Englands Helicon. Or The Muses harmony

ENGLANDS HELICON .

¶ The Shepheard to his chosen Nimph. ONely ioy , now heere you are , Fit to heare and ease my care : Let my whispring voyce obtaine Sweet reward for sharpest paine . Take mee to thee , and thee to me , No , no , no , no , my Deere , let be . Night hath clos'd all in her cloke , Twinkling starres Loue-thoughts prouoke , Daunger hence good care doth keepe Iealousie it selfe doth sleepe . Take me to thee , and thee to me : No , no , no , no , my Deere , let be . Better place no wit can finde , Cupids yoake to loose or binde , These sweet flowers on fine bed too , Vs in their best language woo , Take me to thee , and thee to me , No , no , no , no , my Deere , let be . This small light the Moone bestowes , Serues thy beames but to enclose , So to raise my hap more hie , Feare not else , none can vs spie . Take me to thee , and thee to me : No , no , no , no , my Deare , let be . That you heard was but a Mouse , Dumbe sleepe holdeth all the house , Yet a-sleepe me thinks they say , Young folkes , take time while you may . Take me to thee , and thee to me : No , no , no , no , my Deere , let be . Niggard Time threats , if we misse This large offer of our blisse Long stay , ere he grant the same , ( Sweet then ) while each thing doth frame , Take me to thee , and thee to me : No , no , no , no , my Deere , let be . Your faire Mother is a bed , Candles out , and Curtaines spred , She thinks you doe Letters write , Write , but let me first indite . Take me to thee , and thee to me , No , no , no , no , my Deere , let be . Sweet ( alas ) why saine you thus ? Concord better fitteth vs . Leaue to Mars the force of hands , Your power in your beauty stands . Take me to thee , and thee to me : No , no , no , no , my Deere , let be . Woe to me , and you doe sweare Me to hate , but I forbeare , Cursed be my destinies all , That brought me to so high a fall . Soone with my death I will please thee : No , no , no , no , my Deere , let be . FINIS . Sir Phil. Sidney .

THEORELLO . ¶ A Shepheards Edillion . YOu Shepheards which on hillocks lit , like Princes in their Thrones : And guide your Flocks , which else would flit your Flocks of little ones : Good Kings haue not disdained it , but Shepheards haue beene named : A sheepe-hooke is a Scepter fit for people well reclaimed . The Shepheards life so honour'd is and praised : That Kings lesse happy seeme , though higher raised . The Summer Sunne hath guilded faire , with morning rayes the Mountaines : The birds doe caroll in the ayre , and naked Nimphs in Fountaines . The Siluanes in their shagged haire , with Hamadriades trace : The shadie Satires make a Quiere , which rockes with Ecchoes grace . All breathe delight , all solace in the season : Not now to sing , were enemie to Reason . Cosma my Loue , and more then so , the life of mine affections : Nor life alone , but Lady too , and Queene of their directions . Cosma my Loue , is fayre you know , and which you Shepheards know not : Is ( Sophi said ) thence called so , but names her beautie show not . Yet hath the world no better-name then she : And then the world , no fairer thing can be . The Sunne vpon her fore-head stands , or ( iewell Sunne-like glorious , ) Her fore-head wrought with Ioues owne hands , for heauenly white notorious . Her golden lockes like Hermus sands , ( or then bright Hermus brighter : ) A spangled Cauill binds in with bands , then siluer morning lighter . And if the Planets are the chiefe in skies : No other starres then Planets are her eyes . Her cheeke , her lip , fresh cheeke , more fresh then selfe-blowne buds of Roses : Rare lip , more red then those of flesh , which thousand sweetes encloses : Sweet breath , which all things doth refresh . and words then breath farre sweeter : Cheeke firme , lip firme , not fraile nor nesh , as substance which is fleeter . In praise doe not surmount , although in placing : Her christall necke , round breasts , and armes embracing . The thorough-shining ayre I weene , is not so perfect cleare : As is the skie of her faire skinne , whereon no spots appeare . The parts which ought not to be seene , for soueraigne worth excell : Her thighs with Azure braunched beene , and all in her are well . Long Iuorie hands , legs straighter then the Pine : Well shapen feet , but vertue most diuine . Nor cloathed like a Shepheardesse , but rather like a Queene : Her mantle doth the formes expresse , of all which may be seene . Roabe fitter for an Empresse then for a Shepheards loue . Roabe fit alone for such a Lasse as Emperours doth moue . Roabe which heauens Queene , the bride of her owne brother , Would grace herselfe with , or with such another . Who euer ( and who else but Ioue ? ) embroidered the same , He knew the world , and what did moue , in all the mightie frame . So well ( belike his skill to proue ) the counterfeits he wrought : Of Wood-Gods , and of euery Groue , and all which else was ought . Is there a beast , a bird , a fish worth note ? Then that he drew , and pictur'd in her coate . Availe of Lawne like vapour thin vnto her anckle trailes : Through which the shapes discerned bin , as too and fro it sailes . Shapes both of men , who neuer lin to search her wonders out : Of Monsters and of Gods a kin , which her empale about . A little world her flowing garment seemes : And who but as a wonder thereof deemes ? For here and there appeare forth towers , among the chalkie downes : Cities among the Country bowers , which smiling Sun-shine crownes . Her mettall buskins deckt with flowers , as th' earth when frosts are gone : Besprinkled are with Orient showers of hayle and pebble stone . Her feature peerelesse , peerelesse her attire , I can but loue her loue , with zeale entire . O who can sing her beauties best , or that remaines vnsung ? Doe thou Apollo tune the rest , vnworthy is my tongue . To gaze on her , is to be blest , so wondrous faire her face is ; Her fairenesse cannot be exprest , in Goddesses nor Graces . I loue my Loue , the goodly worke of Nature : Admire her face , but more admire her stature . On thee ( O Cosma ) will I gaze , and reade thy beauties euer : Delighting in the blessed maze , which can be ended neuer . For in the luster of thy rayes , appeares thy Parents brightnesse : Who himselfe infinite displayes in thee his proper greatnesse . My Song must end , but neuer my desire : For Cosma's face is Theorellos fire . FINIS . E. B.

Astrophels Loue is dead . RIng out your Belles , let mourning shewes be spread , For Loue is dead . All loue is dead infected With plague of deepe disdaine : Worth , as nought worth reiected , And faith faire scorne doth gaine . From so vngratefull fancie , From such a female frenzie , From them that vse men thus : Good Lord deliuer vs . Weepe neighbours weepe , doe you not heare it said That Loue is dead ? His death-bed Peacocks folly , His winding sheet is shame : His will false , seeming holy , His sole exectour blame . From so vngratefull fancie . From such a female frenzie , From them that vse men thus : Good Lord deliuer vs . Let Dirge be sung , and Trentals richly read , For Loue is dead . And wrong his Tombe ordaineth , My Mistresse marble hart : Which Epitaph containeth , Her eyes were once his Dart. From so vngratefull fancie , From such a female frenzie , From them that vse men thus : Good Lord deliuer vs . Alas , I lie , rage hath this errour bred , Loue is not dead . Loue is not dead , but sleepeth In her vnmatched minde : Where she his counsell keepeth , Till due desert shee finde . Therefore from so vile fancie , To call such wit a frenzie , Who loue can temper thus : Good Lord deliuer vs . FINIS . Sir Phil. Sidney .

¶ A Palinode . AS withereth the Primrose by the riuer , As fadeth Summers-Sunne from gliding fountaines ; As vanisheth the light blowne bubble euer , As melteth Snow vpon the mossie Mountaines . So melts , so vanisheth , so fades , so withers , The Rose , the shine , the bubble and the snow Of praise , pompe , glory , ioy ( which short life gathers , ) Faire praise , vaine pompe , sweet glory , brittle ioy . The withered Primrose by the mourning riuer , The faded Summers-sunne from weeping fountaines : The light-blowne bubble , vanished for euer , The molten snow vpon the naked mountaines . Are Emblems that the treasures we vp-lay , Soone wither , vanish , fade , and melt away . For as the snow , whose lawne did ouer-spread Th' ambitious hils , which Giant-like did threat To pierce the heauen with their aspiring head , Naked and bare doth leaue their craggie seat . When as the bubble , which did empty flie The daliance of the vndiscerned winde : On whose calme rowling waues it did relie , Hath shipwrack mad● , where it did daliance finde : And when the Sun-shine which dissolu'd the snow , Colourd the bubble with a pleasant varie , And made the rathe and timely Primrose grow , Swarth clouds with-drawne ( which longer time do tarie ) Oh what is praise , pompe , glory , ioy , but so As shine by fountaines , bubbles , flowers or snow ? FINIS . E. B.

¶ Astrophell the Shepheard , his complaint to his Flocke . GOe my Flocke , goe get yee hence , Seeke a better place of feeding : Where yee may haue some defence From the stormes in my breast breeding , And showers from mine eyes proceeding . Leaue a wretch in whom all woe , can abide to keepe no measure : Merry Flocke , such one forgoe vnto whom mirth is displeasure , onely rich in mischiefes treasure . Yet ( alas ) before you goe , heare your wofull Maisters Storie ? Which to stones I else would showe , sorrow onely then hath glorie : when 't is excellently sorrie . Stella , fiercest Shepheardesse , fiercest , but yet fairest euer : Stella , whom the heauens still blesse , though against me she perseuer , though I blisse , inherite neuer . Stella , hath refused me , Stella , who more loue hath proued In this Caitiffe heart to be , Then can in good by vs be moued : Towards Lambkins best beloued : Stella , hath refused me , Astrophell that so well serued In this pleasant Spring must see while in pride flowers be preserued : himselfe onely Winter-sterued . Why ( alas ) then doth she sweare , that she loueth me so dearely : Seeing me so long to beare coales of loue that burne so clearely : and yet leaue me helplesse meerely ? Is that loue ? Forsooth I trow , if I saw my good dogge greeued : And a helpe for him did know , my Loue should not be beleeued : but he were by me releeued . No , she hates me , well away , faigning loue , somewhat to please me : Knowing , if she should display all her hate , Death soone would seaze me : and of hideous torments ease me . Then my deare Flocke now adiew , but ( alas ) if in your straying , Heauenly Stella meete with you , tell her in your pittious blaying : her poore slaues vniust decaying . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

¶ Hobbinolls Dittie in praise of Eliza , Queene of the Shepheards . YE dainty Nimphes that in this blessed Brooke Doe bath your brest ; Forsake your watry Bowers , and hether looke At my request . And you faire Virgins that on Parnasse dwell , Whence floweth Helicon the learned well : Helpe me to blaze Her worthy praise , Who in her sexe doth all excell . Of faire Eliza be your siluer song , That blessed wight : The flower of Virgins , may she flourish long In Princely plight : For she is Sirinx daughter , without spot , Which Pan the Shepheards God on her begot : So sprung her Grace , Of heauenly race : No mortall blemish may her blot . See where she sits vpon the grassie greene , O seemely sight : Yclad in scarlet , like a mayden Queene , And Ermines white . Vpon her head a crimson Coronet , With Daffadils and Damaske Roses set , Bay leaues betweene , And Primeroses greene : Embellish the sweet Violet . Tell me , haue ye beheld her Angels face , Like Phoebe faire ? Her heauenly hauiour , her Princely Grace , Can well compare The red-Rose medled and the white yfere , In either cheeke depeincten liuely cheere . Her modest eye , Her Maiestie . Where haue you seene the like but there ? I saw Phoebus thrust out his golden head , On her to gaze : But when he saw how broad her beames did spread : It did him maze . He blusht to see another Sunne below , Ne durst againe his fierie face out-show : Let him if he dare His brightnesse compare With hers , to haue the ouerthrow . Shew thy selfe Cynthia with thy siluer rayes , And be not abasht , When she the beames of her beauty displayes , Oh how art thou dasht ? But I will not match her with Latonaes seed , Such folly great sorrow to Niobe did breed , Now is she a stone , And makes deadly mone , Warning all other to take heed . Pan may be proud , that euer he begot Such a Bellibone : And Sirinx reioyce , that euer was her lot To beare such a one . Soone as my Younglings cryen for the dam , To her will I offer a milke-white Lamb. She is my Goddesse plaine , And I her Shepheards Swaine , Albe for-swonck and for-swat I am . I see Caliope speede her to the place , Where my Goddesse shines : And after her the other Muses trace With their Violines . Bin they not Bay-branches which they doe beare : All for Eliza in her hand to weare ? So sweetly they play , And sing all the way , That it a heauen is to heare . Loe how finely the Graces can it foote , to the Instrument : They dauncen deffely , and singen foote In their merriment . Wants not a fourth Grace to make the daunce euen ? Let that roome to my Lady be giuen . She shall be a Grace , To fill the fourth place , And raigne with the rest in heauen . And whether runnes this beuie of Ladies bright , Ranged in a roe ? They beene all Ladies of the Lake behight That vnto her goe : Chloris , that is the chiefe Nimph of all , Of Oliue-branches beares a Coronall : Oliues beene for peace When warres doe surcease , Such for a Princesse beene principall . Bring hether the Pinke and purple Cullumbine . With Gillyflowers : Bring sweet Carnasions , and Sops in Wine , Worne of Paramours . Strew me the ground with Daffa-down-Dillies , And Cowslips , and Kings-cups , and loued Lillies , The pretty Paunce , And the Cheuisaunce , Shall match with the faire flower-Delice . Ye Shepheards daughters that dwell on the greene , Hye you there a pace , Let none come there but such as Virgins beene , To adorne her Grace . And when you come where as she is in place : See that your rudenesse doe not you disgrace . Binde your Fillets fast , And gird on your wast , For more finenesse , with a Tawdrie lace . Now rise vp Eliza , decked as thou art , In royall ray : And now ye dainty Damsels may depart Each one her way . I feare I haue troubled your troupes too long : Let dame Eliza thanke you for her Song . And if you come hether , When Damzins I gather I will part them all , you among . FINIS . Edm. Spencer .

¶ The Shepheards Daffadill . GOrbo , as thou cam'st this way By yonder little hill , Or as thou through the fields didst stray , Saw'st thou my Daffadill ? She 's in a frock of Lincolne-greene , The colour Maydes delight , And neuer hath her Beauty seene But through a vayle of white . Then Roses richer to behold , That dresse vp Louers Bowers , The Pansie and the Marigold Are Phoebus Paramours . Thou well describ'st the Daffadill , It is not full an hower Since by the Spring neere yonder hill I saw that louely flower . Yet with my flower thou did'st not meete , Nor newes of her doest bring , Yet is my Daffadill more sweete Then that by yonder Spring . I saw a Shepheard that doth keepe In yonder field of Lillies , Was making ( as he fed his sheepe ) A wreath of Daffadillies . Yet Gorbo : thou delud'st me still , My hower thou did'st not see . For know ; my pretty Daffadill Is worne of none but mee . To shew itselfe but neere her seate No Lilly is so bold , Except to shade her from the heate , Or keepe her from the cold . Through yonder vale as I did passe Descending from the hill , I met a smerking Bonny-lasse , They call her Daffadill . Whose presence as a-long she went The pretty flower did greete As though their heads they downe-ward bent , With homage to her feete . And all the Shepheards that were nie , From top of euery hill ; Vnto the Vallies loud did crie , There goes sweet Daffadill . I gentle Shepheard now with ioy Thou all my Flock doest fill : Come goe with me thou Shepheards Boy , Let vs to Daffadill . FINIS . Michaell Drayton .

¶ A Canzon Pastorall in honour of her Maiestie . ALas what pleasure now the pleasant Spring Hath giuen place , To harsh black frosts the sad ground couering , Can we , poore we embrace , When euery bird on euery branch can sing Naught but this note of woe alas ? Alas this note of woe why should we found ? With vs as May , September hath a prime , Then birds and branches your alas is fond , Which call vpon the absent Summer time : For did flowres make our May Or the Sun-beames your day . When Night and Winter did the World embrace , Well might you waile your ill , and sing alas . Loe Matron-like the Earth her selfe attires In habite graue , Naked the fields are , bloomelesse are the brires , Yet we a Summer haue , Who in our clime kindleth these liuing fires , Which bloomes can on the briers saue . No Ice doth christallize the running Brooke , No blast deflowres the flowre-adorned field , Christall is cleare , but clearer is the looke Which to our climes these liuing fires doth yeeld : Winter though euery where , Hath no abiding here : On Brooks and Briers she doth rule alone , The Sunne which lights our world is alwayes one . FINIS . Edmund Bolton .

¶ Milicertus Madrigale . WHat are my Sheepe , without their wonted food ? What is my life , except I gaine my Loue ? My Sheepe consume , and faint for want of blood , My life is lost vnlesse I Grace approue . No flower that saplesse thriues , No Turtle without pheare . The day without the Sunne doth lower for woe , Then woe mine eyes , vnlesse they beauty see : My Sonne Samelaes eyes , by whom I know , Wherein delight consists , where pleasures be . Nought more the heart reuiues , Then to embrace his Deere . The starres from earthly humours gaine their light , Our humours by their light possesse their power : Samelaes eyes fed by my weeping sight , Infuse my paines or ioyes , by smile or lower . So wends the source of loue , It feedes , it failes , it ends . Kinde lookes , cleare to your Ioy , behold her eyes , Admire her heart , desire to tast her kisses : In them the heauen of ioy and solace lyes , Without them , euery hope his succour misses . Oh how I liue to proue , Whereto this solace tends ? FINIS . Ro. Greene .

¶ Old Damons Pastorall . FRom Fortunes frownes and change remou'd , wend silly Flocks in blessed feeding : None of Damon more belou'd , feede gentle Lambs while I sit reading . Carelesse Worldlings , outrage quelleth all the pride and pompe of Citie : But true peace with Shepheards dwelleth , ( Shepheards who delight in pittie . ) Whether grace of heauen betideth , on our humble mindes such pleasure : Perfect peace with Swaines abideth , loue and faith is Shepheards treasure . On the lower Plaines the thunder little thriues , and nought preuaileth : Yet in Cities breedeth wonder , and the highest hills assaileth . Enuie of a forraigne Tyrant threatneth Kings , not Shepheards humble : Age makes silly Swaines delirant , thirst of rules garres greatmen stumble . What to other seemeth sorrie , abiect state and humble biding : Is our ioy and Country glorie , highest states haue worse betiding . Golden Cups doe harbour poyson , and the greatest pompe , dissembling : Court of seasoned words hath foyson , treason haunts in most assembling . Homely breasts doe harbour quiet , little feare , and mickle solace : States suspect their bed and diet , feare and craft doe haunt the Pallace . Little would I , little want I , where the minde and store agreeth , Smallest comfort is not scantie , least he longs that little seeth . Time hath beene that I haue longed , foolish I , to like of folly : To conuerse where honour thronged , to my pleasures linked wholy . Now I see , and seeing sorrow that the day consum'd , returnes not : Who dare trust vpon to morrow , when nor time , nor life soiournes not ? FINIS . Thom. Lodge .

¶ Perigot and Cuddies Roundelay . IT fell vpon a holy-Eue , hey hoe holy-day : When holy-Fathers wont to shriue , now ginneth this Roundelay . Sitting vpon a hill so hie , hey hoe the high hill : The while my Flock did feede thereby , the while the Shepheards selfe did spill . I saw the bouncing Belly-bone , hey hoe Bonny-bell : Tripping ouer the Dale alone , she can trip it very well . Well decked in a Frock of gray , hey hoe gray is greete : And in a Kirtle of greene Say , the greene is for Maydens meete . A Chaplet on her head she wore , hey hoe the Chaplet : Of sweet Violets therein was store , she 's sweeter then the Violet . My Sheepe did leaue their wonted food , hey hoe silly Sheepe : And gaz'd on her as they were wood , wood as he that did them keepe . As the Bonny-lasse passed by , hey hoe Bonny-lasse : She rol'd at me with glauncing eye , as cleare as the Christall-glasse . All as the Sunnie-beame so bright , hey hoe the Sun-beame : Glaunceth from Phoebus face forth-right , so loue into my heart did streame . Or as the thunder cleaues the clouds , hey hoe the thunder : Wherein the lightsome leuin shrouds , so cleaues my soule asunder . Or as Dame Cynthias siluer ray , hey hoe the Moone-light : Vpon the glistering waue doth play , such play is a pitteous plight . The glaunce into my heart did glide , hey hoe the glider : There-with my soule was sharply gride , such wounds soone wexen wider . Hasting to raunch the arrow out , hey hoe Perigot : I left the head in my heart roote , it was a desperate shot . There it rankleth aye more and more , hey hoe the arrow : Ne can I finde salue for my sore , loue is a curelesse sorrow . And though my bale with death I bought , hey hoe heauie cheere : Yet should thilke Lasse not from my thought , so you may buy gold too deere . But whether in painefull loue I pine , hey hoe pinching paine : Or thriue in wealth , she shall be mine , but if thou can her obtaine . And if for gracelesse griefe I dye , hey hoe gracelesse griefe : Witnesse , she slew me with her eye , let thy folly be the preefe . And you that saw it , simple sheepe , hey hoe the faire Flocke : For priefe thereof my death shall weepe , and moane with many a mocke . So learn'd I loue on a holy-Eue , hey hoe holy-day : That euer since my heart did grieue ; now endeth our Roundelay . FINIS . Edm. Spencer .

¶ Phillida and Coridon . IN the merry month of May , In a morne by breake of day , Forth I walked by the Wood-side , When as May was in his pride : There I spied all alone , Phillida and Coridon . Much a-doo there was God wot , He would loue , and she would not . She said neuer man was true , He said , none was false to you . He said , he had lou'd her long , She said , Loue should haue no wrong . Coridon would kisse her then , She said , Maides must kisse no men , Till they did for good and all . Then she made the Shepheard call All the heauens to witnesse truth : Neuer lou'd a truer Youth . Thus with many a pretty oath , Yea and nay , and faith and troath , Such as silly Shepheards vse , When they will not Loue abuse ; Loue , which had beene long deluded , Was with kisses sweet concluded . And Phillida with garlands gay : Was made the Lady of the May . FINIS . N. Breton .

¶ To Colin Cloute. BEautie sate bathing by a Spring , where fairest shades did hide her . The windes blew calme , the birds did sing , the coole streames ranne beside her . My wanton thoughts entic'd mine eye , to see what was forbidden : But better Memory said , fie , so , vaine Desire was chidden . Hey nonnie , nonnie , &c. Into a slumber then I fell , when fond imagination : Seemed to see , but could not tell her feature or her fashion . But euen as Babes in dreames doe smile , and sometime fall a weeping : So I awakt , as wise this while , as when I fell a sleeping . Hey nonnie , nonnie , &c. FINIS Shepheard Tonie .

¶ Rowlands Song in praise of the fairest Beta . O Thou siluer Thames , ô clearest christall flood , Beta alone the Phaenix is of all thy watry brood . The Queene of Virgins onely she , And thou the Queene of flouds shalt be . Let all the Nimphs be ioyfull then , to see this happy day , Thy Beta now alone shall be the subiect of my Lay. With daintie and delightsome straines of sweetest Virelayes , Come louely Shepheards sit we downe , and chaunt our Betas praise . And let vs sing so rare a verse , Our Betas praises to rehearse , That litle Birds shall silent be , to heare poore Shepheards sing : And Riuers backward bend their course , & flow vnto the spring . Range all thy Swannes faire Thames together on a ranke : And place them duly one by one vpon thy stately banke . Then set together all a-good , Recording to the siluer flood : And craue the tunefull Nightingale to helpe ye with her Lay ; The Osell and the Thrustlecocke , chiefe musicke of our May . O see what troupes of Nimphs beene sporting on the strands ; And they beene blessed Nimphs of peace , with Oliues in their hands . How merrily the Muses sing , That all the flowrie Meddowes ring And Beta sits vpon the banke in purple ▪ and in pall . And shee the Queene of Muses is , and weares the Coronall . Trim vp her golden tresses with Apollos sacred tree , O happy sight vnto all those that loue and honour thee , The blessed Angels haue prepar'd A glorious Crowne for thy reward . Not such a golden Crowne as haughty Caesar weares : But such a glittering starrie Crowne as Ariadne beares . Make her a goodly Chaplet of azurd Cullumbine , And wreath about her Coronet with sweetest Eglantine . Bedeck our Beta all with Lillies . And the dainty Daffadillies , With Roses Damaske , white and red , and fairest flowre-Delice : With Cowslips of Ierusalem , and Cloaues of Paradice . O thou faire Torch of heauen , the dayes most dearest light , And thou bright-shining Cynthia , the glory of the night . You starres the eyes of heauen , And thou the gliding leuen , And thou O gorgeous Iris , with all strange colours dyed : When she streames forth her rayes , then dasht is all your pride . See how the Day stands still , admiring of her face , And Time loe stretcheth forth his armes thy Beta to embrace . The Syrens sing sweet Layes , The Trytons sound her praise , Goe passe on Thames , and hie thee fast vnto the Ocean Sea : And let thy billowes there proclaime thy Betas holy-day . And water thou the blessed roote of that greene Oliue tree , With whose sweet shadow all thy bankes with peace preserued be . Laurell for Poets and Conquerours : And Mirtle for Loues Paramours . That fame may be thy fruit , the boughs preseru'd by peace , And let the mournfull Cypres die , now stormes and tempest cease Wee le strew the shoare with pearle , where Beta walkes alone , And we will paue her Princely Bower with richest Indian stone . Perfume the ayre , and make it sweete , For such a Goddesse it is meete . For if her eyes for purity contend with Titans light : No meruaile then , although they so doe dazell humane sight . Sound out your Trumpets then from Londons stately Towers , To beat the stormie winds a-backe , and calme the raging showers . Set to the Cornet and the Flute , The Orpharion and the Lute : And tune the Taber and the Pipe to the sweet Violons : And moue the thunder in the ayre with lowdest Clarions . Beta , long may thine Altars smoake with yeerely sacrifice , And long thy sacred Temples may their Sabbaths solemnise , Thy Shepheards watch by day and night , Thy Maides attend the holy light , And thy large Empire stretch her armes from East vnto the West : And Albion on the Appenines aduance her conquering crest . FINIS . Mich. Drayton .

