her bathed chekeâ— and trimmeth vp her heare Doth so repaire vnto the king though with vnchaunged cheare To whome she is no sooner come but voydance then is made Of eche estate and then the king with trickling teares thus sayde They say that childe thrise cursed is whose vile and viciouâ— life Doth cause the louing parents dye consumde with carefull strife which endles grief god grant qd he thy actes force me not proue But that thy hoped vertues doo from such conceits me moue T is so qd he Ieneuora whylst in our Princely court We weard away our crooked age lyke to our wonted sort Before our presence doth appeare the stout Lurcanio Who of free will dyd iustifie and threw downe gage also To proue that thou hast don the déede that hath deserued fyre I meane that thou hast purchast deth through whordoms foule desire which déede him selfe did see he vowd at place anâ—time vnmeetâ— And iudgement he did craue also for such offence most fitte which iudgement I haue stayed yet to heare what thou canst saye why dreadful doome of present death should longer for thee staye This sayd the king complete with carâ— doth staye his choked breath And feeles the force of mortall ache and latest pangs of death But she whose wretched ghost hath felt the worst of all her smart With countnance fearse disdayning lyfe all feare doth set appart And answers thus vnto the king my â—ord and soueraigne Of catiues all she wretch is mâ—st she feeles most store of payne whose heauy hap doth rather â—idde the tongue for to confesse Untroth then by accusing tale to pleade for her redresse Oh king of whom this earthly shapâ— by â—ome I doo enioye Let not these latest woords of mine thy Princely mynde annoy But heare indifferently what cares thy childe doth now susteyne That rather seekes to suffer death then long to taste this payne My dread and soueraine Lord and kyng thy skilfull horie heares Know well how from the cradell vp vnto the latest yeares We subiect are to euery sinne and thrald of natures kinde By thought by woord by déede and sight vnto the fancies blynde Of worldly cares and nought there is within our sinfull hart But fancies fond which reason willes should tast a lasting smart Such thoughts such words such déedes and fights oh king haue rulde in me And doo and will tyll of the yokâ— of life my â—immâ—s he frée Amongst which sinfull passions one 〈◊〉 annoyed my minde One act ther 〈◊〉 wherin oh king I greatest griefe doo finde which fith both time present statâ— byds tâ—ll vnto your grace I will disclose from my hart all damps of feare displace wherby I shal driue dought I trust out from your doughtfull breast And make you priuie of such hapâ— as in me lurking reast Amongst the train of this your court and of your courtiers stout Amongst the worthy company of all the courtly rought There was your highnes knowes right wel one knight Ariodant In whom that should adorne a man no gift at all did want A seemely wight of spotles faith although an alien borne Whose shape with thousand comely gifteâ— dame nature did adorne His noblenes his grace and shape enforce my virgins hart LoÌ„g time to plunge in goulfs of care and tast of louers smart He turnd my chast disposed mynde from thoughtes of maydens life And taught me seke to salue y wound of Cupides fatall knife But sée the heuens I think it would that stroke which pearst my brest Did carue in him a griefly gashe and in his hart did rest Thimpoisned push which forced him to feele lyke fittes and payne And in like storms of troubled mind long time for to remayne Till y a means he found which way he mought disclose his loue To me and eke for to bewray that Cupides force did moue Which when I vnderstood no wight did euer tast like ioye As I glad soule that banisht then that earst did me annoy And waying long his vertues great and eke his good intent Which caused my affection at last I did consent Unto his loue and choosing then him as my dearest frend I did conclude in wedlocked band wâ—â—h him my life to spend But see the frâ—tes of this our blisse see here vnstable state See see oh King the end of all this our most happy â—ate Whylst we in linke of loyall loue thus led our restles life And whylst my careles hart did ioyâ— the chaunge of wonted strife I know not I what cruell fact inforst my hartes delight My frend myne own Ariodant to worke this cruell sâ—ight On me amidst the choking streameâ— oh fierse vntimely death He drownd him self to the waues he did resigne his breath whose death oh hart shal work thiwo and ende