séemed so straunge and so greatly amazed him that he stoode in doubt a great while whether he saw her in deede or else dreamed that he saw her but when he came to himselfe againe and knew for certaine that it was she he said vnto her Alas my deare art thou yet aliue it is long since that I hard report that thou was lost neither could it be knowen whether thou weÌ„test or what was become of thée This said weping bitterly he imbraced and kissed her a thousand times together Then did Constance tell him of all her aduentures and how courteously the good Lady had delt with her from time to time after which and diuers other talke that they had together he departed from thence and going to the King his Maister aduertised him of all that had happened to him and his frend Constance crauing leaue of him to marry her according to his countrie maner The King greatly marueling at the matter sent for Constance who confirming all that Martuccio had reported he said vnto her Now truly faire vigin thou art worthy to haue him to thy husbande for whom thou hast taken such paines and passed so many perils wherefore bestowing many large gifts vpon them he gaue them leaue to do whatsoeuer they thought good Then Martuccio very liberally rewarding the Lady for the great beneuolence that she had vsed towardes Constance in her aduersity with the Kings licence tooke leaue of all his frends in that country with Constance and Chereprise tooke shippe and returned very rich to Lippare where they were so chearefully receaued of all their frendes who neuer thought to haue seene them againe that it is not possible to declare the excéeding ioy that this seconde méeting did bring to euery one of them To conclude Martuccio and Constance to their great comfort and contentment beinge solemnelye married euer after duringe the tearme of their life enioyed their loue together as they ought without any impediment or let to their deserued pleasure The complaint of one in misery THe day séemes long to them that dwel in dole and short the time to such as liue in ioy The sickmans griefe ful litle knowes the hole so much delight doth differ from annoy That th one doth cause in man desire to die thother stil to liue continually What man would wish to liue that liues in woe and in delight who would desire to die Since that by death an end of grief doth grow and death of ioyes depriues vs vtterly Of worldly ioyes for only so I meane of which we see death doth depriue vs cleane Wherby not all olde prouerbes true I finde for old said sawes do say that life is swéete But death is more desierd of noble minde then life to leade for liuing farre vnmeete Which loathed life doth make me thus to crie I liue too long come death and let me die A Louer fancied but not fauoured of Fortune MY mourning minde doth craue some sweet delite and fancie fame would lend me some I see But fortune frownes and sendes me foule despite and care doth kepe all comfort quite from me Such passions strange doe stil perplex my mind as I despaire of any ease to find But let me sée I must not yet despaire Dame fortunes wheele may happen â—ourne againe When stormes are past the weather may be faire and pleasure comes vnlookt for after paine Things at the worst the prouerbe saith will mend why should not then my sorrowes haue an end But old said Sawes are not yet scripture all for thinges at worst are past all mendinge quite To pininge hartes all pleasure semeth small what mirthe can doo the pyâ—ing harte delight When fates do frowne and fortune is our foe â—ought can be thought to rid the mynd of woe The nature of the Larke described THe little Larke that in the ground is hatcht and there bredde vp till fethers make her flye No sooner she a flight or two hath catcht but vp she mountes vnto the lofty skye Where if she sée Sonne shine and weather fayre how then for ioy she twittles in the ayre But if she sée the winde beginne to blow it poure downe raine and tempestes do arise Within a bush she kéepes her selfe full lowe where prety wretch close to the ground she lyes Vntill such time as all the stormes be past and then againe she geuâ—th her vp in hast Which plainely shewes the nature in the Larke is still to séeke to mount to loftie skie And though perhaps you now and then may marke a kistrell kite to make a flight so hye Yet all things waide if eache thinge haue his right a larke will far be likde aboue a kite The hawty mynde how it disposeth it selfe WHat hill so hye but litle emmets clyme what pretious perle but pore by trauel gaine What thinge so hard but is atchiud in tyme what pleasure such but may be got with payne What doubte so great but hope may men assure see more what heauen but prayer may procure The heauie Asse both kepe the valley still the clownishe coultes do loue the Country best When hawtie hartes do clime the highest hill and gallant mindes do séeke in courte to rest The cowarde dreades and in dispairs doth dye when boldest bloodes by hope do clime full hye Then let my harte goe clime the hyest hill and leaue the valley for the countrie Asse My mynd in courte shall séeke by trauell still to finde a pearle which farre all pearles doth passe My hope shall rest vpon a princely minde by helpe of God some heauenly grace to finde Loathing his life he wisheth for death WHat greater gréefe then tormentes of the hart which dayly grow by troubles of the minde And what such ioy as sodaine ease of smart which long time sought full hard hath bene to finde What heauen on earth with lucky loue to dwell then luckâ—les loue againe what greater hell But how fares he that féeleth no delight what world is that where nothing is but woe What woe to that which worketh such despight as makes a man no kinde of comfort knowe What life leades he that dayly cries to die far worse then death loe such a life lead I Then let me thus conclude my tale in briefe I am the man that only may lament A lothsome life that finde no ease of griefe nor hopes for help vntil my dayes be spent And sadly so I end my solemne song Come come good death I dying liue too long Hanging betweene hope and despaire he calleth for helpe TWixt chearefull hope and comfortles despaire straungely perplext ful sore amasde I stand Hope seemes to shew the weather wil be faire and darke despaire sayes tempestes are at hand Venture says hope despaire doth bid me slack hope prickes me on despaire doth pull me back Haue wel says hope despaire doth bid me doubt trust me says hope despaire says hope is vaine Shrinke not says hope despaire cries not to stout labour says hope
she had no doubt but that her tender hart would be moued to take compassion vpon him when she should perceaue that his intent was honest and his affection in dede vnfamed Hannibal was somewhat comforted with these kind words considering the great amitie that was betwene Camilla and his sister Cornelia thought her wordes might worke such effect with her that he should easily obtaine his desire Cornelia shortly after being with her frend Camilla talking of diuers matters as women will do when they he together at the last she spyed her time to open her brothers case vnto her tellinge her what straunge tormentes he endured for her sake affirming that without her helpe he was like to languish without all hope of remedy praying her therefore most instantly to haue pitie vpon him Camilla though she liked not well of these words that Cornelia had vsed vnto her yet séeing her to be greatly grieued for her brothers sickenes she did the rather hold her excused and would not greatly reproue her but gaue her to vnderstand that she tooke small delite in such amorous suters praying her from thenceforth to trouble her no more with the like assuring her if she did that she should but lose her labour and be farre enough from obtaining that she sought Cornelia though she were not satisfied with this aunswer yet being so nipt maidenly shamefastnes would not suffer her to procéede any further in the matter neither durst she shewe her brother what aunswere Camilla had made her least it should driue him to greater extreamities then he was in before but whether it were with watching and the great paines that she tooke with him continually during the time of his sickenes or by some griefe she conceaued in the vncourteous aunswer of her frend Camilla or because she saw no meanes to remedy her brothers seacelesse torment she fell shortly after into a grieuous feuer which constrained her to kéepe her bedde whereof when Camilla had vnderstanding she came incontinently to visite her and being with her all alone in a chamber next adioyning to the lodging where Hannibal lay hauing but a wall betwene them so that whatsoeuer