¶ The Barginet of Antimachus . IN pride of youth , in midst of May , When birds with many a merry Lay , salute the Sunnes vp-rising : I sate me downe fast by a Spring , And while these merry Chaunters sing , I fell vpon surmizing . Amidst my doubt and minds debate , Of change of time , of worlds estate , I spyed a boy attired In siluer plumes , yet naked quite , Saue pretty feathers fit for flight , wherewith he still aspired . A bowe he bare to worke mens wrack , A little Quiuer at his back , with many arrowes filled : And in his soft and pretty hand , He held a liuely burning brand , where-with he Louers killed . Fast by his side , in rich aray , There sate a louely Lady gay , his mother as I guessed : That set the Lad vpon her knee , And trimd his bow and taught him flee , and mickle Loue professed . Oft from her lap at sundry stowres , He leapt , and gathered Sommer flowres , both Violets and Roses : But see the chaunce that followed fast , As he the pompe of prime doth wast , before that he supposes : A Bee that harbour'd hard thereby , Did sting his hand , and made him cry Oh Mother , I am wounded : Faire Venus that beheld her Sonne , Cryed out alas , I am vndone , and there-vpon she swounded , My little Lad the Goddesse sayd , Who hath my Cupid so dismayd ? he answered : Gentle Mother The hony-worker in the Hiue , My griefe and mischiefe doth contriue , alas it is none other . Shee kist the Lad : Now marke the chaunce , And strait she fell into a traunce , and crying , thus concluded : Ah wanton boy , like to the Bee , Thou with a kisse hast wounded mee , and haplesse Loue included . A little Bee doth thee affright , But ah , my wounds are full of spright , and cannot be recured : The boy that kist his Mothers paine , Gan smile , and kist her whole againe , and made her hope assured . She suckt the wound , and swag'd the sting , And little Loue ycurde did sing , then let no Louers sorrow : To day though griefe attaint his hart , Let him with courage bide the smart , amends will come to morrow . FINIS . Thom. Lodge .

¶ Menaphons Roundelay . WHen tender Ewes brought home with euening Sunne , Wend to their Folds , And to their holds The Shepheards trudge when light of day is done : Vpon a tree , The Eagle , Ioues faire bird did pearch , There resteth hee . A little Fly his harbour then did search , And did presume , ( though others laugh'd thereat . ) To pearch whereas the Princely Eagle sat . The Eagle Frown'd , and shooke his royall wings , And charg'd the Flie From thence to hie . Afraide , in hast the little creature flings , Yet seekes againe , Fearefull to pearke him by the Eagles side . With moodie vaine The speedie poast of Ganimede replide : Vassaile auaunt , or with my wings you die . Is' t fit an Eagle seate him with a Flie ? The Flie crau'd pittie , still the Eagle frownd . The silly Flie Ready to die : Disgrac'd , displac'd , fell groueling to the ground . The Eagle sawe : And with a royall minde said to the Flie , Be not in awe , I scorne by me the meanest creature die . Then seate thee here : The ioyfull Flie vp-flings , And sate safe shadowed with the Eagles wings . FINIS . Ro. Greene .

¶ A Pastorall of Phillis and Coridon . ON a Hill there growes a flower , faire befall the daintie sweet : By that flower there is a Bower , Where the heauenly Muses meet . In that Bower there is a chaire , fringed all about with gold : Where doth sit the fairest faire , that euer eye did yet behold . It is Phillis faire and bright , shee that is the Shepheards ioy : Shee that Venus did despight , and did blinde her little boy . This is shee , the wise , the rich , that the world desires to see : This is ipsa quae the which , there is none but onely shee . Who would not this face admire ? who would not this Saint adore ? Who would not this sight desire , though he thought to see no more ? Oh faire eyes , yet let mee see , one good looke , and I am gone : Looke on me for I am hee , thy poore silly Coridon . Thou that art the Shepheards Queene , looke vpon thy silly Swaine : By thy comfort haue beene seene dead men brought to life againe . FINIS . N. Breton .

¶ Coridon and Melampus Song . Cor. MElampus , when will Loue be void of feares ? Mel. When Ielousie hath neither eyes nor eares . Cor. Melampus , when will Loue be throughly shrieued ? Mel. When it is hard to speake , and not belieued . Cor. Melampus , when is Loue most male content ? Mel. When Louers range , and beare their bowes vnbent . Cor. Melampus , tell me , when takes Loue least harme ? Mel. When Swaines sweet pipes are puft , and Truls are warme . Cor. Melampus , tell me , when is Loue best fed ? Mel. When it hath suck'd the sweet that ease hath bred . Cor. Melampus , when is time in Loue ill spent ? Mel. When it earnes meed , and yet receaues no rent . Cor. Melampus , when is time well spent in Loue ? Mel. When deeds win meeds , and words Loue workes doe proue . FINIS . Geor. Peele .

¶ Tityrus to his faire Phillis . THE silly Swaine whose loue breeds discontent , Thinkes death a trifle , life a loathsome thing , Sad he lookes , sad he lyes : But when his fortunes mallice doth relent , Then of loues sweetnes he will sweetly sing , thus he liues , thus he dies . Then Tityrus whom Loue hath happy made , Will rest thrice happy in this Mirtle shade . For though Loue at first did greeue him : yet did Loue at last releeue him . FINIS . I. D.

¶ Shepheard . SWeet thrall , first step to Loues felicitie , Shepheardesse . Sweet thrall , no stop to perfect libertie . Hee . O life . Shee . what life ? Hee . Sweet life . Shee . No life more sweet : Hee . O Loue . Shee . What loue ? Hee . Sweet loue . Shee . No loue more meet . FINIS . I. M.

Another of the same Authour . FIelds were ouer-spread with flowers , Fairest choise of Floraes treasure : Shepheards there had shady Bowers , Where they oft repos'd with pleasure . Meadowes flourish'd fresh and gay , where the wanton Heards did play . Springs more cleare then Christall streames . Seated were the Groues among : Thus nor Titans scorching beames , Nor earths drouth could Shepheards wrong . Faire Pomonaes fruitfull pride : did the budding branches hide . Flockes of sheepe fed on the Plaines , Harmelesse sheepe that roamd at large : Heere and there sate pensiue Swaines , Wayting on their wandring charge . Pensiue while their Lasses smil'd : Lasses which had them beguil'd . Hills with trees were richly dight , Vallies stor'd with Vestaes wealth : Both did harbour sweet delight , Nought was there to hinder health . Thus did Heauen grace the soyle : Not deform'd with work-mens toile . Purest plot of earthly mold , Might that Land be iustly named : Art by Nature was controld , Art , which no such pleasures framed . Fayrer place was neuer seene : Fittest place for Beauties Queene . FINIS . I. M.

¶ Menaphon to Pesana . FAire fields proud Floraes vaunt , why i' st you smile , when as I languish ? You golden Meades , why striue you to beguile my weeping anguish ? I liue to sorrow , you to pleasure spring , why doe ye spring thus ? What , will not Boreas tempests wrathfull King , take some pitty on vs ? And send forth Winter in her rustie weede , to waile my bemoanings : While I distrest doe tune my Country Reede vnto my groanings . But Heauen and Earth , time , place , and euery power , haue with her conspired : To turne my blisfull sweet to balefull sower , since I this desired . The Heauen whereto my thoughts may not aspire , aye me vnhappy : It was my fault t' imbrace my bane the fire that forceth me die . Mine be the paine , but hers the cruell cause , of this strange torment : Wherefore no time my banning prayers shall pause , till proud she repent . FINIS . Ro. Greene . .

¶ A sweet Pastorall . GOod Muse rocke me a sleepe with some sweet Harmonie : This weary eye is not to keepe thy wary companie . Sweet Loue be gone a while , thou knowest my heauines : Beautie is borne but to beguile my hart of happines . See how my little flocke that lou'd to feede on hie : Doe headlong tumble downe the Rocke , and in the Vallie die . The bushes and the trees that were so fresh and greene : Doe all their daintie colour leese , and not a leafe is seene . The Blacke-bird and the Thrush , that made the woods to ring : With all the rest , are now at hush , and not a note they sing . Sweet Philomele the bird , that hath the heauenly throat , Doth now alas not once affoord recording of a noate . The flowers haue had a frost each hearbe hath lost her fauour : And Phillida the faire hath lost the comfort of her fauour . Now all these carefull sights , so kill me in conceit : That how to hope vpon delights it is but meere deceite . And therefore my sweet Muse that knowest what helpe is best : Doe now thy heauenly cunning vse , to set my heart at rest . And in a dreame bewray what fate shall be my friend : Whether my life shall still decay , or when my sorrow end . FINIS N. Breton .

¶ Harpalus complaint on Phillidaes loue bestowed or Corin , who loued her not , and denyed him that loued her . PHillida was a faire maide , as fresh as any flower : Whom Harpalus the Heards-man praide to be his Paramour , Harpalus and eke Corin , were Heards-men both yfere : And Phillida could twist and spinne , and thereto sing full cleere . But Phillida was all too coy , for Harpalus to winne : For Corin was her onely ioy , who forc'd her not a pinne . How often would she flowers twine ? how often Garlands make : Of Cowslips and of Cullumbine , and all for Corins sake ? But Corin he had Hawkes to lure , and forced more the field : Of Louers law hee tooke no cure , for once hee was beguild . Harpalus preuailed naught , his labour all was lost : For he was furthest from her thought , and yet he lou'd her most . Therefore woxe he both pale and leane , and dry as clod of clay : His flesh it was consumed cleane , his colour gone away . His beard it had not long beene shaue , his haire hung all vnkempt : A man most fit euen for the graue , whom spitefull Loue had spent . His eyes were red and all fore-watcht , his face besprent with teares : It seem'd vnhap had him long hatcht , in midst of his dispaires . His cloathes were blacke and also bare , as one forlorne was hee : Vpon his head he alwayes ware a wreath of Willow-tree . His beasts he kept vpon the hill , and he sate in the Dale : And thus with sighs and sorrowes shrill , he gan to tell his tale . Oh Harpalus , thus would he say , vnhappiest vnder Sunne : The cause of thine vnhappy day , by loue was first begun . For thou went'st first by sute to seeke , a Tyger to make tame : That sets not by thy loue a Leeke , but makes thy griefe a game . As easie were it to conuert the frost into a flame : As for to turne a froward hart whom thou so faine wouldst frame . Corin , he liueth carelesse , he leapes among the leaues : He eates the fruites of thy redresse , thou reap'st , he takes the sheaues . My beasts a-while your foode refraine , and harke your Heard-mans sound : Whom spightfull Loue alas hath slaine , through-girt with many a wound . Oh happy be ye beasts wild , that here your Pasture takes : I see that ye be not beguild , of these your faithfull makes . The Hart he feedeth by the Hinde , the Bucke hard by the Doe : The Turtle-Doue is not vnkinde to him that loues her so . The Eweshe hath by her the Ram , the young Cowe hath the Bull : The Calfe with many a lusty Lamb , doe feede their hunger full . But well-away that Nature wrought , thee Phillida so faire : For I may say that I haue bought thy beauty all too deere . What reason is 't that cruelty with beauty should haue part ? Or else that such great tirannie , should dwell in womans hart ? I see therefore to shape my death , she cruelly is prest : To th' end that I may want my breath , my dayes beene at the best . Oh Cupid grant this my request , and doe not stop thine eares : That she may feele within her brest , the paine of my despaires . Of Corin that is carelesse , that she may craue her fee : As I haue done in great distresse , that lou'd her faithfully . But since that I shall die her slaue , her slaue and eke her thrall : Write you my friends vpon my graue , this chance that is befall . Here lyeth vnhappy Harpalus , by cruell Loue now slaine : Whom Phillida vniustly thus , hath murdred with disdaine . FINIS . L.T. Haward , Earle of Surrie .

¶ Another of the same subiect , but made as it were in answere . ON a goodly Summers day , Harpalus and Phillida , He a true harted Swaine , She full of coy disdaine , droue their Flocks to field : He to see his Shepheardesse , She did dreame on nothing lesse , Then his continuall care , Which to grim-fac'd Dispaire , wholely did him yeeld . Corin she affected still , All the more thy heart to kill . Thy case doth make me rue , That thou should'st loue so true , and be thus disdain'd : While their Flocks a feeding were , They did meete together there . Then with a curtsie lowe , And sighs that told his woe , thus to her he plain'd . Bide a while faire Phillida , List what Harpalus will say Onely in loue to thee , Though thou respect not mee , yet vouchsafe an eare : To preuent ensuing ill , Which no doubt betide thee will , If thou doe not fore-see , To shunne it presently , then thy harme I feare . Firme thy loue is , well I wot , To the man that loues thee not . Louely and gentle Mayde , Thy hope is quite betrayde , which my heart doth greeue : Corin is vnkinde to thee , Though thou thinke contrarie . His loue is growne as light , As is his Faulcons flight , this sweet Nimph beleeue . Mopsus daughter , that young mayde , Her bright eyes his heart hath strayde From his affecting thee , Now there is none but shee that is Corins blisse : Phillis , men the Virgin call , She is Buxome , faire and tall , Yet not like Phillida : If I my minde might say , eyes oft deeme amisse . He commends her beauty rare , Which with thine may not compare . He doth extoll her eye , Silly thing , if thine were by , thus conceit can erre : He is rauish'd with her breath , Thine can quicken life in death . He praiseth all her parts ; Thine , winnes a world of harts , more , if more there were . Looke sweet Nimph vpon thy Flock , They stand still , and now feede not , As if they shar'd with thee : Griefe for this iniurie , offred to true loue . Pretty Lambkins , how they moane , And in bleating seeme to groane , That any Shepheards Swaine , Should cause their Mistresse paine : by affects remoue . If you looke but on the grasse , It 's not halfe so greene as 't was : When I began my tale , But is as witherd pale , all in meere remorce . Marke the Trees that bragd euen now , Of each goodly greene-leau'd bow , They seeme as blasted all , Ready for Winters fall , such is true loues force . The gentle murmur of the Springs , Are become contrary things , They haue forgot their pride , And quite forsake their glide , as if charm'd they stand . And the flowers growing by , Late so fresh in euery eye , See how they hang the head , As on a suddaine dead , dropping on the sand . The birds that chaunted it yer-while , Ere they heard of Corins guile , Sit as they were afraide , Or by some hap dismaide , for this wrong to thee : Harke sweet Phil , how Philomell , That was wont to sing so well , Iargles now in yonder bush , Worser then the rudest Thrush , as it were not shee . Phillida , who all this while Neither gaue a sigh or smile : Round about the field did gaze , As her wits were in a maze , poore despised Mayd . And reuiued at the last , After streames of teares were past , Leaning on her Shepheards hooke , With a sad and heauie looke , thus poore soule she sayd . Harpalus , I thanke not thee , For this sorry tale to mee . Meete me here againe to morrow , Then I will conclude my sorrow mildly , if may be : With their Flocks they home doe fare , Eithers heart too full of care , If they doe meete againe , Then what they furder sayne , you shall here from me . FINIS . Shep. Tonic .

¶ The Nimphes meeting their May Queene , entertaine her with this Dittie , WIth fragrant flowers we strew the way , And make this our chiefe holy-day . For though this clime were blest of yore : Yet was it neuer proud before . O beauteous Queene of second Troy : Accept of our vnfained ioy . Now th' Ayre is sweeter then sweet Balme , And Satyres dance about the Palme , Now earth with verdure newly dight , Giues perfect signes of her delight . O beauteous Queene , &c. Now birds record new harmonie , And trees doe whistle melodie , Now euery thing that Nature breedes , Doth clad it selfe in pleasant weedes . O beauteous Queene , &c. FINIS . Tho. Watson .

¶ Colin Clouts mournfull Dittie for the death of Astrophell . SHepheards that wont on pipes of Oaten Reede Oft-times to plaine your Loues concealed smart ; And with your pitteous Layes haue learn'd to breede Compassion in a Country-Lasses hart : Harken ye gentle Shepheards to my Song , And place my dolefull plaint your plaints among . To you alone I sing this mournfull verse , The mournfulst verse that euer man heard tell : To you whose softned hearts it may impierce With dolours dart for death of Astrophell . To you I sing , and to none other wight : For well I wot , my rimes beene rudely dight . Yet as they beene , if any nicer wit Shall hap to heare , or couet them to reade : Thinke he , that such are for such ones most fit , Made not to please the liuing , but the dead . And if in him found pitty euer place : Let him be mou'd to pitty such a case . FINIS . Edm. Spencer .

¶ Damaetas Iigge in praise of his Loue . IOlly Shepheard , Shepheard on a hill on a hill so merrily , on a hill so cherily , Feare not Shepheard there to pipe thy fill , Fill euery Dale , fill euery Plaine : both sing and say ; Loue feeles no paine . Iolly Shepheard , Shepheard on a greene , on a greene so merrily , on a greene so cherily , Be thy voyce shrill , be thy mirth seene , Heard to each Swaine , seene to each Trull : Both sing and say ; Loues ioy is full . Iolly Shepheard , Shepheard in the Sunne , in the Sunne so merrily , in the Sunne so cherily , Sing forth thy Songs , and let thy rimes runne Downe to the Dales , to the hills aboue : both sing and say ; No life to loue . Iolly Shepheard , Shepheard in the shade , in the shade so merrily , in the shade so cherily , Ioy in thy life , life of Shepheards trade , Ioy in thy loue , loue full of glee : both sing and say ; Sweet Loue forme . Iolly Shepheard , Shepheard here or there , here or there so merrily , here or there so cherily , Or in thy chat , either at thy cheere , In euery ligge , in euery Lay : both sing and say ; Loue lasts for aye . Iolly Shepheard , Shepheard Daphnis Loue , Daphnis loue so merrily , Daphnis loue so cherily , Let thy fancie neuer more remoue , Fancie be fixt , fixt not to fleete , still sing and say ; Loues yoake is sweet . FINIS . Iohn Wootton .

¶ Montanus praise of his faire Phaebe . PHaebe sate , Sweet she sate , sweet sate Phaebe when I saw her , White her brow Coy her eye , brow and eye , how much you please me ? Words I spent , Sighs I sent , sighs and words could neuer draw her , Oh my Loue , Thou art lost , since no sight could euer ease thee . Phaebe sate By a Fount , sitting by a Fount I spide her , Sweet her touch , Rare her voyce , touch and voyce , what may distaine you ? As she sung , I did sigh , And by sighs whilst that I tride her , Oh mine eyes You did loose , her first sight whose want did paine you . Phaebes Flocks White as wooll , yet were Phoebes lookes more whiter , Phaebes eyes Doue-like mild , Doue-like eyes both mild and cruell , Montane sweares In your Lamps , he will die for to delight her , Phaebe yeeld Or I die , shall true hearts be fancies fuell ? FINIS . Thom. Lodge .

¶ The complaint of Thestilis the forsaken Shepheard . THestilis a silly Swaine , when Loue did him forsake , In mournfull wise amid the Woods , thus gan his plaint to make , Ah wofull man ( quoth he ) falne is thy lot to mone , And pine away with carefull thoughts , vnto thy Loue vnknowne . Thy Nimph forsakes thee quite , whom thou didst honour so : That aye to her thou wert a friend , but to thy selfe a foe . Ye Louers that haue lost your hearts-desired choyce : Lament with me my cruell hap , and helpe my trembling voyce Was neuer man that stood so great in Fortunes grace , Nor with his sweat ( alas too deere ) possest so high a place : As I whose simple heart , aye thought himselfe still sure , But now I see high springing tides , they may not aye endure . She knowes my guiltlesse heart , and yet she lets it pine : Of her vntrue professed loue , so feeble is the twine . What wonder is it then , if I berent my haires : And crauing death continually , doe bathe my selfe in teares ? When Craesus King of Lide , was cast in cruell hands , And yeelded goods and life into his enemies hands : What tongue could tell his woe ? yet was his griefe much lesse Then mine for I haue lost my Loue , which might my woe redresse . Ye Woods that shroud my limbs , giue now your hollow sound : That ye may helpe me to bewaile , the cares that me confound . Ye Riuers rest a while , and stay your streames that runne : Rue Thestilis , the wofulst man that rests vnder the Sunne . Transport my sighs ye winds , vnto my pleasant soe : My trickling teares shall witnes beare , of this my cruell woe : Oh happy man were I , if all the Gods agreed : That now the Sisters three should cut in twaine my fatall threed Till life with loue shall end , I here resigne allioy , Thy pleasant sweet I now lament , whose lacke breeds mine annoy . Farewell my deere therefore , farewell to me well knowne , If that I die , it shall be said : that thou hast slaine thine owne . FINIS . L.T. Howard , E. of Surrie .

¶ To Phillis the faire Shepheardesse . MY Phillis hath the morning Sunne , at first to looke vpon her : And Phillis hath morne-waking birds , her risings still to honour . My Phillis hath prime-featherd flowres , that smile when she treads on them : And Phillis hath a gallant Flocke , that leapes since she doth owne them . But Phillis hath too hard a hart , alas that she should haue it : It yeelds no mercie to desert , nor grace to those that craue it . Sweet Sunne , when thou look'st on , pray her regard my moane . Sweet birds , when you sing to her , to yeeld some pitty , woo her , Sweet flowers that she treads on , tell her , her beauty deads one . And if in life her loue she nill agree me : Pray her before I die , she will come see me . FINIS . S. E. D.

¶ The Shepheard Dorons Iigge . THrough the shrubs as I can crack , for my Lambs pretty ones , mongst many little ones , Nimphs I meane , whose haire was black As the Crow . Like as the Snow Her face and browes shin'd I weene , I saw a little one , a bonny pretty one , As bright , buxome , and as sheene : As was shee On her knee That lull'd the God , whose arrowes warmes such merry little ones , such faire-fac'd pretty ones , As dally in Loues chiefest harmes . Such was mine , Whose gray eyne Made me loue : I gan to wooe this sweet little one , this bonny pretty one . I wooed hard a day or two , Till she bad , Be not sad , Wooe no more , I am thine owne , thy dearest little one , thy truest pretty one . Thus was faith and firme loue showne , As behooues Shepheards Loues . FINIS . Ro. Greene .

¶ Astrophell his Song of Phillida and Coridon . FAire in a morne , ( O fairest morne ) was neuer morne so faire : There shone a Sunne , though not the Sunne , that shineth in the ayre . For the earth , and from the earth , ( was neuer such a creature : ) Did come this face , ( was neuer face , ) that carried such a feature . Vpon a hill , ( O blessed hill , was neuer hill so blessed ) There stoode a man , ( was neuer man for woman so distressed . ) This man beheld a heauenly view , which did such vertue giue : As cleares the blinde , and helps the lame , and makes the dead man liue . This man had hap , ( O happy man more happy none then hee ; ) For he had hap to see the hap , that none had hap to see . This silly Swaine , ( and silly Swaines are men of meanest grace : ) Had yet the grace , ( O gracious guest ) to hap on such a face . He pitty cried , and pitty came , and pittied so his paine : As dying , would not let him die , but gaue him life againe . For ioy whereof he made such mirth , as all the Woods did ring : And Pan with all his Swaines came forth , to heare the Shepheards sing . But such a Song sung neuer was , nor shall be sung againe : Of Phillida the Shepheards Queene , and Coridon the Swaine . Faire Phillis is the Shepheards Queene , ( was neuer such a Queene as shee , ) And Coridon her onely Swaine , ( was neuer such a Swaine as he . ) Faire Phillis hath the fairest face , that euer eye did yet behold : And Coridon the constant'st faith , that euer yet kept Flock in fold . Sweet Phillis is the sweetest sweet , that euer yet the earth did yeeld : And Coridon the kindest Swaine , that euer yet kept Lambs in field . Sweet Philomell is Phillis bird , though Coridon be he that caught her : And Coridon doth heare her sing , though Phillida be she that taught her . Poore Coridon doth keepe the fields , though Phillida be she that owes them : And Phillida doth walke the Meades , though Coridon be he that mowes them . The little Lambs are Phillis Loue , though Coridon is he that feedes them : The Gardens faire are Phillis ground , though Coridon be he that weedes them . Since then that Phillis onely is , the onely Shepheards onely Queene : And Coridon the onely Swaine , that onely hath her Shepheard beene . Though Phillis keepe her bower of state , shall Coridon consume away ? No Shepheard no , worke out the weeke , and Sunday shall be holy-day FINIS . N. Breton .

¶ The passionate Shepheards Song . ON a day , ( alack the day , ) Loue whose moneth was euer May : Spied a blossome passing faire , Playing in the wanton ayre . Through the veluet leaues the winde , All vnseene gan passage finde : That the Shepheard ( sicke to death , ) Wish'd himselfe the Heauens breath . Ayre ( quoth he ) thy cheekes may blow : Ayre , would I might triumph so . But alas , my hand hath sworne , Nere to plucke thee from thy thorne . Vow ( alack ) for youth vnmeet , Youth so apt to pluck a sweet . Thou for whom Ioue would sweare , Iuno but an Aethiope were , And deny himselfe for Ioue , Turning mortall for my Loue . FINIS . W. Shakespeare .

