ALCIDA , her first Historie .

WHile I liued in the Court , honoured of all , as mother to the Prince and loued of euery one , as one that laide the methode of my sonnes happy and vertuous gouernment , beeing princely wedded to the higher , and affable to the lower , a Mother to them that were in want , and a Nurse to the distressed ; I counted my glorie the more , and my fortune the greater , in that I was guarded with my thrée daughters , Uirgins adorned so with excellent qualities both of mind and body , I meane as well exteriour fauours , as interiour vertues , that fame made report of their honors , not only through all Taprobane , but through all the Ilands adiacent , especially of my eldest daughter , called ( for her beauty in her cradle ) Flordespine : Nature had so inricht her with supernaturall beauty , that shee séemed an immortall creature , shrowded in a mortall carcase , in somuch that if her times had been equall with Troy , Paris had left Greece , and come to Taprobane for her loue . Liuing thus loued and admired of all : selfe-loue the moth that créepeth into young mindes , so tickled her with the conceit of her owne beauty , that shee counted no time well spent which shee bestowed not in setting out that more glorious by Art , which Nature had made so absolute and excellent : no drugges from Arabia , that might cleere the skinne , were vnsought for : no herbes nor secrets that any Philosopher in Physicke had found out , which might increase beautie , but she made experience of : following Venus euery way in such vanities , and playing the right woman : for , to confesse the truth , their sexe careth more for the tricking of their faces , than the tearing of their soules , spending an houre rather in righting the tresses of their haire , than a moment in bending their thoughts to deuotion . The foulest must be faire , if not in déed , yet in conceit : and she that is faire must venter her soule to kéep her beauty inuiolate : but leauing off this digression , my daughter Flordespine being thus selfe conceited , was more curious than wise , and could sooner afford a pound of pride , then an ounce of humility : for diuers Noble men resorted from all the bordering Ilande to be sutors vnto her , but her beauty made her so coy , that happy was hee that might haue a glance of her perfection . So that many came ioyful in hope to haue fauor , but departed sorrowfull , answered with disdaine . For as none pulleth vp the barran root , but he is stifled with the sauour : as none looketh into the poole of Babylon , but he hasardeth his health : as none gaseth against the Cockatrice , but either hee loseth his sight , or his life ; so none tooke view of the beauty of Flordespine , but they returned either frantike in affection , fond with fancy , or pained with a thousand perplexed passions . Yet she taking delight in their griefes , resembled the Crysolite , which the more it is beaten with hammers , the harder it is , and as the Palme trée can by no meanes be depressed , nor the Margarites of Europe wrought into no other forme , than Nature hath fram'd them : so no praiers , promises , passions , sighes , sorrowes , plaints , teares nor treaties could preuaile , to make her showe some fauour to any of her sutors . In so much that the poore Noble men finding themselues fettered , without hope of fréedome , séeing their liberties restrained within an endlesse labyrinth , and no courteous Ariadne to giue them a clew of thréed to draw them out of their miseries , cried out against loue , against Venus , against women , as mercilesse monsters , hatched to torture the mindes of men : and at last spying their owne follies , shaking off the shackles of loue with disdaine , went home , and at their departure pronounced with Demosthenes , that they would not Poenitentiam tanti emere . Cupid séeing how his schollers flocked from his schoole , thought hee would retaine some one , with whom to dally ; and therefore pulling forth a fierce inflamed arrow , hee strooke the sonne of a Noble man here in Taprobane to the quicke , that he of all the rest remained fast snared in her beauty : his name was Telegonus , a Youth euery way equall to Fiordespine , except in parentage , and yet he was no meaner man than the son of an Earle . This Telegonus ( omitting his proportion and qualities , for that it shall suffice to say they were excellent ) hauing had a sight of Fiordespine , stood as the Deere at the gaze , swallowing vp gréedily the inuenomed hooke that Venus so subtilly had baited for him : for after the Idea of her person and perfection had made a déepe impression in his minde , and that hee had passed thrée or foure daies in ruminating her excellency , and debated in his bed with many lewtene slumber how swéete a saint she was , he fell from liking to so deepe loue , that nothing but death did rase it out .

