Penelopes complaint: or, A mirrour for wanton minions. Taken out of Homers Odissea, and written in English verse, by Peter Colse

Penelopes complaint .

Penelope complaineth of Vlysses departure . YOu Nymphs that Alcidalions brookes , And Paphos sportes are dispossest : Which want the Sun of louely lookes . And are displac'd of Cupids crest : If you haue tried , loues sweete aspect , And do lament , your ioyes defect : Surcease , your cases to complaine , Your losses leaue so much to mone , Alas my loues long lacking paine , Is more then yours tenne to one : But if you needes will puling sit , A pew-mate for you am I fit . Let foolish Phillis cease to faint , And for Demophoon leaue to mourne : Let Dido finish her complaint , And faithlesse false Aeneas scorne : For carelesse wights why do you care , And causelesse eke so wofull are ? Leaue off ( I say ) those causelesse cares , Help me bewaile my wretched woe : What neede you shed those ruthlesse teares ? Your passions but of pleasure grow , Oh help me seely soule , relate My toilesome lamentable state . My loue ( alas ) and I loue sicke , Ten thousand leagues to warres is gone , And me hath left here widdow-like , In shiuering bed to lie alone : Oh now , vnto my paine I proue , A dririe lothsome thing is loue . Alacke , how am I gallde with griefe , Sith that no where I can behold , Those louely lookes that of reliefe , The locks and keyes and al do hold : Whose smiling cheekes and merrie cheere , To pleasure sweete the Porters were .

She sheweth how Vlisses fained himselfe mad at his departure , and how he was bewraied by Palemedes . VLysses , my Vlysses deare , Alacke , alacke , and wel away , My bedfellow , my friend and pheere , Vlysses mine is wend away : To siege of Troy , with heauie cheare , Against his wil , I dare to sweare . Halfe franticke he ( vnwilling wretch ) And mad almost , himselfe did faine , He warily his wit did stretch , New nuptiall sport so vext his braine . Loue tickled so his louely brest , That he ( poore soule ) could take no rest . But oft would stare as one amazde , Or as the foule amids the fire : Yea , grimly oft on me he gazde , His flesh so ●umde with loues desire : Alacke how oft did he complaine , Loues parting was a pinching paine ▪ Woe worth the wretch , that did bewray , My good Vlysses warie wit : Foule fare Palemedes I say , That so his poysoned venome spit . But my Vlysses wil ere long , Reuenge the villaines spightful wrong . Meane while ( alas ) poore worthles wight , I want my hearts most chiefest treasure : I leade my life in fansies spight , And tarry euer Fortunes leasure . I harping sit on Hopes sweete string , Till Time Vlysses home doth bring . Adue my ioy , adue my blisse , My comfort , and my deare delight , By day I shal his presence misse : Much more , his absence in the night . Of ioy , of blisse , and sweete delight , One man at once , depriude me quight .

She discommendeth her married estate , and sheweth the toile she indures . AH , what a doting foole was I ? To marry such a manly mate , Well taught ( alas ) now do I trie , Too mery was my maiden-state , And Angel-like my virgins life , But hellish-like , to be a wife . With mangled mind , loues worthles ware , ( Poore wretch ) I haue too deerely bought : Like seely b●rd , I saw the snare , Yet foolishly my woe I wrought : Woe to my selfe t' was my desire , To Iunoes hests thus to aspire . But sith I would the wanton play , And enter into wedded state , I wish ( but all too late ) I say , That I had chose some meacocke mate , As could haue kept but dogges from dore , And not a knight that Armes had bore . Well mought I thinke , as now I find , That long Vlysses could not stay In Venus court , his martiall mind And courage stowt would it gainesay : Had I at first had this forecast , I neede not thus repent at last . Had nature me deformed fac'de , Or had I not Vlysses seene , Or had he neuer me embrac'de , Or in his bed had I not beene : Then maiden-like had bin my care , Not widdowlike , thus neede I fare . With distaffe thus I neede not drudge , Nor yet with wheele haue worne my hand : Nor want of sleepe neede I thus grudge , Nor tired thus a-twisting stand , Nor yet haue busied thus my braine , From hastic sutors to refraine .

Shee accuseth Hellen of light consent . OH for those routs of roisters ranke , Which do my silly soule assault , And for this toile I wel may thanke , Dame Hellen and her foolish fault : Her light consent makes al men say , The Grecian dames cannot say nay . Had Hellen felt my loues long lacke , So many wearie winters woe , Or sunnie summers lustful wracke , As I poore wretched woman do : Then had there beene some reason why , Her louing pheere she should defie . Or she such troopes of wooers had , Or halfe the courting I endure , Of saucie suters staring mad , Her honours breach for to procure : Some would haue thought , loue had her won , Not lust , to go with Priams sonne . To one mans sute she did consent , And scarce entreated did she yeeld , Vnaskd almost , to bed she went , Without repulse , she fled the field . O vile , vnconstant , fickle dame , Vnworthie worthie womens name . How wil Sir Paris vaunt at Troy ? Of his successe , how wil he boast ? ( Wel let him heed amidst his ioy , Lest Menelaus marre his roast ) Both Troy , and Greece may wel repent , Thy peremptorie light consent . Fie , what were al your frumps forgot ? Where were your chaste and chary lookes ? Were you so farre with fansie shot , To trust to beauties hidden hookes ? Where were your sharpe conceited shifts , Your wittie , subtle , shrewish drifts ?

