the liuers chast With guilty men of fault forbode shall he strayght wayes be plaâ—â— No haynous act the wanton verse it is to lightly reede For many thinges the chast may see which be abhord in deede The matrons graue do oft beholde the baudy harlots loue How naked there themselues they make dame Venus prâ—nkes to proue The Uestall eyes likewyse they do the Sâ—rompets body see Yet to themselues by sight therof no paynes deserued bee But why haue I so much alas my muse to wanton made Or what haue causd my wicked booke to louely lore perswade No thinge saue sinne and open fault of force I must confesse My wits and skill I do accuse as cause of my distresse Why haue I not the Troyan towne by Gretians whilom sackt In Asper verse the same renu'de and toulde that famous fact Why spake I not of Thebas slege and wounded brethren twayne And how the seuen gates thereof in sundry charge remayne And marshall Rome occasion gaue whereof I should endight A godly worke it were for mee my country facts to wright In fine while that by thy deserts all thinges so much aboundâ— A cause I had O Caesar why thy prayse I should resounde Euen as the eyes delighted be with beames of Phoebus bright So did thy facts my mynde entise to take thereof delight As rightfully I am reprou'de in barren fielde I tâ—l'de That noble worke is far more large with greater plentye fil'de For though the slender boate is bould in smaller streame to play Yet like disport it dareth not in surginge seas assay And doubting that for greater thinges my minde is farre vnfit In ditties small it may suffice that I doe shew my wit But if thou should commaund to tell of Gâ—aunts greeuous woundâ—s Which they through fyre of Ioue did feele the worke my wit confouÌ„des A fruictfull minde it doth requyre of Caesars actes to wright Least els perhaps with matter much the worke may want his right Which though I durst haue take in hande yet dreading much amonge Thy noble power I might abate which were to great a wronge To lighter worke I therefore went and youthfull verse addrest With â—ayned loue a care I had to feede my fiâ—le breâ—st Which loth I was full longe to doe but fates did so ordayne And deepe desâ—re my mynde did mooue to purchase greeuous payne Why haue I learn'de O wretch why haue my parents taught me lore On letters small why haue I set my wofull eyes before For this I am of thee enuide by wanton arte aright Through which thou thincks y e chasty heads be traind to foule delight But none whom wedlocks yoke doth bind this craft haue learnd of me For who so nothinge knowes himselfe no teacher can he be So haue I made both pleasant Toyes and gentle facile verse As yet â—n talke for by worde leude no wight may â—e reherse Nor none who liues in wedded life amonge the common rought That of himselfe a father false through my default doe dought My maners milde repugnant are to verse beleue you mee My life both chast and shamefaâ—t is though muse mor e pleasaunt bee And greatest part of those my workes inuentions are vntrue For much more craft they doe allowe then maker euer knewe Nor written bookes do not purport th'affâ—ctions of the mynde But honest will to pleasaunt myrth to make the caâ—es inclynde For Aceius tâ—en in cruell deedes Terentius should delight In bâ—nkâ—tâ— braue and warriours be of warres that do endight In fine thoâ—gh diuers are with mee that tender lâ—ue haue mâ—yde Yâ—t I alâ—nâ— for it O wretch the paynes alone haue payde Theia musâ— of Leâ—yan olde hath she not taught the skill With plenty great of Bacchus dewe dame Venus neast to fill â—hat haâ—h dame Sappho Lesbia learn'de but maydens fayre to loue Yet Saâ—pho still remayneth â—aulâ—e and he no paâ—nes do proue What hath it thee ô Battis hurt that reading of thy verse Tâ—y pleasaunt prâ—ncks thou did confesse and wanton ioyes reherse No fabâ—e â—ounde but tels of loue in great Menanders booke Yet is it red to Uirgins yongue and Boyes thereon do looke What shall you reade in Ilias but foule aduouterous life And feare affâ—â—ct of louers false with toyle and endlesse strife Therein what is there set before of Chresida the loue And of the mayde froÌ„ Captaynes caught which anger great did moue What is Odysâ—ea els but while Vlâ—sâ—eâ— was away How of his wyse the loue to get what Woâ—rs did â—ssay What doth great Homer more report but Mars to Venus bound And that thâ—y were in filthy bed and foule aduouâ—ry â—ound By him haue we not knowledge caught â—haâ— moâ—â—de with loues 〈◊〉 One straunger caus'de two Gâ—ddesses to buâ—ne in secret fyre Though Tragedies all