Flora's fortune The second part and finishing of the Fisher-mans tale. Containing, the strange accidentes which chaunced to Flora, and her supposed father Thirsis: also the happie meeting with her desired Cassander. By F.S.

FLORA'S FORTVNE . The second parte and finishing of the Fishermans Tale . COme Clio sweet , my neuer-idle Muse , Whose pleasant tunes so cheers a drooping mind , Come cheerful Muse from Helicons faire springs , With Pallas sprigs , and Phoebus Laureats dect , Help , ayd , assist , to sing , declare , rehearse What did betide poore Flora , late the loue Of stout Cassander , long th' inhabitant of Thetis Cell , and Neptunes Monasterie : On whom the Gods and Fortune minded were Ful seuen long winters torments to inflicct . Vnnaturally for that his Sire he left : Whose austere dealing wrought his fatall bane , And for austeritie to Thirsis showne , Not yeelding to his Tyger-taming words . Come gentle Muse , declare the rare euents Which chanced to poore Flora and her Sire : What ? can the Gods both frowne and faw ne at once ? No sooner had Prosperities arch-foe . Death-threatning Fate with force of raging winds , And shattring billowes shrinde her of her loue , But she foorthwith her father gad imbrace , And cleft on him on whom she scarflie durst Now looke vpon , forgetfull she of feare , And he of rage , distresse now made them friends , Each held one arme about the others necke , Each held one arme fast on a shatred pine , Thus saylde they through the monster-shewing sea , Now flying vp to high Olympus tower , Now downe againe to Dis his hellish lake , Somtimes both whelmd with Neptunes frothy waues Sometimes again reuiu'd with drying winds . Long sailde they thus , not thinking once of life . Sencelesse as one on whome Ioues fire hath falne , Or fearfull weapons fram'd by Cyclops hands , When suddenlie Triton did sound retreyt To hoysting waues , and Eolus to windes : Seas were then milde , aire calme , each wind was husht And quiet then , as in the Halcions dayes : The broken bulke on which they sayled then , Without all peril peaceably did swim , A ship by chaunce preserued from this storme , Came sayling by , the Marriners espide These wightes distrest , and mooued vnto ruth , Directed sayles towards them , and tooke them in , And caried them ( halfe-drownd ) to Delphos I le , Where wise Apollo giues out Oracles : Here was poore Flora with her wretched Syre , Both set on shore , amazed yet with feare , When seeing death disdaind to end her woes , Vplifting handes vnto the loftie skies , Exclaiming , sobbing , weeping , crying out , And furiouslie renting her yellow haire : Thus Flora made her lamentable mone . Death , Dis , Styx , Proserpine , vt Stygian Gods , Infernall powers , and all ye rellish crue , Why suffer ye me damned wight to liue , Vnfit , yea farre vnfit on earth to dwell ? Alasse me thinks , Dis sends me to Reuenge , And Proserpine , to neuer-dying woes : Ay me , see Death disdaines to end my pangs , I am reseru'd , doubtlesse I am reseru'd With Tantalus , or wretched Ixion , Plagues , euer-during plagues still to abide . Pardon , good Thirsis , pardon thine owne child , The worker of thy grief and endlesse bane , And now Cassander , whose delightfull shape , The goddes enuy'd , which made thee be disdainde , Loe now I come to thee , this fatall blade , ( A blade she held in hand ) shal end my dayes , And though we might not liue together here , Yet shall our Ghosts ( ye Gods forbid it not ) With Louers blyth , sport in Elizian fields . This said , she would haue therewith slaine her selfe : Whereat her Sire concealing his great griefe , In this wise moou'd her from this desperate act . Stay daughter , stay , let not your hands prepard To saue your life , be authors of your death : Learne of thy Syre , be warned by gray haires , Of manie yeares wit and experience comes : With grieuous plagues the Gods will them torment , Which be themselues the authors of their death . Let s rather seeke how to preserue our liues , And not vnnaturallie worke our owne bane . What though you haue bene breedresse of my woes And mothers griefe , the Gods wil haue it so . Men say , Apollo in this sacred I le , Giues Oracles to wightes which be opprest , Come let vs goe vnto his Temple rich , And see if he will shew to vs what course , Of life to take , or if by any meanes , We may returne into our natiue land , How to returne into our natiue land . This said , they wandred both with pensiue hearts To wise Apollos Church not far from thence , Where when they were , sweet odors rich in smell , On Aultars high religiously they burnt , Then kneeling downe vpon the Marble flints , With naked knees , bare heads , and vp-lifthandes , Making the Temple sound with grieuous sobs , Old Thirsis in this sort gan make his mone . O wise Apollo , fate-praesaging God , Who knowst what things haue bene are and shall be , O wise Apollo , crime-disclosing God , Who doubtles knowst how fate hath dealt with me , Aide and assist vs twaine , whom Fortunes spight Hath causde to erre in this thy Delian Isle , And if the Destenies haue it decreed , That of my lyfe the thred be quite out run , Neere this thy temple let me lay my bones : But let poore Flora my supposed child , Find some redresse , age wils me to expect And welcome death : Her lustie youthful yeares Desire sweet life : the blossomes of my time , Now withered are , but hers are fresh and greene : Or if we may th' Arcadian plaiues once see , Tell vs how we againe may them once see : He held his peace , and Flora thus began . O Phebus wise , of Prophets supreame king , Discloser of all secrete mysteries , Tel how old Thirsis , whom proud Fortunes wrath Hath made a pilgrim in thy sacred Isle , May once but see his aged wife againe , Th' Arcadian plaines , and swain-frequented fields : And let me die , death is my due reward : I craue no other , death I haue deseru'd . Forthwith a scrowle before them was let fall , And therewithall these thundering voyces sent , Take what you see Arcadians , shun delay , And where this ship sets you on land . there stay . Then giuing thanks , they took and read the scrowle , Wherein these words imprinted were in gold . Old Thirsis , wise Apollo pittieth thee , One of his prophets hencefoorth thou shalt be : Liue Flora with thy Sire , end not thy dayes , Cassander liues not drownd is he in seas . Foorthwith , as they were charged , he made haste Vnto the ship , then ready to lanch out : But Flora doubtfull of the Oracle , Stood stil amaz'd , not knowing what to do . Alasse , quoth she , what meanes the Delian god , With such ambiguous words me to delude ? What , was it not as easie to haue saide , Cassander liues : not drownd is he , or els , Cassander liues not : drownde is he ? I see , Ay me , I see , the powers minded are To wrap me in a Laberinth of woes : He surely meanes Cassander liueth not , And so I le take it , drownd is he in deep . This said , her father wild her to make haste , And follow him , as Phebus had giuen charge . She followed him , but with a persiue heart , And dolefull mind : they both were set on boord , The shipmen quickly lanched into deepe : And gaue full sailes vnto their flying pine : Which Boreas steeds gan draw through Thetis field , And plowghd therwith the sea gods marshie realme : Vnluckie Flora trembled as she sate , Fearing each waue which shrind her of her loue . Seuen times had Tytan lift his fiery head , From Thetis lap , where he all night had slept : Seuen times againe in her Chrystaline waues , He drencht his chariot , and did sleep againe , When Adrian chiefe ruler of the ship , Fom top of sterne the Greekish coast espide , From whence they came , and whereat in short space , Winds helping them , they safely did arriue ? Here Flora landed with her aged Site . The second time here were