Diella certaine sonnets, adioyned to the amorous poeme of Dom Diego and Gineura. By R.L. Gentleman.

Diella , Certaine Sonnets , adioyned to the amorous Poeme of Dom Diego and Gineura . ( ⸪ )

By R. L. Gentleman .

Ben balla , á chi fortuna suona .

AT LONDON , Printed for Henry Olney , and are to be sold at his shop in Fleetstreete , neer the Middle-temple gate . 1596.

TO THE MOST worthily honoured , and vertuous beautified Lady , the Ladie Anne Glemnham , wife to the most noble , magnanimious , and woorthy Knight , Sir Henry Glemnham . &c.

MAdam , your many honourable vertues , hauing tyed mee to your eternall seruice , to shewe some part of my dutie , I present your Ladiship with a fewe passionate Sonnets , intermingled with the loues of Dom Diego and Gineura .

Daine ( gentle Lady ) to accept them , and therein shew the greatnesse of your benignitie , in receiuing curteouslie a gift of so smal worth , which though it cannot any wayes equall eyther the number of your vertues , or the greatnes of that noble house , whence your Ladiship is discended , impute it not ( Madam ) to my defect of iudgement , but of Fortune , for were I furnished with the greatest riches that blind Goddesse could bestow on a man of my state , both they , and I woulde fall prostrate at your feete , and euer rest at your Ladiships deuotion : yet Madam as it is , it is a chylde of the Muses , & therfore worthy to be cherrished , conceiued in the braine of a gallant Gentleman , & therefore to be fauoured : sent into the worlde by mee , who haue euer honoured your Ladyshyp , and therefore craue of your Ladiship to bee protected , to whom I euer wishe long life , lengthened with all honorable happines .

Your Ladiships in all dutie , Henry Olney .

Sonnet . I. WHen first the feather'd God did strike my hart , with fatall and ymedicable wound , Leauing behind the head of his fell dart , my bloodlesse body fell vnto the ground ; And , when with shame I reinforc'd my might , boldly to gaze on her so heauenly face , Huge flames of fire she darted from her light , which since haue scorcht me in most pitious case , To quench which heate , an Ocean of teares haue gushed out from forth my red-swolne eyes , But deep-fetch'd sighes this raging flame vpreares , and blowes the sparkes vp to the purple skies . Whereat , the Gods afraid that heauen should burne , Intreated Loue that I for e're might mourne .

Sonnet II. SOone as the Azur-color'd Gates of th' East , were set wide open by the watchful Morne , I walkt abroad , ( as hauing tooke no rest ) ( for nights are tedious to a man forlorne , ) And viewing well each pearle-bedewed flower , then waxing dry by splendour of the sunne , All scarled-hew'd I saw him gin to lower , and blush , as though some haynous act were don . At this amaz'd , I hy'de me home amaine , thinking that I his anger caused had ; And at his set , abroad I walkt againe , when ( loe ) the Moone lookt wondrous pale and sad . Anger the one , and enuie mou'd the other , To see my loue more faire then Loues faire mother .

Sonnet III. SWift-footed Time , looke back & here mark well those rare-shapt parts my pen shal now declare My mistres snow-white skinne doth much excell the pure-soft woll Arcadyan sheepe doe beare ; Her hayre exceedes gold forc'd in smallest wyre , in smaller threds then those Arachne spun ; Her eyes are christall fountaines , yet dart fire , more glorious to behold then Mid-day sun ; Her Iuory front , ( though soft as purest silke ) lookes like the table of Olympick Ioue , Her cheekes are like ripe cherries layd in milke , her Alablaster neck the throne of Loue ; Her other parts so farre excell the rest , That wanting words , they cannot be exprest .

Sonnet IIII. WHat sugred termes , what all-perswading arte , what sweet mellifluous words , what wounding lookes Loue vsd for his admittance to my hart ? such eloquence was neuer read in bookes ; He promisd pleasure , rest , and endlesse ioy , fruition of the fairest shee aliue , His pleasure paine , rest trouble , ioy annoy , haue I since found , which me of blisse depriue ; The Troian horse thus haue I now let in , wherein inclosd these armed men were plac'd , Bright eyes , faire cheekes , sweet lips , & milk-white skin these foes my life haue ouerthrown & raz'd . Faire outward shewes , proue inwardly the worst , Loue looketh faire , but Louers are accurst .

Sonnet V. THE little Archer viewing well my loue , stone-still amaz'd , admired such a sight , And swore he knew none such to dwell aboue , though many faire , none so conspicuous bright : With that inrag'd , ( flamigerous as he is ) he now gan loathe his Psiches louely face , And swore great other to rob me of my blisse , saying that earth for her was too too base ; But Cytherea checkt her lordly sonne , commaunding him to bring no giglet thether , Fearing indeed , her amorous sports were done with hote-spur Mars , if hee should once but see her . If then her beauty moue the Gods aboue , Let all men iudge if I haue cause to loue .

Sonnet VI. MIrror of beautie , Natures fairest chyld , Empresse of loue , my harts high-prized Iewell , Learne of the Doue , to loue and to be milde , be not to him that honors thee so cruell , But as the Aspe , deafe , angry , nothing meeke , thou wilt not listen to my dolefull plaint , Nor once wilt looke on my discolored cheeke , which wanting blood , causeth me oft to faint ; Then silent will I be , if that will please thee , yet so , as in my stead , each Plaine , each Hill , Shall eccho forth my griefe , and thereby case mee , for I my selfe of speaking haue my fill ; If Plaines , and Hills , be silent in my paine , My death shall speake , and tell what I sustaine .

Sonnet VII . When Loue had first besieg'd my harts strong wal , rampaird and countermur'd with chastitie , And had with Ordnance made his tops to fall , stouping their glory to his surquedry , I call'd a parley , and withall did craue some composition , or some friendly peace ; To this request , he his consent soone gaue , as seeming glad such cruell warrs should cease , I , ( nought mistrusting ) opened all the gates , yea , lodg'd him in the Pallace of my hart , When ( loe ) in dead of night he seekes his mates , and shewes each Traytor how to play his part ; With that they fir'de my hart , and thence gan flie , Their names , Sweet smiles , Faire face , & piercing Eye

Sonnet VIII . LIke to a Faulcon watching for a flight , duly attending his desired game , Haue I oft watcht and markt to haue a sight , of thy faire face exceeding niggard Fame , Thyne eyes ( those Semynaries of my griefe ) haue been more gladsome to my tyred spright , Then naked sauadges receiue reliefe , by comfort-bringing warmth of Phoebus light ; But when each part so glorious I had seene , I trembled more then Autumnes parched leaues , Mine eyes were greedy whirlepooles sucking in that heauenly faire which me of rest bereaues ; Then as thy beauty thus hath conquerd mee , ( Faire ) let relenting pitty conquer thee .

Sonnet IX . BLot not thy beautie ( fairest ) yet vnkinde , with cruell vsage of a yeelding hart , The stoutest Captaine scornes such bloody minde , then mingle mercy where thou causedst smart ; Let him not die in his May-springing dayes , that liuing vowes to honour thee for euer , Shine forth some pitty from thy sun-like rayes , that hard froz'd hate may so dissolue and seuer ; Oh , were thou not much harder then a flint , thou had'st ere this been melted into loue , In firmest stone small raine doth make a print , but seas of teares cannot thy hardnes moue . Then wretched I must die before my time , Blasted & spoyled in my budding prime .

Sonnet X. WHen Flora vaunts her in her proude array , clothing faire Tellus in a spangled gowne , When Boreas furie is exild away , and all the Welkin cleer'd from cloudy frowne , At that same time all Natures chyldren ioy , trees leaues , flowers bud , plants spring , & beasts increase , Only my soule , surcharg'd with deep annoy , cannot reioyce , nor sighes nor teares can cease : Onely the grafts of sorrow seeme to grow , set in my hart , no other spring I finde , Delights and pleasures are o're growne with woe , laments and sobs possesse my weeping minde ; The frost of griefe so nyps Delight at roote , No sunne but shee can doe it any boote .