And thus he marched vnder the standard of fancy , being but a fresh water souldier to abide the alarums of affection , feeling a restlesse passion that fretted his minde , as the caterpiller the fruit , he could not tell on which care to sleep , but builded Castles in the ayre , and cast beyond the moone : first , hee began to consider with himselfe , how many braue Noble men of sundry Ilands , rich in possessions , honourable in parentage , in qualities rare , in property excellent , had sought her loue , and yet missed . When hee had made comparison betweene himselfe and them , despaire began with darke perswasions to disswade him from attempting such high loues , knowing , that Aquila non capit muscas : Ladies of great beauty looke not at meane personages : that Venus frowned on the smith with a rinkle on her forehead , when she smiled on Mars with a dimple on her chin .

These premises considered , poore Telegonus sad , nipped on the pate with these new thoughts , resembling the melancholy disposition of Troilus , for the inconstancy of Cressida , yet after hee had mused awhile , and past ouer a fewe dreaming dumpes ; Hope clad in purple suted robes , tolde him that Cupid had but one string to his bowe , one head to one arrow ; that Venus greatest number was an vnity , how the heart could harbour but one fancy , and one woman be wedded but to one man . Therefore though they mist , as either infortunate , or crossed by some contrary influence , sith loues fee simple was registred in the court of their destinies , there was no cause of his despaire , but that hee might bee the man that should enioy Fiordespine , and set vp the trophee of loue , maugre all the sinister determinations of Cupid , Floting thus between despaire and hope ; he passed ouer three or foure dayes melancholy and passionate , taking his only content in being solitary : so that at last finding himselfe all alone , feeling the fire too great to smother in secrecy , he burst forth into these flames .

Ah Telegonus , miserable in thy life , and infortunate in thy loues : is thy youth blasted with fancy , or the prime of thy yeeres daunted with affection : canst thou no sooner see Paphos , but thou must prouide sacrifice for Venus ? Canst thou not heare the Syrens sing , but thou must bend thy course to their musike ? may not beauty kindle a fire , but thou must straight step to the flame : wilt thou dally with the flye in the candle , sport with the Salamander in the heate of AEtna , and with Troilus hazard at that which will bréede thy harme ? knowest thou not loue is a frantike frenzie that so inforceth the minds of men , that vnder the taste of nurture , they are poisoned with the water of Stix : for as hee which was charmed by Laon , sought still to heare her inchauntment : or as the Deere after he once brouseth on the Tamariske , he wil not be driuen away vntill he dyeth : so Louers haue their sencelesse sences so besotted with the power of this lasciuious god , they count not themselues happy , but in their supposed vnhappinesse : beeing at most ease in disquiet ; at greatest rest , when they are most troubled : seeking contentation in care , delight in misery , and hunting gréedily after that which alwaies bréedeth endlesse harme . Yea but Telegonus , beauty is therefore to be obeyed , because it is beauty : and loue to be feared of men , because it is honoured of the gods . Dare reason abide the brunt , when beauty bids the battell : can wisedome win the field , where loue is captaine ? No , no , loue is without law , and therefore aboue all lawe : honoured in heauen , feared in earth , and a very terror to the infernall ghosts : Bow then vnto that Telegonus , whereunto lawlesse necessity doth bend : be not so fond , as with Zeuxes to bind the Ocean in fetters : fight not with the Rascians against the wind : bark not with the Wolues against the Moone : seeke not with them of Scyros to shoot against the Starres : striue not with Thesides against Venus : for loue bring on lewd lookes , to command by power , and to be obeyed by force : truth Telegonus , for Iuno stroue but once with Venus , and hee was vanquished : Iupiter resisted Cupid , but hee went by the worst . It is hard for thee with the Crabbe to striue against the stream , or to wrastle with a fresh wound , lest thou make the sore more dangerous . Wel Telegonus , what of all this prate ? thou dost loue : thou honorest beauty as supernatural : thou sayst , Venus amongst al the goddesses is most mighty : that there is no Iland like Paphos , no bird like the doues , no god like Cupid : what of this ? but why dost thou loue no meaner woman then Fiordespine , the daughter of the Prince , the fairest in Taprobane ? Ah Telegonus , derogate not from her beauty , the fairest in the world : vnhappy man in recounting her beauty , in reckoning her perfections , thou doest imblaze thine owne misfortunes : for the more shee is excellent , the lesse will be her loue , and the greater her disdaine . Can the Eagle and the blind Osyphage build in one tree : will the Falcon & the Doue couet to sit on one pearch : will the Ape and the Beare be tyed in one tedder : will the Fox and the Lambe be in one den ; or Fiordespine , who thinketh her selfe fairer then Venus , stoope to the lure of one so base as I ? No , for the more beauty , the more pride , and the more pride , the more precisenesse . None must play on Ormenes harpe , but Orpheus : none rule Lucifer but Phoebus : none weare Venus in a tablet but Alexander , nor none enioy Fiordespine , but such a one as farre exceedeth thee in person and personage . Tush Telegonus , enter not into these doubts : Sapho a Quéene loued Phao a Ferri-man ; shee beautiful and wise , he poore and seruile : she holding a scepter , hee an Oare ; the one to gouerne , the other to labour . Angelica forsooke diuers Kings and tooke Medon a mercenary Souldier : Loue Telegonus hath no lack ; Cupid shooteth his shafts at randon ; Venus as soone looketh at the sun , as at a star . Loue feareth a Prince as soone as a peasant , and fancy hath no respect of persons .

