reuenge which was not long effecting For whilst Amphialus whose hopes inflam'd His tyrannous thoughts with conquest proclaim'd Vndoubted victory heapt his strokes so fast As if each blow had scorn'd to be the last The watchfull Argalus whose nimble eye Dispos'd his time in onely putting by Put home a thrust his right foot comming in And pierc'd his Nauell that the wound had bin No lesse then death if Fortune that can turne A mischiefe to aduantage had for borne To show a miracle for with that blow Amphialus last made his arme had so O estrucke it selfe that sideward to the ground He fell and falling he receiu'd that wound Which had he stood had enter'd in point blancke But falling only graz'd vpon his flancke Being downe braue Argalus his threatning sword Bids yeeld Amphialus answering not a word As one whose mighty spirit did disdaine A life of almes but striuing to regaine His legs and honour Argalus let driue With all the strength a wounded arme could giue Vpon his head but his hurt arme not able To doe him present seruice answerable To his desires let his weapon fall With that Amphialus though daz'd withall Arose but Argalus ran in and graspt 〈◊〉 clos'd together with him where both claspt And grip'd each in th'unfriendly armes of either A while they grappled grappling fell together And on the ground with equall fortune stroue Some time 〈◊〉 was got aboue And sometimes Argalus Both ioyntly vow'd 〈◊〉 Both wallowed in their mingled blood Both bleeding fresh Now Argalus bids yeeld And now Amphialus Both would win the field Yet neither could At last by free consent They rose and to their breathed swords they went The Combat's now renew'd both laying on As if the fight had beene but new begon New wounds asswage the smarting of the old And warme blood entermingles with the cold But Argalus whose wounded arme had lost More blood then all his body could almost Supply and like an 〈◊〉 that expends So long as he hath either stocke or friends Bled more then his spent Fountains could make good His spirit could giue courage but not blood As when two wealthy Clyents that waxe old In suit whose learned councell can vphold And glaze the cause alike on either side During the time their tearmly golden tide Shall flow alike from both 't is hard to say Who prospers best or who shall get the Day 〈◊〉 he whose water first shall cease to flow And ebbe so long till it shall ebbe too low His cause though richly laden to the brincke With right shall strike vpon the barre and sincke And then 〈◊〉 easie Councell may vnfold The doubt The question 's ended with the gold Euen so our Combatants the 〈◊〉 their blood Was equall 〈◊〉 the Cause seem'd equall good The Victory equall equall was their armes Their Hopes were equall 〈◊〉 was their harmes But when poore Argalus his wasting blood Ebb'd in his veines although it made a flood A 〈◊〉 flood in the vngratefull field His cause his strength but not his heart must yeeld Thus wounded Argalus the more he fail'd The more the proud Amphialus preuail'd With that Amphialus whose noble strife Was but to purchase honour and not life Perceiuing what aduantage in the fight He gained and the valour of the Knight Became his suitor that himselfe would please To pitty himselfe and let the Combat cease Which noble Argalus that neuer vs'd In honour to part stakes with thankes refus'd Like to a lucklesse gamester who the more He loses is 〈◊〉 willing to giue o' 〈◊〉 And filling vp his empty veines with spite Begins to summe his forces and vnite His broken strength and like a Lampe that makes The greatest blaze at going out he takes His sword in both his hands and at a blow Cleft armour shield and arme 〈◊〉 in two But now enrag'd Amphialus forgets All pitty and trusting to his Cards he sets That stock of courage treasur'd in his brest Making his whole estate of 〈◊〉 his Rest And vies such blowes as Arg'lus could not see Without his losse of life so thundred he Vpon his wounded body that each wound Seem'd like an open Sluce of blood that found No hand to stop it till the dolefull cry Of a most beautious Lady who well nie Had run her selfe to death restrain'd his arme Perchance too late from doing further harme It was the faire Parthenia who that night Had dream'd she saw her husband in that plight She now had found him Feare and loue together Gaue her no rest till they had brought her hither The nature of her feare did now begin T' expell the feare of Nature stepping in Betweene their pointing swords she prostrate