That he with beastly furie vs assaile If that hee see his hopes are each way spent Therefore it 's best you seeme to bee content For I am sure before the time bee long Calanthrop will see his Lucilla faire And then most sure hee will revengeour wrong Our losses all hee likewise will repaire To wed the tyrant therefore condiscend For sure your ring your honour will defend Lucilla likewise thought this course the best Their present shame and danger to prevent By this the tyrant came and did request Them now to show him what was their intent Lucilla told him much against her minde She would become his wife if hee were kinde Whereto he swore that hee should so her love That after-ages should admire the same And each one should his loyaltie approve And for the wrong he penitent became Which he had done her then he causd conveene His barbarous nobles for to see his Queene The very morne must be the wedding day He longs so much his faire Queene to enioy The heat of lust can hardly brooke delay His barbarous Lords to morrow him convoy Vnto a Church where he his Queen did wed Would see him hang'd e're shee with him would bed In divers sports they spent the afternoone Ne're was bridgrome more ioyfull or more glad Vnto their chamber are they quickly gone Never was Bride more sorrowful or sad Yet in her ring she specially reposd Not knowing that its vertue was disclosd Vnto the tyrant by a div'lish art Else all the world could not have mov'd her goe To keepe this tyrant companie apart No feare of death could her have frighted so As to involve her honour in such danger To bee alone with such a barb'rous stranger Now being alone the King his Queene intreates To come to bed which suite she doth deny How so quoth hee then summarly recites He all her promises and askes her why Shee doth refuse since that shee is his wife To bed with him as she should all her life Then lifting her left hand hee faines to kisse The same and she no other did expect But treach'rously hee did her more amisse At vnawares for hee without respect Of teares or cries pulld from her fairer hand The chaste ring which she no way could gainstand So on the bed hee faire Lucilla threw Fully resolv'd his pleasure to fulfill He findes that once the Sorc'rers have prov'd true And yet he must be frustrate of his will For why Lucilla did the heavens implore To save her honour though she dy'd therfore The gods it seem'd did grant the Ladies suite For such a shaking did the King possesse That his designe hee could not prosecute Iust heavens doe still such villanie represse When earthly meanes the vertuous minded faile Then sacred Powers by their strength prevaile For though Lucilla could no way resist This tyrant king heavens pittied her estate And so those heavenly powers ever blist In time gave aid whilst shee her griefe relate For now the tyrant vile began to bleed And soone thereafter on the floore fell dead This sight amaz'd Lucilla's tender spright So that she cald the guard for to appeare Then vp they came for they had watcht all night But when they saw the King was dead such feare Possest them that they scarce could well take hold Of faire Lucilla who the truth them told Yet ever thinking she the king had kild Their wrath and furie did so farre abound That both the Lords and Citizens have wild The guard to putin prison most profound The Lady that this murther did coact Vntill such time as she confest the fact Her maid beg'd leave to keepe her companie And then the guard to Iayle did them commit Lucilla fully is resolv'd to dye What death they please e're she thus prison'd sit But now sweet Lady voyd of all comfort She to Sophona spake in this same sort How now Sophona had it not been good That in Calabria we as yet had staid Then had our friends not spent for vs their blood Nor we thus prison'd been for death affraid Iust are the heavens who though into their ire They punish me with flames of sacred fire Even me who have my fathers will represt Despising counsell Natures kinde respect By which I brought griefe to his aged breast Who me vile wretch intirely did affect Sweet heavens quoth shee to dye for my offence I 'm glad so death my misse can recompence But yet aye me Calanthrop my sweete knight Could I refuse to goe away with thee Since in thy selfe is plac't my whole delight Likewise thy ioyes I 'me sure are fixt in mee Therefore I vow that death or greatest paine I can for thee endure shall be my gaine Sweete Madam quoth Sophona well resolv'd Though spitefull Fortune at this time vs crosse And vs in woe hath guiltlesly involv'd Yet if with patience wee can brooke our losse We pay her home for none can more iniure Fortune then patiently their crosse indure And for your knight though you great griefe sustaine Most sure the like him likewise doth annoy For till hee see Lucilla faire againe I 'me sure his heart will never peace enioy Our griefe 's at height then Madam be content For vehemencies are not permanent Whilst thus they spake the Iaylor did them call Told them that presently they must compeare Before the Iudges in the Iustice hall So with him went the Ladies void of feare Lucilla to the Iudges did dilate The simple truth of all the present state Yet for all that she was adiudg'd to dye And so to Iayle the Ladies did returne But oh iust heavens have a disposing eye Which oft relieve the wofull hearts that mourne For now they sent the Ladies aid from sea Who can shall their wretched state supplea The morne alive midst fire to yeeld their breath Were they condemn'd this was their punishment The one as accessarie to his death The other as the actor eminent But yet Calanthrop lately came ashore E're they doe so I trust will aske wherefore For now hee sent Philodespot to towne To trye if he could with the Ladies meete The Page knew all the countrey vp and downe Therefore his maister doth him now intreate To try what newes hee heard or where the strength Of all the towne lay so the boy at length Went and return'd then to his maister shew The towne was all in armes and much agast So of the Ladies he could get no view For they into a Dungeon deepe were cast The King was dead and ev'rie one reports Two Ladies had him kild who were consorts At this report inrag'd Calanthrop sweares He will besiege the towne that 's not the best Quoth divers of his Lords for it appeares Since they 're in armes for warre they are addrest Therefore let vs some stratagem invent Them to ov'r-throw frustrate their intent Sir quoth a Captaine old I pray you heare Your Page tells that the execution place Is distant from the towne