writinges do surmount for matter grâ—ue Yet euen in them occasions great of loue alwayes we haue For in Hyppolitus the loue of Phaedra do we finde And eke how constant Canace lou'de her broâ—â—er not vnkinde What did not then kinge Pelopâ— white when Cupid forcte his chaire With Phrygian horses fearce conuey Hippodamia faire Prouoked grieâ—e through loues desyre in scâ—â—â— so mâ—ch it was That mothers caus'de theyr cruell Bledes through childrens bloud to pas And loue a king with Lemman â—ayre in 〈◊〉 foulâ—s did chaunge And made Sir Itis mother mourne with sâ—ghes sobbing straunge If that Europaes brother vile her loue did not requyre Wyth Phoebus then we hâ—d not read how horses did retyre Nor Scylla should haue so attayn'de the Trâ—gâ—cke stile vnto Unlesse that loue her Father forste his fatall hearse forgo Whose life by hap Electran reades and made Orestes fit Aegestus faultes nor Clytemnestras sinnes he can forgit What neede I speake of Victor that Chymera did oppresse Who crafty gest did much annoy to death almost distresse Who hath not spoke of Hermyone and thee Chentyda tould Of Alcumene whom Mycene Duke in louinge breast did fould What Daneyes daughter in law her selfe what Bacchus Dame What Hermyona with her which caus'de of one two Nightes became Of Duke Admere of Theseus eke what should I here resounde Of Greeke whose ship did first arriue on coast of Pgrygian grounde Let Ioels come amonge the rest with Deidamia fayre Wyth Hylas to and Ganimede who did to heauen repayre No time would serue the Traiecke syres if I for them should looke Whose names alone could not be set within this carefull booke And Tragedies the laughters foule prouoke in sundry wyse Yea shamelesse woordes full many a one because of them aryse What hath it hindred him that did the fearce Achill abuse For which his valiaunt deedes were lost and force did him refuse Aristides the filthy facts of fond Myâ—â—â—â—â—ns tould Yet from his towne was not exild nor in such wyse contrould Nor Eubius a writer great of hystoryes vncleane How mothers might their seedâ— consume by foule and filthy meanâ— Nor he who wrote the bookes which men Sabatia haue nam'de Nor they whose owne
woâ—ull wayling wâ—ts but slender force haue lent O happy yet for him it was Aeneados did wright Wâ—o Mâ—rian headâ— wiâ—h mighty men and weapoâ—â—â—erce resight No part of all which famous worke the readers do delight So much as that where loue was â—inckt againe all honest right Of Phyllis he likewise haue tould and Amarylliâ— loue Iâ— youthfull yeares he sought his minde wyth Bucolickes to moue And we who haue by wrâ—ting these committed greeuâ—us sinne Oâ—r sinfull factes much elder be though paynes but now beginne I verses also made when thou offences haue contrould A knight by thee to passe oft times I voyde of checke was bould Wâ—erefore I yong and wanting wit in that no daunger thought Wâ—ich now to me in elder age more hurtâ—ull care haue brought A new reuenging paâ—nes I feele for auncient written Art The persecution differeth far from time of my defart Yâ—t of my woorkes â—ou may beleue more wayghty burdens beare For oftentimes more massy sayles my ship sustayned there Foâ— bookes twyse â—ix I written haue and Fastoâ— did them name In number like of â—onthes were made and ended in the saâ—e Aâ—d that that through my heauy fate I did O Caesar make Wâ—erein I highly honoured thâ—e whâ—n I my way did take Yâ—â— Tâ—agike still in royall verse we also did endight Wâ—erein no waightâ— wordes do want that stately stile should light Iâ— verse likâ—wâ—se â—e â—ould althoâ—gh tâ—e workes imperfect bene Wâ—ere sundrâ— shapes â—ransâ—ormed are and chaunged bodyes seene Bâ—t would to God thy wrath a wâ—ile froâ— miâ—de thou would remoue And that of thâ—â—e same part to reade thou wouldest mâ— behoue The worke which at the worldes vpryse his firsâ— bâ—ginning had To thy â—ost famous â—aygne I brought and wroâ—â— O Caesar â— glad There shalt thou finde what store oâ— wit on me 〈…〉 And with what minde â—or thee and thine to write I haue assaâ—ed I do no man wyth â—yting verse or churlisâ—e câ—ecke disdaâ—ne Nor no mans guilty â—actes there doth within my workes â—emayne From sâ—bâ—ill â—oyes I guiltâ—es am that ten preâ— be 〈◊〉 gaâ—l Nor 〈◊〉 my verse no venyme fell wâ—th myrth is mixt at all Among so many thousand men wyth verses â—any a one My learned muse haue hindred noâ—e â—y sâ—lâ—e except alone At my mishap I gesse therefore no Romayne doth reioyce But much bewayle our sundry woes with one lâ—â—enting voyce Nor no man would I thinke be