her truth and loue Leaning her desolate alone to proue His Loue or â—â—ded or but giuen for neede Caus'd her with misery to gaine that meed I Ariadne am alike oppress'd Alike deseruiug and alike distress'd Vngratefull Demophon to Phillis faire A Thracian Lady causs'd by like dispaire Or greater farr for after feruent loue In which bless'd time he freely still did proue What is desir'd or lou'd he left this Queene And bliss for a lesse Kingdome which had beene Before his fathers aud by reason right For Theseus was his Sire that King of spight Thus did he both inherit state and ill While Phillis selfe her louely selfe did kill Making a Tree her Throne a Cord the end Of her affections which his shame did send I strangled am with your vnkindnes choak'd While cruelty is with occassions cloak'd Medea Witch with her enchanting skill Did purchasâ— what was craued by her will Yet was by Iason left at last which showes Loue only free from all bewitching blowes But his owne witchcraft which is worst of ills Neuer absenting till all ioy it spills Charms it may be with-held you now from me Breake through them leaue that Circes so oft free The Syrâ—ns songe Calypsoâ—s sweete delights And looke on faith which light is of true lights Turne backe the eyes of your chang'd heart and see How much you sought how foâ—dly once sought me What trauell did you take to win my loue How did you sue that I as kind would proue This is forgot as yesterdayes lik'd sport Loue winning lasting long once won proues short I like Penelope haue all this time Of your absenting let no thought to clime In me of change though courted and pursu'd By loue perswasions and euen fashons rude Almost to force extending yet still she Continued constant and as I am free Ten yeares a cause was for Vlisses stay While Troy besâ—iged was but then away Was homeward bent by all saue him who stayd And ten yeares more on forraine beautyes pray'd Against his will he oft his will enioyed And with variety at last was cloy'd Chainge wearyed him when weary he return'd And from his wandring then to staydnes turn'd Come you now backe I thus inuite you home And loue you as if you did neuer roame I haue forgot it as if neuer done And doe but thinke me a new to be wone I shall appeare it may be as I did And all passd falts shall in my breast be hid Try me againe and you shall truely find Where fairenesse wanteth clearenes of a minde Fairer and richer then the masse of all Their persons which from me haue made you fall If ioyn'd together and from thence to frame A minde of beauteous faith fit for the name Of worthy Constancy inrich'd with truth Which gaue me to you and so held my youth In young desires still growing to your loue Nourish them now and let me your loue proue Leaue the new powerfull charms of strangers tongus Which alwayes truth with their faire falshood wrongs Come backe to me who neuer knew the plot To crosse your minde or to thy will an nott Come I say come againe and with Vlisses Enioy the blessings of your best blisses Happy the comfort of a chaste loues bed Blessed the pillow that vpholds the head Of loyall louing shame 's the others due Leaue those for me who cannot be but true Come and giue life or in your stay send death To her that liues in you else drawes no breath What bands had you to tye you thus much said the Queene of Naples bands of faith in me and vowes from him of zealous truth said she priuately made to me and for greater satisfaction giuen before witnesses for marriage which made me foolish confident trust yeeld now wander lament and pine The Queenes pittied her and promised their helps to assist her She thank'd them but answerd none but loue had iniur'd her and â—onâ— els could or should helpe her so she as strangely went on and from them as wildly she had come to them they returning home she walking breathing in distembers At last resoluing to go to Pamphilia offer her seruice to the Queen who euer from her iufancy lou'd and trusted her was hindred from her company attendance by reason or rather this folly in affection which had power to make her dissist from all resolutions how fit or worthy to please that the most vaine and troublesome of any Now she could discerne her errour but how as if she lookt into a glasse and behinde her saw her miserie which to her face abusd her so her passed time had wrongâ—d her neuer to be righted or cleered if not by death forgetfulnes or charity The Queen Pamphilia receiued her with all kindnes with her she liud as in her former daies in much respect and vs'd with all courtesie the better being ioyned and more acceptable because neerest agreeing with her passions and miseries as shee calld them and indeed were for none can be compared to forsaken loue Nerena was left in miserable state imprison'd in a Towre locked vp in conceit of maddnesse and made a poore imagined distracted creature where she was absolute Princesse little Iustice was in this yet she as a woman must suffer although in time be released as shee at last was and now is the houre come for her safety Her Sister as you heard went to try the Inchantment in her absence desire of change and so hope of liberty as most times is gain'd in absence of the Prince grew among the people but most lay in the breast of a noble man whose conscience one may well say slept quietly from troubling his businesse till now hee had awaked it protesting that the wrong done to Nerena concern'd them all and lay alike to his imagination in their hearts as in his which moou'd him to vrge restitution and submission with establishing her in her former gouernment their latter Princesse being but to succeed her Sister and the iniury done to her who ought to reigne besides what follies did liue in her more and not as amply abounding as in the elder their rightful Lady besides as a woman why should she not be permitted both her vanity the nature of her Sexe their fidelity to their late Master was lost their loyalty to Succession forgot the oath to truth broken they guilty to all foule Treasons hauing deposd their Princess and established another whose merit were not far beyond their own Mistrisses nor whose staid worth ought to claime too strickt an obedience wher right challenged the contrary He was a great man welbeloued infinitly followed feared therfore cheerish'd he swayed much and so far proceeded as hee with the rest of the Counsel fetched Nerena forth solemnly againe establish'd her had pardons for all things past all was made vp with a kind gratious coÌ„clusion she by her poore liuing and neglect being now inuested in so staid an habitation
