Ouidius Naso his Remedie of love. Translated and intituled to the youth of England

Ouidius Naso HIS REMEDIE OF LOVE . Translated and Intituled to the Youth of England .

Plautus in Trinummo . — Mille modis Amor Ignorandu'st , procul adhibendus est , atque abstinendus . Nam qui in Amore precipitauit , peius perit , quàm si saxe saliat .

VIR EST SIT VULNERE VERITAS

LONDON Printed by T. C. for Iohn Browne , and are to be sold at his shop in Fleetstreet , at the signe of the Bible . 1600.

TO HIS SOMEtimes Tutor , at all times deerest friend , M. I. better reward for his deserts . &c.

I Haue liued to be the cause of thy wrong ; I may liue to doe thee right ; the first by casualtie , contrary to my desire , the latter voluntarily , according to thy desert . Accept therefore these few lynes , whatsoeuer they are , and howsoeuer attirde , yet as true witnesses of my euerlasting loue . If they seeme vnpollisht ( as I feare ) hide them , for thou gauest them their beginning : If possessing any thing of worth or pleasure , ( as yet I hope ) ioy in it , and enioy it , for thou wert the first moouer of my Muses circular conceits , which had neuer beginning but by thee , and neuer shall ende , but in thee : and whatsoeuer they doe , all shall be for thee . Farewell .

Times truest child . F. L.

