Hero and Leander: begun by Christopher Marloe; and finished by George Chapman

HERO AND LEANDER :

Begun by Christopher Marloe ; and finished by George Chapman .

Vt Nectar , Ingenium .

At London Printed by Felix Kingston , for Paule Linley , and are to be solde in Paules Church-yard , at the signe of the Blacke-beare . 1598.

To the Right Worshipfull , Sir Thomas Walsingham , Knight .

SIr , we thinke not our selues discharged of the duty we owe to our friend , when we haue brought the breathles bodie to the earth : for albeit the eye there taketh his euer farewell of that beloued obiect , yet the impression of the man , that hath been deare vnto vs , liuing an after life in our memorie , there putteth vs in minde of farther obsequies due vnto the deceased . And namely of the performance of whatsoeuer we may iudge shall make to his liuing credit , and to the effecting of his determinations preuented by the stroke of death . By these meditations ( as by an intellectuall will ) I suppose my selfe executor to the vnhappily deceased author of this Poem , vpon whom knowing that in his life time you bestowed many kinde fauours , entertaining the parts of reckoning and worth which you found in him , with good countenance and liberall affection : I cannot but see so far into the will of him dead , that what soeuer issue of his braine should chance to come abroad , that the first breath it should take might be the gentle aire of your liking : for since his selfe had been accustomed therunto , it would proue more agreeable and thriuing to his right children , than any other foster countenance whatsoeuer . At this time seeing that this vnfinished Tragedy happens vnder my hands to be imprinted ; of a double duty , the one to your selfe , the other to the diseased , I present the same to your most fauourable allowance , offering my vtmost selfe now and euer to be readie , at your Worships disposing :

E. B.

Hero and Leander . THE ARGVMENT OF THE FIRST SESTYAD . Heros description and her Loues , The Phane of Venus ; where he moues His worthie Loue-suite , and attaines ; Whose blisse the wrath of Fates restraines , For Cupids grace to Mercurie , Which tale the Author doth implie . ON Hellespont guiltie of True loues blood , In view and opposit two citties stood , Seaborders , disioin'd by Neptunes might : The one Abydos , the other Sestos hight . At Sestos , Hero dwelt ; Hero the faire , Whom young Apollo courted for her haire , And offred as a dower his burning throne , Where she should sit for men to gaze vpon . The outside of her garments were of lawne , The lining , purple silke , with guilte starres drawne , Her wide sleeues greene , and bordered with a groue , Where Venus in her naked glory stroue , To please the carelesse and disdainfull eies , Of proude Adonis that before her lies . Her kirtle blew , whereon was many a staine , Made with the blood of wretched Louers slaine . Vpon her head she ware a myrtle wreath , From whence her vaile reacht to the ground beneath . Her vaile was artificiall flowers and leaues , Whose workmanship both man and beast deceaues . Many would praise the sweete smell as she past , When t' was the odour which her breath forth cast . And there for honie , Bees haue sought in vaine , And beat from thence , haue lighted there againe . About her necke hung chaines of peble stone , Which lightned by her necke , like Diamonds shone . She ware no gloues , for neither sunne nor winde Would burne or parch her hands , but to her minde , Or warme or coole them , for they tooke delite To play vpon those hands , they were so white . Buskins of shels all siluered , vsed she , And brancht with blushing corall to the knee ; Where sparrowes pearcht , of hollow pearle and gold , Such as the world would woonder to behold : Those with sweete water oft her handmaid fils , Which as she went would cherupe through the bils . Some say , for her the fairest Cupid pyn'd , And looking in her face , was strooken blind . But this is true , so like was one the other , As he imagyn'd Hero was his mother . And oftentimes into her bosome flew , About her naked necke his bare armes threw . And laid his childish head vpon her brest , And with still panting rocke , there tooke his rest . So louely faire was Hero , Venus Nun , As nature wept , thinking she was vndone ; Because she tooke more from her than she left , And of such wondrous beautie her bereft : Therefore in signe her treasure suffred wracke , Since Heroes time , hath halfe the world been blacke . Amorous Leander , beautifull and yoong , ( Whose tragedie diuine Musaeus soong ) Dwelt at Abydus , since him , dwelt there none , For whom succeeding times make greater mone . His dangling tresses that were neuer shorne , Had they beene cut , and vnto Colchos borne , Would haue allu'rd the vent'rous youth of Greece , To hazard more , than for the golden Fleece . Faire Cynthia wisht , his armes might be her spheare , Greefe makes her pale , because she mooues not there . His bodie was as straight as Circes wand , Ioue might haue sipt out Nectar from his hand . Euen as delicious meate is to the tast , So was his necke in touching , and surpast The white of Pelops shoulder , I could tell ye , How smooth his brest was , and how white his bellie , And whose immortall fingers did imprint , That heauenly path , with many a curious dint , That runs along his backe , but my rude pen , Can hardly blazon forth the loues of men . Much lesse of powerfull gods , let it suffise , That my slacke muse , sings of Leanders eies . Those orient cheekes and lippes , exceeding his That leapt into the water for a kis Of his owne shadow , and despising many , Died ere he could enioy the loue of any . Had wilde Hippolitus Leander seene , Enamoured of his beautie had he beene , His presence made the rudest paisant melt , That in the vast vplandish countrie dwelt , The barbarous Thracian souldier moou'd with nought , Was moou'd with him , and for his fauour sought . Some swore he was a maide in mans attire , For in his lookes were all that men desire , A pleasant smiling cheeke , a speaking eie , A brow for loue to banquet royallie , And such as knew he was a man would say , Leander , thou art made for amorous play : Why art thou not in loue , and lou'd of all ? Though thou be faire , yet be not thine owne thrall . The men of wealthie Sestos , euery yeare , ( For his sake whom their goddesse held so deare , Rose-cheekt Adonis ) kept a solemne feast , Thither resorted many a wandring guest , To meet their loues ; such as had none at all , Came louers home , from this great festiuall . For euerie street like to a Firmament Glistered with breathing stars , who where they went , Frighted the mealancholie earth , which deem'd , Eternall heauen to burne , for so it seem'd , As if another Phaeton had got The guidance of the sunnes rich chariot . But far aboue the loueliest Hero shin'd , And stole away th' inchaunted gazers mind , For like Sea-nimphs inueigling harmony , So was her beautie to the standers by . Nor that night wandring pale and watrie starre , ( When yawning dragons draw her thirling carre , From Latmus mount vp to the glomie skie , Where crown'd with blazing light and maiestie , She proudly sits ) more ouer-rules the flood , Than she the hearts of those that neere her stood . Euen as , when gawdie Nimphs pursue the chace , Wretched Ixions shaggie footed race , Incenst with sauage heat , gallop amaine , From steepe Pine-bearing mountains to the plaine : So ran the people foorth to gaze vpon her , And all that view'd her , were enamour'd on her . And as in furle of a dreadfull fight , Their fellowes being slaine or put to flight , Poore soldiers stand with feare of death dead strooken , So at her presence all surprisde and tooken , Await the sentence of her scornefull eies : He whom she fauours liues , the other dies . There might you see one sigh , another rage , And some ( their violent passions to asswage ) Compile sharpe satyrs , but alas too late , For faithfull loue will neuer turne to hate . And many seeing great princes were denied , Pin'd as they went , and thinking on her died . On this feast day , O cursed day and hower , Went Hero thorow Sestos , from her tower To Venus temple , where vnhappilie , As after chanc'd , they did each other spie , So faire a Church as this , had Venus none , The wals were of discoloured Iasper stone , Wherein was Proteus caru'd , and ouer head A liuely vine of greene sea agget spread ; Where by one hand light headed Bacchus hung , And with the other , wine from grapes out wrung , Of Christall shining faire , the pauement was , The towne of Sestos , calde it Venus glasse , There might you see the gods in sundrie shapes , Committing headdie ryots , incest , rapes : For know , that vnderneath this radiant flowre , Was Danaes statue in a brazen towre , Ioue , slylie stealing from his sisters bed , To dallie with Idalian Ganimed : And for his loue Europa , bellowing lowd , And tumbling with the Rainbow in a clowd , Blood-quaffing Mars , heauing the yron net , Which limping Vulcan and his Cyclops set : Loue kindling fire , to burne such townes as Troy , Syluanus weeping for the louely boy , That now is turnde into a Cypres tree , Ander whose shade the Wood-gods loue to bee , And in the midst a siluer altar stood , There Hero sacrificing turtles blood , Taild to the ground , vailing her eie-lids close , And modestly they opened as she rose : Thence flew Loues arrow with the golden head , And thus Leander was enamoured . Stone still he stood , and euermore he gazed , Till with the fire that from his countnance blazed , Relenting Hero's gentle heart was strooke , Such force and vertue hath an amorous looke . It lies not in our power to loue , or hate , For will in vs is ouer-rulde by fate . When two are stript long ere the course begin , We wish that one should lose , the other win . And one especiallie doo we affect , Of two gold Ingots like in each respect , The reason no man knowes , let it suffise , What we behold is censur'd by our eies . Where both deliberat , the loue is slight , Who euer lou'd , that lou'd not at first sight ? He kneel'd , but vnto her deuoutly praid ; Chast Hero to her selfe thus softly said : Were I the saint hee worships , I would heare him , And as she spake those words , came somewhat neere him . He started vp , she blusht as one asham'd ; Wherewith Leander much more was inftam'd . He toucht her hand , in touching it she trembled , Loue deepely grounded , hardly is dissembled , These louers parled by the touch of hands , True loue is mute , and oft amazed stands , Thus while dumb signs their yeelding harts entangled , The aire with sparkes of liuing fire was spangled , A periphrasis of night . And night deepe drencht in mystie Acheron , Heau'd vp her head , and halfe the world vpon , Breath'd darkenesse forth ( darke night is Cupids day ) And now begins Leander to display Loues holy fire , with words , with sighs and teares , Which like sweet musicke entred Heroes eares , And yet at euerie word shee turn'd aside , And alwaies cut him off as he replide , At last , like to a bold sharpe Sophister , With chearfull hope thus he accosted her . Faire creature , let me speake without offence , I would my rude words had the influence , To leade thy thoughts , as thy faire lookes do mine , Then shouldst thou bee his prisoner who is thine . Be not vnkind and faire , mishapen stuffe Are of behauiour boisterous and ruffe . O shun me not , but heare me ere you goe , God knowes I cannot force loue , as you doe . My words shall be as spotlesse as my youth , Full of simplicitie and naked truth . This sacrifice ( whose sweet perfume descending , From Venus altar to your footsteps bending ) Doth testifie that you exceed her farre , To whom you offer , and whose Nunne you are , Why should you worship her , her you surpasse , As much as sparkling Diamonds flaring glasse . A Diamond set in lead his worth retaines , A heauenly Nimph , belou'd of humane swaines , Receiues no blemish , but oft-times more grace , Which makes me hope , although I am but base , Base in respect of thee , diuine and pure , Dutifull seruice may thy loue procure , And I in dutie will excell all other , As thou in beautie doest exceed loues mother . Nor heauen , nor thou , were made to gaze vpon , As heauen preserues all things , so saue thou one . A stately builded ship , well rig'd and tall , The Ocean maketh more maiestic all : Why vowest thou then to liue in Sestos heere , Who on Loues seas more glorious wouldst appeere ? Like vntun'd golden strings all women are , Which long time lie vntoucht , will harshly iarre . Vessels of brasse oft handled , brightly shine , What difference betwixt the richest mine And basest mold , but vse ? for both not vsde , Are of like worth . Then treasure is abusde , When misers keep it ; being put to lone , In time it will returne vs two for one . Rich robes , themselues and others doe adorne , Neither themselues nor others , if not worne . Who builds a pallace and rams vp the gate , Shall see it ruinous and desolate . An simple Hero , learne thy selfe to cherish , Loue women like to emptie houses perish . Lesse since the poore rich man that starues himselfe , In heaping vp a masse of drossie pelfe , Than such as you : his golden earth remains , Which after his disceasse some other gains . But this faire iem , sweet , in the losse alone , When you fleet hence , can be bequeath'd to none . Or if it could , downe from th' enameld skie , All heauen would come to claime this legacie , And with intestine broyles the world destroy , And quite confound natures sweet harmony . Well therefore by the gods decreed it is , We humane creatures should enioy that blis . One is no number , mayds are nothing then , Without the sweet societie of men . Wilt thou liue single still ? one shalt thou bee , Though neuer-singling Hymen couple thee . Wilde sauages , that drinke of running springs , Thinke water farre excels all earthly things : But they that daily taste neat wine , despise it . Virginitie , albeit some highly prise it , Compar'd with mariage , had you tride them both , Differs as much , as wine and water doth . Base boullion for the stamps sake we allow , Euen so for mens impression doe we you . By which alone , our reuerend fathers say ; Women receiue perfection euery way . This idoll which you terme Virginitie , Is neither essence subiect to the eie , No , nor to any one exterior sence , Nor hath it any place of residence , Nor is 't of earth or mold celestiall , Or capable of any forme at all . Of that which hath no being , doe not boast , Things that are not at all , are neuer lost . Men foolishly doe call it vertuous , What vertue is it , that is borne with vs ? Much lesse can honour be ascrib'd thereto , Honour is purchas'd by the deedes wee do . Beleeue me Hero , honour is not wone , Vntill some honourable deed be done . Seeke you for chastitie , immortall fame , And know that some haue wrong'd Dianas name ? Whose name is it , if she be false or not , So she be faire , but some vile toongs will blot ? But you are faire ( aye me ) so wondrous faire , So yong , so gentle , and so debonaire , As Greece will thinke , if thus you liue alone , Some one or other keepes you as his owne . Then Hero hate me not , nor from me flie , To follow swiftly blasting infamie . Perhaps , thy sacred Priesthood makes thee loath , Tell me , to whom mad'st thou that heedlesse oath ? To Venus , answered shee , and as shee spake , Foorth from those two tralucent cesternes brake , A streame of liquid pearle , which downe her face Made milk-white paths , wheron the gods might trace To Ioues high court . Hee thus replide : The rites In which Loues beauteous Empresse most delites , Are banquets , Dorick musicke , midnight-reuell , Plaies , masks , and all that sterne age counteth euill . Thee as a holy Idiot doth she scorne , For thou in vowing chastitie , hast sworne To rob her name and honour , and thereby Commit'st a sinne far worse than periurie . Euen sacrilege against her Deitie , Through regular and formall puritie . To expiat which sinne , kisse and shake hands , Such sacrifice as this , Venus demands . There at she smilde , and did denie him so , As put thereby , yet might he hope for mo . Which makes him quickly re-enforce his speech , And her in humble maner thus beseech . Though neither gods nor men may thee deserue , Yet for her sake whom you haue vow'd to serue , Abandon fruitlesse cold Virginitie , The gentle queene of Loues sole enemie . Then shall you most resemble Venus Nun , When Venus sweet rites are perform'd and dun , Flint-brested Pallas ioyes in single life , But Pallas and your mistresse are at strife . Loue Hero then , and be not tyrannous , But heale the heart that thou hast wounded thus , Nor staine thy youthfull yeares with auarice , Faire fooles delight to be accounted nice . The richest corne dies , if it be not reapt , Beautie alone is lost , too warily kept . These arguments he vs'd , and many more , Wherewith she yeelded , that was woone before , Heroes lookes yeelded , but her words made warre , Women are woon when they begin to iarre . Thus hauing swallow'd Cupids golden hooke , The more she striu'd the deeper was she strooke . Yet euilly faining anger , stroue she still , And would be thought to graunt against her will . So hauing paus'd a while , at last shee said : Who taught thee Rhetoricke to deceiue a maid ? Aye me , such words as these should I abhor , And yet I like them for the Orator . With that Leander stoopt , to haue imbrac'd her , But from his spreading armes away she cast her , And thus bespake him . Gentle youth forbeare To touch the sacred garments which I weare . Vpon a rocke , and vnderneath a hill , Far from the towne ( where all is whist and still , Saue that the sea playing on yellow sand , Sends foorth a ratling murmure to the land , Whose sound allures the golden Morpheus , In silence of the night to visite vs . ) My turret stands , and there God knowes I play With Venus swannes and sparrowes all the day . A dwarfish beldame beares me companie , That hops about the chamber where I lie , And spends the night ( that might be better spent ) In vaine discourse , and apish merriment . Come thither ; As she spake this , her toong tript , For vnawares ( Come thither ) from her slipt , And sodainly her former colour chang'd , And here and there her eies through anger rang'd . And like a planet , moouing seuerall waies , At one selfe instant , she poore soule assaies , Louing , not to loue at all , and euerie part , Stroue to resist the motions of her hart . And hands so pure , so innocent , nay such , As might haue made heauen stoope to haue a touch , Did she vphold to Venus , and againe , Vow'd spotlesse chastitie , but all in vaine , Cupid beats downe her praiers with his wings , Her vowes aboue the emptie aire he flings : All deepe enrag'd , his sinowie bow he bent , And shot a shaft that burning from him went , Wherewith she strooken , look't so dolefully , As made Loue sigh , to see his tirannie . And as she wept , her teares to pearle he turn'd , And wound them on his arme , and for her mourn'd . Then towards the pallace of the destinies , Laden with languishment and griefe he flies . And to those sterne nymphs humblie made request , Both might enioy each other , and be blest . But with a ghastly dreadfull countenance , Threatning a thousand deaths at euery glance , They answered Loue , nor would vouchsafe so much As one poore word , their hate to him was such . Harken a while , and I will tell you why : Heauens winged herrald , Ioue-borne Mercury , The selfe-same day that he asleep had layd Inchanted Argus , spied a countrie mayd , Whose carelesse haire , in stead of pearle t' adorne it , Glistred with deaw , as one that seem'd to skorne it : Her breath as fragrant as the morning rose , Her mind pure , and her tongue vntaught to glose . Yet prowd she was , ( for loftie pride that dwels In tow'red courts , is oft in sheapheards cels . ) And too too well the faire vermillion knew , And siluer tincture of her cheekes , that drew The loue of euery swaine : On her this god Enamoured was , and with his snakie rod , Did charme her nimble feet , and made her stay , The while vpon a hillock downe he lay , And sweetly on his pipe began to play , And with smooth speech her fancie to assay , Till in his twining armes he lockt her fast , And then he woo'd with kisses , and at last , As sheapheards do , her on the ground he layd , And tumbling in the grasse , he often strayd Beyond the bounds of shame , in being bold To eie those parts , which no eie should behold . And like an insolent commanding louer , Boasting his parentage , would needs discouer The way to new Elisium : but she , Whose only dower was her chastitie , Hauing striu'ne in vaine , was now about to crie , And craue the helpe of sheapheards that were nie . Herewith he staid his furie , and began To giue her leaue to rise , away she ran , After went Mercurie , who vsde such cunning , As she to heare his tale , left off her running . Maids are not woon by brutish force and might , But speeches full of pleasures and delight . And knowing Hermes courted her , was glad That she such louelinesse and beautie had , As could prouoke his liking , yet was mute , And neither would denie , nor grant his sute . Still vowd he loue , she wanting no excuse To feed him with delaies , as women vse : Or thirsting after immortalitie , All women are ambitious naturallie , Imposde vpon her louer such a taske , As he ought not performe , nor yet she aske . A draught of flowing Nectar she requested , Where with the king of Gods and men is feasted . He readie to accomplish what she wild , Stole some from Hebe ( Hebe , Ioues cup fild , ) And gaue it to his simple rustike loue , Which being knowne ( as what is hid from loue ) He inly storm'd , and waxt more furious , Than for the fire filcht by Prometheus ; And thrusts him down from heauen , he wandring heere , In mournfull tearmes , with sad and heauie cheere Complaind to Cupid , Cupid for his sake , To be reueng'd on Ioue , did vndertake , And those on whom heauen , earth , and hell relies , I meane the Adamantine Destinies , He wounds with loue , and forst them equallie , To dote vpon deceitfull Mercurie . They offred him the deadly fatall knife , That sheares the slender threads of humane life , At his faire feathered feet , the engins layd , Which th' earth from ougly Chaos den vp-wayd : These he regarded not , but did intreat , That Ioue , vsurper of his fathers seat , Might presently be banisht into hell , And aged Saturne in Olympus dwell . They granted what he crau'd , and once againe , Saturne and Ops , began their golden raigne . Murder , rape , warre , lust and trecherie , Were with Ioue clos'd in Stigian Emperie . But long this blessed time continued not , As soone as he his wished purpose got ; He recklesse of his promise , did despise The loue of th' euerlasting Destinies . They seeing it , both Loue and him abhor'd , And Iupiter vnto his place restor'd . And but that Learning , in despight of Fate , Will mount aloft , and enter heauen gate , And to the seat of Ioue it selfe aduance , Hermes had slept in hell with ignorance . Yet as a punishment they added this , That he and Pouertie should alwaies kis . And to this day is euerie scholler poore , Grosse gold from them runs headlong to the boore . Likewise the angrie sisters thus deluded , To venge themselues on Hermes , haue concluded That Midas brood shall sit in Honors chaire , To which the Muses sonnes are only heire : And fruitfull wits that in aspiring are , Shall discontent run into regions farre ; And few great Lords in vertuous deeds shal ioy , But be surpris'd with euery garish toy . And still inrich the loftie seruile clowne , Who with incroching guile , keepes learning downe . Then muse not Cupids sute no better sped , Seeing in their loues the Fates were iniured . The end of the first Sestyad .

