A herrings tayle contayning a poeticall fiction of diuers matters worthie the reading.

A Herrings Tayle . I Sing the strange aduentures of the hardie Snayle , Who durst ( vnlikely match ) the weathercock assayle : A bold attempt , at first by fortune flattered With boote , but at the last to bale abandoned . Helpe sportfull Muse to tune my gander-keaking quill , And with inck blotles of sad merriments it fill , With drum of clapped wings , and with the shrilly blast Of his throte trumpet , Chaunticleere , now third and last , Had sounded a discharge vnto the welkin watch , To leaue their stand , and giue their shot , and quench their match . And dame Aurora now faithfull Ambassadresse Of the new borne day , and of the nights decease , The purple violets , and crimson roses , culd In Paradise , had from her fragrant chaplet puld , And strowde before Dan Phoebus feete , and now gan hee With peacock priding rayes , th' awaked worlds glee , To climbe the Easterne hils , and with light skips to play Betweene the wrinckles of the furrow faced sea , When rested Lymazon , thrusteth his fenceles head Out at his dooreles house , and with eye measured , How farre he climed had , how farre he had to clime , What guesse proportion plots , to cunning toyle and time : Where whiles he humbleth sight to the disdained ground , More then his hope could craue , he his atchiuement found . But raysing looke againe to reliques of his race , Lesse then his wish would haue , did his attempt embrace . Thus ioy of what was past , and feare of what was left , Though wonder much it gaue , despayre not wholie reft . Sore grieues he at the paine , but more he doubts the shame : For vnbegun then not to end , breedes meaner blame . What may he then resolue ? retire is infamous , Still standing friuolous , ascending dangerous . So haue I seene a gallant Impe , of sturring blood , Presuming greatest blisse , in the vntried good , By his vaine copesmates drawne , and by his promise tide , In quest of fleeting gaine , some wooden horse to ride : Where while on traytor sea , and mid the mutiue windes , His freedome thralde , health paird , and life engagde he findes , Not able to forgoe , nor to performe his taske , What there he makes , doth with too late repentance aske : Yet cloake of vertue on necessitie he throwes , And rather blam'd then sham'd , at last he homeward goes . So Lymazon goes on , and climes the haughtie towre , Haught more then that which Caesars ashes did embowre : Or those of Pharaohs , who with ambitious strife By their death houses deem'd to ouerliue their life . This apizing in shape and hew , the spiry fire , Like stying doth to his like element aspire : And for this cause was built , Fame sayes , when Vther to the fayre Igernas bed , Made way on carkasse of her husband slaughtered : She causer of the fact , not partner of the guilt , Washt with her teares the blood by others hand yspilt , And sought with price of borrowd merits to enrich Her either make , who did , and suffered too much : Tyntagill was the place where she exchanged loues , Tyntagill was the place where to both their behoues She reares a stately house , which lowly Munks may haunt For their soules requiem , sad spels to chat and chaunt : Whose Cels enuironed a temple rare of frame , For substance rare , more rare for forme that deckt the same : But rarest for the steeple , which with wonder rose In that huge temples waste , and wonder ouergrowes : The foote whose large assise this Giant bodie bare , Were squarie faced stones , with sides outlayed square , Marble the stones , the sides , rule ( king of measure ) skand , Three hundred broad to stretch , high fiftie foote to stand : Within a labyrinth of wenlace thwarting wayes , By searchers errors blaz'd the Craftmans readie praise : Such one he once deuisde to hide a hatefull Loue , Whose vnflidge bird did skils flight by falling proue : And such one made the first and great'st Plantagenet , His worlds rose , but rose vncleane , there safe to set , Vnhappie spur to draw , vnhappie clew to sow , Beloueds death , the wiues reuenge , and husbands woe . But what Daedale began , and Harrie followed , Art and experience here past mendment perfected . This platformes shoulders vnderwent th' abating weight Of Porphirie Pyramides , which tolde in height Three hundred halfes of feete , and halfed that at base , Their number fiue , and Quiueunx wise they stood in place . At point , each broached a beguiled ropper mound , All which a Petasus of fine Electre crownd , Whose edgeyfrendged rang with siluer bels about , Charme taught the winde , winde them , and the shauen rout , When Dorter loath to leaue , when people loathed quire , Thereon vp second climeth a foure taled spire , Fine skore the foote did skore along their Iasper side , Their tops of polisht Geat , a table paued wide : So our Deawes-sonne sometimes an hold most circle makes , Now lines in angles sharpe , now in obtuse he brakes : There true loue knots he twines , here paints some flowres or tree , Vncouth the shapes , but bootfull to his bent they bee . The Circles to compasse , the Angles vp to get , The knots to binde , the trees and flowers a grace to set , And where so Art , or fortune taught , or brought his waies , Auernishon his footsteps smooth and bright he laies : Smooth as the path , which vnder walking fingers yeelds , And twixt two hillocks leades vnto th' Elician fields , Bright as the worme , whose tayle the high wayes side bestarres , And on the helme for Canuisado serues in warres : And now by scale he shortned had the steepe ascent , And with glad eye layd holdfast on the battlement : When Alectrauemos from battlement espide Another steeple cleauing to that steeples side , Which strange Geometrie , follies Impe , wonder bred : Wonder , by reason the strangenes examined ; If life it had , where is the shape that bodies beare ? If life it lackt , so farre , so high , how stuck it there ? If somewhat els it brought , where was the bringer gon ? If selfe it came , where were the feete it went vpon ? If walled house , how it to moue so could he see ? If moue it did , a walled house how could it bee ? Yet it a life enioyed , and life a bodie clad , And bodie feete possest , and feete were skild to gad : And all this had a house , and house all this did hold , And both did moue , and both were mou'd , as shall be told . When Saturne by reuenge ( whereto euen natures kinde Bindeth what so she breedes ) did ouertaken finde His neuer turning course of vnkinde crueltie , And headlong tumbled from