the trebble sang some voyce Palinode-like the subiect seem'd refound Tribute to Cupid and therein reioyce It was Lucilla whom love did constraine By this her Palinode her minde t'explaine LVCILLA HER PALINODE MAny one rashly give reasonlesse censures towards love But those as I beleeve his mightie pow'r did never prove Why should they speake were ne're love-sicke Of Cupids power or might Blind folke should not iudge colours but Give place to those have sight The time was once I thought as those vaine fooles do now surmise And I by all meanes sought to move each one his power despise But foolish I did not espy That Cupid was a God Though I was wilde hee made mee milde Like babes who kisse their rod. It 's more then madnesse great to raile against affections King Be he control'd hee 'l threat the gods themselves to ruine bring Him powers blist dare not resist Iove Neptune nor Apollo Should then not wee who mortals be Learne their example follow Though Danae was kept close and strictly watcht by matrons guard Her father life must losse by her first borne for his reward He knowing that incarcerate Her to pevent the same Iove did surmise gold blindes the wise And time make Dian tame Such sure is Venus boy deare bought experience makes me know None can on earth finde ioy vnlesse themselves his servants show Let yong and old let base and bold Let rich and poore obey For who gainstand Cupids command He workes their wrack alway Long since I must confesse I Venus deitie did detest And thought it foolishnesse in those their hopes so fondly plac't I cald Love blinde and now I finde He wounds without respect Yea all alike his darts doe strike With love or pale reiect But where as I before transgrest ' gainst Venus and her sonne I vow now to adore their sacred will till life be done No bad pretence but ignorance Made me their lawes forsake So Iewels rare some fooles will spare And yet a feather take Love all things overcomes to Love Lucilla doth give place Their sences he benummes who strive his deitie to disgrace Or seek his foyle or honours spoyle Therefore I thus resolve In life or death whilst I doe breathe My love shall ne're dissolve CAlanthrop in this song tooke such delight He now remaind the gladdest man that liv'd Her happy words he registrate in spright Whose force from death to life could have reviv'd The saddest malcontent that liv'd or lov'd To see how Princely love disdaine remov'd The time appointed came Lucilla faire And wise Sophona though the night was darke Came both so softly downe the gallerie staire None of her guard them absent did remarke They shut the privie gate themselues behinde Thereafter shortly whom they sought they finde Madam quoth Sophona to this advert Remember when you speake your knight this clame For men in love are cunningly expert As yet you know not Tristius proper name Is 't possible quoth she Madam it 's true Then quoth Lucilla I 'le that sute renue Now see they other through a lowring light For envious Cynthia gave vnwilling shine 'Cause why she knew that Cupids day was night Lovers convents move chastitie repine Yet told Lucilla Phoebe to her face Endymion saw her smile with better grace Thus doe they meet Calanthrop by the arme Tooke faire Lucilla paicing so along The night was dark yet was the season warme He calles to minde Lucilla's sugred song Whereby love told him plainly to conclude Lovers late meetings aimes at further good Therefore he was most loath for to neglect Such good occasion And so he desir'd Her whom on earth his sp'rite did most affect Vnto a parle she againe requir'd Sophona and his Page to try their game Of foot-course which to view she thither came The which they did the match Sophona gaind For midst the course the Page through fiercenesse fell So they him looser merrily ordain'd But yet the Boy their censures did repell Alledging that since Fortune gave the crosse They could not iustly say his was the losse Thus merrily discourst they on the sport Calanthrop took Lucilla faire apart Sophona did the Page be pleas'd exhort Who seem'd to take his losse in evill heart Whereat he smiling rounded in her eare To make them sport he did so sad appeare Sophona and the Page were quickly gone Towards the vtmost end of this same walke Calanthrop since he found himselfe alone With his sweet love he thus began to talke First craving pardon if he should offend This speech to her sweet eares he did commend O Bravest frame that ever Nature wrought Rare quintescence of beauties honoured frame Fairer then she to Troy whom Paris brought Thou who art staine to Cupids smiling Dame Poore lowring Cynthia shames her shine to showe Because she sees thy fairer face below Each gazing eye doe homage to thy beautie The fairest Nymphs as hand-maids wil thee serve Each heart adores thee in all soveraigne dutie Yet Phoebus faire midst envy's like to sterve For why black clouds eclipse his light divine Thy fairer rayes not subiect to decline The sparkling starres much imitate thy eyes When chilling frost doth cleare the azur'd skye In thee alone true vertue lives and dies My life and love on thy sweet selfe relye Look how the Lizard feeds on humane sight Right so thy face both yeelds me life light The Salamander lives amidst the fire Not burnt thereby nor choked by the fume So doe I live ' midst flames of hot desire Thy lookes my heart doe fire yet not consume Likewise thy words inchant my listning eare Like Syrens songs when shippes their rockes drew neare Since thou bewitches deare sweet vse me so As Circe did of Ithaca the king When he by sea late-sacked Troy came froe By magick spelles him to her I le did bring Yet through loves force when she her conquest viewd She yeelds herselfe to him she late subdu'd But if thou wilt not imitate a witch Let vertuous Dido thy example bee