ill refines Alas yet as you burne My pitie smarts and groanes to turne Your paines away and yet you must consume Content in me must beare no plume Dust-like Dispaire may with me liue Yet shall your memory out-driue These paines wherein I mourne You reliques of pure loue To sacred keepe with me remooue Purg'd by this fire from harme and iealous feare To liue with me both chast and cleare The true preserueresse of pure truths Who to your graue giues a youth In faith to liue and mooue Famous body's still in flames Did anciently preserue their names Vnto this funerall nobly you are come Honour giuing you this tombe Teares and my loue performe your rights To which constancie beares lights To burne and keepe from blame This did not satisfie her grieuing for the losse of those kind lines but each day did shee say the Letter to her selfe which so much shee loued as shee had learned by heart then looking on the Ashes wept and kissing them put them vp againe and thus continued shee till Ollorandus himselfe came to whom these daylie offerings were made for hee after hee had settled his Kingdome longing as much to see her as shee desired his presence put the Gouernment to the charge of a president and his Counsell assuring them that nothing should haue so soone parted him from them but that hee must now performe his part of friendship to Amphilanthus which was required of him who had so louingly and brauely accomplished his None were against that all honouring and louing him so much as hee had much adoe but with kind quarrels to leaue the Countrie without some of them to attend him yet by his milde perswasions and the new Kings commanding power they two tooke their iourney the Dwarfe againe returning the very day before they left Prage Towards Hungarie they then haste passing through Morauia where they met a strange encounter and a sad spectacle which was a company of men all on foote being apparrel'd in long mourning Gownes and after them a Chariot beeing drawne by sixe Horses they beeing couered with blacke and in the Chariot was a bodie beeing couer'd with a blacke Veluet couering and at the feet of this Body sate a Ladie her face beeing towards it and most pitifullie weeping many more in mourning likewise walking by the Chariot round about it and behind it This lamentable and dolefull spectacle mooued the hearts of the Knightes who beeing verie passionate quickly felt pitie and riding presently to one of the followers desiring to bee resolu'd of this matter the Gentleman courteously answered that the businesse was of so long a times discourse as would demaund more leysure then hee thought their businesse would well allow them therefore hee besought to bee excused vnlesse they meant to succour that distressed Lady who most iustly might claime assistance and reuenge for a murdered Knight vniustlie and treacherouslie slaine for loue Loue their Master commanded their seruice so as they said they would willingly doe their best to redresse such an iniurie Then the Gentleman going to the Lady told her what the Knights said she casting vp her eyes which before she held on the Coarse the body and soule of her affections Alas Sirs said shee what misfortune hath brought you to ingage your selues to true misery as in ioyning with me you must do for a more wretched neuer liued to die so Our fortunes said Ollorandus speaking in her owne language is the best we could couet if they may prooue auaileable to you nor doe we desire any more then to know how we may serue you Then Sir said shee let mee bee so bold as to demaund first who you are that I may discouer my estate the more freely and willingly to you My name said hee is Ollorandus King of Bohemia and this is Amphilanthus King of the Romans Happinesse beyond all hope cry'd shee Alas my Lord this is the King that of all the World I haue desired to meete and now trauell to seeke in Italy then kneeled shee vnto him beseeching him to graunt her what hee had of himselfe so nobly promised Hee vowed to performe any thing whatsoeuer that lay in his power to doe then comming forth of the Chariot and they lighting they retired into a little tuft of Thornes by the way side shee beginning her storie thus Most braue and renowned of Kings and you great King bee pleased to giue eare to the saddest storie that euer loue and louers end hath produced I am that miserable vnfortunate woman Sydelia passionately louing and being beloued of the excellent and veâ—tuous Antonarus long wee loued but a hate betweene my brother called Terichillus and my loue growne in their youth hindred our enioyings my brother so curiouslie watching mee himselfe or others neuer or seldome from mee as I was able onely to see my afflictions and wants but not the Sunne of my content for my Brother being the Heire of Morauia and the other the Prince of Silesia that kept him from venturing into his Countrie knowing the infinite malice hee bare vnto him alas no way deseruing it But at last my brother was to marry Orguelea daughter to the Duke of Bauaria and going thither to performe it left mee guarded by his seruants whom in his absence so well I wrought with as I compassed the sight of my Deare who in the habit of a Hunts-man came vnto me we married priuatly and so enioyed the time till my brothers returne with his new Ladie as full of spite and ill nature as a Spider with poyson to her he had disclosed this matter with his hate to Antonarus and to her gaue the charge of