Minor Poems of Michael Drayton

The second Nimphall This Nimphall of delights doth treat, Choice beauties, and proportions neat, Of curious shapes, and dainty features Describd in two most perfect creatures. When Phœbus with a face of mirth, Had flong abroad his beames, To blanch the bosome of the earth, And glaze the gliding streames. Within a goodly Mertle groue, Vpon that hallowed day The Nimphes to the bright Queene of loue Their vowes were vsde to pay. Faire Rodope and Dorida 10 Met in those sacred shades, Then whom the Sunne in all his way, Nere saw two daintier Maids. And through the thickets thrild his fires, Supposing to haue seene The soueraigne Goddesse of desires , Or Ioves Emperious Queene : Both of so wondrous beauties were, In shape both so excell, That to be paraleld elsewhere, 20 No iudging eye could tell. And their affections so surpasse, As well it might be deemd, That th' one of them the other was, And but themselues they seem'd. And whilst the Nimphes that neare this place, Disposed were to play At Barly-breake and Prison-base, Doe passe the time away: This peerlesse payre together set, 30 The other at their sport, None neare their free discourse to let, Each other thus they court, Dorida. My sweet, my soueraigne Rodope , My deare delight, my loue, That Locke of hayre thou sentst to me, I to this Bracelet woue; Which brighter euery day doth grow The longer it is worne, As its delicious fellowes doe, 40 Thy Temples that adorne. Rodope. Nay had I thine my Dorida , I would them so bestow, As that the winde vpon my way, Might backward make them flow, So should it in its greatst excesse Turne to becalmed ayre, And quite forget all boistrousnesse To play with euery hayre. Dorida. To me like thine had nature giuen, 50 A Brow, so Archt, so cleere, A Front, wherein so much of heauen Doth to each eye appeare, The world should see, I would strike dead The Milky Way that's now, And say that Nectar Hebe shed Fell all vpon my Brow. Rodope. O had I eyes like Doridaes , I would inchant the day And make the Sunne to stand at gaze, 60 Till he forget his way: And cause his Sister Queene of Streames , When so I list by night; By her much blushing at my Beames T' eclipse her borrowed light. Dorida. Had I a Cheeke like Rodopes , In midst of which doth stand, A Groue of Roses, such as these, In such a snowy land: I would then make the Lilly which we now 70 So much for whitenesse name, As drooping downe the head to bow, And die for very shame. Rodope. Had I a bosome like to thine, When I it pleas'd to show, T' what part o' th' Skie I would incline I would make th' Etheriall bowe, My swannish breast brancht all with blew, In brauery like the spring: In Winter to the generall view 80 Full Summer forth should bring. Dorida. Had I a body like my deare, Were I so straight so tall, O, if so broad my shoulders were, Had I a waste so small; I would challenge the proud Queene of loue To yeeld to me for shape, And I should feare that Mars or Iove Would venter for my rape. Rodope. Had I a hand like thee my Gerle, 90 (This hand O let me kisse) These Ivory Arrowes pyl'd with pearle, Had I a hand like this; I would not doubt at all to make, Each finger of my hand To taske swift Mercury to take With his inchanting wand. Dorida. Had I a Theigh like Rodopes; Which twas my chance to viewe, When lying on yon banck at ease, 100 The wind thy skirt vp blew, I would say it were a columne wrought To some intent Diuine, And for our chaste Diana sought, A pillar for her shryne. Rodope. Had I a Leg but like to thine That were so neat, so cleane, A swelling Calfe, a Small so fine, An Ankle, round and leane, I would tell nature she doth misse 110 Her old skill; and maintaine, She shewd her master peece in this, Not to be done againe. Dorida. Had I that Foot hid in those shoos, (Proportion'd to my height) Short Heele, thin Instep, euen Toes, A Sole so wondrous straight, The Forresters and Nimphes at this Amazed all should stand, And kneeling downe, should meekely kisse 120 The Print left in the sand. By this the Nimphes came from their sport, All pleased wondrous well, And to these Maydens make report What lately them befell: One said the dainty Lelipa Did all the rest out-goe, Another would a wager lay She would outstrip a Roe; Sayes one, how like you Florimel 130 There is your dainty face: A fourth replide, she lik't that well, Yet better lik't her grace, She's counted, I confesse, quoth she, To