lay Before their blood-bed abbled feet to say She knew not what for as her lips would striue To be deliuer'd a deepe sigh would driue The abortiue issue of her language forth Which borne vntimely perisht in the birth And if her sighes would giue her 〈◊〉 to vent it O then a teare would trickle and preuent it But 〈◊〉 the winde of her loud sighes had laid The 〈◊〉 of her teares she sobb'd and said O wretched eyes of mine O wailfull sight O day of darknesse O eternall night And there 〈◊〉 stopt her eyes being fixt vpon Amphialus she sigh'd and thus went on My Lord 'T is said you loue Then by that sacred power Of loue as you 'd 〈◊〉 mercy in the houre Of greatest misery leaue off and sheathe Your bloody sword or else if nought but death May slake your anger O let mine let mine Be a sufficient offring at the Shrine Of your appeased thoughts or if you thirst For Argalus 〈◊〉 life then take mine first Or if for noble blood you seeke if so Accept of mine my blood is noble too And worth the spilling Euen for her deare sake Your tender soule affects awake awake Your noble mercy Grant I care not whether Let me dye first or kill vs both together With that Amphialus was about 〈◊〉 speake 〈◊〉 Argalus whose heart 〈◊〉 almost 〈◊〉 To heare Partheniaes words 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ah Parthenia Then must I 〈◊〉 bought and sold for teares Is my condition So poore I cannot 〈◊〉 but by petition So said He 〈◊〉 aside for feare by chance The fury of some misguided blow may 〈◊〉 And touch Parthenia and fill'd with high 〈◊〉 Would haue 〈◊〉 the Combat fresh againe But now Amphialus was charm'd his hand 〈◊〉 no sufficient warrant to withstand Parthenia's suit from whose faire eyes there came Such precious teares in so belou'd a name His eyes grew tender and his melting heart Was ouercome his very soule did smart He 〈◊〉 not but kept him at a distance And putting by some blowes made no resistance But what can long endure Lamps wanting oyle Must out at last although they blaze a while Trees wanting Sap must wither strength and beauty Can claime no priuiledge to quit that duty They owe to Time and Change but like a Vine The vnsound supporters
linde VVith sable Furres Her tresses were of hiew Like Ebonie on which a Pearely dewe Hung like a spiders Webb Her face did shrowd A swarth Complexion vnderneath a Cloud Of black curld Cypresse On her head she wore A crowne of burnisht Gold be shaded o're VVith Foggs and â—…ory mists Her hand did beare A Scepter and a sable Hemispheare She sternely shooke her dewly lockes and brake A melancholly smile and thus bespake Driue on driue on dull Waggoner Let slippe Your louser reines and vse thine idle whippe Thy pamperd Steeds are pursie Driue away The lower world thinkes long to see the day Darkenesse befits vs best and our delight Will rellish farre more sweeter in the night Approach yee blessed shadowes and extend Your early Iurisdiction to befriend Our nightly sports Approach make no delay It is your 〈◊〉 your Soueraigne calls away VVith that a sudden darknesse fill'd the Hall The light was baâ—…sht and the windowes all So neerely clos'd their eye lids round about That day could not get in nor darknesse out Thus while the death resembling shades of night Had drawne their misty Curtaines twixt the light And euery darkned eye which was denide To see but that which darkenesse could not hide The iealous God fearing he knowes not whom Indeed whom feares he not enters the roome And with his clubfoot groping in the shade Of night he mutter'd forth these words and said Where is this wanton Harlot now become Is light so odious to her or is home So homely in her wandring eyes that she Must still be rambling where vnknowne to me Can nothing be concluded nothing done But intermedling Venus must be one Is 't not enough that Phebus does applaud Her lust but must nights Goddesse be her baud Darkenesse be gon Thou patronesse to Lust If faire mâ—…anes may not rid â—…hee fouler must Away my power shall outcharme thy charmes And find her painting in her louers armes Enter you Lamplets of terrestriall fire And let your golden heads at least conspire To counterfeit a day and on the night Reuenge the wrongs of Phebus with your light So said The darkned Hall was garnisht round With lighted Tapors Euery obiect found An eye to owne it and each eye was fâ—…li'd VVith pleasure in the obiect it beheld As these deuisefull changes did incite Their quickned fancies with a fresh delight Morpheus came in His