The shepheardes complaint A passionate eclogue, written in English hexameters: wherevnto are annexed other conceits, brieflie expressing the effects of loues impressions, and the iust punishment of aspiring beautie. By I.D.

The Shepheards Complaint .

PHoebus awaked with the early summons of Aurora , mounted his burning Chariot bathed in the Chrystalline cleare streames of aged Oceanus , while she moistning the earth with a showre of siluer pearled dewe , did selemnize with her morning teares , the neuer-ended obsequies of her dearest Memnon . But though the God conpling his head-strong Stéeds , had begun his daies-taske in the Eclipticke , yet I , whose vnquiet thoughts affoorded no rest to my ouer-wearied senses in the silent night , resolued not to rise , til I had somewhat refreshed & repaird the decaying vigor of my dulled spirites . As thus I lay musing on sundrie matters , gentle sleepe recompenced my oft-interrupted slumbers with a long repose , wherein mee thought I was transported into the blessed soile of heauenly Arcadia , the beauteous garnishing of whose fertile plaines , decked with the pride of Flora , which had there opened the royall Store-house of her pompous magnificence , did farre surpasse the triuiall pleasures of Thessalian Tempe . I cleane rauished with delight , solac'd my selfe in the viewe of that Celestiall plot , earths second paradise , whose pleasures thus briefly , though badly , I will expresse .

1 FIelds were ouer-spred with floures , Fairest choyce of Floraes treasure : Shepheards there had shadie bowers , Where they oft repos'd with pleasure : Meadowes flourish'd fresh and gay , Where the wanton heards did play . 2 Springs more cleare than chrystall streames , Seated were the Groues among . Thus nor Titans scortching beames , Nor earthes drouth could sheapheards wrong , Faire Pomonaes fruitfull pride , Did the budding branches hide . 3 Flockes of sheepe fed on the plaines , Harmelesse sheepe that rom'd at large : Here and there sate pensiue Swaines , Waiting on their wandring charge : Pensiue while their Lasses smil'd , Lasses which had them beguil'd . 4 Hils with Trees were richly dight , Valleis stor'd with Uestaes wealth : Both did harbour sweet delight , Nought was there to hinder health . Thus did heauen grace the soile , Not deform'd with workemens toile . 5 Purest plot of earthlie mould , Might that land be iustly named . Art by Nature was controul'd , Art which no such pleasures framed : Fairer place was neuer seene , Fittest place for beauties Queene .

But to our purpose . As I wandred along , the swéet chantresse of the field , into whose gentle kind fair Philomele was earst transformed , did seeme to gratulate my arriuall with diuine melody , raising her harmonious laies in highest tunes . And not respecting the safetie of her tender charge scal'd with her wings the top of a lofty trée , where while she sate , a carelesse contemner of worlds euer-changing chaunces , and pleased her selfe with the sweetnesse of her owne song , a Snake slilie créeping into the foolish birds late forsaken nest deuoured the sillie yonglings not garded as before with the warie Mothers watchfull eie : They straining their tender brests , implor'd their wretched dammes vntimelie aid , who hearing the sad exclaimes of her betraied brood , and being the sorrowfull eie-witnesse of their miserie , turnd her ioyfull tunes into passionate laments , moaning so sweetly , that Nature vrged by fatall necessitie , seemed to excel Art : but complaints were bootlesse : for the cruell deuourer had alreadie engulfed the innocent yonglings in his venemous maw , whose deaths she celebrated with her mournfull cries , & framed their funerall song in heauenly notes . But while she bereft of her pretie little ones the hope of her future content , began fresh sorrowes , a Fowler hauing espied the haplesse bird , and intending her like misfortune , tooke his station and prepared the engines of his crueltie , throughly resoluing to embowell a small bullet in her guts , and so finish her hearts sorrow . But while he aimed at her , desirous to effect his cruell resolution , the Snake whose entrals were yet warme with the guiltlesse bloud of those vnhappie young ones , did sting the gréedie birders foot , who grieued with the sodaine peine , left his former interprise , and falling into a cholericke humor , diuided the mangled bodie of that cursed Serpents brood into manie péeces , imploying his death-bodening engine , the fatall receptacle of consuming sulphur otherwise than hee had determined . Thus he which made his bellie the childrens graue , did with remors-full recompence procure the mothers safety , satisfiyng her reuenge with his bloud , and sauing her life through his kinde attempt . I thought the strangenes of this chance worthy of recitall . But going forward , I discried a little thicket , a name well fitting the propertie of that place : for it was so thick & close , that it seemed rather despairs mansion , then delights harbour . Nature moderating her lauish bountie seated there this onely blemish of Arcadiaes blisse , whose other groues haunted by the wanton Satyres , traced by the light foo●e Hamadriades , and hallowed with the sacred presence of the rurall Dimigods , hauing cleare springs to comfort the thirstie hunters , and sweet Arbours to refreshe the weary Nymphs , wanted no perfections of pleasure which Natures plentiful prouidence could affoord , or heauens kinde influence maintaine . But though this amasing obiect contrarie to the rest , did somwhat daunt me , yet armed with a firme resolution , I bololy entered to search the secret corners of that affrighting place : Where what I saw , and how I saw , is plainely discouered in this following discourse , the sad record of a mournful Shepheards laments , which being the chiefest part of my dreame I noted so soone as I awaked , descanting on his estate in common verse , both before and after the passionate Eclogue . But being loth it should come abroad so naked , I haue thus meanly clothed it with the addition of other accidents to make it a perfect dreame , though an imperfect matter . But be it as it wil. I wil rather presume on the courtesie of your frendly censures , then lose time , & bestow labor in refining a toy , which I haue bene occasioned to publish . But they which haue by their owne mishappes experimented the force of Loue , and torturing troubles of enthrald affection , wil I hope gently censure of his Complaintes , if not for the worth of his desert , yet for his passions sake .