be our onely Pearle, Yet haue I heard her oft to be A melancholy Gerle. Another said she quite mistoke, That onely was her art, When melancholly had her looke 140 Then mirth was in her heart; And hath she then that pretty trick Another doth reply, I thought no Nimph could haue bin sick Of that disease but I; I know you can dissemble well Quoth one to giue you due, But here be some (who Ile not tell) Can do't as well as you, Who thus replies, I know that too, 150 We haue it from our Mother, Yet there be some this thing can doe More cunningly then other: If Maydens but dissemble can Their sorrow and ther ioy, Their pore dissimulation than, Is but a very toy. The second Nimphall Lalvs , Cleon , and Lirope . The Muse new Courtship doth deuise, By Natures strange Varieties, Whose Rarieties she here relates, And giues you Pastorall Delicates. Lalus a Iolly youthfull Lad, With Cleon , no lesse crown'd With vertues; both their beings had On the Elizian ground. Both hauing parts so excellent, That it a question was, Which should be the most eminent, Or did in ought surpasse: This Cleon was a Mountaineer, 10 And of the wilder kinde, And from his birth had many a yeere Bin nurst vp by a Hinde. And as the sequell well did show, It very well might be; For neuer Hart, nor Hare, nor Roe, Were halfe so swift as he. But Lalus in the Vale was bred, Amongst the Sheepe and Neate, And by these Nimphes there choicly fed, 20 With Hony, Milke, and Wheate; Of Stature goodly, faire of speech, And of behauiour mylde, Like those there in the Valley rich, That bred him of a chyld. Of Falconry they had the skill, Their Halkes to feed and flye, No better Hunters ere clome Hill, Nor hollowed to a Cry: In Dingles deepe, and Mountains hore, 30 Oft with the bearded Speare They combated the tusky Boare, And slew the angry Beare. In Musicke they were wondrous quaint, Fine Aers they could deuise; They very curiously could Paint, And neatly Poetize; That wagers many time were laid On Questions that arose, Which song the witty Lalus made, 40 Which Cleon should compose. The stately Steed they manag'd well, Of Fence the art they knew, For Dansing they did all excell The Gerles that to them drew; To throw the Sledge, to pitch the Barre, To wrestle and to Run, They all the Youth exceld so farre, That still the Prize they wonne. These sprightly Gallants lou'd a Lasse, 50 Cald Lirope the bright , In the whole world there scarcely was So delicate a Wight, There was no Beauty so diuine That euer Nimph did grace, But it beyond it selfe did shine In her more heuenly face: What forme she pleasd each thing would take That ere she did behold, Of Pebbles she could Diamonds make, 60 Grosse Iron turne to Gold: Such power there with her presence came Sterne Tempests she alayd, The cruell Tiger she could tame, She raging Torrents staid, She chid, she cherisht, she gaue life, Againe she made to dye, She raisd a warre, apeasd a Strife, With turning of her eye. Some said a God did her beget, 70 But much deceiu'd were they, Her Father was a Riuelet , Her Mother was a Fay . Her Lineaments so fine that were, She from the Fayrie tooke, Her Beauties and Complection cleere, By nature from the Brooke. These Ryualls wayting for the houre (The weather calme and faire) When as she vs'd to leaue her Bower 80 To take the pleasant ayre Acosting her; their complement To her their Goddesse done; By gifts they tempt her to consent, When Lalus thus begun. Lalus. Sweet Lirope I haue a Lambe Newly wayned from the Damme, * Without hornes. Of the right kinde, it is *notted, Naturally with purple spotted, Into laughter it will put you, 90 To see how prettily 'twill But you; When on sporting it is set, It will beate you a Corvet, And at euery nimble bound Turne it selfe aboue the ground; When tis hungry it will bleate, From your hand to haue its meate, And when it hath fully fed, It will fetch Iumpes aboue your head, As innocently to expresse 100 Its silly sheepish thankfullnesse, When you bid it, it will play, Be it either night or day, This Lirope I haue for thee, So thou alone wilt liue with me. Cleon. From him O turne thine eare away, And heare me my lou'd Lirope , I haue a Kid as white as milke, His skin as soft as Naples silke, His hornes in length are wondrous euen, 110 And curiously by nature writhen; It is of th' Arcadian kinde, Ther's not the like twixt either Inde ; If you walke, 'twill walke you by, If you sit downe, it downe will lye, It