sad in this â—y â—orâ—y chaunce If mercy me through guiâ—â—les life to gâ—eater caâ—e aduaunce Lo thâ—se with many more I wishe may perce thy heauenly brest O father deare O sure deâ—ence our counâ—ryes only â—est To Italy I would not turne vnlesse in loâ—ger space Through greater paynes of thee perhaps we â—ay deserue more gracâ— More safer place for Exiles life and gentler rest I craue So shall my faults and carefull crimes theyr due deseruinges haue FINIS The third Booke ¶ The booke to the Reader Elegia 1. IN Fearefull wyse an Exiles booke am sent â—he towne to see Thy helping hand to weary â—râ—nd â— Readeâ— â—end thoâ— mee Nor doubt thou not least I be cause perhaps to worke 〈◊〉 sâ—aâ—e No versâ— in tâ—is dot◠〈◊〉 to loâ—e wheâ—ebâ— to â—orce â—he saâ—e â—or maisters fortune hath â—en such alas vnâ—aâ—â—â— wight Tâ—at 〈…〉 Iesâ—es or 〈…〉 And that which â—e in 〈…〉 To late â— wofull wâ—â—ke doth nâ—w â—ith 〈…〉 dâ—fy Bâ—hâ—ld theâ—efore what I do bring 〈…〉 â—hought at al Such 〈◊〉 â—eete in 〈…〉 as doâ—â— to 〈…〉 Ecâ—e other 〈…〉 The weaâ—y â—oote or â—engâ—â— of way the cause 〈◊〉 of â—aue deenâ— I am not staynd in Câ—dars say nor wrought with Pâ—â—nice bright For shame it were to be mâ—re braue then mayster may with right The letters sad whereof the blots bereft of wonted grace The sorry teares that worke hath hurt which feâ—l from Poets face If any word he wrested haue from light of latin sence The bâ—rbrous land haue forâ—t thereto and cause proceded thence Then tell if payne be none which way O Râ—ader is most sure Aâ—d by what steps a straungers booke my passage may procure Whyle these I spake with stamering tongue and closely all aâ—one My iourney so that â—olde there was among them aâ—l but one God graunt thou may which Nâ—so to hath bene denied playne That in thy country here maist bide and 〈◊〉 rest obtayne Guyd one I shall pursue although by seas and land I sought All tyâ—ed long my wery feete from furthâ—st country brought Oâ—rying then and passing forth quoth he this is the gâ—te Of Caesars Court and waâ— the name from Gods haue growen but late This is the vestale place that keepes dame Pallas and the fyre This is the Pallace small whereto King Numa did aspyre From hence on left syde looke quoth he Satuâ—nus house do stande Heere Romulus the lofty Rome to build did take in hand And wondring much forthwith in sight I glitering armour spyde And royall gates with heauenly bowers in perfect vew descryde Behold of Ioue the house quoth he which we may so deuine By royall Crowne of Oken tree that high thereon do shine His name once hard forthwith I sayd we haue deuided well Oâ— mighty Ioue it iâ— the house and he therein do dwell But â—o what cause the noble gates be hid with Lawrell greene Or why the tree with braunches spred hath made his beire vnseene For that this house of tryumphes brane deserues eternall fame Or els because Apollo great doth dearely loue the same Or that it sacred is or els all thinges of it must neede Or els of peace the tokens playne on totall earth do spreede For as the Lawrell greene do growe and neuer fades away So â—â—â—lesse honor here remaynes which yeldes to no decay The letters eke which written be about the statâ—ly Crowne The enâ—â—gnes be of his defence the Citizens haue founâ— One faythfull man except alone who dryuen full far away Doth lurk aloofe in furthest land oprest in deepe decay Wâ—o thougâ— he doâ—h confesse himselfe to haue deserued payne No wicked deede was cause thereof but error proued playne At royal place and mighty man O wretch for â—eare I shake And doleful woefull letters smal through tremblyng dread do quâ—ke Thou dost behold to sickly hew my paper pale do chaunge And dost regarde ech other foote â—o haâ—t with trembling straunge And at what tyme before the lordeâ— and rulers of the place In sight thou shal be set I pray thee pleade thy parentes case From thence with slender pawsâ—ng pace to â—ofty steps was brought And stately Temples built on hie of great Apollo sought Euen where on mighty pâ—â—â—ers playne the nobâ—â— picture stande Beâ—ides and the cruel syre with naked sword in hand And where the auncient writers learâ—de with learned hande did wryte Which readers all may there behold and there do stand in sight My brethren there I loked for saue tâ—ose I cold nat â—â—ide Wâ—oâ—e byrth the father did repent and so did wish in mynd And