The first booke of Ouidius Naso , intituled The Remedie of Loue . 1 WHen Loue first read the title os this booke , Wars , wars , against me now are wag'd ( que he ) O dayne thy Poet of a milder looke , Condemne him not , that from offence is free . Who euer was Loues vowed Ancient , Bearing his cullers with a true intent . 2 Not I Tydides , by whose cruel speare Thy mother wounded , on Mars foming steeds Fled into heauen , full of carefull feare , Others sometime , in bitter fancy bleeds . But I still burne : If thou the question moue What now I do ? I answere also Loue . 3 Yea , I haue taught how thou mightst be obtaind , So learning reason , how to bridle force : Yet not to thee , nor to mine Arts , containd In papers , proue I foe without remorce . Ne yet my Muse doth labour to vntwist , Her old spun webbe , that doth of Loue consist . 4 He that hath built his fancie to his minde , He happie loues , and happie liue he still ; Still fill thy sayles with that thrice prosperous wind ; But if thou be subiected to the will Of any tyrant , or vnworthy mayd , Least that thou perish , search our Arts for ayd . 5 Why , why should any basely hang and die ? To giue an instance of their desperate loue : Or , why should any with such crueltie , By selfe-inflicted wounds their soules remoue ? So thou that onely doest in peace delight , Shalt gayne suspition of a murtherous wight . 6 If then he be , who least he scapes the snare ; And leaues to loue , must also leaue to liue ; O let him in due time thereof beware , O let him leaue to loue , and leaue him giue . Thus loue shall be esteem'd liues deerest friend , Not cursed author of a desperate end . 7 Thou art a child , nor ought childhood fits , But games , sports , playes , then game , sport , play ; Such gentler rule , becomes such childish wits : Thy childish wit , that no high things must way . Thou in thy wars maist naked arrowes vse , Yet such as shall no deadly wounds infuse . 8. Let old Stepfathers war with sword and speare , And in a Sea of blood win victorie : Vse thou thy mothers fight , that yeelds no feare , Nor for the sonnes losse makes the parent crie . Let doores be broken in thy nocturne Iarres , And be adornd with garlands midst those warres . 9. Let men and maidens take their sports by stealth , Let maidens vse their words with cunning art : Now let them kindly send their Louers health , And suddenly with chiding wound their hart . And barring fast the doores , shut out their loue , Where let them waile , and yet no pitie moue . 10. These warres shall please thy gentle humor best , In these teares shalt thou sport , not causd by death ; Death shall not see thy Torches at her feast , Nor morning funerals thy fiers breath . Thus hauing said , Loue shooke his golden wings , And bid me end the worke my pen begins . 11. Come then sick youth vnto my sacred skill , Whose loue hath fallen crosse vnto your minde : Learne how to remedie that pleasing ill , Of him that taught you your owne harmes to finde . For in that selfesame hand your helpe is found , Whence first ye did receiue your careful wound . 12 So th' earth which yeelds vs herbs of souerain grace Doth nourish weeds , of vertue pestilent ; The burning nettle chuseth oft her place , Next to the Rose , that yeelds so sweete a sent . Achilles Speare , that wounded his sterne foe , Restord him health , & curde the greeuous blow . 13. Now what prescriptions we do giue to men , Maides thinke them spoken vnto you likewise : To both parts we giue weapons , vse them then With secret Art , and with discretion wise . Of which if ought you finde that seemes not fit , Know in examples many things are writ . 14 And profitable is our Argument , To quench that secret and consuming flame : To free thy minde from sin and ill intent , To loose those bands that drew thee into shame . Phillis had liu'd had I her Tutor been , That three times thice walkt path she oft had seen . 15. Nor Dido dying from her stately Tower , Should haue beheld the Troians thence to flye : Sorrow should not haue had so strong a power , To cause the mother do her owne to dye . Tereus though Philomela might him please , Should not through sin a graundsiers title seaze . 16. Giue me Pasiphae , she shall cease to Loue The filthy shape of that straunge monstrous beast , Bring Phaedra forth , and I will soone remoue Her deepe incestuous lust , that neuer ceast . Liude Paris , Hellen he should not desire , Nor shuld the Greekes waste Pergamus with fire . 17. Had wicked Scylla read our argument , Nisus should not haue lost his fatall haire ; I le teach you to asswage the greedy bent Of burning lust , and make the weather faire : I le steare your Ship aright in seas of loue , And from each rock I will you safely moue . 18. Ouid was to be read with studious care , When first your loue began with fruite to growe , Ouid is to be read , in your ill fare , When first your loue with deep disdain shal flowe . I do professe to gaine your libertie , Then follow me , reuenge your miserie . 19. Be present ô thou Prophet , Appollinem medecine & Poëseos Deus invocat. Poets praise , Phisicks first finder out , and nurse alone ; Crowne me professing both , with lasting bayes , For both are vnder thy protection . Raine siluer shewers of skill into my brest , That I may shewe each wretch the way to rest . 20. Whiles well thou maist , and ere that secret warre Be throughly kindled in thy troubled minde , If thou repent , ô run not on too far , Retire , ere greater cause of griefe thou finde . Tread down the starting seeds of springing wo , And turne thy Steed , ere he vntamed grow . 21. Delay giues strength , time ripes the greenest grape , And makes corn stiff , that was a weak spring-weed : The greatest tree that farthest spreads his sape , Was first a wand , or but a litle seed . Then mought it be thrown down , drawne vp , soone broke , Now stands it stiffe , & conquers euery stroke . 22. Consider first , where thou dost thrall thy hart , To whom thou vowest thy seruice and thy loue , And if the burthen cause thine inward smart From out the yoke with speed thy neck remoue : Stop the beginning , for Phisick comes too late , When time hath drawn the wound to desperate state . 23. Defer not therefore to the comming hower , For he that at the present is vnapt , Shall finde delay diminish still his power , Vntill at length he wholly be intrapt . Louers excuses seeke of long delay , And euer fittest deemes the following day . 24. But each small minute giues occasion Of deeper thraldome , Fancy ties by slight : See how by many streames collection , There doth arise a flood of wondrous might . Drops multiplied do grow to running springs , And springs vnited forth a Riuer brings . 25. If that thou hadst foreseene how great a sinne , Myrrha , thy wicked lust did powre on thee , Thou neuer shouldst haue hid thy shamefull chin Within the barke of that still weeping tree . Oft haue I seene an easie soone curde ill By times processe , surpasse the Leachmans skill . 26. But for we still delight to taste the fruites Of melting pleasure , and bewitching Loue , We wooe our selues with long protracting suites , And daily promise from it to remoue : Meane while the flame we feed within vs still , For deeper rootes the weed and tree of ill . 27. But if the time of this first cure be past , And long-fed loue doth lode thy fainting hart , A worke of greater moment now is cast , Vpon my promise , and of deeper Art . Yet will I not cast off the sicke decaide , Though late it be ere he implores my aide . 28. Paeantius sonne should haue redeemd his health , By cutting off that first corrupted part , Though after many yeares times gon by stealth , He ending warfare was recurde by Art . I that but now did launce the wound in haste , Now wish thou slowly flying time to waste . 29. Yet seeke to quench those flames , that newly burn , With those , whose furie past do now decline : Giue Raynes to running rage , and do not turne Her race , and she will kill her selfe with time . Each violence at first is wondrons strong , And hardly yeeldeth passage vnto wrong . 30. He is a foole that may the Riuer passe By small declining vnto either side : And yet will striue against the streame , alas , And euer be far from his purpose wide . Me thinks I see a minde impatient , That neuer subiect was to Arts true bent . 31. Contemne this Counsell as of slender skill , And scorne th' admonisher as fond and vaine : But then will I apply me to his will , And vndertake my promisde taske againe . When as his wounds wil beare a touch , a straine , And eke himselfe beliue I do not faine . 32. Who would forbid the mother for to weepe Vpon the dead hearse of her dearest sonne : This is no time that she should patience keepe , This is no place to say she must haue done : When with her teares her mind is satisfied , By words her griefe may best be mollified . 33. By time must medicines be measur'd forth , For in fit time wines profit and delight : But out of season they are little worth , And brings the body to eternal night . Moreouer , vnto flax thou addest fire , Forbidding vice , contraring his desire . 34. In vnfit times , by ill meanes , or straunge place , Nor euer shalt thou so thy Patient cure : When then thou seest thy selfe in better case , Able or hard prescriptions to endure , See first thou fly from sloathful Idlenesse , And still be doing somewhat more or lesse . 