doth their wits dismay As those that raue do for a god approue Although he bring his greatnesse from aboue And rule the world according to his will Yet doth he euen from those all rest remoue That were deuoted to his deitie still Can that which is th' originall of ill From which doth flow an Ocean of mischiefe Whose poysnous waues doth many thousands kill Can that be loue no t' is the source of griefe And all those erre that hold this vaine conceit Then I erre too one in this same estate Sestin 2. WHile as the day deliuers vs his light I wander through the solitarie fields And when the euening hath obscur'd the earth And hath with silence lull'd the world asleepe Then rage I like a mad-man in my bed Which being fir'd with sighes I quench with teares But ere Aurora rise to spend her teares Still languishing againe to see the light As th' enemie of my rest I flie my bed And take me to the most deserted fields There is no soule saue I but gets some sleepe Though one would seeke through all the peopled earth Whiles th' Aetna of my fires affrights the earth And whiles it dreads I drowne it with my teares And it 's suspicious-like I neither sleepe When Phoebus giues nor gathers in his light So many piles of grasse not cloath the fields As I deuise designes within my bed Vnto the time I find a frostie bed Digged within the bowels of the earth Mine eyes salt flouds shall still oreflow the fields I looke not for an abstinence from teares Till first I be secluded from the light And end my torments with an endlesse sleepe For now when I am purposed to sleepe A thousand thoughts assaile me in my bed That oft I do despaire to see the light O would to God I were dissolu'd in earth Then would the sauage beasts bemone with teares Their neighbours death through all th' vnpeopled fields Whil'st rauish'd whiles I walke alongst the fields The lookers on lament I lose my sleepe But of the Crocadiles those be the teares So to perswade me for to go to sleepe As being sure when once I leaue the light To render me the greatest wretch on th' earth O happiest I in th' earth if in the fields I might still see the light and neuer sleepe Drinking salt teares and making stones my bed Son 35. WHen I behold that face for which I pin'd And did my selfe so long in vaine annoy My toung not able to vnfold my ioy A wondring silence onely shewes my mind But when againe thou dost extend thy rigour And wilt not daigne to grace me with thy sight Thou kil'st my comfort and so spoil'st my might That scarce my corps retaines the vitall vigour Thy presence thus a great contentment brings And is my soules inestimable treasure But ô I drowne in th' Ocean of displeasure When I in absence thinke vpon those things Thus would to God that I had seene thee neuer Or would to God that I might see thee euer Sonet 36. LOyr witnesse thou what was my spotlesse part Whil'st thou amaz'd to see thy Nymphes so faire As loth to part thence where they did repaire Still murm'ring did thy plaints t' each stone impart Then did mine eyes betake them to my hart As scorning to behold all those though rare And gaz'd vpon her beauties image there Whose eyes haue furnish'd Cupid many a dart And as deuoted only vnto her They did disdaine for to bestow their light For to be entertain'd with any sight Saue onely that which made them first to erre Then famous riuer through the Ocean glide And tell my loue how constant I abide Son 37. I Cannot comprehend how this doth come Thou whose affections neuer yet were warme Which cold disdaine with leaden thoughts doth arme Though in thy selfe still cold yet burn'st thou some Euen as the Sunne as th'Astrologian dreames In th'airie region where it selfe doth moue Is neuer hote yet darting from aboue Doth parch all things that repercusse his beames So thou that in thy selfe from fires art free Who eye 's indifferent still as Titans stayes Whilst I am th' obiect that reflect thy rayes That which thou neuer hadst thou workst in me Since but below thou shew'st that power of thine I would the Zodiacke be whence thou dost shine Son 38. MY teares might all the parched sands haue drench'd Though Phaeton had vndone the liquide frame I le furnish Vulcans fornace with a flame That like the Vestals fire was neuer quench'd And though th' infected aire turmoil'd remaine It by my sighes and cries may be refin'd And if the bodie answer to the mind If no earth were mine might make th' earth againe Though all the sauage flockes lay dead in heapes With which th' Arabian desarts are best stor'd My brest might many a fiercer beast affoord If like themselues all cloath'd with monstrous shapes And thus within my selfe I create so A world with all the Elements of wo. Son 39. MVst I attend an vnrelenting will Which neuer any signe of fauour shew Ah why should'st thou Aurora thus pursue An innocent that neuer did thee ill I did not with the Greeke conspire to kill Thy sonne for whom thou shed'st such flouds of dew But I as one that yet his destine rue For to condole with thee huge teares distill And like the louing birds that came each yeare Vpon his tombe to offer vp their bloud So shall I too powre foorth a skarlet floud And sacrifize a heart that holds thee deare That since my life to make thee loue lackes force At least my death may moue thee to remorce Son 40. THy cruelties fierce Faire may be excus'd For it was I that gaue thy beautie powre And taught thee when to smile and when to lowre Which thou hast since still to my ruine vs'd As he that others purpos'd was to pine And for his brasen bull a guerdon claim'd Was tortur'd first with that which he had fram'd And made th' experience of his curst engine So in this manner dost thou me torment Who told thee first the force of thy disdaines But ah I suffer many greater paines Then the Sicilian tyrants could inuent And yet this grieues me most that thou disgrac'd Art in the rancke with such like tyrants plac'd Son 41. IF that so many braue men leauing Greece Durst earst aduenter through the raging depth And all to get the spoiles of a poore sheepe That had bene famous for his golden fleece O then for that pure gold what should be sought Of which each haire is worth a thousand such No doubt for it one cannot do too much Why should not precious things be dearely bought And so they are for in the Colchik guise This treasure many a danger doth defend Of which when I haue brought some one to end Straight out of that a number doth arise Euen as the Dragons teeth bred men at armes Which ah t' orethrow I want Medeas charmes Son 42. OFt
AVRORA Containing the first fancies of the Authors youth VVilliam Alexander of Menstrie ANCHORA SPEI LONDON Printed by RICHARD FIELD for Edward Blount 1604. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND VERTVOVS Lady the Lady Agnes Dowglas Countesse of Argyle MADAME when I remember the manie obligations which I owe to your manifold merits I oftentimes accuse my selfe to my self of forgetfulnes and yet I am to be excused for how can I satisfie so infinit a debt since whilst I go to disengage my self in some measure by giuing you the patronage of these vnpolished lines which indeed to their manie errors had need of a respected Sanctuary I but engage my self further while as you take the patronage of so vnpolished lines Yet this shall not discourage me for alwayes I carie this aduantage that as they were the fruits of beautie so shal they be sacrificed as oblations to beautie And to a beautie though of it selfe most happie yet more happie in this that it is thought worthie and can be no more then worthy to be the outward couer of so many inward perfections So assuring my selfe that as no darknesse can abide before the Sunne so no deformitie can be found in those papers ouer which your eyes haue once shined I rest Your Honors most humbly deuoted William Alexander AVRORA Sonet 1. WHil'st charming fancies moue me to reueale The idle rauings of my brain-sicke youth My heart doth pant within to heare my mouth Vnfold the follies which it would conceale Yet bitter Critickes may mistake my mind Not beautie no but vertue raisd my fires Whose sacred flame did cherish chast desires And through my cloudie fortune clearely shin'd But had not others otherwise aduisd My cabinet should yet these scroles containe This childish birth of a conceitie braine Which I had still as trifling toyes despisd Pardon those errours of mine vnripe age My tender Muse by time may grow more sage Sonet 