How could that loue be constant that affection permanent which had no déeper roote then the parents naked consent no surer seale then a bare saluting at the first fight Yet such was the inclination of my youth I earnestly desired to fixe my fancy on some fortunate obiecte worthie of a Princes fauour Many both gorgeous and gallant Dames attended in my Fathers Court yet none fit though all faire While fancy commenced such tumults in my thoughts there arriued in Cyprus a noble Epirote surnamed Aristophon a man noble in déede graced with all ornaments which nature might afford or vertue challenge He was banished from his natiue soyle by tyrannous doome of his vnnaturall Souereigne being falsely accused to attempt an innouation in the State and plot some treacherous practise with the King of Macedon For it was vniustly surmised by some and beléeued by all that he had conspired to betray to him the countrey of Ambracia whereof he was President and had annexed it by force of Armes to the Crowne of Epirus Although his integritie should haue cleared him from such a crime yet as it commonly happens innocencie oppressed by iniurie could not preuaile leauing therefore his vnkinde countrey despairing of returne yet bearing with manlike patience the burthen of his exile he repaired to my Fathers Court who reléeued him with princely liberalitie allowing him an honourable pension for maintenance of his estate for hauing oft employd him in weightie affaires and finding him fortunate in atchieuements he perceiued by these experiments that he was garnished with all glories of nobilitie graue in counsell valiant armes of dauntlesse courage spotlesse truth But leauing this digression I will returne to the proposed entent of my discourse Hée brought with him his daughter and onely childe named Timoclea a creature endued with such ornaments of the bodie graced with such qualities of the minde that it seemed nature and vertue concurring in one had conspired to make her a péerelesse proofe-péece of their vnited perfections and though fortune fretting at their fauours so largely bestowed sought to crosse their courtesies with her cruelties yet could she not blemish the bright-shining worth of so famous a wonder But as a small cloude in a cleare day may somewhat stayne not wholy stop the Sunnes light so fortunes malice did rather darken then drowne her merits in whose Iuory browes Chastitie sate enthronizde as gardian of her lookes Modestie teinting her chéekes with a vermilian dye of Virgin-red maiden-blushes emblasond her a map of mirrors Maiestie whiche beautie claymed birth challenged loue commaunded guided her gestures with such decent proportion as Iuno wanted in the pride of her glorie or Minerua in the prime of her pompe These gifts these glories did so enchaunt enthrall enforce me that hauing scarce viewde her I vowde her mine or my selfe not mine owne such déepe impressions were wrought in mine affections Loue hauing wonne and wounded me with mine owne weapons finding an easy entrance into mine heart through mine eyes the authors of my disease and discouerers of my desire disgarisond my thoughts of wonted fancies conuerting my solace into sobs my delights into despaire I vnable to susteine so grieuous a burthen perceiuing that the more I stroue to allay the heate the more those smothered cinders reuiude in quenchlesse flames Flames which Aetna-like boild in my brest resembling the horrors of Mount Ghibelloes firie rage which vomits millions of vapors and darts heapes of sulphur from the glowing centre being I say torturde with troubles I resolued to finde ease for my loue or end for my life suing to her bountie which had vndone me by her beautie I am so briefe in relating my fortunes as I was then loth to defer the execution of mine enterprise that so highly concernd the hope of my good hap Finding her on a time in company with other I singled her from the rest my intent not suspected by any When we were alone I hauing awhile dallyed with common deuises to enterteine her with varietie of talke in the end though I could not Orator-like paynt my passions in figuratiue tearmes nor contriue them with rhetoricall conceipts yet did I playnely discouer my affection protesting my present loue vowing my future loyaltie producing causes desiring comfort alleadging her worth my wants seasoning my words with many sighes She in a cholerike humor but it was a pretty choler framde a courteous yet cruell answere courteous in her words enterlaced with reuerent speaches cruell in that vnkinde repulse yet kinde rebukes not omitting to insert the respect of her owne honor and the regard of her fathers safetie but concluding her friendly anger in a calmer veine she proffered in submission all seruice loue excepted and her honour reserued Although the last clause afforded sufficient matter for a fresh reply yet did her constancie so confound me that being vnable to vtter one word I brake off our parle abruptly and summoning my fancies to a retreate I resolued to attempt a second onset wherein being likewise vanquished by her vertues yet rather animated then amated these kinde conflicts kindling not quenching my flaming passions I attached a third onset but hauing therein receiued a sharper foyle I proceeded to a fourth of all most fatall for she taunted me with contemptuous tearmes and yéelding a full denyall sealed with a storme of frownes she departed leauing me amid my discontent plunged in a sea of dangerous conceipts musing on my mishaps meditating on her rigor desperate of all hope destitute of all delights but my passions were such that I could not conceale them vndiscouered such my sorrows that I could not smother them in silence thus therefore I vttâ—red part of my griefe in an extemporall Sonet Arisbas his Sonet SHould I accuse mine eyes that boldly gazed On that fayre obiect not to be obteyned Or blame the worth in Europes wonder blazed That them to looke and me to loue constreyned Eyes for excuse alleadgde preuailing reason Heart in extreames on fancies wrong exclaymed Hopes sun-shine clowded like obscurest season Yeelds to despeire at my misfortunes aymed Nature too lauish outward graces planted Vertue too friendly inward bounties sowed Yet those faire eyes of courteous looks are scanted And angels hue on tygres thoughts bestowed Tush loue which not alike did wound vs both Is cause that I my death-like life doe loath But not satisfyed thus to haue expressed my sorrowe I did in an odder veine pen an Elegie without methode or good matter but as it was I will rehearse it Arisbas his Elegie FAint wel I may for I feele enfeebling faintnes about me faintnes vpon my lims heart to beset to besot Loue is a God but a cruell God but a boy but a wanton blinde but boldly triumphs proud to be tearmd a tyran What shal I do shal I sue to the gods that lodge in Olympus there loue seated aloft vaunts to be Lord ouer all Heau'n yeelds small comfort him they do tremble obeying and themselues enthralde
