Hero and Leander Begun by Christopher Marloe; and Finished by George Chapman

HEROAND LEANDER:

byChristopher Marloe;and finiſhedby GeorgeChapman.

Nectar, Ingenium.At London.Printed by FelixKingston,for PauleLinley,andare to be ſold in Paules Church-yard, at the ſigne of theBlack-beare. 1598.

the Right Worſhipfull, Sir Thomas Walſingham, Knight.

we thinke not our ſelues diſcharged of the dutie we owe to ourfriend, when we haue brought the breathles bodie to the earth : foralbeit the eye there taketh his euer farwell of that beloued obiect,yet the impreſſion of the man, that hath beene deare vnto vs,liuing an after life in our memorie, there putteth vs in mind offarther obſequies due vnto the deceaſed. And namely of theperformance of what ſoeuer we may iudge ſhal make to his liuingcredit, and to the effecting of his determinations preuented by theſtroke of death. By theſe meditations (as by an intellectuall will)I ſuppoſe my ſelfe executor to the vnhappily deceaſed author ofthis Poem, vpon whom knowing that in his life time you bestowed manykind fauors, entertaining the parts of reckoning and woorth which youfound in him, with good countenance and liberall affection: I cannotbut ſee ſo far into the will of him dead, that whatſoeuer iſſueof his brain ſhould chance to come abroad, that the firſt breath itſhould take might be the gentle aire of your liking: for ſince hisſelfe had ben accustomed therunto, it would proue more agreeable andthriuing to his right children, than any other foſter countenancewhat ſoeuer. At this time ſeeing that this vnfiniſhed Tragedyhappens vnder my hands to be imprinted; of a double duty, the one toyour ſelfe, the other to the diseaſed, I preſent the ſame to yourmoſt fauourable allowance, offring my vtmoſt ſelfe now and euer tobe readie, at your VVorſhips diſpoſing:

B.

and Leander.

deſcriptionand her Loues,

Phane of Venus;where he moues

worthie Loute-ſuite, and attaines;

bliſſe the wrath of Fates restraines,

Cupidsgrace to Mercurie,

tale the Author doth implie.

Hellespontguiltie of True-loues blood,
In view and oppoſit two cittiesſtood,
Seaborders, diſioin’d by Neptunesmight:
Theone Abydos,the other Sestoshight.
AtSestos,Herodwelt; Herothe faire,
Whom young Apollocourted for her haire,
And offred as a dower his burningthrone,
Where ſhe ſhould ſit for men to gaze vpon.
Theoutſide of her garments were of lawne,
The lining, purpleſilke, with guilte ſtarres drawne,
Her wide ſleeues greene,and bordered with a groue,
Where Venusinher naked glory ſtroue,
To pleaſe the careleſſe anddiſdainfull eies,
Of proud Adonisthatbefore her lies.
Her kirtle blew, whereon was many aſtaine,
Made with the blood of wretched Louers ſlaine.
Vponher head ſhe ware a myrtle wreath,
From whence her vaile reachtto the ground beneath.
Her vaile was artificiall flowers andleaues,
Whoſe workmanſhip both man and beaſt deceaues.
Manywould praiſe the ſweet ſmell as ſhe paſt,
When t’was theodour which her breath foorth caſt.
And there for honie, Beeshaue ſought in vaine,
And beat from thence, haue lighted thereagaine.
About her necke hung chaines of peble ſtone,
Whichlightned by her necke, like Diamonds ſhone.
She ware no gloues,for neither ſunne nor wind
Would burne or parch her hands, butto her minde,
Or warme or coole them, for they tooke delite
Toplay vpon thoſe hands, they were ſo white.
Buskins of ſhelsall ſiluered, vſed ſhe,
And brancht with bluſhing corall tothe knee;
Where ſparrowes pearcht, of hollow pearle andgold,
Such as the world would woonder to behold:
Thoſewith ſweet water oft her handmaid fils,
Which as ſhe wentwould cherupe through the bils.
Some ſay, for her the faireſtCupidpyn’d,
And looking in her face, was ſtrooken blind.
Butthis is true, ſo like was one the other,
As he imagyn’d Herowas his mother.
And oftentimes into her boſome flew,
Abouther naked necke his bare armes threw.
And laid his childiſhhead vpon her breſt,
And with ſtill panting rocke, there tookehis reſt.
So louely faire was Hero,Venus Nun,
Asnature wept, thinking ſhe was vndone;
Becauſe ſhe tooke morefrom her than ſhe left,
And of ſuch wondrous beautie herbereft:
Therefore in ſigne her treaſure ſuffred wracke,
SinceHeroestime,hath halfe the world beene blacke.
Amorous Leander,beautifull and yoong,
(Whoſe tragedie diuine Muſæusſoong)
Dweltat Abydus,ſince him, dwelt there none,
For whom ſucceeding times makegreater mone.
His dangling treſſes that were neuer ſhorne,
Hadthey beene cut, and vnto Colchosborne,
Wouldhaue allu’rd the vent’rous youth of Greece,
Tohazard more, than for the golden Fleece.
Faire Cinthiawiſht, his armes might be her ſpheare,
Greefe makes her pale,becauſe ſhe mooues not there.
His bodie was as ſtraight asCirceswand,
Iouemight haue ſipt out Nectarfrom his hand.
Euen as delicious meat is to the taſt,
Sowas his necke in touching, and ſurpaſt
The white of Pelopsſhoulder,I could tell ye,
How ſmooth his breſt was, & how white hisbellie,
And whoſe immortall fingers did imprint,
Thatheauenly path, with many a curious dint,
That runs along hisbacke, but my rude pen,
Can hardly blazon foorth the loues ofmen.
Much leſſe of powerfull gods, let it ſuffiſe,
Thatmy ſlacke muſe, ſings of Leanderseies.
Thoſeorient cheekes and lippes, exceeding his
That leapt into thewater for a kis
Of his owne ſhadow, and deſpiſing many,
Diedere he could enioy the loue of any.
Had wilde HippolitusLeanderſeene,
Enamoured of his beautie had he beene,
His preſencemade the rudeſt paiſant melt,
That in the vaſt vplandiſhcountrie dwelt,
The barbarous Thracianſoldier moou’d with nought,
Was moou’d with him, and forhis fauour ſought.
Some ſwore he was a maide in mansattire,
For in his lookes were all that men deſire,
Apleaſant ſmiling cheeke, a ſpeaking eie,
A brow for loue tobanquet royallie,
And ſuch as knew he was a man wouldſay,
Leander,thou art made for amorous play:
Why art thou not in loue, andlou’d of all?
Though thou be faire, yet be not thine ownethrall.
 The men of wealthie Sestos,euerie yeare,
(For his ſake whom their goddeſſe held ſodeare,
Roſe-cheekt Adonis)kept a ſolemne feaſt,
Thither reſorted many a wandringgueſt,
To meet their loues; ſuch as had none at all,
Camelouers home, from this great feſtiuall.
For euerie ſtreet liketo a Firmament
Gliſtered with breathing ſtars, who where theywent,
Frighted the melancholie earth, which deem’d,
Eternallheauen to burne, for ſo it ſeem’d,
As if another Phaetonhad got
The guidance of the ſunnes rich chariot.
But faraboue, the louelieſt Heroſhin’d,
And ſtole away th’inchaunted gazers mind,
Forlike Sea-nimphs inueigling harmony,
So was her beautie to theſtanders by.
Nor that night-wandring pale and watrieſtarre,
(When yawning dragons draw her thirling carre,
FromLatmusmountvp to the glomie ſkie,
Where crown’d with blazing light andmaieſtie,
She proudly ſits) more ouer-rules the flood,
Thanſhe the hearts of thoſe that neere her ſtood.
Euen as, whengawdie Nymphs purſue the chace,
Wretched Ixionsſhaggiefooted race,
Incenſt with ſauage heat, gallop amaine,
Fromſteepe Pine-bearing mountains to the plaine:
So ran the peoplefoorth to gaze vpon her,
And all that view’d her, wereenamour’d on her.
And as in furie of a dreadfull fight,
Theirfellowes being ſlaine or put to flight,
Poore ſoldiers ſtandwith feare of death dead ſtrookẽ,
So at her preſence allſurpriſdw and tooken,
Await the ſentence of her ſcornefulleies:
He whom ſhe fauours liues, the other dies.
Theremight you ſee one ſigh, another rage,
And ſome (their violentpaſsions to aſſwage)
Compile ſharpe ſatyrs, but alas toolate,
For faithfull loue will neuer turne to hate.
And manyſeeing great princes were denied,
Pyn’d as they went, andthinking on her died.
On this feaſt day, O curſed day andhower,
Went Herothorow Sestos,from her tower
To Venustemple,where vnhappilye,
As after chanc’d, they did each otherſpie,
So faire a Church as this, had Venusnone,
Thewals were of diſcoloured Iaſperſtone,
Whereinwas Proteuscaru’d,and ouer head
A liuely vine of greene ſea agget ſpread;
Whereby one hand, light headed Bacchushung,
Andwith the other, wine from grapes out wrung.
Of Chriſtallſhining faire, the pauement was,
The towne of Sestos,calde it Venusglaſſe,
Theremight you ſee the gods in ſundrie ſhapes,
Committing headdieryots, inceſt, rapes:
For know, that vnderneath this radiantflowre,
Was Danaesſtatuein a brazen towre,
Ioue,ſlylie ſtealing from his ſiſters bed,
To dallie with IdalianGanimed:
Andfor his loue Europa,bellowing lowd,
And tumbling with the Rainbow in aclowd,
Blood-quaffing Mars,heauing the yron net,
Which limping Vulcanand his Cyclopsſet:
Louekindling fire, to burne ſuch townes as Troy,
Syluanusweepingfor the louely boy
That now is turn’d into a Cyprestree,
Vnderwhoſe ſhade the Wood-gods loue to bee,
And in the midſt aſiluer altar ſtood,
There Heroſacrificing turtles blood,
Taild to the ground, vailing hereie-lids cloſe,
And modeſtly they opened as ſhe roſe:
Thenceflew Loues arrow with the golden head,
And thus Leanderwas enamoured.
Stone ſtill he ſtood, and euermore hegazed,
Till with the fire that from his countnanceblazed,
Relenting Hero’sgentleheart was ſtrooke,
Suchforce and vertue hath an amorous looke.
 It lies not in our power to loue, or hate,
For will in vs isouer-rulde by fate.
When two are ſtript long ere the courſebegin,
We wiſh that one ſhould loſe, the other win.
Andone eſpecially doe we affect,
Of two gold Ingots like in eachreſpect,
The reaſon no man knowes, let it ſuffiſe,
Whatwe behold is cenſur’d by our eies.
Where both deliberat, theloue is ſlight,
Who euer lou’d, that lou’d not at firſtſight?
 He kneel’d, but vnto her devoutly praid;
ChaſtHeroto her ſelfe thus ſoftly ſaid:
Were I the ſaint he worſhips,I would heare him,
And as ſhee ſpake thoſe words, cameſomewhat neere him.
He ſtarted vp, ſhe bluſht as oneaſham’d;
Wherewith Leandermuch more was inflam’d.
He toucht her hand, in touching it ſhetrembled,
Louedeepely grounded, hardly is diſſembled,
Theſelouers parled by the touch of hands,
True loue is mute, and oftamazed ſtands,
Thus¹while dum ſigns their yeelding harts entangled,
The aire withſparkes of liuing fire was ſpangled,

