all decayes Let me with sâ—…rrow sit alone In doleâ—…ull thoughts to end â—…y dayes And when I hearâ—… the stormes ariâ—…e That troubled Ghosts doe leaue the graue With hellish â—…ounds of horrâ—…rs â—…ries Let mâ—… gâ—…c looke oâ—… of my caâ—… And whâ—…n I feele what paines they bide That doe the greatest tormâ—…nts proâ—…e Then let not me the sorrow hide That I haue sufferd by my loue Where losses crosseâ—… câ—…re and gâ—…iefe Wâ—…th 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hâ—…full hate Withoâ—…t all hope of haps reliefe Dâ—…e tugge and teare the heart to naught Bâ—… sighâ—… and 〈◊〉 and siâ—…g and swâ—…are It is too much for one to beare When shee had ended thus her passion I meane in writing carelesly shee left it in her chamber where-tâ—…e Iaâ—…lor finding it falne on the floore as a thing of little account when he had perused and taken a true copie of it he secretly lost it where he found 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that if the King knewe her extremities he would somewhâ—…t aâ—…pease his furie and release her from prison Cleodora was not more distressed with dolour than poore Eliosto was combred with care to see so strange â—… chance and so suddaine a change that he who of late was a royall Prince was now a distressed captiue that his libertie was turned to â—…etters his dignitie to miserie and his happie state to a most hellish condition thâ—…t after floods of teares which fell from his chrystal eâ—…es he burst foorth into these teaâ—…mes Alas quoth hee what humane creature was euer driuen into such doubtfull calamities what Prince was euer perplexed with such dolefulâ—… passions what man was euer crossed with such aduerâ—…tie nay what wight eâ—…er was clogged with the like 〈◊〉 haue the spightfull Dâ—…stinies decreed my destruction or thâ—… 〈◊〉 Plâ—…nets conspired my bitter ouerthrowe doth peruerse Fortune meane to make mee a mirrour of mutabilâ—…e â—…r is this the reward that Cupid bestowes vpon his Clients is euery one that doth fancie maimed with the like misfâ—…rtune or is Loue alwaies accompanied with such 〈◊〉 lucke Alas no for their Loue is lawfull and mine leâ—…d aâ—…d lasciuious their fancie is fixed vpon veâ—…tue and minâ—…â—…pon vanity they make their mâ—…tch witâ—… eqâ—…lity and 〈◊〉 â—…arket with my fathers 〈◊〉 so that I â—…m â—…ike â—…n choosing such chaffer to chop and change and liue by the losse yeâ—… to buy reâ—…entance at an vnreasonable rate But noâ—… I sâ—…e the Sunne beeing at the highest declineth the Seâ—… 〈◊〉 at the full tide â—…bbeth calme continueth not loâ—…â—…out a storme neâ—…ther is happines had long witâ—…out moâ—…rning blisse witâ—…out woe weale without 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without sorrow For who oâ—… late so floated in the â—…loods of prosperitie as I which now by the sinâ—…ster meanes oâ—… frowning Fortune am sowsed in theseas of oppression exalted of late to the highest degree of felicitie am now driuen to the greatest extremitie of eâ—…ill of late puffed vp with prosperitie and now pushed downe with aduersitie yea oâ—… late placed in Paradice and now plunged in perplexitie Oh Eâ—… if thy fâ—…indes fatherly precepts might haue perswaded thee if their aduices had beene thy aduertisements and thou hadst carâ—…fully kept their counsels then by their forewarning thou hadst beene fore armed against all mishap and miserie The force offickâ—…e fancie had not then giâ—…en tâ—…ee the fâ—…ile Loue had not so lightly procured â—…hy losse nor the painted shewe of beauty had â—…o soone procured â—…hy destruction With that taking a Lute in his â—…nd vpon a deep consideration of his former follies and prâ—…sent fortunes 〈◊〉 sung this Roundelay which it seemes his dignitie had borrowed of a worthy wâ—…iter Eliostâ—…s Roundelay Sitting 〈◊〉 sighâ—…ng in my secret muse As oncâ—… Apollo did 〈◊〉 with Loue Noâ—…ing the 〈◊〉 â—…aies young yearâ—…s doâ—… vsâ—… 〈◊〉 fond affectâ—… 〈◊〉 pâ—…ime of youth dâ—…th 〈◊〉 Wâ—…th 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deâ—…pairing I dâ—…e crie Woâ—… worth the â—…aulis and 〈◊〉 of mine 〈◊〉 When wanton age the blossome of my time Drew me to gaze vpon the gorgeous sight That Beautie pompous in her highest prime Presents to tangle men with sweet delight Then with despairing teares my thoughts doe crie Woe worth the fauâ—…ts and follies af mine eiâ—… When I suruaid the riches of her lookes Where-out flew flames of neuer quencht desire Wherein lay baires that Venus snares with hookes Or where prowd Cupid sate all arm'd with fire Then toucht with Loue my inwâ—…rd soule did criâ—… Woe worth the faults and follies of mine eie The milke white Galaxia of her