thy wonted ioye And force my heauy head to learne howe life I may destroy Yet know oh Syr in all this loue nought did offend but thought Nought trespased but that vnknown to thée oh King I sought To choose a feare of race vnfit vnto your Princely state Whose râ—ial tiâ—e coÌ„mauÌ„ds me choose a farre more firter mate But if this gayne by breach of lawe the death of scorching fyre Then do pronâ—uÌ„â—e the sentence stayd t is death I so desire Only let this perswade your mynde no eye did euer see This corpse of myne with whordoms blâ—e so spotted for to bee This long discourse of amours past and eke deâ—iall made That neuer cloud of shame could yet her honor iustly shade She stayd her wery iawes and ends her heauy panting breath And wonted woâ—s doo force herfall in sound downe to the earth The aged King that sees this fitte nye caught with like disease with shaking haÌ„ds her temples rubs and seekes eche way tappease These choking griefs but all in vain he rubs and chafes his childe For death hath nummed euery part and life is now exilde Til panting hart with strained might receiues his wonted force And lets in wholsome breath againâ— into the senceles corse which ioyful king with hart reuyud doth see and driueth feare Away and strayning then his sprites he thus the Princes doth cheare I was or this resolued long of thy vnspotted grace My sweete and deare Ieneuora wherfore in hart displace These cankerd cares froÌ„ tender brest feare not the paynes of death Let nâ—t the losse of desprate freend force thee resigne thy breath For I not only will prouide for sauegard of thy life But for a â—rend that shall thée please and gard thy hart from strife And kissing long her rubie lippes and wiping cleane her eyes He takes her by the christall hand and ceaseth to deuise Of former talke and then himself conueies her to her court Wher he once gone she doth renew her wonted carefull sport But pensiue king doth tract no tyme ne lengâ—r makes delay For to prouide a champion to helpe in this assay Wherfore with blast of trompets sound it is proclaymed eche wheâ—e That who so
talke and sences fayle and he doth fall to ground And ther he lies berevd of breath and chokt with fainting soundâ— But when Ieneuora had vewde long tyme with persing eye The face of her Ariodant and plainly eke gan spye by coâ—tnance loke by shape speach the same her fréend to bee whoÌ„ greedy stream had forst she feard to die in misery Oh iudges that can what fansies theÌ„ did rule within her mynd What passing ioy what happy blisse her crased brayne did finde For neither head ne tongue ne hand can think can tell or wryte The least or smalest percell of her late conceyvde delight Not she her selfe can ease the toyle of ioyfull panting hart whose striuing force extreme delight to traunce doth straight conuert And there as in a quiet sleape a whyle she doth remayne But once reuyvde her dryry lippes she thus to speake did strayne And doth the guyder of my life the only proppe and stay Of this my wery limmes yet lyue oh happy thryse I say Oh blessed fates and dost thou liue and do these eyes behould Thy wished shape whose comly limâ— these â—rmes so oft haue â—ould And liues in déed Ariodant Ieneuoras delight And was it he that for his frendâ— so manfully did fight Oh soppe of ioye more pleasant farre then wealth of worldly blisse Oh soueraigne salue nought cures so well the crased hart as this Oh welcome thou more deare to me then goods then frendes then life A gest more gladder to my hart then cares carst caused strife Thy health doth force me wish y lifâ— which fame of thy decay Intised late through heauy lot to serine in cloddes of clay Amidst this tale a thousand tymes they frendly do imbrace And with their siluer trickiâ—ng dropâ— eche bathe others face She layes her happy head vpon her ioyfull louers brest And he agayne his body bendesâ— to yeld his Lady rest Thus now in words now in déedes and now by signes of loue Ech shows y ioyned faithfull hartes doth such affections moue The sight wherof brings youth again vnto the aged King Whose trembling hart for very ioyâ— in blisfull breast doth spring But when this great felicitie had vanquisht euery care And when amidst this world of ioyâ— eche on receivde his share TheÌ„ by coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„t trompets sound and oyes loude is cride Wherfore the rought giue audience and then the king thus sayd How farre we are indetted to the heauenly powers deuine My lords frends you haue wel séen this day before your