The poets vvillow: or, The passionate shepheard with sundry delightfull, and no lesse passionate sonnets: describing the passions of a discontented and perplexed louer. Diuers compositions of verses concording as well with the lyricke, as the Anacreonticke measures; neuer before published ...

THE Poets Willow : OR , The Passionate Shepheard : With sundry delightfull , and no lesse Passionate Sonnets : describing the passions of a discontented and perplexed LOVER . Diuers compositions of verses concording as well with the Lyricke , as the Anacreonticke measures ; neuer before published : Being reduced into an exact and distinct order of Metricall extractions .

Artem qui tractant Musicam , haec legant , & Poesem ament .

Author : Impresse .

Nec mori timeo , nec opto .

Imprinted at London by IOHN BEALE , for Samuel Rand , and are to be sold at his shop at Holborne bridge . 1614.

TO THE RIGHT WORTHIE GENTLEMAN MASTER WILLIAM ASCHAM REPLENISHED WITH THE BOVNTIES OF Art and Nature . Molli discumba ▪ via . Scu Haec via illi summa . IF those be patrons fittest for our labours , Whose vertuous actions merit our respect , Who fitter then your selfe for to protect , Our infant Poems with your mature fauor ? Whose fragrant bosome euer had that sauor , And perfect relish , that the pure effect Of your sincerest loue would thinke no shame , To take in worth what from Pernassus came . Beleeue me Sir , those manie well tuned straines Of your concording vertues haue produced These harsher poems : let me be excused Sith what I write concernes poore homely swaines . That vsed to frolicke in the spacious plaines , My muse with no Cadmean drops infus'd Shelters her humble selfe vnder your wing , Which if you grant , she may securely sing . Call but to mind the seedplot of your youth , Stagyras well-spring , Britons Hesperie , Which at one time receau'd both you and me , You to grow vp , me to admire your growth , Hoping to see that which might glad vs both . Your inward graces , graced outwardly . For now my Poems rellish when they finde So great a fortune in so great a minde . If I should speake but what I doe conceaue , I should make stale those merits of your owne , In shewing them which be already showne , Yet if I were but able to engraue , In monumentall tablets , you should haue The highest place because the highest growen In ripe and pregnant iudgement which approue , Both art and nature beare you speciall loue . Long may you flourish in the grouth of time , To be a refuge to the muses nine , Diuinest shades should shadow powers diuine , That when poore Celsus writes in ragged rime , He may receiue protection by your shrine , Whose beauteous raies with more perfection shine , Then the malignant censures of the worst Shall ere raze out , if that their gall should burst . More could I write ( for subiect had I still , Of writing more and more , ) but modesty Tells me your vertues would not praised be , For vertues praise doth from her selfe distill , Wherefore I curbd th' intention of my will , Ioying to see these honors which I see , So well portraid in you , that your worth , Makes the earth glory in so great a birth . Your vertues admiror humblie deuoted , RICHARD BRATHWAYT● .

Hinc mea musa gemit , quae seria non sera currit , Non matura satis carmina : causa nimis . Vpon the illustrate Prince Henrie , the Authors long meditated teares : Draigned from a fresh renewing spring euer distilling : Some whereof the passionate Elegiake offers to His neuer dying monument . DOst weepe to see him dead ? or thou dost come To view him liuing in his dying tombe ? Liuing ( said I ) and dying ? yes : his death Seems to infuse in him a liuing breath , That being dead to earth , earth might transpose , His earthy corps vnto eternall ioies . Deadiyes , and aliue too ; this seems strange : For single death he gets a double change : Of life and death : death to shut vp his eies , Life to enthrone him in heauens paradice . ●ere heire vnto a king , but there he sings A glorious p●ean to the king of kings . A good exchange : what better ? none to thee , Translated prince : yet no change worse to me , And to the state : O enuy that our will Should so depraued be , to wish him ill , For our owne priuate good : Great good indeed , And to be wisht for : O where shall we reade So many vertues charactred in youth , So rare a mirror in the Court of truth . So pure intentions seconded by same . So hopefull diuinations in his name . So generall affection as nere any , In one heart , kept the hearts of halfe so many . Is t then impiety to weepe , or show Our zeale to him ? whom there was none did know That by relation wept not ; O I see , In euery face the face of Niobe , Sencelesse and speechlesse : yet in sense and speech Thus much entire affection seems to teach Posterity hereafter : as 't appeares Both sence and speech supplied are by teares . Teares inundation , so as we might feare , And not without iust cause some deluge nere , But that we see a rainebow which portends Heauen has imposd vnto our sorrowes ends And limits , which ore past can hardly be , So soone slip griefes out of our memory . So soone ? indeede too soone : poems in blacke Resemble the blacks we weare vpon our backe . Which whilst we follow the sad mournfull beere , Some more for fashion then compassion weare . Vnworthy mourners , do your griefes extend No further ? must your teares with his blest end Expire together ? why then I pray re●ire Let our sole notes sith that our notes be higher And far more shrill , supply your place : i le find Motiues of griefe vnto th'immotiu'sts mind . You are blind with teares , I but of late began , One eye may see more then another can ▪ Why should men thinke th' inuention halfe so rare , Or worth record : to bring a stream : from Ware , Of pure spring water ? for without lesse charge I could haue dreind a riuer full as large Without ere pumping for 't : and with a sluse As artificiall : which could no way chuse ( Such is the force of an obsequious pitty ) But conuey water to most parts o' th city . And this without a Iacobs staffe , or ought Saue the dimensions of an aierie thought ; Which measures each p●oportion , onely griefe Excepted , which the measure of reliefe Could neuer compasse : yet there would be fault In my conueiance , for my spring is salt And mixt with briny vapors which distill ▪ Like pond or marish waters from a hill . But theirs more sweet , so could I mine allay , If I had been at so much cost as they . Next wonder that we haue obserud this yeere , Is that the winter did like spring appeare , Garnisht with varied flowers , and euery sweet Checkerd with borders for the Syluans meet To frolicke on : and why ? they are of that nature , That when they 'r merry , they presage some creature Of worth or admiration must commend , Their bones to rest by some approaching end . Ill natur'd bugbeares , why should you delight , To see that sunne lodge in eternall night That gaue a lustre with his sparkling eie To euery plant within his Monarchy Each humble spray or flower that grew i' th field Of honor , would he honor with his shield Of eminent respect ▪ respect lesse you , That neuer giue to merit what s her due . But I must cease , that I may weepe the more , For ceaselesse though I weepe , I haue teares in store Two buckets to one well , both of them goes , The one for my teares , the other for my woes , That teares and woes contracted both in one , May pierce in time this monumentall stone .

THE ARGVment of this Treatise .

BERILLVS an Arcadian shepheard , who frequented the flowrie plaines of Ida ; and indeed no lesse musicall , then pastorall : For his learning famous , for his measure in all compositions curious , for his censure in moderne presentments , no lesse affected , then by his fellow-inhabitants admired ; fell in loue with a Nimph of the adioyning mountaine , hight Eliza : of parentage honorable , of beautie incomparable , and endowed with all graces internall ; which made her no lesse beloued , then desired , euen of the greatest : for her demerits were such , as Arcadia resounded with her praises , Long had shee ( euen of ●● naturall loue vnto retirednes ) sequestred her selfe from the publique concourse of the world , professing as it seemed a ves●all life : when now ( being of great expectancie , as the onely daughter to her father ) she● was moued by her friends to addresse her selfe for proceedings both more answerable to her Fortunes , more correspondent to the generall intentions of her friends , and more aequiualent to her yeeres , being now in the flower of her Time , and increase of estate . After a modest , yet halfe-assenting repugnance , shee condiscended to their request : leauing Vesta and her retired habitations , and now consecrating her laies and hymnes to Hymen , wishing no doubt , his furtherance to her otherwise affected disposition . It chanced that ( on a solemne festiuall day ) when all shepheards leauing their pastures , and making recourse to a Temple erected neere to the foresaid mountaine , they offered sacrifice to Pan ( the shepheards God ) that he would preserue their flockes , & giue encrease vnto their heards , according to the custom of Rome , where the Lupercalia be solemnised by the mountaine Palatine : the Parilia were kept in honour of Pales , for the preseruation of cattell : such were the feasts of these Arcadian shepherds . Now in the performance of their vowes to Pan , ere their solemnities were half finished , came in Eliza with other amiable maids , to see the order ( as it seemed ) of the shepheards in the celebration of their festiuals . The passionate shepheard Berillus , who before had conceaued no little affection of the demure carriage , modest gate , and well-respected , & reputed conuersation of Eliza , had no sooner fixed his eyes on her , then his sacrifice was ended , his deuotion cooled , and those many orisons which he made to Pan , conuerted to the honour of his Saint & shrine Eliza. Much loue he professed by his eye : for though Pan had his knees , yet that honour was but externall , Eliza had his heart , no lesse reuerencing her presence , then he did Pan with outward appearance . Eliza at last obserued ( as what woman , if faire , knowes not her Beautie ? ) that irreuerberate fixing of his eyes , by the transparent characters of his lookes , measuring his loue , shee ( not to dant the poore shepheard ) gaue him a modest smile , which gaue no lesse content to Berillus , then if Pan had descended and confirmed their vowes with his presence .

The sacrifice ended : yet the flame which appeared at the sacrifice not extinguished in the loue sicke shepheards brest , continued his passions , not hopelesse , because resolued such Beauteous colors could not bee soiled with the blemish of a remorcelesse heart : but as the Syreus neuer portend more raine , then when their voice is most delightfull , nor the Crocodyle more pernicious , then when feigned semblances shew her teares most remorcefull , so this bitter sweet , seemed to entertaine pittie , and to accept of the poore shepheards sacrifice , registring his sobbes , sighs , and vnfained passions in the Tablet of her heart : vowing acceptance if her parents assent confirmed her election . But see that generall vice ( innate to her sex , ) leuity of minde , estraunged her intentions , and made the forlorne shepheard more wretched , in that his former hopes had made him blessed : shee contemnes his giftes , scornes his suite , plaies vpon his simplicitie : so as the shepheard surprised with a sympathie of passions , in that his hopes and great expectances are made abortments : proined of their expected growth , and blasted in the prime of his affections , sits descanting of his discontents : making his pipe the surdon of his sorrow : to expresse his languishments more fully , in an abrupt straine of discords ( as that harmonie best suites with his present fortunes ) lying deiected on the ground ( best repose for his declining hopes ) thus intimates his owne miserie : shadowing ( though couertly ) womans inconstancie : shutting vp his ode with this conclusion : They are happie , who haue seene ( and by seeing ) haue bene cautioned of a louers miserie , and womans obduracie , hating where they propound most euident and infallible Testimonies of their sincerest loue .

