He hath sufficieÌ„t to shâ—owde thee from waâ—â— and to maintaine the state of an honest life Shepâ—eards wrong not their wiues with suspition nor doo countrie Swaynes estéeme lesse of their loues than higher â—egrees But Mirimida meane men haue frownes as welâ— as kings the least haire hath his shadow the Flye her spléene the Ant her gall and the poorest Peaâ—sant his cholâ—er Peasants can weld a cudgell better than a great Lord and dissention will haue a fling amongst thâ— meanest 〈◊〉 therfore mariage must haue her inconuenience better golden gyues than yron fetters What saiest thou then to Mullidor that he is Mullidor and let that suffice to shake him off for a foole for it were thy discredite to haue onely a woodcock to keepe the woolfe from the doore Why then meanest thou not to loue No fond lasse if thou bee wise for what is sweeter than libertie and what burthen heauier than the fist of a froward husband Amongst many Scorpions thou lookest for one Eâ—le amongst a hedge full of nettles for one flower amongst a thousand flatterers for one that is faithful yet when thou hast him thy thoughts are at his will and thy actions are limited to his humâ—â—rs Beware Mirimida strike not at a stale because it is painted though honey be sweete Bées haue stings there is no sweeter life than chastitie for in that estate thou shair liue commended and vncontrold Upon this she put vp the letters and because she would not leade her Louers into a laboriâ—th of hope the appoynted them all to meete her at the Shéepfolds on one day and at one houre where the Woers that â—â—ood vpon thornes to heare her censure met without faile After salutes post betweene Mirimida and them she began to parley with them thus Gentlemen all riualls in loue and â—â—meâ—s at oâ—â— fortunâ—â— though you three affect like desire to haue Mâ—rimidas fauour yet but one of you can were the flower and perhaps none for it is as my fancie censures therefore are you content that I shall set downe which of you or whether none of you shall enioy the ende of youâ— sutes and who so is forsaken to part hence with patience and neuer more to talke of his passions To this they all agreed and she made this answere Why then Radagon and Eâ—â—ymachus weare you two the Wilâ—owe Garland not that I hold either your degrees or deserts worthlesse of a fairer than Mirimida but that the destinies doo so appoynt to my desires that your affects cannot worke in me any effects At this Radagon and Eurymachus frowned not so much that they were forsaken but that so beautifull a creature would wed her selfe to such a deformed asse as Mullidor and the foole he simpered it in hope to haue the wench Now quoth she Mullidor may hope to bee the man but trust me as I found him I leaue him a dolt in his loues and a foole in his fortunes At this they laught and he hung the head and she left them all Radagon taking his hawke to goe flie the Partridgeâ— Eurymachus marching with his shâ—ephooke to the folds Mullidor â—ying home to his mother to recount his mishaps and Mirimida singing that there was no Goddesse to Diana no life to libertie nor no loue to chastitie Francesco Isabâ—l and all the rest of the guests applauded this discourse of the pleasant Host and for that it was late in the night they all rose and taking their leaue of Francesco departed he and his wife bidding their Host good night and so going to bed where wee leaue them to leade the rest of their liues in quiet Thus quoth the Palmer you haue heard the discouerie of â—ouths follies and a true discourse of a Gentlemans fortunes But now courteous Palmer quoth the Gentleman â—t rests that we craue by your owne promise the reason of your pilgrimage to Venice That quoth the Palmer is discourst in a word for knowe sir that enioyning my selfe to penance for the follies of my youths passions hauing liued in loue and therefore reape all my losse by
loueâ—â—earing that of all the Cities in Europe Venice hath most semblance of Venus vanities I goe thether not onely to see fashions but to quip at folâ—â—es that I may drawe others from that harme that hath brought me to this hazard The Gentlewomen of Venice your neighbours but vnknown to me haue more fauours in their faces than vertue in their thoughts and their beauties are more curious than their qualities be precious caring more to be figured out with Helen than to bée famozed with Lucrece they striue to make their faces gorgeous but neuer seeke to fit their minds to their God and couet to haue more knowledge in loue than in religion their eyes bewray their wantonnesse not their modestie their lookes are lures that reclaime not Hawkes but make them onely bate at dead stales As the Gentlewomen so are the men loose liuers and straight louers such as hold their conscience in their purses and their thoughts in their eyes couÌ„ting that houre ill spent that in fancie is not mispent Because therefore this great Citie of Venice is holden Loues Paradize thether doo I direct my pilgrimage that seeing their passions I may being a palmer win them to penance by shewing the miseries that Venus miâ—eth with her momentarie contents if not yet I shall carrie home to my countrimen salues to cure their sores I shal see much heare little and by the insight into other mens extreames returne both the more warie and the more wise What I see at Venice sir and what I note there when I returne back I meane to visite you and make you priuie to all The héedfull Host hauing iudiciallie vnderstoode the pitifull report of the palmer giuing truce to his passions with the teares he spent and resolued to requite that thankfullie which he had attended heedfullie gaue this Catastrophe to his sad and sorrowfull discourse Palmer thou hast with the Kitrell foreshewed the storme ere it comes painting out the shapes of loue as liuely as the Grapes in Zeuxis Tables were pourtraied cunningly thou hast lent youth Egle eyes to behold the Sunne Achilles sword to cut and recure leauing those medicines to salue others that hath lost thy selfe and hauing burnt â—hy wings with tâ—e 〈…〉 dallying too long with thâ—â—â—reâ— thou hast bequeatheâ— otherâ— a lesson with the Unicorne to preuent poyson by preserues before thou tast with the lippe The onely request I make in requitâ—ll of my attention is that thou leaue certaine testimonies on these walles whereâ—n whensoeuer I looke I shall remember Francescos follies and thy foresight The Palmer estéeming the courteous replie of his hosâ— and desirous to satisfie his request drawing bloud from the vaine Cephalia on an arch of white Iuorie erected at the ende of an Arbour adorned with Honysuckles and Roses he wrote thus with a pencell In greener yeares when as my greedie thoughts Gan yeeld their homage to ambitious will My feeble wit that then preuailed noughts Perforcâ— presented homage to his ill And I in follies bonds fulfild with crime At last vnloosd thus spide my losse of time As in his circuler and ceaseles ray The yeare begins and in it selfe retuâ—nes Refresht by presence of the eye of day That sometimes niâ— and sometimes farre soiournes So loue in me conspiring my decay With endles fire my heedles bosome burnes And from the end of my aspiring sinne My paths of error hourely doth begin Aries When in the Ram the Sunne renewes his beames Beholding mournfull earth araid in griefe That waighâ—â—eliefe from his refreshing gleames The tender flockes râ—ioycing their reliefe Doo leape for ioy and lap the siluer streames So aâ— my prime when youth in me was chiefe All Heifer like with wanton horne I playd And by my will my wit to loue betrayd Taurus When Phoebus with Europas bearer bides The Spring appeares impatient of delaies The labourer to the fields his plow swaynes guides He sowes he plants he builds at all assaies When prime of yeares that many errors hides By fancies force did trace vngodly waies I blindfold walkt disdayning to behold That life doth vade and yong men must be old Gemini When in the hold whereas the Twins doo rest Proud Phlaegon breathing fire doth post amaine The trees with leaues the earth with flowers is drest When I in pride of yeres with peeuish braine Presum'd too farre and made fond loue my guest Wiâ—h frosts of care my flowers were nipt amaine 〈◊〉 height of weale who beares a careles hart Râ—pents too late his ouer foolish part Cancer When in Aestiuall Cancers gloomie bower The greater glorie of the heauens dooth shine The aire is calme the birds at euerie stowre To tempt the heauens with harmonie diuine When I was â—irst inthrald in Cupids powre In vanei I spent the May-month of my timeâ— Singing for ioy to see me captiue thrall To him whose gaines are griefe whose coÌ„fort smal Leo. When in the height of his Meridian walke The Lions holde conteines the eye of day The riping corne growes yeolow in the stalke When strength of yeares did blesse me euerie way Maskt with delights of follie was my talke Youth ripened all my thoughts to my decay In lust I sowde my frute was losse of time My hopes were proud and yet my bodie slime Virgo When in the Virgins lap earths comfort sleepes Bating the furiâ— of his burning eyes Both corne and frutes are firmd coÌ„fort creepes On euerie plant and flowre that springing rise When age at last his chiefe dominion keepes And leades me on to see my vanities What loue and scant foresight did make me sowâ— In youthfull yeares is ripened now in woe Libra When in the Ballance Daphnes Lemman blins The Ploughman gathereth frute for passed paine When I at last considered on my sinnes And thought vpon my youth and follies vaine I cast my count and reason now begins To guide mine eyes with iudgement bought with paine Which weeping wish a better way to finde Or els for euer to the world be blinde Scorpio When with the Scorpion proud Apollo plaiesâ— The wines are trode and carried to their presse The woods are fâ—ld gainst winters sharp affraies When grauer yeares my iudgements did addresse I gan repaire my ruines and decaies Exchanging will to wit and soothfastnesse Claiming from Time and Age no good but this To see my sinne and sorrow for my misse Sagittarius When as the Archer in his Winter holde The Delian Harper tunes his wonted loue The ploughman sowes and tills his labored molde When with aduise and iudgement I approue How Loue in youth hath griefe for gladnes solde The seedes of shame I from my heart remooue And in their steads I set downe plants of Grace And with repent bewailde my youthfull race Capricornus When he that in Eurotas siluer glide Doth baine his tresse beholdeth Capricorne The daies growes short then hasts the winter tide The Sun with sparing lights doth seem to mourn Gray is the green the flowers their beautie hides When as I see that I to death was borne My strength decaide my graue alreadie drest I count my life my losse my death my best Aquarius When with Aquarius Phoebes brother staies The blythe and wanton windes are whist still Colde frost and snow the pride of earth betraies When age my head with hoarie haires doth fill Reason sits downe and bids mee count my dayes And pray for peace and blame my froward will In depth of griefe in this distresse I crie Peccaui Domine miserere mei Pisces When in the Fishes mansion Phoebus dwells The dayes renew the earth regaines his rest When olde in yeares my want my death foretells My thoghts praiers to heaueÌ„ are whole addrest Repentance youth by follie quite expells I long to be dissolued for my best That yong in zeale long beaten wiâ—h my rod I may grow old to wisedome to God The palmer had no sooner finished his circle but the Host ouer read his conceipt and wondering at the excellencie of his wit from his experience began to suck much wisedome beeing verie loath to detaine his guest too long after they had broken their fast and the goodman of the â—ouse courteouslie had giuen him thankes for his fauor the Palmer set forward towards Venice what there he did or howe hee liued when I am aduertised good Gentlemen I will send you tidings Meane while let euerie one learne by Francescoes fall to beware least at last too late they be enforced to bewaile FINIS
