The cuckovv. Richardus Niccols, in Artibus Bac. Oxon

THE CVCKOW . WHen Perseus bride , that starre of heauen had fled The Dragons paw by helpe of Gorgons head , And on the sea-gods golden-edged brim Her gold-out-glistring lockes began to trim : Then did the lustie Ram with horned crest Rouse vp Europas grim-curl'd-headed beast , Who loudly bellowing did chase away The tedious night , and call'd backe cheerefull day . For then Hyperions son , the daies bright king In pompe did court the Ladie of the spring ; And she againe in all her rich aray Did wanton with him in lasciuious play , Vntill her wombe with loues sweet fruit did grow , The sweetest fruit , that wombe did euer show : For it brought forth the worlds admired birth , The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Flora , 〈◊〉 fairest child on earth ; Who in short time did grow so great in fame For needle worke , that neuer any dame , Although her cu●…ing were exceeding rare With faire 〈◊〉 Floraes skill might make compare : To show the which , the world she set on wing Of sweet delight , to welcome in the spring : The mountaine tops she clad in coate of greene , And spotted them with gold as they had been Starrie Olympi ; and the vales below She deckt with daintier worke , then art can show ; Vpon the ground mantled in verdent hew , Out of her fruitfull lap each day she threw , The choicest flowers , that any curious eye In natures garden euer did espie : The loftie trees , whose leauie lockes did shake And with the wind did daliance seeme to make , Shee with sweet breathing blossomes did adorne , That seem'd to laugh the winter past to scorne , Who when mild Zephirus did gently blow Delightfull odors round about did throw ; While ioyous birds beneath the leauie shade , With pleasant singing sweet respondence made vnto the murmuring streames , that seem'd to play With siluer shels , that in their bosom lay : Thus with delight did Flora decke each thing To welcome in her mother ioyfull spring , Who had not long triumph'd in this our clime Before the tidings of her ioyous prime Were spread abroad , which , when those birds that shrunke Into the wooden walles of hollow trunck , For truth did heare , abroad they boldly came To welcome Lady Ver , that louely dame ; Mong'st whom two chiefe there were , Dan Cuckow hight ; In whom god Vulcans loue tooke most delight , The other that sweet singer Philomel , Or Casta hight , whom Phoebe loued well : These two were chiefe , that in contention stood Amongst the pleasant singers of the wood To be chiefe carroler and lead the ring , Of all the rest to welcome in the spring . Dan Cuckow was a bird hatcht in that houre , When Mars did sport in Cythereas bowre , Whereby the note , which his hoarse voice doth beare Is harsh and fatall to the wedded eare : But little Philomela farre more blest Was foster'd in faire Phoebes owne deare brest , Whom she no more the Nightingale did name ; But to consort her nature to the same Shee call'd her Casta , word of much import , And made her chiefe of birds in their consort . Betwixt Dan Cuckow and this little bird Th' approach of spring a great contention stird , Who should be deem'd the chiefe of birds to bring The happie tidings of th' approaching spring : For Philomel once in a pearlie morne , When heauen with sun-bright lookes did earth adorne Hearing each bird record her curious lay , Vnto the wood with speed did take her way , Where shee did presse into the thickest throng And did so sweetly in delicious song Chaunt out aloude her welcome to the spring , That all the birds did cease to heare her sing : But as she sate admir'd of euery one , Redoubling quauers in diuision , And sweetly warbling out that chaste set song , Which Phoebe taught to her when shee was young , Dan Cuckow came , and from his greedie throate breathing out ditties of an vnchast note , As wroth that other birds should seeke to make Her mistres of the quier , thus boldly spake : Thou wretch ( said he ) what high aspiring spirit Doth harbor in thy brest ? what is thy merit That thou should'st be chiefe carroler to sing Amongst vs all to welcome in the spring ? Is not my dame the goddesse of delight , And Queene of Loue , whose altars are bedight With broad blowne blossomes of the blooming spring , Of budding youth : then cease and let mee sing ; For I of birds am chiefest in her sight And in my ditties she takes most delight : Then cease thou fondling cease , and let me sing A pleasing welcome to the wanton spring . This said , he chaunted out his wonted lay , Which did in woods all wedded birds affray : But little Casta nought at all dismaide , Being safely shrowded in the leauie shade Return'd this short replie : ( Cuckow ) ( quoth shee ) What thou hast said , I graunt ; yet now heare me . Where daintie dames are dight to wanton sin Loosely araid youths wandring eyes to win , Whom slick-hair'd slipper-lossels do dispoile Of beauties , bud with loues sweete seeming toile , While smock sworne boyes stand by and keepe account , How oft aloft they lustily do mount ; There with good right may thy harsh sounding throate Without controll record thy bastard note . But in all woods , where my faire virgin dame With her chaste Nymphes did keepe laborious game To slacke the strength of loues bow-bending string , Thou must not speake thy welcome to the spring : For Phoebes selfe with all her Nymphes consent Did make me cheefe of birds , for that intent . This said , Dan Cuckow perfect in the sleight Of cunning guile , and knowing loues delight Had thrill'd their hearts , that in faire Phoebes groue Once rang'd at will in scorne of Ladie loue , Made this replie : ( quoth he ) seeing thou dost vaunt Of Phoebe and her Nymphes , thereby to daunt My courage in this claime , I do agree , That they decide the cause 'twixt thee and mee ; And if they iudge thy note the sweeter sound , Cheefe singer of the quier , thou shalt be crown'd : But if to them my song more pleasing be , To make me che●…fe in woods , thou shalt agree . Casta being swift to giue such counsell eare Supposing Phoebes Nymphes , such loue did beare To chaster thoughts , that they would all detest The vnchaste dittie of Dan Cuckowes brest , Was well contented that it should be so And with Dan Cuckow for this cause did go , Vnto the bower of blisse , for so it hight , Where then those Nymphes to be did most deligh●… . It is a place , that thoughts cannot deuise A plot more like vnto a Paradise ; Shall I compare it to Cytheron greene , On which the warre-god did compresse loues queene , Or to Adonis garden farre renown'd , In which eternall spring is euer found ? O farre more pleasant is this pleasant place , Then all the blisfull bowers beneath heauens face ! It seated is farre in a pleasa●…t wood , Where many a loftie Iouiall tree hath stood , Not much vnlike , that wood by thornie groue Full of the tree erected vnto Ioue , Which seated is vpon the Northern Strand , Where Saxon Segberts sacred tower doth stand , By which the Prince of Albions watrie deepes From the French Ocean with swift currant sweepes , Wafting each yeare by his Labrynthian strand , More then a thousand keele from forren land , Who oft , when Boreas at their safetie raues , And with proud blasts doth cuffe the siluer waues , Do nimblie fe●…ch Lauolto●…s vp and downe Vpon the waues in scorn●… of Boreas frowne : And ●…uch a famous w●…od , ●…s that , is this , In wh●…ch doth stand th●… pl●…sant bower of blisse : V●…to the which , wh●… as Dan Cuckow came Knowing each w●…y , 〈◊〉 led throughout the same , With Philomel h●… 〈◊〉 the r●…ady way , Which to the bow●…r of blisse dir●…ctly lay ; Where in the way they both amazed stood To see the pleasance of tha●… 〈◊〉 wood , There many blissefull bowers they did behold ; Whose dwelle●…s nei●…her vext with heate nor cold Did there enioy all things , that might delight The cu●…ious ●…ie of any liuing wight : For pl●…ntie th●…e to lauish in her gift Furnisht each place in scorne of niggard thrift ; There many Nymphes of more then heauenly hew Had their abode ; although alas but few Amongst them all did come of heauenly kind , So hard it is to gaine the gifts of mind : Yet stately portance , vnto them was giuen And in proportion like the stares of heauen They bare thems●…lues : yet want both will and power From loues assault to shield faire beauties bower And more to beautifie the goodly frames , Which God and nature gaue these goodly dames , Gentrie th●…ir cradles at their birth did rock And drew their linage from an auncient stock : But what alas a●…ailes the vading flower Of beauties bud in those , that haue no power To guid the least part of the weaker sence And learne the lesson of pure continence ? Or what is birth to those , that so they winne The seeming sweetnes of alluring sinne ? Bastard their birth and all their stock deprau●… To gaine the thing , which appetite doth craue : Beautie in such , though much , is but disgrace , And high borne birth , though kingly , yet but base . For faire