The pleasant fable of Hermaphroditus and Salmacis. by T. Peend Gent. With a morall in English verse

THE Pleasant Fable of Hermaphroditus and Salmacis . by T. Peend Gent. With a morall in English Uerse .

¶ Anno Domini . 1565. Mense Decembris .

¶ To M. Nycholas Sentleger Esquyer .

WHen I had employed sometime in translating Ouids Metamorphos●s , and had achyued my purpose in parte therof , intendyng to haue trauayled further : I vnderstoode that another had preuented me . And so , after that I had receyued copyes therof from the Prynter , I was resolued to stay my laboure , & to reserue that to the vse and behofe of my pryuat frend : whych I intended to haue made comen to euery man . How be it because I knowe my selfe on dyuers causes aleged to your worship , being no lesse lerned your selfe , then affectioned to euery commendable faculty , hauyng nothyng more fyt at this tyme : I thoughte it good to gratefye you wyth some part therof , and that not altogether vnder the note and figure according to the text . Aplyenge also a morall to the Fable . And because it hath pleased you vppon youre good wyll , rather then for the worthynes hereof , to accept & commend my Copye in wrytyng : I am now therfore bold to publysh it in prynte vnder the patronage of your name . The rather to amend the volume of thys other history . And thus neither my first labours shall altogether syncke : nor I shall seeme to abuse the wryter , or reader of those foure bookes of Metamorphosis , whych be so learnedly translated all redye . Thus yours for his small powre assured . Wis●heth you Galenes health , the good fortune which Policrates enioyed for the most parte of hys life , and Nesters yeares .