35. Sloath drawes thee on , and leads thee vnto Loue , Sloath the chiefe cause , and foode of pleasing ill : Shake off but Sloath , and idle ease remoue , Blinde Cupid shall his arrowes vainely spill : His bowe shall breake , and to the ground shall fall , Yea and his firy brands extinguish all . 36. Euen as the Palme-tree loues the Riuers sight , And as the Alder ioyes the Waters side , As Reeds in slymie Marishes delight , So Loue doth euermore with sloath abide . Loue hates all busie braines as deadly ill : If then thou wilt not loue , be busie still . 37. Languor , and Feeblenesse , and sloathful play , Time drownd in Wine , and lost in drowsie sleepe , Steales from the mind her wonted strength & stay , Whiles all her spirits dead , no watch do keepe : Then in slips Traitor Loue her enemie , And doth depriue her of her libertie . 38. Loue euermore a shadow is to Sloath , Attending on her alwaies as her Page , To be imployde with businesse its loath : It hates all care , at trouble stil doth rage . Adde then vnto thy minde some chiefe affaire , Stil to preserue from Loues infectious ayre . 39. There are the seates of Iudgements Iustice see : There are the Lawes go learn to plead for truth ; Thou hast some friend in trouble , set him free : Thus shalt thou euer fly fond Fancies ruth . Or clad thy selfe in steele and shining armes , Pleasure shal fly , and neuer worke thy harmes . 40. Behold the Parthian , who flying fights , Now Captiuate the cause of our new ioyes , Conquer thou Cupids sensual delights : As then the Parthian hast to his annoy ; So in thy double conquest mayst thou weare Two Trophies , and vnto thy Gods them beare . 41. As soone as Venus from th' Aeolian Speare Receiude her wound , she left the bloodie field , She left the care of that vnconstant feare Vnto her Louer , by his strength to wield : Some aske why fraile Aegistus burnd in sinne ? The cause is plaine , Sloath did his vertue winne . 42. Diuers were slack , and many proued slowe , Some came but late , before proud Troyes wall , To which the youth of Greece did daily goe , Concluding their long toyle with Illions fall . Would he the exercise of rough warres daine , His nature could not suffer any paine . 43. Would he haue spent his speech to plead for right , Greece wanted matter for his vehement tongue , All that he could , he did euen to his might , Least nought he should to Loue he tun'd his song : So came that childe to vndertake some paine , So stil he doth a childish boy remaine . 44. The Countrey also doth delight the minde , With pleasant studies of sweet husbandry : This care the greeuoust cares & griefes doth binde , Quickly forgets and makes all sorrow flye . Yoke then thy Oxen well taught to obay , And furrow vp the earth in good aray . 45. Bury therein thy quicke and liuely seede , Which thy fat fields in time shall multiply Yeelding thee treble gaines with happie speede , Behold the Apple bough how it doth ply . And stoope with store of fruit that doth abound , Scarce able to sustaine them from the ground . 46. Marke well the gentle musicke of each spring , Whiles through the Peebles it doth make her way : See how thy Lambes with tender teeth do wring , And choysely crop the sweetest herbes away . The gentle Lambes that alwaies heard togither , Louers of companie , louing one another . 47. Loe how the Goates vnto the Rocks do speede , Their empty dugs for their young kids to fill : Attend the musick of the Shepheards Reede , How his true Curre awaites to do his will . O how the woods resound on euery part , Of kyne that still bewaile their Calues depart . 48. How swarmes of Bees from bitter smoke do fly , Easing the crooked Pillers of their neast : How Autumne yeeldeth fruites aboundantly , And Sommer welcomes Ceres to his feast . The Spring with flowers guilds the pleasant field , And Winters Frost with fier we beguilde . 49. The Husbandman in time conuenient , Gathers his Grape , & thence draws pleasant Wine . The Gardner hath his slips in order bent , Refines the earth , and plots it with his line . Euen thou maist plant , and graffe , and set , & sowe , Cause water many miles through pipes to flowe , 50. Is it fit time to graffe ? make then one Tree , Adopt an other , and preserue his life , There let him stand still couered and still free , From th' iniuries of time , and weathers strife : Thy minde thus busied with this pleasant care , Loue disappointed from thee flyeth faire . 51. Or giue thy minde to Huntings sweet delight , For stately Dian that pursues in chase , And conquers each vntamed beast in fight , Giues Venus still foule ouer throwes and base . Follow the fearefull hart with skilfull hound , Or with thy net encompasse him around . 52. Adde diuers terrors to the flying hart , And with thy Speare transfixe the cruell Bore , So thou all wearie at the dayes depart , Shalt soundly sleepe till Sun the day restore . No idle thoughts shall rule thy fantasie , Nor pleasing dreame thy weaker sense shall trie . 53. More gentle is that pleasant exercise , To fowle with shaft , or closely hidden Net , Nor do these sports of lesse reward dispise , For also they do Cupids treason let : Or hide thy compast Hooke with pleasing baite , Deceiuing Fish that do for foode awaite . 54. With these , and other such , still feed thy minde , For by thy selfe thy selfe must be deceiu'd , Till thoughts of loue quite vanquished thou finde ; Thou onely ( let me herein be beliud ) Though deerest loue implore thee still to stay , Absent thy selfe by iorneyes euery day . 55. I know the sweet remembrance of thy loue , ( Which newly thou forsak'st wil cause thee weepe , ) And stay thy foote that it no step remoue , Altring the purpose , which thou mindst to keepe . But by how much thou shalt desire to stay , So much the faster see thou spurre away . 56. Be patient , and learne by dayly vse , To suffer these afflictions of sicke mindes . Wish not for rayne , fit matter of excuse , Or Sabboths that from iorneyes doe vs binde , Nor Allium , that most vnlucky thing , Which euermore with it mischance doth bring . 57. Thinke not how many thousands thou hast past , But looke how many miles do yet remaine : Nor with delay study the time to waste , To stay neere home do no occasion finde : Number thou not the dayes , the weekes the houres , Nor look thou back vnto thine home-bred bowers . 58. But fly forth still and with the Parthian fight , Who findes best safety in retyring still , Some one will call my precepts hard , and right , He sayes , yea I subscribe vnto his will . But for to keepe our health in perfect state , Much must we suffer of a desperate fate . 59. Oft haue I tasted Sirups of sharpe touch , Against my will , to cure my maladie : But when my appetite desired much , All sorts of meates they did to me deny . To free thy body from disease and paine , Both sword , and fire , & what not wilt thou daine ? 60. If that in greatest thirst and moistures lacke , Thou must not touch one drop of shewring raine , Then to redeeme thy minde from sorrowes wracke : Wilt thou refuse to suffer any paine ? Sith it so far exceeds this humane mold Of base borne flesh vnto corruption sold . 61. But yet the hardest entrance of our Art , And greatest labour that furmounts the rest , Is to endure , and beare the first times smart : Behold how hard it is , to make th' young beast , First brooke the yoke , or back an vntam'd lade , And yet in time they are most gentle made . 62. But thou art loath to leaue thy Countries bound , Thy fathers cottage , and his dwelling place , Yet shalt thou go beyond thy natiue ground , Though to returne thou turnest still thy face : Thou faignest faire excuse , not Countries lack , But thy faire Mistresse Loue doth call thee back . 63. Well being past great comfort to thy minde , Thy iourney , fellowes , and strange fields will bring , Yet thinke not this sufficient , but beware , Least thou returne , ere Loue hath tane her wing , Still absent be , and still vnknowne paths tread , Till euery sparke of Loue lie cold and dead . 64. For if thou do returne cur'd but in part , Loue will againe renew his ciuill warre , And euery day will still augment thy smart , Sith thou returnest to thy griefe from farre . But let him eate the hearbs of Thessalie , That Magicke thinkes will cure his Maladie . 65. Yet auncient is that damned Socerie : But wise Appollo , Poets chiefest guide , Doth point vs out for better meanes to trie : And certaine helpes , on which we must abide . Then by my will no Magicke shal be vsde , No charming verse which many haue abusde . 66. No ghost shal be commaunded to arise Out of the graue , where it should sleepe in rest : No witch , whose lims by age growen weatherwise , Shall cause the earth rend open her wide brest . Corne shall not shift from field to field at all , Nor shall the Sun growe dim , or wax ●●d pall . 67. As erst it did , shall Romes faire Riuer pay , He wonted tribute to the Midland Sea . And stil shall Phoebe course her wonted way , Drawne by her milkwhite steeds , that swiftest be . No Wisard reading backward shall vncharme , Or liuing Sulphure driue away Loues harme . 68. What remedy did Phasis flowers yeeld Circe , when thou wouldst not from Cholcos god ▪ What helpt the weedes of all the Persian field When as the windes Vlisses sayles did blow . Each guile thou did'st attempt to make him stay , A blast of winde yet wasted him away . 