2. AS yet three lusters were not quite expir'd Since I had bene a partner of the light When I beheld a face a face more bright Then glistring Phoebus when the fields are fir'd Long time amaz'd rare beautie I admir'd The beames reflecting on my captiu'd sight Till that surpriz'd I wot not by what flight More then I could conceiue my soule desir'd My takers state I long'd for to comprise For still I doubted who had made the rape If t' was a bodie or an airie shape With fain'd perfections for to mocke the eyes At last I knew t' was a most diuine creature The Crowne of th' Earth th'excellencie of Nature Son 3. THat subtill Greeke who for t' aduance his art Shap'd Beauties Goddesse with so sweet a grace And with a learned pensill limn'd her face Till all the world admir'd the workmans part Of such whom Fame did most accomplish'd call The naked snowes he seuerally perceiued Then drew th' Idaea which his soule conceiued Of that which was most exquisite in all But had thy forme his fancie first possest If worldly knowledge could so high attaine Thou mightst haue spar'd the curious Painters paine And satisfide him more then all the rest O if he had all thy perfections noted The Painter with his Picture straight had doted Song 1. O Would to God a way were found That by some secret sympathie vnknowne My Faire my fancies depth might sound And know my state as clearely as her owne Then blest most blest were I No doubt beneath the skie I were the happiest wight For if my state they knew It ruthlesse rockes would rue And mend me if they might But as the babe before the wand Whose faultlesse part his parents will not trust For very feare doth trembling stand And quakes to speake although his cause be iust So set before her face Though bent to pleade for grace I wot not how I faile Yet minding to say much That string I neuer touch But stand dismaid and pale The deepest riuers make least din The silent soule doth most abound in care Then might my brest be read within A thousand volumes would be written there Might silence shew my mind Sighes tell how I were pin'd Or lookes my woes relate Then any pregnant wit That well remarked it Would soone discerne my state No fauour yet my Faire affoords But looking haughtie though with humble eyes Doth quite confound my staggering words And as not spying that thing which she spies A mirror makes of me Where she her selfe may see And what she brings to passe I trembling too for feare Moue neither eye nor eare As if I were her glasse Whilst in this manner I remaine Like to the statue of some one that 's dead Strange tyrants in my bosome raigne A field of fancies fights within my head Yet if the tongue were true We boldly might pursue That Diamantine hart But when that it 's restraind As doom'd to be disdaind My sighes shew how I smart No wonder then although I wracke By them betrayd in whom I did confide Since tongue heart eyes and all gaue backe She iustly may my childishnesse deride Yet that which I conceale May serue for to reueale My feruencie in loue My passions were too great For words t' expresse my state As to my paines I proue Oft those that do deserue disdaine For forging fancies get the best reward Where I who feele what they do faine For too much loue am had in no regard Behold by proofe we see The gallant liuing free His fancies doth extend Where he that is orecome Rain'd with respects stands dumbe Still fearing to offend My bashfulnesse when she beholds Or rather my affection out of bounds Although my face my state vnfolds And in my hew discouers hidden wounds Yet ieasting at my wo She doubts if it be so As she could not conceiue it This grieues me most of all She triumphs in my fall Not seeming to perceiue it Then since in vaine I plaints impart To scornfull eares in a contemned scroule And since my toung betrayes my hart And cannot tell the anguish of my soule Hencefoorth I le hide my losses And not recompt the crosses That do my ioyes orethrow At least to senslesse things Mounts vales woods flouds and springs I shall them onely show Ah vnaffected lines True models of my heart The world may see that in you shines The power of passion more then art Son 4. ONce to debate my cause whilst I drew neere My staggering toung against me did conspire And whilst it should haue charg'd it did retire A certaine signe of loue that was sincere I saw her heauenly vertues shine so cleere That I was forc'd for to conceale my fire And with respects euen bridling my desire More then my life I held her honour deere And though I burn'd with all the flames of loue Yet frozen with a reuerent kind of feares I durst not poure my passions in her eares Lest so I might the hope I had remoue Thus Loue mar'd loue Desire desire restrain'd Of mind to
despited that didst make me pine Ah that thou should'st to wracke so many hearts Exceed in all excellencies but loue That maske of rigour from thy mind remoue And then thou art accomplish'd in all parts Then shall thy fame ore all vntainted flie Thou in my lines and I shall liue in thee Song 9. O Happie Tithon if thou know'st thy hap And value thy wealth but as I do my want Then need'st thou not which ah I grieue to grant Repine at Ioue lull'd in his lemmans lap That golden shower in which he did repose One dewie drop it staines VVhich thy Aurora raines Vpon the rurall plaines VVhen from thy bed she passionatly goes Then wakened with the musicke of the Mearles She not remembers Memnon when she mournes That faithfull flame which in her bosome burnes From christall conduits throwes those liquide pearles Sad from thy sight so soone to be remou'd She so her griefe delates O fauor'd by the fates Aboue the happiest states Who art of one so worthie well belou'd This is not she that onely shines by night No borrow'd beame doth beautifie thy Faire But this is she whose beauties more then rare Come crown'd with roses to restore the light When Phoebe pitch'd her pitchie pauilion out The world with weeping told How happie it would hold It selfe but to behold The azure pale that compas'd her about Whil'st like a palide half-imprison'd rose Whose naked white doth but to blush begin A litle scarlet deckes the yuorie skinne Which still doth glance transparent as she goes The beamie god comes burning with desire And when he finds her gone With many a grieuous grone Enrag'd remounts anone And threatneth all our Hemi-sphaere with fire Lift vp thine eyes and but behold thy blisse Th'heau'ns raine their riches on thee whil'st thou sleep'st Thinke what a matchlesse treasure that thou keep'st When thou hast all that any else can wish Those Sunnes which daily dazle thy dim eyes Might with one beame or so Which thou mightst well forgo Straight banish all my wo And make me all the world for to despise But Sun-parch'd people loath the precious stones And through abundance vilifie the gold All dis-esteeme the treasures that they hold And thinke not things possest as they thought once Who surfet oft on such excessiue ioyes Can neuer pleasure prize But building on the skies All present things despise And like their treasure lesse then others toyes I enuie not thy blisse so heau'n hath doom'd And yet I cannot but lament mine owne Whose hopes hard at the haruest were orethrowne And blisse halfe ripe with frosts of feare consum'd Faire blossomes which of fairer fruites did boast Were blasted in the flowers With eye-exacted showers Whose sweet-supposed sowers Of preconceited pleasures grieu'd me most And what a griefe is this as chance effects To see the rarest beauties worst bestow'd Ah why should halting Vulcan be made proud Of that great beautie which sterne Mars affects And why should Tithon thus whose day growes late Enioy the mornings loue Which though that I disproue Yet will I too approue Since that it is her will and my hard fate An Eccho AH will no soule giue eare vnto my mone one Who answers thus so kindly when I crie I What fostred thee that pities my despaire aire Thou blabbing guest what know'st thou of my fall all What did I when I first my Faire disclos'd los'd Where was my reason that it would not doubt out What canst thou tell me of my Ladies will ill VVherewith can she acquit my loyall part art VVhat hath she then with me to disaguise a guise VVhat haue I done since she gainst loue repin'd pin'd VVhat did I when I her to life prefer'd er'd VVhat did mine eyes whil'st she my heart restrain'd rain'd VVhat did she whil'st my muse her praise proclaim'd