She controlleth Hellen for her ill example . HOw dar'st thou looke the Greekes in fact , When they at Troy shal with thee meete ? Alas , with what disguised grace , Wilt thou thy wedded husband greete ? Alacke , it would haue burst my heart , If I had played such a part . Fie , Hellen fie : thou womans foe , Foule fare thy frensie foolish fal : Thy wantonnes hath wrought our woe , Oh , this thy fault hath shamde vs al. Thy follie doth vs crucifie : This foule defame can neuer die . A thousand prettie damsels peart , Haue cause to curle this fact of thine ! A thousand thousand in their heart , Wil wish that Hellen had not beene : Thy giggish tricke , thy queanish trade , A thousand Bridewel birds hath made . Thy foule example works such force , The brau'st thereby to lust are bent : The rich as bad as poore , or worse , To brothell houses do frequent . False play ( say they ) is no offence , For Hellen exercisde it once . This made faire Ioane of Naples queene , So wantonly to tread awry , And Messaline for to be seene , Those tricks in common stowes to trie . This damned deede that thou hast done , May infants curse that are vnborne . Thy toy is growne to such a trade , That few or none wil wiue and wed , So common now the vse is made , That lust , not loue , brings brides to bed . For few wil houshold charge endure : That Palliardice do put in vre .

Against Paris and his trecherie . ALacke how could Sir Paris flie , His countrey and his owne true loue ? What heart had he , how durst he trie , From natiue soile thus to remoue ? What had his loue Oenone done ? That he so retchles from her runne . What furie forc'd his franticke head ? To Troy had Hellens beautie rung ? What , was he sure at first to speede ? That thither in such haste he flung ? Was he so resolute and rash , No princely port could him abash ? What ( Deuil ) set his ships on saile , And hither sent the leachers band ? Could he vnto no harbour haile , But thus at Lacedemon land ? Was there no place for to arriue ? Must needs the wind him hither driue ? I would his mother had not knowne , His father Priam , or that she , So foule a firebrand had not borne , As he to Troy is like to be : Would she had dreamed of his death , Or wisely she had stopt his breath . I would that he had not beene borne , Or seas had sunke him downe to hel , Would tempests had his tackling torne , Or he on craggie rocks had fell : Would sea hagges had transformd his hue Ere euer Hellen did him vew . I would ( I wish with al my heart ) That Leacher he my ghest had beene , I would haue better plaid my part , Then did the brainsicke doting queene : Had he but sought Vlysses place , These fingers should haue flead his face . Then should sir Paris soone haue felt , The furie of my chast desires , Vlysses seene how I had delt , The dole that lawles loue requires . My good Vlysses had beene sure , How faithful alwaies I endure , My heart had not thus sacrifizde , Nor yet such woful incense sent : Sorrow had me not thus surprizde , Then had I liu'd at hearts content : In corners darke I neede not creepe , Lie downe to waile , and rise to weepe . The world had not felt my outcries , The aire my sighes , the earth my teares , My prayers had not pearst the skies , Nor troubled so celestial eares : But sighes and prayers are in vaine , My Lord sith they bring not againe .

Antinous interrupting her sighing , offereth his suit . FIe Ladie fie : why sigh you so ? Be of good cheare , what neede you fray Those heart bloud suckers wrecke your woe , Those farfetcht sighes loues want bewray , Heigh ho againe : alas for woe , To whom shal this sweete message go . Extirpe the monster out of mind , Those passions al tread vnder foote , Sith that Vlysses proues vnkind , From of your heart the traitor roote : Who would take care for such a knight , That leaues his loue in field to fight ? Let not loues want disturbe your head , For by the Stygian lake I sweare : I am a Lord , I will thee wed , My faith and troth shal soone appeare : Else wil I rest your secret friend , Those louesicke motions to amend .

Her answere to her wooers . MY Lord : for me take you no care , My loues losse I my selfe wil mourne : I wonder you so witlesse are , To trie by force , the streame to tourne : What though my loue doth time prolong , With shame shal I requite the wrong ? Shame followes sinnne , as beames the sunne , Amisse wil out though closely done : Folly diffame can neuer shunne , Reproach breaks out vnthought vpon My countenance would me bewray , If I amisse should do or say . Shall I my soules shipwracke procure ? Shal hateful slander spot my name ? Shall faire speech me to lust allure ? With pleasure shal I purchase shame ? I le rather pine in my complaint , Then shame shal crowne me Cupids saint . I can but thanks afford for loue , Your good will for to gratifie : Your practise meane I not to proue , Your secret friendship I defie , Sith ( Lordings ) you haue misst your aime , Leaue off in time , those toyes reclaime . For why ? it neuer shal be said , Penelope did tread awry : Not truely told , she false hath playde , Or spotted her pure chastitie . My lords , I loath your wanton lure , Your faith shal not my fall procure . Therefore my Lords and louers al , Let me this at your hands obtaine : ( For feare of that which may befall ) That you my house a while refraine : Vntil my towe be at an end , Then I with speede wil for you send .

She complaineth of her wooers misrule , and feareth to write to Vlysses , for putting him in a ielousie . WHat shall I say ? what shall I doo ? How diuersly am I perplext ? With lustie gallants that mee woo , How am I silly woman vext ? What shall I to those roisters say , That shameles tempt me night and day ? From Samos sutors to me post , And Zacinth cutters do me court : Besides those of our Ithac coast , Lads of Dulichium do resort . What shall I do ? what shal I say ? Those stately gamsters brooke no nay . My good Vlysses goods they waste , And me poore wretch , do they torment : Lord-like forsooth is their repast , When he poore man is wel content , At siege of Troy , with souldiers fare , Vnwitty of my wofull care . If I should to Vlysses write , And shew him of their careles coyle , How earnestly they me incite , My constant faith , and troth to foyle : I might breede Bees nests in his braine , And put him in a ielous vaine . For he is wise , he wil suspect , My lightnesse breedes their fond desire , Some cause he 'le thinke , doth adde effect . No smoake appeares without some fire : So seldome is there feruent loue , But where some kindnes doth it moue . Then may he presently for spight Acquaint him with some forrein fro : My slut ( saith he ) I wil requite , Sith she at home doth serue me so , Since so vnrulie she doth range , Brow antlers with her I le exchange ,