crave And since that I am in those woods acquaint For long time I thereof haue keeper been They my advice requir'd e're they attaint This enterprise but now I have not seene Nor heard of them this houre agoe and more And this makes me inquisitiue therefore In truth good friend quoth Calanthrop be sure If I had seen such I would likewise goe And trye the sport for it should much allure The hearts of yong men to be baited so Therefore let me intreat you to repose Your selfe beside me and that tale disclose Touching the Duke and that same youth was kild The faire Lucilla likewise would I know And where she lives that so the earth hath fild With strange reports for oft-times many moe Then you haue told me of this Ladies favour But still I thought their speech did amply savour I cannot think her such as they report Or that her beautie can so farre excell All other womens so I you exhort Let your relation beare a trustfull smell For truth to heavens with sacred wings doth flye While heaven and earth abhorre still those who lye Beleeve me Sir I 'me glad that yee haue told Me such good tale for now I well perceive You doe desire that I the truth vnfold The which discourse most truely you shall haue For I shall you acquaint with all the state So now give eare whilst I the same relate THE FORRESTER HIS RELATION LOng after that the val'rous Greeks had leveld with the ground The stately walles of Ilium Priams race consound For rapt of Menelaus wife even then of happy Greece The Diadem was rightly swayd the scepter ruld in peace By Princes of its Provinces who all as in one minde Most vertuously for publick weale aptly themselves combynd This time Thessalia's peacefull reigne made pleasant Tempe smile Two-topt Pernasse and Helicon the Muses haunt this while The spring was wrought by Pegasus the winged horse his hove Those thrice three sisters sacred selves were knowne about to move The Nymphs with fair disheveld haire then tript the flowrie meads The harmles flocks through vales dales mountains safly feeds The skipping Satyrs midst the groves longst silver brooks did play The countrey maids in rurall games to gaine the praise essay Even then did prudent Philagath over Thessalia reigne A man whom Fates and Fortune both more favourd than a king For by his birth he honoured was through royall right discent Of many Kings of Thessaly as histories comment His grandour purchast great respect his iustice made men feare His clemenciemade him belov'd of all his name did heare And Nature in succession would him also happy make In giving him a sonne which should when as he pleasd forsake The Scepter rule in fathers stead his countries all defend From forraine force if any to invade the same intend A comely girle he also had who as shee grew in yeares Her beautie then not paraleld more lovely still appeares Her beautie great fame blaz'd abroad in regions round about Yea it I thinke was published almost the world throughout So from all countries suiters did to Thessaly resort Where they themselvee might recreate in each desired sport But all their aimes was to attaine the Ladies wisht consent Yet all in vaine for still they did returne most malcontent Yet at the last as Fortune would not haue her dye a maide The Duke of rich Calabria himselfe there soone convayde And in short time such successe had as he acquir'd her loue In honest forme and so they match which afterwards did prove To both their goods and hearts content for in a twelvemonths space She bore to him a gallant girle which had an Angels face This girle was nam'd Lucilla faire as iustly she may bee The fairest Lady now aliue inricht most plenteouslie With rarest gifts and graces good that mortals doe enioy The Gods likewise in one assent still shield her from annoy But now the Duke her father did conceive so great delight In his new match and laughter faire he ev'rie day or night Esteem'd a yeare till he reâ—urnd with this his beauteous prize Towards his countrey for all Greece his successe did despise So hee tooke leave of Philagath the King of Thessaly Then homewards hasted with his wife and all his companie At home he led a ioyfull life sequestrate from all care Till envious Fortune griev'd thereat inraged through despaire Would make him taste the bitter gall of her satyrick frowne And make him know the sun-shine of her favours were ore-blowne Not fully liv'd he sixe yeares space with his beloved wife When Philagath through sicknes great was thought should loose his life Those newes I thinke bad musick sound into the Dutchesse eare Now were her senses all apal'd by sudaine pale-fac't feare Yet she resolves to visite him as she in dutie should The Duke doth strive her to disswade but yet no way hee could Away she goes for Thessaly with all her lovely traine Of gallant Knights and Ladies faire she hastes ore hill plain Through diligence she doth attaine her wished iourneyes end Even as some wearie Pilgrime doth who feeble foot-steps spend In superstitious pilgrimage before some kinsmans death Right so she hastes as though shee could preserue her fathers breath But so it is death doth prevent too oft what we desire And our moist nature doth combure with flames of fatall fire For ere the Dutchesse could attaine her loving fathers sight Remorselesse Death vnwelcome guest forc't him forgoe his sp'right Then with great shonts she pierced oft the azur'd welkin faire And clouds with eechoes did resound her plaints throgh emptie aire Yet forc't she must haue patience mournings doe nought availe For Death with equall pace both Prince poore-man doth assailc So she with griefe her last leaue takes of Thessaly with teares And her owne brothers eldest sonne along with her she beares Home to her owne Calabria shee her comp'nie goe From their sad harts the speach-like groanes still seem'd to vtter woe Thorow Epyrus lay their way where they one night did rest But on the morrow Phoebus beames them scorchingly opprest So that vnto a wood they seek to taste some cooling shade A forrest faire they found hardby wherof they all were glad With speedie pace they thither went but better they had staid For they had not long soiourn'd there when they were all afraid The Savages those woods did haunt them furiously assault The knights again wth murdring swords sharply correct that fault In little space those wild men were forc't to a sad retreat Some kild some fled some howlingly bad successes repeat The Dutchesse glad of victory intends now to depart Yet e're she goe she must endure inevitable smart For as the Knights the Dutchesse sought vnto her coach to bring A monstrous Scorpion lurkt hard by her pittiously did sting Then to the hold returnes againe a foot-groome it prevent And with a Sable it divides so frustrates its intent The Dutchesse
