For me 't was mooved oh let it cease for me May I thy cause and end of sorrow bee Nor thinke it scorne to yeeld unto my prayer Oenides tooke armes to please his faire I oft have heard it thou dost know 't and how His life his mother to hel's powers did vow Fierce was he in the wars yet he laid by His armes and did his country helpe deny Whom Ataâ—anta moov'd oh happy shee But my slight words las of no moment bee Nor thinke I much at it I ne're was thought Thy wife but to thy bed as servant brought Once me a captive Lady call'd said I That name 's a burthen to captivity Now by my husbands halfe toomb'd bones I sweare Of whom I still a reverend thought doe beare By my three brothers sacred soules who well For their lov'd country with their Country sell By both our heads we oft have joyn'd as one And by thy sword too dearely to me knowne That since my parture Agamemnon knew No bed of mine forsake me as 't is true Should I aske thee that question could'st denie That thou with any save with me did'st lye The Grecians think thou mourn'dst but thee soft straines Delight thy love thee in her lap retaines If any aske why thou denyest to fight Warr's harsh but night and musicke breed delight T is safer farre to sport with amorous fire Or nimblie warble on thy Thracian lyre Then for to wield a shield or shake a speare Or on thy smooth haire heavy Helmet beare Thee once farre better deeds then these did please And thou did'st love fame got by warre not ease Wert only stout when I was captive made Or with my country did thy courage fade The Gods forbid oh maist thou one day hide Thy Pelian javeline in sterne Hectors side Yee Greekes send me as legate to my Lord I with my words sweet kisses will afford Not Phaenix shall not slie Ulysses too Nor Teucers brother plead as I will doe T is much his necke t' embrace with these known armes And with my powerfull eye to tye loves charmes Though then the Sea lesse mercifull thou bee I mute my speaking teares shall worke on thee Nay now ev'n now so may thy aged sire Be blest with yeares and Pyrrhus fame acquire Be mindfull of me nor whilst ire beares sway Consume thy Briseis through thy long delay But if thy love convert to hate whom thou Forcest without thee live to fate make bow And so thou dost my limbs and colour fade Yet hope of thee my parting soule hath staid Of which depriv'd unto my spouse I le hie And brothers worthy act to cause me die But why thus bid'st me die oh rather kill Me with thine owne hands I 've some blood left still And let that sword which had not Pallas stayd Had pierc't Atrides breast my breast invade No rather spare my life and to thy friend Contribute that thou to thy foe did'st lend Oh let the proud Neptun an Troy afford Thee foes and matter for thy Warlike sword And whether that thou mean'st to part or stay As my just Lord command me come away THE ARGVMENT of PHAEDRA'S Epistle to Hippolytus THESEVS the sonne of Aegeus having escaped the Labyrinth and returning homewards with his adjutrix Aâ—iadne axd her sister Phaedra the dâ—uâ—â—â—ers of Minos King of Creet in the way hee toâ—cted at the Island of Naxos where hee leaves Ariaduâ— and with Phaedra whom hee afâ—e wards marâ—â—a 〈◊〉 away But in processe of time Theseu being aâ—sâ—â—t Phaedra falles in love wâ—th Hippolytus the sonne of â—â—heseus by Hippolita Queene â—f the Amazonâ— But â—eem love rather with manly actions and Diaâ—â—â—'s sports than with women often frequenting the solitary woods herest her of all meanes to spâ—ake unto him The wily stepuame resolves to write and laying all motherly modeslie aside stung with unnaturall lust attempts the bashfull youth with this insinuating Epistle THe health she wants except the same thou lend Phaedra to thâ— Aâ—azonian youth doth send Pray read my letter how can it annoy Perhaps ther 's in it that may cause thy joy By these are secrets borne through seas and land And one foe reads what comes from th 'others hand Thrice did I strive to speake thrice my weak tongue Faild me and in my mouth my words still hung Oft I with shame did mixe my love too light But what I blusht to speake love bad me write What love commands wee ought not to despise Who rules and awes the powerfull Deities He first to me in doubt to write did say Phaedra write on thy love he shall obey Ayd me great Love and as thou rul'st in mee So cause in him a mutuall sympathie By no base sin I 'le breake my marriage vowes My fame shouldst thou enquire no stain yet knows Love comes more heavie through its sloath I hide Within me flames my breast doth wounds abide As the first yoake the tender Heifer paines As new backt Colt the curbing hit disdaines So rude so rawly love's by me indur'd Nor is my minde to the new load inur'd Full hard in giddy youth we learne loves Art But in our riper yeares with paine and smart â—ly fames first sacrifice shall be to thee And both of us alike will guiltie bee 'T is somthing from fraught boughs ripe fruit to cull And budding rose with nimble hand to pull Yet though my life hath hitherto been chast Nor by impurer spots or taints defac't I grieve not since I noble love embrace A foule adulterer makes his sin more base Should Iuno yeeld to me her thunderer I before Iove would Hippolite preferre Nay trust me I doe now delight in new And unknowne sports wilde beasts in chase pursue No goddesse now but Delia pleaseth mee Grac'd with her Bow I love I like as thee Darke groves I visit Deere to toyles constraine And cheer my full-mouth'd hounds o're empty plain The tremulous dart with arme advanc'd I shake Or on the grassie ground repose doe take And oft in winged chariots while I ride With curbing raines the swift-heeld coursers guide Now like th ' Eleides whom fury filâ— Or those who Tymbrels ring on Ida's hils Or like to them whom the strange uncouth sight Of Driad's or the horned Fawnes affright I madly run for when my fury 's ceast They tell me all close fires do scortch my bâ—east Perhaps by Fate we thus to love are bent And Venus tribute seekes from th' whole descent First Iove of faire Europa made a rape For thence we spring through Buls assumed shape My mother doting too on such a beast Foully her burthen and her crime encreast Faithlesse Aegides by a clew of thread And through my sisters ayd his prison fled And loe lest I should seeme degenerate Alike I yeeld unto my kindreds fate It is ordain'd our love thus crosse should prove I thee thy father did my sister love By thee and Theseuâ— are two sisters wonne Erect two Trophies of our house alone