eyne As both by fatall chaunce how this vyle treason was bewrayd As how by knightly prowesse which Ariodant assayde Against his natiue brother he hath savde Ieneuora FroÌ„ fyry flames brought vs health that lookt for last decay And last how falshod payed is with death for gaind desert A myrror good for such as liue infect with traytors hart Wherfore as bounden dutie biddes first let vs yelde the prayse To him that quites the innocent and payes the false alwayes And we as reasons lore â—oth charge will séeke for to requite Forthwith receiued benefittes with all our power and might For as to thou Ariodant for this thy noble hart Thy curtesiâ— and loyall loue â—e yelde thee this as part Of recompence take thou to wiâ—â— the Prince Ieneuora and we for maintnauÌ„ce of your stateâ— will soone prouyde a stay Be thou to her a faithfull feare and she a â—ouing wyfe Beare duâ—ie to thy Lord and King whilst thou hast breath and life and sith by thée syr knight vnknown this treason came to light We will as best shal please thy hart thy frendship well requite Lurcanio â—ke sith brothers death prouokt thee to this ire Shalt fréely liue and vse our grace as thou shalt best desire For pardon of Ieneuora small sute I thiâ—k will serue Whose gentil mynd from pities lorâ— as yet did neuer swarue But as tâ— thee Dalinda sith thou soughtst by â—reason vyle To seeke thy mistres death we will that thou into exile For euer shalt be put and eke to runne a banisht race Till better hope of truer hart shall winne thée fauours grace This sentence sayde the tossed caps doo cutte the cloudie skie and eueri mouth with strained voicâ— God saue the King doo trie The louers two on grouÌ„d prostrate a thousand thankes impart Unto theyr Liege and Soueraigne with most contented hart But to recount what passions past betwixt the brothers twayne would make an other history and woorke my treble payne wherfore let this suffise my Lordes not one but lyues in ioye Not one there is amidst the prease that cares doo now annoy Amidst which myrth to court again the King and all returne And as they ryde in signe of ioye eche doth the streates adorne with tynsell bright with arras riche and glistring cloth of goulde And ladies pearch on wyndowes hie the louers to behould who passe the streates with happy harts and so ariue on court wher euery one seekes to augment his late receiued sport And wher vpon a solome daye appointed by the king The Princesse and Ariodant with sacred woords and King Receyâ—e the ryght of mariage as gladde to them as lyfe who long in blisse did speÌ„d their daieâ— and died deuoydt of stryfe FINIS
But oh what gayues this lauish talke what profittes wish and would When iudge vpon condemned wight hath dreadfull sentence tould Dispatch therfore thou dastard slaue geue ende vnto thy care Play morderer with stabbing knife the vaines a sunder share What doest thou ioye in miserie that fearefull hand doth stay Or knowest thou any remedy to vanquish death away Doth any hope remayne as yet to comfort thée with all Doth any sparke of blisse appeare that may to thée befall Hast thou not hard thine own decay and lacks ther ought but fight And canst thou liue for to behould that foule and filthy spight Thou doughst belike decâ—itfulnes in Polinessos talke Who as his willing hart did wiâ—h thou thinkst his tongue did walke To ease thy heauy mynde therin content I am to stay But that once séene prepare thy self for sight of Dismall day And with a grisly grone he endes his carefull heauy plaint And scorching sighes deadly sobbes do forse his members faint And ouercome with griefe of mynd his wery limmes haue founde A slumbring sleape wherin he lies as caught in mortall sound Thus leaue I this Ariodant vpon his carefull bed Amidst a heape of dreadful dreames that swarme in vexed head And once agayne vnto this Duke this false periured man I must returne to blase againe his treason as I canne Therfore when false dissemblyng Duke had easd his swelled minde By belching out these carefull newes and vouched othes to blynde The more this true dispairyng wight he byddes him then aâ—ewe And trackes no tyme ne lettes aught slippe his purpose to pursue Wherfore the euen before the feast Dâ—linda he ought spies And thus amidst his other talke this tale he gan deuise As ioyfull newes as euer came to thâ—â— Dâ—linda earst Or gladder farre then euer yet thy lâ—ftâ—ng eares haue pearst I will imâ—ert to thée my nowne and chiefest faithfull friend With whome the rest of this my lyfe in wedlocke I will