s: And he will care for all the rest to shift;


s: And that therein thou maist maintained bee.


s: This is the way for one that is unlern'd


s: But they that are great clerkes have nearer wayes


s: For learning sake to living them to raise:


s: Yet manie eke of them (God wote) are driven


s: How saist thou, friend, have I not well discourst


s: Upon this common-place, though plaine, not wourst?


s: Better a short tale than a bad long shriving:


s: Needes anie more to learne to get a living?"


s: "Now sure, and by my hallidome," quoth he


s: Great thankes I yeeld you for your discipline,


s: My wits theretoo, as ye shall shortly heare."


s: The priest him wisht good speed and well to fare:


s: So parted they, as eithers way them led.


s: But th'Ape and Foxe ere long so well them sped,


s: Through the priests holesome counsell lately tought,


s: And throgh their owne faire handling wisely wroght,


s: That they a benefice twixt them obtained,


s: And craftie Reynold was a priest ordained,


s: And th'Ape his parish clarke procur'd to bee:


s: Then made they revell route and goodly glee.


s: But, ere long time had passed, they so ill


s: Did order their affaires, that th'evill will


s: Of all their parishners they had constraind;


s: Who to the ordinarie of them complain'd,


s: Till at the length he published to holde


s: Then was high time their wits about to geather;


s: What did they then, but made a composition


s: With their next neighbor priest for light condition,


s: To whom their living they resigned quight


s: So passing through the countrey in disguize,


s: They fled farre off, where none might them surprize,


s: And after that long straied here and there,


s: Through everie field and forrest farre and nere;


s: Yet never found occasion for their tourne,


s: But, almost sterv'd, did much lament and mourne.


s: At last they chaunst to meete upon the way


s: The Mule, all deckt in goodly rich aray,


s: With bells and bosses that full lowdly rung,


s: And costly trappings that to ground downe hung.


s: But he through pride and fatnes gan despise


s: Their meanesse; scarce vouchsafte them to requite.


s: Whereat the Foxe deep groning in his sprite,


s: Said: "Ah! Sir Mule, now blessed be the day


s: In your attyres, and eke your silken hyde


s: Fil'd with round flesh, that everie bone doth hide.


s: Seemes that in fruitfull pastures ye doo live,


s: Or fortune doth you secret favour give."


s: "Foolish Foxe!" said the Mule, "thy wretched need


s: Praiseth the thing that doth thy sorrow breed.


s: For well I weene thou canst not but envie


s: My wealth, compar'd to thine owne miserie,


s: That scarse thy legs uphold thy feeble gate."


s: "Ay me!" said then the Foxe, "whom evill hap


s: And makes the scorne of other beasts to bee.


s: But read, faire Sir, of grace, from whence come yee;


s: Or what of tidings you abroad doo heare;


s: Newes may perhaps some good unweeting beare."


s: "From royall court I lately came," said he,


s: "Where all the braverie that eye may see,


s: And all the happinesse that heart desire,


s: That hath not seene that heavens portracture.


s: But tidings there is none, I you assure,


s: Save that which common is, and knowne to all,


s: That courtiers as the tide doo rise and fall."


s: "But tell us," said the Ape, "we doo you pray,


s: Who now in court doth beare the greatest sway:


s: We may seeke favour of the best of all."


s: "Marie," said he, "the highest now in grace,


s: Be the wilde beasts, that swiftest are in chase;


s: For in their speedie course and nimble flight


s: The Lyon now doth take the most delight:


s: But chieflie ioyes on foote them to beholde,


s: Enchaste with chaine and circulet of golde:


s: So wilde a beaste so tame ytaught to bee,


s: So well his golden circlet him beseemeth.


s: But his late chayne his Liege unmeete esteemeth;


s: For so brave beasts she loveth best to see


s: In the wilde forrest raunging fresh and free.


s: Therefore if fortune thee in court to live,


s: In case thou ever there wilt hope to thrive,


s: To some of these thou must thy selfe apply;


s: Els as a thistle-downe in th'ayre doth flie,


s: So vainly shalt thou too and fro be tost,


s: And loose thy labour and thy fruitles cost.


s: And yet full few which follow them I see


s: Or that they may for their owne turnes be fit.


s: Nath'les, perhaps ye things may handle soe,


s: That ye may better thrive than thousands moe."


s: "But," said the Ape, "how shall we first come in,


s: "How els," said he, "but with a good bold face,


s: And with big words, and with a stately pace,


s: For not by that which is the world now deemeth,


s: (As it was wont) but by that same that seemeth.


s: Ne do I doubt but that ye well can fashion


s: Your selves theretoo, according to occasion.


s: So fare ye well: good courtiers may ye bee!"


s: So, proudlie neighing, from them parted hee.


s: How for the court themselves they might aguize:


s: For thither they themselves meant to addresse,


s: In hope to finde there happier successe.


s: And the slie Foxe as like to be his groome;


s: That to the court in seemly sort they come.


s: Where the fond Ape, himselfe uprearing by


s: And boldlie doth amongst the boldest go;


s: And his man Reynold, with fine counterfesaunce,


s: Supports his credite and his countenaunce.


s: Then gan the courtiers gaze on everie side,


s: And stare on him with big looks basen wide,


s: Wondring what mister wight he was, and whence;


s: For he was clad in strange accoustrements,


s: Fashion'd with queint devises never seene


s: In court before, yet there all fashions beene;


s: _Alla Turchesca,_ much the more admyr'd;


s: To dignitie, and sdeign'd the low degree;


s: That all which did such strangenesse in him see


s: By secrete meanes gan of his state enquire,


s: Who, throughly arm'd against such coverture,


s: Which through the world had with long travel far'd,


s: And seene the manners of all beasts on ground,


s: Now here arriv'd to see if like he found.


s: Thus did the Ape at first him credit gaine,


s: Which afterwards he wisely did maintaine


s: With gallant showe, and daylie more augment


s: Through his fine feates and courtly complement;


s: For he could play, and daunce, and vaute, and spring,


s: Onely through kindly aptnes of his ioynts.


s: Besides he could doo manie other poynts,


s: The which in court him served to good stead:


s: For he mongst ladies could their fortunes read


s: Out of their hands, and merie leasings tell,


s: And iuggle finely, that became him well.


s: That what he toucht came not to light againe;


s: Yet would he laugh it out, and proudly looke,


s: And tell them that they greatly him mistooke.


s: So would he scoffe them out with mockcrie,


s: And with sharp quips ioy'd others to deface,


s: Thinking that their disgracing did him grace:


s: So whilst that other like vaine wits he pleased


s: And made to laugh, his heart was greatly eased.


s: But the right gentle minde woulde bite his lip,


s: For, though the vulgar yeeld an open eare,


s: And common courtiers love to gybe and fleare


s: At everie thing which they heare spoken ill,


s: And the best speaches with ill meaning spill,


s: Yet the brave courtier, in whose beauteous thought


s: Regard of honour harbours more than ought,


s: Doth loath such base condition, to backbite


s: He stands on tearmes of honourable minde,


s: Ne will be carried with the common winde


s: But heares and sees the follies of the rest,


s: And thereof gathers for himselfe the best.


s: He will not creepe, nor crouche with fained face,


s: But walkes upright with comely stedfast pace,


s: But not with kissed hand belowe the knee,


s: For he disdaines himselfe t'embase theretoo.


s: He hates fowle leasings and vile flatterie,


s: The canker worme of everie gentle brest;


s: Of knightly feates he daylie doth devise:


s: Now menaging the mouthes of stubborne steedes,


s: Now practising the proofe of warlike deedes,


s: Now his bright armes assaying, now his speare,


s: At other times he casts to sew the chace


s: Of Swift wilde beasts, or runne on foote a race,


s: T'enlarge his breath, (large breath in armes most needfull,)


s: Or els by wrestling to wex strong and heedfull,


s: Or his stiffe armes to stretch with eughen bowe,


s: And manly legs, still passing too and fro,


s: Thus when this courtly gentleman with toyle


s: Unto his rest, and there with sweete delight


s: Of musicks skill revives his toyled spright;


s: Or els with loves and ladies gentle sports,


s: The ioy of youth, himselfe he recomforts:


s: Or lastly, when the bodie list to pause,


s: Delights of life, and ornaments of light:


s: With whom he close confers with wise discourse,


s: Of Natures workes, of heavens continuall course,


s: Of kingdomes change, of divers gouvernment,


s: Of dreadfull battailes of renowmed knights;


s: With which he kindleth his ambitious sprights


s: To like desire and praise of noble fame,


s: And in his Princes service spends his dayes,


s: Not so much for to game, or for to raise


s: Himselfe to high degree, as for his grace,


s: And in his liking to winne worthie place,


s: Through due deserts and comely carriage,


s: That may be matter meete to game him praise.


s: Whether for armes and warlike amenaunce,


s: Or else for wise and civill governaunce;


s: And thereto doth his courting most applie:


s: To learne the enterdeale of princes strange,


s: To marke th'intent of counsells, and the change


s: Of states, and eke of private men somewhile,


s: Supplanted by fine falshood and faire guile;


s: Of all the which he gathereth what is fit


s: T'enrich the storehouse of his powerfull wit,


s: Which through wise speaches and grave conference


s: He daylie eekes, and brings to excellence.


s: Such is the rightfull courtier in his kinde:


s: But unto such the Ape lent not his minde;


s: But the yong lustie gallants he did chose


s: To follow, meete to whom he might disclose


s: His witlesse pleasance and ill pleasing vaine.


s: A thousand wayes he them could entertaine,


s: With all the thriftles games that may be found;


s: With mumming and with masking all around,


s: With dice, with cards, with balliards farre unfit,


s: With shuttelcocks, misseeming manlie wit,


s: Whereof still somewhat to his share did rize:


s: Ne, them to pleasure, would he sometimes scorne


s: A pandares coate (so basely was he borne);


s: Thereto he could fine loving verses frame,


s: And play the poet oft. But ah! for shame,


s: Let not sweete poets praise, whose onely pride


s: Be with the worke of losels wit defamed,


s: Yet he the name on him would rashly take,


s: And with the sugrie sweete thereof allure


s: Which him reliev'd, and their vaine humours fed


s: With fruitles folies and unsound delights.


s: But if perhaps into their noble sprights


s: Desire of honor or brave thought of armes


s: Did ever creepe, then with his wicked charmes


s: And strong conceipts he would it drive away,


s: Ne suffer it to house there halfe a day.


s: Their gentle wits, and kindly wise desire,


s: That chieflie doth each noble minde adorne,


s: Then he would scoffe at learning, and eke scorne


s: And simple men, which never came in place


s: Of worlds affaires, but, in darke corners mewd,


s: Muttred of matters as their bookes them shewd,


s: But with their gownes their gravitie maintaine.


s: From them he would his impudent lewde speach


s: But mocke High God himselfe, whom they professe?


s: But what car'd he for God, or godlinesse?


s: All his care was himselfe how to advaunce,


s: By all the cunning meanes he could devise;


s: He made small choyce: yet sure his honestie


s: Got him small gaines, but shameles flatterie,


s: And filthie brocage, and unseemly shifts,


s: And borowe base, and some good ladies gifts.


s: But the best helpe, which chiefly him sustain'd,


s: Was his man Raynolds purchase which he gain'd:


s: For he was school'd by kinde in all the skill


s: Of close conveyance, and each practise ill


s: Which oft maintain'd his masters braverie.