ARISBAS Euphues amidst his slumbers Or Cupids Iourney to Hell DECYPHERING A MYRROR of Constancie a Touch-stone of tried affection begun in chaste desires ended in choise delights And emblasoning Beauties glorie adorned by Natures bountie VVITH THE TRIVMPH OF TRVE Loue in the foyle of false Fortune By I. D. Est aliquid leuibus depingere seria â—â—gis Imprinted at London by Thomas Creede for Thomas Woodcocke and are to be sold at his shop in Paules Church-yard 1594. TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPfull Maister Edward Dyer Esquire the Maecenas of worth and mirror of all admired perfections WEll might Telamonian Aiax Right worshipfull a Peere of the peerlesse Iliade and owner of the seuen-fold target stoutly oppose himselfe to inuading Hector that vaunted his dreaded prowesse backed by succor of the gods and strongly repulse the thick-darted Troian fires from their endaungered nauy the sole staie of their then-doubted return hauing for his vigorous arme so massy a bulwarke for his valiant heart so man-like a bodie And si magnis componere parua licebit in like sort I shrouded vnder the shadow of your worships winges haue therfore the more boldly aduentured to thrust into the open light this mine abortiue issue the frute of some fewe idle houres sith after many thoughts I could not excogitate any more pleasing recreatioÌ„ wheron I might bestow times of leasure hoping that for the common good liking which all men conceiue of you and for the generall good speeches which all men vse of you they will the better censure of my dooing when they see your worshippes name to whose worth this worthlesse Pamphlet is entitled staÌ„ding in the front as a strong fort of defence to shield me from the descanting verdites of such vnfriendly readers which conceiting the Authors entent amisse may wrest his meaning by wroÌ„g coÌ„iectures froÌ„ the sowre ceÌ„sures of the ouer-curious Moralists of our age which glory to be termed the new-vprearers of the loÌ„g ago confuted Stoical Apathy although these harsh ensuing lines merit no such high protectioÌ„ sith they are not ouer-curiously labored for I deem it mere folly to make a trifle a labor or my pleasure my paine and they may be tearmed the worke of a slumbring rather then of a wakefull Muse yet I haue obserued that Poetical method in my discourse which the best most approued Authors of the ancientest and most famous languages haue alwaies vsed allowed beginning in Medio afterward at occasions vnfolding former accidents Howsoeuer if these the saplesse frutes of greene youth pithlesse blossomes of a simple Authors vnripe wit purchase such fauor acceptance as I desire though they deserue not I shall be emboldened to raise my Muses note that now yeelds harsh Musick to an higher key a fairer frute of my better ordred vacant houres manifest my dutie to your worship in some matter of greater import then a superficiall toye for I iudge it the extremitie of folly to trouble the worlde with heapes of trifles But fearing to grow offensiue through tedious interrupting of your worshippes serious affaires and humbly crauing pardon of mine audacious enterprise I ende wishing to your worship manie daies of happinesse in this life and heauen in the other life Your Worships most firmely deuoted in all dutie and seruice Iohn Dickenson To the Gentlemen-Readers LEarned and curteous Gentlemen Although the whitest Swanne sweetest of Apolloes musicall birdes hath put an endlesse periode to his euer-liuing lines being preuented by vntimely death the Herauld of ouer-hastie destiny though he the honour of Art hope of Armes Mineruaes nourse-childe and beloued Secretary to the sacred Muses was in the spring-time of his glorie raised from below to reigne aboue yet as his heroique spirit disrobed of the perishing habit of mortalitie swiftly passing through the inferior orbes hath ascended to the Empyre heauen participating eternall ioyes in the habitation of the blessed and doth with happier eyes view the glorious light of the Deitie and resting in that blisfull seate of his repose woÌ„ders at heauens huge frame wherto his high thoghts did alwaies honourably aspire So his Fame winged with desert suted in robes of immortalitie vanquishing death tryumphing ouer time and nothing staied by triuiall stoppes towres to the cloudes and not comprehended in smal limits fils the eares of all men with oft-rebounded ecchoes of his praise ouerspreading Europe nay the worldes wide continent as did the flourishing vine which seemed to dismaid Astyages in his ill-presaging dreame to couer Asia with a spatious shade If you demaund whom I meane euen he it is to whom I wil ascribe no other titles theÌ„ the world hath allotted though I cannot duly affoord them as he deserues them yet take theÌ„ as I haue placed them in this English distich a testimonie of the reuerent affection which I beare to the memorie of such a famous Worthie Sweet Astrophil the solace of my pen Wonder of worth and Peere of peerlesse men But who can adde to that which is infinite or what pen can sufficiently expresse his praise which exceeds the praises of al pens especially of mine whose slender wit treating such an ample subiect feeles want in plentie raunging in a large field of copious matter and being engulfed in an Ocean of conceit lies there ouerwhelmed But some may demaund wherto this tendes to whom I answere thus briefly framing mine owne Apologie I hope that it shall not minister iust occasion of offence to any that my blushing Muse reuerencing the steps wherein he traced and houering aloofe with awe-full dread doth yet at last warily approach and carefully obserue the directioÌ„s of so worthie a guide in part glance at the vnmatchable height of his heroique humor Did not Statius charge his Thebaide to attend with like reuerence on the loftie foote-steps of the royall Aeneide But to conclude I shall be full heire of mine hope and shall esteeme it no small good hap if you grace mine endeuours with fauourable doome and accept my good-will in lieu of currant performance Thus Gentlemen committing my Pamphlet to your friendly view and submitting my selfe to your curteous censures I end wishing to you al seueral good fortunes and concluding my resolution in this harsh Epigramme hatched in codde humour Quaeris delicias faeetiasque Festiuosque iocos habes quod optas Faecunda Astrophili petens fluenta Late mellifluis referta â—iuis Quaeris dulce melos sales omnes Verborum veneres habes quod optas Foecunda Astrophili petens fluenta Passim nectareis adaucta lymphis Quaeris suauiculi nouos lepores Gazas ingeni tenes quod optas Faecunda Astrophili petens fluenta Lauro littorea superba myrto Illi Pierides fuere curae Illum Pieridesque Gratiaeque Curant Quin petis illius fluenta Queis tot lacteoli canunt olores At me saeuior insidere terrae Cogit Calliope negatque vela Exemit tamen infimo illa vulgo Et sperare dedit placere posse I. D.