THE PASTORALL . IN Arcadie , a place of great renowne Famous for flowry pastures , there remaind A youthfull shepherd , who vpon the down , Hight Idas plaine , such honour had obtaind Amongst all shepheards by his trophies gaind , And worthie feates in euerie May game showen That his atchieuements were so glorious growen , As he the flower of shepheards still was nam'd Nor of that honour might he be asham'd , For many shepheards then there were ▪ whose grace In actiue fears put Heroes out of place . Tmolus was one of such a noble spirit ▪ Adornd with beautie and perfection too . That in all actions he the 〈◊〉 did merit Decking with laurell his victorious brow . Was praisd of all , yet neuer would he heare it , Nor of vaine glorie least appearance show : Such store of graces from his minde did flow ; Of able bodie , and of pregnant wi● , That euen these times haue much admired it : For manie laies would Tmolus ofttimes make In diuine measures for Amyclas sake . Next him was Thyrsus of a comely hew A pure complexion , and a pleasant grace , Who to his friends prou'd faithfull still and true , With painted smile nere would he soile his face : For he descended from a noble race , As his admired vertues still did shew : For fame and honour euer did reuew , The spacious mansions of this shepheards place Walking with honour in his parents trace , Such was this Thyrsus ( Thyrsus was his name ) Nor of that title might he thinke 't a shame . Pelorus was the third , a lustie swaine That vs'd to graise his cattell by the riuer Euenus hight : where oft he would complaine , Of his hardhearted loue : nor would he euer , Those pensiue odes ( in silent woes ) containe But chaunts his passions ore and ore againe : Such brinie streames could be exempted neuer , For light ( which lightsome seems ) his ioies disseuer Making his comforts barraine : O how faine Would he haue glad himselfe with harmonie , But what he sought could not effected be . O my Laerte ( would this shepheard say ) Why doest exile me from thy presence deere ? Why shouldst thou with thy loure benight my day , And racke my intrals with perpetuall feare ? I pray thee ( loue ) more cheerefully appeare , Feede not my passions with a long delay , But let the night at last my griefes allay , That I some pleasant harmonie may heare , Sounding a concord in my dolefull eare , O be so kinde , that if no day , yet night May yeelde me comfort and renew delight . Thus would Pelorus iterate his woe And make the pastures eccho with his voice , For to what caue so ere this swaine did goe He made it answer with an horrid noise , For where he was , no creature could reioyce , Sith what he did , his cattell would doe so , Both foode and water willing to forgoe , And frame their routing to their Maisters choice A discord well concording with his voice , His flockes were thankefull to deplore his fall Mourning to heare their Maisters mournfull call . Manie fine bowers this shepheard vsd to frame Of mirtle braunches , and of poplar greene , Wherein he vsd to endorse his louers name , Whose curious workes to this day may be seene , Which cannot chuse but aeternise his fame And that renowmed house from whence he came , For few such swaines on earth haue euer beene Of such respect , such vertue , such esteeme : But he is gone , and hath depriu'd the earth Of her chiefe beautie , portraied in his birth . Tymallus was the next , who for his strength Antaeus like , regaind the highest prise Amongst all shepheards , but the fates at length Seem'd to oppose his worthie enterprise , Shutting the glorious splendor of his eies , ( Themselues contented in our discontents ) Changing the nature of those elements , Which in Tymalius did so sympathise , That I haue heard , though this same shepheard dies , Yet euerie yeere the inhabitants receaue , Where hee s interd sweete odors from his graue . O thou perfumed vrne that doest containe Within thy shrine and s●ble monument , The famous reliques of a noble swaine , Mansion of honour , vertues continent , Shine euer bright to grace that ornament Which thou possessest : let no priuat● slaine Blemish that poore remainder , whos● pure name Makes earth , no earth , but as an element Drawen from the earth , to raise her excrement , Rest thee Tymallus in thy house of clay , Whilest we relate thy actions euerie day . But now must I leaue these , and come to him , Whose sacred muse pearceth the aerie clouds , And with Berillus excellence begin Some higher straine ; leauing the silent wods , The silent shades , the pastures and the floods ▪ Which cherished the swaines : now must I trimme With varied colours euerie braunch and limme Of my discourse : that such as vnderstood Of this Berillus , may wish him some good , And adde some proper actions of their owne To those of his , and make them better knowne It chaunced on a time , the swaines agreed To celebrate the festiual● of Pan , Pan was the God , by which their flocks did feede , And their encrease on Ida first began , Therefore each swaine with all the speed he can , Came with sweete incense from his flourie mede , To sacrifice to Pan of all their breed , One with a kid , another with a lambe , Or some young suckling wained from the damme , Mongst whom Berillus came , willing to offer , To Pales incense , and to Pan an heifer . Vnto the Temple which erected was , N●●re to the foote of Idas sacred moun● , From whence a Nectar riuolet did passe , Which was enst●led Cytheraeas fount , Came all these shepheards , who with great account , And solemne honour offred in that place , The firstlings of their flocks were wont to grase Vpon the neighbour plaines , or which were wont To brouse the flourie vale , or feede vpon 't , Each offred what they had , fruits of their border , The best the first , the residue in order . Amidst these solemne feasts , obsequious vowes , Came in Eliza , one of beautie rare , With other virgins , for what end heauen knowes , Saue to perplex such as religious were : Such tempting creatures wanton women are , Seducing vs with smiles and seeming showes , farre worse then the furie of externall blowes : For those shed blood , these doe torment with care And vex vs with new sorrowes , till despaire Surprise our mindes , our solace dispossesse , Making vs obiects of times pensiuenesse . Noe sooner had he spied ( aye me too soone ) The Syren countenance of this seeming sect , Then incense , Censor , coales , & all throwne downe , fixing his eyes on her , showd his intent , Hauing our heart there where our eyes be bent , To such a passion he in fine was growne , That he could scarcely vouch himselfe his owne , But pitching there his campe , his fort , his tent , Confin'd himselfe within her element , For he transported was ( poore harmelesse man , ) To Elizas Altar from the shrine of Pan. Shall I adore ( quoth he ) a rurall God , A pasture Saint , a sheepish deitie , When a more heauenly creature makes abode , Cheering my comforts in varietie , Promising pleasures in sacietie ? No , no , her presence farre more comforts bode Then Pan ere had : too long my feete haue stoode , Too long my knees haue bow'd ( poore Pan ) to thee I see a Saint that better pleaseth me . This said ( his incense from his shrine berest ) Vnto his goddesse goes , the Altar left . Like to a forward wooer trained long In louers vowes , and solemne protestations , He takes her by the hand : and softlie wrong Her tender pulse , augmenting sundrie passions Of an vnfained loue ( Heauens inuocations ) Making his heart the subiect of his tongue , His tongue the Herald of euents to come , Calling the Gods to record his intentions , And all those acry powers whose blest conuentions Confirme each action both in heauen and earth , The fatall end drawne from a fatall birth . If that I loue not ( honourd queene ) quoth he , Mirror of beautie , diamond of fame , If that I euer haue not honourd thee , And registred the annals of thy name , And with my deerest blood confirmd the same , Neuer respect these teares distild from me , Nor of thy worth let me accepted be . But if I haue beene faithfull , thinke 't no shame To fix thy loue on me that faithfull am , For sooner shall the sunne surcease to shine , Then I surcease to reuerence thy shrine . See in what diuine rites , what sacred hests , I was distracted , to enioy your loue , For sincere loue , delaies in loue detests , Enforc'd the fruites ( which he desires ) to prooue , O let me prooue them , so shall griefes remooue , Their pensiue stations , and afford sweete rest Vnto my restlesse soule , by thee made blest : I was brought vp ( dere sweete ) in Idas groue , Hatchd in an Aerie , sprung from bowers aboue , Those ●owrs , those flowrs , those showrs which did descend From Ioues pure throne , thy beauty shal defend . Those bowers which louely Adon did frequent , Those flowers to which Narcissus was transformd Those liquid showers where Dande reapt content , All in one symptome with one wreath adornd , To louers vnitie sweete straine conformd , ( For purer straines nere had earths continent , Then such as descant louers complement ) Where limpe-halt Vulcan too ▪ too long soiornd , With loues contempt portr●ide , displaied & hornd , But louers cannot put abuse , nor wrong Those faithfull vowes which they professed long . See but this incense how it lost her smell , See but this censor how it lost her fire , Which intimates , nought can expresse so well The feruent passions of our mindes desire , As beautie● presence , which doth still aspire , To aerie mansions from the vault to shell , For perfect loue all vapors can expell , And giue the louer due reward , due hire , Scorning with coward pace to make retire , Loue is a captaine which obtaines the prise , Scorning the worst and basest enterprise . But like victorious cheiftaines which enclose The strongest bullwarks with continued labour , Despising rest , minds quiet , nights repose , By their renoumed acts to purchase fauour , ( Whose resolutions know not how to wauer Nor the pale harbour of distracted woes , Know how to feare ) euen so affection goes , Till memorie ( of Heroes acts engrauer ) Enobled by worths monuments shall haue her , Registring her pure vertures in their shrine , For diuine acts deserue a throne diuine . Noe steepie mount can be too peering high , Noe craggie cliffe for loue too intricate , For such is loue and louers maiestie , As its secure in euery dismall state , Passing the iudgement of impartiall state , Neerer the title of a deitie , Being the same which she doth seeme to be , Hating the cause of times producing hate , Ope be her eyes ( wide ope ) early and late , Discoursing where or how her comforts be , Taking no rest to gaine eternitie . O be not selfe conceited ( dearest loue ) See but thy image , how it doth desire Another image : ayming euer higher , Till it enioy what it intends to prooue , Much like the Turtle with the Turtle-doue Or like the Phenix , who in her owne fire , Portraies her selfe both mother , seede and sire : Her ashie vrne her tombe , her flame the groue , To life infusd by some effects aboue . Be then the Phenix , as in beautie rare , So be thy actions farre aboue compare . What better sutes which beautie then delight ? What better with delight then loues content ? What better with content then cheerefull light ? What better sutes with light then th' element , That best concords with her ? what s that ? th' extent Of pure affection : which expels the night , And makes vs pleasant in our louers sight , For honest louers shew their mindes intent , By outward signes ; an Incense redolent , In sincere loue , composd of sundrie links , Thinkes what she speakes , and speaketh what she thinkes . Then speake ( deere loue ) let this same sacred place , Where we be present , consecrate our loue : Let Pan himselfe confirme our Nuptiall grace , And all the powerfull Queristers aboue Sing cheerefull layes : while our affections moue Their true Idaeas : that illustrate race , From whence you were deriud , quickens my chace And bids me hope : you cannot chuse but loue , Their worth cannot be base whose births aboue , Then as thou art erected , let me tast , The fruites of loue , when discontents be past . For if a faithfull shepheard can deserue , Meede for his faith : my faith deserues as much . How oft haue I thy name desir'd to carue In euerie tree ? and when I sought to touch The tender barke , or rinde , it nere thought much , But willingly endurd my sculpture : thus plants serue Thy blest attendance : that they may obserue , A module in thy fancie : that is such , That if they should doe all , yet not too much can be done to thy shrine : if plants doe this , ( If I should not doe more ) I did amisse . Since time I knew thee ( fairest of all faires , ) I could not goe , as I was wont to doe Vnto my pastures : for such heapes of cares Possest my crasie braines , surprised so With thy affections , that whereso ere I goe , Sit , or lie downe , nought of sweete ioye appeares , But multitudes of my renewing feares , Which make me sleeping wake , thinking of woe , And then of ioy : thus interposd twixt two , A double forme my single forme partakes , Now waking sleepes , & sleeping straight awakes . For that sweete sleep which confort yeelds to others , Yeeldes a distaft to me : what can be sweete Where hope is dead ? hope is a louing mother , Banishing sorrow with a silent sleepe , That feedes the shepheard , and reuiues his sheepe , Reducing them into one fould together , But sheepe nor shepherd there 's no health to either , If thou my shephardesse refuse to gather My disperst Flocks : and shall denie to keepe My watching eyes that doe desire to sleepe , But cannot sleepe , to double paines they are put , Ope by thy presence , by thy absence shut . No day nor night can solace yeelde to me , Both be vnwelcome guests : and what s the cause ? To tell the truth : that day I see not thee Seemes farre more darke then night : loue hath no clause , No limit , nor no bond : loue cannot be Confinde in bonds , it hates captiuitie : Meriting honour by diuinest lawes , As for her action it deserues applause , O then ( deere sweete ) be not so soft to show , So hard to loue : receiue these vowes I owe . Oft haue I walkd within the Idalian groue , Calling each plant , each blossome to record The spotlesse vowes of my refined loue : And euerie plant did seemingly accord Vnto my vowes : springs did their teares afford , And euery sencelesse rocke did passions moue : Crying I loue , the eccho cried I loue , For euery accent , accented my word , A louely concord in a loues discord . If plants , rocks , riuers so remorsefull be , Farre more remorse I doe expect from thee . Thy substance is more heauenly , then disdaine Should soile a mansion of so pure delight : Thou seest me loue , and thou wilt loue againe : I know thou wilt , those vowes which I haue plight Cannot but haue respect in louers sight : Which if thou doe , ( beleeue me ) i le remaine As I haue beene a poore well willing swaine , And with my pipe on euery winter night Play laies of loue , to further thy delight . Beleeue me sweete , and you may thinke it true , My Flocks vnfollowed are to follow you . The wanton lambkins frolicke on the plaine , Skipping and leaping in their floure of youth , While in a secret caue , I scarce containe My selfe from teares , and so Melampus doth , Poore harmelesse curre , for he is very loth To see me so deiected : howling amaine , Prickeard , bleare eyed , yeelds me a dolefull straine ▪ Of doggrell musique : thus perplexed both . Repine to see each creature in their grouth , And we dismaid , with woes immured so , As others ioyes seeme to augment our woe . Last day but one Amicla came to me , And askd the reason why I was so sad : Thou vsd , quoth she , so full of mirth to be , That with thy pipe thou made the pastures glad , And was accounted still the cheerefulst lad In all our plaine : how coms it then quoth shee , Such sullen suds haue so perplexed thee ? Come , come away and leaue this pensiue shade , For piping , not for pining thou was made , Come , come I say , and quickly follow me . And ore this downe lets dance it nimbly . Alas Amicla , thus I answerd her , How can I pipe , my rede is out of tune , How can I dance , that can but hardly stirre My crasie ioints : O no , that time is done , Nor wil't hereafter ( much I doubt it ) come To ioy my dolefull life , or ere appeare , To end my griefes that eccho euery where , For griefes speake loudest when the speech is dumbe Engrosing daily still a greater summe . Leaue me Amicla , how can I recite , My wonted measures that has broke my pipe ▪ Broken thy pipe ? I le mend it ( sweete ) quoth she , And make it tune with more delightfull measure Then ere it did : lend but thy pipe to me : I lent it her , that I in part might please her , But it plaid tunelesse still : nor could it ease her , Descanting discords : sadder harmonie Nere did I heare of sage Melpomene : It knew his Maisters straine , not all the treasure Of Tagus golden oare , no time , no leasure , Had either I or my poore pipe to play , For thoughts of loue had tane all ioyes away . Amicla when she saw it would not be , Threw downe my pipe , for it was soone thowne downe , And with quicke pace away departed she , While I despised , of my selfe lay downe Vnder a shadie beech well ouer growne , With broad ▪ spred braunches which did shadow me , But not obscure the loue I bare to thee ; Calling the heauens to witnesse , and mine owne , Mine own poore bleting flocks ! my loue was shown thee . Not in assemblance , but so really , That nought seem'd sweete which did not tast of Thy breath a perfume , and thy voice a tone , Of perfect concords : thy bright eye a starre , Thy mouth an Hyblemount , thine armes a throne , Thy teeth a pearly cordon , thy pure haire Tramels of purest gould , where lodged are Those three admired graces , all in one , As if they ment there to reside alone : Thy browes like Beacons , where we see afarre Adioyning places , mannagements of warre , Breefely , noe part thou hast from top to toe , But may be askt why nature made it so ? And straight it answers : Nature made me thus , To be a mirrour past all imitation , Sith choicest colours my proportion chufe , A beauteous frame formd of the best creation , That after times might make more full relation , What they haue seene proportioned in vs And leaue records of it : that euery muse , If pregnant , may discourse to euery Nation , A perfect module made for recreation , But for no humane creature ; such as loue vs , Must come from heauen , & plant their throne aboue vs O tell me then ( deere loue ) if so it be , Humane affections cannot worthie seeme , By their intentiue minds to honour thee , And therefore iustly haue condemned beene , To gase out that which should be rarely seene , For such as thou art , oft reserued be , Not for Earths frame , but for aeternitie : Tell me but this ( and by this kisse ) I meane Nere to repaire vnto thy shrine againe , Or ere make sute ( as here I doe professe ) To be thy shepherd , thou my shepherdesse . When poore Berillus finisht had his sute , Looking for answer at Elizas hand , Pans Priest came in , and put Berillus out , Onely thus much well might he vnderstand , That he was lou'd of her , but th' Priests command ( Ill f●ll such shauelings ) euer went about , Hearing their amorous stories to roote out Their pure affections : mouing with his wand , Or sacra virga , that they should descend , And leaue ●o●es passions to another place , For in Pans Temple loue can haue no grace . The forelorne Shepheard went same way he came , Sad and deiected , yet with hope releeued , Thinking by absence to quench out the flame , Which daily made encrease : being depriued Of those blest meanes , by which we are reuiued , Hope the best Anchor which supports our flame , Made this poore shepherd to pursue his game , Hoping by such effects as he contriued , To haue his ioyes renewd : but was deceaued , For where he thought to finde contentment most In that same place he was the greatliest crost . For from that time nere could he see his dere , Kept as it seem'd for Pan , or for his Priest , For this same shaueling euer would be there , Desiring ( lustfull prelate ) there to feast , Where she remaind : for he has oft confest , That he has wisht himselfe transformed were Into some slender creature , to appeare At all times to Eliza : who thought least Of such a wanton votarie : heauens detest , Such vow in fringing masse priests whose profession Collects a reason out of each suspition . Farewell Eliza , if thou liue so long , As to repent thee of thy breach of faith , I doe not doubt but thou 'l confesse the wrong Which thou hast done me , and abiure that breath , Which thou exhal'd , adiudging me to death , By that remorselesse heart , that Syren tongue , Which ( if thou liu'st ) will sing another song : Take heede , the sword 's drawne from the irefull sheath , And inbred horror creepeth vnderneath . Whom thou affectest most , affects thee least , Hating thy Swaine to take thee to thy Priest . But if god Pan knew how his swaines were vsd , By such as offer to him sacrifice , I know full well he would redresse th' abuse , And saue our honour from such Priests as these , Who fill his Temple with impieties , Wronging the sincere thoughts of each of vs , Which cannot merit in the heauens excuse : Small faults with Saints be great enormities , Shrines that are pure become pure deities , But i le surc●ase , griefes make my muse surcease : Encrease of lines giue to my woes encrease .

