An ould facioned love. Or a loue of the ould facion. By I.T. gent

❧ AN OVLD FACIONED LOVE . Or a loue of the Ould facion .

By I. T. gent.

AT LONDON Printed by P. S. for William Mattes , dwelling in fleetstrete at the signe of the hand and plough . 1594.

To the Worshipfull and my singular good friend mistres Anne Robertes .

I Do not ( good Mistres Roberts ) present these papers vnto you as either worthy of your viewe and grauitie , or any way answerable to the least part of your great courtesies , but being many waies highlie bounden , I haue sought by such meanes ( as vnable students are wonte ) to performe to you as to my good Patronesse , some shewe of gratitude by my pen , which I am not able to expresse in any other meete furniture of fortune . Accept therefore I praie you , not so much the value which is of no worth , as the mind of him who carieth you in all due & reuerent estimation . And so beseeching God to yeeld you all the effect of your vertuous desire , I humblie take my leaue .

Yours in all due affection and commaundement . I. T.

To the courtious and friendl●e .

AFter many cunning and well penned poems , you may parhaps maruell ( gentlemen ) what follie , or rather fu●ie should draw mee to diuulge this poore pastor all conceipte : The truth is , that perusing ( at idle howers ) the author of Amintas ioyes , I found it in latine , a passion much answerable to my purpose both for the matter and manner , and for the apt discouery of honest plaine meaning affection , not vnpleasant nor vnmeete to be clothed with an English suit as well as others of like nature and condition , whose translations remaine to their praise though my selfe neither seeke nor deserue , standing rather to intreat your pardons then to hope for praise . If ought be to your liking I reioyce : if ought amisse , attribut it to youth as not stepped to the place of sound iudgement : or if you determine otherwise , I leaue my selfe and it , to your fauorable censures , praying yet that you will please to measure the matter according to the mind of the author which in all intention is faultles .

Fare you well .

Faul● escaped amend thus if they be not alreadie corrected .

In the 2. page 23. line read liueth 7. p. ●li●re . shall 11. 12. ● . borrows 11. p , 15. ● . least 13. 5. fonding 16. 5 , ●rounes 24. 23. ●oueth 32●5 . Batch 33. 7. yea 38. 7. euen a● .