is foule , where vertue is vnknowne , And birth is base , where gifts of grace are none . From hence Dan Cuckow with faire Philomel , ( Acquainted with each passage very well ) Forward proceeded in this pleasant wood Vntill they came vnto that place , where stood The bower of blisse it selfe , so fairely deckt , That neuer eye beheld so faire aspect : In th' ou●…er portch sate many a slick-hear'd Squier Of pleasing semblance , full of loose desire , Of feature fit to feast a Ladies e●…e ; But manlie exercise vnfit to trie : Their cunning did consist in sleights of loue , With which from loy●…ltie they oft did moue Ladies fraile hea●…s : for vnto many a one They vow'd themselues ; though faithful vnto none , Vnto the secrets of the vnc●…aste she●…t They sworne were , an oath for ●…ch vnmeet : For which their seruice ofte●…imes they fed On ransackt swee●…nes of the nup●…iall bed : But let not such disco●…rse d●…file my pen With argument ▪ of s●…ch reprochfull men ; Let it suffice that 〈◊〉 , as they ●…o bring Dan Cuckow heere to welcome in our spring . Mong'st these , there was a squier of greatest place And cheefest held in that great Ladies grace , Which dwelt in this same bower : for many a night With her he stole a snatch of loues delight : For he was lustie , young , fit for her tooth , And her great wealth did well content his youth . Yet he was false , disloyall to his dame ; For in his common talke deuoid of shame He of his Ladies fauour was too francke , For which I con that louer little thanke ; He was the vsher to this daintie dame And Vanitie men gaue him vnto name , To whom Dan Cuckow often louting low By his obsequious signes his mind did show And chaunted out to Philomels disgrace His vnchaste note , well knowne in that same place : For this same Squier full well I wot did know Dan Cuckowes note and vnto him did go , Where seeing little Casta by him stand , Cause of their comming friendly did demaund : Dan Cuckow proud of such an intertaine Did tell the iarre begun betwixt them twaine , Who should be cheefe of all the birds to sing As herbenger to welcome in the spring , And now to end the same , they both were come Agreed to stand vnto the wood-Nymphes doome ; Wherefore they crau'd accesse vnto his dame , That with her Nymphes she might decide the same : This gentle Squier soone graunted their requests And kindlie did conduckt his new come guests Into an in ward court , where they should stay , Till to his dame their message he did say ; Where , while they staid , with great delight they spent The time in viewing this faire continent , This bower of blisse , this paradise of pleasure , Where lauish plentie did exceed all measure ; The inner portch seem'd entrance to intice , It fashion'd was with such quaint rare deuice , The top with cannopie of greene was spred Thicken'd with leaues of th' Iuies wanton hed , About the which the Eglentine did twine His prickling armes the branches to combine , Bearing sweete flowers of more then fragrant odour , Which stellified the roofe with painted colour ; On either side the vine did broad dilate His swollen veines with wreathings intricate , Whose bunches to the ground did seeme t' incline , As freely offring of their luscious wine : Through this same portch went many a worthy wight Vnto the bower of blisse , both day and night , Who at their entrance fresh and flush as May Did beare themselues adorn'd in rich aray : But few return'd without the common curse Of strange disease of emptinesse in purse , Who wanting golden shewers for Danaes lap , As discontented with their sad mishap Walkt to and fro , forlorne in deepe disdaine With willow braunch , for prise of all their paine . From this same portch , a walke directly lay , Which to the bower it selfe did leade the way With fruit-trees thicke beset on either side , Whose goodly fruit themselues did seeme to hide Beneath the leaues , as lurking from the eies Of strangers greedie view , fearing surprise , Whose arched bowes and leauie twigs together With true loue knots intangled each in other , Seem'd painted walles , on which when Zephire blew They spread themselues , disclosing vnto view The blossomes , buds , the birds and painted flies , That in their leaues lay hid from strangers eies ; This walke of people neuer emptie was : For to the bower of blisse one could not passe ; But that the way did swarme with ietting iacks , Who bare vpon their french diseased backes , Whole manners , castles , townes and Lordships sold Cut out in clippings and in shreds of gold : Their chambring fortitude they did descrie By their soft maiden voice and flickering eie , Their womans manhood by their cloaths perfum'd , Coy lookes , curl'd lockes , and thin beards halfe consum'd , Whose nice , effeminate and base behauiour Was counted comely , neate and cleanly gesture ; This pleasant walke , when gentle Philomel And Cuckow her proud foe had viewed well Passing forth , one loe there they did behold High lifted vp with loftie roofe of gold The bower of blisse , in which there did abide The Ladies selfe , that should their cause decide , On which the heauens still in a stedfast state Look't alway blithe , diuerting ●…roward fate , Not suffering y●…ie frost , or s●…rching sunne To vex th'in habitants , that there did wonne : For there eternall spring doth euer dwell , Nay they of other season ought can tell , They labour not with hands of industrie To furrow vp the earthes fertilitie , Bubbles of sweate decline not from their brow , Ne stooping labour makes their backes to bow : Yet plentie of all fruits vpon their ground , Seedlesse and artlesse euery where is found : Vnto this bower Dan Cuckow and his mate Approaching nigh , loe standing at the gate , Which framed was of purest Iuorie All painted ore with many a historie , So sweetly wrought , that arte in them did seeme To mocke at nature as of no esteeme , Eftsoones they heard a pleasing harmonie Of musikes most melodious minstralsie , Where sweet voic'd birds , soft winds and waters fall , With voice and Violl made agreement all , The birds vnto the voice did sweetly sing , The voice did speake vnto the Viols string , That to the wind did sound now high now low , The wind to waters fall did gently blow ; Thus birds , voice , Violl , winds and waters all Did sing , did speake , did sound , did blow , did fall : As thus Dan Cuckow and his opposite , The Nightingale stood harkening with delight Vnto this musike , loe that Squire came Hight Vanitie with answere from his dame , That'gainst the morne themselues they should prepare , Their cause in ample manner to declare ; For with her Nymphes in iudgement she would sit , And which of them , they should esteeme most fit , She would denounce for cheefe in woods to sing , As herbinger vnto the ioyfull spring : This newes did glad them both ; for both did feed Themselues with hope : although but one could speed And both prepar'd each other to excell In the next morne , to beare away the bell : The little Philomel with curious care , Sitting alone her ditties did prepare , And many tunes , whose harmonie did passe All musike else that ere inuented was ; One while the meane part shee did sweetly warble , The tennor now , the Base and then the trebble : Then all at once with many parts in one , Diuiding sweetly in diuision ; Now some sweete straine to mind she doth restore , Which all the winter shee had conn'd before , And with such cunning deskants thereupon , That curious art nere doctrin'd any one With Lute , with Violl , or with voice in quier , That to her matchlesse musike might aspire : Meane time Dan Cuckow , knowing that his voice Had no varietie , no change , no choice : But through the wesand pipe of his harsh throate Cri'd only Cuckow , that prodigious note , That want with wits supplie he did amend , And made that Squier , Vanitie his friend , Who did so worke for him , as it befell , That iudgement went against poore Philomel . The time came on , and th' Opall coloured morne , Bright-cheek●… Aurora leaning all sorlorne Old Tytho●… in his bed , did vp arise Opening the gates of the orientall skies , Through which the daies bright king came dauncing out With glorious golden lockes bespread about His s●…oulders broad ; from whence such luster came , That all the world did seeme a golden flame : For then Auroraes trumpe , the peasants clocke , Daies herbinger , the bloody crested cocke With flaggie wings had beate black night away , And sung sweet tidings of approaching day , At which both birds vp starting from their rest Quaintly to plead their cause , themselues addrest , Which with her Nymphes , that day in solemne state The Ladie of this bower should debate , Which flying fame vpon her wings did beare , Making it vulgar newes in euery eare , And with her siluer trumpe did Echo out Report thereof , in all the woods about ; Which once being blowen abroad , all the whole quier Of singers in the wood with great desire , ( To know in this same strife , who should preuaile