night deepe drencht in myſtie Acheron,
Heau’dvp her head, and halfe the world vpon,
Breath’d darkeneſſeforth (darke night is Cupidsday)
Andnow begins Leanderto diſplay
Loues holy fire, with words, with ſighs andteares,
Which like ſweet muſicke entred Heroeseares,
Andyet at euerie word ſhee turn’d aſide,
And alwaies cut himoff as he replide,
At laſt, like to a bold ſharpeSophiſter,
With chearefull hope thus he accoſted her.
  Faire creature, let me ſpeake without offence,
I would my rudewords had the influence,
To lead thy thoughts, as thy fairelookes doe mine,
Then ſhouldſt thou bee his priſoner who isthine.
Be not vnkind and faire, miſhapen ſtuffe
Are ofbehauior boiſterous and ruffe.
O ſhun me not, but heare me ereyou goe,
God knowes I cannot force loue, as you doe.
Mywords ſhall be as ſpotleſſe as my youth,
Full of ſimplicitieand naked truth.
This ſacrifice (whoſe ſweet perfumedeſcending,
From Venusaltarto your footſteps bending)
Doth teſtifie that you exceed herfarre,
To whom you offer, and whoſe Nunne you are,
Whyſhould you worſhip her, her you ſurpaſſe,
As much asſparkling Diamonds flaring glaſſe.
A Diamond ſet in lead hisworth retaines,
A heauenly Nimph, belov’d of humaneſwaines,
Receiues no blemiſh, but oft-times more grace,
Whichmakes me hope, although I am but baſe,
Baſe in reſpect ofthee, diuine and pure,
Dutifull ſeruice may thy loueprocure,
And I in dutie will excell all other,
As thou inbeautie doeſt exceed loues mother.
Nor heauen, nor thou, weremade to gaze vpon,
As heauen preſerues all things, ſo ſauethou one.
A ſtately builded ſhip, well rig’d and tall,
TheOcean maketh more maieſticall:
Why voweſt thou then to liue inSestoshere,
Whoon Loues ſeas more glorious wouldſt appeere?
Like vntun’dgolden ſtrings all women are,
Which long time lie vntoucht,will harſhly iarre.
Veſſels of Braſſe oft handled, brightlyſhine,
What difference betwixt the richeſt mine
Andbaſeſt mold, but vſe? for both not vsde,
Are of like worth.Then treaſure is abuſde,
When miſers keep it; being put tolone,
In time it will returne vs two for one.
Rich robes,themſelues and others doe adorne,
Neither themſelues norothers, if not worne.
Who builds a pallace and rams vp thegate,
Shall ſee it ruinous and deſolate.
Ah ſimple Hero,learne thy ſelfe to cheriſh,
Loue women like to emptie houſesperiſh.
Leſſe ſince the poore rich man that ſtarueshimſelfe,
In heaping vp a maſſe of droſsie pelfe,
Thanſuch as you: his golden earth remains,
Which after hisdiſceaſſe ſome other gains.
But this faire iem, ſweet, inthe loſſe alone,
When you fleet hence, can be bequeath’d tonone.
Or if it could, downe from th’enameld skie,
Allheauen would come to claime this legacie,
And with inteſtinebroyles the world deſtroy,
And quite confound natures ſweetharmony.
Well therefore by the gods decreed it is,
Wehumane creatures ſhould enioy that blis.
One is no number,mayds are nothing then,
Without the ſweet ſocietie ofmen.
Wilt thou liue ſingle ſtill? one ſhalt thou bee,
Thoughneuer-ſingling Hymencouple thee.
Wild ſauages, that drinke of runningſprings,
Thinke water farre excels all earthly things:
Butthey that dayly taſte neat wine, deſpiſe it.
Virginitie,albeit ſome highly priſe it,
Compar’d with mariage, had youtride them both,
Differs as much, as wine and water doth.
Baſeboullion for the ſtampes ſake we allow,
Euen ſo for mensimpreſsion doe we you.
By which alone, our reuerend fathersſay;
Women receiue perfection euery way.
This idoll whichyou terme Virginitie,
Is neither eſſence ſubiect to theeie,
No, nor to any one exterior ſence,
Nor hath it anyplace of reſidence,
Nor is’t of earth or mold celeſtiall,
Orcapable of any forme at all.
Of that which hath no being, doenot boaſt,
Things that are not at all, are neuer loſt.
Menfooliſhly doe call it vertuous;
What vertue is it, that isborne with vs?
Much leſſe can honour bee aſcrib’dthereto,
Honour is purchas’d by the deedes wee do.
Beleeueme, Hero,honour is not wone,
Vntill ſome honourable deed be done.
Seekeyou for chaſtitie, immortall fame,
And know that ſome hauewrong’d Dianasname?
Whoſename is it, if ſhe be falſe or not,
So ſhe be faire, but ſomevile toongs will blot?
But you are faire (aye me) ſo wondrousfaire,
So yong, ſo gentle, and ſo debonaire,
As Greecewill thinke, if thus you liue alone,
Some one or other keepesyou as his owne.
Then Herohate me not, nor from me flie,
To follow ſwiftly blaſtinginfamie.
Perhaps thy ſacred Prieſthood makes thee loath,
Tellme, to whom mad’ſt thou that heedleſſe oath?
 To Venus,anſwered ſhee, and as ſhee ſpake,
Foorth from thoſe twotralucent ceſternes brake,
A ſtreame of liquid pearle, whichdowne her face
Made milk-white paths, wheron the gods mighttrace
To Ioueshighcourt. Hee thus replide: The rites
In which Loues beauteousEmpreſſe moſt delites,
Are banquets, Dorick muſicke,midnight-reuell,
Plaies, masks, and all that ſterne agecounteth euill.
Thee as a holy Idiot doth ſhe ſcorne,
Forthou in vowing chaſtitie, hath ſworne
To rob her name andhonour, and thereby
Commit’ſt a ſinne far worſe thanperiurie.
Euen ſacrilege againſt her Dietie,
Throughregular and formall puritie.
To expiat which ſinne, kiſſe andſhake hands,
Such ſacrifice as this, Venusdemands.
  Thereat ſhe ſmilde, and did denie him ſo,
As put thereby,yet might he hope for mo.
Which makes him quickly re-enforce hisſpeech,
And her in humble maner thus beſeech.
 Thoughneither gods nor men may thee deſerue,
Yet for her ſake whomyou haue vow’d to ſerue,
Abandon fruitleſſe coldVirginitie,
The gentle queene of Loues ſole enemie.
Thenſhall you moſt reſemble VenusNun,
WhenVenusſweetrites are perform’d and dun,
Flint-breſted Pallasioyesin ſingle life,
But Pallasandyour miſtreſſe are at ſtrife.
Loue Herothen, and be not tyrannous,
But heale the heart, that thou haſtwounded thus,
Nor ſtaine thy youthfull years withauarice,
Faire fooles delight to be accounted nice.
Thericheſt corne dies, if it be not reapt,
Beautie alone is loſt,too warily kept.
Theſe arguments he vs’de, and manymore,
Wherewith ſhe yeelded, that was woon before,
Heroeslookesyeelded, but her words made warre,
Women are woon when theybegin to iarre.
Thus hauing ſwallow’d Cupidsgoldenhooke,
The more ſhe ſtriv’d, the deeper was ſheſtrooke.
Yet euilly faining anger, ſtroue ſhe ſtill,
Andwould be thought to graunt againſt her will.
So hauing paus’da while, at laſt ſhee ſaid:
Who taught thee Rhethoricke todeceiue a maid?
Aye me, ſuch words as theſe ſhould Iabhor,
And yet I like them for the Orator.
 With thatLeanderſtoopt, to haue imbrac’d her,
But from his ſpreading armesaway ſhe caſt her,
And thus beſpake him. Gentle youthforbeare
To touch the ſacred garments which I weare.
  Vpon a rocke, and vnderneath a hill,
Far from the towne (whereall is whiſt and ſtill,
Saue that the ſea playing on yellowſand,
Sends foorth a ratling murmure to the land,
Whoſeſound allures the golden Morpheus,
Inſilence of the night to viſite vs.)
My turret ſtands, andthere God knowes I play
With Venusſwannesand ſparrowes all the day,
A dwarfiſh beldame beares mecompanie,
That hops about the chamber where I lie,
Andſpends the night (that might be better ſpent)
In vainediſcourſe, and apiſh merriment.
Come thither; As ſhe ſpakethis, her toong tript,
For vnawares (Comethither)from her ſlipt,
And ſodainly her former colour chang’d,
Andhere and there her eies through anger rang’d.
And like aplanet, moouing ſeuerall waies,
At one ſelfe inſtant, thepoore ſoule aſſaies,
Louing, not to loue at all, and eueriepart,
Stroue to reſiſt the motions of her hart.
And handsſo pure, ſo innocent, nay ſuch,
As might haue made heauenſtoope to haue a touch,
Did ſhe vphold to Venus,and againe,
Vow’d ſpotleſſe chaſtitie, but all invaine,
Cupidbeats downe her praiers with his wings,
Her vowes aboue theemptie aire he flings:
All deepe enrag’d, his ſinowie bow hebent,
And ſhot a ſhaft that burning from him went,
Wherewithſhe ſtrooken, look’t ſo dolefully,
As made Loue ſigh, toſee his tirannie.
And as ſhe wept, her teares to pearle heturn’d,
And wound them on his arme, and for her mourn’d.
Thentowards the pallace of the deſtinies,
Laden with languiſhmentand griefe he flies.
And to thoſe ſterne nymphs humblie maderequeſt,
Both might enioy ech other, and be bleſt.
Butwith a ghaſtly dreadfull countenaunce,
Threatning a thouſanddeaths at euerie glaunce,
They anſwered Loue, nor wouldvouchſafe ſo much
As one poore word, their hate to him wasſuch.
Harken a while, and I will tell you why:
Heauenswinged herrald, Ioue-borneMercury,
Theſelfe-ſame day that he aſleepe had layd
Inchaunted Argus,ſpied a countrie mayd,
Whoſe careleſſe haire, in ſtead ofpearle t’adorne it,
Gliſt’red with deaw, as one that ſeem’dto ſkorne it:
Her breath as fragrant as the morning roſe,
Hermind pure, and her toong vntaught to gloſe.
Yet proud ſhe was,(for loftie pride that dwels
In tow’red courts, is oft inſheapheards cels.)
And too too well the faire vermilionknew,
And ſiluer tincture of her cheekes, that drew
Theloue of euerie ſwaine: On her this god
Enamoured was, and withhis ſnakie rod,
Did charme her nimble feet, and made herſtay,
The while vpon a hillocke downe he lay,
And ſweetlyon his pipe began to play,
And with ſmooth ſpeech, her fancieto aſſay,
Till in his twining armes he lockt her faſt,
Andthen he woo’d with kiſſes, and at laſt,
As ſheap-heardsdo, her on the ground hee layd,
And tumbling in the graſſe, heoften ſtrayd
Beyond the bounds of ſhame, in being bold
Toeie thoſe parts, which no eie ſhould behold.
And like aninſolent commaunding louer,
Boaſting his parentage, wouldneeds diſcouer
The way to new Eliſium:but ſhe,
Whoſe only dower was her chaſtitie,
Hauingſtriu’ne in vaine, was now about to crie,
And craue the helpeof ſheap-heards that were nie.
Herewith he ſtayd his furie,and began
To giue her leaue to riſe, away ſhe ran,
Afterwent Mercurie,who vſde ſuch cunning,
As ſhe to heare his tale, left off herrunning.
Maids are not woon by brutiſh force and might,
Butſpeeches full of pleaſure and delight.
And knowing Hermescourtedher, was glad
That ſhe ſuch louelineſſe and beautie had
Ascould prouoke his liking, yet was mute,
And neither would denie,nor graunt his ſute.
Still vowd he loue, ſhe wanting noexcuſe
To feed him with delaies, as women vſe:
Orthirſting after immortalitie,
All women are ambitiousnaturallie,
Impoſde vpon her louer ſuch a taske,
As heought not performe, nor yet ſhe aske.
A draught of flowingNectar,ſhe requeſted,
Wherewith the king of Gods and men isfeaſted.
He readie to accompliſh what ſhe wil’d,
Stoleſome from Hebe(Hebe,Ioues cupfild,)
And gaue it to his ſimple ruſtike loue,
Whichbeing knowne (as what is hid from Ioue)
Heinly ſtorm’d, and waxt more furious,
Than for the fire filchtby Prometheus;
Andthruſts him down frõ heauen, he wandring heere,
In mournfulltearmes, with ſad and heauie cheere
Complaind to Cupid,Cupidfor his ſake,
To be reueng’d on Ioue,did vndertake,
And thoſe on whom heauen, earth, and hellrelies,
I mean the Adamantine Deſtinies,
He wounds withloue, and forſt them equallie,
To dote vpon deceitfullMercurie.
Theyoffred him the deadly fatall knife,
That ſheares the ſlenderthreads of humane life,
At his faire feathered feet, the enginslayd,
Which th’earth from ugly Chaosdenvp-wayd:
Theſe he regarded not, but did intreat,
ThatIoue, vſurper of his fathers ſeat,
Might preſently be baniſhtinto hell,
And aged Saturnein Olympusdwell.
Theygranted wat he crau’d, and once againe,
Saturneand Ops,began their golden raigne.
Murder, rape, warre, luſt andtrecherie,
Were with Ioueclos’d in StigianEmperie.
But long this bleſſed time continued not,
Asſoone as he his wiſhed purpoſe got;
He reckleſſe of hispromiſe, did deſpiſe
The loue of th’euerlaſtingDeſtinies.
They ſeeing it, both Loue and him abhor’d,
AndIupitervnto his place reſtor’d.
And but that Learning, in deſpightof Fate,
Will mount aloft, and enter heauen gate,
And tothe ſeat of Ioueit ſelfe aduance,
Hermeshadſlept in hell with ignoraunce.
Yet as a puniſhment they addedthis,
That he and Pouertieſhould alwaies kis.
And to this day is euerie ſchollerpoore,
Groſſe gold, from them runs headlong to theboore.
Likewiſe the angrie ſiſters thus deluded,
Tovenge themſelues on Hermes,haue concluded
That Midasbroodſhall ſit in Honors chaire,
To which the Muſesſonnesare only heire:
And fruitfull wits that in aſpiring are,
Shalldiſcontent, run into regions farre;
And few great lords invertuous deeds ſhall ioy,
But be ſurpris’d with euery gariſhtoy.
And ſtill inrich the loftie ſeruile clowne,
Who withincroching guile, keepes learning downe.
Then muſe not, Cupidsſuteno better ſped,
Seeing in their loues the Fates were iniured.

end of the firſt Sestyad.

ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND SESTYAD.

oflouve takes deeper ſence

doth her loue more recompence.

firſt nights meeting, where ſweet kiſſes

th’only crownes of both their bliſſes.

ſwims t’Abydus,and returnes;

Neptunewithhis beautie burnes,

ſuite he ſhuns, and doth aſpire

fairetowre, and his deſire.

