Ouid's elegies three bookes. By C.M. Epigrames by I.D.

Ouids Elegies : Three Bookes .

By C. M.

Epigrames by I. D.

At Mid 〈…〉 gh .

P. Ouidij Nasonis amorum , Liber primus .

ELEGIA . 1 Quemadmodum à Cupidine pro bellis amores scribere coactus sit . WE which were Ouids fiue books now are three For these before the rest preferreth he . If reading fiue thou plain'st of tediousnesse . Two tane away , thy labour will be lesse . With Muse prepar'd I meant to sing of Armes ▪ Choosing a subiect fit for fierce alarmes . Both verses were a like till lour ( men say ) Began to smile and tooke one foote away . Rash boy , who gaue thee power to change a line ▪ We are the Muses Prophets , none of thine . What if thy mother take Di●nas bow . Shall Dian fanne , when lone begins to glow . In wooddy groues is 't meere that Ceres raigne ? And quiuer-bearing Dian till the plaine . Who 'le set the faire trest sunne in battell ray , While Mars doth take the Aonian Harp to play . Great are thy kingdomes , ouer strong and large , Ambitious impe , why ●eek'st thou further charge ? Are all things thine ? the Muses Temple thine ? Then scarse can Phoebus say , this Harp is mine . When in this workes first verse I trode aloft , Loue●slackt my Muse , and made my numbers soft . I haue no mistresse , nor no 〈…〉 Being fittest matter , for 〈…〉 Thus I complain'd , but loue vnlockt his quiuer , Tooke out the shaft , ordain'de my heart to shiuer : And bent his sinewie bow vpon his knee , Saying Poet , heere 's a worke beseeming thee . Oh woe is me , he neuer shootes but hits , I burne ▪ loue in my idle bosome sits . Let my first verse be sixe , my last fiue feete , Fare-well sterne warre , for blunter Poets meete . Elegian Muse , that warblest amorous laies , Girt my shine brow with Sea-banke Mirtle praise .

ELEGIA . 2. Quod prime amore correptus , in triumphum duc● so a cupidine patiatur . WHat makes my bed seeme hard seeing it is soft ? Or why slips downe the couerlet so oft ? Although the nights be long , I sleepe not tho , My sides are sore with tumbling to and fro . Were loue the cause , it 's like I should descry him , Or lyes he close , and shootes where none can spie him . 'T was so , he stroke me with a slender darr , T is cruell loue turmoyles my captiue heart . Yeelding or strugling do we giue him might , Let 's yeeld , a burthen easly borne is light . I saw a brandisht fire increase in strength , Which being not slackt , I saw it dye at length . Young Oxen newly yoakt are beaten more , Then Oxen which haue drawne the plough before . And rough Iades mouthes with stuborne bits are torne , But managde horses heads are lightly borne . Vnwilling louers , loue doth more torment , Then such as in their bondage feele content . Loe I confesse , I am thy captiue I , And hold my conquer'd hands for thee to tie . What need'st thou warre , I sue to thee for grace , With armes to conquer armelesse men is base . Yoake Venus Doues , put Mirtle on thy haire , Vulcan will giue thee chariots rich and faire . The people thee applauding thou shalt stand , Guiding the harmelesse Pigeons with thy hand . Yong men , and women shalt thou lead as thrall , So will thy triumph seeme magnificall . I lately caught , will haue a new made wound , And captiue like be manacled and bound . Good meaning shame , and such as seeke loues wra●● Shall follow thee their hands tyed at their back . Thee all shall feare , and worship as a King , Io , ●riumphing shall thy people sing . Smooth speaches , feare , and rage shall by thee ride ▪ Which troupes haue alwayes bene on Cupids side ▪ Thou with these soul ●iours , conquerest Gods and men● Take these away , where is thine honour then ? Thy mother shall from heauen applaude this show , And on their faces heapes of Roses strow . With beautie of thy wings thy faire haire guilded , Ride golden loue in chariots richly builded . Vnlesse I erre , full many shalt thou burne , And giue wounds infinite at euery turne . In spite of thee forth will thine arrowes flye , A scortching flame burnes all the standers by . So hauing coquer'd Iude was Bacchus hew , The pompous Birds , and him two Tygers drew . Then seeing I grace thy show in following thee , Forbeare to hurt thy selfe in spoyling me . Behold thy kins-mans Caesars prosperous bands , Who guards thee conquered , with his conquering hands .

ELEGIA . 3. Ad amicam . I Aske but right : let he that caught me late , Either loue , or cause that I may neuer hate . I aske too much , would she but let me loue her , Ioue knowes with such like prayers I daily moue her . Accept him that will serue thee all his youth , Accept him that will loue with spotelesse truth . If loftie titles cannot make me thine , That am descended but of Knightly line . Soone may you plow the little land I haue , I gladly grant my parents giuen , to saue . Apollo , Bacchus and the Muses may , And Cupid who hath markt me for thy pray . My spotelesse life , which but to Gods giue place , Naked simplicity , and modest grace . I loue but one , and her I loue , change neuer , If men haue faith , I 'le liue with thee for euer . The yeares that fatall destinie shall giue , I 'le liue with thee , and dye , ere thou shalt grieue . Be thou the happy subiect of my bookes . That I may write things worthy thy faire lookes . By verses horned Io got her name , And she to whom in shape of Swanne Ioue came . And she that on a fain'd Bull swamme to land , Griping his false hornes with her virgin hand . So likewise we will through the world be rung , And with my name shall thine be alwayes sung .

ELEGIA . 4. Amicam , qua arte , quibusue nutibus in caena presente viro vti debeat , admonet . THy husband to a banquet goes with me , Pray God it may his latest supper be . Shall I sit gazing as a bashfull guest , While others touch the damse●l I loue best ? With lying , vnder him his bosome clippe ? About thy neck shall he at pleasure skippe ? Marueile not , though the faire Bride did incite , The drunken Centaures to a sodaine fight . I am no halfe horse , nor in woods I dwell , Yet scarse my hands from thee containe I well . But how thou should'st behaue thy selfe now know Nor let the windes away my warnings blow . Before thy husband come , though I not see , What may be done , ●et there before hi● be . Lye with him gently , when his limbes he spread , Vpon the bed , but on my feete first tread . View me , my becks , and speaking countenance , Take , and receiue each secret amorous glaunce . Words without voyce shall on my eye-browes sit , Lines thou shalt read in wyne by my hand writ . When our lasciuious toyes come to thy minde , Thy Rosie cheekes be to thy thombe inc●●n●e . If ought of me thou speak'st in inward thought , Let thy soft finger to thy eare be brought . When I ( my light ) do or say ought that please thee , Turne round thy gold-ring , as it were to ease thee . Strike on the boord like them that pray for euill , When thou doest wish thy husband at the deu●l . What wine he fills thee , wisely will him drinke , Aske thou the boy , what thou enough doest thinke . When thou hast tasted , I will take the cup , And where thou drink'st , on that part I will sup . If he giues thee what first himselfe did tast , Euen in his face his offered Goblets cast . Let not thy neck by his vile armes be prest , Nor leaue thy soft head on his boistrous brest . Thy besomes Roseat buds let him not finger , Chiefely on thy lips let not his lips linger . If thou giuest kisses , I shall all disclose , Say they are mine , and hands on thee impose . Yet this I 'le see , but if thy gowne ought couer , Suspitious feare in all my veines will houer . Mingle not thighes , nor to his legge ioyne thine , Nor thy soft foote with his hard foote combine . I haue beene wanton , therefore am perplext , And with mistrust of the like measure vext . I and my wench oft vnder clothes did lurke , When pleasure mou'd vs to our sweetest worke . Do not thou so , but throw thy mantle hence , Least I should thinke thee guilty of offense . Entreat thy husband drinke , but do not kisse , And while he drinks , to adde more do not misse , If he lyes downe with wine and sleepe opprest , The thing and place shall counsell vs the rest . When to goe home● wards we rise all along , Haue care to walke in middle of the throng . There will I finde thee or be found by thee , There touch what euer thou canst touch of me . Aye me I warne what profits some few howers , But we must part , when heau'n with black night lowers● At night thy husband clippes , I will weepe And to the dores sight of thy selfe keepe ; Then will he kisse thee , and not onely kisse , But force thee giue him my stolne honey blisse . Constrain'd against thy will giue it the pezan●s● Forbeare sweet wordes , and be your sport vnpleasant . To him I pray it no delight may bring , Or if it do : to thee no ioy thence spring . But though this night thy fortune be to trie it , To me to morrow constantly deny it .

ELEGIA . 5. Corinnae Concubitus . IN summers heate and mid-time of the day , To rest my limbes vpon a bed I lay . One window shut , the other open stood , Which gaue such light , ●s twincles in a wood . Like twilight glimps at setting of the Sunne , Or night being past , and yet not day begunne . Such light to shamefast maidens must be showne , Where they may sport , and seeme to be vnknowne . Then came Corinna in a long loose gowne , Her white neck hid with tresses hanging downe . Resembling fayre Semiramis going to bed , Or Layis of a thousand woers sped . I snacht her gowne being thin , the harme was small , Yet striu'd she to be couered there withall . And striuing thus as one that would be cast , Betray'd her selfe , and yeelded at the last . Starke naked as she stood before mine eye , Not one wen in her body could I spie . What armes and shoulders did I touch and see , How apt her breasts were to be pr●st by me . How smooth a belly vnder her wast saw I ? How large a legge , and what a lustie thigh ? To leaue the rest all lik'd me passin● well , I cling'd her naked body , downe the fell , Iudge you the rest , being t●●de she b●d me kisse , Io●e send me more such after-noones as this .

ELEGIA . 6. Ad Ianitorem , vt fores sibo aperiat . VNworthy porter , bound in chaines full sore , On mooued hookes set ope the chur●sh dore . Little I aske , a little entrance make , The gate halfe ope my bent side in will take . Long loue my body to such vse make slender , And to get out doth like apt members render . He shewes me how vn●eard to passe the watch , And guides my feete least stumbling falles they catch But in times past I fear'd vaines shades , and night , Wondring if any walked without light . Loue hearing it laug'd with his tender mother , And smiling sayd , be thou as bold as other . Forth-with loue came , no darke night flying spright , Nor hands prepar'd to slaughter , me affright . Thee feare I too much : onely thee I flatter , Thy lightning can my life in pieces batter . Why enuiest me , this hostile dende vnbarre , See how the gates with my teares wat'red are . When thou stood'st naked ready to be beate , For thee I did thy mistresse faire intreate . But what entreates for thee some-times tooke place , ( O mischiefe ) now for me obtaine small grace . Gratis thou maiest be free giue like for like , Night goes away : the dores barre back ward strike . Strike , so againe hard chaines shall binde thee neuer , Nor seruile water shalt thou drinke for euer , Hard-hearted Porter doest and wilt not heare , With stiffe oake propt the gate doth still appeare . Such rampierd gates besieged Citties ayde , In midst of peace why art of armes afrayde ? Exclud'st a louer , how would'st vse a foe ? Strike back the barre , night fast away doth goe . With armes or armed men I come not guarded , I am alone , were furious loue discarded . Although I would , I cannot him cashiere , Before I be deuided from my geere . See loue with me , wyne moderate in my braine , And on my haires a crowne of flowers remaine . Who feares these armes ? who will not goe to meet them , Night runnes away , with open entrance gree●te them ? Art carelesse ? or ist sleepe forbids thee heare , Giuing the windes my words running in thine care . Well I remember when I first did hire thee , Watching till after mid-night did not tire thee . But now perchannce thy wench with thee doth rest , Ah how thy lot , is aboue my lot blest : Though it be so , shut me not out therefore , Night goes away : I pray thee ope the dore . Erre we ? or do the turned hinges sound , And opening dores with creaking noyse abound ? We erre : a strong blast seem'd the gates ●o ●ope : A●e me how high that gale did lift my hope ! If Boreas beares Orithyas rape in minde , Some breake these deafe dores with thy boisterous winde . Silent the citie is : nights deawie hoast , March fast away : the barre strike from the poast . Or I more sterne then fire or sword will turne , And with my brand these gorgeous houses burne . Night , loue , and wine to all extreames perswade : Night , shamelesse wyne , and loue are fearelesse made . All haue I spent : no threats or prayer moue thee , O harder then the dores thou gardest I proue thee . No pretty wenches keeper may ●st thou be , The carefull prison is more meete for thee . Now forsty night her flight beginnes to take , And crowing Cocks poore soules to worke awake . But thou my crowne from sad haires tane away , On this hard threshold till the morning lay . That when my mistresse there beholds thee cast , She may perceiue how we the time did wast . What ere thou art , farewell , be like me pain'd , Carelesse farewell , with my fault not distain'd . And farewell cruell posts rough thresholds block , And dores conioyn'd with an hard iron lock .

ELEGIA 7. Ad pacandam amicam , quam verberauerat . BInde fast my hands , they haue deserued chaines , While rage is absent , take some friend the paines . For rage against my wench mou'd my rash arme , My mistresse weepes whom my mad hand did harme . I might haue then my parents deare misus'd , Or holy Gods with cruell stroakes abus'd . Why ? Aiax maister of the seuen-fold shield , Bu●cher'd the flocks he found in spatious field . And he who on his mother veng'd his fire , Against ●●e destinies durst , sharp darts require . Could I therefore her comely tresses teare ? Y●t was she graced with her ruffled hayre . 〈◊〉 she was , Atalanta she resembled , 〈◊〉 whose bow th' Arcadian wild beasts trembled . 〈◊〉 Ariadne was , when she bewayles , ●span ; Theseus flying vowes and sayles . ●span ; Minerua did Cassandra fall , D●flowr'd except , within thy Temple wall . That I was mad , and barbarous all men cryed , She nothing said , pale feare her tongne had tyed . But secretly her lookes with checks did trounce me , Her teares , she silent , guilty did pronounce me . Would of mine armes , my shoulders had beene scanted , Better I could part of my selfe haue wanted . To mine owne selfe haue I had strength so furious ? And to my selfe could I be so iniurious ? Slaughter and mischiefes instruments , no better , Deserued chaines these cursed hands shall fetter . Punisht I am , if I a Romaine beat , Ouer my Mistris is my right more great . Tydides left worst signes of villanie , He first a Goddesse strooke ; another I. Yet he harm'd lesse , whom I profess'd to loue , I harm'd : a soe did Diomedes anger moue . Go now thou Conqueror , glorious triumphs raise , Pay vowes to Ioue : engirt thy haires with b●ies . And let the troupes which shall thy Chariot follow , Io , a strong man conquer'd this wench , hollow . Let the sad captiue formost with lockes spred , On her white neck but for hurt cheekes ke● led . Meeter it were her lips were blew with kissing , And on he neck a wanton marke not missing . But though I like a swelling fllood was driuen , And as a pray vnto blinde anger giuen . Wa's t not enough the fearefull wench to childe ? Nor thunder in rough threatings haughty pride ? Nor shamefully her coate pull ore her crowne , Which to her wast her girdle still kept downe , But cruelly her tresses hauing rent , My nayles to scratch her louely cheekes I bent . Sighing she stood , her blood-lesse white lookes shewed , Like marble from the Parian Mountaines hewed . Her halfe dead ioynts , and trembling limmes I saw , Like Popler leaues blowne with a stormy flaw . Or slender eares , with gentle Zephire shaken , Or waters tops with the warme south-winde taken . And downe her cheekes , the trickling teares did flow , Like water gushing from consuming snow . Then first I did perceiue I had offended , My blood , the teares were that from her descended Before her feete thrice prosttate downe I fell , My feared hands thrice back she did repell . But doubt thou not ( reuenge doth griefe appease , ) With thy sharp nayles vpon my face to seaze . Bescrath mine eyes , spare not my lockes to breake , ( Anger will help thy hands though nere so weake . ) And least the sad signes of my crime remaine , Put in their place thy keembed haires againe .