WIthin a Groue encompast round with trees , Whose close set tops cleare sight of piercing eie , Could scarce find passage through , by iust degrees Proportioned in distance equally As done by skilfull Artists memorie , A pensiue Shepheard stretch'd him on the ground , Whose wonted ioyes sad passions did confound . As when a blacke thicke Meteore dothore-goe Heau'ns light , whose vautie roofe bright orbs embosse , The vapours late exhaled from belowe Dimme that faire place with dregs of earth-bred drosse , Which striuing winds doth rough the welkin tosse : So this thicke shade , darke mansion of despaire , Did scarce affoord an entrance to thinne aire . Vnder an Arboret embranched wide , This fore-lorne swaine opprest with care did lie : Vpon whose barke approching I espide , And red engrau'd this dolefull Elegie , As euery way I glaunc'd my rouling eie , Sad Elegie which in few lines compriz'd : Much care : and thus it was by him deuiz'd . If I could carue on this thy tender rind , Such deepe characters with my feeble arme , Arme feeble through distresse of woefull mind , As in my heart deepe cut , thicke-set doe swarme , While earthes kind moisture fed thy blosomes pride , These sorrow-seasond lines should firme abide . UUhatere thou be that passing by this way , Readst this memoriall , search not curiouslie My name , most haplesse name , but hast away , Least heau'ns afflict thee with like miserie : And gentle passenger let this remaine , Long monument of vnknowne shepheards paine . Hei mihi quam tardo mors pede lenta venit ? Scarse had I read this sad record enrold , On winding barke , when lifting vp his eies To heau'n , though he no heauen could behold , ( For ouer-spreading trees did that disguise ) He fild the aire with oft repeated cries , And gan prepare in stile Heroicall , To waile his loues losse and his fancies thrall . Goddesse and mother of the learned nine , Mnemosyne rich treasurie of Art , Nourse of conceit , and mysteries diuine , Infuse a powrfull influence to my heart , That outward mones bewraying inward smart , My mindfull penne making rehearsall true , May register as thus they do ensue . IF plaints could penetrate the sun-bright top of Olympus , Whose lights sweet confort these eies , eies moist with abundance Of down-streaming teares since wrong'd by Fancy , beheld not : Or th' earth yeild passage to my voice , voice hoarse with a thousand More then a thousand mones , sending them downe to the deepe vawts , Where Pluto Lord of Acheron enioyeth his Empire , Or some blustring blasts conuey by force of a whirle-wind , These my sad laments to the wide world there to be talk'd of : Gods that dwell on high , and Fiends that lurke in Auernus : Men that liue on earth , or saile through watery Tethys . Gods , whose diuine shapes loues force hath oft metamorphos'd , Fiends , whose hellish hearts no remorse , no regard euer entred , Men whom loues deepe wounds haue prostrate laid at his altars , All these would pitie me , but vaine wish can litle helpe me : Yet though wish be vaine , my sad complaints I will vtter : Though to my selfe I repeat as oft ere now I repeated , Mones mix'd with salt teares for th' ease of harts heauy burthen , Heart prest with sorrow , heart with care heauily loaden . When Fortunes doome was equall , and loues fury forcelesse , Arcadian pastures tending my flocke I frequented Chiefe mongst the shepheards for wit , for beauty , for all things . Oft did I win both prize and palme , when our ioly meetings And yearly feastings solemnisd were to the great God Pan , the God of shepheards soueraigne defender of all flockes , And Laurell garland hath crown'd me conqueror often . Dametas pend sweet ditties , with comely Palaemon : And with him Lycidas , and mongst Neat-heards many gallants : But none of these durst , though each of these had a mistresse , Striue in praise of them with me , fearing to be vanquish'd : Yet Lycidas had a choyce , a faire choyce , louely Felisa . Nymphes would sit in a round comming fro the chase to refresh them Listning vnto my songs , & vnto the tunes that I gaue them . With the Satyres lightly skipping , where Flora reuested , And with sommers pride , earthes faire greene mantle adorned , And th' hornfeet halfe-gods , with all the progeny rurall : The wind-wing'd Naiads spring-haunting Naiades , all these Did me requite , whose pen with praise they gently rewarded . Each faire shepheardesse was with my company gladded : Me Galathea fauourd , yet was Galathea reiected : Me faire Phillis lik'd , but Phillis could not I fancy . Thestylis and Daphne , both faire , both woo'd me with offers : Thestylis and Daphne , both faire , were fondly repulsed : Kind girles , fit epithete for girles so kind , but vnhappy . The snow-white Hyalus worlds wonder , faire as Adonis , Scornd Nymphes allurements , and Heardmens gifts he refused : But me the boy did loue , and in coole shade I remember , With me reposing oft , Philomeles cleare notes he resembling , With voyce Angelicall , my ditties sweetly recorded . But nor he , nor they could my fond affection alter , Whose care-cras'd hart , and loue-pierc'd thoughts fair Amaryllis , Held in pleasing thrall : for then it seem'd so : but aie me , Now I repent too late , too late I repent that I thought so . Her did I greet , and fairly salute each morne with a present : But proud girle , coy girle , though presents some she receiued , Yet she refus'd the most , and better not be receiued , Then be receiued so : with feigned smiles she rewarded , My not feind good-will : and when by chance I beheld her , Walking on the plaines , if I did draw neere to salute her : Then wing'd with desdaine , more swift in pace she returned , Then light-foot Daphne