Then Telegonus hope the best : Audaces fortuna adiuuat : Loue and fortune fauoreth them that are resolute . The stone Sandastra is not so hard , but being heat in the fire it may be wrought : nor Iuory so tough , but seasoned with Zathe it may be ingrauen . The gates of Venus temple are but halfe shut : Cupid is a churle and peremptory , yet to be intreated : women are wilfull , but in some meanes they may be won : were she as full of beauty as Venus , or as great in Maiesty as Iuno . Hope then the best and be bold : for cowards are admitted to put in no plea at the barre of loue . Telegonus hauing , by vttering these passions , disburdened some part of his paines , and yet not in such sort , but his temples were restlesse , his griefe much , his content none at all , his care in his sleepe incessant , his mind melancholy , so that his only delight was to be in dumpes ; in so much , that he gadded solitary vp and downe the Groues as a Satyre enamoured of some Country Nymph . Cupid seeing his art did well , thought to shewe him some sport ; for on a day as hee walked , contemplating the beauty of Fiordespine , being sore athirst with inward sorrow , he went to a fountaine hard by to coole his heate , where he found his heart set on fire with a great flame : for there he espied Fiordespine , and her other two sisters sitting solacing themselues about the spring : which sodaine sight so appalled his senses , as if he had been appointed a new Iudge to the three goddesses in the vally of Ida : yet seeing before his eyes the mistris of his thoughts , and the saint vnto whom he did owe his deuotion : hee began to take heart at grasse , thinking that by this fit opportunity , Loue and Fortune began to fauour his enterprise : willing therfore not to omit so good an occasion , he saluted them in this sort .

Muse not , faire creatures , if I stand in a maze , sith the sight of your surpassing beauties makes me doubt , whether I should honour you as earthly ladies , or adore you as heauenly goddesses : for no doubt Paris neuer saw fairer in Ida. But now noting with déep insight the figure of your diuine faces ; I acknowledge your honours to bee sisters to our prince , whom I reuerence , as allyed to my souereigne , and offer my seruice , as a seruant euer deuoted to such faire and excellent saints .

The ladies hearing this strange and vnlooked for salutation , began to smile : but Fiordespine frowning , as halfe angry he should presume into her presence , with a coy countenance returned him this answere .

If sir Telegonus , for so I suppose is your name , your eye-sight be so bad , perhaps with péering too long on your bookes , or your selfe so far beside your sences , as to take vs for Nymphes : I would wish you either to read lesse , or to prouide you a good Physicion , else shall you not iudge colours for me : and yet since I would you should know , wee count our penny good siluer , and thinke our faces , if not excellent , yet such as may boote compare .

Telegonus taking opportunity by the forehead , and thinking to strike the yron at this heat , made reply .

Maiden , hee might be thought either blinde or enuious , that would make a doubt of Venus beauty , and he be déemed either frantike or foolish , that cannot see and say , as you are superior to most , so are you inferiour to none . Pardon Madam , if my censure be particular , I meane of your sweet selfe , whose fauours I haue euer loued and admired , though vnworthy to set my fancy on such glorious excellency .

