I Finde Eumenides in all thinges both varietie to content , & satietie to glut , sauing onelie in my affections , which are so stayed , and withall so statelie , that I can neither satis-fie my hart with loue , nor mine eyes with wonder . My thoughts Eumenides are stitched to the starres , which beeing as high as I can see ; thou maist imagin how much higher they are then I can reach .

If you be enamored of any thing aboue the Moone , your thoughts are ridiculous , for that thinges immortall are not subiect to affections , if allured or enchaunted with these transitory things vnder the Moone , you shew your selfe sencelesse , to attribute such lofty tytles , to such loue trifles .

My loue is placed neither vnder the Moone nor aboue .

I hope you be not sotted vpon the man in the Moone .

No but setled , eyther to die , or possesse the Moone herselfe .

Is Endimion mad , or doe I mistake ? doe you loue the Moone Endimion ?

Eumenides the Moone .

There was neuer any so peeuish to imagin the Moone eyther capable of affection , or shape of a Mistris : for as impossible it is to make loue fit to her humor which no man knoweth , as a coate to her forme , which continueth not in one bignesse whilst she is measuring . Cease of Endimion to feede so much vpon fancies . That melancholy blood must be purged , which draweth you to a dotage no lesse miserable then monstrous .

My thoughts haue no vaines , and yet vnlesse they be let blood , I shall perrish .

But they haue vanities , which beeing reformed , you may be restored .

O fayre Cynthia , why doe others terme thee vnconstant , whom I haue euer founde vnmoueable ? Iniurious tyme , corrupt manners , vnkind men , who finding a constancy not to be matched , in my sweete Mistris , haue christned her with the name of wauering , waxing , and waning . Is shee inconstant that keepeth a setled course , which since her first creation altereth not one minute in her mouing ? There is nothing thought more admirable , or commendable in the sea , then the ebbing and flowing , and shall the Moone , from whom the Sea taketh this vertue , be accounted fickle for encreasing , & decreasing ? Flowers in theyr buds , are nothing worth till they be blowne , nor blossomes accounted till they be ripe fruite , and shal we then say they be changeable , for that they growe from seedes to leaues , from leaues to buds , from buds to theyr perfection ? then , why be not twigs that become trees , children that become men , and Mornings that grow to Euenings , termed wauering , for that they continue not at one stay ? I but Cynthia , being in her fulnes , decayeth , as not delighting in her greatest beautie , or withering when she should be most honoured . When mallice cannot obiect any thing , folly will , making that a vice , which is the greatest vertue . What thing ( my Mistris excepted ) being in the pride of her beauty , & latter minute of her age , that waxeth young againe ? Tell mee Eumenides , what is hee that hauing a Mistris of ripe yeeres , & infinite vertues , great honors , and vnspeakeable beauty , but woulde wish that shee might grow tender againe ? getting youth by yeeres , and neuer decaying beauty , by time , whose fayre face , neyther the Summers blase can scorch , nor Winters blast chappe , nor the numbring of yeeres breede altering of colours . Such is my sweete Cynthia , whom tyme cannot touch , because she is diuine , nor will offend because she is delicate . O Cynthia , if thou shouldest alwaies continue at thy fulnes , both Gods and men woulde conspire to rauish thee . But thou to abate the pride of our affections , dost detract from thy perfections , thinking it sufficient , if once in a month we enioy a glymse of thy maiestie , and then , to encrease our greefes , thou doost decrease thy glemes , comming out of thy royall robes , wherewith thou dazelist our eyes , downe into thy swath clowtes , beguiling our eyes . And then

Stay there Endimion , thou that committest Idolatry , wilt straight blaspheme , if thou be suffered . Sleepe woulde doe thee more good then speech : the Moone heareth thee not , or if shee doe , regardeth thee not .

Vaine Eumenides , whose thoughts neuer grow higher than the crowne of thy head . Why troublest thou me , hauing neither heade to conceiue the cause of my loue , or a hart to receiue the impressions ? followe thou thine owne fortunes , which creepe on the earth , & suffer me to flye to mine , whose fall though it be desperate , yet shall it come by daring . Farewell

Without doubt Endimion is bewitched , otherwise in a man of such rare vertues , there could not harbor a minde of such extreame madnes . I wil follow him , least in this fancie of the Moone , he depriue himselfe of the sight of the Sunne .