¶ The vnknowne Shepheards complaint . MY Flocks feed not , my Ewes breed not , My Ramines speed not , all is amisse : Loue is denying , Faith is defying , Harts renying , causer of this . All my merry ligges are quite forgot , All my Ladies loue is lost God wot , Where her faith was firmely fixt in loue , There a nay is plac'd without remoue . One silly crosse , wrought all my losse ; O frowning Fortune , cursed fickle Dame . For now I see , inconstancie More in women then in men remaine . In blacke mourne I , all feares scorne I , Loue hath forlorne me , liuing in thrall : Hart is bleeding , all helpe needing , O cruell speeding , fraughted with gall . My Shepheards pipe can sound no deale , My Weathers bell rings dolefull knell . My curtaile dogge that wont to haue plaide , Playes not at all , but seemes afraide . With sighs so deepe , procures to weepe , In howling-wise , to see my dolefull plight : How sighs resound , through hartlesse ground . Like a thousand vanquish'd men in bloody fight . Cleare Wels spring not , sweet birds sing not , Greene plants bring not forth their die : Heards stand weeping , Flocks all sleeping , Nimphs backe peeping fearefully . All our pleasure knowne to vs , poore Swaines , All our merry meeting on the Plaines . All our euening sports from vs are fled , All our loue is lost , for Loue is dead . Farewell sweet Loue , thy like nere was , For sweet content , the cause of all my moane : Poore Coridon must liue alone , Other helpe for him , I see that there is none . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ Another of the same Shepheards . AS it fell vpon a day , In the merry month of May , Sitting in a pleasant shade , Which a groue of Mirtles made . Beasts did leape , and Birds did sing , Trees did grow , and plants did spring . Euery thing did banish moane , Saue the Nightingale alone . She poore Bird , as all forlorne , Lean'd her breast against a thorne , And there sung the dolefull'st Ditty , That to heare it was great pitty . Fie , fie , fie , now would she crie Teru , Teru , by and by . That to heare her so complaine , Scarse I could from teares refraine . For her griefes so liuely showne , Made me thinke vpon mine owne . Ah ( thought I ) thou mourn'st in vaine , None takes pitty on thy paine . Sencelesse trees , they cannot heare thee , Ruthlesse beasts , they will not cheare thee . King Pandion he is dead , All thy friends are lapt in Lead . All thy fellow birds doe sing , Carelesse of thy sorrowing . Euen so poore bird like thee , None a-liue will pitty mee . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ The Shepheards allusion of his owne amorous infelicitie , to the offence of Actaeon . ACtaeon lost in middle of his sport Both shape and life , for looking but awry : Diana was afraid he would report What secrets he had seene in passing by . To tell but truth , the selfe same hurt haue I : By viewing her for whom I daily die . I leese my wonted shape , in that my minde Doth suffer wracke vpon the stonie rock Of her disdaine , who contrary to kinde Doth beare a breast more hard then any stock ; And former forme of limbes is changed quite : By cares in loue , and want of due delight . I leese my life , in that each secret thought , Which I conceaue through wanton fond regard , Doth make me say , that life auaileth nought , Where seruice cannot haue a due reward . I dare not name the Nimph that workes my smart , Though Loue hath grau'n her name within my hart . FINIS . T. Watson .

¶ Montanus Sonnet to his faire Phaebe . A Turtle sate vpon a leauelesse tree , Mourning her absent pheare , With sad and sorrie cheare . About her wondring stood , The Citizens of wood . And whilest her plumes she rents , And for her Loue laments : The stately trees complaine them , The birds with sorrow paine them . Each one that doth her view , Her paines and sorrowes rue . But were the sorrowes knowne , That me hath ouer-throwne : Oh how would Phaebe sigh , if she did looke on mee ? The loue-sicke Polipheme that could not see , Who on the barren shoare , His fortunes did deplore : And melteth all in mone , For Galatea gone , And with his cries Afflicts both earth and skies , And to his woe betooke , Doth breake both pipe and hooke . For whom complaines the morne . For whom the Sea-Nimphs mourne . Alas his paine is nought , For were my woe but thought : Oh how would Phaebe sigh , if she did looke on me ? Beyond compare my paine , yet glad am I : If gentle Phaebe daine , to see her Montane die . FINIS . Thom. Lodge .

¶ Phaebes Sonnet , a reply to Montanus passion . DOwne a downe , Thus Phillis sung , By fancy once distressed : Who so by foolish Loue are stung are worthily oppressed . And so sing I , with downe a downe , &c. When Loue was first begot , And by the mothers will : Did fall to humane lot , His solace to fulfill , Deuoid of all deceit , A chaste and holy fire : Did quicken mans conceit , And womens brests inspire . The Gods that saw the good , That mortals did approue : With kinde and holy moode , Began to talke of Loue . Downe a downe , Thus Phillis sung By fancie once distressed , &c. But during this accord , A wonder strange to heare : Whilest Loue in deed and word , Most faithfull did appeare ; False semblance came in place , By Iealousie attended : And with a double face , Both loue and fancie blended . Which made the Gods forsake , And men from fancie flie : And Maydens scorne a make , Forsooth and so will I. Downe a downe , Thus Phillis sung , By fancie once distressed : Who so by foolish Loue are stung , Are worthily oppressed . And so sing I , with downe a downe , &c. FINIS . Thom. Lodge .

¶ Coridons supplication to Phillis . SWeet Phillis , if a silly Swaine , may sue to thee for grace : See not thy louing Shepheard slaine , with looking on thy face . But thinke what power thou hast got , vpon my Flocke and mee : Thou seest they now regard me not , but all doe follow thee . And if I haue so farre presum'd , with prying in thine eyes : Yet let not comfort be consum'd , that in thy pitty lyes . But as thou art that Phillis faire , that Fortune fauour giues : So let not Loue dye in despaire , that in thy fauour liues . The Deere doe brouse vpon the bryer , the Birds doe picke the Cherries : And will not Beautie graunt Desire , one handfull of her berries ? If it be so that thou hast sworne , that none shall looke on thee : Yet let me know thou dost not scorne , to cast a looke on mee . But if thy beautie make thee proud , thinke then what is ordain'd . The heauens haue neuer yet alow'd , that Loue should be disdain'd . Then lest the Fates that fauour Loue , should curse thee for vnkinde : Let me report for thy behooue , the honour of thy minde , Let Coridon with full consent , set downe what he hath seene : That Phillida with Loues content , is sworne the Shepheards Queene . FINIS . N. Breton .

¶ Damaetas Madrigall in praise of his Daphnis . TVne on my pipe the praises of my Loue , Loue faire and bright : Fill earth with sound , and ayrie heauens aboue , heauen's Ioues delight , with Daphnis prayse . To pleasant Tempe Groues and Plaines about , Plaines , Shepheards pride : Resounding Ecchoes of her praise ring out , ring farre and wide my Daphnis praise , When I begin to sing , begin to sound , sounds loud and shrill : Doe make each note vnto the skies rebound , skies calme and still , with Daphnis praise . Her tresses are like wiers of beaten gold , Gold bright and sheene : Like Nisus golden haire that Scilla pold , Scill , ore-seene through Minos loue . Her eyes like shining Lamps in midst of night , Night darke and dead : Or as the Starres that giue the Sea-men light , Light for to lead their wandring Ships . Amidst her cheeks the Rose and Lilly striue , Lilly , snow white : When their contend doth make their colour thriue . Colour too bright for Shepheards eyes . Her lips like Scarlet of the finest die , Scarlet blood-red : Teeth white as Snow , which on the hils doth lie . Hils ouer-spread by Winters force . Her skinne as soft as is the finest silke , Silke soft and fine : Of colour like vnto the whitest milke , Milke of the Kine of Daphnis Heard . As swift of foote as is the pretty Roe , Roe swift of pace : When yelping Hounds pursue her to and fro , Hounds fierce in chase , to reaue her life . Cease tongue to tell of any more compares , Compares too rude : Daphnis deserts and beautie are too rare , Then heere conclude faire Daphnis praise . FINIS . I. Wootton .

¶ Dorons description of his faire Shepheardesse Samela . LIke to Diana in her Sommer weede , Girt with a Crimson roabe of brightest die : goes faire Samela . Whiter then be the flocks that stragling feed , When wash'd by Arethusa , faint they lie . is faire Samela . As faire Aurora in her morning gray , Deckt with the ruddy glister of her loue : is faire Samela . Like louely Thetis on a calmed day , When as her brightnes Neptunes fancies moue . shines faire Samela . Her tresses gold , her eyes like glassie streames , Her teeth are pearle , the brests are Iuorie : of faire Samela . Her cheekes like Rose and Lilly yeeld forth gleames , Her browes bright arches fram'd of Ebonie , thus faire Samela Passeth faire Venus in her brightest hew , And Iuno in the shew of Maiestie : for she 's Samela . Pallas in wit , all three if you well view , For beauty , wit , and matchlesse dignitie , yeeld to Samela . FINIS . Ro. Greene . .

¶ Wodenfrides Song in praise of Amargana . THe Sunne the season in each thing Reuiues new pleasures , the sweet Spring Hath put to flight the Winter keene : To glad our louely Sommer Queene . The pathes where Amargana treads , With flowrie tap'stries Flora spreads . And nature cloathes the ground in greene : To glad our louely Sommer Queene . The Groaues put on their rich aray , With Hawthorne bloomes imbroydered gay , And sweet perfum'd with Eglantine : To glad our louely Sommer Queene . The silent Riuer stayes his course , Whilst playing on the christall sourse , The siluer scaled fish are seene , To glad our louely Sommer Queene . The Woods at her faire sight reioyces , The little Birds with their loud voyces , In consort on the bryers beene , To glad our louely Sommer Queene . The fleecie Flockes doe scud and skip , The wood-Nimphs , Fawnes , and Satires trip , And daunce the Mirtle trees betweene : To glad our louely Sommer Queene . Great Pan ( our God ) for her deere sake , This feast and meeting bids vs make , Of Shepheards , Lads , and Lasses sheene : To glad our louely Sommer Queene . And euery Swaine his chaunce doth proue , To winne faire Amarganaes loue , In sporring strifes quite voide of spleene : To glad our louely Sommer Queene . All happines let Heauen her lend , And all the Graces her attend . Thus bid me pray the Muses nine , Long liue our louely Sommer Queene . FINIS . W. H.

Another of the same . HAppy Shepheards sit and see , with ioy , The peerelesse wight : For whose sake Pan keepes from ye annoy , And giues delight , Blessing this pleasant Spring , Her praises must I sing . List you Swaines , list to me : The whiles your Flocks feeding be . First her brow a beauteous Globe I deeme , And golden haire ; And her cheeke Auroraes roabe doth seeme . But farre more faire . Her eyes like starres are bright . And dazle with their light , Rubies her lips to see , But to taste , Nectar they be . Orient pearles her teeth , her smile doth linke The Graces three : Her white necke doth eyes beguile to thinke it Iuorie . Alas her Lilly hand , How it doth me commaund ? Softer silke none can be : And whiter milke none can see . Circes wand is not so straite , as is Her body small : But two pillers beare the waight of this maiesticke Hall . Those be I you assure , Of Alabaster pure , Polish'd fine in each part : Ne're Nature yet shewed like Art . How shall I her pretty tread expresse when she doth walke ? Scarse she doth the Primerose head depresse , or tender stalke Of blew-veind Violets , Whereon her foote she sets . Vertuous she is , for we finde , In body faire , a beaut'ous minde . Liue faire Amargana still extold In all my rime : Hand want Art , when I want will t'vnsold her worth diuine . But now my Muse doth rest , Despaire clos'd in my brest , Of the valour I sing : Weake faith that no hope doth bring . FINIS . W. H.

¶ An excellent Pastorall Dittie . A Carefull Nimph , with carelesse greefe opprest , Vnder the shaddow of an Ashen tree : With Lute in hand did paint out her vnrest , vnto a Nimph that bare her company . No sooner had she tuned euery string : But sob'd and sigh'd , and thus began to sing . Ladies and Nimphs , come listen to my plaint , on whom the cheerefull Sunne did neuer rise : If pitties stroakes your tender breasts may taint , come learne of me to wet your wanton eyes . For Loue in vaine the name of pleasure beares : His sweet delights are turned into feares . The trustlesse shewes , the frights , the feeble ioyes , the freezing doubts , the guilefull promises : The feigned lookes , the shifts , the subtill toyes , the brittle hope , the stedfast heauines . The wished warre in such vncertaine peace : These with my woe , my woes with these increase . Thou dreadfull God , that in thy Mothers lap do'st lye , and heare the crie of my complaint , And seest , and smilest at my sore mishap , that lacke but skill my sorrowes here to paint : Thy fire from heauen before the hurt I spide , Quite through mine eyes into my brest did glide . My life was light , my blood did spirt and spring , my body quicke , my heart began to leape : And euery thornie thought did prick and sting , the fruit of my desired ioyes to reape . But he on whom to thinke , my soule still tyers : In bale forsooke , and lest me in the bryers . Thus Fancie strung my Lute to layes of Loue , and Loue hath rock'd my wearie Muse a-sleepe : And sleepe is broken by the paines I proue , and euery paine I feele doth force me weepe . Then farewell fancie , loue , sleepe , paine , and sore . And farewell weeping , I can waile no more . FINIS . Shep. Tonie .

¶ Phillidaes Loue-call to her Coridon , and his replying . Phil. COridon , arise my Coridon , Titan shineth cleare : Cor. Who is it that calleth Coridon , who is it that I heare ? Phil. Phillida thy true-Loue calleth thee , arise then , arise then ; arise and keepe thy Flock with me : Cor. Phillida my true-Loue , is it she ? I come then , I come then , I come and keepe my flocke with thee . Phil. Here are cherries ripe my Coridon , eate them for my sake : Cor. Here 's my Oaten pipe my louely one , sport for thee to make . Phil. Here are threeds my true-Loue , fine as silke , to knit thee , to knit thee a paire of stockings white as milke . Cor. Here are Reedes my true-Loue , fine and neate , to make thee , to make thee a Bonnet to with-stand the heate . Phil. I will gather flowers my Coridon , to set in thy Cap : Cor. I will gather Peares my louely one , to put in thy lap . Phil. I will buy my true-Loue Garters gay , for Sundayes , for Sundayes , to weare about his legges so tall . Cor. I will buy my true-Loue yellow Say , for Sundayes , for Sundayes , to weare about her middle small . Phil. When my Coridon sits on a hill , making melodie : Cor. When my louely one goes to her wheele singing cherily . Phil. Sure me thinks my true-Loue doth excell for sweetnesse , for sweetnesse , our Pan that old Arcadian Knight : Cor. And me thinks my true-Loue beares the bell for clearenesse , for clearenesse , beyond the Nimphs that be so bright . Phil. Had my Coridon , my Coridon , beene ( alack ) my Swaine : Cor. Had my louely one , my louely one , beene in Ida plaine . Phil. Cinthia Endimion had refus'd , preferring , preferring my Coridon to play with-all : Cor. The Queene of Loue had beene excus'd , bequeathing , bequeathing , my Phillida the golden ball . Phil. Yonder comes my Mother , Coridon , whether shall I flie ? Cor. Vnder yonder Beech my louely one , while she passeth by . Phil. Say to her thy true-Loue was not here , remember , remember , to morrow is another day : Cor. Doubt me not , my true-Loue , doe not feare , farewell then , farewell then , heauen keepe our loues alway . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ The Shepheards solace . PHoebus delights to view his Laurell tree , The Poplar pleaseth Hercules alone : Melissa mother is and sautrixe to the Bee , Pallas will weare the Oliue branch alone . Of Shepheards and their Flocks Pales is Queene : And Ceres ripes the Corne was lately greene . To Chloris euery flower belongs of right , The Dryade Nimphs of Woods make chiefe account : Orcades in hills haue their delight , Diana doth protect each bubling Fount . To Hebe louely kissing is assign'd : To Zephire euery gentle-breathing wind . But what is Loues delight ? To hurt each where He cares not whom , with Darts of deepe desire : With watchfull iealousie , with hope , with feare , With nipping cold , and secret flames of fire . O happy houre , wherein I did forgoe : This little God , so great a cause of woe . FINIS . Tho. Watson .

¶ Syrenus Song to Eugerius . LEt now the goodly Spring-tide make vs merrie , And fields , which pleasant flowers doe adorne : And Vales , Meads , Woods , with liuely colours flourish , Let plenteous flocks the Shepheards riches nourish , Let hungry Wolues by dogges to death be torne , And Lambes reioyce , with passed Winter wearie . Let euery Riuers Ferrie In waters flow , and siluer streames abounding , And fortune , ceaselesse wounding . Turne now thy face , so cruell and vnstable , Be firme and fauourable . And thou that kill'st our soules with thy pretences : Molest not ( wicked Loue ) my inward sences . Let Country plainenesse liue in ioyes not ended , In quiet of the desert Meades and mountaines , And in the pleasure of a Country dwelling Let Shepheards rest , that haue distilled fountaines Of teares : proue not thy wrath , all paines excelling , Vpon poore soules , that neuer haue offended . Let thy flames be incended In haughty Courts , in those that swim in treasure , And liue in case and pleasure . And that a sweetest scorne ( my wonted sadnes ) A perfect rest and gladnes And hills and Dales , may giue me : with offences Molest not ( wicked Loue ) my inward sences . In what law find'st thou , that the freest reason And wit , vnto thy chaines should be subiected , And harmelesse soules vnto thy cruell murder ? O wicked Loue , the wretch that flieth furder From thy extreames , thou plagu'st . O false , suspected , And carelesse boy , that thus thy sweets doost season , O vile and wicked treason . Might not thy might suffice thee , but thy fuell Of force must be so cruell ? To be a Lord , yet like a Tyrant minded , Vaine Boy with errour blinded . Why do'st thou hurt his life with thy offences : That yeelds to thee his soule and inward sences ? He erres ( alas ) and soulely is deceiued That calls thee God , being a burning fire : A furious flame , a playning griefe and clamorous , And Venus sonne ( that in the earth was amorous , Gentle , and mild , and full of sweet desire ) Who calleth him , is of his wits bereaued . And yet that she conceaued By proofe , so vile a sonne and so vnruly : I say ( and yet say truly ) That in the cause of harmes , that they haue framed , Both iustly may be blamed : She that did breed him with such vile pretences , He that doth hurt so much our inward sences . The gentle Sheepe and Lambs are euer flying The rauenous Wolues & beasts , that are pretending To glut their mawes with flesh they teare asunder . The milke-white Doues at noyse of fearefull thunder Fly home a-maine , themselues from harme defending . The little Chick , when Puttocks are a crying . The Woods and Meadowes dying Forraine of heauen ( if that they cannot haue it ) Doe neuer cease to craue it . So euery thing his contrary resisteth , Onely thy thrall persisteth In suffering of thy wrongs without offences : And lets thee spoile his heart and inward sences . A publique passion , Natures lawes restrayning , And which with words can neuer be declared , A soule twixt loue , and feare , and desperation , And endlesse plaint , that shunnes all consolation . A spendlesse flame , that neuer is impaired , A friendlesse death , yet life in death maintaining , A passion , that is gaining On him that loueth well , and is absented , Whereby it is augmented . A iealousie , a burning griefe and sorrow , These fauours Louers borrow Of thee fell Loue , these be thy recompences : Consuming still their soule and inward sences . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ The Shepheards Arsileus reply to Syrenus Song . O Let that time a thousand moneths endure , Which brings from heauen the sweet & siluer showers , And ioyes the earth ( of comfort late depriued , ) With grasse and leaues , fine buds , and painted flowers , Ecchoe , returne vnto the woods obscure , Ring forth the Shepheards Songs in loue contriued . Let old Loues be reuiued , Which angry Winter buried but of late , And that in such a state My soule may haue the full accomplishment Of ioy and sweet content . And since fierce paines and griefes thou do'st controule : Good Loue , doe not forsake my inward soule . Presume not ( Shepheards ) once to make you merrie , With springs , and flowers , or any pleasant Song , ( Vnlesse mild Loue possesse your amorous breasts ) If you sing not to him , your Songs doe wearie , Crown him with flowers , or else ye do him wrong , And consecrate your Springs to his behests . I to my Shepheardesse My happy Loues with great content doe sing , And flowers to her doe bring . And sitting neere her by the Riuer side , Enioy the braue Spring-tide . Since then thy ioyes such sweetnesse doth enroule : Good Loue , doe not forsake my inward soule . The wise ( in ancient time ) a God thee nam'd , Seeing that with thy power and supreame might , Thou didst such rare and mighty wonders make : For thee a heart is frozen and enflam'd , A foole thou mak'st a wise man with thy light , The coward turnes couragious for thy sake . The mighty Gods did quake At thy command : To birds & beasts transformed , Great Monarchs haue not scorned To yeeld vnto the force of beauties lure : Such spoiles thou do'st procure With thy braue force , which neuer may be tould : With which ( sweet loue ) thou conquer'st euery soule In other times obscurely I did liue But with a drowsie , base , and simple kinde Of life , and onely to my profit bend me : To thinke of Loue my selfe I did not giue , Or for good grace , good parts , and gentle minde , Neuer did any Shepheardesse commend me . But crowned now they send me A thousand Garlands , that I wone with praise , In wrastling dayes by dayes , In pitching of the Barre with arme most strong , And singing many a Song . After that thou didst honour , and take hould Of my ( sweet Loue ) and of my happy soule . What greater ioy can any man desire , Then to remaine a Captiue vnto Loue : And haue his heart subiected to his power ? And though sometimes he tast a little sower By suffering it , as mild as gentle Doue Yet must he be , in hew of that great hire Whereto be doth aspire : If Louers liue afflicted and in paine , Let them with cause complaine Of cruell fortune , and of times a●●… And let not them accuse Thee ( gentle-Loue ) that doth with 〈…〉 Within thy sweetest ioyes each la●… 〈◊〉 Behold a faire sweet face , and shining eye● Resembling two most bright and twinkling Sending vnto the soule a perfect light : Behold the rare perfections of those w●●●● And Iuorie hands , from griefes most surest barres That minde wherein all life and glory lyes , That ioy that neuer dyes , That he doth feele , that loues and is beloued , And my delights approued , To see her pleas'd , whose loue maintaines me here , All those I count so deere , That though sometimes Loue doth my ioyes controule : Yet am I glad he dwels within my soule . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ A Shepheards dreame . A Silly Shepheard lately sate among a Flock of Sheepe : Where musing long on this and that , at last he fell a sleepe . And in the slumber as he lay , he gaue a pitteous groane : He thought his sheepe were runne away , and he was left alone . He whoopt , he whistled , and he call'd , but not a sheepe came neere him : Which made the Shepheard sore appall'd , to see that none would heare him . But as the Swaine amazed stood , in this most solemne vaine : Came Phillida forth of the Wood , and stood before the Swaine . Whom when the Shepheard did behold , he straight began to weepe : And at the heart he grew a cold , to thinke vpon his sheepe . For well he knew , where came the Queene , the Shepheard durst not stay : And where that he durst not be seene , the sheepe must needes away . To aske her if she saw his Flock , might happen patience moue : And haue an answere with a mock , that such demanders proue . Yet for because he saw her come alone out of the Wood : He thought he would not stand as dombe , when speech might doe him good , And therefore falling on his knees , to aske but for his sheepe : He did awake , and so did leese the honour of his sleepe . FINIS . N. Breton .

¶ The Shepheards Ode . NIghts were short , and dayes were long , Blossomes on the Hawthorne hong , Philomell ( Night-Musiques King , ) Told the comming of the Spring : Whose sweet-siluer-sounding-voyce , Made the little birds reioyce , Skipping light from spray to spray , Till Aurora shew'd the day . Scarse might one see , when I might see ( For such chances sudden be . ) By a Well of Marble-stone , A Shepheard lying all alone . Weepe he did , and his weeping Made the fading flowers spring . Daphnis was his name I weene , Youngest Swaine of Summers Queene . When Aurora saw t' was he Weepe she did for companie : Weepe she did for her sweet Sonne , That ( when antique Troy was wonne ) Suffer'd death by lucklesse Fate , Whom she now laments too late : And each morning ( by Cocks crewe ) Showers downe her siluer dewe , Whose teares falling from their spring , Giue moisture to each liuing thing That on earth encrease and grow , Through power of their friendly foe . Whose effect when Flora felt , Teares , that did her bosome melt , ( For who can resist teares often , But she whom no teares can soften ? ) Peering straite aboue the banks , Shew'd her selfe to giue her thanks . Wondring thus at Natures worke ( Wherein many meruailes lurke ) Me thought I heard a dolefull noyse , Consorted with a mournfull voyce , Drawing neere , to heare more plaine , Heare I did , vnto my paine , ( For who is not pain'd to heare Him in griefe whom heart holds deere ? Silly Swaine with griefe ore-gone Thus to make his pitteous mone . Loue I did , alas the while , Loue I did , but did beguile My deere Loue with louing so , Whom as then I did not know . Loue I did the fairest Boy That these fields did ere enioy . Loue I did faire Ganimede , Venus darling , beauties bed : Him I thought the fairest creature , Him the quintessence of Nature . But yet ( alas ) I was deceau'd , ( Loue of reason is bereau'd . ) For since then I saw a Lasse , Lasse that did in beauty passe , Passe faire Ganimede as farre As Phaebus doth the smallest starre . Loue commanded me to loue , Fancie bad me not remoue My affection from the Swaine Whom I neuer could obtaine : ( For who can obtaine that fauour Which he cannot grant the crauer ? ) Loue at last ( though loth ) preuail'd , Loue that so my heart assail'd , Wounding me with her faire eyes , Ah how Loue can subtillize ? And deuise a thousand shifts How to worke men to his drifts , Her it is , for whom I mourne , Her , for whom my life I scorne . Her , for whom I weepe all day , Her , for whom I sigh , and say Either she , or else no creature Shall enioy my loue : whose feature Though I neuer can obtaine , Yet shall my true-loue remaine : Till ( my body turn'd to clay ) My poore soule must passe away , To the heauens ; where I hope It shall finde a resting scope : Then since I loued thee alone , Remember me when I am gone . Scarse had he these last words spoken , But me thought his heart was broken , With great griefe that did abound , ( Cares and griefe the heart confound , ) In whose heart thus riu'd in three , Eliza written I might see In Caracters of crimson blood , Whose meaning well I vnderstood . Which , for my heart might not behold : I hied me home my Sheepe to fold . FINIS . Rich. Barnefielde .

¶ The Shepheards commendation of his Nimph. WHat Shepheard can expresse The fauour of her face ? To whom in this distresse I doe appeale for grace . A thousand Cupids flye About her gentle eye . From which each throwes a Dart That kindleth soft sweet fire Within my sighing hart , Possessed by desire . No sweeter life I trie Then in her loue to die . The Lilly in the field , That glories in his white : For purenesse now must yeeld And render vp his right . Heauen pictur'd in her face , Doth promise ioy and grace . Faire Cynthiaes siluer light , That beates on running streames : Compares not with her white , Whose haires are all Sun-beames . So bright my Nimph doth shine As day vnto my eyne . With this there is a red , Exceedes the Damaske-Rose : Which in her cheekes is spred , Whence euery fauour growes . In Skie there is no starre , But she surmounts it farre . When Phaebus from the bed Of Thetis doth arise : The morning blushing red , In faire Carnation wise : He shewes in my Nimphs face , As Queene of euery grace . This pleasant Lilly white , This taint of Roseate red : This Cynthiaes siluer light , This sweet faire Dea spred , These Sun-beames in mine eye , These beauties make me die . FINIS . Earle of Oxenford .

