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
Surgeon by his balme and vnguents tryes his skill His Teriack nor his Mithridate cannot the venome kill His antipoysons have no force no nor his vipers oyle Doe what he can the venome strong the Lady's like to spoyle Her grievous pain doth stil increase her wound grows worse worse No cordiall nor no cataplasme against the sting have force With sad and wofull hearts her guard doe carie her along Gainst Fates Fortune they exclaime for this opprobrious wrong If poysnous heat made her a thirst or did the heavens ordaine Her present ayd no man can tell but she could not sustaine Such thirst therefore she cald a groome and bids him goe and finde Some colding spring that she might ease her hart with heat was pynd He goes and findes a purling brooke then quickly turnes againe Thereof she drinkes and still she thinkes the lesser growes her paine Now from her coach she doth dismount ô admirable thing The paine and poyson both decrease by drinking of the spring Her knights and guard goe both apart her Ladies bathe her wound Throgh bathing with the helthful spring the Dutches is made sound With humble with thankfull hearts they praise the gods therfore Who did so soone mirac'lously their Ladies health restore Then to a village bording neere she and her comp'nie went But e're they could the same approach the day was nere hand spent For midst the way they find a man whose cloathes were old worn He seem'd to be of poore estate yet by countrey-borne The Dutchesse askd him how they cald this countrey the wood And how they cald the happy spring that yeelded her such good This countrey is Epyrus cald quoth hee where we are plac't Hazardfull forrests of Epyre be those you lately trac't The brook is cald the healthfull spring through Grecia flies its fame Of each of those faire Ladie know this is the proper name Those forrests be cald hazardfull cause many one of old And likewise now strange accidents in them sinde manifold The brooke is cald the healthfull spring as well it may indeed Gainst poyson venom-caâ—kring 〈◊〉 a soveraigne try'd remeede The man takes leave they forward went vnto the village right Next morning on their iourney goe how soone the day was light Then in few dayes to this her home the Dutchesse quickly came This countrey her Calabria it is the very same What then it was so is it now not subiect to decay No forraine force nor homebred iarres its indwellers dismay When that the Dutchesse liv'd here home a while with easeful mind And former sorrowes all were past as loath to prove vnkinde She caused skild Artificers erect to her great charge Of marble black Alabast a fountaine high large Like to a stately Pyramis the healthfull spring above Lest any of ingratitude her iustly might reprove In memorie of benefite she once did there receive Expert Mechanicks shee causd search could rightly cut and grave Through dext'rous cunning these adorn'd the happy healthful fount With Emblemes fram'd of Alabast and marble of the mount Of yeares two lusters scarce were spent after this work was done When she citations had from death so had her brothers sonne The Dutchesse did the gods implore that they the youth would spare And pittie him of tender yeares and expectation rare Thessalia's hope his mothers ioy sole comfort of his Syre For doubtlesly if now he dy'd their lives would then expyre As for her selfe she was resolv'd Deaths message to obey And that ne ' re-yet remitted debt she 's willing to repay It seem'd the gods did grant her suite the boy did convalesse But she sweet Lady found deaths force her vitall spirites distresse Then cald she for her love Lord whose groanes proclaim'd his grieves And for her lasse Lucilla fair in whom true beauty lives Deare Lord loue quoth she I finde that we must parted bee The loyall love I to thee beare doth make me loath to dye Heavens Fates Death doe all decree my glasse of life bee runne And Atropos now cuts the threed which Lachesis once spun So hence I must ô deare sweete love I pray thee doe not weepe For sure my sp'rite midst highest heavens the sacred gods will keepe Lucilla deare thy mothers ioy come to thy dying Dame As Heavens Nature thee inricht with beauties bravest frame Heavens grant that thou doe vse it well to thy immortall praise Live chastly yet selfe-loue abhorre pride breeds contempt alwayes This one thing doe I thee intreate in memorie of me Goe thrice a yeare view the spring thy mother did supplie When physicke nor no simples could the venome strong expell The water of the healthfull spring in power did precell Therefore three times a yeare doe view that spring by consuetude And mother-like what beasts detests abhorre ingratitude Thus said her happy sp'rite she yeelds which to eternall ioy Numberles numbers powers divine invisibly convoy Her funerals once solemntz'd then doth Lucilla faire In sable robes of mourning black with maids so clad prepare To goe and view the healthfull spring and there bewaile her losse And mothers death whose memories giues her