require Or cite those Fates to render their account Before great love what matter then in fire If once reveng'd in smallest ash be burnt But woe aye me without controll they still Dispose of us we must obey their will Now there Megaera and Alecto come For to coact my metamorphosis But stay you Furies sure I will by some Vn-usuall tricke you disappoint in this Now with his sword to rob he doth intend Himselfe of life which should his life defend And as the point he presents to his breast Take courage wofull Calanthrop said he This heart of thine where earst did sorrows rest Now at one thrust shall quickly bee made free And this braue act shall eternize thy name Who death preferres before a living shame Mean while that maid whom he Megaera thought Taking her fellow by the hand did say Cousin by your advice we here are brought Le ts turne in time lest in these woods we stray Or shall we goe and make us pleasant posies For here 's good store of Violets and Roses This their discourse did suddenly denood Him so of sence that still hee did surmize Hee dream'd for such an vnexpected good As this he thought could hardly sympathize With his thrice more then miserable state Which winds with grones would through the world regrate By this his bloud begins againe retire Yet dare he not allow his eyes their due But still he lookes and looking doth admire This happy change he cannot thinke be true But to confirme what he before hath seene Even him beside vpon a flourie greene These wel-fac'd Furies who of late dismaid Him now begin againe to recomfort So that his furious enterprize he staid And rests content to see them make such sport For whilst their Lutes a Base or Tenour sound Their voyce in Alts sweet musicke doe abound Though that a man through melancholy mad Were so ore-gone that he could not abide No companie nor musicke for to glad His sp'rits yet such Musitians would assyde Soone banish grief by their heavenly voyce The saddest heart that ever was reioyce Now one of those belike of speciall worth Her selfe advances and her voyce doth raise Her brave intent thus prosecutes shee forth Which was to sing vnto her Mistres praise The rest applaud in hearing her rehearse This Dittie which herselfe had put in verse THE DITTIE OF A MAID MAiestick Iuno iealous was As Io well did finde Her Cow-heard Argus sight surpasse All mens yet was made blinde Through Morpheus aid and Syrinx note Asleepe he fell his charge forgot Vulcans faire wife the wanton plaid With moe then Mars you know At last the Smith her well repaid For his cornuted blow The Cent'nell Gallus he neglected So Mars his master him reiected Chaste Dian iustly may be taxt Of monstrous crueltie Who for one looke so angry waxt As could indure to see A man vsde vnhappy wife First hornd the man then tooke his life Ioves braine-bred daughter much ador'd Of Troians made descend From Heavens Palladium which instor'd them still and much defend Their Citie yet for all her wit The wâ—â—â—â— Greeke removed it There 's one whose beautie well may bee Compared to Ioves Queene No envie nor no iealousie Is or hath with her been All mortals may her praise proclaime LVCILLA is this Ladies name Venus was faire yet had a stain Faire Helen had the same Into her face a spot some faine But such hath not this Dame Lucilla's faire without disgrace No inchast spot is in her face The Huntresse chaste might well admit This Lady of her traine No cruell nor no cholerick fit Doth in her heart remaine She in this gift her sexe exceeds Chaste are her thoughts her words her deeds If prudent Pallas were on earth Her equall should she finde For solid wit as for rare birth Pallas surpast her kinde Yet had Lucilla Troy protected No forraine force had them eiected Each goddesse for one qualitie You see are still extold Should then not shee in whom agree all graces be inrold In scrolles of fame since free from fault Let all the earth her thus exalt A Iuno lacking iealousie A Venus stainlesse faire A Dian without crueltie For wit a Pallas rare Luciila's vertues shine as cleare As Phoebus in his highest spheare HER song thus ended presently one calles So they retire their Mistres to attend This maid who cal'd whereas the Spring devalles Still staid since first Lucilla did descend Into the Bathe where she hath staid so long That they 'r afraid her too much bathing wrong At her egresse the statues seeme to weepe For woe that faire Lucilla must depart Which matchlesse treasure they wold gladly keep Now from their eyes the water drops by art Likewise the water downe her body trilling As loath to part last on her feet stands billing Till that the Aire more subtill element His place doth claime which yet the water holds But now that raine by Aeols force halfe spent Which yet remaines one in a cloath infolds And so leaues Aire Water midst their store To trye whose interest greatest was before Quoth Neptune brother Aeolus I may You iustly taxe of breach of brotherhood Who most enioyes Lucilla night and day Not so content with Vesta you collude Still to prevent her wish'd approach to me For Brookes and Springs are mine as is the Sea Then Aeole thus with boystrous voyce reply'd Neptune Lucilla's not a fish belieue Nor can with finnes thy weltring waves divide Nor is she Sea-Nymph therefore do not grieue She leaue thy home by nature cold and wet By me she liues though Vesta's part were set Neptune replies Lucilla liues by you You 'l make her then a Salmond fish indeed For th' Aire those fish some say their food allow And by report they on nought els do feed But she 's no fish nor fowle nor bird that sings For as she gills doth lack so doth she wings My mates quoth Vesta may not I as well Some interest claime into this louely lasse Since her and such for to sustaine I feele Vpon my wombe the crooked plow oft passe And soript vp reintegrates with gaine To Bacchus wine and vnto Ceres graine Now came Acmonides the Cyclop swift And them commands in Vulcans name leaue off Such friv'lous talke els by some suddaine shift His master would them chastice him they scoffe And bad him tell his master they regard No whit his message far lesse such reward For quoth they though his region be aboue Ours plac't yet doth he beare no rule ore us And no superior saue the mightie Iove Will we acknowledge also tell him thus Choler abounds most in a furious beast But in Lucilla is his interest least Yet stay said Vesta let vs not despise His pow'r for when foolish Phaeton fell I got a hot memento to be wise Which yet my scorched Lybia can tell For guiltlesse I try'd then his fierie force Choler no reason yeelds nor hath remorse And Aeole likewise you 'l