To Eliza. A sonnet . IF faire Eliza thou that I haue lou'd , And vowd more sacred hests vnto thy shrine Then any loue that ere profest him thine , Haue but my poems by thy selfe approu'd , O to what blessed , vnexpected clime Am I transported by this muse of mine ? But if thou frowne , contract thy brow and loure , I le neuer handle this rude pencile more . I haue not Zeuxes hand to paint thy shape , But I could wish to graue within thy mound Some quaint deuise , where if I once were found , I know no feature of his liuely grape Could me exceede : for I haue learnd the ground Of that deepe art , albeit most profound . Be thou the module of that curious frame , That my impression may adorne the same . Adorne ? deforme thou saiest : poore poesie , Cannot content Elizas Nuptials , Shee 's of a lighter straine , her festiuals Sound and resound with purer harmonie : She cannot brooke the sullen Saturnals That mixe our inyes with gladnesse : Iuuenals , Best like Eliza : and they would like me , If I were Iuuenall to sing to thee . Thy affectionate swaine Pans poorest herdsman .

In Arui pascua distichon . Pastor eram gelidis discumbeus montibus Arui , In me tanguet amor mont is , amore tui .

To Dorinda . Elegie . 1. THe soaring Eagle stouping to allure , Too base a lure ( god wot ) for such a bird , Was soone depriu'd of that he thought most sure , At which strange hap the Eagle much admird , To be debard of that he least desird , Wherefore opprest with furie there he swore , Descend he would to such base lures no more . Art thou not borne ( quoth he ) of royall race , Hatching thy Aerie in the wildernesse ? And wilt thou then that auncient house disgrace , Soiling thy glory with such filthinesse , Which would ecclipse thy pristine worthinesse ? O fie for shame let such vnworthies be , Whose worthles parts will shame thine house and thee . Thy Father was a Prince , thou art his sonne , For with thy pearcing eyes canst thou behold The glorious lustre of the cheerefull sun , Fruitfull as springtime , not to bondage sould , Building thy neast in clymates far from cold , Flie to the Cedar ; let this mushrome be , For higher plants will better nourish thee . Those sparkling eies of thine which shine so bright , Clad with the flames of Phaebus regiment , Cannot immantled be in pitchie night , But aime at some more gracious element , Sunne seldome shines on such base excrement , Then as thou soar'd by nature , so let art In thine aspiring thoughts sustaine a part . Nomine pastor is m●llita poemata fundit Aquila — vt infra sequitur . What plesant poems haue come from my bill , Whose sweete resounding made the eccoes ring , In fields and shades where siluer streames distill , Where Philomell her selfe was wont to sing , Downe by the current of Sabinas spring , Shall then my brest which tund so plesantly , Be matchd with such a tunelesse Harmonie ?

In poesem Encomion . Should Hybles sacred art of poesie , Leese her horizon in the throne of heauen , Since it hath beene profest by deitie , Vnto the muses in Pernassus giuen , A place frequented on each Satyres euen , Where Satyres danc't & Syluanos in their order , With all the rites that Hymen could afford her . Then thou thrice blest profession , which remaines A solace to the minde , the earths content , That doubles our night tasks with ●reble gaines , Affording vse of louers complement , The load-starre which directs our regiment , Neither shall pleasure profit or delight , Depriue me the fruition of thy sight .

To Dorinda . The bird Erodius for her louely broode , Sends out a shower of teares perpetually , And she by natures prescript is allowed To mourne for her deiected progenie , Parents with children make one sympathie . Why should not I doe this for her and more , Whose hallowed shrine my thoughts did ere adore ? Thou fairest Queene that sits on Idas mount , Vouchsafe to take this poaem I present , And this my muse shall be deuoted still , Vnto thine heauenly statue which was sent From Io●e aboue vnto this continent , Protect my silly labour and receiue Vnto thy cell , this little that I haue . Alas what fortune crost my birth day first , When fates themselues denied me better meanes , To gratifie my loue ? whose quenchlesse thirst , In midst of streames , for liquid streames complains , That her poore trauaile can produce no gaines , Vnto thy diuine Altar ; which shall smell , With mirrhe & hymns the Nimphs themselues shal tell .

Amor vt odor . — redolentia semina mittit-quisquis amat . Bring me some odors for my louely queene , And fragrant posies for my shepherdesse : A fairer spring-time neuer shall be seene For worth becomes Dorindas worthinesse , Pipe will I still for I can doe no lesse , And when my pipe is broken I will take A shriller pipe for my Dorindas sake . Pastor pasce boues , mea fistula cantet amores , &c. Take out that reed , it doth not please my loue , It is too slow a straine for her swift course , She loues not that which will not quickly moue , And cut the aire like to a foaming horse , That runs his station with a vehement course , Such steeds would well beseeme my lady queene That runs her courser with an easie reine . Sic mea laxatis currit habenis Hyppodame equis : quorum spumantia freuis colla torquet . — et tu tibi Myrtile fatae digna refers . — ibid.

To Dorinda . Elegie . 2. Disdainefull girle that hates thy louer most , Playing the tyrant with thy beauteous face , Seeming as wonne , when thou art neerest lost , Clouding thy beautie with a foule disgrace , Since blacke disdaine enioyes the cheefest place , Conceiue remorse , lest thou remorselesse die Thine acts the authors of thy miserie . How manie times and oft haue I profesd Vnto thy beautie ceremoniall loue ? What vowes , what hests haue beene by me expresd Farre more then Adon in Idalias groue , More then the solemne hests of Turtle doue ? The verie Pellicane is not more true Vnto her brood , then I would be to you . Yet thou contemns my loue , and in despite Of me and of my loue , fleeres in my face : O will not heauen this crueltie requite , And dispossesse thee of an Angels place ? Grac'd with more beauty then with beauties grace , Expect reuenge for heauens reueng'd will be Of such vow-breaking miscreants as thee . Wast not enough to scorne me for my want , But thou must cherish me with fained loue ; And then triumph , and ore my ruins taunt ? In constant minion that doest change and moue The ball of thy affection , to approue , Some goulden Asse perchance that will admire Not halfe so much thy selfe , as thy attire . Some goulden calfe of Horeb will appeare , First of his house : decended from a bagg Of rustie gould , and he will call thee dere Respectiue Ladie : then his head hee 'l wagge , And sweare by ●●●c●ow pin of his summer-●●ng He loues thee derely , thou must be his bride , Since store of angels guard him on each side . Thou must haue waxen tapers wrought in gould , Thy beads of purest Amber earth can yeeld , Thou must not tread vpon polluted mould , Nor walke abroad into the open field , Without thine estridge taile to be thy shield , Thy drinke must Nectar be , and thou must eate Such meate , as for thy diuine powers is meete . Thy rusticke groome that talks of saluing sheepe , Of wether-gals , and of the next yeeres dearth , Will thee Dorinda like a Ladie keepe , And feede thee with the dainties of the earth , Replenished with pastures yeelding mirth : For euery shepherd with his shepherds crooke , Will striue who may most on thy beautie looke Heere will be Mopsus with his waineskot face , There Damon with his trull will thee attend , Then will old Acmon come with wearie pace , And Melibeus hee 's thy husbands friend , Leaning vpon his staffe , will homeward send For some meane gift , some cheese cake to diuide Amongst the bride-maid● & their courtly bride . Among the rest thy Vulcane will be there , Smeered with seacole , comely ●or his color , And will begin to tie thy glittering ●aire In tresses of pure gould : which are made fowler By his irreuerend hands : where some controler Will curbe his bouldnesse : am I bould ( quoth he ) To touch those haires that doe belong to me ? No minion , no , you must not now partake The gaudie fashions of a giddie braine , But you must leaue them for your husbands sake , And vse those tender parts to rurall paine , To yeeld vnto your spouse a double gaine , For rest assur'd Dorinda there be some , Doe marrie you for after hopes to come . And be resolu'd though such protest they loue , Calling the heauens to record : they will be Such as perfidious Tereus : and will proue The verie ruine of your progenie , And bring your state in time to miserie : Then will you wish ( but wishes come too late ) You had but wist the end of your estate . But why Dorinda should I mention thee ? Why should I name Dorinda , that 's vntrue , A faith infringer , who affected me And then forsooke me ; how should I renew , the sad memoriall which I had of you ? But with a pensiue heart , a sigh , a grone , To intimate how I am left alone . Come all ye wood-gods and adorne my brow , With a poore willow garland , to expresse The liuely colors of a tragicke show , The true proportion of my pensiuenesse , Remote from comfort , frought with heauinesse , Where we will sing , though singing be vnfit , And euery wood-nimph shall shed teares to it . Come to my cell , and we will goe together , Vnto Dorindas Nuptials , where will be Great store of rurall swaines com'd flocking thither A perfect relish of sweete ha●monie : Where we may well Dorindas beautie see : And see her dance laualto in that measure , As needes must yeelde to all contented pleasure . And I haue Friends there that will helpe to place Vs , in a roome contented , to s●ruiew , The polishd colors of her curious face , Which though they doe my pensiue woes renew Yet am I blest in that transparent shew Of glorie and renowme , which ioind together Enforce all shepherds to come flocking thether . Thus will we talke and prattle of her beautie , With Epithetes well fitting her deserts , And I will tender to her shrine my duetie , With offer of my loue and of my heart , Of which she doth possesse the cheifest part : That she would daine for to accept that prise , We consecrate to her transpercing eies .

