The strange, vvonderfull, and bloudy battell betweene frogs and mise the occasion of their falling out: their preparation, munition, and resolution for the warres: the seuerall combats of euery person of worth; with many other memorable accidents. Interlaced with diuers pithy and morall sentences, no lesse pleasant to be read, then profitable to be obserued. Couertly decyphering the estate of these times. Paraphrastically done into English heroycall verse by W.F. C.C.C.

Batrachomyomachia : Or , The Battell betweene Frogs and Mise . YE thrice three daughters of immortall Ioue , The nine Muses . Boeotian Nimphs of Helicons sweet spring , Bright lamps of honor shining from aboue , Where stil ye sit secure from enuies sting , Guiding the sterne of learnings sacred lore , Vouchsafe to guide my pen , I you implore ; Your sweet consent conforme my tender brest , While I adorne my verse , as likes you best . Deigne from your pleasant fountaynes of delight , And euer-running Riuers of true skill , Now to infuse sweet drops into my spright , And heau'nly Nectar on my plants distill : That they may grow like Bay , which euer springs , To bud the battels of two mighty Kings , And all the world may know how strife did rife , Betweene renowned Frogs and gallant Mise . The antique deedes , Si paruis componere magnal●cebit . which wanton Ouid told , To be perform'd by Gyants long agone , When mighty hils together they inrold , Thinking to pull the Thundrer from his throne , Compared to these battels cannot be , No more then brambles to the Caedar tree , Whose lofty top dare check the * * The Sun heau'ns fayre eye , When at midday he sits in maiestie . In these approued souldiers of sterne Mars , Manhood , or Mars himselfe , may seeme to dwell : For with such valour they endur'd the warres , That horrid death their courage could not quell . Stout resolution in their foreheads stood , Fighting like valiant hearts amid their blood . And this , Hic nostri surgit origo mali . alas , did cause the mortall strife , Whereby so many gallants lost their life . The Kings owne sonne , a Mouse of royall state , Next heire by birth apparent to the Crowne , Toyled with trauell , flying from the Cat , Vnto a pleasant brooke to drinke came downe , Where couching low his body on the banke , With great delight cold water there he dranke . For though that gorged stomacks lothe strong drink , Thirst makes the King cold water wine to thinke . But while the gentle and debonayre Mouse , Bathed his lips within the chanell cleare , Quaffing most neatly many a sweet carouse , Along the gliding current did appeare * A gallant Frog , This was the King of Frogs . whose port and mounting pace , Show'd him to be chiefe ruler in that place . For as quicke sparkes disclose the fire to be , So doth mans gesture show his maiestie . From forth the riuer , like to liquid glasse , The Frog ascends vpon the waters brim , And seeing where the Mouse lay on the grasse , With nimble ioynts he leapeth towards him ; And bending downe his fayre and yellow brest , With kind salutes he welcomes this new ghest , Beseeming well a Kings hye dignitie . And thus he spoke with solemne maiesty : Since that thou art a stranger , gentle Mouse , From whome dost thou deriue thy pedigree ? Declare to me thy parents and the house , Which haue conceiued such a progenie , That , if thy worth deserue , with greater sway , Vnto my pallace thee I might conuay : Where I with kingly presents will thee grace , As shall befit thy vertues , and my place . And doubt not but we can confirme our word : For know it 's spoken by a mighty King , The onely Monarch of this running ford , Which all the Frogs to my subiection bring . My promise to performe I want no store , My kingdom stretcheth out from shore to shore . Annes as long as regibus esse manus ? Scarce he deserues the title of a king , That wanteth meanes t' acomplish any thing . By birth I am a King , borne to the Crowne , And hold by right my rushie chayre of state , Peleus my durty Sire , great in renowne , Of Queene Hydromedusa me begate . She at the floud of Padus did me beare , Whose head and cheeks did put her in great feare . And that my name and person might agree , Conueniunt rebus nomina saepe suis . Blowne-cheeke Physignathus she cleaped mee . But since that valour in thy lookes doth dwell , And * Mars hath his abiding in thy face : The God of warre . I thinke thy birth doth common Mise excell , And thee descended from a higher place . For maiestie attends vpon estate , It cannot masked be , nor change his gate . Thy Lordly lookes , thy royall birth proclaime ; Tell me thy countrey , kindred , and thy name . The Mouse arising from the riuers brim , Hearing the Frog speake with such Maiestie , With haughtie courage resaluteth him , And thus replies with great audacitie : * Wherefore desirest thou to know our birth , A bold answer to a King . Famous to gods aboue , and men on earth ? The greatest Kesar , and the countrey swayne , Of our exployts and stratagems complayne . I am the Prince * * Prince Eateerumme . Psicharpax , which in field Dare meet a thousand crummes within the face , All them encounter without speare or shield , And brauely eate them vp in little space , Borne of * * King Eatebread , Troxarta that redoubted king , Of whose heroick acts the world doth ring ; Both rich and poore my valiant father dread , With so great courage he deuoures their bread . Lick-meale Lichomile , a royall Mouse , My faire Queene-mother me conceiu'd hereby , Vnder a pile of wood , behind a house : ( For at that present there the Court did lye ) Where like the child of Ioue , The court then lay at woodstack . within her lap , I suckt sweet Nectar from her downe-soft pap , Neatly she fed me in my yonger yeares With milk , chees-curds , nuts , apples , figs & peares In vayne you wish our honour should descend ( Because our birth is of no small regard ) To taste the pleasures that your Palace lend , With store of iuncats and delights prepar'd : For they whose liues and natures disagree , Do hardly brooke to ioyne in companie . Like will to like , those birds consort together , Whose wings are like in colour , and of feather . You simple Frogs liue in the running mayne , In brookes , in ditches , and the watrie Fen. Vpon the drie land we , braue Mise , remayne , Where we enioy the company of men : We feed vpon their dainties at our ease , Eate vp their bread and victuals when we please ; We passe not for their locks , nor strength of