Who though she was most infinitely rich Sea-tost Aeneas kept she companie And though you iustly may to me obiect That he was false I 'me free of that defect Therefore sweet love while as the season fits Once make me fort'nate in my loves attempt Are they not wise their secretes most commits To sencelesse things from feare they 're sure exempt Windes rivers trees hearbes floures nor grasse can tell What we coact so let our ioyes excell No hindrance have we if thy selfe be willing Come deare sweet love come seale it with a kisse Then shall we looke like prettie Doves a billing If thou with-draw thy head thou robst my blisse O let me suck the Nectar from thy lippe Where loves Idaea still delights to skippe Midst fervent passion he doth softly crush Her whiter hand then snow that 's lately blowne He pulls she holds this mov'd a modest blush Possesse her face yet second by a frowne Which so him frighted that he
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
require Or cite those Fates to render their account Before great love what matter then in fire If once reveng'd in smallest ash be burnt But woe aye me without controll they still Dispose of us we must obey their will Now there Megaera and Alecto come For to coact my metamorphosis But stay you Furies sure I will by some Vn-usuall tricke you disappoint in this Now with his sword to rob he doth intend Himselfe of life which should his life defend And as the point he presents to his breast Take courage wofull Calanthrop said he This heart of thine where earst did sorrows rest Now at one thrust shall quickly bee made free And this braue act shall eternize thy name Who death preferres before a living shame Mean while that maid whom he Megaera thought Taking her fellow by the hand did say Cousin by your advice we here are brought Le ts turne in time lest in these woods we stray Or shall we goe and make us pleasant posies For here 's good store of Violets and Roses This their discourse did suddenly denood Him so of sence that still hee did surmize Hee dream'd for such an vnexpected good As this he thought could hardly sympathize With his thrice more then miserable state Which winds with grones would through the world regrate By this his bloud begins againe retire Yet dare he not allow his eyes their due But still he lookes and looking doth admire This happy change he cannot thinke be true But to confirme what he before hath seene Even him beside vpon a flourie greene These wel-fac'd Furies who of late dismaid Him now begin againe to recomfort So that his furious enterprize he staid And rests content to see them make such sport For whilst their Lutes a Base or Tenour sound Their voyce in Alts sweet musicke doe abound Though that a man through melancholy mad Were so ore-gone that he could not abide No companie nor musicke for to glad His sp'rits yet such Musitians would assyde Soone banish grief by their heavenly voyce The saddest heart that ever was reioyce Now one of those belike of speciall worth Her selfe advances and her voyce doth raise Her brave intent thus prosecutes shee forth Which was to sing vnto her Mistres praise The rest applaud in hearing her rehearse This Dittie which herselfe had put in verse THE DITTIE OF A MAID MAiestick Iuno iealous was As Io well did finde Her Cow-heard Argus sight surpasse All mens yet was made blinde Through Morpheus aid and Syrinx note Asleepe he fell his charge forgot Vulcans faire wife the wanton plaid With moe then Mars you know At last the Smith her well repaid For his cornuted blow The Cent'nell Gallus he neglected So Mars his master him reiected Chaste Dian iustly may be taxt Of monstrous crueltie Who for one looke so angry waxt As could indure to see A man vsde vnhappy wife First hornd the man then tooke his life Ioves braine-bred daughter much ador'd Of Troians made descend From Heavens Palladium which instor'd them still and much defend Their Citie yet for all her wit The wâ—â—â—â— Greeke removed it There 's one whose beautie well may bee Compared to Ioves Queene No envie nor no iealousie Is or hath with her been All mortals may her praise proclaime LVCILLA is this Ladies name Venus was faire yet had a stain Faire Helen had the same Into her face a spot some faine But such hath not this Dame Lucilla's faire without disgrace No inchast spot is in her face The Huntresse chaste might well admit This Lady of her traine No cruell nor no cholerick fit Doth in her heart remaine She in this gift her sexe exceeds Chaste are her thoughts her words her deeds If prudent Pallas were on earth Her equall should she finde For solid wit as for rare birth Pallas surpast her kinde Yet had Lucilla Troy protected No forraine force had them eiected Each goddesse for one qualitie You see are still extold Should then not shee in whom agree all graces be inrold In scrolles of fame since free from fault Let all the earth her thus exalt A Iuno lacking iealousie A Venus stainlesse faire A Dian without crueltie For wit a Pallas rare Luciila's vertues shine as cleare As Phoebus in his highest spheare HER song thus ended presently one calles So they retire their Mistres to attend This maid who cal'd whereas the Spring devalles Still staid since first Lucilla did descend Into the Bathe where she hath staid so long That they 'r afraid her too much bathing wrong At her egresse the statues seeme to weepe For woe that faire Lucilla must depart Which matchlesse treasure they wold gladly keep Now from their eyes the water drops by art Likewise the water downe her body trilling As loath to part last on her feet stands billing Till that the Aire more subtill element His place doth claime which yet the water holds But now that raine by Aeols force halfe spent Which yet remaines one in a cloath infolds And so leaues Aire Water midst their store