claimd And what and how this doth me most affright of right VVhat if I neuer sue to her againe gaine And what when all my passions are represt rest But what thing will best serue t' asswage desire ire And what will serue to mitigate my rage age I see the Sunne begins for to descend end Son 87. NO wonder thou endang'rest liues with lookes And dost bewitch the bosome by the eare VVhat hostes of hearts that no such sleight did feare Are now entangled by thy beauties hookes But if so many to the world approue Those princely vertues that enrich my mind And hold thee for the honour of thy kind Yea though disdain'd yet desperatly loue O what a world of haplesse louers liue That like a treasure entertaine their thought And seeme in show as if affecting nought And in their brest t' entombe their fancies striue Yet let not this with pride thy heart possesse The Sun being mounted high doth seeme the lesse Son 88. THose beauties Deare which all thy sexe enuies As grieu'd men should such sacred wonders view For pompe apparel'd in a purple hue Do whiles disdaine the pride of mortall eyes VVhich ah attempting farre aboue their might Do gaze vpon the glorie of those Sunnes Whilst many a ray that from their brightnesse runnes Doth dazle all that dare looke on their light Or was it this which ô I feare me most That cled with scarlet so thy purest parts Thy face it hauing wounded worlds of harts Would die her Lillies with the bloud they lost Thus ere thy cruelties were long conceal'd They by thy guiltie blush would be reueal'd Son 89. SMall comfort might my banish'd hopes recall When whiles my daintie faire I sighing see If I could thinke that one were shed for me It were a guerdon great enough for all Or would she let one teare of pittie fall That seem'd dismist from a remorcefnll eye I could content my selfe vngrieu'd to die And nothing might my constancie appall The onely sound of that sweet word of loue Prest twixt those lips that do my doome containe Were I imbark'd might me backe againe From death to life and make me breath and moue Strange crueltie that neuer can afford So much as once one sigh one teare one word Son 90. I Wot not what transported hath my mind That I in armes against a goddesse stand Yet though I sue t 'one of th' immortall band The like before was prosp'rously design'd To loue Anchises Venus thought no scorne And Thetis earst was with a mortall match'd Whom if th' aspiring Peleus had not catch'd The great Achilles neuer had bene borne Thus flatter I my selfe whilst nought confines My wandring fancies that strange wayes do trace He that embrac'd a cloud in Iunoes place May be a terror to the like designes But fame in end th'aduentrer euer crownes Whom either th' issue or th' attempt renownes Son 91. ANd must I lose in vaine so great a loue And build thy glorie on my ruin'd state And can a heauenly brest contract such hate And is the mildest sexe so hard to moue Haue all my offrings had no greater force The which so oft haue made
moue a world I dumbe remain'd Son 5. NO wonder though that this my blisse dismaies Whilst rendred vp to neuer-pleas'd desires I burne and yet must couer cursed fires Whose flame it selfe against my will bewrayes Sometimes my faire to launce my wound assayes And with th' occasion as it seemes conspires And indirectly oft my state inquires Which I would hide whilst it it selfe betrayes If that a guiltie gesture did disclose The hideous horrors that my soule contain'd Or wandring words deriu'd from inward woes Did tell my state their treason I disdain'd And I could wish to be but as I am If that she knew how I conceale the same Sonet 6. HVge hosts of thoughts imbattled in my brest Are euer busied with intestine warres And like to Cadmus earth-borne troupes at iarres Haue spoil'd my soule of peace themselues of rest Thus forc'd to reape such seed as I haue sowne I hauing interest in this doubtfull strife Hope much feare more doubt most vnhappie life What euer side preuaile I 'm still orethrowne O neither life nor death ô both but bad Imparadiz'd whiles in mine owne conceit My fancies straight againe imbroyle my state And in a moment make me glad and sad Thus neither yeelding quite to this nor that I liue I die I do I wot not what Son 7. A Flame of loue that glaunceth in those eyes Where maiestie with sweetnesse mixt remaines Doth poure so sweet a poyson in the veines That who them viewes straight wounded wondring dyes But yet who would not looke on those cleare skies And loue to perish with so pleasant paines While as those lights of loue hide beauties traine With iuorie Orbes where still two starres arise When as those christall Comets whiles appeare Eye-rauish'd I go gazing on their rayes Whilst they enrich'd with many princely prayes Ore hosts of hearts triumphing still retire Those planets when they shine in their owne kinds Do boast t' orethrow whole monarchies of minds Son 8. AH what disastrous fortune haue I had Lo still in league with all that may annoy And entred in enimitie with Ioy I entertaine all things that make me sad With many miseries almost gone mad To purchase paines I all my paines employ And vse all meanes my selfe for to destroy The tenour of my starre hath bene so bad And though my state a thousand times were worse As it is else past bounds of all beleefe Yet all Pandora's plagues could not haue force To aggrauate the burthen of my griefe Th' Occasion might moue mountaines to remorce I hate all helpe and hope for no releefe Son 9. ALthough that words chain'd with affection faile As that which makes me burst abasht t' vnfold Yet Lines dumbe Orators ye may be bold Th'inke will not blush though paper doth looke pale Ye of my state the secrets did containe That then through clouds of darke inuentions shin'd Whilst I disclos'd yet not disclos'd my mind Obscure to others but to one ore plaine And yet that one did whiles as th' end may proue Not marke not vnderstand or else despise That though misterious language of mine eyes Which might haue bene interpreted by loue Thus she what I discouered yet conceal'd Knowes and not knowes both hid and both reueal'd Elegie 1. EVen as the dying Swan almost bereft of breath Sounds dolefull notes and drearie songs a presage of her death So since my date of life almost expir'd I find My obsequies I sadly sing as sorrow tunes my mind And as the rarest Bird a pile of wood doth frame Which being fir'd by Phoebus rayes she fals into the flame So by two sunnie eyes I giue my fancies fire And burne my selfe with beauties raies euen by mine owne desire Thus th' angry Gods atlength begin for to relent And once to end my deathfull life for pitie are content For if th' infernall powers the damned souls would pine Then let thē send them to the light to leade a life like mine O if I could recount the crosses and the cares That frō my cradle to my Beare conduct me with despairs Then hungrie Tantalus pleas'd with his lot would stand I famish for a sweeter food which still is rest my hand Like Ixions restlesse wheele my fancies rowle about And like his guest that stole heau'ns fires they teare my bowels out I worke an endles task and loose my labor still Euen as the bloudie sisters do that emptie as they fill As Sisiph's stone returnes his guiltie ghost t' appall I euer raise my hopes so high they bruise me with their fall And if I could in summe my seuerall griefes relate All would forget their proper harms only waile my state So grieuous is my paine so painfull is my griefe That death which doth the world affright wold yeeld to me releefe I haue mishaps so long as in a habit had I thinke I looke not like my selfe but when that I am sad As birds flie but in th' aire fishes in seas do diue So sorrow is as th' Element by which I onely liue Yet this may be admir'd as more then strange in me Although in all my Horoscope not one cleare point I see Against my knowledge yet I many a time rebell And seeke to gather grounds of hope a heau'n amidst a hell O poyson of the mind that doest the wits bereaue And shrouded with a cloke of loue dost al the world deceiue Thou art the rocke on which my comforts ship did dash It 's thou that daily in my wounds thy hooked heades dost wash Blind Tyrant it is thou by whom my hopes lye dead That whiles throwes forth a dart of gold whiles a lumpe of lead Thus oft thou woundest two but in two diffrent states Which through a strange antipathy th' one loues th' other hates O but I erre I grant I should not thee vpbraid It 's I to passions tyrrannie that haue my selfe betraid And yet this cannot be my iudgements aymes amisse Ah deare Aurora it is thou that ruin'd hast my blisse A fault that by thy sexe may partly be excus'd Which stil doth loath what proferd is affects what is refus'd Whilst my distracted thoughts I striu'd for to controule And with fain'd gestures did disguise the anguish of my soule Then with inuiting lookes and accents stampt with loue The mask that was vpon my mind thou labordst to remoue And when that once ensnar'd thou in those nets me spide Thy smiles were shadowd with disdaines thy beauties clothd with pride To reattaine thy grace I wot not how to go Shall I once fold before thy feete to pleade for fauour so No no I le proudly go my wrath for to asswage And liberally at last enlarge the raines vnto my rage I le tell what we were once our chast yet feruent loues Whilst in effect thou seem'd t' affect that which thou didst disproue Whilst once t'engraue thy name vpon a rock I sat Thou vow'd to write mine in a mind more firme by far then that The marble stone