continuall crosse Since she is thus determined her father likewise send Shadowes of men Eunuches I meane as guardians her t' attend Those likewise serve as mariners to rule her bark by sea Accompanied by those and mayds she doth continually Thrice yearly goe and view that spring a day or two they mourne Their regrates being finished againe they here returne Her father though he haue no sonne for to succeed his place Loves her so well hee will not wed againe in any case Yet though he loue her he ore-lookes her with a prying eye Loue hatcheth care which care begets respectiue Iealousie The iealous Syre of daughters good doth make her liue retyrd For which himselfe of strangers is ridic'lously admyrd Lucilla since her mother dy'd is forc't to liue apart From company of anyman which sure must grieve her heart For saue those Eunuchs those maids who serue her night day And her own Syre the aged Duke none else approach her may Many a Prince and gallant Knight doe her in mariage crave But through her fathers perswasiues she none at all will haue And for to try to speake herselfe it 's folly there 's no meane She is so warelie lookt vnto none can such good attaine This aged Duke and his faire Lasse dwell neere within sixe mile Where they in divers sports delight to posting time beguile A castle situate by a lake in it doe they abide From thence they see both woods meads ships at anchor ride Even from this Castle of the Dukes about a fourthnight since In companie of other knights went the Thessalian Prince Retimes they rise and winde their hotnes not fearing any foe Through desart woods vnknowne paths they all a hunting goe But whilst the rest their horses mount the Prince his horse refuses Him to
with his owne consent Thereafter was Lucilla crowned Queene To recompence the wrong she had receiv'd Fortunes inconstancie may well bee seene In this for why those folkes who lately crav'd To take her life now as their Queen most fit In one accord Lucilla they admit Thus liv'd Calanthrop and his Ladies here Into Corena for a prettie space At last Lucilla long'd to see Epire Yet er'e Calanthrop mov'd from that same place In favours of the nearest of the blood Royall did of the crowne himselfe denude So did Lucilla to her endlesse praise But yet they ever tendred this respect That Cyrenaican kings of them alwayes Should hold their crowne and likewise should elect If that the royall race were dead or gone Ever their kings by their advice alone Those Articles the Princes all have sworne Likewise they vow their dearest bloods to spend In his behalfe as if he had been borne Their native king they vow him to defend Thus they convoy Calanthrop to the sea Giving rich gifts to all his companie Now from the coast of Africa they goe Towards Epire with great celeritie Smoothly their ships divide the Ocean so The way they went cannot discerned bee Sweet Southerne windes affoord them so good way Comarus hav'n they gained without stay Then in Nicopolis a day or two They stayd then went they to Vallonia Calanthrop now not fearing any foe Embassdours sent vnto Calabria Intreating that the Duke without delay Would come to Epire 'gainst his wedding day Where many Princes of no meane degree Earles Lords and knights would likewise there expect And give their presence each as well as hee Hon'ring the nuptials with a great respect The Duke tells them his presence hee should give They thanke him humbly then they take their leave So to their King Calanthrop they returne Told him their answer whereof hee was glad Now in Vallonia did the King soiourne Where'gainst his Nuptials hee provided had Each in his court horse clothes and armour brave And each thing requisite their hearts could crave Amongst those Courtiers was one gallant knight Hee to Calanthrop Cousin-german was Likewise the King in him tooke great delight This knight did love Sophona that sweete Lasse Sophona likewise did the knight affect For why no wench his carriage could reiect Sophona Aunt was to Lucilla faire In birth his equall and such like in love Therefore the King the Queene and all were there Applaud this match and willingly approve Their equall choyce so king and Queene consent They wedded be with them to their content O what inestimable ioy and pleasure These lovers by this promise did conceive I thinke they brookt it in the greatest measure Imag'narie that mortall creatures have Thus they swift sliding time in pleasure spend Yetlongingly the nuptiall day attend Now when this day that every one desir'd So much was come and Princes Earles and Lords Were present each one whom the King requir'd Vnto them all Calanthrop spake these words Yet to Calabria's Prince he did direct His speech in speciall vnto this effect MY Princely brethren quoth hee I intreate You think not hardly I in Armes am clad Nor that my Queen stands maskt for I 'le repeate The reason hereof which yet makes her sad Till she bee wedded sheel 'e not show her face Nor I vnarme my selfe in any case This is the cause Of late in Africa By chance I was O fort'nate