Upon a bed of roses she was laid, As faint through heat, or dight to pleasant sin, 1 But rather showed more white, if more might be : More subtile web Arachne cannot spin, Nor the fine nets which oft we woven see |Doth first peep forth with bashful modestie, So passeth in the passing of a day, Of scorched dew, do not in th' air more lightly That earst was sought to deck both bed and flee. $61. Lechery. AND next to him rode lustfull Lechery, Upon a bearded goat, whoes rugged haire, And whaley eyes (the signe of jealousie) Was like the person self whom he did beare; Who rough and black, and filthy did appeare, Unseemly man to please fair lady's eye; Yet he of ladys oft was loved dear, When fairer faces were bid standen by: O! who does know the bent of woman's fan. tasie? In a green gowne he clothed was full faire, Which underneath did hide his filthiness, And in his hand a burning heart did bare, Full of vaine follies, and new fangleness, For he was false, and fraught with fickleness, And learned had to love with secrett lookes, And well could dance and sing with rueful ness, bowre Of many a lady, and many a paramoure : Gather the rose of love, whilst yet is time, Whilst loving thou mayst loved be with equal crime. § 63. Love.. O SACRED fire that burnest mightily In living brests, ykindled first above, [sky, Emongst th' eternal spheres and lamping And thence pour'd into men, which men call love; [move Not that same which doth base affections Well did antiquitie a god thee deeme, And fortunes tell, and read in loveing And thousand other waies, to bait his fleshly hooks. Inconstant man, that loved all he saw, And lusted after all that he did love, Ne would his looser life be tied to law, But joy'd weak women's hearts to tempt and prove, If from their loyal loves he might them move; Which lewdness fill'd him with reproachful paine Of that foul evill which all men reprove, That rots the marrow and consumes the braine : [traine. Such one was Lechery, the third of all this § 62. Life. O WHY doe wretched men so much desire To draw their days unto the utmost date, And doe not rather wish them soon expire, Knowing the misery of their estate, And thousand perils which them still awaite, Tossing themselves like a boat amid the maine That every hour they knock at deathes gate? And he that happy seemes, and least in paine, [plaine. Yet is as nigh his end, as he that most doth The whiles some one did chaunt this lovely lay; Ah see, who so faire thing dost faine to see, In springing flowre the image of thy day; All see thy virgin rose, how sweetly shee Thou dost effect in destined descents, Through deep impression of thy secret might; And stirredst up the heroe's high intents, Which the late world admires for wondrous monuments. Wondrous it is to see in diverse mindes, How diversely Love doth his pageants play, And shews his power in variable kinds : But in brave sprite it kindles goodly fire, That to all high desert and honour doth aspire. Ne suffereth uncomely idleness In his free thought to build her sluggish nest; Ne suffereth it thought of ungentleness, Ever to creep into his noble brest ; But to the highest and the worthiest Lifteth it up, that else would lowly fall: It lets not fall, it lets it not to rest : [all, It lets not scarce this prince to breathe at But to his first pursuit him forward still doth call. $64. Madness. WITH hundred iron chains he did him bind, An hundred knotts that did him sore constraine : Yet his great iron teeth he still did grinde, And grimly gnash, threatning revenge in vaine' His burning eyn, whom bloudy strakes did | staine, [fire; And when in wrath he threats the world's decay, [stay. Stared full wide, and threw forth sparks of They do his anger calme, and cruel vengeance And more for ranke despight, then for great THEY, passing by, were guided by degree Unto the pressance of that gratious queen : Who sate on high, that she might all men And might of all men royally be seene, [see, Upon a throne of gold full bright and sheene; Adorned all with gemmes of endless price, As either might for wealth have gotten been, Or could be fram'd by workman's rare device; [lice. And all embost with lyons and with flowre-deAnd over all her cloth of state was spred, Not of rich tissew, nor of cloth of gold, Nor of aught else that may be richest red, But like a cloud, as likest may be told, [fold; That her broad spreading wings did wide unWhose skirts were bordered with bright sunny beames, Glistring like gold, amongst the plights enrold, And here and there shooting forth silver [the glittering gleames. Mongst which crept the little angels through streames, Seemed those little angels did uphold The cloth of state, and on their purpled wings Did bear the pendants, thro' their nimbless bold, Besides a thousand more of such, as sings Hymnes to high God, and carols heavenly things, Encompassed the throne, on which she sate: She angel-like, the heir of ancient kings And mighty conquerors, in royal state, Whilst kings and Cæsars at her feet did them prostrate. Thus she did sit in sovereign majestie, Holding a sceptre in her royal hand, The sacred pledge of peace and clemencie, With which high God had blest her happy land, Maugre so many foes which did