Some fire and launcing for their health sustaine And bitter potions take to ease their paine Thou need'st not these onely ahy oath observe And me thy selfe and plâ—ghted faith preserve For thy past fault thy ignorance may plead That to the written pledge thou took'st no heed Now thou art warn'd by me and this event Which thou still suffer'st striving to prevent Say thou escape this sicknesse thou 'lt be made In child-bed yet t' intreat Lucina's ayd When she shall heare and ponder on thy pray'r Shee 'l aske whose father to the child you beare Vow'st thou shee knowes thy vowes are false Wilt sweare In that she knows the gods abused are Not for my selfe farre greater griefes I finde 'T is for thy life cares thus perplex my mind Why doe thy parents mourne to see thee ill Whilst witlesse of the cause thou keep'st them still And why go make it to thy mother knowne Thou need'st not be asham'd of what thou 'st done In order all explaine first how whilst you To Dian offred we acquainted grew Where if you mark't when thee I once did spy I on thy features fixt my stedfast eye And gazing thus a note that love doth tell My loosned vesture from my shoulders fell Then how a rowling apple did appeare That words compact in subtile verse did beare Which since in Dians presence they were read Have bound thy faith not to be forfeited And that the meaning she may know more plaine As once thou didst so read them now againe Then will she say O marry him alone Whom heav'ns have joyn'd to thee hee he 's my son Who e're since Dian's pleas'd I am content Thus if a mother will she give consent If who I am to know she questions move Tell her I 'me he the goddesse did approve Fam'd for Corycian Nymphs Cea an Ile Which the Aegean seas from lands exile My countrey is if bloud or noble name You weigh from no base parentage I came We wealth possesse and manners without crime And love than which noght ampler speaks me thine And such a husband if thou couldst have got Hadst thou not sworne yet sure thou mightst have sought This sleeping Phoehe did to me indite This waking love commanded me to write As I already loves fierce darts have found Take heed least thee Dâ—aua's arrowes wound Our safetie's joyn'd pitty thy selfe and me Why stick'st to both at once an helpe to be Which if obtain'd when the lowd signalls straine And votive blood shall Delian Altars staine The likenesse of that happy fruit I 'le frame In gold and write these verses on the same By this thus much Acontius intimates What here is writ was ratifi'd by Fates Lest I too long on thy weake patience dwell I bid thee in my wonted stile farewell THE ARGVMENT of CYDIPPE'S Epistle to ACONTIUS CYdippe having received Acontius Epistle and by that meanes understanding that her flcknesse happened unto her through Diana's wrath conceived against her for not observing heroath shee intend though against her parents will to yeeld unto Acontius his desire rather than endure a further torment ond withall craves his assistance in the appeasing of the goadesses ire AFraid I silent read thy lines lest I Again were forc't to sweare unwittingly And sure I had been once more ensnar'd but thou Confessest my engaged faith's enough Scaree had I read save had I stubborne beene I deem'd 't would have increast the goddesse spleenâ— Whats'ere I doe or offer yet still she Is more propitious to thy cause than me As thou hop'st faith then her owne Hippolite To thee more kind she vindicates thy right A mayd me thinkes should virgines yeares befriend Which now I feare lest she too soone will â—nd No outward Symptome shewes my griefe and I Wearied past helpe of any med'cinelye Thinke but how weake I am when I scarce these Can wâ—iteâ— or turne mee in my bed with ease Oft feare I save my nurse least any spie Our letters enterchanging colloquie She that I safe may write the doores doth keepe And to my health enquirers say's I sleepe But when the time hath been too long delayd And sleepe no more can our excuse be made When one whom she must needs admit she spies She spits or by some signe prevents surprize Then hastily I leave my words halfe fram'd My wary letter in my bosome cram'd Then straight I take them forth and write you see How great a toyle thou art become to mee Which trust me thou but ill deserv'st yet knowe My goodnesse shall thy merits farre outgoe For thee through thy deceit have I this paine So oft endur'd and doe as yet sustaine This gaine accrues my beauty through thy praise And now 't is hurtfull that I once did please Would God as one deform'd thou me hadst feen Vselesse to me then physickes help had been Prais'd now I suffer by your strifes betrayd And what was late my good my hurt is made Whilst thou lt be chiefe nor he a second will Thou his desires he thine doth hinder stil My selfe like to a ship which to the maine The northwind drives forc't back by tides againe When to my friends the longed day arrives In my parcht limbs excessive fervor strives And at the point