adventure When as the King of Cyrenaica A tyrant vile did many one iniure Heavens struck this tyrant with a lethargie So that no physick could his griefe supplie This Lady you see here was then his Queene Yet wedded to him much against her will Hee wasfound dead vpon the wedding ev'n So each one thought the Queen the king did kill Therfore the Queen and this her waiting maid Who likewise must be maskt as I have sayd Vntill she wedded be imprisond were Thereafter were they both adiudg'd to die Before the counsell would their king interre This time a boy acquaints me privilie That two the fairest Ladies that did breath For no offence this day must suffer death I hearing that having an Armie strong Hard by Corena for a speciall vse 'Cause that dead king before had done me wrong I long'd for to revenge that old abuse So I in spite of his releiv'd at length Those Ladies two by stratagems strength Thereafter homeward I my iourney tooke Those Ladies needes would beare me companie Since for my sake they Africa forsook It had in me been great discourtesie Their kindnesse to reiect in any sort Wherein I tooke thereafter great comfort For when I had with admiration gaz'd Vpon this Ladies beautie stands me next Her lovely face my spirits so amaz'd That ever since my ioyes in her are fixt Likewise because shee thinkes I sav'd her life She is content now to become my wife Now you the reason may perhaps admire Why she is pleasd be wedded vnder vaile It is their countrey fashion though not here Those that be widowes ever to bewaile Their husbands death with maids in like attire Till they do wed their husbands then require Them vsually for to leave off to mourne Likewise for to cast off their mourning weed The which they doe and so againe returne To love the quick and to forget the dead This is the cause why those their face obscure My Princely brethren hereof be you sure But now you may in reason likewise aske Why I thus arm'd desire to wed my Bride I else have showne you why the Ladies maske Their face so likewise know I arm'd abide Because the martiallkings of Epirus Who wan theirwives by Armes were wedded thus This other forme'they ever likewise vsd Some forraine Prince their Queene must to them give Which ancient custome none have yet abusd Nor shall by me for why it would me grieve To abrogate such worthy fashions old Ordain'd by my ancestors stout and bold For this cause I most humbly doe request You noble Prince of rich Calabria Doe me the honour before all the rest Of Kings and Lords of famous Grecia 'Cause you 're a forraine Prince as to bestow This Queene on me which all the rest allow Sir quoth the Duke if that can can do you good Your Queene I shall deliver vnto you Therefore it 's best you presently conclude To goe to Church for to the gods I vow I 'le honour you in any thing I can For why I love each martiall-minded man The king did yeeld him thankes and so they went To Church whereas the parties all were wed The Duke knew nothing of the Kings intent When to the armed king his Lasse hee led For this same Duke had vowd during his life With his consent his Lasse should nere be wife The Palace Royall stood amidst the towne When there they came Calanthrop went apart And on Lucilla's head he set hiscrowne Disarm'd himselfe then with a ioyfull heart The King the Queene Sophona and her Lord Vnmaskt or arm'd
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
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
sit And kinde Sophona doing so her by Seeing them weepe he neerer doth resort With good intent the Ladies to comfort Calanthrop all this while was keeped fast For he had kild two when they first did enter Downe in the roume the Souldiers had him cast Sixe did attend him for they durst not venter To leave him fearing hee himselfe would kill Therefore they stayd to know their Captaines will But whilst the captaine by the Ladies stood Earnestly viewing faire Lucilla's face Her beautie wounds him so that to conclude He at his captive'gins to suite for grace Which she wise Lady would not flat refuse Lest that he might the prisoners abuse Now came a Sergeant willd the Captaine show What was his will concerning him they kept For he hath kild your best commanders two As for the rest you them to grace accept Since quoth Lucilla of no bad pretence That man those kild but in his owne defence In this respect good Captaine I intreat You him to pardon whatsoe're he be The Captaine since her sute was so discreete Sayd to his Sergeant bring him here to mee And Lady quoth hee for thy sake hee shall Not die I sweare though he had kild them all Calanthrop to their Captaine they present He pardons him his love did so abound Towards Lucilla likewise gave assent That all the rest of captives there were found Went to their shippe all such as pleasd to goe For save the Ladies hee would keepe no moe The Captaines shippe was by some blind-rocke brusde To land they must before the breach they mend This voyage all the robbers much confusde Yet since to land they must they all intend