race And whylst amongst the courtly trayne I servde the princes grace There came to me this Polinesse who with a smyling chere And glosing woords gan long discoursâ— what friendship he did beare To me and how his whole desire was to obteyne my loue Which for to get with tedious sute he séekes me long to proue But see as forced watch doth make the sauage Hauke to fist As strained bitte the Coult vntamd doth make apt to the lift So did this Dukes continuall sute enforce me to consent In hope of lawfull mariage vnto his false intent The conquest gaind he showes him pleas'd and I in hope of blisse Doo finde my selfe not discontent at thappâ— happe of this This past and I remayning still within the princesse court Upon a day Duke Polinesse thus to me gan report If that I thought my former woords wherof such perfect force As mought qd he from wauering minde all damps of dought dâ—uorâ—e I would refraine that now I mynde in presence here declare And closly in my secrete mynde such passions I would spare But déede shal showe the summe qd he of my well meaning hart And eke in woordes my iust intent to thee I shall impart Thou knowst qd he what goulden tyme in seruice I haue spent In hope to gayne at last for hyre the princesse like assent Thou partli knowst my faithful hart and loyall loue to hir Thou knowest what diuers waies â— vs'd hir friendship for to styre But only I to wel haue known how euel she did requite My vowed troth and how my loue she had in great despite Which when with griefe I vewd qd he I sought by reasons skill To maister loue and by aduise to tame affections will. And thinking that the second nayle could soone expell the first I hardly finde this moysture can asswage my former thrust Thus tost am I with bylowes great of great vnrest qd he And onely finde by sage aduise this only â—uertie I thinke qd he the heauens it will that that selfe same attyre Which she did weare when first I did so much her loue desire Should quite my former thraled hart of euell requsted loue And from thy breast it doughts remaynâ— dispairing doughts remoue Wherfore I will that with those robes that prince in feast doth wearâ— Hard by the outwast houses thou Dalinda shalt appeare To me where I in scorne of prince will tosse her princely trayne And ther refigne the latest fittes of my long proued payne With smal request I graunted haue to his so sugred tale And to th appointed place also to come I did not fayle Wher I in robes of princes grace when sleape the prince possest With Iuâ—ls tablets cheins ringes did yelde to his request This same was it and that was I whome straunger so didisée The night when feast in court was heldâ— wherof princesse is free But heare oh king the ende of all iudge of this traitrous part Sée how the filed woords agreed with false disceitfull hart When giltles thus Lurcanio had accus'd the princesse grace And when for trial of her truth the tyme and setted place Was known to all Duke Polinesse still caught I thinke with feare Least that this treason done by vs mought any wayes appeare And doughting still my secret mynde he sought the only way By former pleasant â—ained woords â—o worke my last decaye And feeding then my hungry vayne with Duches princely state He mindes to put in practise now his long pretensed hate And sending me with Ruffians two vnto a desert woode In steede of present mariage he seekes to shead my bloud But see betwixt their dredful bladeâ— whylst knelyng I dyd pray And whilst for ende of my last words the tormenters did â—â—aye This Knight my guide aryvd vpâ—n the place where I should dye who savd my lyfe and forst my fooes to leaue theyr armes and flye Thus haue you hard oh king qd she the troth of treason strongâ— My gained death his like desert and your sustayned wrong The summe of all this cruel crime disclos'd thus to eche â—are Reuiues theyr â—ying â—ares that earst were caught with dreadfull feare But Polinesse that heares theffeâ—â— of all this cruell deede Disâ—losed thus a heape of griefes which in his head doo breede Yet as he had a countnance earst to woorke his owne deâ—ayr So he denâ—â—s all that which now Dalinda did bewray And proferst thervâ—on to trie his troth against his foe In combat fight and gauntlet he vnto the ground doth throw As chalenger which Raynold spies and doth receiue hâ—s gage In mynde without a lenger stay the battell for to wage And once â—â—ayde in euery point fit for a mortall fight They mount on Stéeds and with the speares ecne seekes his foe to spight Duke Polinesse discharged hath his speâ—re that clymes the skies But through both breast and backe the speaâ—â— of stout Raynaldo hics Which when the Duke perceiues and féeles the panges of present death And knowes his life doth fade away through want of gasping breath He yeldes him selfe as recreant and dyâ—ng doth confesse In circumstance the treason which Dalinda did expresse And how inforst throgh ielous minde which he did then suspect Twixt princesse and Ariodant he was thertâ— direct Then how his last deuise he vsde to moue Ariodant That only his desired loue the Prince in hart did plant Which only sight I know qd he was cause of straungers death And with that woord his sinful soule resingde his wicked breath Whose carcase was no sooner dead and life had lost his force But in the mydst of flashing flames his wounded senceles corse Entombed was with ioyful shouts that God did saue the right And with deserued punishment he did the giltie quight But she whose fired mynde to die did loth a lenger lyfe Augmenteth rather wonted woes then wants hir former strife Wherfore she is in mynde oftymeâ— to taste thâ— force of fyre For rather that then lothsome lyfe she gladly gan requyre â—he king whose aged head did earst tast neâ—er such great ioye To see the princesse giltles tryde doth wonted cares distroy Who first calles for Ariodant that fought for Princes grace Of whom he freÌ„dly craues the sight of his desired face Wherfore his head péece layde asidâ— his visage is bewrayde And then to pensâ—ue Princes thus he knéelyng briefly sayd How here oh thrise renouned prince had falshood brought to ende Thy woorthy race whose spotles lyâ—e with saynts may wel contend How nere had tresons force preuaild how neare had vile disceit Entrald thy noble giltles hart with hidden falshods baytes But oh how neare had my mistrust ben cause of thy decaye whose wretched head to sugred talkâ— to greatly did obey wherfore not only Polinesse ne this Dalind deserue A shamefull death but myser I whose faithles hart did swerue So farre frâ—m duties lore as gaines an euerlasting paine And as he would haue ferder sayd through griefe his lippes refrayn From farder
