chase againe O how great power hath our desire ouer our Soules that it is of force presently to reuiue our senses to awaken our thoughts to plucke vp our Spirits and to change and alter our countenances The great longing he had to reade that large writing awaked him out of his dreame recalled home his former wits brought him again to be a right man He turned his eyes too and fro busying himsefe about the reading of those lines but little pleasure conceiued he of the same because he could not vnderstand them by reason they were carued in letters of Arabia which made him fret and fume Not vnlike vnto one who seeking to passe ouer a Riuer A Comparison cannot find the lowest and shallow est place through which he might wade most safest so as being in great coller against Nature he burst out into these speeches Ah cruell Stepdame when wilt thou be glutted with the miseries of mortall men At too high a rate doest thou sell that little aduantage and benefit which they haue ouer other liuing creatures To what ende serues it them to be more perfect then beastes if this perfection taketh from them their most desired rest and what profit is it for one to be rich if that treasure of his engendreth trauaile and care which most cruelly weareth away his life Farre happier by ods are the bruite beastes for ignorance taketh away from them the apprehension of misfortunes the thought of riches and the sorrow that is incident vnto this life whereas the minde of man is tossed too and fro not onely with vnquietnes of such things as are present but also for such as are before passed and are yet to come yea and that in such strange wise as man is thought to be still miserable excepting onely in that small time wherein he is freed and released from those mortall cares and knawing Corsiues Alack A Similie alack as with the tree the rinde groweth and sprowteth vp the one not being able to continue without the other so with Man is carefulnes ingendred which as a most vnfortunate euill Angell followeth him in all his actions he taketh in hand Who is he that euer hath bin liuing without the feeling of griefe or sorrow or without the tast of vexation and vnquietnes The mornings houre frameth and plotteth one miserie or other against the euening as the extreame rage of ardent heate maketh a storme or tempest which halleth fire and water together For one tast of pleasure which he enioyeth a thousand desires of death seaze on his spirits to the ende he might quench all his heauie disasters by such a speedie meanes for more happier are senselesse creatures then they whose bodies are onely put to trauaile and not their mindes at all and in respect of the vnfortunate plagues of this life a thrise blessed companion is death who ought to be counted a remedie and helpe rather then any paine or trouble And therefore thrise happie indeede are you most valiant Spirits who of your owne braue courages haue dared to shorten by violence the miseries of your loathed liues thereby to abridge and cut off the multitude of sorrowes belonging vnto the same Vnkinde Nature what gifts doest thou prodigally bestowe vpon man but bitter wailings and salt teares No sooner are we borne but teares come forth with vs following vs in all the course of our liues and not leauing vs vntill our latest death Of earth doest thou frame our bodies and to earth doest thou turne the same againe And yet alas not before thou hast made vs to take the aslay of many miserable calamities Neither hast thou made rightly perfect any one man there being alwaies in his life one fault or another for seldome or neuer find we an excellent and quick Spirit in a well shaped and comely bodie nor an exquisite well made bodie to containe in the same a rare and admirable minde But it is no wonder at all that those who are thy Subiects children and vassals want their perfection when thou thine owne selfe A Similie hast failed and doest come behind of the same Hardly can the people of a cruell king be brought to be gentle and milde and as hardly can men thy creatures attaine to come to be perfect when thou thy selfe on whom they depend art naturally full of defects and wants I pray thee tell me what charges had it bin vnto thee if thou hadst giuen vnto euery one an insight and skill in forraigne languages and why doest thou depriue so many mindes desirous of knowledge in all things for want of vnderstanding strange tongues in which thou giuest a plaine testimome either of thine owne imperfection or else of thy ouermuch crueltie if thou art imperfect then can nothing that is faire excellent or perfect be found amongst vs for of the seedes of thistles can neuer corne spring and if thou be cruell then miserable is the estate of man to be gouerned and subiugated vnder the yoke of such a bloudie and inhumane Stepmother Both which vices I doubt not but abound in thee Certainly thou art imperfect rendring so many bodies emptie and voyd of all perfection as Monsters fashioned without forme And cruell thou art making men more wretched or rather farreworse then rude and sauadge beastes Thus exclaimed the poore Pilgrime mad for anger that he could not vnderstand that strange writing And as a small matter of losse bringeth more dammage vnto him who commeth from going about a farre greater whilst the same is a doing and feeleth the crosse thereof to be more then if the said little mischance had hapned whilst he was in prosperitie So this pettie despite galled the Shepheard more by reason he was as thē plunged in a bottomles pit of discōtentments thē if it had chaunced when he had liued most at ease and pleasure But now as he was laying himselfe downe to make his praiers vnto the morning sleepe to charme and close vp his eyes and trauaile for a while he might perceiue on the sudden a certaine aged man standing hard behind him This good old Father had a long beard as white as snowe his haire of his head was hoarie and graie his forehead wrinkled his face furrowed his eyes sunke in his head his lippes great and blacke his eye-browes thicke as bristles his hands riueled and nothing but skinne and bone his apparell a beares case his feete bare and naked hauing in his right hand a staffe and in his left a booke The complaint of the Shepheard had he heard and he being one that was assisted and holpen by the benefit of Nature in the charmes and enchantments which he vsed was not a little moued to heare her so sharpely blamed Whereupon he resolued to take her cause in hand and as a friendly counseller to pleade in her behalfe insomuch as without once saluting or greeting the discontented Arcas in a friendly manner he thus began to answere him Alas poore silly soule
the onely secret messengers of his minde vnto her All which the Ladie well perceiued although shee wisely dissembled the same beginning as it were now to participate with him in the selfe-same paine and during in a manner the selfe-same that he did But the feare shee had lest this good will should force him to forget his promise and his honorable â—arriage vnto her was the cause shee very hardly entertained this kinde affection which she bare him Yet is it lawfull for an honest woman to loue for nothing is more sacred in the whole world A Sentence then Loue but yet so must they like as they must seeeke to conserue their Honours chaste and vntainted such was the loue that faire Iustina cast vpon this Noble Spanyard But as a subtill Tyrant hauing set foote into some place although at the first entrance because hee hath not as yet planted strongly enough sufficient forces to serue his purpose carryeth a shewe of mercie and mildnesse to euery one where hee commeth by which meanes at the length hee getteth to be absolute Lorde and maister ouer the same which authoritie afterwardes hee exerciseth with all kinde of cruelties iniustice and all other horrible faults that may be Euen so Loue hauing gained one of the gates of the heart of the Princesse in the ende made himselfe chiefe ruler ouer all the Fortresse of her faire bodie She now began to take liking vnto the sweet lookes of the Gentlemen to praise and make account of his seruices and to lend a listning eare vnto his pleasing speeches and as a sicke person leauing his bedde and chamber doth giue testimonie vnto euery one of his welfare and recouerie by reason he findeth his stomack againe and can disgest his meare well euen so the delight and contentment which she tooke in the companie and in the behauiour of the Knight was a sufficient and assured signe of the great good will and singular affection which she bare him yet was her fancie nothing like vnto that which Alfonso for so was the Spaniards name bare vnto her it being of such strange force as it not onely gouerned ouer his health and welfare but also it helde in subiection his very soule which most miserablie languished Not vnlike vnto such who hauing taken a determinatiue kinde of poyson consume away by little and little Hee now thought that there could be no such rare contentment in this world as to enioy the companie of his Goddesse which could not be too deerely bought although it should cost him his deerest heart blood Neither was he of the rainde he had bene before to make a doubt what she was or that she was of a more base or inferiour house then himselfe was of Loue now had drowned all such doubtes in him hee onely studyed how he might worke the meanes to be gracious in her sight and to enioy her as his lawfull Bed-fellow and wife knowing too too well that her vertues would oppose themselues against all other sinister and dishonest meanes that should be attempted against her but this could he not doe except he tooke a newe course neither euer come to be maister of his desire without opening his minde vnto her in such sort as he resolued to giue his Mistris to vnderstand of the whole matter at large Wherevpon as he was one day walking alone with her after thousands of sighes sent forth from his heart with thousands of pitious loue-lookes most sweetely glaunced on her and with millions of sweet alterations in his minde his tongue trembling and his voice fainting his countenance and his colour altering and changing and a cold Feuer running through all his bones doubting least he should be repulsed with a sharp denyall with a lowe and faint voyce he began thus to accost her Sweet Charge for so she requested him to call her the assured report of certaine things amazeth oftentimes the spirit of man very much but the experience of the same giueth sufficient testimonie that it is most true I speake this vnto this end for that I haue heard manieto discourse often of Loue who haue reported infinite strange effects which hee hath with great wonder brought to passe so that I for mine owne part haue not a little admired him in mine inward soule yet could I neuer iudge rightly thereof vntill experience had acquainted me with an infallible proofe as concerning the same Since which time I haue found afterward that he is more wonderfull then I haue bene giuen to vnderstand there being such a certaine thing in Loue that none are able to expresse hauing more diuinitie in him then one can imagine with which only such as are strooken with his dart are acquainted withall and none else And certainly hee may be well called DORDE and liberall disposer of mortall mens fortunes seeing he is able to make such as are Conquerours to yeelde and force maisters to become slaues vnto their owne seruants and vassailes Besides he ought by great reason to be termed a God especially amongst such as are most wretched and miserable who being ready as it were to fall into the pitte are by him holpen out and lifted vp giuing them commaund and power ouer their Superiours This which I speake is not by roate nor by heare-say but onely by good proofe as I my selfe can best iustifie For I finde my selfe vanquisht by you faire Gentlewoman whome enuious Fortune had sometime though most vniustly brought into a most pittifull estate Then am I your slaue and yet none of these which seeke the dishonour of their Ladies to satisfie their sensuall desires But such a one I am as beareth more affection vnto your Honor then loue vnto your beautie Needes must I confesse I loue both the one and the other endeuouring in what I may for to conserue them both wishing to die a thousand times rather then suffer the least wrong or iniurie to be offered vnto them For your vertue doe I loue you and for your beautie doe I honor you for your modestie do I seeke you and reuerence you for your chastitie If I were found to affect you but for one of these good qualities onely in you may be it were subiect and likely to fall to ruine and decay but hauing so many goodly and sacred foundations and all vnited one vnto another making it to be of an inuincible strength Me-thinks it is impossible that euer this my loue should be shaken or remoued from his first place The hope of your goods of your Noblenesse of byrth or your riches are not occasions of the good liking I haue of you in that I am not acquainted with any such matters but onely with your Noblenesse I rather hating such friendships because they are lost and ended as soone as possession is taken of such things vpon which they were founded I then loue you with a sacred and chaste kind of loue beseeching you that I may be recompenced with the like affection againe For no