once stampt retaines that name of thine But ah thy more then marble mind it did not so with mine So that which thral'd me first shall set me free againe Those flames to which thy loue gaue life shall die with thy disdaine But ah where am I now how is my iudgment lost I speak as it were in my power like one that 's free to bost Haue I not sold my selfe to be thy beauties slaue And when thou tak'st all hope from me thou tak'st but what thou gaue That former loue of thine did so possess my mind That for to harbor other thoughts no roome remains behind And th' only means by which I mind t' auenge this wrong It is by making of thy praise the burden of my song Then why shouldst thou such spite for my goodwill returne Was euer god as yet so mad to make his temple burne My brest the temple was whence incense thou receiu'd And yet thou set'st the same a fire which others would haue sau'd But why should I accuse Aurora in this wise She is as faultlesse as shee 's faire as innocent as wise It 's but through my mis-lucke if any fault there be For she who was of nature mild was cruell made by me And since my fortune is in wo to be bewrapt I le honour her as oft before and hate mine owne mishap Her rigorous course shall serue loyall part to proue And as a touch-stone for to trie the vertue of my loue Which when her beautie fades shall be as cleare as now My constancie it shall be known whē wrinkled is her brow So that such two againe shall in no age be found She for her face I for my faith both worthy to be crownd Madrig 1. WHen in her face mine eyes I fixe A fearefull boldnesse takes my mind Sweet hony loue with gall doth mixe And is vnkindly kind It seemes to breed And is indeed A speciall pleasure to be pin'd No danger then I dread For though I went a thousand times to Stix I know she can reuiue me with her eye As many lookes as many liues to me And yet had I a thousand harts As many lookes as many darts Might make them all to die Sestin 1. HArd is my fortune stormie is my state And as inconstant as the wauing sea Whose course doth still depend vpon the winds For lo my life in danger euery houre And though euen at the point for to be lost Can find no comfort but a flying show And yet I take such pleasure in this show That still I stand contented with my state Although that others thinke me to be lost And whilst I swim amidst a dangerous sea Twixt feare and hope and looking for the houre When my last breath should glide amongst the winds Lo to the sea-man beaten with the winds Sometimes the heau'ns a smiling face will show So that to rest himselfe he finds some houre But nought ay me can euer calme my state Who with my teares as I would make a sea Am flying Silla in Charibdis lost The Pilote that was likely to be lost When he hath scap'd the furour of the winds Doth straight forget the dangers of the sea But I vnhappie I can neuer show No kind of token of a quiet state And am tormented still from houre to houre O shall I neuer see that happie houre When I whose hopes once vtterly were lost May find a meanes to re-erect my state And leaue for to breath foorth such dolorous winds Whilst I my selfe in constancie do show A rocke against the waues amidst the sea As many waters make in end a sea As many minutes make in end an houre And still what went before th' effect doth show So all the labours that I long haue lost As one that was but wrestling with the winds May once in end concurre to blesse my state And once my storme-stead state sau'd from the sea In spite of aduerse winds may in one houre Pay all my labors lost at least in show Song 2. WHil'st I by wailing sought T' haue in some sort asswag'd my griefe I found that rage gaue no reliefe And carefulnesse did but increase my feares Then now I le mourne for nought But in my secret thought Will thesaurize all my mischiefe For long experienc'd wo well witnesse beares That teares cannot quench sighes nor sighs drie teares To calme a stormie brow The world doth know how I did smart Yet could not moue that marble hart Which was too much to crueltie inclin'd But to her rigour now I lift my hands and bow And in her grace will claime no part I take great paines of purpose to be pin'd And onely mourne to satisfie my mind How I my dayes haue spent The heau'ns aboue no doubt they know The world hath likewise seene below Whil'st with my sighes I poyson'd al the ayre Those streames which I augment Those woods where I lament I thinke my state could clearely show By those the same rests registred as rare That such like monstrous things vs'd to declare The trees where I did bide Seem'd for to chide my froward fate Then whisling wail'd my wretched state And bowing whiles to heare my wofull song They spred their branches wide Of purpose me to hide Then of their leaues did make my seate And if they reason had as they are strong No doubt but they would ioyne t' auenge my wrong The beasts in euery glen Which first to kill me had ordain'd Were by my priuiledge restrain'd Who indenized was within those bounds I harbor'd in a den I fled the sight of men No signe of reason I retain'd The beasts they flie not when the hunter sounds As I at mine owne thoughts when Cupid hounds This moues me my distresse And sorrowes sometime to conceale Lest that the torments which I feele Might likewise my concitizens annoy And partly I confesse Because the meanes grow lesse By which I should such harmes reueale Which I protest doth but preiudge my ioy That still do striue my selfe for to destroy All comfort I despight And willingly with wo comport My passions do appeare a sport I take a speciall pleasure to complaine All things that moue delight I with disdaine acquite Small ease seemes much long trauels short A world of pleasure is not worth my paine I will not change my losse with others gaine Here rob'd of all repose Not interrupted by repaire My fancies freely I declare And counting all my crosses one by one I daily do disclose To woods and vales my woes And as I saw Aurora there I thinke to her that I my state bemone When in effect it is but to a stone This my most monstrous ill Compassion moues in euery thing When as I shout the forrests ring When I begin to grone the beasts they bray The trees they teares distill The riuers all stand still The birds my Tragedie they sing The wofull Eccho waites vpon my way Prompt to resound my accents when I stay When wearied