place , Both locks and strength doth policie deface . Yet though , when hunger moues an appetite , We sometimes skirmish with the Kitchins store , And here and there a little morsell bite , And where we find it fatter , eate the more : For I haue heard my father say of old , A good axiome . Which as a Maxime we Mise doe hold , Fatter the better ( sure 't is worth repeating ) A fat sweet modicum deserues the eating . And though sometimes ( too seldome I confesse ) We light vpon a Capon by the way ; Or fortune with a Rabbit doth vs blesse , Which is a dainty morsell at this day ; Or other pretie iuncate which we find , And eate some part according to our kind : Yet are we not so greedie , as some say , Which blame braue Mise , yet take the meat away : For oft the greedie all-deuouring Cat , Which would be thought a safegard to the meat ▪ Doth vnder colour of her inward hate , That aye betweene vs two is wondrous great , Forrage the cupbords , kitchin , and the house ▪ Pretending hatred to the harmelesse Mouse : Too many of these Cats . But cert's let all beware of this deuice , One greedy Cat is worse then many Mise . Oft , when a Pigeon , or some dainty bit , Chiefly for master or the mistris drest ; If any parcell be reseru'd of it , To close their stomack at another feast , No sooner comes the morsell from the hall , But seruants take a part , or eate it all ; And when enquiry for this thing is made , Still on the guiltlesse Mouse the fault is layd . Surely I graunt , it grieues me to the heart , To beare these slaunders and incessant wrong , Which still they lay vnto the Mouses part , By their false lying and deceitfull toung , But in my sprite I scorne the vayne surmises , Infirmi est animi , exiguique voluptas vltio . Which eu'ry cogging mate by craft deuises ; Yet smile to see the mistris of the house , Vpon her seruants shoulders beat the Mouse . Nethlesse they cannot say but we will take A dire reuenge vpon them for the lie ; The world is growne into a swaggering vayne : for not a Mouse will now put vp the lye . And since no conscience in a lie they make , Their lie shall proue a truth , or we will die : For not a hole or corner shall be free , Where any scraps or broken meat we see ; But whatsoe're we find , without delay Wee le quickly eate it vp , or beare away . And yet thinke not ( Sir Frog ) we gallants liue Vpon the refuse scraps or broken meat ; Or feed on fragments which foule trenchers giue , When greazy scullions make them cleane and neat . Farre be it from a lordly Mouses tooth , To taste the trash that eu'ry Pesant doth ; Well knowes a discreet Mouse to chuse the best , Though he for anger often eate the rest . Nor are we so faynt-hearted , if we chaunce To meet a pye or pastie by the way , Which like a Castle doth her selfe aduaunce , Scorning the battrie of our braue array ; But streight couragiously her wals we scale , Or vndermine them for to make her quaile : If valour will not bring our wish to passe , Our teeth shall pearce her crust as hard as brasse . Sweet cakes , fat puddings , curdes , creame , are our meate , With bacon-flitches hanging in the house , Delicious hony-sops which gods do eate , Are victuals onely for the gallant Mouse . No pleasant iuncates , no tooth-tempting fare , Which huswiues locke vp with no slender care , * * Yet oft more bold then welcome . Yea , no delights the kitchen doth contayne , But in the danger of our teeth remayne . Pale feare of death could neuer make me flye , Nor safegard of my life to leaue the fight . True valour will with honour rather dye , Then like a coward liue and take his flight . But like a Souldier stout , and Captayne bold , Still in the formost ranke my place I hold , Where I enact such wonders with my blade , Et coelum territat armis . That troupes I send to death and dusky shade . The might of bourly man I do not dread , Though other creatures liue within his feare : Oft dare I bite his hand , and scratch his head , When he the silent night in sleepe doth weare . * * Casibus insultas quos potes ipse pati . I scorne his gins and his alluring bayt , Set to intrap vs closely by deceyt : Yet if therein the basest Mouse do fall , In our reuenge his meate shall pay for all . Onely the Owle I dread , and eye-bright Cat , Two cursed murdrers in the dismall night , Whose monstrous iawes spare neither Mouse nor Rat , But quicke deuoure vs without law or right : Yet chiefly of the Cat I stand in feare , Whose puling voyce I neuer loue to heare ; A hel-bred Harpie ranging round about , Watching our comming in and going out . I tell thee , Satietas nauseam parit . Frog , I lothe to liue on weedes , Rootes , coleworts , garlick , or the foolish beet , Or stinking mushroms , growing with the reedes : Such vulgar diet for base Frogs is meet : Meat fit for Frogs which haunt the watry Fen , Not for the gallant Mouse that feeds with men . And heere abruptly ending in disdayne , Thus smilingly the Frog replyde againe : Stoutly thou brag'st vpon thy costly cheare , Thy dainty dishes and thy kingly fare ; Much honour to thy belly thou doest beare , Vaunting what pleasures fall vnto thy share , And what a warlike heart in thee doth dwell , Which pale-fac'd feare of death could neuer quel : But reason shewes by dayly practise found , That empty vessels yeeld the greatest sound . And yet seeme not to scorne our rushy chayre , Because your belly-pleasures doe abound : With our delights no solace may compare , That can among poore starued Mise be found . Vpon the land we daunce and sport our fill , In water bathe our lymmes ( so Ioue doth will ) Our cates are consonant vnto our state , Nulla aconita bibuntur fictilibus . Not mixt with poyson or deceitfull bayt . And if the knowledge of the truth did moue , Or breed in thee a liking and delight , Like to the radiant sonne of mightie Ioue , When riding in his Carre he giues vs light , I to my palace will thee safely bring , Sitting vpon the shoulders of a king : Credito , credenti nulla procella nocet . Leape on my neck , feare not the running mayne , I beare thee hence , I bring thee backe againe . He had no sooner sayd , but bending downe His back ; though rare it is to see Kings bow ; The lieger Mouse , lighter then thistle downe , And swift as wind , which from the East doth blow , Vpon his shoulders nimbly leaps in hast , And vawlting to his neck , doth there hold fast , Proud of his stately Porter , as he might : For whome Kings beare , they may be proud by right . Boldly the Frog doth launch