ELEGIA . 8. Exacratur lenam● quae puellam suam meretrici● arte instit●ebat . THere is , who ere will know a bawde aright . Giue eare , there is an old trot Dipsas hight . Her name comes from the thing : she being wise , Sees not the morne on rosie hoises rise . She magick artes and Thessale charmes doth know , And makes large streams back to their fountaines flow , She knows with gras , with thrids on wrong wheeles spun , And what with Mares ranck humour may be done . When she will , cloudes the darkned heau'n obscure , When she will , day shiner euery where most pure . ( If I haue faith ) I saw the starres drop blood , The purple moone with sanguine visage stood ; Her I suspect among nights spirits to flie , And her old body in birdes plumes to lie . Fame sayth as I suspect , and in her eyes , Two eye-balles shine , and double light thence flies . Great grand-sires from their ancient graues she chides , And with long charmes the solide earth diuides . She drawes chast women to incontinence , Nor doth her tongue want harmefull eloquence . By chaunce I heard her talke , these words she said , While closely hid betwixt two dores I layed . Mistris thou knowest , thou haft a blest youth pleasd , He stayde● and on thy lookes his gazes seaz'd . And why should'st not please ? none thy face exceedes , Aye● m● , thy body hath no worthy weedes . As thou art faire , would thou wert fortunate , Wert thou rich , poore should not be my state . Th' opposed starre of . Mars hath done thee harme , Now Mars is gone : Venus thy side doth warme , And brings good fortune , a rich louer plants , His loue on thee , and can supply thy wants . Such is his forme as may with thine compare , Would he not buy thee , thou for him should'st care . She blush'tired shame becomes white checkes , but this If feigned , doth well ; if true it doth amisse . When on thy lappe thine eyes thou doest deiect , Each one according to his gifts respect . Perhaps the Sabines rude , when Tatius r●ignde , To yeeld their loue to more then one disdainde . Now Mars doth rage abroad without all pitty , And Venus rules in her Aeneas citty . Faire women play shee 's chast whom none will haue , Or , but for bashfulnesse her selfe would craue . Shake off these wrinkles that thy front assault , Wrinckles in beauty is a grieuous fault . Penelope in bowes her youths strength tride , Of home the bow was that approu'd their side . Time flying shides hence closely , and deceaues vs , And with swift horses the swift yeare soone leaues vs . Brasse shines with vse ; good garments would be worne , Houses not dwelt in , are with filch forlorne . Beauty not exercisde with age is spent , Nor one or two men are sufficiant . Many to rob is more sure , and l●sse hatefull , From dog-kept flocks come preys to woolus most gratefull . Behold what giues the Poet but new verses ? And thereof many thousand he rehearses . The Poets God arayed in robes of gold , Of his gilt Harpe the well tun'd strings doth hold . Let Homer yeeld to such as presents bring , ( Trust me ) to giue , it is a witty thing . Nor , so thou maist obtaine a wealthy prize , The vaine name of inferiour slaues dispize . Nor let the armes of ancient liues beguile thee , Poore louer with thy grandsires I exile thee . Who seekes , for being faire , a night to haue , What he will giue , with greater instance craue . Make a small price , while thou thy nets doest lay , Least they should fly , being tane , the tirant play . Dissemble so as lou'd he may be thought , And take heed , least he gets that loue for nought , Deny him oft ; faine now thy head doth ake : And Isis now will shew what scuse to make . Receiue him soone , least patient vse he gaine , Or least his loue oft beaten backe should waine . To beggers shut , to bringers ope thy gate , Let him within heare ; bard out louers prate . And as first wronged the wronged sometimes banish● Thy fault with his fault so rep●ls'd will vanish . But neuer giue a spatious time to ire , Anger delaide doth oft to hate retire . And let thine eyes constrained learne to weepe , That this , or that man may thy chcekes moist keepe , Nor , if thou coznest one , dread to forsweare , Venus to mockt men lends a sencelesse ●are . Se●uauts fit for thy purpose thou must hire , To teach thy louer , what thy thoughts desire . Let them aske some-what , many asking little , Within a while great heapes grow of a little . And sister , Nurse , and mother spare him not , By many hands great wealth is quickly got . What were it for thee to require a gift , By keeping of thy birth make but a shift . Beware least he vnriual'd loues secure , Take strife away , loue doth not well endure . On all the beds men tumbling let him view , And thy neck with lasciuions marks made blew . Chiefly shew him the gifts , which other send : If he giues nothing , let him from thee wend. When thou hast so much as he giues no more , Pray him to lend what thou may'st●●e're restore . Let thy tongue flatter , while thy minde harme-workes , Vnder sweet hony deadly poyson lurkes . If this thou doest to me by long vse knowne , Nor let my word be with the windes hence blowne . Oft thou wile , say , liue well , thou wilt pray oft , That my dead bones may in their graue lie soft , As thus she spake , my shadow me betraide , with much a do my hands I scarsely staide . But let ●er bleare eyes , bald scalpes thine hoary ●lieces , And riueld cheekes I would haue pul'd a pieces . The gods send thee no house a poore old age , Perpetuall thirst , and winters lasting rage .

ELEGIA . 9. Ad Attionm , amantem non oportere desidiosum esse ▪ sicuti nec militem . ALL Louers warre , and Cupid hath his tent , At●icke , all louers are to warre farre sent , What age fits Mar● , with Venus doth agree , ●Tis shame for eld in warre or loue to be . What yeares in fo●●diours Captain● do require , Those in their louers pretty may des desire . Both of them watch : each on the hard earth sleepes : His Mistris dores this ; that his Captaines keepes . Souldiers must trauaile farre : the wench forth send Her valiant louer followes without end . Mounts , and raine-doubled flouds he passeth ouer , And treades the desert snowy heapes to couer . Going to sea , East windes he doth not chi●de , Nor to hoist sayle attends full time and tyde . Who but a souldier or a louer is bold , To suffer storme mixt snowes with nights sharp cold ? One as a spy doth to his enemies goe , The other eyes his riuall as his foe . He cities great , this thresholds lies before : This breakes towne gates , but he his Mistris dore . Oft to inuade the sleeping foe t is good , And arm'd to shed vnarmed peoples blood . So the fierce troupes of Thracian Rhesus fell , And Captiue horses bad their Lord fare-well . Sooth Louers watch till sleep the husband charmes , Who slumbring , they rise vp in swelling armes . The keepers hands and corps-dugard to passe , The souldiours , and poore louers worke e●● was . Doubtfull is warre and loue , the vanquisht rise , And who thou never think'st should fall downe lies . Therefore who ere loue sloatthfulnesse doth call , Let him surcease : loue tries wit best of all . Achilles burn'd Briseis being tane away , Troianes destroy the Greeke wealth while you may ▪ Hector to armes went from his wiues embraces , And on Adromache his helmet laces . Great Agamemnon was , men say amazed , O● Priams loose-trest daughter when he gazed . Mars in the deede the black-smiths net did stable In heauen was neuer more notorious fable . My selfe was dull , and ●aint to sloth inclinde Pleasure , and case had mollifide my minde . A faire maydes care expeld this sluggishnesse , And to her tents wilde me my selfe addresse . Since maist thou se me watch & night warres moue , He that will not grow slothfull let him loue .

ELEGIA . 10. Ad p●ellam , ne pro amore praemia poseat . SVch as the cause was of two husbands warre , ● Whom Troian ships fetcht from● Europa farre . Such as was Leda , whom the God deluded In snow-white plumes of a false swanne included . Such as Aminione through the drie fields strayed . When on her head a water pitcher layed . Such wert thou , and I fear'd the Bull and Eagle , And what ere loue made Io●e should thee inu●agle● Now all feare with my mindes hot loue abates , No more this beauty mine eyes captiuates . Ask'st why I change ? because thou crau'st reward ; This cause hath thee from pleasing me debard . While thou wert plaine I lou'dthy minde and fa●e : Now inward faults thy outward forme disgrace . Loue is a naked boy , his yeares saunce staine , And hath no cloaths , but open doth remaine . Will you for gaine haue Cupid sell himselfe ? He hath no bosome , where to hide base pelfe . Loue and Loues sonne are with firce armes to oddes● To serue for pay beseemes not wanton gods , The whore stands to be bought for each mans mony , And seekes vild wealth by selling of her Cony . Yet greedy bawdes command she curseth still , And doth constraind , what you do of good will . Take from irrationall beasts a president , 'T is shame their witts should be more excelent . The Mare askes not the horse , the cow the bull , Nor the milde ewe gifts from the ramme doth pull . Onely a woman gets spoyle from a man Farmes out her selfe on nights for what she can . And lets what both delight , what both desire , Making her ioy according to her hire . The sport being such , as both alike sweet try it Why should one sell it and the other buy it . Why should I loose , and thou gaine by the pleasure , Which man and woman reape in equall measure ? Knights of the post of periuries make saile The vniust Iudge for bribes becomes a stale . 'T is shame sould tongues the guilty should defend Or great wealth from a iudgment seat ascend . 'T is shame to grow rich by bed marchandize , Or prostitute thy beauty for bad prize . Thankes worthely are due for things vnbought , For beds ill hyr'd we are indebted nought . The hirer payeth al , his rent discharg'd From further duty he rests then inlarg'd Faire Dames forbeare rewards for nights to craue Ill gotten goods good end will neuer haue . The Sabine gauntlets were too deerely wunne , That vnto death did presse the holy Nunne . The sonne slew her , that forth to meete him went , And a rich neck-lace caus'd that punishment , Yet thinke no scorne to aske a wealthy churle , He wants no gifts into thy lap to hurle . Take clustred grapes from an ore-laden vine , Many bounteous loue Alcinous fruite resigne . Let poore men shew their seruice ; faith and care All for their Mistresse , what they haue , prepare , In verse to prepare kinde Wenches t' is my part , And whom I like eternize by mine art . Garments do weare , iewells and gold do wast , The fame that verse giues doth for euer last . To giue I loue , but to be ask't disdayne , Leaue asking , and I 'le giue what I refraine .

ELEGIA . 11. Napen alloquitur , vt paratas tabellas ad Cori●nam perferat . IN skilfull gathering ruffled haires in order , Nape free-borne whose cunning hath no border , Thy seruice for nights scapes is knowne commodious , And to giue sighes dull wit is odious ▪ Corinna clips me oft by thy perswasion , Neuer to harme me made thy faith ●uasion . Receiue these lines , them to my Mistresse carry , Be sedulous , let no stay cause thee tarry ▪ Nor flint , nor iron , are in thy soft brest , But pure simplicity in thee doth rest . And t' is suppos'd loues bow hath wounded thee , Defend the ensignes of thy warre in me . If what I do , she askes , say hope for night , The rest my hand doth in my letters write . Time passeth while I speake , giue her my writ● But see that forth-with shee peruseth it . I charge thee marke her eyes and front in reading By speechlesse lookes we guesse at things succeeding . Straight being read , will her to write much back , I hate faire Paper should writte matter lack . Let her make verses , and some blotted letter , On the last edge to stay mine eyes the better . What need she try her hand to hold the quill Let this word , come , alone the tables fill . Then with triumphant laurell will I grace them ▪ And in the midst of Venus temple place them . Subscribing that to her I consecrate , My faithfull tables being vile maple late .

ELEGIA . 12. Tabelias quas miscrat exeoratur quod amica noctem negabat . BEwa●le my chaunce the sad booke is returned , This day denyall hath my sport adiourned . Presages are not vaine , when she departed , Nape by stumbling on the thre-shold started . Going out againe passe forth the dore most wisely , And som-what higher beare thy foote precisely . Hence luck-lesse tables , funerall wood be flying , And thou the waxe stufe full with notes denying . Which I thinke gather'd from cold hemlocks flower , Wherein bad hony Corsick Bees did power . Yet as if mixt with red lead thou wert ruddy , That colour rightly did appeare so bloudy . As euill wood throwne in the high-wayes lie ▪ Be bro●ke with wheeles of chariots passing by . And him that hew'd you out for needfull vses , I 'le prooue had hands impure with all abuses . Poore wretches on the tree themselues did strangle There sat the hang-man for mens necks to angle . To hoarse scrich-owles fowle shado●ves it allowes Vultures and furies nestled in the boughs . To these my loue I foolishly committed And then with sweete words to my Mistrisse fitted● More fitly had thy wrangling bonds contained From barbarous lips of some Atturny strained . Among day-bookes and bills they had layne better , In which the Marchat wayles his banquerout debter , Your name approoues you made for such like things The number two no good diuining bringes . Angry , I pray that rotten age you wrackes And sluttish white-mould ouergrow the waxe .

ELEGIA . 13. Ad Aurorem ne properet . NOw ore the sea from her old Loue comes she That drawes the day from heauens cold axeltr●● . Aurora whither ●●dest thou ? downe againe And birds from Memnon yearely shal be slayne . Now in her tender armes I sweetely bide If euer , now well lyes she by my fide . The aire is cold , and sleepe is sweetest now And birds send forth shrill notes from euery bough , Whether run'st thou , that men , and women loue not Hold in thy rosy horses that they moue not ? Fire thou rise , starres teach sea-men where to saile But when thou commest they of their courses faile . Poore trauailers though tired , rise at thy sight , And souldiers make them ready to the fight . The painefull hinde by thee to field is sent , Slowe Oxen early in the yoake are pent . Thou cousenst boyes of sleepe , and doest betray them To Pedants that with cruell lashes pay them . Thou mak'st the surety to the Lawyer runne , That with one word hath night himselfe vndone . The Lawyer and the Client hate thy view , Both whom thou raisest vp to toyle anew . By thy meanes women of their rest are bard , Thou setst their labouring hands to spin and card . All could I beare , but that the wench should rise , Who can endure saue him with whom none lyes ? How oft wisht I , night would not giue thee place , Nor morning starres shunne thy vprising face . How oft that either winde would breake thy coach , Or steeds might fall forc'd with thicke clouds approach . Whether goest thou hatefull Nymph ? Memnon the el●e Receiu'd his cole-blacke colour from thy selfe . Say that thy loue with Caephalus were not knowne , Then thinkest thou thy loose life is not showne . Would Tithon might but talke of thee a while . Not one in heauen should be more base and vile , Thou leauest his bed , because he 's fain● through age , And early mountest thy hatefull carriage , But heldst thou in thine armes some Caephalus , Then wouldst thou cry , stay night and run not thus . Doest punish me , because yeares make him waine , I did not bid thee wed an aged swaine ? The Moone sleepes with Endy●●ton euery day , Thou art as faire as she , then kisse and play . Ioue that thou should'st not hast but waite his leasure , Made two nights one to finish vp his pleasure . I chide no more , she blusht and therefore heard me , Yet lingered not the day , but morning scard me .

ELEGIA . 14. Puellam consolatur cuiprae nimia cura comae desiderant . LEaue colouring thy tresses I did cry , Now hast thou left no haires at all to die . But what had bin more faire had they bin kept ? Beyond thy robes thy dangling lackes had swept . Feard'st thou to dresse them being fine and thinne , Like to the silke the curious Seres spinne . Or thrids which spiders slender foote drawes out , Fastning her light web some old beame about . Not black , nor golden were they to our view , Yet although either mixt of eithers hue . Such as in hilly Idas watry plaines , The Cedar tall spoyl'd of his bark retaines . And they were apt to curle an hundred wayes , And did to thee no cause of dolour rayse . Nor hath the needle , or the combes teeth re●t them , The maide that kembd them euer safely left them . Oft was she drest before mine eyes , yet neuer , Snatching the combe , to bea●e the wench out driue her . Oft in the morne her haires not yet digested , Halfe sleeping on a purple bed she rested . Yet seemely like a Thracian Bacchinall , That tyr'd doth rashly on the greene grasse fall . When they were slender , and like downy mosse , They troubled haires , alas , endur'd great losse . How patiently hot irons they did take , In crooked trannells crispy curles to make . I cryed , 't is sinne , 't is sinne , these haires to burne , They well become thee , then to spare them turne . Farre off be force , no fire to them may reach , Thy very haires will the hot bodkin ●each . Lost are the goodly lockes , which from their crowne , Phoebus and Bacchus wisht were hanging downe . Such were they as Dia●a painted stands , All naked holding in her waue-moist hands . Why doest thy ill kembd tresses losse lament ? Why in thy glasse doest●looke being discontent ? Be not to see with wonted eyes inclinde , To please thy selfe , thy selfe put out of minde . No charmed herbes of any harlot skath'd thee , No fai●hlesse witch in Thessale waters bath'd thee . No sicknesse harm'd thee , farre be that away , No enuious tongue wrought thy thick lockes decay . By thine owne hand and fault thy hurt doth grow , Thou mad'st thy head with compound poyson flow . Now Germany shall captiue haire-tyers send thee , And vanqnisht people curious dressings lend thee . Which some admiring O thou oft wilt blush , And say he likes me for my borrowed bush . Praysing for me some vnknowne Guelder dame , But I remember when it was my fame . Alas she almost weepes , and her white cheekes , Died red with shame to hide from shame she seekes . She holds , and viewes her old lockes in her lappe , Aye me rare gifts vnworthy such a happe . Cheere vp thy selfe , thy losse thou maiest repaire , And be hereafter seene with natiue haire .