marke Men his obiects earth his parke Gods and men his hunting game Beauty natures deareling came Beautie clad in natiue hue Whome the Graces did endue With rich plentie of their gifts Beautie cause of witty shifts Beautie with whose worth delighted Poets haue sweet hymns endited Faire as is the ruddy morne Leauing restfull bowre forlorne Morne dide with Vermilion red Rising from old Tithones bed Thus this fairest of all faire Deind to grace the liquide aire Passing by where loue did stand Holding powre-full bowe in hand Not saluting as she went Him that rag'd in discontent Boyling wrath must issue finde Wrath that boilde in troubled minde For the ease of whose vnrest Thus his furie was exprest Loue said he was Beauties better She said Loue was Natures debter Loue exclaimde on Beauties pride Which all duties force denide She said Loue receiude no wrong Where no dutie did belong None might craue peculiar right Sith they were of equall might He said beautie nere preuailed But where Loue the heart assailed Beautie for it selfe admired His shafts causde to be desired For where Loue bred no remorse There had beautie litle force Psyche was more faire then any Loude of few though likde of many Yet so likde that not affected Sisters sped but she reiected Yet quoth Beautie Psyche gainde Cupids heart to her enchainde Where was then his wonted might Vanquishde by a womans sight Thus fell Loue into a trip Thus she galde him with a quip He said twas his owne procurement She said it was her allurement Loue said beautie pleasde the eie But he wrought hearts sympathie She said heart when eye had viewde Was by beauties force subdude He said beautie soone decaide She said loue no longer staide Then while beautie was in prime Thus did both giue place to time Cupid grieude with these replies Framde by her in taunting wise Sware by dreadfull Stygian lake Greatest vow that gods can make That he would no more descend Till he did this quarrell end Vowing by his godheads might Beauties darlings to despight Thus he saies and vp he flies Swiftly through the Empyre skies If men might this strife decide As by men it should be tride Then would all agree in one Beautie can preuaile alone Beautie able to enthrall Eyes and heart and thoughts and all Yet three powers in one assenting Stroke mine heart heart soone relenting Eyes saw beautie and admirde it Loue saw heart through eyes he firde it But faire lookes did first constraine Cupids shafts to shape my paine Fairer Vertue beauties iewel Bad mee not pronounce Loue cruel Loue that forc'd me to affect Beauties worth by Vertue deckt Then ô three of all the chiefe Ease at last my loathed griefe His second inuention followes thus CVPIDS PALACE PAphos now a worthlesse name Wants the grace of wonted Fame Fishie Cnidus not frequented Samos highly discontented Discontented with the misse Of so great a former blisse Where from altars did arise Odors sweete with louers cries Breathing sighes from hearts amaine Sad reporters of their paine Barraine be Idalian hill Vnadornd by Natures skill Dry be Acidalian spring Circled with no euening ring Of the Fairy wood-Nymphs tripping And on greene grasse lightly skipping Where sweete Amorets were chaunted While it was by goddesse haunted Be they of all bounties reft Sith they are by Venus left Loues coy queene forgetting quight Iles could yeeld her queint delight Deeming earthly mansions drosse Former solace future losse Haunts the palace of her sonne Worke of wonder lately done Daily guest she there remaineth And of loue to Loue complaineth Now no more to rule she deignes Yoked Swans with siluer reines As she did from earth ascend Earth which erst she did commend And returnd through liquide aire Gliding to Ioues royall chaire Vulcan staide from framing thunder That he might erect this wonder Wanton boy would neuer cease Wily mother grant no peace Till by this the strife were ended Feined strife by them pretended Top is close the fourme is round Seated on an azure ground No doore seene yet doores each-where Entries close yet many there For one colour teinteth all Turrets doores and gyring wall Clammy stuffe the colour beareth Halfe white halfe red hue it weareth Such as in Asphaltis lake Did Chaldaean workemen take For that high-entitled frame Honord with first Empires name On the top with triumphs fild Stockdoues mothers birds did build Right side was with windowes dight To receiue th'infused light Light so cleare so bright so faire As in clearest open aire There the roofes are rich embost Wals adornd with equal cost Workes engraude of queint deuise And enchasde with gemmes of price There his bow of beaten gold Worth a world of wealth vntold And shafts pointed with like mettle Wily wag thought meet to settle Pleasure gardian of this roome Author of each happie doome Loues Vicegerent on that side Vaunts the worth of heau'ns chiefe pride Fancies on her steps attend Such as do her fauours send Or affoord the fruites of pleasure When delight by loue they measure These serue when the god doth strike Both hearts with one shaft alike Not that one should sue in vaine And the other dart disdaine But a mutuall passion wrought In one sympathie of thought Or when hope of hap vnproued Plots the praise of things beloued Pyrocles such fancie knew Fancie giuing Loue his due Which did on Philoclea looke Bathing in a Christall brooke He disguisde a virgin seemd And his name was Zelmane deemd O how sweetly did he praise In those lines those louely laies All perfections in her planted For his pen no praises wanted Tresses of her Ambre haire Wauing