Sonnet XI . WHat shee can be so cruell as my Loue , or beare a hart so pittilesse as shee ? Whom loue , lookes , words , teares , prayers doe not moue , nor sighes , nor vowes preuaile to pittie mee . Shee calls my loue a Synon to her hart , my lookes ( shee saith ) are like the Crocadyles , My words the Syrens sing with guilefull arte , teares , Cyrces flouds , sighes , vowes , deceitful guiles , But my poore hart hath no interpreter , but loue , lookes , words , teares , prayers , sighes or vowes , Then must it die , sith shee my Comforter , what ere I doe , nor liketh , nor allowes . With Titius , thus the vultur Sorrow eats me , With steele-twig'd rods thus tyrant Cupid beats me .

Sonnet XII . THou , ( like the faire-fac'd gold-encouerd booke , whose lines are stuft with damned heresies ) Dost in thy face beare a celestial looke , when in thy hart liue hell-borne cruelties . With poysenous Toades the cleerest spring's infected and purest Launes nought worth if ful of staines , So is faire beauty when true loue 's reiected ; when cole-blacke hate within the hart remaines , Then loue , ( my deere ) let that be Methrydate to ouer-come the venome of disdaine ; Be pittifull , tread downe this killing hate , conuert to sugred pleasure , gall-full paine . O , sith Disdaine is foe vnto thy Faire , Exile him thence , there let him not repaire .

Sonnet XIII . I Know , within my mouth for bashfull feare , and dread of your disdaine , my words wil die ; I know , I shall be striken dumbe ( my deere ) with doubt of your vnpittifull reply ; I know , when as I shall before you lie prostrate and humble , crauing help of you , Mistie aspects will cloude your sun-bright eye , & scornefull lookes oreshade your beauties hewe , I know , when I shall pleade my loue so true , so stainelesse , constant , loyall , and vpright , My truthfull pleadings will not cause you rue the ne're-heard state of my distressed plight . I know , when I shall come with face bedight with streaming teares , faln from my fountaine eyes ,

Sonnet XIII . Breathing forth sighes of most hart-breaking might , my teares , my sighes , and me , you will despise , I know , when with the power that in me lyes , and all the prayers and vowes that women moue , I shall in humblest mercy-mouing wise intreate , beseech , desire , and beg your loue , I know , ( sweet mayden ) all will not remoue flynt-harted rigour from your rocky breast , But all my meanes , my sute , and what I proue , proues bad , and I must liue in all vnrest . Dying in life , and liuing still in death , And yet nor die , nor drawe a life-like breath .

Sonnet XIIII . When broad-fac'd riuers turne vnto their fountains and hungry Wolues deuoured are by Sheep , When Marine Dolphins play on snow-tipt Mountains & foule-form'd Beares do in the Ocean keep , Then shall I leaue to loue , and cease to burne in these hot flames wherein I now delight , But this I knowe , the Riuers ne're returne , nor silly Sheep with rauening Wolues dare fight , Nor Dolphins leaue the Seas , nor Beares the woods , for Nature bids them all to keepe their kind , Then eyes , rayne forth your ouer-swelled floods , till drowned in such Seas may make you blind : Then ( harts delight ) sith I must loue thee euer , Loue me againe , and let thy loue perseuer .

Sonnet XV. NO sooner leaues Hyperion Thetis bed , and mounts his coach to post from thence away , Richly adorning faire Lencotheas head , gyuing to mountaynes tincture from his ray : But straight I rise , where I could find no rest , where visions and fantasies appeare , And when with small adoo my body 's drest ; abroad I walke to thinke vpon my deere ; Where vnder vmbrage of some aged Tree , with Lute in hand I sit and ( sighing ) say , Sweete Groues tell forth with Eccho what you see : good Trees beare witnes who is my decay , And thou my soule , speake , speake , what rest I haue , When each our ioyes dispayre doth make me raue .

Sonnet XVI . BVt thou my deere sweet-sounding Lute be still , repose thy troubled strings vpon this mosse , Thou hast full often easd me gainst my will , lye down in peace , thy spoile were my great losse , I le speake inough of her ( too cruell ) hart , enough to mooue the stonie Rocks to ruth , And cause these trees weepe tears to heare my smart though ( cruell she ) will not once way my truth , Her face is of the purest white and red , her eyes are christall , and her haire is gold , The world for shape with garlands crown her head , And yet a Tygresse hart dwells in this mold : But I must loue her ( Tigresse ) too too much , Forc'd must I loue , because I finde none such .

Sonnet XVII . THE sun-scorcht Sea-man when he sees the Seas all in a furie hoise him to the skye , And throwe him down againe ( as waues do please ) ( so chased clouds from Eols mastiues flye ) In such distresse prouideth with great speede all meanes to saue him from the tempests rage , Hee shewes his wit in such lyke time of neede , the big-swolne billowes furie to asswage ; But foolish I , although I see my death , and feele her proud disdayne too feelinglie , Which me of all felicitie bereaueth , yet seeke no meanes t' escape this miserie : So am I charm'd with hart-inchaunting beautie , That still to waile I thinke it is my dutie .

Sonnet XVIII . CVpid had done some heynous act or other , that caus'd Idalea whip him very sore ; The stubborne Boy away runs from his Mother , protesting stoutly to returne no more ; By chance I met him , who desir'd reliefe , and crau'd that I some lodging would him giue , Pittying his lookes which seemed drown'd in griefe , I tooke him home there thinking hee should liue , But see the Boy ; enuying at my lyfe , which neuer sorrowe , neuer loue had tasted , Hee rays'd within my hart such vncouth stryfe , that with the same my body now is wasted : By thanklesse Loue , thus vilely am I vsed , By vsing kindnes , I am thus abused .

Sonnet XIX . WHen night returnes backe to his vgly mantion , & cleer-fac'd morning makes her bright vprise , In sorowes depth , I murmur out his caution , ( salt teares distilling from my dewy eyes ) O thou deceitfull Somnus God of Dreames , cease to afflict my ouer-pained spright With vayne illusions , and idle Theames , thy spells are false , thou canst not charme aright , For when in bed I thinke t' imbrace my loue , ( inchaunted by thy magique so to thinke ) Vaine are my thoughts , t is empty ayre I proue , that still I waile , till watching make me winke : And when I winke I wish I nere might wake , But sleeping carryed to the Stigian Lake .

Sonnet XX. THE strongest Pyne that Queene Feronia hath , growing within her woody Emperie , Is soone throwne downe by Boreas windy wrath , if one roote onely his supporter be , The tallest Ship that cuts the angry Waue , and plowes the Seas of Saturnes second sunne ; If but one Anchor for a iourney haue , when that is lost gainst euery Rocke doth runne ; I am that Pyne ( faire loue ) that Ship am I , and thou that Anchor art and roote to me , If then thou faile , ( oh faile not ) I must die , and pyne away in endlesse miserie : But words preuaile not , nor can sighes deuise , To mooue thy hart , if bent to tyrannize .

Sonnet XXI . AS winters rage young plants vnkindly spilleth , as haile greene Corne , and lightning floures perish , So mans decay , is loue , whose hart it killeth , if in his soule bee carefully it cherrish ; O how alluringly hee offers grace , , and breathes newe hope of lyfe into our thought , With cheerefull , pleasant , ( yet deceitfull ) face he creepes , & fawnes , till in his net w' are caught , Then , when he sees vs Captiues by him led , and sees vs prostrate humbly crauing helpe , So feirce a Lyon Lybia neuer bred , nor Adders sting , nor any Tigresse whelpe : Oh blest be they that neuer felt his force , Loue hath nor pittie , mercy , nor remorse .

Sonnet XXII . LOoke as a Bird , through sweetnes of the call doth cleane forget the fowlers guilefull trap ; Or one that gazing on the starres doth fall in some deepe pit bewayling his mishap ; So wretched I , whilst with Lynceus eyes , I greedily beheld her Angels face , Was straight intangled with such subtilties , as euer since I liue in wofull case ; Her cheekes were Roses , layd in christall glasse , her breastes two aples of Hesperides , Her voyce more sweete then famous Thamiras , reuiuing death with dorique mellodies : I harkning so to this attractiue call , Was caught , and euer since haue liu'd in thrall .