mee my Father hauing before giuen ouer the world and was retyred into a religious house hauing left me and all his estate to my brother yet during his life my brother would not take the title vpon him but the authority of the County of Morauia Now was my Hunts man to returne small safetie being where such hatefull spies inhabited no more surety then a poore hare hath in the hands of the hounds who haue long hunted to prey vpon it so did they seeke to ruine vs the extreame hate my brother bare to Antonarus rising from this cause When they were youthes and both in the Emperous Court there liu'd at that time a young Lady of the house of Austria â—xcellently faire and as fairely condition'd whose vertues were such as most prizing worth for Vertues sake she made choice wholy of worthinâ—sse in conuersation choice of companions and the whole course of her life ranne that way which made her chooce Antonarus and so much to affect him as nothing but death could be ender of her affection and yet I know not how I can say so since dying shee express'd her affection to him she loued and no question but his goodnesse requited it in his wishes to serue her but friendship wrought so in him as he would not seeme to receiue it my brother being so
after hee had gain'd her firmest loue and so by vowes obtained what he sought most vildly he beganne to change and fell inamour'd of a Princes maide who being neere allied vnto my Lady often came to visite her at Court this Gentlewoman truly was most faire and I thinke good till then if not then too we sawe it and were vex'd with it yet knowing that no curster cor'siue can bee to a louer then to be dispised especially by him that once did loue at last she found it miserable knowledge how then was she grieued if I should offer to discouer I must say I am a louer and forsaken to otherwise can none or ought any to presume to tell a farlorne creatur's woe First in silence she did beare her paine and with attendance and continuall kindnes striue to win him back or rather that he might not thinke she did mistrust she stroue to hold his loue But that vngratefull man which name is more then her gentle affection will yet permitt her to giue him discerning her respect and loue would seeme to see neither yet faild he not in all outward shewes to manifest his change She writ vnto him she wept before him she complayned she bewailed others that were forsaken he heard and not regarded he answer'd but slighted he ioyned in pittying them but neglected her that most wanted she lost her beauty with sorrow with weeping whole nights and sobbing that I haue my selfe come in vncalled but by those sorrowes to her the greatnesse of her heart though able in the day to couer them yet was forced at night to borrow assistance of breathing out what her spleene was ouer charg'd withall and what saue teares sobs and silence would shee trust for her associates Forgetfull man that so abused her who wrong'd her selfe alone in trusting him nay wrong himselfe in such a base vnworthy change I aduentured to aduise when I saw all misery ouer take her shee tooke my counsell which was to vrge the marriage He slighted her and told her she was growne old and her beawty alter'd willed her to recouer that and when he return'd from a iourney that he had in hand he would be as he was Alas what torment was this to her who was only his she tooke it to the heart though hee smilingly deliuered it as if in iest till all considered it aprooued true then faign'd he an excuse that the King his father sent for him and that at his returne he would not misse to performe what hee had promised so he found her as he expected His leaue he tooke of her which went as neere her heart as marrow to the bones yet staid he afterwards with the other wench som certaine daies We vsed al meanes to hold her ignorant of that and many more his passages but what more cleare and perfect sighted then true loue She knew all and yet knew her faith so cleare to him as she would blind her sight rather then touch his truth O faithles Amphilanthus accursed man that brought this hard insufferable wrong and harme vnto the faithfullest and the worthiest louer that euer loue did wound But to proceed he went and left my Lady quite forsaken and forlorne who since vnhappy woman liues in groanes and daily sorrowings But where now is the Prince said Amphilanthus Truly Sir said she where the falsest ficklest waueringst and vnworthiest man doth liue and there is hee and else where know I not No such vnworthinesse liues in that Prince I know him well said he and lately saw him but I will not say 't is the same you speake of for it may be some such creature hath abused his name and for these ends giuen out to be the man Know you the Prince then said she if you doe hee is a faire false man a treacherous well shap'd man not tall though high in mischieuous ill nature slender but full in wickednes curld haire and thicke yet bauld in vertue and this is Amphilanthus as he cald himselfe The Prince knew straight it was another man she meant yet grieued to heare his name so much abused and that a Princesse should beare wrong for him This besides his owne interest in the matter made him vow reuenge wherefore hee desired to see the Princesse the first Lady told him that if hee would attend her comming forth of the Wood hee should be admitted to her sight he would not further vrge and so with them sat downe while one of them sung this Song telling him it was made by her Lady who was as perfect in all noble qualities as subiect to loue and so to bee for too much faith deceiued FRom victory in loue I now am come Like a commander kild at the last blow In stead of Lawrell to obtaine a tombe With triumph that a steely faith I show Here must my graue be which I thus will frame Made of my stony heart to other name Then what I honor scorne brings me my tombe Disdaine the Priest to bury me I come Cloath'd in the reliques of a spotlesse loue Embrace me you that let true louers in Pure fires of truth doe light