T. Peend . ¶ From my Chamber ouer agaynst Sergeants Inne in Chancery lane . 1564.

¶ The pleasaunt Fable of Hermaphroditus and Salmacis , by T. Peend . With a mor●all in Englysh Uerse . SAME Venus once by Mercurye compress , a chylde did beare : For beuty farre excellyng all that erff before hym weare . Thys noble chylde by name was calde Hermaphroditus so , Of both hys parents names it is deryued , Herm●s and Aphrodite , Andrognus . as ye kn● . Hys shape it dyd so farre excede the graces of all other : That then the countenaunce of the childe myght well dyserye hys mother . Hys portrature beuyne , it was so perfecte in eche poyncte , Hys noble lyms so fayre to syght , so set in euery ioynte , That he might seme Dame Natures w●rke ' as farre for to excell : As do the Gods the shape of men , as auncyent storyes tell . As to hys face it was so fayre , and bryght wyth bewtyes shyne : That it exceld the glysteryng beames in Phaebus face deuyne . A paterne playne to mend her moold Dame Nature there myght see . Therby appeard how merueylous the workes of god they bee . The Phrigian boy , ●amini●es sonne ●f Trois 〈◊〉 ynge of ●roye . by Thegle caught on Ioue tattend and wayght . Liri●pes ▪ sonne Narsisus fayre , Nymphe Eccho her daynty bayte , Not Atis fyne , whych was sumtyme accepted wel wyth loue , Nor yet the boy in incest got which Venus so dyd loue . Adonis ●●nne of Mirr●a 〈◊〉 her 〈◊〉 ●in●ra● . Al these were not to be comparde with yonge Hermaphrodite . Nor Cupide sure his brother blynde , if Poets truly wryte , Myght not with him in shape compare , but yet to fortune hee Was subiecte more then this , as we by th end may playnly see . For Cupide he doth yet now lyue a stoborne wytlesse boye : But Hermaphrodite death at laste had power for to dystroye . How be it by dolefull dome , he lost hym selfe before he dyed . Such was his lot . Yet seemes it straunge one from hym selfe to s●yed . Some wolde not thynke that any man , myght chaunge hys nature so , That from hym selfe by desteny , he myght departe or go . How be it the straunger that it seemd , the rather dyd I choose To wryte of hym whose lot it was by ill lucke hym selfe to loose . Amonge a thousand storyes whych are worthy to be scande , In golden verse by skylfull pen , I toke thys same in hande , To shew my redy wyl to you tyll greater power in mee : As corespondent to my mynde lyke wyse it may agree . Wherfore the whylst I shall desyr● your Maystershyp to take This same , in worthe of worthy warke , and full accompte to make , That want af wyl is not in mee , Though power therto do not agree . ¶ But now thys sonne of Mercuryes in Ida mounte was fed , And fostred : thear , full fyftene yeres hys lyfe also hee led . And then desyrous for to know the state of countreys straunge , All Licia land , by trauayle great to Caria he dyd range . Wheras vppon a tyme , what wyth hys trauayle that was great , And eke the weather being hote he weryed then wyth heate , And redy for to rest hym selfe , by chaunce he dyd espye A well , wyth water fayre and clere as Chrystall to the eye . Whych nether bushe at any tyme nor wede it ouer grew . Much lyke vnto the well it was , wherto Acteon drew , When that Diana , and her Nymphes al naked in the same He saw , by chaunce as he dyd seke hys lately coursed game . Aboute thys sprynge an idle Nymphe , fayre Salmacis dyd vse : Whych euen as soone as wyth her eies , the yonge man fayre she vewes , Strayght set on fyre : The smoldrynge heate doth strike vnto her harte , And thorow persed by the dynte , of cruell Cupydes darte . She strayght desyres with him to ioyne , her luste for to fulfyll . She tryms her selfe , & goes foorth with for to declare her will . To whom when that she came : strayght waie With comely grace she gan to saye . O worthy child , whose shape doth shew , ( as it doth seeme to mee . ) That surely thou some god , and not a earthly wyght shulde bee . Ryght happy are thy parentes sure , and eke the Nurce in lap Which hath the layd oft tymes , & geuen thy louely lyps the pap . But happyest of them bothe I saye , a blessed one is shee , Whych as thy wyfe within one bead myght ioyne her selfe with thee . My dere , vouch●efe to here my ●ute , graunt my request I pray , That if you be not maryed yet then , then graunt thys I saye , That I may rest my happy lyms in blessed bed with thee , So I with Iuno for to chaunge my state wolde not agree , If thou be maryed , let me steale one turne . My harte , my ioye , She sayd , and therwyth held her peace . But lo the shame fast boye Was dasht , and out of countenaunce cleane . he blusht as red as blood , He wyst not then what loue dyd meane . it wolde haue done one good , To see how wel the blusshyng shame , The amased boy as it became . ¶ Such was his lyuely countenaunce , such was hys comely hew . Whom when the Nymphe had long beheld , not able to subdewe Her heat affection and desyre . not able to susteyne , The force of those so feruent flames , she doth attempte agayne By other meanes to try the boy , eche practyce doth she proue . But nought at al could moue hys harte being rude , as yet to loue . She seketh to imbrace his necke , and asketh for a kysse . But then the boy resystyng her was moued much wyth thys , And sayd leue of these wanton tryckes , no lenger troble mee , Els wyll I soone be gone , and leue the place and all with thee . Then Salmacis afrayde , dyd make as thence she wolde be gone . But in a bushe harde by the same , she hyd her selfe anon . The boy thought now that al was safe from shame as yet now free Does of hys clothes , and thynketh sure that none the same doth see . And lyke a wanton Kyd he skyppes and in the mead doth run . Then in the well , to bathe hys feete , he so at fyrst begon But thus at last the water cleare it doth delyght hym so . He geues hys body to the streames and wadeth to and fro , And further foorth with softely foote he doth begyn to go . ¶ At last wyth armes out stretched hee hys body clene doth dyp . By swimming , through the siluer stremes hys yuery corps doth slyp . The Nimph this while , beholdyng him , no longer then could staye , But of her mantel being throwne she wold leape in strayght way . The boy amyd the waues doth swym as whyte as any snow . No swan could seme more whyte than he that euer any sawe . The Nimphe her hart doth pant with ●oy , shee scant abydes to staye , Untyll her garmentes all were of . shee plyeth so her praye . Euen as the eger mastyue Dogge , whom scant hys keper stayes , But at the bayted Beare he stryues for to be gone alwayes . Euen as the Hauke doth ba●e , when that shee sees the Partryge spronge : So Salmacis , to her it seemes Eche tyme it is to longe , That lets her from the pray . But loe , as mery as a Pye , The boy doth friske and play , he thyncks that none may hym espye . But as the ●are within her fourme , when shee doth feare no