that godlike sou'raigntie : Whose fraile foundation on wickednes was pight , Dislikte , withstood , fought with , vanquisht , chased to flight , An old man by a yong , a father by his sonne , A King by his subiect , he all forlorne did wonne : Sometimes on mountaines rough , sometimes on surging waues , Sometimes in forrests wilde , sometimes in hollow causes , Of safetie as vnsure , as sure of miserie , Still doubting least his very hides would him descrie , The hils by their rising , by their roring the floods , The vaults by ecchoing , by whispering the woods : Amongst those refuges , sillie refuges sought , Fortune or fate at last to the Snayles house him brought . That time all Snayles alike rom'd naked lym'd abroad , Nor partiall waight did more the tone then tother load . But as the Lion hath his den , his combe the Bee , The Fox his cabbin , Cony berry , Squirrell tree , Ant hill , Hare fourme , Rat neast , and hole the pettie Mouse : So had each wandring Snayle his vnremouing house . Now Saturne led by feare , which neerely prieth , crept Close into one of these , and out the owner kept : Himselfe a tyrant , forst by a more tyrant , need , Ne false , though strange , let pausing credit deeme this deed . For if great Gods with shapes of men themselues haue clothed , Nor forme of beasts ( thralled to sinfull lusts ) haue lothed : Why would they not assoone ? why might they not aswell ? Their lithie bodies bound with limits of a shell ? Now when time ( Lord of change ) had reconcilement wrought Betwixt the sire and sonne , and Ioue , home Saturne brought : He , though constrained curtesie , yerne slight reward , Yet what befitted him to yeeld , did more regard , Then what the other ought receiue : and so he gaue What euer bootfull boone the Snayle best like to craue . Euen as a ship whom diuers windes and billowes sway From side to side , and too much driuing force to stay : So his desire by diuers tides of shocking thought , Tost here and there , vnsetled long resolu'd on nought , Till him discourse enform'd that euery perfect good , Waters his neighbour fields with his wealbearing flood : And that none ill there growes whose branches venemous , Disperse not wide their leaues and shade infectious : Wherefore to take the good and to forsake the ill , He choice made to exchange his neighbour head at will , And still to beare , and still to vse his shellie caue For house , for fort , for clothes , for bed , and for his graue . Saturne assents , the Charter tayled is in fee , And all house Snayles from him deriue their pedigree : So wedded he his house , and so he crawles and clings , And t' Alectrauemos neerer defiance brings . Who of his steale-step march hath still a fresh auize , To his ripening knowledge conueied by his eyes : They shew him first a hill , or fort , or towre , or all , Or like to all , built of a thin strong cloamy wall : Not Samian clay ( potters chiefe pride ) can match with this , Nor seene through Porcelaine that so long tempring is : His forme a winding round proffring easie ascent , Decreasing in his growth and in a point yspent . Such Babel was , if painters ( poets kin ) doe right , Saue Babel ceast at halues , this vaunts a perfect plight : A compasse vaulted Arch at foote wide income yeelds , Keysars modell t'engraue on like their bloodie feelds : His colour Iris like , but as with storme defaste , Or th' early morning gray : but as with clowde disgraste , And still as more he lookt , more cause of feare he tooke , And as he feared more , that causde him more to looke , Till the lesse distance scope at full gaue to his sight , And showde a whole with borowed remnants many dight , A Libbards face , a Panthers neck , belly of Tode , Snakes skin , a Tortoys tayle , a Camels back with lode , No feete , yet skill to stalke , no clawes yet power to hold , No blood but in his lieu a liquide Christall cold : I quake to speake , yet speake I must of each his horne , Th' offensiue armour of a double Vnicorne , Straight as two launces coucht by Orped Knight in rest , Pliant as sinowy arme of wrastler nimbellest , Out with vprising pride by stolne degrees they grow , And in retire with speed , if cause occasion show : Euen as the heele-bite Serpent darteth forth his speare , Which on his point doth sting , venome , and murder beare , And in with spoyles it plucks , but this works feller harme : For Serpent threats with hisse , no warning here doth arme . Yet natures wise foresight , ( foresight wisely ordaines ) Though power to hurt she giue , with bayles that power restraines : So Wolfe the least stone dreads , the Oliphant the Mouse , And by Cocks crowing dar'd the Lyon flies the house : So testie stinging Drane but once can wreake his spite , So Vipers wife , his head their brood her belly bite . And so in either launce Dame natures kinde remorse , With a mourne head temps their els all slaying force : Yet as her marshall Impe not in full feature borne , Or as the troncheons left , the rest to shiuers torne , Or as the menace of a new supplie at hand , Two yong growne staues at foot with heads out peering stand : So strangie sight iust wonder breeds and wonder doubt , And doubt assembles of sad feares an vgly rout : Who saulting Alectrauemos sought , but in vaine , To force him cut with fethrie sheares the skie curtaine : For he was to that seruice bound in prentisage For many yeares , thus wise by Merlin ouersage . Farre hence away in countrie of the clowdie skies , A dungeon deepe and large beset with hils there lies , Where blustring windes and shipwracke stormes a boystrous throng , With bolts on locks , & bars on bolts , in prison strong Are fast vpclosde , they strugling wrastle , hisse and rote , And rage on rage , by exercise encreasen more , Contending forth to breake that empiring alone , New Chaosde heauen and earth they may confound in one . But AEolus aloft with threatning mace restraines Their furie , and in bonds within bounds them containes . There is his realme and raigne , there doth his pallace stand , And those mouthes breath or blow , as his mouth list command . It fortuned this band was sent abroad to chace The fogs , and dust to sweepe , from old earths rugged face : Who , as they tennisde vp and downe with skittish play , And in this nether ayre to make new clowdes assay , Slie Merlin comes the while , and spying Elpie tide , Snatcht vp and hid this bird , and away with him hide : And hither he him brought , and on the spire him set , And by his mightie charmes bound him in endles det , With true measur'd crowing , the timely houres to speake , And still against his windie fire to winde his beake : All other weathercocks that can but creake and hisse , Are counterfeits of this , and counterfeits to this . But whence he came , and why him AEole did auow , Listen my Lordings gent , and I shall tell you how . As long , as sore King AEole Deiopeia lou'd , Sorenes the length encreast , the length the sorenes prou'd . This , sundrie meanes out sought , in sundrie showes exprest , All meeting in one end to haue his griefe redrest . Sometimes with stillie breath he whispered in her eate , And mixed sighs did both message and witnes beare : Sometimes in Layes he sung , whistled and pipte his woe , Which prouing vaine , he in a rage would storme and blow . But straight repentance should them melt in showrie teares , And he lie still as dead , and buried in despayres , Oft adding deedes to words when she list take the aire , He would his lodging take in her recrispled haire , And louely hedged in by that gold wyrie frith , Though bound himselfe , yet fast and loose he plaid therewith . Oft would he stealing kisse her equall blissed lips , Oft in her sweeter bosome throw sweet flowers slips , And oft her tucked weed aboue her knee he bore , To true heart , false to loue , that might , and durst no more : But vndefilde , though toucht , she Cupids shafts did ward With shield of chastitie , Dymond as fayre so hard : Iuno , great heauens Queene , in their demeanour red , This courting and coynesse , and therefore promised If he the Troians wrack , her ioynter would consent , One Hymens knot should make her willing him content : But though her Mistris , Queene and Goddesse Iuno weare , Yet to Dianas heasts she greater awe did beare , And mouer of those broyles , her selfe vnmoued stood . When AEole seeing all those ils worke little good , His sute not heard , or not conceiu'd , his gifts refusde , Or little reakt , his seruice scorned , or not vsde , He casts about another course of policie : A yoke of peacocks natiue tyred gorgeouslie Did Iunos chariot draw , and Deiopeia stood Charged to eate them charily , drie , and liquid food : Ambrosia was their meate , and Nectar was their drinke , In Iuorie troughs vpheapt , and filled to the brinke . Now fortune ( Louers friend ) so guided AEolus , That one of those he got , and gaue to Zephirus Sweet breathed Zephirus , who ( Psyche like ) away With bloomie gale him bare , and in sure guard did lay , A lowly vale , Tempe yclipt , in Greece there lies , Twixt Ossa and Olympus hils , which stately rise , And with their beetle browes that farre prospect denye , Which their auoyding sides proffer the rouing eye : All in a vesture of greene grasse apparelled , With guard of roses and sweet flowers embrodered , And entersowed trees ( like ouches ) yeeld a grace , Whose waste the climing Iuie and woodbine embrace : But they scorne proffred loue , and without spreaded armes Protect the nursling herbes from Phoebus firie harmes : Vpon their fingers perch the bushie burgesses , A little quire , but well their tune they couth expresse , And in consorting layes with sweet according note , The God of natures praise they carolled by rote . The croaking Rau'n from his hoarse throte the base out fetcht , And clime-skie Larke aloft vnto the trebble stretcht : The quierman Thrush alowd the countertenor rang , And falling sickly Quaile next ground the tenor sang , Cuckow the burden bare , Nightingale deskanted , Kinde Robin warbelled , the Thrustle whisteled : Low vnder these so peopled tops protection , Springs here and there out sprout , and downwards trickling run , Springs fayre to sight , pleasant for taste , pleasing of sound , In feeling coole , and in their sauour fragrant found , Who where they after other each to bottome fall , Peneus riuer make , that nameles drownes them all : He this new tribute beares to the grand tyrant Sea , Yet dreading like successe long loyters by the way , And seemes with turning course to seeke his spring againe , And fretting gnawes the banke that would his bent restraine : The whiles one late come waue the other driueth on , Whose mate like fast him shooues , till all vnwares be gon . In fine , Hils , Vale , Trees , Springs , and Brooke ambitiously , Nature pranked with pompe for triumph of the eye : After long easie flight , Dan Zephirus his lode Softly disburdened , and here it safely stood , And Boreas had charge ( fit Iaylour for a rape ) With eye to watch , with blast to stop his sought escape . When thus the Peacock was dispatcht , AEole begins To cleaue his feete in clawes , to stalkes to sharpe his shins , His body he contriu'd , his neck he lengthened , Pinions he made his armes , with horne he beakt his head , His clothes to fethers waxt , his crowne a copped crest , His starrie mantle seru'd his crouper to reuest . In summe , the meanes vnseene , the cause and end well knowne , He that earst seem'd a God , was now a Peacock growne , And with his fellow ioynde , and so himselfe did beare : Vntold , you would haue sworne that he a Peacock weare . No marueile then if Deiopey for such him tooke , When she ( mistrustles ) entred to her charge to looke : Then had the Sunne that Zenith climbd strife to decide , Iust arbiter betweene the morne and euen tide , And truly noble in most height appeared least , When heat and wearines inuite the Nymph to rest : And downe she lay , her mother earth became her bed , And brother stone did serue as pillow for her head , So to deaths harbenger she doth her recommend , Who first her sences lodgde and fancies them vppend : Soone to the Peacock god his two spies can relate , Th' aduantage proffered of her dead liuing state : Which hastely he seisde , and with steps nicely bent , And panting breath , and longing sighs , impatient Of all delay , guided by hope , he to her drew : ( Hope which most doubt in most assurance doth imbew ) Euen at the Ioyous entrie gate amazement yet , Arrests his foote , and forst him pay the eye his debt , Who this modell of beautie curiously suruaide , Where nature all her art , art her wit displaide . But neither can I tell , ne can I stay to tell , This pallace architecture , where perfections dwell : Who list such know , let him Muses despencier reede , Or thee , whom England sole did since the Conquest breed , To conquer ignorance , Sidney like whom endite , Euen Plato would , as Ioue ( they say ) like Plato write : Her sunne bright lustre dazled so his gazing eye , That it must other sences craue in ayde , to trye Where she a liuing wight , or