doth make his name excell Therfore as I am Princesse true I voâ—n Ariodant By him that Skies and Earth did frameâ— and trees and herbes did plant Til lise doth leaue my careful corpse to loue thee faithfullie As euer Lady loued her féere in spite of vyle aduersitie She sayd and down to ground she falles in sound and drawes no breath Long time as one that had reâ—ind her life to wished death And when she doth reuiue againe the stilling teares depart Like siluer droppes from drowned â—yes and gastlie sighes from hart Thus leaues she Ladies companie and shunnes eche kind of sport In stéed wherof to desert walkes shée dayly doth resort Where sundrie thoughts opresse her mind now feare for to obtayne Like loue of him for whom she doth these passions hard susteine And now the Kings consent she feares whose hest she must obey And eke whose mynd is chiefly bent t encrease her slate eche way These arguments full fraught with doubt are rise within hir brayne And if she finde one pleasant thought a thousand griefes remayne Like fittes doo saint Ariodant that wandring here and there Can finde no plare to case his paine nor damp his doughts of feare Wherfore his bloâ—d consumes away his sleshe to boanes doo fade His colour whan as clod of clay most like a senslesse shade The youthfull sutes which earst he ware vnworne doo â—ye in chest And now the black and tawny hew doth please this heauy gest In fine these fittes so much annoye his wery irksum life That now he seekes vnhappie man to fall on persing knife Lurcanio that marks this change and sees with woo this state And feares least that he mought be wayle his brothers griefâ— to late Spies out at length both tyme and place for to discharge his mynde To him and listing tare required spends thus his boteles winde HOw long shall these consuming fittes increase thy brothers gâ—iefe From whom vnkind thou hidst thy cares thâ—t seekes for thy reliefe What meaues I say these pâ—ning paines whence springs these sluddes of care What feuer fit hath forced thee thus ruthâ—ully to fare Why speakest thou not why stayes thy touÌ„g disclose thy long disease And wylt thou thus with shortning dayes the heauenly ghostes displease If sicknes do opresse thy corps then physicks counsel vse If fond conceytes of matters past do forse thee for to muse And shun the ioyes that here be vsed then seeke swete musikes art Which wil they say all heauy dumps to ioyfull fittes conuart Perhaps the apre of this land thy nature doth dytest And makes thee thus to féele disease and taste vnquiet rest If that it be no feare of death tyme wyll weare that away As earstit did when in the Seaâ— this part we learnd to play But what doth meane this mourning wâ—eds and lothsâ—me tawnic hew As though thou hadst thy fredom lost to serue fond Uenus crewe If so thou hast aduise thee well so choyse be egall plaste Beware in tyme shunne froward dame least wind and woords be west By proufe I say my brother I this lesson short is trewe The Faulkner seld is suer of Hauke till she be close in mewe Therfore let wittes be guid to déedes thou warnd mayst learn to lyue Shun thraldoms yocke thy brother biddes that doth this councell giue Ariodant that hard this speache but reason nought estéemed With strayned voice thus answer made as one with care consumd As you haue sayd my brother deare a lethsome lyfe I leade But wheÌ„ce or wher or he wit comes t is hâ—â— from me in deede No quaâ—taine fit hath freated me ne fury fond of mynd Ne change of skyes but gods aboue thâ—â—â—lage haue iust assingd For my fore passed dayes in sinne wherfore let this content Thy doutfull head sith iust it is which Ioue himselfe hathsent Think you these toyes of veneire â— should lodgâ— within my braine Or Ladies loue in hope to win should make me thus sustaine Those sâ—orching griefes and pyning paines and stormâ— of deadly smart No no those fittes most ferdest be from my vnskilfull heart Wherfore in 〈◊〉 I thus conclude as sinne did smart deserue So Ioue that high and mightie God from pitie will not swerue This answer made â—urcanio dâ—parts with pleased mind Now deâ—ing least but word for word as he had hard to find Ariodant that nought was moued to leaue his wanted woes For brothers words to whom his loue he hates for to disclose Doth still consume a wery lyfe with endles griping payne And dayly feare augments his doole least loue be voud in vayne Besides thinks he if she should yelde like loue to my desert And then by loue vnegall we should foresed â—e to part These eyes should neuer sâ—e againe the rayes of Titans lyght But poyson strong or bathed blade my desprat death should dight But yet if she would rue my care I â—orst not Princely might For rather then the loue should slackeâ— we suro would make a flight And better it is in my conceâ—t to liue in pouerâ—ie With ioye then in these cancred carâ—s to tâ—st flouddes of prosperitie For iâ—ye bryngs health to aged limmes when cares consume the corse And ioy doth make lâ—ng