GREENES Neuer too late Or A Powder of Experience Sent to all youthfull Gentlemen to roote out the infectious follies that ouer-reaching conceits foster in the spring time of their youth Decyphering in a true English historie those particular vanities that with their frostie vapours nip the blossoms of euerie ripe braine from atteining to his intended perfection As pleasant as profitable being a right pumice stone apt to race out idlenesse with delight and follie with admonition Rob. Greene in artibus Magister Omne tulit punctum LONDON Printed by Thomas Orwin for N.L. and Iohn Busbie 1590. To the right Worshipfull Thomas Burnaby Esquire Robert Greene wisheth encrease of al honorable vertues SVch right Worshipfull as coueted to decke the Temple of Delphos adorned the shrine eyther with greene bayes or curious instruments because Apollo did as well patronize Musicke as Poetrie When the Troyans sought to pacifie the wrath of Pallas the peoples presents were books and launces to signifie her deitie as well defended by letters as armes And they which desired to be in the fauor of Alexander brought him either wise Philosophers or hardy Souldiours for hee sought counsellers like Aristotle and captaines like Perdycas Seeing then how giftes are the more gratefullie accepted by how much the more they fit the humâ—r of the party to whome they are presented desirous a long time to gratifiâ— your Worship with something that might signifie how in al bounden duetie I haue for sundry fauors bin affected to your Worship and finding my ability to be vnfit to present you with any thing of woorth at last I resolued so farre to presume as to trouble your Worship wyth the patronage of this Pamphâ—â—t knowing you are such a Maecenas of learning â—hat you will as soone vouch with Augustus a fâ—w verses giuen by a poor Greeke as of the Arabian Courser presented by Tytinius The Booke is little yet drawen from a large principle Nunquam 〈◊〉 est ad bonos more 's via wherin I haue discouerâ—â— so artificially the fraudulent effects of Venus trumperies and so plainly as in a platforme laide open the preiudiciall pleasures of loue that Gentlemen may see that as the Diamond is beauteous to the sight and yet deadly poyson to the stomacke that as the Baâ—an leafe containeth both the Antidote and the Aconiton so loue vnlesse only grounded vpon vertue breedeth more disparagement to the credit than content to the fancy If then right Worshipfull out of this confused Chaos Gentlemen shâ—ll gather any principles whereby to direct their actions and that from rash and resolute mainteners of Venus heresies they become reformed champions to defend Vestaes philosophies Then all the profit and pleasure that shall redound to them by this Pamphlet shall be attribuâ—ed to your Worship as to the man by whose meanes thâ—s Nunquam sera came to light Hoping therfore your Worship wil with a fauorable insight enter more into the mind of the giuer than the woorth of the gift I commit your Worship vnto the Almightie Your Worships humbly to commaund Rob. Greene. To the Gentlemâ—â— Readers SVch GentlemeÌ„ as had their â—ares filld with the harmony of Orpheus harp could not abide th' arsh musick of Hiparchions pipe yet the Thessalians would allowe tâ—e poore fidler license to frolick it among shepheards Though no pictures could goe for currant with Alexander bâ—t such as past through Apelles pensill yet poore men had their houses shadowed with Phidias course colours Ennius was called a Poet as well as Virgil and Vulcan with his poâ—t foote friskt with Venus as well as Mars Gentlemen if I presume to present you as hethertoo I haue done with friuolous toyes yet for that I stretch my strings as hie as I can if you praise me not with Orpheus hisse me not out with Hiparchion if I I paint not with Apelles yet scrape not out my shadowes with disgrace if I stirre my stumpes with Vulcan though it bee lamely done yet thinke it is a daunce so if my Nunquam sera est please not yet I pray you passe it ouer with patience and say t is a booke So hoping I shall finde you as euer I haue done I end Robert Greene. A Madrigale to wanton Louers YOu that by Alcidalions siluer brookes Sit and sigh out the passions of your loues That on your Goddesse beauties feede your lookes And pamper vp sweete Venus wanton Doues That seeke to sit by Cupids scorching fire And dally in the fountaines of desire You that accompt no heauen like Venus spheare That thinke each dimple in your Mistresse chin Earths paradice that deeme her golden haire Tresses of blisse wherein to wander in That sigh and court suppliant all to proue Cupid is God and there 's no heauen but Loue. Come see the worke that Greene hath sâ—ilie wrought Take but his Nunquam sera in your view As in a myrrour there is deeply taught The wanton vices of prowd fancies crew There is depainted by most curious art How loue and follie iumpe in euery part There may you see repentance all in blacke Scourging the forward passions of fond youth How fadâ—ng pleasures end in dismall wracke How louers ioyes are tempred all with ruth Sith then his Nunquam sera yeeldes such gaines Reade it and thanke the Author for his paines Ralph Sidley 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 IF Horace satyres merit mickle praise For taunting such as liu'd in Paphos I le If wise Propertius was in elder dayes Laureat for figuring out fond Venus wile If Rome applauded Ouids pleasing verse That did the salues that medcine loue rehearse Then English Gentles stoope and gather bayes Make coronets of Floraes proudest flowers As gifts for Greene for he must haue the praise And taste the deawes that high Parnaâ—sus showers As hauing leapt beyond olde Horace straine In taunting louers for their fruitlesse paine His Nunquam sera more conceits combines Than wanton Ouid in his art did paint And sharper satyres are within his lines Than Martial sâ—ong prowd Venus to attaint Reade then his art and all his actions proue There is no follie like to foolish loue Richard Hake Gent. GREENES Nunquam sera est BEing resident in Bergamo not farre distant from Venice sitting vnder a coole shade that theÌ„ shrowded me from the extreme violence of the meridionall heate hauing neuer a booke in my hand to beguyle tyme nor no patheticall impression in my head to procure any secret meditation I had flat fallen into a slumber if I had not espied a traueller weary and desolate to haue bended his steppes towards me Desirous to shake off drowsinesse with some companie I attended his arriuall but as hee drewe neâ—re he sâ—emed so quaint in his attire and so conceited in his countenaunce as I deemed the man eyther some penitent pilgrime that was very religious or some despayring louer that had bin too too affectionate For thus take his description An Ode Downe the valley gan he tracke Bagge and bottle at his backe
pleasing in the eies of men than delitefull in the sight of God this is but their extâ—rior vanitie that blemisheth their inward vertues if they haue any but more to their interior inclination Some as if they were votaries vnto Venus and at their natiuities had no other influence take no pleasure but in amorous passions no delight but in madrigales of loue wetting Cupids wingeâ— with rosewater and tricking vp his quiuer with swéete perfumes they set out their faces as Foulers doo their daring glasses that the Larks that soare highest may stoope soonest and assoone as the poore louing foâ—les are wrapt within their nettes then they sue with sighes and plead with Sonnets faine tears paint out passions to win her that seeming to be coy comes at the first lure for when they sée yong nouices intrapt then the French dames are like to the people Hyperborei that spurning liquorice with their féet secretly slake their hunger with the iuice therof so they outwardly seming to contemne their sutors motions stand in deadly feare least they shuld leaue off their amorous passioÌ„s so that they haue loue in their eie-lids so sleÌ„derly tacked on by fancy as it drops off with euery dreame and is shakte off with euery vaine slumber Some of theÌ„ are as Sapho was subtile to allure slippery to deceiue hauing their hearts made of waxe ready to receiue euery impression not content till they haue as many louers as their hearts haue entrance for loue and those are like to pumice stones that are light ful of holes Some are as inconstant as Cressyda that be Troilus neuer so true yet out of sight out of mind and as soone as Diomede begins to court she like Venetian traffique is for his penny currant à currendo sterling coine passable from man to man in way of exchange Others are as Lidia cruell whose harts are hammered in the forge of pride thinking themselues too good for all and none worthie of them and yet oft times nestling all day in the sunne with the béetle are at night conteÌ„ted with a cowsherd for shelter These haue eies of Basiliskes that are preiudiciall to euery obiect and hearts of Adamant not any way to be pierced and yet I thinke not dying maides nor leading Apes in hel for Vestaes sacrifice ceased long since in Rome and Uirgins are as rare as blacke swannes opportunitie is â— sore plea in Venus Court able I tell you to ouerthrowe the coyest she that is I could inferre more particular instances and distinguish more at large of the French Gentlewomen but let me leaue them to their humorous vanities and resolue â—ur selues that Ireland doth not onely bring forth wolues nor Egypt Crocodiles nor Barbaris Leopards nor Francâ— such qualified women but as the earth yéeldes weedes as wel in the lowest valleys as in the highest mountains so women are vniuersally mala necessaria wheresoeuer they be â—yther bred or brought vp With this conclusiue period he breathed him I could not but smile to see the palmer shake his head at the fondnesse of women as a man that had bin galled with their ingratitude Well after he had pawsed a little he left France and began to talke of Germany and that was thus After I had left Lions I passed vp the Alpâ—â— and coasted into Germany where as I found the Country seated vnder a cold clime so I perceiued the people high-minded and fuller of wordes than of courtesie giuen more to drincke than to deuotion and yâ—t sundry places stuffed with schismes and heresies as people that delight to be factious there might you see their interior vanities more than their outward apparell did importe and oft times their vaunts more than their manhoode for loue as I saw Venus of no great accompt yet shee had there a temple and though they did not beautifie it with iewels they plainely powred foorth such Orizons as did bewray though they could not court it as the French did with art yet their Iust was no lesse nor their liues more honest Because the people were little affable I grewe not so farre inquisitiue into their manners and customes but sicco pede past them ouer so that I trauelled vp as farre as Vienna where I saw a thing worthie of memorie In a Ualley betweene two high mountaines topt with trees of marueilous verdure whereby ran a fountaine pleasant as well for the murmure of the streames as for the sweetenesse of waters there was scituated a litle lodge artificialy built and at the doore a man of vâ—rie great grauitie and no lesse age saâ—e leaning vpon his staffe so to take the benefit of the aire the sunne his haires were as white as the threeds of silke in Arabia or as the Palme trees on the mount Libanus many yeeres had made furâ—ows in his face where experience sace and seemed to tel forth oracles deuotion apeared in his habite his outward cloth discouered his inward heart that the old Hermit seemed in the world a resolute despiser of the world standing a while and wondring at this olde man at last al reuerence doone that his yeeres did require or my youth was bound vnto after salutatioÌ„s I questioned him of the order of his life who answered me with such curtesie and humilitie as I perceiued in his words the perfit Idea of a mortified man after sundry questions broken with pro contra at last he tooke me by the hand caried me into his cell where I found not those Vtensilia which Tully sayes are necessary to be in euery cottage but I found books and thâ—t of Theologie a drinking cup and that was full of water a dâ—ad mans scul an houre glasse and a Bible thus only was his house garnished After he had sate downe a litle he looked me very earneâ—â—ly in the face as a man that had some skil in phisâ—ognomy to censure of the inward qualities by the outward appearaÌ„ce at last in â—ough hie Dutch verses he thus breached out his opinion which I drew thus into blancke verse The Hermites first exordium Here looke my sonne for no vainegloriouâ— shews Of royall apparition for the eye Humble and mâ—eke befitteth men of yeeres Behold my cell built in a silent shade Holding content for pouertie and peace And in my lodge is fealtie and faith Labour and loue vnited in one league I want not for my minde affordeth wealthâ— I know not enuie for I climbe not hie Thus do I liue and thus I meane to die Then hee stept to his shelfe and takes downe a deaths head whereon looking as a man that meditated vpon some déepe matter he shooke his head and the teares standing in his â—yes he prosecuted his matter thus If that the world presents illusions Or Sathan seekes to puffe me vp with pompe As man is fraile and apt to follow pride Then see my sonne where I haue in my cell A dead mans scull which cals this straight to mind That as