¶ Coridon to his Phillis . ALas my heart , mine eye hath wronged thee , Presumptuous eye , to gaze on Phillis face : Whose heauenly eye no mortall man may see , But he must die , or purchase Phillis grace . Poore Coridon , the Nimph whose eye doth moue thee : Doth loue to draw , but is not drawne to loue thee . Her beautie , Natures pride , and Shepheards praise , Her eye , the heauenly Planet of my life : Her matchlesse wit and grace , her fame displaies , As if that Ioue had made her for his wise . Onely her eyes shoot fierie darts to kill : Yet is her hart as cold as Caucase hill . My wings too weake to flye against the Sunne , Mine eyes vnable to sustaine her light : My hart doth yeeld that I am quite vndone , Thus hath faire Phillis slaine me with her sight . My bud is blasted , withred is my leafe : And all my Corne is rotted in the sheafe . Phillis , the golden fetter of my minde , My fancies Idoll , and my vitall power : Goddesse of Nimphs , and honour of thy kinde , This ages Phoenix , beauties richest bower . Poore Coridon for loue of thee must die : Thy beauties thrall , and conquest of thine eye . Leaue Coridon to plough the barren field , Thy buds of hope are blasted with disgrace : For Phillis lookes no harty loue doe yeeld , Nor can she loue , for all her louely face . Die Coridon , the spoile of Phillis eye : She cannot loue , and therefore thou must die . FINIS . S. E. Dyer .

¶ The Shepheards description of Loue . Melibeus . SHepheard , what 's Loue , I pray thee tell ? Faustus . It is that Fountaine , and that Well , Where pleasure and repentance dwell , It is perhaps that sauncing bell , That toules all into heauen or hell , And this is loue as I heard tell , Meli. Yet what is Loue , I pre-thee say ? Faust . It is a worke on holy-day , It is December match'd with May , When lustie-bloods in fresh aray , Heare ten months after of the play , And this Loue , as I heare say . Meli. Yet what is Loue , good Shepheard saine ? Faust . It is a Sun-shine mixt with raine , It is a tooth-ach , or like paine , It is a game , where none doth gaine , The Lasse saith no , and would full faine : And is Loue , as I heare saine . Meli. Yet Shepheard , what is Loue , I pray ? Faust . It is a yea , it is a nay , A pretty kind of sporting fray , It is a thing will soone away , Then Nimphs take vantage while ye may : And this is Loue as I heare say . Meli. Yet what is Loue , good Shepheard show ? Faust . A thing that creepes , it cannot goe , A prize that passeth to and fro , A thing for one , a thing for moe , And he that prooues shall finde it so ; And Shepheard this is loue I trow . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ To his Flockes . FEede on my Flockes securely , Your Shepheard watched surely , Runne about my little Lambs , Skip and wanton with your Dammes , Your louing Heard with care will tend ye : Sport on faire flocks at pleasure , Nip Vaestaes flowring treasure , I my selfe will duely harke , When my watchfull dogge doth barke , From Woolfe and Foxe I will defend ye . FINIS . H.C.

¶ A Roundelay betweene two Shepheards . 1. Shep. TEll me thou gentle Shepheards Swaine , Who is younder in the Vale is set ? 2. Shep. Oh it is she , whose sweetes doe staine The Lilly , Rose , the Violet . 1. Shep. Why doth the Sunne against his kind , Fixe his bright Chariot in the skies ? 2. Shep. Because the Sunne is strooken blinde , With looking on her heauenly eyes . 1. Shep. Why doe thy flockes forbeare their food , Which sometime were thy chiefe delight ? 2. Shep. Because they need no other good , That liue in presence of her light . 1. Shep. Why looke these flowers so pale and ill , That once attir'd this goodly Heath ? 2. Shep. She hath rob'd Nature of her skill , And sweetens all things with her breath . 1. Shep. Why slide these brookes so slow away , Whose bubling murmur pleas'd thine eare ? 2. Shep. Oh meruaile not although they stay , When they her heauenly voyce doe heare . 1. Shep. From whence come al these Shepheards Swains , And louely Nimphs attir'd in greene ? 2. Shep. From gathering Garlands on the Plaines , To crowne our faire the Shepheards Queene . Both. The Sunne that lights this world below , Flocks , flowers , and brookes will witnesse beare : These Nimphs and Shepheards all doe know , That it is she is onely faire . FINIS . Michaell Drayton .

¶ The solitarie Shepheards Song . O Shadie Vale , O faire enriched Meades , O sacred woods , sweet fields , & rising mountaines O painted flowers , greene hearbs where Flora treads , Refresht by wanton winds and watry fountaines . O all you winged Queristers of wood , that pearcht aloft , your former paines report : And straite againe recount with pleasant moode , your present ioyes in sweet and seemely sort . O all you creatures whosoeuer thriue on mother Earth , in Seas , by Ayre , by Fire : More blest are you then I heere vnder Sunne , loue dies in me , when as hee doth reuiue In you , I perish vnder beauties ire , where after stormes , winds , frosts , your life is wun . FINIS . Thom. Lodge .

¶ The Shepheards resolution in loue . IF Ioue him-selfe be subiect vnto Loue . And range the woods to finde a mortall pray . If Neptune from the Seas him-selfe remoue , And seeke on sands with earthly wights to play : Then may I loue my Shepheardesse by right , Who farre excels each other mortall wight ? If Pluto could by Loue be drawne from hell . To yeeld him-selfe a silly virgins thrall . If Phaebus could vouchsafe on earth to dwell , To winne a rusticke Mayde vnto his call : Then how much more should I adore the sight , Of her in whom the heauens them-selues delight ? If Countrie Pan might follow Nimphs in chase , And yet through loue remaine deuoide of blame , If Satires were excus'd for seeking grace , To ioy the fruits of any mortall Dame : My Shepheardesse , why should not I loue still . On whom nor Gods nor men can gaze their fill ? FINIS . Thom. Watson .

¶ Coridons Hymne in praise of Amarillis . WOuld mine eyes were christall Fountaines , Where you might the shadow view Of my greefes , like to these mountaines Swelling for the losse of you . Cares which curelesse are alas , Helpelesse , haplesse for they grow : Cares like tares in number passe , All the seedes that loue doth sow . Who but could remember all Twinckling eyes still representing Starres which pierce me to the gall ? Cause they lend no more contenting . And you Nectar-lips , alluring Humane sence to taste of heauen : For no Art of mans manuring , Finer silke hath euer weauen . Who but could remember this , The sweet odours of your fauour ? When I smeld I was in blisse . Neuer felt I sweeter sauour . And your harmelesse hart annointed , As the custome was of Kings : Shewes your sacred soule appointed , To be prime of earthly things . Ending thus remember all , Cloathed in a mantle greene : 'T is enough I am your thrall , Leaue to thinke what eye hath seene . Yet the eye may not so leaue , Though the thought doe still repine : But must gaze till death bequeath , Eyes and thoughts vnto her shrine , Which if Amarillis chaunce , Hearing to make haste to see : To life death she may aduance . Therefore eyes and thoughts goe free . FINIS . T. B.

¶ The Shepheard Carillo his Song . Guarda mi las Vaccas Carillo , por tu fe , Besa mi Primero , Yo te las guardare . I Pre-thee keepe my Kine for me Carillo , wilt thou ? Tell. First let me haue a kisse of thee . And I will keepe them well . If to my charge or them to keepe , Thou doest commend thy Kine or Sheepe , for thee I doe suffise : Because in this I haue beene bred , But for so much as I haue fed By viewing thee , mine eyes ; Command not me to keepe thy beast : Because my selfe I can keepe least . How can I keepe , I pre-thee tell , Thy Kie , my selfe that cannot well defend , nor please thy kinde As long as I haue serued thee ? But if thou wilt giue vnto me a kisse to please my minde : I aske no more for all my paine , and I will keepe them very faine . For thee , the gift is not so great That I doe aske , to keepe thy Neate , but vnto me it is A guerdon , that shall make me liue . Disdaine not then to lend , or giue so small a gift as this , But if to it thou canst not frame : Then giue me leaue to take the same . But if thou dost ( my sweet ) denie To recompence me by and by , thy promise shall relent me : Here-after some reward to finde , Behold how I doe please my minde , and fauours doe content me , That though thou speak'st it but in iest , I meane to take it at the best . Behold how much loue workes in me , And how ill recompenc'd of thee that with the shadow of Thy happy fauours ( though delay'd ) I thinke my selfe right well appay'd , although they proue a scoffe . Then pitty me , that haue forgot , My selfe for thee that carest not . O in extreame thou art most faire , And in extreame vniust despaire thy crueltie maintaines : Oh that thou wert so pittifull Vnto these torments that doe pull my soule with sencelesse paines , As thou shew'st in that face of thine : Where pitty and mild grace should shine . If that thy faire and sweetest face Assureth me both peace and grace , thy hard and cruell hart : Which in that white breast thou do'st beare , Doth make me tremble yet for feare thou wilt not end my smart . In contraries of such a kinde : Tell me what succour shall I finde ? If then yong Shepheardesse thou craue A Heards-man for thy beast to haue , with grace thou maist restore Thy Shepheard from his barren loue , For neuer other shalt thou proue , that seekes to please thee more : And who to serue thy turne , will neuer shun , The nipping frost , and beames of parching Sun . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Corins dreame of his faire Chloris . WHat time bright Titan in the Zenith sat , And equally the fixed poales did heate : When to my flocke my daily woes I chat , And vnderneath a broad Beech tooke my seate . The dreaming God which Morpheus Poets call Augmenting fuell to my Aetnaes fire , With sleepe possessing my weake sences all , In apparitions makes my hopes aspire . Me thought I saw the Nimph I would embrace , With armes abroad comming to me for helpe : A lust-led Satire hauing her in chase , Which after her about the fields did yelpe , I seeing my Loue in such perplexed plight , A sturdie bat from off an Oake I reft : And with the Rauisher continued fight , Till breathlesse I vpon the earth him left . Then when my coy Nimph saw her breathlesse foe , With kisses kinde she gratifies my paine : Protesting rigour neuer more to show , Happy was I this good hap to obtaine . But drowsie slumbers flying to their Cell , My sudden ioy conuerted was to bale : My wonted sorrowes still with me doe dwell , I looked round about on H●…and Dale : But I could neither my faire Chloris view , Nor yet the Satire which yer-while I slew . FINIS . W.S.

¶ The Shepheard Damons passion . AH trees , why fall your leaues so fast ? Ah Rockes , where are your roabes of mosse ? Ah Flocks , why stand you all agast ? Trees , Rocks , and Flocks , what , are ye pensiue for my losse ? The birds me thinkes tune naught but moane , The windes breath naught but bitter plaint : The beasts forsake their dennes to groane , Birds , Windes , and Beastes , what , doth my losse your powers attaint ? Floods weepe their springs aboue their bounds , And Eccho wailes to see my woe : The roabe of ruthe doth cloath the grounds , Floods , Eccho , grounds , why doe ye all these teares bestow ? The Trees , the Rocks and Flocks replie , The Birds , the Windes , the Beasts report : Floods , Eccho , grounds for sorrow crie , Wee greeue since Phillis nill kinde Damons loue consort . FINIS . Thom. Lodge .

¶ The Shepheard Musidorus his complaint . COme Shepheards weeds , become your Masters mind , Yeeld outward shew , what inward change hee tries : Nor be abash'd , since such a guest you finde , Whose strongest hope in your weake comfort lies . Come Shepheards weedes , attend my wofull cries , Disuse your selues from sweet Menalcas voyce : For other be those tunes which sorrow ties , From those cleare notes which freely may reioice . Then poure out plaint , and in one word say this : Helplesse his plaints , who spoiles him selfe of blisse . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

¶ The Shepheards braule , one halfe answering the other . 1. WE loue , and haue our loues rewarded ? 2. We loue , and are no whit regarded . 1. We finde most sweet affections snare : 2. That sweet but sower dispairefull care . 1. Who can dispaire , whom hope doth beare ? 2. And who can hope , that feeles despaire ? All. As without breath no pipe doth moue , No Musique kindly without loue . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

¶ Dorus his comparisons . MY Sheepe are thoughts , which I both guide & serue , Their pasture is faire hils of fruitlesse loue : On barren sweetes they feede , and feeding sterue , I waile their lot , but will not other proue . My Sheepe-hooke is wanne hope , which all vpholds : My weedes , desires , cut out in endlesse folds , What wooll my Sheepe shall beare , while thus they liue : In you it is , you must the iudgement giue . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

¶ The Shepheard Faustus his Song . A fayre Maid wed to prying Jelousie . One of the fairest as euer J did see : If that thou wilt a secret Louer take , ( Sweet life ) do not my secret loue forsak . ECclipsed was our Sunne , And faire Aurora darkened to vs quite , Our morning starre was done , And Shepheards star lost cleane out of our sight , When that thou didst thy faith in wedlock plight . Dame Nature made thee faire , And ill did carelesse Fortune marry thee , And pitty with despaire It was , that this thy haplesse hap should be , A fayre Maid wed to prying Iealousie . Our eyes are not so bold To view the Sun , that flies with radiant wing : Vnlesse that we doe hold A glasse before them , or some other thing . Then wisely this to passe did Fortune bring To couer thee with such a vaile : For heretofore , when any viewed thee , Thy sight made his to faile , For ( sooth ) thou art : thy beautie telleth me , One of the fairest as euer I did see . Thy graces to obscure , With such a froward husband , and so base She meant thereby most sure That Cupids force , & loue thou should'st embrace , For 't is a force to loue , no wondrous case . Then care no more for kin , And doubt no more , for feare thou must forsake , To loue thou must begin , And from hence-forth this question neuer make , If that thou should'st a secret Louer take . Of force it doth behooue That thou should'st be belou'd , and that againe ( Faire Mistresse ) thou should'st loue , For to what end , what purpose , and what gaine , Should such perfections serue ? as now in vaine My loue is of such art , That ( of it selfe ) it well deserues to take In thy sweet loue a part : Then for no Shepheard , that his loue doth make , ( Sweet life ) doe not my secret loue forsake . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

Another of the same , by Firmius the Shepheard . IF that the gentle winde doth moue the leaues with pleasant sound , If that the Kid behinde Is left , that cannot finde her Dam , runnes bleating vp and downe : The Bagpipe , Reede , or Flute , onely with ayre if that they touched be , With pitty all salute , And full of loue do● brute thy name , and sound Diana , seeing thee : A faire Mayd wed to prying Ielousie . The fierce and sauage beasts ( beyond their kinde and nature yet ) With pitteous voyce and brest , In mountaines without rest the selfe same Song doe not forget . If that they stay'd at ( Faire ) and had not passed to prying Iealousie , With plaints of such despaire As moou'd the gentle ayre to teares : The Song that they did sing , should bee One of the fairest as euer I did see . Mishap , and fortunes play , ill did they place in Beauties brest : For since so much to say , There was of beautie sway , they had done well to leaue the rest . They had enough to doe , if in her praise their wits they did awake : But yet so must they too , And all thy loue that woe , thee not too coy , nor too too proud to make , If that thou wilt a secret Louer take . For if thou hadst but knowne the beautie , that they heere doe touch , Thou would'st then loue alone Thy selfe , nor any one , onely thy selfe accounting much . But if thou do'st conceaue this beauty , that I will not publique make , And mean'st not to bereaue The world of it , but leaue the same to some ( which neuer peere did take , ) ( Sweet life ) doe not my secret loue forsake . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Damelus Song to his Diaphenia . DIaphenia like the Daffa-down-dilly , White as the Sunne , faire as the Lilly , heigh hoe , how I doe loue thee ? I doe loue thee as my Lambs Are beloued of their Dams , how blest were I if thou would'st proue me ? Diaphenia like the spreading Roses , That in thy sweetes all sweetes incloses , faire sweet how I doe loue thee ? I doe loue thee as each flower , Loues the Sunnes life-giuing power , for dead , thy breath to life might moue me . Diaphenia like to all things blessed , When all thy praises are expressed , deare Ioy , how I doe loue thee ? As the birds doe loue the Spring : Or the Bees their carefull King , then in requite , sweet Virgin loue me . FINIS . H. C.

¶ The Shepheard Eurymachus to his faire Shepheardesse Mirimida . WHen Flora proud in pompe of all her flowers sate bright and gay : And gloried in the dewe of Iris showers , and did display Her mantle checquer'd all with gaudie greene , Then I alone A mournfull man in Ericine was seene . With folded armes I trampled through the grasse , Tracing as he That held the Throne of Fortune brittle glasse , And loue to be Like Fortune fleeting , as the restlesse winde Mixed with mists Whose dampe doth make the clearest eyes grow blinde . Thus in a maze , I spied a hideous flame , I cast my sight , And sawe where blithely bathing in the same With great delight A worme did lie , wrapt in a smoakie sweate : And yet t was strange , It carelesse lay , and shrunk not at the heate . I stood amaz'd , and wondring at the sight , while that a dame , That shone like to the heauens rich sparkling light , Discourst the same , And said , My friend , this worme within the fire : Which lyes content , Is Venus worme , and represents desire . A Salamander is this princely beast , Deck'd with a Crowne , Giuen him by Cupid as a gorgeous creast , Gainst Fortunes frowne . Content he lyes , and bathes him in the flame , And goes not forth , For why , he cannot liue without the same . As he , so Louers liue within the fire Of feruent loue : And shrinke not from the flame of hote desire , Nor will not moue From any heate that Venus force imparts : But lie content , Within a fire , and waste away their harts . Vp flew the Dame , and vanish'd in a cloud , But there stood I , And many thoughts within my minde did shroud My loue : for why I felt within my heart a scorching fire , And yet as did The Salamander , t was my whole desire . FINIS . Ro. Greene . .

¶ The Shepheard Firmius his Song . SHepheards giue eare , and now be still , Vnto my passions , and their cause , and what they be : Since that with such an earnest will , And such great signes of friendships lawes , you aske it me . It is not long since I was whole , Nor since I did in euery part free-will resigne : It is not long since in my sole Possession , I did know my hart , and to be mine . It is not long , since euen and morrow , All pleasure that my heart could finde , was in my power : It is not long , since griefe and sorrow , My louing heart began to binde , and to deuoure . It is not long , since companie I did esteeme a ioy indeede still to frequent : Nor long , since solitarilie I liu'd , and that this life did breede my sole content . Desirous I ( wretched ) to see , But thinking not to see so much as then I saw : Loue made me know in what degree , His valour and braue force did touch me with his law . First he did put no more nor lesse Into my heart , then he did view that there did want : But when my breast in such excesse Of liuely flames to burne I knew , then were so scant . My ioyes , that now did so abate , ( My selfe estranged euery way from former rest : ) That I did know , that my estate , And that my life was euery day , in Deaths arrest . I put my hand into my side , To see what was the cause of this vnwonted vaine : Where I did finde , that torments hied By endlesse death to preiudice my life with paine . Because I saw that there did want My heart , wherein I did delight , my dearest hart : And he that did the same supplant , No iurisdiction had of right to play that part . The Iudge and Robber , that remaine Within my soule , their cause to trie , are there all one : And so the giuer of the paine , And he that is condemn'd to die or I , or none . To die I care not any way , Though without why , to die I greeue , as I doe see : But for because I heard her say , None die for loue , for I beleeue none such there be . Then this thou shalt beleeue by me Too late , and without remedie as did in briefe : Anaxerete , and thou shalt see , The little she did satisfie with after griefe . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ The Shepheards praise of his sacred Diana . PRaised be Dianaes faire and harmelesse light , Praised be the dewes , wherwith she moists the ground : Praised be her beames , the glory of the night , Prais'd be her power , by which all powers abound . Prais'd be her Nimphs , with whom she decks the Woods , Prais'd be her Knights , in whom true honour liues : Prais'd be that force , by which she moues the floods , Let that Diana shine which all these giues . In heauen Queene she is among the Spheares , She Mistresse-like makes all things to be pure . Eternity in her oft change she beares , She beauty is , by her the faire endure . Time weares her not , she doth his Chariot guide , Mortality below her Orbe is plast : By her the vertue of the starres downe slide . In her is Vertues perfect Image cast . A knowledge pure it is her woorth to know : With Circes let them dwell , that thinke not so . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ The Shepheards dumpe . LIke desart Woods , with darksome shades obscured , Where dreadful beasts , where hatefull horror raigneth , Such is my wounded heart , whom sorrow paineth . The Trees are fatall shafts , to death inured , That cruell loue within my heart maintaineth , To whet my griefe , when as my sorrow waineth . The ghastly beasts , my thoughts in cares assured , Which wadge me warre , whilst heart no succour gaineth , With false suspect , and feare that still remaineth . The horrors , burning sighs , by cares procured , Which forth I send , whilst weeping eye complaineth , To coole the heate the helplesse heart containeth . But shafts , but cares , sighs , horrors vnrecured , Were nought esteem'd , if for their paines awarded , Your Shepheards loue might be by you regarded . FINIS . S. E. D.

¶ The Nimph Dianaes Song . WHen that I poore soule was borne , I was borne vnfortunate : Presently the Fates had sworne , To fore-tell my haplesse state . Titan his faire beames did hide , Phaebe ' clips'd her siluer light : In my birth my Mother died , Young and faire in heauie plight . And the Nurse that gaue me suck , Haplesse was in all her life : And I neuer had good luck , Being mayde or married wife . I lou'd well , and was belou'd , And forgetting , was forgot : This a haplesse marriage mou'd , Greeuing that it kills me not . With the earth would I were wed , Then in such a graue of woes Daily to be buried , Which no end nor number knowes . Young my Father married me , Forc'd by my obedience : Syrenus , thy faith , and thee I forgot without offence . Which contempt I pay so farre , Neuer like was paid so much : Iealousies doe make me warre , But without a cause of such . I doe goe with iealous eyes , To my Folds , and to my Sheepe : And with iealousie I rise , When the day begins to peepe . At his Table I doe eate , In his bed with him I lie : But I take no rest , nor meate , Without cruell iealousie . If I aske him what he ayles , And whereof he iealous is ? In his answere then he failes , Nothing can he say to this . In his face there is no cheere , But he euer hangs the head : In each corner he doth peere , And his speech is sad and dead . Ill the poore soule liues ywis : That so hardly married is . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Rowlands Madrigall . FAire Loue rest thee heere , Neuer yet was morne so cloere , Sweet be not vnkinde , Let me thy fauour finde , Or else for loue I die . Harke this pretty bubling spring , How it makes the Meadowes ring , Loue now stand my friend , Here let all sorrow end , And I will honour thee . See where little Cupid lyes , Looking babies in her eyes . Cupid help me now , Lend to me thy bowe , to wound her that wounded me . Here is none to see or tell , All our Flocks are feeding by , This banke with Roses spred , Oh it is a dainty bed , fit for my Loue and me . Harke the birds in yonder Groaue , How they chaunt vnto my Loue , Loue be kinde to me , As I haue beene to thee , for thou hast wonne my hart . Calme windes blow you faire , Rock her thou sweet gentle ayre , O the morne is noone , The euening comes too soone , to part my Loue and me . The Roses and thy lips doe meete , Oh that life were halfe so sweet , Who would respect his breath , That might die such a death , oh that life thus might die . All the bushes that be neere , With sweet Nightingales beset , Hush sweet and be still , Let them sing their fill , there 's none our ioyes to let . Sunne why do'st thou goe so fast ? Oh why do'st thou make such hast ? It is too earely yet , So soone from ioyes to flit , why art thou so vnkinde ? See my little Lambkins runne , Looke on them till I haue done , Hast not on the night , To rob me of her sight , that liue but by her eyes . Alas , sweet Loue , we must depart , Harke , my dogge begins to barke , Some bodie 's comming neere , They shall not finde vs heere , for feare of being chid . Take my Garland and my Gloue , Weare it for my sake my Loue , Tomorrow on the greene , Thou shalt be our Shepheards Queene , crowned with Roses gay . FINIS . Michaell Drayton .

¶ Alanius the Shepheard , his dolefull Song , complaining of Ismeniaes crueltie . NO more ( O cruell Nimph , ) now hast thou prayed Enough in thy reuenge , proue not thine ire On him that yeelds , the fault is now appayed Vnto my cost : Now mollifie thy dire Hardnes , and brest of thine so much obdured : And now raise vp ( though lately it hath erred , ) A poore repenting soule , that in the obscured Darknes of thy obliuion lyes enterred . For it falls not in that , that should commend thee : That such a Swaine as I may once offend thee . If that the little Sheepe with speed is flying From angry Shepheard ( with his words afrayed ) And runneth here and there with fearefull crying , And with great griefe is from the Flock estrayed : But when it now perceiues that none doth follow , And all alone , so farre estraying mourneth , Knowing what danger it is in , with hollow And fainting bleates , then fearefull it returneth Vnto the Flock , meaning no more to leaue it : Should it not be a iust thing to receaue it ? Lift vp those eyes ( Ismenia ) which so stately To view me , thou hast lifted vp before me , That liberty , which was mine owne but lately , Giue me againe , and to the same restore me : And that mild heart , so full of loue and pittie , Which thou didst yeeld to me , and euer owe me ; Behold ( my Nimph ) I was not then so wittie To know that sincere loue that thou didst shew me : Now wofull man , full well I know and rue it , Although it was too late before I knew it . How could it be ( my enemie ? ) say , tell me , How thou ( in greater fault and errour being Then euer I was thought ) should'st thus repell me ? And with new league and cruell title seeing Thy faith so pure and worthy to be changed ? And what is that Ismenia , that doth bind it To loue , whereas the same is most estranged , And where it is impossible to finde it ? But pardon me , if herein I abuse thee : Since that the cause thou gau'st me doth excuse me . But tell me now , what honour hast thou gayned , Auenging such a fault by thee committed , And there-vnto by thy occasion trayned ? What haue I done , that I haue not acquitted ? Or what excesse that is not amply payed , Or suffer more , that I haue not endured ? What cruell minde , what angry breast displayed , With sauage heart , to fiercenesse so adiured ? Would not such mortall griefe make milde & tender : But that , which my fell Shepheardesse doth render ? Now as I haue perceiued well thy reasons , Which thou hast had , or hast yet to forget me , The paines , the griefes , the guilts of forced treasons , That I haue done , wherein thou first didst set me : The passions , and thine eares and eyes refusing To peare and see me , meaning to vndoe me : Cam'st thou to know , or be but once perusing Th'vn sought occasions , which thou gau'st vnto me : Thou should'st not haue where-with to more torment me : Nor I to pay the fault my rashnesse lent me . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Montana the Shepheard , his loue to Aminta . I Serue Aminta , whiter then the snowe , Straighter then Cedar , brighter then the glasse : More fine in trip , then foote of running Roe , More pleasant then the field of flowring grasse . More gladsome to my withering ioyes that fade : Then Winters Sunne , or Summers cooling shade , Sweeter then swelling Grape of ripest wine , Softer then feathers of the fairest Swan : Smoother then let , more stately then the Pine , Fresher then Poplat , smaller then my span . Clearer then Phaebus fierie pointed beame : Or Icie crust of Christals frozen streame . Yet is she curster then the Beare by kinde , And harder harted then the aged Oake : More glib then Oyle , more fickle then the winde , More stiffe then steele , no sooner bent but broake . Loe thus my seruice is a lasting sore : Yet will I serue , although I die therefore . FINIS . Shep. Tonie .