was sayd in th one might easely be hard in thother Hannibal hearing his Camillas voice asked his sister Cornelia who was with her who aunswered him that there was no body but Camilla Hannibal being likewise alone at that present calling his wits together and taking more courage vnto him then he was accustomed to haue in this case taking his lute in his hand he began to sing as followeth YEld me my heart yeld me my libertie From out this prison let me passe againe That for thy sake bide such extreamitie As neuer mortall man might well sustaine If thou hast vowd to tread Dianas trace If crueltie increase in thee by kinde If thou disdaine to graunt thy seruaunt grace Or canst not lodge such liking in thy minde Yeld me my hart that wholy then I may Geue vp the ghost when as my race is runne Which now for loue doth languish night and day And hath no power those painfull paines to shunne But if thy purpose be to keepe it still Yet vse it better then thou didst before To vex the wight no doubt the deede were ill That well deserues thou shouldest esteeme him more Then in thy breast as reason doth require My grieued hart vouchsafe to lodge at last That I may say thou did'st not desire Nor wish the woes that I so long did tast But that thy loue though it were long conceald Was firmely sixt and plainly now reueald And then began on the other side of the wall with wordes interrupted with sighes and great abundaunce of teares to declare to Camilla his amorous and extreame passion humbly beséechinge her to take pitie vpon him and not to suffer him to finish his miserable life in the flower of his youth through her cruelty and want of compassion Of such force were these his prayers that mollefying her tender hart which she felt sodainly enflamed with an vnaccustomed heate she thoughte it greate crueltie not to haue compassion vpon him and no lesse ingratitude to deny him that fauour which his entire affection and perfecte loialtie had wel deserued wherefore in frendlye wise she spake vnto him after this manner Senior Hanniball I am contented to allow of your wordes and cannot but like well of your courteous offer not supposing you to be one of those that wyth leude practises doe seeke to deceiue such simple soules as I am who when they haue satisfied their wicked desire report it amongest their companions to the great reproche and vtter spoyle of those that were so fonde to beleue them But rather then any suche thinge shoulde happen to me I desire to die the moste gréeuous death that may be deuised knowing rightwel that when a woman hath once lost her good name she hath then no more to loose the same being the onely riches that she can haue in this world It is therefore very méete that we be somwhat circumspect in this matter if the loue you beare vnto me be so perfect as you professe and that your meaninge be none other then I imagine it you may demaund me of my Father in marriage who I am well assured will not deny you your honest request By this meanes you may easely obteyne your desire and keepe my good name vnspotted which is the thing wherein I cheifly delight me Hannibal was well satisfied with these words and greatly cōmending the vertuous care she had for the preseruation of her good name promised so sone as he had recouered his health to do as she had directed him After this Hannibal proued all meanes to procure his health and being well recouered caused certayn of his frendes to moue his sute to Camillas Father who knowing his hability and liking well of the offer aunswered that he could be well contented to bestowe his daughter vpon him but would not resolue vpon any thinge till his Sonne whose name was Claudius were retorned from Rome which he saide would be verie shortly Camilla knowing her Fathers answer imagined the matter to be fully concluded for she thought assuredly that her brother would not be agaynst it wherefore betakinge her selfe wholy to her frend Hannibal her affection towards him grew so great that it was nothing inferior vnto his Whilst Claudius deferred his coming from Rome to Cesena vpon some occasion of busines that detained him longer then he thought for these two louers diuers tymes had conference together thinking by that meanes somwhat to aswage the amorouse flame that continually burned in theire brestes but this caused it more and more to increase and made them thinke euerie hower a yeare till Claudius retorned But when they sawe he stayed so long after his tyme apoynted they caused themselues to be secretly maried thinking to celebrat the mariage at Claudius retorne who cominge home shortly after was aduertised by his Father of
her selfe vnhappy for euer then to liue without the company of her faithfull and wel affected seruant And after good deliberation seeing her selfe greatly vrged to forsake the Court through the fury and feare she had of her displeased friendes she agreed with her best beloued to the ende they might fréely enioy their Loue some where els to forsake the Courte and her Countrey with all conuenient speede wherefore the better to bring their desire to passe they caused them selues to be marryed as secretly as they might and setting all their affayres in good order when they were furnished of money and all thinges that eache of them seuerally according to their habilitie were able to procure for feare to be discouered they stole away in the night and traueled by vnknowen wayes that were not commonly tradâ—â—â— til they came to the sea side where they tooke 〈◊〉 with purpose to passe towards Italie thinking there to spende the rest of their life happely and as their heart desirâ—d but cruel fortune inconstant and enuious of the good that be fore she had graunted them turning their sweet into sower and their pleasure into great displeasure so extreamely handled them that their miserable mishap may be a good example to all other to beware of the like when they find themselues disposed to take so dangerous a wise These two fugitiue Louers being imbarked as aforesayd before they were fully ten miles from the hauen there rose so great a tempest in the sea that the sky beeing couered with many dark cloudes and the water troubled with the vehemencie of the wind that it seemed al things were quite confounded and brought into a confused Caos so that the boldest in the barke and he that had best skill was faine to geue ouer his taske and committe all to the mercy of the tyme which was so daungerous that the ship ouermatched by the vehemency of the windes was broken all to péeces against a harde rocke and all that were in it drouned and lost saue onely Barisor and Flora For Barisor strengthned by the vehemencye of hys loue holding his Flora in his armes all be blobred with wéeping when he saw the eminent daunger which might no way be auoyded he cast her vpon his backe and with an inuincible courage leapt into the Sea and puttinge himselfe to the power and conducte of the tempestuous waues brake the billowes with his body as a Dolphin with his broade finnes The Lady acknowledginge the great diligence of her poore louer sayd vnto him Alas my deare frend I greatly feare that by seeking my safety we shall both be drouned nay sweete Lady sayd Barisor thy company is such a comfort vnto me and my desire to preserue thee so great that it maketh me more swift then the winde and stronger then the waues that striue against me The sorowful Flora bending her selfe to kis her bearer the best recompence that then she coulde make him for all his paynes it gaue the poore gentleman so great courage that with the help of the time and the sea which waxed calme againe he gate to land in a desert Iland inhabited by none but wild beastes So soone as they were arryued in this place they loking back on a sodaine perceiued a huge Lyon hard at their héeles wherfore thinking that he would haue deuoured them and so with their life to haue ended all their miseries they prepared themselues with patience to abide their vnhappy destinie like frends to die together But the cruel beast whether it were that he had before satisfied himselfe some where els or that the heauens had so appointed it contrary to al expectation departed from them without offering them any iniury or vsing any violonce towards them When they had escaped this daunger for feare to fall into the like again they wandred vp and down thrée whol dayes together to seek some place of securitie but in al that time they saw no earthly creature nor found any harbor but only the wild desert and the maine sea that enuironed it round about wherefore being extreamely pinched with hunger and faint with running they were constrayned to rest their féeble bodies voyd