me when I mooue Which lamp-like last as if they did begin On you the sacred tombe of loue I lay My life neglect sends to the hellish way As offering of the chastest soule that knew Loue and his blessing till a change both slew Here doe I sacrifice worlds time of truth Which onely death can let me part with all Though in my dying haue perpetuall youth Buried alone in you whereby I fall Open the graues where louers Saints haue laine See if they will not fill themselues with paine Of my affliction or striue for my place Who with a constant honour gaine this grace Burne not my body yet vnlesse an Vrne Be fram'd of equall vertue with my loue To hold the ashes which though pale will burne In true loues embers where he still will moue And by no meanes let my dust fall to earth Lest men doe enuy this my second birth Or learne by it to find a better state Then I could doe for loue immaculate Thus here O here 's my resting place ordain'd Fate made it e're I was I not complaine Since had I kept I had but blisse obtain'd And such for loyalty I sure shall gaine Famebeares the torches for my last farewell To life but not to loue for there I dwell But to that place neglect appoints for tombe Of all my hopes thus Death I come I come Did Emilina said the Prince write this sure Amphilanthus could neuer be false to such a creature He was and is said she and truly doth hee make good his name that signifieth the louer of two That name said he was giuen him e're he knew what loue was or himselfe The latter sure he knowes not yet said shee You will I doubt not shortly haue a better opinion of this Prince Neither of him nor those that be his companions said she vnlesse I grow
all else deserues not one of these teares if false to you let him goe and reioyce you see his imperfections before you were tyed to them yet bee sure you mistake him not or vnmeritingly condemne him for then the falshood will be laid to your charge and his clearenes will make you more blame worthy This I aduise as my selfe would be aduised if in such extremity and this I say to you my dearest Cosin and would say though I knew it were mine owne brother had caused this mischiefe Your brother said Pamphilia if faulty might yet challenge more care from you and testimonie of loue who ought as a sister rather to hide or couer his imperfections So I would to any but to you said Vrania who suffer I perceiue so extreamely for him Pardon me said she I accuse him not farre is it from my heart to blame him which causelesly I should doe You therefore conclude too briefly on my words but for me my onely friend and dearest Cosin this world hath no helpe left for mee in store but a speedy end which all that loue me with me should soone wish it to me yet I must say some thing in loues defence whom you so much condemne that I haue read in all stories and at all times that the wisest brauest and most excellent men haue been louers and are subiect to this passion I grant you that said Vrania but haue you not withall found by iust obseruation that it was a blemish to their other excelling vertues Why sweet Vrania said she what hath loue done to you to make you thus bitter against him do you not happily enioy what you desire are you ambitious to any thing within his authority which hee brings not to your wishes end yet you reuile and despise him who but plaid with you in hurts and cloyes you with his fauours while I tormented with his fury proue not vngrateful I am not vngrateful said Vrania but fortunate I am not his slaue I loue Loue as he should be loued so deare Lady do you and then you will plainly see he is not such a Deity as your Idolatry makes him but a good child well vse flattred an insolent thing comming ouer our harts as children ouer the poore birds they catch before they can flie thinking they master them when indeede it is their want of wings makes their bondage and so deare Cosin it is our want of courage and iudgement makes vs his slaues take heart to your noble and knowing selfe and let him bee as he is now a proud then puling Babe Alasse my friend said she how sorry am I your excelleÌ„t counsell is bestowed on one so little deseruing it as not being able to right it by following it which I am not able to doe but some answere I must make to you I am so wholy his as it is past mistaking the wound being giuen mee deepely by his vnkindnes which martyrs mee not that I am forsaken doe I lament but my true loyall forlorne heart within me bewailes the misfortune it vndergoes by being displaced from that most loued being which was in his breast once cheriâ—ht or flattered there now to returne to this miserable prison my body which is nothing but dispaire Thus you see it is truth and such truth as only shall haue end by my miserable dayes conclusion To leaue him for being false would shew my loue was not for his sake but mine owne that because he loued me I therefore loued him but when hee leaues I can doe so to O no deere Cousen I loued him for himselfe and would haue loued him had hee not loued mee and will loue though he dispise me this is true loue and if not this the contrary should I reioyce for misse of any ill might from trusting or being true to his amisse in such bond had my blessing beene and my cuâ—se the fayling of them or had they hapnedâ— Pamphilia must be of a new composition before she can let such thoughts fall into her constant breast which is a Sanctuary of zealous affection and so well hath loue instructed me as I can neuer leaue my master nor his precepts but still maintaine a vertuous constancy T is pittie said Vrania that euer that fruitlesse thing Constancy was taught you as a vertue since for vertues sake you will loue it as hauing true possession of your soule but vnderstand this vertue hath limits to hold it in being a vertue but thus that it is a vice in them that breake it but those with whom it is broken are by the breach free to leaue or choose againe where more staidnes may be found besides t is a dangerous thing to hold that opinion which in time