marble Image were : What dost thou AEolus ? to what end cam'st thou there ? Now , or neuer , and neuer but now take thy hap , And euer if now , Loue will dandle thee in lap . But warning none I need to giue the hind-bald time , Better then I he wist , and caught in chiefest prime : Full like a hardie knight vpon her swift he lept , And with loue pressing waight , her from arising kept , With billing from crying , with comforting from feare , With hugging from strugling , from ill taking with praier . What more they did , and how they greed on the scot , Speake you , such smell-feast guests , my selfe I wote it not : Yet this I know , what was beside her will begun , And gainst her will doing , with her good will was done : And she that downe a mayd her layd , a woman rose , Ne Phoebe ( who with changeles change still paires or growes ) Had more then thrice three times borrowd her brothers light To fill her crooked hornes , ( wan pilots of the night ) When as Lucynas trauaile her vnweeting cought , And hatching for childing , an egge to th' world she brought , Which egge disclosde a chick in his due worne time , Which chick grew to a bird , which bird begat this time . Strange this may seeme , yet true , and reason naturall ( Oft afterborne ) auowes such chances may befall : For to such worke their parts both male and female bring , The stronger bodie giues the weaker fostering . Then might th' assaulting bird , the limmes suite to his kinde , And the weake suffring Nymph , the feeding humour finde : So in her lap , suspectles Leda ( false beguilde ) Cherisht a Swan , who made her twinning egge with childe . This bird now waxing flidge , big as the Eagle grew , His neck with coller deckt of purest golden hew , A purple robe his bodie clad , pranckt was his traine With intermingled quils of the celestiall graine : Fayre starched ruffes attirde his sight alluring face , His head a copped coronet did comely grace : But my pale quill dreads to approach the quelling blowes Of that sharp fight , which twixt these champions inward growes . Helpe warlike Muse my words to marshall in such sort , That they this worthie act may worthily report . The field the steeple top , the lists the steepe downfall , Winde was the Trumpetter , and honor the Marshall , Ambition and Enuie , on the assailants side , On the defendants , parraines came , disdaine and pride : The equall Iudges chosne by both fortune and fate , But sticklers none , for who durst venter there his pate ? Some soule was looker one , who stood still in amaze , Or seemed still to stand , delighted with the gaze . Th' assailants house-shield for defence him best did arme , And the defendants sword bill seru'd him best to harme , Yet the defence , meanes to offend , did also lend , And the offence , supplied withall , meanes to defend , Swift moue , but not remoue could Alectrauemos , Slow pac'd was Lymazon , but where he list he goes , And for him nature did in lesse assise contriue , He causde supplying art to follow , not to striue With nature , whiles not forth direct his march he takes , But a wide winding circuit of his way he makes : Much like the rolling trench by souldiers hand vpcast , When he approacheth his foes fort more sure then fast , And in his motion continued but slowly , His eye did guide his pace , his iudgement led his eye , With distance still betwixt them both proportioned , To what so he attempts or th' other offred : But Alectrauemos of stature great and tall , Greater in might , and in stout heart greatest of all , Stands with his trenchant felling bill lifted on hie , The ruine threatning point bent to his enemie , As planted canon gainst a wall prest to begin , A battered breach where troopes of wounds may enter in . Thus his aduantage each and disaduantage wist , And how to offer harme , and how harme to resist In both , skill courage led , and courage armed skill , So as not rashnes ventred force , nor feare abated will , Both hardie as the best by disposition , Both hazardous as most by their election , Both confident as those who losse did neuer know , Respectfull both , as knowing well the force of foe , Who saw the one would think nought could gainsay his might , Who tother markt would marueile any liuing wight Durst hopeles him assault , thus minded , armed thus , They brought vertue comparde victorie to discusse . But as the winde which faintly breaths twixt leaues at furst , Soone after growne in force begins the boughes to burst , Then puls vp trees by th' rootes , and houses throweth downe , Till in tempest at sea himselfe at last he drowne . So these braue champions did at their first approach , Their firie courages as t were but wake and broach : Which ioynd , begat a combat fit all mindes to feare , That of selfe constant worthines not priuie weare : And though amazement seeld with reason march we see , Reason found reason yet amazed here to bee : For Mars his sportles game was neuer better plaied , Furie in brauer show neuer it selfe displaied : Yet them dread fardest flies , as perill fastest growes , Like glowormes light which neerer brought the lesser showes . Thus lauish blowes they deale , of which each formost striu'd To run , postillion of death each seem'd arriu'd , More thick they fall then haile that eares and stalkes of corne Frusheth , and makes hindes haruest hope forlorne , More heauy seeme then thumping engine that downe beates The plumped piles , which serue for wayfare bridges seates , More lowd they sound , then at the forge in smoaky caue Did uulcans sledge , when battred gads to plates in draue , That at his curteous wifes request an armour bright , He then eke curteous shape for AEneas might : But as the twinny Themis and arme of Ocean flood Single , rush forth , and kill , and burie , if withstood : Yet where they meete , and ( cosens ) kindly should embrace , They struggle , hisse , and foame , and each would other chace , That equall ballanst long the bastard brackish waue , Doubts whither name of salt or fresh orecome to haue . So here forcible skill with counterchange matched , Such skilfull force , and masters both , so perfectly were red , In distance , time , and motion , schoole-points of fence , That as the mindes like Monarchs , with due diligence Had their directions in euery part obeyd , So could no other minde with right iudgement areade : Which order , sence , vertue , that warded , or assailed , Precise , readie , able , most of them both preuailed . If th' one possest a watchfull eye and marcht apace , Steddie , and launce in rest , had