The shepherds hunting being, certaine eglogs written during the time of the authors imprisonment in the Marshalsey. By George VVither, gentleman.

THE SHEPHERDS Hunting : Being , CERTAINE EGLOGS written during the time of the Authors Imprisonment in the Marshalsey .

BY GEORGE WITHER , Gentleman .

LONDON : Printed by THOMAS SNODHAM for George Norton , and are to be sold at the signe of the red-Bull , neere Temple-barre . 1615.

TO THOSE HONOVRED , NOBLE , AND RIGHT Vertuous Friends , my Visitants in the Marshalsey : AND , TO ALL OTHER , MY VNKNOWNE FAVOVRITES , who eyther piuately , or publiquely wished me well in my imprisonment .

NOble Friends : you whose vertues made me first in loue with Vertue : and whose worths , made mee be thought worthy of your loues . I haue now at last ( you see ) by Gods assistance and your encouragement , runne through the P●…rgatory of imprisonment : and by the worthy fauour of a iust PRINCE , stand free againe , without the lea●…t touch of deiected basenesse . Seeing therefore I was growne beyond my Hope so fortunate , ( after acknowledgement of my Creators loue , together with the vnequall'd Clemency of so gracious a Soueraigne ) I was troubled to thinke by what meanes I might expresse my thankfulnesse to so many well-deseruing friends : No way I found to my desire ; neyther yet abilitie to performe when I found it . But at length considering with my selfe what you were , ( that is ) such , who fauour honestie for no second reason but because you your selues are good ; and ayme at no other reward but the witnesse of a sound conscience that you doe well , I found that thankfulnesse would proue the acceptablest present to sute with your dispositions ; and that I imagined could be no way better expressed then in manifesting your courtesies , and giuing consent to your reasonable demands . For the first , I confesse ( with thankes to the disposer of all things , and a true gratef●…ll heart towards you , ) so many were the vnexpected visitations and vnhoped kindnesses receiued both from some among you of my Acquaintance , and many other vnknowne Well●…illers of my Cause , that I was perswaded to entertaine a much better conceit of the Time then I lately conceiued , and assured my selfe that VERTVE had farre more followers then I supposed .

Somewhat it disturbed mee to behold our ages Fauourites , whilst they frowned on my honest enterprises , to take vnto their protections the egregiousts fopperics : yet much more was my contentm●…nt , in that I was respected by so many of You , amongst whom there are some , who can and may as much dis-esteeme these , as they neglect me : nor could I feare their malice or contempt , whilst I enioyed your fauours , who ( howsoeuer you are vnder-valued by fooles for a time ) shall leaue vnto your post●…ritie so noble a memory , that your names shall be reuerenced by Kings , when many of these who now flourish with a shew of vsurped Greatnesse , shall eyther weare out of beeing , or dispoyled of all their patched reputation , grow contemptible in the eyes of their beloued Mistresse the World . Your Loue . is is that ( enabling mee with patience to endure what is already past ) hath made mee ( also ) carefull better to prepare my selfe for all future misaduentures , by bringing to my consideration , what the passion , of my iust discontentments had almost quite banished from my remembrance .

Further , to declare my thankefulnesse , in making app●…rant my willing minde to be commanded in any seruices of loue , which you shall thinke fit ( though I want abilitie to performe great matters ) yet I haue according to some of your requests beene contented to giue way to the printing of these Eglogues , which thoug●… it to many seeme a sleight matter , yet being well considered of , may proue a strong argument of my readinesse to gi●…e you content in a greater matter : for they being ( as you well know ) begotten with little care , and preserued with lesse respect , gaue sufficient e●…idence that I meant ( rather then any way to deceiue your trust ) to giue the world occasion of calling my discretion in question , as I now assure my selfe This will : and the sooner , because such expectations ( I perceiue ) there are of I know not what Inuentions , as would haue beene frustrated though I had employed the vtmost and very best of my endeuours .

Notwithstanding , for your sakes , I haue here aduentured once againe to make tryall of the w●…rlds censures : and what hath receiued beeing , from your Loues , I here rededicated to your Worths , which if your noble dispositions will like well of : Or if you will but reasonab●…y respect what your selues drew mee vnto , I shall be nothing displeased at others cauils , but resting my selfe contented with your good opinions , scorne all the rabble of vncharitable detractors : For none I know will maligne it except those , who eyther particularly malice my person , or professe them-selues enemies to my former Bookes ; who ( sauing those that were incensed on others speeches ) as diuers of you ( according to your protestations ) haue obserued , are eyther open enemies of our Church ; men notoriously guilty of some particular Abuses therein t●…xt , such malicious Crittickes who haue the repute of being iudicious , by detracting from others ; or at best such Guls , as neuer approue any thing good , or learned , but eyther that which their shallow apprehensions can apply to the soothing of their owne opinions , or what ( indeede rather ) they vnderstand not .

Trust me , how ill soeuer it hath beene rewarded , my loue to my Country is inviolate : my thankefulnesse to you vnfayned , my endeuour to doe euery man good ; all my ayme content with honestie : and this my paines ( if it may be so tearmed ) more to auoid idlenes , then for affectation of praise : an●… if notwithstanding all thir , I must yet , not onel●… rest my selfe content that my innocency hath esc●… ped with strict imprisonment ( to the impayring 〈◊〉 my state , and hinderance of my fortunes ) but al●… be constrayned to see my guiltlesse lines , suffer th●… despight of ill tongues : yet for my further enco●…ragement , let mee entreat the continuance 〈◊〉 your first respect , wherein I shall finde that com for t as will be sufficient to make mee set light an●… so much contemne all the malice of my aduersaries that ready to burst with the venome of their own●… hearts , they shall see

My Minde enamoured on faire Vertues light Ascends the limits of their bleared sight , And plac'd aboue their Enuy , doth contemne , Nay , sit and laugh at their disdaine and them .

But Noble Friends , I make question neyther of yours , nor any honest mans respect , and therefore will no further vrge it , nor trouble your patience : onely this I le say , that you may not thinke ●…e too well conceited of my selfe ; though the Time●…ere ●…ere to blame in ill requiting my honest endea●…ours , which in the eyes of the world deserued ●…etter , ●…et somewhat I am assured there was in ●…ee worthy that punishment which when God shall ●…iue mee grace to see and amend , I doubt not but ●…o finde that regard as will be fitting for so much ●…erit as my labours may iustly challenge . Meane while , the better to hold my selfe in esteeme with you , and amend the worlds opinion of Vertue , I will study to amend my selfe , that I may be yet more worthy to be called

Your Friend , GEO. WYTHER .

The first Eglogue . ARGVMENT . WILLY leaues his ●…locke a while , Ui●…ites 〈◊〉 in exile ; Where though prison'●… , he doth finde He 's still free that 's free in Minde : And 〈◊〉 trouble no defence Is so ●…irme as Innocence . R●…T . WILLY . WI●…y , thou now full tolly tun'st thy Reed●… , Making the Aimphs enamou●…d on thy straines , And whilst thy harmelesse ●…locke vnscar●…d feedes , Hast tho contentment , of Hills . Groues , and Plaines : Trust me , ●…oy thou and thy Muse so speedes In such an Age , where so much mischiefe raignes : And to my Care it some redresse will be , Fortune hath so much grace , to smile on thee . WILLY . To smile on me ? I nere yet knew her smile , Vnlesse 't were when she purpos'd to deceiue me ; Many a Trayne , and many a painted wile She casts , in hope of Freedome to bereaue me : Yet now , because she sees I scorne her guile To fawne on fooles , she for my Muse doth leaue me , And here of late , her wonted spite doth tend , To worke me care , by frowning on my friend . ROGET . Why then I see her Copper-coyne's no starling , 'T will not be currant still , for all the guilding , A Knaue , or ●…oole must euer be her Darling : For they haue mindes to all occasions yeelding : If we get any thing by all our parling It seemes an Apple , but it proues a weilding : But let that passe ; sweet Shepheard tell me this , For what beloued friend thy sorrow is . WILLY . Wrong me not Roget : do'st thou suffer heere , And aske me for what friend it is I greeue ? Can I suppose thy loue to me is deere , Or this thy ioy for my content beleeue : When thou think'st thy cares touch not me as neere , Or that I pinne thy sorrowes at my sleeue ? Roget , my faith in thee hath had that trust , I neuer thought to finde thee so vniust . ROGET . Why Willy ? WILLY : Prethee do not aske me why , Doth it diminish any of thy care , That I in freedome maken melody , And think'st I cannot as well somewhat spare From my delight , to mone thy miscrie ? T is time our Loues should these suspects forbeare : Thou art that friend ; which thou vnnam'd should'st know , And not haue drawn my loue in question so . ROGET . Forgiue me , and I 'le pardon thy mistake , A●…d so shall this thy gentle-anger cease , ( I neuer of thy loue will question make ) Whilst that the number o●… our day●…s encrease , Yet to my se●…fe , I much might seeme to take , And something neere vnto presumption prease : To thinke me worthy loue from such a spirit , But that I know thy kindnesse , past my merit . Besid●…s ; me thought thou spak'st now of a friend , That se●…m'd more grieu●…us discontents to beare , Some things I finde that doe in shew offend , Which to my Patience little trouble are , And they e're long I hope will haue an end , Or though they haue not , much I doe not care : So this it was made me that question moue , And not suspect of honest Willies loue . WILLY . Alas , thou art exiled from thy ●…locke , And quite beyond the Desarts here confin'd , Hast nothing to conuerse with but a Rocke , Or at least Out-lawes in their Caues halfe pin'd , And do'●…t thou at thy owne misfortune mocke , Making thy selfe to ; to thy selfe vnkinde ? When heretofore we talk'●… we did embrace : But now I scarce can come to see thy face . ROGET . Yet all that , Willy , is not worth thy sorrow , For I haue Mirth , here thou would'st not beleeue , From de●…pest ca●…es the highest ioyes I borrow : If ought chaunce out this day , may m●…ke me grieue , I 'le learne to mend , or scorne it by to morrow , This barren place yeelds somewhat to relieue : For I haue found sufficient to content me , And more true blisse , then euer freedome lent me . WILLY .