admired of all men then how much more ought the true Pastors Seruitors of the almightie be respected and regarded For according vnto the bountie goodnes and greatnes of the Maister is the seruant honoured and according vnto the basenes and vilenes of him that he followeth is he respected which if it be so then of how much esteeme and account ought the good and faithfull Pastors of God to be who walke in his waies and follow his holie lawes and commandements seeing that such great honour is attributed vnto the officers of diuels And if such bad Seruitors haue so great power through the fauour that their Maister doth bestow vpon them that they are able to change transforme and make a tree a rocke or a brute beast of a reasonable iran how farre more excellent power and authoritie then shall those haue that are followers of the euerliuing God indeed And certainely their puissance and might is great and large for they not alone command ouer malignant spirits but are after some sort more then the Angels themselues They haue authoritie ouer Infernall Ghosts whom they chase away and make them tremble at their diuine words in such sort as they can doe nothing where they be in place A witnesse is Simon Magus who in the absence of S. Peter wrought strange myracles by reason of his Art but in his presence and at his praier was seene to fall downe from the aire and to breake his owne necke as he tooke vpon him to flie with wings before a number of people For our Sauiour Christ hauing vanquished the enemie of mankinde hath of his owne goodnes left as an inheritance the same power vnto man himselfe through which he is able to breake Sathans necke bringing him vnder subiection and vanquished who before did vanquish so as now by this meanes men command ouer diuels who before did dominier ouer them And that this is true you may know by many religious Diuines of the word of God who are of force sufficient to driue away wicked spirits by their speeches and in the name of the holy one of Israell Now he that draweth and chaseth away is farre more stronger and of greater might then he that is chased as the enemie that is vanquisht for want of courage turneth his backe and by flying away confesseth his want of valour yeelding himselfe as prisoner vnto his foe Then if it be so and that men can make the blacke angels of Lucifer to giue place and retire they are farre more strange and mightie then the other be Besides hath not man aduantage aboue the Angels themselues in that he receiueth the sacred and holie communion of our Sauiour which he hath giuen vnto vs as a testimonie of his diuine loue and for a perfect pledge and assurance of his grace towards vs. Againe haue not some men that vertue that they can heale diseases and sicknesses without the helpe of medicines or pretious potions onely with their words yea and haue there not bene othersome that haue had the gift to haue raised dead bodies vnto life againe and yet neuerthelesse notwithstanding that all these wonderfull powers are found to be in many of the Ministers of God how many wicked persons are there to be found at this day in the world who more esteeme of these vile Magitians attendants vpon the diuell then of these holie and sacred Preachers worshipping that most wicked infamous creature to leaue the thrice blessed and heauenly Creator himselfe by reason of which they must needs leaue denie and hate the Church of which men are appoynted Ministers and hating her without acknowledging her to be their mother they neuer can obtaine to haue God for their Father For if the good and faithfull husband cannot abide to loue neither can willingly suffer any such to liue as be mortall enemies vnto his kind and lawfull wife because they seeke the meanes to oppresse her and to worke her ouerthrow No more then will God permit and beare with any such who goe about to hauocke and spoyle the Church which is the sacred and legitimate Spouse For what vices soeuer be found in the Pastors of the same yet is she still holie and propitious vnto our welfare alwaies euen as although a Iudge chance to be wicked and bad Iustice it selfe neuerthelesse is right and iust the Ministers not being able to defame nor disgrace the vertue of that Ministrie which they exercise And therefore it is but a foolish argument for one to withdraw himselfe from the Church and to giue ouer to come to Gods Temple to make Intercessions and Prayers vnto him for despite that the Ministers liue ill and are occasions of many scandalls and much reproch vnto the diuine word not a little degenerating from their former auncient predecessors God hauing alone reserued vnto himselfe the separation and the diuision of the good and bad which he will diuide at the time of his latter iudgement and therefore as his garment was not diuided nor parted at all but kept and conserued whole so the Church being a figure of the same cannot be parted and such as thorough their fond errour withdraw themselues from thence resemble the Rauen which lighted vpon the carrion without returning againe into the Arke as the faithfull Doue did all which shall perish in the end because there is no hope of saluation but from the Church I meane our Sauiour Iesus Christ and therefore is she compared vnto the Arke of Noah that saued mankind from drowning during that great and terrible deluge of waters And although that within the same ship there were found all kind of liuing creatures to doe their filthines therein for the time that they remained therein enclosed yet for all that Noah neuer came forth but endured all those vnwhole some and loathsome sauours for otherwise if he had not kept him so immured he had bene drowned Thus we see the Arke that saueth men is the Church from forth of which no person can come vnlesse he meane to be browned and lost in hell fire in as much as within the same the health of man is encluded and inclosed Cursed then be he that loueth not the Church or shall thinke that she is stained polluted or in any thing at all lesned of her dignitie through the faults of her Pastors who are be they neuer so leaude to be accounted of because of their profession especially as long as they shall deliuer the verie truth it selfe vnto vs forced thereunto by the holy orders into which they are inducted as bad Casphas had the gift of Prophesie although he will be wicked and ill giuen by vertue of the pontificall dignitie through which he had that speciall grace bestowed vpon him from aboue And therefore we may compare our mother Church vnto a goodly auncient pallace which thorough continuance of time and by reason of many hard stormes and bitter tempests that it hath endured is much decaied in euery part the Galleries
lodge of such Spirits as like vacabonds wandred vp and downe the world being worthily punished by the great and iust Gods Many gastly Caues were there to be found but so horrible were they as the onely sight of them brought trembling feare to the mindes and sudden amazement to the eyes of such as should behold them No running Fountaine was there that gaue forth cristall water no shadowing groue to keepe men from parching heate nor any greene coolie grasse with faire coloured flowers to delight the sences onely in this vncoth wildernesse did soiourne such sad and old angrie men as by there nightly Charmes forced the Spirites of the earth to obey their wills and to be at their command In steede of Nightingale and Lark was there found the Scritching Owle and night Rauen with such other dismall Birdes whose flight nature and crie did serue for sinister prophesies vnto the miserable Inhabitants thereof All thrise wofull and lamentable dwelling in comparison of the ioyfull woods of Arcadia the first witnesses of the chast Loues of this disastred Shepheard and yet fortunate inough for him seeing that he being depriued of all his wisht for hopes soughtby many pittilesse Accidents to ende his loathed life Those faire and goodly troupes of Shepheards and Shepheardesses which were wont heretofore to be a comfort vnto him were now most pittifully taken from his sight There the learned Iulâ—tta was not to be found neither there could his deare friend Philas be heard of who with others were wont most sweetly to record and sing of their ouerhard fortunes in their loyall Loues O poore Shepheard if solitarines may bring to the male-contented any delight at all no doubt but then thou doest participate with the same for amongst millions of sauadge beastes thou liuest alone amongst thousands of gastly rocks and amongst infinites of desarts without any cleare light or cheareful Sunne And yet the sharpe feeling of his inward griefes ouercame and drowned the sad apprehension of this solitarie seate A Similie no otherwise then great and desperate mischances slake and quench those that are little or as most violent diseases hinder the feeling of such as are lesse vnrecouerable Not smally fortunate did he thinke himselfe to haue found this vnluckie Râ—ceptakle making vnto himselfe a false ioy of that sower Subiect which was the caâ—se of heause sorrow vnto others And herein might he witnesse full well that in respect of the â—ll that happeneth in Loue all other euils are right pleasures and that that onely torment brought with it a certaine sure knowledge of misfortunes vnto men O how easie a matter is it to resist all worldly troubles and to passe through the pikes of the same But how hard or rather impossible a thing is it to vanquish and ouercome loue A Sentence Of all the fanites that wise men commit none is more excusable then such as Loue forceth then to doe Who was more learned then Plato who more inditiall then Aristotle who more godly then Daâ—ad who more wise then Salomon and who more strong then Sampson Surely none and yet neuer haue any bin more ouercome by loue then they of which Tirants slauâ—sh yoke this poore Shepheard also had felt the heauie burthen His rare constancie bare patiently the losse of his goods tooke gently his banishment from his countrie endured quietly the crueltie of time and brooked wisely the iniuries of the enuious but vnto this Loue it yeelded quickly and as it were without constraint Thrise blessed was he in that be knew how to make choise of so beautious and rare Subiects but yet quadruple vnfortunate for that he could not reape the sweete fruites of the same in this world A Sentence The remembrance of things lost is forgotten through length of time the paine of deadliest sicknesses is appeased by Phisicke and the deepest conceited sorrow weareth away with often sighing but alas his loue was alwaies liuing without ende and without truce as a substance euerlasting Too too cruell was that star that shonne at his birth but farre more remorslesse the care and griefe of his continuall vexed life And in respect of him happie are all other whatsoeuer who are tormented with the losse of their kinde friends deare countrie louing families and acquaintance all which though they be much grieuous to support and suffer yet are they not to be compared in rigor vnto the least passion of Loue for the Soule findeth in them some one comfort or other and the bodie some ease of griefe or at the least an ende of all but in the pangs of Loue neither the one nor the other are euer out of trouble Wretched then is the man that leueth therefore wretched this Shepheard and yet more happie then such contented persons who liue alwaies fearing death whereas the approach of the same was the onely hauen and heauen of his vnhappines Such and so great was the extremities of his woes as it hindred him to marke or conceiue the fearefulnes of this desart to apprehend the horror of so frightfull a dwelling He thinketh of nothing lesse then of the horriblenes of the same Such condemned Soules as are drawne vnto the place of execution dreame not of any thing else then of the bitter death they goe to suffer EueÌ„ so sought not he any other iourney in this wildernesse then such as his passion led him on to take his eyes not being employed in any office at all whilest he himselfe seemed to be both deafe blinde and dumme O sage and prudent Poets who to expresse the nature and effects of Loue most properly faine Louers to haue bin changed into insensible shapes for certainely they are but Stones Trees and Rocks in their actions and behauiour although they retaine and keepe with them a humane shape A long time did this miserable Shepheard walke thus without knowing which way he went vntill at the last for verie wearines he was forced to rest himselfe at the foote of a mightie high Rocke There being set vpon the ground his armes a crosse his eyes lifted vp his lips close shut together leaning his head vpon the stone which hung on the one side he seemed as if he had bin another very Rocke for as a Rocke so were his gestures moue-lesse his spirits gone and all the partes of his bodie without force and vigor And to say the truth indeede how could he once stirre if his Soule being the life of his bodie was as then absent and at that time retired into the bosome of his faire Mistris Thus sat he senselesse a great while with a heauie setled countenance vntill at last looking downe lowe with his eyes he espied certaine verses to be carued most curiously within the Rocke which made him resemble the Hunter A Similie who dispairing of his Prey and hauing as it were quite forgotten the same vpon the soden spieth his game which forceth him to begin a fresh the pursuite thereof and so followeth the