of al natural strength hard by the sea side where being couched together in this miserable plight each imbracing other almost dead for want of foode and not able to doe any thing but wéepe and sighe Barisor sayd to his beloued Flora Alas my deere hart thy swéete and delicate youth vnable to endure the extreame anguish of this deadly famine must needes pearish without any hope of recouery Ah my deere friend sayd she I feele myselfe greatly eased by enioying thy frendly companie Then pausing a while and fetching a feeble sighe she said againe Alas poore soule I see thou mayst no longer endure this dolor all the forces of thy pining harte doe faile thee Not in loue replyed Barisor though in this earthly bodies our soules so vnited that nothing hath power to part them shal ascend to the heauens together and so long as any gaspe of breath remayneth satisfie theÌ„ selues with these two kisses now colde for wante of natures giftes Thus lamentably complaining and straitly embracing at the last they gaue vp the ghost shortly after were found by certain strange marchants that came on shore to furnish themselues of fresh victual being dryuen vpon this Iland by tempest who when they saw the dead bodies of these desolate louers newly deceased but past al recouerie perceiued by al outward apparance that they died for want of foode wherfore lamenting their case which seemed verie strange vnto them they buried them after the best maner they might and then departing from them they departed on their purposed voyage where they made report of this strange accident and likewise in all other places where they hapned to come and amongst the rest in Hungary so that in the end it came to the eares of those that were acquainted with the late escape of Barisor and Florinda who knowing by all euident tokens that these pitifull newes concerned them some were glad because they might now with more assurance enioy the large reuenues that belonged to Flora others reprooued their folly but all in generall lamented their losse specially such as were louers to whose minde this strange example was no small terror Behold here Gentlemen the force of foolish Loue which inflameth the hearts of the greatest oftentimes bereaueth them offense and maketh them careles of al duties who the greater more noble that they be the more care they ought to haue not to remitte any thing how small so euer it be that may be any blemish to their reputation For it is most certaine that whosoeuer once forsaketh God and suffreth himself to be led away with euery foolish passion that prouoketh him he must nedes fal into such dangerous wayes as will leade him at last to vtter perdition which he shal neuer be able to auoyde Constance louing Martuccio Gomitto wheÌ„ she
Therefore I déeme as I at first begon I would be mery but my myrth is done The louer by froward happe inforced to forsake loue enforceth him selfe by trauell to seeke out the forte of fame THe world is chaungd my wits are woond about fancie is forced to leaue her fond desire From vaine delites dame Vertue driues me out and wisedom will what reason doth require My wanton wits are warnd by sacred I kill to flie the follies of 〈◊〉 will I now must leaue to write of louers toyes in Cupids Court I must no longer keepe Nor sporte my selfe in wanton pleasures layes nor longer lye in fancies lappe a sléepe I now must wake and set my selfe to schoole to sée how longe that I haue lyude a foole And I must nowe some tyme in trauell spend to seeke in tyme the gallant forte of fame That when alas my lothed lyfe doth end my workes may leaue remembraunce of my name And I may showe though longe I went astraye I founde at last dame vertues heauenly waye The louer forsaken craueth speedie death A Wretched case it is to sitte and cry where none are neare to helpe the harmed harte A greater gréefe where present aide is nye and yet by spyghte is onely kept a parte But yet most gréefe when helpe is hard at call and yet alas can do no good at all In such a case loe cursed wretche I stand my heauie harte full sore for comforte cryes Yet none can get yet some is hard at hande which in despighte accursed hap denyes And some I haue which woulde somwhat content but doth in deede my sorrowes more augment The secreat cause alas for shame I hide since folly first was worker of my woe By want of witte which wisdome hath discride and I do now by secreate sorrowe showe Therefore consumde come kill me death I crye in deede resolud and well content to dye A Comparison betwene thraldome and libertie THe little birde that close in kage is pente which ladies loue to sitte and whistle by Some say doth singe but layes of deepe lament and cheareles chirpes for losse of libertie Esteeming more her mates abrode in fielde then courtly toyes that chiefest pleasure yelde But contrarie oh happy birde thinke I so luckely to light in fowlers snare As to be brought to stand in pallas hye and eke in courte to féede on princely fare And shortly there in fauor so to stande as to be fed at fairest ladies hand Would God I were a birde in prison pent so I might still beholde my heauenly Quene If that I sing one note of deepe lament that day when I my Princes grace haue séene Wring of my necke or fling me out of dore as worthie then to kepe in court no more A warning to all estates The gallant mind when store of coyne is spent by rare exploytes must seeke to purchase praise Though honor fall to some by due descent good happe doth hit a thousand sundrie wayes Yet oftentimes in seeking high renowne the hautie hart hard Fortune flingeth downe The souldiour thinkes by sword to winne his wish when oft is séene the sword doth cut him short The sea man seekes in déepest floods to fish when drowning proues a cold vnpleasant sport The marchaunt meanes to winne the world by wares when oft his cost doth yéeld him nought but cares Now some againe build castels in the ayre which many times fall tumbling on their neckes And some will seeme to sit in stately chaire which are sometime set downe with deadly checkes In sâ—â—e I find the brauest mind oâ— all is highest set but haâ—d before a fall The miserie of loue BEwrapt in woe 〈…〉 with wretched will orecome with â—ares deepe drenched in distresse Pining in paine aliue but dying still crying for helpe but finding no redresse A life I lead the Lord of heauen doth know much worse then death to mourne in sorrow so But what auailes when fates and fortune froune when moone and starres are now become my foes When from delite despite doth keepe me downe and cares my corpes do round about inclose Abide I must as destinies ordaine thus like a wretch to 〈◊〉 away in paine Or loathed life that wretched thus I lead tenne times 〈◊〉 such cursed happe to know Or cruell 〈◊〉 coâ—e cut a two the thread that draweth forth my dayes in sorrow so Oh sorrow 〈◊〉 thy soking sighes dospill me all dole adew come you good death and kill me Or else good God who from aboue dost see the secret cause of all my cutting care And knowes and hast what thing will comfort me vouchsafe some drop of mercie me to spare That so my hart that long hath bid in griefe may praise thy name for tending my releefe In wanton youth my fancy thought a while there was no state nor life so sweete as loue But now I find how well did wit beguile and I the paine of such a pleasure proue I needes must say by true experience taught I find in deede the state of loue starke naught For first the wise loue makes become a foole the souldiour stout the rich not worth a grote The learned clarke it sets againe to schoole to learne an art wherewith to cut his throate It makes the man most free become a slaue and many times an honest man a knaue The Lord of loue Cupid him selfe is blind yet shootes by ame and oft vnhappely hits He hurts the hart and quite doth dimme the mind and with vile wayes doth ouerwhealme the wits What shall I say who knew so much as I would deeme of loue a wofull misery A meane is best WHen I sometime with griefe enough beheld the gallant troupe of brauenes in their kind Some swime in silke some siluer pearle and gold and I poore soule come meanely clad behind Good Lord I thinke what kind of world is this when some so thriue some fare so farre amisse But when againe I see some lusty lad whom I my selfe haue knowne in meane estate And in respect but silly simple swads and none to kepe so high and stately gate Well yet thinke I this wil not euer last the tides doe flow but ebbe againe as fast The prouerbe says that pride wil haue a fall who hath no lands nor yet no rents I sée When money melts and fethers gin to fall wil be ful glad to come and folow me Loe this is all the sodaine ioy I haue when richly clad I sée a rascall knaue An other FRom leathed bed my lustles limmes I lifte with heauy hart with sorow not with sléepe But sigh and sobbe I sée no other shift such careful thoughts my mind in thraldome kéepes No Musickes mirth nor any sweete delight may once reuiue my ouer dulled spright Yet can I sing and how but as the swan a doleful dumpe when death is hard at hand And so perhaps poore wretch I thinke I can sing such a note as none shal vnderstand Which song perhaps shall please but
