They mocke and scorne him, and him foule miscall; But, hanging downe his head, did like a mome 2 appeare. L. At length, when they had flouted 3 him their fill, Some would have gelt him; but that same would spill Him in deares skin to clad; and in that plight To hunt him with their hounds, himselfe save how hee might. LI. But Cynthia's selfe, more angry then the rest, LII. But him (according as they had decreed) 1 Haile, hale, drag. 3 Flouted, derided. • Spill, spoil. 5 Drire, driven. • Then, than. 7 Straighter sort, stricter fashion 8 Consort, companions. With a deeres-skin they covered, and then chast With all their hounds that after him did speed; But he, more speedy, from them fled more fast Then1any deere; so sore him dread aghast.2 They after follow'd all with shrill out-cry, Shouting as they the heavens would have brast3; That all the woods and dales, where he did flie, Did ring againe, and loud reeccho to the skie. LIII. So they him follow'd till they weary were; Her whelm'd with stones: Yet Faunus, for her paine, Of her beloved Fanchin did obtaine, That her he would receive unto his bed. So now her waves passe through a pleasant plaine, Till with the Fanchin she herselfe doe wed, And, both combin'd, themselves in one faire river spred. LIV. Nath'lesse Diana, full of indignation, Thenceforth abandond her delicious brooke; In whose sweete streame, before that bad occasion, All those faire forrests about Arlo hid; And all that mountaine, which doth overlooke 4 The richest champian that may else be rid 5; And the faire Shure, in which are thousand salmons bred. LV. Them all, and all that she so deare did way,6 Then, than. 2 Aghast, terrified. 4 Champian, champaign, plain. 5 Rid, read, spoken of. • Way, esteem. Thenceforth she left; and, parting from the place, To weet, that wolves, where she was wont to space, Shou'd harbour'd be and all those woods deface, And thieves should rob and spoile that coast around. Since which, those woods, and all that goodly chase Doth to this day with wolves and thieves abound: Which too-too true that lands in-dwellers since have found! CANTO VII. Pealing1 Large evidence: but Nature soone I. AH! whither doost thou now, thou greater Muse, This too high flight unfit for her weake wing, That him of heavens empire sought to dispossesse? II. Yet, sith 3 I needs must follow thy behest, 1 Pealing, appealing. 2 Areads, declares. 1. 1.-Thou greater Muse.] Clio. 3 Sith, since. 4 Sable, dark, misty. II. 3. — Sable brest.] Some editions have feeble, instead of sable. Can tell things doen in heaven so long ygone, So farre past memory of man that may be knowne? III. Now, at the time that was before agreed, As well those that are sprung of heavenly seed, IV. And thither also came all other creatures, And raunged farre abroad in every border, They would have caused much confusion and disorder. V. Then forth issew'd (great Goddesse) great Dame Nature With goodly port and gracious maiesty, Being far greater and more tall of stature 1 Then any of the gods or powers on hie; 2 Yet certes by her face and physnomy,3 Whether she man or woman inly were, Then, than. 2 Certes, surely. 3 Physnomy, countenance. |