conscience seekes their conquest to confute At warre was vvit and will for best endevours Contending thoughtes did hold a civill schisme As freezing fittes preceede hoate burning fevors So conscience feeles a shaking paroxisme In vaine doth reason fight with Rhetorisme The weaklig wit constrained is to yeeld And bedlem lust left owner of the field For when hee had a tyme him selfe be thought Right shame and feare exiled from his heart And love with lust a cruell combate fought And strived one the other to converte Then hee began his passions to imparte Yet bent to speake and douptfull of her nay Hee faintes againe and knowes not what to say Then as those cheating mates in conny-catchinge Cogge prate and lie to furnish foorth their feate He beates and settes his braines a brood in hatching Straung sleightes to gaine this more then golden cheate And Epitheme to coole flesh-burning heat At length twixt faltring hope and faint despaire He fawnes he frownes he threates he speakes her faire Sweete ladie now saith he we must enioy thee If no or liues will soone vnbodied be Consent therefore if no vve will destroy thee And say we saw one heere embracinge thee Nay wee will vow by heaven wee did thee see To act adulterouse sinne with some base slaue Then yeeld if thou wilt lief and honor have If thou demaund how our sin-seas'ned hearts VVith out remorse can harbor this misdeed Then know that love and dutie playd their partes VVithin our brests some better thoughts to breed But lust did blot what reason still decreed Thy looke fair ladie worthie to be loved So bownd our hearts they might not be removed Thy stature like the statly Cedar trees Thy peerlesse beautie passing al the rest Thy seemely iestures which each noatâ— and sees These are the thinges enthrall the mightiest And make commaunding monarches to be prest To fall from honor iustice law and right And bannish those which love them out of sight These are the traytors which betray thee now These like false guides do lead vs from the Lord. These thinges make lawfull kinges and Lordes allow Thinges most vnlawfull and to bee abhord What man faire ladie could not well afford To try fell paines to purchaze such a loue Yea pains of death aud thousand perils prove Didst ever read those high conceyted storyes In which the livesâ— of worthy loves are writ If so thou seest the trophies of their glories Weare raysd on loue and how inspir'd with it They pawne their lives by farthest reach of wit To make loves name eternall and admired That else to fame had not with cost bin hired O then but thinke thy Lords are more tormented Who dare suscept more perilles then them all And yet we know our deedes may be repented Sith greater men do take the greatest fall For when they slip the Eccho is not smal That doth reflect their faultes to every eare VVhich makes contented mindes not climb for feare Had not the Charmer beautie vs bee witched VVe should have held the freedom of our state And have bin richly with Gods giftes enriched And never feard the spite of daring fate But why do we our fortunes now relate VVhich may perhapes our rash attemptes ensue VVe came not now our future state to rue But came our over burning hearts to cole Enflamed by reflection of thine eies Let them sweet love be quenched in that poole That may thy Ioachims vse and ours suffice But say the word and we will meanes devise That thou fair dame shalt never be suspected For why our deed to none shall be detected What if thy parentes be right deere vnto thee Thy children deere good Ioachim deerst of all Yet flie faint feare this fact shall not vndo thee Beat down distrust and all his thoughts appall For this misdeed shall not in question call Thy spotlesse fame which all men hold vnfracted And deeds vnknowne are ev'nas thoughtes vnacted Qâ—oth he we both are linially descended From Iuda race kinsmen to Zedechias Thou maist sweet fair in vs be princely frended Yea more if thou wilt bend vnto our byas Thou maist be mother to the great Messias And â—o be famosed by royall birth Of absolute commaunder of the earth Thus fleshly speakes this carnall Cabalist Pawninge his soules deere life to ransom lust Or like a kingdome dreaming Thalmudist That in an eartlhy empyre puts his trust For Iuda scepter then lay in the dust And then as now they hop'd an earthly kinge But to his tale this Sophist more doth singe If treasure want thou shalt haue gold at will Or what thy wish or pleasinge thought desireth If honors hight thie honor lasteth still While secreasie our age and state requireth Yea place and time thie free consent now hireth Thie maides away do winke at thine offence The cloased dores will with thie fact dispence If douptes obiecte our wordes in iest are spoken And that our loue is conninge deeply feigned Then heere by hollyest vow for never broken VVee deeply do protest and vnconstreigned Our suite is loue by true affection trayned Then yeeld if no this armes consent shall drawe For needs wee must and need obeyes no lawe Else if thou dost persist in flat deniall Bee hold extreames at hand thie doome is teemed Adulterie shall breed thie death in tryall So shalt thou dead an hipocrite bee deemed So shall thine end bee infamous esteemed So shalt thou staine thiekin and blud debase Defame thie pheere and bastardize thy race For we vvell knowne graue fathers in the land VVil in thy trial iudge and vvitnesse be By oath of two each verdict giv'n must stand Our selues vvill sweare we found embracing thee A beardlesse groome in foule adulterie Then better twere to liue and haue good name Then haue thy death sepulchred in defame As for our selues we haue at large debated VVhat shame what infamie this fact may gaine How that we may be pointed at and haâ—ed Yea more then pointed daâ—lie die like Cain While drowping life is buried in disdaine A loathsome graue a death far worse then death Because the scandal shal reviue on earth Thus haue we thought what may ensue the deede VVho feares what may be misseth Ladies loue Faint hearted carpet knightes doe seldome speede If feare of what may be doth them reproue No feare shall daunt my heart or may bee moue So strongly hath desire enchaunted me That I must needes embrace mine infamie Sweete let vs then feede on thy coral lippes If that wil not suffice lets farther feede For raging lust hath gotten bedlem whippes And beates our heartes so that the wounds doe bleede And nought can cure them and contentment breede But thine embracings and thy bodies vse Which can recure the hurt procure thy truce Be briefe therefore report to vs thy minde If thou wilt yeeld weele rest thy secret friendes If no thou knowst what friendship thou shalt finde Thou knowst who so against the streame contends Doth striue in vaine his health