stand well pleas'd in it No pleasing obiect likes their eyes but what doth threat them ill What euill is that loue they best their ruine fostring still They blowe the glowing coales that burnes them with ore what desire As doth the foolish slie that spoyles himselfe within the fiâ—e Poore soules bewitcht a thousand times each man in carefull wise Doth seeke to shunne what may him hurt and from the same he flies Each one doth deadly poyson hate which doth abridge his life And being pained strait doth hunt with speede for succour rife * The true disposition of a right Louer Onely the peruerse Louer doth all hope of helpe refuse He likes his pining griefe and what doth hurt him still doth chuse He blest himselfe accounteth that not heald is his disease His sicknes he doth honour and to die it doth him please Hard fortune is this to him yet his haps farre harder more He waileth his mischance and yet his griefe he doth adore His woes nere die but still reuiue Then happier liue you faire You that be dead in better case then Louers plag'd you are LOVE then our Shepheards courage stout did weaken with his rage And reapt the sprouting fruit scarse ripe of his first happie age Rauisht his senses and to thousand dangerous harmes him drew And after these disasters all most cruellie him slew This Shepheard Plaindor called was no creature like to him For force of arm s for beautious shape or vertues halfe so trim But heare I pray how Cupid proud in most malitious wise Transformes himselfe to poyson strong for to deceiue our eyes Who though he seemeth vnto vs as courteous meeke and kinde Yet but a poysoned wine though sweete in tast you shall him finde Which we no sooner drinke but that it doth vs mickle harme Bereaues vs of our vitall spirits and doth our Reason charme This deadly draft who doth but tast to die is certaine sure And yet before his death longtime he must strange griefes endure Hara by this darkesome desart sad there was a place most daintie Where Autumne in his season brought forth fruits great store and plentiâ— Rich was it of all worldly things but yet amongst the rest For richest good a Damsell faire surpassing it possest Most famous for this beautious maid was registred this place Though at that time fewe men had had the hap to see her face Her stature tall made her in shewe like to a Princely Queene Rather then one that in the woods and groues brought vp had beene Her flaxen haire which calmiâ— windes did gently blow full soft A description of a beautifull maide Hung dangling downe more fine then golde in thousand curlings wrought Oft when she any leisure had she twisted in the shade Those haires as nets which mâ—ry soules to bow vnto her made Her forhead of faire Iuorie was euen pure and large No furrow there dâ—grace to forme the flesh dia frowning charge No bending wrinkle there was seene nor painting to deface The snowy whitenes which is vsde to make more faire the face Her eyebrowes purest Ebonie kept their proportion right No plâ—asing show so prettily the fancie did delight Sweete shadowes for her sphere-like eyes which with their twincklings calme From sunnâ—â— beames did them defend which burned ouerwarme Her diamond sparkling â—yâ—s were such and did so brightly shine As those two lamps â—hâ— Sunne and Moone most glorious and diuine Her piercing glaunces full of power like to swift lightning were When as the slash inslam'd from heauen it selfe on th' earth both beare So rolde they in her head as greatest hearts they forct decay And valiant spirits of men as slaues did bring vnto their bay Dan Cupids darts they were with which he vsed men to crosse Who being vassels made most bate did glorie in their losse Dire Comets were they like to such that danger do portend And such were hers for death they gaue to her and to her friend Yet they of shame fastnâ—s did show to be the bashfull Call Where chast delight did dâ—â—ly vse for his disport to dwell Her pure vermilion shâ—â—ts when she did smile had force and power To show more perfect faire by odds then daintiest gilliflower How sweet and cruell wast at once to touch so holy thing What mortall griefe was it that tooke but once asay to him Poore Plaindor can true witnes be one kisse vnto his cost Was cause that he his pretious life and all his good daies lost Her châ—rrie lipps did closely hidâ— right Grient Pearle of Inde No pretious â—â—â—lls hâ—lfe so rich you in that land can finde From which Pâ—rculâ—â—s vaiulâ—s a pleasing sent did come More sweet then Muske more daintie sarre then rightest Sinamum Her louely cheekes Suâ—nes blemish were as Alablaster faire Whose roseall colour mixt with creame did show beyond compare Her dimpled chinne was full and round her brest the milkie way Where Cupid when that he was hot a bathing often lay Two Apples faire thereby was seene as sprung from paradise The Graces in that garden vsde to sport in wanton-wise Her matchlesse hand was long and strait her fingers white and small The mountaine snow refin'd to them was nothing white at all Such was this peerlesse virgins faire and she FLORETTA hight Blest perfectly but onely that bad destnie ded her spight One day as in the warming sunne with mickle curious care She did diuide and tide in knots her shining bright gold haire The harts of worthiest Demigods here on the earth to trap As Plaindor came from woods to view her thus t' was his hard hap And being wearie thought a while to rest him by her side But this reposing afterward be dearely did abide For vading pleasure ouer small he too too deere did pay But t' was his fortune bad and downe along by her he lay Where he such poyson suckt as t' was within a while his bane And where he rest did thinke to find he found recurelesse paine Thrise happie he had he not laid himselfe vpon that greene Or if that forward he had gone or her he had not seene For though his wearie coarse did rest his mind did trauaile sore Whilst his bewitched eyes apace downe swallowed venim store His gazing eyes nâ—re from her face one iot at all did stir His eyes made onely to behold and gaze on none but her He markes with more then curious view her for head and her cheeke Her haire her brest and other parts which hee too well did leeke So rests atteniuely and still leaping as t' were for ioy The conqueror proud when he beholds his prey which him did noy So standeth still the greedie Iewe to marke with heedfull eye Such pretious lewells passing rare which he doth long to buy Then then the haplesse Shepheard first perceiu'd the flame begin To spred alongst his heart and to consume his soule within He then perceiu'd of libertie he was depriu'd and sence By those bright beames of that
and to shewe himselfe amongst the assemblie of diuers braue and valorous Knightes who all followed immortall Honor in quest And now hauing prouided euery thing fit for his iourney kissing his faire wife he taketh his leaue whilst with teares in his eyes he promised to returne as speedily as might be But alack A Sentence it is great folly for a man to giue his word or promise to perform any thing seeing he is a seruant vnto the will of the Heauens who may dispose of him as they best please Forwhat assurance can one build vpon the faith of a vassaile who wholly dependeth vpon the commandement of his Lord and can doe nothing at all of himselfe No more can men who are the slaues of Fortune the pastime of the Heauens and subiects vnto mortall miseries promise of themselues they not knowing what the Destinies will decree shall fall vpon them But now Alfonso being come vnto the Court his friendes entertained him with all Courtly compliments that might be as his vertues well deserued the same each Noble-man saluteth him most kindely thinking the Court not to be a little honored with the presence of so braue and valorous a Caualier Whilst he thus stayed attending the pleasure of his King Beholde there arriueth an Embassador from the Prince of Denmarke certifying the King of Spaine that his Lords wife was held as prisoner in a certaine part of his Realme desiring his Maiestie to command her to be rendered vnto him otherwise not to thinke ill of him if hee should doe his best endeuour for to recouer her againe by force of Armes Alfonso being present at this Embassage for it was all the Countrey ouer how hee came by his wife and therefore it was verily supposed that shee was the same woman which the Prince demaunded presently replyed saying that true it was that not long since he found a Ladie halfe dead which the waues of the Seas after shee had suffered shipwrack had driuen vpon the shore where hee inhabited and that afterward he married her with her owne consent and free will she hauing before assured him yea and which is more taking her oath vpon the holy Euangelists that she neuer betrothed nor promised herselfe vnto any other man liuing but himselfe Affirming that as the noble Gentlewoman was his true and lawfull Spouse so he was resolued to defend and keepe her against all such as should goe about to take her from him by force Vowing to be their death and vtter ouerthrow as most wicked enemies vnto the maiestie of sacred wedlocke The King hearing Alfonsoes answer and iudging his reasons to be both iust and tollerable returned back the Embassador with the foresaid speeches who deliuered them vnto his Prince assoone as he came home If the baser sort of people hardly support or beare any ruiurie and seeke not to hazard their liues to be reuenged for the same Then I referre it to your owne censures A Similie if this Prince being young in yeares of a hot mettall by nature valiant hardie of spirit and withall wonderfully amorous of the Ladie could endure patiently and pocket vp the Braua do of a simple Gentleman seeing no man whatsoeuer can receiue a greater iniurie than that which is offered him as touching his wife as well for the loue he beareth her which oftētimes engēdreth iealousie as also for the great desire he hath to encrease his stocke and familie Which was the cause that this youthfull Lord went about most rashly and vnaduisedly to set vpon the Spanish King to begin most foolishly to proclaime warre against him who quickly would haue ouerrunne all his countrie had not the Nobilitie of Denmarke crossed the same For they very wisely iudging that they were not able to incounter well so great an enemie and that their slender shoulders were too weake to support so great a burthen would by no meanes yeeld vnto his collericke and hastie motion who although he saw himselfe to be forsaken of his owne subiects yet for all that would he not giue ouer his first enterprise determining with himselfe to recouer his Mistris againe or else to loose his life Wherupon he sent another Embassador vnto the King to demaund license of him according vnto the auncient law of Armes that he might combat with him who detained his spouse so wrongfully from him