The most pleasant and delightful historie of Curan, a prince of Danske, and the fayre Princesse Argentile, daughter and heyre to Adelbright, sometime King of Northumberland Shewing his first loue vnto her, his succeslesse suite, and the low deiections he vnderwent for her sake. His second loue to the same lady vnknowne, taking her for a poore countrie damsell. She (by reason of the vnkindnesse of King Edell her vnckle and gardian) hauing forsooke the court, and vndertooke the profession of a neatheardes mayde. His constant loue (after her long continued vnkindnes) rewarded with her wished consent, their happie nuptials, and mutuall reioycings, his valour and victorious warre with King Edell: and lastly, his peacefull installment in the kingly throne. Enterlacte with many pritty and pithie prayses of beauty, and other amorous discourses, pleasing, smooth and delightfull. By William Webster.

THE PLEASANT AND delightfull Storie of Prince Curan , and the Princesse Argentile . THen when our English Ile ( which now in one Vnited is , the more our happinesse ) Vnder diuided Soueraignety did grone , Ichouah shield it from the like distresse ; Seuen Kings then raigned in this land , but now All hearts , all knees , loue one , to one doe bow . ( Then Diria ) called now Northumberland , Was of the foresaid seuen small Kingdomes one , Nor was that Scepter sway'd by one mans hand , Diuision had the Clime so ouergone , Two , each a semi-king raign'd ioyntly there In friendly peace , for they neere Kinsmen were . Edell and Adelbright the Kings were cal'd , For each of them the kingly title beares , And each is in the kingly throne instal'd , Thing seldome seene ) well , after diuers yeares , King Adelbright deceast , and left his Heire To Edell's ward , young Argentile the fayre . Yet ere he dyes , to Edell thus he spake , Edell , quoth he , my death approacheth neere , My Kingly right to thee I doe betake , During the nonage of my daughter deare , But after it shall be to her resign'd , So thou thy selfe to mee by oath shalt binde . His oath for this , his promise tooke beside , To deale with her , as if his childe shee were . The good King Adelbright soone after dyde , For whom young Argentile shed many a teare : And time increast her griefe , for afterwards Edell nor oath , nor honesty regardes . The Scepter whole now his , hee 'l not deuide , Vsurping that , that is the Ladies right ; ( Though he from that by oath himselfe had tide ; ) For in sole soueraignty he found delight , By her he knowes he cannot be constrain'd , Therefore hee 'l not forgoe what he hath gain'd . Meane while the Lady in despight of woes , Which still too much afflict her tender heart , The fayrest vnderneath the skie she growes , Beauty is hers in full , and not in part ; Besides , shee 's modest , sober , gentle , chast , Her beautie these , and these her beauty grac't . But when her beauty grew yet more mature , All beauties then in her seem'd to combine , Her beautie other beauties did obscure , As starres eclipsed are by Luna's shine . In all the land was none so fayre as shee , In all the world a fayrer could not be . Her beautie seemeth to be be 〈◊〉 soule , It doth in excellence so much exceede , Her eye so swayes , so rules , doth so controule , And bend the hearts of men , as wind the reede , All like , all prayse , and many loue , but few ( Dispayring of their worth ) for loue dare sue . The richest beauties ( to adorne this Dame ) In her fayre treasurie , fetcht Nature thence , Which neere vnto diuine perfection came , They did so much exceed in excellence . Shee 's beauties sunne , whose beames been fame and praise Go through & through the world like Phabus raies . That beauty was but such ( if it was such ) That carried Troy to Greece , and Greece to Troy ; Shee 's more then fayre , and therefore more then much Will be his ioy that once shall her enioy . But he must sayle , ere he such Hauen gaine , Close by the margent of Caribdis maine . Her eye loues Arbor is where beauties meete , Her cheeke loues garden is where beauties grow : Loue walketh there , for there the ayre is sweet : Which alwayes when she breathes doth gently blow . Her blushing lip , her breath , for shew , for smell , The Rose exceedes , the Violet doth excell . As many as behold her , doe admire her , In beautie , shee all beauties doth out-strip , All thoughts commend her , and all hearts desire her : Yea , Nature wonders at her workmanshippe , Admiring her owne skill , and cunning great , In framing such a beautie , so compleat . Nature , another cannot make more fayre , Though to that purpose all her power were ben't , No , though shee would from fire , earth , water , ayre , Extract the quintessence to that ineene . For in this Dame there no ingredient lackt , That should make beautie perfect and exact . Had Iupiter the earth frequented then , When her bright beauty grac't the sunne-shine day , Or had this Beauties Patragon liu'd when He in the world did wanton , sport and play . O what would he haue done , what not haue done ? What shapes would hee haue tooke her loue t' haue wonne ? Surely he would haue thought her loue a feast More pleasing then th' imbracement of his queene ; And Iuno's iealousie had sure increast , If she this peerelesse princesse should haue seene . For , that his heart was tractable she knew , For such attractiue beautie to subdue . In this regard she might haue feared much , Had this Dames beauty beene to Ioue apparrant : But the chast heart of this chast Dame is such , That Inno might haue tooke it for her warrant . Diana's warrant could not be more strong Touching her selfe , concerning such a wrong . When Mars in Venus armes was entertain'd , Her brests disclos'd , her bosome open layde , Her deare imbracements had not him restrain'd , Nor would he in that Circle fayre haue stayde . Had such a one as Argentile past by , Her face presented to the War-god's tye . Her necke , barbrests , her hand 〈◊〉 legge , 〈◊〉 , All corespond the beauty of 〈◊〉 face . Who would not ( might he be prefer'd vnto ot ) With willingnesse her wand like wast imbeace , And if her 〈◊〉 cast in a circle were , Who would not wish himselfe the Center there . Had Hereules falne into such fayre armes , So strong they are ( strength in their fairenesse lyes ) That though the sounding trumpets shrill alarm's Had cal'd him thence to some great enterprise , They would haue held him still , still him detain'd ; Ah , who could struggle , that were so inchain'd . Fayrer was she then I haue sayde she was , Nor haue I halfe her beauties worth disclos'd , Nor can I door , it did so much surpasse . But what is vnexprest , let be suppos'd , And as her beauty , so her vertues shinde ; Men ioy'd , heauen ioy'd , to see her face , her mind . But I must leaue her beauty so excelling , For I would hast , and therefore shun delayes : Yet on this theame is such delightfull dwelling , That I am loath to leaue her beauties prayse ; How she was lou'd , ( Loue waites on beauty so As shadow doth on substance ) now i le show . A sweet young Prince of Danske ( by fame cal'd forth ) Curan he hight ; this Prince to England came To see the Dame , whose matchlesse beauties worth , Was brought to him vpon the wings of Fame : He sees the Dame , her beautie seeth he , And prayseth in his thoughts what he doth see . And though report had so extol'd her name , And prais'd her for sweet louelinesse so much , He findes that Fame but lispt , and was to blame , For ( seeing her ) hee see 's her beautie such , As sores aboue her prayse , yea , I may say , Aboue superlatiue , if beautie may . And now in him his progresse loue beganne , From looking , liking , loue from liking grew , The spacious world could not produce a man , That loued with a loue so firme , so true , But for her loue much woe he vnderwent , Ere shee ( vnkind ) would to his sute consent . This sweet young louely Prince is such another , As was Adonis in his greatest pride : This Dame is Venus , ( that was Capid's mother , That by Adonis was of loue denide : ) One like that Adon , here doth Venus loue , One like this Venus there did Adon proue . Not Clcopatra's sonne and daughter fayre , Whom their proud sire the Sunne and Moone did stile Could match ( for beauty ) with this princely payre ; Prince Curan to the Princesse Argentile , Comes neere in comlinesse , he happy were , If she in kindnesse came , to him as neere . With Ganimede and with Narcissus hee May take his place , that were the fairst of men , And with the ratest she may ranked be , That euer yet was prays'd by Poets penne , How will the world be grac't with beauty sweet , When in their children both their beauties meet . Well , he is now in Loue , vp to the heart , Yet can hee not obtaine a second view : From Princes eyes , and men of high desart . Her iealous Gardian keepes his Neece in miew , Betweene the world , and Beauties-sunne so bright He interposeth clowds , as blacke as night . Her beauty which doth all mens eyes delight , Saue onely his , he seekes to keepe vnknowne : Lest Beauties same should men of Fame invite , To seeke her Loue , he wisheth she had none , To stop Fames mouth , and dim her Beauties beame , He therefore striues : but striues against the streame . Her beautyes praise breakes forth in his despight , And almost like the ayre it selfe extends : Hee 'd stop the current hyding her from sight , But so her beauty hee the more commends , The more shee 's in her Closet kept retyrde , The more shee 's talkt of , and the more admyrde . So quite his endes are crost , he would suppresse Her beautyes praise , but