lyfe to men when couples care deuorse What profits welth to â—yuâ— in woe what gyines possessiâ—ns great When heart is veâ—t continually with cares of firie heat The best and happie state I count in this vnstable lyfe Is pleasure plast with quietnes denoyde of stormes of stryfe Should we then let in hope to finde this wiâ—hâ—â—â—â—litie To leaue a Princâ—â—â— Pallas fraught with this â—yle miserie And i st not better tayle for â—ence with willyng sweat of browe And laboryng hand to dyg and dâ—lue or els to dryuâ— the plowe And then when labour finisht is to sit by tâ—sting fyre And sing and whyâ—â—le mirely with gaine of earned hyre Then here in court to goe as braue as rayes of glistryng Sunne And haue a hart that dayly seekes his vital breath to shunne Besides what shame can turn to vs to liue in soyle not known For banisht wights but laboring soules to toyle to keepe our owne Oh that these woords mought once procede from those thy rubâ—e â—ippes Whosâ— countnance shape and comlines hath forst me feele these fittes For at the least till thou shalt take some pitie of my care These grieâ—s paÌ„gs of wished death my ghost wil neuer spare Thus makes his faltring tengue an end and he on tumblyng bed Doth cast his weake and wery lyins wheâ— now from troubled â—ead Doth passe soft slumbring â—â—cape and now in dreame appeare Two ladies dect with robes of gould that purpuâ— haue do weare Upon their heads two crowns they had well set with precious stone And in their hand Ieneuora that semd to make great mone Thus past they soorth with stately steps and now approch the place Where he doth lye and thus begins the one with seemly grace BEhould thine owne Ariodant
craue his aide with forced might to yelde to him againe The place which he by right should haue which others now doo gayne therwith ould Slumber gan imploy with careful mynd his might To conquer Hope or els to dye himselfe amidst the fight And with his Ingin he doth scale the fort but meanly mande And through the wall doth make a way for to conduct his bande This seene poore Hope as vanquisht man not able to defende Him from the whyrling dartes that Sléepe about his cares doth sende Doth yelde himselfe cendicionally that next to Slumber hée Within his batterd castell may be second in degrée The conquerour doth graunt here to poore Hope is peakte away And now doth Dreame amidst the presse his drowsie part well playe But Night that is the generall of all this sâ—â—ggish crewe Gan from the fardest Orient â—â—ast the mornyng playnly vewe Then least he should to long abide he seuds the Herault out The Oule y with her croked trump cries Retreat to the rout Wherby the armie leaues the land and flittes to Leathian seas Wher they abide till Night againe shall yeld them former ease The cocke Auroras messenger sends foorth from stretched throte With flâ—ckring wings roused lym his cherefull mornings note Hope heer 's this sound theÌ„ he know his foe is fledde away Wherfore within his secret caue no longer he can stay But to his former crased fort with hastie foote he plies Wher entring in Ariodant doth lie before his eyes Who was one of his souldiers when that sleape did geue the foyle And taken eke a prisoner as he for Hope did toyle But by good hay no harme he had saue only in his headâ— A littell scarre of fond dispayre that drousie Dreame had made Him Hope doth comfort as he can and with a lustie cheare No hâ—rme qd he dismay thée not discharge this filthy feare Herewith the séely crased man doth leaue his easie bed And hath concluded secreatly within his vexed head To leaue the Duke and to returnâ— vnto the court agayne Least by his still abiding there the Duke mought seeke a meane To searcâ—e of him the truth herein which though he loth to showe yet mought such wordâ— procéed vnwares as therby harme mought grow Wherforeâ— when Duke of Albany had left his chambers rest Ariodant with bowed knée gan of his grace request For to depart his license anâ— his fauour for to haue And he thogh with vnwilling mind doth graunt that he doth craue Thus leaues the straunger Polinesse and he with spéed to court Doth plie againe for to renewe his fourmer ioye and spourt yet can he not by any meanes the sight of showed ring Forget though hope with pleasant wordes good signes of ioye doth bring By this he is aryude amongst the crewe of Courtiers stout That ioye to sée him safe retournde among that lusâ—y rought His brother eke Lurcanio inforst by course of kynde Doth welcome home Ariodant with ioyfull pleasant mynde And of such iestes as happened since he did leaue the court Unto his brothers lustinge eares he makes along report But he this carefull louer that is ny caught with dispayre Doth somon all his wittes at once to helpe in this affayre And sith vpon two fickell pointes his present state dependes To take aduise or he beginnes his wyly head intendes I Nede not now for to recount what guyle Duke polynesse Did vse with Princes Dyamond tannoy his hidden gesse Nor how â—e faild â—f his intent â—e of the diuerse talke That now from Polinessos lippes and now from straungers walke but al you know my Lords how y Ariodant did feare That this was the selfe Dyamond he gaue his Ladie deare which fere so toâ—t his troubled brain that as a man forâ—orne He shuns eche youthfull companie and life he had in scorne To ease these fittes two only wayes this carefull louer spies Wherof as present state did craue he gan this to deuise Firstly thinks he if with my pen I causles should accuse Or els in presence by complaint I blameles should abuse The Princes grace to whom I must accombt me chiefly â—ound Whose zelous mynd except I faile I faithfull oft haue found If that I shuld once moue I say these doughtfull thoughts of myne Under her grace by letters sent or els before her eyne For to aâ—cuse her troth