Are Prisons then growne places of delight ?

ROGET . T is as the conscience of the Prisoner is , The very Grates are able to affright The guilty Man , that knowes his deedes amisse , All outward Pleasures are exiled quite , And it is nothing ( of it selfe ) but this : Abhorred-loanenesse , darknesse . sadnesse , paines , Num'●…-cold , sharp-hunger , scorching thirst & chaines . WILLY .

And these are not●…ing ?

ROGET . — — Nothing yet to mee , Onel●… my friends restraint is all my paine , And since I truly finde my conscience free From that my loanen●…sse to , I reape some gaine . WILLY . But graunt in this no discontentment be , It doth thy wished liberty restraine , And to thy soule I thinke there 's nothing nearer , For I could neuer heare thee prize ought dearer . ROGET . True , I did euer set it at a Rate , Too deere for any Mortal's worth to buy , T is not our greatest Shepheard's whole estate , Shall purchase from me , my least liberty , But I am subiect to the powers of Fate , And to obey them is no slauery : They may do much , but when they haue done all , Onely my body they may bring in thrall . And 't is not that ( my Willy ) 't is my minde , My minde 's more pretious freedome I so weigh A thousand wayes they may my body binde , In thous●…d 〈◊〉 ▪ ●…ut 〈◊〉 m●… minde ●…etray , And ●…●…ce it is that I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , And beare with 〈◊〉 th●… my 〈◊〉 away : I 'me 〈◊〉 my selfe , a●…d that I 'de rat●…er bee , Then to be Lord of all th●…e Downes in see . WILLY . No●…ly 〈◊〉 and I doe ioy to hear'●… , For 't is the minde of Man indeede that 's all , There 's n●…ught so hard but a ●…rake 〈◊〉 will bea●…'t , And 〈◊〉 men co●…t great 〈◊〉 small , The●…'le looke on ' Death and Torment , yet not fear 't , Because they 〈◊〉 t is rising so to 〈◊〉 : Ty●…ants n av boast they to much power are borne , Yet he hath more that Tyranies can scorne . ROGET . 'T is right , but I no Tyranies endure , Nor ●… au●… I suffred ought worth name of care . WILLY . What e're thou 'lt call 't , thou may'st , but I am sure , Many more pine that much lesse payned are , Thy looke me thinks doth say thy meaning 's pure , And by this past I finde what thou do'st da●…e : But I could neuer yet the reason know , Why thou ●…rt lodged in this house of woe . ROGET . Nor I by Pan , no●… neuer hope to doe , But 〈◊〉 it pleases some ; and I doe gesse ●…tly a cause that moues them there-vnto , Which neither will auaile me to expresse , Nor thee to heare , and therefore let it goe , We must not say , they doe so , that oppresse : Yet I shall ne're to sooth them or the times , Iniure my sel●… by bearing others crimes . WILLY . Then now thou may'st speake freely , there 's none heares , But he wh●…m I doe hope thou do'st not doubt . ROGET . True ; but if dores and walles haue gott●… eares , And Closet-whisperings may be spread abou●… : Doe not blame him that in such causes feares What in his Passion he may blunder out : In such a place , and such strict times as these , Where what we speake is tooke as others please . But yet to morrow if thou come this way , I 'le tell thee all my story to the end , T is long , and now I feare thou canst not stay , Because thy Flocke must watred be and pend , And Night begins to muffle vp the day , Which to informe thee how alone I spend , I 'le onely sing a sorrie Prisoners Lay , I f●…m'd this Morne , which though it suits not fields , Is such as fits me , and sad Thraldome yeelds , WILLY . Well , I will set my Kit another string , And play vnto it whil'st that thou do'st sing ▪

SONNET . ROGET . NOw that my body dead-aliue , Bereau'd of comfort lies in thr all . Doe thou my soule begin to thriue , And vnto Honey , turne this Gall : So shall we both through outward woe , The way to inward comfort know . For as that Foode my Flesh I giue , Doth ●…eepe in me this Mortall breath : So soules on Meditations liue , And shunne thereby immortall ' Death : Nor art thou euer nearer rest . Then when thou find'st me most opprest . ●…irst thinke my soule ; if I haue Foes That take a pleasure in my care , And to procure these outward woes , Haue thus entrapt me vnaware : Thou should'st by much more ●…arefull bee , Since greater Foes lay waite for thee . Then when Mew'd vp in grates of steele , Minding those ioyes mine eyes doe misse , Thou find'st no Torment tho●… do'st feele . So 〈◊〉 as Priuation is ▪ Muse how the damn'd in s●…ames that glow , Pine in the losse of ●…lisse they know . Thou seest there 's giuen so great might To some that are but clay 〈◊〉 l , Their very anger can affright . Which if in any thou espie Thus thinke of Mortall 's frownes stri●…e seare , How dreadfull will Gods wrath appeare ? By my late hopes that now are crost , Consider those that firmer bee , And make the freedome I haue lo●…t , A meanes that may remember thee Had Christ not thy Redeemer b●…n , What horrid 〈◊〉 thou had'st beene in These iron chaines the bolt's of steele . Which other poore offenders grinde , The wants , and cares which they doe feel●… May bring some greater thing to minde For by their 〈◊〉 thou shalt doe we●… , To thinke vpon the paines of Hell . Or when through me , thou 〈◊〉 a Man Condemn'd vnto a mortall 〈◊〉 , How sad he lookes , how pale how wan , Drawing with Feare his panting brea●…h Thinke i●… in that such griefe thou see , How sad will , Goe yee cuised bee . Againe , when he that fear'd to Dye ( Past hope ) doth see his Pardon brought , Reade but the ioy that 's in his eye , And then 〈◊〉 it to thy thought : There t●…inke betwixt my heart and thee , How sweet will , come yee blessed , bee Thus if thou doe , though closed ●…ere , My bondage I shall deeme the lesse , I neither shall haue cause to feare , Nor yet bewa●…le my sad distresse : For whether li●…e , or pine , or dye , We shall haue bl●…sse 〈◊〉 .

WILLY . Trust me I see the Cage doth some Birds good , And if they doe not suffer too much wrong , Will teach them sweeter descants then the Wood : Beleeue 't , I like the subiect of thy Song ▪ It shewes thou art in no distempred moode , But cause to heare the residue I long : My Sheepe to morrow I will neerer bring , And spend the day to heare thee talke and sing . Yet e're we part , Roget to me areed , Of whom thou learn'dst to make such Songs as these , I neuer yet heard any Shepheards reede Tune in mishap , a straine that more could please , Surely thou do'st inuoke at this thy neede . Some power , that we neglect in other layes : For here 's a Name , and words , that but few swaines Haue mention'd at their meting on the Plaines . ROGET . Indeede 't is true ; and they are sore to blame , They doe so much neglect it in their Songs , For , thence proceedeth such a worthy fame , As is not subiect vnto Enuies wrongs : That is the most to be respected name Of our true Pan , whose worth sit●… on all tongues : And the most auncient Shepheards vse to praise In sacred Anthemes sung on Holy-dayes . He that first taught his Musicke such a s●…raine , Was that sweet Shepheard , who ( vntill a King ) Kept She●…pe vpon the honey milkie Plaine , That is enritch't by Iordans watering ; He in his troubl●…s ca●…'d the bodies paines , By measures rais'd to the s●…ules rauishing : And his sweet numbers onely most deuine , Gaue the first being to this Song of mine . WILLY . Let his good spiri●… eu'r with thee dw●…ll , That I might heare such Mulicke euery day . ROGET . Thanks ; but would now it pleased thee to play . Yet sure'tis late thy Weather rings his Bell , And Swaines to folde , or homeward driue away . WILLY . And yon goes Cuddy , therefore fare thou well : I 'le make his Sheepe for me a liule s●…ay , And if thou thinke it fit I 'le bring him to , Next morning hither . ROGET .

Prethee Willy doo .

FINIS .