see how he mistakes His course ( though hee intended nothing lesse ) Her famous , but himselfe infamous makes , This fact of his , doth more divulge her Fame , But to posteritie records his shame . For it directly showes his thoughts are base , And such as ill beseeme a bosome Royall : Argues him consciencelesse and voyde of grace , And prooues him to be periur'd and disloyall . His thoughts , desires , ambitious , auaritious , Vicious his life , his proiects are pernicious . O was it not inough ( Kinsman vnkind , ) That he from her should so withhold her right , But to her chamber she must be confinde , To see , and to bee seene doe maides delight ; But Aegentile is hid behind a skreene , Shee is not , must not , where she would , be seene . But the base minded King , to Peasants base Admits accesse , to noble men denide , To view and wooe be grants them time and place , And his best furtherance affords beside . To marry her to some base Groome he thought , That so her right might rest vnclaim'd , vnsought . Curan perceyning this , what did he doe , He chang'd his rich attire for base aray : ( O Loue , what shifts thou putst the Prince vnto ) His name he chang'd , his Titles put away ; And so transform'd himselfe into a drudge ; Now if he lou'd or not , the world may iudge . Thus liu'd he there , and thus accesse he gain'd , And on her beauty now his eye hee feedes , But in his thoughts full sore the Prince is pain'd , Loue in his brest a thousand passions breedes : And to expresse his loue , dumbe signes he vs'd He look't , he blusht , he sigh'd , he plain'd , he mus'd . She , whose chast thoughts euen equall loue reiec't , Doth see , but will not see , his loue vnfit , She thinkes it is not worthie of respect , And therefore will no notice take of it , Making a show of pride , though pride she hate , Because she knowes pride best doth pride abate . Scarse knowes she how to looke disdainefully , For neuer pride and she acquainted were ; Beauty hath got possession in her eye , And will not suffer scornefulnes come there , Fain would she frown , and yet she knowes not how , So calme a smoothnes dwels on her fayre brow . When most of all shee him would terrifie , That he should dare to loue , or looke no more , Then doth she frowne , ah , but so pleasingly , That more he loueth then he lou'd before , Between her smiles and frowns small ods there lyes , for both of them her beauty beautifies . Her frownes cannot her beauty bright obscure , For such sweet louelinesse doth them adorne , That they entice and powerfully allure , Although they argue coynes , pride and scorne , The more she frownes , the more he loues her still , His loue they kindle , though his hopes they kill . At last , loue boyling in his brest compels him Himselfe and his affection to bewray , And craues her loue , but to his griefe she tels him , That husbandlesse she is resolu'd to stay , Still seeking his solicitings to shunne , So do they still , that still would be vnwunne . When ( meeting her ) he kindly bids good morrow , She strangely doth salute him with farewell , And so his ioy is ouertooke with sorrow , To meete seemes heauen to him , to part seemes hell : Parting which pleaseth her , doth him displease , Meeting which he desires , is her disease . He ioyes to see her , grieues to see her coynesse , Her voyce is heauenly musicke in his eares , Yet are her words vnkind , and make him ioylesse , Thus are poore Louers tost t'wixt hopes and feares . Twixt care and comfort , paine and pleasure still , So pallats taste the sweet displeasing pill . In his assumed shape he still remaines , Nor doth the gentle Lady him disclose : He courts her oft , but at her hands he gaines Nothing but that that doth augment his woes . At last ( for hearty loue is hard to hide ) His loue ( but not himselfe ) the King discride . From him to her past many an amorous glance , Which did his loue vnto the King explaine : Glad is the King and doth his slaue aduance , So to incourage more the sawcie swaine , And him prefers vnto promotions high , To make the Groome more gracious in her eye . Nay , the base-minded guilty-thoughted King , Himselfe an interambulator makes , That he the match might to conclusion bring , The miser spends , and paines the gowtie takes , A peasant for a Princesse he would choose , That he might find the greatnesse she should loose . An earnest Intercessor to his Neece , Still is he , and if he her thoughts may sway , A prize surpassing far the golden fleece Which Iason gain'd , the base must beare away . Base thought he him , the Prince no prince he thought , Yet to confer this Iem on him he sought . Should Edell now haue knowne for whom he spake , In whose behalfe his arguments he fain'd As sometime greater sees will Lawyers make , To counterplead the cause they late maintain'd , So had he turn'd ( had he the truth discride ) Against the Prince , with whom he so doth side . The Lady pester'd was with his perswasions , And Curans loue , for both vpon her war'd : Yet in her brest they could make no inuasions , For resolution did her bosome gard , That pleads , and this perswades , & both intreat her , Yet all they doe , but makes her griefe the greater . That Edell knowes not Curans worth she knowes , And yet in his behalfe doth pleade so much , From hence her griefe , from hence her sorrow growes , This great vnkindnesse doth her nearely touch , That he should hold her in from men of worth , And to so base a match should thrust her forth . Curan perceyuing now , his loue offends , And that he happy hath no hope to proue , He letteth fall his sute ; his wooing ends , For ( in a sort his loue doth curbe his loue , Because he loues he will not giue offence , Therefore ( though louing ) not his sute commence . Her beauty breedes his amorous loue , her griefe Compassionate affection in him breedes , And though his loue-sicke heart doth lacke reliefe , Yet he forbeares to seeke the salue he needes , For to that floud he addes ( if it hee seeke ) Which her fayre eye distils on her fayre cheeke . His passions from his amourous loue do grow , But such a blessed loue in him is found , As makes him to compassionate her woe , And in his better loue his worse is drownd , His passions vrge to prosecute his sute , Compassion ( thoe ) preuayles and makes him mute . That loue that from his amorous thoughts doth rise , Doth vnto that that pittie breedes giue place , Glances and teares goe both from Curans eyes , Caus'd by her beautie and her wretched case . And sith his amourous loue her griefe increast , His tender loue so wrought that that loue ceast . At least , he close conceal'd it in his brest , What though it seem'd to scald his heart within , In signes nor syllables he it exprest , For , to augment her griefe he helde it sinne . Curan she hates thy loue , ah cruell shee , And lest it moue her , it must martyr thee . The King now sees how he his loue restraines , He sees it , though to see it he is loath : For this Apostacie put 's him to paines More then before , for now hee wooes them both : He wooeth her to loue , and him to wooe , O auarice what putst thou him vntoo . Curan that lou'd the Lady with his soule : To recommence his suite is easily brought , The ashes are remou'd , and now the cole Is found aliue that dead before was thought : They grieue againe the Lady , but in vaine , They plow the sands where there wil grow no grain . But why was Argentile so much vnkinde ? She knew the Prince , his worth , his Loue , and these : More powrefull Orators to bend the minde , But Women will not loue before they please . She will not , No , she will not loue : and why ? Because she will not ; Women so reply . What a strong hold , strong Resolution is ! Where this chaste Dames chast loue immured lyes ? Not Danaes brasen tower , was like to this , Ione entred there by sleights and subtilties , But here a Gard doth euen the key-hole keepe , Lest slie insinuation in should creepe . A Womans will is like to Danaes tower , Nay , more impregnable is womans will : Was neuer man that yet by strength or power , Could win this Fort , that force repulseth still . A womans will can neuer be constraind , Nor can her loue against her will be gain'd . The will is strong , but yet the sences weake , Weake is the Gard , although the Fortresse strong : Yet its impossible the Gate to breake , Or skale the wall , if true themselues among . But lyking-oft , which is Loues Vsher slye , Gaines entrance here : when flattered is the eye . Therefore wise Ioue , when he to Dardan came , Engin , nor instrument of war he brought : He knew if so he should assault the same , He neuer should obtaine the thing he sought . No thundring-wide-mouthd Cannon doth he bring Nor Ramme for battrie , nor no such like thing . In stead of these , he brings a Pe●lars packe , Full of fine toyes , that did for shew exceed : And many a gawd , and many a goodly knacke , Which not necessitie it selfe doth neede . Her Female-gard , corrupteth hee with these , Who fauouring him , he enters there with ease . For he had pleased them so well that day , That they to lodge him there doe all agree : While one vnboults , another turnes the key , Ope is the wicket . and in leapeth hee . So Danaes tower was wonne ; and fancies Fort , Is neuer wonne , but t' is in such like sort . The weakest Virgins will is of more strength , Then is a gate of steele , or wall of brasse : For to compulsion those may yeeld at length , This will not be compell'd , nor neuer was . But it is strange , that still Prince Curan fayles , Who by preuailing meanes his Loue assayles . He