vnknowne then let vs sée the ende Hereof and to what passe our taunting tale would tend At first as well she mought in dede she should bestow on me At fond suspecting louers name and most vntrue to be That at the sight of euery toye would take occasion To blame her troth and eke to liuâ— in vile suspicion Then after that for to withdraw her loue so euell employd And eke repent that such an one so long hath it enioyd Which if these â—ies shâ—ld once behold these hands with bloudie knife Sâ—uld take reuenge vpon my tonguâ— by ridding of my lyfe And if she grâ—untâ— as vile dispayre perswades me for to deeme I mean that she doth loue this Dukâ— and euell of me estéeme If this she say what then tell me what 's then our remedyâ— In faith by corâ—â—es bane or corâ— to die in misery Againe if to my self I should these secrets sole impart Lett es sée if this may change our 〈◊〉 or els our cares conuert This charge qd he to make the salue that cures the burning wâ—und Tasswage the humors cold that dotâ— the patient â—ye confound As hard iâ— is â—o ease the wight with freting furious meat Whom feâ—â—rs force continually to â—â—â—ning bones doth eate So hard it is that silence which augments my misery Shuld salue y sore which nothing elâ— but talke can remedy For see as belching poyson broyles within the panting brest And scorching heat conuerts y helth to most vnquiâ—t rest So do the cares of veâ—ed mynd consume the crased hart Tyll by disclosing of his griefe he findes to ease his smart But if as this my case doth stand be wraying bringeth death T weare better thus to proue the end then for to wast my breath They say that corsy ministred vnto them poysoned corse Will coole the fearse contagious heâ—t and quench the burning force Why may not theÌ„ the troubled mind by silent tongue annoy That health which silence banisheth and doth the hart enioy For if my doubtes be false indéed and she doth loue me still What then but silence can preuayle and bridell lauish will. And if she vse me for disport and scornes my proferd loue The knowledge of the troth therin a desperate death doth moue Wheras if yet my loue cannot within her hart preuayle yet silence truth and tract of time hereafter may auayle Wherfore as reason séemes â—â—grâ—â— vnto a secret hart So from these lips those leud coÌ„ceitâ— I mynd shall not depart But as before the newes I hard so now amidst the crewe Of courtly dames my wonted sportâ— I will forthwith renewe This last
deuise thus ended hath his argumentes eche one He listesâ— no longer to consult in hast he is forth gone The Princes court wher no man is more welcomer then he As well vnto Ieneuora as to the Ladies frée And ther like to his wonted guile he dayly doth discourse Of histories or riddels els he learnes to tel by course Thus leaue I him that showes a face of perfect blisse and ioye Though now then amidst disportes dispayre doth him annoy And to the Duke I must agayne my solom verse returne That seeks vnhappy man eche way to cause the straunger mourne THough Polinesso wel had wayde vnto what small effect His former fond and lewd denise by yll luck was direct Though he perceiud how contrary eche point therof did proue And that no sight of gem ne talke could oughâ— the straunger moue Yet could he not slack lenger time inforst by ielousie But néeds he must deuise of newe some other policie Wherfore when that Ariodant was gone vnto the court He leaues his home and thether to in hast be doth resort Wher like vnto his former wont he feedes his doting eye With Princes lookes takes therat a great felicitie And she agayn that knew right wel the skill of curtesie Doth friendly intertaine the Duke into her company But furdest from her honest hart I dare avowe was loue To him whose grauer yéeres should shunne such youthfull toyes to moue This aged amorous syre I say thus caught in Cupides nâ—t Cannot digest this ielousie which be in straunger set But rather by the oft repayre of yonge Ariodant New coaâ—s ar put to burning flâ—mes that fire did not want Therfore wheÌ„ grief had long opprest this careful Duke his mynde In counsell to Ariodant he thus doth spend his wynde If that quoth he Ariodant I thought my words would take More surer ground within thy minâ— then when I laâ—â—ly spake To thee of this Ieneuora I would once more assay To turn thy youthful head from that that workes thy nown decay I see with sighes mark with mone for so doth friendship moâ—â— That nether talke ne sight of ring can chaunge thée from this loue I sée I sée Ariodant thou hast to good conceit And dost self wil to much inbrasâ— â— that workes thine own disceit I sée how lightly thou regardst that I tould late to thee I sée thou scornst my sage aduise and takst me false to be Els wouldst thou not so sodenlie forget that mought haue taught Thy skilles youth to shun the bayte that hath thee captiue caught But sith thus farre I haue assaid to moue thee to beleue That neither gifts ne lookes ne talk can ought thy Lady meue I will to quite my self of troth faith vnfaind to thee Once more attempt a greter charge then thou before didst see Thou knowst at court within thrée dayes is kept a solom feast When eche to honour more to same with brauest geare are drest Then will the Princes decked bee with â—obes of shining gold And none so rich as she that day ne goodlier to behold If then twixt ninâ— and ten at night thou will repayre with mee Unto a secret place when I a signe shall geue to thée Thy self shalt sée Ieneuora and me Duke Polinesse Imbrasing eche and eithers corpse in others armes to presse So that at sight hereof thou wilt geue place vnto my loue And leaue these fickell fantasies that youthfulnesse doth moue The Duke thus staies his filed tongue and then Ariodant This answere made vnto his tale that forst senses want Shew thisâ— my Lord then qd