ELEGIA . 15. Ad●inuidos , quod fama poetarum sit perennis . ENuie why carpest thou my time is spent so ill , And termst my workes fruites of an idle quill . Or that vnlike the line from whence I come , Warres rusty honours are refus'd being young . Nor that I study not the brawling Lawes , Nor set my voyce to sale in euery cause , Thy scope is mortall , mine eternal fame , That all the World may euer chaunt thy name . Homer shall liue while Tenedos stands and Ide , Or into Sea swift Symois doth slide . Ascraus liues , while grapes with new wine swel , Or men with crooked sickles corne downe fel. The World shal of Callamichus euer speake , His Arte exceld , although his wit was weake . For euer lasts high Sophocles proud vaine , With Sunne and Moone , Aratus shall remaine . While bond-men cheate , fathers hoord , bawds whorish , And strumpets flatter , shal Menandor flourish . Rude Ennius● and Plautus full of wit , Are both in fames eternal Legend writ . What age of Varroes name shal not be told , And Iasons Argos and the fleece of gold , Lo●ty Luereticus shall liue that houre , That nature shal dissolue this earthly bower . Aeneas warre , and Tityrus shall be read , While Rome of all the conquered world is head , Till Cupids Bowe and fiery Shafts be broken , Thy verses sweet Tybullus shall be spoken . And Gallus shall be knowne from East to West , So shall Lycoris whom hee loued best . Therefore when Flint and Iron weare away , Verse is immortall , and shal nere decay . To Verse let Kings giue place , and Kingly showes , And banks ore which gold-bearing Tagus flowes . Let base conceited witts admire vilde things , Faire Phoebus lead me to the Muses springs . About my head be quiuering mi●tle wound , And in sad Louers heads let me be found . The Liuing , not the Dead can cauy bite , For after Death all men receiue their right . Then though Death rakes my bones in funeral fire , I le liue , and as he puls me downe mount higher .

The same by B. I. ENuie , why twitst thou me , my time 's spent ill ? And call'st my verse fruites of an idle quil ? Or that ( vnlike the line from whence I sprong ) Wars dusty honors I pursue not young ? Or that I study not the tedious Lawes ; And prostitute my voyce in euery cause ? Thy scope is mortal ; mine eternal Fame , Which through the world shal euer chaunt my name . Homer wil liue , whilst Tenedos stands , and I de , Or to the Sea , fleete Symois doth slide : And so shall Hesiod too , while vines do beare , Or crooked sickles crop the ripened care , Call●●maehus ▪ though in Inuention lowe , Shall still be sung , since he in Art doth flow . No losse shall come to Sophocles proude vaine , With Sunne and Moone Aratus shall remaine . Whil'st Slaues be false , Fathers hard , & Ba●ds be w●orish , Whil'st Harlots flatter , shall Menander florish . En●ius , though rude , and Accius high-reard straine , A fresh applause in euery age shall gaine , Of Varro's name , what eare shall not be told ? Of Iasons Argo ? and the Fleece of gold ? Then , shall Lucretius lofty numbers die , When Earth , and Seas in fire and flames shall frie. Titirus , Tillage , Aeney shall be read , Whil'st Rome of all the conquer'd world is head , Till Cupids fires be out , and his bow broken , Thy verses ( neate Tibullus ) shall be spoken . Our Gallus shall be knowne from East to west , So shall Licoris , whom he now loues best . The suffering Plough-share or the flint may weare , But heauenly Poesie no death can feare . Kings shall giue place to it , and Kingly showes , The bankes ore which gold-beating Tagus flowes . Kneele hindes to trash : me let bright Phoebus swell , With cups full flowing from the Muses well . The frost-drad mirtle shall impale my head , And of sad louers I 'le be often read . Enuy the liuing , not the dead doth bite , for after death all men receiue their right . Then when this body falls in funerall fire , My name shall liue , and my best part aspire .

P. Ouidij Nasonis Amorum Liber Secundus .

ELEGIA . 1. Quod pro gigantomachia amores scriber● sit coactus . I Ouid Poet of thy wantonnesse , Borne at Peligny to write more addresse . So Cupid wills , farre hence be the seuere , You are vnapt my looser lines to heare . Let Maydes whom hot desire to husbands leade , And rude boyes toucht with vnknowne loue me reade . That some youth hurt as I am with loues bow , His owne flames best acquainted signes may know . And long admiting say by what meanes learn'd , Hath this same Poet my ●a● chaunce discern'd ? I durst the great celestiall battels tell , Hundred-hand Gyges , and had done it well . With earths reuenge and how Olimpus toppe , High Ossa bore mount Peli●● vp to proppe , Ioue and Ioues thunder-bolts I had in hand , Which for his heauen fell on the Gyants band . My wench ●●ef-dore shut , loues affares I left , Euen Ioue himselfe out off my wit was rest . Pardon me Ioue , thy weapons ayde me nought , Her shut gates greater lightning then thine brought . Toyes , and light Elegies my darts I tooke , Quickly soft words hard dores wide open strooke ▪ Verses reduce the horned bloudy moone , And call the sunnes white horses black at noone . Snakes leape by verse from caues of broken mountaines , And turned streames run backe-ward to their fountaines . Verses ope doores , and lockes put in the poast Although of Oke , to yeeld to verses boast ; What helpes it me of fierce Achill to sing ? What good to me wil eyther Aiax bring ? Or he who war'd and wandred twenty yeare ? Or woful Hector whom wild iades did teare ? But when I prayse a pretty wenches face She in requital doth me oft imbrace . A great reward : Heroes oh famous names Farewel , your fauour nought my minde inflames . Wenches apply your faire lookes to my verse , Which golden loue doth vnto me rehearse .

ELEGIA . 2. Ad Bagoum , vt custodiam puellae sibi commissa Laxiorem habeat . BAgous whose care doth thy Mistresse bridle , While I speake some few , yet fit words be idle . I saw the Damsell walking yesterday There where the porch doth Danaus fact display : Shee pleas'd me soone , I sent , and did her woo , Her trembling hand writ backe she might not doo . And asking why , this answere she redoubied Because they care too much thy mistresse troubled . Keeper if thou be wise cease hate to cherish , Beleeue me , whom we feare , we wish to perish Nor is her husband wife , that needes defence When vn-protested there is no expence But furiously he follow his loues fire , And thinke her chast whom many doe desire : Stolne liberty she may be thee obtaine Which giuing her , she may giue thee againe : Wilt thou her fault learne , she may make thee tremble Feare to be guilty , then thou maiest dissemble . Thinke when she reades , her mother letters sent her Let him goe forth knowne , that vnknowne did enter . Let him goe see her though she doe not languish And then report her sicke and full of anguish . If long she stayes to thinke the time more short Lay downe thy forehead in thy lap to s●ort . Enquire not what with Isis may be done Nor feare least she to th' theater's r●●●e . Knowing her scapes thine honour shall encrease , And what lesse labour then to hold thy peace ? Let him please , haunt thy house , be kindly vs'd Enioy the wench , let all else be refus'd . Vaine causes faine of him , the true to hide And what she likes , let both hold ratifide . When most her husband bends the browes and frownes , His ●awning wench with her desire he crownes . But yet sometimes to chide thee let her fall Counterfet teares : and thee lewd hangman call . Obiect thou then what she may well excuse . To staine all faith in truth , by false crimes vse . Of wealth and honour so shall grow thy heape , Do this and soone thou shalt thy freedome reape . On tell-tales neckes thou seest the linke-kn●t chaines , The filthy prison ●aithlesse breasts restraynes . Water in waters , and fruit-flying touch Tantal●s feekes , his long tongues gathe is such . While Iunoes watch-man I● too much ●yde , Him timelesse death tooke , she was deiside I saw ones legges with fetters black and blew , By whom the husband his wiues incest knew , More he deseru'd , to both great harme he fram'd The man did grieue , the woman was defam'd . Trust me all husbands for such faults are sad Nor make they any man that heare them glad . If he loues not , deafe eares thou doest importune , Or if he loues ; thy tale breedes his misfortune . Nor is it easily prou'd though manifest , She safe by fauour of her iudge doth rest . Though himselfe see ; hee le credit her denyall Condemne his eyes , and say there is no tryall . Spying his mistresse teares , he will lament And say this blabbe shall suffer punishment . Why fighst gainst odds ? to thee being cast do happe Sharp stripes , she sitteth in the iudges lappe . To meete for poyson or vilde facts we craue not My hands an vnsheath'd shining weapon haue not . We seeke that through thee safely loue we may , What can be easier then the thing we pray .

ELEGIA . 3. Ad Eunuchum seruantem dominam . AYe me an Eunuch keepes my mistresse chaste , That cannot Venus mutuall pleasure taste . Who first depriu'd young boyes of their best part , With selfe same wounds he gaue , he ought to smart . To kinde requests thou wouldst more gentle proue , If euer wench had made luke-warme thy loue : Thou wert not b●●ne to ride , or armes to beare , Thy hands agree not with the warlike speare . Men handle those , all manly hopes ref●g●ue , Thy mistrisse enseignes must be likewise thine . Please her , her hate makes others thee abhorre . If she discardes thee , what vse seru'st thou for ? Good forme there is , yeares apt to play togither , Vnmeet is beauty without vse to wither . Shee may decei●e thee , though thou her protect , What two determine neuer wants effect . Our prayers moue thee to assist our drift , While thou hast time yet to bestow that gift .

ELEGIA . 4. Quod amet● muli●res , cuiuscunque formae sint . I Meane not to defend the scapes of any , Or iustifie my vices being many . For I confesse , if that might merite , fauout , Heere I display my lewd and loose behauiour . I loathe , yet after that I loathe , I runne , Oh how the burthen irkes , that we should shunne . I cannot rule my selfe , but where loue please , Am driuen like a ship vpon rough seas . No one face likes me best , all faces moue , A hundred reasons make me euer loue . If any eye me with a modest looke , I blush , and by that blushfull glance am tooke . And she that s coy I like for being no clowne , Me thinkes she would be nimble when shee 's down , Though her sowre lookes a Sabines brow resemble , I thinke shee le do , but deepely can dissemble . If she be learn'd then for her skill I craue her . If not , because shee s simple I would haue her . Before Callimachus one preferrs me farre , Seeing she likes my bookes why should we iarre ? Another railes at me and that I write Yet would I lie with her if that I might . Trips she , it likes me well , plods she , what than ? She will be nimbler , lying with a man . And when one sweetly sings , then strait I long To quauer on her lips euen in her song . Or if one touch the Lute with art and cunning Who would not loue those hands for their swift running ? And her I like that with a maiesty Folds vp her armes and makes low curtesy . To leaue my selfe , that am in tocue with all Some one of these might make the chastest fall . If she be tall , shee s like an Amazan , And therefore fills the bed she lyes , vpon If short , she lyes the rounder to say troth ; Both short and long please me , for I : loue both . I thinke what one vndeckt would be , being drest Is she attired , then shew her graces best . A white wench thralls me , so doth golden yellow And nut-browne girles in doing haue no fellowe . If her white necke be shadowed with browne haire , Why so was Laedas , yet was Laeda faire . Amber trest is she , then on the morne thinke I My loue alludes to euery history : A young wench pleaseth , and an old is good This for her ●ookes and that for her woman-hood . Nay what is she that any Roman loues But my ambitious ranging minde approues .

ELEGIA . 5. Ad amicam corruptam . NO loue is so deere ( quiuer'd Cupid flie ) That my chiefe with should be so oft to die . Minding my fault , with death I wish to reuill , Alas a wench is a perpetuall euill . No intercepted lines thy deedes display , No giftes giuen secretly thy crime bewray . O would my proofes as vaine might be withstood , Aye me poore soule why is my cause so good . He 's happy , that his loue dares boldly credit , To whom his wench can say , I neuer did it . He 's cruell , and too much his griefe doth fauour , That seekes the conquest by her loose behauiour . Poore wench I sawe when thou didst thinke I slumbred . Not drunke , your faults on the spilt wine I numbred . I saw your nodding eye-browes much to speake , Euen from your cheekes , part of a voyce did breake . Not silent were thine eyes , the boord with wine , Was scribled , and thy fingers writ a line . I knew your speech ( what doe not louers see ? ) And words that seem'd for certaine markes to be . Now many guests were gone , the feast being done , The youthfull sort to diuers pastimes runne . I saw you then vnlawfull kisses ioyne , ( Such with my tounge it likes me to purloyne ) None such the sister giues her brother graue , But such kinde wenches let their louers haue . Phaebus gaue not Diana such , t' is thought , But Venus often to her Mars such brought . What doest , I cryed ; transportst thou any delight ? My lordly hands i le throw vpon my right . Such blisse is onely common to vs two , In this sweet good , why hath a third to do ? This , and what griefe inforc'd me say I say'd , A scarlet blush her guilty face arayed . Euen such as by Aurora hath the skie , Or maides that their betrothed husbands spie . Such as a rose mixt with a lilly breedes , Or when the Moone trauailes with charmed steedes . Or such , as least long yeares should rurne the die , Arachne staynes Assyrian iuory . To these , or some of these like was her colour , By chaunce her beauty neuer shined fuller . She viewed the earth : the earth to view , be●eem'd her , She looked sad ▪ sad , comely I esteem'd her . Euen kembed as they were , her lockes to rend , And scratch her faire soft checkes I did intend . Seeing her face , mine vpreard armes descended , With her owne armour was my wench defended . I that ere-while was fierce , now humbly sue , Least with worse kisses she should me indue . She laught , and kiss'd so sweetely as might make Wrath-kindled Ioue away his thunder shake . I grieue least others should such good perceiue , And wish hereby them all vnknowne to leaue . Also much better were they then I tell , And euer seem'd as some new sweet befell . ●Tis ill they pleas'd so much , for in my lips , Lay her whole tongue hid , mine in hers she dips . This grieues me not , no ioyned kisses spent , Bewaile I onely , though I them lament . No where can they be taught but in the bed , I know no maister of so great hire sped .

ELEGIA . 6. In mortem psittaci . THE parrat from East - India to me sent , Is dead , al-fowles her exequies frequent . Go goodly birdes , striking your breasts bewaile , And with rough clawes your tender che●kes assaile . For wofull haires let piece-torne plumes abound , For long shrild trumpets let your notes resound . Why Phylomele doest T●reus leudnesse mourn ? All wasting yeares haue that complaint not worne ? Thy tunes let this rare birdes sad funerall borrow , It is as great , but auncient cause of sorrow . All you whose pineons in the cleare aire sore , But most thou friendly turtle-doue deplore . Full concord all your liues was you betwixt , And to the end your constant faith stood fixt . What Pylades did to Orestes proue , Such to the parrat was the turtle-doue . But what auailde this faith ? her rarest hew ? Or voyce that how to change the wilde notes knew ? What helpes it thou wert giuen to please my wench , Birdes haples glory , death thy life doth quench . Thou with thy quilles mightst make greene Emeralds darke , And passe our scarlet of red saffrons marke . No such voyce-feigning bird was on the ground , Thou spokest thy words so well with stammering sound . Enuy hath rapt thee , no fierce warres thou mouedst , Vaine babling speach , and pleasant peace thou louedst . Behold how quailes among their battailes liue , Which do perchance old age vnto them giue . A little fild thee , and for loue of talke , Thy mouth to tast of many meats did balke . Nuts were thy foode , and Poppie caus'd thee sleepe , Pure waters moysture thirst away did keepe . The rauenous vulture liues , the Puttock houers Around the aire , the Gadesse raine discouers . And Crowes suruiues armes-bearing Pallas hate , Whose life nine ages scarce bring out of date . Dead is that speaking image of mans voice , The parrat giue me , the farre wordes best choice . The greedy spirits take the best things first , Supplying their voyd places with the worst . Thersites : did Protesilaus suruiue ; And Hector dyed his brothers yet aliue . My wenches vowes for thee what should I show , Which stormy South-windes into sea did blow ? The seuenth day came , none following mightst thou see , And the fates distaffe empty stood to thee : Yet words in thy benummed pallat rung , Farewell Corinna cryed thy dying tongue . Elisium hath a wood of holme trees black , Whose earth doth not perpetuall greene-grasse lacke , There good birds rest ( if we beleeue things hidden ) Whence vncleane foules are sayd to be forbidden . There harmelesse Swans feed all abroad the riuer , There ●●ues the Phaenix one alone bird euer . There Iunoes bird displayes his gorgious feather : And louing Doues kisse egerly together . The Parrat into wood receiu'd with these , Turnes all the goodly birdes to what she please , A graue her bones hides , on her corps great graue , The little stones these little verses haue . This ●ombe approues , I pleasd my mistresse well , My mouth in speaking did all birds excell .

