Through heavy stroke of Britomartis' hand, That the hard rocks could scarce from tears refrain,
Which when his mother dear did understand, And all her sister nymphs with one consent
And heavy tidings heard, whereas she play'd Supplied her sobbing breaches with sad compliment.
Amongst her watry sisters by a pond,
Gathering sweet daffadillies to have made (shade ; “ Dear image of myself” she said, " that is
Gay garlands, from the sun their foreheads fair to

The wretched son of wretched mother born,

Is this thine high advancement? O, is this Eftsoons both flowers and garlands far away Th' immortal name, with which thee yet unborn She flung, and her fair dewy locks yrent,

Thy grandsire Nereus promised to adorn? To sorrow huge she turn'd her former play,

Now liest thou of life and honour reft;
And gamesome mirth to grievous dreriment: Now liest thou a lump of earth forlorn,
She threw herself down on the continent,

Nor of thy late life memory is left,
Nor word did speak, but lay as in a swoune, Nor can thy irrevocable destiny be weft.
While all her sisters did for her lament,
With yelling outcries, and with shrieking sowne;

“ Fond Proteus, father of false prophecies, And every one did tear her garland from her crown.

And they more fond that credit to thee give,

Not this the work of woman's hand I wis, (drive. Soon as she up out of her deadly fit

That so deep wound through these dear members Arose, she bade her chariot to be brought,

I feared love: but they that love do live ; And all her sisters, that with her did sit,

But they that die, do neither love nor hate. Bade eke at once their chariots to be sought; Nath'less, to thee thy folly I forgive, Then, full of bitter grief and pensive thought, And to myself, and to accursed fate She to her waggon clombe ; clombe all the rest, The guilt I do ascribe : dear wisdom bought too late. And forth together went, with sorrow fraught. The waves, obedient to their behest, [ceas'd.

« 0, what avails it of immortal seed Them yielded ready passage, and their rage sur

To been ybred and never born to die?

Far better I it deem to die with speed, Great Neptune stood amazed at their sight,

Than waste in woe and wailful misery. While on his broad round back they softly slid, Who dies, the utmost dolour doth abie; And eke himself mourn’d at their mournful plight; But who that lives, is left to wail his loss : Yet wist not what their wailing meant, yet did

So life is loss, and death felicity. For great compassion of their sorrow bid

Sad life worse than glad death : and greater cross His mighty waters to them buxom be:

To see friend's grave, than dead the grave self to Eftsoons the roaring billows still abid,

[engross. And all the grizly monsters of the sea (see.

“ But if the heavens did his days envy, Stood gaping at their gate, and wondered them to

And my short bliss malign, yet might they wely

Thus much afford me, ere that he did die A team of dolphins ranged in array,

That the dim eyes of my dear Marinell Drew the smooth chariot of Cymoent;

I might have closed, and him bid farewel, They were all taught by Triton, to obey

Since other offices for mother meet To the long trains, at her commandement:

They would not grant. As swift as swallows on the waves they went, Yet maugre them, farewel my sweetest sweet; That their broad faggy fins no foam did rear, Farewel my sweetest son, since we no more shall Nor bubbling roundell they behind them sent;

[meet.” The rest, of other fishes drawen were, (shear. Which with their finny oars the swelling sea did

THE BIRTH OF BELPHEBE. Soon as they been arriv'd upon the brim

It fortuned, fair Venus having lost Of the rich strond, their chariots they forlore,

Her little

son,

the winged god of love, And let their teamed fishes softly swim

Who for some light displeasure which him crost, Along the margin of the foamy shore,

Was from her fed as flit as airy dove, Least they their fins should bruise, and surbate sore And left her blissful bower of joy above, Their tender feet upon the stony ground;

(So from her often he had fled away, And coming to the place, where all in gore

When she for ought him sharply did reprove, And cruddy blood enwallowed they found

And wandered in the world in strange array, The luckless Marinell lying in deadly swound;

Disguis’d in thousand shapes that none might him

(betray.) His mother swooned thrice, and the third time Him for to seek, she left her heavenly house Could scarce recovered be out of her pain ;

(The house of goodly forms and fair aspects, Had she not been devoid of mortal slime,

Whence all the world derives the glorious She should not then have been reliev'd again: Features of beauties, and all shapes select, But soon as life recovered had the reign,

With which high God his workmanship hath deck'd) She made so piteous moan, and dear wayment, And searched every way, through which his wings