¶ The Shepheards sorrow for his Phaebes disdaine . OH Woods vnto your walkes my body hies , To loose the trayterous bonds of tyring Loue , Where trees , where hearbs , where flowers , Their natiue moisture poures From forth their tender stalkes , to helpe mine eyes , Yet their vnited teares may nothing moue . When I behold the faire adorned tree , Which lightnings force and Winters frost resists , Then Daphnes ill betide , And Phaebus lawlesse pride Enforce me say , euen such my sorrowes be : For selfe-disdaine in Phaebes heart consists . If I behold the flowers by morning teares Looke louely sweet : Ah then forlorne I crie Sweet showers for Memnon shed , All flowers by you are fed . Whereas my pitteous plaint that still appeares , Yeelds vigour to her scornes , and makes me die . When I regard the pretty glee-full bird , With teare-full ( yet delightfull ) notes complaine : I yeeld a terror with my teares , And while her musicke wounds mine eares , Alas say I , when will my notes afford Such like remorce , who still be-weepe my paine ? When I behold vpon the leafelesse bough The haplesse bird lament her Loues depart : I draw her biding nigh , And sitting downe I sigh , And sighing say : Alas , that birds auow A setled faith , yet Phaebe scornes my smart . Thus wearie in my walke , and wofull too , I spend the day , fore-spent with daily griefe : Each obiect of distresse My sorrow doth expresse . I doate on that which doth my hart vndoe : And honour her that scornes-to yeeld reliefe . FINIS . I. F.

¶ Espilus and Therion , their contention in Song for the May-Lady . Espilus . TVne vp my voyce , a higher note I yeeld , To high conceit , the Song must needs be hie : More high then stars , more firme then flintie field Are all my thoughts , in which I liue and die . Sweet soule to whom I vowed am a slaue : Let not wild woods so great a treasure haue . Therion . The highest note comes oft from basest minde , As shallow Brookes doe yeeld the greatest sound : Seeke other thoughts thy life or death to finde , Thy starres be falne , plowed is thy flinty ground . Sweet soule , let not a wretch that serueth sheep Among his Flock so sweet a treasure keep . Espilus . Two thousand Sheepe I haue as white as milke , Though not so white as is thy louely face : The pasture rich , the wooll as soft as silke , All this I giue , let me possesse thy grace . But still take heed , lest thou thy selfe submit : To one that hath no wealth , & wants his wit . Therion . Two thousand Deere in wildest woods I haue , Them can I take , but you I cannot hold : He is not poore who can his freedome saue , Bound but to you , no wealth but you I would . But take this beast , if beasts you feare to misse : For of his beasts the greatest beast he is . Both kneeling to her Maiestie . Espilus . Iudge you , to whom all beauties force is lent : Therion . Iudge you of loue , to whom all loue is bent . This Song was sung before the Queenes most excellent Maiestie , in Wansted Garden : as a contention betweene a Forrester and a Shepheard for the May-Ladie . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

¶ Olde Melibeus Song , courting his Nimph. LOues Queene long waiting for her true-Loue , Slaine by a Boare which he had chased , Left off her teares , and me embraced , She kist me sweet , and call'd me new-Loue , With my siluer haire she toyed , In my stayed lookes she ioyed . Boyes ( shee sayd ) breede beauties sorrow : Olde men cheere it euen and morrow . My face she nam'd the seate of fauour , All my defects her tongue defended , My shape she prais'd , but most commended My breath , more sweete then Balme in sauour . Be old man with me delighted , Loue for loue shall be requited . With her toyes at last she wone me : Now she coyes that hath vndone me .

¶ The Shepheard Syluanus his Song . MY life ( young Shepheardesse ) for thee Of needes to death must post : But yet my griefe must stay with me , After my life is lost . The grieuous ill , by death that cured is , Continually hath remedy at hand : But not that torment that is like to this , That in slow time , and Fortunes meanes doth stand . And if this sorrow cannot be Ended with life ( at most : ) What then doth this thing profit me ) A sorrow wonne or lost ? Yet all is one to me , as now I trie a flattering hope , or that that had not beene yet : For if to day for want of it I die , Next day I doe no lesse for hauing seene it . Faine would I die , to end and free This grieefe , that kills me most : If that it might be lost with me , Or die when life is lost . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Coridons Song . A Blithe and bonny Country-Lasse , heigh hoe bonny-Lasse , Sate sighing on the tender grasse , and weeping said : will none come wooe me ? A smicker Boy , a lither Swaine : heigh hoe a smicker Swaine : That in his loue was wanton faine , with smiling lookes straight came vnto her . When as the wanton Wench espied , heigh hoe when she espied , The meanes to make her selfe a Bride , she simpred smooth like bonnie-bell : The Swaine that saw her squint-eyed kinde , heigh hoe squint-eyed kinde , His armes about her body twin'd and said , Faire Lasse , how fare ye , well ? The Countrie-Kit said , well forsooth , heigh hoe well forsooth , But that I haue a longing tooth , a longing tooth that makes me crie : Alas ( said he ) what garres thy griefe , heigh hoe what garres thy griefe ? A wound ( quoth she ) without reliefe , I feare a mayd that I shall die . If that be all , the Shepheard sayd , heigh hoe the Shepheard sayd , He make thee wiue it gentle Mayde , and so recure thy maladie : Hereon they kist with many an oath , heigh hoe many an oath , And fore God Pan did plight their troath , so to the Church apace they hie . And God send euery pretty peate , heigh hoe the pretty peate , That feares to die of this conceit , so kinde a friend to helpe at last : Then Maydes shall neuer long againe , heigh hoe to long againe . When they finde ease for such a paine . thus my Roundelay is past . FINIS . Thom. Lodge .

¶ The Shepheards Sonnet . MY fairest Ganimede disdaine me not , Though silly Shepheard I , presume to loue thee , Though my harsh Songs and Sonnets cannot moue thee : Yet to thy beauty is my loue no blot : Apollo , Ioue , and many Gods beside S'dain'd not the name of Country Shepheard Swaines , Nor want we pleasures , though we take some paines . We liue contentedly : A thing call'd pride Which so corrupts the Court and euery place , ( Each place I meane where learning is neglected , And yet of late , euen learnings selfe 's infected , ) I know not what it meanes in any case . We onely ( when Molorchus gins to peepe , ) Learne for to fold , and to vnfold our Sheepe . FINIS . Rich. Barnefield .

¶ Seluagia and Siluanus , their Songs to Diana . Sel. I See thee iolly Shepheard merrie , And firme thy faith , and sound as a berry . Sil. Loue gaue me ioy , and Fortune gaue it , As my desire could wish to haue it . Sel. What didst thou wish , tell me ( sweet Louer , ) Whereby thou might'st such ioy recouer ? Sil. To loue where loue should be inspired : Since there 's no more to be desired . Sel. In this great glory , and great gladnes , T'hinkst thou to haue no touch of sadnes ? Sil. Good Fortune gaue me not such glory : To mock my Loue , or make me sorrie . Sel. If my firme loue I were denying , Tell me , with sighs would'st thou be dying ? Sil. Those words ( in ieast ) to heare thee speaking : For very griefe this hart is breaking . Sel. Yet would'st thou change , I pre-thee tell me , In seeing one that did excell me ? Sil. O no , for how can I aspire , To more , then to mine owne desire ? Sel. Such great affection do'st thou beare me : As by thy words thou seem'st to sweare me ? Sil. Of thy deserts , to which a debter I am , thou maist demaund this better . Sel. Sometimes me thinks , that I should sweare it , Sometimes me thinks , thou should'st not beare it . Sil. Onely in this my hap doth grieue me , And my desire , not to beleeue me . Sel. Imagine that thou do'st not loue mine , But some braue beautie that 's aboue mine . Sil. To such a thing ( sweet ) doe not will me , Where fayning of the same doth kill me . Sel. I see thy firmenesse gentle Louer , More then my beautie can discouer . Sil. And my good fortune to be higher Then my desert , but not desire . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Montanus his Madrigall . IT was a Vallie gawdie greene , Where Dian at the Fount was seene , Greene it was , And did passe All other of Dianaes bowers , In the pride of Floraes flowers . A Fount it was that no Sunne sees , Cirkled in with Cipres trees , Set so nie , As Phaebus eye Could not doe the Virgins scathe , To see them naked when they bathe . She sate there all in white , Colour fitting her delight , Virgins so Ought to goe : For white in Armorie is plaste . To be the colour that is chaste . Her taffata Cassock you might see , Tucked vp aboue her knee , Which did show There below Legges as white as Whales bone , So white and chaste was neuer none . Hard by her vpon the ground , Sate her Virgins in a round , Bathing their Golden haire , And singing all in notes hie : Fie on Venus flattering eye . Fie on Loue , it is a toy , Cupid witlesse , and a boy , All his fires , And desires , Are plagues that God sent from on hie : To pester men with miserie . As thus the Virgins did disdaine Louers ioy and Louers paine , Cupid nie Did espie Greeuing at Dianaes Song , Slily stole these Maides among . His bow of steele , darts of fire , He shot amongst them sweet desire , Which straite flies In their eyes , And at the entrance made them start , For it ranne from eye to hart . Calisto straite supposed Ioue , Was faire and frolique for to loue , Dian she , Scap'd not free , For well I wote heere vpon , She lou'd the Swaine Endimion . Clitia , Phaebus , and Chloris eye Thought none so faire as Mercurie . Venus thus Did discusse By her Sonne in darts of fire : None so chaste to check desire . Dian rose with all her Maydes , Blushing thus at Loues braides , With sighs all Shew their thrall , And flinging thence , pronounc'd this saw : What so strong as Loues sweet law ? FINIS . Ro. Greene . .

¶ Astrophell to Stella , his third Song . IF Orpheus voyce had force to breathe such musiques loue Through pores of sencelesse trees , as it could make them moue : If stones good measure daunc'd , the Thebane walls to build To cadence of the times , which Amphyons Lyre did yeeld : More cause a like effect at least-wise bringeth , O stones , O trees , learne hearing , Stella singeth . If Loue might sweet'n so a boy of Shepheards broode , To make a Lyzard dull to taste Loues daintie food : If Eagle fierce could so in Grecian Mayde delight , As his light was her eyes , her death his endlesse night : Earth gaue that Loue , heau'n I trow Loue defineth , O Beasts , O Birds , looke , Loue , loe , Stella shineth . The birds , stones , and trees , feele this , and feeling Loue , And if the trees , nor stones stirre not the same to proue : Nor beasts , nor birds doe come vnto this blessed gaze , Know , that small Loue is quicke , and great Loue doth amaze , They are amaz'd , but you with reason armed , O eyes , O eares of men , how are you charmed ? FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

¶ A Song betweene Syrenus and Syluanus . Syrenus . WHo hath of Cupids cates & dainties praied , May feed his stomach with them at his pleasure : If in his drinke some ease he hath assayed , Then let him quench his thirsting without measure : And if his weapons pleasant in their manner , Let him embrace his standard and his banner . For being free from him , and quite exempted : Ioyfull I am , and proud , and well contented . Syluanus . Of Cupids daintie cates who hath not prayed , May be depriued of them at his pleasure : If wormewood in his drinke he hath assayed , Let him not quench his thirsting without measure : And if his weapons in their cruell manner , Let him abiure his standard and his banner : For I not free from him , and not exempted , Ioyfull I am , and proud , and well contented . Syrenus . Loue 's so expert in giuing many a trouble , That now I know not why he should be praised : He is so false , so changing , and so double , That with great reason he must be dispraised . Loue in the end is such aiarring passion , That none should trust vnto his peeuish fashion , For of all mischiefe he 's the onely Master : And to my good a torment and disaster . Syluanus . Loue 's so expert in giuing ioy , not trouble , That now I know not but he should be praised : He is so true , so constant , neuer double , That in my minde he should not be dispraised . Loue in the end is such a pleasing passion , That euery one may trust vnto his fashion . For of all good he is the onely Master : And foe vnto my harmes , and my disaster . Syrenus . Not in these sayings to be proou'd a lyer , He knowes that doth not loue , nor is beloued : Now nights and dayes I rest , as I desire , After I had such griefe from me remoued . And cannot I be glad , since thus estranged , My selfe from false Diana I haue changed ? Hence , hence , false Loue , I wil not entertaine their Since to thy torments thou do'st seeke to traine me . Syluanus . . Not in these sayings to be prou'd a lyer , He knowes that loues , and is againe beloued : Now nights and dayes I rest in sweet desire , After I had such happy fortune proued And cannot I be glad , since not estranged , My selfe into Seluagia I haue changed ? Come , come , good Loue , and I will entertaine thee . Since to thy sweet content thou seek'st to traine me . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Ceres Song in emulation of Cinthia . SWell Ceres now , for other Gods are shrinking , Pomona pineth , Fruitlesse her tree : Faire Phaebus shineth Onely on me . Conceit doth make me smile whilst I am thinking , How euery one doth read my storie , How euery bough on Ceres lowreth , Cause heauen plenty on me powreth , And they in leaues doe onely glory , All other Gods of power bereauen , Ceres onely Queene of heauen . With roabes and flowers let me be dressed , Cinthia that shineth Is not so cleare : Cinthia declineth When I appeare . Yet in this Isle she raignes as blessed , And euery one at her doth wonder , And in my eares still fond fame whispers Cinthia shall be Ceres Mistres , But first my Carre shall riue in sunder . Helpe Phaebus helpe , my fall is suddaine : Cinthia , Cinthia must be Soueraigne . This Song was sung before her Maiestie , at Bissam , the Lady Russels , in prograce , The Authors name vnknowne to me .

¶ A Pastorall Ode to an honourable friend . AS to the blooming prime , Bleake Winter being fled : From compasse of the clime , Where Nature lay as dead , The Riuers dull'd with time , The greene leaues withered . Fresh Zephyri ( the Westerne brethren ) be : So th' honour of your fauour is to me . For as the Plaines reuiue , And put on youthfull greene : As plants begin to thriue , That disattir'd had beene : And Arbours now aliue , In former pompe are seene , So if my Spring had any flowers before : Your breath Fauonius hath encreast the store . FINIS . E. B.

¶ A Nimphs disdaine of Loue . HEy downe a downe did Dian sing , amongst her Virgins sitting : Then loue there is no vainer thing , for Maydens most vnfitting , And so thinke I , with a downe downe derrie . When women knew no woe , but liu'd them-selues to please : Mens fayning guiles they did not know , the ground of their disease . Vnborne was false suspect , no thought of iealousie : From wanton toyes and fond affect , the Virgins life was free . Hey down a down did Dian sing , &c At length men vsed charmes , to which what Maides gaue eare : Embracing gladly endlesse harmes : anone enthralled were . Thus women welcom'd woe , disguis'd in name of loue : A iealous hell , a painted show , so shall they finde that proue Hey downe a downe did Dian sing , amongst her Virgins sitting : Then loue there is no vainer thing , for Maidens most vnfitting . And so thinke I , with a downe downe derrie . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ Apollos Loue-Song for faire Daphne . MY heart and tongue were twins , at once conceaued , The eldest was my heart , borne dumbe by destinie : The last my tongue , of all sweet thoughts bereaued , Yet strung and tun'd , to play harts harmonie . Both knit in one , and yet a-sunder placed . What hart would speake , the tongue doth still discouer : What tongue doth speake , is of the heart embraced , And both are one , to make a new-found Louer . New-found , and onely found in Gods and Kings , Whose words are deeds , but deeds not words regarded : Chaste thoughts doe mount , and flie with swiftest wings , My loue with paine , my paine with losse rewarded . Engraue vpon this tree Daphnes perfection : That neither men nor Gods can force affection . This Dittie was sung before her Maiestie , at the right honourable the Lord Chandos , at Sudley Castell , at her last being there in prograce . The Author thereof vnknowne .

¶ The Shepheard Delicius his Dittie . NEuer a greater foe did Loue disdaine , Or trode on grasse so gay , Nor Nimph greene leaues with whiter hand hath rent , More golden haire the wind did neuer blow , Nor fairer Dame hath bound in white attire , Or hath in Lawne more gracious features tied , Then my sweet Enemie . Beautie and chastitie one place refraine , In her beare equall sway : Filling the world with wonder and content . But they doe giue me paine and double woe , Since loue and beautie kindled my desire , And cruell chastitie from me denied All sence of iollitie . There is no Rose , nor Lilly after raine , Nor flower in moneth of May , Nor pleasant meade , nor greene in Sommer sent , That seeing them , my minde delighteth so , As that faire flower which all the heauens admire , Spending my thoughts on her , in whom abide All grace and gifts on hie . Me thinks my heauenly Nimph I see againe Her neck and breast display : Seeing the whitest Ermine to frequent Some plaine , or flowers that make the fairest show . O Gods , I neuer yet beheld her nier , Or farre , in shade , or Sunne , that satisfied I was in passing by . The Meade , the Mount , the Riuer , Wood , and Plaine , With all their braue array , Yeeld not such sweet , as that faire face that 's bent Sorrowes and ioy in each soule to bestow In equall parts , procur'd by amorous fire Beauty and Loue in her their force haue tried , to blind each humane eye . Each wicked mind & will , which wicked vice doth staine , her vertues breake and stay : All ayres infect by ayre are purg'd and spent , Though of a great foundation they did grow . O body , that so braue a soule do'st hire , And blessed soule , whose vertues euer pried aboue the starrie skie . Onely for her my life in ioyes I traine my soule sings many a Lay : Musing on her , new Seas I doe inuent Of soueraigne ioy , wherein with pride I rowe . The deserts for her sake I doe require , For without her , the Springs of ioy are dried and that I doe defie . Sweet Fate , that to a noble deede do'st straine , and lift my heart to day : Sealing her there with glorious ornament , Sweet seale , sweet griefe , and sweetest ouerthrow . Sweet miracle , whose fame cannot expire , Sweet wound , and golden shaft , that so espied such heauenly companie Of beauties graces in sweet vertues died , As like were neuer in such yeares descried . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Amintas for his Phillis . AVrora now began to rise againe , From watry couch , and from old Tithons side : In hope to kisse vpon Acteian plaine Young Cephalus , and through the golden glide On Easterne coast he cast so great a light , That Phaebus thought it time to make retire From Thetis bower , wherein he spent the night , To light the world againe with heauenly fire . No sooner gan his winged Steedes to chase The Stigian night , mantled with duskie vale : But poore Amintas hasteth him a pace , In deserts thus , to weepe a wofull tale . You silent shades , and all that dwell therein , As birds , or beasts , or wormes that creepe on ground : Dispose your selues to teares , while I begin To rue the griefe of mine eternall wound . And dolefull ghosts , whose nature flies the light , Come seate your selues with me on eu'ry side : And while I die for want of my delight , Lament the woes through fancie me betide . Phillis is dead , the marke of my desire , My cause of loue , and shipwrack of my ioyes , Phillis is gone that set my heart on fire , That clad my thoughts with ruinous annoyes . Phillis is fled , and bides I wote not where , Phillis ( alas ) the praise of woman-kinde : Phillis the Sunne of this our Hemisphere , Whose beames made me , and many others blinde . But blinded me ( poore Swaine ) aboue the rest , That like olde Oedipus I liue in thrall : Still feele the woorst , and neuer hope the best , My mirth in moane , and honey drown'd in gall . Her faire , but cruell eyes , bewitcht my sight , Her sweet , but fading speech enthrall'd my thought : And in her deedes I reaped such delight , As brought both will and libertie to nought . Therefore all hope of happinesse adiew , Adiew desire , the source of all my care : Despaire tells me , my weale will nere renue , Till thus my soule doth passe in Charons Crare . Meane time my minde must suffer Fortunes scorne , My thoughts still wound , like wounds that still are greene : My weakened limbs be layd on beds of thorne , My life decayes , although my death 's fore-seene . Mine eyes , now eyes no more , but Seas of teares , Weepe on your fill , to coole my burning brest : Where loue did place desire , twixt hope and feares , ( I say ) desire , the Authour of vnrest . And would to God , Phillis where ere thou be , Thy soule did see the sower of mine estate : My ioyes ecclips'd , for onely want of thee My being with my selfe at foule debate . My humble vowes , my sufferance of woe , My sobs and sighs , and euer-watching eyes : My plaintiue teares , my wandring to and fro , My will to die , my neuer-ceasing cries . No doubt but then these sorrowes would perswade , The doome of death , to cut my vitall twist : That I with thee amidst th' infernall shade , And thou with me might sport vs as we list . Oh if thou waite on faire Proserpines traine , And hearest Orpheus neere th' Elizian springs : Entreate thy Queene to free thee thence againe , And let the Thracian guide thee with his strings . FINIS . Tho. Watson .

¶ Faustus and Firmius sing to their Nimph by turnes . Firmius . OF mine owne selfe I doe complaine , And not for louing thee so much , But that in deede thy power is such That my true loue it doth restraine , And onely this doth giue me paine , For faine I would Loue her more , if that I could . Tell me O haire of gold , If I then faultie be : That trust those killing eyes I would , Since they did warrant me ? Haue you not seene her moode , What streames of teares she spent : Till that I sware my faith so stood , As her words had it bent ? Who hath such beautie seene , In one that changeth so ? Or where one loues , so constant beene , Who euer saw such woe ? Ah haires , you are not grieu'd , To come from whence you be : Seeing how once you saw I liu'd , To see me as you see . On sandie banke of late , I saw this woman sit : Where , Sooner die then change my state , She with her finger writ . Thus my beliefe was stay'd , Behold Loues mighty hand On things , were by a woman say'd , And written in the sand . Translated by S. Phil. Sidney , out of Diana of Montmaior .

¶ A Song betweene Taurisius and Diana , answering verse for verse . Taurisius . THe cause why that thou do'st denie To looke on me , sweet foe impart ? Diana . Because that doth not please the eye . Which doth offend and grieue the hart . Taurisius . What woman is , or euer was , That when she looketh , could be mou'd ? Diana . She that resolues her life to passe , Neither to loue , nor to be lou'd . Taurisius . There is no heart so fierce and hard That can so much torment a soule : Diana . Nor Shepheard of so small regard , That reason will so much controule . Taurisius . How falls it out Loue doth not kill Thy crueltie with some remorce ? Diana . Because that Loue is but a will , And free-will doth admit no force . Taurisius . Behold what reason now thou hast , To remedie my louing smart : Diana . The very same bindes me as fast , To keepe such danger from my hart . Taurisius . Why do'st thou thus torment my minde , And to what end thy beautie keepe ? Diana . Because thou call'st me still vnkinde , And pittilesse when thou do'st weepe . Taurisius . Is it because thy crueltie In killing me doth neuer end ? Diana . Nay , for because I meane thereby , My heart from sorrow to defend . Taurisius . Be bold so foule I am no way As thou do'st thinke , faire Shepheardesse : Diana . With this content thee , that I say , That I beleeue the same no lesse . Taurisius . What , after giuing me such store Of passions , do'st thou mock me too ? Diana . If answeres thou wilt any more , Goe seeke them without more adoo . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Another Song before her Maiestie at Oxford , sung by a comely Shepheard , attended on by sundry other Shepheards and Nimphs . HEarbs , words , and stones , all maladies haue cured , Hearbs , words , and stones , I vsed when I loued : Hearbs smells , words winde , stones hardnes haue procured , By stones , nor words , nor hearbs her minde was moued . I ask'd the cause : this was a womans reason , Mongst hearbs are weedes , and thereby are refused : Deceite as well as truth speakes words in season , False stones by foiles haue many one abused . I sigh'd , and then she said , my fancie smoaked , I gaz'd , she said , my lookes were follies glancing : I sounded dead , she said , my loue was choaked , I started vp , she said , my thoughts were dancing . Oh sacred Loue , if thou haue any Godhead : Teach other rules to winne a maydenhead : FINIS . Anonimus .

¶ The Shepheards Song : a Caroll or Himne for Christmas . SWeet Musicke , sweeter sarre Then any Song is sweet : Sweet Musicke heauenly rare , Mine eares ( O peeres ) doth greete . You gentle Flocks , whose fleeces pearl'd with dewe , Resemble heauen , whom golden drops make bright : Listen , O listen , now , O not to you Our pipes make sport to shorten wearie night . But voyces most diuine , Make blisfull Harmonie : Voyces that seeme to shine , For what else cleares the skie ? Tunes can we heare , but not the Singers see : The tunes diuine , and so the Singers be . Loe how the firmament , Within an azure fold : The flock of starres hath pent , That we might them behold . Yet from their beames proceedeth not this light , Nor can their Christals such reflection giue : What then doth make the Element so bright ? The heauens are come downe vpon earth to liue . But harken to the Song , Glory to glories King : And peace all men among , These Queristers doe sing . Angels they are , as also ( Shepheards ) hee , Whom in our feare we doe admire to see . Let not amazement blinde Your soules ( said he ) annoy : To you and all mankinde , My message bringeth ioy . For loe the worlds great Shepheard now is borne A blessed Babe , an Infant full of power : After long night , vp-risen is the morne , Renowning Bethlem in the Sauiour . Sprung is the perfect day , By Prophets seene a farre : Sprung is the mirthfull May , Which Winter cannot marre . In Dauids Citie doth this Sunne appeare : Clouded in flesh , yet Shepheards sit we here . FINIS . E. B.