ELEGIA . 7. Amicae se purgat , quod ancillam non● amet . DOost me of new crimes alwayes guilty frame ? To ouer-come , so oft to fight I shame , If on the Marble Theater I looke , One among many is to grieue thee tooke . If some faire wench me secretly behold , Thou arguest she doth secret markes vnfold If I prayse any , thy poore haires thou tearest , If blame , dissembling of my fault thou fearest . If I looke well , thou thinkest thou doest not moue , If ill , thou saist I dye for others loue . Would I were culpable of some offence , They that deserue paine , bear 't with patience . Now rash accusing , and thy vaine beliefe , Forbid thine anger to procure my griefe . Loe how the miserable great ●ared Asse , Duld with much beating slowly forth doth passe . Behold Cypassis wont to dresse thy head , Is charg'd to violate her mistresse bed . The Gods from this sinne rid me of suspition , To like a base wench of despisd condition . With Venus game who will a seruant grace ? Or any back made rough with stripes imbrace ? Adde she was diligent thy locks to braide , And for her skill to thee a gratefull maide ▪ Should I sollicit her that is so iust : To take repulse , and cause her shew my lust ? I sweare by Venus , and the wingd boyes bow , My selfe vnguilty of this crime I know .

ELEGIA . 8. Ad Cypassim ancillam Corinna . CYpassis that a thousand wayes trimst haire , Worthy to keembe none but a Goddesse faire . Our pleasant scapes shew thee no clowne to be , Apt to thy mistrisse , but more apt to me . Who that our bodies were comprest bewrayde ? Whence knowes Corinna that with thee I playde ? Yet blusht I not , nor vsde I any saying , That might be vrg'd to witnesse our false playing . What if a man with bond-women offend , To proue him foolish did I ere contend ? Achilles burnt with face of captiue Briseis , Great Agamemnon lou'd his seruant Chriseis . Greater then these my selfe I not esteeme : What graced Kings , in me no shame I deeme . But when on thee her angry eyes did rush , In both my cheekes she did perceiue thee blush . But being present , might that worke the best , By Venus Deity how did I protest . Thou Goddesse doest command a warme South-blast , My selfe oathes in Carpathian seas to cast . For which good turne my sweet reward repay , Let me lye with thee browne Cypasse to day . Vngrate why feign'st new feares ? and doest refuse ; Well mayest thou one thing for thy Mistrisse vse . If thou deni'st foole , I le our deeds expresse , And as a traytour mine owne fault confesse . Telling thy mistresse , where I was with thee , How oft , and by what meanes we did agree .

ELEGIA . 9. Ad Cupidinem . O Cupid that doest neuer cease my smart , O boy that lyest so slothfull in my heart . Why me that alwayes was thy souldiour found , Doest harme , and in thy tents why doest me wound ? Why burnes thy brand , why strikes thy bow thy friends ? More glory by thy vanquisht foes ascends . Did not Pelides whom his Speare did grieue , Being requirde , with speedy help relieue ? Hunters leaue taken beasts , pursue the chase , And then things found do euer further pace . We people wholy giuen thee , feele thine armes , Thy dull hand staies thy striuing enemies harmes . Doest ioy to haue thy hooked Arrowes shaked , In naked bones ? loue hath my bones left naked . So many men and maidens without loue , Hence with great laude thou maiest a triumph moue . Rome if her strength the huge world had not fild , With strawie cabins now her courts should build . The weary souldiour hath the conquerd fields , His sword layed by , safe , though rude places yeelds . The Dock in harbours ships drawne , from the floods , Horse freed from seruice range abroad the woods . And time it was for me to liue in quiet , That haue so oft seru'd pretty wenches dyet . Yet should I curse a God , if he but said , Liue without loue , so sweete ill is a maide . For when my loathing it of heate depriues me , I know not whether my mindes whirle-wind driues me . Euen as a head-strong courser beares away , His rider vainely striuing him to stay . Or as a suddaine gaile thrusts into sea , The heauen-touching barke now neere the lea . So wauering Cupid brings me backe amaine , And purple loue resumes his dartes againe . Strike boy , I offer thee my naked brest , Heere thou hast strength , here thy right hand doth rest . Heere of themselues thy shafts come , as if shot ; Better then I their quiuer knowes them not : Haplesse is he that all the night lyes quiet And slumbring , thinkes himselfe much blessed by it . Foole , what is sleepe but image of cold death , Long shalt thou rest when Fates expire thy breath . But me let crafty damsells words deceiue , Great ioyes by hope I insy shall conceiue , Now let her flatter me , now chide me hard , Let her inioy me oft , oft be debard . Cupid by thee , Mars in great doubt doth trample , And thy step-father fights by thy example . Light art thou , and more windy then thy winges , Ioyes with vncertaine faith thou takest and bringes : Yet loue , if thou with thy fayre mother heare , Within my brest no desert empire beare ; Subdue the wandring wenches to thy raigne , So of both people shalt thou homage gaine .

ELEGIA . 10. Ad Graecinum quod eodem tempore duas amet . GRaecinus ( well I wot ) thou toldst me once , I could not be in loue with two at once , By thee deceiued , by thee surpriz'd am I For now I loue two women equally . Both are welfauor'd , both in rich aray , Which is the louelyest it is hard to say . This seemes the fayrest , so doth that to me , And this doth please me most , and so doth shee . Euen as a Boate , tost by contrary winde , So with this loue , and that , wauers my minde . Venus , why doublest thou my endlesse smart ? Was not one wench enough to grieue my heart ? Why addst thou stars to heauen , leaues to greene woods , And to the vast deepe sea fresh water stoods ? Yet this is better farre then lye alone , Let such as be mine enemies haue none . Yea let my foes sleepe in an empty bed , And in the midst their bodyes largely spread . But may soft loue roufe vp my drowise eyes , And from my mistris bosome let me rise . Let one wench cloy me with sweet loues delight If one can doore , if not , two euery night . Though I am slender , I haue store of pith , Nor want I strength , but weight to presse her with Pleasure addes fuell to my lust-full fire , I pay them horne with that they most desire . Oft haue I spent the night in wa●●●●esse , And in the morne beene liuely 〈◊〉 the lesse . 〈◊〉 happy who loues ●●●tuall skirmish layes ▪ And to the Gods for that death Ouid prayes . Let souldiers chase their enemies amaine , And with their blood eternall honour gaine . Let Merchants seeke wealth with periured lips ; And being wrackt carouse the sea tir'd by their ships . But when I dye , would I might droupe with doing , And in the midst thereof set my soule going : That at my funeralls some may weeping crye , Euen as he led his life , so did he dye .

ELEGIA . 11. Ad amicam nauigantem . THe lofty Pine from high mount Pelion raught Ill wayes by rough se as wodring waues first taught Which rashly t'wixt the sharpe rockes in the deepe , Caried the famous golden-●leeced sheepe . O would that no Oares might in seas haue suncke ▪ The Argos wrackt had deadly waters drunke . Loe country Gods , and know bed to forsake Cortnna meanes , and dangerous wayes to take . For thee the East and West winds make me pale . With Icy Boreas , and the Southerne gale . Thou shalt admire no woods or Citties there , The vniust seas all blewish do appeare . The Ocean hath no painted stones or shelles , The sucking shore with their aboundance swels . Maides on the shore , with marble white feet tread , So farre 't is safe , but to go farther , dread . Let others tell how winds fierce battailes wage , How Scyllaes and Caribdis waters rage . And with what rocke the feard Cerannia threat , In what gulfe either Syrtes haue their seate . Let others tell this , and what each one speakes Beleeue , no tempest the beleeuer wreakes . Too late you looke back , when with anchor weighd , The crooked Barque hath her swift sayles displayd . The carefull ship-man now feares angry gufts , And with the waters sees death neere him thrufts , But if that Triton tosse the troubled floud , In all thy face will be no crimson bloud . Then wilt thou Laedas noble twinne-starrs pray , And he is happy whom the earth holds , say , It is more safe to sleepe , to read a booke , The Thracian Harpe with cunning to haue strooke , But if my words with winged stormes hence slip , Yet Galatea fauour thou her ship . The losse of such a wench much blame will gather , Both to the Sea-nimphs and the Sea-nimphs father . Go minding to returne with prosperous winde , Whose blast may hether strongly be inclinde , Let Ner●● bend the waues vnto this shore , Hether the windes blowe , here the spring-tide rore , Request mild Zepheres helpe for thy auaile , And with thy hand assist thy swelling saile , I from the shore thy knowne ship first will see , And say it brings her that preserueth me ; I le clip and kisse thee with all contentation , For thy returne shall fall the vowd oblatio ▪ And in the forme of beds wee le strow soft sand , Each little hill shall for a table stand : There wine being fild , thou many things shalt tell , How almost wrackt thy ship in maine seas fell . And hasting to me , neither darkesome night , Nor violent South windes did thee ought affright . I le thinke all true , though it be feigned matter , Mine owne desires why should my selfe not flatter ? Let the bright day-starre cause in heauen this day be , To bring that happy time so soone as may be .

ELEGIA . 12. Exultat , quod amica potitus sit . ABout my temples go triumphant bayes , Conquer'd Corinna in my bosome layes . She whom her husband , guard , and gate , as foes , Least Arte should winne her , firmely did inclose : That victory doth chiefely triumph merit , Which without bloud-shed doth the pray inherit . No little ditched townes , no lowely walls , But to my share a captiue damfell falls . When Troy by ten yeares battaile tumbled downe , With the Acrides many gainde renowne : But I no partner of my glory brooke , Nor can another say his helpe I tooke . I guide and souldier , wonne the field and weare her , I was both horse-man , foot-man , standard-bearer . Nor in my act hath fortune mingled chance : O care-got triumph hither wards aduance . Nor is my warres cause new ; but for a Queene Europe , and 〈◊〉 in firme , peace had beene . The Lapithes , and the Centautes for a woman , To cruell armes their drunken selues did summon . A woman for●● 〈◊〉 the Troyanes new to enter Warres , 〈◊〉 La●th●s , in thy king somes center : A woman against late-built Rome did send , The Sabine Fathers , who sharp warres intend , I saw how Bulls for a white Heifer striue , Shee looking on them did more courage giue . And me with many , but yet me without murther , Cupid commands to moue his ensignes further .

ELEGIA . 13. Ad Isidem , vt parientem Corinnam iuuet . WHile rashly her wombes burthen she casts out , Weary Corinna hath her life in doubt . She secretly with me such harme attempted , Angry I was , but feare my wrath exempted . But sheconceiu'd of me , or I am sure I oft haue done , what might as much procure . Thou that frequents Canopus pleasant fields , Memphis , and Pharos that sweet date trees yeelds . And where swift Nile in his large channell slipping , By seauen huge mouthes into the sea is slipping . By fear'd Annubis visage I thee pray , So in thy Temples shall Osiris stay . And the dull-snake about thy offrings creepe , And in thy pomp horn'd Apis with thee keepe . Turne thy lookes hether , and in one spare twaine , Thou giuest my mistresse life , she mine againe . Shee oft hath seru'd thee vpon certaine ●●ies , Where the French rout engirt themselues with ●●ies . On labouring women thou doest pi●ty take , Whose bodies with their heauy burthen sake , Ny wench Lucina , li●●creat thee fauour , Worthy she is , thou should'st in mercy saue her . In wiues , with incest ●l thine Altars greete , My selfe will bring vowed gifts before thy feete . Subscribing Naso with Corinna sau'd , Doe but deserue gifts with this title grau'd . But if in so great feare I may aduize thee , To haue this skirmish fought let it suffice thee .

ELEGIA . 14. In amicam , quod abortivum ipsa fecerit . WHat helpes it Woman to be free from warre ? Nor being arm'd fierce troups to follow farre ? If without battle selfe-wrought wounds annoy them , And their owne priuie weapon'd hands destroy them . Who vnborne infants first to flay inuented , Deseru'd thereby with death to be tormented . Because thy belly should rough wrinckles lack , Wilt thou thy wombe-inclosed off-spring wrack ? Had ancient Mothers this vile custome cherisht , All humane kinde by their default had perisht . On stones , our stocks originall should be hurld , Againe by some in this vnpeopled world . Who should haue Priams wealthy substance wonne , If watry Thetis had her childe fordone ? In swelling wombe her twinnes had 〈◊〉 kilde ? He had not beene that conquering Rome did build . Had Venus spoilde her bellies Troyane fruite , The earth of Caesars had beene destitute . Thou also that wert borne faire , had'st decayed , If such a worke thy mother had assayed . My selfe that better dye with louing may , Had seene , my mother killing me , to day . Why takest increasing grapes from Vine-trees full ? With cruell hand why doest greene Apples pull ? Fruites ripe will fall , let springing things increase , Life is no ight price of a small surcease . Why with hid irons are your bowels torne ? And why dire poyson giue you babes vnborne ? At Cholcis stain'd with childrens blood men raile , And mother-murtherd● Itis , thee bewaile . Both vnkinde parents but for causes sad , Their wedlocks pledges veng'd their husbands bad . What Tereus , what Ias●● you prouokes , To plague your bodies with such harmefull strokes ? Armenian Tygers neuer did so ill , Not dares the Lyone ●●●her young whelpes kill . But tender Damsels doe it , though with paine , Oft dyes she that her paunch-wrapt child hath slaine . Shee dyes , and with loose haires , to graue is sent , And who ere●see her , worthily lament . But in the eyre let these words come to nought , And my presages of no weight be thought . Forgiue her gratious Gods this one delict , And one the next fau●● punishment inflict .

ELEGIA . 15. Ad annulum , quem dono amicae d●dit . THou ring that shalt my faire girles finger binde , Wherein is seene the giuers louing minde : Be welcome to her , gladly let her take thee , And her small ioynts incireling round ho●●e make thee . Fit her so well , as she is fit for me , And of iust compasse for her knuckles be . Bestring in my mistresse armes shall lie , My selfe , poore wretch mine owne gifts now enuie . O would that sodainely into my gift , I could my selfe by secret Magick shift . Then would I wish thee touch my mistresse pappe , And hide thy left hand vnderneath her lappe . I would get off though straight , and sticking fast , And in her bosome strangely fall at last . Then I , that I may seale her priuie leaues , Least to the waxe the hold-fast drye gemme cleaues . Would first my beautious wenches moist lips touch , Onely I le signe nought , that may grieue me much . I would not out , might I in one place hit , But in lesse compasse her small fingers knit , My life , that I will shame thee neuer feare , Or by a loade thou should'st refuse to beare . Weare me , when warmest showers thy members wash , And through the gemme let thy lost waters pash . But seeing thee , I thinke my thing will swell , And euen the ring performe a mans part well . Vaine things why wish I ? goe small gift from hand , Let her my faith with thee giuen , vnderstand .