To trye whose interest greatest was before Quoth Neptune brother Aeolus I may You iustly taxe of breach of brotherhood Who most enioyes Lucilla night and day Not so content with Vesta you collude Still to prevent her wish'd approach to me For Brookes and Springs are mine as is the Sea Then Aeole thus with boystrous voyce reply'd Neptune Lucilla's not a fish belieue Nor can with finnes thy weltring waves divide Nor is she Sea-Nymph therefore do not grieue She leaue thy home by nature cold and wet By me she liues though Vesta's part were set Neptune replies Lucilla liues by you You 'l make her then a Salmond fish indeed For th' Aire those fish some say their food allow And by report they on nought els do feed But she 's no fish nor fowle nor bird that sings For as she gills doth lack so doth she wings My mates quoth Vesta may not I as well Some interest claime into this louely lasse Since her and such for to sustaine I feele Vpon my wombe the crooked plow oft passe And soript vp reintegrates with gaine To Bacchus wine and vnto Ceres graine Now came Acmonides the Cyclop swift And them commands in Vulcans name leaue off Such friv'lous talke els by some suddaine shift His master would them chastice him they scoffe And bad him tell his master they regard No whit his message far lesse such reward For quoth they though his region be aboue Ours plac't yet doth he beare no rule ore us And no superior saue the mightie Iove Will we acknowledge also tell him thus Choler abounds most in a furious beast But in Lucilla is his interest least Yet stay said Vesta let vs not despise His pow'r for when foolish Phaeton fell I got a hot memento to be wise Which yet my scorched Lybia can tell For guiltlesse I try'd then his fierie force Choler no reason yeelds nor hath remorse And Aeole likewise you 'l
confesse I hope You must giue place to Vulcans thundring clap Neptune likewise for all his boundlesse scope Is not content such in his bosome wrap For sure the habite of immod'rate heat Will watry Tethys to repine excite Now Vulcans selfe into their hearing roares And terribly midst fierie flames appeares Thorow the clowds he in his chariot soares At such a sight the hearts of humans feares And now twixt Aeole and the god of flouds He lights and leaues his Chariot mongst the clouds My friends quoth Vulcan will you play me so Shall I 've no part in faire Lucilla here In rationall and sensitive you know And vegitative creatures still I beare A part with you why then not so in this Who count before their Hoast they count amisse But yet you may perhaps mistake mee much To dominiere in such I doe not use So then I trust since that my humour 's such Me as copartner you will not refuse By nature shee participates of all Vs foure yet t'one must she be most in thrall Let 's therefore trye who hath this rule supreame Vesta shall bee disburdned of this charge Melancholie in her is not extreame Nor yet shall he who rules the rivers large Beare soveraigne rule so let him not contest For flegme in age it selfe best manifest Then Neptune thus spake in a chafing rage I hope one Venus Vulcan may suffice Lucilla's wit her choler doth asswage Therefore to him doth not belong this prize To Aire then yeeld her as we ought in dutie Since Sanguines onely doe possesse such beautie Thus then agreed Vulcan for Aetna makes Aeole doth still 'bove sea or earth abide For hee you know a locall mansion lackes Neptune returnes to rule his waters wide Vesta prepares herselfe to give account How farre her yearely increase doth amount BVt now to faire Lucilla must I turne Whom maids in rich apparrell gladly cloath Shee homeward tends whereat the woods doe mourne Calanthrop likewise wood and fountaine both Bids now farewell and in Lucilla's quest He goes which if attaind he thinkes him blest Ov'r hilles and vales through meads and dales hee runnes No steepie mountaine may his passage let At last hee sees her and at first two Sunnes Of which the brightest on the earth is set Hee thinkes he sees his obiect him deceives Againe hee lookes a womans face perceives But such a face the earth yeeldes not another For matchlesse beautie and behaviour brave No Naiad Driad no nor Cupids mother In lovelinesse compare with her may have Nature her made in Venus mould to sit Amending now what shee did then omit LVCILLA HER Description Even such she was Her haires gold wyre vnâ—wynd Resemble right which carelesly shee hung In greene silke-lace with silver wrought confynd Over her shoulders but her face no tongue Can giue the due her brow is Cupids throne Where hee vnseene delights to sit alone Her eyes like sparkling starres in frostie night Her nose even such as lovely Leda had Her partie-coloured cheekes grac't with delight Like Lillies mixt with Rose in Crymson clad Her lips sweet Rubie-red box-like inclose Her pearle-like teeth till she to smile dispose Her breasts as white as those two Swannes which draw Venus by coach to Paphos lovely hold Her hands like hers Achilles aeath fore-saw Yet could not brooke the touch of water cold For though she dipt the boy the flood beneath His heele kept dry which was in end his death Her feet like Thetis which none can remarke The print therof even where she newly walkt Her pace like Iuno's when in Ida parke With Pallas and the Queene of Loue she talkt In fine her better Nature never wrought Her shape can hardly be conceiv'd by thought THis rare admir'd sole quintescence of kinde With all her maids were now come to a place Hard by the sea where as they vse they finde Their Bark and Boat-men waiting but their pace Hath been so swift that through great heat even there They 'r forc'd sit downe to breathe and take the aire Now Calanthrop approches to be briefe For Cupid wounded vnawares his heart He sees their aime and sees it to his griefe He