Sonnet XXIII . MY lyues preseruer , hope of my harts blisse , when shall I know the doome of life or death ▪ Hells fearefull torments easier are then this soules agonie , wherein I now doe breath , If thou would'st looke , this my teare-stayned face , dreery , and wan , far diffring from it was , Would well reueale my most tormentfull case and shewe thy faire , my griefe as in a glasse : Looke as a Deere late wounded very sore , among the Heard full heauely dooth feede , So do I lyue : expecting euermore , when as my wounded hart shold cease to bleede : How patient then would I endure the smart , Of pitchy-countnanc'd Deaths dead-doing dart .

Sonnet XXIIII . WHen leaden-harted sleepe had shut mine eyes , and close o'redrawn their windolets of light , Whose watrynes the fire of griefe so dries , that weep they could no longer , sleep they might , Mee thought , I sunke downe to a poole of griefe , and then ( me thought ) such sinking much did please me But when I downe was plung'd past all reliefe , with flood-fill'd mouth I call'd that some wold ease men Whereat ( me thought ) I saw my deerest loue , ( fearing my drowning ) reach her hand to mine , Who pull'd so hard to get me vp aboue , that with the pull sleepe did forsake mine eyne : But when awakt I sawe t' was but a dreame , I wisht t 'had slept and perrisht in that streame ,

Sonnet XXV . ROugh stormes haue calmes , lopt boughes do grow againe , the naked winter is recloth'd by spring , No yeare so drie , but there doth fall some raine , Nature is kind ( saue me ) to euery thing , Onely my griefes do neuer end nor cease , no ebbe doth followe my still-flowing teares , My sighes , are stormes which neuer can appease their furious blastes procur'd by endlesse cares , Then sighes and sobs , tell Tantalus he 's blest , goe flye to Titius tell him hee hath pleasure , So tell Ixion though his wheele ne're rest , their paines are sports imposed with some measure Bid them be patient , bid them looke on me , And they shall see the Map of miserie .

Sonnet XXVI . THE loue-hurt hart which Tyrant Cupid wounds , proudly insulting o're his conquer'd pray , Doth bleede a fresh where pleasure most abounds , for mirth and mourning alwayes make a fray . Looke as a Bird sore bruzed with a blowe , ( lately deuiding notes most sweetly singing ) To heare her fellowes how in tunes they flowe , doth droope & pine , as though her knel were ringing , The heauie-thoughted Prys'ner full of doubt , dolefully sitting in a close-bar'd cage , Is halfe contented , till hee looketh out , he sees each free , then stormes hee in a rage ; The sight of pleasure trebleth euery payne , As small Brooks swell and are inrag'd with rayne .

Sonnet XXVII . THE heauens Herrald may not make compare of working words which so abound in thee , Thy hony-dewed tongue exceedes his far , in sweete discourse , and tunefull mellodie , Th' amber-color'd tresse which Berenice for her true-louing Ptholomeus vow'd , Within Idaleas sacred Aphrodice , is worth-lesse with thy lockes to be allow'd , To thee my thoughts are consecrate ( deere loue ) my words & phrases bound to please thine eares , My lookes are such as any hart could moue , I still sollicit thee with sighes and teares : O let not hate eclypse thy beauties shine , Then none would deeme thee earthly , but deuine .

Sonnet XXVIII WEarie with seruing where I nought could get , I thought to crosse great Neptunes greatest Seas , To lyue in exile ; but my drift was let , by cruell Fortune spightfull of such ease , The Ship I had to passe in , was my minde , greedie desire was topsaile of the same , My teares were surges , sighes did serue for winde , of all my Ship dispayre , was cheifest frame , Sorrowe was Maister , care the cable rope , griefe was the maine Mast , Loue the Captaine of it , He that did rule the helme , was foolish hope , but beautie was the Rocke that my ship split : Which since hath made such shipwrack of my ioy , That still I swim in th' Ocean of annoy .

Sonnet . XXIX . CEase eyes to cherrish with stil-flowing teares the almost witherd rootes of dying griefe , Dry vp your running Brooks , & dam your meares , and let my body die for moist reliefe , But death is deaffe , for well he knowes my paine , my slakelesse payne hells horror doth exceede , There is no hell so blacke as her disdaine whence cares , sighes , sorrowes , and all griefes do breed , In steede of sleep , ( when day incloistred is in dustie pryson of infernall Night ) With broad-wakt eyes I waile my miseries , and if I winke , I feare some vgly sight ; Such fearefull dreames do haunt my troubled mind , My Loue 's the cause , cause shee is so vnkind .

Sonnet XXX . HEe that can count the candles of the skie , reckon the Sands whereon Pactolus flowes , Or number nomberlesse small Attomie , what strange , & hideous monsters Nilus showes , What mishapt Beasts vast Affrica doth yield , what rare-form'd fishes lyue in th' Ocean , What colour'd flowers doe grow in Tempes field , how many houres are since the world began , Let him , none else , gyue iudgement of my griefe , let him declare the beauties of my Loue , And hee will say my paines passe all reliefe , and hee will iudge her for a Saint aboue ; But as those things ther 's no man can vnfolde , So , nor her faire , nor my griefe may be tolde .

Sonnet XXXIII . THinking to close my ouer-watched eyes , and stop the sluce of their vncessant flowing , I layd me downe when each one gan to rise , ( new-risen Sol his flame like count'nance shewing ) But griefe , though drowsie euer , yet neuer sleepes , but still admits fresh entercourse of thought , Duly the passage of each houre he keepes , nor would he suffer me with sleepe be caught , Some broken slumbers Morpheus had lent , who greatly pittied my want of rest , Whereat my hart a thousand thanks him sent , and vow'd to serue him he was ready prest ; Let restlesse nights , daies , howres , doe their spight , I le loue her still , and loue for me shall fight .

Sonnet XXXIIII . WHY should a Maydens hart be of that proofe , as to resist the sharpe-point'd darte of loue ? My Mistres eye kills strongest man aloofe , mee thinks he 's weak that cannot quaile a Doue . A louely Doue , so faire and so diuine , able to make what Cynick so e're liueth , Vpon his knees to beg of her bright eyne one smiling looke , which life from death reuiueth . The frozen hart of cold Zenocrates , had beene dissolued into hote desire , Had Phryne cast such sun-beames from her eyes , ( such eyes are cause that my hart flames in fire . ) And yet with patience I must take my woe , In that my deerest loue will haue it so .

Sonnet XXXV . ENd thys enchauntment ( Loue ) of my desires , let me no longer languish for thy loue , Ioy not to see mee thus consume in fires , but let my cruell paines thy hard hart moue , And now at last , with pittifull regard , eye me thy Louer , lorne for lack of thee , Which dying , liues in hope of sweet reward , which hate hath hetherto with-held from me , Constant haue I been , still in fancie fast , ordayn'd by heauens to dote vpon thy faire , Nor will I e're , so long as life shall last , say any's fairer , breathing vitall ayre ; But when the Ocean sands shall lye vnwet , Then shal my soule to loue thee ( Deere ) forget .

Sonnet XXXVI . LOng did I wish before I could attaine the lookt for sight I so desir'd to see , Too soone at last I saw what bred my baine , and euer since hath sore tormented mee ; I sawe her selfe , whom had I neuer seene , my wealth of blisse had not been turn'd to baile , Greedy regard of her , my harts sole Queene , hath chang'd my sommers sun , to winters haile . How oft haue I , since that first fatall howre , beheld her all-faire shape with begging eye , Till shee ( vnkind ) hath kild me with a lowre , and bad my humble-suing lookes , looke by . O pitty mee ( faire Loue ) and highest fame Shall blazed be in honour of thy name .

Sonnet XXXVII . DID I not loue her as a Louer ought , with purest zeale , and faithfulnes of hart , Then shee had cause to set my loue at nought , and I had well deseru'd to feele this smart , But holding her so deerely as I doe , as a rare Iewell of most high esteeme , Shee most vnkindly wounds and kills me , so my nere-stain'd troth most causeles to misdeeme , Neuer did one account of woman more , then I of her , nor euer woman yet , Respected lesse , or held in lesser store her Louers vowes , then shee by mine doth set . What resteth then , but I dispaire and die , That so my death may glut her ruthlesse eye .