ELEGIA . 16. Ad amicant , vt adrura su●veniat . SVlmo , Pelignies third part me containes , A small , but wholesome soyle with watrie veynes . Although the Sunne to riue the earth incline , And the Icartan froward Dog-starre shine . Pilignian fields which liquid riuers flow , And on the soft ground fertile greene grasse grow . With corne the earth abounds , with vines much more , And some few pastures Pallas Oliues bore . And by the rising herbes , where cleare springs slide , A grassie turffe the moistened earth doth hide . But absent is my fire , lyes i le tell none , My heate is heere , what moues my heate is gone . Pollux and Castor , might I stand betwixt , In heauen without thee would I not be fixt . Vpon the cold earth pensiue let them lay , That meane to trauaile some long irkesome way . Or else will maidens , yong-menns mates , to go If they determine to perseuere so . Then on the rough Alpes should I tread aloft , My hard way with my mistresse would seeme soft , With her I durst the Lybian Sirtes break through , And raging Seas in boistrous South-winds plough . No barking Dogs , that Syllaes intrailes beare , Not thy gulfes crooked Malea , would I feare . No flowing waues with drowned ships forth powred , By cloyed Chartbdis , and againe deuoured . But if sterne Neptunes windie powre preuaile . And waters force , force helping Gods to faile , With thy white armes vpon my shoulders seaze , So sweet a burthen I will beare with eaze . The youth oft swimming to his Hero kinde , Had then swum ouer , but the way was blinde , But without thee , although vine-planted ground Conteines me , though the streames in fields surround . Though Hindes in brookes the running waters bring , And coole gales shake the tall trees leauy spring . Healthfull Peligny I esteeme nought worth , Nor doe I like the countrie of my birth . Sythia , Cilicia , Brittaine are as good , And rockes dyed crimson with Prometheus blood . Elmes loue the Vines , the Vines with Elmes abide , Why doth my mistresse from me oft deuide ? Thou swearest , deuision should not twixt vs ●ise , By me , and by my starres , thy ra●iant eyes . Maides words more vaine and light then falling leaues , Which as it seemes , hence winde and sea bereaues , If any godly care of me thou hast , Adde deeds vnto thy promises at last . And with swift Naggs drawing thy little Coach , ( Their reines let loose ) right soone my house approach . But when she comes , your swelling mounts sinck down ▪ And falling vallies be the smooth-wayes crowne .

ELEGIA . 17. Quod Corinnae soli sit seruturus . TO serue a wench if any thinke it shame , He being iudge , I am conuinc'd of blame . Let me be slandered , while my fire she hides , That Paphos , and the floud-beate Cithera guides , Would I had beene my mistresse gentle prey , Since some faire one I should of force obey , Beauty giues heart , Corinnas lookes excell , Aye me why is it knowne to her so well ? But by her glasse disdainefull pride she learnes , Nor she her selfe but first trim'd vp discernes . Not though thy face in all things make thee raigne , ( O Face most cunning mine eyes to detayne ) Thou ought'st therefore to scorne me for thy mate , Small things with greater may be copulate , Loue-snarde Calypso is supposde to pray , A mortall nimphes refusing Lord to stay . Who doubts , with Pelius , Thetis did consort , Egeria with iust Numa had good sport , Venus with Vulcan , though smiths tooles laide by , With his stumpe-foote he halts ill-fauouredly . This kinde of verse is not alike , yet fit , With shorter numbers the heroick sit . And thou my light accept me how so euer , Lay in the mid bed , there be my law giuer . My stay no crime , my flight no ioy shall breed , Nor of our loue , to be asham'd we need . For great reuenews I good verses haue , And many by me to get glory craue . I know a wench reports her selfe Corinue , What would not she giue that faire name to winne ? But sundry flouds in one banke neuer go , Eurotas cold , and poplar-bearing Po. Nor in my bookes shall one but thou be writ , Thou doest alone giue matter to my wit .

ELEGIA . 18. Ad Macrum , quod de amoribus scribat . TO tragick verse while thou Achilles train'st , And new sworne souldiours maiden armes retain'st , We Macer sit in Venus slothfull shade , And tender loue hath great things hatefull made . Often at length , my wench depart , I bid , Shee in my lap sits still as earst she did . I said it takes me , halfe to weeping framed , Aye me she cries , to loue , why art a●●●●ed ? Then wrethes about my neck her winding armes , And thousand kisses giues , that worke my harmes : I-yeeld , and back my wit from battels bring , Domestick acts , and mine owne warres to sing . Yet tragedies , and scepters fild my lines , But though I apt were for such high deseignes . Loue laughed at my cloak , and buskines painted , And rule so soone with priuate hands acquainted . My mistresse deity also drew me from it , And loue triumpheth o're his busking Poet. What lawfull is , or we professe loues art . ( Alas my precepts turne my selfe to smart ) We write , or what Penelope sends Vlysses , Or Phillis teares that her Demophoon misses . What thanklesse Iason , Macareus , and Paris , Phedra , and Hipolite may read , my care is , And what poore Dide , with her drawne sword sharp , Doth say , with her that lou'd the Aonian ha●p . As soone as from strange landes Sabinus came , And writings did from diuerse places frame . White-cheekt Penelope knew Vlysses signe , The step-dame read Hyppolitus lustlesse line . Aeneas to Elisa aunswer giues , And Phillis hath to reade ; if now she liues . Iasons sad letter doth Hipsipile greete , Sappho her vowed harp laies at Phoebus feete . Nor of thee Macer that resound'st forth armes , Is golden loue hid in Mars mid alarmes . There Paris is , and Helens crymes record , With Laedemeia mate to her dead Lord . Vnlesse I erre to these thou more incline , Then warres , and from thy tents wilt come to mine ,

ELEGIA . 19. Adriualem , cui vxor curae non erat . FOole if to keepe thy wife thou hast no neede , Keepe her from me , my more desire to breede , We skorne things lawfull , stolne sweetes we affect , Cruell is he that loues whom none protect . Let vs both louers hope , and feare a like , And may repulse place for our wishes strike . What should I do with fortune that n'ere failes me ? Nothing I loue , that at all times auailes me . Wily Corinna , saw this blemish in me , And craftily knowes by what meanes to winne me . Ah often , that her haole head aked , she lying , Wild me , whose slow feete sought delay by flying , Ah oft , how much she might she feign'd offence ; And doing wrong made shew of innocence . So hauing vext she nourisht my warme fire , And was againe most apt to my desire . To please me , what faire tearmes and sweete words ha' ● she Great Gods what kisses , and how many gaue she ? Thou also that late tookest mine eyes away , Oft couzen me , oft being wooed say nay . And on thy thre-shold let me lie dispred , Suffring much cold by hoary nights frost bred . So shall my loue continue many yeares , This doth delight me , this my courage cheares . Fat loue , and too much fulsome me annoyes , Euen as sweet meate a glutted stomack cloyes . In brazen tower had not Danae dwelt , A mothers ioy by Ioue she had not felt . While Iuno Io keepes , when hornes she wore , Ioue liked her better then he did before . Who couets lawfull things takes leaues from woods , And drinkes stolne waters in surrow●ding floodes . Her louer let her mock , that long will raigne , Aye me , let not my warnings cause my paine . What euer haps , by suffrance harme is done , What flies , I follow , what followes me I shunne . But thou of thy faire damsell too secure , Begin to shut thy house at euening sure . Search at the dore who knocks ost in the darke , In nights deep silence why the ban-dogges barke . Whether the subtile maide ●●●es bringes and carries , Why she alone in empty bed oft tarries . Let this care some-times bite thee to the quick , That to deceits it may me forward prick . To steale sands from the shore he loues alife , That can effect a foolish wittals wife . Now I forewarne , vnlesse to keep her stronger , Thou doest begin , she shall be mine no longer . Long haue I borne much , hoping time would beate thee , To guard her well , that well I might intreate thee . Thou suffrest what no husband can endure , But of my loue it will an end procure . Shall I poore soule be neuer interdicted ? Nor neuer with nights sharp reuenge afflicted ? In sleeping shall I fearelesse draw my breath ? Wilt nothing do , why I should wish thy death ? Can I but loath a husband growne a bawde , By thy default thou doest our ioyes defaude . Some other seeke that may in patience striue with thee , To pleasure me , for-bid me to coriue with thee .

P. Ouidij Nasonis amorum , Liber tertius .

ELEGIA . 1. Deliberatio poetae , vtrum elegos pergat scribere an potius tragoedias . AN old wood , stands vncut of long yeares space , T' is credible some good head haunts the place , In midst thereof a stone-pau'd sacred spring , Where round about small birdes most sweetely sing . Here while I walke hid close in shadie groue , To finde , what worke , my muse might moue , I stroue , Elegta came with haires perfumed sweete , And one , I thinke , was longer , of her feete . A decent forme , thinne robe , a louers looke , By her footes blemish greater grace she tooke , Then with huge steps came violent Tragedie , Sterne was her front , her looke on ground did he . Her left hand held abroad a regal scepter , The Lydian buskin fit places kept her . And first he said , when will thy loue be spent ? O Poet carelesse of thy argument . Wyne-bibbing banquets tell thy naughtinesse , Each crosse waies corner doth as much expresse . Oft some points at the prophet passing by , And this is he whom fierce loue burnes , they cry , A laughing stock thou art to all the citty , While without shame thou sing'st thy lewdnesse ditty . Ti 's time to moue graue things in lofty stile , Long hast thou loyterd , greater workes compile . The subiect hides thy wit , mens acts resound , This thou wilt say to be a worthy ground . Thy muse hath played what may mild girles content , And by those numbers is thy first youth spent , Now giue the Roman Tragedy a name , To fill my lawes thy wanton spirit frame , This saied , she mou'd her buskins gaily varnisht , And seauen time shook her head with thick locks garnisht The other smilde , ( I wot ) with wanton eyes , Erre I ? or mittele in her right hand lyes , With lofty wordes stout Tragedy ( she said ) Why treadst me downe ? art thou aye grauely played ? Thou dignest vnequall lines should thee rehearse , Thou fightst against me vsing mine owne verse . Thy lofty stile with mine I not compare , Small doores vnfitting for large houses are . Light am I , and with thee , my care , light loue , Not stronger am I , then the things I moue . Venus without me should be rusticall , This goddesse company doth to me befall . What gate thy stately words cannot vnlocke , My flatt'ring speeches soone wide open knocke . And I deseru●● more then thou canst in verity , By suffering much not borne by thy seuerity . By me Corinna learnes , cousening her guard , To get the dore with little noyse vnbard . And slipt from bed , cloth'd in a loose night-gown To moue her feet vnheard in siting down . Ah how oft on hard doores hung I engrau'd , From no mans reading fearing to be fau'd . But till the keepes went forth , I forget not , ●he maide to hide me in her bosome let not . What gift with me was on her birth day sent , But cruelly by her was drown'd and rent . First of thy minde the happy seedes I knew , Thou hast my gift , which she would from thee sue . She left ; I say'd , you both I must beseech , To empty aire may go my fearfull speech . With scepters , & high buskins ●h' one would dresse me . So through the world should bright renowne expresse me . The other giues my loue a conquering name , Come therefore , and to long verse shorter frame . Grant Tragedy thy Poet times least title , Thy labour euer lasts , she askes but little . She gaue me leaue , soft loues in time make hast . Some greater worke will vrge me on at last .

ELEGIA . 2. Ad amicam cursum equoru●● spectantem . I Sit not here the noble horse to see , Yet whom thou fauourst , pray may conquerour be . To sit , and talke with thee I hether came . That thou mayst know with loue thou mak'st me flame . Thou view'st the course , I thee : let either heede , What please them , and their eyes let either feede . What horse-driuer thou fauourst most is best , Because on him thy care doth hap to rest . Such chance let me haue : I would brauely runne , On swift steedes mounted till the race were done . Now would I slacke the reines , now lash her hide , With wheles bent inward now the ring-turne ride . In running if I see thee , I shall stay , And from my hands the reines will slip away . Ah Pelpos from his coach was almost feld , Hippodameias lookes while he beheld . Yet he attain'd by her support to haue her , Let vs all conquer by our mistris fauour . In vaine why flyest backe ? force conioyns vs now : The places lawes this benifit alow , But spare my wench thou at her right hand seated , By thy sides touching ill she is intreated . And sit thou rounder , that behind vs see , For shame presse not her backe with thy hard knee . But on the ground thy cloaths too loosely lye , Gat her them vp , or lift them loe will I. Enuious garments so good legges to hide , The more thou look'st , the more the gowne enuide . Swift Atalantas flying legges like these , Wish in his hands graspt did Hippomines . Coate-tuckt Dianàs legges are painted like them , When strong wild beasts , she stronger hunts to strike them , Ere these were seene , I burnt : what will these do ? Flames into flame , flouds thou powerst seas into . By these I iudge delight me may the rest , Which lie hid vnder her thinne veile supprest . Yet in the meane time wilt small windes bestow , That from thy fanne , mou'd by my hand may blow . Or if my heate , of minde , not of the skie ? I's t woements loue my captiue brest doth frie ? While thus I speake , blacke dust her white robes ray : Foule dust , from her faire body go away . Now comes the pompe ; themselues let all men cheere : The shout is nigh ; the golden pompe comes heere . First victory is brought with large spread wing , Goddesse come heere , make my loue conquering . Applaud you Neptune , that dare trust his waue , The sea I vse not : me my earth must haue . Souldier applaud thy Mars , no warrs we mone , Peace pleaseth me , and in mid peace is lone . With Augures Phaebus , Phaebe with hunters standes . To thee Minerua turne the crafts-mens hands . Ceres and Bacchus Country-men adore , Champions pleace Poll●●● , Castor loues horsemen more . Thee gentle Venus , and the boy that flies , We praise , great goddesse ayde my enterprize . Let my new mistris graunt to be beloued , She beckt , and prosperous signes gaue as she moued . What Venus promis'd , promise thou we pray Greater then her , by her leaue th' art , I le say . The Gods , and their rich-pompe witnesse with me , For euermore thou shalt my mistres be . Thy legges hang-downe , thou maiest , if that be best , Or while thy tiptoes on the foot-stoole rest . Now greatest spectacles the Praector sends , Fower-chariot horses from the lists euen ends , I see whom thou affectest : he shall subdue , The horses seeme , as they desire thy knewe . Alas he runnes too farre about the ring , What doest ? thy wagon in lesse compasse bring . What dost vnhappy ? her good wishes fade , Let with strong hand the reine to bend be made . One flowe we fauour , Romans him reuoke : And each giue signes by casting vp his cloake . They call him backe , least their gownes tosse thy haire , To hide thee in my bosome strait repaire . But now againe the barriers open lye ; And forth the gay troupes on swift horses flie . As last now conquer , and out-runne the rest : My mistris with confirme with my request . My mistris hath her wish , my wish remaine : He holds the palme : my palme is yet to gaine . She smilde , and with quicke-eyes behight some grace ▪ Pay it not heere , but in an other place .

ELEGIA . 13. De amica , quae periur auerat . WHat are there Gods ? her selfe she hath forswort , And yet remaines the face she had before . How long her lockes were ere her oath she tooke : So long they be , since she her faith forsooke . Faire white with rose red was before commixt : Now shine her lookes pure white and red betwixt . Her foote was small : her footes forme is most fit ▪ Comely tall was she , comely tall shee 's yet . Sharpe eyes she had : radiant like starrs they be , By which she periurd oft hath lyed by me . Insooth th' eternall powers grant maides society . Falsely to sware , their beauty hath some diety . By her eyes I remember late she swore , And by mine eyes , and mine were pained sore . Say Gods : if she vnpunisht you deceiue , For others faults why do I losse receiue . But did you not so enuy Cepheus daughter , For her ill-beautious mother iudg'd to slaughter . T' is not enough , she shakes your record off , And vnreueng'd mockt Gods with me doth scoffe . But by my paine to purge her periuries , Couzend , I am the couzeners sacrifice . God is a name , no substance , fear'd in vaine , And doth the world in fond beliefe deteine . Or if there be a God , he loues fine wenches , And all thinges too much in their sole power drenches . Mars girts his deadly sword on for my harme , Pallas launce strikes me with vnconquerd arme . At me Apollo bends his pliant bow , At me Ioues right-hand lightning hath to throw . The wronged Gods dread faire ones to offend , And feare those , that to feare them least intend . Who now will care the Altars to persume ? Tut , men should not their courage so consume . Ioue throwes downe woods , and Castles with his fire , But bids his darts from periur'd girles retire . Poore Semele among so many burned . Her owne request to her owne torment turn'd . But when her louer came , had she drawne back , The fathers thigh should vnborne Bacchus lack , Why grieue I ? and of heauen reproches pen ? The Gods haue eyes , and breasts as well as men . Were I a God , I should giue women leaue , With lying lips my God-head to deceaue . My selfe would sweare the wenches true did sheare , And I would be none of the Gods seuere . But yet their gift more moderately vse , Or in mine eyes good wench no paine transfuse ,

ELEGIA . 4. Ad virum seruantem coniugem . RVde man , 't is vaine , thy damsell to commend , To keepers trust ; their wits should them defend . Who , without feare , is chast : is chast in sooth : Who , because meanes want , doeth not she doth . Though thou her body guard , her minde is staind , Nor , least she will , can any be restrainde . Nor canst by watching keepe her minde from sinne , All being shut out , th' adulterer is within . Who may offend , sinnes least ; power to do ill , The fainting feedes of naughtinesse doth kill . Forbeare to kindle vice by prohibition , Sooner shall kindnesse gaine thy wills fruition . I saw a horse against the bitte stiffe-neckt , Like lightning go , his strugling mouth being checkt . When he perceiu'd the raines ler slack , he stayd , And on his loose mane the loose bridle laid . How to attaine , what is denyed , we thinke , Euen as the sick desire forbidden drinke . Argus had either way an hundred eyes . Yet by deceit loue did them all surprize , In stone , and yron walles Dana● shut , Come forth a mother , though a maide there put . Penelope , though no watch look'd vnto her , Was not defil'd by any gallant wooer . What 's kept , we couet more : the care makes theft , Few loue , what others haue vnguarded left . Nor doth her face please , but her husbands loue ; I know not , what men thinke should thee so moue . She is not chast that keepes away her loue . Thy feare , is then her body , valued more . Although thou chafe , stolne pleasure is sweet play , She pleaseth best , I feare , if any say . A free-borne wench , no right 't is vp to lock , So vse we women of strange nations stock . Because the keeper may come say , I did it , She must be honest to thy seruants credit . He is too clownish , whom a lewd wife grieues , And this townes well knowne custome not beleeues . Where Mars his sonnes not without fault did breed , Romus and Romulus , Ilias twine-borne feed . Cannot a faire one , if not chast , please thee ? Neuer can these by any meanes agree . Kindly thy mistresse vse , if thou be wise , Looke gently , and rough husbands lawes despise . Honour what friends , thy wife giues , shee le giue many , Least labour thou shalt winne great grace of any , So shalt thou go with youths to feasts together , And see at home much , that thou nere brought'st thither .