THE Three first BOOKES OF Ouid de Tristibus Translated into English IMPRINTED at London in Fleetestrete neare vnto Sainct Dunstones Church by Thomas Marsh. 1580. Cum Priuilegio The occasion of this Booke OF Ouidius Naso his banishment diuers occasions be supposed but the commoÌ„ opinion and the most likely is that Augustus Caesar theÌ„ Em perour reading his Bookes of the Arte of Loue misliked theÌ„ so much that he condemned Ouid to exile After which time the sayd Ouid aswel in his passage on the Sea as after arriued in the Barbarous countries the rather to recouer the Emperours grace wrote these Elegies or Lamentable verses directing some to the Gods some to Caesar some to his wife some to his Daughter some to his Frendes some to his foes c. And called this booke the booke of Sorowes In latin de Tristibus TO HIS MOST ASSVred and tryed Friende Maister Christopher Hatton Esquire Thomas Churchyarde wysheth continuaunce of Vertue AS I haue greate desyre to perfourme my promise touching my whole workes of English Verses good maister Hatton so I wish my selfe able euerye waye to keepe the worthinesse of your Frendship which many haue tasted and few can fynd fault withall such is the eeueÌ„nesse of your dealinges and the vpright behauiour of the same VVel least I should seeme to vnfolde a fardle of Flattrie I retourne to my matter My booke being vnreadye considering I was commaunded by a great and mighty parsonage to write y e same againe I am forced in the meane whyle to occupy your iudgement with the reading of another mans worke whose doings of it self are sufficieÌ„t to purchase good report albeit it wanted such a Patron as you are to defende it The rest of that woorke which as yet is not come forth I purpose to pen and set out crauing a litle leasure for the same And surely sir I blush that myne owne booke beares not a better Tytle but the basenes of the matter wil not suffer it to beare any higher name than Churchyardes Chyps for in the same are sondry tryfles composed in my youth and such fruicte as those dayes and my simple knowledge coulde yelde so that the aptest name for such stuffe was as I thought to geue my workes this Title to be called Churchyardes Chips to warme the wittes of his welwillers In my first booke shal be three Tragedies two tales a Dreame a description of Frendship a Farewell to the Court the siege of Leeth and sondry other thinges y t are already written And in my seconde Booke shal be foure Tragedies ten Tales the Siege of Saint Quintaynes Newhauen Calleis and Guynes and I hope the rest of all the sorrein warres that I haue seene or heard of abroade shall follow in another volume Thus commending this little present to your coÌ„sideration I trouble you not long with the tediousnes of my Epistle and wishing you muche worshippe good â—ame and blessed fortune I bydde you moste hartely farewell Yours in all at commaundement Thomas Churchyarde Ouid to his Booke The Elegie first MY litle booke I blame thee not to stately towne sâ—all goe O cruell chaunce y â— where thou goest thy maister may not so Goe now thy way yet sute thy selfe in sad and simple geare Such exiles weede as time requyre I wil y â— thou do weare No vastie Uiolet shalt thou vse nor robe of Purple hue Those costly coulours be vnsâ—t our carefull cause to â—ue With ruddy red dye not thy face nor sappe of Ceder tree Such outward huâ— see that thou haue as cause assignes to thee Frounce not thy fearefull face I say nor haplesse head to streke But roughe and rugde so shew in sight that pity may prouoke Those subtill sleights be much more meete for volumes voyde of paine But thou of my vnfrendly fate a myrror must remayne Be not abasht thy ruefull blots to set and shew in sight That of my teares men may them iudge to haue beene made a right Depart thy way and in my name salute those blessed bowers When as thy fearefull foote shall fall in Caesars stately towers If any be as some there are amongst the rurall route Forgetlesse frends shall aske for mee or ought shall seeme to doubte Say that I liue which as I do by force of heauenly might So do confesse my troubled state wherein thou sees me plight If further speach shall thee prouoke or other skill they craue I charge thee then to take good heede no wastfull wordes to haue My faulty facts if any shall reproue perhaps to thee Or dolefull deedes in publike place condempned chaunce to beâ— Spend thou no speach nor do not care tho threatning browes they beÌ„de A rightfull cause it hindreth oft with wordes if we defend Some shalt thou finde that wil bewayle me thus in exile sent And reading thee with trickling teares my carefull case lament And in their muttring mindes will wish least wicked men may heare That Caesars yre once set a syde