Sonnet XXXVIII . HArken awhile ( Diella ) to a storie , that tells of beauty , loue , and great disdaine , The last , causd by suspect ; but shee was sorry that tooke that cause , true loue so much to paine , For when she knew his faith to be vnfained , spotles , sincere , most true , and pure vnto her , Shee ioy'd as if a kingdome shee had gained , and lou'd him now as when he first did woo her . I nere incurd suspition of my truth , ( fairest Diella ) why wilt thou be cruell ? Impose some end to vndeserued ruth , and learne by others how to quench hates fuell . Reade all , my Deere , but chiefly marke the end , And be to mee , as shee to him , a friend .

THE LOVE OF DOM Diego and Gyneura . IN Catheloygne , o'repeerd by Pyren Mountaines , ( a Prouince seated in the East of Spaine , Famous for hunting sports & cleerest fountains ) a young heroyck gallant did remaine ; Hee , Signior Dom Diego had to name , Who for his constant faith had got such fame . Nature had tryde her deepest skill on him , ( for so the heauen-borne powers had her desired ) With such perfection framed shee each lim , that at her owne worke shee herselfe admired , Maiestick Ioue gaue him a Princely grace , Apollo wit , and Venus gaue his face . This loue-some youth , kinde Natures fairest child , what for his beautious loue-alluring face , And for he was so gracious and so milde , was deem'd of all to be of heauenly race ; Men honord him , and Maydens gaue him loue , To make him famous Men and Maydens stroue . Hunting he lou'd , nor did he scorne to loue , ( a truer-louing hart was neuer knowne ) Which well his Mistres cruelly did proue , whose causelesse rigor Fame abroad hath blowne . But now let s tell , how hee on hunting went , And in what sports such pleasant time he spent . Soone as the sunne had left his watry bed , ( blushing for shame that he so long had slept ) Reuiuing those which duskie Night made dead , when for his welcom Lambes on mountains lept . Vp starts Diego , and with shrill-voyc'd horne , Tells hounds & huntsmen of a cleere-fac'd morne . Cloth'd all in Greene , ( Syluanus lyuery ) he wore a low-crown'd hat of finest silke , Whose brim turnd vp , was fastned with a Ruby , and vnderneath , a Pearle as white as milke , A sleeueles coate of Damaske , richly laced With Indian pearle , as thicke as could be placed . A glistring Cutlax pendent by his side , ( he much esteem'd the beast-dismembring blade ) And halfe-leg'd Buskins curiously ytide with loopes of burnisht gold full finely made , Thus goes Diego , chiefest of his name , With siluer-headed speare to finde some game . Long while it was ere any sport began , at last a Hart his big-growne hornes did shew , Which ( winding straight the huntsmen ) gan to run as fast as arrow from a Parthyan bow : In whose purfute ( by wil of powreful Fates ) Diego lost himselfe , and all his mates . Left thus alone in midst of vnknowne place , he inuocates the fauourable ayde Of Ariadne , who with smalest lace , freed Monster-killing Theseus , so dismaid , In worser Laborinth did he now remaine , For none saue trees or beasts , could heare him plain . In these Meanders , stragling heere and there , goes faire Diego , listning to each sound , Musing twixt purple hope , and palish feare , he thought to rest him ( wearied ) on the ground , But see , he heares a farre some forced noyse , A horne , a hound , or els some human voyce . With that , Desire , which scornes least tedious let , directed him vnto that very place , Where loe to hunt the tymerous Hare , were met as Knights , so Ladies , fittest for that chase : Mongst which , there came a Grace of heauenvly faire , Her name Gyneura , with the golden hayre . Her hayre of such corruscant glitterous shine , as are the smallest streames of hottest sunne , Like starres in frostie night , so looke her eyne , within whose Arches Christall springs doe run , Her cheekes faire show of purest Porphyrie , Full curiously were typt with roscall die . Her lips like ripened Cherries seem'd to be , from out whose concaue Corrall — seeming Fount , Came sweeter breath then muske of Araby , whose teeth the white of blanched pearle surmount Her necke the Lillies of Lyguria Did much exceed ; Thus looked fayre Gyneura . These Dryades Diego then bespake , with sugred tearmes of mildest curtesie , And crau'd to know which way he best might take with shortest cut , to such a Signiory , Whereat he nam'd himselfe ; when presently The Ladies knew him ( as a Neyghbour by . ) Gyneuras Mother ( cheefe of all the rest ) ( for that shee knew his birth and his discent ) Desir'd him home , he grants her such request , and thanks the Fates that him such hap had lent , For still on faire Gyneura were his eyes , And shee reciprocally on his replyes . These dumbe Embassadors , Loues chiefe combatants tell ( softly whispring in each others hart ) Her of humble seruice ; him of acceptance ; his craued loue , hers wisht they nere might part , Much talk they had with tongues , more with their eyes , But ( oh ) most with their harts , where true loue lies . Now were they come whereas the good old Lady might boldly welcome her inuited guest , Where after little talke , ( Hunters are hungry ) they all sat downe vnto a soone-made feast , The Louers fed on glaunces of their eyes , T is heauenly food when both do simpathize . At last , the Lady of the house espied the intercourse of those bright Messengers , Who inwardly reioycing , as fast plied hers on her daughter , fittest Harbengers , To bid her keepe the fairest and the best Place in her hart , to entertaine this guest . Word back againe was sent by her faire light , how that was done already ; and replied , The Land-lord o're his Tennant hath such might , that he to enter in is nere denied . I , in a little corner of my hart Doe liue , ( quoth she ) he hath the greatest part . Diego wisht thys supper nere would end , ( and yet he long'd to be in priuate place , To ruminate vpon his fairest friend , and to recount the beauties of her face ) So wisht Gyneura , were neuer such two , That lou'd so deerely as these Louers doe . The gloomy Curtaines of the tongue-lesse night , were drawne so close as day could not be seene , Now leaden-thoughted Morpheus dyms each sight , now , murder , rapes , and robberies begin : Nature crau'd rest , but restlesse Loue would none , Diego , Loues young prentice , thus gan mone . Oh heauens , what new-sounde griefes possesse my mind , what rare impassionated fits be these ? Cold-burning Feuers in my hart I find , whose opposite effects worke mee no ease , Then loue assailes the hart with hotest fight , When beauty makes her conqust at first sight . I little dreamed of thys strange euent , ( this harts-inthraller , mindes-disturbing Loue , When with my Huntsmen to the woods I went , Oh neere till now did I his greatnes proue , Whose first impression in the Louers hart , Till then nere tainted , bringeth deepest smart . Thus lay Diego tossing in his bed , bound to the will of all commaunding beauty , Whom angry Cupid now in tryumph led , expecting from his slaue all seruile duty , Hee might haue freed his prysoner so dismaid , For sighes and grones had double ransome paide . In like extreames , ( Loue loues extremity ) did faire Gyneura passe the long-thought night , Shee raild against fell Cupids crueltie , that so would tyrannize o're a Maydens spright . There needes no blowes , quoth she , when foes doe yield , Oh cease , take thou the honor of the field . The valiant Greekes ( faire Ilyons fatall Foes ) their tedious ten yeres siedge for Spartaes Queen Nere thought so long ; ( yet long , it was ) as those loue-scorcht enamored ( so restles ) now ween This night to be ; A night if spent in care , Seemes longer then a thousand pleasant are . Thus lay they sleeplesse , thoughtfull , euer thinking on sluggish humor of expected Morne , They thought that Louers eyes were neuer winking nor sleepe they e're in whom Loues newly borne . Hee vow'd , when day was come , to woo his deere , Shee swore such wooing she would gladly heare . At last , the guyder of the firie Coach , drying his locks wet in Eurotus floud , Gan resaluce the world with bright approch , angry he seem'd , for all his face was bloud : Aurorites hast had made him looke so red , For loath he was to leaue faire Thetis bed . Scarce were his horses put in readines , and he himselfe full mounted on his seate , When Dom Diego full of heauines , abroade did walke , his night talke to repeate : Some two howres spent , he in againe retires , And sees his Mistres , whom he now admires . Whereat inflam'd , ( loue brookes no base delay , whose fruite is danger , whose reward is paine ) With fine-fil'd termes he giues her the good day , and blushing , she returnes it him againe . Endimeons blush her beauty did eclypse , His causd by Cynthiaes , hers Adonis lyps . Boldly encourag'd by her milde aspect , he told her that which Louers vse to tell , How he did liue by her faire eyes reflect , and how his hart in midst of hers did dwell : Much eloquence he vsd , t was needles done , To win that hart which was already won . Ne're did the dungeon thiefe condemn'd to dye with greater pleasure heare his pardon read , Then did Gyneura heare his Oratorie , ( of force sufficient to reuiue the dead ) Shee needes must yield ; for sure he had the Art , With amorous heate to fixe Dianaes hart . These Louers ( thus in this both-pleasing parly ) were interrupted by Geneuraes Mother Who newly vp , ( age seldome ryseth early ) gan straight salute her guest , so did he her , Some termes of kindnes mutually past , Shee friendly leades him in , to breake his fast . Which done , ( as all good manners did require ) hee thankt his Hostis for her curtesie , And now at length went home for to retire , where hee was looked for so earnestly , The Lady crau'd if ere hee came that way , To see her house , and there to make some stay . Then heauily , and with a dying eye , ( ioylesse ) hee takes his leaue of his faire Loue , Who for to fauour him , full graciously , with louing count'nance gaue to him her Gloue . Keepe this ( quoth shee ) till better fortune fall , My Gloue , my Loue , my hand , my hart , and all . At this large offer , bashfull modestie , with pure Vermilion stain'd her all faire face , So lookt Calystome at her great bellie , when chast Ilythia spi'd her in such case ; Let Louers iudge how grieuous us to part , From two , twixt whom , there lyueth but one hart . Nowe is hee gone , who after little trauell attain'd his house ( not pleasing thought desired ) At whose late absence each one much did maruell , but ( come ) at his sad lookes they more admired , Great Cupids power , such sadnes in him bred , Who ( erst ) all louing harts in tryumph led . One month ( consum'd in pensiuenes ) expir'd ; to recreate and reuiue his tyred spright , Hee now on hunting goes , which hee desir'd , not for the ( once well-pleasing ) sports delight ; But for he might some fit occasion finde , To see his Loue , on whom was all his minde . Where being come ( suppose his sports prou'd bad ) Gyneura gaue him welcome from her hart , The Sea-tost Lord of Ithica ne're had , after his twentie yeares turmoile and smart , More ioyfull welcome by his constant wife Then had Diego from his loue , his lyfe . Two dayes he stay'd , whence he would ne're depart but custome wil'd that he should now returne , Yet though he went he left with her his hart , which for their parting heauily gan mourne , But far worse newes had it poore hart to greeue , In that Gyneura would so soone beleeue . For sooner was hee not departed thence but straight there comes a Riuall of his Loue , Who vnder true fidellities pretence wrought wondrous hard Diego to remoue , Nor could at first his oaths or vowes preuaile , To make Gyneuraes loue one whit to faile . For yet they lyu'd fast bound in Fancies chaines , stryuing to passe each other in pure loue , But ( as there 's nothing that for aye remaines without some change . ) so do these Louers proue , That hottest loue hath soon'st the cold'st disdaine , And greatest pleasures , haue their greatest paine . For now no longer could shee so perseuer , shee turnes to deadly hate her former kindnes , Which still had lasted ; but that Nature euer strikes into womens eyes such dim-sight blindnes , And such obdurate hardnes in their harts , They see , nor knowe , not truest loues desarts . Gyneura this confirmes against her Louer , whom now ( all guiltlesse ) she condemnes to die , That in his deede or thought did nere offend her , vnlesse by louing her so wondrous deerelie : Such Loue , such hate , such lyking , such disdaine , Was neuer knowne in one hart to remaine . Thus t was ; Diego had an enemie , ( immortall vertue euer lincked is , With that pale leane-fac'd meager-hewed enuie ) who secretly ( so falsely ) tells his Mis. How shee was mockt ; Diego lou'd another , And storm'd & rag'd what madnes so should moue her To dote on him that else where sets his Loue , hee makes you thinke ( quoth he ) what ere he list , That this is true , you easily may proue for still he weares her fauour on his fist , A Hawke it is ; which shee ( so stands the Mart ) Giues him , he you faire words , but her his hart . With this incenst , ( that sex will soone beleeue ) soonest when enuies broode to them display it , I' st true ( quoth shee ) for true loue doth he giue , such smooth-fac'd flattry , doth he thus repay it ? Shee neuer scan'd , the truth of this her griefe , Loue in such cases , is of quicke beliefe , Her loue to him was neuer halfe so great , ( though once shee lou'd him ) as is now her hate , This Momus breath ( like bellowes ) to her heate , did kindle firie coales of hote debate . Hee plyes her ; and exasperates his spight , And sweares , and vowes , hee tells her but the right . Shee ( like a franticke Froe of Thessaly madded with Bacchus brayne-distempring liquor ) Runs here , and there , exclayming furiously with hideous , vncouth mind-affrighting terror . Swearing reuenge on false Diegoes head , Whose lying lookes in her such madnes bred . Wherewith shee inuocates great Nemesis , and begs the power of her deitie , Shee tells her case , to Iustice-doing Themis , and shewes how shee is wronged mightily . Shee leaues no power vnsought for , or vnpraide , That vse to helpe distressed with their aide . Wronged Diego ( little this suspecting ) now thought it time to see his deerest faire , And ( other matters of import neglecting , hee presently to her makes his repaire . Where being come , such welcome he did finde , As at the first did much disturbe his minde . For faire Gyneura would not now be seene , she sent him word she scorn'd his fauning flattrie , And much did greeue , that shee so fond had beene , to yield her hart to such deceitfull battrie : Bid him ( quoth shee ) goe flatter where he list , I like not I , that fauour on his fist . Such hap it was , Diego then had brought his Hawke ; ( the author of this fell debate ) Which well confirm'd her euer doubtfull thought , that nowe shee was resolu'd on deadly hate , Bid him ( quoth she ) depart hence from my sight , His loath-some presence brings me irksome spight . T was hard ; that he whose loue was neuer tainted whose sincere faith was kept inuiolate , Nay , in whose face all truest loue was painted , should for his spotlesse truth be paid with hate , Hee stone-astonied , like a Deare at gaze , Admir'd these speeches in a wondrous maze . At last hee crau'd this fauour be might haue , that shee her selfe would heare what he could say , So Neptunes Towne ( quoth shee ) such lycense gaue to smooth-fac'd Synon ( Ilions last decay ) So Syrens sing vntill they haue their will , Some poore mistrustlesse Passenger to kill . Shee would not heare him speake ( oh cruell shee ) that causelesse this would kill him with disdaine , Hee sweares he 's guiltlesse , vowes innocencie , & in such vowes , tears down his cheeks did raine , Those cheeks which staine the blushing of the morne Gyneura now most hatefully doth scorne . T is strange that Maides should ere be so abused , to credit each malicious-tongued slaue , And to condemne a man ( if once accused ) before or proofe , or tryall , hee may haue . Too many such there be ; wo's mee therefore , Such light credulitie , I must deplore . When sighes , salt tears , & vowes could do no good , nor sighes , nor teares , nor vowes could pierce her hart , In which , disdaine triumphant victor stood holding in eyther hand a sable dart , Wherewith he strikes true loue , & stainlesse truth , Condemning them vnto eternall ruth . Home goes Diego , with a cheerelesse face , whose steps were led by leaden-footed griefe , Who neuer goes but with a dead-slowe pace , vntill hee finde some ease , or some reliefe ; T would melt a marble hart to see that man , ( Earst , fresh as a new-blowne Rose ) so ashie wan . Where being come , he straight for four daies space , locks him in his chamber , and there did poure Huge shewers of christall rayne adowne his face , ( for sure he lou'd her deerely at this howre ) All ouerwhelm'd in waues of sea-salt teares , Some fatall shipwrack of his life he feares . Wherewith he calls for paper , pen , and yuck , and for his Hawke , which presently he kild , Die thou ( quoth he ) so shall my loue nere thinke , that for thy sake to any else I yield . And plucking of her head , straight way hee writes , Who ( sending it as token ) thus indites . Loe heere ( thou cruell faire ) that gracious fauour , the Ensigne ( as thou saist ) of my vntruth , Behold