ELEGIA 5. Ad amnem dum iter faceret ad amicam . FLoud with red-growne slime bankes , till I be past , Thy waters stay : I to my mistresse hast . Thou hast no bridge , nor boate with roapes to throw , That may transport me without oares to row . Thee I haue pass'd and knew thy streame none such , When thy waues brim did scarse my ankles touch . With snow thaw'd from the next hill now thou rushest , And in thy fowie deepe waters thick thou rush●st . What helpes my hast : what to haue tare small rest ? What day and night to trauaile in her quest ? If standing here I can by no meanes get , My foote vpon the further banke to set . Now wish I those wings noble Perseus had , Bearing the head with dreadfull arrowes clad , Now wish the chariot , whence corne fields were found , First to be throwne vpon the vntill'd ground , I speake old Poets wonderfull inuentions , Nere was , nor shall be , what my verse mentions . Rather thou large banke ouer-flowing riuer , Slide in thy bounds , so shalt thou runne for euer . ( Trust me ) land-streame thou shalt no enuie lack , If I a louer be by thee held back . Great flouds ought to assist young men in loue , Great flouds the force of it do often ptoue . In mid Bithyma'tis said Inachus , Grew pale , and in cold foords not lecherous . Troy had not yet bene ten yeares siege out-stander , When nimph - Neaera rapt thy lookes Scamander . What ? not Alpheus in strange lands to runne , Th' Arcadian Virgins constant loue hath wonne ? And Crusa vnto Zanthas first asside , They say Peneus neere Phithias towne did hide . What should I name Aesope , that Thebe lou'd , Thebe who mother of fiue daughters prou'd . If Achelous , I aske where thy hornes stand , Thou sayest broke with Aloides angry hand . Not Calyd●n , nor Aetolia did please , One Deianirae was more worth then these . Rich Nile by seuen mouthes to the west sea flowing , Who so well keepes his waters head from knowing . Is by Euadne thought to take such flame , As his deep whirle-pooles could not quench the same . Dry Enipeus , Tyro to embrace , Fly back his shame charg'd , the streame charg'd , gaue place ; Nor passe I thee , who hollow rocks downe tumbling , In Tiburs field with watry some are rumbling . Whom Ilia pleas'd , though in her lookes griefe reueld , Her cheekes were scratcht , her goodly ha●es discheueld . She wailing Mars sinne , and her vncles crime , Strayd bare-foote through sole places on a time . Her , from his swift waues , the bold floud perceau'd , And from the mid foord his hoarse voyce vpheau'd , Saying why sadly tread'st my bankes vpon , Ilia , sprung from Idaean Laomedon ? Where 's thy attire ? why wand'rest heere alc●e ? To stay thy tresses white veyle hast thou none ? Why weep'st ? and spoil'st with teares thy watry eyes ? And fiercely knock'st thy brest that open lyes ? His heart consists of slint , and hardest steele , That seeing thy teares can any ioy then feele . Feare not : to thee our Court stands open wide , There shalt be lou'd ; Ilia lay feare aside . Thou ore a hundreth Nimphes , or more shalt raigne . For sine score Nimpher , or more our flouds conteine . Not Romane stock scorne me so much ( I craue , ) Gifts then my promise greater thou shalt haue . This said he : she her modest eyes held downe , Her wofull bosome a warme shower did drowne . Thrice she prepar'd to flie , thrice she did stay , By seare deptiu'd of strength to runne away . Yet rending with enraged thumbe her tresses , Her trembling mouth these vnmeet foundes expresses . O would in my fore-fathers tombe deepe layde , My bones had bene , while yet I was a maide , Why being a vestall am I wooed to wed , Deflowr'd and stamed in vnlawfull bed . Why stay I ? men point at me for a whore , Shame , that should make me blush , I haue no more . This said : her coate , hood-winckt her fearefull eyes , And into water desperately she flies . T' is said the slippery streame held vp her brest , And kindly gaue her , what she liked best . And I beleeue some wench thou hast affected , But woods and groues keepe your faults vndetected . While thus I speake , the waters more abounded , And from the channell all abroad surrounded . Mad streame , why doest our mu●uallioyes deferre ? Clowne , from my iourney why doest me deterre ? How wouldst thou flow wert thou a noble floud ? If thy great same in euery region stood . Thou hast no name , but com'st from snowy mountaines , No certaine house thou hast , nor any fountaines , Thy springs are nought but raine and melted snow , Which wealth , cold winter doth on thee beftow . Either th' art muddy in mid winter tide , Or full of dust doest on the dry earth slide . What thirsty traueller euer drunke of thee ? Who sayd with gratefull voyce perpetuall be ? Harmefull to beasts , and to the fields thou proues , Perchance these , others me mine owne losse mooues . To this I fondly loues of flouds told plainely , I shame so great names to haue vs'd so vainly . I know not what expecting , I ere while , Nam'd Achelaus , Inachus , and Ii● , But for thy merits I wish thee , white streame , Dry winters aye , and sunnes in heare extreame .

ELEGIA . 6. Quod ah amica receptus , cum ea coire non potuit , conqueritur . EIther she was soule , or her attire was bad , Or she was not the wench I wish t' haue had . Idly I lay with her , as if I lou'd not , And like a burthen grieu'd the bed that mou'd not . Though both of vs perform'd our true intent , Yet could I not cast anchor where I meant . She on my neck her Iuory armes did throw , Her armes fa●re wither , then the Sythian snow . And eagerly she kist me with her tongue , And vnder mine her wanton thigh she flung . Yea , and she sooth'd me vp , and call'd me fire , And vs'd all speach that might prouoke and ●●re . Yet like as if cold Hemlock I had drunke , It mocked me , hung downe the head and sunke . Like a dull Cipher , or rude block I lay , Or shade , or body was I who can say ? What will my age do ? age I cannot shunne , When in my prime my force is spent and done . I blush , that being youthfull , hot , and lustie , I proue neither youth nor man , but old and rustie . Pure rose she , like a Nunne to sacrifice , Or one that with her tender brother lyes . Yet boorded I the golden Chie twise , And Libas , and the white cheekt Pitho th●i●e . Corinna crau'd it in a summers night . And nine sweete bowts we had before day-light . What wast my limbs through some Thessalian charmes ? May spells , and drugges do silly soules such harmes ? With virgin waxe hath some imbast my ioynts ? And pierc'd my liuer with sharp needlesse points ? Charmes change corne to grasse and make it die , By charmes are running springs and fountaines dry . By charmes mast drops from oakes , from vines grapes fall , And fruite from trees when ther 's no winde at all . Why might not then my sinewes be inchaunted ? And I grow faint as with some spirit haunted . To this add shame : shame to performe it quaild me , And was the second cause why vigour failde me . My idle thoughts delighted her no more , Then did the robe or garment which she wore . Yet might her touch make youthfull Pylius fire , And Tythou liuelier then his yeares require . Euen her I had , and she had me in vaine , What might I craue more , if I aske agaiie ? I thinke the great gods grieu'd they had bestow'd , The benefite : which lewdly I fore-slow'd . I wisht to be receiued in , in I get me , To kisse , I kisse : to lie with her she let me . Why was I blest ? why made King to refuse it ? Chuffe-like had I not gold and could not vse it ? So in a spring thriues he that told so much , And lookes vpon the fruites he cannot touch . Hath any rose so from a fresh yong maide , As she might straight haue gone to Church and praide . Well I beleeue , she kist not as she shonld , Nor vs'd the sleight and cunning which she could . Huge oakes , hard adamants might she haue moued , And with sweet words cause deafe rocks to haue moued , Worthy she was to moue both gods and men , But neither was I man nor liued then . Can deafe eare take delight when Phaemius sings ? Or Thamiris in curious painted things . What sweet thought is there but I had the same ? And one gaue place still as an other came . Yet not-withstanding like one dead I lay , Drouping more like a rofe puld yester-day . Now when he should not iette , he boults vpright , And craues his taske , and seekes to be at fight . Lie downe with shame and see thou stire no more , Seeing thou wouldst deceiue me as before . Thou cosonest me : by thee surpriz'd am I , And bide sore losse with endlesse infamy . Nay more the wench did not disdaine a whit , To take it in hand , and play with it . But when she saw it would by no meanes stand , But stil droupt downe , regarding not her hand . Why mockst thou me she cryed ? or being ill Who bad thee lie downe heere against thy will ? Either th' art witcht with bloud of frogs now dead , Or iaded camst thou from some others bed . With her loose gowne on from me she cast her , In skiping out her naked feete much grac'd her . And least her maide should know of this disgrace , To couer it , spilt water in the place .

ELEGIA . 7. Quod ab amica non recipiatur , dolet . WHat man will now take liberall arts in hand , Or thinke soft verse in any stead to stand . Wit was some-times more pretious then gold , Now pouerty great barbarisme we hold . When our bookes did my mistris faire content , I might not go , whether my papers went . She prais'd me , yet the gate shut fast vpon her , I heere and there go witty with dishonour . Se a rich chuffe whose wounds ▪ great wealth inferd , For blodshed knighted before me prefer'd . Foole canst thou him in thy whit armes embrace Foole canst thou lie in his enfoulding space ? Know'st not this head a helm was wont to beare This side that serues thee , a sharpe sword did weare His left hand wheron gold doth ill alight A target bore ; bloud sprinckled was his right . Canst touch that hand wherwith some one lie dead ? Ah whether is thy breasts soft nature fled ? Behould the signes of antient fight his skarres , What ere he hath his body gaind in warres . Perhaps hee 'le tell how oft he slew a man , Confessing this , why do'st thou touch him than ? I the pure preist of Phaebus and the muses , At thy deafe dores in verse sing my abuses . Not what we slothfull knew let wise men learne But follow trembling camps , and battails sterne . And for a good verse draw the first dart forth , Homer without this shall be nothing worth . Ioue being admōisht gold had soueraigne power To winne the maide came in a golden shewer . Till then , rough was her father , she seuere , The posts of brasse the walls of iron were , But when in gifts the wise adulteres came , She held her lap ope to receiue the same . Yet when old Saturne heauens rule possest , All gaine in darknesse the deepe earth supprest . Gold , siluer , irons heauey weight , and brasse , In hell were harbourd , here was found no masse . But better things it gaue , corne without ploughes , Apples , and hony in oakes hollow boughes . With strong plough shares no man the earth did cleaue The ditcher no markes on the ground did leaue . Nor hanging oares the troubled seas did sweepe , Men kept the shoare , and saild not into deepe . Against thy selfe , mans nature , thou wert cunning , And to thine owne losse was thy wit swift running . Why gird'st thy citties with a towred wall , Why l●st discordant hands to armoun fall ? What doest with seas ? with th' earth thou wert content , Why seek'st not heau'n the third realme to frequent ? Heauen thou affects , with Romulus , temples braue , Bacchus , Alcides , and now Caesar haue . — Gold from the earth in stead of fruits we pluck , Souldiers by bloud to be inricht haue lucke . Courts shut the poore out : wealth giues estimation , Thence growes the Iudge , and knight of reputation . All , thee possesse : they gouerne fields , and lawes , They manadge peace , and raw warrs bloudy iawes . Onely our loues let not such rich churles gaine , T is well , if some wench for the poore remaine , Now , Sabine-like , though chast she seemes to liue , One she commands , who many things can giue . For me , she doth keeper , and husband feare , If I should giue ' both would the house forbeare . If of scornd louers god be venger iust , O let him change goods so ill got to dust .

ELEGIA . 8. Tibulli mortem deflet . IF Thetis , and the morne their sonnes did waile , And enuious fates great goddesses assaile . Sad Eeliga thy wofull haires vnbinde : Ah now a name too true thou hast , I finde . Tibullus , thy works Poet , and thy fame , Burnes his dead body in the funerall flame . Loe Cupid brings his quiuer spoyled quite , His broken bowe his fire-brand without light . How pitteously with drouping wings he stands , And knocks his bare brest with selfe-angry hands . The locks spred on his necke receiue his teares , And shakeing sobbes his mouth for speaches beares . So at Aeneas buriall men report , Faire-fac'd Iulius he went forth thy court . And Venus greiues , Tiqullus life being spent , As when the wild bore Adonus groine had rent . The Gods care we are cald , and men of piety , And some there be that thinke we haue a diety . Outragious death profanes all holy things , And one all creatures obscure darkenesse brings . To Thracean Orpheus what did parents good , Or songs amazing wild beasts of the wood . Where Linus by his father Phaebus layed , To sing with his vequall harpe is sayed . See Homer from whose fountaine euer fild , Pierian deawe to Poets is dislild . Him the last day in blacke Auorn hath drownd , Ve●●ts alone are with continuance crown'd . The worke of Poets lasts Troyes labours fame , And that slowe webbe nights fal-shood did vnframe . So Nemesis , so Delia famous are , The one his first loue , th' other his new care . What proffit to vs hath our pure life bred ? What to haue layne alone in empty bed ? When bad fates take good men , I am forbod , By secret thoughts to thinke there is a god . Liue godly thou shalt die though honor heauen Yet shall thy life be forcibly , bereauen . Trust in good verse , Tibullus feeles deaths paines , Scarse rests of all what a small v●ne containes , Thee sacred Poet could sad flames destroy ? Nor feared they thy body to annoy ? The holy gods gilt temples they might fire , That durst to so great wickednesse aspire . Eryx bright Empresse turnd her lookes aside , And some , that she refrain'd reares , haue deni'd . Yet better i' ft , then if , Corcyras I le , Had thee vnknowne interr'd in ground most vile . Thy dying eyes beere did thy mother close , Nor did thy ashes her last offerings lose . Part of her sorrow heere thy sister beating . Comes forth her vnkeembe looks a sunder rearing . Nemesis and thy first wench ioyne their kisses , With thine , nor this last fire their presence misses . Delia departing happier lou'd she faith , Was I : thou liu'dst , while thou esteemdst my faith . Nemesis answers , what 's my losse to thee ? His fainting hand in death engarsped me . If ought remaines of vs but name , and spirit , Tibullus doth Elysiums ioy inherit . Their youthfull browes with Iuie girt to meete him , With Caluus learn'd Catullus comes and greete him . And thou , if falsely charged to wrong thy friend , Gallus that car'st not blood , and life to spend . With these thy soule walkes , soules if death release , The godly , sweet Tibullus doth increase . Thy bones I pray may in the vrne safe rest , And may th' earths weight thy ashes nought molest .