the dregs of sinne A wracke to others to it selfe a shame And as it is most precious if kept pure It is as much abhorr'd if once impure Song 6. WHen silence luls the world asleepe And starres do glance in th' Azure field The mountaines making shadowes ore the plaines All creatures then betake themselues to rest And to the law of nature yeeld Saue I who no good order keepe That then begin to feele my paines For in the Zodiacke of my brest The Sunne that I adore her light reuiues Whilst wearied Phoebus in the Ocean diues The worlds cleare day was night to me Who seem'd asleepe still in a trance And all my words were spoken through a dreame But then when th' earth puts on th' vmbragious maske My passions do themselues aduance And from those outward lets set free That had them earst restrain'd with shame Do set me to my wofull taske Then from the night her priuiledge I take And in dispight of Morpheus I will wake But straight the Sunne that giues melight With many duskish vapors cled Doth seeme to boast me with some feareful storme And whilst I gaze vpon the glorious beames Lo metamorphos'd in my bed I lose at once my shapher sight And taking on another forme Am all dissolu'd in bitter streames Where many monsters bathe themselues anone At which strange sight the Faunes and Satyres mone But whilst I seeke mo springs t' assemble My waters are dride vp againe And as the mightie Giant that Ioue tames I wot not whether if thundred or thundring Against the heau'ns smokes forth disdaine And makes mount Aetna tremble So I send forth a flood of flames Which makes the world for to stand wondring And neuer did the Lemnian furnace burne As then my brest whilst all to fire I turne At last no constancie below Thus plagued in two diuers shapes I 'm turn'd into my selfe and then I quake For this I haue by proofe found worst of all Then do my hopes fall dead in heapes And to b' aueng'd of their ouerthrow Strange troupes of thoughts their musters make Which tosse my fancie like a ball Thus one mishap doth come as th' other's past And still the greatest crosse comes euer last To tell the starres my night I passe And much conclude yet questions do arise I harrengues make though dumbe and see though blind And though alone am hem'd about with bands I build great castels in the skies Whose tender turrets but of glasse Are straight oreturn'd with euery wind And rear'd and raz'd yet without hands I in this state strange miseries detect And more deuise then thousands can effect My Sunne whilst thus I stand perplex'd The darknsse doth Igaine controule And then I gaze vpon that diuine grace Which as that I had view'd Medusaes head Transform'd me once and my sad soule That thus hath bene so strangely vext Doth from her seate those troubles chase The which before dispaire had made And all her pow'r vpon contentment feeds No ioy to that which after wo succeeds And yet those dainties of my ioyes Are still confected with some feares That well accustom'd with my cruell fate Can neuer trust the gift that th' enemie giues And onely th' end true witnesse beares For whilst my soule her pow'r imployes To surfet in this happie state The heau'n againe my wracke contriues And the worlds Sunne enuying this of mine To darken my loues world begins to shine Son 49. I Thinke that Cipris in a high disdaine Barr'd by the barb'rous Turkes that conquer'd seate To re-erect the ruines of her state Comes ore their bounds t' establish beauties raigne And whilst her greatnesse doth begin to rise As sdaining temples built of baser frame She in those rosie snowes t'enstall her name Reares stately altars in thy starrie eyes Before whose sacred shrine deuinely faire Brests boyling still with generous desires Fall sacrific'd with memorable fires The incense of whose sighes endeers the aire In which thy same vnparagond doth flee Whilst thou by beautie beautie liues by thee Son 50. ONce Cupid had compassion of my state And wounded with a wonderfull remorce Vow'd that he would my cruell faire enforce To melt the rigor of her cold conceit But when he came his purpose to fulfill And shot at her a volly from the skies She did receiue the darts within her eyes Then in those cristall quiuers kept them still Who vaunt before they win oft lose the game And the presumptuous mind gets maniest foiles Lo he that thought t' haue triumph'd ore her spoiles But come with pride and went away with shame And where he hop'd t' haue helpd me by this strife He brought her armes wherewith to take my life Son 51. I Dream'd the Nymph that ore my fancie raignes Came to a part whereas I paus'd alone Then said what needs you in such sort to mone Haue I not power to recompence your paines Lo I coniure you by that loyall loue Which you professe to cast those griefes apart It 's long deare loue since that you had my hart Yet I was coy your constancie to proue But hauing had a proofe I le now be free I am the Eccho that your sighes resounds Your woes are mine I suffer in your wounds Your passions all they sympathize in me Thus whilst for kindnesse both began to weepe My happinesse euanish'd with the sleepe Son 52. SOme men delight huge buildings to behold Some theaters mountaines floods and famous springs Some monuments of Monarkes and such things As in the bookes of fame haue bene inrol'd Those stately townes that to the starres were rais'd Some would their ruines see their beautie 's gone Of which the worlds three parts each bosts of one For Caesar Hanniball and Hector prais'd Though none of those I loue a sight as rare Euen her that ore my life as Queene doth sit Iuno in maiestie Pallas in wit As Phoebe chast then Venus farre more faire And though her lookes euen threaten death to me Their threatnings are so sweet I cannot flie Son 53. IF now cleare Po that pittie be not spent Which for to quench his flames did once thee moue Whom the great thunderer thundred from aboue And to thy siluer bosome burning sent To pitie his coequall be content That in effect doth the like fortune proue Throwne headlong from the highest heau'ns of loue Here burning on thy borders I lament The successe did not second my dissigne Yet must I like my generous intent Which cannot be condemn'd by the euent That fault was fortunes though the losse be mine And by my fall I shall be honor'd oft My fall doth witnesse I was once aloft Son 54. GReat God that guides the Dolphin through the deepe Looke now as thou didst then with smiling grace When seeking once her beauties to embrace Thou forc'd the faire Amimone to weepe The liquid monarchie thou canst not keepe If thus the blustring God vsurp thy place Rise and against his blasts erect thy face Let Tritons
That happie happie place Whereas that diuine face Did distribute such grace By pilgrims once as sacred shall be sought When she whom I a long time haue affected Amongst the flowres went forth to take the aire They being proud of such a guests repaire Though by her garments diuers times deiected To gaze on her againe themselues erected Then softly seem'd to say O happie we this day Our worthlesse dew it may Washing her feete with Nectar now compare The Roses did the rosie hue enuy Of those sweet lips that did the Bees deceaue That colour oft the Lillies wish'd to haue Which did the Alablaster piller die On which all beauties glorie did rely Her breath so sweetly smell'd The Violets as excell'd To looke downe were compell'd And so confest what foile they did receaue I heard at lest loue made it so appeare The fethered flockes her praises did proclaime She whom the tyrant Tereus put to shame Did leaue sad plaints and learn'd to praise my deare To ioyne with her sweet breath the winds drew neare They were in loue no doubt For circling her about Their fancies bursted out Whilst all their sounds seem'd but to sound her name There I mine eyes with pleasant sighes did cloy Whose seuerall parts in vaine I striue t' vnfold My faire was fairer many a thousand fold Then Venus when she woo'd the bashfull boy This I remember both with griefe and ioy Each of her lookes a dart Might well haue kill'd a hart Mine from my brest did part And thence retir'd it to a sweeter hold Whilst in her bosome whiles she plac'd a flowre Straight of the same I enuy would the case And wish'd my hand a flowre t' haue found like grace Then when on her it rain'd some hapning howre I wish'd like Ioue t' haue falne downe in a showre But when the flowres she spred To make her selfe a bed And with her gowne them cled A thousand times I wish'd t' haue had their place Thus whilst that senslesse things that blisse attain'd Which vnto me good iustice would adiudge Behind a little bush O poore refuge Fed with her face I Lizard-like remain'd Then from her eyes so sweet a poison rain'd That gladly drinking death I was not mou'd to wrath Though like t' haue lost my breath Drown'd with the streames of that most sweet deluge And might that happinesse continue still Which did content me with so pleasant sights My soule then rauish'd with most rare delights With Ambrosie and Nectar I might fill VVhich ah I feare I surfeiting would kill VVho would leaue off to thinke To moue to breath or winke But neuer irke to drinke The sugred liquor that transports my sprites Son 65. MY face the colours whiles of death displayes And I who at my wretched state repine This mortall vaile would willingly resigne And end my dole together with my dayes But Cupid whom my danger