Dan Cuckow , or the little Nightingale ) Came flocking through the aire , and as they flew , Their diuers warbling notes about they threw ; There came the Larke , who still as she did flie With outstretcht ' wings aspir'd the cloud brow'd skie , There Progne came who did present for food In tragicke feast , her owne deare ●…tis blood To bloodie Tereus , in auengment fell Of sister deare Pandions Philomel , Who now transform'd vnto the sent-strong Swallow , Shaftlike did flie through the ayres concaue hollow ; With these there came the Thrush , that loues the grape , The speckled Spinck , that liues by gummie sappe , The Redbrest sweet , that loues the lookes of men , The lustfull Sparrow and the little Wren , The chattering Pie , the quick conceited Stare , The golden Finch and Linnot singing rare With many more , whose notes the aire did fill With true consort , sweet worke of natures skill , Who to the bower of blisse did take their way , To h●…are the iarre decided , that same day , Which the approach of spring did late excite Be●…wixt Dan Cuckow and his opposite : The place , in which this matter should be tride Was in a greene pailde round on euery side , In which was pight a stately cannopi●… ; For that great 〈◊〉 and her companie , Many a 〈◊〉 Nymph of great estate , That should that day Dan Cuckowes cause debate ; Who being pearch●… aloft in open sight Vpon a 〈◊〉 braunch , had well ydight And deckt his plumes to make a pleasant show , When he should pleade his cause against his foe , Who on the other side her selfe did place , In hope Dan Cuckow foulely to disgrace , Not doubting but those Nymphes for Phoebes sake In this so iusta cause , her part would take : The time being come , loe like as when Ioues bride , Heauens Iuory fingered queene in pompe doth ride To heauens high court , aboue the Planets seauen , To sit in counsell with the gods of heauen : Euen so forth comes that faire renowmed dame , Chiefest of all the bower of blisse , that came To iudge the controuersie that befell , Betwixt Dan Cuckow and faire Philomel , Shee was a Ladi●… gaudie in attire And to content th' affect of her desire , Th' earthes golden bowels often wounded were And th' Indian slaue with steele did often teare The hard rockes rubie ribs in hope to find Treasure to pleasure her disdainfull mind : Proudly she pas'd it with a princely gate , As earth had been too meane for her estate , Looking to heauen with her disdain●…ull eies ; For humble obiect she did still dispise : Yet was her birth but meane , and her esteeme Respectiuely compa●…'d , but base did seeme , Loosely she was aray'd in wanton weed Which wander●…s eies did with inticement feed , For she was clad in robe of tissue thinne , Through which so brim appear'd her snowie skin , That it did seeme to those , that did it see , No whit obscur'd , but farre more white to bee ; Her Iuorie brests did euer open lie To readie spoile of gazers greedie eie , And both her lillie paps were bare to winne Her louers melting heart to wanton sinne ; Her name the which was Meehafasto hight Her double nature did expresse aright : With her there hither came a goodly crew Of louely Nymphes of seeming Angels hue , Featur'd each where in bodies li●…eament , As if they late had left the firmament , Or as if heauens diuine triplicitie , Out of some fift vnknowne simplicitie , For 〈◊〉 complexions hue had fram'd some mixture , Passing 〈◊〉 homely gift of common nature : But pi●…ie 't was , such angell-seeming creatures With vlcerous minds deform'd such heauenly features : For they were wanton , full of loose desire And in their heart did nourish lustfull fire , With glauncing lookes , like summers euening lights They could allure the rash beholders sights , And Heliotropon-like with sun-like skill Could cause soft hearts to turne vnto their will , When they list speake , their words like to a lake Breaking through rocks of rubie , seem'd to make Celestiall musike with their pleasing sound , Amongst the siluer pearles , that stood around , With which they Syren-like could often moue Modest Hypolitus to wanton loue , They all acoutered were in sundrie fashion , Seeming t' haue been all of a seuerall nation , Some in the antique Roman Lords attire Did shape themselues , as seeming to aspire Some captaines place , or as if they had been Symiramis , that manlike monster queene , In Persian loose aray , some did delight , Or rather disaray , so loosely dight , In the french doublet some againe did i●…t wanting but slops to make a man compleat , Some on their heads did beare the fatall signe , Which of fooles future fortune did diuine , Others againe Morisko caps did weare Maid-marrian-like with brooches in each eare And Indian-like did paint inch thicke in view ; Though natures red and white were Angels hew . Thus with their fashions strange varietie , They did bewray their minds inormitie : For things externall sought with strong affect , Internall thoughts both good and bad detect , Which , when the little Casta did behold Poore bird her fearefull heart did wax stone cold : But now too late shee did repent , that shee Had made them iudges of her cause to bee : For thither now , they were alreadie come According to their minds to giue their doome , Where heapes of people thronging in the way Did earlie waite for them by breake of day To know , what bird should beare away the bell The bastard Cuckow or faire Philomel : The iudges being set , vp straight did stand , The crier of the court who did command High , with shrill voice and great authoritie A generall silence through the companie ; Which done forth stept the little Casta hight , Who being pearcht aloft in open sight After obeysance to those damsels made , That were as iudges set , thus boldly said : ( Fairest of faire ) who from the ioyous prime Of your great birth , vntill this very time , Haue trained been in this celestiall place , This bower of blisse in vertue and in grace , For vertues sake vouchsafe with silent pause To heare poore Philomela plead her cause . What once I haue been , now I need not tell , Nor what I am , I know , yee know it well : Yee know , that once , when in great Athens towne My Sire , good king Pandion wore the crowne , A Ladie then I was , as now yee bee And daughter to a king , till wo is mee , The Thracian king , whose lust-burnt thoughts did flame And burne in foule desire , did worke my shame : In Thracian woods ( O euer be forgot The place in which mine honor he did blot ) In Thracian woods ( I say ) the tyrant fell Vnto his will did force poore Philomel , And lest his wicked acte I should des●…rie The cruell edged steele he did applie Vnto my tongue , and with most bitter smart Did rob me of the Echo of my heart : All this and more then this , yee all do know So common is poore Philomelaes woe . Yee know likewise how in auengement fell My furious sister , Progne did compell The lustfull Tereus in a fatall feast To swallow downe into his lust-burnt brest His owne deare sonne , his Itis , that sweet youth , Whose death breeds in my heart eternall ruth : For which when as the tyrant did decree With wrathfull sword to wreake reuenge on me Heauen pittie tooke and gaue to me this shape , By which his fell intent I did escape , And as an exile from all mens abode I since haue liued in the desert wood , Where sitting once on humble thorne alone And in my wofull di●…ties making mone For my old Sire , Pandion , that good King , Whose timelesse death my sad mischance did bring ; Lo●… , That great Huntresse of renowmed fame , The Ladie Phoebe following the game , In the wild wood hath silent stood in pittie To heare the sad tunes of my dolefull 〈◊〉 , And being mo●…'d with deepe remorse of mind That fates had been so 〈◊〉 and vnk●…d 'Gainst me poore wretch , she did vou●…hsafe to show Compassion towards me in my bitter woe . While in these woods and 〈◊〉 she did vse , Mong'st all the quier for chiefe , she 〈◊〉 me c●…use To be her bird , and while shee was my dame Not Philomel , but Casta was my name , And , for I was the daughter of a King , Shee made me cheefe of all the quier to sing , And in her woods ordained me the shade To shroude my selfe from Tereus bloodie blade : But loe alas , what time hath brought to passe , Loe heere a tyrant , worse then Ter●…us was , Loe heere Dan Cuckow my sterne enemie Claiming my right with proud authoritie , Who this same blissefull place as death did shun , When as my dame in these same woods did wonne . ( O ) how it 〈◊〉 me , that a bird so base Pandions princely daughter should disgrace , Who by condition of his qualitie Vnto the world discries his basta●…die : Is 't not inough , that once I being a dame Y borne o●… auncient Kings of worthie fame , Now liue a bird loathing mans companie In desert woods for loue to chastitie , And in the echoing mountaines loudly sing Phoebes chaste song , when as the lustie spring Stirres vp young bloods , that with my chaster layes I may recall them from their wanton waies ? But must a bird the