Vriahs wife no sure the childe did die That thus was gotten in adultery Yea God did sweare the like disgrace and sword Should light on his for leaving of his word VVhat did prowd Paris gaine to gad to Greece To fet that mynion Menelaus vvife Fames Phoenix beauties saint a peerelesse peece Shee cost a kingdome large and many a life Sardanapalus living voide of strife Became lustes wanton wallowed in her pleasure VVhich life did leese his empire life and treasure And well for if the Lord in wedlocks cause Plague common-weales and play the vanquisher When one fowle fornicator breakes his lawes What shall be done to that adulterer 〈◊〉 stâ—â—kler of this strife and bloody stirre Were he not worthy breeder of this brawle 〈◊〉 end esse death to pine and die for all Your selues of late in practise of the law 〈◊〉 doome of stoning death for like offence 〈◊〉 can desire your heartes from right withdraw That lawlesse now you can with laws dispence What brainsicke humor doth your braines incence To deeme that fact death worthy in an other Which you your selues do foster feed and cover If speeches dâ—â— but breath and labour leese If former 〈◊〉 cannot forwarne your eares Then yet behold I offer on my knees A 〈◊〉 of sigâ—es and stormie teares Pâ—tâ—y the paine that in my looke appeares Let these my wringed hands awake remorse Vse favour good my Lords abuse not force Consider what you are not base borne slaves Buâ— chiefe conductors of Gods chosen sheepe Then as a crâ—zed ship that's tost with waues Doth let the waters at the chinckes in creepe And drown'th her selfe withall in whelming deepe So you the ship wherein your subiectes saile Your subiectes sinke when you beginne to faile Therfore I coniure you by greate Iehove For countries cause for subiectes happinesse Eor your deere soules estate no further moue Mee poore afflicted soule heere succorlesse O do not seeke to drowne me in distresse Least now you see old Sodom flaines descendinge Suppresse your suite serve God who waits amending But what avayles to sownd to beastes retreyt Or quench the blazâ— that burneth in the straw Though Croco diles do weepe they meane deceit Though Lyons cowch they hide a hurtful paw So though these Lordes be moane the teâ—res they saw Commende her zeale extoll her good entent Yet still vntamed lust growes insolent The softest drops do peirce the hardest stoanes Through gentle wordes vngentle heartes will yeeld The tenderest zutho softneth toughest boanes Milde musick can mad beastes allure and weild Then are your stubborne heades so strongly sâ—eeld Or are your heartes so heard so rough so feâ—rce That nought can enter soften season peirce Behold the melting teeres this ladie sheds Behold what greef lies harbord in her heart Behold what modestie her over-spreds Behold how soare the wound vnmade doth smart Behold her soule repining at this parte Behold hart-renting sobbes assault your eies Behold vp heaved handes for mercie cryes But as the wilfull Aspis stoppes her eare VVhen charmers chaunting wordes like baites entise So these enchaunted adders will not heere The wordes of health or wisedomes sound advise So bendded will is bent to winne the price That neither may this ladies plaint or moane Make pitty pierce their heartes more hard then stone For when her hearts deepe oracles were ended And that they saw such resolution in her VVhile chastest faire faire chastitie defended Gainst those who sought with fawning wordes to win her As farre from hope as though they had not seene her Perswaded now faint means would marre their matter Her with strong hands weak fort they seeke to batter For savage Satyre-like they vvould vncover VVhat bashfull nature biddeth secreat hide And close as hungrie Ravens they doe hover To doe that great disgrace shee may not bide But when shee saw foule lust was at full tide And that her lingring girles did stay so long Shee cride amaine before shee felt the wrong Helpe helpe shee saith helpe helpe I am vndone O helpe a wofull wretch in wretched case At which her crie the iunior iudge doth ronne And open settes the garden dore apase As if some fellon fled out of the place And shee for helpe doth not so often crie But they as fast stop keepe the thiefe doth flie The servantes netled with this suddaine noyes Of help help help stop keepe the theif doth flie Ronne to the posterne gate maydes men and boyes To find the author of this mutinie The cursed cause of that lamenting crye VVho staring gazing gaping ronne aboute Like men amazde to find their mistresse out At length they do desire their ladie faire Her beautie blemished with blubbring teeres As Phebe mantled with the mystie aâ—re VVith watrish beames vnto the sight appeeres Officious dutie bids her bannish feares Relate her hap and let her heart be stronge VVhere hands and hearts are vowd to right her wrong But shee good ladie that did deeme her groomes Vnequall vmpires of her high disgrace Leaves her bad hap vnto theâ— better doomes And by her selfe aloane with-drawes the place And beares her greif imprented in her face That loachims eie might see and seeing rew Her wronged faith in her deformed hewe VVho when he saw his love and his lives breath To quake in ev'ry parte as palsie shaken And cheeke and lip to looke as pale as death VVhome fresh life feeding humour had forsaken Himselfe by fainting feare is overtaken But when he sees her sinkinge to the ground With girdling armes he doth embrace her rovnd And sobbing wordes through his tongue stopping teeres He saith O sweete sweete heart vnfolde thy griefe O speake my loue and bannish bashfull feeres Heere is a hand shall yeeld thee lardge reliefe VVhose hearts true tenure holdes of thee in chiefe If all the world should vowt ' ware wrong'd by thee Yet should it not appeare a wrong to me At vvhich his quickning wordes as Phoebus shine With powerfull beames and heat vegetatiue Vnshrowdes the earth from her congealed shrine And makes the wythering shrubbe and grasse reviue So shee begins to spring and seeme aliue And vvith her faltring tongue yet all a mort Of traitrous men doth render true report And as we blame misfortunes in their bringers Shee blames her maides as fawtors of her wrong Shee feeles impatient fittes and they her fingers That durst neglect their due returne so long Whose sad excuse permixt with teares amonge To seeke the thinges her selfe had laide amisse Return'd her selfe the blame that wrong'd her blisse Meane time the vnresolved servaunts feare it VVhat spitefull ill their lady did surprize And though their itching eares did long to heare it Yet a king heartes did rather sympathize Then know from whence their passions did arise At length with bashfull boldnesse and good grace They aske the seniors of their mistrisle case VVhose irefull eies when first they did behold This giddie rowt to presse with speed in place Did first condemne their deede as overbold VVhile fainting
EVSTATHIA or the CONSTANCIE OF SVSANNA CONTAINING THE PRESERvation of the Godly subversion of the wicked precepts for the aged instructions for youth pleasure with profitte Penned by R. R. G. Dominus mea rupes Printed at Oxford by Joseph Barnes and are to be solde in Paules church-yarde at the signe of the Bible 1599. TO THE RIGHT VERTVOVS AND modest Gentlewoman Mistris M. B. wife to the Right worshipfull D. B. Esquier R. R. wisheth the etetnizing of her vertues by the daily practise of her christian life ALthough right worshipfull my longer silence mighte iustly indite me either of ingratitude or forgetfulnes in Senecaes censure the greater of the two yet I not great in fortunes grace younge in yeares and not ripe in experience vvas fully resolued to trauerse the indictmeÌ„t vntill more store of wealth graver age greater practise might warrant meÌ„ to performe that indeed which now I can but promise in conceipte And in that resolution considering the vndigested method was fiâ— meate for foule-mouthed Momus and the Rhetoricall dogge I determined to make an herâ—â—icke of this illiterate paÌ„phlet commit it to the fire but yet respecting the goodnesse of the argument the greatnes of your vertues and many thanke-worthy benefites bestowed both by your selfe and your right worshipfull husbande I fell from this faint determination to a second and more sound resolution Phaeton-like to carry Atlas his burden and rather to hazarde a faulte in manners then incurre a blemish in nature rather by beeing to bolde to make you the patrones of so simple a worke then by silence to seeme vnthankâ—full And albeit in performing heereof I shall rather wronge my selfe in bewraying mine owne