She wisheth Vlisses to beware of the cruel Troians . NO , no , my gem and sweetest ioy , Thou shalt not neede for me to care , Thou busines hast enough at Troy , Looke wisely to thy owne welfare , For Troy yeeldes many a dogged lad , Which makes me sighing sit thus sad . Ah how doth feare affright my heart ? I dreade and yet I neede not doubt , Though froward fortune doth him thwart , He 's warie , valiant , yea and stout , And beares the minde he will not stoupe : For proudest he in Troian troupe . Yet ( Heartagold ) restraine thy heat , Be not too forward on thy foes , Ah ( trueloue ) let me thee intreate , Be not the first at bloudie blowes : Though of thy selfe no care thou make : Yet ( sweete ) of me , some pittie take . Beware of hugy Hectors hand , To swifty Dolon take good heede : What needst thou fight , which maist command , Thy souldiers for to do the deede ? Let them God Mars his mercie trie , Stand backe and come not thou too nie . Giue Menelaus leaue to fight , The cause is his , he had the wrong , And Agamemnon worthie knight , The quarrel doth to them belong : Let fiery A●ax fight his fill , But ( if thou loue me ) stand thou still . Ah let thy consort Diomede , And stout Achilles battel wage : Let hardy Hercules at neede , His swelling furie there asswage : From battel ( sweete ) do thou desist , Loue thou , and let them fight that list .

Her supplication to the Gods . THou Ioue , Lord of Olympus hie , If thou wilt heare poore widows griefe , Looke down with thy transplendant eie , And yeeld vs wretches due reliefe : Our loues , our liues , and destinie , Do on thy Princely powre relie . And thou Apollo , which in fight , With Thunderclaps , didst Cyclops quell : In Greekes iust quarrel shew thy might , Raze and confound those Troians fell : Which wrong vs with their villanie , And triumph in their tyranny . And Iuno : we do thee implore , To tender our vnworthy wrong : To vs , our wedded mates restore , For we , ( alas ) haue lackt them long : With speede let them returne againe , Lest we our bridall beds do staine .

She accuseth Menelaus of folly , for making warres for Hellen. WAs not Prince Menelaus mad , For strumpet thus to leuie armes ? This makes the wanton woman glad , Yea : she will laugh at those alarmes : For war 's a play-game , they suppose , That neuer tasted bloudie blowes . Who would in warres his person trust , Which safe in peace at pleasure swimmes ? For paltrie giglet so vniust , What Prince would hazard life and lims ? At push of pike , assoone doth light , A wound on Prince , as worthles wight . What if the Grecians haue the foile ? ( As warres euent vncertaine is ) How wil she glorie at thy spoile ? Thy bane wil be to her a blisse : Then shal we widdowes wearie worne , A fresh begin to waile and mourne . Put case the Troians haue the worst , ( As we al wish for Hellens sake ) The silly people then accurst , With outcries wil the aire shake : Then shall they wretches dearely buy , Their prinkox Paris trecherie . What ghastly groanes , wil dead men giue ? How wil the maimed howling lie ? How wil the aged fathers grieue ? How wil the silly infants crie ? And widdowes ( in worst case of al ) How wil they for their husbands call ? From fire and sword shal few be free , With famine some shal hunger-starue : The virgins they deflowr'd shal be , ( The Lord vs from such state preserue ) It grieues my heart to shew the paine , They for a strumpet shall sustaine .

She sheweth Vlysses worthines . VLysses deare , the Gods thee shield , And send thee home wel to retourne , For loue to thee they all may yeeld , Thy like in loue was neuer borne : So Angel-like did shine thy face , It was a blisse thee to embrace . Alacke he was the worthiest , The gentlest , and the meck'st of mind : The truest , and the faithfullest , That of a thousand I could finde : The wisest and the wariest , And one I lou'd and liked best . Ah , good Vlysses was my trust , With him contented still I stood , He hath my loue in clay and dust : I le die for him to do him good . To him I gaue my heart and hand : Therefore both vow and gift shal stand .

She bewailes the want of Vlysses in the night . ALacke how loathsome is my bed ? How sore for sleepe my eielids chim ? What phantasies possesse my head ? How palsy-sicke is euery lim ? Such shiuerring ague-fits me shake , As make my very heart to quake . Such vgly shapes doth Morpheus shew , Such hips and hawes , and sudden care , Doth of those vaine illusions grow , Which dreaming represented are : Sometimes I sigh , sometimes I start , Such terror doth torment my heart . I want ( poore wretch ) in darkesome night , The comfort of my dearest friend : My sorrowes leach , my hearts delight , Whose verie sight my griefe would end : Whom if I mought but once embrace , I sure should be in happie case .

Shee sheweth her defect of beautie . Alas how tawnie am I turnd ? How am I wretch transformd in hue ? How am I scorched , and sunburnd ? A gastly creature for to vew : A mirror I , for beautie was , But now a mouster , for disgrace . My skinne that cleare as christal was , My cheekes that crimson silke did staine , My eies like bright transplendant glasse , My browes , fraught with each prettie vaine : My skinne , my cheeks , my eies and browes , Are like to soot , in smoaky house . Ah when to Troy my true-loue wend , He left me shining maiden like , But when that he doth backward bend , He sure shal find-me beldam-like : But Ioue I thanke thy glorious grace , For this my wrinkling sorrowed face .