in the wanton aire Rubie lips and corall chin Soft smooth Alablaster skin Angels â—ookes hands lily white Eyes subduing at the sight Left side hath no windowes made Darker then Tartarian shade There was bowe of fatal yue Acting horrors that ensue And his arrowes with leade tipt Which in Stygian poole were dipt Sorrow keeps this seate of terror Mirthlesse hag the whelpe of error Fancies do on her attend Fancies which despaire do send When one shaft poore heart doth shiuer Drawne from loue-enforcing quiuer But a second tipt with lead Strikes affections vigor dead In an other heart not moued With remorse of paine vnproued These do on repulses muse And Loues rigor oft accuse And soft sounds like minutes breath Sighes by turnes from vnderneath But ô God the most diuine Sith Timocleas heart and mine Were with equall wound opprest And with fairest Fancies blest End these sowres with sweete conclusion Least thy godhead seeme illusion His third inuention not treating of loue but shadowing the worth of Poesie in a fiction was thus The worth of Poesie IMpute it not prophane impietie Dread god of Delos and chaste virgin-troupe To him that in vnpitied miserie That doth enforce his wearied muse to stoupe And him all cheerlesse abiect-like to droupe Reueales those holie secrets of your hill That do concerne defence of depest skill
that béeing a stranger hée lamented the losse of his way to which imagination applying his words hée began thus Friend for so I may tearme you without offence the day is almost spent and the night dangerous for such as you are or at least seeme to bée I meane a stranger Accept then a simple lodging in my Cottage with such homely fare as Shepheards houses yeelde and when to morrowes Sunne shall display his faire though late forcelesse beames you may prosecute your entended iourney wherein if my directions may further you you shall finde me ready to afford them Arisbas wondering at such rare humanitie harboured in those contemptible wéedes made a long pause as if he had enioynde his mouth to perpetuall silence at last shapt this reply Friend for so your proffered courtesie bindes me to tearme you muse not that sobs interrupt my wordes or sorrowes season my discourse which onely comfort my fates haue assignde mée What I was I list not now repeate what I am you sée I grieue A lodging in your Cottage I gladly accept your countrey fare ile thankefully receiue Your directions will be as néedefull as my distresse is notable My bodie wearied much through trauaile requires longer rest then one nightes repose My minde wrapped in a Chaos of confusions expects ease by earnest conference I haue a secret to disclose a sorrowe to disciphre which while I smother in priuate passions I shall in stead of comfort reape discontent but by discouering my fortune I may discharge my fancie And if this double fauour doe procéede from you then in requitall of your courtesie first I beséech Iupiter Xenius the patrone of hospitalitie and protector of strangers to blesse your labors prosper your attempts enrich your store with heaped plentie Next I vowe by that bright lampe heauens ornament that if fortune as she is neuer stable rayse me from so lowe an ebbe to the wonted height of my good hap I will remunerate your kindnesse with most ample recompence For knowe that I can by birth challenge what may beséeme a Prince to clayme Euery Shepheard is not a Swayne nor all priuate that séeme poore Damon such was the Shepheards name séeing maiestie in his lookes grauitie seated in disguise royaltie suted in base attire gathered by these probable coniectures that he could be of no meane degrée mooued therefore with a déeper remorse he curteously intreated him to repaire to his simple lodging and remayne there till fortune should conuert her frowns into fauors protesting that though he could not entertaine him as the qualitie of his condition required yet he would supply in good will the disabling defects of his lowe estate Which wordes wrought such chéerefulnesse in the heart of Arisbas that he yéelded him millions of thanks and accompanyed him to his house which when he entred he found not gorgeously embost yet gayly trimmed not courtly yet comely though homely yet handsome and he was kindly welcommed by Damons wife who gréeted him with a merry countenance being by her husband certified of his fortune Soiourning there some small time he sought by sundry meanes to abolish the impression of his sorrowe but being vnable to finde ease in ease he resolued to depart and finish his search by finding his loue or ending his life Thus ready to effect his resolution he determined to enforme Damon at full of his estate knowing that he being both borne and brought vp in Arcadia could not be ignorant of such accidents as fortune there had acted As they walked together on a day through Damons ground conferring of sundry matters the heate growing excessiue they hasted to a coole shade there sate downe Arisbas loth to omit so méete occasion séeing opportunitie friend to his desire began thus Friend Damon sith many respects shorten my intended residence I haue resolued with speede to leaue you though for euer bound to loue you my fortune enforceth the one your courtesie causeth the other But before my departure I will disclose to you a secret which may moue you to meruaile and me to melancholy A secret so rare so ruthfull that euery periode may effect a passion each clause a corrosiue wherein you shall sée a world of wonders plotted by loue and perfourmed by fortune For know that you haue lodged a Prince whose maiestie masking in disguise of miserie droupt in a lower ebbe then might séeme a decorum in my former dignitie If you muse at this then marke the rest and lend attentiue eare to my tale Cyprus of all neighbour Iles the noblest is my fathers Kingdome the succession of whose estate right of birth and title of inheritance will by due claime after his decease transferre to mée But what auailes it to be inuested with a diademe want delight When the date of my nonage was expired hee desirous to linke me in some honourable alliance determined to prouide a wife with an ample dowrie and large hopes of future good haps Many Princes of Ionia and Péeres of Europe desirous to insert themselues into so royall a kinred and to haue interest in so noble a Familie offered their daughters with large portions But onely the Prince of Lemnos sped in his suite whose allyance my Father accepted shadowing his pretence which was aymed