of marriage oh my fare At my sad doores death and the suries waite Asham'd I feare though I from guilt am free Least wrathfull Gods might be displeasd with me Some hold this accidentall some mantaine The heavens for me did not this man ordaine Others that I to set thee free from blame By veneficious arts have caus'd the same The cause is hid griefes open you procure Devoyd of peace sterne strifes but I endure I le tell thee now slight not my plainer stile If thus thy love how will thy envy spoile If what thou lov'st thou hurt'st then love thy foe But wish my ruine and preserve me so Or thou regard'st not her thou hop'st for thine Whom thou relentlesse sufferst thus to pine Or if in vaine thou dost on Dian call Why braggest with her thou hast no grace at all What s'ere thou talk'st thou wilt not calme her yet Thou canst not doo 't thou me she thee doth slight Would ne're at least would it not then had been I Delos in Aegean seas had seen Ill launcht my vessell on the wayward sea Curst houre in which our purpose found decree With what foot went I with what ominous fare Did I unto my painted barque repaire Twice adverse winds did flat my swelling sayles Fond wretch I lie those those were prosperous gales Faire prosprous gales that did me backward force And sought to hinder my intended course And would they had persisted still the same But folly 't is the wavering winds to blame Mov'd with its fame I Delos longd to view And deem'd my ship with lazy canvas flew How oft the sluggish oares I chid the sayles I thought too scant to take in speeding gales Now Tenon Micone and Andron past White Delos
vauntst thy stock kin many a Princely name This house in worth is of sufficient fame Iove Atreus Grandsire Tantall's Pelops I And the Tyndarian Off spring here passe by Laeda gives Iove my sire who credulous soule Tooke to her bosome a deceitfull foule Goe now and brag thy Troy's originall Ag'd Priam and Laomedon withall Both whom I reverence yet know from thee Iove's remov'd five from me but one degree And though Troy's scepters beare a potent sway Yet doe I thinke ours are no lesse than they Grant it in wealth in men the upper hand Yet ne'rethelesse 't is but a barb'rous land Such ample gifts thy rich-vein'd lines do move As ev'n may tempt a goddesse unto love But would I now to passe shames bounds begin 'T is thou shouldst be my greatest cause of sin Or I would blamelesse lead my life still true Or rather thee than all thy gifts pursue As them I scorne not so the best I take Those which the giver still doth pretious make But most thy love thy toyle I prize for me That thy strong hopes should tempt the wide stretcht sea Full well at boord though with dissembling shew I cloake the same I note the trickes you â—oe Sometimes thou view'st me with a wanton eye Whose bold fixt gaze turnes my chast sight awry Somtimes thou sight'st then tak'st my cup where Thou saw'st me drink thou straightwaies drinkst just there How oft with fingers with speaking brow Have I observ'd thee secret signes to show Oft fear'd I lest my husband should have seen And blusht in that they have not closer been Oft to my selfe in whispers would I say This wretch is shamelesse nor from truth did stray Oft have I read writ on the boord above in wine my name and underneath't I love Yet seem'd to sleight it with averted eye Which now ah me my selfe hath learn'd to cry If sinne I would with such sweet slights as these Thou both my heart my selfe and all might'st ceaze Nor wants thou I confesse a beauteous face That might a virgin win to thy embrace Guiltlesse by thee yet others happy prove Then e're my fame be foyld by forraigne love Learne then by me to want what 's faire with ease T is vertue to abstaine from things that please How many thinkst have wisht thy wish their prize Hath Paris onely the discerning eyes Thou see'st not more but bold dost more essay Nor hast more heart but farre more front than they Would with swift keele thou then hadst reach'd our When thousand suiters soght my virgin flower shore Once seene of thousands thou the first hadst bin My husband needs must pardon me herein To things possest thou com'st to tasted joyes And slow another what thou seek'st enjoyes Yet as I wish to be thy wife so know Not ' gainst my will A rides holds me now Cease then my breast with winning words to move Nor seek to hurt whom thou pretendst to love What lot chance gave me let me keepe the same Nor weare the spoyle of my defiled shame But Venus me betroth'd thee when on Ide Three naked powers to thee themselves apply'd A kingdome one th' other a warlike name And me the third did for thy wife proclaime I scarce believe such heavenly wights should come And prostitute their beauty to thy doome Grant this for truth yet that needs false must bee Where I am sayd to be thy judgements fee. Nor am I so selfe proud my selfe to deeme So high-priz'd in a goddesses esteeme ' Tâ—s enough my beauty humane eyes approve That Venus prais'd it shewes her spite not love Yet I not doubt but like those prayses why What my heart longs for should my tongue deny Nor thinke it much thâ—u wert believ'd so ill In things of weight our faith is tardy still My chiefe joy's then't'have pleas'd faire Venus eyes Next to have seem'd to thee the greatest prize And that dame Iuno 's Hellens beauty heard And Pallas guifts were not by thee prefer'd So I thy vertue I thy kingdome prove Steel'd were my heart should I not lend thee love But steel'd I am not yet to love decline Him whom I think can hardly e're be mine Why should I seeke to plough the thirsty sands Or follow hope which ev'n the place withstands I 'me rude to Venus thefts nor e're as yet Heavens witnesse gull'd my spouse by any sleight That now my words I write