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Rosalynde. Euphues golden legacie.

Thomas Lodge

Note: this Renascence Editions text was transcribed by Risa Bear, January 2001, from The Complete Works of Thomas Lodge (1883), published by the Hunterian Club. Their source text was the only known copy of the first edition of 1590, which had been damaged, and the text of signature "R" was supplied from the third edition. Any errors that have crept into the transcription are the fault of the present publisher. The text is in the public domain. Content unique to this presentation is copyright © 2001 The University of Oregon. For nonprofit and educational uses only.

This edition is dedicated to Robin Repper, a true Rosalynde in spirit. 

Vch Romanes (right Honourable) as delighted in martiall exploytes, attempted their actions in the honour of Augustus, because he was a Patron of souldiers: and Virgil dignified him with his poems, as a Mœcenas of schollers; both ioyntly aduauncing his royaltie, as a Prince warlike and learned. Such as sacrifice to Pallas, present her with bayes as she is wise, and with armour as she is valiant, obseruing herein that excellent which dedicateth honours according to the perfection of the person. VVhen I entred (right honourable) with a deep insight into the consideration of these premisses, seeing your L. to be a Patron of all martiall men, and a Mœcenas of such as applie themselues to studie; wearing with Pallas both the launce and the bay, and ayming with Augustus at the fauour of all, by the honourable vertues of your minde: being my selfe first a Student, and after falling from bookes to armes, euen vowed in all my thoughts dutifully to affect your L. Hauing with Capt: Clarke made a voyage to the Ilands of Terceras & the Canaries, to beguile the time with labour, I writ this booke; rough, as hatcht in the stormes of the Ocean, and feathered in the surges of many perillous seas. But as it is the worke of a souldier and a scholler, I presumed to shrowde it vnder your Honors patronage, as one that is the fautor and fauourer of all vertuous actions; and whose honourable Loues growen from the generall applause of the whole Common wealth for your higher deserts, may keep it fro[m] the mallice of euery bitter tung. Other reasons more particular (right Honorable) chalenge in me a speciall affection to your L. as being a scholler with your two noble sonnes, Master Edmond Carew & M. Robert Carew, (two siens worthie of so honourable a tree, and a tree glorious in such honourable fruite) as also being scholler in the Vniuersitie vnder that learned and vertuous Knight Sir Edward Hobbie, when he was Batchelor in Arts, a ma[n] as well lettered as well borne, and after the Etymologie of his name soaring as high as the wings of knowledge can mount him, happie euerie way, & the more fortunate, as blessed in the honor of so vertuous a Ladie. Thus (right honourable) the duetie that I owe to the sonnes, chargeth me that all my affection be placed on the father; for where the braunches are so precious, the three of force must be most excellent. Commaunded and emboldened thus with the consideration of these forepassed reasons, to present my Booke to your Lordship; I humbly intreate, your Honour will vouch of my labours, and fauour a soldiers and a schollers pen with your gracious acceptance; who answeres in affection what he wants in eloquence; so deuoted to your Honour, as his onely desire is, to end his life vnder the fauour of so martiall and learned a Patron.
    Resting thus in hope of your Lordships courtesie, in deyning the Patronage of my worke, I cease: wishing you as many honourable fortunes as your Lordship can desire, or I imagine.

Your Honours souldier
humbly affectionate:

Thomas Lodge.

Entlemen, look not here to find anie sprigs of Pallas bay tree, nor to heare the humour of any amorous Lawreate, nor the pleasing vaine of anie eloquent Orator: Nolo altum sapere, they be matters aboue my capacitie; the Coblers checke shall neuer light on my head, Ne sutor vltra crepidam, I will goe no further than the latchet, and then all is well. Heere you may perhaps find som leaues of Venus mirtle, but heawen down by a souldier with his curtleaxe, not bought with the allurement of a filed tongue. To be briefe Gentlemen, roome for a soudier, & a sailer, that giues you the fruits of his labors that he wrought in the Ocean, when euerie line was wet with a surge, & euerie humorous passion countercheckt with a storme. If you like it, so: and yet I will be yours in duetie, if you bee mine in fauour. But if Momus or anie squint-eied asse that hath mightie eares to conceiue with Midas, and yet little reason to iudge; if hee come aboord our Barke to find fault with the tackling, when he knows not the shrowdes, Ile downe into the hold, and fetch out a rustie pollax, that sawe no sunne this seauen yeare, and either well be bast him, or heaue the cockscombe ouer boord to feede cods. But courteous Gentlemen that fauour most, backbite none, & pardon what is ouerslipt, let such come & vvelcome, Ile into the Stevvards roome, & fetch them a kan of our best beuradge. VVell Gentlemen, you haue Euphues Legacie. I fetcht it as farre as the Ilands ofTerceras, and therefore read it; censure with fauour, and farevvell.

Yours T.L.           

 
Here dwelled adioyning to the citie of Bourdeaux a knight of most honorable parentage, whom Fortune had graced with manie fauours, and Nature honored with sundrie exquisite qualities, so beautified with the excellence of both, as it was a question whether Fortune or Nature were more prodigall in deciphering the riches of their bounties. Wise hee was, as holding in his head a supreme conceipt of policie, reaching with NESTOR into the depth of all ciuill gouernment; and to make his wisedome more gracious, he had that salem ingenij and pleasant eloquence that was so highlie commended in VLISSES: his valour was no lesse than his wit, nor the stroake of his Launce no lesse forcible, than the sweetnesse of his tongue was perswasiue: for he was for his courage chosen the principall of all the Knights of Malta. This hardie Knight thus enricht with Vertue and Honour, surnamed Sir IOHN of Bourdeaux, hauing passed the prime of his youth in sundrie battailes against the Turkes, at last (as the date of time hath his course) grew aged: his haires were siluer hued, and the map of age was figured on his forehead: Honour sat in the furrowes of his face, and many yeres were pourtraied in his wrinckled liniaments, that all men might perceiue his glasse was runne, and that Nature of necessity chalenged her due. Sir IOHN (that with the Phenix knewe the tearme of his life was now expyred, and could with the Swanne discouer his end by her songs) hauing three sonnes by his wife LYNIDA, the verie pride of all his forepassed yeres, thought now (seeing death by constraint would compell him to leaue them) to bestowe vpon them such a Legacie as might bewray his loue, and increase their ensuing amaitie. Calling therefore these yong Gentlemen before him in the presence of all his fellowe Knights of Malta, he resoued to leaue them a memorial of his fatherlie care, in setting downe a methode of their brotherlie dueties. Hauing therefore death in his lookes to mooue them to pitie, and teares in his eyes to paint out the depth of his passions, taking his eldest sonne by the hand, hee began thus.