basest of the crue In all the woodstand vp to wrest my due Vnto his lot , which Phoebe did ordaine Should vnto me for euermore remaine ? Nor is it yet enough alas , that I From stately palaces of kings do flie , Still dreading Tereus lothsome luxurie To liue in woods farre from all companie ? But must another Tereus seeke t' expell From woods likewise the forlorne Philo●…el ? Alas if so , where shall I hide my head , Where shall I shun th' ineuitable dread Of bloodie Tereus hot lust-sparkling face , If nor in woods , nor house I shall haue place ? To you therefore ( faire Nymphes ) to your iust doome That as the vmpiers of my cause are come I do appeale , not doubting but the loue You beare to Phoebes name your hearts will moue In this so iust a cause to pittie mee , That was as deare to her as deare might bee ; Which if yee do , your fame shall neuer die And Castas ●…elfe shall sing your praise on hie . This said , shee breathed from her brest so cleare The sweetest layes , that eare did euer heare , To which all other birds about the place Did tune their diuers notes to do her grace , As in approuance of her worth to sing As chiefe in woods to welcome in the spring , Which did so daunt Dan Cuckowes daring pride , That of the thought his shamefull head to hide : But knowing well that he had friends in place That of those partiall Nymphes had got him grace , Feare set aside , and his obeysance made , Vnto those Nymphes these words he boldly said : ( Yee glorious ofspring of great honors bed , Vertues fair●… impes , mirrors of womanhed , Bright Angel-like sweet Nymphes , whose beauties blaze Adornes the world like Tytans golded rayes ) Vouchsafe with gentle patience for a space Your gratious silence , while I pleade my case . The iarre begun b●…twixt my foe and me , The subiect of my purps'd speech should be ; But fi●…st both words and wit , I must applie To make an answere to mine enemie . Though of my birth no boaster I will be Seeing in this cause it nought auaileth me ; Yet , that I may , that scandalisme refute , Which my ●…al●…e foe doth vnto me impute , Know that Ioues bird , the Eagle prince of ayre Did foster me being young with tender care , In whose proud neasty built , in Iouiall tree My dame by secret stelth conueied me . In that same clime , where AEstas sits in pride Beneath the tropick of hot sommers guide , The crabbed Cancer , where in earthes coole cels , The hot sun painted people euer dwels , Not far from whence great Nilus euermore With fruitfull waues doth wash th' Egyptian shore , There was I bred , and there my fame first grew , Which thence long since about the wide world flew . For South from thence the land of Cyprus lies , Whereas the people vse to sacrifice To lo●…es faire Queene , of whom I wonne great grace , When she was wroth with people o●… that place : For once being sore offended with them all And musing with he●…selfe , what plague should fall Vpon their heads , she chaunc'd to cast he●… eie Vpon an home , which she did soone applie Vnto their browes , whereby they straight forsooke Their former shape , and Oxe-like was their looke : But they blind buzzards could not see the same , Whereby the lesser was their griefe and shame , Till ore their goodly heads , I wau'd my wing And cuckow in their eares aloud did sing ; Which when they heard , like raging Buls they bore Their lo●…tie heads , and with loud bellowing rore Did show their iealous thoughts : for which men say They called are Cerastes to this day : And for this fact of mine the Cyprian dame , The Queene of loue did giue to me for name The song , which I did sing and did decree , That I thence forth her only bird should be ; She bore me to that garden of great fame , Which yet of her Adonis beares the name , Where she her selfe did teach me how to sing , Her sweet delights vnto the youthfull spring ; And did appoint , that the yeares youthly prime Should be the season of my singing time : For well she knew , that season did belong Vnto the nature of my pleasant song ; As for my foe , although her layes be sweet : Yet be they sad patheticall vnmeet To be recorded , when the lustie spring Tidings of pleasure to the world doth bring , More fit with little Redbrest on a thorne To beare a part , and helpe her for to mourne For losse of sommer , when cold winters breath To all our pleasures threatens hatefull death : Then ( gentle dames , great Ladies of delight ) Who in this bower of blisse both day and night haue your abode , where winter neuer lowres N●… on your heads powres downe his stormie shewers ; Let it be seene that ye haue need of none The sommer past in winter to bemone : So s●…all Dan Cuckow sing your lasting praise Before loues Queene in his delightfull laies . This said , he chaunted out his Cuckows song , Which laughter bred among'st the thickest throng , Nor any prettie bird about the place Would in their song vouchsafe to do him grace . But see the chaunce the Nymphes being in a pause And in consult how to decide this cause , And each one being husht with greedie eare To heare that sentence , which they least did feare , Of all the Nymphes vp stood the chiefest dame And thus this vniust sentence did proclaime : ( O all yee singers of the woods sweet quier ) Heare now the doome , which ye did long desire , And ( ye ) twixt whom the iarre begun but late , As yet hangs in suspence without debate , Know that each others cause doth now abide In equall ballance , which we thus decide . Seeing to the nature of each others song , Two parts of all the yeare seeme to belong , That part in equall doome we will ordaine , Which is most meet for either of you twaine ; First touching Philomel , seeing that her dittie Is alwaies passionate and mouing pittie , Seeing with her , when she sings in wo●…ull wise The echoing mountaines seeme to sympathize , And rockes do weepe , and trees do seeme to grone , When in lamenting layes she list to mone In that sad time , when Boreas winged scouts Locks vp the fruitfull Terras water spouts , And with congealing puffes do crystalize The cloud-like waues of Neptunes liquid skies ; Let Philomel in her pathetike straine For sommers losse in leauelesse woods complaine , Lest , when her dolefull ditties she doth sing She do disturbe the pleasance of our spring : But for Dan Cuckow seeing he neuer sings , But when sweet Zephirus on gentle wings , Breathing good morrowes to the faire Aurora , Begins each day to kisse his wanton Flora ; We thinke it meete , that he be chiefe to sing , Where ere he meets the Ladie of the spring . And seeing , when earth hath lost her flowring May He cannot sing for greefe of her decay , Here let him stay , where he may euer sing Seeing heere with vs we haue eternall spring . This is our doome and thus we do debate The cause betwixt Dan Cuckow and his mate . Thus hauing said , she ceast , and thereupon Such murmur , as we heare in woods , that grone , When winds rouz'd vp through hollow grounds do break , Such noise was heard 'mong'st those , that heard her speake ; And all the quier of birds about the place Did droope and hang the head , for such disgrace To wronged Philomel , and for her sake , A mournefull melodie did seeme to make : But what alas auailes their discontent , Those partiall iudges rose , and with them went Dan Cuckow singing his triumphant song , While Philomel bewailes her helpelesle wrong , Who being vniustly robbed of her right And from the bower of blisse exiled quite , Calling to mind , how that she once had been The happie daughter of a King and Queene , And since that she in shape of bird did liue , What honor Phoebes selfe to her did giue , Now from all future hope being quite cast downe , Orecome with griefe , she fell in suddaine swoune , And groueling in the dust on her sad brest , With deadly sorrowe being sore opprest , Poore bird she hung the wing and gasp'd for breath Seeming to yeeld vnto the panges of death ; To whom her sister Progne standing by With speed to her recouery did flie , And houering ouer her , made pitious plaint For to reuiue her , that began to faint , Dead was her heart , to see her sister lie In such a traunce and often wish'●… to die , Shee strock't her temples with her pretie beake And raysing vp her limbes , that w●…re so weake , With gentle touch did feele each tender part , And stroue to strengthen her now dying heart : Vnto her aide the gentle Redbrest came , The Wren , and fruitfull Titmouse , that sterne dame , Who did applie their helpe at need so well , That now the slitting life of Philomel Halfe conquer'd with cold death , did make retreate Vnto the heart , the house of natiue heate ; Which , when her sister Progne did espie These words of comfort , shee did soone applie ; ( Ay me ) quoth she , ( deare sister ) thou that art Now made the image of vnpatient smart , Why dost thou not in these sad passions show Thy wonted patience in afflicting woe , And to our counsell lend thy listening eare , The which may teach thee patiently to beare This rufull