dreaming pace was so That none could say he moou'd he moou'd so slow His folded armes athwart his brest did knit A sluggards knot His nodding chinne did hit Against his panting bosome as he past And often times his eyes were closed fast He wore a Crowne of Poppy on his head And in his hand he bore a Mace of lead He yauned thrice and after Hoâ—…age done To nights blacke soueraigne he thus begun Great Empresse of the world to whom I owe My selfe my seruice by perpetuall vowe Before the footstoole of whose dreadfull Throne The Princes of this lower world lay downe Their Crownes their Scepters whose victorious hand In twice twelue houres did conquer and command This Globe of earth your seruant whose dependance Quickens his power comes to giue attendance Vpon thy early shaddowes and to seize Vpon these wearied mortals when you please T' appoint till then your seruant is at hand To put in execution your Command To whom the smiling Goddesse thus replide Morpheus Our pleasure is to set aside This night to mirth and time-beguiling sports Our sleepe restrayning buisnesse much imports Your welcome absence whil'st our eares shall number The flying houres our mirth admits no slumber That word scarce ended but the Queene of Loue Descended from her vnseene seate aboue In her faire hand she led her winged Son And like a full mouth'd tempest thus begun Dâ—…sloyall Sicâ—…phant deaths bastard brother Accursed spaune cast from a cursed Mother That with thy base impostures riâ—…est man Of halfe his daiâ—…s of halfe that little spanne Nature hath lent his life that with thy wiles Hugg'st him to death betray'st him with thy smiles What mak'st thou here and to vsurpe my right Perfideous Caitife Venuâ—… day is night Goe to the frozen world where mans desire Is made of Ice and melts before the fire Yet ne're the warmer Goe and visit â—…ooles Or Pâ—…legmatick old age whose spirit cooles As quickly as their breath Goe what haue we To doe dull Morpheus with thy Mace or thee As leaden as thy Mace Th' art made for nought Buâ—… to still Children or to ease the thought Or brain-sick Phranticks or with ioyes to â—…ter Poâ—…re slumbring soules which wak'd finde no such matter Goe succour those that vent by quick retaile Their wits vpon deare penny-worths of Alâ—… Or marrow'd Eunuchs whose adust desire Wants meanes to slake the fury ' of their false fire O that I were a Basiliske that I Might dart my venome or else venom'd die Boy bend thy Bow and with thy forked dart Drawne to the head thrill thrill him to the heart Let flie Deaths arrow or if thou had none In deaths name send an arrow of thine owne We are both wrong'd and in the same degrâ—…e Shoot then at once reuenge thy sâ—…lfe and me VVith that the little angry god did bend His steelen Bow and in deaths name did send His winged messenger whose faithfull hast Dispatch'd his irefull errand and stuck fast Within his pierced liuer and did hide His singing feathers in his wounded side Morpheus fell downe as dead and on the ground Lay for a little season in a sound Gasping for breath And Louers dreames they say Haue euermore beene wanton since that day Venus was pleas'd The Goddesse of the night Grew angry she would needs resigne her right Of gouernment and in a spleene threw downe Her Hâ—…mispheare her Scepter and her Crowne And with a duskie fogge she did besmeare The face of Venus soyld her golden haire VVith her blacke shades and with foule tearmes reuil'd Both her her cuckold mate and bastard childe VVhere at the God of Warre being much offended Forsooke both seat and patience and descended And to the world he proffer'd to make good Faire Venus honour with his dearest blood To whom poore Vulcan puffing in a rage To heare his well knowne fortune on the stage Scrap'd many a thanke and with his crouching knee Profest true loue to such true friends as hee And euer since experience lets vs know Cuckolds are kind to such as mâ—…s them so By this god Morpheus waking from his swound Began to groane and from his aking wound Drew forth the buried shaft but Mars whose word Admits no other Organ but his sword Vnsheath'd his furious brondyron and let flye A blow at Morpheus head which had wellnye Clouen him in twaine had not the Queene of night Hurl'd hasty mists before his darkned sight So that the sword by a false guided ayme Struck Vulcans foot which euer since was lame At last the gods came downe and thought it good To