ill : The hounde is on her sodeynlye , then prest the foole to kyll . So Salmacis vnto her praye , into the water goes : As though that then for al the worlde her luste she wolde not lose . Not to perswade hym how she meanes , as shee dyd erst before : But now sheys prest her lust to serue , or els to dye therfore . She it to folly so full inclynde : That nothing then might chaunge her mind . ¶ But lo the boy , as soone as he dyd theare the Nymphe espy , Euen as the lytle Roche wyth synnes out reched fast both flye , The rau●nyng Pyke , which after hym in greater hast doth hye : So vp and downe the springe they flete , the one hym selfe to saue . The Nymph , her ioy by spoyle doth seke of ●hother for to haue . The flyghtfull boy , lyke as the Hare , for lyfe the Hounde doth flie , The Nymphe alwaies euen as the hound , when he doth come so nye , That euen his nose may touche her heles : he gyrdeth foorth amayne , With gaping mouth , being alwaies like hys pray for to obteyne . The Nimphe dyd dryue him vp so neare , that euen of force at laste He is compeld for to resyste , and stryue for hym as faste , Her rage by strength for to suppresse . she forseth on hym so , That weryed nyghe the tender boye , he wotes not what to do . To stryue he is compeld , or els to yelde agaynst hys wyll Unto hys foe , whych forceth so , her lust for to fulfyll . And yet some women say , that they be innocentes , god wot . Thys nycy Nymphe doth now dysplay whether it be true or not . In goodnes symple sure they be , Els subtle ynoughe I warrant ye ¶ So nyce and fyne , before the tyme thys weakyng Nymph dyd seme , That force and myght to breake an egge in her ye wolde scantly deme . And yet by force , she kepeth now the yonge man at a baye : As in a corner doth a dogge kepe vp the stryuyng graye . And then at last espyenge well aduantage fyt therto , She catcheth hym about the necke as lothe to let hym go . Euen as the Iuye wyndes aboute the tree , so doth she claspe The body of the stryuing boye : which trembled lyke the Aspe . Euen as the Crab in cruell clawes when he hath caught hys foe : With grype doth gyrd him so as though he shulde not scape hym fro . Euen so the Nimph ( though Venus sonne do as he may resyste . In wordes protestyng playne how that she shal not haue her lyste . ) Yet hopyng wel , with pre●●yng wayght she cleueth to hym so : That thoughe he stryue and wrythe , she sweares he shal not from her go . Wher●ore ( thou froward hoy ) the saies , now strogle on t●y fyll . But now by force I wyl obtayne , that shal content my wyll . Thou shalt not scape me sure . Go to with stoberne stryuyng styll . With pressed lyps perforce to hym an hundred kysses she Doth geue , wherby it may appere , she lyked hys companie . This sayd . Unto the heauens on hyghe she lifteth vp her eyes , And sayth , o Gods that see all thynges and syt aboue the skyes , ●raunt that thys wylfull boye may neuer parte fro mee . But let vs styll in one remayne . the Gods they dyd agree To her request . And Venus then being moued wyth theyr mone , She dyd vouchsafe to ioyne theyr bodyes both in one . One countenaunce dyd set foorth a thynge full straunge to see , A man and woman both wyth one corps to agree : And yet the same no parfecte man , nor woman for to bee . ¶ But now , when that Hermaphrodite dyd see in water playne , He entred lyke a man therin , and shulde come foorth agayne But halfe a man . Hym selfe he loste . Hys fortune it was so . Wherfore he lyfted vp hys handes , and prayde hys parentes to , That who so euer entreth here , hys lot lykewyse may bee : That he to man and woman both , in shape may so agree . Theyr parents hard the plaint , the which theyr doble shaped sonne Had made , And so wyth vertue straunge , the sprynge was spred anone . Thus both in wysh they did agree : And now contentyd well they bee . NOw , Ouid here myght seeme to some , a tryflyng tale to tell . But yet it shewes a worthy s●nce , if it be marked we●l . The Poets vse in pleasaunt toyes great wysdome for to s●ew . A subtle sence thys tale doth beare , al be it perceyude of few . By Venus , sonne here vnderstand , such Youthes as yet be greene , And from the spot of fylthy luste the sprynglynges that be clene , which yet haue not enthrald them selfes vnto affection vyle . Nor know the poyson strong , the subtle baite , which louers doth begile . Euen such as newly haue cast of a boy , and entred in A yonge mans age . Such one as dothe to know hym selfe begin . Of age well able for to rule hym selfe without agu●de . Such one as first into worlde begynneth for to slyde , To lerne and see the trades of men , to chose the good from ill . By yonge Hermaphrodite , such one here vnderstande we will . By C●●ia , sygny●ye the worlde where all temptations be . Wheras the good and i● , alwayes together we may see . By Salmacis , intende eche vyce that mou●th one to ill . And by the spring the pleasant sporte , that doth content the wyll . So that when any yonge man fyrste without a guyde or staye , Doth enter in the world so wyde , vnskylfull of the waye , Not knowyng yet the wylye bayte , nor the temptations vyle , Wherby the subtle sorte oft tymes the ●ely do beguyle : He blyndly runneth on ech wheare , and doubtryng of none ill : Because hym selfe he meaneth none , he thynckes that no man wyll ( do otherwyse . ) And so , by pleasaunt shape of vyce deceyued all vnware , He drownes hym selfe in fylthy sinne , ● taken in the snare . The more he striues , entangled once the faster he is in . Such is the nature of the ●ayte , and sleyght of that same gyn . But after that he is deceyued : by practy●● to hys payne , More wyse , alwayes he wil beware to come in lyke agayne . Then wil be ioye to see his wyshe , on others in like sorte , Which plunged be in pensyue payne , whylst that they seke for sporte . A man is sayde to lose hym selfe , when reason quyte exilde , Enthrald in slauysh wee , he is constrayned for to ye●●de To lust , and wyl . dame reasons rules ( whych styll shuld rule our race . ) Reiected quyte , to affec●yons : we geue the grounde and place . And lyke to beastes , esteming more to serue our sensuall ●ust , And to adorne the body braue , whych shal consume to dust , More lefe then for to decke the mynd which is imortall sure . Such is our beastly nature blynd : so is our lust vnpure . So we our cheefe and greatest Good , the treasure of our minde , Do lose , and so to slauysh luste , our nature free we bynd . And seruauntes bond vnto our wyll , we warke our wretched woe . So one may lose hym selfe , and be vnto hym selfe a foe . So do we chaunge the happy hope of euerlastyng ioye , Euen for the present pastyme , whych our selues doth moste anoye . We chaunge our nature cleane , being made effemynat . When we do yeeld to serue our lust , we lose our former state . It is the nature of that well , that fylthy