❧ THE FIRST EPISTLE . Countries delight , sweet Phillis , Beuties pride : Vouchsafe to read the lines Amyntas writeth , And hauing red , within your boosome hide , What first of loue my fearfull muse inditeth . When once my mother set me flocks to keepe , Bare fifteene yeres of age , in lether clad , A maple hooke , to get and hould my sheepe , A waiting dogge , a homely scrip I had . No skill in beasts , on loue I neuer thought , Yet but a boye , the friendly shepards route Admitted me , and countrie secrets taught : To heale my flocks , to fould them round about . In threatned stormes , to lead them to the lee , To sheare in time , to driue the wolfe awaie , To knowe the course , of starres that fixed bee : To pipe on meadow reeds , each holy-daie . To sing in rime , as sometimes shepards vse , To daunce our Iiggs on pasture grac't with flowrs What learnd I not , what toile did Irefuse , To quench loues flames , & passe o're idle houres● At last ; when heauen did womens callends shew , And custome would that euery swain should profer Vnto his choise , as they doe sit are we : Such fauours , as poore shepards vse to offer . Silke garters Egon , first began to tie , About the calues , of her he loued best , And lifting vp her clothes , she said Naie sie . With blushing smils , his hand she downward prest . Then Titerus a ryband did bestow , On Driades his loue and whole delight . In token of the ioyes , they hope to knowe . When wedding chamber giues the happie night . Of marigoldes , with figured loue and name , A chaplet Melibeus had deuised . On Clitias head then pinned he the same . And vowd his loue should neuer be demised . To Glicery ould Mopsus fay rings giueth● Menalcas and the rest gaue where they lou●d ; But who is he , that alwaies happie liue What ioyes so firme , as griefe hath not remoued ? Faustulus , and Caridon , wel borne , & wel allyed Both rich , both strong , & both for vertues praised Lou'de you alike , and were alike denied . Yet for your sake , great strife there had they raised A gem the one , a whelpe the other bringeth , Both faire enough , yet you did both refuse , Lest hate which oft from riuall passion springeth , This merrie meeting , rudelie should abuse . And yet these lads do striue , with words & deeds Loue gaue them staues , their blows ar strongly plac'd They call their frends the best but badly speeds . Full pale you rose ( I markte how palenes graced ) And truce with mouing teares you did desire . But all in vane , for teares , the fight increased : Whereat ( me thought ) my hart began to fire , And pittie longd to see this battell ceased . Then rushed I , amidst this churlish fraie . And war with war , I conquered at the last : With force , or threats , the fearcest did I staie . You gaue me thanks , when all the broile was past . Oh had not sweetest Phillis thankfull beene . And yet I wish too much against your kind . But had not I those gracious gestures seene , might haue still , enioyed a quiet mind . For when your tempting eyes , I did behold , And heard your voice , more sweet then musiks sound , The passions which I felt , may not be told , Then ; then , it was that first loues force I found . The one mine ●are , the other pleasd mine eye , This pleasure bread such stormes within my hart . As poore Amintas , wretchedlie must die : Except faire Phillis , shall redresse his smarte . My doubtfull mind so too and froe doth moue , Vnlike himselfe , your seruaunt now abideth , Constant in naught , but onely in your loue : feare presseth hope , and shame affection hideth . Beleeue me sweete ( newe louers cannot faine ) Awake , asleepe , still Phillis doe I see , And from your looks I gather ioye or paine : Euen which it please you , to bestow on me . If merrilie , Amintas you salute , A merry hope , doe make me happie straight , But if you frowne , then doe I feare my sute : And on my thoughts , a thousand cares do waight . Confounded thus , and ouercome with griefe , To fluds with teares , to ayre with sighes I melte , In vaine I seeke each waie for my reliefe : I thinke such torments , neuer louer felte . Yet lest a coward iustly I were thought , At first to yeeld , vnto my first desire . Fond rage with reason , to suppresse I sought : And with discretion , to quench out the fire , I chide my selfe , and call into my mind , Such medicines , as our annals haue in store , I prooue them all , and yet small ease I find : For still my loue increaseth more and more . I sit vp late , I rise before the daie , I doe repeate each vanitie in loue , I checke faire beautie , by her quick decaie : And twentie other helpes , I fondly prooue . I thinke how Sirens , catch the listning eare , And how affection is increast by sight , Sweet Phillis pardon though the truth you heare : And though against my will , loue kept your right . For I did striue to free me from affection , But beautie was too strong , for mine endeuor , Who hath so forst my loue to your subiection : As till you free me , I am bound for euer . To stop mine ears with wax , mine eyes to blind , To hide me from your sight , amidst the woode , In all these helps no helpe at all I find : My loue is such , as they will doe no good . As Pelias spere , could hurt and healde againe , So therefore let me craue but this of thee , That as loue made , so loue may ea●e my paine : And as you mine , so I your best may bee .