will proue flat heresie Rise now deere Cousine and if not to receiue yet to giue comfort to the King and Queene who are afflicted excessiuely with your sorrow dissemble not with me for you may see by my discourse I know the roote of your distemper yet this satisfaction I will giue your mind that so secret I will be in my knowledge as I will not speake of it to your selfe if not to serue you with all yet I will euer accuse and blame vnworthy inconstancy To fulfill your desire and obay your counsell asmuch as I can I will rise answered Pamphilia but only to content my Parents and please you else little ioy or pleasure can I take in this world but when you haue me with you you must permit me to complaine vnto my selfe I will neuer trouble any eares but those of mine owne soule with my sorrowes otherwise should I deale vnkindly with mine owne heart come abroad and doe what you will said Vrania nor will I hinder or seeke to alter you from griefe so it be moderated with iudgment expressing in some sorrowing your matchles goodnes and noble disposition Thus did the diuine Vrania againe by her excellent wit conquer hauing brought Perissus from a desolate and sad life to a fortunate and now Pamphilia to let the Court bee happy with seeing her though in sadnes yet a ioy to all harts The Emperour being at Prage Lâ—onius desired leaue to returne to Corinth and thence to carry his beautyfull and beloued Veralinda to her father not doubting but to gaine his consent for their hoped-for marriage and so to bring her bake into Morea against the other marriages where his might make vp one of the blessed number His request was granted and so he tooke his leaue desiring to trauell alone trusting to doe something sit for his birth and bloud to make his meeting more welcome to his friends He parted as hee desired onely one Squire attending him hee pass'd the rest of Germany without aduenture those parts so wrapt in ioy and content as an aduenture durst not appeare for feare of beating but in Bulgaria he had one sufficient to answer for all the rest of his quiet passage Riding through a great Forrest for many daies he met no
of grauity as she was fit for the honour they recalld her to her sister shee prouided for but she returnd no more but with a young Prince shee grew so enamourd of although a married man stole away ended so as her friends did desire all good people should forget her or that she neuer had bin thus may you see that none can run so far that shall not haue some time to returne nor any how much soeuer condemn'd but may liue to be fit of commiseration and respect this was verified in her she deserud their due restoring her proouing an excellent Gouerness and braue Lady being able to ouerrule her old passions by theÌ„ to iudge how to fauor licence curb others this expâ—rience though late is most profitable to Princes Amphilanthus with the braue once hating now louing Ladies comming to Negropont were by Dolorindus Antissia infinitly welcom'd and feasted yet Antissia was not wellplesed for although she had directly lost the loue she most prized yet somuch she lou'd him stll as she was sorry he should do amisse which she did coÌ„fes he did in leauing Pamphilia sor Musalina Alas said she most excellent Lady did not I fortell your harme yet I protest I am truly sorry for this and wish I had said false so you had still beene bless'd it was not my fortune to be happy in what I most sought yet wish I you had inioyed what your worth and constancy had merited no enuy I beare to you nor euer did but to my destâ—ny which would not fauor me Of purpose shee would vrge discourse of her which the Empeâ—or tooke wel enough and was contented so far with it as to think of her and at last resolu'd to see her but one day walking alone in a delicate walk of Birches set by art vpon the top of a hil both sides being sowed with wheat Haruest not yet being come though the corn ripe for it hee beheld the euen perfect growing of them Can we said he possibly be as euen in our owne brests to truth as these things which are sowed or set by our hands No and for our shame our own works must wittnesse against vs for I confesse I haue done amisse and against her deserued best of me for loue and constancy and yet none haue I payed with so much neglect I am faulty but I will mend and she I hope wil pardon Sweet Corne said he when the wind stirrs how doe your heads bend humbly that way you are blowne how euenly equally and patiently hath she borne my neglects I will giue satisfaction and she shall bee requited As he walked thus he heard a Ladd pipe meerily on a Pipe he had made of one of the stalkes of Oates not farre off growing he stayd to heare him and when he thought he had done went toward him desiring to heare some thing which though low in respect of his vnderstaÌ„ding yet would now be pleasing to his passions as he drew neerer to him he heard him vse these words Loue since thou art thus gratefull be thou euer blessed I now am sorry I did call thee ill I doe repent that I did thinke thou hadst beene wayward or vngratefull all is passd and I doe pardon craue I le sing vnto thy praise as I did cry agaiust thee I le make songs in thy honour as I did in reuiling thee I le sweare thou art alone worthy and fit to be honourâ—d as I lately vow'd thou wert the onely Serpent and hatefull humor to be cheerished If humble submission can merit fauour I will gaine it of thee if not punish me aud spare not for I must and doe confesse I am guilty and deserue more ill then thy noblenesse will inflict on any giue me my freedome from thy fauours and I wil euer be thy vassell for it Then tooke he vp his sling walked a litle farther that being his weapon to defend himself and to molest the Birds or other enemies to his charge in that delicat Corne. Amphilanthus thus followed a farre off as hope doth despairing Louers when he saw him sit downe againe and take vp his Pipe then againe proceede in his commendations of Loue and then sing The Emperour liked that humor well wishing he