spend Leaue of therfore those musing dumps that trouble so thy minde And to my happy tale se that thy open eares be inclinde Thou long hast séene with griefe I know what signes of loue haue past Betwixt thy Ladie mistres and twixt me thy friend at last Thou knowst how long I suid and servd her grace for to obteyne And eke thou knowst how loyall I all that time did remayne Thou knowst myne own that only was the chiefest cause that I So slenderly requited thée and thy great curtesie But seâ— as fonde affections forse and signes of séemly grace As bewties beames assotted me to serue that froward face So now at last that coyeishnes and her disdainfull mynde Hath turnd my hart intrapped long that bewtie so dyd blynde To lothsomnes and lyke disdayne and now I am as frée Thank God as when indiffrent eye did egally eche sée Wherfore in signe of this dispite and of more careles hart What in my mynde I haue deuisâ— to thee I will impart Thou knowst qd he ther is in court a row of houses ould That wast do lie vnoccupide vnable scarse to hould Them sâ—lues a loft vpon the ground a place of no repayre Eâ—cept with dogges or vermyn vyle or els with fowles of thayre Against these rotten walles ther is as thou right well dost know Imbossed ought from ioyned frame a stately bay window Which is as voyd as is the rest a lodging fit for none At that self place I haue deuisdâ— that thou thy self alone About the houre of ten at night shall mete thy Polinesse Tomorow dekt with princes roabeâ— and eke thy self shalt dresse With glistring â—alâ— and iuels rich with those she ware that day Wher I in scorne of Princes will with thee Dalinda play And eke imbrase thy worthy corpse as deare so me as lyfe Of whom as sone as time shal serue I mynde to make my wife This is theffect of my deuise this is the summe and all Of that which bringeth libertie to thee that now art thrall For here in court thou subiect art to beck and to obey Wher next to me in Albany thou chief shalt beare the sway Therfore if sparke of faithfulnes lodge in thy gentell brest If euer yet to pleasure me thy friendship hath ben prest Fayle not with corded ladder and with Princes braue attire At that same place and at that time to yeld to my desire Said crafty Duke therwith staiâ—s his false deceitfull tongue The sting wherof so seruenly hath our Dalinda stung And eke that vile ambition hath so infect the mayde That presently she yeldeth to all that before he sayd Thus hath the Duke as hart would wish performd his enterpryse And finisht hath his false request as he coâ—ld best deuise And now vnto his careles couch with â—asd mind he hies And lieth til the golden globe doth driue night from his eyes The irksome shade that so annoyes the heauy pensiue wight Forsakes the skies morning now hath banisht drousâ— night The â—oyfull daye doth show his face the gromes no lenger lye But to performe his charge ech one with carefull mynde doth plie The massie roabes for princes grace from wardrobe are out brought The borders braue of gouldsmithes craft with stone and pearle I wrought The Iuâ—ler deliuers to the Ladies of the court with tablet cheine braslâ—ttes dekt with stones of diuerse sorte with those the careful ladies dresse Ieneuora that day That rather séemes of heauenly mould then of dame natures clay thus drest this peereles princes plies for to perfourme hir rights To chapel well accompanied with rought of Scottish knights There all the morning she doth spend as temples hestes require And prayers sayde to court againe the Princes doth retire But what needes longer stay herein what booteth to report The dayntie cates servd in that day and of the diuerse sort As well of pleasant â—acchus cups as Ceres dainty dish And of the dulcet musickes skill as sweet as care would wish Sith far from blis my stile is changd this day hath causd that care That neither head can well deuise ne pen can well declare Therfore let courtiers ioy in court and geue me leaue a while To write of hopeles wretches haps whom treason did beguile The setted time by Polinesse approcheth on a pace when strauÌ„ger shuld behold y Dukâ— the Princes to imbrace Wherfore as one not well assurd of Scottish faithfulnes Ne certain that the Duke did meane as late he did expresse Least that I say in some dark place he had imbusht a crewe Of traytors to inuyron him when he this sight should vewe He comes vnto his brother then whose might he knew right well Would succour him assuredly if any then would mell whose company he craues that night when he should see him gâ— With Polinesse and that he would bring swoord with him also Lurcanio whose lyfe and death his brother mought commaund With willing mynd consents vnto Ariodants demaund Duke Polinesse not careles of th appointed