Cupids consistorie vnited in the abundance of coyne Or the absolute perfection of constancie Ah Isabell thinke this that loue brooketh no exception of want that where fancie displayes her coulours there alwayes eyther Plentie keepes her Court or else Patience so tempers euery extreame that all defectes are supplied with content Upon this as hauing a farther reach and a déeper insight she stept hastely to her standish and writte him this answere Isabell to Francisco health ALthough the nature of a father and the duetie of a childe might mooue me resolutely to râ—iect thy letters yet I receyued them for that thou art Francisco and I Isabell who were once priuate in affection as now we are distant in places But know my father whose commaund to me is a law of constraint settes downe this censure that loue witâ—out wealth is like to a Cedar tree without frute or to corne sowen in the sands that withereth for want of moisture and I haue reason Francesco to deeme of snow by the whitenesse and of trâ—â—s by the blossoms The olde man whose wordes are Oracles tells me that loue that entreth in a moment flieth out in a minute that mens affections is like the deawe vpon a christall which no sooner lighteth on but it leapeth off their eyes with euery glaunce make a newe choice and euery looke can commaunde a sigh hauing their heartes like Saltpetâ—r that fiereth at the first and yet prooueth but a flash their thoughts râ—aching as high as Câ—dars but as brittle as rods that breake with euery blast had Carâ—hage bâ—ene bereâ—t of so famous a Virago if the beautâ—ous Troian had bâ—ene as constant as he was comely Had thâ— Quâ—ene of Poetry beene pinched with so many passions if the wanton Ferriman had beene as faithfull as he was faire No Francesco and thereâ—ore seeing the brightest blossoms are pesâ—red with most caterpillers the sweetâ—st Roses wyth the sharpâ—st prickes the fairest Cambrickes with the fowlest staines and men wiâ—h the best proportion haue commonly least perfâ—ction I â—ay feare to swallowe the â—ooke lâ—ast I finde more baâ—e iâ— the confection than pleasure in the baite But here let mâ— breath and with sighes foresée mine owne follie Women poore soules are lâ—ke to the Harts in Calabria that knowing Dictannum to be deadly yet bruse on it with greedinesse resâ—mbling the â—ish Mugra that seeing the hooke bare yâ—t swallowâ—s it with dâ—light so women forâ—see yet doo not preuâ—nt knowing what is profitableâ— yet not escâ—ewing the preiudice so Francesco I see thy beauties I knowâ— thy waâ—t and I feare thy vanities yet can I not but allowe of all wâ—re they the woorst of all because I finde in my minde this principle in Loue is no lacke What should I â—rancesco couet to dally with â—he Mouse when the Cat stands by or fill my letter full of needlesse ambages when my father like Argos setteth a hundred eies to ouerpry my actions while I am writing thy messenger stands at the doore praying Therefore least I shoulde holde her too long in her orisons or keepe the poore man too long in suspence thus briefly Be vpon Thursday next at night hard by the Orchard vnder the greatest Oake where expect my comming and prouide for our safe passage for stood all the worlde on the one side and thou on the other Francesco should be my guide to direct me whither hee pleased Faile not then vnlesse thou bee false to her that would haue life faile ere she falsifie faith to thee Not hir owne because thine Isabell. AS soone as shee had dispatcht her letter shee came downe and deliuered the letter folded in forme of a pasport to the messenger giuing her after her accustomed manner an almes and closely clapt her in the fist with a brace of Angelles the woman thanking hâ—r good Maister and her good mistresse giuing the house her benison hied her backe againâ— to Francesco whoÌ„ shâ— found sitting sollitary in his chamber no sooner did he spie hir but flinging out of his chaire he changed coulour as a man in a doubtfull extasie what should bâ—tide yet conceyuing good hope by her countâ—naunce who smiled more at the remembrance of her rewarde â—han at any other conceâ—t he tooke the letter and read it wherein he found his humour so fitted that he not only thanked the messenger but gaue her all the money in his purse so that she returned so highly gratified as neuer aftâ—r she was founde to exercise hâ—r old occupation But leauing her to the hope of her husâ—â—fâ—iâ— againe to Francesco who seeing the constant affection of his mistresse that neither the sower lookes of her father nor his hard threats could afright her to make chaunge of her fancie that no disaster fortune could driue hir to make shipwracke of her fixed affecâ—ion that the blustering stormes of aduersitie might assault but not sacke the forâ—e of her constant resoltuion hee fell into this pleasing passion Women quoth he whiâ— as they are heauens wealâ—h so they are earthes myracles â—ramed by nature to despight beauty adorned wyth the singularitie of proportion to shrowde the excellence of all perfection as farre exceeding men in vertues as they excell them in beauties resembling Angells in qualities as they are like to gods in perfectnesse being purer in minde than in mould and yet made of the puritie of man iust they are as giuing loue her due constant as holding Loyâ—ltie more pretious than life as hardly to be drawen from vnited affection as the Salamanders fro the cauerns of Aetna Tush quoth Francesco what should I say they be women and therefore the continents of all excellence In this pleasant humour he passed away the time not slacking his businesse for prouision against thursday at night to the care of which affaires let vs leaue him and returne to Isabell who after shee had sent her letter fell into a great dumpe entring into the considâ—ration of mens inconstancie and of the ficklenesse of thâ—ir fancies but all these meditations did sort to no â—ffect whereupon sitting downe she tooke her Lute in her hand and sung this Ode Isabells Ode Sitting by a riuer side Where a silent streame did glide Banckt about with choice flowers Such as spring from Aprill showers When faire Iris smiling sheaws All her riches in her dewes Thicke leaued trees so were planted As nor arte nor nature wanted Boâ—dring all the broke with shade As if Venus there had made By Floraes wile a curious bowre To dally with her paramours At this current as I gazde Eies intrapt mind amazde I might see in my ken Such a flame as fireth men Such a fier as doth frie With one blaze both heart and â—ie Such a heate as dâ—oth proue No heate like to heate of loue Bright she was for t was a she That tracde hir steps towards me On her head she ware a bay To fence Phoebus light away In hir face one might descrie The curious beauty of the skie Her eies carried
the readie way to Dunecastrum Where hee no sooner came but fortune meaning to dally with the olde doteard and to present him a boane to gnaw on brought it so to passe that as he came riding downe the towne he met Francesco and his daughter comming from the Church which although it piercte him to the quicke and strainde euerie sâ—ring of his heart to the highest noate of sorrow yet he concealed it till he tooke his Inne and then stumbling as fast as he could to the Mayors houle of the towne he reuealed vnto him the whole cause of his distresse requiring his fauour for the clapping vp of this vnruly Gentleman and to make the matter the more hamous hee accused him of felonie that he had not onely contrarie to the custome bereft him of his daughter against his wil but with his daughter had taken away certaine plaâ—e This euidence caused the Mayor straight garded with his Officers to march downe with Fregoso to the place where Isabel and her Francesco were at breakfast little thinking poore soules such a sharp storme should follow so quiet a calme but fortune would haue it so And therefore as they were carrowsing each to other in a swéete frolicke of hoped for content the Mayor rusht in and apprehended him of felonie which draue the poore perplexed louers into such a dumpe that they sâ—ood as the pictures that Perseus with his shield turnde into stones Francesco presently with a sharpe insight entred into the cause and perceiued it was the drift of the olde foxe his father in lawe wherefore he tooke it with the more patience But Isabel séeing her new husband so handled fell in a swownd for sorrow which could not preuaile with the Serieants but they conueyed him to prison and her to the Mayors house As soone as this was done Fregoso as a man carelesse what should become of them in a straunge Countrey tooke horse and rode home hee past melancholy and these remained sorrowfull especially Isabel who after shee had almost blubbred out her eyes for griefe fell at length into this passion Infortunate Isabel and therefore infortunate because thy sorrowes are more than thy yeares and thy distresse too heauie for the prime of thy youth Are the heauens so vniust the starres so dismal the planets so iniurious that they haue more contrarie oppositions than fauourable aspects that their influence doth infuse more preiudice than they caÌ„ inferre profite Then no doubt if their motions be so maligne Saturne conspiring with all his balefull signes calculated the hower of thy birth full of disaster accidents Ah Isabel thou maist sée the birds that are hatched in Winter are nipt with euerie storme such as flie against the Sunne are either scorched or blinded those that repugne again nature are euer crost by fortune Thy father foresaw these euills and warned thée by experience thou reiectedst his counsaile and therefore art bitten with repentaunce such as looke not before they leape ofte fall into the ditch and they that scorne their parents cannot auoyd punishment The yong Tygers followe the braying of their olde sire the tender Fawnes choose their foode by the olde Bucke These brute beasts and without reason stray not from the limits of nature thou a woman and endued with reason art therefore thus sorrowfull because thou hast been vnnaturall Whether now Isabel What like the shrubbes of India parched with euerie storme Wilt thou resemble the brookes of Caruia that drie vp with euerie Sunne-shine Shall one blast of Fortune blemish all thy affection one frown of thy father infringe thy loue toward thy husband Wilt thou bee so inconstant at the first that hast promised to bee loyal euer If thou béest daunted on thy marriage day thou wilt be fléeting hereafter Didst thou not choose him for his vertues and now wilt thou refuse him for hiâ— hard fortunes Is hee not thy husband yes and therefore more déere to thée than is thy Father I Isabel and vpon that resolue least hauing so faithfull a Troilus thou prooue as hatefull a Cressyda sorrowe Isabel but not that thou hast followed Francesco but that Francesco by thée is fallen into such misfortunes séeke to mitigate his maladies by thy patience not to incense his griefe with thy passions courage is knowen in extremities womanhood iâ— distresse and as the Chrisolite is prooued in the fire the diamond by the anuill so loue is tried not by the fauour of Fortune but by the aduersitie of Time Therefore Isabel Feras non culpes quòd vitari non poâ—es and with Tully resolue thus Puto rerum humanarum nihil esse firmum Ita nee in prosperis laâ—itia gostâ—s nec in aduersis dolore concides With this she held heâ— peace and rested silent so behauing her selfe in the Mayors house with