lothsome lake , Of lust , the strengthe from lusty men by hydden force to take : And so it may now playne appere , the Poet thus dyd tell . As many as hereafter shall once enter in thys well Of vyce . He shal be weakned so . Hys nature sure he shall forgo . ¶ Thus muche here of , as my rude Muse doth vnderstand the mind Of Ouid , by thys pleasaunt tale , no further sence I fynde . BUt nowe the fletynge fancyes fonde , and eke the shuttle wyttes : The mad desyres of women now , theyr rage in folysh fyts I wyl dysplay . Thys Nymphe , the boy , dyd for hys bew●y loue , For euen the sodeyne syght of hym , dyd her affectyon moue . And Eccho shee Narcissus yonge euen for his bewtyes sake , Did choose amonge all other youthes to be her faythful make . Medea and Hypsiph●le , dyd loue ●ason so , Euen for hys louely face , that they wolde from theyr countreyes go , And leue their parentes & their frendes to go , and be wyth hym , Which to them both , not longe a go had erst a straunger bene . Demophon by hys semely shape , dyd lyke fayre Phyllys eyes . And Dido she Eneas braue therfore dyd loue lykewyse . And in lyke sorte dyd ende her lyfe , when that she myght no more Enioye her ioyfull luste as shee was wonte some tyme before . It semed death , what so dyd them deuorse their louers fro . Fayre Helen , Menelaus wy●e . To Paris fine also Dyd ye●ld , with him to Phrigian towne a straunger for to go . To Paris armes her selfe she toke : And Menelaus olde forsoke . ¶ The lusty gerle began to lothe , such sage pastyme as hee Could make . She rather chose with Paris y●nge to bee . The learned Sapho did some time to comely Phaon sue For grace . And Biblis , she her brother dyd pursue ( For bew●ye that in him did shine . She folowed him therfore So longe : till that her faynting lims could cary her no more . King Nisus d●ughter dere also , fayre Sylla was beguilde , By Minos yellow shinyng heare , whiche as her foe in feilde : Againste the walles of Megaris , dyd be are hys seemely sheilde . And yet kynge Minos wyfe , was of another mynde . In Taurus blacke ill faced ●yre , more pleasure she dyd fynde , The captains rousy skuffe , black pol , to her so fayre did seme ▪ That she her husbandes go●den heare dyd not so much esteme . The Emperour Othons doughter dere A delasie dyd so Regarde the lyuely Al●ran , that she wyth hym did go To countreyes straunge ▪ content by hazarde of her lyfe , Agaynst the wyll of all her freindes , for to become hys wyfe . With pryncelyke lyfe , for hym alone an Empyre she wolde lose . With hym to leade a symple lyfe much rather she dyd chose . All pleasures in the worlde , in hym alone she then dyd take . Al freindes , for hym alone also she gladly dyd forsake . With hym for nede right wel she was contented coles to make . To couche in cotage lowe , on symple foode to fare . For all the world , excepted hym , she toke no kynde of care . He was her blysse . Her ioye was hee . And nothing els estemed shee . ¶ And Hero fayre vnto her feare , Leander fyne dyd take . And Thishe she dyd kyll her selfe for comely Pirames sake . Orestes lyuely lookes , dyd much Hermione delyghte . Kyng Tancreds , doughter Gysmond , dyd loue Guistardes bewty bryght . The Nymphes dyd Hiacinthus , for hys seemely shape desire . Hys louely chere ful , soone did set theyr youthly hartes on fyre . And Iuliet , Romeus yonge , for bewty dyd imbrace , Yet dyd hy● manhode well agree , vnto hys worthy grace . So seemely shape dyd loue procu●e : And Venu● byrdes came to the lure . ¶ 〈◊〉 Aphrodite dame so coye 〈◊〉 loue Adonis so , 〈◊〉 she wyth hym , alwayes ●●●tented was to go ▪ In slender hand , the craggy bowe she did vouchsafe to beare , And run a huntyng after hym , to kyll the flyghtfull Deare . The stoberne boy , blynd Cupide here , with shaft , did strike his mother dere . ¶ Sythe bewtyes grace , as pleasaunt baite , these ladies did deceiue . What did Adonis mother , in her father olde perceyue : Why she shuld seke by incest vyle , Her mothers bed for to defyle . ¶ What flynging fyt dyd force her so ? what mad desyre doth moue Her thus ? why shulde she seke an olde and cancred lad to loue ? And why dyd Phaedra sue vnto her boystous sonne in lawe , Hypolite blunt ( being rude to loue ) vnto her lust to drawe . Why did hys ferce & frownyng face , hys harde complexion seeme To her a fayre and manlyke hewe . what made her so to deme ? Syth beutyes goodly grace , somtyme so well it lyked her , That the aboue her countrey , dyd yonge Theseus prefer . Her sister Ariadne aye , hys shape estemed so : That she her brother did betray , and fled her parentes fro . Such be the fond and frantike fits which in the blinded brayne Of wanton women often times , with swinging swey doth reigne . And Venus eke , which liked so Ad●nis louely grace , Tha● she from hym wolde not abide in anye place . In warlike Mars that blody knight : Sometime also she did delyght . ¶ Sith she for comely bewty then , these lustie youthes dyd loue . To marry with dame Iunoes sonne what od conceyt did moue Her so : to serue that grislie sire , the Coper●mith deformde . Whom Nature neither with good grace , nor learning had adornd . But euen a rude & boystous carle . whose colour in his face : A Croyden sangwine right did seme . This is a doubtfull case . That she which erst did seke so muche for bewtyes goodly grace , To loue Adonis faire alone , shulde seke sometime to imbrace Syr Vulcane , wi●h his drousie poll , A smyth whych did on stythy , towl , ¶ I dare not sure disolue thys doubt . I feare to iudge on thys . To haue to do wyth gods aboue , how do unge●ous it is : Tiresias olde , which was sometyme a Iudge of Iunoes game . In iestyng stryfe , for tellyng trueth the Iudge dyd beare the blame . He loste hys syght , for iudgyng right . O Iudg vnwise , thou knowest the price Of telling trueth , more was y ● ●uoth . Tiresias , thou Prophet olde , whych hadst the grace , for to vnfolde , the secrets hyd of thynges to come : Though Iuno shee , did make the blind , Yet loue to thee , was not vnkynd . He dyd restore , as good therfore . Thy lacke of sight , thy knowledg doth Right wel aquight . That is the troth . For by the same , vnto the skyes , Thy worthy name , it dyd aryse . How be it I , am not so bolde With iudgement thys for to vnfolde . The Goddesse gra●e I more regarde : Then hope , to haue of loues reward . For doubt of blame , I dare not say Or shew the same , whych erst alway I thought . For sure , if I may chose , Dame Venus loue I wyll not lose . Sith men bear blame , for telling troth : To shew the same I wolde be loth . Wherfore now I , wil cease to writ . And you hardly , by iudgement ryght , As one exempt from Venus might : May be more bolde , thys to vnfolde . And so to you , I leue it now , that this moste weyghty doubt : At further leasure ( when you lyste ) your selfe may fynde it out . T. D. Peend .