they set on shore , And newes was spread through all the land of Greece That Phaebus had a Prophet to them sent , From Delphos I le , and now he could deuine , Presage , and tell all secretes and hid things , Apollo o●lie had concealde from him Cassanders fate , his daughters , and his owne . Newes-carying Fame with her loud sounding trump Had quickly blaz'd these tydings through the land , And who so famous now as Thirsis was , Who so renown'd from cuntries far vnknowne , Kings , potentates , old , yong , both rich & poore , And all degrees came flocking vnto him : As though he had Apollo bene himselfe , He briefly would all mysteries disclose , And tel to them their owne peculiar thoughts , What was , had bene , and would be , he could tell . Great store of golde & wealth was to him brought , Yet couetous swaine , still hungrie after gaine , The more he had , the more he sought to haue , Who seeing Grecia cuntrie to containe Faire Medowes , pastures , grounds and fields in it . Sought to encrease his stock , and though he had Now chang'd the aire , yee chang'd he not his mind , But like the Cat whom Iupiter transform'd Into a maid , still ran she to a Mouse . Though Phaebus had a Prophet of him made , Yet would hee shew himselfe to be a swaine , He bought him sheepe and cotes , and neuer had So many flockes in large Arcadian bounds , As now he had within the Grecian fieldes , Sometime himselfe vpon them would attend , Sometime againe , poore Flora would them keepe , And bearing still in mind Cassanders shape , Abandoning a second Louers name . She tearm'd her selfe one of Dianas Nymphs , Or Vestas Nunnes , detesting Venus lawes , Which was the cause though many did her loue , Yet they refusde to shew to her their minds . Poore Saint , she wandred vp and down the fields , Exclaiming sobbing , , making piteous mone , And on a time recording her old Loue , As by her heards vpon a hill she stood , Such restlesse passions gripte her in ward heart , That desperately she plucked foorth a knife , Ready to pearce therewith her groning heart , And therewithall these dolefull words sent foorth , To which poore Eccho answered in this wise . Fl. What shal I do , shall I die , what shal Flora kil Flora , shal she ? or to doe such a fact shall I leaue off ? Eccho . I leaue off . Fl. Leaue off , and why so ? what liues there any so wretched , or any so lucklesse ech where as I am ? Ec. I am . Fl. Why tel , what art thou who me so sadly reanswerst ; some distressed Virgin , or woful Eccho ? Ec. Eccho Fl. Alas poore Eccho we twaine maywell go together , say trulie , what do we two not agree ? Ec. Not agree . Fl. Why tell good Eccho , liues my Cassander how should I ioy , if thou shuldest tel me that he liues : Ec. He liues . Fl. Deceitfull Eccho , what meanst thou so to delude me ▪ the sea had him doubtles , it had , and it hath , Ec. It hath . Fl. I know that too well : we two may then goe together . dispairing Flora bids thee then adew . Ec. Adew . This said , she sent foorth grieuous sighes & grones , Grones able to make soft the flintie stones , And therewithall stretcht out againe her blade , Her blade , wherwith she meant to kill her selfe : Recording yet her fathers counsel once , Desisted from this fatall enterprise . Long liu'd she thus , poor wretch , yet at the length Delay did somewhat mirigate her woes , Whom now hemd in a laberinth of griefs , And heape of cares , a while I meane to leaue . Now of her birth , hard haps and parents liues , And natiue soyle , wherein she now remaind , And famous progenie I meane to speake . In these seas ( O my Muse ) let saile thy barke , And in this ground let run thy wagon wheeles : Agenor once which ware the royall crowne And diademe within this land of Greece . Summond by fate to appeare before the ghostes , And stroken with deaths fame outracing dart . Now at last gasp , vpon his fatal bed , Readie to die , his sonne vnto him cald , His only sonne Palemon whom he left To weare his crowne , and sit vpon his throne : He cam● Agenor tooke him by the hand , And shedding teares , thus dolefullie gan speak . Thou seest my sonne , how death now summons me T' appeare before the supreame king of kings : Oh , see my son , how Atropos extendes Her hand , euen now to cut in two the thred , I must depart , the Fates wil haue it so : Ingraue thou therefore in thy youthfull mind , Thy dying fathers last and latest words : This kingdome now fals vnto thee by lot , And in my steed thou must this throne possesse , Be therefore wise , and as thou knowst , I haue , So be thou carefull of thy subiects wealth : Giue vice his due , and vertue his rewardes , And that thy progenie may also sit Vpon this throne , and weare thy royal crowne , Choose thee a wife equall to thee in birth , Respecting vertue , and not greedy gaine : More for her wisdome , fame and chastitie , Then riches , forme , and transitorie shape : So shall our progenie for euer sit In this high seat , and weare this royall crowne . This said , such death presaging pangs opprest His dying heart , that speech was tooke away . At length great Iuno pittying his estate , Sent many-colloured Iris downe from heauen . Of life Dame Iris quickly him dissolu'd : Straight to a sigh , & huge death bringing grone , Out flew his breath , and to the ghosts gan poste Ay me , how did this sad and gastfull sight Apale Palemons yong couragious mind , Thrise fel he down , and thrise againe was tooke Half dead from ground , so nature in him wrought . Yet when this dolor gan it selfe remooue , And cloud of griefe to vanish from his mind , He comfort tooke , and for his buriall rites And funerals , all things he soone preparde , With regaltie , and worthie such a prince , And Potentate , were speedily dispatcht . He caried with a noble troope of Peeres , In mourning weedes to Pallas temple rich , And there in Marble royally entombde , Shortly met all the Noble men againe , And princelie Peeres , this mourning laid aside , And with one minde , as was his right , they made Palemon king in olde Agenors steed . The set the Crowne vpon his youthfull head , And princelie Scepter in his regall hand . He gouern'd them , and to them he gaue lawes , He was their Lord , he was their onlie king . Three times had Ver expelling Hiems frosts , Refresht the earth , which like a Chaos were , Three times againe had blustering Hyems nipt The fragrant hearbs , which Ladie Ver had brought , When gouerning the famous land of Greece , And quite forgetfull of his fathers wordes , His Lords and Princes gan him wisely mooue , To take a wise sprong of some royall bloud , Alleaging that it would commodious be To him , and not vnpleasant vnto them , A sonne to see , begotten of his seed : So being olde , yet should he still be young , So being dead , he still in them should liue . And furthermore , say they , thy neighbour King , Tuiston high , in Germanie who raignes , One daughter hath a Virgine passing faire , In vertue , wealth , in birth , and natures gifts , Excelling , rich , most royall , and renownd , Who after him shall weare the imperiall crowne , And by ambassage to thy father sent , Who lately hath her proferd to thy wife , And if so be thou minded art to saile , To Germanie to see this sacred impe , whose vertues rare shril Fames loud-sounding trump , Hath almost blazed throughout all the world , Wee le guarde thee thither and a fit time now , It is ( it was spring tyde ) to cut the seas : He straight wayes moou'd at these his Princes words Burnt in desire to see this virgin rare . But by Embassadors he minded first To know Tuistons mind , and whether she Was not betroth'd to an any other king , For els his welcome might haue bene but colde : His sute denide , and all his labour lost : Embassadors he therefore sent in haste , Who speedily returnde with gladsome newes , Newes that Tuiston greatly would reioyce , And be most glad to see him in his realme , Palemon hereat leapt for ioy in mind , And for his iourney all things soone preparde , And royally with manie of his peeres , Did shipping take , and cut the Caerule seas , And in short space , winds furthering his intent , Arriued at Tuistons Germain coast , Soone heard Tuiston that Agenors sonne Was in his realme , and comming towards his court , Who speedily with all his valiant peeres Came foorth to meet , and welcome this great prince . Iulina also ▪ ( for so called was Tuistons daughter ) guarded on each hand , With troups of Ladies faire , and gallant imps , Impsable euen to make Adonis yeeld , To welcome this yoong Prince , came with her Sire , She went : ah not vnlike in view she went , To Regall Iuno , wife of kingly Ioue , Had Venus bene among them , Venus would Haue seemd to her inferior farre in shape , In pregnant wit she Pallas did surpasse : And to be briefe more coy and chast she was , Then that groue-haunting goddesse , who delightes , In menacing the wilde and sauage beasts . Palemon saw her , and he was amaz'd At her rare forme , and excellence in shape , Her looks , her gesture , and mind-pleasing words , Allured so his captiuated minde , Accusing Fame one while , whom then he thought , Too partiall was in sounding her due prayse : And whom euen now he did but wish to see , As greatlie now he did desire to haue : Which in short time I , studie to be briefe , He did obtaine , to both their sweet contents : Their wedding day appointed , now was come , I will not tell here what triumphant shewes And ioy was held throughout all Tuistons land , The higher sort in honour of their Queene , On Coursers braue their valiant prowesse shewd . The rusticke crue made bonefiers in their streetes , The pastorall troope made fieldes with duties sound : But that dayes pleasure soone gan passe away , His fiery steeds now Tytan did vnyoke , Her pitchie steedes now Luna did bring foorth , Night summond wearie limmes to take their rest : This princely couple layd them down in bed , Most ioyfully : But oh , vnhappie time , O lucklesse night ! the spousall wife of Ioue Was not here present , Hymon was not here , Eumenides and Furies present were : And from the chamber top in hellish notes The Screech owle sang a lamentable song . Twise with full circle , twise with wained hornes , Did Cinthia see Agenors sportiue sonne , Courting Iulina his new wedded wife . And froliking in olde Tuistons Court , When sudenly a great desire to see His countrie Greece , was kindled in his mind , Foorthwith he told Tuiston that he needs Should then return vnto his land againe , Alleaging causes of no little force , Which olde Tuiston could not well gainsay . But as he could , he moou'd him yet to stay , But no intreatie would with him take place , Now were swift ships and all things in the port , To carie these two princes into Greece : Aye me what tongue , what Tullie can expresse , But halfe the dolor of this dismall day . Three times Tuististon kissing his sweet childe , Bedew'd her cheekes with his Christalline teares , Three times he would haue said , sweet child farewell , In steed of which came three heart-renting grones : Then charg'd he her , her husband to obey , And at no time to falsifie her faith . Then praid he him to loue his louing wife : By whom he once should gaine so great a Crowne . But now the ships alreadie were lanch'd out , And they on boord , now must they needs away : Poore issulesse Tuiston cried out , Like louing Nurse whose babe is tooke away : Repenting that he euer had bequeath'd His daughter to Palemon , King of Greece , Who had her caried from her Fathers land , Whose only comfort and delight she was : Accusing one while Fate , and senile age , Who would not suffer his vnweldie iointes , Through Neptunes real me to follow his deare child . Long time lamenting thus vpon the shore , Viewing the pines which caried them , he stood : And when they were sailde fullie out of sight , Vnto his Pallace sorrowfull returnde : And as a Turtle Doue , when she hath lost Her louing mate , so seem'd he to lament , Refusing solace , voyd of earthly ioy . And at the last his life in griefe did end . Seuen times Aurora with her ruddie cheekes , Saw yoong Palemon sayling with his loue , Seuen times in Skies night-bringing Vesper shone , By which their sailes the mariners did guide , When turrets high began to shew themselues From Pallas temple in coast of Greece , To which aire-beating Austers flying steedes , Did quickly drawe the saile-supporting pines . Who can expresse but halfe the ioy which Greece Made when Palemon safely there arriu'd , Shril Trumpets blew , bels rang , loud Ecchoes pierc'd The loftie skies , at their arriuall home , And now Palemon , who hadst such a Queene , A peerelesse spouse , with vertues rare enricht , Now mightst thou haue most luckiest bene cald , Of all the Monarks vnder cope of heauen : But no man may be called fortunate , Before his death and latest dying day . Securely now with his most royall Queene , Luld fast a sleep in sweet contentments bed , Raign'd king Palemon , when blisse-hating Fate , Prosperities arch-foe , stedfast in nought , But in wauering vnstedfastnes it selfe : Enuying alwayes Princes happie blisse , And smiling at great Monarks ouerthrow , Now chang'd sweet dimples into wrinkles fell . Thrise after their arriuall into Greece . Faire Cinthia in decreasing had increasde . Her wained hornes , and with full circle showne , When sudden newes from Germanie was brought , That olde Tuiston lately was deceast , And that Palemon should without delay , Go take possession of that royall crowne , Which was his Queens inheritance by right ▪ This thing to doe Palemon was not slacke , Fearing delay might mickle danger bring . Accompani'd with many of his Peeres , He shipping tooke , and cut the foming seas . Leauing his wife vnto the regiment And conduit of a graue and senile man , Eristo cald , of whose fidelitie , And truth he thought he needed not to doubt , Perswaded that his youthfull time was past , And that his age on beautie could not dote . Not knowing that the Canker soonest eates The milk-white Rose , and that corruption doth Soon'st enter into gray and hoary haires . Palemon was now in the Germain coast , Eristo with Iulina his sweete Queene , Who seeing her in feature to exceede All other wightes , which nature euer fram'd , Old cankred Carle gan on her beautie dote , And youthfull Cupid rousde vp his olde limmes , By outward signes which he did daylie showe : But outward signes with him could take no place , At length not able to suppresse these flames , Which kindled were in this old rotten stocke , Presumptuosly he then by sweet requestes Did her intreat to yeeld vnto his will , Thou seest ( quoth he ) Palemon is farre hence , And swet desire inflames my youthfull mind , Yeeld therefore to Eristos humble suite , Whose life vpon thy mercy doth depend , And olde Eristo shall himselfe confesse , As much as life indebted vnto thee . She dying with a red vermilon hue , Her milkie face , and snow-surpassing cheeks : Auaunt old Carle , quoth she , presumptuous Earle , A traytor false to King and louing prince , Auaunt old foole , whose yeares full many moe Then vertues are , whose age with vice abounds : Dar'st thou in thought but wish thy loyall Queene Vnto thy King to falsifie her faith ? No , know Eristo , know , Iulina scornes , Besides Palemon , anie Loue to haue . Know that she scornes all other Monarks loues , Much lesse Eristoes crime-embracing Earle , Away depart from chaste Iulinaes sight , Lust-breathing traytor , crime-committing Carle , Assure thy selfe by mine vnspotted faith , And by Palemons Princely head I sweare , Assure thy selfe thou shalt a terrour be , To all adulterous