haunt the field with more delight then euer he was wont Dame Procris she that markt it well beginneth now to muse and thinkes it but vnlawfull game her husband went to hūt See see the fruites of ielosie see on what ground they grow on no soyle els I warrante you but such as hat◠a staine Silde seekes the Sire his sonne in ouen but that he first did know himselfe ful ofte to haue beene there this case is too too plaine Vpon a sweete smile SWéete are the smiles in secreat I receaue and secreat sweete is swéetest swéete of all Would God swéete wench thou plainly didst perceaue how by thy smiles I liue deuoyd of thrall Then my sweete soule I know to my delight thou stil wouldst vse swéete smiling in my sight For if swéete hope yeald me such swéetnes still my fancie swéete for foode wil neuer sterue I can but yeald swéete thankes for swéete good will and sweetely séeke such sweetnes to deserue And could my wish once winne my sweete desire soone should I reape the swéete I would require Which sweete request is to thy sweete content by thy sweete will to worke my sweetest wish Which wish so sweete my sweete so sweetely ment is by sweete baite to catch so sweete a fish Which baite so sweete is loue I lay for thee and thou the fish I seeke to draw to me Which sweetely let thy fancy feede vpon and thou shalt finde so sweete a kinde of baight as by my hooke of hope I thinke anone to draw thee vp by lines of sweete delight And thus my sweete I swéetely angle still till my sweete loue hath caught thy sweete good will An inuectiue against loue WIth ue that see my loyall harte graunt my desire enioy his due desarte That all the world may wel be warnd by me to shun such mischieues as themselues may sée Let Poets fayne and tell what tales they list the troth is this loue growes in deede of lust First looke then prate and so forsooth they kist and then you know what further follow must Which to obtaine yet better be without how wittes must worke to bring this geare about Loue is in déede a naturall instinct which first doth grow but by view of the eye Which moues desire to passe beyond precinct and so doth bréede a secreate malady So loue is then a naturall disease and doth in déede to nature little ease The law of loue instruckes no more but this truely to serue the lady whome we loue To prooue each meane to please a misteris whome euery toy may to displeasure moue It is I finde a flatteringe kinde of arte which with deceit will fraught the truest hart And if it be as learned fathers finde it is a fire that doth consume the harte A welcome wounde vnto the wanton minde a pleasaunte poyson bréeding deadly smarte And if in loue be such a state to proue happie is he that neuer falles in loue And for my selfe I solemnly protest See see the fruites of ielosie see on what groun◠〈…〉 on no soyle els I warrante you but such as hath 〈…〉 Silde seekes the Sire his sonne in ouen but that he first did know himselfe ful ofte to haue beene there this case is too too plaine Which since I doe by true experience proue I hate the nature state and lawe of loue He craueth speedie loue or speedie death OH care leaue of to tire my restles minde come comforte come reuiue my dulled spright Flie fancie flie or els some fauoure finde cease sorrow cease loue lende me some delight Auaunte despaire oh helpe me hope in haste happe helpe my hope least life no longer last Drawe neare delight cheare vp my heauie harte packe from me paine away vile wretched woe Swéete heauenly ioye come helpe my secreate smarte oh ruthe relieue the wretch that sorrowes so Griefe get thee gone let pleasure take thy place hence vgly death for I must liue a space Mistres deare dame sweete soueraigne my ioy the Saint I serue the comforte of my care My hope my healpe my mirth in all annoy my loue my life my ioy of ioyes that are Oh saue my life that thus on thée doe cry lende me thy loue or let me quickly die My faith hath vowde to foyle all false suspecte and will wil worke in spite of enuies face Trothe is the othe which I cannot neglecte that loue should finde to gaine his ladies grace Oh Gods of loue that see my loyall harte graunt my desire enioy his due desarte He being tormented with manie passions craueth speedie remedie WHether wil wit or what is reason fled what wretched will hath now bewitchd my brain What rechlesse rage kéepes reags within my head what frantike fitte hath vexd me in ech vaine What mad conceite doth thus my minde molest that tumbling thoughts wil neuer let me rest Worke no more wit till reason rule thy will by sage aduise to stay thy busie braine Suppresse thy rage by sacred wisdomes skill and frantike fits wil flie away againe Let madnes marche into some other minde and séeke thy selfe some quyet rest to finde For liuing thus thy wit doth worke thée woe and braine bewitchd doth breede thee wilfull bale And rueful rage in time wil rancor soe that wil cannot geue eare to wisoomes tale Therfore good will let wit in time take héede least reason lost thou runne starke madde indéede Yet sit not stil for idlenes is ill but call to God to graunt thee heauenly grace That willing wit may worke his heauenly will and troubled minde may finde a heauenly place About this worke goe beate thy busie braine both rest on earth and heauenly ioyes to gaine That wight is bewitched that is subiect to beautie THe griefe is great that neuer findes redresse harde is his hap that findes no happy houre Doleful his doome that dyeth in distresse bewitchd the will that waites on beauties bower Wretched his woes that is bewrapt in loue such griefe happe doome and wretched state I proue For fancie now hath reason put to flight and witles will doth wisdomes wordes disdaine Desire acquaints him selfe with fonde delight and running wit hath got a wanton vaine Selfe will hath sought sage wisdome to beguile and hath in deede deceaud himselfe the while For fancies gaine is losse vnto my griefe and reason fled what rechles race I run My déepe distresse dispayring in reliefe doth tell me plaine my pleasant dayes are done My foule despight doth shew my mourning minde the bitter fruites of fonde delight I finde Repentance rues sage wisdomes small regard and wretched woes doe wanton toyes bewaile And heauie harte lamenteth hap so hard and sorrow shewes that selfe willes sleights doe faile Which makes me sing vnto my dying hower bewitchd is he that waytes on beauties bower Seeke and finde THe prouerbe sayes who seekes shal surely finde shall finde but what not that he séekes I gesse For why my selfe haue sought in sundrie kinde vnto my griefe
come at call And I as faithfull as the rest or any one amongst them all The day as yet hath lothsome beene in which my seruice hath beene tride The loyaltie that I liue in and constant harte wherein I bide The surging seas the flashing flouds are here at barre my trothe to proue The craggie hilles the desarte wooddes if they coulde speake would shew my loue My tongue my penne my hande my harte were euer bente to doe your will And I not minded for to starte but so for to continue still Yet all this trothe which I doe owe you seeme but little to regarde The faithfull loue which I did sow doth yealde disdaine for my rewarde But since my chaunce doth so befall I must of force this loue refraine As good to leaue as to lose all if griefe be all that I shal gaine Sith then for that I longe and sue some others haue for little coste T is time to leaue and say adue shake handes with me and farewel frost Another I May and I may not I would but I cannot For makinge of strife If I might as I may not I woulde doe as I doe not But if that I shall not Then farewell my life But yet I doubt not Neither dispaire I not If you denye not My lawfull request While you dissemble not Smile on and spare not More pleasure I aske not Then you to loue best A Louer forsaken despayreth MY sences are not yet so dull as you perhaps suppose they be For I can spie and marke at full the craftie sleightes you vse with me And time wil come ere it be longe I may requight you of this wronge For though I winke I am not blinde through little holes the day I spie Your subtile secreate I can finde wherewith you thinke to bleare