¶ That the vnlearned myght the better vnderstande these , I haue compendeouslye noted the histories , & names not familier to oure englysh phrase .

VEnus , Venus . wyfe to Vulcane , fayned of the Poets to be the Godesse of loue . And by another name is called Aphrodite .

MErcurye , Mercurie the sonne of Iupiter and Maia , one of the daughters of Atlas . Whom the Poets called god of eloquence , and is called Hermes , otherwise the messenger of Iupiter .

PHaebus , Apollo . Phaebus . And is taken for the Sonne .

NArcissus , Narcissus sonne of ●iriope , a chylde of passyng bewtye , whych did so much delyght in hys owne shape , as the Poets fayned , that he died for loue of his owne shadowe , and was turned into a flowre .

PHrigian . Phrigian . One of the Lande of Phrigia .

CVpide , Cupide . sonne of Bacchus and Venus , and is fayned of the Poets , to be the God of loue . And is called blynde : because luste blindeth iudgementes of men .

ECcho . Eccho . A Nymphe , whiche loued Narcissus . And the sounde that commeth from the valleys and hollowe places , & doth sounde againe syx or seuen words , in some places , by reason of the reuerberation of the aire . ( as some saye . )

IOue , Ioue . sonne of Saturne and Ops. King of Creta , and was fayned cheefe of the Gods .

IVno . Iuno . Sys●er & wyfe of Ioue or Iupiter .

MEdea , Medea . doughter of Oeta , Kynge of Cholcus , which loued Iason . Who , when he had sworne neuer to forsake her . She did help him to kill the Serpente , and wyn the golden fleece . And so when she did pryuely go away with Iason , she kyled her yonge brother Absirtus , and did plucke him in peces , to stay her father which pursued after her : & when she had lyued many yeres in Grece , with Iason , and had children by hym . At last Iason forsoke her , and maryed Glauca , doughter of kynge Creon . Medea so refused , slew the sones which she had by Iason , & settynge hys Palace on fyre : she burned Glauca , and her father therin .