this, ſad Hero,with loue vnacquainted,
Viewing Leandersface,fell downe and fainted.
He kiſt her, and breath’d life intoher lips,
Wherewith as one diſpleaſde, away ſhe trips.
Yetas ſhe went, full often lookt behinde,
And many poore excuſesdid ſhe finde,
To linger by the way, and once ſhe ſtayd,
Andwould haue turnde againe, but was afraid,
In offring parlie, tobe counted light.
So on ſhe goes, and in her idle flight,
Herpainted fanne of curled plumes let fall,
Thinking to traineLeandertherewithall.
He being a nouice, knew not what ſhe meant,
Butſtayd, and after her a letter ſent.
Which ioyfull Heroanſwerd in ſuch ſort,
As he had hope to ſcale the beauteousfort,
Wherein the liberall graces lock’d their wealth,
Andtherefore to her tower he got by ſtealth.
Wide open ſtood thedoore, hee need not clime,
And ſhe her ſelfe before thepointed time,
Had ſpread the boord, with roſes ſtrowed theroome,
And oft look’t out, and mus’d he did not come.
Atlaſt he came, O who can tell the greeting,
Theſe greedielouers had, at their firſt meeting.
He askt, ſhe gaue, andnothing was denied,
Both to each other quickly wereaffied.
Looke how their hands, ſo were their hearts vnited,
Andwhat he did, ſhe willingly requited.
(Sweet are the kiſſes,the imbracements ſweet,
When like deſires and affectionsmeet,
For from the earth to heauen, is Cupidrais’d,
Where fancie is in equall ballance pais’d)
Yetſhe this raſhneſſe ſodainly repented,
And turn’d aſide,and to her ſelfe lamented.
As if her name and honour had beenwrong’d,
By being poſſeſt of him for whom ſhe long’d:
I,and ſhee wiſht, albeit not from her hart,
That he would leaueher turret and depart.
The mirthfull God of amorous pleaſureſmil’d,
To ſee how he this captiue Nymph beguil’d.
Forhitherto hee did but fan the fier,
And kept it downe that itmight mount the hier.
Now waxt ſhe iealous, leaſt his loueabated,
Fearing, her owne thoughts made her to behated.
Therefore vnto him haſtily ſhe goes,
And likelight Salmacis,her body throes
Vpon his boſome, where with yeelding eyes,
Sheoffers vp her ſelfe a ſacrifice,
To ſlake his anger, if hewere diſpleas’d,
O what god would not therewith beappeas’d?
Like Æſopscocke,this iewell he enioyed,
And as a brother with his ſiſtertoyed,
Suppoſing nothing elſe was to be done,
Now he herfauour and good will had wone.
But know you not that creatureswanting ſence,
By nature haue a mutuall appetence,
Andwanting organs to aduaunce a ſtep,
Mou’d by Loues force, vntoech other lep?
Much more in ſubiects hauing intellect,
Somehidden influence breeds like effect.
Albeit Leanderrude in loue, and raw,
Long dallying with Hero,nothing ſaw
That might delight him more, yet he ſuſpected
Someamorous rites or other were neglected.
Therefore vnto his bodie,hirs he clung,
She, fearing on the ruſhes to be flung,
Striu’dwith redoubled ſtrength, the more ſhe ſtriued,
The more agentle pleaſing heat reuiued,
Which taught him all that elderlouers know,
And now the ſame gan ſo to ſcorch and glow,
Asin plaine termes (yet cunningly) he crau’d it,
Loue alwaiesmakes thoſe eloquent that haue it.
Shee, with a kind ofgraunting, put him by it,
And euer as he thought himſelfe moſtnigh it,
Like to the tree of Tantalusſhefled,
And ſeeming lauiſh, ſau’de her maydenhead.
Ne’reking more ſought to keepe his diademe,
Than Herothis ineſtimable gemme.
Aboue our life we loue a ſtedfaſtfriend,
Yet when a token of great worth we ſend,
We oftenkiſſe it, often looke thereon,
And ſtay the meſſenger thatwould be gon:
No maruell then, though Herowould not yeeld
So ſoone to part from that ſhe deerelyheld.
Iewels being loſt are found againe, this neuer,
Tisloſt but once, and once loſt, loſt for euer.
 Now had themorne eſpy’de her louers ſteeds,
Whereat ſhe ſtarts, putson her purple weeds,
And red for anger that he ſtayd ſolong,
All headlong throwes her ſelfe the clouds among,
Andnow Leanderfearing to be miſt,
Imbraſt her ſodainly, tooke leaue, andkiſt,
Long was he taking leaue, and loath to go,
And kiſtagaine, as louers vſe to do,
Sad Herowroong him by the hand, and wept,
Saying, let your vowes andpromiſes be kept.
Then ſtanding at the doore, ſhe turndabout,
As loath to ſee Leandergoing out.
And now the ſunne that through th’orizonpeepes,
As pittying theſe louers, downeward creepes.
Sothat in ſilence of the cloudie night,
Though it was morning,did he take his flight.
But what the ſecret truſtie nightconceal’d,
Leandersamoroushabit ſoone reueal’d,
With Cupidsmyrtlewas his bonet crownd,
About his armes the purple ribandwound,
Wherewith ſhe wreth’d her largely ſpreadingheare,
Nor could the youth abſtaine, but he muſt weare
Theſacred ring wherewith ſhe was endow’d,
When firſt religiouschaſtitie ſhe vow’d:
Which made his loue through Seſtostobe knowne,
And thence vnto Abydusſoonerblowne,
Than he could ſaile, for incorporall Fame,
Whoſewaight conſiſts in nothing but her name,
Is ſwifter than thewind, whoſe tardie plumes,
Are reeking water, and dull earthliefumes.
Home when he came, he ſeem’d not to be there,
Butlike exiled aire thruſt from his ſphere,
Set in a forrenplace, and ſtraight from thence,
Alcideslike,by mightie violence,
He would haue chac’d away the ſwellingmaine,
That him from her vniuſtly did detaine.
Like as theſunne in a Dyameter,
Fires and inflames obiects remoouedfarre,
And heateth kindly, ſhining lat’rally;
Sobeautie, ſweetly quickens when t’is ny,
But being ſeparatedand remooued,
Burnes where it cheriſht, murders where itloued.
Therefore euen as an Index to a booke,
So to hismind was yoong Leanderslooke.
Onone but gods haue power their loue to hide,
Affection by thecount’nance is deſcride.
The light of hidden fire it ſelfediſcouers,
And loue that is conceal’d, betraies poorelouers.
His ſecret flame apparently was ſeene,
LeandersFatherknew where he had beene,
And for the ſame mildly rebuk’t hisſonne,
Thinking to quench the ſparckles new begonne.
Butloue reſiſted once, growes paſſionate,
And nothing more thancounſaile, louers hate.
For as a hote prowd horſe highlydiſdaines,
To haue his head control’d, but breakes theraines,
Spits foorth the ringled bit, and with hishoues,
Checkes the ſubmiſsiue ground: ſo hee that loues,
Themore he is reſtrain’d, the woorſe he fares,
What is it now,but mad Leanderdares?
O Hero,Hero,thus he cry’de full oft,
And then he got him to a rockealoft.
Where hauing ſpy’de her tower, long ſtar’d heon’t,
And pray’d the narrow toyling Helleſpont,
Topart in twaine, that hee might come and go,
But ſtill theriſing billowes anſwered no.
With that hee ſtript him to theyu’rie skin,
And crying, Loue I come, leapt liuely in.
Whereatthe ſaphir viſag’d god grew prowd,
And made his capringTritonſound alowd,
Imagining, that Ganimeddiſpleas’d,
Had left the heauens, therefore on him heeſeaz’d.
Leanderſtriu’d, the waues about him wound,
And puld him to thebottome, where the ground
Was ſtrewd with pearle, and in lowcorrall groues,
Sweet ſinging Meremaids, ſported with theirloues
On heapes of heauie gold, and tooke great pleaſure,
Toſpurne in careleſſe ſort, the ſhipwracke treaſure.
Forhere the ſtately azure pallace ſtood,
Where kingly Neptuneand his traine abode,
The luſtie god imbra’ſt him, cald himloue,
And ſwore he neuer ſhould return to Ioue.
But whenhe knew it was not Ganimed,
Forvnderwater he was almoſt dead,
He heau’d him vp, and lookingon his face,
Beat downe the bold waues with his triplemace,
Which mounted vp, intending to haue kiſt him,
Andfell in drops like teares, becauſe they miſt him.
Leanderbeing vp, began to ſwim,
And looking backe, ſaw Neptunefollow him.
Whereat agaſt, the poore ſoule gan to crie,
Olet mee viſite Heroere I die.
The god put Hellesbraceleton his arme,
And ſwore the ſea ſhould neuer doe him harme.
Heclapt his plumpe cheekes, with his treſſes playd,
And ſmilingwantonly, his loue bewrayd.
He watcht his armes, and as theyopend wide,
At euery ſtroke, betwixt them would he ſlide,
Andſteale a kiſſe, and then run out and daunce,
And as he turnd,caſt many a luſtfull glaunce,
And threw him gawdie toies topleaſe his eie,
And diue into the water, and there prie
Vponhis breſt, his thighs, and euerie lim,
And vp againe, and cloſebeſide him ſwim.
And talke of loue: Leandermade replie,
You are deceau’d, I am no woman I,
Thereatſmilde Neptune,and then told a tale,
How that a ſhepheard ſitting in avale,
Playd with a boy ſo faire and kind,
As for his loue,both earth and heauen pyn’d;
That of the cooling riuer durſtnot drinke,
Leaſt water-nymphs ſhould pull him from thebrinke.
And when hee ſported in the fragrantlawnes,
Gote-footed Satyrs, and vp-ſtaring Fawnes,
Wouldſteale him thence. Ere halfe this tale was done,
Aye me,Leandercryde, th’enamoured ſunne,
That now ſhould ſhine on Thetisglaſsie bower,

vpon my radiant Heroestower.
Othat theſe tardie armes of mine were wings,
And as he ſpake,vpon the waues he ſprings.
Neptunewas angrie that hee gaue no eare,
And in his heart reuengingmalice bare:
He flung at him his mace, but as it went,
Hecald it in, for loue made him repent.
The mace returning backe,his owne hand hit,
As meaning to be veng’d for dartingit.
When this freſh bleeding wound Leanderviewd,
His colour went and came, as if he rewd
The greefewhich Neptunefelt. In gentle breſts,
Relenting thoughts, remorſe and pittiereſts.
And who haue hard harts, and obdurat minds,
Butvicious, harebraind, and illit’rat hinds?
The god ſeeing himwith pittie to be moued,
Thereon concluded that he wasbeloued.
(Loue is too full of faith, too credulous,
Withfollie and falſe hope deluding vs.)
Wherefore Leandersfancieto ſurprize,
To the rich Oceanfor gifts he flies.
Tis wiſedome to giue much, a giftpreuailes,
When deepe perſwading Oratorie failes.
By thisLeanderbeing neere the land,
Caſt downe his wearie feet, and felt theſand
Breathleſſe albeit he were, he reſted not,
Till tothe ſolitarie tower he got.
And knockt and cald, at whichceleſtiall noiſe,
The longing heart of Heromuch more ioies
Then nymphs & ſheapheards, when thetimbrell rings,
Or crooked Dolphin when the ſailer ſings;
Sheſtayd not for her robes, but ſtraight aroſe,
And drunke withgladneſſe, to the dore ſhe goes.
Where ſeeing a naked man,ſhe ſcriecht for feare,
Such ſights as this, to tender maidsare rare.
And ran into the darke her ſelfe to hide,
Richiewels in the darke are ſooneſt ſpide.
Vnto her was he led,or rather drawne,
By thoſe white limmes, which ſparckledthrough the lawne.
The neerer that he came, the more ſhefled,
And ſeeking refuge, ſlipt into her bed.
WhereonLeanderſitting, thus began,
Through numming cold, all feeble, faintand wan:
 If not for loue, yet loue for pittie ſake,
Mein thy bed and maiden boſom take,
At leaſt vouchſafe theſearemes ſome little roome,
Who hoping to imbrace thee, cherelyſwoome.
This head was beat with manie a churliſh billow,
Andtherefore let it reſt vpon thy pillow.
Herewith afrighted Heroſhrunke away,
And in her luke-warme place Leanderlay.
Whoſe liuely heat like fire from heauen fet,
Wouldanimate groſſe clay, and higher ſet
The drooping thoughts ofbaſe declining ſoules,
Then drerie Mars,carowſing Nectarboules.
His hands he caſt vpon her like a ſnare,
Sheouercome with ſhame and ſallow feare,
Like chaſt Diana,when Acteonſpyde her,
Being ſodainly betraide, dyu’d downe to hideher.
And as her ſiluer body downeward went,
With both herhands ſhe made the bed a tent,
And in her owne mind thought herſelfe ſecure,
O’recaſt with dim and darkſomecouerture.
And now ſhe lets him whiſper in her eare,
Flatter,intreat, promiſe, proteſt and ſweare,
Yet euer as he greedilyaſſayd
To touch thoſe dainties, ſhe the Harpeyplayd,
And euery lim did as a ſoldier ſtout,
Defend thefort, and keep the foe-man out.
For though the riſing yu’riemount he ſcal’d,
Which is with azure circling linesempal’d,
Much like a globe, (a globe may I tearme this,
Bywhich loue ſailes to regions full of blis,)
Yet there withSyſiphushetoyld in vaine,
Till gentle parlie did the truce obtaine.
Shetrembling ſtroue, this ſtrife of hers (like that
Which madethe world) another world begat,
Of vnknowne ioy. Treaſon was inher thought,
And cunningly to yeeld her ſelfe ſheſought.
Seeming not woon, yet woon ſhe was at length,
Inſuch warres women vſe but halfe their ſtrength.
Leandernow like Theban Hercules,
Entredthe orchard of Th’eſperides.
Whoſefruit none rightly can deſcribe, but hee
That puls or ſhakesit from the golden tree:
Wherein Leanderon her quiuering breſt,
Breathleſſe ſpoke ſome thing, andſigh’d out the reſt;
Which ſo preuail’d, as he with ſmallado,
Inclos’d her in his armes and kiſt her to.
Andeuerie kiſſe to her was as a charme,
And to Leanderas a freſh alarme.
So that the truce was broke, and ſhealas,
(Poore ſillie maiden) at his mercie was.
Loue is notful of pittie (as men ſay)
But deaffe and cruell, where hemeanes to pray.
Euen as a bird, which in our hands wewring,
Foorth plungeth, and oft flutters with her wing.
Andnow ſhe wiſht this night were neuer done,
And ſigh’d tothinke vpon th’approching ſunne,
For much it greeu’d herthat the bright day-light,
Should know the pleaſure of thisbleſſed night.
And then like MarsandEricinediſplayd,
Both in each others armes chaind as they layd.
Againeſhe knew not how to frame her looke,
Or ſpeake to him who in amoment tooke,
That which ſo long charily ſhe kept,
Andfaine by ſtealth away ſhe would haue crept,
And to ſomecorner ſecretly haue gone,
Leauing Leanderin the bed alone.
But as her naked feet were whipping out,
Heon the ſuddaine cling’d her ſo about,
That Meremaid-likevnto the floore ſhe ſlid,
And halfe appear’d the other halfewas hid.
Thus neere the bed ſhe bluſhing ſtood vpright,
Andfrom her countenance behold ye might,
A kind of twilight breake,which through the heare,
As from an orient cloud, glymſe hereand there.
And round about the chamber this falſemorne,
Brought foorth the day before the day was borne.
SoHeroesruddiecheeke, Herobetrayd,
And her all naked to his ſight diſplayd
Whencehis admiring eyes more pleaſure tooke,
Than Dis,on heapes of gold fixing his looke.
By this Apollosgoldenharpe began,
To ſound foorth muſicke to the Ocean,
Whichwatchfull Hesperusnoſooner heard,
But he the day bright-bearing Car prepar’d.
Andran before, as Harbenger of light,
And with his ſtaring beamesmockt ougly night,
Till ſhe o’recome with anguiſh, ſhame,and rage,
Hurld downe to hell her loathſome carriage.

end of the ſecondSestyad.

MY BEST ESTEEMED AND WORTHELY HONORED LADY, THE LADY WALSINGHAM, oneof the Ladies of her Maieſties Bed-Chamber.