browe Where Loue doth daunce Lauoltaes of his skill Like to the Temple where true Louers vow To follow what shall please their mistresse will Noting her Iuorie front now doe I crie Woe worth the faults and follies of mine eie Her face like filuer Luna in her shine All tainted through with bright vermillian straines Like Lillies dipt in Bacchus choicest wine Powdred and inter-seam'd with azur'd vaines Delighting in their pride now may I crie Woe worth the faults and follies of mine eie The golden wyers that checkers in the day Inferiour to the tresses of her haire Her Ambertrammels did my heart dismay That when I lookâ—… I durst not ouer-dare Prowd of her pride now I am forc't to crie Woe worth the faults and follies of mine eie These fading Beauties drew me on to sin Natures great riches fram'd my bitter ruth These were the traps that Loue did snare me in Oh these and none but these haue wract my youth Mis-led by them I may despairing crie Woe worth the faults and follies of mine eie By those I slipt from Vertues holy 〈◊〉 That leads into the highest chrystall 〈◊〉 By these I fell to vanitie and wracke And as a man forlorne with sinne and feare Despaire and sorrow doth constraine me crie Woe worth the faults and follies of mine eiâ—… After that Eliosto had vttered this Sonnet in the bitternes of minde word was brought him by certaine Officers that the King hauing throughly canuased with his Counsell the notorious dislike of his incestuous transgressions hath found it vnpardonable and so my Lord quoth they you must prepare your selfe for death for to morrowes light must consummate the period both of yours and Cleodoraes daies I embrace the sentence quoth Eliosto most willingly and now thou Saturnes blacke sonne do thy worst for I am altogether vnable to sustaine any longer so grieuous a burthen as I do I perceiue that the more with patience I striue to allay the heate of my exulcerate torments the more the smothered cindars reuiue in quenchlesse flames flames that Aetna-like boyle in my breast resembling the horrors of mount Chibelloes fiery rage which vomites millions of vapours and dartes heapes of sulphre from the glowing centre In a word when the darke night had ouer-spread the earth with â—…er blacke mantle Amazias ouercharged with sorrow could take no rest but passing the time in brinish teares lamented the exceeding great folly of his sonne in that hee woulde after so licentious a manner so desperately precipitate himselfe into daunger but neyther the ardent perswasions of his Nobles nor yet fatherly affection could diueâ—…t him from his bloody determination The next morning the people leauing their lodgings betimes went to the place where the execution should bee and there proâ—…ded themselues an easie rowme without the 〈◊〉 for within them none might stand the Nobles and their necessarie Attendants excepted with them infinit troupes of the assembâ—…ed strangers hasted to preuent Tuan who shaking his dewie lockes on the mountaines posted from the watrie cabbiâ—… of Nereus to bee an earely viewer of these tragiâ—…all spectacles But ere he had measured a teâ—…th proportion of â—…is daily pace the Peeres suted in long sable robes with wreathes of Cyprus branches consecrated to Cyparâ—…ssus encompassing their temples came forward and with them other inferiour assistants clad in their mourning garments each attending vpon his seuerall charge Next these came Eliostâ—… and Cleodora consisting of the fairest of both â—…indes flowrishing in the prime of their youth and in theâ—… ride of their beautie attired all in long blacke ornaments trailing after them wearing on their heads garlaâ—…ds of odoriferous flowers Who beeing arriued vpon the scaffold after the finishing of the ceremoniall rites yielded vp their liues vnto the fatall stroke of Iustice. These two patients beeing thus executed during the time for the preparation of rich and solemne funerals they were for a publike obseruation brought into the base court of the Palace to the great griefe of all the beholders After this the King caused a royall and sumptuous furniture to be celebrated for their obsequies and with such honour as their dignâ—…ties required whom burying in the 〈◊〉 of Saint Lawrenâ—… he erected a stately Mauâ—…olaenm to â—…ee the common bedde of those bodies whose hearts when they were aliue were so firmely conioyned together And lest theâ—…e sâ—…ould be left any thing 〈◊〉 in this tragâ—…al accident Lucilla for the vnspeakable 〈◊〉 of her mist. esse did drowne herselfe for whom a stately bath was prepared in euer burning Phlegeton The Conclusion SVch was the successe of this rare oft-thwarted loue which my ouer bold pen hath presumed thus rudely to descipher If any decorum be omitted or indecorum committed I cannot otherwise excuse it cuâ—…teous Readers then by your fauours which will I hope beare with such imperfections and not impute it to mine owne desert which was loath to pollish a toie whereon I neuer bestowed more labour than â—…ometimes an idle houre of recreation Gratias Deo vni trino Disce senâ—… virtutem ex me M. Ed. ex Coll. Reg. in Ox.