to the ende the fortune of warre might determine and set downe which of them twaine should enioy her The King hearing this motiō entreated Alfonso to condiscend therevnto who knowing that with his credit he could not refuse it as willingly accepted thereof as the other earnestly did challenge him which the rather he did because he might hereafter quietly enioy his deare wife without any more quarrells The Denmarke Prince hauing intelligence that the combat was graunted determined with himselfe to trie the vtmost of his fortune although much against the mindes of all his Barrons and Noblemen But who can shut vp and inclose vertue force the waues of the Sea to stand still A Sentence or bridle the stately course of the Sunne Euen so what counsaile perswasion or wisedome are able to withhold loue who being turbulent and full of rage resembleth the furious mad man that dasheth his owne braines against the stonie wall Thus the Prince possessed with the spirit of loue taketh in hand the comb at against the aduise of all his Nobles and hauing prouided euery thing fit for that purpose arriueth at the Court of the Spanish King with a gallant troupe attending on him where he was receiued according vnto his greatnes and as his worthines well deserued Great was the desire that euery one had to see this Princely Dane who was famous for his chiualrie he being come so farre to trie the combat with his enemie to reuenge him of the iniurie which as he supposed was done vnto him Hauing a day of hearing appoynted him by the King he forthwith craued audience declaring openly vnto him the cause of his comming reaccounting the equitie of his cause pleading hardly for his right and in conclusion demaunded to haue Iustice On the other side Alphonso discoursing at large in his owne defence sheweth plainly what interest he hath in the Ladie protesting by the permission of his Soueraigne to maintaine this quarrell against all men liuing with the perill of his life At the last these two Caualiers not agreeing the combat is graunted vnto them but yet with this cōdition that the Ladie shall be the prize of the Conquerour and that the conquered shall neuer after make claime vnto her The day is appoynted the field chosen their armour prouided and Iudges substituted onely for this purpose The King hauing caused many scaffolds to be erected as well for himselfe as for his owne Nobles diuers other honourable strangers great was the concourse of people that were gathered together to see the euent and issue of this daungerous battell And now the time being come the
thought of my mischances where I found about a coolie fountaine many faire Shepheardesses who all daunced without feare but onely for feare to be seene Faire were they all An excellent description of a faire virgin and yet not all liking vnto my minde nor alike agreeable in mine eyes Amongst the whole troupe one there was that pleased my fancie aboue all the other being taller in stature straiter of bodie and fairer and goodlier then all the companie were Her flaxen haire was daintily bound vp placed vnder a curious Coife of fine Lawne Her high forhead goodly and broad Her amorous eye-browes somewhat blacke seruing as an Vmbrill for her diamond-like-eyes Her diamond eyes cleare quicke and sparkling like vnto two Sunnes eles which without hurting the bodie pierced into the very soule wounding most cruellie Eares which tooke prisoners millions of hearts the vertues thereof drawing them most sweetly vnto them Eies resembling two sacred lampes being of force to chase away all darknes and to bring the bright day with them Her witching lips werered like vnto the Cloue-Gilliflower Her prittie mouth faultlesse and little Her chast mouth neuer touched of any being as a religious relicke most sacredly reserued for the seruice and honour of the celestiall Goddesses Diana Her cheekes vermillion right resembling the Sommer Rose adorned with a white lillie Her dimpled chin short round and well made Her throate was cleare Alablaster and her goodly brest composed of pure Iuprie in which were sweetly seated two rich and pretious monuments of mountaine snow disdaining to be compared with any whitenes whatsoeuer Her hands with azured veines resembled the pretious stones digged out of the quarrie of beautie And to be briefe her feete were slender and little withall But O how perfectly faire wert thou in all poynts beautious and louely Diana How rare and gentle was thy spirit How stately and full of Maiestie thy gate And how sweet and pleasing thy more then angelicall presence If so admirable a Subiect as this was not of sufficient power to enthrall and captiue me when farre meaner and baser by ods haue made the greatest and brauest personages in the world to stoope I referre it vnto your owne sensures to imagine O most seeret and maruellous is the puislance of loue No sooner did I behold her but I felt my selfe to be wholie changed and transformed into an other shape as the Serpent changeth his skinne in the Spring-time The remembrance of all whatsoeuer I had done before was slipt and vanished away no otherwise then a waue of water glideth swiftly in the Sea I remained as one bound and inchained and yet alack I could not chuse but honour my bonds neither could I withdraw or retire my selfe from this deadly enemie of my rest which had depriued me alreadie as it were of my life but staied still by her Not vnlike vnto the foolish flie A Similie that buzzeth so long about the candle till at the last he burneth himselfe in the flame thereof Egerly did I sucke this sweete poyson downe my throate enchaunting my spirits with the same As the thriftie way-fairing man drinketh with great greedines whatsoeuer is presented vnto him to staunch his drines With great reuerence did I vse and not a little did I respect those arrowes shafts and darts that were my death so much fortunate did I imagine my selfe to be vanquished by so sweet and faire an enemie neither could I once remoue mine eyes from her beautious face no more then the captiue taken in warre who looketh pittifully on him that hath taken him vpon whose will dependeth his deare deliuerance The remembrance of all my fore-passed Disasters was lost with my libertie this cruell wound extinguishing all sense of griefe of my other lesser troubles as a great euill doth expell and thrust out a lesse Thus loue couereth all other miseries his heat drying all others sorrowes and his force asswaging all other losses whatsoeuer And as a great broad-leafed oke hideth all kind of mischiefes whatsoeuer Like as we see that man that hath lost sooâ—e great matter of waight to take on and to chafe wonderfully as often as it commeth into his minde and when he calleth into his memorie the worth and valew of the same he held so deare Euen so doth it vexe my very soule when I remember the rare and admirable qualities of my Diana considering the great losse I haue thereby And therefore good Father let me here leaue I beseech thee without vrging me to proceed any farther but rather permit me to goe my waies that I may find out some close frightfull Caue where I may sufficieÌ„tly enough bewaile this my inestimable losse For the very thought thereof doth take my voice away pierceth quite through my heart and disturbeth all my wittes and sences Nay forward good Shepheard answered the earnest old man A worke halfe done ought to be throughly finished yet in the meane time thou maiest if thou thinkest good pause for a while here and take vnto thee breath againe letting passe this sad apprehension of thy losses since others haue had ill fortune as well as thy selfe But well hast thou begun and therefore I doubt not but thou wilt make as good an end Arcas hauing rested a while began to proceed in his discourse when Philistell and Corribant comming vnto them and hauing saluted them sat downe hard by them whereupon Philistell marking the countenance of the old man very wistly and iudging him to be a Magitian as indeed he was began thus to argue with him Father I am not ignoraÌ„t that these Desars reseÌ„ble a hot coale of glowing fire A Similie which if you fling amongst sweet and odoriferous spices it shall yeeld a delightfull and pleasing sauour and if you cast it amongst bad it shall smell loathsome and stinking Euen so these Desarts serue some to end their yeares in holines such being rauished with the coÌ„templation of the wonderfull workes of the Almightie whilst vnto other some they are as a Receptacle to colour their faults and as a commodious place wherein they may hide their bad liues and leaud wickednes Neuerthelesse the latter of these twaine who helpe themselues by their meanes to doe ill doe offer them the more iniurie because these vncoth woods haue euer bene fitter for such as doe pennance and meditate vpon God then to scrue for a retrait vnto the wicked to the end they may the safer exercise their bad and detested leaudnes therein And to be plaine with you I thinke you are come hither because you may the more fitter put in practise your blacke Art here and haue conference with the diuels Now whether this your trade be lawfull or no I faine would know the truth That Maister will neuer account such a one of his seruants An Example for faithfull and good that shall goe about to seeke for aide of his enemie If so Thinke you then that God can allow it for good that
men who are his seruants creatures shall enter league conferre and be familiar with the diuels his odious aduersaries Can the Iudge take it for well and not mislike the reof that any of his followers should aide and assist comfort and keepe companie with the criminall whom for his faults he hath most iustly condemned to death So likewise if the diuels who for their pride and wickednes haue bene condemned by the Almightie are driuen and chased away from his diuine presence what excuse can such men alledge for themselues who dare be so bold as to presume to come amongst them and to consult with them It is sharpely forbidden the good to conuerse with the bad the faithfull to be acquainted with the Infidels and the Christians to haue truce with the Turkes Then what alliance or league can there be found betweene men the children of God and damned diuells condemned from the beginning of the world for their most horrible offences Long since did God punish the Iewes most extreamely for offering to marrie with the wiues of the Heathen deliuering them for theirpunishment into the hands of their enemies because light and darkenes can neuer agree well together And thinke you not that he will giue ouer into the hands of the diuells such men as serue them and are familiar with them to the end they may be pumshed by the selfe-same spirits whose executioners they haue bene in all hatefull vngodlines Can any Father support and beare so great an iniurie A Sentence that his sonne shall follow and keepe companie with such a leaude and bad seruant of his whom he hath driuen out of his house in that he sought to depriue him of the same rising vp most rebelliously against him Euen so can God take it well at our hands that we who are his children should compact and agree seeking for the friendship and acquaintance of these vngodly seruants the diuels whom he hath throwne headlong downe from out his heauenly mansion because they presumed through their arrogancie to be equall with himselfe If diuels are by nature wicked and for their iniquitie are iudged vnto hell fire for euer What then can men learne of them but malice enuie euill blasphemie and sinne Now these qualitiés being extreamely displeasant vnto God who is the mortall enemie of vice how then can such men sufficiently excuse themselues who haue learned such wickednes of Sathan and his angels The old man angred at the heart as well to heare his Art blamed as from being hindered from the discourse which Arcas had began halfe chollericke replied thus My friend and straunger vnto me I see well thou hast a tast of thine old corrupt nature seruing God according vnto the grose custome of thiue Auncestors only after one fashion An excellent discourse of Inchantuients Know then there are diuers kindes of worshipping of God To take an oath is forbidden by the diuine law for feare least we fall into periurie and therefore wilt thou say we ought not to sweare at all So farre off frō offending are we by the same that swearing truely and before the iust face of vpright Iustice it is a kind of adoration and worship which we render vnto God because we charge him as it were with the iustnes of the truth or with the falsenes of the oath