in what high-priz'd esteeme I haue her that gaue me it , the cause of all my ruth : Looke as this Hawke , faire Loue , so is my hart , Mangled and torne , cause thou so cruell art . I sweare to thee by all the rites of loue , by heauens faire head , by earth , & black-fac'd hel , I nere meant other loue but thine to proue , nor in my hart that any else should dwell ; Let this suffize , my ioy , my deere , my chiefe , My griefes are too too long , though letter briefe . T was time to ende , for floods gusht out amaine , out came the springtide of his brinish teares , Which whatsoere hee writ blot out againe all blubred so to send it scarce hee dares : And yet hee did ; goe thou ( quoth hee ) vnto her , And for thy maister , treate , sollicite , woo her . And pray thee ( if thy Fortune be so good as to be viewd by sunshine of her eyes ) Bid her take heede in spilling guiltlesse blood , tell her there 's danger in such cruelties : With this , hee gaue it to the messenger , Who ( making speed ) in short time brought it her . Shee , when shee heard from whom the Letter came , returnes it backe againe , and straight replied , My friend ( quoth she ) hadst thou not told his name perhaps thy Letter , had not beene denied : Whereat shee paus'd ; but yet i le see ( quoth shee ) With what perswading termes , he flatters mee . T was quickly read ; ( God knowes it was but short ) griefe would not let the wryter tedious be , Nor would it suffer him fit words to sort , but pens it ( chaos-like ) confusedly . Yet had it passion to haue turn'd hard stones To liquid moisture , if they heard his moanes . But cruell shee , more hard then any flint , worse then a Tygresse of Hyrcania , Would not be mou'd , nor could his lines take print in her hard hurt , so cruell was Gyneura . Shee which once lou'd him deerly , ( too too well ) Now hates him more then any tongue can tell . Oh Nature , chiefest Mother of vs all , why did you giue such apt-beleeuing harts To women-kind , that thus poore men inthrall , and will not dulie waie true loues desarts ? O had their harts been like vnto their face , They sure had been of some celestiall race . Shee pittiles , sends backe to Dom Diego , and sayes , his words cannot inchant her hart , Vlisses-like , shee will not heare Calypso , nor lend her eares to such intising arte . Bid him ( quoth she ) from henceforth cease to write , Tell him his Letters agrauate my spight . Full heauie newes it was to stainelesse loue , to him that had enshrin'd her in his thought , And in his hart had honor'd her aboue the world ; to whom all else saue her seem'd nought . Nay , vnto him , whose person , wit , and faire , Might surely with the best make iust compare . But ( blinded as shee was ) shee steemes him not , hate and disdaine doe neuer brooke respect , Shee did not knowe that beauties foulest blot consisted in true-louing h●rts neglect . No , she ( more stubborne than the North-east wind ) Would not admit such knowledge in her mind . Let those who guiltlesslie haue felt disdaine , whose faithfull loue hath beene repaid with hate , Giue rightfull iudgement of Diegoes paine who bought his fauours at the highest rate . This newes such pleasure in his soule had bred , As hath the thiefe that hearts his iudgement read . After some time , hee writes againe vnto her , hee could not thinke shee would perseuer so , But when hee sawe her aunswere like the other hee then surceas'd to send her any moe . But did resolue to seeke some vncouth place , Where he might ( vnfound out ) bewaile his case . Thinking indeede ; shee by his absence might at length intenerate her flintfull hart , And metamorphize her conceaued spight into true loue regardaunt of his smart ; Hee seekes all meanes ( poore Louer ) how to gaine His rigorous Lady from such fell disdaine . At last , hee calls to mind the Pyren Mountaines , those far-fam'd , woody hills of wealthy Spaine , Which for wild Beasts , & siluer visag'd Fountaines , hath got the praise of all that there remaine : Hether postes Dom Diego fraught with griefe , Hoping those woods would yield him some reliefe . Where , being come , all Pilgrim-like attir'd , hee pryes about to see if hee could finde , Some house-like Caue , for rest hee much desir'd , his body now was wearie , as his minde . O Gods ( quoth hee ) if youth finde such distresse , What hope haue I , of future happines . With that hee sees a Rocke made like a Cabin all tapistred with Natures mossie greene , Wrought in a frizled guise , as it had been made for Napaea , Mountaines chiefest Queene , At mouth of which grew Cedars , Pines , & Firs , And at the top grew Maple , Yough , and Poplers . So , heere ( quoth hee ) i le rest my wearied bodie in thee ( delightfull place of Natures building ) Will I erect a griefe-fram'd Monasterie , where night & day my prayers i le ne're cease yielding , To thee my decre ; ( no other Saint I haue ) Oh lend thine eares , to him that his hart gaue . Two dayes were spent in this so pleasant seate , ( this stone-built Pallace of the King content ) Before Diego tasted any meate , or once did drinke , more then his eyes had lent . O irresisted force of purest Loue , Whom paines , thirst , hunger , can no whit remoue . Sometimes , when as he scans her crueltie , & feeles his paines ( like Hydreas head ) increasing , Hee wisht the Scithian Anthropophagie did haunt these woods that liue by mans flesh eating ; Or else the Thracian Bessi , so renound , For cruell murdring , whom in woods they found . That so the Gordyon knot of his paine indissoluble e're whiles he did lyue , Might be vntide when as his hart were slaine , when he ( ô restfull time ) shold cease to grieue ; But yet the Sisters kept his vitall breath , They would not let him dye so base a death . Some other times when as he waies her beautie , her Venus-stayning face so wondrous faire , Hee then doth thinke to waile t is but his dutie sith caus'd by her that is without compaire , And in this moode vnto high Ioue hee prayes , And praying so , hee thus vnto him sayes . Great Gouernour of ( wheele-resembling ) Heauen , commaund thy vnder Princes to mayntaine , Those heauenvly parts which to my loue th 'aue giuen , ô let her ne're feele death , or deaths fell paine . And first vpon thy Sister lay thy mace , Bid her maintayne my Loues maiestick grace . Inioyne the strange-borne mother-lesse Mynerua , and her to whom the fomie Sea was Mother , Still to vphold their giftes in my Gyneura : let wit and beautie lyue vnited with her ; With sweete mouth'd Pytho I may not suspence , Great Goddesse , still increase her eloquence . Thou musicall Apollo gau'st her hand , and thou her feete ( great Sun-Gods deerest loue ) To such your rare-knowne gyfts all gracious stand ; and now at last this doe I craue great Ioue , That when they dye ( perhaps they dye aboue ) Thou wilt bequeath these gyfts vnto my Loue . On euery neighbour Tree , on euery stone ( hee durst not far range from his secure Caue ) Would he cut out the cause of all his moane , and curiouslie with greatest skill ingraue : There needed no Leontius , his Art , Griefe carueth deepest , if it come from th' hart . When some stone would not impression take hee straight compares it to his Mistris hart , But stay , ( quoth he ) my working teares shall make thee penetrable with the least-skil'd art. Oh had my teares such force to pierce her mind , These sorrowes I should loose , and new ioyes find . Thou euer-memorable stone ( quoth hee ) tell those whom fate or fortune heere shall lead , How deerely I haue lou'd the cruel'st shee that euer Nature or the world hath bred . Tell them her hate , and her disdaine was causelesse . Oh , leaue not out to tell how I was guiltlesse . Whereat , the very stone would seeme to weepe , whose wrinkled face wold be besmeard with tears O man what ere thou be , thy sorrowes keepe vnto thy selfe , quoth hee ; i le heare no cares . Tell them that care not , tell Gyneura of thee , We stones are ruthfull , & thy plaints haue pierc'd mee . With this , hee seekes a russet-coated Tree , & straight disclothes him of his long-worne weed And whilest hee thus disroabes him busilie , hee felt his halfe-dead hart a fresh to bleed . Greeuing that hee should vse such crueltie , To turne him naked to his foe , windes furie . But now vncas'd , hee gins to carue his cares , his passions , his constant-lyuing Loue , When ( loe ) there gushes out cleere sap like teares which to get forth from pryson mainly stroue , Since pitty dwells ( quoth hee ) in trees and stone , Them will I loue ; Gyneura , thou hast none . Yet needs I must confesse thou once didst loue mee , thy loue was hotter then Nimphaeum hill , But now when time affords me , means to proue thee , thy loue then Caucase is more cold and chill , And in