mine eye And yet I seeme to slumber still when that I see against my will I taste alas the more my payne the brackish teares as salte as brine That trickling on my chéekes remayne distilling from my blubbered eyne So much you féede me with this taste that life and all therewith you waste I heare and so doe many moe your nipping frumppes and taunting toyes And where you blaze them well I know among your youthfull Courtly boyes Which when I heare I would that death woulde come and stoppe my gasping breath I smell my loathsome carryon coarce with carping cares tournd now to dust In thee remaynes yet no remorce but beastly stil liue as you lust Like smelling hounde I vent thy trace and can foote out thy vaulting place I feele the priuie grieping nippes wherewith you purpose me to kill Who lookes for ought at sower slippes but choakiug fruite that soone will spill I feele you teare and rent my harte though vndeserued for my parte I see that death his browes doth bende I taste all paynes that one may haue I heare the bell biddes make an ende I smell the dampnes of my graue I feele and so I will conclude that all my loue you doe delude The praise of his Ladie WHat man can keepe in silence long the beautie of so faire a dame Or who can holde or stay his tongue from blasing out her worthy fame Though lande and life thereon did lie I tell you trothe it is not I. Whose beautie when I seeke to blase I see the dulnes of my witte Yet doth it nothing me amase good will enforceth so to it And I am vrgde against my will to shew the bluntnes of my skill Her comely face who list to vew with all the features of the same Must needes her tearme if he say true a Goddes and no earthly dame For Helen she doth passe as farre as doah the sunne the shining starre Beholde her body straight as line her armes so tirmme so longe so smll Her handes so neate so white so fine her fingers longe and straight withall That you woulde easly iudge with me the like of her vnborne to be I needed not if she were here with poynted wordes to praise her grace Nor to display her fauour cleare with all the beautie of her face I wish this rowme she did â—â—pplie then shoulde you sée if that I lie If princockes Paris were aliue and choyse of damsels had at will Disposed once againe to wiue his wittes I know were not so ill To leaue vnchoase this Princely peece for all the passing gyrles of Greece Not This be braue that was sometime a Louer vnto Piramus Lucretias fauour for to finde wherewith she coyde Tarquimius But she doth farther both excell then I am able for to tell In fine if equally you woulde each parte in her with iudgement way By true constrainte confesse you should and thereof here my lyfe I lay It were not now in natures might to frame so faire and trimme a wight To all these graces she hath store of mercy and of perfecte loue No earthly wight I know hath more as tryall telles when truth shal proue I harde when nature sayd and sware she was the Iewel of her ware For madde you might me then condemne if I would thinke my selfe so wise That I were able with my penne to set her out before your eyes Sith wel I know the like by birth as yet did neuer liue on earth Another WAy Lady mine I thee beseech with loyal louing hart In equal ballance my good wil yeeld me my desart Ladie Lay forth in true vnforged tale the summe of all thy suite Euen as my eare shal like or leaue so looke to reape thy fruite Louer Let fauour thine then furnish vp that fancy mine doth craue Lende Louer true for lew of loue the guerdone he should haue Ladie Truth lies not alwayes in the shew that glisters in the eine Trust asketh further triall still and triall asketh time Louer I caste my gloue to him that dares my loyaltie disproue A better proofe in alder yeares was neuer gin for loue Ladie Young hote lusty bloods seekes thus their vowed trothes defence â—old ladies craue for milder profes of plighted freÌ„ds pretence Louer My deere if boistrous words offende thy virgins melting brest Know here what proofe my Lady loues that likes her louer best Ladie Experience though it neuer learnd my greenish yeares to loue Long since hath taught that tract of time this trustines doth proue Louer Except I sue serue thee then while lungs shal lend me breth Let all the ill that harte can thinke procure 〈…〉 deth Ladie Aske then and haue as thou deseruest so looke for thy desire Nâ— shall my bitter nay denie if iustly you require Louer I care not Ladie for thy coyne I craue no Iunos golde Nor Pallas prudence doe I seeke my Venus loue I wolde Ladie Endeuoure thy behests to keepe thou needes no longer sue While Lettice liues Wil shal not wante if he continue true Great thaÌ„ks for this great grace I yeald god in heauen thee giue Expence of Nestors yeres on earth then
in heauen to liue Another AS each man spics a time his griefe for to bewayle And doth poure out from baylefull breast the woes that him annoy So haue I seuerde out this time in hope for mine auaile To shew my frende my griuoues panges and eke my blisfull ioy The woeful plight which present now I doe in brest sustaine The pleasures eke which now are past I will to minde them call For too too long in secreate breast I haue them kepte with paine With sighes that boyles from out my breast most bitter like to gall There was a time when as I set my loue vpon a Lasse And lente my lyking out to loane to lull my lyking lust Because she present in mine eye me thought did all surpasse But sure within her secrete breast did harboure then no trust For after we had dwelt awhile in pleasures sweete delight And husht our sences both asleepe as lyk'd oure persons best Then crept there in this croppe of care which wrought me this despight And tooke from me the louing Lasse and did disturbe our rest And now doe I appeale to you take pittie if you may On him that is tormented still with woes his life that weare And for thou art a faithfull frende loe thus of thée I pray Let not this frowarde happe of mine my tender heart still feare Another COnsider well I pray the lines that here I wright Nought els but dole and dolefull thinges I profer to thy sight No cause at all I haue to write of any ioy My minde is whelmde in deepe distresse and tombled in annoy My serses all doe quake to thinke vpon my griefe For to bewaile my woefull happe that cannot finde reliefe What fauoure shoulde he haue whom fortune hath defide By rigor of the law t is harde for any to be tride By Law why saide I so no Law there is I thinke That barres true louers from their ioyes but he that stil doth winck And blinking like a bussarde foole can laugh to see our woes And nothing for our helpe will he seeke out the Lord he knowes Oh would it were in me poore soule the waggish God to tame If he then wrought vs such despight in me then were the blame But why doe I now wish for thinges which passe my reach It were as much for me to craue fine Tullie for to teach Good Lady yet geue eare a while and heare my woefull plaint Seeke I beseech to search his wound whome loue doth sore attaint And do not stil reiect your thrall whē as he doth cōplain And think not light the direfull panges that I for you sustaine Ten thousand griefes a day I feele ten times ten moe woes And eke a thousande thousande sighes my pensiue harte out throws I liue a thousand times a day I die ten thousand more And yet I am as neere of thee as I haue bene of yore Let pittie once take place and moue thy louing minde That I for all my torments past some fauoure once may finde Another GOod Lordinges geue me leaue a while to beate my braynes about a toy The further that I wade therein the deeper wade I in annoy The lesse I thinke thereon in sooth the greater blisse shal happe to me The fewer times I heare thereof the happyer man sure shal I be The lesse in sight the better luck the furthest of the most at ease And yet this is the straungest case for life I dare it not displease For life and all thereon depende what resteth then for to ensue My Ladie barres I may not tell therefore deare hartes count you it true For if I once knew what it mente her should I haue that me it sent Philomelas fie FIe flattering face in an vnfaithfull frend Fie on mischaunce where neuer was mistrust Fie fonde desire that findes dispightfull ende Fie fie that faith should euer proue vniust Fie frowarde fate which makes me singing crie Fie fortune fie and falshoode fie fie fie But fie for shame this songe yealdes small delight When euerie note doth runne on fie fie fie Oh waigh the cause is her accursed spight Which makes her thus lament her miserie It is her note so swéete and not her song Whereto we loue to listen too so long So may my note séeme swéete although