Fiordespine hearing her self thus praised , was not greatly displeased , yet past she ouer what was spoken , as though her eares had beene stopt with Vlisses : but Eriphila , the second , who was as wise as her sister was beautifull , desired Telegonus to rest him by them on the grasse , and that they would at their departure aske him as a guard to the court : Telegonus as glad of this command , as if he had been willed by the gods to haue béen chamberlaine to Venus , sate downe with a mind full of passions , hauing his eye fixed still on the beautie of Fiordespine : which Eriphila espying , thinking to be pleasant with Telegonus , she began thus to prattle .

Your late passionate speech Telegonus , to my sister Fiordespine , makes me think that Venus is your chiefe goddesse , and that loue is the lord , whose liuery you weare : if it be so , neighbour take heede ( for fancie is a Shrew ) many like , that are neuer loued : Apollo may cry long after Daphne before she heare him : and Troilus may stand long enough on the walls before Cresida waue her gloue for a salue . I speak Telegonus against our selues : take héed , we be coy , and wily : we with our lookes can change men , though Venus will weare the target , and Mars the distaffe , Omphalo handle the club , and Hercules the spindle : Alexander must crouch , and Campaspe looke coy : women will rule in loues , howsoeuer men bee lofty in courage . Indeed Madam , quoth Telegonus , him whom no mortall creature can controle , loue can command : no dignity is able to resist Cupids deitie . Achilles was made by his mother Thetis invulnerable , yet wounded by fancie : Hercules not to be conquered of any , yet quickly conquered by affection : Mars able to resist Iupiter , but not to withstand beautie . Loue is not onely kindled in the eye by desire , but ingrauen in the minde by destinie , which neither reason can eschew , nor wisedome expell : the more pittie I confesse Madam , for poore men , and the greater impietie in the gods , that in giuing loue free libertie , they grant him a lawlesse priuiledge ; but since Cupid will bee obeyed , I am contented to bowe : especially , seeing I haue chanced to set my affection on so excellent a creature .

And who might that be , I pray you ( quoth Fiordespine ) ( taking the matter in dudgen , that Telegonus should make report ) that is of such great excellencie ? dwelleth shee in Taprobane ? In Taprobane Madam , replied Telegonus , but with such a peale of sighes , bewraying his loues in silence : that Eriphila smiling , sayd ; I see fire cannot bée hidden in the Flaxe without smoke , nor Muske in the bosome without smell , nor loue in the brest without suspition : I perceiue , in faith neighbour , by your lippes what lettice you loue : the saint that you account of such excellency , whose perfection hath so snared your sences , is my sister Fiordespine . I , quoth Fiordespine , filling her Iuory browes full of Shrewish wrinkles , I hope the young lord Telegonus knowes what Suters I haue shaken off : and therefore not inferring comparisons , because they bee odious , I may giue him his answere with an &c. There are more Maydes then Maulkin , and more birds for the Faulcon to pearch with , then the Eagle : the Lyon is a bloudy beast , for that he knoweth his strength : I will not conclude : but lord Telegonus , if I be the woman you mean , cease from your sute , for in faith so well I doe loue you , that you cannot more displease mee , then in seeking to please mee : for if I knew no other cause to mislike , yet this might suffice , that I cannot loue . At this flat and peremptorie answere , Telegonus sate nipped on the pate , like to them which taste of the fish Mugra , whose operation maketh them for a time sencelesse : which Eriphila espying , thinking to iumpe euen with the Gentleman , pittying his passions , in that Fiordespine was so coy to so courteous a Youth , sayd : You may see now Telegonus , that Venus hath her frownes , as shee hath smiles : that Cupid hath arrowes headed with lead to procure disdaine , as well as with golde to increase loue : heare mee that am a Uirgin , as dutifull to Vesta , as reuerent to Venus .