perceiving without casting of her water where she was pained shaped her this reply For mine owne part Madam as yet I never had experience of what force Love is and therefore ignorant of the disdaine and sorrow which such as you are sustaine yet neverthelesse I verily beleeve that the passion both of the one and the other is so great and vnmeasurable that the surplusage of the alterations that trouble and moleâ—…t the spirit is nothing in respect of this inexplicable distresse But I behold and perceive the imbecility of humane minds and how soone through vnlawful desires they are disquieted which with no lesse tranquilitie are digested in the stomacke and thoughts then the sea sands when they are encountred with the tumultuous blasts of powerfull Borâ—…as Ah Madam where is the great chastitie that made you once more renowned then all the Ladies in Lemnos I beseech you labour to containe your selfe in that honest estimation wherein hitherto you have lived to the great content both of your parents and frends But if Reason be curbd by incontinency and that you deliberate to follow the vice of wantonnesse for the accomplishment of your desires then by all meanes let diligent regard in such sort intimate secrecy that neither the house from whence you are descended be dishonoured nor your selfe merit infamy or ignominious punishment While they were thus talking a page brought word that divers Ladies were come to visit the Queene which caused them to surâ—…ease their talke When the Ladies salutations were ended and Cleodâ—…ra againe left to her cogitations she could not feele one minute of such ease as was requisite for vnâ—…essantly she rolled the stone with Sysiphus turned the wheele with Ixion and filled the bottomlesse tubbes with Belides in so much that when shee could finde no meanes to mittigate her maladie shee fell into these bitter complaints Ah Cleodora ah wretched Cleodora how art thou without reason which sufferest reason to yeelde vnto appetite wisedome to sensuall will and a free minde vnto servile love but I perceive when the Iviâ—… risâ—…th it wreatheth about the Elâ—…e when the Hop groweth hie it hath neede of a poale and when virgins waxe in yeares they follow that which belongeth to their youth Love love yâ—…a but they love expecting some good hap alas both love and live without all hope for Eliosto is my sonne and yet if he were not he liketh not me Sith then Cleodora thou art pinched and hast none to pittie thy passions dissemble thy affection though it shorten thy life For better it were to die with griefe then to live with shame The spunge is full of water yet is not seene the leafe of the tree Alpina though it be wet looks always dry a wise lover be she never so much tormented behaves herself as thogh she were not toucht Yea but fire cannot be hid in the flax without smoke nor musk in the bosome without smell nor love in the breast without suspicion Then seeke some meanes to manifest thy love to Eliosto for as the stone Draconites can by no means be polished vnlesse the Lapidarie burne it so thy mimd can by no medcine be cured vnlesse Eliosto ease it Thus resolved without longer stay she called vnto her Lucilla her chiefe attendant who from her infancie had bin brought vp with her In this Lucilla shee conceyved her greatest hope vnto whom she said Lucilla since I had reason to discerne good from evill thou knowest how I have tendered thee and how willing I would be to seeke thy preferment make triall when thou please so shalt thou be assured of that which justly thou maist hold in suspence But leaving these conjuring words I must Lucilla commit vnto thy secrecies a matter of import whereon my honour and reputation dependeth for I tell thee Lucilla I have made choyse of thee amongst all those which I may commaund as of her I love and have best cause so to doe having had such societie else should I rather choose to die ten thousand deaths then reveale it Luciâ—…la which had her whole hope of good from the Queene hearing her speeches with teares standing in her eyes proceeding of joy for the honour done her by the Queene protested vnto her by heavens Maker and what else he framed to be secret in her determinations and doe her best endevour