such modestie and patience that as they held her for a paragon of beautie so they counted heâ— for a spectacle of vertue thinking her outward proportion was farre inferiour to her inward perfection so that generally she wan the hearts of the whole house in that they pitied her case and wished her libertie Insomuch that Francesco was the better vsed for hir sake who being imprisoned gréeued not at his owne sinister mishap but sorowed for the fortune of Isabel passing both day and night with manie extreame passions to thinke on the distresse of his beloued paramour Fortune who had wrought this tragedie intending to shewe that her frunt is as full of fauours as of frownâ—s and that shee holdes a dimple in her chéeke as she hath a 〈◊〉 in her brow began thus in a Comicall vaine to bee pleasant After manie daies were passed and that the Mayor had eâ—â—red into the good demenor oâ— them bâ—th noting that it procéeded rather of â—he â—ispleasure of her father than for anie special â—â—sart of felonie seeing youth would haue his swinge and that as the mineralls of Aetna stooue fire as the leaues in Parthia burne with the Sunne so yong yeares are incident to the heate of loue and affection will burst into such amorous parties He not as Chremes in Terâ—nce measuring the flames of youth by his dead cinders but thinking of their present fortunes by the follies of his former age called a Conuenticle of his Brethren and séeing ther was none to giue any further euidence thought to let Francesco lose Hauing their frâ—e consent the next day 〈◊〉 Isabel with him hee went to the Iayle where they heard such rare 〈◊〉 of the behauiour of Francesco that they sorrowed not so much at his fortunes as â—hey wondred at his â—ertues for the Iayler discourst vnto them how as he was greatly passionate so he vsed great patience hauing this vâ—â—s oft in his mouth Fortiter ille fâ—cit â—qâ—i miser esse poâ—est That he was affable and courteous winning al and offending none that all his house as they greeuâ—d at his imprisonment would be sorâ—ie at his enlargement not for enuie of his person but for sorrowe
answered thus with a lâ—â—ke that had beene able to haue forced Troylus to haue beene trâ—thlesse to his Cressida How kindly I take it Seigneur Francesco for so I vnderstand your name that you prâ—â—fer your seruice to so meane a Mistresse the effectuall faâ—â—urs that shall to my poore abilitie gratifie your curtesie shall manifest how I accompt of such a friend Therfore from henceforth Infida intertaiâ—s Francesco for her seruant I quoth he accept of the beauteous Infida as my Mistresse Upon this they fell into other amorous prâ—ttle which I leane off and walked abroad while it was dinner time FraÌ„cesco stil hauing his eie vpon his new mistresse whose beaâ—ties he thought if they were equally tempered with vertues to exceâ—de all that yet his eie had made suruey of Doating thus on this newe face with a new fancie hee often wroong her by the hand and brake oâ—f his sentences with such deepe sighes that she perceiued by the Weather-cocke where the winde blewe returning such amorous passions as she seemed as much intangled as he was enamoured Well thinking now that she had bayted her hooke shee woulde not cease while she had fully caught the fish she beganne thus to lay the traine When they were come neere to the City gates she stayed on a sodaine strayning him hard by the hand and glauncing a looke from her eies as if she would both shew fauour and craue affection she began thus smilinglie to assault him Seruant the Lawyers say the assumpsit is neuer good where the partie giues not somewhat in consideration that seruice is voide where it is not made fast by some fée Least therefore your eie should make your minde uariable as mens thoughts follow their sights and their lookes wauer at the excellence of new obiâ—câ—s and so I loose such a seruant to tie you to that stakâ— with an earnest you shall this day be my guest at dinner Then if heereafter you forget your mistresse I shal appeale at the barre of Loyaltie and so condemne you of lightnes Francesco that was tied by the eiâ—s had his harâ— on his halfpeny could not deny herâ— but with many thaÌ„ks accepted of hir motion so that agréed they went all to Infidaes house to dinner where they had such cheere as could vpon the sodaine be prouided Infida giuing him such friendly familiar intertainement at his repast aswel with swéet prattle as with amorous glances that he rested captiue within the laborinth of hir flatteries After dinner was done that she might tie him from starting she thought to set all her wits vpon Ela. Therfore she tooke a Lute in her hand and in an angelicall harmonie warbled out this conceited dittie Infidas song SWeet Adon ' darst not glaunce thine eye N'oseres vous mon bel amy Vpon thy Venus that must die Ie vous en prie pitie me N'oseres vous mon bel mon bel N'oseres vous mon bel amy See how sad thy Venuâ— lies N'oseres vous mon bel â—â—y Loue in heart and teares in eyes Ie vous en prie pitie me N'oseres vous mon bel mon bel N'oseres vouâ— mon bel amy Thy face as faire as Paphos brookes N'oseres vous mon bel amy Wherein fancie baites her hookes Ie vous â—n prie pitie me N'oseres vous mon bel mon bel N'oseres vous mon bel amyâ— Thy cheekes like cherries that doo growe N'oseres vous mon bel amy Amongst the Westerne mounts of snowe Ie vous en prie pitie me N'oseres vous mon bel mon bel N'oseres vous mon bel amy Thy lips vermilion full of loue N'oseres vous mon bel amy Thy necke as siluer white as doue Ie vous en prie pitie me N'oseres vous mon bel mon bel N'oseres vous mon bel amy Thine eyes like flames of holie fires N'oseres vous mon bel amy Burnes all my thoughts with sweete desires Ie vous en prie pitie me N'oseres vous mon bel mon bel N'oseres vous mon bel amy All thy beauties sting my hart N'oseres vous mon bel amy I must die through Cupids dart Ie vous en prie pitie me N'oseres vous mon bel mon bel N'oseres vous mon bel amy Wilt thou let thy Venus die N'oseres vous mon bel amy Adon were vnkinde say I Ie vous en prie pitie me N'oseres vous mon bel mon bel Nâ—oseres vous mon bel amy To let faire Venus die for woe N'oseres vous mon bel amy That doth loue sweete Adon so Ie vous en prie pitie me N'oseres vous mon bel mon bel N'oseres vous mon bel amy While thus Infida sung her song Francesco sate as if with Orpheus melodie he had béen inchaunted hauing his eyes fixed on her face and his eares attendant on her Musicke so that he yéelded to that Syren which after forst him to a fatal shipwrack Infida laying away her lute after fell to other prattle But because it grew late in the afternoone Francesco that was called away by his vrgent affairs tâ—â—ke his leaue whereat Infida séemed verie melancholy which made our yong scholler half mad yet with a solempâ—e conge departing he went about his busines whereas our cunning Curtizan séeing her nouice gone began to smile and said to her companions that shee had made a good market that had caught such â— tame foole Alas poore yong Gentleman quoth she he is like to the leaues in Aegipt that as they spring without raine so they burne at the sight of the fire or to the swallowes that thinke euerie Sunne shyne a Summers daye Hee was neuer long wayter in Venus Court that counts euerie smile a fauour and euerie laugh to be true loue but t is no matter he hath store of pence I will sell him manie passions vntill I leaue him as emptie of coyne as my selfe is void of fancie And thus leauing hir iâ—â—â—ing at her new intertained seruant againe to Francesco who after he had made dispatch of his businesse got him home to his lodging where sitting solitarie in his chamber he began to call to remembrance the perfections of his new Mistresse the excellent proportion of her Phisnomie her stature voyce gesture vertues as he thought ruminating vpon euerie part with a plaudite At last as he was in this pleasing suppose he remembred his swéete Isabel whose beautie and vertue was once so precious that betwéen his old loue and his new fancie he fell into these passions Ah Francesco whether art thou caried with new conceits shal thy fruites be more subiects to the Northern blasts than thy blossomes shal thy middle age be more ful of folly than thy tender yeres wilt thou loue in thy youth and lust when thy dayes are halfe spent Men say that the Cedar the elder it is the straighter it growes that Narcissus flowers the higher they spring the more glorious is their hiew and so shoulde Gentlemen as
they excéede in yeres excell in vertues but thou Francesco are like to the Halciones which being hatcht white as milke grow to be as blacke as Ieat the yong storkes haue a musical voyce â—ut the old a fearfull sound When thou wert of small age men honored thée for thy qualities now in yeares shall they hate thée for thy vices But to what ende tendes this large preamble to checke thy fondnesse that must leaue to loue and learne to lust What leaue to loue Isabel whose beautie is deuine whose vertues rare whose chastitie loyall whose constancie vntainted And for whom for the loue of some vnknowen Curtizan Consider this Francesco Isabel for thy sake hath left her parents forsaken her friends reiected the world and was content rather to brook pouertie with thée than possesse wealth with her father Is shee not faire to content thine eye vertuous to allure thy minde nay is she not thy wife to whom thou art bound by lawe loue and conscience and yet wilt thou start from her what froÌ„ Isabel Didst thou not vowe that the heauens should be without lampes the earth without â—easâ—s the world without Elements before Isabel should be forsaken of her Francesco And wilt thou prooue as fâ—lse as she is faithfull Shall she like Dido crie out against Aeneas like Phillis against Demophon like Ariadne against Theseus and thou be canonized in the Chronicles for a man full of periurie Oh consider Francesco whome thou shalt lose if thou losest Isabel and what thou shalt gaine if thou winnest Infida the one being a louing wife the other a flattring Courtisan Hast thou read Aristotle and findest thou not in his Philosophie this sentence set downe Omne animal irrationale ad sui similem diligendum natura dirigitur And wilt thou that art a creature indued with reason as thou art excelling them in wisedome excéede them in vanities Hast thou turnd ouer the liberall sciences as a scholer and amongst them all hast not found this general principle that vnitie is the essence of amitie and yet wilt thou make a diuision in the greatest simpathie of all loues Nay Francesco art thou a Christian and hast tasted of the swéâ—t fruites of Theologie and hast not read this in holy writâ— pend downe by that miracle of wisedome Salomon thâ—â— he which is wise should reiect the strange woman and not regard not the swâ—etnesse of hir flâ—ttrie Desire not the beautie of a strange woman in thy heart nor be not intrapped in her eye liddes For through a whorish woman a mâ—n is brought to a morsell of bread and a woman will hunt for the precious life of a man Can a man take fire in his bosome not be burnt Or can a man tread vpon coales and not be scorched So he that goeth to his neighbors wife shall not be innocent whosoeuer toucheth her Men do not despise a theefe when hee stealeth to satisfie his soule but if he be found he shall restore seuen folde or giue all the substaunce of his house But he that committeth adultrie with a woman he is destitute of vnderstanding hee that dooth it destroyeth his owne soule He shall finde a wound and dishooour and his reproach shall neuer be put away If then Francesco Theologie tells thée such axiomes wilt thou striue against the streame and with the déere féede against the winde Wilt thou swallow vp sinne with gréedines that thou maist be punished without repentance No Francesco home to the wife of thy youth and drinke the pleasaunt waters of thine owne well And what of all these friuolous circumstances Wilt thou measure euerie action with philosophie or euerie thought with Diuinitie Then shalt thou liue in the world as a man hated in the world What Francesco hee that is afraid of euerie bush shal neuer proue good huntsman and he that at euerie guâ—t puts to the Lee shall neuer be good Nauigator Thou art now Francesco to be a Louer not a Diuine to measure thy affections by Ouids principles not by