The second Eglogue . ARGVMENT . CVDDY tells how all the Swaines , Pitty ROGET on the Plaines : Who requested , doth relate The true cause of his estate , Which bro●…e o●…f becau'e '● was long . They begin a three-mans Song . WILLY . CVDDY . ROG●…T . ROget , thy olde friend Cuddy here and I , Are come to visite thee in these thy bands , Whil'st both our Floc●…es in an Inclosure by Doe picke the thinne gra●…se from the fallowed lands . He tells me thy restraint of liberty Each one throughout the Country vnderstands : And there is not a gentle-natur'd Lad , On all these ' Downes but for thy sake is sad . CVDDY . Not thy acquaintance and thy friends alone . Pitty thy close restraint , as friends should doe : But some that have but scene thee for thee moane : Yea , many that did neuer see thee to . Some deem●… thee in a fault , and most in none ; So diuers wayes doe diuers rumours goe : And at all meetings where our Shepheards be , Now the maine Mewes that 's extant is of thee ▪ ROGET . Why , this is somewhat yet : had I but kept Sheepe on the Mountaiues , till the day of doome , My name should in obscurity haue sl●…pt , In Brakes , in Briars ▪ shrubbed Furze and Broome ▪ Into the worlds wide care it had not crept , Nor in so many mens thoughts found a roome : But what cause of my s●…ffe in●…s doethey know ? Good Cuddy t●…ll me how doth rumour goe . CVDDY . Faith 't is vncertaine , some speake this , some that : Some dare say nought , yet seeme to thinke a cause , And many a one prating he knowes not what ; Comes out with Prouerbes and olde auncient sawes , As if he thought thee guiltlesse , and y●…t not : Then doth he speake halfe sentences , then pawse : That what the most would say , we may suppose , But what to say the rumour is , none knowe●… . ROGET . Nor care I greatly , for it skills not much , What the vnsteady common-people deemes , His conscience doth not alwaies feele least touch , That blamelesse in the sight of others seemes : My cause is honest , and because 't is such , I holde it so , and not for Mens esteemes : If they spea●…e iustly well of me , I 'me glad ; If 〈◊〉 , eu●…ll , it ne're makes me sad . WILLY . I like that minde , but Roget you are quite Beside the matter that I long to heare : Remember what you promis'd yester-night , Youl 'd put vs off with other talke I feare ; Thou know'st that honest Cuddies heart's vpright , And none but he , except my selfe is neare : Come therefore , and betwixt vs two relate The true occasion of thy present state . ROGET . My friends I will ; You know I am a Swaine , That kept a poore Flocke here vpon this Plaine , Who though it seemes , I could doe nothing lesse , Can make a Song , and woe a Shepheardesse , And not alone the fairest where I liue , Haue heard me sing , and fauours daign'd to giue : But though I say'●… , the noblest Nimph of Thame , Hath grac'd my Verse vnto my greater same . Yet being young , and not much see ▪ ing praise , I was not noted out for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , N●…r f●…eding ●…lockes , yea ▪ nowne as others be : For the delight that most 〈◊〉 me Was 〈◊〉 Foxes , W●…lues , and Beasts of Pray ▪ That spoi●…e our Foulis , and beare our L●…mbs a●…ay : F●…r this as a●…so for the loue I beare Vnto m●… Country , 〈◊〉 by all ●…are Of 〈◊〉 . or of 〈◊〉 , with desire 〈◊〉 to keepe that state I had entire , And like a true gro●… 〈◊〉 man sought to speede My selse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of ra e and choysest 〈◊〉 , Whose Names and Natures ere I further goe , 〈◊〉 you are my friends I 'le let you know . My 〈◊〉 esteemed D 〈◊〉 that I did finde , Was by 〈◊〉 of ●…lde 〈◊〉 kinde ; A Bra●…e , which if I doe not ayme amisse , For all the world is ●…ust i●…e one o●… his ; She 's named Loue , and scarce yet know●…s her duty ; Her Damme s my L●…d es pretty Beagle 〈◊〉 I bred her vp my selfe with wondrous charge , Vntill she grew to be exceeding large , And waxt so wanton that I did abhorre it , And put her out amongst my Neighbours for it . The next is Lust , a Hound that 's kept abroad , Mongst some of mine acquaintance , but a Toad Is not more loathsome : 't is a Curre will range Extreamely , and is euer ●…ull of mange , And cause it is infectious , she 's not wunt To come among the rest , but when they hunt . Hate is the third , a Hound both despe and long . His Sire is True , or else supposed wrong . He 'le haue a snap at all that passe him by , And yet pursues his game most eagerly . With him goes Eni●…e coupled , a leane Curre●… And she 'le hold out hunt we ●…e're so farre , She pineth much , and seedeth little to , Yet stands and snarleth at the ●…est that doe . Then there 's Reuenge , a wondrous deepe-mouth'd dog , So fleet , I 'me faine to hunt him with a clog , Y●…t many times he 'le much out-strip his bounds , And hunts not closely with the other Hounds , He 'le venter on a Lion in his 〈◊〉 Curst 〈◊〉 was his damme , and wrong his Sire . This Choller is a Brache , that 's very olde , And spends her mouth too much to haue it holde : She 's very teasty , an vnpleasing Curre , That ●…ites the very stones , if they but sturre : Or when that ought but her displeasure moues , She 'le bite and snap at any one she loues : But my quicke-sented'st Dogge is Iealousie , The truest of this breede's in Italy : The Damme of mine would hardly fill a Gloue , It was a Ladies little Dogge , call'd Loue : The Sire a poore deformed Curre nam'd Feare , As shagged and as rough as is a Beare , And yet the Whelpe turn'd after neither kinde , For he is very large , and ne're-hand blinde . At the first sight he hath a pretty culler , But doth not seeme so when you view him fuller . A vile suspitious beast , his lookes are bad , And I doe feare in time he will grow mad . To him I couple Auarice , still poore , Yet she deuoures as much as twenty more : A thousand Horse she in her paunch can put , Yet whine as if she had an empty gut , And hauiug gorg'd what might a land haue found , She'●…e catch for more , and hide it in the ground . Am●…ition is a Hound as greedy full , But he for all the daintiest bits doth cull : He scornes to licke vp crummes beneath the Table , 〈◊〉 f●…tch't from boa●…ds and shelues if he be ab c , Nav , he can climbe if neede be , and for that , With him I hunt the Martine and the Cat. And yet sometimes in mounting he 's so quicke , He fet●…hes falls , are like to breake his necke . Feare is well-mouth'd , but subiect to 〈◊〉 , A stranger cannot make him take a crust . A little thing will soone his courage quaile , And 'twixt his legges he euer claps his taile . With him Despaire often coupled goes , Which by his roaring mouth each hunts-man knowes . None hath a better minde vnto the game , But he giues off , and alwayes seemeth lame . My blo●…d-hound Cruelty . as swift as winde , Hunts to the death , and neuer comes behinde ; Who but she 's strapt and musled to withall , Would eate her sellowes , and the pray and all , And yet she car●…s not much for any food , Vnlesse it be the purest harmelesse blood . All thes●… are kept abroad at charge of menny , They doe not cost me in a yeare a penny . But there 's two coupling of a midling size , That seldome passe the sight of my owne eyes . Hope , on whose head ●…'ue led my life to pawne . Compassion , that on euery one will fawne . This would when 't was a Whelpe with Rabets play , Or Lambs , and let them goe vnhurt away : Nay , now she is of growth , she 'le now and then , Catch you a Hare , ●…nd let her goe agen . The two last , Ioy and Sorrow , 't is a wonder , Can ne're agree , nor ne're ●…ide fa●…re ●…sunder . Ioye 's ●…uer wanton , and no order knowes , She 'le run at Larkes , or stand and barke at Crowe●… . 〈◊〉 goes by her , and ne'●…e moues his eye , Yet both doe s●…rue to helpe make vp the cry : Then comes behinde all these t●… beare the base , Two 〈◊〉 more of a larger Race , Such wide mouth'd Trollops , that 't would doe you good To heare their loud land Ecchoes tea●…e the wood . 〈◊〉 Uanity , who by his gaud●… hide , May farre away from all the rest be spide , Though huge , yet quick , for he 's now here , now there , Nay , looke about you , and he 's euery w●…ere , And euer with the rest , and still in chase : Right so , Inconstancie fills euery place , And y●…t so strange a sickle natur'd Hound , Look●… for him , and he 's no where to be found , Wea●…enesse is no faire dogge vnto the eye , And yet he hath his proper quality : But there 's Presumption when he heat hath got , He drownes the Thunder , and the Canon-shot : And when at Start he his full roaring makes , The earth doth tremble , and the Heauen shakes . These were my Dogges , tenne couple iust in all , Whom by the name of Sa●…yres I doe call : Mad Curres they be and I can ne're come night them , But l'me in danger to be bitten by them . Much paines I tooke , and spent dayes not a fewe , To make them keepe together , and hunt true : Which yet I doe suppose had neuer bin , But that I had a Scourge to keepe them in . Now when that I this Kennell first had got , Out of my owne demeanes I hunted not , Saue on these Downes , or among yonder Rockes , After those Beas●…s that spoyl'd our Parish Flockes : Nor during that time , was I euer wont , With all my Kennell in one day to hunt : Nor had done yet , but that this other yeere , Some Beasts of Pray , that haunts the Desarts heere Did not alone for many nights together Deuoure , sometime a Lambe , sometime a Weather , And so disquiet many a poore mans Heard , But that of loosing all they were afeard : Yea , I among the rest did sare as bad , Or rather worse for the best * * Hopes . Ewes I had , ( Whose breed should be my meanes of 〈◊〉 & gaine ) Were in one Euening by these Monsters 〈◊〉 : Which Mischiefe I resolued to repay , Or else grow desp'rate , and hunt all away , For in a fury ( such as you shall see Hunts-men in missing of their sport will bee ) I vow'd a Monster should not lurke about , In all this Prouince , but I 'de finde him out , And there-vpon without respect or care , How lame , how full , or how vnfit they were . In hast vnkennell'd all my roaring crew , Who were as mad as if my minde they knew , And e're they trayl'd a flight-shot , the fierce Curres Had rows'd a Hart , and through Brakes and Furres . Follow'd at gaze so close that Loue and Feare Got in together , so had surely there Quite ouer throwne him , but that Hope thrust in 〈◊〉 both , and sau'd the pinching of his skin , Whereby he scap't , till coursing ouerthwart , 〈◊〉 came in , and grip'd him to the hart , I hallowed in the resdue to the fail , And for an entrance there I flesh't them all , Which hauing done , I dip'd my staffe in blood , And on●…ard led my Thunder to the ●…ood , Where what they did , I 'le tell you out anon , My keeper calls me , and I must be gon . Goe if you please a while , attend your Flockes , And when the Sunne is ouer yonder Rockes , Come to this Ca●…e againe where I will be , If that my Gardian so much fauour me . But e're we part , let each one sing a straine , And then goe turne your Sheepe into the Plaine WILIY .