¶ Arsileus his Caroll , for ioy of the new mariage , betweene Syrenus and Diana . LEt now each Meade with flowers be depainted , Of sundry colours sweetest odours glowing : Roses yeeld forth your smels so finely tainted , Calme windes the greene leaues moue with gentle blowing , The Christall Riuers flowing With waters be encreased : And since each one from sorrow now hath ceased gladnes From mournfull plaints and sadnes . Ring forth faire Nimphs your ioyfull Songs for Let Springs and Meades all kinde of sorrow banish , And mournfull harts the teares that they are bleeding : Let gloomie cloudes with shining morning vanish , Let euery bird reioyce that now is breeding . And since by new proceeding , With mariage now obtained , A great content by great contempt is gained , gladnes . And you deuoyd of sadnes , Ring forth faire Nimphs your ioyfull Songs for Who can make vs to change our firme desires , And soule to leaue her strong determination , And make vs freeze in Ice , and melt in fires , And nicest hearts to loue with emulation , Who rids vs from vexation , And all our minds commandeth ? But great Felicia , that his might withstandeth gladnes . That fill'd our hearts with sadnes , Ring forth faire Nimphs your ioyfull Songs for Your fields with their distilling fauours cumber ( Bridegroome and happy Bride ) each heauenly power Your Flocks , with double Lambs encreas'd in number , May neuer tast vnsauorie grasse and sower . The Winters frost and shower Your Kids ( your pretie pleasure ) May neuer hurt , and blest with so much treasure , To driue away all sadnes : Ring forth faire Nimphs your ioyfull Songs for gladnes . Of that sweet ioy delight you with such measure , Betweene you both fai●e issue to ingender : Longer then Nestor may you liue in pleasure , The Gods to you such sweet content surrender , That may make mild and tender The beasts in euery mountaine , And glad the fields , and Woods , and euery Fountaine , Abiuring former sadnes , Ring forth faire Nimphs , your ioyfull Songs for gladnes . Let amorous birds with sweetest notes delight you , Let gentle windes refresh you with their blowing : Let fields and Forrests with their good requite you , And Flora decke the ground where you are going . Roses and Violets strowing , The Iasmine and the Gilliflower , With many more , and neuer in your bower , To tast of houshold sadnes : Ring forth faire Nimphs your ioyfull Songs for gladnes . Concord and peace hold you for aye contented , And in your ioyfull state liue you so quiet : That with the plague of iealousie tormented You may not be , nor fed with Fortunes diet . And that your names may flie yet , To hills vnknowne with glorie . But now because my breast so hoarce , and sorrie . It faints , may rest from singing : End Nimphs your Songs , that in the clouds are ringing . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Philistus farewell to false Clorinda . CLorinda false adiew , thy loue torments me : Let Thirsis haue thy heart , since he contents thee . Oh griefe and bitter anguish , For thee I languish , Faine I ( alas ) would hide it , Oh , but who can abide it ? I can , I cannot I abide it . Adiew , adiew then , Farewell , Leaue my death now desiring : For thou hast thy requiring . Thus spake Philistus , on his hooke relying : And sweetly fell a dying . FINIS . Out of M. Morleys Madrigalls .

¶ Rosalindes Madrigall . LOue in my bosome like a Bee , doth sucke his sweet : Now with his wings , he playes with me , now with his feete . Within mine eyes he makes his nest , His bed amidst my tender brest , My kisses are his daily feast , And yet he robs me of my rest . Ah wanton will ye ? And if I sleepe , then pierceth he , with prettie slight : And makes his pillow of my knee , the liue-long night . Strike I my Lute , he tunes the string , He musicke playes if I but sing , He lends me euery lonely thing , Yet cruell he my heart doth sting . Whilst wanton , still ye . Else I with Roses euery day will whip ye hence : And binde ye when ye long to play , for your offence . I le shut mine eyes to keepe ye in , I le make you fast it for your sinne , He count your power not woorth a pin . Alas , what hereby shall I winne If he gaine-say me ? What if I beate the wanton Boy with many a rod ? He will repay me with annoy because a God . Then sit thou safely on my knee , And let thy bower my bosome be : Lurke in mine eyes , I like of thee . O Cupid , so thou pitty me , Spare not , but play thee . FINIS . Thom. Lodge .

¶ A Dialogue Song betweene Syluanus and Arsilius . Syl. SHepheard , why do'st thou holde thy peace ? Sing , and thy ioy to vs report : Arsil . My ioy ( good Shepheard ) should be lesse , If it were tolde in any sort . Syl. Though such great fauours thou do'st winne , Yet daigne thereof to tell some part : Arsil . The hardest thing is to begin , In enterprizes of such Art . Syl. Come make an end , no cause omit , Of all the ioyes that thou art in : Arsil . How should I make an end of it , That am not able to begin ? Syl. It is not iust , we should consent , That thou shoul'dst not thy ioyes recite : Arsil . The soule that felt the punishment , Doth onely feele this great delight . Syl. That ioy is small , and nothing fine , That is not tolde abroad to many : Arsil . If it be such a ioy as mine , It neuer can be tolde to any . Syl. How can this hart of thine containe A ioy , that is of such great force ? Arsil . I haue it , where I did retaine My passions of so great remorse . Syl. So great and rare a ioy is this , No man is able to with-hold : Arsil . But greater that a pleasure is , The lesse it may with words be told . Syl. Yet haue I heard thee heretofore , Thy ioyes in open Songs report : Arsil . I said , I had of ioy some store , But not how much , nor in what sort . Syl. Yet when a ioy is in excesse , It selfe it will oft-times vnfolde : Arsil . Nay such a ioy would be the lesse , If but a word thereof were tolde . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Montanus Sonnet . WHen the dogge Full of rage With his irefull eyes Frownes amidst the skies : The Shepheard to asswage The furie of the heate , Himselfe doth safely seate By a Fount Full of faire , Where a gentle breath Mounting from beneath , tempereth the ayre . There his flocks Drinke their fill , And with ease repose , While sweet sleepe doth close Eyes from toyling ill , But I burne , Without rest , No defensiue power Shields from Phoebus lower , sorrow is my best . Gentle Loue Lower no more , If thou wilt inuade In the secret shade , Labour not so sore , I my selfe And my flocks , They their Loue to please , I my selfe to ease , Both leaue the shadie Oakes , Content to burne in fire , Sith Loue doth so desire . FINIS . S. E. D.

¶ The Nimph Seluagia her Song . SHepheard , who can passe such wrong , And a life in woes so deepe , Which to liue is too long , As it is too short to weepe , Grieuous sighs in vaine I waste , Leesing my affiance , and I perceaue my hope at last , with a candle in the hand . What time then to hope among bitter hopes that neuer sleepe ? When this life is too too long , as it is too short to weepe . This griefe which I feele so rife , ( wretch ) I doe deserue as hire : Since I came to put my life in the hands of my desire . Then cease not my complaints so strong , for ( though life her course doth keepe : ) It is not to liue so long , as it is too short to weepe . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ The Heard-mans happie life . WHat pleasure haue great Princes , more daintie to their choice , Then Heardmen wilde , who carelesse , in quiet life reioyce ? And Fortunes Fate not fearing , Sing sweet in Sommer morning . Their dealings plaine and rightfull are voyd of all deceit : They neuer know how spightfull , it is to kneele and waite ; On fauourite presumptuous , Whose pride is vaine and sumptuous . All day their flocks each tendeth , at night they take their rest : More quiet then who sendeth his ship into the East ; Where Gold and Pearle are plentie , But getting very daintie . For Lawyers and their pleading , they ' steeme it not a straw : They thinke that honest meaning , is of it selfe a law ; Where conscience iudgeth plainely , They spend no money vainely . Oh happy who thus liueth , not caring much for gold : With cloathing which sufficeth , to keepe him from the cold . Though poore and plaine his diet : Yet merry it is and quiet . FINIS . Out of M. Birds set Songs .

¶ Cinthia the Nimph , her Song to faire Polydora . NEere to the Riuer bankes , with greene And pleasant trees on euery side , Where freest minds would most haue beene , That neuer felt braue Cupids pride , To passe the day and tedious howers : Amongst those painted meades and flowers . A certaine Shepheard full of woe , Syrenus call'd , his flocks did feede : Not sorrowfull in outward show , But troubled with such griefe indeed As cruell Loue is wont t' impart . Vnto a painefull louing hart . This Shepheard euery day did die , For loue he to Diana bare : A Shepheardesse so fine perdie , So liuely , young , and passing faire , Excelling more in beauties feature : Then any other humane creature . Who had not any thing , of all She had , but was extreame in her , For meanely wise none might her call , Nor meanely faire , for he did erre If so he did : but should deuise Her name of passing faire and wise . Fauours on him she did bestow , Which if she had not , then be sure He might haue suffered all that woe Which afterward he did endure When he was gone , with lesser paine , And at his comming home againe . For when indeed the hart is free From suffering paine or torment smart : If wisedome doth not ouer-see And beareth not the greatest part ; The smallest griefe and care of minde : Doth make it captiue to their kinde . Neere to a Riuer swift and great , That famous Ezla had to name : The carefull Shepheard did repeate The feares he had by absence blame , Which he suspect where he did keepe : And feede his gentle Lambs and Sheepe . And now sometimes he did behold His Shepheardesse , that there about Was on the mountaines of that old And auncient Leon , seeking out . From place to place the pastures best . Her Lambes to feede , her selfe to rest . And sometime musing , as he lay When on those hils shee was not seene : Was thinking of that happy day , When Cupid gaue him such a Queene Of beautie , and such cause of ioy : Wherein his minde he did imploy . Yet said ( poore man ) when he did see Himselfe so sunke in sorrowes pit : The good that Loue hath giuen me , I onely doe imagine it , Because this neerest harme and trouble : Hereafter I should suffer double . The Sunne for that it did decline , The carelesse man did not offend With fierie beames , which scarce did shine But that which did of loue depend , And in his hart did kindle fire : Of greater flames and hote desire . Him did his passions all inuite , The greene leaues blowne with gentle winde : Christaline streames with their delight , And Nightingales were not behinde , To helpe him in his louing verse : Which to himselfe he did rehearse . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ The Shepheard to the Flowers . SWeet Violets ( Loues Paradise ) that spread Your gracious odours , which you couched beare Within your palie faces : Vpon the gentle wing of some calme-breathing-winde That playes amidst the Plaine , If by the fauour of propitious starres you gaine Such grace as in my Ladies bosome place to finde : Be proud to touch those places . And when her warmth your moysture forth doth weare , Whereby her daintie parts are sweetly fed : Your honours of the flowrie Meades I pray . You pretty daughters of the Earth and Sunne : With milde and seemely breathing straite display My bitter sighs , that haue my hart vndone . Vermillion Roses , that with new dayes rise Display your crimson solds fresh locking faire , Whose radiant bright , disgraces The rich adorned rayes of roseate rising morne , Ah if her Virgins hand Doe pluck your pure , ere Phoebus view the land , And vaile your gracious pompe in louely Natures scorne . If chaunce my Mistresse traces Fast by your flowers to take the Sommers ayre : Then wofull blushing tempt her glorious eyes , To spread their teares , Adonis death reporting , And tell Loues torment , sorrowing for her friend : Whose drops of bloud within your leaues consorting , Report faire Venus moanes to haue no end . Then may remorse , in pittying of my smart : Drie vp my teares , and dwell within her hart . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ The Shepheard Arsilius his Song to his Rebeck . NOw Loue and Fortune turne to me againe , And now each one enforceth and assures A hope , that was dismayed , dead , and vaine : And from the harbour of mishaps assures A hart that is consum'd in burning fire , With vnexpected gladnesse , that admires My soule to lay a-side her mourning tire , And senses to prepare a place for ioy , Care in obliuion endlesse shall expire . For euery griefe of that extreame annoy Which when my torment raign'd , my soule ( alas ) Did feele , the which long absence did destroy , Fortune so well appayes , that neuer was So great the torment of my passed ill , As is the ioy of this same good I passe . Returne my hart , sursaulted with the fill Of thousand great vnrests , & thousand feares : Enioy thy good estate , if that thou will . And wearied eyes , leaue off your burning teares , For soone you shall behold her with delight , For whom my spoiles with glory Cupid beares . Senses which seeke my starre so cleare and bright , By making here & there your thoughts estray : Tell me , what will you feele before her sight ? Hence solitarinesse , torments away , Felt for her sake , and wearied members cast Off all your paine , redeem'd this happy day . O stay not time , but passe with speedy hast , And Fortune hinder not her comming now . O God , betides me yet this griefe at last ? Come my sweet Shepheardesse , the life which thou ( Perhaps ) didst thinke was ended long agoe , At thy commaund is readie still to bow . Comes not my Shepheardesse desired so ? O God , what if she 's lost , or if she stray Within this wood , where trees so thicke doe grow ? Or if this Nimph that lately went away , Perhaps forgot to goe and seeke her out : No , no , in ( her ) obliuion neuer lay . Thou onely art my Shepheardesse , about Whose thoughts my soule shall finde her ioy and rest : Why comm'st not then to assure it from doubt ? O seest thou not the Sunne passe to the West ? And if it passe , and I behold thee not : Then I my wonted torments will request , And thou shalt waile my hard and heauie lot . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Another of Astrophell to his Stella . IN a Groue most rich of shade , Where Birds wanton musique made ; May , then young , his pyed weedes showing , New perfum'd , with flowers fresh growing . Astrophell with Stella sweet , Did for mutuall comfort meet Both within them-selues oppressed , But each in the other blessed . Him great harmes had taught much care , Her faire necke a foule yoake bare : But her sight his cares did banish , In his sight her yoake did vanish . Wept they had , alas the while , But now teares them-selues did smile . While their eyes by Loue directed , Enterchangeably reflected . Sigh they did , but now betwixt Sighs of woes , were glad sighs mixt , With armes crost , yet testifying Restlesse rest , and liuing dying . Their eares hungry of each word , Which the deare tongue would afford , But their tongues restrain'd from walking , Till their hearts had ended talking . But when their tongues could not speake , Loue it selfe did silence breake , Loue did set his lips a-sunder , Thus to speake in loue and wonder . Stella Soueraigne of my ioy , Faire triumpher of annoy , Stella , starre of heauenly fire , Stella , Loadstarre of desire . Stella , in whose shining eyes , Are the lights of Cupids skies , Whose beames where they once are darted , Loue there-with is strait imparted . Stella , whose voyce when it speakes , Sences all asunder breakes , Stella , whose voyce when it singeth , Angels to acquaintance bringeth . Stella , in whose body is Writ each Character of blisse , Whose face all , all beautie passeth , Saue thy minde , which it surpasseth . Graunt , O graunt : but speech alas Failes me , fearing on to passe . Graunt , O me , what am I saying ? But no fault there is in praying . Graunt ( O deere ) on knees I pray , ( Knees on ground he then did stay ) That not I , but since I loue you , Time and place for me may moue you . Neuer season was more fit , Neuer roome more apt for it . Smiling ayre alowes my reason , The birds sing , now vse the season . This small winde , which so sweet is , See how it the leaues doth kisse , Each tree in his best attyring Sence of loue to loue inspiring . Loue makes earth the water drinke , Loue to earth makes water sinke : And if dumbe things be so wittie , Shall a heauenly grace want pittie ? There his hands in their speech , faine Would haue made tongues language plaine . But her hands , his hands repelling : Gaue repulse , all grace excelling . Then she spake ; her speech was such , As not eares , but hart did touch : While such wise she loue denied , As yet loue she signified . Astrophell , said she , my Loue , Cease in these effects to proue . Now be still , yet still beleeue me , Thy griefe more then death doth grieue mee . If that any thought in me , Can taste comfort but of thee , Let me feede with hellish anguish , Ioylesse , helplesse , endlesse languish . If those eyes you praised , be Halfe so deere as you to me : Let me home returne starke blinded Of those eyes , and blinder minded . If to secret of my hart I doe any wish impart : Where thou art not formost placed ; Be both wish and I defaced . If more may be said , I say All my blisse on thee I lay . If thou loue , my loue content thee , For all loue , all faith is meant thee . Trust me , while I thee denie , In my selfe the smart I trie . Tirant , honour doth thus vse thee , Stellaes selfe might not refuse thee . Therefore ( deere ) this no more moue , Least , though I leaue not thy loue , Which too deepe in me is framed : I should blush when thou art named . There-with-all , away she went , Leauing him to passion rent : With what she had done and spoken , That there-with my Song is broken . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

¶ Syrenus his Song to Dianaes Flockes . PAssed contents , Oh what meane ye ? Forsake me now , and doe not wearie me . Wilt thou heare mee O memorie ? My pleasant dayes , and nights againe , I haue appai'd with seauen-fold paine . Thou hast no more to aske me why , For when I went , they all did die , As thou do'st see : O leaue me then , and doe not wearie me . Greene field , and shadowed valley , where Sometime my chiefest pleasure was , Behold what I did after passe . Then let me rest , and if I beare Not with good cause continuall feare : Now doe you see , O leaue me then , and doe not trouble mee . I saw a hart changed of late , And wearied to assure mine : Then I was forced to recure mine By good occasion , time and fate , My thoughts that now such passion hate , O what meane ye ? Forsake me now , and doe not wearie mee . You Lambes and Sheepe that in these Layes , Did sometime follow me so glad : The merry houres , and the sad Are passed now , with all those dayes . Make not such mirth and wonted playes As once did ye . For now no more , you haue deceaued me . If that to trouble me you come , Or come to comfort me indeed : I haue no ill for comforts need . But if to kill me : Then ( in some ) Now my ioyes are dead and dombe , Full well may ye Kill me , and you shall make an end of me . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ To Amarillis . THough Amarillis dance in greene , Like Fairie Queene , And sing full cleere , With smiling cheere . Yet since her eyes make heart so sore , hey hoe , I hill loue no more . My Sheepe are lost for want of foode And I so wood That all the day : I sit and watch a Heard-mayde gay , Who laughs to see me sigh so sore : hey hoe , I hill loue no more . Her louing lookes , her beautie bright , Is such delight , That all in vaine : I loue to like , and loose my gaine , For her that thanks me not therefore , hey hoe , I hill loue no more , Ah wanton eyes , my friendly foes , And cause of woes , Your sweet desire Breedes flames of Ice , and freeze in fire . You scorne to see me weepe so sore : hey hoe , I hill loue no more . Loue ye who list , I force him not , Sith God it wot The more I waile : The lesse my sighs and teares preuaile . What shall I doe , but say therefore , hey hoe , I hill loue no more ? FINIS . Out of M. Birds set Songs .

¶ Cardenia the Nimph , to her false Shepheard Faustus . FAustus , if thou wilt reade from me These few and simple lines , By them most clearely thou shalt see , How little should accounted be Thy faigned words and signes . For noting well thy deedes vnkinde , Shepheard , thou must not scan : That euer it came to my minde , To praise thy faith like to the winde , Or for a constant man . For this in thee shall so be sound , As smoake blowne in the aire : Or like Quick-siluer turning round , Or as a house built on the ground Of sands that doe impaire . To firmenesse thou art contrarie , More slipp'rie then the Eele : Changing as Weather-cocke on hie , Or the Camelion on the die , Or Fortunes turning wheele . Who would beleeue thou wert so free , To blaze me thus each houre ? My Shepheardesse , thou liu'st in me , My soule doth onely dwell in thee , And euery vitall power . Pale Atropos my vitall string Shall cut , and life offend : The streames shall first turne to their spring . The world shall end , and euery thing , Before my loue shall end . This loue that thou didst promise me , Shepheard , where is it found ? The word and faith I had of thee , O tell me now , where may they be , Or where may they resound ? Too soone thou did'st the title gaine Of giuer of vaine words : Too soone my loue thou did'st obtaine , Too soone thou lou'dst Diana in vaine , That nought but scornes affords . But one thing now I will thee tell , That much thy patience moues : That though Diana doth excell In beautie , yet she keepes not well Her faith , not loyall proues , Thou then hast chosen , each one saith , Thine equall , and a shrow : For if thou hast vndone thy faith , Her Loue and Louer she betrayeth , So like to like may goe . If now this Sonnet which I send Will anger thee : Before Remember Faustus ( yet my friend , ) That if these speeches doe offend , Thy deedes doe hurt me more . Thus let each one of vs amend , Thou deedes , I words so spent : For I confesse I blame my pen , Doe thou as much , so in the end , Thy deedes thou doe repent . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Of Phillida . AS I beheld , I saw a Heardman wilde , with his sheepe-hooke a picture fine deface : Which he sometime his fancie to beguile , had caru'd on bark of Beech in secret place . And with despight of most afflicted minde , through deepe dispaire of heart , for loue dismaid : He pull'd euen from the tree the carued rinde , and weeping sore , these wofull words he said . Ah Phillida would God thy picture faire , I could as lightly blot out of my brest : Then should I not thus rage in deepe dispaire , and teare the thing sometime I liked best . But all in vaine , it booteth not God wot : What printed is in heart , on tree to blot . FINIS . Out of M. Birds set Songs .

Melisea her Song , in scorne of her Shepheard Narcissus . YOung Shepheard turne a-side , and moue Me not to follow thee : For I will neither kill with loue , Nor loue shall not kill me Since I will liue , and neuer show , Then die not , for my loue I will not giue For I will neuer haue thee loue me so , As I doe meane to hate thee while I liue . That since the Louer so doth proue His death , as thou do'st see : Be bold I will not kill with loue , Nor loue shall not kill me . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ His answere to the Nimphs Song . IF to be lou'd it thee offend , I cannot choose but loue thee still : And so thy griefe shall haue no end , Whiles that my life maintaines my will . O let me yet with griefe complaine , since such a torment I endure : Or else fulfill thy great disdaine , to end my life with death most sure . For as no credite thou wilt lend , and as my loue offends thee still : So shall thy sorrowes haue no end , whiles that my life maintaines my will . If that by knowing thee , I could leaue off to loue thee as I doe : Not to offend thee , then I would leaue off to like and loue thee too . But since all loue to thee doth tend , and I of force must loue thee still : Thy griefe shall neuer haue an end , whiles that my life maintaines my will . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Her present answere againe to him . ME thinkes thou tak'st the worser way , ( Enamour'd Shepheard ) and in vaine That thou wilt seeke thine owne decay , To loue her , that doth thee disdaine . For thine owne selfe , thy wofull hart Keepe still , else art thou much to blame : For she to whom thou gau'st each part Of it , disdaines to take the same . Follow not her that makes a play , And lest of all thy griefe and paines : And seeke not ( Shepheard ) thy decay . To loue her that thy loue disdaines . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ His last replie . SInce thou to me wert so vnkinde , My selfe I neuer loued , for I could not loue him in my minde , Whom thou ( faire Mistresse ) do'st abhorre . If viewing thee , I saw thee not , And seeing thee , I could not loue thee : Dying , I should not liue ( God wot ) Nor liuing , should to anger moue thee . But it is well that I doe finde My life so full of torments , for All kinde of ills doe fit his minde Whom thou ( faire Mistresse ) do'st abhorre . In thy obliuion buried now My death I haue before mine eyes : And here to hate my selfe I vow , As ( cruell ) thou do'st me despise . Contented euer thou didst finde Me with thy scornes , though neuer ( for To say the truth ) I ioyed in minde , After thou didst my loue abhorre . FINIS . Bar. Yong.

¶ Philon the Shepheard , his Song . WHile that the Sunne with his beames hot , Scorched the fruites in vale and mountaine : Philon the Shepheard late forgot , Sitting besides a Christall Fountaine : In shaddow of a greene Oake-tree , Vpon his Pipe this Song plaid hee . Adiew Loue , adiew Loue , vntrue Loue , Vntrue Loue , vntrue Loue , adiew Loue : Your minde is light , soone lost for new loue . So long as I was in your sight , I was your heart , your soule , and treasure : And euermore you sob'd and sigh'd , Burning in flames beyond all measure . Three dayes endur'd your loue to me : And it was lost in other three . Adiew Loue , adiew Loue , vntrue Loue , &c. Another Shepheard you did see , To whom your heart was soone enchained : Full soone your loue was leapt from me , Full soone my place he had obtained . Soone came a third , your loue to win : And we were out , and he was in . Adiew Loue , &c. Sure you haue made me passing glad , That you your minde so soone remoued : Before that I the leasure had , To choose you for my best beloued . For all your loue was past and done : Two dayes before it was begun . Adiew Loue , &c. FINIS . Out of M. Birds set Songs .

¶ Lycoris the Nimph , her sad Song . IN dewe of Roses , steeping her louely cheekes , Lycoris thus sate weeping . Ah Dorus false , that hast my heart bereft me , And now vnkinde hast left me . Heare alas , oh heare me , Aye me , aye me , Cannot my beautie moue thee ? Pitty , yet pitty me , Because I loue thee . Aye me , thou scorn'st , the more I pray thee : And this thou do'st , and all to slay me . Why doe then , Kill me , and vaunt thee : Yet my Ghost Still shall haunt thee . FINIS . Out of M. Morleyes Madrigalis .

¶ To his Flockes . BVrst forth my teares , assist my forward griefe , And shew what paine imperious Loue prouokes Kinde tender Lambs lament Loues scant reliefe , And pine , since pensiue care my freedome yoakes , Oh pine , to see me pine , my tender Flockes . Sad pining care , that neuer may haue peace , At Beauties gate , in hope of pittie knocks : But mercie sleepes , while deepe disdaines encrease , And Beautie hope is her faire bosome yoakes : Oh grieue to heare my griefe , my tender Flockes . Like to the windes my sighs haue winged beene . Yet are my sighs and sutes repaide with mockes : I pleade , yet she repineth at my teene , O ruthlesse rigour , harder then the Rockes , That both the Shepheard kills , and his poore Flockes . FINIS .

¶ To his Loue . COme away , come sweet Loue , The golden morning breakes : All the earth , all the ayre , Of loue and pleasure speakes . Teach thine armes then to embrace , And sweet Rosie lips to kisse : And mixe our soules in mutuall blisse . Eyes were made for beauties grace , Viewing , ruing Loues long paine : Procur'd by beauties rude disdaine . Come away , come sweet Loue , The golden morning wasts : While the Sunne from his Sphere His fierie arrowes casts , Making all the shadowes flie , Playing , staying in the Groaue : To entertaine the stealth of loue . Thither sweet Loue let vs hie Flying , dying in desire : Wing'd with sweet hopes and heauenly fire . Come away , come sweet Loue , Doe not in vaine adiorne Beauties grace that should rise Like to the naked morne . Lillies on the Riuers side , And faire Cyprian flowers new blowne , Desire no beauties but their owne . Ornament is Nurse of pride , Pleasure , measure , Loues delight : Hast then sweet Loue our wished flight . FINIS .