rules of Theologie and time present wills thee to loue Infida when thou canst not looke on Isabel distance of place is a discharge of dâ—â—iâ— and men haue their falts as they are ful of fancies What the blind â—ates manie a flie and much water runnes by the mill that the Miller neuer knowes of the euill that the eye sâ—es not the heart rues not Castè si non cautè Tush Francesco Isabel hath not Lynceus eyes to sée so farre Therfore while thou art resident in LoÌ„don enioy the beautie of Infida and when thou art at home onely content thée with Isabel so with a small fault shalt thou fully satisfie thine own affection Thus Francesco soothed himselfe and did In vtramâ—is aurem dormire caring little for his good as long as he might please his newe Goddesse and making no exception of a wife so he might bee accepted of his paramour To effect therfore the desired end of his affects he made himselfe as neate and quaint as might be and hied him to his newe Mistresse house to put in practise that which himselfe had purposed whether in the afternoone ariuing he vnderstood by her chamber maide that she was at home and solitarie by her therefore hee was conducted to Infidas closet wher he found her séeming melancholy and thus awaked her from her dumpes Fair Mistres haile to your person quiet to your thoghts and content to your desires At my first comming into your chaÌ„ber séeing you sit so melancholy I thought either Diana sate musing on the principles of her modestie or Venus malecontent dumping on her amours for the shewe of your vertues represents the one the excellence of your beauties discouers the other but at last when the glister of your beautie surpassing theÌ„ both reflected like the pride of Phoebus on my face I perceiued it was my good Mistres that discontented sate in her dumpes wherefore as your bounden seruant if either my word or sword may frée you from these passions I am here readie in all actions howsoeuer preiudiciall to shew the effect of my affection Infida glad to sée her Louer in this Laborinth wherein to binde him sure she taking him by the hand made this wilie aunswere Swéete seruant how discontent soeuer I séeme dismay not you for your welcome is such as you can wish or the sinceritie of my heart afford wâ—mens dumps growe not euer of a preiudicial mishap but oftimes of some superficiall melancholy inforced with a frowne and shaken off with a smile hauing sorrow in their faces and pleasure in their heart resembling the leaues of the liquorice that when they are most full of dâ—aw without are then most dry within I tell you seruant women are wily cattle therefore haue I chosen so gâ—â—d a heardsman as your selfe that what our wantonnes offends your wisedome may amend But trust me Francesco were I wronged by Fortune or iniured by â—nie foe the promise of such a
Champion were sufficient to arme me with disdaine agaiâ—â—â— both but rest satisâ—â—ed your presence hath banished all passiâ—â—s and therefore you may sée seruant you are the Loadstone by whose vertue my thoughts take all their direction Beeing thus pleasant she sate Francesco downe by her hand in hand interchanged amorous glaunces But he that was abasht to discouer his minde in that some sparkes of honestie still remained in his heart sate tormented with loue and feare prickt forward by the one to discourse his desires kept backe by the other from vttring his affections Thus in a quandarie he sate like one of Medusaes chaâ—glings til Infida séeing him in this sodaine amaze began thus to shake him out of his passions Now Signor Francesco I sâ—e the olde adage is not alwayes true Consulenti nunquâ—â— caput doluit for you that earst alledged perswasions of mirth are now ouergrowen with melancholy When a extreame Storme followes a pleasant calme then the effectes are Metaphusicall and where such a violent dumpe of cares is sequence to such an extasie of ioyes either I must attribute it to some apoplexy of senses or some strange alteration of passions Francesco the ouen dampt vp hath the greatest heate fire supprest is most forceable the streames stopt either breake through or ouerflow and sorrowes concealed as they are most passionate so they are most peremptorie What Francesco spit on thy hand and lay holde on thy hart oâ—e pound of cate payes not an ounce of debt a friend to reueale is a medcine to releeue discouer thy griefe and if I be not able to redresse with wealth although what I haue is at thy commaund yet I will attempt with counsaile either to perswade thée from pâ—ssiâ—â—s or intreat thee to patience say Francesco and feare not for as I will be a friendly counseller so I will be a faithfull coâ—cealer Our young Gentleman hearing Infida apply such leâ—atiue plaisters to his cutting corasiues thought the patient had great hope when the phisition was so friendly he therefore with a demure countenance beginning louer like his preamble with a deepe sigh courted her thus Faire Mistresse quoth hee if I faile in my speaches thinke it is because I faint in my passioâ—s being as timorous tâ— offend as I am amorous to attempt when the obiect is offered to the seâ—se the sight iâ— hindred Sensibilâ— sensui opposiâ—um nulla fit sensatio Mars coulde neuer play the Orator when he wrâ—â—ng Venus by the hands nor Tulliâ— tell his tale when his thoughts were in Terentiaes eyes Louers are like to the â—ebaâ— blossomes that open with the deawe and shâ—t with the sunne so they in presence of their Mistresse haue their toâ—gues tied and their eies open pleading with the one and being silent in the other which one describeth thus Alter in alterius iactantes â—â—mina vultus Quarebant taciti noster vbi esset amor Therefore sweete Infida what my tongue vtters not thinke conceited in my hart and then thus since first my good fortune if thou faâ—oâ—rest me or my aduerse destinies if I finde the contrary brought me to Troynoâ—ant and that these ouerdaring eies were intertained into those gorgâ—ous obiects knowe that Cupid lying at aduantage so snared mee in thy perfections that eâ—er sâ—â—ce euery sense hath rested imperfect For when I marked thy face more beautâ—ous than Venus I 〈◊〉 it with a sigh and miâ—â— eie pâ—rtrayed it with a passion when I noted thy vertues theâ— my mind rested captiâ—e when I heard thy wit I did not onely woâ—der but I was so wrâ—pt in the laborinth of thine excelleÌ„ce that no â—tarre but Iâ—fida could be the guide whereby to 〈◊〉 my course 〈…〉 Mistresse you and â—â—ne but you 〈…〉 of my aâ—â—ertions hâ—â—boâ—r 〈◊〉 in such a sweete body a 〈…〉 but doe 〈◊〉 iustice let me haue loue for 〈◊〉 least I complainâ— my 〈◊〉 â—ot to be equiualent to my 〈◊〉 and thinke my fortunes to be sharper thus my 〈◊〉 Thinâ—e Infida 〈◊〉 in affections are but sleight follies Venus hath shriâ—es to shadow her trâ—â—ants and Cupids wings are shelters for such as â—â—â—ter farre to content their thoughts 〈◊〉 vnséene are â—â—lfe pardoned and Law requires not chastitie but that her souldiâ—ur◠〈…〉 Then thinke 〈◊〉 Infida if thou grâ—unt my desire how carefull I will be of thy honour rather readie to abide the preiudice of life than to brâ—â—ke the disparagement of thy fame In lieu therefore of my loyall seruice graâ—â—t me that swéete gift which as it begins in amitie can no way take 〈◊〉 but in death otherwise I shall bee forced to accurse my fortunes accuse thy frowardnesâ—e and expect no othâ—r 〈◊〉 but a life full of miseries or a death full of martyrdome With this passion ending his plea he dissolued into such â—â—ghes that it discoâ—ered his inward affection â—oâ— to be lesse thâ—â— his outward protestation Infida noting the perplexitie of her Louer conceited his griefe with great ioy yet that she might not be thought tâ—o forward she séemed thus froward and although her thoughts were more than his desires and that her mind was no lesse than his motion yet pulling her hand from his she made this frowâ—ing replie What Francesco when the Tygre hunteth for his pray doth he then hide his clawes Is the pyrit stoâ—e theâ— most hote when it looketh most colde Are men so subtile that when they seem most holy they are farthest from god can they vnder the shadow of vertue couer â—he substance of vanitie like Ianus be double faced to present both faith flattery I had thought seruant wheÌ„ I entertained thee for thy courtesie I should not haue had occasion to shake thée off for thy boldnes nor â—â—en I likâ—e thée for thy affable sâ—mplicity I should haâ—e â—â—sliked thee for thy secret subtilty What Francesco to deâ—â—re such a graâ—t as may iâ— thou wert wise neither stand with thy honesty to inteÌ„d nor with my honor to effect Tel me Francesco hath either my couÌ„tenaunce bin so ouercâ—â—teous that it migâ—â— promise such small curiosity or my looks so lasciuious that thou mightest hope to find me solâ—â—ish or my actions so wauering or my disposition so ful of vanitie that my honor might seeme soone to be assaulted soon sacked If I haue Francesco bin faulty in these follies then wil I seek to amend wherin thou saiest I haue made offence if not but that thou thinkest for that I am a woman I am easâ—e to be wonne with promises of loue and protestations of loyaltie thou arte sweet seruant in a wrong box and sittest far beside the câ—shion for I passe of my honor more than life couet rather to haue the title of honestie than the dignitie of a diademeâ— cease then vnlesse thou wilt surcease to haue my fauor and contentâ— thee with thisâ— that Infida allowes of thee for loue not for lust yet if she should treade her shoo awrie would rather yeelde the spoile of her honor to
hâ—r seruant than to the greatest prince of the world Francesco though he was a nouice in these affaires and was nipped on the head with this sharp repulse yet he was not so to take the showre for the first storme nor so ill a woodman to gâ—ue ouer the chace at yâ— first default but that he prosecuted his purpose thus I am sory faire goddesse of my deuotion if my presumption hath giueÌ„ any offence to my sweet mistresse for rather than I should but procure a frown in hir forhead I would haue a déâ—p wound in my own hart coueting rather to suppres my passions with death than to disparage my credite with so gâ—â—d a patronesse Therfore although my destinies be extreame my affection great and my loues such as can take no end but in your fauours yet I rest vpon this Infida hath commaâ—ded me to cease and I will not dare so much as to prosecute my sute although euerie passion should be a purgatorie and euery dayes deâ—iâ—ll a moneths punishment in hell with that he set downe his period with such a sigh that as the Marriners say a man would haue thought all would haue split againe This cunning Curtizan beeing afraid with this checke to haue quatted the quâ—â—zie stomacke of her louer deâ—irous to draw to her that with both hands which she had thrust away with her little finger began to be pleasant with Francisco thus What seruâ—nt are you such a fresh water souldier that you faint at the first skirmish feare not man you haue not to deale with Mars but with Venus â— and her darts of deniall as they pricke sharpe so thâ—y pierce littleâ— and her thuÌ„derbolts doo afright not preiudice Feare not man a womans heart and her tongue are not relatiues t is not euer true that what the heart thinketh the tongue clacketh Venus stormes are tempred with Rose water and when shee hath the greatest wrinkle in her â—rowe then shee hath the sweetest dimple in her chin be blithe man a faint heart neuer wonnâ— faire Ladie Francesco hearing hiâ— Mistresse thus pleasant tooke opporâ—â—nitie by the forhead and deaâ—t so with his Infida that before hee went all was well shee blusht not nor heâ— basht but both made vp their market with a faire of kiâ—ses which simpathie of affections bred the poore Gentlemans ouerthrow for he was so snared in the wily tramels of her alluring flatterie that neither the remembrance of his Isabel the care of his childe the fauor of his friendes or the feare of his discredit coulde in anie wise hale him from that hell whereinto through his owne follie he was fallen Where by the way Gentlemen let vs note the subtiltie of these Syrens that with their false harmonie perswade and then preiudice who bewitch like Calipso â— and inchaunt like Circes carying a showe as if they were Uestalls and could with Amulia carrie water in a