in Tablets know 'T's a taske they nere before did undergoe Happy who use it I unskill'd therein Thinke all paths rough that lead me to the sin Ev'n fear 's a plague abasht me thinkes I see All eyes as wondering set at gaze on mee Nor thinke I false I 've hear'd th'ill-murm'ring rout And Aethra told me what they late gave out Dissemble then unlesse thou 'ldst quit thy suite But why desist dissemble thou canst doo 't Sport but yet close greater not greatest sway W'enjoy in that Atrides is away Who now from hence to distant coasts is gone Vrgent and just was the occasion I when he once made doubt to goe indeed Sayd goe my deare and make returne with speed Pleas'd with the omen me he kist and see Of house my state and guest y'have care saith hee Scarce held I laughter striving which to stay Save Sir I shall I not one word could say Forthwith winds faire his sayles for Greece he set But thinke not therefore all things lawfull yet So is he hence that gone he guards me here Know'st not that kings far-stretching arms do beare Fame too annoys us for the more you praise My face the more his jealous fears you raise What was my pleasure now 's mine hurt become Better't had been if fame had still been dombe Nor wonder that alone I 'me left with thee Hee s confident of my integritie He doubts my face but trusts my life secure My faith my beauty makes him feares indure Thou warn'st me not to let time slip nor slight A hop so fit caus'd by this simple weight I would and feare my wills not yet exact And my mind staggers in a dubious tract My spouse is hence thou matelesse ly'st at ease Thy beauty me my beauty thee doth please Long nights with long discourse we entertaine Thou gentle sweet one house doth both containe May I not live if all things plead not sin I know not yet what strange feare holds me in What ill thou fu'st wold thou could'st wel constrain Then might'st thou soone shake off my coy disdaine Oft wrongs to some have been commodious held How blest were I could I be so compell'd Yet whilst 't is young let 's rather quench desire Small flames by sprinkled water soone expire And strangers love is fraile and erres as they And when thou thinkst it sure then flyes away This Thoas this did Minos daughter prove Who both imbrac't and rew'd their lawlesse love Nay thou false man though long time lov'd art said T' have left Oenonâ— that desertfull maid Nor canst thy selfe deny
Small space will serve to waft me to thy shore Once there let winter to the utmost â—ore A fitting harbour for my keele lies there Nor can my barke ride safer any where Let Boreas keepe me I shall love my stay Fearfull to stirre and slow to goe away Nor rayle ' gainst deafer waves nor yet laments Seas are not pliant to a swimmers bent Let winds detaine me and thy tender armes And may I be with-held with double charmes When stormes shall cease I meane to trie my skill Be sure my deare thy light be ready still Meane time for me lodge these my lines with you Which heavens vouchsafe I nay with speed pursue THE ARGVMENT OF HERO'S Epistle to LEANDER HEro having received the Epistle of her amorous Leander re-answers it with tearmes of mutuall affection desires his company exclaimes against the seas is zealous of his slay rejects that conceit tells him her dreame And lastly admonisheth him not to come except in a peacefull and a gentle tide THe health thou send'st in words that I indeed May have Leander come thy selfe with speed All stayes are irksome that my joyes remove Pardon me pray I doe not slightly love Our flames are equall but farre short of thee Am I in strength mens sp'rits the ablest bee As maids limbs so their minds are weak and faint I dye except thou come without rostraint You men in various pastimes time may spend Your minds to tillage or to hunting bend Sometimes i' th Court now in the cirque againe Or with your nimble Coursers scoure the plaine Now birds with nets now fish deceive with line Or wash away the tedious houres with wine Though lesse myflames these sports I could not prove Nought rests for me to doe but onely love And that I doe and with more carnest might Than thou 'lt believe I can my sole delight Or with my nurse I sit and talke of thee And wonder what thy cause of stay should bee Or seeing winds to swell the justling tide In thine owne tearmes the spitefull waves I chide Or when th' enraged seas more calme become I say thou mayst but yet thou wilt not come Whilst thus I wail salt tears do drowne mine eyes Which with her trembling hand my old nurse dries Oft search I if on shore thy steps appeare As though the sands could still th'impressions beare Oft I enquire that I thy health may know Who from Abydos comes or who doth goe What need I tell how oft I kissed o're The cloathes thou lefts behinde thee on the shore Day past and nights more friendly houre drawn nye When glitting starres have spangled all the skye On my towres top a watchfull torch I place The signe that guides thee in thy wonted race Then slender threads with thirled spindle weave And by that womanish art slow time deceave Ask'st what my talke in all this space may be My whole discourse is onely fram'd of thee Nurse dost thou think my joy 's come forth of dore Doe any watch him and he feare the more Say are his garments off doth he annoynt As yet with subtile oyle each curious joynt When straight she nods not that she minds my love But sleepe alas her aged head doth move Then by and by alowd I cry now now He swims and 's armes doth midst the billowes throw And ere a thread or two I scarce have spun Fain would I know if halfe thy course were done Then looke I forth againe and softly pray That prosprous gales may give thee easie way Sometimes a voice we heare and thinke all bee The noyses