with gesture will you wooe, And counterfeit those things you doe; Ore each Hillock it will vault, And nimbly doe the Summer-sault, Upon the hinder Legs 'twill goe, 120 And follow you a furlong so, And if by chance a Tune you roate, 'Twill foote it finely to your note, Seeke the worlde and you may misse To finde out such a thing as this; This my loue I haue for thee So thou'lt leaue him and goe with me. Lirope. Beleeue me Youths your gifts are rare, And you offer wondrous faire; Lalus for Lambe, Cleon for Kyd, 130 'Tis hard to iudge which most doth bid, And haue you two such things in store, And I n'er knew of them before? Well yet I dare a Wager lay That Brag my little Dog shall play, As dainty tricks when I shall bid, As Lalus Lambe, or Cleons Kid. But t' may fall out that I may neede them Till when yee may doe well to feed them; Your Goate and Mutton pretty be 140 But Youths these are noe bayts for me, Alasse good men, in vaine ye wooe, 'Tis not your Lambe nor Kid will doe. Lalus. I haue two Sparrowes white as Snow, Whose pretty eyes like sparkes doe show; In her Bosome Venus hatcht them Where her little Cupid watcht them, Till they too fledge their Nests forsooke Themselues and to the Fields betooke, Where by chance a Fowler caught them 150 Of whom I full dearely bought them; * The redde fruit of the smooth Bramble. They'll fetch you Conserue from the *Hip, And lay it softly on your Lip, Through their nibling bills they'll Chirup And fluttering feed you with the Sirup, And if thence you put them by They to your white necke will flye, And if you expulse them there They'll hang vpon your braded Hayre; You so long shall see them prattle 160 Till at length they'll fall to battle, And when they haue fought their fill, You will smile to see them bill These birds my Lirope's shall be So thou'lt leaue him and goe with me. Cleon. His Sparrowes are not worth a rush I'le finde as good in euery bush, Of Doues I haue a dainty paire Which when you please to take the Air, About your head shall gently houer 170 You Cleere browe from the Sunne to couer, And with their nimble wings shall fan you, That neither Cold nor Heate shall tan you, And like Vmbrellas with their feathers Sheeld you in all sorts of weathers: They be most dainty Coloured things, They haue Damask backs and Chequerd wings, Their neckes more Various Cullours showe Then there be mixed in the Bowe; Venus saw the lesser Doue 180 And therewith was farre in Loue, Offering for't her goulden Ball For her Sonne to play withall; These my Liropes shall be So shee'll leaue him and goe with me. Lirope. Then for Sparrowes, and for Doues I am fitted twixt my Loues, But Lalus I take no delight In Sparowes, for they'll scratch and bite And though ioynd, they are euer wooing 190 Alwayes billing, if not doeing, Twixt Venus breasts if they haue lyen I much feare they'll infect myne; Cleon your Doues are very dainty, Tame Pidgeons else you know are plenty, These may winne some of your Marrowes I am not caught with Doues, nor Sparrowes, I thanke ye kindly for your Coste, Yet your labour is but loste. Lalus. With full-leau'd Lillies I will stick 200 Thy braded hayre all o'r so thick, That from it a Light shall throw Like the Sunnes vpon the Snow. Thy Mantle shall be Violet Leaues, With the fin'st the Silkeworme weaues As finely wouen; whose rich smell The Ayre about thee so shall swell That it shall haue no power to mooue. A Ruffe of Pinkes thy Robe aboue About thy necke so neatly set 210 That Art it cannot counterfet, Which still shall looke so Fresh and new, As if vpon their Roots they grew: And for thy head Ile haue a Tyer Of netting, made of Strawbery wyer, And in each knot that doth compose A Mesh, shall stick a halfe blowne Rose, Red, damaske, white, in order set About the sides, shall run a Fret Of Primroses, the Tyer throughout 220 With Thrift and Dayses frindgd about; All this faire Nimph Ile doe for thee, So thou'lt leaue him and goe with me. Cleon. These be but weeds and Trash he brings, Ile giue thee solid, costly things, His will wither and be gone Before thou well canst put them on; With Currall I will haue thee Crown'd, Whose Branches intricatly wound Shall girt thy Temples euery way; 230 And on the top of euery Spray Shall stick a Pearle orient and great, Which so the wandring Birds shall cheat, That some shall stoope to looke for Cheries, As other for tralucent Berries. And wondering, caught e'r they be ware In the