THE ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND SESTYAD . Hero of loue takes deeper sence , And doth her loue more recompence . Their first nights meeting , where sweet kisses Are th' only crownes of both their blisses . He swimst ' Abydus , and returnes ; Cold Neptune with his beautie burnes , Whose suite he shuns , and doth aspire Heros faire towre , and his desire . BY this , sad Hero , with loue vnacquainted , Viewing Leanders face , fell downe and fainted . He kist her , and breath'd life into her lips , Wherewith as one displeasde , away-she trips . Yet as she went , full often lookt behinde , And many poore excuses did she finde , To linger by the way , and once she staid , And would haue turnde againe , but was afraid , In offring parlie , to be counted light . So on she goes , and in her idle flight . Her painted fanne of curled plumes let fall , Thinking to traine Leander there with all . He being a nouice , knew not what she meant , But stayd , and after her a letter sent . Which ioyfull Heor answerd in such sort , As he had hope to scale the beauteous fort , Wherein the liberall graces lock'd their wealth , And therefore to her tower he got by stealth . Wide open stood the doore , he need not clime ; And she her selfe before the pointed time , Had spread the boord , with roses strowed the roome , And oft look'd out , and mus'd he did not come . At last he came , O who can tell the greeting , These greedie louers had , at their first meeting . He askt , she gaue , and nothing was denied , Both to each other quickly were affied . Looke how their hands , so were their hearts vnited , And what he did , she willingly requited . ( Sweet are the kisses , the imbracements sweet , When like desires and affections meet , For from the earth to heauen , is Cupid rais'd , Where fancie is in equall ballance pais'd ) Yet she this rashnesse sodainly repented , And tur'd aside , and to her selfe lamented . As if her name and honor had been wrong'd , By being possest of him for whom she long'd : I , and shee wisht , albe it not from her hart , That he would leaue her turret and depart . The mirthfull God of amorous pleasure smil'd , To see how he this captiue Nymph beguil'd . For hitherto hee did but fan the fier , And kept it downe that it might mount the hier . Now waxt she iealous , least his loue abated , Fearing , her owne thoughts made her to be hated . Therefore vnto him hastily she goes , And like light Salmacis , her body throes Vpon his bosome , where with yeelding eyes , She offers vp her selfe a sacrifice . To slake his anger , if he were displeas'd , O what god would not therewith be appeas'd ? Like Aesops cocke , this iewell he enioyed , And as a brother with his sister toyed , Supposing nothing else was to be done , Now he her fauour and good will had wone . But know you not that creatures wanting sence , By nature haue a mutuall appetence , And wanting organs to aduaunce a step , Mou'd by Loues force , vnto ech other lep ? Much more in subiects hauing intellect , Some hidden influence breeds like effect . Albeit Leander rude in loue , and raw , Long dallying with Hero , nothing saw That might delight him more , yet he suspected Some amorous rites or other were neglected : Therefore vnto his bodie , hirs he clung , She , fearing on the rushes to be flung , Striu'd with redoubled strength , the more she striued , The more a gentle pleasing heat reuiued , Which taught him all that elder louers know , And now the same gan so to scorch and glow , As in plaine termes ( yet cunningly ) he crau'd it . Loue alwaies makes those eloquent that haue it . Shee , with a kind of graunting , put him by it , And euer as he thought himselfe most nigh it , Like to the tree of Tantalus she fled , And seeming lauish , sau'de her maydenhead . Ne're king more sought to keepe his diademe , Than Hero this inestimable gemme . Aboue our life we loue a stedfast frend , Yet when a token of great worth we send , We often kisse it , often looke thereon , And stay the messenger that would be gon : No maruell then , though Hero would not yeeld So soone to part from that she deerely held . Iewels being lost are found againe , this neuer , T is lost but once , and once lost , lost for euer . Now had the morne espy'de her louers steeds , Whereat she starts , puts on her purple weeds , And red for anger that he stayd so long , All headlong throwes her selfe the clouds among , And now Leander fearing to be mist , Imbrast her sodainly , tooke leaue , and kist , Long was he taking leaue , and loath to go , And kist againe , as louers vse to do , Sad Hero wroong him by the hand , and wept , Saying , let your vowes and promises be kept . Then standing at the doore , she turnd about As loath to see Leander going out . And now the sunne that through th' orizon peepes , As pittying these louers , downeward creepes . So that in silence of the cloudie night , Though it was morning , did he take his flight . But what the secret trustie night conceal'd , Leanders amorous habit soone reueal'd , With Cupids myrtle was his bonet crownd , About his armes the purple riband wound , Wherewith she wreth'd her largely spreading heare , Nor could the youth abstaine , but he must weare The sacred ring wherewith she was endow'd , When first religious chastitie she vow'd : Which made his loue through Sestos to be knowne , And thence vnto Abydus sooner blowne , Than he could saile , for incorporall Fame , Whose waight consists in nothing but her name , Is swifter than the wind , whose tardie plumes , Are reeking water , and dull earthlie fumes . Home when he came , he seem'd not to be there , But like exiled aire thrust from his sphere , Set in a forren place , and straight from thence , Alcides like , by mightie violence , He would haue chac'd away the swelling maine , That him from her vniustly did deataine . Like as the sunne in a Dyameter , Fires and inflames obiects remooued farre , And heateth kindly , shining lat'rally ; So beautie , sweetly quickens when t' is ny , But being separated and remooued , Burnes where it cherisht , murdrs where it loued . Therefore euen as an Index to a booke , So to his mind was yoong Leanders looke , O none but gods haue power their loue to hide , Affection by the count'nance is descride . The light of hidden fire it selfe discouers , And loue that is conceal'd betraies poore louers . His secret name apparantly was seene , Leanders Father knew where he had beene , And for the same mildly rebuk't his sonne , Thinking to quench the sparckles new begonne . But loue resisted once , growes passionate , And nothing more than counseile louers hate . For as a hote prowd horse highly disdaines , To haue his head control'd , but breakes the raines , Spits foorth the ringled bit , and with his houes , Checkes the submissiue ground : so hee that loues , The more he is restrain'd , the woorse he fares , What is it now , but mad Leander dares ? O Hero , Hero , thus he cry'de full oft , And then he got him to a rocke aloft . Where hauing spy'de her tower , long star'd he on 't , And pray'd the narrow toyling Hellespont , To part in twaine , that hee might come and go , But still the rising billowes answered no. With that hee stript him to the yu'rie skin , And crying , Loue I come , leapt liuely in . Whereat the saphir visag'd god grew prowd , And made his capring Triton sound alowd , Imagining , that Ganimed displeas'd , Had left the heauens , therefore on him he seaz'd . Leander striu'd , the waues about him wound , And puld him to the bottome , where the ground Was strewd with pearle , and in low corrall groues Sweet singing Meremaids , sported with their loues On heapes of heauie gold , and tooke great pleasure , To spurne in carelesse sort , the shipwracke treasure . For here the stately azure pallace stood , Where kingly Neptune and his traine abode , The lustie god imbra'st him , cald him loue , And swore he neuer should returne to Ioue . But when he knew it was not Ganimed , For vnder water he was almost dead , He heau'd him vp , and looking on his face , Beat downe the bold waues with his triple mace , Which mounted vp , intending to haue kist him , And fell in drops like teares , because they mist him . Leander being vp began to swim , And looking backe , saw Neptune follow him . Whereat agast , the poore soule ganto crie , O let mee visit Hero ere I die . The god put Helles bracelet on his arme , And swore the sea should neuer doe him harme . He clapt his plumpe cheekes , with his tresses playd , And smiling wantonly , his loue bewrayd . He watcht his armes , and as they opend wide , At euery stroke , betwixt them would he slide , And steale a kisse , and then run out and daunce , And as he turnde , cast many a lustfull glance , And threw him gawdie toies to please his eie , And diue into the water , and there prie Vpon his brest , his thighes , and euerie lim , And vp againe , and close beside him swim . And talke of loue : Leander made replie , You are decau'd , I am no woman I , There at smilde Neptune , and then told a tale , How that a sheapheard sitting in a vale , Playd with a boy , so faire and kind , As for his loue , both earth and heauen pyn'd ; That of the cooling riuer durst not drinke , Least water-nymphs should pull him from the brinke . And when hee sported in the fragrant lawnes , Gote-footed Satyrs , and vp-staring Fawnes , Would steale him thence . Ere halfe this tale was done , Aye me , Leander oryde , th' enamoured sunne , That now should shine on Thetis glassie bower , Descends vpon my raiant Heroes tower . O that these tardie armes of mine were wings , And as he spake , vpon the waues he springs . Neptune was angrie that hee gaue no eare , And in his heart reuenging malice bare : He flung at him his mace , but as it went , He cald it in , for loue made him repent . The mace returning backe , his owne hand hit , As meaning to be veng'd for darting it . When this fresh bleeding wound Leander viewd , His colour went and came , as if he rewd . The greefe which Neptune felt . In gentle brests , Relenting thoughts , remorse and pittie rests . Trouping together , made her wonder why She should not leaue her bed , and to the Temple ? Her health sayd she must liue ; her sex dissemble . She viewd Leanders place , and wisht he were Turnd to his place ; so his place were Leander . Aye me ( sayd she ) that loues sweet life and sence Should doe it harme ! my loue had not gone hence , Had he been like his place . O blessed place , Image of Constancie . Thus my loues grace Parts no where but it leaues some thing behinde Worth obseruation : he renowmes his kinde . His motion is like heauens Orbiculer : For where he once is , he is euer there . This place was mine : Leander now t' is thine ; Thou being my selfe , then it is double mine : Mine , and Leanders mine , Leanders mine . O see what wealth it yeelds me , nay yeelds him : For I am in it , he for me doth swim . Rich , fruitfull loue , that doubling selfe estates Elixer-like contracts , though separates . Deare place I kisse thee , and doe welcome thee , As from Leander euer sent to mee . The end of the third Sestyad .