HIpsiphile , Hipsiphil doughter of Thoas , Kyng of Lemnus , whyche lo●ed Iason excedinglye , & bare hym two chyldren at a burden .

IAson , Iason . sonne of Aeson , whom Pelias hys Unkell being kyng of Thessalye , dyd sende wyth manye other valyente Gentlemen , to fetche the Golden Fleece . Whych ( the aduenters ther of achyeued , ) by the helpe of Medea , he wan , and brought it away .

DEmophon , Demophon sonne of Theseus & Phaedra . Which returninge from the batayle of Troy , was by tempeste broughte into Thracia , wheare Phillis doughter of Licurgus , then Queene , receyued hym , and after maryed hym , whyche from thence wente to Athens , promysynge her to returne shortlye . Which when he performed not , Phillis not able to susteine the ragyng fyttes of so feruent loue . Honge her selfe on an Almonde tree .

And so the Poets fained that she was turned into an Almonde tree .

DIdo , Dido . doughter of Belus , kynge of Tirus . And wyfe of Sicheus : whom when Pigmalion the kinge , & brother to Dido had s●a●ne for his richesse . Dido sayled into Africa with hys treasure , and theare buylded the famous Cytie of Carthage . And afterwarde in loue with Aeneas , when he had departed from her , to seke the lande of Italye : ( according to Cassandra her prophesie . ) she brake her necke for sorow , falling into the fire . &c. Or according to Virgill flew her selfe with Aeneas his swerde .

AEneas . Aeneas A noble man of Troy , sonn● of Anchises and Venus . Which escapynge with his father , wyfe , and other hys countrey men . After great trauaile , and many chaunces : aryued in Italy , wheare after great batayle he slewe kyng Turnus , and maryed Lauinia , daughter to kyng Latinus . And so became king of Italy .

HElena . Helena . Begotten of Iupiter , in the lykenes of a Swanne , on Laeda wyfe of Tindar●s , kynge of Laconia . And was for her passyng bewtie ●wyse stollen Fyrst by Th●s●us , being but a gerle : & the seconde time being wife to Menelaus , by Paris . For whom the Grecians warred ten yeares space with the Troyans . And so Troy beyng burned , receyued her agayne .

PAris . Paris . Sonne of Priam kynge of Troy , by hys wyfe Hecuba , with whom when shee was greate with chylde , shee dreamed that shee had broughte foorthe a fyrebrande , whych shulde burne Troye : whearfore the kynge afrayde , commaunded that the chylde shulde be kylled as soone as hee was borne . Hys mother Hecuba , moued wyth motherly pytie , did pryuelye sende hym to a Shepard to be brought vp . And when he waxed a yonge man , Iuno , Pallas , and Venus , Goddesses , stryuynge in beutye for a golden Apple , wheron was written : be it geuen to the fayrest They were sente by Iupiter , to the iudgemente of Paris . To whom when Iuno had promysed rule and kyngdome , Pallas wysedome , and Venus pleasure , and the fayrest woman in the worlde . He gaue the apple to Venus . And so after came in fauour with his father , and sayling to Sparta , he brought fayre Helen away wyth hym . And so the batayle of Troy began .

SApho . Sapho . A woman of the Ile Lesbos , lerned in Poetrye , beinge forsaken of a yonge man , called Phaon , whom she loued : she caste her selfe from the hyll Leucates , into the Sea , & so peryshed by loue of hym .

PHaon . Phaon . When he had caryed Veenus ouer a Fery : she gaue hym to be the fairest , and best shaped man alyue .

BIblis . Biblis . daughter of Miletus , which inflamed with detestable loue of her brother Caunus , when he forsoke hys countrey to auoyde that myscheyfe : she folowed hym tyl she dyed for fayn●nes .

SCylla . Scylla . Daughter of Nisus , kynge of Megaris . Whyche for the loue of Minos then besegyng the Cytie of Megaris , she brought to hym a purple heare , which she cut of from her fathers heade . And that heare being on hys heade , he could not be ouercome , and by lyke destenye : with the heare , he loste hys kyngdome . And Minos dyspysed her for her mischeuous dede . And tyenge her with a corde to the ende of hys shyp : he hanged her in the water .

MInos . M●nos . begotten by Iupit●r in the likenes of a white Bull , on the fayre Europa , daughter to Agenor kyng of Phaenicia . And for his iustyce is fayned of the Poets to be a Iudge in Hell .

ADonis . Adonis . A yonge man of passing bewtye , whom Cinaras kynge of Phaenicia , made dronke by polycy of hys doughter , & a Nurce , ●egat on his owne doughter M●rrha . whom Venus loued .