ELEGIA . 9. Ad Cererem , conquerens quod eius sacris cum amica concumbere non permittatur . COme were the times of Ceres sacrifice , In emptie bed alone my mistresse lies . Golden hair'd Ceres crown'd with eares of corne , Why are our pleasures by thy meanes forborne ? Thee , goddesse , bountifull all nations iudge , Nor lesse at mans prosperity any grudge . Rude husband-men bak'd not their corne before , Nor on the earth was knowne the name of floore , On mast of oakes , first oracles , men fed , This was their meate , the soft grasse was their bed . First Ceres taught the seede in fields to swell , And ripe-earde corne with sharp-edg-d sithes to fell . She first constrain'd bulles necks to beare the yoke , And vntil'd ground with crooked plough-shares broke . Who thinkes her to be glad at louers smart , And worshipt by their paine , and lying apart ? Nor is she , though she loues the fertile fields , A clowne , nor no loue from her warme brest yeelds ; Be witnesse Crete ( nor Crete doth all things feigne ) Crete proude that Ioue her nourcery maintaine . There , he who rules the worlds starre-spangled towers , A little boy drunke teate-distilling showers . Faith to the witnesse Ioues praise doth apply , Ceres , I thinke , no knowne fault will deny . The goddesse saw Iasion on Candian Ide , With strong hand striking wild-beasts brist'led hyde . She saw , and as her marrow tooke the flame , Was diuers wayes distract with loue and shame . Loue conquer'd shame , the furrowes dry were burn'd , And corne with least part of it selfe return'd . When well-toss'd mattocks did the ground prepare , Being fit broken with the crooked share . And seedes were equally in large fields cast , The plough-mans hopes were frustrate at the last . The graine-rich goddesse in high woods did stray , Her long haires eare-wrought garland fell away . Onely was Crete fruitefull that plenteous yeare , Where Ceres went each place was haruest there . Ida the seate of groues did sing with corne , Which by the wild boare in the woods was shorne . Law-giuing Minos did such yeares desire , And wisht the goddesse long might seele loues fire . Ceres what sports to thee so gneuous were , As in thy sacrifice we them forbeare ? Why am I sad , when Proserpine is found , And Iuno like with Dis raignes vnder ground ? Festiuall dayes aske Venus , songs , and wine , These gifts are meere to please the powers diuine .

ELEGIA . 10. Ad amicam , a cuius amore discedere non potest . LOng haue I borne much , mad thy faults me make , Dishonest loue my wearied brest forsake . Now haue I freed my selfe , and fled the chaine , And what I haue borne , shame to beare againe . We vanquish , and tread tam'd loue vnder feete , Victorious wreathes at length my Temples greete . Suffer , and harden : good growes by this griefe , Oft bitter iuyce brings to the sick reliefe . I haue sustain'd so oft thrust from the doore , To lay my body on the hard moist floore . I know not whom thou lewdlie did'st imbrace , When I to watch supplyed a seruants place . I saw when forth a tyred louer went , His side past seruice , and his courage spent . Yet this is lesse , then if he had seene me , May that shame fall mine enimies chaunce to be . When haue not I fixt to thy side close layed ? I haue thy husband , guard , and fellow played . The people by my company she pleas'd , My loue was cause that more mens loue she seaz'd . What should I tell her vaine tongues filthy lyes , And to my losse God-wronging periuries ? What secret beeks in banquets with her youths , With priuy signes , and talke dissembling truths ? Hearing her to be sick , I thither ranne , But with my riuall sick she was not than , These hardned me , with what I keepe obscure , Some other seeke , who will these things endure . Now my ship in the wished hauen crown'd , With ioy heares Neptunes swelling waters sound . Leaue thy once powerfull words , and flatteries , I am not as I was before vnwise . Now loue , and hate my light brest each way moue , But victory , I thinke will hap to loue . I le hate , it I can ; if not , loue gainst my will , Bulles hate the yoake , yet what they hate haue still . I flie her lust , but follow beauties creature , I loath her manners , loue her bodies feature . Nor with thee , nor without thee , can I liue , And doubt to which desire the palme to giue . Or lesse faire , or lesse lewd would thou might'st be , Beauty with lewdnesse doth right ill agree . Her deeds gaine hate , her face entreateth loue , Ah she doth more worth then her vices proue . Spare me , O by our fellow bed , by all , The Gods who by thee to be petiurde fall . And by thy face to me a powre diuine , And by thine eyes whose radiance burnes out mine . What ere thou art mine art thou : choose this course , Wilt haue me willing , or to loue by force . Rather I le hoist vp saile , and vse the winde , That I may loue yet , though agaist my minde .

ELEGIA . 11. Dolet amicam suam ita suis earminibus innotuissae vt riuales multos sibi pararit . WHat day was that , which all sad haps to bring , White birds to louers did not alwayes sing . Oris I thinke my wish against the starre ? Or shall I plaine some God against me warres ? Who mine was cal'd , whom I lou'd more then any , I feare with me is common now to many . Erre I ? or by my lookes is she so knowne ? T is so : by my wit her abuse is growne . And iustly : for her praise why did I tell ? The wench by my fault is set forth to sell. The bawde I play , louers to her I guide : Her gate by my hands is set open wide . 'T is doubtfull whether verse auaile , or harme , Against my good they were an enuious charme . When Thebes , when Troy , when Caesar should be writ , Alone Corinna moues my wanton wit . With Muse oppos'd would I my lines had done , And Phoebus had forsooke my worke begun . Nor , as vse will not Poets record heare , Would I my words would any credit beare . Scylla by vs her fathers rich haire steales , And Scyllaes wombe mad raging dogs conceales . Wee cause feete fly , wee mingle haires with snakes , Victorious Perseus a wing'd steedes back takes . Our verse great Tityus a huge space out-spreads , And giues the viper curled Dogge three heads . We make Enceladus vse a thousand armes , And men inthral'd by Mermaids singing charmes . The East winds in Vlisses baggs we shut , And babbing Tantalus in mid-waters put . Niobe flint , Callist we make a Beare , Bird-changed Progne doth her Itys teare . Ione turnes himselfe into a Swanne , or gold , Or his Bulles hornes Europas hand doth hold . Proteus what should I name ? teeth , Thebes first seed ? Oxen in whose mouthes burning flames did breede , Heau'n starre Electra that bewail'd her sisters ? The ships , whose Godhead in the sea now glisters ? The Sunne turn'd back from Atreus cursed table ? And sweet toucht harp that to moue stones was able ? Poets large power is boundlesse , and immense , Nor haue their words true histories pretence , And my wench ought to haue seem'd falsely prais'd , Now your credulity harme to me hath rais'd .

ELEGIA . 12. De Iunonis festo . WHen fruite fil'd Tuscia should a wife giue me , We toucht the walles , Camillus wonne by thee . The Priests to Iuno did prepare chast feasts , With famous pageants , and their home-bred beasts . To know their rites , well recompenc'd my stay , Though thether leades a rough steepe hilly way . There stands an old wood with thick trees dark clouded , Who sees it graunts some d●ity there is shrowded . An Altar takes mens incense and oblation , An Altar made after the ancient fashion● . Here when the Pipe with solemne tunes doth sound , The annuall pompe goes on the couered ground . White Heifers by glad people forth are led , Which with the grasse of Tuscane fields are fed . And calues from whose fear'd front no threatning flies , And little Piggs base Hog-Sties sacrifice , And Rams with hornes their hard heads wreathed back , Onely the Goddesse hated Goate did lack . By whom disclos'd , she in the high woods tooke , Is said to haue attempted flight forsooke . Now is the goat brought through the boyes with darts , And giue to him that the first wound imparts . Where Iuno comes , each youth , and pretty maide , Shew large wayes with their garments there displayed . Iewels , and gold their Virgin tresses crowne . And stately robes to their gilt feete hang downe . As is the vse , the Nunnes in white veyles clad , Vpon their heads the holy misteries had . When the chiefe pompe comes , lowde the people hollow And she her vestall virgin Priests doth follow . Such was the Greeke pompe , Agamemnon dead , Which fact , and countrie wealth Halesus fled . And hauing wandred now through sea and land , Built walles high towred with a prosperous hand . He to th' Hetrurians , Iunoes feast commended , Let me , and them by it be aye be-friended .

ELEGIA . 13 Adamicam , si peccatura est , vt occultè peccet . SEEing thou art faire , I barre not thy selfe playing , But let not me poore soule know of thy straying . Nor doe I giue thee counsell to liue chast , But that thou would'st dissemble , when 't is past . She hath not tred awry , that doth deny it . Such as confesse haue lost their good names by it , What madnesse is t to tell nights pranckes by day ? And hidden secrets openly to bewray ? The strumpet with the stranger will not doo . Before the roome be cleere , and doore put too . Will you make ship-wrack of your honest name ? And let the world be witnesse of the same . Be more aduis'd , walke as a puritan , And I shall thinke you chaste , do what you can . Slip still onely deny it , when 't is done , And before folke immodest speeches shunne . The bed is for lasciuious toyings meete , There vse all tricks , and tread shame vnder feete . When y●u are vp , and drest , be sage and graue , And in the bed hide all the faults you haue . Be not asham'd to strip you being there , And mingle thighes yours euer mine to beare . There in your Rosie lips my tongue in-tombe , Practise a thousand sports when there you come . Forbeare no wanton words you there would speake , And with your pastime let the bed-stead creake . But with your robes put on an honest face , And blush , and seeme as you were full of grace . Deceiue all ▪ let me erre , and thinke I am right , A●d like a Wittall thi●ke thee voide of slight . Why see I lines so oft receiu'd , and giuen ? This bed and that by tumbling made vneuen ? Like one start vp your haire tost and dsiplac'd , And with a wantons tooth your neck new rac'd . Graunt this , that what you do I may not see , If you weigh not ill speeches , yet weigh mee . My soule fleetes , when I thinke what you haue done , And thorough euery veine doth cold blood runne . Then thee whom I must loue , I hate in vaine , And would be dead , but dead with thee remaine . I le not sift much , but hold thee soone excus'd , Say but thou wert iniu●iously accus'd . Though while the deed be doing you be tooke . And I see when you ope the two leau'd booke , Sweare I was blinde , deny if you be wise . And I will trust your words more then mine eyes , From him that yeelds the palme is quickly got , Teach but your tongue to say , I did it not ▪ And being iustifi'd by two words thinke , The cause acquit's you not , but I that winke .

ELEGIA . 14. Advenerem , quod elegis ●inem imponat . TEnder loues Mother a new Poet get , This last end to my Elegies is set . Which I Pelignis foster-childe haue fram'd . ( Nor am I by such wanton toyes defam'd ) Heire of an ancient house , if help that can , Not onely by warres rage made Gentleman , In Virgil Mantua ioyes : in Catul Verone , Of me Pelignis nation boasts alone , Whom liberty to honest armes compeld , When carefull Rome in doubt their prowesse held . And some guest viewing watry Sulmoes walles , Where little ground to be inclos'd befalles . How such a Poet could you bring forth , sayes , How small so ere , I 'le you for greatest praise . Both lou●s to whom my heart long time did yeeld , Your golden ensignes pluckt out of my field , Horned Bacchus grauer furie doth distill , A greater ground with great horse is to till . Weake Elegies , delightfull Muse farewell ; A worke , that after my death , heere shall dwell . FINIS .

EPIGRAMES . By I. D.

Ad Musam . FLie merry Muse vnto that merry towne , Where thou mai'st playes , reuels , and triumphes see , The house of Fame , and Theatre of renowne , Where all good witts and spirits loue to be . Fall in betweene their hands , that loue and praise thee , And be to them a laughter and a iest : But as for them which scorning shall reprooue thee , Disdaine their wits , and thinke thine owne the best , But if thou finde any so grosse and dull , That thinke I doe to priuate Taxing leane : Bid him goe hang , for he is but a gull , And knowes not what an Epigramme does meane . Which taxeth vnder a particular name , A generall vice which merits publike blame .

Of a Gull . OFt in my laughing times , I name a gull , But this new tearme will many questions breede , Therefore at first I will expresse at full , Who is a true and perfect Gull indeed . A Gull is he , who feares a Veluet gowne , And when a wench is braue , dares not speake to her : A Gull is he which trauer●eth the towne . And is for marriage knowne a common woer . A Gull is he , which while he proudly weares , A siluer hilted Rapier by his side : Indures the lyes , and knockes about the eares , Whil'st in his sheath , his sleeping sword doth bide . A Gull is he which weares good hansome cloathes : And stands in presence stroaking vp his hayre . And filles vp his vnperfect speech with othes . But speakes not one wise word throughout the yeare . But to define a gull in termes precise , A gull is he which seemes , and is not wise .

In Rufum . 3. Rvfus the Courtier , at the Theater , Leauing the best and most conspicuous place , Doth either to the stage himselfe transferre , Or through a grate , doth shew his double face . For that the clamorous fry of Innes of court , Fills vp the priuate roomes of greater price : And such a place where all may haue resort , Hein his singularity doth despise . Yet doth not his particuler humour shun , The common stewes and brothell● of the towne , Though all the world in troupes do thither run . Cleane and vncleane , the gentle and the clowne . Then why should Rufus in his pride abhorre , A common seate that loues a common whore .

In Quintum . 4. QVintus the dauncer vseth euermore , His feete in measure and in rule to moue . Yet on a time he cal'd his mistresse whore , And thought with that sweet word to win her loue . Oh had his tongue like to his ●eete bin taught , It neuer would haue vttered such a thought .

In Plurimos . 5. FAustinus , Sextus , Cinna , Ponticus , With Gella , Lesbía , Thais , Rodope : Rode all to Stanes for no cause serious , But for : their mitth , and for their lechery . Scarse were they setled in their lodging , when Wenches , with wenches ; men with men fell out . Men with their wenches , wenches with their men , Which strait dissolues this ill assembled rout . But since the diuell brought them thus together , To my discoursing thoughts it is a wonder . Why presently as soone as they came thither , The selfe same diuell did them part a sunder . Doubtlesse it seemes it was a foolish diuell , That thus did part them , ere they did some euill .

In Titum . 6. TItus the braue and valorous yong gallant , Three years togither in this towne hath beene , Yet my Lord Chauncellors tombe he hath not seene : Nor the New water worke , nor the Elephant . I can not tell the cause without a smile , He hath bin in the Counter all this while .

In Faustum . 7. FAustus not Lord nor knight , nor wise nor old , To euery place about the towne doth ride , He tides into the fieldes , Playes to behold , He rides to take boate at the water side . He rides to Powles , he rides to th' ordinary , He rides vnto the house of bawdery too . Thither his horse doth him so often carry , That shortly he will quite forget to go .

In Katum . 8. KAte being pleas'd , wisht that her pleasure could , Indure as long as a buffe ierkin would . Content thee Kate , although thy pleasure wasteth , Thy pleasures place like a buffe ierkin lasteth . For no buffe ierkin hath-bin oftner worne , Nor hath more scrapings , or more dressings borne .

In Librum . 9. LIber doth vaunt how chastly he hath liu'd Since he hath bin seauen years in towne and more . For that he sweares he hath foure onely swiude , A maide , a wife , a widdow , and a whore , Then Liber thou hast swiude all women kinde , For a sift sort , I know thou canst not finde .

In Medonem . 10. GReat Captaine Moedon weares a chaine of gold , Which at fiue hundred crownes is vallued For that it was his graund-fires chaine of old , When great King Henry Bulloigne conquered . And weare it Moedon for it may insue That thou by vertue of this Massie chaine A stronger towne then Bulloigne mai'st subdue If wise mens sawes be not reputed vaine . For what said Philip King of Macedon ? There is no Castel so well fortified , But if an Asse laden with gold comes on , The guard will stoope , and gates fly open wide .

In Gellam . 11. GElla if thou doest loue thy selfe take heede , Least thou my rimes , vnto thy louer reade . For straight thou grin'st , and then thy louer seeth Thy canker-eaten-gumes and rotten teeth .

In Quintum . 12. QVintus his wit infused into his braine , Mislikes the place , and fled into his feete , And there it wanders vp and downe the streetes , Dabled in the dyrt , and soaked in the raine , Doubtlesse his wit intendes not to aspire , Which leaues his head to trauell in the mire .

In Seuerum . 13. THe Puritan Seuerus oft doth reade , This text ▪ that doth pronounce vaine speech a sinne , That thing defiles a man that doth proceede , From out the mouth , not that which enters in . Hence is it , that we seeldome heare him sweare , And thereof as a Pharesie he vaunts . But he deuour's more Capons in one yeare , Then would suffice an hundred protestants . And sooth those sectaries are gluttons all , Aswell the threed bare-Cobler as the knight . For those poore slaues which haue not wherewithall Feed on the rich , till they deuoure them quite . And so as Pharoes kine , they eate vp cleane , Those that be fat , yet still themselues be leane .