O

 
H my Sonnes, you see that Fate hath set a period of my yeares, and Destinies haue determined the finall ende of my daies: the Palme tree waxeth away ward, for he stoopeth in his height, and my plumes are full of sicke feathers touched with age. I must to my graue that dischargeth all cares, and leaue you to the world that encreaseth many sorowes: my siluer haires conteineth great experience, and in the number of my yeares are pend downe the subtilties of Fortune. Therefore as I leaue you some fading pelfe to counterchecke pouertie, so I will bequeath you infallible precepts that shall leade you vnto vertue. First therefore vnto thee SALADYNE the eldest, and therefore the chief piller of my house, wherein should be ingrauen as well the excellence of thy fathers qualities, as the essentiall forme of his proportion, to thee I giue foureteene ploughlands, with all my Mannor houses and richest plate. Next vnto FERNANDYNE I bequeath twelue ploughlands. But vnto ROSADER the yongest I giue my Horse, My Armour and my Launce, with sixteene ploughlands: for if the inward thoughts be discouered by outward shadowes, ROSADER will exceed you all in bountie and honour. Thus (my Sonnes) haue I parted in your portions the substance of my wealth, wherein if you bee as prodigall to spend, as I haue been carefull to get, your friends will grieue to see you more wastfull than I was bountifull, and your foes smile that my fall did begin in your excesse. Let mine honour be the glasse of your actions, and the fame of my vertues the Loadstarre to direct the course of your pilgrimage. Ayme your deedes by my honorable endeuours, and shewe your selues siens worthie of so florishing a tree: least as the birds HALCYONES which exceede in whitenesse, I hatch yong ones that surpasse in blacknesse. Climbe not my sonnes; aspiring pride is a vapour that ascendeth hie, but soone turneth to a smoake: they which stare at the Starres, stumble vppon stones; and such as gaze at the Sunne (vnlesse they bee Eagle eyed) fall blinde. Soare not with the Hobbie, least you fall with the Larke; nor attempt not with PHAETON, least you drowne with ICARUS. Fortune when she wils you to flie, tempers your plumes with waxe, and therefore either sit still and make no wing, or els beware the Sunne, and holde DEDALUS axiome authenticall (Medium tenere tutissimum). Low shrubbes haue deepe rootes, and poore Cottages great patience. Fortune lookes euer vpward, and enuie aspireth to nestle with dignitie. Take heede my sonnes, the meane is sweetest melodie; where strings high stretcht, either soone cracke, or quicklie growe out of tune. Let your Countries care be your hearts content, and thinke that you are not borne for your selues, but to leuell your thoughts to be loyall to your Prince, careful for the Common weale, and faithfull to your friends; so shall France say, these men are as excellent in vertues, as they be exquisite in features. Oh my sonnes, a friend is a precious Iewell, within whose bosome you may vnloade your sorowes and vnfolde your secretes, and hee either will releeue with counsaile, or perswade with reason: but take heede in the choyce, the outward shew makes not the inward man, nor are the dimples in the face the Calenders of trueth. When the Liquorice leafe looketh most drie, then it is most wet. When the shoares of Lepanthus are most quiet, then they forepoint a storme. The Baaran leafe the more faire it lookes, the more infectious it is, and in the sweetest words is oft hid the most trecherie. Therefore my sonnes, choose a friend as the HIPERBOREI do the mettals, seuer them from the ore with fire, & let them not bide the stamp before they be currant; so trie and then trust, let time be touchstone of friendship, & then friends faithfull lay them vp for Iewells. Be valiant my sonnes, for cowardise is the enemie to honour; but not too rash, for that is an extreame. Fortitude is the meane, and that is limitted within bonds, and prescribed with circumstance. But aboue all, and with that he fetch a deepe sigh, beware of Loue, for it is farre more perilous than pleasant, and yet I tell you it allureth as ill as the SYRENS. Oh my sonnes, fancie is a fickle thing, and beauties paintings are trickt vp with times colours, which being set to drie in the Sunne, perish with the same. VENUS is a wanton, & though her lawes pretend libertie, yet there is nothing but losse and glistering miserie. CUPIDS wings are plumed with the feathers of vanitie, and his arrowes where the pearce, inforce nothing but deadly desires: a womans eye as it is precious to behold, so it is preiudiciall to gaze vpon; for as it affoordeth delight, so it snares vnto death. Trust not their fawning fauours, for their loues are like the breath of a man vpon steele, which no sooner lighteth on but it leapeth of, and their passions are as momentarie as the colours of a Polipe, which changeth at the sight of euerie obiect. My breath waxeth short and mine eyes dimme, the houre is come and I must away: therefore let this suffice, women are wantons, and yet men cannot want one: and therefore if you loue, choose here that hath her eyes of Adamant, that will turne only to one point; her heart of a Diamond, that will receiue but one forme; her tongue of a Sethin leafe, that neuer wagges but with a Southeast winde: and yet my sonnes, if she haue all these qualities, to be chast, obedient, and silent; yet for that she is a woman, shalt thou finde in her sufficient vanities to countervaile her vertues. Oh now my sonnes, euen now take these my last words as my latest Legacie, for my thrid is sponne, and my foote is in the graue: keepe my precepts as memorialls of your fathers counsailes, and let them bee lodged in the secrete of your hearts; for wisedome is better than wealth, and a golden sentence worth a world of treasure. In my fall see & marke my sonnes the follie of man, that being dust climbeth with BIARES to reach at the Heauens, and readie euerie minute to dye, yet hopeth for an age of pleasures. Oh mans life is like lightning that is but a flash, and the longest date of his yeares but as a bauens blaze. Seeing then man is so mortall, bee carefull that thy life bee vertuous, that thy death may be full of admirable honours; so shalt thou challenge fame to bee thy fautor, and put obliuion to exile with thine honorable actions. But my Sonnes, least you should forget your fathers axiomes, take this scroule, wherein reade what your father dying, wils you to execute liuing. At this hee shrunke downe in his bed and gaue vp the ghost.
    IOHN of Bourdeaux being thus dead, was greatlie lamented of his Sonnes and bewayled of his friends, especiallie of his fellowe Knights of Malta, who attended on his Funeralls, which were performed with great solemnitie. His Obsequies done, SALADYNE caused next his Epitaph the contents of the scroule to be pourtraied out, which were to this effect.

M

 
Y Sonnes, behold what portion I doo giue:
I leaue you goods, but they are quicklie lost;
I leaue aduice, to schoole you how to liue;
I leaue you wit, but wonne with little cost:
But keepe it well: for counsaile still is one,
When Father, friends, and worldlie goods are gone.

In choice of thrift let honour be thy gaine,
Winne it by vertue and by manly might;
In dooing good esteeme thy toyle no paine,
Protect the fatherlesse and widowes right:
Fight for thy faith, thy Countrie and thy King,
For why? this thrift will prooue a blessed thing.

In Choice of wife, preferre the modest chast,
Lillies are faire in shew, but foule in smell:
The sweetest lookes by age are soone defast:
Then choose thy wife by wit and liuing well.
Who brings thee wealth and many faults withall,
Presents thee honie, mixt with bitter gall.

In choice of friends, beware of light beliefe,
A painted tongue may shroud a subtill heart;
The Syrens teares doo threaten mickle griefe,
Foresee my sonne, for feare of sodaine smart:
Chuse in thy wants: and he that friends thee then,
When richer growne, befriend him thou agen.

Learne of the Ant in sommer to prouide;
Driue with the Bee the Droane from out thy hiue;
Builde like the Swallowe in the sommer tide;
Spare not too much (my sonne) but sparing thriue:
Be poore in follie, rich in all but sinne:
So by thy death thy glorie shall beginne.

