truth And thought the motions of the flesh prouoke tâ—e fickle brayne To light esteeme the heauenly foode and honour fancies vayne Yet you doo know by turning oft the true discourses ould Of auncient actes how God aboue disdaynd not to vnfoulde His hidden secret mysteries vnto the tender age When contrarie he doth dispyse to shew that to the sage for proufe we néede none other shew then Daniell the childe Who savd Susanna from the flames and iustice eke did yelne Unto the aged Iudges two who fayling their intent Concluded to condemne to fyre the sily innocent So Dauid in his infancie inspird with heauenly might Did conquer stout Goliaghs limmes in open combat fight which proue not time but godli giftz sent from the spring of grace Doo rule within the vertuous and in his hart take place That heuenly beck fountain cleare hath moysted so my lust Oh father that the vanities which late my ghost did rust Are washt clean froÌ„ my fretted hart and now I am in mynd It thou wilt graunt by more aduise more store of grace to finde And sith the chast and secret lyfe abandons fading wealth And poore and sparing abstinence lettes in the lasting health Deny me not thy felowship graunt me thy company Helpe now to saue a sinfull soulâ— that eraues a remedy So shall I bridell foule desire and thou do seruice great To him that hath prepard for vs I hope a heauenly seat He said and staid and Hermit then with bended lookes to skies With heaued armes watrie plants directs his tale this wyse That faith which Samuell possest God graunt thée to enioy God send thée SamsoÌ„s streÌ„gth to help when feeud would thee annoy As wise as Salomon the wise as chast as Iacobs sonne As constant as Abednago whom fyrie flames did shunne Hould here my shaking hand qd he I do imbrace thy will Be thou to me a lasting mate if deeds thy words fulfill Thus is our lusty courtier made by taking small degree An hermit poore and learneth now a holy man to be whom I must leaue amidst his rootes in steedâ— of dainty cates And now vnto the traueler that is come to the gates Of Scotâ—ish court I must retourne who craues in gentill wise To speake with fayre Ieneuora that careles doth deuise Of sundry sports amongst her maydâ— she is aduertised Of traueler and sends for him he comes nye chockt with dred And after humble dutie done and trembling euery vayne With hollow voyce â—is paly lippes he thus to speake did strayne what newes oh Princesse I do bring what message I declare If good or bad as t is vnknown so let thy highnes spare The skilles mâ—ssenger that is by faithfull promise bound This ruthful message to pronounce and in thine eares to sound The same which wretched catiâ—e â— with these myne eyes did see Which as they are and as I was commaâ—nded take from mee Through to much sight Ariodant hath found vntimely deaâ—h And yelded to the greedy streame his last departing breath This he did say which I haue showd vnto your maiestie And then he lept into the streame and died oh ruth to seeâ— Now to your skilfull iudgements I oh Ladies do commit To show vpon these carefull newes what kinde of cruell fit Opprest vnhappy Princes ghost what thoughts of endles payne what scorching grief what frose feare within her temples rayne What flashing blud doth boâ—le within her limmes of heauenly mould What trembling dread doth shake eche ioynt then nipping I se more could Such tearmes I say of mynde opprest I leaue vnto thy skill Oh Phenix byrd that of like â—oyes for friend hast found thy fill But sith my Lordes your doughtfull headeâ— can hardly deeme such fittes To â—well in Ladies pleasant heades I will inforce my wittes To tell you here the whole discourse of her lamenting case And eke what pensiue passions loue within her hart did place This message dark pronouÌ„ced thus the messenger departs But message he doth leaue behinde to sauce the Princes smartes The sound wherof no soner had perst through her listing eare But after it â—nto her head do folow stormes of feare Which makes the goldeÌ„ frisled hearâ— right vp in head to stand And fury forâ—â— her christall eyes to burne like fire brand Oâ—t from her nose mouth doth pas a streame of gushing â—loud And eke like rubie trickling drâ—ppâ—â— fâ—â—m bathed eyes do scuâ— From gasping throate no breath proceédes eche limme hath lost his life Twixt sobbing â—art and dreadfull death appeares a mortall strife Her 〈◊〉 ioynte with senceles corse doo founder to the ground In fine eche péece eche part and all are fallen into a sound But Lord what sturre the Ladies kéepâ— what mones the maydes do make What skréekes and cries they send to skies what carefull paynes they take For to releaue their mistres deare whom they did loue so well Doth passe my wit and skilles head in writing plaine to tell For one with careles hand her tender fingers wring And she with pinching of her nose doth make the bloud out spring This matron bends her heauy head down to her crased brest And this her ioyned iawes and téeth doth force with key to wrest She cales for Aqua fortis and Ieneuora she cryes And she in steed of helping hand spends teares from drowned eyes For troth no old experimen that dying fittes could cure No teares no cries no dolefull tune that sorow can procure But these bewayling Ladies haue at full attempted and With willing hart carefull mynd assayd and tane in hand Tâ—rough which attempts vsing so her sensles figure fayre Out from her â—haâ—ed mouth doth paâ— a slender breathing ayre And then her setted eyes in head she heauily doth roule As thogh she presently would yeldâ— vâ—to the heauens her soule And thus with groning voyce she sayes oh haples harmefull handes That would not suffer death to rid my ghâ—st from carefull bands Oh careles foes what profittes you to sée me diyng liue Whâ—t shal you gaine to sée this hand my deadfull stroake to giue Oh dismall day of my dâ—â—tresse oh my Ariodant Nought â—ls but my departing soule thy flying ghost doth want which sith thy life was my increase thy death shall now inforce By bloudy hands to yeld to thée with wounding of my corse But oh what â—ight so much annoyd thy comely personage That vnto thy Ieneuora thou couldst doo such outrage In drowning y which I more deere then friends or life diâ— hâ—uld The sight wherof broght helth to me when I did it behould What sight so vile the vew wherof could maister so thy mynde That vnto me thy vowed friend thou couldst be so vnkinde Did euer signe of foule vntruth appeare before thy sight Did euer deed or word make false that faith that I did plight To thée and which I neuer sought since first I â—ound to loâ—â— Dorst euer yet these lippes of myne presume for to disclose Till now to
beates And flies to towne both farre and 〈◊〉 and nowe ascendes againe And putteth fame to wâ—rie tâ—yle and to an endles payne But to returne the king is hoâ—st that doth for werâ—es Leaue of the chase 〈◊〉 homeward all theyr diuers happes eâ—presse Thus talking are these hunters â—â—me vnto the Paâ—â—as gates Where eche disarmes his werie boneâ— and welcomes home his mates There nought is talkt within the Court but of the straungers might And how he nobliâ— saude their liege and kild his foe in fight The Ladies doo extoll this act vp to the cloudie skies The knightes by heapâ—s of his great strokes doo diuersiy dâ—uise The night renewes his carefull course â—itanis lodgd in west All seeke their soft and quiet bed their wery bones to rest Ariodant that longs to see this long desired Dame Is also coucht in tumbling bed where he records her name A thousand times thus consumes halfe Iunos wanny race And if â—e slâ—pe he dreams strait ways of that most heauenly face The Cock crowes forth his dawning note the day starres showes in east The Nightingale the gladsem tunes sings out with chéerfull brest The courtiers rise that vse disporâ—es as pleaseth best their will Some Hanks reclayme some Coursers ride and some do daunce their fill Some is ye in reading Historiâ—s and seâ—â— in Musikes art Thus time is spent in comly sports as pleaseth best their hart Now is the King at dinner set there waytes Ariodant That is the siemâ—iâ—st of them all and one that noâ—ght doth want Of natures craft by whom the King doth send a couerd mease To Princes faire Ieneuora that is his lifes increase This message doth Ariodant performe in seemliest wies Who knâ—â—ling doth the cates present before her cristâ—ll eyes The Lady thanks the messenger and giues him in reward A costly gem which he receiues but nought he doth regard The gift so much as that her looke which is so fixt in hart That from that time he holds it fast till lyfe from lims doo part And she againe that marked hath so well his comly face His shape his vew his countnance graue and eke his semely grace Sayes in her hart this same is he whom I in brest will shrine Till sisters three with fatall réele my vitall webbe vntwine Thus Venus child hath tainted two with his sharpe persing dart And yet vnknowen to both it is how eche ioyes others hart Ariodant that clokes â— say this hote new kindled fire His dutie done departs agayne with gayne of double hire And makes his wayting very short and thunnes the tast of meate And to his chamber hiâ—ss in hast to coole his scorching heate Ther doth he oft record her talke he sées her similing cheare He sées those colours angellyke hâ— sées her â—listring heare He viewes he thinkes those Rubic libbâ—s that thankt him for his payne He féeles he thinkes those azurd vaynes that gaue him that great gayne But when he sées he is deceiud a thousand sighes departe With flouds of teares and dâ—adly sobbeâ— out from his carefull haâ—t And thus begins a long discours of this new tâ—sted fit Which as I can I shall declare thou Paâ—ias guide my â—it From whence proceedes this â—inching payne and griefes of deadly smart