must dismayes As loth to lose one that decores his shrine Straight in my brest doth make Aurora shine And by this stratageme my dying stayes Then in mine eares he sounds th'Angelike voice And to my sight presents the beauteous face And cals to mind that more then diuine grace VVhich made me first for to confirme my choice And I who all those slights haue oft perceiu'd Yet thus content my selfe to be deceiu'd Sonet 66. B. GO get thee heart from hence for thou hast prou'd The hatefull traitor that procur'd my fall H. May I not yet once satisfie for all VVhose loyaltie may make thee to be lou'd B. I le neuer trust one that hath once betraid me For once a traitor and then neuer true H. Yet would my wracke but make thee first to rue That could trust none if thou hadst once dismaid me B. How euer others make me for to smart I scorne to haue an enemie in my brest H. VVell if that thou spoile me I le spoile thy rest VVant I a bodie thou shalt want a heart Thus do th'vnhappie still augment their harmes And thou hast kild thy selfe with thine owne armes Son 67. A. VVHat art thou in such sort that wail'st thy fall And comes surcharg'd with an excessiue griefe H. A wofull wretch that comes to craue releefe And was his heart that now hath none at all A. Why dost thou thus to me vnfold thy state As if with thy mishaps I would imbroile me H. Because the loue I bare to you did spoile me And was the instrument of my hard fate A. And dare so base a wretch so high aspire As for to pleade for interest in my grace Go get thee hence or if thou do not cease I vow to burne thee with a greater fire H. Ah ah this great vnkindnes stops my breath Since those that I loue best procure my death Son 68. I Hope I feare resolu'd and yet I doubt I 'm cold as yce and yet I burne as fire I wot not what and yet I much desire And trembling too am desperatly stout Though melancholious wonders I deuise And compasse much yet nothing can embrace And walke ore all yet stand still in one place And bound on th' earth do soare aboue the skies I beg for life and yet I bray for death And haue a mightie courage yet dispaire I euer muse yet am without all care And shout aloud yet neuer straine my breath I change as oft as any wind can do Yet for all this am euer constant too Son 69. VVHat wonder though my count'nance be not bright And that I looke as one with clouds inclos'd A great part of th' earth is interpos'd Betwixt the Sunne and me that giues me light Ah since sequestred from that diuine face I find my selfe more sluggishly dispos'd Nor whilst on that cleare patterne I repos'd That put my inward darknesse to the flight No more then can the Sunne shine without beames Can she vncompas'd with her vertues liue Which to the world an euidence do giue Of that rare worth which many a mouth proclaimes And which sometime did purifie my mind That by the want thereof is now made blind Son 70. SOme gallant sprites whose waies none yet dare trace To shew the world the wonders of their wit Did as their tossed fancies thought most fit Forme rare Idaeas of a diuine face Yet neuer Art to that true worth attain'd Which Nature now growne prodigall imparts To one deare one whose sacred seuerall parts Are more admir'd then all that Poets fain'd Those bordring climes that boast of beauties shrine If once thy sight enrich'd their soiles my loue Then all with one consent behou'd t' approue That Calidon doth beauties best confine But ah the heau'n on this my ruine sounds The more her worth the deeper are my wounds Son 71. FOr eyes that are deliuer'd of their birth And hearts that can complaine none needs to care I pitie not their sighes that pierce the ayre To weepe at will were a degree of mirth But he ay me is to be pitied most Whose sorrowes
haue attain'd to that degree That they are past expressing and can be Onely imagin'd by a man that 's lost The teares that would burst out yet are restrain'd Th' imprison'd plaints that perish without fame Sighs form'd and smoother'd ere they get a name Those to be pitied are ô griefe vnfain'd Whilst sighes the voice the voice the sighs confounds Then teares marre both and all are out of bounds Son 72. O My Desire if thou tookst time to marke When I against my will thy sight forsooke How that mine eyes with many an earnest looke Did in thy beauties depth themselues embarke And when our lippes did seale the last farewell How loth were mine from those delights to part For what was purpos'd by the panting heart My toung cleau'd to the throat and could not tell Then when to sorrow I the raines enlarg'd Whil'st being spoil'd of comfort and of might As forc'd for to forgo thy beauties light Of burning sighs a volley I discharg'd No doubt then when thou spid'st what I did proue Thou saidst within thy selfe This man doth loue Madr. 2. BEheld'st thou me looke backe at our goodnight O no good night Dismall obscure and blacke Mine eyes then in their language spake And would haue thus complain'd Thou leau'st the hart makes vs depart Curst is our part And hard to be sustain'd O happie heart that was retain'd Alas to leaue vs too there is no Art It in her bosome now should nightly sleepe And we exil'd still for her absence weepe Son 73. WHen whiles thy daintie hand doth crosse my light It seemes an yuorie table for Loues storie On which th'impearled pillars beauties glorie Are rear'd betwixt the Sunne and my weake sight Though this would great humanitie appeare Which for a litle while my flame allayes And saues me vnconsum'd with beauties rayes I rather die then buy my life so deare Oft haue I wish'd whil'st in this state I was That th'Alablaster bulwarke might transpare And that the pillars rarer then they are Might whiles permit some hapning rayes to passe But if Eclips'd thy beauties Sunne must stand Then be it with the moone of thine owne hand Son 74. LO in my Faire each of the Planets raignes She is as Saturne euer graue and wise And as Ioues thunderbolts her thundring eyes Do plague the pride of men with endlesse paines Her voyce is as Apollo's and her head Is euer garnish'd with his golden beames And ô her heart which neuer fancie tames More fierce then Mars makes thousands to lie dead From Mercurie her eloquence proceeds Of Venus she the sweetnesse doth retaine Her face still full doth Phoebe's lightnesse staine Whom likewise she in Chastitie exceeds No wonder then though this in me doth moue To such a diuine soule a diuine loue Son 75. MY faithfull thoughts no dutie do omit But being fraughted with most zealous cares Are euer busied for my loues affaires And in my brest as Senators do sit To my hearts famine yeelding pleasant food They sugred fancies in my bosome breed And would haue all so well for to succeed That through excessiue care they nought conclude But ah I feare that their affections trie In end like th'Apes that whil'st he seekes to proue The powrefull motions of a parents loue Doth oft embrace his young ones till they die So to my heart my thoughts do cleaue so fast That ô I feare they make it burst at last Son 76. WHat fortune strange what strange misfortune erst Did tosse me with a thousand things in vaine Whiles sad despaires confounded did remaine Whiles all my hopes were to the winds disperst Erected whiles and whiles againe renuerst Whiles nurc'd with smiles whiles murther'd with disdaine Whiles borne aloft whiles laid as low againe And with what state haue I not once bene verst But yet my constant mind which vertue binds From the first course no new occurrence drawes Still like a rocke by sea against the waues Or like a hill by land against the winds So all the world that viewes that which I find May damne my destinie but not my mind Son 77. I Long to see this Pilgrimage expire That makes the eyes for to enuie the mind Whose sight with absence cannot be confin'd But warmes it selfe still at thy beauties fire Loue in my bosome did thy image sinke So deepely once it cannot be worne out Yet once the eyes may haue their course about And see farre more then now the mind can thinke I le once retire in time before I die There where thou first my libertie didst spoile For otherwise dead in a forraine soile Still with my selfe entomb'd my faith shall lie No no I le rather die once in thy sight Then in this state die ten times in one night Son 78. I Chanc'd my deare to come vpon a day Whil'st thou wast but arising from thy bed And the warme snowes with comely garments cled More rich then glorious and more fine