Hippolitus . Hippolitus . Sonne of Theseus , duke of Athens , by Hippolite . Whom when hys stepmother Phaedra could not winne to her lust , she accused him to Theseus , as thoughe hee woulde haue oppressed her by force . Thes●us then trustynge hys wyfe to much , desyred hys father Aegeus , a God of the Sea , that he wolde kyll hys sonne . Wherfore when Hippolitus dyd ryde in a Charyot by the Sea syde , Aegeus sente out certaine monsters of the Sea , called Phoces , wherwith his horses afraide , brake the Charyot , and rente hym in peces . But at the requeste of Diana , Goddesse of Chastytie ( louyng her chast knight Hippolitus , ) Aesculapius , the fyrste that inuented Physyke : restored hym to lyfe agayne .

MEnelaus . Menelaus . Sonne of A●reus , brother to Agamemn●n , and kyng of the Cytie of Sparta .

VVlcane . Vulcane . Sonne of Iupiter & Iuno , whyche being borne ill fauored , and liked not Iuno : he was cast into the Ile Lemnus , who are being noryshed wyth Apes , he became lame of one foote therby . And he is fayned to be the god of fyre , and the Smyth to make thunder boltes for Iupit●r . Whych askyng to marrye Minerua , Iupiters doughter , and Goddesse of wysdome : he was denyed . Wherfore Virgill 〈◊〉 * The Gods wolde not vouchsafe , Ne● deus hunc men sa , Dea nec dignata cubili est . that hee shulde at theyr table fyt . And to her bed , the Goddesse shee wolde neuer hym admyt : But afterwarde , thys gay Squyer maried to Venus , when he had taken her a bed wyth lustye Ma●s , the god of batayle . He had framed such fine chaynes to bynde them , that they could not get a sunder : tyll he had brought all the Gods to laugh at the game .

PAsiphae . Pasiphae Wy●e of Minos kynge of Creta , whych loued a stowte Captayne called Taurus , and conceyued by him the cruel and deformed Minotaurus , whom for his fiercenes , and ill shape , the Poets fayned to haue bene halfe a man , and halfe a bull : & therfore was enclosed in a Laberinthe , ( made by the co●ynge Dedalus , ) and theare fed wych fleshe of men .

HEro . Hero . A mayden of synguler bewtye , of the Cytye Sestos , in ●ellespont .

LEander . Leander . A yonge gentleman of the Cyty Abidos , whych a great Ryuer dyd deuyde from Sestos , who are he was wonte to swym by nyghte , to hys louer Hero , and so at laste was drowned .

PIramus . Piramus . A yonge gentleman of Babylon whyche loued Thisbe .

THisbe . Thisbe . A mayde of synguler bewtye , whyche when shee loued P●riamus excedyngly : And they were kept a sunder by their parents , yet o●e night they escaped out , and had agreed before , to haue met vnder a tree without the towne : Thisbe commynge thyther fyrste , seinge a Lyon ? dyd flye into the wood , her rayle beynge fallen of , the Lyon 〈◊〉 it in peces . Piramus commynge after , fyndynge the cloth ren●e , thoughte that Thisbe had bene denoured of some beast , and so 〈◊〉 hym selfe . Whyche when Thisbe returnynge agayne dyd see : shee kylled her selfe wyth the same swe●de .

OReste● . Orestes . Sonne of kynge Agame●●ion . Whyche ●lew hys mother Clitemnestia , because that shee for loue of Aegisthus , had slayne hys father . And he maryed H●rmione . And after being 〈◊〉 , ( hys most faythful frend Pylades kepyng him ) he came into the country of Tauric● : Where , accordyng to the custome , he shulde haue bene slayne , and sacryfysed . But being knowen of hys syster Iphigenia , hee slewe the kynge Thoas , and escaped with hys syster . And after had hys wyttes perfecte agayne .

HErmione . Hermione . Daughter of Menelaus , and that Helen : so renowmed for her bewtye , Whych being a gerle was marryed to Orestes . And when kyng Pirrhus , sonne of the valyante . Achilles , had marryed her afterward . Hermione by letters requyred him humbly , to claime his right and delyuer her . And so Orestes slew Pirrhus , & receyued Hermione agayne .

HIacinthus . Hiacinthus . A yong man , of passynge bewtye .

MArs . Mars . God of warre , and sonne of Iupiter and Iuno .

THeseus . Theseus . Sonne of Aegeus kyng of Athens , & of Aethra , doughter to Pytheus , kyng of the Cytye Troezen . A puyssante knyghte , whych dyd many greate feates a●d aduentures : As Hercules dyd . Being but a yonge man , he foughte wyth Hercules against the Amazones , warfull women . He slew Creon kynge of Thebes , which suffered not men slaine in warre to be buryed . He slew Minotaurus , and deliuered hys countrey , from the trybute of fourtene noble chyldren , euery nyne yeres , sent to Creta to be slayne , for that the Cytyzens of Athens had slaine Androgeus , sonne of Minos kynge of Creta . Hee slewe a monstrous Bull whych had spoyled the countrey Attica . He slew ●eyron , and Procustes , robbers . And afterwarde wyth his faythfull freind Pirithous he wente to Hell to fetche Proserpina , whom Pluto had stollen , from her mother C●res , Goddesse of corne , and Queene of Sicilye .