not so sleightly ouer The deare affection of so true a louer Pitty his flames relieue his tortur'd brest That findes abroad no ioy at home no rest But like a wounded Hart before the hounds That flies with Cupids Iauelin in his wounds Stir vp thy rak't vp embers of desire The gods will bring in fewell and blow the fire Be gentle let thy cordiall smiles reuiue His wasted spirits that onely cares to liue To doe thee honour It was Cupids will The dart he sent should onely wound not kill Yeeld then aâ—…d let th'engaged gods powre downe Their promis'd blessings on thy head and crowne Thy youth with ioyes and maist thou after be As blest in thine as I am blest in thee So said The faire Parthenia to whose heart Her fixt desires had taught th'â—…m willing Art Of disobedience calls her iudgement in And of two euills determines it a sin More veniall by a resolute deniall To proue vn 〈◊〉 then be dâ—…sloyall To him whose heart a sacred vow had tyed So fast to hers and weeping thus replyâ—…d Madam The angry gods haue late conspir'd to show The Vtmost their enraged hands could doc And hauing laid aside all mercy stretch Their power to make one miserable wretch Whose curst and tortur'd soule must onely be The subiect of their wrath and I am she Hard is the case my deare desires must faile My vowes must cracke my plighted faith be fraile Or else affection must be so exil'd A mothers heart that she renounce her child And as she spâ—…ke that word a flowing tide Of teares gusht out whose violence deny'd Tn'intended passagâ—… of her doubling tongue She stopt a â—…hile Then on the floore shâ—… flung Her prostrate body whilst her hands did teare Not knâ—…owing what they did her dainty haire Sometimes she struck the ground somtimes her brest Began some words and then wept out the rest At last her liuelesse hands did by degrees Raise her cast body on her feeble knees And humbly rearing her sad eyes vpon Her mothers frowning visage thus went on Vpon these knees these knees that ne're were bent To you in vaine that neuer did present Their vnrewarded duty neuer rose Without a mothers blessing vpon those Vpon those naked knees I recommend To your deare thoughts those termâ—…nis that attend Your poore Parthenia whose vnknowne distresse Craues rather death then language to expresse What shall I doe Dâ—…magoras and Death Sound both alike to these sad eares that breath That names the one does nominate the other No no I cannot loue him my deare mother Command Parthenia now to vndergoe What death you please and these quick hands shall show The seale of my obedience in my heart The gods themselues that haue a secret art To force affection cannot violate The lawes of Nature stop the course of Fate Can earth forget her burthen and ascend Or can th' aspiring flames be taught to tend To th' earth If fire descend and earth aspire Earth were no longer earth nor fire fire Euen so by nature 't is all one to me To loue Demagoras and not to be No no the heauens can doe no act that 's greater Then hauing made so to preserue their creature And thinke you that the righteous Gods would fill me With such false ioyes as if enioy'd would kill me I know that they are mercifull what they Command they giue a power to obey The ioyfull vision that your slumbring eyes Of late beheld did promise and comprise A fayrer fortune then the heauens can share To poore Partheniaes merit whom despaire Hath swasâ—…ow'd Your prophetick dreame discride A royalâ—… mariage pointed out the Bride Her safe Deliuer â—…ce and her smiling sonne Honouâ—… and 〈◊〉 and after all was done Thâ—…re wants a Bridegroome him the heauens haue seald Within my brest by me to be reueal'd VVhich if your patience shall vouchsafe to heare My lips shall recommend vnto your eare When as Basilius may whose royall hand Long sway the scepter of th' Arcadian land From Cyprus brought his more then princely Bride The faire Gynecia whom as Greece deny'd An equall so the world acknowledg'd none As her superiòur in perfection Vpon this Ladies royall traine and state Agreat concourse of Nobles did awaite And Cyprian Princes with their princely port To see her crowned in th' Arcadion Court Illustrious Princes were they but as farre As midnight Phebe outshines the twinckling Starre So far amongst this rout of Princes one Surpast the rest in honour and renowne VVhose perfect vertue findes more admiration In the Arcadian Court then imitation In th'exc'lence of his outward parts and feature The world conceiues the curious hand of Nature Outwent it selfe which being richly fraught And furnisht