findes their Barke this aggravates his smart Yet at the Boat-men doth hee now enquire If they 'l transport him and receiue his hire Whereto they answer Good sir please you heare This Barke belongs vnto the loveliest Dame That this day liues who now belike is neare Vnto this place and wee her servants came Her to attend els willingly we would Receiue you sir if any way we could My friends sayd hee tell me where is your course If so in friendship I intreat you may For it is like that by a briefe discourse You giue content and I be pleas'd to stay In court'sie sir so much will wee you show To yonder land lyes opposite we goe There comes the Lady so if you acquire Her owne consent without reproach wee can Yeild you content so lest the time expire Put forth your sute for bee assur'd no man Shall you refuse to trannsport without wage For you 're but one and yonder comes a Page This Page delivers him two letters sent By some his friends which doth import great haste Yet 't is too late for now his heart was lent Els-where for his affections all were plac't In faire Lucilla who her Barke stands by And now to enter doth herselfe apply Whilst Boat-men striue to make their Barke cohere To land for their faire Ladies greater ease A maid comes running with exceeding feare And to her Lady thus spake Madame please I 've seene a man or Incubus belike And as she spake her breast with hand did strike Looke how a maid confynd in narrow way 'Mongst steepie rockes finding a Dragon sleep How tim'rously shee 'l stand yet no delay Her frighted heart can brooke for now to weepe Doth nought availe right so with feare now fild Shee ran away as though shee thought be kild But now the Mar'ners to relate begin Vnto Lucilla how a brave youth sought By them to haue transport her Barke within Take what they pleas'd for hire he cared nought A Gallant braue a stranger we him thinke Loe yonder comes he ' longst the river brinke Now Calanthrop a thousand wayes is vext Strange cogitations doe him so turmoyle He cannot stay to goe he is perplext Lest through presumption he receiue the foyle But goe he must how ere she him repute Loue so commands thus doth he her salute FAirest on earth wil't please you to allow Me who 's a stranger for to haue transport Into your comp'nie I solemnly vow If you be pleas'd to grace me in such sort In your defence command so when you list I 'le hazard life and if I dye I 'me blest For know deare Lady my adoes are great Even such wherein consist my blisse or baile So if I stay the Destinies doe threat Me with such death as makes my heart to quaile Even such a death that whilst
I liue I 'le dye And though I death desire death will me flye Therefore sweete Nymph since I haue told you plaine Beatifie me by your generous grant So shall I still your servant true remaine Whereof with credite I may iustly vaunt For such a Mistresse hath no mortall wight Gainst Mars himselfe I dare maintaine by fight Lucilla all this while attentively Remarkt his speech and felt she knew not what A more intire respect then vsually She heretofore to any bore whereat Aggriev'd her selfe of fondnesse doth reprove For she as yet ne're felt the force of love Yet this respect she caries to the youth I hope anone shall purchase him his fraught Now the sweet Organ of her lovely mouth Vtters such words as might haue Merc'rie taught Which words from out Loves lethagrie awake Young Calanthrop for thus to him she spake SVch titles sir I you intreat reserve As you give me for some of more desert For through selfe-loue many from honour swerve As those report in Nature most expert And if ambition once the heart subdue Honour wit vertue bid that heart adiew It may be Sir that you repute this strange That vndeserved many will assume Prerogatives and badly doe exchange Vertue with vice such is ambitions fume Those late repentance make their plumes decline Yet they ne're strive their hum ours to refine Let this suffice then now as to your suite Sir you shall know that we vse not permit Men in our comp'nie lest through scand'lous bruit Our spotlesse names in question come but yet Those Mar'ners you perhaps esteeme as men Yet are they Eunuchs though in number ten But lest your losse through our default accresse And we prove guiltie of your overthrow We will for this time our strict vse represse And for your weale our hazard vndergoe Since you 're a stranger then in charitie We should you aid if we may lawfully For this Calanthrop renders thousand thankes And on his knee offers her hand to kisse Which she refus'd now each in their own rankes Goe boord the Barke but ô what ioy by this Doth Calanthrop conceive now their saile They hoise for why they have a prosperous gale Now being imbarkt Neptune begins to ioy That he hath gaind which he of late was reft No wrinkling wave vpon his brow t'annoy Them now is seen no swelling surge is left Vpon the Oceans face but like to balme The seas appeare now through a pleasant calme Lucilla now the stranger plac't hard by Herselfe and seeing he so silent sate Smiling began she to enquire him why He lookt so sad or what he cogitate Whilst he so sate into a silent muse Whereat asham'd himselfe doth thus excuse MAdam by nature I 'me melancholy Yet doe I think by casuall accident This humour much more is infus'd in me Which if I could I gladly would prevent But so it is I 'me forc't to taste the soure And bittet sap whilst others smell the floure For know deare sweet the Fates doe so ordaine Whilst others ioy that I in woe must waile The blinde-borne Archers shaft I entertaine My heart within this makes me looke so pale And which is worse with griefe I pine and mourne She lovelesse lives mids Cupids flames I burne And yet in truth thus farre I must confesse I silent grieue for such I never shew To her directly neither did adresse