weakenesse then righte your worshippe in yeelding a fit worke â—unswerable to your vvorth yet my heartes hope is that as â—he christall stone illustrated by the glorious beames doth render â—ome though meane reflex of the suns immensitie so my selfe exâ—osed to your benefites may heereby make some though small reâ—urne of your vndeserved bounty And although the treatise â—eeme harsh and may dislike you because it came not from Pernasâ—us mountaine yet I doubt not but you will nourish it for the hill Syons sake a speciall obiect of your godly minde from whence by â—nduction it is derived The method I confesse is the more absurde by reason it was ordered without advice since my comming into the country where as the Persians vsed to whittle little stickes to keep themselues from idlenesse so my selfe to banish sloath haue at idle â—howers bâ—sied my head and hand to whittle out this simple exercise nothing doubting but that time will one day furnish mee with opportunitie and practise with sufficiencie to pen a more perfect volume worthier your vertuous view And hoping in the meane time that you Penelope like in the absence of your Vlysses will allow of this vouchsafe the reading and accept in kindenes what I offer in duety I leaue your worshippe to the ancient of daies to prolonge your life in all happines Your worships vnworthy yet worthely bounden ROBERT ROCHE To the Reader SVSANNA heere walkes forth the way to glory To shew her constancie and spotlesse fame If any fault escape her faultlesse story The fault is mine on me bestow the blame Which would her teach before I could attaine Well tuned verse or moralizing vaine Were shee or no were Ioachim her goodman Had Iewes iuditiall law and Sanhedrin To iudge of life in stately Babilon Were Daniell hence first knowne a Sambethin Were hee a childe when hee so well presaged Or termed so compared to these aged Were these two segniors heere base slaues to sin Achab and Tzidkâ—ja in Ieremie Fell this before or when full thrall was in Or Cirus reigne as some doe verefie Did all things passe as they haue past the pen Or poeme-like to better liues of men These things I leaue to iudgement of the wise Gray headded Senate of our graue divines If I should iudge I should but preindize And with erronious letters fill my lines It me contentes that well I may avow The stories subiect such as most allow Expect not heere th'invention or the vainâ— Of Lucrece rape-write or the curious scan Of Phillis friend or famous fairy Swaine Or Delias prophet or admired man My chicken fethered winges no ympes enrich Pens not full sum'd mount not so high a pitch Let Colin reare his flight to admiration And traine his louely flocke his pipe to follow Let Damons reach out-reach all imitation And frame melodious hymneâ— to please Apollo The swaine that pend this pastorall for Pan Thought once to end his worke ere begaâ— For while I ment to streigne these sorie noates Past Diapent vnto a Diapason There fell a chaunce within our seely coates Both graeat and suddaine able to amaze 〈◊〉 When mourning Mopsus cride leaue of thy play Shift noates a side flinge pipe and all away Cease seely man pull downe thy wonted pride Enioine thy muse to mourne and pen to moane As did Amintas when good Phillis dide For thou art quite forlorne and left aloane Sith Thestilis thy Thestilis hath left thee While death of greatest iewell hath bereft thee For Thestilis was shee which ioâ—'d thy springing Who eake allow'd thee breath to blow thy pipe And idle time to whistle and be singing And bred thee vp till thou were waxâ—n ripe Th' Elixir of thy life in loue was sheâ— Whose coine did quiâ—tessence thy muse and thee Whose knight-riv'd birth gaue blazon to thy bloud Whose godly end doth endlesse heere abide Yet wanting her thou wantest all thy good As doe more flockes the damme and lambes beside Whom ioyfull Thomas hath good will to vease From fruitfull lawnes vnto a shorter lease This vncouth newes did so my sences lame That though sweete Cynthius sold me by the eare My musicke after went in worser frame And as my musicke was such was my cheere My looke vnlusty countenaunce abated Minde make-content muse weake and overmateâ— Yet did I singe my sorrowes to an ende An ende betakes the longest tided day And to a vertuous patronesse commende My homly verse and rusticke roundelay Whose godly zeale equivalent with Hanna Will not disdâ—igne to countenaunce Susanna R. R. Coricaeus to the Author I seated late in leasures lappe Had leasure to pervse Thy Firstling term'd thy Susans constancie And at the swelling titles Promise long did muse Which how perform'd let others iudge not I Who spent my thoughtes to be thy warning spie That iudgement darst provoke by bolde attempt When time from tongues no writer doth exempt While deepe conceited critique wittes Of this our daintie time Doe like no birdes but what themselues haue hatched They loue no pleasant prose Are discontent with rime But what they please all Poems else are patched Which humors still with discontent are matched And wayward discontent the censors bowe To quippe they care not whome they care not how Sometimes whole heapes of idle wordes They quarle are cast away
booke had rest and needle leaue to play Doth entertaine her thoughtes with some discourse From Adams age vntill that present day And oft recountes Ierusalems decay Whilst eke by cunning art chorographie He doth present the citie to her eie These lines saith he describe it triplewald Aleph the plot where stoode the temple great Beth Sion castle Davids citie cald Guemell the Senate house and iudgement seate Daleth the market place He Mathkad streate And so by letters of her Alphabet He pointeth out where every place was set And streete by streete recounteth till he came To say heere stoode my there he speechlesse then Could not pronounce my house teares stopt the same Whilst from his hand he flings he pointing pen And falling from his matter vnto men He curseth both the auctors and the sin The breeders of the bondage he is in For while sweete Suse saith he we feard the Lord And did his lawes and sacred hestes obey So long he was our shield our speare our sword Our castle fort and bulwarke day by day Philistin Ammon Aegypt beare no sway Not Assur nor fell Syrian with his bandes Or sun-burnt Aethiop could subdue our landes But vvhen our rulers all vvere out of rule VVhen prince and priestes and people everychone VVere irreligious like the lust-led Mule Pleased in sin and vile pollution Then kindled vvrath then vvas our vvoe begon Then did he giue vs over for a pray In Chaldean noates to sol fa weale avvay Yet though he hath vs bruz'd vve are not broken Or left as out-castes in the eies of men Sith by his spirit-taught prophets he hath spoken That at the end of threescore yeares and ten Our seed shall sit in Sion gates age'n Thy selfe but young maist liue to see the day Our stooping age hath hopelesse natures nay Meane time liue mindefull of thy latter end Thou maist die young once old canst not liue long Content thy selfe in state that God doth send In svveetest ioies expect some sovver among The vvorldes svveete smiles are as the Syrens song And humaine pomp is as a vvhirling blast Soone gone and saunce recall vvhen once tis past Yea man himselfe is as a raine bred bubble VVhose shape though it be like t' Hemâ—spheer sky Yet if a vvindy blast the vvater troble It doth revert to vvater by and by And leaues alone the vaine-beholding eâ—e Such is Susanna deere thy present state A shade a dreame a vvriting vvanting date Learne then svveete soule to loath things pleasing vaine Learne then to loue thy soules long lasting health Learne then to knovv thy God and