sorrow , which doth stop thy breath And seekes to hasten thy vntimely death ; Speake ( o deare sister ) speake , and tell vs why Thy soule with griefe opprest should seeke to die . She hauing said , the wofull Philomel , Whose sad soule all this while in traunce did dwell , Did lift vp th' heauie windowes of her eies And spake these rufull words in wofull wise . Tempestuous chaunce her vtmost spite hath spent , And at me wretch her vtmost dart hath sent , Nor any plague is left , that she can tell , With which t' oppresse the fo●…lorne Philomel . For since the time , that I , as well you know Was , ( woe alas that now I am not so ) Pandions daughter in my virgins state , I haue endur'd sterne fortunes vtmost hate ; Can I forget my Thracian slauerie Beneath false Tereus lustfull villanie , Or cease to thinke vpon my virgins rape , With losse of tongue and Ladies louely shape ? Yea can I liue and leaue to haue in mind Fortunes last wrong , not least , but most vnkind , Those Nymphes late doome , I meane , by whose decree A forlorne outcast I shall euer bee ? For from Dan Cuckowes song my shame doth spring And where alas , will not Dan Cuckow sing ? Sith then , to me poore wretch by cru●…ll fate Naught else is left of former princely state ? But shame and ●…oe , why do I longer feed On loathed light , which wo afresh will breed ? This said , she suncke againe in deadly swound : But Progne quickly rais'd her vp from ground , Thrice did she sincke as dead , and thrice againe Did Progne raise her vp with busie paine ; At last , when life her setled place did take To comfort her , the little Wren thus spake : Now certes madame Philomel , quoth shee , You haue great cause of plaint we all do see , The which I weene would pierce the stoutest heart And launch the boldest brest with bleeding smart ; Yet comfort to you take , and do not you Let passions rage rob reason of her due ; Thinke with your selfe , as now too true it is , That in this pleasant place , this bower of blisse , Since that Dan Cuckow findeth entertaine , For vs no certaine safetie doth remaine : For well we see the Nymphes of this same place Haue giuen ouer that same wonted chase Of harmefull beasts , which Phoebe did delite Following strange game with greedie appetite , Yea 't is reported many Satyrs rude Into their company themselues intrude , By whose inticement you they did forsake In their false doome Dan Cuckowes part to take : Then do not greeue at this their vniust doome , Ne thinke your selfe disgrac'd as ouercome Before such dames ; for grace it seemes to me To be disgrac'd of those , that gracelesse be : But swage your griefe in this so ruefull case , And go with vs vnto our dwelling place , Where though alone in desert place it be ; Yet there from feare of foes you shall be free : For as dame Titmouse and Redbrest can tell Dan Cuckow seldome sings , where we do dwell , True , ( neighbour Wren ) the Redbrest did replie , We liue in safetie , though in penurie ; And if dame Philomel with vs will go , Such kindnesse as poore Robbins bower can show She shall command , and though in that same wood , None of the courtly birds haue their abode ; Yet there do many gentle singers dwell , That will be louing vnto Philomel . Yea ; quoth the Titmouse , neither shall she there Of proud Dan Cuckowes thieatnings stand in feare . For all birds there his bastard note abhors And euermore do make him deadly wars , Twice sixe stout sonnes , at this same very houre I haue now liuing in my little bower , All which shall serue the wronged Philomel Against Dan Cuckow , if with vs she dwell : Thus did these birds with gentle speech assay Sad Philomelaes greefe to driue away ; But long it was , ere sorrow would depart , It was so deepely setled in her heart : Yet at the length the Swallow , Progne hight Did so perswade her , that she tooke her ●…light With little Titmouse , Robbin and the W●…en To desert woods farre from th' abodes of men : But Prognes selfe returned backe againe To Trinobant , where 〈◊〉 still ●…emaine : Thu●… from the ●…ower o●… 〈◊〉 ●…as Philomel Exil'd for 〈◊〉 i●… 〈◊〉 woods to dwell While there D●…n Cuckow as 〈◊〉 bird did sing To tell the pleasures of the youthfull spring : The mansion house , in which poore Philomel , Did with her new companions daily dwell , Was in a rocke , whose head it selfe did shroud In mistie cloake of many a wandring cloud , And whose thicke mossie sides and hollow wombe To many a bird did yeeld much building roome , It seated was downe in a valley low , Where many a siluer gliding streame did flow , And leauie woods in arbor wise did stand , As made by art , and not by natures hand . From right side of this rocke , there issued out A crystall spring which slowed round about The bottome of the rock , whose vpper brim Thick set with hearbes and flowers smelt sweet and trim : In th' hollow of this rock the humming swarmes Of honie flies , whose bodies nature armes With biting stings did beare a murmuring base vnto the spring , that trickling downe apace From of the rock did meanely seeme to warbble Among'st the pibble stones vnto the trebble , Which many prettie birds did seeme to sing , Houering about the rocke with painted wing : This was the place of Philomels abode With her companions in the desert wood , Where all the time of those long lasting houres , When as the heauenly crab with his eight oares Doth in the starrie Zodiack softly row , Felicitie did in abundance flow , Whereby faire Philomel did find no misse Of wonted pleasure in the bower of blisse : For there where curious art her helpe denide , There natures selfe , that want with store supplide : If Boreas did at any time offend her The hollow rock a remedie did lend her : If Phoe●…us hurt her with his fierie rayes , She found redresse beneath the leauie spraies , To whose coole shades she safely might retreate , When earth did crack beneath heauens burning heate : If she did hunger after wonted baite , The goodly fruit of euery tree did waite Vpon her will : yea much varietie Of painted ●…lies for her sati●…tie At hand in this her dwelling place she found , So fruitfull was this pleasant plot of ground : If she did thirst , or heate did her annoy , What pleasure did she take , what gladsome ioy Vnto the siluer gliding streame to ●…lie , That rowled through the bordering wood fast by : For when she stooping steep'd her tender beake Into the waue , it oft would seeme to breake , And feeling her soft bosome pant and beate Would bid her bath and quench her boiling heate : Meane time flowers seem'd to laugh and buds to spring , Trees seem'd to bloome and blossomes sorth to bring , And winds to coole the scorching of the sun , While by the brinke the currant smooth did run , Which oft did please this prettie bird so well , That in that place she still desir'd to dwell . But long alas , thi●… pleasure did not last ; For long it was not , ere the earth defac'd By winters sad approch was forc'd to leaue That pompe , which from the spring she did receaue ; For what thing is 't subelementarie , That still continues and doth neuer varie ? What thing retaines one forme that euer liues And place vnto another neuer giues ? Alas , nought permanent with vs doth stay : For end and ofspring haue successiue sway : Eternall time , that auncient enemie To vading natures prodigalitie Remorselesse of all things with Sithe cuts downe The growing glorie of this earthes renowne ; And as he flies with swift wings to and fro By his decree , all things do come and go . And so at length , where Philomel did dwell Sad winter came , and sommer bad farewell . With cold th' ayres lower region gan to shiuer And daily to the earth did downe deliuer The fleece-like yuorie flakes of heauenly snow , Which from the neighbour region fast did flow : For then from heauens point perpendicular Hyperion in his spheare o●…bicular Running his wonted race with oblique course , His repercusse beames beat with lesser force Vpon his butt , the ball of earth , whereby A weake reflection , to our aire did flie : Then did the fruitfull earth begin to faint , When that warme wonted comfort it did want , Which from the gentle breathing aire should come , To cherish vp the fruit of her bigge wombe , Whose sorrowes wrathfull winter to augment Did muster vp his forces with intent To spoile her daughter sweet Pomonaes loues With her Autumnus in the shadie groues , Whom to withstand bold Auster , that braue Knight Ioyn'd ●…orces with Autumnus for the fight , And oftentimes brau'd Boreas in the field Pomonaes ●…uits from his proud blasts to shield : But raging Hyems to inforce the warre All his bold Legions did reuoke from farre , Which in three battailes he did thus diuide To quell stout Auster and Autumnus pride , The hidio●…s stormes , that beate downe brazen wals And horrid tempests that make tennis bals Of mightie mountaines in the vauntgard went To giue the onset with bold hardiment , Who●…e stubborne rankes with haileshot did abound And drifts of snow their foe-men