â—â—ard vp walles on hie that sed theyr gredy eyen They sée the carued turrets tops they see the regall place The fight wherof had forst them run a wery wandring race Thus are these straungers happely arriued at the Court Wheras this péerles Dame abides of whome ringes this report There walke they forth with comly grace and enter in the hall Where after greating they declare what chaunce had them befall To séeke that lande their names they tel and eke of wheâ—ce they are This tould one shewes vnto the king of two ariued theare And woord for woord as he had hard he tells and eke there state And comlines he hideth not Besides he doth dilate Their friendly gretings and their talâ— this sayde he kneling staies The king that pawsing with him selfe and waying diuers wayes What harme mought lightly him ensue if such he should retaine As vnder cloke of frendship mought put him and his to payne I meane as mought spye out the strength of all his region And eke what corner weakest weare and easiest to be wonne And so when â—e in age should thinke to leade a surest lyfe They should him force through their deceâ— to ende his daies in strife These thoughts this wise and warie priâ—e doth ponder in his braine Long tyme and in these doughtfull fitts he silent doth remaine Yet mindes he not to let them part till what they would were knowen And till the cause of their ariue were plainely to him showen Wherfore he doth bid call to him these straungers twoo in haste That banisht haue their natiue soile in his court to be plast Which message done these brothers two as men nothing dismaied To speake before the Emperour whom earst they had obeied Present themselues before the king wher after silence done Lurcamo in their two names thus hath his tale begonne THat king that first gaue life to you increase your happie daies Oh king and kéepe your noble court from force of foes alwayes Whilest we Italian brothers two in Italy dyd dwell And whilste with ease we past the time as chaunce and tâ—es befet Behould report that wandring flies in euery region Resound your name and worthines at last vnto the towne Wher we abode consuming time in drousie idelnes And spending aye our youthful yeres in irksum quietnes These childish toies thus lothd I say these newes agreing eke with vs that thought ech day a moÌ„th till we the bands mought breke Of this long discontented lyfe we doo forthwith agrée All needfull things at home dispatcht this court of yours to sée And there if we mought fauor get and grace likewise obtaine To serue your highnes faithfully and loyall to remaine Til death we minde This forst hath vs O king to leaue our port Our freÌ„ds our goods our kinsmen al to whom we were comfort In hope to be retaind of you which is our whole request Wherin we trust for to performe that seemes a courtier best The king that wel had markt his tale his countnaunce and his grace And saw him feawtred well of limâ— and of a warlike face And praysing long within him selfe the yongest brothers chere That sober was presaging truth forthwith doth banish feare And biddes these wery trauelers welcome vnto the place Desired long And intertaines them both with friendly grace Into his court commaunding them all falshood to expell And geues them pencions yerely wherwith they may liue well Thus are these glad Italians new courtiers both become That seeke eche way to purchase loue as well of all as some THe king that for disport doth vse oft times for to pursue The dreadfull â—ase of grisâ—ie beastes so Idle lyfe t' eschue Commaâ—nds the hunt prepared be the morow next by prime And that eche one appareld be in armes against that tyme To waite vpon his highnes then that will on hâ—nting go And eke with him the strangers two he doth commaund also The night is past and Sopor flies and in his stéede Aurore Doth shew hir gladsome countenaÌ„ce and for to ioy the more Eche sight â—r Phebus golden raies from east beginnes tappeare then nought ther is within the court but trudâ—ing here and there Sum saddels fit sum armour scoure sum bridell foming steede And sum do wheat the stéeled glaiue to giue the Beare his meede Sum trapers trim sum couple dogs sum weare in sâ—eede of steele A maled coate with armed sword to make his enmies reele The pages trimme theyr lords in haste the hunt