Earles in time to come , How they dare moue their chast & soueraign Queen To lewd desire , and this thy foule offence Shall punisht be with more than mortall plagues . Eristo then departed in a rage , And by reuenge sought how to wreak his wrath , A false reporte he presentlie raisde vp , That he had seene Iulina guiltie Queene , With Lord Alpinor playing Venus games . Which thing to make more credible , he hir'd A treacherous Knight , the same for to affirm . Foorthwith he tooke Alpinor , spotlesse Lord , And caused him in dungeon to be throwne : He guiltlesse was , and knew at all no cause , Why vnto him such rigor should be showne , Then sent he letters vnto his dread king , How that the Queene defiled had his bed , And with Alpinor traiterously conspir'd To murther him , and take from him his crowne ▪ And that thou maist thinke this no forged tale , I ( saith he ) with Calingo saw them both , Like Mars and Venus wrapt in Vulcans net , Vpon thy bed , when Cupid strooke the stroke . Ah how these newes apall'd Palemons mind . His youthfull mind impatient yet of griefe . Three times he shook his griefe praesaging lockes , Lockes neuer woont so furiouslie to mooue . Not Tantalus , amid the fleeting waues , Nor wretched Ixion with his rowling wheele , No damned ghost amid Don Plutoes lake , Did suffer half the tortures which he did . Now did he call to mind Iulinaes fame , Her vertues rare , and neuer-spotted name , Who said , first Lunas steeds shall guide the day , And Tytans night , then I le be false to thee . One while againe he called into mind , Her heauenly shape , and heart-alluring forme , And that Alpinor was a youthfull Lord . Then of what force sweet Venus fire was , Which oft had causde the chastest gods to yeeld . Much lesse Iulina but a mortall imp , And therefore prone , and easily ouercome , Long time ( quoth he ) was Dido counted chaste , Yet by request Aeneas made her yeeld . So hath Iulina to Alpinors suite . What 's of more might then Venus fierie loue . This in a rage he fullie did beleeue , Not doubting of Eristoes treacherous mind . And leauing there some of his trustie Peeres , As Deputie and vnder him Vize-king , He tooke his iourney speedily toward Greece , Prickt with the spurs of fierce and dire reuenge , Whom now one while vpon the seas wee le leaue , And to Eristo make a new recourse . Who by all meanes deuisde to bring to passe , To make it seeme more true than trueth it selfe . The homicide this treason did inuent : He to Pandion keeper of the laile , Did humblie come , with Sinons flattering tongue , His withered cheeks bedewing with false teares , Which from his beautie-bleared eies did come , And in these tearmes his fained suit began . Pandion , whom as yet I euer found Eristoes friend , in all his secrete actes , Pandion , vnto whose fidelitie , I dare and will my verie life commit . Eristo needs thy counsell now and aide , And secrecie , but secrete thou must be , Speake on , quoth he , what needs Eristo vse So many words , commixt with princely teares ? If he commauund , Pandion shall obey : Although it do the losse of life concerne : If he bid secrete be , he will conceale , Yea though a thousand tortures he should haue . Then ( sweet Pandion ) listen to my words , And do ( quoth he ) what I would haue thee doe . Thou knowst I raisde a slaunderous report , Against Alpinor and our royall Queene : Alas , it was a false report I raisde , It was because she would not yeeld to me , And now Alpinor in thy conduct is , And will ( I feare me ) bring the thing to light . Now that I may my selfe quite rid of feare , And make it seeme more true than truth it selfe : I would haue thee with some sharp iron blade Pierce through his bodie , so should it be thought , He slew himselfe , for feare of further rage . Pandion stood , not knowing what to doe , That he should slay so innocent a Lord , Yet at the last he swore by all the Gods , That he would do 't , when time and place shuld serue . Eristo then departed , glad in mind , Pandion dolefull , knew not what to doe , Sometime he thought vpon his promise made , Sometime vpon this detestable deed . And standing thus , vndoubtfull what to doe , He brake into these variable tearmes . Ah poore Pandion , how art thou beset , In two great straits , not knowing what to doe : For lucre sake wilt thou thy selfe exclude From heauenly blisse in sweet Elysian fieldes ? Wilt thou now purchase Sisiphus his plagues , In murthering the sin detesting blood ? What ? Fear'st thou more a poore terrestiall man , With earthly plagues who can but thee reward , Than supreame powers , who can for thine offence , Who can with endlesse torments thee inflict ? A guiltie conscience is a wretched thing , A torture fell , a worme that euer bites , A wound which is incurable , a fire Which alwaies burnes , and cannot be put out . But what Pandion , why talkest thou of this ? Hast thou not sworne that thou wilt doe the fact ? Doe it I will , let Dis , Death , or Reuenge Doe what they can , I le surely doe the deed , Outragiouslie thus resolute he went , And caught in hand a knife , a fatall knife . And running where Alpinor was in hold , He found him making lamentable mone , In that he harmlesse should be forc'd to lie In such a pitchie Styx resembling hole . Whom at the first this hel-hound did sooth vp , with sundry tearmes , and comfortable words . Like Mercurie , who plaid vpon his pype , Whilst hundred-eyed Argus he did kill . Then seeing time , pluct out his fatall blade , And hellish wretch , I quake to tell the deed , Pierc'd Lord Alpinor through the harmlesse side , And left him foltring in his guiltlesse blood . With all speed to Eristo then he ran , As though he had not knowne this hainous act : And said Alpinor hauing got a knife , Had stabd himself for feare of greater plagues : Fame had no sooner heard this forged tale , But she it sounded throughout all the coast : And now it was in euery peasants mouth , He slew himselfe fearing Palemons wrath . And now Palemon landed was in Greece : Whome old Eristo cunningly did meet , And what by letters he to him had told , In forged tales now to him he confest . I ( saith he ) to my mickle discontent , Espide them sporting on thy princely bed : When grieuing that thou shouldst be so abusde , I causde Alpinor foorthwith to be tooke , And cast him into prison , where outragiously , Fearing thy wrath ; he butchered vp himselfe . Calingo can this testifie , his eies Beheld them both , exclaming out of them , This made Palemons late-receiued wound Bleed now more freshlie then it did at first : With fierie spurres of dire reuenge incenst , He would not once behold his wretched Queene . But vexed that Alpinor thus was dead , He swore by heauens and earth , and all the powers , Iulina should for both their treasons smart . He causd her therefore straitway to be throwne Into a deep and pitchie Stygian hole , I shake to tell , where Tytans fiery beames , Nor Lunas light was neuer seen to come : She lifting vp poore wretch , her hands to heauen , And to the Gods who knew her guiltlesse mind , O Fortune ( quoth she ) now doest thou begin To frowne on me , who euer erst hast faund ! Shall I now lie among false impious slaues , Who guiltlesse am , and haue done none offence ? Shall I now lie vpon the flinty stones , In steed of soft and downie fetherbeds ? Shall now these armes be clogd with iron bolts , In steed of Gems , and bracelets of golde ? Alas I haue patrated none offence , Or crime at all worthy these sauage plagues , Vnlesse when I forsooke mine aged Sire , To come to Greece , I did commit offence . But oh , I would amid the craggy rockes , And foming waues I might haue plagued bene , When I forsooke my care-oppressed Sire And followed false Palemon into Greece . But yet the gods I hope , for doubtlesse they