When thys is done what then , shall it continue tyll hys death , or shall he doate for euer in this delight ?

Ah Floscula , thou rendest my hart in sunder , in putting me in remembrance of the end .

Why if this be not the end , all the rest is to no ende .

Yet suffer mee to imitate Iuno , who woulde turne Iupiters louers to beastes on the earth , though she knew afterwards they should be starres in heauen .

Affection that is bred by enchauntment , is like a flower that is wrought in silke , in colour and forme most like , but nothing at all in substance or sauour .

It shall suffice me if the world talke that I am fauoured of Endimion .

Well , vse your owne wyll , but you shal finde that loue gotten with witch-craft , is as vnpleasant , as fish , taken with medicines vnwholsome .

they that be so poore that they haue neyther nette nor hooke , will rather poyson dowe then pyne with hunger : and she that is so opprest with loue , that shee is neyther able with beauty , nor wit to obtaine her freende , wyll rather vse vnlawfull meanes , then try vntollerable paines . I will doe it .

Then about it . Poore Endimion , what traps are layde for thee , because thou honourest one that all the world wondreth at . And what plots are cast to make thee vnfortunate , that studiest of all men to be the faithfullest .

O that we had Sir Tophas that braue Squire , in the midst of our myrth , & ecce autem , wyl you see the deuill ?

Epi .

Heere syr .

I brooke not thys idle humor of loue , it tickleth not my lyuer , from whence the Loue-mongers in former age seemed to inferre they should proceede .

Loue sir may lye in your lunges , and I thinke it doth , and that is the cause you blow , and are so pursie .

Tush boy , I thinke it but some deuise of the Poet to get money .

A Poet ? what s that ?

Doost thou not know what a Poet is ?

No .

Why foole , a Poet is as much as one shoulde say , a Poet . But soft , yonder be two Wrennes , shall I shoote at them ?

They are two lads .

Larkes or wrennes , I will kill them .

Larkes ? are you blinde ? they are two lyttle Boyes .

Byrdes , or boyes , they are both but a pittance for my breakefast , therefore haue at them , for theyr braines must as it were imbroder my bolts .

Stay your courage valiant Knight , for your wisdome is so wearie that it stayeth it selfe .

Why Syr Tophas haue you forgotten your olde freendes ?

Freendes ? Nego argumentum .

And why not freends ?

Because Amicitia ( as in old Annuals we find ) is inter pares , now my pretty companions , you shall see how vnequall you be to mee , but I will not cut you quite off , you shall be my halfe friendes , for reaching to my middle , so farre as from the ground to the wast I wil be your freend .

Learnedly . But what shall become of the rest of your bodie , from the wast to the crowne ?

My children quod supra vos nihil ad vos , you must thinke the rest immortall , because you cannot reach it .

Nay I tell ye my Maister is more then a man .

And thou lesse then a mouse .

But what be you two ?

I am Samias , page to Endimion .

And I Dares , page to Eumenides .

Of what occupation are your Masters .

Occupation , you clowne , why they are honourable , and warriers .

Then are they my prentises .

Thine , and why so ?

I was the first that euer deuised warre , and therefore by Mars himselfe giuen me for my Armes a whole Armorie , and thus I goe as you see , clothed with Artillary , it is not Silkes ( milksops ) nor Tyssues , nor the fine wooll of Cares , but yron , steele , swords , flame , shot , terror , clamor , blood , and ruine , that rocks a sleepe my thoughts , which neuer had any other cradle , but crueltie . Let me see , doe you not bleede ?

Why so ?

Commonly my words wound .

What then doe your blowes ?

Not onely confound , but also confound .

Howe darst thou come so neere thy Maister Epi ? Syr Tophas spare vs .

You shall liue . You Samias because you are little . You Dares , because you are no bigger , and both of you , because you are but two ; for commonly I kil by the dosen , and haue for euerie particular aduersarie , a peculiar weapon .

May we know the vse for our better skyll in warre ?

You shall . Heere is a burbolt for the vglie beast the Black-bird .

A cruell sight .

Heere is the Muskit , for the vntamed , ( or as the vulgar sort terme it ) the wilde Mallard .