69. Yea thou did'st practise through thy deepest arte , To quench those flames that did molest thy minde , Yet did they euermore procure thy smart , And vnto deeper sorow did thee binde . Thou that could'st change men into diuers kinde Could'st not reuerse the passions of thy minde . 70. And when he would depart , thou thought'st to stay Him with sweet wordes , with which thou fild'st his eare , I cannot hope , thou said'st , but humbly pray , To make me your sole spouse , which much I feare : Yet am I worthy it , though that thou skorne , Daughter to Phoebus of a goddesse borne . 71. O yet delay thy iorney some small space , Short stay for great requitall I require , With fauour may I aske a smaller grace : See how the Sea contraries thy desire , With troubled Billowes , which should cause thee feare : Stay then for winde that will thee safely beare . 72. What cause hast thou to hasten thus thy flight ? Here stands no aduerse Troy to trouble thee : No foe to call thee forth to bloody fight , But loue and peace dwels here , from danger free . Yet onely I from them haue tane this wound , Which vnto thee subiected hath this ground . 73. This and much more in vaine her tongue did say , But wise Vlisses alwayes stopt his eare ; And hoysing his braue sayles , fled fast away , The winde her loue , and words away doth beare . Yet still her torments did the more increase , Yet stil of cursed spels she seeketh ease . 74. But all her magicke , and spright binding arte , Diminisht nothing of her furious loue , Ne ought did take from her consuming smart , Ne ought her helish torments did remoue ; Ye then that fondly loue , and faigne would leaue , In magicke spels doe not at all beleeue . 75. But if great cause of businesse thee retaine Within the Citie , where thy mistris dwels , Follow my counsaile freedome to regaine , Which for the Cities presence I will tell . He woonne his freedome and did quite him wel , That once escapte vnworthy loues lowe Hell . 76. This thou desirest him , I wonder at , And of my medicines he shall not need : To thee alone my Rules I will relate , Whose inward wounds do neuer cease to bleed , Who louest , & wouldst faigne that knot vnbinde , And know'st not how , & seekst the way to finde . 77. Recount vnto thy selfe each suttle Art , Each wicked Act of thine vnworthy Loue : Vnfold before thine eyes each losse , each smart , Which by her meanes and for her thou dost proue : This hath she stolne , & that thus must you say , Yet this or that will not her stealing stay . 78. But euen houshold goods , and gods and all , She quite hath fold with couetous desire : Lo thus protesting she doth Record call Her faith , yee falsifies it , O the stoute lyer , How often hath she shut me out her gate ? There suffering me my sorrowes to relate . 79. Yea she applies her selfe to straungers last , And scorne my loue , ô most vnhappie I , Vnto her base apprentise she doth trust , Those secrets which to me she doth denie : The oft remembrance of such cruell wrong ▪ Wil root thy fancie vp though grounded strong . 80. Present them often then to thy sick minde , For hence the spring shall rise of happy hate , O would thou couldst seeme eloquent , to binde More strong perswasions to thy sickly state . 81. Lately I set my fancy on a maide , That fully answerd not to my desier , And therefore striu'd my fancy to haue staide , A poore Phisition to so great a fyer : Yet the remembrance of her vilder parts , Releast the furie of tormenting smarts . 82. How ill and excellent vnshapt her thigh , Yet to confesse the truth , it was not so : How foule her armes , thus would I say and sigh , Yet if they were not thus , I well did know : How short of stature , yet her stature tall ; Thus enuie loathsomnesse to me did call . 83. Good things do neighbour bad , and sit them by , Oft vertue thus of vice doth beare that blame , Faigne to thy selfe , and tell thy selfe a ly , And cloath her vertues with foule vices shame . Thus shalt thou change thy mind with subtill art , And weare away thy still encombring smart . 84. If shee be fat , that shee is swollen say : If browne , then tawny like the Affricke Moore : If slender , leane , meger , and worne away , If courtly , wanton , worst of worst before : If modest , strange , as fitteth woman-head , Say she is rusticke , clownish , and ill bred . 85. Yea whatsoeuer gift , ( for none hath all ) Thy mistris wants , intreat her still to vse : If that her voyce be ill , or cunning small , Importune her to sing , nee'r let her chuse : If that she cannot moue her feete in measure , To see her daunce , still let it be thy pleasure . 86. Is shee of small discourse , and slender wit ? Conuerse with her , that she may wound thine eare , To instruments hath shee not learn'd to fit Her fingers ? then desire a Lute to heare . Hath she an ill vncomely and strange gate ? Cause her to walke both earely forth and late . 87. Hath shee a swelling , and downe hanging breast ? Desire thou still to see her faire white skinne ; Are her teeth blacke or wants shee of the best ? Relate some merry iest that shee may grinne : Is shee compassionate ? tell then some woful case , So shall she shew thee Anticks in her face . 88. Earely desire to steale of her a sight , Ere shee hath cloath'd her with her best attire : We are seduced by vaine errors might , And gay apparell kindles our desire . Then is shee shrowded all in stone and golde , And of her selfe , least part her selfe doth holde . 89. Oft seeke for whom thou lou'st in company , And great resort of other goodly dames : By this deuice new loues beguiles thine eye , And drawes thy first desire to farther blame : Come all vnthought of sudden in the place , So shall she be vnarm'd in weaker case . 90. So shalt thou disappoint her in her guile , See her defects , and coole thy burning loue ; Yet trust not to this rule , which other while Fallacious and dangerous doth proue : For carelesse hauiour that doth banish art , Hath mighty force , to hold a wounded hart . 91. Yet whiles with curious skill shee paintes her face , Be not asham'd , but presse thou to her sight : Then shalt thou finde her boxes in the place , Wherein her beauty lyes , and borrowed light . Then shalt thou see her body all begreas'd With ointments that hath thee so greatly pleas'd . 92. Of sauour worse then Phineûs tables were , Whose filthinesse a plague to him was sent , With these my stomack could not often beare , But euermore to ease it selfe was bent ; But now euen what we vse in midst of Loue , I will thee teach that passion to remoue . 93. For by all meanes we must this fier expell ; But I do shame euen needfull things to showe : Yet thou by those which I to thee shall tell , Mayst well conceiue the rest , and easie knowe . For some dispraise my rimes to enuie bent , And say my Muse is shamelesse impudent . 94. Yet since I see so many that I please , That all the world my sporting lines receaue , Let this , or that man enuie at my ease , Dispraise my pen , and me of praise bereaue : Detracting enuie Homers writ hath blam'd Who ere thou be , he Zoilus hath nam'd . 95. Yea sacriligious tongues hath torne thy verse , By whose good guide the Troyans gaind this land : The loftiest things Ioues thunderbolts do perse ; And winds encounter what doth highest stand . So enuie euer aymeth at the best , And will not giue them any time to rest . 96 But thou , who ere thou be , that thus my Muse So much offendes through looser libertie , If in thy wrath discretion thou canst vse , Then to each subiect , his apt verse applie : Stout warres deserue a Homer to display Their battailes , conflicts , and their good array . 97 What place may there be found for sweet delight , For Reuels , Triumphs , Loues and merriment ; Matters of State , Tragedians do report , For loftie Stiles becomes such drirement . No humble muse must there sound his stil horne , There buskins , but no base shoes must be worne . 98 The Iambicke freely taunts his enemie , Whether his last foote slow , or swift doth proue , The legicke sings of loue , and archerie , With shafts , such as from louers eyes do roue , And with her louer wantonly doth play , And sweetly speake , and plead , implore and pray . 99 Achilles honor shines not in the verse Of Cyrens Muse , where sports do better proue , And stately Homer , thou must not reherse , Cydippe , young Acontius deerest loue : Who can endure Andromache should play , The sports of Thais , and her wanton lay ? 100. Who acteth Thais , wrongs Andromache , One person cannot fit him to both parts : But I will play that part , and Thais be , Our sports are libertines , free are our hearts : Sith then all shame we banish from our verse , Thais is mine , I will her part rehearse . 101. If then my lines do fit a wantons lay , Gnawe thine owne gall , fonde enuy hold thy peace , For we haue wonne the lasting crowne of bay , And cleerd the blame wherein we did displease : Breake enuie , breake in thine owne foule despite , For we haue got renowne , and glory bright . 102. For still with honour , fames desire doth grow ; But at the foote of this high climing hill , My weary Steeds do pant and faintly goe ; As much to vs by their according will : Our Elegies confesse to vs they owe , As from his worke to Virgill praise doth flowe . FINIS .