I am content .

CVDDY .

As well content am I.

ROGET .

Then Will , Begin , and we 'le the rest supply .

SONG . WILLY . SHepheard would these Gates were ope , Thou might'st take with vs thy fortune . ROGET . No , I 'le make this narrow scope , Since my Fate doth so importune Meanes vnto a wider hope . CVDDY . Would thy Shepheardesse were here . Who beleu'd , loues thee so deerely . ROGET . Not for both your Flockes I sweare . And the same they yeeld you yearely , Would I so much wrong my Deare , Yet to me , nor to this Place , Would she now be long a stranger , She would holde it no disgrace , ( 〈◊〉 she 〈◊〉 not more my danger ) Where I am to shewber face . WILLY . Shepheard , we would wish no harmes , But something that might co●…tent thee . ROGET . Wish me then within her armes , And that wish will ne're repent me , If your wishes might proue charmes . WILLY . Be thy Prison her embrace , Be thy ayre her sweetest breathing . CVDDY . Be thy prospect her fayre Face , For each looke a kisse bequeathing , And appoint thy selfe the place . ROGET . Nay pray , hold there , for I should scantly then ; Come meet you heere this afternoone agen : But fare you well . since wishes haue no power , Let vs depart , and keepe the pointed hours .

FINIS .

The third Eglogue . ARGVMENT . ROGET set with his three friends , Here his hunting story ends ; Kind ALEXIS with much ruth , Wailes the banish'd Shepheards youth : But he slighteth Fortunes stings , And in spight of Thraldome sings . ROGET . CVDDY . ALEXIS . WILLY . SO now I see y' are Shepheards of your word , Thus were you wont to promise , and to do . CVDDY . More then our promise is we can afford , We come our selues , and bring another to : Alexis whom thou know'st well , is no foe Who loues thee much , and I doe know that hee Would faine a hearer of thy Hunting be . ROGLI . Alexis you are welcome , sor you know You cannot be but welcome where I am , You euer were a friend of mine in show : And I haue found you are indeed the same , Vpon my first restraint you hither came , And proffered me more tokens of your loue , Then it were fit my small deserts should proue . ALEXIS . T' is still your vse to vnderprise your merit , Be not so coy to take my proffered loue ; T' will neither vnbeseeme your worth nor spirit , To offer curt●…sie doth thy friend behoue , And which are so , this is a place to proue : Then once againe I say , if cause there be , First make a tryall , if thou please , of me . ROGET . Thankes good Alexis ; sit downe by me heere , I haue a taske , these Shepheards know , to doe ; A Tale already told this Morne well neere . With which I very fayne would forward go , And am as willing thou shouldst heare it to : But thou canst neuer vnderstand this last , Till I haue also told thee what is past . WILLY . Roget it shall not need , for I presum'd , Your loues to each were firme , and was so bold , That so much on my selfe I haue assum'd , To make him know what is already told : If I haue done amisse then you may scolde . But in my telling I preuised this , Hee knowes not whose , nor to what end it is : ROGET . Well now he may , for here my Tale goes on , My eager Dogges and I to Wood are gon , Where beating through the Couerts euery Hound A seuerall Game had in a moment found : I rated them ▪ but they pursu'd their pray , And as it fell ( by happe ) tooke all one way . Then I began with quicker speed to follow , And ●…az'd them on with a more cheerfull hallow , That soone we passed many weary miles , Tracing the subtile game through all these wiles . These doubl'd , they redoubled on the sent , Still keeping in ●…ull chase where ere they went , Vp Hilles , downe 〈◊〉 , through Bogges , and ouer Stretching their 〈◊〉 to the highest strains ( Plains , That when some Thicket hid them from mine eye , My care was rauish'd with their melody . Nor crost we onely Ditches , Hedges , Furrowes , But Hamlets . ●…hings , Parishes , and Burrowes . They followed where so eu'r the game did goe Through Kitchin , Parler , Hall , and Chamber too , And as they pass'd the City and the Court , My Prince look'd out , and daign'd to view my sport , Which then ( although I suffer for it now ) ( If some say true ) hee liking , did allow ; And so much ( had I had but wi●… to stay ) I might my selfe ( perhaps ) haue heard him say , But I that time , as much as any daring , More for my pleasure then my safety caring ; Seeing fresh game from euery loope-hole rise , Crossing by thousands still before their eyes . After I rush'd , and following close my Hounds Some Beastes I found lye dead , some full of wounds Among the Willows , scarce with strength to moue One I found here , another there , whom Loue Had grip'd to death : and in the selfe-same state , Lav one deuour'd by Enuy , one by Hate , Lust had bit some , but I soone past beside them , Their festered wounds so stuncke , none could ablde Choller hurt diuers , but Reuenge kil'd more , Feare srighted all , behind him and before : 〈◊〉 droue on a huge and mighty heape , Forcing some downe from Roc●…es and Hils to leape : Some into water , some into the fire , So on themselues hee made them wreake his ire : But I remember as I pass'd that way , Where the great Kin●… and Prince of Shepheards lay , About the walles were hid some once more knowne , That my fell Curre Ambition had o'rethrowne . Many I heard pursu'd by Pitty cry , And oft I say my Bloud-Hound Cruelty , Eating her passage euen to the hart , Whither once gotten , shee is loath to part . All pl●…'d it well , and made so loud a plea , T' was heard through Britan ▪ and beyond the Sea ; Some rated them , some storm'd , some lik'd the game , Some thoght me worthy praise , some worthy blame . But I not fearing th' one , misteeming t'other , Both , in shrill hallowes and loud ●…ernings smother : Yea , the strong me●…ed and my long-breath'd crew , Seeing the 〈◊〉 encreasing in their view , Grew the more frolicke , and the courses length Gaue better breath , and added to their strength ; Which Ioue perceiuing , for Ioue heard their cryes Rumbling amongst the Spheares concauities : He mark'd their course and courages encrease , Saving , t' were pitty such a chase should cease ; And therewith swore their mouthes should neuer wast But hunt as long 's mortalitie did last . Soone did they feele the power of his great gift , And I began to finde their pace more swift : I follow'd , and I rated , but in vaine , Striu'd to o'retake , or take them vp againe ; They neuer stay'd since , neither nights nor dayes , But to and fro still runne a thousand wayes : Yea often to this place where now I lye , They 'l wheel about to cheere me with their cry ; And one day in good time will vengeance take On some offenders , for their Masters sake : For know , my Friends , my freedome in this sort For them I lose , and making my selfe sport . WILLY .

Why Roget , was there any harme in this ?

ROGET .

No Willy , and I hope yet none there is .

WILLY .

How comes this then ?