My selfe to sute such for I thought I knew Already that I labour would in vaine And poure forth plaints to one would me disdaine Yet since I see that silence will redound To my great losse likewise in such a case It is not requisite lest I confound My selfe and so my fortunes all intrace In grizely lab'rynth of pale-looking woe I 'le speake in time heavens aid me thereinto The Mar'ners all this time were sleeping neere And glad to rest for they out-waked were Lucilla's maids apply'd themselues to heare The Page discourse no longer time deferre Would Calanthrop but since the time so serves Proceedes yet trembling feare possest his nerves For he was feard the Mar'ners might awake Or that the maides might to his speech advert He likewise feard Lucilla faire might take Exception by his words and so insert His name and hopes in scrolles of pale reiect Yet he resolues this speech to her direct THrice fairer then the fairest that doth breath Ortrampe downe Tellus by their harmlesse foote More worth to me then life do not in wrath This as presumption vnto me impute That I sore loue-sick must thy pitty crave For thou it's onely must me kill or save Thou whose Idea in my heart is fixt So firmly that no death can it remoue Let thy great beautie be with mercie mixt Pittie is cal'd the ornament of loue Pittie those shrowds disdaine would whip with roddes It 's pittie onely makes vs like to goddes Sweet lovely faire please you remember right When I of you my transport did obtaine I told you that my stay would marre my spright And through transport I should lost ioy regaine So true it is for since you shew such grace You gave me life by looking in your face For such like matter I ne're thought vpon As of transport but glad was to conceale My love vntill such time as there was none Hard by to heare what I to you reveale For since sweete loue I saw you in the wood I still esteem'd you my sole earthly good Even then when you did richly benefite The colding spring with touch of your faire hide The fountaine bathe within for to repeate What ioy the whole spectators were beside Did then conceive would scarcely purchase trust But as for me appeare no way I durst For whilst I on the fountaine statues gaz'd You marcht so swift with all your lovely bond That I by such great beauties much amaz'd Into a bush hard by my selfe abscond And all the while you did the bathe inure I silent sate with small content I 'me sure Cause I Diana absolute esteem'd You for such beautie humanes not possesse As you enioy so wisht I be exeem'd From such like comp'nie lest that such distresse Might me befall as him who wore Harts horne First on his head then by his dogges was torne But when I saw that dangers all were past And that you were a humane creature When you were gone I follow'd after fast Loves fierie faggots so my heart combure Such bait gave Cupid on a guilded hooke I could not stay till I you over-tooke So now sweet heart since opportunitie Hath made me fort'nate granting me such time My loue t' impart to your selfe privatly Grant me your favour that amidst the prime Of my yong yeares I may more ioy conceive Then Nestor old in all his life did have In thy sweet selfe my spotlesse loue 's ingraft In thee is plac't my ioyes and whole content Let not disdaine by his fastidious craft Frustrate my hopes nor yet my ioyes prevent For Nat'ralists this maxime oft observes A lovely face
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
receive yet would the youth admit no such excuses Twice more then thrice the horse would not permit the Prince him back Prodigious presage which foreshews the riders speedy wrack Hard by the lake there haunts a Beare a monster for a beast Who by the space of thirtie yeares those woods did haunt at least This beast mongst brakes pricklie thornes all day still lurking lay And when dark night black mantle spred then went to seek his pray The night preceeding he had straid abroad to seek his food His late trac't steps though not by sent might well bee knowne by blood There did the hounds by fatall chance finde out the recent sent With librall mouths against the clouds their voice they largely spent This quick approach soon rousde the Beare from out his lothed hold The hounds give chalenge he againe gives them encounter bold Now huntsmen came where at the hounds with courage fresh begin A new pursute yet none so bold as once to tooth his skin The knights with darts the Beare so wound that void of all remorse This desp'rate beast afflicted thus the yong Prince did vnhorse Their darts are spent no shot they have so all their helpe is vaine Maugre them all before their eyes Thessalia's Prince is slaine A steepie rock conteines a cave the Beare long vsd before Thither went he with dogges convoy of him they saw no more Huntsmen with sad and sorie hearts their cloathes they all to rent Home with the corps they sadly move this hunting they repent But when the Duke this obiect saw a wofull one indeed He and Lucilla all the rest in sorrow did exceed Helplesse is their excessive griefe though nat'rall bee their mone Nature to life can nere restore whom death hath once vndone But yet the Duke makes narrow search to guerdon the offender And still the Beare for this his paines bad thanks again doth render For whom the beast conveens withall may hee prevaile with rage Them makes he smart without respect of person sexe or age So this abuse hath causd the Duke stil hoping for amends Him to assist to kill the Beare intreat his neighbouring friends And as I shew you we expect them next ensuing weeke So this is all concerning this I know or yet can speake Yet this I 'me sure some gallants will fearlesly try their strength And for their loues couragiously abbreviate the length Of their strong launce into the Beare if they may him