O desperate attempt .

Nay my Maister will match them .

I if he catch them .

Heere is a speare and shielde , and both necessarie , the one to conquer , the other to subdue , or ouercome the terrible Trowte , which although he be vnder the water , yet tying a string to the top of my speare , and an engine of yron to the ende of my lyne , I ouerthrowe him , and then heerein I put him .

O wonderfull warre . Dares , didst thou euer heare such a dolt ?

All the better , we shall haue good sport hereafter , if we can get leysure .

Leysure , I will rather loose my Maisters seruice then his companie , looke howe hee stroutes ; But what is this , call you it your sword ?

No , it is my Simiter , which I by construction often studying to be compendious , call my Smyter .

What , are you also learned sir ?

Learned ? I am all Mars and Ars .

Nay you are all Masse and Asse .

Mock you mee ? You shall both suffer , yet with such weapons , as you shall make choise of the weapon wherewith you shall perrish . Am I all a masse or lumpe , is there no proportion in me ? Am I all Asse ? is there no wit in mee . Epi , prepare them to the slaughter .

I pray sir heare vs speake , we call you Masse , which your learning doth well vnderstande , is all Man , for Mas maris is a man . Then As ( as you knowe ) is a weight , and we for your vertues account you a weight .

The Latine hath saued your lyues , the which a world of siluer could not haue ransomde . I vnderstand you , and pardon you .

Well Sir Tophas we bid you farewell , & at our next meeting , we will be readie to doe you seruice .

I thanke you . Dares I thanke you , but especiallie I thanke you both .

Wiselie . Come , next time wee le haue some prettie Gentle-women with vs to walke , for without doubt with them he will be verie daintie .

Come let vs see what our Maisters doe , it is high time .

Now will I march into the fielde , where if I cannot encounter with my foule enemies , I will withdraw my selfe to the Riuer , & there fortifie for fish : for there resteth no minute free from fight .

It is the onelie thing I craue , that seeing my loue to Endimion vnspotted , cannot be accepted , hys trueth to Cynthia ( though it be vnspeakeable ) may bee suspected .

I will vndertake it , and ouertake him , that all his loue shal be doubted of , and therefore become desperate : but this will weare out with time , that treadeth all things downe but trueth .

Let vs goe .

I follow .

You know Tellus , that of the Gods we are forbidden to dispute , because theyr dieties come not within the compasse of our reasons , and of Cynthia we are allowed not to talke but to wonder , because her vertues are not within the reach of our capacities .

Why , she is but a woman .

No more was Venus .

Shee is but a virgin .

No more was Vesta .

She shall haue an ende .

So shall the world .

Is not her beautie subiect to time ?

No more then time is to standing still .

Wilt thou make her immortall ?

No , but incomparable .

Take heede Endimion , lest like the Wrastler in Olimpia , that striuing to lifte an impossible weight , catcht an incurable straine , thou by fixing thy thoughts aboue thy reach , fal into a disease without al recure ? But I see thou art now in loue with Cynthia .

No Tellus , thou knowest that the statelie Cedar , whose toppe reacheth vnto the clowdes , neuer boweth his head to the shrubs that growe in the valley , nor Iuie that climeth vp by the Elme , can euer get hold of the beames of the Sunne ; Cynthia I honour in all humilitie , whom none ought , or dare aduenture to loue , whose affections are immortall , & vertues infinite . Suffer me therefore to gaze on the Moone , at whom , were it not for thy selfe , I would die with wondering .

Good , good .

Let them alone , and see with what countenance they will become friendes .

Nay , you thinke to bee the wyser , because you meane to haue the last worde .

Step betweene them least they scratch . In faith gentlewomen , seeing wee came out to bee merry , let not your iarring marre our iestes : be friendes , how say you ?

I am not angry , but it spited mee to see howe short she was .

I ment nothing , till she would needs crosse me .

Then so let it rest .

I am agreede .

And I , yet I neuer tooke any thing so vnkindly in my life .

T ys I haue the cause , that neuer offered the occasion .

Excellent and right like a woman .

A strange sight to see water come out of fire .

It is their propertie , to carrie in their eyes , fire , and water , teares and torches , and in their mouthes , honie and gall .

You will be a good one if you liue , but what is yonder formall fellowe ?