out from the brim , Into the current of the water cleare : The Mouse reioycing for to see him swim , Vpon his backe like * Neptune doth appeare , Neptune the god of the sea When mounted on a Dolphin in his pride , Vpon the tossing billowes he doth ride : Or like the Sunne , clad in his morning weeds , Drawne in his fiery waggon by his Steeds : With so great port and princely maiesty The little Mouse vpon the Frog did stand , Maior sum quam cui possit fortuna nocere . Proudly triumphing while the shore was nye , And that he could at pleasure skip to land . Such great delights in water he did see , Welneere he could desire a Frog to be . But as no state can stable stand for aye : So euery pleasure hath his ending day . For when he saw the surging billowes rise , And on the sudden fall as low as hell , Such store of teares did trickle from his eyes , That their abundance made the water swell . And now the waues be dash him more and more , Tossing his corpes amid their watry store , With grief he wrings his hands , & teares his skin : Such wofull plight pale feare had put him in . Now doth he wish , Galeatum sero duelli poen●●e● though wishes take no place , That on firme land he were arriu'd againe ; He curseth Neptune and his trident Mace , The troubled waters and the running maine : Now , but too late ( alas ) doth he repent His foolish rashnesse , cause of this euent . But after-wit is like a showre of rayne , That falles vntimely on the ripened grayne . His feet vnto his belly doth he shrinke , And on the Frog his back doth closely sit , Vsing his nimble tayle , when he did sinke , In stead of oare . Pale feare did learne him wit . The flowing billowes mount aboue his head , Speachlesse for sorrow , and for griefe halfe dead : Yet death is not so bitter as cold feare , Which makes things greater , then they are , appeare . Sorrow tryumpheth in the Mouse his brest , Heu , quid agat ? Despayre doth sit as Marshall in his mind , Danger and death on eu'ry side are prest , Still to receyue him at eche puffe of wind : But danger can the heart of pride ne're breake ; When feare hath staid the toung , yet pride will speake . And though the waters wash the outward skin , They cannot wash presumption within . For thus he sighing sayd , The gentle * * Iupiter when hee stole away Europa . Bull , Which Ouid doth applaud for knauery , Did not conuay to Creete his prety trull Vpon his necke with so great brauery , As King of Frogs doth beare the gallant Mouse , To see the pompe and pleasure of his house , Plunging his lymmes amid the water cleare , Such confidence to swimming he doth beare . He this no sooner sayd , but sudden feare Did stop the passage of his further prate : For loe , a water - Serpent did appeare , A hellish torment to the Frogs estate , Which cutting through the running streame that way , Winding himselfe to find some floting pray , The Frog espide : What cannot feare descry , Which ioyn'd with care , preuents sad destiny ? For hee no sooner did the Snake behold , Gaping like Cerberus three-headed dog , Cerberus is sayd to haue three heads , & to be porter of hell Ruffling his scaly neck which shone like gold , But into water diues the wily Frog , Leauing the Mouse , his friend , in sad lament , Set forth to danger , death , and dire euent : For he which makes a friend of euery stranger , Discards him not againe without some danger . The silly Mouse distressed and forlorne , Left to the mercy of the running mayne , Vnto the bottome head-long downe is borne , Where he , poore soule , in secret doth complayne , Plunging with hands aloft now doth he fleet , Then sinking downe againe he strikes with feet : But when grim destiny doth once assayle , No might , no shift , no force can then preuayle . When therefore to approch he knew his death , And that his wet haires furthered his woe , Fate still attendant for to stop his breath , And death at hand to worke his ouerthrow , Weeping for sorrow , voyd of all reliefe , Thus with himselfe he sigh'd to ease his griefe : For teares and sighes , sad orators of smart , Though they release not , Fst quaedam flere voiuptas . yet they ease the heart . Perfidious Frog , procurer of my wrack , Accursed Traytor to my fathers Crowne , Thinke not though vèngeance for a time be slack , That thundring Ioue , to whom all things are knowne , Will be forgetfull of thy trechery , Through whose deceit I dye in misery , Which from thy back , as off a rock I stood , Hast thrown me , periur'd wretch , amid the flood . Well thou perceiu'dst my valour and my might , My worth , my courage , and agilitie , Which like a dastard and faint-hearted wight , At vnawares hast wrought my tragedie . By craft I dye in water , though on land Thou durst not once attempt it with thy hand : But God , whose dwelling is the starres among , He knowes thy craft , & will reuenge my wrong . The Mise , Interdum lacrymae pondera vocis habent . braue Mise , sterne soldiers of stout Mars , In troupes shall march against thy damned crue , And shall pursue thee with such bloudie wars , That Frogs vnborne yet shall haue cause to rue . Such balefull stratagems that day shall be , As neuer cursed traytrous Frog did see : For ne're shall murder vnreuenged boast . And with those words he yeelded vp the ghost . Lichopinax Lick-trencher , of great blood , Sitting vpon the grassie waters side , Saw when the Mouse was drowned in the flood : For murder by some chaunce will be espide ; And greatly weeping for the Princes fall , Amayne he posteth to the Kings neate hall ; Where , to his Grace sitting with Lords of state , He tels with griefe his sonnes vnhappie fate . When as his Maiestie this newes did heare , Sadly he tooke the Princes ouerthrow , Downe from his throne he fell with heauy cheare , And swooned in the place for griefe and woe . His Nobles take him vp without delay , And on a royall pallet doe him lay , Where he for sorrow sick , was like to dye : For childrens hurt neere fathers heart doth lye . But all the Lords , though they were male-content , Grieu'd for his death which was their Kings sole care , Yet like fell Lions vnto anger bent , A black reuenge within their minds they sware . With comfortable words they cheare their King , Which somewhat did abate his sorrowing . Hope of reuenge did so his stomacke pricke , Now he is strong againe , Minuit vindicta dolorem . which erst was sicke . His messengers dispatched are apace , To all the hungrie corners in his land , Commaunding all his subiects in