Orelâ— what â—ct hath câ—aunged thus oh soole thy ioyfull hart That thus thou lothst those pleasant sports that here in Court are vse And seekst a drousiâ— caban touch thy wonted myrth refuse Tell what hath made this soden chaunge bewray these griefes of minde The pacient when the wound is gréene a salue doth soonest finde A salue Alasâ— it is booteles wynd Its dâ—ath that must me cure My wound doth festred lye in hart and will till life endure Oh foole that so wert fed with fame such toyle to vndertake For her that nought doth rue thy care ne sorowes none will make For thee and yet shée is the cause that thus thou doest susteine These griping griefes of grisly death which will foraye remayne Oh crâ—ell happe and destenie oh wight vnfortunate Oh catiue vile vnhappe thrise and borne to cruell fate What ioy did take thy idell brayne when thou didst sée her face Thus to be trapt with heapes of griefe in so short time and space Oh Cokadrill of Uenus shape why hast thou thus beguild The wyght that for thy fame him selfe from nature soile exyld But how is that knowen vnto her whom blameles I accuse Or why should I vnciuill beast that worthie shape abuse Whose outward shewe presageth truth and store of courtesie As lately by her great reward was showd sufficiently No no it is he that workes my woe who forceth Kinges to loue That blâ—â—dly shotes his peysned dart from stately throne aboue That Cupide stroke misâ—celes ghost full well I know when I Beheld that goodly countenaunce with two fast persing eye Wherfore his dome I must obey though loue venegall be And though I spend my youthfull dayes in this vile misery This dolefull tale thus â—ould the teares procéede from swelling eyes By streames and now the gréeuous grons increase his wofull cries Now hope reuâ—ues his dying limmes dispayre now driues in death And now doth feare make sences faile and stoppe his vitall breath Thus long he spends a lingring lyfe and craues a happy day Or els he wils by gréedy graue his last fate for to pray But to speake of Ieneuora and to recount her â—ittes And how in closet she doth fare as one berâ—ued of wittes My pen shuld rather meisture want to write that I intend Then store of cares for to dilate that would whole volumes spend For after she had knowen his name and how an aliant borne He was her hart began to coole as one welny forlorne And thus with faultring tounge shée sayd why sekest thou lenger life That by this â—ct deseruest death with point of bloudy knife Oh catiue vyle and vylest wretch that liueth vnder skyes And may not race of Royall bloud thy foolish mynd suffice Nor noble lyne of Scottish soyle wher thou mayst chuse a feare Thy childish will at full content but thou must hold him deare That hath throgh theft exild him selfe or els by murdring hand Estrangd him from his earlish kin and now séeks forren lande Wilt thou assotted be of him that like a wandring slaue Is come vnto thy fathers court some liuelihood to haue What seekst thou to shame thy selfe and to abuse thy kinne And myndst thou thus to purchase hate in hope a slaue to winne A slaue Oh spitefull sting of hate for Ladies farre vnfitte Why doo I thus with poysned words misuse my praysed wit. Why should I terme him felon eke that is so gratious Or els of murder him accuse that is so curteous Whâ— do I liue to call him slaue that is the comliest wight That euer scapte from natures handes or euer past my sight And if that lackt his brothers déede would show his race right well Whose worthie rescue of the King
houre and time which now is come when y I shuld performe his filthy cryme Comes to this most vnhappy man and biddes him folow fast If that he list to sée the thing wherof he tould him last Ariodant that lâ—ng had stayd to see the carefull ende Obeys the Duke and after them Lurcanio doth wend. To desert houses they are come the Duke hath brought his mate Unto a place direct against the window which of late I tould you of wher Princes lyke Dalinda should appeare before y Duke dect with those robes their Prince that day did weare Ariodant thus plaste the Duke doth bid him cast his eye Upon that window wher quoth he thou shalt thy Lady spy â—urraâ—o that longs to sée the sequell of this iest Is come within ten féete wheras Ariodant doth rest Wher he vnséene may vew likewises that window at his will Ther secretly the straunger standes that doughtes some present 〈◊〉 Duke Polinesse no sooner leaues the penciue louers place But tâ— th appointed window he directes his féete apase Wher he had not remayned long but see with glistring light Of gould Dalinda doth appeare lyke angell to the sight and as the Duke had geuen in charge so she in brauest wyse with shining robes with Diamonds set that glemâ— before the eyes Lyke burning torch in winter night is come into this place Wher Polinesse like Iud as doth her scorned limmes imbrace And to the end the straunger should more perfectly behould His louing toyes her kisses eke and how his armes do fould Her griped wast he doth approch as nere as windowe will geue leaue to him to straungers sight that he mought vew his fill Therof how she â—lâ—spes her armes about his stretched necke Whose store of kisses do declare her mynd voyd of suspect Lurcaniâ— whose glasingeyes are not vnoccupied Upon the window stating stands wher he hath now espied Ieneuora as he did déeme because of Iuels bright And eke the golden roabes did shine so liuely in his sight But for to know who so did tosse the Princes rich attyre Pis staring eyes and greedy lookeâ— by no meanes could aspire This sight thus séene Lurcanio accompting brothers health As life to him in secret wise vnknown is come by stealth Wher most vnhappy louer stayes who seing all this iest As man distraught his rapiere he in hastie hand hath prest And scorning lenger life hath set the hilts vpon the ground In minde by falling on the point to carue his fatall wound And as he did on groning blade his desperate body bend Behold the mercie great of God his brother doth defend His trembling hart froÌ„ deadly pushe by holâ—ing in his armes His falling brest and that once done he thus his brothers charmes What deulish act annoieâ—h thus thy head bereud of witte What desperate ioy hath taunted thée what foule and lothsome fitte Hath so beguile thy sences al that thus vnhappy wight Thou sekst by this vntimely death thy passions vile to quite In this the ende of all our toyle is this our trauels gayne Is lothsome death thy iust desert and is an endles payne A gwardon fit for me thinkst thou that leauing natiue soyle Like banish slaue shaâ— liue in court consumd with cares tourmoyle For losse of thée whom as my life thou knowst I hould as deare And shall I liue to sée the day the heauie newes to beare Unto our carefull pensiue friendes that by his own consent Their wreâ—ched friend Ariodant his latest dayes hath spent Oâ— reckles friend of brothers life and could thy hart agree To leaue thy brother destitute of friend in straunge countrée Or if thou hadst nowhit esteemd thy faithfull brothers life Could Ladies falshod force thée run on point of persing knife What sure hath inchanted tell thy skill in wisedomes lore What madnes hath intoricate thy pleasant thoughtes so sore That neither losse or ioyfull lyfe no feare of dampned ghost Can change my mynd froÌ„ this intent oâ— wretch of wretches most Can bewtie bleare thy wilfull eye and forcy thée for to loue And cannot sight of â—oule deceit from amours force thee moue Can fansie frame that amâ—â—tit by sight of seemely grace Which present guile and filthy fact by no meanes can displace And canst thou wreake such sharpe reuengâ— vpon thy giltles hart And see her loue that is the grâ—und of this thy present smart â—ooâ—e out I say such vgly thoughtes â—rom bounds or troubled minde And seke by reasons sweete aduise some holsome salue to finde If eye did chuse a faithfull friend and fansie did agrée If hope intiste thy drowned hartâ— to serue assuredly Let now to sâ—er signes of hate let proufs of lyke disdayne Lodge scornefulnes in careles hart for loue long vowde in vayne So shalt thou dryue these dreadfull â—â—nges out from thy panting brest And to thyne owne Lurcanio bring lasting ioy and rest Sayd carefull soule Lurcanio vnto Ariodant That hath as many â—ares to heare as hath the Adamant So altred hath this sight his wittes and eke his stayd intent That sage aduise was bootles geuen the sequell to preuent Yet lest his brother mought perceiue his changeles will to die And least by striuing with his force be mought his purpose spie Thogh ouercome with mortal â—angs he mute and dombe doth stand In signe of grace he puts his blade into his brothers hand That don from that vnhappy place to chamber close they hie And as the time of night did craue to bed they both do plâ—e Lurcanio in hope his wordes had changd his brothers mynd Nought doughting of the present iâ— a quiet sleape doth finde But he surprisd 〈◊〉 dreadful thoughtâ— with visage pale and wanne In stead of sleape in frantike mind a thousand tymes doth banne The day which first gaue light to him â—e curseth eke the teate That in his fansie did geue to him his sucking meate As oft he bannes his damned eyes that so could 〈◊〉 their sight And eke his tongue y sude for grace of one so false a wight He curseth now his open eare that so did marke her guyle And hastie hart that trusted so her lippes so fraught with wile What shuld I say both head hand and all he could inuent In steed of blisse and wishes good he doth with curse torment So in this wise eche night is spent and day renues agayne His wonted course but night ne day can chaunge this louers paine But still vpon some present death he gladly doth deuise As one that only findes that salue to ease his scorchiâ—â—â—iâ—s Wherfore to driue susâ— on the more from brothers â—rest He cloaks his care and risâ—th when Lurcanio leaues his rest And finding then occasion to leauâ— his companie He hies in hast by wilfâ—ll death to ende his miserie As stroken hart whose bleading wound declares a present death With reckles feete climmes hill and vale whilst he hath life and breath As greadie Beare that is berevd whilest she doâ—â— raunge for