to confound , Whom lustie Bore●…s full of daunting dread Did vnto boisterous battaile boldly lead : The middle ward , great Hyems selfe did guide , Who to the field like great god Mars did ●…ide : For on a winged cloud he sate on high Deckt in strange armour dreadfull to the ei●… , Vpon his breast a curac●… he did beare Ofycie mettall made , which far more cleare Then crystall shone : for like the c●…ystall skie It could subdue the gazers greedie eie , Thereby his blade did hang in snow-white sheath , With which he vs'd t' imploy works of cold death Mong'st those , that needie were , and could not arme themselues to sh●…n the stroke of his strong arme , His y●…ie Helmet powdered with white snow Great terror and bright glory both did show , And in the steade of plume stood thereupon A bunch ofysacles by nature growen ; Which with pure snow being sprinckled 〈◊〉 Did seeme to daunce and leape for iollitie : His shield , which at his back parts he did settle , Was neatly fram'd of Diamondlike mettell , Hewen out ofycie rocks in Scythian land By nature wrought , and not by Artists hand , On which for badge did stand in ramping p●…ide Cold Capricorne the shiue●…ing winters guide . In such like armes was wrathfull Hyems clad , Whose lookes a terror to his armes did adde : His browes contract aboue his gloomie eies , On which the hoarie hear●…s did bristled ●…ise , And Ioue-like looke with grim stiffe buggle beard Made his owne powers , that marcht by him , affeard , To gu●…rd his person round about him stood Whole hoastes of mists and many a roaring ●…loud ▪ And thus to field the second battell went Vnder conduct of Hyems regiment . The third Battalion to the field did goe Beneath great Eurus standard 'gainst the foe , Who being Lord of th' Easterne parts , that lie , Where great Apollo first doth mount the skie : Many bold bands of souldiers brought from farre ; To serue the mightie Hyems in this warre ; In seruice with him for light horsemen came , Those light swift winged winds , that beare the name Of Boreas and of Eurus both ; for whom To serue in these same warres they all were come , With these th' humerous vapors ioyn'd their powers The gloomie fogs , and duskie drizeling showers , Whole troopes of drowzie mistes , of dewe and frost , Who of themselues could make a mightie h●…ast ▪ And thus did Hyems his whole powers diuide , Which winged were with clouds on either side ; Of whose approch when Autumne first did heare , His heart stroke dead , began to faint for feare : Yet calling mightie Auster to his aide And gentle Zephirus , his part he made , As able as he could , and boldly went To frustrate winter of his proud intent ; Vnto his aide the King of forrests all Came backt with his consorts , whom some do call The tree of Ioue , with whom there came from farre Fields , forrests , woods , and groues vnto this warre : Thus did both parts prepare with all their might To meete each other in th' appointed fight . The time being come , before the fight b●…gan Downe from the hilles the torrents swiftly ran , As scouts from Hyems campe to take suruey Of Autumnes host , that in the valleyes lay , Which all the birds about both neere and farre Tooke as a warning of th' approching warre , And for themselues prouided all in hast Vntill the danger of the warre were past : Mong'st whom the little Redbrest with great care Of Philomel her friend did make repaire Vnto the rock , where she and Philomel This dangerous time might both in safetie dwell : Then came proud Hyems forward to the ●…ight Downe from the ayrie mountaines that are pight In th' articke side , whereas the Dragons traine Diuides the wrathfull beares by Charles his waine : The battels ioyn'd , and both the hosts did meet , Whe●…e lustie Auster cuffe for cuffe did ●…reet The migh●…ie Boreas selfe , whose verie breath Did powder-like blast other foes to death : Then came the stormes and tempests to the fight In blacke , fresh , gloomie horror all bedight , With smouldering fume , thick driftes of drizeling raine , Commixt with haileshot , ●…ull of deadly bane , Who at the first their foes did soone confound , Rending vp woods and forrests from the ground , Whose leauie heads disperst about did flie , Tost to and fro , like ●…eathers in the skie : Then to the reskew with the westerne King Milde Zephirus , came Autumne , who did bring Many swift winged winds , who with great might At first in counter did renue the fight : For many iustling clouds , that came in course With bold intent to beare their violent force Being hem'd in round about , could not abide , But deadly wounded were on euery side , Who fearing in their cloudie shapes to die In humerous thin drops away did flie : But now to gaine the glo●…ie of the day , Loe , Eurus came , who at his first assay By violent force did end the doubtfull fight And turn'd his foes into inglorious flight . Meane time , great Autumne tooke his loue aside , His faire Pomonas selfe , whom he did hide In wooden walles of forrests , woods and groues , From mightie Hyems false inueigling loues , While he with Zephirus and Auster flew To Tytans Westerne house , there to renew Their powers 'gainst Aries should the yeare recall To free Pomona from great Hyems thrall : Meane time great winter in triumphant wise Ouer his captiue foes did tyrannize , The siluer brookes that sweetly wound about The pleasant bankes with wreathings in and out , With Adamantine-like strong ycie bands , He fast did bind within the hollow lands : The Crystall springs , that from the mountaines side With pleasing sound to ground did gently glide And brackish streames , that gushed from the rock With strong congealed frost he vp did lock : The slowring fields , woods , hilles and mountaines greene And valleyes , that before to laugh were seene , In stead of fresh greene colour , now were clad In h●…arie hue , that made them looke full sad ; Yea euery thing , for want of heate halfe dead In winters 〈◊〉 , droop't and hung the head : Yet all this time of winters wrathfull reigne , When all things did in deepe distresse complaine , Dan Cuckow in the bower of blisse did sing His ioyfull note , where dwels eternall spring : Where , while that he did liue both day and night Drencht in the daintie dregs of deepe delight , With little Redbrest forlorne Philomel In hollow rock in consolate did dwell , Where she poore bird in many a dolefull straine The Nymphes late vniust doome did much complaine , Which was the cause of all her miserie , That liu'd before in chiefe felicitie . The state , which fortune erst to her did giue Compar'd to this , in which she now did liue , Did trebble sorrow on her dying heart A fresh reuiuing her forgotten smart , For miserie to those most bitter is , That tasted once the sweets of happie blisse , Which little Redbrest did perceiue right well In her companion gentle Philomel : For once when Philomel and she together In hollow rocke sate shrowded from the weather Still as the Redbrest in sweet notes did sing A sad complaint for absence of the spring , So did poore Philomel her griefe to show In sad record recount her former woe : To whom the Redbrest mou'd with melting pitie To heare the sad tunes of her dolefull dittie , These words of comfort spake : ( sister ) quoth she , I see that winters blasts dispeasant be , And in your thoughts renewes the memorie Of your precedent liues felicitie , Whereby I know , your sorrow is the more , That haplesse now liu'd happie heretofore : But now vnto my words your listening lend , By which perhaps your sorrowes may haue end : Each yeare , when winter cause of all our woe , Vpon these woods with cold keene breath doth blow , From hence compeld I vsually do flie , To famous Trynobantum , here fast by , Whereas your sister Progne builds her bowers , Safe from the threates of winters stormie showers , For heauen that heere lookes grim with gloomie face With milde aspect beholds that happie place , There , not as heere th' inhabitants do know Cold winters rage , nor doth proud Bore●… blow So sharpe and keene : but in the welkin faire The milder windes do tosse the gentle aire ; There also many gentle Nymphes do dwell , That may compare with those that do excell In beautie bright ; for eye did neuer see More faire then in great Trynobantum be , To whom I do not doubt , if that we go , But they to Philomel will fauour show , And though those Nymphes , that in the bower of blisse Haue their abode , 'gainst thee haue done amisse : Yet they no doubt will pitie thy complaint And driue Dan Cuckow from great Trynobant ; And in our way , as we together slie Lest we be destitute of company , In this our iorney with vs well I know Our neighbours Titmouse and dame Wren wil go : Then be not sad , helpe neuer comes too late , And time perhaps may turne your froward fate . This said , sad Philomel no answere made But making doubt of that , which Redbrest said , Sometimes she thought it best to liue content In th' hollow rock all danger to preuent : But when proud