In laudem Dorindae : per Antiphrasen . She is the mirror and the type of fame , If that a blemish did not daze her light , But that one blot doth much empaire the same , And hath obscur'd the splendor of her sight : The scope she aimes at is not aimd aright , If that one soile did not ecclips the rest , She might be well reputed , worldes best . — Te Roma aligine caecam efficit insequitur fugientem Roma Dorindam . vid. Mant & Luc. in Fragment . O what content haue I conceau'd in thee My sweete Dorinda ? what a sugred smile , A lippe of comfort relish'd pleasantly , An eie that would the prudent'st thoughts beguile ? O with what character , or in what stile Shall I describe thy feature glorious Saint , Made of the most refined element ? Then iudge what wound it was surpris'd mine hart . When thou proscribd me from thy cherefull court , And with contracted brow bad me depart , From that repose where comforts make resort : The birds themselues that heard can make report : For manie time since I tooke leaue of thee , The birds themselues sung dirges ouer me . Recall to minde the time , the place , the words , For I haue cause for to remember them , And then conceaue what sorrow they afford , What cause I haue for to surrender them Into thy hands , that first did tender them , O be not so hard-hearted , well I wot , Thou canst not answer that thou knowest them not . O that so weake defectiue elements , Vessels of frailtie should insult ore strength , That gould should be prest downe by excrements , Or womans power extended to that length , That men ( as clergie men ) haue but the tenth Of their affections in you , and receiue Lesse comfort in your bed , then in your graue . O what vnhappie planet did attend , The first arriuall of mine haplesse foote , Or what discomforts did the furies send To make me runne a course so farre about , With no more thanks then if I ran it not ? O fruitlesse labour , for what labour lighter Then wash the Aethyope that is nere made whiter ? Much haue I read of beautie , more of guile , Which like a snake lies in the tender grasse , The baine whereof her glorie doth defile , And lies interd , as that , which neuer was , Or like a gliding streame whose course doth passe , And passing , cuts both hill and flowrie plaine , Scorning by nature to returne againe . But thou condemn'st me for some carelesse words , In that I was respectlesse of thy loue : O doe not forge vnkindenesse , that affords More sorrow to my heart , then heauens aboue , Or fatall Eris in her stigian groue , What I haue spoke I pray thee speake no more , And I le re●●nt what I haue said before . Inioyne me penance , I will vndertake , Alcydes labours to obtaine your loue , Climing the Alps for my beloued sake , So you distrust from your hard ▪ heart remoue , And of my faith inuiolate approue : For be assur'd I nere my loue did shew To your estate , but loue I bore to you , But why runne I astray so farre remote From that celestiall scope I aimed at : I loue my loue , and yet she knoweth not , Or will not know my minds perplex'd estate , Those great distractions I conceiu'd of late , She will not loue , she cannot like a swaine , Who once repuls'd can make no sute againe , Well then surcease , and let this dolefull Ode Abridge the web of thy extracted griefe , Take vp thy shepheards crooke , make no abode , This barraine pasture yeelds thee no reliefe , But riuolets of teres whereof it's chiefe : Then bid farewell to this disaster groue , To Cupids arrowes , and the queene of loue . Lumine qui semper proditur ipse suo . Yet when I talke of Cupid and his bow . The queene of loue that from mount Ida came , Some more affecting passions I must show , And paraphrase vpon Dorindas name : Where though I blush , for I am full of shame , Yet in my blush , I seeme to represent , The beautie of my loues faire continent . And when I looke me in the dismall glasse , Where face redarts a face , me thinks I see , The splendor of Dorindas comely face , Where with her smile she doth encounter me , And driues my sences to that extasie : That I in Lethe droun'd , as all forgotten , Le ts the glasse fall , and so my glasse is broken . Then am I eas'd , depriu'd of that I lou'd , Opprest with sleepe yet cannot sleepe at all , Till the remainders of my glasse remou'd , Which were disperst by their vntimely fall . For they ( an ecco like ) doe seeme to call And rouse me from my rest , surpris'd which care , And rest of rest , declining to despaire . It may be ( my Dorinda ) if you wed , Some splay-foot'd Vulcan you must make recourse , Too too vnwilling , to a loathed bed , Whereas distastefull pleasure hath no force . But mixt with sorrow and with deepe remore : Heare me ( Dorinda ) these few hymns shall tell That though you loath me , yet I wish you well . Diue to the verie bottome of your heart , And see the idiome of your louer there , An indigested lumpe compos'd of art , Where natures gifts did neuer yet appeare , Where folly first her banner seem'd to reare , An harsh distempred humour show●n in him , A Brillus wit , and a Thersytes limme . But hee 's religious : he can dirges say , And has our ladies psalter all by heart : He is modest , rich , and will each morning pray , As if he had his prayers composd by art , What you sustaine he euer beares a part : Nay more , to purchase your respectiue fauour , Hee 'l take himselfe to any cotqueanes labour . Indeede Alcydes for his Omphale , Past many perils much degenerate From former glorie , pristine dignitie , Which euer made attendance on his state , Too much obscur'd by infamie of hate , For he to win a queene did then begin , To tease his wooll , to card and eke to spinne , — Et qui reges vicit , grandes labores egit . victus amore cecidit : Qui clauum , lanam exercet : ibid: Nec nouit mentem comprimere , qui tanta fecit . vid Senec. Each morne would he his taske imposed haue , Which in a womans habit he perform'd , And all to purchase her whom he did craue , With curious roabes & precious gemmes adorn'd , With whom in this disguise he long soiorn'd , Till his long absence had his ruine wrought , By Nessus blood , long time by Nessus sought . — Nessus hos struxit dolos : cruore tincta est pallia semiferi ( pater ) Nessusque nunc has exigit paenas sibi . — Et Oetaeum Nemus suscipiat , ignis , Herculem accipiat rogus . Senec : in Oetae : Hercul . Beleeue me ( faire Dorinda ) if that loue Consist in orisons , I must confesse , Reason you haue your fancie to remoue , Since heauens forgiue , frequent I nothing lesse , Nor can I loue by solemne praiers expresse . Hymns , pastorals , and pleasant laies beseeme , Rather then orisons so faire a Queene . If Hero had Leanders forme affected , For rites or ceremonies consecrate Vnto the powers aboue : she had respected The Temple more to Iuno dedicate , And had distempred lust in greater hate , But she deuoted was vnto his shrine , For carnall pleasures , not for hests diuine . What comfort can a beauteous maide conceaue In contemplation , since the practike part Better accords with her , and she doth craue A soueraigne salue to cure her wounded heart , Which cannot be perform'd by men of art , For learned Sophisters may reason well , But what will please your sexe they cannot tell . Thus therefore praise I , and yet discommend , This harsh , yet sober kinde of speculation , That frames her engine to a fruitlesse end , About heauens motion and Sphaeres eleuation , Yet cannot make her vse of recreation : Wherefore it 's fruitlesse , and a barraine seede That loues to grow alone , and hates to breede . Renoumed ladie , least I wrong your eares With the distastfull temper of my pen , My muse her selfe from further course forbeares , To shadow out your vertues to such men , As liue obscured in Obliuions den . This therefore I haue writ to blase your name , And not through hate for to ecclips the same . Sooner shall Phaebus leaue his iuorie carre , And giue his regiment to Phaeton : Sooner shall Mars that powerfull god of warre Retire in peace , and loue to lie alone : Sooner shall Sysiphus to rowle his stone Surcease , then I surcease to empall your daies With poets wreaths , the laurell and the baies .

To Dorinda , successiue Nuptials . Et quis me retulit laurea dignum , Qui nequeo digna laude Dorindam euehere ad astra ? &c. in eleg. lib. 3. Purest Nimph that Hyble bred , With Ambrosia nourished , Beauties glorie , natures mirror , Heauens blest Trophie , worldes terror , Nature made thee and thy feature As it seemes to put downe nature , Most admit'd , when most deiected , Humble most , when most erected . Ladie Flora with her beautie , Tenders thee her vigin duetie : Hymen too , doth chaplets carrie To adorne him thou doest marrie : Gods of all sorts haue descended , And their bounties haue extended , Some with roses mix'd full sweetely , Some with spikenard came to greete thee . Nere was marriage day so graced , Since by Hymen all are placed , As sweete flowers set in a border , Gods and goddesses in order , There sits Ioue with Iuno Queene , Here Diana clad in greene , Here god Mars that heroe stour , Here crabd ▪ Vulcanes limping foote . Here sat Venus smouth as doune In a purple veluet goune : There Minerua whose deseruing Had a laurell for her learning : Here aboue their heads did flie , With winged speed God Mercurie : Aeolus at last did come , But for winde there was no roome . Neptune from his liquid cell , Bad the seas and stormes far●well : Nereus no more would swimme In his streames , but follow'd him ▪ Thus all meeting , ioy appeared , Well with wine their hearts were cheered , Till their wine to sleepe resolued , Made these Nuptials be dissolued . Helicons poore inhabitant

Astraeas farewell to Dorinda . Farewell Dorinda , we must now no more Talke of our maiden pleasures we haue had , Nor sit along vpon the siluer shore , Sighing and puling , calling on that lad , That purblinde Cupid , that did wound vs sore : Which made vs pensiue , so perplext and sad , That we with solemne protestations swore To be reueng'd : that he himselfe might know , Though he could shoote , yet we could breake his bow ▪ How oft and many times haue we two walk'd In that same flourie Mede , which doth adioine Thy fathers house , and haue securely talk'd ? Where hauing nought to doe , we vs'd to proine The poppie braunches , which did then exalt , Their tops too high : where we would straight combine Those blossoms we had cropt laying together , Our heapes in one which had bene lopt by either . But now that vernant spring is past and gon , A●d dismall winter with his hoarie brow Sits on my cheeke , that thus am left alone : That Stem shows withred leaues , that ●rst did show , Fruites that deserued to be look'd vpon , Which barrennes was first procur'd by you , But i le not blame you : you haue lost your mate , But you haue changed for a better state . Haue me commended vnto Hymens bower , Tell him I wish he would come visit me , And if I doe resist his sacred power Let me of after ioyes excluded be : Too long I feare I keepe a mellow flower , Which once thou had'st , but now is gone from thee , Beleeue me sweete Dorinda , I diuine , Ere many daies my state must answer thine . Which if it doe , our former thoughts of loue , So well repressed in so equall bounds , We once shall make repaire vnto that groue Where pensiue passions first receiu'd their grounds , And make a foole of that same Ape of loue By whom we once endured manie wounds : But now preseru'd , redeem'd , enioying either , Admire our equall states , enuied of neither .