â—â—ard vp walles on hie that sed theyr gredy eyen They sée the carued turrets tops they see the regall place The fight wherof had forst them run a wery wandring race Thus are these straungers happely arriued at the Court Wheras this péerles Dame abides of whome ringes this report There walke they forth with comly grace and enter in the hall Where after greating they declare what chaunce had them befall To séeke that lande their names they tel and eke of wheâ—ce they are This tould one shewes vnto the king of two ariued theare And woord for woord as he had hard he tells and eke there state And comlines he hideth not Besides he doth dilate Their friendly gretings and their talâ— this sayde he kneling staies The king that pawsing with him selfe and waying diuers wayes What harme mought lightly him ensue if such he should retaine As vnder cloke of frendship mought put him and his to payne I meane as mought spye out the strength of all his region And eke what corner weakest weare and easiest to be wonne And so when â—e in age should thinke to leade a surest lyfe They should him force through their deceâ— to ende his daies in strife These thoughts this wise and warie priâ—e doth ponder in his braine Long tyme and in these doughtfull fitts he silent doth remaine Yet mindes he not to let them part till what they would were knowen And till the cause of their ariue were plainely to him showen Wherfore he doth bid call to him these straungers twoo in haste That banisht haue their natiue soile in his court to be plast Which message done these brothers two as men nothing dismaied To speake before the Emperour whom earst they had obeied Present themselues before the king wher after silence done Lurcamo in their two names thus hath his tale begonne THat king that first gaue life to you increase your happie daies Oh king and kéepe your noble court from force of foes alwayes Whilest we Italian brothers two in Italy dyd dwell And whilste with ease we past the time as chaunce and tâ—es befet Behould report that wandring flies in euery region Resound your name and worthines at last vnto the towne Wher we abode consuming time in drousie idelnes And spending aye our youthful yeres in irksum quietnes These childish toies thus lothd I say these newes agreing eke with vs that thought ech day a moÌ„th till we the bands mought breke Of this long discontented lyfe we doo forthwith agrée All needfull things at home dispatcht this court of yours to sée And there if we mought fauor get and grace likewise obtaine To serue your highnes faithfully and loyall to remaine Til death we minde This forst hath vs O king to leaue our port Our freÌ„ds our goods our kinsmen al to whom we were comfort In hope to be retaind of you which is our whole request Wherin we trust for to performe that seemes a courtier best The king that wel had markt his tale his countnaunce and his grace And saw him feawtred well of limâ— and of a warlike face And praysing long within him selfe the yongest brothers chere That sober was presaging truth forthwith doth banish feare And biddes these wery trauelers welcome vnto the place Desired long And intertaines them both with friendly grace Into his court commaunding them all falshood to expell And geues them pencions yerely wherwith they may liue well Thus are these glad Italians new courtiers both become That seeke eche way to purchase loue as well of all as some THe king that for disport doth vse oft times for to pursue The dreadfull â—ase of grisâ—ie beastes so Idle lyfe t' eschue Commaâ—nds the hunt prepared be the morow next by prime And that eche one appareld be in armes against that tyme To waite vpon his highnes then that will on hâ—nting go And eke with him the strangers two he doth commaund also The night is past and Sopor flies and in his stéede Aurore Doth shew hir gladsome countenaÌ„ce and for to ioy the more Eche sight â—r Phebus golden raies from east beginnes tappeare then nought ther is within the court but trudâ—ing here and there Sum saddels fit sum armour scoure sum bridell foming steede And sum do wheat the stéeled glaiue to giue the Beare his meede Sum trapers trim sum couple dogs sum weare in sâ—eede of steele A maled coate with armed sword to make his enmies reele The pages trimme theyr lords in haste the hunt cries lowde away The steedes are foorth that stamping fast on champing bit do play The werbling note the hunter blowes the king on courser strydes The lusty rought of knights make hast that priâ—ing forward glydes The hunt is vp the game is founde eche seekes a diuers waye The noble rought of Cheâ—alrie dispersed now doo stray Some here do méete the tusked bore some findes the Lyberd stout Some do encounter with the Beare some rouse of Harts a route Thus dog and man is occupied him selfe for to defend And for to gaine a lasting name doo stuâ—die strokes foorth send The king in case hath lost his mates and in his wandring hée Findes out a lothsome Lion coucht that monstrous was to sée wherto he makes a thundring course with speare well set in rest the Lyon rampant méetes the staffe that it to sheuers brest Then glaiue he drawes like noble knight and strikes with courage stout And prickes and breathes and strikes again as one deuoide of double But all in vayne those strokes are spent his traunchfer nought doth carue But either slydes from side to side or in his hand doth Swarâ—e Wher at he halfe agast doth feare least he were put to shame And least his former worthines should ende with vanquisht name Wherfore he mightely defends him selfe from Lions clawes That rasethall attayned to with those his persing pawes Yet warely warding sith he could nothing preuaile in strength But ward stroke are bootles spent when down he must at length Thus as the Lion had the best and almost won the féelde Aduenture droue Lurcanio with Speare in hand and shéelde To seekâ— that place but when he saw his soueraigne at the wurst No boote to byd him spurre his stéedâ— and to the battell thrust For first he knightly brake his spearâ— and after drawes his blade wherwith within a moments space a large wound he had made Upon the Lions shoulder bone that caused him for to knéelâ— And then his head he carued of and so made him to râ—lâ— The king deliuered thus from death by sâ—out â—urcanio With thousand thankes imbrased him in both his armes also Tyll that his mennâ— had 〈◊〉 him out to whom he hidetu nought But how he nigh confounded was and how the straunâ—er fought In his defence so 〈◊〉 and with so mightie foâ—ce That after many mortall woundes he parted head from dorse Now is report nâ—w occupied in blasing martiall â—â—ates Wherwith the court so pressed is that vp to Skies it
shall not want Thus part they twoo the Ladie shéeâ— to Princes grace agayne Doth hie And he in chamber close doth take no litle payne In writing out at large the cause of his longe proued woe And when and where and how he did his liâ—â—rtie forgoe First how her fame did force him leaue the ioyes of natiue land And taught him skale the craggie rock and â—aile by fearfull sande Then how by soden sight her shape did steale from him his hart Since when he tels how he hath felt the paynes of mortall smart Herein he makes a long discourse and ends with answere craud In gentlest wise that mought haue moued a hart of stone I graud This letter made sealed with war he hides in secret wise And all that night in steade of sleape he doth therof deuise Sometime a lothsome thought doth bid him leaue his rashe intent And reason tels him thousand doughtes his purpose to preuent Sometime he feares least rechlesly she mought his letter lease Or els bewray it to her Syre his hory â—ead to please See here the seede that louers sowe wherof doth spring the grayne Of doughtfull blisse that subiect is to drought and stormes of rayne But feare or shame or dought of death can nought this louer moue Though silence if he could haue choosd seemde best for his behoue And for to moue Ariodant his wylfull path to shunne As easie it weare to sée the streame against the tide to runne Auroras boâ—mes hath banisht night sir Phebe doth vaunt in East Whose plesant hew reioyceth byrds and ioyes both man and beast Ariodant forsakes his bed he feares to come to late He prayes the happy Mercurie to send him happy fate Now is he come vnto the place where he was warnd to staie And thinks long till Ieneuora to Chappell go to pray The Princes is at tired now she calleth for her booke Wheron she dayly wonted is in temple for to looke The Lady doth present her selfe before his mistres eyes With booke in hand Ieneuore in hast to chappell hyes They passe wherasâ— Ariodant doth stand in readines To hâ—ue the promyse now performd which earst I did expresse She was as mindefull of her graunt as he of his request And therwith gaue to him the booke whicâ— she in hand hath prest He folowes our Ieneuora she backward doth retire His letter in the booke is cold as he would best desire The Princes is come to the pew wher wonted she doth pray He humbly yeld to her the booke and so departes away But when she saw Ariodant whom more then life she loud As one amazd the blushing bloud from wonted course is moud Which driues away the colour pale which earst was in her face A signe they say of tried truth and store of giltles grace In doughtful plight the Lady kneels if vision she had seene Or if conceit of idle brayne the cause therof had