siue when they are flat Curtizans as farre from honestie as they are from deuotion At the first they carrie a faire shew resembling Calisto who hid hir vanities with Dianas vail hauing in their lookes a coy disdaine but in their hearts a bote desire denying with the tongue and enticing wyth their lookes reiecting in wordes and alluring in gestures and such a one gentlemen was Infida who so plied Francesco with her flattering fawnes that as the yron follows the adamant the straw the Iet and the Helitropion the beames of the sunne so his actions were directed after her eie and what she saide stoode for a principle insomuch that he was not onely readie in all submisse humours to please her fancies but willing for the least worde of offence to draw his weapon against the stoutest champion in al Troynouant Thus seated in her beauty hee liued a long while forgetting his returne to Caâ—rbrancke till on a day sitting musing with himselfe he fell into a déepe consideration of his former fortunes and present follies whereupon taking his Lute in his hand he soâ—ng this Roundley Francescoes Roundeley Sitting and sighing in my secret muse As once Apollo did surprisde with loue Noting the slippery wayes young yeeres do vse What fond affects the prime of youth doth moue With bitter teares despairing I do crie Wâ— worth the faults and follies of mine eie When wanton age the blossoms of my time Drewe me to gaze vpon the gorgeous sight That beauty pompous in her highest prime Presents to tangle men with sweete delight Then with despairing tearâ—s â—y thoughts do criâ— Wâ— worth the faults and folliâ—s of 〈◊〉 â—iâ— When I sâ—râ—eid the riches of her lookes Whereout flew flâ—â—es of neuer quencht dâ—sire Wherein lay baites that Venus snares with â—ookes Oh where proud Cupid sâ—te all armde with fire Then toucht with loue my inwâ—rd soulâ— did criâ— Wâ— worth the fâ—ultes and follies of miâ—â—â—iâ— The milke-white Galaxia of her 〈◊〉 Where loue doth daunce la voltas of his skiâ—â— Like to the Temple where true louers vow To follow what shall please their Mistresse wiâ—â— Noting her iâ—orie front 〈◊〉 do I crie Wâ— worth the faulâ—s and follies of miâ—e â—iâ— Hir face like siluer Luna in hir shinâ— All tainted through with bright Vermilliâ—â— strâ—iâ—es Like lillies dipt in Bacchus choicest wine Powdred and intersâ—â—â—d with azâ—rde de vâ—ines Delighting in their pride now may I criâ—â— Wâ— worth the faults and folliâ—s of miâ—e â—iâ— The golden wyers that checkers in the dâ—y Infâ—â—â—our to the â—resses of her 〈◊〉 Hir amber traâ—ells did my heart disâ—â—y That when I lookâ—e I durst not ouer dâ—â—â— Prowd of her pride now am I fâ—rst to criâ— Wâ— worth the faults and follies of miâ—e â—iâ— These fading beauties drew me â—n to sin Natures great riches fraâ—de my bitter ruth These were the trappes that loue did snare me in Oh these and none but these haue wrackt my youth Misled by them I may dispairing crie Wo worth the faults and follies of mine eie By these I slipt from vertues holy tracke That leades vnto the highest christall sphere By these I fell to vanitie and wracke And as a man forlorne with sin and feare Despaire and sorrow doth constraine me crie Wo worth the faults and follies of mine eie Although this sonnet was of his ready inuention and that he vttered it in bitternesse of minde yet after he had past ouer his melancholy and from his solitarie was fallen into companie he forgate this patheticall impression of vertue and like the dogge did redire ad vomitum and fell to his owne vomite resembling those Gretians that with Vlysses drinking of Cyrces drugges lost both forme and memorie Wel his affaires were done his horse solde and no other businesse now rested to hinder him from hying home but his Mistresse which was such a violent deteyner of his person and thoughts that there is no heauen but Infidaes house where although hee pleasantly entred in with delight yet cowardly he slipt away with repentance Well leauing him to his new loues at
this Laborinth as to bee pâ—aine with thee that art my second selfe I want and am so farre indebted to the Mercer and mine Hostesse as either thou must stand my friend to disburse so much money for me or els I must depart from Troynoâ—ant and so from thy sight which how precious it is to mee I referre to thine owne conscience or for an Vltimum vale take vp my lodging in the counter which I know as it would be vncouth to me so it would bee gréeuefull to thee and therfore now hangs my welfare in thy wil. How loath I was to vtter vnto thee my want and sorrowe measure by my loue who wish rather death than thy discontent Infida could scarce suffer him in so long a Periode and therefore with her forehead full of furrowes shee made him this answere And would you haue me sir buy an ounce of pleasure with a cunne of mishappes or reach after repentaunce with so hie a rate haue I lent thee the blossoms of my youth and delighted thee with the prime of my yeares hast thou had the spoile of my virginitie and now wouldest thou haue the sacke of my substaunce when thou hast withered my person aymest thou at my wealth No sir no knowe that for the loue of thee I haue crackt my credite that neuer before was slained I cannot looke abroad without a blush nor go with my neighbours without a frump thou and thy name is euer cast in my dish my foes laugh and my fâ—â—ends sorrow to sée my follies wherefore seeing thou beginnest to picke a quarrell and hereafter when thine owne base fortunes haue brought thee to beggarie â—ilt say that Infida cost thee â—o many Crownes and was thine ouerthrowe auaunt nouice home to thine owne wife who poore Gentlewoman sits and wants what thou consumest at Tauerns Thou hast had my despoyle and I feare I beate in my bellie the token of too much loue I ought thée Yet coâ—tent with this discredite rather than to runne into further extremitie get thée out of my dâ—â—res for from hencefoorth thou shalt neuer be welcome to Infida And with that shee â—â—ung vp and went into her Chamber Francesco would haue made a replie but shee woulde not heare him nor holde him any more â—hat Wherevâ—on with a stâ—ain his eare hee went to his lodging There ruminating on the number of his follies and the hardnesse of his fortunes seeing his skore greatâ— his coyne little his credite lesse weighing how hardly he had vsed his Isabell at last leaning his head on his hand with teares in his eies he beganne to be thus extremely passionate Nowe Francesco piscator ictus sapit experience is a true mistresse but shee maketh her Schollers treade vpon Thornes hast thou not leaped into the ditch which thou hast long foreséene and bought that with repentance which thou hast so gréedily desired to reape Oh now thou seest the difference betweene loue and lust the one ful of contented pleasure the other of pleasing miseries thy thoughts were feathered with fancie and whether did they flie so farre that they fréeed themselues and thou rests consumeâ— Oh Francesco what are women If they bee honest Saints the puritie of nature the excellence of vertue the perfection of earthly content But if they bee curtisans and strumpeâ—s Oh let mee breath before I can vtter the depth of such a monstrous description They be in shape Angels but in quallities Deuilles painted Sepulchres with rotten bones their foreheads are Kalenders of misfortunes their eies like comets that when they sparkle foretell some fatall disparagement they allure with amorous glaunces of lust and kill with bitter looks of hate they haue dimples in their cheekes to deceiue and wrinckles in their broweâ— to betray their lippes are like honie combes but who tasteth the droppes is impoisoned they are as cleâ—re as Christall but bruse them and they are as infectioâ—s as the Diamond their teares are like the Aconiton that the Hidra wept they present as Deianiâ—a shirts for presents but who so puts them on consumes like Hercules they lay out the foldes of their haire and iâ—tangle men in their tresses playing the horse-leach that sucketh while they burst betweene their breasts iâ— the vale of destruction and in their beds oâ— there is sorrow repentance hell despayre They consume man aliue and ayme at his substance not his perfection like eagles that onely flie thither where the carrion is they leade men to hell and leaue him at the gates To â—e briefe they are ingrateful periâ—red vntrue inconstant â—â—eâ—ting full of fraud deceitfull and to conclude in one worde they be the very refuse of natures extrements Oh Francesco what a Satyricall inuectiue hast thou vttered I may best quoth hee for I haue bought euery principle with a pound What nowe rests for thee poore infortunate man Thou hast yet left a meanes to ende all these miseries and that is this Drawe thy rapiâ—r and so die that with a manly resolution thou mayest preuent thy further misfortunes Oh although thou hast â—inned yet despairâ— not though thou artâ—â—nathema yet proue not an Atheist the mercie of God is aboue all his workes 〈…〉 balme Home to thy wife to the wife of thy youth Francesco to Isabell who with her patience will couer all thy follies remember thâ—s man Nunquam sera est ad bonos more 's via Thus hee ended and with verie griefe fell in a slumber At this the Palmer breathed and made a stop and a long periode His hoste desirous to heare out the ende of Francescoes fortunes wished him to goe forwarde in his discourse Pardon mee Sir quoth the Palmer the night is late and I haue trauelled all the day my bellie is full and my bones would be at rest Therefore for this time let thus much suffice and to morrowe at our vprising which shall be with the Sunne I will not onelie discourse vnto you the ende of Francescoes amours of his returne home to his wife and his repentaunce but manifest vnto you the reason whie I aymed my pilgrimage to Venice The Gentleman and his Wife verie loath to bee tedious to the good Palmer were content with his promise and so taking vp the candle lighted him to beddeâ— where we leaue him And therefore assoone as may bee Gentlemen looke for Francescoes further fortunes and after that my Farewell to follies and then adieu to all amorous Pamphlets FINIS ¶ Imprinted at London by Thomas Orwin for N. L. and Iohn Busbie and are to bee solde at the VVest ende of Paules Church 1590. â—raâ—ceâ—cos Fortunes Or The second part of Greenes Neuer too late VVherein is discoursed the fall of Loue the bitter fruites of Follies pleasure and the repentant sorowes of a reformed man Sero sed serio Robertus Greene in Artibus Magister Imprinted at London for N.L. and Iohn Busbie 1590. To the right Worshipfull Thomas Burnaby Esquier Robert Greene wisheth increase of all honorable vertues THe