s: Besides, he usde another slipprie slight,


s: With which he thousands cleanly coosined:


s: Now like a merchant, merchants to deceave,


s: With whom his credite he did often leave


s: In gage for his gay masters hopelesse dett:


s: Now like a lawyer, when he land would lett,


s: Or sell fee-simples in his masters name,


s: Which he had never, nor ought like the same;


s: Both wares and money, by exchange to win:


s: Then would he seeme a farmer, that would sell


s: Bargaines of woods, which he did lately fell,


s: Or corne, or cattle, or such other ware,


s: Of all the which there came a secret fee


s: To th'Ape, that he his countenaunce might bee.


s: Besides all this, he us'd oft to beguile


s: Poore suters that in court did haunt some while:


s: For he would learne their busines secretly,


s: That he by meanes might cast them to prevent,


s: And beg the sute the which the other ment.


s: In case his paines were recompenst with reason:


s: So would he worke the silly man by treason


s: That had not power to doo him good or ill.


s: Hath brought to court, to sue for had-ywist,


s: That few have found, and manie one hath mist!


s: Full little knowest thou that hast not tride,


s: To loose good dayes, that might be better spent;


s: To wast long nights in pensive discontent;


s: To speed to day, to be put back to morrow;


s: To feed on hope, to pine with feare and sorrow;


s: To have thy Princes grace, yet want her Peeres;


s: To have thy asking, yet waite manie yeeres;


s: To fret thy soule with crosses and with cares;


s: To eate thy heart through comfortlesse dispaires;


s: To fawne, to crowche, to waite, to ride, to ronne,


s: To spend, to give, to want, to be undonne.


s: Unhappie wight, borne to desastrous end,


s: That doth his life in so long tendance spend!


s: Who ever leaves sweete home, where meane estate


s: In safe assurance, without strife or hate,


s: Findes all things needfull for contentment meeke,


s: And will to court for shadowes vaine to seeke,


s: Or hope to gaine, himselfe will a daw trie:


s: For none but such as this bold Ape unblest


s: That by his shifts his master furnish can.


s: But yet this Foxe could not so closely hide


s: His craftie feates, but that they were descride


s: At length by such as sate in iustice seate,


s: Who for the same him fowlie did entreate;


s: And now the Ape, wanting his huckster man,


s: To growe into great lacke, ne could upholde


s: His countenaunce in those his garments olde;


s: Whose part once past all men bid take away:


s: So that he driven was to great distresse,


s: And shortly brought to hopelesse wretchednesse.


s: Then closely as he might he cast to leave


s: The court, not asking any passe or leave;


s: Ne ever stayd in place, ne spake to wight,


s: Till that the Foxe, his copesmate, he had found;


s: To whome complayning his unhappie stound,


s: At last againe with him in travell ioynd,


s: And with him far'd some better chaunee to fynde.


s: So in the world long time they wandered,


s: And leave the sweetnes of contented home,


s: Though eating hipps and drinking watry fome.


s: Thus as they them complayned too and fro,


s: Whilst through the forest rechlesse they did goe,


s: Lo! where they spide how in a gloomy glade


s: His crowne and scepter lying him beside,


s: And having doft for heate his dreadfull hide:


s: Which when they saw, the Ape was sore afrayde,


s: And would have fled with terror all dismayde.


s: But him the Foxe with hardy words did stay,


s: For now was time, if ever they would hope,


s: To ayme their counsels to the fairest scope,


s: In case the good which their owne happie chaunce


s: Them freely offred they would wisely take.


s: Scarse could the Ape yet speake, so did he quake;


s: Yet, as he could, he askt how good might growe


s: Where nought but dread and death do seeme in show.


s: "Now," sayd he, "whiles the Lyon sleepeth sound,


s: May we his crowne and mace take from the ground,


s: And eke his skinne, the terror of the wood,


s: Wherewith we may our selves, if we thinke good,


s: Make kings of beasts, and lords of forests all


s: "Ah! but," sayd the Ape, "who is so bold a wretch,


s: That dare his hardy hand to those outstretch,


s: When as he knowes his meede, if he be spide,


s: To be a thousand deathes, and shame beside?"


s: "Fond Ape!" sayd then the Foxe, "into whose brest


s: Never crept thought of honor nor brave gest,


s: And rather rule and raigne in soveraign see,


s: Where none shall name the number of his place?


s: And shake off this vile-harted cowardree.


s: Of this or that, that may excuse the cryme:


s: Else we may flye; thou to a tree mayst clyme,


s: And I creepe under ground; both from his reach:


s: Therefore be rul'd to doo as I doo teach."


s: The Ape, that earst did nought but chill and quake,


s: And was content to attempt that enterprise,


s: But first gan question, whether should assay


s: "Marie, that shall your selfe," quoth he theretoo,


s: Of all the beasts which in the forrests bee


s: Is not a fitter for this turne than yee:


s: Therefore, mine owne deare brother, take good hart,


s: And ever thinke a kingdome is your part."


s: Loath was the Ape, though praised, to adventer,


s: Yet faintly gan into his worke to enter,


s: Afraid of everie leafe that stir'd him by,


s: And everie stick that underneath did ly:


s: For making noyse, and still his eare he lent


s: Now went, now stopt, now crept, now backward drew,


s: That it good sport had been him to have eyde.


s: Yet at the last, so well he him applyde,


s: Through his fine handling and cleanly play


s: He all those royall signes had stolne away,


s: And with the Foxes helpe them borne aside


s: Whither whenas they came they fell at words,


s: Whether of them should be the lords of lords:


s: And the Foxe guilefull and most covetous;


s: That neither pleased was to have the rayne


s: But either algates would be lords alone:


s: "I am most worthie," said the Ape, "sith I


s: Most like a man, the lord of everie creature,


s: So that it seemeth I was made to raigne,


s: "Nay," said the Foxe, "Sir Ape, you are astray;


s: Were the worke of your nimble hand, yet I


s: So that it wholly springeth from my wit:


s: For which also I claime my selfe more fit


s: Than you to rule: for government of state


s: And where ye claime your selfe for outward shape


s: In his chiefe parts, that is, in wit and spirite;


s: But I therein most like to him doo merite,


s: For my slie wyles and subtill craftinesse,


s: Nath'les, my brother, since we passed are


s: Unto this point, we will appease our iarre;


s: And I with reason meete will rest content,


s: That ye shall have both crowne and government,


s: Your minde from me, but keepe this as a lawe:


s: The Ape was glad to end the strife so light,


s: And thereto swore: for who would not oft sweare,


s: Then freely up those royall spoyles he tooke,


s: The crowne, and on his backe the skin, he did,


s: Then when he was all dight he tooke his way


s: Of the wilde beasts in his new glory sheene.


s: There the two first whome he encountred were


s: The Sheepe and th'Asse, who, striken both with feare


s: And in the kings name bad them both to stay,


s: Hardly naythles were they restrayned so,


s: Till that the Foxe forth toward them did goe,


s: And there disswaded them from needlease feare,


s: For that the King did favour to them beare;


s: And therefore dreadles bad them come to corte;


s: For no wild beasts should do them any torte


s: Use them but well, with gracious clemencye,


s: As whome he knew to him both fast and true.


s: Themselves to humble to the Ape prostrate,


s: Receyved them with chearefull entertayne.


s: Thenceforth proceeding with his princely trayne,


s: In bitter words, seeking to take occasion


s: Upon his fleshly corpse to make invasion:


s: But soone as they this mock-king did espy,


s: Their troublous strife they stinted by and by,


s: He then, to prove whether his powre would pas


s: As currant, sent the Foxe to them streight way,


s: Commaunding them their cause of strife bewray;


s: And, if that wrong on eyther side there were,


s: That he should warne the wronger to appeare


s: In the meane time upon the King t'attend.


s: The subtile Foxe so well his message sayd,


s: That the proud beasts him readily obayd:


s: Whereby the Ape in wondrous stomack woxe,


s: That king indeed himselfe he shortly thought,


s: And all the beasts him feared as they ought,


s: Full of the feared sight which late they sawe.


s: The Ape, thus seized of the regall throne,


s: Gan to provide for all things in assurance,


s: That so his rule might lenger have endurance.


s: First, to his gate be pointed a strong gard,


s: That none might enter but with issue hard:


s: Then, for the safegard of his personage,


s: Of forreine beasts, not in the forest bred,


s: For tyrannie is with strange ayde supported.


s: Then unto him all monstrous beasts resorted


s: Bred of two kindes, as Griffons, Minotaures,


s: With those himselfe he strengthned mightelie,


s: Like as the Foxe did guide his graceles skill;


s: And all wylde beasts made vassals of his pleasures,


s: And with their spoyles enlarg'd his private treasures.


s: No care of iustice, nor no rule of reason,


s: Did thenceforth ever enter in his minde;


s: But crueltie, the signe of currish kinde,


s: And sdeignfull pride, and wilfull arrogaunce;


s: Such followes those whom fortune doth advaunce.


s: But the false Foxe most kindly plaid his part:


s: Could worke, he put in proofe: no practise slie,


s: Ne reach, no breach, that might him profit bring,


s: But he the same did to his purpose wring.


s: Nought suffered he the Ape to give or graunt,


s: But through his hand must passe the fiaunt.


s: And of them all whatso he likte he kept.


s: Ill might it prosper that ill gotten was,


s: He fed his cubs with fat of all the soyle,


s: And with the sweete of others sweating toyle;


s: He crammed them with crumbs of benefices,


s: And fild their mouthes with meeds of malefices;


s: He cloathed them with all colours save white,


s: And loded them with lordships and with might,


s: So much as they were able well to beare,


s: That with the weight their backs nigh broken were.


s: He chaffred chayres in which churchmen were set,


s: And breach of lawes to privie ferme did let.


s: Nor ordinaunce so needfull, but that hee


s: Would violate, though not with violence,


s: And reckned him the kingdomes corner stone.


s: And ever, when he ought would bring to pas,


s: And when he ought not pleasing would put by


s: The cloke was care of thrift, and husbandry,


s: For to encrease the common treasures store.


s: But his owne treasure he encreased more,


s: And lifted up his loftie towres thereby,


s: That they began to threat the neighbour sky;


s: The whiles the princes pallaces fell fast


s: And whilest the other peeres for povertie


s: Were forst their auncient houses to let lie,


s: And their olde castles to the ground to fall,


s: Nor the wilde beasts whom armes did glorifie,


s: The realmes chiefe strength and girlond of the crowne.


s: All these through fained crimes he thrust adowne,


s: Or made them dwell in darknes of disgrace:


s: For none but whom he list might come in place.


s: Of men of armes he had but small regard,


s: But kept them lowe, and streigned verie hard.


s: His wisedome he above their learning deemed.


s: As for the rascall commons, least he cared,


s: For not so common was his bountie shared:


s: "Let God," said he, "if please, care for the manie,


s: I for my selfe must care before els anie."


s: So did he all the kingdome rob and pill,


s: Yet none durst speake, ne none durst of him plaine;


s: So great he was in grace, and rich through game.


s: Unto the Prince, but by his owne addresse:


s: For all that els did come were sure to faile;


s: Yet would he further none but for availe.


s: For on a time the Sheepe, to whom of yore


s: The Foxe had promised of friendship store,


s: What time the Ape the kingdome first did gaine,


s: Came to the court, her case there to complaine;


s: Had sithence slaine her lambe most cruellie;


s: And therefore crav'd to come unto the King,


s: To let him knowe the order of the thing.


s: "Soft, Gooddie Sheepe!" then said the Foxe, "not soe:


s: Than a lambe, or the lambes owne mothers hed.


s: That ye my cousin Wolfe so fowly thwart,


s: And seeke with slaunder his good name to blot:


s: For there was cause, els doo it he would not:


s: Therefore surcease, good dame, and hence depart."


s: So went the Sheepe away with heavie hart;


s: That to give largely to the boxe refused.