curld Tramels of thy hayre: And for thy necke a Christall Chaine Whose lincks shapt like to drops of Raine, Vpon thy panting Breast depending, 240 Shall seeme as they were still descending, And as thy breath doth come and goe, So seeming still to ebbe and flow: With Amber Bracelets cut like Bees, Whose strange transparency who sees, With Silke small as the Spiders Twist Doubled so oft about thy Wrist, Would surely thinke aliue they were, From Lillies gathering hony there. Thy Buskins Ivory, caru'd like Shels 250 Of Scallope, which as little Bels Made hollow, with the Ayre shall Chime, And to thy steps shall keepe the time: Leaue Lalus , Lirope for me And these shall thy rich dowry be. Lirope. Lalus for Flowers. Cleon for Iemmes, For Garlands and for Diadems, I shall be sped, why this is braue, What Nimph can choicer Presents haue, With dressing, brading, frowncing, flowring, 260 All your Iewels on me powring, In this brauery being drest, To the ground I shall be prest, That I doubt the Nimphes will feare me, Nor will venture to come neare me; Neuer Lady of the May, To this houre was halfe so gay; All in flowers, all so sweet, From the Crowne, beneath the Feet, Amber, Currall, Ivory, Pearle, 270 If this cannot win a Gerle, Ther's nothing can, and this ye wooe me, Giue me your hands and trust ye to me, (Yet to tell ye I am loth) That I'le haue neither of you both; Lalus. When thou shalt please to stem the flood, (As thou art of the watry brood) I'le haue twelve Swannes more white than Snow, Yokd for the purpose two and two, To drawe thy Barge wrought of fine Reed 280 So well that it nought else shall need, The Traces by which they shall hayle Thy Barge; shall be the winding trayle Of woodbynd; whose braue Tasseld Flowers (The Sweetnesse of the Woodnimphs Bowres) Shall be the Trappings to adorne, The Swannes, by which thy Barge is borne, Of flowred Flags I'le rob the banke Of water-Cans and King-cups ranck To be the Couering of thy Boate, 290 And on the Streame as thou do'st Floate, The Naiades that haunt the deepe, Themselues about thy Barge shall keepe, Recording most delightfull Layes, By Sea Gods written in thy prayse. And in what place thou hapst to land, There the gentle Siluery sand, Shall soften, curled with the Aier As sensible of thy repayre: This my deare loue I'le doe for thee, 300 So Thou'lt leaue him and goe with me: Cleon. Tush Nimphe his Swannes will prove but Geese, His Barge drinke water like a Fleece; A Boat is base, I'le thee prouide, A Chariot, wherein Ioue may ride; In which when brauely thou art borne, Thou shalt looke like the gloryous morne Vshering the Sunne, and such a one As to this day was neuer none, Of the Rarest Indian Gummes, 310 More pretious then your Balsamummes Which I by Art haue made so hard, That they with Tooles may well be Caru'd To make a Coach of: which shall be Materyalls of this one for thee, And of thy Chariot each small peece Shall inlayd be with Amber Greece, And guilded with the Yellow ore Produc'd from Tagus wealthy shore; In which along the pleasant Lawne, 320 With twelue white Stags thou shalt be drawne, Whose brancht palmes of a stately height, With seuerall nosegayes shall be dight; And as thou ryd'st, thy Coach about, For thy strong guard shall runne a Rout, Of Estriges; whose Curled plumes, Sen'sd with thy Chariots rich perfumes, The scent into the Aier shall throw; Whose naked Thyes shall grace the show; Whilst the Woodnimphs and those bred 330 Vpon the mountayns, o'r thy head Shall beare a Canopy of flowers, Tinseld with drops of Aprill showers, Which shall make more glorious showes Then spangles, or your siluer Oas; This bright nimph I'le doe for thee So thou'lt leaue him and goe with me. Lirope. Vie and reuie, like Chapmen profer'd, Would't be receaued what you haue offer'd; Ye greater honour cannot doe me, 340 If not building Altars to me: Both by Water and by Land, Bardge and Chariot at command; Swans vpon the Streame to rawe me, Stags vpon the Land to drawe me, In all this Pompe should I be seene, What a pore thing were a Queene: All delights in such excesse, As but yee, who can expresse: Thus mounted should the Nimphes me see, 350 All the troope would follow me, Thinking by this state that I Would asume a Deitie. There be some in loue haue bin, And I may commit that sinne, And if e'r I be in loue, With one of you I feare twill proue, But with which I cannot tell, So my gallant Youths farewell. The third