Andromeda liberata. Or the nuptials of Perseus and Andromeda. By George Chapman.

TO THE RIGHT WORTHILY HONORED , Robert Earle of Sommerset , &c. AND HIS MOST NOBLE LADY the Ladie FRANCES . AS nothing vnder heauen is more remou'd From Truth & virtue , then Opinions prou'● By vulgar Voices : So is nought more true Nor soundly virtuous then things held by few : Whom Knowledge ( entred by the sacred line , And gouernd euermore by grace diuine , ) Keepes in the narrow path to spacious heauen , And therfore , should no knowing spirit be driuen From fact , nor purpose ; for the spleens prophan Of humours errant , and Plebeian ; But , Famelike , gather force as he goes forth , The Crowne of all Acts ends in onely worth . Nor will I feare to postrate this poore Rage Of forespoke Poesie , to your patronage , ( Thrice worthy Earle ) , & your vnequald grace ( Most Noble Countesse ) for the one-ear'd Race Of set-eyd vulgars , that will no waie see But that their stiffe necks driue them headlongy , Stung with the Gadflie of misgouernd zeale : Nor heare but one tale and that euer ill . These I contemne , as no Rubs fit for me To checke at , in my way t' Integritie . Nor will ye be incenst that such a Toie Should put on the presumption to enioie Your grauer eare , my Lord , and your faire eye ( Illustrous Ladie ) since poore Poesie Hath beene a Iewell in the richest eare Of all the Nuptiall States , that euer were . For as the Bodies pulse ( in Phisique ) is A little thing ; yet therein th' Arteries Bewray their motion , and disclose , to Art The strength , or weakenesse , of the vitall part ; Perpetually moouing , like a watch Put in our Bodies : So this three mens catch , This little Soules Pulse , Poesie , panting still Like to a dancing pease vpon a Quill , Made with a childes breath ; vp and downe to fly ( Is no more manly thought ) And yet thereby Euen in the corps of all the world we can Discouer all the good and bad of man , Anatomise his nakednesse , and be To his chiefe Ornament , a Maiestie : Erect him past his human Period And heighten his transition into God . Thus Sun-like , did the learnd and most diuine Of all the golden world , make Poesie shine ; That now , but like aglow worm , gleams by night Like Teachers , scarce found , by their proper light . But this ( my Lord ) and all poore virtues else Expos'd , ah las , like perdu Sentinels ●o warne the world of what must needs be nie ●or pride , and auarice , glas'd by Sanctitie , Must be distinguisht , and decided by Your cleere , ingenuous , and most quiet eye Exempt from passionate , and duskie fumes , That blinde our Reason : and in which consumes The Soule , halfe choakt , with stomacke casting mists ●red in the purest , turnd mere humorists . And where with douelike sweet humility They all things should authorise or deny , The vulgar heate and pride of splene and blood Blaze their opinions , which cannot be good . For as the Bodies Shadow , neuer can Shew the distinct , and expact Forme of man ; So nor the bodies passionate affects Can euer teach well what the Soule respects . For how can mortall things , immortall shew ▪ Or that which false is , represent the trew ▪ The peacefull mixture then that meetes in yow ( Most temperat Earl ) that nought to rule do thow : In which , as in a thorough kindled Fire , Light and Heat marrie Iudgement and Desire . Reason is still in quiet , and extends All things t' aduantage of your honored Ends , May well authorise all your Acts of Note , Since all Acts vicious , are of Passion got : " Through dead Calms , of our Perturbations euer " Truths Voice ( to soules eares set ) we heare or neuer " The meerely animate Man , doth nothing see " That tends to heauen : It must be onely He " That is mere foule : Her separable powers " The scepter giuing heere : That then discourse " Of Motions that in sence doe neuer fall , " Yet know them too , and can distinguish all " With such a freedome , that our earthly parts " Sincke all to earth : And then th' ingenuous arts " Doe their true office , Then true Policie " Windes like : a serpent , through all Empery . " Her folds on both sides bounded , like a flood " With high-shores listed , making great and good " Whom she instructeth , to which , you ( my Lord ) May lay all claimes that Temper can afford ; Nought gathering ere t' is ripe : and so must taste Kindely and sweetely , and the longer hast , All fruits , in youth , ripe in you ; and must so Imply a facultie to euer growe . And as the morning that is calme and gray , Deckt all with curld clowds ; that the Sunne doth lay With varied coullours ; All aloft exhall'd As they t' adorn euen heauen it selfe were call'd , And could not fall in slendrest deawes till Night , But keepe daies Beauty : firme and exquisite ; More for delight fit , and doth more adorne Euen th' Euen with Graces , then the youthful morn : So you ( sweete Earle ) stay youth in aged bounds Euen absolute now , in all lifes grauest grounds , Like Aire , fill euery corner of your place , Your grace , your virtue heightning : virtue , grace And keeping all clowds high , aire calme , & cleer And in your selfe all that their height should rere Your life and light will proue a still full Moone , And all your night time nobler then your noone , The Sunne is in his rising , height , and set Still ( in himselfe ) alike , at all parts great , His light , heat , greatnes , coullors that are showne To vs ; as his charge , meerely is our owne . So let your charge , my Lord , in others be , But in your selfe hold Sun-like constancie . For as men skild in Natures study , say , The world was not the world , nor did conuay To coupling bodies Natures common forme , But ( all confus'd , like waues struck with a storme ) Some small were , and ( in no set being , staid ) All comprehension , and connexion fled ; The greater , and the more compact disturb'd With ceaseles warre , and by no order curb'd , Till earth receiuing her set magnitude Was fixt her selfe , and all her Birth indu'd With staie and law , so this small world of ours : Is but a Chaos of corporeall powers : Nor yeelds his mixt parts , forms that may becom A human Nature ; But at randome rome Past brutish fashions , and so neuer can Be cald the ciuill bodie of a man ; But in it , and against it selfe still fights , In competence of Cares , loyes , Appetites : The more great in command , made seruile more , Glutted , not satisfied : in plenty , poore : Till vp the Soule mounts , and the Scepter swaies Th' admired Fabricke of her world suruaies , And as it hath a magnitude confinde , ●o all the powers therein , she sees combinde ●n fit Acts for one end , which is t' obay Reason , her Regent ; Nature giuing way : Peace , Concord , Order , Stay proclaim'd , and Law , And none commanding , if not all in Awe , Passion , and Anger , made to vnderlie , And heere concludes , mans morall Monarchie ●n which , your Lordships milde Soule sits so hie Yet cares so little to be seene , or heard , That in the good thereof , her scope is Sphear'd . The Theban Ruler , paralleling Right , Who , thirst of glory , turnd to appetite Of inward Goodnesse , was of speech so spare , To heare , and learne , so couetous , and yare , That ( of his yeares ) none , things so many knew : Nor in his speeches , ventured on so few : Forth then ( my Lord ) & these things euer thirst Till Scandall pine , and Bane-fed enuie burst . And you , ( most noble ) Lady as in blood In minde be Noblest , make our factious brood Whose forked tongs , wold fain your honor sting Conuert their venomd points into their spring : Whose owne harts guilty , of faults faind in yours Wold fain be posting off : but , arme your powers With such a seige of vertues , that no vice Of all your Foes , Aduantage may entice To sally forth , and charge you with offence , But sterue within , for very conscience Of that Integritie , they see exprest In your cleere life : Of which , th' examples Rest , May be so blamelesse ; that all past must be ( Being Fount to th' other ) most vndoubtedly Confest vntouch't ; and Curiositie The beame picke rather from her own squint eie , Then ramp stil at the motes shade , faind in yours , Nought doth so shame this chimick serch of ours As when we prie long for assur'd huge prise , Our glasses broke , all vp in vapor flies . And as , the Royall Beast , whose image you Beare in your armes , and aires great Eagle too ; Sill as they goe , are said to keepe in close Their seres , & Tallons , lest their points shold lose Their vseful sharpnes , when they serue no vse : So this our sharp-eyd search that we abuse In others brests , we should keepe in , t'explore Our owne fowle bosomes , and quit them before We ransacke others : but ( great Ladie ) leaue These Rules to them they touch ; do you receaue Those free ioies in your honour , and your Loue That you can say are yours ; and euer moue Where your comand , as soon is seru'd as kown , Ioyes plac't without you , neuer are your owne . Your Honours euer most humbly and faithfully vowd . Geo. Chapman .