¶ An exposition of the Poeticall examples , mentioned in this first Booke of the Remedie of Loue .

TYDIDES , That is Diomedes , the son of Tydeus & Deiphiles , he was the most strong & valiant of all the Greekes , except Achilles & Aiax : he wounded Venus in the right hand ; whiles shee defended Aeneas , yea , & also Mars , the God of warre , her Paramour .

Achilles , in a conflict wounded Telephus king of Missia , who denyed passage to the Grecians through his kingdome , bound for the siege of Troy , of which when no remedie could be found , he receiued from an Oracle , that hee could not otherwise be healed , but by the same Speare wherwith he was wounded : Afterwards therfore being reconciled to Achillis , he obtained that he might make an emplaster of the rust thereof , and so was restored to his perfect health .

Phillis , Lycurgus daughter , who entertained Demophoön , returning from the Troian warre , admitted him to her bed : with condition , that assoone as he had ordered his home-affayres , he should returne againe and marry her . But he being detained by vrgent occasions , and staying longer then the appointed time , shee hanged her selfe , and gaue an ende to her loue and life , in one instant .

Dido . How she after Aeneas departed from her , fayning a sacrifice , burned her selfe , it is too vulgar to be repeated .

Troians . A people of Asia .

Medea . The daughter of Aeta king of Cholcos , she entertayned Iason in his expedition for the Golden fleece , which she taught him how to win , and after fled away with him , married him , and bare vnto him two sonnes . Afterwards she was forsaken by him , who tooke vnto his second wife , Creusa the daughter of Creon , King of Corinth , which Medea tooke so greeuously , that artificially enclosing fire in a Forcet , sent it vnto her for a token : with which , shee and the Pallace before day was burnt vp . Herewith Iason being enflamed , ran forth to be reuenged on her , but she seeing him comming , tooke vp her two sonnes which he begate on her , and in their fathers sight murthered them , by cutting their throates , and then through her witchcraft she was taken vp into the Clowdes , and so went vnto Athens .

Tereus . Philomela . Tereus hauing rauished Philomela , ( who went to see her sister Progne whom he had married ) that his sinne might not be disclosed he cut off her tongue , and imprisoned her , but being a cunning work woman , she wrote the whole processe of her iniury in an handkercheffe , and sent it to her sister : who in reuenge thereof , killed her owne sonne Itys , and gaue his flesh boyled & rosted vnto her husband to eate : vnto whom , after he had wel fed thereon , she presented the childes head : wherat he being angry , followed his wife to haue slaine her , but she was turned into a Nightingale , & he into that bird which the Latines cal Vpupa , and some falsly translate , a Lapwing .