The paines that louers take , for hunting after losse , if their mindes were not confirmed with some secret inchantment , were able to keepe their fancies for being inflamed , or else to coole desire alreadie kindled : for the daies are spent in thoughts , and the nights in dreames : both in danger , either of beguiling vs of that wee had , or promising vs that wee haue not . The head fraught with fantasies , fiered with ielosie , troubled with both : yea so many inconueniences waite vpon loue as to reckon them all , were infinite : and to taste but one of them were intollerable , being alwaies begun with griefe , continued with sorrow , and ended with death : for it is a paine shadowed with pleasure , and a ioy stuffed with misery . So that I conclude , that as none euer sawe the altars of Busiris without sorrow , nor banqueted with Phoebus without surfetting : so as impossible it is to deale with Cupid , and not either to gaine speedie death , or endlesse danger . As I was ready in defence of loue to make reply , there came a little page from their lady mother , to call them home to dinner : wherupon they all rose , and would haue taken their leaue , but boldly I stood to my tackling , and told them : Ladies you passe not so ; for construe my meaning how you please , or accept of my repay how you list , I will not bee so discourteous to leaue you so slenderly guided , as in the guard of this little page : and with that I conducted them vnto the court , and there with a loth to depart , tooke my leaue , hauing a courteous farewell of all but of Fiordespine , who parmning like Iuno , in her maiestie gaue mee a niggardly A dio with a nod : which notwithstanding , loue commanded me to take as a prodigall courtesie . Well , Telegonus thus left alone , fearing too much solitarinesse might breede intemperate passions , went home , musing on the strange qualities of his mistresse : where casting himselfe on his bed , he began to consider , that as she was beautifull , so she was proud ; and that her exteriour fauour was blemished with an interiour disdaine : that Venus was as much despised for her lightnesse , as honoured for her deity : that the blacke violet was more esteemed for her smell , then the Lilly for her whitenesse : that the darkest Topas was held more precious then the brightest Crystall : and women are to bee measured by their vertues , and not by their beauties : And why dost thou vrge this Telegonus , for that shee hath not fawned on thee at the first meeting , giuen ouer the fort at the first assault , and consented to thy loue at the first motion ? wouldest thou haue her so light , fond youth , as to stoope to the lure at the first call . Helena was wanton , yet was shee long in wooing : Paris courted her before he caught her : if a straggler made it strange , blame not her that is vertuous and a Uirgin , if she be somewhat coy : resting in this hope , he somewhat appeased his passions , driuing away his melancholy and despairing humours , by setting his rest on this point . But loue that is impatient , was in the day his companion , and in the night his pillow : Venus commanded her sonne to be beaten with Roses , which as they are faire coloured , and sauour sweet , so they are full of prickes , and pierce the skin : Loue , thus hammering in the head of Telegonus , hee was doubtfull what to do , or how best to prosecute his purpose : to repaire to the court , and there to court her , was to attempt an aduenture very perilous and halfe impossible : to seeke meanes to parle with her , was to offer blank papers to Venus : therefore he resolued to write vnto her , and therupon entering into his studie , hee tooke pen and paper , and sent vnto her in this effect .

Telegonus , to Fiordespine , health .

THey ( honorable Fiordespine ) that are inuenomed with the Hidaspis , if they presently discouer not their paine , perish : such as are stung with the Tarantula , must haue musicke at their eare before the poison come at their heart : Venus temple is neuer shut : Cupids register euer vnfolded , and the secrets of loue , if they bee concealed , bréed either danger by silence , or death by secrecy : I speake this by experience , for the déepe impression of your diuine beauty , co-united with the admiration of your excellent vertues , haue printed such a character in my thoughts , since first I sawe your swéet selfe , as either must bee confirmed with your mercie , or I shall be confounded with misery : where Cupid striketh , there no salues can preuaile , where loue serueth his writ of commaund , there a Supersedeas of reason is of no auaile .

Beauty forceth the gods , and therefore may fetter men : but perhaps your honour will say , that the Fox is no phere for the Lion : none so meane a man as I worthy to gaze at so glorious a personage , so that I may rather be counted impudent , than passionate , in attempting that which so many my betters haue missed .

To this obiection giue mee leaue to say , that Venus respecteth not the robes , but the minde : not the parentage , but the minde : not the Parentage , but the person : not the wealth , but the heart : not the honours but the loyaltie : if then faith in fancie , not possessions , are to bee respected , I hope , as Nature by her secret iudgement hath endewed al creatures with some perfect quality , where want bréeds mislike : as the Mole depriued of sight , hath a wonderful hearing : the Hare being very feareful , is most swift : the Fish hauing no eares , hath most cleere eyes : so I , of parentage meane , of wealth little , of wit lesse ; yet haue I giuen mee , by nature , such a loyall heart , as I hope the perfection of the one shall supply the want of the other , coueting not to rule as a Husband , but to liue dutifull and louing euer to the Lady Fiordespine .