THE ARGVMENT OF THE FOVRTH SESTYAD . Hero , in sacred habit deckt , Doth priuate sacrifice effect . Her Skarfs description wrought by fate , Ostents , that threaten her estate . The strange , yet Phisicall euents , Leanders counterfeit presents . In thunder , Ciprides descends , Presaging both the louers ends . Ecte the Goddesse of remorce , With vocall and articulate force Inspires Leucote , Venus swan , T' excuse the beautious Sestian . Venus , to wreake her rites abuses , Creates the monster Eronusis ; Enflaming Heros Sacrifice , With lightning darted from her eyes : And thereof springs the painted beast , That euer since taints euery breast . NOw from Leanders place she rose , and found Her haire and rent robe scattred on the ground : Which taking vp , she euery peece did lay Vpon an Altar ; where in youth of day She vsde t'exhibite priuate Sacrifice : Those would she offer to the Deities Of her faire Goddesse , and her powerfull son , As relicks of her late-felt passion : And in that holy sort she vowd to end them , In hope her violent fancies that did rend them , Would as quite fade in her loues holy fire , As they should in the flames she ment t' inspire . Then put she on all her religious weedes , That deckt her in her secret sacred deedes : A crowne of Isickles , that sunne nor fire Could euer melt , and figur'd chast desire . A golden star shinde in her naked breast , In honour of the Queene-light of the East . In her right hand she held a siluer wand , On whose bright top Peristera did stand , Who was a Nymph , but now transformd a Doue , And in her life was deare in Venus loue : And for her sake she euer since that time , Chusde Doues to draw her Coach through heauens blew clime . Her plentious haire in curled billowes swims On her bright shoulder : her harmonious lims Sustainde no more but a most subtile vaile That hung on them , as it durst not affaire Their different concord : for the weakest ayre Could raise it swelling from her bewties fayre : Nor did it couer , but adumbrate onelie Her most heart-piercing parts , that a blest eie Might see ( as it did shadow ) fearfullie , All that all-loue-deseruing Paradise : It was as blew as the most freezing skies Neere the Sea shew , for thence her Goddesse came : On it a skarfe she wore of wondrous frame ; In midst whereof she wrought a virgins face , From whose each cheeke a firie blush did chace Two crimson flames , that did two waies extend , Spreading the ample skarfe to either end , Which figur'd the diuision of her minde , Whiles yet she rested bashfully inclinde , And stood not resolute to wed Leander . This seru'd her white neck for a purple sphere , And cast it selfe at full breadth downe her back . There ( since the first breath that begun the wrack Of her free quiet from Leanders lips ) She wrought a Sea in one flame full of ships : But that one ship where all her wealth did passe ( Like simple marchants goods ) Leander was : For in that Sea she naked figured him ; Her diuing needle taught him how to swim , And to each thred did such resemblance giue , For ioy to be so like him , it did liue . Things senceles liue by art , and rationall die , By rude contempt of art and industrie . Scarce could she work but in her strength of thought , She feard she prickt Leander as she wrought : And oft would shrieke so , that her Guardian frighted , Would staring haste , as with some mischiefe cited . They double life that dead things griefs sustdyne : They kill that feele not their friends liuing payne . Sometimes she feard he sought her infamie , And then as she was working of his eie , She thought to pricke it out to quench her ill : But as she prickt , it grew more perfect still . Trifling attempts no serious acts aduance ; The fire of loue is blowne by dalliance . In working his fayre neck she did so grace it , She still was working her owne armes t' imbrace it : That , and his shoulders , and his hands wereseene Aboue the streame , and with a pure Sea greene She did so queintly shadow euery lim , All might be seene beneath the waues to swim . In this conceited skarfe she wrought beside A Moone in change , and shooting stars did glide In number after her with bloodie beames , Which figur'd her affects in their extreames , Pursuing Nature in her Cynthian bodie , And did her thoughts running on change implie : For maids take more delights when they prepare And thinke of wiues states , than when wiues they are . Beneath all these she wrought a Fisherman , Drawing his nets from forth that Ocean ; Who drew so hard ye might discouer well , The toughned sinewes in his neck did swell : His inward straines draue out his blood-shot eyes , And springs of sweat did in his forehead rise : Yet was of nought but of a Serpent sped , That in his bosome flew and stung him dead . And this by fate into her minde was sent , Not wrought by meere instinct of her intent . At the skarfs other end her hand did frame , Neere the forkt point of the deuided flame , A countrie virgin keeping of a Vine , Who did of hollow bulrushes combine Snares for the stubble-louing Grashopper , And by her lay her skrip that nourisht her . Within a myrtle shade she sate and sung , And turts of wauing reedes about her sprung : Where lurkt two Foxes , that while she applide Her trifling snares , their theeueries did deuide : One to the vine , another to her skrip , That she did negligently ouerslip : By which her fruitfull vine and holesome fare , She suffred spoyld to make a childish share . These omenous fancies did her soule expresse , And euery finger made a Prophetesse , To shew what death was hid in loues : disguise , And make her iudgement conquer destinies . O what sweet formes fayre Ladies soules doe shrowd , Were they made seene & forced through their blood , If through their beauties like rich work through lawn , They would set forth their minds with vertues drawn , In letting graces from their fingers flie , To still their yas thoughts with industrie : That their plied wits in numbred silks might sing Passions huge conquest , and their needels leading Affection prisoner through their own-built citties , Pinniond with stories and Arachnean ditties . Proceed we now with Heros sacrifice ; She odours burnd , and from their smoke did rise Vnsauorie fumes , that ayre with plagues inspired , And then the consecrated sticks she fired . On whose pale flame an angrie spirit flew , And beate it downe still as it vpward grew . The virgin Tapers that on th' altar stood , When she inflam'd them burnd as red as blood : All sad ostents of that too neere successe ; That made such mouing beauties motionlesse . Then Hero wept ; but her affrighted eyes She quickly wrested from the sacrifice : Shut them , and inwards for Leander lookt , Searcht her soft bosome , and from thence she pluckt His louely picture : which when she had viewd , Her beauties were with all loues ioyes renewd . The odors sweetned , and the fires burnd cleere , Leanders forme left no ill obiect there . Such was his beautie that the force of light , Whose knowledge teacheth wonders infinite . The strength of number and proportion , Nature had plaste in it to make it knowne . Art was her daughter , and what humane wits For studie lost , intombd in drossie spirits . After this accident ( which for her glorie Hero could not but make a historie ) Th' inhabitants of Sestus , and Abydus , Did euery yeare with feasts propitious , To fayre Leanders picture sacrifice , And they were persons of especiall prize That were allowd it , as an ornament T' inrich their houses ; for the continent Of the strange vertues all approu'd it held : For euen the very looke of it repeld All blastings , witchcrafts , and the strifes of nature In those diseases that no hearbs could cure . The woolfie sting of Auarice it would pull , And who haue hard hearts , and obdurat minds , But vicious , harebraind , and illit'rat hinds ? The god seeing him with pittie to be moued , Thereon concluded that he was beloued . ( Loue is too full of faith , too credulous , With follie and false hope deluding vs . ) Wherefore Leanders fancie to surprize , To the rich Ocean for gifts he flies . T is wisedome to giue much , a gift preuailes , When deepe perswading Oratorie failes , By this Leander being neere the land , Cast downe his wearie feet , and felt the sand Breathlesse albeit he were , he rested not , Till to the solitarie tower he got . And knockt and cald , at which celestiall noise , The longing heart of Hero much more ioies Then nymphs & sheapheards , when the timbrell rings , Or crooked Dolphin when the sailer sings ; She stayd not for her robes , but straight arose , And drunke with gladnesse , to the dore she goes . Where seeing a naked man , she scriecht for feare , Such sights as this , to tender maids are rare . And ran in to the darke her selfe to hide , Rich iewels in the darke are soonest spide . Vnto her was he led , or rather drawne , By those white limmes , which sparckled through the lawne . The neerer that he came , the more she fled , And seeking refuge , slipt into her bed . Whereon Leander sitting , thus began , Though numming cold , all feeble , faint and wan : If not for loue , yet loue for pittie sake , Me in thy bed and maiden bosome take , At least vouchsafe these armes some little roome , Who hoping to imbrace thee , cherely swoome . This head was beat with manie a churlish billow , And therefore let it rest vpon thy pillow . Herewith affrighted Hero shrunke away , And in her luke-warme place Leander lay . Whose liuely heat like fire from heauen fet , Would animate grosse clay , and higher set The drooping thoughts of base declining soules , Then drerie Mars , carowsing Nectar boules . His hands he cast vpon her like a snare , She ouercome with shame and sallow feare , Like chast Diana , when Acteon spyde her , Being sodainly betraide , dyu'd downe to hide her . And as her siluer body downeward went , With both her hands she made the bed a tent , And in her owne mind thought her selfe secure , O'recast with dim and darksome couerture . And now she lets him whisper in her eare , Flatter , intreat , promise , protest and sweare , Yet euer as he greedily assayd , To touch those dainties , she the Harpey playd , And euery lim did as a soldier stout , Defend the fort , and keep the foe-man out . For though the rising yu'rie mount he scal'd , Which is with azure circling liues empal'd , Much like a globe , ( a globe may I tearme this , By which loue sailes to regions ful of blis , ) Yet there with Sysiphus he toyld in vaine , Till gentle parlie did the truce obtaine . She trembling stroue , this strife of hers ( like that Which made the world ) another world begat , Of vnknowne ioy . Treason was in her thought , And cunningly to yeeld her selfe she sought . Seeming not woon , yet woon she was at length , In such warres women vse but halfe their strength . Leander now like Theban Hercules , Entred the orchard of Th●esperides . Whose fruit none rightly can describe , but hee That puls or shakes it from the golden tree : Wherein Leander on her quiuering brest , Breathlesse spoke some things , and sigh'd out the rest ; Which so preuail'd , as he with small ado , Inclos'd her in his armes and kist her to . And euerie kisse to her was as a charme , And to Leander as a fresh alarme . So that the truce was broke , and she alas , ( Poore sillie maiden ) at his mercie was . Loue is not full of pittie ( as men say ) But deaffe and cruell , where he meanes to pray . Euen as a bird , which in our hands we wring , Fourth plungeth , and oft flutters with her wing . And now she wisht this night were neuer done . And sigh'd to thinke vpon th' approching sunne , For much it greeu'd her that the bright day-light , Should know the pleasure of this blessed night . And then like Mars and Ericine displayd , Both in each others armes chaind as they layd . Againe she knew not how to frame her looke , Or speake to him who in a moment tooke , That which so long so charily she kept , And faine by stealth away she would haue crept , And to some corner secretly haue gone , Leauing Leander in the bed alone . But as her naked feet were whipping out , He on the suddaine clingd her so about , That Meremaid-like vnto the floore she slid , And halfe appear'd the other halfe was hid . Thus neere the bed she blushing stood vpright , And from her countenance behold ye might , A kind of twilight breake , which through the heare , As from an orient cloud , glymse here and there . And round about the chamber this false morne , Brought foorth the day before the day was borne . So Heroes ruddie cheeke Hero betrayd . And her all naked to his sight displayd Whence his admiring eyes more pleasure tooke , Than Dis , on heapes of gold fixing his looke . By this Apollos golden harpe began , To sound foorth musicke to the Ocean , Which watchfull Hesperus no sooner heard , But he the day bright-bearing Car prepar'd . And ran before , as Harbenger of light , And with his flaring beames mockt ougly night , Till she o'recome with anguish , shame , and rage , Hurld downe to hell her loathsome carriage . The end of the second Sestyad .