might haue the like cause to praise that passion vpon which hee was pleased to make most excellentâ— Verses and then return'd to the Court Musalina and Lucenia whose humble submission had gain'd pardon and loue in some kinde had them as they had most he had written but still his minde ran on his iourney not doubting of his welcome yet knowing his fault wished the first encounter passed Musalina took her leaue to returne into Romania much sorrow was for parting but those things are so vsuall as the relation were like telling a tale so often till all eares were tyred with it Musalina in her iourney had as many seuerall thoughts as loue could bring forth sometimes suspition came then anger and reuenge followed yet these were salued againe with hope and trust She was grown likewise a Poet as being a necessary thing and as vnseparable from a witty louer as loue from youth When she arriu'd at home the poore trees felt the cruelty which she said was inflicted on her sad rimes came often into her thoughts some of her own others of Amphilanthus his making on parting and of diuers others contenting her selfe or rather forcing content to be shewed when no remedy was her loue being gone and which was worse in a kinde neuer to returne which gaue forme to these lines following a great drought being in that Country and euery one wishing for raine Why doe you so much wish for raine when I Whose eyes still showring are stand you so nigâ— Thinke you that my poore eyes now cannot lend You store enough alas but rightly bend Your looks on me and you shall see a store Able to moisten Earth and ten earths more Sighs to make Heauen as soft as tender wooll And griefe sufficient to make vp the full Of all despaires then wish not since in me Contained are teares griefe and misery Many times she would goe to the solitary woods and grieue there freely crying out her woes but all return'd alike to her for gaine or reward for how can helpe be now expected only absence will assist and that at last in this distrest Lady preuailed wherein she was happy though many sad daies and nights passed before the cure could be wrought Time being for this disease the best Phisition Amphilanthus tooke his way towards Pamphilia taking with him only twelue Knights whom hee chose and his and their Squires them he inioyned not to disclose him nor cal him any other then the Iust in hope Pamphilia not hoping for any redresse was one day in certaine walkes with her ancient friend and seruant the Lady who the Queene 's met in such diâ—order for loue and was the same Lady that was so pleasant with
fairest Maide in this Kingdome the vnfortunateliest married and vnhappiest wife this Countrey had the most desolate and grieued Widdow for in all estates that euer shee was in if shee had a shew of good shee had substances of ill and mischiefe to succeed In her youth or indeed infancy shee loued a braue Knight who deseru'd all loue and respect but yet hee had a fault as most men haue I was his companion and knew as much of him for some time as any did yet that was a secret and I neuer intruth mistrusted it till I was gone into a retyr'd life and a change growne among vs all being diuided seuerall wayes and scattered like Hayle Shee callâ—d to the Court continued her begun loue hee fell in loue with her and so much as hee raged almost with passion till hee discouer'd it being for a while as hee vowed himselfe neere madnes but as passions are hot and in youth more flaming then afterwards mature iudgement will permit hee grew slacker shee grieu'd lost her content and yet thinking to please him as that being her onely end refrain'd fearing as seeing his dislike and scorne to her his presence hoping to content him with giuing liberty to his new choyce This whether offending or as hee tooke the matter making it seeme an offence shee lost his loue and not onely that but hee made it appeare that hee loath'd her Shee sweet Creature whose heart to him was but as the softest part of his to his new Mistris so grieuously tooke this curst hap as shee melted into griefe as Virgins waxe with the heate of fire will into water and yet thereby the coldnesse of that Element grow hard as frozen by coldnesse So was shee clos'd in cold despaire yet not hardened but with that not with hate or dislike suffering as patiently as a dead body permits handling by any rude standers by shee onely felt paine of loue and into that was metamorphosed All delights shee cast from her all exercises left couer'd her misfortune with the losse of her Husband when as if her loue had continued true shee had in the other losse beene happy but as it fell out a most vnhappy creature shee was and is An ancient Lord old in age and antiquity of honour made loue vnto her shee was not only perplex'd with him but with her friends and Parents hee being infinitely rich but shee finding that her heart as shee cal'd him and as that was subiect to him cal'd it selfe his would not consent shee refus'd and with great ioy that hee lou'd her so well as hee could not thinke of imparting her to any other though sure enough that hee could not hold her long Death being gaping for him After she denied men of all sorts for age and fortune who durst take the boldnesse to sue to her Lately a young Duke of this Countrey made profer of Loue to her but shee not willing to entertaine him would not beleeue hee meant it and so perswaded him out of it yet he lookes after her followes her when hee may meets her where hee can haue opportunity smiles on her seekes to please her in all he may and in some things doth for he neuer speakes to her but by lookes of Loue his company she allowes of out of noblenesse and out of true loue will not heare of his loue An ancient Lord also and a mighty rich man for estate but in yeares seekes her shee will not vnderstand it He sends to her inuites her to his dwellings Shee finds still excuses and neglects ciuilly Hee vowes to finde her out and court her She flyes and takes iourneys vnthought on to shun him and al this