Preſentyour Ladiſhip with the laſt affections of the firſt two Louersthat euer Muſeſhrinde in the Temple of Memorie;being drawne by ſtrange instigation to employ ſome of my ſerioustime in ſo trifeling a ſubiect, which yet made the firſt Author,diuine Muſæus,eternall. And were it not that wee muſt ſubiect our accounts oftheſe common receiued conceits to ſeruile custome; it goes muchagainst my hand to ſigne that for a trifling ſubiect, on which moreworthines of ſoule hath been ſhewed, and weight of diuine wit, thancan vouchſafe reſidence in the leaden grauitie of any Mony-Monger;in whoſe profeſſion all ſerious ſubiects are concluded. But hethat ſhuns trifles muſt ſhun the world; out of whoſe reuerendheapes of ſubstance and austeritie, I can, and will, ere long,ſingle, or tumble out as brainles and paſſionate fooleries, aseuer panted in the boſome of the moſt ridiculous Louer. Accept ittherfore (good Madam) though as a trifle, yet as a ſerious argumentof my affection: for to bee thought thankefull for all free andhonourable fauours, is a great ſumme of that riches my whole thriftintendeth.

Suchvncourtly and ſillie diſpoſitions as mine, whoſe contentment hathother obiects than profit or glorie; are as glad, ſimply for thenaked merit of vertue, to honour ſuch as aduance her, as others thatare hired to commend with deepeliest politique bountie.

Ithath therefore adioynde much contentment to my deſire of your truehonour to heare men of deſert in Court, adde to mine owne knowledgeof your noble diſpoſition, how gladly you doe your beſt topreferre their deſires; and haue as abſolute reſpect to theirmeere good parts, as if they came perfumed and charmed with goldenincitements. And this moſt ſweet inclination, that flowes from thetruth and eternitie of Nobles; aſſure your Ladiſhip doth moreſuite your other Ornaments, and makes more to the aduancement ofyour Name, and happines of your proceedings, then if (like others)you displaied Enſignes of ſtate and ſowrenes in your forehead;made ſmooth with nothing but ſenſualitie and preſents.

Thispoore Dedication (in figure of the other vnitie betwixtSir Thomasand your ſelfe) hath reioynd you with him, my honoured beſt friend;whoſe continuance of ancientkindnesto my ſtill-obſcured estate, though it cannot encreaſe my loue tohim, which hath euer been entirely circulare; yet ſhall it encouragemy deſerts to their vtmost requitall, and make my hartie gratitudeſpeake; to which the vnhappines of my life hath hetherto beenvncomfortable and painfull dumbnes.

Byyour Ladiſhips vowd in moſt wiſhed ſeruice:

Chapman.

ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD SESTYAD.

Leanderto the enuious light

Reſigneshis night-ſports with the night,

Andſwims the Helleſpontagaine;

Theſmethe Deitie ſoueraigne

OfCustomes and religious rites

Appeares,improuing his delites

SinceNuptiall honors he neglected;

VVhichſtraight he vowes ſhall be effected.

FaireHeroleftDeuirginate

VVaies,and with furie wailes her ſtate:

Butwith her loue and womans wit

Sheargues, and approueth it.

light giues new directions, Fortunes new

faſhion our indeuours that enſue,

harſh (at leſt more hard) more graue and hie

ſubiect runs, and our ſterne Muſemuſt flie,

edge is taken off, and that light flame,

thoughts, ioyes, longings, that before became,

vnexperienſt blood, and maids ſharpe plights,

now grow ſtaid, and cenſure the delights,

being enioyd aske iudgement; now we praiſe,

hauing parted: Euenings crowne the daies.

Andnow ye wanton loues, and yong deſires,

vanitie, the mint of ſtrange Attires;

liſping Flatteries, and obſequious Glances,

Muſicks, and attractiue Dances,

you deteſted Charmes conſtraining loue,

loues ſtolne ſports by that theſe Louers proue.

Bythis the Soueraigne of Heauens golden fires,

yong Leander,Lord of his deſires,

from their louers armes aroſe:

into Helleſpontusthrowes

Hero-handledbodie, whoſe delight

him diſdaine each other Epethite.

as amidſt the enamourd waues he ſwims,* 7.1

God of gold²of purpoſe guilt his lims,

this word guilt, including double ſence,

double guilt of his Incontinence,

be expreſt, that had no ſtay t’employ

treaſure which the Loue god let him ioy

his deare Hero,with ſuch ſacred thrift,

had beſeemed ſo ſanctified a gift:

like a greedie vulgar Prodigall

on the ſtock diſpend, and rudely fall

his time, to that vnbleſſed bleſſing,

for luſts plague doth periſh with poſſeſſing.

Ioygrauen in ſence, like ſnow in water wasts;

VVithoutpreſerue of vertue, nothing lasts.

man is he that with a welthie eie,

a beautie richer than the ſkie,

whoſe white skin, ſofter then ſoundeſt ſleep,

dam aſke eyes, the rubie blood doth peep,

runs in branches through her azure vaines,

mixture and firſt fire, his loue attaines;

both hands limit, both Loues deities,

ſweeten humane thoughts like Paradiſe;

diſpoſition ſilken is and kinde,

with an earth-exempted minde;

thinks not heauen with ſuch a loue is giuen?

who like earth would ſpend that dower of heauē,

ranke deſire to ioy it all at firſt?

ſimply kils our hunger, quencheth thirſt,

but our nakednes, and makes vs liue?

dothnot any of her fauours giue:

what doth plentifully miniſter

apparell and delicious cheere,

orderd that it ſtill excites deſire,

ſtill giues pleaſure freenes to aſpire

palme of Bountie,euer moyſt preſeruing:

loues ſweet life this is the courtly caruing.

Time,and all-ſtates-ordering Ceremonie

baniſht all offence: Timesgolden Thie

the flowrie bodie of the earth,

ſacred harmonie, and euery birth

men, and actions makes legitimate,

vſde aright; Thevſe of time is Fate.

Yetdid the gentle ſtood transfer once more,

prize of Loue home to his fathers ſhore;

he vnlades himſelfe of that falſe welth

makes few rich; treaſures compoſde by ſtelth

to his ſiſter kinde Hermione,

on the ſhore kneeld, praying to the ſea

his returne) he all Loues goods did ſhow

Heroſeaſde for him, in him for Hero.

Hismoſt kinde ſiſter all his ſecrets knew,

to her ſinging like a ſhower he flew,

the earth, that to their tombs tooke in

dead for loue, to leaue his iuorie ſkin,

yet a ſnowie fome did leaue aboue,

ſoule to the dead water that did loue;

from thence did the firſt white Roſes ſpring,

loue is ſweet and faire in euery thing)

all the ſweetned ſhore as he did goe,

crownd with odrous roſes white as ſnow.

Leanderwas with loue ſo filled,

loue to all that toucht him he inſtilled.

as the colours of all things we ſee,

our ſights powers communicated bee:

to all obiects that in compaſſe came

any ſence he had; his ſences flame

from his parts, with force ſo virtuall,

fir’d with ſence things meere inſenſuall.

Now(with warme baths and odours comforted)

he lay downe he kindly kiſt his bed,

conſecrating it to Herosright,

vowd thereafter that what euer ſight

him in minde of Hero,or her bliſſe,

be her Altar to prefer a kiſſe.

Thenlaid he forth his late inriched armes,

whoſe white circle Loue writ all his charmes,

made his characters ſweet Heroslims,

on his breaſts warme ſea ſhe ſideling ſwims.

as thoſe armes (held vp in circle) met,

ſaid; ſee ſiſter HerosCarquenet,

ſhe had rather weare about her neck,

all the iewels that doth Iunodeck.

Butas he ſhooke with paſsionate deſire,

put in flame his other ſecret fire,

muſick ſo diuine did pierce his eare,

neuer yet his rauiſht ſence did heare:

ſuddenly a light of twentie hews

through the roofe, and like the Rainbow views

Leander;in whoſe beames came downe

Goddeſſe Ceremonie,with a Crowne

all the ſtars, and heauen with her deſcended,

flaming haire to her bright feete extended,

which hung all the bench of Deities;

in a chaine, compact of eares and eies,

led Religion; all her bodie was

and tranſparent as the pureſt glaſſe:

ſhe was all preſented to the ſence.

Order, State, and Reuerence,

ſhadowes were.Societie, Memorie;

which her ſight made liue; her abſence die.

rich diſparent Pentackle ſhe weares,

full of circles and ſtrange characters;

face was changeable to euerie eie;

way lookt ill, another graciouſlie;

while men viewd, they cheerfull were & holy:

looking off, vicious, and melancholy:

ſnakie paths to each obſerued law,

Policieinher broad boſome draw:

hand a Mathematique Chriſtall ſwayes,

gathering in one line a thouſand rayes

her bright eyes Confuſionburnes to death,

all eſtates of men diſtinguiſheth.

it Morallitieand Comelineſſe,

in all their ſightly figures dreſſe.

other hand a lawrell rod applies,

beate back Barbariſme,and Auarice,

followd eating earth, and excrement

humane lims; and would make proud aſcent

ſeates of Gods, were Ceremonieſlaine;

Howrsand Gracesbore her glorious traine,

all the ſweetes of our ſocietie

Spherde, and treaſurde in her bountious eie.

ſhe appeard, and ſharply did reproue

bluntnes in his violent loue;

him how poore was ſubſtance without rites,

bils vnſignd, deſires without delites;

meates vnſeaſond; like ranke corne that growes

Cottages, that none or reapes or ſowes;

being with ciuill forms confirm’d and bounded,

humane dignities and comforts founded:

looſe and ſecret all their glories hide,

fils the chamber, darknes decks the Bride.

Shevaniſht, leauing pierſt Leandershart

ſence of his vnceremonious part,

which with plaine neglect of Nuptiall rites,

cloſe and flatly fell to his delites;

inſtantly he vowd to celebrate

rites pertaining to his maried ſtate.

vp he gets and to his father goes,

whoſe glad eares he doth his vowes diſcloſe:

Nuptials are reſolu’d with vtmoſt powre,

he at night would ſwim to Herostowre.

whence he ment to Sestusforked Bay

bring her couertly, where ſhips muſt ſtay,

by her father throughly rigd and mand,

waft her ſafely toAbydusStrand.

leaue we him, and with freſh wing purſue

Hero,whoſe moſt wiſhed view

thus long haue forborne, becauſe I left her

out of countnance, and her ſpirits bereft her.

looke of one abaſht is impudence,

of ſleight faults he hath too deepe a ſence.

bluſhing hether chamber: ſhe lookt out,

all the ayre ſhe purpled round about,

after it a foule black day befell,

euer ſince a red morne doth foretell:

ſtill renewes our woes for Heros wo,

foule it prou’d, be cauſe it figur’d ſo

next nights horror, which prepare to heare;

faile if it prophane your daintieſt eare.

Thenhow moſt ſtrangely-intellectuall fire,

proper to my ſoule haſt power t’inſpire

burning faculties, and with the wings

thy vnſpheared flame viſitſt the ſprings

ſpirits immortall, Now (as ſwift as Time

follow Motion) finde th’eternall Clime

his free ſoule, whoſe liuing ſubiect ſtood

to the chin in the Pyer can flood,

drunke to me halfe this Muſean ſtorie,

it to deathles Memorie:

with it, and make my pledge as deepe,

neithers draught be conſecrate to ſleepe.

it how much his late deſires I tender,

yet it know not) and to light ſurrender

ſoules darke offſpring, willing it ſhould die

loues, to paſſions, and ſocietie.

SweetHeroleftvpon her bed alone,

maidenhead, her vowes, Leandergone,

nothing with her but a violent crew

new come thoughts that yet ſhe neuer knew,

to her ſelfe a ſtranger; was much like

citie that wars hand did ſtrike

Engliſh force in princely Eſſexguide,

peace aſſur’d her towres had fortifide;

golden-fingred Indiahad beſtowd

wealth on her, that ſtrength and Empire flowd

her Turrets; and her virgin waſte

wealthie girdle of the Sea embraſte:

our Leanderthat made Marshis Cupid,

ſoft loue-ſutes, with iron thunders chid:

to her Towers, diſſolu’d her virgin zone;

in his power, and made Confuſion

through her ſtreets amazd, that ſhe ſuppoſde

had not been in her owne walls incloſde:

rapt by wonder to ſome forraine ſtate,

all her iſſue ſo diſconſolate:

all her peacefull manſions poſſeſt

wars iuſt ſpoyle, and many a forraine gueſt

euery corner driuing an enioyer,

it with power of a deſtroyer.

far’d fayreHeroin th’expugned fort

her chaſt boſome, and of euery ſort

thoughts poſſeſt her, ranſacking her breſt

that that was not there, her wonted reſt.

was a mother ſtraight and bore with paine,

that ſpake ſtraight and wiſht their mother ſlaine;

hates their liues, & they their own & hers;

ſtrife ſtill growes where ſin the race prefers.

is a golden bubble full of dreames,

waking breakes, and fils vs with extreames.

mus’d how ſhe could looke vpon her Sire,

not ſhew that without, that was intire.

as a glaſſe is an inanimate eie,

outward formes imbraceth inwardlie:

is the eye an animate glaſſe that ſhowes

without vs. And as Phœbusthrowes

beames abroad, though he in clowdes be cloſde,

glancing by them till he finde oppoſde,

looſe and rorid vapour that is fit

his ſearching beames, and vſeth it

forme a tender twentie-coloured eie,

in a circle round about the skie.

when our firie ſoule, our bodies ſtarre,

euer is in motion circulare)

a forme; in ſeeking to diſplay it

all our clowdie parts, it doth conuey it

at the eye, as the moſt pregnant place,

that reflects it round about the face.

this euent vncourtly Herothought,

inward guilt would in her lookes haue wrought:

yet the worlds ſtale cunning ſhe reſiſted

beare foule thoughts, yet forge what lookes ſhe liſted,

held it for a very ſillie ſleight,

make a perfect mettall counterfeit:

to diſclaime her ſelfe; proud of an Art,

makes the face a Pandar to the hart.

be the painted Moones, whoſe lights prophane

true Heauen, at full ſtill in their wane.

be the Lapwing faces that ſtill crie,

tis, when that they vow is nothing nie.

fooles, when euery mooriſh fowle can teach

which men thinke the height of humane reach.

cuſtome that the Apoplexie is

beddred nature, and liues led amis,

takes away all feeling of offence:

brazde not Herosbrow with impudence;

this ſhe thought moſt hard to bring to pas,

ſeeme in countnance other then ſhe was.

if ſhe had two ſoules; one for the face,

for the hart; and that they ſhifted place

either liſt to vtter, or conceale

they conceiu'd: or as one ſoule did deale

both affayres at once, keeps and eiects

at an inſtant contrarie effects;

and eiection in her powrs

acts alike: for this one vice of ours,

forms the thought, and ſwaies the countenance,

both our motion and our vtterance.