Penelope warneth her maides to beware of hot affection . AH damsels deare , which see the care , Of mistres yours Penelope : And see how fowly I do fare , Be ruld , and take this reede of me : Hast not too soone for wedded charge , Lest that you wish you liu'd at large : Of hot affection eke take heede , For often I haue heard it told , That hastie liking hath slow speede , And loue soone hot , is quickly cold : And those that woo , ere wise they are , Are won sometime , ere they beware . The virgins state , I must confesse , Is too too tedious for to beare : But widdowes state exceedes excesse , So fickle and so fraught with feare : Wherefore see that you maides remaine , Of euils take the least of twaine . For if you ( wantons ) wedded were , ( As yet you farre vnworthie are , ) To one that with my wedded pheere , Might euerie way for worth compare : What pleasure of him can you take , If he your companie forsake . Put case that you ( my prettie ones ) Should match with such a brainsicke boy : As would not sticke to baste your bones , What then ? where were your bridall ioy ? Then might you wish , but al in vaine , That you vnwedded were againe . Thus if you wed a worthie knight , Then of his death you still wil doubt , And if you haue a wretched wight : Then wil you wish , his braines were out : But either ill for to preuent , I wish you vnto none consent .

The speech of her wooers . AH Princely nymph Penelope , A goddesse , were thou not to coy , Pallas may not compare with thee , Nor Venus with her blinded boy , Mycene could not thy craft fulfill , Nor had Al●mena halfe thy skill . Say ( sweete Icarius daughter deare ) Do thou no longer vs delay , Whom wilt thou take to wedded Pheere , That al the rest may post away . Either say yea , or else denie : Thou must take one , or al defie . No worthles wight shal with thee wed , Though thou the worst amongst vs chuse , Feare not : Vlysses he is dead : Shew reason if thou vs refuse : Say , if thou loathe our Parentage , Or dost dislike our personage .

Her answere to her sutors . MY louely youthes , and Lordings all , As I haue said , so say I still : I can but thanke you great and small , For this your kindnes and good will . It grieues me ( Gallants ) to the heart , I cannot grant you your desart . I loue you all , I do protest , As did Diana Phoebus faire , Who of al woodmen , likde him best , But when he lou'd , to loathe him sware : So you as friends , I entertaine , But louers , I you al disdaine . Yea though my loue his bane hath bought , ( As Gods forebode ) yet must you stay , Vntil my web be fully wrought , For why the world shal neuer say : That such a worthie knight as he , without a shrowde should buried be .

The wooers aduised Telemachus , Vlysses son , to put his mother out of doore , and inherit the land . TElemachus , thou foolish lad , A Lord thou were , if thou hadst wit : Thou hear'st thy father he is dead , And we thy friends al can proue it : Wherefore it now doth thee behoue , That thou thy mother dost remoue . Why dost thou not thy birthright claime , And turne the beldame out of doore ? Thou seest al we at her do aime , To do vs right , we thee implore : If from thy house , thou her expell , We would her wed , and al were wel . With scoffing cardes she doth vs load , And with faire speeches vs delay : And woodcocke-like leades vs to roade , Yea like tame fooles , she makes vs stay : Thou art the onely cause of this , Therefore amend that is amisse .

Telemachus answere to the wooers . ANd is this al that you can say ? Is this the counsel that you vse ? Do you your parents so obey ? Can you your mothers so abuse ? No force : my father shal not find , His Telemac , so much vnkind . For let my father liue or die , If I my mother ill intreate : Why then my Graundsire I cary , With vengeance ( surely ) wil me threat . I feare if I should her offend , The Lord short life would to me lend . Your companies I well could spare : Pardon me if I fret and fume , I see right little do you care , How you my fathers goods consume : Except you better you behaue , Your absence shortly let me craue .

She debateth with her selfe of marriage . NOw may I leaue , now may I take , Now may I loue , now may I hate , I now may chuse , I may forsake , Twixt yea , and nay , stands my estate : Now may I marrie , for my case , Or else may tarrie if I please . My husband ( hardly ) is aliue : And though aliue , yet ten to one , If euer here he do arriue : What foole so long would lie alone ? Who would a widdow stay so long , And nature of her right thus wrong ? Antinous my loue doth seeke , ( A gallant Lordly minded lad ) And Eurymac ( fac'd Angel-like ) To win my loue would be right glad : Sith with such sutors I am sped , Why should I not poore widdow wed . My father wils me for to wed , And that shal stand for my excuse : What though I foyle my bridall bed ▪ Vlysses will me not refuse . And when againe he doth retourne , What care I though he do me scorne . But deuilish wretch , how do I dote ? What hellish hag doth me possesse ? What ? shal I sing Medeas note ? Know good , and follow nothing lesse : Shall I that yong a saint haue seemd , In age a deuill right be deemd . No , no , my constant chastitie , The world throughout about shal ring ▪ In prayse of chast Penelope , From time , to time , shal al men sing : My fame shall mount vnto the skie , When Hellens vile defamd shall die :

Her commendation of chastitie . O Chastitie , the cheefest kay , Of womens worthie treasury : A vertue that 's of virgines gay , The pure and redoubted dowry . A poesy springing fresh for aye , A flowre that neuer can decay . Diana it did beautifie , And her among the gods enroll : And Gammede her chastitie , Did to the heauens hie extoll . Zenobia with her maiden might , Did ramping Lyons put to flight ▪ When lawles loue , to luckles end , A thousand , thousand , daily brings , Diana to the woodes doth wend , And sweetely with hir damsels sings , Diana-like , I wil disdaine , Both louers ioy , and louers paine .

The complaint of her waiting women against the wooers . Ah Madame , if you loue your life , Or do regard your chastitie : If you wil be Vlysses wife , Or tender your poore familie : Those helhounds al with speede expell , Which of your house do make a hel . Antinous he sweares and stares , By al the othes he can deuise , If you come not , he vnawares , Wil you salute in shamefull wise . Foule shame shal take them al and some . Ere I againe amongst them come . For madame they haue me defilde , with cruel shameles villanie : Alas I feare I am with childe , With trusting to their tyrany . Oh would to God I buried were , I am so tost with doubtful feare . They are so dronken al with wine , They care not what they say or do : ( Sauing your presence ) where they dine , They do discharge their stomackes too . And al that euer they inuent , Is but to haue vs wretches shent . One sings , Vlysses sure is dead , Another saies , he feedes the fish , Another at him stakes his head , Another doth him euil wish . Yea some your strangers ill intreate , And others do your seruants beate . Yet al this wil not them suffice , Not al your cates , and costly cheare . But they amidst thei Gourmandice , Your siluer plate in peeces teare : But when Vlysses comes , no doubt , He wil asswage this reuel rout .