To Eliza , a pastorall Hymne . — Et ortum referre iuuat : Inclitae domus alta trophaea petit ▪ Non minus genere preripiens decus , quam forma nitida laudes dispergens suas . ibid. Mounseur de Tygres , man of great estate , Had but one daughter , whom he did esteeme : Whose front confronting beautie , Vesus sate , And all those graces which we gracious deeme , Then which a rarer sight was neuer seene , Since beautie lost her beautie and decaied ●n Idas mount : as I haue heard it said . Her haire like Ph●ebus raies disparcling gould , Sent such a lustre where she passed by , That some haue thought as I haue heard it told , Faire Cytheraeas traine approched nie : Such was the vertue of her piercing ●ie , And some that dwelt neere to Elysa saie , The nights she walk'd on seem'd as light as day . Many poore swaines would nosegaies sweet compose Of eglantine , the dasie , and the dill , Which they did consecrate : and she would choose Some flower among the rest which she kept still In her ambrosian bosome , where an hill Of sweeter flowers and branches seem'd to be , Then any mount or groue in Hesperie . Yet of this beautie nature had bestow'd , She was not proud , but of that humble straine , As by her modest blush more faire she show'd , Then to be courted by a countrie swaine , Of ●arre more worth then pastures could containe : For she was faire , so faire and full of fauour , As Pan the shephard-god made sute to haue her . But Pans tann'd skinne paued not with her smoth downe ▪ She better seem'd to be Apolloes Queene , The seedes of vertue were so fully growen Vertue her selfe might take her for her theame : Deriued sure from some celestiall streame : For such a streame distreamd from her pure minde Of gracious gifts , that like it 's hard to finde . This beauties mirror grac'd with such a feature , Had a more lustre , then that countrie swaine , Or any rurall bogge or homebred creature , Could hope by their deserts ere to attaine , Such precious Iewels must be got by paine , Where euery tripping Satyre can supplie A decent measure in loues symmetrie . This gracious Queene fram'd for a higher court , Was by a poet suted : but his pen Seem'd too too rude for her , whose spread report Had driuen an admiration in all men , And sacred wood-gods that suruiued then , Wherefore ( as coy ) this poet she did scorne , And eke the wreath which did his head adorne . Shall I ( quoth she ) a rithmer entertaine , A comicke iester to my Nuptiall bed , The harsh-discordant tunes of euery swaine , To be with ends of poems nourished , Or with a vaine phantastique humor fed ? O no , I cannot brooke the laurell wreath , Or marrie such as loue to sell their breath . I am not borne of that deiected stemme , Nor haue I my beginning from that roote , That I should match my selfe with worthlesse men , Or in a bed of poems set my foote , Where loue enuiron'd is with feare and doubt , Prophets and poets they can write and sing , But women they affect another thing . It is not laies sung in Dianas groue , Nor of Astraeas beautie can procure , The height of our affection or our loue : No● can our sweete respect with them endure , Who liue as if they were of loue secure . Maids are not pleas'd with fruitlesse contemplation But leaues the knowledge , loues their recreation . Th●s my position is , nor will I yeelde Vnto the ●ickle iudgement of the vaine , Who seeke to winne me , yet must lose the field : That labour 's lost which doth produce no gaine : Nere can I loue a poets wanton straine , For this I finde , they that of loue write best , In actions of true loue can doe the least . Mounseur de Tygres hearing what she said , W●s well content , for he no poet lou'd : And therefore ( as it seem'd full of delaied Th' effecting of their loues at first approu'd , Which by some accident at last remou'd : And therefore in all hast tooke hold of time , Belike for to extract his daughters line . This thus resolu'd ( for she was well resolu'd ) Mounseur de Tygres did a contract make With young Gastylio : who inners inuolu'd Part for himselfe , and partly for her sake , In weale and woe his mistris state partakes : As it was fit , for fitting it should be , That man and wife haue one communitie . Both did adore one Idole , both repair'd Vnto one Saint ▪ set in a gorgeous shrine , Which Romane pompe lest it should be impair'd , Talking of rites , they cal'd them most diuine : Whose columns framed loosing wise did shine With burning Tapers on their Altars hung : Vnder the staires whereof the Flamines sung ▪ And least I should defraud you of that state Which so transparently appear'd to all In those solemnis'd rites , I le explicate , How , when , and where , these mariage hests befell : Which thus in briefe I doe intend to tell : That you may show in after-times to come , No rites more solemne then the rites of Rome .

Si nec amare licet , licuit cantare Poteae : Si non authorem diligis , acta legas . Elizaes mariage day with all Romane celebritie solemnised : with the Muses salutes , and Graces seuerall gifts . Sic mea Romano cecinisse camaena cothurno Gaudeat , et Veneris pignora chara sisae . ELizaes nuptialls so long expected , Now were approaching , where in solemne sort Each thing was plast , as if th' aethereall court Whose diamantine walls the Gods protected Had been there present : for all was effected With such respect , as same would come far short In her relation : yet I meane to shew Th' Epitome of this great worke to yow ▪ A curious Table made of citre wood , Spred ore with tissue , well imbrodered , With store of dainty cates replenished , Where on a row the sacred Muses stood Singing a song of Hebe deifide , Was there drawen forth . Next that there seemd a flood , Of faire Sea-nimphs , for Nimphs they seemd to be Bathing their milke white skins deliciously . They sung a song of Neptune to the shore , The shore resounding with a sweet consent : The like whereof was sildome heard before , That Nimphs , whose glory is most eminent , Should deigne to grace with their diuiner power The feasts of mortall men : base continent For such blest feet to walke on : yet they came From sea to earth to spread Elizaes name . Next those , admired graces tooke their place , Richly enthroned as their worth deserued : With ●ies reflected on Elizaes face , As if loue sicke , for so the most obserued : Wishing ( vaine wish ) she were their fellow grace For now she was no fellow : for they serued In all subiection to her , and would take Tasks ill befitting graces for her sake . I le giue thee ( quoth Thalia ) vtterance A hony dropping tongue which shall dissolue The marble hearts of men : sweet eloquence Whose powerfull vertue shall each doubt resolue And match thy beauty with the excellence Of diuine beauty : what thou shalt reuolue In thy close brest shall be performd by thee , Making thee honord for a deity . I le giue thee ( quoth Aglaeia ) pure inuention To passe the spheres with apprehensiue wings Crowning the issue of thy b●est intention With wreaths more glorious then victorious kings Or Heroes ere receau'd , quicke apprehension Shall blesse thy memory with the happiest things Th' auspicious hand of Fortune can procure : For whom the graces grace , must needs be sure . And I will giue ( said graue Euphrosine ) The poise of nature iudgement to approue Or disaproue as it best liketh thee , To iudge twixt hate and mind attractiue loue : The sagest braine deriues her wit from me , Rapt with the infusion of the powers aboue : Thus shalt thou be adornd with graces feature , To make thee heauenly of an earthly creature , Thus made a goddesse by the sacred powers , Whose glorious scepters sway the ocean , And this same massie frame this earth of yours , With all the beauty of your little man : Wherein at first vertues pure springs began With pearly drops of soule-bedewing showers : To rinse our Errors : so distained now As he that made her , hardly can her know . Thus , thus , eternisd ( for eternity Waits on the Graces ) she with modest smile , And shamefast blush , framed this short reply As sweet as short couch'd in a comely stile ; Much doth Eliza thanke your deity That you would deigne times minutes to beguile In such an homely cell : a cell indeed , For such as you that spring from heauenly seed . O you diuine and glorious Quiristers , That sing sweet Hymns in heau'ns high Hierarchy , You who are made the Angells ministers , Filling their hearts with gladsome harmony . Of happy tidings blessed messengers , Infused by the power of sacred Deity . You sweet Organs that are consecrate To heauens blest Nuptialls , blesse my nuptiall state . You are the nectar riuers that diffuse Their well distreaming currents ore the earth So as no mount nor humble vale can chuse But to be fruitfull . Your thrice glorious birth Inspir'd pure knowledge in the Cadmian M●se , Making her fill the earth and Sea with mirth . Thrice blessed ofspring of so blest a sire Whom plants , springs , groues , & all the gods desire . If to the sea I turne , loe you are there , Mouing the Syrens with your warbling voice , If to the mountaines , likewise you appeare , Making the rocks re-eccho with your noise : If to the fertile plaines , I likewise heare You prety musicke in the shepheards voice . Thus Sea , rock , mountaine , and each flowry plaine If you begin will answer you againe . I● Philomela with her wofull note Weauing a pricking bramble to her brest , Retire in secret to deplore her lot , Crying on Progue whom she loued best With trickling teares , not hauing yet forgot Who gaue reuenge to that incestuous beast , Adulterate Tereus : if that you come by Will leaue sad odes and chirpe more cheerfully ▪ And reason good your heauenly influence Giues a sweet tutch vnto th' Amyclean lyte , Makes her stay riuers by her eminence , Diuert the nature of aspiring fi●e , Moue shady woods to change their residence , Mountaines declining , vales ascending higher . Shewing far more then mortall powers could shew Drawing beginning and their end from you . Then gratious Graces , shower such streams of grace Vpon th' ensuing progresse of my time , That by the glorious lustre of your face Such raies of vertue and respect may shine I● me , my issue , and succeeding race , That all may blesse this happy state of mine . Who to aduance the honor of our house Brought from one stem so many vertuous . It is not eloquence , Eliza craues , That smels of gaine , and gaine is stale to shame , Such mellow gifts the better sort depraues , Loosing for corrupt breath a glorious name : Fie on attractiue breaths that still receiue Yet by receiuing doe augment their shame : No , no , let vertue make me eloquent , Vnstained vertue is most eminent . Nor is t in●ention doth Eliza please , I l●aue Archia that : our thoughts be pure , To make our Fame renowmed , when the least Of our expired lifes shall loose their power , Getting that statue , after our decease Which all deuouring time can nere deuoure , The glorious name of vertue , which faire tombe Shall mention vs in after times to come . Ye graces three , how well would this white stole , This precious Albe adorne Elizaes shrine ? Which no detraction nor reproch could soile , But made eternall by the powers diuine , An happy end of times laborious toile , A blessed period to these daies of mine : When for exchange of times mortality Heauens were my due and heauens eternity . Nor doe I care for iudgement , so I haue So much as may discerne twixt carths delight And those high ioies which ripest iudgement craue Twixt Titans torch , and Thetis p●tchie night : So much as may my name from darknes saue , To make her heire of that supernall light Which the iudicious wish : that iudgements best Where she directs her scope at sacred rest . O ( quoth Aglaia ) nuptialls ill befit Such vertuous spirit● : we must haue you dance , And leaue discourse of vertue , which will get Pensiue distractions , though you talke perchance Of vertue now , yet youl 'e relinquish it : Hymen who doth your fortunes thus aduance , Will seem much grieued , if you should seem to be Vertues defender in this Iubile . What colours best befit a mariage day ? Not sable , ●hat pertends too blacke euent : But brighter colours such as flowry May Vsde to put on when Boreas seasons spent And all the fields put on their rich aray , Each odorous flower and blossome redolent . When the green mantle of the checkred earth Seems to reuiew her fresh and cheerfull birth . Such should thy vestments be ( fairespotlesse queen ) And as the birds which pratle on each spray , Telling their tales vnto the medowes green Their loues , their likings by the breake of day , Discour●ing nought which might vnpleasant seem But as true makes impatient of delay : They wish ( poor birds ) each moment to approue The happy fruits of their conceiued loue . Now by the flowry pastures they send out Their warbling voices : where their louely mates With broad extended wing in hot pursuit For their admired loues together waite , Till by long search at last they find them out Where they begin to enioy that happy state , Happy to them ( good birds ) which long before They did expect , but now expect no more . Thus , thus , Eliza , shouldst thou solemnize This glad arriuall of thy nuptiall state , Since powers diuine become to eternise With happy presence thy succeeding fate That all the glorious powers may memorise , These festiue triumphs they haue seen of late . Come , come , forbeare , put on Elizaes brow , Aske but the Muses , they will tell thee how . Euen as we see when cloudes are quite disperst , And glitri●g beams send out their splendor bright Or as when storms be past , whose fragor perst The tender branches with their thunder light , Or as the earth once pining now reuerst Bringing her long concealed ioies to light So did Eliza change her sable hue , As if the graces formd her all anew . Shee 's for no straine of vertue , but delight Plaies on her prety bosome : pensiue thoughts As Hymens enemies be put to flight , Fruits of more pleasure by this day are wrought In the faire Tablet of her beauteous sight , Then Ioue to Swan-like Leda euer brought , For that was stolne curbd by a iealous eie , But this was such as claimd free liberty . No dirges now she sings , but hymns of ioy , Mou'd with a priuate motiue of content : No sorrow now , no anguish , nor annoy Haue any power in her blest continent : She talks of Venus , and the waggish boy , And blames Adonis asking what he meant He did not honor Venus beauty more , But leese a mine of treasure for a Bore ? ●●t borish lad ( quoth she ) pitty it is , Such a good face should haue so ill a wi● , That when th' art blest , dost not conceiue thy blisse But seest a gem and yet respectst not it . Children are pleasd with flowers : a fruitlesse kisse , A smile , or so , such babies best befit : Wherfore lest thou such flowrs shold seem to stain , In fruitlesse grouth a flower thou dost remaine . Thus was Eliza turnd : all on the flant , Like Mirrhas daughter or Hermione , Hauing in hope what really she wants , Presaging comfort to posterity , Concluding thus : mansions where Graces hant Cannot deiected or surprised be By times mutation : for no fatall hower Can rase that fort , that 's kept by diuine power . And as we oft times see in summer time , A shower of candide hailestones ratling downe , Which makes the tops of touring okes decline , The siluer banks of riuers ouerflowen , Proining the tendrells of the lofty Pine , With branchy cedars that are highest growen : Where suddenly the sun sends out his beames , Which quite dissolues the haile & stills the streams So this faire beame of Titan thus diffus'd , Into the amber border of her heart , Which was before ( poore wench ) by her refus'd , Now yeelds reliefe vnto her former smart , Resuming sweet delights too long abus'd : Each proper vertue flowes to euery part . The tempest now is past , the sun appeares , Which stops the source of all ensuing feares . Then fi● it were since that Elizas mind , I● robed with nuptiall thoughts : the solemn night , Should be portraid , her t●uest ioies assignd , To helpe her former hope with hopes delight : Descend a little lower : you shall find The modell of chast loue decolord right : Not sensuall affects which relish lust , For lust 's not loue : since loue is pure and iust . The gloomy night , when labor takes his rest , Birds take their pearch and sauage beasts their den , The night when hoary cares cease to infest With hote assault the silent sleeps of men : That blessed night , these nuptialls made it blest Confirmd her hopes by her approaching then . For she addrest for pleasure doth vndresse , Her selfe to reape more perfect happinesse . Now euery muse had sung their last good night , And had ascended vp Parnassus mount , Wishing her as much ioy and sweet delight , As ere they ioied , while bathing in the fount Hight pure Castalia in Dianaes sight And her attendants : Delia would accompt Them far more happy then the princely Ioue , For they were free but he was tost in loue . The azure curtaines of the siluer heauen Crauing their absence : now the ioifull bride Had of her bride cake to the Muses giuen , To the three Graces and the Nimphs beside , All which attended her : but now the euen Made them though willing longer to abide , Dissolue their ranks Eliza left behind , To find the intention of her husbands mind .