ANDROMEDA LIBERATA . AWay vngodly Vulgars , far away , Flie ye prophane , that dare not view the day , Nor speake to men but shadowes , nor would heare Of any newes , but what seditious were , Hatefull and harmefull euer to the best , Whispering their scandals , glorifying the rest , Impious , and yet gainst all ills but your owne , The hotest sweaters of religion . Whose poysons all things to your spleenes peruert , And all streames measure by the Fount your heart , That are in nought but misrule regulare , To whose eyes all seeme ill , but those that are , That hate yee know not why , nor with more cause , Giue whom yee most loue your prophane applause , That when Kings and their Peeres ( whose piercing eies Broke through their broken sleepes and policies , Mens inmost Cabinets disclose and hearts ; Whose hands loues ballance ( weighing all desarts ) Haue let downe to them ; which graue conscience , Charg'd with the blood and soule of Innocence . Holds with her white hand , ( when her either skole , Apt to be sway'd with euery graine of Soule , Her selfe swaies vp or downe , to heauen or hell , Approue an action ) you must yet conceale , A deeper insight , and retaine a taint To cast vpon the pure soule of a Saint . Away , in our milde Sphere doth nothing moue , But all-creating , all preseruing Loue , At whose flames , vertues , lighted euen to starres , All vicious Enuies , and seditious Iars , Bane-spitting Murmures and detracting Spels , Bannish with curses to the blackest hels : Defence of Beauty and of Innocence , And taking off the chaines of Insolence , From their prophan'd and godlike Lineaments , Actions heroique , and diuine descents , All the sweet Graces , euen from death reuiu'd , And sacred fruites , from barren Rockes deriu'd , Th' Immortall Subiects of our Nuptials are : Thee then ( iust scourge of factious populare ; Fautor of peace , and all the powers that moue In sacred Circle of religious Loue ; Fountaine of royall learning , and the rich Treasure of Counsailes , and mellifluous speech : ) Let me inuoke , that one drop of thy spring May spirit my aged Muse , and make her sing , As if th' inspir'd brest , of eternall youth Had lent her Accents , and all-mouing truth . The Kingdome that the gods so much did loue , And often feasted all the Powers aboue : At whose prime beauties the enamour'd Sunne , His Morning beames lights , and doth ouerrunne The world with Ardor ( Aethiopia ) Bore in her throne diuine Andromeda , To Cepheus and Cassiope his Queene : Whose boundlesse beauties , made ore'flow the spleene Of euery Neirid , for surpassing them : The Sun to her , resign'd his Diadem : And all the Deities , admiring stood , Affirming nothing mou'd , like flesh and blood : Thunder would court her with words sweetly phraz'd , And lightning stucke 'twixt heau'n and earth amaz'd . This matchlesse virgin had a mother too , That did for beautie , and for wisdome goe Before the formost Ladies of her time : To whom of super-excellence the crime Was likewise lai'd by Iuno , and from hence Pin'd Enuie suckt , the poison of offence . No truth of excellence , was euer seene , But bore the venome of the Vulgares spleene . And now the much enrag'd Neireides Obtain'd of him that moues the marble seas ( To wreake the vertue , they cal'd Insolence ) A whale so monstrous , and so past defence , That all the royall Region he laid wast , And all the noblest edifices rac't : Nor from his plague , were strongest Cities free , His bodies vast heape rag'd so heauily . With noblest names and bloods is still embrewd The monstrous beast , the rauenous Multitude . This plague thus preying vpon all the land , With so incomprehensible a hand : The pious virgin of the father sought , By Oracles to know , what cause had brought Such banefull outrage ouer all his State , And what might reconcile the Deities hate . His orisons and sacrifices past , The Oracle gaue answere , that the waste His Country suffered , neuer would conclude , Till his Andromeda he did extrude , To rapine of the Monster , he ( good man , ) Resolu'd to satiate the Leuiathan : With her , before his Country , though he lou'd Her past himselfe , and bore a spirit mou'd To rescue Innocence in any one That was to him , or his , but kindly knowne , To grace , or profite ; doe them any good That lay in swift streame of his noblest blood , Constant to all , yet to his deerest seed , ( For rights sake ) flitting : thinking true indeed , The generall vprore , that t' was sinne in her , That made men so exclaime , and gods conferre Their approbation : saying the Kingdomes bale Must end by her exposure to the Whale : With whom the Whale-like vulgare did agree , And their foule spleenes , thought her impiety , Her most wise mother yet , the