couched prest for chace , And all bit of respect and courage spur did guide , Like dreadfull might came daring on the other side : Yet euen that might his nimblenes in might did passe , And nimbler then that nimblenes his iudgement was , In both attempting and preuenting seemed formost , Alike , and th' answere to th' obiection rode in post : Th' assailants fence stood most on the defenciue shift , Who vnder his embossed targe , retyring swift , Did part escape , part ward his aduersaries blowes , Which to attend , more fond , then shame to shun he knowes : Yet as at high rackt rent he farmed had the soyle , No foote would he surrender , nor one step recoyle , But with compassing fetch , of fetching a compasse , Occasion watcht , vauntages fauour to purchase , And liurie of conquest to haue , much like the hound Which singled Stag at bay , doth here and there around , And like selfe Stag seekes Alectrauemos againe , With one blow full set home , to stint his further paine And tothers life : but many looseth the meane time : For though the sparkes , or rather Lamps , to heau'n vp clime From those fierce dints , which fall as fast as thrashers flaile On the submitted sheaffe , yet they no more preuaile , Then washfoote waue can moue the weather scorning rock , Or towre deep grounded reakes , the winds lowd bragging shock . So chieftaine , that t'assiedge some towne doth vndertake , Whose site the wall , and wall turne seruing flankers make Impregnable , now saults the gates , and now some towre Battreth , here proffers scale , there luggage in doth powre To glut the gaping dikes , yet vaine proues each pretence , And lost are men , cost , time , paines , hope and patience : Nor Fortunes blind eyde smile did more the valour blesse , Of steale-step Lymazon , with hopes heire childe successe : For if his armed masts seem'd iron horned Ramme , Whose shouldred thrusts at one point leueld , dram by dram , The morter maride stones , either dissolue or breake , That ruines gate , many vnknowne , vnwelcome freake , May in admit , the tothers fether quilted Iack , No lesse seemed gainst this , at new doore knocking wrack , A woolsack roped downe , which yeelding doth resist , And deads death headed blowes that him vnfriendly kist . Each one hath seene a brended Mastiue at the stake The Bull to baite , diuers a galley vndertake A tall ship to assault , some the Swordfish alone To set on the huge Whale : but seene haue few or none The Bull to bait the Dog , Hulke Galley to assaile , Whale his arm'd foe onset : yet here without faile Like chance was seene , and yet not like in all they squarde , For here the Cowes son with the whelpsires growth comparde , Lesse showd the brush ore barge in bignes vantage wan , On ship and Swordfish stature past Leuiathan . In briefe , as farre as gold exceeds all baggage pelfe , So all els came behinde to match this saue it selfe . Thus these , who as the Globe is modeld in a hart , Had Globe of valure in their heart , as in a chart Compriz'd , with equall enuide puissance lengthened , The still straightning battaile , and they that combatted With anger first , selfe combat now more angereth , And fight desire , as desire fight engendereth , If shame disdaine prouokt , oft for reuenge to strike , Reuenge as oft reuiu'd , disdaine to quite with like , Taking and doing both , gaue and receiued paine , Doing and taking both wan and retained gaine , Strokes still are heapt on strokes , as fewell put to flame Embodies more and more , what will deuoure the same : Hate bellowes was that blew , courage fire that was blowne , Courage to wrath encreast , wrath was to furie growne : So from selfe-loue vaine-glorie did it selfe diuorce , Whilest smart wayted on blowes , as blowes wayted on force : So cuffe is quit with cuffe , stroken they strike againe , And beaten beat , so basht at selfe worth they remaine . Thrice Alectrauemos forst Lymazon recoyle , As farre from his rash hope , as neere least feared foyle : Such thundring , lightning bolts thick thick on him he layes , That garland he despayres of the protecting bayes : Yet each repulse he ransomd with a fresh attempt , And new won honor did late infamie exempt , As oft did Lymazon tothers hot courage calme , That Cypresse branch he neerer seem'd to weare then Palme . Their eger griping thus long made them nought to straine , And in assaies to doe , times glasse ran out in vaine , Whilst selfe assaies more then performance wearied , And yet selfe wearines as long dissembled . At last weaknes in both to such strong mastrie growes , That as saint drops after fierce storme appeerd their blowes : And schoole-mistris of fooles , costly experience Them taught , that vertue nor fortune award sentence . For either list or wist so consenting dissent , Vncoupled their buckling and they asunder went , Asunder went , but as the bow which yeelds a space To the withdrawing string , that his forsaken place Regaind againe , he may th' entrusted shaft out let , With derner maime and winged tayle in hearts blood wet , Or as two princes of the rich arrayed flock , Whose arm'd skonces ( engines of battery ) entershock , With backing pace , but threatfull lookes not leese , but leaue The conquerd soyle , that short rest , long delay may reaue : Nor sloth this space deuour'd , but each turned this while Practike to specklatiue , and noting well the stile Of eithers fight , their weapons vse , their vauntages , Ment in one totall summe to pay th' arrerages . And scarse they paused had , when with wrath sparkling eyes , Reuengefull hearts , and courage resolute , each hyes To the renewd combat : yet had the sence combinde Of seeing schoold them so , and feeling disciplinde , That in repeating their but lately cond lesson , Respect and doubt conioynd made the construction . A great desire to ouercome did each possesse , But how to ouercome the carke was no whit lesse : And they who gallopt to an end yet stayd againe , That end by best way of aduantage to attaine : For strong assault as strong defence behoues repell , Least haste to speed banisht due care how to speed well . But who attends each benefit that time brings forth , ( Lingring ) shall hardly ought performe that is of worth , And of th' assailants part , slownes of victorie , On posteth ouerthrow : wherefore lesse warilie , And with more hazard , Lymazon in fight was driuen To win or loose , and not to hold the bargaine euen . Who whil'st he thus appeald to fortune from foresight , Mongst many idle strokes of foes roue ayming might , One from his crested Targe