    SALADINE hauing thus set vp the Scedule, and hangd about his Fathers hearse many passionate Poems, that France might suppose him to be passing sorrowfull, he clad himselfe and his Brothers all in black, & in such sable sutes discoursed his griefe: but as the HIENA when she mournes is then most guilefull, so SALADINE vnder this shew of griefe shadowed a heart full of contented thoughtes: the TYGER though hee hide his clawes, will at last discouer his rapine: the LIONS lookes are not the mappes of his meaning, nor a mans phisnomie is not the display of his secrets. Fire cannot bee hid in the straw, nor the nature of man so concealed, but at last it will haue his course: nourture and art may doo much, but that Natura natura[n]s which by propagation is ingrafted in the heart, will be at last perforce predominant according to the old verse.

S

 

ALADYNE, how art thou disquieted in thy thoughts, & perplexed with a world of restlesse passions, hauing thy minde troubled with the tenour of thy Fathers testament, and thy heart fiered with the hope of present preferment? by the one, thou art counsaild to content thee with thy fortunes; by the other, perswaded to aspire to higher wealth. Riches (SALADYNE) is a great royalty, & there is no sweeter phisick tha[n] store. AUICEN like a foole forgot in his Aphorismes to say, that golde was the most precious restoratiue, and that treasure was the most excellent medecine of the minde. Oh SALADYNE, what were thy Fathers precepts breathed into the winde? hast thou so soone forgotte[n] his principles? did he not warne thee from coueting without honor, and climing without vertue? did hee not forbid thee to aime at any action that should not be honourable? and what will bee more preiudiciall to thy credit, than the careless ruine of thy brothers welfare? why shouldst not thou bee the piller of thy brothers prosperitie; and wilt thou become the subuersion of their fortunes? is there any sweeter thing than concord, or a more precious Iewel then amity? are you not sons of one Father, siens of one tree, birds of one nest? and wilt thou become so vnnaturall as to rob them, whome thou shouldst relieue? No SALADYNE, intreate them with fauours, and intertaine them with loue; so shalt thou haue thy conscience cleare and thy renowne excellent. Tush, what words are these base foole; farre vnfit (if thou be wise) for thy humour. What though thy Father at his death talked of many friuolous matters, as one that doated for age, and raued in his sicknesse: shal his words be axioms, and his talke be so authenticall, that thou wilt (to obserue them) preiudice thy selfe? No no SALADYNE, sick mens wills that are parole, and haue neither hand nor seale, are like the lawes of a Citie written in dust; which are broken with the blast of euerie winde. What man thy Father is dead, and hee can neither helpe thy fortunes, nor measure thy actions: therefore burie his words with his carcasse, and bee wise for thy selfe. What, tis not so olde as true:

Non sapit, qui sibi no sapit.

Nimia familiarit as contemptum parit.