him to gaine VVhich vvell thou maist if first thou knovv thy selfe VVhich is indeede more peere-lesse far then pelfe Seeme lesse to none then to thine ovvne conceipt self-Selfe-loue a servile foe on fooles doth vvaite Embrace Gods promises hold fast thy hope Measure thy life by line of sacred law Containe thine actions all vvithin this scope Be not secure but standing stand in avve Least thine affections thy zeale vvith-dravv And still svveete loving lamb in age and youth VVith stedfast constancie professe the truth Yeeld vs thy parentes ay a lovvly heart In guerdon of the loue vve beare to thee Offend not friendes let betters haue their part Be carefull of thy name as of thine eie Let loue of fame prevent all infamie Ill company avoide as from the divell If thou vvilt free thy life and actes from evill Remember vvench thou readest in thy booke Tvvo thinges the ornamentes of may den head To haue a shamefast eie and sober looke And other tvvo if that thou hap to vved Good name and chastitie to bring to bed Assure thy selfe the owner of these fower Is godly faire and hath a vvorthy dovver Delight not childe in braue and rich aray To prune thy selfe as if thou were imprented Be sâ—emely not a slut be graue not gay With cleanly comelinesse be still contented Be not fond sicke with fashions new invented For tis but superfluitie of pride To haue a fashon-coyner for thy guide Excessiue neatnesse is a badge of evill An antsigne of a light vnstable head An angling hooke and engine for the divell To catch such fooles as are by fancie lead A moath that fretteth till thy wealth be dead VVhile backe doth make the belly to be sterved VVhich matrons eie should see to be preserved Then is shee cald a huswife comely dame Whilst cleanly fine is voide of curious partes Then which in time was not a better name VVhen golden world did want prides painting artes VVhen plaine content possest the country heartes VVhen hospitalitie did feele no lacke And was not climbde from table to the backe If that thy neighbours doe possesse good name Doe thou not envie at their worldly blisse Nor be thou light to credite every fame Reportes doe often hit and often misse Of all thinges iudge the best for best it is VVith sober looke be courteous vnto all VVith few familiar be or none at all Hide not a wanton heart with modest eie Say not thy Psalter in the divelles booke Take heede beware of such hypocrisie He is no saint that saintishnesse forsooke Be more severe in life then in thy looke And when thine eares haue heard what other say Allow thy tongue abridle and a stay Learne good things with good vvill instruct the weake Comfort the comfortlesse in their distresse Stop not thine eare when pining-poore doth speake Hate with thine heart sin-breeding idlenesse Let thrifty minde be free from all excesse Craue not too much if riches once arise Obserue a meane and let inough suffice And if thou covet honest exercise Then read good bookes such as our Rabbies pen Or vse such dâ—mes as well can matronise With honest mirth amongst the godly men With due regard of seemely where and when And to conclude where so thou hap to dwell Loue thou thine house as snaile doth loue the shell Thus did Helchia painefull father teach His Susan deere sweete obiect of his eie Her mother daily ceased not to preach The like preceptes of grace and modestie And oft would heere how well shee would replie What time her heart reioiced for to see So witty answeres with like guise agree VVhile shape did hold Symmetricall estate Her manners mated vvith a gallant grace Her beauty feature fine did emulate VVith speech composed and vvith sober pase And this decorum sitting in her face The whole and partes resembled and were like To perfect numbers in Arithmetike And shee thus trained from her tender yeares Became in time to reape her iust renowne In all respectes so far surpast her peeres Of equall age and vvealth within the towne That every vvay her praises put them downe Whilst wantons bent to play and idle pleasure Shee train'd her thoughtes to seeke eternall treasure Whereby it came to passe that envie fell Pursuing vertue with great eagernesse When they could not come neere began to swell And with fine tauntes to make her praises lesse Some
stoppe Hight Remora much like the seelie snaile Can stay the ship of loftie tallest toppe Gainst force of oares and furious winded saile So some whose fame high fortune could not faile Amidst their happiest course are forst to staie By lust-fed loue or else as weake delay So sovereignes oft come subiectes to their sin Whilst those that should not soonst are slaues to lust Men what they must not most are prone to win Which makes trimme vertue dragled in the dust When rulers are as yron worne vvith rust Consum'd with loue then countries fall to sinne As heere you see these iudges doe beginne VVho oft were bent by reasons Ecstasis VVith club-fist violence and clownish force To breake into that princelie Pyramis And batter downe her wel-built walles perforce If milde entreatie might not moue remorse Or bold perswasions blinde the eies of reason Or subtile feates surprise the fort by treason Thus oft they ment to make a rash assault More oft they seeke vile opportunitie And most doe muse how they maie cloake the fault If mad desire accomplished might be Their withered hoping hearts thinke long to see The fruit of their vntimelie sprowting lust Th' event whereof they held in deepe distrust Each daie these graybeardes kisse the garden dore To see at least the shadow of their Saint And through the slender crannies prie and pore To feede the humor that doth make them faint So doth her peerelesse hue their eies attaint That aie to gaze on her they doe require As on sweete speckled Panthers beastes desire Each daie for fervent loue of this faire goddesse They gad on pilgrimage to her sweete shrine Each daie fowle lust did feede in fainting bodies On fresh recording of her beauties shine Each day they be repleate and yet doe pine While outward obiect nursing inward anguish Abates the looke and makes the life to languish Thus doth delay not lessen but increase The furious fittes of their rebellions soare And though they would a parlee for their peace Yet want they meanes her favour to implore VVhich makes them wish to be within the dore VVith her alone that they might worke their vvill To pray or force her to that cursed ill They wondred greatly at each others griefe Yet want the skil the secret cause to know Though friendly hand be prest to yeeld reliefe Yet singred pulse cannot bewray their woe And shame doth blush such shamefull partes to shew While neither knowes that either is entangled With that sharpe hooke wherewith himselfe is angled Til time that pend the prologue in this play And did pretend some pleasing comedy By stately rufling actors did bewray Shee ment to staine the stage and standers by VVith tragique bloud in fel Catastrophie And sending opportunitie with speede To fit occasion bids them both proceede For on a day vvhen Cynthius lampe of light Had with his golden beames embost the skie And climbing from the circle-bounding sight Neere to the noone-steed line vvas mounted hie VVhen Nature did on customes lore relie To vnder-propt her weakenesse with repast That now grew faint and feeble with long fast Then at kind Ioachims gates these seniors part Vâ—trustie traitours to so true a friend And to their several houses doe revert But leaue in pawne vnbodied hearts behinde Not where it liues but loues remaines the minde They doe repose their friend-shippe on their foe They leaue sweete life in gage yet home they goe VVhere lazie rest did ransacke all their vaines Choice of