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Had borne him, or his tract she might detect: Soon as she Venus saw behind her back,
She promis'd kisses sweet and sweeter things She was ashamed to be so loose surprised;
Unto the man, that of him tidings to her brings. And wax half wroth against her damsels slack,

That had not her thereof before advised,
First she him sought in courts, where most he used But suffered her so carelessly disguised
Whylome to haunt, but there she found him not; Be overtaken. Soon her garments loose
But many there she found, which sore accused

Upgath'ring, in her bosom she compris’d, His falsehood, and with foul infamous blot

Well as she might, and to the goddess rose, His cruel deeds and wicked wiles did spot:

While all her nymphs did like a garland her enclose. Ladies and lords she every where might hear Complaining, how with his empoisoned shot Goodly she gan fair Cytherea greet; Their woful hearts he wounded had whyleare, And shortly asked her what cause her brought And so had left them languishing twixt hope and fear. Into that wilderness (for her unmeet) [fraught:

From her sweet bowers and beds with pleasures She then the cities sought, from gate to gate, That sudden change she strange adventure thought. And every one did ask, “ Did he him see?”

To whom (half weeping) she thus answered
And every one her answered, “ that too late That she her dearest son Cupido sought,
He had him seen, and felt the cruelty

Who in his frowardness from her was fled;
Of his sharp darts, and hot artillery.".

That she repented sore, to have him angered. And every one threw forth reproaches rife Of his mischievous deeds, and said, “ that he Thereat Diana gan to smile, in scorn Was the disturber of all civil life,

Of her vain plaint, and to her, scoffing, said, The enemy of peace, and author of all strife.” “Great pity sure, that ye be so forlorn

Of your gay son, that gives ye so good aid Then in the country she abroad him sought,

To your disports: ill might ye be apaid.” And in the rural cottages enquired;

But she was more engrieved, and replied ; Where also, many plaints to her were brought,

* Fair sister, ill beseems it to upbraid How he their heedless hearts with love had fired, A doleful heart with so disdainful pride; And his false venom through their veins inspired; The like that mine, may be your pain another tide. And eke the gentle shepherd swains, which sat Keeping their fleecy flocks, as they were hired, “ As you in woods and wanton wilderness She sweetly heard complain, both how and what Your glory set, to chace the savage beasts; Her son had to them done; yet she did smile thereat. So my delight is all in joyfulness,

In beds, in bowers, in banquets, and in feasts: But when in none of all these she him got,

And ill becomes you with your lofty crests, She gan avise where else he might him hide: To scorn the joy that Jove is glad to seek ; At last, she her bethought, that she had not

We both are bound to follow heaven's behests, Yet sought the savage woods and forests wide, And tend our charges with obedience meek: In which full many lovely nymphs abide,

Spare (gentle sister) with reproach my pains to eke; Mongst whom might be, that he did closely lie, Or that the love of some of them him tied;

“ And tell me, if that ye my son have heard, Therefore she thither cast her course t’ apply, To lurk amongst your nymphs in secret wise; To search the secret haunts of Dian's company. Or keep their cabins; much I am affeard,

Least he like one of them himself disguise, Shortly, unto the wasteful woods she came,

And turn his arrows to their exercise : Whereas she found the goddess with her crew, So may he long himself full easy hide: After late chace of their embrewed game,

For, he is fair and fresh in face and guise, Sitting beside a fountain in a rew,

As any nymph (let not it be envied).” Some of them washing with the liquid dew

So saying, every nymph full narrowly she ey'd. From off their dainty limbs the dusty sweat And soil, which did deform their lively bue; But Phebe therewith sore was angered, Others lay shaded from the scorching heat; And sharply said; “Go, dame, go seek your boy, The rest, upon her person, gave attendance great. Where you him lately left, in Mars's bed;

He comes not here, we scorn his foolish joy, She, having hung upon a bough on high

Nor lend we leisure to his idle toy: Her bow and painted quiver, had unlac'd

But if I catch him in this company, Her silver buskins from her nimble thigh,

By Stygian lake I vow, whose sad annoy And her lank loins ungirt, and breasts unbrac'd, The Gods do dread, he dearly shall abie: After her heat the breathing cold to taste;

I'll clip his wanton wings, that he no more shall fly." Her golden locks, that late in tresses bright Embraided were for hindering of her haste, Whom when as Venus saw so sore displeased, Now loose about her shoulders hung undight, She inly sorry was, and gan relent And were with sweet ambrosia all besprinkled light. What she had said; so her she soon appeased,

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Where be ye now, when she is nigh defil'd

But he endeavoured with speeches mild,
Of filthy wretch ? well may she you reprove Her to recomfort, and accourage bold,
Of falshood, or of sloth, when most it may behove. Bidding her fear no more her foeman vild,

Nor doubt himself; and who he was, her told.
But if that thou, Sir Satyrane, didst weet,

Yet all that could not from affright her hold, Or thou, Sir Peridure, her sorry state,

Nor to recomfort her at all prevail'd; How soon would ye assemble many a fleet

For, her faint heart was with the frozen cold To fetch from sea, that ye at land lost late?