suppresse his wittes with a base estate, and though hee be a Gentleman by nature yet forme him a new, and make him a peasant by nourture: so shalt thou keepe him as a slaue, and raign thy selfe sole Lord ouer al thy Fathers possessions. As for FERNANDYNE thy middle brother he is a scholer, and hath no minde but on ARISTOTLE, let him reade on GALEN while thou riflest with gold, and pore on his booke til thou doost purchase lands: wit is great wealth, if hee haue learning it is enough; and so let all rest.
    In this humour was SALADYNE making his brother ROSADER his foote boy, for the space of two or three yeares, keeping him in such seruile subiection, as if hee had been the sonne of any countrie vassall. The yong Gentleman bare al with patience, til on a day walking in the garde[n] by himself, he began to consider how he was the son of IOHN of Bourdeaux, a knight renowmed for many victories, &, a Gentlema[n] famozed for his vertues, how contrarie to the testament of his father, he was not only kept from his land, and intreated as a seruant, but smothered in such secret slauerie, as he might not attaine to any honourable actions. Ah quoth he to himselfe (nature working these effectuall passions) why should I that am a Gentleman borne, passe my time in such vnnaturall drudgerie? were in not better either in Paris to become a scholler, or in the court a courtier, or in the field a souldier, than to liue a foote boy to my own brother: nature hath lent me wit to co[n]ceiue, but my brother denied me arte to contemplate: I haue strength to performe any honorable exployte, but no libertie to accomplish my vertuous indeuours: those good partes that God hath bestowed vpon me, the enuie of my brother dooth smother in obscuritie: the harder is my fortune, and the more his frowardnesse. With that casting vp his hand he felt haire on his face, and perceiuing his beard to bud, for choler he began to blush, and swore to himselfe he would bee no more subiect to such slauerie. As thus he was ruminating of his melancholie passions, in came SALADYNE with his men, and seeing his brother in a browne study, and to forget his wonted reuerence, thought to shake him out of his dumps thus. Sirha (quoth hee) what is your heart on your halfe penie, or are you saying a Dirge for your fathers soule? what is my dinner readie? At this question ROSADER turning his head ascance, & bending his browes as if anger there had ploughed the furrowes of her wrath, with his eyes full of fire, he made this replie. Doest thou aske me (SALADYNE) for thy Cates? aske some of thy Churles who are fit for such an office: I am thine equall by nature, though not by birth; and though thou hast more Cardes in the bunch, I haue as many trumps in my hands as thy selfe. Let me question with thee, why thou hast feld my Woods, spoyled my Manner houses, and made hauock of such vtensals as my father bequeathed vnto me? I tell thee SALADYNE, either answere me as a brother, or I will trouble thee as an enemie.
    At this replie of ROSADERS, SALADYNE smiled as laughing at his presumption, & frowned as checking his follie: hee therefore tooke him vp thus shortlie. What sirha, well I see earlie prickes the tree that will prooue a thorne: hath my familiar conuersing with you made you coy, or my good lookes drawne you to be thus contemptuous? I can quickly remedie such a fault, and I will bende the tree while it is a wand: In faith (sir boy) I haue a snaffle for such a headstro[n]g colt. You sirs lay holde on him and binde him, and then I will giue him a cooling carde for his choller. This made ROSADER halfe mad, that stepping to a great rake that stood in the garden, he laide such loade vpon his brothers men that he hurt some of them, and made the rest of them run away. SALADYNE seeing ROSADER so resolute, and with his resolution so valiant, thought his heeles his best safetie, and tooke him to a loaft adioyning to the garden, whether ROSADER pursued him hotlie. SALADYNE afraide of his brothers furie, cried out to him thus. ROSADER bee not so rash, I am thy brother and thine elder, and if I haue done thee wrong Ile make thee amends: reuenge not anger in bloud, for so shalt thou staine the vertue of olde Sir IOHN of Bourdeaux: say wherein thou art discontent and thou shalt be satisfied. Brothers frownes ought not to be periods of wrath: what man looke not so sowerlie, I knowe we shall be friends, and better friends than we haue been. For, Amantium iræ amoris redint egratio est.
    These wordes appeased the choller of ROSADER, (for hee was of a milde and courteous nature) so that he laide downe his weapons, and vpon the faith of a Gentleman assured his brother he would offer him no preiudice: wherevpon SALADYNE came downe, and after a little parley they imbraced each other and became frends, and SALADYNE promising ROSADER the restitution of al his lands, and what fauour els (quoth he) any waies my abilitie or the nature of a brother may performe. Vpon these sugred reco[n]ciliations they went into the house arme in arme together, to the great content of all the old seruants of Sir IOHN of Bourdeaux. Thus continued the pad hidden in the strawe, till it chaunced that TORISMOND King of France had appoynted for his pleasure a day of Wrastling and of Tournament to busie his Commons heads, least being idle their thoughts should runne vpon more serious matters, and call to remembrance their old banished King; a Champion there was to stand against all commers, a NORMAN, a man of tall stature and of great strength; so valiant, that in many such conflicts he alwaies bare away the victorie, not onely ouerthrowing them which he incountred, but often with the weight of his bodie killing them outright. SALADYNE hearing of this, thinking now not to let the ball fall to the ground, but to take opportunitie by the forehead: first by secret meanes conuented with the NORMAN, and procured him with rich rewards to sweare, that if ROSADER came within his clawes he should neuer more returne to quarrell with SALADYNE for his possessions. The NORMAN desirous of pelfe, as (Quis nisi mentis inops oblatum respuit aurum.) taking great gifts for little Gods, tooke the crownes of SALADYNE to performe the stratagem. Hauing thus the Champion tied to his vilanous determination by oath, he prosecuted the intent of his purpose thus. Hee went to young ROSADER, (who in all his thoughts reacht at honour, and gazed no lower than vertue commaunded him) and began to tell him of this Tournament and Wrastling, how the King should be there, and all the chiefe Peeres pf France, with all the beautifull damosels of the Countrey: now brother (quoth he) for the honour of Sir IOHN of Bourdeaux our renowmed father, to famous that house that hath neuer been found without men approoued in Chevalrie, shewe thy resolution to be peremptorie. For my selfe thou knowest though I am eldest by birth, yet neuer hauing attempted any deedes of Armes, I am yongest to performe any Martiall exploytes, knowing better how to survey my lands, than to charge my Launce: my brother FERNANDYNE he is at Paris poring on a fewe papers, hauing more insight into Sophistrie and principles of Philosophie, than any warlike indeuours: but thou ROSADER the youngest in yeares, but the eldest in valour, art a man of strength and darest doo what honour allowes thee; take thou my fathers Launce, his Sword, and his Horse, and hie thee to the Tournament, and either there valiantlie crack a speare, or trie with the NORMAN for the palme of actiuitie. The words of SALADYNE were but spurres to a free horse; for hee had scarce vttered them, ere ROSADER tooke him in his armes, taking his proffer so kindly, that he promised in what he might to requite his courtesie. The next morowe was the day of the Tournament, and ROSADER was so desirous to shew his heroycall thoughts, that he past the night with little sleepe: but assoone as PHŒBUS had vailed the Curteine of the night, and made AURORA blush with giuing her the Bezoles labres in her siluer Couch, he gat him vp; and taking his leaue of his brother, mounted himselfe towards the place appoynted, thinking euery mile ten leagues till he came there. But leauing him so desirous of the iourney: to TORISMOND the King of France, who hauing by force banished GERSIMOND their lawfull King that liued as an outlaw in the Forrest of Arden, sought now by all meanes to keepe the French busied with all sportes that might breed their content. Amongst the rest he had appointed this solemne Tournament, whereunto he in most solemne manner resorted, accompanied with the twelue Peeres of France, who rather for feare than loue graced him with the shewe of their dutifull fauours: to feede their eyes, and to make the beholders pleased with the sight of most rare and glistring obiects, he had appoynted his owne daughter ALINDA to be there, & the faire ROSALYND daughter vnto GERSMOND, with all the beautiful damosels that were famous for their features in all France. Thus in that place did Loue and Warre triumph in a simpathie: for such as were Martiall, might vse their Launce to bee renowmed for the excellence of their Cheualrie; and such as were amorous, might glut themselues with gazing on the beauties of most heauenly creatures. As euerie mans eye had his seuerall suruey, and fancie was partiall in their lookes, yet all in generall applauded the admirable riches that Nature bestowed on the face of ROSALYND: for vppon her cheekes there seemed a battaile betweene the Graces, who should bestow most fauours to make her excellent. The blush that gloried LUNA when she kist the shepheard on the hills of Latmos was not tainted with such a pleasant dye, as the Vermilion flourisht on the siluer hue of ROSALYNDS countenance; her eyes were like those lampes that make the wealthie couert of the Heauens more gorgeous, sparkling fauour and disdaine; courteous and yet coye, as if in them VENUS had placed all her amorets, and DIANA all her chastitie. The tramells of her hayre, foulded in a call of gold, so farre surpast the burnisht glister of the mettall, as the Sunne dooth the meanest Starre in brightnesse: the tresses that foldes in the browes of APOLLO were not halfe so rich to the sight; for in her haires it seemed loue had laide her selfe in ambush, to intrappe the proudest eye that durst gase vppon their excellence: what should I neede to decipher her particular beauties, when by the censure of all she was the paragon of all earthly perfection. This ROSALYND sat I say with ALINDA as a beholder of these sportes, and made the CAUALIERS crack their lances with more courage: many deeds of Knighthoode that day were performed, and many prizes were giuen according to their seuerall deserts: at last when the tournament ceased, the wrastling began; and the NORMAN presented himselfe as a chalenger against all commers; but he looked like HERCULES when he aduaunst himselfe against ACHELOÜS; so that the furie of his countenance amased all that durst attempt to incounter with him in any deede of actiuitie: till at last a lustie FRANCKLIN of the Countrie came with two tall men that were his Sonnes of good lyniaments and comely personage: the eldest of these dooing his obeysance to the King entered the lyst, and presented himselfe to the NORMAN, who straight coapt with him, and as a man that would triumph in the glorie of his strength, roused himselfe with such furie, that not onely hee gaue him the fall, but killed him with the weight of his corpulent personage: which the younger brother seeing, lept presently into the place, and thirstie after the reuenge, assayled the NORMAN with such valour, that at the first encounter hee brought him to his knees: which repulst so the NORMAN, that recouering himselfe, feare of disgrace doubling his strength, hee stept so stearnly to the young FRANCKLIN, that taking him vp in his armes he threw him against the ground so violently, that he broake his neck, and so ended his dayes with his brother. At this vnlookt for massacre, the people murmured, and were all in a deepe passion of pittie; but the FRANCKLIN, Father vnto these, neuer changed his countenance; but as a ma[n] of a courageous resolution, tooke vp the bodies of his Sonnes without any shew of outward discontent. All this while stoode ROSADER and sawe this tregedie: who noting the vndoubted vertue of the FRANCKLINS minde, alighted of from his horse,and presentlie sat downe on the grasse, and commaunded his boy to pull off his bootes, making him readie to try the strength of this Champion; being furnished as he would, hee clapt the FRANCKLIN on the shoulder and saide thus. Bolde yeoman whose sonnes haue ended the tearme of their yeares with honour, for that I see thou scornest fortune with patience, and t[hw]artest the inurie of fate with content, in brooking the death of thy Sonnes: stand a while and either see mee make a third in their tragedie, or else reuenge their fall with an honourable triumph; the FRANCKLIN seeing so goodlie a Gentleman to giue him such courteous comfort, gaue him hartie thankes, with promise to pray for his happie successe. With that ROSADER vailed bonnet to the King, and lightly lept within the lists, where noting more the companie than the combatant, hee cast his eye vpon the troupe of Ladies that glistered there like the starres of heauen, but at last Loue willing to make him as amorous as he was valiant, presented him with the sight of ROSALYND, whose admirable beauty so inueagled the eye of ROSADER, that forgetting himselfe, he stoode and fed his lookes on the fauour of ROSALYNDS face, which she perceiuing, blusht: which was such a doubling of her beauteous excellence, that the bashfull red of AURORA at the sight of vnacquainted PHAETON was not halfe so glorious: The NORMAN seeing this young Gentleman fettered in the lookes of the Ladies, draue him out of his memento with a shake by the shoulder; ROSADER looking back with an angrie frowne, as if he had been wakened from some pleasant dreame, discouered to all by the furie of his countenance that he was a man of some high thoughts: but when they all noted his youth, and the sweetnesse of his visage, with a generall applause of fauours, they grieued that so goodly a young man should venture in so base an action: but seeing it were to his dishonour to hinder him from his enterprise, they wisht him to be graced with the palme of victorie. After ROSADER was thus called out of his memento by the NORMAN, hee roughly clapt to him with so fierce an incounter, that they both fell to the ground, and with the violence of the fall were forced to breathe: in which space the NORMAN called to minde by all tokens, that this was hee whom SALADYNE had appoynted him to kil; which coniecture made him stretch euerie limb; & trie euerie sinew, that working his death he might recouer the gold, which so bountifully was promised him. On the contrarie part, ROSADER while he breathed was not idle, but still cast his eye vppon ROSALYND, who to incourage him with a fauour, lent him such an amorous looke, as might haue made the most coward desperate: which glance of ROSALYND so fiered the passionate desires of ROSADER, that turning to the NORMAN hee ran vpon him and braued him with a strong encounter; the NORMAN receiued him as valiantly, that there was a sore combat, hard to iudge on whose side fortune would be prodigall. At last ROSADER calling to minde the beautie of his new Mistresse, the fame of his Fathers honours, and the disgrace that should fall to his house by his misfortune, roused himselfe and threw the NORMAN against the ground, falling vpon his Chest with so willing a waight, that the NORMAN yeelded nature her due, and ROSADER the victorie. The death of this Champion; as it highly contented the FRANCKLIN, as a man satisfied with reuenge, so it drue the King and all the Peeres into a great admiration, that so young yeares and so beautifull a personage, should containe such martiall excellence: but when they knew him to be the yongest Sonne of Sir IOHN of Bordeaux, the King rose from his seate and imbraced him, and the Peeres intreated him with all fauourable courtesie, commending both his valour and his vertues, wishing him to goe forward in such haughtie deedes that he might attaine to the glorie of his Fathers honourable fortunes. As the King and Lordes graced him with embracing, so the Ladies fauoured him with their lookes, especially ROSALYND, whom the beautie and valour of ROSADER had already touched; but she accounted loue a toye, and fancie a momentarie passion, that as it was taken in with a gaze, might bee shaken off with a winck; and therefore feared not to dallie in the flame, and to make ROSADER knowe she affected him; tooke from hir necke a Iewell, and sent it by a Page to the young Gentleman. The Prize that VENUS gaue to PARIS was not halfe so pleasing to the TROIAN, as this Iemme was to ROSADER: for if fortune had sworne to make him sole Monark of the world, he would rather haue refused such dignity, than haue lost the iewell sent him by ROSALYND. To retourne her with the like he was vnfurnished, and yet that hee might more than in his lookes discouer his affection, he stept into a tent, and taking pen and paper writ this fancie.