Sir Tophas , syr Tophas , of whom we tolde you : if you bee good wenches make as though you loue him , and wonder at him .

Wee will doo our parts .

But first let vs stand aside , and let him vse his garbe , for all consisteth in his gracing .

Epi.

At hand syr .

How likest thou this Martiall life , where nothing but bloud besprinkleth our bosomes ? Let me see be our enemies fatte ?

Passing fat : and I would not chaunge this life to be a Lord , and your selfe passeth all comparison , for other Captaines kill and beate , and there is nothing you kill , but you also eate .

I will drawe out their guttes out of their bellies , and teare the flesh with my teeth , so mortall is my hate , and so eger my vnstaunched stomacke .

My master thinkes himselfe the valiantest man in the world if hee kill a wren : so warlike a thing he accompteth to take away life , though it be from a Larke .

Epi , I finde my thoughtes to swell , and my spirite to take winges , in so much that I cannot continue within the compas of so slender combates .

This passeth .

Why is he not madde ?

No , but a little vaine glorious .

Epi.

Syr .

I will encounter that blacke and cruell enemie , that beareth rough and vnhewed lockes vpon his bodie , whose Syre throweth downe the strongest walles , whose legs are as many as both ours , on whose head are placed most horrible hornes , by nature , as a defence from all harmes .

What meane you Master to be so desperate ?

Honour inciteth mee , and very hunger compelleth mee .

What is that monster ?

The Monster Ouis. I haue saide , let thy wits worke .

I cannot imagin it ; yet let me see , a black enemie with rough lockes it may be a sheep , and Ouis is a sheep : his Syre so strong , a Ram is a sheepes Sire : that beeing also an engine of war , hornes he hath , and foure legs , so hath a sheepe : without doubt this monster is a blacke sheepe ; Is it not a sheepe that you meane ?

Thou hast hit it , that Monster will I kill and sup with .

Come let vs take him off Syr Tophas all haile .

Welcome children , I seldome cast mine eyes so low as to the crownes of your heads , and therfore pardon me that I spake not all this while .

No harme done , here be faire Ladies come to wonder at your person , your valour , your witte , the report whereof , hath made them careles of their owne honours , to glut their eyes and harts vpon yours .

Report cannot but iniure mee , for that not knowing fully what I am , I feare shee hath beene a niggard in her praises .

No gentle knight , Report hath beene prodigal , for shee hath left you no equall , nor her selfe credite , so much hath she tolde , yet no more than we now see .

A good wench .

If there remaine as much pittie toward women , as there is in you courage against your enemies , then shall we be happie , who hearing of your person , came to see it , and seeing it , are now in loue with it .

Loue me Ladies ? I easily beleeue it , but my tough heart receiueth no impression with sweet words . Mars may pearce it , Venus shall not paint on it .

A cruell saying .

Ther 's a girle .

Will you cast these Ladyes away , and all for a little loue ? doo but speake kindly .

There commeth no soft syllable within my lips , custome hath made my wordes bloudy , and my hart barbarous : that pelting word loue , how watrish it is in my mouth , it carrieth no sound , hate , horror , death , are speaches that nourish my spirits . I like hony but I care not for the bees , I delight in musicke but I loue not to play on the bagpipes , I can vouchsafe to heare the voice of women , but to touch their bodies I disdaine it , as a thing childish , and fit for such men as can digest nothing but milke .

A hard heart , shall wee dye for your loue , and finde no remedy .

I haue already taken a surfet .

Good master pittie them .

Pittie them Epi ? no I do not thinke that this breast shal be pestred with such a foolish passion . What is that the gentlewoman carrieth in a chaine ?

Why it is a Squirrill .

A Squirril ? O Gods what things are made for money .

Is not this gentleman ouerwise ?

I could stay all day with him , if I feared not to be shent .

Is it not possible to meete againe .

Yes at any time .

Then let vs hasten home .

Sir Tophas , the God of warre deale better with you , than you doo with the God of loue .

Our loue we may dissemble , disgest we cannot , but I doubt not but time will hamper you , and helpe vs .

I defie time , who hath no interest in my heart : come Epi . let me to the battaile with that hideous beast , loue is pappe and hath no relish in my taste , because it is not terrible .