cries lowde away The steedes are foorth that stamping fast on champing bit do play The werbling note the hunter blowes the king on courser strydes The lusty rought of knights make hast that priâ—ing forward glydes The hunt is vp the game is founde eche seekes a diuers waye The noble rought of Cheâ—alrie dispersed now doo stray Some here do méete the tusked bore some findes the Lyberd stout Some do encounter with the Beare some rouse of Harts a route Thus dog and man is occupied him selfe for to defend And for to gaine a lasting name doo stuâ—die strokes foorth send The king in case hath lost his mates and in his wandring hée Findes out a lothsome Lion coucht that monstrous was to sée wherto he makes a thundring course with speare well set in rest the Lyon rampant méetes the staffe that it to sheuers brest Then glaiue he drawes like noble knight and strikes with courage stout And prickes and breathes and strikes again as one deuoide of double But all in vayne those strokes are spent his traunchfer nought doth carue But either slydes from side to side or in his hand doth Swarâ—e Wher at he halfe agast doth feare least he were put to shame And least his former worthines should ende with vanquisht name Wherfore he mightely defends him selfe from Lions clawes That rasethall attayned to with those his persing pawes Yet warely warding sith he could nothing preuaile in strength But ward stroke are bootles spent when down he must at length Thus as the Lion had the best and almost won the féelde Aduenture droue Lurcanio with Speare in hand and shéelde To seekâ— that place but when he saw his soueraigne at the wurst No boote to byd him spurre his stéedâ— and to the battell thrust For first he knightly brake his spearâ— and after drawes his blade wherwith within a moments space a large wound he had made Upon the Lions shoulder bone that caused him for to knéelâ— And then his head he carued of and so made him to râ—lâ— The king deliuered thus from death by sâ—out â—urcanio With thousand thankes imbrased him in both his armes also Tyll that his mennâ— had 〈◊〉 him out to whom he hidetu nought But how he nigh confounded was and how the straunâ—er fought In his defence so 〈◊〉 and with so mightie foâ—ce That after many mortall woundes he parted head from dorse Now is report nâ—w occupied in blasing martiall â—â—ates Wherwith the court so pressed is that vp to Skies it
of ioyfull hewe And throwes away his mournyng wéedes he lothes on them to vewe He now doth vaunt him self amongst the rout of courtly mates His gladnes hath brought hunger to he seedes on costly cates He is not now on tomblyng bed nor wandryng nowe alone He doth not nightly now lament nor filles the skies with mone But like a careles youth the daye in sundrie sportes he spendes And so the nightes in maskes and showes he bringeth to their endes In fine eche care that whylom was to him griefe and annoie Is nowe become a treble blisse and twentie fould more ioye Then if he earst had neuer felt of woe the cutting fittes Or if the stormes of â—othsome lâ—ue had neuer tost his wittes His brother that was partner long of his vnquiet rest Is glad with him â— driues â—orth with vyle care from carefull brest His mind y earst was dulled quite his lyms that lothed disport Is wakt from dreame and now he is as stiffe as mightie fort Now wants he nought but mates to stande the dint of his great speare Or such as would in open field against him armeur beare But none there are in Scottish soyle no none that beareth life That knowes his might that dare aduance him selfe before his knife Therfore in stede of instes on hors and tourneis done on soote In forest wyde the sauage beast in dennes he séeketh out Wherby the countrey man doth liue at home in suertie And keepes therby him selfe and his from former ieoperdie But why do I of profit speake wher pleasure is my song Or what hath Bloudie Mars to doo amongst Cupiâ—â—s throng Why sayst thou pen to speak of him that armed is with ioy And prest against fayre Ladies foes his might for to imploy Why telâ—â— thou not how he hath now disclosed to his loue Iâ— presâ—nce all his former woes which hard forthwith do moue The Cristal drops froÌ„ smilyng eyes by streames for to discend She showes like fittes which forse from hart the broken sighes tassend Then he with â—oulded armes imbrast her small and semely wast And she her slender ioynts about her louers neck hath cast A thousand tymes he kissed hath her lippes of rosâ—at hew As oft she doth vnkisse againe her friend