Theſeand more graue conceits toyld Herosſpirits;

though the light of her diſcourſiue wits,

might finde ſome little hole to pas

all theſe worldly cinctures; yet (alas)

was a heauenly flame incompaſt her;

Goddeſſe, in whoſe Phane ſhe did prefer

virgin vowes; from whoſe impulſiue ſight

knew the black ſhield of the darkeſt night

not defend her, nor wits ſubtilſt art:

was the point pierſt Heroto the hart.

heauie to the death, with a deep ſigh

hand that languiſht, tooke a robe was nigh,

large, and of black Cypres made,

which ſhe ſate, hid from the day in ſhade,

ouer head and face downe to her feete;

left hand made it at her boſome meete;

right hand leand on her hart-bowing knee,

in vnſhapefull foulds; twas death to ſee

knee ſtayd that, and that her falling face

limme helpt other to put on diſgrace.

forme was ſeene, where forme held all her ſight:

like an Embrion that ſaw neuer light:

like a ſcorched ſtatue made a cole

three-wingd lightning: or a wretched ſoule

with endles darknes, ſhe did ſit:

night had neuer ſuch a heauie ſpirit.

might an imitating eye well ſee,

faſt her cleere teares melted on her knee

her black vaile, and turnd as black as it,

to be her teares; then wrought her wit

her broke vow, her Goddeſſe wrath, her fame,

tooles that enginous deſpayre could frame:

made her ſtrow the floore with her torne haire,

ſpread her mantle peece-meale in the aire.

Ioues ſonsclub, ſtrong paſſion ſtrook her downe,

with a piteous ſhrieke inforſt her ſwoune:

ſhrieke, made with another ſhrieke aſcend

frighted Matron that on her did tend:

as with her owne crie her ſence was ſlaine,

with the other it was calde againe.

roſe and to her bed made forced way,

layd her downe euen where Leanderlay:

all this while the red ſea of her blood

with Leander:but now turnd the flood,

all her fleete of ſprites came ſwelling in

childe of ſaile, and did hot fight begin

thoſe ſeuere conceits, ſhe too much markt,

here Leandersbeauties were imbarkt.

came in ſwimming painted all with ioyes,

as might ſweeten hell: his thought deſtroyes

her deſtroying thoughts; ſhe thought ſhe felt

heart in hers; with her contentions melt,

chid her ſoule that it could ſo much erre,

check the true ioyes he deſeru’d in her.

freſh heat blood caſt figures in her eyes,

ſhe ſuppoſde ſhe ſaw in Neptunesskyes

her ſtar wandred, waſht in ſmarting brine

her loues ſake, that with immortall wine

be embath'd, and ſwim in more hearts eaſe,

there was water in the Seſtian ſeas.

ſaid her Cupidprompted ſpirit; ſhall I

mones to ſuch delightſome harmony?

ſlick-tongde fame patcht vp with voyces rude,

drunken baſtard of the multitude,

when father Iudgement is away,

goſsip-like, ſayes becauſe others ſay,

newes as if it were too hot to eate,

ſpits it ſlauering forth for dog-fees meate)

me for forging a phantaſtique vow,

to beare what makes graue matrons bow?

vowes are neuer broken with good deedes,

then good deedes were bad: vowes are but ſeedes,

good deeds fruits; euen thoſe good deedes that grow

other ſtocks, than from th’ obſerued vow.

is a good deede that preuents a bad:

I not yeelded, ſlaine my ſelfe I had.

Leander is, Leander Hero:

vertue loue hath to make one of two.

then Leanderdid my mayden head git,

being my ſelfe I ſtill retaine it.

breake chaſt vowes when we liue looſely euer:

bound as we are, we liue looſely neuer.

conſtant louers being ioynd in one,

to one another, yeeld to none.

know not how to vow, till loue vnblinde vs,

vowes made ignorantly neuer binde vs.

true it is that when t’is gone men hate

ioyes as vaine they tooke in loues eſtate:

that’s, ſince they haue loſt, the heauenly light

ſhew them way to iudge of all things right.

life is gone death muſt implant his terror,

death is foe to life, ſo loue to error.

we loue how range we through this ſphere,

the ſundrie fancies hunted here:

with deſire of wealth tranſported quite

our free humanities delight:

with ambition climing falling towrs,

hope to ſcale, our feare to fall deuours;

rapt with paſtimes, pomp, all ioyes impure;

things without vs no delight is ſure.

loue with all ioyes crownd, within doth ſit;

Goddeſſe pitie loue and pardon it.

ſpake he weeping: but her Goddeſſe eare

with too ſterne a heat, and would not heare.

me, hath heauens ſtraight ſingers no more graces,

ſuch as Hero,then for homelieſt faces?

ſhe hopte well, and in her ſweet conceit

her arguments, ſhe thought them weight:

that the logick of Leandersbeautie,

them together would bring proofes of dutie.

if her ſoule, that was a skilfull glance

Heauens great eſſence, found ſuch imperance

her loues beauties; ſhe had confidence

lou’d him too, and pardond her offence.

Bedutiein heauen and earth this grace doth win,

Itſupples rigor, and it leſſens ſin.

her ſharpe wit, her loue, her ſecrecie,

together, made her wonder why

ſhould not leaue her bed, and to the Temple?

health ſaid ſhe muſt lieu; her ſex, diſſemble.

viewd Leandersplace,and wiſht he were

to his place, ſo his place were Leander.

me (ſaid ſhe) that loues ſweet life and ſence

doe it harme! My loue had not gone hence,

he been like his place, O bleſſed place,

of Conſtancie. Thus my loues grace

no where but it leaues ſome thing behinde

obſeruation: he renownes his kinde.

motion is like heauens Orbibuler:

where he once is, he is euer there.

place was mine: Leandernow’tis thine;

being my ſelfe, then it is double mine:

and Leandersmine, Leandersmine.,

see what wealth it yeelds me, nay yeelds him:

I am in it, he for me doth ſwim.

fruitufll loue, that doubling ſelfe eſtates

contracts,though ſeparates.

place, I kiſſe thee, and doe welcome thee,

from Leandereuer ſent to mee.

end of the third Sestyad.

ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD SESTYAD.

in ſacredhabit deckt,

priuate ſacrifice effect.

Skarfs deſcription wrought by fate,

thatthreaten her estate.

ſtrange, yet Phiſicall euents,

counterfeitpreſents.

thunder, Cipridesdeſcends,

both the louers ends.

the Goddeſſe of remorce,

vocall and articulate force

Leucote,Venus ſwan,

excuſe the beautious Seſtian.

to wreake her rites abuſes,

the monster Eronuſis;³

HerosSacrifice,

lightning darted from her eyes:

thereof ſprings the painted beaſt,

euer ſince taints euery breaſt.

from Leandersplace ſhe roſe, and found

haire and rent robe ſcattered on the ground:
Which taking vp,ſhe euery peece did lay

an Altar; where in youth of day

vſde t’exhibite priuate Sacrifice:

would ſhe offer to the Deities

her faire Goddeſſe, and her powerful ſon,

relicks of her late-felt paſſion:

in that holy ſort ſhe vowd to end them,

hope her violent fancies that did rend them,

as quite fade in her loues holy fire,

they ſhould in the flames ſhe ment t’inſpire.

put ſhe on all her religious weedes,

deckt her in her ſecret ſacred deedes:

crowne of Iſickles, that ſunne nor fire

euer melt, and figur’d chaſt deſire.

golden ſtar ſhinde in her naked breaſt,

honour of the Queene light of the Eaſt.

her right hand ſhe held a ſiluer wand,

whoſe bright top Peristeradid ſtand,

was a Nymph, but now tranſformd a Doue,

in her life was deare in Venusloue:

for her ſake ſhe euer ſince that time,

Doues to draw her Coach through heauens blew clime.

plentious haire in curled billowes ſwims

her bright ſhoulder; her harmonious lims

no more but a moſt ſubtile vaile

hung on them, as it durſt not aſſaile

different concord: for the weakeſt ayre

raise it ſwelling from her bewties fayre:

did it couer, but adumbrate onelie

moſt heart-piercing parts, that a bleſt eie

ſee (as it did ſhadow) fearfullie,

that all-loue-deſeruing Paradiſe:

was as blew as the moſt freezing skies

the Seas hew, for thence her Goddeſſe came:

it a skarfe ſhe wore of wondrous frame;

midſt whereof ſhe wrought a virgins face,

whoſe each cheeke a firie bluſh did chace

crimſon flames, that did two waies extend,

the ample skarfe to either end,

figur’d the diuiſion of her minde,

yet ſhe reſted baſhfully inclinde,

ſtood not reſolute to wed Leander.

ſeru’d her white neck for a purple ſphere,

caſt it ſelfe at full breadth downe her back.

(ſince the firſt breath that begun her wrack

her free quiet from Leanderslips)

wrought a Sea in one flame full of ſhips:

that one ſhip where all her wealth did paſſe

ſimple marchants goods) Leanderwas:

in that Sea ſhe naked figured him;

diuing needle taught him how to ſwim,

to each thred did ſuch reſemblance giue,

ioy to be ſo like him, it did lieu.

Thisſenceles lieu by art, and rationall die,

Byrude contempt of art and industrie.

could ſhe work but in her ſtrength of thought,

feard ſhe prickt Leanderas ſhe wrought:

oft would ſhrieke ſo, that her Guardian frighted,

ſtaing haſte, as with ſome miſchiefe cited.

Theydouble life that dead things grief ſustayne:

Theykill that feele not their friends liuing payne.

ſhe feard he ſought her infamie,

then as ſhe was working of his eie,

thought to pricke it out to quench her ill:

as ſhe prickt, it grew more perfect ſill.

Triflingattempts no ſerious acts aduance;

Thefire of loue is blowne by dalliance.

working his fayre neck ſhe did ſo grace it,

ſtill was working her owne armes t’imbrace it:

and his ſhoulders, and his hands were ſeene

the ſtreame, and with a pure Sea-greene

did ſo queintly ſhadow euery lim,

might be ſeene beneath the waues to ſwim.

this conceited skarfe ſhe wrought beſide

Moone in change, and ſhooting ſtars did glide

number after her with bloodie beames,

figur’d her affects in their extreames,

Nature in her Cynthian bodie,

did her thoughts running on change implie:

maids take more delights when they prepare

think of wiues ſtates, than when wiſes they are.

all theſe ſhe wrought a Fiſherman,

his nets from forth that Ocean;

drew ſo hard ye might diſcouer well,

toughned ſinewes in his neck did ſwell:

inward ſtraines draue out his blood-shot eyes,

ſprings of ſweat did in his forehad riſe:

was of nought but of a Serpent ſped,

in his boſome flew and ſtung him dead.

this by fate into her minde was ſent,

wrought by meere inſtinct of her intent.

the skarfs other end her hand did frame,

the forkt point of the deuided flame,

countrie virgin keeping of a Vine,

did of hollow bulruſhes combine

for the ſtubble-louing Graſhopper,

by her lay her skrip that nouriſht her.

a myrtle ſhade ſhe ſate and ſung,

tufts of wauing reedes about her ſprung:

lurkt two Foxes, that while ſhe applide

trifling ſnares, their theeueries did deuide:

to the vine, another to her skrip,

ſhe did negligently ouerſlip:

which her fruitful vine and holeſome fare,

ſuffred ſpoyld to make a childiſh ſnare.

omenous fancies did her ſoule expreſſe,

euery finger made a Propheteſſe,

ſhew what death was hid in loues diſuiſe,

make her iudgment conquer deſtinies.

what ſweet formes fayre Ladies ſoules doe ſhrowd,

they made ſeene & forced through their blood,

through their beauties like rich work through lawn,

would ſet forth their minds with vertues drawn,

letting graces from their fingers flie,

ſtill their yas thoughts with induſtrie:

their plied wits in numbred ſilks might ſing

huge conqueſt, and their needels leading

priſoner through their owne built citties,

with ſtories and Arachnean ditties.

Proceedwe now with Herossacrifice.

odours burnd, and from their ſmoke did riſe

fumes, that ayre with plagues inſpired,

then the conſecrated ſticks ſhe fired.

whoſe pale flame an angrie ſpirit flew,

beate it downe ſtill as it vpward grew.

virgin Tapers that onth’altar ſtood,

ſhe inflam’d them burnd as red as blood:

ſad oſtents of that too neere ſuccesse,

made ſuch mouing beauties motionleſſe.

Herowept; but her affrighted eyes

quickly wreſted from the ſacrifice:

them and inwards for Leanderlookt,

her ſoft boſomoe, and from thence ſhe pluckt

louely picture: which when ſhe had viewd,

beauties were with all loues ioyes renewd.

odors ſweetned, and the fires burnd cleere,

forme left no ill obiect there.

was his beautie that the force of light,

knowledge teacheth wonders infinite.

ſtrength of number and proportion,

had plaſte in it to make it knowne.

was her daughter, and what humane wits

ſtudie loſt, intombd in droſsie ſpirits.

this accident (which for her glorie

could not but make a hiſtorie)

of Sestus,and Abydus,

euery yeare with feaſts propitious,

fayre Leanderspictureſacrifice,

they were perſons of eſpeciall prize

were allowd it, as an ornament

their houſes; for the continent

the ſtrange vertues all approu’d it held:

euen the very looke of it repeld

blaſtings, witchcrafts, and the ſtrifes of nature

thoſe diſeases that no hearbs could cure.

woolfie ſting of Auarice it would pull,

make the rankeſt miſer bountifull.

kild the feare of thunder and of death;

diſcords that conceits ingendereth

man and wife, it for the time would ceaſe:

flames of loue it quencht, and would increaſe:

in a princes hand it would put out

dreadfulſt Comet: it would eaſe all doubt

threatned miſchiefes; it would bring aſleepe

as were mad: it would enforce to weepe

barbarous eyes: and many more effects

picture wrought, and ſprung Leandrianſects,

which was Herofirſt: For he whoſe forme

in her hand) cleerd ſuch a fatall ſtorme,

hell ſhe thought his perſon would defend her,

night andHelleſpont wouldquickly ſend her.

this confirmd, ſhe vowd to baniſh quite

thought of any check to her delite

in contempt of ſillie baſhfulnes,

would the faith of her deſires profeſſe.

her Religion ſhould be Policie,

follow loue with zeale her pietie:

chamber her Cathedrall Church ſhould be,

her Leanderher chiefe Deitie.

in her loue theſe did the gods forego;

though her knowledge did not teach her ſo,

did it teach her this, that what her hart

greateſt hold in her ſelfe greateſt part,

ſhe did make her god; and t’was leſſe nought

leaue gods in profeſsion and in thought,

in her loue and life: for therein lies

of her duties, and their dignities,

raile the brain-bald world at what it will;

the grand Atheiſme that raignes in it ſtill.