Annotations vpon the last Canto .

WE reade in the Romane Festiuals : when any marriage was to be solemnised , the parents of the parties , or their friends were accustomed to bring forth a faire Table of citre , curiously engrauen : Vbi fercula optimis delicijs assluentia ●ocare assucrunt .

— A song of Hebe deified .

Hebe ( as the Poets faine ) was Iu●oes daughter , and made Iupiters cuppebearer ▪ before he fell in loue with Gannimedes : shee is called most properly by the Poets — dea Iuuentutis the Goddesse of youth — Vide Ouid : in Metamorp .

Woere on a row the sacred Muses sate .

Clyo , Cally●pe , Melpomene , Euterpe , Polybymnia , Erato , Vrania . — of ●a●re Soanimphs .

Nereides a Nereo appellatae . As the Naiades be deriued from Nais — a Nimph of the Fountaines . Which bee distinguished into 3 sorts by the ancient Poets — in Nereides — Naiades — Et Pieri●es . Nereid●s circa maritimos locos , Na●ades cir●a riuos & amaeniores sontes , Pierides circa montium sublimiores vertices et spiracula versa●tur . And so Gerson ( in his description of beasts ) diuides the seueral and distinct kindes of Satires into three sorts : Satyres , waich frequent woods , of a rude . sauage and in●ractable Nature , which sometimes ( more properly in my opinion ) are called Syluanes , quia i● syluis & soli●udinibus asperioribus vitam colen●es . Fa●●es , all which tooke their name from Faimus , sonne to Picus , and father to Latinus : agrestem vi●am agunt , rapinis & violentia corum necessita●i subuenientes . And Dryades a Dryade Hyppolochi filio ducta . But of these you may reade more amply in the fragments of Lucilius ▪ and others , whose exacter wits haue beene craploied about affaires too impertinent : bringing in the clowdes speaking with Aristophanes , planting their inuentions vpon aerie foundations .

They sang a song of Neptune to the shore . — resonantia littera reddunt carmina carminibus . —

Vid: fabulam H●lis vnius de Herculis socijs , qui in Ascanium Flumen missus , vt aquam ab eo hauriret , deflexo capite precepitius procidisse fertur , &c.

— Next those admired Graces tooke their place .

Aglaia , Thalia & Euphrosyne who had the power to bestow 3. seuerall gi●ts : ●loquence , inuention , and sound iudgement , vpon whom they pleased .

— In heauens high Hierarchie .

Caeleste imperium in altissimum dignitatis cumulum prouectum ; quo nihil sublimius ( ait orator ) vt altius extendatur , aut clex gautius , vt maiorem in se splendorem amplectatur &c.

— You are the nectar ri●ers .

— Nectar vt ingenium . Nectar and Ambrosia the food of the Gods .

— The Cadmian muse .

Cadmus was sonne to Agenor , King of Phaenicia , who sent by his father to seeke Europa his sister whom Iupiter had stolne away , and no● finding her , durst not returne , but planted himselfe in Baeo●ia , where he erected that most famous Citie T●ebes : he was excellent in the composition of all measures , but most addicted to prose : wherein he so exceeded , that his filed and elegant st●le was made as a president to after ages ; he was thought to bee the first who euer writ in prose , but I can hardly assent to that opinion : but rather I could admit of their assertion , who affirme him to be the first that reduced the Phenicians from their barbarous and impolished kinde of discourse , instructing them in a more exquisite forme of speaking .

— Mouing the Syrens with the warbling voice . Syrenum voces et Cyrcis po●ula nosti etc. Horatius lib: 1o Epist: ad Coll:

The three daughters of A helous ●nd Calliope .

— If Phylomel w●●h her wofull note .

Phylomela King Pandions daughter , whom Tereus rauished : deploring her owne calamitie vnto her sister Progne , who was wife to Tereus .

— Vnto the Amyclean lyre .

Aryon — being born in Amycle a Citie of Laconia , takes his name of the place of his birth by a Tropical clocution , Metonim .

Brought from one stem so many vertuous

The vertuous progessie of El●za , which is paralleld if not superior to the best reputed families Septentrional .

— Aske but the muses they will tell yee how ? Musa — Quas varijs cecinisse modis — iuuat . Nor if inuention ●oth Eliza please ;

Inuention which is the producer of things true , or such things as haue a resemblance of truth : giuing a probable reason of whatsoeuer is spoken or produced ; — When the young men of Fonia had haled out that golden T●●pode , which was to be giuen to the wi●est man of all Greece ▪ it was brought first vnto Th●les , then to S●lon , & so cursiuely vnto all the wise Sages of Greece : by which was imploied the moderation of their desires , rather disesteeming their owne iudgements , as vnworthy of such an inestimable treasure , then attributing any thing to themselues , to be thought wise in the eye of the world . This by an Analogie is inferred by the modest and continent affections of Eliza , who rather disparageth her own worth , that she may auoide the censure of presump●ion , then by the passe of titularie praises , to vendicate the least honour , as a dependance of her merits .

Vnde Senec : in Oedipod :

— Nec pressae graui spiritu antennae preman● : tuta me media vehat vita decurrens via . — Twixt Tytans torch and Thetis pitchy night

Tytan is vsed for the Sunne : he was son to Caelum and Vesta .

Th●●s daughter to Nereus God of the Sea , she is taken for the night .

— Mare pro cubili noctis . Allegor : Vertues defendor in this Iubile .

This Iubile was continued in aunc●●nt time , and celebrated euerie 50. yeere but this word signifi●s a priuate solemnitie , ( in this place ) consecrating their vowes to Hymen the God of marriage , ●o paean : &c.

Aglai● seemes to reprehend Eliza for her too much modestie , mouing her to sute her thoughts to the present time , w●ich Seneca shadowes out in describing the habites of both the conquerour and conquered in these wordes .

— Noscere hoc primum decet quid facere victor debet , victus pati . E●h odorous flower , and blossom redolent . Salutaria quaedam , citra tactum gustumne Odore proficiunt .

A briefe epitomising of the cheerefull springtime : illustrating the season by her habit . But as true makes impatient of delay . Vid: Horac : 1o lib: epist: epist: ia. — Vid: Catull : 1ᵒ. lib. Eleg. Eleg. 30. Et Ouid : in Epist. ad Hippolit . Whose fragor pierst the tender branches — Horat ; Carm lib. 2ᵒ. oda x a. Or as the earth once pining now reuerst — Mutat terra vices & decrescentia ripa● Flumina protere●t . — Then Ioue to Swanlike L●da . Ioue who fell in loue with Leda , wife to King Tindarus : she w●s transformed into a Swan , bringing foo●th two egges . of the one whereof came Poll●x and Hellen , of the other Castor and Clytemnestra .

— Iealousie .

Iealous of Tindarus her husband , who was prone enough to apprehend each occasion of suspect . No dirges now . — &c. These verses haue reference to Eliz●es profession-making dirges , Trentalls , and Romane Anthem●s no lesse pernitious to her owne purity ( which if not blasted with this soile , were most eminent ) then commodious to her carnall or Ghostly father . In fruitlesse growth a slower thou dost remaine . At eruor in store mutabitur x. lib. Metamor .

Like Mirrahs daughter or Hermione . Venus was daughter to Myrrha : there were two Hermiones the one daughter to Mars and Venus ; The other daughter to Menelaus and Helena , who being betrothed to Orestes , but married to Pirrhus , Oresies to reuenge his wrong , slew Pirrhus and tooke Hermione to wife . — For no fatall ●ower , Can raze that fort that s kept by diuine power . Here she intimates the cause of her transmutation not subiected to any perill , nor opposed by any power either externall or internall .

The Rhe●ians thought them secure , because the tombe of Al●x was erected in their region . Octa by the dispersed ashes of Hercules conceaued no small pleasure : being perswaded the encrease of their commerce with forraine countries proceeded from the happy possession of his monument .

The like we read of the vaine conceipts of the Romanes after the transportance of their Palladium into Italie , refer●ing the whole state , welfare and preseruation of their City , publike and priuate affaires vnto that poore helplesse monument ; which is pretily shadowed by S Augustine in 1 , de Ciuitate Dei : where he vehemently seeks to demolish and recalcinate the whole Fabrique of the Gentile Idolatry and that by humane and morall reasons ▪ expostulating the cau●e why they should repose such affiance in them , whom ●hey haue found so impotent euen in their owne affaires ? For ( saith he ) if they could haue performed any things ▪ ●t is likely they would haue done their endeuour , when those inhabitants which adored them , that people which with such reuerence admired them , was not onely quite extinguished , but their Temples polluted , their ancient monuments defaced , and themselues contemptuously expulsed .

But this was the blindnes of that age which could not discerne of that inward beauty and splendor of the mind bu●●●ed with a precipita●t iudgement made them their gouernours . their Tutelares Dij , their protectors , that needed supporters to s●●taine themselues . But I haue made my digression too amp●e : especially in a tract which rather concernes pastorall Elegio● , then such heathen Prodigies . For lust 's not loue since loue is pure andiust . A maine opposition betwixt loue and lust : the one sensuall , euer enclined to that which yeelds temporary delight : th● other plants her affections vpon a mo●e firme groundworke , a sincere and a spotlesse intention .

To read of those chast and honorable matrons of Rome , who haue excelled in all purity and integrity ( as far as was possible for the pagans to attaine vnto in perfection ) : as Co●eli● the mother of Gracchus , Portia wife to Brutus , Cleobu●● daughter to that wise and prudent lage Cliobalus : Sul●itiae wife to Calepus , and that memorable Paula wife to Seneca ▪ These knew the perfect forme of loue , and were well read in the precepts of chast imbracements , but far from the l●ast conceipt or apprehension of lightnesse : but who shall contrariwise read of the insatiable disposition of Messalina , the licentious affections of Oristilla , the incestuous desire of Phedra , and the impetuous fury of Medrea , shall presently conceiue a maine repugnance ( or contrariety rather ) betwixt loue and lust : sith by the one , be commonweales in all vnity and coniunction of minds established , wholesome and beneficiall lawes enacted , the bounds of kingdomes dilated , and aswell priuate as publique affaires with due order and administration managed . For loues definition according to the opinion of Aristotle ( of all Philosophers most profound ) and Plutarch ( of all moralls most elaborate ) is this : Loue is impartiall , yet of reason forgetfull , she grounds her affection vpon vertue , deeming that which is impious , vnworthy of a mind generous .

But lust the bane of flourishing Empires : the distastfull and vnsauory fruits whereof Troy ▪ long since hath experience of by a Helen , Spartae by a Scedesa , m●y be thus defined : she is respectlesse of the meanes , so she may attaine the end : her aime is to satisfie her owne exorbitant affection , which to gaine she is secure of her owne ruine , countries desolation . The present discourse which I haue taken in hand puts me in mind of that prety and pithy induction of Lucian , bringing in Venus , demanding of Cupid for what cause he vseth to wound with his virulent dart of loue Iupiter , Neptune , Apollo Iuno , but exempteth Pallas , Diana , and all the Muses from the chaines of his seruile affection : and he answers her : when I come neere Pallas she threatens me , and opposeth my pleasures which I am wont to instill into the minds of men : the Muses they are imploied insacred labors , continual exercises to the end they may attaine to the perfection of their endeuors : Diana she frequents the woods , and retired solitudes , neither caring for loue nor the instructions of loue : she obserues a restraint in her selfe and in her followers : she is too skilfull in shooting to be shot by Cupid .