confesse I hope You must giue place to Vulcans thundring clap Neptune likewise for all his boundlesse scope Is not content such in his bosome wrap For sure the habite of immod'rate heat Will watry Tethys to repine excite Now Vulcans selfe into their hearing roares And terribly midst fierie flames appeares Thorow the clowds he in his chariot soares At such a sight the hearts of humans feares And now twixt Aeole and the god of flouds He lights and leaues his Chariot mongst the clouds My friends quoth Vulcan will you play me so Shall I 've no part in faire Lucilla here In rationall and sensitive you know And vegitative creatures still I beare A part with you why then not so in this Who count before their Hoast they count amisse But yet you may perhaps mistake mee much To dominiere in such I doe not use So then I trust since that my humour 's such Me as copartner you will not refuse By nature shee participates of all Vs foure yet t'one must she be most in thrall Let 's therefore trye who hath this rule supreame Vesta shall bee disburdned of this charge Melancholie in her is not extreame Nor yet shall he who rules the rivers large Beare soveraigne rule so let him not contest For flegme in age it selfe best manifest Then Neptune thus spake in a chafing rage I hope one Venus Vulcan may suffice Lucilla's wit her choler doth asswage Therefore to him doth not belong this prize To Aire then yeeld her as we ought in dutie Since Sanguines onely doe possesse such beautie Thus then agreed Vulcan for Aetna makes Aeole doth still 'bove sea or earth abide For hee you know a locall mansion lackes Neptune returnes to rule his waters wide Vesta prepares herselfe to give account How farre her yearely increase doth amount BVt now to faire Lucilla must I turne Whom maids in rich apparrell gladly cloath Shee homeward tends whereat the woods doe mourne Calanthrop likewise wood and fountaine both Bids now farewell and in Lucilla's quest He goes which if attaind he thinkes him blest Ov'r hilles and vales through meads and dales hee runnes No steepie mountaine may his passage let At last hee sees her and at first two Sunnes Of which the brightest on the earth is set Hee thinkes he sees his obiect him deceives Againe hee lookes a womans face perceives But such a face the earth yeeldes not another For matchlesse beautie and behaviour brave No Naiad Driad no nor Cupids mother In lovelinesse compare with her may have Nature her made in Venus mould to sit Amending now what shee did then omit LVCILLA HER Description Even such she was Her haires gold wyre vnâ—wynd Resemble right which carelesly shee hung In greene silke-lace with silver wrought confynd Over her shoulders but her face no tongue Can giue the due her brow is Cupids throne Where hee vnseene delights to sit alone Her eyes like sparkling starres in frostie night Her nose even such as lovely Leda had Her partie-coloured cheekes grac't with delight Like Lillies mixt with Rose in Crymson clad Her lips sweet Rubie-red box-like inclose Her pearle-like teeth till she to smile dispose Her breasts as white as those two Swannes which draw Venus by coach to Paphos lovely hold Her hands like hers Achilles aeath fore-saw Yet could not brooke the touch of water cold For though she dipt the boy the flood beneath His heele kept dry which was in end his death Her feet like Thetis which none can remarke The print therof even where she newly walkt Her pace like Iuno's when in Ida parke With Pallas and the Queene of Loue she talkt In fine her better Nature never wrought Her shape can hardly be conceiv'd by thought THis rare admir'd sole quintescence of kinde With all her maids were now come to a place Hard by the sea where as they vse they finde Their Bark and Boat-men waiting but their pace Hath been so swift that through great heat even there They 'r forc'd sit downe to breathe and take the aire Now Calanthrop approches to be briefe For Cupid wounded vnawares his heart He sees their aime and sees it to his griefe He findes their Barke this aggravates his smart Yet at the Boat-men doth hee now enquire If they 'l transport him and receiue his hire Whereto they answer Good sir please you heare This Barke belongs vnto the loveliest Dame That this day liues who now belike is neare Vnto this place and wee her servants came Her to attend els willingly we would Receiue you sir if any way we could My friends sayd hee tell me where is your course If so in friendship I intreat you may For it is like that by a briefe discourse You giue content and I be pleas'd to stay In court'sie sir so much will wee you show To yonder land lyes opposite we goe There comes the Lady so if you acquire Her owne consent without reproach wee can Yeild you content so lest the time expire Put forth your sute for bee assur'd no man Shall you refuse to trannsport without wage For you 're but one and yonder comes a Page This Page delivers him two letters sent By some his friends which doth import great haste Yet 't is too late for now his heart was lent Els-where for his affections all were plac't In faire Lucilla who her Barke stands by And now to enter doth herselfe apply Whilst Boat-men striue to make their Barke cohere To land for their faire Ladies greater ease A maid comes running with exceeding feare And to her Lady thus spake Madame please I 've seene a man or Incubus belike And as she spake her breast with hand did strike Looke how a maid confynd in narrow way 'Mongst steepie rockes finding a Dragon sleep How tim'rously shee 'l stand yet no delay Her frighted heart can brooke for now to weepe Doth nought availe right so with feare now fild Shee ran away as though shee thought be kild But now the Mar'ners to relate begin Vnto Lucilla how a brave youth sought By them to haue transport her Barke within Take what they pleas'd for hire he cared nought A Gallant braue a stranger we him thinke Loe yonder comes he ' longst the river brinke Now Calanthrop a thousand wayes is vext Strange cogitations doe him so turmoyle He cannot stay to goe he is perplext Lest through presumption he receiue the foyle But goe he must how ere she him repute Loue so commands thus doth he her salute FAirest on earth wil't please you to allow Me who 's a stranger for to haue transport Into your comp'nie I solemnly vow If you be pleas'd to grace me in such sort In your defence command so when you list I 'le hazard life and if I dye I 'me blest For know deare Lady my adoes are great Even such wherein consist my blisse or baile So if I stay the Destinies doe threat Me with such death as makes my heart to quaile Even such a death that whilst