withstand. But at her feet her sword was likewise layd, Whose long rest rusted the bright steely brand, Yet when as foes enforc't, or friends sought ayde, She could it sternly draw, that all the world dismaide. And round about before her feet there sate A beautie of faire virgins clad in white, That goodly seem'd t' adorne her royal state, All lovely daughters of high Jove, that hight Lite, by him begot in love's delight, Upon the righteous Themis: those they say Upon Jove's judgment-seat waite day and night, They also doe, by his divine permission, Upon the thrones of mortal princes tend, And often treat for pardon and remission To suppliants through frailtie which offend; Those did upon Marcille's throne, attend: Just Dice, wise Eunomie, mild Eirene; And them amongst, her glory to commend, Sate goodly Temperance, in garments clene And sacred Reverance, yborne of heavenly strene. Some clerks doe doubt in their deviceful art, Whether this heavenly thing, whereof I treat, To weeten, mercy, be of justice part, Or drawne forth from her by divine extreate. This well I wote; that sure she is as great, And meriteth to have as high a place, Sith in th' Almightie's everlasting seat [race She first was bred, and borne of heavenly From thence pour'd down on men, by influence of grace. For if that virtue be of that great might, Which from just verdict will for nothing start, But to preserve inviolated right, Oft spoils the principal to save the part; So much more then is that of powre and art, That seekes to save the subject of her skill, Yet never doth for doom of right depart : As it is greater praise to save, than spill; And better to reforme, than to cut off the ill. 66. Minerva. LIKE as Minerva, being late return'd From slaughter of the giants conquered : Where proud Encelade, whose wide nose trils burn'd With breathed flames, like to a furnace red, Transfixed with his spear, down tumbled dead From top of Hemus, by him heaped hie, Hath loos'd her helmet from her lofty head, And her Gorgonian shield gins to untie From her left arme, to rest in glorious victorie. § 67. Morning. AT last fair Hesperus, in his highest sky Had spent his lamp, and brought forth dawn ing light, Then up and clad him hastily; The dwarfe him brought his steed: so both away did fly. he rose, Another. Ar last the golden oriental gate Of greatest heaven gan to open faire, [mate, And Phoebus fresh, as bridegrome to his Came dancing forth, shaking his deawy haire: And hurles his glistering beams thro' gleomy aire. Another. SOON as the fiery streakes with purple beames Disperse the shadows of the misty night, And Titan playing on the easterne streames, Gan cleare the deawy aire with springing light: So soon as day, forth dawning from the east, Night's humid curtaine from the heavens withdrew, And early calling forth both man and beast, Commanded them their daily workes renew. 68. Palace of Sleep. To Morpheus' house doth hastily repaire: Amid the bowels of the earth full steep [peep, And lowe, where dawning day doth never His dwelling is; there Thetys his wet bed Doth ever wash, and Cynthia still doth steep In silver dew his ever drouping head, Whiles sad night over him her mantle black doth spread. Whose double gates he findeth locked fast, The other all with silver overcast ; Who oft is wont to trouble gentle sleep. In drowsie fit he finds of nothing he takes keep. And more to lull him in his slumbers soft, A trickling stream from high rock tumbling down, And ever drizling raine upon the loft, Of swarming bees, did cast him in a swoone: Wrapt in eternal silence, farre from enemies. eyen, And wrapt with whirling wheels enflame the skyen [shine. With fire not made to burn, but fairly for to §71. Slander. So when that forest they had passed well, A little cottage farre away they spide, [fell: To which they drew, ere night upon them With filthy locks about her scatter'd wide, And thereout sucking venom to her parts in- tire. A foule and loathly creature sure in sight, And in conditions to be loath'd no less: For shee was stuft with rancour and de- Up to the throat; that oft with bitterness excess, Pouring out streams of poyson and of gall, And causeless crimes continually to frame; cuse, So chast and loyall liv'd, but she would Her words were not as common words are From inward parts, with cancar'd malice lin'd, * HEE cryde, as rageing seas are wont to rore, When wintry storme his wrathfull wreck does threat, The rolling billows beat the rugged shore, As they the earth would shoulder from her seat, And greedy gulph does gape, as he would eat His neighbour element in his revenge : Then gin the blustring breathren boldly threat, To move the world from off his steadfast henge, [avenge. He leaves the wilkin way most beaten plaine, And boystrous battell make, each other to 73. Venus. His steed was bloody red, and foamed ire, RIGHT in the midst the goddesse self did When with the maist'ring spur he did him Upon an altar of some costly masse, [stand, Whose substance was uneath to understand: For neither precious stones, nor durefull Ne chaffer words, proud courage to provoke, brasse, Nor shining gold, nor mouldring clay it was; But yet more rare and precious to esteeme, Pure in aspect, and like to chrystall