Boreas blasts her heart did daunt , She thought it best to flie to Trynobant . Thus diuers doubts did in her thoughts arise , Nor what was best to do could she deuise , Vntill her neighbours Wren and Titmouse came , Who with perswasiue speech her mind did frame To Trynobant with them along to go , Vnto the faire Nymphes there , her cause to show , To trie if they for Castaes sake would chase The vnchaste Cuckow from their dwelling place : Thus by perswasion of those prettie birds , The gentle Philomela soone accords To go with them , though , as it came to passe , The sequell prou'd their labour fruitlesse was . For in their iourney loe , as they did flee , Taking their couert slight from tree to tree , Not daring to be seene in open skie , About great Trynobant they did espie The swift-wing'd swallow making her strong flight , Sister to Philomela , Progne hight ; To whom right glad they tooke their ready way Each one recording her deligh●…some lay , Which did so loudly echo in the ayre , That Progne heard it , as they came from farre , And drawing nie to know what it might be Staying her swift strong flight loe , she did see Her sister Philomel with other birds , To whom with wonderment she spake these words ; ( O heauens ) what chaunce is this , what see I heere Pandions Philomel , my sister deare ? Alas , what sad mishap is now befell , That you haue left the place where you did dwell , Great perill , which I wot you little know , In comming hither , you do vndergoe . Sister , ( said Philomel ) no great mischaunce Hath happened vnto me , nor ignorance Of perill in the way hath made me bold : But forc'd by stormie winters bitter cold . My friends and I haue lately left our home And for reliefe to Trynobant a●…e come , Where you do liue in chiefe felicitie , Free from the thrall of winters tyrannie . Alas , ( good sister ) Progne did replie , Let not that vaine opinion in your eie Go currant , which the idiot multitude Out of blind ignorance doth still conclude , That meane estate is greatest miserie And high esteeme the chiefe felicitie : For high or low , rich are not rich indeed , And great states still on discontent do feed . What dreadfull danger dogs him at the heele , That proudly vaunts on top of Fortunes wheele ? What daunting dread his Stealing steps attend , Whose climing thoughts do ayme at honors end ? Who feares to fall , but he that sits on high , Or feeles th' infection of an enuious eie ? For enuy euermore her poison spits At those , that most in fortunes fauour sits , The heauie care , that wounds the mind with woe Seldome forsakes the giddie feet that goe , Where treades the steps of high authoritie , So fleeting is this earthes felicitie : For wauering chaunce about him still doth flie , That proudly seekes to build his hopes on high , Of which a president , I well may bee Vnto you all , such is my chaunce you see : For fate and nature hauing both decreed , That I in loftie tops of towers should breed , While you my happie sister Philomel Should in the woods and forrests safely dwell , About the bower of blisse once did not I , A long time safely build my bowers on high , Till by my foes , they all were ouerthrowne And young ones slaine , which I shall euer mone : For those false Nymphes which sentence gaue 'gainst thee On proud Dan Cuckowes side , did all agree , Because beneath the windowes of their towers My custome was to build my secret bowers , That I for euer should be chased thence To seeke my fortunes though for no offence : For loe no crime 'gainst me they could obiect , But that because , they said I did detect Their chamber sports , and truth to say mine eye Such obscene sports did oft times there espie , That very shame bids me forbeare to tell The nuptiall band-breake play , that there befell : Wherfore from thence long since they did me chase , Since when I liued haue in this same place , Whereas you say , I build my lowly bowers Safe from the threates of winters stormie showers : Yet in such feare of those , that vse to feed On beauties spoile , about whose bowers I breed : That would my fate had been to liue alone In forrests wide , though winter made me mone . She hauing said , this answere Redbrest made : Certes ( dame Progne ) you haue wisely said , For better 't is to liue we all agree In meane estate content , from danger free , Then in the blind worlds deem'd felicitie In trouble , care and minds perplexitie ; But we to Trynobant not only come , For that we grieue at winters blasts at home : But seeing many a bright cheek'd gentle dame Dwels heere in Trynobant we hither came , That so thy sister Philomel might trie , If they for loue to honor'd chastitie Would driue Dan Cuckow from this place with shame And raise againe sad Castaes dying name . To this thus Progne did returne replie . Alas ( good Redbrest ) thy fraile shallow eie Nought but th' externall species doth behold , Deeming all things that gl●…ster perfect gold : Each winter , when thou ●…ither dost repaire Our Nymphes being spree●…ly vigorous and faire , Thou deem'st their minds to be as wise and wittie , As in proportion , they be ●…aire and prettie : But thou art blind ; for do but marke with me Their witlesse actions , and thou soone shalt see Their faire but foule ; their wit , but wanton will , Their wisedomes quintessence loues idle skill , For heere in Trynobant with their consent Dan Cuckow sings his layes with meriment , Venus no more on Ida hilles is seene , In Paphos temples , nor Cytheron greene : But long ago hath bid them all farewell Heere in great Trynobant with vs to dwell : For heere the lustie Queene of loue adornes The poore Cer●…stes with the welked hornes , Here the Propoetides deuoid of sense , Those women pictures of true impudence , By the great power of loues luxurious Queene Are turn'd to stones , women no more are seene . For which Pigmalion leads a single life And feares strange things , not daring weda wife . She 〈◊〉 spoken , all the other birds Long sil●…nt stood amaz'd at those her words Till I it mouse spake , quoth she , what you do tell Is verie ●…range and we perceiue right well , That gentle Casta here shall find small 〈◊〉 , Seeing such strange Nymphes do d●…ll in this same place : But what doth cause them with such impudence In spite of modesties pure excellence , So much degenerate from heauenly kind ? Sure pinching want doth much oppresse the minde : Or el●…e with Danae for loue of g●…ld They kindly suffer friends to be too bold . No certes ( Titmouse ) Progne did repli●… , Nor loue of gold , nor pinching penurie : But plentie , pleasure , ease and idlenesse , Is cause of their deare deem'd voluptuousnes , Whereby they oft times rather giue then take The golden gifts , that minds immodest make , Heere need not loue come take a sleepelesse nap With golden showers in Danaes louely lap . For heere our lustie Danaes , if he want Will shower downe gold on him , if he but graunt : In nights black vaile , he need not hide his head If he intend to got ' Amphytrions bed , For th' Alcumenaes here both day and night Will meet him any where for loues delight , If Daphne heere do runne , she slackes her pace Till Phoebus catch her , whom she must embrace , And heere if louely Syrinx do intend To runne from rugged Pan : yet in the end She seeming faint her swifter course will stay , That she may be the pipe , when Pan doth play : For neither Pans high hornes nor rugged beard Can make the Nymphes in this same place affeard . Fie , fie ( dame Progne ) quoth the little Wren , In sooth 'gainst them , thou hast too bitter been , I do not thinke that such incontinence Can lurke beneath the glorious excellence Of such rare beautie , which doth seeme t'exce●… In these faire dames , that in this place do dwell ; Yet if in them such light demeanor be , Doubtlesse they do not make it knowne to thee , How then canst thou such things , as these relate With their close deeds not being intimate ? Progne replied ; vnwisely haue you said Me with vntruth vngentlie to vpbraid ; For know dame Wren , that what I late did show Is nothing in respect of that I know : For in my neast built wondrous by my wit Beneath their chamber-windowes I do sit , Where if your selfe were present but one day , You would speake more then lately I did say . For there oft times I do both see and heare Those things that shame to tell bids me forbeare . This said , the other birds all silent sate As modestly for bearing , t' aske of that Which Prognes selfe did seeme halfe sham'd to tell , Vntill at last spake gentle Philomel , And said ( deare sister ) hide not what you know ; Because the thing breeds shame which thou shalt show For to the author of the sin be shame , Not vnto him , that 's guiltlesse in the same , Nor should examples of immodestie Offend the modest eares of chastitie , For vertues glorious shine , then shines most bright , When 't is oppos'd to vice her opposite , As whitest things seeme fair●…st to the eye , When they be match'd with blacke their contrarie . Wherefore ( dearesister ) speake and boldly tell The shamelesse deeds of dames that heere do dwell , So shall we sing about the world so wide , That which their chamber wals now seeme to hide , Of which perhaps when they hereafter heare To do the like hence forth they will forbeare . She hauing said , thus Progne made replie : If that ye will ( yebirds ) that I descrie And draw the curtaines of the vnchaste bed , Where Mars and Venus hornes old Vulcans head , Come neare and listen , lest the obscene sound Of my strange speech do in the ayre abound , And in the same do breed corruption , From whence may spring a foule infection Of those hot furious , fierie , lustfull beasts , That toil'd with lust , do loath loues vulgar feasts , Whom nature cannot furnish with excesse In kind-like game : but that some monstrous messe They do affect , I will not heere speake much Lest I offend ; my meaning is of such As imitate Romes Semiramida , Or that Italian Cortigiana , And put in practise th' art of Aretine , At which both heauen and nature doth repine , And with that Lybian lustfull foule Syrena , That woman monster Dodecamechana In Venus act deuise twelue sundrie measures With lustie lads at full to take their pleasures ; Nor will I tell , though many be of these That with Athlanta and Hyppomenes Do Stalion-like run madding out of season To quench their lust , 'gainst nature and 'gainst reason ; Nor here to shew to you is my intent That execrable squirtlike instrument , Which lust burnt , fierie , female monsters vse In fruitlesse lust , to natures vile abuse : For these are things not fitting speech of birds : But best befitting roughest Salyrs words . I only here intend to make report Of that same common counted cuckow sport , Which by our dames is deem'd a lawfull game , Though impudence it selfe blush at the same , ( I meane of th' old Malbeccoes of our age ) Who iustly beare Cornuted Vulcans badge . In Trynobant as to and fro I flie It hath been oftentimes my chaunce t'espie An old cold Ianuarie iet before A fresh young May , a spreetly Helinore , Vnequall both in yeares and in affection , And also far vnlike in their condition ; Yet to the blind-ey'd world it did appeare , That May did loue her Ianuarie deare ; Which I scarse trusting with a curious eie Haue closely trackt their steps the truth to trie : And loe , while he hath set his thoughts vpon His horded heapes , his May being left alone , He being close at his accounts aboue , While she beneath sits longing after loue , In steps me March clad like a lustie Knight , Or pleasant Aprill full of sweet delight , Who in loues wanton art , not wanting skill Hath slights enow t' assault fresh May at will ; But what needs long assault where none doth shield ; For gentle heart she is as prone to yeeld , As he t' assault , which well this younker knowes , Though seeming strange a while with her he glose , For by her touching , stroking , gentle pressing , Her rubbing , wringing , wrestling , wanton thrusting , Coy looking , culling and kind inte●…taine He finds enough and knowes he●… meaning plaine : For gentle May no proffer'd time will lose , When as from home old Ianuar●…e goes , And then the vnchaste kisses common flies , Which Hymens strongest nuptiall bands vnties , Then beautie sets the e●…es of lust on fire , And fancie breakes forth into strong desire , And lastly lust doth in a moment space Make Ianuaries browes bud forth apace , Which neither he , nor any else do 〈◊〉 , Though it be commonly well knowne to me : For these be obiects common to my sight , As in my bowers I sit , both day and night . Then say ye birds , if in this place can dwell My sister Casta gentle Philomel . Ay me , quoth Philomel , the more my griefe , That I poore wretch can no where find reliefe : For where alas , shall Casta find a place , Where proud Dan Cuckow sings not her disgrace ? Great Phoebes name is now extincted quite , Whose fame whilom the golden starres did smite , Where else are her faire Nymphes , whose beauties blaze Did decke the world with like to Phoebus raies , Who with the slower of heauenly chastitie Their beauties garland did so dignifie , That Venus brat , though deem'd a god of power , With all his flames could neuer scorch their flower ? But now alas , faire Phoebes daintie rose , Which many Nymphes did in their brests inclose , And with great care did tender it more deare , Then dearest life , doth no where now appeare , Else why doth Casta suffer such disgrace , While that the Cuckow sings in euery place . As thus she spake , not far they did espie , How proud Dan Cuckow to and fro did flie , Who vaunting in the ayre with outstretch'd wing His bastard note triumphantly did sing ; At whom the Swallow , Robbin and the Wren , And Titmouse , as if they inrag'd had been , With eager thoughts did flie , whom they in chase A long time did pursue from place to place , Oft did they flap him with their feathered quils , And peckt and beat him with their tender bils , Vntill from out of sight he quite was fled And in some couert place had hid his head : But they returning backe , where making mone , They late had left poore Philomel alone , Loe , they beheld , how she poore bird did sit Halfe dead with torment of her wofull fit , To whom poore birds being mou'd with inelting pitie Each one did striue to tune her dolefull dittie , Long sate they sympathizing in their song The wofull record of poore Castaes wrong , Nor of sweet comfort could they ought partake , Vntill at length the little Wren thus spake : ( My louing friends and fellow birds ) quoth she , Great griefe doth vex your troubled thoughts I see : But fond it is in sorrow still to dwell And seeke no meanes sad sorrow to expell : For griefe , that breeds despaire , nere finds reliefe , When good aduice doth master greatest griefe ; Then know , that though no Nymph of this same place Nor of the bower of blisse will take to grace , The forlorne Casta , Phoebes only bird , Yet meaner places may perchaunce afford Some gentle dame , although of meane degree , That vnto Philomel would gratious be ; And well do I remember , in that place There wonnes a vertuous Nymph of goodly grace ; Where I do safely build my lowly bowers To shrowd my selfe from winters stormie showers : In humble cottage she doth still remaine , The happie daughter of a countrie swaine , And though she liue vpon meane maintenance , Yet with such grace and goodly gouernance , She doth demeane her selfe , that many be Of greater state , that want her genterie , For little would ye weene , that such great grace Had any lodging in so meane a place , She hath to wit hight Virgina to name , Who though but meane , yet of exceeding fame : For loe , that Squier , that liues in deepe despaire Of gaining grace of Columbel the faire , Vnto an endlesse taske by her being ti'd To wander each where , through the world so wide , To proue how many damsels he could find , That chastely did retaine a constant mind , Did of three hundred dames find but this one , That vnto loues delight would not be wonne : Then ( gentle Philomel ) lay by thy griefe , And of this dame let vs go seeke reliefe , Vpon whose bosome thou maiest sit and sing The virgin beautie of her youthfull spring , Where proud Dan Cuckow dares not come in place , Much lesse dares sing his layes in thy disgrace . The Wren thus hauing spoke , the other birds With Castaes selfe did like well of her words , And with the Wren would straight vnto that wood , Where that same virgin dame had her abode : But gentle Progne she must stay behind , As being forbidden by the fates vnkind ; Since her in shape of bi●…d they first did hide , Nere to frequent the woods and forrests wide ; Parting therefore ●…rom her with weeping e●…es Her sister Philomel spake in this wise . Sister ( quoth she ) the stubbome fates decree , That from each other we must parted bee : For thou alas maiest not frequent the wood , Nor may I come , where thou hast thy abode : For now ( aye me ) hard hap doth me compell Vnto the bower of blisse , to bid farewell , And vnto Trynobant , where woe is mee My dearest sister thou shalt liue and see My hatefull foe , Dan Cuckow proudly sing In my dispight to welcome in the spring : But must we then alas , for euer part , The thought of which augments our wofull smart , Must thus Pandions daughters bid farewell , For euer in the world apart to dwell ? We must alas : wherefore compel'd by fate , Whose malice heauen it selfe may not abate , Vnto the world and thee I bid farewell In desert woods for euermore to dwell . Thus hauing said , both did with wofull heart Each from the other heauily depart , Sad Progne back to Trynobant did flie , And gentle Philomel in companie Of little Redbrest , Titmouse and the Wren , Did take her way far from the abodes of men Vnto that place , where dwelt that gentle dame , Of whom the Wren did speake : where when she came , Of that faire Nymph she found such intertaine , That neuer more she thence return'd againe . FINIS .