delightes doe breed no choice of ease The wayward worme vvithin their adled braines Was nibling still nothing but one could please The feathered seate doth seeme a nest of fleas The princely banquets held a homely diet The Doricke musicke makes the minde vnquiet The cookes controld the meate not seasoned well The courtly waitor seemes a cartly clowne The fragrant odors yeeld a loathsome smell Who looketh sad he thinkes on him doth frowne Who laughes out-right doth envie his renowne Who wispreth in the â—are doth him reproue Who praiseth beauty robbes him of his loue His loue not shee graue ladie first his loue Whose breasts did breed youthes sweet conteÌ„tments wel His eies as blinde in choice he doth reproue For Ioachims choice all choices doth excell His neighbours sheepe not his must beare the bell Sweete Susan none but shee is worthy honor His Debora not worthy to waite on her Fond testy wayward waspish out of tune His giddy head doth tosse his trencher round His hastie heart is fierce doth fret and fume His knife doth â—eele his passions to abound His restlesse foote doth graâ—e the harmelesse ground Each punct of time doth seeme a lingring morrow The meale is short when as the sawce is sorrow Therefore to seeke more ease in pleasing place They post alone vnto the garden dore VVhere one of them not staide a breathing space But that his corryvall is come to shore VVhere never boath till then did meete before And then to soone for false occasion then Did plot the fall of these vnfaithfull men For train'd by time each one acquaintes the other Hâ—w beauties blaze in Susans modest eie Had set drie lust on fire vvhich did not smother VVithin their withered breastes but burning flie Like fierie dragon in the flaming skie Which forst them to forget their God their king And binde best hope vnto a hopelesse thing They pause a space what best to doe resolving Like two fiâ—rce Beares of greedie appetite Devising meanes and in their mindes revolving If that shee will not wrong her Ioachims right They would enforce her then by force and might Yet heere a guiltie conscience laies a barre To stop this course and their devises marre Saith one of them shall we commit this evill Shall freemen borne be bond-slaues vnto sinne Shall we embrace the flesh to kisse the Divell Shall we controlling vice to vice beginne Shall we so famous thus defame our kinne My Lord we must suppresse these prowd assaults Else shall we great ones make the greater faultes The rule by vvhich all other rules are tried Must beare a true proportion every way And vvant the smallest faultes that maie be spied So kings and seniors that doe beare the sway Must liue to rule and yet the lawes obey Else how should they blacke sin rebuke and blame VVhen they themselues are guilty in the same A mole is speed'lie spied in the face VVhen in the bodie blaines are vnperceaved One seely misâ—e will yeeld vs more disgrace Then though the vnderâ—ing and poore aggrieved VVere of al roiall vertues quite bereaved For rulers are the looking-glasse the booke In which all subiects eies doe reade and looke O let vs then remember theres a God A God whose searching eie hath deepest seeing A God whose providence doth never plod A God in whom we moue and haue our being A God to whom each sinne is disagreeing A God that will not winke at this misdeede A God that will inflict revendge vvith speede
Yea while her silent heart doth thankes record Her restlesse notes do reach beyond the skie VVhose endlesse ioy was in her gratious Lord. To him in hymnes and tuned psalmodie VVhich did transmute her mones to melodie shee giues the glorie of her victories As David when he foyld his enemies The mighty Lord saith shee Is my defence and might My king my guide my God My champion for to fight The combate of my truth and conscience triall He is my Anchor-hold My refuge rest and port My horne of saving health and eke my strongest fort Gainst whose coÌ„mand there standeth no denial VVhen over-flowing floodes Of raging fierce despight And great commaund of Lordes And men of power and might With dreadful threats of death did make me quiver I did implore his aide In deepenesse of distresse VVho heard my â—ust complaint And wrought my due redresse He sent me aide and did my soule deliver On him therefore I will In danger crie and call VVho can both heere and helpe He heeres and helpeth all He none but he is worthie to be praised Deathes swallowing sorrowes hem'd Me round on ev'rie side VVith renting paines of hel In danger to haue dide But he my life from ravening graâ—e hath raised He from my strongest foes Hath set me captiue free Because he had a loue And favour vnto me WhoÌ„ cunningly they sought to haue prevented But while he held me vp I could not swaie nor swarue They sought in vaine to spill The thing he did preserue And so to late their labour lost repented By him I made escape From handes of Tyrantes stout His power did put them downe And helpe his hand-maide out That power also will strongly keep them vnder He trampleth with his feete Bold traitours that rebell He makes their hurtfull tongues Their owne destruction tell Thus for his saintes he acteth workes of wonder VVhose workes are all divine VVhose mercies manifold His waies past finding out his word as finest gold His iudgement iust his providence vnspotted O let thine arme O Lord My feeble hand susteine O let thy holy sp'rite VVithin my heart remaine O let thy loue be still to me allotted I looke with wakefull eles Vnto thine holy lawes Thy statutes are my staffe And stay in ev'ry cause To doe thy will my will I finde affected That which I see is ill And hatefull in thy sight That doe I seeke to shun And flie with maine and might Least that my soule by sin should be infected Thou art a living God O blest be thou my king VVhich hast thy servant freed From tempting Sathans sting And reard my fame on high by wicked wroÌ„ged And hast confounded them That sought my greatest ill By working of my heart Vnto a wicked will To act such lewd designes as lust had longed They fought to end my life And gaue me doome to die Because my holy faith I would not falsifie Pretending right they worke what wrong them listed They vsed power to put Integritie to shame And ment an innocent To burie in defame Hadst thou not Lord their iudgement false resisted Thus hast thou bin my God Most mercifull to me Not wonne by my desert But of thy mercie free My workes I know deserue to be reiected But thy kinde promise made To helpe the godlie heartes Doth binde thee more then all Our deedes or good desertes To keepe protect and saue thy saintes elected Therefore I will sowne foorth Thy praise to ev'rie eare And shew thine endlesse power To nations farre and neere To Sathans and his kingdomes great confusion I haue bin am and will Remaine thine handmaide still Mine heart my thoughtes mine eies Shall waite vpon thy will This is my vow and setled resolution Thus did shee spend her following time of life In heavens contemplation and delight And lived long a ioious happie wife Of passing cariage and a worthie wight A foe to frawd and fastest friend to right VVho living in the world no worldling was But prest to bring a world of good to passe And as a bird escaped from the ginne Thinkes ev'ry bended twigge to be a trappe So shee that dangerously had snared bin VVith true remembrance of her former hap Surveâ—es her steppes to shunne each afterclap And feares to giue a fawning eie good grace In old or young in noble or in base At length when age had plotted lifes decay And sicknesse wrought in weakenesse more and more And that shee thought death had no long delay Shee cald her children taught in godlie lore And