The second Epistle : I St true indeed ? was Phillis so vnkind With hand and hart , vnred in peces rent , To send my verses to the scattering wind● When they to you and no where else were ment . Those snow-white fingers , soft as any cloud , ●should not such shreudnes vnder beauty shrowd . And could you braule with Mopsus in such sort ? For bringing you a pledge of true affection . It was no fault your praises to report . And he did naught but after my derection . Amintas wrote the verses you did teare , If so you like Amintas name to heare . Did you commaund that I should write no more ? Why loue commaunds that I should write again ? Besides your looks affords such flowing store , As makes a Poet write with little paine . Yea you haue power , in euery merry smile , To force a loute , to match Appollos stile . What greeud you then , what made you so to chide ? Were you affeard , olde Mopsus would reueale it , When next I write ( because I wil it hide ) , I le bring●t my selfe , and so we may conceale it . My silent hand , in your hand bestow , That which none else but you and I shall know . Nor Faustulus , nor Corridon shall heare it , Or once suspect our loue if you a●gree : Our ioyned lips , so to and froe shall beare it , As ayre nor Ecco , shall a witnesse be . Till you my wife , my happy armes shall fill , Then let them prattle , what & where they will . When last I wrote , some angry stars had power , And bad aspects , agreed to show their kind : Yet now I hope , I chose a better houre , And better hap , I do not doubt to find . Do you but reade , to read you neede not feare , Or if you will , I le reade and you shall here . I write not ought that may offend your eie , Your seruant , doth no more but shew his loue : The wound you made perhaps you there may spy With some such passions as desire doth moue . Which if you will not take awai● from : Yet what your beauty wrought , take pains to se Doe but behold , what guiltles I endure , ( Accept true loue , a guiltie fault you deeme ) For then my paines your will : If you be she , whom v●wardly you seeme , If those faire eyes , your emorce reveale , The woud you made you cannot chuse but heal . Feare no deceipt , I coppie from my hart , No more then honest loue , doth now sugiest , The pen where with I write , can ●aine no smart , Being the index of a faithfull breast : It is not long , sence loue did let it fall , Out of his wing , for me to write withall . No doubt he ment ; your praises I should paint , So to vnmaske , the vertues you would hide : For , knowing that my wonder made me faint , And that our quills , such works may not abide , He hath supplide , such pen , such lasting inke As will performe , as much as I can thinke . Read therefore with desire , read with delight , Diana knowes , that I doe meane none ill : Here are no charmes , I vse no magiks might : In truth I loue almost against my will . And neuer might they thriue who ly in waite , To snare poore damsels with their lewd deceipt . I am not I Demophion , though you be Another Phillis , far more richly prised : In vertue more , and far more faire then she , Else halfe hir praiers had hir saint suffi●ed . Had she beene you , then he like me had lou'd , And then I know he might not be remou'd . Now as that Phillis , yelds to you in bewtie , So doth that periurd wretch , that truthlesse Knight Submit himselfe , in ●aith , in loue , and dewtie , Vnto Amintas as he ought by right : Whose blouming age , by al men spotles view●d , With such foule deeds , shal neuer be imbrew●d : Oh therefore looke vpon my melting heart , And ope the wounde , that you the depth may see : Vnlesse you know , how shall you ease my smart ? And who should helpe , if Phillis helpe not me ? You did the harme , you may the worst amend , Phillis my foe may so become my f●end . No more my foe , if you my health afford , Then will I call you life , or some thing better : Yea if I knew a more effectuall word , I would not long therefore remaine your detter . You , you shall be to me euen what you will , Vpon condi●ion you my sute fulfill . Sweet wer my brest , such as the light through shind That so you might behold as in a fountaine Your thrise faire Image ( there deuoutly shrinde ) Daunced vpon aliuelie leaping mountaine . Then shuld you se how like a queen you raign , Commaunding lawes of pleasure and of paine . There should you see how all my sences watche , Readie to run at euery becke and winke , Like straining grahounds striuing to dispatch , Each thing that they to your contentment think . Yea wit to will , and will to loue resigneth : And glad is he that so himselfe combineth . Or if you search my secret hart within , T is strange to see how loue doth reuell there , Placing new pains where erst there non hath bin And raising warres and discord euerie where . To se what broils despaire and hope doth keepe would make a harder hart then yours to weepe . Yea euery part , the liuer , lungs and all , Do witnes well that they with loue haue met : The liuer which the seate of loue men call , With scorched sides do shew where he hath set . My longs with greuous sighes consume awaie , While they would saue the bodies whole decaie My wanton spleene , sometime fulfild with sporte , Hath lost his laughing and his merrie cheere : My tougn mine eies like mischiefe can report , And so would all the rest if you would heare . My tongue doth tire with begging your relief , mine eies shed tears which shew both ioie & gref Since therefore thus I suffer for your sake , It were iniustice to increase my sorrowes , Good Phillis graunt some pittie now to take , And let sweet words restore what beutie borro●●● Happie am I if you agree to this , But if you frowne , a wretch your seruaunt is .