Haue seene , and know my sin-detesting life , The Gods I hope , with neuer ending woes , And lasting tortures shall the tyrant plague . The day now came , wherin offenders should 〈◊〉 punished , according to the law ; Iulina was brought out , and guiltlesse Queene , Among vniust and guiltie forc'd to stand . She lift her hands and heart vnto the skies , Heart neuer stain'd with thought of leud desire : Protesting that most innocent she was , And neuer had in thought done such a crime , But goe to ( saith she ) O thou tyrant fell , Kill , murther , slay thy chast and loyall wife , Death shall at length thy sauage torments end . Death shall at length these earthlie woes dispatch , But yet I trust to see thy gastfull ghost , With false Eristoes , tortur'd by Reuenge . Downe in a valley , neere the snakie Campe , With Stygian waues enuirond round about , Boyleth a chaldron with blew Sulphur flames , With sulphur flames , which neuer are put out , There standes Chimera with his gastfull armes , Armes massacring the sin-delighting ghosts : There sits a Iudge whose name is dire Reuenge , With whips in hand , and firebrands in his teeth , The Furies daylie vpon him attend , And poisoned toads , and serpents on him wait : He , he it is which will see me reueng'd On don Calingoes crime-concealing ghost . He , he it is , which will see me reueng'd Vpon the tytant and Eristo false , And when thou shalt haue plagued me as thou wilt , And torne in sunder these my liuelesse lims , I le followe thee a gastfull gloomi shade , And neuer will I leaue thee to pursue , Till I haue brought thee to Reuenge his mouth . Presumptuous whoore ( quoth false Agenors sonne ) How canst thou talke of innocencie now ? Did not Eristoe and Calingo see Thee doe the crime ? will Earle Eristo lie ? What if they had not feene thee doe the deed , And thou thy selfe it also hadst denide ? Why did Alpinor butcher vp himselfe ? Why did he not first clear him of this crime ? Wherefore goe to , go to my noble Peeres , Inuent some cruell torture for the whoore . Let her be burnt , what thing can be more plaine ? What thing can be more manifest than this ? Part of his Nobles did this sentence like And said , that she was worthy to be burnt : But yet it was a griefe vnto them all , That such a Queene should be so put to death , Till at the last , a graue and senile Earle , Who long had iudg'd in vertues rightfull seat , Inspired by the Gods , who saw her wrongs , Rofe vp , and to Agenors ofspring spake . O mightie Prince , who in this famous land , Doest weare the crowne , and beare the royall mace , Whose dutie is to see all vice reform'd , And sinners to be punisht by the law . Thou hast condemn'd thy royall Queene to die , Accused by Eristoes sole complaint . He doth accuse , and she excuse her selfe , He moou'd with rage , and she to saue her life , Now if thou wilt haue her to see her fault , And all men know that she doth rightly die , Let her againe be sent to prison close , And send thou to the crime-disclosing God , Or Themis wife : she once declared how Lost humaine kind should be restorde againe . Apollo or wife Themis will declare , Her treacherous deed , so shall she iustly die . So shall she not plead guiltlesse as she doth . So shall all men condemne her for her fault . Palemon might fullwell haue bene condemn'd Of rigor , should he haue mislik'd of this : To prison backe he sent Iulina chaste . Iulina , who with child was verie big , Which when Palemon saw , and did behold , Her womb , which sweld with ofspring therin closde , He sware by heauen , and all the Gods therein , The bastard brat should smart for Sires offence , Two Noble men were speedily sent foorth , To Themis Church , her Oracle to fetch , And she again to dreadfull dungeon sent , Exspecting alwaies when she should bring foorth . Th' exspected houre now came , she cride and gron'd , Intreating Iuno for deliuerance , Iuno releasde her , Iuno heard her sute , She on the flintes , no midwife helping her , O dolefull case ! , a daughter sweet brought foorth , Soone brought Pandion keeper of the Iaile , These tidings to Palemon fretting king , He straightway charg'd him take the bastard brat , Throw 't in a boat , and let it flote on seas : For so ( saith he ) by some sinister chance , Or death it shal for Sires offences smart . He foorthwith came , and told the wretched Queen , These heauie newes : who can expresse her mone ? Thrise kist she her sweet babe , and dew'd the face With her Chrystalline pearl-resembling teares , Impatient , thrise of sorrow she fel downe , As though no life at all had bene in her . Ah little babe ( quoth she ) but euen now borne , And readie now to yeeld to cursed Fate . Shalt thou be fed with frothy salt sea fome , In steed of thy sweet mothers sugred milke ? Shalt thou be rockt with windes and raging waues , In steed of milde and gentle lullabies ? Alasse thy Sire , thy flintie-hearted Sire Will haue it thus , begotten of a Beare , Nurst with a sauage Tygers cruell milke , More cruell then blood thirsty Nero was . And now farewel , my haplesse babe , farewell , Yet let me kisse thy tender cheekes againe , The Gods I hope , the Gods will thee defend . Ah see how Nature worketh in mine heart , Here take with thee thy wretched mothers ring , A spousall gift the Tyger once her gaue . Take here this chaine , the tyrant me bequeath'd : Take here this purse which hath some golde in it . Fate better may perhaps for thee prouide , Then doth thy Sire , she wrapt them in a robe , And skarlet mantle . Now he tooke the babe , And caried it vnto the hoysting waues . The ruthfull mother when she saw it goe , Cride out and scrikt , renting her yellow haire , The child was now layd in a wherry boate , And it thrust off , which floted in the seas : Whom to the mercy of the quiet windes , And hushed waues a while I meane to leaue , And now teturne vnto the Grecian peeres . Who were at Themis Temple now arriu'd . They kneeling down vpon the Temple staires , With suppliant voyces thus deuoutly praide . Fore-telling Themis , Themis onlie wise , Disclosresse of al hid and vnknowne deedes , Who once didst tell Deucalion and his spouse , How lost mankind should be restord againe : Tel if Tuistons daughter , Queene of Greece , Hath done that crime whereof she is accusde , Tell if Alpinor late in prison slaine , Committed hath so bad and foule a crime , This said , vpon the Aulter fell a scrowle , And therewithall these words the Goddesse sent , Take what ye see , you Greekish Peeres , be gone , Vnseale it not before you come at home . They tooke it , ploughd the seas , and in short time Ar Grecia coast were set on land againe , Then kneeling downe , they humblie kist the scrowl , And gaue it to Agenors fierie sonne , He read it not strait way , but caused first . The wretched Queene from prison to be brought , Then caused he a stake to be set vp , Wherto the tyrant bound her hand and foote , Perswaded fully that she guiltie was . And there in flames should breath her latest breath . Then tooke , unseald , and read the sacred scrowle , Wherein these words imprinted were in gold . Let reason rule in Princes , and not rage , What greater vice than lust in sonile age . Iulina chast , Alpinor guiltlesse was : Calingo false , Eristo treacherous , Pandion wicked , and if Destinie Helpe not , Palemon issulesse shall die . Palemon hereat stroken was halfe dead , As one on whome Ioues thunderbolts haue falne , Abash'd he stood , not lifting vp his eies , Asham'd to looke vpon his guiltlesse Queene ▪ Then quickly causde Eristo to be tooke , Pandion and Calingo traitors false : Eristo who sate erst in iudgment seat , Now guilty stood among the damned sort . And presently vnto them all confest , His villanie to chast Iulina wrought : And that because she would in no wise yeeld To leud desire , the slaunder he deuisde . And that Calingo hired of him was , To verifi't , and make it seeme a troth . And that he had Pandion moou'd with bribes , To slay Alpinor as he lay in Iayle : And so ( saith he ) I deem'd the matter would Without all doubt , haue neuer come to light . And damned wretch , what must I now exspect , But Sulphur flames and neuer-ending woes ? Ay me now shall Chimera take these lims , And gripe them in his Adder-poysened armes : Through boyling Acheron now must I swim , And euer dying , neuer end my paines . Alas ! I see Reuenge doth spur him on , With iron whips to massacre my lims : Deuouring vultures shall now teare mine heart , Mine heart , which as they eat , it shall encrease . With all speed therfore iudgement was pronounc'd , Against Eristo and his two consortes : And speedilie before Iulinas face . All massacred , their lims in fire burnt . The Noble men vnbinding their good Queene , Gan comfort her with delectable words , Affirming that Palemon did repent Him of the rigour he to her had showne . Which she might see in punishing her foes . Poore wretch , she cast her eies vpon the ground , Refusing on Palemon once to looke : Increasing riuers with her spring of teares : Her golden lockes once trimd with pretious gems , With furious hands now from her head she pluckt , Her eies which once like glittering Diamonds were , Now bleated were with fountaines of her teares : Her snowie cheeks , once intermixt with red , A yellow hue and ashie visage staind . Nought on her bodie now but bones were seene , A grieslie Ghost , and bony shape she seem'd , And in short time , out worne with fretting griefe , Death finished her miserable life . Palemon almost to the same estate , And miserie in sorrowing was brought , But that the Fates so had it not decreed , They did reserue him for some other cause . He buried her as did beseeme a Queene , In royall wise : al Greece did for her mourne . To Pallas Church her liuelesse corps were brought , And she in marble gorgiously intomb'd , On whome he causde this Epitaph to stand . Here lies Iulina , Germanies chast Queene , Tuistons daughter false Palemous wife : Accusde to be vnchaste , by Themis cleer'd , By rigour yet bereaued of her life . Her bodie plac'd within this Marble is , Her ghost in sweet Elysian fieldes in blisse . He hauing thus her funerals dispatcht , Liu'd in vast dolour , and perpetuall griefe , Sighing , and crying out against the Fates , Amid these woes ▪ whome now I meane to leaue , And make recourse vnto this little babe , Who now is floting on the surging seas . Long time it swam betwixt dispayre and hope , Doubtfull which waue should haue it ouerwhelmd , At length in Humber streames it forced was , Which mildly runs by sweet Arcadian downes , Long saild it hore , and at the length it staid Among bul-rushes on the Reedy banks : Neere to this riuer stood a little house . whose roof was straw , whose wals wer willow twigs ; And herein dwelt a simple country swaine , Whose name was Thirsis , wondrous poore & bare . He hyred was to keepe old Damons heards , And keeping them neer to this pleasant stream As all alone he walked by the banks , He heard the infant cry for want of food , He ran to it , supposing it had been One of his lambs , hang'd in the marshy reeds , And comming neere , he saw the skarlet robe Lie in the boat , at first he was affraid : And started backe , as when a country man Espies a snake , yet by and by he durst Goe neerer it , then touched he the robe , And seing it to be a verie childe , He tooke it vp , from it tooke vp , there fell A chaine of golde , he almost dead with ioy , Did snatch it vp , and sitting on the grasse , Did ope the mantle , there he found a ring , And massie purse , he tooke them in his armes , And couering them with his old ragged cloke To Mepsa came , and thus to her he said , Come hether Mepsa , look what I haue got , An infant faire , a sweet and seemly childe : And who shall keepe vs when we two waxe olde , We haue no child , wee l say that it is ours : Out knaue ( quoth she ) out cuckold-making rogue , Whoor-hunting slaue , bringst thou thy bastards here ? Auaunt thou knaue , thou arrant knaue , auant , Thinkst thou that I thy base-borne brats will keep , No , Mepsa scornes to mother bastards base , Though Thirsis counts it credit them to get . As though we two had nought to doe but play With brawling infants . Out whoore-hunting scab : Depart ( I say ) or els I sweare by Ioue , I le make clubs trump , this distaffe shall bumbaste Thy lither loynes , and I will take the brat , And ding the braines against the flinty stones . He fearing her , thus mildly did entreat : Peace Mepsa , peace , good Mepsa be content , Hold still thy rocke : for euer we are made , See heere a chaine , which with it I haue found , See here a ring , and purse repleat with golde . Shee seeing it , ran vnto Thirsis strait , And gaue to him an hundred hungrie smackes : He doubled them as greedily againe . Long stood they kissing and rekissing thus : Then told to her his chaunce and luckie haps , That he them found on reedy Humber bankes , And now we must be silent wife ( quoth he ) Or els it wil be knowne vnto the king : Hee le take from vs what Fortune hath bestowd : So shall we poorer be then ere we were . And that we may more surely it conceale , Harke to me wife , I haue deuisde a shift : When gloomie night expels the cheerefull day , And pitchie darknesse summons men to sleep , Faine thou thy selfe in childbirth to be pain'd , And piteously ( as women vse ) crie out : I presently will for the midwife run , And all our neighbors : as the custome is . Lay thou the child all naked at thy feet , And say thou hast brought it before they come , So shall ech one suppose that it is ours . So verie wel we may this thing conceale . This counsell pleased Mepsa very well . Night-bringing Hesper rul'd in dimmed skies : And Lunas Steeds gan cut the darkned aire , Now wearie corps with dayly toyle opprest , Gan soundly snort , amid their sluggish bed : But Mepsa mindfull of her late intent , Gan crie and call for Iunos speedy aid . Poore Thirsis ran , and piteously cride out , As though his wife had trauelled indeed , Help neighbours , helpe quoth he , my wife cries out , And now in child-birth dolefully is paind : Iana for haste , at threshold brake her nose : Fauilla ran halfe naked through the street : But yet for al their speed they came too late , Mepsa brought foorth a daughter ere they came , And that she had brought forth they gaue all thankes ▪ It bruted was in short time through the towne , That Thirsis wife a daughter sweet had brought . And no man thought but she her mother was , And he her Sire , so cunningly they wrought . And Thirsis now an hirelings wages scorn'd , He now disdaind to feed olde Damons heardes , He with his money bought him sheep and coats , And in short time grew to be verie rich . When Flora was some nine or ten yeeres olde , For so he nam'd the infant whom he found , She followed him , and bare his scrip and hooke , And learned how to feede his snowy heards . And as in age , so she in seemly shape Seem'd to increase , she waxed passing faire , No Shepheardesse within the Arcadian plaines , Was halfe so faire , as Mepsas Flora was . In summer time , when fiery Tytans beames Scortch'd cuntrie truls , with beautie-spoyling heat , With garlands braue she would adorne her selfe , And shadie boughs to keepe away the heat . Good Lord how many , when she came to age , Burnt in desire , and su'd to haue her loue . Wel-pyping Damon , with Amyntas came , Rich Melibeus , faire Alexis eke : A thousand more too long heere to recite , A woing came , all which she did repell . Her father would her oft times wish to wed , Her mother would to marrie her perswade , But mixing whitenesse with a skarlet hue : She would intreat them both to let her liue A Virgin still , for loue she did derest . Thus chastly liuing , and attending on Her fathers flockes , with many country truls , Menalchus sonne , a famous Grecian Earle , Came ryding by , saw her , and burnt in loue , And for her loue did make himselfe a Swaine . He after much intreating , did obtaine Her wished loue , and carried her away : When as , you heard , her father missing her , Ran after her , and would haue fetcht her backe , But he poore swaine , was also partner made Of their hard haps , and caried into ship , When floting on the seas , a sudden storme , And furious tempest brake their winged pine . The Grecian Knight disioyned from his loue , And by a boord drawn to a craggie rocke , A rocke whereon a little cell was built , Where Gods assisting long time he remaind . Flora and Thirsis , cleaning on a bulke , At Delos land , Apollos Ile did stay : Where by the counsell of the Delian God , As late I told , they caried were to Greece : And now was Flora in her natiue land , Attending heards , where first she breathed life : Now was she in Palemons land her Sire , Her wofull Sire , which she full litle knew . Each day she vsde to keepe her fathers flockes , Still mourning for Cassander , her true loue : At length the Gods did pitie her estate , And Fortune who had seuen long winters frown'd , At seuen yeares end began on her to smile . Cassander comming from his seaish cell , As he was woont , his Citterne held in hand , And standing on the bottome of the rocke , Inchaunting fish with his melodious sound , His Instrument by chaunce fel from his hand , And carried was away by surging waues . He cried out , O Fortune , yet wilt thou Now with moe woes and torments me pursue ? Wilt thou againe begin me to mollest , Who erst did thinke to make a slaue of thee . What shall I doe ? Shall I depart from hence ? And subiect be againe to Fortunes spight ? No , no , I will not : in these furious seas , I le cast my selfe , and end my lothed life : Loe now I die . What said I , I would die ? What shall Cassander kill Cassander ? no , He shal not do 't . The Gods with endlesse plagues Will them inflict , which spoyle themselues of lise . But yonder sailes a ship . O Mariners , Take pity of a poore distressed wight : Take pitie of one , whome Gods wrathfull ire Long time hath causde to liue on this cold rocke . They pittied him , and bending sayles and oares Vnto the rocke , did take him in on boord . He to the shipmen told his hard mishaps : Which causd them not to thinke their iourney long , And in short time , ( for thither did they sayle ) Their ship did land at olde Palemons Coast. Here was Cassander once a Grecian Knight , Set on the shore , it was his natiue soyle , Disdayning his inheritance to seeke , Or Fortunes giftes , but pilgrim-like he went . Now was poore Flora in her natiue land , Where both her Sire and Loue Cassander was , Yet neither of them knew where th' other was . Eristos sonne , a false and youthfull Earle , For villanie whose father martyrd was . Dryano cald , who only bore now sway , Next to Palemon in the land of Greece . In summer time vnto the grouie woods , Mounted vpon a Steed and Palfrey braue , Like Mars in valour , with a dart in hand , Went to pursue the wilde and sauage Boare . No sooner came he into bushie woods , But from a caue a fiery Boare rusht out : His eyes resembled aiery-lightening flames , His bristles stood like speares vpon his backe , A hoarie fome imbru'd his threatning iawes , His crashing teeth were able euen to make Couragious Mars to quake and shake for feare . Drlano first gan throw at him a dart , Which like a shaft against a flint redound , Then all his men their weapons did let flie , Darts flew as thicke as hailstones from the skies , The fiery Bore fomes , rageth , gnasheth teeth , And with his ire seemes euen to prostrate pines . They followed him and neuer left pursuit , Till they had laid his carcase on the ground . Ioyfull Driano with his merrie men , Returned now from slaughter of the Boare : And shunning Tytans heat , for it was hote , Rode home through groues , & leaue-behanged shade Ah lucklesse Earle , an outward heat who shund , And purchased thereby an inward flame , Vpon his fiery palfrey as he rode , Accompani'd with all his sportitue men . He cast his eies on side , and saw by chaunce , Poore Flora sitting with her flocke alone , He saw her , and supposde no earthly impe , But that she some coelestiall Nymph had bene , Her feature , ah her seemly feature pearc'd Him to the heart , so faire he thought she was . Homeward he rode vnto Agenors court , But thinking still vpon her shape diuine . He praisde her haire , her eies , her seemly face , Her visage sweet , her fingers small and long . Ah quoth he , what would she be if she were Bedeck'd with gems , in steed of leauie boughes , How would she looke if she in costly robes , Were cloth'd , in steed of homely cuntry rags . But what Driano , what meanst thou , saith he , To talke of such a ragged cuntry drudge ? If she like thee , thou maist commaund her loue . Command it ? yea , and force her thereunto . Come Mylo , come , make haste , and shun delay , Doe what thy Lord Dryano bids thee doe , Go to that sweet-fac'd wench whom late I saw , Sit keeping sheepe , as we from hunting rode , Goe to her : tell her that I burne in loue : Say Lord Dryano likes thee woondrous well : And bring her with thee , which if she denie , ( As she dares not , I hope ) intreat thou her , And wooe her in my name as I know well , Thou canst it doe , and doubtlesse she will yeeld . He made all hast to doe his Lords commaund , And found her feeding grasse-deuouring heards . Faire maid saith he , Lord Dryan , whom ere while From hunting rode through these sheep-hanted fields , Inchanted with thine heart-alluring shape , And burning in thy loue , and sweet desire , Intreateth thee foorthwith to come to him ▪ I say Dryano , that renowmed Earle , Whose valiant heart , not Mars could make to yeeld , Now captiuated with thy comely forme , Confesseth him thy prisoner to bee . Come with me then , and yeeld to his desire , He 'l vse thee well , thou shalt be his delight . Out paltry pesant , out whoor-seeking knaue , Goe seek ( quoth she ) thy master queanes els where : But t is no maruel though he loues an whoore , What 's bred in flesh wil neuer from the bone . They say his Sire Eristo hanged was , For slaundering a chast and guiltlesse Queene , He had but right , if he were hanged too : Who so delightes in seeking after whoores . Go tell Dryano that I scorne to loue The King himselfe , much lesse Eristoes sonne . Tell him that I a Vestall Virgin am , And will my vow'd Virginity still keepe . Goe cogging copesmate , tell th' adulterous Earle , That Violater of Virginitie . That Flora more esteemes a good report , Than all his glorie , fame , and courtly wealth . Poore Mylo nipt , went with a flea in 's eare , And to his Lord recountred all her words , Told what opprobrious and reprochful tearmes , She had him giuen , and how she him contrould , Oh rascal ( quoth he ) what newes bringst thou mee ? Couldst thou so heare thy Lord to be reuilde ? Couldst thou heare him be scorned of a drugde , And country trull , and see it vnreueng'd ? Goe villaine , slay , kill , stab , pierce through that hart That strumpets heart , which dares me so reuile . Why runs thou not ? But stay , let her alone , With more than present death , I will her plague . Go Mylo , say thou heardst her swaynish Sire , That Soothsayer vile speake treason vnto thee , Say that he said , Palemon was by right No lawfull king , but did vsurpe the crowne . Say that that strumper did the same affirme , And cause them both in prison to be cast . I le warrant thee , my wordes before the king And thine shall be ynough to