at hoped profit for the match was concluded with this condition that if the Prince dyed without heire Male as he then had none nor may by any likelihoode hope of any then the enioying of his estate and possession of his Crowne should in right of his daughter descend to mée This compact thus subtilly contriued was by agréement of both our Parents confirmed so that nothing wanted to finish the bargaine and strengthen the contract but my consent whereof my Father seeming to conceiue no doubt made me priuie to his proceedings commanding me to deliuer my resolution in briefe and playne tearmes I who misliking his choise would not conforme my thoughts to an others direction perceiuing the old mans drift yet dissembling my intent answered in effect thus that my yeares were fewe my experience small my affections frée a sole life best fitting my fancie Yet did I in humilitie submit me to his disposing onely crauing a little respit to summon my senses and conceite a change desiring him to impute the not liking of so honourable an estate to the imperfections of my youth He suspecting no fraude in these faire speaches thought it sufficient that I was so flexible and referd the times appointment to mine owne choise But I déeming nothing more dishonourable then to measure affection by money or leuell the eye fancies herault at a gainefull though inglorious obiect pronounced lucre an heresie in loue and estéeming such mercenary thoughts méeter for a peasant than a Prince would rather neuer marry then so marre For should I wed mine owne woe Should I accept her a spouse whose beautie I beheld not whose behauiour I knewe not of whose worth I was vncertaine because it was vnséene
make a long discourse briefely told them that hauing by hard fortune left his Countrey he was taken by Pirats amongst whome he had long led a miserable life being most barbarously handled they sometimes alluring him with faire promises sometimes terrifying him with sharpe menaces but no way able to winne him to their wills or moue him to satisfye their beastly lust Oft he cursed his worthlesse beautie so he tearmed it that had caused that wretched bondage wherein he had endured so many troubles continuing resolutely in his chast constancie Thus much he discouered and desired them to question no farther of his estate but earnestly besought one of them whome it should so please to enterteyne him as his seruant and promised to doe his duetie with all deuoire of diligence Aegon the wealthier of the two a man of approoued honestie enterteined him tooke him home and since that time hath vsde him not as a seruant but a sonne for hauing no childe he purposeth to make him his heire When the fame of this wonder and the fortune of his arriuall was bruted through the countrey Aegons house was frequented with troupes of Arcadians lusty Gallants and dainty Girles Ranished with the viewe of so rare a creature they all sayde that eyther Hyalus béeing retransformed had returned to grace Arcadia or Cupid shrowded in disguise of mortall shape was come to fire their hearts with newe flames Thus was this wonder admired of all loued of Shepheards and liked of Lasses Happy séemed the Swayne that could enioy his company prowde was the Girle that could for a louers glaunce receiue a friendly looke Among the rest Dorylus an Heard-man doting more déepely then became a Neateheard assaying all meanes possible yet finding no meanes possible to compasse his desire at last resolued to woe him with offers try him with presents and tempt him with gifts for déeming loue a couetous humor hée thought this the onely point for his purpose Béeing in so odde a veyne presuming to foresée his owne successe he plotted his supposed fortune in a Poeme which béeing common in euery Shepheards mouth I will nowe recite that you may iudge howe cunningly he could contriue his fancy in a fiction Cupids iourney to Hell LOue leauing heau'n gan post to Stygian lake And being landed on the farther shore For Plutoes palace did his iourney make To view his vncles Court and royal store Thus hauing crept from mothers sight by stealth He welcom'd is with pompe by bloodlesse ghoasts And hels grim tyran greeting him with health His royalties to powre-full nephew boasts Hauing viewd each strange hue of monstrous shape They feasted with great iollitie in hell And sawc'd their meate with store of pressed grape Till wine did wit and sense from them expell Sleepe causde by fumes to their ore-charged braines Did seaze on both first Pluto tooke a nap Next Cupid thus his quaffing moode constraines Laie downe to rest him dreading no mishap In hast the fondling from his shoulders threw His deare bought quiuer and his fatall bowe Faire Proserpine came in and at the view Forthwith exclaimde these these haue wrought my woe These these causde me depriude of wonted ioy T'inhabit Hell these firde the leachers lust But sith they are misguided by a boy I will commit them to an others trust This said came Plutus headlong tumbling in Plutus the god of Coyne blinde as the other Whom with faire words the guilefull queene did win T'vsurpe those gifts and seeme loues second brother At first he fearde at last he was delighted With vsing them and smiled oft to thinke How mens affections by those shafts excited Obeide his doome which loue with gold did linke Cupid awaking miss'd the dreaded signes Of godheads might strange passions did him tosse He wreathes his armes in folds and them vntwines Thus childishly he mones his haplesse losse He wept he fled in hell he durst not hide him Grieude with the murmure of so many soules Neere heau'n he dares not come least Venus chide him What should he do whom Fortune thus controules Foule fall the wagge that lost so rare a iewell Long may he lurke that could no better gard His fathers toile his mothers pride the fewell Which for hearts wracke eyes glaunses haue preparde Sith then the god of gaine vsurps loues roome I will with gifts make sute for gracious doome You may perhaps doubt the coherence of this deuise thinking it straunge that Plutus stumbled in headlong at that instant no former cause of his hastie comming being pretended but marke my briefe report which being heard his inuention may séeme plausible In this the last and worst time wherein men carry golden thoughts though it be an iron age Plutus perceiuing the generall desire of wealth setled in all hearts thought himselfe so great a god as the best since his giftes were so estéemed of the most Meaning therefore