did on his shoulder glaunce , ( Quite destitute of faithfull armours purueiance ) And pearcing through his dapple pelt it selfe fleshed , And that it did but glaunce , faire was the Snayle blessed . For had it bitten home , that blow had quit the strife , And iudg'd the victorie , and damn'd th' assailants life : Like as the prisond spring , which searching spade lets out From the earth buried vaine , soone , fast , and farre doth sprout : So here from th' opened vaine spouts forth a christall blood , Whose trickles wept ( as raine in Sunne ) a pearly flood , Dismaied , and neere discomfited , in Lymazon retirde , And chafte , and hist , and foam'd , as water vnderfirde Vp flames , and boyles , and casteth froth , and oreboord throwes Part of the fraught , to quench the storme , nor all to loose . On th' other side , his foe flaunting in iollitie , Lowd Lopeian sings of neere gripte victorie . But pride ( ruines forerunner ) warnes , when boote is hext , By fortunes constant inconstance , then bale is next : For whilst with feathers brushed vp , and stretcht out neck , And wings displaid , he sought in mate to end his check : Lymazon off had shakt feares apprehension , And iudgement in him stablisht resolution : So as the sparkes of his quencht courage quicker grew , As sturred wine , new setled , wonts more strength accrew : Wherefore with spite and rage , his bloodles vaines filling , And to one moments seruice , his sprights coniuring A horned push , with force by furie creast he driues , Whose dint with furie seconded by force arriues At the vnplated side , and through the silken skin Part goard , part brused , the guard betrayed flesh within . But when both thus in blood were enter entered , And it ( allide ) their armes with medley garnished , Which palde and blusht in one , so weake defence to make , Then , as the troden Snake , or hurt Lion , for wrake They thirsted more , then that whole floods of blood the same Could quench : and though selfe blood did accusation frame , And wounds to witnes calde of their distressed state , Yet either choller rest the smart or it relate , To the fierce minde the fainting sence lackt hardines , At least no one their action would it confesse , Passion from sterne of skill then reason shou'd aside , And storme of furie raisde , and furie force supplide : Defences are forgot , dangers despisde , disdainde Is hope it selfe , and euen most assurance rainde : In rash wan hope rage strokes begat , strokes rage encreast , Each stroke did wound , each wound did threat to slay at least . But this last act seem'd sole some dying candles blase , Or random shot which wall would pearce , but cannot crase : For each to other due exchange so long had paide , That small the remnants fell , and minde in vaine assayd : When strength was vanquished , and nimblenes was fled , ( Forsaken generall ) to make new stand or head , Apparance gesse enform'd , each prester seem'd to die Accompanied , then either liue to victorie . Yet Lymazon ▪ this vantage had , or thought to haue , Latest of both ( though soone ) to step into the graue : For though most store of strokes the game delt to his share , Wounds Alectrauemos away the sorer bare : Whence he faint , wearie , recreant , abandoned Of breath , of limmes , of heart , of helpe , with reake raised And dropping taile , and drooping cheere ( crauen ) bewraide , To yeeld he not so much refused as delaide . Which tother spying well , hotly pursues his poynt , And each proffred resistance , chops off ioynt by ioynt , Threatning , insisting , striking , wounding , reuelling , Till meeke disarm'd stilnes proclaim'd his conquering : Then clibbie ladder gainst his battered flanck hereares , And vp it him , and he it vp , slow scaling beares . For as the Romane Tyrant , who would feast his cruell eye With torture of his state-suspected enemie , The hangman bad so strike as he might feele his death , Such wise here Lymazon with tedious steps climeth , That he the sweetnes of his victorie , and foe , Might full and longer last his bitter ouerthrow : Thear'st neuer tamed back , new horsman he bestrides , Whence not so pleasde , vp his aualing neck he rides , And there enthroanes himselfe , on his combe cutted crowne Triumphant wise , and with forst waight it presseth downe . His now all needles and neere emptie hacked sheeld From shoulder back he throwes , and out doth mustring yeeld : His full growne statute , high his head , lookes higher rise , His pearching hornes are ream'd a yard beyond assise , Then with a stately gate his eyes farre iourney rome , And to his minde of fayre prospects bring tidings home . They see the water beurage giue to the drie land , And land to water seat supplie with quitting hand , Without channell or banke , both louely enterlaste , Earth borne by th' Ocean , Ocean by the earth embraste . They see the earth somwhere to swolne mountains vp blowne , Somwhere leueld to plaines , somwhere to vales down throwne : The mountaines loftie heads with bushie locks curled , The plaines gowned with grasse , valleys with herbs purled : They see the forrests thick by sauedge beasts possest , Cattell people the fields , incomes the vermine nest , And ouer all , as Lord of all , they see mankinde Forgetfull of his heauenly part , to clay combinde : They see old folke knock with their staffe at gate of graue , But though forward their pace , froward their face they haue : They see yong folke dancing a round to pipe of time , Whiles at their back steales in the iust reward of crime , And with his dart strikes one , he falls , the other feare And stand a space amazde : some out the carkasse beare , And they begin a fresh , and so continue on , Till one by one thus fetcht , the dancers all be gon : They see wiues snarling at their too fast coupled feere , And hindring their owne course by haling still a reere : Maydes , pitfalls of their mouthes , lures of their lookes to make , And of their tresses grinnes , long billing birds to take : They see th' ambitious then Tantalus more vaine , Contentment shoue away , and catch thereat againe , And on selfe intrailes gnaw : they see the enuious More cruell , then Ioues Eagle was to Titius : Gluttons with their owne hands their owne throte bole to cut , And couetous for sinne their corps to penance put . Of the contentious , some they so frantick see , That soules they venter to damning , if kild they bee , Necks to the rope their house to wrack , if foe they kill , Whom dead redeeme with kissetaile price they gladly will . Others of like angrie , but