fittes her humors vaine , he giues her guifts , That she may fauor him , he flatters her : And to the skye , her praises vp he lifts , Fore Hellen's beautie , he doth hers prefer . He grieueth sore , he sighs exceedingly , He pules , he pines , he tells her he will dye . He prayes , and he perswades , and all hee sayes : And all he doth , that may be said or done : He tryes to winne her Loue a thousand wayes , A thousand womens loues some times are wonne , With fewer words , and with far lesser paines , Then Curan spends , and takes , ere her's he gaines . Some winne as soone as they beginne to wooe , And straight the Clarkes Amen confirmes the match , And then to bed , there is no more to doe , Yea marry sir , here is a quicke dispatch : And so they speed , when humor serues that speake : But Curan hath a harder shell to breake , Nay , of so strange a humour , some there are , That he that loues and loue , for loue desires , Doth ( quite vnlike , as Souldiers doe in warre ) Fayle when he fights , and foyle when he retires . So ( him that followes it ) his shadow shunnes , And followes after him , that from him runnes , And Curans practise argu'd that he knew This secret , for as I haue sayde before , From beauties barre his action he withdrew , Yet shee to loue inclined nere the more , From this strange humour Argentile is free , It is not vniuersall then we see . And some will stifly stand in their deniall , So that a man would thinke the clocke went true , When it ( God wot ) agrees not with the Dyall , As would be seene , if thoughts lay ope to view , But Argentile doth not coyne coynesse so , Her thoughts direct her tongue to answere no. It fits not here to be Satyricall , More of their humours I would else reueale , And sith fayre Argentile is free from all , Her sexes faults I le for her sake conceale : As for her coynesse , beare with her therein , If t' was a fault , why yet t' was not a sinne . Her Gardian now perceyuing that intreates , Are bootlesse spent as stones against the winde ; He now begins to menace her with threates , And in his countenance she reades his mind , He now no more doth flatter her , but now Seekes by compulsiue meanes her will to bow . They that haue tasted of the like distresse , May iudge of hers , her griefe cannot be spoke : Yet it she wisely striueth to suppresse , Lest else her close intendments should be broke . But yet shee in this Aprill of her yeares , Sheds in her closet Aprill showers of teares . Griefes property is beauty to impayre , ( For beautie 's but a casuall good they say ) But on her face so fixed is the fayre , That it will not to griefe it selfe giue way . Through sorrowes vayle her beauty shineth so , That beauty seemeth grac't by beauties foe . Obseruers might haue reason to surmise , ( Seeing her lookes so louely , yet so sad ) That some such humour did Loues queene surprise , When shee ( for supreme fayre ) the verdet had : For t is the tuch that doth true beautie trie . When in sad lookes sweet louelinesse doth lie . Her griefe so well becomes her , that the teares Distil'd vpon her cheekes , fayre , white and red Appeare , as that same morning dew appeares , Which sable night on freshest flowers hath shed , Which falling from her cheeke , a man may say , Her eyes do seeme , with pearles to strew her way . And she perceyning now what small good will Her griple minded Gardian to her beares , Fearing constraint , or else some worser ill , She practis'd how she might preuent her feares : From Curans loue , from King , from Court she steales , While she her selfe in strange disguise conceales . When Curan heard she was departed so , His loue ( before the chiefe of his affections ) Is matcht , nay ouermatched now with woe : Reason in vaine prescribes his griefe directions : For boundlesse and confus'd his sorrowes be , And after her from Court departeth he . The Lady late , and Curan now are gone , Blinde loue and fortune blinde leade them astray : They pace vnused pathes to them vnknowne ; ( But ranging rouers cannot loose their way , ) Nor know they whereunto theyr iournyes tend , Nor when , nor where their Pilgrimage shall end . Vaine findes he his pursuite , and feares as vaine His sute would proue if he should finde his loue , From further quest , he therefore doth refraine , And cast's what course is best for his behoue . To Court hee 'l not returne , there is he knowes , Dawes , not his Doue , brambles , but not his rose . Long doth the Prince debate , long doth he muse , Long are his busie thoughts in him at strife , Before he doth resolue what course to chuse : At last he doth prefer the Shepheards life : A flocke , a dogge , a sheepehooke he prouides , Tar-box , and all his implements besides . He , who while in his fathers Court he stay'd , Was then a Martialist although but young ) Hath chang'd his launce , ( for lou● must be obay'd ) For tooles that to the Shepheards trade belong : From warlike Mars to rusticke Pan hee s sweru'd , But will returne to him that first he seru'd . T is strange , he in contempt should find content , Yet that he found in this despis'd estate , Disgrace the Prince with pleasure vnderwent , For ceased is the discord and debate That was between his thoughts ere they declin'd , And those hope crossing haps to him assign'd . A brace of yeeres ( well pleas'd ) he thus remaines , His thoughts are setled , and his mind is free , Suiting himselfe vnto the country Swaines , Courtship for clownishnesse exchangeth he , He that late strooke the Citternes filuer strings , Now pipes on oaten strawes , and Iigs he sings . Time , griefe , and labour by this time did change The Princes thoughts , his Loue is quite forgot : His reason will not let his loue there range , Where can no comfort fall vnto his lot : Her absence , like good Physicke to the sickly , Makes him more sicke at first , yet cures him quickly . Most loath was he the sight of her to loose , For , as fond Patients cherish their diseases , And will no Physicke , if themselues may choose , Because perhaps the Pallat it displeases . Her absence so , fit physicke for his fit , Is forc't on him , ere hee I giue way to it . Her fight and presence he did 〈…〉 , And was vnwilling to forgo the same ; Yet that the suell was , maintain'd the fire , Causing his heart to frie in Cupids flame : But ( that remou'd whereon his harme depended ) He finds , his scorching dog-dayes now are ended . Now see the course of things , sayre Argentile , Who when she left , the Court left not her cares , Disguised wanders like a poore exile , And with the most distrest , distresse she shares : Now here , now there , she soiourneth a space , But yet she findes no certaine biding place . But now at last behold the Princesse sweet , Is by a Country Neatheard entertain'd To feede his droues , a worke for her vnmeet ; Yet glad is she , that she the place hath gain'd . For here she hopes to find content of mind . Which in King Edels Court she could not find . And where feedes shee her heards , euen on that plaine Where Curan ( shepheard now ) his flocks attends , See , against Destenie shee striues in vaine : Fates haue decreed , she cannot crosse their ends . To that same place whereas the Prince abides , Some power aboue her owne the Princesse guides . This tricksie Gyrle the shepheard soone espide , Like a plaine homely Countrey wench attirde , Much did her base disguise her beauty hide ; And yet he saw so much that he admir'd . The more he her admir'd , the more he gas'd , The more he look't , the more he was amas'd . For ( viewing her ) he thinkes her somewhat such As Argentile , but this her strange disguise From that she was hath altered her so much , Shee 's hid behind such darke obscurities , That though his Lady Argentile he see , The silly shepheard neuer thinkes her she . Though so ( perhaps ) his eye would him perswade , He will not thinke that this is Argentile , That she should now professe so meane a trade , So to conceiue of her , he holds it vile . He will not therefore entertaine a thought , That this the Lady is that late he fought . No more dare she giue credits to her eyes , For seeing him a Shepheard so compleat , That this should be the man , shee 'l not surmise , Whom Edell so aduanc't to honours seat . Both are deceiu'd , both take their aymes amisse , Whereof their meanesse , the maine reason is . He lou'd , and left , but now he loues a new , His loue to Argentile he hath forgot , And yet to Argentile he still is true , For Argentile he loues , but knowes it not . His loue hath found her out , and sayth t is she , But yet opinion sayth , it cannot be . As Phaebus beame when Winter new is fled , Reuiues the withered hearbe , and sapples plant , Her beautie so reuiues his loue ( as dead ) And giues it life which it did seeme to want . Now to his loue , so withered and decay'd Is Iuyce , sap , life , by beauties beame conuay'd . He that was 〈◊〉 a Lord is now a swayne , Nor that , nor this estate from 〈◊〉 secures him : For then he lou'd , and now he loues againe . A Lady then , a Neatresse now , allures him . He lou'd her rich , he loues her poore againe , Wealth was no four , nor want is now no raine . He notes the Wench , and sees her beauties rayes , Which through sad clouds of discontent shine bright , Such the new morning in the East displayes , Which ( through som yet left darknes ) shew their light . Beautie he knowes he sees , but doth not know That Argentile doth that sweet beauty owe . Attractiue , pleasing , powerfull beautie here , In him produce their true effects , for why , He lookes , he likes , he loues ; so