in that shee wanted â—â—e presence of her Francesco yet for her patience and vertuâ— grew so famous that all Caerbranck talked of her peâ—fections her beautie was admired of euerie eye bee â—â—â—lities applauded in euerie mans eare that she was estéemed for a patterne of vertuous excellence throughout the whole Citie Amongst the rest that censured of her curious fauours there was one Signor Bernardo â— Bourgomaster of the Citie who chauncing on a time to passe by the â—â—â—re where Isabel so iourned seeing so sweete a Saint began to faâ—l enamoured of so faire an obiect and although he was olde yet the fire of lust crept into his eyes and so inflamed his heart that with a disordinate desire he began to affect her but the renowme of her chastitie was such that it almost quatted those sparkes that heated him on to such lawlesse affection But yet when he calde to minde that want was a great stumbling blocke and sawe the necessitie that Isabel was in by the absence of Francesco he thought gold would bee a readie meanes to gaine a womans good willâ— and therefore dispayred not of obtaining his purpose After that this Signor Bernardo had well noted the exquisite perfection of hâ—r bodie and how she was adorned with most speciall gifts of nature he was so snared with the â—etters of lasciuious Concupiscence as reason could not redresse what lust had ingrafted his aged yeares yéelded vnto danitie so that he turned away his minde from God and durst not lift vp his eyes vnto heauen least it shoulâ— be a witnesse of his wickednesse or a corasiue to his guiltie conscience for the remembrance of God is a terrour to the vnrighteous and the sight of his creatures is a sting to the minde of the â—â—probate He therefore feeling his diuellish heart to bâ—e â—â—rplexed with such hellish passions careleâ—â—â—â— cast off the 〈◊〉 of God from before his eyes neither remembrâ—â—◠〈…〉 was an Elder to giue good counsaile â—or a Iudge in thâ—â—â—tie to minister right his hoarie haires could not haâ—e him from sinne nor his calling conuert him from filthinesse but he gréedilie drunke vp the dregges 〈…〉 carefullie â—usâ—ed his braines to oppresse 〈…〉 obtaine his purpose 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 thus Being 〈…〉 Bourgomaster in all the citie he determined to make a priuie search for some suspected person and being master of the watch himselfe to goe vp into her chamber and there to discouer the depth of his desire so he thought to ioyne loue and opportunitie in one vnion and with his office and his age to wipe out all suspition Age is a crowne of glorie when it is adorned with righteousnesse but the dregges of dishonor when t is mingled with mischiefe for honourable age consisteth not in the tearme of yeares nor is not measured by the date of a mans daies but godlie wisedome is the gray haire and an vndefâ—led life is â—lde age The Herbe grace the older it is the ranker smell it hath the Sea starre is most blacke being olde the Eagle the more yeares the more crooked is her bill and the greater age in wicked men the more vnrighteousnesse which this Signor Bernardo tried true for desire made him hate delap and therefore within two or three nights picking out a watch answerable to his wish hee himselfe as if it had béen some matter of great import went abroade and to colour his follie with the better shadowe hee searched diuers houses and at last came to the place where Isabel lay charging the host to rise and to shewe him her chamber for quoth he I must conferre with her of most secret affaires The good man of the house obeyed willinglie as one that held Bernardo in great reuerence and brought him and the match to the chamber doore Bernardo taking a â—andle in his hand â—ad them all depart till he had â—alked with the Gentlewoman which they did and he entring in shutting the doore found her fast on sleepe which fight â—raue the olde Lecher into a 〈◊〉 for there seeinâ— nature in her pride lust 〈◊〉 him yâ— more that he sat on â—he bed side a great while viewing of her beautie at last starting vp he awakâ— her out of a swâ—ete â—â—umbeâ—â— Isabel looking vp and seeing one of the Bourgomasters in the chamber for Bernardo was knowne for his grauitâ—â— and wealth of euery one in the Citie she was amazedâ— yet gathering her wits together raysing herselfe vp on her pillowe although he knewe she 〈◊〉 rightly refell hiâ— follie and â—aâ—â—ly perceiued her câ—â—â—sâ—ile cooled the extreame of his desires yet the feare of God was so farre from him that he prosecuted his intent thus Signor Bernardos answer to Isabels replie WHy Isabel quoth he thinkest thou thy painted spâ—â—â—ches or thy hard dâ—nialls shall preuâ—ilâ— against 〈◊〉 pretended purpose No he is a coward that yâ—eldeth at the first shot and hâ— noâ— wâ—â—thie to weare the bud of beautie that is daunted with the 〈◊〉 repulse I haue the trâ—e in my hand and meane to enioy the fruite I haue heâ—ten the bush and now will not let the birds â—â—ieâ— and seeiâ—g 〈…〉 here alone your 〈…〉 shall stand for no sterlinâ—â—hat if you consent bee 〈◊〉 of a most trustâ—e frâ—â—ndâ— if not hope for no other hap bâ—â— open infamie For â—â—ou knowest Isabel that a womans chiefest treasure is her good 〈◊〉 that shee which hath 〈◊〉 her â—redite is hâ—lfe hanged for death cuâ—s off all miseries but 〈◊〉 is yâ— beginning of all sorrowes Sith then infamie iâ— worse than losse of life assure thy selâ—e I will 〈◊〉 thee to the quicke for I will presentlie send thee to prison and cause some Râ—ffiâ—n in the citie to sweare â—hat stars yâ— absence of thy 〈…〉 Francâ—sâ—â— â— he hath 〈…〉 so shall 〈…〉 punishmâ—nt and make 〈◊〉 laughing stocke to the world odious to thy friends aâ—d to liue hated of thy husband mine 〈◊〉 and auâ—horâ—tie my agâ— and 〈…〉 my prâ—tenâ—e 〈…〉 thâ—n â—aiâ—e Isâ—bel 〈…〉 of thy 〈…〉 thy selfe a wiâ—e woman 〈…〉 â—â—â—â—bel hearing the misâ—hieuous 〈…〉 Leâ—hâ—r and seâ—ing he had 〈…〉 she coulâ— not auoid 〈…〉 of the bodie or the destruction of the soule was so driuen into such a passionate dilemma that she burst foorth into teares sighes and plaints which she blubbred foorth on this wise Alas quoth she most vile and vniust wretch is the feare of God so farre from thy minde that thou seekest not only to sacke mine honour but to sucke my bloud Is it not iniurie enough that thou seekest to spoyle mine honestie but that you long to spill my life Hath thy swéete loue pretended such bitter tast Is this the fruite of your fained fancie No doubt the cause must bee pernicious when the effect is so pestilent Flatter not yourselfe in this thy follie nor sooth not thy thoughts in thy sinnes for there is a God that seeth and will reuenge and hath promised that who bindeth two 〈◊〉 together shall not be vnpunished in the one But what
for my fortunes so that as I haue soared with the Hobby I shall bate with the Bunting daring with Phaeton I shall drowne with Icarus mine eye was too proude my thoughts too forward I haue stared at a â—â—arre but shall stumble at a stone and I feare because I haue ouerlookt in loue I shal be ouerlaid in loue With that he sighed and Mirimida smiled and made this replie Why Eurymachus a man or a mouse what is there any Cedar so high but the slowest snayle will créepe to the top any fortune so base but will aspire any loue so precious but hath his prize What Eurymachus a Cat may looke at a King and a swaynes eye hath as high a reach as a Lords looke Vulcan in his leather sutes courted Venus in her silkes the swayne of Laâ—mos wâ—ed Luna both dareâ— and both had their desires What Loue requires not wealth but courage parentage is not so high prizd by fancie as personage feâ—â—e not man if thou hast lookt hie followe thy thoughâ—s and crie loues fauours for deniall is no dishonour Eurymachus hearing Mirimida in such an amorous humour incouraged by her perswasions thought now to strike while the yron was hot and therefore taking her by the hand began thus Trueth Mirimida Venus â—awes are bounded with constraint and when loue leadeth the eye desire kéepes no compasse when Paris courted Helena though she were coy and denied yet was she not discourteous disdained for she answered thus mildly Nemo etenim succensâ—t amanti This Mirimida makes me hardie to take thee by the hand and Nay quoth Euâ—ymachus and hee tooke her â—ast by the arme if I were sure you had power as Diana had to plague me with Actâ—â—â—â— punishment you passe not without a little more prattle if I anger you t is first a preparation â—o â— good stomacke for â—holler is a friend to digestion secondly as the Chrisocoll and the golde by long striâ—ing together growe to bee one mettall so by oâ—e falling out we shall be beâ—ter friends for Amantium iâ—ae amoris redintegratio est Therefore faire Mistris siâ— still and graunt some fauour to him that is â—e pained with fancie I will loue you though I am poore and a King can doo but so much if you thinke my degrée be toâ— lowe for so high beautie thinke of all parteâ— the meane is the merâ—iest and that the Shepheards gray hath lesse grieâ—e â—hoâ— thâ— Lordly estates I knowe women must be coy because they are women and they must haue time to be wonne or else they would be thought to â—e wantonsâ— therefore whatsoeuer you say now I holde it not authentâ—call yet for that I would haue some hope gooâ— Mâ—rimida let me see thâ—e laugh She could not but smile to see the Shepheard so pleasant and so Eurymathus rested content and from amorâ—us that they fell to talke of other matters till euening grewe on and then they folded their sheepe and with a friendly 〈◊〉 parted Eurymachus was not alone thus 〈◊〉 of the falâ—â— Mirimida buâ— all the Shepheards of Thessalie wriâ— Poâ—ms and Dâ—â—â—es of her beaâ—â—ie and weâ—e â—uteâ—s to her for fauour she like 〈◊〉 held loue in 〈◊〉 and yet waâ— courteous to all 〈◊〉 oâ—her kinde of conference Amongsâ— the rest Venus â—eâ—â—ke willing to bee pleasant had 〈◊〉 one in the laborinth of loue called Mullidor a â—ellowâ—â—hâ—â— was of honest patents but very poore and his personâ—â—â— was as if he had been cast in Esops moulâ— his 〈◊〉 like◠〈…〉 of the largest life in folio able to furnish a Cobleâ—◠〈◊〉 sat downe to his pottage and eate off his 〈◊〉 full the old woman stumbles to the pot againe for a fresh messe Ah mother quoth hee with a great sigh no more brâ—ath â—o nighâ— with that she clapt her hand oâ— her knee and swore her â—oy was not well that hée forsooke his supping yet hée fell to a peece of bacon that stood on the board and a â—ough barley pudding but he rose before the rest and gat him into a corner where folding his armes together he sat thinking on his loue Assoone as the rest of the swaynes were vp from the table and turning Crabbes in the fire she tooke her sonne into the seller and sitting downe in her chaire began thus Sonne Mullidor thy chéekes are leaâ—e and thou lookest like leâ—ton pale wanne I saw by thy stomacke to night thou art not thine owne man thou hadst alate God saue thée a louely fat paire of chéekes and now thou lookest like a shotteâ— herring Tell me Mullidor and feare not to tell me for thou tellest it to thy mother what aylest thou Is it griefe of bodie or of minde that keepes thée on holidaies from frisking it at the footeball Thou art not as thou wert wont therefore say what thou aylst and thou shâ—lâ— see old women haue good counsaile At thâ—se spéeches of his mother Mullidor fetche a great sigh and with that being after supper he brake windeâ— which Callena hearing oh sonne quoth she t is â—he Collicâ— that troubles thée to bed man to bed and wée will haue a warme pâ—tled The Collick mother no t is a disease that all the cunning women in the Countrie cannot cure and strangely it holdes me for sometimes it paynes me in the headâ— somewhiles in mine eyes my heart my heart oh there mother it playes the diuell in a morterâ— somewhile it is like a frost coldâ— sometimes as a fire hot when I should sleepe then it makes mâ— wake when I eate it troubles my stomacke when I am in companie it makes me sigh and when I am alone it makes me crie right out that I â—an wet one of my newe Loâ—kerâ—â—â—apkins wâ—â—h weeping It came to me by a great chauâ—â—eâ— for as I 〈◊〉 on a faire â—lower a thing I knowe not what 〈◊〉 in at 〈◊〉 eyes aâ—d ranne round about all my vayâ—â—s and at last gaâ— intâ— my heart and there euer since hath remained and there mother euer since so wringâ— me that Mullidor must dye and with that he fell on weeping Callâ—na seeing her sonne shed â—â—ares fell to her hempâ—n apron and wipt her bleared eyes and at last demaunded of him if it were not loue At that question he hung downe his head and fighthed Ah my sonne quoth she now I see t is loue for he is such a sneaking fellowe that if he buâ— leâ—â—e in at the eylid aâ—d diue downe into the heart and there rests as colde as a stone yet touch him and he wiâ—â— sâ—â—ike for tâ—ll me Mullidor what is she that thou loâ—est and will not loue thee If she bee a woman as I â—m she cannot â—ut fancie thée for mine eye though it bee now olde and with that vp went her apron and she wipt them cléere hath bâ—en a wanton when it was young and would haue chosen at the first glance the propeâ—est springall in the Parish and trust me Mullidor but bée not proude of it