Two Sunnes at once from one faire heauen there shinde,
Ten branches from two boughes tipt all with roses,
Pure lockes more golden than is golde refinde,
Two pearled rowes that Natures pride incloses:

Two mounts faire marble white, downe-soft and daintie,
A snow died orbe; where loue increast by pleasure
Full wofull makes my heart, and bodie faintie:
Hir faire (my woe) exceedes all thought and measure.

In lines confusde my lucklesse harme appeereth;
Whom sorrow cloudes, whom pleasant smiling cleereth.

    This sonnet he sent to ROSALYND, which when she read, she blusht, but with a sweete content in that she perceaued loue had alotted her so amorous a seruant. Leauing her to her new intertayned fancies, againe to ROSADER; who triumphing in the glory of this conquest, accompanied with a troupe of young Gentlemen, that were desirous to be his familiars, went home to his brother SALADYNES, who was walking before the gates, to heare what successe his brother ROSADER should haue, assuring him self of his death, and deuising how w^t dissimuled sorrow, to celebrate his funeralls; as he was in this thought, hee cast vp his eye, & sawe where ROSADER returned with the garlande on his heade, as hauing won the prize, accompanied with a crew of boone companions; greeued at this, hee stepped in and shut the gate. ROSADER seeing this, and not looking for such vnkinde intertaynement, blusht at the disgrace, and yet smothering his griefe with a smile, he turned to the Gentlemen, and desired them to hold his brother excused, for hee did not this vpon any malicious intent or niggardize, but being brought vp in the countrie, he absented him selfe, as not finding his nature fit for such youthfull companie. Thus hee sought to shadow abuses proffered him by his brother, but in vayne, for he could by no meanes be suffered to enter: whereupon hee ran his foote against the doore, and brake it open; drawing his sworde and entring bouldly into the Hall, where hee founde none (for all were fled) but one ADAM SPENCER an English man, who had been an olde and trustie seruant to Sir IOHN of Bourdeaux: he for the loue he bare to his deceased Maister, fauoured the part of ROSADER, and gaue him and his such intertaynement as he coulde. ROSADER gaue him thankes, and looking about, seeing the hall empty, saide, Gentlemen, you are welcome, frolicke and be merie, you shall be sure to haue Wine enough, whatsoeuer your fare be, I tell you CAUALIERS my brother hath in his house, fiue tunnes of wine, and as long as that lasteth, I beshrewe him that spares his liquor. With that he burst open the butterie dore, and with the help of ADAM SPENCER, couered the Tables, and set downe whatsoeuer he could finde in the house, but what they wanted in meate, ROSADER supplied with drinke, yet had they royall cheere, and withall such a hartie welcome, as would haue made the coursest meates, seeme delicates. After they had feasted and frolickt it twise or thrise with an vpsey freeze, they all took their leaues of ROSADER and departed. Assoone as they were gone ROSADER growing impatient of the abuse, drewe his sworde, and swore to be reuenged on the discurteous SALADYNE: yet by the meanes of ADAM SPENCER, who sought to continue friendship and amitie betwixt the brethren, and through the flattering submission of SALADYNE, they were once agayne reconciled, & put vp all fore passed iniuries, with a peaceable agreement, liuing together for a good space in such brotherly loue, as did not onely reioyce the seruants, but made all the Gentlemen and bordring neighbours glad of such friendlie concord. SALADYNE hiding fire in the straw, and concealing a poysoned hate in a peaceable countenance, yet deferring the intent of his wrath till fitter opportunintie, he shewed him selfe a great fauorer of his brothers vertuous endeuours: where leauing them in this happie league, let vs returne to ROSALYND.
    ROSALYND returning home from the triumph, after she waxed solitarie, loue presenting her with an IDEA of ROSADERS perfection, and taking her at discouert, strooke her so deepe, as she felt her selfe grow passing passionate: she began to call to minde the comelinesse of his person, the honor of his parents, and the vertues that excelling both, made him so gracious in the eyes of euerie one. Sucking in thus the hony of loue, by imprinting in her thoughtes his rare qualities, she began to surfit with the contemplation of his vertuous conditions, but when she cald to remembrance her present estate, & the hardnesse of her fortunes, desire began to shrink, & fancy to vale bonnet, that betweene a Chaos of confused thoughtes, she began to debate with her selfe in this manner.