taken in his holy name So likewise wilt thou blame exorcisme of spirits and the coniuring of them which men doe to force them to vnderstand and giue care to that which is demaunded of them The auncient Hebrewes had not they Enchauntments which chased away diuels commaunding them in the name of God Which our Sauiour his Sonne when he liued here vpon the earth approued and allowed as authenticall and lawfull I tell thee for thy learning that there are two sorts of Art Magicke as there are two kindes of swearing the one good and the other bad That is good which is done by the diuine power alone inasmuch as onely to him is the glory attributed to commaund ouer diuels Is not sinne a most wicked euill and yet notwithstanding doe not the holy Doctors of the Church will vs to follow and haunt the bad vntill we haue chased and driuen quite away both themselues and their vicious kind of liuing also If so thinke you then that it is forbidden to conuerse with spirits when thereby they are bound more surely and brideled more straightly as being vnable through their malice to hure manking as they haue done By whose vertue and authoritie doe diuels come out of hell and in whose name doe they speake obey and fulfill the desires of men Whether inuocation and calling vpon spirits be lavvfull or no Is it through the puissance of other Diuells No. For they haue no authoritie one ouer the other and euery Kingdome diuided within it selfe shall quickly be brought to confusion Is it through the vertue of men That is vnlikelyer then the other for so farre be they off from commaunding ouer them as they be farre inferiour vnto them in power and might In whose name doe they then appeare Euen in the Name of GOD by whose diuine power they come when they are called which being imployed for the benefite of man vnto this purpose the whole glorse thereof redoundeth wholly vnto him hee being the sole Author of this admirable worke For it is no common matter neither is it a trifle or a thing of small account to force constraine or commaund Diuells This beeing not able to be brought to passe but by the Omnipotent might of God the whole honor thereof is attributed vnto him alone So that to call vpon spirits through the power diuine and not to employ them vnto any ill but rather repressing and keeping vnder more and more their wicked intentions is properly an Act or a kinde of worshipping of God The sage Spartans vsed to make their slaues drunke and so to shewe them vnto their Children to the ende they might make them flie that foule vice detest drunkennesse and loue sobrietie the better Euen so when one shall see these Diuells to the ende that by contemplating of their most horrible vglines they may be the more enflamed with the sacred Loue of God Is it ill done of them so to do But we commonly see that men condemne that for bad which themselues cannot haue find fault with that Science which they cannot attaine vnto and dispraise that which they are no way worthie to enioy As for the other kinde of Magique which extendeth to consult with Diuels about the knowledge and Nature of wicked simples and hearbes A Sentence to make most damned poysons hurtfull vnto so many Creatures I cannot chuse but confesse the same to bee passing ill and that it is prohibited both by the Lawes of God and man Neither can the one nor the other be good answered Philistell For as by the one the diuine power of God is abused so by the other his holie will is as
dutious respect timerous feare vncertaine doubt and bashfull shame keepe the doore through which we cannot passe without their permission and leaue we being bound to content them all one after another before wee can goe any one foote further My beautious Ladie nothing sicke at all of my disease gaue a gesse presently of my maladie shee quickly found out my fault which I my selfe could not see and being warie and graue soone descried my vaine and idle follie My cruell passions which confounded my sences bringing mee to be as an idiot or as one deuoyd of sense moued her nothing at all For vertuous she had neuer knowne what Loue was she hauing bene for her most exquisite beauty at the first beginning of her life consecrated and bestowed vpon that Goddesse whose name she bare and whose sacrifices she most solemnely did performe But all Natures are not subiect vnto Loue. The right Diamond can neuer be cut with all the yron tooles that may be neither can Cupid be counted the commaunder ouer all such soules as liue heere belowe in the world whether it is for that he can doe nothing with vs except we giue him leaue and so submit our selues voluntarily vnto him or whether it be because he being blind and an infant he canot see how to strike such rightly which scape shot-free frō his tyrannies She then perceiuing my folly acquainted with my sicknes began thus to schoole me Shepheard who hath so suddenly taken away thy voyce and countenance from thee And what is the matter thou carryest thy selfe so strangely I am no Medusa that changeth men into stones neither any Circes or Medea to alter the shapes of men by inchaunting potions Who willed thee to come hither thus to lose both thy selfe and thy speech together what foolish imagination hath seazed vpon thy spirits what fortish disease doth bridle thy tongue and what sensles dolour doth possesse all the partes of thy body Am I so ghastly a sight to behold that my very face maketh such become amazed and astonished and those mute and dumbe of speech that doe but looke vpon the same What vncoth frenzie hath brought thee hither to giue vs so many testimonies of thy extreame and witlesse follie Fond man that thou art not sufficientlie satisfied and content that thy neighbours should know of this thy madnesse but thou must needs make strangers acquainted with the same also who before knew no such matter Either withdrawe thy selfe from my companie or else declare vnto mee the cause and the occasion of this thy comming hither and of these thy brain-sicke fittes and humours For what profite or credite should a man looke to get by talking with such sortish companions as will belieue nothing but their owne grosse follie and who are without reason to take in good part such wholsome admonitions and warnings as shall be for their best benefit and behoofe Speake then or be gone for a dead truncke of a withered Tree would performe as much as thou doest thine eyes being onely they of all thy other members that swiftly moue and strangely stare vpon me As the way-faring man heauy a sleepe vnder some shadowing Oake A Sentence awaketh vpon the sudden in the morning when he heareth the Hunts-man with his yelping dogs to passe along by him Euen so I with this sweete voyce of hers awaked out of my drousie slumber and contrary to the companions of Vlisses whom the Songs of the Syrons brought to sleepe I was much reuiued with the same Or as the watchfull Louer depriued of his Mistris dreaming in his bed that hee speaketh vnto her waketh and starteth vp suddenly verilie imagining that he seeth and discourseth with her So likewise this short and sharpe Oration of hers rowsed me by force as it were from my dull and leaden musings and brought me into my right wittes againe O how Loue resembleth the Sunne For it taketh away from vs both our voyce and force As the other giueth life and vigour vnto vs and by the selfe-same heate consumeth vs againe This made me sore ashamed blushing to looke about me But in the end I plucked vp my spirits being bold to answere her in these tearmes O fairest amongst all that be faire lesse perfect then thou art haue heeretofore with their presence taken away the speech of more excellent Orators then I am by oddes If in beholding the ordinarie workes of GOD which daily present themselues before our eyes and which we continually see wee become mute and dumme at the same wondering and admiring at the puissance of such an immortall and mercifull Creator How much more them most gratious Nymphe thinkesh thou we should be astonished and amazed seeing so rare so perfect and so exquisite a 〈◊〉 as thou art comming so neere vnto the beautie of God indeed If the Infernall powers in hell belowe haue in times past bene moued with the sound of a melodious Harpe and if that gentle Orpheus could by his Musike allure and drawe after him such things as had no foule Ah then by how much more shall out soules be enticed with that which is both comely liuely rare and faire and such as is diuine beautie Nothing delighteth our eyes so much as that which is beautifull A Sentence neither do they take anie pleasure to behold that which is deformed foule or il-fauoured And as the greedy and huugtie starueling who hath not seene any victualls of a long time before finding himselfe at a great feast is so rauished with ioy as hee looseth his colour and speech confounded with the sent and sight of the meate Euen so in seeing an Obiect so admirable and so pleasing as thy beauty is why shouldest thou wonder if I be rauished with the same Hath not Loue had the power to race out of the heart of Theseus as well the sweet fauour of Ariadne as the great good turnes hee receiued at her hands forcing him whollie to affect and like of Phoedra And the same Loue did it not take away all the remembrance from periurde Iason as well of the pleasures as of the beautie of Medea repudiating her to take Glauce vnto his espoused wife Then comeliest Creature of all others created muse no more at this my fond behauiour and carriage and if I haue offended condemne not my minde but thy peerlesse countenance which as the Sunne pierceth the Christall so can it penetrate the power the puissance force and might of Constancie it selfe yea and through the hardest hearte of the most barbarous people that are This was the first speech I made before her and which God knoweth I could hardly finish by reason I was so afraide lest I should offend her But this preuailed no more with her then an earnest and vehement perswasion doth with a right braue and constant minde vrging it to breake his Oathe and promise or to commit some horrible treason or extreame vile and egregious villanie shee being throughly resolute to serue still the
of thy chaste Loues But all these were but fond imaginations thy desire being but vaine and bootlesse which so much the more vrged thy soule to see her againe because her onely sight had long since wounded thy dearest libertie Too truely didst thou then proue that the greatest griefe which the Louer endureth being by his sweet Loue is nothing in comparison of that which her absence bringeth vnto him for she which wounded him is then at hand and presently might helpe him if she please whereas contrariwise O'how leane and meger is the hope of him that is hurt and is farre off from a Chirurgian to heale him Small wounds are vncurable where none is to helpe them and the most desperate disease may be remedied if a cunning Doctor be in a readines to heale the same If at any time a Louer not hauing tried how bitter the absence of his froward dame is desireth to be banished farre from her by reason he is not able to support and indure her too too rigorous and disdainfull demeaners towards him how often then will he afterward condemne and curse this his rash and hastie opinion when being farre from her sight he mourneth and bewaileth in the verie anguish of his soule her absence which hee so much although in vaine doth wish for If wearie Trauellers reioyce when being nigh vnto their natiue soyle they see their chimneys smoake A Similie and smell the wholesome ayre of their owne pleasant Countrey how much more then should Louers triumph and ioy when after manie yeares of absence they are comming home towards their Ladies to haue a sight of them againe they being the chiefest foode whereon their hearts doe feede Philistell then secluded and separated from his Iulietta staying for a calme and faire winde to put to the Seas being by chaunce driuen vpon this vncoth Shore could not rest day nor night hauing this Trumpet of Loue which sounded alwayes most shrillie in his eares And therefore one morning he rose very early by breake of day walking along the Desart to see if hee could driue away his melancholie thoughts and by chaunce passing by those Trees into which the olde Nigromancer had chaunged those wicked Theeues which pursued the She pheardesse to haue rauished her perforce hee not thinking any thing thereof and being ignorant of this strange Metamorphosis brake a little bough from one of them When no sooner had hee done so but behold the Tree began to