sterne intent , Vow'd with her best endeauour to preuent . And tolde her what her father did addresse ; Shee ( fearefull ) fled into the wildernesse : And to th' instinct of sauage beasts would yeeld , Before a father that would cease to shield A daughter , so diuine and Innocent : Her feet were wing'd , and all the search out went , That after her was ordered : but shee flew , And burst the winds that did incenst pursue , And with enamoured sighes , her parts assaile , Plaide with her haire , and held her by the vaile : From whom shee brake , and did to woods repaire : Still where shee went , her beauties dide the ayre , And with her warme blood , made proud Flora blush : But seeking shelter in each shadie bush : Beauty like fire , comprest , more strength receiues And shee was still seene shining through the leaues . Hunted from thence , the Sunne euen burn'd to see , So more then Sunne-like a Diuinity , Blinded her eyes , and all inuasion seekes To dance vpon the mixture of her cheekes , Which show'd to all , that follow'd after far , As vnderneath the roundure of a starre , The euening skie is purple'd with his beames : Her lookes fir'd all things with her loues extreames . Her necke a chaine of orient pearle did decke , The pearles were faire , but fairer was her necke : Her breasts ( laid out ) show'd all enflamed sights Loue , lie a sunning , twixt two Crysolites : Her naked wrists showde , as if through the skie , A hand were thrust , to signe the Deitie Her hands , the confines , and digestions were Of Beauties world ; Loue fixt his pillars there . Her eyes that others caught , now made her caught , Who to her father , for the whale was brought , Bound to a barraine Rocke , and death expected ; But heau'n hath still such Innocence protected : Beauty needs feare no Monsters , for the sea , ( Mother of Monsters ) sent Alcyone , To warrant her , not onely gainst the waues , But all the deathes hid in her watrie graues . The louing birds flight made about her still , ( Still good presaging ) shew'd heau'ns sauing will : Which cheering her , did comfort all the shore That mourn'd in shade of her sad eyes before : Her lookes to perle turn'd peble , and her looks To burnisht gold transform'd the burning Rocks . And no● came roring to the tied , the Tide All the Neireides deckt in all their pride Mounted on Dolphins , ro●de to see their wreake The waues fom'd with their enuies ; that did speake In mutest fishes , with their leapes aloft For brutish ioy of the reuenge they sought . The people greedie of disastrous sights And newes , ( the food of idle appetites From the kings Chamber , straight knew his intent , And almost his resolu'd thoughts did preuent In drie waues beating thicke about the Shore And then came on the prodegie , that bore In one masse mixt their Image ; that still spread A thousand bodies vnder one sole head Of one minde still to ill all ill men are Strange sights and mischiefes fit the Populare . Vpon the Monster red Rhamnusia rode , The Sauage leapt beneath his bloody load Mad of his prey , giu'n ouer now by all : When any high , haue any meanes to fall , Their greatest louers proue false props to proue it And for the mischiefe onely , praise and loue it . There is no good they will not then commend , Nor no Religion but they will pretend A mighty title to , when both are vs'd , To warrant Innouation , or see brus'd The friendlesse Reed , that vnder all feet lies : The sound parts euermore , they passe like flies , And dwell vpon the sores , ill in themselues , They clearely saile with ouer rockes and shelues , But good in others ship wracke in the Deepes : Much more vniust is he that truely keepes Lawes for more shew , his owne ends vnderstood Then he that breakes them for anothers good . And 't is the height of all malignity , ●o tender good so , that yee ill implie : ●o treade on Pride but with a greater pride . When where no ill , but in ill thoughts is tri'd , To speake well is a charity diuine : The rest retaine the poyson serpentine Vnder their lips , that sacred liues condemne , And wee may worthily apply to them , This tragicke execration : perish hee That si●ts too far humane infirmity . But as your cupping glasses still exhale The humour that is euer worst of all In all the flesh : So these spic't conscienc't men The worst of things explore still , and retaine . Or rather , as in certaine Cities were Some ports through which all rites piaculare , All Executed men , all filth were brought , Of all things chast , or pure , or sacred , nought Entring or issuing there : so curious men , Nought manly , elegant , or not vncleane , Embrace , or bray out : Acts of staine are still Their Syrens , and their Muses : Any ill Is to their appetites , their supreme good , And sweeter then their necessary food . All men almost in all things they apply The By the Maine make , and the Maine the By. Thus this sweete Ladies sad exposure was Of all these moodes in men , the only glasse : But now the man that next to Ioue comptrold The triple world ▪ got with a shoure of gold : ( Armed with Medusa's head , and Enyos eye : The Adamantine sword of Mercury The helme of Pluto , and Minerua's Mirror , That from the Gorgus made his passe with Terror ) Came to the rescue of this enuied mayd : Drew neere , and first , in admiration stay'd That for the common ill of all the land , She the particular obloquie should stand : And that a beauty , no lesse then diuine Should men and women finde so serpentine As but to thinke her any such euent : Much lesse that eies and hands should giue consent To such a danger and to such a death . But though the whole Realme laboured vnderneath So foule an error , yet since Ioue and he Tendred her beauty , and integretie , In spight of all the more he set vp spirit To doe her right ; the more all wrong'd her merit , He that both vertue had , and beauty too Equall with her to both knew what to doe : The Ruthles still go laught at to the Graue Those that no good will doe , no goodnesse haue : The minde a spirit is , and cal'd the glasse In which we see God ; and corporeall grace The mirror is , in which we see the minde . Amongst the fairest women you could finde Then Perseus , none more faire ; mongst worthiest men , No one more manly : This the glasse is then To shew where our complexion is combinde ; A womans beauty , and a manly minde : Such was the halfe-diuine-borne Troian Terror Where both Sex graces , met as in their Mirror . Perseus of Loues owne forme , those fiue parts had Which some giue man , that is the loueliest made : Or rather that is loueliest enclin'd , And beares ( with shape ) the beauty of the mind : Young was he , yet not youthfull , since mid-yeeres , The golden meane holds in mens loues and feares : Aptly composde , and soft ( or delicate ) Flexible ( or tender ) calme ( or temperate ) Of these fiue , three , make most exactly knowne , The Bodies temperate complexion : The other two , the order doe expresse , The measure and whole Trim of comelinesse . A temperate corporature ( learn'd Nature saith ) A smooth , a soft , a solid flesh bewrayeth : Which state of body shewes th' affections State In all the humours , to be moderate ; For which cause , soft or delicate they call Our conquering Perseus , and but yong withall , Since time or yeeres in men too much reuolu'd , The subtiler parts of humour being resolu'd , More thicke parts rest , of fire and aire the want , Makes earth and water more predominant : Flexible they calde him , since his quicke conceit , And pliant disposition , at the height Tooke each occasion , and to Acts approu'd , As soone as he was full inform'd , he mou'd , Not flexible , as of inconstant state , Nor soft , as if too much effeminate , For these to a complexion moderate ( Which we before affirme in him ) imply , A most vnequall contrariety . Composure fit for Ioues sonne Perseus had , And to his forme , his mind fit answere made : " As to be lou'd , the fairest fittest are ; " To loue so to , most apt are the most faire , " Light like it self , tran●parent bodies makes , " At ones act ▪ th' other ioint impression takes . " Perseus , ( as if transparent ) at first sight , " Was shot quite thorough with her beauties light : " Beauty breedes loue ▪ loue consummates a man . " For loue , being true , and Eleutherean , " No Iniurie nor con●●●elie beares ; " That his beloued , eyther feeles or feares , " All good-wils enterchange it doth conclude " And mans whole summe holds , which is gratitude : " No wisdome , noblesse , force of armes , nor lawes , " Without loue , wins man , his compleat applause : " Loue , makes him valiant , past all else desires " For Mars , that is , of all heau'ns erring fires " Most full of fortitude ( since he inspires " Men with most valour ) Cytheraea tames : " For when in heau'ns blunt Angels shine his flames , " Or he , his second or eight house ascends " Of rul'd Natiuities ; and then portends " Ill to the then-borne : Venus in aspect " Sextile , or Trine doth ( being conioyn'd ) correct " His most malignitie : And when his starre " The birth of any gouernes ( fit for warre " The Issue making much to wrath enclin'd " And to the ventrous greatnesse of the minde ) " If Venus neere him shine she doth not let " His magnanimity , but in order set " The vice of Anger making Mars more milde " And gets the mastry of him in the childe : " Mars neuer masters her ; but if she guide " She loue inclines : and Mars set by her side " Her fires more ardent render , with his heat : " So that if he at any birth be set " In th' house of Venus , Libra , or the Bull , " The then-borne burnes , and loues flames feels at full . " Besides , Mars still doth after Venus moue " Venus not after Mars : because , of Loue " Boldnesse is hand-maid , Loue not so of her : " For not because men , bold affections beare " Loues golden nets doth their affects enfold ; " But since men loue , they therefore are more bold " And made to dare , euen Death , for their belou'd , " And finally , Loues Fortitude is prou'd " Past all , most cleerely ; for this cause alone " All things submit to Loue , but loue to none . " Celestials , Animals , all Corporeall things , " Wisemen , and Strong , Slaue-rich , and Free-borne Kings " Are loues contributories ; no guifts can buy , " No threats can loue constraine , or terrifie " For loue is Free , and his Impulsions still Spring from his owne free , and ingenious will . Not God himselfe , would willing loue enforce But did at first decree , his liberall course : Such is his liberty , that all affects All arts and Acts , the minde besides directs To some wish't recompence , but loue aspires To no possessions , but his owne desires : As if his wish in his owne sphere did moue , And no reward were worthy Loue but Loue . Thus Perseus stood affected , in a Time When all loue , but of riches was a crime A fancy and a follie . And this fact To adde to loues deseruings , did detract ; For t was a Monster and a monstrous thing Whence he should combat out , his nuptiall ring , The monster vulgar thought , and conquerd gaue The combatant already , the foule graue Of their fore-speakings , gaping for him stood And cast out fumes as from the Stigian flood Gainst his great enterprise , which was so fit For Ioues cheefe Minion , that Plebeian wit Could not conceiue it : Acts that are too hie For Fames crackt voice , resound all Infamie : O poore of vnderstanding : if there were Of all your Acts , one onely that did beare Mans worthie Image , euen of all your best Which truth could not discouer , to be drest In your owne ends , which Truths selfe not compels , But couers in your bottoms , sinckes and hels . Whose opening would abhor the sunne to see ( So ye stood sure of safe deliuerie Being great with gaine or propagating lust ) A man might feare your hubbubs ; and some trust Giue that most false Epiphonem , that giues Your voice , the praise of gods : but view your liues With eyes impartiall , and ye may abhorre To censure high acts , when your owne taste more Of damned danger : Perseus scorn'd to feare The ill of good Acts , though hel-mouth gap't there : Came to Andromeda ; sat by , and cheerd : But she that lou'd , through all the death she fear'd , At first sight , like her Louer : for his sake Resolu'd to die , ere he should vndertake A combat with a Monster so past man To tame or vanquish , though of Ioue he wanne A power past all men els , for man should still Aduance his powers to rescue good from ill , Where meanes of rescue seru'd : and neuer where Ventures of rescue , so impossible were That would encrease the danger : two for one Expose to Ruine : Therefore she alone Would stand the Monsters Fury and the Shame Of those harsh bands : for if he ouercame The monstrous world would take the monsters part ●o much the more : and say some sorcerouse art Not his pure valour , nor his Innocence Preuail'd in her deliuerance her offence Would still the same be counted , for whose ill The Land was threatned by the Oracle . The poisoned Murmures of the multitude . Rise more , the more , desert or power obtrude : Against their most ( sayd he ) come I the more : Vertue , in constant sufferance we adore . Nor could death fright him , for he dies that loues : And so all bitternesse from death remoues . He dies that loues , because his euery thought , ( Himselfe forgot ) in his belou'd is wrought . If of himselfe his thoughts are not imploy'd Nor in himselfe they are by him enioy'd . And since not in himselfe , his minde hath Act ( The mindes act chiefly being of thought compact ) Who workes not in himselfe , himselfe not is : For , these two are in man ioynt properties , To worke , and Be ; for Being can be neuer But Operation , is combined euer . Nor Operation , Being doth exceed , Nor workes man where he is not : still his deed His being , consorting , no true Louers minde He in himselfe can therefore euer finde Since in himselfe it workes not , if he giues Being from himselfe , not in himselfe he liues : And he that liues not , dead is , Truth then said That whosoeuer is in loue , is dead . If death the Monster brought then , he had laid A second life vp , in the loued Mayd : And had she died , his third life Fame decreed , Since death is conquer'd in each liuing deed : Then came the Monster on , who being showne His charmed sheild , his halfe he turn'd to stone And through the other with his sword made way : Till like a ruin'd Cittie , dead he lay Before his loue : The Neirids with a shrieke And Syrens ( fearfull to sustaine the like ) And euen the ruthlesse and the sencelesse Tide Before his howre , ran roring terrifi'd , Backe to their strength : wonders and monsters both , With constant magnanimitie , like froth Sodainely vanish , smother'd with their prease ; No wonder lasts but vertue : which no lesse We may esteeme , since t' is as seldome found Firme & sincere , and when no vulgar ground Or flourish on it , fits the vulgar eye Who viewes it not but as a prodegie ? Plebeian admiration , needes must signe All true-borne Acts , or like false fires they shine : If Perseus for such warrant had contain'd His high exploit , what honour had he gain'd ? Who would haue set his hand to his designe But in his skorne ? skorne censures things diuine : True worth ( like truth ) sits in a groundlesse pit And none but true eyes see the depth of it Perseus had Enyos eye , and saw within That grace , which out-lookes , held a desperate sin : He , for it selfe , with his owne end went on , And with his louely rescu'd Paragon Long'd of his Conquest , for the latest shocke : Dissolu'd her chaines , and tooke her from the rocke Now woing for his life that fled to her As hers in him lay : Loue did both confer To one in both : himselfe in her he found She with her selfe , in onely him was crownd : While thee I loue ( sayd he ) you louing mee In you I finde my selfe : thought on by thee , And I ( lost in my selfe by thee neglected ) In thee recouer'd am , by thee affected : The same in me you worke , miraculous strange Twixt two true Louers is this enterchange , For after I haue lost my selfe , if I Redeeme my selfe by thee , by thee supply I of my selfe haue , if by thee I saue My selfe so lost , thee more then me I haue . And neerer to thee , then my selfe I am Since to my selfe no otherwise I came Then by thee being the meane : In mutuall loue One onely death and two reuiuals moue : For he that loues , when he himselfe neglects Dies in himselfe once , In her he affects Straight he renewes , when she with equall fire Embraceth him , as he did her desire : Againe he liues too , when he surely seeth Himselfe in her made him : O blessed death Which two liues follow : O Commerce most strange Where , who himselfe doth for another change , Nor hath himselfe , nor ceaseth still to haue : O gaine , beyond which no desire can craue , When two are so made one , that either is For one made two , and doubled as in this : Who one life had : one interuenient death Makes him distinctly draw a two fold breath : In mutuall Loue the wreake most iust is found , When each so kill that each cure others wound ; But Churlish Homicides , must death sustaine , For who belou'd , not yeelding loue againe And so the life doth from his loue deuide Denies himselfe to be a Homicide ? For he no lesse a Homicide is held , That man to be borne lets : then he that kild A man that is borne : He is bolder farre That present life reaues : but he crueller That to the to-be borne , enuies the light And puts their eyes out , ere they haue their sight . All good things euer we desire to haue , And not to haue alone , but still to saue : All mortall good , defectiue is , and fraile ; Vnlesse in place of things , on point to faile , We daily new beget . That things innate May last , the languishing we re'create ●n generation , re'creation is , And from the prosecution of this Man his instinct of generation takes . Since generation , in continuance , makes Mortals , similitudes , of powers diuine , Diuine worth doth in generation shine . Thus Perseus sayd , and not because he sau'd Her life alone , he her in marriage crau'd : But with her life , the life of likely Race Was chiefe end of his action , in whose grace Her royall father brought him to his Court With all the then assembled glad resort Of Kings and Princes : where were solemniz'd Th' admired Nuptialls : which great Heau'n so priz'● That Ioue againe stoopt in a goulden showre T' enrich the Nuptiall as the Natall howre Of happy Perseus ▪ white-armd Iuno to Depos'd her greatnesse , and what she could do To grace the Bride & Bride-groome , was vouchsaf●● All Subiect-deities stoopt to : and the Shaft Golden and mutuall , with which loue comprest Both th' enuied Louers : offerd to , and kist : All answerablie feasted to their States : In all the Starres beames , stoopt the reuerend Fates : And the rere banquet , that fore ranne the Bed With his presage shut vp , and seconded : And sayd they sung verse , that Posteritie In no age should reproue , for Perfidie .