s: Now when high Iove, in whose almightie hand


s: The care of kings and power of empires stand,


s: From whence he vewes with his black-lidded eye


s: Whatso the heaven in his wide vawte containes,


s: And all that in the deepest earth remaines,


s: And troubled kingdome of wilde beasts behelde,


s: Whom not their kindly sovereigne did welde,


s: But an usurping Ape, with guile suborn'd,


s: Had all subverst, he sdeignfully it scorn'd


s: In his great heart, and hardly did refraine


s: But that with thunder bolts he had him slaine,


s: And driven downe to hell, his dewest meed.


s: Forbore, and rather chose with scornfull shame


s: Him to avenge, and blot his brutish name


s: And his false counsellor, the cause of all,


s: From whence he never should be quit nor stal'd.


s: And bad him flie with never-resting speed


s: Unto the forrest, where wilde beasts doo breed,


s: What did of late chaunce to the Lyon stearne,


s: That he rul'd not the empire, as he ought;


s: And whence were all those plaints unto him brought


s: Of wrongs and spoyles by salvage beasts committed:


s: Into his seate, and those same treachours vile


s: Be punished for their presumptuous guile.


s: That word, streight with his azure wings he cleav'd


s: Ne staid till that he came with steep descent


s: Unto the place where his prescript did showe.


s: There stouping, like an arrowe from a bowe,


s: And fairly paced forth with easie paine,


s: Till that unto the pallace nigh he came.


s: Then gan he to himselfe new shape to frame,


s: And that faire face, and that ambrosiall hew,


s: Which wonts to decke the gods immortall crew,


s: He doft, unfit for that rude rabblement.


s: So, standing by the gates in strange disguize,


s: Both of the King, and of his government,


s: And of the Foxe, and his false blandishment:


s: And evermore he heard each one complaine


s: Of foule abuses both in realme and raine:


s: Which yet to prove more true, he meant to see,


s: Tho on his head his dreadfull hat he dight,


s: And mocketh th'eyes of all the lookers on,


s: Through power of that he runnes through enemies swerds;


s: Through power of that he passeth through the herds


s: Of ravenous wilde beasts, and doth beguile


s: Their greedie mouthes of the expected spoyle;


s: Through power of that his cunning theeveries


s: He wonts to worke, that none the same espies;


s: And through the power of that he putteth on


s: That on his head he wore, and in his hand


s: With which the damned ghosts he governeth,


s: And furies rules, and Tartare tempereth.


s: With that he causeth sleep to seize the eyes,


s: And feare the harts, of all his enemyes;


s: Throughout the world he makes on everie wight;


s: Thus dight, into the court he tooke his way,


s: Both through the gard, which never him descride,


s: And through the watchmen, who him never spide:


s: Thenceforth he past into each secrete part,


s: Whereas he saw, that sorely griev'd his hart,


s: Each place abounding with fowle iniuries,


s: And fild with treasure rackt with robberies;


s: Each place defilde with blood of guiltles beasts


s: Which had been slaine to serve the Apes beheasts;


s: Done through the Foxes great oppressions,


s: That the complaints thereof could not be tolde.


s: Which when he did with lothfull eyes beholde,


s: He would no more endure, but came his way,


s: And cast to seeke the Lion, where he may,


s: That he might worke the avengement for this shame


s: On those two caytives which had bred him blame


s: At last he found where sleeping he did ly.


s: The wicked weed which there the Foxe did lay


s: And then him, waking, forced up to rize.


s: As one late in a traunce, what had of long


s: "Arise," said Mercurie, "thou sluggish beast,


s: That here liest senseles, like the corpse deceast,


s: The whilste thy kingdome from thy head is rent,


s: And thy throne royall with dishonour blent:


s: Arise, and doo thy selfe redeeme from shame,


s: And be aveng'd on those that breed thy blame."


s: Grinding his teeth, and grating his great hart;


s: And, rouzing up himselfe, for his rough hide


s: He gan to reach; but no where it espide.


s: And chafte at that indignitie right sore.


s: But when his crowne and scepter both he wanted,


s: Lord! how he fum'd, and sweld, and rag'd, and panted,


s: And threatned death and thousand deadly dolours


s: To them that had purloyn'd his princely honours.


s: He toward his owne pallace forth did pas;


s: Thereof did tremble, and the beasts therein


s: Fled fast away from that so dreadfull din.


s: Where all the gates he found fast lockt anon


s: And manie warders round about them stood:


s: With that he roar'd alowd, as he were wood,


s: That all the pallace quaked at the stound,


s: As if it quite were riven from the ground,


s: And all within were dead and hartles left;


s: And th'Ape himselfe, as one whose wits were reft,


s: Fled here and there, and everie corner sought.


s: To hide himselfe from his owne feared thought.


s: But the false Foxe, when he the Lion heard,


s: Fled closely forth, streightway of death afeard,


s: And to the Lion came, full lowly creeping,


s: With fained face, and watrie eyne halfe weeping,


s: T'excuse his former treason and abusion,


s: And turning all unto the Apes confusion:


s: Nath'les the royall beast forbore beleeving,


s: But bad him stay at ease till further preeving.


s: Then when he saw no entrance to him graunted,


s: Roaring yet lowder that all harts it daunted,


s: Upon those gates with force he fiercely newe,


s: And, rending them in pieces, felly slewe


s: Those warders strange, and all that els he met


s: But th'Ape still flying he no where might get:


s: From rowme to rowme, from beame to beame he fled,


s: All breathles, and for feare now almost ded:


s: Yet him at last the Lyon spide, and caught,


s: And forth with shame unto his iudgement brought.


s: Then all the beasts he causd' assembled bee,


s: To heare their doome, and sad ensample see:


s: The Foxe, first author of that treacherie


s: But th'Apes long taile (which then he had) he quight


s: Cut off, and both eares pared of their hight;


s: Since which, all Apes but halfe their eares have left,


s: And of their tailes are utterlie bereft.


s: So Mother Hubberd her discourse did end:


s: For weake was my remembrance it to hold,


s: And bad her tongue that it so bluntly tolde.


s: MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE. This charming little poem, Spenser's only


s: successful effort at satire, is stated by the author to have been


s: Although Mother Hubberds Tale is in its plan an imitation of the


s: satires of Reynard the Fox; the treatment of the subject is quite


s: conspectu tuo viam meam." Way's _Promptorium Parvulorum._ C.


s: Ver. 717.--_The brave courtier_, &c. This description is perhaps


s: Ye heavenly spirites, whose ashie cinders lie


s: Under deep ruines, with huge walls opprest,


s: But not your praise, the which shall never die


s: Through your faire verses, ne in ashes rest;


s: May reach from hence to depth of darkest hell,


s: That ye may understand my shreiking yell!


s: Thrice having seene under the heavens veale


s: Thrice unto you with lowd voyce I appeale,


s: And for your antique furie here doo call,


s: The whiles that I with sacred horror sing


s: Your glorie, fairest of all earthly thing!


s: Great Babylon her haughtie walls will praise,


s: And sharped steeples high shot up in ayre;


s: Greece will the olde Ephesian buildings blaze,


s: And Nylus nurslings their Pyramidcs faire;


s: The same yet vaunting Greece will tell the storie


s: Mausolus worke will be the Carians glorie,


s: And Crete will boast the Labyrinth, now raced;


s: The antique Rhodian will likewise set forth


s: And what els in the world is of like worth,


s: Seven Romane Hils, the worlds seven wonderments.


s: Thou stranger, which for Rome in Rome hero seekest,


s: And nought of Rome in Rome perceiv'st at all,


s: These same olde walls, olde arches, which thou seest,


s: Olde palaces, is that which Rome men call.


s: Beholde what wreake, what mine, and what wast,


s: And how that she which with her mightie powre


s: Tam'd all the world hath tam'd herselfe at last;


s: The pray of Time, which all things doth devowre!


s: Ne ought save Tyber hastning to his fall


s: That which is firme doth flit and fall away,


s: And that is flitting doth abide and stay.


s: She whose high top above the starres did sore,


s: One foote on Thetis, th'other on the Morning,


s: One hand on Scythia, th'other on the More,


s: Both heaven and earth in roundnesse compassing;


s: Iove fearing, least if she should greater growe,


s: The old giants should once againe uprise,


s: Her whelm'd with hills, these seven hils, which be nowe


s: Tombes of her greatnes which did threate the skies:


s: And Caelian on the right; but both her feete


s: Who lists to see what ever nature, arte,


s: And heaven could doo, O Rome, thee let him see,


s: In case thy greatnes he can gesse in harte


s: By that which but the picture is of thee!


s: Rome is no more: but if the shade of Rome


s: It's like a corse drawne forth out of the tombe


s: The corpes of Rome in ashes is entombed,


s: And her great spirite, reioyned to the spirite


s: Of this great masse, is in the same enwombed;


s: But her brave writings, which, her famous merite


s: In spight of Time out of the dust doth reare,


s: Doo make her idole* through the world appeare.


s: Such as the Berecynthian goddesse bright,


s: In her swifte charret with high turrets crownde,


s: Proud that so manie gods she brought to light,


s: Such was this citie in her good daies fownd:


s: This citie, more than that great Phrygian mother


s: Whose greatnes by the greatnes of none other,


s: But by her selfe, her equall match could see:


s: And onely Rome could make great Rome to tremble:


s: So did the gods by heavenly doome decree,


s: That other earthlie power should not resemble


s: Her that did match the whole earths puissaunce,


s: And did her courage to the heavens advaunce.


s: Ye sacred ruines, and ye tragick sights,


s: Which onely doo the name of Rome retaine,


s: Olde moniments, which of so famous sprights


s: Triumphant arcks, spyres neighbours to the skie,


s: That you to see doth th'heaven it selfe appall,


s: The peoples fable, and the spoyle of all!


s: And though your frames do for a time make warre


s: Gainst Time, yet Time in time shall ruinate


s: Your workes and names, and your last reliques marre.


s: My sad desires, rest therefore moderate!


s: For if that Time make ende of things so sure,


s: It als will end the paine which I endure.


s: Through armes and vassals Rome the world subdu'd,


s: That one would weene that one sole cities strength


s: Both land and sea in roundnes had survew'd,


s: To be the measure of her bredth and length:


s: This peoples vertue yet so fruitfull was


s: Striving in power their grandfathers to passe,


s: The lowest earth ioin'd to the heaven hie;


s: To th'end that, having all parts in their power,


s: Nought from the Romane Empire might be quight**;


s: And that though Time doth commonwealths devowre,


s: Yet no time should so low embase their hight,


s: That her head, earth'd in her foundations deep,


s: Should not her name and endles honour keep.


s: Ye cruell starres, and eke ye gods unkinde,


s: Heaven envious, and bitter stepdame Nature!


s: Be it by fortune, or by course of kinde*,


s: That ye doo weld th'affaires of earthlie creature;


s: Why have your hands long sithence traveiled


s: To frame this world, that doth endure so long?


s: Made of some matter no lesse firme and strong?


s: I say not, as the common voyce doth say,


s: That all things which beneath the moone have being


s: But I say rather, though not all agreeing


s: With some that weene the contrarie in thought,


s: That all this whole shall one day come to nought.


s: As that brave sonne of Aeson, which by charmes


s: Atcheiv'd the golden fleece in Colchid land,


s: Of dragons teeth, sowne in the sacred sand,


s: So this brave towne, that in her youthlie daies


s: Did fill with her renowmed nourslings praise


s: The firie sunnes both one and other hous:


s: But they at last, there being then not living


s: Emongst themselves with cruell furie striving,


s: Mow'd downe themselves with slaughter mercilesse;


s: Renewing in themselves that rage unkinde,


s: Which whilom did those earthborn brethren blinde.