short space , At Court before his Maiestie to stand , To learne his pleasure for his wofull sonne , Whom the proud King of Frogs to death had don . Whose corps lie buried in the rolling waue , Wanting a royall Hearse as Princes haue . The time no sooner came , The dutifulnesse of the Mise . when eu'ry Mouse , Of any office , calling , or degree , In his owne person at the kings great House , Before his Maiestie should present be : But all the Lords , knights , squires & gentle Mise Resort to Court , before the sunne did rise , The basest Mouse that had a tayle behinde , Posted apace to know his Graces minde . Within the Court assembled were the States , And each one seated in his due degree , The Commons stayed at the Palace gates , Yet where they might the King both heare and see . Then presently his Maiestie came downe , Clad like a mourner in a murry gowne , And from his throne , though grief had made him weake , Yet angry for his sonne , thus did he speake : Stout Peeres , The Oration of the King of Mise . braue Nobles , and my Captaines tall , And you kinde subiects to your louing King , Though to my part these mischiefes onely fall , Which from my drearie eyes sad teares do bring : Yet to you all this dammage doth belong , For Kings mishap to subiects is a wrong . I like a father , you like friends complaine , Since cursed Frogs , my sonne , your Prince , haue slaine . Great are the cares attend vpon a throne , Tenet auratum limen erinnys . And most misfortunes sit in Caesars lap : Then who so wretched as poore I alone , Predestinate to nothing but mishap ? Once happie in three children borne to me , As pretty Mise as euer man did see . But Fortune glad to tryumph in my woe , Hath brought my sorrow with their ouerthrow . For first , the eldest scarce was two months old , When playing like a wanton vp and downe , A griefly Cat the yong Mouse did behold , And quickly caught him by the tender crowne . Betweene whose cruell iawes my sonne did die , Without remorse deuoured traytrously . A Stygian Butcher , knowne vnto you all , Whose teeth asunder teare both great and small . My sonne next him , a litle noble Mouse , Too ventrous far to liue ( O griefe to tell ) Hunting for food within a Farmers house , Into an engyne made of wood he fell , Fraude perit virtus . Inuented by mans arte and policie , To crush and murther all our Progenie ; There ( louing Subiects ) dy'de my second child , With rigour massacred , with craft beguild . And now my third , my last beloued sonne , But best beloued sonne of all the three , With whom my ioyes do end , my life is done , Most deare to his Queene-mother and to me ; In whom decayes the issue of my blood , Ay me , Hinc illae lachrymae . lies buried in the raging flood , Betrayd and drowned by the Frogs fell King , To whom my sword sad elegies shall sing . Then quickly arme your selues , to armes , he cries , Fight for your King and Countrey without feare , Pursue the Frogs your cursed enemies , And gard your selues with helmet , shield and speare ; With courage shew your valour and your might , The day is ours : for Iove still aydes the right : Braue Lords , kind subiects , fight couragiously , God and Saint * * She is holden patronesse ouer Mise . Gertrude graunt vs victory . The King in anger here did make an end , And presently dismissed all the crue , Which all their studie and endeuours bend , That black reuenge and battell might ensue . The Kings sad wordes did stirre them vp so farre , That nought they talke of now but bloudie war . And euery Mouse from greatest to the least , Prepares such weapons as will 〈◊〉 them best . And first , The armes and weapons of the Mise . for legs , these neuer daunted Mise , Warlike habiliments in haste prouide , Garded with huskes of pease ( O rare deuice ! ) As though with boots or start-vps they would ride : Whose policie if this our age would trie , So many maymed soldiers should not die : For they which lose their legges , doe lack their might , Nor can they fly , nor stoutly stand to fight . Next with a corslet they defend the heart , Not made of steele , but of an old straw-hat , With which before they did award that part , Against the forces of the greedy Cat : A piece of leather on their backe they don , Which serues in stead of an habergion : The bottome of a candlestick doth stand , For target or a buckler in their hand : Small brazen pinnes they brandish like a speare , Gerimus quae possumus arma . And tosse their needles like strong pikes about ; A walnut shell for helmet they doe beare , After that they had eate the kernell out . And thus they march to fight that bloudy fray , Vaunting in armour and their proud array : For weapons vnto force fresh courage bring . A Mouse in armes doth thinke himselfe a king . But when the trumpe of iron-winged Fame Had sounded to the Frogs this bad report , Res animos incognita turbat . Out of the water in great troopes they came , And on the shore together do resort , There to determine what the cause should be , Of these strange warres and sudden mutinie : Their dread encreaseth by each brute they heare : For feare of vnknown things breeds greater feare . Whiles thus they stand perplexed and afraid , A Herald bold of Armes they might descry , Herald Eate-cheese . Eat-cheese Tyroglyphus , which not dismaid , Dare stoutly to their face the Frogs defie , Whom noble Embasichytros begot , That slily creepeth into eu'ry pot . He bearing in his hand a regall mace , Thus to the Frogs did speake in great disgrace : To you disloyall Frogs that hunt for blood , And to your King that wrought our Princes fall , Drowning his body in the raging flood , Whose death to heauen doth for vengeance call , To you I come sad messenger of woe From angry Mise , which wish your ouerthrow : And here , in all their names , and from our King , A flat defiance to base Frogs I bring . Warres , Ingentes parturit ira minas hostile warres , accursed traytrous Frogs , Heere I denounce , and spit within your face . Damned deceitfull wretches from your bogs We will abolish your detested race : Then arme your selues , for vengeance we wil take Vpon all Frogs for our braue princes sake . If courage in your crauen hearts doth dwell Meet vs in open field : and so farewell . When he had said these words , as in disdayne Scorning an answere from the Frogs to beare , Forthwith he posted to the Mise againe , Whose message put the Frogs in mighty feare : Yet feare breeds wrath , wrath kindles courage more . That now windes