Pasiphae , The wife of Mirios , who being in loue with a Bull , by the helpe of Dedalus her Bawde , found out a way how she might lie with him : yea she conceiued & brought out a Minotaure , which was half a Atrian & half a Bull : which being enclosed in the Labyrinth , was after slain by Theseus . Phaedra , Wife to Theseus , who falsly accused Hippolitus his sonne of whoredome , because hee would not satisfie her lust , in lying with her , and so wrought his death .

Hee is not I thinke , that hath not heard how Paris king Priamus his sonne of Troy , stole Hellen from Greece , how the Graecians , which are a people of Europe , in reuenge , after 10. yeeres siege , destroyed Troy , called also by the name of Pergamus : wherefore we will ease our margeant of this tedious note .

Scylla , daughter to Nisus , who falling in loue with Minos her fahers enemie , cut off his golden hayre , and presented him therewith , thinking by this great argument of her loue , to win his grace : but he , though by her meanes he ouercame her father , hated so much her impietie , that hee vtterly refused her , and she , throwing her selfe into the sea , at his departure , to swimme after him , was turned into the bird Ciris , a Larke . Ouid.

Prophet , that is Apollo , whom Poets doe make their God : hence are they crowned with Lawrell , which tree is consecrated to him : hee also for his skill in the natures of hearbes , is recorded for the inuenter or finder out of that most necessary Art of Physicke .

Myrrha , the daughter of Cinarus king of Cyprus , who desiring her fathers companie , by the deuice of her Nurse , enioyed her filthie lust : and was deliuered of Adonis : which when her father knew , he would haue slayne her , but she flying from his fury , was turned into a tree of that name , which euermore weepeth as it were , and lamenteth her impietie .

Paeantius sonne , that is Philoctetes , the companion of Hercules , who after his death enioyed his arrowes , and being drawne to the Troian warre , by the fall of one of them was wounded in his foote , which grew to be almost incureable : for which cause he was left behind in the I le of Lemnos , & after by Vlisses was fetcht vnto Troy , which being sackt , he went into Calabria , where Machaon restored him to health .

Cupid , the sonne of Venus , Loues archer . &c.

Parthian , a people of Asia , in auncient times the most earnest enemies of the Romans , they excelled in shooting , which they so vesd in flight , that they more endamaged their foes thereby , then by any handy conflict , and yet defended themselues also . Of which Iustine lib. 41. Fugam sepe simulant , vt incautiores aduersus vulnera insequentes habeant . & paulo post . Plerumque in ipso ardore certamini praelia deserunt , & paulo post pugnam & fugam repetunt , & cum maximè vicisse te putes tunc tibi discrimen subeundum est .

Aeolion speare , Diomedes speare , looke this before .

Aegistus , the sonne of Thiestis by Pelopeia , he murthered Agamemnon , being ayded by his wicked wife Clytemnestia , whom he vsed in whoredome and beastly lust , and was after slaine himselfe by Orestes , Agamemnons sonne .

Ceres , the Inuentrix of plowing and tilling , sowing corne , and making bread .

Diana , daughter to Iupiter & Latona , and brother to Apollo by the same birth , she , for the loue of virginitie , fled the company of men , and inhabited the woods , dedelighting her selfe with hunting , whence she is named : The Lady and goddesse of Hunters .

Allium , by this hearbe which we call garlicke , antiquitie hath noted hieroglifically euill lucke .

Thessalie , a countrey in Greece , first named Aemonia ; whither Medea fled with Iason , after that by her helpe he had ouercome the Dragon : in it there were great store of witches , and it aboundeth with hearbes , which they thinke most needfull for their mischieuous practises .

Romes fayre riuer Tiber , so named from Tiberius , king of Albania , who was drowned therein , as Liuie our Poet , fast . 2. recordeth . These wonders which Ouid here reciteth , are but the effects of coniuration , the sense of all is but this : as if he had sayd : Seeke not to expell loue by spelles , coniuration or witchcraft , because they haue no force to remoue it .

That part of the Ocean which entereth at Hercules Pillars & Midland sea , goeth East to Tripolis , & then North to Constantinople . And the Ocean is all that sea which compasseth the now 4. and according to some , the 6. knowne continents or parts of the earth .

Phoebe , the same whom they call Diana , Cynthia & Luna , of vs , the Moone , sister to Phoebus the Sunne , from whom she hath her name : some faigne that her chariot is drawne with white horses , some with fishes .

Phasis , whiles Vlisses in his wanderings through the Midland seas eschewed the rough waters Lestrigoniae , he was by tempest driuen vnto Colchos , where Circe inhabited , a great and skilfull Sorceresse , who being in loue with him , restored his companions into their former shapes of men , being now transformed into Hogges . But when notwithstanding he would needs depart and leaue her , she did what she could by charmes & incantations to stay him , but they proued all vayne , and she vtterly forsaken . Phasis is a great riuer in that countrey and Towne also , scituate on that riuer in Colchos a countrey of Asia , full of hearbes which they vse in their witchcraftes : as Hor. Car. l. 2. od . witnesseth . Ille & venena Colchica & quicquid vsquam concipitur nefas tractauit .

In this countrey , Circe & Medea two notable witches inhabited ,

Daughter to Phaebus of a goddesse borne . For Circe was daughter to the Sonne , by the Nymph Perses .

Affricke , one of the 4. partes of the world . &c.

Phineus , the sonne of Agenor king of Arcadia , according to some , he married Sthenobea , on whome he begate Orythrus and Crambus , whom by the perswasion of their mother in Law Harpalicae his second wife , he caused to be made blind : for which impietie , himselfe first lost his sight , then was vexed by the filthie birds or monsters called Harpeiae : and lastly was slayne by Hercules . After hee found his vnfortunate sonnes wandering on the desolate mountaines , and vnderstood their miseries .

Homer , whose diuine poesie is admired of all men , but Zoilus a Sophister , who liued in the time of Ptolomie , to whom he dedicated his worke , wrote against him , and expected some great reward for his labour . But in long and vayne expectation he grew very penurious , insomuch that hee procured one to begge somewhat of the king for his reliefe : to whom Ptol. answered , That he wondred , that whereas Homer had sustained the liues of so many thousands , so long before dead , he being more learned then Homer , should be so beggerly , as not able to maintaine himselfe . From him all other Detractors are commonly called Zoili .

Ioues thunderbolt , the lightning , &c.

Iambicke , a most rayling and bitter kind of verse , &c.

Elegies , another sorte of verse , and vsed in an other fashion , for being most mild and pleasant , is vsed in the Cantoes , Sonnets , & complaints of louers and disports .

Cyrens muse , Chalimachus borne in Cyrene , the most excellent writer of Elegies amongst the Grecians : he wrote a notable worke of the beginnings & first institution of sacrifices and holy dayes , not vnlike vnto our Poets bookes De fastis , but he intituled his Aetia .

Acontius & Cydippe , a pleasant Comicke fiction . Acontius a young man of Coa , who going vnto Delos , to the sacrifice of Diana , fell in loue with Cydippe , but despayring thereof , because he neither equalled her in birth or riches , he wrote on an apple , at the least to testifie his loue , these two verses .