Her speech vnto her sonne Telemachus . TElemachus ( my louely sonne ) What shall we silly wretches do ? I see we shall be al vndone , Vnlesse thou to thy father go . Those Lordings that a wooing come , Will eate vs out of house and home . Alas I cannot be so rude , By cruel meanes their bloud to spill : Not yet by force them to extrude , That proffer me so much good will : Alas their loue I must respect , Though their conditions I reiect . Thou seest , how wastful eke they are , And in our house keepe careles coyle : Ther 's neither of them al do care , Nor what they spend , nor what they spoile . Yea now with me they may not match , Well's he my sillie maids can catch .

The reply of her sonne Telemachus , then but a childe . PEace ( mother ) fie : what neede you mourne ? My father will not you forsake : Be of good cheare he wil returne , No thought for him ( good mother ) take : He will with vs arriue ere long , And wil reuenge our wofull wrong . ( Ah mother ) would I were a man , I would so plague these leachers vile , Not one of them should scape me ●han , They should not thus our house defile : O how I would their carcas carue ? They should not you thus shrewdly serue . These trencher flyes me tempt each day , To turne you ( mother ) out of doore : The land is mine ( these lyars say ) My father he is de●d of yore . Yet mother , here you still shall rest , Of women al I loue you best . Oh you may see ( sweete mother deare ) How friendly minded they are bent : And eke what louing hearts they beare , By this their trecherous intent . But I commanded them be gone , How say you ? was 't not stoutly done ? Wel , though my father he be slaine , ( As Gods forbid it should be so ) And that he neuer come againe , Yet one day will I worke their woe . My dearest bloud I sure wil spend , My fathers house for to defend . Meane while ( al heart ) to Troy I le trudge , If you thereto wil but consent , To runne or go I wil not grudge , Pray ( mother ) peace , lest they preuent My going forth , when I come backe , I wil not feare the proudest iacke .

Her Epistle to Vlysses . VLysses ( if thou be aliue ) Peruse those lines I send to thee , ( Sweete ) let me see thee here arriue , T is booteles for to write to me . Not thy epistle be thou sure , Thy present sight , my griefe must cure . Ah say ( sweete heart ) and trueloue mine , How caust thou lingring stay so long ? Why cam'st thou not home a this time ? How canst thou offer me this wrong ? Say ( sluggard ) what doth thee restraine , That thou dost not returne againe ? The Troian warre is at an end , To sinders Troy is quite consumde , The Argiues al do homeward bend , With incense are the Altars fumde . Some froe I feare me , holdes thee backe , And that 's the cause thou art so slacke . To Pylon haue I often sent , To forrein countries farre and neare : My messenger to Sparta went , But there no certaine newes could heare : At Troy ( they say ) thou were not slaine , That makes me hope thou com'st againe . Ah good Vlysses hie thee home , For I had sutors long agoe : If that thou say , thou wilt not come , Then know I what I haue to doe : I neede not long a widow liue , A hundred gladly would me wiue . For of Dulichium fifty two , Most stately sutors secke my shame : Of Zacinthe , twentie do mee woo , From Samos foure and twentie came : Besides twelue of our Ithac states , On whom , Maedon the minstrell waites . My father eke doth me accuse , And saies , I do my wooers wrong : And too too much my selfe abuse , Sith widdow-like I stay so long . But let him daily me reproue , From constant faith I wil not moue . Yea , let him say , or do his worst , I wil be but Vlysses wife : To him I gaue my faith at first , With him I le end my loue and life . To him , ere I wil faile my faith , I sure wil die a Martirs death . As twentie winters there are gone , So twentie more I meane to spend , I wil vndoe that I haue done , Ten thousand times before I end . Yet shal I thinke each houre twaine , Vntil you do returne againe .

She accuseth Antinous , that he goeth about to kil her sonne . ANtinous I haue beene told , Thou wert a youth that did excell , ( Ah true I proue the prouerbe old ) Report vntruth doth often tell . They say , thy like not Ithac had , I thinke it hath not one so bad . How dar'st thou me the mother court , And go about my child to kill : Thou swear'st and star'st thou mean'st no hurt , Yet dost deuise his bloud to spill . But you can wake , although you winke , And say right wel , though ill you thinke . But take thou heede , and warning good , And warning giue to al the rest : Beware of spilling princely bloud , For vnreueng'd it will not rest . Wherefore see that his life you saue , If fauour you of me wil haue .

The reply of Eurymachus , in the behalfe of the wooers . ASsure your selfe ( my dearling sweete ) Ther 's no man here , that wil or shall , Him hurt , I le die first at his feete , Before mishap shal him befall . Be bold , whilst me aliue you see , From sword I sure wil set him free . For thine , and for Vlysses sake , Telemachus I wil preserue , ( Who on his knee would oft me take ) And rost meate often to me carue : I le sheath my sword within his skinne , That first to touch him dares beginne . Am I not here ▪ what needs thou dread ? Thou maist command me heart and hand , I le him defend aliue or dead , My word and deede , shal f●rmely stand . Wherefore ( sweete heart ) be of good cheare , And cast away this foolish feare .