I liue I 'le dye And though I death desire death will me flye Therefore sweete Nymph since I haue told you plaine Beatifie me by your generous grant So shall I still your servant true remaine Whereof with credite I may iustly vaunt For such a Mistresse hath no mortall wight Gainst Mars himselfe I dare maintaine by fight Lucilla all this while attentively Remarkt his speech and felt she knew not what A more intire respect then vsually She heretofore to any bore whereat Aggriev'd her selfe of fondnesse doth reprove For she as yet ne're felt the force of love Yet this respect she caries to the youth I hope anone shall purchase him his fraught Now the sweet Organ of her lovely mouth Vtters such words as might haue Merc'rie taught Which words from out Loves lethagrie awake Young Calanthrop for thus to him she spake SVch titles sir I you intreat reserve As you give me for some of more desert For through selfe-loue many from honour swerve As those report in Nature most expert And if ambition once the heart subdue Honour wit vertue bid that heart adiew It may be Sir that you repute this strange That vndeserved many will assume Prerogatives and badly doe exchange Vertue with vice such is ambitions fume Those late repentance make their plumes decline Yet they ne're strive their hum ours to refine Let this suffice then now as to your suite Sir you shall know that we vse not permit Men in our comp'nie lest through scand'lous bruit Our spotlesse names in question come but yet Those Mar'ners you perhaps esteeme as men Yet are they Eunuchs though in number ten But lest your losse through our default accresse And we prove guiltie of your overthrow We will for this time our strict vse represse And for your weale our hazard vndergoe Since you 're a stranger then in charitie We should you aid if we may lawfully For this Calanthrop renders thousand thankes And on his knee offers her hand to kisse Which she refus'd now each in their own rankes Goe boord the Barke but ô what ioy by this Doth Calanthrop conceive now their saile They hoise for why they have a prosperous gale Now being imbarkt Neptune begins to ioy That he hath gaind which he of late was reft No wrinkling wave vpon his brow t'annoy Them now is seen no swelling surge is left Vpon the Oceans face but like to balme The seas appeare now through a pleasant calme Lucilla now the stranger plac't hard by Herselfe and seeing he so silent sate Smiling began she to enquire him why He lookt so sad or what he cogitate Whilst he so sate into a silent muse Whereat asham'd himselfe doth thus excuse MAdam by nature I 'me melancholy Yet doe I think by casuall accident This humour much more is infus'd in me Which if I could I gladly would prevent But so it is I 'me forc't to taste the soure And bittet sap whilst others smell the floure For know deare sweet the Fates doe so ordaine Whilst others ioy that I in woe must waile The blinde-borne Archers shaft I entertaine My heart within this makes me looke so pale And which is worse with griefe I pine and mourne She lovelesse lives mids Cupids flames I burne And yet in truth thus farre I must confesse I silent grieue for such I never shew To her directly neither did adresse My selfe to sute such for I thought I knew Already that I labour would in vaine And poure forth plaints to one would me disdaine Yet since I see that silence will redound To my great losse likewise in such a case It is not requisite lest I confound My selfe and so my fortunes all intrace In grizely lab'rynth of pale-looking woe I 'le speake in time heavens aid me thereinto The Mar'ners all this time were sleeping neere And glad to rest for they out-waked were Lucilla's maids apply'd themselues to heare The Page discourse no longer time deferre Would Calanthrop but since the time so serves Proceedes yet trembling feare possest his nerves For he was feard the Mar'ners might awake Or that the maides might to his speech advert He likewise feard Lucilla faire might take Exception by his words and so insert His name and hopes in scrolles of pale reiect Yet he resolues this speech to her direct THrice fairer then the fairest that doth breath Ortrampe downe Tellus by their harmlesse foote More worth to me then life do not in wrath This as presumption vnto me impute That I sore loue-sick must thy pitty crave For thou it's onely must me kill or save Thou whose Idea in my heart is fixt So firmly that no death can it remoue Let thy great beautie be with mercie mixt Pittie is cal'd the ornament of loue Pittie those shrowds disdaine would whip with roddes It 's pittie onely makes vs like to goddes Sweet lovely faire please you remember right When I of you my transport did obtaine I told you that my stay would marre my spright And through transport I should lost ioy regaine So true it is for since you shew such grace You gave me life by looking in your face For such like matter I ne're thought vpon As of transport but glad was to conceale My love vntill such time as there was none Hard by to heare what I to you reveale For since sweete loue I saw you in the wood I still esteem'd you my sole earthly good Even then when you did richly benefite The colding spring with touch of your faire hide The fountaine bathe within for to repeate What ioy the whole spectators were beside Did then conceive would scarcely purchase trust But as for me appeare no way I durst For whilst I on the fountaine statues gaz'd You marcht so swift with all your lovely bond That I by such great beauties much amaz'd Into a bush hard by my selfe abscond And all the while you did the bathe inure I silent sate with small content I 'me sure Cause I Diana absolute esteem'd You for such beautie humanes not possesse As you enioy so wisht I be exeem'd From such like comp'nie lest that such distresse Might me befall as him who wore Harts horne First on his head then by his dogges was torne But when I saw that dangers all were past And that you were a humane creature When you were gone I follow'd after fast Loves fierie faggots so my heart combure Such bait gave Cupid on a guilded hooke I could not stay till I you over-tooke So now sweet heart since opportunitie Hath made me fort'nate granting me such time My loue t' impart to your selfe privatly Grant me your favour that amidst the prime Of my yong yeares I may more ioy conceive Then Nestor old in all his life did have In thy sweet selfe my spotlesse loue 's ingraft In thee is plac't my ioyes and whole content Let not disdaine by his fastidious craft Frustrate my hopes nor yet my ioyes prevent For Nat'ralists this maxime oft observes A lovely face