Iuro tibi sacrae per mystica sacra Dianae

Me tibi venturum comitem , sponsumque futurum .

Which she finding and reading , vnwitting who it was that wrote it , rashly swore to marry him : And afterwards as often as she should haue bin married to any other , she fell into some grieuous sicknesse , so that the matter being opened to her parents , they were contented in the end to make this marriage .

Andromache , the wife of Hector , whom after Pyrrhus carried into Greece , and married to Hellen , another of Priams children .

Thais , a notable strumpet , borne in Alexandria , that to encrease her gaynes , went vnto Athens , whose name the comicke Poet Maenander , celebrated in his verse .

FINIS .

To the Reader .

I Thought it not amisse ( courteous Reader ) to adioyne vnto this small labour of mine , these two following Epistles , of which one is translated out of Ouid , the other is an answeare therevnto . Which chiefly I did , least the sweete exercises of that honorable and thrise renowned Sapho of our times , should euen the least of them , be lost in the obscure night of sad silence , and Obliuion : and then , especially the subiect , and the matter so fitly agreeing and participating with the former , I could not but couple them together in all points else , a most vnequall match . Wherein I hope the greatest fault that I haue committed , is , but that it hath not the first place . Yet take this old Prouerbe with a right application for my iust excuse .

All is well that endeth well . And so end I. Reader farewell .

Dido to Aeneas . Aeneas would from Dido part , But Dido not content , She mou'd him first with words , And then this Letter sent . SO at Meanders streames , when fates bids life be gone : The snowe white Swan on mossie grasse , out-stretched tunes his mone . Not hoping thee to moue , this suite I vndertake , The heauens at the motion fround when first we did it make : But fame of due desert , my body and my minde So lewdly lost ; the losse is light , to loose these words of winde . Resolu'd thou art to go , and wofull Dido leaue : Those windes shall blowe thy faith away that shall thy sailes vpheaue . Resolu'd thy ships at once , and promise to vntie , To seeke Italian Realmes , which yet thou knowst not where they lie . Nought mou'd , with Carthage new , nor walles that growing be , Nor that there was committed all the soueraigntie to thee . Thou leauest things full made , thou seekest new to make , To search about for Lands vnfound , Land found thou doest forsake . But graunt the land thou finde , to thee who will it giue ? Why will the soyle to straungers yeeld , whereon themselues do liue ? Thou must an other Loue , An other Dido finde : And which againe thou maist vndo , An other promise binde . When wilt thou into forme a Towne like Carthage bring : And from thy Pallace top behold , thy subiects as their King ? If all things else succeed , and nothing crosse thy minde : What place will euer yeeld to thee a wife to thee so kinde ? For I like waxen torch in Sulphur rold do burne : Each day , each night Aeneas makes vnto my thoughts returne . Vnthankfull he indeed , And deafe to what I giue : And such , as were I not a foole , I would without him liue . Yet though his thoughts be ill , I hate him not therefore : Complaine I do of his vntroath , complaining Loue therefore . Thy daughter Venus spare , thy brother hard embrace : O brother Loue , within thy Campe , point him a Souldiers place . Or me , who first began , for Loue I not disdaine , Let him but onely subiect yeeld , to this my carefull paine . But ah I am beguilde , his bostes are bosted lyes : Of mothers line : from mothers kinde , in all his course he flyes . Thee some vnwieldie stone , or Rockey Mountaines bred : Or oakes which on high rocks do grow , or beasts by Rauen fed . Or Sea with windes turmoild , as now thou seest it sho : Yet thitherward art ready bent , in spight of waues to go . What mean'st thou ? winter let s , let winters suite preuaile : See with what force the Easterne blasts the rolling waues assaile . Since windes and waters do , then thou more iustice showe , Let me , what more to thee I would , to winde and waters owe . I am not so much worth , which sure thou dost not thinke . That while on Seas from me thou flyest , thy selfe in Seas shouldst shrinke . Thou precious hatred bear'st , and pearst exceeding hie : If so thou mayst of me be rid , thou count it cheape to die . The windes their windie force anon will lay aside : And Triton will with Azure steeds On leueld waters glide . Now ( would the gods ) as they so thou couldst chaunged be : Thou wilt vnles thy hardnesse do far passe the hardest tree . What if of furious Seas the force thou didst not know ? Which tride so oft and found so ill , yet still to sea wilt go . And though they serue at will , when thou dost Anchors way : Yet in so long a voyage , chaunce no fewe mischaunces may . And sure to crosse the Seas , small fruite faith-breakers gaine : That place on false deceiuers doth inflict their falshoods paine . But most when Loue is wrongd , for why ? of Loue the Dame , First naked out of watrie waues , about Cythera came . Least hurt who hurteth me vndone , vndo I shall , I feare , and least by wrack on seas , In seas my foes shall fall . Liue : so I better shall then thee by death destroy : Thou of my death , not I of thine , the Title shall enioy . Suppose a whirlwinde swift , God make these words but winde Catch thee vnwares , what courage them , what thoughts will passe thy minde ? Loe , straight with falshood fraught , thy periur'd tongue appeares : And Dido driuen by Troians guile , of life to short her yeares . Of thy betraied wife , will stand before thy sight : The Image sad ; disheneiled , with bleeding wounds bedight . Let come ( then wilt thou say ) I haue deseru'd this all : And bent at thee thou wilt suppose , what euer lightnings fall . Both seas and thou do rage , , let both and breathing take : This small delay ( no small reward ) thy Iourney safe shall make . For thee my care is least , thy childe let spared be : Thou hast the glory of my death , sufficient that for thee . What hath thy little sonne ? what hath thy gods deseru'd ? That them the waters swallow should from fyers force preseru'd . But false thou hast no such , as me thy brags haue told , Nor euer didst on shoulders lift , thy gods and father old . Thou lyest in this and all , thy tongue his guilefull part Begins not first on me to play , nor I first feele the smart . Aske where the mother is , of faire Iulus gone : Her stonie husband her forsooke , and so she died alone . It pittied me to heare , which iust recompence : For me had bene , but that such paine is lesse then mine offence . That thee thy gods condemne , my heart doth me assure : Who seuen yeares now on land on seas such tossing doest endure . I thee by wrack vpthrow'n in harbour sure did saue , And scarcely hauing heard thy name , to thee my Kingdome gaue . O would with these good turnes I me content had found : And that in famous fame of mine were buried deepe in ground . That day my woe was wrought , when vnder stooping bower Of mossie denne we met alone , compeld by sodaine shower . Some howling sounds I heard , the Nymphs I thought did so , They Furyes were , who in that sort foretold my fatall woe . Chast Law of shamefast Loue , reuenge on me this blame : Ill to Sicheus kept , to whom aye me I go with shame . Whose sacred Image I in marble Chappell keepe , With leauie branches hid from sight , and wooll of whitest sheepe . Hence thrice I heard me cald , I knew his well knowne voyce , Himselfe thrice sayd : Come Dido , Come : with softly wispring noyse . I come without delay , which once was onely thine , Yet me the more to linger makes , this shamefull fact of mine . But pardon thou my fault , whose deed might well deceaue , To others he in mine offence , the lesse offence doth leaue . His mother heauens Impe , his sire a godly lode , Vnto his sonne by reason bred sure hope of his abode . If needs I must haue er'd mine error had good ground , Put faith in him , he no way els vnworthy shall be found . My faults to end persist , as they at first begun : And their vnluckie spindels still in one like tenor run . My husband fell to ground before the Altars slaine , My brother of that wicked act doth reape the wicked gaine . My selfe exild , his graue and countrey both forsake : And forced am , by foe pursude vneasie wayes to take . I land on land vnknowne escapt from foe and waue : And bought the shore which freely yet to thee false wretch I gaue . A Towne I built , whose wals far out extended lie : Prouoking places neere about maligning to enuie . Wars grow , poore stranger I , and woman vext with warres : Scarse know how armour to prouide and strength my gate with barres . When thousands to me su'de : now all against me come : Grieu'd that before their beds , I haue preferd I know not whom . Why stick'st to yeeld me bownd into Hiarbas hands , I will not sticke to yeeld mine armes to bide thy wicked bands . A brother eke I haue , who wicked hands anew , Imbrewed first in husbands blood , would faine in mine imbrew . Lay downe thy sacred Gods , whom touching dost pollute , Vnseemly with vngodly hands doth godly worship sute . If they from fire escapt , that thou mightst them adore : That euer they escapt from fire thy Gods repent them sore . And what , ô wicked man , with child if Dido be : And of thy selfe some part of thee there lies inclosde in me ? The Dame and ruthfull babe at once shall be forlorne : And by thy meanes to death be broght who yet was neuer borne . So with his parent shall Iulus brother die : One death at once shall two dispatch , whose liues in one doth lie . But God bids thee to go , would God he had forbid To come ; that of thy Troian troupes my Carthage had bin rid . This God no doubt your guide , doth you those tempests rayse : And makes you on those flowing floods so long to spend your dayes . To Troy backe to turne , it scarse were worth thy payne : If as whiles Hector liu'd it was , so now it were againe . Not to Seamander you , but Tibers streames doe goe , Where graunt ariu'd , what are you els , but such as no man know ? But as that land is hid , and from thy fleet doth make , It seemes old age will sooner thee , then thou it ouertake . Yet rather as my dower , this Realme of mine receaue , With all Pigmalions wealth I brought , and farther wandering leaue . And into Carthage Troy with better hap translate , Where thou shalt sacred Scepter beare , enthron'd in royall state . If thou do wars affect , or if thy sonnes desire , Of triumph matter to procure by martiall meanes aspire : That nought may wanting be , such foes we will him yeild , This place for lawes of peace is apt , apt is for speare and sheeld . Now by thy mother thou thy brother quiuer'd boy , By the companions of thy flight thy gods , the gods of Troy . So may thy remnant left , in field all conquest win , As Troian warre of all thy losse , the finall end haue bin . Ascanius liue his yeeres , with all good fortune blest : And softly may the buried bones of old Anchises rest . Spare now , ô spare thine house , which giues it selfe to thee : But that indeed I haue thee lou'd , what fault canst find in me ? Of Pythia I am not , nor great Mycenae borne , My husband nor my father hath against thee armour worne . Of wife if thou thinke skorne , not wife , cut hostesse call : So thine she be , what Dido be , she nought regards at all . The seas to me are knowne , on Affricke coast that lie : At times they do free passage graunt , at times they do denie . When weather will permit , hoyse sayle and set from land : For now the lauuching of thy shippes the flowing weedes withstand . Charge me to wait the time thou shalt go sure away : Not then , no though thy selfe desire , my selfe will let thee stay . Thy mates some rest require , thy Fleet sore rent with waues : And scarsely yet halfe rigd anew , for some small respite craues . For what haue I deseru'd ? what owe to thee I may Henceforth , for all my marriage hopes , I craue but small delay . Whiles stormie seas grow calme , while custome tempers loue : How patiently mishaps to beare , I shall the practise proue . If not , my life to spill with full intent I mind : Of crueltie thou canst not long in me a subiect find . Would God thou didst but see mine Image as I wright : I wright , and full against my breast thy naked sword is pight . And downe my cheeks along the teares do trickling fall : Which by and by in stead of teares , ingrayne in blood I shall . How well with this my fate , these gifts of thine agree , To furnish our my funerall , the cost will slender be . My breast shall not be now first pierced with this blade , For why ? there is a former wound , which cruell Loue hath made . Anne sister , sister Anne , ill priuie to my falt , Performe thy last obsequious loue , vnto my bones thou shalt . When flames haue me consum'd , write not on marble graue : Here Dido lies , Sicheus wife . but this verse let me haue . Aeneas , Dido gaue both cause and sword of death : And Dido vsing her owne hand , depriu'd her selfe of breath .