is for loue that so she flyes Loue willing to warme her hands at the fire of honour but dares not come neere the loue-fire for feare of scorching while shee burnes in her owne flames neuer any more belou'd woman breath'd nor euer will or can breath so true a louing woman What hath shee left vnexprest to manifest her affection in all kindes life shee hath ventur'd honour lost beauty and all happinesse dead while shee growes old in her truth of loue and hath but that for her owne satisfaction to content her selfe withall and that is riches vnspeakable when in her owne soule shee can say I am iust yet suffer for it as if a fault what is then a vertue when such perfections are errors One pretty tale shee now as you came told me her still beloued friend came into her company by Aduenture hauing with him a deare companion of his newly growne into that league of friendship and brought by him into the same with all his friends This Gentleman seeing her discreet grew into discourse with her she louing all that loued her lou'd euen his Mistris for his sake was well pleas'd with his conuersation and so neâ—re they grew as he spake freely to her and she coufidently to him so much she saw in him as she knew he knew most of her fortune she grudged not his knowledge for a nobler man breathes not as shee sayes except her owne friend and hee must before her haue no Competitor nam'd for worth or any goodnesse though shee suffer for his ill so excellent hee yet appeares to her But this braue Gentleman at last with frâ—edome began to perswade her to leaue her constancie which would but hurt her and continue no other wayâ—s true then truely to say shee had lou'd longer and iustlier then hee but seeing no returne nor hope no longer to bee a slaue when she might beâ— free nor to him who deseru'd so ill from her as if shee lou'd ill so well as to bee bound to it yet did hee neuer name his friend though by discourse said he knew him euer protesting to name none in such kindes Shee only answerd this that so much she lou'd and honour'd truth as shee desir'd shee might liue in that if a fault and grow old with such a vertue whose worthines would giue her youth and eternity in comfort and honor to the world her wrincles by truth would bee closed and shee seeme as faire as euer her palenesse and losse of complexion restor'd by the rarenesse of such a vertue and her Age as by Medeas charmes turn'd to infancy in the cleerenesse and ablenesse of such worth Hee lamented her misfortune shee smil'd to heare him so much mistake and told him 't was her perfection this is the error said he of women and yet not generally doe they erre in this kinde so as I may only say of a woman and of one of the best and therefore the more to be pittied The Florentine did naturally loue strange things and such as could hardly be compass'd wherefore hee had a great desire to see this Lady againe and to court her and so resolu'd to trye his fortune hauing as he thought as much boldnesse and winning power as any man To helpe him on the same talking Knight came againe the next day
must be Curst Iealousie doth all her forces bend To my vndoing thus my harmes I see So though in Loue I feruently doe burne In this strange Labyrinth how shall I turne Song I. SWeet let me enioy thy sight More cleare more bright then morning Sun Which in Spring-time giues delight And by which Summers pride is wun Present sight doth pleasures moue Which in sad absence we must misse But when met againe in loue Then twice redoubled is our blisse Yet this comfort absence giues And only faithfull louing tries That though parted Loues force liues As iust in heart as in our eyes But such comfort banish quite Farre sweeter is it still to finde Fauour in thy loued sight Which present smiles with ioyes combind Eyes of gladnesse lipps of Loue And hearts from passion not to turne But in sweet affections mooue In flames of Faith to liue and burne Deareâ—t then this kindnesse giue And grant me life which is your sight Wherein I more blessed liue Then graced with the Sunnes faire light 2. SWeet Siluia in a shady wood With her faire Nimphs layd downe Saw not farre off where Cupid stood The Monarch of Loues Crowne All naked playing with his wings Within a Mirtle Tree Which sight a sudden laughter brings His Godhead so to see An fondly they began to iest With scoffing and delight Not knowing he did breed vnrest And that his will 's his right When he perceiuing of their scorne Grew in such desperate rage Who but for honour first was borne Could not his rage asswage Till shooting of his murth'ring dart Which not long lighting was Knowing the next way to the heart Did through a poore Nymph passe This shot the others made to bow Besides all those to blame Who scorners be or not allow Of powerfull Cupids name Take heede then nor doe idly smile Nor Loues commands despise For soone wiâ—â— he your strength beguile Although he want his eyes 3 COme merry Spring delight vs For Winter long did spight vs In pleasure still perseuer Thy beauties ending neuer Spring and grow Lasting so With ioyes increasing euer Let cold from hence be banish'd Till hopes from me be vauish'd But blesse thy daynties growing In fulnesse freely flowing Sweet Birds sing For the Spring All mirth is now bestowing Philomel in this Arbour Makes now her louing Harbour Yet of her state complaining Her Notes in mildnesse strayning Which though sweet Yet doe meet Her former luckelesse paining 4. LOuers learne to speake but truth Sweare not aud your oathes forgoe Giue your age a constant youth Vow no more then what you 'le doe Thinke it sacriledge to breake What you promise shall in loue And in teares what you doe speake Forget not when the ends you proue Doe not thinke it glory is To entice and then deceiue Your chiefe honors lye in this By worth what wonne is not to leaue 'T is not for your fame to try What we weake not oft refuse In our bounty our faults lye When you to doe a fault will chuse Fye leaue this a greater gaine t is to keepe when you haue won Then