Nimphall Doron . Naijs . Cloris . Claia . Dorilvs . Cloe . Mertilla . Florimel . With Nimphes and Forresters. Poetick Raptures, sacred fires, With which Apollo his inspires, This Nimphall gives you; and withall Obserues the Muses Festivall. Amongst th' Elizians many mirthfull Feasts, At which the Muses are the certaine guests, Th' obserue one Day with most Emperiall state, To wise Apollo which they dedicate, The Poets God; and to his Alters bring Th' enamel'd Brauery of the beauteous spring, And strew their Bowers with euery precious sweet, Which still wax fresh, most trod on with their feet; With most choice flowers each Nimph doth brade her hayre, 10 And not the mean'st but bauldrick wise doth weare Some goodly Garland, and the most renown'd With curious Roseat Anadems are crown'd. These being come into the place where they Yearely obserue the Orgies to that day, The Muses from their Heliconian spring Their brimfull Mazers to the feasting bring: When with deepe Draughts out of those plenteous Bowles, The iocond Youth haue swild their thirsty soules, They fall enraged with a sacred heat, 20 And when their braines doe once begin to sweat They into braue and Stately numbers breake, And not a word that any one doth speake But tis Prophetick, and so strangely farre In their high fury they transported are, As there's not one, on any thing can straine, But by another answred is againe In the same Rapture, which all sit to heare; When as two Youths that soundly liquord were, Dorilus and Doron , two as noble swayns 30 As euer kept on the Elizian playns, First by their signes attention hauing woonne, Thus they the Reuels frolikly begunne. Doron. Come Dorilus , let vs be brave, In lofty numbers let vs raue, With Rymes I will inrich thee. Dorilus. Content say I, then bid the base, Our wits shall runne the Wildgoosechase, Spurre vp, or I will swich thee. Doron. The Sunne out of the East doth peepe, 40 And now the day begins to creepe, Vpon the world at leasure. Dorilus. The Ayre enamor'd of the Greaues, The West winde stroaks the velvit leaues And kisses them at pleasure. Doron. The spinners webs twixt spray and spray, The top of euery bush make gay, By filmy coards there dangling. Dorilus. For now the last dayes euening dew Euen to the full it selfe doth shew, 50 Each bough with Pearle bespangling. Doron. O Boy how thy abundant vaine Euen like a Flood breaks from thy braine, Nor can thy Muse be gaged. Dorilus. Why nature forth did neuer bring A man that like to me can sing, If once I be enraged. Doron. Why Dorilus I in my skill Can make the swiftest Streame stand still, Nay beare back to his springing. 60 Dorilus. And I into a Trance most deepe Can cast the Birds that they shall sleepe When fain'st they would be singing. Doron. Why Dorilus thou mak'st me mad, And now my wits begin to gad, But sure I know not whither. Dorilus. O Doron let me hug thee then, There neuer was two madder men, Then let vs on together. Doron. Hermes the winged Horse bestrid, 70 And thorow thick and thin he rid, And floundred throw the Fountaine. Dorilus. He spurd the Tit vntill he bled, So that at last he ran his head Against the forked Mountaine, Doron. How sayst thou, but pyde Iris got Into great Iunos Chariot, I spake with one that saw her. Dorilus. And there the pert and sawcy Elfe, Behau'd her as twere Iuno's selfe, 80 And made the Peacocks draw her. Doron. Ile borrow Phœbus fiery Iades, With which about the world he trades, And put them in my Plow. Dorilus. O thou most perfect frantique man, Yet let thy rage be what it can, Ile be as mad as thou. Doron. Ile to great Iove , hap good, hap ill, Though he with Thunder threat to kill, And beg of him a boone. 90 Dorilus. To swerue vp one of Cynthias beames, And there to bath thee in the streames. Discouerd in the Moone. Doron. Come frolick Youth and follow me, My frantique boy, and Ile show thee The Countrey of the Fayries. Dorilus. The fleshy Mandrake where't doth grow In noonshade of the Mistletow, And where the Phœnix Aryes. Doron. Nay more, the Swallowes winter bed, 100 The Caverns where the Winds are bred, Since thus thou talkst of showing. Dorilus. And to those Indraughts Ile thee bring, That wondrous and eternall spring Whence th' Ocean hath its flowing. Doron. We'll downe to the darke house of sleepe, Where snoring Morpheus doth keepe, And wake the drowsy Groome. Dorilus. Downe shall the Dores and Windowes goe, The Stooles vpon the Floare we'll