Aeneas to Dido . Aeneas read what Dido wrote , And sent her this replie ; And sought to cure the curelesse wound , Which Dido made to die . WHen my deare Countrey once most stately Troy Of Asie Queene of gods the handy worke , Mine eyes beheld the furious flames destroy , Which hidden erst in wodden horse did lurke . I deemd me drownd in deepest gulfe of wo , Deeper then which , no griefe could make me go . But when my fortune guided me to see Poore old Prince Priam at the Altar slaine , More deepe then deepest fell I one degree , And felt increast my past increasing paine . And cryed enrag'd : Conspire now heauens all , I am at worst , no worse can me befall . Yet since Creusa my most louing wife , Of noblest birth , and no lesse noble mind : My deare Creusa loued more then life , In haplesse haste I flying left behind : Where weary she , or missing of her way , To bloody Greekes , a bloody death did pay . And since my father comfort of my care , I lost likewise , by death from me bereft , My faithfull friends by shipwrack swallowed are : And is there yet some further sorrow left ? Some further wrack to make me more accurst ? Since fier , sword , seas , & death haue done their worst ? In vaine alas I doubt of what I know , And seeke at thee what in my selfe I finde , I muse : Liue I and know this ? thee forgoe , To whom so many , such deserts me binde . What words can serue this anguish to display , Where waight of woe , doth reason ouerway ? Yet since thy selfe hast made thy pen descry Thy griefes to me , which I with griefe haue red : Vouchsafe ( sweet Queene ) to lend these lines thine eye , And daine to know what reasons haue me led . And as thou knowst them , take them to be true , The truer they , the more their truth I rue . And first ( O Queene ) I neuer will denie , On me bestow'd more fauours can be told , By any words ; nor euer greeue shall I , Elisas name in memorie to hold : Whiles of my selfe , my selfe shall mindfull bide , Whiles liuely breath , these lims of mine shal gide . But for the rest , in briefe I neuer ment , ( Deeme not amisse ) by stealth my flight to take : Nor neuer yet pretended such intent To any wife , an husband me to make . I sought it not , I came for no such band , When tost by seas , I lighted on this Land . If friendly Fates such grace to me would yeeld , As there to rest , where I to rest would choose : Sweete Troy that now liest equall with the feeld , Thou shouldst at least , not all thy bewties loose . In thee rebuilt againe I would replace , The vanquisht remnant of the Troian race . But now Appollo bids to Italie , To Italie the Lycian gods commaund : Here must our home , our rest , our countrey bee : To this our Loue , to this our life is paund . If thou a stranger , countries strange mightst seeke , What in like case , let s vs to do the leeke . I neuer do recline my head to rest , When night the Earth in moystie shade bewraps : But fancie straight with fearefull sights opprest , Presents my father in sleepe-waking naps . This place with terror bidding me to leaue , And not my sonne of fatall Lands bereaue . And now of Gods the fatall Messenger From Ioue himselfe ( they both my witnesse be ) Hath message brought , I saw the god most cleere : I plainely heard what words he spake to me . Leaue then with plaints to set vs both on fier , Constraind I go , not with wine owne desier . And what wight can necessitie resist , Whose Iron bands , both men and gods enchaine ? What she hath spun , who striueth to vntwist , Or sencelesse is , or pleasure takes in paine ? The sturdie tree holds not his foote so fast , As lythie Reed , that bends to euery blast . Who euer saw those , which of Neptunes land The waued soyle with yoked Ores to plow : With top and top against the storme to stand , Which Aol's youth with blustring breath doth blow They rather yeeld vnto his windie will , Then choose their liues in bootlesse strife to spill . And is it then my life I hold so deare , That life to hold , I Dido would forgoe ? Or is it death that I so much do feare , That death to flye I would procure her woe ? Then Gods me graunt a liuing death to leade In greefe , in shame , still dying neuer dead . But care of my succeeding progenie , To whom by fates forepointed is their place : To whom by heauens of earthly Monarchie , The crowne to weare foregraunted is the grace : This care I say ; with care for to fulfill , The gods behest reuersed hath my will . And honors selfe , ( which long a sleepe hath laine , Rockt in Loues cradle ) now awaked new , Cries on vs both : and shall he crie in vaine : To leaue him quite , or yeeld him seruice dew ? You hitherto haue euer famous beene , Forget not now , what fame becomes a Queene . And me whom men ( perhaps vnworthy ) call , The godly wight and second vnto none : In Pietie , from pietie to fall , Were fouler blot , then any other one . Admit ( O Queene ) that I by thee be staid , By wandring Fame , what will of both be said . Loe here the man that out of Troy burn'd , Preseru'd his gods , now quite by him contemn'd : Lo here whose chaste affection cleane is turn'd To lawlesse lust , late by her selfe condemn'd . He leaud , she light , he wicked , she vnwise , This fame to earth , this earth will blaze to skies . You know that Monsters many eyes and eares , Listning and prying still to heare and see , Her tongues and wings which infinite she beares , As lying oft , so flying alwayes be . Of Peeres and Princes euer speaking worst , It is her kind , she was by enuie nurst . You thoughtlesse sit within your Princely bower , Or minding only loue or liues delight : Your fame meanetime , like tender springtide flower The busie blasts of bitter tongues do bite . Each deed , each word , yea countenance and thought Of simplest sort , are vnder censure brought . It is our fate , if not our fault it be , Which highest mounted , set on Fortunes wheele , With our owne sense we neither heare nor see , Which makes vs pinched long before we feele . For foes are pleas'd and would it not amend , And friends are grieu'd , yet dare not vs offend . Go then Aeneas , honor bids thee goe , Honour vnto whose yoke the freest necks are thrall : For her sake fly , if wilt not for thine owne : Though what herein befals , to both befall . Protesting still that no mislike or hate , Mou'd thee to go , but force of cruell fate . For were but Dido halfe so finely formd , Were Didos eyes but halfe so beamie Ieate : Were Didos face , but such as might be scornd , Her Country poore , her Towne a simple seate , Yet hauing there such louing kindnesse found , What flinty breast to loue would not be bound . Much more in me , kind hearted Venus child : Not by the lame Smith , but her lustie Loue : My blinded brother might his bower build , Where so great helps encourage him to proue . Her forme , her face , her eyes , her seate , her soyle , Disdaining match , so farre from taking foyle . I both Oenone and the Spartan Queene , I courtly Dames , and Nymphs of woods and wels : I haue Chryseis & Bryseis seene , Yea , Venus selfe , in whom perfection dwels . But if some god to chuse would me assigne , I all would prayse , but Dido should be mine . But hard 's my choise , when there the thundering ( Iove , destruction threatens if I disobay : And here my friendly foe , heart-pursuing Loue , By all his powers , coniures my mind to stay . Alas , ye gods , your discord lay aside , I am but one , and cannot go and bide . Or Ioue frame thou my destinies anew , Allot to others fertile Italie , Or rather Loue at once bid both adew , And both restore to former libertie . By reasons rule , the younger and the child , Should to the elder and the father yeild . But thou madde dogge , whose reason lies in rage : Who no rule els , but retchlesnes doth know , Nor reuerence bearest to thy fathers age , Nor from thy brother canst abstaine thy blow . And least for that fault might with thee be found By onely vs , thou didst thy mother wound . But not to loue , nor any els that dwell In starrie house , I for my selfe would speake , Let gods , let men , let ghosts of gastly hell , Their wrath on me , with all their mallice wreake : Let me be tost as erst , with wracke on seas , With warre on land , nor here nor there in ease . Let all that els can mind or body grieue , Grieue without meane , my body and my mind : Only to thee , that only didst relieue My woes and wants , let me not proue vnkind . But thankfull still , that fame may so relate Me thankful still , but stil unfortunate . For where the Seas before mine eyes thou set , With other daungers likely to ensue : And how I will an other Dido get , Alas I meane no getting of a new . My head is busied more a thousand fold , How since I must , I may forgo the old . And who hath past as I , the stormes of fire , Which crazie towers threw topsie turuie downe : Will litle care , though winters stormie Ire With swelling face , makes Tethis face to frowne . In sum , I can all paine with patience take , But not ( ô Queene ) with patience thee forsake . Not that I doubt least proud Hyarbas power , Shall able be , to make my Dido thrall : Carthage is strong with many a mightie tower , With broad deepe ditch , vauntgarding stately wall . This may and will thee from the Tyrant rid , Thee from thy selfe , ô Gods the luck forbid . Where Loue with losse , Impatient meetes with Ire , Shame calls in sorrow , hatred brings disdaine ; And all in one , do oftentimes conspire , To kill the Patient , so to cure the paine . Which done , for shame away each other slides , But shame , as shamelesse euermore abides . Far better read sometimes a Wizard old , How of lost Loue to ease the curelesse wound : When Paris left her to honour told , Wherein she said , she greatest comfort found . Her hearbs and charmes eased not so her hart , As these plaine precepts of his homely Art . He bad her banish both from sight and minde , All Monuments , but chiefly from her sight : Which he departing thence , did leaue behinde , As pictures , garments , armes , and all that might His absent person to remembrance bring : For loue of sight , sight doth from obiect spring . Refraine ( qd. he ) from comming in the place , Which hath bene priuie to your sweetest ioyes : Neuer record , or euer with disgrace His words and deeds , but cause of your annoyes . Deem him & them , and when you think him on , Thinke what cause had the Traitor to be gon . But yet at first in no sort seeke to swage , These eager torments of heart-breaking griefe : But whiles Rage runneth , yeeld to running rage , Till time takes truce , and respit brings reliefe . For mightie beasts , and mightie passions both , By following tam'd , by stop are made more worth . Obserue thou must as diet to this cure , That Idlenesse and loanlinesse thou flie : That vertuous accounts still thou haue in vre , And sort your selfe with fitting companie ▪ For Loue erects in idle breasts his throne , And like a Monach loues to sit alone . Thus much and more the good old man did teach , That Ida Nymph , in that forsaken state , As he was hers , so let him be your leach , Since vnto me all praiers comes too late . Religion , Honour , Destinies decree , Three by poore one , how can resisted bee ? Tout Seule . FINIS .

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A08667-e200