s: Mars, shaming to have given so great head


s: To his off-spring, that mortall puissaunce,


s: Puft up with pride of Romane hardiehead,


s: Seem'd above heavens powre it selfe to advaunce,


s: With which he had those Romane spirits fild.


s: Did blowe new fire, and with enflamed breath


s: Into the Gothicke colde hot rage instil'd.


s: Then gan that nation, th'earths new giant brood,


s: To dart abroad the thunderbolts of warre,


s: And, beating downe these walls with furious mood


s: To th'end that none, all were it* love his sire,


s: Should boast himselfe of the Romane empire.


s: Like as whilome the children of the earth


s: Heapt hils on hils to scale the starrie skie,


s: And fight against the gods of heavenly berth,


s: Whiles Iove at them his thunderbolts let flie;


s: All suddenly with lightning overthrowne,


s: The furious squadrons downe to ground did fall,


s: That th'earth under her childrens weight did grone,


s: And th'heavens in glorie triumpht over all;


s: So did that haughtie front, which heaped was


s: On these seven Romane hils, it selfe upreare


s: Over the world, and lift her loftie face


s: Against the heaven, that gan her force to feare.


s: But now these scorned fields bemone her fall,


s: And gods secure feare not her force at all.


s: Nor the swift furie of the flames aspiring,


s: Nor the deep wounds of victours raging blade,


s: Nor ruthlesse spoyle of souldiers blood-desiring,


s: The which so oft thee, Rome, their conquest made,


s: Ne stroke on stroke of fortune variable,


s: Nor wrath of gods, nor spight of men unstable,


s: Nor thou oppos'd against thine owne puissance,


s: Nor th'horrible uprore of windes high blowing,


s: Nor swelling streames of that god snakie-paced*


s: Which hath so often with his overflowing


s: Thee drenched, have thy pride so much abaced,


s: But that this nothing, which they have thee left,


s: Makes the world wonder what they from thee reft.


s: As men in summer fearles passe the foord


s: Which is in winter lord of all the plaine,


s: And with his tumbling streames doth beare aboord*


s: The ploughmans hope and shepheards labour vaine,


s: Whetting their teeth, and with vaine foolhardise


s: Did brave about the corpes of Hector colde,


s: So those which whilome wont with pallid cheekes


s: Now on these ashie tombes shew boldnesse vaine,


s: And, conquer'd, dare the conquerour disdaine.


s: Ye pallid spirits, and ye ashie ghoasts,


s: Which, ioying in the brightnes of your day,


s: Brought foorth those signes of your presumptuous boasts


s: Which now their dusty reliques do bewray,


s: Tell me, ye spirits! (sith the darksome river


s: Of Styx, not passable to soules returning,


s: Enclosing you in thrice three wards for ever,


s: Doo not restraine your images still mourning,)


s: Tell me then, (for perhaps some one of you


s: Doo ye not feele your torments to accrewe,


s: When ye sometimes behold the ruin'd pride


s: Of these old Romane works, built with your hands,


s: Like as ye see the wrathfull sea from farre


s: In a great mountaine heap't with hideous noyse,


s: Eftsoones of thousand billowes shouldred narre*,


s: Against a rocke to breake with dreadfull poyse;


s: Like as ye see fell Boreas with sharpe blast


s: Tossing huge tempests through the troubled skie,


s: Eftsoones having his wide wings spent in wast,


s: And as ye see huge flames spred diverslie,


s: Gathered in one up to the heavens to spyre,


s: Eftsoones consum'd to fall downe feebily,


s: As waves, as winde, as fire, spred over all,


s: Till it by fatall doome adowne did fall.


s: So long as Ioves great bird did make his flight,


s: Bearing the fire with which heaven doth us fray,


s: Heaven had not feare of that presumptuous might,


s: With which the giaunts did the gods assay:


s: But all so soone as scortching sunne had brent*


s: His wings which wont the earth to overspredd,


s: The earth out of her massie wombe forth sent


s: That antique horror which made heaven adredd.


s: That Romane eagle seene to cleave asunder,


s: Out of these mountaines, now consum'd to pouder.


s: In which the foule that serves to beare the lightning


s: Is now no more seen flying nor alighting.


s: These heapes of stones, these old wals which ye see,


s: Were first enclosures but of salvage soyle;


s: And these brave pallaces, which maystred bee


s: Of time, were shepheards cottages somewhile.


s: Then tooke the shepheards kingly ornaments


s: And the stout hynde arm'd his right hand with steele:


s: Eftsoones their rule of yearely presidents


s: Grew great, and sixe months greater a great deele;


s: Which, made perpetuall, rose to so great might,


s: That thence th'imperiall eagle rooting tooke,


s: Till th'heaven it selfe, opposing gainst her might,


s: Who, shepheardlike, (as Fates the same foreseeing,)


s: Doth shew that all things turne to their first being.


s: All that is perfect, which th'heaven beautefies;


s: All that's imperfect, borne belowe the moone;


s: All that doth feede our spirits and our eies;


s: And all that doth consume our pleasures soone;


s: All the mishap the which our daies outweares;


s: All the good hap of th'oldest times afore,


s: Rome, in the time of her great ancesters,


s: But destinie this huge chaos turmoyling,


s: In which all good and evill was enclosed,


s: Their heavenly vertues from these woes assoyling,


s: Caried to heaven, from sinfull bondage losed:


s: But their great sinnes, the causers of their paine,


s: No otherwise than raynie cloud, first fed


s: With earthly vapours gathered in the ayre,


s: Eftsoones in compas arch't, to steepe his hed,


s: Doth plonge himselfe in Tethys bosome faire,


s: And, mounting up againe from whence he came,


s: With his great bellie spreds the dimmed world,


s: Till at the last, dissolving his moist frame,


s: In raine, or snowe, or haile, he forth is horld,


s: This citie, which was first but shepheards shade,


s: Uprising by degrees, grewe to such height


s: That queene of land and sea her selfe she made.


s: At last, not able to beare so great weight,


s: Her power, disperst, through all the world did vade*;


s: To shew that all in th'end to nought shall fade.


s: The same which Pyrrhus and the puissaunce


s: Of Afrike could not tame, that same brave citie


s: Which, with stout courage arm'd against mischaunce,


s: Long as her ship, tost with so manie freakes,


s: Had all the world in armes against her bent,


s: Was never seene that anie fortunes wreakes


s: Could breake her course begun with brave intent.


s: But, when the obiect of her vertue failed,


s: Her power it selfe against it selfe did arme;


s: As he that having long in tempest sailed


s: Faine would arive, but cannot for the storme,


s: If too great winde against the port him drive,


s: Doth in the port it selfe his vessell rive.


s: When that brave honour of the Latine name,


s: Which mear'd* her rule with Africa and Byze**,


s: And they which see the dawning day arize,


s: Harten against her selfe, her conquer'd spoile,


s: Which she had wonne from all the world afore,


s: Of all the world was spoyl'd within a while:


s: So, when the compast course of the universe


s: In sixe and thirtie thousand yeares is ronne,


s: The bands of th'elements shall backe reverse


s: To their first discord, and be quite undonne;


s: The seedes of which all things at first were bred


s: Shall in great Chaos wombe againe be hid.


s: That Carthage towres from spoile should be forborne,


s: To th'end that his victorious people should


s: He well foresaw how that the Romane courage,


s: Through idlenes would turne to civill rage,


s: And be her selfe the matter of her fires.


s: Soone growes through humours superfluitie.


s: That came to passe, when, swolne with plenties pride,


s: Nor prince, nor peere, nor kin, they would abide.


s: If the blinde Furie which warres breedeth oft


s: Wonts not t'enrage the hearts of equall beasts,


s: Whether they fare on foote, or flie aloft,


s: Or armed be with clawes, or scalie creasts,


s: What fell Erynnis, with hot burning tongs,


s: Did grype your hearts with noysome rage imbew'd,


s: That, each to other working cruell wrongs,


s: Your blades in your owne bowels you embrew'd?


s: Was this, ye Romanes, your hard destinie?


s: Or some old sinne, whose unappeased guilt


s: Powr'd vengeance forth on you eternallie?


s: Or brothers blood, the which at first was spilt


s: Upon your walls, that God might not endure


s: Those antique Caesars, sleeping long in darke,


s: The which this auncient citie whilome made!


s: The stonie ioynts of these old walls now rent,


s: By which th'Ausonian light might be restor'd!


s: Or that at least I could with pencill fine


s: Fashion the pourtraicts of these palacis,


s: By paterne of great Virgils spirit divine!


s: To builde, with levell of my loftie style,


s: That which no hands can evermore compyle.


s: Who list the Romane greatnes forth to figure,


s: Him needeth not to seeke for usage right


s: Of line, or lead, or rule, or squaire, to measure


s: Her length, her breadth, her deepnes, or her hight;


s: But him behooves to vew in compasse round


s: All that the ocean graspes in his long armes;


s: Be it where the yerely starre doth scortch the ground,


s: Or where colde Boreas blowes his bitter stormes.


s: Rome was th'whole world, and al the world was Rome;


s: And if things nam'd their names doo equalize,


s: When land and sea ye name, then name ye Rome,


s: And, naming Rome, ye land and sea comprize:


s: For th'auncient plot of Rome, displayed plaine,


s: The map of all the wide world doth containe.


s: The antique pride which menaced the skie,


s: These haughtie heapes, these palaces of olde,


s: These wals, these arcks, these baths, these temples his,


s: Iudge, by these ample ruines vew, the rest


s: The which iniurious time hath quite outworne,


s: Since, of all workmen helde in reckning best,


s: Yet these olde fragments are for paternes borne:


s: Then also marke how Rome, from day to day,


s: Renewes herselfe with buildings rich and gay;


s: That one would iudge that the Romaine Daemon*


s: Doth yet himselfe with fatall hand enforce


s: Againe on foot to reare her pouldred** corse.


s: He that hath seene a great oke drie and dead,


s: Yet clad with reliques of some trophees olde,


s: Whose foote in ground hath left but feeble holde,


s: But halfe disbowel'd lies above the ground,


s: Shewing her wreathed rootes, and naked armes,


s: And on her trunke all rotten and unsound


s: Onely supports herselfe for meate of wormes,


s: And, though she owe her fall to the first winde,


s: And manie yong plants spring out of her rinde;


s: Who such an oke hath seene, let him record


s: That such this cities honour was of yore,


s: And mongst all cities florished much more.


s: All that which Greece their temples to embrave,


s: After th'Ionicke, Atticke, Doricke guise,


s: Or Corinth skil'd in curious workes to grave,


s: All that Lysippus practike* arte could forme,


s: And the heaven it selfe with her wide wonders fill.


s: All that which Athens ever brought forth wise,


s: All that which Afrike ever brought forth strange,


s: Was here to see. O mervelous great change!


s: Rome, living, was the worlds sole ornament;


s: And, dead, is now the worlds sole moniment.


s: Like as the seeded field greene grasse first showes,


s: Then from greene grasse into a stalke doth spring,


s: And from a stalke into an eare forth-growes,


s: Which eare the frutefull graine doth shortly bring,


s: The waving lockes of those faire yeallow heares,


s: Which, bound in sheaves, and layd in comely rowes,


s: Upon the naked fields in stalkes he reares,


s: Till that barbarian hands it quite did spill,


s: And left of it but these olde markes to see,


s: Of which all passers by doo somewhat pill**,


s: As they which gleane, the reliques use to gather


s: Which th'husbandman behind him chanst to scater.


s: That same is now nought but a champian wide,


s: Where all this worlds pride once was situate.


s: Ne Afrike thereof guiltie is, nor Spaine,


s: Nor the bolde people by the Thamis brincks,


s: Nor the brave warlicke brood of Alemaine,


s: Nor the borne souldier which Rhine running drinks.