throw, 110 And roare about the Roome. The Muses here commanded them to stay, Commending much the caridge of their Lay As greatly pleasd at this their madding Bout, To heare how brauely they had borne it out From first to the last, of which they were right glad, By this they found that Helicon still had That vertue it did anciently retaine When Orpheus Lynus and th' Ascrean Swaine Tooke lusty Rowses, which hath made their Rimes, 120 To last so long to all succeeding times. And now amongst this beauteous Beauie here, Two wanton Nimphes, though dainty ones they were, Naijs and Cloe in their female fits Longing to show the sharpnesse of their wits, Of the nine Sisters speciall leaue doe craue That the next Bout they two might freely haue, Who hauing got the suffrages of all, Thus to their Rimeing instantly they fall. Naijs. Amongst you all let us see 130 Who ist opposes mee, Come on the proudest she To answere my dittye. Cloe. Why Naijs , that am I, Who dares thy pride defie. And that we soone shall try Though thou be witty. Naijs. Cloe I scorne my Rime Should obserue feet or time, Now I fall, then I clime, 140 Where i'st I dare not. Cloe. Giue thy Invention wing, And let her flert and fling, Till downe the Rocks she ding, For that I care not. Naijs. This presence delights me, My freedome inuites me, The Season excytes me, In Rime to be merry. Cloe. And I beyond measure, 150 Am rauisht with pleasure, To answer each Ceasure, Untill thou beist weary. Naijs. Behold the Rosye Dawne, Rises in Tinsild Lawne, And smiling seemes to fawne, Vpon the mountaines. Cloe. Awaked from her Dreames, Shooting foorth goulden Beames Dansing vpon the Streames 160 Courting the Fountaines. Naijs. These more then sweet Showrets, Intice vp these Flowrets, To trim vp our Bowrets, Perfuming our Coats. Cloe. Whilst the Birds billing Each one with his Dilling The thickets still filling With Amorous Noets. Naijs. The Bees vp in hony rould, 170 More then their thighes can hould, Lapt in their liquid gould, Their Treasure vs Bringing. Cloe. To these Rillets purling Vpon the stones Curling, And oft about wherling, Dance tow'ard their springing. Naijs. The Wood-Nimphes sit singing, Each Groue with notes ringing Whilst fresh Ver is flinging 180 Her Bounties abroad. Cloe. So much as the Turtle, Upon the low Mertle, To the meads fertle, Her cares doth unload. Naijs. Nay 'tis a world to see, In euery bush and Tree, The Birds with mirth and glee, Woo'd as they woe. Cloe. The Robin and the Wren, 190 Every Cocke with his Hen, Why should not we and men, Doe as they doe. Naijs. The Faires are hopping, The small Flowers cropping, And with dew dropping, Skip thorow the Greaues. Cloe. At Barly-breake they play Merrily all the day, At night themselues they lay 200 Vpon the soft leaues. Naijs. The gentle winds sally, Vpon every Valley, And many times dally And wantonly sport. Cloe. About the fields tracing, Each other in chasing, And often imbracing, In amorous sort. Naijs. And Eccho oft doth tell 210 Wondrous things from her Cell, As her what chance befell, Learning to prattle. Cloe. And now she sits and mocks The Shepherds and their flocks, And the Heards from the Rocks Keeping their Cattle. When to these Maids the Muses silence cry, For 'twas the opinion of the Company, That were not these two taken of, that they 220 Would in their Conflict wholly spend the day. When as the Turne to Florimel next came, A Nimph for Beauty of especiall name, Yet was she not so Iolly as the rest: And though she were by her companions prest, Yet she by no intreaty would be wrought To sing, as by th' Elizian Lawes she ought: When two bright Nimphes that her companions were, And of all other onely held her deare, Mild Claris and Mertilla , with faire speech 230 Their most beloued Florimel beseech, T'obserue the Muses, and the more to wooe her, They take their turnes, and thus they sing vnto her. Cloris. Sing, Florimel , O sing, and wee Our whole wealth will giue to thee, We'll rob the brim of euery Fountaine, Strip the sweets from euery Mountaine, We will sweepe the curled valleys, Brush the bancks that mound our allyes, We will muster natures dainties 240 When she wallowes in her plentyes, The lushyous smell of euery flower New washt by an Aprill shower, The Mistresse of her store we'll make thee That she for her selfe shall take thee; Can there be a dainty thing, That's not thine if thou wilt sing. Mertilla. When the dew in May distilleth, And