The inuention of Lucian is pleasant : prosecuting his whole discourse with such apt and accommodate words , that I could not chuse but take a modest digression , to describe the powerfull effects of labour , the soueraigne remedies of good and vertuous studies against the obiections of such , who rather repose in security to inuert the violent assalts of carnall and inordinate desires : whose opinions resemble those of Aristo , Pyrrho , and Herillus , whose mature censures , haue been thought vnworthy of all phylosophicall conuents . We ●r● the least secure , when in our owne iudgement most secure : and no malady more incurable then that which is insensible : the whole progresse of this subiect ▪ as it may confirme it selfe , by infallible reasons , grounded on the fortresse of diuine and prophane traditions : so the Poet seems ( as one who had no little experience in the schoole of vanity ) to conclude the generall assertions of all with this Epiphonema : ●●ut●ing his institution vp with a caution , his caution with a medicine . Otia si ●ollas periere Cupidini● arcus . Contemplaeque iacent & s●ue luce faces . Take away sloth , and Cupid cannot shoot . Thou maist contemne him for his fire 's put out . B●rds take their perch and sauage beasts their den . Nature hath ordained that euery creature she hath made , should be refreshed with some moderate rest . Labor is sweet after rest and rest is a confirmer of labor , the one without the other would make vs dissolute , the one without the other would make vs effeminate . Sleep is but an Image of death ●a●th the Poet : Vergill calls sleep a neer kinsman to death : hauing such consanguinity with sleep , that some of the ancient Philosophers ( haue tearmed it in plaine tearmes a fle●● : this moned ( without all question ) Theodorus that mirror of magnanimity , a philosopher of excellent discipline , to be so respectlesse of death , as to despise the menaces of a cruell ty●ant and when he thought to adde this as a greater punishm●nt vnto him , that none should bury him : what answerd Theodorus ? quod ad sepultur●m pertinet o te in●ptum si putas intenesse supra terram an infra putrescam ; here was resol●cion in an Ethnicke , making his expectance the gole , at which he aimed , his threats ( tyrants ensignes ) in which he gloried to vanquish an implacable tigre at his owne weapons ▪ — And had ascended vp Parnassus top . Parnassus a mount whereto the mus●s vsed to resort ▪ we haue three mountaines renowmed for Musicall celebrities : being called by the Poets Musaea solennia dutum . The solemne or Sacred recluses or habitations of the gods : for thereto they vsed to descend to heare the alternate compositions ( for such please● ther● best ) of the muses .

Moderne examples may be produced of most exquisite lyricks , who enstiled themselues inhabitants in the Flowry mountaine Pernassus , as Theano daughter to Metapon●us ; Zenobia the Queen of Palmyra : Argentaria Pollia wife to Lucane who is said to haue been a fellow helper in all his compositions : euen in the heroickst measures which he euer compiled .

Edesia of Alexandria Corimathea who is reported to haue excelled Pindarus that famous Poet in apt and consonant cade● ces ▪ yea contending with him fiue seuerall times for the coronet or ga●land , which by the censure of the most approued Judicials was giuen ( as of desert ) vnto ●●●imathea .

Theodosia daughter to Theodosius the yonger , me●ited great commendation for her laborious dimensions , no lesse excelling in her owne inuentions , then in extractions from others : reducing the fragments of Homer into centons , with many other works of no lesse memory bearing yet her title in their Frontispice . &c. — Hight pure Castalius in Dianaes sight . Castalius a fountaine issuing from Parnassus , the streames whereof tropically be taken for the influence of poesie . The Muses be called Castalides per Sy●cedochen . Et vos Castalis fonte sorow●s &c. — Delia would accompt . Delia or Diana , so called of Delos an I le of the Cyclades , bossded in with the Aegean sea , here the Poets saigne Apollo and Diana to be borne . — Now the ioyfull Bride Had of her Bridec●ke to the Muses giuen . Pliny relates of these solemne vses , obserued in ancient time : as the Cakes or Wafers consecrate to Hyme● , with many ceremonies , as the aspersion of salt , to signifie vnto vs , Nuptialls should be seasoned with a relish of sobriety . The bride to be caried into the house ( after her mariage rites were solemnised ) to intimate how vnwilling she is to leese the inestimable gem of her virginity , with many other obseruations which be more fully recorded in Ludouic . Viues , in his instruction of a christian woman . The like we read , in the Antiquities of Aegypt , whose Pagan customes deserue no lesse memory then admiration for their exactnes in all moral celebrities tempered with incredible modes●y .

These Annotations may be no lesse fruitfull to the vn●ipe Poetaster , then ●ocrates glasse was to his Scholers , or Cleanthes Table to conuey the proper & peculiar inuentions of poesie ( by a plaine method ) to euery docile and apprehensiue wit . Let such as read these few collections approue of my endeuours , who haue euer bended my intentions , to waine this age from her infancy , and with the Elephant to induce them to wade into the depths of profounder mysteries , alwaies making this my impressa . Stare est obstare caeptis .

But since the brookes of Helicon were troubled with euery obscene foote ; This admired Art hath beene much obscured , not because her profession is ill , but for her profess●nts , which ●re either ignorant , ( which sort is more parde●able ) or pe●ulant of all sorts must detestable , in making Pernassus a stew , and the Muses harlots : arrogating to themselues the names of Pandars , by the scurrility of their owne inuentions : but such pregnant wits are ill bestowed on such petulant braines , whose imaginations neither produce profit to themselues , nor to their country to be esteemed aboue themselues ▪ but depraue many blooming wits ( who the sooner budded the sooner blasted ) conceiue more delight in their lasciuious subiects then in tracts of greater consequence . Which Iuuenall handles more fully in his foure and ●wentith Satyre , accommodating his discourse wholly to the instruction of youth .

Three kinds of these there be which deserue reprehension : The first , time-obseruing Poe 〈…〉 sooth vice , and bolster their patrons errors . Such was Aristobulus , whose works when Alexander heard to be far aboue truth , though Annalls of his owne memorable Acts , yet he threw the booke ouer into the riuer Hydaspis , saying , he was almost mooued to send Aristobulus after : a good caueat for clawing parasites . The second sort I propound as opposite to the first , inuectiue Satyrists sharptoothd Epigrammatists : Eupolus was such whom Alciby●des threw into the Sea Aegeum , for representing him ( and that with intollerable bitternesse ) vpon the publique Theatre : adding this to Eupolus throwing him ouerboord . Thou hast often drowned me vpon the Stage , Eupolu● , I will once drowne thee in the Se● .

The third venereall lyricks , who descant on their mistresse proportion , aptly epitherising her symmetrie , with such immodesty , that if Ouid was exiled for his licentious writing & that by a Heathen , Epicharmus for composing one vnseemly song , and presenting the same to the Queen of Sparta , was doomed to no lesse punishment : much more deserue they to be excluded all flourishing commonweales , writing that which confers no lesse detriment to a well gouerned state , then effe●●●●cy to such whose minds should be exercised in more viril actions . Wherfore when Plato vnderstood that the manners and dispositions of men were much corrupted by the Theatrall profession ( or rather prostitution ) of Poets , he exp●lfe● them all foorth of his common weale , leauing it to be gouerned by phylosophers , the grauity of whose iudgements discerning right from wrong , might diiudicate according to their knowledge .

But the licentiousnes of the Poets in P●atoes time may be a reason , that his censure was so vniuersall ; more modesty becommeth these times : nothing ( of what subiect soeuer ) is commendable in prose , but may retaine her lustre in verse : yea more exactnesse of measures draw attention , alwaies shutting vp our labors with a modest accent : non expectamus ●hea tri applausum . Plaut. But I haue extended my bounds further then I purposed : supposing no discourse more suting either with argument of instruction or poesie then that which is succinctly contracted . I will therefore proceed .

A description of the Morne . AVrora sending out his tresses faire , Garnishd the earth with his resumed light , Bedewed moist with her impearled haire , Deposed horned Luna queen of night , And all the twinckling stars which did appeare By Phaebus iuory coach are put to flight , Thus doth the Sun dethrone the watry Moone As high estates the lower do put downe . Downe to the water doth the Moone descend , There to repose till Sol had run his course , Vp from the sea to earth doth Sol ascend Seeming anew to renouate his force : The Suns beginning giues the moone an end , This leaueth worse for good , that good for worse . This sends her lustre to th' Adriatique Seas , That takes her place among th' Antipodes . The pitchy vale of silent night thus drawen , When labor rubs his eies and shakes of sloth , Being vnto the lower regions gone , Aurora represents these louers both , To a faire tree , broad branchd that fruit brings none Yet makes a shew of fruit as others doth . Which he awaking sees , applies the ends Vnto himselfe , whom thus he reprehends .

The pensiue thoughts of Gastilio , in Sapphycks . ROuze vp thy spirit , ( creature most inhumane ) Fix thy contentment on Elizaes beauty , To which the wood gods tied are in duety . Shame fall a coward . How many Hero'es haue adored her Image , Passing a torrent of approaching danger ? More then Alcides for a Deyanyra Ere made aduenture . Let Hymenaeus who was euer present , At thy solemnizd ●risons be graced , With an eternall monument of glory , Leaue to be shame fast . Shame may confound the shame to after ages , To let a cheerfull virgin lie beside thee , And yet do nothing : worst of ills betide thee : Learne to be wanton . Natu●e hath made the● to her owne dishonor , To loath that subiect which she first created , To yeeld thee comfort shall her worke be hated , By thee reiected ? Art thou composed of an humane substance , Flesh , blood and sinewes , to refuse a pleasure , Which far exceedeth store of earthly treasure . Foole be more hardie . See but the fishes , how one loue another , Male with the female generates together , What pure affection doth appeare in either , Wonder of ages . See the small Iuie , with her Iuy branches , How she the poplar flowrishing imbraceth , And as a spouse his spousall honors graceth , So is she graced . The sauage tygre , who frequents the mountaines , Loues to be loued , is by loue subdued , And with his louers presence is renewed . Loue is a loadstone . For as the loadstone doth attract his iron , And with embraces shews his loue vnto it , This faire resemblance shews as if he woed it . Stones far exceed thee . The liquid regions ioine their power together , And those foure diuine elements adhering , Seem as if all together were conspiring . Equally mouing . The crauling serpents in their kind coiting , Viper to viper in their generation , Shewes how dame nature in their propagation Bred them for breeding The birds that houer in the skie aboue vs , Will ( if thou marke them ) to affection moue vs , Males loue their females , so our femal● loue vs . Mates would be mated .

Obseruations vpon two precedent verses , deduced out of Magyrus in his Physickes . — For as the load stone doth attract his iron :

Magyrus in his physickes calls Iton , Pabulum magnetis , the fewell of the Magnete .

Ferri attractio impeditur presentia adamantis . Occulta quadam antipathia : ibid. Viper to viper .

Alcyatus in his Emblems : Pliny in his naturall history : premorso capite maris semen concipiens vipera : dum parit ( proprio partu ) vita priuatur .

Officiosa alijs exitiosa suis ▪ Alcyat . Quicquid parit , curam habet eorum , quae parit . Philos. axiom .