TO MY BEST ESTEEMED AND WORTHELY HONORED LADY , THE LADY WALSINGHAM , one of the Ladies of her Maiesties Bed-chamber .

I Present your Ladiship with the last affections of the first two Louers that euer Muse shrinde in the Temple of Memorie ; being drawne by strange instigation to employ some of my serious time in so trifeling a subiect , which yet made the first Author , diuine Musaeus , eternall . And were it not that wee must subiect our accounts of these common receiued conceits to seruile custome ; it goes much against my hand to signe that for a trifling subiect , on which more worthines of soule hath been shewed , and weight of diuine wit , than can vouchsafe residence in the leaden grauitie of any Mony-Monger ; in whose profession all serious subiects are concluded . But he that shuns trifles must shun the world ; out of whose reuerend heapes of substance and austeritie , I can , and will , ere long , single , or tumble out as brainles and passionate fooleries , as euer panted in the bosome of the most ridiculous Louer . Accept it therfore ( good Madam ) though as a trifle , yet as a serious argument of my affection : for to bee thought thankefull for all free and honourable fauours , is a great summe of that riches my whole thrift intendeth .

Such vncourtly and sillie dispositions as mine , whose contentment hath other obiects than profit or glorie ; are as glad , simply for the naked merit of vertue , to honour such as aduance her , as others that are hired to commend with deepeliest politique bountie .

It hath therefore adioynde much contentment to my desire of your true honour to heare men of desert in Court , adde to mine owne knowledge of your noble disposition , how gladly you doe your best to preferre their desires ; and haue as absolute respect to their meere good parts , as if they came perfumed and charmed with golden incitements . And this most sweet inclination , that flowes from the truth and eternitie of Nobles ; assure your Ladiship doth more suite your other Ornaments , and makes more to the aduancement of your Name , and happines of your proceedings , then if ( like others ) you displaied Ensignes of state and sowrenes in your forehead ; made smooth with nothing but sensualitie and presents .

This poore Dedication ( in figure of the other vnitie betwixt Sir Thomas and your selfe ) hath reioynd you with him , my honoured best friend ; whose continuance of ancient kindnes to my still-obscured estate , though it cannot encrease my loue to him , which hath euer been entirely circulare ; yet shall it encourage my deserts to their vtmost requitall , and make my hartie gratitude speake ; to which the vnhappines of my life hath hetherto been vncomfortable and painfull dumbnes .

By your Ladiships vowd in most wished seruice : George Chapman .

THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD SESTYAD . Leander to the enuious light Resignes his night-sports with the night , And swims the Hellespont againe ; Thesme the Deitie soueraigne Of Customes and religious rites Appeares , improuing his delites Since Nuptiall honors he neglected ; Which straight he vowes shall be effected . Faire Hero left Deuirginate Waies , and with furie wailes her state : But with her loue and womans wit She argues , and approueth it . NEw light giues new directions , Fortunes new To fashion our indeuours that ensue , More harsh ( at lest more hard ) more graue and hie Our subiect runs , and our sterne Muse must flie , Loues edge is taken off , and that light flame , Those thoughts , ioyes , longings , that before became , High vnexperienst blood , and maids sharpe plights , Must now grow staid , and censure the delights , That being enioyd aske iudgement ; now we praise , As hauing parted : Euenings crowne the daies . And now ye wanton loues , and yong desires , Pied vanitie , the mint of strange Attires ; Ye lisping Flatteries , and obsequious Glances , Relentfull Musicks , and attractiue Dances , And you detested Charmes constraining loue , Shun loues stolne sports by that these Louers proue . By this the Soueraigne of Heauens golden fires , And yong Leander , Lord of his desires , Together from their louers armes arose : Leander into Hellespontus throwes His Hero-handled bodie , whose delight Made him disdaine each other Epethite . And as amidst the enamourd waues he swims , He cals Phoebus the God of Gold , since the vertue of his beams creates it . The God of gold of purpose guilt his lims , That this word guilt , including double sence , The double guilt of his Incontinence , Might be exprest , that had no stay t' employ The treasure which the Loue god let him ioy In his deare Hero , with such sacred thrift , As had beseemed so sanctified a gift : But like a greedie vulgar Prodigall Would on the stock dispend , and rudely fall Before his time , to that vnblessed blessing , Which for lusts plague doth perish with possessing . Ioy grauen in sence , like snow in water wasts ; Without preserue of vertue , nothing lasts . What man is he that with a welthie eie , Enioyes a beautie richer than the skie , Through whose white skin , softer then soundest sleep , With dam aske eyes , the rubie blood doth peep , And runs in branches through her azure vaines , Whose mixture and first fire , his loue attaines ; Whose both hands limit , both Loues deities , And sweeten humane thoughts like Paradise ; Whose disposition silken is and kinde , Directed with an earth-exempted minde ; Who thinks not heauen with such a loue is giuen ? And who like earth would spend that dower of heauen , With ranke desire to ioy it all at first ? What simply kils our hunger , quencheth thirst , Clothes but our nakednes , and makes vs liue ? Praise doth not any of her fauours giue : But what doth plentifully minister Beautious apparell and delicious cheere , So orderd that it still excites desire , And still giues pleasure freenes to aspire The palme of Bountie , euer moyst preseruing : To loues sweet life this is the courtly caruing . Thus Time , and all-states-ordering Ceremonie Had banisht all offence : Times golden Thie Vpholds the flowrie bodie of the earth , In sacred harmonie , and euery birth Of men , and actions makes legitimate , Being vsde aright ; The vse of time is Fate . Yet did the gentle stood transfer once more , This prize of Loue home to his fathers shore ; Where he vnlades himselfe of that false welth That makes few rich ; treasures composde by stelth And to his sister kinde Hermione , ( Who on the shore kneeld , praying to the sea For his returne ) he all Loues goods did show In Hero seasde for him , in him for Hero . His most kinde sister all his secrets knew , And to her singing like a shower he flew , Sprinkling the earth , that to their tombs tooke in Streames dead for loue , to leaue his iuorie skin , Which yet a snowie fome did leaue aboue , As soule to the dead water that did loue ; And from thence did the first white Roses spring , ( For loue is sweet and faire in euery thing ) And all the sweetned shore as he did goe , Was crownd with odrous roses white as snow . Loue-blest Leander was with loue so filled , That loue to all that toucht him he instilled . And as the colours of all things we see , To our sights powers communicated bee : So to all obiects that in compasse came Of any sence he had ; his sences flame Flowd from his parts , with force so virtuall , It fir'd with sence things meere insensuall . Now ( with warme baths and odours comforted ) When he lay downe he kindly kist his bed , As consecrating it to Heros right , And vowd thereafter that what euer sight Put him in minde of Hero , or her blisse , Should be her Altar to prefer a kisse . Then laid he forth his late inriched armes , In whose white circle Loue writ all his charmes , And made his characters sweet Heros lims , When on his breasts warme sea she sideling swims . And as those armes ( held vp in circle ) met , He said ; see sister Heros Carquenet , Which she had rather weare about her neck , Then all the iewels that doth Iuno deck . But as he shooke with passionate desire , To put in flame his other secret fire , A musick so diuine did pierce his eare , As neuer yet his rauisht sence did heare : When suddenly a light of twentie hews Brake through the roofe , and like the Rainbow views Amazd Leander ; in whose beames came downe The Goddesse Ceremonie , with a Crowne Of all the stars , and heauen with her descended , Her flaming haire to her bright feete extended , By which hung all the bench of Deities ; And in a chaine , compact of eares and eies , She led Religion ; all her bodie was Cleere and transparent as the purest glasse : For she was all presented to the sence ▪ Deuotion , Order , State , and Reuerence , Her shadowes were ▪ Societie , Memorie ; All which her sight made liue ; her absence die . A rich disparent Pentackle she weares , Drawne full of circles and strange characters : Her face was changeable to euerie eie ; One way lookt ill , another graciouslie ; Which while men viewd , they cheerfull were & holy : But looking off , vicious , and melancholy : The snakie paths to each obserued law , Did Policie in her broad bosome draw : One hand a Mathematique Christall swayes , Which gathering in one line a thousand rayes From her bright eyes Confusion burnes to death , And all estates of men distinguisheth . By it Morallitie and Comelinesse , Themselues in all their sightly figures dresse . Her other hand a lawrell rod applies , To beate back Barbarisme , and Auarice , That followd eating earth , and excrement And humane lims ; and would make proud ascent To seates of Gods ▪ were Ceremonie slaine ; The Howrs and Graces bore her glorious traine , And all the sweetes of our societie Were Spherde , and treasurde in her bountious eie . Thus she appeard , and sharply did reproue Leanders bluntnes in his violent loue ; Tolde him how poore was substance without rites , Like bils vnsignd , desires without delites ; Like meates vnseasond ; like ranke corne that growes On Cottages , that none or reapes or sowes : Not being with ciuill forms confirm'd and bounded , For humane dignities and comforts founded : But loose and secret all their glories hide , Feare fils the chamber , darknes decks the Bride . She vanisht , leauing pierst Leanders hart With sence of his vnceremonious part , In which with plaine neglect of Nuptiall rites , He close and flatly fell to his delites : And instantly he vowd to celebrate All rites pertaining to his maried state . So vp he gets and to his father goes , To whose glad eares he doth his vowes disclose : The Nuptials are resolu'd with vtmost powre , And he at night would swim to Heros towre . From whence he ment to Sestus forked Bay To bring her couertly , where ships must stay , Sent by her father throughly rigd and mand , To waft her safely to Abydus Strand . There leaue we him , and with fresh wing pursue Astonisht Hero , whose most wished view I thus long haue forborne , because I left her So out of countnance , and her spirits bereft her . To looke of one abasht is impudence , When of sleight faults he hath too deepe a sence . Her blushing hether chamber : she lookt out , And all the ayre she purpled round about , And after it a foule black day befell , Which euer since a red morne doth foretell : And still renewes our woes for Heros wo , And foule it prou'd , be cause it figur'd so The next nights horror , which prepare to heare ; I faile if it prophane your daintiest eare . Then how most strangely-intellectuall fire , That proper to my soule hast power t' inspire Her burning faculties , and with the wings Of thy vnspheared flame visitst the springs Of spirits immortall , Now ( as swift as Time Doth follow Motion ) finde th' eternall Clime Of his free soule , whose liuing subiect stood Vp to the chin in the Pyer can flood , And drunke to me halfe this Musean storie , Inscribing it to deathles Memorie : Confer with it , and make my pledge as deepe , That neithers draught be consecrate to sleepe . Tell it how much his late desires I tender , ( If yet it know not ) and to light surrender My soules darke offspring , willing it should die To loues , to passions , and societie . Sweet Hero left vpon her bed alone , Her maidenhead , her vowes , Leander gone , And nothing with her but a violent crew Of new come thoughts that yet she neuer knew , Euen to her selfe a stranger ; was much like Th' Iberian citie that wars hand did strike By English force in princely Essex guide , When peace assur'd her towres had fortifide ; And golden-fingred India had bestowd Such wealth on her , that strength and Empire flowd Into her Turrets ; and her virgin waste The wealthie girdle of the Sea embraste : Till our Leander that made Mars his Cupid , For soft loue-sutes , with iron thunders chid : Swum to her Towers , dissolu'd her virgin zone ; Lead in his power , and made Confusion Run through her streets amazd , that she supposde She had not been in her owne walls inclosde : But rapt by wonder to some forraine state , Seeing all her issue so disconsolate : And all her peacefull mansions possest With wars iust spoyle , and many a forraine guest From euery corner driuing an enioyer , Supplying it with power of a destroyer . So far'd fayre Hero in th' expugned fort Of her chast bosome , and of euery sort Strange thoughts possest her , ransacking her brest For that that was not there , her wonted rest . She was a mother straight and bore with paine , Thoughts that spake straight and wisht their mother slaine ; She hates their liues , & they their own & hers : Such strife still growes where sin the race prefers . Loue is a golden bubble full of dreames , That waking breakes , and fils vs with extreames . She mus'd how she could looke vpon her Sire , And not shew that without , that was intire . For as a glasse is an inanimate eie , And outward formes imbraceth inwardlie : So is the eye an animate glasse that showes In-formes without vs . And as Phoebus throwes His beames abroad , though he in clowdes be closde , Still glancing by them till he finde opposde , A loose and rorid vapour that is fit T'euent his searching beames , and vseth it To forme a tender twentie-coloured eie , Cast in a circle round about the skie . So when our firie soule , our bodies starre , ( That euer is in motion circulare ) Conceiues a forme ; in seeking to display it Through all our clowdie parts , it doth conuey it Forth at the eye , as the most pregnant place , And that reflects it round about the face . And this euent vncourtly Hero thought , Her inward guilt would in her lookes haue wrought : For yet the worlds stale cunning she resisted To beare foule thoughts , yet forge what lookes she listed , And held it for a very sillie sleight , To make a perfect mettall counterfeit : Glad to disclaime her selfe ; proud of an Art , That makes the face a Pandar to the hart . Those be the painted Moones , whose lights prophane Beauties true Heauen , at full still in their wane . Those be the Lapwing faces that still crie , Here t is , when that they vow is nothing nie . Base fooles , when euery moorish fowle can teach That which men thinke the height of humane reach . But custome that the Apoplexie is Of beddred nature , and liues led amis , And takes away all feeling of offence : Yet brazde not Heros brow with impudence ; And this she thought most hard to bring to pas , To seeme in countnance other then she was . As if she had two soules ; one for the face , One for the hart ; and that they shifted place As either list to vtter , or conceale What they conceiu'd : or as one soule did deale With both affayres at once , keeps and eiects Both at an instant contrarie effects : Retention and eiection in her powrs Being acts alike : for this one vice of ours , That forms the thought , and swaies the countenance , Rules both our motion and our vtterance . These and more graue conceits toyld Heros spirits : For though the light of her discoursiue wits , Perhaps might finde some little hole to pas Through all these worldly cinctures ; yet ( alas ) There was a heauenly flame incompast her ; Her Goddesse , in whose Phane she did prefer Her virgin vowes ; from whose impulsiue sight She knew the black shield of the darkest night Could not defend her , nor wits subtilst art : This was the point pierst Hero to the hart . Who heauie to the death , with a deep sigh And hand that languisht , tooke a robe was nigh , Exceeding large , and of black Cypres made , In which she sate , hid from the day in shade , Euen ouer head and face downe to her feete ; Her left hand made it at her bosome meete ; Her right hand leand on her hart-bowing knee , Wrapt in vnshapefull foulds : t was death to see Her knee stayd that , and that her falling face Each limme helpt other to put on disgrace . No forme was seene , where forme held all her sight : But like an Embrion that saw neuer light : Or like a scorched statue made a cole With three-wingd lightning : or a wretched soule Muffled with endles darknes , she did sit : The night had neuer such a heauie spirit . Yet might an imitating eye well see , How fast her cleere teares melted on her knee Through her black vaile , and turnd as black as it , Mourning to be her teares : then wrought her wit With her broke vow , her Goddesse wrath , her fame , All tooles that enginous despayre could frame : Which made her strow the floore with her torne haire , And spread her mantle peece-meale in the aire . Like Ioues sons club , strong passion strook her downe , And with a piteous shrieke inforst her swoune : Her shrieke , made with another shrieke ascend The frighted Matron that on her did tend : And as with her owne crie her sence was slaine , So with the other it was calde againe . She rose and to her bed made forced way , And layd her downe euen where Leander lay : And all this while the red sea of her blood Ebd with Leander : but now turnd the flood , And all her fleete of sprites came swelling in With childe of saile , and did hot fight begin With those seuere conceits , she too much markt , And here Leanders beauties were imbarkt . He came in swimming painted all with ioyes , Such as might sweeten hell : his thought destroyes All her destroying thoughts : she thought she felt His heart in hers : with her contentions melt , And chid her soule that it could so much erre , To check the true ioyes he deseru'd in her . Her fresh heat blood cast figures in her eyes , And she supposde she saw in Neptunes skyes How her star wandred , washt in smarting brine For her loues sake , that with immortall wine Should be embath'd , and swim in more hearts ease , Than there was water in the Sestian seas . Then said her Cupid prompted spirit ; shall I Sing mones to such delightsome harmony ? Shall slick-tongde fame patcht vp with voyces rude , The drunken bastard of the multitude , ( Begot when father Iudgement is away , And gossip-like , sayes because others say , Takes newes as if it were too hot to eate , And spits it slauering forth for dog-fees meate ) Make me for forging a phantastique vow , Presume to beare what makes graue matrons bow ? Good vowes are neuer broken with good deedes , For then good deedes were bad : vowes are but seedes , And good deeds fruits ; euen those good deedes that grow From other stocks , than from th' obserued vow . That is a good deede that preuents a bad : Had I not yeelded , slaine my selfe I had . Hero Leander is , Leander Hero : Such vertue loue hath to make one of two . If then Leander did my mayden head git , Leander being my selfe I still retaine it . We breake chast vowes when we liue loosely euer : But bound as we are , we liue loosely neuer . Two constant louers being ioynd in one , Yeelding to one another , yeeld to none . We know not how to vow , till loue vnblinde vs , And vowes made ignorantly neuer binde vs . Too true it is that when t' is gone men hate The ioyes as vaine they tooke in loues estate : But that 's , since they haue lost , the heauenly light Should shew them way to iudge of all things right ▪ When life is gone death must implant his terror , As death is foe to life , so loue to error . Before we loue how range we through this sphere , Searching the sundrie fancies hunted here : Now with desire of wealth transported quite Beyond our free humanities delight : Now with ambition climing falling towrs , Whose hope to scale , our feare to fall deuours : Now rapt with pastimes , pomp , all ioyes impure ; In things without vs no delight is sure . But loue with all ioyes crownd , within doth sit ; O Goddesse pitie loue and pardon it . This spake he weeping : but her Goddesse eare Burnd with too sterne a heat , and would not heare . Aie me , hath heauens straight singers no more graces , For such as Hero , then for homeliest faces ? Yet she hopte well , and in her sweet conceit Waying her arguments , she thought them weight : And that the logick of Leanders beautie , And them together would bring proofes of dutie . And if her soule , that was a skilfull glance Of Heauens great essence , found such imperance In her loues beauties ; she had confidence Ioue lou'd him too , and pardond her offence . Bedutie in heauen and earth this grace doth win , It supples rigor , and it lessens sin . Thus , her sharpe wit , her loue , her secrecie , And make the rankest miser bountifull . It kild the feare of thunder and of death ; The discords that conceits ingendereth Twixt man and wife , it for the time would cease : The flames of loue it quencht , and would increase : Held in a princes hand it would put out The dreadfulst Comet : it would ease all doubt Of threatned mischiefes : it would bring asleepe Such as were mad : it would enforce to weepe Most barbarous eyes : and many more effects This picture wrought , and sprung Leandrian sects , Of which was Hero first : For he whose forme ( Held in her hand ) cleerd such a fatall storme , From hell she thought his person would defend her , Which night and Helle spont would quickly send her . With this confirmd , she vowd to banish quite All thought of any check to her delite And in contempt of sillie bashfulnes , She would the faith of her desires professe . Where her Religion should be Policie , To follow loue with zeale her pietie : Her chamber her Cathedrall Church should be , And her Leander her chiefe Deitie . For in her loue these did the gods forego ; And though her knowledge did not teach her so , Yet did it teach her this , that what her hart Did greatest hold in her selfe greatest part , That she did make her god ▪ and t' was lesse nought To leaue gods in profession and in thought , Than in her loue and life : for therein lies Most of her duties , and their dignities , And raile the brain-bald world at what it will ; That s the grand Atheisme that raignes in it still . Yet singularitie she would vse no more , For she was singular too much before : But she would please the world with fayre pretext ; Loue would not leaue her conscience perplext . Great men that will haue lesse doe for them still , Must beare them out though th' acts be nere so ill . Meannes must Pandar be to Excellencie , Pleasure attones Falshood and Conscience : Dissembling was the worst ( thought Hero then ) And that was best how she must liue with men ▪ O vertuous loue that taught her to doe best , When she did worst , and when she thought it lest . Thus would she still proceed in works diuine , And in her sacred state of priesthood shine , Handling the holy rites with hands as bold , As if therein she did Ioues thunder hold ; And need not feare those menaces of error , Which she at others threw with greatest terror . O louely Hero , nothing is thy sin , Wayd with those foule faults other Priests are in ; That hauing neither faiths , nor works , nor bewties , T' engender any scuse for slubberd duties ; With as much countnance fill their holie chayres , And sweat denouncements gainst prophane affayres , As if their liues were cut out by their places , And they the only fathers of the Graces . Now as with setled minde she did repaire , Her thoughts to sacrifice , her rauisht haire And her torne robe which on the altar lay , And only for Religions fire did stay ; She heard a thunder by the Cyclops beaten , In such a volley as the world did threaten , Giuen Venus as she parted th' ayrie Sphere , Discending now to chide with Hero here : When suddenly the Goddesse waggoners , The Swans and Turtles that in coupled pheres , Through all worlds bosoms draw her influence , Lighted in Heros window , and from thence To her fayre shoulders flew the gentle Doues . Gracefull Aedone that sweet pleasure loues , And ruffoot Chreste with the tufted crowne , Both which did kisse her , though their Goddes frownd . The Swans did in the solid flood her glasse , Proyne their fayre plumes ; of which the fairest was , Ioue-lou'd Leucote , that pure brightnes is ; The other bountie-louing Dapsilis . All were in heauen , now they with Hero were : But Venus lookes brought wrath , and vrged feare . Her robe was skarlet , black her heads attire , And through her naked breast shinde streames of fire , As when the rarefied ayre is driuen In flashing streames , and opes the darkned heauen . In her white hand a wreath of yew she bore , And breaking th' icie wreath sweet Hero wore , She forst about her browes her wreath of yew , And sayd , now minion to thy fate be trew , Though not to me , indure what this portends ; Begin where lightnes will , in shame it ends . Loue makes thee cunning ; thou art currant now , By being counterfeit : thy broken vow , Deceit with her pide garters must reioyne , And with her stampe thou countnances must coyne : Coynes , and pure deceits for purities , And still a mayd wilt seeme in cosoned eies , And haue an antike face to laugh within , While thy smooth lookes make men digest thy sin . But since thy lips ( lest thought forsworne ) forswore , Be neuer virgins vow worth trusting more . When Beauties dearest did her Goddesse heare , Breathe such rebukes gainst that she could not cleare ; Dumbe sorrow spake alowd in teares , and blood That from her griefe-burst vaines in piteous flood , From the sweet conduits of her sauor fell : The gentle Turtles did with moanes make swell . Their shining gorges : the white black-eyde Swans Did sing as wofull Epicedians , As they would straight waies dye : when pities Queene The Goddesse Ecte , that had euer beene Hid in a watrie clowde neere Heros cries , Since the first instant of her broken eies , Gaue bright Leucote voyce , and made her speake , To ease her anguish , whose swolne breast did breake With anger at her Goddesse , that did touch Hero so neere for that she vsde so much . And thrusting her white neck at Venus , sayd ; Why may not amorous Hero seeme a mayd , Though she be none , as well as you suppresse In modest cheekes your inward wantonnesse ? How often haue wee drawne you from aboue , T' exchange with mortals , rites for rites in loue ? Why in your preist then call you that offence That shines in you , and is your influence ? With this the furies stopt Leucotes lips , Enioynd by Venus ; who with Rosie whips Beate the kind Bird. Fierce lightning from her eyes Did set on fire faire Heros sacrifice , Which was her torne robe , and inforced hayre ; And the bright flame became a mayd most faire For her aspect : Description and creation of Dissimulation . her tresses were of wire , Knit like a net , where harts all set on fire , Strugled in pants and could not get releast : Her armes were all with golden pincers drest , And twentie fashiond knots , pullies , and brakes , And all her bodie girdled with painted Snakes . Her doune parts in a Scorpions taile combinde , Freckled with twentie colours ; pyed wings shinde Out of her shoulders ; Cloth had neuer die , Nor sweeter colours neuer viewed eie , In scorching Turkie , Cares Tartarie , Than shinde about this spirit notorious ; Nor was Arachnes web so glorious . Of lightning and of shreds she was begot ; More hold in base dissemblers is there not . Her name was Eronusis . Venus flew From Heros sight , and at her Chariot drew This wondrous creature to so steepe a height , That all the world she might command with sleight Of her gay wings : and then she bad her hast , Since Hero had dissembled , and disgrast Her rites so much , and euery breast infect With her deceits , she made her Architect Of all dissimulation , and since then Neuer was any trust in maides nor men . O it spighted , Fayre Venus hart to see her most delighted . And one she chusde for temper of her minde , To be the only ruler of her kinde , So soone to let her virgin race be ended ; Not simply for the fault a whit offended : But that in strife for chastnes with the Moone , Spitefull Diana bad her shew but one , That was her seruant vowd , and liu'd a mayd , And now she thought to answer that vpbrayd , Hero had lost her answer ; who knowes not Venus would seeme as farre from any spot Of light demeanour , as the very skin Twixt Cynthias browes ; Sin is asham'd of Sin . Vp Venus flew , and scarce durst vp for feare Of Phoebes laughter , when she past her Sphere : And so most vgly clowded was the light , That day was hid in day ; night came ere night , And Venus could not through the thick ayre pierce , Till the daies king , god of vndanted verse , Because she was so plentifull a theame , To such as wore his Lawrell Anademe : Like to a firie bullet made descent , And from her passage those fat vapours rent , That being not throughly rarefide to raine , Melted like pitch as blew as any vaine , And scalding tempest made the earth to shrinke Vnder their feruor , and the world did thinke In euery drop a torturing Spirit flew , It pierst so deeply , and it burnd so blew . Betwixt all this and Hero , Hero held Leanders picture as a Persian shield : And she was free from feare of worst successe ; The more ill threats vs , we suspect the lesse : As we grow haples , violence subtle growes , Dumb , deafe , & blind , & comes when no man knowes . The end of the fourth Sestyad .