Parcarum Epithalamion . O You this kingdomes glory that shall be Parents to so renownd a Progenie As earth shall enuie , and heauen glory in , Accept of their liues threds , which Fates shal spin Their true spoke oracle , and liue to see Your sonnes sonnes enter such a Progenie , As to the last times of the world shall last : Haste you that guide the web , haste spindles haste . ●ee Hesperus , with nuptiall wishes crownd , ●ake and enioy ; In all ye wish abound , Abound , for who should wish crowne with her store ●ut you that slew what barren made the shore ? You that in winter , make your spring to come Your Summer needs must be Elisium : ● race of mere soules springing , that shall cast ●heir bodies off in cares , and all ioyes taste . Haste then that sacred web , haste spindles haste . Ioue loues not many , therefore let those few That his guifts grace , affect still to renew : For none can last the same ; that proper is To onely more then Semideities : To last yet by renewing , all that haue More merit then to make their birth their graue , As in themselues life , life in others saue : First to be great seeke , then lou'd , then to last : Haste you that guide the web , haste spindles haste . She comes , ô Bridegroom shew thy selfe enflam'd And of what tender tinder Loue is flam'd : Catch with ech sparke , her beauties hurle about : Nay with ech thoght of her be rapt throughout ; Melt let thy liuer , pant thy startled heart : Mount Loue on earthquakes in thy euery part : A thousand hewes on thine , let her lookes cast ; Dissolue thy selfe to be by her embrac't , Haste ye that guide the web , haste spindles haste . As in each bodie , there is ebbe and flood Of blood in euery vaine , of spirits in blood ; Of Ioyes in spirits , of the Soule in Ioyes , And nature through your liues , this change imploies To make her constant : so each minde retaines Manners and customs , where vicicitude reignes : Opinions , pleasures , which such change enchains . And in this enterchange all man doth last , Haste then who guide the web , haste spindles haste . Who bodie loues best , feedes on dantiest meats , Who fairest seed seekes , fairest women gets : Who loues the minde , with loueliest disciplines Loues to enforme her , in which verity shines . Her beauty yet , we see not , since not her : But bodies ▪ ( being her formes ) who faire formes beare We view , and chiefely seeke her beauties there . The fairest then , for faire birth , see embrac't , Haste ye that guide the web , haste spindles haste . Starres ye are now , and ouershine the earth : Starres shall ye be heereafter , and your birth In bodies rule heere , as your selues in heau'n , What heer Detraction steals , shall there be giuen : The bound that heer you freed shal triumph there The chaine that touch't her wrists shal be a starre Your beauties few can view , so bright they are : Like you shal be your birth , with grace disgrac't Haste ye that rule the web , haste spindles haste . Thus by diuine instinct , the fates enrag'd , Of Perseus and Andromeda presag'd Who , ( when the worthy nuptial State was done And that act past , which only two makes one , Flesh of each flesh and bone of eithers bone ) Left Cepheus Court ; both freed and honoured . The louing Victor , and blest Bride-groome led Home to the Seriphins , his rescu'd Bride ; Who ( after issue highly magnifi'd Both rapt to heau'n , did constellations reigne , And to an Asterisme was turn'd the chaine That onely touch't his grace of flesh & blood , In all which stands the Fates kinde Omen good .

APODOSIS . THus through the Fount of stormes ( the cruell seas ) Her Monsters and malignant deities , Great Perseus made high and triumphant way To his starre crownd deed , and bright Nuptiall day . And thus doe you , that Perseus place supply In our Ioues loue , get Persean victorie Of our Land Whale , foule Barbarisme , and all His brood of pride , and liues Atheisticall : That more their pallats and their purses prise Then propagating Persean victories : Take Monsters parts , not aucthor manly parts : For Monsters kill the Man-informing Arts : And like a lothed prodegie despise The rapture that the Arts doth naturalise , Creating and immortalising men : Who scornes in her the Godheads vertue then , The Godheads selfe hath boldnesse to despise , And hate not her , but their Eternities : Seeke vertues loue , and vicious flatteries hate , Heere is not true sweete , but in knowing State . Who Honor hurts , neglecting vertues loue , Commits but Rapes on pleasures ; for not Ioue His power in thunder hath , or downeright flames , But his chiefe Rule , his Loue and Wisedome frames ▪ You then , that in loues strife haue ouercome The greatest Subiect blood of Crhistendome , The greatest subiect minde take , and in Both Be absolute man : and giue that end your oth . So shall my sad astonisht Muse arriue At her chiefe obiect : which is , to reuiue By quickning honor , in the absolute best : And since none are , but in Eternitie , blest , He that in paper can register things That Brasse and Marble shall denie euen Kings : Should not be trod on by ech present flash : The Monster slaine then , with your cleere Seas , wash From spots of Earth , Heauens beauty in the minde ●n which , through death , hath all true Noblesse shinde . FINIS .