before the message came absented Such loue-sick thoughts his minde so ever crost That smothred groanes his hearthad almost rented Yet forc't content he beares most patientlie To Citie went his Hoast his Page and hee Where we must leaue them for a little space To shew you what content the Duke conceiv'd By this dayes sport but yet the great disgrace His Knights had got iustly no pardon crav'd Sham'd to confesse yet reason them constraind An vnknowne Knight not they the honour gain'd Most glad in heart the Duke hastes to his home With many Knights discoursing on this sport They all yeeld praise to one they know not whom The Beare his death did each of them comfort Yet envious sp'rites still secret malice ludge At stout mens successe base mindes oft doe grudge For the good Duke to glad his guests withall When he came home causd his faire lasse be brought To sup with them to minde he then doth call The val'rous act one knight that day had wrought Then to Lucilla told in pleasant words In audience of Knights Princes Earles and Lords How that an vnknowne Knight the Beare did kill For after quoth he we had rouz'd the beast The tim'rous hounds at bay did keepe him still Many were hurt glad to retire at least They seem'd vnwilling any more to try Wherein the Beares defence and strength did lye But while as yet each knight with other strove Who first should dare him to encounter new There came a knight from an adiacent grove His horse lance clothes were of a pale-black hew The Beare in mid-way meets him on the plaines As loath to put a stranger to great paines With an vnformall welcome doth him greet Yet on his breast the lance doth split asunder But e're the knight on ground could fixe his feet The Beare got vp though he was once at vnder Then e're the knight could halfe his sword vnsheath He runnes to him belike to begge his death Which suit the knight seem'd willing to obey For at one stroke he did the Beare so wound The griefe thereof his body did o're-sway Foure-feet thereafter set he ne're on ground One of his legges the knight quite off did cut Then in the sheath his noble sword he put Then on his horse he quickly did returne To that same grove from which of late he came Thither where we thought he did then soiourne I sent three Lords for to enquire his name Desiring him to come where we expected Him who so had our countries weale protected But he was gone before they could attaine The very grove which we had seene him enter Not willing to be knowne he did preveene Their comming yet his life for vs did venter Then since they could not finde him any where We all thought best home to this place repaire Thus daughter haue you heard the very truth Of our dayes sport directly as it was Acted by that brave magnanimick youth Chastiz'd the monster for his vile trespasse He for our safetie and our publick good Life hazard honour gaind yet spent his blood Sir quoth Lucilla give me leave to speake This act me thinkes precels the labours twell Of that brave worthy martiall minded Greeke Who drag'd three-headed Cerberus from hell He that kild Hector midst the campe of Greece Or hee who gaind Ile Colchis golden fleece When Hercules to fetch his wife did goe Infernal Phasma's made his courage droupe Achilles at advantage strooke his foe Whilst hee to rob dead Patroclus did stoupe Medea's magick gain'd the fleece of gold For Iasons love she fathers thesaure sold. Likewise the Argonauts both last and first Did aid Duke Aesons sonne in his pursute Oeta's foes did bravely him assist Orithia's sonnes to aid them prosecute Wing'd Calais and Zethes thither flew In their returne the Harpyes they subdue Desire of gaine did Iason most intyse Necessitie the other two did move For Herc'les must forgoe his enterpryse Else fight the dogge Achilles too must prove Himselfe a Coward if hee misse the stroke But no such matter did this knight provoke No greed of gaine nor yet necessitie Did move this gallant enterprise this deed True honour did his minde most qualifie He likewise saw this countrey stood in need Of speedie ayd so for our publick weale Vnarmd alone he did the Beare appeale And praise to Iove hee happy victor prov'd Deare father therefore whatsoe're he be Of yong and old he ever should be lov'd Of rich and poore of each sexe and degree To him erect then stately Trophies rare Who for our safeties would his life not spare Though all the min'rals earth containes were swords And all tooke life were men to vse them well If Calanthrop I thinke had heard her words Being so set on top of Fortunes wheele Hee would gain-stand them all in open plaine Though Hydra-like they two-fold liv'd againe But while Lucilla did Calanthrop praise One Philotomp much to her speech adverts His name his naughtie humour still bewrayes This knight in heart the Ladies words inserts For fretting Envie humour monstrous strange Mov'd him was no way wrong'd to seeke revenge For Philotomp that proud ostentive man Made search to know where the knight did remaine Fully resolv'd to kill him if hee can Naughtie designes are bred in basest braine So in dark night he went vnto the Citie With heart bent to revenge and void of pittie Some say that Philotomp right much affected The faire Lucilla and this was the cause He hates the knight doubting to bee reiected His rivall humour could admit no pause Lucilla's speech he though had savour kinde Towards the knight which did molest his minde Now in the Citie at the time of rest Some knave convayd him to the knight his Inne So he and sixe well arm'd with him addrest Them to the house now doth the fight beginne Calanthrop and his boy did well asswage Philotomps choler and his vniust rage Yea Calanthrop alone so farre prevaild His martiall page defending still his backe That in short time those seven who him assaild Through his brave hand were brought to sudaine wracke Foure of them kild he two like Cowards fled Philotomp captive made his bloud not shed The Burgers hearing the vp-rore conveene And both the parties doe incarcerate But yet in Iayle not willing to detaine Such persons long lest they extenuate Their libertie therefore they now intend Vnto the Duke to know his will to send Their Messenger doth to the Duke dilate The very forme of this bad accident And how the vnknowne knight his hard estate Was much bewaild when he to iayle was sent For what he did was in his owne defence But no man knew knight Philotomps pretence How soone the Duke had heard him to an end To horse he went with many gallant Lord Each one to heare their itching eares did lend What the event should be of this discord Wishing the Duke might expiate his ire Each Lord and knight him humbly did desire But now the Maior