ROGET . Note and I 'le tell thee how . Thou know'st that Truth and Innocency now , If plac'd with meanenesse , suffers more despight Then Uillanies , accompan'ed with might : But thus it fell , while that my Hound pursu'd Their noysome pray , and euery field lay strew'd With Monsters , hurt and slaine mongst many a beast , Some viler , and more subtile then the rest , On whom the Bitch cal'd Enuy , hap't to light : And as her won●… is , did so surely b●…te , That though she left behind small outward smarts , The wounds were deepe , and wrankled to their harts . Then ioyning to some other that of late Were very eagerly pursu'd by Hate , To fit their purpose hauing taken leasure , Did thus conspire to worke me a displeasure . For imitation farre supassing Apes , They layd aside their Foxe , and Wooluish shapes . And shrowded in the skinnes of harmelesle she●…pe Into by-wayes , and open-pathes did creepe , Where they ( as hardly drawing breath ) did ly , Shewing their wounds to euery pas●…r by ; To make them thinke that they were sheepe so foi●…'d And by my dogges in their late hunting spoyl'd . Beside some other that enuy'd my game , And for thei●… pastime kept such Monsters tame : As you doe know there 's many for their pleasure , Keepe Foxes , Beares , and Wolues , as some great treasure : Yea , many get their liuing by them to , And so did store of these , I speake of do , Who seeing that my Kennell had affrighted , Or ●…urt som●… Uermine wherein they delighted , And finding their owne power by much too weake Th●…ir Malice on my Innocence to wreake , Swolne with the deepest rancour of despight , Some of our greatest Shepheards foldes by night They closely entred ; and there hauing stain'd Their hands in 〈◊〉 , of me they plain'd , Affirming , without shame or honesty , I and my Dogges had done it purposely : Whereat they stor●…'d , and call'd me to a tryall , Where Inn●…cence preuails not , nor denyall , But for that 〈◊〉 here in this place I ly , Where none so merry as my dogges and I. CVDD●… . Beleeue it , here 's a Tale will su●…en 〈◊〉 , For 〈◊〉 in another Age to tell . WIIIY . And Roget shall be thought on with delight , For this hereafter many a Winters night , For of this sport another Age will ring : Yea , Nymphes vnborne now , of the same shall sing , When not a beauty on our greenes shall play That hath not heard of Rogets hunting day . ROG●…T . It may be so , for it that gentle Sw●…ine , Who wonnes by Ta●…y , on the westerne plaine , Would make the Song , such life his ver●…e can giue , Then I doe know my Nam●… might euer liue . ALEXIS . But tell me ; are our Playnes and Nimphes forgot , And canst thou 〈◊〉 in thy trouble be ? ROG●…T . Can I Alexis savst thou ? Can I not That am resolu'd to scorne more m●…sery ? AIEXIS . Oh , but thy youth 's yet greene , and young bloud hot , And liberty must n●…eds be sweet to thee , But now most s●…eet whil'st euery bushy 〈◊〉 , And Grone and 〈◊〉 , rings of the Nightingale . Me thinkes when thou remembrest those sweet iayes , Which thou would'st lead thy Shepheardesse to heare E●…ch euening forth among the Leau●… sprayes , The thoght of that should make thy freedom deere ; For now whil'st euer●… Nimph on Holy-da●…es 〈◊〉 with some 〈◊〉 Lad , and maketh cheere , Thine sighes for thee , and mew'd vp from resort , Will neither play her selfe , nor see their sport . There 's Shepheards that were many a morning wont Vnto their Boyes to leaue the ●…ender Heard , And beare thee company when thou didst hunt , Cannot their songs thou hast so gladly heard , Northy m●…st pleasure make thee thinke vpon 't , But seemes all vayne , now that was once indear'd . It cannot be , for I could make relation , How for lesle cause thou hast been deep in passion . ROGET . Ti●… true : my tender heart was euer yet Too cap●…ble of such conoeits as these ; I neuer s●…w that Obiect but from it , The Passions of my Loue , I could encre●…se Those things which moue not other men a whi●… , I can , and doe make vse of , if I please : When I am sad , to sadnesse I apply , Each Bird , and Tree , and Flower that I passe by . So when I will be merry , I aswell Something for mirth from euery thing can draw , From Misery , from Prisons , nay from Hell , And as when to my minde , griefe giues a flaw , Best comforts d●…e but make my woes more fell , So when I 'me bent to M●…rth , from mischiefes pawe ( Though ceas'd vpon me ) I would something cull , That spight of care should make my ioyes more full . I feele those wants Alexis thou doest name , Which spight of ●…outh's affections I sustaine ; Or else for what is 't I haue gotten fame , And am more knowne then many an elder Swaine ? If such desires I had not learn'd to ●…ame , Since many pipe much better on this Plaine : But tune your Reedes , and I will in a Song Expresse my Care , and how I take this wrong .

SONNET . I That ere'st-while the worlds sweet Ayre did draw , ( Grac'd by the farrest euer Mortall sawe ; ) Now closely pent , with walls of Ruth lesse stone , Consume my Dayes , and Nights , and all-alone . When I was wont to sing of Shepheards loues , My walkes were Fields , and Downes , and Hilles , and Groues , But now ( alas ) so sirict is my hard doome , Fields , Downes , Hils , Groues , & als but one poore roome . Each Morne assoone as Day-light did appeare , With Natures Musicke Birdes would charme mine eare ; Which now ( in●…ead ) of their melodious straines , Heare ratling shackles , gyues , and boults , and chaines . But though that all the world's delight forsake me , I haue a Mu●…e and s●…e 〈◊〉 Musicke make me ; Whose a●…y Notes inspight of 〈◊〉 cages , Shall giue content to me , and afterages , Nor doe I passe for all this outward ill . My heart 's the ●…ame , and vnde●…ected still ; And whic●… is more then some in freedome winne ; I hau●… true rest , and peace , and ioy within . And then my Minde that s●…ight of prison's free , When er●…e she pleases , any where can be ; Shee 's in an houre in France , Roome , Turky , Spaine , In Earth , in Hell , in Heauen , and here againe . Yet there 's another comfort in my w●…e , My ca●…se is spread , and all ●…he world doth know My ●…ault's no more but speaking Truth and Reason , Nor Debt , nor Theft , nor Murther , ●…ape , nor Treason . Nor shall my Foes with all their Might and Power , Wi●…e out their s●…ame , nor yet this Fame of our Which when they ●…inde they shall my Fate enuy , Till they grow leane , and sicke , and mad , and dy●… . Then though my Body here in Prisonrot , And my poore 〈◊〉 seeme a while forgot , Yet when both Fame and Life haue left those men , My 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and liue agen . So thus 〈◊〉 , I beare afflictions load , But with mo●…e true content then some abroad ; For whil●…st 〈◊〉 thoughts doe feele my scourges sting ▪ In bands I le leap●… , and daunc●… and laugh , and sing .

ALEXIS . Why now I see thou dioup'st not with thy care , Neither exclaim'st thou on thy hunting day , But dost with vnchang'd resolution beare , The heauy burthen of exile away , All that did truly know thee did conceaue , Thy actions with thy spirit still agree'd ; Their good conceit thou doest no whit bereaue , But showest that thou art still thy selfe indeed . If that thy minde to basenesse now descends , Thou 'lt iniure Vertue , and deceaue thy friends . WILLY . Alexi●… , he will iniure Vertue much , But more his friends , and most of all himselfe , If on that common barre his minde but touch , It wracks his same vpon disgraces shelfe : Yet Roget , if thou stere but on the course , That in thy iust aduenture is begunne ; No thwarting Tide , nor aduerse blast shall force Thy Barke without the Channels bounds to runne , Thou art the same thou wert for ought I see , When thou didst freely on the Mountaines hunt , In nothing changed yet , vnlesse it be More merrily dispos'd then thou wert wont , Still keepe thee thus , so other men shall know , Uertue can giue content in midst of woe . And he though mightinesse with frownes doth threat , To be yet Innocent is to be great . Thriue and farewell . ALEXIS .

In this thy trouble florish .

CVDDY .

While those that wish thee ill , fret , pine , and perist●… .

FINIS .