s: Which, sowing in th'Aemathian fields thy spight,


s: Didst arme thy hand against thy proper hart;


s: To th'end that when thou wast in greatest hight


s: To greatnes growne, through long prosperitie,


s: Thou then adowne might'st fall more horriblie.


s: So meane harpes worke may chalenge for her meed?


s: These moniments, which not in paper writ,


s: Might well have hop'd to have obtained it.


s: Nath'les, my Lute, whom Phoebus deigned to give,


s: Cease not to sound these olde antiquities:


s: For if that Time doo let thy glorie live,


s: Well maist thou boast, how ever base thou bee,


s: That thou art first which of thy nation song


s: Th'olde honour of the people gowned long.


s: That France brought forth, though fruitfull of brave wits,


s: That long hast traveld*, by thy learned writs,


s: Thy dayes therefore are endles, and thy prayse


s: And, after thee, gins Bartas hie to rayse


s: His heavenly Muse, th'Almightie to adore.


s: Live happie spirits, th'honour of your name,


s: And fill the world with never dying fame!


s: Most brave and bountifull La: for so excellent favours as I have


s: received at your sweet handes, to offer these fewe leaves as in


s: Stir'd up through wrathful! Nemesis despight,


s: Betwixt two mightie ones of great estate,


s: Drawne into armes and proofe of mortall fight


s: Through prowd ambition and hart-swelling hate,


s: Whilest neither could the others greater might


s: And sdeignfull scorne endure; that from small iarre


s: Their wraths at length broke into open warre.


s: Vouchsafe, O thou the mournfulst Muse of nyne,


s: That wontst the tragick stage for to direct,


s: In funerall complaints and waylfull tyne*


s: Reveale to me, and all the meanes detect


s: Through which sad Clarion did at last declyne


s: To lowest wretchednes: And is there then


s: Such rancour in the harts of mightie men?


s: Which doo possesse the empire of the aire,


s: Betwixt the centred earth and azure skies


s: Was none more favourable nor more faire,


s: Whilst heaven did favour his felicities,


s: Then Clarion, the eldest sonne and haire


s: Of all alive did seeme the fairest wight.


s: With fruitfull hope his aged breast he fed


s: Of future good, which his yong toward yeares,


s: Did largely promise, and to him fore-red,


s: (Whilst oft his heart did melt in tender teares,)


s: That he in time would sure prove such an one,


s: As should be worthie of his fathers throne.


s: The fresh yong flie, in whom the kindly fire


s: Of lustfull yongth* began to kindle fast,


s: To loathsome sloth, or houres in ease to wast;


s: But ioy'd to range abroad in fresh attire


s: Through the wide compas of the ayrie coast,


s: And with unwearied wings each part t'inquire


s: For he so swift and nimble was of flight,


s: That from this lower tract he dar'd to stie*


s: Up to the clowdes, and thence with pineons light


s: Whence down descending he along would flie


s: Upon the streaming rivers, sport to finde,


s: And oft would dare to tempt the troublous winde.


s: With gentle calme the world had quieted,


s: And high in heaven Hyperions fierie childe


s: Ascending did his beames abroad dispred,


s: Whiles all the heavens on lower creatures smilde,


s: Yong Clarion, with vauntfull lustiehead;


s: After his guize did cast abroad to fare,


s: And theretoo gan his furnitures prepare.


s: His breastplate first, that was of substance pure,


s: Before his noble heart he firmely bound,


s: That mought his life from yron death assure,


s: And ward his gentle corpes from cruell wound:


s: The bit* of balefull steele and bitter stownd**,


s: No lesse than that which Vulcane made to sheild


s: Achilles life from fate of Troyan field.


s: And then about his shoulders broad he threw


s: An hairie hide of some wilde beast, whom hee


s: And reft the spoyle his ornament to bee;


s: Which, spredding all his backe with dreadfull vew,


s: Upon his head, his glistering burganet*,


s: The which was wrought by wonderous device


s: The mettall was of rare and passing price;


s: Not Bilbo** steele, nor brasse from Corinth fet,


s: Nor costly oricalche from strange Phoenice;


s: But such as could both Phoebus arrowes ward,


s: And th'hayling darts of heaven beating hard.


s: Therein two deadly weapons fixt he bore,


s: Strongly outlaunced towards either side,


s: Like two sharpe speares, his enemies to gore:


s: To fight, layes forth her threatfull pikes afore,


s: The engines which in them sad death doo hyde,


s: So did this flie outstretch his fearefull hornes,


s: Yet so as him their terrour more adornes.


s: Lastly his shinie wings, as silver bright,


s: Painted with thousand colours passing farre


s: All painters skill, he did about him dight:


s: In Iris bowe; ne heaven doth shine so bright,


s: Distinguished with manie a twinckling starre;


s: Nor Iunoes bird, in her ey-spotted traine,


s: That ioyes on wretched lovers to be wroken*,


s: And heaped spoyles of bleeding harts to see,


s: Beares in his wings so manie a changefull token.


s: If ought against thine honour I have tolde;


s: Yet sure those wings were fairer manifolde.


s: Full many a ladie faire, in court full oft


s: And wisht that two such fannes, so silken soft


s: And golden faire, her Love would her provide;


s: Or that, when them the gorgeous flie had doft,


s: Some one that would with grace be gratifide


s: From him would steale them privily away,


s: In spring when flowres doo clothe the fruitful ground,


s: Walking abroad with all her nymphes to play,


s: Bad her faire damzels flocking her arownd


s: To gather flowres, her forhead to array.


s: Emongst the rest a gentle nymph was found,


s: Who, being nimbler ioynted than the rest,


s: And more industrious, gathered more store


s: Of the fields honour than the others best;


s: Which they in secret harts envying sore,


s: She praisd', that Cupide (as they heard before)


s: Into her lap the children of the Spring,


s: Whereof the goddesse gathering iealous feare,--


s: Her sonne to Psyche secrete love did beare,


s: And long it close conceal'd, till mickle woe


s: Thereof arose, and manie a rufull teare,--


s: And, giving hastie credit to th'accuser,


s: Was led away of them that did abuse her.


s: Eftsoones that damzel by her heavenly might


s: In the wide aire to make her wandring flight;


s: And all those flowres, with which so plenteouslie


s: Her lap she filled had, that bred her spight,


s: Of her pretended crime, though crime none were:


s: Since which that flie them in her wings doth beare.


s: Thus the fresh Clarion, being readie dight,


s: And with good speed began to take his flight:


s: Over the fields, in his franke* lustinesse;


s: And all the countrey wide he did possesse,


s: Feeding upon their pleasures bounteouslie,


s: That none gainsaid, nor none did him envie.


s: The woods, the rivers, and the medowes green.


s: With his aire-cutting wings he measured wide,


s: Ne did he leave the mountaines bare unseene,


s: Nor the ranke grassie fennes delights untride.


s: But none of these, how ever sweete they beene,


s: Mote please his fancie nor him cause t'abide:


s: His choicefull sense with everie change doth flit;


s: No common things may please a wavering wit.


s: Him wholly caried, to refresh his sprights:


s: There lavish Nature, in her best attire,


s: Powres forth sweete odors and alluring sights;


s: And Arte, with her contending, doth aspire


s: T'excell the naturall with made delights:


s: And all that faire or pleasant may be found


s: There he arriving round about doth flie,


s: From bed to bed, from one to other border;


s: And takes survey, with curious busie eye,


s: Of every flowre and herbe there set in order;


s: Now this, now that, he tasteth tenderly,


s: Yet none of them he rudely doth disorder,


s: Ne with his feete their silken leaves deface,


s: But pastures on the pleasures of each place.


s: And change of sweetnesse, (for all change is sweete,)


s: Now sucking of the sap of herbe most meete,


s: Or of the deaw which yet on them does lie,


s: Now in the same bathing his tender feete:


s: And then he pearcheth on some braunch thereby,


s: To weather him, and his moyst wings to dry.


s: To spoyle the pleasures of that paradise;


s: The wholsome saulge*, and lavender still gray,


s: Ranke-smelling rue, and cummin good for eyes,


s: Sharpe isope, good for greene wounds remedies,


s: Faire marigoldes, and bees-alluring thime,


s: Sweete marioram, and daysies decking prime:


s: Coole violets, and orpine growing still,


s: Embathed balme, and chearfull galingale,


s: Fresh costmarie, and breathfull camomill,


s: Dull poppie, and drink-quickning setuale*,


s: Veyne-healing verven, and hed-purging dill,


s: Fat colworts, and comfórting perseline**,


s: Colde lettuce, and refreshing rosmarine.


s: Grewe in this gardin, fetcht from farre away,


s: Of everie one he takes and tastes at will,


s: And on their pleasures greedily doth pray.


s: Then when he hath both plaid, and fed his fill,


s: In the warme sunne he doth himselfe embay*,


s: And there him rests in riotous suffisaunce


s: Of all his gladfulnes and kingly ioyaunce.


s: What more felicitie can fall to creature


s: And to be lord of all the workes of Nature,


s: To raine in th'aire from earth to highest skie,


s: To feed on flowres and weeds of glorious feature,


s: To take whatever thing doth please the eie?


s: Who rests not pleased with such happines,


s: Well worthie he to taste of wretchednes.


s: But what on earth can long abide in state?


s: Sith morning faire may bring fowle evening late,


s: And least mishap the most blisse alter may!


s: For thousand perills lie in close awaite


s: That none, except a God, or God him guide,


s: And whatso heavens in their secret doome


s: Ordained have, how can fraile fleshly wight


s: Forecast, but it must needs to issue come?


s: The sea, the aire, the fire, the day, the night,


s: And th'armies of their creatures, all and some*,


s: Do serve to them, and with importune might


s: Warre against us, the vassals of their will.


s: Who then can save what they dispose to spill?


s: Not thou, O Clarion, though fairest thou


s: Of loves owne hand, to worke thy miserie!


s: Hath powred forth for thee, and th'altars sprent*


s: Nought may thee save from heavens avengëment!


s: The foe of faire things, th'author of confusion,


s: The shame of Nature, the bondslave of spight,


s: And, lurking closely, in awayte now lay,


s: In this faire plot dispacing* too and fro,


s: Lord! how he gan for to bestirre him tho,


s: And to his wicked worke each part applie!


s: His heart did earne** against his hated foe,


s: And bowels so with rankling poyson swelde,


s: That scarce the skin the strong contagion helde.


s: For that his mother which him bore and bred,


s: The most fine-fingred workwoman on ground,


s: Of Pallas, and in her owne skill confound**,


s: When she with her for excellence contended,


s: That wrought her shame, and sorrow never ended.


s: Her blazed fame, which all the world had fil'd,


s: Came downe to prove the truth, and due reward


s: For her prais-worthie workmanship to yeild:


s: But the presumptuous damzel rashly dar'd


s: The goddesse selfe to chalenge to the field,


s: And to compare with her in curious skill


s: Of workes with loome, with needle, and with quill.


s: But deign'd with her the paragon* to make:


s: So to their worke they sit, and each doth chuse


s: What storie she will for her tapet** take.


s: Her through the sea did beare; so lively@ seene,


s: That it true sea and true bull ye would weene.


s: Shee seem'd still backe unto the land to looke,


s: And her play-fellowes aide to call, and feare


s: The dashing of the waves, that up she tooke


s: Her daintie feete, and garments gathered neare:


s: But Lord! how she in everie member shooke,


s: When as the land she saw no more appeare,


s: Then gan she greatly to lament and weepe.


s: Before the bull she pictur'd winged Love,


s: With his yong brother Sport, light fluttering


s: Upon the waves, as each had been a dove;


s: The one his bowe and shafts, the other spring*


s: A burning teade** about his head did move,


s: As in their syres new love both triumphing;


s: And manie Nymphes about them flocking round,


s: And manie Tritons which their homes did sound.