glass; Yet glass was not, if one did rightly deem; But being faire and brittle, likest glass did seeme. But it in shape and beauty did excell All other idols which the heathen adore : Farre passing that, which by surpassing skill Phidias did make in Paphos isle of yore, With which that wretched Greeke that life forlore Did fall in love: yet this much fairer shined,| But covered with slender veil afore, And both her feet and legs together twined Were with a snake, whose head and taile were fast combined. The cause why she was covered with a veile, [same Was hard to know, for that her priests the From people's knowledge labour'd to conceale ; But sooth it was not sure for womanish shame, Nor any blemish which the work mote blame; But for (they say) she hath both kinds in one, Both male and female, both under one name: She sire and mother is herself alone; Begets, and eke conceives, she needeth other none. And all about her neck and shoulders flew A flock of little loves, and sports, and joyes, With nimble wings of gold and purple hew ;| Whoes shapes seem'd not like to terrestrial boyes, But like to angels playing heavenly toyes; The wide kingdome of love with lordly sway, And to his law compels all creatures to obey. And all about her altar scatter'd lay, Great sorts of lovers piteously complaining, Some of their loss, some of their love's delay, Some of their pride, some paragons disdaining, Some fearing fraude, some fraudulently faynAs ever one had cause of good or ill. [ing, $74. Wrath. AFTER that varlet's sight, it was not long Ere on the plaine fast pricking Guion spide roughly stire. Approaching nigh he never staid to greet, But prickt so fierce, that underneath his feet [smoke The smoldring dust did round about him Both horse and man nigh able for to choke; And fairly couching his steel-headed spear, Him first saluted with a sturdy stroke. And him beside rides fierce revenging Upon a lyon, loth for to be led; [Wrath And in his hand a burning brond he hath, The which he brandisheth about his head; His eyes did hurle forth sparkles fiery red, And stared stern on all that him beheld, As ashes pale of hue, and seeming dead; And on his dagger still his hand he held, Trembling thro' hasty rage, when choler in him swell'd. His ruffian raiment all was stain'd in blood Which he had spilt, and all to rage yrent, Thro' unadvised rashness woxen wood, For of his hands he had no government, Ne car'd for bloud in his avengement; But when the furious fit was overpast, His cruel facts he often would repent, Yet, wilful man, he never would forecast, How many mischiefs should ensue his heedless hast! Full many mischiefs follow cruel Wrath; Abhorred bloudshed, and tumultuous strife, Unmanly murther, and unthrifty scath, Bitter despight, with rancour's rusty knife, And fretting grief, the enemy of life: And these and many evils more haunt ire, The swelling splene, and phrenzy raging rife, The shaking palsey, and St. Francis' fire: Such one was Wrath, the last of this ungodly tire. [light One in bright arms embattailed full strong, So wept Duessa until even tide, That as the sunny beams doe glance and glide That shining lamps in Jove's high house were Upon the trembling wave, so shined bright, Then forth she rose, ne longer would abide, And round about him threw forth sparkling But comes unto the place where th' heathen fire, That seemed him to enflame on every side : In slumb'ring swoon nigh void of vital spright, knight Lay cover'd with enchanted cloud all day; Whom when she found, as she him left in plight To wail his woful case, she would not stay, But to the eastern coast of heaven makes speedy way, Where griesly Night, with visage deadly sad, Where she all day did hide her hated hue : And cole-black steeds yborn of hellish brood, That on their rusty bits did champ as they were wood. And all the while she stood upon the ground, § 76. Description of Lucifer's Palace. STATELY palace built of squared brick, Which cunningly was without mortar laid, Whose walls were high, but nothing strong nor thick, And golden foil all over them display'd; High lifted up were many lofty tow'rs, § 77. Lucifera ascending her Coach. So forth she comes: her brightness broad doth blaze, The heaps of people thronging in the hall So forth she comes, and to her coach does climb Adorned all with gold, and garlands gay, Drawn of fair peacocks that excel in pride, And full of Argus' eyes their tails dispredden wide. 78. Description of Diana with her Nymphs, returned from the Chase, and preparing to bathe. SHORTLY under the wasteful woods she came, Whereat she found the goddess and her crew, After late chace of their embrued game, Sitting beside a fountain in a rew, Some of them washing with the liquid dew She having hong upon a bough on high After her heat the breathing cold to taste; Soon as she Venus saw behind her back, rose: Whilst all her nymphs did like a girlond her enclose. $79. Description of a Garden. EFTSOONS they heard a most delicious sound Of all that mote delight a dainty ear; Such as at once might not on living ground, Save in this paradise, be heard elsewhere: Right hard it was for wight which did it hear, To read what manner music that mote be, For all that pleasing is to living ear |