Benumb'd so inly, that her wits nigh failid, Towers, cities, kingdoms, ye would ruinate,

And all her senses with abashment quite were In your avengement and dispiteous rage,

[quail'd. Nor ought your burning fury might abate;

Her

up betwixt his rugged hands he rear'd, But if Sir Calidore could it presage,

And with his frory lips full softly kissid,
No living creature could his cruelty assuage. While the cold isicles from his rough beard

Dropped adown upon her ivory breast:
But since that none of all her knights is nigh,

Yet he himself so busily addressid, See how the heavens of voluntary grace,

That her out of astonishment he wrought, And sovereign favour towards chastity,

And out of that same fisher's filthy nest Do succour send to her distressed case:

Removing her, into his chariot brought,
So much high God doth innocence embrace.

And there with many gentle terms her fair besought.
It fortuned, while thus she stiffly strove,
And the wide sea importuned long space

But that old lecher, which with bold assault
With shrilling shrieks, Proteus abroad did rove, That beauty durst presume to violate,
Along the foaming waves driving his finny drove. He cast to punish for his heinous fault;

Then took he him yet trembling since of late
Proteus is shepherd of the seas of yore,

And tied behind his chariot, to aggrate And hath the charge of Neptune's mighty herd; The virgin, whom he had abus'd so sore: An aged sire with head all frory hoar,

So dragg’d him through the waves in scornful state. And sprinkled frost upon his dewy beard:

And after cast him up upon the shore;
Who when those piti outcries he heard

But Florimell with him unto his bower he bore.
Through all the seas so ruefully resound,
His chariot swift in haste he thither steer'd,

His bower is in the bottom of the main,
Which with a team of scaly Phocas bound

Under a mighty rock, gainst which do rave Was drawn upon the waves, that foamed him around. The roaring billows in their proud disdain;

That with the angry roaring of the wave, And coming to that fisher's wandring boat

Therein is eaten out an hollow cave,
That went at will, withouten card or sail

That seems rough mason's hand with engines keen,
He therein saw that irksome sight, which smote Had long while laboured it to engrave:
Deep indignation and compassion frail

There was his wonne, nor living wight was seen,
Into his heart at once: strait did he hail

Save one old nymph, hight Panope, to keep it clean.
The greedy villain from his hoped prey ;
Of which he now did very little fail,

Thither he brought the sorry Florimell,
And with his staff that drives his herd astray, And entertained her the best he might;
Him beat so sore, that life and sense did much dis-

And Panope her entertain'd eke well,

(may. As an immortal might a mortal wight, The while the piteous lady up did rise,

To win her liking unto his delight: Ruffled and foully rayd with filthy soil,

With flattering words he sweetly wooed her, And blubbered face with tears of her fair eyes:

And offered fair gifts t'allure her sight: Her heart nigh broken was with weary toil

But she both offers and the offerer
To save herself from that outrageous spoil:

Despis'd, and all the fawning of the flatterer.
But when she looked up, to weet what wight
Had her from so infamous fact assoil'd,

Daily he tempted her with this or that,
For shame, but more for fear of his grim sight, And never suffered her to be at rest:
Down in her lap she hid her face, and loudly shright. But evermore she him refused flat,

And all his feigned kindness did detest; Herself not saved yet from danger dread

So firmly she had sealed up her breast. She thought, but chang'd.from one to other fear;

Sometimes he boasted, that a god he hight:
Like as a fearful partridge, that is fled

But she a mortal creature loved best:
From the sharp hawk, which her attacked near, Then he would make himself a mortal wight;
And falls to ground, to seek for succour there, But then she said she lov'd none but a fairy knight.
Whereas the hungry spaniel she does spy,
With greedy jaws her ready for to tear;

Then like a fairy knight himself he dress’d;
In such distress and sad perplexity

For, every shape on him he could endew: Was Florimell, when Proteus she did see thereby, Then like a king he was to her expressid,

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And offered kingdoms unto her in view,

Which done, he back retired soft away: To be his leman and his lady true :

And passing by, his name discovered,
But when all this he nothing saw prevail,

Ease, on his robe, in golden letters cyphered.
With harder means he cast her to subdue,
And with sharp threats her often did assail,

The noble maid, still standing, all this view'd,
So thinking for to make her stubborn courage quail.