swell to writhe and bend and to gush out with bleeding from that braunch that was so broken casting forth great store of blood which fell vpon the ground At which sight Philistell was almost senselesse with the wonder thereof For who would not be amazed at such a fearefull accident Nor did hee well know if he dreamed or waked but much more was he astonisht when hee saw all his hand bloodie and the broken arme of the Tree dropping downe blood apace This made him to stand stone still to chaunge his colour and countenance and to looke as one that were readie to fall into an Extasie or sownde A Similie No otherwise then the young Scholler that is halfe dead with feare seeing his maister behinde him and taking him vpon the suddaine as he hath done some gricuous fault Scarce would he beleeue his own eies to thinke he saw so strange an euent as a Tree to distill both blood and teares But this was nothing to that he was frighted when he heard the Tree to speake in this manner vnto him Stay courteous Shepheard and hold thy hands I beseech thee contenting thy selfe with my most miserable Fortune without increasing my mischiefe anie more in heaping Ossa vpon Pelion and one disaster vpon another it being a great shame no small disparagement vnto mightie men to afflict such as be plagued alreadie and who in kindnesse demaund succour from them Besides thou shalt vnderstand I am a man most vnfortunately turned into this insensible Tree by a Magician abiding in these Woods sore doubting that I shall still continue so vnles some good bodie or other maketh intercession vnto him in our behalfe for more companions haue I in this my miserie and as hardly destined as my selfe that it would please him to restore vs vnto our former shapes and likenes againe Now if euery offence that is offered demandeth satisfaction and if this which thou hast done vnto me drawing most violently from me great store of blood doth merite any fauour at thy hands at all Then I beseech thee for amends of the same to take the paines to seeke out this cunning man to beg of him so much grace for vs as to turne vs againe into our pristinate estate and former manner of liuing vowing in requitall of the same neuer to commit any wicked outragious behauiour so long as we shall liue Neuer was Iuno more confounded when she saw the periurde Aeneas quite contrary vnto the promise that was giuen her to saile in the maine Seas then was Philistell when he heard this Tree to make this pittifull supplication he being halfe perswaded that that time was newely come againe into which Niobe was changed into a Rocke Myrrha into myrrhe Daphne into laurell the companions of Vlisses into Swine Notwithstanding in the end after he had pluckt vp his hart againe called all his spirits togither finding himselfe to haue done a fault vnto the Tree therefore bound as it were in conscience to make him amends he promised to worke what means he could vnto the old man not only for his owne but also for the rest of his fellowes deliuerance with this resolution comforting the poore dismembred plant as well as he could he left him to seeke out the old man who onely and none else could helpe these poore wretches thus transformed whilst walking alone musing much of this matter he began to discourse with himselfe in this wise O what a wonderfull thing is this blacke Art and what great force hath it to bring to passe admirable matters Admirable is Magicke and a thing supernaturall and incredible the effects of such as exercise the same No longer will I now wonder at the sorceries of bloodie Medea nor at the Inchantments of wilie Circes nor at the chaunting witchcrafts and Spells of subtill Zoraastes since I haue seene with mine owne eyes such strange and miraculous deuises of Magicke Neither will I maruile more if these three wise men which came to worship our Sauiour came to the knowledge of his diuine natiuitie by reason of their profound learning and skill when I perceiue and see that a sillie poore old Magitian is able to turne mens bodies into insensible Trees this being the cause that all such as practise this kind of Art are highly honoured and much esteemed and especially amongst such as are infidels and put small confidence and trust in the true God So that if these wicked Ministers of damned diuels make themselues to be
armes hung downe Sans motion and like a picture faire Which linelesse is in colours wrought tresemblance so she bare The wofull Shepheard when this sight most dolorous he spide Afresh his plaints he doth renew and out aloud he cride Kissing this linelesse coarse and dying he seekes himselfe to ease Whilst her embracing he doth thinke her griefes somewhat t' appease His sight he wistly sixeth on her face and on her eies And like amad man he takes on in most outragious wise Yet he to Stella listueth still who still doth him require And pray to pardon her foule fault this oneli's her desire And as she giueth vp the ghost she forth these words doth grone Ah pardon me sweet pardon me the most distressed one Sweet Gloridan forget for giue poore Stella for her ill She did offend but knew it not it was against her will Oh in one Tombe let me with thee sweet friend be buried Gods lawes command to pardon such as doe offend being dead Farewell deare Spouse and graunt to me but this my last request Farewell for death to seaze on me I feele alreadie prest I le meete thee in the Lizian fields and then I will thee knowe Once more farewell my Cloridan for now from thee I goe So saying she doth breath her last as any stone she is cold Yet closely in his feeble armes the Shepheard doth her hold But when that he had bleeding left which like a spring did come From forth his brest and mongst the blood of his faire Stella runne He laieth her softly downe by him her eies he then doth close And by her side placing himselfe vnto his end he growes And hauing cried out full oft as one accursed most That he was author of her death he giueth vp his ghost Whilst by his warme blood and salt teares he seeketh to appease His Ladies spirit late gone from thence to liue with greater ease A thousand times he saith farewell sweet Stella still he cride And in the end in selfe same sort as Stella did he dide Their bodies twaine which whilst they liude had but one soule alone Were buried both together shut within one Tombe and stone And Aridon that Traitor curst who these two Louers paind By iustest punishment of Gods into a Rocke was changd Which Iupiter doth oftentimes scourge for his former sin With thunder-bolts breaking his top and all to battering him Then let no Louer once presume vnlawfull meanes to seeke But be resolued to be content as shall their Ladies leeke For forced Loue or treacherie will nere proue well at all Which if they vse worse plagues shall them then Aridon befall After the faire Nymph had made an end of her dismall historie she spake thus vnto me Now Shepheard confesse confesse I say by this example the vniust crueltie of Loue. He that will not yeeld neither vnto presidents nor vnto reasons ought to be accounted as a most obstinate and ignorant person for it is more follie not to submit vnto reason then to be altogether vnacqainted with the same It is an old said sawe that he is happie whom other mens harmes can make to beware For to growe wise at the charges of another and not at his owne cost is a greater treasure then the golden sands of the riuer Pactotus As for mine owne part this examample with diuers others which I can report and all vnto this purpose wherein Loue hath shewed thousand proofes of his bloodie rage shall make me wise and warne me to looke vnto my selfe well enough They say that a man should take heed of a mad dog of a franticke bedlem and of a notable Drunkard because by nature they are apt to doe shrowd turnes And euen so we should looke vnto our selues lest we should fall into the laps of Loue seeing we know him to be so peruerse so wicked and vniust for he shall neuer be moned who most sondly flingeth himselfe into the pit that hath bene shewed vnto him before Then Shepheard shalt thou be wise if betimes thou withdrawest thy selfe from such a Tyrant foolish will I account thee if thou imaginest that I will euer follow so bad a maister as he is his schoole resembling an intricate labyrinth into which it is easy to enter but impossible or verie hard to get out of it againe He that will doe well must neuer doe any thing whereof he may repent him afterward for a man neuer droupeth but when he languisheth through feare still looking for that mischiefe to happen which will at the last make him to repent If I know alreadie that repentance would not be faire off from me if I should loue by reason of the dammages that proceed through the same were not I then verie simple to goe about to loue Then talke no more vnto me of such vanities but rather discourse with me of such Ceremonies Fraiers vowes and Sacrifices belonging vnto Diana which are mine ordinarie exercises For euerie workeman delighteth to here talke of his owne Science or Misterie I hearing her say so replied thus O fairer creature then Venus more chaste then Polixena and more learned then Cassandra The braue Captaine that continually followeth the warres knoweth well that his function or calling is full of dangerand trouble and yet in the meane while he repenteth not to follow the same because of the hope he hath to reape renowme and credit which is encountred and wonne euen in the middest and the thickest of Cannon shot of the battaile And so although the Louer doubteth not but that he is like to endure great troubles and turmoiles in his amorous pursuit yet doth not he giue ouer the following thereof without repenting himselfe at all because the hope to please that which he so much liketh bringeth the thoughts of all his troubles and labours to be very weake and of no force or violence at all The sicke patient which taketh a potion knoweth that it is bitter and yet for all that he sticketh not to swallow it downe most willingly by reason of the firme confidence he hath to be healed of his griefe That the paines of loue are bitter and cruell I cannot but confesse yet then againe we must remember how sweet and luscious is that ioy that the Louer participateth of when he seeth himselfe beloued of his Mistris An inestimable lewell is not gotten nor giuen for nothing neither such and so rare a good thing as this is can be obtained without great labour and trauaile And for mine owne part will alwaies account those sorrowes and troubles most easie and sweet be they neuer so sower and vnsufferable to loue a thing so absolute and perfect as your sweet selfe is For that Generall of an armie shall neuer be taxed with cowardise who hath done his end uour and what he can to cause the enemie to come into the field but he shall soone be condemned for a dastard that shall flie from his foe through very seare The honour that one