with transcendent worth is thought To be the chosen fortresse for protection Of all the Arts and storehouse of perfectionâ—… The Cyprus stock did ne're till now â—…ring forth So rare a Branch whose vnderualued worth Brings greater glory to th' Arcadian Land Then can the dull Arcadians vnderstand His name is Argalus He Madam was that Cypresse wreath that crown'd My nuptiall brows And now the Bridegroom 's found Cloath'd in the mystry of that Cypresse wreath VVhich since the better gods haue pleas'd to breathe Into my soule O may I cease to be If ought but death part Argalus and me Yet does my safe obedience not withstand VVhat you desire or what the gods command For what the gods command is your desire Parthenia should obey and not respire Against their sacred counsels or withstand The plot wherein they haue vouchsaf'd a hand VVe must submit our wils what they enâ—…oyne Must be nor lies it in your power or mine To crosse we must endeauour to fulfill VVhat else must come to passe against our will My vowes are past and second heauens decree Nothing shall part my Argâ—…s and me So said Th' impatient mothers kindled eye Halfe closed with a murtherous frowne let flie A scorching fireball from whence was shed Some drops of choller sternly shakes her head With trembling hands vnlocks the doore and flees Leauing Parthenia on her aking knees And as she fled her fury thus began To open And is Argalus the man But there she stopt when striuing to expresse What rage had prompted could doe nothing lesse All you whose deare affections haue beene tost In Cupids blanket and vniuftly crost By wilfull Parents whose extreame command Haue made you groan beneath their tyrannous hand That take a furious pleasure to diuorse Your soulâ—…s from your best thoughts nay what is worse Then torture force your fancies to respect And dearely loue whom most you dis affect Draw neare and comfort the distressed heart Of poore Parthenia let your eyes impart One droppe at least And whosoe're thou be That read'st these lines may thy desiers see The like successe if reading thou foâ—…beare To wet this very paper with a teare Behold poore Lady how an houres time Hath pluck't her faded roses from their prime And like an
Soone as the stout Amphialus had out worne The danger of his wounds and made returne Into the Martiall Campe there to maintainc His new got honor and to entertaine Aggrieued challengers that shall demand Oâ—… seeke for satisfaction from his hand An armed Knight came praunsing o're the plaine Dâ—…nouncing watre and breathing forth disdaine Foure dam ' sells vsherd him in sable weeds And foure came after all on mourning Steedes His curious Armour was so painted ouer With liuely shâ—…dowes that you might discouer The image of a gaping Sepulchre About the which were scattered here and there Some dead mens bones His horse was black as let His furniture was round about beset With branches slipt from the sad Cypresse tree His Bases reaching farre below the knee Embroydred were with wormes vpon his shield For his lmprese he had a beautious childe Whose body had two heads whereof the t'one Appear'd quite dead the t'other drawing on Did seeme to gaspe for breath and vnderneath This Motto was subscrib'd From death by death Thus arm'd to point he sent his bold defie T' Amphialus who sent as quick replye Forthwith being summon'd by the Trumpets found They start but braue Amphialus that sound The Knight had mist his Rest as yet not met Scorning to take aduantage would not let His Launce descend nor brauely passing by Encounter his befriended enemy Whereat the angry Knight not apt to brook Such vnsupportable mishappe forsooke His white mouth'd Steed throwing his Lâ—…nce aside Which too too partiall fortune had denide A faire successe drew forth his glittering sword Whereat Amphialus lighted who abhorr'd A conquest meerely by aduantage gain'd Esteeming it but robb'd and not obtain'd Drew forth his sword and for a little space Their strokes contended with an equall pace And fiercenesse He did more discouer A brauery then anger whil'st the other Bewray'd more spleene then either skill or strength To manage it 〈◊〉 at length With more then wonted ease did bâ—…tter so His ill defended armour that each blow Open'd a doorâ—… for death to enter in And now the noble Conquerour does begin To hate so poore a conquest and disdain'd To take a life so easily obtain'd And mou'd with pitty stepping backe he staid His vnresisted violence and said Sir Knight contest