to accomplish whatsoever shee commanded Cleodora taking her word for currant in whom she never found deceit said Lucilla that it is incident to all creatures in their kind to love I know thy wittes be not so simple but thou canst conceive and he that made vs directeth our likings as best pleaseth him be it Prince or Beggar from the highest to the simplest and he my Lucilla hath linked my liking albeit extraordinarily to a most bravâ—… Gentleman on whom I think if Affection which is blind deceive me not is worthy to be favoured of the most beautifull To keepe thee with idle speeches is now no time having other matters enow whereon wee must discourse therefore that thou mayst know to whom my love is intended Eliosto my sonne is he Eliosto famous for his valour renowned for his bountie and admired for his courtesie He he Lucilla is the joy of my heart and my hearts sole delight without whom I cannot live nor I wil not live neither may I live such is the service which my heart hath vowed in love vnto him therfore if thou love me as thou hast professd by thy industrie seeke to save my life which cannot but perish in not obtaining my desires Lucilla listning to her discourse willing to become second in this tragedie had her braines alreadie beaten in the search of the charge committed vnto her yet would she not sodainâ—…ly answer any thing Considering how displeasing speeches spoken out of time be to lovers corasives yet chering the Queene she requested vntill the next morning respite for answer which willingly she granted affying greatly in her whose jâ—…dgement above all others she esteemed most sound and perfect whom to her studie we leave Eliosto by reason of the affable countenance and courteous vsage wherewith dayly she did gratifie him had his intrailes so fried with the scorching flames of his methoâ—…s beautie O inspeakable wickednesse that his colour was châ—…nged and his streâ—…gth impaired and he through great griefe â—…nd extremity of his love enforced to withdraw himselfe into his Chamber where casting himselfe on his bed with a million of carefull thoughts he determined to seeke her favour and then by contrary motions fearing the successe of his suit by reason of affinitie which might give cause of great dislike and disparagement thereof said Ah thrice vnfortunate Eliosto what strange fits be these that burne thee with heate and yet thou shakest with cold thy body in a shivering sweate and in a flaming ice melting like wax and yet as hard as Adaâ—…ant Is it love then woulde it were death for likeher it is thou shalt loose
shee might espie her beloued sonne what ioy it caused let them iudge which haue made better experience in louers delights The Queene hauing the sight of her so long desired obiect sent Lucilla to entertaine him and to conduct him vnto her presence Cleodora staying to frame her countenance for his welcome bethought her selfe of sundry meanes eâ—…tsoones doubting by hir too pleasant and kinde vsage to be held too forward in loue than what discontent her lowring aspects might mooue vnto him whom she most desired to please In this quandary sitting vppon a pallet and leaning her head on her pillowe Lucilla had brought the Prince in who doing his duty very feebly for the remembrance of his attempt had astonisht him was by the queen againe saluted attending like the guiltie condemned his sentence from her mouth which was to giue him either life or death Eliosto thus at a non plus ouercome with the beholding of her excellent perfection was by her the mirror of affabilitie and courtesie remooued out of his dumpes in this maner Eliosto whether I should chastice thy presumption in writing to me so boldâ—…ly or no I am not yet resolued but before I acquainted my Lord therewith I thought good to heare thee speake for that I would not so sodainly disgrace thee whome so often I haue fauoured as well to heare thy intent in committing so great a foly as what thou canst say in excuse thereof Princes are not to be ieasted with nor in such maner by their kinred to be assailed therfore thou hast greatly erred in that which is committed incurred the danger of our chiefest lawes by which were thy fact knowne thou art already condemned The prince standing at the barre where Beautie sate chiefe iudge was surprised with many griefes so that hardly he could vtter a word yet reuiued by the hope of those comfortable and sweete sayings pronounced by Lucilla hee shaped her this reply Gratious Lady in that I haue presumed faâ—…e I â—…an not but acknowledge yet that I haue incurred such punishment as your Highnesâ—…e would iâ—…flict vpon me I denie vnlesse death be the guerdon assigned the