all kindnesse that might be brought forth many Demigods and heroicall Spirits who most brauely purged the world from these hatefull and damned Monsters Olympia the mother of that great Alexander receiued into her bosome that mightie Iupiter conceiuing by him that glorious Sonne and that great Monarch of the earth Rbea the mother of Remus and Romulus refused not the kissings of God Mars being big with child of those two worthy Princesse which built Rome afterward she comming to be Mistris ouer all the world Away then with these fond conceits and remember to be fauourable vnto me as these courteous dames haue bene heretofore Shepheard Shepheard aunswered Delia neuer dreame of any such thing betweene thee and me for those women yeelded vnto the Gods because they might bring forth children worthy of such Fathers which might be as profitable vnto the publike God as they themselues had bene before But such a commoditie cannot happen of our Loue and say it might chaunce to be so yet my opinion is according vnto the common saying that we ought not doe Euill that good may come thereof because the ill being once done cannot be amended whereas we we are not sure whether that good which we expect will fall out according vnto our hopes or no and the rather because many things happen betweene the cup and the lip Therefore these presidents shall neuer perswade me to loue for none are bound to follow that which is leaud or bad neither are they commaunded to be wicked after the examples of others Then Shepheard change thou thy minde thine owne selfe or else thou wilt force me to shun thy companie for there is nothing that troubleth the eares of another more then to repeate often that which is pleasing vnto him Remember the torments of Ixion for affecting the iealous Sister of Ioue and thinke how poore Tamirus was plagued for being amorous of the Muses neither goe about to debash a chaste minde to cast liking vnto thee for feare least the heauens who punish all such wrongs as are done vnto Innocents reuenge not this iniurie which thou offerest vnto me seeing that he is in more fault that perswadeth one to leaudnes then he that doth the same the first inuenting that which had not he bene had neuer bene done whereas the other doth but put in practise what he neuer of himselfe had ment Quench then and mortifie within thee thy foolish desires and let me alone I pray thee to liue as I haue done who haue bene offered but too much wrong alreadie without hauing need of thee to buz such vaine toyes into my head as thou doest continually Coribant would haue aunswered when he might perceiue hard at hand the reuerend old man protector of that Desart hauing a staffe in one hand and a booke in an other with which he controuled the Spirits as well of the earth below as of the aire aboue He came to finde melancolike Arcas to the end he might follow and prosecute his amorous Historie whom he no sooner espied with Orythia who was all this while courting of him but that he marched towards him which the Nymph perceiuing left him when the Magitian making a signe poore Arcas followed him he not daring to denie him whereupon they went vnto their accustomed place where being set downe the old man thus began Come on Shepheard and now begin thy Tale which the other day thou leftest vnperfect for it is to no end to take a busines in hand except we finish the same Dispatch I pray thee and let me heare what thou canst say more as concerning thy chaste Loues for sweete is the memorie of things commendable the recitall of which purgeth our soules from many faults which otherwise we are likely to commit Happie are such as haue had the friendship of good and excellent Poets and so likewise vnfortunate are they that chaunce to fall into their hatred For of the first they make the memorie and remembrance euerlasting and eternall asthey make the last to be counted hatefull and detestable for so doe the writings of the auncient Poets shew vs. Homer bringeth Achilles and the Greekes to be victors although it was the Troyans that had the vpper hand making Penelope to be the Mirrour of chastitie and wisedome when indeed she was no better then an infamous Curtezan and Virgil commendeth the traitor Aeneas when the very truth is he like a disloyall wretch sold Troy and condemneth modest Dido to make the world to hate her she being as free from any such lascionsnes as Maro was from telling what was true Happie therefore are such as learned Poets fauour with their pennes but aboue all most fortunate are those whom thou hast taken in hand to praise because thy Muse is veritable and not a liar or vntrue Blessed are those thy beautious Ladies whose worthie vertues thou hast blazed forth with so great respect and reuerence since the memorie of them shall neuer perish by reason of deuouring time or be drowned in the pitchy Riner of forgetfull Lethes Goe forward then for the soule that is dallied withall deferred from hope is grieuously afflicted with sorrow and the hinderance of that thing which one desireth maketh the conceit of the ioy to be farre lesse than otherwise it would be Great is the charge thou laiest vpon me replied Arcas and hardly would I take such a peece of worke in hand for any other but the law willeth that he that receiueth must render againe neither is it sufficient for one to be beholding vnto another vnlesse he make some satisfaction for the same and therefore seeing I am in this predicament it is but reason that I should endeuour to acquit my selfe towards thee in satisfying thy desire because I am so much bound vnto thee And yet before I goe any further I beseech thee graue Father and all such as shall come after thee vnto whom this worke by fortune shall happen to beleeue that I haue not declined from the truth in any one word in describring the rare perfections of IVLIETTA and of DIANA they being such as I haue painted forth or rather farre more excellent then I am able to display And therefore let the Posterities hereafter beleeue as we at this day doe that as there was a braue and valiant Harpalice that as Thomaris sometimes raigned who discomfited the vanquisher of Kings that as Pentisilea gaue succour and assistance vnto the Troyans that as Sage and couragious Zenobia liued with thousands of other peerlesse women So was their flourishing IVLIETTA and DIANA two Ladies and Virgins of so excellent and exquisit qualities as well of the bodie as the minde as neuer any of their Sex in the old time are to be compared vnto them But to come to the purpose If you remember I presented certaine verses vnto my sugred Saint for so I told you and she accepting of them went with the other Nymphs towards the Temple of Diana Follow her I durst not for those
my latest end with so charitable and compassionate a piece of worke I blessed the voice that before had hindered me from dying being sorie that I had blamed it so much as I had done seeing I might preserue one of my best acquaintance from death not that I had altered my first determination as if I had bene vnwilling to perish but that I had not done so before I had brought to passe so good a deed Thereupon I came running downe from where I was as fast as I could when the poore soule who hard me comming a farre off and yet had not seene me at all thinking I had bene some wilde beast that came to deuour him chusing as the Blackebird vseth rather to commit himselfe vnto the mercie of a man then to endure the griping nailes of the Sparrow-hawke that followeth him in flight leapeth againe into the wide Ocean striuing with all the force he could and with the vtmost of his cunning he had in swimming to get as farre as he might from the shore side which but a little before he with much adoe had attained vnto I being come downe and seeing him in the maine Sea called him oftentimes by his name but the surges thereof made such a noyse as he heard me not carrying him still farther off from me which when I perceiued I then began to renew my plaints grieuing as well at his misfortune as mine owne and the rather because where I thought to haue saued him I was his vtter ruine and ouerthrow Whilst he in the meane space tooke great paines in swimming blowing puffing through extreame wearines and striuing vnto the vtmost of his strength to get vnto some other landing place But Fortune who in despite of himselfe would needes saue him or perhaps would shewe me so much fauour in lieu of so much and such hard dealing as she had vsed against me caused the Sea who went about to drowne him to be the onely meanes to saue him Strange is the beliefe of men for God oftentimes that they may perceiue most plainely how he disposeth of euery thing maketh them to finde succour from such as they account their chiefe enemies expecting no fauour nor curtesie at all from them and so it fell out with Fortunio for behold vpon the suddaine a Billowe of the Sea droue him although against his will backe vnto the foote of the Rocke from which he was of late parted he being so ouertyred with labour as he was in a manner without winde or force whereupon I came vnto him comforted him reuiuing him againe and putting life afresh into him That great vnbeleeuing Prophet was not more ioyfull when that huge Whale had cast him forth safe and aliue vpon the Sea coast after he had lodged three daies and nights in the bellie of the same as Fortunio was when he then sawe me and knewe me for Arcas This made him to take heart a grace and to plucke vp his former Spirits and yet when he looked wistly vpon me and sawe me looke with so pale and heauie a cheare he could not chuse but be maruellous sorie to behold me in that pittious plight whilest he vrged me often and that with great earnestnes to bewray vnto him the occasion of my sorrowes which I concealed from him In the end when he sawe there was no other remedie and that I was loth to bewray my minde vnto him he gaue ouer to inquisitiue therein any more not a little comforting himselfe in that he had so happily lighted vpon me who was the cause he had bene reserued from a dangerous kinde of death But I perceiuing he had need of warme cloaths and other comfortable necessaries fit to nourish him and to restore him vnto his former health tooke him with me to walke homewards towards my little cottage demaunding of him as we went of all his Fortunes since I last had seene him which as he was about to satisfie me behold whom should I meete withall but my sacred Diana who with the other Nymphs her companions was walking abroad to take the open aire As that Shehpeard is frighted with a sudden feare when he seeth to fall before his eies great flashes of lightning which burneth spoyleth and blasteth some goodly huge Oke that serued as a shadow for his wearie flocks to rest themselues therein Euen so was I astonisht trembling through euery ioynt when I called vnto remembrance my former fault and how hainous the crime was which I had done against her Faine would I as then haue taken occasion by the haire of the head that I might haue excused my selfe vnto her and so haue pleaded for her gratious pardon but alas my speech faileth me and I was quite without heart or courage The beautious Virgin perceiuing in what a pittifull plight I was in as one very wise quickly gessed the truth of the respect I bare vnto her was the reason why I was so confounded and void of all my sences Which was the cause she now began to thinke the better of me repenting as it were that she had taken me vp so roundly before and therefore she thought it not amisse to put courage into me againe by vsing some gratious speeches vnto me before she would leaue me Whereupon she smiling began thus to question with me What is the matter She heard that now thou art thus tongue-tied who before haddest thy voice at commaund and couldest discourse so readily and well Speake man and feare not to answere for more good doth he that speaketh then another that holdeth his peace saith nothing Courage and feare not any thing at all It is not my nature to be angrie long I knowing it to be a more commendable qualitie to be curteous then to be sorie and cruell If thy tongue hath bene the cause that mine hath spoken some sharpe speech or other which perhaps may somewhat grieue thee then blame thy selfe for the same and not me for that woman argueth her selfe to be culpable that seeketh not to defend her honour which she vnderstandeth is readie to be defamed This was the reason I ment not to take farther punishment of thee I being well satisfied with the first checke I gaue in words vnto thee Why then art thou thus moued doest thou thinke thou shalt commit an absurdutie and shalt not be told of the same If so thou then shouldest be in better taking then the Gods themselues who are not exempted from rebukes Hereafter learne to be more wise and consider well of the circumstance of the deed done before thou iudgest thereof for of the censure that is giuen in the worser part against the good name fame of women euery one maketh a benefit although it be false and scandalous and the reason is for that men are more readier to dispraise then to commend whether it be that they doe it of meere malice and dispight or because they are desirous to haue many like vnto themselues in their leaud and