make them die . Poore Mylo runs , and causeth them foorthwith , By th' Officers in prison to be cast : They both exclaim'd , and knew no cause at all , Why so great rigour should to them be showne . They curse that ship , that shattred boord and bulke , Which sau'd their liues from drowning in the seas . But now the day that dismall day was come , Wherein offenders should receiue their doomes , The king himselfe as Iudge sate in the seat , For since the time he euer vsde to doe , Wherein his wife so falslie was accusde , Next him Earle Dryan false Eristoes sonne . Cassander who now wandred pilgrim-like , From place to place , and had no one abode , Heard that the king himselfe in iudgement sat , And came to heare and see what there was done . When Thirsis and poore Flora were brought out , Accusde by Mylo treason to haue spoke . They did denie , he stoutly did approoue , And manifest the words before rehearst . They surely haue ( saith false Dryano ) spoke These treacherous words , or why should Mylo lie : He is my seruant , and long time hath bene , I haue had proofe of his fidelitie : I neuer yet in one thing found him false , And well I know no treason he will hide : And blame them not , though they themselues excuse , It doth concerne the losse of goods and liues . Palemon foorthwith mooued at his wordes , A fatall doome against them both pronouc'd , Condemning Flora to reuenging flames , And Thirsis on a gibbet to be hang'd . A gibbet was erected by and by , Where malefactors should receiue their bane : There faggots lay , wherewith offenders should , Which had deseru'd the fire , be iustly burnt . Cassander when he saw this sweet-fac'd maid To be condemn'd , waxt heauy in his mind : He knew her not as yet , but yet his face , His ashie face began to change the hue . Now Flora was bound to a fatall stake , And Thirsis mounted on a gibbet high , Each of them gan their latest words to speak , And first of them old Thirsis thus began . O mightie powers by whose most dreadfull doom , I crimelesse wretch , condemned am to die : Graunt now at my last gaspe , I pray you graunt That my clear ghost , which heauen & earth do know Vnguiltie is of this so foule a crime , With spotlesse sprites may euer liue in blisse . And as for Flora , whom ( vnguiltie wretch ) You haue here made copartner of my doome , Whom all men thinke to be my childe , and whome I call my daughter , she me louing Sire . I now make knowne , for now I will disclose , My secretst thoughts , she is not mine owne child , But keeping flockes within th' Arcadian boundes , By Humber streames I found her in a boat . This Ring with her I found , which yet I weare , A chaine I found , which I haue left behind , And purse of gold , which gold I haue disburst . I brought her vp , and when she came to age , A Graecian Knight stole her away from me , I missing her , made after her straitwaies , And thought to fetch my sweetest child againe : But mercilesse he pluck'd me into ship , And caried me perforce with them away . When suddenly a stormie Orion rose , Mangled our ship , and drowned him in deepe : We two by cleauing on a broken bulke , Were brought by chance to sacred Delian Isle , And by Apollo both of vs were sent Vnto this land , vnluckie land of Greece , And now accusde vniustly , to haue spoke Most treacherous words against Palemon king , Which heauen and earth , and all therein can tell We neuer thought : and they , I hope they will Require our bloud at our accusers handes . Cassander when he heard old Thirsis tell This sugred tale , did leap for ioy in minde , His frostie lockes , his snow resembling haires , Gan change the cullour , and looke yellow now . And to be briefe , his face with red was deck'd , And look'd as yoong as euer he had done , So Venus did him metamorphose then . So Cupid did his Deitie make knowne . And now he surely knewe she was his loue . Scarce , ah scarce could he then refraine himselfe . From kissing her , and taking her in armes : But yet perforce himselfe he did with-hold , And thought to see what further thing wold chance . Palemon harkened vnto Thirsis words , And caused him from gibbet to be brought , Inquiring of him at what time he found , The infant in a barke on Humber bankes . He told the time : Palemons heart gan leape , And willed him to shew the foresaid ring . He shewed it him , he strait way knew it was The verie ring which he gaue to his Queene . Then charg'd he to bring Flora vnto him : And ouercloyd with this so sudden ioy , Imbraced her fast in his aged armes : And kissing her , bedew'd her with his teares . O my sweet child , Iulinaes ofspring chast , My daughter sweet ( quoth he ) whom raging seas Tooke pittie on , and waxed mild and calme , With blustering winds did greete with gentle blasts And Eolus with pleasant lullabies : Who hast at length out-worn Fates frowning force , And not thought on , art found of me againe . Come with thy Sire , sport in thy fathers court , Palemons court . Now let Palemon die , Now let me post to chast Iulinas ghost , Sith I haue found mine ofspring now , her childe . Ay me ( saith she ) my noble king and Sire , For all this ioy , how can I sportiue bee , Sith by a villaine thus I am defam'd , Dryano lately as I fed my flockes , Past by mee , and enamored with my shape , Sent word to me , that I should to him yeeld : Whose messenger I with disdainfull words Sent backe againe to his detested Lord . And therefore to auenge himselfe on me , These slaunders false against vs both deuisde . Now then Palemon , O if ere thou didst Loue that chast Queene , who was my mother deare , If thou doest loue thy new-found daughter now , Vpon these traitors let me be aueng'd . Kindled with rage he straitway caused them , To be arraign'd who strait the crime confest , Blood-thirstie ofspring ( quoth this angry king ) Lust-breathing traitors , progenie-vniust , Whose father sought to violate my Queene , And nilling yeeld to his vnchast desire , Did slander her , and falsly her accuse , And therefore hanged was , as he deseru'd , And thou ( his issue ) treading in his steps , Hast not aberred from his treacherous actes , But slaundered hast her child , my daughter deare , In that she did thy wicked lust contemne , Now therefore as Pandion and thy Sire , Were iustlie martyrd for their foule offence . So Mylo and Dryano now shall be : A iust reward for all such traitors false . Then tooke they them before sweet Floras face , And hanged them in aged Thirsis place . Now saith Palemon , Daughter come to me , And frolike with thy father in his Court , Thou seest the traitors are already hang'd , What makes thee looke so sad , ah tel it me . Ay me saith she , what comfort can I haue Sith sweet Cassander drowned is in seas : He was my loue , and I his sole delight : Would I were stil a Swaine , so that he liu'd . He liues ( quote he ) and caught her in his armes , He liues ( saith he ) preserued from the seas : O my sweet Flora , art thou yet aliue ? T is thy Cassander which imbraceth thee . What tongue is able to expresse that ioy Which Flora made , when she beheld her loue ? What Tullie can with eloquence declare , That ioy which he made , when he saw his loue ? What Homer with his quaint Pernasius verse , In greekish stile , can halfe those ioyes expresse , Which olde Palemon made , when as he saw Cassander , his found daughters sweet delight ? And woondrous glad that Flora had found out , So braue a Knight , sproong of so noble race , With great solemnity he wedded them . Deposde him selfe , and gaue the Crowne to him . He made olde Thirsis famous in the land , And much renown'd through al his Greekish realm , Who sent for Mepsa , who was yet aliue . She came to him , to their immortall ioy . Ech one was glad , each one contented was , And long time liu'd , and dy'd in endlesse blisse . FINIS .