then gay Then blushing to be seene in such a case O how thy curled lockes mine eyes did please And well become those waues thy beauties seas Which by thy haires were fram'd vpon thy face Such was Diana once when being spide By rash Acteon she was much commou'd Yet more discreet then th' angrie goddesse prou'd Thou knew'st I came through error not of pride And thought the wounds I got by thy sweet sight Were too great scourges for a fault so light Madr. 3. I Saw my Loue like Cupids mother Her tresses sporting with her face Which being proud of such a grace Whiles kist th' one cheeke and whiles the other Her eyes glad such a meanes t' embrace Whereby they might haue me betraid Themselues they in ambushment laid Behind the treasures of her haire And wounded me so deadly there That doubtlesse I had dead remain'd Were not the treason she disdain'd And with her lippes sweet balme my health procur'd I would be wounded oft to be so cur'd Madr. 4. ONce for her face I saw my Faire Did of her haires a shadow make Or rather wandring hearts to take She stented had those nets of gold Sure by this meanes all men t' ensnare She toss'd the streamers with her breath And seem'd to boast a world with death But when I did the sleight behold I to the shadow did repaire To flie the burning of thine eyes O happie he by such a sleight that dies Son 79. THe most refreshing waters come from rockes Some bitter rootes oft send foorth daintie flowres The growing greenes are cherished with showres And pleasant stemmes spring from deformed stockes The hardest hils do feed the fairest flockes All greatest sweetes were sugred first with sowres The headlesse course of vncontrolled houres To all difficulties a way vnlockes I hope to haue a heauen within thine armes And quiet calmes when all these stormes are past Which coming vnexpected at the last May burie in Obliuion by-gone harmes To suffer first to sorrow sigh and smart Endeeres the conquest of a cruell
thine altars smoke Well if that thou haue vow'd not to reuoke The fatall doome that 's farre from all remorce For the last sacrifice my selfe shall smart My bloud must quench my vehement desires And let thine eyes drinke vp my funerall fires And with my ashes glut thy Tygrish heart So though thou at my wonted flames didst spurne Thou must trust those when as thou seest me burne Son 92. I Wot not which to chalenge for my death Of those thy beauties that my ruine seekes The pure white fingers or the daintie cheekes The golden tresses or the Nectard breath Ah they be all too guiltie of my fall All wounded me though I their glorie rais'd Although I graunt they need not to be prais'd It may suffise they be Auroraes all Yet for all this O most ingratefull woman Thou shalt not scape the scourge of iust disdaine I gaue thee gifts thou shouldst haue giuen againe It 's shame to be in thy inferiors common I gaue all what I held most deare to thee Yet to this houre thou neuer guerdon'd me Son 93. VVHilst carelesse swimming in thy beauties seas I wondring was at that bewitching grace Thou painted pitie on a cruell face And angled so my iudgement by mine eyes But now begun to triumph in my scorne When I cannot retire my steps againe Thou arm'st thine eyes with enuy and disdaine To murther my abortiue hopes halfe borne Whilst like to end this long continued strife My palenesse shewes I perish in dispaire Thou loth to lose one that esteemes thee faire With some sweete word or looke prolongst my life And so each day in doubt redact'st my state Deare do not so once either loue or hate Son 94. MIne eyes would euer on thy beauties gaze Mine eares are euer greedie of thy fame My heart is euer musing on the same My tongue would still be busied with thy praise I would mine eyes were blind and could not see I would mine eares were deafe and would not heare I would my heart would neuer hold thee deare I would my tongue all such reports would flee Th' eyes in their circles do thy picture hold Th' eares conducts keepe still ecchoes of thy worth The heart can neuer barre sweet fancies forth The tongue that which I thinke must still vnfold Thy beauties then from which I would rebell Th' eyes see th' eares heare th' heart thinks and tong must tell Son 95. WHile as th'undanted squadrons of my mind On mountaines of deserts reard high desires And my proud heart that euermore aspires To scale the heauen of beautie had design'd The faire fac'd goddesse of that stately frame Look'd on my haughtie thoughts with scorne a space Then thundred all that proud Gigantike race And from her lightning lights throw'd many a flame Then quite for to confound my loftie cares Euen at the first encounter as it chanc'd Th'ouer-daring heart that to th' assault aduanc'd Was cou'red with a weight of huge dispaires Beneath the which the wretch doth still remaine Casting forth flames of furie and disdaine Son 96. FAire Tygresse tell contents it not thy sight To see me die each day a thousand times O how could I commit such monstrous crimes As merit to this martirdome by night Not onely hath thy wrath adiudg'd to paine This earthly prison that thy picture keepes But doth the soule while as the bodie sleepes With many fearefull dreames from rest restraine Lo thus I waste to worke a tyrants will My dayes in torment and my nights in terror And here confin'd within an endlesse error Without repentance do perseuer still That it is hard to iudge though both be lost Whose constancie or crueltie is most Son 97. LOoke to a tyrant what it is to yeeld Who printing still to publish my disgrace The storie of my ouerthrow in my face Erects pale Trophees in that bloudlesse field The world that viewes this strange triumphall arke Reades in my lookes as lines thy beauties deeds Which in each mind so great amazement breeds That I am made of many eyes the marke But what auailes this Tygresse triumph O And couldst thou not be cruell if not knowne But in this meager map it must be showne That thou insultst to see thy subiects so And my disgrace it grieues me not so much As that it should be said that thou art such Son 98. LEt others of the worlds decaying tell I enuy not those of the golden age That did their carelesse thoughts for nought engage But cloyd with all delights liu'd long and well And as for me I mind t' applaud my fate Though I was long in comming to the light Yet may I mount to fortunes highest hight So great a good could neuer come too late I 'm glad that it was not my chance to liue Till as that heauenly creature first was borne Who as an Angell doth the earth adorne And buried vertue in the tombe reuiue For vice ouerflowes the world with such a flood That in it all saue she there is no good Sonet 99. WHilst curiously I gaz'd on beauties skies My soule in litle liquid ruslets runne Like snowie mountaines melted with the Sunne Was liquified through force of two faire eyes Thence sprang pure springs and neuer-tainted streames In which a Nymph her image did behold And cruell she ah that it should be told VVhiles daign'd to grace them with some chearfull beames Till once beholding that her shadow so Made those poore waters partners of her praise She by abstracting of her beauties rayes VVith griefe congeal'd the source from whence they flow But through the yce of that vniust disdaine Yet still transpares her picture and my paine Son l00 AVrora now haue I not cause to rage Since all thy fishing but a frog hath catch'd May I not mourne to see the morning match'd VVith one that 's in the euening of his age Should hoary lockes sad messengers of death Sport with thy golden haires in beauties Inne And should that furrow'd face foyle thy smooth skinne And bath it selfe in th'Ambrosie of thy breath More then mine owne I lament thy mishaps Must he who iealous through his owne defects Thy beauties vnstaind treasure still suspects Sleepe on the snow-swolne pillowes of thy paps VVhile as a lothed burthen in thine armes Doth make thee out of time waile curelesse harmes Son 101. ALL that behold me on thy beauties shelfe To cast my selfe away toss'd with conceit Since thou wilt haue no pitie of my state VVould that I tooke some pitie of my selfe For what say they though she disdaine to bow And takes a pleasure for to see thee sad Yet there be many a one that would be glad To bost themselues of such a one as thou But ah their counsell of small knowledge sauours For O poore fooles they see not what I see Thy frownes are sweeter then their smiles can be The worst of thy disdaines worth all their fauours I rather deare of thine one looke to haue Then of another all that