did bestow these precepts kept in store VVho come in place with dutious loving hearts Shee thus to them her carefull minde impartes Deare children cease with sad lamenting griefe And malancholicke moanes to waile my state Your sobbing hearts doe yeeld me no reliefe But vexing torments in my heart innate Leaue then for plaintes and teares are not in date No no if they could life in body hold VVeaye would weepe we would buy teares for gold But vaine it is to kicke against a pricke And sinne to take Gods scourge impatiently My debt to death to pay I must not sticke For why you know that all are borne to die Then must I yeeld for ther's no remedie And pay my due that I to nature owe For time requires and God will haue it so The strongest Lyon stoopes to conqu'ring death The aged oake at length doth change his hue In time the long liv'd Phoenix leeseth breath Thrice aged Enoch yeeldes to natures due Sith then tis so and what I saie is true And time doth trie that all things must decaie Then sure I know I haue not long to staie Therefore marke well the counsaile that I giue Revolue it in your mindes my children deere For it shall most prevaile if that you liue VVhen friends and worldly goods you haue not heere First worship God and to his lawes giue eare Set him your load-starre and your lampe of light His lawes the line to lead your liues aright Vse diligence in doing of your dueties To those superiours rulers over you Doe good to all bend thereto all your studies Sing not the Syrens song that proues vntrue Though trothlesse Absalon be faire in view VVith Ionathan doe faithfull still remaine Shun Ismaels bloudie teares and subtill braine Plaie not the cowards in your countries good Spend in her canse your deerest breath and wealth And though prosperitie hath you withstood And frowning world denies gal-sugred pelfe Be not dismaide esteeme your heav'nlie health For that shall yeeld you comfort in distresse VVhen world and friends haue left you comfortlesse Flie still aspiring mindes yet seeke renowne VVin it by vertue and by manly might Franke not rebellious flesh but keepe it downe Like not those painted dames that doe delight Lyllies are fowle in smell though faire in sight And though they tice with baites with teeres with moanes Yet minde that painted tombes haue rotten bones My sonnes if you must liue in wedlocke bandes Loue for vertue
Ev'n when they ment most finely foote the Ball. And so haue mist the goale and to their cost Lament too late things past recovery lost Yea some which seeme in shevv to seeke it most â—n secret heart proue trevants treasure wasters One seely thought marres all the maiden bost Which soone betides these great tentation tasters Yea tis a booke-case pend by our great masters In vaine chast flesh a mayden name doth win Where yeelding thoughts haue given consent to sin All are not maides that vow they vvill not wed All are not virgins that are maides esteemed All are not chast that shun the nuptiall bed All are not true Dianaes that are deemed Chast Sara was not single when shee seemed Abused Thamar wore a virgins weede And might haue cloak'd false Amnons foule misdeede A droane doth sometimes in a bees place stand The single life no seale of maiden head Some batch'lers be but traitours in the band Worse foes to virgin wealth then those that wed Who when the foe appeares their force is fled Like Gedeons host faint cowardes prone to yeeld Scant one of ten is chosen for the field Yet quaint encomiast-like with wordes at wil You paint them out with praises at your pleasure VVhile making hast to preconize your skill You make the coate before you take the measure And to entize young tyrons with your treasure Like gold-sicke Alcumistes you pamper in A golden tincture on a peece of Tin VVhat praise peculiar to the thing you paint Which fits not modest mariage more divine Yet to canonize maiden-head a saint You put no ods betweene the saint and shrine To make a painted brow the brighter shine You parasite with praises to her face And causlesse clowd dame wedlocke with disgrace Nay rather say this buxome pleasing wife VVhile shee her toilesome fieldes of houshold tilleth And weanes her children to a Godly life In this her care the Lordes behest fulfilleth Sith that shee doth the thing his wisedome willeth And therefore well may take the vpper-hand Of her vvhose warrant hath not one command Nay rather reason mariage preservation Is lawded loved honored far and neere VVhose sacred rightes haue solemne observation VVhose ancient priviledge hath not his peere VVhose daily fruites are dainties held most deere And adde the cause for which shee is required The most commodious things are most desired VVhat if her house be neighbour to annoyes The blame be theirs not hers that dwelleth by them For if we walke in faire and easie waies That haue some noysome brambles growing nie them That rent our cloathes before we can descrie them The fault is not in fairenesse or the way But our owne folly or the brambles stay In Breschith booke it resteth in record Reporting Register of mans creation That when great Ihova by his powerfull word Made shapelesse man to his owne shape and fashion He first gaue nuptiall rightes for propagation As glorious ground-worke where he vvould begin That building which his prescience laboureth in And did in blessing knit this sociall band Endowd vvith vvorldly empire and earthes treasure Whilst purest nature did vnstained stand In easterne Eden place of passing pleasure When giving Adam of his Evahâ— seasure Ioind two in one inseperable vnion To represent him and his church communion Yea vvhen false man fell to Apostasie Misled by Sathan and his owne freewill Had spoild himselfe and plagu'd his progeny And chang'd his seas of ioies for flouds of ill The matrimoniall state continued still A mithredate to cure sius poysned sting The Bezoar stone that should healthes blessing bring For as a playster to repell despaire Paine ceasing med'cine to an aking sore God promise made that Eve should haue an heire Should bruze hell-serpents head and make him rore And to repaire those ruins added more To faithâ—ull Abr'am when he thus professed That in his seede all nations should blessed VVhen eake loves hot-spur Lamech over bold VVith one sweete fayre could not fowle lust suffice But let desire go loose and vncontrold And chose him mates in number to his eies VVhilst following age was wedded to his guise True wedlocke went to wracke and nature then Straunge mixtures made straung monsters out of men It greived God to see vngratfull man Pollute the earth with rape and ravishment VVhile to sweete bayted sin all headlong ran Ne would in time become true penitent Hee like a champion full of discontent VVith wreakful waters did these wicked wast Not one preserued but the wedded chast And as it were a warning heereto made VVhen nature ruld with law nunâ—npative How sore hee did detest flesh-mongers trade Fell traytors that do wedlocks wracke contriue From Sodoms flames he kept chast fower alive So to preserve chast Saraes bed vnspotted Hee plagued kings whom beautie had bee sotted But in the true transcript of Goddes owne hand Transplendant star how bright doth wedlocke shine Hee vnderprops her empire with commannd Dyrectes her lore with lawes as with a line Condemnes to death her subiectes that decline And when her peace is rent by ielous iarres Hee sets the way to cease her civill warres And vvhile her lasting glasse of glory ronnes He blots her foes faire brow with fowle disgraces But doth vouchsafe to call her children sonnes Enfranchizing her fruit with freedomes mace Doth nicke their counterfeit with name of base As slips of sin and