that forerunne th'approach of thee Thus when the nights most it kesome space is past Slye sleepe invades my wearyed eyes at last Then though unwilling here thou sleep'st with me Present although thou would'st not present be Sometimes me thinks I see thee swimming nye Then that thine armes upon my shoulders lye Now for to cloath thy limbes with waves opprest Or hug thee laid upon my warmer breast Much more beside which I forbeare to tell I shame to speak 't though done they lik'd me well Oh! yet these joyes but transitory be For still with sleepe thou fliest away from me Let us at length our selves more firmely chaine And let our joyes be reall and not vaine Why have I past so oft the widdowed night Why slow so long art absent from my sight 'T is true the seas are rough and boistrous now But yet last night farre gentler gales did blow Why letst that slip why fear'dst not future doome Why lost so good a meanes and thou not come Though straight thou meeâ—'st as fit a time to passe Yeâ— ' cause 't was sooner that the better was Seas fickle state is changed in an houre A willing hast will quickly waft thee o're Once here thou shalt not need to grieve I trowe Lockt in mine armes no stormes shall worke thy wo Then I with joy should heare the winds and then Wish seas might never more be calme againe But whence pray comes it that the seas you feare Now which once scorned and contemned were For well I mind when first to me you came The streame was neare as rough as is this same When I cry'd out doe not so desperate be Least that thy courage be bewayld by me Whence springs this feare-where are thy bold thoughts fled Where he that not a thousand seas did dread Yet still be thus then desprate as before And stay till thou mayst safely reach the shore So thou 't the same and as thou writ'st dost love And so thy flames doe no cold embers prove Yet not so much the hindring winds I feare As least thy love like to the winds should erre Or east thou thinke thy danger passe the gaine Or me too small a purchase for thy paine Oft I my Country doubt or least there be Too great an ods betwixt thy selfe and me Yet could I well beare this so thou incline To no base love with any concubine So no strange armes thy softer necke enfold Nor new found love prescribe an end to old First let me dye then by such base wounds bleed And may my fate out-strip so foule a deed Not that thy selfe or any new sprung fame Hath giv'n me cause of griefe I writ this same But cause I feare who ere secure did love The place the absent oft to feare doth move Thrice happy they who present doe enjoy And know their crimes whom false ones not annoy As well forg'd crimes as true my minde doe strike Error and feare in me cause griefes alike Oh that thou ld'st come or winds or father may No woman be the cause of this thy stay Which should I heare my death from griefe would grow And much thou'lt sinne if thou shouldst kill me so But thou wilt not and all in vaine I feare Fierce winter is the cause thou com'st not here Ah! how the shores with batt'ring waves resound Dayes light within a watry cloud yes drownd Sure good Nephele Helles
What time that I unto Eleusis went Would Gnossian land had kept me from th' intent Oh! then it was though thou before didst please Fierce love my quiet members did disease White were thy garments chaplets crown'd thy head And modest rednesse did thy cheekes o're-spread That visage which to others harsh did seeme I for a stout and valiant looke did deeme I hate your youths in womanish attires A manly feature little dresse requires Thee that thy sternnesse haires so loosly plac'd And dust-soyld cheekes became and sweetly grac'd When thou with rains dost cause thy Courser bound I'dmire to see thee nimbly ride the round Or when with ablearme thou throwst the dart Mine eyes are fixed on thy agile art Or when thy hunting Pole thou tak'st with bright Steel tipt whats'ere thou dost doth please my sight Thy harshnesse to the ridged woods bequeath Nor is it fit for thee I suffer death Why so in Cynthia's sports dost so delight And take from Venus all her due her right What wants successive rest can ne're endure This cheeres the limbes and doth new strength procure Marke thou thy Delia's armes her shafts and Bow Which should it still stand bent would limber grow Famous was Cephalus in woods much game Fell by his hands inevitable aime Yet hee Aurora lov'd who oft would come To sport with him in aged Tythons roome Adonis oft and Cytherea faire Under some Okes large shade the grasse did beare Oenides did Atalanta love And by his spoyles did his affection prove Let us at length be numbred then with these Take love away and th'woods must needs displease I 'le thy companion be and follow o're Darke rockie groves nor feare the tusked Bore Two Seas their waves doe against Isthmos reare And the small earth dothboth their battries heare There in Traezena wee 'l together raigne I now for this my native soyle disdaine Theseus is hence long may he keepe away The young Perithous him forsooth doth stay Whom except we ' gainst truth opposers bee He before Phaedra doth preferre or thee Nor have I felt his injuries alone But both of us his wrongs have largely knowne My brothers bones with his three knotted Mace He broke and left my sister in diffâ—esse The chiefest ' mongst the Axe-arm'd mayds brought forth Thee to the world a parent full of worth Yet her the cruell Theseus slew nor was So great a son's brave-mother safe alas And that 'fore marriage lest thou mightst perchance Obtaine his kingdome as inheritance Brothers thou hadst by me too which not I I doe protest but he inforc'd to dye And may she oh thou fairest that doth minde To hinder thee death in her labour finde Why now doost reverence