from paynes I may be cleare To such therefore as wel do wish to vs that payne do proue To mighty Ioue wee pray likewyse like sorrowes to remoue All thinges thus staâ—de in quiet state and Caesars grace once wonne Doth wish my lothsome life to ende where life I first begonne A worke vnworthy of my witte of thee some men will iudge And doing that I thee requyre at thee likewyse shall grudge Yet ought a Iudge as well to time as matteâ— haue regarde Which if ye haue as I do hope thou sasely shalt be harde For pleasaunt berses do proceede from quiet resting brayne But soden sorrowes mee assaultes with hugie heapes of â—ayne A time of trouble voyde it craues a perfit verse to make But mee the Seas the wrestâ—yng wyndes the winter wyld doth shake A minde more free from feare it askes in deadly doubt I stand Least that my life with sword be reft by force of enemyes hand Yet some there are that maruâ—ile will and rightfull Iudges bee When they this meane and simple verse with equall eyes shall see For though that Homer yet did liue with sorrowes so be set His wonted wits through malyce mighte I feare he should forget Yet shewe thy selfe my seely booke without regard of fame Nor though percase thou doest displease let it not thee ashame Syth fortune so vnfrendly is to hope it were in vayne That thou therby should purchase prayse to make therof thy gayne Whyle fortune smyld with smirking chere of fame I had desyre And noted name on euery syde I sought for to acquyre A fayned verse lo now I make and hate my hurtful lore Let it suffice sith that my wit forsaketh me therfore Yet goe thou one and in my steede the royall Rome to see God graunt that there is none of myne they may account of thee And though thou there a straunger be thinke not vnknowen to come But that amids the mighty towne thou shalt be knowen to some Thy colour wil disclose thy
fortune bendes her brow â—o wonted vse â—e hath to fume no man is more modest If he which lou'de to louer 〈◊〉 in troubâ—lous time is prest The fame doth telâ— how Thoas kinge on Pylades did rew When as by mâ—te of Graecian Lande Orestes once he knew Patâ—â—â—lus perfit fayth which was with great Achilles kniâ— Was wont full oft with worthy prayse in Hectorâ— mouth to sit They say because that Theseus with frend of his did pas Amonge the Princes blacke of Hell their God full sorâ—y was Wee beleeue O Turnus that thy cheekes with teares were wet When thou heard of Eurialuâ— and Nysus faythâ—â— so set In wretches eke there is a loue in foes which we approue O heauy hap so few there be which with my words I moue Such is the state and chaunce of mee and of my matters all That nothing ought my teares to stop from sory race to fall ¶ Hee reioyseth that his frend profited in learning Elegie 9. ALthough my heart for priuate chaunce with sadnes so be fraught It â—ighter lyes when I heare of the knowledge thou hast caught I saw most deare that here thou should within this port ariue Afore this way the wrasâ—ling windes thy ship began to driue If â—anners milde with vertue mixt or life deuoyde of blame Be had in price no man that liues deserues a better name Or if by art of cunning knowne that any do ascend There comes â—o cause which thâ—n cannot with pleasaunt words defeâ—d With these in minde I mooued thus to thee then streight can say A greater stage O friend remaynes thy vertâ—e to display No spleene of Sheepe of Ligâ—â—ning flame no flashe on left side seene No chirâ—ing songe or flight of foule a sâ—gne whereof hath bene By reasons rule I did deuine and iudge of that should come All these in mynde I gâ—ssed right and of them knowledge â—ome In heart therefore I ioyfull am for thee they proouâ—d true Also for me to whom thy wit was knowne as did ensue But would to God that myne had lyne full lowe in darknes hid For neede requyres my sâ—udious stile of louely â—ight to rid And aâ— the sciâ—nce sad and graue wyth pyked speach aâ—d fyne Doth profit thee so am I hurt with lore vnlike to thyne But yet my life thou know'st right well how that far from this art Is maisters maners distant all â—epugne in euery part Thou knowest of old this verse was writ by me when I was yonge And it was though not to prayse in Iest and playing songe Like as no crafty couller can in their defence haue might So I suppose my verse may not excused be with right Euâ—n as thou can doe thâ—m excuse and frendes cause not forsake And with such steppes as thou hast gone thy way right forâ—h do take ¶ Hee prayseth his shippe hee founde at Corinthia Elegie 10. A Ship I haue and God so gâ—aunt