the Earths rich bosome filleth, And with Pearle embrouds each Meadow, 250 We will make them like a widow, And in all their Beauties dresse thee, And of all their spoiles possesse thee, With all the bounties Zephyre brings, Breathing on the yearely springs, The gaudy bloomes of euery Tree In their most beauty when they be, What is here that may delight thee, Or to pleasure may excite thee, Can there be a dainty thing 260 That's not thine if thou wilt sing. But Florimel still sullenly replyes I will not sing at all, let that suffice: When as a Nimph one of the merry ging Seeing she no way could be wonne to sing; Come, come, quoth she, ye vtterly vndoe her With your intreaties, and your reuerence to her; For praise nor prayers, she careth not a pin; They that our froward Florimel would winne, Must worke another way, let me come to her, 270 Either Ile make her sing, or Ile vndoe her. Claia. Florimel I thus coniure thee, Since their gifts cannot alure thee; By stampt Garlick, that doth stink Worse then common Sewer, or Sink, By Henbane, Dogsbane, Woolfsbane, sweet As any Clownes or Carriers feet, By stinging Nettles, pricking Teasels Raysing blisters like the measels, By the rough Burbreeding docks, Rancker then the oldest Fox, 280 By filthy Hemblock, poysning more Then any vlcer or old sore, By the Cockle in the corne, That smels farre worse then doth burnt horne, By Hempe in water that hath layne, By whose stench the Fish are slayne, By Toadflax which your Nose may tast, If you haue a minde to cast, May all filthy stinking Weeds 290 That e'r bore leafe, or e'r had seeds, Florimel be giuen to thee, If thou'lt not sing as well as wee. At which the Nimphs to open laughter fell, Amongst the rest the beauteous Florimel , (Pleasd with the spell from Claia that came, A mirthfull Gerle and giuen to sport and game) As gamesome growes as any of them all, And to this ditty instantly doth fall. Florimel. How in my thoughts should I contriue 300 The Image I am framing, Which is so farre superlatiue, As tis beyond all naming; I would Ioue of my counsell make, And haue his judgement in it, But that I doubt he would mistake How rightly to begin it, It must be builded in the Ayre, And tis my thoughts must doo it, And onely they must be the stayre 310 From earth to mount me to it, For of my Sex I frame my Lay, Each houre, our selues forsaking, How should I then finde out the way To this my vndertaking, When our weake Fancies working still, Yet changing every minnit, Will shew that it requires some skill, Such difficulty's in it. We would things, yet we know not what, 320 And let our will be granted, Yet instantly we finde in that Something vnthought of wanted: Our ioyes and hopes such shadowes are, As with our motions varry, Which when we oft haue fetcht from farre, With us they neuer tarry: Some worldly crosse doth still attend, What long we haue in spinning, And e'r we fully get the end 330 We lose of our beginning. Our pollicies so peevish are, That with themselues they wrangle, And many times become the snare That soonest vs intangle; For that the Loue we beare our Friends Though nere so strongly grounded, Hath in it certaine oblique ends If to the bottome sounded: Our owne well wishing making it, 340 A pardonable Treason; For that is deriud from witt, And vnderpropt with reason. For our Deare selues beloued sake (Euen in the depth of passion) Our Center though our selues we make, Yet is not that our station; For whilst our Browes ambitious be And youth at hand awayts vs, It is a pretty thing to see 350 How finely Beautie cheats vs, And whilst with tyme we tryfling stand To practise Antique graces Age with a pale and withered hand Drawes Furowes in our faces. When they which so desirous were before To hear her sing; desirous are far more To haue her cease; and call to haue her stayd For she to much alredy had bewray'd. And as the thrice three Sisters thus had grac'd 360 Their Celebration, and themselues had plac'd Vpon a Violet banck, in order all Where they at will might view the Festifall The Nimphs and all the lusty youth that were At this braue Nimphall, by them honored there, To Gratifie the heauenly Gerles againe Lastly prepare in state to entertaine Those sacred Sisters, fairely and confer, On each of them, their prayse particular And thus the Nimphes to the nine Muses sung. 370 When as the Youth and Forresters among That well prepared for this businesse were, Become the