¶ Another of his Cynthia . AWay with these selfe-louing-Lads , Whom Cupids arrowe neuer glads . Away poore soules that sigh and weepe , In loue of them that lie and sleepe , For Cupid is a Meadow God : And forceth none to kisse the rod . God Cupids shaft like destinie , Doth either good or ill decree . Desert is borne out of his bowe , Reward vpon his feete doth goe . What fooles are they that haue not knowne , That Loue likes no lawes but his owne ? My Songs they be of Cynthias praise , I weare her Rings on Holy-dayes , On euery Tree I write her name , And euery day I reade the same . Where Honour , Cupids riuall is : There miracles are seene of his . If Cynthia craue her Ring of mee , I blot her name out of the tree . If doubt doe darken things held deere : Then wel-fare nothing once a yeere . For many runne , but one must win : Fooles onely hedge the Cuckoe in . The worth that worthinesse should moue , Is loue , which is the due of loue . And loue as well the Shepheard can , As can the mightie Noble man . Sweet Nimph t is true , you worthy be , Yet without loue , nought worth to me . FINIS .

¶ Another to his Cynthia . MY thoughts are wing'd with hopes , my hopes with loue , Mount loue vnto the Moon in clearest night : And say , as she doth in the heauens moue , On earth so waines and wexeth my delight . And whisper this but softly in her eares : Hope oft doth hang the head , and trust shed teares And you my thoughts that some mistrust doe carrie , If for mistrust my Mistresse doe you blame : Say , though you alter , yet you doe not varie . As she doth change , and yet remaine the same . Distrust doth enter hearts , but not infect , And loue is sweetest , seasoned with suspect . If she for this , with cloudes doe maske her eyes , And make the heauens darke with her disdaine : With windie sighs dispierce them in the skies , Or with thy teares dissolue them into raine . Thoughts , hopes , and loue , returne to me no more , Till Cynthia shine , as she hath done before , FINIS . ¶ These three Ditties were taken out of Maister Iohn Dowlands Booke of Tableture for the Lute , the Authours names not there set downe , and therefore left to their owners .

Montanus Sonnet in the Woods . ALas , how wander I amidst these Woods , Whereas no day bright shine doth finde accesse ? But where the melancholy fleeting floods , ( Darke as the night ) my night of woes expresse , Disarm'd of reason , spoyl'd of Natures goods , Without redresse to salue my heauinesse I walke , whilst thought ( too cruell to my harmes , ) with endlesse griefe my heedlesse iudgement charmes . My silent tongue assail'd by secret feare , My trayterous eyes imprison'd in their ioy : My fatall peace deuour'd in fained cheere , My heart enforc'd to harbour in annoy . My reason rob'd of power by yeelding care , My fond opinions , slaue to euery ioy . Oh Loue , thou guide in my vncertaine way : Woe to thy bowe , thy fire , the cause of my decay . FINIS . S. E. D.

¶ The Shepheards sorrow , being disdained in loue . MVses help me , sorrow swarmeth , Eyes are fraught with Seas of languish : Haplesse hope my solace harmeth , Mindes repast is bitter anguish . Eye of day regarded neuer , Certaine trust in world vntrustie : Flattering hope beguileth euer , Wearie old , and wanton lustie . Dawne of day beholds enthroned , Fortunes darling proud and dreadlesse : Darksome night doth heare him moaned , Who before was rich and needlesse . Rob the Spheare of lines vnited , Make a suddaine voide in nature : Force the day to be benighted , Reaue the cause of time and creature . Ere the world will cease to varie , This I weepe for , this I sorrow : Muses , if you please to tarie , Further help I meane to borrow . Courted once by Fortunes fauour , Compast now with Enuies curses : All my thoughts of sorrowes sauour , Hopes runne fleeting like the Sourses . Aye me , wanton scorne hath maimed All the ioyes my heart enioyed : Thoughts their thinking haue disclaimed , Hate my hopes haue quite annoyed . Scant regard my weale hath scanted , Looking coy , hath forc'd my lowring ; Nothing lik'd , where nothing wanted , Weds mine eyes to ceaselesse showring . Former loue was once admired , Present fauour is estraunged : Loath'd the pleasure long desired , Thus both men and thoughts are changed . Louely Swaine with luckie speeding , Once , but now no more so friended : You my Flocks haue had in feeding , From the morne , till day was ended . Drinke and fodder , foode and folding Had my Lambs and Ewes together : I with them was still beholding , Both in warmth and Winter weather . Now they languish , since refused , Ewes and Lambes are pain'd with pining : I with Ewes and Lambs confused , All vnto our deaths declining . Silence , leaue thy Caue obscured , Daigne a dolefull Swaine to tender : Though disdaines I haue endured . Yet I am no deepe offender . Phillips Sonne can with his finger Hide his scarre , it is so little : Little sinne a day to linger , Wise men wander in a tittle . Trifles yet my Swaine haue turned , Though my Sunne he neuer showeth : Though I weepe , I am not mourned , Though I want , no pittie groweth . Yet for pittie , loue my Muses , Gentle silence be their couer : They must leaue their wonted vses , Since I leaue to be a Louer . They shall liue with thee enclosed , I will loath my Pen and Paper : Art shall neuer be supposed , Sloth shall quench the watching Taper . Kisse them silence , kisse them kindly , Though I leaue them , yet I loue them : Though my wit haue led them blindly , Yet a Swaine did once approue them . I will trauaile soiles remoued , Night and morning neuer merrie : Thou shalt harbour that I loued , I will loue that makes me wearie . If perchaunce the Shepheard strayeth , In thy walkes and shades vnhaunted : Tell the teene my hart betrayeth , How neglect my ioyes haue daunted . FINIS . Thom. Lodge .

¶ A Pastorall Song betweene Phillis and Amarillis , two Nimphs , each answering other line for line . FIe on the sleights that men deuise , heigh hoe silly sleights : When simple Maides they would entice , Maides are yong mens chiefe delights . Nay , women they witch with their eyes , eyes like beames of burning Sunne : And men once caught , they soone despise , so are Shepheards oft vndone . If any young man win a maide , happy man is hec : By trusting him she is betraide , fie vpon such treacherie . If Maides win young men with their guiles , heigh hoe guilefull greefe : They deale like weeping Crocodiles , that murder men without releefe . I know a simple Countrie Hinde , heigh hoe sillie Swaine : To whom faire Daphne proued kinde , was he not kinde to her againe ? He vowed by Pan with many an oath , heigh hoe Shepheards God is he : Yet since hath chang'd , and broke his troath , troth-plight broke , will plagued be . She had deceiued many a Swaine , fie on false deceit : And plighted troth to them in vaine , there can bee no griefe more great . Her measure was with measure paide , heigh hoe , heigh hoe equall meede : She was begui'ld that had betraide , so shall all deceiuers speede . If euery Maide were like to mee , heigh hoe hard of hart : Both loue and louers scorn'd should be , scorners shall be sure of smart . If euery Maide were of my minde , heigh hoe , heigh hoe louely sweet : They to their Louers should proue kinde , kindnes is for Maiden's meet . Me thinkes loue is an idle toy , heigh hoe busie paine : Both wit and sense it doth annoy , both sense and wit thereby we gaine . Tush Phillis cease , be not so coy , heigh hoe , heigh hoe coy disdaine : I know you loue a Shepheards boy , fie that Maydens so should fame . Well Amarillis , now I yeeld , Shepheards pipe aloude : Loue conquers both in towne and field , like a Tirant , fierce and proude . The euening starre is vp yee see , Vesper shines , we must away : Would euery Louer might agree , so we end our Roundelay . FINIS . H. C.

¶ The Shepheards Antheme . NEere to a banke with Roses set about , Where prettie Turtles ioyning bill to bill : And gentle springs steale softly murmuring out , Washing the foote of pleasures sacred hill . There little Loue sore wounded lyes , his bow and arrowes broken : Bedewde with teares from Venus eyes . Oh that it should be spoken . Beare him my hart , slaine with her scornefull eye , Where sticks the arrow that poore hart did kill : With whose sharpe pyle , yet will him ere hee die , About my hart to write his latest will . And bid him send it backe to mee , at instant of his dying : That cruell , cruell she may see , my faith and her denying . His Hearse shall be a mournefull Cypres shade , And for a Chauntrie , Philomels sweet lay : Where prayer shall continually be made , By Pilgrime louers , passing , by that way . With Nimphs and Shepheards yeerely mone , his timelesse death beweeping : And telling that my hart alone , hath his last will in keeping . FINIS . Mich. Drayton .

¶ The Countesse of Pembrokes Pastorall . A Shepheard and a Shepheardesse , sate keeping sheepe vpon the downes : His lookes did gentle blood expresse , her beautie was no foode for clownes . Sweet louely twaine , what might you be ? Two fronting hills bedeckt with flowers , they chose to be each other seate : And there they stole their amorous houres , with sighs and teares , poore louers meate . Fond Loue that feed'st thy seruants so . Faire friend , quoth he , when shall I liue , That am halfe dead , yet cannot die ? Can beautie such sharpe guerdon giue , to him whose life hangs in your eye ? Beautie is milde , and will not kill . Sweet Swaine , quoth shee , accuse not mee , that long haue beene thy humble thrall : But blame the angry destinie , whose kinde consent might finish all . Vngentle Fate , to crosse true Loue . Quoth hee , let not our Parents hate , disioyne what heauen hath linckt in one : They may repent , and all too late if childlesse they be left alone , Father nor friend , should wrong true loue . The Parents frowne , said shee , is death , to children that are held in awe : From them we drew our vitall breath . they challenge dutie then by law , Such dutie as kills not true Loue , They haue , quoth hee , a kinde of sway , on these our earthly bodies here : But with our soules deale not they may , the God of loue doth hold them deere . He is most meet to rule true loue . I know , said she , t is worse then hell , when Parents choise must please our eyes : Great hurt comes thereby , I can tell , forc'd loue in desperate danger dies . Faire Maid , then fancie thy true loue . If wee , quoth he , might see the houre , of that sweet state which neuer ends . Our heauenly gree might haue the power , to make our Parents as deere friends . All ranck our yeelds to soueraigne loue . Then God of loue , said she , consent , and shew some wonder of thy power : Our Parents , and our owne content , may be confirmde by such an houre , Graunt greatest God to further loue . The Fathers , who did alwaies tend , when thus they got their priuate walke , As happy fortune chaunc'd to send . vnknowne to each , heard all this talke . Poore soules to be so crost in loue . Behinde the hills whereon they sate , they lay this while and listned all : And were so mooued both thereat , that hate in each began to fall . Such is the power of sacred loue . They shewed themselues in open sight , poore Louers , Lord how they were mazde ? And hand in hand the Fathers plight , whereat ( poore harts ) they gladly gazde . Hope now begins to further loue . And to confirme a mutuall band , of loue , that at no time should cease : They likewise ioyned hand in hand , the Shepheard and the Shepheardesse . Like fortune still befall true loue . FINIS . Shep. Ionie .

Another of Astrophell . THE Nightingale so soone as Aprill bringeth Vnto her rested sense a perfect waking : While late bare earth , proud of new clothing springeth , Sings out her woes , a thorne her Song-booke making . And mournefully bewailing Her throate in tunes expresseth , What griefe her breast oppresseth , For Tereus force , on her chast will preuailing . Oh Philomela faire , oh take some gladnes , That here is iuster cause of plaintfull sadnes . Thine earth now springs , mine fadeth : Thy throne without , my thorne my hart inuadeth . Alas , she hath no other cause of languish But Tereus loue , on her by strong hand wroken : Wherein she suffering all her spirits languish , Full woman-like complaines , her will was broken . But I , who daily crauing , Cannot haue to content me : Haue more cause to lament me , Sith wanting is more woe , then too much hauing . Oh Philomela faire , oh take some gladnes , That heere is iuster cause of plaintfull sadnes , Thine earth now springs , mine fadeth : Thy thorne without , my thorne my hart inuadeth . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

An Inuectiue against Loue . ALL is not golde that shineth bright in show , Not euery flowre so good , as faire , to sight , The deepest streames , aboue doe calmest flow , And strongest poisons oft the taste delight , The pleasant baite doth hide the harmfull hooke , And false deceit can lend a friendly looke . Loue is the gold whose outward hew doth passe , Whose first beginnings goodly promise make Of pleasures faire , and fresh as Sommers grasse , Which neither Sunne can parch , nor winde can shake : But when the mould should in the fire be tride , The gold is gone , the drosse doth still abide . Beautie the flowre , so fresh , so faire , so gay , So sweet to smell , so soft to touch and tast : As seemes it should endure , by right , for aye , And neuer be with any storme defast , But when the baleful Southerne wind doth blow , Gone is the glory which it erst did shew . Loue is the streame , whose waues so calmely flow As might intice mens minds to wade therein : Loue is the poison mixt with sugar so , As might by outward sweetnesse liking win , But as the deepe ore'flowing stops thy breath , So poyson once receiu'd brings certaine death . Loue is the baite , whose taste the fish deceiues , And makes them swallow downe the choking hooke , Loue is the face whose fairenesse iudgement reaues , And makes thee trust a false and fained looke . But as the hooke the foolish fish doth kill , So flatt'ring lookes , the louers life doth spill . FINIS .

¶ Faire Phillis and her Shepheard . SHepheard , saw you not my faire louely Phillis , Walking on this Mountaine , or on yonder plaine ? She is gone this way to Dianaes Fountaine , and hath left me wounded , with her high disdaine . Aye me , she is faire , And without compare . Sorrow come and sit with me : Loue is full of feares , Loue is full of teares , Loue without these cannot be . Thus my passions paine me , For my loue hath slaine me , Gentle Shepheard beare a part : Pray to Cupids mother , For I know no other that can helpe to ease my smart . Shepheard , I haue seene thy faire louely Phillis Where her flocks are feeding , by the Riuers side : Oh , I much admire she so farre exceeding In surpassing beautie , should surpasse in pride . But alas I finde , They are all vnkinde Beautie knowes her power too well : When they list they loue , When they please they moue , thus they turne our heauen to hell . For their faire eyes glauncing , Like to Cupids dauncing , roule about still to deceaue vs : With vaine hopes deluding , Still dispraise concluding , Now they loue , and now they leaue vs . Thus I doe despaire , haue her I shall neuer , If shee be so coy , lost is all my loue : But she is so faire I must loue her euer , All my paine is ioy , which for her I proue . If I should her trie , And she should denie heauie hart with woe will breake : Though against my will , Tongue thou must be still , for she will not heare thee speake . Then with sighs goe proue her , Let them shew I loue her , gracious Venus be my guide : But though I complaine me , She will still disdaine mee , beautie is so full of pride . What though she be faire ? speake , and feare not speeding , Be shee nere so coy , yet she may be wunne : Vnto her repaire , where her Flocks are feeding , Sit and tick and toy till set be the Sunne . Sunne then being set , Feare not Vulcanes net , though that Mars therein was caught : If she doe denie Thus to her replie Venus lawes she must be taught . Then with kisses mooue her , That 's the way to proue her , thus thy Phillis must be wone : She will not forsake thee , But her Loue will make thee , When Loues dutie once is done . Happie shall I be , If she graunt me fauour , Else for loue I die Phillis is so faire : Boldly then goe see , thou maist quickly haue her , Though she could denie , yet doe not despaire . She is full of pride , Venus be my guide , helpe a silly Shepheards speed , Vse no such delay , Shepheard , goe thy way , venture man and doe the deed . I will sore complaine me , Say that loue hath slaine thee , if her fauours doe not feede : But take no deniall , Stand vpon thy triall , spare to speake , and want of speede . FINIS . I. G.

¶ The Shepheards Song of Venus and Adonis . VEnus faire did ride , siluer Doues they drew her , By the pleasant lawnds ere the Sunne did rise : Vestaes beautie rich opened wide to view her , Philomel records pleasing Harmonies . Euery bird of spring cheerefully did sing , Paphos Goddesse they salute : Birds and beasts my lawes effect : Mirrha thy faire mother , most of any other , did my louely hests respect . Be with me delighted , Thou shalt be requited , euery Nimph on thee shall tend : All the Gods shall loue thee , Man shall not reproue thee , Loue himselfe shall be thy friend . Wend thee from me Venus , I am not disposed , Thou wring'st me too hard , pre-thee let me goe : Fie , what a paine it is thus to be enclosed . If loue begin with labour , it will end in woe . kisse me , I will leaue , here a kisse receiue , a short kisse I doe it finde : Wilt thou leaue me so ? yet thou shalt not goe , breathe once more thy balmie wind . It smelleth of the Mirth-tree , That to the world did bring thee , neuer was perfume so sweet : When she had thus spoken , She gaue him a token , and their naked bosomes meet . Now he said , let 's goe , harke , the Hounds are crying , Grisly Boare is vp , Hunts-men follow fast : At the name of Boare , Venus seemed dying , Deadly coloured pale , Roses ouer-cast . Speake said she , no more , of following the Boare , thou vnfit for such a chase : Course the fearefull Hare , Venson doe not spare , if thou wilt yeeld Venus grace . Shun the Boare I pray thee , Else I still will stay thee , herein he vow'd to please her mind , Then her armes enlarged , Loth she him discharged , forth he went as swift as wind . Thetis Phoebus Steedes in the West retained , Hunting sport was past , Loue her loue did seeke : Sight of him too soone gentle Queene she gained , On the ground he lay blood had left his cheeke . For an orped Swine , smit him in the groyne , deadly wound his death did bring : Which when Venus found , she fell in a swound , and awak'd , her hands did wring . Nimphs and Satyres skipping , Came together tripping , Eccho euery crie exprest : Venus by her power , Turn'd him to a flower , which she weareth in her creast . FINIS . H. C.

¶ Thirsis the Shepheard his deaths Song . THirsis to die desired , marking her eyes that to his heart was neerest : And she that with his flame no lesse was fired , said to him : Oh heart's loue deerest : Alas , forbeare to die now , By thee I liue , by thee I wish to die to . Thirsis that heate refrained , wherewith to die poore Louer then he hasted , Thinking it death while he his lookes maintained , full fixed on her eyes , full of pleasure , and louely Nectar sweet from them he tasted . His daintie Nimph , that now at hand espied the haruest of Loues treasure , Said thus , with eyes all trembling , faint and wasted : I die now , The Shepheard then replied , and I sweet life doe die to . Thus these two Louers fortunately died , Of death so sweet , so happy , and so desired : That to die so againe their life retired . FINIS . Out of Maister N. Young his Musica Transalpina .

¶ Another Stanza added after . THirsis enioyed the graces , Of Chloris sweet embraces , Yet both their ioyes were scanted : For darke it was , and candle-light they wanted . Wherewith kinde Cynthia in the heauen that shined , her nightly vaile resigned , and her faire face disclosed . Then each from others lookes such ioy deriued : That both with meere delight died , and reuiued . FINIS . Out of the same .

¶ Another Sonnet thence taken . ZEphirus brings the time that sweetly senteth with flowers and hearbs , which Winters frost exileth : Progne now chirpeth , Philomel lamenteth , Flora the Garlands white and red compileth : Fields doe reioyce , the frowning skie relenteth , Ioue to behold his dearest daughter smileth : The ayre , the water , the earth to ioy consenteth , each creature now to loue him reconcileth , But with me wretch , the stormes of woe perseuer , and heauie sighs which from my heart she straineth That tooke the key thereof to heauen for euer , so that singing of birds , and spring-times flowring : And Ladies loue that mens affection gaineth , are like a Desert , and cruell beasts deuouring . FINIS .

¶ The Shepheards slumber . IN Pescod time , when Hound to horne giues eare till Buck be kild : And little Lads with Pipes of corne , sate keeping beasts a field . I went to gather Strawberies tho , by Woods and Groaues full faire : And parcht my face with Phoebus so , in walking in the ayre That downe I layde me by a streame , with boughs all ouer-clad : And there I met the strangest dreame , that euer Shepheard had . Me thought I saw each Christmas game , each reuell all and some : And euery thing that I can name , or may in fancie come . The substance of the sights I saw , in silence passe they shall : Because I lacke the skill to draw , the order of them all . But Venus shall not passe my pen , whose maydens in disdaine : Did feed vpon the hearts of men , that Cupids bowe had slaine . And that blinde Boy was all in blood , be-bath'd vp to the eares : And like a Conquerour he stood , and scorned Louers teares . I haue ( quoth he ) more hearts at call , then Caesar could command : And like the Deare I make them fall , that runneth o're the lawnd . One drops downe here , another there , in bushes as they groane ; I bend a scornfull carelesse eare , to heare them make their moane . Ah Sir ( quoth Honest Meaning ) then , thy boy-like brags I heare : When thou hast wounded many a man , as Hunts-man doth the Deare . Becomes it thee to triumph so ? thy Mother wills it not : For she had rather breake thy bowe , then thou should'st play the sot . What saucie merchant speaketh now , said Venus in her rage : Art thou so blinde thou knowest not how I gouerne euery age ? My Sonne doth shoote no shaft in wast , to me the Boy is bound : He neuer found a heart so chast , but he had power to wound , Not so faire Goddesse ( quoth Free-will , ) in me there is a choise : And cause I am of mine owne ill , if I in thee reioyce . And when I yeeld my selfe a slaue , to thee , or to thy Sonne : Such recompence I ought not haue , if things be rightly done . Why foole , stept forth Delight , and said , when thou art conquer'd thus : Then loe dame Lust , that wanton Maid , thy Mistresse is iwus . And Lust is Cupids darling deere , behold her where she goes : She creepes the milk-warme flesh so neere , she hides her vnder close . Where many priuie thoughts doe dwell , a heauen here on earth : For they haue neuer minde of hell , they thinke so much on mirth . Be still Good Meaning , quoth Good Sport , let Cupid triumph make : For sure his Kingdome shall be short if we no pleasure take . Faire Beautie , and her play-feares gay , the virgins Vestalles to : Shall sit and with their fingers play , as idle people doe . If Honest Meaning fall to frowne , and I Good Sport decay : Then Venus glory will come downe , and they will pine away . Indeede ( quoth Wit ) this your deuice , with strangenesse must be wrought , And where you see these women nice , and looking to be sought : With scowling browes their follies check , and so giue them the Fig: Let Fancie be no more at beck , when Beautie lookes so big . When Venus heard how they conspir'd , to murther women so : Me thought indeede the house was fier'd , with stormes and lightning tho . The thunder-bolt through windowes burst . and in their steps a wight : Which seem'd some soule or sprite accurst , so vgly was the sight . I charge you Ladies all ( quoth he ) looke to your selues in hast : For if that men so wilfull be , and haue their thoughts so chast ; That they can tread on Cupids brest , and martch on Venus face : Then they shall sleepe in quiet rest , when you shall waile your case . With that had Venus all in spight stir'd vp the Dames to ire : And Lust fell cold , and Beautie white sate babling with Desire . Whose mutt'ring words I might not marke , much whispering there arose : The day did lower , the Sunne wext darke , away each Lady goes . But whether went this angry flock ? our Lord himselfe doth know : Wherewith full lowdly crew the Cock , and I awaked so . A dreame ( quoth I ? ) a dogge it is , I take thereon no keepe : I gage my head , such toyes as this , doth spring from lacke of sleepe . FINIS .

¶ Dispraise of Loue , and Louers follies . IF Loue be life , I long to die , Liue they that lift forme : And he that gaines the most thereby , A foole at least shall be . But he that feeles the sorest fits , Scapes with no lesse then losse of wits , Vnhappy life they gaine , Which Loue doe entertaine . In day by fained lookes they liue , By lying dreames in night , Each frowne a deadly wound doth giue , Each smile a false delight . If 't hap their Lady pleasant seeme , It is for others loue they deeme : If voide she seeme of ioy , Disdaine doth make her coy . Such is the peace that Louers finde , Such is the life they leade . Blowne here and there with euery winde Like flowers in the Mead. Now warre , now peace , now warre againe , Desire , despaire , delight , disdaine , Though dead in midst of life , In peace , and yet at strife . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ Another Sonet . IN wonted walkes , since wonted fancies change , Some cause there is , which of strange cause doth rise : For in each thing whereto my minde doth range , Part of my paine me seemes engraued lies . The Rockes which were of constant minde , the marke In climbing steepe , now hard refusall show : The shading Woods seeme now my sunne to darke , And stately hills disdaine to looke so low . The restfull Caues , now restlesse visions giue , In dales I see each way a hard assent : Like late mowne Meades , late cut from ioy I liue , Alas , sweet Brookes , doe in my teares augment . Rocks , woods , hills , caues , dales , meades , brooks answer mee . Infected mindes infect each thing they see . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

¶ Of disdainefull Daphne . SHall I say that I loue you , Daphne disdainfull ? Sore it costs as I proue you , louing is painefull . Shall I say what doth grieue me ? Louers lament it : Daphne will not relieue me , late I repent it . Shall I die , shall I perish , through her vnkindnesse ? Loue vntaught loue to cherish , sheweth his blindnesse . Shall the hills , shall the valleyes , the fields , the Citie , With the sound of my out-cries , moue her to pittie ? The deepe falls of faire Riuers , and the windes turning : Are the true Musicke giuers vnto my mourning . Where my Flockes daily feeding , pining for sorrow : At their Maisters heart bleeding , shot with Loues arrow . From her eyes to my heart-string , was the shaft launced : It made all the Woods to ring by which it glaunced . When this Nimph had vs'd me so , then she did hide her : Haplesse I did Daphne know , haplesse I spied her . Thus Turtle-like I wail'd me , for my Loues loosing : Daphnes trust thus did faile me , woe worth such choosing . FINIS . M. N. Howell .

¶ The passionate Shepheard to his Loue . COme liue with me , and be my Loue , And we will all the pleasures proue , That Vallies , Groues , hills and fields , Woods , or steepie mountaines yeelds . And we will sit vpon the Rockes , Seeing the Shepheards feede their Flockes , By shallow Riuers , to whose falls , Melodious birds sings Madrigalls . And I will make thee beds of Roses , And a thousand fragrant poesies , A cap of flowers , and a kirtle Imbroydered all with leaues of Mirtle . A gowne made of the finest wooll , Which from our pretty Lambs we pull , Faire lined slippers for the cold : With buckles of the purest gold . A belt of straw , and Iuie buds , With Corall clasps and Amber studs , And if these pleasures may thee moue , Come liue with me and be my Loue . The Shepheard Swaines shall dance and sing , For thy delight each May-morning , If these delights thy minde may moue ; Then liue with me , and be my Loue . FINIS . Chr. Marlow .