A Threnode occasioned vpon the Authors discontent : in that he loues yet cannot be respected : with a continued Hymne or Acrosticke sonnet best sorting with his amorous passion . ETernall anquish torment to my brest , Languishing horror , euer scalding hote , Imperious Queen that seeks thy loues vnrest , Shaken with tempest in a crasie boate . Anchor of comfort let me leane on thee , So shall it well goe with my barke and me . Beauties faire dasie , honor to thy maker , Endu'd with natures faire admired treasure , Throne of a goddesse , chastities partaker , Helme to my ship , the onely port of pleasure . Bles'd for thy feature and admired euer , Alwaies abiding fresh , defaced neuer . Sapphicke . Rest to the vnrest , shadow of reposure , To shade the weary from the parching sun shine , O faire Eliza , blest is that enclosure , Nature hath lent thee . O deere remember but what solemne vowes , What vowes , what protestations in that groue , That groue , that graue which yeelds more pensiue shows Vnto my teare swoln eies , then euer loue Can make amends for : O remember me And what pure hests I dedicate to thee . Euen in that garden clad with bitter sweets , For what soere was sweet● seem'd sowre to me , With what faire words , what promises , entreates Proceeded from my mouth to purchase thee . Yet thou vnkind : ( vnkindnesse is a sinne ) To loue that star-dazd Nimph , that loues not hm Perhaps some words ( as vndiscreetly spoken , As god ●ot simple soules do meane no harme ) Made your first bonds of fancy to be broken , So as my folly might your wit forewarne , Not to respect fond vowes which do proceed , As idle talke from some phantasticke head . O let me call your selfe to record here , Whether such semblance of my feigned loue , From time to time did euer yet appeare , That you should your affection thus remoue ? O answer me deare loue , O be so kind Whom you 'l not loue to satisfie his mind . O thou wilt say I neuer fancied thee , I cared not for the place where thou abode , I tooke no pleasure , no felicity In thy discourse : loue where it is is shewd : O argue not so roughly , for you know , Of loue I neuer made externall show . But if your image be not in my brest , Which I will carry still in spite of fate : Then let me neuer reape that sacred rest , That mansion of delight , that glorious slate . O be more kind let that same loue I beare , Vnto your selfe , more ioifull tidings heare . Alasse how many weary toilesome nights , ●aue I tost to and fro , withouten rest ? Affrighted with such sad disaster sights , As these short lines can no way make exprest : And what 's the cause I cannot rest , nor sleep ? Because thy beauty doth mine eie-lids keepe . For when they would be shut thou keeps them ope , Making them looke vpon thy image faire : As if amazd to see that glorious cope With which the Spheres of heauen may wel compare And therefore puts mine eies to double paine , In opening them , and shutting them againe . Oft haue I dreamd , I did possesse my loue , Rapt with a passion of a fond conceipt , Close were my fences : none of all could moue Their sencelesse numnes : but like seruants waite In all obedience both with tooth and hand , To heare what thou their mistres would command This golden slumber , slumber of delight , Fo● more content such slumbers yeelded me , Th●n any food I tasted : or the sight Of my obiect , saue the sight of thee : Which slumber past and looking all about me I was perplexd to lie alone without thee . And yet no wanton or lusciuious thought , Did euer moue me for to wantonise , For though that shrine of thine was long time sought It was that I thy shrine might eternise , That so our loues eternisd both together , What chanc'd vnto the one might chance to either But I am lauish in confounded loues , And weaues a web for chast Penelope , But two for Lais : Venus milke white doues , Transport my erring sences ; and agree So to obscure the pallace of my soule , That what was pure should now be passing foule . Doe not beleeue such vipers as infest With poisoned breath the glory of my name , I vow to God that I haue lou'd thee best , And haue been ere respectiue of my shame . Let heauen and earth my mansion both remoue , When I do soile thy bed with forraine loue . O what vnfruitfull members were those spraies , That nourishd Serpents in their flowry shade , And fed our rooted loues with long delaies , Vndoing that which nature first had made : For this I thinke ( if prophecies be true ) Nature ordained me to marry you . Not nature but the diuine powers aboue , Which manage our affections as they please , Extracting out of hate the constant loue Their minds contracted in the bonds of peace . Euen that same power ( I thinke ) doth so ordaine , That though you hate , you once will loue againe . The plants , the birds , the beasts , the fishes small , Are made to loue : see how the Iuy twines Vpon the ruines of a skaled wall , Or twist's about the wasts of fruitfull vines : Embracing them with branches spreading broad , Supporting them when grapes their science load ▪ The louing Turtle loues her faithfull make , Whom if she misse , she pines away and dies , Abiuring mirth and pleasure for his sake Filling the crispling aire with dolefull cries : The stork , the Starling , and the sweer tun'd thrush Wil seek their makes through euery brake & bush The libbard , Tigre , Panther , beasts most wild , Can be subdu'd by loues sweet harmony , Transformd from sauage beasts to creatures mild , Oppres'd ( as seems ) with loues extremity . The cliuy mountaines , and the vales below , By ecchoes shrill , their loues pursuit doe show . The skalie fishes in their watry clime , Tast of the fruit of loue , each in their kind , Obseruing season , nature , course and time , Such relish pleasures in loues passions find ▪ That languishing they fall away and die , When they 'r depriu'd of loues society . If euery creature thus ordained be , For to obserue the solemne rites of loue : Dost thou suppose she hath exempted thee , No pensiue passions ere thy mind to moue ? O be not so deluded : deare you know , You had a father , let your sonne say so . What is a iewell worth , if euer kept , Closely confind within the chest of earth ? No more is beauty , when occasion 's slipt , Gracing her Image with no second birth : O let this after age thine Image find , By some record which thou shalt leaue behind . And what record ? a specious issue left , ( Thy second image ) to adorne the stage Of this terrestriall frame of worth , bereft If thou should die , surpr●s'd in blooming age : O then since beauty is both green and tender , It needs some for rosse , to be her defender . Let me that fortresse be , and i le support Those freeborne blossomes of thy tender prime , With thousand sugred kisses , and resort With mir●h , and spikenard , daily to thy shrine , This will I doe , more would I gladly doe , If thou my loue would for pure loue allow . Take these few lines and keepe them still with thee And reading them thinke now and then of me .

The poets legacie to his admired Eliza : deuoted and bequested to her chastest thoughts . THy once deer friend but now despis'd of thee , Bequeaths vnto thy shrine , what ere is his : His wreath and lawrell , which for poesie , Was giuen by Clio : for that muse did wish , Much good vnto thy louer : euen like blisse Fall on thy sacred temples , beauteous queen , In far more plenty then to fore was seen . Next I bequeath , that little wit I had , Sma●l though it be , I haue entitled thine , That in thy waiward dumps perplext and sad , Some sparkling beames in thy conceipt may shine , Which thou wilt laugh at : and will call them mine : But I ●enounce them , writ they were by me , But for no end saue this : to pleasure thee . Then doe I giue , and in my gift bequeath , All those externall Trophees which I had : The motiue aier of my perswasiue breath And that small pipe which vs'd to make swains glad , And s●uage Tigres in their fury mad . This straine of musicke Orpheus far surpast , For mine by all the sisters nine was grac't . This I bequeath vnto thy gentle t●tch , Tutch it sweet queen , and it will answer thee , With far more musicke , yea with full asmuch As old Arion with his harmony , By mine , sweet Nimph , Dolphins shall carry thee Sirens themselues , and Satires at command , Shall bring thee safe vnto th' Elysian sand . Some little gifts , as cheese cakes , chesnuts sweet , With some oblations which I vow'd to Ioue , Shall be deuoted to thy tripping feet , That vsed to walke within the shady groue Of Helicon and Ida mount of loue . These little gifts did Mopsus offer mee , And with like will I offer them to thee . Two prety fragrant nosegaies did I send , Made of sweet flowers , which twisted vp together , Were giuen thee ( as I wisht ) from me thy friend , That thought of one might make thee think of either But thou too marble hearted mind●ng neither . Despis'd me and my gifts : which though but small Yet they were great to me ; for I gaue all . Next I bequeath that earring which I had , But now I haue not , for I vow it s thine , And those short poems which my first age made , That I may say something thou hast of mine , For which though furies seeming to repine , At such a blessing as my works possest , Let them repine I care not I am blest . I had the shrine of Venus in my chamber , Which I resolud for to bequeath to thee , With rosie locks and haire as pure as amber , But there were some obiections hindred me , Which was the cause I did not send it thee . For though it was well colourd , yet it had , For some parts good so many parts as bad . The tincture of her face congeald in blood , Seemd too too vgly , for thy gracious eie , Her lips too great : her face too shamelesse showd : All which foule crimes , thy iudgement would descry ( Thy piercing eies can priuat'st errors spie . ) For Venus seems no Venus but a swaine , Some f●ub fac'd trull borne in the Thuscan plain . Next I bequeath a picture vnto thee , Which though lasciuious , yet beleeue me deere , It is not halfe so wanton as was she , Whose forme this sencelesse forme presented here , As by her liuely actions may appeare . It is that Myrrha beauties sacred mother , Who being dead for beauty left another . Here may you see within your entire thoughts , The maze of loue , and labyrinth of lust , With what affecting meanes poore Mirrha sought To voide incestuous pleasure , which she must She must perforce sustaine : where she doth trust Her mellow youth ; which thus incircled , rather Then she will keepe shee 'll giue it to her father . He spouse and father , she both child and wife , He nipt with age , she with an i●ie pleasure , Thus he triumphs in his incestuous life Louing to gaze vpon forbidden treasure , Locking her vp least he perchance should leese her . Glad would she take a time for liberty , But shee 's kept in by fathers iealousie . Thus in a spatious groue , an ample field , May you ( deere queen ) cull flowers of euery kind , First how a Nimph enforcd god wot to yeeld ( A willing force ) th' affection of her mind , Leauing the robe of chastity behind . This picture I will send you , you may take , This beauties statue for your beauties sake . For had not Mirrha been , nor Mirrhaes youth Youth had not flourisht in a Venus brow , Nor had her beauty come to perfect growth , Nor that sweet modest blush appeares in you , Could represent so eminent a shew . Venus from Mirrha tooke her first beginning Mirrha from Cinyras incestuous sinning . Thus haue I made my finall legacie , And consecrated to your radiant beauty , Though not consorting with your puriry , Yet am I so deuoted in all duety That I could wish my poems so should suit thee . That with such passions they in fine might moue thee As reading these , these might enforce thee loue me .

Annotations vpon the last Elegie .

This straine of musicke Orpheus far surpast .

Orpheus sonne to Apollo and Calliope was esteemed the skilfullest vpon the Harpe of all others : he moued ( as Poets record ) mountaines , tamed sauage beasts , infused life into sencelesse stones , trees , and forrests , by his admirable skill he brought his wife Euridyce out of hell , rauishing the infernall fur●es with his musicke : vpon whom our moderne Epigramma●●sts ( wherein we may no lesse glory , then Rome of her Martiall , Mantua of her Maro , Corduba o● her Se●eca , writeth thus : Orpheus vxorem raptam repetiuit ab orco : Duxit ab inferno femina nulla virum .

Englished .

Orph●us his wofull wife brought backe from ●ell , Few wiues will vse their husbands halfe so well .

Annexion .

They 'll bring them backe from heauen , and which is more , Bring them to hell , they neuer knew before .

Thus far of Orpheus ▪ some haue supposed , he was the first who found our plurality of Gods . which opinion was so generally embraced after by the Thracians , entituling him in their owne Temples 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 but I refer that to the reading of the iudicious who perchance may distinguish of Orpheus : there being diuerse of that name , of which the most illustrious he seemed to be , of whom we now make mention , both for an harmonious touch vpon the lyre , and those solemne celebrities yeerely obserued by the Thracians in his memory .

— As old Arion with his harmony .

Arion a famous harper of Greece , hauing got great store of gold and siluer among the latines , and desirous to resalute his natiue country , embarked himselfe secretly in a Pirats ship : of whom and of whose wealth being made acquainted , they conspired together to throw him of shipboord : to be partakers of so infinite a masse of treasure , which they accordingly effected : where Arion by the force of his melody , stilling the surges of the sea , drew by his attractiue power , a Dolphin to carry him on his backe to his long expected harbor Laconia . He was also memorable for his skill in composing lyricke verses , or songs aptly made for his Hatpe .

Some flub fac'd trull borne in the Thuscane plaine . Et solent campi● Thurijs puell● Solis aestiui radijs referre Ora ▪ quae primò specie decora . Sol● cremantur . Inhabiting vnder the Torrid zone . — With what affecting meanes poore Mirrha sought .

Mirrha daughter to Cin●rus King of Cypres ▪ who vnnaturally was inflamed with lust towards her father : by whom she had Adonis .

Whose end well sorted with such an incestuous birth .

Of her the Poet speakes thus .

Ann●it & renuit , modo vult , modo caepta parents Repulit , ●aud licuit , dixit , at illa facit . He spouse and father , she both child and wife . Ouid in Metamorph. Tune eris & matris pellex & adultera patris ? Tune sorror nati , genitrixque voca●ere fratris ? Forsitan aetatis quoque nomine filia , dixit , Dixit & illa pater sceleri ne nomina desint . In Elizam Tetrastychon . — Mirtus amat Venerem , Laurus Elizam . Lenta salix tumulum succingat , tempora laurus , Mirtus amat Venerem , Laurus & ipsa meam .

In Elizam ob aquam corporis temperiem incredibilem fragrantiam mittentem . Mit●i● Eliza 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 & odoribus omnia fragrent , Omnia quae manibus tractat Eliza suis.

In Elizam vt huius vitae initia vitae longè melioris auspicijs augeantur . Viuat & Elysios post vltima funera campos Aspiciat , laeta est tempore , laeta fine . No nuptialls now , no laies , no Hymens , pall But ● poore shrowde I craue , and that is all .

CANDIDAE ET EXIMIAE HERAE ET HEROI NOBILI STEMMATE ORTAE , NON MINORI ANIMI QVAM CORPORIS PRAESTANTIA ORNATAE

Do , dico , dedico , — Opera omina , omnia .

FINIS .

Errata .

In the argument pag 3. lin 18. for Syreus r. Syrens . ibid. for raine r. ruine . p 16. lin. 16. for out r. on . p ▪ 20. lin 4 , r. ioyes with sadnesse . p. 29. l. 13. for aligine r. Caligine . p. 33. l. 7. for rest r. rest . ibid. lin. 12. for remote r. remorse . p. 41. l. 1. for Vesus r. Vesta . pag. 42. l. 1. for paued r. p and. p. 44. l. 15. for which r. with .