ſingularitie ſhe would vſe no more,

ſhe was ſingular too much before:

ſhe would pleaſe the world with fayre pretext;

would not leaue her conſcience perplext.

men that will haue leſſe doe for them ſtill,

beare them out though th’acts be nere ſo ill.

muſt Pandar be to Excellencie,

attones Falſhood and Conſcience:

was the worſt (thought Herothen)

that was beſt how ſhe muſt liue with men.

vertuous loue that taught her to doe beſt,

ſhe did worſt, and when ſhe thought it leſt.

would ſhe ſtill proceed in works diuine,

in her ſacred ſtate of prieſthood ſhine,

the holy rites with hands as bold,

if therein ſhe did Iouesthunder hold;

need not feare thoſe menaces of error,

ſhe at others threw with greateſt terror.

louely Hero,nothing is thy ſin,

with thoſe foule faults other Prieſts are in;

hauing neither faiths, nor works, nor bewties,

any ſcuſe for ſlubberd duties;

as much countnance fill their holie chayres,

ſweat denouncements gainſt prophane affayres,

if their liues were cut out by their places,

they the only fathers of the Graces.

Nowas with ſetled minde ſhe did repaire,

thoughts to ſacrifice, her rauiſht haire

her torne robe which on the altar lay,

only for Religions fire did ſtay;

heard a thunder by the Cyclops beaten,

ſuch a volley as the world did threaten,

Venusas ſhe parted th’ayrie Sphere,

now to chide with Herohere:

ſuddenly the Goddeſſe waggoners,

Swans and Turtles that in coupled pheres,

all worlds boſoms draw her influence,

in Heroswindow, and from thence

her fayre ſhoulders flew the gentle Doues.

Ædonethat ſweet pleaſure loues,

ruffootChreſtewith the tufted crowne,

which did kiſſe her, though their Goddes frownd.

Swans did in the ſolid flood her glaſſe,

their fayre plumes; of which the faireſt was,

Leucote,that pure brightnes is;

other bountie-louing Dapſilis.

were in heauen, now they with Herowere:

Venuslookes brought wrath, and vrged feare.

robe was ſkarlet, black her heads attire,

through her naked breaſt ſhinde ſtreames of fire,

when the rarefied ayre is driuen

flaſhing ſtreames, and opes the darkned heauen.

her white hand a wreath of yew ſhe bore,

breaking th’icie wreath ſweet Herowore,

forſt about her browes her wreath of yew,

ſayd, now minion to thy fate be trew,

not to me, indure what this portends;

where lightnes will, in ſhame it ends.

makes thee cunning; thou art currant now,

being counterfeit: thy broken vow,

with her pide garters muſt reioyne,

with her ſtampe thou countnances muſt coyne:

and pure deceits for purities,

ſtill a mayd wilt ſeeme in coſoned eies,

haue an antike face to laugh within,

thy ſmooth lookes make men digeſt thy ſin.

ſince thy lips (leſt thought forſworne) forſwore,

neuer virgins vow worth truſting more.

WhenBeauties deareſt did her Goddeſſe heare,

ſuch rebukes gainſt that ſhe could not cleare;

ſorrow ſpake alowd in teares, and blood

from her griefe-burſt vaines in piteous flood,

the ſweet conduits of her ſauor fell:

gentle Turtles did with moanes make ſwell.

ſhining gorges; the white black-eyde Swans

ſing as wofull Epicedians,

they would ſtraight waies dye: when pities Queene

Goddeſſe Ecte,that had euer beene

in a watrie clowde neere Heroscries,

the firſt inſtant of her broken eies,

brightLeucotevoyce, and made her ſpeake,

eaſe her anguiſh, whoſe ſwolne breaſt did breake

anger at her Goddeſſe, that did touch

ſo neere for that ſhe vſde ſo much.

thruſting her white neck at Venus,ſayd;

may not amorous Heroſeeme a mayd,

ſhe be none, as well as you ſuppreſſe

modeſt cheekes your inward wantonneſſe?

often haue wee drawne you from aboue,

with mortals, rites for rites in loue?

in your preiſt then call you that offence

ſhines in you, and is your influence?

this the furies ſtopt Leucotes lips,

by Venus;who with Roſie whips

the kind Bird. Fierce lightning from her eyes

ſet on fire faire Herosſacrifice,

was her torne robe, and inforced hayre;

the bright flame became a mayd moſt faire

her aſpect:⁴her treſſes were of wire,

like a net, where harts all ſet on fire,

in pants and could not get releaſt:

armes were all with golden pincers dreſt,

twentie faſhiond knots, pullies, and brakes,

all her bodie girdled with painted Snakes.

doune parts in a Scorpions taile combinde,

with twentie colours; pyed wings ſhinde

of her ſhoulders; Cloth had neuer die,

ſweeter colours neuer viewed eie,

ſcorching Turkie,CaresTartarie,

ſhinde about this ſpirit notorious;

was Arachnesweb ſo glorious.

lightning and of ſhreds ſhe was begot;

hold in baſe diſſemblers is there not.

name was Eronuſis.Venusflew

Herosſight, and at her Chariot drew

wondrous creature to ſo ſteepe a height,

all the world ſhe might command with ſleight

her gay wings; and then ſhe bad her haſt,

Herohaddiſſembled, and diſgraſt

rites ſo much, and euery breaſt infect

her deceits, ſhe made her Architect

all diſſimulation, and ſince then

was any truſt in maides nor men.

           Oit ſpighted,

Venushart to ſee her moſt delighted.

one ſhe chuſde for temper of her minde,

be the only ruler of her kinde,

ſoone to let her virgin race be ended;

ſimply for the fault a whit offended:

that in ſtrife for chaſtnes with the Moone,

Dianabad her ſhew but one,

was her ſeruant vowd, and liu'd a mayd,

now ſhe thought to anſwer that vpbrayd,

hadloſt her anſwer; who knowes not

would ſeeme as farre from any ſpot

light demeanour, as the very ſkin

Cynthiasbrowes; Sin is aſham’d of Sin.

Venusflew, and ſcarce durſt vp for feare

Phœbeslaughter, when ſhe paſt her Sphere:

ſo moſt vgly clowded was the light,

day was hid in day; night came ere night,

Venuscould not through the thick ayre pierce,

the daies king, god of vndanted verſe,

ſhe was ſo plentifull a theame,

ſuch as wore his Lawrell Anademe:

to a firie bullet made deſcent,

from her paſſage thoſe fat vapours rent,

being not throughly rarefide to raine,

like pitch as blew as any vaine,

ſcalding tempeſt made the earth to ſhrinke

their feruor, and the world did thinke

euery drop a torturing Spirit flew,

pierſt ſo deeply, and it burnd ſo blew.

Betwixtall this and Hero,Heroheld

picture as a Perſian ſhield:

ſhe was free from feare of worſt ſucceſſe;

more ill threats vs, we ſuſpect the leſſe:

we grow haples, violence ſubtle growes,

deafe, & blind, & comes when no man knowes.

end of the fourth Sestyad.

ARGVMENT OF THE FIFT SESTYAD.

Daydoubles her accustomd date,

Asloth the night, incenſt by fate,

Shouldwrack our louers;Herosplight,

Longsfor Leander,and the night:

VVhich,ere her thirſtie wiſh recouers,

Sheſends for two betrothed louers,

Andmarries them, that (with their crew

Theirſports and ceremonies due)

Shecouertly might celebrate,

VVithſecret ioy her owne estate.

Shemakes a feaſt, at which appeares

Thewilde NymphTeras,that ſtill beares

AnIuory Lute, tels Omenous tales,

Andſings at ſolemne festiuales.

was bright Heroweary of the day,

an Olympiad in Leandersſtay.

and the ſoft-foote Howrshung on his armes,

would not let him ſwim, foreſeeing his harmes;

day Auroradouble grace obtainde

her loue Phœbus;ſhe his Horſes rainde,

on his golden knee, and as ſhe liſt

puld him back; and as ſhe puld, ſhe kiſt

haue him turne to bed; he lou’d her more,

ſee the loue LeanderHerobore.

profit much ten times in one,

perſons full of note, good deedes are done.

Daywas ſo long, men walking fell aſleepe,

heauie humors that their eyes did ſteepe,

them feare miſchiefs. The hard ſtreets were beds

couetous churles, and for ambitious heads,

ſpight of Nature would their buſines plie.

thought they had the falling Epilepſie,

groueld ſo vpon the ſmotherd ground,

pittie did the hart of heauen confound.

Gods, the Graces, and the Muſes came

to the Deſtinies, to ſtay the frame

the true louers deaths, and all worlds teares;

death before had ſtopt their cruell eares

the Celeſtials parted mourning then,

with our humane miſeries more then men.

nothing doth the world with miſchiefe fill,

want of feeling one anothers ill.

Withtheir deſcent the day grew ſomething fayre,

caſt a brighter robe vpon the ayre.

to ſhorten time with merriment,

yong Alcmane,and bright Myaſent,

louers that had long crau'’ mariage dues

Heros hands; but ſhe did ſtill refuſe,

louelyMyawas her conſort vowd

her maids ſtate, and therefore not allowd

amorous Nuptials; yet faire Heronow

to diſpence with her cold vow,

hers was broken, and to marrie her:

rites would pleaſing matter miniſter

her conceits, and ſhorten tedious day.

came; ſweet Muſick vſherd th’odorous way,

wanton Ayre in twentie ſweet forms danſt

her fingers; Beautie and Loue aduanſt

enſignes in the downles roſie faces

youths and maids, led after by the Graces.

all theſe, Heromade a friendly feaſt,

them kindly, did much loue proteſt,

their harts with all the meanes ſhe might,

when her fault ſhould chance t’abide the light,

loues might couer or extenuate it,

high in her worſt fate make pittie ſit.

Shemarried them, and in the banquet came

by the virgins; Heroſtriu’d to frame

thoughts to mirth. Aye me, but hard it is

imitate a falſe and forced blis.

may a ſad minde forge a merrie face,

hath conſtrained laughter any grace.

layd ſhe wine on cares to make them ſinke;

feares the threats of fortune, let him drinke.

theſe quick Nuptials entred ſuddenly,

Teraswith the Ebon Thye,

Nymph that haunted the greene Sestyangroues,

would conſort ſoft virgins in their loues,

gay ſome Triumphs, and on ſolemne dayes,

prophetike Elegies and Layes;

fingring of a ſiluer Lute ſhe tide,

black and purple skarfs by her left ſide.

gaue it, and her skill withall,

ſhe was term’d his Dwarfe ſhe was ſo ſmall.

great in vertue, for his beames encloſde

vertues in her: neuer was propoſde

to her, or Augurie, ſtrange or new,

ſhe reſolu’d it: neuer ſleight tale flew

her charmd lips, without important ſence,

in ſome graue ſucceeding conſequence.

Thislittle Siluane with her ſongs and tales,

ſuch eſtate to feaſts and Nuptiales,

though oft times ſhe forewent Tragedies,

for her ſtrangenes ſtill ſhe pleaſde their eyes,

for her ſmalnes they admir’d her ſo,

thought her perfect borne and could not grow

Alleyes were on her: Herodid command

Altar deckt with ſacred ſtate ſhould ſtand,

the Feaſts vpper end cloſe by the Bride,

which the pretie Nymph might ſit eſpide.

all were ſilent; euery one ſo heares,

all their ſences climbd into their eares;

firſt this amorous tale that fitted well,

Heroand the Nuptials ſhe did tell:

tale of Teras.

Hymenthat now is god of Nuptiall rites,

crownes with honor loue and his delights,

Athenswas a youth ſo ſweet of face,

many thought him of the ſemall race:

quickning brightnes did his cleere eyes dart,

went their beames to his beholders hart.

ſuch pure leagues his beauties were combinde,

there your Nuptiall contracts firſt were ſignde.

as proportion, white, and crimſine, meet

Beauties mixture, all right cleere, and ſweet;

eye reſponſible, the golden haire,

none is held without the other, faire:

ſpring together, all together fade;

intermixt affections ſhould inuade

perfect louers; which being yet vnſeene,

vertues and their comforts copied beene,

Beauties concord, ſubiect to the eie;

that, in Hymen,pleaſde ſo matchleſlie,

louers were eſteemde in their full grace,

forme and colour mixt in Hymensface;

ſuch ſweete concord was thought worthie then

torches, muſick, feaſts, and greateſt men:

Hymenlookt, that euen the chaſteſt minde

mou’d to ioyne in ioyes of ſacred kinde:

onely now his chins firſt doune conſorted

heads rich fleece, in golden curles contorted;

as he was ſo lou’d, he lou’d ſo too,

ſhould beſt bewties, bound by Nuptialls doo.