rage which erst were calme before . The King then rising from his chaire of state , Grauely their valours thus did animate : Lords , The Oration of the King of Frogs . Nobles , gallant Frogs , and all the Trayne , Which heere attend to know our royall will , Subiects , nay , more then Subiects in our raigne , For we are fellowes and compartners still : Vexe not your mindes , all clouds do beare no raine , Nor in proud brags true valour doth remaine . These are but words , fit bugs to scarre the crowes : And cowards brags do seldom end with blowes . But if their meaning with their words agree , Then doe they seeke to vndermine our Crowne , A forged quarrell they impose on me , That I a proud audacious Mouse should drowne : And vnder this false colour they deuise , Accipe Danaum insidias , & crimine ab uno disc● omnes . To cloke the treasons of their enterprise . Eche foole can find a staffe to beate a dog . He must haue both his eyes that blinds a Frog . Heauen and earth to witnesse I doe call , And all the golden Planets of the skie , That I attempted not the Mouses fall , Nor once remember I did see him die : But this I thinke , that , playing on the brim , Seeing the gallant Frogs so brauely swim , He thought to doe the like , and leaped in , Where he was iustly plagued for his sinne . And now these lurking creatures , hungry Mise , Which scarce dare shew their faces in the light , A crue of greedy vermine , which deuise Nothing but stealth and rapine in the night : These doe vniustly charge me with his death , Because within our reigne he lost his breath : But I will teach these proud audacious fooles , Not iest with kings , nor meddle with edge-tooles . Then friends , Si tamen horteris , fortius ibit equus kind friends , & fellowes to your king ▪ Plucke vp your spirits , banish lauish feares ; For in this warre , whence terrour seemes to spring , Me thinkes great ioy and comfort still appeares , Since gallant Frogs , whome nothing terrifies , Fight with a starued troupe of hungry Mise . Courage , braue mates , take weapons , and to fight : Fortune defends true valour in his right . But since men may in warre sometimes preuayle , Vis consilii expers mole ruit suae . As much by policy , as power or might , And that where strength and prowesse often fayle , Wit doth at length giue succour to the right I wish you arme your selues with speare & shield , And march along the shore vnto the field , A rare policy of the Frogs . Where , on a hill which ouer-lookes the flood , We will incampe our selues as in a wood . When to this place these crauen Mise conuay Their fearefull souldiers , like a flocke of sheepe , And to besiedge our fortresse shall assay , Where we vpon the hill our forces keepe : If any boasting Mouse vpon the banke Dare but ascend one foote before his ranke , Him we will all assayle in furious mood , And cast his body headlong in the flood . By this rare stratagem and braue deuise , We shall their malice and great pride abate : Thus shall we conquer corner-creeping Mise , Which would annoy our peace and quiet state . And thus , Addidit inualida robur facundia causa . with trophies and triumphing play , We will like victors crowne our heads with bay . Then arme your selues , braue mates , with speare & shield . God , and great Neptune grant vs winne the field . Here did he end , The armour and weapons of the Frogs . and scarce he made an end , But all the Frogs , from greatest to the least , For these ensuing warres their studies bend To get such weapons as befit them best : First to their thighs greene Malows they do wrap , Which hang downe like a bag or butchers flap . Beetes , like a cloke , vpon their backe they don , Which serues for brest-plate and habergion . A Cockles shell for sallet they prepare , T' award their heads from blowes amid the field : In their left hands these water-souldiers bare A leafe of Colewort for a trusty shield , And in their right ( for all parts armed were ) They tosse a bulrush for a pike or speare . Along the shore they march in this aray , Mad with fell rage , yet glad to see this day . Thus whil'st both armies did prepare to fight , A counsel assembled in heauen . Almighty Ioue , eternall , without end , Inuites the gods into his palace bright , Whence ratling thunder & bright flames descend : And pointing with his finger downe below , To them these puissant warriours doth he show , Stout as the Centaures or the Gyants great , Which once assai'd to pull Ioue from his seat . Whom when the gods together did behold , Aspiciunt oculis superi mortalia iustis . Marching like Pigmie-Braggarts in aray , And sternly shake their speares like champions bold , As though no terror could their hearts dismay , They made the court of heau'n with laughter ring ; Such pleasure and delight the sight did bring . Then smiling Ioue ( deep silence kept a space ) Lift vp his voice , and spoke with royall grace : If Frogs and Mise ( quoth he ) their patrons haue , Chast daughter Pallas , Goddesse of warre . my Bellona deere , Tell vs which side thou wilt protect and saue , Shall not the gallant Mise be victors heere ? Great store of them within thy temples dwell , Allured thither by the tempting smell , Which still amounteth from thy sacrifice . Pallas againe did answere in this wise : Great Lord of heau'n and earth , beloued Sire , If you commaund , your daughter must obay , My will subiected is to your desire , For children cannot fathers hests denay : Yet force me not , kind father , once to shield These hunger-starued pyrats in the field , False lurking creatures , greedy theeuish Mise , Whose teeth pollute my sweete fat sacrifice . Great are the wrongs and mischiefes I abide , Quaelibet extinctos iniuria suscitat ignes . By these detested vermine day and night , Much they impayre my worship and my pride : And shall I then defend them in this right ? The hallow'd oyle , which sacred fire doth stay Within my lamps , they steale and licke away : My * * Crownes of victory crowns they gnaw , but these are losses small , This is the hurt molests me most of all : My braue ensigne embrodered all with gold , Neuer braue ensigne was so rich of price , Wherein my acts and triumphs were enrold , Is eaten , torne , and spoyled by these Mice . This is my hurt surpassing all the rest , For this cause chiefly I these Mise detest : And shall I , father , seeme to patronise My foes , my wrongers , and sworne enemies ? Ne're these accursed beasts will I defend : Command ought else , great Ioue , but pardon this : Nor durtie Frogs Bellona will befrend , Whose ioy and pleasure in fowle puddles is . For as I loath the Mise for sundry wrongs : So I detest base Frogs for croking songs , Hoc illis garrula lingua dedit . Whose harsh vnpleasant voices in the night Breed nought but terror to each mortall wight . When I returne oft sweating from the warres , And after fainting trauell thinke to sleepe , With their seditious brawles , and croking iarres , Which in the filthy marishes they keepe , Awake I lye , till mornings trumpeter Giues warning for the day-starre to appeare , And cheerfull Cock chants forth his wonted lay , To shew the dawning of the ioyfull day . Though we are gods , yet let vs all beware To succour in our person either part : In audaces non est audacia tuta . For if these meete the gods , they will not spare To strike them with their iauelings to the hart : But let vs rather ioy to see this fray , Where we behold their ruine and decay . Quos oderit quisque perisse cupit . Thus Pallas said . To whom incontinent The heauenly Senate gaue a full consent . Meane while both armies mustred on the plaine , The battell . And place their wings and squadrons in aray , From either part a Herald doth againe Giue signe for battell and the bloudie day . The buzzing Flies , because they were of skil , A blow aloud their hornes and trumpets shrill , A harsh tantarra sound vnto the fight , Which lends more courage to their wonted might . Heauen and earth doth thunder with the cry , When front to front these noble armies meete , Loose wauing in the wind their ensignes flie , With wounds and fatall blowes eche other greete . The Mise assaile , the Frogs the fight accept , In combat close each host to other stept : For now the wings had skirmish hot begun , And with their battels forth like Lyons run . But who was first amid this bloody fight , That gaue the onset first , first wanne renowne ? Croaking Hypsiboas , first like a knight , Lick-taile Lichenor brauely tumbled downe , Into his paunch so strong he thrust his speare , That forth his backe behind it did appeare , Groueling the Mouse fell on the sandy plaine , By this audacious Frog with valour slaine . Next him Troglodytes , which not afraid , Each secret hole and corner creepeth in , Gaue Pelion the Frog , with aurt berayd , A deadly foile with his small brazen pin : Within the wound the iaueling sticketh sore , And from the veines forth streams the purple gore . Thus to his end pale death this Frog did bring , Which kils the caitife with the crowned king . Tendi●mus huc omnes , Pot-creeping Embasichytros , of late Whose valiant sonne did all the Frogs defie , Now quite confounded by disastrous fate , Deuoid of life thy headles truncke doth lie At hardy Seutl●ns his crooked feet , A Frog which feeds on nothing but the beete . And clam rous Polyphon there lyes thou dead , Slayne by Artophagus which eateth bread . But when Limnocharis their deaths beheld , Which in the marish hath his whole delight , The angry Frog , by loue and ire compeld , To sad reuenge his pow'r and forces dight : Life must be payd with life , the Frog did cry , Mors morte piandae est . Their deaths I will reuenge , or with them dye . Thus when true loue , & valour guide the heart , A cowards hand will play a souldiers part . And from the ground a milstone in great hast He raught : Quaelibet iratis ipse dat arma furor . strange wonders courage doth enact : And with great violence the same he cast At proud Troglodites as one distract : In middle of his necke the stone did light , Whereby he sleepeth in eternall night : Thus brused with the fall , this Mouse did lye , Suffring the torments of deaths tyranny . Yong Lichenor , his sonne that first was slaine , A gallant Mouse , which did no colours feare , Desirous , though with death , renowne to gaine , That his exploits ensuing times might heare , Fierce butcher like Limnocharis espide , Est vindicta bonum , vita incundius ipsa . Whose weapons were with bloud in scarlet dide : To whom he said , Fight , coward , or else flie , Thou or Lichenor here shall surely die . And with those words , ayming his heart to hit , Strongly his iaueling at the Frog he threw , It pearst his side , Ipsa manus fortunaiu . his brest and bowels split , His vitall spirits from his body flew ; Dead lay Limnocharis vpon the playne , The brauest souldier in the warrie trayne . For death impartiall doth with one selfe hand , Cut off the strong & weak at heauens command . Crambophagus , Eat-Colewort , which of late Basely his armes and weapons cast away , Thinking by flight to flie the stroke of fate , Ran to the water from the mortall fray : Whom Lichenor more swift then he pursude , And in his harts warm bloud his speare imbru'd : Vpon the shore the dastard Frog was slaine , Ere he could leape into the running maine . Heroicall Limnesus , Fennie Lord , Incensed by mad rage , blacke furies brand , The bold Tyroglyphus slew with the sword , A great commander in the Mouses band . Deepe holes and hollow caues he vsde to delue Among the Cheeses lying on the shelue . His head the Frog doth from his necke aduance , And in great triumph beares it on his lance . Faint-hearted * * So called of the herbe Calamint . Calaminthius in great feare , Little in stature , and of courage small , Beholding vast Pternoglyphus appeare , A Mouse exceeding great , strong , bourly , tall , And which in bacon flitches holes doth make , He doth his weapons with the field forsake , Pedibus timor addidit alas And crauen-like fled to the durty bogs , Euen as the feareful Hare pursude with dogs . But bold Hydrocharis , that loues the floud , Famous for deeds of armes would neuer flie , The furious Mouse this peerelesse Frog withstood , Nor would he shun a foot though he should die : Lately Pternophagon this gallant killed , Which oft with Bacon hath his belly filled : Now with a stone Pternoglyphus he slew , Whose cloddred braines the crymson field imbrew . Lichopinax , which first told to the king The balefull newes of his sonnes tragedy , At Borborocaetes did his darts still fling : A valiant Frog , though in the durt he lye . Prostrate he fell vpon the sandy ground , The Mouses dart had made a mortall wound : Wherat pale death sent forth his fainting spright , To sleepe in darknes and eternall night . When this the Frog Prassophagus beheld , Eat-Leeke Prassophagus , swift as the Hynde , He ranne with mighty stowre along the field , And taking Gnissodioctes neat behind , Quam