Towards Zacyntus Pyrats harbour sure Whose wooddie toppes their toppe-masts will obscure There they amended all their shippes defect But yet the greatest fault they have not seene The fault was this the ship did not eiect Those miscreant robbers which shee did conteine But theeves as well as marchants saile the flood Even as the Sunne doth shine on bad and good Calanthrop here dismist his Epirots And faind as though with robbers hee tooke part Yet he a secret time to them denotes When they should see him which reioyc't their heart They towards Epire Pyrates to the sea Were quickly gone glad of their late supplea And now the Captaine'gins againe to suite The faire Lucilla who did still reiect His kindest offers then by golden fruite Hee thinkes to move her him for to affect But since he saw that nothing could allure Her for to love or his content procure By force hee mindesto give himselfe content So he desir'd to speak with her alone But now the chastering frustrate his intent And his assaults the vertue of its stone When he applyd his strength did make him quaile And still he marveld why his strength should faile Now he esteemes Lucilla for a witch For why no perswasives allure her could Nor yet could gifts which might her much inrich Nor could he gaine by force the thing he would Therfore by threats he seeks her to perswade For this his last repulse had made him mad Sometimes hee had remarkt her kindly looke Towards Calanthrop this incenc't his ire Fornever Rivall yet could other brooke Though onely lust had set their hearts on fire Therefore if shee will not his suite allow To kill her hee doth execrably vow And lest quoth he thou thinke I doe dissemble I 'le first cause kill the knight that 's with you here Oh how her heart at this sad tale did tremble That by his death quoth hee thou death mayst feare Thus sent he Sergeants waiting on him there To bid the knight for death himselfe prepare No stay quoth she for by the heavens I sweare If you doe harme him you shall nere acquyre My love therefore it 's best in time forbeare Such curst intent if ever you aspire To gaine my favour therefore doe not grieve Me so for I behinde him will not live And is it so quoth he I m'e for you then Faith all the earth now shall not save his life Yea though the world could yeeld no other men Then now are here for sure you are his wife So whilst he lives my will I 'le nere effect But being dead I may some good expect By heavens quoth she my husband is hee not Yet since you 'le kill him pray you kill me first That he sweet soule by me may be forgot Shortly dispatch since for our blood you thirst No quoth the Captaine it is my desire His breath that lets my ioy doe first expire But whilst his wretch't intent hee prosecuted The gods belike would no way have it so For by a thundring noyse they him refuted And suddaine storme that each were glad to goe Prepare themselves for death as well as hee The captaine feardest of the companie The storme increast Boreas it seem'd had sworne To pull vp Neptune from his watry Cell The raging seas on wings of windes were borne Minding Vulcanus from his reigne t' expell The swelling Surges of the seas profound Our gallant Captaines courage did confound For on those seas he Pyrate did remaine Twelve yeares before yet never saw such storme In all his life nor never shall againe Iust heavens revenge when men will not reforme Many nights past yet came this worser day Which made the Pyrats not in vse to pray But vrg'd devotion doth not oft prevaile So prov'd it here for still a Northerne winde Them to the coast of Africa doth haile And which was worst no harbour could they find In end Neptunus bore them on his backe Vnto the greater Syrtis where they wracke There dy'd the Captaine and his cursed mates And Calanthrops kinde Page there also dy'd If they had time they would revile the Fates Calanthrop got a boord but now he spy'd Lucilla by him fleeting on a wave So from his boord he went her life to save A little he could swimme not very well At last he caught her set her on his boord Now though he dy'd he thought he would not feele No paine since that the heavens did him affoord Such happinesse as to preserve her breath Whose beauteous presence had astonisht death Through fort'nate chance they did acquire the land Hard by the high and woodie Cephalas Which Promontorie doth directly stand Where Syrtis doth beginne but or they passe Any where furder they Calanthrops Page Dead doe perceive for now the storme did swage On sands he lay oh how his face lookt pale Lucilla could not choose but now shee wept His master doth his timelesse death bewaile Yet when he mindes himselfe had almost slept In Nereus mansion hee left off to mourne And to Lucilla did againe returne Now since hee 's dead they doe themselves apply To finde Sophona dead or els aliue And as they seeke amongst the rockes to trye For her they see her ready to arrive The Fates with happy fortune so her blest She came to land vpon her mistresse
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