s: And round about her-worke she did empale*


s: With a faire border wrought of sundrie flowres,


s: A goodly worke, full fit for kingly bowres,


s: Such as Dame Pallas, such as Envie pale,


s: That al good things with venemous tooth devowres,


s: Could not accuse. Then gan the goddesse bright


s: Her selfe likewise unto her worke to dight.


s: Which she with Neptune did for Athens trie:


s: Twelve gods doo sit around in royall state,


s: To iudge the strife betweene them stirred late:


s: Eathe** to be knowen; but love above them all,


s: By his great lookes and power imperiall.


s: Before them stands the god of seas in place,


s: Clayming that sea-coast citie as his right,


s: And strikes the rockes with his three-forked mace;


s: Whenceforth issues a warlike steed in sight,


s: The signe by which he chalengeth the place;


s: That all the gods which saw his wondrous might


s: But seldom seene, foreiudgement proveth true.


s: Then to herselfe she gives her Aegide shield,


s: And steel-hed speare, and morion * on her hedd,


s: Such as she oft is seene in warlicke field:


s: Then sets she forth, how with her weapon dredd


s: She smote the ground, the which streight foorth did yield


s: A fruitfull olyve tree, with berries spredd,


s: That all the gods admir'd; then all the storie


s: She compast with a wreathe of olyves hoarie.


s: Emongst those leaves she made a butterflie,


s: With excellent device and wondrous slight,


s: That seem'd to live, so like it was in sight:


s: The velvet nap which on his wings doth lie,


s: The silken downe with which his backe is dight,


s: His broad outstretched homes, his hayrie thies,


s: His glorious colours, and his glistering eies.


s: She stood astonied long, ne ought gainesaid;


s: And with fast fixed eyes on her did stare,


s: And by her silence, signe of one dismaid,


s: The victorie did yeeld her as her share;


s: And all her blood to poysonous rancor turne:


s: That shortly from the shape of womanhed,


s: Such as she was when Pallas she attempted,


s: Pined with griefe of follie late repented:


s: Eftsoones her white streight legs were altered


s: To crooked crawling shankes, of marrowe empted,


s: And her faire face to foule and loathsome hewe,


s: And her fine corpes to a bag of venim grewe.


s: This cursed creature, mindfull of that olde


s: Enfestred grudge the which his mother felt,


s: His heart with vengefull malice inly swelt;


s: And weaving straight a net with mame a folde


s: About the cave in which he lurking dwelt,


s: With fine small cords about it stretched wide,


s: So finely sponne that scarce they could be spide,


s: Not anie damzell which her vaunteth most


s: In skilfull knitting of soft silken twyne,


s: Nor anie weaver, which his worke doth boast


s: Nor anie skil'd in loupes of fingring fine,


s: With this so curious networks to compare.


s: Ne doo I thinke that that same subtil gin


s: The which the Lemnian god framde craftilie,


s: Mars sleeping with his wife to compasse in,


s: Might laugh at them, and scorne their shamefull sin,


s: Was like to this. This same he did applie


s: That rang'd each where without suspition.


s: That hazarded his health, had he at all,


s: But walkt at will, and wandred too and fro,


s: In the pride of his freedome principall*:


s: Yet still Aragnoll (so his foe was hight)


s: And all his gins, that him entangle might,


s: At length the foolish flie, without foresight,


s: As he that did all daunger quite despise,


s: Toward those parts came flying careleslie,


s: Who, seeing him, with secret ioy therefore


s: And his false hart, fraught with all treasons store,


s: Was fil'd with hope his purpose to obtaine:


s: Himselfe he close upgathered more and more


s: Into his den, that his deceiptfull traine


s: By his there being might not be bewraid,


s: Where on a sunnie banke the lambes doo play,


s: Full closely creeping by the hinder side,


s: Ne stirreth limbe, till, seeing readie tide*,


s: He rusheth forth, and snatcheth quite away


s: A well of teares, that all may overflow?


s: Or where shall I finde lamentable cryes,


s: And mournfull tunes enough my griefe to show?


s: Helpe, O thou Tragick Muse, me to devise


s: Notes sad enough, t'expresse this bitter throw:


s: For loe, the drerie stownd* is now arrived,


s: The luckles Clarion, whether cruell Fate


s: Or some ungracious blast out of the gate


s: Of Aeoles raine* perforce him drove on hed**,


s: There the fond flie, entangled, strugled long,


s: Himselfe to free thereout; but all in vaine.


s: For, striving more, the more in laces strong


s: Himselfe he tide, and wrapt his wingës twaine


s: In lymie snares the subtill loupes among;


s: That in the ende he breathelesse did remaine,


s: And, all his yongthly* forces idly spent,


s: Which when the greisly tyrant did espie,


s: Like a grimme lyon rushing with fierce might


s: On the resistles pray, and, with fell spight,


s: Under the left wing stroke his weapon slie


s: Into his heart, that his deepe-groning spright


s: In bloodie streames foorth fled into the aire,


s: One day, whiles that my daylie cares did sleepe,


s: My spirit, shaking off her earthly prison,


s: Of things exceeding reach of common reason;


s: Such as this age, in which all good is geason*,


s: And all that humble is and meane** debaced,


s: Hath brought forth in her last declining season,


s: Griefe of good mindes, to see goodnesse disgraced!


s: On which when as my thought was throghly@ placed,


s: Unto my eyes strange showes presented were,


s: Picturing that which I in minde embraced,


s: That yet those sights empassion$ me full nere.


s: Such as they were, faire Ladie%, take in worth,


s: That when time serves may bring things better forth.


s: In summers day, when Phoebus fairly shone,


s: With gilden homes embowed like the moone,


s: Up to his eares the verdant grasse did growe,


s: And the gay floures did offer to be eaten;


s: That he all wallowed in the weedes downe beaten,


s: Ne car'd with them his daintie lips to sweeten:


s: Till that a Brize*, a scorned little creature,


s: Through his faire hide his angrie sting did threaten,


s: And vext so sore, that all his goodly feature


s: And all his plenteous pasture nought him pleased:


s: So by the small the great is oft diseased**.


s: Beside the fruitfull shore of muddie Nile,


s: In monstrous length, a mightie Crocodile,


s: That, cram'd with guiltles blood and greedie pray


s: Thought all things lesse than his disdainfull pride.


s: The least of thousands which on earth abide,


s: That forst this hideous beast to open wide


s: The greisly gates of his devouring hell,


s: And let him feede, as Nature doth provide,


s: Upon his iawes, that with blacke venime swell.


s: Why then should greatest things the least disdaine,


s: Sith that so small so mightie can constraine?


s: The kingly bird that beares Ioves thunder-clap


s: One day did scorne the simple Scarabee*,


s: Proud of his highest service and good hap,


s: That made all other foules his thralls to bee.


s: The silly flie, that no redresse did see,


s: Spide where the Eagle built his towring nest,


s: And, kindling fire within the hollow tree,


s: Burnt up his yong ones, and himselfe distrest;


s: But drove in Ioves owne lap his egs to lay;


s: Where gathering also filth him to infest,


s: Forst with the filth his egs to fling away:


s: For which, when as the foule was wroth, said Iove,


s: "Lo! how the least the greatest may reprove."


s: I saw the fish (if fish I may it cleepe**)


s: That makes the sea before his face to flye,


s: And with his flaggie finnes doth seeme to sweepe


s: The fomie waves out of the dreadfull deep;


s: The huge Leviathan, dame Natures wonder,


s: Making his sport, that manie makes to weep.


s: A Sword-fish small him from the rest did sunder


s: That, in his throat him pricking softly under,


s: His wide abysse him forced forth to spewe,


s: That all the sea did roare like heavens thunder,


s: And all the waves were stain'd with filthie hewe.


s: Whatever thing seemes small in common eyes.


s: Whose backe was arm'd against the dint of speare


s: With shields of brasse that shone like burnisht golde,


s: And forkhed sting that death in it did beare,


s: Strove with a Spider, his unequall peare,


s: The subtill vermin, creeping closely* neare,


s: Which, through his entrailes spredding diversly,


s: Made him to swell, that nigh his bowells brust,


s: That did so much in his owne greatnesse trust.


s: O, how great vainnesse is it then to scorne


s: The weake, that hath the strong so oft forlorne!**


s: Of wondrous length and straight proportion,


s: That farre abroad her daintie odours threwe;


s: Mongst all the daughters of proud Libanon,


s: Shortly within her inmost pith there bred


s: A litle wicked worme, perceiv'd of none,


s: That on her sap and vitall moysture fed:


s: Thenceforth her garland so much honoured


s: Began to die, O great ruth* for the same!


s: And her faire lockes fell from her loftie head,


s: That shortly balde and bared she became.


s: I, which this sight beheld, was much dismayed,


s: To see so goodly thing so soone decayed.


s: Adorn'd with bells and bosses gorgeouslie,


s: That on his backe did beare, as batteilant*,


s: A gilden towre, which shone exceedinglie;


s: That he himselfe through foolish vanitie,


s: Both for his rich attire and goodly forme,


s: Was puffed up with passing surquedrie**,


s: And shortly gan all other beasts to scorne,


s: Into his nosthrils creeping, so him pained,


s: That, casting downe his towres, he did deforme


s: Both borrowed pride, and native beautie stained.


s: Let therefore nought that great is therein glorie,


s: Sith so small thing his happines may varie.


s: A goodly Ship with banners bravely dight,


s: Through the maine sea making her merry flight.


s: Faire blewe the wind into her bosome right,


s: And th'heavens looked lovely all the while,


s: That she did seeme to daunce, as in delight,


s: All sodainely there clove unto her keele


s: Which stopt her course, and held her by the heele,


s: That winde nor tide could move her thence away.


s: Straunge thing me seemeth, that so small a thing


s: Should able be so great an one to wring.


s: With pray of beasts and spoyle of living blood,


s: Safe in his dreadles den him thought to hide:


s: His sternesse was his prayse, his strength his pride,


s: Sore he him stong, that it the blood forth drawes,


s: And his proude heart is fild with fretting ire:


s: In vaine he threats his teeth, his tayle, his pawes,


s: And from his bloodie eyes doth sparkle fire;


s: That dead himselfe he wisheth for despight.


s: What time the Romaine Empire bore the raine


s: Of all the world, and florisht most in might,


s: The nations gan their soveraigntie disdaine,


s: And cast to quitt them from their bondage quight.


s: So, when all shrouded were in silent night,


s: The Galles were, by corrupting of a mayde,


s: Possest nigh of the Capitol through slight,


s: If then a goose great Rome from ruine stayde,


s: And Iove himselfe, the patron of the place,


s: Preservd from being to his foes betrayde,


s: Why do vaine men mean things so much deface*,


s: And in their might repose their most assurance,


s: Sith nought on earth can chalenge long endurance?


s: When these sad sights were overpast and gone,


s: My spright was greatly moved in her rest,


s: To see so great things by so small distrest.


s: To scorne all difference of great and small,


s: Sith that the greatest often are opprest,


s: And ye, that read these ruines tragicall,


s: Learne, by their losse, to love the low degree;


s: And if that Fortune chaunce you up to call


s: To honours seat, forget not what you be:


s: Shall finde his state most fickle and unsure.


s: Worldlings_, printed in 1569; and the six first of the Visions of


s: It was the time when rest, soft sliding downe


s: From heavens hight into mens heavy eyes,


s: In the forgetfulnes of sleepe doth drowne


s: The carefull thoughts of mortall miseries.