thy fathers bed Which he himselfe disclaimes and thence is fled Let not vaine names affâ—ight thy manly minde ' Cause I thy step dame am to thee so kinde That needlesse pietie was in Satarnes time Esteem'd but future yeares shall call 't a crime Saturne's now gone with him his lawes decay And Jove the world now rules then love obay Who hath ordain'd that just which doth delight And brothers may with sisters joyne as right That kindreds chaineâ— the surer link'd whose bands Venus herselfe tie with conjugall hands Nor need we cloke our love we 'l thrive from thence Our kindreds name shall smother our offence If our embraces should be seene each shall Commend and me a courteous stepdame call Nor need'st thou in the darke to ope my gate Or gull my Porterin thy coming late Wee in one house did in one house will live Thou gav'st knowne kisses shalt knowne kisses give With me thou shalt be safe and freely seene Layd in my bed nay prais'd for this thy sinne Oh! then delay not but let 's straightway joyne So may love spare thy breast which scorcheth mine Thou seest I scorne not humbly to intreat Where 's now my pride become my speeches great I once resolv'd not for to yeeld at all If in our loves we ought resolv'd may call Yet lo my princely armes are rais'd to thee ' Las lovers know not what things fitting be Foyld shame hath fled his colours oh thou faire Grant my just suit and to be coy forbeare What though my father rule a farre-stretcht sea And thunder-darting Iove great Grand-sire be What though my Grand-sire's front 's empall'd with rayes Who in his purple chariot guides the dayes Nobilitie submits to love encline To pitty then if not for me for mine I for my dowâ—e possesse Crect Ioves lov'd land There my whole Court shall be at thy command My mother mov'd a Savage Bull wilt thou Then fierce and stubborne beasts more cruell grow For Veuus sake thy Phaedrâ— not disdaine So mayst thou love and still be lov'd againe So may Diana ayd thee at thy will So may the woods yeeld store of game to kill So love the Satyrs and each turall Pane So may the Boare fall by thy Iaveline slaine So may the Nymphs though thou to maids art curst Bring thee cool streams to quench thy burning thirst To these I adde my teares doe thou surmise And read to see them falling from mine eyes THE ARGVMENT of OENONE'S Epistle to PARIS HEcuba the wise of Priam being with childe of Paris dream't that she was brought to bed of a Fire-brand Priam consults with his prophet who answers that the child she went with should prove the fatall instrument of Troy's destruction No sooner was it borne then Priam commands it to be exposed to the mercie of wilde beasts But the mother secretly conveyes it to mount Ida there to bee soslered by the shepheards where growne to mans estate hee fell in love with the Nymph Oenone and married her Not long after made judge in that contention of the goddesses about the golden apple and for his judgement on Venus side being by her promised the fairest of women at length knowne and acknowledged by his father hee sayled into Greece and from thence brought with him Helena the wife of Menclaus Of which when Oenone heard troubled at his unexpected change she wrote unto him this following Epistle wherein she indevours to recall him to her love againe layes open the perils that are like to ensue on this his rape And lastly perswades him to send back Helen and take her againe in whose love she affirmes her onely joy nay lise consisteth TO Paris hers though hers alas he scorne To be from Ida sends a Nymph for lorne Dost reade or thy new wife forbids yet doe No Mycenaan hand these letters drew Oenene fam'd through Phrygian woods and plaines Paris so thou permit of thee complaines What power what god did our chast loves disjoyne Or what 's my fault I should not stil be thine Ills justly merited we lightly beare But those that come desertlesse heavy are Thou wert not then so great when first I woo'd Thee for my spouse the off-spring of a flood Who now Priamides forsooth art prov'd Servant thou wert as servant thee
Lucina with a double birth hath grac't Who like their father are in face and smile Save that they want their fathers fraud and guile These two as Legats I to thee had sent Had not their cruell stepdame chang'd m'intent I fear'd Medea worse than stepdame she Hath hands still prest to all impietie She that could her owne brothers limbes dis-joyne Would she have spar'd thinkst thou these babes of mine Yet her oh charmed madam thou dost farre Before thine owne Hipsyphile preferre She first knew thee in an adult'rate bed But with chast soules did we each other wed My sire I sav'd hers she betrayd to ill She Colchos fled my Lemnos holds me still But what need this if bad the good ore-come And she in crimes rich onely joyes my roome I blame but not the Lemnian deeds admire For gâ—â—â—fe sends armes unto distracted ire Suppose which should have been crosse winds had bore False thee and thy companions on my shore And I t' have met thee with my double birth Couldst not have hid thee in the yawning earth With what face me or them couldst thou have seene Of what strange death wretch hadst thou worthy been And yet by me thou hadst been safe free Not for thy worth but love that dwels in me But with her bloud I would my face have dy'd And thine throgh charms which she hath me deny'd I to Medea would Medea bee And if the gods will to just prayers agree As I lament so may she mourne so grieve And her owne lawes with paine enough perceive As with two children spouselesse left am I Like fate may she with spouse and children try Nor ill-got goods long keepe but basely lose And banisht range the world without repose As to her brother and her Sire prov'd she Such to her