conveene Not caring for his crush or bite his choler rage or spleene But now me thinks I heare a horne therefore must I bee gone So pray you sir apardon me for leaving you alone Farewell my friend quoth Calanthrop good successe still enioy I shall not stay here long alone for yonder comes my boy This rare Discourse of yours hath me affoorded such content That if hereafter we conveene you's thinke this time well spent THE Forrester thus gone now comes the Lad And tells his master that he had prepar'd An Inne but quoth he I good fortune had Else mongst those woods I doubtlesse had been snar'd A wench I found which did direct mee right The gainest way vnto the Cities sight A stately Citie it appeares to me A goodly Inne where you may be well easd The merriest man that ever I did see Is that your Hoast Sir if you so be pleasd Wel grounded walls high large passing strong The Citie guard from iniurie or wrong Many braue Knights perambulate the streete Who come to hunt as Citizens report Some rav'nous beast who badly doth intreat The countrey people so that to be short Each man provides him horse and hounds and lance Against the hunts his honour to advance By this discourse now Calanthrop did finde That all was true the Forrester disclosd Still doth the Page according to his minde Solve all demands his master him proposd Now came they to the Cities Easterne wall Found patent gates such fortune did befall Then went they to their Inne the ready way They supt and then betooke them to their rest Next morning early by the breake of day Calanthrop cald his Page to him exprest Some part his mind gives crowns bids him goe Buy horse and lance apparrell black also The Page did shortly his desire fulfill Returnd and shew him all that he had done Each thing contented him so to his will Next morning he intends for to be gone And view the hunts the Duke and Knights condigne For hunting sport that day did all assigne When day appear'd each man to palace sought The Duke t' attend yet Calanthrop abode Still with his hoast till all were gone then thought He best to goe so to the wood he rode His courteous hoast did him such favour yeild As to conduct him to the hunting field But e're they came the game was well begun So they retyr'd expecting the event Vnto a shade bright Phoebus beames to shun Now doth the Beare boldly himselfe present He fearlesse beast ' ginnes such encounter give His tuskes and pawes both hounds and huntsmen grieve At this the Knights seeme all to be asham'd To kill the Beare they all at once conspire But this designe is worthy to be blam'd He who intends true honour to acquyre His foe with equall number should assaile Then merits praise if he doe so prevaile Yet notwithstanding of their multitude The Beare perswades them to a sham'd retreite Many brave Knight he of their armes denude Which sight did val'rous Calanthrop incite For seeing how each Knight did court'sie straine Who first should try himselfe the Beare againe Heroick hee impatient of delay On his black Courser from the thicket rushes The beast inrag'd him meetes in middle way In his thick hide the lance in peeces frushes Yet for all that meane while the Knight dismounts The Beare a trick him taught next time he hunts For ere the Knight could well vnsheath his sword The Beare him wounds a little on the arme But now the gallant quickly him affoord Due recompence for his intended harme Florisht his sword aloft then with a thrust He mindes to punish crueltie vniust The beast perceives his aime in this hard case By shift of body doth the thrust avoyd And for this kindnesse offers him t' imbrace The Knight could not such demonstrations bide But sensibly he made the Beare to know Come was the time he must his life forgoe With ore-thwart stroke bravely the Knight divides The Beares left legge largely two yards and more Full from the other Intrals through his sides Fall out amaine now in his bloody goare The beast lies kild by Calanthrops brave hand Whereat amaz'd the whole spectators stand Calanthrop quickly now remounts his Steed Hastes to the place where he had left his hoast The Duke and Knights admire this noble deed Though none of them thereof may iustly boast Therefore the Duke sends to request the Knight To come receive the honour of the fight But Calanthrop not willing bee cognost Himselfe
Is this Sophona els am I deceiv'd Goe fetch her quickly she perchance my care May ease which of her mistresse I receiv'd Heavens grant it so yet what way can I chuse To give her presence I can not refuse Now doth Calanthrop Sophona embrace Their salutations beeing finished Vnto a window they remov'd a space Sighes show his griefe is not diminished Faire Lady quoth he to a loyall heart You may your pleasure now at length impart Sir Tristius quoth Sophona I intreate You be not wroth I come to visite you Nor for my words repute me indiscreet For to my knowledge I most firmly vow I will not speake the thing may you offend Proceed quoth he faire Lady heavens defend I should be wroth at any Ladies words And namely those who faire Lucilla serve Since I 'me her knight with reason it accords I should such dutie towards her observe As strive to doe her meanest servants good In dangers la b'rinth though I me intrude Well then quoth she ever since you came here I have perceiv'd you wonderfully sad The reason hereof I doe much admire Your face declares your heart 's in sorrow clad To see so brave a knight it grieves me much As you so subiect vnto sorrowes touch Therefore I here the gods supreame obtest To witnesse this my true and kinde intent That since I see your minde is so opprest If you 'le shew mee the cause I shall consent To ayd you in each loyall endevour With secresie and diligence in store O blest Sophona wilt thou say me so Shall I beleeve thy Nectar-tasted