gâ—uern'de by Pallas might Whose haâ—py name no helme thâ—reof dâ—â—aâ—nted is in sight Iâ— sayles therein we neede to vse with slendâ—r winde she sayles Or if the ower her way she takes and easy force preuayles Her fellowes all â—ith speedy course to pâ—sse is not content But doth put backe by sundry skilles all shippes that forward bent The flowing floude she lightly bears and sels the tâ—ssing seas No cruell wâ—ues she yeeldes vnto but sayles away with â—ase With her I came acquaynted â—irst euen aâ— Corinthia ground Whom since a guide and trusty mate in fearefull slight I found Through sundry streights and wicked winds out way she did prâ—cure Yet was by force of Pallaâ— power frâ—m daunger saued sure And now the gates of vasâ—y Seas we â—ray that she may 〈◊〉 In Geta streames so long time sought we may at length arâ—iue Which when she had conuey'de me â—hus to Hellispontus port In narrow trackt away full longe she sâ—ulâ—ely did resort On left syde thâ—n our course wee tourn'de from Astors famous towne And to their coasts ô Imbria thâ—re â—rom thence we came a downe So forth 〈◊〉 gentle windes when wee Zerinthia did attayne In Samothâ—acia there our ship all weary â—id remayne From hence the reach is short if thou Sâ—antira seekes to vewe So â—arre the happy ship she did her maister still pursue Then on Bistâ—nian fieldes to goe on fâ—â—te it did meâ— please My ship forthwith forsaking there the Hellespontian Seas Unto Dardania then which hears the Auâ—hâ—rs 〈◊〉 we bend And thee ô Lampsace we do seeke wâ—om rurall Gods defend Wâ—ere as the Sea doth Seston par from Abydena towne Euen where as Helles whilom fell in narrow Seas adowne From thence to Cizicon which on Propontis shore do stand Ciziâ—oâ— the noble worke of Thessalonians hand Whereas Byzantia holdeth in the seas on eyther side This is the place of double Seas that keepes the gate so wyde And here I â—ray that wee may scape by force of Southren winde That from Cyaneas Rockes in hast she streight a way may finde And so to Enyochus bayes and thence by Polleo fall And caried thus to cut her way by Anchilaus his wall Thence vnto Messembros port and to Opeson bowres May haply passe ô Bacchus by of thee the named towres Now to Alchathoes we go which of the waues be spronge Who flâ—inge â—orth men say did builde herein their houses stronge From which vnto Myletus towne it faulfely may arriue Whereto the fearce and heauy wrath of angry Gods do dryue Wâ—ich if we may attayne vnto a lambe there shal be slâ—yne Mynerua to for greater gift our goods do not sustayne And you dame Hellens breâ—hrâ—n twaine to whom this Ile do bend Your double power to both our shippes we pray that you do lend The one vnto Symplegades prepares her way to make The other through Bysâ—onâ—a her iorney thence do take Cause you that since we diuers plats of purpose go vnto Thaâ— she may haue and so may this their wished winds also ¶ Hovve that hee made his first booke in his Iourney Elegie 11. WYthin this booke what letter be that thou perhaps shall reede In troublous time of careful way y e same was made in deede For eyther Adria sawe we there in colde Decembers day How weepinge verse amids the Seas to wryte I did assay Or els with double Seas in course I Istmos ouercâ—me And other ships therby in flight our fellowes so became When Cyâ—lades amased were and maruaile much did ta ke How I among the roring â—â—ouds these verses yet cold make And now my selfe do wonder sore that in such â—aging waues Of mynd and Seas my very wits themsâ—lues from daunger sâ—ues For be â—t maze with care hereof or madnes we it call This study doth repell from mynd my thoughts and sorrowes all Oft times in doubtful mynd â—o tost by stormy kyndes I was Oft times with Sterops star y e Sea through threatning waues I pas Arthophilax that keepes the beare doth daâ—kd the day at â—awne And south wind with the waters