my fie May séeme perhaps a most vnpleasaunt worde Although I sing in harte alas I crie Fie pleasure fie I must with this poore byrde Goe shroude my selfe as one with sorrow slayne Till merry May may make me rise againe And then this Birde shal come and singe with me Such heauenlye notes as may each eare delight And euery one that doth my sorrow see Shall curse the cause of my accursed spight And some al night shal gladly leaue their nest To heare recorde of our vnquyet rest Alta peto THe hautie Larke that fayne would sit on hye And yet perforce long time doth sitte below Will vp at last although he gaine thereby To his decay a deadly ouerthrow Which makes my harte that highly would aspire Séeke how to clime to height of my desire To prowle for pence such gayne yealds simple share To fight for flies the conquest were but small To gaine contente my minde shal only dare To venture death in clyming though I fall But careful hope must hoyse me bp alofte Least footing fayle and then I fall not softe And when I clime the trée shal be of life The fruite of faith the field the ground of grace My ladder loue and care my cutting knife To proyne such sprigges as may annoy the place Reason the ground to stay me from a fall And hope my holde to touch the toppe of all A Gentleman mislyking of his Mistres sente her at his departure these sixe sower lines for a farewell ALthough you count your hauen a sea of blisse I nothing like to anchore in your fludde I feare in faith so sweete the water is that ouer vse hath made the bottome mudde And south to say I cannot well away in common cockex to put my barke in bay Farewell foule false and filthie forger P. I. The Mistres of this gentleman hauing more cause to dislike of him then he to misleeke of her requiteth him with these sixe lines following THe seas you seeme to set so little by no harbor is for euery rotten barke Let be the floud and let the Anchor lie It flotes not here you neede not therefore carke And sooth to say the bay beares such a grace vnnethes it likes to harbor ought so base Farewell fonde false fleering and fantasticall foole P. M. Verses out of Borbonius MArcus Auarus heri cum se suspendere vellet sexque obulis misero restis emenda foret Territus hoc pretio restim inquit non emo tanti quinque obulis tandem conuenit atque perit MArke Miser yesterday I harde the hanging crafte would trie And vnder three pence caitife wretch no halter could he by I buy no roapes so
From Phebus beames her shining eyes tooke shape within her brest the heauens themselues haue sowen And through the Gods her name immortal bides Another THe happy braunch to Pallas consecrate the braunche of peace doth beare the name of her Who reaues my sence and in her beutie shrowdes such crueltie as most to Mars belongs Leaue then thou wilfull Dame leaue of I say this louely name or shew thy selfe the like That as thou doest in aâ—l immortal seeme thy name may séeme ordainde by destinie What from the heauens hath been bestowed on thee is nothing straunge nor wonderfull to me Since thou in minde and harte arte Soueraigne and that thine eyes from those that gaze on thée Their bodie harte minde sense and soule doth steale Another THe selfe same night wherein the powers diuine From highest heauens behelde the earth below Loue bente his how to pearce my painful brest And made me subiecte to his Dietie The sacred place from such great crueltie Nor yet the time it selfe could me redeeme This stroake to harte did from her eyes descende Whilest I too much her glorious face behelde I thought at first that Loue had leueled At both alike and that one onely bonde Had equally together ioyned vs both But Loue as blinde and ill aduisde therein Hath let her goe that was the greatest pray Detayning me that 〈◊〉 of least accounte Another AS none may well with fixed eye beholde The glistering beames of Phebus golden rayes So to suruey thy 〈◊〉 passing 〈◊〉 Woulde bleare the eyes and dimmâ— the clearest sight And he that shall with fixed eye 〈◊〉 Thy glorious face so shining as it â—oth Shall finde such â—lâ—arenes will increase his payne And take front him the vse of séeing quite How can my tongue or 〈◊〉 be able then To painte thy praise or yealde thy due desarte That haue no power thy beautie to beholde Which if mine eyes were able to attaine I would pâ—esume to passe the noble birde That vnto Ioue is iustly consecrate My loue shall last THe Soldyars wish drawes on with warres delight the Pilgrimes sporte lyes in his present payne Shippes 〈◊〉 the porte and seekes for seas in sight and I to smile in loue account it gayâ—e Whom while I serue wish sporte and seas I finde with gallante warre with sporte sea roome and winde Sith now this happe is had I ioy to singe what kinde of sea what mates what ship was there How happie chaunce by lotte rulde euery thing the maine saile truth each waue a frendly teare The master Loue him selfe sweete sighes the winde ioyes roade with Oares the ship a merry minde Fast hope at helme did winde the boate aboute and fixed faith stoode vp for middle maste The cable hope which seruant twinde throughout helde gladsome glee with picked anchore faste Beautie discride the rockes till I was past and now beloude I sweare my loue shall laste My loue is paste THe soldior worne with warres delightes in peace the Pilgrime in his ease when toyles are past The ship to gaine the porte when stormes doe cease and I to smile now voide of loue at last Whome while I serude peace rest and loue I lost with greeuesome warre with toile with seas betost But now the brunte is past I ioy to singe what kinde of sea what slaues what ship was there How foolish chaunce by lotte rulde euery thing how error was maine saile each waue a teare The master Loue himselfe deepe sighes the winde cares roade with vowes the ship vnmerry minde False hope at helme ofte turnde the boate about and fickle faith stoode vp for middle maste Despaire the cable twisted rounde with dout helde grieping griefe the picked anchoare fast Beautie was all the rockes but I at last am now twise free and all my loue is past Loue for vertue of longest continuance THe chiefest care we ought to haue is to adorne the minde With beautie such as best beséemes and most accordes with kinde Of greater force this beautie is a Ladies loue to gaine Then that which foolish folke commends and wise men count but vaine The loue of vertue lastes for aye which choice no chaunce can chaunge But loue for luste time turnes to nought and quickly makes it straunge When crooked age doth once creepe in braue beautie bids adue And then those fondlinges all too late their former follies rue But vertue bides in perfecte plight and to the vertuous bringes delight Loues Epitath HEre lyes blinde Loue here lyes the bedlem boy here lyes the God that all the Gods did feare Here lyes intoumbde Cithenas greatest ioy here lyes the bow that Loue was wonte to beare Here lie the shaftes here lie the piercing dartes wherewith erewhile he tamde the stoutest hartes Now is he dead now can he doe no more no signe appeares that he shall liue againe To plague poore soules as he hath done before and pinch their harts with straunge tormenting pain Now is he dead and who the cause but she whose blasing beames blinde all the worlde I see Ofte did he proone and all to none effecte to force his fire to fasten in her brest Her frozen harte did still his flame reiecte and made him muse to see his power supprest Deceaued so he knew not what to say ne coulde he iudge the cause of his decay To proue his fire if it had force or no vnto his winges he put the burning brande The fire tooke holde for needes it must doe so then he too late poore soule did vnderstande His fonde conceate and filde the aire with cries no plaintes preuailde he died and here he lyes At latter gaspe a grieuous sighe he gaue and saide farewell ye faithfull Louers all Now proofe shewes plaine what grieuous pangs ye haue what force my fire what power to make you thrall I finde it now that feltâ— it not before but be contente it shall offende no more If former faultes did merite worthy blame the blame is greate I haue incurde thereby My life must pay my raunsome now with shame A shamefull death I am at poynte to die My glorie gone my bâ—anes consumde to dust you haue your will abide it needes I must In commendation of his Mistresse I Smile to thinke how fonde conceite deceaues the finest wittes To féede them with a daintie baite that choakes them all by bittes How fondly some commende the face and some the smoothie skinne And some preferre in highest place the tender doubled chinne What should I stande to recken vp their trashe and trumpery That drinkes the dregges of euery cuppe and praise it to the skie Let such goe bragge them in the crew of baser minded swaines They neuer came yet where it grow nor paide more then their paines But if my Mistres woulde vouchsafe her beautie to discouer Then iustly might they frette and chafe that so they past her ouer He that triumphes in sweetest blis I know then would repine No man that saw her but would wishe oh