spouse and children may she be Seas and earth past let her attempt the sky Pooâ—e in despaire and by selfe slaughter dâ—e Thus wrong'd Thbantias prayes both man and wife Live in a cursed bed a wretched life THE ARGVMENT OF DIDO her EPISTLE to AENEAS AFter the destruction of Troy Aeneas the son of Anchises and Venus having freed his children house hold gods and aged father from the flames prepared a fleet committed himselfe to the sea in quest of Latium by tempests he was driven on the coasts of Lybia where if wee may rely on the authority of Virgil both he and his companions were courteously entertained by Dido daughter of Belus Kâ—â—gâ—o Tyre who had fled thither to avoyd the cruelty of her brother Hiarbas the inhumane murtherer of her beloved husband Sichaeus Priest of Hercules Not long stayd he with her ere Mercury was sent to admonish him and urge him on to his intended journey The wretched Dido having with many perswasions endevoured to restraine him from this his hoted purpose but seeing both them and her love lightly regarded opprest with grief even unto death she wrot this her sarewell Epistle to the relentlesse Heroc SO when fates call neare to Meanders spring Midst the moyst sedge the snowy Swan doth sing Not that by words I hope thou mayst bee mov'd I write I know by th'gods that 's disapprov'd But since my fame pure minde and body chast I thus have lost 't is light my words to wast Art then resolv'd to leave thy Dido here Shall one winde hence thy sayles and promise beare And wilt thou with thy ships unloose thy vow And Latium seeke but where thou dost not know Doth new built Carthage nor the rising wall Or kingdome given thee move thee not at all Deeds done thou fliest undone thou seekst 'bout The world thou 'lt goe to finde a strange land out Which when thou find'st therin who 'l let thee live Or who their fields to unknowne folks will give Another love and Dido thou'lt goe seeke And plight more troths which thou againe mayst breake When like to Carthage wilt thou build a Towne And on such people from thy Towres look downe Should these succeed and nothing crosse thy vow Where wilt thou sinde a wife shall love thee so Like to a sulphurous Taper I consume Or Incense wasting in the sacred fume Aeneas still fixt 'fore my wakefull eyes On him in dayes in nights my fancie lyes That thanklesse wretch that scorn'd my gifts me Whom I might want if I my good could see Yet him I hate not though he meane but ill But his untruth bewaile and love more still Oh Venus spare thy daughter and thou Love Let thy false brother thy sweet warfare prove Or else let him I once did love nor now Doe I disdain't at least not scorne me though But I 'me deceiv'd deluded now I finde For he quite differs from his mothers minde Thee stones and rocks and okes on mountains bred And savadge beasts brought forth and fostered Or else the sea through which thogh waves say nay Adventurous man thou meanst to force thy way Where fliest see stormes withstand thee but for me They doe conspire how Eurus swells the sea For what to thee I 'de rather owe let me To winds be bound farre farre more just than thee Nor wold I thou vile wretch that weigh'st not these Shouldst meet thy ruine on the forrag'd seas At a deare rare thou dost thy hatred buy If to shun mee thou thinkst it slight to dye Winds straight will'lye and seas their rage restrain And Triton scud about the watry plaine Oh that with windes thy minde were chang'd sure It will oxcept than Oke thou' rt more obdure What wouldst didst thou not know feas rage that thou Having so often try'd wilt trust them now Though thou put forth from out a calmed bay yet the vast deep may yeeld thee much dismay Besides seas favour no perfidious men But sharply plague them for so foule a sin Chiefly wheÌ„ love is wrong'd ' cause loves great dame They say from Cytherean billowes came Yet lost I feare lest thou that caus'd my woe Shouldst be destroyd or seas entombe my foe No live for so I may revenged be And men shall say thou wroughtst my Tragedie Suppose thou wert yet be this Omen vaine Seaz'd with a storme how would thy mind remain Straight would occurre thy false tongues perjurie And Dido by thy fraud constraind to dye Thy wrong'd wifes shape shall to thy sight repaire Sad and all bloudy with dishevelled haire Then wouldst thou say these these deserved bee And thinke what thunder falls should light on thee A while to seas and thine owne ire give way Good will thy stay be safer too thy way And though not me Iâ—sus spare since thou Hast in my death 's dire title coine enough What hath Ascanius or thy gods deserv'd Shal waves devoure them late from flames preserv'd But thou vile wretch for all the oaths thou swor'st Nor gods nor father on thy shoulders bor'st All all were lyes nor did'st with me begin Nor fell I first in thy deceitfull gin Aâ—â—'st for Creusa know vile wretch that
sends Whose onely health upon thy love depends What shall I speake or need my flames no tongue My love already knowne but too too long Though I could wish it hid till time might reare And set our joyes beyond the reach of feare But ill I cloake it who loves fire can hide That by its proper flames is still descry'd If yet thou doubtst what may my meaning prove Thou hast my minde in these few words I love Pardon confession then and with such grace Read thou tâ—e rest as may become thy faces I joy to thinke my lines receiv'd by thee And hope perswades me once so I shall bee Which Loves faire mother perfect nor in vaine May I for thee through her this taske sustaine For that thou mayst not ignorantly sin With heavens advice I did this act begin The prize is great yet but my due I crave Thee for my spouse bright Cytherea gave She guide Sigaean shores I left