She bewaileth the sending of her sonne Telemachus to his father . ALas , what haue I ( fondling ) done ? How haue I on aduenture sent , Telemachus my onely sonne ? Ah : for his sake shal I be shent . If by this meanes he do miscarrie : Then of my life shal I be wearie . What will the common people say ? ( As they are prone to speake the worst ) She , she , her sonne hath sent away , ( See who would fickle women trust , ) That she may with hir wooers wed , And so defile his fathers bed . What dangers dire shal he endure ? Rocks renting dread , and tempests doubt , Of measure hard he shal be sure , If prouling Pirates pry him out : Or if Antinous descry , His skil in swimming shal he trie . Alas : if my sweete Temelac , ( Whom for to shield the Gods I pray ) On wastfull seas should go to wracke , What wil my good Vlysses say : My life alas I soone should lacke , As hearbs to pot he would me hacke . But if it be my destinie : I stil wil waile with woful heart , Til time doth end this Tragedie , Or chance doth cure my carefull smart . And I my selfe , my selfe wil hate , Til death doth e●s● my dolefull state . But see , he comes right wellcome home , ( Sweete Telemac my prettie boy ) What ? is thy father with thee come ? Tel true , what liues my louely ioy ? Ah say the truth , and do not faine , Will my Vlysses come againe ?

Telemachus sheweth his fathers comming : and how he means to be reuenged of his Riuals , and sheweth some of his fathers acts . MY father ( as you say ) doth liue , Loe here , a letter he hath sent , And shortly here he will arriue , For to returne is his intent . But priuily he will you greete , That with those Riuals he may meete . He sweares he wil torment them all , Not one of them shall scape aliue , He 'll kill and slay , both great and smal : As dogges from doore he wil them driue . He sweares he 'll see their eies al out , Ere he wil feed so soule a rout . Eurymachus he wil take downe , And eke Antinous swelling pride , He 'll coxe them all , I hold a crowne , For that they do him thus deride , He 'll teach them better vse their tearmes , He 'll learne them scoffe a man at armes . Though that those lads haue long him loath'd , If he in sight should but appeare , They al would wish they were vncloathd , So that they lighter legged were . They 'll rather wish for feete that day , Then either gold or rich array . For he at hazard more hath beene , Then taking downe such trencher-knights , His prowes at siege of Troy was seene , He hath subdued worthier wights . Yea ( mother ) he hath beene at hel , Where the Prince Pluto dire doth dwell . He thrust out Polyphemus eie , For that he did his fellowes eate , And he scapt Circes sorcerie : He feared not God Neptunes threat . When three daies shiples he did saile , His hardy heart did neuer faile .

Penelope readeth Vlysses letter . THy letter when I ouer-looke , ( Penelope my sweetest saint ) I note the care that thou hast tooke , And pittie take of thy complaint . Lo: to release thee of thy doome , ( Sweete heart ) at once I write and come . Thy faithful hand I quickly found , The pledge and token of my troth , Whereby to me thou first wert bound , And I to thee , by solemne oth . So welcome thereof was the sight , My heauie heart it made ful light . I would to God my sluggardise , Which thou so highly dost accuse : The Greekes at Troian enterprise , Had holden for a iust excuse : Then had I not endured the toile , I now sustaine in forrein soyle . Then had I staied still with thee , When I my selfe did franticke faine : It grieu'd me ( trust me ) to agree , The warres so soone should part vs twaine . I would , nor could , as thou maist see , So lightly leaue thy companie . No Troian trull doth me retaine , For Troy to cinders quite is rasde , Priam , and Paris , both are slaine , And al the countrey quite defasde . Sarpedon slaine , and Hector stout , And Mars so hurt , his guts came out . I scotfree scap't , and Rhesus slaine , His palfreys led I to my tent : I feared not the Thracian traine , But boldly I amidst them went : And those that Diomedes slue , Still by the heeles I from him threw . Thou needst not doubt , my life or loue , The one the Troians could not spill , Nor th' other Mermaids could remoue : To thee it resteth constant still . No comfort haue I on the sea , But loue , to make me thinke on thee . Parthenope did oft assay , Me to her loue for to allure , Yet could she not me so betray , My toyle I stoutly did endure : And when she saw I would not stay , She drownd her selfe in surging sea . Nor yet Calypso with her skill , When in O●ygean Isle I staid , Could with her druggs win my good will : Though oft so shamefully she assaid . Though me immortall she would make , Yet could I not thee so forsake . And where thou saist , thou sutors hast , It is a credit I confesse , If they our substance do not wast , Nor thee of honour dispossesse : Beware lest thou amidst thy wine , Dost grant them that is none of thine . If to the hundred thou hast had , A thousand sutors more thou set , Yet haue I had a sturre as bad , With lasses , my true loue to get . Do Lords the court ? a common case , Vnaskt , braue Ladies me embrace . But ( wife ) you scarcely did me please , When Telemac my onely sonne , You set on mercie of the seas : Confesse a truth it was ill done . That loue vngrateful is ywis , That to such danger , subiect is . But now his course is finished , Our danger al is at an end , My dolour eke diminished : You after me no more shal send : For suddenly you shal me see , Before those Riuals looke for me . Meane while , suppresse thy merrie cheere , Let not thy sutors know my mind , Vnto their costs I wil appeare : The helhounds shal me feele and find . Thy countenance see that thou keepe , When thou shouldst laugh , see that thou weepe . I wil not open warres proclaime , Nor yet by force of armes there come , Amidst their banket wil I aime , To cut them off both al and some . And when you see those Riuals slaine , Then say that I am come againe .

The aduice of Euryclea , nurse to Penelope . OH daughter deare ▪ my Iem and ioy : My comfort , and my onely care , Ah , Ioue preserue thee from annoy , And from those spoiles that , threatned are Be charie of thy chastitie , Which sutors seeke so shamefully . Thy waiting women they abuse , Without remorse or conscience sting , And of thy house they make a stewes , Thee to dishonour , for to bring . Take heede in time I thee aduise , wit bought , is at too deare a prise . These ●●stie Gallants sweare and stare , If thou to wed wilt not consent , Thy house they 'll topsie turuy teare , And eke thy heart in peeces rent . To hide thy selfe I thinke it best , And vnto Loue commit the rest .