that she would be mine But yet content ye with your choise subscribe ye to my saint Whose worthy praise no siluer voice nor penne can fully painte Lenuoy Let it suffice I liue to proue it here In all respectes she neuer had her peere The despairing Louer TO painte the passions of a payned harte or shew the panges that foolish loue constraines When honest meaning lackes his due desarte the onely meane to purchase greater paines Alas I rue because my reason failes whilest fonde desire settes vp her swiftest sailes Too swifte in deede to passe the daungerous seas such daungerous seas as can be hardly paste Yet past all helpe and hope to purchase ease amidst the waues my â—rased barke I caste And cast the best although I count it vaine till fates accorde to sende reliefe againe A sorrowfull Sonette IF to the life that euer lastes this life a moment be If time consume our youthfull yeares which we no more shall sée If euery thinge that beareth breath doe waste and weare to nought Why dreamest thou in prisoned spright why doest thou take such thought VVhy doest thou so detest the day and wishe the darcksome night If to a safer place thou seeke to take thy speedie flight There is the good that euery soule ought chieflie to desire There is the rest whereto eachone woulde willingly aspire There loue doth lie there pleasure dwels there there my soule I say Amidst the highest heauens thou maist the image well suruay Of her whose beautie here on earth I haue adornde from time of birth The hurte that groweth by golde SOme say the golden worlde is gone but I suppose not so Now raignes the glistering golden age that greatly workes our woe For golde is now the God on earth now golde doth gouerne all Golde makes and marres if golde we wante in vaine for grace we call Golde geues and takes from kinges their crownes golde maintaines blooddie warre Golde bringes the greatest to theire graues and breedeth many a iarre Golde geues the iacke a gentils name and gaines him great account No faulte so foule but golde afoordes golde makes the meanest mounte Golde is the cause of all our care since first this golde was founde No faith nor frendshippe hath beene seene but fraude did most abounde Oh wretched golde would God thy name had neuer here beene knowen Then shoulde we not haue knowen the harme that by thy name hath growen He should I now haue cause to say so greatly to my griefe That wante of thee to winne good will doth make me wante reliefe The passions of a Louer MY Mistres eyes augment my kindled flame her golden lockes haue caught my captiue hart Her hurtfull hand my haples fall doth frame her wordes bewitch my minde and breede my smarte Her glistering eyes disgrace the brightest starre her crisped heare surmounts the glorious sunne Her handes in whitenes passe the Iuorie farre her wittie wordes immortall fame hath woon Her louely eyes doe much amase my minde her golden lockes alas doe linke me fast Beholde my state beholde what happe I finde no other ioy my pyning ghoast could tast Since cruel Loue within my breast did shrine her eyes her heare her handes her speach diuine The follie of Loue. ALas I see no hope is lefte at all by seruing thee to set my harte at rest Yet from this follie can I neuer fall nor leaue thy loue that likes my fancie best I am my selfe mine owne and onlie foe I see the pitte and plunge my selfe therein And though the meanes be founde to ease my woe foole that I am I seeke no ease to winne Though nothing happe that may my hope aduaunce from seruing thée yet can I not refraine No not though death or worse if worse might chaunce this is the good that I by lot doe gaine I see the best and know the worst aswell yet seeke the worst and bidde the best farewell To his vnconstant frend ROsetta retchlesse Dame since thou hast chaungde thy minde And in my absence to thy shame hast shewde thy selfe vnkinde I haue as well I might withdrawne my fonde desire From fancying one that is so light to make such quicke retire Henceforth for beauties blaze where no deserte is founde I will not set my selfe to gaze so great good will to ground This warning may suffice to make me wise at last Els greater daungers will arise then those alreadie past But tell when thou hast tride what good thou gaynste thereby Thou wast the first that gan to slide thy falshode made me flie Whilest I with store of teares did waile the wante of thee Thou toauest abroad with ruffeled heare and hadst no minde of me Forgetting my good will thou gauest thy selfe in charge To such as sought to spoyle thee still and leftst thy Loue at large As wauering as the winde that alters euery hower So wauering is thy wandring minde whereof thou hast no power But tell c. Where are thy solemne vowes at parting made to me Where are the teares with bended browes that then these eyes did see Would any man suppose such plaints should passe in vaine From one that onely loues to glose and glorie in her gaine O false periured wight accursed shall he be That in thy doinges takes delight or puttes his trust in thee But tell c. The man that holdes my place and pleades to please the best For all his faire dissembling face may loue thée with the least But she whom now I serue and honor with my harte Aboue all dames doth best deserue so prisde by due desarte Kéepe thou thy new come frende for I will stick to mine We loue and when our likes shal ende one toumbe our bones shall shrine But tell when thou hast tried what good thou gainst thereby Thou wast the first that gan to slide thy falsehoode made me flie The Louer ouercome with sorrow desireth death THe more my knowledge growes the more my power decayes To all mishappes my haples life is prone at all assayes My secrete flame augmentes amidst my floode of teares Before one griefe be fully gone another straight appeares Both night and day my thoughtes are chieflie on my graue In darcknes is my most delight no mirth my minde can haue The day dislykes me much the ceaseles griefes I taste At night when all things els take rest my woefull harte doth waste I neuer cease to weepe and yet I know not why In this vnconstant wauering worlde no trueth at all I trie A monstrous sea it is of sorrow griefe and payne Yet no where els can I finde meanes how I may comforte gayne Come therefore gentle death cutte of my line of life That by such death a thousande deathes may cease this secrete strife A Lady lamenteth the death of her louer WHy is my crased corps so strong against my wil that all the griefes I feele caÌ„not coÌ„sume me quite Who holdes my wretched soule whereas it likes so ill And will not let
of teares had quencht it long ago How may I rightly tearme this straunge tormenting griefe No fire no life no death it is and yet it lackes reliefe A dialogue betweene Reason and the harte of a Louer Reason ABide a while my harte why doest thou haste away Harte I goe to seeke the louelie eyes that must my griefes allay Reason I pray thee â—arke a while my leisure will not serue Harte A feruente fire prickes me foorth and will not let me swerue Reason Alas poore harte alas how little is thy skill Thou hast not yet the sense to see the ende of all thy ill Those eyes that so thou seekest will with a glaunce or twaine To ashes soone conuerte thee quite that els mightst safe remaine These eyes they are thy foes then should they succoure thee Harte They are my frendes no foes I finde that will so frendlie be Reason Oh this deceaues me most the suttle birder so With fained notes deceaues the birdes and seekes to breed their woe Harte Thou much beguilest thy selfe or enuiest at my state The case is not as thou conceauest but as I saide of late The poore vnhappie birde vnto her death doth flie I goe to seeke those glorious eyes to purchase life thereby The contrarieties in Loue. TO me the night seemes shorte the day too long I flie from loue but follow still his trace Vnto my selfe extreame my selfe I wrong And wronged so returne to thee for grace Greate are my paines and yet they please me well I sée the best and fondly séeke the worst Desire drawes on despayre doth hope expell Twixte weale and woe thus is my case accurst I proue to runne but proue my proufe is vaine The light seemes darke the darke séemes light to me Though free yet bond I willingly remaine Youres am