saithfull for duetifull seruice and entire affection vrged me to seekethy fauor in loue without the which I cannot liue so deepely are thy vertuous perfections imprinted in my heart which if Ienioy not I desire no longer to breathe Therefore madam if thou disdaine his loue that liuing dieth continually for thee doe but say the word and this blade so often embrued in the blood of 〈◊〉 enemies shall sacrifice his masters owne true heart before thy face that thy cruell selfe may witnesâ—…e how faithfully Eliosto hath loued thee The Queene grieued to heare these speeches moued with great compunction could hardly forbeare shedding of teares yet modestie the ornament of womankinde caused her to faine a counterfeit shewe of displeasure to him whose teares wroong drops of blood from her tender heart yet that snee might not too suddainly confesse her desires nor giue him cause of vtter despaire made this answer Eliosto that thou maist see and seeing report in all places where euer thou shalt become of womens pittie I graunt thee pardon for thy fault and with it that life which was wholly at my disposing For louing mee as thy prince I heartily thanke thee but in seeking to obtaine my loue as thy Concubine in that I defie thee let each estate frame it selfe in affection as it becommeth equalitie so shall men sooner obtaine their desires and their loues in more tranquilitie be maintained Thou knowest that such absurde actions are in the extreamest degree of sinne Wilt thou therefore wish me in violating the faith which I haue plighted vnto thy father purchafe vnto my selfe such a name the remembrance whereof is not lesse grieuous vnto mee than death No no desist not any further to prosecute thy suâ—…te let reason vanquish thy brain-sicke humour which so affâ—…icts thâ—…e in doing which thou shalt make demonstration of that true nobilitie wherewith thou art endued for no greater conquest can be imagined than that which vpon a mans vntâ—…med affections is atchieued Do this and thou 〈◊〉 finde Cleodora thy louing and faithfull friend who 〈◊〉 be as carefull with fauours to aduance thee as I haue found chee prompt and ready by thy seruice to pleasure me Aâ—…as good Madame answered the Prince it is a thing farre more easie to giue counsell than once giuen to follow it The full gorged Churle little regardeth the staruing creature at his gate but could you conceiue the leasâ—… part of many thousand griefes that afflict me you would at the length pittie me though further fauour from you I receiued none If thy heart be not harder than the Adamant yield thy grace sweet Lady to augment my life or vtterly for euer deny me your good will I expect but your answer for my resolution is no other than I haue protested dastards feare to die but the noble mind preferreth death which endeth all sorrowes before a life to be continued with discontent The Queene as full of anguish as hee of sorrow beeing at her wits ende turned her speeches to an other matter and requested him to contriue as cunningly as he could his fancie in a fiction willing therefore to shew his Mistresse for such I must now tearme her that he was not ignorant in musicke taking a Lute in his hand began to warble out this Roundelay Loue was arm'd with fatall bow Shafts which Mother did bestow Mother gaue but Father fram'd Father Mother both werâ—… blam'd Wantâ—…n Goddesse did beguile Husband with afained smile For a kisse shee did obtaine Labour neuer spent in vaine Thaâ—… her sonne by Vulcans trade Might the chiefest God be made Thus shee wonne him to her will Wily worke of Womans skill But the Boy more prowd then wise Waues his wings and forth he flies Soone as he on earth had lighted Thus the fondlâ—…ng was despighted As he vaunted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 olde Thinking all that glistered gold Tearming in a 〈◊〉 thought Which his selfe conceit had â—…rought Heau'â—… his footstooâ—…e gods his marke Men his obiects Earth his parke Gods and men his hunting game Beautie natures darling came Beautie clad in natiue hue Whom the Graces did indue With rich plentie of their gifts Beautie cause of wittie shifts Beautie with whose worth delighted Poets haue sweete Hymnes 〈◊〉 Faire as is thâ—… ruddie morne Leauing restfull Bowre forlorâ—…e Mâ—…rne did with Vermiâ—…ion redde Rising from â—…ld Tithons bedde Thus the fairest of all faire Denide to grace the liquid aire Passing by where Loue did stand Holding powerfull bowe in hand Not saluting as shee went Him that ragde in discontent Boyliâ—…g wrath must issue finde Wrath that boyld 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 Shee said Loue receiu'd no wrong Where no dutie did