¶ The Nimphs reply to the Shepheard . IF all the world and loue were young , And truth in euery Shepheards tongue , These pretty pleasures might me moue , To liue with thee , and be thy Loue . Time driues the Flockes from field to fold , When Riuers rage , and Rockes grow cold , And Philomell becommeth dombe , The rest complaines of cares to come . The flowers doe fade , and wanton fields , To wayward Winter reckoning yeelds , A hony tongue , a heart of gall , Is fancies spring , but sorrowes fall . Thy gownes , thy shooes , thy beds of Roses , Thy cap , thy kirtle , and thy posies , Soone breake , soone wither , soone forgotten : In folly ripe , in reason rotten . Thy belt of straw and Iuie buds , Thy Corall claspes and Amber studs , All these in me no meanes can moue , To come to thee , and be thy Loue . But could youth last , and loue still breede , Had ioyes no date , nor age no neede , Then these delights my minde might moue , To liue with thee , and be thy Loue . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ Another of the same nature , made since . COme liue with me , and be my deere , And we will reuell all the yeere , In plaines and groues , on hills and dales : Where fragrant ayre breedes sweetest gales . There shall you haue the beauteous Pine , The Cedar , and the spreading Vine , And all the woods to be a Skreene : Least Phoebus kisse my Sommers Queene . The seate for your disport shall be Ouer some Riuer in a tree , Where siluer sands , and pebbles sing , Eternall ditties with the spring . There shall you see the Nimphs at play , And how the Satires spend the day , The fishes gliding on the sands : Offering their bellies to your hands . The birds with heauenly tuned throtes , Possesse woods Ecchoes with sweet notes , Which to your senses will impart A musique to enflame the hart . Vpon the bare and leafe-lesse Oake , The Ring-Doues woings will prouoke A colder blood then you possesse , To play with me and doe no lesse . In bowers of Laurell trimly dight , We will out-weare the silent night , While Flora busie is to spread : Her richest treasure on our bed . Ten thousand Glow-wormes shall attend , And all their sparkling lights shall spend , All to adorne and beautifie : Your lodging with most maiestie . Then in mine armes will I enclose Lillies faire mixture with the Rose . Whose nice perfections in loues play : Shall tune me to the highest key . Thus as we passe the welcome night , In sportfull pleasures and delight , The nimble Fairies on the grounds , Shall daunce and sing mellodious sounds . If these may serue for to entice , Your presence to Loues Paradice , Then come with me , and be my deare : And we will strait begin the yeare . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ Two Pastorals , vpon three friends meeting . IOyne mates in mirth to me , Grant pleasure to our meeting : Let Pan our good God see , How gratefull is our greeting . Ioyne hearts and hands , so let it be . Make but one minde in bodies three . Ye Hymnes and singing skill Of God Apolloes giuing , Be prest our reeds to fill , With sound of musicke liuing . Ioyne hearts and hands , &c. Sweet Orpheus Harpe , whose sound The stedfast mountaines moued , Let here thy skill abound , To ioyne sweet friends beloued . Ioyne hearts and hands , &c. My two and I be met , A happy blessed Trinitie , As three most ioyntly set , In firmest hand of vnitie . Ioyne hearts and hands , &c. Welcome my two to me , E.D. F.G. P.S. The number best beloued , Within my heart you be In friendship vnremoued . Ioyne hands , &c. Giue leaue your flocks to range , Let vs the while be playing , Within the Elmy grange , Your flocks will not be straying . Ioyne hands , &c. Cause all the mirth you can , Since I am now come hither , Who neuer ioy but when I am with you together . Ioyne hands , &c. Like louers doe their loue , So ioy I in your seeing : Let nothing me remoue From alwaies with you being . Ioyne hands , &c. And as the turtle Doue To mate with whom he liueth , Such comfort , feruent loue Of you to my heart giueth . Ioyne hands , &c. Now ioyned be our hands , Let them be ne're asunder , But linkt in binding bands By metamorphoz'd wonder . So should our seuered bodies three As one for euer ioyned be . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

The wood-mans walke . THrough a faire Forrest as I went vpon a Sommers day , I met a Wood-man quaint and gent , yet in a strange aray . I maruail'd much at his disguise , whom I did know so well : But thus in tearmes both graue and wise , his minde he gan to tell . Friend , muse not at this fond aray , but list a while to me : For it hath holpe me to suruay what I shall shew to thee . Long liu'd I in this Forrest faire , till wearie of my weale Abroad in walkes I would repaire , as now I will reueale . My first dayes walke was to the Court , where beautie fed mine eyes : Yet found I that the Courtly sport , did maske in slie disguise . For falsehood sate in fairest lookes , and friend to friend was coy : Court-fauour fill'd but emptie bookes , and there I found no ioy . Desert went naked in the colde , when crouching craft was fed : Sweet words were cheaply bought and solde , but none that stood in sted . Wit was imployed for each mans owne , plaine meaning came too short : All these deuises seene and knowne , made me forsake the Court. Vnto the Cittie next I went , in hope of better hap : Where liberally I lanch'd and spent , as set on Fortunes lap . The little stock I had in store , me thought would nere be done : Friends flockt about me more and more , as quickely lost as wone . For when I spent , then they were kinde , but when my purse did faile : The foremost man came last behinde , thus loue with wealth doth quaile . Once more for footing yet I stroue , although the world did frowne : But they before that held me vp , together troad me downe . And least once more I should arise , they sought my quite decay : Then got I into this disguise , and thence I stole away . And in my minde ( me thought ) I said , Lord blesse mee from the Cittie : Where simplenes is thus betraide , and no remorce or pittie . Yet would I not giue ouer so , but once more trie my fate : And to the Country then I goe , to liue in quiet state . There did appeare no subtile showes , but yea and nay went smoothly : But Lord how Country-folkes can glose , when they speake most vntruely ? More craft was in a buttond cap , and in old wiues raile : Then in my life it was my hap , to see on Downe or Dale . There was no open forgerie , but vnder-handed gleaning : Whch they call Countrie pollicie , but hath a worser meaning , Some good bold-face beares out the wrong , because he gaines thereby : The poore mans backe is crackt ere long , yet there he lets him lie . And no degree among them all , but had such close intending , That I vpon my knees did fall , and prayed for their amending . Back to the woods I got againe , in minde perplexed sore : Where I found ease of all this paine , and meane to stray no more . There , Citty , Court , nor Country to , can any way annoy me : But as a wood-man ought to doe , I freely may imploy me . There liue I quietly alone , and none to trip my talke : Wherefore when I am dead and gone , thinke on the Wood-mans walke . FINIS . Shep. Tonie .

¶ Thirsis the Shepheard , to his Pipe . LIke Desert woods , with darkesome shades obscured , Where dreadfull beasts , where hatefull horror raigneth : Such is my wounded hart , whom sorrow paineth . The trees are fatall shafts , to death inured , That cruell loue within my breast maintaineth . To whet my griefe , when as my sorrow waineth . The ghastly beasts , my thoughts in cares assures , Which wage me warre , while hart no succour gaineth : With false suspect , and feare that still remaineth . The horrors , burning sighs by cares procured , Which forth I send , whilest weeping eye complaineth : To coole the heate , the helpelesse hart containeth . But shafts , but cares , but sighs , horrors vnrecured , Were nought esteem'd , if for these paines awarded : My faithfull loue by her might be regarded . FINIS . Ignoto .

An Heroicall Poeme . MY wanton Muse that whilome wont to sing , Faire beauties praise and Venus sweet delight , Of late had chang'd the tenor of her string To higher tunes then serue for Cupids fight . Shrill Trumpets sound , sharpe swords and Lances strong , Warre , bloud and death , were matter of her song . The God of Loue by chance had heard thereof , That I was prou'd a rebell to his crowne , Fit words for warre , quoth he , with angry scoffe , A likely man to write of Mars his frowne . Well are they sped whose praises he shall write , Whose wanton Pen can nought but loue indite . This said , he whiskt his party-colour'd wings , And downe to earth he comes more swift then thought , Then to my heart in angry haste he flings , To see what change these newes of warres had wrought . He pries , and lookes , he ransacks eu'ry vaine , Yet finds he nought , saue loue , and louers paine . Then I that now perceiu'd his needlesse feare , With heauie smile began to plead my cause : In vaine ( quoth I ) this endlesse griefe I beare , In vaine I striue to keepe thy grieuous Lawes , If after proofe , so often trusty found , Vniust suspect condemne me as vnsound . Is this the guerdon of my faithfull heart ? Is this the hope on which my life is staide ? Is this the ease of neuer-ceasing smart ? Is this the price that for my paines is paide ? Yet better serue fierce Mars in bloudie field , Where death , or conquest , end or ioy doth yeeld . Long haue I seru'd , what is my pay but paine ? Oft haue I sude , what gaine I but delay ? My faithfull loue is quited with disdaine , My griefe a game , my pen is made a play . Yea loue that doth in other fauour finde , In me is counted madnesse out of kinde . And last of all , but grieuous most of all , Thy selfe , sweet loue , hath kild me with suspect : Could loue beleeue , that I from loue would fall ? Is warre of force to make me loue neglect . No , Cupid knowes , my minde is faster set , Then that by warre I should my loue forget . My Muse indeed to warre enclines her minde , The famous acts of worthy Brute to write : To whom the Gods this Ilands rule assignde , Which long he sought by Seas through Neptunes spight , With such conceits my busie head doth swell . But in my heart nought else but loue doth dwell . And in this warre thy part is not the least , Here shall my muse Brutes noble Loue declare : Here shalt thou see thy double loue increast , Of fairest twins that euer Lady bare : Let Mars triumph in armour shining bright , His conquerd armes shall be thy triumphs light . As he the world , so thou shalt him subdue , And I thy glory through the world will ring , So by my paines , thou wilt vouchsafe to rue , And kill despaire . With that he whis'kt his wing . And bid me write , and promist wished rest , But sore I feare false hope will be the best . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ An excellent Sonnet of a Nimph. VErtue , beautie , and speech , did strike , wound , charme , My heart , eyes , eares , with wonder , loue , delight : First , second , last , did binde , enforce , and arme , His works , showes , sutes , with wit , grace , and vowes-might : Thus honour , liking , trust , much , farre , and deepe , Held , pearst , possest , my iudgement , sence , and will ; Till wrongs , contempt , deceite , did grow , steale , creepe , Bands , fauour , faith , to breake , defile , and kill . Then griefe , vnkindnes , proofe , tooke , kindled , taught , Well grounded , noble , due , spite , rage , disdaine : But ah , alas , ( in vaine ) my minde , sight , thought , Doth him , his face , his words , leaue , shunne , refraine . For nothing , time , nor place , can loose , quench , ease : Mine owne , embraced , sought , knot , fire , disease . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

¶ A Report Song in a dreame , betweene a Shepheard and his Nimph. SHall we goe daunce the hay ? The hay ? Neuer pipe could euer play better Shepheards Roundelay . Shall we goe sing the Song ? The Song ? Neuer Loue did euer wrong : faire Maides holde hands all a-long . Shall we goe learne to woo ? To woo ? Neuer thought came euer to , better deed could better doe . Shall we goe learne to kisse ? To kisse ? Neuer hart could euer misse comfort , where true meaning is . Thus at base thy run , They run , When the sport was scarse begun : but I awak't , and all was done . FINIS . N. Breton .

¶ Another of the same . SAy that I should say , I loue ye ? would you say , t is but a saying ? But if Loue in prayers moue ye ? will you not be mou'd with praying ? Thinke I thinke that Loue should know ye ? will you thinke , t is but a thinking ? But if Loue the thought doe show ye , will ye loose your eyes with winking ? Write that I doe write you blessed , will you write , t is but a writing ? But if truth and Loue confesse it : will ye doubt the true enditing ? No , I say , and thinke , and write it , write , and thinke , and say your pleasure : Loue , and truth , and I endite it , you are blessed out of measure . FINIS . N. Breton .

¶ The Louers absence kils me , her presence kils me . THE frozen Snake opprest with heaped snow By strugling hard gets out her tender head , And spies farre off from where she lies below The winter Sunne that from the North is fled . But all in vaine she lookes vpon the light , Where heate is wanting to restore her might . What doth it helpe a wretch in prison pent , Long time with biting hunger ouer-prest , To see without , or smell within , the sent , Of daintie fare for others tables drest ? Yet Snake and pris'ner both behold the thing , The which ( but not with sight ) might comfort bring . Such is my state , or worse if worse may be , My heart opprest with heauie frost of care , Debar'd of that which is most deere to me , Kild vp with cold , and pinde with euill fare , And yet I see the thing might yeeld reliefe , And yet the sight doth breed my greater griefe . So Thisoe saw her Louer through the wall , And saw thereby she wanted that she saw : And so I see , and seeing want withall , And wanting so , vnto my death I draw . And so my death were twenty times my friend , If with this verse my hated life might end . FINIS . Ignoto .

¶ The Shepheards conceit of Prometheus . PRometheus , when first from heauen hie , He brought downe fire , ere then on earth vnseene : Fond of delight , a Satyre standing by , Gaue it a kisse , as it like sweet had beene . Feeling forth-with the other burning power , Wood with the smart , with shoutes and shrikings shrill : He sought his case in Riuer , Field , and bower , But for the time his griefe went with him still . So silly I , with that vnwonted sight . In humane shape , an Angell from aboue : Feeding mine eyes , th' impression there did light , That since I runne , and rest as pleaseth Loue , The difference is , the Satires lips , my heart , He for a while , I euermore haue smart . FINIS . S. E. D.

Another of the same . A Satyre once did runne away for dread , with sound of Horne , which he him-selfe did blow : Fearing , and feared thus , from him-selfe hee fled , deeming strange euill in that he did not know . Such causelesse feares , when coward mindes doe take , it makes them flie that which they faine would haue : As this poore beast , who did his rest forsake , thinking not why , but how him-selfe to saue . Euen thus mought I , for doubts which I conceaue of mine owne words , mine owne good hap betray : And thus might I , for feare of may be , leaue the sweet pursute of my desired pray . Better like I thy Satire , dearest Dyer : Who burnt his lips , to kisse faire shining fier . FINIS . S. Phil. Sidney .

¶ The Shepheards Sunne . FAire Nimphs , sit ye here by me , on this flowrie greene : While we this merrie day doe see , some things but sildome seene . Shepheards all , now come sit a round , on yond checkquer'd plaine : While from the Woods we here resound , some comfort for Loues paine . Euery bird sits on his bough , As brag as he that is the best : Then sweet Loue , reueale how our mindes may be at rest . Eccho thus replied to mee , Sit vnder yonder Beechen tree , And there Loue shall shew thee how all may be redrest . Harke , harke , harke the Nightingale , in her mourning lay : She tells her stories wofull tale , to warne yee if she may . Faire Maides , take yee heede of loue , it is a perilous thing : As Philomell her selfe did proue , abused by a King . If Kings play false , beleeue no men . That make a seemely outward show : But caught once , beware then , for then begins your woe . They will looke babies in your eyes , And speake so faire as faire may be : But trust them in no wise , example take by me . Fie , fie , said the Threstle-cocke , you are much too blame : For one mans fault , all men to blot , impairing their good name . Admit you were vs'd amisse , by that vngentle King , It followes not that you for this , should all mens honours wring . There be good , and there be bad , And some are false , and some are true : As good choyse is still had amongst vs men , as you . Women haue faults as well as wee , Some say for our one , they haue three . Then smite not , nor bite not , when you as faultie be . Peace , peace , quoth Madge-Howlet then , sitting out of sight : For women are as good as men , and both are good alike . Not so , said the little Wrenne , difference there may be : The Cocke alway commands the Henne , the men shall goe for me . Then Robbin-Redbrest stepping in , Would needes take vp this tedious strife , Protesting , true louing , In either lengthened life . If I loue you , and you loue me , Can there be better harmonie ? Thus ending , contending , Loue must the vmpiere be . Faire Nimphs , Loue must be your guide , chast , vnspotted loue : To such as doe your thralls betide , resolu'd without remoue . Likewise iolly Shepheard Swaines if you doe respect , The happy issue of your paines , true loue must you direct . You heare the birds contend for loue . The bubling springs doe sing sweet loue , The Mountaines and Fountaines doe Eccho nought but loue . Take hands then Nimphes and Shepheards all And to this Riuers musickes fall Sing true loue , and chast loue begins our Festiuall . FINIS . Shep. Tonie .

¶ Loue the onely price of loue . THe fairest Pearles that Northerne Seas doe breed , For precious stones from Easterne coasts are sold . Nought yeelds the earth that from exchange is freed , Gold values all , and all things value Gold . Where goodnes wants an equall change to make , There greatnesse serues , or number place doth take . No mortall thing can beare so high a price , But that with mortall thing it may be bought , The corne of Sicill buies the Westerne spice , French wine of vs , of them our cloath is sought . No pearles , no gold , no stones , no corne , no spice . No cloath , no wine , of loue can pay the price . What thing is loue , which nought can counteruaile ? Nought saue it selfe , eu'n such a thing is loue . All worldly wealth in worth as farre doth faile , As lowest earth doth yeeld to heau'n aboue . Diuine is loue , and scorneth worldly pelfe , And can be bought with nothing , but with selfe . Such is the price my louing heart would pay , Such is the pay thy loue doth claime as due . Thy due is loue , which I ( poore I ) assay , In vaine assay to quite with friendship true : True is my loue , and true shall euer be , And truest loue is farre too base for thee . Loue but thy selfe , and loue thy selfe alone , For saue thy selfe , none can thy loue require : All mine thou hast , but all as good as none , My small desart must take a lower flight . Yet if thou wilt vouchsafe my heart such blisse , Accept it for thy prisoner as it is . FINIS Ignoto .

¶ Colin the enamoured Shepheard , singeth this passion of loue . O Gentle Loue , vngentle for thy deede , thou makest my heart , a bloodie marke , With piercing shot to bleede . Shoote soft sweet Loue , for feare thou shoote amisse , for feare too keene , thy arrowes beene : And hit the heart , where my beloued is . Too faire that fortune were , nor neuer I shall be so blest , among the rest : That loue shall ceaze on her by simpathie . Then since with Loue my prayers beare no boote , this doth remaine , to ease my paine , I take the wound , and die at Venus foote . FINIS . Geo. Peele .

¶ Oenones complaint in blanke verse . MElpomene the Muse of tragicke Songs , With mournfull tunes in stole of dismall hue , Assist a silly Nimph to waile her woe , And leaue thy lustie company behind . This lucklesse wreathe becomes not me to weare , The Poplar tree for triumph of my loue , Then as my ioy , my pride of loue is left ; Be thou vncloathed of thy louely greene . And in thy leaues my fortunes written be , And then some gentle winde let blow abroad , That all the world may see , how false of loue , False Paris hath to his Oenone beene . FINIS . Geo. Peele .

¶ The Shepheards Consort . HArke iolly Shepheards , harke yond lustie ringing : How cheerefully the Bells daunce , the whilst the Lads are springing ? Goe we then , why sit we here delaying : And all yond merrie wanton Lasses playing ? How gaily Flora leades it , and sweetly treads it ? The Woods and Groues they ring , louely resounding : With Ecchoes sweet rebounding . FINIS . Out of M. Morleys Madrigals .

¶ Thirsis praise of his Mistresse . ON a hill that grac'd the plaine Thirsis sate , a comely Swaine , Comelier Swaine nere grac'd a hill : Whilst his Flocke that wandred nie Cropt the greene grasse busilie , Thus he tun'd his Oaten quill . Ver hath made the pleasant field Many seu'rall odours yeeld , Odors aromaticall : From faire Astra's cherrie lip , Sweeter smells for euer skip , They in pleasing passen all . Leauie Groues now mainely ring , With each sweet birds sonnetting , Notes that make the Eccho's long : But when Astra tunes her voyce , All the mirthfull birds reioyce , And are list'ning to her Song . Fairely spreads the Damaske Rose , Whose rare mixture doth disclose Beauties , pensils cannot faine : Yet if Astra passe the bush , Roses haue beene seene to blush , She doth all their beauties staine . Phoebus shining bright in skie Gilds the floods , heates mountaines hie , With his beames all-quickning fire : Astra's eyes , ( most sparkling ones ) Strikes a heate in hearts of stones , And enflames them with desire . Fields are blest with flowrie wreath , Ayre is blest when she doth breath , Birds make happy eu'ry Groue , She each Bird when she doth sing , Phoebus heate to earth doth bring , She makes Marble fall in loue . Those , blessings of the earth , we Swaines doe call : Astra can blesse those blessings earth and all . FINIS . W. Browne .

A defiance to disdainefull Loue . NOw haue I learn'd with much adoe at last , By true disdaine to kill desire , This was the marke at which I shot so fast , Vnto this height I did aspire . Proud Loue , now doe thy worst , and spare not , For thee and all thy shafts I care not . What hast thou left wherewith to moue my minde ? What life to quicken dead desire ? I count thy words and oathes as light as winde , I feele no heate in all thy fire . Goe change thy bow , and get a stronger , Goe breake thy shafts , and buy thee longer . In vaine thou bait'st thy hooke with beauties blaze , In vaine thy wanton eyes allure . These are but toyes , for them that loue to gaze , I know what harme thy lookes procure : Some strange conceit must be deuised , Or thou and all thy skill despised . FINIS . Ignoto .

An Epithalamium ; or a Nuptiall Song , applied to the Ceremonies of Marriage . Sunne rising . AVrora's Blush ( the Ensigne of the Day ) Hath wak't the God of Light , from Tythons bowre , Who on our Bride , and Bride-groome doth display His golden Beames , auspitious to this Howre . Strewing of Flowers . Now busie Maydens strew sweet Flowres , Much like our Bride in Virgin state ; Now fresh , then prest , soone dying , The death is sweet , and must be yours , Time goes on Croutches till that date , Birds sledg'd , must needes be flying . Leade on whiles Phoebus Lights , and Hymens Fires , Enflame each Heart with Zeale to Loues Desires . Chorus . Io to Hymen , Paeans sing To Hymen , and my Muses King . Going to Church . Bride Boyes . Forth honour'd Groome ; behold not farre behind Your willing Bride ; led by two strengthlesse Boyes ; For Venus Doues , or Thred but single twin'd May draw a Virgin , light in Marriage Ioyes : Vesta growes pale , her Flame expires As yee come vnder Iunos Phane , To offer at Ioues Shrine The simpathie of Hearts desires Knitting the Knot , that doth containe Two soules , in Gordian Twine . The Rites are done ; and now ( as 't is the guise ) Loues Fast by Day , a Feast must solemnize . Chorus . Io to Hymen ; Paeans sing , To Hymen , and my Muses King . The Board being spread , furnish't with various Plenties ; Dinner . The Brides faire Obiect in the Middle plac'd ; While she drinkes Nectar , eates Ambrosiall dainties , And like a Goddesse is admir'd and grac'd : Bacchus and Ceres fill their veines ; Each Heart begins to ope a vent ; And now the Healths goe round ; Their Bloods are warm'd ; chear'd are their Braines All doe applaud their Loues Consent ; So Loue with Cheare is crown'd . Let sensuall soules ioy in full Bowles sweet Dishes ; True Hearts , and Tongues , accordin ioyfull wishes . Chorus . Io to Hymen , &c. Now whiles slow Howres doe feede the Times delay , After-Noone Musicke . Confus'd discourse , with Musicke mixt among , Fills vp the semy-circle of the Day ; Now drawes the date our Louers wish'd so long . A bounteous Hand the Board hath spred ; Supper . Lyeus stirres their Bloods a-new ; All louiall full of cheare ; But Phoebus see , is gone to Bed ; Sunne set . Loe Hesperus appeares in view , And twinckles in his sphere . Now ne plus vltra ; end , as you begin ; Yee waste good Howres ; Time lost in Loue , is sin . Chorus . Io to Hymen , &c. Breake off your Complement ; Musick , be dombe , And pull your Cases o're your Fiddles cares ; Cry not , a Hall , a Hall ; but Chamber-roome ; Dauncing is lame ; Youth 's , old at twentie yeares . Going to Bed . Matrons ; yee know what followes next ; Conduct the shame-fac'd Bride to Bed , ( Though to her little rest ) Yee well can comment on the Text , And in Loues learning deepely read , Aduise , and teach the best . Forward's the Word ; y' are all so in this Arrant ; Wiues giue the Word ; their Husbands giue the Warrant . Chorus . Io to Hymen , &c. Modestie in the Bride . Now droopes our Bride , and in her Virgin state , Seemes like Electra 'mongst the Pleyades ; So shrinkes a Mayde when her Herculean Mate Must plucke the fruit in her Hesperides . As she 's a Bride , she glorious shines , Like Cynthia , from the Sunnes bright Sphaere , Attracting all mens Eyes ; But as she 's Virgin , waines , and pines , As to the Man she ' approcheth neere ; So Mayden glory dies . But Virgin Beames no reall brightnesse render ; If they doe shine , in darke they shew their splendor . Chorus . Io to Hymen , &c. Then let the darke Foyle of the Geniall Bed Extend her brightnesse to his inward sight , And by his sence he will be easly led To know her vertue , by the absent light . Youth 's ; take his Poynts ; your wonted right ; Bride Poynts . Garters . And Maydens ; take your due , her Garters ; Take hence the Lights ; be gone ; Loue calls to Armes , Duell his Fight ; Then all remoue out of his Quarters , And leaue them both alone : That with substantiall heate , they may embrace , And know Loues Essence , with his outward grace . Chorus . Io to Hymen , &c. Hence Iealousie , Riuall to Loues delight ; Sowe not thy seede of strife in these two Harts ; May neuer cold affect , or spleenefull spight , Confound this Musicke of agreeing parts : But Time ( that steales the virtuall heate Where Nature keepes the vitall fire ) ( My Heart speakes in my Tongue ) Supply with Fewell Lifes chiefe seate , Through the strong feruour of Desire ; Loue , liuing ; and liue long . And eu'n as Thunder riseth gainst the Winde ; So may yee fight with Age ; and conquer Kinde Chorus . Io to Hymen ; Paeans sing To Hymen , and my Muses King . FINIS . Christopher Brooke .