Chorus , and thus sung they there. Nimphes. Clio then first of those Celestiall nine That daily offer to the sacred shryne, Of wise Apollo ; Queene of Stories, Thou that vindicat'st the glories Of passed ages, and renewst Their acts which euery day thou viewst, And from a lethargy dost keepe 380 Old nodding time, else prone to sleepe. Chorus. Clio O craue of Phœbus to inspire Vs, for his Altars with his holiest fire, And let his glorious euer-shining Rayes Giue life and growth to our Elizian Bayes. Nimphes. Melpomine thou melancholly Maid Next, to wise Phœbus we inuoke thy ayd, In Buskins that dost stride the Stage, And in thy deepe distracted rage, In blood-shed that dost take delight, 390 Thy obiect the most fearfull sight, That louest the sighes, the shreekes, and sounds Of horrors, that arise from wounds. Chorus. Sad Muse, O craue of Phœbus to inspire Vs for his Altars, with his holiest fire, And let his glorious euer-shining Rayes Giue life and growth to our Elizian Bayes. Nimphes. Comick Thalia then we come to thee, Thou mirthfull Mayden, onely that in glee And loues deceits, thy pleasure tak'st, 400 Of which thy varying Scene that mak'st And in thy nimble Sock do'st stirre Loude laughter through the Theater, That with the Peasant mak'st the sport, As well as with the better sort. Chorus. Thalia craue of Phœbus to inspire Vs for his Alters with his holyest fier; And let his glorious euer-shining Rayes Giue life, and growth to our Elizian Bayes. Nimphes. Euterpe next to thee we will proceed, 410 That first sound'st out the Musick on the Reed, With breath and fingers giu'ng life, To the shrill Cornet and the Fyfe. Teaching euery stop and kaye, To those vpon the Pipe that playe, Those which Wind-Instruments we call Or soft, or lowd, or greate, or small, Chorus. Euterpe aske of Phebus to inspire, Vs for his Alters with his holyest fire And let his glorious euer-shining Rayes 420 Giue life and growth to our Elizian Bayes. Nimphes. Terpsichore that of the Lute and Lyre, And Instruments that sound with Cords and wyere, That art the Mistres, to commaund The touch of the most Curious hand, When euery Quauer doth Imbrace His like in a true Diapase, And euery string his sound doth fill Toucht with the Finger or the Quill. Chorus. Terpsichore, craue Phebus to inspire 430 Vs for his Alters with his holyest fier And let his glorious euer-shining Rayes Giue life and growth to our Elizian Bayes. Nimphes. Then Erato wise muse on thee we call, In Lynes to vs that do'st demonstrate all, Which neatly, with thy staffe and Bowe, Do'st measure, and proportion showe; Motion and Gesture that dost teach That euery height and depth canst reach, And do'st demonstrate by thy Art 440 What nature else would not Impart. Chorus. Deare Erato craue Phebus to inspire Vs for his Alters with his holyest fire, And let his glorious euer-shining Rayes, Giue life and growth to our Elizian Bayes. Nimphes. To thee then braue Caliope we come Thou that maintain'st, the Trumpet, and the Drum; The neighing Steed that louest to heare, Clashing of Armes doth please thine eare, In lofty Lines that do'st rehearse 450 Things worthy of a thundring verse, And at no tyme are heard to straine, On ought that suits a Common vayne. Chorus. Caliope , craue Phebus to inspire, Vs for his Alters with his holyest fier, And let his glorious euer-shining Rayes, Giue life and growth to our Elizian Bayes. Nimphes. Then Polyhymnia most delicious Mayd, In Rhetoricks Flowers that art arayd, In Tropes and Figures, richly drest, 460 The Fyled Phrase that louest best, That art all Elocution, and The first that gau'st to vnderstand The force of wordes in order plac'd And with a sweet deliuery grac'd. Chorus. Sweet Muse perswade our Phœbus to inspire Vs for his Altars, with his holiest fire, And let his glorious euer shining Rayes Giue life and growth to our Elizian Bayes. Nimphes. Lofty Vrania then we call to thee, 470 To whom the Heauens for euer opened be, Thou th' Asterismes by name dost call, And shewst when they doe rise and fall Each Planets force, and dost diuine His working, seated in his Signe, And how the starry Frame still roules Betwixt the fixed stedfast Poles. Chorus. Vrania aske of Phœbus to inspire Vs for his Altars with his holiest fire, And let his glorious euer-shining Rayes 480 Giue life and growth to our Elizian Bayes. The fourth Nimphall Cloris and Mertilla .

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