For though their numbers do much more sur mount, Yet all those same were there which erst I did re count. 3 All those were there, and many other more, Who thither with her came, to learne and see The manner of the gods when they at banquet be. 4 But for he was halfe mortall, being bred 5 Under the hanging of an hideous clieffe He heard the lamentable voice of one 1 I. e. happened to him an unfortunate adventure. V. 2. Of one.] This is Florimel, who was imprisoned by Proteus, Book III Canto VIII. 41. H. That piteously complaind her carefull1 grieffe, And made it seeme to feele her grievous paine, And oft to grone with billowes beating from the maine: : 6 "Though vaine I see my sorrowes to unfold And count my cares, when none is nigh to heare; Yet, hoping griefe may lessen, being told, I will them tell though unto no man neare: For Heaven, that unto all lends equall eare, Is farre from hearing of my heavy plight; And lowest hell, to which I lie most neare, Cares not what evils hap to wretched wight; And greedy seas doe in the spoile of life delight. 7 "Yet loe! the seas I see by often beating Doe pearce the rockes; and hardest marble weares; But his hard rocky hart for no entreating Will yeeld, but, when my piteous plaints he heares, Is hardned more with my aboundant teares: Yet though he never list to me relent, But let me waste in woe my wretched yeares, But ioy that for his sake I suffer prisonment. 1 Carefull, sorrowful. 8 "And when my weary ghost, with griefe out worne, By timely death shall winne her wished rest, She 9 gan afresh thus to renew her wretched case: "Ye gods of seas, if any gods at all Have care of right or ruth of wretches wrong, 10 "But if that life ye unto me decree, Then let mee live as lovers ought to do, And of my lifes deare Love beloved be: And if he shall through pride your doome undo, And in this prison put him here with me; So had I rather to be thrall then free; Such thraldome, or such freedome, let it surely be. 1 Deeme, adjudge. 2 Attone, at once. VOL. III. 15 11 "But O vaine iudgement, and conditions vaine, 1 The which the prisoner points 1 unto the free! But whereso loose or happy that thou art, With that she wept and wail'd, as if her hart Would quite have burst through great abundance of her smart. 12 All which complaint when Marinell had heard, Her to redresse: but since he meanes found none, He could no more but her great misery bemone. 13 Thus whilst his stony heart with tender ruth 4 Was toucht, and mighty courage mollifide, Dame Venus sonne, that tameth stubborne youth With iron bit, and maketh him abide Till like a victor on his backe he ride, Into his mouth his maystring bridle threw, That made him stoupe, till he did him bestride: 1 Points, appoints. 2 Care, grief. 8 Misfare, misfortune. 4 Courage, heart. Then gan he make him tread his steps anew, And learne to love by learning lovers paines to rew.1 14 Now gan he in his grieved minde devise, How from that dungeon he might her enlarge: Some while he thought, by faire and humble wise To Proteus selfe to sue for her discharge: But then he fear'd his mothers former charge Gainst womens love, long given him in vaine : Then gan he thinke perforce with sword and targe Her forth to fetch, and Proteus to constraine : But soone he gan such folly to forthinke2 againe. 15 Then did he cast to steale her thence away, And with him beare where none of her might know, But all in vaine: for why? he found no way To enter in, or issue forth below; For all about that rocke the sea did flow. 16 At last, whenas no meanes he could invent, 1 Rew, pity. 2 Forthinke, think better of, repent. |