speech 'Fore heavens quoth she what ever you me show I shall keepe secret and I you beseech If that my paines can stand you in good stead Shew me your minde and fearlesly proceed Indeed faire Lady I will then declare Thee all my griefe Love doth my heart molest Disdaine oft drives me very neare despaire Lucilla so bereaves my minde of rest Her love her love oft makes my hart to quaile For why I see no meanes for to prevaile Nor can I finde a time to shew my minde Vnto her selfe so Lady if you doe Be pleasd to show me such a favour kinde As finde a mean how I may speake her to Of me you shall have such reward allowd As you shall thinke your travell well bestowd Sir quoth Sophona you shall vnderstand No gifts can move Sophona to deceive Her loving mistresse but since your demand Is so discreet and sorrowes which you have Are passing great then bee you rul'd by me I 'le shew you when you may convenientlie Speake with my Lady this advice receive This very night some Lords will act a maske In the great hall so when you speech would have When they begin see you for me doe aske Hard by Lucilla you shall have a place And when you please I shall remove apace O sweete Sophona wise is thy advice Have here this Iewell for thy kinde assent As thou hast said so shall I enterprise Heavens grant that Fortune thereto give consent Now to the end I may avoid rebuke I will be gone for to attend the Duke Sophona now I thinke with merrie cheare Went to her mistresse who did then expect Her wisht returne yet not without some feare Although the message she did much affect And when Sophona came into her sight Twixt hope and feare vext was Lucilla's spright Hope tels her all is well be not afraid Take courage for thy comfort quickly comes Feare sayes it is not so which tale dismaid Her so that griefe her sences all benummes And ill advisd to try Lucilla's thought At first Sophona seem'd bad newes t' have brought How soone she went to try Calanthrops minde Lucilla to a chamber did retire And there herselfe most secretly confin'd Whereat her maides did very much admire For she in vse had ne're such formes of old Yet to enquire the reason none so bold Sophona findes her tumbling on a bed And making to herselfe a secret moane But at Sophona's sight her passions fled Yet every word 's prevented by a groane Now vp she rose then said with sighing breath Sophona sweete what newes Is 't life or death Madam quoth she I went at your command To trye your knight his vertue or his vice My voyage was like theirs who plow the sand Or those who search for fire beneath the yce At which Lucilla shrunk right where she stood Like to a snow-ball cast into some flood Which Sophona perceiving gript her fast Cursing the time that e're she so did iest Through her complaints Lucilla woke at last Then faintly said how sweete is death his taste And still Sophona pittifully cries Pardon Madam for what I said is lies Whereat she faintly heaveth vp her head Saying O heavens sweet heavens where am I now In heaven or earth or am I'mongst the dead She strives to stand her feeble sinewes bow Weakned through feare but yet she at the length Pac't vp and downe and so regain'd some strength Sophona now craves pardon for the wrong Which she had done her through her misreport Lucilla said Sophona thou art strong Enough to glad me by a wisht support But here before the gods I thee adiure That thou thy mistresse of the truth assure By heavens Madam this is the veritie This day I 'me sure you have the worthiest knight That lives or loves void of infirmitie I heard his plaints yet kept me out of sight Not so content I went and spoke him faire Whereby I tryd him to a very haire Blest gods what doe I heare what what words what Sophona sweet I pray doe but remaine And once repeate that Nectar-speech even that Of force sufficient fetch a ghost againe From darkest region of infernall shade To Limbus patrum where all ghosts be glad In truth Madam I pittied his complaint When in his waylings hee most plainly shew Loves passion made his loyall heart to faint And when I did his countenance review The figure of disdaine and black disgrace Pale discontent had portrait in his face Lucilla faire Lucilla did hee call Pittie deare sweet pittie thy love-sick slave For thee who would to death his life inthrall A truer love shall never woman have Aye me aye me wilt thou not pittie him That for thy love the Stygian lake would swim When thus I heard him truth I must confesse I could not chuse but sigh Madam how now I think you strive vs t' imitate vnlesse You spare those groanes I will the same avow No Madam no beleeve me if you please You are the authour of his great vnease Now Madam harke mee hee did mee intreate That I would move you for to give him eare In some convenient place for to repeate His plaints whereby his passions might appeare Therefore Madam pray be not discontent At maske this night I wild him be present Where he shall have a time convenient Whilst all the rest are exercysd in daunce To tell his griefe as is