fruites of basest folly Whose rootes he rooteth out as seede vnholly And that fierce Mars with sterne and sower aspect Should nothing hinder Venus influence He Mars his might doth countermaund and checke But gâ—ues her power protection and defence In maryed mates to act benevolence When to the Brides faire groome for loue he spares One yeare exempt from warres and worldly cares Even so the nations led by natures light Din sâ—intilles of the soules synterisis Did patron ze her peace with good fore-sight And to maintaine her princely port in blisse Restrain'd with lawes wild lust that walkes amisse Denouncing death or danger to her foes That darst gainst their states friend themselues appose Thus hath all times and tongues well entertained her Gods faithfull servant and mans fastest friend And those condemn'd to shame that haue disdeign'd her And if I augure right shall to the end When man in vaine doth gainst the Lord contend Ne can the state or pollititian misse her While he for his sweete Sions sake doth blisse her VVhose company giues comfort in distresse Two heades at neede yeeld more advice then one Two walkers in the way may falles redresse Two bodies sooner warme then post alone Two hands to helpe are better far then none How man man misse her comfort doe her right To passe the lingring day or tedious night Shee concord doth augment by consanguinity Sometimes shee standes the counterpawne of peace Shee doth enlardge loues boundes by new affinitie Shee arbitrating vmpire warres doth cease Shee still imploies the common-wealthes increase Her ympes in youth are loues sweete pawnes and
sad looks straung vowes they make no sin To sweare for-sweare this golden fleece to win Each streignes his thoughts his rivall to beguile VVhilst in her iowre lurks death life in her smile But as the mounting Eagle in the winde Disdeâ—es to stoope and checke base flockes of flies Or as club griping Hercules by kinde Doth single combate with a dwarfe dispise VVhose force his manhood doth not equalize So shee doth scorne to fawne on such a frend VVhose faith doth soone beegin and sooner end Yet as in gardens whear all herbes do grow Some fragrant are whose sweetenesse doth excell Though some eie-pleasing lillies trimlie shew VVhen as they yeeld the sent a loathsome smell So some there weare might please her eie full well And by sweete vertues odor fume her sent VVith grace automaticke and redolent For as while those bright globes of rare accoumpt And splendant plannets in their spheeres do ronne One is superior and doth all surmount VVithout compare aye gloryous shininge sonne So in this gloabe of gallantes theaâ— stoode one VVhose neate beehavior grace and bounty bright Did dim the rest as sonne the candle light Renowned Ioachim thou the man admired Both of the Chaldees and the Iewish nation Thou weart of all regarded and desired Greate was thie wealth so was thie reputation Thy life an obiect worthie contemplation That didst with Titus purchaze thee a frend Each day beefore the soune his course did end Thou didst not with gnuffe Craesus hoord thy wealth Thou weart with Cato rich when once contented Thou hatedst Cesars pride which was the pelfe That causd his death which hee to late repented Thou hadst Iobs waxen heart which still relented If orphanes cride if widdowes wanted right If poore men said they wear opprest by might Thou weart a Moses in maintayning lawes Thou didst fell Pharaos goverment detest Thou with the Macbies in thy countries cause Wouldst pawne that heart that harbord in thy brest Thou ever heldst Manasses wayes vnblest Thou weart a polititian graue and wise Yet free from that slie tricke to temporize What heart so iudurate that Would not yeeld Whear vertues puissant valor stroue to win What minde so obstinate to take the feild Gainst those fine partes whose matches scant-have bin Sure causelesse to reiect him t'weare foule sin Whearfore her thoughtes well trayned in their good Do entertaine his suite with gratious moode For as a Diamond rich through vertue rare To it the gads of sturdie steele doth draw And as the youthâ—worne lett by like compare Bestowes hâ—s power attrative on the straw So sweete Susanna not compeld by awe But led to love by like heartes Simpathie Did yeeld his eares his wished heartes replie VVho thought him selfe to bee the happiest wight VVhen shee became not hers but his desired VVhen shee had made surrender of her right The ioy the comfort which his heart required VVhile to obtaine that pray hee more aspired Then conqur'ing Alexander to subdue A world far wider then the world hee knew O peerelesse purchaze fownd by few or none O pleasant conquest pleased conqueror VVhilst true content triumpheth in loues throane More rightly rich then Asiaes emperor The price was vertue thou the vanquishor For in thy pris'ner with a princely port Residinge vertues held their royall court VVithin the closet of whose cloysest pleasure Neat cabbonet for vertues sweete repose Nature and Grace had hid their finest treasure And left it all to Constancies despose A trustie guardian for such goodes as those Amongst which glorious graces in her brest Bright Chastitie was seen aboue the rest Shee seated in a seate which vertue placeth A royall throne the soule and minde divine As onely grace that every vertue gâ—aceth Is canopied with Fayth most pure and fine Like milkie-way with circling Cristalline And at her knees are kneele and parte not thence Transparent puritie and Gods gifte Continence And to vphold her high and heav'nly state Shee hath for guard attending on her traine Sobrietie truthes friend and vices hate Foresight that evill occasions doth refraine Dumbe tongue dead heart blinde eie deafe eare sad brainâ— Well guided thoughts a hand and foote not idle Sterne abstinence that head-strong lust doth bridle O chastitie thou beautie of the minde Vnspotted puritie in things vnpure The comliest ornament of woman kinde Were not this seate most slipprie and vnsure Thou wouldst in all and not in few indure But thy light foes false title of true pleasure Thee loathed makes her loved out of measure Yea since thy friends in shew but foes indeede Vaine Tutors taught their pupils how to spell For caste caute and to serue fowle neede If chastly want that cloasly doth doe well This motiue made some subiects to rebell Who by pretence to vnderprop thy crowne In secret make assaultes to pull thee downe VVhose prowd Essenian high-priest Rabbena To canonize thy saint wil kisse thy shrine Yet not with Aaron choose chast El'saba But like that Levite vse his concubine Yea if thou dost thy selfe in mariage ioine They blesse thy name as sacred one of seven Yet ban thine act as most vnworthy heaven O neighing Iades fast friendes to infamie Nuâ—ses to naughtinesse lewd bawdes to lust Base vassalles to your willes Apostasie Why doth not Conscience checke your deedes vniust VVhy doth not sad Dispaire drowne in distrust Those temptors of these sacred Nymphes to sin VVhom rape may not enforce nor flattry win Delightsome flowers doe quickely fall and fade And budding beauty blasteth in small space But constant Chast thy sonne goes not to glade No age nor eating time can thee deface VVhile vertue thee thou vertue dost imbrace Thou gracest Susan having thee in hold As richest Iemmes doe grace the finest gold Her Ambeâ— tresses made a seemely shew Her milke-white skin adorned natures skill Yet all did vanish as the liquid devv VVhile Chastitie remaines eternall still VVhy then are vvomen vvedded to vaine vvill That for a wanton momentanie pleasure They wilful vvast an everlasting treâ—sure Had Susan bin of their vnstable minde To sel eternitie to get a toy Shee had not left such noted fame behinde But had bin titled faith-lesse fondly coy VVhich did relinquish lust for lasting ioie And left her loved name to be eternall But those that wrong'd the same like fendes infernal For when her choice did yeeld a vvorldes delight And ioies did soare aboue the reach of sorrow VVhen setled thoughtes secure of worldly spight And barge of blisse high fortunes seas did forrow Then flâ—ttring night brought foorth a doleful morrow What time her gracious God did hold it best To blaze abroade what harbord in her brest For as he faithful Abrahams heart did proue By willing offring of his guiltlesse sonne And tride Ioâ—s stable faith and constant loue What time she Sathan his consent had wonne To leaue Iobs health forlorne and wealth vndone Even so he sifted Susans constancie â—f that shee would her pure faith falsifie And to complot this treason by