Blame me not Madame , if I pleade with my penne , for euer since I fell into the labyrinth of your lookes , I haue felt in my heart , as in a little worke , all the passions and contrarieties of the elements : for mine eyes ( I call the gods to witnesse , I speake without fayning ) almost turne into water , through the continuall streames of teares , and my sighes flie as winde in the ayre , procéeding from the flaming fire which is kindled in my heart , as that without the droppes of your pittie , it will turne my bodie into drie earth and cinders .

Then Fiordespine , sith your beauty hath giuen the wound , let it like Achilles speare , cure the same sore : couet not to set out the trophe of disdaine , where already you are conquered : striue not for life , sith you haue any liberty , but fetch water from the fountaine of Alcidalie , simples from the hill Erecius , conserues from the temple of Venus , to appease that passion that otherwise cannot be cured : render but loue for loue , yea Madame , such loue as time shall neuer blot out with obliuion , neither any sinister fortune diminish . So that if the world wondred at the loyalty of Petrarch to his Lawra , or of Amadis to his Gryance , they shall haue more cause to maruell at the loue of Telegonus to Fiordespine , whose life and death standeth in your answere , which I hope shall bee such as belongeth to the desert of my loue , and the excellencie of your beautie .

Yours , if he be Telegonus of Taprobane .

TElegonus hauing finished his letter , caused it to be deliuered to Fiordespine with great trustinesse and secrecie , who receiuing it with a frowning looke , as halfe suspecting the contents , yet vnripped the seales and read it : which when shee had throughly perused , draue her into such a furie , that shee in a rage rent it , and flung it into the fire , saying : There end his letters and his loues . But as the Sea once hoysed with a gale , calmeth not till it hath passed with a storme ; as the stone Pyrites once set on fire burneth in the water : so a womans stomake once stirred , ceaseth not to be discontent , till it bee glutted with reuenge : for , Fiordespine not satisfied with tearing the letter of Telegonus , could take no rest , till either shee had breathed out some hard speeches with her tongue , or set downe bitter taunts with her pen , séeing therefore no fit meanes for the one , shee stept in great choller to her standish , and wrote to him thus satyrically .

Fiordespine to Telegonus .

THough Vulcan with his polt foote presumed to couet the queene of beauty : though Ixion aduentured to attempt the loue of Iuno : yet lord Telegonus , no offence to your person , these paltring presidents are no conclusions that persons vnworthy should disgrace , by their impudent and worthlesse motions , the honours of excellent personages . How I am greeued at your letters , gesse by my sharp reply : how I like of your lines , examine in my writing : how I disdaine them both , time shall put you in euidence . My beautie , you say , hath made an impression in your heart : a man of soft metall , that so soone takes the stampe ; a louer of great conceit , that is fixed at the first looke : but since it is your gentle nature to be so full of fancie , I would haue the gods to make you either Venus chamberlaine , or Cupids chaplaine , or both : because being so amorous , you should not want offices : you forestalled me in red letters , with an obiection that many your betters haue courted me and mist : then good louely lord Telegonus , thinke not , if I delighted not to gaze at stars , that I meane to stumble at stones : if I vouchsafe not to smel to most fragrant flowers , that I mean to make me a nosegay of wéeds . If honorable princes offered to Venus , and could not be heard , and sought for my fauours but found them not , I thinke : suppose the rest , for I list not be tedious , lest I should weary my selfe , and grace thée with writing so much . For thy loyalty keep it for thy equals : for thy loue , lay it not on me , lest as I disdaine thy person , so I reuenge thy presumption . And so my hand was weary , my eyes sleepie , and my heart full of contempt , and with that I went to bed .

Her owne Fiordespine of Taprobane .