bene The truth it selfe doth hardly lodge within her doutfull head Besides the nouelties therof haue â—ouell fansies bread In these conceites she opes the booke the letter is deseride She languisheth till that theffect therof she hath espide With rauish brayn she hath purusd her louers dolefull plaint And twenty times she doth vnread how loue did him attaint She reades with ruth is termes of gracâ— and eke her answer craud His vowed troth for ay she reades which in her hart is graud What shuld I say the happie newes with auncient woes contend So diuersly within her corps that backward she doth bend In sound as one that lenger had no power to fostâ—r life Among her vexed limes I say there is such mortall striâ—e Thus neuel ioyes haue won the field and banisht woe away And gasping life breathing breath do helpe to part the fray The banisht bloud retires agayne the dampishe could is fled Assured hope confounds dispayre and conquers drowsie dred Her scoâ—ched hart hath moisâ—ure fosid her scared ioyntes are strong The burning beate and Isie could that troubled her so longe Are quite exild and in their steede the Elements doo rule Indiffrently and hastie health beginnes for to recule Sée here the wyse Chyrurgion hath fouâ—d one salâ—e to cure His own disease and hers that dyd in woe long tyme indure Oh happy thryse Ariodant thy pacient well may far When as thy letter hath such grace to banish cares away For as by pearsiâ—g looke eche one became eahe others thrall And as by dome of Cupids might in bondage they did fall So bâ— Melpâ—mens sugred style new freedom eche possest He by his letter gaynd that he wuld anâ— she that pleased her best WHen dying fits constraynd by ioy had lost their chokyng force And gasping breath began to rule in late forsaken corse When lyuely bloud which earst forsoke his wanne and swelling heate Had vanquisht death from euery part and pulces fast gan beate Then with two streames of ioyfull teares the letter bathed is And twyse ten thousand tymes I thinke the paper she doth kisse Now doth she finely close it vp and puttes it next her brest Againe vnfoulded now it is now reades she his request She came to Temple much deuout deuotion moâ—d hir minde But to the Gods this rauâ—sht dame in prayers spends small winde she rather seekâ—s which way she may â—â—haue hir to hir loue And eke which way they best may work for both theyr best behoue She thinkes it sin to deale with him as some coye Dames doo vse To feede him with a â—ayre looke and after him refuse She rather minds to case his care an answer for to sende Wherin like cause like fits and wo she myndeth shall be pend but least the gasing eye mought vew the secrets of their mynd And least theyr lauish letters sent mought rayse a sclaundrous mynd Sâ—e doth deuise a secret meanes how he without suspect May easely those letters find which are to him direct And she may haue at that selfe place the answer of hir friend And so eche one may partner be of others faithfull mynde With these conceits the burning chayre doth clyme on hiest heaâ—en The Clock agreeth with the Sunne and sayes it is â—leuen The Lady wayteth by the pewe and hath three houres large Her only prayer is to God that others hah her charge Thus are her mistres orisons in order sayd eche one Her homeward countnance shows how that her God hath easd her mone Yet modestly her smiling eyes with sober looke is clad She means her mirth with solom chere although not all so sad Thus hath she left y temples rights to Court she hies agayne She tasted there late lotâ—ed meaâ—es she filles with ioy her brayne The Ladies smile to sâ—e this chauÌ„ge the King doth heare this newes His heauie hart doth leape for ioy he doth no lenger muse But he poore soule Ariodant when he with quaking cheere And shaking hand had geuâ— the booke vnto his Laâ—ydaere His hastie steps do leaue the pewe his prayers soone
pray Of littell whelp doth howle roare and dreadfully doth bray As Lurtel Doue that is beguild of hoped faithfull mate In pining wyse misâ—â—king spendes hir tyme tyll latest fate So fares it with Ariodant this wretch full fraught with woe Whose trembling feete no soner had left poore Lurcanio But out vnknown to fields he hies and raunging here and there Like frantike man now runs he fast and now as caught wiâ—h â—eare â—e créeping by y ground doth crawl and now like one agast He staring stands not mouing ioynt and now he vies as fast But styl vâ—on this tragedy vpon his letted part His heauie mynde is occupide and eke his desperat hart Wherfore at last approching neare vnto a Riuer déepe He doth conclude his last deuise no longer now to sléepe But calling to a traueler that then past by the waye With broken sâ—â—bes and faltring tonguâ— he thus to him doth say My friend qd he although vnknown perhaps I am to thee Yet let me craue thy curtesie thus much to doo for me That is that thou forthwith wilt go vnto the Scottish court Wher from me to Ieneuora thus much thou shalt report Through to much sight Ariodant hath founde vntimely death And yelded to the greadie streame his last departing breath This same is all this doo forme let pâ—â—ie moue thy mynde Sith power wants for to requite that friendships lore doth bynâ—e This said the cloudie sighes procâ—â—de from scorched hart by heapes And therwithal deepe sobs grones from gasping throte out leapes The traueler agast to heare these straunge and careful newes Doth feele his vitall senses fayle and falles in mortall mewse And coming to him selfe againe in faire and friendly wise Lyke to his skill he vttereth what harme therof might rise As first his death once bruted foorth his lyfe is had in scorne And ther with lasting memorie with liueles limmes is worne Except report reprochfull blast in euery coast doth sound How wilfully Ariodant his desperate course hath dround Besides the daunger of the soule he puts into his mynde And eke the terrour of the payne that is therfore assingde Bâ—t care of heauen or dought of hel is fardest from his thought And how y world wold deeme of him he neither careth ought Wherfore when no perswasion could chaunge his black intent with drowned eyes y straunger doth to his request consent Then from the toppe of craggy rock he lookes to streame belowe â— stretching â—ooth his shaking armes him selfe foorthwith doth throwe â—midst the streame y foulds his corse and ther withall doth â—inke Unto the ground ther remaynes which causd the straâ—nger think That gredi goâ—lf had chokt his breth and that he had ben dead Wherfore he hies vnto the court with minde complet with dread Ariodant though noble hart did scorne for to remayne In such distres and rather chusd by death to ease his payne Yet feeling pangs of lothsome death which kinde could not indure He striues againe to get that life which care did earst procure To banish from his vexed limmes and vsing lothed might by force of armes stretched legges lyfe ther hath won the fight And death is fled with whom retires that foule and dreadfull thought Which carefull wretch Ariodant to deare well me had bought Thus quite from death the straunger now doth sommon wits againe To counsell what is best to doo amidst these stormes of raine First pleasure biddes him to repaire againâ— to luâ—â—y court Wher sone thou shalt distroy qd he these thoughts through pleasant sport And sith thou art by skill instruct to shunne false Uenus bayte Perswade thy selfe the blynded boy no more for thée will wayte With that conceit affection doth seeme for to agree Although in reasons they be all and therfore thus saith hée How knowest thou Lurcanio wil brooke these heauy newes What griefe of minde shal he indure what torments will he vse Thinkst thou when he shal heare thy death to ryd his lothed life The best is thinke by pining dayes if not by persing knife And I qd vertue can not yeld vnto your ioynt consents I sée small reason to induse me to so straunge intents We say that man thryse happy is whome others proued haâ— me From fallyng hedlong to such haps can warne and warely charme The court was causer of thy care by court did spryng thy paine Then let these daungers of the court from court straunge the againe The wyly byrd can shunne the net which earst enthrald her so The sely mouse once caught in trap can shunne the guyle also But vessels sayd with sower wyne kepe still their former tastâ— And that which in the boane is bred from thence is hardly plast So hard it is to maister loue which rooted is in hart But rather by continual sight is growen a greater smart And as vnto Lurcanio how he these newes will take I dought it not but for thy death he great complaint wil make But for to say in desperat wise he will him selfe confound That 's very straunge â— hard to makâ— that in myne eares to sound He loues thee as a brother ought so nature dâ—th him moue But selfe loue toucheth nearer kindâ— this tale thou true shalt proue At first thy death is griefe to him â—ls kindly force is gone But as the wearing time doth waâ—â—e so doth abbridge his mone wherfore leaue lusty blouds in court let brother morne his fill Let fading worldly pleasures be and â—erke than to my skill Learn thou with remnant of thy daies the blissed sacred lore Seke now at last tappease the heuâ—s whom thâ—u offendst so sore So shalt thou learne by lyfe to die and die to lyue in ioy So shal not then thy fleshly lustes thy sinâ—ull ghost annoy This sentence was no sooner tould but for to show consent Eche lymme and ioynt are eased wel and lyppes pronounce content The Parlament thus ended is to vertue stranger yeldes And running here and there abrode amidst the desert fields He doth at last a sheapard spie whome he in friendly wyse Salutes and after that he crauâ—s the sheapard to aduise Him of some holy place wheras a man mought leade his lyfe In quietnes and wher he mought abandon worldly strife Upon this hill qd shepard then if that thou list to go Thou shalt ther find an Hermetage an aged man also That there alone doth passe away his wery aged tyme. In prayers much deuoutly for remiâ—â—e of former cryme This known Ariodant doth leaue the Sheapehard with farewell And mountes on hauty hyll wheras the Hermite poore doth dwell And finding him amidst his beades with hartie greatings made The goodly courtier strayns his spech and thus to him he sayde That god that form'd the erth seas and framed man of nought Increase thy faith and send thée that which thou so long hast sought â—ood father though through tender age the frayle vnbridled youth Doth lacke the deepe discretion to seanne and iudge the