shunning the sight of Apollo , Flying his pursute and bootlesse chase , with a stubborne And peruerse conceit : like her was coy Amaryllis . For me she loath'd , although her I lou'd , and in many ditties , ( Few such ditties were ) her beauties praise I recounted . Fames shrill eternall trumpet through Arcadie , sounded Her matchlesse vertues , and gentle fame the reuenger Of my causelesse wrongs , her coynes hath so recorded . ( Fame which from my penne large matterfully receiued ) That sea-bred Dolphins , and misform'd waterie Monsters , Shall in the welkin sport them with loftie Laualt●s , And saile-bearing pine glide through thin aire with a Syren , Swimming neere the sterne , and Ioues bird lodg'd in Olympus , The royall Eagle chiefe Lord and lordly regarder Of the featherd brood with his wing'd army repairing . Downe to the late-left boure of Nereus and Thetis and all , That lodge in watrie cabinets , shall sooner abide there , And for euer dwell there then fames sound which memorised , Her desdainefull pride be cleane forgot by the shepheards , Or mongst th' Arcadians my sorrowes not be remembred . Yet vaine was my labour small comfort thence I receiued , For she lou'd an other though farre vnfit to be riuall With me which did surpasse him that nor very witty , Nor verie comely was : all Arcadie knowes that I feine not , Nor fond boasting vse , yet was he receiu'd , I reiected , Pardon faire , fairer then any fairest Amaryllis , Pardon sweet , more sweet then any most sweet Amaryllis , Though thou absent be , yet craue I pardon O pardon , Those my wrathfull lookes ore-cast with frownes neuer vsed , Till thy misdeeming censure did wrong so the shepheard , Whose match for loyall seruice wide world neuer harbourd ▪ Except loues martyr , loues wonder gentle Amintas . O pardon those impatient thoughts which I did vtter In blasphemous words , blaspheming thee Amaryllis , Cursing those graces where with nature did adorne thee , And on thy pride exclaiming fond passion vrg'd me , Then when I saw my riual speed , my selfe so reiected , Then did it vrge me so , that mou'd with more then a wonted Griefe of mind , I vowd to renounce the state of a shepheard , State too good for me which vow too well I remembred . For leauing all the pleasures which Arcadie yeelded , Cleare springs , faire fountaines , greene meadows , & shady valleis Where , while flocke did graze , sometimes I sweetly reposing , Did meditate on loue , when loue was friend to my fancy , Leauing these , loathing my selfe , looking for a speedy End of care , I remaind alone , all companie shunning , To grace th assemblies of Shepheards oft I refused , Sheep were left a pray to the wolfe , sheep which me beholding , Droupt in deepe sorrow , with bleating seemd to bemone me , Gentle sheepe , kinde beasts , more kinde then coye Amaryllis , Thus I resolu'd to seeeke a place , fitte place for an abiect , Found this dark some groue , since when still heere I remained , Heer to the woods I waild : woods seemd to grone when I wailed , Heer to the trees I mon'd , trees seemd to bend when I mon'd me , Heer to the winds I mournd , winds sent calme blasts to releiue me Thus to the woods , to the winds , to the trees , to the flouds , to the fountains & to the thinnest aire , to the valleis & to the mountains , Framing sad laments , more comfort haue I receiued , From these , then from the coye lookes of proud Amaryllis , Kinde Eccho was mou'd , her like mishap she remembring , Ioyn'd her mones to mine , my last words gently repeating : And the chirping birds attentiue vnto my sorrowes , Chang'd their pleasant notes for mournfull tunes to bewaile me . But why talke I thus ? all these could smally relieue me , Slowe death when com'st thou ? slow death can wholy release me . THis said , he sighd , as though his heart would riue , Had she that wrongd the sweet-tongud shepheard so , Whose high thoughts fortunes malice did depriue Of sweete delight , matter more fitte then woe , O would his fates had preordaind it so : Had she beene there to heare him thus lament , Her eyes some teares , her heart some sighes had lent . O how diuinely would the swaine haue sung In Laureate lines of beauteous Ladies praise ? Her fame emblason'd , farre abroad had rung , Where worlds bright eye his farthest beames displayes , If Loue had deignd his drouping quill to raise , Whose heau'nly Muse midst sorrow tun'd so high , Her Swan-like notes , as loath that all should die . When I beheld the shepheard grieued so , I did compassionate his heauinesse , And with sad sighes accorded to his woe , Which in those former plaints he did expresse . Yet loath to trouble him in his distresse , As vnespi'd I thether did repaire , So vnespi'd I left him in despaire . Most sweete Amintas , if the heau'nly Pen That wrote the loyall issue of thy loue , Whose golden lines are mongst conceitfull men , Esteem'd as doth his labours best behooue Whose stile th' applauding Muses did approoue , If that had written sillie swaines vnrest , Poore shepheards griefe had sweetly beene exprest . But death that seasd on matchlesse Astrophel , Bereauing still the world of worlds delight , Hath stop'd his hopefull course that did excell , Sweete Poet that diuinely did indite . Arcadians doe him his deserued right , And on his Tombe greene Laurel-branches spread , Which while he breath'd on earth , ador'nd his head . Dead though thou bee , faire floure of Poetrie , Yet gratefull Loue hath memorizd thy name , A monument of lasting memorie , Enrold in endlesse registers of Fame , Thou for thy selfe didst in sweete Poems frame . But what meane I in harsh ill-sounding verse , Thy rare perfections rudely to rehearse ? Soli quidsit amorsciunt amantes .