captin'd were His eye , his thoughts , his heart ; and now hee 'l trye If she , whose outside makes so fayre a show , Beares kindnesse in her bosome , yea or no. He frolicke is , his thoughts prognosticate , That he the Lasses Loue shall easily winne : He thinkes of Loue he doth not dreame of hate , He countes her wonne ere he to wooe beginne . She cannot chuse but loue presumeth he , Being ( though louely ) yet of low degree . For such presumption ( thoe ) himselfe he check't , When doubts into his cogitations came , As a rash Writer doth his worke correct , When he with more aduise survayes the same . Now touching Women , he doth thus debate , That without reason why , they loue and hate . He thinks how they , 〈…〉 their humors mou● them . Are coy or kind to high or low degree ; How they that best defence , and most do loue them , Oft times by them the worst rewarded be : And thinkes that he shall speed as be shall finde In her a humour to be coy or kind . With this conceit he somewhat calm'd his loue , When ( looking Eastward ) downe the hill descending , He spies the Neatresse leading forth her Droue , Her beautie bright with Titans beames contending , Which sight reuiues his loue , and in his brest Such passions breedes , as breed his great vnrest . And then he walkes to meet her on the plaine , Where vsually she doth her cattell graize ; To shew his loue , and sue her loue to gaine He meanes , admitting now of no delayes : But now behold when he is come vnto her , ( Alas ) the shepheard faints and feares to wooe her . Her beauty which allured him to loue her . Now makes him fearefull to commence his suite , Her beautie made him purpose now to proue her ; And now behold her beautie makes him mute : For when he sees her beautie so exceeding . He feares to speake , because he doubts of speeding . Beholding her he stands , in silent pause , Pleas'd is his eye , his thoughts perplexed are , For his much looking doth more liking cause , So is his loue augmented , so his care , Yet mute he stands , for doubts dismay his mind . Lest beauty make her proud , and pride vnkind . Why wooes he not , now th●e and place doth ●it , Sith sh●● that may 〈◊〉 wee count halfe wonne ? He findes accesse , but 〈◊〉 vse of it , To gaine the which the great Alcides spunne . But though long d●●be , at last beesilence breakes , And hauing once begunne hee freely speakes . Hee prais'd her first , but why did hee doe so ? The faire need not be tolde that they are such : T' were better they their beautyes did not know , For in this point they ( Knowledge got too much ) When Eue did taste the fruite that was denide , For this too much infecteth them with pride . Affection sure put out his Iudgements eye , And made him take a course so indirect : Alas , his leuell quite was laide awrye , Praise not her beauty whom thou doest affect . For praise ore-sats their brests , & then there breeds , Pride , scorne , disdaine , and such pernicious weeds . Some take in vndeserued praise , a pride , Who when their haire is like the black-byrds quill : Will pleased bee to heare themselues belyde , When it s compar'd vnto the black-byrds bill . Say , Crowe is white : they credite all you say , For their owne thoughts , the parrasites doe play . But we ( the faire ) should but commend in thought ( as Chapmen , not commend what they would buye ) Let them alone , they neede not to be taught , To rate their beauties worths , at prises high . By praises their prowd thoughts are higher rais'd , Who of themselues are prowd ynough vnprais'd . Well , curan 〈◊〉 begins to court his Lasse , And though he Clownish●●● doe now 〈◊〉 : Yet nerethelesse some shape of that he was , His carriage , while he Courts her doth expresse . Better his gesture , better are his words . Then with his clownish Shepherds shape accords . Faire neatresse , Natures parragon saith h●e , Mine eye , when it thy beauty first discouer'd : Made to my thoughts such faire report of thee , that euer since about thee they haue houer'd . Still will they dwell with thee , for onely there Abounds all ( in this world ) that I hold deare . Adonis Garden thou to them doost seeme , Where all things pleasing plenteously abound : What euer in this world is worth esteeme , Is in this Land of Milke and Honie found . For here all spices , fruits , and flowers doe grow , That wholsome are for vse , or faire for show . Say , shall I sweete , empale this pleasng place ? For my possession , I will aske but this : Shall I be Neptune : and with my imbrace Make it an Iland , call 't the Ile of blisse ? But to come to the matter now more neerely , Belieue it firmely , I doe loue thee dearely . If gentle kindnesse so adorne thy minde , As beautie doth thy Face , then vnto mee Thou wilt be pleasing , debonnaire , and kinde , And hope perswades me thus and thus of thee . For it would argue Nature much t oo-blame , To giue a cruell-heart so faire a frame . Should , I but call the●●ayre , I should the while , Seeme from thy glorious beauty to detract . Fayre , is for one so fayre too low a stile , To shew her skill did nature thee compac't . Louely thy locks thy forehead more then fayre . Thy hayre , thy temples : temples grace thy hayre . If by comparisons I would set forth The beauty of thy eye , and thy fayre cheeke , I cannot finde a Semile of worth , Vnlesse aboue this earth for it I seeke . Thine eyes doe grace thy face , thy face thine eyes , As Skies do grace the Sun , and Sun the Skies . Thy beauties natiue are , not like to those , That Natures Apes by art doe counterfet , Vpon thy cheekes the Lillie and the Rose To set the truest fairenesse forth are met On thy fayre cheeke is that fayre colour fixt , Which their faire colours make together mixt . When thou dost smile , then beauties skie is cleare , ( Such were the smiles of louely Paphos Queene , ) When thou dost blush , vpon thy cheekes appeare Carnation cloudes , the like so seldome seene , That they the world may with amazement strike , For great Olimpus cannot shew the like . And who ? ( vnlesse the aged , dull and dead , Whose veines and bones do bloud and marrow misse ) Can looke vpon thy lippe , so round , so red , And not desire to rob it of a kisse , For , as it hath a power to please the eye , Another tempting strength in it doth lye . While this he speakes , oft times he changeth hue , Now red as blushing rose , now pale againe , And when she doth these variations view , She is confirm'd the shepheard doth not faine : Of Louers passions these are signes she knowes . Therefore she thinkes the shepheard doth not glose . Yet thus she answeres , fie , sayth she , no more , Forbeare this idle prayses to bestow , Vndue to me , a damsell playne and poore , Nor is it like that you should beauty know , How can a Shepheards skill extend to this ? That sees it not , nor comes not where it is . O yes , sayth he , a shepheard sees the skie , The Sunne , the Moone , the stars a shepheard sees , And these are beautifull none will denie , So then of beautie he may iudge by these , Whose vnmask● beauties lye euen ope to swaines , Yet fayrer Creatures then the Court containes . May I not call her fayre , whose face I see The Skie resemble , so me thinks doth thine ; Saue that in this two Sunnes there seemes to be , Which thy fayre face so grace with their fayre shine , That ther 's no earthly thing that I can name , Whose beauty comes so neare that heauenly frame . Thy plainnesse plainely proues thee fayre , for why , T is the deluding property I know Of ornaments and art to mocke the eye , By making them seeme fayre that are no so , And of thy beauty , I should haue suspition , But that from these it taketh no addition . And what although thou art of 〈◊〉 degree , Yet may thy beauty me●●● commendation , ( Though poore ) yet rich in beauty thou mayst be , Is Nature partiall in the dispensation Of her fayre guists , must they be needs restrain'd , Onely to such as fortunes gifts haue gain'd . T' were heresie to be of this opinion , For she is oft as prodigall we see , Euen to a Begger , as to Fortunes minion . And sith her fayrest gifts haue graced thee , May I not prayse thee , yes , I 'me tide vnto it ; It were detraction if I should not doe it . When her obiections he had answered thus , He thus proceedes , O thou art fayre in all , I cannot in particular discusse The beauties of thy face , which I may call A shop of seuerall beauties , nay to me , Euen beauties little world it seemes to be . My necke beneath Loues yoke thy necke hath brought It is so fayre , so soft , so smooth , so white , Thy lower beauties they are seene in thought , And in conceit are view'd with much delight . Those Iuorie banks ( thy brests ) them thought discries And Loues smooth shadie walke that twixt them lies . Thought wanders there , & wonders strange discouers Delightfull wonders , wonderfull delights ; Ther 's no concealing from the thoughts of Louers : For all lyes ope to their deepe-searching sights . Loues pearcing thought , through all oposure driues And where best pleasing obiects are , ariues . The whitest colour soonest takes a staine , And therefore wonderment it breedes in me , That still thy hand such whitenesse should retaine , Whitenesse and it sure cannot parted be , Whitenesse and softnesse which yet neuer fail'd , Seeme to thy dainty hand to be intail'd . So white , that Lillies are not halfe so white , So soft that Cignets Downe is nothing such , The whitenesse serueth to bewitch the sight , And yet it more inchanteth with the touch , And for thy wrist , the whitenesse there is grac't By azur'd veines that there are interlac't . But , to set out at full thy beauties prayse , For my performance were a taske too great , Though I about the same should spend my dayes , I could not all thy beauties prayse repeate . How fayre thou art , sweet wench , I cannot show , Nor how much thee I loue , for being so . Little loues he , that can declare how much , Lou'd I but so , my loue were then but small , My loue , sweet Lasse , belieue it is not such , As can in compasse of relation fall : As thy much beauty drawes much loue from me , Let my much Loue some kindnesse draw from thee . Peace , peace , sayth she , for praysing me so much , You in the ayre your breath but idely scatter , For , ( knowing I am neyther so nor such , ) How can I chuse but know that you but flatter , It seemes that you suppose ( but you are wide ) That I le be pleas'd to heare my selfe belide . You almost out of breath , your selfe haue 〈◊〉 , In seeking prayseforme ( vnworthy farre ) And rackt your wits , yet all that you haue done , But makes me thinke that you a flatterer are , And to suspect the sequell this doth moue me , you but dissemble when you say loue me . O doe not harbour such a thought ( sayth he ) I doe not flatter , doe not thinke I doe : If with my thoughts my words doe disagree , It is because they cannot reach vnto That ample height of prayse and adoration , I giue to thee in thought and cogitation . And for dissimulation wherewithall Thou chargest me , O would thou knew'st my heart . Then thou wouldst soone these words of thine recall , Wherewith thou blamest me without desart , And wouldst ( no doubt ) aske pardon with submission For this thy ouer hasty rash suspition . Such there are some , but I am none of those That will dissemble , flatter , lye and fayne , If I be such , then mayest thou me expose To thy eternal ! hate , and coye disdayne : And let thy kindnesse so with comfort store me , As I sincerely loue thee , and adore thee . Fayre maydes by kind are kind , and she doth goe A stray from her true Nature , I am sure , That is disdainefull , scornefull , proud , or so , For where sweet beauty wounds , kindnes should cure : But beauty kils , loues arrow striketh dead , When scornefull pride impoysoned hath the head . Then be not thou ( my loue ) with pride 〈◊〉 , T' will make thy beauty , t is so vile a thing , Like vnto pleasing cates with poyson taynted , For hatefull pride is beauties hurtfull sting , No matter though the beautilesse be proude , But in the fayre pride cannot be allow'd . For why , if pride on pleasing beauty wayte , There danger lyes , and we haue cause to feare it , Else pride is but a hooke without a bayte , And hurteth none , because ther 's none comes neare it . Danger becomes more dangerous by bearing . A pleasing forme , not like it selfe appearing . But thy fayre face perswades me not to doubt , In thy fayre bosome much fayre kindnesse lyes , The beames whereof through thy faire eyes shine out ; If these fayre likelyhoods proue certaineties , Fayre hap will crowne fayre hope , and I shall then Reioyce in my fayre choyce ; Fates say Amen . From out a world of women , thee alone , For soueraigne of my thoughts doe I select , So high a place in my hearts loue hath none , As hath thy selfe whom onely I respect , And sith I loue in no vndue regard , The rather let my loue haue due reward . Respect of riches which with most beare sway , No motiue is at all , in my Election , On Natures , not on fortunes gifts I lay , The base and groundworke of my firme affection , I count those natiue riches thou dost owe , More worth then all that fortune can bestow . Yet Riches now a dayes are all in all , Wealth goes before , and beautie comes behinde : Riches we see of Beautie takes the wall , To Riches is the higher roome assignde . Nay like a Cipher is poore beautie thought , It must be Ioyn'd with wealth , or stand for nought . But I ( thou seest ) am of another minde , I will not suffer so my thoughts to erre : I am not with the world so much declin'de , More Fortunes guifts , then Natures to preferre . More rich then Mynes of India , thou doost seeme , Thy Beauty makes thee such in my esteeme . Though Fortune blinde , her guifts from thee detaines . Yet Nature prodigall hath bene to thee : Thy For-head , haire , eye , cheeke , lip , necke , Skin , vaines , Smooth , bright , gray , faire , red , white , soft , blew they be . And there doth lye in euery one of these , A greater power then is in Golde , to please . Thou need'st not : Art not , Richly , proudly deckt , Pearles haue no neede to be adorn'd with gold . What needs supplyment where ther 's no defect , Or what needst thou ( my Loue ) thy locks infold . In costly Calles of gold , and Laces gay , When thy faire tresses are more rich then they ? Yet thinke not , ( though thy Beautie so excell ) It is too Rich for vse , and but for show : Lest thou gainst Natures sacred lawes rebell , Not for thy selfe dost thou such Beauty owe . Beautie hath not such strong attractiue power , To fade vntoucht , like an vngathered flower . Nor let thy beauty so thy thoughts delude , That thou shouldst thinke because thou art so fayre . The heart of some great one shall be subdude To loue , and list thee so , to honours chayre . Waine not for this , let me in this direct thee ; Left beautie sade the while , and none respect thee . Or say , that fayre desert should crowned be , And thou for that sweet beauty thou dost owe , Shouldst be aduanced vnto high degree : Why many haue been rail'd for ●eauty so , Who afterwards with woes acquainted grew . Which ere their exaltation scarse they knew . On high Estates huge heapes of cares attend , But ther 's contenement in a shepheards life , Not vs ( as them ) doth fortune nice offend , Disdaine not then to be a sheapheards wife . Nor am I beggerly , although a Swaine , The flocke is mine that mantles yonder plaine . Our lowly sayles are free from enuies gust , We doe not climbe , nor doe we falling feare Our states , with winds and waues we do not trust , We haue two certaine haruests euery yeare , By force some , some by fraud rise , we by neyther , We conscience , and plaine dealing liue together . We liue contented , we at none do grutch , The labour our profession doth require , Is not perplexiue to the body much , Lesse to the mind , which freely may aspire , Nor is it clog'd with cares , nor is it held Downe , as are theirs that great affaires do weld . We leasure and occasions too do find For contemplation , as our flockes we feede , Heauen still in fight , is also still in minde : The Life contemplatiue doth all exceede , And nearest comes for comfort and content , To that that shall be after this is spent . Fresh wholesome ayre a shepheard wanteth not , Which many thousands doe , yet by the skies He is not persecuted , when t is hot , Some thicke broad branched tree , him canopies : Whose green leau'd bowes that largely doe extend , Waft cooling ayre and pleasing shadow lend . And his flockes fleeces cloath him from the cold , And arme him gainst the sharpest Northerne blast , The pleasures that we haue are manifold , Our troubles such as soone are ouerpast , If thou wouldest troubles shun , and pleasurs proue , Liue with a shepheard , be a shepheards loue . I promise if thou wilt but pleased be , My loue with loue , and kindnesse to repay , I will resigne supremacie to thee , Doe thou but loue , I le honour and obey . Yea , ( were it possible ) if thou wear 't mine , My very thoughts should suted be to thine . Then you sayth she , no more but loue do craue , That which includeth all would you content : You but the body of the sunne would haue , Whence light and heat cannot themselues absent , What need you more demaund , Loue will not be A streamlesse fountaine , nor a fruitlesse tree . But I am not dispos'd to loue , sayth she , Which if I were , I surely should disdaine , You should preposterously resigne to me That which by right to you doth appertaine : Of all d●e offices the chiefe is loue , That 's the first mo●er makes the rest to moue . Not so disposd , why dost thou then propound Such bl●sse ( saith he ) to him that gaines thy loue , Making the lougings of my mind abound , By shewing that thou tractable wilt proue : This is as if thou happinesse shouldst showe , Then snatch it from me , so to worke my woe . Thy wordes , to show thy loues worth , thou dost frame , And how much good doth on the same depend , So kindling my desires to gaine the same , While thou the same dost so to me commend . I hope thou wilt this praysed ware forgo , Though thou art yet dispos'd to answere no. I le buy thy loue , if it be to be solde , O that I may a happy Chapman proue : But it 's too precious to be bought with gold , What shall I giue , I le giue thee loue for loue : And dayly pay , though but in part , for why ? Thou canst not haue full payment till I die . For like as springing fountaines which do owe Their streames vnto the sea , though still they pay , Yet still they are in debt , directly so , Though I shall still be paying day by day ; Yet shall I be , euen till I cease to be , Thy debt or still , still thou must credit me . Not all the wealth that Cr●ssus did possesse , Should buy thy loue ( if it were mine ) from me , No greater height of earthly happinesse Desire I , then to be belou'd of thee A prize worth all the world fals to my Lot , If thou ( to grant thy loue ) de●ie me not . Once entertaine me in thine armes , and then I le once be blest , in spight of 〈◊〉 spight : And then i le ●ell the world , if tongue or penne Can giue expressure to so much delight . What thy imbracements yeeld , what Ioy , what blisse , But when , ah when shall I discourse of this ? Oh , hold not from me that felicitie , Which they afford , that do afford their loues , And with their loues a multiplicitie Of pleasutes and delights ; sure it behoues That thou propound such for thing Imitation , That answere thus the end of their Creation . Good , now no more , I cannot loue saith she , Against the Hayre then vrge me not vnto ot , Excuse me ( tho ) the fault is not in me , My starres were opposite , I cannot door . Thus puts she off her fault , and shewes the while , A fault deriu'd from Eue to Argentile . Shee will not loue , yet lest he thinke her wilfull , She answeres thus , she cannot loue she sayes , And as she were in constellations skilfull , Her humours fault vpon the starres she layes : But Curan though this answere makes him doubt , Will not for this repulse of hers giue out . Your starres , saith he , tush , hold not this opinion : Admit the chastest of them ( Luna ) raign'd , Did not I pray thee Luna , Ioue Endimion , And was not she with loues sweet passions pain'd , yes Luna's selfe did loue , else Poets faine , Then how can Luna's influence loue restraine . No , I not feare the enmitie of those , Be thou but willing , I desire but this , They cannot my wish't happinesse oppose , Nor be a barre to my desired blisse . Let churlish and malignant starres repine , I care not ; so thy will to loue incline . Therefore as erst I sayd , I say againe , Giue pride no place I pray thee in thy brest , Away with soornefulnesse and coy disdaine , Which most do plague the kindest men and best , For the best natures still most subiect be , To loue-sicke passions ( most in this agree . ) As thou art fayre , so be thou kind my deare , Should pride ( which heauen forbid ) contracted be To thy sweet beautie , it would cause ( I feare ) A separation twixt my ioyes and me . I● kindnesse from thy beautie thou shouldst seuer , My ioyes and I are then diuerst for euer . As beautie doth , euen so let mercy rest In thy fayre eye , for these are two fayre twins : Denie not lodging to so kind a guest : At that sayre signe where her faire sister Innes , Beauties kind sister must keepe with her still , Else where she conquers , cruelly shee-l●kill . Thus still hee pleades , and though shee still withstand : Yet doth not his affection change or varrie : For why ? his loue is winnowed , clens'd , and fan'd , No light inconstant chaffe with it doth tarrie . In vaine doth she denie , for still he tries , In vaine he tries her , for she still denies . What bootes it her , although her tongue denie , Forbidding loue , refusing loue to grant : Sith the meane while her lip , her cheeke , her eye Plant that , which she endeuours to supplant : Her tongue forbids , her beautie bids againe , Loue yeelds to louelinesse , and words are vaine . Though she her name , her state , her tire , her traine , Had so dismist , cast off , forgone , and chang'd , Yet her owne thoughts she still doth entertaine . Curan had sped if they had beene estrang'd : They told her she that lately did disdaine A Princes loue , now must not loue a Swaine . Of all her outward worth with her remaines Onely her beauty , all the rest is gone , But that by lawfull meanes she still maintaines , And blame her not if she preserude her owne . Rather blame them ( if such be to be found ) That lay dead colours on a liuely ground . Her beauty will abide the touch , t is true , Her louely cheekes haue beauties dye in graine ; For they their sweet eye-pleasing natiue hue , In spight of Phaebus fierie eye retaine : Her beautie hath a strange rare qualitie , Subiect to nothing but mortality . And it is Curans hungry eye 's repast , Yea and a pleasing dish to it indeed , And sith when she is absent it must fast , When she is present it doth frankly feede , To it that can ( with fasting ) not away , A Lent in length seemes euery fasting day . Officiously heserues his mistresse coy , He runs for her , he helps her guide her drone , Proud is the Prince if she will him imploy , See here the power and potencie of loue : Her for no better then she seemes he takes , yet willingly himselfe her slaue he makes . And if she doe but daigne him one kind looke , Quite ouerpayde he holds himselfe to be , For all the paines that he for her hath tooke , So pleased with a gentle looke is he : And on her smiles and frownes doth he attend , As life and death did on her lookes depend . As fares it with a ship tost on the maine , When windes and waues conspire her ouerthrow : Shee 's hoysed vp , and then cast down againe . From tops of liquid mounts , with Curan so , Her smiles do hoyse his hopes into the ayre , Her frownes do beat them down beneath despaire . Yet not her smiles , his hopes do him beguile , For he his hopes doth from mistaking take : She but derides his folly with a smile , Which he an argument of loue doth make . Alas for him , how desperate is his state , When his best signes of loue , are signes of hate . Well , let him rest content though thus forlorne , And not repine , though now he pine and droope : He shall ( ere long ) enioy a Princesse borne , But the high towring Eagle will not stoope To the base Kite , nor she to him , till hee ( Being vnvaild ) a Peasont cease to be . But her deare Loue , he first must dearely buye , T' will cost him many a sigh and many a teare , That hauing bought it at a price so high , Accordingly , he then may holde it deare . The more is now his griefe , and his annoy , When shee is his , the more will be his ioy . Leander kinde , as hee to Her● went , The paines hee tooke , the perills that hee past , The more they were , the more was his content , When in his weary armes he her imbrac't . So when Prince Carans present sufferings cease , They ( to his future Ioyes ) shall giue increase . Well may he , while he hath her Ioue in chace , Endure the worst that Fortune can inflict : For Fates haue mark't her his , though for a space , His Fortune seemes his Fate to contradict . And now the more he suffers for her sake . The more shall he of comfort then pertake . Shee must be his , but yet some miserie , For her deare sake he must endure before : That Ioyes ( succeeding griefe their contrarie , ) May to his apprenension seeme the more , But that she shall be his , did hee but knowe , Then in his bosome were no place for woe . But this , he doth not know ; nay , there is throwne So thicke a mist before his iudgements-eye : That she her selfe is still to him vnknowne , Though he be daylie in her companie . He must not know her his , nor know her neither , Till hee ( twise happie then ) know both together . Daylie , as duely as hee goes to fielde , He Courts his wench , but not at all preuailes : Yet still he hopes that shee at last will yeelde , Therefore he plyes her still , but still he failes , One day at last beneath a shady tree , He closely siding her , thus pleadeth he . Why art thou still vnkinde , why cruell still ? Why is thy brest so empty of remorse ? My heart thou mayst with thy vnkindnesse kill , But thou canst not diuert Loues constant course . Still doe I loue , though still thou doest disdaine me , Beauty doth so perswade : nay , so constraine mee . My Loue , if it but ordinary were , Mixt with a negligent indifferencie : Why thy vnkindnes then I well could beare , Nor could it once so much as trouble mee . Some cannot loue vntill they kindnesse finde , Nor longer then their Loues continue kinde . He that loues so , ( nor are such Louers strange ) Can sport at her that falsly doth deceyue : Smile at the change , if smiles to frownes do change , Loue while shee loues , and leaue when she doth leaue . T' is harmlesse Loue , on kindnes that depends , To loue the vnkinde , that 's the loue offends . This I finde true , yet hopefully suppose Thou bearst not such an vnrelenting minde : But that thou wilt compassionate my woes , And wilt not proue eternally vnkinde , While thy vnkindnes wounds my mind with griefe . Hope of redresse is all my hearts reliefe . My Loue with thy vnkindnes long hath striu'd , Except these proue to be of equall strength : Well may I hope my griefe is not long liu'de , For one of these will sure be foyl'd at length . When eyther shall be foyl'd and ouerthrowne , Then ends my griefe and sad lamenting-mone . Till or my Loue , or thy vnkindnesse cease , Needs must my griefe and languishment still last : It is not possible I should finde ease , Till I can eyther say the fit is past . Or till thou doest my Loue with Loue repay , Which would to thy vnkindnesse not giue way . But that my Loue will cease , and so my woe , I haue small hope , though still vnkinde thou proue : I know my I oue more lasting is then so , Nor is it fit that wee by fittes should Loue . Then all my hope of comfort doth depend On this , that thy vnkindnes once will end . Then when desire my Fantasie doth sway Such as I wish thou art to it presented : My Loue with Loue , me thinkes thou doest repay , And from thy vnkinde selfe thou seem'st absented . But when I wake , thy kindnesse is away , No longer then I dreame , my Ioyes will stay . To finde thee kinde thus in my idle Dreames , What Comfort in thy kindnesse ly'es doth show : Whereby my woes wax on to worse extreames , That good I must not tast , I would not know . So to the damned soule in hell , that is Hell's , the more hell , because he knowes ther 's blisse . And though I know that Dec●mes are idle fictions , And that they much in them do ●●ldome carry : But still succede like Al●anackes Prodictions , Which tell how winde and weathers state will varrie . Kindnesse to come , they promise ( tho ) in thee , And comfort in reuersion so to m●● . Yet they perhaps doe but delude m● ( tho , ) And do no more but seeme to promise this : Then is my hope but vaine , if this be so , And that ( I catch ) but Comforts shaddow is , Feare doth consound the hope that hence doth rise , Sith Dreames are but such meere incertainties . Disdaine to mee is like infectious ayre , As that of health , so this of hope depriues : As that disease , so this doth breed dispaire , Yet against that there are preseruatiues . But none gainst this , disdaine the heart doth kill , Euen in dispight of Drug and Doctors skill . Thus pules the Prince , and thus doth he complaine , Euen melted with the Sun-shine of her eye : Nor can his manly heart the stroke sustaine , Of Cupids Childish-dart , fie Curan , fie . From a weake womans Fading-beauty , hee Deriues his strength , yet he hath foyled thee . And is it 〈…〉 Th●●●●ding beauty should be of s●ch force The nature of this Impe of Mars to change , And from his warlike Patron him diuo●ce . T' is strange , yet beauty hath this seace affected , 〈◊〉 the which he hath himselfe subiected . Beauty be●itcheth him , and makes him ●ote , Then Che●●ltie be ceaseth to pursue : Himselfe to Cupid se●●ice to denote ; To Mars and Martiall feates he bids adue . But when he shall his Ladyes loue obtaine The warlike Prince will be himselfe againe . But ( yet ) she him denyes and answereth thus , Do you not thinke my wayes are negatiues : Scarce are they so indeede in some of vs , Scandall too-much from such , our selues deriues . B●● doe ●ot thinke me such , such am not I , I hate the tongue that doth the thoughts belye . I alwayes strongly haue oppos'de your tryalls , Not like to her that yeeldingly denyes : I wrap not vp consent in nice denyalls , Nor haue I prun'd your hopes with my replyes . But rather to supplant them I haue sought , For I to yeeld to Loue , will not be brought . Such were her words , her thoughts were also such , She doth not loue , she meaneth to loue neuer : But on her strength she doth relye too-much , For in her power it is not to perseuer . Strong is her resolution , yet too-weake , The high disposers purposes to breake . You doe ( sayth she ) but vaine 〈…〉 , While thus you 〈…〉 loue with worth , Loues Harbeng●● still enters by the eye , Small comfort kn●●king at the 〈◊〉 affordes , For till the eye let liking in , the brest Nere lodgeth L●●● , that thought disturbing guest . C●●se therefore thus to spend your breath in vaine , Auert your Loue , because you are not lou'd , Loue not where Loue for Loue you cannot gaine : Let your ill placed liking be remou'd : Shut in your wandring eye , your thoughts restraine , Refuse to giue your rash desires the raine . Thus counsels she , yet courts he her againe , But cannot ( tho ) her resolution shake : Onely her eares his words doe entertaine : But to her heart they no intrusion make . Nor feares , nor shuns she his assaults , for why ? On her approued strength she dare relye . From his assaults she held her selfe aloose At first , but now she doth not feare nor doubt , Against Loues darts she thinks her brest is proose , Because that it so long hath held them out : Yet oportunitie the Prince doth fayle , Nor can his importunity preuaile . But now behold , when she to Loue thinkes least , And thinks her selfe best able to withstand , And now his hopes that languisht are deceast : Now Loue himselfe doth take his cause in hand , Dispayre makes Curan now leaue off to wooe her , yet wins her as he tels his fortunes to her . Growne desp●●●● now , he thus to her complain'd , Of all mens Fo●●●mes mine is sure the worst , Thus twise to loue , and twise to be disdai'nd . Ah Wretch , was euer man so much accurst , Loue that imparadi●eth some , to me Giues hell it selfe , if hell on earth there be . Pigm●lion was more blest then I , for he Succesfully , an Iuorie Image lou'd , Venus wrought miracles for him , but she Is deafe to my intreates , shee 'l not be mou'd To turne to flesh that flintie heart of thine , And to reioycings these complaints of mine . Loue vnto some much happinesse doth bring , But vnto me it bringeth nothing lesse , My Loue 's a bitter root from whence doth spring Anguish , griefe , sorrow , woe and wretchednesse , And that I twise should loue the Fates haue cast , And so should twise these hellish torments tast . Shee that first caus'd my anguish and my smart Was fayre like thee , and thou vnkind as shee , She had thy beauty , and thou hast her heart , Shee tooke , thou tak'st , my ioyes , my life from me . I lou'd , I loue , in both vnhappy I , I languisht then , but now for loue I die . The Neatresse ( yet vnsatisside ) enquires What wench it was he first affected so : He ( vrdg'd to speake of her ) his bloud retires , Pale were his lookes , scarse could he speake for woe . T' was Argentile , so much admir'd , sayth he , Onely in state an ouermatch to thee . Did you , saith she , know that young Lady fine , I did , sayth he , and dearely I her loud : She was my Saint , I offered at her shrine Teares , vowes and sighes , and for her sake I prou'd A torment worse then death it selfe can be , And now a torment worse then that for thee . At Kirkland in my Fathers Court , my dayes In sweet content I spent , vntill mine eare Was filde with Argentiles sweet beauties prayse , But then could I no longer tarry there , I came to see , I saw , I lou'd , and so ( For lucklesse was my loue ) began my woe . And then ( for the vngentle King denide Accesse to Noble men of note and fame ) Forthwith my dignities I doft aside , And for her sake a Peasant I became , And by that meanes accesse I did obtaine , Yet mist my end , her loue I could not gaine . I did as much as hearty loue could doo , To gaine her loue , but still was she vnkind : The King himselfe in my behalfe did wooe , Yet my intreats , with vrgings his , combinde , Were still successesse , for she still denide , So still I dying liu'd , and liuing dyde . No thought , no instigation of new loue , Since her I lost did enter once my brest , Vntill thine eye , that would dull Saturne moue , Replanted loue , and robd me of my rest : Thy powerfull beauty shouldered all a side . That Loues reentrance hindered or de●●'e . With my new Loue ( alasse ) began new woes , For nothing else but griefe and wretchednesse , Doth haplesse , hatefull loue on me impose : But death I hope , ere long will giue redresse . Far off is comfort , but despayre is nigh , Ah then why doe I not despayre and dye . Nay stay , sayth she , and tell me first your name , Your own true name which you haue chang'd I know . I haue quoth he for loue , but not for shame , For Curan is my name , the truth is so : Then griefe her heart , & teares her eyes ore-filde , And down her cheekes some christall drops distild . He wept to see her weepe , and askt the cause , Wherefore she did that precious liquor spill , And why she sigh'd , and why she so did pause . Yet still she wept , still sigh'd , and mused still . He seeing this , with her will partner be , He wept , he sigh'd , he mul'd , as wel as she . His wonder was , to see her wonder so , His sorrow was to see her sorrow such , She mus'd he should his loue so twise bestow , She grieu'd that she had made him grieue so much . Thus they doe now each others harmes condole , And sympathize as both had but one soule . At last she spake , the words that from her went , Bore comfort with them on theyr ayrie wings : And euery Messenger that so she sent To Curans eare , a ioyfull burthen brings , And Curans eare neere blest vntill that day , Doth their deare present to his heart convay . C●ran , quoth she , the Fort you sought to winne , With this last battrie is so sore distrest , That now the Gate is ope to let you in : Be happy , if my loue can make you blest , Your twise beloued Argentile is yours , In weale and woe , so long as life endures . The pallat vs'd to bitter tastes we see , Can sweetnesse at the first scarse well en dure ; His eyes with light at first offended be , That long hath line in dungeon deepe obscure , So Curan vs'd to griefe and sad lamenting , Offended is with ioy , at first presenting . As he that ( sleeping ) doth illusions see So fearefull , that for dread thereof he quakes , Seeming to be in dangers such that he Feeles fear's impression , still when he awakes : So Curan fares , free from his seares hee 's set , But cannot apprehend his safety yet . But now by this he finds his Ioyes to be True and substantial , though he late did feare , ( So much transported from himselfe was he ) That they delusiue and fantasticke were , But now the sunne of comfort shines out bright , And feares and griefes , like mists are put to flight . Like as with him that in his sleepe doth proue , That strange disease , feeling vpon his brest A deadly waight which he would faine remoue , But striues in vaine , till he awakt , finds rest . With Curan so it far'd , and so it fares Oppressed with , and eased of his cares . He would expresse his hearty ioy , yet long He like a senselesse statue standeth mute , Ioy doth so ouerwhelme him that his tongue Cannot as yet this office execute : So when the heart is drown'd in sorrowes deepe , The eye ( we see ) oft times forgets to weepe . And much she ioy'd , though not in so much measure : Yet in this extasie a part she beares : Now happy mutuall loue produceth pleasure , Feares are remou'd , ceased are sighs and teares : The worse dependants now are banisht quite , And on their loue attendeth sweet delight . What hellish torments doth that man