he I yeld to your desire As one that is 〈◊〉 â—our commaund 〈◊〉 what you list require â—o here my hand qd Polinesse I sweare by this my Grace To show thée what I promised at â—etted time and place But as to ease thée of thy griefe I doo that reason nould So as tâ—ou art a gentilman doo â—ot my tale vnfould The strauÌ„ger grauÌ„ts vows therto and thus they two depart Ariodant to chamber close and Duke as likes his hart But wheÌ„ this thrise vnhappy wight this carefull wretched man Was come vnto his mourning den he doth begin to scan Upon this false and forged tale and despratly doth teare His trembling flesh rendes all that that he that day did weare His head he smites with bended fist his feete he stampes on ground His holow sighes groning sobbes from hart to skies resound Now groueling on the ground he crawles and scrapeth with his nayles The earth and now againe him selfe his hasty hand assailes Now chokt with grief he specheles lies as one bereud of breth And now to ende this furious fittes he cries thus after death Oh death quoth he the ende of cares if euer thou didst graunt Unto a wofull wretches will that waylings dâ—th not want If euer thou didst yelde vnto a haples mysers hest Or if vnto the vexâ—d corse thou euer yeldest rest graunt now to me vnhappiest slaue whose panges of pining payne Is more then natures kyndly course can brooke or els susteine A fatall push at last for all aâ—d ende oh death this care Dispatch this lothsome lingryng life geue me this only share With fatal dart oh gentill death let liuely bloud depart By streames out of this carcas vile and slyse this trembling hart Thou dolefull bel ring out at last my last deperting knil Or lyuing els close me in graue my mouth with earth do fill But vnto her that causer is of this my mortall strife Oh death geue crooked aged limmes with lothsome lingring lyfe For she it was that straunged me from pleasant Italy And forst me like a banisht wight to lyue in straunge countâ—â—e She she berevd from me my blisse she brought to me this care She hath restraynd from me my ioy and cauâ—ht me in the snare Her smiling lookes her frendly â—tile and eke her vowed truth Hath brought me in this misery alas the more my ruth Oh hart more hard than Adamant oh false dissembling tongue Oh painted face whose worthinessâ— fame so far of hath â—unge False Greseids gain be thy reward that art more false then she And worthier a thousand fould a Leper for to be My carefull dead cannot deuise lyke plagues for thy desert Ne yet my tongue declare the halfe of thy deserued smart When first these wretched eyes of myue did see that craâ—tie corse And when this head did so beleue thy lines of faithles force Would God this hand had â—earst this hart with caruing vlaudie knife Or els that Lions tearing â—awes had rid me of my life Oh haples wretch Ariodant that by the heauens consent Muâ—t work thyne own vnhappines through lot â—some loues torment Oâ— abiect slaue whose fortune is to fall into her hand That neither knows her self ne yet â— a friend doth vnderstand Thrise happy hadst thou ben when that to loue thou gauest thy mynde That nature had closd vp thyne eares and that thou hadst ben blinde
houre and time which now is come when y I shuld performe his filthy cryme Comes to this most vnhappy man and biddes him folow fast If that he list to sée the thing wherof he tould him last Ariodant that lâ—ng had stayd to see the carefull ende Obeys the Duke and after them Lurcanio doth wend. To desert houses they are come the Duke hath brought his mate Unto a place direct against the window which of late I tould you of wher Princes lyke Dalinda should appeare before y Duke dect with those robes their Prince that day did weare Ariodant thus plaste the Duke doth bid him cast his eye Upon that window wher quoth he thou shalt thy Lady spy â—urraâ—o that longs to sée the sequell of this iest Is come within ten féete wheras Ariodant doth rest Wher he vnséene may vew likewises that window at his will Ther secretly the straunger standes that doughtes some present 〈◊〉 Duke Polinesse no sooner leaues the penciue louers place But tâ— th appointed window he directes his féete apase Wher he had not remayned long but see with glistring light Of gould Dalinda doth appeare lyke angell to the sight and as the Duke had geuen in charge so she in brauest wyse with shining robes with Diamonds set that glemâ— before the eyes Lyke burning torch in winter night is come into this place Wher Polinesse like Iud as doth her scorned limmes imbrace And to the end the straunger should more perfectly behould His louing toyes her kisses eke and how his armes do fould Her griped wast he doth approch as nere as windowe will geue leaue to him to straungers sight that he mought vew his fill Therof how she â—lâ—spes her armes about his stretched necke Whose store of kisses do declare her mynd voyd of suspect Lurcaniâ— whose glasingeyes are not vnoccupied Upon the window stating stands wher he hath now espied Ieneuora as he did déeme because of Iuels bright And eke the golden roabes did shine so liuely in his sight But for to know who so did tosse the Princes rich attyre Pis staring eyes and greedy lookeâ— by no meanes could aspire This sight thus séene Lurcanio accompting brothers health As life to him in secret wise vnknown is come by stealth Wher most vnhappy louer stayes who seing all this iest As man distraught his rapiere he in hastie hand hath prest And scorning lenger life hath set the hilts vpon the ground In minde by falling on the point to carue his fatall wound And as he did on groning blade his desperate body bend Behold the mercie great of God his brother doth defend His trembling hart froÌ„ deadly pushe by holâ—ing in his armes His falling brest and that once done he thus his brothers charmes What deulish act annoieâ—h