LEauing this comfortlesse harbour of the despairing shepheard , I wandred halfe dismaied through the spatious plains , couered with mulitudes of grasing flocks : at last I discried a little hill , whose shadie top was thick set with Myrtle Trees : approaching , I perceiud a little valley vnderneath , and therein a pleasant spring : and at the foote of the hill I beheld a faire Shepheardesse , sitting and making a prettye Garland of odoriferous Floures , to crowne her Swaine which sate somewhat belowe , and euer as he durst , did cast vp his eyes the admirers of her beautie , yet fearefully , as not assured of her fauour . Thus while the one was busie with her hands , the other with his eyes : a yong Heyfer , whose neck was not yet tamed with the heauy yoake , did in the valley sport her selfe now frisking , then leaping wantonly , sometimes tumbling her bodie in the grasse , and wallowing on the ground , suddenly leaping vppe , as if glutted with the fruition of Floraes benefits : thus still she played , yet neuer wearie with play . The faire Shepheardesse smild at this sight , as partaker of like fréedome : the Swaine séemd to sighe , as depriued of like libertie : she renude her smiles , as triumphing in his thrall , yet crownde him with the Garland which she made , as loth he should despaire , hauing receiued so faire a token of her fauour .

The Shepheard comforted with this vnexpected courtesie , did resume his lost courage , and began thus to descant on his fortune .