what purchas'd is with paine Soone after in all scorne to shun For if worthlesse to be priz'd Why at first will you it moue And if worthy why dispis'd You cannot sweare and lie and loue Loue alasse you cannot like T is but for a fashion mou'd None can chase and then dislike Vnlesse it be by fashâ—â—d prou'd But your choyce is and your loue How most number to deceiue As if honors claime did moue Like Popish Law none safe to leaue Flye this folly and returne Vnto truth in Loue and try None but Martir's happy burne More shamefull ends they haue that lye 1. MY heart is lost what can I now expect An euening faire after a drowsie day Alas fond Phant'sie this is not the way To cure a mourning heart or salue neglectâ— They who should helpe doe me and helpe reiect Embracing loose desires and wanton play While wanton base delights doe beare the sway Aud impudency raignes without respect O Cupid let they Mother know her shame 'T is time for her to leaue this youthfull flame Which doth dishonor her is ages blame And takes away the greatnes of thy name Thou God of Loue she only Queene of lust Yet striues by weakning thee to be vniust 2. LAte in the Forrest I did Cupid see Cold wett and crying he had lost his way And being blinde was farther like to stray Which sight a kind compassion bred in me I kindly tooke and dry'd him while that he Poore Child complain'd he sterued was with stay And pin'd for want of his accustom'd prey For none in that wilde place his Host would be I glad was of his finding thinking sure This seruice should my freedome still procure And in my armes I tooke him then vnharm'd Carrying him safe vnto a Myrtle bowre But in the way he made me feele his powre Burning my heart who had him kindly warm'd 3. IVno still iealous of her husband Ioue Descended from aboue on earth to try Whether she there could find his chosen Loue Which made him from the Heau'ns so often flye Close by the place where I for shade did lye She chafing came but when shee saw me moue Haue you not seene this way said she to hye One in whom vertue neuer grownde did proue Hee in whom Loue doth breed to stirre more hate Courting a wanton Nimph for his delight His name is Iupiter my Lord by Fate Who for her leaues Me Heauen his Throne and light I saw him not said I although heere are Many in whose hearts Loue hath made like warre 4. WHen I beheld the Image of my deare With greedy lookes mine eies would that way bend Feare and Desire did inwardly contend Feare to be mark'd Desire to draw still neere And in my soule a Spirit would appeare Which boldnes warranted and did pretend To be my Genius yet I durst not lend My eyes in trust where others seem'd so cleare Then did I search from whence this danger rose If such vnworthynesse in me did rest As my staru'd eyes must not with sight be blest When Iealousie her poyson did disclose Yet in my heart vnseene of Iealous eye The truer Image shall in tryumph lye 5. LIke to huge Clowdes of smoake which well may hide The face of fairest day though for a while So wrong may shaddow me till truth doe smile And Iustice Sunne-like hath those vapours tyde O doating Time canst thou for shame let slid So many minutes while ills doe beguile Thy age and worth and falshoods thus defile Thy auncient good where now but crosses bide Looke but once vp and leaue thy toyling pace And on my miseries thy dimme eye place Goe not so fast but giue my care some ende Turne not thy glasse alas vnto my ill Since thou with sand it canst not so farre fill But to each one my sorrowes will extend 6. O That no day would euer more appeare But clowdy night to gouerne this sad place Nor light from Heauen these haples roomes to grace Since that light 's shadow'd which my Loue holds deare Let thickest mists in enuy master here And Sunne-borne day for malice show no face Disdaining light where Cupid and the race Of Loueâ—s are despisd and shame shines cleere Let me be darke since barr'd of my chiefe light And wounding Iealousie commands by might But Stage-play-like disguised pleasures giue To me it seemes as ancient fictions make The Starrs all fashiousâ— and all shapes partake While in my thoughts true forme of Loue shall liue 7. NO time no roome no thought or writing can Giue rest or quiet to my louing heart Or can my mâ—mory or Phant'sie scan The measure of my still renewing smart Yet whould I not deare Loue thou should'st depart But let my passions as they first began Rule wound and please it is thy choysest Art To giue disquiet which seemes ease to man When all alone I thinke vpon thy paine How thou dost trauell our best selues to gaine Then houerly thy lessons I doe learne Thinke on thy glory which shall still ascend Vntill the world come to a finall end And then shall we thy lasting powre dicerne 8. HOw Glowworme-like the Sun doth â—ow appeare Cold beames doe from his gloriouâ— face descend Which shewes his daies and force duw to an ende Or that to leaue taking his time growâ—s neere The day his face did seeme but pale tâ—ough cleare The reason is he to the North must end His light and warmth must to that Climat bend Whose frozen parts could not loues â—eat hold deare Alas if thou bright Sunne to part frâ—m hence Grieue so what must I haplesse wâ— from thence Where thou dost goe my blessing sall attend Thou shalt â—nioy that sight for whicâ— I dye And in my heart thy fortuues doe nuy Yet grieue I 'le loue thee for thistate may ' mend 9. MY Muse now happy lay thy sâ—fe to rest Sleepe in the quiet of a faitfull loue Write you no more but let theâ— Phant'sies mooue Some other hearts wake not to ew vnrest But if you Study be those thoughts adrest To truth which shall eternall goodnes prooue Enioying of true ioy the most and best The endles gaine which neuer will remoue Leaue the discourse of Venus and her sonne To young beginners and their braines inspire With storyes of great Loue and from that fire Get heat to write the fortunes they haue wonne And thus leaue off what 's past shewes you can loue Now let your Constancy your Honor proue FINIS