In Leucam . 14. LEuca in presence once a fart did let , Some laught a little , she refus'd the place , And mad with shame , did then her gloue forget , Which she return'd to fetch with bashfull grace : And when she would haue said my gloue , My fart ( qd , she ) which did more laughter moue .

In Matrum . 15. THou canst not speake , yet Maecer , for to speake , Is too distinguish sounds significant Thou with harsh noyse the ayre doth rudely breake But what thou vtterest common sence doth want . Halfe English words , with sustian tearmes among . Much like the burthen of a Northeme song .

In Fastum . 16. THat youth saith Fanstus , hath a Lyon seene , Who from a dycing-house comes monie-lesse . But when he lost his haire , where had he beene , I doubt me he had seene a Lyonesse .

In Cosmum . 17. COsmus hath more discoursing in his head , Then loue , when Pallas ●ssued from his braine , And still he striues to be deliuered , Of all his thoughts at once , but all in vaine . For as we see at all the play-house dores , When ended is the play , the daunce and song : A thousand townse-men gentlemen and whores . Porters and seruing-men togither throng , So thoughts of drinking , thriuing , wenching , warre , And borrowing money , raging in his minde . To issue all at once so forward are As none at all can perfect passage finde .

In Flaccum . 18. THe false knaue Flaccus once a bribe I gaue , The more foole I to bribe so false a knaue , But he gaue back my bribe the more foole he , That for my folly did not cousen me .

In Cineam . 19. THou dogged Cineas hated like a dogge , For still thou grumblest like a masty dogge . Compar'st thy selfe to nothing but a dogge . Thou say'st thou art as weary as a dogge As angry , sick , and hungry as a dogge , As dul● and melancholy as a dogge . As lazy , sleepy , and as idle as a dogge . But why doest thou compare thee to a dogge ? In that , for which all men despise a dogge . I will compare thee better to a dogge . Thou art as Faire and comely as a dogge . Thou art as true and honest as a dogge . Thou art as kinde and liberall as a dogge , Thou art as wise and valiant as a dogge . But Cineas , I oft haue heard thee tell , Thou art as like thy father as may be . T is like enough , and faith I like it well , But I am glad thou art not like to me .

In Gerontem . 20. GErons mouldie memory corrects , Old Holinshed our famous Chronicler With morall rules , and pollicy collects , Out of all actions done these fourescore yeares . Accounts the time of euery old euent , Not from Christs birth , nor from the Princes raigne . But from some other famous accident . Which in mens generall notice doth remaine . The siedge of Bulloigne , and the plaugy sweat , The going to Saint Quintines and New-hauen The rising in the North , the frost so great . That cart wheele printes on Thamis face were seene . The fall of money , and burning of Powles sleeple , The blazing starre and Spaniards ouerthrow . By these euents , notorious to the people . He mesures times , and things forepast doth shew . But most of all , he cheefely reckons by , A priuate chance , the death of his cu●st wife : This is to him the dearest memory , And the happyest accident of all his life .

In Marcum . 21. WHen Marcus comes from Minnes he still doth ●wear By come on seauen , that al is lost & gone But that 's not true , for he hath lost his haire . Onely for that , he came too much at one .

In Ciprum . 22. THe fine youth Ciprius is more tierse and neate , Then the new garden of the old temple is , And still the newest fashion he doth get , And with the time doth chaunge from that to this , He weares a hat now of the flat crown-blocke , The treble ruffes , long cloake , and doublet french He takes Tobacco , and doth weare a locke . And wastes more time in dressing then a wench . Yet this new fangled youth , made for these times Doth aboue all , praise old George Gascoines times .

In Cineam . 23. WHen Cineas comes amongst his friends in morning ▪ He slyly spies who first his cap doth moue Him he salutes , the rest so grimly scorning As if for euer they had lost his loue , I seeing how it doth the humour fit . Of this fond gull to be saluted first . Catch at my cap , but moue it not a whit Which to perceiuing he seemes for spite to burst But Cineas , why expect you more of me , Then I of you ? I am as good a man , And better too by many a quality . For vault , and daunce , and sence and time I can . You keep a whore at your owne charge men tell me , Indeed friend ( Cineas ) therein you excell me .

In Gallum . 24. GAllus hath bin this Summer time in Friesland , And now return'd he speakes such warlike wordes ▪ As if I could their English vnderstand , I feare me they would cut my throat like swordes . He talkes of counter-scar●●es and casomates , Of parapets , of curteneys and pallizadois , Of flankers , rauelings , gabions he prates , And of false baites , and sallies , and scaladoes , But to requite such gulling tearmes as these , With words of my profession I reply : I tell of fourching vouchers , and counterpleas , Of withernames , essoynes and champarty . So neither of vs vnderstanding one an other , We part as wise , as when we came together .

In Decium . 25. A Vdacious Painters haue nine worthies made , But Poet Decius more audacious farre Making his mistris march with men of warre . With title of tenth worthy doth her lade . Me thinks that gull did vse his tearmes as ●it Which tearm'd his loue a giant for her wit .

In Gellam . 26. IF Gellas beauty be examined She hath a dull dead eye , a saddle nose , An ill shapte face with morphew ouerspread . And rotten teeth which she in laughing showes . Briefly she is the filthiest wench in towne , Of all that doe the art of whoring vse : But when she hath put on her sattin-gowne , Her out lawne apron , and her veluet shoes . Her greene silk stockings , and her petticoate , Of taffa●y , with goulden friendge a-round , And is withall perfumed with ciuet hot , Which doth her valiant stinking breath confound , Yet she with these additions is no more , Then a sweet , filthy , fine ill-fauoured whore .

In Sillam . 27. SYlla is often challenged to the field , To answer as a Gentleman his foes ; But then he doth this only answer yeeld , That he hath liuings and faire lands to lose . Silla , if none but beggars valiant were , The King of Spaine would put vs all in feare .

In Sillam . 28. WHo dares affirme that Silla dare not fight , When I dare sweare hee dares aduenture more , Then the most braue and all-daring wight , That euer armes with resolution bore . He that dares touch the most vnholsome whore , That euer was retir'd into the Spittle . And dares court w●nches standing at a dore , ( The portion of his wit being passing litle ) He that dares giue his dearest friends offences , Which other valiant fooles doe feare to do : And when a feauer doth confound his senco● , Dare eate raw-beefe , and drinke strong wine thereto . He that dares take Tobacco on the stage , Dares man a whore at noone-day through the streete , Dares daunce in Pawles , and in this formall age , Dares say and do what euer is vnmeete , Whome feare of shame could neuer yet affright , Who dares affirme that Silla dares not fight .

In Haywodum . 29. HAywood that did in Epigrames excell , Is now put downe since my light Muse arose . As Buckets are put downe into a Well , Or as a schoole boy putteth downe his hose .

In Dacum . 30. AMongst the Poets Dacus numbered is , Yet could he neuer ▪ make an English time , But some prose speeches I haue heard of his , Which haue binspoken many a hundred time . The man that keepes the Eliphant hath one , Wherein he tells the wonders of the beast , An other Bankes● pronounced long a-gon , When he his curtalls qualities exprest : He first taught him that keeps the monuments , At Westminster , his formall tale to say . And also him with Puppets represents , And also him which with the Ape doth play : Though all his Poetry be like to this , Amongst the Poets Dacus numbred is ,

In Priscum . 31. WHen Priscus raisde from low to high estate , Rod through the streete in pompous iollitie , Ca●us his poore familliar friend of late , Be-spake him thus : Sir now you know not me . 'T is likly friend ( quoth Priscus ) to be so For at this time my selfe I do not know .

In Brunam . 32. BRunus which deemes himselfe a faire sweete youth , Is thirty nine yeares of age at least : Yet was he neuer , to confesse the truth , But a dry staruling when he was at best . This gull was sicke to shew his Night-cap fine . And his wrought pillow ouer-spread with lawne , But hath bin well since his griefes cause hath line , At Trollups by Saint Clements Church in pawne .

In Francum . 33. WHen Francus comes to solace with his whore He sends for rods , & strips himselfe stark naked ; For his lust sleepes , and will not rise before , By whiping of the wench it be awaked . I enuey him not , but wish I had the power , To make my selfe his wench but one halfe houre .

In Castorem . 34. OF speaking well , why do we learne the skill ? Hoping thereby honor and wealth to gaine . Sith rayling Castor doth by speaking ill , Opinion of much wit and golde obtaine .

In Septimium . 35. SEptimus liues , and is like Garlike seene , For though ▪ his head be white , his blade is greene : His old mad Coult deserues a Martyres praise , For he was burned in Queene Maryes daies .

Of Tobacco . 36. HOmer of Moly , and Nepenthe sings Moly the gods most soueraigne hearb diuine , Nepenthe Heauens drinke most gladnesse brings , Hearts griefe expels , and doth the wits refine : But this our age another world hath found . From whence a hearb of Heauenly power is bought , Moly is not so soueraigne for a wound . Nor hath Nepenthe so great wonders wrought . It is Tobacco , whose sweet substanciall fume , The hellish torment of the teeth doth ease , By drawing downe , and drying vp the rewme , The Mother and the Nurse of each disease , It is Tobacco that doth cold expell , And cleares the obstructions of the Arteries , And surfets threatning Death in generall . Decocting all the stomacks crudities , It is Tobacco which hath power to clarifie , The cloudy mists before dim eyes appearing , It is Tobacco which hath power to ratifie , The grose humor which doth stop the hearing , The wasting Hectique , and the Quartain feuer , Which doth of Phisique make a mockerie , The gowt it cures , and helps ill breaths for euer , Whether the cause in Teeth or stomach be , And though il breath , were by it but confounded . Yet that Medicine it doth farre excell , Which by sir Thomas Moore hath bin propounded . For this is thought a Gentle-man like smell , O that I were one of these Mounti-bankes , Which praise their Oyles , and Powders which they sell , My customers would giue me coyne with thankes , I for this ware , forfooth a Tale would tell . Yet would I vse none of these tearmes before , I would but say , that it the Poxe will cure : This were enough , without discoursing more , All our braue gallants in the towne t' allure ,

In Crassum . 37. CRassus his lyes are not pernitious lyes , But pleasant fictious hurtfull vnto none : But to himselfe , for no man counts him wise , To tell for truth , that which for false is knowne . He sweares that Gaunt is three score miles about , And that the bridge at Paris on the Seyn , Is of such thicknes , length and breadth throughout , That sixe score Arches can it scarce sustaine . He sweares he saw so great a dead mans scull , At Canterbury digd out of the ground : That would containe of wheat , three bushels full , And that in kent are twenty yeomen found , Of which the poorest euery yeare dispends . Fiue thousand pound ; these and fiue thousand mo , So oft he hath teceited to his friends : That now himselfe , perswades himselfe 't is so . But why doth Crassus tell his lyes so rife , Of Bridges , Townes , and things that haue no life . He is a Lawyer , and doth well espie , That for such lyes an action will not lye .

In Philonem . 38. PHilo the Lawyer and the Fortune teller , The schoolmaster , the midwife and the bawd : The coniurer , the buyer , and the seller , Of painting which with breathing will be thawd , Doth practise Phisicke , and his credit growes . As doth the Ballad singers auditorie . Which hath at Temple barre his standing chose , And to the vulgar sings an Ale-house story . First stands a Porter , then an Oyster wife , Doth stint her cry , and stay her steps to heare him , Then comes a cut-purse ready with a knife , And then a country client passeth neere him . There stands the constable , there stands the whore , And listning to the song , heed not each other . There by the serieant stands the debitor , And doth no more mistrust him then his brother : Thus Orpheus to such giueth Musique , And Philo to such patients giueth Phisicke .

In Puscum . 39. FVscus is fe●e , and hath the world at will , Yet in the course of life that he doth leade : He 's like a horse which turning round a mill , Doth alwaies in the selfe same circle treade : First he doth rise at ten and at eleuen He goes to Gyls , where he doth eate til one , Then sees a play till sixe , and ●ups at seauen , And after supper , straight to bed is gone And there till ten next day he doth remaine , And then he dines , then sees a Commedy , And then he suppes , and goes to bed againe : Thus round he runs without variety : Saue that sometimes he comes not to the play But falls into a whore-house by the way .

In Afrum 40. THe smel feast After , trauailes to the Burse Twice euery day the newest news to heare Which when he hath no money in his purse , To rich mens tables he doth often beare : He tels how Grenigen is taken in , By the braue conduct of illustrious Vere : And how the Spanish forces Brest would win , But that they do victorious Norris feare . No sooner is a ship at sea surpris'd , But straight he learnes the newes and doth disclose it . Faire written in a scrowle he hath names , Of all the widowes which the plague hath made , And persons , times and places , still he frames : To euery tale the better to perswade : We call him Fame , for that the wide-mouth slaue , Will eate as fast as he wil vtter lies For Fame it said an hundr●d mouthes to haue , And he eates more then would fiue score suffice .

In Paulam . 41. BY lawfull mart , and by vnlawfull stealth , Paulus in spite of enuy fortunate , Deriues out of the Ocean so much wealth , As he may well maintaine a Lords estate , But on the land a little gulfe there is , Wherein he drowneth all the wealth of his .

In Licum . 42. LYeus which lately is to Venice gone , Shall if he do returne , gaine three for one : But ten to one , his knowledge land his wit , Will not be betered or increas'd a whit .

In Publium . 43. PVblius student at the comon Law , Of● cleaues his bookes , and for his recreation : To Paris-garden doth himselfe withdraw , Where he is rauisht with such delectation As downe amongst the Beares and Dogs he goes Where whilst he skiping cries to head , to head . His satten doublet and his veluet hose , Are all with spittle from aboue be-spread . When he is like his fathers country shall , Stinking with dogs , and muted all with haukes . And rightly too on him this filth doth fall , Which for such filthy sports his bookes for sakes , Leauing old Ployden , Dier and Brooke alone , To see old Harry Hunkes and Sacarson .

In Sillam . 44. WHen I this proposition had defended , A coward cannot be an honest man , Thou Silla seemest forthwith to be offended , And holds the contrary and swea●es he can . But when I tell thee that he will forsake His dearest friend , in perill of his life , Thou then art chang'd and saist thou didst mistake , And so we end our argument and strife . Yet I thinke oft , and thinke I thinke aright , Thy argument argues thou wilt not fight .

In Dacum . 45. DAcus with some good colour and pretence , Tearmes his loues beauty silent eloquence : For she doth lay more colours on her face , Then euer Tully vs'd his speech to grace .

In Marcum . 46. WHy dost thou Marcus in thy misery , Raile and blaspheme , and call the heaue ●vnkind , The heauens do owe no kindness vnto thee , Thou hast the heauens so little in thy minde , For in thy life thou neuer vsest prayer , But at primero , to encounter faire ,

Meditations of a Gull . 47. SEE yonder melancholy Gentleman , Which hood-winked with his hat , alone doth sit , Thinke what he thinkes and tell me if you can , What great affaires troubles his little wit . He thinkes not of the war twixt France and Spaine , Whether it be for Europs ' good or ill , Nor whether the Empire can it selfe maintaine Against the Turkish power encroching still . Nor what great towne in all the Netherlands , The States determine to besiedge this spring , Nor how the Scottish pollicy now stands , Nor what becomes of the Irish mutining . But he doth seriously bethinke him whether Of the guld people he the more esteem'd , For his long cloake , or his great blacke feather , By which each gull is now a gallant deem'd , Or of a Iourney hee deliberates , To Parris-garden cocke-pit or the play : Or how to steale a dogge he miditates , Or what he shall vnto his mistris say : Yet with these thoughts he thinks himselfe most sit , To be of Counsell with a King for wit .

Ad Musam . 48. PEace idle Muse , haue done , for it is time , Since lowsie Ponticus enuies my fame , And sweares the better sort are much too blame To make me so well knowne for my ill rime ; Yet Bankes his horse is better knowne then he , So are the Cammels and the westerne Hog , And so is Lepidus his printed dogge : Why doth not Pontious their fames enuy . Besides this muse of mine , and the black fether Grew both together fresh in estimation , And both growne stale , were cast away together : What fame is this that scarse lasts out a fashion : Onely this last in credit doth remaine , That from hence-forth , each bastard cast forth rime Which doth but sauour of ● libell vaine , Shall call me father , and be thought my crime . So dull and with so little sence endued , Is my grosse headed iudge the multitude . I. D. FINIS .