Her reply to Euryclea . WHat are they men , or are they not ? Or are they beasts , or are they worse ? Are lawes of God , and men , forgot ? No care of God , nor yet his curse ? Or dread they not the day of doome ? That they so beastlike are become . Shal men , that God himselfe hath made ? And do his Image represent , By their abhominable trade : To be the deuils lims consent ? O most vnworthie wretches vile , That do their vessels so defile . Fie : what can they not eate and drinke ? But they must surfeit shamefully ? Can they not mischiefe meane or thinke ? But they must blab it by and by . Can they not prettie damsels vse ? But they their bodies must abuse . Aurelianus here we lacke , Or Iulia with her sacred lawe : Then should those gallants go to wracke , Then better would they stand in awe : For then the sword or else the tree , From shameful force , should set vs free . O cursed times , O cruel facts , O manners vile , for men vnfit , O dismal daies , O hainous acts , O helish hagges , of Plutoes pit . O spightfull , cruel tyrany , Enforcing endles misery . My tongue doth tremble for to tell , The villanie that they inuent , My heart ( alas ) with griefe doth swell , To see braue men so beastly bent , From this their wicked trechery , The Lord aboue deliuer me .

She bewaileth Vlysses long tarrying . HOw doth Vlysses time detract ? How doth he play the cosoning knight , He writes Troy is alreadie sack't , Yet wil he not appeare in sight . I feare me he hath caught some doue , And keepes her tame , with tills of loue . I would I wist he false did play , Of spight I would reuenged be : But then what would the people say ? As is the hee , so is the shee : No , no , the care I absent take , His presence wil the sweeter make . Nor wealth , nor woe ▪ nor enuies crosse , Nor griefe , nor gaine , nor fortunes fall : Nor paine , nor pleasure , lucke or losse , Nor treasure , nor yet wretched thrall , Shall make me my Vlysses loath . Nor to him false my faith and troath .

The speech of her wooers chalenging her by promise . COme on ( sweet nimph ) what answer now ? Your towe is twist , your web is wrought , With speede performe your sacred vow : Thy murmring mate his death hath sought : Harpyades haue on him fed , The citie-spoiler he is dead . Thee for to wed is al our sute , And now thy answere we expect : Therefore say quicke , be not so mute , Which of our sutes wilt thou accept ? If thou no ready answere make , Thy house we neuer wil forsake . ( Sweete Nimph ) resolue vs now with speede , Thinke ere thou speake , denie not flat : For we are they can do the deede : Thou maist refuse thou knowest not what : Make readie Hymaeneus bed , For why , we must and will thee wed .

Her answere to the wooers . SWeete Lordings though my web be wrought , And al my towe be readie spun , Another doubt comes to my thought , You know , what worth Vlysses won : Yow know he was a worthie knight , And got him honour for his might . It me behoues to draw the latch , And of my choyce in time beware , Lest I with such a milkesop match , As may augment my wonted care . Or you in fight for me contend , And so the mightie Gods offend . Lo Lordings , this is my decree , He that Vlysses bowe can bend , That worthie wight shall wed with me : Away with him I soone wil wend. Hold take in hand to bend the bowe , Your strength that quickly I may know .

Vlysses being come home , disguiseth himselfe , and soiourning with Penelope amongst the wooers , maketh this answere . WHy then ( faire queene ) to win thy loue , I silly wretch wil also trie , My shriueled sinewes will I proue : To win this worthie masterie . Had I my youthfull strength and skill , I would the act right soone fulfill . Eurymachus I thee beseech , And eke Antinous I thee pray , To giue me leaue my strength to stretch , Which gods haue almost tane away : Necessitie hath pincht me too , A cruel dart it is you know . The bowe resigne into my hand , I trial of my strength wil make , And if the same I cannot bend , The prize you shal among you take . But if the bowe be by me bent , To wed the Nimph is my intent .

The wooers scoffingly checke Vlysses . HOw dar'st thou Palmer thus to prate ? And with vs yongsters thus compare ? Content thee with thine owne estate : Of Palmery go take thou care : Although Vlysses bowe thou bend , With Baldpate shall she neuer wend , But too much wine makes thee thus mad , Which wiser men doth brainsicke make , And bragge of that they neuer had , If out of measure they it take : Therefore leaue off to make such strife , For her thou shalt not take to wife . Leaue off I say : thus to contend , If thou wilt banket here at rest , We wey not who the bowe doth bend , For that we hold but as a iest . But if with vs thou so contend , Thou soone shalt feele thy fatall end .

She checketh Antinous for abusing her ghests . ANtinous leaue off I say , Our ghests thus euil to intreate , Discurteous parts why dost thou play ? My stranger thus why dost thou threat ? Their neighbours al they wil abuse , That strangers practise to misuse . This stranger is of stature tall , And borne of worthie parentage : The likeliest amongst you all , If force consists in personage : Pray giue him leaue his strength to trie , Why offer you this iniurie ? If that Apollo giue him powre , For manly might the price to win , Then wil I waite on him each houre , And costly webs array him in : My onely ioy I wil him make , And him to husband wil I take .

Telemachus wisheth his mother to be silent . FIe : fie : what neede you thus to chaunt , Silence doth best become your sex , T' is giglet-like , thus for to taunt , What thogh those vilains do you vex : Yet ( mother ) you must patience vse , And smother vp this vile abuse . Vnto your maids your mind disclose , And talke of that you haue to doe , What neede you counterchecke with those , That nothing appertaines you to : The●'ll say you are alreadie won , Their companie you cannot shun . Sweete ( mother ) let me answere make , That am a man , and know to speake : My speech shal make them for to quake , Against me dare they not to creake . My father absent , I am king , New dirges shall they shortly sing .