But Pirith●uis beynge slayne by the three headed Hounde Cerberus , Porter of Hell : Theseus was kept in prison theare , tyll he was delyuered by myghty Hercules .

ARiadne . Ariadne Doughter to Minos , king of Creta , whyche by a botom of thred , taught Theseus to come out of the Laberinthe , after he had kylled her brother Minotaurus . She forsoke her countrey and folowed hym , whom he lefte in the Ile of Naxus ▪ So Bacchus the God of wyne , tooke her to wyfe . And Venus gaue her a crowne , wheron Bacchus se● nyne starres , & fyred it in the skye . And so the starre is called the Gnossian crowne .

PHaed●a . Phaedia . Doughter of kynge Minos , and Pasiphae , wyth her syster Ariadne dyd flye her countrey , with Theseus : and became hys wyfe , after he had forsaken Ariadne .

ADelasie Adelasie . Doughter and onelye chylde of the Emperour Otho the thyrde , so excedynglye she was enamoured of the most valiant Aleran , sonne of a Duke of Saxony that she procured hym pryuelye to conuey her awaye , whych by the helpe of an old lady her nurce , he brought to pass● . And afterwarde beinge robed of suche money as they had prouyded , they lyued long in a woode , and made coles for theyr lyuynge , and bare hym seucn sonnes theare , and afterwarde by the valyante feates of her eldest sonne , they were knowen to the Emperoure ▪ and so had hys fauoure agayne , and enioyed the Empyre after hym .

IVliet . Iuliet . A noble mayden of the Cytye Ve●ona in Italye , whyche loued Romeus , eldest sonne of the Lorde Montesche , and beinge pryuely maryed togyther : he at last poysoned hym selfe for loue of her . she for sorowe of hys deathe , slewe her selfe in the same Tombe , wyth hys dagger ▪

TIresias . Tiresias . An olde Prophet of the Cytie Thebes , in Boetia , a countrey in Attica . And is nowe called Vanda●ia .

DIana . Diana . Daughter of Iupiter and Latona , and sy●er of Apollo , & is called goddesse of hunting , and Chastytie . & is the Moone also .

NYmphes , Nymphes were maydens which folowed Diana , and worshyppyng her , did lyue solytarye , in woodes , by ryuers sides , and other pleasant places : to auoyde companye . And cheifly vsed huntyng : to subdue the tedyousnes of tyme .

ACteon . Acteon . Sonne of Aristaeus , by A●tonoe daughter of Camus , buylder of the Cytye Thebes , whych after he had bene a hunting , came by chaunce to a secret wel or spryng , where he saw Diana naked , wasshyng of her selfe . Wherat shee takyng displeasure , turned him into a Harte , and so , as he wold haue returned home , Inscius Acteon vidit sine veste Dianam , Atque suis canibus ▪ &c. he was rente in peces of his owne hounds . Ouid Epist. Acteon once ●vnwyttyng , did Dian● naked ▪ see : Wherfo●e vnto his Houndes , shee made Him then a praye to bee . ¶ All whych was ●ained , for that he had spente hys substaunce , and vndone him selfe by hun●ynge , and kepyng of houndes .

GYsmonde . Gysmond Onelye daughter of Tanc●ede , kyng of Sa●e●ne : which loued a seruaunte of her fathers : & beinge taken in adultery together , in a Caue in the grounde the kinge caused her louer Guistarde to be hanged therfore , and sent his harte vnto her ▪ whych imbracynge it , layd it on her breste , agaynste her owne hart , and dranke a cuppe of poyson immedyatly , wherof dyenge : shee desyred that they myghte be buryed together .

FINIS .

¶ Faultes escaped

In A. the .6 . page , in the margent , for Gaminides , read Ganimedes .

In the same page , the .7 . lyne , for Narsisus read Narcissus . In A. the .7 . page , the .19 . line , for worthy warke read worthier warke . In A. the .12 . page , the .25 . line , for how read now . In A. the .14 . page the 13. line , for the read that . In the same page , the .14 . line for weakyng read weaklyng .

In B. the fyrst page , the .16 , line for springlinges read striplinges . In the same page , the .27 . line , for into worlde read into the worlde .

In B. the .4 . page , the .22 . lyne , for the Poet thus dyd tell , reade the Poet trueth dyd tell . In B. the .6 . page , the last vers , for Sylla , read Scylla . In B. the .15 . page , the 21. lyne , for aduenters read aduentures . In C. the .12 . page , the 15. line for Antonoc reade Autonoe . In the same page , the same lyne , for Camus read Cadmus .

¶ Imprinted at London in Fletestreat beneath the Conduyt , at the sygne of S. Iohn Euangelyste , by Thomas Col ( well . )

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A08665-e210

Notes for div A08665-e7860