knight awake And turning to Cupido thus she spake Sonne long time hath this knight our servant beene And he as yet ne're had of vs reward Therefore it 's time that he should now attaine The wished aime which hee doth most regard Say sonne shall it be so Yes mother yes He shall anone enioy his earthly blisse Quoth Cupid knight since thou ador'st our shrine Richer then Paris shall thy guerdon bee This spotlesse virgine shall be thy propine Thrice fairer farre then Helen was is shee In signe that what I speake shall be most true Receive this ring from her so now adiew Calanthrop through this extasie awakes Then blames he Morpheus 'cause he himdeceiv'd Rouzing himselfe hee drowsie sleepe forsakes And looking round he quickly now perceiv'd The very ring which he thought whilst hee dream'd He had receiv'd from her he most esteem'd Dreames are of sundry natures some reports Their reasons divers divers their effect Yet those best knowne consist but of three sorts Of which this first is held in least respect It 's nam'd a dreame of office by the wise When folk in night dreame of dayes exercise The second dreame is called naturall 'Cause it proceeds of ones complection As phlegmatikes in sleep will dreame they fall In rivers deepe Sanguines suggestion Is oft of bloud Choler'ans of the fire Melancholickes of Divels which none desire The dreame of Revelation is the last Which still foreshewes a good or bad successe This taught men divination in times past Thus knowne of ioy or griefe it leaves excesse Into the heart which will not soone remove This dreame is not of nature but above Belike Calanthrop did this dreame enioy When he awoke he was the merriest man I think that liv'd his heart voyd of annoy Doubting was 't he he to the river ran To view his shadow in the water cleare But whilst he stoupt Dirce vnseen drew neare The posie of his ring he oft ov'r-read Kissing it sate he on the rivers brinke Whilst thus he toy'd Dirce steales vp her head Reft him the ring then vnder flood did shrinke And now amaz'd Calanthrop on the land Like those beheld Medusa did hee stand Yet cry'd he Dirce ô sweet Dirce heare Now longst the river runnes now doth he stay Still crying gentle Dirce once appeare For thou wast once a woman Poets say Then pittie me a humane wretch distrest Once vp she popt yet to the sea her drest His regrates onely serve to shew his harme She serpent-like hardned her deafned eare As when inchanters strive them for to charme So carelesse shee to sea hastes without feare No whit regarding Calanthrops offence She loves to dive in Neptunes confluence Sometimes she sporting would approch the shore Then would Calanthrop strive her to invade Now would she swim neere hand the flood some more Then sought he by intreates her to perswade But all in vaine for let him doe his best She kept the ring hee held in most request Now since hee saw hee no way could prevaile He vowes that he anone shall fisher turne And emptie all the seas of fish and Whale Els Phaeton-like he seas and earth shall burne But that 's impossible so now therefore He Neptune Nereus Proteus doth implore Humbly intreates he that they 'l him befriend In causing Dirce him againe restore Or they 'l be pleasd the little ring to send With some such like he vowes hee 'l then adore Their liquid Deitie large and limitlesse Belike those Sea-gods pittied his distresse For now anone appeares a monster great Holding the robber firmly by the back His looks with death the whole spectators threat He towards land the neerest way doth take But since he sees Calanthrop he directs Dirce to goe and mend her past defects Trembling she went and doth the ring produce Craving him pardon whom she had offended Protesting ne're to doe the like abuse She likewise told him that shee once intended To give that ring vnto a kinsman neare Which Neptune causd her to its owner beare Well quoth Calanthrop now I see it 's sure Ambition made thee loose thy humane shape Thy strife 'gainst Pallas iustly did procure This thy mishape and though thou death didst scape Be sure abides thee yet some greater paine If thou hereafter vse such trickes againe So now farewell for freely I forgive Thee all my wrong Neptune still thankes shall have Who did thee of thy libertie deprive Vntill such time as thou was forc't to crave Pardon for thy offence against thy will Else thy deform'd attendant would thee kill Dirce to sea Calanthrop homewards went 'Cause that the Duke might chance for him enquire And finding him that time to be absent Thereof to know the reason should desire For this cause did he to his chamber goe So secretly none save his page did know He bids his page there leave him for a space If any did enquire for him that day Say he was sick and see in any case That none approacht him but he should them stay For now the passions of loves fierie fume His loyall heart was likely to consume Likewise his dreame reputes he meere deceit And blames himselfe that e're did such beleeve Yet when hee thinkes vpon the rings receit Those sorrows vanish which do most him grieve 'Cause he admires what blist sp'rite did bestow So rare a gift to stop his over-throw With weeping eyes hee doth the posie view His pale-hewd lips the ring doe often kisse Sighing he said O heavens may this be true That faire Lucilla will forthink her misse And pittie wretcht Calanthrop his estate Would sell his life for her at easie rate No no fond man be sure it cannot be For she hath told thy selfe already that She much distasted Cupids deitie And thought those fooles that ever did inact Their liberties within his lawlesse booke Or in loves mirrour sought themselves to looke Therefore there was small hope of his reliefe Yet willd his Genius him renew his suite It might be heavens would some way ease his griefe Seldome brave mindes succumbe in loves pursute And though he dy'd his ghost should have content Since for her love death did his breath prevent Vnknowne to him Sophona was hard by And heard the maner of his whole regrate You know Lucilla sent her there to trye His passions which were tedious to relate His plaints Sophona did to stay allure For shevnseene lookt through a doore obscure Thereafter went she to his Page and told She much desir'd to speake with Tristius His master therefore wild shee him vnfold So much vnto him likewise shew him thus Though for the present he be somewhat sicke Lucilla's mayd Sophona would him speake His Page acquaints him that there did attend A Lady faire Sophona was her name To speake with him she gladly did intend Since you are sick Sir she doth favour claime To visite you some physick for your ease Perhaps she brings will banish your disease Chiefe Dame of honour to Lucilla faire