And marvell’d at his strange intendiment;

With that a joyous fellowship issued
To dreadful shapes he did himself transform, Of minstrels, making goodly merriment,
Now like a giant, now like to a fiend,

With wanton bards and rhymers impudent;
Then like a centaur, then like to a storm,

All which together sung full chearfully
Raging within the waves: thereby he ween’d A lay of love's delight, with sweet content:
Her will to win unto his wished end;

After whom march'd a jolly company,
But when with fear, nor favour, nor with all In manner of a mask, enranged orderly.
He else could do, he saw himself esteemid,
Down in a dungeon deep he let her fall,

The while a most delicious harmony,
And threatened there to make her his eternal thrall. In full strange notes was sweetly heard to sound,

That the rare sweetness of the melody Eternal thraldom was to her more lief,

The feeble senses wholly did confound, Than loss of chastity, or change of love:

And the frail soul in deep delight nigh drown'd: Die had she rather in tormenting grief,

And when it ceas'd shrill trumpets loud did bray, Than any should of falseness her reprove,

That their report did far away rebound, Or looseness, that she lightly did remove.

And when they ceas'd, it gan again to play, Most virtuous virgin, glory be thy meed,

The while the maskers marched forth in trim array. And crown of heavenly praise with saints above, Where most sweet hymns of this thy famous deed

The first was Fancy, like a lovely boy, Are still amongst them sung, that far my rhimes Of rare aspect, and beauty without peer;

[exceed.

Matchable either to that imp of Troy, Fit song of angels carrolled to be ;

Whom Jove did love, and chose his cup to bear, But yet what so my feeble muse can frame,

Or that same dainty lad, which was so dear Shall be t'advance thy goodly chastity,

To great Alcides, that when as he died, And to enroll thy memorable name

He wailed womanlike with many a tear, In th' heart of every honourable dame,

And every wood and every valley wide (cried. That they thy virtuous deeds may imitate,

He fill’d with Hylas' name ; the nymphs eke Hylas And be partakers of thy endless fame.

His garment neither was of silk nor say,

But painted plumes, in goodly order dight,
THE MASK OF CUPID.

Like as the sun-burnt Indians do array
Then when as chearless night ycovered had

Their tawny bodies, in their proudest plight; Fair heaven with an universal cloud,

As those same plumes, so seem'd he vain and light, That every wight, dismay'd with darkness sad,

That by his gait might easily appear; In silence and in sleep themselves did shroud,

For, still he far'd as dancing in delight, She heard a shrilling trumpet sound aloud,

And in his hand a windy fan did bear, Sign of nigh battle, or got victory;

That in the idle air he mov'd still here and there. Nought therewith daunted was her courage proud, But rather stirr'd to cruel enmity,

And him beside march'd amorous Desire, Expecting ever when some foe she might descry. Who seem'd of riper years, than th' other swain;

Yet was that other swain this elder's sire, All suddenly a stormy whirlwind blew

And gave him being, common to them twain: Throughout the house, that clapped every door: His garment was disguised very vain, With which that iron wicket open flew,

And his embroidered bonnet sat awry; As it with mighty levers had been tore:

Twixt both his hands few sparks he close did strain, And forth issued, as on the ready floor

Which still he blew, and kindled busily, [did fly. Of some theatre, a grave personage,

That soon they life conceiv'd, and forth in flames That in his hand a branch of laurel bore, With comely haviour and count'nance sage,

Next after him went Doubt, who was y clad Yclad in costly garments fit for tragic stage.

In a discolour'd coat, of strange disguise,

That at his back a broad capuccio had, Proceeding to the midst, he still did stand,

And sleeves dependent Albanese-wise : As if in mind he somewhat had to say ;

He look'd askew with his mistrustful eyes, And to the vulgar beck’ning with his hand, And nicely trod, as thorns lay in his way, In sign of silence, as to hear a play,

Or that the floor to shrink he did avise, By lively actions he gan bewray

And on a broken reed he still did stay [he lay. Some argument of matter passioned ;

His feeble steps, which shrunk, when hard thereon

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