more benignely to expresse his bounties royaltie he lent the vse of his chief seruants to sundrie his well-willers pretending those the onely acceptable sacrifice to obtain his fauour their names were Couetousnesse Deceit Periurie and the Séede of all mischiefe that Arch-sinne Vsurie Hauing thus prepared a path-way he fancying greater glories due to his diuellish deitie discouered himself in the West supposing that these Coyne-cormorants these Money-mongers his godheads chiefe pillers would runne in heapes to adore him and fill the earth with Temples erected in honor of his name But his hope wanted successe for these odde companions hearing that his iollitie had ascended from his infernall lodging to frollike with them contriued meanes to catch him and hauing layd hold on him they hampred him so euerie one catching a péece that he erst in hell a god was now on earth a prisoner mangled and martired by those his fauourites locked in great chests strengthned with yron barres kept so close that the poore god was almost stifeled gasping oft for breath but being blinde he felt no want of light though closed in darkenesse where the glorie of his former beautie was blemished by rust But when Saturnes blacke sonne had sent his poursiuant Death to seaze on these hucksters for whome a stately bath was prepared in euer-burning Phlegeton the children not liking their fathers close fingring restored Plutus to his libertie but with his losse for they brought him from prison to torture setting him on the racke stretching his ioyntes so that he possessed more roome then Tityus whose bodie couered so many acres for they made him reach or rather retch to the benefites of all those whom they glutted with inordinate giftes and they had almost dismembred him for they drew him so â—rie and sucked y e marrow so néere the quintessence of 〈◊〉 substance being bestowed on the basest though best-sâ—â—â—ing commodities that the leane god had nothing 〈◊〉 but skin bone At last winding himselfe from their he met in this perplexitie with his olde friend Fruâ—â—â—itie which being an expert Chirurgian set him togither againe hauing
recouered his legs away he trotted amaine wingd with feare dreading euer that some of those mad companions were at his héeles and neuer thought himself secure vntill he came to hell but he left his seruant Treasure behinde him on the earth with a thousand curses to them which kept it Of which one was that they should neuer be quiet in minde Another that the brats of Vsurers should be alwaies sicke of the loose disease neuer able to holde any thing long Thus haue you heard the cause of his headlong stumbling in but here I will presume to comment on the conceit of Dorilus Plutus did gladly â—â—cept this offer of Proserpina hoping thereby to recouer his seruant Treasure for which purpose he vsed to wound louers after Cupids fashion with the gold-tipped shafts but he pierced the hearts of their beloued obiects with leaden headed arrowes though garnished with a thin couerture of golde which intimated that they carried Mercinary affectioÌ„s not vouchsafing them any fauour which brought them no fée But belike the god himselfe ment to share stakes and by that kinde of tribute which they paied to recouer in part his seruant Treasure through them to whom he had bene the author of so profitable a profession Hereat Arisbas smiled and Damon ending this his first merry digression procéeded thus on a second This was not his first experience of repulsed affection and vnregarded passions for before this wonders arriuall he extremely doated on Palma a faire shepheardesse which was more delighted with obseruing Dianaes orders then accepting his offers He halfe in despaire pend a conceit as he thought persuasiue thinking that could moue her which did rathâ—r mad her and thus it was Dorylus his Ode in English Sapphiques TEll me thou fairest of al earthly creatures Faire by thy vertue by thy beautie blessed Tell me what moues thee to refuse my seruice sleightly regarded Loue of a sole life to be like Diana May perhaps moue you but I wish ye would not Would not or could not but I hope ye will not stil be resolude so If to the Forrests to the shadie thickets Fancie doth moue thee to repaire alone thus If to the wide woods to the craggie mountaines or to the vallies Then wil I speed mee to the groues vnhanted Where Satyres sport them to the Fairie wood-Nymphs Nimbly now skipping then againe reposing neare to the fountaines Like not a sole life Venus is reuenging Feare ye not frownings of an angrie goddesse Scorne not her hests then be no foe to Nature Loue is a pleasure Beautie decaieth yet is no chiefest Grace of a Virgin yet it is required Life is vncertaine Who can hold a shadow Lost in a moment Such was his conceit wherein he sped not as he expected the issue of his fortune yet loth to disgrace himselfe to salue that suspition which might intimate want of perfections in him he thus feined the cause of that repulse Dorylus his Madrigal Loue vowde himselfe my friend and chose his time To wound faire Palma Cynthia him espide As wantonly the god did climbe To fit his aime and sware to worke his smart If he presum'd to pierce so chaste an heart And therewithall from Mayden side She drew a shaft away the god gan flie With wings fast wau'd nor durst the wanton scant Or slacke his course amid the skie Thus he his will and I my wish must want But let vs returne to his last wooing hauing thus descanted â—ndeceiuing hope hée attempted to effect his deuice but failing in the execution being reiected with seuere lookes finding frownes in stead of fauours he felt such déepe impression of sorrow that since that time of his repulse he hath led a discontented life spending his daies in pensiue meditations His fortune or rather misfortune not so rare as by his laments made ruthfull is memorized by vs in a prouerbial byword for we term il successe in loue the destinie of Dorylus Thus you haue heard what I can discourse concerning this wonder a name well fitting his perfections modestie of behauiour maiestie of lookes comelinesse not common fairenesse of face eyes lyke Starres browes sometimes furrowed with prettie frownes yet alwayes beauties bowre frownes resembling those siluer steppes in the milke-white way leading to Ioues palace chéekes cherrie redde yet was this louely tincture circled with a mayden white such neate proportion of all parts that I want a world of tearmes to emblason their perticular praises and will