not so hardie hart , Bequeath to follie of their will so large a part , That rather then at home with equall neighbour beare , Abroad the'●le roue , and ride , and toyle , and tosse and teare , And guild with guilt some puppet rakte from channell so , That this late worshipt Idoll shall them ouerthrow ▪ Courtiers ( favre decked sepulchers ) he sees to spred About their Soueraignes a net , that couered , Their vanities may seeme : but fishers it they cast From their full stored sea , to draw some gaine at last . Gentrie he sees ( like hosts ) their houses gaylie dresse , Which ( they too kind swept out ) Vsurers may possesse ▪ Wan schollers eating paper , drinking inck , which they Like Bees disgested vp , in others bosome lay . Farmers , distrusting God , each season chronicle , ( As nature doted ) for an vncouth myracle . Townsmen , consulting how they may the vpland expell , And liuing priuate on their owne , in the ayre dwell . Artificers , their wits prentise to falshood binde , Mariners to a feast the fiends bid all arow : Which ended , the poore scraps out to the saints they throw . Lastly , he sees Hunters cancell their bookes of count , Because th' expences their receipts so farre surmount : Faulkners , a purse of coyne ( too late repentant ) send About their Hawks necks tyde , to an vnknowne friend : Gamesters , through greedines vndone , through furie drawne , By othes ( nor ease , nor remedie ) lay soules to pawne . But he that thus surueied with controlling eye Each others actions abroad , could not espie His owne at home by farre more vaine , who left his bowre , His blessed bowre , vnblist himselfe , to scale this towre : For where , prince of his will , he in the garden rainde , And sences him delights his sences entertainde , Whilst curious eye made choice for his as daintie nose , Of purple robed Violet , of blushing Rose , Of snow white Flowre-de-luce , of golden Marygold , Or rather marry-Sunne , and nose the place did hold , Of taster for his mouth , of cheere heart Rosemary , Deere Time , drowsie Lettice , and mayden Piony , And morning dew , sweat of the precious starres , he dranke , And through the shadie greene leaued arbours ietted cranke . All this seem'd nought , for he was naught , and with strait minde Not so his owne good ioyde , as at others repinde : For seeing Alectrauemos vaunced so hie , A Burgesse him he deem'd of the imperiall skie ; His glittering vesture pure gold he imagineth , Imagines fond , for all not gold that glistereth : And at direction of his crowing , him doth seeme Mankind his actions , the Sunne to guide his teeme , Then pleader his desire , from Iudge affection , By witnes of supposall , soone hath sentence won , That so great happines out sole to be possest By the great worthines , that sole did him reuest : Which both vnited would so rare effects beget , As world on wonder might , and heauens on enuie set : Then should equalitie plot downe the lists of time , And neither Phoebus chaire so high the welkin clime , As with rayes perpendicular the earth to scorch , And lend rest night to courtaile , ne his forceles torch Of heat in the Ocean be quenched ouer soone , Or darknes posting steps tread on the skirts of noone : Then should not men in open light those prankes commit , Which euen blind night would grieue to see , as neuer fit , Nor any slurging waste in drowsie bed the day , Nor weare out houres of quiet at vnruly play . Thus on the sandie ground of vaine conceit beguilde , Frame of a common weale reform'd , his facies builde . But as the male-contented subiects , grieued long , As much with graste new fauourites , as their owne wrong , By the vnlawfull meanes of ioynt rebellion , Seeme lawfull end to seeke of reformation : But if the left side ballance chance the right to ouerway , And they preuaile , their vizard soone aside they lay : The earst but ragged state , is then in peeces rent , And each to turne the deere bought victorie is bent To his best profit : so , when fortunes blast filling The sailes , did ship of his attempt to hauen bring Of his desires , pretended good he then forgets Of others , and minde on his owne he wholly sets , How he may surest stablish his new conquerd realme , How of his glorie fardest to deriue the streame : But if he sifting thus each shift his wits refinde , There were against his drifts no lesse that counterminde . For when the god of puffes , great master of the ayre , Saw the base Snayle , of his sonnes spoyles , a Trophee reare ; Choler enflam'd his heart , reuenge tickled his fist , Disdaine wrinckled his face , to smile of little list : And vp his throte bole staires climbd words of threatening , Which to effects of deedes thus wise he sought to bring : Poste through his large Dominions are writs out sent , To warne his windie vassals to a parliament : So , whizzing , blustring , peeping , whisking there came in , First lithie Eurus with his parchie riuild skin : Next Boreas arm'd in ice , weapon'd with shot of haile , Then Zephurus , his robe purffled , with flowres entraile : And Auster last with dropping beard and mistie head , Dukes of great power , whom their retinue followed , And with low beysance to their prince in his vast hall , Some on his right hand , some on left themselues they stall : AEole sits in the midst , and with dread grace holdeth His toothed mace , a trebble death which menaceth : Not Atlas mount , whose feete presse downe the fiends of hell , And head pearcing the clowdes , supports the Angels cell , More loftie showes , his stature such , such is his state , His sparkling eyes , blasen like Comets , which relate To mankind dismall newes , his voyce like bull that tels His late gores smart with bellowings , and bootles yels : And thus through anger bitten lips his words he threw , The whiles they turning mouthes to eares attentiue grew : Oh you great children of the greatest heauenly fire , Calde to possesse your birthright by your drawing site : But back repulst by middle brother of the ayre , And with his thwarted side bard of neere repayre , Whom wayles wandring thus , and to and fro tossed , I gathred , stablisht , and with iust lawes ordered , And of each quarter of the world great Lords you made , Which with your swarmie Colonies out sent you shade , And since oft checks of Ioue I beare with patient minde , And pikes with fellow gods , and curses of mankinde , For slipping raines to your ill vsed libertie : Loe now for these large benefits so liberallie Bestowde , one boone , one sole requitall I require , Your King it craues , who may command , stoops to desire : My childe , my dearest childe , my childe of heauenly seede , My glorious vaunt , my hopes rare fruite , my trauailes meede , Set on , fought with , wounded , ( O hard successe ) subdued , Helples , and neere liueles , lies in his blood imbrued , Whose hurts my wounds eke are , and who him conquered , On me , your king , a god , so great god triumphed . Reuenge , reuenge you then the sonnes foule iniurie , The fathers bitter griefe , and our bothes infamie : Or if ( vnkind ) my quarrell to reuenge you slack , See and reuenge at least your owne heele treading wrack : For who will you regard , if you remaine vnknowne ? Who can you strangers know , if first you be not showne ? Who will ? who dares ? who can you show ? if thus wise rest , Your Iudex vnrelieu'd , and vnreuengde be left : Then shall the iolly Marriner , his vowes due price Return'd , pay you no more with offred sacrifice : Then the prescribing steale-toll Miller neuer shall Wait on you with his linnen wings and wheeling wall , Nor euer shall iust peized swimmers of the ayre , Of your great force vnwilling witnes rauisht beare : But either you I know not , or I know full well , Nor so small reake , nor so base thoughts in you to dwell : You that your mother Earths void wombe reuisiting , And there gainst kinde forclosde , bounsing , and rumbelling For issue , so her vaulted entrailes tosse and teare , That she new childing groanes with paine , and quakes for feare : You that from vnder Thetis feete the mite vprake , And therewith smeere her face , and for your pastime sake , To low depressed vales , and high stirring mountaines , Neighbours of heauen and hell , transforme her watrie plaines : You that from coast to coast the clowdes doe hold in chace , Till melting downe in teares , conquerd they yeeld you place : Can you endure a creature of th' inferiour sort , Void of discourse , a worme of so vnworthie port , As neither stature , beautie , strength , nor ought beside , Can by pretence of seeming cause abbet his pride , Your princes sonne , your foster-brother dare depriue Of honor , state and life , and with you counterstriue ? Nay first let heauen and earth perish confusde in one , Ere least iot minisht taint your reputation . But why with needles words your needfull deedes stop I ? My trustie mates , my only power , my chiefe relie : Goe you , goe soone , goe fast , in bud this mischiefe quaile , Ere he of setling time doe you of speede preuaile . To quench this kindled fire , vse force , vse policie : Let valour be your god , fortune and destinie . From the vsurped height him thrust and tumble downe , Let shame his onset let , let fame your atchieement crowne . These makebate breaths brookt not the patience to attend , Vntill his tale were closed in a perfect end : But from the folkmote rusht to broyle the skie , and band Sharpe fight against the great Realmes both of sea and land , And with waightier effect t' accomplish their pretence , By set accord they faine a iarring difference , And ranckt in facing troopes they entershock amaine , Like stalworth Knights whose Iusts faire Ladies entertaine : But more impetuous were their brunts , which coupling wilde So rough a storme begat , as winter neuer childe . Like foule brought fourth , the altred heau'ns were ouerlayed With mourning black , as in their limits should be played A tragedie , for which a stage they gan prepare , And wherein they a part ( too nighly-bowred ) bare , For with the thunders rore they cracking seem'd to rip , And burne with lightning flashes , which confusely skip . But price and wager sole of their contention , And naue where their spoakes furie met was Lymazon , Of him they sore disdaine , themselues despisde to see , Gainst him their threats , their blowes , their hurts all bended bee : So whil'st in sea of blisse he sayled all aflaunt , Of his good fortune proud , of his fate ignorant , He sooner found himselfe in danger prest to sinke , Then the tempest foresee , or change he could bethinke : Whence though of courage no such share he did possesse , But he some inward touch felt of dismaiednes : Yet neither were his coward sprights depressed so , But that he sham'd his port should it too fully show , And faine he would in equall peize of iudgement rest , As one that could despise the worst , yet hopte the best : But hope was wan , and countnance vaine , where earth and skie Against his state , seem'd linked in conspiracie : For in th' ascendent ballance Mars was faring back , And Ladie Venus detriment did threaten wrack : Eke Saturne his ruler falling in house of foes , Against his vassals good did his dire beames oppose , And th' earth quaking nodded with second ruine spire , To throw him headlong downe , if he would not retire , Whom windes no way to scape , nor power to stay affoord , But him on foreship , quarter , sterne ( the whiles ) aboord Both voore and Auft doe lay , so in pell mel to ruze , And though his steps ( like Lympet toucht ) he faster giues , Yet him so long assaile , so oft they doe surround , That out at last a chinke to enter in they found . Like as the raine enriched flood , which tumbling low From the high mountaines , menaceth to ouerflow The fruitfull plaines , and make the fardest sea his gole , If the blinde pioner , or fostred rat , some hole Him wimble through , then forced banck , the same doth reame To such a gaping gap , that at his mouth the streame Out belks with rushing noise , till euery furrow flote , And husbandman to lost paines tunes a plainfull note : Or as long delued oke , whose vndermined roote Doth purchase heauens sight , with many knocks to boote , If once to shoulders shog he yeeld , is loosed more And more , till on the brused earth his length he skore : So this small entrance won , the windes wedge wise in driue Their blasts , and stitch by stitch his clibbie belly riue : From the vnloosed hold thus looseth he his place , And leaues the emptie roome a witnes of his case : Then downe he falles , like shell-fish vp by Eagle borne , That from the greater height he may the more be torne : Then downe he falles like dart from th' Eagles masters hand , Whose firie wings beares vengeance to th' offending land , And with him fall his enuie hate and surquedrie , His hopes , his plots , his prankes , his ioy and iollitie . But who did fixe a naile in Fortunes rolling wheele , Whereon he headlong downe past helpe began to reele , And how he sau'd the game , thus driuen to his trumps , Let others write , my pen is worne to the stumps . FINIS .