and ' ssay In Phereclean keele my dangerous way She calm'd the waves and gave me prosprous gales Nor marvell sea borne she on seas prevailes As seas she calm'd so may she calme my breast And bring my wishes to their wished rest My flames with me I brought not found them here They they the causes of my journey were For me nor stormes nor errour hither brought Of purpose I Tanarian port have sought Nor thinke me hither stor'd with wares to tend The goods I have the favo'ring gods defend Nor yet your Grecian cities to survay Since mine own realms are farre more rich than they Thee thee I seeke whom golden Venus grace Betroth'd me wisht for er'e I knew thy face Thee mine Idaa saw before mine eyes When Fame had first drawne thine effigies Nor let it yet thy strange amazement prove That loves swift darts from far have caus'd me love The fates have will'd it and lest their decree Thou breake receive these truths I 'le tell to thee When in my mothers wombe detain'd I lay She now full gone and at th' expected daye Dream't that in stead of a wisht-birth there came From her unburthend wombe a mighty flame Affright she rose and unto Priam told The same which he doth to his Priest unfold Who answers Paris sires should Ilion burne Which I to these my flames of love doe turne My forme and haughty minde though I might seeme Plebeian shewd I came of noble stemme A place in Ida's shady vales unknowne To most there is with spreading Holmes ore-growne Where never bleating sheepe cliffe-climbing goat Nor bellowing oxe ere fill'd his greedy throat Here whilst I lean'd my selfe unto a tree Dardanian seas and loftie towers to see The trampled earth me thought began to move Ti 's truth I speake truth that thou'lt scarce approve When borne with winged speed before mine eye Stood th'neece of Atlas and faire Plione What lawfull was to see be lawfull told Within his hand he held a rod of gold When straight bright Venus Pallas heavens great Queen All gently lighted on the verdant greene Amaz'd I stood my haires stiffe-rais'd a bide When cast off feare the winged Herald cry'd Thou' rt here a judge of beauty stay and tell Which of these three doth in rich forme excell And addes Ioves charge thereto which soone as sayd His way unseen through empty aire he made My mind now rows'd and somewhat bolder growne I fear'd not to survay them one by one All worthy seem'd t' orecome but yet I fear'd The glory could not ' mongst them all be shar'd For one in lookes did farre surpasse the rest As her thy selfe for Loves faire Queen had guest So great a strife there was to overcome As with large gifts each sought to buy my doome Iove's wife a realme Pallas doth vertue boast As I twixt great and good was almost lost When Venus smiling sayd let not the sence Of these possesse thee fild with harsh suspence I l'e give thee love to thy embraces wonne Shall the faire Leda's more faire daughter runne This sayd for gifts and forme the chiefe approv'd Triumphant to her heavenly spheare she mov'd Mean while my fortune now more prosp'rous grown By certain signes I Priams sonne am knowne Receiv'd the Court with joy was fild and all In Troy that day still keepe a festivall As I seeke thee so mayds sought me though vaine Whose laboured wish thou mayst alone attaine Great Princes daughters nobles lik'd me well In nymphs a care and love of me did dwell Whose births and formes were both despis'd by mee When once I entertain'd a hope of thee Thee in the day my fancie viewes in night Thee my delicious dreames present my sight Present what wouldst that absent thus didst please I burnt though farre the sire that did me seaze Nor more to hope would I endebted be But meant t' obtaine my wishes through the sea Straight Trojan Pines by Phrygian Axe were feld And all trees else for shipping usefull held Sceepe Gargarus was rob'd of woody crowne And store of Timber Ida sent me downe Strong Okes for ships substantiall keeles were layd Whose ample sides were with crook'd ribs arayd Saile-yards tall masts and sails on them we place And carved gods our painted vessels grace But in the ship in which I sought my joy Stood my loves surery Venus and her boy My navie now past Arts last labouring hand Straight onward for Aegean seas I stand My sire and mother both did urge my stay And strove to hinder my intended way My sister too with haires all loosely drest Ev'n when our sayls for lucky gales were prest Where fly'st she cry'd thou'lt bring back flames with thee Thou knowst not what a fire thou seekst through sea And true she spake those very fires are found And scorching love my tender breast doth wound The Port I quit and helpt by furth'ring wind Vnto thy shores Oebalian nymph enclyn'd Thy spouse receiv'd me kindly nor was this Done but by purpose of the Deities And whats'oere rare or conspicuous be Or worth the sight in Sparta shewd to me But I whose fancie still on thee did lye Could let no other object greet mine eye Whom when I saw amaz'd I stood unwares I felt my heart to fage with new-sprung cares Such lookes as I remember 't such a grace When she my judgement sought had Cypris face Hadst thou with her in that quaint strife been seen Faire Venus palme still in suspence had been Large Elogies 't is true there rumoured bee Nor is there land that 's ignorant of thee In Phrygia none none from the Sunnes up rise With thee for beauty beares an equall prize Yet trust me all thy prayse to truth gives place Fame hath been almost envious ' gainst thy face More here I find than she ere promis'd by Thy reall forme thy fame doth conquered lye Nor without cause th'all-knowing Theseus lov'd And worthy him thee for a rape approv'd Whilst in the Cirque thy countries custome then Thou naked sport'st thy selfe mid'st naked men