But heere I see a cursed fawning pleasure That freez'th my soule yet burn'th my heart with lust That doth torment my minde beyonde all measure And over-rules me ruler with I must Then tel me brother whereto both shall trust For my poore trembling heart is so tormented That I the act vnacted haue repented His sad colleage vvho all this time gaue eare VVith good attention to this wavering tale Did seeme as though he held his counsaile deere But in his brest they bred most deadly bale So sorrow suckt his bloud that he lookt pale And staggring paus'd what answere best to make him Or take advice what course he should betake him At length from sin-flowing soule as flame from fire He belloweth out hoat-breathed brutish wordes I must vvith speed effect my hearts desire Commaunding lust no longer pawse affords No though mine obiect were ten thousand swords Ne can my spirit represse so fierce a foe My vvil is bent my heart vvil haue it so A good physition may his patient cure If he be carefull of the vvound in season But carelesse if he let it long indure He findes at length not one sufficient reason How of a festred vlcer he might ease one So if in time I had this plague prevented I should haue had no time to haue repented But now my wound out-reacheth reasons skill It festreth inward and so hurts my heart That I must bend to my rebellious will Vnlesse I wil endure an endlesse smart I vvould some Pythonisse could vvorke by art Or man of God by praier obtaine the skil To turne my heart from this intended il But twil not be I cannot haue redresse Dispaire doth stop the way to former state I must therefore to her my griefes expresse And worke by griping might and forced hate If that shee vvill not be compassionare Thus I resolue my thoughts are past relenting And carelesse I my Lord of your consenting Yet while sinnes griefe would heale his foules consuÌ„ption Foorth steps the temptour and to stop restraint Doth beare him vp with winges of prowd presumption Biddes hope be stable and his faith not faint Thy God saith he with mercy heeres complaint If thou to him thy acted sinnes deplore He heales with speede and salues thy smarting soare And what thy slippe is but a veniall sinne Fine natures fault or else no fault at all The saved Saints themselues haue sinners binne The steddiest foote sometimes doth take a fall No shame to trip but being downe to crawle VVhat if graue age of wantonnesse reproue thee The blame be hers whose matchles parts did moue thee Thus subtile Sathan faines to shift a carde That vice is vertue and foule-sinne salvation And that condigne our works are of revvard VVhen as our deeds are vvorthy condemnation To build presumptuous sinnes on Gods compassion He brings sinnes warnings warrants vnto sinne VVhile thus to pray his pupill doth beginne O God saith he doe not behold this sin But if thou dost yet doe thou not reiect vs For moe thy servantes haue offendors bin Therefore O Lord doe not to shame detect vs Nor with thy heavy-falling hand correct vs. Sith we are not the first that haue transgressed Thy sacred precepts in thy lavv expressed Old Adam fell and yet thou didst relieue him Thou hast forgotten Nohahs drunkennesse Lottes sin was greater yet thou didst forgiue him Thy hearts-loue David Vrie did oppresse And made his wife his lustes adulteresse High-seated Salomon that held his throne Fel to fond lust and had more faultes then one Al these and moe thy servants left thy lawes Yet did thy mercies largesse pardon all VVhy should I then haue longer time to pawse Or dread the storme ere it begin to fal No no poore heart I will no thoughtes fore stall Invent the way to win thy choice delight And this my hand shal helpe vvith maine and might He making might the period of his speach Entreates his mate to censure his conclusion Protesting that no reason should out-reach Or interrupt his setled resolution VVhile thus he resteth carelesse of confusion His partner doth impart his thoughtes replie And leades amisse vvhat went before awry Senior saith he rash is this enterprise Hast-making marchantes often marre good marte Lettes pawse a space our hast may prodigize Let first a fawning eie to her impart The loue-sicke passions of a friendly heart Let sighes entreate let lookes oâ—r loue vnfold Lets tempt her truth with traitrous gobs of gold Lets hire some B. to boord her with perswations That letter hath more cunning then the Ka. Lets court her oft with stately salutations Lets sift the secrets of our Cabala Lets looke in Bresith booke and Marcana What hearb what stone what word hath power in loue Lets try their force and every vertue proue VVe read in bookes of pendants and of potions Of figures fram'd with quaint charecterâ—smes Of Mawmets made by art to plannets motions Of direfull wordes and powerfull exorcismes Of curious feates to raise loues paroxismes If heaven will not heere lets sue to hell The Fayries haue great force old wiues can tell Lets then hunt out some old Hecatean hagge That can eclipse the moone and clowde the sonne Sweepe hilles away and cause the grownd to wagge Make headlong streames backe to their heads to ron Raiâ—e spirites as Saul in Endor saw was done Worke mindes as wax make wayward will loues thrall Lets trie their skill before we venture all But out fond lingring leaches to sicke loue VVhile you provide your patient doth decay Let leasures guests your paltry physicke proue Our sickenesse is impatient of delay Therefore sweet Senior let vs hast away Into this happiest orchard there to hide vs To try what better fortune doth abide vs. VVhich said these dotards sneake in at the gate False traitor to take in his ladies foes And being in sly foxes they debate VVhere best to finde fit couch for to repose And shrowd themselues from gazing eies disclose Till trustlesse time might pay the hoped hire Their hunger-starved lust did so desire And standing thus at gaze at length they spie A spreading palme fit arbour for to feast in VVhose wreathed boughes and branches clowd the sky This louely bower these brothels choose to rest in To neat a perch for such night owles to nest in VVhere flowring Camomill did cloath the ground VVith Rose and Eglantine encloased round VVhile heere they lurke with pleasing shrubs inshrinde Faire sights fresh aire doth yeeld them little ease VVhile conscience sting doth gaule the guilty minde Their swelling thoughtes doe striue like struggling seas No obiect of the eie or eare doth please They dread the leaues with wavering wil bewray theÌ„ Or twitling birdes with taunting tunes betray them The whistling winde amongst the trembling trees Doth force the head to aile and heart to ake The harmelesse humming of the toyling Bees Doth cause the legges to quiver hands to quake Least Ioachim them suspect and tardy take VVherefore the fearefull