THE ARGVMENT OF THE FIFT SESTYAD . Day doubles her accustomd date , As loth the night , incenst by fate , Should wrack our louers ; Heros plight , Longs for Leander , and the night ▪ Which , ere her thirstie wish recouers , She sends for two betrothed louers , And marries them , that ( with their crew Their sports and ceremonies due ) She couertly might celebrate , With secret ioy her owne estate . She makes a feast , at which appeares The wilde Nymph Teras , that still beares An Iuory Lute , tels Omenous tales , And sings at solemne festiuales . NOw was bright Hero weary of the day , Thought an Olympiad in Leanders stay . Sol , and the soft-foote Howrs hung on his armes , And would not let him swim , foreseeing his harmes : That day Aurora double grace obtainde Of her loue Phoebus ; she his Horses rainde , Set on his golden knee , and as she list She puld him back ; and as she puld , she kist To haue him turne to bed ; he lou'd her more , To see the loue Leander Hero bore . Examples profit much ten times in one , In persons full of note , good deedes are done . Day was so long , men walking fell asleepe , The heauie humors that their eyes did steepe , Made them feare mischiefs . The hard streets were beds For couetous churles , and for ambitious heads , That spight of Nature would their busines plie . All thought they had the falling Epilepsie , Men groueld so vpon the smotherd ground , And pittie did the hart of heauen confound . The Gods , the Graces , and the Muses came Downe to the Destinies , to stay the frame Of the true louers deaths , and all worlds teares : But death before had stopt their cruell eares All the Celestials parted mourning then , Pierst with our humane miseries more then men ▪ Ah , nothing doth the world with mischiefe fill , But want of feeling one anothers ill . With their descent the day grew something fayre , And cast a brighter robe vpon the ayre . Hero to shorten time with merriment , For yong Alcmane , and bright Mya sent , Two louers that had long crau'd mariage dues At Heros hands : but she did still refuse , For louely Mya was her consort vowd In her maids state , and therefore not allowd To amorous Nuptials : yet faire Hero now Intended to dispence with her cold vow , Since hers was broken , and to marrie her : The rites would pleasing matter minister To her conceits , and shorten tedious day . They came ; sweet Musick vsherd th' odorous way , And wanton Ayre in twentie sweet forms danst After her fingers ; Beautie and Loue aduanst Their ensignes in the downles rosie faces Of youths and maids , led after by the Graces . For all these , Hero made a friendly feast , Welcomd them kindly , did much loue protest , Winning their harts with all the meanes she might , That when her fault should chance t' abide the light , Their loues might couer or extenuate it , And high in her worst fate make pittie sit . She married them , and in the banquet came Borne by the virgins : Hero striu'd to frame Her thoughts to mirth . Aye me , but hard it is To imitate a false and forced blis . Ill may a sad minde forge a merrie face , Nor hath constrained laughter any grace . Then layd she wine on cares to make them sinke ; Who feares the threats of fortune , let him drinke . To these quick Nuptials entred suddenly , Admired Teras with the Ebon Thye , A Nymph that haunted the greene Sestyan groues , And would consort soft virgins in their loues , At gay some Triumphs , and on solemne dayes , Singing prophetike Elegies and Layes : And fingring of a siluer Lute she tide , With black and purple skarfs by her left side . Apollo gaue it , and her skill withall , And she was term'd his Dwarfe she was so small . Yet great in vertue , for his beames enclosde His vertues in her : neuer was proposde Riddle to her , or Augurie , strange or new , But she resolu'd it : neuer sleight tale flew From her charmd lips , without important sence , Shewne in some graue succeeding consequence . This little Siluane with her songs and tales , Gaue such estate to feasts and Nuptiales , That though oft times she forewent Tragedies , Yet for her strangenes still she pleasde their eyes , And for her smalnes they admir'd her so , They thought her perfect borne and could not grow All eyes were on her : Hero did command An Altar deckt with sacred state should stand , At the Feasts vpper end close by the Bride , On which the pretie Nymph might sit espide . Then all were silent ; euery one so heares , As all their sences climbd into their eares : And first this amorous tale that fitted well , Fayre Hero and the Nuptials she did tell :