late our â—ecret loue oh speake thou flying â—prite And ease me of this one conceit as thou art faithfull knight To late to late a lasse I crie in vayne I wast my breath But out to soone to soone a lasse I wayle thy cruell death And shall I liue bereud of friâ—nd shall mourning let in age And i st enough with heauy mones my passioâ—s to asswage No no myne owne Ariodant my first approued frend And eke â—he last with whom I mynd my dayes in loue to spend Euen as thy liuely feature inforst me to thy loue So shall thy death let in my death as time right well shâ—ll proue And as she did begin at fiâ—st nie chockt with mortall sound Euen so she endes her heauy plaint with falling down to ground Amidst â—â—ele stormes of deadly grief and pâ—ssiâ—ns â—â—oarde with payne Repâ—rt wâ—th treble sounding voyce his yelling â—â—rdaie dâ—th strayne And puttes into eche open eare how that by selâ— consent Amidst the streame Ariodant his latest dayes hath spent And now into Lurcanios eares this heauy newes he blowes And how â— when he drownd him self to him he plainly showâ—s wherwith y carefull brother caught with sting of pearsing death Resines his warlike force and falles therâ—with downe to the earth Wher after many griping grones inforst by grief of mynd His noble hart hath wonne by force his banisht breathing wynd But festred lies in hart the care that troubles euery vayne And déep in thought is lodgd y cause of this newe proued payne The force wherof so calmed hath his flerce coragious hart That see from eyes loÌ„g time dryd vp a floud of teares depart Which mixed are with heauy sobbes from manlike broyling brest And compast in with smoking sighes and flames of great vnrest All these in dungeon deepe below Alecto fiers espies Whose nature is in vexed haâ—t pale hatred to deuise Wherfore hir snaky heares wound vp she leaues hir lothsome denne And flies vnto the Scottish court wheras â—urcanio then Was heaueâ—y bewayling of his wretched brothers death To whome like aged matron dight she â—pends this diuelish breath When shall thy childish plaints haue ende when shal thy cares be spent when shal thy latest sighes be brethed that tende to smal intent Oh false vnto thy brothers ghost doo womeÌ„ns mones suffise To answer that which for reuengâ— to thee eche houre cries Shal murder thus be suffored shall bloudie hands enioye A longer life is this the loue thou sekst for to imploye On him that whilst he liued on erth held thée then lyfe more deare Is this a brothers iust rewarde dost thou such friendship beare Unto thy most abused friend and canst thou liue to see Thy brother dead his foe alyueâ— hym sterud and she styll free hath nature formd thee void of witte oh cruell to thy kinde Hath pitie so assoâ—ed this thy worthy warlike minde That neither brothers amitie ne lynke of iustice lore Can moue thee for this foule offence iust iudgement to implore Leaue thou these lamentations long drie vp these childish teares And spedely sée that thou put into thy souereignes cares How that the Prince Ieneuora dishonored hath her state In feeding her dishonest lust with one thou sawest of late And that of body she is false see thou defend with force So shalt thou yelde a iust rewarde by burning of her corse This spightfull spight thus vomited from vgly lothsome pate A snake she pulles which for to moue Lurcanio more to hate She throwes into his bosome right wher stinging it remaynes And poysneth so eche ioynt limme and swelles so all his vaynes That raging like a fâ—anâ—ike beast vnto the king he hies To whome his dutie finished this tale he doth deuâ—se That fayth oh king which subiectes bare vnto their soncraigne That ioâ—â— that to their Princely stâ—te within their harts remayne That care which to their high renowne and honor eke they haue And last that great regard they vse their vertue still to saue Hath forst my trembling tongue to speake against the lâ—â—t of mynde and charged my closed lippes to tell that duties force doth binde Which newes though some vnrest do bringe vnto your horie heares Yet yelding iustice for the same gaynes life that neuer weares Oh worthy king and my liege Lord though but alyde by vowe The noble intertainment which I haue receiued of you Commaundes me not to hide a fact so hemous from your grace â—hough déede be done by such anonâ— as comes of râ—yall rare Whordom oh king committed by the Prince Ieneuora It is that so hath moued my tongue and lippes from lâ—nger staie which thâ—se my eyes to soone haue séene at place and time vnfit In proufe wherof â—oo here my gage I will my lyfe commit Into his hands that giues the palme vnto the faithful wight and yeldes the gayne of victorie to him that fights in right I néede not now declare what thoughte â— oppresse the pensiue king Ne what ill rest to aged head these careful newes doo bring Sith prone it is to testie age to take in fretting wise A small offence and euery fault is great before their eies wherfore his present panges I passe I leaue his heauy hart Wrapt in with web of carefulnes and gript in graue of smart And to this kings reply I will direct my penne againe Who pausing long from carefull thoughtâ— at last he doth refraine and thus he sayes LUrcanio thy seruice good and faithfull vnto me Doth argâ—e in my doughtfull head thy minde from falshood free But if my age be not disceiud if fame doo not beguile My hoping hart such shameful actes are fardest in exile from hir whom thou hast now accusd whose parents goodly age Was neuer iustly tayâ—ted with a deede of such outrage Wherfore sith doughtfull yet it lies within our princely minde And sith none but Lurcanio this foule abuse doth finde We will before our sentence geuen examine this accusd That hath by whordom as thou saist our state so much abusd And least thou deeme mée partiall I do accept thy gage Condicionly that thou thy self this proferd fight shalt wage Against who listeth to mainteine her truth against thy might Like to our auncient laws ordeind by force of combat fight And it thou gaine the victory then she to flames of fire If vanquist thou she frée shall liue thou death shalt haue for hire Which fight we wil shal be performd vpon the fiftéenth day Ensuing next when God I trust the right with right will pay So sayd Lurcanio leaues the King and to his chamber hies Wher for his brothers death he doth renewe his wonted cries But careful king wheÌ„ strauÌ„ger was departed from his sight In minde to trie his truth herein doth send a faithfull knight For carefull Ieneuora whom messenger doth finde Amidst her maydes lamenting still with head to brest inclindâ— To whome his dutie finished his message he doth show Thefâ—eâ— wherof Ieneuora when perfâ—â—tly doth knowe â—he wiping cleane
her bathed chekeâ— and trimmeth vp her heare Doth so repaire vnto the king though with vnchaunged cheare To whome she is no sooner come but voydance then is made Of eche estate and then the king with trickling teares thus sayde They say that childe thrise cursed is whose vile and viciouâ— life Doth cause the louing parents dye consumde with carefull strife which endles grief god grant qd he thy actes force me not proue But that thy hoped vertues doo from such conceits me moue T is so qd he Ieneuora whylst in our Princely court We weard away our crooked age lyke to our wonted sort Before our presence doth appeare the stout Lurcanio Who of free will dyd iustifie and threw downe gage also To proue that thou hast don the déede that hath deserued fyre I meane that thou hast purchast deth through whordoms foule desire which déede him selfe did see he vowd at place anâ—time vnmeetâ— And iudgement he did craue also for such offence most fitte which iudgement I haue stayed yet to heare what thou canst saye why dreadful doome of present death should longer for thee staye This sayd the king complete with carâ— doth staye his choked breath And feeles the force of mortall ache and latest pangs of death But she whose wretched ghost hath felt the worst of all her smart With countnance fearse disdayning lyfe all feare doth set appart And answers thus vnto the king my â—ord and soueraigne Of catiues all she wretch is mâ—st she feeles most store of payne whose heauy hap doth rather â—idde the tongue for to confesse Untroth then by accusing tale to pleade for her redresse Oh king of whom this earthly shapâ— by â—ome I doo enioye Let not these latest woords of mine thy Princely mynde annoy But heare indifferently what cares thy childe doth now susteyne That rather seekes to suffer death then long to taste this payne My dread and soueraine Lord and kyng thy skilfull horie heares Know well how from the cradell vp vnto the latest yeares We subiect are to euery sinne and thrald of natures kinde By thought by woord by déede and sight vnto the fancies blynde Of worldly cares and nought there is within our sinfull hart But fancies fond which reason willes should tast a lasting smart Such thoughts such words such déedes and fights oh king haue rulde in me And doo and will tyll of the yokâ— of life my