The third Epistle . ●ast with strange doubts more pains your frend ; abideth Good Phillis auswere these my growning feares , Let that sweet voice which yet your pittie hideth . Pronounce the end of all my beggin teares . But if some shame ( for modest you werr euer ) With hold those words which loue to me doth owe Then may you write , for paper blusheth neuer , And trust me well , ther s no man shall it know . Stand not vpon your ouer curious writing , When letters leape each other , I can spell it : Neither do I desire your choise inditing , For loue seemes best , if plainely we do tell it . When halfe abasht , and stutting in my speach ; My trembing hand , deliuered you my writte : When waterie eies your mercy did beseech , And euery parte bewraid a louers fit . I mus'd to see your countenance changed so , Flashing quick passions with a subden grace : And white , and red , so oft to come and go , As if deepe thoughts , were written in your face . So haue I seene , the moone eclipsed wade , When shadowy earth , from Phoebus hir deuideth : Now meetely light , and now that light do fade , Now peeping forth , and now her selfe she hideth . Which made me think , som other sun you had , And Fastulous , or Corridon was he , I doubted least my shaddow made you sad , For plaine it was this change did come from me . Nor durst I hope ( though hope well pleasd my mind That new affection , wrought this new aspect And though I long'd to see you proue so kind , Yet did I feare some other worse effect . And euen this feare a wretch Amintas maketh , Whilst stormy motions , in my thoughts arise : Whilst fonding loue , each action still mistaketh , Striuing in kindnesse , all things to comprise . Oh happie , if Amintas you esteemed , Or if I could not see my selfe deceiued : But what blind eies , your fauor wold haue deemd , Where my small guifts , so hardly were receaued . Mad Tigers yeald , with vowes & praiers tamed But feruent zeale , is neither strange nor nice : That proud disdaine ; that Rustik loue is named , Which only yealds , to mercenary price . Loue would not make your fainting hand so slack , To take the verses , your Amintas brought you : It was not loue , that turnd away your back , When them to read , I earnestly besought you , You need not feare , the murmur of my muse , An vnpoluted hand , a pen more iust : A mind which knowes no fraud , nor none wil vse , Did draw the modell , which you so mistrust . Not Venus sonne , nor any lusting spirit , Do hale me on , to thinke one wicked thought : My loue is new and growes from your demerit , As pure as gold that finers fire hath wrought . And yet at first , I did my selfe mistake it , For ( truth to speake ) I thought it Cupids fire : And therefore did I wrastle to forsake it , For neuer could I like of foule desire . But now by holy triall I do find , That mine and that , are easelie knowne a sunder : They disagree in habite , and in kind , To see their difference you perhaps would wonder . Of Mars , and Venus , that the Bastard is , This is of vertue , only son and heire : That knowne to most , but few haue met with this , That blacks our souls , but this doth make them faire . He flies with wings and ioies in false designes , This louing truth on milk wight steed is mounted , Starke naked he doth shew his sin by signes , This vseth clothes least lewd he were accompted . With pitch-black scarfe he vales his cruel eies , To shew how guiltles men he leades astray : Quicke sighted this each dangerous doubt espies , And by iust lawes all actions well doth weigh . Two arrowes Cupid in his left hand weareth , Two arrowes my loue in like sort doth carry : And in their right hand each a fire brand beareth , Yet shaftes and brand● in their effects do va●ie . His torch doth only smoake to smother wit , The other cleerely flames with sacred fire : His poisoned arrowes fester where they hit , These do but prick vs with a chaste desire . Our bondage he by words & deeds procureth , Yea such a bondage as few slaues do find : But this with sweete content our hope inureth , Blessing with quiet the obaieng mind . Such is my loue & such is all his fruits , Euen this was hee which praisd your matchles bewty : This first aduisd me to commence my sutes , This taught me first a faithfull louers dewty . Good Phillis therefore yeald me my request , Amintas doth not loue as you supposed : And Faustulus sings Flora his best , His flocks within hir pinfold he hath closed . Phillis I sing , on her are all my notes ▪ My sheepe none other fellowship will take : Mad Corridon do buz on clownish otes , As balde a verse as any lob can make . But want on nimphs the satires and the fairies , My seuen stopt pipe ( as sweet as mi●maides voice : ) Will force , to daunce about you the canaries , Whilst they shall wonder at my happie choice . Now Faustulus ( lest you should think him ould ) Pickes forth his hoary heares , with too much pain , His cheeks are ●ubd , least blud should seeme too cold He were a youth , if al his frames were plaine , Our ages ( being like ) must needs agree , The downe appeares vpon my face but newlie : Proud Corridon , will your commaunder be , But poore Amintas , will attend you dulie . What should I trouble you with hearing more ? Wherein my riualls are vneuen with me , These are enough , yet haue I better store , Sweet therefore let the worthie crowned be .