FAire mistresse , when the Heifar plaide with pleasure , You smild , I sobd , for smiles could not relieue me : His fearelesse life , your freedomes worth did measure : Which causd you smile , and with your smiles to grieue me . But though you smiling seemed to deny me , Yet this kinde fauour proues t was but to trie me . More faithfull Swaine was neuer tryde of any , More true , more trustie , to his dearest loue : A rare example , and vnknowne of manie , Which doe their seruants lightnesse oft reproue . Henceforth bold thoughts : despaire shall not confound me ▪ Eyes gald , smiles kild , but gentle hands haue crownd me .

The Shepheardesse glad to heare her swaine in this pleasant moode , could not dissemble her discouered affection , nor conceale that which she had already opened : thus therefore she did replie , consorting with him in one key , and consenting in one thought .

WHen wanton Heifar sported heere and there , I smild as soueraigne of mine owne desires : When thou didst sob , my smiles renewed were , To see thee scorch'd with loues enflaming fires : Yet loth to wrong the truth of thy intent I gaue thee hope , and staide thy sad lament . I smild though not as mou'd with coy desdeigne ; But with a garland crownd thy head to please thee : Smiles were renewd , not to deride thy peine , But to reioyce that I alone could ease thee . Sob then no more , but if thou loue at all , Esteeme no freedome like this pleasing thrall . Shepheard . SWeet thrall first step to loues felicitie , Shepheardesse . Sweete thrall no stop to perfect libertie . Shep. O life . Shee . What life ? He. Sweete life . Shee . No life more sweete . He. O loue . Shee . What loue . He. Sweete loue . Shee . No loue more meete .

Thus with her kinde conclusion , knitting liues sweetnesse with loues solace , she relieud the fainting Swaine , which before halfe dismaide , was doubtfull of her fauour , and droupt discontent . How happie had the siluer-tongud Shepheard bene , if coye Amaryllis had pitied his extreames , and with lyke kindnesse conuerted his moane into mirth , his care into comfort , his despaire into hope : whose heauenly muse , sweete secretarie of his diuine conceit , would haue exprest the summe of loues happines in matchlesse lines , and encreased the number of conceitfull Arcadians , whose wits sharpned with loues pleasures , imploying their pennes in dooing homage to loues Altar , and publishing their Nymphes praises with neuer-dying blazons of their beauties worth .

Both true and oft tryed is that saying : Amor melle & felle foecundissimus . Which I will thus English , following rather the sence then the sentence : Loues sweete is oft mixed with sowre . The truth of which assertion is by his misfortunes largely prooued : who though wanting no deserts which loue might challenge , yet could not compasse that whereto he aymd his desires : how iustly then might he set this Lenuoye at the end of his sorrowfull complaint ?

WHat life , what loue , dooth rest in Womens lookes ? What hap , what hope , haue they whom beauty snares ? Coye dame no bold conceit in seruant brookes , But for her captiue still new thrall prepares , And loades his heart with new enforced cares . Thus hopes he still for that he nere shall finde , Such are the trophaes of proud womankinde .

But this other Shepheard , whose fortune made him owner of his eyes choise , would haue contradicted his saying if he had heardit , accusing him of impatience , because hee pend his iniurious censure in too cholericke a veine : and doubtlesse would thus haue turnd these disparaging lines , and annered them to the end of all his deuises , as the summe of his whole opinion .

WHat life , what loue , if not in womens lookes ? What hap , what hope , like theirs whom beauty snares ? Faire dame no fond despaire in seruant brookes , But for her captiue still new ioy prepares , Easing his heart of vnbeseeming cares . Thus what he hopes , he shal be sure to finde , Such is the sexe of glorious womankinde .