thus thy head bereud of witte What desperate ioy hath taunted thée what foule and lothsome fitte Hath so beguile thy sences al that thus vnhappy wight Thou sekst by this vntimely death thy passions vile to quite In this the ende of all our toyle is this our trauels gayne Is lothsome death thy iust desert and is an endles payne A gwardon fit for me thinkst thou that leauing natiue soyle Like banish slaue shaâ— liue in court consumd with cares tourmoyle For losse of thée whom as my life thou knowst I hould as deare And shall I liue to sée the day the heauie newes to beare Unto our carefull pensiue friendes that by his own consent Their wreâ—ched friend Ariodant his latest dayes hath spent Oâ— reckles friend of brothers life and could thy hart agree To leaue thy brother destitute of friend in straunge countrée Or if thou hadst nowhit esteemd thy faithfull brothers life Could Ladies falshod force thée run on point of persing knife What sure hath inchanted tell thy skill in wisedomes lore What madnes hath intoricate thy pleasant thoughtes so sore That neither losse or ioyfull lyfe no feare of dampned ghost Can change my mynd froÌ„ this intent oâ— wretch of wretches most Can bewtie bleare thy wilfull eye and forcy thée for to loue And cannot sight of â—oule deceit from amours force thee moue Can fansie frame that amâ—â—tit by sight of seemely grace Which present guile and filthy fact by no meanes can displace And canst thou wreake such sharpe reuengâ— vpon thy giltles hart And see her loue that is the grâ—und of this thy present smart â—ooâ—e out I say such vgly thoughtes â—rom bounds or troubled minde And seke by reasons sweete aduise some holsome salue to finde If eye did chuse a faithfull friend and fansie did agrée If hope intiste thy drowned hartâ— to serue assuredly Let now to sâ—er signes of hate let proufs of lyke disdayne Lodge scornefulnes in careles hart for loue long vowde in vayne So shalt thou dryue these dreadfull â—â—nges out from thy panting brest And to thyne owne Lurcanio bring lasting ioy and rest Sayd carefull soule Lurcanio vnto Ariodant That hath as many â—ares to heare as hath the Adamant So altred hath this sight his wittes and eke his stayd intent That sage aduise was bootles geuen the sequell to preuent Yet lest his brother mought perceiue his changeles will to die And least by striuing with his force be mought his purpose spie Thogh ouercome with mortal â—angs he mute and dombe doth stand In signe of grace he puts his blade into his brothers hand That don from that vnhappy place to chamber close they hie And as the time of night did craue to bed they both do plâ—e Lurcanio in hope his wordes had changd his brothers mynd Nought doughting of the present iâ— a quiet sleape doth finde But he surprisd 〈◊〉 dreadful thoughtâ— with visage pale and wanne In stead of sleape in frantike mind a thousand tymes doth banne The day which first gaue light to him â—e curseth eke the teate That in his fansie did geue to him his sucking meate As oft he bannes his damned eyes that so could 〈◊〉 their sight And eke his tongue y sude for grace of one so false a wight He curseth now his open eare that so did marke her guyle And hastie hart that trusted so her lippes so fraught with wile What shuld I say both head hand and all he could inuent In steed of blisse and wishes good he doth with curse torment So in this wise eche night is spent and day renues agayne His wonted course but night ne day can chaunge this louers paine But still vpon some present death he gladly doth deuise As one that only findes that salue to ease his scorchiâ—â—â—iâ—s Wherfore to driue susâ— on the more from brothers â—rest He cloaks his care and risâ—th when Lurcanio leaues his rest And finding then occasion to leauâ— his companie He hies in hast by wilfâ—ll death to ende his miserie As stroken hart whose bleading wound declares a present death With reckles feete climmes hill and vale whilst he hath life and breath As greadie Beare that is berevd whilest she doâ—â— raunge for
late our â—ecret loue oh speake thou flying â—prite And ease me of this one conceit as thou art faithfull knight To late to late a lasse I crie in vayne I wast my breath But out to soone to soone a lasse I wayle thy cruell death And shall I liue bereud of friâ—nd shall mourning let in age And i st enough with heauy mones my passioâ—s to asswage No no myne owne Ariodant my first approued frend And eke â—he last with whom I mynd my dayes in loue to spend Euen as thy liuely feature inforst me to thy loue So shall thy death let in my death as time right well shâ—ll proue And as she did begin at fiâ—st nie chockt with mortall sound Euen so she endes her heauy plaint with falling down to ground Amidst â—â—ele stormes of deadly grief and pâ—ssiâ—ns â—â—oarde with payne Repâ—rt wâ—th treble sounding voyce his yelling â—â—rdaie dâ—th strayne And puttes into eche open eare how that by selâ— consent Amidst the streame Ariodant his latest dayes hath spent And now into Lurcanios eares this heauy newes he blowes And how â— when he drownd him self to him he plainly showâ—s wherwith y carefull brother caught with sting of pearsing death Resines his warlike force and falles therâ—with downe to the earth Wher after many griping grones inforst by grief of mynd His noble hart hath wonne by force his banisht breathing wynd But festred lies in hart the care that troubles euery vayne And déep in thought is lodgd y cause of this newe proued payne The force wherof so calmed hath his flerce coragious hart That see from eyes loÌ„g time dryd vp a floud of teares depart Which mixed are with heauy sobbes from manlike broyling brest And compast in with smoking sighes and flames of great vnrest All these in dungeon deepe below Alecto fiers espies Whose nature is in vexed haâ—t pale hatred to deuise Wherfore