thy cold , like Aethiopyan hue , Thou art not to be chang'd from false to true . O looke ( faire Loue ) as in the springing Plant one branch intwines and growes within another , So growe my griefes ; which makes my hart to pant when thicke-fetcht sighes my vitall breath doth smother , I spoild my cruelty am adiudg'd to death , Thus all alone to yield my lyuing breath . Thou hast the fayrest face that e're was seene , but in thy breast ( that Alablaster Rocke ) Thou hast a fouler hart ; disdaine hath beene accounted blacker then the Chimnies stocke . O purifie thy soule my dearest Loue , Dislodge thy hate , and thy disdaine remoue , But all in vaine I speake vnto the wind , then should they carry these my plaints vnto her , Mee thinks thou still shouldst beare a gentle mind , ( deere louing Zephire ) pray , intreate , & woo her ; Tell her t were pittie I should dye alone , Here in these woods wher non can heare me mone . But t is no matter , shee is pittylesse like the Scycilian stone that more t is beate Doth waxe the harder ; stones are not so ruthlesse , which smallest drops doe pierce though nere so great ; If Seas of teares would weare into her hart , I had ere this beene eased of my smart . Thus in these speeches would Diego sit bathing his siluer cheekes with trickling teares , Which ( often running downe ) at last found fit channells to send them to their standing meares , Who at his feete ( before his feete there stood A poole of teares ) receau'd the smaller flood . Ne're had the world a truer louing hart , Abydos cease to speake of constant loue , Por sure ( thou Sygnior Dom Diego ) art the onely man that e're hates force did proue ; Thy changelesse loue hath close inrol'd thy name , In steele-leau'd booke of euer-lyuing fame . That wide-mouth'd time with swallows good desarts shall shut his iawes , & ne're deuoure thy name , Thou shalt be crown'd with bayes by louing harts , and dwell in Temple of eternall Fame ; There , is a sacred place reseru'd for thee , There , thou shalt liue with perpetuitie . So long liu'd poore Diego in this case that at the length hee waxed somwhat bold , To search the woods where hee might safely chase , ( necessitie , thy force cannot be told ) The fearefull Hare , the Connie , and the Kid , Time made him knowe the places where they bid . This young-year'd Hermit , one day mong the rest as hee was busilie prouiding meate , Which was with Natures cunning almost drest , dri'd with the Sunne new readie to be eate , Inrag'd vpon a suddaine throwes away His hard-got foode ; and thus began to say . O cruell starres , Step-mothers of my good , & you , you ruthlesse Fates what meane you thus , So greedely to thirst for my harts blood , why ioy you so in vnuniting vs ? Great powres infuse some pitty in her hart That thus hath causelesse caus'd in me this smart . I ne're was wont to vse such Cookerie , to drudge & toile when pesants take their pleasure , My noble birth scornes base-borne slauerie , this easelesse lyfe hath neither end nor measure ; Thou great Sosipolis looke vpon my state , Be of these nere-hard griefes compassionate . I feele my long-thought life begin to melt as doth the snowe gainst midday heate of Sunne , ( Faire loue ) thy rigour I haue too much felt , oh , at the last with crueltie haue done , If teares thy stonie hart could mollifie , My brinish springs should floe eternallie . Sweet loue , behold those pale cheekes washt in woe that so my teares may as a mirror be , Thine owne faire shaddowe liuely for to shoe , and portraite forth thy Angel-hued beautie . Narcissus-lyke then shouldst thou my face kisse , More honny sweete , then Venus gaue Adonis . Feare not Gyneura , faire Narcissus hap ; thy necke , thy breast , thy hand is Lilly-white , They all are Lillies tane from Floraes lap ; ne're be thou chang'd vnlesse to loue from spite . Oh that thou wer 't but then transformed so , My Sommers blisse , would change my winters woe . If thou did'st knowe in what a loathsome place , I spend my dayes sad and disconsolate , What foggie Stigian mists hang o're my face , thou would'st exile this thy conceaued hate ; This Hemisphere is darke , for Sol him shroudes , My sighes doe so conglomerate the cloudes . I tolde thee , I , ( thou cruell too seuere ) when hate first gan to rise how I was guiltlesse , Thine eares were deaffe , that would'st not harken ere thee , thy hart was hardned , rockie , pittilesse . Oh had mine eyes been blind when first they view'd Would God I had been tonglesse when I sew'd thee . But thou wast then as readie to receaue as I to craue ; ô great inconstancie , O t was that fatall houre did so bereaue my blisfull soule of all tranquillitie : Thou then didst burne in loue , now froz'd in hate , Yet pittie mee , sweete mercy ne're comes late . Looke as the crazen tops of armelesse Trees or latest down-fall of some aged building , Doe tell thee of the North-windes boistrous furies , and how that Eolus lately hath beene stirring ; So in my thin cheekt face thou well maist see , The furious storme of thy black crueltie . But thou inexorable art , ne're to be wone , though Lyons , Bears , & Tigers haue been tam'd , Thy wood-borne rigour neuer will be done , which thinks for this thou euer shalt be fam'd ; True , so thou shalt , but fam'd in infamie , Is worse then lyuing in obscuritie . If thou didst knowe howe greeuous t is to me to lyue in this vnhabited aboade , Where none ( but sorrowe ) keepes me companie , I know thou wouldst thy harts hate then vnload , Oh , I did ne're deserue this miserie , For to denie the truth were heresie . I tell thee ( Loue ) when secret-tongued night puts on her mistie sable-coloured vayle , My wrangling woes , within them selues do fight , they murder hope , which makes their Captaine wayle , And wailing so , can neuer take his rest , That keepes such vnrul'd Souldiers in his brest . So when the cleere nights-faults-disclosing day peepes forth her purple head , from out the East , These woes ( my Souldiers ) crie out for their pay , ( and if deni'd ) they stab mee , with vnrest ; My teares are pay , but all my teates are dri'de Therefore I must their fatall blowes abide . In these laments did Dom Diego liue long time ; till at the last by pourefull fate , A wandring Huntsman ignorance did driue vnto the place whence hee return'd but late ; Who viewing well the print of humaine steps Directly followed them , and for ioy leaps . At last hee came vnto Diegoes Caue in which he sawe a sauadge man ( hee thought ) Who much did looke like the Danubyan slaue , such deep-worn furrows in his face were wrought , Diego much abashed at this sight Came running forth , him in his armes to plight . For glad hee was ( God knowes ) to see a man , who ( wretch ) in two yeres space did ne're see any Such gladnes , ioy , such mirth , such triumph can not be set downe , suppose them to be many . But see , long had they not confer'd together , When ( happie time ) each one did know the other . With that Diego shewes him all his loue , his pennance , her first loue , & now her hate , But hee requested him hence to remoue , and at his house the rest hee should dilate , Which hee deni'd , onely hee now doth write By this his friend , vnto his harts delight . Deere Loue ( quoth he ) when shall I home returne , when will the coales of hate be quencht with loue , Which now in raging flames my hart do burne , oh , when wilt thou this thy disdaine remoue ; Aske of this bearer , be inquisitiue , And hee will tell thee in what case I liue . Inquire of her , whose Hawke hath caus'd this woe , if for that fauour euer I did loue her , And shee will curse mee that did vse her so , and shee will tell thee how I lou'd another ; T was thee Gyueura , t was thy fairest selfe , I hel'd thee as a Pearle , her drossie pelfe . Then , when thou hast found out the naked truth , thinke of thy Diego , and his hard hap , Let it procure in thee some mouing ruth , that thus hast causelesse cast him from thy lap : Fare-well my deere , I hope this shall suffize , To ad a period to thy cruelties . The Messenger to spurre forth her desires , and hasten her vnto his well-lou'd friend , Tells her , how hee lyes languishing in fires of burning griefes , which neuer will haue end : Bids her to flye to him with wings of zeale , And thus Diegoes paines hee doth reueale . Oh Adamantick-minded Mayde ( quoth hee ) why linger you in this ambiguous thought , Open thine eyes , no longer blinded bee , those wounding lookes , thy Louer , deere hath bought . Vnbolt thy harts strong gate of hardest steele , O let him nowe the warmth of pittie feele . Oh let him now the warmth of pittie feele , that long hath knockt cold-staruen at thy dore ; Wanting loues foode hee here & there doth reele lyke to a storme-tost Ship that 's