To his truely beloued louing Friend , Mr. WILLIAM BROWNE , of the Inner Temple . The fourth Eglogue . ARGVMENT . ROGET here on WILLY calls , To sing out his Pastorals : Warrants Fame shall orace his Rimes , Spight of Enuy and the Times ; And shewes how in care he vses , To take comfort from his Muses . ROGET . WILLY . PRethy WILLY tell me this , What new accident there is , That thou ( once the blythest Lad ) Art become so wondrous sad ? And so carelesse of thy quill , As if thou had'st lost thy skill . Thou wert wont to charme thy Flockes , And among these rudest rockes Hast so cheer'd me with thy Song , That I haue forgot my wrong . Something hath thee surely crost , That thy old wont thou hast lost , Tell me , Haue I ought mis-said That hath made thee illa-paid ? Hath some Churle done thee a spight ? Dost thou m●…le a Lambe to night ? Frownes thy fairest Shepheards Lasse ? Or how comes this ill to passe ? Is there any discontent Worse then this my banishment ? WILLY . Why , doth that so euill seeme That thou nothing worse dost deeme ? Shepheard , there full many be , That will change Contents with thee . Those that choose their walkes at will , On the Valley or the Hill . Or those pleasures boast of can Groues or fields may yeeld to man : Neuer come to know the rest Wherewithall thy minde is blest . Many a one that oft resorts To make vp the troope at sports , And in company some while Happens to straine sorth a smile : Feeles more want , more outward smart And more inward griefe of hart , Then this place can bring to thee , While thy minde remaineth free . Thou condemn'st my want of mirth , But what find'st thou in this earth , Wherein ought may be beleeu'd , Worth to make me ioy'd , or grieued ? And yet feele I ( na●…helesse ) Part of both I must confesse , Sometime I of Mirth doe borrow , Otherwhile as much of sorrow , But my present state is such , I 'me nor Ioy'd , nor greeued much . ROGET . Why hath WILLY then so long Thus forborn●… his wonted song ? Wherefore doth he now let fall , His well-tuned Pastorall ? And my cares that Musicke barre ▪ Which I more long after farre , Then the liberty I want . WILLY . That were very much to grant . But doth this hold alway lad , Those that sing not must be sad ? Did'st thou euer that bird heare Sing well , that sings all the yeere ? Tom the Piper doth not play Till he weares his Pipe away : There 's a time to slacke the string , And a time to leaue to sing . ROGET . Yea , but no man now is still , That can sing , or tune a quill . Now to chant it , were but reason , Song and Musicke are in season , Now ●…n this sweet ●…olly tide , Is the earth in all her pride . The faire Lady of the May Trim'd vp in her best array Hath inuited all the Swaines , With the Lasses of the Plaines To attend vpon her sport At the places of resort . Corridon ( with his bold Rout ) Hath already beene about For the elder Shepheards dole , And fetch'd in the Summer-Pole : Whilest the rest haue built a Bower , To defend them from a shower , Se●…l'd so close with boughes all greene , Tytan cannot pry betweene . Now the Darrie Wenches dreame Of their Stra●… berries and Creame : And each doth her selfe aduance To be taken in , to dance ▪ Euery one that knowes to sing , Fits him for his Carolling : So doe those that hope for meede , Eyther by the Pipe or Reede , And though I am kept away , I doe heare ( this very day ) Many learned Groomes doe wend , For the Garlands to contend . Which a Nimph that hight Desart , ( Long a stranger in this part ) With her owne faire hand hath wrought A rare worke ( they say ) past thought , As appeareth by the name , For she calles them Wreathes of fame . She hath set in their due place Eu'ry flower that may grace , And among a thousand moe , Whereof some but serue for show ) She hath woue in Daphnes tree , That they may not blasted bee . Which with Time she edg'd about , Least the worke should rau●…ll out . And that it might wither neuer , Intermixt it with Liue-euer . These are to be shar'd among Those that do excell for song : Or their passions can rehearse , In the smooth'st and sweetest verse . Then for th●…se among the rest , That can play and pipe the best ▪ There 's a Kidling with the Damme , A fat Weathe●… , and a Lambe . And for those that leapen farre , Wrastle , Runne , and throw the Barre , There 's appointed guerdons to , He that best the first can doe Shall for his re●…ard be paid , With a Sheepe-hooke , faire in-laid With fine bone , of a strange beast , That men bring from out the west . For the next , a Scrip of red , Tassel'd with fine coloured thred . There 's prepared for their need , That in running make most speed , Or the cunning measures foot , Cups of turned Maple-roote , Whereupon the skilfull man Hath i●…grau'd the Loxes of Pan : And the last hath for his due A fine Napking wrought with blew . Then my Willy why art thou Carelesse of thy merit now ? What dost here with a wight That is shut vp from delight , In a solitary den As not fit to liue with men ? Goe my Willy get thee gone , Leaue me in exile alone . Hye thee to that merry throng , And amaze them with thy Song , Thou art young , yet such a Lay Neuer grat'd the month of May , As ( if they prouoke thy skill ) Thou canst fit vnto thy Quill . I with wonder heard thee sing , At our last yeeres Reuelling . Then I with the rest was free , When vnknowne I noted thee : And perceiu'd the ruder Swaines , Enuy thy farre sweeter straines . Yea , I saw the Lasses cling Round about thee in a Ring : As if each one ●…ealous were , Any but her selfe should heare . And I know they yet doe long For the res'due of thy song . Haste thee then to sing it forth , Take the benefit of worth . And Desert will sure bequeath Fames faire garland for thy wreath . Hye thee Willy , hye away . WILLY . Roget rather let me stay , And be desolate with thee , Then at those their Reuels be , Nought such is my skill I wis , As in deed thou deem'st it is . But what ere it be , I must Be content , and shall I trust . For a song I doe not pass ▪ Mong'st my friends , but what ( alas ) Should I haue to doe with them That my Musicke doe contemne ? Some there are , as well I wot , That the same yet fauour not : Yet I cannot well auow , They my Car●…ols disallow . But such malice I haue spid , T is as much as if they did . ROGET . Willy , what may those men be Are so ill to malice thee ? WILLY . Some are worthy-well esteem'd Some without worth are so deem'd ▪ Others of so base a spirit , They haue nor esteeme , nor merit . ROGET .

What 's the wrong ?

WILLY . A slight offence , Wherewithall I can dispence ; But hereafter for their sake , To my selfe I 'le musicke make . ROGET . What , because some Clowne offends , Wilt thou punish all thy friends ? WILLY . Honest Roget vnderstand me , Those that loue me may command me ▪ But thou know'st I am but young , And the Pastorall I sung , Is by some suppos'd to be , ( By a straine ) too high for me : So they kindely let me gaine , Not my labour for my paine . Trust me , I doe wonder why They should me my owne deny . Though I 'me young , I scorne to fli●… , On the wings of borrowed wit . I 'le make my owne feathers reare me , Whither others cannot beare me . Yet I 'le keepe my skill in store , Till I 'ue seene some Winters mo●… . ROGET . But in earnest mean'st thou so ? Then thou art not wise , I trow . Better shall aduise thee Pan , For thou dost not rightly than : That 's the ready ●…ay to blot All the credit thou hast got . Rather in thy Ages prime , Get another start of Time : And make those that so fond be , ( Spight of their owne dulnesse ) see That the sacred Muses can Make a childe in yeeres , a man . It is knowne what thou canst doe , For it is not long agoe , When that CVDDY , Thou , and I Fach the others skill to try , At Saint Dunstanes charmed Well , ( As some present there can tell ) Sang vpon a sudden Theame , Sitting by the Crimson streame . Where , if thou didst well or no , Yet remaines the song to show . Much experience more I 'ue had Of thy skill ( thou happy Lad ) And would make the world to know it ; But that time will further show it : Enuy makes their tongues now runne , More then doubt of what is done , For that needs must be thy owne , Or to be some others knowne : But how then wilt suit vnto What thou shalt hereafter do ? Or I wonder where is hee , Would with that song part to thee : Nay , were there so mad a Swaine , Could such glory'sell for gaine ; Phoebus would not haue combin'd , That gift with so base a mind . Neuer did the Nine impart The sweet secrets of their Art Vnto any that did scorne We should see their sauors worne , Therefore vnto those that say , Where they pleas'd to sing a Lay , They could doo 't , and will not tho ; This I speake , for this I know : None ere drunke the Thespian spring , And knew how , but he did sing . For that once infus'd in man , Makes him shew 't , doe what he can , Nay those that doe onely sip Or but eu'n their fingers dip In that sacred Fount ( poore Elues ) Of that brood will shew themselues ; Yea , in hope to get them fame , They will speake though to their shame , Let those then at thee repine , That by their wits measure thine , Needs those Songs must be thine owne , And that one day will be knowne , The same imputation to , I my selfe doe vndergoe : But it will appeare ere long , I 'me abus'd , and thou hast wrong , Who at twice ten hast sung more , Then some will doe at fourescore . Cheere thee ( honest Willy ) then , And begin thy song agen . WILLY . Faine I would , but I doe feare When againe my Lines they heare , If they yeeld they are my Rimes , They will faine some other Crimes , And 't is no safe ventring by , Where we see Detraction ly . For doe what I can , I doubt , She will picke some quarrell out , And I ost haue heard defended , Little said , and soone amended . ROGET . See'st thou not in cleerest dayes Oft thick fogges cloud Heauens rayes ? And the vapours that doe breath From the earths grosse wombe ●…e each , Seeme they not with their blacke steames , To pollute the Sunnes bright beames , And vet vanish into aire . Leauing it ( vnblemisht ) faire ? So ( my Willy ) shall it be With Detractions breath and thee . It shall neuer rise so hie , As to staine thy Poesie . As that Sunne doth oft exhale , Vapours from each rotten Vale , Poesie so sometime draines , Grosse conceits from muddy braines ; Mists of Enuy , fogs of spight , Twixt mens iudgements and her light : But so much her power may doo , That she can dissolue them too . If thy verse do brauely tower , As she makes wing , she gets power . Yet the higher she doth sore , Shee 's affionted still the more : Till she to the high'st hath past , Then she rests with fame at last . Let nought therefore thee affright , But make forward in thy flight : For if I could match thy Rime , To the very starres I 'de clime . There begin againe and flye Till I reach'd Aeternity . But ( alas ) my Muse is slow : For thy pace she flagges too low : Yes , the more 's her haplesse fate , Her short wings were clipt of late . And poore I , her fortune ruing , Am my selfe put vp a muing . But if I my Cage can rid , I 'le flye where I neuer did . And though for her sake l'me crost , Though my best hopes I haue lost , And knew she would make my trouble , Ten times more then ten times double : I would loue and keepe her to , Spight of all the world could doe . For though banisht from my flockes , And confin'd within these rockes , Here I waste away the light , And consume the sullen Night , She doth for my comfort stay , And keepes many cares away . Though I misse the flowry Fields , With those sweets the Spring-tide yeelds , Though I may not see those Groues , Where the Shepheards chaunt their Loues , And the Lasses more excell , Then the sweet-voyc'd Philomel , Though of all those pleasures past , Nothing now remaines at last , But Remembrance ( poore reliefe ) That more makes , then mends my griefe : She 's my minds companion still , Maugre Enuies euill will . ( Whence she should be driuen to , Wer 't in mortals power to do . ) She doth tell me where to borrow Comfort in the mid'st of sorrow ; Makes the desolatest place To her presence be a grace ; And the blackest discontents Be her fairest ornaments . In my former dayes of blisse , Her diuine skill taught me this , That from euery thing I saw , I could some inuention draw : And raise pleasure to her height , Through the meanest obiects fight , By the murmur of a spring , Or the least boughes rusteling . By a Dazie whose leaues spred Shut when Tytan goes to bed , Or a shady bush or tree , She could more infuse in mee , Then all Natures beauties can , In some other wiser man . By her helpe I also now , Make this churlish place allow Somethings , that may sweeten gladnesse In the very gall of sadnesse . The dull loanesse , the blacke shade , That these hanging vaults haue made , The strange Musicke of the waues , Beating on these hollow Caues . This black den which Rockes embosse , Ouer-growne with eldest mosse . The rude portals that giue light , More to Terror then Delight . This my Chamber of Neglect , Wal'd about with Disrespect , From all these , and this dull aire , A fit obiect for Despaire , Shee hath taught me by her might To draw comfort and delight . Therefore thou best earthly blisse I will cheris●… thee for this . Poesie ; thou sweet'st content That ere Heau'n to mortals lent . Though they as a trifle leaue thee Whose dull thoughts can not conceiue th●… Though thou be to them a scorne That to nought but earth are borne : Let my life no longer be , Then I am in loue with thee . Though our wise ones call it madnesse , Let me neuer taste of gladnesse If I l●…ue not thy mad'st sits Aboue all their greatest ●… its . And though some too seeming holy Doe account thy raptures folly : Thou dost teach me to contemne What makes Knaues and Fooles of them . O high power that oft doth carry Men aboue , WILLY . Good Roget carry I doe feare thou wilt be gon Quite aboue my reach anon , The kinde flames of Poesy Haue now borne thy thoughts so high , That they vp in Heauen be And haue quite forgotten mee . Call thy selfe to minde againe Are these Raptures for a Swaine , That attends on lowly sheepe And with simple heards doth keepe ? ROGET . Thank●…s my Willy , I had runne Till that Time had log'd the Sunne , If thou had'st not made me stay ; But thy pardon heere I pray . Lou'd Apollo's sacred sire Has rais'd vp my spirits higher Through the loue of Poesy , Then indeed they vse to flye . But as I said , I say still , If that I had Will●…'s skill Enuy nor Detractions tongue , Should ere make me leaue my song : But I 'de sing it euery day Till they pin'd themselues away . Bee thou then adui●…'d in this Which both ●…ust and fitting is , Finish what thou hast begunne Or at least still forward runne : 〈◊〉 and Thu●…der ill he 'le beare That a blast of winde doth feare : And if w●…rds will thus afray thee , Prethee how will deeds dismay thee ? Doe not thinke so rathe a song Can passe through the vulgar throng , And escape without a touch , Or that they can hurt it much : Frosts we see d●…e 〈◊〉 that thing Which is for●…ard's in the Spring : Yet at last for all such lets Somewhat of the rest 〈◊〉 gets : And I 'me sure that so ●…aist thou , Therefore my kinde Willy now , S●…nce thy folding time 〈◊〉 on And I see thou mu●…t be gon , T●…ee I earnestly b●…seech To rememb●…r this m●… s●…ech , And some little couns●…ll 〈◊〉 , For thy poore friend Rogets sake : And I more of this will 〈◊〉 , If th●…u come next Holy-day . FINIS .