THis letter was no sooner sealed , but ( as women are impatient of delaies ) it was conueied with all possible speed to Telegonus ; who receiuing it , kissed and rekissed it , as comming from the hands of his goddesse , changing colour oft , as one betweene feare and hope : at last vnripping the seales , he read such a corasiue , as cut him to the heart . The Aspis stingeth not more deadly , the serpent Porphirius inuenometh not more déepely , neither did euer the sight of Medusas head more amaze a man , than the contents of this satyricall letter did Telegonus : yea it draue the poore Gentleman into so many passions , that he became halfe lunaticke , as if hee had eaten of the seed of sputanta , that troubleth the braine with giddinesse : he fell to exclaime against Venus and her deitie , blaming the gods that would suffer such a gigglet to remaine in heauen , repeating her lawlesse loues with Adonis , and her scapes with Mauors . Cupid he called a boy , a fondling , blind in his ayme , and accursed in hitting the marke : rageth against women , saying ; they were mercilesse , cruell , vniust , deceitfull , like vnto the Crocodile in teares : in sight , they seeme to be Carnations ; in smelling , Roses ; in hearing , Syrens ; in taste , wormewood : in touching , nettles : Thus he rayled and raged casting himselfe on his bed , and there forging a thousand perplexed passions , one while accusing loue as a lunacie , and then againe saying : Beautie was diuine , and the richest iewell that euer nature bestowed vpon men . Lingring a day or two in this frenzie , he thought not to giue ouer the Castle at the first repulse , nor to prooue so lewd a Huntsman as to giue ouer the chase at the first default , therefore he once againe armed himselfe with his pen and paper , and gaue a fresh alarum to his friendly foe in this manner .

Telegonus , to faire Fiordespine , of Taprobane .

HOnourable Ladie , the Pysicians say , salues seldome helpe an once long suffered sore , and too late it is to plant Engines to batter , when the walls are already broken . Autumne showres are euer out of season , and too late it is to dislodge loue out of the brest , when it hath infected euery part of the body . The sore , when the settering fistulo hath by long continuance made the sound flesh rotten , can neither with lenitiue plaisters , nor cutting corasiues be cured : so loue craueth but onely time to bring the body and mind to ruine . Your honor séeing how déeply I am deuoted to your beauty and vertue , hath sent mee pilles of hard digestion , to asswage the force of my loue , and qualifie the flame set on fire by fancy ; but as the biting of the Uiper rankleth , til it hath brought the body bitten to bane : so your exquisite perfection hath so pierced euery veins with the sting of loue , that neither your bitter reply , nor satyrical inuectiue , can in any wise preuaile , only the mild medicine of your mercie may salue the sore , and cut away the cause of my carefull disease .

The extremity of my loue , and the violence of my passions , hath forced mee to hazard my selfe on your clemencie : for I was neuer of that minde to count him martiall , that at the first shoot would yéeld vp the keyes of the Citie : for the more hard the rebut is , the more hautie is the conquest ; the more doubtfull the fight , the more worthy the victorie ; the more paine I take about the battery , the more pleasure to win the bulwarke of your brest , which if I should obtaine , I would count it a more rich prize , then euer Scipio , or any of the nine Worthies wonne by conquest , and that these words be verily , and not vanity ; troth , and not trifling : I appeale to your good grace and fauor , minding to be tried by your courtesie , abiding either the sentence of consent vnto life , or deniall vnto death .

Yours , euen after death , Telegonus of Taprobane .

THis letter finished and sent vnto Fiordespine , so troubled her patience , for that Telegonus was importunate , that she fared like the frownes of Bacchus , halfe mad at this secret motion , swearing reuenge , if either her selfe or her friends could performe it : and in this humor she sent him by her Page , these few lines .

Fiordespine to Telegonus .

I Had scarce read thy letters before I rent them , estéeming thy papers and thy loue a like ; for as I mislike the one , so I disdaine the other . Hath ouer-much folly driuen thee into a frensie , or hath want of manners made thee impudent ? Wilt thou bragge with Irus the begger amongst Penelopes sutors , or séeke with the smoky Cyclops to kisse Venus hand ? looke on thy feete , and so let fall thy plumes : stretch not so high , vnlesse thy sleeue were longer : for Fiordespine scorneth so much as to looke at Telegonus in respect of loue , as Iuno did to iest with the father of the Centaures .

If I knew thy passions were as great , as thou decipherest thy griefe , and thy thoughts as fiery as the hils in Sycily , I would laugh at the one , as ioying at thy sorrowes , and put oyle in the flame , as delighting to aggrauate thy miseries . Sith then thou séest my resolution to be so regorous ( ouer-rash youth ) betake thée to thy dumpes , and fare how thou list : for know , I mislike thy sute , and hate thy person , and will liue and dye thine enemy , if for no other cause , yet for that thou hast dared to court Fiordespine .

Thy mortall enemy , Fiordespine of Taprobane .