ferus & veré ferreus ille fuit ? From off his feet the little Mouse he flong , Into the streaming current all along , Nor there he left him , till with raging mood He had his foe estrangled in the flood . Eat-crumme Psicharpax which was neere allide Vnto the kings yong sonne that earst was down'd , In succour of his friends the Frogs defide , And to the battell made him ready bound , Durtie Pelusus in the paunch he thrust , Faintly the Frog sunke downe into the dust , Whose fluttring spirit did her passage make , Downe to * * It is taken for the entry into hell . Auernus that vnpleasant lake . Pelobates , which loues to treade the myre , Saw when his friend and fellow souldier fell , And adding fuell to the smoking fire , His furie into burning flames gan swell : For filling both his hands with durtapace , He cast it fiercely in Psicharpax face , Which much besmeard his visage with disguise , Hoc virtutis opus And almost blinded and put out his eyes : But he the strong Psicharpax mou'd with spleene , And iustly angrie at this beastly wrong , Tooke vp a mighty stone which there had beene A bound or landmark tweene two neighbors long , And hurling it with vigour and great power , He burst his knee asunder in that stower , The right leg fell dismembred from his thie , And not once mouing on the ground doth lie . Ne there he thought to leaue him in sad plight , But with a iaueling would haue reft his life , Had not Craugasides , that croaking wight , Whose chiefest pleasure is in brawling strife , Kept off the blow , and with a sudden push , Thrust through the Mouse his belly with a rush , Vpon the ground his bowels gushed forth : Mars dubius omnis , quosque ●eges vnquam posse iacere cadunt . Thus di'de this martial hart , & Mouse of worth . Which when Eat-corne Sitophagus espide , That erst was maymed of two legs in fight , Washing his wounds along the water side , And sore amazed at this rufull sight , He dared not aduenture forth agayne Into the field , for feare he should be slayne : But leapt into the strong entrenched fort , Stultus , qui cum discedere possit , pugnat . Where he receiued was in ioyfull sort . Nethlesse the warlike troopes of eyther band , Persisted still with courage in the field , Great store lye slayne vpon the drenched sand , Yet not , for thy , a souldier seemes to yeeld : Now fury roares , ire threats , & woe complains , One weepes , another cryes , he sighes for paynes . The hosts both clad in blood , in dust and myre , Had chang'd their cheare , their pryde , their rich attyre . Thus whiles the conquest was to neither bent , But poizd in ballance betweene hope and feare , Those two which hold the supreme gouernment O're both the armies which in battell were , The conflict of the two kings The Kings of Frogs and Mise together meete , Where they with mortal blows each other greet : But cowards often faintly step aside , When manhood is by resolution tride . For scarce they had encountred in the fight , And lent some equall strokes on either side , When king of Mise thinking his foe to smite Vpon the head , his sword to ground did glide , But yet his foot it wounded when it fell , Which blow did much his haughty courage quell : For he which erst was author of this strife , Now seekes the bogs for safe gard of his life . The valourous incensed king of Mise , Seeing the Frogs proud king so basely fly , Which was of late so resolute and wise , To vaunt of trophees e're he blowes did try , Calling his souldiers on with cheerefull hue , His fainting weary foe he doth pursue , Stil hoping ( since his wound had made him slow ) To ouertake him with a fatall blow . And but , that neuer-daunted Captaine brought , Captaine Prassaus , greene as garden-Leeke , A troope of gallants which nould flie for ought , To aide the king , his life had beene to seeke , Which pressing through the middle of the fray , Rescude their wounded king which fled away . Ipsa dies quandoque parens , quandoque●ouerca . And with their darts beat backe the Mise a space , Till forth of daunger they had rid his grace . Greatly the Mise were daunted with their blowes , So thicke they fell and forcibly were sent , That they were forc'd from daunger of the throwes , Backe to retire and somewhat to relent , Vntill their rage and furie were o'repast , Incerti fallax fiducia Martis , Through want of breath : then they againe as fast The Frogs assaile and mightily amate , As forward earst , now backward to retraite . Among the squadrons of the Mouses band , One Mouse there was more gallant then the rest , A brauer souldier was not in the land , Nor stouter Captaine euer wars profest : For though sterne Mars his manhood list to trie , Mars could not force this daring Mouse to flie : But when in armes this warriour is yclad , He rather is of Mars to be ydrad . This was the sonne of Artepibulus , Which doth for bread in wait and ambush lie , Of loftie heart and magnanimious , A worthy sire to such a progenie , Whom mighty Meridarpa● he did call , That eats the crummes which vnder table fall : Was neuer Mouse which vnder hean'n doth liue , That durst aduenture with him for to striue . Like to a Gyant stood this champion bold , Vpon the shore neere to the riuers side , Dii precor a ranis omen remouete sinistrum . Vaunting his might and prowesse , as he would Haue pull'd the throne of Ioue downe in his pride . And holding vp his bourly armes to heauen , Swore by the Sunne , the Moone , and Planets seuen , That e're bright Phoebus lighted from his wayne , Dii prohibete minas , Dii talem auertite pestem . One crauen Frog should not aliue remaine . For by this hand , quoth he , by this right hand , ( Scarce would a man beleeue it though he sweare ) Though not a Mouse will venture them withstand , But flie the field for cowardise and feare : Yet I , behold , I , will so thresh these Frogs , That with their corses I will fill the bogs : Or they , or I , by Ioue this vow I make , This night will lodge beyond the * * A riuer in hell , ouer which soules do passe to all places . Stygian lake . And cert's , these words had not bene spoke in vaine , He had perform'd his vow : ( though shame to tell ) If that the Father of the heau'nly trayne , The king of men , and Lord of deepest hell , Great Ioue , had not beheld from starry skyes His dire complots and bloudy enterprise , And taking pitie of the Frogs estate , To Mars and all the rest thus gan relate : Ye Gods , which here behold this dismal day , And see the slaughters of the cruell fight , What braggard Mouse is this that beares such sway Neere to the riuer , vaunting of his might ? How bold he looks , how proud he bears his head , As though the Frogs lay all before him dead , Deeply protesting on the parched sand , Not one poore Frog shal scape his murdring hand . Diuine inhabitants of heau'n , behold , Behold , Miseris miserentur num̄ina . I say , alas , the wretched case , And great mishap which doth poore Frogs enfold , Now prest to suffer ruine and disgrace : Vnlesse you deigne to saue them at this hower , And send in ayde some number of your power , To quel the daring courage of the Mise , And stop proud Meridarpax enterprise . If that displease , then let vs Pallas send T' asswage the furie of this cruell fone : Or thou sterne Mars haste thither for to wend , Yelad in armes of Adamantine stone ; That this fell * * Meridarpax . Tyger , greedy of his pray , E're he annoy the Frogs , may runne away . Heere Ioue did end : But Mars of visage grim , Arising from his seat , replide to him : Beloued Father , Lord of heau'n and hell , To your behest all pow'rs subiected stand , Which doe in heau'n or lower regions dwell , None may or dare deny when you command : Then think , sweet Father , Mars accounteth still Your word for right , as law your only wil. Kings men commaund on earth , why should not Ioue , The King of Kings , command the gods aboue ? Speake but the word , great Mars is alwayes prest , At Ioues appoynt , in armes to enter field ; And for stout Pallas , at your least request , I know my sister willingly will yeeld : But neither I , Quid Mars ad multitudinem ? though I be god of warres , Nor Pallas , whose renown doth reach the starres , Now are of force the falling Frogs to stay , Or them preserue from imminent decay . No , rather send the gods , send all the power , That highest heauenly Hierarchies can make , Or on their heads lightning with thunder shower , ( That all their armie may with terrour quake ) With which thou slew'st the Giants long agone , * * A great Giant , which Iupiter slew with lightning . Enceladus , and proud * * Phaeton , he was slayne with thunder . Apolloes sonne . Thus ended frowning Mars . To whose behest Great Ioue gaue full consent , with all the rest . And presently ascending vp the tower , Where sulphrous brands , with stony darts of fire , And all the weapons of his might and power , Are kept , to plague proud rebels in his ire : First , there he caus'd great gastly flames arise , And thunder-claps , that seem'd to rend the skies , And still among this hideous roaring sound , He darted burning bolts the Mise to wound . Pale feare assayled both the Frogs and Mise , When first on sudden they the thunder heard , Plus valet humanis viribus ira Dei . So great a terrour in their minds did rise , As though with spirits they had bene askard : For who in 's brest so stout a heart doth beare , That when heau'ns thunder , doth not quake for feare , And stand amaz'd to view with mortall eyes , When angry Ioue darts lightning from thes kies ? Nethlesse , although the Mise were much dismayd , To heare the sound , and see the fearefull sight , Yet left they not the battell as afrayd , But stood with greater courage to the fight . Certes , Apparet virtus , arguiturque malis . true valour may recoyle a space , Yet still her force renues with greater grace . Fiercer they rage than earst they did before : Such heapes of Frogs lye slayne vpon the shore . When angry Ioue beheld with rufull eye , For all his care , the Frogs still goe to wracke , And see the Mise more desperate hereby , Scorning his lightnings and harsh thunder-cracke , He wept to view their slaughter and decay : And now he thought to trie a surer way , By other meanes the Frogs from death to shend : For whom God loues , he fauours to the end . From forth the Cesterne of the Ocean deepe , Whence riuers both their spring and tydes renue , An vgly swarme of filthy monsters creepe , A foule infernall and ill-fauour'd crue , Which still goe backward with a squinting eye , The description of the Crabs . To see before their footsteps what doth lye : For thus doth mother nature alwayes ayme , For eche defect a remedy to frame . Exceeding were their shoulders out of square , So broad , so great , as irkes my muse to tell : Their bald blue backe withouten skin or haire , Was all o'rewhelmed with a costiue shell , As hard as Iron , or the flinty stones . Their bodies wholly were compact of bones . Before their vgly face two clawes beare sway , With which they wont to grope & feele their way . On eyther side of their deformed brest , Foure crooked legs their grieuous burden beare : Two sterne grim lowring eyes by natures hest , In middle of their belly did appeare . Their griesly crownes seem'd clouen into three ; On two whereof like helmets you might see . So vile a brood of fell misshapen Snakes Ne're could be found , but in th' infernall lakes . These monstrous vgly Crabs ( for Crabs they were ) Crawling along the spacious continent , Quaslibet , ad poenas , res capit ira Iouis . When Ioue beheld from out his Palace cleare , Which lyes beyond the spangled firmament , He sent the hel-bred band vnto the fray , To kill the Mise , or make them runne away . The Crabs obeyd , nor take they care for armes ; Their shels wil keep them safe from greatest harms . No sooner were they come vnto the fight , Where warlike Mise their enemies assayle , But all at once the Crabs vpon them light , Asunder breake their legs , bite off their tayle , Their iauelings pluck away , & pinch their hands , Nothing their sauage cruelty withstands : So Tiger-like vpon the Mise they pray , As would perforce the stoutest heart afray . But when the Mise beheld these monsters rage , So dire and bloudy as doth grieue me tell , Their haughty courage somedeale gan asswage , Rara quidem est virtus , quam non fortuna gubernat Their hearts from wonted resolution fell ; Their armes they throw away , the field forsake , And to their heeles for safegard them betake : For if both heauen and hell conspire decay , No maruell though poore Mise do runne away . Thus by the succour of the Crabs that day , The Mise were forced to a shamefull flight , Pugna suam finem , cum fugit hostis , habet The Frogs preseru'd from imminent decay , Which else had slept in death and endlesse night . And now the welked Phoebus gan to rest His wearied waggon in the scarlet West , When sullen night prepar'd her course to runne , Seal'd vp the battell with the setting Sunne .