returnd with one accord Before the Princes in the dyning hall The King the Queene and Sophona there crav'd Pardon on knees for their offencesall Of the Calabrian Duke When heperceav'd His daughter and her maid likewise her knight Was king of Epire he with great delight In armes embrac't and kist Lucilla faire Next her the king and last her maid likewise Then he intreates Calanthrop to declare The pret'rite fortunes of his enterprise With ev'rie sev'rall successe good or bad And ioyes and crosses which in love he had For quoth he I remit all your trespasse And ev'rie wrong you towards mee have done Since thus you haveacquir'd my lovely Lasse I likewise must account you as my sonne Therefore be pleasd the truth for to relate Most punctually of all your former state At his request Calanthrop did expresse His passedlife even as the Duke desir'd With all the circumstances more and lesse That heretofore he had through love acquir'd To his discourse exult they in assent And much approve his resolute intent The nuptialls celebrated were with ioy Which did continue for a five-weekes space In end Lucilla of a goodly Boy Was brought to bed the wedding more to grace Which mov'd her father stay til she amended Then home he went as hee before intended So did each Grecian Prince when all were gone Calanthrop cald Sophona that sweet maid She and her husband by the king alone After this fort the king vnto her sayd Lady quoth he as yet no recompence Of thy deserts through my benevolence To thee hath been extended wherefore now I here to thee and to thy husband give The province of Thesprotia likewise you May in the Citie of Pandosia live Which lands with you and yours shall still remaine And not returne vnto the crowne againe This now Sophona shall be thy reward 'Cause in my love thou ever didst mee ayde Thee and thy husband likewise I 'le regard Next to my Queen thus shall thy love bee payd Since thou with vs wast partaker in woe In prosp'rous state good reason thou bee so They on their knees doe thanke him rev'rently He them embraced then a Herald cald Before his Queene he causes presently Them in The sprotia's province bee instald Well quoth the Queene who serve I doe perceave A loving maister need their wage not crave In great content thus liv'd they many yeares Till that there came a messenger and told The Duke was sicke and quoth hee it appeares He shall not live for he is very old Therefore it 's good you to Calabria goe If you intend to see him die or no. The King the Queene and the yong Prince their sonne Towards Calabria doe their iourney take Sophona likewise would with them bee gone Likewise her husband went for comp'nies sake They to Brundusium saile the ready way For neare that towne the Duke diseased lay When they were come the Duke was marv'lous sicke For now his latter end drew very neare Yet seeing them hee straind himselfe to speake The which they all desir'd him to forbeare Onely they lov'd to know his finall will Which all of them were ready to fulfill Hee finding that his dayes were neare an end The little Prince hee tooke into his arme My child quoth hee the sacred gods defend Thee still and save thee ev'ry way from harme My feeble hands shall crowne thee my sweete boy That ere I dye my seed my crowne enioy For it will give my dying sp'rite content To see my off-spring in my place succed Whilst I yet live therefore to this intent I set Calabria's crowne vpon thy head And with my crowne receive my blessing here Before thy father and thy mother deare The Prince thus crown'd the dying Duke commends His people vnto Calanthrop the King Then for his whole Nobilitie he sends Delivering them to him but now the sting Of death even then did penetrate his heart Which forc't him say Farewell and so depart Now since the Duke was dead Calanthrop stayd Onely to see the funerall welldone Which being ended he no time delayd But to Epirus with his comp'nies gone Yetdoth his wofull Queene with teares lament Her fathers death which many moe repent Thus was the Crowne of Calabrie annext Vnto Epire which many yeares indur'd Till long time after they Epirots vext Through their revolt and many times iniur'd Their Messengers when they their tribute sought Which twixt the kingdomes great warres after wrought For since they saw Calabrians refusd To pay their tribute as they ought to doe Vnto the Epirots and still abusd Each messenger that came Epirus froe They then resolv'd to make them know by force Their dutie and thereafter vse them worse To this effect the Epirots did raise An Armie great Calabria to invade Each Prince in Greece to their immortall praise Did them assist and likewise did perswade Them for to prosecute what they resolv'd Lest they through stay themselves in shame involv'd Therefore they went with all their Armie great And so rebellious Calabrie assaild Which frighted folke with death their Armie threat In end those Grecian forces so prevaild That they a Province wonne and brookt in peace Long after that which yet is cald Great Greece Now lest I from my historie digresse I will acquaint you with Calanthrops death And his faire Queenes whose lives in happinesse Both in one day expir'd through lacke of breath During Calanthrops dayes brave martial man Nor yet his sonnes rebells revolt began And when Sophona heard of this report Calanthrop and Lucilla both were dead Griefe on her tender heart seasd in such sort No physick earthly could yeeld her remead She folds her armes and then with fixed eyes Vpon her husband she sweet Lady dyes Calanthrops sonne Epirus Annals tell Was first and father of the Castriots Whose val'rous race still lineally befell For to governe the martiall Epirots George Castriot Scandarbeg last king remain'd After whose death the Turkes Epirus gaind FINIS