BrightEucharis,who was by all men ſaide

nobleſt fayreſt, and the richeſt maide,

all the Atheniandamzels, Hymenlou’d;

ſuch tranſmiſſion, that his heart remou’d

his white breſt to hers, but her eſtate

paſſing his, was ſo interminate

wealth and honor, that his loue durſt feede

nought but ſight and hearing, nor could breede

of requitall; the grand priſe of loue;

could he heare or ſee but he muſt proue

his rare bewties muſick would agree

maids in conſort: therefore robbed he

chin of thoſe ſame few firſt fruits it bore,

clad in ſuch attire, as Virgins wore,

kept them companie, and might right well,

he did all but Eucharisexcell

all the fayre of Beautie: yet he wanted

to make his owne deſires implanted

his deare Eucharis;for women neuer

beautie in their ſex, but enuie euer.

iudgement yet (that durſt not ſuite addreſſe,

paſt due meanes preſume of due ſucceſſe)

gat fortune in the end to ſpeede

his beſt prayes; but ſtrange it ſeemd indeede,

fortune ſhould a chaſt affection bleſſe,

ſeldome graceth baſhfulneſſe.

graſt it Hymenyet; but many a dart

many an amorous thought enthrald his hart,

he obtaind her, and he ſick became,

to abſtaine her ſight, and then the flame

in his boſome O what griefe did fill him:

made him ſick, and want of ſight did kill him.

virgins wondred where Dietiaſtayd,

ſo didHymen,terme himſelfe a mayd.

length with ſickly lookes he greeted them:

ſtrange to ſee gainſt, what an extreame ſtreame

louer ſtriues; pooreHymenlookt ſo ill,

as in merit he increaſed ſtill,

ſuffring much, ſo he in grace decreaſt.

are moſt wonne when men merit leaſt:

merit looke not well, loue bids ſtand by,

ſpeciall leſſon is to pleaſe the eye.

Hymenſoonerecouering all he loſt,

ſtill theſe maids, but himſelfe moſt.

loue and he with many virgin dames,

by birth, noble by beauties flames,

the towne with ſongs and hallowed lights,

doe great CeresEleuſinarites

zealous Sacrifice; were made a pray

barbarous Rouers that in ambuſh lay,

with rude hands enforſt their ſhining ſpoyle,

from the darkned Citie, tir’d with toyle.

when the yellow iſſue of the ſkie

trouping forth, ielous of crueltie,

their bright fellowes of this vnder heauen,

a double night they ſaw them driuen,

horride Caue, the theeues black manſion,

wearie of the iourney they had gon,

laſt nights watch, and drunke with their ſweete gains,

Morpheusentred, laden with ſilken chains,

then iron, and bound the ſwelling vaines

tyred ſences of theſe lawles Swaines.

when the virgin lights thus dimly burnd;

what a hell was heauen in how they mournd

wrung their hands, and wound their gentle forms

the ſhapes of ſorrow! Golden ſtorms

from their eyes; As when the Sunne appeares,

yet it raines, ſo ſhewd their eyes their teares.

as when funerall dames watch a dead corſe,

about it, telling with remorſe

paines he felt, how long in paine he lay,

little food he eate, what he would ſay;

then mixe mournfull tales of others deaths,

thēſelues in clowds of their owne breaths.

length, one cheering other, call for wine,

golden boale drinks teares out of their eine,

they drinke wine from it; and round it goes,

helping other to relieue their woes;

caſt theſe virgins beauties mutuall raies,

lights another, face the face diſplaies;

by reflexion kiſt, and hands hands ſhooke,

by the whitenes each of other tooke.

ButHymennow vſde friendly Morpheusaide,

euery theefe, and reſcude euery maide.

now did his enamourd paſsion take

from his hartie deede, whoſe worth did make

hope of bounteous Eucharismore ſtrong;

now came Louewith Proteus,who had long

the little god with prayers and gifts,

through all ſhapes, and varied all his ſhifts,

winLouesſtay with him, and make him loue him:

when he ſaw no ſtrength of ſleight could moue him

make him loue, or ſtay he nimbly turnd

Louesſelfe, he ſo extreamely burnd.

thus came LouewithProteusand his powre,

Eucharis;firſt like the flowre

Iunosmilke did ſpring the ſiluer Lillie,

fell on Hymenshand, who ſtraight did ſpie

bounteous Godhead, and with wondrous ioy

it Eucharis.She wondrous coy

back her hand: the ſubtle flowre did woo it,

drawing it neere, mixt ſo you could not know it.

two cleere Tapers mixe in one their light,

did the Lillie and the hand their white:

viewd it, and her view the forme beſtowes

her ſpirits; for as colour flowes

ſuperficies of each thing we ſee,

ſo with colours formes emitted bee:

where Loues forme is, loue is, loue is forme;

entred at the eye, his ſacred ſtorme

from the hand, loues ſweeteſt inſtrument:

ſtir’d her bloods ſea ſo, that high it went,

beate in baſhfull waues gainſt the white ſhore

her diuided cheekes; it rag’d the more,

the tide went gainſt the haughtie winde

her eſtate and birth: And as we finde

fainting ebs, the flowrie Zephire hurles

greene-hayrdHelleſpont,broke in ſiluer curles

Herostowre: but in his blaſts retreate,

waues obeying him, they after beate,

the chalkie ſhore a great way pale,

moyſt it freſhly with another gale:

ebd and flowde the blood in Eucharisface,

and Loue ſtriu’d which had greateſt grace,

did fight on Coyneſſe ſide;

of her parents frownes, and femall pride,

the lower place, more then it loues

high contents, deſert and vertue moues.

loue fought Hymensbeautie and his valure,

ſcarce could ſo much fauour yet allure

come to ſtrike, but fameles idle ſtood,

is firie valours ſoueraigne good.

Loue once entred, wiſht no greater ayde

he could find within; thought, thought betrayd,

bribde, but incorrupted Garriſon,

Io Hymen;there thoſe ſongs begun,

Louewasgrowne ſo rich with ſuch a gaine,

wanton with the eaſe of his free raigne,

he would turne into her rougheſt frownes

turne them out; and thus he Hymencrownes

of his thoughts, mans greateſt Emperie:

was his firſt braue ſtep to deitie.

Hometo the mourning cittie they repayre,

newes as holeſome as the morning ayre,

the ſad parents of each ſaued maid:

Hymenand his Eucharishad laid

plat, to make the flame of their delight

as the Moone at full, and full as bright.

Becauſethe parents of chaſt Eucharis

Hymensſo, might croſſe their blis;

as the world rewards deſerts, that law

aſſiſt with force: ſo when they ſaw

daughter ſafe, take vantage of their owne,

Hymensvalour much, nothing beſtowne.

muſt leaue the virgins in a Groue

off from Athens,and go firſt to proue

to reſtore them all with fame and life,

ſhould enioy his deareſt as his wife.

told to all the maids; the moſt agree:

riper ſort knowing what t’is to bee

firſt mouth of a newes ſo farre deriu’d,

that to heare and beare newes braue folks liu’d,

being a carriage ſpeciall hard to beare,

theſe occurrents being ſo deare,

did with grace proteſt, they were content

their friends with all their complement,

Hymens good:but to incurre their harme,

he muſt pardon them. This wit went warme

Adoleſhesbraine, a Nymph borne hie,

all of voyce and fire, that vpwards flie:

hart and all her forces neither traine,

to her tongue, and thither fell her braine,

it could goe no higher: and it muſt go,

powers ſhe had, euen her tongue did ſo.

ſpirit and quicknes ſhe much ioy did take,

lou’d her tongue, only for quicknes ſake,

ſhe would haſt and tell. The reſt all ſtay,

goes on, the Nymph another way:

what became of her Ile tell at laſt:

take her viſage now: moyſt lipt, long fa’ſt,

like an iron wedge, ſo ſharpe and tart,

twere of purpoſe made to cleaue Loueshart.

were this louely Beautie rid of her,

Hymendid at Athensnow prefer

welcome ſuite, which he with ioy aſpirde:

hundred princely youths with him retirde

fetch the Nymphs; Chariots and Muſick went,

home they came: heauen with applauſes rent.

Nuptials ſtraight proceed, whiles all the towne,

in their ioyes might doe them moſt renowne.

gold-lockt Hymendid to Church repaire,

a quick offring burnd in flames of haire.

after, with a virgin firmament,

Godhead-prouing Bride, attended went

them all, ſhe lookt in her command,

if forme-giuing Cypriasſiluer hand

all their beauties, and cruſht out one flame,

bluſht to ſee how beautie ouercame

thoughts of all men. Next before her went

louely children deckt with ornament

her ſweet colours, bearing Torches by,

light was held a happie Augurie

generation, whoſe efficient right

nothing elſe but to produce to light.

od diſparent number they did chuſe,

ſhew the vnion married loues ſhould vſe,

in two equall parts it will not ſeuer,

the midſt holds one to reioyne it euer,

common to both parts; men therfore deeme,

equall number Gods doe not eſteeme,

authors of ſweet peace and vnitie,

pleaſing to th’infernall Emperie,

whoſe enſignes Wars and Diſcords fight,

an euen number you may diſunite

two parts equall, nought in middle left,

reunite each part from other reft:

fiue they hold in moſt eſpeciall priſe,

t’is the firſt od number that doth riſe

the two formoſt numbers vnitie

od and euen are; which are two, and three,

one no number is; but thence doth flow

powerfull race of number. Next did go

noble Matron that did ſpinning beare

huſwifes rock and ſpindle, and did weare

Weathers ſkin, with all the ſnowy fleece,

intimate that euen the daintieſt peece,

nobleſt borne dame ſhould induſtrious bee,

which does good, diſgraceth no degree.

Andnow to IunosTemplethey are come,

her graue Prieſt ſtood in the mariage rome.

his right arme did hang a ſkarlet vaile,

from his ſhoulders to the ground did traile,

either ſide, Ribands of white and blew;

the red vaile he hid the baſhfull hew

the chaſt Bride, to ſhew the modeſt ſhame,

coupling with a man ſhould grace a dame.

tooke he the diſparent Silks, and tide

Louers by the waſts, and ſide to ſide,

token that thereafter they muſt binde

one ſelfe ſacred knot each others minde.

them on an Altar he preſented

fire and water: which was firſt inuented,

to ingenerate euery humane creature,

euery other birth produ’ſt by Nature,

and heate muſt mixe: ſo man and wife

humane race muſt ioyne in Nuptiall life.

one of IunosBirds, the painted Iay,

ſacrifiſde, and tooke the gall away.

which he did behinde the Altar throw,

ſigne no bitternes of hate ſhould grow

maried loues, nor any leaſt diſdaine.

they ſpake, for twas eſteemd too plaine

the moſt ſilken mildnes of a maid,

let a publique audience heare it ſaid

boldly tooke the man: and ſo reſpected

baſhfulnes in Athens;it erected

chaſt Agneia,which is Shamefaſtneſſe,

ſacred Temple, holding her a Goddeſſe.

now to Feaſts, Masks, and triumphant ſhowes,

ſhining troupes returnd, euen till earths throwes

forth with ioy the thickeſt part of night,

the ſweet Nuptiall ſong that vſde to cite

to their reſt, was by Phemonorſung:

DelphianPropheteſſe, whoſe graces ſprung

of the Muſeswell, ſhe ſung before

Bride into her chamber: at which dore

Matron and a Torch-bearer did ſtand;

painted box of Confits in her hand

Matron held, and ſo did other ſome

compaſt round the honourd Nuptiall rome.

cuſtome was that euery maid did weare,

her maidenhead, a ſilken Sphere

her waſte, aboue her inmoſt weede,

with Mineruasknot, and that was freede

the faire Bridegrome on the mariage night,

many ceremonies of delight:

yet eterniſde Hymenstender Bride,

ſuffer it diſſolu’d ſo ſweetly cride.

maids that heard, ſo lou’d, and did adore her,

wiſht with all their hearts to ſuffer for her.

had the Matrons, that with Confits ſtood

the chamber, ſuch affectionate blood,

ſo true feeling of her harmeles paines,

euery one a ſhowre of Confits raines.

which the Bride youths ſcrambling on the ground,

noyſe of that ſweet haile their cryes were drownd.

thus bleſt Hymenioyde his gracious Bride,

for his ioy was after deifide.

TheSaffron mirror by which Phœbusloue,

Tellusdecks her, now he held aboue

clowdy mountaines; and the noble maide,

Adoleſche,that was ſtraide

of her way, in haſting with her newes,

till this houre th’Athenianturrets viewes,

now brought home by guides; ſhe heard by all

her long kept occurrents would be ſtale,

how faire Hymenshonors did excell

thoſe rare newes, which ſhe came ſhort to tell.

heare her deare tongue robd of ſuch a ioy,

the well-ſpoken Nymph take ſuch a toy,

downe ſhe ſunke: when lightning from aboue,

her leane body, and for meere free loue,

her into the pied-plum’d Pſittacus,

now the Parrat is ſurnam’d by vs,

ſtill with counterfeit confuſion prates,

but newes common to the commonſt mates.

tolde, ſtrange Terastoucht her Lute and ſung

dittie, that the Torchie euening ſprung.

Teratos.

come deare night, Loues Mart of kiſſes,

cloſe of his ambitious line,

fruitfull ſummer of his bliſſes,

glorie doth in darknes ſhine.

come ſoft reſt of Cares, come night,

naked vertues only tire,

reaped harueſt of the light,

vp in ſheaues of ſacred fire.

Louecals to warre,

Sighshis Alarmes,

Lipshis ſwords are,

Thefield his Armes.

Night and lay thy veluet hand

glorious Dayes outfacing face;

all thy crouned flames command,

Torches to our Nuptiall grace.

Louecals to warre,

Sighshis Alarmes,

Lipshis ſwords are,

Thefield his Armes.

neede haue we of factious Day,

caſt in enuie of thy peace,

bals of Diſcord in thy way:

beauties day doth neuer ceaſe,

is abſtracted here,

varied in a triple ſphere.

Alcmane,Mya,ſo outſhine thee,

thou come here let Thetisthrice refine thee.

Louecals to warre,

Sighshis Alarmes,

Lipshis ſwords are,

Thefield his Armes,

Euening ſtarre I ſee,

youths the Euening ſtarre,

Loue to ſummon warre,

now imbracing bee.

youths, loues right claims more thẽ banquets, riſe.

the bright Marygolds that deck the skies,

celeſtiall flowrs, that (contrarie

his flowers here) ope when he ſhuts his eie,

ſhuts when he doth open, crowne your ſports;

loue in night, and night in loue exhorts

and Dances; All your parts employ,

ſuite nights rich expanſure with your ioy,

paints his longings in ſweet virgins eyes;

youths, loues right claims more thẽ banquets, riſe.

virgins, let fayre Nuptiall loues enfolde

fruitles breaſts; the maidenheads ye holde

not your owne alone, but parted are;

in diſpoſing them your Parents ſhare,

that a third part is; ſo muſt ye ſaue

loues a third, and you your thirds muſt haue.

paints his longings in ſweet virgins eyes;

youths, loues right claims more thẽ banquets, riſe.