I most mine owne I may not be My will I wishe but dare not shew my sute Loue biddes me speake and speaking makes me mute The Louer to his bedde O Bedde o restles bedde and made for ease why doest thou not perfourme thy parte to me To me a plague why doest thou others please and please him least that most hath neede of thee I lay me downe in hope to rest awhile I prooue to sléepe and so let slippe my griefe But sower conceites my sweetest ioyes exile and lets the rest that most should lende reliefe The swelling seas when stormes and tempestes rise moue not so much as doth my troubled minde Of this or that so still it doth deuise for euery cause a new conceite to finde Amidst my care this comforte yet I haue that in my bedde when restles I remaine I may be bolde without offence to craue what likes me best although I craue in vaine And when I craue and crauing want my will May waile my wante and fréelie wéepe my fill A Louer whose ladie saide he was an vnfortunate flatterer wryteth these verses for answere thereunto IF euer wordes did wringe me at the harte My harte was grieued at that I hearde of late To let good will be barde for my desarte Desaruing loue to finde disdainefull hate Such is my happe such is my haples fate The heauens haue wilde my will must needes obay And hath no law the prouerbe so doth say Say what I can it cannot helpe a whitte All that I doe I see is done in vaine In vaine I worke in vaine I waste my witt In vaine I proue to purchase ease with paine A sillie proofe that bringes such sorte gaine Such sorte gaine for golde that geues me drosse Harde is my happe that alwayes liue by losse By losse I liue by life my selfe I lose I lose my selfe and yet I liue to loue I loue to liue and liue to like of those That feare my fraude although my faith they proue My secrete sighes my sorrowes cannot moue Her hardned harte whose beautie bindes me still To sue to serue to seeke and like her will Flatter alas I would I could doe so So should my griefe be shortlie easde thereby Truth is my trust let truthles treason goe Wordes are but winde where words no works doe try True dealinge was my Sire plaine meaning I Plaine as I am can singe a plaine songe best Best for my soule small for my bodies rest Vnfortunate there did she fitte me right A righter name she neuer gaue to none Fortune my foe death woorkes me all despight But let her spight she spightes not me alone Besides my selfe she spightes at many a one One is there yet which onely one am I That feare not fate but fortunes force defy Like he that list her false dissemblinge lookes Séeke who so will her faire entysing baites In such swete showes I sée vnsauerie hookes Which warnes my witte to shunne her sweete conceites Who hopes for happe vnhapie wretch he waightes Her cursed cuppe that will his mynde infecte And worke his woe ere he the worste suspecte Suspecte not yet though I suspend my chaunce That any chaunce can chaunge my constante mynde The hardest happe shall moste my hope aduaunce And make me hope although no happe I finde My hart hath vowde my vow her vertues binde To byde her owne and onely hers to be Whose sight lendes light whose light lends life to me The tormented louer that durst not reueale his state A Happie lyfe I led and liude at ease WheÌ„ prickt with loue I would at lardge complaine And to the flame that fedde my fond disease Geue vent at will to helpe my present paine But now aye me my wretched case is such As sâ—ase I can permit a sighe to passe To ease my hart that hath bene chardgd too much With chaunge of griefes that waxe a heauie masse I loue and yet I dare not say I leeke Tormented still I seeme to liue content Consumde with care I can no comforte seeke Such is my state so is my fancie bente But though I plaine my plaintes are much the lesse The lesse my griefe though little be my ioy Because I feele and finde this sower successe From sweete desire doth springe and spread annoy Yet let me see some comforte haue I more More then I thought to comforte me withall Amidst my griefes that growing grieue me sore This only grace vnto my lotte doth fall To write at night the wordes I feare to tell When wanting inke salte teares doe serue me well A dialogue betweene the Louer and Loue. Loue. Loue. O Loue when wast thou borne When euerie leaueles tree And parched soyle began to spring a seemly sight to see Louer Who brought thee foorth at first Lo. The nurce of all annoy Euen idlenes the plague to man and ende of all his ioy Louer Who gaue thee all this power to warre with worldlie wights Loue. An ardent hope a colde despaire that lets your chiefe delights Louer Where doest thou harbor most Lo. In young tender harts That tirant-like I still tormente with store of piercing darts Louer Yet tel who trainde thee vp
Lo. Sweete beautie only she To whom both youth and vanitie obedient seruants be Louer What is the chiefest foode thou feedest thy selfe withall Loue. A faire cleare light which ledes me forth seldome lets me fal Louer Fearest thou the length of time that alters all thinges quite Or doest thou doute the dinte of death that daūts the worthiest wight Loue. No no I Way thē not for though they change my state I take my rest and turne againe to that I was of late The humble petition of a passionate Louer MAke me to liue swéet mistres make me liue exchaunge my chance make mirth of mourning cheare Exchange my death a lasting life to giue so worke my harte so weake whilest thou art here That when my soule shall from my bodie flie it may els where a better place supplie Make me to liue that at the instant hower when thy swete eyes I shall assaye to touche Both sence and sight may want there wonted power that in thy armes whome I estéeme so much My pyning corse may mildely passe away and of my life make this the latest day Ioyne both our soules ioyne both our soules in one linke both our hartes in bandes of like good will Make both our mindes to match in mirth or moane let our selfe lawe leade our affections still So let our thoughtes our wordes and workes agrée as if I liude in thee and thou in me Forbid me not thy lippes that like me well denie me not thy bosome for my due Those louely beames where loue him selfe doth dwell those blazing beames that scarce mine eyes can view Vouchsafe swéete harte that sweetely I may kisse and by such sweetenes turne my bale to blisse Nought that I haue can I accounte mine owne nought that thou hast in right thou recknest thine Mine eyes are thine as all my déedes haue showen euen so thine eyes they are or should be mine My harte is thine thy harte is due to me so loue allowes if so our lyking be Thou arte my fire and I thy kindled flame I am thy soule be thou my soule againe Imbrace thine owne and so auoyde the blame thou mayst incurre by shewing proude disdaine Linke fast our lippes that so with like delight we may exchaunge our soules our sense and sight So let vs change as by our chaunge we may be more assured of that we most misdoubt And not by chaunging change that chaunce away that might perchaunce be better brought about My séeking is that such exchange shoulde make our doubtful loue a déeper roote to take So is my wishe and so I hope it will so may I liue a most contented life So shall I finde to please my fancie still so may my state be euer frée from strife So shall I thinke my selfe the happyest man that euer liude since first my life began The changeable state of Louers WHome loue hath made obedyent to his law doth euerie hower exchaunge his shape anew I proued it well that longe haue liude in awe and often chaungde the more my chaunce I rue First to a hart a woefull wounded harte I was transformde then to a sillie swanne That singing shewde his death without desarte nexte to a flower whose colour soone waxt wan At laste alas a Fountaine was I made as soone dryed vp for from my blubbered eyes The water flowed till all began to fade and now the beast I am in flame that fries But yet ere longe I hope a voice to be to vaunte of her that makes no counte of me The vanitie of Louers SInce griefes increase since this my quenchles fire Consumes me still alas what bootes it me To say and sweare I will with speede retire And neuer loues her louely face to see Since when I wante poore wretch her wished sight Her wished sight the cause of all my care New cares beginnes to cutte of all delight And breake my vowes so snarlde in Cupids snare Who Tyrant-like alas the more my paine Within her eyes hath pleasaunte poysone plaste The sight whereof doth search through euerie vaine And helpeles quite my fainting harte doth waste Thus am I forste though sore against my wil To séeke and léeke the cause of all my ill FINIS