The fourth Epistle . AS musicke giues , and takes awaie our liues , Whilst we with heed , attend her heauenly strains . Euen so ( my life ) your answer both reuiues And kills your seruaunt , with a world of paines . For though at first , my fainting hop●s it mended The end ( alas ) a ●●rdering feare portended . Whilst ( fai●● ) I heard you say you red my letters , And that you were not with my sute displeased : If all the churles of Asia , were my de●●ers , Their depts my hart so much had neuer eased . Me thought I felt the strangest quicking grow , That euer hoping louer yet did know . But doubt of death so much could heardly moue , Or daunt your seruant well reso●●d to die : As when I heard you say you knew not loue , Nor euer ment his madding for to trie , Oh then I wisht that with the selfe ●ame dart , Loue wold strike you wherwith he perst my hart . Yet so I praide and pray him hit my sweete , As only I may be your first election : In hope that when our equall passions mee●e , We both shall striue to conquer in affection . For I should die to see you so ab●sed , As him to loue by whome you are refused . And since they say it is the auncient vse , That for our loues we Venus must intreat : Because I will admit you no excuse ; Words of great waight to hi● I will repeate . And words with gifts right humbly shal be sealed , In ●ope that so this feuer may be healed . Two milke white doues , a rich & precious chaplet Wrought al of gold & perles fetcht from the east , Baskets of flowers , the Rose , the Violet , To set vpon hir best beloueds crest . These shall she haue and I will bribe her sonne , Cost is no cost , so Phillis maie be wonne . A paire of chirping sparrowes will I bring him , And euer kissing turtles trulie matched , Options of loue , and sonets will I sing him , What would I not , so this maie be despatched ? So Phillis maie my loue with loue requite , I do not weigh the price of my delite . Now if chaunce ( and sometimes so it chaunceth ) That chast Diana take him in her traps : Whilst close in bushes with her maids he daunceth Or like a wag doth wanton in their laps , If then ●obbes the boie of all his treasure , Well shall he find that I will do him pleasure . For though she sends him naked as my nailne , Home to his mother sad to see that sight , With clipped wings without his pitch-blacke vaile Of bow , of darts , of torch ber●ued quite . Amintas will his losses soone restore , As good or better then they were before . Wings , bow and shafts , a scarfe , a burning tarch , Shall richly bee supplied by my art , To catch , to shoote and pierce , to blind , to scorch Your selfe , your side , your eyes , your frose● hart . For do you thinke that I will let him want , The meanes whereby he maie disdaine suplant ? In your faire eyes new arrowes must be ●ound , For if they hidden there did not remaine , How did your sight enforce this gaping wound , Or what was it that causd me all this paine ? There must he seek & there he sur● shal have them Phillis maie not saie naie , if loue do craue them . His wings aboue your ancle he shall find , For if they had not wings to cut the aire , How could you flie more swif● then any wind ? The vowes of sheppards ●rged by despaire . And till these wings be parted from your heels , You cannot marke the smart Amintas feeles . Hir christall breast transparaunt to the viewe , To make loues quiuer semeth passing fit , Yet but to keepe those arrowes that be ●rue : For fashood doub●●es hath no place in it . And might I wish then only should it hold , That arrow which is headed all with gold . These must you giue , the rest shal come from me , My bending armes shall serue him for a bowe For as they only long to circle thee , So would they hit none other that I know . And in my clowdy eies with teares halfe blind , To hide my wants he scarfe enough may find . His torches shall he kindle in my brest , Where loue to blow the fier neuer ceaseth : And as desire can enioie no rest , So euer mouing , euer heate encreaseth . These weapons , wings , this quiuer , scarfe , and flame Your curst ha●t shal with triumph shortly ●ame . The verie arrowes which to loue you lend , Put in mine armes ( he drawing then the string ) : Shal rush on you , so as before they end , Some of my notes you shal be taught to sing . And when your trial doth loues force discouer , You will no more delaie your truest loue● . Meane time ( my chick ) whilst thus you shall be vsed , Thinke not that your Amintas will be idle : Those stubbern thoughts which cannot be excused , With faire intreaties I intend to bridle . My pleasing verses in your stone hard mind , Shall stab in ●ony wounds to make you kind . Churle that I am ) deserue I not much blame ? To call hir hard that is so mild and soft ? A stone was I , a stone that brest to name , Which with my verses hath beene fild so oft . Too largely did I giue my threats their scope , Since you did mildly grant me leaue to hope . And hope I will as Phillis doth desire , Or quick or slow your becks my hope shall frame : If stay you bid , then will I quench the fier , But if you hast , I will become a flame . For my contentment neuer may be wrought , With that which shal displease you but in thoght Forgiue me therefore though I did amisse , Or beate me wel , but not with staues or whips : My punishment shall be enough for this , If your sweet mouth do rap me on the lips . Your praise hereafter shall I better sing , When more experience greater art shal bring . Nere will I rest but I will practise still , To passe them all that liue vpon this plaine : And if my strength agreeth to my will , You shall confesse I labor not in vaine . Your beawty shall so eccho in the aire . As all this Ile shal sing that you are faire . I speake not rashly for I know the trouble , That is requirde so manie to exceed : Yet doubt I not but that my force will double , Your gracious looks assisting at my need . Our goulden witts ( if you will fauour me ) Shall saie Amintas loueth more then wee . So striues the nightingale to please his choise , Reposing on a thorne his sleepie breast : Seeming in paines as richly to reioyce As other birds are vsde to doe in reast . P●owd that his loue in vertue so excelleth , To daie and night hir worthines he telleth . Yet if with mine he shall compaire his skill , When once your smiles my knowledg haue amended Though honest enuie doth his worst fulfill , My conquest yet with honour shall be ended . Then shall you find before we part asunder That Phillis in Amint as works a wonder . Me think I see how pertlie first he rowseth , As preface to some newe deuised straine , Opening his clap as doth a hawke that bowseth : To send forth tumes fit for Marenzoes vaine . Now long , now short , now high & now as low , Each corner of his voice he straines to showe . Me thinke his nimble tongue I plainly se , How it doth labor to deuide each note , And whilst in vaine he works to vanquish me , It seemes to daunce the antike in his throte . Now sings he mirth , & now he semes to weepe , Sometime aloud , sometimes as halfe asleepe . But were this combate true as it is fained , And were we euenly listed in the field : Feare least the weakest should be most disdained , would burst his bowels ere he once would yeeld . His very best what sluggard would not proue ▪ Rather then like a wretch to die with loue ,