no more but take the peace Of your owne passion Let the Combate cease Seeke not your causlesse ruine Turne your arme Better imployd gainst such as wish you harme Husband your life before it be too late Fall not by him that ne're deseru'd your hate To whom the Knight return'd these words againe Thou lyest false Traitor and I here disdaine Both words and mercy with a base defie And to thy throat my sword shall turne the lye To whom Amphialus vnciuill Knight Couragious in nothing but in spight And base discourtesie thou soone shalt know Whether thy tongue betrayes thy heart or no. And as he spake he gaue him such a wound Vpon the necke as strucke him to the ground And with the fall his sword that now deâ—…y de All mercy deepely pierc'd into his side That done he loos'd his Helmet with intent To make his ouerlauish tongue repent Of those base words he had so basely said Or â—…lse to crop him shorâ—…er by the head Who â—…uer sâ—…w th' illustrious eye of noâ—…e New broken from a gloomy cloud â—…nd downe His earth reioycing glory and dâ—…play His golden beames vpon the sonnes of Day Euen so the Helmet being gone a faire And costly treasure of vnbraided haire O'respred the shoulders of the vanquisht Knight Whose now discouer'd visage in despight Of neighb'ring death did witnesse and proclaime A soueraigne beautie in Parthenia's name And she it was indeed see how she lies Smiling on death as it her blessed eyes Blest in their best desireâ—… had espied His fice already for whose fake she died The Lillies and the Roses that while 〈◊〉 Stroue in her Cheekes till they compounded there Haue broke their truce and freshly falne to blows Behold the Lilly hath o'recome the Rose Her Alablaster neck â—…hat did ouâ—…goe The Doues in whiâ—… nessâ—… or the new falne snow Was stain'd with blood as if the red did seâ—…ke Proâ—…tion there being banisht from her cheâ—…ke So full of â—…weetnesse was her dying face Thâ—…t death had not the power to displace Her natiue beautiâ—… onely by translation Moulded and cloath'd it in a newer fashion But now Amphialus in whom griefe and shame Of this vnlucky victorie did claime An eqâ—…ll interest prostrate on the earth Accurs'd his swoâ—…d his arme his houre of birth Casting his Helmet and his gauntlet by Hâ—…s vndissembled teares did testifie What words could not But finding her estate More apt for helpe then griefe though both too late Crept on his knees and begging pardon of her His hands his often cursed hands did proffer Their needlesse helpe and with his life to shâ—…w What honour a deuoted heart could doe Whereto Parthenia whose expiring breath Gâ—…ue speedy signes of a desired death Turning her fixt but oft recalled eyes Vpon Amphialus faintly thus replies Sir you haue done enough and I require No more Your hands haue done what I desire What I expect and if against your will The better So 〈◊〉 wish your fauours still Yet one thing more if enemies may sue I craue which is To be vntoucht by you And as for Honour all that I demand Is not to 〈◊〉 honour from your hand No no 't was no such bargaine made That he Whose hands had kill'd my Argalus should helpe me Your hands haue done enough I craue no more And for the deed sake I forgiue the Doer What then remaines but that I goe to rest With Argalus and to be repossest Of him with him for euer to abide E're since whose death I haue so often died And there she fainted euen as if the Clock Of death had giuen a warning e're it struck But foone returning to her selfe againe Welcome sweet death said she whose minutes paine Shall crowne this soule with euerlasting pleasure Come come and welcome I attend thy leasure Delay me not O doe me not that wrong My Aâ—…galus will chide I stay so long O now I feâ—…le the Gordian-knotted bands Of life vntied O heauens into your hands I recommend my better part with trust To finde you much more mercifull then iust Yet truly iust withall O life O death I call you both to witnesse that this breath Ne're drew a dram of comfort since that houre My Aâ—…galus dyed O thou eternall power Shroud all my faulâ—…s beneath the milkewhite veile Of thy deare mercy and when this tongue shall faile To speake O then And as she spake O then O then she left To speâ—…ke â—…d being suddenly bereft Of words the fatall Sâ—…ster did diuide Hâ—…r slender twine of life and so shâ—… dyed So dyed Parthenia in whose closed eyâ—…s The world of beauty and perfection lyâ—…s Lockt vp by Angels as a thing diuinâ—… From mortall eyâ—…s the whilst