Herewiththe amorous ſpirit that was ſo kinde

Terashaire, and combd it downe with winde,

as it Comet-like brake from her braine,

needes haue Terasgone, and did refraine

blow it downe: which ſtaring vp, diſmaid

timorous feaſt, and ſhe no longer ſtaid:

bowing to the Bridegrome and the Bride,

like a ſhooting exhalation glide

of their ſights; the turning of her back

them all ſhrieke, it lookt ſo ghaſtly black.

haples Hero,that moſt haples clowde,

ſoone-ſucceeding Tragedie foreſhowde.

all the Nuptiall crew to ioyes depart,

much-wrongd Hero,ſtood Hels blackeſt dart:

wound becauſe I grieue ſo to diſplay,

vſe digreſſions thus t’encreaſe the day.

end of the fift Sestyad.

ARGVMENT OF THE SIXT SESTYAD.

Leucoteflyes to all the windes,

Andfrom the fates their outrage bindes,

ThatHeroand her loue may meete.

Leander(with Louescompleate Fleete

Mandin himſelfe) puts forth to Seas,

VVhenſtraight the ruthles Deſtinies,

VVithAteſtirre the windes to warre

Vponthe Helleſpont:Their iarre

Drownespoore Leander.Heroseyes

VVetwitneſſes of his ſurpriſe

HerTorch blowne out: Griefe caſts her downe

Vponher loue, and both doth drowne.

Inwhoſe iuſt ruth the God of Seas,

Transformesthem to th’Acanthides.

longer could the day nor Deſtinies

the night, who now did frowning riſe

her Throne; and at her humorous breſts,

and Dreames lay ſucking: all mens reſts

like the miſts of death vpon their eyes,

too long darts ſo kild their faculties.

windes yet, like the flowrs to ceaſe began:

bright Leucote,Venuswhiteſt Swan,

held ſweetHerodeare, ſpread her fayre wings,

to a field of ſnow, and meſſage brings

Venusto the Fates, t’entreate them lay

charge vpon the windes their rage to ſtay,

the ſterne battaile of the Seas might ceaſe,

guard Leanderto his loue in peace.

Fates conſent, (aye me diſſembling Fates)

ſhewd their fauours to conceale their hates,

draw Leanderon, leaſt Seas too hie

ſtay his too obſequious deſtinie:

like a fleering ſlauiſh Paraſite,

warping profit or a traiterous ſleight,

round his rotten bodie with deuotes,

pricks his deſcant face full of falſe notes,

with open throte (and othes as fowle

his falſe heart) the beautie of an Owle,

his skipping hand with charmed ſkips,

cannot leaue, but leapes vpon his lips

a cock-ſparrow, or a ſhameles queane

at a red-lipt youth, and nought doth meane

all his antick ſhewes, but doth repayre

tender fawnes, and takes a ſcattred hayre

his tame ſubiects ſhoulder; whips, and cals

euery thing he lacks; creepes gainſt the wals

backward humbleſſe, to giue needles way:

his falſe fate did with Leanderplay.

Firſtto black Eurusflies the white Leucote,

mongſt the Negrosin the LeuantSea,

whoſe curld head the glowing Sun doth riſe,

ſhewes the ſoueraigne will of Deſtinies,

haue him ceaſe his blaſts, and downe he lies.

to the fennie Notus,courſe ſhe holds,

found him leaning with his armes in folds

a rock, his white hayre full of ſhowres,

him ſhe chargeth by the fatall powres,

hold in his wet cheekes his clowdie voyce,

Zephirethen that doth in flowres reioyce.

ſnake-foote Boreasnext ſhe did remoue,

found him toſsing of his rauiſht loue,

heate his froſtie boſome hid in ſnow,

with Leucotesſight did ceaſe to blow.

all were ſtill to Herosharts deſire,

with all ſpeede did conſecrate a fire

flaming Gummes, and comfortable Spice,

light her Torch, which in ſuch curious price

held, being obiect to Leandersſight,

nought but fires perfum’d muſt giue it light.

loud it ſo, ſhe grieu’d to ſee it burne,

it would waſte and ſoone to aſhes turne:

if it burnd not, twere not worth her eyes,

made it nothing, gaue it all the prize.

Torch, true Glaſſe of our ſocietie;

man does good, but he conſumes thereby?

thou wert lou’d for good, held high, giuen ſhow:

vertue loth’d for good, obſcur’d, held low.

good be pinde, be deedles good, diſgraſt:

we feede on men, we let them faſt.

Herowith theſe thoughts her Torch did ſpend.

Bees makes waxe, Nature doth not intend

ſhall be made a Torch: but we that know

proper vertue of it make it ſo,

when t’is made we light it: nor did Nature

one life to maids, but each ſuch creature

by her ſoule the beſt of her free ſtate,

without loue is rude, diſconſolate,

wants loues fire to make it milde and bright,

when, maids are but Torches wanting light.

gainſt our griefe, not cauſe of griefe we fight,

right of nought is gleande, but the delight.

went ſhe, but to tell how ſhe deſcended,

God ſhe were not dead, or my verſe ended.

was the rule of wiſhes, ſumme and end

all the parts that did on loue depend:

caſt the Torch his brightnes further forth;

what ſhines neereſt beſt, holds trueſt worth.

did not through ſuch tempeſts ſwim

kiſſe the Torch, although it lighted him:

all his powres in her deſires awaked,

loue and vertues cloth’d him richly naked.

kiſſe but fire that only ſhewes purſue,

Torch and Hero,figure, ſhew, and vertue.

at oppoſde Abydusnought was heard,

bleating flocks, and many a bellowing herd,

for the Nuptials, cracks of falling woods,

of broad axes, powrings out of floods.

guiltie Helleſpontwas mixt and ſtainde

bloodie Torrents, that the ſhambles raind;

arguments of feaſt, but ſhewes that bled,

that red night that followed.

blood was ſpilt, more honors were addreſt,

could haue graced any happie feaſt.

banquets, triumphs, euery pomp employes

ſumptuous hand: no miſers nuptiall ioyes.

felt continuall thunder with the noyſe,

in the generall mariage violence:

no man knew the cauſe of this expence,

the two haples Lords, LeandersSire,

poore Leander,pooreſt where the fire

credulous loue made him moſt rich ſurmiſde,

ſhort was he of that himſelfe he priſde,

is an emptie Gallant full of forme,

thinks each looke an act, each drop a ſtorme,

fals from his braue breathings; moſt brought vp

our Metropolis,and hath his cup

after him to feaſts; and much Palme beares,

his rare iudgement in th’attire he weares,

ſeene the hot Low Countries, not their heat,

their rampires and their buildings yet.

for your ſweet diſcourſe with mouthes is heard,

inſtructions with his very beard.

gone with an Ambaſſadour, and been

great mans mate in trauailing, euen to Rhene,

then puts all his worth in ſuch a face,

he ſaw braue men make, and ſtriues for grace

get his newes forth; as when you deſcrie

ſhip with all her ſayle contends to flie

of the narrow Thames with windes vnapt,

croſſeth here, then there, then this way rapt,

then hath one point reacht; then alters all,

to another crooked reach doth fall

halfe a burdbolts ſhoote; keeping more coyle,

if ſhe danſt vpon the Oceans toyle:

ſerious is his trifling companie,

all his ſwelling ſhip of vacantrie.

ſo ſhort of himſelfe in his high thought,

our Leanderin his fortunes brought.

in his fort of loue that he thought won,

otherwiſe, he ſkornes compariſon.

Oſweet Leander,thy large worth I hide

a ſhort graue; ill fauourd ſtormes muſt chide

ſacred fauour; I, in floods of inck

drowne thy graces, which white papers drink,

as thy beauties did the foule black Seas;

muſt deſcribe the hell of thy diſeaſe,

heauen did merit: yet I needes muſt ſee

painted fooles and cockhorſe Peſſantrie

ſtill vſurp, with long liues, loues, and luſt,

ſeates of vertue, cutting ſhort as duſt

deare bought iſſue; ill, to worſe conuerts,

tramples in the blood of all deſerts.

Nightcloſe and ſilent now goes faſt before

Captaines and their ſouldiers to the ſhore,

whom attended the appointed Fleete

SestusBay, that ſhould Leandermeete.

fainde he in another ſhip would paſſe:

muſt not be, for no one meane there was

get his loue home, but the courſe he tooke.

did his beautie for his beautie looke,

ſaw her through her Torch, as you beholde

within the Sunne a face of golde,

in ſtrong thoughts, by that traditions force,

ſaies a God ſits there and guides his courſe.

ſiſter was with him, to whom he ſhewd

guide by Sea: and ſayd, oft haue you viewd

one heauen many ſtarres, but neuer yet

one ſtarre many heauens till now were met.

louely ſiſter, ſee, now Heroſhines

heauen but her appeares; each ſtar repines,

all are clad in clowdes, as if they mournd,

be by influence of Earth out-burnd.

doth ſhe ſhine, and teacheth vertues traine,

to be conſtant in Hels blackeſt raigne:

euen the gods themſelues do ſo entreat them

they did hate, and Earth as ſhe would eate them.

Offwent his ſilken robe, and in he leapt;

the kinde waues ſo licorouſly cleapt,

for haſte one in another ſo,

kiſſe his skin, that he might almoſt go

HerosTowre, had that kind minuit laſted.

now the cruell fates with Atehaſted

all the windes, and made them battaile fight

the Helleſpont,for eithers right

to the windie monarchie.

forth they brake, the Seas mixt with the ſkie,

toſt diſtreſt Leander,being in hell,

high as heauen; Bliſſe not in height doth dwell.

Deſtinies ſate dancing on the waues,

ſee the glorious windes with mutuall braues

each other: O true glaſſe to ſee,

ruinous ambitious Statiſts bee

their owne glorieſ! Poore Leandercried

help to Sea-borne Venus;ſhe denied

Boreas,that for his Atthæasſake,

would ſome pittie on his Hero take,

for his owne loues ſake, on his deſires;

Glorie neuer blowes cold Pitties fires.

calde he Neptune,who through all the noiſe,

with affright his wrackt Leandersvoice:

vp he roſe, for haſte his forehead hit

heauẽs hard Chriſtall; his proud waues he ſmit

his forkt ſcepter, that could not obay,

greater powers then Neptunesgaue them ſway,

lou’d Leanderſo, in groanes they brake

they came neere him; and ſuch ſpace did take

one another, loth to iſſue on,

in their ſhallow furrowes earth was ſhone,

the poore louer tooke a little breath:

the curſt Fates ſate ſpinning of his death

euery waue, and with the ſeruile windes

them on him: And now Herofindes

that ſhe felt her deare Leandersſtate,

wept and prayed for him to euery fate,

euery winde that whipt her with her haire

the face, ſhe kiſt and ſpake it faire,

to it, gaue it drinke out of her eyes

quench his thirſt: but ſtill their cruelties

her poore Torch enuied, and rudely beate

bating flame from that deare foode it eate:

for it nouriſht her Leanderslife,

with her robe ſhe reſcude from their ſtrife:

ſilke too ſoft was, ſuch hard hearts to breake,

ſhe deare ſoule, euen as her ſilke, faint, weake,

not preſerue it: out, O out it went.

ſtill cald Neptune,that now rent

brackiſh curles, and tore his wrinckled face

teares in billowes did each other chace,

(burſt with ruth) he hurld his marble Mace

the ſterne Fates, it wounded Lacheſis

drew Leandersthread, and could not miſſe

thread it ſelfe, as it her hand did hit,

ſmote it full and quite did ſunder it.

more kinde Neptunerag’d, the more he raſte

loues liues fort, and kild as he embraſte.

doth ſtill his owne miſhap encreaſe;

any comfort liue, it is in peace.

theeuiſh Fates, to let Blood, Fleſh, and Sence,

two fayre Temples for their Excellence,

rob it with a poyſoned influence.

ſoules gifts ſtarue, the bodies are held deare

vglieſt things; Sence-ſport preſerues a Beare.

here nought ſerues our turnes; O heauen & earth,

moſt moſt wretched is our humane birth?

now did all the tyrannous crew depart,

there was a ſtorme in Heroshart,

then they could make, & skornd their ſmart.

bowd her ſelfe ſo low out of her Towre,

wonder twas ſhe fell not ere her howre,

ſearching the lamenting waues for him;

a poore Snayle, her gentle ſupple lim

on her Turrets top ſo moſt downe right,

ſhe would diue beneath the darknes quite,

finde her Iewell; Iewell, her Leander,

name of all earths Iewels pleaſde not her,

his deare name;Leander,ſtill my choice,

nought but my Leander;O my voice

to Leander:hence-forth be all ſounds,

and phraſes that ſhew all griefes wounds,

in Leander.O black change!

doe you with thunder of your clange,

out this changes horror, my voyce faints;

all ioy was, now ſhrieke out all complaints.

cryed ſhe, for her mixed ſoule could tell

loue was dead: And when the morning fell

vpon the weeping earth for woe,

that bled out of her cheekes did ſhow,

brought by Neptune,bruſde and torne,

Citties ruines he to Rocks had worne,

filthie vſering Rocks that would haue blood,

they could get of him no other good.

ſaw him, and the ſight was much much more,

might haue ſeru’d to kill her; ſhould her ſtore

giant ſorrowes ſpeake? Burſt, dye, bleede,

leaue poore plaints to vs that ſhall ſucceede.

fell on her loues boſome, hugg’d it faſt,

with Leandersname ſhe breath’d her laſt.

Neptunefor pittie in his armes did take them,

them into the ayre, and did awake them.

two ſweet birds ſurnam’d th’Acanthides,

we call Thiſtle-warps, that neere no Seas

euer come, but ſtill in couples flie,

feede on Thiſtle tops, to teſtifie

hardnes of their firſt life in their laſt:

firſt in thornes of loue, and ſorrowes paſt,

ſo moſt beautifull their colours ſhow,

none (ſo little) like them: her ſad brow

ſable veluet feather couers quite,

like the forehead cloths that in the night,

when they ſorrow, Ladies vſe to weare:

wings, blew, red and yellow mixt appeare,

that as we conſtrue colours paint

ſtates to life; the yellow ſhewes their ſaint,

deuill Venusleft them; blew their truth,

red and black, enſignes of death and ruth.

this true honor from their loue-deaths ſprung,

were the firſt that euer Poet ſung.