But ceasing to destant on their thoughts , whose fortunes I haue not tryed , I wyll proceede to recount what else I sawe .

Na●e , loues wondrous stratagems deserue a déeper medetitation , and cannot be thus sleightly conceited . I wandred therefore , musing more then earst I did , on the effects of loue , not knowing howe to terme so strange a passion , whose diuerse successe did cause seuerall motions in their hearts , which were enthrald by fancie , and captiuated by affection , yet all ending in extreames . I thought then that Poets had reason to inuest him with the title of Deitie , whose powerfull shafts had not onely pierced the yéelding hearts of mortall men , but made a forcible entrance into the relenting thoughts of immortall gods : Iupiter himselfe Hominum sator atque deorum , felt the force of his aspiring Nephewes fatall weapons , else would he not haue courted Leda in the shape of a Swanne , wafted Europa in forme of a Bull , descended into Danaes lap like a goulden showre , besides his other prety sleights , which the amorous God did oft practise to beguile his iealous Queene .

Nor was Apollo ignorant of loues power , who being ouermatched by Cupid , to whome he durst equall himselfe , was forced to ease his ouerburthened heart , and vtter his passion , exclaming thus in an impatient humor .

Hei mihi quod nullis amor est sanabilis herbis .

Physicks God knew no salue to cure such a sore , whose incurable vehemencie is proued by his most passionate complaints , recorded by Loues Herault in his volume of transformed shapes . But whether am I carryed ? it be séemes not me to descant on loues powerfull souereigntie , but to imploy my pen , in relating that which I saw or séemd to sée in my morning vision . Passing along , and viewing many trees , whose gorgeous branches garnished with rurall pompe , and the pride of Syluanus , did somewhat darken the ground with a spatious shade : not farre from the rest , I espied a Myrtle tree , and approching did read written neere vnto the top , thus :

Vnder this tree faire Phyllis did relent , And Tityrus receiud his first content .

And a little vnderneath that , thus :

Faire Queene of loue to whom this tree belongs , Next Phyllis , thou shalt grace the shepheards songs .

And vnderneath that againe , thus :

Apolloes laurel to this tree shall yeeld , For Phillis deems the Myrtle cheefe in Field .

And on the other side of the tree thus :

The sillie Swaine whose loue breedes discontent , Thinks death a trifle , life a lothsome thing : Sad he lookes , sad he lyes : But when his fortunes malice doth relent , Then of loues sweetnesse , he will sweetly sing : Thus he liues , thus he dyes : Then Tityrus whom Loue hath happie made , Will rest thrise happie in this myrtle shade , For though loue at first did grieue him , Yet did loue at last relieue him .

The seate vnderneath the tree was worne with their oft sitting on it : for it seemed to be much frequented by Phyllis and her beloued Swaine .

Héere by I gathered , that all Arcadians were not vnhappie , but the most , fortunate in loue : what though Ouid censured thus :

Fastus inest pulchris ?

Tush , that is an imperfection incident to some fewe , not a fault common to all . Amaryllis was coy , Helen had a gadding humour : yea but Penelope was chast , Laodamia loyall , Artemisia louing , Lucretia chast : thus haue we many proofes to answere any instance of feminine imperfection : yet nothing which is mortall , can bee absolutely perfect : Virgils saying is most true .

Varium et mutabile semper Femina .

Euridice , which liuing could not bee accused of inconstancie , was after death blemished with vnkindnesse , because forgetting the couenant of her returne from hell . she fondly looked backe . The siluer-tongued Thracian , whom Apollo had endued with a double gift of musicke and poetrie , beeing mooued with this , hated and with hatefull disgrace disparadged the woorth of that scxe which before hee had honoured by his matchlesse Art : but if I proceed in this vaine , I shall fall into a Labyrinth more intricate than the first .

Scarse had I left that place , when I heard a loud noyse of Pipes : & looking forward , I saw a great troupe of mourners , towardes whome I paced : and drawing néere , behelde God Pan formost of this assemblie , who sounded a dolefull note on his Oat en pipe : Next him came Syluanus , Pomona , Faunus and all the rurall powers , whome the light-foote Satyres followed piping all , though harshly , yet heauilie . Next after these , the swift-pacing Wood-Nymphes came , whose golden lockes staining the beautye of Titans beames , hoong loose about their shoulders : these did strewe flowers on the ground as they went , hauing their lappes full , and with their voyces agreeing in one sound , made a sorrowfull , yet sweet consort .