The death of her wooers represented vnto hir , in a dreame of an Egle and a flocke of geese . WHy dost thou Morpheus me annoy ▪ What fantasies dost thou intrude ? Why dost thou me of sleepes sweete ioy , With vaine illusions thus delude ? Those dreames iwis that I endure , I doubt but little good procure . Last night as I lay in my bed , Strecht forth ( alas ) in slumbring wise , Me thought a flocke of geese I fed , That al my corne could not suffice . To giue them foode I did denie , And yet not one away would flie . They were a number numberles , Whose gagling did me much offend : I made them answere answereles , And wisht them to the fields to wend : Yet would they not be answered so , In rest for them I could not go . At last as they were safe in mue , A mightie Eagle with them met : And them , both great and smal he slue , Not one of them could from him get . No creature could the spoile preuent , The Eagle was so fiercely bent . At length when his bloud-thirstie bill , Had thus vpon these goselings praide , ( Methought ) the people for to kill , This matchles Eagle al assaide . They were so wroath they sware by gis , They would dispoile both him and his . Ah Cesta sweete , I thee implore , My doubtful dreame for to dissolue , For that which Morpheus told of yore . I often in my mind reuolue . The resolution to me show , And endles thanks I wil thee owe .

She hearing Vlysses fighting with her wooers , vnknowen to her , she feareth . HOw doth Vlysses me me deride ? How doth he foolefaine me possesse ? He promisde to returne with speede , But sure he thinks of nothing lesse . My eies with looking for him ake , with trembling feare my heart doth quake . What horror doth my heart oppresse ? What hurly burly do I heare ? What sturdy tumults ? ( God me blesse ) What 's he that plaies the tyrant there ? Who 's he cries out , what 's he is slaine ? Go Girle and see , but hie againe . Harke , harke , at daggers point on life , Those dronkards with each other fight : Why doth my sonne not stint the strife ? Ah how doth feare my heart affright ? What is the cause of this their ruth ? Come quicke ( sweete wench ) and tel the truth .

Her maide sheweth the slaughter of her wooers . ALas , beblubred al with bloud , Antinous lieth vnder bord , Yea Eurymac that was so proud , Is slaine with dint of sharped sword : Pisanders braines are beaten out , And Polybe slaine that Champion stout . Eurynomus , he waltring lies , And eke Polidor worthie knight , Amphimedon for mercie cries : And Liodes is put to flight . Ctesippus put to deadly paine , And eke Eurydamantus slaine . Liocritus that Lordlie lad , And Demoptolemus is dead , Euriades hath sped as bad , His braines are knockt out of his head : I thought amidst their stately pride . Some stagedie there would be plaide .

She hearing of the death of her wooers , feareth lest Vlysses wil slay her also . ALacke , and are those Lordings slaine ? Why then my Lord Vlysses deare , Vlysses mine , is come againe , How am I tost twixt ioy and feare ? Ah he , t is he hath done this deede : Yea , he this Stratageme hath plaied , It is Vlysses deales such blowes , What shal I silly woman doo ? Ah see , how furiously he glowes , I feare he wil torment me too : I wil him trie , with weeping eies , Him to withdraw from tyranies . Fie : cannot twentie yeares suffice , Thy wrathful venome for to spit , But thou must thus in warlike wise , Thy tyrany continue yet ? Though no wight can thy wrath appease , Let me request thee to sureease .

Vlysses making himselfe knowne , comforteth Penelope with these speeches . FEare not my iem and hearts delight , Penelope my spotles spouse , Those lads no more shal worke our spight , They shal no more defile our house . Ah I haue seene thy constancie , They vertues haue reioyc'd mine eie . But oh : what haue I tyrant done , ( Oh miser borne to endles toyle ) Now haue I new my care begon , By this my pittie-wanting spoyle . I merciles haue many slaine . For bloud shall I pay bloud againe , O furie with repentance fraught , ( Ah enemie to perfect peace . ) Thou to confusion hast me brought , ( Ah furie foe to humane ease . ) I that my foes haue put to flight , Against my friends am forc'd to fight .

Penelope fearing to entertaine Vlysses , debateth as followeth . BVtah me wretch ( borne but to wo ) What entertainment shal I giue ? Him , for my Lord how shal I know ? T' is hard to know whom to beleeue . Ah my Vlysses was too kind , To beare such a bloud-thirstie mind , But ( doting dame ) what can I tell , May not God Mars his furie moue ? May not Bellona make him fell ? Ah Mars makes Turtles Tygers proue : And those are ordinary euents , To them that do frequent the tents . But yet , Vlysses welcome home , ( If thou my Lord Vlysses be ) A thousand times to me welcome , Thee safe I do reioyce to see . Yet shew ( ah good Vlysses show ) Some token that I may thee know .

Vlysses sheweth by euident tokens , he is no cosening knight . WHy then I am Laertes sonne , And he that Gods , and men do hate , Scomme of the world , by fates foredone , Whose death my deedes do calculate , Ah I am he , that for thy loue , A thousand perills daily proue . Yea I am he , that fainde me mad , Thee in my armes for to embrace , And I am that vnhappie swad , That Palemedes did disgrace . Yea I am he that for thy sake , All dangers dare to vndertake . Yea I am he , whose damned hand , Haue slaine a knot of noble bloud : And I am he , thou maist command , Aliue or dead , to do thee good . Yea I am he that maugre spight , Wil alwaies rest thy constant knight .

L'enuoy . Lo Ladies , Ioue reserues a friend , For those that tender chastitie , But Leachers brought to dolefull end , Amidst their chiefe securitie : Penelope for bale had blisse , When villanes vengeance could not misse . Let Riuals lot learne Lordly youthes , To shun the snare of lewd desires , Lest lawles loue procure their ruthes , With liueles lue that lust requires : Lest whilst they recke not what they do , Some good Vlysses wrecke their woe .