â—immâ—s he frée Amongst which sinfull passions one 〈◊〉 annoyed my minde One act ther 〈◊〉 wherin oh king I greatest griefe doo finde which fith both time present statâ— byds tâ—ll vnto your grace I will disclose from my hart all damps of feare displace wherby I shal driue dought I trust out from your doughtfull breast And make you priuie of such hapâ— as in me lurking reast Amongst the train of this your court and of your courtiers stout Amongst the worthy company of all the courtly rought There was your highnes knowes right wel one knight Ariodant In whom that should adorne a man no gift at all did want A seemely wight of spotles faith although an alien borne Whose shape with thousand comely gifteâ— dame nature did adorne His noblenes his grace and shape enforce my virgins hart LoÌ„g time to plunge in goulfs of care and tast of louers smart He turnd my chast disposed mynde from thoughtes of maydens life And taught me seke to salue y wound of Cupides fatall knife But sée the heuens I think it would that stroke which pearst my brest Did carue in him a griefly gashe and in his hart did rest Thimpoisned push which forced him to feele lyke fittes and payne And in like storms of troubled mind long time for to remayne Till y a means he found which way he mought disclose his loue To me and eke for to bewray that Cupides force did moue Which when I vnderstood no wight did euer tast like ioye As I glad soule that banisht then that earst did me annoy And waying long his vertues great and eke his good intent Which caused my affection at last I did consent Unto his loue and choosing then him as my dearest frend I did conclude in wedlocked band wâ—â—h him my life to spend But see the frâ—tes of this our blisse see here vnstable state See see oh King the end of all this our most happy â—ate Whylst we in linke of loyall loue thus led our restles life And whylst my careles hart did ioyâ— the chaunge of wonted strife I know not I what cruell fact inforst my hartes delight My frend myne own Ariodant to worke this cruell sâ—ight On me amidst the choking streameâ— oh fierse vntimely death He drownd him self to the waues he did resigne his breath whose death oh hart shal work thiwo and ende thy wonted ioye And force my heauy head to learne howe life I may destroy Yet know oh Syr in all this loue nought did offend but thought Nought trespased but that vnknown to thée oh King I sought To choose a feare of race vnfit vnto your Princely state Whose râ—ial tiâ—e coÌ„mauÌ„ds me choose a farre more firter mate But if this gayne by breach of lawe the death of scorching fyre Then do pronâ—uÌ„â—e the sentence stayd t is death I so desire Only let this perswade your mynde no eye did euer see This corpse of myne with whordoms blâ—e so spotted for to bee This long discourse of amours past and eke deâ—iall made That neuer cloud of shame could yet her honor iustly shade She stayd her wery iawes and ends her heauy panting breath And wonted woâ—s doo force herfall in sound downe to the earth The aged King that sees this fitte nye caught with like disease with shaking haÌ„ds her temples rubs and seekes eche way tappease These choking griefs but all in vain he rubs and chafes his childe For death hath nummed euery part and life is now exilde Til panting hart with strained might receiues his wonted force And lets in wholsome breath againâ— into the senceles corse which ioyful king with hart reuyud doth see and driueth feare Away and strayning then his sprites he thus the Princes doth cheare I was or this resolued long of thy vnspotted grace My sweete and deare Ieneuora wherfore in hart displace These cankerd cares froÌ„ tender brest feare not the paynes of death Let nâ—t the losse of desprate freend force thee resigne thy breath For I not only will prouide for sauegard of thy life But for a â—rend that shall thée please and gard thy hart from strife And kissing long her rubie lippes and wiping cleane her eyes He takes her by the christall hand and ceaseth to deuise Of former talke and then himself conueies her to her court Wher he once gone she doth renew her wonted carefull sport But pensiue king doth tract no tyme ne lengâ—r makes delay For to prouide a champion to helpe in this assay Wherfore with blast of trompets sound it is proclaymed eche wheâ—e That who so
of death with wellyng minde abide Amongst these passions â—ragicall and actes of enâ—les care List now my Lordeâ— â—ow Polinesse that wretched Duke doth fare Whose giltie mind findes littel case so much doth feare oppresse His traitrous hart least that Dalind his treason should conâ—â—sse Wherfore for greater suertie of this concâ—ald offence He doth deuise a cruell crime through mariage clâ—kte pretence That isâ— for to perswade Dalind the morow next he will By sacred law of spousals rightes his promyse vowde fulfill And her consent once gotten he deuiseth for to send Her with two trusty men of his vnto a wood to th ende There to bereue from her her life insteede of wedlockes band Therby to ease his doughtfull breast that fearfull yet doth stand But whilst hereof his wits doo muse sée wher Dalinda cummes Whose hasty pase and heauy cheare his sences throughly nummes To whom her reuerence performde she shows how that the king â—ath geueÌ„ vnto the Steward charge that he foorthwith should bring Unto his presence all the traynâ— of carefull Princes grace Of purpose to examine them of this accused case I thinke qd she wherfore my Lord I thought conuenient Upon a matter of such wayght to know your wise intent This said the subtil Duke as though he weare to séeke for wittes A while with fired eyes on ground on seate he musing sittes But when he had dissembled long his answere ready made With smiling chéer foulded armes thus vnto her he sayd I neuer was deceiud qd he of thy assured troth Mine own and chiefest faithful frend to whom I would be loth That any yot of feule mishappe should chaunce or els befall Or that to any fretting grief thy frée mynde should be thrall But doo not thou dismay thy self I will prouide for thée I will deuise and seeke forthwith for thy best suertie I haue a house not farre from hence beyond the mightie wood Wherto I will thou do repayre if so thou thinkest good By breake of daye the morow next where thou shalt stay for me who wil vpon the Princesse death with speeâ—e come visit thée And ther by deede performe the thing that vow did earst protest By knitting 〈◊〉 the wedlocks knot that I so much request The â—otâ—ng mayde misdoughts no guylâ— the soone doth condiscende Unto his tale and all that night the â—ath in sâ—crete spende But she once gon the Duke sends for two trustie men of his Whose curâ—â—d hands with murdred blouâ— had ben imbrude ere this To whom wheÌ„ long he had discourst what faith they ought to beare Unto theyr Lord and eke what troth within them ought tappeare He tels what forst him send for them and how it was his wyll That whylst they roade amydst the wood they should Dalinda kyll The ruffyns vile with smal request moude to so foule a déede Consent vnto their truell Lordâ— and show them selues agree 〈◊〉 Unto his hest Who for to moue them more vnto this sinne with promise great of large rewardâ— he doth them fully winne By this the pensiue daye is past and now the mourning shade Of black and fearefull night appeares and doth eche where inuade Wherin iudge you what ease they take that are wrapt in with wo And coucht in caue of carefulnes and bathd in bed also Iudge you the fathers quiet ease and deeme the daughters rest Thinke how the goulden sleape doth please the ghost with griefe opprest And I will tell how night is gone with countenance darke and sad Because amydst the restles court so littel ease he had And he thus gone Aurora showes her chearful visage gray And after her the blushing Phebe his countnance doth bewray Who scarce doth clime on lowest steppe when as the watching mayde Dalinda leaues her lothed sleepe and hasteth as afrayde To come to late to Polinesse who puttes her in the guide Of those vngracious Ruffians that he appoynts to ryde With her vnto his house exprest and biddes them tary there Dissemblyng wise till he doth come to quench the sparkes of feare If any then did â—indell in the rechles maydens minde Who hopes for troth as erst she hard so euery thing to finde Thus ryde they foorth and riding I will leaue them for a whyle And to the carefull court agayne that doth forthwith exile His drousie domps I will returne and gâ—yde my wery hand And of their last extreamest fittes who list to understand shall heare the ende THe wery night hath brought again the dry and dreadfull day When heauy lookes cloudy sighes a storme of eares bewray The court hath left his tossed couch their restles bedde all shâ—nne The ladies haue their persing plaints and dolefull tune begonne Amidst a wâ—rld of griefes the king forsakes his bathed bedde Who for the Prince Ieneuora a floud of teares hath shedde But kingly iustice ruling still within his regall mind Doth tâ—ll hiâ— that the day is come which he of late assignde When either force of victors hand should fade Lurcanio Or els in flâ—mes Iâ—neuora her sences should foâ—go These thoughts of iustice force him clekâ— the anguish of his hart Affection lurkes in panting breast in secreat lodgeth smart Wherfore in hastie wise he doth commaund vnto the fyre The giltles Princes whose desertes gayne not so foule a hyre Whose sentence known Ieneuora obeyes with pleased minde Who decking her like her estate with lemmes of precious kinde Like heuenly ghost not earthly wight she teares her chariot straight That couerd is with black on whom a rought of Ladies waight whose moornâ—g wéeds declare y careâ— of their disquiet hartes And argue to the gasing eye the proufe of present smartes Next them the king his train is past whose heauy pensiue cheare Agree with those black solom lutes which they that day did weare Then folowâ— carefull Counselers and then the aged king In colour like and after them a world of folke do fling In this aray they are aryvdâ— vpon the dreadfull place wher Princesse must resigne her lyfâ— if that some sparke of grace Betyâ—e her not ther she abydes to tast her latest care Amidst the ghoâ—â—ly Prelates that of heauenly ioyes declare The kyng scarce set on stately seate but all in complet steele Lurcanio comes vnto the liste his chalenge to fulfill Who seene by false Duke Polinesse that then was Martiall To guyde the feeld he doth demaund of him the summe and all Of that he sought within the listes to whom Lurcanio Thus sayd I am approched here to proue against my so That by the filthy whordoms crime which I qd he did see Ieneuora deserued hath here burned for to bee This sayd he entres in the lystes and by the relickes there In proufe of that which earst he said he doth deuoutly sweare Nought wants but execution now for that they only stay Which to performe Ieneuora â—oncludes without delay Who first disrobes her selfe of all her Princely braue attire And only in her kyrtell she doth mynde