The Fifth Epistle : Letters you take , whie take you not my guifts ? Enforcing charmes I vtterlie detest , Your mind I wrest not with vnlawfull shifts . Onely I seeke to win you by request . And with my selfe I neuer would dispence , In thought to perpetrate so foule offence . These worthles presents ( measuring your desarts ) Are but the pledges of vnfained loue , Giuen by an honest hand and such a hart , As onely your vnkindnes maie remoue . So might you take them with like hand , like mind For greater ●aith I do not wish to find . Barre not my merits of their due accesse , This ring of gold , this paile feare not to take , Though smale they be yet were they somwhat les I hope you will accept them for my sake . And if my flocke another yere do mend , A richer guift I promise you to send . Yet are they better then parhaps they seeme , This ring I tell you I do giue the rather , Because my mother did it much esteeme , Being the first loue token of my father . Who putting it vpon her little finger , Tould her that loue could not endure to linger . The very words my hart to Phillis pleads : The mot ingrauen do speake , Drawne by demerit : T is straunge how fortune euery action leads , Making the sonne his fathers wounds inherite . So lou'd he then , so loue● now his heire , Both we were constant , both our loues we feire . Marke how the payle is curiously inchased , In these our daies such works are seldome found : The handle with such anticks is imbraced , As one would thinck they leapt aboue the ground , The Ammell is so faire , and fresh of hew , As to this day it seemeth to be new . That glasse where in the sun doth sometime prie , To see his harpe , and quiuer placed right : And to amend those locks that are awry , Against he meets his best belou'd at night . That glasse ( I say ) the rainebow I intend , Not halfe these colors from hir clowds do send The substance wrought deserues but little price , Comparing to the workemanship of it : More then them both I valew his deuise , That in smal space so may things did fit . Yet imitats the life in euery shape , As if the caruer had beene natures ape . But since the emblems some what secret be , I wil declare each charge and what is ment : Euen as my mother vttered them to me , When vnto you both ring and paile she sent . The order I must keepe and first is set , A Lady couered with a golden net . Looke how at church or in the open streete , A sluttish bawde , or some vnquiet skould : That for hir sinnes doth penance in a sheete , A cloth before hir shamelesse face doth hold . So in this net the trembling Lady stands , Hiding hir blushing cheeks with both hir hands The net is loues right worthily supported , Bacchus one end , the other Ceres guideth : Like Tramellers this god and goddes sported , To take each foule that in their walkes abideth . And as by night they vp and down did iumble , Vpon Minerua by mischance did stumble . Minerua in their nets so strangely masked , As strugling was too weake to set hir fre● : Till by loues censure she was straightly tasked , From that time forth his drudge and slaue to be . To teach vs first this first of all was placed , That loue by nicenes wil not be disgraced . For though when nature vs●d on rootes to bite , And ●rinck such liquor as the well did giue ▪ Though then to catch hir , loue had small delight , As better pleasd in fatter minds to liue . Yet since the world with diet ●lowes , Both hir and al the rest ●e ouerthrowes . Wretched Prometheus next to these here stands , Whose side do freshly seeme euen now to bleede : His fettered legs and his inchained hands , doth hold him whilst the Egles on him feede . The Eagles teare , and tier vpon his heart , But though he shrinks he cannot shun the smart . Marke how his forhead doth both frown & skoule To shew that he both wrath , & greefe sustaines : Marke how he gapes as if he ment to howle , Or else to bite the workers of his paines . His staring eies right bitterly did threat , To driue those hasty feeders from their meat . Euen as a wolfe whom hunters staffe doth choke , Whilst angry dogs his torments more encrease : New smart with his resistance doth prouoke , And may nor fight nor yet procure a peace . So stands Prometheus to abide his throwes , And end wherof he neither hopes nor knowes . Though day by day his heart they do deuoure , And rifell all the intralls they can catch : Yet haue nor beaks nor griping tallants power , His soule from marty●ed carca●e to dispatch . But still he liues for night doth still restore , What gorged Eagles eate the day before . Perhaps the cause here of you do admire , And why this penance thus he doth performe : Some say he filtcht from Ioue the liuely fire Wherewith he quicneth