much good fortune is not the best too much ill fortune is as bad the moderate and temperate being that which is the golden meane so this Damozell compoundeth her answere of sweet and sower nourishing the minde of her Louer as well with hope as with feare following herein the cunning Pothicarie who couereth his bitter Pill with gold all ouer And thus she answered vnto him I willingly confesse noble Lord Horatio that your worthie valour deserueth great commendations but though it be of great force against the enemies of the King yet bath it no power nor interest ouer me For although I highly prise it as euerie one else doth yet doe I farre more esteeme of mine honour and therefore perswade your selfe of this that in comparison of that I scorne the greatest things in the world be they neuer so pretious I most strange and monstrous is it for vertuous Maidens to loue whose liking ought to be tied vnto the good will of their parents and depending vpon their pleasures they can make no promise without their consents This maketh me to smile at you and to thinke such Louers to want their right wits that so foolishly follow in pursuite the loue of such Virgings as are wholy subiect vnto the disposing of their kindred For what good answere may they looke for to please themselues withall from such as cannot bestow themselues as they would And such an answere must I be faine to giue vnto you for that I cannot assure you for certaintie of any such thing as you defire For of my selfe I am no bodie but as it were vnder couert barne my good ill and my bodie being wholy in the possession and at the disposing of my gratious Ladie and Mistris the Queene and of mine owne Father my Lord Samperius Besides I so well like of a Virgins life which is not subiect vnto cruell Himen as I wish not nor willingly would giue it ouer to be come a Bond-slaue of a free-woman not forgetting that as long as men are woers they are seruants but no sooner haue they obtained what they would but then strait they become Maisters and Lords ouer vs. Againe I am not ignorant that they will not spare for faire speeches that they want not pithie perswasions and aboue all they will not sticke for golden promises But the old saying is that he that scoreth best paieth euer worst and great braggers are least performers of their words And me thinkes you do great iniurie vnto these beaue qualities in you to spend your time in courting a sillie damozell who cannot pleasure you when you might better employ the same to the great profit of your King and Countrie Then valiant Horatio follow the Warres againe and loose not your glorie and Honor through vaine and idle LOVE to the ende you may not be blamed neither I suspected to be the cause of your loytering heere at home without doing any thing as if I had pulled your Armour off from that warlike couragious and valiant bodie of yours And this perswade your selfe that the renowmed credit which shall come vnto you by your gallant venturous and braue exploits shall sooner winne mee to be yours then all the cunning traines that you can deuise by Loue to take me and that I make more account and estimation of them then of all the Oathes and protestations that you daily vse And this when you shall haue accomplished at the full and when my Father shall be returned from the Indies if it shall stand with the good liking of the King the Queene and him I then shall be well content and pleased to take vnto husband such a braue Caualier as yourselfe is and vntill then you shall pardon mee For as I am now so will I keepe my selfe whilst you in the meane time may studie how to shewe and make triall of the rare and admirable proofes of your vndoubted and inuincible courage and vallour But will you then sweete Mistris replied the Knight be euery way as good as your word and performe what you promise at this time That will I answered the Ladie as I am a true Maide Prouided alwayes that you take that vertuous course which I haue set downe vnto you accomplishing euery thing orderly and all obstacles and lettes taken quite out of the way by the consent of all my foresaid friendes It is enough said Horatio and I take your faire promise vpon which I will build as vpon a flintie Rocke assuring your selfe that ere long you shall heare some newes of mee Heerevpon kissing her daintie hand hee departed from her most luckilie performnig his promise O mightie LOVE not Ioue though mightiest God be bee Can bring to passe such wonders as are done by thee Horatio making all possible haste to be gone and prouiding euery thing necessarie for his iourney presently saileth vnto Saffin where hee atchieued many straunge and wonderfull enterprises ouer the Infidels in Affrica burning their Cities slaughtering their people and ouer-running all the whole Countrey Insomuch as his glorie euery day grew greater and greater he being now growne a terro vnto his foes and a great Honor vnto his owne Countreymen Which done hee commeth backe againe vnto Portugall whither also Sampeius the Father of Izabella was returned from the Indies who hearing such a generall applause of praâ—se giuen vnto Horatio began to affect him wonderfully whilst hee following his Loue businesse in chase so earnestly and with such good meanes as with the consent of all parties as the King the Queene and Sampeius himselfe the marriage betweene valiant Horatio and faire Izabella was concluded consummated and finished with the greatest pompe and most Princelike solemnities that might be Our Louers so entierly louing one another as they could scarcely abide to be one small minute asunder So rare and admirable was their loue as that of Priam and Hecu. ba was not the like Nor that of Scipio and Cornelia to be compared vnto the same Their two heartes were but one their two bodies but one minde and thought and their will and affection was all one without any difference at all In respect of their kindnesse let that of Seleucus and Stratonica be voyde and the rare fancie that was found to be betweene Vlisses and his constant Penelope there hauing bene neuer so earnest or ardent a kinde of affection as theirs was But what is too violent can not be permanent and firme Tempests and stormes the more furious and raging they are the lesser time they continue and endure Euen as that bodie is suddainely ouerthrowne and killed that is surprized with a most suddaine dangerous disease Meane while Horatio grewe euerie day in more fauour with his King then other In so much as not long after hee chose him Gouernour of Ansillies whither he must needs goe to keepe possession there O how sweete is Honour be it neuer so painefull vnto generous and couragious Spirits as vnto Hercules and to others They leauing all
soft ease and safe pleasures to runne desperately to winne Honour passing through many thousand Pikes and wading through infinite dangers and perills with great labour and paine before they could attaine vnto the place where it was seated So the prudent Prince of Ithaca left his constant wife to follow the long and tedious tenne yeares siege of Troy And so the great Gueslin high Constable of France left his Spouse to venture for that glorie in the middest of wonderfull daungers which made him famous for euer An example And so our renowmed Portuguise although hee held nothing so precious nor so religious in the whole world as he did to liue with his sweete Izabella whose companie was his Paradice and whose presence his heauen heere vpon earth Yet would he needes leaue all this felicitie and happinesse to endure in steelie Armour the brunts of bloodie Warre and whole worlds of Trauailes and painfull labours to the ende hee might winne Honour which Noble and Heroicall mindes hunt after so much And which many times they dearely buy with the losse of their most precious liues Hee therefore resolued to depart although not without exceeding great griefe to leaue his faire and beautious Spouse and the rather because hee hoped to attaine vnto more Honour through his worthy demeanure and braue carriage hee hauing excellent meanes as now to shewe afresh some fruites of his former towardnesse and forwardnesse in his Princes seruice in the Warres by reason of that great and worthie Commaund which was bestowed vpon him He thought that who alwayes should liue drowned in pleasures resembled the Companions of Vlisses changed into Swine and that nothing was well gotten but what was purchaste with the hazard of a mans life Wherevpon with manie sighes with many bitter teares and sorrowfull laments hee taketh leaue of his dolefull wife For commonly we are admonished by GOD through some secret knowledge when some mischaunce is comming towards vs which wee can no way auoyde So that the woefull Ladie Izabella foreseeing as it were beforehand the mischiefe that was like to light vppon her did nothing else but powre forth whole showres of teares hauing not the power to let her Husband loose from out of her armes The winding Vine neuer held the Hasell or Filberd more intangled within her leaues A Similie nor the greene Iuy neuer cleaued so fast vnto the olde stonie wall as this young Ladie clung about her heauie Spouse whome LOVE whilest sought by violence to hold still sterne HONOVE plucked him from thence by maine force carrying him away with him Hee was ordainde for further ill to goe his way Nor doth the life of Man A Sentence stand alwayes as one stay His wife prayeth desireth and coniureth him to breake his voyage to giue ouer his enterprise and to continue still with her teling him that shee had as yet but onely tasted the blessed pleasures which chaste wedlocke acquainteth faithfull Louers withall without hauing had the lawfull fruition of those sweete contentments which she so much desired But shee pleaded in vaine and to no ende her Husband was deafe and would not yeelde vnto her demaund Honour dryed vp her teares making them to be of no force whilst glorie was the hatchet that cut off her precious speeches and desire of praise the fire which consumed her most passionate prayers And therefore though passing loth hee taketh his leaue and departeth carrying away with him the wounded heart of his louely Spouse in exchaunge of which he leaueth hauie mournings and sadde laments which followed her euen vnto her verie graue Horatio beeing now arriued at Ansillies followeth his businesse most fortunately Mars chasing away Cupid cruell warres gentle Loue and hautie ambition the sweete remembrance of his wife It is a common fashion of manie men to follow a thing most earnestly and eagerlie and then presently and vpon the suddaine when they haue gotten it A Sentence they giue it ouer nor caring a whit for the same any more Resembling heerein the way-faring man who a far off seeketh a fountaine or spring to staunch his thirst and hauing freed himselfe of his drinesse maketh no more account of the water nor would stirre one foote to finde it againe But this was not all For the Heauens aboue abounding in good or bad Fortunes rayne not one downe alone but many other all together and at one time and we see for the most part that one mischiefe neuer commeth but that there falleth another vpon the necke of the same For so it was that Horatio beeing farre off from his deare Spouse and depriued of her company by reason of the warres wherein he was so much busied chaunced to become amorous of the faire Prisoner hee had of late taken in a Battaile as I haue saide before yea and so much doth he doate of her that as the flaming Torche darkneth the light of the candle so likewise this loue quenthed the loue hee had before borne vnto his wife O vngodly Husbands which so wickedly falsifie your faiths vnto your lawfull and louing bedfellowes deceiuing them so shamefully vnto your owne shames Against had Husbands Haue euer any of you liued without being punished of the Almighty for your hainous faults Was not Paris the ouerthrow and breake-necke of all his House and Countrey for defiling the bed of Menelaus and reiecting his betrothed wife Enone Came not Iason to a miserable ende being depriued of his Children of his Wife and his Pallace for abandoning Medea and for taking another false wife And did not Theseus staine his hands in the chaste and pure blood of his owne sonne Hippolitus for giuing ouer his deare Spouse Ariadne Examples of bad Husbands to the ende he might satifie his lust with Phoedra And so was Horatio well plagued for his licentious pleasures For God most iustly punished him defacing his former glorie weakning his vertue ruinating his credit and vtterly ouerthrowing his vallour So long since Salomon through Harlots lost his diuine wisedome they forcing him to become an enemie vnto God So the strumpet Dalila was the cause of the death of Sampson the stout And so haue many other braue and great personages bene vtterly ouerthrowne by this inticing Sexe and seuerely chastised by God as hee did our great Commaunder of Ansillies who was so besotted of his slaue as hee liued not but onely by her lookes Her eyes was his bright Sunne he none desirde but her She onely faire was her aboue none else he did prefer A strange thing that many times these foolish and wicked Amours should be more hot and liuely then such as be lawfull and chasse The reason being either because they are forbidden by the Law man commonly louing that which he is prohibited to doe or because they are as it were stolen or enioy de but seldome keeping such Louers in a perpetuall appetite and desire As those who rise from the table their bellies halfe filled come to