Next these , a coarse couered with a faire hearse curiouslie embrothered , and ouer-spredde with choyce plenty of sweetest flowers was carried by foure shepheards : on it this short Epitaph in red letters .

Heere beauties wonder lately slaine doth lie , Whome angrie Cinthiaes wrath did doome to die .

A great troupe of Shepheardes followed this breathlesse coarse , which made mee muse the more , thinking that it was some rare creature , at whose perfections that angry Goddesse did repine , as fearing that the report of hir worth would bring her deity into contempt : yet destrous to bee throughly resolued , I demaunded of him which was the last of the company , what this solemne pompe did signifie : he courteouslie shaped me this answere . Stranger , ( for so thou seemest ) know , that these are the obite rites of faire Amaryllis , whome fewe could match in beautie , none in pride . She refusing the loue and seruice of the best deseruing Shepheard that euer was bred in Arcadia , bestowed her fauour on a clownish Swaine , his inferiour in all perfections : hee it was whome thou sawest following the hearse clad in mournfull attire : but sodainelie repenting her choice , she did coldly entertaine him , thinking him to bee honoured enough , and her selfe too much abased by such sleight fauors which she affoorded him yet such , as they might haue prolonged the other shepheards life , which could not obtein the least courtesie , though worthy of the most . But proud Amaryllis , déeming her selfe better than any mortal creature , durst attempt comparisons with the immortal powers , matching her selfe in the height of her owne conceit with matchles Diana , the soueraigne of these Groues : who though sprong of heauenly race , yet deignes to blesse Arcadia with her sacred presence . The Goddes iealous of her honor aimed at her one of those shafts , where with she wounds the flying beasts : and depriued the coy girle of life , which would haue bereaued her of renowne . Thus being slaine by diuine iustice , she is honored in her death , and her bodie accompanied to the earth with the rusticall musicke of the rurall Dimi-Gods , and the celestiall notes of the louely Nrmphes , which tune their voyce in a funerall song , they purpose to conuey her body to the darkesome Oroue , where it is said , the fore-lorne Shepheard by her desdeigned leads a solitarie life : who if he yet liue , may see his wrongs reuenged , and the cause of his complaints , on whome before he durst not looke , lying by his side a breathlesse obiect , on whome he may now looke his fill . If he be dead , her bodie shall be interred where he spent his daies in sorrowe : But the losse of Niobe , the metamorphosis of wretched Arachne , or the death of Marsias might haue warned her to auoyde like presumption .

Thus hast thou heard the cause of this solemnity brieflie vnfolded : but now stranger thou must pardon me , I can spend no longer time in these discourses , but must hast after my companie . This said , he left me in a déepe meditation , musing at the ineuitable lot of destiny , whose successiue chances knit togeather with the chaine of necessitie , followe each the other in fatall course : the last finishing what the former left vneffected , and all discharging the most certain ordinances of diuine prescience . But sleepe could not furnish my fancy with such high thoughts , as my troubled conceit did affect : therefore amidst my dumps , I sodainly awaked , & thus ended my dream , which if you vouchsafe to peruse with fauourable censure , I shall rest fully satisfied : and though I can performe nothing else , yet of this I wil be sure , not to trouble you with tedious toyes : nor manifest mine owne insufficiency in long discourses , for then misliking the subiect , you would cast it away before yee read halfe , or if you bestowed a fewe idle houres in perusing it all , you would curse mee that helde you so long in reading a trifle , sith you might haue employed that vacant time in viewing matters of more moment , and greater pleasure .

But where Apolloes Lute is silent , Pans harsh Pipe may supply a roome , which else would blush at the sound of his own musicke . You know the saying of Horace .

Scribimus in docti doctique poemata passim .

They which are not sufficiently furnished with matchlesse perfections , wrought in them by vertue of a diuine Entheos , may yet talke of Parnassus , thirst for the siluer streames of Helicon , and honour the Muses in wordes , whose high conceited seruants they cannot match in worth . A Scholers Aliquid , is better than whole Uolumes of Clownishe lines . drawne from the muddie fountaines of Mechanicall braines .

But seeking freely to excuse , I doe fondlie accuse my selfe . I wil therfore rest on the hope of your courteous acceptance .