To Master W. F. of the Middle Temple . The fift Eglogue . ARGVMENT . ROGET here ALEXIS moues , To embrace the Muses loues ; ▪ Bids him neuer carefull seeme , Of anothers disesteeme ▪ Since to them it may suffize , That themselues can iustl●… prize . ROGET . ALEXIS . ALEXIS if thy worth doe not disdaine The humble friendship of a meaner 〈◊〉 Or some more needful busines of the day Vrge th●…e to be too hasty on thy way ; Come ( g●…ntle Shepheard ) rest thee here by me , Vnder the shadow of this broad-leau'd tree : For though I seeme a stranger , yet mine eye Obserues in thee the markes of curtesie : And if my iudgement erre not , noted too More then in those that ●…ore would seeme ●…o doe ; Such vertues thy rare modesty doth hide Which by their proper luster I ●…spy'd ; And though long mask'●… in silence they haue beene I haue a wisedome through that silence seene : Yea , I haue learned knowledge from thy tongue , And heard when thou hast in concealement sung : Which me the bolder and more willing made Thus to inuit●… thee to this homely shade . And though ( it may be ) thou couldst neu●…r spye Such worth in me , I might be knowne thereby , In thee I doe ; for here ●… y neighbouring sheepe Vpon the border of these down●… I keepe : Where often thou at Pastorals and playes , Hast grac'd our Wakes on Sommer Holy dayes : And many a ●…ime with thee at this cold spring M●…rl , to heare your learned shepheards sing , Saa them disporting in the shady grouc●… , And in chaste Sonn●…ts ●…ooe their chaster loues : When I endued with the meanest skill , Mongst others haue beene vrg'd to tune my quill , Where cause but l●…ttle cunning I had got ) Perhaps thou saw'st me , though thou knew'st me not ALFXIS . Yes Roget , I doe know thee and thy name , Nor is my knowledge grounded all on fame , Art not thou hee , that but this other yeere . S●…ard'st all the Wolues and Foxes in the sheere ? And in a ma●…ch at Foot-ball lately try'd ( Hauing scarce twenty Satyres on thy side ) Held'd pla●… : and though assailed , kept'st thy stand Gainst all the best-try'd Ruffi●…ns in the land ? Did'st thou not then in dolesull Sonnets mone , When the beloued of great Pan was gone ; And at the wedding of faire THAME & RHINE , Sing of their glories to thy Valentine ? I know it , and I must confesse that long In one thing I did doe thy nature wrong : For till I markt the aime thy Satyres had , I thought them ouerbold and Roge●… mad ; But since I did mo●…e neerely on thee looke I soone perceiu'd that I had all mistooke ; I saw that of a Cynicke thou mad'st show Where since I finde that thou wert nothing so , And that of many thou much blame hadst got When as thy Innocence deseru'd it not . But this too good opinion thou hast seem'd To haue of me ( not so to be esteem'd ) Preuailes not ought to stay him who doth feare Hee rather should reproofes then praises heare T is true , I found thee plaine and honest to , Which made me like , then loue as now I doe . And Roget though a stranger this I say Where I d●…e loue I am not coy to stay . ROG●…T . Thankes gentle S●…aine that dost so soone vn●…olde What I to thee a●… gladly wo●…ld haue tolde And thus thy wonted curtesie exprest In 〈◊〉 entertaining this request : Sure I should 〈◊〉 my o●…ne content Or wrong thy loue to stand on complemen●… , Who hast acquaintance in one word begunne As well as I could in an age haue done : Or by an ou●…rweaning slownesse mar●…e What thy more wisedome hath brought on so farre Then sit thou downe and Il'●… my minde declare As free●… , as if wee familiars were : And i●… thou wilt but daigne ●…o giue me eare Some●…hing thou maist f●…r thy more profit heare , ALEXIS .

Willingly Roget I thy wish obey .

ROG●…T . Then know Alexis from that very day When as I saw thee at that Shepheards Coate Where each I thinke o●… other tooke first noate , I meane that Pastor who by Tauies springs Chast Shephear●…s louc●… in sweetest numbers sing●… , And with his Musicke ( to his greater fame ) Hath late made proud the fairest Nimph●… of Thame . E'ne then mee thought I did espy in the●… Some vnperceiu'd and hidden worth to be , Which in thy more apparant vertues shin'd And among many I in thought deuin'd , By something my conceit had vnderstood That thou wert markt one of the Muses brood , That made me loue thee : And that loue I beare Begat a Pitty , and that Pitty Care : 〈◊〉 I had to s●…e good parts conceal'd , Care I had how to haue tha●… good r●…ueal'd , Since ' 〈◊〉 a f●…u't 〈◊〉 no excuse To possesse much a●…d yet put nought in vs●… : Heereon I vow'd ( if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eue●… 〈◊〉 The first 〈◊〉 that I would 〈◊〉 to g●…t Should be but 〈◊〉 is , that ●…hou 〈◊〉 shew th●… skill , Ho●… thou could'st ●…une thy ve●…ses to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 : And teach thy Muse in 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 long , To she●… the Art th●…u 〈◊〉 supprest so long : Which if my new acquaintance may ob●…aine Roget will euer honour this dayes gaine . 〈◊〉 . Alas ! my small experienc●… scarce c●…n tell So much as where those 〈◊〉 the Muses dwell , Nor ( ●…hough my 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 trauels on ) Shall I ere reach to drinke of Hellicon ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 be to taste What 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ames but oue●…-flow in waste , An●… 〈◊〉 Parnassus , wher●… it low'st doth lye , I ●…eare my skill would hardly flagge so hye . ROGET . D spayre not Man , the Gods haue 〈◊〉 nought So d●…ere that may not be with labour bought , Nor need 〈◊〉 paine be great since Fate and Heauen That ( as a bl●…ssing ) at thy 〈◊〉 haue giuen . ALEXIS .

Why say they had ?