therefore ende with this affertion which I dare auouch against all men that Nature in framing him hath wronged her owne sexe bereauing it of so great a glorie Arisbas galled to the quicke with Damons wordes houering betwéene hope and feare knew not how to surmise what to suppose for he felt a worlde of melancholy motions mustring tumults in his fancie Weighing the report of that wonders beautie he thought it could be no other then his Timoclea but when he remembred the diuersitie of the sexe he was againe discouraged till hope rescuing his drouping passions with timely succours of happie comfort bad him imagine that as loue doth oft effect rare stratagems so he might proue his power miraculous in this one thing shadowing the sexe for his auaile Being in these dumpes he held a session in his thoughtes whereto he assembled all his powers and therein resolued to ryd himselfe of this doubt by a spéedie view of that far-renowmed wonder For this purpose hée enquired of Damon the name and distance of the place where hée remained who answered that hée dwelt farre of in the Southerne parts of Arcadia and that it were â—â—lly to wearie himselfe with a néedelesse iourney sith if hée woulde continue his abode but nine dayes hée might with lesse trauaile and in a full assembly view him at ease The Prince demanded how The shepheard after a long pause beganne thus gracing his relation with an vnexpected discourse When our Country was haunted with the almost-daily presence of heauens high inhabitantes though now bereaued of so great a good through our owne ingratitude For Iupiter courted Calisto in Dianaes shape robbing her of her dearest Iewell and Apollo mastered or rather martyred by Cupid for his high contempt pursued swift Daphne winged with chaste desires There liued in Arcadia a most faire Ladde famous as the rest I may well terme him faire a terme too slender to emblazon his beauties woorth Much I muse yet I néede not muse for Iupiter possessed Ganimede alreadie that he made not him a praie for his pleasure But sith I cannot fully expresse his perfections I wil rehearse to you the description of him couched by an Arcadian pen-man in a briefe Ode a conceit wel knowne to all shepheards and by them oft recited The description of Hyalus in an Ode GAnimede th'Idaean boy Second glorie of the day Phrigiaes wonder fathers ioy Loues content â—oues wishfull pray Blith Adonis beauties treasure Venus darling Fancies fire In whose lookes were heauens of pleasure Fruite
protested to obey my doome and obserue the propounded conditiō But ere time winged with thoughts swiftnesse had touched the prefixed point of my then-imminent perill I was happily freed from feare of his force and deliuered from dread of that danger by Anaxander a valiant Gentleman of Sparta who hauing charge of a Galley scoured those seas being sent by the Ephori and bounde by strict commandement to execute seuere iustice on such malefactors which infested the seas with piracies and landing oft on the coast of Laconia for raged the Country tooke rich pillage committed many spoils But Anaxander méeting this neast of théeues part of that accursed societie encountred them and hauing after small fight bourded them put all that crue of caitiues to the sword accounting mercy to such offenders an high blemish of iustice Me onely he saued with gentlemanlike compassion pittied my distresse You may perhaps suppose that now my sorrowes were ended and I in protection of this worthie patron without the compasse of fortunes reach but if you so thinke your iudgements faile these my sea-fortunes those vnstaied waues do in most liuely sort expresse the vncertaintie of worldes wauering as by attending the sequele you may easily conceipt When the report of this exploit was bruted to the eares of those other monsters for the minde of man degenerating from the decorum of humanitie becomes monstrous complotting mischiefes excéeding the vildenesse of beastes and the bodie the mindes instrument slaue to that tyrannicall gouernment wherein affections rule and reason obeyes effects them they I say hearing this lamented the ill hap of their fellowes especially the Captaines death whome they affected for his valure and admired for his villanies to them séeming vertues But cōuerting their mones into mad fury they confederated themselues in a bloudy league vowing extreame reuenge on that worthie Gentleman whome they opprobriously tearmed the proud Iusticier of Lacedaemon They had got togither sixe vessels Resicles a Cretan was Admirall of this accursed fléete fortune sildome foe to worst attemptes suted their expectation with hoped successe For méeting the Spartan Galley they encompassed her and commencing a bloudie broile after long fight laid vs aboord slue them all and not satisfied with this butchery exercised more barbarous crueltie mangling the dead bodies into many péeces Here againe I escaped death reserued by fortune for a second brunt of dishonour which likewise I preuented not touched with the least spot of reproach The souldiers of Resicles taking me brought me to their Captaine who fancying in his fond thoughts a world of future imagined pleasures entertained me kindly and wooed me with many curtesies I filled him with vaine hopes limiting my consent with delaie of time as I vsed the other before and meane while plotted meanes for my escape which thus I effected At the very time wherin the feast of Thesmophoria was celebrated at Eleusis with mysticall obseruations by the Priests of Ceres Resicles hauing left his fellow-Pyrats which dispersed themselues to purchase booties tooke a vessell of Samos returning from Syria a rich prize The day ensuing he his accursed companions applied themselues wholly to myrth and belly-chéere for ioy of their good fortune seeming to celebrate the Bacchanals in their disordred dyet dyet I terme it because they oft vsed such excesse When the wine had preuailed and fumes ascending from their stomaches had besieged their ouerwhelmed braines summoning their distempered senses to rest they laie as drowned in a sléepie charme without feare or regard in euery corner some The winde and sea the one quiet the other calme did fauour them fortune their common friend did not annoy them with approach of enemies for if a tempest had bene raised or the foe assailed them doubtlesse they had receiued a full reward of their dissolute demeanours I iudging this a fit time for my escape slily conueied my selfe into the long boat and cutting