The tale of Teras . Hymen that now is god of Nuptiall rites , And crownes with honor loue and his delights , Of Athens was a youth so sweet of face , That many thought him of the semall race : Such quickning brightnes did his cleere eyes dart , Warme went their beames to his beholders hart . In such pure leagues his beauties were combinde , That there your Nuptiall contracts first were signde . For as proportion , white , and crimsine , meet In Beauties mixture , all right cleere , and sweet ; The eye responsible , the golden haire , And none is held without the other , faire : All spring together , all together fade ; Such intermixt affections should inuade Two perfect louers : which being yet vnseene , Their vertues and their comforts copied beene , In Beauties concord , subiect to the eie ; And that , in Hymen , pleasde so matchleslie , That louers were esteemde in their full grace , Like forme and colour mixt in Hymens face ; And such sweete concord was thought worthie then Of torches , musick , feasts , and greatest men : So Hymen lookt , that euen the chastest minde He mou'd to ioyne in ioyes of sacred kinde : For onely now his chins first doune consorted His heads rich fleece , in golden curles contorted ; And as he was so lou'd , he lou'd so too , So should best bewties , bound by Nuptialls doo . Bright Eucharis , who was by all men saide The noblest fayrest , and the richest maide , Of all the Athenian damzels , Hymen lou'd ; With such transmission , that his heart remou'd From his white brest to hers , but her estate In passing his , was so interminate For wealth and honor , that his loue durst feede On nought but sight and hearing , nor could breede Hope of requitall ; the grand prise of loue ; Nor could he heare or see but he must proue How his rare bewties musick would agree With maids in consort : therefore robbed he His chin of those same few first fruits it bore , And clad in such attire , as Virgins wore , He kept them companie , and might right well , For he did all but Eucharis excell In all the fayre of Beautie : yet he wanted Vertue to make his owne desires implanted In his deare Eucharis ; for women neuer Loue beautie in their sex , but enuie euer . His iudgement yet ( that durst not suite addresse , Nor past due meanes presume of due successe ) Reason gat fortune in the end to speede To his best prayes : but strange it seemd indeede , That fortune should a chast affection blesse , Preferment seldome graceth bashfulnesse . Nor grast it Hymen yet ; but many a dart And many an amorous thought enthrald his hart , Ere he obtaind her , and he sick became , Forst to abstaine her sight , and then the flame Rag'd in his bosome O what griefe did fill him : Sight made him sick , and want of sight did kill him . The virgins wondred where Dietia stayd , For so did Hymen , terme himselfe a mayd . At length with sickly lookes he greeted them : T is strange to see gainst , what an extreame streame A louer striues ; poore Hymen lookt so ill , That as in merit he increased still , By suffring much , so he in grace decreast . Women are most wonne when men merit least : If merit looke not well , loue bids stand by , Loues speciall lesson is to please the eye . And Hymen soone recouering all he lost , Deceiuing still these maids , but himselfe most . His loue and he with many virgin dames , Noble by birth , noble by beauties flames , Leauing the towne with songs and hallowed lights , To doe great Ceres Eleusina rites Of zealous Sacrifice ; were made a pray To barbarous Rouers that in ambush lay , And with rude hands enforst their shining spoyle , Farre from the darkned Citie , tir'd with toyle . And when the yellow issue of the skie Came trouping forth , ielous of crueltie , To their bright fellowes of this vnder heauen , Into a double night they saw them driuen , A horride Caue , the theeues black mansion , Where wearie of the iourney they had gon , Their last nights watch , and drunke with their sweete gains , Dull Morpheus entred , laden with silken chains , Stronger then iron , and bound the swelling vaines And tyred sences of these lawles Swaines . But when the virgin lights thus dimly burnd ; O what a hell was heauen in how they mournd And wrung their hands , and wound their gentle forms Into the shapes of sorrow ! Golden storms Fell from their eyes : As when the Sunne appeares , And yet it raines , so shewd their eyes their teares . And as when funerall dames watch a dead corse , Weeping about it , telling with remorse What paines he felt , how long in paine he lay , How little food he eate , what he would say ; And then mixe mournfull tales of others deaths , Smothering themselues in clowds of their owne breaths . At length , one cheering other , call for wine , The golden boale drinks teares out of their eine , As they drinke wine from it ; and round it goes , Each helping other to relieue their woes : So cast these virgins beauties mutuall raies , One lights another , face the face displaies ; Lips by reflexion kist , and hands hands shooke , Euen by the whitenes each of other tooke . But Hymen now vsde friendly Morpheus aide , Slew euery theefe , and rescude euery maide . And now did his enamourd passion take Hart from his hartie deede , whose worth did make His hope of bounteous Eucharis more strong ; And now came Loue with Proteus , who had long Inggl'd the little god with prayers and gifts , Ran through all shapes , and varied all his shifts , To win Loues stay with him , and make him loue him : And when he saw no strength of sleight could moue him To make him loue , or stay he nimbly turnd Into Loues selfe , he so extreamely burnd . And thus came Loue with Proteus and his powre , T' encounter Eucharis : first like the flowre That Iunos milke did spring the siluer Lillie , He fell on Hymens hand , who straight did spie The bounteous Godhead , and with wondrous ioy Offred it Eucharis . She wondrous coy Drew back her hand : the subtle flowre did woo it , And drawing it neere , mixt so you could not know it . As two cleere Tapers mixe in one their light , So did the Lillie and the hand their white : She viewd it , and her view the forme bestowes Amongst her spirits : for as colour flowes From superficies of each thing we see , Euen so with colours formes emitted bee : And where Loues forme is , loue is , loue is forme ; He entred at the eye , his sacred storme Rose from the hand , loues sweetest instrument : It stir'd her bloods sea so , that high it went , And beate in bashfull waues gainst the white shore Of her diuided cheekes ; it rag'd the more , Because the tide went gainst the haughtie winde Of her estate and birth : And as we finde In fainting ebs , the flowrie Zephire hurles The greene-hayrd Hellespont , broke in siluer curles Gainst Heros towre : but in his blasts retreate , The waues obeying him , they after beate , Leauing the chalkie shore a great way pale , Then moyst it freshly with another gale : So ebd and flowde the blood in Eucharis face , Coynesse and Loue striu'd which had greatest grace , Virginitie did fight on Coynesse side ; Feare of her parents frownes , and femall pride , Lothing the lower place , more then it loues The high contents , desert and vertue moues . With loue fought Hymens beautie and his valure , Which scarce could so much fauour yet allure To come to strike , but fameles idle stood , Action is firie valours soueraigne good . But Loue once entred , wisht no greater ayde Then he could find within ; thought , thought betrayd , The bribde , but incorrupted Garrison , Sung Io Hymen ; there those songs begun , And Loue was growne so rich with such a gaine , And wanton with the ease of his free raigne , That he would turne into her roughest frownes To turne them out ; and thus he Hymen crownes King of his thoughts , mans greatest Emperie : This was his first braue step to deitie . Home to the mourning cittie they repayre , With newes as holesome as the morning ayre , To the sad parents of each saued maid : But Hymen and his Eucharis had laid This plat , to make the flame of their delight Round as the Moone at full , and full as bright . Because the parents of chast Eucharis Exceeding Hymens so , might crosse their blis ; And as the world rewards deserts , that law Cannot assist with force : so when they saw Their daughter safe , take vantage of their owne , Praise Hymens valour much , nothing bestowne . Hymen must leaue the virgins in a Groue Farre off from Athens , and go first to proue If to restore them all with fame and life , He should enioy his dearest as his wife . This told to all the maids ; the most agree : The riper sort knowing what t' is to bee The first mouth of a newes so farre deriu'd , And that to heare and beare newes braue folks liu'd , As being a carriage speciall hard to beare , Occurrents , these occurrents being so deare , They did with grace protest , they were content T'accost their friends with all their complement , For Hymens good : but to incurre their harme , There he must pardon them . This wit went warme To Adoleshes braine , a Nymph borne hie , Made all of voyce and fire , that vpwards flie : Her hart and all her forces neither traine , Climbd to her tongue , and thither fell her braine , Since it could goe no higher : and it must go , All powers she had , euen her tongue did so . In spirit and quicknes she much ioy did take , And lou'd her tongue , only for quicknes sake , And she would hast and tell . The rest all stay , Hymen goes on , the Nymph another way : And what became of her I le tell at last : Yet take her visage now : moyst lipt , long fa'st , Thin like an iron wedge , so sharpe and tart , As t were of purpose made to cleaue Loues hart . Well were this louely Beautie rid of her , And Hymen did at Athens now prefer His welcome suite , which he with ioy aspirde : A hundred princely youths with him retirde To fetch the Nymphs : Chariots and Musick went , And home they came : heauen with applauses rent . The Nuptials straight proceed , whiles all the towne , Fresh in their ioyes might doe them most renowne . First gold-lockt Hymen did to Church repaire , Like a quick offring burnd in flames of haire . And after , with a virgin firmament , The Godhead-prouing Bride , attended went Before them all , she lookt in her command , As if forme-giuing Cyprias siluer hand Gripte all their beauties , and crusht out one flame , She blusht to see how beautie ouercame The thoughts of all men . Next before her went Fiue louely children deckt with ornament Of her sweet colours , bearing Torches by , For light was held a happie Augurie Of generation , whose efficient right Is nothing else but to produce to light . The od disparent number they did chuse , To shew the vnion married loues should vse , Since in two equall parts it will not seuer , But the midst holds one to reioyne it euer , As common to both parts : men therfore deeme , That equall number Gods doe not esteeme , Being authors of sweet peace and vnitie , But pleasing to th' infernall Emperie , Vnder whose ensignes Wars and Discords fight , Since an euen number you may disunite In two parts equall , nought in middle left , To reunite each part from other reft : And fiue they hold in most especiall prise , Since t' is the first od number that doth rise From the two formost numbers vnitie That od and euen are ; which are two , and three , For one no number is : but thence doth flow The powerfull race of number . Next did go A noble Matron that did spinning beare A huswifes rock and spindle , and did weare A Weathers skin , with all the snowy fleece , To intimate that euen the daintiest peece , And noblest borne dame should industrious bee , That which does good , disgraceth no degree . And now to Iunos Temple they are come , Where her graue Priest stood in the mariage rome . On his right arme did hang a skarlet vaile , And from his shoulders to the ground did traile , On either side , Ribands of white and blew ; With the red vaile he hid the bashfull hew Of the chast Bride , to shew the modest shame , In coupling with a man should grace a dame . Then tooke he the disparent Silks , and tide The Louers by the wasts , and side to side , In token that thereafter they must binde In one selfe sacred knot each others minde . Before them on an Altar he presented Both fire and water : which was first inuented , Since to ingenerate euery humane creature , And euery other birth produ'st by Nature , Moysture and heate must mixe : so man and wife For humane race must ioyne in Nuptiall life . Then one of Iunos Birds , the painted Iay , He sacrifisde , and tooke the gall away . All which he did behinde the Altar throw , In signe no bitternes of hate should grow Twixt maried loues , nor any least disdaine . Nothing they spake , for t was esteemd too plaine For the most silken mildnes of a maid , To let a publique audience heare it said She boldly tooke the man : and so respected Was bashfulnes in Athens : it erected To chast Agneia , which is Shamefastnesse , A sacred Temple , holding her a Goddesse . And now to Feasts , Masks , and triumphant showes , The shining troupes returnd , euen till earths throwes Brought forth with ioy the thickest part of night , When the sweet Nuptiall song that vsde to cite All to their rest , was by Phemonor sung : First Delphian Prophetesse , whose graces sprung Out of the Muses well , she sung before The Bride into her chamber : at which dore A Matron and a Torch-bearer did stand ; A painted box of Confits in her hand The Matron held , and so did other some That compast round the honourd Nuptiall rome . The custome was that euery maid did weare , During her maidenhead , a silken Sphere About her waste , aboue her inmost weede , Knit with Mineruas knot , and that was freede By the faire Bridegrome on the mariage night , With many ceremonies of delight : And yet eternisde Hymens tender Bride , To suffer it dissolu'd so sweetly cride . The maids that heard , so lou'd , and did adore her , They wisht with all their hearts to suffer for her . So had the Matrons , that with Confits stood About the chamber , such affectionate blood , And so true feeling of her harmeles paines , That euery one a showre of Confits raines . For which the Bride youths scrambling on the ground , In noyse of that sweet haile their cryes were drownd . And thus blest Hymen ioyde his gracious Bride , And for his ioy was after deifide . The Saffron mirror by which Phoebus loue , Greene Tellus decks her , now he held aboue The clowdy mountaines : and the noble maide , Sharp-visag'd Adolesche , that was straide Out of her way , in hasting with her newes , Not till this houre th' Athenian turrets viewes , And now brought home by guides : she heard by all That her long kept occurrents would be stale , And how faire Hymens honors did excell For those rare newes , which she came short to tell . To heare her deare tongue robd of such a ioy , Made the well-spoken Nymph take such a toy , That downe she sunke : when lightning from aboue , Shrunk her leane body , and for meere free loue , Turnd her into the pied-plum'd Psittacus , That now the Parrat is surnam'd by vs , Who still with counterfeit confusion prates , Nought but newes common to the commonst mates . This tolde , strange Teras toucht her Lute and sung This dittie , that the Torchie euening sprung .

Epithalamion Teratos . COme come deare night , Loues Mart of kisses , Sweet close of his ambitious line , The fruitfull summer of his blisses , Loues glorie doth in darknes shine . O come soft rest of Cares , come night , Come naked vertues only tire , The reaped haruest of the light , Bound vp in sheaues of sacred fire . Loue cals to warre , Sighs his Alarmes , Lips his swords are , The field his Armes . Come Night and lay thy veluet hand On glorious Dayes outfacing face ; And all thy crouned flames command , For Torches to our Nuptiall grace . Loue cals to warre , Sighs his Alarmes , Lips his swords are , The field his Armes . No neede haue we of factious Day , To cast in enuie of thy peace , Her bals of Discord in thy way : Here beauties day doth neuer cease , Day is abstracted here , And varied in a triple sphere . Hero , Alcmane , Mya , so outshine thee , Ere thou come here let Thetis thrice refine thee . Loue cals to warre , Sighs his Alarmes , Lips his swords are , The field his Armes , The Euening starre I see , Rise youths the Euening starre , Helps Loue to summon warre , Both now imbracing bee . Rise youths , loues right claims more the banquets , rise . Now the bright Marygolds that deck the skies , Phoebus celestiall flowrs , that ( contrarie To his flowers here ) ope when he shuts his eie , And shuts when he doth open , crowne your sports : Now loue in night , and night in loue exhorts Courtship and Dances : All your parts employ , And suite nights rich expansure with your ioy , Loue paints his longings in sweet virgins eyes : Rise youths , loues right claims more than banquets , rise . Rise virgins , let fayre Nuptiall loues enfolde Your fruitles breasts : the maidenheads ye holde Are not your owne alone , but parted are ; Part in disposing them your Parents share , And that a third part is : so must ye saue Your loues a third , and you your thirds must haue . Loue paints his longings in sweet virgins eyes : Rise youths , loues right claims more than banquets , rise . Herewith the amorous spirit that was so kinde To Teras haire , and combd it downe with winde , Still as it Comet-like brake from her braine , Would needes haue Teras gone , and did refraine To blow it downe : which staring vp , dismaid The timorous feast , and she no longer staid : But bowing to the Bridegrome and the Bride , Did like a shooting exhalation glide Out of their sights : the turning of her back Made them all shrieke , it lookt so ghastly black . O haples Hero , that most haples clowde , Thy soone-succeeding Tragedie foreshowde . Thus all the Nuptiall crew to ioyes depart , But much-wrongd Hero , stood Hels blackest dart : Whose wound because I grieue so to display , I vse digressions thus t' encrease the day . The end of the fift Sestyad .