satisfie thy spight And that once done with sokinge coales the closed man consume Who like a Bull shall rore right out with â—orce of fretting â—â—me For which my worke a gwerdon dew that I likewyse may haue Some iust reward of thee O Prâ—nce my paynefull wittes do craue His talâ— thus donâ— the king stept â—orth thou worker of this payne Shall first quod he approue the same and shell therein be slayne Incontinent as he had taught with fire â—ee sawe him burn'de Who cruelly his manly voyce to beastly blearinge turn'de But why speâ—ke I of Sycill factes these Scythian Getes amonge To thee O wretch my playnt I send that for my bloud do'st longe And that thou may wyth guilty bloud aslake thy longed thrust At these my woes with hungry heart reioyce wyth greedy lust On Seas and Land I flying fast such greeuous paynes approue As hearinge them to pytious teares thy selfe percâ—se might moue If that Vlysses toyles were set beleue me myne withall Neptunus ire to Ioue his â—rath might be accoumpted small Do not therefore who so thou art my griefe againe renewe Nor do not eft in greeuous woundes thy cruell handes embrewe And let the fame of former factes forgeâ—fulnes obtâ—yne So shall of â—hose myne elder hurts one only skarre remayne Thou knoâ—est full well the doubtfull factes do hurt or helpe at will Then fearâ— thy selfe thy lot vnknowen which may thee saue or spill And â—â—th thâ—â— now is come which I did thincke coulde not haue bene Why hast thou mynde of my mishaps thine owne forgetting cleane Yet neede thou not to feare our chaunce most greeuous is of all For that where Caesars wrath is set all ils thereto befall And that thy selfe may know that I vnfaynedly doe moue These playnâ—s I would to God thy selfe might euen the same approu◠¶ Hee defireth a gentler place of exile Elegie 12. THe Westerne windes gan slake the colde and yeare away to pas And Scythian winter slacker seem'de then wonted winter was And when the Ramme on waters thin that Helles rashly brought The lightsome day with darkened night in equall length had wrought The children smal and gladsome girles in country fieldes vp growen The Uiolets sweet at this time reape where seedes haue not ben soweâ— The ferâ—â—le fâ—eldes do florishe now wyth flowers of sundry hewe And babling byrdeâ— w t tongue vntâ—ught do chauÌ„t with nâ—tes so new The Sallowe eke a mother vile her cruell deedes to hide Her neast by beames she maketh close and buildes by houses syde The growing Graine in plowed fieldes with Furrowes layde vnseene With slender spyere through tender earth apeer'th with ioyfull greene The Uines also whereas they be their buds from braunches lowe Do now bringâ— out in Scythia for no Uynes at all doe growe And whereas lofty woods be set the Bowes doe spread from tree For neere to coast of Geta Land no Trees discerned bee Lo there this is the vacant time for sport and pleasaunt playes And talking tongues in iudgement haules do cease for certayne dayes On hynneâ—ghing horse with aâ—mour light they brauely now disport And some to Ball and some to Top wyth merry mynde resort The lusty youth â—â—noynted longe wyth thyn and slyding Oyle Their weary limmes with water wâ—she and rest from former toyle Now triumphes are wyth sounding voyâ—â— the Lookers on do cry From three fould stage the factions three their fauouring words let fly O foure times blest and blessed more the number can make playnâ— That maiest the City free enioy and in the same remaine But I the snow with Sunne conâ—um'de O wretch do heere approue And frosen Sea the yse whereof no foâ—ce might thence remoue No yse the same doth now congeale as wont it was to doâ— Nor herdmen way by Ister make to Sauromathia goe Yet if by hap that any Ship arryue within this coast Or any straunger hap to be in Pontus Hauen at hoast In haâ—â— I seeke the shipmen out and saluinge them before What ship or whence she coms I aske or from what happy â—hore Then they vnlesse it marueile be from some neere ioyning Land Do aunswere make from Nations farre to sayle fewe tak'th in hâ—nd And seldome from Italia Seas do any passage take Nor in these ports from Hauen so wyde no shyp his byding make But if that any come that speake the Latin or the Greeke â—eeâ—s for that more welcome much such language I do seeke It lawfull is from mouth of Sea and from Propontiâ— longe That men may saile with Northren winde these Scythian seas among Who so hee be may haply make some whispering rumour lowe Whereby a part occasion geu'th more fame thereof to growe Then do I pray him make discourse of Caesars triumphes braue And eke what vowes that duty driu'th the Latian Ioue to haue Or els iâ— that Germania land which still rebell'th in fielde With carefull minde at Captaynes feete all prostrate now do yeldâ— Who doth which would my selfe had seene of these thinges haply tell I pray him vse as welcome ghest the house wherein I dwell But well away is Nasoes house now set on Scythia ground Or shall to helpe my payne wythall a place therefore be found God graunt that Caesar may commaunde not this my house to bee But rather for the tyme a place wherein to chaâ—â—ice mee ¶ To his byrth day Elegie 13. MY nâ—t all day though more then need'th â—o here beholde I see But yet on Earth