s: Then did a ghost before mine eyes appeare,


s: On that great rivers banck that runnes by Rome;


s: Which, calling me by name, bad me to reare


s: My lookes to heaven whence all good gifts do come,


s: And crying lowd, "Loe! now beholde," quoth hee,


s: "What under this great temple placed is:


s: So I, that know this worlds inconstancies,


s: Sith onely God surmounts all times decay,


s: On high hills top I saw a stately frame,


s: With hundreth pillours fronting faire the same,


s: All wrought with diamond after Dorick wize.


s: Nor brick nor marble was the wall in view,


s: But shining christall, which from top to base


s: Out of her womb a thousand rayons** threw


s: On hundred steps of Afrike golds enchase.@


s: Golde was the parget,$ and the seeling bright


s: Did shine all scaly with great plates of golde;


s: The floore of iasp and emeraude was dight.%


s: O worlds vainesse! Whiles thus I did behold,


s: An earthquake shooke the hill from lowest seat,


s: And overthrew this frame with ruine great.


s: Then did a sharped spyre of diamond bright,


s: Ten feete each way in square, appeare to mee,


s: The top thereof a pot did seeme to beare,


s: Made of the mettall which we most do honour;


s: Upon foure corners of the base were pight*,


s: To beare the frame, foure great lyons of gold;


s: Alas! this world doth nought but grievance hold:


s: I saw a tempest from the heaven descend,


s: Which this brave monument with flash did rend.


s: I saw raysde up on yvorie pillowes tall,


s: Whose bases were of richest mettalls warke,


s: The chapters* alablaster, the fryses christall,


s: Clad like a nimph, that wings of silver weares,


s: And in triumphant chayre was set on hie,


s: The auncient glory of the Romaine peares.


s: No worke it seem'd of earthly craftsmans wit,


s: That thunder-dartes for Iove his syre doth fit.


s: Let me no more see faire thing under sky,


s: Sith that mine eyes have seene so faire a sight


s: With sodain fall to dust consumed quight.


s: Then was the faire Dodonian tree far seene


s: Upon seaven hills to spread his gladsome gleame,


s: And conquerours bedecked with his greene,


s: Along the bancks of the Ausonian streame.


s: There many an auncient trophee was addrest*,


s: And many a spoyle, and many a goodly show,


s: Which that brave races greatnes did attest,


s: That whilome from the Troyan blood did flow.


s: When lo! a barbarous troupe of clownish fone**


s: The honour of these noble boughs down threw:


s: Under the wedge I heard the tronck to grone;


s: And since, I saw the roote in great disdaine


s: A twinne of forked trees send forth againe.


s: Noursing two whelpes; I saw her litle ones


s: While she her neck wreath'd from them for the nones*.


s: I saw her raunge abroad to seeke her food,


s: And roming through the field with greedie rage


s: T'embrew her teeth and clawes with lukewarm blood


s: Of the small heards, her thirst for to asswage.


s: I saw a thousand huntsmen, which descended


s: Downe from the mountaines bordring Lombardie,


s: That with an hundred speares her flank wide rened:


s: I saw her on the plaine outstretched lie,


s: Throwing out thousand throbs in her owne soyle**:


s: Soone on a tree uphang'd I saw her spoyle.


s: With feeble wings assay to mount on hight;


s: By more and more she gan her wings t'assure,


s: Following th'ensample of her mothers sight.


s: I saw her rise, and with a larger flight


s: To pierce the cloudes, and with wide pinneons


s: To measure the most haughtie* mountaines hight,


s: Untill she raught** the gods owne mansions.


s: There was she lost; when suddaine I behelde,


s: Where, tumbling through the ayre in firie fold,


s: All flaming downe she on the plaine was felde,


s: And soone her bodie turn'd to ashes colde.


s: I saw the foule that doth the light dispise


s: "A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place,


s: Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd." C.]


s: I saw a river swift, whose fomy billowes


s: Did wash the ground-work of an old great wall;


s: I saw it cover'd all with griesly shadowes,


s: That with black horror did the ayre appall:


s: Thereout a strange beast with seven heads arose,


s: That townes and castles under her brest did coure*,


s: And seem'd both milder beasts and fiercer foes


s: Much was I mazde to see this monsters kinde


s: In hundred formes to change his fearefull hew;


s: When as at length I saw the wrathfull winde,


s: Which blows cold storms, burst out of Scithian mew,


s: That sperst these cloudes; and, in so short as thought,


s: This dreadfull shape was vanished to nought.


s: Then all astonied with this mighty ghoast,


s: An hideous bodie, big and strong, I sawe,


s: With side* long beard, and locks down hanging loast**,


s: Sterne face, and front full of Satúrnlike awe;


s: Pourd foorth a water, whose out gushing flood


s: Ran bathing all the creakie@ shore aflot,


s: Whereon the Troyan prince spilt Turnus blood;


s: To two young babes: his left the palme tree stout,


s: His right hand did the peacefull olive wield.


s: And head with lawrell garnisht was about.


s: And faire green lawrell branch did quite decay.


s: Folding her armes to heaven with thousand throbs,


s: And outraging her cheekes and golden haire,


s: To falling rivers sound thus tun'd her sobs.


s: "Where is," quoth she, "this whilom honoured face?


s: Where the great glorie and the auncient praise,


s: In which all worlds felicitie had place,


s: When gods and men my honour up did raise?


s: Suffisd' it not that civill warres me made


s: The whole worlds spoile, but that this Hydra new,


s: With seven heads, budding monstrous crimes anew,


s: Out of these crooked shores must dayly rayse?"


s: Which, like incense of precious cedar tree,


s: With balmie odours fil'd th'ayre farre and nie.


s: A bird all white, well feathered on each wing,


s: Hereout up to the throne of gods did flie,


s: And all the way most pleasant notes did sing,


s: Whilst in the smoake she unto heaven did stie*.


s: Of this faire fire the scattered rayes forth threw


s: On everie side a thousand shining beames:


s: (O grievous chance!) gan quench those precious flames;


s: That it, which earst** so pleasant sent did yeld,


s: Of nothing now but noyous sulphure smeld.


s: I saw a spring out of a rocke forth rayle*,


s: As cleare as christall gainst the sunnie beames;


s: The bottome yeallow, like the golden grayle*


s: That bright Pactolus washeth with his streames.


s: It seem'd that Art and Nature had assembled


s: All pleasure there for which mans hart could long;


s: And there a noyse alluring sleepe soft trembled,


s: Of manie accords, more sweete than mermaids song,


s: And hundred nymphes sate side by side about;


s: When from nigh hills, with hideous outcrie,


s: A troupe of satyres in the place did rout,@


s: Which with their villeine feete the streame did ray,$


s: Threw down the seats, and drove the nymphs away.


s: Much richer then that vessell seem'd to bee


s: Which did to that sad Florentine appeare,


s: Casting mine eyes farre off, I chaunst to see


s: Upon the Latine coast herselfe to reare.


s: Bearing close envie to these riches rare,


s: Which gan assaile this ship with dreadfull threat,


s: This ship, to which none other might compare:


s: Sunke up these riches, second unto none,


s: And all that treasure, drowned in the maine:


s: Long having deeply gron'd these visions sad,


s: Which saw the messenger of tidings glad,


s: But that on sand was built the goodly frame:


s: It seem'd her top the firmament did rayse,


s: And, no lesse rich than faire, right worthie sure


s: (If ought here worthie) of immortall dayes,


s: Or if ought under heaven might firme endure.


s: When from the Northerns coast a storme arose,


s: Which, breathing furie from his inward gall


s: On all which did against his course oppose,


s: Into a clowde of dust sperst in the aire


s: The weake foundations of this citie faire.


s: At length, even at the time when Morpheus


s: Wearie to see the heavens still wavering thus,


s: Whose head, full bravely with a morion** hidd,


s: Did seeme to match the gods in maiestie.


s: She, by a rivers bancke that swift downe slidd,


s: Over all the world did raise a trophee hie;


s: An hundred vanquisht kings under her lay,


s: With armes bound at their backs in shamefull wize.


s: Whilst I thus mazed was with great affray,


s: I saw the heavens in warre against her rize:


s: Then downe she stricken fell with clap of thonder,


s: That with great noyse I wakte in sudden wonder.


s: So manie strange things happened me to see,


s: As much it grieveth me to thinke thereon.


s: At my right hand a hynde appear'd to mee.


s: So faire as mote the greatest god delite;


s: Of which the one was blacke, the other white.


s: With deadly force so in their cruell race


s: They pincht the haunches of that gentle beast,


s: That at the last, and in short time, I spide,


s: Under a rocke, where she, alas! opprest,


s: Fell to the ground, and there untimely dide.


s: Cruell death vanquishing so noble beautie,


s: The sailes of golde, of silke the tackle were.


s: Milde was the winde, calme seem'd the sea to bee,


s: The skie eachwhere did show full bright and faire:


s: With rich treasures this gay ship fraighted was:


s: But sudden storme did so turmoyle the aire,


s: O! how great ruth, and sorrow-full assay**,


s: Thus in a moment to see lost and drown'd


s: So great riches as like cannot be found.


s: Out of the fresh and lustie lawrell tree,


s: Amidst the yong greene wood: of Paradise


s: Some noble plant I thought my selfe to see.


s: Such store of birds therein yshrowded were,


s: Chaunting in shade their sundrie melodie,


s: That with their sweetnes I was ravish't nere.


s: While on this lawrell fixed was mine eie,


s: When sudden flash of heavens fire out brast*,


s: And rent this royall tree quite by the roote;


s: Which makes me much and ever to complaine,


s: Within this wood, out of a rocke did rise


s: A spring of water, mildly rumbling downe,


s: The homely shepheard, nor the ruder clowne;


s: But manie Muses, and the Nymphes withall,


s: That sweetly in accord did tune their voyce


s: To the soft sounding of the waters fall;


s: That my glad hart thereat did much reioyce.


s: But, while herein I tooke my chiefe delight,


s: The spring, the place, and all cleane out of sight;


s: Which yet aggreeves my hart even to this houre,


s: And wounds my soule with rufull memorie,


s: With purple wings and crest of golden hewe;


s: Strange bird he was, whereby I thought anone


s: That of some heavenly wight I had the vewe;


s: And to the spring that late devoured was.


s: What say I more? Each thing at last we see


s: Doth passe away: the Phoenix there, alas!


s: Spying the tree destroid, the water dride,


s: Himselfe smote with his beake, as in disdaine,


s: And so foorthwith in great despight he dide;


s: That yet my heart burnes in exceeding paine


s: O, let mine eyes no more see such a sight!


s: That thinking yet on her I burne and quake:


s: On hearbs and flowres she walked pensively;


s: Milde, but yet love she proudly did forsake:


s: White seem'd her robes, yet woven so they were


s: As snow and golde together had been wrought:


s: Above the wast a darke clowde shrouded her.


s: A stinging serpent by the heele her caught;


s: Wherewith she languisht as the gathered floure,


s: And, well assur'd, she mounted up to ioy.


s: Which make this life wretched and miserable.


s: Tossed with stormes of fortune variable.


s: When I behold this tickle* trustles state


s: Of vaine worlds glorie, flitting too and fro,


s: And mortall men tossed by troublous fate


s: Where my free spirite might not anie moe


s: Be vest with sights that doo her peace molest.


s: And ye, faire Ladie, in whose bounteous brest


s: All heavenly grace and vertue shrined is,


s: When ye these rythmes doo read, and vew the rest,


s: Loath this base world, and thinke of heavens blis:


s: And though ye be the fairest of Gods creatures,


s: Yet thinke that death shall spoyle your goodly features.


s: I have the rather presumed humbly to offer unto your Honour the


s: dedication of this little poeme, for that the noble and vertuous


s: With griefe of mournefull great mishap opprest,


s: Fit matter for his cares increase would fynd,


s: Let reade the rufull plaint herein exprest,


s: Sharpe sorrowe did in thousand peeces rive.