and louer trew Now doth his tongue confirme those fittes which penne did late indight As how with sighes the day he spent and with lyke teares the night Then how with hope he was alurd to sue for wyshed graâ—e and how in dream with goddesse two he saw her heauenly face The princes hears this plesant talke and then she did vnfould What sightes what shapes and visions she in night tyme did behould With such like talke the tyme is spent and now is come the howre When sugrie presence they must change for pensife parting sowre They rue their want and hate the tyme that byds them to depart But néedes they must though corsie strong it is for them to start He geues in signe of loyal loue vnto the Princes grace A Diamond of passing prise a ringe that did abace All Iuels that before that tyme were seene in Scottish land Whose gleming stone causd gasing eyes on musing oft to stand She takes the ring with ioyful hart she geues to him againe A token which doth signifie she faithfull will remaine With ioyned lips they say farewell with pressed hand in hand They vow that to that place ech day to come no let shall stand Againe they kisse and faintly then mine own adew quoth he With becked hand and bowed head my heart farewell quoth she Their backward lookes show loth to part theyr hartes agrée also That to enioy eche others sight great wealth they would forgo Thus are they come she to the court among the glistring rout Of chast Dianas nimphes and he repayres amongst the stout and sturdy band of Scottish knights where he doth passe the daye In decent games in courtly sportes and other séemely playe Sometime with racket he doth tosse the light reboundyng ball And carfully doth marke the chase now he his hauke doth call And now his varbed horse he traynes to passe his swift carear Or â—ls to gallope round the field now doth he with his speare By steadie crurse obteyne the ryng and now by forsed mighte He breaks his staffe â— now he learns his caruyng glayne to byte On forged sheld That done on foote he runnes a breathyng race And then returnes to court to wayt before his Lieges grace Which he can doo in séemeliest sort therin he hath such skill That better then the best he doth his courtly charge fulfill The dyner don he filles his eares with heauenly melodie And he him selfe on solom lute can stryke sweete hermonie And now amongst the Scottishe Dames as though he weare to chuse He would discourse of histoâ—â—es and tell of forein newes As first the sâ—ege of worthy Troy what knightes therin weare slâ—yn And how that Helen was the cause that Grocians felt such paine Then how the chast â—enelope did leade a widowes lyfe Til hir Ulix and Anthenor did ende the tenne yeares strifâ— Next how Cneas falsly delt with Dido Carthaâ—e Quéene And how for falsing of her faith False Creseide fell vncleane A thousand such this curious knight reports vnto this crew And all god knowes was to the end his Ladie for to vewe The Courtiers they delight to heare his passing eloquence They thank him al he séeks no more he hath his recompence He is good soule a happie man that by that meanes he may At pleasure and without suspect see his Ieneuora Amongst these iestes he mindfull is of secrete méetyng place He cannot that forget where he his Lady shall imbrace There as it lighted in his head he doth vnloode his brayne And she as amours forse her speake doth yeld the like againe Their other passions I commit to you that louers be I cannot think much lesse to wryte theyr fittes of iolytie But many daies these faithfull ones did spend in great delight And lenger had if fortune had not wrought them great dispit For whilst they two with quiet myndes had driuen away the cloude Of carefulnes and nouâ—ht but blisse within their harts did shrowd I faint to tell that Serpent vile that worketh Princes woe That treason black forst them alas theyr â—reedom to forgoe Therfore a dew without desert ye Nymphes of Helicon Possesse your Mount I néed you not let my rude verse alone T is Sibil she that Profitesse that knowes the darksome denne Of Plutos Realm that must be ayde to guyde my rugged penne We must amongst the lothsome shades seeke out Alecto vile That may with mone and solome tune deck this my dolefull style Thou Ioue graunt that I may finde out The bough of golden â—ewe And that the teeth of hellish dogge I safely may eschewe And thou I say that worker art of this my changed songe Help with thy Snakie hears to show the sting of treason strong 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