to haue bene borne what doth â—â—prosâ—e mee And why dost thou O carefull day in wrâ—â—ched yeares appeare Which might before this exilde time my life dispatched cleare Iâ— any care foâ— mee thou cast or shame had the possest Beyonde my natiue ground pursu'de why â—ast thou me distrest For in what place an infant first thou knew at nâ—tall day In selfe same land me thinkes thou should haue wrought my last decay And should haue left me quite when as my fellowes me forsooke And there haue wisht me well to fare with sad lamentinge looke What dost thou bere in Pontuâ— lande doth Caesar will thee go In quakinge yse to wrackâ— his ire hath he thee charged so And in despight of customes old and honourable guise To see my backe with garments wâ—ite be clad Italian wyse Or shall the smoking Aulters fume with flowring Garlands bound Or els the graynes of Incence sweete from flaching flames resound Or Sacrifice shall I for thee and offringâ— due present Or shall our vowes to mighty Gods be geuen wyâ—h whole assent I am not so disposed now nor time is offreâ— fit That I thy comming can reioyce and sorrowes quight forgit An aulâ—er fram'de for funâ—rals all deckt with Cipres tree And flaming fyres for death prepar'de is much more meete for mee A Sacrifice to heauenly Gods no care I haue to geeue For vowes helpe not amids such ils I faytâ—fully beâ—eeue But if a liue I ought of them with painfull prayers craue I wishe that in this land of thee no â—ight maâ— after haue ¶ Tâ— hys fâ—â—end to defâ—nd hys Booke â—lâ—gie 14. O Holy Poet prelate higâ— which learned men defendes What dost thou now to wofull wit that friendly help extendes As thou were wont in better plight alwayes to succour mee And now aâ—so least qâ—it I should depart dost thou foresee Dost thou preseâ—ue my verses all and in thy keepinge saâ—e My wofull artes except alone which Author hurted haue Yea do thou so of Poets newe that carefull will remayne And if thou may my haplesse name in City still retayne My selfe enforst away to flee my bookes yet nothinge so Nor cauâ—â— by them committed is to taste of maysters wo. The exil'de father doth oft times to furdest Nations flee Hiâ— children though in townâ— to byde as lawfull is you sâ—e My verse my Oâ—springe so I call begot of mother none But like as Pâ—llas whilom was of Ioue his brâ—yne alone To thee I them commit and syâ—h their Syre is wanted sore To thee that dost protect the Babes the burden is the more And three I haue that my mishap in case alike do proue The rest in open sight preserue thou neede not them remoue And bookes thryce fluâ— of shape traÌ„sform'de which likewise I haue left Which at their maisters funerall with force were all bereft That worke might well if that in mee my life so longe had last From heauy hand amended more with greater fame haue past But now all vncorrupted quite in peoples mouth doth fall If that in peoples dayly speache my name be told at all And to my bookes I know not how which hap into thy hand Adde this although now lately sent from vnacquainted land That who then reads in reading them will presuppose before What time and restlesse place I had appoyncted me therefore To writinges mine more pardon farre a righteous Iudge will show If that them made in exil'de time and barbarous land he know In such mishaps he marueyle will how verses I could write Or how my carefull hand set forth the words I did endite My sundry woes my wits haue broke of which longe time before The fountayne dry and sclender vaine appeared euermore Yet as it was with want of vse is now consum'de away And with long thrist to drines driuen sustered more decay No store of bookes to feede my wit in Scythia coast be founde But in their place the shootinge bowes and arrowes do resounde No learned mates for conference do liue within this lande That hath the skill my verse to reade or eares to vnderstande No space is here to roame aside that watch on wall which goes And gate vpshut keepers of the Getes our deadly dreaded foes Enquiry oft I make of wordes of place or of some name Nor any man is present here by whom I certaine ame Not seldome I enforce to speake to shamefull to confesse My wonted wordes will fayle me then which I forgetting cesse With Thracian talke and Geta rude my eares be stopped quite Mee seemeth now I able am in Getian wise to wryte Beleeue mee least with Latin they be mixed sore I dread And least my writinge while thou vewe the Pontus wordes do read And to my booke such as it is in reading pardon giue And eke excused haue the same by lot of ly e I liue FINIS