the roape rowed so well as I could to the shore which was not farre off leaping on land I left my boat to the seas direction and running with hasted steppes discryed two Arcadians both which are now present the one a friendly relieuer of my distresse I entreated their tariance by signs and being come to them was kindly comforted by them Since which time I haue remained in this Country where what fortunes I haue felt most Arcadians can relate Thus haue I contriued the rehearsall of my troubles into a briefe discourse Timoclea would faine haue procéeded but a generall murmure of admiration raised by the whole assembly hindred her entended purpose Aegon stood vp suing for silence by signes hauing obtained audience spake thus Country-men and friends doubtlesse the discouery of this rare secret and due guerdon of loues long-suffering patience was deferred to this time by iust prescience of the immortall powers For next the rare hap of Hyalus whose memory we now celebrate what other accident could so directly fit the feast of Parthenia As his sexe was miraculously changed from a faire ladde to the fairest girle that euer liued in Arcadia so this lampe of royaltie the Paragon of womans perfections found in this place at this time the onely occasion of disclosing of her disguise and being supposed by all the mirror of our sexe may now be tearmed the wonder of woman-kinde The whole assembly applauded his words arguing hereby that they confirmed his opinion by their cōsenting censures Many floures were throwne on those two louers the floures of true affection and each departing filled his natiue prouince with report of this rare accident so that the miraculous metamorphosis of Hyalus was almost drowned in obliuion Arisbas hauing repossessed his Loue the staie of his life thinking it high time to glad his aged father with his returne whose discontent as he not vainly supposed his departure had bred taking with him his dearest Timoclea with Damon and Aegon tarrying litle in Arcadia hasted to the next hauen and there embarqued for Cyprus where arriuing in the hauen of Famagosta he found a wonderfull change For the aged King dispairing of his eldest sonnes safetie had matched Anaxilas the second brother of Arisbas with the Lemnian Princes daughter whose father deceasing immediatly after the marriage he in right of his wife reigned Prince of Lemnos Arisbas nothing discontent with these newes sent one to certifie his father of his arriuall The old King replenished with incredible ioy was transported into a trance recouering himself he hasted his aged steps towardes the hauen and méeting his sonne by the way fel on his necke shedding many teares swéete arguments of his high content Arisbas preparing to craue pardon of his departure was preuented by his oft redoubled fatherly welcomes and embraces with like kindnesse he entertained trembling and blushing Timoclea spake curteously to Damon and Aegon Returning to the palace he tooke great delight in hearing his sonne relate the troubles and daungers with oft changes of Fortune endured by him and his dearest Timoclea and iudging it inexpiable impietie to hinder the successe of so rare affection resolued to giue loue his right and marrie them honourably For this purpose hee sent Herauldes to all the Ilandes adiacent and Prouinces scituate in the maine of Greece which published in his name leaue and libertie of accesse to all whom soeuer especially strangers of account which would repaire to his Court and be present at the nuptiall of his son honour him in such princelike exercises as might best beséeme the worth of that intended solemnitie not omitting to expresse the time These messages had such successe that besides a troupe of meaner persons the most worthie Heroes of Greece appeared at the appointed time being present at the ceremonies of Hymens rytes gaue honourable testimonie of their perfourmance The Cyprian Kings second sonne then soueraigne of Lemnos and his faire Princesse were part of that royall assembly whereat the Nobles of Cyprus did glister in almost-kingly pompe Forthwith many honourable sportes and déeds of chiualry were exercised in which Arisbas and Anaxilas were chiefe challengers suted both in purest white mounted both on milke-white Coursers richly caparrasoned The old King entending farther fauour to his sonne and desirous to disburthen himselfe of the heauie charge of gouernment and inuest his age with ease surrendred his estate resigned y e regiment to Arisbas whom he caused to be adorned with the royall Diademe and he entending like fauour to his dearest Timoclea caused her to be likewise crowned Queene of Cyprus These second solemnities thus finished the princelyke strangers and others departed bruting an honourable report of the Cyprian Courts royaltie Damon and Aegon hauing receiued rare entertainment and rich rewards for their former courtesies shipped themselues for Arcadia Fortune ending frownes with fauours did thus absolue the catastrophe of this roial Comedy which was yet imperfect The old Cing of Epirus deceasing his sonne Sostratus a man of milder disposition succéeded him in the Crowne who remembring the former good seruice of banished Aristophon and knowing his innocencie sent immediatly after his coronation an honourable Ambassage to conclude a league with the yoong King of Cyprus and reduce thence guiltlesse Aristophon from exile The Ambassadour was royally receiued and entertained in the Court of Cyprus and hauing declared the cause of his comming sped in both his demands For the league of amitie betwéene those two mightie Princes was solemnely concluded by oath and Aristophon desirous to laie his bones in the mother-soyle that brought him forth was soone persuaded to return Taking his leaue therfore of y e old prince the yong King his daughter raised to such royall estate he returned into his Country hauing with him the other Péere of Epyrus and a noble man of Cyprus sent by Arisbas to cause King Sostratus to sweare likewise that the league might be confirmed by their mutuall othes Such was the successe of this rare oft-thwarted loue which my ouerbold penne hath presumed thus rudely to discyper If any decorum be omitted or indecorum committed I can not otherwise excuse it curteous Gentlemen then by your fauours which wil I hope beare with such imperfections not impute it to mine owne desert which was loth to pollish a toy whereon I neuer bestowed more labour then sometimes an idle houre of recreation FINIS