when I looke on thee I finde â—hee so louely that I count her worse thâ—n accurst would not châ—ose thee for her Paramour With these woordes Mullidor began to smile and trouâ—led his mother ere she had halfe ended heâ— tale on this maâ—ner Mother I may righâ—â—y compare the Church to a lâ—oking glasse for as man may see himselfe in the one and theâ—e see his proportion so in the other the wenches eâ—â—s are a testificate for vppâ—â— whome you seâ— all the girles looke hée for fooâ—e and fare carries away the bell and I am sure for these two yeares I neâ—er come inâ—o the Church and was no sooner set but the wenches began to winke one on another to looke on mée and laugh Oh ware mother when a dogge wagges his taile hée loues his master and when a woman laughs for my life she is ouer the head eares in loue Then if my fortune serue me to be so well thought on why should I not â—enter on her I loue It is mother Seladors daughter Mirimida Now Gods blessing on thy heart quoth Callenâ— for louing such a smugge lasse marrie her my sonne and thou shalt haue my benizon in a clowte Mirimida marie t is no marâ—ell if thy chéekes are fallen for her why she is the fairest bâ—ossome in all the towne to her sonne to her tricke thy selfe vp in thy best reparrell make no bones at it but on a woing for womens desires I may tell thee boy are like childrens fancies won oft with an apple when they refuse an Angell and Mullidor take this with thee and feare not to speede A womans frowne is not euer an instance of choller if she refuse thee outwardlie she regaâ—ds tâ—ee inwardly and if she shake thée vp and bid thée be packing haue the better hope Cats and Dogs come together by sâ—ratching if she smile then sonne say to thy selfe she is thineâ— and yet women are wylâ—e cattel for I haue seene a woman laugh with anger and kisse him she hath desired to kill she will be coâ— Mullidor but care not for that t is but a thing of course speake thou faire promise much praise her higâ—ly commâ—nd her beautie aboue all and her vertue more than all sigh often and shewe thy selfe full of passions and as sure as thy cap is of wooll the wench is thine Mullidor hearing his mother giue such good counsaile sayd he would ieopard a ioynt and the next day haue a fling at her With that he sayd his heart was eased and his stomacke somewhat come downe with her good perswasions whereâ—pon the Amâ—rie was opened and he turned me ouer the cantle of a Chéeâ—e and went to bed The next morning vp he rose and his holy day roabes went on his staâ—d â—ppes â—ewe blackâ— his cappe faire brushâ— and a cleane Lockeram band Thus â—etyred away flings Mullidor to the field and carried away his sheepe led them into the playnes where Mirimida sought to feede her flockes comming there he that Venus fires as well warme the poore as the rich and that deformitie was no meanes to abridge fancie wherevpon she replied thus Why Mullidor are you in loue and with me iâ— there none but Mirimida that can fit your eye bâ—ing so many beautifull damzels in Thessalie take heede man lookâ— before you leap least you fall in the ditch I am not good enough for so proper a man as your selfe esâ—eâ—ially being his mothers onely sonne what Mullidor let mâ— counsaile you there are more maides than Malkin and the countrey hath such choice as may breede your better content for mine own part at this time I meane not to marry T is no matter quoth Mullidor what you say for my mother tolde me that maides at first would bee coy when they were wooed and mynse it as â—were a mare ouer a mouth full of Thisâ—les and yet were not a whit the worse to be likte for t was a matter of custome Well then Mullidor quoth Mirimida leaue off for this time to talkeâ— of loue and hope the best to morrow perchaunce it will bee better for women are like vnto children that will oft refuse an Apple and straight crie for the paring and when they are most hungrie then for fullennesse fast This Mullidor quoth she is the frowardnesse of loue Marie then quoth he if they haue childrens malladies t were good to vse childrens medicines and that 's a rod for â—e they neuer so froward a ierâ—k or two will make them forward and if that would bring women to a good temper my mother hath a stiffe cudgell and I haue a strong arme Thus these two past away the day till presently they espied a farrâ— off a Gentleman with a Haâ—ke on his fist to come riding towards them who drawing nie and seeing so faire a Nimph raind his horse and stoode still as Acteoâ— when he gazed at Diana at last hee alighted and comming towards her saluted her thus curteouslyâ— Faire viâ—gin when I saw such a sweete Saint with such a crooked Apostle I straight thought Venus had beeâ— walking abrâ—adâ— to take the â—yre with Vulcan but assâ—ne as mine eyes began narrowly to make 〈◊〉 of thy bâ—â—utie I found Vâ—nus â—lemishe with thy rare 〈…〉 sheepe that are folded by suâ—h 〈…〉 are theâ—e shephearâ—s that enioy the presenâ—e of such a beauteous creature no marueâ—â—â— if Apollo became a 〈◊〉 oâ— Mercury a â—eatheard when their 〈◊〉 are recompeâ—st with such loues My selfe faire damasell if either my degree were worthy or my deserts any woâ—lde craue to haue entertainemeÌ„t to become your dutifâ—l 〈…〉 whâ—le Mirimida held downe her head and blushâ— at last lifting vp her eyes full of modestie and her face full of 〈◊〉 coloursâ— such as florish out the fronts of Dianas virgins she made the Gentleman this answere My seruant sit quoth shee 〈◊〉 your worth is far aboue my wealth and your dignity 〈◊〉 high for my degree pâ—ore cuntrie Damoâ—â—â—â— must nâ—t ayme too hie at fortune nor flye too fast in desires least â—ooking at their â—eete with the Peacock they let fall their plâ—â—es and so shame at their owne follies but if my grâ—â— wâ—â—â— so great as to enterteine such seruants I must bestowe vpon 〈◊〉 some changable liuorie to shew the â—arietie of theâ—â— mindsâ— for mens hearts are like to the â—oliâ—e thaâ— will 〈…〉 to all colâ—ors but bleâ— and their thoughâ—â—s into all 〈◊〉 but constâ—ncieâ— In that sit â—ou◠〈◊〉 â—azled and 〈…〉 for Venus 〈…〉 Gentleman tâ—â—s abuâ—e hâ—s patience as a man conceipted in his owne propernesse and especially afore Mirimida thwarteâ— him thus You master meacock that stand vpon the beauty of your churmnilke face as brag with your Buzzard on your fist as a Sow vnder an apple tree know that wee countrey swaines as we are not beholding to Nature for beautie so we little accompt of Fortune for any fauour Tush man my crooke back harboureth more honest conditions than thy fleering countenaunce and these course
suites can fetch more pence than thy silkes for I beleeue thou makst a scoâ—â—e of the Mercers booke thou hast made such sure entrance there that thou wilt neuer from thence till thou beest come out by the eares Goodman courtier though we haue backes to beare your frâ—mps yet we haue queake stomackâ— thaâ— will hardly brooke them and therefore fine foole be gone with your foule or I wil so be labour you as you shall feele my fingers this fâ—rtnight And with that Mullâ—dor heaued vp his sheephook bent his broâ—â—s so that the Gentleman giâ—ing Mirimida the â—dieâ— hee puâ— spurs to his horse and went his way At this manly part of Mullidor Mirimida laughâ— heartilie and he tooke a great conceipt that hee had shewd himselfe such a â—all man Upon this Mirimida gaue him a Nosegay which stuck in her bosome for a fauour which hee accepted and gratefully as though another had giuen him a tunne of golde Night drew on and they folded thâ—ir sheepe and departed shee to her Father and hee towardes olde Callena as ioyful a man as Paris when he had the promise from Venuâ— â— hee plodded on his way with his head full of passions and his heartfull of new thoughts and 〈◊〉 eye was on the Nosegay in so much that he stoode in a 〈◊〉 whether it were Loue or some other 〈◊〉 worse 〈…〉 that thuâ— hincht him pinâ—ht him at laâ—â— he fel with himselfe 〈◊〉 this meditation Now doe I peâ—â—â—iue that Loue is a purgation and searcheth euery vâ—ines thaâ— though enteâ— at the â—ye yet it runnes to the heart and then it 〈…〉 olde coyle where it worketh like a iuglers 〈◊〉 Oh Loue thou art like to a flea which â—itest sore and yet leapest â—way and art not to be found or to a pot of strong alâ— that maketh a man cal his Father whoreson so both them bewitch a mans wits that he knoweth not a B. from a Battildore Infortunate Mullidor and therefore infortunate because thou art ouer the eares in Loue and with whome with Mirimida whose eyes are like to sparks of fâ—re and â—hine like a pound of butter like to be melted with her beauâ—y and to coÌ„sume with the frieng flame of fancie Ah Mullidoâ— her face is like to a â—ed white Daisy growing in a greene meddow thou like a bee that commest and suckest honie from it and cariest it home to yâ— hiue with a heaue hoe that is as much to say as with a head full of woes a heart full of sorrowes and malaâ—ies Be of good cheare Mirimida laughes on thee thou knowest a womans smile is as good to a louer as a sunshine day to a Haâ—maker she shewes thee kind looks caâ—ts many â— sheeps eye 〈◊〉 thee which signifâ—es that shee counts thee a man worthiâ— to iumpe a maâ—ch with hir nay more Mullidor shee hath giuen thee â— Nosegay of flowers wherin as a top gallant for all the rest is set in Rosemary for remembrance Ah Mullidor cheere thy sâ—lfe feare not loue fortune fauors lusty 〈◊〉 â—owards are nâ—t friendâ— to affection therefore venterâ— for thou hasâ— wonne her els 〈◊〉 she not giâ—en thee this noâ—egay And with this remembring himselfe he 〈◊〉 vp left off his amâ—rous passions and â—â—udgeth home to his house where comming iâ— olde Calena stumbles to see in whaâ— humour hir sonne câ—me hoâ—e â—â—â—â—lick he was his â—ap on the oneâ—ide he askt if supper weâ—e ready his mother seeing his stomack was good thought there was some hope of her Sonnes good fortunes and therefore sayd there was ◠〈◊〉 in the poâ— that is almost enough but sonne quoth she what newesâ— what successe in thy loues how doth Mirimida 〈…〉 Ah ah quoth Mullidor and he smiled how should I be vsed but as one that was wrape in his mâ—â—hers smock when hee was borne Can the sâ—nne want heat and the winter cold or a proper man be denied in his suites No mother assoone as I began to circumglaze her with my Sophistrie to fetch her about with 2 or three venies froÌ„ miâ—e eyes I gaue her such a thuÌ„p on the brest that she would scarce say no I told her my mind so wrapâ— hee in the prodigallitie of my wit that she said an other time shoulde but then wee parted laughing with such a sweete smile that it made mee loose in the haâ—t like a dudgin dagger she gaue me this nosegay for a fauour which how I estâ—emed it gesse youâ— thus haue I vsed her in kiâ—dnesse and she vsed me in curtesie so I hope we shal make a friendly conclusion By my troth sonne quoth she I hope no lesse for I tell you when maids giue gifts they meane well and a woman if she laugh with a glauncing looke wisheth it were neither to do nor vndone she is thine my sonne feare not and with that she laid the cloth and seâ— victuals on the borde where Mullidor tried himselfe so tall a trencher man that his mother perceiued by his drift he would not 〈◊〉 for loue Leauing this passionate â—ubber to the conceipâ— of his loues â— let vs returne to the young couâ—â—yer called Radagon who â—roâ—ting a soft pace vpon his coursâ—r seeing the sunne now bright and then ouershadowed with clouds began to â—oÌ„pare the state of the weather fantasâ—ically to the humor of his Mirimidas fancies saying when Phoebus was eclipst with a vapour then she lowred when hee shewd his glorie in his brightnesse theâ— she smiledâ— Thus hee dallied in an â—nâ—oth mâ—tion so long that at last hee began to feele a fire that fretted to the heart Ryding thus in a quandarie he entred into the consideratioÌ„ of Mirimidas beauty wherupon frolickly in an extemperat humor he made this sonnet Radagons Sonnet No cleare appeard vpon the azurd Skie A valâ— of stormes had shadowed Phoebus faceâ— And in a sable manâ—le of disgrace Sate he that is ycleapâ—d heauens bright eye As though that he Pâ—rplexâ— for Clitia meant to leaue his place And wrapt in sorrowes did resolue to diâ— For death to louerâ— woes is euer meâ— Thus foulded in a hard and mournfull lazâ— Distrest sate hee A mistie fogge had thickned all â—he ayre Iris sate solemne and denied her showers Flora in taunie hid vp all her flowers And would not diaper her meads with faire As though that shee Were armd vpon the barren earth to lowre Vnto the founts Diana nild repaire But sate as ouershadowed with dispaire Solemne and sad within a withered bower Her Nympâ—es and she Mars malecontent lay sick on Venus knee Venus in dumps sat muffled with a frowne Iuno laid all her frollick humors downe And Ioue was all in dumps as well as she T was Fates decree For Neptune as he ment the world to drown Heaâ—d vp his surges to the highest treâ— And leagud with Eol mard the Seamans gleâ— Beating the Cedars with his billows downe Thus wroth was hee My mistris deynes to shew hir sunbâ—ight