euery perfect forme . And yet ( no doubt ) it hath another sence , Not plaine in shew , but plaine by inference . By such as fire from heauen do steale away , Is ment al those that place their loue too high : For such do yeald their hearts to them a prey , Who euer killing neuer make them die . Soule fretting cares as fa●t our quiet eate , As emptie Eagles do deuoure their meate Yet hope , and rest , as much by night repaires , As care by day ( too greedily ) did wast , Thus liues & deaths from hopes & from dispaires , To climing minds incessantly are cast . Why therfore shuld we wish more than we need ? An hundred hands must fiftie bellies feede . The third by shape , or forme , appeares a monster , Hauing both head and feete and al things double : But least the truth thereof you should misconster , I will declare it ( were it not your trouble ) . This personage Androgina was named , Thus man and woman iointly first were framed All of one peece their loines and heads did grow , Diffrence of sex was vtterly vnknowne : So ioind their forheads and their parts below , As equall men together had beene fowne . Like to indentures met twice twenty toes , And when they moue the one half backward goes . So may you see by two Laualto danced , Who face to face about the house do hop : And when one mounts ; the other is aduanced , At once they moue , at once they both do stop . Their iestures shew a mutuall conscent , I thinke this last the first did represent . Foure eies it had yet so their forheads grew , As they could neither glaunce nor looke amisse : Onely the one , the other still did view , Much like to wantons smothering of a kis . One health , one voice , at once they laugh and weep Happy are they that such agreements keepe . And thus ( no doubt ) these had remained euer , ( So euenly were they macht , at first by nature : ) If discord had not laboured to disseuer , And par●e them both by altering of their stature , With sicknes therfor striue● this concord breker To make one halfe therof become the weaker . And sicknesse made indeede the one so tangle , That then hir growth was hindred much thereby : Which causd the vnited so to wrangle , As boies for cloths , when they a could do lye . Whereat the stronger falles to flat disdaine , And now he minds to part though to his paine . The sick consents and saith as he doth say , Their armes are straind , their ioyning skin is rent , The stronger by his force doth ●eare away , A greater share then ere was to him ment . Hence quarrels grew : ●oue knowes it was vniust But still the weaker to the wal is thrust . Thus discord made that simphathy deuide , Thus parted was , the toung , the flesh , the braine Much better had they beene one to abide , Then still to long to ioine themselues againe . But soft me thinks my penne too fast doth trot , In vttering that which now concerns it not . For I should tel the meaning of this twin , Which only signifies the Gordion knot : That toung tyde knot , which but with deadly sin , Or wealth ▪ or woe , or time dissolueth not . To speak more plain it shews the marieng states To chose & to conuerse them with their mates , Their Birth , their wealth , and age , alike should be , Equality do sweeten much that life : An hatefull sight I gesse it were to see , The Lions daughter made the moushis wife . So therefore was Androgina deuised , As iust one height and bignes it comprised . By going backward alwaise of the one , Is ment the yealding wedlock doth require : And that one ought not euer rule alone , But some time crosse himselfe in his desire . Yea from our likeings we must backward go , And though we would not ; say it should be so . The inward placing of their double eies , Was to restraine the nimble wandering thought : For searching sight so many motes espies , As oft it makes vs thinke of that is naught . And thought in time will breed a free consent , From whence proceeds a daunger pestilent . But least I dwell too long vpon this toie , I next will speake a little of the last Vpon a bancke there sits the flying boy , His bow vnbent his quiuer loosely cast . With wings al wet as beaten with a shower , Who sees him now wold scarsely feare his power One foote vpon the others lappe doth lie , His right hand groping round about that heele : The left do put the finger in the eie , As if he plaind for smart that he doth feele . So haue I seene old Batche the painter trace , A whipped boye looke vp with crying face . His broken scarfe hangs downe vpon his arme , Cupid now sees who earst was deemed blind , A pricke he caught which doth him all this harme For which he seeks but no where can it find : Yet still he looks where oft he lookt before , With that my mother smild and said no more .