THE ARGVMENT OF THE SIXT SESTYAD . Leucote flyes to all the windes , And from the fates their outrage bindes , That Hero and her loue may meete . Leander ( with Loues compleate Fleete Mand in himselfe ) puts forth to Seas , When straight the ruthles Destinies , With Ate stirre the windes to warre Vpon the Hellespont : Their iarre Drownes poore Leander . Heros eyes Wet witnesses of his surprise Her Torch blowne out : Griefe casts her downe Vpon her loue , and both doth drowne . In whose iust ruth the God of Seas , Transformes them to th' Acanthides . NO longer could the day nor Destinies Delay the night , who now did frowning rise Into her Throne ; and at her humorous brests , Visions and Dreames lay sucking : all mens rests Fell like the mists of death vpon their eyes , Dayes too long darts so kild their faculties . The windes yet , like the flowrs to cease began : For bright Leucote , Venus whitest Swan , That held sweet Hero deare , spread her fayre wings , Like to a field of snow , and message brings From Venus to the Fates , t' entreate them lay Their charge vpon the windes their rage to stay , That the sterne battaile of the Seas might cease , And guard Leander to his loue in peace . The Fates consent , ( aye me dissembling Fates ) They shewd their fauours to conceale their hates , And draw Leander on , least Seas too hie Should stay his too obsequious destinie : Who like a fleering slauish Parasite , In warping profit or a traiterous sleight , Hoopes round his rotten bodie with deuotes , And pricks his descant face full of false notes , Praysing with open throte ( and othes as fowle As his false heart ) the beautie of an Owle , Kissing his skipping hand with charmed skips , That cannot leaue , but leapes vpon his lips Like a cock-sparrow , or a shameles queane Sharpe at a red-lipt youth , and nought doth meane Of all his antick shewes , but doth repayre More tender fawnes , and takes a scattred hayre From his tame subiects shoulder ; whips , and cals For euery thing he lacks ; creepes gainst the wals With backward humblesse , to giue needles way : Thus his false fate did with Leander play . First to black Eurus flies the white Leucote , Borne mongst the Negros in the Leuant Sea , On whose curld head the glowing Sun doth rise , And shewes the soueraigne will of Destinies , To haue him cease his blasts , and downe he lies . Next , to the fennie Notus , course she holds , And found him leaning with his armes in folds Vpon a rock , his white hayre full of showres , And him she chargeth by the fatall powres , To hold in his wet cheekes his clowdie voyce , To Zephire then that doth in flowres reioyce . To snake-foote Boreas next she did remoue , And found him tossing of his rauisht loue , To heate his frostie bosome hid in snow , Who with Leucotes sight did cease to blow . Thus all were still to Heros harts desire , Who with all speede did consecrate a fire Of flaming Gummes , and comfortable Spice , To light her Torch , which in such curious price She held , being obiect to Leanders sight , That nought but fires perfum'd must giue it light . She loud it so , she grieu'd to see it burne , Since it would waste and soone to ashes turne : Yet if it burnd not , t were not worth her eyes , What made it nothing , gaue it all the prize . Sweet Torch , true Glasse of our societie ; What man does good , but he consumes thereby ? But thou wert lou'd for good , held high , giuen show : Poore vertue loth'd for good , obscur'd , held low . Doe good be pinde , be deedles good , disgrast : Vnles we feede on men , we let them fast . Yet Hero with these thoughts her Torch did spend . When Bees makes waxe , Nature doth not intend It shall be made a Torch : but we that know The proper vertue of it make it so , And when t' is made we light it : nor did Nature Propose one life to maids , but each such creature Makes by her soule the best of her free state , Which without loue is rude , disconsolate , And wants loues fire to make it milde and bright , Till when , maids are but Torches wanting light . Thus gainst our griefe , not cause of griefe we fight , The right of nought is gleande , but the delight . Vp went she , but to tell how she descended , Would God she were not dead , or my verse ended . She was the rule of wishes , summe and end For all the parts that did on loue depend : Yet cast the Torch his brightnes further forth ; But what shines neerest best , holds truest worth . Leander did not through such tempests swim To kisse the Torch , although it lighted him : But all his powres in her desires awaked , Her loue and vertues cloth'd him richly naked . Men kisse but fire that only shewes pursue , Her Torch and Hero , figure , shew , and vertue . Now at opposde Abydus nought was heard , But bleating flocks , and many a bellowing herd , Slaine for the Nuptials , cracks of falling woods , Blowes of broad axes , powrings out of floods . The guiltie Hellespont was mixt and stainde With bloodie Torrents , that the shambles raind ; Not arguments of feast , but shewes that bled , Foretelling that red night that followed . More blood was spilt , more honors were addrest , Then could haue graced any happie feast . Rich banquets , triumphs , euery pomp employes His sumptuous hand : no misers nuptiall ioyes . Ayre felt continuall thunder with the noyse , Made in the generall mariage violence : And no man knew the cause of this expence , But the two haples Lords , Leanders Sire , And poore Leander , poorest where the fire Of credulous loue made him most rich surmisde , As short was he of that himselfe he prisde , As is an emptie Gallant full of forme , That thinks each looke an act , each drop a storme , That fals from his braue breathings ; most brought vp In our Metropolis , and hath his cup Brought after him to feasts ; and much Palme beares , For his rare iudgement in th' attire he weares , Hath seene the hot Low Countries , not their heat , Obserues their rampires and their buildings yet . And for your sweet discourse with mouthes is heard , Giuing instructions with his very beard . Hath gone with an Ambassadour , and been A great mans mate in trauailing , euen to Rhene , And then puts all his worth in such a face , As he saw braue men make , and striues for grace To get his newes forth ; as when you descrie A ship with all her sayle contends to flie Out of the narrow Thames with windes vnapt , Now crosseth here , then there , then this way rapt , And then hath one point reacht ; then alters all , And to another crooked reach doth fall Of halfe a burdbolts shoote ; keeping more coyle , Then if she danst vpon the Oceans toyle : So serious is his trifling companie , In all his swelling ship of vacantrie . And so short of himselfe in his high thought , Was our Leander in his fortunes brought . And in his fort of loue that he thought won , But otherwise , he skornes comparison . O sweet Leander , thy large worth I hide In a short graue ; ill fauourd stormes must chide Thy sacred fauour ; I , in floods of inck Must drowne thy graces , which white papers drink , Euen as thy beauties did the foule black Seas : I must describe the hell of thy disease , That heauen did merit : yet I needes must see Our painted fooles and cockhorse Pessantrie Still still vsurp , with long liues , loues , and lust , The seates of vertue , cutting short as dust Her deare bought issue ; ill , to worse conuerts , And tramples in the blood of all deserts . Night close and silent now goes fast before The Captaines and their souldiers to the shore , On whom attended the appointed Fleete At Sestus Bay , that should Leander meete . Who fainde he in another ship would passe : Which must not be , for no one meane there was To get his loue home , but the course he tooke . Forth did his beautie for his beautie looke , And saw her through her Torch , as you beholde Sometimes within the Sunne a face of golde , Form'd in strong thoughts , by that traditions force , That saies a God sits there and guides his course . His sister was with him , to whom he shewd His guide by Sea : and sayd , oft haue you viewd In one heauen many starres , but neuer yet In one starre many heauens till now were met . See louely sister , see , now Hero shines No heauen but her appeares : each star repines , And all are clad in clowdes , as if they mournd , To be by influence of Earth out-burnd . Yet doth she shine , and teacheth vertues traine , Still to be constant in Hels blackest raigne : Though euen the gods themselues do so entreat them As they did hate , and Earth as she would eate them . Off went his silken robe , and in he leapt ; Whom the kinde waues so licorously cleapt , Thickning for haste one in another so , To kisse his skin , that he might almost go To Heros Towre , had that kind minuit lasted . But now the cruell fates with Ate hasted To all the windes , and made them battaile fight Vpon the Hellespont , for eithers right Pretended to the windie monarchie . And forth they brake , the Seas mixt with the skie , And tost distrest Leander , being in hell , As high as heauen ; Blisse not in height doth dwell . The Destinies sate dancing on the waues , To see the glorious windes with mutuall braues Consume each other : O true glasse to see , How ruinous ambitious Statists bee To their owne glories ! Poore Leander cried For help to Sea-borne Venus ; she denied To Boreas , that for his Atthaeas sake , He would some pittie on his Hero take , And for his owne loues sake , on his desires : But Glorie neuer blowes cold Pitties fires . Then calde he Neptune , who through all the noise , Knew with affright his wracket Leanders voice : And vp he rose , for haste his forehead hit Gainst heauens hard Christall ; his proud waues he smit With his forkt scepter , that could not obay , Much greater powers then Neptunes gaue them sway , They lou'd Leander so , in groanes they brake When they came neere him ; and such space did take Twixt one another , loth to issue on , That in their shallow furrowes earth was shone , And the poore louer tooke a little breath : But the curst Fates sate spinning of his death On euery waue , and with the seruile windes Tumbled them on him : And now Hero findes By that she felt her deare Leanders state , She wept and prayed for him to euery fate , And euery winde that whipt her with her haire About the face , she kist and spake it faire , Kneeld to it , gaue it drinke out of her eyes To quench his thirst : but still their cruelties Euen her poore Torch enuied , and rudely beate The bating flame from that deare foode it eate : Deare , for it nourisht her Leanders life , Which with her robe she rescude from their strife : But silke too soft was , such hard hearts to breake , And she deare soule , euen as her silke , faint , weake , Could not preserue it : out , O out it went . Leander still cald Neptune , that now rent His brackish curles , and tore his wrinckled face Where teares in billowes did each other chace , And ( burst with ruth ) he hurld his marble Mace At the sterne Fates , it wounded Lachesis That drew Leanders thread , and could not misse The thread it selfe , as it her hand did hit , But smote it full and quite did sunder it . The more kinde Neptune rag'd , the more he raste His loues liues for t , and kild as he embraste . Anger doth still his owne mishap encrease ; If any comfort liue , it is in peace . O theeuish Fates , to let Blood , Flesh , and Sence , Build two fayre Temples for their Excellence , To rob it with a poysoned influence . Though soules gifts starue , the bodies are held deare In vgliest things ; Sence-sport preserues a Beare . But here nought serues our turnes ; O heauen & earth , How most most wretched is our humane birth ? And now did all the tyrannous crew depart , Knowing there was a storme in Heros hart , Greater then they could make , & skornd their smart . She bowd her selfe so low out of her Towre , That wonder t was she fell not ere her howre , With searching the lamenting waues for him ; Like a poore Snayle , her gentle supple lim Hung on her Turrets top so most downe right , As she would diue beneath the darknes quite , To finde her Iewell ; Iewell , her Leander , A name of all earths Iewels pleasde not her , Like his deare name ; Leander , still my choice , Come nought but my Leander ; O my voice Turne to Leander : hence-forth be all sounds , Accents , and phrases that shew all griefes wounds , Analisde in Leander . O black change ! Trumpets doe you with thunder of your clange , Driue out this changes horror , my voyce faints : Where all ioy was , now shrieke out all complaints . Thus cryed she , for her mixed soule could tell Her loue was dead : And when the morning fell Prostrate vpon the weeping earth for woe , Blushes that bled out of her cheekes did show , Leander brought by Neptune , brusde and torne , With Citties ruines he to Rocks had worne , To filthie vsering Rocks that would haue blood , Though they could get of him no other good . She saw him , and the sight was much much more , Then might haue seru'd to kill her ; should her store Of giant sorrowes speake ? Burst , dye , bleede , And leaue poore plaints to vs that shall succeede . She fell on her loues bosome , hugg'd it fast , And with Leanders name she breath'd her last . Neptune for pittie in his armes did take them , Flung them into the ayre , and did awake them . Like two sweet birds surnam'd th' Acanthides , Which we call Thistle-warps , that neere no Seas Dare euer come , but still in couples flie , And feede on Thistle tops , to testifie The hardnes of their first life in their last : The first in thornes of loue , and sorrowes past , And so most beautifull their colours show , As none ( so little ) like them : her sad brow A sable veluet feather couers quite , Euen like the forehead cloths that in the night , Or when they sorrow , Ladies vse to weare : Their wings , blew , red and yellow mixt appeare , Colours , that as we construe colours paint Their states to life ; the yellow shewes their saint , The deuill Venus left them ; blew their truth , The red and black , ensignes of death and ruth . And this true honor from their loue-deaths sprung , They were the first that euer Poet sung . FINIS .

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