could not speake Whereat she smiling said and clapt his cheeke SErvant you men have a deceiving wit When you your mistres favour would acquire No sugred sentence doe you then omit Some lying sp'rite doth so your hearts inspire For when you seek to foyle poore womens fame Vnder a loves pretext serve you not blame It 's sayd that women when they list can weepe And men in love can when they please looke pale What passions plaints griefe groanes and sighes you keepe In store for to obscure a fained tale Likewise you 'le mourne like Crocodils with teares For ayd while as your false intent appeares With sweetest songs like Marmaids you 'le inchaunt The chastest eare when nothing else can doe it Blest are those women who in time dis-haunt Such smooth-tongu'd Sycophants who move them to it When plaints sighes groanes tears songs cannot prevaile By truthlesse praises you our sexe assaile One sweares his Nymph is more than Venus faire When one would thinke her Aethyopian borne Ioves Queene to her most sure hath no compare Squint drouping lookes her gesture so adorne How meek she is most lovely is her grace When fye on her she hath Alectoes face Now Dian must not be so chast as shee Though Lais-like shee have a loving heart Pallas I gesse no way so wise may bee For she can skill of Mopsa's hood-winkt art Penelope so constant none did finde As she whose Thain-like thoughts move with each wind And hee 'l maintaine she secretes can conceale Though scarce so well as babes who late got vse Of blabbing tongue ' who all they heare reveale Yet in one thing she merit may excuse Proud is she not perhaps against her will Cause to attaine the same she lacketh skill Her golden haires though crow-black will he guild Her starre-like eyes looke sleepie yet must glance Her snow-white cheekes an Amber colour yeeld Her proper nose huge great and crook't perchance Her Rubie-lips remaine of purple dye Her pearle-like teeth like Currall men espy Her Ivorie hands are wrinkled like a frogge Her comely breasts are such as babes forsake Her heavenly voyce sounds like a barking dogge Her breath perfum'd would make a whole head ake In end his mistres pardon he exhorts Cause of her worth he sparingly reperts And if we will not trust you then you 'le sweare The cursed'st oathes that ever mortal heard By this meane doe you banish all our feare Which to our losse oft turneth afterward That this is true servant be you assur'd Yet heavens defend that each man were periur'd But come sweet servant pray you tell me this Can there be love where that the truth 's conceald Some speciall reason may excuse that misse Madam quoth he though love by truth be seald Yet if a man can yeeld no reason good Their mistresse iustly may their sute exclude But Madam I intreate if that you can Shew me the woman that such wrong hath got Or what 's the name of that disloyall man That hath his honour staind with such a blot Servant quoth she my selfe the woman be And you the man that did the wrong to me Did I Madam did I yes servant you Yet shall it ne're be publish to your shame O grieve not servant till I tell you how Is not my knight cald Tristius to his name Wherat he blusht what quoth she is 't not so I 'le make you then speake true before you goe So if thou love me presently declare Thy proper name and what reason thou had For to conceale the same and so to spare The truth for truth with honour's ever clad Madam my life I weigh not to your love Therefore this is the truth by heavens above When first to you I did present my suite Heavens know my minde to you was ever true Yet you a foole or mad man me repute For why as then of love you nothing knew So nought regarding me you took good night And left me God knowes with a grieved spright Since for your love I had my countrey left My parents friends and all my royall state Your heavenly beautie so of sence bereft Me that asham'd I curst my cruell Fate Likewise I curst those contrarie aspects In birth beare rule in life work bad effects Sham'd to returne to my owne native soyle Because that I was ty'd eternally Vnto your beautie and had given the spoyle To you of all my former libertie For this cause in these woods and vnknowne wayes I Hermit-like resolv'd to spend my dayes Thus then resolv'd I to the forrest went A little after I came from your barke My Page to seek some Innes for me I sent When he was gone a grove I did remarke There lay I downe and there bewaild my griefe To sencelesse things which could yeeld no reliefe Incontinent a man I did perceive To me he came and asked if that way There came some huntsmen I againe did crave In any sort he would be pleasd to stay And show me how they cal'd this countrey where I now remaind at my request even there He told me all that I desir'd to know Thereafter went in truth I know not whither Most glad in heart of that he did mee show I rousd my selfe and then my Page came thither And told me that my Inne he did provide Into a towne where many knights abide Expecting on the hunting of a Beare Who had the countrey people much abusd Then for thy sake my love and dearest deare I thought I merit blame if I refusd To hazard life and that if I were slaine My worth vnknowne perpetuall might remaine For this cause I my proper name forsooke That likewise if I perisht through disdaine Vnder the name of Tristius I might brookes Oblivion which in death was all my gaine This was the reason which did most me move Obscure my name lest I succumb'd in love But since thou hast commanded me to tell My proper name I shall the same impart Deare love thou knowst the countrey where the well Once easd thy mother of a poysnous smart Of rich Epirus and that healthfull Spring Thy knight and servant Calanthrop is King Thou therefore who hast long my love inthrald Since time so serves deare sweet love be not coy With Epires crowne thy head shall be impald Each earthly pleasure shalt thou there enioy I care not for thy father nor thy friends So I have thee let them goe crave amends I'mesure it grieves thee much to bee confin'd Continually in chamber doth it not Aye me dearesoule that thou shouldst bee so pin'd And captive made by him who thee begot Kisse me sweet love and I shall make thee free My Epire ships through sea shall carrie thee My Calanthrop quoth she couldst thou acquire My fathers grant it would my minde much ease Then blamelesse might I grant thee thy desire Children should strive their parents wrath t' appease Yet I 'me afraid if thou propone such thing It thy designe to hindrance great doe bring High
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