THE ANSWER OF PHILLIS TO A MINT AS BY THE TRANSLATOR . TO satisfie hir friend thus Phillis writeth , Scarse well aduisde to whom or what she doth For trembling hand whilst fearful thought inditeth Do tell me oft , men speake not alwaies sooth . And that too many seme as they where iust , In whom our trialles find but little trust . Yet I haue heard how much they vse to glorie : ( As if it were some newes of good import ) Of vs to tell an ouer louing storie , Where with they make themselues & others sport But in what case is that poore seelie maid ? That by her owne good nature is betraid . Now twise too kind ( I must confesse ) it is , For vs to write or shew our bad inuentions ; The lines we send proue maps of our amisse , Wherein you men false measure our intention . And though of loue , the verses haue no sauour , Yet are they deemde too prodigall a fauour . We vergins on an open stage are set : Where many eies examine euerie deede : Where slaunder hides in euery bush a net To warne vs in our waies to take good heed . Then may we hope that lines wil ought conceale ? Which like bad seruants all they know reu●ale . The inside of our hartes must not be seene : Wee must lock vp the secrets of the mind , And though Amintas euer true hath beene , Yet Phillis must not shew hir selfe too kind . With these perswasions did I hould my hand , Till your intreties gaue a counter-mand . Where with the loue which once I did conceiue ▪ ( Before your sight to get what I would keepe ) Began a new impression to receiue In hope to charme your fond desires asleepe . For ( truth to speake ) before your sute began I thought Amintas was an honest man . Yet such as chastly meane to liue and die , Must shun occasions , tempting their intent , And hate such sutors as in waite do lie To make our thoughts become incontinent . My maidenhood was promisd to my graue : An others right Amintas may not haue . And I did tell ould Mopsus when he brought , ( Too pander like ) the verses first you sent , That since to wrack my chastitie you sought , I would reuoke the friendship earst I ment : T' was wisely done to send him on that arrant , Since of his councell you had little warrant . Now if I should ( which nere is like to bee ) Forsake the sweetnes of this single life , In truth , I rather had be match't with thee , Then otherwise become a Prince his wife . Yet do not mend your hope with this I saie For trust me Phillis neither will nor maie . For who doe marke the daungers that arise , And see the paines and cares the wedded v●nter : But will preuent ( at least if they be ) That they such troubles shall not rashlie enter . But graunt som maids their happines would loose Yet can you scarcely teach vs how to choose , For may we take those men whose ●ies do sue ? Gazing as if in vs they sought their hearts : Or may we thinke their shamefast gestures true , Whose signes appeere the patterns of their smarts So wrought Ortello , yet how false was he ? And why should his succeeders truer be ? Or are they best who with their heart-sicke woes , A spotlesse faith right solemnly will sweare : Or such as with old begging words compose , A bosome loue to hackn●y euery where . The periurd louers looke as others do , The last to shew their cunning only wooe . What counsell then since ●ares and eies may erre ? And error breed●s both smart and bitte● shame : If we misgrant the futes they do prefer , Repentance cannot stanch our bleeding fame . So that if signes , & words , & vowes be forceles , Women haue cause ( I thinke ) to be remorceles . And since both good , and bad , their truth wil bost ( Bearing themselues as if no harme they ment ) , Considering that the worst are euer most , We must suspect the very best intent . For deepe deceipt will speake as faire as he , Who loueth best and fainest lou'd would be . Now some ( againe ) ( too fond ) amongst the rest , For present time do loue with ●eruent mind : Yet when a while their loues they have possest , In whom diffrence from their thoughts they find Perceiuing how their hopes were thēbeguiled , All fo●mer loue by them is quite exiled . Then others fortunes they begin to measure , Guessing how well some other men have sped : Their own is , the r●st ( they think ) are treasure And now they tell how much they were mi●led . In neighbours fields the corne is better grown , And euery thing is richer then their owne . From whence there doth a world of michiefs slide For then hath thrift his paspo● to be gon : All honest and loue is laide aside , Yea and those michiefs seldome come alone . For lothing minds are longing to be free , And care not how so it effected be . I am not angry ( though I shrewdly speake ) , For sin it were with loue to be displeased ▪ Only I seeke your vaine desires to breake , Which yet but spark● ( I hope ) may be appeased . And I dare sweare that , you are none of those , That with are practised to gloz● . Yet must I prosecute my first occasion , By all good meanes affection to subdue : And might I so preuaile by my perswasion , As hencefor●h you such sutes would not ●enew . Might I ( Amintas ) thus those toies remoue , Then should I thinke that Phillis you did loue . Why : faine I were a man as you do say , And that my bew●y did so far exceede : I' st therefore strange if you should haue a nay , Do euery sutor of his purpose speede . That which you did demand is ●ought by many But I will neither giue it you nor any . And yet to you before a thousand more , Were they as rich as Crassus in his pride : And were Amintas more then thrice as poore , When I may loue to him my loue is tid'● . But til our friends conscent , we haue ●o power , The couenant of that knot is none of oure . For as from parents we our flesh do borrow , So must we pay the dept which kind do owe : And you shall alwaies see the mayde haue ●orrow , Which crosse their liking doth hir selfe bestow . Whose carefull eies all danger will espie , When our blind fancies leade vs cleane awry . And though my mother fauoreth you too much , And partially to me reports your praise , Yet what maie she do since the world is such : As now the husband euerie action swaies , Of whose consent there is no little doubt , Farewell for now my wasted light goes out . FINIS .