to taste the fire Then prostrate on the ground she falleâ— and with a cherefull voyce She prayes to God with whom she hopes shortly for to reioyce But who had seene the waylings then of all the lookers on And how ech eye is drowned w â—t cars and euery month doth mone mought wel haue seen y mothers grief for death of loued childe And fathers plaint for natiâ—e sonne whose life feares death exilde Whilst thus the Princesse prepares her selfe vnto her heauy feast And whilst ech on lamenting stayes with ruthfull sighyng breast Sée wher a Knight stands houering clad all in armour blacke And mounted on a barbed stéede with sheeld behind his backe A mighty speare in hand he helde and swoord gyrt by his side His visar close before his face least that he weare discride The Marshall spyes this Knight vnknownâ— and as he sayd before So now he doth demaund also of him the cause wherfore He is arivd in that aray amydst that worthy presse To whom Ariodant doth these knightlike wordes expresse To saue qd he from fyry flames this false accused wight Though Scots do feare I do intenâ— to venter life and might Nought doughting but as giltles she condempned is to die So this my spear and sword I trust her truth right well shall trie The straunger enters thus the listeâ— wher stoutly he doth sweare That of that fowle supposed crime Ieneuora is cleare This don without a lenger stay the Heraultes crie to fight Now do your best god him shéelâ— that drawes his sword in right Lurcaniâ— leaues now to muse his speare is coucht in rest He forward like the winde doth 〈◊〉 with sheld before his brest Ariodant not ignorant with whom he is to fight Sets forward to with thundring pase and meetes his brother right â— he spears all crusht do mount aloft eche keepes his saddell sure Ariodant against his so doth mightely indure Then leaue they foming steades 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they draw their shining blades Wherwith ech one his enemy with courage stout inuades He smytes a carâ—ing blowe vpon his aduersaries shelde And he doth send a cantell from his helmet to the feelde Lurcanio is nothing nice of his approued might Ne yet Ariodant behinde his almes for to requight But farre vnegall is the match Lurcanio seemes to play When as Ariodant is forst to ward or els decay yet as he can he lendes a blowe and then he shiftes againe From dint of brothers stroke whose forse would well requite his payne Thus he doth strike and he the blow receiues vpon his shelde And he againe the vantage spyde a buffet byg doth yelde Lurcanio thinks of brothers death and fightes like Lyon fierse Ariodant his Ladie spied both steele and male doth pearse with bluddy blads thei prick thrust the ground is dydâ— with blouâ—e Now breath they both now againe they rage like Tigers wood In this conflict I must them leaue eche seeking others ende And to Dalinda once againe my pen and I must bende Who once aryvde within the wood wher she must yeld her life In steed of solâ—m mariage on edge of Ruffyns knyfe They bid her light of from her horse and with a countnance fieâ—s The sum of that they haâ— in charge to her they do rehears which wheÌ„ she knew froÌ„ wonted talk her closed lippes refrayne And feare of death do force her féele the panges of deadly payne Her careles head late occupidâ— with blissed wedlockâ—s bandes Is comefortles now poore wretch as stone in wall she standes So farre her present thoughts be od as hope of â—uertie And now to sure signes of smart and stormes of miserie But making of necessitie a present vertue she Decrees as time did serue to make her soule from bondage frée And kneling then vpon the ground betwixt these ghostly mates That mynd by caruing of her head to ende â—er latest fates She prayes vnto the Creator to pardon her offence And that he would forget her sinne and way her penitence Then with a streame of tears she rews her Ladies giltles death For whom the anguish of her hart doth choke welny her breath What should I say for thousand sins which she did neuer know To length y time she praies to God that he will mercy show but see how in most dauÌ„gerous tydes oft times doth happen blisse Sée how in present stroke of death the hart releeued is whilst thus she prays adueÌ„ture droue through search of nearest way To Scottish court vpon the place wher she deuout doth pray The famous knight Raynaldo who beholding with his eye betwixt two Ruffians naked swords a Lady prest to die He spurs his Stéed draws his blade and driues vnto them twoo In mynde to reseue if he could that carefull wight from woo The tormenters that saw him come dispayring of their might Forsake y mayd mount on Steeds and saue them selues by fight which when Dalinda vews she thus vnto Raynald gan say Yet let me craue this curtesâ—e or thou depart away Oh worthy Knight that is y thou wilt be my guyde vnto The most vnhapiest Scottish court and most complete with woe Wher I shal bring the ioyfulst news that euer came to kyng And tell the gladdest tale that earst a messenger did bring Raynaldo grauntes to her desire she is now horst againe They forward poste and as they ride she greatly doth complaine Of false Duke Polinessos guyle she blames his subtill wilte And for reuenge to god she cries for such offence most fitte Thus weary time is spent and now they are within the vewe of flaming bronds of glistring swords and of the Scottish crewe TheÌ„ with a strayneâ— balowing voice stay how Raynaldo cries Depart the Knightes with y word â—â—ne casteth vp his eyes To see from whence proceeds y voice that ringes so in their eares And therwithall Raynaldo and Dalinda do appeare who passing throgh y mightie prease at last approche the seate Of Scottish King wheras Dalind beginnes for to intreate Of all the treason which the Duke and she did late deuise But crying first staye Polinesse thus to her tale she plies Why shuld I lenger stay oh wretch why should my lippes refrayn From sounding out the perfect troth which hidden séekes to stayne The giltles Imphe of vertues schoole whose spotlesse troth doth crie For iust reuenge for such offence to him that rules skie Oh king let dought of daughters crime no more dismaye thy mynde Ne let thy hart to feareful thoughts for princes be inclinde For this thryse cursed tongue of myne shall plainly show to thee Who did offende who gaind this fire from which the prince is frée And though mine own reproch I must blase here amidst this presse Yet gnawing thoughts of gilty minde inforce me troth confesse This Duke oh king this Polinesse this false disceitful Knight And I vnhappiest wretch it was that gaynd these flames of right For sée disceit whilst in the court I led a rechles
talke and sences fayle and he doth fall to ground And ther he lies berevd of breath and chokt with fainting soundâ— But when Ieneuora had vewde long tyme with persing eye The face of her Ariodant and plainly eke gan spye by coâ—tnance loke by shape speach the same her fréend to bee whoÌ„ greedy stream had forst she feard to die in misery Oh iudges that can what fansies theÌ„ did rule within her mynd What passing ioy what happy blisse her crased brayne did finde For neither head ne tongue ne hand can think can tell or wryte The least or smalest percell of her late conceyvde delight Not she her selfe can ease the toyle of ioyfull panting hart whose striuing force extreme delight to traunce doth straight conuert And there as in a quiet sleape a whyle she doth remayne But once reuyvde her dryry lippes she thus to speake did strayne And doth the guyder of my life the only proppe and stay Of this my wery limmes yet lyue oh happy thryse I say Oh blessed fates and dost thou liue and do these eyes behould Thy wished shape whose comly limâ— these â—rmes so oft haue â—ould And liues in déed Ariodant Ieneuoras delight And was it he that for his frendâ— so manfully did fight Oh soppe of ioye more pleasant farre then wealth of worldly blisse Oh soueraigne salue nought cures so well the crased hart as this Oh welcome thou more deare to me then goods then frendes then life A gest more gladder to my hart then cares carst caused strife Thy health doth force me wish y lifâ— which fame of thy decay Intised late through heauy lot to serine in cloddes of clay Amidst this tale a thousand tymes they frendly do imbrace And with their siluer trickiâ—ng dropâ— eche bathe others face She layes her happy head vpon her ioyfull louers brest And he agayne his body bendesâ— to yeld his Lady rest Thus now in words now in déedes and now by signes of loue Ech shows y ioyned faithfull hartes doth such affections