RO●…ET . Then vse their gifts thou must , Or be vngratefull , and so be vniust : F●…r if it cannot tru●…y be deny'd , Ingrati●…ude mens benefits doe hide ; Then more vng●…atefull must he be by oddes Who doth conceale the bounty o●… the G●…ds . ROGET . That 's true indeed , but Enuy haunteth those Who seeking fame their hidden skill disclose : Where else they might ( obscur'd ) from her espying , Escape the blasts and danger of enuying : Critickes will censure our best straines of Wit , And pu●…blinde Ignorance misconster it . All which i●… bad , yet worse then this doth follow , Most hate the Muses , and contemne Apollo . ALEXIS . So let them : why should we their hate esteeme ? Is 't not enough we of our selues can deeme ? T is more to their disgrace that we scorne them Then vnto vs that they our Art contemne ; Can we haue better pastime then to see Their grosse heads may so much deceiued be , As to allow those d●…ings best where wholly We 〈◊〉 them to their face , and flout their folly : Or to behold blacke Enuy in her prim●… , Die selfe-consum'd whilst we vie liues with time : And in despight of her , more fame attaine Th●…n all her malice can wipe out againe ? ROGET . Yea but if I apply'd me to those straines , Wh●… should driue forth my flocks vnto the plaines . Which whilst the Muses rest , and leasure craue , Must ●…atering , folding , and attendance haue . For if I leaue with wonted care to cherish Those tender heards : both I and they should perish AL●…XIS . Alexis now I see thou dost mistake , There is no meaning thou thy charge forsake ; Nor would I wish thee so thy selfe abuse As to neglect thy calling for thy Muse : But let these two so of each other borrow , That they may scason mirth , and lessen sorrow . Thy flocke will helpe thy charges to desray , Thy muse to passe the long and tedious day . Or whilst thou ●…un'st sweet measures to thy Reed Thy sheep to listen will more neere thee feed , The wolues will shun them , birds aboue thee sing , And Lambkins dance about thee in a Ring ; Nay which is more : in this thy low estate Thou in contentment shalt with Monarkes mate : For mighty Pan , and Ceres to vs grants Our fields and flockes shall helpe our outward wants . The Muses teach vs songs to put off cares , Grac'd with as rare and sweet conceits as theirs : And we can thinke our Lasses on the greenes As faire , or fairer , then the fairest Queenes ; Or what is more then most of them shall doe , Wee 'le make their iuster sames last ionger to , Hauing our Lines by greatest Princes grac'd When both their name and memory 's defac'd . Therefore Alexis though that some disdaine The heauenly musicke of the Rurall plaine , What is 't to vs , if they ( or'e seene ) contemne The dainties which were nere ordain'd for them ? And though that there be other some enuy The praises due to sacred Poesie , Let them disdaine and fret till they are weary , We in our selues haue that shall make vs merry : Which he that wants , and had the power to know it , Would giue his life that he might dye a Poet. ALEXIS .

A braue perswasion .

ROGET . Here thou see'st me pent Within the iawes of strict imprisonment ; A forlorne Shepheard , voyd of all the meanes , Whereon Mans common hope in danger leanes : Weake in my selfe . Exposed to the Hate Of those whose Enuyes are ins●…tiate : Shut from my Friends , banish'd from all delights , Nay worse ; excluded from the sacred Rites . Here I doe liue ( mongst out-lawes markt for death ) As one vnfit to draw the common breath , Where those who to be good did neuer know Are barred from the meanes should make them so . I suffer , cause I wish'd my Countrey well , And what I more must beare I cannot tell . I 'me sure they giue my body little scope , And would allow my Minde as little Hope , I wast my Meanes , which of it selfe is slender , Consume my Time ( perhaps my Fortunes hinder ) And many Crosses haue , which those that can Conceaue no wrong that hurts another man Will not take note of , though if halfe so much Should light on them , or their owne person touch , Some that themselues ( I feare ) most worthy thinke With all their helpes would into basenesse shrinke , But spight of Hate , and all that spight can doe , I ●…an be patient yet , and merry to ; That s●…nder Muse of mine , by which my Name , Though scarce deseru'd hath gaind a little fame , Hath made me vnto such a Fortune borne , That all misfortunes I know how to scorne ; Yea , midst these bands can sleight the Great'st that be As much as their disdaine misteemes of me . This Caue whose very presence some affrights I haue oft made to Eccho forth delights , And hope to turne , is any Iustice be , Both Shame and Care on those that wisht it me : For while the world ranck villanies affords . I will not spare to paint them out in words ; Because I thus into these troubles runne , I knew what man could act , e're I begun ; And I 'le fulfill what my Muse drawes me to , Maugre all Iayles , and Purgatories to . For whil ▪ st she 〈◊〉 me honest 〈◊〉 about ▪ 〈◊〉 or shee I know will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…ut : And if by Fate 〈◊〉 power of some , Must in the worlds eve leaue me ouercome . They shall finde one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…o 〈◊〉 I ●…ow , It cannot ●…eele a 〈◊〉 ouerthrow . This Hope and trust that great power did in●…use , That first inspir'd into my brest ●… 〈◊〉 , By whom I doe , and euer will con●… All these ill h●… , my foes desp●… , and them . ALEXIS . Thou hast so well ( young Roget ) plavd thy part I am almost in loue with that sweet Art : And if some power will but 〈◊〉 my song ▪ Alexis will not be obscured long . ROGET . Enough kinde Pastor : But oh ▪ yonder see Two honest Shepheards walking h●…ther be , C●…ty and Willy , that so dearely loue , Who are repayring vnto yonder Groue : Let 's follow them ▪ for neuer brauer Swaines Made musicke to their f●…ockes vpon these plaines . They are more worthy , and can better tell What ●…are contents doe with a Poet dwell . Then whiles our sheep the short sweet grasse do shear , And till the long shade of the hils appeare ▪ Wee'l●… heare them sing : for though the one be yong , Neuer was any that more sweetly sung . FINIS .

A Postscript To the READERS .

IF you haue read this , and receiued any content , I am glad ( though it be not so much as I could wish you , ) if you thinke it idle , why then I see wee are not likely to fall out ; for I am iust of your mindes : yet weigh it well before you runne too farre in your censures , least this proue lesse barren of wit then you of courtesie . It is very true ( I know not by what chance ) that I haue of late beene so highly beholding to Opinion , that I wonder how I crept so much into her fauour , and ( if I did thinke it worthy the fearing , ) I should be afraid that shee hauing so vndeseruedly befriended me beyond my Hope or expectation , will , vpon as little cause , ere long , againe pick some quarrell against me : and it may be , meanes to make vse of this , which I know must needs come farre short of their expectation , who by their earnest desire of it seem'd to be fore-possest with a farre better conceit then I can beleeue it proues worthy of . So much at least I doubted , and therefore loath to deceiue the world ( though it often beguile me ) I kept it to my selfe , indeed not dreaming euer to see it published : But now , by the ouermuch perswasion of some friends , I haue beene constrayned to expose it to the generall view . Which seeing I haue done , Somethings I desire thee to take notice of . First , that I am Hee who to pleasure my friend , haue fram'd my selfe a content out of that which would otherwise discontent me . Secondly , that I haue coueted more to effect what I thinke truely honest in it selfe , then by a seeming show of Art , to catch the vaine blasts of vncertaine Opinion . This that I haue here written , was no part of my study , but onely a recreation in imprisonment : and a trifle , neyther in my conceit fitting , not by me intended to be made common ; yet some , and it should seeme esteeming it worthy more respect then I did , tooke paines to copie it out , vnknowne to me , and in my absence got it both Authorized and prepared for the Presse ; so that if I had not hindred it , last Michaelmas-Tearme had beene troubled with it . I was much blamed by some Friends for withstanding it , to whose request I should more easily haue consented , but that I thought ( as indeed I yet doe ) I should thereby more disparage my selfe , then content them . For I doubt I shall be supposed one of those , who out of their arrogant desire of a little preposterous Fame , thrust into the world euery vnseasoned trifle that drops out of their vnsetled braines ; whose basenesse how much I hate , those that know mee can witnesse , for if I were so affected , I might perhaps present the world with as many seuerall Poems as I haue seene yeeres ; and iustly make my selfe appeare to be the Author of some things that others haue shamefully vsurped and made vse of as their owne . But I will be content other men should owne some of those Issues of the Braine , for I would be loth to confesse all that might in that kinde call me Father . Neyther shall any more of them , by my consent , in hast againe trouble the world , vnlesse I know which way to benefit it with lesse preiudice to my owne estate . And therefore if any of those lesse serious Poems which are already disperst into my friends hands , come amongst you , let not their publication be imputed to mee , nor their lightnesse be any disparagement to what hath beene since more seriously written , seeing it is but such stuffe as riper iudgements haue in their far older yeeres beene much more guilty of .

I know an ▪ indifferent Critticke may finde many faults as well in the sleightnesse of this present Subiect , as in the erring from the true nature of an Eglogue : moreouer , it altogether concernes my selfe , which diuers may dislike . But neyther can be done on iust cause : The first hath beene answered already : the last might consider that I was there where my owne estate was chiefely to be looked vnto , and all the comfort I could minister vnto my selfe little enough .

If any man deeme it worthy his reading , I shall be glad : if hee thinke his paynes ill bestow'd , let him blame himselfe for medling with that concerned him not ; I neyther recommended it to him , neyther cared whether he read it or no , because I know those that were desirous of it , will esteeme the same as much as I expect they should .

But it is not vnlikely , some will thinke I haue in diuers places beene more wanton ( as they take it ) then befitteth a Satyrist ; yet their seueritie I feare not , because I am assured all that I euer yet did , was free from Obseaeuitie : neyther am I so Cynicall , but that I thinke a modest expression of such amorous conceits as sure with Reason , will yet very well become my yeeres ; in which not to haue feeling of the power of Loue , were as great an argument of much stupiditie , as an ouer-sottish affection were of extreame folly . Lastly , if you thinke it hath not well answered the title of the Shepheards Hunting , goe quarrell with the Stationer , who bid himselfe God-father , and imposed the name according to his owne liking , and if you , or he , finde any other faults , pray mend them .

Valete . FINIS .

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A15656-e5470