s: But whoso else in pleasure findeth sense,


s: Or in this wretched life doeth take delight,


s: Let him he banisht farre away from hence;


s: Ne let the Sacred Sisters here be hight*,


s: Though they of sorrowe heavilie can sing,


s: For even their heavie song would breede delight;


s: But here no tunes save sobs and grones shall ring.


s: In stead of them and their sweet harmonie,


s: Let those three Fatall Sisters, whose sad hands


s: Doe weave the direfull threeds of destinie,


s: And in their wrath break off the vitall bands,


s: Approach hereto; and let the dreadfull Queene


s: Of Darknes deepe come from the Stygian strands,


s: And grisly ghosts, to heare this dolefull teene*,


s: After his dayes long labour drew to rest,


s: The compast skie, gan water in the west,


s: I walkt abroad to breath the freshing ayre


s: In open fields, whose flowring pride, opprest


s: With early frosts, had lost their beautie faire.


s: There came unto my mind a troublous thought,


s: Which dayly doth my weaker wit possesse,


s: Ne lets it rest untill it forth have brought


s: Her long borne infant, fruit of heavinesse,


s: Which she conceived hath through meditation


s: Of this worlds vainnesse and life's wretchednesse,


s: That yet my soule it deepely doth empassion*.


s: Where towards me a sory wight did cost*,


s: Clad all in black, that mourning did bewray,


s: And Iacob staffe ** in hand devoutly crost,


s: Like to some pilgrim come from farre away.


s: His carelesse locks, uncombed and unshorne,


s: Hong long adowne, and bearde all overgrowne,


s: That well he seemd to be some wight forlorne:


s: Downe to the earth his heavie eyes were throwne,


s: He sighed soft, and inly deepe did grone,


s: As if his heart in peeces would have rent.


s: Me seemd I had his person seene elsewhere,


s: That wont full merrilie to pipe and daunce,


s: And fill with pleasance every wood and plaine.


s: Yet halfe in doubt, because of his disguize,


s: Then, turning back, he saide, with hollow sound,


s: "Who is it that dooth name me, wofull thrall,


s: The wretchedst man that treads this day on ground?"


s: "One whom like wofulnesse, impressed deepe,


s: Hath made fit mate thy wretched case to heare,


s: And given like cause with thee to waile and wepe;


s: Griefe finds some ease by him that like does beare.


s: Then stay, Alcyon, gentle shepheard! stay,"


s: Quoth I, "till thou have to my trustie eare


s: Committed what thee dooth so ill apay*."


s: "Cease, foolish man!" saide he halfe wrothfully,


s: "To seeke to heare that which cannot be told;


s: For the huge anguish, which doeth multiply


s: My dying paines, no tongue can well unfold;


s: My hard mishap, or any weepe that would,


s: But seeke alone to weepe, and dye alone."


s: "Then be it so," quoth I, "that thou are bent


s: To tell the cause which thee thereto constrained,


s: Least that the world thee dead accuse of guilt,


s: And say, when thou of none shall be maintained,


s: That thou for secret crime thy blood hast spilt."


s: "Who life does loath, and longs to be unbound


s: From the strong shackles of fraile flesh," quoth he,


s: "Nought cares at all what they that live on ground


s: For harts deep sorrow hates both life and light.


s: "Yet since so much thou seemst to rue my griefe,


s: And car'st for one that for himselfe cares nought,


s: (Sign of thy love, though nought for my reliefe,


s: For my reliefe exceedeth living thought,)


s: Then harken well till it to end be brought,


s: For never didst thou heare more haplesse fate.


s: "Whilome I usde (as thou right well doest know)


s: My little flocke on westerns downes to keep,


s: Not far from whence Sabrinaes streame doth flow,


s: And flowrie bancks with silver liquor steepe;


s: Nought carde I then for worldly change or chaunce,


s: "It there befell, as I the fields did range


s: Fearlesse and free, a faire young Lionesse,


s: White as the native rose before the chaunge


s: Which Venus blood did in her leaves impresse,


s: Her youthfull sports and kindlie wantonnesse,


s: That did all other beasts in beawtie staine.


s: Whose like before mine eye had seldome seene,


s: And gan to cast how I her compasse might,


s: And bring to hand that yet had never beene:


s: So well I wrought with mildnes and with paine,


s: That I her caught disporting on the greene,


s: And brought away fast bound with silver chaine.


s: "And afterwardes I handled her so fayre,


s: That though by kind shee stout and salvage were,


s: For being borne an auncient lions hayre,


s: And of the race that all wild beastes do feare,


s: Yet I her fram'd, and wan so to my bent,


s: That shee became so meeke and milde of cheare


s: As the least lamb in all my flock that went.


s: "For shee in field, where-ever I did wend,


s: Would wend with me, and waite by me all day;


s: And all the night that I in watch did spend,


s: If cause requir'd, or els in sleepe, if nay,


s: Shee would all night by me or watch or sleepe;


s: She of my flock would take full warie keepe*.


s: "Safe then, and safest, were my sillie sheepe,


s: Ne fear'd the wolfe, ne fear'd the wildest beast,


s: All* were I drown'd in carelesse quiet deepe:


s: So careful was for them and for my good,


s: That when I waked, neither most nor least


s: I found miscarried, or in plaine or wood.


s: "Oft did the shepheards which my hap did heare,


s: And oft their lasses, which my luck envyde,


s: Daylie resort to me from farre and neare,


s: Were spred abroad; and when her worthinesse


s: Much greater than the rude report they tryde*,


s: They her did praise, and my good fortune blesse.


s: And well did hope my ioy would have no end;


s: But oh! fond man! that in worlds ficklenesse


s: Reposedst hope, or weenedst Her thy frend


s: And daylie doth her changefull counsels bend


s: "For whilest I was thus without dread or dout,


s: Greedie of mischiefe, ranging all about,


s: Gave her the fatall wound of deadly smart,


s: And reft from me my love, my life, my hart:


s: "Out of the world thus was she reft away,


s: Out of the world, unworthy such a spoyle,


s: And borne to heaven, for heaven a fitter pray;


s: Much fitter then the lyon which with toyle


s: Her now I seeke throughout this earthly soyle,


s: And seeking misse, and missing doe lament."


s: Therewith he gan afresh to waile and weepe,


s: Could not abstain mine eyes with teares to steepe;


s: But when I saw the anguish of his spright


s: "Certes, Alcyon, painfull is thy plight,


s: That it in me breeds almost equall paine,


s: "Yet doth not my dull wit well understand


s: For rare it seemes in reason to be skand,


s: That man, who doth the whole worlds rule possesse,


s: Should to a beast his noble hart embase,


s: Therefore more plain areade* this doubtfull case."


s: Then sighing sore, "Daphne thou knew'st," quoth he;


s: "She now is dead": no more endur'd to say,


s: But fell to ground for great extremitie;


s: Was much apald, and, lightly him uprearing,


s: Revoked life, that would have fled away,


s: All were my selfe through grief in deadly drearing*.


s: And with milde counsaile strove to mitigate


s: The stormie passion of his troubled brest;


s: As stubborne steed that is with curb restrained


s: Becomes more fierce and fervent in his gate,


s: And, breaking foorth at last, thus dearnely* plained:


s: "What man henceforth that breatheth vitall aire


s: Will honour Heaven, or heavenly powers adore,


s: Which so uniustly doth their iudgements share


s: Mongst earthly wights, as to afflict so sore


s: The innocent as those which do transgresse,


s: And doe not spare the best or fairest more


s: Than worst or foulest, but doe both oppresse?


s: "If this be right, why did they then create


s: The world so faire, sith fairenesse is neglected?


s: If purest things be not by them respected?


s: She faire, she pure, most faire, most pure she was,


s: Yet was by them as thing impure reiected;


s: Yet she in purenesse heaven it self did pas.


s: "In purenesse, and in all celestiall grace


s: She did excell, and seem'd of angels race,


s: Living on earth like angell new divinde*,


s: Adorn'd with wisedome and with chastitie,


s: Which did her beautie much more beautifie.


s: "No age hath bred (since faire Astræa left


s: The sinfull world) more vertue in a wight;


s: And, when she parted hence, with her she reft


s: Great hope, and robd her race of bounty* quight.


s: Well may the shepheard lasses now lament;


s: For doubble losse by her hath on them light,


s: To loose both her and bounties ornament.


s: For she hath praises in all plenteousnesse


s: Powr'd upon her, like showers of Castaly,


s: By her owne shepheard, Colin, her own shepheard,


s: That her with heavenly hymnes doth deifie,


s: Of rusticke Muse full hardly to be betterd.


s: And mine the primrose in the lowly shade:


s: Mine? ah, not mine! amisse I mine did say:


s: Not mine, but His which mine awhile her made;


s: Mine to be-his, with him to live for ay.


s: O that so faire a flowre so soon should fade,


s: "She fell away in her first ages spring,


s: Whilst yet her leafe was greene, and fresh her rinde;


s: And whilst her braunch faire blossomes foorth did bring,


s: She fell away against all course of kinde*.


s: For age to dye is right, but youth is wrong;


s: She fell away like fruit blowne down with winde.


s: Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong**.


s: "What hart so stonie hard but that would weepe.


s: And poure forth fountaines of incessant teares?


s: What Timon but would let compassion creepe


s: Into his breast, and pierce his frosen eares?


s: In stead of teares, whose brackish bitter well


s: I wasted have, my heart bloud dropping weares,


s: To think to ground how that faire blossome fell.


s: "Yet fell she not as one enforst to dye,


s: Ne dyde with dread and grudging discontent,


s: But as one toyld with travell downe doth lye,


s: So lay she downe, as if to sleepe she went,


s: And closde her eyes with carelesse quietriesse;


s: The whiles soft death away her spirit hent*,


s: And soule assoyld** from sinfull fleshlinesse.


s: "Yet ere that life her lodging did forsake,


s: She, all resolv'd, and readie to remove,


s: Calling to me (ay me!) this wise bespake;


s: Ah! why does my Alcyon weepe and mourne,


s: And grieve my ghost, that ill mote him behove,


s: As if to me had chaunst some evill tourne!


s: "'I, since the messenger is come for mee


s: That summons soules unto the bridale feast


s: Of his great Lord, must needs depart from thee,


s: And straight obay his soveraine beheast;


s: And freed from wretched long imprisonment!


s: "'Our daies are full of dolour and disease.


s: Our life afflicted with incessant paine,


s: That nought on earth may lessen or appease;


s: Why then should I desire here to remaine!


s: Or why should he that loves me sorrie bee


s: My good to heare, and toward* ioyes to see!


s: Whereas* no worlds sad care nor wasting woe


s: But saints and angels in celestiall thrones


s: Eternally Him praise that hath them blest;


s: There shall I be amongst those blessed ones.


s: "'Yet, ere I goe, a pledge I leave with thee


s: Of the late love the which betwixt us past;


s: Love her; so shall our love for ever last.


s: Thus, deare! adieu, whom I expect ere long.'--


s: Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make mine undersong.


s: "So oft as I record those piercing words,


s: Which yet are deepe engraven in my brest,


s: And those last deadly accents, which like swords


s: Did wound my heart and rend my bleeding chest,


s: With those sweet sugred speeches doe compare


s: The which my soul first conquerd and possest,


s: The first beginners of my endlesse care,


s: "And when those pallid cheekes and ashe hew,


s: In which sad Death his pourtraiture had writ,


s: And when those hollow eyes and deadly view,


s: On which the cloud of ghastly night did sit,


s: I match, with that sweete smile and chearful brow,


s: How happie was I then, and wretched now!