moue The sight wherof brings youth again vnto the aged King Whose trembling hart for very ioyâ— in blisfull breast doth spring But when this great felicitie had vanquisht euery care And when amidst this world of ioyâ— eche on receivde his share TheÌ„ by coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„t trompets sound and oyes loude is cride Wherfore the rought giue audience and then the king thus sayd How farre we are indetted to the heauenly powers deuine My lords frends you haue wel séen this day before your eyne As both by fatall chaunce how this vyle treason was bewrayd As how by knightly prowesse which Ariodant assayde Against his natiue brother he hath savde Ieneuora FroÌ„ fyry flames brought vs health that lookt for last decay And last how falshod payed is with death for gaind desert A myrror good for such as liue infect with traytors hart Wherfore as bounden dutie biddes first let vs yelde the prayse To him that quites the innocent and payes the false alwayes And we as reasons lore â—oth charge will séeke for to requite Forthwith receiued benefittes with all our power and might For as to thou Ariodant for this thy noble hart Thy curtesiâ— and loyall loue â—e yelde thee this as part Of recompence take thou to wiâ—â— the Prince Ieneuora and we for maintnauÌ„ce of your stateâ— will soone prouyde a stay Be thou to her a faithfull feare and she a â—ouing wyfe Beare duâ—ie to thy Lord and King whilst thou hast breath and life and sith by thée syr knight vnknown this treason came to light We will as best shal please thy hart thy frendship well requite Lurcanio â—ke sith brothers death prouokt thee to this ire Shalt fréely liue and vse our grace as thou shalt best desire For pardon of Ieneuora small sute I thiâ—k will serue Whose gentil mynd from pities lorâ— as yet did neuer swarue But as tâ— thee Dalinda sith thou soughtst by â—reason vyle To seeke thy mistres death we will that thou into exile For euer shalt be put and eke to runne a banisht race Till better hope of truer hart shall winne thée fauours grace This sentence sayde the tossed caps doo cutte the cloudie skie and eueri mouth with strained voicâ— God saue the King doo trie The louers two on grouÌ„d prostrate a thousand thankes impart Unto theyr Liege and Soueraigne with most contented hart But to recount what passions past betwixt the brothers twayne would make an other history and woorke my treble payne wherfore let this suffise my Lordes not one but lyues in ioye Not one there is amidst the prease that cares doo now annoy Amidst which myrth to court again the King and all returne And as they ryde in signe of ioye eche doth the streates adorne with tynsell bright with arras riche and glistring cloth of goulde And ladies pearch on wyndowes hie the louers to behould who passe the streates with happy harts and so ariue on court wher euery one seekes to augment his late receiued sport And wher vpon a solome daye appointed by the king The Princesse and Ariodant with sacred woords and King Receyâ—e the ryght of mariage as gladde to them as lyfe who long in blisse did speÌ„d their daieâ— and died deuoydt of stryfe FINIS
But oh what gayues this lauish talke what profittes wish and would When iudge vpon condemned wight hath dreadfull sentence tould Dispatch therfore thou dastard slaue geue ende vnto thy care Play morderer with stabbing knife the vaines a sunder share What doest thou ioye in miserie that fearefull hand doth stay Or knowest thou any remedy to vanquish death away Doth any hope remayne as yet to comfort thée with all Doth any sparke of blisse appeare that may to thée befall Hast thou not hard thine own decay and lacks ther ought but fight And canst thou liue for to behould that foule and filthy spight Thou doughst belike decâ—itfulnes in Polinessos talke Who as his willing hart did wiâ—h thou thinkst his tongue did walke To ease thy heauy mynde therin content I am to stay But that once séene prepare thy self for sight of Dismall day And with a grisly grone he endes his carefull heauy plaint And scorching sighes deadly sobbes do forse his members faint And ouercome with griefe of mynd his wery limmes haue founde A slumbring sleape wherin he lies as caught in mortall sound Thus leaue I this Ariodant vpon his carefull bed Amidst a heape of dreadful dreames that swarme in vexed head And once agayne vnto this Duke this false periured man I must returne to blase againe his treason as I canne Therfore when false dissemblyng Duke had easd his swelled minde By belching out these carefull newes and vouched othes to blynde The more this true dispairyng wight he byddes him then aâ—ewe And trackes no tyme ne lettes aught slippe his purpose to pursue Wherfore the euen before the feast Dâ—linda he ought spies And thus amidst his other talke this tale he gan deuise As ioyfull newes as euer came to thâ—â— Dâ—linda earst Or gladder farre then euer yet thy lâ—ftâ—ng eares haue pearst I will imâ—ert to thée my nowne and chiefest faithfull friend With whome the rest of this my lyfe in wedlocke I will spend Leaue of therfore those musing dumps that trouble so thy minde And to my happy tale se that thy open eares be inclinde Thou long hast séene with griefe I know what signes of loue haue past Betwixt thy Ladie mistres and twixt me thy friend at last Thou knowst how long I suid and servd her grace for to obteyne And eke thou knowst how loyall I all that time did remayne Thou knowst myne own that only was the chiefest cause that I So slenderly requited thée and thy great curtesie But seâ— as fonde affections forse and signes of séemly grace As bewties beames assotted me to serue that froward face So now at last that coyeishnes and her disdainfull mynde Hath turnd my hart intrapped long that bewtie so dyd blynde To lothsomnes and lyke disdayne and now I am as frée Thank God as when indiffrent eye did egally eche sée Wherfore in signe of this dispite and of more careles hart What in my mynde I haue deuisâ— to thee I will impart Thou knowst qd he ther is in court a row of houses ould That wast do lie vnoccupide vnable scarse to hould Them sâ—lues a loft vpon the ground a place of no repayre Eâ—cept with dogges or vermyn vyle or els with fowles of thayre Against these rotten walles ther is as thou right well dost know Imbossed ought from ioyned frame a stately bay window Which is as voyd as is the rest a lodging fit for none At that self place I haue deuisdâ— that thou thy self alone About the houre of ten at night shall mete thy Polinesse Tomorow dekt with princes roabeâ— and eke thy self shalt dresse With glistring â—alâ— and iuels rich with those she ware that day Wher I in scorne of Princes will with thee Dalinda play And eke imbrase thy worthy corpse as deare so me as lyfe Of whom as sone as time shal serue I mynde to make my wife This is theffect of my deuise this is the summe and all Of that which bringeth libertie to thee that now art thrall For here in court thou subiect art to beck and to obey Wher next to me in Albany thou chief shalt beare the sway Therfore if sparke of faithfulnes lodge in thy gentell brest If euer yet to pleasure me thy friendship hath ben prest Fayle not with corded ladder and with Princes braue attire At that same place and at that time to yeld to my desire Said crafty Duke therwith staiâ—s his false deceitfull tongue The sting wherof so seruenly hath our Dalinda stung And eke that vile ambition hath so infect the mayde That presently she yeldeth to all that before he sayd Thus hath the Duke as hart would wish performd his enterpryse And finisht hath his false request as he coâ—ld best deuise And now vnto his careles couch with â—asd mind he hies And lieth til the golden globe doth driue night from his eyes The irksome shade that so annoyes the heauy pensiue wight Forsakes the skies morning now hath banisht drousâ— night The â—oyfull daye doth show his face the gromes no lenger lye But to performe his charge ech one with carefull mynde doth plie The massie roabes for princes grace from wardrobe are out brought The borders braue of gouldsmithes craft with stone and pearle I wrought The Iuâ—ler deliuers to the Ladies of the court with tablet cheine braslâ—ttes dekt with stones of diuerse sorte with those the careful ladies dresse Ieneuora that day That rather séemes of heauenly mould then of dame natures clay thus drest this peereles princes plies for to perfourme hir rights To chapel well accompanied with rought of Scottish knights There all the morning she doth spend as temples hestes require And prayers sayde to court againe the Princes doth retire But what needes longer stay herein what booteth to report The dayntie cates servd in that day and of the diuerse sort As well of pleasant â—acchus cups as Ceres dainty dish And of the dulcet musickes skill as sweet as care would wish Sith far from blis my stile is changd this day hath causd that care That neither head can well deuise ne pen can well declare Therfore let courtiers ioy in court and geue me leaue a while To write of hopeles wretches haps whom treason did beguile The setted time by Polinesse approcheth on a pace when strauÌ„ger shuld behold y Dukâ— the Princes to imbrace Wherfore as one not well assurd of Scottish faithfulnes Ne certain that the Duke did meane as late he did expresse Least that I say in some dark place he had imbusht a crewe Of traytors to inuyron him when he this sight should vewe He comes vnto his brother then whose might he knew right well Would succour him assuredly if any then would mell whose company he craues that night when he should see him gâ— With Polinesse and that he would bring swoord with him also Lurcanio whose lyfe and death his brother mought commaund With willing mynd consents vnto Ariodants demaund Duke Polinesse not careles of th appointed