endure , That coyly findes his hearty loue reiected : Againe , if earth yeeld ioy , he tastes it sure , That dearely loues , and dearely is affected . Curan , late as the first , now as the last , Seemes snatcht from Limbo , and in Eden plac't . When to himselfe , him Ioy and Wonder left , He sayd , and are you Argentile my deare : In happy time was I of you bereft , That I thus happily might find you here . Twise blest may I my new blest knowledge call , I know you now , and know you mine withall . A thousand griefes this heart of mine haue grip't . By your vnkindnesse caus'd , that your consent , Hath them away ( as they had nere been ) wip't . And in their place hath planted sweet content , O happy suffrings , whereupon depends Such happie Issue , and such blessed ends . By this her heart with Cupids dart is thrild , Her coynesse earst , is turn'd to kindnesse now , With Loues sweet malladie her brest is side , And many fauours she doth him allow : Now strangenesse being banisht for his sake , She frankly giues what she refus'd to take . O what a Metamorphesis is this , That here is wrought : this D●●●sell but of 〈◊〉 , Would scarsly for a Kingdome giue a kisse , Which now she vallues at an easie rate . Her kindnesse was exceeding meane indeed , But now almost it doth all meane exceed . She now is moulded new , and made most kind , Kindnesse for kindnesse kindly she repayes : In seeling syllables he shewes his mind , And she in speaking t●ches hers bewrayes , And now if he imbrace her tender wast , About his necke her armes are kindly cast . Why how now Argentile , what is this he , Whom you did say you would not loue ere while : Yes this is Curan , but you are not she That spake those words , you are not Argentile , At least that Argentile coy and vnkind , you are not now , for you haue chang'd your mind . Nor shall she be condemn'd for this mutation , Or held light and vnstable for this change : No , rather this deserues much commerdation , When she growes kind , that late was coy and strange , Maids are not blam'd for this inconstancie , But that which vnto this is contrary . As she that makes much shew of much good-will , And call's her selfe anothers , not her owne , Vowes and protesteth to be constant still , Yet afterwards though she iust cause haue none , She flyeth off , and most vnkind doth proue , Fie , that fayre maydes should be so false in loue . Well , now ( in part ) are crowned Curan● wishes , For Loues Feast-royall he begins to tast , Where the first ser●●ce being such sweet dishes , Superlatinely sweet must be the last . Which now hee 's like to taste , for who so wes kisses In soyle and season fit , and haruest misses . I ( vnexperienced ) cannot expresse How much they Ioy'd imbracing and imbrac't . But they of this perhaps can neerely gesse . That haue as high in fortunes loue beene plac't : Yet are their ioyes not perfect , though begunne , Not at their height , but like the forenoones sunne . Which till they be , they badly brooke delayes , And on that wished day agree'd they are , The interposed time they count by dayes , Not yeares , nor months , for t' will not reach so farre , Soone were they wed , their ioyes the want supplide Of meet solemnitie that hast denide . Heauen vpon earth seemes to his share to fall , That doth enioy a fayre , kind , vertuous wife : He that hath one that fayles herein , in all , He seemes to be in hell euen in this life . Prince Curans hap doth match the best of these , So exquisitly well his choyce doth please . She is adorn'd , she is indude likewise With the best gifts of body , and of mind : And ( whence much comfort doth to him arise ) Shee 's sober , chast , still , tractable and kind : Not such a one as women are is she , But she is such a one as they should be . Shee doth not ( for she knowes she should not doo 't ) Beare wilfull sway as they that headship share : So that oftimes the head is made the foot . But they that beare this , too base minded are . Shall men be made their humours slaues , when they Were made for men , and were inioyn'd t' obey . A louely sweet Companion hath he got , Which heauen in loue did vpon him bestow , Now happinesse is falne vnto his lot , If happinesse a man may haue below . For t is a hap beings happinesse with it , To happen on a ch●yce in all things fit . He that would be so blest , and so reioyce , Must heed , and good aduise ( in choosing ) take , As well , or ill ; a man doth make his choyce , Better , or worse , his fortune he doth make . Nay , ( which is more ) the man that wisely wiues , Much good to his posterity deriues . If she be fayre , and of a comely seature , May not her like be then on her imprinted : And if she be a kind good natur'd creature , Shee 's not so to her selfe confin'd and stinted : But that the branch that springs from such a tree , May beare like fruit , and of like nature be . If shee haue more then Nature can conuay , Good quallities by education got : They are communicable , and she may Confer them on her Issue ( may she not ? ) Then he that makes good choyce deriues thereby Good to himselfe and his posteritie . If she with goodnes be indu'de and grace , Why then ( with her ) doth she Heauens blessing bring . And he within whose bosome these haue place , Will more make these his ayme then any thing . These and what else may breede his blisse beside , Are the Endowments of Prince Curans Bride . And now though he till now had liu'd obscure , Lostin Loues Labrinth , doting so vpon her : Now that he hath her in possession sure , His vallour now redeems his morgadg'd honor . For Fiery quallitie from Mars hee tooke . Though she could daunt him with an angrie looke . What could he doo , while he wore Beautyes Gyues ? What could he do , while he Loues Prisoner was ? He could not , did not then , but now he striues , Euen Hercules in valour to surpasse . A brauer Knight , liu'd not in any Land , For Courage , Skill in Armes , and strength of hand . Else-where he warr'd , and wonne , ere claim'd his right , Of Edell , in behalfe of Argentile : ( Deny'de of it ) hee vowes in bloudy fight , To winne the same , if Fortune on him smile . If not , for what shall happe , prepar'de is hee , Braue mindes for Fortunes both , resolued be . An Armie soone ( though small ) he had prepar'd , ( By him exampled ) bold and guided well , And with the same on Edell false be war'd , Beneath his sword on heapes his foe-men fell , Who ( trembling ) think hee 's Mars himself , & wonder , At his great strokes , which kill like stroke of thunder . He rides amongst the thickest of his foes , And deales his almes about on euery side , So setting bloud abroach still as he goes , That purple streames along the field did glide , As oft as his vplifted sword descends , So oft a soule he to Elizian sends . So many bodyes he depriu'd of breath , That weary waxed his victorious arme , While tugging Caron almost toyl'd to death , Transports the Ghosts to' th' Stigion banks that swarm : And still as fast as Caron waftes them ore , Prince Curans conquering blade vnbodieth more . To ward his blowes , their bucklers are too thinne , So are their armours to defend their fides , Not walls of yron secure their liues within , Through shield and shirt of male his Fauchion glides , Expelling from those houses fraile of clay , Those fayre immortall guests that there did stay . So pearcing were the pushes of his speare , So sharpe his thrusts , so ponderous his blowes , That his strong foes though ten for one they were , Like to a streame or storme he ouerthrowes . For as a Lyon teares a tender Kid , So ( vndermatcht ) euen what he would he did . There was no strength that Curans strength withstood , He lops their armes , or else their heads he cleft , And so he passeth on imbru'd with bloud , The field behind all strew'd with corps he left , A Gyant then suborn'd to Edels ayde , Oppos'd the Prince , his bloudy progresse stayde . Huge , sterne this Gyant was , and passing proud , And scornd the Prince as much his vndermatch , And his base voyce he lifting vp aloud , Cries here he comes , that will thee soone dispatch : But his proud brags could not Prince Curan seare , They rather to his courage whestones were . Looke how those vapors meet that out are blowne , From two huge Cannons , mouth to mouth oppos'd , The meeting of these Warriors such was knowne , Such their incounter was , and so they clos'd , Long ( to confound the Prince ) the Gyant striues , But failes , for Curan him of life depriues . ( He dead ) the rest betakes themselues to flight , And time it is for he that stayes he dyes : Yet Edell discontinued not the fight , So loath was he to loose his dignities . Nor would he cease till him Prince Curan slue , And payde the debt that long before was due . Mercy was offered , he did it despise , And at the Prince with eager fury smit , Iust angers flames shin'd then in Curans eyes : To furie , ruth , mercy to rage submit . With that he strikes , nor need he strike againe , That stroke gaue end to Edels life and raigne . This done , vpon the Crowne Prince Curan seas'd , A pleasing purchase though with perill bought , Nor durst the people shew themselues but pleas'd , They him applaud , and presents to him brought , The Nobles too , present their loues cachone , And by those steps , he mounts the kingly throne . Curan and Argentile now crowned are , She fayre , wise , vertuous , thence her prayses rose , He graue and iust , a thunderbolt in war , A Lambe , a Lyon , to his friendes and foes , Northumber's crowne vndiuidable now , Euen till his death adorn'd his kingly brow . FINIS .