I

 
Nfortunate ROSALYND, whose misfortunes are more than thy yeeres, and whose passions are greater than thy patience. The blossomes of thy youth, are mixt with the frostes of enuie, and the hope of thy ensuing frutes, perish in the bud. Thy father is by TORISMOND banisht from the crowne, & thou the vnhappie daughter of a King detained captiue, liuing as disquieted in thy thoughts, as thy father disconte[n]ted in his exile. Ah ROSALYND what cares wait vpo[n] a crown, what griefes are incident to dignitie? what sorrowes haunt royall Pallaces? The greatest seas haue the sorest stormes, the highest birth subiect to the most base, and of al trees the Cedars soonest shake with the winde: small Currents are euer calme, lowe valleyes not scorcht in any lightnings, nor base men tyed to anye balefull preiudice. Fortune flies, & if she touch pouertie, it is with her heele, rather disdayning their want with a frowne, than enuying their wealth with disparagement. Oh ROSALYND, hadst thou been borne lowe, thou hadst not fallen so high; and yet being great of boud, thine honour is more, if thou brookest misfortune with patience. Suppose I contrary fortune with content, yet Fates vnwilling to haue me any way happie, haue forced loue to set my thoughts on fire with fancie. Loue ROSALYND? becommeth it women in distresse to thinke of loue? Tush, desire hath no respect of persons, CUPID is blinde and shooteth at randon, as soone hitting a rag, as a robe, and percing assoone the bosome of a Captiue, as the breast of a Libertine. Thou speakest it poore ROSALYND by experience, for being euerie way distrest, surcharged with cares, and ouergrowne with sorrowes, yet amidst the heape of all these mishaps, loue hath lodged in thy hart the perfection of young ROSADER, a man euery way absolute as well for his inward life, as for his outward lyniaments, able to content the eye with beauty, and the eare with the report of his vertue. But consider ROSALIND his fortunes, and thy present estate, thou art poore and without patrimonie, and yet the daughter of a Prince, he a younger brother, and voide of such possessions as eyther might maintayne thy dignities, or reuenge thy fathers iniuries. And hast thou not learned this of other Ladies, that louers cannot liue by lookes; that womens eares are sooner content with a dram of giue me, than a pound of heare me; that gould is sweeter than eloquence; that loue is a fire, & wealth is the fewell; that VENUS Coffers should be euer full. Then ROSALYND, seeing that ROSADER is poore, thinke him lesse beautifull, because he is in want, and account his vertues but qualities of course, for that hee is not indued with wealth. Doth not HORACE tell thee what methode is to be vsed in loue,

Loue in my bosome like a Bee
        doth sucke his sweete:
Now with his wings he playes with me,
        now with his feete.
    Within mine eies he makes his neast,
    His bed amidst my tender breast,
    My kisses are his daily feast;
    And yet he robs me of my rest.
        Ah wanton, will ye?

And if I sleepe, then pearcheth he
        with pretie flight,
And makes his pillow of my knee
        the liuelong night.
    Strike I my lute he tunes the string,
    He musicke playes if so I sing,
    He lends me euerie louelie thing;
    Yet cruell he my heart doth sting.
        Whist wanton still ye?

Els I with roses euerie day
        will whip you hence;
And binde you when you long to play,
        for your offence.
    Ile shut mine eyes to keepe you in,
    Ile make you fast it for your sinne,
    Ile count your power not worth a pinne;
    Ahlas what hereby shall I winne,
        If he gainsay me?

What if I beate the wanton boy
        with manie a rod?
He will repay me with annoy,
        because a God.
    Then sit thou safely on my knee,
    And let thy bowre my bosome be:
    Lurke in mine eyes I like of thee:
    Oh Cupid so thou pitie me.
        Spare not but play thee.

    Scarce had ROSALYNDE ended her Madrigale, before TORISMOND came in with his daughter ALINDA, and manie of the Peeres of France, who were enamoured of her beautie: which TORISMOND perceiuing, fearing least her perfection might be the beginning of his preiudice, and the hope of his fruite ende in the beginning of her blossomes, hee thought to banish her from the Court: for quoth he to himselfe, her face is so full of fauour, that it pleads pitie in the eye of euerie man; her beautie is so heauenly and deuine, that she will prooue to me as HELEN did to PRIAM: some one of the Peeres will ayme at her loue, ende the marriage, and then in his wiues right attempt the kingdome. To preuent therefore had I wist in all these actions, she tarries not about the Court, but shall (as an exile) either wander to her father, or els seeke other fortunes. In this humour, with a stearne countenance full of wrath, he breathed out this censure vnto her before the Peeres, that charged her that that night shee were not seene about the Court: for (quoth he) I haue heard of thy aspiring speaches, and intended treasons. This doome was strange vnto ROSALYNDE, and presently couered with the shield of her innocence, shee boldly brake out in reuerend tearmes to haue cleared her selfe: but TORISMOND would admit of no reason, nor durst his Lordes plead for ROSALYNDE, although her beautie had made some of them passionate, seeing the figure of wrath portraied in his brow. Standing thus all mute, and ROSALYNDE amazed, ALINDA who loued her more than her selfe, with griefe in her heart, & teares in her eyes, falling downe on her knees, began to intreate her father thus:

I

 
F (mightie TORISMOND) I offende in pleading for my friend, let the law of amitie craue pardon for my boldnes; for where there is depth of affection, there friendship alloweth a priuiledge. ROSALYNDE and I haue beene fostered vp from our infancies, and nursed vnder the harbour of our conuersing together with such priuate familiarities, that custome had wrought an vnion of our nature, and the sympathie of our affections such a secrete loue, that we haue two bodies, and one soule. The mervaile not (great TORISMOND) if seeing my friend distrest, I finde my selfe perplexed with a thousand sorrowes: for her vertuous and honourable thoughts (which are the glories that maketh women excellent) they be such, as may challenge loue, and race out suspition: her obedience to your Maiestie, I referre to the censure of your owne eye, that since her fathers exile hath smothered all griefes with patience, and in the absence of nature, hath honoured you with all dutie, as her owne Father by nouriture: not in word vttering anie discontent, nor in thought (as farre as coniecture may reach) hammering on reuenge; onely in all her actions seeking to please you, & to winne my fauour. Her wisedome, silence, chastitie, and other such rich qualities, I need not decypher: onely it rests for me to conclude in one word, that she is innocent. If then, Fortune who triumphs in varietie of miseries, hath presented some enuious person (as minister of her intended stratagem) to taint ROSALYNDE with anie surmise of treason, let him be brought to her face, and confirme his accusation by witnesses; which prooued, let her die, and ALINDA will execute the massacre. If none can auouch anie confirmed relation of her intent, vse Iustice my Lord, it is the glorie of a King, and let her liue in your wonted fauour: for if you banish her, my selfe as copartner of her hard fortunes, wil participate in exile some part of her extremities.
    TORISMOND (at this speach of ALINDA) couered his face with such a frowne, as Tyrannie seemed to sit triumphant in his forehead, and checkt her vp with such taunts, as made the Lords (that onlie were hearers) to tremble. Proude girle (quoth he) hath my lookes made thee so light of tung, or my fauours incouraged thee to be so forward, that thou darest presume to preach at thy father? Hath not my yeares more experience than thy youth, and the winter of mine age deeper insight into ciuill policie, than the prime of thy florishing daies? The olde Lion auoides the toyles where the yong one leapes into the net: the care of age is prouident and foresees much: suspition is a vertue, where a man holds his enemie in his bosome. Thou fond girle measurest all by present affection, & as thy heart loues thy thoughts censure: but if thou knewest that in liking ROSALYND thou hatchest vp a bird to pecke out thine owne eyes, thou wouldst intreate as much for her absence, as now thou delightest in her presence. But why do I alleadge policie to thee? sit you downe huswife and fall to your needle: if idlenesse make you so wanton, or libertie so malipert, I can quicklie tie you to a sharper taske: and you (maide) this night be packing either into Arden to your father, or whether best it shall content your humour, but in the Court you shall not abide. This rigorous replie of TORISMOND nothing amazed ALINDA, for still she prosecuted her plea in the defence of ROSALYND, wishing her father (if his censure might not be reuerst) that he would appoint her partner of her exile; which if he refused to doo, either she would (by some secret meanes) steale out and follow her, or els end her daies with some desperate kinde of death. When TORISMOND heard his daughter so resolute, his heart was so hardned against her, that he set downe a definitiue and peremptorie sentence that they should both be banished: which presentlie was done. The Tyrant rather choosing to hazard the losse of his only child, than any waies to put in question the state of his kingdome: so suspicious and feareful is the conscience of an vsurper. Well, although his Lords perswaded him to retaine his owne daughter, yet his resolution might not bee reuerst, but both of them must away from the court without either more companie or delay. In he went with great melancholie, and left these two Ladies alone. ROSALYND waxed very sad, and sat downe and wept. ALINDA she smiled, and sitting by her friende began thus to comfort her.

W

 
Hy how now ROSALYND, dismaide with a frowne of contrarie fortune? Haue I not oft heard thee say that high minds were discouered in fortunes contempt, and heroycall seene in the depth of extremities? Thou wert wont to tell others that complained of distresse, that the sweetest salue for miserie was patience; and the onlie medicine for want, that precious implaister of content: being such a good Phisition to others, wilt thou not minister receipts to thy selfe? But perchance thou wilt say:

Montanus passion.

H

 
Adst thou been borne whereas perpetuall cold
Makes Tanais hard, and mountaines siluer old:
Had I complain'd vnto a marble stone;
Or to the flouds bewraide my bitter mone,
    I then could beare the burden of my griefe.
But euen the pride of Countries at thy birth,
Whil'st heauens did smile did new aray the earth
                with flowers chiefe.
Yet thou the flower of beautie blessed borne,
Hast pretie lookes, but all attir'd in scorne.

Had I the power to weepe sweet Mirrhas teares;
Or by my plaints to pearce repining eares;
Hadst thou the heart to smile at my complaint;
To scorne the woes that doth my heart attaint,
    I then could beare the burden of my griefe.
But not my teares, but truth with thee preuailes,
And seeming sowre my sorowes thee assailes:
                yet small reliefe.
For if thou wilt thou art of marble hard;
And if thou please my suite shall soone be heard.

    No doubt (quoth ALIENA) this poesie is the passion of some perplexed shepheard, that being enamoured of some faire and beautifull Shepheardesse, suffered some sharpe repulse, and therefore complained of the crueltie of his Mistris. You may see (quoth GANIMEDE) what mad cattell you women be, whose hearts sometimes are made of Adamant that will touch with no impression; and sometime of waxe that is fit for euerie forme: they delight to be courted, and then they glorie to seeme coy; and when they are most desired then they freese with disdaine: and this fault is so common to the sex, that you see it painted out in the shepheards passions, who found his Mistris as froward as he was enamoured. And I pray you (quoth Aliena) if your roabes were off, what mettall are you made of that you are so satyricall against women? Is it not a foule bird defiles the owne nest? Beware (GANIMEDE) that ROSADER heare you not; if he doo, perchance you will make him leape so far from loue, that he wil anger euery vain in your heart. Thus (quoth GANIMEDE) I keepe decorum, I speake now as I am ALIENAS page, not as I am GERISMONDS daughter: for put me but into a peticoate, and I will stand in defiance to the vttermost that women are courteous, constant, vertuous, and what not. Stay there (quoth ALIENA) and no more words; for yonder be Caracters grauen vpon the barke of the tall Beech tree: let vs see (quoth GANIMEDE:) and with that they read a fancie written to this effect.

First shall the heauens want starrie light;
The seas be robbed of their waues;
The day want sunne, and sunne want bright;
The night want shade, the dead men graues;
    The Aprill, flowers and leafe and tree,
    Before I false my faith to thee.

First shall the tops of highest hills
By humble plaines be ouerpride;
And Poets scorne the Muses quills,
And fish forsake the water glide;
    And Iris loose her coloured weed,
    Before I faile thee at thy need.

First direfull hate shal turne to peace,
And loue relent in deepe disdaine;
And death his fatall stroake shall cease,
And enuie pitie euery paine;
    And pleasure mourne, and sorowe smile,
    Before I talke of any guile.

First First time shall stay his staylesse race,
And winter blesse his browes with corne;
And snow bemoysten Iulies face;
And winter spring, and sommer mourne,
    Before my pen by helpe of fame,
    Cease to recite thy sacred name.
                Montanus.

    No doubt (quoth GANIMEDE) this protestation grewe from one full of passions. I am of that mind too (quoth ALIENA) but see I pray, when poore women seeke to keepe themselues chast, how men woo them with many fained promises, alluring with sweet words as the SYRENS, and after proouing as trothlesse as AENEAS. Thus promised DEMOPHOON to his PHILLIS, but who at last grew more false? The reason was (quoth GANIMEDE) that they were womens sonnes, and took that fault of their mother; for if man had growen from man, as ADAM did from the earth, men had neuer been troubled with inconstancie. Leaue off (quoth ALIENA) to taunt thus bitterly, or els Ile pul off your pages apparell and whip you (as VENUS doth her wantons) with nettles. So you will (quoth GANIMEDE) perswade me to flattrie, and that needs not: but come (seeing we haue found heere by this Fount the trackt of Shepheards by their Madrigals and Roundelaies) let vs forward; for either we shall finde some foldes, sheepcoates, or els some cottages wherein for a day or two to rest. Co[n]tent (quoth ALIENA) and with that they rose vp, and marched forward till towards the euen: and then comming into a faire valley (compassed with mountaines, whereon grewe many pleasant shrubbs) they might descrie where two flocks of sheepe did feede. Then looking about, they might perceiue where an old shepheard sat (and with him a yong swaine) vnder a couert most pleasantlie scituated. The ground where they sat was diapred with FLORAS riches, as if she ment to wrap TELLUS in the glorie of her vestments: round about in the forme of an Amphitheater were most curiouslie planted Pine trees, interseamed with Limons and Citrons, which with the thicknesse of their boughes so shadowed the place, that PHŒBUS could not prie into the secret of that Arbour; so vnited were the tops with so thicke a closure, that VENUS might there in her iollitie haue dallied vnseene with her deerest paramour. Fast by (to make the place more gorgeous) was there a Fount so Christalline and cleere, that it seemed DIANA with her DRIADES and HEMADRIADES had that spring, as the secrete of all their bathings. In this glorious Arbour sat these two shepheards (seeing their sheepe feede) playing on their pipes many pleasant tunes, and from musick and melodie falling into much amorous chat: drawing more nigh we might descrie the countenance of the one to be full of sorowe, his face to be the verie pourtraiture of discontent, and his eyes full of woes, that liuing he seemed to dye: wee (to heare what these were) stole priuilie behind the thicke, where we ouerheard this discourse.