I would craue Son 102. WHen as that louely tent of beautie dies And that thou as thine enemie fleest thy glasse And doest with griefe remember what it was That to betray my heart allur'd mine eyes Then hauing bought experience with great paines Thou shalt although too late thine errour find Whilst thou reuolu'st in a digested mind My faithfull loue and thy vnkind disdaines And if that former times might be recald While as thou sadly sitst retir'd alone Then thou wouldst satisfie for all that 's gone And I in thy hearts throne would be instald Deare if I know thee of this mind at last I le thinke my selfe aueng'd of all that 's part Elegie 3. IN silent horrors here where neuer mirth remaines I do retire my selfe apart as rage and griefe constraines So may I sigh vnknowne whilst other comfort failes An infranchised citizen of solitarie vales Her priuiledge to plain since nought but plaints cā please My sad conceptions I disclose diseased at my ease No barren pitie here my passions doth increase Nor no detracter here resorts deriding my distresse But wandring through the world a vagabonding guest Acquiring most contentment then when I am rest of rest Against those froward fates that did my blisse controule I thunder forth a thousand threats in th'anguish of my soule And lo lunaticke-like do dash on euery shelfe And conuocate a court of cares for to condemne my selfe My fancies which in end time doth fantasticke try I figure forth essentially in all the obiects by In euery corner where my recklesse eye repaires I reade great volumes of mishaps memorials of despaires All things that I behold vpbraid me my estate And oft I blush within my brest asham'd of my conceit Those branches broken downe with mercie-wanting winds I Obiect me my deiected state that greater fury finds Their winter-beaten weed disperst vpon the plaine Are like to my renounced hopes all scattred with disdaine Lo wondring at my state the strongest torrent stayes And turning and returning oft would scorne my crooked wayes In end I find my fate ouer all before my face Enregistred eternally in th'annales of disgrace Those crosses out of count might make die rockes to riue That this small remanent of life for to extinguish striue And yet my rockie heart so hardned with mishaps Now by no meanes can be cōmou'd not with Ioues thunder claps But in huge woes inuolu'd with intricating art Surcharg'd with sorowes I succomb and senslesly do smart And in this labyrinth exil'd from all repose breath I consecrate this cursed corpes a sacrifice to woes Whilst many a furious plaint my smoaking breast shall breath Ecclips'd with many a cloudie thought aggrieu'd vnto the death With th'eccho plac'd beside some solitary sourse Disastruous accidents shall be the ground of our discourse Her maimed words shal shew how my hurt hart half dies Consum'd with corrosiues of care caractred in mine eyes My Muse shall now no more transported with respects Exalt that euill deseruing one as fancie still directs Nor yet no partiall pen shall spot her spotlesse fame Vnhonestly dishonoring an honorable name But I shall sadly sing too tragickly inclin'd Some subiect sympathizing with my melancholious mind Nor will I more describe my dayly deadly strife My publike wrongs my priuate woes mislucks in loue and life That would but vexe the world for to extend my toiles In painting forth particularly my many formes of foiles No none in speciall I purpose to bewray But one as all and all as one I mind to mourne for ay For being iustly weigh'd the least that I lament Deserues indeed to be bewail'd til th' vse of th' eyes be spent And since I should the least perpetually deplore The most again though maruellous cā be bemon'd no more Son 103. TO yeeld to those I cannot but disdaine Whose face doth but entangle foolish hearts It is the beautie of the better parts With which I mind my fancies for to chaine Those that haue nought wherewith mens minds to gaine But onely curled lockes and wanton lookes Are but like fleeting baites that haue no hookes Which may well take but cannot well retaine He that began to yeeld to th' outward grace And then the treasures of the mind doth proue He who as t' were was with the maske in loue What doth he thinke when as he sees the face No doubt being lim'd by th' outward colours so That inward worth would neuer let him go Son 104. LOng time I did thy cruelties detest And blaz'd thy rigor in a thousand lines But now through my complaints thy vertue shines That was but working all things for the best Thou of my rash affections held'st the raines And spying dangerous sparkes come from my fires Didst wisely temper my enflam'd desires VVith some chast fauours mixt with sweet disdaines And when thou saw'st I did all hope despise And look'd like one that wrestled with despaire Then of my safetie thy exceeding care Shew'd that I kept thine heart thou but thine eyes For whilst thy reason did thy fancies tame I saw the smoke although thou hidst the flame Son 105. SHould I the treasure of my life betake To thought-toss'd breath whose babling might it marre VVords with affection wing'd might flee too farre And once sent forth can neuer be brought backe Nor will I trust mine eyes whose partiall lookes Haue oft conspir'd for to betray my mind And would their light still to one obiect bind VVhile as the fornace of my bosome smokes No no my loue and that which makes me thrall Shall onely be entrusted to my soule So may I stray yet none my course controule VVhilst though orethrowne none triumphs for my fall My thoughts while as confin'd within my brest Shall onely priuie to my passions rest Son 106. A Wake my Muse and leaue to dreame of loues Shake off soft fancies chaines I must be free I le parch no more vpon the mirtle tree Nor glide through th' aire with beauties sacred doues But with Ioues slately bird I le leaue my nest And trie my sight against Apolloes raies Then if that ought my ventrous course dismaies Vpon the Oliues boughes I le light and rest I le tune my accents to a trumpet now And seeke the Laurell in another field Thus I that once as Beautie meanes did yeeld Did diuers garments on my thoughts bestow Like Icarus I feare vnwisely bold Am purpos'd others passions now t' vnfold Song 10. FArewell sweet fancies and once deare delights The treasures of my life which made me proue That vnaccomplish'd ioy that charm'd the sprights And whilst by it I onely seem'd to moue Did hold my rauish'd soule big with desire That tasting those to greater did aspire Farewell free thraldome freedome that was thrall While as I led a solitary life Yet neuer lesse alone whilst arm'd for all My thoughts were busied with an endlesse strife For then not hauing bound my selfe to any I being bound to none was bound to many Great God that tam'st the gods old-witted child Whose temples brests whose altars are mens hearts From my hearts fort thy legions are exild And Hymens torch hath burn'd out all thy darts Since I in end haue bound my selfe to one That by this meanes I may be bound to none Thou daintie goddesse with the soft white skinne To whom so many offrings dayly smoke Were beauties processe yet for to begin That sentence I would labour to reuoke Which on mount Ida as thy smiles did charme The Phrigian shepheard gaue to his owne harme And if the question were referd to mee On whom I would bestow the ball of gold I feare me Venus should be last of three For with the Thunderers sister I would hold Whose honest flames pent in a lawfull bounds No feare disturbs nor yet no shame confounds I mind to speake no more of beauties Doue The Peacocke is the bird whose fame I le raise Not that I Argos need to watch my loue But so his mistris Iuno for to praise And if I with his eyes then it shall be That I with many eyes my loue may see Then farewell crossing ioyes and ioyfull crosses Most bitter sweets and yet most sugred sowers Most hurtfull gaines yet most commodious losses That made my yeares to flee away like howers And spent the spring time of mine age in vaine Which now my summer must redeeme againe O welcome easie yoke sweet bondage come I seeke not from thy toiles for to be shielded But I am well content to be orecome Since that I must commaund when I haue yeelded Then here I quit both Cupid and his mother And do resigne my selfe t' obtaine another FINIS