hir snaky heares wound vp she leaues hir lothsome denne And flies vnto the Scottish court wheras â—urcanio then Was heaueâ—y bewayling of his wretched brothers death To whome like aged matron dight she â—pends this diuelish breath When shall thy childish plaints haue ende when shal thy cares be spent when shal thy latest sighes be brethed that tende to smal intent Oh false vnto thy brothers ghost doo womeÌ„ns mones suffise To answer that which for reuengâ— to thee eche houre cries Shal murder thus be suffored shall bloudie hands enioye A longer life is this the loue thou sekst for to imploye On him that whilst he liued on erth held thée then lyfe more deare Is this a brothers iust rewarde dost thou such friendship beare Unto thy most abused friend and canst thou liue to see Thy brother dead his foe alyueâ— hym sterud and she styll free hath nature formd thee void of witte oh cruell to thy kinde Hath pitie so assoâ—ed this thy worthy warlike minde That neither brothers amitie ne lynke of iustice lore Can moue thee for this foule offence iust iudgement to implore Leaue thou these lamentations long drie vp these childish teares And spedely sée that thou put into thy souereignes cares How that the Prince Ieneuora dishonored hath her state In feeding her dishonest lust with one thou sawest of late And that of body she is false see thou defend with force So shalt thou yelde a iust rewarde by burning of her corse This spightfull spight thus vomited from vgly lothsome pate A snake she pulles which for to moue Lurcanio more to hate She throwes into his bosome right wher stinging it remaynes And poysneth so eche ioynt limme and swelles so all his vaynes That raging like a fâ—anâ—ike beast vnto the king he hies To whome his dutie finished this tale he doth deuâ—se That fayth oh king which subiectes bare vnto their soncraigne That ioâ—â— that to their Princely stâ—te within their harts remayne That care which to their high renowne and honor eke they haue And last that great regard they vse their vertue still to saue Hath forst my trembling tongue to speake against the lâ—â—t of mynde and charged my closed lippes to tell that duties force doth binde Which newes though some vnrest do bringe vnto your horie heares Yet yelding iustice for the same gaynes life that neuer weares Oh worthy king and my liege Lord though but alyde by vowe The noble intertainment which I haue receiued of you Commaundes me not to hide a fact so hemous from your grace â—hough déede be done by such anonâ— as comes of râ—yall rare Whordom oh king committed by the Prince Ieneuora It is that so hath moued my tongue and lippes from lâ—nger staie which thâ—se my eyes to soone haue séene at place and time vnfit In proufe wherof â—oo here my gage I will my lyfe commit Into his hands that giues the palme vnto the faithful wight and yeldes the gayne of victorie to him that fights in right I néede not now declare what thoughte â— oppresse the pensiue king Ne what ill rest to aged head these careful newes doo bring Sith prone it is to testie age to take in fretting wise A small offence and euery fault is great before their eies wherfore his present panges I passe I leaue his heauy hart Wrapt in with web of carefulnes and gript in graue of smart And to this kings reply I will direct my penne againe Who pausing long from carefull thoughtâ— at last he doth refraine and thus he sayes LUrcanio thy seruice good and faithfull vnto me Doth argâ—e in my doughtfull head thy minde from falshood free But if my age be not disceiud if fame doo not beguile My hoping hart such shameful actes are fardest in exile from hir whom thou hast now accusd whose parents goodly age Was neuer iustly tayâ—ted with a deede of such outrage Wherfore sith doughtfull yet it lies within our princely minde And sith none but Lurcanio this foule abuse doth finde We will before our sentence geuen examine this accusd That hath by whordom as thou saist our state so much abusd And least thou deeme mée partiall I do accept thy gage Condicionly that thou thy self this proferd fight shalt wage Against who listeth to mainteine her truth against thy might Like to our auncient laws ordeind by force of combat fight And it thou gaine the victory then she to flames of fire If vanquist thou she frée shall liue thou death shalt haue for hire Which fight we wil shal be performd vpon the fiftéenth day Ensuing next when God I trust the right with right will pay So sayd Lurcanio leaues the King and to his chamber hies Wher for his brothers death he doth renewe his wonted cries But careful king wheÌ„ strauÌ„ger was departed from his sight In minde to trie his truth herein doth send a faithfull knight For carefull Ieneuora whom messenger doth finde Amidst her maydes lamenting still with head to brest inclindâ— To whome his dutie finished his message he doth show Thefâ—eâ— wherof Ieneuora when perfâ—â—tly doth knowe â—he wiping cleane
list in mortall fight his speare and armour beare Against the stout Lurcanio and conquere him in fightâ— Shall haue to wife Ieneuora and all her Princely right now with this message pricâ— y postes the Herhautes trie their steades He rides to Brutus worthy realme he takes the way that leades To famouse Fraunce he both hiâ— vnto an other soylâ—â— In fine eche one for Princes doth by land and sea tâ—â—rmoyle But bootles do the Postes proclayme this booty daungerous For none list venter for the gayne a deed so perilous Wherfore coÌ„plet with cares they doo returne to court agayne And ther declare the ill successe of this their message vayne But see the hap one of these Postes returning voyd of ayde Rydes by the Hermitage wheras Ariodant stayd And meeting then the Hermit ould that sought for rootes abroade Their greetings don his hed he doth of message then vnloade And showes vnto the holy syre howe