S

 
Ay shepheards boy, what makes thee greet so sore?
Why leaues thy pipe his pleasure and delight?
Yong are thy yeares, thy cheekes with roses dight:
The sing for ioy (sweet swaine) and sigh no more.

This milke white Poppie and this climbing Pine
Both promise shade; then sit thee downe and sing,
And make these woods with pleasant notes to ring,
Till Phœ bus daine all Westward to decline.

Ah (Coridon) vnmeet is melodie
To him whom proud contempt hath ouerborne:
Slaine are my ioyes by Phœ bes bitter scorne,
Farre hence my weale and nere my ieopardie.

Loues burning brand is couched in my brest,
Making a Phœ nix of my faintfull hart:
And though his furie doo inforce my smart,
Ay blyth am I to honour his behest.

Preparde to woes since so my Phœ be wills,
My lookes dismaid since Phœ be will disdaine:
I banish blisse and welcome home my paine;
So streame my teares as showers from Alpine hills.

In errours maske I blindfolde iudgements eye,
I fetter reason in the snares of lust,
I seeme secure, yet know not how to trust;
I liue by that, which makes me liuing die.

Deuoyd of rest, companion of distresse,
Plague to myselfe, consumed by my thought;
How may my voyce or pipe in tune be brought?
Since I am reft of solace and delight.

Ah Lorrell lad, what makes thee Herry loue?
A sugred harme, a poyson full of pleasure,
A painted shrine ful-fild with rotten treasure,
A heauen in shew, a hell to them that proue.

Againe, in seeming shadowed still with want,
A broken staffe which follie doth vpholde,
A flower that fades with euerie frostie colde,
An orient rose sprong from a wythred plant.

A minutes ioy to gaine a world of greefe,
A subtill net to snare the idle minde,
A seeing Scorpion, yet in seeming blinde,
A poore reioyce, a plague without releefe.

For thy Montanus follow mine arreede,
(Whom age hath taught the traynes that fancie vseth)
Leaue foolish loue; for beautie wit abuseth,
And drownes (by follie) vertues springing seede.

So blames the childe the flame, because it burnes;
And bird the snare, because it doth intrap;
And fooles true loue, because of sorrie hap;
And saylers cursse the ship that ouerturnes:

But would the childe forbeare to play with flame,
And birdes beware to trust the fowlers ginne,
And fooles foresee before they fall and sinne,
And maisters guide their ships in better frame;

The childe would praise the fire, because it warmes;
And birds reioyce, to see the fowler faile;
And fooles preuent, before their plagues preuaile;
And saylers blesse the barke that saues from harmes.

Ah Coridon, though manie be thy yeares,
And crooked elde hath some experience left;
Yet is thy minde of iudgement quite bereft
In view of loue, whose power in me appeares.

The ploughman little wots to turne the pen,
Or bookeman skills to guide the ploughmans cart,
Nor can the cobler count the tearmes of Art,
Nor base men iudge the thoughts of mightie men;

Nor wythered age (vnmeete for beauties guide,
Vncapable of loues impression)
Discourse of that, whose choyce possession
May neuer to so base a man be tied.

But I (whom nature makes of tender molde,
And youth most pliant yeeldes to fancies fire)
Doo builde my hauen and heauen on sweete desire,
On sweete desire more deere to me than golde.

Think I of loue, ô how my lines aspire?
How hast the Muses to imbrace by browes,
And hem my temples in with lawrell bowes,
And fill my braines with chast and holy fire?

Then leaue my lines their homely equipage,
Mounted beyond the circle of the Sunne;
Amaz'd I read the stile when I haue done,
And Herry Loue that sent that heauenly rage.

Of Phœbe then, of Phœbe then I sing,
Drawing the puritie of all the spheares,
The pride of earth, or what in heauen appeares,
Her honoured face and fame to light to bring.

In fluent numbers and in pleasant vaines,
I rob both sea and earth of all their state,
To praise her parts: I charme both time and fate,
To blesse the Nymph that yeeldes me loue sicke paines.

My sheepe are turnd to thoughts, whom froward will
Guides in the restlesse Laborynth of loue,
Feare lends them pasture wheresoere they moue,
And by their death their life renueth still,

[M]y sheepehooke is my pen, mine oaten reede
My paper, where my manie woes are written;
Thus silly swaine (with loue and fancie bitten)
I trace the plaines of paine in wofull weede.

Yet are my cares, my broken sleepes, my teares,
My dreames, my doubts, for Phœbe sweete to me:
Who wayteth heauen in sorrowes vale must be,
And glorie shines where danger most appeares.

Then Coridon although I blythe me not,
Blame me not man, since, sorrow is my sweete;
So willeth Loue, and Phœbe thinkes it meete,
And kinde Montanus liketh well his lot.

Oh staylesse youth, by errour so misguided;
Where will prescribeth lawes to perfect wits,
Where reason mournes, and blame in triumph sits,
And follie poysoneth all that time prouided.

With willfull blindnesse bleared, preparde to shame,
Prone to neglect Occasion when she smiles:
Alas that Loue (by fond and froward guiles)
Should make thee tract the path to endlesse blame.

Ah (my Montanus) cursed is the charme
That hath bewitched so thy youthfull eyes:
Leaue off in time to like these vanities;
Be forward to thy good, and fly thy harme.

As manie bees as Hibla daily shields,
As manie frie as fleete on Oceans face,
As manie heards as on the earth doo trace,
As manie flowres as decke the fragrant fields,

As manie starres as glorious heauen containes,
As manie stormes as wayward winter weepes,
As manie plagues as hell inclosed keepes;
So manie greefes in loue, so manie paines.

Suspitions, thoughts, desires, opinions, praiers,
Mislikes, misdeedes, fond ioyes, and fained peace,
Illusions, dreames, great paines, and small increase,
Vowes, hopes, acceptance, scornes, and deepe despaires,

Truce, warre, and woe doo waite at beauties gate;
Time lost, lament, reports, and priuie grudge,
And last, fierce Loue is but a partiall Iudge,
Who yeeldes for seruice shame, for friendship hate[.]

All Adder-like I stop mine eares (fond swaine)
So charme no more; for I will neuer change.
Call home thy flockes in time that stragling range:
For loe, the Sunne declineth hence amaine.

In amore hœc omnia insunt vitia, induciæ, inimicitæ, bellum, pax rursum: incerta hœ si tu postules, ratione certa fieri nihilo plus agas, quam si des operam, vt cum ratione insanias.

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