far from shore . Feede him with loue that long hath fed on cares , Be Anchor to his soule that swims in teares . Gyneura , let him harbour in thy hart rig and amend his trouble-beaten face , O calme thy hate , whose winds haue rais'd his smart see him not perrish in this wofull case . And for in Sea-salt teares hee long hath liu'd , Let him by thy fresh water be relieu'd . Oh , shall I tell thee how I found him there , his house wherein hee liu'd ( if lyue hee did , Or rather spend his time in dying feare ) was built within the ground , all darksom hid , From Phoebus light , so vgly , hell-lyke Caue , In all the world againe you cannot haue . All made of rug'd hard-fauour'd stones , whose churlish lookes afford the eye no pleasure , In whose concauity winds breath'd horce grones , to which sad musicke Sorrow daunc'd a measure . O'regrowne it was with mighty shadefull Trees , Where poore Diego Sun nor Moone nere sees . To this black place repaired euery morne , The fayre Oreades pitty-moned gerles , Bringing the poore Diego so forlorne , Mosse to dry vp his teares , those liquid pearles : Full loath they were to loose such christall springs , Therfore this Spunge-like Mosse each of them brings . Here dry ( say they ) thou loue-forsaken man , those glassy Conduits , which do neuer cease On this soft-feeling weede ; and if you can , we all intreate , your griefes you would appease , Else wilt thou make vs pine in griefe-full woe , That nere knewe care , or loue , or friend , or foe . Straight ( like a shooting Commet in the ayre ) away depart these sorrow-peirced maydes , Leauing Diego in a deepe dispaire , who now , his fortune , now his fate vp-braides . O heauens ( quoth he ) how happy are these trees , That know not loue , nor feele his miseries . Melts not thy hart ( Gyneura ) at his cares ? are not thy bright transparent eyes yet blinde With monstrous diluge of o'reflowing teares ? remaines there yet disdaines within thy mind ? Disgorge thy hate , O hate him not that loues thee , Maids are more milde than men , yet pitty moues me . Breake , breake in peeces that delicious chest , whiter then snow on Hyperboreall hyll , Chase out disdaine , depriue him of his rest , murder and mangle him that rules thy will . Be it nere sayd that faire Gyneuraes beauty , Was ouer-peiz'd by causelesse cruelty . Cruell to him that merrits curtesie , loathed of thee that doth deserue all loue , Basely reiected , scorn'd most churlishly , that honors thee aboue the Saints aboue . True loue is pricelesse , rare , and therefore deere , We feast not royall Kings with homely cheere . Too long it were to tell thee all his merrits , for in delay consists his long-lookt death , Post-hast of thine must now reuiue his spirits , or shortly he will gaspe his latest breath ; Speake faire Gyneura , speake as I desire , Or let thy vaine-breath'd speeches back retyre . Looke , as a man late taken from a trance , standes gazing heere and there in sencelesse wise , Not able of himselfe his head t' aduance , but standeth like a stone in death-like guise , So lookt Gyneura , hanging downe her head , Shaming that folly her so much had led . Repentant sorrow would not let her speake , the burning flames of griefe did dry her teares , Yet at the last , words out of prison breake , that long'd to vtter her harts inward cares : And stealingly there glides with heauy pace A Riuolet of Pearle along her face . O cease ( quoth she ) to wound me any more , with oft repeating of my cruelties , Thou of thy teares ( kind man ) hast shed great store , when I ( vnkinder mayde ) scarce wet mine eyes . O let me now bewaile him once for all , T was none but I that causd his causelesse thrall . Eternall Ioue , rayne showers of vengeance on me , plague me for this blacke deed of wrongful hate , Be blind mine eyes , they shall not looke vpon thee Diego , till thou be compassionate : And when thou doost forgiue what I haue done , Then shall they shine like shortest-shaded sunne . O slacke thy swift-pac'd gallop winged Tyme , turne backe , and register this my disdaine ; Bid Poets sing my hate in ruthfull ryme , and pen sad Iliads of Diegoes paine : Let them be writ in plain-seene lines of glasse , To shew how louing he , I , cruell was . Hereat shee pausd , tell me sweet sir quoth shee , how I might see my deere-embosom'd friend , That now ( if what is past may pardned be ) vnto his griefes I may impose an end ; Where-with they both agreed , that the next day . They would eniourney them without more stay . Long were they not , Desire still goes on Ice , and nere can stay tell that he hath his wish , Mens willing mindes each thing doth soone intice , to hast to the which they would faine accomplish . But that they came ( as hauing a good guide ) Vnto the place where they Diego spide . Sacred Pymplaides on dip my quill within the holy waters of your spring , Infuze into my braine some of your skill , that ioyfully of these I now may sing : Those Louers now twixt whom late dwelt annoy , Swymming in seas of ouer-whelming ioy . But , pardon mee you Dames of Helycon , for thus inuoking your diuinest ayde , Which was by me ( vnworthy ) call'd vpon , at your rare knowledge I am much dismaide ; My barren-witted braines are all too base , To be your sacred learnings resting place . Thus , of themselues , in pleasures extasie , these Louers now embrace them in theyr armes , Speechlesse they are , eye countersixt on eye , like two that are coniur'd by magique charmes , So close their armes were twin'd , so neer they came As if both man and woman were one frame . In th' end , ( as doth a Current lately stayd , rush mainly forth his long-imprisoned flood ) So brake out words ; and thus Dyego sayd , what my Gyneura ? O my harts chiefe good , I st possible that thou thy selfe should'st daigne In seeing me to take so wondrous paine . Oh , speake not of my paine ( my deerest loue ) all paine is pleasure that I take for thee , Thou that so loyall and so true doost proue , might scorne mee now , so credulous to be : Then sweet Diego , let vs now returne , And banish all things that might make vs mourne . T were infinite to tell of their great gladnes , theyr amorous greetings , & their soules delight , Diego now had exil'd griefe and sadnes , rauisht with ioy whilst he enioyde her sight . Let it suffise , they homeward now retire , Which suddaine chance both men & maids admire . Gyneura now delights but in his presence , shee cannot once endure him from her sight , His loue-ful face is now her soules sole essence , and on his face shee dotes both day and night . She nere did once disdaine him halfe so much , As now she honors him , loues force is such . Diego now wrapt in a world of pleasure , imparadiz'd in hauing his desire , Floting in Seas of ioy aboue all measure , sought means to mittigate loues burning fire , Who walking with his loue alone one day , Discharg'd his minde , and thus began to say . O faire Gyneura , how long wil't be ere safron-robed Hymen doe vnite vs ? My soule doth long that happy howre to see . O let the angry Fates no longer spight vs , Lingring delays will teare my greeued hart , Let me no longer feele so painefull smart . Gyneura , which desir'd it as her life , tells him that paine shall shortly haue a cure , Shortly quoth she , I le be thy married wife , ty'de in those chaynes which euer wil endure , Be patient then , and thou shalt plainly see , In working it , how forward I will be . And so she was ; no time dyd she mispend , wherein shee gets not things in readines , That might to Hymens rites full fitly tend , or once conduce to such theyr happines , All things prepar'd , these Louers now are chayned In marriage bands , in which they long remained . These , whilst they liu'd , did liue in all content , contending who should loue each other most , To with pure loue , proude Fame her eares down lent , and through the world , of it doth highly boast . O happy he to whom loue comes at last , That will restore what hate before did wast . Then ( deerest loue ) GyneuryZe at the last , And I shall soone forget what ere is past . AND now farewel , when I shal fare but ill , flourish & ioy , when I shal droope and languish , All plentious good awaite vpon thy will , when extreame want shal bring my soule deaths anguish . Forced by thee ( thou mercy-wanting mayd ) must I abandon this my native soyle , Hoping my sorrowes heate will be allayd by absence , tyme , necessity or toyle . So , nowe adiew ; the winds call my depart . Thy beauties excellence , my rudest quill Shall neuer-more vnto the world impart , so that it know thy hate , I haue my will ; And when thou hear'st that I for thee shall perrish , Be sorrowfull . And henceforth true loue cherrish . FINIS . Poco senno basta a chi Fortuna suona .