AFter that Telegonus had read this letter , sawced with such peremptory disdaine , hee fell in a trance , lying in his bed as a dead carcase : but when he was come to himself , hee fell into such extreme passions , that his father and his friends comming into the Chamber , thought him possessed with some spirit : the Physician felt his pulses , and found hee had a sound body , whereupon they did coniecture it was loue : and to verifie the same , after he had raised himself vp in his bed , with a gastly looke , he cryed nothing but Fiordespine , fetching such gréeuous grones & déepe sighes , that all the chamber fell into teares : whereupon the old Earle , hauing his haire as white as snowe , came himself trudging to the Court , telling the extreme passion of his son , entreating Fiordespine that she would so much as vouchsafe to come to his house , onely with her presence somewhat to mitigate his sonnes passions : but such was the pride and disdaine of my daughter , that neither theteares of the old Earle , the intreaty of my son , nor my command could preuaile with her , insomuch , that the old man returned comfortlesse and sorrowing . Well , Telegonus lying thus distrest by the space of a weeke , at last faining himselfe to amend , would needes walk abroad that he might be solitary , and stumbled weake as hee was into this vale , and to this place , where sitting downe he fell into these passions : Infortunate Telegonus , whose stars at thy natiuity were in some cursed aspect , why didst thou not perish at thy birth , or how did fortune frowns . that thou wert not stifled in thy swadling cloathes ? now growne to ripe yéeres , thou feelest more miseries than thou hast liued moments : ah loue , that labyrinth that leadeth men to worse dangers then the Mynotaure in Greece : loue that kindlest desire , but allowest no reward : inconstant Venus , whose sacrifices sauour of death , whose lawes are tyrannous , whose fauours are misfortunes ! strumpet as thou art ; ( for I disdaine to call thee goddesse ) thou and the bastard brat thy sonne , shew your power , your deitie : reuenge my blasphemies how you can ; for how great soener your choller be , my calamitie cannot bee more . Mercilesse women , whose faces are lures , whose beauties are baites , whose lookes are nets , whose words are charmes , and all to bring men to ruine . But of all , cruell Fiordespine , borne of a Tyger , and nursed of the shee Wolues in Syria : whose heart is full of hate , whose thoughts are disdaine , whose beautie is ouerlaid with pride . Let Venus , if shee haue any iustice , or Cupid , if he haue the equitie of a god , make thee loue where thou shalt be mislikt . Alas Telegonus , cease not with these praiers , the reuenge is too easie , but cry to the bitternesse of thy passions , that they quit thy reuenge against Fiordespine : and with this his spéech ceasing , hee beat himselfe against the ground in such pitifull sort , that the gods tooke compassion , and resolued a reuenge . But while hee lay thus perplexed , his father mist him , and taking some of his Gentlemen with him , sought him , and found him in this Ualley , passionate and speechlesse . The rumour of Telegonus distresse came to the Court : whereupon , I , and my sonne , with my other two daughters so intreated Fiordespine , that she granted to go see the Gentleman : walking therfore to this place , here we found him accompanied with his friends , all signifying with teares , how they greeued at his mishap . Telegonus no sooner sawe Fiordespine , but turning himselfe vpon the grasse with a bitter looke , hee first gaz'd her on the face , then lifting vp his eyes to heauen , gaue a great sigh , as though his heart-strings had broke : which Fiordespine perceiuing , triumphing in the passions of her louer , shee turned her backe and smiled . Scarce had she fram'd this scornefull countenance , but Mercury sent from the gods in a shepheards attire , strooke her on the head with his Caduceus , and turned her into this marble picture , which we amazed at , and Telegonus noting , turning himselfe on his left side , groned forth these words , the gods haue reuenged , and I am satisfied : and with that hee gaue up the ghost . The old Earle gréeued at the death of his sonne , taking vp his body , departed : I sorrowing at the Metamorphosis of my daughter , wept : but to small effect : for euer since she hath remained , as thou seest a wonder to the world , and a perpetuall griefe to me .

Thus ( sonne ) hast thou heard the discourse of my daughters misfortune , which hath not been so delightfull for thee to heare , as greeuous for me to reueale : but seeing I am entred into the discoueries of their ills , no sooner shall wee haue taken our repast , but I will shew thee what fortuned to her second sister Eriphila , for I knowe the nature of men is desirous of nouelties : and with that taking mee by the hand , we went home to her Cottage .