Prince Ieneuora For lacke of ayde should burned be vpon the second day Ensuing next and then be telles how she was first accusde By one that sayde by whordom vylâ— she had her selfe abusde Thus when they chatted had inough the Poste leaues of his tâ—lke And plies to court and Hermit he vnto his home doth walke Wher he no sooner iâ— arivde but like to wonted sort These nouels to his holy mate he doth forthwith report But who had seene y couÌ„tnaunce theÌ„ of this Ariodant And markt how colour went came and how his vaines did pant Moâ—ght wel haue deâ—de some present pange had vext his troubled minde And that by this report his hart some straâ—â—ge conceit did finde For troth this tale no sooner â—oulde and hard wâ—th open care but â—â—oarming thoghts in rauisht hed doo cluster now a reare Yet vertue ielously doth blame his fickell wauring minde And coÌ„stancie condems his thoughts that flie like dust in wynde But amours old prouokes his hartâ— to die in her defence Record of former amitie forgettes supposd offence The diyng sparâ—s of â—upides coales do now reuiue againe Her bâ—utie great and comelines inforseth former paâ—ne His youthfull yeares begin to scorne such pinching miserie This pining diet makes him loth such â—â—ly penurie Hope doth assure him to winne her true anâ— faithfull loue If for her sake in her defence he will this battell proue Now nature doth forbid him fight against Lurcanio For he it is he knows right well that was the Princes so Loue telles him that his brother hath deserued death by right In that he hath accused her that is the lampe of light Thus fansiâ—s rule within his head as motionâ— moue the minde And changing thoughts do alter still as reason right doth finde But to conclude deuotion droups poore penury is past youth likes not now to purchase heueÌ„ with faint and feeble â—ast The ciuill fight with brother he regardes nâ—owhit at all His loye his care his 〈◊〉 his death he cares not what befall Wherfore as he vnknowen did come vnto the Hermitage So he departs by stealth without farewell to father age And wanders in the fieldes till that the mantell blacke did hide The gladsome day and then he â—yes vnto the towne vnsyide Wher secretly he comes vnto his well approued host Whose frendship stood him in great stéeâ— when cares annoyd him most To whom wheÌ„ long he had discourst of his aduentures all He doth disclose what he intends and sayes what so befall He will against his brother fight to saue his Ladies life Or els before her end his dayes on point of brothers knife Wherfore he willes him to prouide a complet armour sure That he the better may against his brothers force indure And sturdy speare shield as stiffe he willes him to prouide And barbed steed both strong light that tempest like will glyde All these he willes him to prepare and all of colour black For Sables shall bewray quoth he oâ— wanted ioyes my wrack Thus leaue I now the busy hoste and eke coragious gest Prepaâ—ing armour such as may desend the straunger best And to the court complet with care My pen and I must plie To tel their dole their grief their wo and mones of miserie The wery Postes are nowe returnâ— vnto the heauy court Wher euery one his seurall hap doth dolefully report But when the aged king perceiues no ayde is to be found His weake and feeble limmes do fall for sorow to the ground His counsell eke that see the cares of their vnhappy king Doo féele welnie his griefe and smart and wéepe and wayle and wring Their fingers with drowned eyes lament his wretched state And with a thousand doles plaints they rew his ruthfull fate Yet seyng him so sunke in grief and fearing present death They seeke to banish diyng panges by reasons wholesome breath But sooner mought y mouÌ„tain moue or sea forsake his tide TheÌ„ gnawing fits to want the forcs that through eche part do slide Of wythord age and crooked lymmes and styng so â—eble hart That ioye is gone and blisse resingde care turnes good happe to smart This is the sely Syers state the Ladies leade like life With whome nought els but teares cries and heauines is ryfe For when they heare no helpe is founde to ayde the Lady deare Eche chamber sounds of solom tunes and cares bring dreadfull feare So much that see in clustring heapes whylst trembling maydens keepe And there whylst with one perfect voyce they wayle they wo and weepe This fearful soule doth see she thinkes the shape of ouâ—ly sprightes She heares in rynging care the sounde of clamâ—â—s loud and skrykes The outmost of the prease doth feale a pullâ—ng hand to straine Her slender arme and shrinkes away and couldly sweates for payne Thus feare thus care lamenting long and spring of brackish teares With drouping dreade and freating fittes in hart opâ—rest appeares But she for whome was all this care that had most cause to wayle Is voyde of carefulnes for death ne griefe doth her assayle Saue death of her Ariodant that was thâ—n corsies bayne More worse wherfore for preseÌ„t deth the wisheth still in vaine Yeâ— beaâ—es she with aduised myndâ— the Prelates sage aduise That wils her to forget the world and wonted ioyes despise And biddes her call to mind the blisse that neuer shall haue ende Wherâ—o by faith and stedfast troth she shortly shal assend He byddes her cast the feare of death from bounds of godly brest For he can shâ—elde her hart he sâ—â—â—s from payne that bringeth rest He voucheth sacred scriptures now to stâ—blish her beliefe He tels what ioy the soule receiues when flesh doth suffer griefe And lastly he perswades her that she gaines by giltles death A seate amongst the martyrd saints that seede on heauenly breath As Abell dothâ— whose cruell death the cursed Cayn doth rewe Who moud with indignation his natiue brother slew With these deâ—out perswasions the Prince is mortifide Who doth for latest brunt